001First item on the agenda is the moment of silence of veteran Freeman Short. Freeman Short is a veteran who was residing in Milford at the time of his untimely death aboard the Lily Gene that sunk off of the coast of Massachusetts on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. You may have seen it. It was on newscasts >> for quite some time. May he rest in peace. And could I have a moment of silence, please? Thank you. Next item on the agenda is the signing of the warrant general. >> Uh yes, Mr. Chair. I'd make a motion that we sign the warrant. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Next item is approval of regular session minutes of January 29th, 2026. No. Um motion to approve the regular session minutes of January 29th, 2026.
002>> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Uh public hearings. We did have two public hearings scheduled with uh National Grid and uh Central Gas and Market. Uh they've both been continued uh to March. Scheduled appointments uh human resources director uh concerning the IA rates. >> Welcome Hi. >> Hi there. >> Good afternoon. >> Okay. Well, the uh insurance advisory committee met a couple of times. >> Um we went back and forth with Blue Cross as we always do every year and uh they tried to start off with a 14.4% increase or a 10.4% increase depending on whether or not we had included the popular GLP1 medications. Those are very very expensive and we found with a little bit of research that most municipals, the overwhelming majority are dropping them because they're
003just driving up the prices too much. >> I also reached out to the MMHR community because um you know we wanted to see where we were falling with the rate increases and um what we finally negotiated at 9.9% which sounds outrageous was actually one of the better rates based on uh the feedback that we got. uh we were hearing a lot of 15 18 20% increases. So we swallowed hard and voted on the 9.9% which keeps the plans that we currently have in place minus the GLP1s and uh that was the bad news. Uh the dental insurance only know we're self-insured for that but we have to cover um the administrative small administrative increase and small utilization increase. So that increase was only 3%. That's a pretty small nut compared to the other ones. The
004good news is that we have a lot of folks that are signing up for um our access saver plan, which is the least expensive of the Bluec Cross plans. It's high deductible and it can be coupled with a health savings account, which some folks are using. So, we're pushing that. It it isn't a first dollar benefit thing, but I think the folks that uh fit into that category are taking advantage of the much lower cost. So, that's good. The other bright side to this is that the optional plans that we have, so we have critical illness, uh, short-term disability, hospital insurance, and accident insurance, and they were with minus the hospital insurance, they were with Well, we've switched over to the Hartford. If you recall, we upped our Hartford group life from 10,000 up to
00550,000. And they've been a very good partner with us. So, they are going to take over all those optional insuranceances >> and they've dropped their prices a little bit. Um, some of the benefits are actually better and we did add the hospital insurance for that. So, they also are offering no medical questions in this enrollment. So, it's guaranteed issue. So, anybody who wants to jump on, even if they're not on right now, can do that with no questions asked. So, they can take advantage of that if they haven't already. Uh, so that's about as good as it gets on the bright side. >> I wish I had better news on the increase uh for the medical insurance. So, um, the memo that I gave you shows you the price increases and highlights some of the
006things I just talked about. So, the IA is recommending all of that. >> Okay. Okay. >> Chris, the people that are choosing the higher deductible, what is the new deductible? They're choosing, >> it will only went up $50 each. So, it's 1,700 for the individual and I believe it's 4,000 for the family. >> Thank you. >> And we have not moved our uh our family and individual deductibles. By the way, on the HMO Blue New England, it's still 250 for an individual and a total of 750 for the family. In in the real world outside of government, that is not something we usually see. Deductibles are usually much higher. So, we have a very good plan. We have great. >> Yeah, you do. Excuse me, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of comments. Thank you. Uh
007first of all, I want to thank you in in in the uh uh committee and all the work that goes into this especially today. You know, again, it's not just a local Milford problem or a regional problem. It's a national problem. You know, uh health insurance has skyrocketed. You have the cost of uh um uh medical care, of labor, uh drug costs, you know, all that uh uh comes into play. So, I think you're doing what you can do for, you know, the employees and whatnot to make it more comfortable for them. And I just want to say that we appreciate that and thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> As usual, you do a fantastic job. I mean, >> 91 9.9 is scary. >> Yeah. But I know other communities are faced with
008even a higher percentage. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, that's true. >> From what I've read in newspaper articles. So, >> um the fact that you negotiated a more favorable rate, I think, uh >> it's really commendable. >> Do you have any questions of us? >> I don't think so. >> No. You just need a you need a vote for >> Yeah. A motion, Mr. to accept these rates that were brought to us by the committee and uh HR director. >> Okay, Mr. Chairman, >> unanimous. >> Okay. Do we have um is it a separate item? >> Yeah. You go right into it if you're done with that. Okay. >> Um the other piece is more of a uh transactional kind of thing. We have two EAPs actually. one happens to come with our um workers comp
009insurance that was um introduced earlier I guess sometime last year. However, the one that we had voted on um two years ago I think with modern assistance they lean heavily into behavioral health and we've received very good feedback about them and so we partner with them on many things including on administrative referrals and their new contract is good for two years. it only it went up a very small uh percentage uh from $2 to $210 a contract. So, um if that's acceptable, the IA also recommended that. >> Any questions? >> They gentlemen see we just got a motion motion to accept the um uh Massachusetts public employee service agreement. >> I second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. >> Thank you. Thanks. Thank you so much. >> Next item on the agenda is the
010uh parks and recreation administrator >> so um as I have in the past I'd like to come to the select board just to go over some of the successes within the last year. Um, most of you probably heard of them, but there's some interesting, uh, attendance numbers and things like that that I I wanted to share with you. So, um, this year or this past year, 2025 pool season, uh, the total pool attendance was 10,331, uh, people. uh 5,944 which were kids, 2,690 which were residents, and 697 which were non-residents. Um we expect those numbers to keep going up. Um the first year we were open, it was a abbreviated season because we got open a little late with the construction and went up 2,000, you know, people having two weeks. So, >> we're averaging
011a good 7 to 900 people a week depending on the weather. >> Um, and we didn't have many rain days this week. Um, Peter Flosser and and Ronnie Sandro continue to do a great job managing the pool and um the lifeguards that we get from the school is they they do an unbelievable job. So, >> hoping that >> especially today, Jim, where lifeguards are so difficult to get cuz I know we also help look into um semi-public pools such as your condominiums and hotels and whatnot. >> And they find it very difficult to get lifeguards, >> right? and and through co they had a big problem where they a lot of >> people that were doing lifeguarding which we found out weren't going back and renewing their >> you know their certifications. >> It's too
012bad. >> But um right now we have a core of kids that are uh 16 years old, 17 years old. So they'll be with us for the next two or three years anyways. And some of them come even after when they go to college and stuff. So >> sure. Good to hear. >> We're in good good position for that. Anyways, um the disc golf course we're in, we're going into our third year now with the disc golf course. Um and it continues to be a success in recreation. Very minimal um in maintaining it. You know, I may need to send uh a few workers down there every other week just to do some mowing or some trimming uh for the grass and stuff, but other than that, the maintenance is minimal. Uh we haven't had
013any complaints as far as um you know trash or um you know damage. Very minimal um just minor things uh that kids will be kids. Yes. >> Um, and we have a we have a disc golf app that disc golf players can use when they go to a course and it really only accounts for like 30 to 40% of the actual people that are playing. So that tracks it and then I get reports every year on that. And that's the numbers you see there. 5,500 rounds were posted uh that were played in 2025. Um, and it also tells you from how many states. So, 31 states, people from 31 states have come in four countries. So, it it's it's definitely um doing well. We are looking to possibly expand it another nine holes uh through
014the property that we walked with the conservation to to get approvals. Um, but that's just in its planning stage right now. Um, it's definitely being used. Uh, since we expanded the parking lot, we haven't had any issues with uh problems with not enough parking because of the trail and things like that. It's been great. Uh, the pavilion that the um Lions Club donated, you know, gets used a lot down there. >> Um, so it's it's really been, you know, um, nice to see because our parks department isn't technically full recreation. And you know, we have the community use and stuff. So to see something like this >> take on the way it has. >> Yeah. And it's fairly new. >> It's nice and and >> you know, it's run by itself, you know, really. We
015don't have to do much to it at all. You know, >> when it snows like this, >> we have people that go out and shovel the teapads, you know, cuz they want it clear. >> You know, not many people play in the steps of snow, but they do. And they put ribbons on their disc. That's how they play in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine when, you know, through the winter. So we have a lot of volunteers that just go out and you know maintain it. So it's that's the best part about it is very minimal to my department um as far as doing the work. >> Um we hosted our first local cricket team um at Fenof Field Annex this year. It was a sort of trial run. They came to the commission to ask
016about um putting in a pitch at the annex with some netting to protect the trail. Uh the commission voted to allow them to do this on a trial basis. There were no issues reported to me um from the police or anything about any type of uh you know problems that might occur in bigger events. Uh basically they play on Fridays and I mean uh Saturdays and Sundays and they have uh two teams that play out of Milford and then they have like eight other teams that are in the league. Um and it doesn't affect we we laid out the pitch and the fields so it wouldn't affect anything within youth sports or town sports. So the football field for instance, soccer fields are all outside the playing area and they're not scheduled on Saturdays and
017Sundays. So there isn't any problem where we're losing field time for any of our youth sports or anything like that which >> you know it was that was the part of the trial basis. We wanted to make sure that that wasn't the case and it wasn't. So we're inviting them back again this year. They're actually uh contributing some money to do some repairs on the field and stuff. And that's going to become a yearly uh donation by them to help with field maintenance, which will be, you know, a nice addition to the annex because of the work we've done in the last few years with irrigation and, you know, top dressing and seating. So, that field will really um, you know, be able to be kept up the way it should be and be used.
018Um, we hosted a fourth fourth season for the No Fame Games, which is the Celt the Celtic strength competitions that they hold. Um, three years ago, they reached out to us. They wanted to try it out. They had like 50 athletes compete. They're up to over 200 athletes competing in this now. And it's become a huge uh draw for for the for the town. But um it's a one-day tournament and but all all different departments get involved. I know the police were involved. Uh the fire department got involved, you know, and they have anywhere from pro to beginner level. Um and they go full out. They have kilts and everything. It's full >> that look like >> Yeah. So they have the cber toss, the stone toss, the hay bale toss. >> Um I've gone
019down the last few years. It's it's really something to watch. They really >> stumbled upon it. It was really something >> and and we did have a lot of people down there watching. So, you know, in the as the years went on, we added bleachers to the outside so people are able to sit, but you can walk right down to the field. They can set up chairs and watch it. So, um, you know, it's something that we wanted to continue to, you know, do with this group and they are coming back again this year, which is, you know, nice. Um, Town Park, as you know, um, we we opened the recreation side of Town Park uh, last June. Um, so far everything's been great up there. We did have a few warranty issues that are
020going to be addressed in the uh spring uh for the court coding, but other than that um we do have the flock cameras up there now that are helpful um for any type of um vandalism. Uh it's been minimal um up there. There's some big some electric bike issues that we've addressed with the police and uh put up some signage. Um and we'll be adding some more cameras up there that will help with the new bathroom buildings. Um the bathroom building should be done by midappril. So for the playing season and that we had um an expansion cut it back for a youth softball storage, uh baseball storage and our storage. Um and it will include a uh two a men's bathroom, a women's bathroom, and a family bathroom. And those will be open during
021the week during our park hours. So from 6 to 2 pm and then during any activities for the um high school and youth sports, they'll have access to those bathrooms. Um and I I think it's going to be a huge addition there. Uh with the amount of cricket, I mean um pickle ball that's being played there now. >> Uh the bathrooms are definitely needed. Uh we have had porter johns there. We've had some issues with the porter johns, especially in the winters because the truck can't get into the location to clean them. Uh so we had to have them removed. Um the recreation there right now is very minimal. There's, you know, no one using the courts cuz there's 2 ft of snow on them. Yeah. >> You know, but um other than kids just,
022you know, playing around in it. But those those bathrooms are going to be a huge addition. And in addition to that, the addition to the st um band stand stage that was part of the project. Uh just bringing the stage out another 10 ft to give the entertainers a little more, you know, room up there. If you've been up there during the, you know, when the orchestra plays there, it's pretty tight. When you get 25 people in Yes. >> So that's, you know, that's going to be a great addition for them. Um, we also had uh in collaboration with the Milford um Commission on Disability, they reached out to me. Uh, they wanted to contribute some money to something in the playground, whether it be a handicap swing or um something else. And in showing
023them some different ideas, we came up with this musical sentry structures uh that were installed, um they contributed half of the cost, um which was $10,000 and the parks department picked up the other uh 10,000, but it includes harmony flowers, harmony bells, uh flower petal drums, rainbow chimes, and rainbow bongos. And um we really got it done just before we had all this snow. So we haven't really had a chance to see the use, but with the snow you do see the footprints going to it. So, you know, so it's nice to see that, you know, I think they're going to get a lot of use. Um and they add a little, you know, color. You see the pictures there. That's sort of right after they put it in. the ground was frozen, so the
024wood chips and stuff don't really represent what it actually looks like now. But, um, you know, it was nice to collaborate with another, you know, another group in town, um, that was looking to, you know, contribute some money. So, >> um, upcoming for 2026, the No Fame Games, as I mentioned, that's coming back June 13th. Uh the summer concert series will continue to be at the band stand. Uh Legion state tournament's coming back to Feno. So in July uh 25th to 29th, the Legion is going to host the state tournament. >> Uh they did it some years back. Um but that's a good draw and >> sure. >> Um >> you know, it should be a good event. We've been working with the Legion Committee and some improvements down there. some grant money we had
025uh improving like the roofs and uh we're going to be working on the press box in included with the upgrades in the bathrooms and things like that. Um so we'll be ready for them in July. And then we're also offering a uh learn to play cricket. Um so I put cricket I keep saying cricket I don't know what but they learn to play pickle ball. Uh we had a group reach out to us that want us to do some clinics. Um they're from West Boilston and they reached out and said we'd like to do some clinics, you know, to see how it works out. So we're sort of collaborating with them. Basically, we're we're, you know, renting the courts to them for a a low amount of time cuz I don't want to take away
026from the people. >> So we're limiting the time to an hour and a half per session. >> Mhm. >> So an hour and a half and it'll be all posted at the court. So people will know be aware of it so they're not coming down there and seeing the courts filled and not being able to play. So we'll have that noted that um you know to avoid any confrontation there. Uh but I'm looking forward to seeing you know families and you know they said probably a lot of families will go down and you know a lot of kids and stuff. So that's what we're hoping right >> uh we get out of it. And then uh you know some other improvements that we're looking for in the coming year. Uh Prospect Heights, we're looking to
027do some upgrades up there with walkways and um benches. Um the old benches that have been there for a long time. Uh they've had their due. We we've already purchased the benches, so it's just a matter of installing them. uh BRA Park. We're working with the MVP um group for some uh funding to make some improvements there. We had an event there. We invited kids and their families in the neighborhood to come down and sort of give their views on what they would like to see in the park. You know, they the kids drew pictures, they wanted tree houses, they wanted playgrounds, they wanted volleyball courts. So there's all different ideas that you know just to get that community um you know input on what they might want to see there and it's very limited
028what we can do there because there's no park and obviously it's more of a neighborhood park. >> So we have to take that into consideration when we make our decisions. And then with other grant opportunities on the horizon, we're looking for um potential projects at Vernon Field for a skate park, which is in the process now of getting the plans together and things like that. Um but the grants will help a lot with that to take that curse off of the town for, you know, uh moving forward with that. And then um the Pearl Street the Pearl Street uh courts. We're still looking into doing something there with some grant opportunities. And that's Edwards Field. I don't know if you guys are aware of that. We >> behind Richdale. >> Yes. Yes. So behind Richdale.
029That's um and looking through the plans and things. Um our town engineer came up, Liz. She came up with a plan that actually is labeled as Edward's Field. Mhm. >> So that's um sort of how we're going to recognize that now. Right now it's sort of like a transition. So we're saying Edwards Field, you know, Pearl Street, so people know where it is. But uh once we do some upgrades there, I think that's where we're going to sort of coordinate that. >> Great. >> But other than that, everything's been good. >> Know if you have any questions for me or you like to talk about anything else with the parks? Yeah, I just going to say too, you know, where recreation in in this town, you always mentioned that too, is the most v visible
030and and well wellused service that we can provide, you know, and I know the parks department makes it uh very um keeps it active, you know what I mean? And by doing this here, by adding, you know, certain things to the parks and and and and other uh um improvements that'll make it more inviting is really helpful, >> you know, and we appreciate it. Do you expect any um uh you know with these with these uh uh parks that you're going to be helpfully you know like upgrading you know be it the Venom Grove or Edwards and whatnot uh is would that be capital projects or you think you're getting grants? >> No. So so for the bigger ones like skate park and that that would definitely be we need to get grants for that.
031>> Okay. Uh we have the we already have the money appropriated for the planning uh which we're going through now for the uh drainage and things like that to get it pretty much shovel ready. Um but that's that's comes with a high price tag. So it's going to take it's going to take some grants to uh get to that point. I think we're still a few years out from from actually getting to that point. But um with the town going for the open space plan to upgrade our open space plan uh that's on the horizon too. uh map anoint's working on that. Uh that's going to open up a lot of money that the town can go for in grants. So, you know, uh for recreation. So, uh that's going to be helpful. >> The
032other stuff is within our budget. >> And I think it was a great thing too for the community uh that you had the ADA uh compliant um uh you know, for for the kids. I'm not going to call them toys, but you know what I mean. the because I read in the paper, right? >> You know, where you had the actual committee members there actually helped you and guided you through that as well. >> And they and you know, they had a lot to say in what they wanted to contribute to. >> Sure. >> They did want a um a full wheelchair swing. We don't really have the spacing in that part cuz it's very sort of confined where it's at. Um but we are looking into another location that might give an option for
033it's a full handicap swing. It's it's um just a platform basically where a wheelchair can go on it and and you know just like a regular sit down >> and like I said the more you can do to make it more welcoming you know for everybody >> you know is is is is even a big plus for the town >> right and we only maintain the four the four playgrounds uh within town and and that's what we've been sort of you know getting to that point where we want to you know get these to be compliant with um the standard um matting that we're using now and the wood chips that we put down. >> Um >> you know, that's that's our goal, you know, and when the when we went to town meeting for
034the additional money that Rick had gotten for the ADA compliancy, that's you know, that's what our goal is is to, you know, try to um you know, help with that and all all the parks that we maintain. >> Thank you. >> Y >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Jim, as always, thank you very much. um just over the top everything that you and your department do. One thing I want to touch on though and a a lot of people don't know this um about you and about your department and you brought it up about the wheelchair accessible swing. >> Yeah. >> Um of course I attend those meetings when they invite me and I was invited that night and uh you came as well. uh not part of your responsibility, but you showed up which I
035thought really said a lot to them. And when that came up about the wheelchair wheelchair accessible swing, no was not in your vocabulary, >> right? >> You know, you track and as you know, you were there as I was. There was a lot of discussion back and forth and you can understand the passion coming from, you know, one of the members whose son is, you know, going to be using that swing. Um, but you know, you you just work through it to the point where the following day you started the email process. This is what I'm doing. This is what we're looking into. And that goes a long way. And the general public needs to know that that you, you know, looking at things like this that night, you know, you're although the parks, you
036know, are your responsibility. It's not just a matter of cutting lawn and raking leaves. Yeah. There's a lot of other things that you do above and beyond, you know, taking care of the fields and, you know, when you drive around this community, you just town park, you know, it's just it's over the top. It's over the top. And you know, I I still remember the night that I was up when they opened up the fields at the high school in a uh lacrosse game and somebody had mentioned to a gentleman that was there from out of town that I was on the select board. And he walked up to me and he just said, "I'd never see anything like this in my town. >> You're so fortunate." And we are. We're very, very fortunate. And
037again, I just want to say thank you. you know, it it really was touched my heart to see that when that woman was, you know, she was so passionate about that. You know, you didn't shut the door on it. You just said, "Let's see what we can do." >> Right. And that's why the collaboration's huge and and you know, to go back to town park, you know, that doesn't happen without the town meeting members voting that it, >> right? >> You know, and and that's a huge part, too. Um, you know, the community wanted it, you know, we got it and now it's being used, >> right? Um, are there other people other than residents using it? Yes, because it's a really nice facility. But, but you know, and that, you know, going back to
038the pool, that was a case of the pool like, oh, well, it's not going to be for residents and this and that. Well, the numbers show different, you know, um, and it is highly used by our residents. It's just, um, you know, it's it's people that aren't aware of that. And that's why I think this is helpful to, you know, come and speak to you guys each year. and sort of, you know, let people know that that, you know, that this is the case, that we we do have the numbers at these places because honestly, for the all the years I work with the parks, when I first saw the numbers of the pool, you know, back 20 years ago, you know, I I couldn't believe it. Like I was like, how many people go
039to the pool? You know, and I remember growing up and using the pool, but you don't know it. And that's what's nice about, you know, some of the things that we have now that we're able to report these numbers and um, you know, I think that goes a long way to show that things are being used. >> Yeah. And when people bring that up to me, you know, being honest with you, I I very candidly said to him, wouldn't you be wouldn't you rather have it being used than not used? >> Right. Right. >> For Yeah. >> Exactly. You know, >> that's the best part about, you know, even seeing Town Park is, >> you know, driving by and seeing it full and people using it, you know, all all parts of the day, >>
040you know, and it's and it's it was a big bonus for the schools, too, because they're using it for their gym classes and things like that being right there. So, >> thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you as always. >> Thanks. Um, Jimmy, just to touch on, I know you probably want to do this anyway, but you talked about the pickle ball and how it would be set aside for just an hour and a half for different classes. >> Um, and that it would be posted. Is that's something that you would post on um the town website as well as like Facebook so that people can look and say, "Okay, don't go during this period." >> Yeah. So in the process right now I'm in the process working with it and civic plus which is
041our internet uh connection um in making a civic in and building a civic wreck page which I'm hoping is going to be active by May. Um that's going to be specifically for recreation. So you want permits. You're not emailing me. I'm not sending you a permit sending it back signing it. It's all going to be done online. So it puts it in the resident's hand >> and there'll be a calendar on there that they'll be able to um you know access to see what's on what days, what's where um which is minimal, but for the cases like you're talking about pickle ball, but for the time being until that's up, we're going to have it posted at the site. Um but we'll also put it on the basic web page. we can put it on
042the basic web page to let >> just so someone could glance and I mean I'm assuming that that would be you know >> what the primary hours are the >> preferred hours for people that play >> right >> um >> and then we took that into consideration too because I know the certain groups that go there on Fridays >> from 9:00 a.m. till one and there's there's a group of like 15 guys that go there and women that go there and play and um you know that's why when I set up these clinics I put them on a different day because I said I know this is pretty much booked and they're not booking it but they're always playing there and I wouldn't want to take that day away so I put it on a
043less a less crowded day not on a Tuesday when there's band concerts do it on a Monday do it on a Wednesday you know so we sort of spread out the the you know the timing. >> Yeah. I I just I mean on a personal level I think that uh your performance and your position is really to be admired rather than sit and try to rewrite your job description. It seems like you go out every day and just new efforts, new things to improve things, you know, parks, different recreational facilities, you just go and do it. Um, and I just want to point out that you do a lot of things that aren't necessarily in your job description um to ensure that we enhance what's available to the community as well as that we maintain
044it. >> Um, so as my colleague said, it's not just about cutting grass and raking leaves and, >> you know, making sure that things look nice. It's making sure that they're functional and practical for the community for use, >> right? >> Um, you've instituted a number of things. I mean, just the Frisbee golf there and >> disc golf and a number of things up in that area. Um, >> to include something as basic as a parking lot. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I congratulate you. >> I appreciate that. you you've really, you know, rather than wait around for somebody else, you know, you you you're the guy that does it. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. >> It doesn't go unnoticed. I I just wanted you to know that you >> Thanks a lot. Thanks. >>
045That's for sure. >> Thank you. Thank you as always. >> Thanks. Thanks for the update. >> Yeah, we'll stop back. >> Very helpful. Very helpful. Thanks, baby. Maybe we're back at 6 months. Still have plenty. Next item on the agenda, gentlemen, it's a town administrator notice of order of the taking of six terrorists which is aside the police station which town meeting authorized to take. >> Yeah, thank you Mr. Chairman. Uh in your packet is the actual order of taking prepared by town council. It needs to be signed uh by you and then uh in front of a notary which I can obviously notoriize that uh it's then recorded in the uh western district uh registered deeds notice to all on the um title. Uh it's the first step in the process. So I would
046just look for a motion to approve the signing and recording of the order of taking. >> I have a motion. >> A motion, Mr. chair to to approve the order of taking for uh uh imminent domain uh sixp park terrace. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> Unanimous. Is there a document for us to sign? >> Yeah, I got a bunch of them. Maybe we'll Yeah, we'll do them now. I got a bunch of other documents. Um not related to the meeting so much, but for all you guys to sign. >> Administrator's report. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just three items tonight. One, uh I've been informed by state rep. uh Brian Murray that the bill introduced in the state legislature to authorize the town to appoint a highway surveyor has passed in
047both the Senate and the House and has been signed by the governor. Um I have uh put together a posting or I should give Kristen actually the credit. Uh the position has been posted. We've received a couple of resumes and applications to date. I hope to have a recommendation for this board at the March 23rd select board meeting. Uh Brian also informed me that the bill to regulate vacancies among town meeting members has also passed and been signed by the governor. So I want to thank uh Rep. Murray for his efforts at securing the passage of both of these important bills for the town. Uh the second item is the complete streets funding program. We received notice from Mass DOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Guliver regarding the town's tier three application to round two of the
048fiscal year 2026 complete streets funding program. Uh Scott Christophully did paperwork on this application. We have been approved for $479,9238. I want to thank Scott for his work in securing this award. He informed me he's going to use these funds for design and construction to narrow Central Street at North and South Bow Streets. Construction will include uh road narrowing, new sidewalks, curbing, drainage relocation, milling, and paving of huttop. He also hopes to use some of the money for the grant for safety upgrades to the crosswalk at the youth center, uh which will include flashing signs, new road markings, and upgraded handicap access from the sidewalks themselves. And the final item is uh I did mention to the board I think at a prior meeting the national grid smart meter program. It has now uh been
049implemented or started to be implemented. They begin inst have begun installing smart meters in Milford. Uh they will be supported by both national grid personnel and a third-party vendor called utility partners of America. uh they're one of the leaders in the installation of this type of technology and have been also trained by national grid to perform the work that needs to be done. The two companies will work together to install all new devices across our electricity territory and mass. All UPA personnel and national grid uh personnel will be identifiable when they're on site uh by a badge and a picture etc. So people should just look that they will be out and about uh implementing this program. And that's all I have tonight. Uh >> they don't have to enter the property. >> No, they
050do not. No, no, no, no, they don't. >> So people are aware that is on the exit. >> Correct. Yes. Yeah. >> And that's all I have tonight. >> Any old business? >> No, Mr. Chairman. I don't >> I do not have any, Mr. Chairman. >> New business. Uh the first item is Gear Enterprises, Inc. concerning a class 2 dealer license. Uh Ray, here is it. >> Hi Rick. >> Hi Ray. >> Rick. >> Hi. How are you? >> So this is a application uh class 2 dealer license to buy and sell secondhand motor vehicles at 36 Main Street. Um this is uh right because it's in previous uh use correctly. >> Yes. This site has been used for many years for both sales and repairs. I think it was Milford Collision if I'm not
051mistaken at one point. Yeah. >> Do I have a motion? >> Um motion, Mr. Chair. Just like that. Uh Gear Enterprise did apply uh to uh buy and sell uh class 2. Um motor vehicles. All paperwork is in order. like like you when we reviewed it. Uh the application appears to be complete and the licensing requirements in the site like uh Tom and Rick just mentioned too has been used for many years that I remember as a little kid that that it was there. So therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the select board approved the application for Jera Enterprises, Inc. for a class 2 license to buy and sell secondhand motor vehicles at 36 Main Street, Milford, Mass. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Thank
052you so much. >> Have a good night. >> Good luck to you. >> Take care. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Next item is a recommendation from the police chief uh concerning no parking here to corner from pole number two to Walnut Street on the odd side Grant Street. >> Any discussion, gentlemen? >> I have no questions. No question. Make a motion. Yeah, Mr. Chair. I know this area well. Um, and I agree with Mrs. Cal lawyer uh in this letter because there are times during when school is getting out or when starting. A lot of the parents want to make sure that their young ones do cross the street properly and all that and they do have a tendency to park in front of the um uh driveway to block access
053and whatnot. Um so therefore I I I do uh move the select board approve the installation of a no parking from here to corner restriction at the request uh at the requested locations and as recommended by the uh police chief >> and I would second that Mr. Chairman >> that is unanimous. Next item on the agenda is DOA Inc. DBA OAR live entertainment license. This establishment is at 119 East Main Street. Um I think it was formerly the Lucky Nine. Yes. They had a pool. It's just a give a geographical point. >> Mhm. >> And they are looking to add live entertainment. leave the office hours would be um Tuesday to Thursday 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Fridays 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturdays they're requesting Saturdays 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday 3:00 p.m.
054to midnight. I question the 2 a.m. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. their moment of closing. So, I would not The board could could restrict it to >> that was 1 p.m. >> The other one said 1:00 a.m. on Saturday. Uh >> go 12:30 1:00. >> I wouldn't do 1:00 a.m. on Saturday. That's the closing by the looks. >> Right. So, about 12. >> So, and they have 12 midnight for every other night. So, >> yeah. And why don't we make it all 12 midnight? >> All 12 midnight. >> My recommendation. >> So I would move that if we approve it that their request be amended to be >> 12 a.m. All nights. >> All nights. >> Yep. >> Because there's going to be a lot of action going on there. You got DJs, karaoke,
055guitar playing, vocal singers, not all at once, I hope. Whoa. >> You sing it. I don't have a problem. >> They're going to be too tired at 2:00. >> I don't have a problem with the DJ karaoke guitar playing as long as it stops at midnight. >> Right. How's that? >> Um, so with that change, if I could have a motion. >> Yeah. I uh I I move that the select board approve the application for Ober uh for live entertainment licenses um along with the changes that we just made uh no later than 12 uh uh mid midnight uh as described in the application on file. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. That's unanimous. And Rick, you can make sure that that's pointed out to >> Yes. Yep. >> So there's a clear understanding.
056Next item is the town administrator concerning the US bicycle route one through Milford. >> Yeah, this is a group that is looking to work with the police chief to designate a route. Um it's part of a national effort to expand the US bicycle route system. It's led by Mass DOT, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Mass Bike, Adventure Cycling Association. I did speak with um uh Chief Tino. He did review the draft map um of the route. Uh he did not see any issues uh with it. Um and um I'm quite confident that uh the group will do what they need to do. Um if you look it's he's the support is through it's through Milford using the upper Charles Trail onto Mount Pleasant Street, Haywood Street, East Street, South Central, Casey Drive, Roland Way, Beaver Street
057and uh Gordon Drive. >> Um so it's part of an effort um by the bicycle tourism industry and again Chief Tino has been consulted uh throughout the process. >> And it goes way back. I mean I was police chief. So, >> I was going to say this is familiar to us or somewhat familiar to at least to you, Chief. >> I remember when they were first talking about >> doing it and they had conversations with uh >> not only the select board but with >> um parks as far as the trail >> trail Yeah. >> Yep. >> was the initial >> thing that they were looking to do. So, they've come quite a ways. Um do I have a motion? >> Motion, Mr. share this that the select board approved the adventure cycling association's request
058uh for approval of the of a US bicycle route through Milford um as reviewed and also supported by the police chief as well. >> I second that Mr. Chairman >> and that is unanimous. Next item is the Council on Aging, a resignation from uh Paul Gallagha who served on the council for a number of years. Um was very very helpful in uh participating on council on aging. I sit on that council as well and I have the utmost respect for Paul at this time. Um personal reasons, health, um Paul was asked to step down and the council will present a or recommend a a replacement candidate. If I get a motion to accept Paul's resignation and to ask Mr. to send him >> Thank you. >> A motion, Mr. Chair, to accept Paul Gallagher's u
059resignation from the Council of Aging effective immediately and we thank Mr. Galla for his service and contributions to the town of Milford. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. That is unanimous. Next item is uh cultural council uh requesting that the board appoint uh a member to the board. Uh they voted to uh recommend uh Kira Barlo for consideration of appointment uh to the cultural council. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. um motion then to accept the uh recommendation to uh approve uh uh this member's uh application for the cultural council. According to uh chair uh Gogggins, it was a u the council uh voted uh to uh approve this application. Therefore, I recommend that Kioalo be appointed as a member to the uh cultural council. >> The actual name is Kyle Barlo Wooding. so that we
060uh appoint the right person and >> Yep. >> regardless of what their nickname might be. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. Commission on Disability recommending the appointment Joseph Amado to the Milky Commission on Disability. Um, we received that correspondent from Julie Gonzalez as chair and there were other candidates in the talent pool, but they have recommended Joseph Amato if uh either of you gentlemen have a motion. >> Your motion, Mr. chair to appoint uh Joseph Amato to the uh commission with disabilities as recommended by the commission themselves. >> I revis Mr. Chairman unanimous with the contract award the town administrator contract award for the fireworks >> fireworks. You got to do this early now because there aren't many companies anymore that are out there. Uh again, I
061sent it to three companies, only one quoted. Same company we used uh prior years, which from the ones I saw, at least I thought they did a very nice job um with. It's Ocean State Pyro Techchnics. They're out of Hope Valley, uh Rhode Island. The quote amount is 20,000. So, I'd ask for a vote to award the contract to Ocean State Pyrochnics. >> Make a motion, Mr. chair that we award the contract for um the the a fireworks display to Ocean State Pyrochnics of 26A Woody Hill Road, Hope Valley, Rhode Island. Yeah. For $20,000. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> And Rick, there is a backup date, correct? >> Oh, yes. I should have mentioned that. Yeah, the date is where did I say July 5th, I believe. And then the uh rain
062date would be the following Friday. Which date is SC? Uh what date would that be? >> So what's the actual date? Right? >> July 5th. It's actually a uh Sunday night. >> You can't get the third. You can't get the fifth anymore. I mean it's just crazy. They do a lot of these companies do a lot of private functions year after year after year uh which are profitable to them and they're pretty much obligated and they're since co July >> 5th 12. No. Is it? >> No. No. No. It'll be the 10th, right? The the 10th. >> Can't believe I 10th. I'm sorry. Yeah. Rain date. Hopefully, we don't need it. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I just want to make sure there was a backup date. >> There is a backup date. Yes. >> I
063didn't want to pay someone 20,000 and not see anything. Well, >> Mr. Chair, only in New England. We have 3 ft of snow on the ground here today. And we talked about a pool, the pool opening and and also fireworks. So, hope that warmed up a little people. It just shows that we're optimistic. >> That's right. There you go. >> Better days are coming. >> Days are coming, folks. >> And that's unanimous. The award. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Uh town administrator concerning article three recommendations. >> Yeah, you have two articles that the town planner Matt Bonoid is requesting a board vote to remand uh two zoning zoning board. >> Oh, excuse me. Yeah, planning board remand. Yeah, >> zoning board, excuse me, and zoning bylaw amendments. >> Yeah, one um removes
064a certain section and one um and adding a proposed signing bylaw amendment. One deals with section 2.4.8. The other deals with 2.5 um which adjust minimum lot width to match minimum lot frontage. Uh the p these will be remanded by you to the planning board for public hearing to be included hopefully on the May 18th 2026 annual town meeting um warrant. >> Do I have a motion to >> motion to remand by >> amendment? Motion to remand a proposed zoning bylaw amendment uh to remove section 2 uh uh 4.8 8 of the Milford zoning bylaw and also to amend a proposed zoning bylaw amendment that amends section 2.5 intensity use schedule which would adjust the minimum lot as Rick was mentioning to match minimum frontage uh and also to give it to the planning board
065for uh public hearings and to include it on the May 18th 2026 annual town meeting warrant. >> I would second that Mr. Chairman >> that is unanimous. Now for town administrator concern article 3 recommendation. >> Yeah. Before you is the article 3 elected officials uh recommendation. Um the recommendation um would be for the board to consider 3% both full-time and part-time. I mean the only part-time uh person there I think is the town clerk as I look at it. Um obviously we removed the highway surveyor uh position uh from this. So that position is no longer included in here because hopefully you'll be appointing by the end of next month. So that's the recommendation to be included for the uh town meeting warrant. Motion to approve, Mr. Chair, the 3% increase as recommended for caller
066increases for elected officials. Article three. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. >> And that's the standard we use correctly. >> Typically, yes, that's what we do. We've had some times in the past where we've done it a little different for part-time and full-time. Um, but the recommendation here, I believe, the colar adjustment for everybody else. So, it makes I think it makes it uh uniform uh throughout town. >> Thank you. Item is invitation to speak. Invitation to speak. Anyone online? correspondence um over the retirement board supplemental cost of living adjustment. >> Mhm. Zack, are you doing that or >> No. Uh basically that's the unless Zach really wants to. Okay. Um he jumped out of that pretty quick. No, the um >> the retirement board, we are required to uh uh
067let you know that the vote uh will be held um at 1:00 p.m. on March 17th on whether to authorize a cost of living adjustment. Any cost of living adjustment would be effective July 1st uh 2026. So that would be for town retirees or beneficiaries who are receiving a retirement allowance as of June 30, 2025. The statute specifically allows for a grant a cost of living adjustment up to 3%. >> Mhm. >> Thank you. >> And that's just to notify from uh Kelly who's the retirement administrator. >> Okay. The last item is an executive session. Um the item is Maguire versus the town of Milford, Worcester Superior Court and Civil Action 2285 CV 01140D D is David and we will be uh going into executive session and receive attorney client communication legal advice regarding reasonably
068anticipated litigation or legal issues the disclosure of which would compromise the town's position. Do I have a motion to go into executive session? >> Motion, Mr. Chair, to go into executive session. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> And that is unanimous. Roll call vote, please. >> I I And we are in executive session and will not return. Will not return.