001Good evening and welcome to the select board [snorts] meeting of October 27, 2025 at 6 p.m. in room 3 of town hall. Do I have a motion for the signing of the warrant? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to make a motion to sign the warrant, please. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> And that is unanimous. Do I have a motion to approve the regular session minutes of September 29, 2025? >> Yes. U motion to approve regular session minutes of September 29, 2025. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> Do I have That's unanimous. Do I have a motion to approve the executive session minutes of September 29, 2025? >> A motion to approve the executive session minutes September 29th, 2025. >> Motion to approve the executive session minutes of October 9th,
0022025. You want to make that motion? Um motion to approve uh October 9th. >> October 9th uh 2025 executive session. >> And I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. >> Public hearings. The first public hearing is Powerless, Inc. DBA, the tradesman re license hearing. Come on forward, brother. >> Either one. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. >> Either one. Either one. Ah, how about the Patriots? >> I'll tell you, so far so good. No surprise there. >> Makes me a fan again. >> Hey, it's amazing how it does that. >> So, I believe you received uh information from Mr. Vani. >> Yes. >> Concerning the license, um the license has been in your hands now for 4 years, 10 months, um and not at a place of business. And that's the concern that's come to
003our attention. Um, and that's what we want to discuss with you. >> Fair enough. >> Where where are we going with that license? First of all, thank you for letting me keep this on because I couldn't stand my hair. I promise to be much dapper next time we make it I make an appearance. I have tried quite a few things and it's just the market is a little a little different after the tea burned down and I've tried a few things. I've had some things in writing. I've had letters of intent and I've had things where I've put in deposits down and nothing has just really has panned out and nothing is the like I said the the market for this the way like I'm a towny dive bar kind of guy you know I
004don't run a restaurant I don't run a chain or something like that it's not my it's not my thing that afternoon crowd which was kind of like a big thing with the tea just kind of isn't there anymore it's kind of kind of creeping around a little bit and kind of you didn't take it into consider eration the um you know when Massachusetts decided to dabble in tyranny otherwise known as co 19 and disrupted everybody's habits and really did a number of things and things have not come back like they did people just even people who would drink like they just like simple beer drinkers well they all stayed home for 4 months and then they started drinking 12% craft beers you don't want to sell people that you definitely don't want to sell them
005like three and four of those you know you just want Um, I would like in case something comes along, maybe hang on to it for one more year. I'd ask for an extension, but that is completely up to you. Um, if you're talking like a towny bar or something, a dive bar or a small, even just something that's more event based, you know, like, you know, something happens, next day something happens, clean up, clean up over and over. Not necessarily an everyday spot. that license is, not to pat myself on the back, but that license is more valuable in my hands than sitting in the drawer. But if you're if there's a chain coming in or you know there's a restaurant coming in and they're going to get a bunch of employees, then I don't
006blame you if you want to say you want to call it a day and make me turn it in. So, it's kind of more on you guys than me. At the moment, I have nothing going, but you also never know what happens tomorrow. >> Yeah. I I don't know that. I mean, if we went another year, we'd be going well over five years. >> I know, you know. I mean that that's where the problem arises. I mean the town ran into that with some other licenses. Um several years ago um you know one that comes to mind is down on Cedar Street. >> Yeah. >> And the license was eventually transferred. >> They at least had a location though. I mean I'm just >> correct. I'm just >> that that's the issue and I mean
007I think you're going to run into that issue because you know liquor licenses have quote value but but legally their only value is what you pay for the license $2500 or so. Yeah. >> Um, you know, when people sell a quote sell a license, they're not selling the license. They're selling the business and the the good faith and u reputation of that business. That's what they're really selling and >> and the guarantee to get it >> and and well true, but >> because if it's sitting in your drawer, you get three applications and who do you give it to, >> right? You know, and I mean that's what you know when Joe Bat, but the difference between Joe Bat was his license he could hold forever. And the reason being is the town took his
008business, you know. So constitutionally he had an argument that you took my business, you can't take my license as well. And eventually um >> TJ Freddy's got it right. >> Eventually, yeah. But did Joe actually didn't sell the license. So if you recall, he went and opened a business. >> He had a little smoke shop. >> Yeah. >> And he served, you know, cocktails after >> Joe was a character. >> Cocktails. >> Mhm. [laughter] >> He had a grasp of how to properly sell a uh a liquor license. >> He sure did. Um, you know, I mean, I I think that from at least my perspective, I I don't have I mean, we're coming right up on five years. Um, >> and I appreciate let me hang on to this long. I know you do
009that because of CO and the fire. So, I appreciate that. >> I mean, if you, you know, if you said to me, geez, you know, I have some plans and after the first of the year, you know, I'm going to do something with it, um, I'd be lying. Yeah. So that's what creates the difficulty in cuz as you know I mean >> you faced a horrible tragedy losing your business that day and everyone recognizes that. It's just kind of how long can we let and you know you're you're a local guy. you're a good guy, you know, and clearly everyone factors that in, you know, but TGIF, for example, closed. They don't have the license, you know. Um, am I understanding they turned it in, right? >> They're surrendering surrening. >> No, it's all right.
010>> No, renewing starts next this week. Next week, actually. I'm sorry. Next week. >> Okay. >> They're not going to. That's why they're not on the agenda tonight. >> So, I mean, that's my sense of things. If you told me >> No, I wish you did. >> Every place I looked, it's just kind of it's I'm I'm picky. So, it's just one thing or the other where I won't make the commitment to do it. [snorts] >> Yes. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like I said, we're it's our responsibility to ensure that the licenses are held to more or less. >> Don't worry, I'm not taking it personally, Paul. I get >> I know, but like to operate in a manner for the public in interest, you know, >> right? >> And the ABCC even says,
011you know, their regulations, they can't be held in indefinitely. And would you say chief um chair, Mr. Chair, going on five years with it? >> It was February 21, am I right? >> Okay. Uh yeah, it was right before Valentine's Day. So very early. >> Okay. So yeah, >> you know. >> Yeah. So this Well, this it be four years this coming February, right? No, five year, right? And I'd be very comfortable, like I say, if you were telling us that you have some plans in, you know, that that that are in the process of being at least tried, you know, that, you know, to make a bonafideed attempt to to to to do it, you know, >> uh because like I said, we have to look out for those, like you mentioned yourself, Rob,
012uh those who could probably benefit a lot more from it who don't have one right now, but are in business, right? >> You know, so that's what we have to look out for, too. Um, and um, I know in the past you have been trying to do something with it, either yourself or someone else that you could feel as though would uh, benefit from it as well. So, like I says, I think that's something that we should consider when we make our decision uh, of of uh, um, how long uh, we could give you. Um, I don't want to take it away from you tonight or any, you know, or or next month, but I think a year is a is a little too a little long right now. You know what I mean? For
013>> Well, I mean, well, if you're going to take it, you might as well because the renewal is going to come up anyways >> in a month. >> No, I don't I don't mean that. I mean, like I say, it's something that like if we could like we did with the fell on uh Cedar Street. I think we gave him a a few months, >> you know. No, and that's what I I raised with Rob and Rob said, >> you know, if I told you I was going to be doing something in the next three months. >> Yeah. You know >> the question that I would have is sorry Paul any is is [snorts] >> Rick the license comes due if if everything was in place normally January 1st >> correct >> renewal period then
014>> so the renewal fee of 2500 would be due payable on January 1st. >> No next yeah the renewal fee but you have to file all the paperwork and everything that filed in the past too right? Yeah, I still I still have throw like paper and do whatever yet. >> You would have kept it alive, right? I just don't have to do it. I just It's just >> that would just keep it alive. That's all it would do. >> Right. So, my next question would be to you, Rob, is hypothetical that let's just say we grant it till April 30th for you to come up with some kind of a plan or a use for the license. Would you be willing to spend $2,500 with no guarantee? That's something you'd have to ask yourself. Yeah,
015it's gonna >> I would I would agree with with Paul and we're not going to I don't think we have to do anything this evening to give you time. But that's a question you have to answer is >> Sure. But I don't at the same time what's going to change months in 6 months. Not even right well right around that. I you go through the winter nothing's going to change. Nothing's you know it would most ideal place in the world would have to open up with the rent the parking. Correct me again, Rick, if I'm if I'm wrong or right. If let's just say we as a board we collectively do that. Rob writes us a check for 2500 in January. Nothing happens by April. We don't return that. We don't refund that money. We
016just so >> well keep I would say we'll just keep let me keep it for the year then. >> We went through that with co >> Right. [clears throat] >> Co we that's a question you have to ask yourself. Yeah, you can. >> I mean, you guys can I'm fine either way. >> The only Excuse me, Mr. Mr. Chair. The only thing that I would uh question too is what Rob said. He don't he doesn't think anything's going to happen within the next 6 months. Therefore, it's I really doubt too if anything will happen with the in the 6 months after that. >> You're probably right. I mean, warm weather always usually presents more the possibilities, but >> usually they like to get it going before the warm weather. Yeah, you always technically would want
017to open like in March, right? >> That'd be your ideal opening time. >> I I think probably the best approach is to give you an opportunity to think about it. And if you don't think something's going to be happening, you can make the decision not to apply. If you do apply, then we'll just bring it back before the board >> and we'll set it, you know, a date. >> Um that is Paul and Mike Mike I believe you said you know an April date and you make a decision you know you've effectively paid the 2500 to preserve >> for 3 4 months >> it gives you an opportunity in three or four months to do something else >> you know the other opportunity is you find something and you come back and you can still
018go through the process you know you ran a business you did it successfully you did it in a proper way operationally. Um, so something comes and you'd have to go through that process of town meeting because you'd be over the limit of town. >> Correct. >> Point. [snorts] So >> we are over the limit. >> You can't predict what town meeting will or won't do. But you know your your reputation, your family's reputation, um the manner in which you operated the business, you didn't have any problems. I didn't see you too much when you had your other job. [laughter] >> The only time you saw me is when you were being helpful in making sure that the outdoor event uh went um so there wouldn't be any in there. >> I miss those. Those are
019fun. >> No, it was very successful. Very, >> you know, and people enjoyed it without a question. >> One arrest in eight years. One arrest in eight years. >> Yeah. I would go >> and was an idiot. >> Yeah, that's a probably a fierce summation, but you know, and you even addressed, you know, critical things like parking, you know, you had it all worked out and and people doing Ubering from a parking lot to >> It was It was good for what it was. It was as good as it could be. um you know so I I think that your [snorts] reputation in doing those things you know likely you get my support um but I think you have to give some hot thought that if something's you don't think something's going to happen you
020know by early spring and uh >> truthfully I'm doubtful >> it's just it be your decision whether or not you paid the fee Right. >> That's starting to get a little painful too. Just compounded with the rest of the world. Not not necessarily that fee itself, but >> right. But just to be clear, you know, if you decide to, you know, extend it, we decide to extend it for you. The understanding to be clear is that if you write that check for the 2500 >> Oh, that's >> that's right. That's And >> fairness to you. >> Oh, sure. Yeah. And Rob in fairness was one of the people that was, you know, could the town give different businesses a break on fees during the co and and we couldn't do that, >> right? >> And
021you know, no more than we could even adjust taxes or >> just couldn't do it uh legally. So and that's when all of the businesses were really really >> in a tough position. Um so >> that's why I call it tyranny. Yeah. Yeah. If >> I ever see Charlie Baker, I don't care how big he is. It's getting one. >> I'll um >> You let him know. >> Yeah. No, I won't. [laughter] >> I love the state police knocking on my door allegedly. >> Correct. So, you know, you give some thought and Yeah. If you put the application in, then as long as you appreciate that, >> we would then put that one sanction on, >> you know, that I would probably tell you, you know, you could probably just call it >> and just
022surrender it, >> say, so I'm not going to renew it. >> It's probably just the smartest thing to do. I mean, it's it's it's a nice asset to have and it would be it's nice to be sitting there and say, "Hey, we're the only building you can make yourself come January. If you don't want to renew it, you don't renew it." >> Yeah. Okay. >> Right. I was going to say if you if you have anybody in mind you need to move it and you need a license. >> Sure. >> Go ahead. You know >> on one condition at the from the last driveway on Water Street to Thea Street, you put up a no parking sign. That is a [laughter] cuz that is a brutal blind spot and I've almost been clipped a million
023times and I'm the best driver in the world. So if I've almost been clipped, you know, normally almost got clipped not coming out of that >> bad blind spot. And the guy that's going to clip you, he thinks he's the best driver in the world. >> That's right. >> Just ask him. >> So I think it's a fair trade. One legal license for one. No parking sign. >> That's why you called it the tradesman. >> All right. Right. >> I stole that name. That's what it was called. I wasn't going to >> I was going to change it. >> Tradesman was there forever. >> Oh yeah. I was never going to change that name. People like, "What do you call it?" I'm like, "Not that the tradesman. It's been for 40 years. I'm not going
024to touch it." >> Absolutely. >> Thanks. Rob, thanks for coming in. Hey, no problem. Thanks for letting me wear this. I know, you know, it's kind of not the norm. >> Anyone else? There's no one else here that wants to speak. This is a public hearing. That's why I have to do >> uh neither one. No, I think the other gentleman's here for the next item and then it Yeah. >> Okay. Oh, can I do one more if I'm still here and public speak? >> There are no others. Well, >> take I'll take two seconds. >> All right. I'll move public speak up and I'll do it again towards the end of the meeting. >> I can do it. >> You're on. >> All right. Uh, I have it on good authority that once our
025favorite bridge is done that the town will probably be acquiring what used to be Archer Rubber. >> Well, yeah, I'm not sure who your good authority is, but I can only speak as one of the select board members who would be involved in something like that. Haven't had any discussions whatsoever. >> Should that happen then? >> Paid parking. Paid gated parking. >> Mhm. Yeah, that that that was brought up by by us. uh was it >> going back several months ago. >> Great for a possibility, but nothing else happened. You know what I mean? No, no, there was no discussion on it. It was just a discussion amongst ourselves. >> Okay. See, great minds think alike. >> Yeah. And we were thinking about that cuz we were talking about adjusting the parking situations in several
026uh roads in town. >> Plus, it's going to be so environment environmentally screwed up. >> Well, >> what else are you going to put in there? >> It's in the process of testing the wells. >> Are they really? >> Yeah. Wow, good for them. >> That's why you see those U observation well pipes, >> right? >> Well, I can't see them because the bridge is still closed. [laughter] >> Anyway, yeah, that that's in the process. And like I said, that's something that we thought about >> uh you know, cuz people were saying, "Well, where where can we park if we can't park on one side of the road or uh whatever." And we said, "Well, we can have a common parking spot, you know, down because it's barren land anyway." and and you know so
027uh we thought that if we could pave it over and we're in charge you know the town and whatnot but that's something to consider uh hopefully in you know in the near future if uh once we get the parking situation adjusted but let's get this bridge done first. >> Yeah. Thank you guys once again for being so amenable with my license and all these years >> cuz I know you could have yanked it on me 3 years ago. >> Very good. >> So uh have a good night and I'll take a picture of my sign tomorrow after it gets put up. >> Thank you. >> All right. Have a good night. >> Take care. >> The next item on the agenda is the Fairfield North Vista LLC area chapter 148 license. >> Mhm. >> Mike
028be the attorney. Matthew Robins via Zoo. I think is he on Andy? >> He is on. I'm going to allow him to talk. Attorney Robbins. >> I think he's Isn't that indicating he's still mute there or no? >> Attorney Robins, I think you might be muted on your end. I'm not sure. >> Yeah, he's muted on his end. There he >> is. Okay. Attorney Robbins. Excuse me, Tom. I I have um a Paul Leo. Is is he the attorney or or >> I don't know if it's his firm. It's supposed to be Paul, but I I don't know. >> You got a Paul Deleo on >> Yeah, he's on two, right? >> I don't know who Matthew is. Paul I can have both on talk. >> Are they both for the same uh issue? >>
029I don't not sure. >> Supposed to be Paul, but >> yeah, Paul is this. We have Paul Leo. Yeah. Paul. >> Yeah. Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Ask Matt Robins. >> Is Matthew Robbins with you? >> No. >> Uh, yes. >> Okay. Very good. >> Matthew Robins is with Fairfield Development. Um, who's the contractor for uh Fairfield uh Milford Vista LLC? >> Okay. Okay. But if you'd like, I can present uh the application. >> Um please. Yep. >> All right. Um so again, my name is Paul Valo from Dio Gas. We're propane provider uh out of Western Massachusetts. Um we are proposing uh four 1,00galon above ground propane tanks for temporary heat throughout the winter season uh for the uh apartment complex at 300 Deer Street. Um, typically, uh,
030this type of license is done through the fire department. Um, considering the quantity, uh, anything over 2,000 gallons, uh, needs to go to a state, uh, sorry, um, ass board meeting in a public hearing for approval. Um, the plans have been sent to Deputy Chief Mike Dour. Uh, he's looked at the plans, uh, and has approved the plans. Um, the tanks are following NFPA standard. uh they will be on a construction site and protected with jersey barriers uh to protect them from vehicle traffic in the area. We'll also be pulling a permit with a U Milford plumbing inspector um which he will come out and inspect the gas piping that we're doing uh to the temporary heaters that would be on site. Um there will be two 1000gallon tanks per heater with a total of
031two heaters uh giving us that total amount of 4,000 gallons uh on site. Uh so tonight we're just looking for your approval uh to be able to continue the project uh so they have heat during the winter season. >> Thank you. Uh Paul any questions gentlemen? >> Um just this couple there. Um uh Paul uh Paul Mas Kelly, a select board member. Um that 4,000 gallons, you know, to me, you know, 4,000 gallons, you know, not being in the business, but it seems like an awful lot. It's like a large volume. Um and you did have the fire department come down cuz we do have a letter from from them saying that uh it was okay with them. Um any any sensitive areas in that area? I'm not too familiar with Deer Street. uh like
032any sensitive areas in environmentally or uh close by neighbors or anything like that? >> Uh no, the only neighbors is the other other apartment complex um that was developed by them um and kind of the same at the end of the same street. Okay. >> Uh but there isn't there isn't many abutters in that in that vicinity. In terms of the quantity, um it's actually a fairly small quantity considering, um there's a lot of construction projects that have a lot more heaters and a lot more um tanks on site. Um this is size for the heater size. um for it to operate correctly. Uh but in terms of the quantity, it's a somewhat uh somewhat common size uh for the type of heaters that they'll be using in the in the space that they're trying
033to heat. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Paul. Michael. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Thank you, Paul. Mike Walsh, select board member. Question I have for you is I see that you're going to drop 2,000 gallon. and you're going to drop 4,000 gallons but in two separate locations. So you're going to have 2,000 in one location and 2,000 in a second location. As the construction is, you know, going along and moving forward, is your plan to reduce the storage or leave the storage at the 4,000 gallons of LPG until the project is totally done? Or is there I guess what I'm getting at is let's just say we now we get into springtime, we get into summertime. Is the plan to reduce the storage, get rid of the storage, or leave the storage on site
034until the project is done? >> Uh so it's totally temporary heat. Um it's it's not meant for the I believe these units are going to be running on electricity once they're complete. Um, so once the heating season is complete, the plan is to remove the tanks off the property. Um, estimated would probably be around April, >> around April. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Paul. I don't have any questions. Um, do I have a motion, gentlemen? >> U motion, Mr. Chair. Uh, I haven't no more questions either, and they were answered u to my u satisfaction anyway. So, uh I I move that the select board approve uh the chapter uh 148 fuel storage license for the above ground um storage of 4,000 uh gallons of LPG at uh 300 deer
035street Milford Mass. Before we take a vote, is there anyone else that would like to speak to this particular issue given that this is a public hearing? I see no one here in the audience, anyone online, no one online. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you very much. Uh Mr. Walsh >> and that is unanimous. Um Mike, that's a positive vote. >> Is that No, it's Paul, correct? >> Paul, it's a positive vote. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Have a good night. >> You as well. >> Thank you. >> Next item on the agenda is scheduled appointments. The human resources director, I believe, is online. >> Yeah. And we have a number of >> Hi everybody. >> Hi. >> Good evening Kristen. >> Good evening. We have four. >> How are you? >>
036Good. Thank you. And yourself? >> Good. >> Hi Kristen. >> All right. So, >> let's walk through them. >> Yeah. I assume you all have the copies that were sent in advance. I also gave um Rick some updated copies. I noticed there were no page numbers on one of them and I wanted to correct that because it was a pretty lengthy policy. Um there are four in front of you. They should be IT acceptable use, harassment prevention, pregnant workers fairness act and social media. The first three are updates to existing policies. it dated back to when the school and the town were covered by one department and it needed reworking. The updated policy um came from Chris George um went to legal and then it went to the unions for impact bargaining. We had to
037remove the school references in that and there were other updates. The harassment prevention. This is an existing policy also updated to include additional protected classes and it adds bullying as a category. There is more details to each type of harassment. It's much lengthier policy now. Um certainly spells out a lot more. [clears throat] We reviewed uh this policy uh one year. Well, we review this policy every year with all employees. Kate um who was our outside labor attorney did that this year and I'm scheduling her for the beginning of next year as well um to make sure that the employees get trained on it. Uh the P PWFA the pregnancy workers uh we it's also a current policy um but it was updated to include the most recent legislation and that also went to legal
038and the unions. The last one is social media. This is the new one so we haven't had that. We very much need it. It's it's something that is the first question everybody asks. Do you have a social media policy? So, it would be great to have one. Uh we started off with the UMass Collins template on this one. This is makes it fairly consistent across the plum wall. Once everybody finds the language that works, they kind of copycat the whole thing. Um but we we also took that to legal. We brought it before the unions for impact bargaining. So, it's cleared its way through everything. I also made sure that uh Chris George saw this one as well because there's some crossover between this and the IT acceptable use. Um if they're approved um or
039even if some of them are approved, they would all be distributed to the employees for signature receipt and then again in March, Kate will um absorb these policies and and uh review them with all the employees so everyone's up to date. But if you have questions or comments, I did find a couple of typos when I was doing the one with the I think it was the harassment policy. I found a couple of typos that I fixed. I also put those in the in the updated copy. [snorts] The Okay. um the social media policy. Excuse me. >> Yes. Um I I remember seeing this previously and we discussed the issues of because it talks about employees and officials and it was the question of you take an elected official who's on their own social media
040site and they raise an issue related to the town generally that's within their responsibilities as an elected official >> and whether or not their position is the most accepted position or or not. Um that [snorts] whether or not this policy would attempt to govern their speech >> is my question. Well, I read it over today and I was looking because I know that we had put before the board um social media for committees which was much narrower. This one int is much broader in scope because it covers employees. But I understand that, you know, the officials want to be able to answer to constituents. And so if there's a particular section or language that that um is not coming across, right, um let me know what it is because I want to be specific with
041the legal Yeah, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, please. Kristen, this is Paul. Uh, uh, you know, like like it were mentioned uh before at one of the the meetings that we had when we were talking about this and like what uh uh Chairman Olaf was just mentioning too, when you're a statutory elected official by statute gives you know you the authority that no one else has any um let's say say over you. for instance like what my the notes I took like uh an elected official with statutory authority uh does you know they're really not sub subordinate to the administrator so hence so hence let's say >> the health department gets a call from the department of public health saying they just found a mosquito pool with uh einosphilitis the triple E mosquito that can kill
042you. We need to get out that message uh on Facebook, on social media, uh on on any any way possible, as soon as possible to these people in that area. Um we don't want to get bottlenecked uh into asking the administrator for permission to to do that when it's our authority to protect the public's health. >> Okay. Do you have anything else? >> I'll have to I'll have to look um at that more closely and see what the language is. >> Yeah. you know, >> it's a very long policy >> unless we could have another section saying, you know, that any anybody that would be under the authority of the uh administrator, appointed officials from the select board and whatnot, you know, would have one way to do it. Another way to do it would
043have any any official with the statutory uh um uh authority uh to uh uh do this by uh election because our our our boss is the voters. That's who we have to please and that's who we have to protect. And you know, we're not gonna say we're not gonna be, you know, saying anything crazy that's gonna, you know, interfere with the town where it's going to make them liable for a lawsuit or something. I mean, we're just going to be >> throwing out facts. The same thing with the water company. If they had I remember when when years ago they they we we had a high bacteria count. We had to have a boil water that that was on a Sunday. I remember going to Tom's office uh on a a Sunday when he was
044the police chief. Us uh the select board, the school committee, and we had to get word out that night, you know, that people were had to boil their water before they drank it, before they brushed their teeth, you know. So, the the these things happen. Uh you know, the same with uh uh Scott. I mean, he he may need to get out that school's closed or or the you know, or or he or a certain road. uh you can't drive down because of a danger, you know. So these things are important. Like again to repeat myself for effectiveness, we don't want to be bottlenecked into asking the town administrator to give us permission to do that when it's vitally important to them. >> Okay, >> Kristen, if I may I the way I'm reading it
045and maybe I'm wrong. Um, for official purposes, section E3 on page five, the town permits departments to utilize social media sites and social networking sites to further enhance communications with its residents and various stakeholders in support of the department's goals and objectives. So, so again, I don't think in the situation Paul is listening that he's going to have to go to anybody to issue that communication. I'm not sure that that's what this policy says. You should be able to do that. So I'm not sure that this is restricting you from doing that. You go out on your own >> on your own personal state site and start expressing opinions one way or the other that may get to do it. >> So I'm not sure I don't I don't see the policy. I don't read
046it that way to such that that would prohibit the board of health director from going out and saying we have a triple E >> issue >> On the town site >> town site. Yeah. >> So, I'm not sure that's a again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see that being a problem >> under the policy as it's written. [snorts] >> I think they would be able to do that without going to the administrator to get approval. >> Rick, >> yeah, I I that's the way I read it. I when I you know, we all look at it with different eyes. And when I when I read it, it sounded like they were trying to make sure that the that the greater number of of employees understood that they couldn't just post at will
047and represent themselves as the town. Um clearly um when you get higher up in the ranks and you're talking about like yourselves, you know, you you can't have those restrictions because you have to answer to people quickly sometimes, >> especially in those circumstances that you're talking about. >> Yeah. Okay. That's my read on it. It's a it's a tough thing, Kristen, and it came up again at town meeting and and and we deal with it when we have the school committee, we have the water commissioners, the sewer commissioners, the park commissioners that are also independently elected, you know, and people who come to the select board with a concern, aka the bridge, >> and you know, we have to say to them, unfortunately, you've got to talk to to the highway surveyor because, you know,
048presently at the time, he wasn't he's an elected official. the same thing with the policy. It's and I understand it's very hard on you trying to zero in on something that's going to, you know, have multiple layers of government because you have other elected. So, what we're trying to do, and I I I understand what you're saying, we just want to make sure that people that need to get communication out in a timely manner are able to do it with this policy. >> Yeah. Um, I mean Rick and I can go over it and and uh talk to, you know, legal about it and see if we can put better language in if if that's if that makes you more comfortable with it. >> I I would say as long as into and to Rick,
049as long as the people can get the people that need to get communication can get it out. >> Yeah. I read the policy is allowing that. >> Okay. Okay. That's just me. I'm not legal, but >> Yeah. No. Yeah, you are. Well, you are. >> Well, yeah. [laughter] Another lifetime. Yeah. >> Kind of hard. >> Yeah. So, okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> If you guys looking for more specific language, more determinative language. >> You know what? You know what, Rick? Why don't we I'm I'm I'm fine the way it is now, Kristen. Rick. Um, the only thing is, let's say things change throughout the course and whatnot, and we we bring it back. Minor adjustment. Fine. >> Oh, >> okay. Yeah, these things I mean three of these are already being updated
050so you know it happens. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I'm good. Thank you. But there are still there are I still have some concerns though about some of the language and I'll give you for instance >> um if we look to page three um paragraph um Roman numeral two guidelines for personal use of social media and you come down to number two and it goes to what my colleague uh Paul Maza Kelly was speaking about a few moments ago. quote, "Employees and officials should be mindful that social media activity that violates any of the town's policy may result in disciplinary action up to including termination. You can't terminate an elected official. You can't turn I mean, when you say official, if you're talking about a department head, they're an employee. If you're talking about uh an
051elected member of any part of town government, um they're not subject to termination. They're not subject to investigation under this policy, none of the authority to investigate them. The person you're asking to investigate them >> would be them >> doesn't have the authority to do so. I go from there and I move to the next page. Number eight, I'm just, you know, things that have jumped out at me. >> Yeah. you know, um, when focusing on topics relating to these are the things you can't do. When focusing on topics relating to the functioning or operations of town government, in order to avoid the appearance of being an official town social media site, the site must clearly indicate that the participation and carry a disclaimer that we don't have the authority to tie I don't have
052the authority to tie the hands of these two gentlemen from speaking about something differently and seeing it differently than I see it. So they can be critical of an operation of town government. They should be if if they do have a criticism. Um but likewise with other elected officials, do they have the authority to speak adversely? Um this would suggest that they don't. If you're telling me that employees don't and that you want them to go through a chain of command in order to resolve issues, I understand that. Um, I've lived on that side of the fence as much as and and I've managed people on that side of the fence to adhere to policies like this, but the appearance of this the language if one takes it, you know, plain meaning is that you
053would have the authority to say >> to one of the select board members who may differ with the other two that no, you can't go on to Facebook and say those things. You can't go on to X and say those things, you know, or you shouldn't have done that and you're subject to termination. Um, and even some of the appointed positions, as we found out, the town found out the hard way, um, without getting back into old situations, but you don't have the authority to remove someone from different doesn't exist, >> right? >> Even appointed. So, but I'm I'm just raising some things that I I think that we have to be >> because otherwise, you know, we put the policy in place, there's an expectation that people will adhere to these policies, >> right?
054>> And we can't put it in place and then turn around later and say, well, you put a policy in place that's ineffectual >> to certain people or certain positions. What if we vote to approve the three that are okay? And >> I I I would send this one back. >> I think I think we need more time to to review these two. We just got them on Friday. >> Yeah. >> But if you'd like to walk through, I'm happy um to get a perspective, you know. Do do you see where I'm saying on on those points? >> I do. >> Kristen, that's definitely >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, I I'll take them I'll take well for social media. I'll take it back to them and explain what the what the problem is with [clears throat]
055the >> I mean a technology use I just I I have to go back and read it again. Um, >> I received mine today. So >> you want to read the table the next meeting? >> Well, I'm happy to do it the next meeting. He has time to >> I don't want to delay. They've gone through a process in dealing with the unions and acceptance and >> yeah that I I don't want to delay anything but I I don't want to just approve something and the the harassment policy and the pregnant workers fairness act policy I think is cut and dry. >> I' I'd recommend we review them all and do them all in one next meeting. bring them all back and approve them all in one shot. >> I think we should. >> Yeah,
056we mentioned it before. >> Yeah. And that way they're they stay together as well, >> right? Exactly. >> Yeah. That way we can do all four at the same time, >> Chris. And when I schedule-wise, I just want to make sure that I'm not impeting on a schedule that you may have developed with the unions or with department heads, etc. Is there a timeline that you want to have these >> with a stamp of approval? >> Um, >> uh, Kate was going to teach to them in in March. So, uh, and we've, you know, we started this a year ago, so it doesn't matter. >> No, no. I No. And I see I don't want to impede you in doing that planning for training purposes. Um >> when are we going to >> We actually
057are meeting next week. >> We are. >> Yeah. We're not skipping >> sufficient for you, gentlemen. >> Thanksgiving and working around some things in November. We have one week. >> Yeah. And we can just have that one on the agenda. Not not a big agenda. So we can have time to talk. >> We have a tax classification hearing. So we're kind of locked into that date anyway. Next week, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So we'll we'll bring these back up one week and and deal with them. In the meantime, any suggestions we'll pass along to Mr. Vani and that way he can get them to you as quickly as possible during that week. >> Um, which might be >> might be helpful, Rick. And we can >> we can also pass them on to
058town council. >> Yeah, certainly these these questions should go to town council. the issues that you're right about raising rather >> and then as well as labor council so that yes Kristen labor council town council >> have taken if there are questions they've taken a look at the same questions sure >> and come up with whatever their determination is and that way >> in a week we approve something we get it done for you >> okay >> to move forward is that is it Monday next Monday okay for you >> anytime is fine >> okay you can commit on Zoom again. That's um no rather than come all the way here um at night offices. So um Rick, if you could put it on the agenda for >> um next Monday and if any of
059us have any questions or particular concerns, we'll pass them to you, Rick, and then and I can forward it. three professionals, the three professionals can take a look and um we'll come up with a final product and get it done. >> Okay, perfect. >> Okay with you, gentlemen. >> Yes. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you, Kristen. >> Kristen, thank you. >> Thank you. Have a nice night, everybody. >> You as well. >> Good night. >> Okay, >> the next item on the agenda is the town administrator's report. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Four items tonight. one. Um, we've received notice from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security that the Milford Police Department has been awarded a municipal road safety grant in the amount of $41,130.80. These funds will be used to enhance traffic safety
060and to address roadway issues and hopefully reduce crashes. Um, as we alluded to in the license hearing segment tonight, TGI Fridays has um indicated they will be surrendering their all alcohol common vitual license. The communication came from Al Donopoly. He is the corporate attorney for TGIF Fridays. Uh, the town is currently over quota, so the license will no longer obviously be available for issuance. Uh, two good news uh items, the earmark for the Milford Youth Center, uh, State Rep. Brian Murray has indicated the governor has made the decision to release all funding for local priorities or earmarks in the FY26 budget. Uh, Representative Murray submitted an earmark of 50,000 which will be expended for upgrades to a pedestrian crossing at the Milford Youth Center and other renovations or improvements that will be funded under the
061Executive Office of Health and Human Services. I want to thank Representative Murray for his efforts uh in securing this funding for the town. That's kind of a project we've been kind of looking at for a while and now it'll finally come to fruition, we hope. Uh, and then I want to thank uh, State Senator Rebecca Roush. She secured a fiscal year 26 Senate budget earmark. That earmark is 25,000 which will be expended for renovations and improvements to the Milford Town Park project. Again, I want to thank her for her efforts in securing this funding for the town. And that's all I have tonight. Mr. Chairman, >> question. >> Thank you. >> No questions, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. >> Thank you, Rick. >> Thank you. >> Uh old business, >> just one item there. It's >>
062St. Mary's assumption. >> Yeah, they just want >> one day wine. >> Yeah, they want to change it. >> Entertainment license. They're changing the date. >> Yeah. uh for whatever reason the um entertainment that event they want to move um to November 15th >> and they're still having the procession on October the 11th. >> Correct. Those will still go forward. Correct. >> Yeah. A motion, Mr. Chair, to uh accept this change. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. >> New business. The first item, uh, campers in RV of Milfe, Inc. RV class one license. They're going to come in at the next meeting. Um, they wanted to correct pull together some additional. >> So that's Monday. This coming Monday, right? >> This coming Monday. Yeah. Again, right now it's just the tax
063classification hearing and the policy. So I think we could add this back in. Yeah. >> The next item is the Tom Planner Economic Development Commission resignation. And this is um town planner. >> Yeah. The EDC I believe one of the uh >> members is resigning and that is >> Justin Bronson. >> Yeah. >> Motion, Mr. chair to accept the resignation of Justin Bronson from the economic development uh committee. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> And that is unanimous. And Rick, as we do, thank him for his service. Thank him for his service, please. >> Next item is the Department of Veteran Services a permit to obstruct for the Veterans Day Gray. Just a quick motion to allow >> a motion to allow the up the obstruction uh as designated in the application and
064on the um notification that we have, Mr. Chair, for November 11th uh beginning at 9:30. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. The next item is the board of registars of voters resignation from the board. Um this is a letter to uh the town clerk from Sandra Kamastra and uh that she is resigning from the board effective October 31st, 2025. >> A motion to accept Sandra Kamastra's resignation from the board of registrations effective October 31st, 2025. Mr. Chair, >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman, as well. >> That's unanimous. And again, Rick, uh, as we do, just to absolutely state our appreciation for their service to the community. Invitation to speak. I do not see anyone in the audience. Is there anyone online that would like? >> Okay. Next item is
065correspondence. the town administrator a letter from the Italian vets post number 40 concerning the parking lot and the need for some work on that parking lot. Um this is a letter from uh the post commander Eric for city. My understanding Rick is when we talk about the parking lot they're talking about that portion of the parking lot that is owned by the town. >> That's my assumption also. Yes. Scott would have to be brought in >> which would be Rick from Sorry, Mr. Sham. >> No, please. >> From me street straight down to the walkway or >> um I am not sure. I don't want to I believe you're right, but I don't want to. Yeah, I I think it's a little wider, but >> I So I I think this is a matter that
066Rick um >> my suggestion, gentlemen, would be >> to refer this >> not only down to uh >> Scott, >> the town engineers department tutor is define what is town owned and what is owned by the post itself or or others >> because there are some homes there. correct >> on that street. Um, >> you never know. >> Yeah. >> How much of that street they actually own, >> right? >> But if we could just figure out what we own and then ask Scott if he could assess it to give us a sense of what needs to be done, what can be done temporarily if it is necessary, >> make sure things are safe because they do talk about the potential for someone right being injured. >> Sure. um you know which is basically noticed
067of the town and then um of the potential of injuries. >> Absolutely. >> Then from there if there's a need for a long-term solution, you know, best define that. >> Yeah. >> For us. >> Yep. >> Anything else you gentlemen want to add to that? >> Thank you. >> I was just going to say like you just mentioned uh uh uh Mr. chairman, you know, if they can go in there and take a look, both town engineer and Howie Se um develop a repair plan if they need it, you know, to cover the drainage and and resurfacing of the um top like that was mentioned in the letter and maybe a preliminary cost estimate so we could find out if it is going to cost us any amount of money how to get funding for
068that. >> Right. [clears throat] In the conversation that I had with you, Rick, there was some agreement made years ago about >> there was an agreement for snow plowing or that was enforced or not enforced over the years. I'm not sure. >> Okay. So, the chairman's request will get us that kind of information. >> Uh I I again Scott would be the better one to to address that issue also. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> We plow what we don't plow that kind of issue. I don't know anything about plowing and this was before all our times in this position. >> It was built in 1940. >> The club. >> Yeah. >> They they plow, you know, they did plow all kinds of properties to include church properties until uh >> that was I
069know now. Um, so I know that at one point part of our rental understanding with the Portuguese club was that because we would have to put down salt and sand on certain times of the year, a piece of that lot there is owned by the town >> and for allowing us to use the polling place. the sweeper would go down in the spring and just take up >> sweep all the salt >> all the salt and sand >> but I think that is uh ended with a different agreement. >> So >> yeah, I mean that's the case. find out what the story is and um they may be able to assess any needs on their parking lot. Um and if it's something that a larger deal gets a better deal where we have to bid
070everything um and pay prevailing wage. So, >> thank you Rick. >> Thank you. Taking care of that. Um, we do not have an executive session. Um, was there any uh new business? Either you gentlemen correspondent, Mr. Chairman. >> No, Mr. Chairman. >> Correspondence either. >> Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn, Mr. Chairman. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Thank you very much for tuning in. Uh, hope that all the kids have a safe and happy Halloween. Uh, which is coming right up. That is week. >> That's right. >> Friday. >> The rain is going to clear out that morning and sun's going to come out and then we'll go a nice wishful thinking. >> It's going to happen. So the kids won't be uh freezing
071cold. Um done that before. So thank you very much for tuning in. If you have any questions, concerns, please bring them to the attention of town administrator. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.