Selectboard (June 3rd, 2026)

001everyone and good evening everyone and welcome to the June 3rd, 2026 select board meeting. Um, I call this meeting to order at 7:30m. Um, this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live by WACA TV and livereamed on YouTube. Remote participation is available using the Zoom video conferencing platform. Any disruption with the video conferencing platform will result in the platform being shut down. In the event of a disruption, broadcasting will continue on WACA TV and livereamed on YouTube. Um, so the first item on our agenda this evening is citizens participation. Um, before we get to opening it up for citizens participation, I just wanted to um set a little bit of a process in place and expectations um everybody kind of knows what to expect with with citizens participation. Um, as most of you know, citizens

002participation is a way for people to ask questions about anything um or make comments about anything to us. And it doesn't have to be on the agenda, but um we're going to um limit all comments and questions to three minutes. And um it's citizens participation isn't an opportunity for a back and forth with the board. um if you ask a question I will um take note of it and we will um either put it on a future agenda or we will discuss sort of like the who's going to get back to people um in sort of the next steps for it. So um but it's because of open meeting law we're not able to really have a conversation about something that's not on the agenda. Um, and if you do have a question that for

003something that is on the agenda, um, you do have the option of waiting until we get to that agenda item if you want. Um, and then we can discuss it or, um, like I said, I'll take note of it and we can make sure that we talk about it during that section. So, um, if that makes sense for everyone. >> Um, so I will open this up for citizens participation. If anyone online um would like to make a comment, you can um go ahead and use the raise hand function on Zoom and I will recognize you and we'll let you unmute. Um have a couple people in this room first. So, um Miss Manel, come on up. Connie Manel, Newcastle Road. Concerning the 1060 Main Street development proposal, I will share a few facts and

004my resulting conclusion. The Massachusetts Housing Authority banned SLV developer Jeffrey Angler from building for one year and put him on probation for three years. Mr. Angler misrepresented information on his Welssley application. Fearing a trend, Ashlin resident Joan Genrad asked Ashlin Town Council to reassess Angller's Ashland application 6 and a half months ago. An assessment of Angller's Ashlin application is important because if Angler, Mr. Angler did misrepresent information, his application would be null and void. Startlingly Ashlin Town Council has not respons responded for six and a half months. Underscoring the delay is the fact that the firm of Ashlin's Town Council also represents the same developer, Mr. Angler, in another town. This can be interpreted as a conflict of interest. If there has been an attorney's disclosure, there's no evidence of it because the requested records

005have not been released. It should be noted that requests for additional independent legal support for Ashland has been denied. What can we conclude from these events? Why hasn't town council responded? Could it be that they know that Mr. Angler misrepresented his application and can't respond because of the conflict of interest. How else can we explain the six and a half month delay? Even more alarming is that the same Ashlin Town Council has been advising quote unquote Ashlin through its other 40b apartment proposals. With many other residents, I share a decided lack of confidence in Ashlin's current town council, and I plead for re-examination of Mr. Angler's application. >> Thank you, Connie. >> Joan Friday, one shore road on the historical commission is speaking as an individual resident. Um, I just want to echo what Connie

006said. It's been very frustrating. it seems um almost embarrassing to have had to come back so many times to ask for some kind of of a decision or or some kind of an answer. Um so I hope that that will be coming soon and um that's really all I have to say tonight. Thank you. Um we have one person online with their hand raised. Um Luke, if you want to um we'll unmute you. So Luke, it doesn't look like you're connected to audio. If you want to connect to audio and There we go. Looks like you're connecting now. Okay. >> So we can we can unmute. We can Okay. So you're able to unmute yourself. There you go. Um if you could please identify yourself, please. Same thing. >> Okay, Luke, I don't think you're

007connected to audio. Oh, you're trying to connect again. Okay, let's see if we can do this one more time. Go ahead, Luke. >> Okay, it doesn't seem to be working. So, um if if there's something specific that you um want to make sure you um you cover if it's on our agenda, feel free to raise your hand again at another point during the meeting and we'll recognize you then. He's not connected to audio now, right? No, sorry. Okay. Um, so I think that's that's everything for citizens participation. I really should um I apologize I did not um introduce the people that are also here with us tonight. Um joining the four of us here at the table is town manager Michael Herbert, assistant town manager Katherine Bird, and um town counsel Brian Winner. Um and

008so which kind of leads into the next item on our agenda. Um the first item under old new business is to discuss the comprehensive permit process and management. Um so attorney winner had put together a memo for us. Um Brian, do you want to take us through that and kind of talk through that? >> I'd be happy to. Um so first things first, um I'm Brian Wy from me Talman and Costa and my office serves as your town council. Uh very nice to see everyone uh again this evening and thank you for inviting me out. Um so uh you have uh a memo that I drafted in front of you but let me uh just back up for two seconds and explain the context. Uh I believe it was uh thought that it this was

009an opportune moment to sort of revisit the the procedures and the process of comprehensive permits which is a bit of an unusual subject not something we normally see every day. Bless you. Um but of late something we've seen quite a bit of um and so as you know uh one has already gone through the zoning board. Um a second was finished off recently. Uh a third one is still under review. Um and the two that uh were at the zoning board is now moved to the conservation commission. And so we still have you know three live projects going you know in town right now which is you know a great deal of 4DB work um in the town of Ashlin right now. And so the purpose of this memo is is really twofold. One is

010to just, you know, provide a broad overview of what the process looks like. Not so much in terms of the granular mechanics, you know, dates and deadlines and things like that, but just the general um sort of pre-application process, the public hearing process, and then I'll say a few words about kind of what comes next. Um, and then really to to um provide a little bit um of more of a concrete sort of foundation for that, I've uh put a timeline together of a recent application that the zoning board heard and that the select board had discussed um at various times is is an example of of that in action of what that looks like, you know, in the real world as it moves through town hall. And so those are the two sort of

011broad topics and um I'll go over that um uh now and then I'm sure you'll open it up to questions and and we'll get into you know the more specific uh questions you may have at that time. Um and I won't try to anticipate too much of that because I'm sure you'll have a lot of questions and we'll get through that as well. So first things first. So the process and procedures which is the first part of the memo. Um, this isn't really anything more than you wouldn't see in every guide that's out there on 4DB. This is the sort of um, uh, basic nuts and bolts of the 4DB process, which I'm sure you all know this, so please forgive me if I'm saying things you've already heard, but um, 40B is unique, right?

012It's the zoning board handles a couple of different things under 40A, which is the zoning act. And so they are special permits, variances, site plan, you know, certain things that come under the zoning act. 40B is completely different and so there's a different process for it and so just in general terms the first stage is before we even receive an application a whole lot of things are happening. So, the developer is doing all kinds of things and we don't even know about that necessarily until they submit what's called a project eligibility application to the state and we get notice of that and that's sort of our first official sort of opportunity to see what that looks like and see what this project might be and to provide comment on that. There may have been some

013engagement before that with a particular developer or applicant but not always. um sometimes we see it coming and we have some some interaction, sometimes we don't. But that's the first um sort of point when the process really begins. And I'll talk about the timeline in a second, but you'll see that there was you many months between when we got that notice and when the actual eligibility letter issued. And so while this board um has the opportunity to gather comments from your your departments and your boards and committees and then give that comment letter uh to the state and that comment letter can include recommendations, concerns, criticisms, anything that the board wants to say. It's it's a reflection of the the town's position uh through this board. It's not our decision whether or not project is

014eligible. That's the state's decision. And so ultimately the state issues that decision and what's called uh a peel, a project eligibility letter. And that is what allows the developer to actually file that application with the town. So that's sort of the the nutshell version of the pre-application and that's when the gears start turning at town hall. Right. So now everyone's been alerted. We're getting comments from conservation, from planning, from zoning, from building, from public works, and all that sort of groundwork is starting to be um established and so we know what we're going to um talk about when the application comes in. So, that's just sort of phase one. Phase two is when the application is made, now it goes to the zoning board. And the zoning board is unique in that this is the

015comprehensive part of the comprehensive permit, right? They sit in the shoes of every other town board and body and that's all on the zoning board 100%. They're the only entity in town that has the jurisdiction to perform that function. And so in order for them to do it, they get the application and the first thing that happens is the application goes out to everybody. It goes to the departments, it goes to this board, it goes to everybody. Here's what we've got. We're going to need comments. We're going to need feedback. We need to know how to do our jobs. And so I'll just use conservation as an example because in most cases zoning boards aren't particularly equipped to do conservation work or board of health work or a great deal of other things. And so

016how are they going to know how to do that? And that's through communication and outreach. They're going to have to ask for that feedback, receive that feedback, discuss it, vet it, um, and so on and so forth. And that's what the public hearing process is about. The zoning board did in in all of these cases and should in every case um hire outside services, professional services, because um town council is not an expert in civil engineering or storm water design and and usually board members are not either. Uh occasionally you'll have professionals that are are staffing boards and they have a lot of input on those those subjects that are in their sort of uh professional universe as well, but that's that's fairly unusual. and and even if they do have that expertise, well, they're

017not here in their professional capacity. They're here as a board member. Uh and so peer review is a really big part of that public hearing phase. And so um peer review uh firms are selected. Um they're engaged and they provide written comment. They attend the hearings. Um and that hearing process progresses through each one of those topics. And um what we try to do when we're representing the board in that case is is uh sketch out exactly how the entire process is going to take place from day one forward. So for example, we know that there's going to be traffic reviews. We know that there's going to be storm water reviews. And so let's figure out who are those people going to be that are doing it. How long will it take them to provide

018their comments? And which night are we going to hear them on? um just for structure, right, and to make it a more efficient process. And so that's sort of the phase two. And uh in the memo, I've just sort of outlined, you know, kind of the standard timeline for all of that. And that whole process is governed by um state law, obviously 40B, but also the state regulations on 40B. And so while I completely understand that any comprehensive permit is a very complex situation with lots of interested parties with lots of different motivations, the zoning board is is um required to adhere to the state regulations and what those say that they can and can't do. And so to a certain extent, notwithstanding, you know, all those considerations, the zoning board um has a role

019to play under the regulations. And so there's certain things that are outside the scope of their jurisdiction. Um some things um for example, for project eligibility, um like the uh the financability of the project, you know, who's lending for it. Well, we don't have any say in that. that's that's between the state, the lending agency, uh subsidizing agency, and the developer. So, those are things we we just don't have jurisdiction over. Um, and there are a bunch of other things, too. But for the most part, the zoning board exercises jurisdiction over all the other local boards and bodies. And so, they can hear all of that. And so, they go through that whole vetting process with the peerreview consultants interacting with the developer. And that can take a number of different forms as it proceeds

020through, right? I mean, it can ultimately lead in a denial for lack of information or a denial for the merits or it can lead to a grant as applied for like as the plan is is presented or it can lead to a grant with a whole lot of conditions. Um some of you may have seen some of the comprehensive permits before um including the recent ones and these are you know 2530 page documents with with dozens and dozens and dozens of conditions and requirements and parameters and so there's a lot of work for the zoning board to do in that 180day period. So that outline is here on page two just in terms of how that progresses. So the last part I wanted to talk about is um you know a recent example um so

021that this this is a little bit more tangible right because um we've had three come through or or still going through and uh I used one that's a recent example um fresh on everybody's mind. So 1060 Maine is the one that I kind of used in terms of the outline. And so if you look at that table at the end of this memo and I'm I'm just going to walk through it very briefly because I'm sure you'll have questions and we'll get into um you know the details as we go along. I highlighted a couple of uh sort of operative dates you know just to give it some structure and to to give the the board some orientation on this list. So, it actually goes from the the most recent to the most uh distant.

022Um, and you can see all the different events that occurred during this process. And this is just the sort of in-person physical events. Obviously, there's, you know, phone calls and emails and correspondents. That's not on here, but there's obviously a lot of, you know, chatter and discussion in and around each one of these. So, if you look at the the bottom of page five, you'll see that, you know, it was April 2024 when the mass housing application went in. That's the eligibility process. The eligibility letter um was issued on October 11th. So, between that time, you'll see that the select board um met uh and considered and voted to issue comment letters to the state. Um there were a number of select board meetings during that time. Uh on November 22nd, 2024, the um comprehensive

023permit application was actually filed and that kicked off the zoning board process. Um I believe in that time um prior to the eligibility um the board hosted um a 40B forum. Um in that case, I think if I recall correctly, it was attorney HDY that attended that. Okay. Um, so there was sort of a uh a forum for discussing kind of some of the things that we're talking about tonight even. Um, and at one point there was a discussion about an advisory group. Um, I don't know all the details. This was before my involvement. Um, but that was uh just before the application was filed. Um, and so after the application was filed um there were a number of select board meetings where this was just on the agenda as a status update. I believe.

024Um and then the zoning board hearing, you know, began in earnest, you know, shortly after that. And so going to the top of that page, and then if you flip back one page, you'll see all the various meetings of the zoning board um all the way up until the decision issued on January 16th. So some of these and I'm just going to note a couple of them because some of them uh might not be obvious in and of themselves just by the way they're written which is in kind of summary form. So obviously there were some select board meetings where it was discussed the the ZBA means that was a posted zoning board night of the public hearing. The ZBA check-ins. So those were meetings that were staff level workshop meetings that I attended. Um

025uh the chair of the zoning board attended um and some pe um some staff attended. So the planner attended um and occasionally other people attended uh those meetings as well. And so those were held every other week routinely so that we could discuss the communication that came in um the the sort of structure of how the zoning board hearing was going to go on the next uh occasion. um you know what the issues were, what have been raised, which ones have been addressed, which ones are outstanding, you know, those process questions. So obviously that's not a meeting of the zoning board. There's no quorum. It's not a public hearing, but workshops are an important part of the 4DB process because the communication and the information has to circulate and we need to decide a structure

026on how this is all going to proceed. So, those were sort of formal, you know, check-ins and you can see there were a lot of them um because every two weeks we were doing them for each one of the hearings on each one of the 40Bs. Um so, these are specific to 1060 Maine, but of course we discussed, you know, whatever board business was in front of them, you know, during those meetings. So, you'll also see that there were z uh select board meetings um listed in there as well. There were several that um I attend or at least one that I attended I think by myself and there were a number that I attended with attorney Lisa me as well. Um so I hope you recall those but there were occasions where we came

027to the board um and this is an important thing that I just want to highlight right now. Um because while we're sitting as town council with the zoning board that doesn't change the fact that the select board is our client, right? And so at the end of the day, um, town council answers to a majority of this board. This board is declined. And so, um, we had a number of meetings. I think Lisa attended probably some other meetings before I was involved. Um, but I'll let her speak to those, um, when she's available. Um but we did attend a number to give the board an opportunity to ask us questions, to hear from us, to um discuss, you know, the policy direction of um of these matters, particularly this one. And we carry that, of

028course, forward to the zoning board. Um and so when we have these workshop meetings and when I meet with the zoning board, uh we do that in in a way that's consistent with the instructions that we've been given. That's the whole point, of course. And so, um, we're always very mindful of that. Um, and that's the bridge between, you know, what's happening at the select board and what's happening at the zoning board. And so, you'll see those occurred as well. And of course, the decision ultimately issued um the select board met just shortly thereafter to discuss the fact that it did issue and what choices um, you know, could potentially come from that. There's a couple others um other entries here that I just want to mention um because they're a bit um they don't

029speak for themselves. And so one of the ones is you'll see on uh September 30th uh D EPA attendance. So uh there was one night at the zoning board hearing where um representatives um from these agencies were invited to attend. Um, I called this one out because it's a bit unusual for them to attend to one of these because we don't have jurisdiction over what the state does. Um, and so the ZBA really can't it can be informed, but it can't tell the state what to do in in many regards. Um, particularly with things that are exclusively within their jurisdiction. Um but they were they were um kind enough to come and join us that night and uh try their best to answer some questions and uh and sit down with us that evening. And

030so that's that's a bit unusual. Um but they were willing to do that in this case. Um you'll see that there's a number of um notes uh right towards the end of the process that just say EOHLC. So this began in January of this year. So about six months ago. Um five and a half months ago, let's say. Um and this is where um I was asked to um communicate with the state agencies that >> over can you just explain to those watching what EOHLC is? We may probably all know, but >> Yes. No, absolutely. Good point. Good point. So, Mass Housing and EOHLC, which is the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, I think I got that right, um, is one of the state agencies that, uh, oversees the 40B process. And so,

031they used to be called Mass, um, excuse me, DHCD, another acronym, um, but they're doing the same function, you know, under a new name. and they're the the state agency that receives these applications along with Mass Housing and makes determinations for the eligibility of the project and they review the financability of the project to determine that someone is actually willing to subsidize this and it's eligible for that subsidy and so on and so forth. Um, and so they do all of their work before we get the application to make to determine whether or not the project is eligible in the first place, but then they get it again at the end of the process because once it leaves town hall, they have to review it to see what happened at town hall and determine whether

032that's consistent with the eligibility that they issued and determined. And then ultimately what comes out of that is a final plan set, a final determination and that's what allows the project to proceed. So when we're done with it, they actually get it back. And so those are two uh state agencies that are involved um but um are separate. Um so >> and did I hear you say correctly that you represented Ashland at some of those meetings with EOHLC or were on phone calls with them? >> So yes. Yeah. Yeah. And this is the part I wanted to just pause on for a minute because this is a little >> I don't know if unusual is the right word, but it's it's not something that happens in every application. >> Um and so right around January

033or somewhere thereabouts, um there was a discussion about um the eligibility of the project and certain circumstances around this this application and this developer. And I don't want to go into the details about that because that's maybe a conversation for another day and these projects are still alive and being reviewed by town agencies, but um I did communicate with them at the town's request. Um and so their general counsel was uh gracious enough to give me time on several occasions to to speak about a great many things. And uh we did have all those conversations. Um, and so we discussed what their process looks like, um, and how they do what they do, uh, and how they reach those decisions. Um, and so we exchanged some information which from my end included, uh, the documents

034that we have, which in some cases, um, we had some concerns about whether or not they were complete and whether or not they were accurate. And so we exchanged some of that information. I had some gaps in in the the correspondence. Um there I had reason to believe that there was some other correspondents out there and so they were kind enough to provide that to me um which I've shared. Um and so we continued that conversation on a number of occasions. I asked more questions. since they got back to me um as best as they could while also expressing that um this is their job and their inner workings were their inner workings and certain things particularly of an investigatory nature are not things that they're going to share with me. Um and so at

035any rate, I've um I had those conversations on a number of occasions as you can see there. Um and communicated that back, you know, to the extent I got answers. Um I I communicated those and not all of them. And I'll I'll be completely honest. >> And who did that get communicated back to, town management or the ZBA? >> Um not the ZBA because this would be outside of their jurisdiction, but conversations in the staff meetings with Michael Um, and I think that occurred on several occasions and I think there were also a couple email exchanges on that topic >> and I don't know if you want to speak to that as well. >> Yeah, I think the the last one with relation to that was the records request. Yep. >> Right. Which um we

036had talked about the timeline but which we had received in April. Uh so we finally got a response. They had uh went and so so I had forwarded that to the board on April 9th. Um and that's the records request from executive office of housing and livable communities. >> Okay. Yep. And that was something that came about as a result of that that back and forth I think would be fair to say because um I think I don't know how I want to put this exactly but I think I had reached the limits of their their willingness to continue engaging with me on some of these topics. um again because they they they have certain limits to what they can disclose and so um thus the public records request to try to continue that. Um

037and so that's that's what these um notes are with respect to ELHLC. And so that brings us up to you know where we are today. There's still you've got the public records request response. Is that right? Um and there are still some questions um surrounding a couple of those sort of related issues. Um uh the you know and again I don't necessarily want to get into the details of an active matter before the town but I will say that there's still a couple of loose ends um some title issues that's we're expecting that uh report within a week. Uh I checked in with my team today to find out if there was an update on that. the update is we expect it within a week. Um, and so there are a couple other things that

038we expect we're still going to report on. Um, and again, it's still an active matter before the town. So, these are still live questions. >> So, um, I know Joe, you have a question. We'll just open it up to the board first and then we'll >> open it up to the public. But Joe, go ahead. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Brian, I have a quick question. Um, the process as it stands right now new information has come since the ZBA's done their, you know, done their homework on on this project. And and I'm referring to, and you brought it up earlier in one of your one of your comments is the uh traffic study with the MBTA changing their traffic uh and stops. Uh there's the there'll be three new stops every half hour which

039isn't part of that traffic study and that's greatly going to change that traffic study. Can the town ask them to revise their traffic study as a result of this new information that was being provided and as a cause of the state's action? uh because this is definitely going to have an a huge impact in downtown when it comes to when it comes to you know the traffic aspect of it and the bearing of stopping the traffic with all these trains that come through additional three stops every half hour throughout the day which wasn't part of the original traffic study >> correct yeah and I remember and I we've discussed this before I think um on a couple of occasions maybe so what we did when when you raised this issue is we went to our

040traffic consultant and and asked that exact question, you know, why isn't this is in your report and what effect would it have if you considered it and so on and so forth. And so that was part of of the process on this application. Um, and I I don't remember his response specifically, but >> I'll be honest with you, I don't think he gave you a response because I never saw a response. I read one. That's the reason why I'm bringing it up, Madam Chair. I just >> Yeah, >> it it's because it is impactful to this to this whole project and to this whole area. >> So the question was Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. >> No, that's okay. >> Yeah, I know the question was asked and my memory is that we did

041get a response. It might it wasn't an updated traffic report. That was not the response. Okay. >> The response was, I think, in an email saying, "Yes, we're aware of that and here's our thoughts." And so I I do think that exists. And so if it didn't um get circulated or or come to your attention, then something went wrong. And that's something >> which is the reason why I bring it up now. >> Thank you. >> Hi, Attorney Winter. Uh thank you so much for uh putting together this memo. I actually found it very helpful. Um but I do have I do have a couple of questions uh based on on what you've talked about tonight and a question and a clarifying question. So um one thing I'm a little confused about is a kind

042of a procedural issue. So we were talking about basically you know um the process you know if we had the eligibility letter and all the all these things going through you know doing our due diligence for uh for forbes specifically for 1060. I'm just trying to get my head around when in the process ideally we would have been able to bring up that uh issue the the issue with the deed that's restricting residential housing on that property. It seems like that came pretty late in the process and I would think that that might come earlier like maybe as one of the initial things. I'm just speaking personally. I wasn't aware of that until I think we were further along. I'd just like to get an idea of of in so far as those sort of

043issues where where should that be, you know, when when we're engaging um developers with this? >> No, I I understand your question. It's a good question. So, there's kind of two levels to that. One is just sort of the site control, being aware of, you know, what restrictions exist on the site and whether the developer um has the the control necessary to do a project. And so and then the second part of that is well do we dispute that or do we have any concerns about that? Is that accurate information? Is it complete information? Do we have thoughts, feelings and opinions about that? And so we might be aware of kind of what the baseline is because they have to present sight control to us at the very beginning in their application. They have to

044present that actually to the state agencies. And so that's supposed to come out right in the beginning before we even get it. the applicant makes a representation. I have sight control and I have the ability to do this and here's why I believe that. And so I think you're referring to the activity and use limitation. Yeah. Is that right? Okay. And so that is disclosed and it's a matter of record. It's recorded at the registry. And so the state is aware of it. It's it's it's in there at the very beginning. But what's not in there until someone raises it is we disagree. We don't feel that way. We're not so sure. all those other things. And so that can be raised at any point, >> right? >> Um and so the activity and use

045limitation is a little bit unique in then in the sense that it can be changed and modified by D. And so there are a we call them, right, on on lots of sites all over Massachusetts. >> And what happens is they they restrict the site. Um, and when someone comes and seeks to develop it, they of course see this in the the record title and they realize, oh, there's this restriction here that's going to be an issue for the development. How do I satisfy D so I can do the thing I want to do? And so then there's a conversation. And so that conversation can lead to changes to the that restriction. And so it's different than say like a conservation restriction where once it's recorded, it's pretty much written in stone at that point.

046There's nothing you can do about it. And if it says no buildings, no buildings, an activity and use limitations a little bit different because it might say no buildings today, but tomorrow it might say well no buildings unless you do ABC. Well, it's, you know, so it sounds like that's something like that that that if if we had been aware of that, we could have actually brought up initially during the beginning of the process. We didn't have to wait until later in the process. >> That that's correct. It if if there were concerns about it, it could have been raised early on. But here here's the issue with with that. We're not the agency that ultimately decides if that's problematic or not. That's part of the eligibility and the EOHLC is the agency that decides

047and we have case law and and I'm not saying I agree with the case law. I'm just saying we have it >> and it says that if the state determines that it's eligible and that there isn't a restriction that prohibits this, then that's binding on us. We don't get to sort of unpack that. >> You don't mind me jumping in? I thought for sure in our first letters to the state and some of the comments that people in there that it was brought up that it had this limitation on the property in my if I remember I mean it's been a couple years but I thought for sure if if not from our letter either from com from conservation or from a resident or something that we put our initial package to mass housing that

048this was an issue for this piece of property to put houses >> in our initial package. >> We were aware of that. >> Have to check, but I mean it does. >> Yeah, it was a pretty substantial package. >> I believe you might be right. >> I think the key as attorney points out it's not necessarily what we think. It's what >> No, I understand that. But just to clarify for >> my purp from her understanding, she it was only brought up >> in the last six months >> a little late. I would have to double check, but I thought for sure if and again if not in our letter >> certainly from residents who are involved had put this in their letter. So what you're saying um is that it might have been in

049our letter and it might have been in our information to the state, but they basically said no, we're approving this project to move forward. That's what I'm hearing >> because it's mutable. Basically, they can change that designation at any time. >> Exactly. If you can make D happy, then we'll be happy is essentially where they landed. And just one other little note on that is >> it wasn't unknown to the state. The state would have known from day one because they work with their sister agencies and this is a D document. >> So they were aware >> they were aware from day one. >> The state was well aware that this was there and they knew it be when the process started. So I think that's an important >> and so the significance I think

050is the the question, right? like, well, what does this mean in terms of the impact on the site? >> And we're not the ones that get to decide it, and that's the problem. >> I understand that. I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Just one last thing. But it also goes to and again, I wasn't at the meeting, but I was told that at the last at one of the conservation commission meetings, the developer stated that they weren't aware of this or maybe I heard wrong. >> Well, yeah, I think I think just need to get some clarification on this particular issue. I'd like to, you know, because in so far as what the developer is saying as as far as what we knew and when we knew it and when we we were able to say

051something about it. I'm just just from a process >> I misspoke but >> yeah maybe just from a process standpoint because I just want to make sure that I understand you know not not even necessarily for this particular issue but just generally like moving forward like how how this works. So I just but I do want to get some understanding about what happened with this particular property as well. So I think Yolanda I think you know to your point like we could just get some clarification around that and double check that would be great. The the second question I had for you was just a clarification when you were talking about the EPA and the state I think you had said that you know we had these various agencies come in and it basically you

052know didn't really matter what they said because the state basically had controlling authority over what happened with the property. Is that is that true? Like so the state's decision supersedes that of the EPA or >> with respect to certain topics. Okay. And it gets complicated very quickly. I'm sorry about this, but >> yeah. Could you dig into that a little bit? >> Let me unpack it a little bit if I can. So, >> yeah. >> Um there are certain um state laws that are administered and enforced by the state and not the town and not the zoning board. And so like 21E, which is contaminated sites, >> that's something that they have jurisdiction over and that's where the activity and use limitation came from. And so they can inform us, they can talk to us,

053we can communicate with them, we can even try to influence them and persuade them, but at the end of the day, it's their decision and we don't really get to do much about it >> other than sort of be a stakeholder and comment. >> Okay. >> Um, but they're the agency in charge of that. So that's one example. So that's that's this contaminated site question. And this comes up in all kinds of, you know, I've got a solar project right now. it's on a site that has an AUL, >> right? >> And so this comes up all the time. It's not unusual to this this one that we're talking about here as an example. Um and there are other things too. Um there are, you know, financial questions. You know, there are different subsidizing agencies

054that get to decide those things. We can learn about them. We can communicate with them, but they get to decide them. And so, um, this is gonna sound a little crass, but D and EPA could have said, "I'm sorry, that's not your lane, >> right? >> This is our lane, and we're not really inclined. We don't have the resources." This actually occurred the night before a government shutdown. Um, and so we got them here, but it was kind of like their last day on the job. Um, so there was just a weird coincidence, but that's how it happened. Um, and so they were kind enough to come, but they didn't have to. We couldn't make them. And so I think really through Michael um they were willing to do that um through I think his

055communication with him if I recall correctly. So um that was unique in in that particular instance. Um but it's another example um just to bring it back to sort of the general theme here of of just sort of communication and um everyone having access to a knowledge of the same information. so that the policy makers, the decision makers, whoever they may be in whichever board they may sit on is well informed. >> Yeah, I I appreciate that. And I think you know just getting some uh details around what the e you know what these what's it within the jurisdiction of some of these agencies can be very confusing I think for a lot of folks even like watching here and even even professionals who do this all the time. So I appreciate that clarification. Um

056yeah, I think those were the only things I had questions on. I think that and uh just getting an idea of the timing and I maybe not be remembering things, you know, uh literally. So just getting some clarification on that previous issue be helpful as well. >> Certainly. >> Thank you. >> So and I had a question. One of the things that you mentioned was that um sort of after town hall is is done with you know the permitting process or whatever that there's a final determination made >> by um EOHLC about whether or not it goes forward. So, so I assume if we're talking specifically about the example of 10 to 60 main, so after the conservation commission process, they will re-review the whole application and see if it is still eligible or sort

057of like, you know, because if if there are things that have happened since the initial eligibility letter um and they become aware of things, could they then deny the project? Could they, you know, like I I'm I'm interested like what that might look like. >> So, yes. Um no, great question. And keep in mind, they haven't seen it since they issued their letter on um excuse me, October 11th, 2024. So, a whole lot has happened since then. And so the thing they're going to look for most of all is compliance with the conditions they put in their eligibility letter um because the project changed quite a bit when it was here. And so the first thing that they're going to look at is are those changes within the scope of the conditions that we you

058know set in the very beginning. Um but they're also going to look at the project generally. um financial conditions in the world have changed since then and I you know there's probably other things they look at as well but ultimately they evaluate those things they I believe I I don't want to speak for them I've never been inside you know what um you know uh their their agency to see exactly how they do this um I believe that they communicate with sister agencies as well uh and get feedback you know um on what's going on with this, you know, for example, Mass D, where are you at with this? You know, that wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that they communicate with their sister agencies. And at the end, they issue a final

059determin, a final approval. Um, and that's what um allows the developer to go forward. So, what the zoning board issued is not the end. That's a step along the way. And the final approval comes from the state. um with all these things being considered and then they determine yes this is still um financially possible it's still constructable um and so on and so forth and here's your final approval then it comes back to us for building permits and things like that. >> Yeah. Is there any any way and it's probably not possible but is there any way that we can communicate to them prior to that final decision um just like a summary of where we stand with it as a community since that initial eligibility letter? Is there something that is there something in

060the process that we can do to I don't know. I'm just throwing that out there. >> No, I I understand. And so my my general position on this is um who who's going to stop us from sending a letter? And >> why not? >> Yeah. Um it it's not something that's contemplated in the formal regulatory process, but I can't imag if you're, you know, um council and and staff reviewers of a project and you get correspondence from whether it's from the executive board of the town or or anyone else, you're going to receive that, right? And and and look at it. I don't I can't tell you what they're going to do with it. >> Yep. Okay. I will say I did look it up and we did bring up the AUL pretty extensively I

061think in in the first comment letter that was >> um does the board have any other questions? So I know when we had citizens participation we had um Joan and Connie had some questions and things that they raised. Um I want to make sure that we kind of cover that under this whole umbrella. So you know I think I think you did but just specifically you know the whole idea of um the application and the conversations around that application and whether it was um truthful or compliant. And again, I'm speaking specifically for 10 to 60 MA, but it really is any application that comes before >> understood. >> Um, before mass housing. So, but >> you know, >> yeah, let me circle back on that. >> I just want to make sure that we we

062answer that question. >> So, um, couple things. One is, uh, that was communicated to us that there was a desire to revisit that. So, we we obviously do it when it first comes in and we take a look. But it's mostly for completeness. We don't have a lot of information the very first time we see it. And so we look at the basic things. If they're referencing a deed, is that a correct reference? Is that this site? And so on and so forth. And so that's an initial review. Um but what we did in the second stage is look at I think there were a number of questions I mean a list of questions on a number of topics. And so we took a look at each one of those and that's actually what precipitated

063my conversations with those agencies that I mentioned, the EOHLC and their general counsel um to try to get to a little bit more intel on some of those things. Um and so uh that did occur um and that's been reported back in in different forms and fashions. It's a little bit peacemeal because you know we didn't just get it all in one package and say you know here's the answer to all your questions and so we get a little bit on one topic a little bit on another topic but one theme that was was very clear is that irrespective of what opinions or position we may have on some of those things that's their jurisdiction and so I I'll use the AUL just as you know a random example we may disagree with and think

064actually we think the significance of that document is different than what you think it is but we don't have the jurisdiction to even make that decision and so this is where I ran into kind of a wall um and so I engaged I re-engaged and you'll see I went back again and I went back again you know I'm still not really satisfied couple more questions can we talk again and I would write an email and say here's what I want to talk about this time did you find anything and and they said, "You know what? Give me a week or two. I will speak to the staff over at Mass Housing and see what I can find out." So, they were willing to do that for me. And so on and so forth. And so,

065this continued for a while, but ultimately we hit the end of the road as it was expressed to me that um we were starting to get into things that kind of aren't our business at the end of the day from an administrative perspective. And um they had provided as much as they were willing to provide us. And so they do what they do, however they do it, and they they have staff attorneys, they have professionals that receive all these things, review them, and make determinations. And so I don't I'm not trying to say anything that's a lightning rod comment, but the idea that the suggestion that maybe they didn't get it right or, you know, maybe they didn't see what we see and so was was a little bit offensive to them, right? Because this

066is what they do and they take it very seriously. And so in this particular case, it was a more complicated history. Um, and so there was a little bit more to go over, but um, at the end of the day, they said, you know, this is as far as we're willing to go with you on this. Um, and so we got the public records request response, and I don't know how much more is in that that we can. >> Can I ask a follow-up question to that? So, you're saying that once everything's done here in town, it'll go back to EOHC and they'll give the final decision. >> Yes. Is there a possibility? I mean, and based on your experience, you've done a lot of 40bs that they change their mind based on the input

067and the information that they've seen and heard of from the last two-year process. >> Incredibly unusual. >> Okay. >> It's not impossible, but I don't want to give anybody a false impression. I mean, they're in the business of permitting housing >> and and certainly, let's be honest, >> I got the had the opportunity last night to hear from the secretary of at an event and they're like, they're proud of the 40b process and the housing it can create. So, >> that's the reality. Um and then just the other question that I think um was asked was um regarding the the firm's representation of Mr. Angler specifically in another another matter. >> Um can you talk a little bit about that and sort of what >> it's a matter of public record. We disclosed that at

068the beginning of our engagement on on the this particular matter. um one of the partners in our office uh had worked with uh another entity with Mr. Angler. We disclosed it. We requested the board's consent which is a requirement of our rules of professional conduct that are established by the Supreme Judicial Court. We did that. The board consented. That was all disclosed well before we engaged on this project. >> Is there any other questions? Um we had Oh. Luke doesn't have any. Um, Connie Joan, do you have any other follow-up questions? You're welcome to come back to the microphone and ask any additional questions you have. Come on up. Jung Friday Road. Um, Ashling on the historical commission speaking as a individual resident. Um I think the question I have and I appreciate the fact

069that that some of the that the AUL etc was brought back to the um EOHLC. Um the question is my my question has been since the beginning did they lie on their application because that was what stopped them from doing 40BS before and my concern is that they lied. My concern is that they said there was no restriction in all of the other questions that I put down in the email that I sent that they were some were some were granted were were a stretch, but the lying part I don't think is a stretch at all. They lied on the application and said there were no restrictions. You just said yourself that an AOL is a restriction. You use those words. So, how does that transfer to the fact that it that nothing would that

070that the application gets approved and there's no push back? Can we appeal? Can the town appeal? >> Would you like be >> Yep. Go ahead. Yeah. Sorry. >> Um, so I have um looked into that. I've received that question. >> Um, absolutely. And uh we have looked into it and two things came uh as a result of that. One is I had conversations with the general counsel for the agency in charge of that which I mentioned earlier and second um I believe more than once in an email at least one email but maybe even two emails I responded um to that question. And so there's there's two parts to this. Um and I think we've we spoke maybe after one of the zoning board meetings. Is that true? maybe very briefly briefly. Yeah. And so

071uh certainly aware of it and so part one is um uh just sort of the legal analysis. And so there are different kinds of restrictions and it's not our application form, it's the state's application form. And so, uh, I can't tell you what it is they're looking for and what they review for and what things they consider to be the restrictions they're asking about versus something else. So, I don't know what they review in terms of accuracy and truthfulness. So, the example I gave earlier tonight was like a conservation restriction. So that's a permanent restriction basically written in stone and if it says no buildings then there are no buildings. send a story that's recorded and it can't change. An AUL is a different kind of thing. And there's all kinds of other real estate

072instruments that that might go on the record for a property. And it's the state that reviews that and decides if that's one they care about or one that should have been disclosed, one that wasn't disclosed and they do care about it. And so this is the other part of it. Even if let's say hypothetically I completely disagree with them and I say it is a restriction and you should have not issued your project eligibility letter because it wasn't disclosed and it changes everything. They don't have to accept that. Um and that's that's the bind that I find myself in in that. And so that's why I engaged with the general counsel because I'm it's two different things, right? It's whether or not they disclosed it. But the fact that they if they click if they

073clicked no, >> there were no restrictions, >> they could be lying about that, right? Because they had to know. So I think that's the question is >> can we go back to and it sounds like you have to say look based on this information it looks like they lied but from what I'm hearing is yes they might have done that but it's EOHLC and mass housing that gets to decide if they agree with us on that. >> That's right and so I can raise the allegation. >> Right. >> We're concerned that this is not truthful >> Mr. Winner. So, did you raise them did you raise it that way that they lied on the application? >> This is and so I had the list of questions. >> Yeah. >> Um that that was communicated to

074me. >> And so I knew that that was one of the questions that needed to be asked. And so I have asked that question >> and the answer to it, as I've stated before, is >> not our jury. our staff people performed their obligations professionally and reached the determination that they did and we believe they did it properly. >> Yet another town he lied in and he was banned from doing 40B. So, I'm I'm I'm again very frustrated that um there there were several questions there and if they were all proposed in the sense of we believe they lied on their application, can we have an answer to that and you're saying that they said no, we can't have an answer to that or they said no, we disagree with you. >> Well, so they

075said we disagree. We reviewed it and issued the project eligibility letter which is the evidence that we didn't think he violated or this applicant did anything improper. They were they did their diligence was the answer. >> Can I ask if you believe that >> it maybe it doesn't matter but I'd like to know. >> I'm not I'm not trying to be um curt at all or dismissive at all. It's just a, you know, it's kind of a funny question because which whatever I believe, I don't have the power to do anything about it. >> I understand. >> And so I, this is the sort of jam that I'm in with that that issue. Um, we raised the issue. We've looked at the issue. Um, and I've presented it to them to give them another chance

076to them being the state to give them an opportunity to reflect on it. And that's the answer we got. We issued the eligibility. That's our position. Thank you for calling. >> Brian, is there an appellet procedure that could come into play here to appeal this process or to appeal their decision with respect to that? They just have the final say no matter what >> they do on that issue. Yes. >> on that one specific issue on the eligibility that we cannot we don't have the ability to reach behind the eligibility and and challenge it. >> That's right. >> I'm a little concerned that they may have made a mistake and they don't want to admit it. So they're just going to pass it along and then in the long run the town gets it gets

077get it gets it, you know, where it needs to be. >> Brian, I think the question is is who over if who's overseeing the overseers? >> Thank you. That's a great question. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. >> Who has oversight over that? >> Is it just ends where it ends? >> Is it the governor's office? >> Yeah. >> Manchester by the Sea is appealing right now. I don't know what they're appealing for. I haven't haven't investigated that that deeply, but they are appealing a 40B project. >> It's in superior court. I'm aware of that. >> So, can we appeal? >> Uh the time period um to appeal the comprehensive permit here has lapsed. >> In that case, it was appealed. In this case, it wasn't. But to answer your question, Michael, um it's a state agency

078and so their org chart is is I'm not entirely sure >> secretariat level. There's a secretary that oversees I think several of the departments together actually but >> um there is a person in charge of that. >> I do see that Luke has his hand raised again. So I do want to give an opportunity in case um Luke would like to ask a question connected audio. Okay Nick uh Luke you need to unmute yourself. Okay. So, you have to unmute yourself, Luke. >> Hit the >> Yeah. Whenever you unmute, you kind of you disconnect. >> Luke, can you hear us? You can go ahead. Okay. We still seem to be having issues with Luke and his audio. So, and make a recommendation to Luke. Um, Luke, if you want, send us a question via >>

079email, >> our select board email and we can jump in and take a look at it right now. >> So, select selectboards.com address. So, um, >> Brandy, can I just ask one one last? >> Sure. And then and then and then we're going to need to move on to our agenda. But, um, go ahead, John. You mentioned that the comprehens that the comprehensive permit that gets finalized at the end by the EOHLC yet they've already approved the comprehensive permit after the ZBA. I understood it went to Mass Housing and came back as approved. So if there's another approval at the end, is that a place where we can appeal? No, the excuse me, >> no, the appeal is of the the permit from the zoning board. >> That's where um parties can appeal that to

080court. >> So, what gets approved at the very end then if it's too late? >> I'm not sure I understand. But if if there was an appeal on any comprehensive permit and it goes to court, >> then that final approval can't issue until that is resolved. Um, but when there's no appeal, the developer can go right to the state and get that final approval >> and then that's the end of the administrative process. >> My last question is why wasn't it approved appealed? My last question >> I can I can answer that question. Um the um the select board would have been the entity to appeal that and we did not appeal the decision. Also Mr. Angler didn't appeal the decision as well. So it's on both sides. Um it's also appealable by any party

081in interest any anyone who's agrieved and so it could be a butters it could be other interested parties there are number it's not just the board or Mr. angler could have been any of her. Just >> and just to answer your question like we based on the information we had um and legal standing things like that. the I would say that the best we we tried to do the best we could for the entire community and that based on advice from council based on conversations we've had with um our town manager and ourselves. So there there was no decision on the select board to um to quote unquote fight the project and and and push to deny the project. There was never that from the select. So Oh well, we're not going to talk about

082>> Yeah, >> I believe those were executive sessions. >> Yes. So, all right. Um, thank you, Mr. Winner. Uh, we appreciate you putting together this memo and taking us through this. >> Thank you guys for asking questions. Um, I think it was a good conversation >> and, um, unless anybody else has anything further, we will move on our agenda. >> I'm sorry, I don't mean to step out of my lane. This isn't any of my business, but I see Luke has his hand up again, and I'm just curious if that email came. I just didn't want to leave or or break from this if there was still another question that I could answer. >> I don't see a recent email. I was going to say I'm not seeing an email. >> Okay. Double checking. That's

083all. >> Okay. >> I would just say one more time, Luke, if you have a question, feel free to send it to selectboard.com. A number of us have it open right now, so if you wanted to send it in, we could answer your question. Okay. All right. I think we're I think we're all set. So, thank you, Attorney Winner. Appreciate it. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for being here. >> Um the next item on our agenda is a stabilization fund update. Um I'm going to turn this over to to Michael. Um we had wanted to talk about the stabilization fund as it relates to um where we are with our balance where we are with um you know post town meeting what we're our projected amounts. So Michael you want to

084go ahead. >> Thank you. Randy said, "Make sure you can share your screen when so we can put this on here." So hopefully everybody can see it. Um, so yeah, this is our stabilization fund balance going all the way back to 2004. And I think there was more of a question about what do things look like recently, like you said. So um, if you'll just indulge me a little bit, I'll go back just to 2021 where you see a series of withdrawals, uh, that that were made um, from 21 to 23. That was during the COVID period and that was a planned uh set of withdrawals that we did during u during that period. But over time as we built our balance up um we uh started to get to a point where we had

085reached our 10% goal meaning that 10% of our uh expenditures um we had enough to fund 10% uh of the expenditures in our stabilization fund. Um, and so that's why you see the deposits, the transfers in in 23, 24, and 25 so low because we only had to put in just a little bit to maintain that 10% goal. It wasn't until 2026 um when we needed to dip into that stabilization fund just because of the structural imbalance that we had. Um and so we had transferred out uh last for FY26 we transferred out 2.2 million leaving us a balance of um 8.3 million. Um and then um then that was carried over to this year and so we took we're planning on taking out for FY27 1.8 million. Now, we will transfer money in at

086town meeting. It'll be substantially more than, you know, the tens of thousands that you see just because we did dip below the 10%. And so, according to our financial policies, we put more in of our free cash into the stabilization fund. So, um that $6.5 million ending balance um at the end of Falltown meeting will be a little bit higher, but I won't know that until we have free cash. So that's where we stand with the stabilization fund right now. Um our expenditures, our general fund expenditures are around $90 million. So you know to reach back up to the 10% we would need to get to 9 million. >> So quick well quick question regarding the 2.2 that we transferred out of the stabilization fund for 2026. Mhm. >> So, those are the one-time funds.

087Some of that was related to, if I'm correct, if if I'm not correct, let me know. Some of the ARPA funds that we had that to be able to use it, we had to put it into a general we, you know, we had to sort of put it someplace and then I thought we had more that we put into stabilization as well in 20 in 20 from 25 to 26. >> Nope. So in 25 we did use ARPA funds in that way. That's one of the reasons why we didn't have to go into stabilization. Okay. That year. So it ba basically kicked the can down the road another year. >> And so last year when we did 2026 >> so we are we've already used so for this budget we used onetime funds >> for

0882026. >> Yeah. For the current fiscal year. We did use onetime funds, right, which we talked about. And then because we did one-time funds in 2026 is why one of the reasons that the override was so important because we use those onetime funds either to create positions or to do some things that we knew that we'd have to have other revenue to help cover moving forward. >> Yeah. I mean, if I remember correctly, the 2.2 two million. >> I don't know what happened on the school end of things, but I'm think we created anything new. That was >> I don't think on the general government side, but I think there might have been some >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think I could be wrong, but Okay. >> So, hopefully this answers the questions that you

089know anybody might have. >> Just one followup. So it looks like even though we're doing the override for 2027, we are using money from our stabilization fund. And there's that. So we need to address that moving forward, right? If we're keep because if we keep using one-time funds to support our budget to support what we're trying to do in town, we're going to keep eventually down the road having this issue again. >> Yeah. So, I would ask that we spend time in the next six months understanding what we're doing with those one-time funds and having a conversation with our community to say, "Look, a a number of people didn't like the override. We had to do it to support our schools, but as a community, we need to think about what we're doing and whether

090or not we want to continue using one-time funds for either new opportunities or new programs because otherwise down the road, we're going to continue having to do this and we're going to have to look for more money. >> Yeah. And part of that 1.8 8 million is 750,000 that we decided to take out of the not pursue with an override or any of the debt exclusion stuff and we went with the stabilization fund this year basically because things were getting so confusing. >> Right. Right. >> Just was >> but that's >> was going to >> that's the because we had talked about because I think when we voted the budget wasn't it like 1.6 that we voted for the stabilization fund. >> Yeah. And then we amended it because we added 200,000 more for the

091schools and their fields take over. And remember, we couldn't we couldn't just take the um enterprise fund and just transfer it over. We got to unwind. >> So that'll go back in once once that gets unwound. >> Correct. >> And generally speaking, like so, you know, we talked about the 750 on the municipal side. The rest of that um was money that we typically I mean as you can see like there's there's transfers out pretty much you know the majority of the years where we have small amounts and that's to balance the budget. >> Yeah. >> So if you can talk a little bit about the >> 2024 and 2025 we didn't have to take anything out. >> Yeah. We didn't we didn't have to where you know we got into a place um in

0922013 2014 where we were taking money out but we were putting more money in >> and then 2017 is when we created the special education stabilization fund and we were able to pivot away from that strategy because that's not a good strategy. Um and so it's it worked for a few years until you know COVID came around and we were very cautious about that and just the lack of revenue or loss of revenue. Um and we did a structured draw down. We said we'll do 1.4 this year but we got to cut it down to 900 and we got to cut it down to 450 and we ourselves off. And then for the next couple years, we were well except 25 when we used ARPA money, which doesn't show on here, but in 2024, we

093were good. Um 2025 is when we started skiing into wet snow again. >> And obviously funds to do things. Yeah. >> And obviously at a big level because the numbers that we're taking out are the largest that we've ever taken out. >> Fortunately, we're prepared um and we were in a position to do that. Oh, I'm sorry. >> 6.5 million. >> Do we I So, two questions. One, so we move it out at the beginning of this fiscal year. We can't let it sit there until we need it. >> That is probably what we will do. Yes. And so that the longer it can sit there the better because then we can My other question is >> and this is a great chart. I I'd love to see this on a yearly basis. >> Okay.

094>> Um I'm seeing a negative interest in 2022. >> Oh yeah, that was a bad year for the market. >> Oh, okay. So this is sitting in what is this money sitting in? Um this is in usually uh usually CDs but there's also um it's the majority of it's fixed fixed income so like bonds and CDs okay >> um if it is invested into uh equities at all there is such a limited uh we can only do like certain I just >> that just is so stark that you know we lost you know the interest earned was negative 102 could see that it would be low, but to be negative of interest earned, that means it cost us to have it in some kind of >> Yeah, it was um it was not a good

095market year. >> It was not a good market year. >> Um and so when we like I know so when we were looking at the stabilization fund before, we hadn't taken out money. Um, we hadn't we had voted for at Ashland Town Meeting in 2025 to to take out 2.2 million, >> but that hadn't hit yet. >> Like, >> so do we >> So, can you talk a little bit about the timing of that? Like, so >> because now we're looking at FY27 budget, which we allocated the the um 1 >> 1.8. >> Yeah. Um but we're still we still haven't total like we haven't >> haven't even spent anything yet. >> Right. Right. Because we'll we'll in fall town meeting we'll allocate free cash and pay out from the stabilization fund or how does

096that I guess how does that work? >> Yeah. So when we make the transfer, so at fall town meeting, we'll we'll get our uh free cash certified um in the fall and so free cash has to be certified to know what you have and then that goes to town meeting and so we appropriate that free cash based on our financial policies and that's where the uh appropriation is made to the stabilization. >> But that's the transfer in >> right the transfer out the 2.2 2 for 2026. It's fiscal year 26. So that's already been taken. >> I'll have to look and see like what exactly is taken is taken out because we probably do do it that way and not take it out unless we absolutely have to >> or at the end. >> So

097could this then Well, here's a qu and this is where it gets crazy, right? The free cash is basically our budget, right? So we budget x amount and then we do our expenses throughout the year and at the end of the year we say okay this is what we budgeted this is what the difference is and this is now free cash. So if we don't wind up needing to pull the full 2.256 that we said we were going to pull from this reserve. Does that lower our free cash or or and do we adjust this that says we didn't have to pull out the 2.2 or does it just bring our free cash number higher because we didn't use all the money? >> Let me get back to you on that. I want to make

098sure to understand >> because there's like revolving funds. We do the same thing with revolving funds. Um there's a bunch of different accounts that and then it's like okay well how do we want to do we want to keep more money in stabilization or revolving funds at the at the end of the year. So there's a lot of different questions that this can bring up and so that's why I wanted to get back to you within answer. >> There's the different permutations >> and it's been appropriate. That's the thing. >> Yeah. Well, that's the thing, right? It's been appropriated, >> right? So, that's why it's saying it's been pulled. It's been But that goes to if we're not transferring it out until we need it. And that's why it's some it would be good for

099us to be sort of tracking the budget on a quarterly basis as well to say, okay, we don't really need Okay, now we're now we're actually pulling it out. >> What do we need? What do we really need? >> What do we really need right now? And I think that's a fair question, something that we need to understand better. >> Yeah. I and I I mean I'll let me get back to you on that because that's these are very involved questions. Now you're talking almost about like what the difference between an audit and a budget is. Actually, this is a really good >> segue. Um >> uh Brandy and I had talked a little bit and one of the things I I'd want to propose and maybe we could answer this question with a bunch

100of others is um would the board want me to do and work with Cindy and Steph to do maybe a two to three hour session on a Saturday just on the financial cycle. Um because what I'm finding where a lot of people get confused if you're not in it is at any given time we're working in three fiscal years. >> Correct. >> So I've got the FY25 audit being completed right now. So I've got stuff going on there. We're in FY26 and so we have everything involved with that. making sure the tax bills are out, all that good stuff. And then we're been talking about FY27. >> And so I think just kind of giving the board a sense of okay, what's that cycle look like? Um, and what all is involved in each of

101those components, >> I think would probably help in a lot. >> I like that idea. I would also recommend we offer it to the finance committee and school committee and if we can either record it somehow, >> we have to make it available for the community. >> Well, that's what I was just going to say. so that the communities can see it as well and understand because >> right >> the community doesn't always understand either >> right >> and it's and it's it's >> obviously complicated and I was when Michael and I were talking about it >> I was saying you know >> they're doing this year round we generally don't pick up the budget until like Februaryish January February through town meeting and then we don't see it again until the next year and

102that's where where we've talked about trying to have quarterly updates on where we're at with the budget, what have we spent, what is allocated, what, you know, come February or March, do we need to review what we've been spending and make some changes. >> Yeah. I mean, I know we we generally see what the year- end transfers are like and things like that, but >> Yeah, because that'll be coming up at the next meeting. >> Y >> but we're definitely not as >> Oh, we're not into daytoday, right? which which we should we shouldn't have to be but we should one we have to understand it and two >> get the information so that we feel comfortable with where things are at. >> Yeah. I mean you should know the difference between an FY24 audit

103number and FY25 um >> Okay. >> Yeah. So I think the idea of a Saturday morning I mean >> reach out to the staff and and and do that that'd be great. >> Okay. know how people feel about doing it in the summer, but I think sooner >> Well, I um I feel like doing it >> like I think sooner than I think the sooner the better. >> Summer is a good time to do it. >> Yeah, I think it's a great time to do >> especially while while it's still kind of fresh in our >> fresh in our minds and also things aren't maybe as crazy. >> So, >> let's hope you know. >> Um >> thank you. >> Does anyone have any other questions on the stabilization funds? Are we good? >> Can

104we get this shared with us? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Because it wasn't in the packet. So, >> yeah, >> that'd be great. Thank you. >> And and I think I included this um or a version of this in our budget document this year. And so, we'll also include it, you know, in future years. We we added a couple things to >> Yeah, most of this was I think it was like in March that it was we've discussed. >> Okay. Well, I know what my life was like in March. So, >> feels like an eternity ago. if it came through an email. Yeah, >> I apologize for missing it. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Yes, I do. >> I was gonna ask. >> Not in March. I wasn't. >> Okay. >> Now to April, but

105not in March. >> So, the next item on our agenda is discuss the summer meeting schedule and essentially a retreat. Um, so typically we have in some way, shape, or form reduced the number of meetings that we generally have in the summertime. um some combination of you know for July and August or July or August >> partly depending on people's schedules partly depending on um sort of like what comes through from um that we need to what business we need to make sure we take care of >> um any thoughts as to schedule July August what you all want I'm not going anywhere. So, >> no more no more big travel. >> No, no, not this summer. >> Do we want to do we want to make sure do we do we want to plan

106to only have one meeting in July, I guess, is the first question. >> Well, I mean, that depends, right? Because if we're because we also have to take board retreat into consideration financial and the special sessions. So it it sounds like we're going to have possibly three a maximum of three meetings in July even if we just have one regular session. >> Well, there's no way I can get like a retreat and a finance thing and a regular meeting in time for July. >> I'm looking at our first meeting is technically July 1st. So that's holiday week. >> Yeah. >> I mean I don't know what if people I mean like I said I'm not going anywhere but other people. So, do we want to just look at one meeting in July being the 15th

107for a regular meeting and then if we can't do both the retreat and the financial that month, do we do one of them that month? >> Yeah. And then the others next month >> and then the other one. >> So, we have like two meetings in July and like two meetings in August or whatever potentially >> or three but probably two. >> Sure. No, that works. >> August we might need to do both because of appointments. >> Oh, that's right. You definitely have to do appointments. >> Yeah, 31st. >> August would be the 5th and the 19th. >> Uh, hold on for a second. >> Yeah, I don't think Katherine and I are will be around on the 19th. >> Of August. Yeah, >> you won't be around or >> Yeah, I don't think I

108I'll be off and you got college move in. Yeah, >> we want to Could we push it to the 26th or just wait until the second? of September. >> Well, on our discussion today is board reappoint. So >> So do we want to So you're saying um August 5th and then August 26th >> potentially? I don't know this >> I can do that. >> That's a good question. I'm sure it starts the 24th or 25th >> day because it might it might be after Labor Day this year. I don't know. >> Oh, maybe it's the 30th >> because Labor Day is late this year. >> Well, it be the 31st if the >> Yeah, Labor Day is not until the 7th this year. >> That's right. So, it could be the 30. Does anyone know?

109>> I was going to say I don't I don't know the school calendar. >> Yeah. >> Um but if we do like say August looking at the calendar. Could we do August 12th and then or do we want to do >> I don't know if school committee will meet right be you know in middle of August or >> I can find out. >> Oh I got the district calendar >> the 2526 calendar >> 2627 calendar. Okay. First day of school for 1 to 12. August 31st. It's August 31st. That's the first day of school. >> So, the Monday before Labor Day. I mean, is there will people be away on the 24th or >> 26th? >> I mean, 26th, sorry. E either either one. like the 20 the 26 or the second would be fine

110with me. >> But um >> we can't do the second because we got to do the appointment. So like >> so we get I mean if the 26th works for people we should do that. >> All right. So why don't we plan to do the 26th? Um, we'll keep that to like a like sort of like a like a minimum because we're going to meet again on the second. >> Because that's the first meeting and >> yeah, let's hold it. Okay. >> And we can maybe take care of the appointments. >> We could do the appointments on the 5th if necessary, right? Of August. >> If that's enough time. That's two months to >> Okay. >> Is that enough time? That's enough time for Susan >> or for us depending on what we talk about

111tonight in regards to how to do it. >> All right. >> Either way is fine with me. Even if we do like a quick appointments meeting on the 26th, we you know that's fine too. Whatever. >> So we're not going to meet on the 1st of July, but we are going to meet on the 15th. >> We're going to meet on the 15th of July. We'll we'll plan to meet August 5th and then we'll hold the 26th. >> Okay. >> That's fine. Um, and if we can get the appointments done on the 5th, then we'll get it done and then we won't have, you know, we'll plan to just meet on September 2nd. >> So, we'll meet, >> we're meeting tonight. >> We'll meet on June 17th and then we mo won't meet again until

112July 15th. That's a month. And if we need >> from a from a perspective of things that need to get done, is there anything end of the year, Michael, that is going to need us to end of fiscal year that we're going to need to look at? >> Sorry. You'll need to do the transfers at the next meeting then. >> So, you'll have them available. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Right. >> Okay. So, does that sound okay to you guys? Does that soundable? Okay. So, just one more time, July 15th. >> Yep. >> August 5th and holding August 26th. >> Yep. Okay, sounds good. And then we'll maybe we'll put out a doodle poll for a date for the >> finance session. Yeah, retreat a retreat date possibly. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Does anybody else

113have any questions, comments? We're good. Okay, >> I'm good. >> All right, >> thank you. >> Um, the next item on our agenda is discuss the process for board and committee reappoints. Um, so Yolanda and Makita have been the um >> yeah, you had worked on all the the the process. We implemented the liaison which I think is going pretty well. Um, what are your thoughts about the reappoint process? >> Not to not to put you on the spot, >> I I have I'll I'll jump in. I have to say that we did a lot of work leading up to it last year. >> Yeah. >> And then things sort of fell off this past year, right? >> In regards to making changes, part of it was some of the push back that we received

114from people. They liked the process, >> but the appointment the reappoint process was something that we hadn't pushed through further. Okay. >> One of the things we had talked about was asking people >> to reapply. Not necessarily Susan going out and saying to them, "Do you want to do it?" But she says, "Your your appointment's up at the end of August. If you want to do it, reapply." And the hope with that was that we could potentially get some new people, right? So, we get 10 people, but because we've also re we've instated that you need to attend a couple of meetings before you can even apply, the idea of potentially getting new people without them having been in a meeting hasn't really doesn't really mesh with the idea of attending two meetings and then

115applying. Um, >> so I yeah, I think I'll just echo like what you said. So, so basically I think that that a couple things that we did accomplish this year were to like first off get feedback from from uh from boards and committees. We got the leaison piece launched. That was something that I'm getting actually a lot of positive feedback on. Um so I think that's good. I think that you know one thing that like Yolanda said we did bring up the proposal of some boards and committees to have people attend at least two sessions before they uh apply. I don't know how evenly that's been followed at this point because we didn't really go back to the boards and committees and check in and find out how that was going for them. So, that

116being said, you know, I do know that there are a couple boards and committees like they stopped meeting in June for the summer. So to Leon's point, if people are trying to apply right now and they they they want to attend they want to attend two meetings like they're not going to get appointed in August because there are no meetings to attend, >> right? So that's that's that's one potential glitch that we did not discuss with committee chairs. So I I I think you know one thing that we could do is ask the you know for we we can take a look at everybody who's up and ask them to reapply. I don't think that is ownorous right now like you know >> I just wonder if because we haven't put it in into policy.

117So Susan Susan has uh put her camera on and I think she has some feedback. >> I'm sure she has thoughts. I see the notes going back. >> She helps us manage it. I mean I I do see and too I do see like you know the notes going back and forth with people you know inquiring about you know all the positions and such. So I don't know if if what we're observing or what we're reporting that we're observing here aligns with what you've been seeing. So I'm very curious to hear what your thoughts are. >> Well I appreciate you giving me an opportunity to step in here. So one of the things I think you guys now having the liaison is helpful. I think part of the concern before was did we have people

118sitting in seats but not necessarily participating >> right >> and taking up a space that maybe another person interested couldn't get in there because of that. So I think with having liaison sitting on those committees hopefully that avoids that happening. If you have somebody that's inactive then it gives us an opportunity to replace them. As far as having people reapply, it does create a lot of extra work for me because now I have to process all of those submissions, so to speak. Um, I guess that's my job. So, if that's what you decide to do, I will certainly make it happen. I do think it will delay getting people sitting in those seats, >> right? Um, I don't think that people currently are going to the meetings, sitting for a couple meetings before they're applying.

119I think when the applications are coming in, traditionally, they have seen a shout out for volunteers and they say, "Hey, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring for that seat." So, I do explain what the process is. I haven't had anybody come back and say, "Oh, well, I already sat through two meetings." >> Right. So, so what I'm hearing from Susan is again for this year just what her usual process is. Your your term is coming up. Do you want to reapply? Do you want to stay on the board and be reappointed? Right. >> I think at this point that's the best way um for this year. And I think as we move forward and we're doing more liaison work and we're sitting in and we're seeing people attend the meetings, >> we

120could then start saying, "Okay, well, they have extra people showing up at the meetings. Is it time to make a shift? That would be my recommendation for the coming year. >> Yeah, I I I I think that's that's pretty solid. But Sue, I I do I do want to ask you like I I have noticed like some of the back and forth on some of the committees. I have noticed that there are two things happening. One thing I've seen is um the committee chairs are actively communic some committee chairs are actively communicating with you like kind of verifying that the people who are interested who are implyi who are applying have have been attending some of those those meetings and the other use case that I've seen are are people who are just showing interest

121and um exploring those committees but I I think I have seen more people communicating directly with those chairs and getting active in those committees sooner sooner rather than later than in years past. Maybe I'm wrong, but like that's it seems like there there's more communication there. Am I wrong about that? It's fine if I am. >> No, it it is a really good point. I think what's happening is I'm I've kind of changed my message that I that I send out. Yeah. >> Trying to get the chair of the committee to engage with the um prospective person that wants to sit and invite them to a meeting. And I think by starting that dialogue when they respond back they're responding all. So we're seeing those communications. I don't know that before when I was forwarding

122them we were getting that that uh information back to us. >> Yeah. And I think there's like more involvement there too. So you know even though it's not a formal policy yet I think there's more and better and quality more more quality interaction happening right now between applicants and chairs and committees hopefully. And so as this process evolves, we can take a look at formalizing some of the changes that you've informally made in your communication um you know maybe next year. But yeah, but yeah, I think there's definitely been some growth and thank you Sue for updating that communication uh between applicants and chairs. I I do think it is making a difference. >> I would agree with that. >> Awesome. Thanks. >> And of course, Susan, as always, thank you for your support in

123this and uh as we you know, you get the forms in and then you evaluate them and you point them in the right direction. So, thank you for that work. Greatly appreciated. >> You're welcome. >> Um, so we'll go ahead and we'll >> I think let Susan reach out. Yep. Same process. Let Susan reach out to the people who are expiring >> and then um go from there. I know we've been saying it. We've been trying to change it for years, but you know, >> people do to roll off the board their boards. >> Oh, okay. Because I was saying expiring their terms. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. That's a little hard. >> Yes. Roll off the boards. There you go. >> Yeah. >> Their terms are expiring, not the people. >> Yes. Yes. >> So,

124okay. >> I was like watching Mike's Michael's face going, "Oh, okay." Yeah. It's because of the terminology I used. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Susan. Um, and I just want to put this out there one more time because I see Luke has his hand raised and two >> two hands raised. So, I just want to see if if Luke if if you're unable if you're able to unmute yourself and have a question around this. Um, feel free to unmute yourself. We're going to give you one more shot here. If you have technical difficulties and and again, if you want to send a question to select boardshinmass.com can answer it that way as well. >> Okay. All right. I just I just always want to make sure that like if there's people that have questions and

125want to ask a question that we give them an opportunity to do that. So, um Okay. Um the next item on our agenda is update on Zero Cross Street. Michael, you want to that's our update? >> Yeah. So, I've had uh conversations with uh the property owner um as well as a member of our conservation commission. Um and um the conversations with Agilitus have um been cordial um we don't have a resolution right now but um towards the issue but we're working on one. So and they're still engaged in those talks. So that's a good sign. Halt is is involved. Um to what extent is still to be seen? >> Yeah. >> Does anybody else have any questions? >> Not on that. But can we go back to the scheduling summer scheduling item >> because

126>> regarding the farmers market >> further scheduling for select board public appearances that I think we need to >> okay >> need to discuss. So, um I I I apologize to the board. Um I've been trying to schedule us for farmers market and there's been a little back and forth on on my part. So, um at this point, and I actually just saw uh an email come through. Um so, um we're booked for 8:22 and we're we are actually now booked for 912 sharing with the Upper Charles Trail. Um, we can't get any July dates as of now. Uh, but 1010, there's 95, 1010, and 1017 that are available. Now, I would I would argue that seeing as we're booked on 8:22 and now 912, we might want to have one more date in October,

127one of the October dates, and probably one of the earlier October dates, 10:10. Um, so if those are the three dates that we can agree on, I can definitely help uh schedule what our shifts are on those dates. We can solidify those, but I don't know how that sounds to y'all. >> 8:22, 912, and maybe 10:10. >> That works for me. >> Okay. >> About you guys. >> All right. So, I know we have 822, we have 912, and I will reach out to Farmers Market to confirm 10:10. >> Okay. Are we on a cancellation list if they have any openings? >> Yeah, I I I I I asked them, you know, about cancellations. I asked them about sharing and that's how we got the >> upper upper trail. So, so if there's I mean,

128you know, if we can get a date in July, I think we'd like to get a delay a date in July. So, hopefully if anything comes up, we'll be able to do that. But I'll keep you guys a breast of what's happening. My one concern with a date in July is we're looking at potentially doing a Saturday morning for either a retreat or the financial. And I don't know about other people's schedules, but I'm even though I'm not going anywhere, I know I do have um other commitments on some Saturdays. So, just something to think about. >> All right. Okay. >> We'll see. >> Good to know. Like I said, if something comes up, I'll ping you guys. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't. And if people are available, then those

129folks can do it. Okay. >> And and as we all know, we don't necessarily have to have a tent. >> Often we're all there anyway. So yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um just before we move off of zero cross street, I I know I know um >> Susan Thorne on so I just want to make sure >> if anyone um has any questions out there um on Zoom and wants to raise their hand, I just want to give them an opportunity to to ask a question. Susan, I see um I see you have your hand raised. Um can you go ahead? Can you go ahead and unmute yourself? >> Um I tried. Did that work? >> I We hear you. Thank you. >> Okay. I just wanted to say thank you um to

130Michael Herbert and the select board here for keeping this um on the agenda and uh continuing to progress the topic. So, we're we're eagerly following it and cautiously optimistic, let's say, for the outcome. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Susan. >> Okay. Um, if nobody else has any further questions, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Um, could I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> One question. I don't know if it matters, but on our meeting that we I thought during the meeting we said we're going to try and meet on the third. So I don't know amend >> okay >> meeting minutes reflect the fact that >> very bottom >> you're right >> on it says our next select board meeting is June 17th >> and I didn't catch it I

131didn't want to send it in because I saw it at like 5:45 tonight. >> Oh okay. No good catch. Um, let me pull up the meeting minutes >> on the bottom. >> Okay. So, yeah. So, it says next select board meeting, June 17th, 2026. >> So, um, >> I move that we accept the consent agenda, but with the amendment to the meeting minutes for the change of the meeting date. >> Okay. Um, I get a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I So, we'll make that small change to the meeting minutes and should be all set. >> Y >> um moving on to the town manager report. Michael, >> yeah, first um well, I'll turn it over to Katherine for the community center update and uh I did get did have

132one thing that came in today that I wanted to let you know and it was a followup from something I had mentioned last week or last meeting. It's actually a good story. Um, you know, the National Academy of Public Administration is having their big 250 gala um in in June at the Library of Congress. And so, one of the things that they're doing is they're exhibiting stories of local government um in the in the great hall there. And uh I'd let you know last meeting that we were finalists for that. And I was notified today that we were actually uh chosen uh to to have our story presented and um >> there's pictures and everything. So it'll be part of the exhibit at the Library of Congress. So >> um the Halloween Yeah, Halloween. >>

133Congratulations. >> Well, I think for all of us it's a great recognition of just um the community that we've built here. Um because that's >> that's what the story is about. And uh you know we had a couple pictures where you know you just see down Main Street filled with kids and their costumes and um you know it's that's one of those things that was just organic and just grew and has become a real tradition. So it's nice. >> How long will the display be there? >> A month my understanding is um at least a month. >> And uh I'll try to get tickets if you want to go down to DC for the gala. So >> when's the gala? >> 20 22nd. It's the 250th anniversary >> cesco central one of those things. >>

134Yeah. It's not the bsentennial. It's the susquintentennial something. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> 250. Yeah. >> So it's going to be a celebration. >> It's going to be a party. Um >> be something. >> Yeah, it'll be definitely be something. >> It is. It is a bunch of National Academy of Public Administration nerds um in there. So, >> well, I wasn't saying that specific. That's not what I was referring to, but >> So, >> the pocket protectors. >> Yeah, I know. I know. I know where you guys were going. >> Nice to the nerds. You know, I am a nerd. I do identify as a nerd myself. So, >> I know it was it's an it's a term of endearment. >> Okay. Community center project. >> Community center project. All right. So, the food pantry

135is set to move starting tomorrow. So, movers will be there first tomorrow morning. They are going to be moving uh the food pantry from the substation market basket plaza um back to the community. Um and then so the moving will take place tomorrow and then sort of the shelving and everything will take place between Friday, Monday, finish up anything Tuesday. Um super excited. We received a $10,000 grant um from Greater Boston Food Bank. So we were able to purchase new shelving um and new um items to organize and help organize the space a little bit better. Um, so we're already utilizing that um, money. And let's see, human services will be moving uh, the week of 6:22. We're still trying to select the day. Um, and then they will all be moved into their their

136new home at the community center, which will be really great. >> The patio project uh, will be starting in the next weeks. That's also very exciting. And that's about it for now. Yeah, we'd love to take you on a tour of the community center. >> I was going to say it'd be great when it's all finalized to sort of go and take a look and >> um we should reach out to WACA and like do an sort of where to find people now kind of thing. >> Definitely. >> Right. >> Yeah, >> it's a really beautiful space. It's >> really nice. >> When I walked through it a couple of weeks ago after the council and agent meeting, it was really sharp looking. Really, really sharp looking. >> Yeah. So, they've put some finishing touches.

137So, the ceilings in, so that brightens it up. The walls are painted a nice yellow. It's very bright. >> It's great. >> Let's find out when we can do a tour. >> Yeah. >> We want to make sure it's all >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Who's doing the work on the outside patio? >> That's a great >> The contractor I It's a local one, right? I don't remember exactly. I remember the bid came in pretty pretty good. um and substantially lower than um than the other biders. I know we still had to go through the vetting process and make sure they met all the requirements. >> I don't remember the exact name. >> Hoping Beth would text me within 30 seconds. >> Yeah. >> That was cool. >> And do you have all the volunteers

138again to put it all back at the food pantry and stuff? >> We do. Yes. And so through this grant, we were able to um have services from an organizer, a professional organizer. So they'll actually be working with the volunteers. So tomorrow um while the movers are moving, the new shelves will be put together. All the stuff will be staged sort of >> hand good whatnot. So the organizers will set that up. So Friday when the volunteers come in, everybody will sort of have their job and the flow will be really more All right. Um, so in other good news, we were notified yesterday the Senate passed their budget. >> Um, and so in that is an earmark for H 100,000 for the community center >> project. So that's something we had we had told

139them, you know, priority should be the schools this year, but if you were going to be able to fund something that would that would help us because there was still a piece of it that we were funding. Um I still have to get that percentage for you. Okay. >> But um >> but uh but yeah, so um that will then free up the the whatever was budgeted. Will it be part it'll be part of the 2027 budget? Right. So it's next >> that's more of a project budget. Um >> right. But but there was money. So, we had money to do the the project, but now we're getting new money to do the project. So, other monies can be directed to something else. >> So, there was it was how much like 470,000 total and

14080% I think was covered from outside funds or something >> for the project renovation project. >> Right. Okay. >> And so there was still part of it that we were funding, >> right? Um and so this 100,000 would help take care of most if not all of that piece. >> Okay. >> And that came from capital or that came from >> Oh, that's the question that we >> Yeah, I get you know so we had this we had this project and when you said f when you said funds came from other places meaning outside of our budget or outside or different parts within our budget. um outside. So the existing funding stack was like 80% of that was outside of our budget. So it was like insurance recovery. Um we had grants um >> Oh

141yeah, you had your >> earmarks and capital. >> Okay. So there was stuff that came out of our capital funds to do the project. So now I would think that if we're getting a h 100red,000 for an earmark that then allows us to use the our own capital funds for something else. >> It's called supplanting and yes. >> Right. Right. No, I know that. Well, I just wanted, you know, Nope. I mean, it's great, you know, and thank you to the senator for getting us that. I mean, we still have to get through the reg the full budget process, but >> but if it does happen, we would then have funds to be able to do something else that maybe was lower in our list that we hadn't planned. >> Correct. >> That I guess

142that's the point that I'm trying to get to. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Great. >> Yes. And to your point, it will still need to go to conference committee and then if it comes out of that couple, >> it's only June 3rd. We've got it to us before July. Come on. >> Oh, did I say that out loud? But also it is important for people to understand that just because it's earmarked it doesn't >> does not mean it's going to be hand but we have it. >> That truth. That's true. >> I think that's just a very important distinction to make. >> Yes. It's an earmark. We don't necessarily know we have it. >> It may not happen. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yep. >> Don't take it to the bank yet. >> not yet.

143>> All right. >> Hold your breath. >> As we've learned a couple times the hard way. >> It's hope and a very specific domination. That's all it is. It's hope. Specific hope. >> Specific hope. >> I like that. >> Specific hope. >> That's That's the theme. That's the theme of my life. I think >> we need some specific hopes. >> Um, was there anything you wanted to else you want to talk about? Sidewalks or anything? >> Oh, there was something you >> Oh, you okay? >> There was something you said you got that was not on your the agenda? >> Yeah, just that was it. >> The award. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay, we're moving on to board reports. Um Joe, you're up first. >> I'm ready. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um we had a

144affordable housing trust meeting u couple of days ago and um it was great. Um Beth Reynolds uh joined the meeting with us. Uh we sat down and had a very long discussion and a good discussion about the Ala Street property and we're working on an RFP to get that project moving forward. We're looking between four and six affordable units off that off that area off that piece of property. Yeah, I know. And it's No, no, and it's we're a little concerned about the encroachment of uh conservation property uh over the years. it's worked its weight and take the wetland. Yeah. >> So, we're trying to find uh other ways to replicate that property, >> you know, that >> the area that we're working on and replicated it at another location so we can still use

145the uh the base center there. So, that that's underway. Uh we're looking we're looking for that. I know Habitat for Humanity is very very interested in taking that project and wanting to do it uh a little bit different than what they've done in the past with individual but this would be a project project that they would take underway and it would be a massive big change for them to do that. So the availability is there um and we can always you know offer render assist the housing trust can render assistance you know financially that way to help out uh if you know if needed. So, we're working on that. Uh, tomorrow I meet with the uh Council on Aging. Always a great uh group of people to uh uh sit down and talk with. Um

146I be interested to see what their comments are after after the election and and and ballot questions. So, um so we'll see. But I mean there was it was a split during during the discussion prior to the election and uh you know some some of them were for it. They understood some of them, you know, were less less uh >> less positive. >> Yeah. Less enthusiastic. But, you know, you know, when you're on the fixed income and limited income and that's I say folks, I'm I'm one of them, you know, but at the same token, you know, you you have to plan properly and you know, so again, you go out let one dinner less a month and and make it up that way type of deal. So, it's what your priorities are. And it

147was It's been a It's been an enjoyable uh being a liazison with that group. They're they're a lot of fun. >> A lot of fun. So, um even though I don't consider myself yet, but I know I am. >> I'm still going to fight that. But anyway, anyway, that that's it, Madam Chair. We're all good. Oh, by the way, and congratulations to the uh class of 26. They'll be graduating this Friday. And uh congratulations. May they uh may they conquer the world and hope and hope they do well in doing it. And congratulations to the moms and dads who it's it's they deserve to be there and sit there in pride with pride as all of you have experienced over the last few years. So we're good. Thank you. >> Okay, Ela. >> Couple things.

148So last week I had a Metro West Regional Collaborative meeting. We met in Welssley and one of the presentations we had was from the Boston MO regarding their hold on a second their vision zero project and what it means is talking about uh this the idea of visibility on our street. So it was related to safe streets, complete streets and their project of trying to make it so that we have no accidents between cars or cars and bikes or cars and pedestrians within I think like 20 or 30 years. And they made it they had a presentation that talked about how they had put a survey out about you know intersections in different areas. And when I looked at the survey results, apparently Ashland only had one person respond. So, I'm going to get the

149link because they said the dashboard is still available. We're at a point where we should and I know that we know there's some transitions going on with DPW. So, we want to look at that. And I know there's a lot of projects, but we know from our comprehensive plan, people are concerned about its sidewalks. People are concerned about speeding. So, I'm wondering if we could use their data and we could still have people make comments about what they're seeing. So, I'll get that link to you guys. And I was on the safe streets discussion eight years ago. I remember having the conversation with Doug and Sheila and we were able to get grant money. you know, the intersection at um Elliot and Fruit Street is one of the intersections that was able to be improved

150with the multiple stop signs as well as some of the sidewalks and things around the Warren School and around the the Mendes. So again, I know we still have a lot of stuff going on, but I think it's something that if we could sort of plug it in as to where it could work, we could at least do the initiative, get people to respond and then use that data to sort of determine what we need to be doing to then move forward and apply for at the one-stop grant process for some complete streets work >> like we've used before. >> ROA traffic stud would be interested in that. So that would be a good group because all of this work happened before the traffic safety committee. >> Okay. So I'll try to share it out

151then. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um actually so that I that made me think so you know we've talked a little bit about you know working regionally and all this stuff. Oh, I was gonna So, I was gonna say, what do you all think about putting something like a standing agenda item like maybe once a month or something where we can have like a talk about regional collaboration and y >> rather than a board report because I feel like you've done so much work with the Metro West regional collaborative and I feel like >> we could have like a really good discussion about a lot of this stuff. >> Yeah. So that that's my next update from that meeting. Okay. >> At that meeting I mentioned to and that so the Metro West regional collaborative

152is a member from the planning board and a member from the select board for nine communities that are that make this region. And when I mentioned the fact that we were wanting to have a discussion about the budget and finances and how can we work together to move that forward other members were interested. It's not MAPC's main focus because they're a planning organization versus a funding organization. So, Metro West Regional Collaborative might not be the best way to do it. But I think there are other communities that would like to have that conversation about how can we work together with all these communities to get this message to the state that you need to give us more money back to support the work that the MMA did with their report in the fall and their

153recommendations in the fall. So people are interested. >> Yeah. >> So I'm going to try to follow up on that. Um >> like resurrecting the tri area >> the Yeah. So I forget it was like five of us that there were five communities that would meet on a quarterly basis >> because we had originally started meeting because of the casino that was supposed to go into Milford. >> So >> I think we'd want to look at what communities we want to reach out to because for the Metro West Regional Collaborative Hopington is not part of that because they're part of the >> Magic or the Swap. I forget which sub region. I think they're part of the Magic sub region. They're not part of our sub region. >> Okay. >> But I think we could

154start reaching out to some of these other select boards and see about getting something together. >> Okay. >> Why don't we put it on our next agenda? Sure. And then we can kind of go from there because I think that that would be >> loads from >> a good thing for us to to talk about and thank you for for all that. >> Yep. And then the other update was last night we had MAPC's annual meeting where they discussed their budget. They discuss, they appoint their um their board of directors and the executive committee and then we heard from the secretary of housing and as I said in our discussion um with with with Brian that um they're like you know 40B is such a great process. It's helped us create so much housing and

155I had hoped to catch her but basically she was walked out of the meeting. So, I didn't get a chance to say except for those communities that have multiple ones. Um, but it's just it's just interesting the whole approach to housing and how we need more housing, but and then, you know, it's mostly rental housing that we're seeing. We're not seeing a lot of purchase for housing. So, anyway, um, and then farmers market kicks off on Saturday. The opening is this Saturday. And then the other thing is graduation. I'll be I can't go to class day, but I'll be attending graduation Friday night. >> Okay. >> And that's it. >> Yeah. Yep. >> And that's all I got. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um so, let's see. First off, Claudia and I uh ended

156up doing our scholarship committee thing, and we're really excited to be a class A to let the lucky recipients know. Uh, so that was a tough process because all of the applicants and I want to say this, all of the applicants were awesome and it was it's very hard. It is very very hard. This is my first year doing it and it was not easy. So, but um thank you to all the all the kids who who applied and um good luck to the them all. They are all Ashlin's finest. So, just wanted to say that. Um I met let's see I attended a hearing uh of the historical commission uh regarding Nine Olive Street uh just talking about like the demo delay process and you know if that was going to be enacted and

157you know I I think they were trying to save that propert see if that property could be salvaged unfortunately it just is beyond uh repair so the commission nine Olive Street um so yeah yeah So, uh that and then they've got their meeting coming up next week. Um I did attend a meeting uh of the uh cultural commission and I they also were going through their scholarship process that evening. So I did share some of our some of some of the things that we did on the slideboard and our process. was their first scholarship uh that they were giving out. And again uh the deliberation of of of that committee was the commission was incredible. I think they had just as much of a hard time as we did because all of our kids are

158excellent. Um but uh they got that done uh and discussed a few other important topics. I think they are um going on a limited meeting schedule for the summer. So I think they'll be back in in in full uh in in September. So, um I attended uh for the first time and participated in the Ashlin High School reality fair. Uh so, shout out to all of the uh all the faculty and staff at uh Ashlin High that made it possible. And Josh Whitler, thank you so much for uh an incredible experience. Uh and in fact, I think Yolanda and Claudia and and uh Brandy and I were there and uh it like I said, it was my first one. It was it was incredible. was incredible. I I really think that that programming needs to

159be replicated like nationally. It's it's a real reality check for us. It really is. >> Yeah, it's wonderful. Um >> let's see. I will be attending Ashlin High School graduation on Friday. A big congratulations to all parents and guardians as well as our excellent Ashlin High School students and all the graduates this season. On a personal note, uh my niece, who is not an Ashlin student, but nevertheless did graduate from the Newton North High School, uh class of 26 last year. I'm very proud of her. And the reason why I mentioned her is because she has stated that she is interested in going into public service. And I've heard that from a lot of our Ashlin High School students as well. So the rumor is not true. The stereotype type is not true. Gen Z

160is ready, willing, and able to step up to the plate and start serving their communities. So, um, hearty congratulations to to all of our graduates this season. >> Awesome. >> Um, so I'll just echo the the reality fair. Um, they do an amazing job. So, um, I think this is their seventh year and I think I've done it for like six years. It's like it's it's cool to talk to all these students about what their what their next steps are after graduation and um they're just very poised and mature and ready to take that next step. So um congratulations to the class of 2026. I'll also be at graduation on Friday in the gym when it's 90 degrees. So um you know it would be really nice if graduation once wasn't 90 degrees. It just

161seems like it is every year. But um last last year there was there was there was um there was a medical thing that happened because it was so warm. Yeah. So hopefully everyone is safe this this Friday night. But um excited about graduation. >> Um just wanted to remind the board to do your town council evaluations. Um the if you can get them um completed by this upcoming Sunday, that would be great. Um Michael and I are going to meet with um attorney Lisa next week, next Wednesday. So you guys can give me a couple days to like compile stuff. That would be great. And um and then we will have um Lisa at our next meeting on the 17th. So um which will discuss the evaluation and and um what the next steps are.

162Um also it's June so I just wanted to um wish everyone a happy pride um for for June. I know that I was trying to find the the date and the time for there's a pride event that's happening >> 13th >> at the corner spot. >> Yeah. Um, so I would encourage everyone, I know Representative Jack Lewis is speaking and um, I've been to the Pride events before and they put on a very great um, great event. I think it's the the pop-up protest folks sponsoring. Do you know? >> Yeah, they're also um they're they're they're uh there's it's going to be kind of a multifaceted thing. There's going to be a little bit of a a march and then more of a presentation. I think speeches over at the corner spot, but pop-up protests

163are also taking part in this as well and coordinating it. Y >> so thanks to them. >> One more thing to add and it's because it's it's they're not they can't invite everybody but June 12th uh the YMCA is doing something at the site. >> Yes. So Um, can I may I add one more thing? >> Yes. >> Um, yeah. So, uh, just wanted to also say that CultureFest was rained out, but there is a rain date and that is coming up on Saturday, June 20th from 4 to 7 at the corner spot. So, I just wanted to let people know that that is hopefully going to happen and maybe we won't get into a succession of like rainy weekends so we can actually have these beautiful events that we keep talking about. >> We

164need We need to break the cycle. >> Yeah. But uh >> yeah, >> exactly. So, >> and and I also um one other thing I just wanted to congratulate there was um another Eagle Scout that that came through um this last weekend. there was an Eagle Stout ceremony for Will McDonald um over at Fishing Game and Claudia attended um and spoke on behalf of the board. And I just wanted to give a shout out and a thank you to Susan who put together um the proclamation for for Will in um record time. Um, so thank you to Susan for for helping out with that and um congratulations to Will and um all of our Eagle Scouts that you know are coming. There's there's going to be more down the road too. So um we're very

165fortunate to have really great Eagle Scouts. Um >> good, >> really great troop. Really great troop. So, um, so thank you to to all of them for all the all the work that they do to make Ashley just a a um much better >> and I think that's it. Um, >> Tuesday is the um ribbon cutting at the arburetum. >> Oh, yes. 4:30. You're welcome. I'm >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I got to be looking at my calendar better. >> There's there's a lot of there's a lot of stuff going on. June is a very busy month. Um, so thank you for that. And uh that'll be exciting. I've been over there. I don't know if you guys have been over to the arboritum, but um the it's it's a it's a it's a

166great little walk. The gazebo or pergola. I don't know if it's a gazebo. Yeah, it's a pergola. Um is awesome. And um so so thank you to to Beth and everyone that has been involved with that. Becca and um I don't know if Sam has involved with that. >> So um it's a great space. So >> yeah, >> considering h I I remember standing out in the grass area with Tony Skyavi when he was town manager when I believe when we received the grant to remove the buildings. We had the ground brownfields grant to do to start the work. So you've been town manager 11 years. So that was 12 or 13 years ago. I mean, that's been the process between getting the funding and getting the buildings down and then planning it, deciding what

167I mean, the the property, clearing it. I mean, Ed Hart and his volunteers, Becca and her volunteers, it's just been it's truly been a community process to get it completed. So, it's nice to finally have it done. But I also went and walked it about a week or two ago. So it's looking good. >> It's looking great. So um all right, that's all from me. And if anybody doesn't have any further comment, questions, anything from you guys? You guys good? Okay, so our next meeting, our next select board meeting will be on June 17th. And with that, I will take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> All right, then we are adjourned. It is um 9:47, so we didn't go past 10 o'clock

168tonight. So, >> thank you all for joining us and have a great night. Thanks. >> Night. Thank you.