001Hello everyone out there in the Ashland uh town borders. This um meeting is being recorded and broadcast on WACA TV uh live streamed on Facebook. >> Okay. >> Now what >> you're going to call the meeting to live. >> All right. >> Are you going to So now >> calling the calling the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. >> Roll call vote. >> I never do. >> I was going to say one. >> We just we just open and go. No one's ever >> open and go. Okay. >> So first on the agenda >> first on the agenda is the chair clerk's report. Uh I and I would say that since we really have no chair or clerk at this time that we can >> you can bypass that agenda item. That would be my
002recommendation. Chair person, >> do we have to second this? >> No. No, you can just say you're moving. >> Okay, we're moving on. >> Give me the >> Do we have any public comments? There's nobody here in attendance tonight. Okay. So, >> no public comments. >> All right. So, we're moving on to public hearing for 240 and 260 Pleasant Street. Site plan review. >> All right. >> I don't know if the board recalls, but the last meeting just had three items that we were looking at through the conditions. One was um recommended from my Carter from GCP. One was about the lighting and one was from uh in regard to building commission Doug Scott reviewing sign was in front or side setback. So Mike Carter from is um on vacation his daughter. Um but I
003did not see that um condition that I did add at the very end. Let me get down there about the Oops. Sorry. Bear with me. He did make a recommendation that we've added to the bottom of the decision and the conditions assigned elicit discharge statement must be provided prior to the start of construction. Um this was recommended by Mike and I did not see that in the conservation um condition specifically, but we do have our conservation agent here. She wants to speak on that condition, but it does no harm to have it included. So, and it was recommended by Mike Carter. >> I don't see any issue with that. >> So, if I may, Mr. person. Um, in going through the the the decision that you had sent out, I did have just a few
004little corrections to to add in. So, if we want to go through those. Um, [clears throat] the first one is on just the first page. I didn't know since you had we had put on there all the different overlay districts like the MBTA overlay districts was on there. It's also um ADDA I think uh overlay district downtown commerce is also in that. I don't know if we wanted to add it. We seem to adding all these overlay districts. I think they're they're using industrial zoning though, right? I mean >> they are. Yeah. >> So I didn't know if it was necessary. I just it wasn't on the list so I didn't [clears throat] >> a certain >> district >> pretty certain. Yeah. Okay. We can certainly add it. It doesn't hurt anything. >> Um, and
005you can verify, you know, later, but I'm >> Well, I'd like to verify. I'd like to sign it tonight. I don't want to make Wayne go any longer without having this signed because I I promised him we would have it tonight after last meeting. So, it seemed like it would be ready after our last discussion. So, I told him I didn't think there'd be any issues with you approving it this evening. >> Well, it doesn't need to be added on. It's it's a zoning we're not using. So, we could we could take it off if if if we don't think it is. But all that area is under some kind of a DD um Ashen downtown >> zoning district. >> But as they're not using that zoning anyway, I don't think it makes any any
006difference. >> Okay. Um so um and then um number seven on page three >> um it's just the wording the board finds this use this use impact I I think you just We need to get rid of the S. Board finds this use impact. No impacts on town services. Maybe it's okay. It's just a little strange wording, but it probably doesn't really matter. Do >> you just keep it as the board finds this use >> board finds this use >> has min has you want to change it to minimal impact on town infrastruure? >> The board finds this use has minimal impact on town services and infrastructure. We just be more clear. >> [clears throat] >> Is it okay if I turn that TV? >> Oh, I can't see everything. All right. >> Yeah, it
007was >> You can actually see that. That's impressive. Your your eye doctor must be proud. >> I can see better than the one behind me. >> Oh, that's pretty good. Yeah, that's readable. >> That's way bigger. >> Okay, tell me when you're ready. ready. >> Okay. >> On number 11, um I just wanted to fill in something where it says finding colon >> and so I was going to put the board finds zoning has been met with the exceptions given below and then we have the two the signing the loading and signage or something of that nature. The board finds zoning has been met with the exceptions given below. I think you want to say zoning requirements have >> that's fine. Zoning requirements. Yep. >> Have been met. And then under loading, the board waves
008the requirement for a designated loading dock or area. Boy raves the requirement for a designated loading dock or area as and the rest is fine. On the next one down, signage. Prior prior to applying for a signed installation permit, the applicant will seek or shall seek. It's missing a verb there. And then I'm on to page four under conditions, use building site design. On item number C, it's just missing a period at the very end of the paragraph. And on item F, we had said to put at least 70% of all landscaping because 77 70% on the dot might be kind of hard to hit. Um, at least 70% blah blah blah of Shelby of native native species. All planting materials shall be or will be instead of are. >> I'm sorry. >> So, we're
009at uh we're still at >> right. All planting materials >> shall be. >> Oh, shall be not >> or will be >> instead of of R and then um number letter I. Sorry. Kind of the same thing there. Prior to applying for a signed installation a permit, the applicant will or shall seek a determination. I think it's the same kind of verbiage there. And I think that was it except except revisiting the questions about as you mentioned the lighting and the hours. Um because the lighting like before we had said hey we don't have one have anything to do with the hours but I noted in here that the applicant had requested and I wasn't sure but the applicant wasn't here last time >> right but I I would stand I would be very bizarre
010for a planning board to dictate >> agree agree >> the hours so I maybe if you want to just make reference that maybe we should just make reference and somewhere that although the applicant requested that the hours of operation be dictated by the special permit, the planning board found that was outside of their purview just to address. >> How about we just do a memo to the select board and tell them that the applicant brought this up. We believe it's outside of a purview. They should take initiative, reach out to the applicant and address it accordingly. >> Yeah. I mean, we have in here in our letter K, any lighting for the site shall be shielded from abudding properties, >> right? And we have something in there about um I don't remember what letter it
011is, but hey, when it's when the the lights aren't being used, it should go down to minimal lighting. Wasn't that like somewhere in there? Um yeah, on G. So when the lighting when nobody's there basically the the lighting should reduce to a minimum except for safety. All lighting should be dark sky compliant. So maybe it covers everything. >> I think it does. >> Nobody's there. Shut it off. Shut off the lights on your way out. >> Right. I mean I could still write a memo. I I mean I I I still if the applicant brought it up, I don't know what the jurisdiction of the select board is, but that seems like something we as a board should kind of pass on to them and make sure that we we didn't miss a step that
012they need to address. I would not want complaints on this project from residents if hours of lights are not addressed correctly by the right entities. So, I would just do it that way through a memo from the planning board. the applicant that way they're aware that this is >> the process that we're >> something to letter G about shall be reduced to the minimum required. >> Mhm. >> Are we dictating that they have to control the lights as an onoff or do we want them to dim them? What are we going to >> Well, we're leaving it ambiguously because we're not quite sure what that means. >> Well, it says is recommended by the applicable illuminating engineering society of North America. Um, so it's kind of putting it toward a standard guidelines that's out there,
013but I'm not >> reasonable guidelines, but we're not addressing hours or anything like that. Again, if the applicant actually raised it as something that they thought is a point of discussion, I would just refer that to the select board and it's up to the select board to decide if they want to tackle that. >> Yeah. Say let them decide because if they have to do some controls, that's going to add cost for them >> as far as hours of like >> Yeah. hours of operation. hours of when you're allowed to turn the lights on and off. So maybe a memo to the select board from the planning board, chair, whoever it is, >> tenative chair of the day, >> chair dour, um that will say the applicant for 240 260 Pleasant Street raised the question
014of hours for the lights on site. planning board believes that might be within the interest of the select board and is referring that for consideration if appropriate. the select board >> or do you want to have something in in here that says um [clears throat] >> maybe agreed by >> um you know hours of um hours of operation shall be determined by the select board or other appropriate other um appropriate authority. I don't know if we have I don't know if we can say it shall be. We can maybe direct the applicant to reach out to the town manager's office to assess if that needs to be addressed. I don't know if we should if we can say sh I have no idea if the select board even has jurisdiction. >> Having jurisdiction not call
015it just say authority having jurisdiction. >> Ours will be determined. >> Memo is separate to the select board. We don't know who it is but in case it's you here it is. >> Yeah. So in so in here say um uh hours operating hours shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction. >> Sure. >> That way that way. >> Is there [clears throat] is there anything else in the town of Ashlin that already tells people when they can and can't turn off the their private >> because fields are usually under the schools. >> No, that's clearly a select board thing. >> Yeah. >> No, but I mean like what? >> No, I don't think >> we still feel like we need to even write something. Maybe just because they mentioned it, it doesn't hurt to
016have >> I mean, honestly, the cleanest way to do it is just to have Jasmine reach out to the town manager and make sure this gets addressed if necessary and we kind of trust that. So, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with the memo. I'm okay with the sentence. All three are viable options. >> I think I think it's kind of both. I think it's kind of having that little sentence in there about, you know, the body having the authority. that yeah that phrase and then um and then just sending a little heads up to the whoever's saying >> I think I think the worst case scenario is like hey someone's gonna go out there and play soccer from 2 to 3 in the morning >> and um that's right that's right like you know
017kind of kind of that and is that something >> and we have sound >> noise >> because I don't think we have anything similar. I think everything else like I said is under the jurisdiction already either of the towns or of the schools. Um where this is a private establishment. Um so if if there is such an authority then we'll have it in there that they must be consulted. If there's not well there isn't. >> Is there any precedent in the town? >> That's what I'm trying to think of. Not that I can think of. >> The last thing would have been the school. >> I mean generally the way it works somebody calls somebody calls the police to complain and it gets addressed. >> Yeah. But we don't control that. We, the planning board,
018don't sit here saying to businesses when they should turn their lights off. >> Yeah. >> And they had a they had a note in here of us about the different heights of the lights. I I had no problem with >> the the heights being >> Let them decide that. >> Yeah. To be best for this to be best for the field. I'm >> It's not like they're going 100 foot pole. >> That's right. You know, a difference of five feet for if I didn't make a difference. >> 20 or 25 feet. So, so did that go in that little >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. I'm I'm good with that. >> Okay. >> Any other changes? I can make a motion. >> Um, >> I did take Deepa's name off because she's not here tonight. So,
019>> I don't think consequences. [laughter] >> Somebody's got a motion. Oh jeez. I think that's all [clears throat] I had. I guess there's all you got. >> I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to approve the decision with the changes discussed today. >> Does anybody second that? >> I'll second. [laughter] >> You've been waiting to do that. Great job. >> Waiting for years. And a roll call. >> Roll call vote. >> Anna Tesmanitzki. I >> Oh, uh, Trisha Kendall. I >> got I >> No. Okay. So, Paul Montino. I >> There you go. >> Did we close? >> That's right. We Your support is truly appreciated. >> I don't think we've closed this. >> We did not close it. >> No. Can we close it? Can we vote to close? >> Yeah. So,
020okay. We're going to have to >> close the public record. Yeah. >> Okay. So, make a new motion, Anna. I'll make a motion to close the public record on 240 260 Pleasant Street site plan review. >> I'll second that. >> Roll call vote. >> Anna I. >> Trisha Kendall. I >> got to your eye. >> And Paul Montino. I >> Okay. >> Why don't you go first? >> Now what? >> Now you can go to the next one. >> I don't know. I'm uh I'm used to going last so I was waiting to type myself on the end and then but then Paul will be at the very end. So anyway, but now we need shouldn't if we shouldn't should we have the motion now to >> approve it? I think >> to approve it.
021So we need to we need to reapprove. >> What are we reapproving? >> Well, we did it out of order. So we should probably >> This is a motion to reapprove. [laughter] This is a motion to reapprove the decision with the changes discussed. >> Yes. Right. >> And the memo to the select board. >> Second. Roll call vote. >> Anna Tesmaniski I. Trisha >> Kendall I. >> All right. And then do we need to close the record again? >> No. >> Okay. Great. >> Because we >> I'll just repeat this as >> we've done that a few times before. You forget to close because we usually we wait until the public we close the public hearing at the very last. >> Great. >> Because we like to discuss the last minute. >> It's going to
022get edited and posted. >> That's right. That'll make it all sound pretty. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I guess >> I guess we're moving on. >> Moving on. >> All right. So, now we're getting to the other topics of the meeting. So, we got the release balance of 53G account to YMCA. Vote to approve on the agenda. >> I'm not sure what >> I don't remember what that is, frankly. So, you should have um a memo in your packet from I'm so sorry I'm looking for her name because it's not anybody I've worked with at the YMCA, a representative from the YMCA um who is requesting just the release of the remaining of the 53G account. And technically, the planning board is supposed to release those funds, vote to release those funds. So, as
023of this time, the peer review has been completed. Mike Carter has no more time left. He's been paid up to date and the only remaining funds left in the account. Um, is that balance? Let me pull up the exact amount. >> Jasmine, is that was that amount that was for like third party reviews and stuff? Can you explain what that G what that account is for? >> So that 53g is just the account that we set up. It's the revolving account for peer review. So every time a project comes in that needs peer review, we reach out to the peer reviewer, ask them for a quote, we reach out to the applicant, they give us that funding, it goes in this revolving account, and that's where we pay peer review out of. So once the
024project is complete, we release those funds back to the applicant. They technically have to request it, and you have to vote for it. Um, but it's it has been recommended to be released because they they have finished their review. A motion to >> release the remaining balance of the 53G account for the Metro West YMCA. >> I'll second it. >> Take a roll call. >> Anna Tesmaniski I. >> Trisha Kendall I. >> Scott. >> Paul Montasino. I >> All right. >> That's off the list. So now we get to the planning board task list. Are we going to wait for a future meeting on this or tonight? >> I don't have >> There is a task list on this. >> You do have an update? >> No, I do not have an updated task. >>
025Sounds like we're not doing it today. >> Well, there is tonight. Actually, it is right in front of the number one. But, um, actually, the only thing I would I'm kind of just curious about if we do have a minute um is uh Jasmine, you had mentioned one time um fairly recently, but about potentially there being um grants available to help us reook at our bylaws. You used a term about >> recotification. >> Recod cot cottification. >> Yes. >> Um and you probably haven't had any opportunity to look into that, but is that something that that that seems to me like a really good idea to get some outside help in going through our bylaws and and uh >> I'm certainly still looking for grant funding that's available for that. The issue is a lot
026of it is a reimburseable grant, so you need to have the funding upfront. Okay. So, it was something that I kind of needed to wait to see what our funding was going to be for the fiscal year before I could really start applying for things. So, now is the time that we can actually start putting out RFRS and things like that for um people to give us quotes because you need to know exactly how much it's going to cost when you apply for the grant. You need to know pretty much what you're asking for. So, we're at the point now that we could start applying for those. And recodification is is they don't they don't change anything substantive in the bylaw. They're not adding anything new, but they're just making it cohesive. So, we're using
027the same verbiage in front of every section and having all the numbers the same and making sure that sections that are referenced are still relevant and that they haven't been changed or updated or removed. And it just makes the document much more cohesive and easier to read. But if you want to change make substantial changes, that would be a different process. But this is just to make it one cohesive document. So, so are we are you suggesting kind of like that type of kind of cohesiveness as a process or are you thinking big picture comprehensive plan related like a wider detailed >> process? That would have to be more planning. >> No, no, of course. This is what I'm trying to >> I'm thinking of, you know, something I've been talking about for several years
028now is that in looking at these bylaws for all these years that >> they're messy and they're things that >> they just need to be cleaned up. But the d the job see feels now to me feels enormous >> insurmountable. >> And so it seems like with having some outside expertise and perhaps a working committee of interested people not not necessarily planning board but maybe there's people from the community. You know having a like a working group working with a consultant. Um, it seems like it would be a great thing to try to tackle now that we do have a comprehensive plan. You know, it seems like the next thing to me. So the comprehensive plan process for me is a much more vigorous planning board-led process >> that requires us as a planning board
029working with the select board to appoint the implementation committee >> and then start that really close work with them to properly essentially work in partnership with the select board and implementation committee to bring those items forward over the next couple years. So, I would not feel comfortable, certainly not today, committing to some sort of consultant to help us. I think that's really our job, not a consultant's job. But if what you're suggesting, Trish, is more of like a coherent uh sort of like let's clean up the language and make what we have a little bit cleaner, that's totally different. I'm all for it. I wonder if we should use our new design review group to create the design review committee and maybe see if we can put some of that on our new design review
030group. Like in theory, we have a new design review bylaw where we can appoint people for an ad hoc project. >> Um to me that's a really good sort of way to to clean up the language if that's what you're talking about. And I think these are really separate things like so that's what I'm going to say. So which one are talking about? I am talking about >> like like she said no substantive changes in our bylaws. Not looking to change bylaws. >> Okay. >> Looking at them saying >> making sure our definitions are the same. >> The same definition is in two different places or these are misnumbered or you know the math doesn't work right. >> So here can I make a small scary suggestion? >> Sure. >> Chat GPT would do that
031in about an hour. >> Yeah. Absolutely. say no. >> No, no, [laughter] let me just be clear what I mean by that. Let let me be clear what I mean by that. >> There's a lot of reasons why you shouldn't and I don't I it's not the form. >> Just to be clear on that. Um there's ways to do that ethically and correctly where if you are literally looking at numbering or inconsistencies. Uh you're not going to blindly trust it. You're going to need human beings to double check all of the work and read it from start to finish. But in this day and age, that's not a crazy thing to think about. Um, so unless the town of Ashlin has forbid the use of that, >> I'm just afraid, well, >> there's resources to
032make that happen that don't seem overwhelming to me if we're really just talking about like a couple words, consistency, missing definitions, even >> that's really not achievable in chat GPT. So, I don't know if you how much you use it, but what we have access to is a free version. And we're not going to pay for any AI at this point in time. And the free version only allows you about an hour of work a day. So we really this is not something we would be able to achieve on a free chat GPT in any way, shape or form. >> I think it's also about a discussion about what do you think the bylaws meant here versus here, >> right? >> You know, and so but but anyway, I think these are different discussions. This
033is something I'm personally interested in because as I've gone through the bylaws so many times, like there's just things that are like this is a mess, but okay, we'll >> right deal with it. >> It'll wait, right? So there's that taskoriented finicky, you know, attention to detail kind of thing. >> Yeah, >> that's one thing. And then I think comprehensive plan is >> big ideas. What do we what do we other >> totally So these to me are totally probably even completely different people that are >> like I'm more I'm more interested in this finicky thing and you're probably more interested. >> No, no, no, no. I I I'm glad we defined what we're talking about. what we're defining [clears throat] is the finicky thing. So on the finicky thing, what I would suggest is
034is it seems like Trisha, I think you have a lot of expertise over the de you've been doing this for a long time in different ways. I would support Trisha's efforts to to take a stab at it between the lines. I absolutely agree that it's an overwhelming task. My Chad GPT or Claw like I can tell you Claude 20 bucks a month would do this in 20 minutes. Um, but regardless, I think, you know, if we want to kind of not you, whether we use it or not, like I I'm almost willing to play with my free version, I call it free because 20 bucks a month is not much, and do that with Trisha. Um, because I would think between my brain and hers, we could do that um, pretty quickly. But if the
035two of us cannot handle it, why not appoint the design review committee ad hoc group and find some people? >> Design review committee is actually committee for this at all. Yeah, that's that's okay. Yeah, that's not the function of the design review committee. That's they're not for ad hoc tasks. They're for building review. >> That's fine. Yeah. >> So then it stays within our confines. >> But you do have the ability to make another ad hoc. >> We can we can make another ad hoc committee in a heartbeat. [clears throat] We can hire an intern. We can do all kinds of we can get an English major to come in and do claude and then change it. Um there's a variety of ways to do it. I I think I think for me now that
036we've defined what it is, I don't think it's an impossible task with the right resource. So >> it might not be what what but what I'm afraid of is and what maybe I just don't understand. Um and because this has been all my experiences with AI um and granted they've been in my own realm of architecture. It's like okay here's the AI and now I still have to go through it with a fine tooth comb and and put it all back in order. So, it's like if I have to do that anyway, I'd rather be talking about to some like a person who maybe uses those tools. >> Maybe uses those tools. >> Um, but but has the professional expertise of of putting those things together. Otherwise, I don't need the AI. I have to
037go through it anyway because if AI does it, I still have to go through it anyway to check the AI. Yeah. And so the way the query would work is you for example would take two definitions that I'm sure you could you through through your experience you might have examples already. Like you would take two definitions that seem inconsistent and you would query as in like here's an example of two inconsistent definitions. Here's an example of a section where things are misnumbered. These are the kinds of things you're asking the model to identify other items like that in the zoning. >> Yeah. It's not it's not that >> it's not that straightforward of okay, you know. So um >> I mean it usually takes I've done this in two other communities and hire and we've
038hired a consultant both times and one time was Mark Babowski who did them in Wearham and it's usually a few month process. It's really not as quick and simple as it sounds. I know it sounds simple but there's really a lot to it and there there's there's people that dedicate this is all they do for a job is recodifying zoning because it's >> so I guess where I'm going with this is if we're going to spend money on this I am not a fan of that. If we're going to get a grant to do that, I would be very curious kind of what the value ad is. If we're going to be reszoning anyway for the comprehensive plan, if we are talking more about like obvious cleanup of things that over the years we've noticed,
039I'm confused why we can't do that ourselves. So, in general, I'm not quite clear what we're okay where we're going with it. I think >> because spending money on grammar and corrections, I would So much more in depth than that. >> Yeah, it's Yeah, it's not you're not understanding the I think the >> like I'm not talking about spelling errors. I mean those are like little those are like some examples, but it's like um >> like are we we've just adopted stretch energy code? Is it consistent how we referenced that everywhere in our zoning bylaw? It may not be and somebody's going to take that and read the entire zoning bylaw and see every single section we've referenced it if it's up to date in the current one. in every single section that we reference
040sometimes you remove a section and we >> so again are we proposing spending money on this or seeking grants >> I think right now right now I think I I [clears throat] would ask you know Jasmine say hey as we have time can we figure that out can we figure out okay you said that there are grants but it might be h that you have to be reimbursed right >> what else is well how much is that grant like let's get all I'm asking is like let's let's start pursuing the information >> right >> before we decide a direction we're going going to go. We don't know the direction yet because we don't have the information yet. Sounds like you've started to collect it and then we can talk about it. >> Yeah. But this,
041just to be clear, this doesn't come out of a planning board budget. This isn't a budget that you guys have purview over. So, like I don't mean this in a rude way, like I could go out and hire a consultant tomorrow to do this if I felt it was necessary. I wouldn't do that because that's the board's wishes, but that's not how you you don't have a planning board budget that you're in control of. That's not how that works. But, >> Right. But the zoning is our jurisdiction. Absolutely. Of course. Which is why I wouldn't. But I'm just saying like >> So just to be clear, what I've heard is there was sort of an idea to kind of >> what I heard initially sounded quite not substantive. What I'm hearing now is that we're
042going to look into it and then figure out the direction it's going to go. So if we're moving more towards this ambiguous idea that we're going to research grants and then figure out the direction, I will make it very clear on the record that that cannot in any way interfere with the comprehensive plan implementation process. >> The direction isn't changing at all. >> The direction cannot be a year from now or the intent where this is the consultant who's going to essentially reszone us per comprehensive plan implementation. So that's not the intent. >> Yeah, that's fine. You're crossing the line again about zoning changes and it's still not about zoning changes, >> right? >> There's just things in the bylaws that aren't well is this meant by the bylaw or is this meant? >> So
043there may be tweaks to um >> a shall >> but I think that's that's not a subject that's a sub that's an that's a subjective definition that you have. You're saying that's not a zoning change, but it could be. >> Well, it could be. You and I could disagree whether changing one word is a zoning change. >> It could be, but >> which is why you need somebody, a professional to come in and have either an implementation committ is with that. I just wanted to state for the record today my position because I've seen this enough that a year from now when we have a conversation about the direction things are taking, I want to remember this conversation. So, we don't need to argue about it. But there's a big difference to me between >>
044kind of cleaning it up versus a consultant. >> We completely agree with that. I'm just saying we're not mentioning what you're saying. We want nothing to do with comprehensive anything. >> Yeah. Yep. At all. >> That's good. >> Like >> Yeah. Very completely different. I wouldn't even have brought comprehensive plan up in that whole discussion at all. Nothing to do with what I'm talking [clears throat] about. >> But very very important. Just a very very different project. >> Totally different process. And I would argue even that doing a recodification might make the implementation easier because now you're working from a clean document. >> I I agree. Well, this is why I'm bringing it up because that's a lot of effort and energy and potentially consulting money. >> Of course, >> that could be much more
045efficient and effective in a wider kind of conversation relative to the comprehensive plan. Because if we're talking kind of again, if we're talking about simple kind of cleanup versus a recottification that involves a consultant and grants and money, these are two different things. At this point, what I'm hearing is we don't have a clear set of direction. I think we've all said what we needed to say and we can come back to it. >> Okay. [clears throat] Yeah. >> See what it would take, how many months it would take and things like that. >> I think you and I are on the same page. I think you we're understanding where this is. Um so we can >> report back at another time. >> See what people say. >> Yeah. >> All right. So we'll kick
046it to a future meeting. >> Kick it to a future meeting. >> All right. >> Okay. Was a good lively discussion. >> We got anywhere but >> All right. Sorry. >> You didn't think you were going to get off easy, did you? >> No. I mean, it's a short list, but it's not. Okay. So, I guess we move on to topic C, comprehensive plan implementation committee. >> The only thing I have to report I have been emailing with Yolanda. She wanted to connect with me this weekend. Um, we are hoping to schedule time to talk and hopefully there'll be an update. I'm not really clear in detail what the holdup is because my understanding was that there would be a meeting between the select board and planning board on this. So I remain quite quite
047uh focused on that and hopefully we can uh start to talk about dates with the with the select board. So, >> [clears throat] >> um I'm not sure my conversation with Yolanda needs to prevent us as a planning board from reaching out to the select board to start brainstorming schedules um so that we can unite together as soon as possible um and reignite the implementation process. >> Do things get a little bit dicey because it's coming into the summer? >> I can't speak about for this select board. I don't know. Not that I'm aware of, but >> I don't >> I haven't Nobody's told me that they meet less in the summer, but they may. I can. >> So, at least we should start planning it. >> Yeah. Because it may take a few weeks.
048Yeah. >> We're past the election and >> Yes. >> April vacation. >> Okay. So, now we're on to the design review committee. >> Yeah. So, on that um I've done nothing on it since the last meeting. It's been a little busy, but I'm wondering like the best approach. I'm thinking like drafting an email maybe would be a good start to describe kind of the new structure and having it go out to understand what professionals we want it to go out to. I have I have a list of, [clears throat] you know, different people, different professionals in the community because you can get it through the state. you can just have to go on to the state website and see who's licensed and living here in Massachusetts or sorry in Ashland. Um so that would be
049a first place to start and um but otherwise sending it out you know sending it out as well. Um, we can use the text of that email once I draft it to also put it out there in the newsletter. >> As you said, things are a little slow over the summer, but just to start build building a list >> and I'm assuming you want that posted on the website as well under open positions boards and committees. >> Yeah, >> I would say that's absolutely necessary. I I I would not want this to be just us kind of searching for people we might know or believe that are good. I think it absolutely needs to be public record and public process with a vote and all that. >> Absolutely. Like I said, uh someone I mean
050um someone came up to me after the after town meeting and handed me their card and so uh I didn't know the person before, but it would be a very good candidate to to be on the list. >> So as soon as we have a like a written description of it, I can send it to the clerk and ask them to add it to the positions. >> Yeah. And just let >> and add it to the town manager's newsletter. >> Yeah. and that it it can be um great to [clears throat] have a rolling list there. >> Do we have any projects that are coming up in the foreseeable future that we'd like to utilize them? >> Good question. >> No, not right now. Maybe something in the fall, but that's like a big up
051in the air. >> But I think in theory, you want a roster of people that maybe meet with. >> I thought it might also be kind of a good thing like, oh, by the way, you know, like if the Y was coming, that would something [clears throat] I think people would be super interested in, you know, being a part of. So I didn't know. >> So we have a little we have a little time then to get ready. >> Yeah. No, it's totally good. Just thought a little teaser might be nice, too. Oh, our first one coming might be this, you know. >> I am confident there will be a project this year. >> Oh, I'm sure there will be. >> Just when is the >> Right. >> I will I will start working on
052that letter. >> Okay. [clears throat] All right. Moving on. Going into the reports here. Community preservation committee. Uh we haven't met or done anything since the last time. >> So Deepo was involved in the Metro West Regional Collaborative. So she's not here. So we move on. No update. Comprehensive plan. >> No update other than what I said earlier. >> All right, we're moving right along. So now we're into the administrative stuff here. Planning updates started Scott with you talking about new projects. You know, he kind of brought it up a second ago. So, >> ongoing new projects, nothing. >> Nothing. Nothing. >> We need some more activities. >> No sh's [laughter] looking at me like, "Shut up. Don't get out of the chair. Get out. >> Get out. [laughter] >> Get out." >> Don't want
053to be asking for more activity. >> You're going to get plenty of activity. >> Chair of the planning board is requesting more activity in the town of Ashland. You don't want that to be the news story. Nobody's watching, but >> nobody's watching to admonish, >> but the guy in the corner might report us. >> He's probably laughing over. [laughter] >> All right, so let's move it on so we can get out here early. Housing production plan. >> I do have an update that Phil D. Martino, it's not official, but he did send an email saying he's going to recommend it for approval. >> So, we're just waiting on the official letter. He needs one more memo signed from Michael, who is at a >> um training workshop conference this week. So, I'll get that to
054them next week. And so, within the next two or three weeks, we'll have a an approved housing production plan and it will read uh retro to the date that we submitted it. So, we didn't miss any deadlines and we'll be on track to meet our SHI. >> Great. [clears throat] Sounds good. >> Yeah. >> All right. Great. Updates on the 40Bs and SHI. >> Oh, well, we have a 40B that it was 55 West Union was continued until June 23rd. They're doing some soil borings on the site to determine if the sewer line can be moved or not. And then we have to get those soil borings tested and reviewed. I have no idea what they're going to say. So, if the sewer looks like it can be moved there and the applicant is amendable
055to that, I see that project wrapping up by the end of July. If that's not the case, I I can't say. I don't know. I wish I could give you more. But if it does pass and get approved, if 10 to 60 um I'm sorry, 61 Waverly gets approved from [clears throat] concom as well, you would you would be over your 10% subsidized housing inventory. So you'd be at like 12% I think. So you would be able to say no to any 40b as long as you maintained above 10%. And if that's the case, if you do some if you do everything gets approved and you get above 10%, you'd want to start thinking critically about as projects come in, how do we maintain that 10%. So if somebody comes in with a housing project
056without an affordable component, maybe you want to think about >> So we'll know how many once we're at that number, we'll know, >> hey, if somebody comes in and builds another 100 homes, >> you'll know exactly how many roughly about how many it would take to knock you out. It's tough though because it also competes with your housing units each year. So your subsized housing inventory is also competing with your normal construction growth. So you could get knocked down pretty quickly. So if you reach above it, it's really important to have a plan. Are you going to stay above? >> So is Waver Waverly is 100% through the town processes. Is that right? Like >> they're not incom 10 to 60 Main Street is Waverly. No. Am I mixing them? >> The the mill building
057is not done with Concom. >> Okay. That's 10 to 60. >> That's 10 to 60. The Waverly is a >> 61 Waverly is completely done then. 10 to 60 is not finished with conservation. >> Okay. >> so we're still waiting to hear anything from that confirmation as far as our SHI. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That's all I have. [clears throat and cough] >> Okay. >> Great. So, now we're doing the minutes review for the May 14th meeting. >> I have no changes. I think I just had one small change on line 38. Miss 30 line 38. [clears throat] Miss Kendall confirmed that the dividing of the parcels was all done appropriately, I think, versus accordingly. >> Probably sound jumbled enough. >> Yeah, that's all. [clears throat] Any [clears throat] other comments? >> I'll make
058a motion to approve the May 14th, 2026 minutes as they are. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. Anna Tesmanitzki. I >> Paul Montino I. All right. >> That was with that change, I assume. But even that change is not very important, but >> All right. >> You want me to make a motion to adjurnn? >> Um, we have upcoming minute meetings. Um, >> which actually I need to comment on. I will not be here on June 11th. >> How are we going to reorganize? >> I know. We might have to >> better watch out if you don't show up. [laughter] >> Responsibility. Yes, >> George is like, I will be here via Zoom, actually. >> Well, well, I'm also wondering if if there's really nothing coming up. >> Oh, I have no public hearings scheduled
059for I have no public hearings for you on that day. >> So, >> I thought I thought one of them got pushed to June 11. >> Did you No, I'm so sorry. I'm giving to you. Yes, >> we definitely have Tilton. >> Okay. 55. Sorry. >> Why don't we uh we can figure out spontaneously at the time. I mean, I've chaired most of the Tilton ones. I It doesn't matter. We'll figure it out. Trish is not going to be here, so there's not going to be conflict. >> Yeah. >> So, one of us will chair. Um, >> sounds like we're having a meeting June 11th and we'll figure out that meeting who's going to chair. If you need without Trisha, if you need somebody to quote unquote deal with information and material, you can send
060it to me or to >> You're up for it? >> Sure, >> Paul. Great. All in me >> unless somebody else wants [clears throat] the material. >> Did you want to put reorganizing on the second meeting? >> You want to be in? You want to all be in? >> What I'm saying is if if Jasmine needs something on Tilton >> that she normally would ask Trisha. >> Yeah. >> Which doesn't happen very often. >> Well, not for Tilton necessarily because I've been Yeah. It would >> that's the only item that reach out to me. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. >> And CC Paul. And >> unless that's going to vi You know what? Don't do that because that could violate open meeting law. Do you want to be it or just >> send it to me
061and then >> Great. >> And if he goes, I don't know, ask Anna. I'll send it to you. >> That's fine. [laughter] >> Yeah. Because the one thing will be like >> it may not even come up as an issue and then at the next meeting we can figure out if you want to chair or who wants to >> Yeah. Well, hopefully then everyone is on the the next meeting after that. >> Next time the 20 >> second meeting in June would be [laughter] she'll >> hold your hand through it. Let me see. When is that >> the >> I mean I >> good ratings for humor. >> So June 20. So hopefully we'll look at June 25th maybe as a reorg date even if we can have just a brief meeting to if there's
062nothing else on the agenda. You'll have to see what 25. Sorry. >> So my issue with the 25th is I will be out of town. >> The 25th is of Thursday. I will be unavailable. >> Okay. This has happened traveling. >> This happened one summer that we actually did not reorganize until August because [laughter] this summer >> we got to do it beforehand. >> In theory, I may be able to log on remotely, but most likely I'll be flying around. So, >> no, that's good to know because if Tilta needs to continue, I'll want to >> We cannot use the 25th. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And they will want to continue. They're closing on the >> So, it sounds like we may not reorganize until >> August. And I think that's fine. We've done
063that before. So that gives that gives others on this board a chance to attempt to chair and see what it's like or give Paul practice. >> Deepa might want to try so >> we can figure it out and by August we'll we'll have some ideas of who wants to step up. >> We have done it before and if if the I would just say if the >> Well, we also still have July. >> Yes, July. >> Oh yeah. I skipped that entire month. [laughter] At least what she said. I thought we were just going to coast through July. >> Well, I'm just being realistic based on our pattern so far that I'm sure somebody's going to have unavailability in July. >> Yeah. >> Anyhow, I think we'll be fine whether it's in July or not.
064>> So, it might it might be something that you put on that you put on the agenda so that whenever we're all here, boom, it can happen, right? Um, >> agree with that. >> Yeah. So it's just there apply as a placeholder but otherwise >> all right >> get there when we get there. >> Wonderful. So >> all right >> Paul you want me to make a motion to >> we want to adjourn >> within world record of less than an hour. >> Do you want to do the honors? >> It's all you. >> Scott, you seem excited. You press the button. You do it. >> A motion to close the meeting at >> 809. >> Second. >> Anna Tesmanitzki. I >> Trisha Kendall. What? >> Angel Kazadian eye. >> No eye. >> Don't steal.
065[laughter] Don't steal. Was she? >> Good job.