Select Board (April 15th, 2026)

001Good evening. I call the April 15, 2026 Slick Board meeting to order at 7:03. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast live by our friends at WACA Cable TV and livereamed on YouTube. Okay, hold on. Want to start that all over again or we're good? >> Uh, start over again. Okay, take two. >> Good evening. I call this a the April 15, 2026 select board meeting uh to order at 7:03 p.m. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast live by our friends at WACA Cable 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. Now, you always ask this

002for those who are in attendance. Anyone in attendance in person is asked currently to acknowledge if they are recording tonight's meeting. And I don't see any hand raised. So, that's good. Thank you. And let's proceed with tonight's agenda. Welcome everybody. And welcome to those who are watching on on Zoom. We appreciate you being here. First order of business is uh citizens participation. Uh if there's anybody here that has anything they would like to say, please come up to the uh podium and identify yourself and we can proceed that way. Thank you. >> Good evening. Rob St. Germaine 64 Winter Street. Um happy tax day. >> Yeah. Hope you all have done one headache out of the way. Anyway, um I want to start this by saying thank you for all that you do. I know

003how intense my life is or the work I'm doing for the town and yours must be about double that. So, it's only with an apology that I'm going to add a slight thing to your your burden here. You have received a letter from Emily Norton who is the executive director for the Charles River Watershed Associates asking you to write a letter to Governor Healey. and when the public comments open up, write a letter to the de D and EPA urging them to compel Boston and Cambridge through the MW uh to fix the problem, the pollution problem in the lower Charles River. The Charles, for those of us who can remember that far back, used to be the subject of songs. Um, Love That Dirty Water. Um over the years the Charles had become um one

004of the claims to fame for the EPA, the greatest success story actually in the EPA in terms of of water. Um it has been actually swimmable at times. However, last summer um everything had to be cancelled because of some heavy rains that came down. Uh the towns of Boston and Cambridge have a lot of what we call csos crossconnects between sewer and storm water. So when a heavy rain comes down that extra rain goes into the section of the mains which run side by side within the manholes and the extra storm water washes onto the sewer side or rather you know mixes with what's on the sewer side and flows right into the river. Um so um this is a problem and the NWR is trying to sidestep it saying it's too expensive. Um I've

005been affiliated with Charles River and part of try to be part of the solution in a small way. Uh Doug Small asked me back in 2015 if I would be an area coordinator. I would meet with once a month with six samplers who had taken samples from the river and I would transport them for testing. Um this is how the EPA has gathered its and monitored um at 40 plus sites along the Charles River. Um I'm not doing that anymore. Actually Liz Burns is doing it for me now. Um I had to bow out this year. Um there is little tolerance if any if Ashlin and other towns along the cross connects have csos we have to report them instantly. They are subject to investigation. We have to fix the problem as fast as possible.

006Um so if we can do it why can't they? So why should Ashlin care? A section of of U action flows to the Charles River. All that area behind the Warren School, Warren Woods area, the backside of the of Spy Glass Hill, Nancy Drive, um that area there all flows through the Charles River. Um we are going to have to spend some money in storm water to do some remediation for phosphorus control at some point. Again, if we have to do it, why can't they? Um, the people of Ashlin have spoken loudly in terms of the um comprehensive plan about caring for the environment. Um, I think this letter coming from you to the governor and to the EPA and D uh fits right into uh the implementation of of the town's people's wishes. Um

007and lastly, um at some point in time in the future, I'm going to come before you as a stormwater chair and talk about the MS4 report. Uh we are required by the MS4 uh permit to spend a lot of money and do a lot of things for what? Pollution control. Again, you know, our money is just as precious as theirs and we have to do it. So, I urge you on behalf of Charles River to um to write those letters. Um Emily Norton um has a wonderful small staff. They do incredible work uh to try to save the river. So, that's one point. I'll if you have any comments or question before I get to my other point. >> Yeah, Rob, I have just one quick question. uh the other municipalities that uh have the

008child going through their their communities, are they actively involved in trying to clean up their their aspect of it as well? >> I I don't know about I mean any town or city with certain population density has an MS4 permit. >> Okay. >> And so the short answer regulatory would be yes. >> Okay. you know, in terms of extra stuff or whether they're on board. I think she makes reference in her letter um to a report from one of the towns that she urges you to to read it. The Watertown City Council um sent a letter uh to the governor in that regard. So, >> and there are there fines assessed if you don't do the things that MS4 is requiring? >> There are fines. The EPA does assess fines if if towns and cities

009ignore things. Um, and they threaten fines. Um, uh, Becca Solomon can attest to what happened in Hopedale. They had some substantial fines that were about to be levied. Uh, and you still have to do the work. So, if you got something that cost a couple hundred,000 and you're ignoring it for whatever reason, they'll find you a h 100,000 and still make you pay the 200,000. So it, you know, it makes sense to do the best we can. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Any anybody else have any other questions? >> No, I I don't think so at this point. Um, I will definitely need to get up to snuff on it in terms of uh to what the financial impacts are and and and that. So >> yeah, I mean this in terms of this letter,

010there's no >> right. No, I know. But I don't want to be out there, >> but we'll be coming before you to talk about >> Yes, I know you will. New >> permit. I know. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions on this issue? And I have one more point I'd like to share with you. >> Okay. Um I had written actually asking for this to be on the consent agenda. Uh Claudia and I spoke and she said, "All you really need is an opinion unless people object." So, um, as part of the storm water function, we stencil storm drains throughout the town. We had, excuse me, uh, 13 people from Western Poly Tech come on Saturday. We were able to censor 40 different storm drains. These were all engineering students, members of

011Engineers Without Borders student chapter. It was a it was a fun day and we got a lot of work done. Um, we have over 2400 star brains. It's going to take a long time doing 40 some drains on a on a money. We are looking into that. Why do we do this? We do this to create public awareness to educate the public that if you put things down in the storm drain, you're creating a problem. You're creating pollution and in some cases like what happened in NATIC, people putting doggy poop bags down there. The pipe clogged up. They couldn't eliminate it with the vac. They had to replace a length of pipe at the cost of a couple million bucks. So this can be this can be serious. So we try to do as much

012education as we can. Um we'd like to go a little step further. I say we the storm water committee would like to go a step further and we would like to do some artistic painting. Uh this was inspired by some folks around the country but also um by the a young woman in NATIC who's a sustainability agent and she picked the four storm drains at the key intersection of uh 27 and 135 and they actually painted it with pretty little things and I did send you um a memo that had a number of of pictures and we'd like to choose if you have no objection um to a few select storm drains in towns such as the parking lot out here, the one in the center of the parking lot, which some folks a couple

013of years ago from the previous owners of Nicks had poured something down requiring a repair. Uh we'd like to do one at the community center. Uh the superintendent has already approved one in back of the high school. We probably would like to do one or two on Front Street. Again, visible places so the public can see it and become aware that there's an issue here. So, are there any objections? and do we need to come before you in a more formal way for this? >> I have a question. First off, Rob, thank you. Um, you know, I I think that sounds like a lovely idea. One thing uh about the decoration of these I'm curious about is are they going to be maintained or are they just going to be allowed to fade? Like what

014what is NATIC doing around that? Like is it is this something that's kind of permanent, quasi permanent or just something that that's going to last? >> You know, I'm embarrassed to say we haven't thought that far. >> Okay. Um the the the stenciling that we do does does fade. Um there were some that we saw had been done by a volunteer a few years ago and they were still visible but not plainly visible. Yeah, just the close. Um yes, they will fade. Um and I will certainly incorporate that with the planning. I can't speak for people who will come after me um as in terms of maintaining, but that would be nice if they were or maybe renewed. >> Well, renewed or or removed even after a certain point if they're faded. So, that's something

015I'd like to see in that plan. Yeah, >> thank you for that. >> But I I think I I I think those are lovely. >> I I agree. I think I think they're great. I think it's I think it's um it's awesome. I do have a question as far as like how do we coordinate with like DPW and things like that? Like what is the best um process like should should there be a formal like a formal request that we then approve and then it goes to like DPW? How >> it it used to be easy when Evan because he was part of DPW. Um we have Sophia uh right now who is you know half between um conservation and and working with Doug at the DPW. Doug is is acting stormwater person right now.

016Uh it's still in a state of flux who the personnel um will be. U Michael is working on that but this little thing called an override has taken a little bit of attention of all of you I understand. Um but uh that's to be determined but certainly we would coordinate. I've had numbers of conversations already with Dan on uh M on different things. But absolutely um this this weekend we coordinated with them. I got 24 cones and you know and delivered them back to to Cedar Street when it was done. So yeah, we do close coordination. >> Okay. All right. >> Just one thing I might add. Um, and it doesn't sound like it would apply necessarily necessarily with the four um locations that you've identified, but we probably want to check with Eversource too

017and make sure that they're not planning on doing any kind of utility work. Um, you know, that would in turn, you know, rip up something. Um, you know, obviously if there's an emergency, we couldn't necessarily predict that. But, um, that was just another coordination point I think we should just factor in. Nothing big. Nothing big. >> Michael, is our policy after we pave a road that we try not to dig it up after two or three years, is that still in effect? >> That is our policy. And uh so that's why I'm saying I'm not necessarily sure it would apply with the four locations that were identified, which sounds like okay, >> you know, a couple parking lots and then Front Street. >> Um but yes, that is our policy. If an emergency happens, >>

018that's that's understandable. I was just >> Right. Right. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Would it would it would it make sense to have this discussion or expand this discussion till the 29th of April? That way we can have the coordination between the DPW and if I was to be to make sure that we're all on the same page with this. >> Sure. I I >> I don't think we have a I don't think we'd have a problem >> Yeah. >> approving it, but I just want to make sure that everybody's on the same page with it. >> Sure. >> I I just want to say that uh Mr. St. Germaine asked to be on this agenda at least I don't know two times there was conversation about it. I asked for it and it didn't

019happen. Well, as I explained to you earlier that we were going to discuss it during the liaison uh portion of this. If that's something that you didn't want to do, well, I'm sorry. That's that was my decision to make. So, I made it. So, >> I I think we can come back um on the 29th with with the just a formal plan, a little more formalized plan for you. Um if that would make everybody feel more comfortable. That would make me feel comfortable. I don't know about the others, but that makes me feel comfortable. >> That makes sense. >> Okay, >> we'll see you. We'll see you on the 29th. Thanks, Rob. >> Thank you. >> How are you doing down there, Michael? >> It's warm. >> I bet it is. Um all unless I

020don't see anybody within any hand raised or updated. Just want to make sure because my eyesight doesn't go that far. Um all right, then we'll go to the next uh item on the agenda. It's old and new business. Uh FY27 budget update including the operational override. And I believe Michael, that's why you're you're here with with us this evening right now for this. >> I am. I am. Um yes. So um at least with regards to the general fund uh we've certainly had a lot of discussion about that uh collectively or I should say you know as a team here and then also collectively with the school committee and the finance committee and I I would say as well as you know certainly uh with the community we've had forums and everything. So, um, I

021I put together a budget document that, uh, was distributed on April 3rd, um, that contains the information that we had talked about, um, and the numbers that we had talked about. And, um, you know, just wanted to see if you had any questions regarding that. Um, you know, the document has a lot of detail in it. Um, and, uh, So, I think if people were looking for information um not just necessarily related to numbers and and figures and things like that, but uh explanations of some of the budget changes um as well as some of the activities that each of the department does. Um and I really want to thank um everybody that's been involved with this um the boards especially um and also our staff, our finance team. uh Cindy Sinata as our finance

022director and our treasurer collector as well as our town accountant Steph Peton um and uh Don Clark our our director of assessing and as well as Katherine and Beth um and actually all of our staff including our department heads uh put a lot of work into this and um hopefully um hopefully I'll be able to answer any questions you have about that um or uh we could move on to the enterprise funds. Um, at your pleasure there questions that you want to ask, Michael. >> So, I do. Um, Michael, for I was looking through the the the budget document and >> on page three, we talk about the general stabilization fund transfer in at 1.44 million. And then there's another place, I think it's on page 22, if I can get there fast enough, where

023it's um a different number. And then we had talked about a 1.3 stabilization number um as a transfer and 1.4 four was going to be the additional school allocation if the if the override does not pass, but it was 1.3 because it was 750 on the municipal side plus 600 to balance the budget was what I was what I remember. So I'm just trying to think I'm just trying to understand what the actual amount for the stabilization fund that we are planning to um to move in and and so on. And on page 22 where we look at under general stabilization fund it says the transfers out is one one 1442 369 >> up at the top on page three it's like 1440256. I just what so what is what is the plan around the

024stabilization fund I guess is the question. >> Okay. And that thank you for bringing that up Brandy because that is the second second clause there in that first um in the first agenda item. Well, um thank you for catching that number one. Um it's the 1.442. It's it's the first number that was that was the correct number and I just didn't catch the last one. Um the the discrepancy between the 250 and the 369. Uh since this time um we actually want to look at adding a couple of hundred thousand on this. Um and I was going to talk about this in the enterprise funds because it kind of straddles both. Um and let me let me explain why. Um and this relates to the transfer of um the fields uh the school fields the

025maintenance and care of those school fields from the DPW over to the school department. So, as part of that, the school department needs um what is available in retained earnings from the enterprise fund to do what they feel like they need to do to set up uh that department for success in terms of uh taking care of those school fields. Um that's going to be incredibly um complicated to do um to unwind kind of the enterprise fund uh that was established under special legislation um etc. Um, so what uh what we ultimately feel would be the best idea would be to just take money from the stabilization fund this year in the amount of $200,000 and add to uh the transfer that we were going to do, which would bring that up to 1.642. Um

026and then the following year um when the enterprise fund um when that gets dissolved it would uh flow to free cash and we would then take that and put that back into the stabilization fund. Um I tried to make that as uh as simple um as as it could be uh just for for everybody's sake. >> Okay. So we're looking at just just to kind of level set. So, we're looking at one 1.642 out of the stabilization fund. And that's if the override passes. If the override doesn't pass, we're looking at a little over 3 million. >> It would be an additional 1.4 million that would that would be added. Correct. >> Okay. >> With the understanding that at least 200,000 of that would would be refilled when the enterprise fund gets unwound. I'm going

027to use that term. >> Okay. All right. That is that is helpful. Thank you. Um and so hold on. I'm going into the department budgets. Hold on. This is what happens. You said when you put together a huge document, finding what I'm looking for is like impossible. Um let's see. Sorry. Bear with me. >> No, it's understandable. >> Um, I did want to ask a question. um on page 26 where we talk about what the the folks that are under um the town manager's budget. >> Mhm. >> There was a position eliminated for um personnel um or financial um assistant >> and it says it was eliminated >> but it's that position has changed but it's still under your department though, right? Correct. It just reflects the the change in title from um personnel financial

028assistant to executive assistant for projects and procurement. >> Okay. Because um there might need to be a change on that on page 26 on the uh >> the book. >> Okay. because I tried to show it for, you know, FY26 going from one to zero on the personnel financial assistant and then with the executive assistant going from zero in 2026 to one in 2021 to show that that offset. >> All right. Maybe I'm I might have I'm trying to reconcile my notes with this with the document and it's not >> Gotcha. >> Oh, okay. I see it. Never mind. All right, there we go. All right. I just wanted to make sure that that that we weren't um losing a valuable member of our staff. >> Understandable. Understandable. >> Okay, let me now if anyone

029else has any questions, you feel free to go and I can find what I'm looking for. I was looking for the departments. I had a couple just questions of um departments that have increased changed By the way, Michael, I have to applaud the fact that you've got that budget uh book done. >> Um, thank you. >> So, thank you. Thank you for doing that. >> Well, thank you. >> A lot of questions. >> Yeah, a lot of uh a lot of work from, you know, many many folks went into that. U you know, that being said, it's not a perfect document. I I did I could have continued to work on it and continued to work on it and refine it. Um but I felt it was important. I I will continually iterate and not

030finish it. So I figured it would u would be good to go ahead and get that piece out. And now that I have the enterprise funds, I can do a revision and include all of that in there. >> I found my page. >> Okay. >> Thank you for bearing with me. Okay. So, under the appropriations by department, um I just wanted us to run through some of the departments that have large increases just so we can talk about that um publicly. I think this is the first time we're really looking through it. >> Um so, under assessors, we have a um an increase of about 57,000 that has to do with software. Is that am I remembering that correctly? that is well that two um yes that is the software um software change uh so

031we're currently on a system an older system that is uh really no longer being supported anymore I think only five communities are left using it so um we are we are moving to a new software system called vision um Don uh our assessor uh actually did a really good job of negot negotiating with them um negotiating down getting their price down. Um but still it is an increase um over over what we were using. Um what we should see though is um considering you know how much time it takes to build you know the necessary technical bridges and everything between the software systems that we do currently use in town hall like munice and and this assess the older assessing database. We actually hope this results in in into some staff efficiencies as well. >>

032Great. Thank you. >> Um and then going down into the to um the public buildings and property line item. That's a new department for us. And so it's an increase of um 2587. >> Um can you talk just a little bit about what is included in that? I can. So that includes funding for a dedicated director uh for our facilities and grounds and um also includes funding for an additional maintenance uh person that we have uh or additional maintenance staff um to uh to basically amplify the two that we we currently have, the two staff members that we currently have based on our facilities. It also includes an increase for contracted services and an increase for utilities. Um and uh both of those are are necessary. Utilities obviously there's uh there's little we can we

033can do about that in a short term on a short-term basis. Um and then contracted services. Uh we really want to move uh ahead towards you know identifying those areas where preventive maintenance um would be very very obviously preventive maintenance would be beneficial for everything but um unless you have like unlimited amounts of money um you have to target uh where where you're going to do um a lot of those PM preventive maintenance activities um and so the increase in contracted services is to help for that as Okay. >> Do you have a question on that? >> I just had a question about that. I know that Yolanda had raised some questions um about that line item as well. Um so it is one of the positions is that existing in the department already and

034wouldn't that salary follow that person? >> Um two uh so two positions are already in facilities. And so did those salaries would follow them so that there would be a um someplace else there is >> um >> you would see a decrease decrease. >> Yeah. >> So so the public build that line item already existed. We already had a public buildings department. Um, this essentially expands it to include public buildings and grounds or public buildings and property. >> I don't think that answers my question. Yeah, the the question is like in in in this total you said there two existing employees and so are those line items included in that number and are is there you know if they're coming over to this then are is there going to be like a deduction from somewhere

035else or you're saying that this is this is kind of this is existing within this line item for those two employees and there's no change. I guess I guess you're trying to figure out how that's accounted for on the sheet and so we can understand it better. I think that's the question. >> Okay. So, um probably best way to to answer that. So, if you look at the public buildings and property line that 01192 and you see the FY26 budget of 674. So, those two existing positions are already um are already in there in that. And so we're just adding the funding for the additional uh maintenance person and the and the director position as well as the contracted services and utilities. That's what makes up the $250 increase. But the two positions that were

036already existing already existed in that $674,000 appropriation in FY26. So hopefully that answers that. >> Yeah. So, but is there is there a is there a corresponding decrease in any other DPW line item? >> No. >> Okay. That's that I think that's what we were trying to get to. So, >> wouldn't we expect one? >> No. Um, so the two positions that are existing in there um were already budgeted. They were already included in the FY26 budget of 674,000 and so they will remain in there and then we're adding two additional positions that that's what constitutes part of that 200 those two additional positions are what constitutes part of that 258,700. >> Okay. So there's two positions being transferred from >> No, they're not being transferred. They've all they've always been in 01192. >> So

037are you saying that the work they're going to do is going to be different than what they're currently doing? >> No. Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Okay. So, we're adding two positions, >> correct? >> Okay. And and what are the what's what is the salary part of that >> ad that? >> So, the director position is at 145 and the maintenance uh person is at 55. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. We just hadn't had any discussion. >> Okay. >> All right. So, just going through the rest of the the major increases um that we're looking at in the budget. We have $100,000 for the police department and that's to add one more one more officer. We have 300,000 um for the fire department and that's to add four more firefighters. Um when we look

038at Ashlin Public Schools, this is the 2.75 override is baked into that. >> We have the $396,825 increase in the KEF Tech assessment. Um, how many kids do we have going to to KEFE Tech this upcoming year? >> 17. >> Um, >> 17. >> I think that's 17 more. Is Is it 17 more, Cly, or is it just 17? >> Yeah, I think you're right, Michael. I think it might be 17 more >> what we have already. >> Yeah, >> check real quick. >> Now, I had a question from a resident this last week actually about the KEF tech stuff. Um, would there ever be like any limitations that we as a community would put as far as like a max on the number of seats at KEE because because of budgetary reasons? Like is

039that something that communities can and could do? I'm just asking the question. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Randy, I I don't know the answer to that. Okay. Um, >> it's an interesting question. Like if we only had like our our KEF tech our KEFE tech assessment looks like it's 1.644179. If we had said you know the max we can spend for students at KEE was a million dollars like could we could we limit the number of students as a community that we send to KE? It's more of a question. >> That that's an interesting question. Um I and I don't know the answer to it right now. >> Okay. All right. >> I can I can uh reach out to Superintendent Evans and ask. >> I I know that we actually I think

040there were like 40 applicants if I'm just trying to remember it but I think there was 40 applicants but we only had 17 slots available >> additional slots. >> Yeah. >> Total. >> Yeah. for the year, the incoming year because recent legislation, right, has made it so that the uh vocational schools have to um they have to award seating to towns >> based on population. I believe >> it's like a poor I think it's a portionment is trying to call. >> I think it was to try to even the playing field for some students who were trying to >> Yeah. get into the some of the schools >> and I would never say we should do something like that. >> Yeah. No, I know it's an interesting question, >> but I know we had more

041applicants or significant interest be beyond what we could >> what was allotted to us. >> It's not surprising. >> Yeah. So, >> yeah, it's understandable and we uh just I did get the answer for you. So, we do have 75 students um there which which represents an increase of 17 over the previous year. >> Okay. Yeah. because I was also asked like how much does that appropriation like how many students it covers and stuff. So that's helpful too. So thank you. Okay, moving right along. Sorry to do this, but I fig I think I think it's I think it's helpful to to go through all this. >> Um so when we go down to um let's see, >> we have an increase of there's a few small increases under DPW. Um but the cemetery parks

042and trees >> um goes up by 60,000 this next year for up to 427983. >> Um is there something specific that's driving that? >> Yes. So currently one of our parks cemetery parks and trees members um was was being paid through the enterprise the fields enterprise fund to um help maintain the fields. And with the loss of that um um we will need to to fund that through the general fund. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. Um moving down to health and human services for veteran services um >> which is going up by 34,650. I know that's a regional um a regional program that we participate in. >> Is is the assessment going up because of there's there's we're servicing more people? Well, a smaller part of it is the assessment, but u the

043larger part of it is related to direct benefits to veterans. Um so that is the piece that is not part of the assessment and is still individualized amongst each of the towns as part of the region. >> Okay. All right. Um when we go down into the budget for recreation, um we're it's it's looking at at like it's a zero budget, but that's because it's going into um its own revolving account. Correct. >> That that is correct. So we've always had some of the costs go onto the revolving fund. Um this just better accounts for it by moving all of those costs uh associated with the recreation department into the realling fund. Yes. And of course that does then free up capacity in the general fund as well or uh but that that means there's

044an extra I don't want to call it burden but an extra expense um on the recreation revolving fund side. And um I know Beth has been uh working with Kelly and and her team uh to you talk about enhanced programming and things of that nature. Um not necessarily just from like a revenue standpoint, but just actually what the community what we heard through the comprehensive plan process of um you know enhancing programs for the community. >> So what was in what was in the general fund before was the salaries regarding the recreation? I believe it was just um one of our staff members. Is that correct, Beth? >> Do you remember off the top of your head? >> So, is was the revolving fund always capable of supporting that salary or is this new because

045we've raised um fees or we've had more programs or we've just raised more money or >> Yeah. And Beth, do you want to do you wanna >> you want me to take the first part and and I can let you take the second part? >> Sure. Up to you. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Okay. Yeah. So, it would have been able to uh to sustain it for a while in the past, Claudia. Meaning that eventually that balance it um the we would have had a deficit essentially. And so what that means is that that revoling fund would have just been drawn bound down slowly and slowly until it got to zero if we had shifted all of those costs from the general all the costs that we had on the general fund to the enterprise fund

046um previously. Uh but what this does mean is that we will need to enhance um you know enhance programming as as part of this. And I would also add that we were never really in the position to um we were never fully staffed. We are fully staffed for the first time in a very long time. Um so Kelly now has an administrative assistant for um 28 hours a week and she also has Jill Seuss now which is our programs coordinator and she's full-time. So um that that alone is just because Kelly has so much more help now. um that we really do feel like we can build on our programs and offer more to the public because we have capacity um to do that. So fingers crossed everybody um signs their children up for summer

047camp and all the programs that we um provide and hopefully that will sustain this department for years to come. >> Thank you. >> Sustain. >> We're hoping that would be the preferred method, right? Absolutely. >> Okay. Um, moving right along, our debt service um, looks like it decreases by $336,777 this year. Is there something specific that's coming off of our our our debt service or is this >> this is um, yes, some things are coming off, but uh, they are related and Steph, please correct me if I'm wrong. Um, a couple of CPA related items. Um, I'm trying to remember exactly what it is. >> Steph's here, so she can come to the microphone. >> She's gonna be like, "You didn't tell me I might have to go on the mic." >> No, she's not

048going to hide for long. >> You didn't tell me I'd have to go on the mic. >> Um, uh, CPC, uh, or CPA stuff, I believe, is falling off next year. This is the last payment. Um but I believe um it's just progression as it the payment goes on that the cost has gone down like the maybe it's the interest and principal have gone down. >> Yeah. So the schedule so thanks for correcting me Steph. Next year is when the CPA goes down. This is just the decrease then is just associated with the debt schedule and things being paid off >> I believe. So yeah. >> So I know I know that we still have some of um Mendes school to bond right. So that number is not included yet or it is >> I

049don't believe so. No, >> that is it. It is not included yet. >> Okay. >> So is that then a number that gets adjusted at fall town meeting? >> It would not be um it would actually be done for the 28 budget because our first payment would not be. >> Okay. So the first payment would be >> so then there so there'll be no increase in uh property tax bills uh based on the increase in the debt exclusion or the number for the mind bonding that because that will happen in FY28. >> Correct. will go out to borrow for that in October of this year, but the payment won't be uh won't be seen on people's taxes until the next year. >> While we're on that subject, with respect to projects coming offline within the

050next two years, is Oak Street out of that uh offline project what we're paying for Oak Street property that uh we took by imminent domain illegally, >> I believe. believe so. Yes. >> Okay. >> I believe so, too. I was going to wait for Steph to answer first. >> So, that's a nice No, that's a nice dead, you know, coming off. >> So, whatever. Right. Yeah. >> And the fields will be coming off um the CPA portion with the fields will be coming off soon, too. >> And how many more years do we have with Warren Woods? >> Do we know? >> I don't know. Not off the top of my the top of my head. >> Okay, >> that's a great idea. >> Yeah, I was just saying it would be nice if we

051could, you know, get something that shows us like what's rolling off and when just so we have a a better picture of what to expect and you know during and when people ask us during you know in the public like about these sort of things. So that that would be helpful. Okay, Makita, I'll incorporate it into uh into the revision. Uh we'll have a a full debt schedule there for you for everybody. >> Well, I'm sure that's good news. People want to hear >> a read. Well, >> it's good. It's good information. It is. So, >> it's good information. It helps it helps people have a a fuller picture. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> I think it's important. >> Don't disagree. >> And you guys are much more like in the weeds with all this

052stuff than we are. So, um you you know what all is is out there and what we're paying for for what and um we know that there's a bunch of different things, but we just Yeah. So, >> that is absolutely fine. We we would definitely um include that and agree with you. That'd be good information to get out there. >> Okay. Just I I need a little more explanation about the CPA things that are that have fall off. Um >> just because the CPA is something those monies are raised and they're that's they're just they are what they are. >> Mhm. >> The percentage I don't know the percentage off the top of my head. Um but in any case so if they fall off it's something that the town isn't paying any longer. However,

053there's nothing that falls away in terms of a homeowner's tax bill. Is that correct? >> That is that is correct. So, what happens now, Claudia, is a portion of the revenue um that we get in each year that we bring in each year, a portion of that has to be dedicated to paying off >> to pay off these. Right. That's I understand. But it's not going to feel any different to a homeowner. They're not they're not going to feel anything. It's we're we're we'll have additional money in the CPA >> uh account basically because we'll have things that are paid off. Thank you. >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> All right. Moving moving right along. We we get into the fun stuff in the uh in the budget. Um our benefits and insurance. Um, so just

054to go through all these line items for employee retirement, it's going up 352,00045. Our workers compensation is going up $20,000. Our unemployment compensation is going up $35,000. Our group health insurance is going up $774,400. and our property and liability insurance is going up 2600. The total for the benefits and insurance going up this fiscal year is 1.207445 207445. And um just as a comment because you know we have everything subtotaled out. our subtotal just this is like this I think this is um a huge a huge point that um just boggles my brain sometimes when we talk about the entire amount that our town pays for benefits and insurance for this upcoming fiscal year we're looking at 15920,17 which is just about 20% of our budget of of of the entire general fund. So, um

055just I want to make sure people understand just, you know, we're seeing these huge increases in that amount. Um and it's already a big amount and a big percentage of our budget. So, >> and I think the other point, you know, too with that is that the two and a half% that we can raise our levy by is 1.3 million and $1.2 million of that is eaten up by the benefits and insurance. So gives you >> I mean there there's >> $100,000 left to >> to spend on >> a lot of things >> on everything else. Yeah. >> So, it's uh really >> challenging >> and and believe it or not, folks, um I you know, as as much of an increase as it is for our health insurance, uh some of the some of

056the horror stories out there um in Massachusetts are it's even worse. Um believe it or not. So, I mean, we're talking about 20%. Uh I was just talking to the town administrator in Rockland. um you know they're seeing like 25% um through their consortium. So you know and and the point I I want to emphasize with that is that we have done a lot to work on controlling costs already and there's just not there's not much room on that side of the ledger anymore. there's no room on that side of the ledger if you know what I'm if you know what I'm saying in terms of like cutting things. Um we've already found a lot of the efficiencies that we're going to find in that uh health insurance line. >> So that's all I have

057on the budget. >> Anything to hit the the major spots? >> Yeah. I know Brandy, thank you very much for walking through that and you hit a couple of >> questions that I had and >> yeah, >> thank you. call if you >> I would just encourage everybody to um also um look you know if they have an opportunity to look at the document um not just look at you you know the expenditures and everything and and the department data but also look at the analysis um and just kind of the bigger picture outlook and the context uh that we're working in because I think that's that's important too um because That hits to a couple points that you made, Brandy and Claudia, about um the increase relative to Prop 2 and a half. Um

058and just I think it's a really good um a really good way to look at okay this is what's happening in Ashlin, but you know this is happening because of things outside of our control number one and as such so many other municipalities are facing that as well. >> Yeah. I a couple of things about that. First of all, the out of the our control, right, is something I've thought a lot about is that there is so much out of our control now and um and and making it so challenging for the things that we want to control locally to do well, right? Um the other thing, two questions. I know that before we've raised the the millionaires tax that was supposed to come back and really help fund education and that has really more

059gone towards um higher ed I believe. Um >> and so you know I think that that's something we should probably keep talking with our legislators about. Um, and the other thing, Michael, and you're you have a lot of experience, uh, um, if if you were going to go to the legislature and and say, "This is my suggestion. These are ideas I have about how you should better fund uh, communities or, how communities could be better funded." What have you thought about what kinds of things you would look for, what ways that you would ask that they do that? Um, you know, there's there's a Yes. And there's a few different uh ways to approach this, I think. Um, number one, I think uh sharing part of the income tax um uh would be uh certainly

060appropriate. Um although, you know, I know the state is facing their own uh funding um funding issues. Um, you know, maybe even if the state adopted a policy in a in a law where they fully fund public education. Um, and uh, and maybe, you know, I think that sounds like wildly expensive. Um, and I don't want to say that it's not going to be it wouldn't be expensive and that there wouldn't have to be reductions in other places, but I think there's, you know, other savings that would be associated with that, believe it or not, that I can't really articulate explicitly now, uh, that would offset some of that. Um, on the other end of the spectrum, it's just giving communities um more um choice in in how they manage their finances, whether that is

061um giving communities a local option if it's voted in by the legislative body to um instead of having a two and a half% cap uh a three and a half percent uh cap. Um obviously uh there would be a lot of push back associated with that too. Um >> I know that you know 25 years ago there was a lot of discussion around having a dedic dedicated stream of funding for education. Um and certainly we well know that public education is uh you know the the biggest player in our budget and and rightly so I believe um you know I do think it's the most one of the most important things that a democratic society does is provide public education to students >> and and somewhat to equal the playing field so that no matter

062whether what your economic status is um you can have a quality education. Um certainly democracy depends upon that but um I'd like to see something like that come back around again. Um even a there was conversation about you know a percent on the sales tax that would be dedicated for education and really you know here we are like I said 25 years later and we've done nothing. I I do think there's an opportunity and talking with a couple of residents a few weeks ago, you know, I think there is an opportunity now to start looking at at those sort of alternatives for for funding public education. And there's definitely a a strong interest at least in a lot of the folks that I've talked to even around Ashland about, you know, uh working with our

063our partners on Beacon Hill to see what can be done around uh maybe fully or mostly funding public education in a state at state level. And I know Claudia has worked on this for a long long period of time is that you know the education formula that comes to the cities and towns needs to be re revised and revamped again. Um it was it was looked at and done once before it may need be need looked at again. >> Yeah. I mean, I think that how we fund education as a whole needs to be >> revisited and I think, >> you know, now is a good time because every community is facing these >> the same issues same problems and um >> you know it's through nobody's fault. It's it's >> two and a half%

064as we well know in our personal lives doesn't work year after year after year. our our costs go up substantially more. >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, I was just going to say and just to follow up on what Makita said too, as we've been having these budget conversations with folks, they they say to us, "What can we do?" So, you know, you know, I mean, we had, sorry, I had a chewy piece of candy in my mouth. Um, we we Do you want me to go? >> No, no, no. I'm there. I'm I'm there. Um because I'm going to forget in two seconds. So, when we had Senate President Spila here and Representative Lewis, we were talking about you know um you know the importance of advocating for for you know money to come down

065to the communities in whatever way it you know they can they can help assist whether it's through the millionaire's tax or other mechanisms. But um I do think like systemic change is what we need to to to to happen at the state level. And you know these what what has become very obvious to me in having all these conversations and seeing what's happening in all the towns in Massachusetts is that the system is broken. And the only way to get systemic change is not just us here at this table advocating for um for the the the state to change its perspective. You know, we need we need the community we need everyone in the community to help support that. >> Exactly. And you know, I think we've had those conversations. some this is something I

066feel very strongly about and I've I've said a lot about you know I think that you know again like it it one thing also the other thing is is that I think that folks don't realize that we you know we have been pushing for for different sorts of equitable changes you know as a body it's not that we've kind of sat back and said oh well I guess that's what it is you know but to to everyone's point here the system is broken it's going to take a massive effort to get change and it might take a little a while to do it, but that's no excuse not to start seriously looking at it and and start doing it. So, I think, you know, my ask would be of this body um going forward to

067identify ways where we can uh sub substantively start pushing for some of the policy changes that we've discussed tonight and we've discussed with our constituents. And then on the other side, you know, working as a community to try to advocate and as a state with other cities and towns to advocate for real change. >> Don't disagree, Makita. You're right. I had the opportunity to uh sit and talk with Jack Lewis yesterday at at Keith Tech and I said, "Will there be any happy surprises coming down the road?" And his he he started to laugh. He said absolutely not. He said there won't be. He says the governor's budget is is in, you know, is in second second read right now and uh there's nothing new. He said, "We'll tell you right now what we said

068to you a couple of months ago is exactly the way it's going to happen." So don't expect any any new funding or surprise funding coming down to help us. What what they told us is exactly what it's going to be. So we just have to be prepared. Not just Ashclan, but every municipality in in Massachusetts needs to be prepared. Um so uh I think what is different about this fiscal crisis than any of the ones I have uh participate I shouldn't say participated in or you know um been subject to um you know working in local government over the years. What's different about this one is I am hearing many of the communities, many different communities say the same thing. And um I I feel like there is definitely momentum being generated um at the

069MMA um with the release of their a couple of their reports and a lot of work that they have done. Um, and I think just also the general frustration um that communities are are are facing. There are so many boards in Massachusetts that are that are having the same discussions as as you are as a as a board and so many communities having the same discussions. Um, and it's not just we need more money, it's just the system is not working. And um I believe you know my suggestion um would be to um I think we we talk about this a little bit after uh the vote in terms of how we can harness um you know working with other communities uh cities and towns um to to basically uh effectuate some change. The other

070thing that, you know, I'm not a a predictor, but um I think there's going to be some significant changes on Beacon Hill. Um and uh in a variet and those changes could happen in a variety of different ways in terms of uh of you know, people who are up there. Um it's going to be an interesting couple of years >> without a doubt. without a doubt. >> Another French Revolution on on the brink. Um I think we're I think we're good. Any other additional questions or comments with respect to the uh the discussion that we had with the operational override and the budget update and thanks to Brandy for all the that input that was extremely helpful. >> Next up, Michael, thank you. I don't know if you're still going to hang on or you

071I know you >> No, no, I will. We uh we need to go through the enterprise fund budget. >> Oh, that's right. That's right. >> Yeah. Yeah. General stabilization fund and enterprise funds. Um okay. So FYI 2027 enterprise funds and economic development budget. >> Excuse me. >> Who who would like to bring that up? Who would like to discuss that? M >> I can bring it up here. Uh sorry. >> That's okay. Switching switching screens here. Um, >> is there a way that we can share this online as we're Is it Are you Are you sharing your screen, Michael? Is that what you're trying to do? >> I No, I was just trying to pull up the uh the sheet. >> Oh, okay. Katherine says she's going to try to share her screen. >> Okay.

072And uh while I'm pulling it up, is Steph still there? Stephanie, you're still there? >> Oh, yeah. Stephanie, maybe you could get up and just go through the totals um for each of the enterprise funds while I pull up the detail. >> Do you guys have the um the kind of total spreadsheet? All right. Um so FY27 for the water enterprise um we have a small change on that of 17,749. Um we are kind of seeing a decrease in some of the revenues. Um so we have accounted for that. Um but we are accounting for that as well as um using the retained earnings so that we are not raising rates this year. Um, do you want me to go through total of them or do you want to touch on each one one at

073a time? >> Well, it probably be a little bit better understanding for the folks that are out there that don't know what's what's going on. Probably be better to do it that way. >> Okay. And I've got the detail up here, too, Steph, if you uh if you need some support. But you're you're doing well. Um, so detail on the water uh revenue in FY25, you can see the water permits were pretty high. Um, we had a new development and Michael, you might be able to answer exactly which development that was because I'm still learning all of them. Um, but we had a new development come online which increased um, how many permits we received in FY25. Um so those accounted for a big chunk of why we had a surplus in FY25. Um but

074for the most part we are seeing that our revenue is um as we predict hitting um our expenses are hitting what our revenues are. >> Um let me ask a quick question on that. So do we do we see I know we're expecting development coming coming into Ashland. So like from a timing perspective, when would we see like if if there are like say say 10 to 60 Main Street as an option? So when they go to um pull a B building permit, they also pull a water permit or is that like what and and would that be part of this at what point? Like what? Yeah. >> And as Claudia said, when do we get the money? Um, >> just to kind of understand what the timing looks like. >> Yeah, Doug might be

075a little bit better um to answer that question, but my understanding is when they go to connect to it. >> Um, so if they haven't started any construction yet, then it wouldn't be until they they start to connect to our services that we would charge the permit fee. >> Okay. Does it depend upon the number of units that's being built? >> Your mic's not on, Mike. >> I'm sorry, Joe. >> I get to do that. >> Does it depend upon the number of units that's being built or is it just that one building project itself? Are you just paying for that one tiein or is it 250? >> I believe it's per unit. Yes, because that's why you're seeing such a a large um permit revenue in FY25 because there was it's a multi-unit that

076came online. >> Was that Asher? >> The Asher >> is the Asher. >> Yes. >> Okay. I was gonna say I'm not up to speed on all of them yet. >> Thank you. >> Um so revenue portion of it. Um and then the expense portion of it goes in with most other things just rising cost. Um and we've just tried to become as lean as we could um going into FY27 without increasing any rates. Just in terms of retained earnings, I know that appears on a lot of these, right? It that's money that's been raised through these means and then hasn't needed to be spent. >> Um, so retained earnings would be more of like if there was a surplus. So FY25 we had 428,000 was a surplus. Um, so at the end of the

077year that closes out to retained earnings. >> Okay. And then >> essentially like free cash but >> right. Okay. just for the enterprise fund. >> Okay. So it goes into free cash at that point. >> Retained earnings essentially is free cash but it's only to be used >> for that enterprise for the Yes. Okay. And um so is there a number that we try to keep do we in retained earnings do we have a little target or do we not? >> No we don't. Um that is something that uh we wanted to to work on um when Britney was here and uh that's something that we were we were going to try to do. Um but unfortunately we probably will not be able to get to that for for a while. >> So for the

078retained earnings for water if I remember correctly and I could be not remembering correctly. So um but when I think it was last year or the year before when we when we ended up raising the rates for water I think we were talking about um that we couldn't use ret that basically retained earnings was um not a good option because we need it for maintenance and if like there's water mane breaks and things like that or am I not remembering correctly? was going to ask that. >> Yeah, you you want it you want to keep an amount in retained earnings for a couple of different reasons. Um number one, just as a cushion in case you do have an emergency and you know something hits on the expense side and you need some additional additional

079money. Um and the other thing is if you want to use it for uh cap start building it up for capital purchases, future capital purchases. Um, so you wouldn't necessarily have to borrow as much. >> And then there is a line item where it shows a transfer to the general fund. >> Yes. So that is for our indirect cost. So most of that is the uh cost of health insurance for >> for those employees. All right. So it's still going towards >> Yes, it's also >> the use of water but >> yeah like portion of our audit um is charged to that indirect cost. Thank you. That makes perfect sense. >> And so for water, like we have um there's 700,000 in permanent positions that get paid out through the enterprise fund. Um how many

080people how many people is that? >> I don't have that off the top of my head, but I could get it for you. >> Okay. >> Brandy, what was the question again? So, under under the water enterprise fund, >> um permanent positions, >> um it says $700,000 as for the budget line item. >> Um just seeing how many positions that that funds is that like is it like split between sewer and water because there's 700,000 in sewer. So I'm just trying to un understand how the positions are are are build to the enterprise funds. >> Many of the employees that are charged are charged as like a 5050 to water severity. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. >> And do we know in terms of say this enterprise fund or any of our enterprise funds are there

081certain standards that we're always trying to meet in terms of you know the retained earnings and all all those different aspects the amount of salaries that are paid from them. Is there something that's that you look at and compare and say, "Okay, well, typically you always want about 75% of your salaries to come from the the enterprise fund or you want 35% of that." Is there something that we can measure ourselves against? time like how much time um a staff member is is spending on that aspect of of their work, >> right? I know that it's that it's split by time, but are are we spending in terms of paying an employee, right? Mhm. >> Does everybody who has an enterprise fund for water spend you you know uh pay for this the amount of

082salaries or or how much comes out of the operating budget I guess is what I'm trying to ask is what's that balance you know when when should things be self-supporting and when not and how do we determine what is it should be are there standard s across communities that we could measure ourselves against in terms of how we run our enterprise funds. Does does that make sense? >> It does. I mean, we can always look at u like efficiency measures and and um you know things like outputs and ultimately what that leads to in terms of outcomes. Um I think if I understand your question uh correctly Claudia I think what what I would say is that every bit of what is charged to a person's salary that is charged to the enterprise fund we

083can justify that um based on the time that they spend um on that particular function. So some like you know we have um our our our strict water sewer employees um you know um you know Jay and his crew uh so those would be split 5050 uh for water and sewer >> that's their entire salary coming from the those two. Okay, >> correct uh the salary portion. Um but there there's could be a portion of um you know Doug's salary, Dan's salary. um uh Cindy's salary or some of the finance team um based on how much time they spend on that, but it wouldn't be 50%. >> Yeah. No, I >> I just wasn't sure if all the um if the the entire salaries were getting paid from these enterprise funds. And I understand sometimes

084it's not a perfect alignment that it's 5050. It might be 45 55 and we might not even have it. I I think over time it probably gets more challenging to make sure that we're that percentage gets adjusted appropriately because Right. >> things might change a little bit and you need to adjust. Okay. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. and do I mean if we were if we were out of bounds do would would the department of revenue would have uh something to say. >> So I have a I have a stupid question. Um >> under both water and sewer there's a line item that says beeper allowance and it's a it's it's like I don't know is that cell phones? Is that actual beepers? >> So, um, whoever's on call for I believe it's the weekend, um, they

085have to take that now cell phone, um, home. I believe it may have been a beeper in the past. Um, and I think it's just the terminology of the line item. Um, but they would h they have to bring that um, device home um, while they're on call. >> Okay. So, do we So, does that cover like a certain amount of cell phones for the department? Is that what it kind of does? >> It's um more of like a portion of their salary. I think it's a small like a percentage um based off their annual for the year. It's a percentage for being on call for the weekend and monitoring those calls 247. >> Okay. So it's actually their their time their their time, not the actual cell phone because it looked like a pretty

086expensive plan. >> Yeah, >> Sue Roi would not allow that to happen >> cuz the line item above it says OT and recall beeper. >> So I wasn't sure. So I was thinking that was more time oriented and then the beeper was more beeper. Beepers are expensive now. So, I was just trying to understand it because I was gonna say it's maybe it's because the 80s are it's hard to get a beeper these days. They're expensive. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. So, it's really for for for people's time for especially for overtime if they get called in that kind of thing. Okay. >> Minimum four. >> That makes that makes sense. We had talked about updating the the budget line items to to more newer terms. >> That's a great idea. >> All

087right. >> Thank you. That's all I've got on water. Well, yeah, water. >> Anyone else? Or do you want to move on to sewer? >> Yeah, we'll move on. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Keep all my pages in line. All right. So, sewer, we have a little bit of an increase. Um as we look at the revenues, same thing. U sewer is based off of water usage. Um sewer charges based off water usage. Um so we are seeing um similar activity on this side. Again FY25 there was the um sewer permits same thing as the water. Um that increased quite a bit. Um we do plan to use 500 of retained earnings for sewer um to balance the budget. We do have significant I shouldn't say significant we have a surplus um of retained earnings

088on the sewer side compared to the water side. Um a good portion of that does go to the Framingham IMA. Sorry. Firmingham sewer trunk line. Um so my understanding is that is based off of estimates and in the past we were overcharged for it and so FY25 um kind of reset that is what my understanding was with Framingham. So that's why um you see a >> FY25 only has an expense of 159,000 and then um FY26 budget and 27 is 1.1 million. >> How did he how did we find out that Framingham was overcharging us? Mike, >> um a little a little investigative work, but um it it it wasn't a huge fight once it was presented to them. >> Okay. So, let me ask a question. So, when we're looking at this, you know,

089I'm looking at 3.8 in the current retained earnings, almost 3.9 for for sewer. We're going to take 500,000 out. That's going to leave us with basically 3.4 million in retained earnings. Um, so I assume, you know, so as far as like rates go, we're we're not making a recommendation of increasing any any rates across the board of any of the enterprise funds. Correct. >> Correct. Um, we're going to utilize the retained earnings for for FY27 if and I'm assuming like we'll take another look at this next year, look at those retained earnings, see if it makes sense to continue to utilize that rather than increase rates. Um, I think it's I think it's a good discussion to have. You know, I know I know this is um I I I agree. I think it's good

090not to increase rates this year. We've got a lot going on. Um but, you know, I think it would be good next year when we start the budget process. um we can have that conversation a little earlier in the process just so we can kind of have a better sense of like if we need to adjust rates next year, we're kind of ahead of the game because I know we're kind of running up against the um our FY27 budget at this point. But um but you know um I'm I'm I'm very I'm I'm pleased that we're able to utilize the retained earnings for this year. So So thank you. >> Yes. There um with sewer as well. Um and again DPW might explain it a little bit better than myself, but um down the line

091in the next couple years, they do see um some larger capital projects. Um and Michael might be able to answer a little bit more on what that is. with connections. Um >> yeah, you know, just just basic um deferred maintenance uh work. Um so again, uh kind of the big question mark are the developments um you know, the ones that are permitted um or the ones in the middle of permitting, you know, are are they going to go forward to construction? you know, even if they do get permitted, um, you know, that, uh, that changes the game significantly on the revenue side and then of, of course, we all know changes the game in many other ways as well. But not only would that uh, would new developments coming online have an impact on property

092taxes, would also have an impact on the water and sewer revenue as well. Any other questions on sewer? I'm excited about trash discussion. >> All right. >> You think I'm joking. Stephanie doesn't know me well enough to know that I'm not joking. I'm excited about trash. >> All right. So with the trash side, um we do have an increase of just under 41,000. Um and that correlates with just increase in um cost and we are seeing a little bit of a reduction in some of the um bag sales. But our biggest expense obviously is for um our trash removal. Mhm. >> And this one's obviously a much smaller. >> So, um I know that last year we we looked at um rates for trash and we were talking about the bags and that the utilization

093has gone down. >> Um but so it looks like the the bags have gone down but the the fees have gone up. Are we saying that the that the tonnage this that that basically we're seeing an we're expecting an increase in tonnage this next year even though we're expecting less bags. Is that about right? >> Um so I was going based off of like previous years how much we've we've taken in um for collection on both of those. >> Okay. And the um when when do we when do we um when does our contract run out for trash? >> I believe it's the end of this calendar year. >> No, it's the next one. >> Okay. >> It's end of 27. >> Okay. So, that's when we'll when we'll go out to bid just to

094look to see what's going on in the trash world. Okay. >> Yeah. What will um so what will typically happen is waste management will approach us and say they would want to extend and they'll present an offer um and then um you know what we've done before is is Doug and I would discuss whether that offer made sense um whether it made more sense to go out to bid um understanding that you're rolling the dice if you go out to bid that same company that gave you an offer is going to bid, but it's probably going to be higher. Um, so so that's kind of how that process works. >> Okay. >> On a on a kind of a granular level. >> Yeah. Would so if if that were to happen and say waste management

095would come to us with an offer would we be able to negotiate you know look at different ways that we might be able to reduce reduce the cost whether it's looking I mean and this is this kind of goes back to just discussion we had last year about what whether it's recycling every every other week, whether it's um, you know, a different system than bags. Not saying that there's a better system than bags, but um, would they be able to work with us on some of that stuff just so we understand maybe what options are available? Because I I know we get feedback a lot on trash. I >> We get a lot of feedback on the trash. >> It's been very It's been very quiet on the trash. It has not. >> So, at

096least not on my end. >> You're doing something more than we >> a little bit perhaps. But no, but no, but residents have like legitimate questions about, you know, how, you know, everything from like, you know, why do we have this kind of split system where we're paying a fee and we're buying bags and what other communities are doing and some really good questions about are we doing this in the best way possible? Are we doing this in the best in the most efficient way possible? >> You got to investigate that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm just going to tell you a little story. So, I was on the school committee when we implemented or the select board implemented the trash fee and it was because 2 and a half% wasn't doing

097it for the town. >> It wasn't providing us the funds necessary to try to >> run a community. And so, you know, unfortunately, it was something that the select board did because they didn't want to have in those days it was a million dollars and a million dollars was huge in terms of the impact it would have had to the community and the schools and um I think uh Mr. was uh chair of the select board at the time >> and uh it was an another interesting time in the financial history of our community. >> Yeah. So I you know it's it's unfortunate but these are the things and I mean every community just about has done that now >> right through the years because every community is faced with this the same challenges that

098that Proposition 2 and a half puts before communities and and so ultimately anybody people who are in positions of you know responsibility as we are as the school committee members are as other boards are It's nobody wants to do these things. Nobody wants to raise money in um you know have to always be looking at shortfalls or frequently be looking at shortfalls but and and the decisions are made to best to try to best meet the needs of the community >> and unfortunately that's where the trash fee came from. So, so, so I guess if this is going if our contract current contract expires the end of next year, if we can just plan to have the discussion beforehand before we before we even hear from waste management of like what so we can maybe

099maybe we can put it out to the community and get some feedback and just be able to kind of come armed to waste management if we decide to go that route or >> you know put it out to bid. >> Yeah. Do a little research before those discussions start. I think that's a you know and just find out exactly also like what is going on in other communities that >> kind of fit our profile and >> kind of go from there. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I I will say that we do that already. Um but um but yeah I I think a a structured session would be good. It's just, you know, when you think about it, right? Buying a bag to put your trash in, throw it away is just the ultimate in

100throwing money away. >> You're literally throwing money away, >> especially when the bags tail. >> No, not joking. The bag quality issue is an issue. It is an issue >> and and it's infuriating because you are you are buying these bags and you get them and then you know I I recall them being of better quality at one point but and and folks have noticed that the quality has declined >> down over the years probably because of rising cost of production and all these sort of things but again you know >> well Makita thank you for bringing that up because it it is a it is a legitimate issue um and um you know I think you know Steph Steph and I um you know think that definitely a discussion with waste management about their

101bag fees is uh certainly an appropriate one. Give the fe the fees versus the quality has got to change. Have we um you know I know that there was a point in time a year or so ago, maybe two years ago now, where we were having real trash issues with waste management on pickup and >> and stuff. Has the communication either gotten better from waste management or just the level of service in general? >> Kind of a combination, Brandy. Yep. It's been a it's been a combination of uh better communication um within waste management and their team, better communication between um uh waste management and the community and then better uh communication um between DPW and waste management in the community. So, and so all of those all of those have played a role. And

102I I got to give Doug uh Doug Small a lot of credit for that. And uh he um he he really went above and beyond in terms of making sure that that happened. >> I'm done with trash. And you thought you were going to be talking about trash. I ended up trash talking all night long. See what I did there? >> We like trash. >> There you go. >> But you said it with a smile on you. >> Oh, absolutely. >> All right. So, moving on to fields. >> Yep. >> All right. um fields as you can see um had a large uh decrease and that is due to as Michael mentioned before the restructuring of um the fields and shifting that over to the school. Um essentially this will be our last year of

103the enterprise fund is what we're planning for. Um but it takes time to close out an enterprise fund um through the legislation. So this would this budget um allows DPW to maintain Stone Park I believe would be the plan and um in the meantime dissolve that out. >> So the schools have their own enterprise fund for this >> uh no a revolving >> a revolving fund. Um I should point out um this is this is a good opportunity that the reason um we would just be getting the and receiving funding from Stone Park is because we have a number of organizations in town that maintain like Brenell um for Ashlin youth baseball and softball and then Ashlin youth soccer for the community center field. I mean, they do they they have primary use of those

104facilities, but they also maintain them. Um, and then Metro West Sports does just an amazing job of of helping all of our fields as well. >> Any other questions on fields? >> All right. >> We never get as many questions when the when when the budget goes down. Um and so then we move into cable access. Um and cable access is primarily their revenue source is sub subscriber fees um for Verizon and Comcast. Um and as you can probably assume those are going down um with more people not subscribing to um those. So subscriber revenue is going down and so thus we're using some of retained earnings to help offset any of those um additional costs. >> Michael, I understand there's a possibility I think there's discussion right now that uh Cable is looking for

105a new location. I I know that they have um or are exploring that um their lease will be coming up uh soon and they feel like um the the current owner of the building will probably increase what they're paying for rent and then concurrently the we're seeing the declining revenues because people were switching over from um you know from cable to other means. Um, so as part of their, you know, cost efficiency measures, they're they're exploring other spaces. Just it was just interesting. I I heard a rumor. I I don't want to spread it around right now, but they may they may be negotiating with a with another agency in town. We'll see if that's if that's fair enough to say, you know, >> want to throw anything out there. >> I hope it happens,

106you know, because they're they're a vital uh vital activity in our community, provide some great services to to all of us. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Any more questions on cable? No. and storm water. Um so storm water uh we have revenues pretty much staying the same. Um and use of some of the retained earnings. Um some of the increases is to permanent positions which the salaries um for mainly union um increases. Um, and then looks like it cut out some of the my print out and same thing uh transfer to general fund. Um, this enterprise fund also has um the indirect costs as well. So, um, the permanent positions for storm water, um, do we we don't we don't currently have someone that's that's in like an Evans position. Correct, Michael? >> That

107is that is correct. Um, we don't have somebody in that engineers position, although that is funded in this budget. >> Okay. So, the position is funded, but we just don't have it like >> Yeah. >> Well, Sophia took over half of Evan's work. >> Okay. >> No, no. Um, she took over part of his work and then also is doing some other stuff as well >> as part of the storm water aspect. >> Okay. So, so so the permanent positions under there are is that two people? Is that like no more? Do you want me to just give you the the um the allocation? >> Yeah, that would be awesome. >> That would be great. >> Okay. So, um so the engineer so 20% of that salary would be coming out of that. >> Okay.

108>> Um Sophia um would be so 56% of her salary comes from there. Um we have two uh two employees within the DPW um that their main uh function is storm water. um their uh 80% of their salary um is uh part of the storm water fund. And then we have five highway employees where 20% of their uh salary is going to storm water for the work that they do. And then um the admin staff combined that totals up to 5%. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um and I know that um post town meeting we were just talking to Rob St. Germaine and he wants to come back to us and um with some changes that the storm water committee is recommending and rates and things like that. But um at least

109at this point we are not expecting any changes to um to the storm water enterprise fund for this year. as far as like rates and things like that for this upcoming >> that that's and that's $8 a quarter or is that what it is? >> I'm not positive off the >> I think I think I think you're right. >> I think it's I think it's $8. >> Oh, no. No, it's not 16. Fine. Never mind. Confused. >> But okay. It's >> I think you're right. >> Small. But this money also has to be used for well I know he he is going to come and explain about the MS4 um and you know there's quite a few things that we're supposed to be moving forward in this area in terms of um replacing and doing

110work that are of of cost. Again, it's coming from the federal government telling us these are the things we have to have done, but yet they take the funding away from it. >> And I'm sure I'm sure >> it's >> I'm sure Rob will talk about that, but it's it's kind of crazy. My concern about storm water is um INR, especially on private roads. We don't have the ability to check how much how much water is actually seeping into our sewer system on these private roads without getting access from the property owners. So could that have a an a serious impact to this budget if we find out that there is some major storm water issues in these locations and it's they're being dumped into our our sew sewer pipes mitigating into our sewer system

111especially after 126 where there is a There's a meter right at the town line, not more than 200 yards away. So, are we paying more for something that should be paid? >> But that's another bridge to jump over, I guess, at a later time. >> There's a meter at the town at the town line >> on 126. 126 and 135 >> capturing >> any and all fluid that's coming through their to their through their pipes. That's how we get that assessment. >> Yeah. So, and what you you are >> I'm worried about the fact that we have some private roads in that area that we don't have access to to do INR studies on. There's a possibility of that happening. I'm not saying it is happening, but there's a possibility that could be happening. >>

112Do we have a lot of private roads over there? >> Three major private roads. >> Put a new set of traffic lights right at the end of one. >> Oh, >> yeah. There's a there's a lot of work that um that needs to be done. For sure. For sure. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I just had to get it off my s out of my chest. Just like we had trash. >> This was me. >> So that is >> we're good. >> Our last Enterprise fun. >> Any other questions on Enterprise? >> Good. >> No, we're good. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you for the explanation and did a great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Stephanie. Thanks for coming to the mic. >> See, it wasn't that bad, though,

113was it? >> And then as far as economic development, >> sure, >> who wants to talk about that? >> Best got this. >> I was going to say, wait a minute. >> Okay. Do you have questions about this or do you want me to go would you like to discuss >> it a little? >> Yeah. >> Um, so our local meals tax, do you want me to kind of talk about the local meals tax and how we even come to these numbers? So our local meals tax, um, we receive those payments quarterly. Um, and we track them and look at percentage increases year-over-year. It does fluctuate obviously with the loss of Ericas. We saw a loss when Mazi left. Um, so we're we're definitely watching those, but we seem to we'll dip down one quarter,

114but we'll make up for it the next. Um, I think Starbucks has helped a little bit. So, um, we're hoping that there's a lot of new pizza places in town, so I'm hoping that that will stay pretty steady. It it has. I mean, it really got hit hard in COVID, so we're starting to see it come back, which is great. Um, so that's how we get this budget. We go off of the meals tax and um, so what's broken out of this local meals tax is our permanent positions. Um, so that is a portion of um, so Clara, our communications coordinator, isn't is taken out of that. Um, Jasmine as well as part of my salary um, a portion of Jasmine's I should say. Um obviously the rest is pretty um typical. We do put

115in 80,000 for the business incentive program um and that is um still very much in use. Uh it is still a great tool that we have um in town and hope to have that continue. Um the holiday lighting is also taken from this budget as well that you can see. Um, and then we do have our events in corner spot. Um, which would be um Jill Seuss is our new pro programs coordinator. So, she's handling all of the in town annual events. Um, and so >> is that the position that's at the recck department? >> Yes. >> Yep. >> So, now that falls under the recck department? No, we still pull the events out of the um the local meals tax, the economic development fund because it is a it is an economic development tool.

116It's how we we bring people into town. It's >> what gets them here to spend their dollars here. >> So, it looks like we're spending we're going to increase the amount of town sponsored events. >> This was my question. >> Yeah. For this upcoming year. Can you talk a little bit about what that includes and and why we're budgeting more for it? Um, am I not looking at the right thing? Oh, >> yeah. So, everything is is it's just we're trying to stay competitive. We're trying to get new um acts in. Um, so any performers that we have, it just that costs a little bit money of more money. We do Dragonfly Street Fair now. Um that event alone has increased our budget um tremendously because we have different performers. We have to pay for

117police and fire to or police I should say to be at that event um DPW to close off the road. Um so that event alone has um has caused an increase in events uh or money I guess need for events. Are you projecting that the costs associated with that this year are going to be more expensive than they were? Significantly more expensive. That That's I just want to be clear. I >> I do. Yeah. >> Yes, >> I do. >> So, it's a combination It's a combination of more events and higher cost for events. Is that right? >> That's what we're hoping for. Okay. Yeah. Is this the entire um meals tax? Is the the entire >> What happens with the mills tax? >> It's goes into the revolving fund, >> right? But where um

118does the every dollar of the mills tax raised in Ashland goes comes back to Ashland? >> Yes. >> Correct. >> It's paid to the state and then the state cuts the check. >> Okay. I know we voted. >> Yeah. Right. >> So just to understand the um on the overview tab when we look at you know we we have um FY27 310. Um so for 290 is coming from the meals tax 20,000 is from the fund balance. the fund that we're talking about is is um >> that's the revolving account that has Yeah. >> Okay. >> that has the balance of Yeah. >> Okay. >> 490,000. Yeah. >> So, as as we've like um had really good quarters of meals tax. So, I mean, but that's all funded from the meals tax. >> Yes. Okay.

119>> And that again is the same sort of um you know, plan with that we just kind of talked about with the enterprise funds too. If we wanted to do an investment, if we wanted to make an investment as, you know, for economic development purposes, then that fund is is good to have there. And the incentive program, it's great to keep that going. So, >> okay. So, and we do have a a good healthy balance in that account. So, to utilize >> So, like to to be able to do more like whether it's events or whatever, you have that flexibility to to utilize that account. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Thanks. So >> just going to mention the fund balance. Think of it as like free cash, like retained earnings, but because it's not

120an enterprise fund, it's called fund balance instead. >> Okay. If that makes >> I like to call it the fund B. No, I'm just >> So to that point, then it can be used for anything. >> No. >> Okay. >> Right. So just economic development. >> What's the criteria for its usage? >> Has to stay within the fund. So it can only be used for >> economic development activities. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And now is that because that's that was tied to when we voted for the meals tax. Was is the meals tax tied to economic development or was that our choice in the town? >> No, we actually a couple years ago or how many years ago now? My gosh, it's flying. Um that's when we did the home rule petition is when

121we when we changed that over. Um, so the meals tax predates me. >> The meals tax you could use for whatever you choose to use it for. Michael, I don't know if you want to talk about what it was. >> Yeah. So when um so we first passed the meals tax in 2013 and at the time um we said that we would use it for uh several different purposes but primarily economic development and um and the other parts were the library and uh the community center and open space and I think after and that's what we use to fund the engineering ing the 25% design to um which was necessary to get Mass DOT to take on the Pond Street project and pay for the rest of the costs. Um, and so I think it

122was 2017 or 2018, um, we went to town meeting and asked town meeting if they would approve dedicating that revenue stream for economic development and creating an economic development fund. And so when that was passed, we had to file special legislation because that was that had never been done before. And so we had to file special legislation that had to work its way uh through the state house before it was into law. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. You're welcome. >> All right. Moving right along. Again, thank you for the presentation. You did a great job. Thank you very much. Um, vote to close and post the May 6th, 2026 annual town meeting warrant. So, I'll entertain a motion. >> Do we should we discuss let's discuss the warrant before we we close it?

123Because >> well, I was going to open up the discussion with >> We should open it. We should we should we should discuss before we vote on it. >> All right. >> Yeah. Okay, then I'll turn to the my the to my right >> vote. >> Yes, I'm just gonna pull it up to share. I >> think that's probably the easiest way. >> Okay. Okay. All right. So, um now that it's all here, so I'll go through the Warren index or do you want me to go through the whole thing? I'll go through the Warren index. Um so article one town reports um article two is the transfer from general stabilization which we talked about earlier. Uh, article three is the transfer from this fed stabilization and then article four is our budget article and

124so that will list the budget uh that's within the budget document including the enterprise funds. So, just to kind of to because we're not having a separate warrant article about the override, >> the um the override, the budget that we're presenting to town meeting is the one with the override. Um, and so there's so because I think initially when we were looking at placeholders, it was a placeholder for an override article, but but that's not that's not what we're doing. So, um, just to kind of let people know, so they don't think that that it's like missing. So, >> Right. Right. So, we're doing the FY27 budget at the annual town meeting on May 6th. Uh that will include the budget that's listed in the budget document that has the line item for the 2.75

125um override under the school department. Um and that will be voted on that night. And then there'll be the ballot question on May 19th to vote for the override. So the annual town meeting um when we vote on this article is is the appropriation of the funds. The ballot question is to vote um on the override. >> Okay. Um and we are I don't know. Do we want to talk about the whole structure of town meeting just as part of that? Like if that we're going to have we're going to plan on two nights of town meeting. >> Correct. So there'll be two nights no matter what of of annual town meeting. So the first night we will go through the articles as listed. Um and then after the May 19th um ballot question, um

126if that passes, um what we'll do is we'll go back to town meeting um and we will basically dissolve town meeting because the override passed. If for whatever reason um the question fails, we'll go back to town meeting. And if you look at the warrant, there's a moderator's motion number four, which is listed here. Um, and so if there's any sort of significant change of circumstances, we can make a motion uh to reconsider those budget articles. So the budget article and then the stabilization articles. And um and this was because if we were going to present two two separate budgets, it was incredibly confusing with two separate stabilization amounts and which one was the contingent one and which one was the primary one and just to make sure that people understand what they're people understand

127what they're voting for. So >> correct, >> this was much clearer to be able to say, "Okay, we're presenting the budget with the override and pending the ballot vote, then it would determine like, you know, we we would need to have to come back to town meeting because we need a we need a budget approved one way one way or the other before before July 1." So that's why we would do that, >> right? >> I think Mr. Schusta will explain that as well that evening in terms of um how that's all going to work. >> Yeah. Great. >> Could we also make sure that like in communications leading up to tell me we kind of talk about it a little bit whether I mean we don't want to badger people but I don't want

128to meeting to be the first time that they're hearing that this like >> bring it up on the 29th >> right >> we'll put it on the >> No. Well, I'm not saying I'm not saying us like we're all good with it. I'm talking about generally the public because we're going to see a lot of people show up to town meeting because of of the override. Um if they get there and they hear that there's like two nights of town meeting and it's the first time they're hearing of it, it's kind of confusing. >> So >> Okay. Okay. >> So whether it's like your newsletter or we put something up on the website where we talk about, you know, >> just >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> The website has the warrant. So maybe as a

129prelude to the warrant, right, as a paragraph, >> we we can we can work on something um or a couple of different ways to communicate that. Um because I I would agree with you if if if people get there and that's the first they're hearing of it, they're they're going to be really confused. Um, folks, unless uh anybody has anything else for me, I I >> I know I know you have to go. I just have one quick question for you. >> Yeah. >> Article 8 um 41 Lincoln Road. >> Yes. Uh yes, I I was I was bidding a dude prematurely. >> Okay. >> Are we going to vote on or are we not? Now, you should go ahead and vote on it. Um because this does not have uh the number yet. That

130would be in the motion. But that is something that we have impressed upon the seller. We need to figure out really quick. Um uh Mr. St. Germaine and I will be meeting um on uh either Friday or Saturday um as soon as I get back to kind of talk about that. And I believe he's arranged for a meeting with the seller early the following week. >> Okay. Thank you. I figured that's what we were going to do, but I wasn't hadn't heard anything since then. Okay. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your night, sir. >> Yeah. You know, and be before I go, I I do, you know, I give a lot of credit to our staff for all the work that they've done um through this uh budget season. But I I really want

131to thank the board and um and all of your work and diligence uh in this over this season too, this budget season. This has been a lot of work um and um for everybody including yourselves. So um I just want to acknowledge that and thank you for that. >> Well, we're all part of the team. >> Yes. Yes, we are. >> We'll go down swinging like the Red Sox. All right. Enjoy the rest of your night. >> You too, Michael. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Michael. >> Okay. Are we good? >> Move on. >> Yeah. >> You want me to go through the rest or are you good? >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think that would >> So, we're all set on article four of the budget. So, article five is the transfer to the

132OB trust. And then we have the annual consent article, which is pretty pretty standard. Um, sorry, it's a lot of scrolling. Um, article 8 we just talked about, that was for the 41 Lincoln Road property. Article 9 is the uh building construction bylaw. So, we're adding an article five. This is the secondary suite language. We talked about this at the last uh meeting. And then article 10 is the um amendment to chapter 282 section 9.6 the design plan review. Um and we had talked about this last time. I did send you a draft. You guys were interested in in this one as well. Um and so this just assigns three members uh per application review. And then that that's it. >> No, I'm good. >> Katie, you good? Okay. And I preempted my question earlier,

133so I will ask again. I'll entertain a motion to close and post the May 6, 2026 annual meeting warrant. >> So moved. Is there a second? >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> That's 4 Z. >> One absent. >> So that is done. >> You know what would be nice on on this um maybe is to show which ones for the um I'm sorry for article seven for the community preservation funds to show which ones it's a final payment. Does it say that? It does not say it's a final payment, but there are two that will come off. >> Right. It might be interesting even if if it doesn't get added to this if if that night >> we can make that comment. >> Yeah, that comment would be made, right? Because

134it's a kind of a feel-good thing. >> Sure. >> Got to go for any feelood things, right? So, um, finance committee still needs to to approve a couple a couple of their like put recommendations on to a couple of the warrant articles. Correct? >> Yes. So, we met I believe it was last week and we went through everything. There were obviously the budget article. Um, and then I believe we still have to talk about the stabilization fund as well and 41 Lincoln Road. Okay. So, a few and we're meeting on the 27th, I believe. Okay. >> Good. >> Thank you. All right. Good. Okay. Vote to close and post the May 19th, 2026 annual town election warrant. Is there a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> There a second. >> Second. All those in

135favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? Zero. That's four zero. One absent. Very good. Thank you. >> Okay. So now, uh, before you leave tonight, there are some documents that need to be signed. If >> you would do that, that would be great. Next is to uh this. >> I'm okay. A reminder, in-person early voting for May 19th, 2026 annual town election is to be held Saturday, May 9th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and during regular business hours from May 11th, 2026 to May 14, 2026. Uh that'll be on the town website as well. I believe I believe Michael already had it on his newsletter just in case you want to vote early, you can vote early and often. >> You jumped the bench. >> Yeah, we got to get we got to get

136back to the bench. >> Oh, no, no, I know. I know. I just want to I highlighted it so I wouldn't forget it. Sorry. >> Oh, >> okay. >> Next is discuss and review uh the donated bench policy. And I think all of you have a copy of that policy. Okay. Um, it's pretty clear. Um, and it's it's not a hard policy to uh to provide for people who want to donate. Uh, we're trying to keep it so that it stays uniform throughout the town so people don't start buying benches and putting them here, there, and everywhere without town's approval. Everybody has good intentions. make sure that it's done properly, accurately, and have to make sure that they're not blocking NADA accessible sidewalk or whatever. So, we want to make sure all that stays stays

137part of the uh stays part of course. So, the town of Ashland welcomes donations of benches and dedicated to individuals, families, and organizations. Donated benches provide a meaningful way to commemorate loved ones while enhancing public spaces for community use. To ensure consistency, safety, and proper installation, the following protocol must be followed. Once donated, the bench becomes the property of the town of Ashland. And you want me to continue? This is the initial request. The individuals and organizations wishing to donate and dedicated a bench must first contact the town manager's office to initiate the process. All requests are coordinated and processed by Diane Mortonson at the town manager's office. Her email is D. Mortonson mass.com. The town manager will review and requ uh the request and coordinate with the department of public works to evaluate the

138proposed location. All benches locations must be reviewed and approved by the town manager in coordination with the department of public works and see bench locations and there's a list of sites that are available. I don't know if you want >> No, I think we're good. I I do like the fact that um there's very specific bench locations that that people can choose from >> and I assume when they reach out to Diane, Diane will tell them where the available benches are, you know, like >> and then they will um pick a pick a place and pick a bench and >> um and then she'll she'll help coordinate the whole process. if there's two benches that people can choose from. There's an on street and an in park. Um so they match like our current so

139our on street are like the current ones you see downtown. Um so just to stay uniform um we've invested so much money into our downtown. Um that's the idea and then the impark. Okay. The only question that I have with respect to this because we promote local businesses, especially businesses in town, and the two approved bench vendors, one is in California and the other one's in Indiana. We can't find anyone any closer. They get >> benches. >> They get benches. Seriously, I just Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm nitpicking. I I don't know. I, you know, I would love to see we say shop ash line, you know, shop local and here we are not not doing that. >> Does this have anything to do with our procurement process and what bids came in? >> Those

140were the benches that were in the downtown project. >> Okay. >> Um, they were already >> those were the ones that had been procured and so we would just want to keep them. >> Okay. >> Got it. >> Matching. >> But is there anyone that has a similar bench or a same bench that's maybe maybe closer? I'm I'm just asking because I just >> I'd love to see local businesses get get the job. >> I mean, that's to me that's >> that's a no-brainer. >> Maybe we can amend it down the road >> if need be. >> Yeah. I mean, I I like the idea of keeping it consistent. >> Yeah. No, I don't disagree >> because like Beth said, we we have invested so much into our like downtown and we don't want like

141random rogue benches, you know, because that that doesn't help anybody. >> Yeah. And you know, some of these ventures might be made locally, too. I mean, >> yeah. >> But yeah, I mean, we can imagine >> because it looks like this, you know, the names of them seem sort of generic, right? Like maybe like maybe they are. I don't know. But in any case, if you found one that was made by a local vendor, it would probably be okay. Yeah. >> Looks good as hand. >> That That's the only thing I wanted to bring more than anything else. I just >> I'd rather buy it locally >> or from Massachusetts one way or the other. >> So, one of um Oh, wow. Luke. Yeah. Um the um the money that goes towards the installation, the

142$1,500 for for DPW installation. So, do they do like a concrete pad and they're install? They're It's not just like popping a bench. >> Correct. Yes. They have to pour the concrete pad to make sure it's ADA accessible. Um Yeah. It safe. Yes. Yep. And I did have Dan um sort of do a little research to see um you know what where it falls in line and as far as pricing goes. Um and that is the lowest end um cost like just to to have our staff Yes. to have the product and the staff time to do it. So, it does take time. >> Okay, >> sounds good. And will this we just talked about budgets and stuff. Will this go into a certain line item in DPW or is it like just part of

143their general budget? >> That is a very good question and I do not know. I I really it's on you right now to sort of decide if you'd like to in put this policy through and then we can certainly look into that. Yes, it would probably be into going. >> It's interesting. Some of the bench locations that they have listed here is the National Arboritum, >> Stone Park, Mil Pond Park, the dog park off of Memorial Drive, Marathon Park, Pleasant Street, housing for the elderly Park Road, uh Marathon Park on Pleasant Street, and uh downtown Green Square, 25 Front Street and Montenegro Square. So, I'm thinking that maybe that could be part of the the field group. >> The buildings and grounds. >> Yeah, buildings and grounds. Just just a thought off the top of

144my squash. >> Sure. >> Because there's not much left up there. >> Um any any further discussion? >> No, I think it's great. I think I think we should have a have a bench policy. >> So, >> do we need to take a vote on this? I think we do, but this is the first time this was brought up. So, we usually don't vote on a policy on the first night that unless we change that. I don't think I >> I don't know if that's >> So, I mean, it's not affecting anything right now. So, if you if you want to >> Yeah. Well, I mean, we can put Why don't we um Why don't we plan to to put the vote because we don't we didn't even we didn't put a vote on our

145agenda for tonight. >> So, we can do it on the 29th. >> So, let's let's put a vote >> for the 29th. >> Vote the policy on the 29th, >> but we're all in a >> Yeah. I don't think that I don't think that there's any need for any particular changes to it. So, >> Okay. >> So, thank you guys for for pulling this together. >> Great job. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. um discuss uh the select board scholarship policy and I know Claudia and I u over the past couple of years have done it. It's always a great venture to get it going. We need to actually start letting the schools know that we plan on doing it again. That's that's the desire select board to do it. >> Do we Oh, we do

146have somebody with Oh, there Luke is gone. Sorry. Luke left. I'm sorry, Luke. >> Well, you know, that's a good question because some of the some of the benches that have been done as eagle projects, I wonder if that that's something that we could probably maybe add into that bench policy if they follow if they follow the designs and dimensions of the approved ventures that we we want. That's a good point because the scouts do make those benches too, right? Or do they? Or have they in a while? When was the last time they did? >> I think there was one Eagle Scout that did a bench at Stone Park probably two or three years ago, >> Tommy King. >> And there was one last year they did picnic table. >> They did picnic tables.

147>> Yeah, picnic tables, right? There might have been one bench. >> Is Luke back? Luke, did you have a question? I'm sorry. I should have looked up, but I didn't. Unmute yourself, sir. >> Or raise your hand. >> Oh, raise your hand again. >> If you're still there, >> feel like sports talk radio. >> Just unmuted. Hey Luke. >> Or maybe not. >> Maybe not. >> I don't technical problems. >> Well, >> yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Well, we'll we'll vote on it on the 29th and maybe by that time look question can be email it to us or >> uh speak to any of us and we'd be happy to uh provide answers for you. if that works for you. Okay. Um getting back to the uh schol uh select for scholarship

148uh policy, we have um over the past couple of years. Uh it's been my pleasure and working with Claudia to work on getting uh solicitating applicants for the scholarship. We give out two $2,000 scholarships and and I know it affects Claudia and it affects me as well because every one of those kids is very deserving and you know you like to spread the wealth around to others as well. But um this is the current policy that we have. I don't know if you folks have ever read at all. Um I don't know if you want to make changes >> or entertain changes. >> I'm good with the policy as it stands. So, we we do two two scholarships, $2,000 each. >> Yes. >> Um I'm good with that. That comes out of our select board

149gift account. >> Yes. >> So, >> yep. And and that was uh that $2,000 went up uh LA went up last year from from >> school is expensive. >> So, and Claudia's voted unanimously. Um, so do we have to do we >> because we changed the we changed the amount. >> Okay. Do we I'm I mean I'm good moving forward with it. I don't know if we necessarily need to take a vote to have this to open up the scholarship >> any major changes, but we can we can open up. Usually we give them a month notice for applications and applicants over at the high school. So you want me to do that? they'd be happy to uh go talk to them and >> yeah, maybe Susan can help with that. >> Yeah. >> So,

150because it's it's all online. It's all it's all through through a portal there. So, >> um so I'm good with that. I would say we'll move forward with the scholarship through scholarships. >> And I would say if if um unless there's anybody else that wants to be involved in the the scholarship, if if Joe and Joe and Claudia want to um I'll I'll be there as a, you know, as a as a supporter. Somebody else wants to take over, that's >> that's fine. >> Well, it's good to have two people. >> Oh, no. I think it's best to have two people. >> Yeah. Fine by me. >> Good. >> I'm always good. So, so Makita and Claudia will be our subcommittee for the the scholarships for this year. >> Just remember the post meeting >>

151remember the post your meeting notes. >> All right. So, thank you both for offering to do that and uh >> we look forward to seeing what all the class of 2026 is uh is up to this year and >> June 5th graduation. Oh yes, it's Wednesday night or Thursday night. >> The Friday night. >> It's a Friday night. Sorry. Friday night. >> So you day is when they do the scholarships. >> Yeah, they do that in class during the day. Class >> app. >> It's going to be a good week. bring back some fond memories, wasn't it? >> It's been a year. It It's been a whole almost a whole year. So, yeah. >> Wow. >> Okay. >> Craziness. >> Well, great. Thank you folks. Uh update on 40B projects. >> That would be me.

152>> That would be you. >> Okay. >> Um so, as you know, 10 to 60 Main Street is before the Conservation Commission and they are um just slowly kind of going through. They're waiting on um some information uh from the applicant. So, they are plugging away at that. Um 61 Waverly did pa pass through conservation. Um so, that um that project is through our our boards and commissions. Um and then 55 West Union still continues um with the ZBA. Um they're working on some sewer questions right now. Um and they've extended their um application into um May now. So um so they have extended another two meetings I believe. Um so we'll see what happens at the next one. Um we're we're working on um we're I think we're waiting on one of their prayer

153reviews as well. So So those are plugging away. >> Thank you. wasn't hurt. Didn't hurt too much. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Uh liaison updates community preservation committee. >> That's me. >> That would be you. >> So the community community preservation committee. Um so just to explain a little bit to folks that they are uh members of other committees. Um not not every single member is. There are a couple of atlarge members, but there's a representative from the planning board, um, from the conservation commission. Um, so, so it's really an interesting group of people. Um, the other thing that I really liked about this committee is they actually have money to spend um, as opposed to almost anything else I do in town. And so that was really felt so good that night. Um, and uh, and

154you know, not only do they have money to spend, but they're on projects that are what I would say are important to the community. Um, and that have been really raised in um, during the whole um, the the the whole process that we just went through for the goals of the community and the f its future. So, currently um, you know, they have projects working on the town forest. They're working on um the dog park. They expect the ribbon cutting ceremony to be in early June. Um they better get cooking over there. Um they had some ideas about uh field design that maybe um looking at some place like the fields behind the middle school. looking at that instead of kind of doing things peacemeal that maybe um there could be money they money could

155be used to actually hire someone to do a concept you know conceptual um design for the the entire area. Um um you know we talked about the the church property over here um and then I'm let's see uh the rail trail. Um they asked you know what was going on with that from from me and you know basically I said well it's moving forward but um I know Yolander always talks about how long it took in Hollist and they actually have a rail bed. So um in any case the the other really important um item on their agenda that evening was that they are in search of a an additional member from the affordable housing committee. There's it's a vacancy. >> Is there Yeah. Is there somebody on the affordable housing that would like to

156be a member? >> I'll bring it up with uh Steve and and other members. >> Yeah. Because um you know there's we talked a little bit about our our um housing production plan and and the fact that it did suggest some different areas in town that could be used for affordable housing. although some of them weren't realistic and that that had been a bit of a problem but you know we needed to get that on the books um but they would certainly like to work with um someone >> okay >> on both behalf of affordable housing. So that was um so it was it was a very good meeting I um like I said it was it was interesting because there were people from all these other committees and they have little bring different perspectives

157to the table. It wasn't like they were they're all there for the same reason. They all have a little different um background. So that made it unusual. And like I said, the the big draw was having money in the bank. So >> nice. >> So I thank them. Um we sometimes it one of the nice things about our having liaison um being liaison to committees are that you do get an understanding. I know I've learned a lot about storm water um and its importance in the community and and now um you know attending the community preservation uh committee was was also it's great to hear all these committees and you know you look around the room you get in these and they're you know all volunteers and people that make the community what it is.

158So good stuff. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. and you had fun doing it. It's always fun. Uh, conservation commission. >> So, I I think I think Beth pretty much covered it with with her 40B updates. Um, and also I've just in full disclosure been a committee slacker. >> You've had some other pressing issues that you're dealing with. >> Yeah. So, I've been a bad liaison. I've been I've been a really bad liaison. Um, after May 19th, I'll I'll be a better liaison. I promise. I did want to just I know I'm jumping down a little bit, but to sustainability, I just wanted to let you know. So, um, there was supposed to be a warrant article on the skip the stuff >> stuff. >> Um, they missed the the date to like submit

159their their warrant article. So, that's going to be moved to fall town meeting. And um also just to put on your radar, I don't know exactly what this is going to look like, but um I've been contacted by excuse me, Rob Mullen and Chuck Litz are working on a project with sustainability um to do a solar canopy. They're looking to do it over at the MBTA station. So, I am um going to talk to them a little bit more, find out a little bit more information, and um you know, I'm I'm I'm thinking that maybe as a board we're going to need to kind of talk about it and see how we can help support that because that's because the MBTA lot, we don't have jurisdiction over that. So, we're going to need to partner

160up with our legislators >> and um >> have them help us navigate the MBTA system because that's it's a convoluted system. So, anyway, >> what was what's what's the um article that they're going to bring forward in the fall? >> Skip skip skip the stuff. So, this was um about you know local restaurants in Ashland with um takeout. So, you know, the default option tends to be if you're getting takeout from a restaurant, they throw in the utensils and the the napkins and the straws and all this stuff, >> the condiments >> and the condiments. And so, you end up with a lot of people like me end up with a drawer full of stuff at home that you don't ever really use, but you hate to throw away. So this is going to be

161um something that the default will be that you do not get those stuff >> unless you ask. Yeah. So I think it's clear to say as I read it, you know, before I think there are some questions that came up people are like, "Oh, they're not going to distribute it." No, I think the the proposal on the table was you'd have to they'd be you'd have to affirmatively ask for that and if you ask for it, you can get it, but you know, it's not going to be like automatic in the in the bag. >> So, and I think I think their their goal is to work with local restaurants and things. >> May actually save some some money for some of these these local vendors as well, you know. >> I know. I was

162disappointed that it wasn't making it here because >> Yeah. and trash and uh >> trash on the roadside because some people just >> it out. I mean all the way around. >> Yeah. So maybe if I would have been a better liaison would I don't think so. >> Slacker. I'm a slacker. >> Stop it. >> Oh, Luke has his hand raised. >> Luke, you have your hand raised twice. We'll just take one. unmute yourself if you would please and identify yourself for the for the other audience members that don't know who you are. >> Yep. Can you hear us, Luke? because we cannot hear what you're saying. >> So, I would say like if he's having if N's having technical problems, we can't get him online. I just to remind him that he can always

163reach out to us via email at any time to ask a question. Um, you know, we're all accessible, you know. Um, absolutely. So, if for some reason we can't get the technology to cooperate tonight. >> Yeah. I just saw it. It was like connecting the audio and then it it kind of died out. So, you might be having or they may be having some uh technical difficulties. Yeah. All righty. Um sorry, Luke, but we still have to continue. We have a little bit left to do. Um Council on Aging, that would be me. They're a great group of people to work with. I'll be affiliated with and um they were talking about a program that they have um it's called the Council on Aging Community Hero Award program and they were talking about how they

164were how they go about nominating an individual and there's a there's a whole list of things that need to be need to be done. And there were the biggest question was they want some notoriety about this and where and where should this be presented. So of course sitting there I said well I says you have a great venue coming up in September. Why not do it on national day where we give out all the other awards for citizens of the year and things of that nature. and Donna thought it was a and then they took a vote on it and they said, "Yeah, okay." So, this presentation will be done uh on Ashland Day u when we do all the other regular awards. So, they can go for it, which is great. Just pray there's

165no rain and we do have it. We do have a rain date this year. Okay, there's no dog can learn new tricks. I just I'll have to September 19th. Rain dates the 20th because I'm not going to reset up everything once it's done. That's it. Right. Yeah. So, um but they're a great group of people. They they're very active and um they can't wait to see uh all the work that's being done up there uh completed and how it's going to look. So far it's uh >> the deadline was June. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Um yeah, plans are going really quickly. Well, yeah, I think that's on the agenda for later. I won't >> you'll talk about it later. >> So, which is cool. Uh >> and and that's basically all I have. Uh there's

166another meeting coming up. Um Don forgot to email me, but I don't know when the date is, but she'll send it off to me. I talked to her yesterday breakfast yesterday. So, um the cultural council no >> so this it's may a culpa time again um cultural council although I will say that I saw members of the cultural council at the volunteer breakfast where I also apologize profusely about not being able to be consistent about making their meetings. Um I do intend to to get the next one. There just have been some conflicts. Um but um and I'm very excited to be able to provide updates once I do. Um I don't see the historical commission listed. No, we had a meeting. They had a meeting. They had a meeting last night, but I don't

167know if I do that during board reports because it's not listed on the list or well, however you want to do it, but I just wanted to throw it out there. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh roadway traffic study committee. uh we didn't meet on our scheduled date. Um there was some scheduling issues. So we're meeting actually tomorrow. So on the 29th I will provide a an update as to what's going on, some of the issues that the town is facing and some of the projects that are looming on our roadways. So the next is uh storm water committee, but I think we pretty well discussed that that we need haven't met. Okay. Okay. Okay. Sustainability committee. We now covered, right? Uh town forest committee there. Yolanda. She's away trail. That's Yolanda. And the zoning board

168of appeals. Oh, >> I am not going to. No, you're not. Okay, consent agenda. One quick thing before we do on the consent agenda. Um, letter I, it says, "Approve the request from Tim Richmond, a race director for max performance to hold two marathons, one in May, May 17th, and the other in September 13th. The event will be coordinated with the department of public works, uh, fire department and the police department every year when they do this when they do this event." So, can I make a can I make a a a suggestion? Why don't we approve the con why don't we pull item I out of the agenda >> and then approve the consent agenda without item I and then we can talk about it. >> Okay, >> that's that's a great idea. Thank

169you. >> So, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda um minus item number I. >> All those in favor? >> I second. Okay. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I So that's four zero one absent. Okay. The only problem that I have with this is that every year when they they do these two races, the participants think it's a closed road access and they're three and four a breast driving down Cable Road running or riding their bus and someone's going to get hurt because people that are driving road or coming up street, they don't want to wait. Unfortunately, they don't want to do, but they're for a breast. They need to contain and we we tell them all the time and they said, "Yeah, we'll we'll make sure they do it."

170Well, they don't do it. And I I just foresee an an accident happening. And I don't want that to ever happen. So, I just would like to make sure that sponsors really press it upon the participants, you know, to a breast at best. at best. >> I mean I if there's a concern about the participants and you know their road usage would is something that we'd propose to the organizers to increase I because I went through some of it like to increase or change the distribution of their volunteers so that the participants are directed in a way that in a safer manner. I mean, I'm I'm just trying to figure out like what what's our specific ask of the of the organizers here. >> Oh, this again, it's not a closed track, >> right, >>

171at the marathon. And some of these folks think that they have the the right away. You know, it's it's the roads are open, >> right? >> And you're going down Cable, then you're coming down that that's a major roadway. Oak Street, all that traffic is coming down there. >> Just hate like hell to see somebody get That's right. >> That's that's my main concern. I >> They come down Whitmore on the bikes and it's incredible. I'm sure must hear their brakes scr when they get to the very bottom and they can make that sharp turn, right? But >> they they fly and that's okay. I know it's a race >> indeed. >> So So question question. Um it says police detail in Ashlin. Max always arranges details in advance of the following locations. one Cville

172and High Street there's two officers, >> right? >> And and how in Indian Brook there's one officer. >> Um do we want to either give them feedback as to placement? Do we want to like >> like Yeah, exactly. for for either the the public safety folks who are involved and or the volunteers who are involved. like do we want to give specific um you know or or address specific concerns in specific areas so that there's there are people there insure in directing >> to make sure that folks don't >> I can bring this up tomorrow public safety roadway traffic safety committee because there will be representatives That's because I'm losing my voice. >> So, which is probably everybody's happy. >> I would think that if there needs to be something different that the police would

173make recommendations, right? >> Well, >> I mean, they've been doing it for years. >> I've been saying this for the last couple of years and I haven't seen >> Well, what does the police What do the police say? >> We've got it under control. I mean, the two places are there. But there hasn't been any >> I mean it's well marked. There's all >> Oh no, it's well marked and it absolutely is well marked and again >> the residents in town know this is happening. They they get in it's the out of towners that don't know >> you know and and they see this happening and you know >> I I just worry that God forbid something could happen. I don't want to see it happen. That's so political with that. So, why don't I

174make a why don't I make a suggestion? Why don't we approve this with um >> with the with the recommendation that that we consult Ashlin police for >> for guidance as to where the officers should be um should be should be placed and um if it's sufficient public safety presence there with the three officers. Does that sound about right? They have a bike, you know, they have bike officers, you know, motorcycle officers. Maybe one of those motorcycle officers can keep patrolling quotable road during the race. So that way keep people out, you know, two a breast instead of four a breast. That's something I can see. >> I mean, they're coming out of out of South Brook, too. They're coming they're coming down Southville Road on Cville. So >> right >> there must be some

175police involvement in in Southboro as well. >> Absolutely. >> I would I would assume right at the lights at Portville and >> Southville Road. >> Okay. >> So but I think we could approve it but then just you know maybe there's a discussion that happens internally here in Ashland as to like what the what the best >> that's fine by processes. I just want to make sure that we >> So, I'll make a motion to approve the request from Tim Richmond, race director for Max Performance, to hold two triathlons. One on May 17, 2026, and the other on September 13, 2026. This event will be coordinated with the Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and the police department. >> There a second. >> Second. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I That's 401 absent.

176Okay. All right. So very good managers report community center improvement project. >> Who would like to talk about this? >> Me. I'm so excited to talk about this. >> I know you are. >> I I I can't believe it's real. So I actually went there on Monday. Maybe Monday. I don't know. This week's gone by really fast. So uh Monday I went there. The framing is done. Sheetrock is up. They're working on electrical. It actually looks like a little wing for prevention and human services and the food pantry is there. It's coming along really quickly and it looks fantastic. Um and then I don't know if Beth wants to talk about um Wreck. I do know Clean Slate was there. Um they're the organizers to do their sort of last goround there with with Wreck.

177So did you want to talk about that? >> Oh, okay. I mean, if you get a chance to go and look in that space, it is uh very organized. Um clear bins. You can see in every bin. Every bin is labeled. It's fantastic. I wish um they would come to my house. So, >> spoken like a true mom. I do have to say they are inventorying everything that we own so that when um the summer program starts um and the counselors are in there, they're going to be able to know exactly what bins they need to go to to get what supplies they need to work with the children and then bring them back. Um I also um would add on that we have a great art room now that's um that's great and it

178will be open for um different art programs I'm hoping u moving forward of all ages. >> Nice. >> Very nice. Yeah, it's great. >> Maximized. >> So when when it when it's safe to go there, can we get a preview? >> Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah. Little little tour. >> Love a tour. >> It's really exciting. >> Yeah, it's we are so excited about this project as you can tell. >> So is So that's the best part, right? They feel >> Yeah. >> So they'll have their own space. Everybody will have their own space. That's right. So yay for that. All right. Warren Bond project. >> So that is also very exciting as you can see. So if you've driven by, please do. It's really fun to see it going um going up. So the

179framing is um that will be completed I believe this week. Um and then they are going to be closing up the building um again I believe this week or into next. Um and then they're working on plumbing, electrical. They're going to do the tie-ins for the water and sewer. Um, so the next three weeks are going to be crucial for that. You'll you'll start to see it really kind of buttoned up. Um, all those mountains of dirt will be removed and and backfilled. So, um, they're really cranking. They really want a a June opening. So, um, it's exciting. Yeah, we've got some major projects at ending, which is exciting for the town. >> That's one of them. >> Was is the Y supposed to break ground in the fall or in June? I >> No,

180I think in the fall. Yeah, the Y did go through um with planning the other night. So, Yep. It's all They're through the process. >> Yep. Yep. Their appeal process has started and they should be good to go in the fall. >> Good. >> That's their goal. >> All right. >> Are we good reports? >> You know, it would it would be fun to hear a little bit about what because I know that's in stages. um and what this first uh round of building and that is going to be at the Y. It would be fun to hear that at one of our meetings, right? >> Yeah. The Peter and Rick would love to come and tell you about it. It's the educational building. Um that will be first, >> right? Preschool. And >> so

181I I know we had that sort of a conversation a while ago, but it would be nice to now that it's really going to be happening. >> Yeah. >> It would be nice to >> You kidding? They would love to talk. They love talking about it any chance they can. So >> they're ecstatic. Almost as ecstatic as >> board reports. Folks, you're up. >> I love Thank you. Well, uh, the one committee meeting that I did attend, the historical commission, they actually met last night. They have been extremely busy with a number of things around the V village burial ground, uh, historical district, um, a few other items. I I think they are going to try to get on our agenda on our next one, uh, because they've got a a homeowner preservation certificate uh,

182situation that they'd like to uh, uh, present to folks to to a particular uh, individual as an award. So, more on that later. I'm not going to steal their thunder, but uh they are very excited about encouraging folks and homeowners to preserve uh these structures around Ashland. I think it's great. Um there are a couple of questions that they had uh that um a couple procedural questions around uh legal questions that they had and and what services they could avail. So, I'll be following up on that for them. Um, and I do believe it's time sensitive, so I'll be following up on that item. Um, the Okay, outside of a historical commission, let's see. I I attended the school committee uh budget hearing uh a little while ago, I also uh so I did that.

183Um, I had the opportunity to go up to Ashlin High School, thank you so much for having me, to talk to students about career day, about the other thing that I do when I'm not here, which is all about technology and all that good stuff. So, and uh business and business analysis. So, had a a few few young people who who uh was delightful to have some questions and answers from them. Uh, so thanks again to the counseling department at Ashlin High School. They do such a great job. um had a chance to take in the celebration of horror actually at the library this weekend. I did miss Joe Hill but I missed the book signing but and and the talk but I did buy the book. Uh but there were panels uh it was

184just an incredible incredible community event uh that we were able to attract so many uh big names in the genre regionally and otherwise uh and people from all over uh attended uh this happening. So hats off to our friends at the library, the staff at the library mean just an incredible community event. uh was glad I could catch some of that. And um uh I also had a chance to catch some of the uh Ashlin Community Theat's production of the Caterpillar Story Hour. It's kind of a take on the moth with some skits and such. You know, folks, it's it's really it's really awesome that we're in a community where we can take advantage of arts and cultural events. We've got so many talented folks here uh in working for the town and otherwise community

185organizers and community events. uh you don't need to take I mean you can take the train into Boston and that's fine but there's plenty of incredible dining and entertainment right in our backyard. So I encourage everybody to take advantage of that. Oh, and the volunteer breakfast was lovely and thank you to all the volunteers in Ashlin that make it possible to do what we do. >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. Thank you, Makita. >> All right. Well, I did update the committee about um my visit to the comm community preservation committee. Um, and I also attended at the school committee uh budget hearing with Makita. Um, upcoming this weekend, we have the uh breakfast for our our runners um at TJ's Saturday morning. So, I'm looking forward to that. When you mentioned about

186the cemetery, too, I was unable to attend, but I know that the historical um >> Wildwood >> Yeah, they did a w history presentation. Did you go to that? >> I did not. >> Yeah. on Wildwood Cemetery. Um >> I couldn't do it >> and some of uh so uh that was this past weekend and I I was wishing they recorded it or something because I bet you it was pretty interesting, right? >> Um and uh that's it. I've been busy going to some of our um you know our middle and high school athletic events. Um I've seen a lot of wins. So it's been been very very fun. So that's it for me. There's something else coming up because I had it and I said, "Oh, you'll remember to say it." And >> oh,

187here's something else. Uh, we need to talk about summer office hours at the farmers market. I think there are some groups that are already already well, they've already started scheduling and booking them. So, we got to I think we've got to talk and see if we want to do that or whatever. I I know I've been sort of like the default office hours person, but I'm happy to share that load with anyone else that wants to wants to help with that. Um, >> Miss Kinsman, uh, for the record, Miss Kinson has told Miss Keegan that if she wants to do office hours, she should reach out to the farmers market and schedule them herself. I didn't really >> Oh my >> well you know >> okay >> so >> I can do that if you

188want me to reach out to the farmers market I'm happy to >> I I'm happy to give you put you in touch with the right people >> I am here to help. Thank you. Yeah, >> thank you. No, I appreciate that. >> I appreciate that because my brain is is is uh is a little fried these days. So, um so I just wanted to say thank you to everybody. It's been a while since we've had a meeting. Um who attended our our um FY27 budget and override public forum. Um thank you to Michael and to uh Jim Adams who did great presentations. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions in advance. We had 19 people that submitted questions in advance and a lot of people attended the meeting. So, we had a room full of

189people here. We had 70 people on Zoom. The meeting was recorded and um has been watched quite a bit on WACA. So, thank you to to Wacka for for um helping with that. and just um you know a lot a lot a lot of preparation went into that with a lot of people. So I just wanted to thank everyone that has been involved with with the budget and the override discussions. Um it's it you know it's hard to believe that in less than five weeks is is the ballot vote. So, um it's it's been a um it's been a very good discussion I think we've had in general with the public. So, um and that public forum was was really great. So, >> and and the town website has a page now that's dedicated to

190information about property tax proposition 2 and a half um and has questions and answers from that evening. Um and good information. um a a tax calculator for folks to be able to determine what um the impact of uh the >> override would be on their um property tax bill. >> Yeah, the t the town website is actually really great. Um and you can access it for people who are looking to access it. Just go to go to the main ashleymask.com website, go under news, and it's like the first item as sort of like under the news flash. So, um, so thank you to that. Um, just wanted to give a big shout out. This last weekend I was at the LClusion 5K, um, which was an awesome event. Um, congrats to um to Jamie and

191Stephen Marx and everybody involved in Linlusion um to help raise money to send um uh special needs kids to be able to go to summer camp at um Ashlin Rack. And it's just it's such a great program. Um it allows kids to have onetoone um helpers join them at camp. And I know Kelly Rund is um a big big supporter of of that and has helped them really um get that up and going. So um congratulations to L inclusion. They had over 700 people show up on Sunday. Um was awesome. In fact, like I was talking to a large and it's just funny because it's like people from all over, but there's so the the the Ashlin community like came out for these folks. Like there was a group of probably 20 25 educators um

192and staff from Mendes and and and Warren School and it was just awesome. um whole teams came out like kids teams whether it was like field hockey or um lacrosse I think I saw soccer kids like it was it's just a really great community event so um so and they had the most perfect day for it so I hope they raised a gazillion dollars um so um also just a couple things so Today, um I joined Beth and Katherine for um Michael's uh town manager coffee hour at the senior center. Um which was an was a good experience. So we had about like 10 seniors give or take and they asked some really tough questions and um so but it was a good it was a good discussion. Like, you know, it's it's it's funny

193because, you know, we think that we do a really good job of communication and things like that. And it just made me realize like how much how important it is to to do a lot of outreach to the seniors who really don't utilize the same kind of communication channels that all of us generally assume that everybody does. So, um, so you know, so I'm I'm Thank you for for the two of you for letting me tag along this morning. So, it was good. >> Um, also, um, I know I I was talking about office hours. We >> do. We have to move to go past 10 o'clock because it's 10 o'clock. >> Oh my god. >> Sure. Motion to go past 10. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I zero. Okay, we're almost

194done. Um, so we generally go to we go we do office hours um the first Saturday in in at the month um to coincide with the library book sale. That's what we've been doing the last couple months. Um I would say that I think it's going to be really tough for us to do the May the May one unless >> um Yeah. No, it's it's not even May 5th. It's like May 2nd, I think, because there's so much else going on in the town that day. So, it's greenup day. >> It's a Saturday. >> It's the Renf Fair day. >> It's there's a And there's something else going on, too. Is it opening day for Corner Squad? >> No, no, there's I think it's the AYBs parade day. >> It's um the Renf Fair and

195Greenup. So, there's a lot going on. >> Yeah, there's a lot. >> So, >> I'm thinking we probably like unless I'm not sure how much traffic we're going to get inside the library, but so I just wanted to throw that out there. >> I think that's a good point. I mean, you know, just two of those events I know that I'm going to be at like >> off the hand. So, I mean, I'm sure a lot of folks are going to be really busy busy that day doing stuff. >> How did that all get scheduled at the same time? That's I mean, it's not a bad thing. It's just >> I think Greenup always does the first Saturday >> and then um the Renf Fair I think this is their second year and they coincided

196with Greenup last year so I >> didn't work out. >> Yeah. So, >> so I mean I think people go to Greenup to get their stuff early and then they'll mosey on over to to the Renfair and hopefully it's a really gorgeous day and and you know and >> fingers crossed >> we'll we'll catch all the kiddos going to Grenell. >> Yeah, they didn't >> didn't have >> they ended up they ended up starting at just walked that little area down to the back. Yeah, that's that's not >> No, it's not the parade that we we're used to seeing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, um and then one other thing I just wanted to just um throw out there that's coming up, Earth Day, um which is going to be held um on April 26th

197at the Corner Spot. Um, so that's being organized by um, Becca Solomon, our conservation uh, agent, and Sam Riley, our sustainability coordinator. And they've got a whole mess of things like a whole like I got a map. So, um, I'm I'm excited. I'm excited to to be there at Corner Spot. And that's like our first that's the first real event for the season. So, um, so that's the 26th on Saturday. >> I'm not kidding. >> Either am I. >> All right. And that's all for me. >> Thank you. >> Had a busy time, >> which is fine. Um, a lot of the things you folks have already said, um, I will skip over. Um, but I had the opportunity to meet a group of gentlemen up at the uh community center. Uh, they call themselves

198the dull dull l men's club. Uh, the average age is 75. And uh, boy, I'll tell you, they're not dull in any way, shape, and form. They asked a lot of great questions. They asked a lot about the override and their concerns about everything and anything that came to the override. One thing I did find surprising was that they all were supportive. They all were supportive because they had grandchildren of their own that go to the schools and you know they lived here in Ashland for a number of years. Their children went to school here. They got great educations and they want to make sure that this tradition continues and there wasn't one that didn't say you know I I just I just can't do it. They were very supportive of it. So if that's

199any indication that that's a good thing all from different various parts of town and whatever and economic standards. So I was I was very pleased with that and we had we had a very nice discussion very lively discussion as a matter of fact on some other matters. uh they were concerned about the 40bs. Uh they wanted to make sure that maybe the legislature can change. I said that's never going to happen because that's it affects the inner cities more than anybody else. Um and then um yesterday we had the pleasure of having a a lunchon for the volunteers of the community center and food pantry over there and they were phenomenal. It was absolutely one of the best meals I've had in quite some time. And it's part of their culinary uh arts program. And

200it's all done by the children, all the students there. And and the two chefs, one of them being Antonio Marice, homeboy. And u boy, they they put on a great great great food. It was it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. And they had the opportunity. That's what I had that were happening or weren't going to happen. Um, and with that, um, that's it. Oh, we already mentioned the BAA. One quick thing about the BAA marathon lunchon breakfast, I should say, this Saturday. These are the runners that run for our BAA funds. And a lot of people may not know that. So, we support them as they support us over over the years. So a lot of the programs that new folks apply for a grant, these are this is

201their sweat and blood that provide their their money. So I just want to make sure and give them kudos and congratulations for their efforts because without them we don't we don't have these programs. So with that I would be happy to support a a motion to adjurnn. There a second. >> I'll second. >> Go ahead. >> All those in favor? >> I. That's 401 absent. And u I hope Yander and Rich are having a great time. >> Yeah. So we are meeting we are meeting on the 29th which isn't our usual meeting date because usually we're first and third Wednesdays. >> Um but because of the holiday on the 1 of April we we're we're going to have a a meeting on the fifth Wednesday. So before town meeting. So >> so that that'll be

202good. So we can get a lot of the uh stuff done. Okay. Thank you. Good night.