Select Board (March 18th, 2026)

001Good evening. I call the March 18th, 2026 select board meeting to order at 7:01. 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 this disruption, broadcasting will continue on WACA TV and live streamed on YouTube. Tonight, anyone in attendance that's in person is asked currently to acknowledge that they are recording tonight's meeting. So, if anybody's recording tonight's meeting on the wrong, did I see a hand raised? just so we know. Thank you. Okay. Uh let's proceed with tonight's agenda. Before we start, I I need to read this because it's it's it's kind of important because sometimes

002we forget the most important things in in our lives. In USA Today, the US Central Command reported that 200 American service members have been injured in the ongoing Iranian conflict with 10 seriously wounded and more than 180 already back on duty. While the US death toll has risen to 13 after the KC 135 crash of the and the Iranian attacks on bases. At this time, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence and respect for those families who lost loved ones and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you. God bless America. Okay. Uh at this time, uh I'd ask if anybody's in the audience would like to uh are in the audience. I see a hand raised already. um citizens participation. Um I ask that you folks if you have

003want to come up to the podium or that are on screen, keep your comments and questions uh kind of shot because we have a full agenda tonight and I'd like to get home by 3:00 a.m. if possible. Yeah. Yeah. Mr. Done, good evening. >> Good evening, Dr. only 19 Main Street and um like to thank you for starting it off about about the Iranian conflict which it's like Vietnam and illegal entry but I'm not going to blame anybody but the president. Okay, my my question is about housing. I want to know under what class is the Ashland house 119 Main Street. What is that classified as? >> In in what way, Mark? As as to affordable housing or residential, I I'm not quite sure what you are looking for. Of course, um it was brought

004up in the last select in the select board meeting that um it was it was like a it was like affordable housing and age related and stuff like that. It was talked on next to the Ashlin Housing Authority. >> I believe we discussed >> What is the Ashlin Housing Authority class? >> I believe we discussed that it could be losing its um affordable >> Yeah. Yeah, in a few years. >> In a couple of years. Not Not right now, but >> not right now. But the Ashlin that But that building could be losing its affordable stuff in the future. So, we were going to in the future talk about how we can keep that >> how we can keep that up, right? Does that answer your question, Mark? >> That answers that question. and um

005and about the um the town itself. And I I went to the I and I zoomed in on the uh conservation meeting this past uh Monday. and they had the mill building on the agenda and I'm just hoping that the town don't lose their grip of what conservation can do and have the departments along with DB D and um plus storm water and grounds and all that stuff keep a good grip and be really tough on the the developer and the uh owner of the building to make sure that they stay at they stay a drift with what they have to do, not what they want to do. Thank you. Done. >> Thank you, Mark. Appreciate your comments. Uh I believe uh there's another hand raised. Is that Sue? Sue Thorne. >> Yeah. >> Hi.

006Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes, I can. >> Okay, great. Uh this yes it's Susan Thorne and Tony Quattro on 181 Cross Street. Thank you for just a moment of your time this evening. Um we know how busy you all are. We just wanted to thank the board, the board chair and our town manager for keeping the zero cross street and Franklin Road solar permit topic in front of Hopkin officials. Chairman Yanni, thank you for your recent update and we do look forward to updates soon regarding the meeting between both town managers uh last week and then would also like to understand if both town councils are now actively engaged. >> Thank you again. >> You're welcome, Sue. And thank you thank you for your for all your efforts as well regarding that. And

007this is a piece of property for folks who are not aware of it that um was part of um the Liberty Mutual headquarters in Hopington off of Franklin Road. And uh about four years ago uh the land was uh taken over by uh by Hington with respect to subdividing it into uh another property. But in the original planning board decision and discussions that were made, uh the parcel of land that's in Ashland was also deemed to be uh open space. And for some reason when the transaction took place, that particular parcel of the land, even though it's deemed open space, uh was not. So now there's legalities as who has the responsibility of keeping that uh as an open space even though Harpington had made a decision uh four years ago and it's it's ongoing

008uh but hopefully we'll come to some resolution uh within the next month or so >> just that's not aware of it. >> Okay, >> that that was a quick readers digest version we but because of time restraints we'll we'll just keep it at that. Okay, Sue, thank you. Alrighty. Um, almost 7:10. I think we because I think all parties are here that are going to speak. Uh, it's our pleasure this evening to uh welcome Senate President Karen Spilker here this evening and uh on Zoom uh Representative Jack Lewis. Uh there are legislative representatives and they're here this evening to give us updates and uh answer some of the questions that we may have concerning uh the budget crisises that we're all facing all 361 cities and towns as as this state is dealing with all

009these issues. Um, ladies first, Jack. Sorry, Senate President Cameron Spela. Good evening. >> Okay, thank you. Much better. Thank you. Unless you don't want to hear, but uh thank you for inviting us both. Uh, I will seed to Rep. Lewis if he needs to leave to go for a vote and come back and forth. Just to let you know, it's a little bit uh extraordinary. Uh, normally uh there he's here to be able to present, but I'm glad he's able to be here, but they are still voting and and debating a bill uh in the House. So, I want to thank you you for inviting us. Um and uh want to recognize the the members uh who are who are here. Definitely uh Brandy Kinsman, Claudia Bennett, Makita Keegan, and Yolanda Greavves. Thank you so

010much for inviting us. Town manager Katherine, this is it's always an important uh day to come here and it's sort of a harbinger of spring for me to be doing th this. So, uh, hopefully it means the weather, the cold weather is beyond, uh, us now and and it'll get warmer. So, thank you. I want to off also acknowledge, uh, school committee chair Tosti and the other members of the school committee that are here and other other uh, folks from the town, the chief as well. Um, it's great to see everybody here. Uh I I do want to acknowledge and thank uh my great partner and friend at the state house in getting things done for Ashland and Metro West and beyond, Jack Lewis. Uh he uh is really a terrific partner. We work very

011closely to make sure things happen for Ashland and communicate regularly. So uh it's great to be working with him and have such a positive relationship within him. And thank you to everybody that's here for devoting your time and energy to our town uh our great town and community of Ashland. Uh I'll I'll go right to the budget and talk about uh what we can expect or think we can expect. Um because I have to start by saying uh the Trump administration's cuts to services and programs have had and will continue to have I'd say a significant but the word devastating I think is more appropriate devastating impact on Massachusetts. We are nearing 4 billion with a B4 billion dollar in real financial impacts to Massachusetts from health care subsidies to potentially 350,000 Mass residents losing

012their health care uh which we know the costs will fall on the state if the federal government abandons us with that to the SNAP program cuts to K to2 education tens of millions of dollars public higher ed. We all hear about what's happening with that and the cuts to that and PEL eligibility grants to our students making it harder for our our kids and and people to be going to higher ed if they want to do that which will have a long-term impact on our whole state, our economic activity, uh our quality of life and clearly uh people moving into the middle class and and rising raising themselves. So, so we are being incredibly cautious with taxpayer money even though the yearto-date revenues for this year that started in July are ahead of last year's

013collections uh by a little bit about $600 million. Um if it was just our budget, our state revenue that we had to count on, we would be doing okay. I wouldn't be this cautious because we're doing okay and I I believe that at this point I'm hoping we do not hit a recession with what's happening. But as you mentioned the war in Iran that's eating up I mean billions and billions of dollars with that and the impact that it's having uh in addition to the fatalities of our Americans uh is also having an impact. You see it we see it every single day. um for the current year, you know, I'll I'll skip. So, we'll we'll have to see. Uh we'll we'll see what happens with the budget. We are continuing to hear uh the

014cuts. As you know, you hear this too. One day there are massive cuts to certain areas, the next day it changes. They go away um or they double it. It's hard to know but we are counting and looking at the state revenue uh but trying to plan for certain changes and deficits in case uh the federal cuts if all of them come to be uh we we will uh have a very tough year. So uh with that you know I just want to remind the for the current year for chapter 70 uh Ashland's chapter 70 K to2 funding was increased by over 50% since 50 since fiscal year 2020. Uh I know many of you remember the years when uh many years decades uh when we were really shafted by the chapter 70 funding formula

015and I know Claudia and I worked hard uh along with Harry Henchi and others in the town to make the changes and I'm really proud that when I became Senate President uh the first major bill that I helped to push through was the total reform of chapter 70. I do want to say though that I acknowledge that cities and towns are hurting as well. Now, chapter 70, I believe, needs to be reformed again. The Senate tried last year to get a new commission going and get something going to look at it. It's a it has to be a flexible formula. When we reformed it in in 2018, 2019, we did put in to review it every 10 years. So, we're almost there, but I think we need to start now, not waiting for for the

016full 10 years. So, I'm hoping that we're able to do it. And I look forward to working with all of you and the superintendent and the school committee on ideas that we can do to help protect Ashland and towns like Ashland. Um uh in addition to that um a ash Ashland's unrestricted local aid was increased by almost 20% since fiscal year 2020. Uh and the governor included and we will take a look at it uh for this current current year. I'm also proud to say that Ashland's chapter 90, the money for roads and bridges, the state roads, has doubled since fiscal year 2020, knowing that that is a real priority for Ashlin, our roads, our bridges, our sidewalks, our mobility, uh, and Ashland has done such a terrific job in downtown renovation and making it

017easier for people to to get around. The governor's chapter 90 bill had a hearing several weeks ago and we will look forward to working with the house and delivering the funds for the roads and bridges hopefully in the near future. It would be good to do it before construction season starts to be able to let Ashland and other communities uh get get going. Um, as I mentioned, uh, we're very aware of the local funding related to schools and what's what's happening, um, and our town's finances, uh, broadly, and I am following them closely and working closely with the administration. So, I know how important this topic is. Um, and it's something that is impacting every community, I believe, uh, mo almost every community. And uh we will continue, as I said, Jack and I, to

018work with you and try to to do what we can, but as the process goes, if there are specific needs that the town has, that the schools have, please let us know. Sometimes there are opportunities as bills come through the the House, come through the Senate, where we can put in uh local priorities, local funding to help rough out some of the tight spots or or help out. So, uh, please feel free to let us know as as you do, and I really and we really appreciate that. Um, for for, uh, local priorities, uh, the budget this year was tight, but, um, I'm I'm proud to to secure $500,000 for downtown improvements. Uh, that has helped. uh it's done a great job with the improvements for for downtown Ashland, both uh the way it looks

019and the way cars and people can move. So, thank you for all of that and uh we'll continue to do what we can to to help out. Um, in addition, I have been able to secure nearly $8 million over the last three years for downtown improvements. Uh, knowing that it is a priority for the board, priority for the residents, and working with with Rep. Lewis, we've been able to get that done. I'm excited that the utilities are scheduled to go underground this month. It's going to be a real breath of fresh air for our downtown. Uh the other thing that I want to acknowledge $700,000 for me mental health services for the my Senate district which Ashland took advantage and and received went after $100,000 which is definitely uh helping our Ashland kids and we

020know that that is a big issue uh and need to keep an eye on whatever we can for our kids social and emotional uh learning our kids mental health. Uh still, I believe, not fully recovered from COVID. Uh our children, our schools, our staff, ev everybody. Um but I'm I'm looking forward to trying to do that again. Um and was able to get 400,000 for municipal EV charging stations in my district. So, that's another thing. We want to promote uh green climate and uh promote uh electric vehicles. the federal government has stopped all of their credits for for EVs. Uh but people still have them and we want them to continue. So, uh we need charging stations and we know that that's an expense for our cities and towns. Um, I would not be I

021would be remiss if I did not mention the many Ashland residents who reach out to me to help them to ma navigate and mitigate state services and to express their their views on a very wide range of topics. Um, I so appreciate that it helps me when we are doing bills developing policy. But I I can say before I was a state legislator, I never thought about calling my legislator for help when I was a rep or now a senator. And I know Jack Lewis feels the same way. So much of our work, so much of our job is reaching out and helping constituents who call our office for help. We can sometimes be a lifeline to cut through some of the state bureaucracy. If people are having trouble with unemployment claims or claims with

022their children, their parents or you know what, whatever it may be, we may not be able to resolve every single issue, but we can first of all listen and try to say, you know, refer them to a state agency and make that connection. If it's federal, we can then refer it to Congressman McGovern or on the federal agency level. If it's local, we try to refer it back to to you for you to deal with it as well. So, uh my my district received um we've been able to to help over 4,000 uh district residents uh since the the year year bea began. and we take great pride in providing service and encourage and I continue to re encourage residents to reach out. With that, I do want to mention um I have here two

023district people, Dennis Jim Betti from uh Framingham and Joe Russo who recently joined my district team. Um I also have Jess uh De Benedictus who's from Ashland. Um I have uh Mina who came from Hopkinon, Susan Nickel who is the director o of everybody and helps lead lead the whole group. Um so we're here to help and please feel free because uh it's really important that if we can help that we provide and I'm speaking for Jack Lewis as well, Representative Lewis. Um just a a a couple of other things I want to mention is um I want to take a moment to uh share and to acknowledge how excited I am for uh the team Hoy YMCA coming to Ashland. Uh what a fabulous opportunity for our residents. Uh we at times have been

024members of the Framingham why my kids went to the Hopkin Y for camp. uh they provide such amazing, incredible and supportive services for residents of all ages and getting that here has truly been a team effort. I want to commend the town manager, the board uh for the hard work in in getting it to come here. Um what a what a wonderful I really believe it's a wonderful thing. Uh and I I'm looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. I'm proud uh to have been able to get $850,000 uh from the state for this project and I know that there's a ways to still go for for it. Uh you know the Y really provides so many services for both mental health physical health of the residents from uh and helps families help connect families

025individuals. So, uh, I'm hoping that, uh, when it does come here that people take advantage of it being as part of our our neighborhood and part of our community. I want to applaud you for doubling down on investments in the department of prevention and human services. Uh, this this investment in substance use prevention and mental health promotion is lifechanging as you know for so many community residents. So, uh, I just want to take a moment, uh, to to mention some of the priorities that we're working on in the Senate. And, um, I think I just closed out the Zoom, uh, screen, but sorry, I won't touch it again. Uh, we are laser focused in the Senate on affordability. Uh, last session, we passed the largest, uh, tax cut in a generation. many areas uh helping

026families with dependent children uh disabled uh residents taking being taken care of. We increased the senior circuit breaker. We doubled it from 1,200 to 2400 for the seniors. So this is especially important for seniors that might be listening to this with tax season approaching. They they they can uh obtain it whether they own or or rent. And it's something that people should take advantage of. And this is paid by the state. It's not by the the town. So it it helps the town and it keeps our seniors uh living here and increasing our our richness and diversity. Um we uh I know that PAS and public water is a challenge here as well. um and for actually across the whole Commonwealth unfortunately and this is a very active topic. I do want to mention the

027public health the joint public health committee is looking at this topic now there's been several studies and we're looking at input from people across the state who are experts as to what we can do as to state to help our communities and our residents. Uh more broadly, we are focused on bringing down costs for fam families and fighting actually the federal uh cuts and what what they are doing. Um we are not only looking at uh uh taxes and and making uh Ashland and other communities more affordable, but looking at energy. The House just recently passed an energy bill. It's coming to the Senate. We will look at that as well. We uh when I was sworn in in January, I asked the Senate chair of the housing committee to come up with housing policy.

028Last session, we did a $5.1 billion housing bond bill, which has some great provisions to build more housing units across the state at all levels to help affordable, to help our working families, to help market rate. Um but as you know it takes a while for for housing to be built. So what I asked the Senate chair Julian Seir to go around the state talk to people what are the barriers what can we look at what are there similarities are there differences in different areas what can we do to make so that housing units can be built now and not have to wait three four five years. We need some change. We need some increase in that now. And and that is one of the the biggest things we're we're working on. We made brokers

029fees that it's paid by the person who hires the broker, not uh the the tenant all the time. That lowers the cost as well. And we're looking at at other ways uh to make things more affordable. Uh the other thing that I'm proud of that we did is is we we are um we banned in the se in September the Senate passed a bill to ban cell phones in schools from bell to bell. I have to say I've t sp spoken to uh many people who teach in other school districts across the nation. uh students. Uh one of the persons I spoke to was my son who happens to be a teacher, Ashland public school graduate teacher in the New York City school system and they adopted a cell phone ban from Belltobell and he

030said this has been such a gamecher. At first the students were against it. The parents were against the administration didn't know how it would work. But he said the students overwhelmingly support this now instead of being looking at their phone all day long. They are actually interacting with their peers a lot more. They're getting a lot more schooling and learning done. They're not going to the bathrooms as much to schedule meetings with their friends. I mean, just things that you wouldn't normally think about. the parents are supportive now, the administration is. So, it's something that that uh we passed and uh we included some money in it for implementation as well. Um so, I'm hoping that that gets to the governor's desk before and so that we it can be implemented statewide before next September

031school year. Um, we are also doing what we can to to fight some of the federal uh administration's policies. We um passed a bill to safeguard women's health and protect uh women's health care rights um which was signed by the governor last summer. We are taking steps to protect our immigrants and make sure that that uh they are not just taken from the streets that hopefully we can help uh alleviate some of the fear. We know that in many school districts our children are not going to school. Parents are afraid of dropping them off for being taken. Uh kids are they're afraid their kid will be taken so that the parent will have to go get them. They're not going to work. uh businesses. I'm hearing from businesses where they don't have the employees to

032continue their businesses because of this. So, we're we're taking a look and uh we will we will try to do what we can. Unfortunately, immigration is totally a federal issue. So, we are limited, but I believe that we need to take some steps to protect our residents. And I started a a committee uh soon after uh Trump was sworn in, honestly. And the mission of that committee is overall what can we do to protect our residents, defend our values because I believe Massachusetts values are very special and help lead us during these hard times. So with that, um, I appreciate you inviting me. I look forward to your continued partnership and helping Ashland and its residents. You know, this is my home. I've lived here for, geez, uh, almost 40 years. Um, it's amazing. Time

033really does fly. Uh, but I love it here. And so, thank you very much. >> Thank you, J. Before I ask, uh, open it up questions on the board, uh, Representative Lewis, you're still here, so you haven't had an opportunity to vote yet, so we would love to hear from you before runoff. >> I really wish I I were there with you. Uh, Wednesdays we have votes. Uh most Wednesdays our votes don't go past uh five or six. Uh today I think we're assuming we're going to be here for several more hours. Uh but because we're advocating for uh funding for uh transportation and education today, I know you'd rather all me be here at the state house advocating for money to come back home to Ashland uh than there in the room with you.

034So, please accept my apologies and I will try to make it up to you by finding some extra uh money in this supplemental budget we're working on. Uh really appreciate the partnership I have with uh members of the select board, all of you there. Uh the Senate President and I, as you said, work very closely together. I can't imagine uh this work uh that we've done together, this successful work without our close partnership and friendship. and so really appreciate uh her and everything uh we're able to do together. Uh the good thing about going second is she often covers everything in great detail. So I will just check everything off my I'm looking at my notes here. Uh no, in all seriousness, uh couple different a couple additional things I want to uh touch base

035on. Uh I think uh some of you know uh this year I was assigned or this this session as the house chair of the joint committee on municipalities and regional government. Uh it's been a new position for me in the house. Uh it's one of those chair positions where my committee reviews probably well definitely more bills than most committees maybe top three or four committees uh nearly 400 bills at this point. uh bills ranging from the town of Nic changing their charter to dog kennel space uh to local zoning. Uh so it has been an eye-opening experience for me uh an opportunity to connect with colleagues and other municipal leaders. Uh but remembering always to keep Ashland uh at the top of my mind. Uh the big bill that my committee has been reviewing this

036year that we moved out of committee uh a month or so ago now is the Governor's Municipal Empowerment Act. Uh not a household name. doesn't roll off the tongue. Uh but those who were involved in municipal government have have heard it at at meetings uh and and whispered, I'm sure, at MMA events. Uh this is a bill the governor has filed a couple sessions now. Uh it it involves everything from how to further regulate and discourage double utility polls, something I know some lots of folks in that room are very familiar with. Uh helping school districts who want to bring uh busing inhouse, trying to remove some of the arbitrary state laws that prevent that. uh elevating some of the or clarifying some of the procurement laws so that municipalities and schools have equal opportunities

037to uh procure materials they need without unnecessary uh restrictions uh that that slow and prevent progress. Uh one of the things we definitely are pushing for and I included in the bill out of committee was making the current hybrid uh participation rules permanent. Uh I get I got out of committee. I I I prioritized it. It still needs to pass the full House and the Senate. Uh but I've heard from all of you well on a very regular basis. Uh how discouraging or or concerning it is to have a policy that expires every couple years, often notified often days or sometimes hours uh within the deadline that you can continue to have hybrid meetings. Uh it'd be great if we could make that permanent. And so I I prioritize that in that in that bill.

038we moved out of committee. So, uh, if any of those topics interest you, uh, happy to talk at length because that bill has been a big part of my life over the last nine months. If your eyes have glazed over, uh, no worries that most people's have, uh, and I'll I'll pivot to to something else. Uh, on the House side, I I know I'm confident that we're going to be taking up uh, some immigration reforms as well. Uh, I know as the Senate President said, immigration policy is very much a federal thing. Uh most of the bills I've long advocated for uh to protect our immigrant neighbors have not actually done what we had hoped they'd do in other states. And so we have been working hard to reform our proposals to make sure that

039we don't pass laws that make us feel good that we're we're accomplishing something and in reality not making anyone's life any safer or decreasing uh a legitimate fear. So, I am confident in the weeks ahead, the House will be passing a comprehensive immigration bill. Uh, I'm also confident in the months ahead, we'll be passing a data privacy bill. Uh, the Senate took up a data privacy bill uh earlier this year or at the end of last year. Uh, and I'm I'm looking forward to seeing the House version of that bill as well. Uh, the Senate or Karen or the Senate President mentioned that the House took up a energy affordability bill. Uh it's now moving over to the Senate. Definitely trying to maintain our commitment to accelerating our uh our our we're we're accelerating our

040commitment to uh combating uh climate change while also uh green energy, green energy jobs while also realizing that families are having a tough time and that things are more expensive than ever before. And so the tension between we can't ignore our green commitments while also not being able and not wanting to ignore the the day-to-day needs of of our community's families. So uh primarily baked into that law are attempts to lower cost and uh seek greater affordability as it relates to energy. Uh three of my bills that I filed this session are also uh incorporated into that that larger energy omnibus bill. uh one of them primarily about streamlining solar permitting. Uh something we've seen happen in other states. Let's cut some of the red tape. Let's make sure that if folks want solar and

041are able to move forward with solar, uh how can we automate some of that uh permitting. So excited and hopeful that that those three priority pieces of legislation of mind uh stay in the bill as it moves forward. Uh the Senate President also mentioned our offices. We're here for you. Uh, none of you are ever shy to grab me at the farmers market or the senior center, to shoot me a text, uh, grab me at the grocery store. Uh, if you have an issue or you hear of somebody in the community who has an issue, uh, as a Senate President said, we don't have a magic wand. Uh, but if there's anything we can do within our power, we will do it. Uh, more often than not, it's advocating on your behalf. It is poking,

042it is proddding, it is getting somebody to get back with you. Uh, and we're we're not only happy to do it, it's it's our job. And so if you ever hear of something going on that just seem doesn't feel right, where you think that if only somebody could could look into this, maybe there's an a different outcome, uh, don't hesitate to reach out. And if it's a local thing, we'll we'll put you in touch with one of the the great select board members uh, or a local department. If it's a federal thing, we'll put you in touch with Jim McGovern's office. You know, I've got texts from folks about uh their passports expiring. Uh we can't directly help. Uh but Jim McGovern's office can can do what's possible. Uh if you text me at a

043Friday night at 4:30 and your flight Saturday morning at 5:30, um probably not going to happen. Um but we'll try. We'll try. Um and that is a a very specific instance. We we tried. It was not successful. Uh can't do a 12-hour turnaround, but but we'll try. Uh but really never hesitate, especially even if you don't think it's something we can help with. Uh you don't know. And one of the things that is a cornerstone of the work we do, and and I'm still learning this every day, is how much our jobs are about relationships. And we're never going to do anything illegal or unethical. Uh but but sometimes we're able to get you a phone call. And because of the the relationships we have, uh we're we're happy to do that and to see

044to see what's possible. Uh uh the Senate President outlines many of the the budget priorities that that her office and my office have been successful in securing. Definitely eager to to continue to partner with the select board and the town manager's office uh on some of those wins. Uh every year I think it's common for elected officials to sort of underpromise and then overd deliver. I I think it it comes with the job. Uh admittedly this is not a year where I hope any of you hear us throw a wet blanket on finances only to think we're gonna swoop in at the last minute and say never mind. Uh we found we found a bucket of money. Uh, as the Senate President said, the uncertainty at the federal level, uh, I've never seen anything like

045this at the state level. And very, very difficult conversations and decisions are being made as it relates to state programs that most people, if not all people, have long seen as vital. And so as as we're making very hard decisions about our ability at the state level to continue to fund programs that are integral to to our community's families and families across the Commonwealth. Uh there is not a a magic wand or or a uh uh trying to think of another image than a magic wand. There there's there's this is not the year where we're going to underpromise and overd deliver. We're going to do everything we can. Uh, and I'm going to continue to look, as the Senate President said, for opportunities. Sometimes those are smaller opportunities. Sometimes you take a big swing and

046and you find that uh there are funds available. Uh, but I'm still so grateful the the town manager and the select board, none of you were shy about floating your ideas. Uh, and I know we have some of your your budget earmark priorities that came through this morning as well. Uh, in previous years, I've been very happy to to partner with you all in securing money for local trails. Uh, I love the community center. I I'm there almost every Monday. So, anytime I can secure money to to bring back to the community center, specifically the the senior center part of it, uh, always happy to do that. Uh, and then the arburetum as well. I'm I'm I hope I don't think I've got an email about the the groundbreaking or ribbon cutting for for that,

047but happy over the years to have secured funding to help support that project and so so eager uh to see where that that money may go. Uh in closing, I think some of you have met my staff over the years that all but one of them. I staff of four at this point. Uh they're all home but one. Uh Scott's still here, but he's in the midst of hitting refresh on a a budget uh item that we're we're waiting to come in on. Um but Mariana is often with me on Mondays at this the community center in Ashland. Uh and I know she's with us for our some of our quarterly conversations as well. Never hesitate to reach out to Mariana. Uh Spencer's on my office as my committee researcher. Uh Spencer grew up in

048Ashland and his family still lives in Ashland. Uh and then Jeff lives in Hopington. uh mostly does uh committee work, but if any of you are ever at the state house, feel free to let me know you're coming. Happy to give you a tour and you can meet some of my my staff in person. So, with that, I will turn things back to all of you in the room. >> Thank you, Rep. Representative Lewis. I appreciate the your cander and and um it's not an easy time for any of us, but uh we appreciate all the work and effort that's being done at this time. I'll open up questions from the board members if you have any questions or comments uh for Karen and and Jack >> anybody. >> Wow, this is a first. >>

049I'm not sure I really have uh much in the way of questions, but I have a couple of I guess editorial um statements. Um, you know, first I do want to uh thank the Senate President. I don't know how many people in this room certainly, but I know probably the Novacowskis remember um the years when Chapter 70 crippled this community that we'd be a million dollars short and indeed we'd be a million dollars short because we only got $750 per student and Hollist and other towns got $3,200 per student. So, um, you went to the state house with that in mind and you've been very successful at that. And so, I I just want to remind people sometimes. Um, um, I do want to just, you know, raise and I think we all know some

050of the major issues, right? First of all, you know what we're facing in this community like so many commun communities across the state in terms of uh, finding money to be able to uh, keep our community what it is today. and um and Senate President knows very well what a great community is because she makes her home here. Um so we appreciate any work that can be done in terms of um getting us financial support and since I've been a member of the select board I have seen um the dollars that you've been able to get um the community and and I thank you for that effort. Um, I also just wanted to touch upon the two big things I think that are on people's minds is, you know, just our utility bills. And, um,

051I know I think I saw a flash on the news tonight that I think there's a a raise coming for the gas companies where like 8.9%. I think they've had one of the most successful years that they've ever had in terms of uh, profit while, you know, our utility bills are just going through the roof. And I know there is work being done in um the state house and the state by the governor, but of course it takes a long time, right, for those things to happen. And and the other thing and and I just want to thank you both because anytime I've ever reached out to either of you, I have received a response. I have not that's not been the case when I've reached out to the governor. Um unfortunately, I've reached out

052to her in particular about 40b issues in our community. um the the amount of housing that we're you know seeing and I totally understand that we need more housing in this state and certainly um you know there there's even there's plenty of ways to do that that we've not been successful at that I mean chap 40b's been on the books since 60 1969 hasn't been successful. So, um, but one one thing that we're faced with with that is when all these apartments that are built and there's no path to home ownership with that and then these apartments, um, I have a friend who's a retired fire chief and he tells me, you know, Claudia, those apartments um, they there's a lot more public safety calls from there because when you live in an apartment and

053your uh, you know, basement fl or something floods, something's leaking, you know, who do you call? you you call fire, you call police. Um so there's a greater impact on us um in that regard as well. Um that's our 40B issues are very complicated and um I I just want to say again that I thank you. I did reach out to the governor on this. I reached out through her uh the form that you fill out and I got an automated response and I also sent an email um directly and did not receive a response. So, thank you both for being much more. And did I also hear that you have sponsored a bill about daylight savings time? >> Yes. >> Oh, >> well, there is a bill that I came out in support of,

054particularly after uh last week. Um, I was surprised honestly about how many people came up to me saying how difficult the transition was with the new daylight sav savings time the switch particularly in light of how uh it's been a hard winter and people losing sleep and just the the whole effect that it has on people and it's something that I think we should talk about and part of the bill that I'm supporting says that other New England states need to do it so we wouldn't necessarily be alone, but there are a couple of states, I think it's Hawaii and Arizona that do it. I'm curious to see how they do it and uh so feedback is great. Thank you. >> So, thank you both for for your partnership and for your support over the

055years. I know that um our town really wouldn't be in a position to be able to do some of the major projects that we've done like our downtown if it wasn't for for some of the funding that that you've been able to secure for us. So, thank you. Um you know, we we you had mentioned that, you know, you're aware of the the pressures that towns are facing. Um, as you might be aware, Ashland is is is facing a budget shortfall. Um, mostly due to the increase in the fixed costs that we have no control over. Um, so when we look at things like health insurance and benefits, um, I know the schools can talk through their their specific rise in costs, but you know, what we're seeing on the town side is that the

0562 and a.5% um tax levy isn't isn't enough. And we're hearing from other communities, too, that they're facing the same the same challenges we are. So, um, you know, I would I would ask, you know, that you continue to to help prioritize funding that comes down to the communities because, um, we are going to to rely as much as we can on our our state government partners in the chapter 70, the chapter 90. Um, Rep. Lewis with you um at the state house advocating for the fair share amendment and how that funding gets allocated to education and transportation. Um I would just reiterate that that um you know communities are are are hurting this year and we don't also see relief coming in the future. Um, I think all of us are are worried about

057not just FY27, but what FY28 will bring. And, you know, we plan for emergency situations, but um, for communities to be able to balance their budget, um, we definitely will will need all the support from from the state that we can. And I know that the state isn't going to be able to make up the delta for 10% rise in health insurance costs and a 15% rise in out of district um special education costs. But it it does put so much pressure on on towns to make budget decisions that that are tough. And we know that um our residents along with all residents of all communities are getting pinched and feeling the pressure of rising costs and um so we we know we know that it's not an easy decision that we make here and

058we know that you are all facing some hard decisions especially when it comes to the uncertainty from the the federal government. Um, so the one thing I did want to ask, we you were talking about the the bond bill and the housing that is being um is is is being encouraged. Um, one thing that we, you know, Claudia had mentioned the 4DBs, but the other thing that's on our mind is how do we make um how do we keep and make Ashland more affordable? We've seen our um our property values rise and price people out of home ownership in Ashland. And if there's ways that we can tap into that bond bill for um monies that possibly could go to the affordable housing trust to help us secure more real affordable housing in Ashland. um

059that would be something that would be really important to us. Um not just creating housing, but how do we how do we make housing more affordable for our residents? Um and so that that is something that um I don't know if if you've had uh towns in your in in your district that have done um have utilized those funds in those kinds of ways. But do is that something that that you've heard? >> Housing has been an issue that has come up in some of the other towns as I meet with the boards. Um what I've offered and and we can offer this to you as well. We can have a meeting with the uh secretariat of housing and livable communities. We could have other agencies come if you can give us some of your

060ideas of questions and issues that you would like to be reviewed. We can schedule something um and have them come either here or or come to you can come to the state house and and we can uh have them go over some of the programs. Some of them are still new because we just did the house the 5.1 billion dollar housing bond bill uh the end of last session. But uh at least hopefully they could give a clue as to where they're going and what might be helpful to Ashland. >> Okay. Also, I'm I'm just curious if there's any provisions in there for communities that are creating the housing to be able to um support the infrastructure. like we were talking a little bit about um you know roads and bridges and and that type

061of infrastructure and water and sewer is an is an issue for us. Um we worry that that we're not going to be able to support um proactively and and the the residents that are looking to come to to Ashlin. So any help that we could get from the from the state on that would be helpful to >> Great. >> Thank you. And I just want to add to while the Senate President is standing there and and thank you uh again because you also helped um provide an opportunity for the town to be heard before mass housing um in terms of the 40B. So I understand that you have done everything within your power and you're more powerful than many um and and still it's it's been uh just you know just a there's just been

062a roadblock on that. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> So, I'm gonna follow follow up to what Brandy said. First of all, thank you both for your partnership. It's always been greatly appreciated and I've had great conversations on and off the many years. Um, first in regards to the aid to towns, I'm sure you're both aware of the MMA fiscal storm report that came out and the discussion that if you look back at the historical data that the state has not been sharing an appropriate amount of funds back to the towns and I know it's still a big discussion and I know there's still a lot of thought on that, but I would ask that you look at that and see how you can support the towns with more funds in the future

063because based on the report, it would be good if more came back to the towns. And I understand there's a lot going on now with with federal dollars having an issue. But I would just encourage you to to look at that and and see how we can work to get more of those funds back. And it's great what's been happening with chapter 70 and chapter 90, but the unrestricted government aid is is a big one still that needs to have more attention. And it's not just we are looking at a two and a half override and other communities have as well and I think if we could get more of the state aid back to the towns and not just Ashland it would be very helpful. The other thing and this may be a further

064discussion is you know you ask what are some ideas and one of the things that we deal with as with our affordable housing is because we're grouped with Boston when they look at our incomes and the cost of our housing. We're not Boston but our affordable housing units are being priced as if we are in Boston. And yes, Ashland has a higher income level and that's part of why. But we should really be looked at as towns that are further away from Boston when we look at what an affordable unit should be and what our income level should be because we're seeing more and more in Ashland that we don't have those higher income levels. So again, that's one of those things might be a little more long-term, but how can we address Ashland not

065as uh Boston, but other comm another community that does not meet the same income requirements? And then uh I mean 40 BS is always a a a detailed discussion, but I think we've talked enough about that. And then the only thing and and Jack you you and I have talked about this a lot. My my request with the Municipal Empowerment Act is that hybrid is there's no nothing mandatory in that because in my conversations with a lot of other communities and being the representative to the Metro West Regional Collaborative as well as MMA, I talk with a lot of people not only just from Ashlin but from across the state and in our region and no one wants anything mandatory for anything regarding that because each community is different. We are fortunate that we have

066WACA who can put our meetings out and helps us with Zoom, but there are smaller communities around and across the state who don't have that. So, let us do hybrid, but don't make anything mandatory. And that's that's I mean, there's always more to say, but I think that's enough for tonight. >> Thank you, Yolanda. I I feel like the ground's been covered pretty well by my colleagues, but I do want to thank uh both uh Senator Spila and Representative Lewis. Every time I've had a question or inquiry, you've always been very responsive. Um you know, just to echo my colleagues, one of the number one things I hear about from my constituents is affordable housing. And uh so I, you know, I think we've been talking about, you know, possibly looking at some creative solutions

067to that. I'm looking forward to uh perhaps engaging with the sec secretary to u figure out and review some resources and we we've had some brainstorming here as well at this table about you know what kinds of affordable housing could be available. We'd love to to find out what's available but also uh maybe even try to be innovative and lead ourselves with some of these solutions. So um thanks. I I'd just like to um piggyback on what Makita and uh Brandy and have said with respect and and and Claudia with respect to affordable housing. Um I'm on the affordable housing trust and it's very difficult and very frustrating when we try to do projects and we can't find developers that are willing to do the work. They want the 40bs. They want they want the

068big projects. We can't find anyone other than Habitat for Humanity to build individual homes that meet affordable housing units and would stay affordable uh for for perpetuity. Now, if there was something that could be done with respect to that, maybe would the 40BS maybe make some additional changes or requirements that builders have to have ownership responsibilities to the to the individuals and not to them as a a corporate group where they're just collecting their their rental monies every every month. Um, but they must also subsidize affordable individual homes. Just just an idea. And I appreciate any idea is worthwhile exploring. The one thing that I did not mention that that we did in last year's budget. Um after talking with the general council from Canada actually last year uh after Trump initiated all those tariffs,

069uh it came became very acutely aware to me most of our housing materials come from Canada. our steel, our lumber, the tariffs were making it so expensive for housing developments. And so if projects were ready to go forward, it increased the price so much that a lot of the developers said to me, you know, we're putting them on hold right now, which is the exact opposite of the way as a state we all want to go. So, we proposed looking at getting rid of the sales tax on some of the construction materials to lower the cost. It wouldn't totally negate the tariff, but I asked, would it help make some of those projects then green green lit? So, that is being done. We're looking at that. Um, the secretariat is doing a study. So, I'm

070hoping that we're able to do that to help move some of them at least move forward right now. >> Thank you. Uh, I'm going to Mike Mike has a few uh comments he would like to make. So, Michael. >> Sure. Um, yeah, I I will be um grossly appreciative in one and um ask you a couple questions and throw a couple of ideas and um then ask you uh something about, you know, maybe what you would like us to know. Um, and uh, for both of you, I think, you know, I've never been shy about expressing when um, I've had a disagreement and and I really appreciate um, the fact that we can uh, we can have those conversations and and understand kind of where we're coming from. Um, and I think, you know, a

071couple specific things that have been floated around, I think, in the policy area that, um, I'm hoping that you can really consider is, you know, the MMA recently released a report on on the whole fiscal storm for states and municipalities. And and I think there are a couple of good things to consider in there and and I I really um hope that you uh consider those and give those some weight, you know, specifically. Yes, Yolanda, you did. Um and and specifically, you know, I think how communities handle like two and a half and and things like that are are really really good. Um and the empowerment act, I think there's some good things um in that as well. Um I I've said this the last couple of years uh and both of you um thank

072you so much. I I don't think people realize how much uh your fingerprints are on the stuff happening in this town, especially um over the last decade. Jack, it's been great. Um I mean our tenurs have kind of coincided and it's been awesome watching you each year come here and you got a cooler office and um you know just to watch you um you know navigate that whole um ecosystem up there which I I have no idea what that's like. Um but it's got to be extremely complicated has been great and you've been very very helpful in things like the arboritum and the upper Charles Trail and the community center and um it it's it's noticed and it's appreciated and we're doing some cool things there um uh in large part to your help Karen.

073I I think talk about fingerprints. I I think you know just from a regional basis but even in Ashland I don't think people realize um how much um you you have helped a lot of these things move forward whether it's the downtown project or the Warren Barn and how instrumental you've been in that part or or 126 um or the riverw walk you know there there's so many things that we could probably talk about and um so I just want to make sure that everybody heard that and knew that that both of you have um have contributed greatly to our success and it's appreciated. um a a couple of ideas um and it is related to development and I think it's it's similar to what you heard uh Joe say the economics are making it

074just that small developers um who do more moderate projects just can't really do that and to the extent that maybe we can incentivize them to do that through funding in the bond bill or um other ways that we can incentivize open space preservation in exchange uh as part of a whole package and and incentivizing historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. Um so we can um keep some of our historic buildings but convert them to more modern uses. Um I I would love to see incentives around that. And then finally, the one thing what what's the what's the one thing both of you would like us to know about um that maybe we don't know about your some of the biggest challenges that you have up uh at the state house because I frequently find sometimes it

075gets frustrating because people just don't understand kind of what what you know we around this table have to deal with. Um and I just wanted to give you an opportunity to maybe explain something that we wouldn't understand. >> That's just for one one thing. Yeah. >> Roll out. Um, you know, Jack, why don't you take that first and then I'll go in case you need to go vote. >> No, no. I'm um, uh, what a question. You gave us a warning that it was coming. Uh, no, not that I can't think quickly on my feet, but none of you are shy, and I love that about you. You're you're all very direct, and I I try to be honest and direct back. And so I don't feel like there is anything that at least those

076of you around that that table there and I haven't been open about. Uh if anything as the years have gone on gone by my my filter and my attempt to uh insulate myself or protect myself from No, I I I think we have such an open open line of communication. Uh, and you all we all know each other so well that even if I wanted to try to be an answer to you, like either in the kitchen in the senior center or or at town hall, uh, you you you'd see right through it. Um, so I I don't have a good answer other than please keep keep the contact, keep the lines of communication open. Uh, the you're right. Uh, the state house is an interesting animal. Uh I've only been here for for just

077under 10 years. Uh and it has a distinct culture. Uh and so maybe that's the answer. Let me let me withdraw the last 30 seconds. Uh it nothing happens here without great collaboration. Uh it's not a place where you know one house I'll speak for myself. I'm one of 160 and so a lot of my power is in uh well all of my power is in working collaboratively with my colleagues and even if I firmly believe in one thing uh and I want to fight for it uh sometimes the worst thing I could do would be to take the floor give a great speech have a lot of social media clicks uh feel really good get a headline in the Metro West Daily News and Ashland would suffer. Uh and so I think you all

078know but it never hurts to remind uh myself and maybe others as well uh that this work requires uh very intentional and uh uh deliberative uh efforts and most of that happens in with colleagues and in conversations with all of you and very little of it is ever embodied in a social media post. Uh, and so, uh, know that that we're always or I'm always, you know, I think I know I can speak for both of us, doing everything that's possible. Uh, and, uh, I'm still loving the job. I'm still the the idealist that that you first all met a decade ago. Uh, an idealist who's decided to try to be a realist and get things done as well. Uh so while we dream about how things could be different, uh my primary goal is

079to continue to deliver for Ashland uh any way I can. I would uh sort of uh do a variation of the theme. Uh when I moved to Ashland in the 80s, I had no thought about ever running for state government um or even local government. starting out on the school committee uh which was a great uh source of wealth of knowledge and the way things run in the towns working closely with the select board at the time and uh all of the town officials and constituents. Uh that's what prompted me to run as you know for state rep when the seat became vacant uh to help change the chapter 70 funding formula working with so many of you here and and beyond. um what I've learned and and that clearly was an enormous task. I

080had no idea how enormous that task was or would be. I honestly had no idea what I was doing when I first went there. But um once I won and then ran for state senate, I've never looked back. It is probably I would say the the two words that come to mind in doing this job is frustrating. It is incredibly frustrating. things can take really a long time. I look at the chapter 70 you know what we started in 1998 999 we had some reform along the next decades the major reform was 2019 we're due for another round uh some of the things that I've been able to accomplish overhauling the old chin system the children in need of services so kids didn't have to go to court or jail or get records criminal records

081that took seven years to do um and I do feel that our system I mean it's frustrating but it's also the most rewarding job that I have ever had or could ever think of with the ability to to do and have a positive impact on the residents of Ashland Metro West and beyond. Whether it be the the student opportunity act for our kids, overhauling early education and care, uh overhauling the way our kids go to community college, making it free for the first time. We have effectively gotten rid of public higher ed debt. We've made community college free tuition and fees and our state universities as well as our UMass system. If uh kids are eligible for the federal PEL grants, that's why it's so important Trump doesn't get rid of that. If they are

082elig eligible, they are also eligible for state assistance in tuition and fees, effectively making their college education free as well. This is the first state in the nation that has done that so thoroughly. And that you talk about affordability not only for our students and families now being able to attend and and uh go to college but bettering and furthering their education if that's what they want for them to be able to realize their American dream and uh have higher salaries and and earn more and have uh move up the the ladder and in their uh uh mobility. So it's things like that and and I mean I could go on and on. Um, but it's also dealing with people every single day. I started out as a social worker and that's what I feel

083I still do for the most part. I we help people, you know, Jack, me, the other legislators, our teams. That's what we're there for. Sometimes one-on-one, sometimes on a larger scale of doing the the chapter 70 funding or or other things. Um, but uh, you know, I still love what I do and uh, I I really love this town. So, that's what I just want you to know. >> Thank you, Cameron. >> Well, we appreciate the the conversation that we had this evening. It um, was very u enlightening in many, many ways. And we're all in this together. There's there's no way getting out of it. So, we just need like I think it was Karen you said uh cooperation and communication, the two C's and and make sure that it it stays open and

084we and we continue doing what we need to do. It's been a great run. So, you know, we have ups and downs, but we're going to continue moving forward and may take a little while to get there, but we'll definitely get there. So, thank you so much for all the work that you have done and we'll continue to do and uh we look forward to seeing you guys again. >> Thank you for coming back. Thank you. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you, Dennis. Appreciate it. Uh I like the tank taking a a few minute uh break. So, >> Yeah. Yeah. This was this was a general conversation with our legislative uh uh group with us tonight. So, we're not entertaining any questions from the public on this matter. Okay. U there'll be other uh

085times when they're available to to ask questions, but not tonight. Thank you. So, would you entertain uh taking a two-minute break or you good to go or you want to continue? Ready to go? >> You good? Okay. Well, then we'll continue. >> Let's just get going. >> All right. Uh, next on our agenda uh is uh under old new business is uh 27 budget update uh and including uh operational overhead. Uh with that, I'm going to turn this discussion over to uh Michael uh town manager uh who has a presentation and additional information uh for everybody to uh absorb hopefully. And yeah, I'm just trying to get this back on the screen here. It was doing so wonderful. Um folks, you know, talk amongst yourselves until we get all taken care of, you know. >>

086Oh, wow. >> Hey, what do you know? I told you I wasn't good at tech. Um, then I I'm going to use this mic, too, just because uh because I'm going to have um I'm going to have some help. Um, thanks everybody. Uh, well, geez. Uh, it's good to see everybody here. I think it's safe to say it's been a bit of a week. um you know and uh you know I I I just keep on remembering um and I had a conversation with Steve Mitchell something that he said uh when he was on the board a lot was you know it it's easy to get along when things are going well and and and money's flowing and stuff but uh when things get a little tight it's going to be really interesting how we

087um you know how we respond to that and I I think for a little bit uh Um yeah, I I just think for a little bit um things got a little bit hairy and I think you know if the past few days have taught me anything, it it's really been a lot about relationships and um and how strong um really how strong they can be and how fragile they can be. I think at the same time um they they can take a lot of work and they can also take be taken for granted uh quite quite easily and all I can say is that I'm really really proud of the work that we did um in the early years to build those relationships when things were good um because we really needed to lean on

088those I think over the last week and um I can say I've I've said that to everybody we're going to have some tough conversations over the phone but I'm really really proud of the fact that um we can have those tough conversations and know that we are not doubting the intent and that we're all trying to um to uh to really do what's best for the community. And um by doing that, it's really allowed us to put our energy into some amazing things. It's really been the difference between one word actually. And I remember Lori, you and I were reminiscing about this a bit um when I first got here and kind of coming here and and I remember Brook Clinchie was the um superintendent for like a hot minute and um I remember coming

089in and there was a big battle going on over $70,000 and what that was going to get spent on. Do you remember this? it was school libraries opening them back up and and I even forgot what was on the municipal side but there was so much energy and uh passion around it and I remember thinking you know the difference is is that we're talking about or we're either going to fund this or this and why don't we change the conversation and start changing the word or to and and and if if there's a way we can put the same energy into doing both things Um, hey, we're spending just as much energy fighting. Might as well fight the right thing and fight, you know, com combine and fight things together. Um, and I just have

090to say, uh, to the extent that I've damaged those relationships over the last week, I I really, uh, apologize. Um, it's really humbling to realize that you're the person that's responsible for making sure there's a clear process and a clear and transparent process and that you failed in that and that um, you know, part of part of the tension and part of the confusion is that you you haven't been able to provide what people need in order to make good decisions. And um, you know, I can tell you for whatever reason it may be, it's not been for lack of effort. Um, but it's certainly, like I said, very very humbling um to realize that that you haven't necessarily done the things that you need to do and that you're charged with doing. And and

091one thing that's important to note though, I think though is that anytime that there's a question regarding our municipal department's commitment to this community, um that that needs to including the school, you know, our commitment to the school department. Um I think that needs to be met with a chorus of heck no like right at the beginning and just to make sure that we say, hey, you know what? um that might not have been what was said. And let's just make clear, we all know how important all of our departments are to our community. Um and most importantly, I think those departments need to hear that from me if that question ever comes up. And they really need to hear from the select board, too, that that's um that's not the way we operate. Um

092that's really really important. That last piece is um I don't think we really accomplished that at the tribe war meeting unfortunately and I think it it led to some some thoughts um maybe made up maybe real um but in any case we've done a lot of work I think to to smooth that over and I think that last piece is very important um because we understand I think that the superintendent and the school committee have a job to to advocate for the school department and our kids and that's their job and they do that very very well and they perform it very very well. Um and I think for those on the select board and myself we have a different charge. Our our roles are different than our colleagues. Um and we have to consider

093every aspect of town. Um but central to that is is really or or one of the central things is our municipal departments and their needs and who advocates for them exclusively and and I think that's um that's our role and that being said um I think we've done a lot of work this week in making sure that everybody feels like they are appreciated and that anything that was contrary to that or perceived as contrary to that is um is is not is not accurate. Um there's been a lot of outreach to um our departments I think by the school committee members and school um school superintendent Jim and I really do um appreciate that and just you know letting them know uh just how they are supported. And so before I get into everything, I

094again just want to apologize for anything that I might have um done to generate or perpetuate any hard feelings. Um I I'm actually really proud of the support that we provide and the teamwork that we have. And I think it's sometimes good to pause and just take a look at exactly, you know, what's that's talking about. And like I said, we're really proud of our partnership with the public schools. And I just I don't want to linger on this. I just I just think it's important to note because we haven't before just some of the ways that we do support uh the school department and like with our IT services even though all the budget comes uh to us a significant amount of work happens in the school department and the same thing with our

095accounting department and our police department and human resources and DPW and again our fire like Lynn you're in there all is it this week or next week pretty much. Yeah, next week. And we love that. We love our partnership with the school department. Um, and I think there's some really important takeaways from this. Um, first of all, in Ashland, we depend on a special type of teamwork here. Um, I Dan, I think it was Dan. Um, and thanks to to everybody here. Dan said, you know, we think of them as another department, you know, when they need to have a pothole filled or anything. Can I Is it okay if I just >> real quick just So, is this being shared on Zoom so they can people on Zoom can see the slides that you're

096showing us? >> I hope so >> because that's WACA TV. >> It will be on the Zoom. >> Is that good? >> Okay. So maybe it's on the second screen because we're not seeing it on the Zoom. >> Oh, okay. >> A bad idea just to share. >> This is where I back away >> because I want to make sure that as you speak to stuff, Michael, that people on Zoom can see it as well so they understand what we're reviewing. Thank you. >> Oh, that that's a good idea. Good catch. Um, >> you're welcome. >> You know this tech stuff pretty well, Yolanda. I work with it a lot. I'm on a lot of Zoom meetings lately. >> Wow, you did that quick, Katherine. >> Oh, great. This looks great. >> Um, it allows

097me to go on. Um, >> yep. Thank you. and and I I want to point out that this dependency on our teamwork which again is our special sauce uh really reveals an allaround resource issue just an issue not with just municipal departments or the school department it's an all-around issue and you know working this way it's great for sprint um but really doing it for the extended period of time that we have has been very very hard to sustain in fact it's unsustained And actually, you know how I like data and in and math sometimes even though I really stink at it. But um I can't you know what this really it leads to um two really simple equations which I think is if you invest in the municipal departments you're investing in the school

098department. At the same time if you invest in the school department you're investing in our municipal departments. I think the best example of this is uh the proposed uh building and grounds and kind of what we're doing with fields. Um part of the school superintendent's um work is you know creating a team that can actually absorb the uh fields um you know the the ownership of the school fields or they've always owned it but taking over the responsibilities of maintaining them and scheduling them. We're going to get more resources there. that takes a load off of our employees. Um so again an investment in in our respective departments is a respective or is a investment in each other and I think this is really really important to know that you know at the end of

099the day we really are in this together and it's important to know that we're all equal components to that. Oh boy, now it won't work. Hold that. Okay. Ah. Okay. So, let's uh everybody wanted some more data and uh I think I I think they've provided that. But let me just tell you some of the um adjustments I've made since the last tri board meeting. First of all, I removed that Valentine project discussion. Great idea. really confused the heck out of things. Um so we we threw that out. Um the health insurance stabilization fund, that's something that we're going to need to do. Again, we can wait until the fall. We don't have to do it now. It just confuses things. Um and then talk about confusing. Um, one thing that is a shift that

100we're thinking about, um, is switching the funding mechanism for that municipal department, um, increase, which is around $755,000. Do away with that whole debt exclusion shift and move it to stabilization funds in FY27. You know what? I still think that's the best way to do it is that debt exclusion shift. Best way for the taxpayers, best way for this moving forward. But the fact is, it's just confusing as heck. Um, hey, sometimes I can come up with some great things on paper and you they just don't work. Um, this one just didn't work. Um, I don't know why it's confusing, but it is confusing to everybody across the board. And so I think it's the more focus that's been on that, the less we've had to be able to talk about, you know, the 2.75.

101So let's just get away and fund that through stabilization funds this year. But what that means is it creates a recurring cost which we're going to have to continue funding. Um, and I need a commitment from that. And so what I would like from the select board as you think about this is we already need to put a general fund stabilization transfer on the warrant. Um so I'm assuming you're still good with that. But I really would like to see a commitment to funding for the 750 in fiscal year 2028. So one fiscal year beyond this. I think beyond that it we don't know what's going to happen and it's really hard to make you know forward- facing commitments that way. But that's what um that's what I'm hoping for tonight. And I'm trying to

102be a little bit clearer than than what um what I have been before in terms of of what we necessarily need. Um just really briefly just I'm going to spend most of the time tonight talking about the municipal department increases. Um but just kind of leading into that just some of the major appropriation categories for FY27. um general government um an increase of 755,000. Uh Ashlin public schools an increase of 2.75. Keith Tech really really um really uh really went up a lot this year. Uh 33%. Um and that equates to $300,000. That was a hit. U non-excluded debt doesn't change much. Excluded debt doesn't change much. But then we get to the biggie, the things that are really just squeezing everything, which is the benefits um and insurance line. And I I don't have

103a graph here tonight, but our 2 and 12% increase is $1.4 million. Just the health insurance increase and the pension increase is $1.2 million out of that. Everything else that needs to be funded, contractual increases, raises in subscription prices for software, all of that has to be paid for within $200,000 that's left. It's impossible to do. That's why we're looking at an override. But like I said tonight, we haven't we've talked a lot about the 755, but we haven't really had much in the way of data and just how that breaks down for the most part is uh a $7,500 increase to the town accountants budget, which um after you look at the budget changes, it allows us to add a third finance position. This is not negotiable. To have two people on the expense

104side responsible for a hund00 million organization is just a recipe in disaster. I mean today I had our two accountants um Paul and Steph actually they had to go to mandatory training. So here I am to get their CPUs to maintain uh what they need to be certified. I'm in the middle of budget season. the two people and on the expense side are not here because they have to be getting their C um their CEUs. Not ideal. Um the police department, $100,000 to fund a patrol officer. Fire department, $300,000 to add one firefighter per a shift. Um and that's four shifts. $260,000 to establish a buildings and grounds department with an increase in utilities. um highway and street lights and fuel are mainly ancillary increases and then $60,000 in our parks and trees department because

105we need to fund a position that we lost with the enterprise fund. Um I Jim and I have talked about the enterprise fund for the athletic fields and it really makes sense for the schools to have access to that fully but we have one position being paid through that and so we need to make up for that. And so I want to start with our fire department and um the four additional firefighters request. And um Lynn and Captain, I don't know if you want to join me. We have some members of the department here. Um I what the way we decided we would do this is I would just kind of narrate the slide and um our department heads and people representing the department are going to give you what this means. I mean, what

106the heck is this data mean in terms of context? And so, this first one is really our fiveyear uh call volume trends going into 2026 estimated. >> Lynn, if you wouldn't mind uh Depp just kind of telling us what this means. Yeah, you can work that out. You don't want to use the handheld mic. I got to wipe it off. Okay, >> I'll leave it to you. Uh good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to uh review the slides with you folks. I'll pause in between each slide so it'll give you an opportunity to ask any questions. So the first slide as Michael said is a five-year call volume trends. Um the last time we hired members was in 2019 and that was through a safer grant that the captain wrote. Um and since then

107in the last 5 years uh the population has increased by 10% in the community and is estimated to increase another 3% annually. So multiple proposed buildings projected can affect population growth and call volume. For example, Cirrus Drive, the apartment complex. Just last year alone, we responded 92 times. 190 Chestnut Street, the Asher Apartments, we responded 50 times, but they only took occupancy in July, so half of the year. So, these big complexes, multi-story complexes, um, are taking a lot of our call volume. New projects can result in a greater demand for emergency calls and fire inspections. >> Any questions on that slide to move to the next one? >> Y the structure. You ready for that one? You want me to cover that one? >> Uh no, I can I can review this. >> You

108got that? >> Great. So on this slide, uh five structural drivers that are pushing costs and work load higher. So larger developments require more staff to mitigate an emergency call due to the size. The most recent large complexes that uh develop that have developed Cirrus Drive uh Chestn Street, the Asher Apartments, when we respond to these multi-story occupancies, we have to respond slightly different. If it's a fire alarm activation, we have to take the engine and the ladder truck to respond. That's our whole complement. That's everybody in the department that's responding to that fire alarm activation to assist on trying to identify where that fire alarm is. If it's a medical emergency there, again, we need multiple pieces of apparatus to assist to uh getting the equipment up to the the floor. So, the station

109is empty at that time. um longer hospital transports since co unfortunately um the experiences that a lot of people had in Framingham has changed uh where they would like to be transported uh 15 to 20% decrease in our transports to Framingham and Framingham is 10 minutes away it's where we always took our patients but since co um with that decrease in in transports to frame Framingham people are choosing to go to Milford to Newton Welssley and into Boston or to Worcester. So that travel transport time, it's 10 minutes to Framingham. The turnaround time is is very quick and efficient. But if we're now transporting to Milford or to Newton Welssley, that delays our transport time considerably. It takes that primary ambulance out of service, it can be for a couple of hours. So if we

110have multiple medical emergencies and we have both our ambulances going in different directions, that takes uh you know our primary ambulances out of service for quite a long period of time. Now we recall and we bring full-time firefighters back, but if we don't get any response, if they're unavailable, that leaves the station empty. That's very, very concerning. It's a challenge. um tighter lab labor markets. Uh the pool for paramedics is uh is pretty shallow these days. So it uh it extends our hiring time which also uh requires additional training once they get on board because what we're doing is we're hiring firefighter uh in training. So um we bring them in while they're still going through their paramedic training. uh but that in as a result takes longer for them to get certified. Um elimination

111of the call department. Well, I won't tell you how many years I've been on, but when I started, we had a small department of three members and a very large call department that we really relied on. But over the years, as the population increased, so did the department. We had to uh increase our full-time career firefighters. But unfortunately the call department decreased. And nowadays this is not just a national thing. This is a national national thing with just a a lack of interest in volunteers that want to be part of a call department. So currently our last call firefighter retired a couple of years ago. So we don't have any uh call firefighters. So, we are heavily relying on when we are busy and we have two or three calls at once and we recall

112our full-time firefighters, we're really relying on them to come back in to support the one firefighter, the two firefighter that's left at the station. Training and certification, again, we we we strive for the highest level of care here in Ashland. We hire only paramedic firefighters. But with that there is mandatory training every year uh and every other year mandatory monthly training for our paramedics. And then every two years we have to reertify which is a 40-year 40hour uh program um that has to be provided firefighter training. Um, our firefighters go back to the Mass Fire Academy to improve and take new classes, which is vital to the highest level of care that we can provide for our residents. Any questions on that slide? >> Just one quick question. Uh, chief, um, how about folks that

113would want to um, transfer from another department that meets the requirements? Is that something that's available to you or would you rather? >> Yes, we we have done that in the past. Uh we've taken lateral uh employees and that that's worked out great because they're already been through the fire academy and hopefully they're paramedics. So that is a very smooth transition for us. >> Yes. >> And is that something that would uh you would entertain doing? You know, you mentioned something about the fact that the pool of potential candidates is is really low. you're speaking the bottom of the barrel. >> So, would you be more >> willing to advertise and promote your department to get better recruits or better uh transfer uh officers to to come to your department? >> Absolutely. Yes, we we

114would. And I think that just our reputation alone, I think a lot of a lot of members from other organization would like to come and work for the the Ashon Fire Department. >> Thank you. to that point is is a complicating factor of transferring from another department or another community um that their seniority goes to zero right so I know that in education right but sometimes people don't jump because >> while they might be able to maintain the same salary or maybe even adjust it a little bit >> um their seniority goes to zero so it becomes uh less attractive right for that reason >> yeah we have a a a very competitive of contract, union contracts. So I think it's enticing for other >> and it's a great community to work in. So that

115entices people too. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Because of the members that are here, they have a great reputation which is welld deserved. >> Yeah. Actually, um I I can say and it's kind of interesting for me because I'm not a firefighter so I'm a bit on the outside. Um, it's really interesting to see how um the department, the culture of the department attracts and retains people. Um, God, I thought I saw like some of our newer, younger ones, Zach and Connor and Isaac over there. They're like, >> yeah. Um, and and gosh, poor Andy Campbell is here. And uh, no, I just look at Andy. So Andy was like young when I started here. Um >> you you were younger too. >> Oh, thanks. >> Um I'm gonna miss Andy. Um >> go there goes our

116budget. >> So yeah, it's something really special and it's something that the support of the community is a is a very important cornerstone of that. Um, I look at the town of Easton, um, and you know, they they didn't pass an override, uh, some of which was devoted to their firefighters and the rest of their department left. Um, and they because they just didn't feel like there was any opportunities there and so they ended up having to contract out. I don't I don't want to say, oh, that's going to happen. But it's a culture is so important. Um it is the diff it is how you can get people um to to come here and stay um and and not necessarily pay them the highest salary. Keep it competitive but at the end of the

117day you want to keep it as a place where everybody's working for a higher purpose and people feeling like they're a part of that and working for each other is >> oh the podium. >> Did you did you point did you are you cutting me out? I gave >> um Okay, that is a good hint. I'm sorry. Go ahead. I just want to I just want to make one comment just because it just triggered something for me like when when when you talk about the culture and and you know I picture um Ashlin Fire at the farmers market um in the summertime and all the kids climbing on the engine and getting hats and just how much it's a f part of the fabric of the community and not just not just in an emergency

118situation but really you know um brings joy to so many to so many people in Ashlin. So, it's it it really is a a a special a special group and a special place. >> It is. And that's a huge part of our department is getting out there in non-emergency situations and encouraging the residents to come in and actually visit us at the fire station again in a non-emergency environment so that we can get to know them, they can get to know us and and it's it it's as well as I take the opportunity to do a little fire prevention at the same time. So it works for everybody. But moving on, uh, >> we got data. >> Yeah. The next slide, Ashlin carries a a heavy call load with a leaner staff than peers. So

119this slide just represents uh our surrounding communities, our partners in Hopkin and Sudbury. Um so we do about 2,800 calls uh annually and we have uh 24 firefighters on duty. um Hopkin, which is our our closest not only in in travel time, but also uh if you don't know, we almost regionalize with with Hopkin because they mirror us. We're very similar in structure in in departments. So, they do approximately 2500 calls with 33 members. Uh Sudbury, uh 2,200 calls, 500 less than us with 42 members. So, it the increase in calls over the years um is also provides an opportunity for multiple calls at the same time and that is what we're seeing is trending and with multiple calls at the same time it reduces our manpower down to uh potentially one >> look at

120that we're making a good team >> okay so concurrent calls have become a persistent operational problem. This is this is so true. Our current staffing model allows us to handle two consecutive calls if those two calls are medicals. If the first call is a call to Asher, the Asher Apartments, we're taking our engine and our ladder truck. So, we don't have anybody at the station. If our first call is a medical emergency and our second call is a medical emergency, we have two equipped ambulances. we can handle those calls, but that leaves one firefighter at the station and that is a heavy burden for that firefighter. It's not safe for that firefighter and it's certainly not safe for the community. Um, in 2025 last year, we did almost a thousand concurrent calls. That means two

121calls at the same time. That leaves again the station with maybe one, possibly two firefighters. >> That was 1,000 out of how many total calls? >> Uh 27 2,800 calls. And then another number to throw out there is um 277 calls. Three at a time, three calls at once. So this is this is a trend. Just this year alone, we've done 560 responses. Of that 560 responses, we've done 231 dual calls, back-to-back um calls, and we've done 67 three calls at once. That's just in two and a half months. So, this is a trend that is definitely increasing and creates a very a challenge for the organization. Um can you talk a little bit about what happens if there is like three calls and and if we have to call mutual aid and and sort

122of what what the effect of that is as far as potential response times and things like that. >> Yeah. So when we do have these multiple calls at once the third call we cannot do. So we are relying on our mutual aid partners Hopkinington, Southboro, Sherban. The average response time from these departments is 13 minutes. Um the mutual aid agreement is it's give and take. So this last year alone we provided 53 we went mutual aid 53 times to another community but 139 times another community came in to our community. So that number is very important because it shows you that it's not just this organization that is is having the challenges of the increase in call volume due to increase in population. So for us it can be very challenging because when we have

123a reported fire we rely heavily on our mutual aid partners. They automatically come Hopkinson, Southboro, Sherban. We rely heavily on them. NFPA 1710 aims, which is our standards that we follow, our guideline 1710, they recommend 15 to 17 firefighters on scene within 8 minutes for a working structure fire. If we have all our mutual aid companies come in on our first alarm assignment, which is a working fire, um it's going to we may get to 17. I doubt it, but we may get to 17. But again, it's going to take an additional 13 minutes to get those mutual aid companies in. So for the first 13 minutes, you got six firefighters. Hopefully at a full complement, it most likely will be five firefighters on scene. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Will

124adding the one firefighter allow you to do three simultaneous calls or not? It depends on what the first two calls are, but what it will allow for is when we do have the two concurrent calls that one firefighter will not be alone in the station because we can do a hell of a lot more with two firefighters than with one. >> Thank you. Um, >> do you feel like you have enough on the fire department side on things and and or would you like us to We've got a couple of other pieces of uh data that we can go through, but I'm just trying to be cognizant of time. >> Um, I only have one other question. There was a slide in here um about um just the um find it about the related overtime

125and there's like 520,000 that's budgeted if so like adding these firefighters. Are we anticipating that number coming down for overtime or is that totally like a separate >> thing? Yeah. Can I can I handle this one now? >> Sure. It's the It's the money one. It's like the only thing about the fire department I can I can uh really really say I can say when you have a compliment a st full-time compliment. >> I don't know that your microphone is on. >> It's not. >> Yeah. >> Uh check. Is this still a little >> It's flaky. Maybe go to the podium or use one here. >> Mackie is going to make me get my steps in. Um, so when you have a complement of fire full-time firefighters as low as we do, like I said

126here, this isn't discretionary. Um, this is how you maintain staffing at five and six per level is that you have an overtime budget like this that can help back field. To answer your question, um, I doubt it would go down. Um because when you get new uh firefighters on, you have to plan on covering for their their vacation and sick time as well. We don't backfill for or it's not a mandatory backfill for everything. It's uh is it mandatory for sick? I forgot. >> No, for vacation, personal time. uh the chief has uh contractual obligations to backfill for vacation and personal time but not for sick time or training and we have a lot of members that go to training. So a lot of times we are down to five instead of six. um the

127recalls and station coverage. Uh if we went to seven, there is a higher possibility that when we have the two concurrent calls that we would have three left at the station and that would provide us with enough coverage until one of those ambulance was able to clear. So potentially depending on what the first two calls are, it we would be able to reduce that recall coverage. >> It's my understanding too that you have a another ambulance that can be brought into service. >> We have another ambulance that is uh it's not outfitted to the ALS standards yet. That's that's so it's it's it's our ambulance there in case one of the other ambulances goes out on maintenance. For us to staff a third ambulance would be very challenging right now even with seven members >>

128especially if it's Can you just explain briefly the difference between ALS and BLS? >> Absolutely. ALS is advanced life care uh intubation being able to give uh medicines um cardiac versions um it's a basic EMT is able to do basic life support where an advanced or a paramedic is able to do advanced. So basically that ambulance is like a traveling hospital. We can do everything in that ambulance that you potentially could do in the emergency room. So, as they say, time is muscle, especially when it comes to cardiac care. So, the ability of our paramedics to be able to treat somebody uh immediately is the difference can be the difference between life and death. And these guys have shown it and proved it over and over again. Um, so it's it's it it also goes

129to the fire side too. Nowadays with how the furnishing is and how the buildings are built with lightweight construction, synthetic furniture, the fires are hotter. They're they're they're burning faster, which reduces our ability in the time we have to get there faster. It used to be fire doubles every minute. Now it's every 30 seconds. So again, it creates new development, new buildings. The way they're furnished creates new challenges for firefighters. So it's it's uh it's a challenge all all the way around, but getting to the scene uh as quickly as possible is paramount. And obviously with concurrent calls, a lot of the times it it makes it challenges because we're relying on mutual aid to come in. And as I mentioned before, that's a 13minute delay, whether it's a medical emergency or whether it's it's

130a fire related incident. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. Yeah. Appreciate it. >> Awesome. Thanks, Deb. Um, yeah, I hope you don't mind. We got We had a couple of other things, but I'm just trying to be cognizant of time. And I think I I think I think you're learning uh some some cool things here about our departments. Um next uh is the Ashlin Police Department. Um and the appropriation above the level funding required is a h 100,000 for one police officer, not a traffic officer, a police officer. I just want to make sure it's it's known um about that. And before you know, I think the chief's here and we've got some members of the department. I was meeting with some of the union members today. Um gosh, you know, talk about a

131turnaround. I think um it it's been really um I I'm really proud of everybody in this room, but I'm really proud of of just kind of the initiative. I think the the police department um under Cara's leadership and and Mike's uh Mike's working, everybody on the staff there uh has really I think it's something that Ashland can take great pride in. Um, I I don't think I've ever seen like a turnaround in so short a time and so dramatic. And to know that uh your department was once uh viewed very unfavorably by many across the state to now um being viewed very favorably and we're able to get people in uh that are great uh caliber candidates really speaks not to the work that I do or our team but really to the work that

132they do every day. Um and it I think it runs the gamut. One of the things I don't have the slide on uh but certainly people here can talk about is just how the mission has changed. I mean uh Kirsten's here. We just did a report on Kirsten's work. I mean the amount of of work that she has done from a jail diversion and like a social work standpoint in the department is really um it'll really blow you away the amount of work we do and the amount of need that's out there. So, um I don't know who's coming up from from police. Um Chief, you're going to you're going to take it uh take it with us and we'll start u I think it's very important to talk about um calls and what those

133calls are and what these mean. You can explain that a heck of a lot better than I can. >> So, a lot of the work that we do, 51.1% exactly, um is officer initiated. So, what that means is that the officer is not getting called via dispatch. Um, they're selfinitiating. So, you might not know how that affects you until you look and you see that your car is still in your driveway. It hasn't been broken into. You go on vacation, your house is safe. Um, you walk around downtown and you're not worried about your safety. So, the selfinitiated is really important, I think. um to the whole safety of the town. Um the dispatch generated, that's your 911 calls, that's your um you know, suspicious person in your neighborhood. You're going to pick up the

134phone and call the general line. Um another part of the officer initiated is traffic stops. We went from about 500 a year to over um and Mike, you can help me on this. was the total 5,300 around 5,300 um last year. So that's that's a pretty significant jump and I know um you know the the additional officer or or adding anything to our department is not specifically for traffic but I can tell you that that is the majority of the complaints that I hear at my level. Um people wanting um traffic enforcement in their area where they live. Chief, could you what's the is this a typical split for communities? The uh you know almost 50/50 with initiated by officer and and dispatch initiated. Is that typical or >> not at all? >> That speaks

135to a very motivated staff that is selfinitiating. They're not waiting around um you know for a call to come to them. They're self-initiating and that speaks to the men and women on the staff. They they are very motivated. U they're very dedicated and they're committed to safety in this town. And and and that one slide will show me um as their boss that that they are doing the work that that we're paying them to do. Um, this slide speaks to um, 4600 calls handled outside the primary post area. And I know the deputy chief spoke about um, timing being critical. So, we have three areas. Um, on a normal shift, we have one officer for each area. So, three cars um, designated throughout the town. So, say you're in um the north sector and you

136get called to the south sector. Your time in transit is going to be increased. Four or five o'clock. If you're coming from the Southboro line, you need to get to Pawn Street on the Framingham line and you're going to go Pleasant Street. Even lights and sirens, it's going to be a while. So this speaks to uh 40% of the calls required one of the officers to operate outside their designated area which is not ideal. Um having an additional patrol position um could meaningfully increase or improve coverage. Um this slide talks about an additional officer for a pro for patrol availability. >> Um >> it's 195 hours. >> Yeah, 195 hours is what an additional patrol officer would mean. >> I'm sorry. Total shifts. I apolog >> I thought so. Wait a minute. That's okay. 195

137shifts. Um so every one employee you really need you know 1.5 roughly to cover you know the contractual time off unexpected illness that sort of thing. Um this would significantly increase our ability to go beyond our minimum on shifts. So, right now we have a a threecar minimum. One bad accident at the four-way in Oregon is going to wipe out that entire shift for at least an hour. We don't have the ability to call uh for mutual aid in the same way that fire does. That's just historically the difference between the two um professions. We may be able to call Sherburn or Southboro, maybe Framingham. Um, but there are times and and a lot of my people are here, there are a lot of times that you may call and they say, "No, we have

138no one to send you." Or they may call us and we say, "We have no one to send you." Um, at every relief level, the 21 officer model improves the average shift coverage for the town. I have a quick question. So, as far as deploying that extra patrol officer, would it be would you look at specific shifts that would be generally a I don't want to say busier because but is that sort of what your your thought is on how to deploy that officer or >> honestly at this point it's not even going to add >> okay >> an additional officer to our staffing. It's really going to cover what we we have now. It's going to keep us at base level. >> Okay. >> We've had a lot of unexpected um issues arise in

139the last year with personnel um completely out of anyone's control that's brought us down. This would just sort of stabilize the coverage we're able to give now. Um, as we look towards the future, it may help um with maybe we add someone extra to, you know, 3 to 11, which tends to be our busiest shift. But at this point, it it's just going to keep us maintaining the level of services that the town has come to expect from us. And and on that point, um, and I know Joe, you worked for the police department for a long time. Um, what is expected of us now compared to 20 years ago is night and day. Um, we are no longer just policing the town. We are here for the health and the safety of the entire

140town. And Kirsten um is here. I asked her to be here tonight. Her calls for assistance increased 352 or 326% in the last year. 326% more people are requiring services beyond what the patrol division can handle ourselves. >> Can I make a point and actually it'll be a question. Um I think one of the things that I noticed kind of going through everything is a common theme is that we don't have any redundancy and um redundancy is a very very important thing because when everybody is so critical to the operations that they can't be out if they're sick or if they have a family issue that is so much stress. um you could speak to that. I just I know in your career life career it's hard to manage sometimes. Um and what that stress

141is like. >> I think what you're getting at, Michael, is that we have so few people to rely on to staff that the work life balance is becoming unmanageable. And I see it and I know and I have staff here tonight that are doing I know the two sergeants in the back are doing um really three people's jobs >> um during their shift and I'm asking them to be here tonight when they're not getting paid. They're here um voluntarily because to to just um and Sergeant Pierce, I don't mean to call you up, but if you could just stand up for a second and just um do you mind coming up for one minute? Oh boy, he's surprised. He didn't know about this. >> Sorry. But >> he's got a notebook show. >> Kevin is

142one example. He works the 7 to three shift um as a patrol sergeant. However, >> could you explain real quick what we rely on you to do um because we only have 29 people. >> Um I'm not here to >> go closer to the microphone. I'm I'm not here to toot my own horn, but um I handle firearms licensing, which takes up a lot of my day, and I have to limit how many people I can process in a day. Um and then I work with Chris and the school safety committee. Um firearms training. There's >> SRO's manage. >> Yeah, manage the SRO's along with the safety committee. Um so those things are there's just certain things I can't do in a day that have to get pushed off to tomorrow. And that's on top.

143>> And that's not just me. There's a lot of that's just an example of everybody's doing that. >> That's while he's the shift commander for the day shift. >> Um, Sergeant Rocky, do you mind two seconds just coming up? >> While you're shift, I just have one quick question. Are you salaried or are you guys hourly? >> Okay. >> But this is all they're getting paid eight hours to do. >> No, I understand. >> They're doing the others. >> Good evening. Uh, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Larry Rodkkey. the uh patrol sergeant for the I work a split shift, two 3 to 11s and two day shifts. Um but kind of just to echo the chief's point, um we are absorbing a lot of the administrative responsibility on top of overseeing

144a number of young cops. Uh we've hired 10 in the last two years, I believe. Um so I oversee our communications division, which is nine full-time dispatchers, a number of PDM dispatchers. Um I oversee our field training program. So, there's a lot of things that go into that. Um, and we appreciate your support and uh we look forward to continuing to provide um the police services that we do. >> Are you an old cop, Larry? >> I'm getting there. I'm getting there. I know. >> For sure. For sure. Okay. Um, you know, I just, um, one thing I I just a couple of things really, but um, you know, one thing I think that I've noticed is the police are more visible in town and maybe, you know, I'm grateful I oh jeez, don't get

145pulled over too much, but um, it it helps me be more conscious about the well, you know, might have a story or two. Um, but you know, I I I appreciate it because it it does make me more conscious about how fast I'm driving. And so I think the the the visual nature um is important. Um I had a actual question too, but it's it's gone for now. So maybe it'll come back. >> Come back. >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you. So just those two quick and they're not the only two. I'm just using them as an example. So my fear at my level is that um how how long can I go to this well before it dries up? How long can I ask these employees to keep doing all of this and

146how can I expect them to be healthy employees with a work life balance that works for their families if we keep asking all of this of them? So >> what's it like to get >> Oh, I can't talk about that at at my level. But does does anyone want to talk about um officer Snider >> being forced? >> What's it like to get forced? Mike, >> how about when this meeting is over, just stick around for eight hours. >> Yeah, you can't go home. >> Yeah, don't go home. >> You're supposed to go home. And and that's a reality. So So forced overtime was a a huge significant problem four years ago. Um through the hard work of town management and um the unions, we've come to a point where we've hired and and we

147have um come to a point where forces are not typical. Communications is a whole different animal. Forces happen there often. We're working on that. Um but picture you got to pick your kid up. I was a working mom, a cop working and I had two girls that like I had to pick them up. There was no other reliable source. And if I worked 8 to 4 and if at 3:30 I got a call and said you can't go like what are you going to do? And that's a a little bit of a cushion so that we're not looking at forces goes a long way. Um, it's one of the the things you expect when you get into this field, but you never really get used to, I guess. >> Does the forced overtime have a

148rotation so that one individual is constantly not being the the, you know, the dog that has to follow up and and work it all the time because that's what we had to do years ago. This forced overtime is not something new and it's not it's not well appreciated. I can assure you that. Yeah, we have force lists and we have um the deputy tracks everything in in DTS. Um >> that being said, it it >> if someone worked a detail and then they're going into their shift and you didn't work a detail, regardless if you were the last time forced twice, you're up because you can't work more than 17 hours in 24-hour period. So, >> and I'll tell you, it gets thin at dispatch, too. It would it's not a total anomaly to walk

149in to dispatch and see captain there or maybe Sergeant Rodkkey filling in. Um and so it takes them away from their duties just to um just to fill the dispatch role. We're we're thin. I I'm sorry I I didn't make this um as I I haven't made it as plain as it needs to be. Um this this is crisis level. uh this isn't and and I'm treating it as a mandatory and it's not a discre, you know, discretionary spend. Um what um what I haven't done is done a great job of explaining um exactly what these folks go through on a on a day-to-day basis. And um I've just got to do a better job of that. And they do it a heck of a lot better than me, I think. >> Yeah. I guess

150the the final point that I want to make on behalf of my department is we're not asking for toys. We're not asking for a drone unit or AI software or any of the new uh buzzwords or things that are exciting. We're asking for relief, for staffing, for quality of life, and to maintain the level of service, which I will go out on a limb and say is exceptional service that you're receiving from the Ashlin Police Department. We just want to be able to maintain that. >> I did think of my question. Um, so how when when a call comes for the fire department, does a police officer always respond to that? That is a very great question, Claudia, because uh Lynn and I were talking about that today. Um yes, we do go on all

151the calls. >> We're a different animal. We um are out in the cruisers. We oftentimes get there first. Um >> yeah, I've experienced that when police officer got there first. And I have experienced it as a cop just waiting just hearing that siren knowing that I don't have the capacity or the ability to treat a patient just praying for them to get there quickly with their expertise >> and and one comment about earlier you talked about um the types of calls have changed right and and I think we find that's the case and all of our public safety and our education system you know the world is a different world than when I grew up and so people rely rely on the police, the fire, the school department to do a lot of so social

152social service um or things that we always were done within core families or extended families or churches or religious organizations of some sort that now really fall on our our public um employees and and the many ways that they support families. I certainly know that firsthand from the schools and and I know that it's certainly the same within the police and fire departments too that so often um you know we're supporting families and and community members who don't have anywhere else to turn. No, thank you. >> I'm sorry. I I I have a question. So, thank you. Thank you, Chief. Actually, it might be more of a question for Michael. So um but both thank you uh for for all this very important public safety information. Something that uh fire EMS that was mentioned during

153the fire EMS discussion uh sort of resonated with me and I just wanted to bring this question up. Um so like we know that we've got you know a number of buildings coming residential buildings coming online right you know apartment buildings going online and from our earlier earlier discussion I mean I mean it's just math right you've got more people there going to be more calls that's whether they're single family or their apartments whatever like that's that's what it is I you know if we're kind of you know at crisis level now I I'm just curious and we sort of know what we have an idea of like the kinds of calls and staffing models and such. Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but if we know this is stuff, this is coming online

154like you know what what are we what are we looking at going forward? Have we started looking at like optimal staffing models going forward? What we could be aiming for, what we should be preparing for because like we we do know what's coming, right? So I guess that's you know kind of a planning question um maybe after this discussion but I I was just curious if there's there's any kind of work or modeling being done around that right now as we are having these kinds of discussions. >> So so that is a >> we just had this conversation. Um so part of our problem is that we're so we're so short staffed across the board. It's hard to do proactive planning anywhere because you're so busy doing the reactive stuff. Um but that being said,

155um we spent some time uh today talking about goals and really the fact that we need to have a a strategic plan for that department. And I think our um our goal for, you know, FY27 in that department is to come up with a strategic plan that does look at those things, Makita, like um what does the growth look like? What do we want the department to look like? >> Yeah. I think that that's going to be immensely helpful going forward, you know, not just obviously for for playing purposes, but also for communication purposes, right? So that the community understands the need before it becomes a crisis. And again, there are benefits to knowing what we have coming. >> You know, sometimes you don't know what's coming, but we do know what's coming. So, I

156think we're positioned to do some good work around that. So, I'm looking forward to hearing more about that uh during the coming months. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. Yeah, I think that's uh I think we need to do that in departments. We need to talk about succession planning um in departments. I think you know part of the problem that we're currently facing is that I didn't do much of that. We didn't really have much bandwidth to do that and it kind of put us in a pickle um when you have single points of failure like we did. So yeah, >> you good with me? >> Yeah, I'm good. Thanks, Chief. Mike, I just have one quick question for either Mike and or uh >> Car with respect to accreditation. How does this affect the accreditation process?

157>> Oh, that's a >> Yeah, there you go. >> Thank you. Um yeah, as you know, that's a long-term goal of the department to be accredited. Um there are many departments that have one, two, three full-time staff working just on accreditation. Currently I'm the sole person working on that with help from throughout the department when we have things to initiate um policies to review things like that. Um I think overall to reiterate a lot of what's been said adding this extra person and I think there is a slide that shows where we are with the national average. Is that >> it? Yeah. >> So we're you know the the we're already below the national average. So, you're talking about like, you know, long-term planning and and knowing like we're starting from behind, right? So, we

158we need more than just this one officer to get where we where we need to be and then we need to start looking ahead. When you add that extra officer, that's a trickle up effect, right? So, we had Sergeant Rocky and and Sergeant Pierce talk about the extra responsibilities that they have. Um, we have Officer Oriker who is our court officer. She's our evidence officer. She works handinhand with Kristen every day. um you know taking on multiple multiple roles. So adding that one person that trickles up and maybe it allows you know the sergeant to to not have to have one less responsibility and he can move on to something else needs to get done and it trickles up to maybe allowing me to have some more time um to to work towards that accreditation

159process or have one of the sergeants or a lieutenant help me help me further that. Um that is a very important goal of ours. Um you know and it's an expectation these days that that departments are operating at that high level. Um so again we're kind of starting from starting from behind. Um this one officer again it's going to trickle up and allow us to really start um you know well stop spreading everybody so thin. Um but it's it's only step one to your point of of a of a bigger process. So I don't know if that answers your question but >> it does. I also does it open up the doors once accreditation is achieved does it open up the doors for additional grant funding? >> I don't know the ex the exact extent.

160I do believe that that is true. I don't know if Chief you might be able to talk to that more. >> We're getting to the point where in the next 3 to 5 years accreditation is going to become mandated. Post is going to mandate it is what we're hearing. >> Okay. So the days of, you know, getting accredited and it was a feather in your cap and you could apply for state and federal grants. Um, it's going to be mandated. We want to get ahead of that, >> right? And and I think if if things go and we talk about our strategic plans and what we have, I think in the next 18 months, if we can give the deputy like six to eight months where he can dedicate the majority of his time to

161just accreditation, he will get it done. If anyone can get it done, he will. Um, and that's that's part of our goal. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you, Mike. And um and so I I'll move to the buildings and grounds uh department and the $260,000 funded there. Oh, there's Doug. I knew you snuck in here somewhere. And Dan, um if you gentlemen want to come up here and help me, um I would have greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Captain. Um trying to think of the best place to start with this. Let's let's just start with um why there's a need um for building a separate building and field operations. Well, DPW is a massive enterprise. It it it consists of highway, cemetery, parks and trees, water, sewer, storm water, fields, facilities, um engineering. What am

162I missing, gentlemen? Did I get it all? >> Oh, rubbish and recycling. It's a massive enterprise. And and so what happens is that um just not enough leadership focus, I think, gets put on on any one. It's really hard to balance them all out. And simultaneously, we're adding on more buildings, more complicated buildings, and we haven't grown our staff. Um, and some of these buildings require pretty significant preventive maintenance um to be done in order to maintain warranties and make sh things make sure things are working correctly. But just in our highway department, you know, we've seen an increase significant increase uh in work orders. And same thing with uh facilities requests. We're anticipating uh in FY27, almost a 20% increase. Um maybe you gentlemen can just talk a little bit. We're we're starting to

163do a better job of of of data collection and kind of seeing some of that, but um maybe you can kind of see where some of that demand, especially in the facilities um area where you're seeing a lot of that pressure. >> You start. Hi everybody. Um, >> okay. So, uh, start with the buildings. So, um, I think today we have the town of Ashlin has 12 or 13 buildings. Um, so 20 years ago, a little more than 20 years ago, the town hall, the library, and the community center came online. So, the community center was new. The library was refurbished, renovated, and so was the town hall. So that means all of the utilities in the buildings were also new at the time for over 20 years. So, and back then, I think we

164had uh two people in in the facilities department. And so they they they did okay because everything was new, you know, all the the boilers, the hot water heaters, the air handler units, things like that. So, but now here we are 20 years later with these three buildings and every day is a crisis. Every day. Not a crisis like police and fire, but it's a crisis every day. How was your heat today, Katherine? Was it out, Michael? >> Amazing. >> Thank you. Every day it's a new surprise, you know. So, it's a constant thing, you know, where every day we're putting out we're dealing with a a a boiler down or a furnace down or air handle unit or uh could be a a uh uh doorway or um anyways, it's just continuous. So, so

165that's the issue with those three buildings. They're multiple. It's every single day and and I'm not I'm not joking. Um, and then as far as the public safety building, that is, uh, the technology in there is all fairly new and it's not something even your common average, um, uh, technicians are used to yet. Um, so it's a major learning curve uh, with these with the public safety building and, uh, Deputy Chief U. Ventula can definitely attest to that, too. So, um, so that's the public safety building, which is a whole other animal. Um, and then, uh, let's see. So, some of the other buildings. Anyway, so the facilities department, we call it the facilities department has been evolving very slowly for the last 20 years. Um, for example, uh, it's just been evolving very, very

166slowly. So, there's just two people in that department. Uh, one person has to work six days a week. Um, and it's just it's too much. It's way too much. It's way too And it has been way too much for a long long time. And it is the facilities department is a particular department that has been overlooked for decades in Ashlin and it goes back to Mike Dion with a broom or you know working as a custodian. So, this is a way of being able to protect the taxpayers's money, their investment in these buildings. If we don't take care of them, it's only going to cost us more in the short and the long run. It's you can just think it is as simple as as an oil change for your car, you know. So, you

167if you go out and you change your oil every 3 to six months, you're going to spend about a hundred bucks. if you don't, it's going to cost you 5 to 10 grand to replace your engine. So, that's the thinking behind the facilities department. So, >> so uh what one of the things that I can add and and help uh bring to light in that is uh so out of those two people, one of those person has to be on call 24/7. So, when we have you so not only she working six days a week, a lot of times she's coming in seven days a week. uh with the public safety building, a lot of these uh components and these uh different units, they're all specialized. So, even just to call your regular plumber, sometimes

168they can't help us. It's a very specialized system. Everything's computerized. And to be able to diagnose it properly, you have to make sure you get the right vendor. Now, she has to come back in and and be there with that vendor because anybody that goes into the public safety building and for that matter for any town building, uh the contractors has to, you know, we need to be there with them in case they need to access to certain areas of the building. Um, and that it just at some point you're going to have employee burnout and that they're not going to want to continue to do that. Uh, there's got to be a quality of life somewhere in there, too. Um, so hopefully that helps shed a little bit of light on that. So, >>

169and and I this is field positions. It wasn't meant to be like green grass field, but like maintenance people in the field. Um, you know, we, as Doug said, we only have two people for 13 buildings. Um, and when you look at vacation time and things like that, my graph didn't turn out too great here. Um, but you know, it's it's less than 1.5 uh FTEES. again to maintain 13 buildings. Um those aren't good odds um if if you want to have a functioning um well-maintained facilities uh facility that is not like Doug said going to cost you an arm and a leg in the future. One of the things that we felt that we heard a lot when we were going out to the vote for both buildings was that we didn't maintain the

170facilities that we had. Well, I'm trying to correct that. Um, and because I do think that that we weren't able to maintain them the way we should have, not because of lack of effort, just because of lack of resources. You know, I I hate as a manager. Um, the biggest thing I can the the worst thing I can do is actually set people up to fail. Um, as a manager, that's really that's that's almost negligent. Um, and any of you all that uh manage significant amounts of people and significant uh infrastructure and organizations understand that. Um, and and I think especially well with all of these, but with facilities, we're setting ourselves up for failure. We're setting our people up for failure. Just the growth in town properties from 2006 to 2026, folks, we've gone

171from 15 assets to 35 assets. We've gone from like uh a few buildings and some grounds to like a full system, a a full system with um buildings, individualized buildings with specialized systems for operations and sustainability. We have all of these green spaces that we have to maintain like Mil Pond Park, which DPW built by the way at great savings to the town. I should point out uh the landfill, mill pond, park, all of these things have to be maintained and uh we have not grown our staff one lick in the whole time. One lick. Um so I think um I think just that it's look I mean I can throw all kinds of charts and data at you. It's really kind of simple. Um you go from 15 to 35 assets that need to

172be maintained and you don't invest in your staffing. Um, that math ain't math, as we like to say around here, right, Katherine? Katherine's my math wiz over here. Um, and so, yes, I'm proposing that we we do a buildings and we stand up a buildings and grounds department and $260,000. And what does that look like? That looks like a a director. It looks like an additional maintenance person bringing our complement of maintenance people for the buildings to three. Um, it includes an increase in utilities because Claudia, as you mentioned, they're all going up. Um, and then, um, contracted services, we do a lot, uh, with vendors and so those prices are going up. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. So, um the actual work going on in the in the buildings if um

173you have to call in vendors and things like that. So, is that already budgeted for and is that like is that a >> As best we can. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, >> we can't budget in if the roof leaks and the you know the RTU goes library I think has six or seven units on it just one building. >> Right. just like you can't you can't like expect a water mane break and what that would look like. But >> Right. Right. >> But um I'm just I was just curious when when you were doing the breakdown of the department if if that if um if the actual costs of the maintenance and stuff outside of our group would be included in that. >> It it is and it's significant. Doug. Yeah. >> Sorry, Michael.

174>> No, don't. >> So, what is it? March. We're already trying to put repairs on the shelf until June or until the next fiscal year. We're having so many breakdowns, so many repairs, you know, we're like, we can't do it. We're afraid we're going to, you know, we'll be broke by the time we get to the the end of April. So, you know, we're trying to hold off as whether it's a generator or whether it's a um, you know, another air handle unit or an RTU like Dan said. So that's and then back to like you said the utilities they're through the roof right now and and all these street lights that's a whole other utility that we have Route 126 coming online right now we don't own that bill we're going to own that

175bill very soon for Route there's a 100 street lights on Route 126 so >> yeah and the maintenance so >> so can I I'm sorry >> just real quick so just to understand Doug you gave the analogy that you know if you don't do the oil change you then have a larger bill. >> So you're telling me we have not been doing the oil changes. >> Two years ago we started doing a preventative maintenance program for the first time in the town of Ashlin for the HVAC HVAC systems which is awesome. It's great. We need to continue it >> that and and also with the with the new public safety building with all those new units and with all amount of >> right Doug talked about those three buildings that we know came online 20

176years ago. Um, so for some reason decisions were made to not do the oil changes per se, >> right, >> on these three buildings and now we're seeing, >> right? >> Yeah. I I can be very clear about that. The we didn't make a decision. The decision was made for us, >> right? Um, I think when when you have um the roof leaking um and you have to choose between doing that and preventive maintenance and stuff, you you have to you have to do the emergency first and um we're very reactive. Uh that's how that's the resources that we have invested right now is that it's a very reactive department. >> Plus, Ashen has the right people in place. Yeah, we have good people in place >> to think of preventive means. They weren't people

177before us weren't thinking about preventative maint. >> That's true. There there really wasn't it was a resource issue and I think >> what's wrong putting out buyers to >> to think about what do I need to do 10 years down the road when I'm just, you know, I've got to put out the fire today. You know, I I don't want to be sitting there and have the roof um and the ceiling fall onto Katherine and me and Joe. Maybe you too, Brandy. Um yeah, because we have an issue here um that needs to be addressed. And um >> No, absolutely. No, I um I just had a couple other just um I guess housekeeping questions. Um so this um this department would that report up to um like the director of DPW or would that

178report to you Michael? How what would the view of the report >> right now? It would it would report to me. Um and that's because I I think we have an opportunity through this to think more in the future as well in line with what the comprehensive plan um is in line and that is part of this um of this uh buildings and grounds department is to start looking at okay what are our bigger facilities needs in the future number one and then number two how are we going to expand athletic fields here in town we haven't even touched that I get more calls about that. Jay Culverwell, God bless him. Uh Ashlin youth soccer and uh and McDonald and lacrosse and u the Gormans in youth baseball and softball. They're very passionate and um

179and uh they uh they they don't have enough space. Um Doug, you can speak to this so much better than I can. >> Thanks, Michael. I've been living this quite a bit the last two weeks. Right now, the two artificial turf fields that we have, we have two, okay? Both are booked Monday through Friday from 3 in the afternoon until almost 10:00 every single night. Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays, it starts at 8:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. up until 5:00 p.m. and then a little bit after that. Both artificial field I haven't even gotten to the grass fields yet. It's insane. It's crazy. We have all these private people trying to get on to use the fields and I I'm like sorry. I'm like sorry we don't have the space. >> But the youth sports

180soccer alone there's over there are over 500 kids in Ashlin youth sports and the school department the school >> they have a lot of participants now and they continue to add new sports on top of it. So it just the window of you know field space in Ashlin is is dwindling so fast. It it's it's amazing. And eventually I can see that the school fields just being school and youth sports because >> so thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah, because I because I know it's it's it's tough to find space anywhere in town. So um one other question be based on this slide that we have up here. Um the last line item on here um it says explicit year one deliverable. Can you talk a little bit about that and sort of what what

181that looks like? >> Yeah, I I mean part of this I think there's going to be some explicit deliverables. Uh one is a work order system and making sure our vendor the second would be our vendor warranty management. And then the third thing that you're talking about is a a five-year uh facilities plan. Okay. Uh an actual, you know, proactive uh plan. And uh this is going to be um this is going to be a good a big lift. As Doug has told you, we've been built um very lean. And I think um the buildings and grounds really kind of the first mission is just kind of to stand it up and figure out, okay, exactly what do we need to to fully complement this? Um we're going to be building the car as we're

182driving it to a certain extent. Um, but I I'm really confident in the people that we can get to do this. >> I would I would also just make a request for me, not for the rest of the board, but I think >> as this gets built >> that um I would be really interested to see what that five-year plan looks like and and also just, >> you know, checking in on the success of it because I think, you know, we really don't we don't we don't talk about the successes of that enough. So, like I would be really interested in seeing what that what that plan looks like and >> and just if we're meeting the needs of of the community at, you know, with this with this shift that we're doing. >> Yeah.

183Um I I can tell you that we're across the board I got to word this carefully. Um we're doing a miraculous job. Makita, you said it best one day. I and I really liked it. Um, we're like alchemists. We turn lead into gold. Um, and and that's really to our staff members, but we're You know what, Brandy? We don't know what it's like to have a compliment of staff to to do more proactive work. It's going to be a shift in thinking. It's something that we need to do. Um, I think one of the things that I've learned throughout this whole process is just I've got to do a better job of making sure that you're connected with these folks and what they do on a regular basis. I haven't done a good job of

184that. And um, you know, I am so proud of this group. Um, I was really proud of of Ashland 1.0 know and this group has a really special um feeling in my in my heart um because I've known a lot of them and they're in new positions and they've had to step up in ways that a lot of people shouldn't have to step up at the same time but they've done it and you know I and to a certain extent the board really benefited um look when I started I said yes to everything um and it was easy for me and it was um a lot of people liked the fact that I said that and you know what everybody who had to pick up the pieces weren't they weren't the people saying yes they

185were these folks and um I benefited greatly personally um you know reputationally by saying yes and having other people just kind of pick up the pieces and so I guess I feel really um bad that I haven't done a good enough job of advocating for Um, there's such a special, you know, this, I say it all the time and I get a big smile on my face. This is a special crew. Ashlin is a special place. We do more with less in a way that, um, other communities really envy and I hear that from other communities. Um, you really are a special group. Um, and and I've really grown to think so much of you. Um, and just who you are as people and as professionals. Gosh, Kevin, I'm going to call you out, too.

186The relationship Kevin, uh, Piers and I had a few years ago. Frosty, is that a good way to say it? >> Um, I'm so proud of him and to be frosty with him. >> Yeah, I I am so proud. He's really been just kind of a a good um symbol of what it's like when you feel supported and um you enjoy coming to work. Um we have a hard job and um but we enjoy each other. Gosh, is Dave still here? >> No. >> I give Dave a hard time um a lot and as I should, but you know what? I I hate to say this, but Dave Irusi is known more around this town than you or I combined. Um because David is at people's homes and he is making people feel better in

187their times of of their worst times. And um gosh, I I'm there's not a better group of people I would like to see do that. I'd say that about the school department, too. I'm really proud of our school department and what they do. Um I hated being in a position where we had to kind of start competing with each other because I feel so strongly about the work that we all do. Um is deserves better than that and to the extent I I started to do that myself. I apologize. So let's let's concentrate on moving forward together >> in regards to that moving forward. Um, I I want to say I mean DPW does a great job. This has been a great thing for us to look at. Um, but I'm going to ask the

188question, right? Uh, a new director at $144,000, you know, the other positions I get. Is this the year with everything else going on? And I know it's your budget, Michael, but our job is to question and to make sure. >> Absolutely. >> And I'm wondering, can we do this without the new director? Can we can we create a department as part of public works for at least a year, right? Rather than looking at having to do the 750 from stabilization this year, could we adjust that a little bit for this year and then, you know, see what just adding those two positions plus the contractor would do to that department and to what needs to get done. And again, for me, it's for me, I feel it's partly my job to ask that question. >>

189And it is and it's your and you deserve to have um as much information as you can um to help you to help you ask those questions and make those decisions. And I think um for me, a director is the key because part of the problem is is that we've got fragmented leadership right now. And what I wouldn't want to do is invest. I don't want to say it's good money a out of after bad, but I wouldn't necessarily want to put more resources into something that doesn't have a direction associated with it. And so I'm happy to look at that and and look at different things. Um uh but I do think the the director, yeah, it's it's the high ticket item and yet it's probably the most important, but let me see what

190I can do. >> Okay. Again, I don't want to take anything away from our DPW and our staff and everyone does a great job, but in my mind, as we're looking at things and we're questioning, we have to question everything. Yeah, absolutely. >> And the idea again, you know, could it be, you know, keep the current director and you have someone else under him and then look at creating the new department in a whole. >> Yeah. Let me let me take a look at at a couple different formulations. >> Yeah. >> Right. like if a phased but if a phased approach looks looks like it might >> might make more sense okay you know as opposed to all at once or something like that I think you know to see to understand what that would

191mean would be helpful I think is that what you think >> that's that's good feedback >> yep >> okay anything else >> I I you know we're all in the same boat together and uh I I see the uh chair of the school committee here and it's it's been enlightening for me as well I'm sure enlightening for her. Um, and we all support one another. >> That's what we do. We all support one another. So, uh, >> Lori, before you speak, I just I want to say something too, okay? Because I I feel like I I should have said it earlier when everybody was still here, >> but you know, um, just sort of I thought a lot about all this, right? It it's we all live in families or some kind of a group,

192right? that um and we make hard decisions all the time and we have to decide what's important and sometimes someone in the family has to sacrifice and and I just want it to be very clear that that I and I don't think anybody on this board um and perhaps we haven't always expressed it to some departments but I don't think anybody on this board doesn't think that everyone in this room does a tremendous job that all of our employees do a tremendous job. Um I know I've talked about crossing the line to Southboro when it was the roads were awful and we're I you know we I've had Chief uh Rossi at my house because somebody sent me a letter with some stuff in it. I my family unfortunately has called um the fire department

193um many times to support my family members. So I I there's no one that could feel well I mean people can feel strong but I feel very strong okay about our community and the people in it and I also feel very strongly about the schools and how well you have articulated for the children in our community. I want, you know, public safety um is critical in a community and so is in public education. And I want you to know that I have never, just because I might embrace um the values of of great education, it it it doesn't take away from the other things that I value in our community. And I just want you to know that I've never been offended by anything that anyone um in on the school board has said or

194and I appreciate that you advocate and and boy, we live in a in a world where we all need to advocate all the time for things that are important and and that and and the ability to do that in a positive way is what allows us to have the best outcomes. So, you know, I just wanted to be clear about that because I I just feel as though it has been it's been a rough week and um and and nobody everybody needs to feel respected and um their opinions valued and then we go forward >> and heard. C can I just add to that because you said you weren't going to speak for us so I'm going to say something. No, but I'll just I I will I will ditto that, but I will also

195say that, you know, we are one community, right? And I don't think I'm going to speak for the board, but I don't think anyone here sees any sort of uh adversarial relationship between, you know, municipal or education needs. We have to make these decisions together as a community. We are one Ashlin full stop. And that's how I've been going through this process. I'm relatively new. Some of you all have been through this before, but this is one of my first times. So that's and but I feel like that's I think that's the sentiment here. So I don't think there's I I just wanted to clarify that uh on my behalf as well. But >> thank you. >> Not yet. I looked at my clock. >> Um I know we have 10 minutes. Sorry. >> I'll

196try to be brief. I just wanted to first of all thank everybody, the select board, the finance committee, the school committee, the superintendent, the town manager, all the department heads, the chiefs, anybody who's participated in this process of budgeting. I I mean it's difficult and an easy year and this has not been an easy year. Um this is my 15th year doing this and my last year doing this and um I'm having a lot of fun in my last few weeks here. But um with there have been a lot of conversations and a lot of feelings and people um feeling maybe misunderstood or left out or um and I have been an advocate the entire time that I've been on school committee. I've understood that to be my job is to advocate for the needs

197of the school. But I live in this town and the only thing I want to say tonight because you've all heard at other meetings what the needs of the school are and the impacts that this budgeting season has on our students and families and will have. But I want everyone to know that I heard a lot of compelling things in this room tonight from the other departments and on behalf of the entire school committee because I've worked with these folks now some for a decade or more. or I know them really well and um you had our unwavering support before I heard anything in this room. I mean that was not ever a question or a problem and we are focused on the and and not it it does get stressful when we heard um

198the Senate president tonight talking about what's happening with federal funding. We've already experienced that we're losing some funding that we really counted on. um chapter 70 is not what it needs to be and that's affecting us and the costs as we know are rising faster than the 2 and a half% that we can claim. So what happens is what's happening you know there's a shrinking pool of money and increasing needs from from all of us and um whenever I'm advocating for the schools it's never at in my mind at the expense of anybody else. I'm doing my job. But I I do want you to know how much that we support you. Um we're here to fight for the best way to get as many of all of our needs met as we possibly can.

199Some of you I've known for a long time um before any of us even had these roles. We live here. Um we want these services. Um we've some of us have worked together in other roles at other points in time. And I think at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. So, I just want to be very clear about um our appreciation and support for the police department, the fire department, the DPW, and anybody who's putting any time and effort into making this town a better place. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And and I just want to say that message has been heard loud and clear by um by me and our departments and uh very much appreciate all the effort that you've taken over the last week just

200to make sure that that we knew there was that support. So it it's very much appreciated and and hopefully hopefully you feel like it's reciprocated too. So good. Um, okay. We good? >> Well, um, I I will Well, let's just check in real quick here. Um, I've got some more data that I'll put as part of my budget document once we get uh everything all put together. I just need to I just need time to do it. Um, I usually don't talk about how much time I spent on things. I spent um from 400 am to 7 pm on Saturday uh on that and then another eight hours the next day. I just needed to get it done and you guys needed it. So hopefully you feel like you've got data um that will help

201you make um make m make your decisions and the direction that you want to go in. >> Yep. So I just want to say thank you for doing that because I think one of the things that at least me I can I can't speak for anybody else but coming out of tri board and we've had this discussion >> um >> we've talked a bit >> a little bit there's been a few few few conversations but um this the presentation that you did tonight some of the other data that you sent to us like that was sort of the missing piece that was sort of what >> made it like real and and the thought behind it and the reasoning behind it that clicked for me and I probably others here too, but um I just

202wanted to say thank you for for um putting that together and thank you to everybody that's been here tonight because I think I think it speaks volumes that you all are here in support of one another. So it's it's pretty special. But um but yeah, no, so from my perspective, I feel comfortable with with what the needs are for the town. >> And you know, I think the next step for me is we need to talk about. Um there's a couple other moving pieces like the stabilization fund and things like that that I think we need to have a a a good discussion on. Um I'm I'm in a good place with with the proposed um 755 number that you're you're putting forward. So >> okay, if I feel like that's a decent baseline and

203Yolanda, to your point, and I think um you know, I saw some head nods, I'll also go back and see uh what what I can refine too. >> Yeah, I would appreciate that. And you know, I want to apologize that I was not able to be at the tri board meeting. It's one of those things that I had something else on my calendar months ago and it's hard to get everyone together. >> But I guess, you know, as I got this information, we had been talking about 750 and now the number is 755. Granted, that's only 5K, but I want to reciprocate, you know, you know what Brandy said, I appreciate this detailed information. Unfortunately, that tells me that maybe it had not been as detailed and thought through two months ago when we thought

204about the 750. >> So, thank you for for doing this because now, you know, for we had been talking two months that we were going to shift the 750, which you know, as you said at the beginning of your presentation, it was difficult to get people to understand and why are we doing this and are we going back on a promise and that kind of thing. >> But now the number 755. So, >> I did that just for you, Yolanda. Well, I knew you'd pick that up. But maybe if I came in at 7:45, would that be better? >> You It just Anyway, again, we don't always, you know, hindsight is 2020, but for me, some of this I appreciate the the, you know, you're saying, you know, you then worked Saturday so long. I

205appreciate that. >> Um, could some of that been done sooner? That's all. So, >> the answer is no. I think what we need to come together on is that, >> you know, if we're able to, we can fund um some these requests tonight from stabilization, right, with without a tax impact. But we are looking at a $2.75 million override that will support the schools who, in all fairness, have eliminated to get to that number 13 positions. So they, as we've been talking about future planning, they have restructured to try to minimize the impact, but that's a $2.75 million override that we need to come together on, right? Um, and and then if there's some movement that needs to happen in the in the other area, that's fine. I I think it it's less challenging than

206what we need to propose to the community. So, I really think we need to give that some attention. >> Yeah. And Claudia, I I would also say um that 2.75 million is is not just for the schools, it's for the community. Um I the ABA had a forum yesterday. And um so we talked about a lot of things and and they asked me what I thought was the most um important thing on the warrant. And I said uh the warrant and the ballot, it's about the budget. And I said, "You'll see an override and it'll say Ashland Public Schools on it, but the last thing I want anybody to think of when they see that is that it's just for Ashlin Public Schools." And I told the business community, I said, "This is just as

207important to you as it is to the school quote unquote department. Um, you want a a welleducated community that um appreciates um appreciates the community that they're in and and what what it offers. Um I think uh well I kind of lost my train of thought but um there was a um the superintendent makes a makes a good makes a lot of good points sometimes but just you know I think the inter relationship uh between a commercial sector and um you know the municipal end of things and the schoolhouse of things, school side of the house uh we're all interrelated. We're all dependent upon each other. And so it's just like I said at the beginning, an investment in the schools is an investment in us and an investment in the municipal departments is an

208investment in the schools. >> Chair motion to go past 10:00. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I and Yolanda, to your point, this this has been thought out. We've talked about this uh some of these pieces for a while, >> you know. Um, I've had kind of all of this. Just needed to find a time to sit down and just hammer it out. And guess what? I was motivated. So, >> it's amazing what a little motivational do. >> It is. It is. As I told as I told Brandy and Joe, I think um I and I know there's some concerns. Look, I'm all in. >> I I I'm I'm spending a lot. I mean, I I think my staff knows how much time I spend on this stuff.

209It's just different than what I was spending my time on at at the very, you know, beginning of my tenure. I was a lot more in the community. Um, but yeah, I feel good about where we are right now and I feel like we're together and I feel like we really need to do this for the community and we need to move uh start thinking about the forum on the 26 and what we're going to present and how we're going to present it together and um yeah, >> thank you Michael. >> Thank you. Um before we before we leave this discussion I just want to reiterate everything that uh my other board members uh made comment about with respect to supporting other departments. Uh when I bleed, I bleed blue and it's royal blue ashine

210colors. Um I see people that um I watch grow up in this community. There's a gentleman out back that has stripes on his sleeve and hey, he has a beard. used to chase that little kid around the around the around the neighborhood years ago um when he was in school. No, no, it wasn't you. U and then there was somebody that used to come over my house all the time with my daughter and um she now has stars on her on her shoulder. So committed in this town? Absolutely. Without a doubt. There's no there's no one that doesn't love this town any more than I do. And um what we've done this past couple of days and couple of weeks has been nerve-wracking to say the least. But we're all in this boat together. We're

211all going to work together and we're going to ride it. We we sink or swim together. That's the way it is. And uh hopefully we swim and not sink. But it's it's up to us to get that message out there and provide the information to everybody, especially with the forum that's coming up. And um people need to be prepared for it. And that's what we have to do. And just talk to people about it, you know, not not using scared tactics, but just this is it. This is what we need. And just and just move along. Just move it along. So you all are appreciated. >> Oh, sorry. I just wanted to just make have a question about the forum. Um Michael, I know I had talked to you and we had said something about

212like you having the ability of of the residents to be able to like send in questions. Um I don't know if you guys had talked about that and and maybe is there like a mechanism for that or should one of us be like the point people for questions that come in or what do you think? Well, what I was going to do is I was going to put something in the in the newsletter like if they want to send in questions ahead of time, ahead of the 26 um to go ahead and I was going to have them send it to Clara as the communications person. I'm happy to change that if that's fine. I don't want them I mean I do want but we are going to allow people to be there either in

213person or via Zoom and ask questions as well as information gets presented. Yep. Okay. Just clarifying. >> Oh yeah, absolutely. That's like the main point of the the the forum is really it's not >> we'll present information but I don't think it's going to be like an extensive presentation on both ends. It's really a chance for everybody to ask questions and >> and hopefully they're not u the same questions just in a different frame. >> Well, I think everybody's going to have I honestly I think we're going to see a lot of the same questions because because everybody has the same concerns expressed differently. But >> anyway, I just I just want to make sure that I I'm sorry. I just want to make sure that I know you're going to get that out in

214your newsletter, but I want to make sure that there are other means or other channels that we're putting out the opportunity for people to submit questions on. >> So, you know, if it's on the website or, you know, however we can disseminate that, I think that would be helpful because not everybody gets the newsletter. >> Okay. like social media um any other things in particular website a PDF that can go up on WACA TV >> something at the senior center I mean flyers that can go places >> flyers would be helpful like anything basically to say give make sure that people can reach out beforehand so we can get those questions so we're prepared to answer them >> absolutely >> when they when they come. >> Okay. we have detail, you know, if we need

215detail, we'll have that detail for them. >> So, I know the next thing on our agenda, sorry, I don't mean to >> move forward, but it's 10 o'clock and we're >> we're on to item B. So, >> Blackstone Valley Tech won the >> hockey game in Rhode Island. >> That's the team of the young man who lost his family. >> That's good. >> Hey, thanks everybody. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Um, so I know we still have school committee members here. Um, and one of the things that was a was a takeaway from the tri board meeting was um the delta that we had we talked about um potentially making up if if the override didn't pass, how we might use stabilization funds. So, one of the things that I had asked

216Michael for um following that tri board meeting was um a very detailed list of the stabilization funds, how much since inception, how much we put in, how much we've taken out, why we've taken money out, our current balance, and have a discussion about how do we utilize the stabilization fund. You know, we're looking at 755ish,000 for this upcoming town meeting. What else do we need to look at to make sure that we meet all the needs from everybody? >> Yeah, we were going to need like around 600,000 just to balance the budget anyway. So, you add the 750 on top of that, you're at the 1.3. And then I believe at the tri board meeting, we talked about uh 1.4 4 million I believe was the um was the additional amount for the school department.

217So um so you know if you add those up it can uh it can be pretty substantial but you know to point out we we took out almost 2.3 last year and put a chunk in. Um, >> so one question for you because looking at the >> there's a couple numbers on our stabilization spreadsheet that Yeah. >> So, >> and I think you talked about the tri board that the balance of the account was 10.4 million >> and then there's another line item under here that says that there's a transfer that we're is it like we're waiting to transfer out 2 million 2.2 2 million. And so the real the real number we're working with is 8.1. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. And oh, Steph left. Um the best u Yeah. The best way to

218look at is if if you looked at a snapshot in the account, right? It's going to say the 10.1 million, but we also have to remember that we had scheduled a transfer u to help support the budget. And so that'll probably happen at the end of the year. >> Okay. >> And so we wanted to make sure that we're accounting for that. So really the balance is around that $8 million figure. >> Okay. So 8 8 point So say 8.1 minus the 2.7. So we're talking like 5.4 potentially at the end of >> Yes. And then um hopefully we would replenish some of that with cash. >> Actually really hoping we don't have to do the 1.4 and >> same here. Yeah. >> Same here. So, I mean, because for for a thousand reasons, hopefully.

219Yeah. So, okay. But worst case scenario, we're looking at a at a $5.4 million um >> balance on our stabilization fund if we have to we have to and I'm I'm okay with that. >> And the policy is that the most I think I copied you on a link for the policy. Is that the most updated policy that's on the website? >> Yeah, the one that's on the website. I also sent it around as part of the packet, too. >> Um, >> hold on. Let me Yeah, hold on. I didn't get it. >> It's in there, but it's just it's there's a lot of stuff. >> Yeah, it's towards the back. >> Is the stabilization information that you emailed to us, is that in the drive as well? >> And if not, >> if it's

220not, we can make it available to the drive. I think it's in the I think >> well my this computer I can't do download Excel and stuff >> I don't have um >> full office suite >> it's in the back of the com this this document that that Michael sent the >> and it's so basically the the reserves policy we need to maintain 5% the general fund as a target >> with 10%. Yeah. With a 10% as as like the optimal, which would put us at >> like >> eightish give or take. Yeah. >> But um >> but then when So the if we would drop to say 5.4, we're still above that 5%. >> Oh. >> Yeah. Yep. >> So that that's a good that's a good thing. Okay. Um and then let's talk

221just quickly about what the mechanism is to replenish it which is that um basically it's replenished by um our free cash. >> Mhm. >> Which um just for folks who don't understand what free cash is because it took me a while. Um so it's basically >> So it's basically fun. It's not free. >> It's not free. That's damn sure. >> But it's basically um basically when when the the revenue we've collected is more than the the budget estimates and basically our expenditures are are less than what we appropriate and um so like if if there's a vacancy in a position that we had expected to fill and things like that then that becomes part of free cash. >> Yeah. or if we get a grant uh to do some work that we had appropriated money

222for, you know, so that money doesn't get spent. >> Um >> Yeah. >> And then we have a policy. So if we are between 5% and 10% of budgeted revenues for our stabilization balance, 60% of free cash goes to the general stabilization, 10% goes to OPED stabilization, 15% to capital, and 15% to our um special education stabilization fund. Um >> so, you know, we do have a policy in place to be able to replenish it. we probably won't end up with as much free cash on a go forward basis, right? >> I I would hope not. Um, again, one of the things that we will try to do consistently is try to like get grants and and everything like that so we wouldn't have to spend the money that's appropriated, but you just never know,

223you know, what's going to be available and what you're going to get. >> Okay. Everybody comfortable with if there is a worst case scenario and we have to go down to 5.4 to basically plug our gaps, plug the school. >> Okay. I just want to make sure we're clear as to like >> Yeah. on the page there. >> Okay. >> That works for me. >> Good. We don't need >> You will you will when you go um do the warrant. >> Okay. Because we have to >> Yep. You and your you're um it's your warrant. So you know what you choose to put on there or not. Okay. Good. Done with that. All right, let's move on. Discuss, review, and vote on housing production plan. I'm sure everybody's had the opportunity to read the revised

224version of the housing production plan. We discussed and had questions about changes were made. Some changes weren't made. So, I'll just open it up for general discussion. board members with respect to that. One of the things that I did see with respect to the housing production plan that had to do with land plots, which is one part of the discussion that we had prior to, there were still some land plots that still bother me, especially when it comes to sites for building affordable housing housing units, period. >> You got to put it closer, Joe. It's >> and that's Mungo Road. Um, they had McGunk Road as a build buildable site location and I >> don't feel that's a a comfortable place to build housing >> especially where the we're uh we're still pumping out Danapple

225in certain sites and locations off of off of Mungo Road. I just don't think that's a place that we should be thinking about putting housing there. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, because it was it was in it was in the u it was in their production plan. There was photographs of it was in there. So, >> and it was on their list of a place. >> I I know it was and that's and I >> brought it up then and I'll bring it up again now that I don't think it should be. >> I mean, if that's the last >> if we, you know, the thing is if we make any changes to this, if we want to don't have certain something in it, then it has to planning has to review it as well.

226And I think they're scheduled to review it at their next planning board, which is next Thursday. So, >> okay. >> I mean, >> we could probably we could Yeah. >> Oh, they already reviewed and voted. >> They did. >> Okay. >> Well, can we if if I know we have to vote on it tonight. >> I was just wondering if we could make exceptions to the vote that we approve it with certain modifications. I I think so. My my personal perspective is I think we can, but I think if there's changes that we did we haven't discussed before, putting in new changes would be kind of more problematic. >> So, was Munko on the first list the first time we looked at it when when Gold presented to us? I don't think Munko was on

227it on that first one. >> so when they when the planning board voted on their on this the other night? Yes. >> Yes, please. >> Did they realize that McGunk Road was >> I don't know about the specifics of the changes that they made, but they did review it. They did vote on it to move forward with the changes that they made at their meeting >> and does keep it going. >> And does this doesn't reflect no their changes does not reflect their changes. >> Okay. So we could also put forward changes and then we can culminate those and make the changes and put that forward. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> so we could make that modification. >> Well, and like that one should do. And I when I was looking

228through it, I found something where it referenced the ARRA. I think that's another thing that you should. >> We don't have an ARA anymore. So, it was odd that Goldson put that in there. So, >> that would let go a long time ago. >> Yeah. And um the one question I had on the the the whole parcel thing um site three which talks about the town center >> I think that's the whole farmers market. >> It is >> and we had made that comment last time. I don't know if we I don't know did I don't know if I know Jasmine's on here too so I don't know if >> I think part of it is that prop that parcel as you know Joe was purchased for affordable housing right >> right just like the

229corner spot. So, as part of a housing production plan, you would put it on there, but then you would evaluate whether or not you're going to actually build something there. But from a perspective of looking at property, right? I mean, the corner spot, I don't think the corner spot was on there, but technically it should be because it's owned by >> if you saw the cut map it >> Oh, was it? I looked at a couple it showed it. >> So, I think it can be on there, but do we actually think something will get built there? No. But at least >> based on based on how we purchased those pieces of property, it sort of needs to be on there, >> I think. >> No, I I don't disagree with you. My concern was

230just Munko Road more than anything else. There's no way in my lifetime, especially where Mungo Road has affected well, but the super fund site has affected many, many people in town to the point where, you know, now we think that would be a place to put additional housing. >> So, the only thing the only thing I can think for that and maybe not the whole street, but there's certainly areas on there that would be good for redevelopment for multi-use, right? Like if you look at um where Amry's D, not that I'm I'm not suggesting we get rid of that, but it's certainly something that >> if that was redeveloped, you could still have Amry's dance on the first floor and you could put potentially housing above it because people aren't living there. So I think

231that's why that parcel and that whole street. Same with um N what is it? >> Nicholson right right over by McDonald's. Right. That's all industrial right now, but it could become multi-use and that's what some of the zoning is that they're suggesting. >> So I think that's why both of those areas are on the map as part of the production plan. >> Okay. Um just one thing, Beth, do you remember when our other one expires? >> May 19th. May 19th. So, we have a little bit of time, >> a little bit because we do have to send it in for them to also review and they have a period of time >> that's allowed for them to the state to review. Yeah. >> So, >> what worries us is if we get too close to

232that line, then >> I would hate to see us get get ourselves to a point where we're exposed for a little while. >> Well, correct. >> Except that with Waverly Street being permitted and one of the other two is about to be permitted. Like, isn't aren't we at our 10% with Waverly being permitted and some of these other projects coming back? >> No. Oh, >> it's not enough. they got to be built. Um, unless unless it's a new comprehensive permit, um, which would you'd get a one-year safe harbor as long as your plan was in effect. >> Um, >> and I think specifically to this, I think we got to be mindful of the expiration date of the old one. >> Um, because we do because with the current one we have that's in effect

233until May, Waverly does give us safe harbor and so we want to make sure that we maintain that. um by make making sure that we have a good plan. >> I believe last time we asked the question, we wanted to check and I forget how we asked this that >> if we have if we're you know if if we've approved it and it's at the state level and we're waiting for their approval and our current one expires. >> Yeah. >> You know, is there some kind of grace period? And I believe we were going to check on that if I'm if I remember correctly. I don't know if we specifically said that, but I remember we we were having this discussion at our last meeting that if if we don't get it approved, right, but

234we've, you know, we've done all the work and we've sent it to the state and we're waiting for the state to give their approval, >> are we okay? >> And once they approve it, it will be retroactive to the date that they got it. >> Right. So, I mean, again, I I don't like that we're this close, but I also want to make sure that if we're going to do it, >> that we we all feel that it's a good plan. >> And here's another thing to think about as you think about how much time you want to spend on this is that it's just a plan. It's just a recommendation. You don't have to um put everything into effect. And if it's requiring a zoning change, it'll need to go through the planning board

235as part of a recommendation process in the town meeting. Yes. >> You okay there? >> Yep. Totally fine. >> I don't want to have to do the H. >> No. >> All our all our uh >> all of our public safety. >> They all left. >> Oh, where are they? >> They all left. >> They probably went on a call. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. >> Um >> I was just I was just more concerned about you folks. I can just hear people saying not reading it but they saw like Uncle Ro on there as a potential site. I can just see the you know the >> feedback that we get back from these people. >> What if a potential development made the site cleaner? >> Would that would that change your >> They're going to

236put a basement int >> I doubt a basement would go far. >> Yeah. >> I mean I just I just get nervous about it. Yeah, you know, I can understand. I mean, they would have to put paper barriers in. No different than what we're talking about at 10 1060 Main Street. >> Most Exactly. >> So, just I I don't mean to to cut anybody off, but just because it's 20 after 10 and we've still got a full agenda. >> Um >> like do we Is there any other >> But you're going to cut me off. >> I'm going to cut you off anyway. Yeah, I'm tired. I got to go into the city tomorrow. I'm tired. Um and I love you people, but >> No. Nope. We're getting through this stuff. We're getting through it.

237Um there there was only one other comment that I had on the on the housing production plan and it kind of relates to a comment that I made last time. So, I just kind of went through and made sure that my comments were kind of incorporated. Um on page 84 of the document, the there's a chart that talks about school enrollment in Ashland. And the headline of the section initially said school enrollment on the rise after years of decline. And now we picked that up before. >> Yeah. And and then now it says school enrollment on the rise after some years of decline. And that chart >> does not and then and the text really doesn't talk about it any real decline. So I think it's not a I just don't I think that that

238>> you know it's just more like steadily rising or something like that or generally rising >> true AI. >> So I just I just I just Okay. So So we have to make a determination, right? Because we're not meeting again until >> the middle of April unless we do another unless >> we could do it if we >> Unless we do another meeting, right? >> Yeah. we presume next. >> I think it's important to move this forward >> if if we vote it with, you know, Bry's comment and um certainly the change of the ARRA comment that I saw >> uh to Michael's point right with Muggo, it's just on the plan, right? What we don't need to >> Yeah. >> So, >> yeah, we can vote it with those changes. >> I Okay, I

239move that we support the housing production plan with the two changes. the one Brandy mentioned about the chart for the school enrollment and the ch the change in the chart from ARRA to whatever is appropriate probably affordable housing. Um >> that's my that's my motion to approve it with those two changes. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. So these changes were already made prior to right. >> I mean you had that discussion >> right? But it wasn't made. So what happens if it doesn't make the change if the change isn't >> well now it has to if we voted with those two changes then it has to have those changes and then you know whatever the planning board >> put a lot of time and effort into that discussion and it it appears that nobody

240paid attention >> so >> well fortunately we have both Katherine and Beth here who be Beth is working on this so hopefully it'll finally get incorporated >> I don't have a problem with that. >> Okay. >> All right. So the motion has been made and seconded. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed passes. >> Okay. Next discussion vote on the proposed in uh person early voting for May 19th, 2026. >> Annual town election to be held Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and during regular business hours. May 11th, 2026 to May 14th, 2026. >> So, and this will be done over the first floor right across from the town clerk's office. >> That's been done before in that area and it seems to work out pretty well. >>

241So, to me, this is a no-brainer. So, we have to approve it. So, I'll entertain a motion to accept. >> So, moved. Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? I >> I Thank you. And thank you, Cindy. Thank you, Cindy. Thank you, Cindy. >> Thank you for all the work that you've done, kiddo. >> All right. Discuss the uh override language. And I just lost my page. Thank you. >> With respect to that? >> Anybody had the opportunity to read that uh language? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. Do you see any discrepancies or any changes you would like to have made? >> Pretty straightforward. And this is town council reviewed. >> Okay. That was going to be my next question. >> If it's been reviewed by town council, it's pretty straightforward. >> Okay. So,

242>> I move that we approve the uh language for the override. >> Is there a second >> question? >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay. Um discuss evaluation form and timeline for the town manager's evaluation. Hey, and and actually before well I I wanted to touch base on this um I'm wondering if we could put this off um at least until after the ballot vote. Um and um just I I'd like a moment to touch base with each of you before we start uh that process if that's okay. I there's no way I can I can um personally I can really put anything um into this that justify like yeah that would justify it at least at this point in time. Um I would really rather focus on the

243override and make >> anybody have a problem with that? >> Nope. Oh, I think I think that that >> So, we're gonna push this out to June >> after the Yeah, I um Yeah, that's going to be an issue um in regards to >> the way things are looking, I don't think it's going to >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I can't read the tea leaves, but it way things are shaping up. >> Yeah. >> Right. There's been no indication that the board is going to be changing after the election as of right now. >> Correct. Um, yeah. >> Okay. So, we'll withdraw that uh item F. >> Okay. a vote to authorize Michael Herbert, town manager, to sign FY26, FY30 uh intermunicipal agreement for participating in the Central Mass Regional Stormwater uh coalition.

244>> Yeah, I I'll be very brief about this. This has been um a wonderful resource for our storm water uh people. Uh we have a bunch of different people working little pieces of their job as part of it. Um, so this I I would encourage you to authorize this >> and it's $4,000 a year. >> Correct. >> It has to be paid up >> in increments or paid up in full. >> In full. >> Okay. >> Just I'm sorry. I was just going to say like can we just explain what this is for people? What's the benefit? You know, we're talking about this. People probably don't know what this even means. >> Yeah. So, Central Mass Regional Storm Water Coalition Coalition is um an entity of organiza of municipalities, you know, obviously in the 495

245and central um Mass area that pulls resources together to look at storm water um issues on a regional basis. Uh and it's a great place for education. It's a great place to learn uh some of our our best practices. Um again for the funding we we've found that it's a great investment in terms of the knowledge that we get out of it. And so an intermunicable agreement is an agreement between uh municipalities uh that basically say that they will pitch in money and and work on something together and that's what an I what we call an IMA intermissible agreement. >> I I guess I only have one question. So, do we are we expecting the other communities between ourselves and Shrewsbury to participate in this as well? Because, >> right, >> I mean, I don't

246see the connection. I mean, I'm not against this, but I'm just trying to understand how it is that we connected with Shrewsbury. >> Um, it's just the just the area, just the regional area. Doug, do you maybe you could offer some I know you've been Yeah. really focus >> great agile >> as the night as the night goes on fresher falling >> fresh I normally I don't have the answers I got the answer on this one >> got it I got it got >> central mass central mass storm water so I think a it started kind of with Holden and Auburn and central mass and and now And then we we jumped in uh I want to say uh I don't know 2018 somewhere around then. It's so I think it's about $4,000 a year.

247The last year or two the fees actually been waved. Um what we get out of it is phenomenal. It's great. Uh there's all sorts of sorts of resources that that that that they provide that we're able to use in Ashlin's uh program uh to keep us in compliance with the NIPES program. >> So it's an asset. It's well worth the $4,000. It's a great thing to have. >> So we've been doing this before and we just didn't have an agreement or is this a renewal of the agreement? >> This is a renewal. How long have we been part of this now? around 2018 with >> when we when we created the enterprise fund. >> Yeah. >> It's right around then. >> Yeah. Yeah. You This is not a new thing for you. You've authorized this.

248If you notice, it's like a fouryear >> four year type of thing. >> I guess you know who >> you don't remember four years ago. >> Who go is it meetings? Is that what who goes to it? >> Becca. >> Oh, yep. Yep. >> Well, it's new to me, Michael. So, thank you. >> You're welcome. Um, and thank you for uh pausing me and and slowing me down. Sometimes I take for granted the fact, hey, everybody knows what an IMA is. >> Great. >> No. >> Okay. So, I entertain a motion. >> I move that we approve uh the town manager to sign this intermunicipal agreement with Shrewsbury um to allow the regional storm water coalition to move forward. Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> Okay, very good. Thank you. Uh,

249review the annual town meeting warrant articles. See, we have 12. >> Yeah, we got an update on that, too. >> Yep. Yeah, they came up. >> They did. >> Okay. >> What's different, Kathy? >> What's What's different? >> So, there was an update this afternoon. So, um, we spoke with Lisa about the budget articles, uh, specifically for the override. And so, um, I'll explain that as I sort of go down the list. So, you'll see article 5 is a placeholder for the override budget article. >> We'll work on that name >> we got from Diane. >> Um, so >> I think we have that in the page. Actually, >> it was sent out. >> Oh, you know what? I opened up the most recent one. That's why. >> Yeah. So, I shared it. It's up

250on the screen. Um, so article one, town reports. Article two, and just stop me if you guys have any questions. Um, will be transfer from the general stabilization fund. Uh, article three, um, is transfer from sped stabilization. Article four will be the FY27 budget. Um, this is just with our regular revenues, no override included. And then article five will be the budget with the 2.75 mil built in with a contingency saying something along the lines like if if if it passes. Um article six is the transfer for the OPED trust. Seven is our consent article eight is the annual uh CPC consent. Um, article nine is the one CPC article that we have and that's for the acquisition of the 41 Lincoln Road property. Article 10 is um a bylaw amendment for the building construction

251bylaw. So right now that is I believe articles 1 through four. We'd be adding um article five which is a secondary suite. So, um, basically an in-law suite, but it's called a secondary suite. Uh, not an ADU, it's it's it's an in-law suite essentially, but it's going to be called a secondary suite. Same idea. >> Um, uh, article 11 is amending chapter 282, section 9.6, the design plan review. Um, so this um, design plan review, they're having a hard time um, finding people for the terms that they set out. I believe it's a three-year term. And so what they're trying to do is have their terms for people that are appointed to those positions be per project. So they're trying to get a little bit more creative. So it's not a three-year term. This is

252for the design review board. The design review committee that planning board appoints. >> Yes. >> So per project. >> Yes. >> Makes sense. >> Well, >> does every project have a a design review? >> Uh I believe most of them do have design review as part of it. >> So it must be a certain number of units or something or certain something. Do you know >> the design review trigger? >> Yeah. There's a number of different ones that would trigger design review, I think. >> Yeah. >> So, they're going to appoint do a whole appointment process per project. >> How many of these do we see like a year? like the the would be an interesting >> because I mean it sounds like you're just going to be I mean I I'm just asking because

253it sounds like you'll be like consistently >> or having concurrent you'll probably have concurrent um >> concurrent committees. I'm just curious. It'd be good to understand a little bit better why they think this is a better process than, you know, might it be better to do a year appointment and then reappoint if there's a project that overlaps or something rather than every time they need a design review. I mean, I think it we should ask them. >> Yeah. And and I need to see like what kind of administrative um um >> Yeah. How much >> support that would need. >> I think and honestly I I mean this is just my opinion. Um, I think I think design review can serve a valuable purpose, but not on a per project basis. I think if anything,

254design review should be charged with setting design standards and and developing those uh not on a per project basis, but just something that we could use for every project. But that's my opinion. >> Yep. Okay. >> Can we get more information from them about this? >> Yeah. So, we just received a draft today. So, I can go through that and and certainly get you more. >> Can you share us the draft? Share the draft out. >> That would be helpful. >> That way, if we know that the planning board is going to be discussing it, we can decide to show up and >> ask questions. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Just so we understand. >> Um, one, sorry, there's one more article just article 12. Um, so this is from the sustainability committee. They'd like

255to establish a skip the stuff bylaw. So this is um plastic cutlery, the ketchup packets, all those things. >> Um >> so Oh, I was just going to say, do we want the sustainability committee to come >> come and present that to us and talk to us about that? >> I'd love to hear from them. >> So the final draft, I don't even I don't have a draft yet of this bylaw. Um it's actually due a final draft is due by Monday, the 23rd, and they they are aware of that. I think tomorrow is a sustainability committee meeting. Um they're one of my committees. So I'm hoping that um I can make it to that unless I'm still here. It depends on um >> Well, you don't have to sit right where they are. They

256meet here. >> No, they're not meeting here. They meet online. But um I can ask them to um to come to a one of our meetings in April if Yeah. if we would like. >> Yes, >> that'd be helpful. >> Okay. >> The storm water committee is coming too. >> Are they? >> Yeah. >> In April. >> Um I I think I think we ought to look at that. Um I I'm not sure this is the right time uh for that, especially >> the storm water. >> Yeah. um we've we we uh we really we really need to focus on certain things and um I I just my opinion on that. Um I think it'd be good to have them in after. Um but that's again that's up to you as a board >> but

257anyway we can talk about that later. It's late. >> It's late. Yeah, we can talk about it. >> Yeah. >> So, I have a I have a question on the warrant and how we're handling the override budget. So, is the idea that we would vote both of them at town meeting and the second one would be contingent on the ballot passing so that we don't have to have a second town meeting? Is that the plan? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We're trying to avoid a second town meeting. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, we're going to work with Lisa to make sure that the language for both of them is done in a way that whatever happens at the ballot on May 19th can become effective based on the language that is in

258these war articles. >> Correct. Okay. Yeah. And and I'm sorry I stepped out for a moment, but um the stabilization fund is that also going to have sort of two components. One if it one if the override passes and one if it doesn't. >> So my suggestion would be we do the full amount with the understanding that 1.4 would only be transferred if the override failed. >> Can we make sure that that's in the language? >> We'll have to do it in the in the in the motion. I don't think we want to put it in the article, but we can put it in the >> motion. Yeah. Cuz I I I want to make sure that >> you know if if we don't need it, we don't use it. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah.

259>> But and that's considered the one point is the the one and I just I know you went through this. I just want to verify >> the 1.4. Let me step back. The 750 or the 755 is automat is we're we're transferring that from the stabilization fund. Correct. >> So that would be part of that. And then the second part would be if the override does not pass, we're going to do an additional 1.4 to help cover the school stuff. >> Yeah. And we'll have to work that in the motion. >> It I I want it to be explicit as to what is happening. >> There's no question exactly feel like we can do >> I think we can do that. I think we can structure it that way. >> Yes. >> Okay. And just

260going back to your first question about um the language for the the override. So, we've been working with Lisa on that language. So, we do have that and we're >> feel pretty good about that. >> Okay. And will um and are we planning to vote to close the warrant at our next meeting or does that depend on when we're meeting? >> So, April 15th is when >> when we're going to >> we were supposed to do it the first, but we moved it to the 15th. >> Okay. I I couldn't remember what date we were supposed to do what. So, thank you. Okay. So, we'll plan to close the warrant and and post that on the 15th. And when does the finance committee meet for their >> I believe it's April 7th. >> Okay. >>

261Around then um >> for the Rex start the Rex. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. I we um Katherine's done a good job I think with just taking some feedback from the last process and just uh really kind of putting some hard dates in there um targets that we can work towards and um yeah it'll be interesting to see how this process works out. >> Okay. Thank you. One of the things I think we need to do a a better job of explaining in during this process is um you know why Why it's that it's so critical that when we use these funds from some of these accounts that are you know replenished to some extent on an annual basis sometimes not fully that why what that really what does it mean that when

262all of a sudden it's gone well I mean that's obvious but how we use some of it but we keep it so that we can maintain enough to support the budget this much. You know what I'm saying? >> But when we have to support it that much, then we we we run out. So, I I think that that's um something we have to do a better job of explaining. >> Yeah. And to that point, that point too, you know, the question is why can't we just use all of our stabilization funds to plug the whole thing? >> And part of it is >> part of it is, you know, >> like well, the ultimate reason >> Yeah. the bond rating. But the ultimate reason is is if the bottom falls out of the economy or

263the state or federal funding gets completely cut and we see some severe um budget >> like we know we're having a budget crisis this year, but you know it it this like it could be a lot worse. So I'm not saying that that's I'm not a doomsdayer, but just saying that. Um, and that's what that's for. So, if right >> if we, you know, >> we we also see what using one-time funds has done to us, right? Correct. >> Right. For two years, we did a million dollars one year, we did $2 million another year of one-time funds. >> And now we're at a point where >> if we use onetime funds again, we're going to get in the same hole and then next year we're going to do it again. >> And thankfully, we

264had those onetime funds when we needed it. Correct. >> What? >> Good. Okay. All right. Our favorite subject update on 40B projects and any discussions with respect to it. So, do we have a major updates on that? The Concom uh >> Yeah, >> I I apologize. I I just haven't really had a chance to really um update like get a thorough one, but um I did watch the conservation commission meeting and uh was very interested in in um in that process and um can can certainly appreciate the um seriousness that the conservation commission is uh taking this with and um you know it it's certainly a different process than uh what we saw with the ZBA. VA and um I expect this to go on for a while at the con don't disagree with you

265they're being very thorough and they need to be especially with that specific site and it was very interesting to see the change in attitude the other side respect to very apologetic it's Okay, I'm tired. You don't want me to use my cuff voice cuz I'll scare the hell out of everybody. >> Bring the microphone closer. >> That better. Okay. >> Yeah. >> With the uh the apologetic tone that they took uh realizing that uh some things were not the town's issues but were theirs and they they were apologetic and very impish in in that in that regard. image. I like that. >> You have something that you >> Well, the other piece um right was that they uh are kind of pretty close to being done with 61 Waverly, >> right? Yeah, it did sound

266like they were really kind of moving forward with >> Right. So, um I think the biggest thing was was and you you should probably talk a little bit about that cover, >> the culvert and the piping. >> Yeah. They're going to do some stuff, but they're not going to I mean I ideally if they replace the culver >> Yeah. You you had a different uh understanding from what I from what I gathered with respect to the pipe. >> Uh yeah. So there's there's a pipe a 12-in pipe that runs parallel to Route 135 for about 200 feet that heads east and then it ties into a covert a bigger one that's been here for about that's been in place who knows 50 to 100 years. And uh the Culvert both both are arguably failing. The

26712-in for sure. The Culvert I don't know. So anyways, the applicant Israel um they he agreed to actually replace the 12-in pipe that runs along Route Route 135, which to the DPW is a home run. It's great. >> Yeah. the covert itself, they don't they don't want to um they don't want to be responsible for replacing it. So, that's something that >> the town, you know, eventually we need to whether it's a grant. >> I was going to say there's currently some grants out there for culvert replacement. >> Exactly. >> Let's let's look at that. Right. >> Yeah. That's kind of been in our back pocket for a few months. We didn't want to go out and we were trying to see if they were going to jump on >> get him to do it.

268>> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Strategy. >> Yeah. So that's question for you. >> Yeah. >> Doug, do you know if they replace the pipe then I assume that it works better? >> Does that then put more pressure on the culvert to function well? Well, what what they what they did with this whole design with GCG and and uh the engineers is they actually they're not increasing the flow from the site. >> Yeah, they >> out into the culvert. >> It's It's pretty amazing. >> They're not allowed to, right? >> They're not allowed to. They actually pulled it off that it's going to it's going to recharge the ground theoretically and and Yeah. So, >> but but a new pipe, right, just does whatever is allowed to go. >> Yeah. >> Go will go better

269in a new pipe than maybe it did in the old one or >> Yeah. I mean, the the existing pipe it could be damaged. It might not be flowing properly. This will be a brand new >> wonder plastic pipe or or I'm sorry, reinforced concrete pipe that would it could smooth a lot faster and a lot better. And yeah, >> so they're not relining the pipe. They're going to replace >> they're going to replace it and we haven't seen the design yet. >> Okay. They're going to do work with us with work work with the DPW on the design. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So, I thought it was good. I thought Concom I thought they've been I think they've been doing a great job with 61 Waverly Street and um GCG as well. Mike

270Carter, his team has been great. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Great. Thank you for the update. Appreciate that. >> Now, if they could just take a take it down a couple of stories. >> That would Yeah, that would be nice. That would be nice. Um any anything else respect to I know there was a because of the time factor I want to move on. >> We can always bring this up at the next meeting to go over you know some of the other 40b issues that people have asked us to talk about. Yeah, I know. I had put forward a request from because it actually came from a resident too >> to have it put on this agenda and then you asked me and I said, "Yeah, you got my email right." And you said,

271"Yeah, we're all set." And then it wasn't on the agenda. So, >> but it was under 40. It's under 40. We can still talk about if you like, but unfortunately this probably was not the the right meeting to do this because of all the discussions that we had. >> Well, what was the issue? >> Well, there there was some >> I think we need to forward it to the committee and let everybody review that. >> There there was there were some issues with respect to uh water. >> Yeah. Uh there is respect uh issues concerning some I thought everybody got this >> uh they did probably at one point. Yeah. Yeah. >> You're right. You're right. >> I I know they did. >> It just wasn't part of the pack. It just wasn't part of

272the packet. >> Right. >> No, but um this was a a discussion that was had >> by a resident who provided some concerns about water water capacity. Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> And um some other matters that came to respect to applications that were provided. >> Yet. Okay. So, everybody got those emails. >> Yeah. And some of that I think we're waiting we're still I think waiting to hear attorney about that, right? >> Yes. >> So, I think maybe we need to, >> you know, maybe try to >> push legal to talk to us about it or something. >> Remind Michael maybe. still waiting for but that's another discuss. >> And then Doug, do you there there was a discrepancy when they did water right by like a 100,000 gallons? Do you know which like

273which one's true, which one's which one's real, which one's not? Does something need to be redone? >> I don't know. >> Okay. Okay. I was just think because maybe we need to have some of some of those redone or that, right? >> And so maybe it would be a a matter of which or whether they redo both of them. >> So this is not new anymore. This is information that you all had available. >> Okay. >> You can work with Michael. >> Yeah, >> it's not a problem. I I still have to talk at least about another matter that I'm still waiting on, >> but that's all right. We'll we'll deal with it. Okay. Um discussed April 1st uh selection of the uh our meeting uh because of Passover and the observance of Passover uh

274with respect to uh the Jewish faith that we are not having our meeting. So Brandy pointed out uh that uh April at our agenda sitting meeting uh there were five one day Wednesday Wednesdays in April and April 29th is the last Wednesday in in April. So would you check your calendars and see if the 29th is good for it's not good for you? >> I I get home that day and I'm not getting in until like seven or eight o'clock. So >> Okay. And I don't think I'll be in any >> I don't position I I I understand >> come to a select portion the 9th of April and I was joking and Rich was like, "Oh, you could do it, you know, the the the the 15th." I'm like, "Yeah, I don't think I'm

275going to start a meeting at 1:00 a.m." Um, >> no. >> Do the other. But if you know and and with that I was going to say that if there's something that needs to be reviewed and voted. I know a lot of times we say if there's only four people we won't take major votes but I would say if there's anything that needs to be voted on the meetings that I can't be here. Please just go ahead and do that. Um because I can't change my plans at this point. >> I don't I don't we don't we don't want you to change your plans. We want you to have a good time. We want to try to meet before before Yolanda leaves. Could we I know the this room is busy on the >> if

276we have to. >> Yeah. >> I'm trying to think of what we would have on the agenda, you know, that would be really pressing >> because it it also means we're not having a regular select board meeting the first Wednesday of May because it's town meeting. I mean, we'll have our half hour before, but >> which is why I suggested maybe the last the last Wednesday because I think we might need two meetings in April, >> especially since we won't have another meeting until miday. >> Yeah. >> So, I >> mean, the only other thing is do we do a virtual one on the 8th, right? Or when does I don't know when I I know school committee is here, but >> what time do they usually meet till? >> Aren't they usually done early?

277>> I don't know. I'm just >> throwing throwing options out there. But if it has if you know if it makes sense to do the 15th and the 29th, please just go ahead and do that. But >> yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm not I'm not available >> take feedback from the other other members. >> There's one one voice. >> Yeah. I I think we have Citizens Academy on the 8th. >> Oh, right. Okay. And my suggestion is why don't we go ahead and and hold the 29th and um if there's anything that we feel is major that we could push that we could push off we could wait until you get here. Um but otherwise we haven't on there. I'm sure we'll want to review like town meeting one more time and all that good

278stuff. >> Good >> at the very least. >> That works on the 15th and the 29th. >> Okay. Are you good with that or >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Leaison updates. >> Conservation Commission. >> Um I think we thoroughly talked about the conservation commission. >> Yeah. Does anybody have any updates? >> I do not. >> I do. Council on aging real quick. I was going to get in my board report. So if you want, we can hold off on that. No, just might as well do it now during >> why we put it on the agenda like this. >> Find it. >> We're ruining your flow there. So, >> I know I definitely ruined my flow. I had it all ready to roll. >> Um, well, I can tell you this that the

279consoling is a very unique group of folks. Um they're very active and um they have a concern and one of the concerns that they have is um the lack of transportation when it comes to uh night night movement or night travel either shopping or doing whatever. But another concern came up about having transportation for seniors who wish to attend town meeting. So their vote voice and votes can be can be uh counted on. They can watch it on TV, but they can't vote. So they're looking to see whether or not the town would find a way to provide transportation to those seniors who want to go to town meeting. That was a question that was asked of me and I said, well, I'll bring it up during this during this discussion. Um, I'm just thinking

280of the MWRTA and like they have you can call and have them pick you up. It's basically >> dial a ride I think. >> Yeah. >> I don't know that they do evenings and I don't know that they do it for just any, you know, and not that this is just >> seniors and disabled I I believe is is >> that was I asked that question and they said something about the fact that they don't do night night travel. What about the Council on Aging vehicle? Who drives that now? >> Nobody. >> Uh, no. >> Well, we have a driver at night. >> Yeah. Not at night. Not at night. >> This is This would be a great pier. Um, I I've seen I think some models in some other communities where they do almost

281like a pier like almost like a carpool >> type of um arrangement. >> Um, yeah. I could see if there's some way we could help with that. So they just asked about that and um Candy gave us updates on the uh on the work being done with revamping of the food pantry area and uh the needs addressed by the scenes at at the center itself. So that's basically again their main concern is seeing if they can get transportation to the to the town meeting. Whether or not people uh there would be a lot of people that would want to do that, I'm not sure. But they asked the said, "Okay, be happy to." And that's that's it. >> I missed the historical commission meeting because we were in our tri board meeting. Uh but I

282did get a chance to uh catch up with the chair, got a couple updates on what was going on. So hope to make the next one. The second one I've missed, but I've had good excuses. Been double booked here with the town doing town things. >> All right. Um, town forest committee. >> Who's town forest? >> Is that me? No. >> Thought you were town for No. >> Okay. Wait a second. I'm going to tell you. >> Claudia has the receipts. Hold on. She's going to open up the the spreadsheet. >> There you go. Who is it? >> I know it's not me. >> Tom Forest, Yolanda. >> Okay. >> I I admit >> this. We're going to do this every week. This is >> I have not been um up to date with them,

283so I will uh >> Okay. >> Come May, I'll have a I'll have an update for you. >> Not a problem. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. Well, that's that's what I'm saying. At some point, well, yeah, but see, we're we're not meeting on the 6th. We're not meeting until the 15th. So, I'll make sure I get an update by then. Right. >> Um same with uh I do know that um open space who I'm the liazison. I've exchanged some emails. They are I guess very close to finalizing the open space and wreck plan which um we're hoping that they can cross it, you know, get it over the finish line uh very soon because we are again it's one of those things we're looking for it for some other grants and

284we have some other other stuff for them. >> Good news. Very good. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yep. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> ZBA. >> I have not. >> Okay. >> Nope. Sorry. >> That's all right. It's not like you didn't have anything going on. >> Monday night this week. >> Yeah. >> Were they >> It all blurs together after a while. CL >> motion. Motion to accept the consent to Zena as presented on the on the agenda. >> There a second. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay. Manager's report community improvement project. I don't know if uh Catherine >> Yeah, Katherine, you're good. You're good on that. >> She's choking. Is she okay? >> Yeah. No. >> No choking. >> Okay. Um All right. So, we had our pre-construction meeting earlier

285this week. So, they will be starting construction next week. Um that will start with the senior center storage room and then we'll move on to the food pantry and prevention and human services. >> That's the update there. Thank you. >> Okay. You >> always looking for good things. >> Yeah. And then Beth, since you're here, you want to give an update on the Warborn? >> Has anyone driven by? Has anybody driven by recently? >> Yes. >> That was for you, Ducky. >> I have the answer to this one. >> Um, so the Warren Bar, so you're going to start to see a lot going on at the Warren Barn. I mean, obviously they have been working throughout the winter months. I don't know how, but they have been doing it. Um, and we are going

286um we're going up now. So, they are lay they laid the foundation I believe this week. They're finishing the foundation. Um they're doing the footings are in um and then they are um they're starting Yeah, they're they're really starting the framing next week. >> Yeah, we call it going vertical. >> Yeah. >> Going vertical. >> When you start seeing everything go Yeah. So, they're still they're still projecting um probably a late spring um opening for that. >> Wow. That quick? >> Oh, yeah. They're they're going to go quicker. >> Once they get the walls up, they can do all the work inside without worried about >> There's not as much work inside as >> Yeah. >> still a little bit a kitchen space, bathrooms, things like that. >> There's electrical and plumbing that has to

287happen. >> Yeah. So, it's very exciting. It's got >> It is exciting. Looking good. Looking good. >> Why don't you give a dog park up yesterday while you're standing there? >> A dog park update. So, um I was excited to tell the dog park committee um that uh Leon is the construction company that's doing that space and they are going to remobilize the first week of April and they have an end of May finish date. So, it's great. I'm also getting the signs all printed for the arboritum. Those will be going in the ground um as soon as I can get DPW to give me a little time. Um so that's also going to wrap up um probably in April. So it's good. >> And we'll have a grand opening for the arbor. >> All

288of it. >> Yeah. >> Cut the ribbons. >> Cut the ribbon. >> We'll have to spread them out, right? You can't do it all. We can't do them too close to each other. >> Like spread spread the joy over the summer. >> That's right. That's right. >> Find the joy and spread it out. >> Okay, we're up to board reports. Uh, great. So, a couple of us were at the YMCA Marathon breakfast last Friday. Always a good I know I'm like having to think. Um, always a nice event and it was um, >> again, another one. Always just good to see who they >> uh, bring forward. Uh, Bobby Gibbs is she is celebrating the the 50th anniversary of her run as the first woman to run and she was there. So that was that

289was really nice. >> Uh the Y is looking to they have they're hoping their last meeting with the planning board uh next Thursday. Yeah, next Thursday. And they're hoping that they can get everything finalized. They're they've been having some conversations. Um uh so that is they're hoping because then they're going to look to do some kind of groundbreaking ceremony. Um and they're looking to bring Senator Warren, Senator um Senator Marky because they helped get $5 million for their early learning center. And that's they're hoping to, you know, break ground sometime in the spring, potentially May, depending on when they can get everyone's schedule in order. >> And then moving forward, uh I have two more performances. So, Friday night and Saturday night. >> What time? >> 7:30. But if you want to go, go get

290tickets because we sold out for both last weekends. both both performances last weekend were sold out. So if you're interested, like go to the website and and get tickets. Um and then on Friday, March 27th, MAP Metro Regional Collaborative is having our legislative breakfast in Hollist at town hall. You should have received an email invitation and if not, let me know and I'll make sure you get one. Um yeah, it's a great opportunity to hear our local legislators. Karen doesn't usually go, but Jack and the legislators from the whole region show up, which is really nice to hear that conversation. It's not just for Ashlin, but the whole region. And that covers nine communities. Um, always a great event and good questions get asked. >> And that is all I have. >> Thank you. Thank

291you very much. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. No, your your your report was so great, we wanted to hear it again. Um, and it was. Okay, a couple things. So, uh, very busy time. Uh, I had the honor of attending along with Joe and Brandy, and Brandy said some beautiful words at, uh, on Turniff's Eagle Scout ceremony on Sunday. Uh, just an incredible achievement. Congratulations to him and the entire Turnliff family. It was just really uh, awesome. Austin had some some shared some words beyond his years during his speech and uh I hope he uh adheres to them and I hope folks the the younger boys that were there listen to them well. So congratulations Austin and family. Um got a chance to take in children listen at the HA on Saturday and uh it's a

292fantastic show. Get your tickets now and uh somebody I know actually did a really great job in the production. I don't know. Check it out. Um I did attend the school committee meeting last week where they went into uh uh their presentation that they had at tribal meeting in a little bit more detail. Uh so it was it was happy to attend that just so I could understand that a little bit better. Um and just a reminder once again back to the Boy Scouts, the pancake breakfast is happening on Sunday morning starting at 7:30. So if you like pancakes, got to get down to the VFW. It's it's for a great cause. Um, and there'll also be an auction as well where many and thanks thank you so much to the local businesses that will

293be supporting that auction and have donated items. But again, it's nice to end though that scouting is such an integral part of the fabric of our community. Uh, the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts, they do incredible work. We're very fortunate to have them in Ashland. And uh, for that reason, for that reason only, go get your pancakes on Sunday, people. >> Thank you. 311 Pleasant Street. >> Miss B. >> All right. Uh, I didn't do too much different from the rest of you. I'm afraid I did attend also the school committee meeting online to listen and make sure I was up to snuff on that um the concom meeting on Monday night. And then Joe and I um had office hours at the library at their recent sale. Um they it's amazing how many

294people >> were were in and out of there. Um >> the volunteers that do they do a phenomenal job. It's just like incredible. >> Yeah. It was it's really um the library is uh alive and well in Ashland and I do remember the days when >> it was shuttered. >> Yes. >> Lost our accreditation. >> Yeah. While we did it >> we did for these >> before we did the addition to the library. >> Yeah. and when we had to >> I remember when the school libraries were shuted as well. Those were dark days. >> All right. So, thank you. You're welcome to >> um so I was also at the the YMCA breakfast and as Makita mentioned the um the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Austin Turncliffe which was f fantastic and Makita

295um didn't mention but Austin's Eagle Scout project was at the Metro S YMCA. >> That's right. which he did. Um I think he he he cleared some space basically. He made like a new community space um at the Yeah. And there's like 14 benches or something along at the outdoor center at the outdoor center. So, >> um, and he put that together last year and, um, so it was it was in place for the the campers last summer and, um, um, and basically, you know, the older campers are using the space, which is really a nice a nice thing for, you know, for sort of the older the older kids to have a special place to come together. So, um, so yeah, congratulations to Austin and the Turn Cliff family. Um, you know, I've known

296the Turn Cliffs for a long time and and, um, I love seeing these kids grow up and and become such great humans. So, um, and, uh, and Austin is definitely one of those. So, um I was also at Concom this Monday and um I'm hopeful to be at sustainability tomorrow night and the only other thing that I've been working on is this little budget thing. So, um anyway, it's been busy. >> Thank you. >> Busy. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for all the work that you do expect. Appreciate it. Uh just a couple of quick things. Um, Rotary traffic safety committee meeting is going to be Tuesday the 24th 10:00 public safety building. You have any questions or concerns, please join us. Doug will be there and group of others. Um, I attended the uh

297ABA town leadership panel discussion yesterday. Unfortunately, I had to leave uh rather abruptly because there was a uh situation with a young younger grandson. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. But that's okay. We're good. Everyone's good. >> Fun with grandchildren. >> You got to love them. And u this Saturday um at the community center at 9:00 a.m. volunteer breakfast. I'll be there setting up early. >> That's right. >> Yeah. I was I was I made a note and if no one else said anything I was gonna go back and say >> I have something I can say that nobody else has said yet. >> Yeah, it's on my calendar. It's on my calendar. >> I I just do what I just do what I'm told I told I open up. >> And I think I'm

298right that we have office hours uh this coming Friday. >> We do >> at the bagel table. >> We do from from 11 to 1. So I'm looking forward to it. It's the uh Joe and Makita show. >> Yeah. >> Come on down. Have a have a bagel. >> Have a bagel or two. >> Chat chat with us. We want to hear or three >> or three >> if you're so inclined. >> So, uh that's about it. Um look forward to it. Uh congratulations to Venezuela for winning the uh baseball classic. They won. They beat the United States two to one. >> Yeah, it was a good ball game. And um with that, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Oh, >> Michael, I know I think I missed a little bit of this

299discussion, but um are we going to put a form in the uh newsletter this week for asking if anybody has any questions for the public forum? >> Yeah, we talked a little bit about that earlier. We were going to put it in the newsletter and then we talked about doing a Google form for that. >> Yeah. >> I mean, you're all good with that, right? I'm having Google and it's going to go to >> So I think it just really needs to have two questions. I'd say ask make it make it not mandatory to use somebody's name, >> right? >> Yeah. I'll see if we can do that. I mean like uh legally. Let me see if we can do that. And then um because I know we can do it >> and then contact

300information. So I mean three questions and then what's what's your question? >> Yep. What's your question? >> Our questions. >> Sounds good. >> Yeah, that sounds good. I don't think there's Oh, there's one other thing real quick at the Council on Aging on June 4th. Uh they're having a free folk concert and uh the the folks that will be featuring the Kennedys, I guess they're a great folk group >> and they will be uh there at um >> June 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 at the community center. So, if you're into folk music, >> cool. >> Put that down on your calendar and have a good time. So with that, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I. >> Thank you everyone. Good night

301and stay safe. >> We'll see you on the 15th. >> On the 15th.