Select Board (March 4th, 2026)

001Welcome and good evening to our March 4th, 2026 select board meeting. I call this meeting to order at 7:05. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast live by WACA TV and live liver live streamed on your YouTube. Remote participation is available using the Zoom video conference platform. Any disruption with the video conference platform will result in the platform being shut down. In such an event or description and disruption of the broadcast will continue on WACA TV and livereamed on YouTube. Thank you. And seeing that we call the meeting to order, I first on the agenda is citizens participation either in person or on Zoom. So if there's anybody that would like to speak, please use your raised hand mode and we will contact you directly. I don't see anybody's hand raised. Give it a few

002moments. And we're good. Okay. Well, with that, u we have five minutes to go be for our 710 meeting agenda item. And so with that, I would entertain >> could I recommend we just jump in? It's not a hearing. We can start early. And she's here. >> Are you ready? So you can start early and leave early. All right. Sounds fine by me. Yeah, I know it's here, but it's not sharing again. just have a few technical difficulties. So, just bear with us. In the meantime, go make some popcorn and whatever. And Okay, Jonah, you raised your hand if you can. Um, sorry about that, Catherine. You should be uh There you go, Joe. Good evening. >> Hello. How you doing? Um, I was unable to um to raise my hand or unmute because of

003um I guess technical difficulties, but um so I um apologize. I know you were starting something else. If you'd like me to wait, I'm happy to do that. Um but if you want me to go ahead, I will. So >> I think we I think we just got the uh display up and running. >> So if you don't mind holding off on that, Joan, that would be appreciated. Thank you. >> No problem. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Okay. Hi. >> Hello there. >> I am Cindy Livingstone. I'm the town clerk and I have been asked to come and speak to um some public records updates. Um as well as the town clerk, I'm also the records access officer. So I handle all the public public records for the entire town. Um do this right. There we

004go. Oh, how do I go backwards, Catherine? Oh, that's it. Okay. So, what is a public record? Um, according to master law chapter 66, section 10. A public record is basically anything that goes through the building um through the municipal hands. Um, there are some exemptions. Um, public records do not include um internal internal personnel rules and practices, policy positions being developed, notebooks, and other materials unless they're used at a public meeting. And there's, like I said, 21 other exemptions in the law. Uh, we also do not have to create a document that does not exist or change a format if that's not the format that our document is in. >> Does anybody have any questions on that slide? >> We're good. So, how to file a public public records request? Um, we internally we

005use a system called Next Request. Um, where am I on this? But they can be made either verbally, in writing, they can come to my window, excuse me, they can call, fax, email, however they'd like to to do it. Um, if somebody's asking for something, it is a public records request. It does not have to go through next request. We, however, do put it through our system. um no matter how it comes in, whether it's called, emailed, or in person. Um but we do strongly encourage that residents do use our system and we have that all over our website. And to ensure the records access officer can efficiently locate, uh we do request that they're very specific in their request. Um, we have had I'm just going to use it's a fake example, but a

006request for let's say any and all emails between the town manager and select board with the keyword town meeting. So, you know, that's going to bring up probably 10,000 different emails. So, we do we go back to them and we ask them to please just narrow their search and we'll do the best that we can. Um, but so these are our statistics. This I based everything off 2025 uh because we did start uh our new policy in June of 25. So there was more data to work with than than just the last three months of not even three months of 2026. Um so our average days to close a public record has to be closed within 10 business days. Our average day um to close last year was seven and a half days. um which

007actually that number is a little bit high because we also use the system for our um open meeting law complaints which is 14 business days. So it kind of skews the numbers a little bit. So I'm guessing it's probably six days to close but we take pride in that. Um we don't ever want to be late. So, uh, impacting compliance, um, there's a lot of work that goes into each each request received. Uh, even the smaller quick responses like looking for just building permits or anything still has to go through my office, entered into the system, um, assigned to the correct department, we have to wait for the records to come back, submit uh, release them to the requester. So, even like a small request can still take some some time. Uh typical day I

008spend probably on average between one and two hours on public records depending on you know how many we have coming in the the the size of them um how many departments might be involved with just one. Um so it's really important to like you know make sure that everybody's on the same page with all the departments. Uh and compliance is very important as you can see for the reasons up there. Um, the biggest one for me is the reputation in the town if we don't comply with what the law says. So, on to our policy, our fee policy. Um, we updated this in June of 2025 and we created it um just to get people a little more familiar with how many requests I guess that we get um in a day or in a

009week or not even how many but just the amount of time it takes the office to handle everything that's coming through. Um so the state law is uh the public records law allows municipalities with a population of under 20,000 to charge for the first two hours. Uh municipalities over 20,000 cannot charge for that first two hours but the rate is set by the lowest paid person able to perform the task in the office and not to exceed $25 an hour. Um and the population is always based on the most recent dennial um census which ours was 2020 and we were 18832. So we do we are able to charge for that first two hours. Um so what we did do is we created it so if if we get more than one public records request

010from the same person within the year and it's I'm I'm not going to say unreasonable is not the word. Um it's it's going to be time consuming. we are going to charge them even if it's an increment of of 15 minutes um which is what $7.50 50 cents. Yeah. Or 625, I don't know. Um, so that's that's what we did it for. And there are exclusions to to what we charge for, which um public records that are freely available, which is meeting minutes, agendas, um, anything that you might find on our website already, contracts, um, bids, bid results, not bids, but um, and police reports are there's never a charge for. So, um, in the count, we don't charge the fees a lot. In the calendar year 2025, we only issued four cost estimate letters

011to requesters. Um, each one reflected at least an hour and a half or more of work. Uh, we've never build in a 15-minute increment. Um, and um, of those four, only two were sent to requesters who had submitted multiple requests for the same year. One had four and one had 14. Um, and I do everything in my power to get the requesters to narrow their search. Um, but and like the other two that were sent out, they were either like lawyers or contractors that looking for 3 to four hours worth of work. So, we did send costs for those. But like I said, we we do everything we can not to have to charge people, but sometimes it is necessary. >> Anybody have any questions? >> Open up to the board. Anybody have any questions

012for Miss Cindy? Okay. >> So, we have a policy that says if you request two or more in a year, you're going to get charged. >> You may get charged. I mean, yes. Um, but like I said, like one requesttor had 14. We've only sent one cost letter to that requesttor. >> Okay. I'm I'm going to go back to the policy that says if you request two or more, you may get charged. Correct. >> So, who determines um if they they get charged? Is it something that you decide because >> I don't know why. >> To me, it's it's a time thing, you know? I mean, if it's if it's something that can be quickly turned around, I I don't find it it's necessary. It would cost it would take me more time to create

013the letter to send to the requester to to >> So you so if they make a request and you think you're going to have to charge them, you you can't just send them you can't just do the work and then send them the bill. >> No, we don't start the work until the bill is paid. >> They paid. I see. >> And it's it says in the letter that that once the okay >> the fee is received, we'll start the work. >> I guess my concern is the potential inconsistency, right? that if one person does two or three but okay it's not that bad and you know we get along with this I mean I don't know what the reasoning is as to why you do or don't charge people that there could be the

014the con you know the concern that well you know someone asks for more but someone you know I I'm not making myself very clear but the point is I know what you're saying if the rule is >> if you're going to ask for two or more we're going to charge you >> correct or you may >> and the only two cost letters that I sent outside of the lawyer or the contractor was to people that since June since the policy came out have asked for more than two requests. >> Okay. >> Other than that, I haven't had anybody else >> ask me for more unless it's something >> and this fee only went into place as of June 1st of 25. Correct. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. I my comment back would be if our

015policy is to charge people if you have two or more And I would almost I don't know if you can but I would give it make charge everyone the minimum of a half hour. I mean I don't know if you can do that but our minimum of charge is going to be a half an hour because that otherwise it's not worth charging something. >> Right. Yeah. >> So I don't know again I don't know if you can charge a minimum but >> we'd have to relook at the policy because we did it I think I think it says 15 minute increments. Correct. >> Yeah. Yeah, it does say 15, you know, but anyway that I think I mean I think it's good to let people know what the policy is, but my concern is >>

016that we're not being consistent. So, let's make sure we're consistent. That's all I would say. >> But thank you for this explanation. I think it's great >> when you know that people need to know it is we put it right on the website. When you file a public records request, it's right there on our page explaining how to file a public records request. It's it's also right there >> for them to view the policy. >> Right. And then just one other follow-up question that you had a whole list of things that we don't charge for, right? Because >> right, >> minutes, um, things related to meetings. Okay. So, if someone's requesting that >> if they did it 10 times, I wouldn't charge them because I mean the law says I I charge for those things

017for anything that should be available in the public domain because it's open meeting law. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. Great. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Good. >> I have a couple. Okay. Um so just quick question. So in in that next request um portal or whatever it is tracking system, do you also do you also use it to track the time that you spend on on these? >> Um >> it does have that capability for sure. And um but when I have like really large requests that I have had to charge, you know, $100 because it's four hours, it usually takes longer than four hours >> um in the end. But, um, I just keep a spreadsheet of how much time I've spent on it. >> Yeah. Do you I was

018going to say, do you do you track because I you had that slide that had like some stats and I can't remember off the top of my head if you had >> um that >> that one? >> Yes. Yes. So, um I'm just looking. >> Okay. Because I I thought of this question after after we went through this the slide. So, do you have like an average um amount of time that you spend per request like me myself? >> Well, just in like in general like to say, okay, our average public records request takes two hours of time or some like and you're because you're tracking it. >> An average probably takes if it's something quick going, you know, somebody's looking for building uh permits or something like that, start to finish is probably 10

019minutes. >> Okay. Okay. you know. >> No, I'm just I'm more curious than >> I mean more time goes by, but I mean me sending it to inspectional services them, you know, when they get that >> actually fulfilling the request and then coming back to me and so 10 or 15 minutes. >> Okay. No, I'm just more curious like how how much time each one of these because I know you said it takes you you spend generally speaking like an hour to two hours a day working on public. >> But you see in 2025 we had 625 requests. >> Yes. Yes. >> That's only the five days a week. That's not 365 days a year. So yeah, so it's about an hour or two two hours depending on what is being asked. >> Okay. And

020I have one other question. Go ahead. Um so the other thing is sometimes like we will receive an email from someone asking for something that we don't have um readily available. What is the process? Do we send them to you? >> Yes, please. Um because I am the records access officer, they they do need to go through me. They can ask you. you can direct it to me if they email you, send it to me. Um, but just keeping track of it is is so big because it I would hate for somebody to ask you for something and in their head it's a public records request. You don't send it to me, you go on vacation or whatever. The 10 business days go by, they can petition the state and we get a mark against

021us. >> Okay. No, that's that's that's good to know because I think sometimes we see things and it's not quite a public records request, but it's just an inquiry that we don't have an easy response to, right? Um, so if if it if it is something that needs to be a public records request, >> also if it's a request that should be charged for, if we go past that 10 days, we do not we cannot legally charge them for it. >> Okay, that's good to know, too. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. You're welcome. You know, one thing that next request system is really good uh about is it actually the records that you upload to satisfy the public records request, they actually stay up on the system. So you can actually go through the

022older public records requests and see the responses. >> Yeah. >> And search, you know, search through them as well. So sometimes people, you know, just by searching what's been requested before, they don't have to do a public records request. They can find the data there. >> Oh, so so people can in so that's a public database. >> Okay. >> As long as the record is a public like none of the none of the police records are up on on the site, there's anything that has anything to do with the school. If there's children, it's not public on the site. But >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. When people request like all the building permits for the, you know, year of 2024, they're up they are. >> So, it's self-s serve. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Oh, you

023sounded like you were coming from behind. >> No, that's good to know. I didn't I didn't know that. I thought it was just like you put in your information and what you're looking for and then you get it back through the system. I didn't realize that that >> the database. Oh, that's awesome. Okay. All right. >> Yeah. >> Bonnie, did you have anything? >> Yeah. No, I just just wanted to say thank you very much for this. I I had no idea that um there would be 625 public records requests. >> That's all departments. So that's >> still I mean that's a lot, right? >> Yeah. >> And I know I've been involved in a couple and I know that it it can be very timeconuming and sometimes like redacting >> names and that is

024just so huge and um you know you have to be so careful but so uh no thank you. I I really had no idea that we would have so many. >> Yolanda, did you have a follow-up? >> No, I'm good. >> You good? >> Yeah. I I have one quick question for you because you mentioned police reports. Yes. Now, we have a records collector at the APD >> that should be doing that job as well. >> Yes. So, what happens is they come through me. I assign them to her. >> Okay. >> She fulfills the request and then she she has the ability to close it out. Most departments don't. It has to go back through me. But with police records, um they're, you know, more timesensitive and sensitive. Um so, she has the capability

025to do that. So, if someone went to the PD and requested, they would have to come, they would respond by telling them to come see you first and fill out a record or they can do it. >> They can go right through um the online portal and do it themselves or what happens if if that happens if they come in, Janice just puts it into the system herself. >> Okay, >> great. Thank you. And thank you for all the work that your office does. It's uh >> No problem. I know it's timeconuming and this is uh it's important because a lot of people you know they they ask for transparency and this is one way to to provide the transparency that they're all looking for. So >> and Joe there is someone in the public

026with a raised hand. I don't want >> I don't know if you want to ask a question. >> Get rid of this. I don't what do I do? >> Yeah. >> It's hard to see but >> just escape. Did I do it? >> Hello. Um, this is >> Hold on a second, Julie. >> Oh, >> yeah. I don't think we're gonna see her anyway. I don't know. We're allowed to turn on camera. >> Oh, stop share. >> Okay, >> there we go. >> Okay, go ahead, Julie. >> Okay, Julie Nardone, 86 Street. Uh, thank you for letting me speak. Um I think the town's priorities are a little off here. If you look at this new um the new number of I believe it's only one per calendar year you start getting charged on the

027second one. And honestly, public records is really it's the heart of democracy for people to have access to records. What if people don't have the money? And um >> Julie, I'm just going to ask you if you have a question, please do so. This is not a platform for a discussion at this point in time, but if you have a specific question, I would be more than happy to allow you to ask that question at this time. >> Uh when would there be a platform? it's on your agenda. I don't understand why I can't speak about my experiences. Um >> because we're talking about a presentation that doesn't say anything about providing an individual's actions. >> Yeah. >> Hold on one sec. Hold on one second, Julie. Go ahead. Say >> um if I might.

028So also um anytime a letter is sent to anybody for either asking for a time extension or um a cost letter for fees uh they do have the the option to um appeal it with the secretary of state and that is written at the bottom of every single letter that we send out. >> Okay. >> So that would that would be the time if if if somebody wants to appeal that that's when they would do it is to the secretary of state's office. >> Okay. Does that answer your question Julie? Uh with respect >> does not um let me just say this. I pay almost 9,000 a year plus trash, excise, everything you can think of. And most of my money goes to the schools. We don't have children. I'm fine with that. But I

029I need to get something for my $9,000. And I don't think it's too much to ask to let people make public records requests. I I it sounds very anti-democratic to try and shut people off. >> Julie, I'm not trying to shut you off, but I'm trying to understand where you're coming from with respect to now you're saying it's against the Democratic policy. This is a public records uh presentation as to how you can use the format and platform that's being provided by the town. I am sorry that you're paying those. I don't think anybody sitting around this table or anybody that's watching feels um that we're paying just as much as you maybe more. So, you know, to to throw that out there, that's fine. That's that's your prerogative to throw it out there. But

030that again that's not part of the discussion that we're having at this point in time. >> It's a public record discussion. >> It is a public record discussion. So how does your what you pay for taxes a public record discussion? It isn't. >> What I'm saying is that why not hire someone else for public records instead of getting a second assistant manager bonuses. Again, our priorities are off and we never get to speak about anything in this town. Always being shut down or you're off topic. So again, I think our priorities are very off and that public records are important. >> Well, again, that's your prerogative to feel that way. Um, I'm sure there are others that don't feel the same way you do or maybe there are others that do feel that way, but

031I'm going to let Cindy respond to what you just said. >> Yeah. Again, um, out of the 625 requests that we got in 2025, only four people received cost letters, and the least amount of time that they were, um, sent for was for one and a half hours worth of work. >> So, we're not just charging everybody. it we're not it it it's it's definitely based on how much time it's going to spend we're going to have to spend on that request for the most part. >> So if it's under an hour and a >> No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying as of right now, the only cost letters we sent in 2025 were because it was going to require that much. I there was nothing that came in that was going to be

032a 15-minute increment. That wasn't something that was just readily available to the public, i.e. the the meeting minutes, the agendas. Does that make sense, Julie? >> Um, unfortunately, no. But I tell that >> there's just really a platform for people to really talk about things. But anyways, thank you. >> You can stop in my office anytime you'd like. I really I wouldn't mind at all to have the discussion. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Julie. One thing I would just just like to add, Julie, and I understand all your points, but you know, really we charge um the public for all kinds of things that the town um the clerk does in terms of vital statistics, um documents, all kinds of things. There's an additional cost. Um and that's, you know, part of the way we

033do business. And as much as we pay in taxes and other things in in the town, um those things actually do offset not paying more. So So it's not just public recks requests that we're charging for. And it seems, you know, like Cindy has been very um you know, uh >> yeah, very gracious in terms of not charging. Um but we do charge for all kinds of things that are done in the clerk's office. >> Yeah, I I should point out I think you know the impetus uh for any kind of fee like that it's certainly not to be punitive but you know we talk about what we found was you know there were situations where um a limited you know amount of requests in terms of the total population here in Ashlin was taking

034up like a a very disproportionate amount of time. And so it was an attempt to to maybe ensure access for everybody um and make sure that they had access to the same things and the same you know staff resources um as you know uh a few people in town do. >> Thank you. Michael, does that help with some of the clarification that you were looking for, Julie? Probably not, but >> doing the best we can here. >> I'll talk to if I have to. Oh, >> okay. >> All right. >> Sorry, Cindy. >> That's fine. >> Thank you, Cindy, for your presentation. Thank you very much. Appreciate it, >> guys. >> And I appreciate the the process that you do. I I know we're running a little late and this is not public records, but

035I just wanted I was chatting with Cindy um just to touch base on you know people can be running you know pulling papers and I just asked if she could give us a quick update on who has not necessarily >> seeing that you're right here you might as well >> but since she's here >> so just I'll do it really really quick. Yeah. Um I've had papers pulled for every uh position except for um I I just gave you my paper. Um I believe border health one yeah one seat on board health but um and nobody's returned papers yet and I they're not due back until the 31st but I am going even if you're not going to return your papers if you have pulled and um I'm going to send out an email. There

036is a seminar. It's an online training for town election candidates for um the campaign finance reporting. Um, it's on March 16th at noon and it's by Zoom, but I'm gonna send an email out to all the candidates, even though they're not candidates until I get their papers back. >> That's great. Thank you, Cindy. Great. >> Thanks, Cindy. >> Thank you very much. >> Appreciate that. >> All righty. Um, we have people strolling in um every every three or four minutes here. And there's a there's a fine group of people sitting on the back area there. And um we at this time, it's a little after 7:30, I'd like to uh have them all come up. Uh these are our Boston Marathon runners who will be representing the town of Ashland in this coming year's uh

037Boston Marathon. These are the folks who toil 26.6 miles. >> I'm sorry. 26.2. I just added 4/10 of a mile. That's okay. >> That's a lot. >> We'll bring it. We're going to we're going to we'll we'll >> No, we'll do the 410. >> I'll do the 410 and you guys can pick up the two 4 point. Yeah, 26.2. That works for me. Uh hey, what do you want for a 70 year old? That's not you know. Anyway, uh if you folks come on up um if you come by the podium and introduce yourselves, that would that would be great. >> Line up at right by the podium and then we have time introduce yourselves and >> go first. Don't worry. won't you won't get shocked. >> We're really nice people. >> Yeah, we really

038are. >> Uh hello, my name is Talita and I'm one of the runners running this year. Um I I don't know if you remember me from last year. >> We do. >> Yeah. I I I was selected to run last year, but I had to defer because I got pregnant. And then life unexpected turned back to me and we lost babies with in the middle of the pregnancy >> in May and my husband he put his name in the lottery to run this year and he got selected. >> So it I was thinking that maybe I could get back running because he was selected. So I tried to take back my deferral and it worked. I was able to do that. So I'm running this year with him. So we are running as a family.

039>> Nice. >> And >> Oh, that's wonderful. >> That's our story. Susan has a wonderful story. Oh >> yeah, that's our story. So we are running together this year in memory of our our twins and also >> uh getting back to the community because we appreciate a lot Asha and all the program because >> help people and help helped us too. So yeah, >> very nice. >> Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for sharing that. >> Thank you. >> Hello everybody. My name is Sam Thirstston. I live up on stage stage coach drive. Um been a resident of Ashlin since uh 2020. Um and grew up in in NICT. I've always gone to the Boston Marathon every single year. I've been endlessly inspired by it. Um and so I'm a local musician, a band

040director down in Planeville. and I also run the Ashlin lesson program. Um we started a few years ago providing uh music lessons to all of our elementary, middle, and high school uh band students. And so yeah, um few years ago I was uh diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and could no longer run um any marathons or any other races really. I I struggled to figure out how to run past three miles, you know, so it's been quite a a learning curve. Um, but over the last couple years, I've found my way back and I've run a few more races and um found out about about this program that we have here, the the grant, and um immediately applied for it, saw that it has benefited so many wonderful programs in Ashlin, including the Ashlin Music

041Association. So, uh, my hope is that we can as a lesson program apply and, um, find some financial aid for some families who maybe can't afford private lessons. Um, so that's sort of the long-term goal. Um, but as a runner, I'm very, very excited to finally um, get to run the Boston Marathon through this town and my hometown of NIC. So, I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you for what you do. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Cool. >> Uh, hi, my name is, uh, Wilson Lynn. Uh, grew up in Ashland pretty much my entire life. Went to school here, lived back here now after graduating from college. Uh, you know, uh, I was a member of the Ashland High School track team, cross country team. So during the marathon, we would always go out,

042cheer on the runners as a team. And uh some of the biggest inspirations in my life were uh my coaches uh Chris Avery, Lou Manini, who both were able to run the marathon. So it was always been kind of a dream to follow in their footsteps and you know kind of the ultimate goal as a track athlete is running a marathon. So >> yeah, >> having this opportunity couple of my friends last year actually >> were able to run as part of the town of Ashland. Uh Ben Savage and Isha Yadv. So they kind of gave me the idea to apply. >> Yep. you know, I put my name in this year, was lucky enough to get selected, and I'm excited to run the marathon as part of the town of Ashland. >> Well, thank

043you very much. >> When did you graduate high school? When did you graduate? >> Uh, class of 2019. >> 2019. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Tiffany Barry. Um, I've lived in Ashlin since 2013. Um, and I love it here. I actually work at the preschool. I'm one of the speech language pathologists there. Um I'm the president of the Ashlin Mom's Club as well. So I just love this town and have benefited immensely from the grants. Um between the preschool PTO, my kids are involved in sports and lots of different activities in town. Um we there's a lot of other organizations that I've been a part of or that we've benefited from. So running for the town of Ashlin has been a really um amazing opportunity. I was a very casual runner prior

044to this. Um, but once I found out that I was selected, I've met some amazing people in the running community who've been really supportive and have been helping kind of push me um, very much beyond my comfort zone, which has been, but I'm running a marathon. You're gonna >> Absolutely. >> Love getting back into running. So, >> good. That's awesome. >> Thank you again. Thank you so much. Hi, my name is Demetra Edwards. I moved to Ashlin in July, so I'm still I'm still very new. We're both feeling very welcomed already. >> Um I So when we moved in July, it was whirlwind. We were plann October at the Warren Center. So >> nice involved. >> Definitely involved. >> Yeah. So feeling very part of the community already. But when I saw the Google form

045to fill out to put my name into the lottery to run, I was like, probably never going to get this, but you know, it's worth a shot. Just moved. Why? I'll do it. So, I was very excited to get the opportunity. And um I've been running since high school. So, it's, you know, like everybody has said, it's any any runner's dream come true to run the Boston Marathon. And I'm very happy to be doing it for Ashlin. Um, feeling very supported by my neighbors, by the community so far. So, I'm happy to give back even though, you know, we've only been here for six months, but >> Well, we're happy to have you. So, >> thank you for doing this. >> Thank you so much. >> People online. >> Do we have some people online?

046>> We have some folks online. >> Nick, unmute yourself if you would. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um, right. Yeah. My name is Nick Kanuk. Um I don't know. Can I show myself even on here? >> Uh no letting people >> um That's okay. Um my wife and I I grew up in Framingham. Um my wife and I uh moved to Ashlin from NIC in 2023. Um I wish I was there in person, but we have a three-month-old and a two and a half year old. So uh priorities. Um >> yes indeed. But uh very much looking forward to raising money for the town of Ashlin and uh all that is supported through the BAA grant fund. Um especially knowing that my kids will grow up uh in this town and uh this will

047be my fifth Boston Marathon Boston Marathon. Um >> Wow. Wow. >> Nice. >> So yeah, just uh really thankful for the opportunity and and to give back to the community. Well, we thank you for all your efforts and uh and the pain that all of you are going to go through. I mean, the happiness you're all going to go through the joy. That's what I miss. Not the pain. Not Not this one. No. >> So, thank you very much. We appreciate that. >> Thank you, Nick. >> Um, it's actually 7:45 and I have to hold off for one second. >> Um, I have a legal notice that I have to read >> and then we'll come back to you guys >> and then we'll come back to we'll come back. All right. So, notice is

048hereby given that the select board will conduct a hearing regarding application for livery uh license Smooth Ride Premium Car Service LLC 42 Sudbury Road, Ashland, Mass 01721. A public hearing will be held on this matter on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at 7:45 p.m. Parties wishing to be heard on this matter are invited to attend the public hearing by logging into the Zoom meeting. Interested parties who are unable to attend the meeting may submit written uh comments to the select boards office town of Ashland 101 Main Street Ashland Mass01721 or by emailing Susan Roby at srobyashlandmass.com signed by Joseph Manani Jr. the chair I'll ask that we can suspend this meeting. >> We have to open it first. >> Open it first. >> Meeting is open. >> I'll make a motion to open the hearing. Second.

049>> All those in favor? >> I. >> Now I ask that we suspend. >> Suspended. >> Is there a second? >> Yep. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> That's 5 as well. Uh we will come back to this, but we still want to continue talking with the marathon runners who are supporting the town of Ashon. Uh are there any additional uh members out there, runners out there that we would like to acknowledge and speak with? Are they all able to unmute? >> Put their hands up. >> Yeah. Put your hand up. So maybe Ari >> Okay, >> there we go. I didn't have the hand raised. >> There you go, Ari. >> You're clapping. >> That's even better. It's even better. >> Yeah. Um, I know. >> So, I apologize again for

050not being able to make it in person, but if you were able to see my face, you'd be able to see how excited I've been um to be able to finally run this. Um, you know, my name's Ari. I was born and raised in Ashland. Uh, so I've been here since 2001. And actually, this has been the first year that I'm not living in Ashland. Uh, because I moved into Boston. I graduated from Ashland High in 2019. Um, and graduating from Ashland, uh, being born and raised is something that I'll always be proud of. Uh, this, my blood runs through Ashland. Uh, I love it. I wrestled in high school. Um, I played tennis. Um, and then I wrestled at the collegiate level and after graduating college. Um, I lived at home and growing up

051watching the marathon every year with my family, I I picked up running like naturally. Um, and so every day uh while living at home, I used to touch the town hall sign um on every single run because I hope that one day I'd be able to run on behalf of Ashland and fundra as I saw so many of my friends be able to do when I was growing up. Uh so I was able to be selected this year. Um and I'm beyond grateful to fund raise on behalf of everything that I grew up uh being privileged enough to have access to and hope that that um is the case for many other people growing up and living in Ashland now. So really excited um and uh wanted to thank you all for having the time

052to be able to introduce all of us today. Thank you, Ari. Thank you for your uh your your service and uh helping the town out. Again, we greatly appreciate it. Folks, if anything you would like to add to Ari, I know I'm sure Claudia does. >> Yeah, I know Arie, too. Congratulations. Uh good luck on your run and uh and thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bennett. >> I recognize that voice. >> She wasn't one of your principles, was she? No, actually I think in >> computer third or fourth >> computer teacher. Okay. >> I think we did a green screen uh activity. >> Yeah. >> And I somehow figured out how to use Zoom. So I guess it paid off. >> So I have a question. Um so first of all, thank you all

053for not only being here but to share your stories >> because this makes it so real for all of us. Um, one of the best things we do, my opinion, but one of the best things we do is is the BAA grant program that gets funded by all of you. Um, and every we do it twice a year. In fact, we're going to open up the grant cycle for the spring tonight. Um, and literally when we get these requests in and we know what kind of impact these grants have on our community and our groups, it's it's so it's so impactful. So, um, on behalf of all the all the organizations that, you know, would not have a way of fundraising for for to to support the work that they do. Um, thank you for

054for doing that, for wanting to to um give back to Ashlin. So, um, it's it's it's special and it's it's special to hear all of your stories because you kind of sometimes forget when 30,000 people run through your town that there's a story behind every single one of them. >> That's true. >> Um, and our runners are just really special to us. So, so thank you. Um, I did have one question and I'll throw it out to whoever wants to answer, but um, you know, we ask our runners to raise $3,000. I'm curious how you're finding the fundraising if if it's um challenging, the if the amount is doable. like we we're trying to kind of gauge what um like if if what we do long term to see if that number that amount is

055still um the right amount and we also want to make it doable for our runners. So, if anybody you want to come on up to the come on up and >> and as she's as you're going up because we know that for a lot of other organizations it's like $10,000 or so, you know, we are considering do we ask people to raise a little bit more? So, it would be good to get feedback. Yeah, that um that's actually what I was going to say is I've met a lot of other um runners who are also running the marathon for some of those organizations and I when we're running it's very stressful and it's a big struggle for them to be raising 7500 $10,000 or constantly asking people for money and I've met the minimum already

056so it's not something that I do have to worry about at this point. Um, so I do think it's a manageable amount, at least in my experience with the fundraising I've done and the people that I've met. Um, it's been nice to have met that and be able to just focus on the kind of running and anything I raise from now on is just a great addition. So, >> right. >> Thank you. >> Great feedback. >> Good feedback. >> Thank you. >> Good question. >> Anybody else want to respond or >> Yeah. Anyone else? I I I do want to just shout y'all out a little bit. So, um you know, again, uh just thank you so much for putting uh putting not just your hearts but your bodies on the line for Ashland and

057and improving our community. Um I did want to ask just how you know how generally how the fundraising was going, but I also want to remind people who are watching that everyone that you saw here tonight still needs your donations. So you can go to the town website and and donate donate to all of them if you can. So help them make their minimums and help them uh you know strengthen our programs here in town. But um just would like to hear a little bit more about the fundraising experience if anyone else has any anything to share about that. Yeah, go ahead. Come up to the podium. So, personally, I don't know if this was even allowed, but I put flyers in my neighbor's mailboxes. So, sorry, but it was effective. And then, you know,

058being new to the town, it was like I felt like people, my neighbors would come up to me and congratulate me and they were excited to talk about it. So, I felt like having that personal connection was really good for the fundraising. Um, I asked a lot of my co-workers. I put flyers up at school. I'm a teacher, so I was like just pretty much making it very visible to everybody. So, I think the more you reach out to people that like your your circle and your family and tell your family to spread the word, too. You know, that was pretty effective for me. And I felt like everybody got so excited about it and now even more friends, they're like, "What else can I do to help?" So I feel like >> like I

059think the amount is is manageable as well. So it's you know depending on how much the the people applying for these grants how much money that they need for whatever programs that they're running like you know increase it maybe but >> thank you. >> That's great feedback. Oh R has his hand up too. All right. Yeah. R has his hand up. Just uh to add on to that, um I agree. I think that especially maybe it's because I'm biased and I love Ashland, so I know where the money is is going to generally speaking. Um I think it's very doable um in terms of the minimum, but I also think that when you really elaborate on where these funds are going to, I found that you have more success. So, as opposed to people, you

060know, reaching out or posting on their social media, hey, support me in my fundraising, here's my Venmo. Uh, it's a lot more uh, you know, relatable depending on who the person is when you actually list off where this grant is going. >> Um, because you never know where like where or what organization really touches a person and all of Ashland's um, different allocations. uh I found to be very personable to people when you actually are able to explain it out to them. Uh so that for me was really effective. >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> I think we got Nick. >> We have one more. >> Yep. Nick. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um yeah, I totally agree with what everybody's said. Um, I've had the opportunity to fund raise for a couple other charities,

061whether it was in NATIC or or some in Framingham, and they were through the same situation of towns that are on the route getting their own bibs. And so, I think having in in all of those situations, it's it's been about the same minimum. and knowing that it's for a town, it's been really great where I know some of the larger um nonprofits have a much higher minimum. Um so knowing that it's for towns on the route and having that minimum I think is very attainable. The one um the one piece of feedback I would say is nothing against our uh bill pay system and all that but uh I have had the experience of having to be able to do it through give and gain which is a lot of what other charities use.

062Um, and it is a much easier uh format for folks to donate. Um, whereas I know, you know, I pay my my excise tax and all that stuff. So, I know how that system works and I I can do it quickly, but folks that don't live in Ashland might find it a little bit difficult to use that municipal system to to end up finding the donation. >> Yeah. I've I've gotten that >> I've gotten that feedback as well, Nick. So, uh I definitely hear I hear that. So, thank you. >> Yep. >> Very good. Appreciate everything that you all have done so far to get yourselves ready. It's a long aruous road, but it's a road that's uh paved with gold at the end for sure. and we appreciate all your work that you're doing

063and all the committees and groups that are the beneficiaries of all your hard work are greatly appreciated and um I can say that because I know that throughout the years uh being involved with National Day and the summer concert programs a lot of our programs that are free uh free for that reason because you folks are the ones that generate that monies for these free concerts on Tuesday evenings. So, we thank you very much for that, as do the residents of town. And where you're new in town, every Tuesday night from I had to throw a kick in. Every Tuesday night uh since um uh the 28th of June, Tuesday evenings, we have a free concert that started 7 o'clock at the gazebo at Stone Park. So, hope you can be there. We love we

064love to see you there. One thing I want to also just let you guys know. So, um, on on Zoom is Susan Roby, who you guys are all working with on on all your your everything related to Marathon. Everything is going through going through Susan. So, I just wanted to give Susan a shout out. >> It says Beth Reynolds, >> but it's actually Susan Robbie. So, she's waving. So, I just wanted you guys to I don't know if you've met her in person or not, but just wanted to put a face to the name because I know Susan Susan this is also a labor of love for her >> and she works she works her tail off to to to um make this program go without a >> get some applause going up there. I

065see. So, the other thing um real quick is we haven't discussed it or decided it yet, but we typically do a runner's breakfast the Saturday of Memorial of um marathon weekend. >> So, we haven't voted it yet, but I expect we will. So, Susan will keep you posted if we do that. >> Yep. Breakfast at TJ's. >> Yeah. >> Everybody along family's welcome and all that. >> Come on down. Fuel up. We have to ask it which we'll do at our next meeting, but I expect it'll happen. >> I think Susan unmuted herself. >> Great. Sue, if you have anything you would like to add to that. >> No, I just unmuted myself in case somebody asked me a question. >> Thank you. Well, thank you all very much. We appreciate it and we will

066see you soon. >> Yeah. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Hope all that snow goes away so it's easier easier to train to train. >> I know, right? Oh boy. >> So, thank you again everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And thank you all for your personal uh stories as well. >> Yes. >> It makes it so much easier for us and so much to uh appreciate your sacrifices. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Take care everyone. >> Good night. >> All right. >> Well, that was fun. >> That is always fun. >> It's always a fun thing to do. So, do you want do you want a motion to reopen the >> Yeah, I was going to ask if someone would uh provide me a motion. >> I will make that motion. >> Second.

067>> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay. Uh the public uh discussion and hearing is open for Smooth Rile Premium Car Services LLC. And I would ask um if uh Dimmitri is here. >> Yes. >> How are you sir? If we come to the podium, please identify yourself and explain uh why you're looking for a delivery license, please. >> Um yeah, good evening everyone. Uh my name is Denitri Schustster and I live in town since 92. >> Nice. for a while and been doing different things uh working in different fields and uh this is my kind of the last uh tenure and uh so I start doing this um in beginning of the year and one of the requirements is uh obtaining license from the town to do it um the way it should

068be legally and uh so that's u primarily a reason I applied for it. >> Very good the right way. >> Great. >> Thank you. I'll open up the board for questions. I just previously I have spoken to Susan prior to >> and uh there there are no uh letters uh against uh Demetri opening up or supporting it either or. Okay, just to let the board know. >> Uh just one question. Uh will you house the vehicle in a garage just in the driveway? And what kind of signage of anything on the vehicle? >> It's a garage. There is no signage. It's just a black suburban car and it's always garageed. >> Okay. >> There's nothing outside unless my daughter is visiting. >> No more space for her car. >> Snowblower and >> equipment. Okay, >>

069that's great. Sounds good to me. >> No other questions. Sounds good. >> Anybody else? >> No. Then I'll entertain a motion. I move that we approve the uh liverly liverly livery license. I'll get there uh to Smooth Ride Premium Car Services. >> Second. >> Yeah. >> All those in favor? >> That's 5-0. Demetri, you have your you'll get your license and um >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Susan, what how does he have to um can he come down to the town hall to pick that up at some point or because I know that uh you won't be available. home. >> Yeah, I stop by. I'll ask my wife to stop by. >> Okay. >> No, >> if I need if I have to be there, I'll I'll come. >> Yeah, that's >> great, too.

070>> Um, the way the system works now is because it's all online. Once you guys do the approval, I'll go in, I'll finish it up in the system. Um, Dimmitri will get an email, he will print out his license, and he'll be all set. >> Okay. Very good. >> That's great. >> So, you don't have to go anywhere. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's great. >> Very easy. Very good. We make it simple. Thank you and best of luck and good luck in your endeavors. Thank you, Dimmitri. >> Thank you very much. >> Good night. Now, >> I would I would think it would be to town hall to to Sue Roby. Yep. >> Yeah. And if if Sue is not available, I'm sure Diane Mortonson could handle that as well. >> Okay. You're very welcome,

071Demetri. Thank you. All right. Always nice to see people wanting to do certain things and um under old and new business uh article A has been withdrawn. Um, I know that uh while I was away and I appreciate the vice chair taking care of uh business for me and I know you guys had a a discussion uh with uh access to town council and uh and the the process to uh seek town council, but I know that there was uh additional discussion wanted discussion about u uh the expenses that uh expense pol uh policy he has and and how other towns may uh seek council um >> comment. Have you >> skipped over the budget? >> Did we skip over the budget? >> I did that purposely. I did that purposely because I >> Yeah.

072>> So, um >> yeah, >> but we can do that. >> Okay. >> So, I I'll be very honest. I I'm I'm going to Yeah, I'll hold on a quick second because this is under all new business. Oh, yeah. You're right. Never mind. >> Just waiting for Michael, too. >> Good. >> Is this is I thought this was something I could do real quick before we um started this. >> Do you think there's a need to have this discussion? Oh, we already had it. We were >> No, we need to continue. >> Continue that discussion. Okay. Oh, yeah. >> No, no, no, no. I'm talking about the other >> the access to town council. No, I think we need to have that, but let's do it in order. Okay. The only thing I would say

073is if while Michael's pulling his stuff up, if we wanted to allow Joan to do her >> Oh, yeah. Joanie, >> citizens participation. >> Oh, yeah. >> Do that now and thenbody else. >> And anybody else, right, >> we're going to we deferred the u citizens participation uh at this point, but Joan, you had a couple of questions. Uh, I think you're able to unmute yourself and if you have questions now. >> It took a minute, but I I'm there. Okay. Thank you. Um, Joan Friday, One Shore Road um on the historical commission. Speaking as an independent um resident, um I'm hoping you've had a chance to review my calculations on water capacity. Um I'm wondering what your thoughts are. Um will a plan be put in place to increase our capacity? Will the developer

074de developers be asked to contribute? Um could we have a moratorum? I'm very concerned about our water and um I um I I'm just wondering what your thoughts are. >> Um >> and I have one. >> Yeah, thank you Joanie. Uh I we all receive that. I did I did read it over. I am far from being an expert when it comes to water sources and um the supply and demand aspect of it. I haven't had an opportunity to speak to uh Degie Small and uh Dan about the water supply and and what we should do to help uh keep that capacity uh available. Um, I know that we have an emergency uh pipe installation uh that would uh if we had to uh utilize that that would be part of the MW uh water

075source. Uh and that again that is just for emergency uh purposes only, not for additional water source to add to our current water source that we have so we can deal with the future or potential developments down the road. Again, they're just for emergency access. So, I would have to talk to Doug and Dan about uh about those figures, and I haven't had the opportunity to. Uh they've been a little tied up with respect to uh the uh the blizzard and the uh the contributing factors of keeping the roads open and clear and and sidewalk maintenance at this time. >> Okay. Okay. Fair enough. I did send um I did send an email to um the um planning board also because in the HPP um it says that um that it says that we have

076plenty of water and plenty of sewer capacity and I don't believe that's true and I think that that should not be written as it is. I know we have to talk about that probably in the HPP and and we need an HPP. Um, but I would say um that um that the references that are in there are not correct either. So I think that um that should be corrected before the HPPA gets approved. Um that would be my thoughts. >> Okay, Claudia. >> No, I just I know that there was conflicting numbers um in the reports and I think that should we do need to have that clarified, right? I mean it was off by like 100,000 gallons I think. >> Right, Joan? Correct. Yes, that's correct. >> So, I mean, that's a significant right

077number. >> It is. And unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to talk with any of those that uh provided those figures to us. So, >> yeah. So, um Michael, I don't know. Maybe would it would it be Doug Douggey Doug Small that that Joe should talk to about those conflicting gallage >> about water and sewer? Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Okay. and I did, but knowing what what he's been dealing with over the last >> Yeah. No, I know it's been a tough winter >> that Yeah. >> So, >> but >> so if you can if you can uh >> allow me the opportunity to to speak with Doug on that uh now that things hopefully are calming down uh weatherwise. >> While you're there, please thank him. They've done a phenomenal job in

078town. Absolutely. Go cross lines, cross town lines, and it's much different story. >> That's for downshore. >> That's true. As soon as you hit that timeline, you go, "Okay." Absolutely. So, kudos to all the uh >> the men and and women that were out there doing what needed to get done. So, thank you very much. >> And thank you, Tony, for that uh question. I appreciate that. But we'll get back to you on that. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I think we're ready. So, uh Michael. >> Sure. Um good evening everybody. I just uh wanted to give you an update on where we are in terms of the FY27 budget process and uh talk in a little more detail about uh what that

079$750,000 uh that would be shifted up into excluded debt service. Um what that expanded uh room would allow us to do. Um, and then what would happen if an override did not pass and uh that that money was not transferred? What would be some of the consequences? Um, we're going to get into a lot more detail, I think, in terms of the overall picture and everything next week at the tri board meeting. Um, so tonight I figured I would focus on just the, you know, general government departmental budgets. Um, but that being said, I want to give you a couple critical updates just on the overall process and the overall numbers. Um, so the GIC, they still have not voted on rates yet, but what they did do is they voted on um plan design

080changes designed to help minimize the rate increase. Um so a number of suggestions were made uh to the GIC in terms of how they could change their plan in terms of increased co-pays um increased deductibles. The biggest one was um actually cutting off uh GLP1s for weight loss. Um when it came time to vote, was it last week? It was last week, late last week. Um the GIC chose uh the the governor had sent a a letter to the GIC saying she didn't support uh most of the plan design changes but did support the GLP1 restriction. Uh that is ultimately the way the GIC voted. Um, so what that means is that not as not as many costs are going to escalate for employees, but it doesn't mean it does mean that the mitigation to

081the rate increases are not as substantial as they could be. So that's number one. Um, and hope when are they going to did they say when they're going to vote? They're going to vote tomorrow on the rates. Um, and just so you know, uh, that's an overall average increase. We'll know better once we see what plan each um you know each employee goes into. Uh that's how we'll know the true figure once open enrollment is over. >> Will will we have will we have a better sense? Not I mean obviously not open enrollment but you know where they where the GIS falls in. That'll be part of the discussion on Tuesday I assume right? >> Yes. Yeah. um unless they punt it to another meeting which you know could be >> but they know they

082know all communities are looking for this number. >> Exactly. >> This isn't just us. This is you know so >> it's it's very true. >> So Michael I have a question and um you know this might be one for our legislators when they are visit us. Um but so GIC initially when the town went with GIC which 2015 16 >> yeah did the agreement in 2015 and then it became effective I believe in 2017. >> Okay. So there was a huge cost savings, right? And I think that was really part of um I mean that was the motivation on the town side and certainly on these insurers. Um it they're they were motivated to get all of us to buy in, right? Which they did and now since that time they have eaten away at

083the cost savings and so now we're we're spiking. I don't know what it's out what's out there in uh the private industry or that but uh it's probably pretty similar. >> Um so the so is there any conversation about um a different approach now for for govern government government employees in in terms of maybe getting out of the GIC if it's not bringing value to us any longer. Certainly, it's a huge number of people across the Commonwealth that partake and that one would expect that there would be some benefits, financial benefits to communities and to the individuals who participate in the insurance. >> It it all depends. If um you have a lot of people that join and they use the insurance a lot, it actually works against you. um if you have a lot

084of people join and they don't utilize the insurance, yeah, that that definitely helps. And that's known as your utilization rate. And so what was happening when when Ashland first uh joined, not too many communities had joined. Um and so since that time, uh all these other communities were seeing the financial benefits and so they would join. And let's just say municipal employees for some reason have a higher utilization rate. um on the insurance than what was known previously. So that's one of the reasons why you're seeing an escalation go up. Um in terms of looking at other options, that's something that we've done really the last couple of times where we've had an opportunity to go back out, which is every three years, right, Katherine? Um and uh so the la each of the last

085time we looked at at that and looked at our utilization rate, it didn't make any sense to to go back out. The the vendors were like, "Yeah, we don't think we can be competitive on this." >> Well, regardless, I mean, you say we were one of the first communities that joined, right? So there was significant savings and now they GIC benefits from you know a a massive number of of you know individuals partaking and it does does seem like in some way shape or form there should be some kind of um benefit that seems to have uh slowly been >> chipped away at. >> Yeah. shipped away at >> Well, it's not. >> It's not. >> Well, and that's the other thing is is the other um nice bit of news uh that we received

086earlier this week is uh Keith Tech voted on their budget and um so unfortunately the uh increase >> that's huge >> is pretty substantial. Uh so $350,000 approximately. Um a pretty substantial increase that we uh we weren't necessarily budgeting for. I don't remember exactly what we had originally, but um you know, we got a couple more of these big numbers to kind of get in before, you know, we can really really feel like we've got good fidelity going into um going into May. >> Now, what was driving the the um decrease? What drove that? um budgetary um and we have more students going. >> Oh, we do? >> Yeah. So, >> I think it was like 12 students. >> Even with the new lottery program, we have more students going. >> Yeah. So, um I

087think we had 12 more students this year >> for a total of Do you know how many? >> Um I don't have that one in front of me. So, I can probably get it to you as soon as I get >> Yeah. So yeah, that was a little bit of a surprise. Um so yeah, so just talk going back to the 20 uh 27 budget and the departmental budgets specifically looking at uh what the $750,000 uh would do to our departments in order to maintain services and really look at start advancing um what the vision was in the comprehensive plan. Um, and where really kind of our core is starting here is public safety. First, I'll talk a little bit about adding an additional firefighter per shift. So, as our population has grown and as

088we look at some of the um, you know, buildings that have come online like a couple of um, assisted living facilities, we've seen uh the amount of calls increase substantially. And what is happening now is so the times where we have a couple of ambulances out um and a third call comes in um those are starting to increase and so we're finding ourselves in a place where we're not able to answer a third call and we either have to uh essentially depend on mutual aid or it just extends the time the response time uh that it takes for people to um get their medical attention or or god forbid uh some kind of fire related incident. Um so that would bring us up uh and allow us to potentially run three ambulances um if we

089need to, uh that's just because of the way the shift structure works. Um, additionally, what we're looking um at doing in public safety is essentially increasing by one full-time equivalent um in the police department to look specifically at traffic control. And what we need to look at a little more closely is to see, okay, does it make more sense to just bring one person on or does it make more sense to expand overtime and allow different officers to use it at different points during the week, different points during the day? Um, still just evaluating data and seeing what makes sense from that perspective. So that's our public safety departments and the total here um was is about $400,000 of that 750,000. Another thing we're looking at doing is um establishing really it's more of a

090strategic and tactical tool uh called a strategic reserve. Um, and basically this would be a line item in uh the town manager's budget uh of around $60,000, a little over that, 60 and some change. Um, that would really be utilized um in case there were factors that we had not, you know, thought of or calculated um in terms of some of these uh some of these other departmental expenses. uh because we really tried to chip away at some of them. Um and we're really kind of cutting it close on some um and so the strategic reserve allows us, you know, the flexibility to okay, if we find out we might need a little bit more money here to shift it over into that department. Um, what I was thinking, and I'm not necessarily sure exactly

091how we can do this, but you know, if it's coming towards the end of the year and it doesn't look like we're going to need this, is there a way we can look at advancing some smaller projects in the comprehensive plan? Um, that maybe the implementation committee identifies. Um, so that's uh that's a possibility as well. So, moving forward to financial staffing support. Um, and again, this would be under the town accountants office. Um, I've I've said this a lot, just how lean our finance team runs. Um, and we're really at a at a critical point right now. Um, right now we have uh Stephanie and Paul who handle the finances um for municipal departments and does a lot of stuff uh for the school department as well. And um we have a really hard

092time being able to provide like some financial analysis and um you know really I think some of the more financial tools and planning documents that I think would help all of us uh get a better sense of what's going on with the budget. And then uh finally this is really kind of the the big initiative. It's not, you can think of it a couple of different ways. You can think of it as um creating a new department or basically taking components of DPW and separating them out and giving them their own focus. But um I I would like to look at doing a buildings and grounds department um so we can start looking at at maintaining some of these new investments in buildings that we've made. um so significant investments um start looking at making

093sure we doing the preventive maintenance necessary uh for some of these buildings uh not just the new ones but uh we have 13 buildings uh on the municipal side that we that we have to take care of um and then we need to look at you know some of our critical facilities like the DPW facility um I think that's that's probably our next municipal facility to really look at is uh you know and I don't want to say that happens tomorrow or you know two or three years from now obviously a building project we know how long it takes uh but I think it is something that really needs to be a focus on this department um and then the other thing is um and we've heard this in the comprehensive plan we've heard it

094outside of the comprehensive plan a dire need to increase the maintenance of our fields but also look at expanding our fields and um there we're we're starting to make some changes uh with taking the school fields and putting them back under the purview and the care and maintenance of the school department. That still leaves Grenell and Stone Park and then also looking at expanding. Um and so there's a couple of ideas of of some places to potentially poke around that could be opportunities for us. Um so really this department um would put the you know we we've heard Doug especially talk about um our fields our fields conditions the the the resource uh intensive nature of our fields and then also how we need to really start focusing on facilities not just in terms of

095a band-aid approach which we are kind of stuck doing now with our resource limitations but start looking at it from a more proactive manner. Any questions? These are really the bulk of the ads. This u this adds with the the position of a director and then some utility and contracted services increases. This adds about 200,000 to um to uh to the budget. >> Correct. Correct. So, those are the big ticket items on uh the 750. Are there any questions or any comments? >> Michael, I just um you want to just explain about the 750 again. Did you start off by that? I I didn't like where it comes from and and and >> so um when we went out to bond the public or when we went out to borrow for the public safety building

096or get authorization um one of the things that we did was uh look at essentially splitting what was the debt service payment for that. Um all of that debt service was authorized to be excluded. Um we chose um and said that we would carry essentially what added added up to half $750,000. Um we would carry that what they call inside the levy. So it wouldn't be like a a debt it wouldn't function as a debt exclusion. It would just function like it's as part of your tax base. So, what we're proposing doing is actually shifting that up to excluded debt, which would open up that $750,000 in capacity within the levy. >> Hopefully that explains it. >> Yeah. So, basically, we're we we used up $750,000 of operating budget dollars um on what could have

097been part of the excluded debt. Right. >> Correct. And if you look at the 2021 budget, um you'll see those figures, you know, basically to the penny um subtracted out. >> Okay. And like you said, so that will free up the our ability to use that 750 within our operating budget. >> Correct. >> Moving it. >> Just a followup to that question. So we're going to free up $750,000 so we can use it for other things. How does it impact our excluded debt or is it just we're not now paying? >> Yeah, I guess how is it how is it impacting our excluded debt? >> So, >> if it is >> So, it's not impact that 750 is not on our excluded debt right now. It's being paid within the ley. >> I understand that.

098So, >> so we're now going to move it to excluded debt. >> Yeah. So, it would be it would be covered. we would raise it, you know, through the debt exclusion portion of the tax bill. And so trying to think of the best way >> because it's we said $750,000 a year to help pay off the building. >> So do we know what is left on the building and is that what are we adding that to that amount to excluded debt or are we just going to say we're adding $750,000 to excluded debt on an annual basis? essentially the latter. It's not it's not adding on to the total debt that needs to be paid. It's just how it that yearly payment gets paid and it equates to um less than a little less than

099$100 per year on the average tax bill. Now, it would be a tax increase relative to what people are seeing right now by that. I I think it's like $98. Um, the good news is, and the reason why it was proposed the way it is, if it was part of the operating override, that would grow at 2 and a.5% as part of the levy each year because it's part of a fixed debt service payment. It actually is not going to go up and eventually will go away. >> Do we have a forecast as to when that will go away? >> Uh, uh, 22 years, I believe, >> left. Yeah. 25 year. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> I mean, it's a while, but it it does go away, >> right? So, by doing this, right,

100>> instead of it ultimately the $750,000 with the 2.75 million override request is 3.5, right? Mhm. >> And by doing this, the 3.5 would then fall to our tax base, which would be get 2 and 12% would be added to it each year. >> The 2.75, not the 750, >> right? No, I know. But I'm saying if we had >> Oh, yeah. If we did do that, the 3.5, then that would become part of our base. >> Correct. >> Which then 2.5% on top each year. So by doing it this way, we move that to excluded debt which does fall away eventually and we only raise our base by two only by 2.75 which gets the 2 and a half% applied each year. >> Yeah. >> Right. And that again isn't to say that by

101moving it to excluded debt there is an impact financial impact but again it falls away as opposed to adding it all into the base which then gets compounded each year. >> Yeah. And maybe that's the way to say it is, you know, the tax increase will equate to 3.5 million. Um, but only 2.75 million goes on the tax base that grows. >> So I have a question on the strategic reserve. >> So what would be the process like when when when that gets tapped? Is there like like how how do we see that as sort of a line item because you know because I think I think if we're going to have a a fund like that, we need to like make sure we're aware of when it's being used and where it goes. >>

102Okay. What I could do is is I could provide like a quarterly report um for you that shows if it's been used and how it's been used. >> Okay. No, that >> would that be that? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> And if it wasn't if it wasn't used, what would happen to it? Would it fall >> to free cash or? >> Yeah, if it wasn't used, it would fall to free cash. >> Yeah. >> Would it make sense to be notified when you're going to use it or are is this something that you think you're going to need to like be able to make just a judgment of this this happened and I need extra $5,000 so I'm going to pull it from the strategic reserve? >> Yeah. And I don't anticipate really being

103able or really needing to do anything until maybe the the middle of the year. No, >> you know, when we can kind of see that. But yeah, it is it is to provide a little bit more of that nimleness. But again, I can I can always bring back to you kind of what uh you know what it was it was being used for. And the idea would be that the strategic reserve would be used for things like a one-time thing where either it's a little more expensive than you thought or something there's an emergency that has come up. You need to replace a bo not a boiler because that would not do with $60,000 but right >> something like that. Okay. So not it would not be used toward salaries or ongoing expenses. >> Well,

104no, it could be used for ongoing expenses. For example, let's just say um you know we the way we've forecasted um maybe bringing somebody on board um we're doing it for three quarters of the year, right? You know, uh we wouldn't have we wouldn't have that person hired in the first quarter. Let's just say for whatever example, we find a stellar candidate right away, you know, comes on board maybe a couple weeks early. you know, there's going to be a cost associated with that that that we wouldn't have necessarily planned for. >> Okay. >> And and the other thing is like we ended up chipping away, you know, kind of whiddling away at some and it it's like h we're kind of cutting it a little bit close here. So, this gives us a little

105bit of a buffer on a couple of those things, too. >> Okay. thought could I um this is going back in the presentation a little bit. I just wanted to address um about the firefighters. Mhm. >> Um and just because I thought, you know, you mentioned all of this, of course, but um it's pretty significant when you look at the data that we've been given. Um and actually heard some stories as well, but um so a couple of things that I'm not sure people realize, right, is that frequently now people when they need an ambulance, they want to go out. They don't want to go to Framingham. They want to go out of town, right? So they go to Newton Welsley, they go to Milford um and beyond sometimes, right? I know there was a

106case where they went to Brigham and Women's lately recently and and so this has a an impact about how long they're out of unavailable, right? Um and so when we talk about currently we run two ambulances and then when we talk about moving it to three some of the rationale for that is that and this is a startling number in my mind that that there in um 2025 there were 20 2,685 calls and 1,035 were simultaneous. two. So that's kind of a kind of a startling number in my mind that that it's happening that frequently. Um and so and then again then there's also um mutual aid that we give and and receive as well. So uh if we have both ambulances occupied then we have to go to mutual aid. So your response time

107it changes dramatically. So now instead of maybe being four or five minutes, it's going to be coming from Framingham, coming from Southboro, it's going to be significantly longer. So I think those are um you know, significant things to think about in terms of I don't think any of us um if you're calling 911 for an ambulance wants to think about having to wait any longer than you have to. Um right >> and indeed you know sometimes I'm not sure but even ch the selection of the site for the uh police and fire station in part was so that it would be easy access to any side of town so they can use the fountain street bridge to get over the railroad tracks right >> and not have to be um rrooed because of uh a

108train. So, so it's a significant piece that we have to we you know, which is obvious, right? You want to get to um somebody in a hurry, right, that needs you. And um so I mean I think too just about the pictures from the incident on Myrtle Street not too long ago were pretty dramatic and to think about and and how many people and the other thing is you know when you see I know when I see an an ambulance or something go down the street or sometimes I I'll first see a fire probably a captain or lieutenant or somebody right in the >> in the SUV and they go and I say well pretty soon there's going to be somebody else coming and frequently it's a ambulance or it's a fire truck or both

109and then there's usually a police car. So there there's a lot of response involved in these calls and I think sometimes we um you know don't really think much about that but >> yeah it's um >> it's uh you know I think sometimes this is uh just one of our general um you know I don't know how to classify it. It's not necessarily a problem, but you know, we become victims of our own success in in in many ways. We try to um um we we we have a team that really has a hard time saying no. Um and especially when you're in those public safety professions, that's really just not how you're built. Um, and uh, you know, I think what I've been hearing is just how dangerous it is for them also to

110operate at the levels that they are. Um, and what's going to happen or what I'm afraid is going to happen is as the town grows and we still say level um at our service levels, the impact to each of them is going to be more significant and more significant and eventually they leave and then you start getting a reputation. Um, you know, Eastston, which is a community that did not pass an override recently, um, you know, one of those items was for firefighters. Um, not only did they lose that, they lost practically half their department who felt like, well, if, you know, there's the support's not here, you know, they for their safety, they want to go to a community that they feel does support them. So, they ended up having to contract out their

111ambulance service, um, you know, not do it in-house anymore. So, there's a lot of stuff that that goes into this. Um, I think >> you know folks, it's not uncommon when you see medical personnel heading off to a call and you see a response of a police cruiser going along as well. Uh, emotions are really high at that location where they're responding to, especially if there are family members there. and medical personnel are there to treat the victim and the patient that they have to deal with. Most cases, the the police officer that arrives is dealing with the family members that are upset, they're emotional, and they're trying to keep the peace in the calm so that the the medical staff that's there can do their job to to maintain a level of, you know,

112health for that individual and of health for that. And sometimes it can get a little uh it can get a little scary and sometimes the officer may have to, you know, detain an individual because they're just so out of it that they're in they're impeding the u the medical treatment of their of their loved one though they don't realize it because they're just so emotional. Um does it happen all the time? No. But it does happen. And so that's why you see all those responding offices. And then if you have to carry a patient, you know, from a stairwell, you know, second floor, third floor. I mean, some a lot of these new places now have elevators. Before they didn't, and you were going down a stairwell with that, you know, with that individual, it

113takes it takes personnel to carry that down along with the stretcher and everything else that goes along with it to take it. I know >> recent weeks too, you know, it's hard not to think about the challenges that you all of our public safety officers have faced with the snow in the way, right? >> And it's absolutely it's >> Yep. >> Yeah. Last night was a prime example. >> We had that snow came down. It came down with ice and the combination of the two. They they call after call after call within within an hour's time frame. if they didn't have one, they had close to 20, you know, cars off the road, cars flipped over, things of that nature. So, yeah, it's not it's not uh it's not a pleasant task and I I

114hope everybody understands that it's not it's not all it's not all griev they're up at it. So, just wanted to toss that in there for that extra support. Well, that that's probably a good way to lead into, you know, so what happens if uh the 750,000 uh does not uh does not get moved. And um you know, I I do want to be clear that it's it's a little bit different situation than what we're talking about with the school department. um but in terms of like positions, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we're not going to face service level decreases. Uh you know, what we're going to see is a continued public safety um gap, if you will, uh between what the what the needs are and of the community and what we're able to

115provide. I probably get a a call or some kind of correspondence about speeding at least once a day from a resident. You know, I talked to a resident who has issues with that. Um Joe, I know is part of the roadway traffic safety committee. It's a something that's constantly in front of you. >> Yeah. >> It's a number one that's probably the number one concern and and complaint. >> Yeah. The speeders and >> and we've definitely picked up enforcement. Um, but you know, we could definitely still use some additional help. Um, like we've talked with some of the firefighter uh in and ambulance issues. You know, decreasing inability or decreasing ability or increasing inability uh to handle multiple calls um at the level that is happening. You know, Claudia, you mentioned, you know, ambulances going

116further out. you know, we have policy, you know, that that help govern that to a certain extent, but a lot of what's happening is people don't want to go to Metro West, >> right? >> And so they're going farther out and um you know, keeping them off uh you know, keeping them out of Ashlin for a while. Um we also would would would see pretty much no public safety presence at our community events. Um that's uh that's been something that that we've had good responses on. Um, unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to continue that. Um, we would eliminate professional development for for everybody that that's where it's not required. Um, and professional development opportunities, we don't do a ton of them here. Uh, but the ones we do, uh, we do try to take advantage

117of them from a cost perspective. to try to take advantage of free um opportunities, but there's some that we just have to pay for or departments just have to pay for. Uh so this would uh eliminate that which you know obviously impacts our ability to provide services especially stay up to date with things and then also retain staff. Um we would have reduced maintenance of of our outdoor properties. Um, so we with the transfer of the fields, we would be uh could essentially be losing one FTE unless we can figure something out. Um, and I think we would not be able to do downtown the way it's maintained now, which, you know, over the summer was about once per week they'd go in and do um they would hit it pretty quickly. um as well

118as all of the properties that are being maintained by um our contractor Yellowstone, which which from an acreage perspective is not necessarily a ton, but just they're really really hard to maintain just by the shape of them and and stuff. You take a big field, you can get one of those big mowers and, you know, have it done pretty quickly. But some of these tighter spots um require a little bit smaller machinery. um we'll continue to face limited financial capacity and it it's going to get to a point where um we're going to face some critical levels. Um I I'm not a huge fan of setting people up to fail. Um and I feel like if we continue going down this road, we're setting up our finance team to um to uh to not be

119successful uh between what we're asking of them and what they're able to do. And then essentially anything that we haven't really started in terms of community projects that aren't um you know life and safety related um would get put put on hold. We would have to divert you know basically to to make sure that we're providing the services that we have to provide. We'll have to kind of move some things around essentially. >> Michael, can I ask a question with respect to uh townside government? Um I remember several years ago um before the library got their accreditation we were were we were very close to losing the accreditation because of the number of hours the library wasn't open. Is that a possibility that could happen with the lack of funding to keeping the library open

120as it is now? And secondly, um, with respect to public safety, would we lose the accreditation that we currently have as a result of these levels going lower than they require? Well, I'll answer your last question first. I would say um, we wouldn't So, we're on the pace to to get accredited, right? So, you know, we're working on the policies now that we have a building that would actually, >> you know, serve as allowing us to be accredited. I I would say that process would slow down um to get that next level of accreditation for sure. >> Okay. And would there be any funding that we would lose as a result of not getting that accreditation? >> Not existing funding, but future opportunities for sure. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. Anybody have any

121questions? I'm sorry I put the Y. Where do you see that item? Oh, okay. Um, >> Michael, are you uh willing to take a question from uh from the public on this matter? Julie, >> hello. Um this is Jay. Um can you please uh discuss the final bonding of the Mind School? It's going to be permanently bonded I believe of all. What is that going to add to this excluded debt? >> Well, we wouldn't know the exact figure yet because we aren't bonding. We haven't gone out to bond yet. But yes, we do plan on going out in in the fall for that last piece. >> Is that in addition to operational override uh us paying for the entire public safety building and this is in addition to all of that? >> This would be

122in so we're currently paying the interest on it. Uh so yeah we would have a principal payment associated with it. >> Okay so all these moving parts really needed to be added together. One more um because I went to all the meetings the pinway roof there was fields and roofs 12 million. Um what are you planning on how are you planning on paying for all that? Uh, Julie, I don't I don't have an answer for that right now. We don't have a plan. >> Okay. So, it sounds like it would be more debt exclusions. What I'm saying is people need to see the actual picture. You know, this is all very nice spin, you know, sensationalized, but we need honest honest amounts of what this is all going to be because people are forgetting about

123this and we need that and it's going to be way more than people say. Anyways, thank you for taking my questions. Yeah. Uh, you know, I I think there's a good point there about the Mendes, um, you know, bond payment, and I'll see if we've included an estimate on that. I don't think we have, like a placeholder until we do go out to bond, but um, >> we should show that. >> Yeah, the roof, they said the roof was 4 million. It had to be done. the fields. I mean, let's, you know, it it feels like people are picking and choosing to make things. Um, >> but so if you could get a list of all the >> maintenance things for the new groups, Excuse me. I'm noticing people talking and I'm I'm speaking and

124people are talking. I Well, I'm just curious what it was I said that everybody huddled. >> I didn't understand what school you were talking to talking about. That's what I asked Julie. >> I'm sorry, my hearing is going just as bad as my eyesight, so >> I had to ask. >> And and your and your contact is a little uh scratchy at best. >> Yeah. Well, that's my voice probably. >> No, no. I'm just talking about your con. Yeah, I know that's your voice, but your connection is a little uh low, so I'm having a hard time hearing what you have to say. >> Okay. >> So, um if I lean over to ask somebody a question, it's not because I'm being rude. It's because I'm deaf. >> Okay. just I think we need a

125list of the debt exclusions too because you don't want to do all this and then oops next year we need 12 million in this and that and water and sewer going up and you know this sounds all hunky dory but uh I don't think it's really accurate. So anyways, thank you. I do want to just say I I can't speak for the school committee and I was not at the school committee meeting that was last week, but I do know that Superintendent Adams had presented a budget uh and a restructuring to be able to fund capital projects. I don't know exactly what the plan is as far as when and how like all those moving parts, but you're right, Julie. I know that there's um I think it's about $12 million in capital projects that

126the schools are are that's been basically deferred maintenance. Um so I think Mr. Adams plan is to restructure the the school budget to be able to handle um the capital needs within within their operating budget. But I can't but I can't I I that is that is all I think I know. And so a little bit we're gonna we're gonna be meeting on Tuesday, >> right? The tri board meeting. So that would be a discussion that we'll have at the tri board meeting. >> Yeah. >> And that's what I was when I was whispering. That's what I was asking u Brandy about. >> Okay. Michael, you good? >> No. Um yeah, if there are no other questions, um we'll uh be prepared to um see you on Tuesday. I mean, I'll be very honest. Thank

127you for the presentation. Um the figures and and numbers are are what they are. Um who knows if they're going to get any better or any worse. We don't know until we uh get the real true figures from the governor's office. Um, I know that we'll be speaking with uh Senator Spellelka on the uh 18th, I believe. >> Yeah. >> And, uh, we can ask those questions as well. And, uh, you know, it's going to be a real a real eye opener to the real facts. I don't think anybody's sugar coating this in any way, shape, and form. >> I Yeah. And one thing I think that's because you know I think points are being made about our capital investment and our deferred maintenance. Um I think we have to re remember we didn't have

128a capital line until 10 15 years ago. Um this town notoriously uh deferred maintenance for not just years decades. uh you know aside from you know a spat of um of you know some important projects I think in the in the early 2000s but um yeah I mean water manes I mean I'm not talking about buildings I'm just talking about sidewalks roads um just no investment um and so now you're kind of stuck where everything kind of comes offline at the same time >> and And we're known for doing things in bunches, right? >> We're known for doing that once or twice. >> We did four major projects. >> I remember that >> at once, right? Town hall, community center, library, and then the high school. >> High school. Yeah. >> Right. And then we've

129just done two major projects at once. >> Public Mendes. Yeah. Well, I I would say, you know, we've got the Warren Barn, we've got Valentine, which, you know, obviously is not over the goal line, but uh the barn is is renovated. You know, 126 downtown. Um you know, even even some of the water sewer work that's not necessarily memorable >> until things go offline big, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, but okay. Yeah. And those are long-term projects because you know I in I mean that's it's an ongoing project. It never ends. It never ends. >> I just want to you know mentioned about the Tuesday night meeting with the tribe board that that that's going to be a very important meeting for people to um you know really watch. Um and I I believe it

130is is it going to be in this room Michael? >> Yes. Yeah. Right here. So, um, and it's going to be a significant discussion about the override, the $750,000 and the impact, um, to to the community really. Um, I know that Mr. Adams has already done some restructuring of their budget. Um, they actually are have some positions that regardless of the override that they are going to lose. Um and and he's done several things. It might be somewhere around 12 positions I think that >> 13 12 or 13 >> um that are going to that are going to be lost are just to try to tighten things up as much as possible. Um and so and then another I don't know I think potentially without an override like 25 positions. Um, so that that would

131be really devastating um to the community and to to our schools and ultimately to the community. Um, and and I can say that I've lived through um that sort of thing happening in this town um where we did end up having to lay off multiple teachers and um I was on the school committee at the time. It was devastating. We lost electives at the high school, things that we never got back. Um, and and to this day, it's really, I think, a weak weakness at our high school that we have don't have as many electives as a lot of school districts. Um, and a lot of those things were related to chapter 70 funding, which was so poor, and and you know, there's an impact. Yeah. Sure. Karen's been in the Senate for a while

132now. She's done amazing work around uh school funding and but for all the years when we were not getting what we really should have been getting and and other communities were getting three four times um the amount of money per student as compared to us. Uh it it's it it takes a toll and it's really sometimes hard to ever make that up. >> You never catch up. you you're always you know you started so u low that it's hard to catch up. So I think this meeting on Tuesday night is going to be particularly important for people to watch to participate uh to learn um to ask questions and and um you know if you have questions that you have now please go ahead and send them you can send them to uh any one

133of us to the select board to Michael um to anybody in the school committee or or Mr. Adams. Um, and you know, this is nobody nobody wants to have our nobody wants to pay more money. I don't want to pay more money. We pay a, you know, a a good amount as do all of us. and um and we're not in a position it's difficult to faced with all the rising costs that we've seen and um you know we talk about health insurance and and how that just goes through the roof and our utility bills go through the roof you know and those are things that we have such little control over and um but we can control giving our students and our community the the services, the education that they they deserve and really

134need to become good citizens. So, I didn't mean to go off on >> So, part of the part of the tri board will be opening it up to the public to ask questions. Is that correct? Has that been decided as part of the agenda for next Tuesday? >> I have not had that discussion yet, but if that's what we want to do, then that's what we can do. Also, just because we're talking about it, we'll talk more about it Tuesday, but there is going to be a public forum um on Thursday, March 26th, hot off the presses. We just kind of started to get that finalized. Um and that will be something that we as a select board, if we decide we would like to to to sponsor it, I think that would be the

135right thing to do and to also have um give the school committee an option to co-sponsor it with us. So, so we all are posting it together. >> I'm sorry. Do we have a date as to >> the 26th? >> Okay. So, we need to post it uh at some point if we're going to be together as a board. >> Who's organizing that? Who's discussing that? Who's >> So, I've been working with Michael and Jim um on getting that organized. >> Okay. Because I mentioned something to Michael, too. So, I'm It's nice to hear a date. So I'd like to if possible participate in some way. Okay. Absolutely. Yeah. March March 26. Mark it on your calendar. >> I know the FINCOM was interested in Yeah. in re reconvening too. >> Yeah. So that will

136be that will be a you know I think the we haven't figured out exactly how it's going to go exactly but the idea will be to present the budget to present the situation and be really just it's a listening session for for us to hear what people have to say and for people to ask questions and that will be I think it's I think that's kind of vital to this whole process is really having >> an open >> well it's critical we can't we can't really do anything without doing that. >> What What time is that um scheduled for? On >> 7 p.m. >> And thank you in advance to our friends at the planning board who are going virtual so we can do it in this room. >> Oh, okay. >> Do it here.

137>> We're going to do it here so it can be so easy to do it >> hybrid and so we can potentially have it recorded and >> everything else easily. So >> So it'll be put on our website so people miss it, they can watch it. >> We will. Yes. Well, yeah, >> sounds good. Thank you. >> So, but more more to come on that. >> All right. Scheduled on that. >> Okay, Michael. Thank you very much. >> Um, more information is always the best. So, um, I'll skip down to where we went off. We had a folks had a previous discussion uh at the last meeting which I was unable to attend. Um, process and access to town council and the expenses. Um, everybody saw in the packet there was uh policies information regarding

138town council um uh policy uh setting up uh how to use town council and how to request town council from other boards and other committees uh in the town. We also saw uh policies. Uh thanks to Sue Roby who uh went online and and got some additional uh sites as well from Foxboro, Webster, and and Western. So, thank you Susan for for doing that and getting that getting that out to us. I don't know if you folks had an opportunity to to read them over. Um almost very similar to the process that we use. Uh we go maybe one two steps more on it, but which is okay. Um, but I want to hear uh from you folks your feedback on on uh on this. I just we want to make sure that we this

139this issue was not new. This this issue came in front I think Yolanda you and I were on the board at the time when uh committees were just calling up uh Lisa's office at the at their whim and right >> and it was like it was getting out of hand and we had to put we had to you know >> but we put something in place, right? We did we had it's >> now they go through the town manager's office >> town manager's office and they have to fill out a form and right >> I just >> has it come up again as an issue that people access town council >> I'm sorry can you can you all just um kind of back up and talk about that process a little bit in more detail

140uh for those of us who weren't part of >> what was happening Makita >> was that committees that had concerns or questions and issues uh legal legal on legal issues uh wouldn't they would just call Lisa's office without any prior knowledge from either the town manager's office or the select board. They would just call directly and of course once you get that phone call you know the meter starts running because they wanted some response some some answers to situations that either boards or committees found themselves in. And so the meeting was running and we were getting these bills. Well, who gave the authority? Who authorized this? So there was no set policy. Now there is a policy that you have to fill out a form goes to Michael's office and then Michael contacts uh Lisa

141to either allow or deny depending upon what the scenario is. >> That's just putting it in. >> So my question is has it become an issue again? because I thought we resolved it >> when we put that in place. So, I don't >> I think it just came up because people wanted a reminder and just kind of what the policy is and just where ours originates from, which is our committee handbook. >> Okay. >> Y Okay. >> So, basically, you know, for for our purposes, too. So if if we have questions for Lisa, um that should go through through you. >> It it it helps. Yes. Uh just really kind of make sure everybody's kind of on the same page. Um and and also for cost tracking purposes. >> Okay. >> And or when she's

142in the office on Wednesday morning, you could come in and spend some time with her if you need to. >> Okay. So just just just so like we know what the feedback loop is. So if we send it to you, >> you send it to Lisa, we get copied on something that goes to Lisa. >> Yeah, >> that would be the process. >> The process. >> Okay. All right. Just just so we're all kind of we know what what that looks like. Um Okay. >> And I provided the cost information. >> Yeah. No, that was helpful because um I think Thank you for doing that because I know that um every year when we evaluate town council, one of the things we evaluate on is is reasonable fees >> and it's really like I it's

143been a while since we've looked at legal fees and um >> I think for me personally it was really interesting to see um what FY26 has been in comparison to FY25 from our from our legal B perspective. Um, I went back and I looked at the departmental budget and it seems like, you know, we're on we're on track to um we've allocated enough funds for legal fees based on so this FY26 only really goes through January, which means we've got another >> year. Yeah, basically half a year. um that you know we and we've already surpassed FY27 by quite a bit. So, >> but we also have a lot going on this fiscal year that requires legal counsel. So, >> yeah, >> just like our snow removal line, right? >> You know, you put a

144base figure in there, that doesn't mean that's what all you have. I mean, you just have to deal with it as it comes along, >> right? Okay. So, we're not looking to change anything. It's just more of a review of our process so that if a committee has a question, they know what the process is. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I I think um part of this too was because I uh I think I asked about this as well and and that was in fact because I had asked um one of the attorneys a couple of questions and didn't get a response. Um was promised a response, didn't receive a response. And then I did speak with Michael about it who followed up and still hasn't got no response. >> Um >> that's >> with

145the housing and and >> Yeah, there was a there were a few um there were a few questions. Yeah, there was uh Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, we'll do that for >> now. Okay. So that was just the explanation as to why more than anything else because there are a lot of new people on different boards right now. So they didn't they didn't know the policy and procedure. So >> but I think I I requested it because of exactly what happened with me. >> Okay. >> I think I think that's where it originated and it sort of took on a life of its own here. But um but it was uh >> Well, it's that's it's information that's helpful. >> Yeah. No, it was it's helpful information, but I just wanted to explain that I

146think that it was my um request to have it on the agenda. That >> sounds good. >> Um next on our agenda under all new business is update on 40B projects. Uh I know that uh some of the projects uh are currently now in in front of concom >> and um I'll anything else you want to add to that? >> Oh uh well I'll start with ZBA. So, um just they're they've got 55 um West Union in front >> in front of them right now. >> Um and so their next hearing is on March 10th. Um that meeting is going to be Zoom only. Um so they've completed their storm water peer review or the traffic peer review is complete. Um and they're just now going through the civil. Is it on their Is it

147on is the track view on their uh site? >> It should be. I haven't I did. >> Okay. I because I hadn't seen it. All right. So, >> but it should be under the cases before the board. >> Okay. All right. >> On on their web page. >> Thanks. >> Um let's see. And then just conservation. Uh so, >> excuse me one minute. my update of course froze. Um so they had the first update or excuse me the first hearing for 10 to uh 60 main on Monday. Um so they uh you know concom has a a very uh established process for 40bs. Um and so they started basically spent that first meeting kind of describing what the process is and um what they're looking at doing. Um you know I think probably the the

148main topic of discussion was um a peer review of the RAM report. Uh so it looks like there might be some disagreement there uh between the applicant and the conservation commission. Um but um >> can you remind us what the RAM report is please? >> Oh sure. So um the RAM report is uh what remedial um remedial action plan which is >> what the applicant would send or the land owner sends to DP. It basically says this is our plan for re redeveloping the site. >> Okay. >> Etc. >> And they have to do that because of the plume and everything. Y and the other contamination. >> Yeah. So not every not every site has a RAM. >> Correct. >> Specifically related to the >> the scenario, right? >> Yeah. And so so the RAM

149was is it created by the um owner or is it created by the D? The D writes the RAM and says okay now this is what has to be done. No, it's written by the um applicant's LSP. >> Okay. Licensed site professional. >> Licensed site professional. And um so yes, that's submitted to DP >> for review. >> Okay. And so I I feel like there's been more than one ramp for this project. >> Mhm. They need to be filed um I think every three years. Okay. In fact, one of the things that came up at the conservation uh commission meeting was that their current ramp plan that they had submitted had actually expired since they had turned in their application. So, >> um, you know, the commission, I think rightly so, um, you know, requested

150an updated updated relay. >> Yep. >> And and there so it's their LSP that I did attend some of those meetings where they did talk about the LSP now who in Massachusetts is paid for by the um the applicant or the developer. um which I know some people understandably so find that a little bit troubling, right? But um it is tied to their licenses and all of that. So >> and then we could have an LSP review it or or the D reviews it, right? And it has to meet certain things with D. So >> yeah, D reviews it, but um actually like our conservation commission wants to do a peer review from the um from the environmental health angle. So, um, so again, that that was kind of I think a sticking point it

151sounded like between the applicant and commission >> and and and that particular project has the plume, the Nenza plume that it's on and then additionally because it was an industrial site, there's contaminants in the soil. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. And then uh 61 Waverly is uh you know moving forward at the concom. You know one of the the bigger issues was related to some storm water um infrastructure that you know originally 61 Waverly seemed a bit resistant to participate in helping fix but uh they have come around to being willing to do that. So, that's really kind of helped them keep moving, I think, in the process. >> So, did I did I miss something? Because I was I was watching that um that specific uh

152portion of the meeting. >> Were they willing to fix the um cover that's on one on Waverly Street, which is 135, or were they willing to fix the pipe that goes to the culver? That's what I couldn't understand. I thought they were going to do um replacing the stone box culvert or installing a liner or um a and replacing the the 12in pipe. >> The 12-in pipe. Okay, then I misunderstood that. Okay, so they are working on the cover itself. Okay, that's good. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Appreciate that. >> Okay. >> Any any other uh >> no >> tidbits? We're good. >> Okay. um discuss the legislative earmarks and I know that we'll be meeting with um Senator Spiler on the 18th. Um, if there were any concerns or questions that you folks

153have with respect to budget, additional funding, which is drying up faster than actually receding faster than my hairline, I would say that um we're uh we need to make sure we we ask, you know, the pointant questions to, you know, to Karen to make sure that uh we have some information that could help us budgetwise down the road. So, >> unless you have any additional things you want to bring up. >> Yeah. Um I I think I provided a memo to the board just uh with the with a few ideas. Um I think, >> you know, and I'll just run through those. Um you know, number one, we did hear about, you know, earlier the the capital expenses in the schools. Um, and I I I don't I don't think we'd be able to uh

154get like a $12 million earmark, but um you know, I do think we would be able to get some support. But um what I would recommend if you're actually Why don't I just go through the three items? >> Go. >> Um next would be a community the to help fund the community center renovation. It's true that uh we're 86% of the funds are not not taxpayer funds. There's still some like local revolving funds being used. Um so, you know, any additional funding we get for that would offset um offset any local funds that we have. Um and uh that is moving along. Katherine's going to give more of an update about that. And then um last is just uh funding for downtown parking and transportation improvements. uh kept it pretty general, but you know, we

155were able to get uh some, you know, funding from 10 to 60 main for parking improvements. You know, we could maybe combine things and look at, you know, if you want to move forward with the police station and and um demoing that and and creating like, you know, a public parking >> type of scenario or maybe um you know, infrastructure or maybe Tilton. >> Um but uh that would be a resource. So those are the three um and you know what I'd recommend is if you're aidable that I work with Superintendent Adams on a couple specific items for number one and um if you're good I'll I'll submit a request for all three. >> I'll open it up to the board. Your thoughts? >> I think that I think that works. Also, I just want

156to take back what I said before because I've been corrected about the 12 million in capital projects within the school budget. Like, we're still figuring there's there's >> you're getting an I saw Paul jump on. I think he was getting ready to correct us and then we walked away from it. So, >> I I was going to be very surprised that they were be going to be willing to take that much money >> considering they don't have any real capital. Well, we'll I'm sure we'll talk about this more on Tuesday, but I just wanted to do a miaulpa and say sorry. Um I misspoke. So, sorry, Paul. I know you're listening. Anyway, um I'm I'm good with I'm good with this list and I'm and I would say, you know, let's we can p I'm

157happy to prioritize the school's capital improvements as sort of like the the first >> items on the list. Would it behoo us to invite uh Jim at our at our next meeting uh with uh Karen? >> I was going to see if you wanted to invite the school committee um and and Jim as part of that. >> What do you think? Why not? It can hurt. >> And they always we I don't know that Karen and and Jack go to the schools. Yeah. >> So certainly to invite them while they're here. Why not? >> Makes sense. >> It can't hurt to ask. >> Just do it. >> Then invite them. >> Yeah. Do you want to send that email? I'd be happy to do it. What do you want to do? >> Susan, can we

158can we um make sure we do that? >> Invite the school community right now. >> And I also support this this letter to >> Yep. >> to request earmarks. I think it's good. I think it's three positive things that would be very beneficial for the community. >> We don't need to take a vote on that, right? We can just say go ahead, Mike. And you got it. >> If you're good with it. Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. Okay. Uh discuss the comments regarding uh housing production plan. So I will it was a good meeting. I I what I saw was it was a very good meeting. Um a lot of a lot of good points and stuff. So I'll shall I hand it over to you before. Um, so just as a reminder, I'm not involved

159with this year's housing production plan, but I do have comments. So, >> um, let me pull up the document that um that Jasmine sent us. And I had some questions. >> Did did anybody comment uh and provide to Jasmine? I know that she she was >> I think I think we were going to we were going to talk about it tonight and then we were going to get any kind of comments to her after the meeting I think today. But >> um I I think there there are a couple of things I mean as you're pulling up Brandy I think there were a couple of things that kind of piqued my my my some questions for me when we were discussing housing production. I don't know if this is on your list as well, but

160um I am kind of curious about the process when we were talk identifying, you know, parcels of land. >> Uh I'm not clear on on how that was done and um you know, we very clearly saw that some of those parcels wouldn't be appropriate for development. Yeah. >> Um, you know, so I I mean I do have a little concerns. I do have some concerns there and I actually want to find out how do we proceed, you know, in identifying those parcels in in an appropriate manner. I think that's a key concern that I walked out of that meeting with the other night. Um, I have a couple other comments, but I think you you've got your notes up, so I'll let you ask your questions. I'll jump in later. >> So, I guess um

161Okay. Let's see. Um, so just going through on on page 12 of the document where we list the strategies. Strategy number 11 where it says preserve existing affordable housing stock and it says um part of it is like a you know establish a monitoring system for expiring affordability restrictions blah blah blah. Mhm. >> Create a townfunded preservation fund to purchase and renew restrictions or facilitate nonprofit acquisition of at risk properties. Isn't that what the >> housing housing trust is? Like that's already a thing. >> Yes, that's exactly what it does. >> So, >> yes. >> So, that's probably not something that needs to be >> in there or they replace it with >> Right. It just seemed like a >> it's redundant. >> Well, yeah. I mean Yeah. And and I think >> or maybe

162maybe instead of create a town funding president, maybe enhance the >> enhance or utilize. So just say utilize it. I mean, you know, that's a recommendation, but not create >> better utilize perhaps um >> and put the affordable housing trust in there, which is weird because >> describe the affordable >> actually mentions the affordable housing trust item number. It says, >> "Yeah." >> So, I'm a little conf I'm actually a little confused now because I don't know what that's referring to. >> Yes. >> So, maybe we could get some clarification on that >> cuz number 10, it's right there on number 10 like strengthening the affordable housing trust >> because there is there is a barrel of CPC money directed to the affordable housing trust for that purpose. per yeah perhaps there's a misunderstanding of

163what the affordable housing trust what its function is. That's what I'm kind of reading from this document. So >> yeah, >> I could get that. That's easy to correct. >> Yeah. Statement from affordable housing trust because it's this describes everything they need. >> Well, maybe the way to re to update that is support the affordable housing trust commission in doing these things. >> All right. That's a another point. >> Yeah, that work. >> And then I was I put a note in here and now I'm like thinking I wrote the wrong number down, but the um it was I had number 15, but I don't think it's 15. >> What? >> Um, but it was talking about Oh, here we go. Yep. So, it says explore home home ownership support. It's on page 13. um

164support in partnership with regional organizations and it says and delivered in partnership with regional nonprofit housing organizations such as the Metro West Collaborative Department like is that >> was it the Metro West Collaborative Department is >> the idea >> maybe it's the Metro West Regional Collaborative but they don't >> Yeah, but the Metro West Regional Collaborative doesn't do >> I mean we talk about housing but it it's not like we'd be able to go to that organization and say, "Can you help us support? >> Can you provide us funding?" >> Potentially MAPC, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, could help with some of that. Um, >> so I'm just flagging stuff. >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. No. >> Um, and >> well, that that that kind of ties to like 18, right? Because like, you know, one

165of the recommendations there was like strengthen housing implementation through regional partnerships. Yeah, I I it seems like they're trying to advocate for like the creation of a of a body, but if there are existing if there existing bodies that or existing organizations that concentrate, they can be helpful in this regard like you know there's a way that we could assemble those sort of regional partnerships, right? >> And and and add that to line 18 and make a list of those agencies that are available. I mean, you know, I think, you know, it's mentioning like, you know, >> there's a Metro West collaborative development >> development. Yeah. >> Right. >> Which is different, >> which maybe that's what they're looking at. So, >> maybe that's what it is. I don't know. >> Yeah. Kind of confusing.

166>> Yeah. Flag it. Yeah. >> Um, and then to the point where we were talking about the town owned land and private key sites, >> I think that needs to definitely be re-reed. you look at the Oregon road and um >> so I you know basically it's looking at Briasco >> right >> and the land in the town forest that is sort of an at risk parcel that we we've talked about yeah um and then they were talking about wetlands overall >> well the wetlands like that's not going to happen I mean it's just like don't put them in there if they're not buildable >> again it kind of goes back to like what I'm trying to figure out is how did how did those recommendations land on that map in the first place? I

167I just want to find out like how we can proceed so we can get some viable recommendations. That makes sense. And so I I guess that that's my concern. Like I don't even know how that happened. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah, >> you know what I mean? And then other things like as I was going through it, like when we were looking at site four, which is the town center, it says three town owned vacant parcels. >> And I'm thinking it's probably Corner Spot, the Ashlin Farmers Market, >> right? >> And I think Yeah, >> I don't think I'd like them to like that. >> Yeah. So, I don't know if we want to >> How can we help here? How can we provide some assistance to make sure that we're looking at viable

168parcels here >> and then add Olive Street, >> right? Oh, yeah. Olive Street, of course. >> Street should definitely Yeah, that's exactly what >> that's what it was purchased for for affordability. >> Yeah, I think if you want to, you know, consolidate your comments. >> Okay. >> Yep. We will do that. that would be >> but I'm I'm saying like the comments are are one thing but the you know the actionable how it happens is another and my question is okay we'll offer our comments but how do we make sure that we they don't come back with something similar because they're following the same process that gave us this in the first place that's what I'm asking about >> it is it is a little troubling I mean we paid them to >> do this

169and to and did somebody look at a map and say look at there's no houses here >> so I'm trying to figure out how that happened and if we can be or the town can be of any sort of assistance to like let them know, you know, so that we can get a better better group of viable parcels so we're not going back and forth like this. >> Well, there's, you know, I'm saying, >> well, the MBTA zoning committee looked at a lot of these parcels that were available for for >> So, I know Trish's Paul is listening as well, but I mean, there are some of those sites that could be added to that. >> Okay. Yeah, I mean that's the kind of information that the consultants could definitely, you know, utilize as they

170go through for recommendations, but that's what I'm looking for, Joe. Like, how can we >> how can we help here? >> Right. >> And there's there's properties right along, you know, Cotto Road and and Ponderosa Road for that matter that that are available >> for something similar. >> Yeah. I mean I do think if there are sites that you don't see that could be prime sites for redevelopment you know that would be something that you would >> so who has that planning must have a record of those sites right so >> can they >> that's what should be in here >> yeah yeah they should they should work with planning to get those sites >> okay I think um and I haven't really been involved in this project so >> alo has a lot of

171those u GIC maps available. Yeah, I just um I I was a little surprised when I did look at some just because I I thought a lot of information was coming from the comp plan >> process too and there were some specific parcels I remember saying specifically like >> the other thing I find interesting in this as you're looking at some of the pictures and some of the parcels they keep bringing up the photo, you know, the overlay of the photovoltaic installation overlay district which prohibits residential use. So that must be them suggesting that we change zoning to allow residential use in those areas, right? Otherwise, they wouldn't bring those parcels up. >> Well, it's interesting because the because the solar photovote is an overlay. Uh meaning you know that the underlying zoning should stay.

172It's just you >> they're mostly industrial. >> Yeah. So that's mostly there industrial sites. >> Um >> Yeah. Hey. And then the other thing I just want to make sure that you know what they were charged with is not providing you a recommendation. You know, this is what they think is is is the right thing to do with the understanding that there's going to be comments back. Well, no, this is what we think, you know, an iterative process in a way. >> Okay. >> Um, so I just I but I want to make sure that I'm capturing that I'm doing what you need me to do. So, so just just to be kind of >> just so for clarity, >> right? >> So, it seemed like at the at the planning board meeting, we were

173going to discuss our feedback here today. >> Yeah. >> And then it was going to get consolidated and sent to them. >> Do you need us to send individual comments or are you guys consolidating the comments? >> As we're talking now. >> Oh, I thought I thought you were going to put together afterwards. If you want to send it to us individually, we can consolidate them. >> Okay. Because I know Jen said that she needed things like tomorrow because like the tight timeline is the problem. >> Yeah. >> So you know the the parcel discussion like can't we just do it right now? >> Yeah. Can we >> That's what I thought. Okay. >> Because we don't want to all send that we don't go back, right? >> Because it could be quite repetitive and

174you don't want >> that. That's the other thing too. So, >> yeah. >> Um, sorry, I was out. I was out for some of this. >> Okay, Catherine's got >> Katherine is on the job. >> So, isn't >> Okay. Um, did anyone else have any other comments on the the the parcel thing or I have a couple other additional comments? >> Go for it. Okay. Um, on page 48 of the document. Um, let's see. Hold on. Sorry. Um, oh, so we talk about Ashland is because it's it's talking about um people employed um like employment opportunities in Ashland and the jobs and such. And it says Ashland is situated in a strategic location within the regional economy located between with easy access to 90 and 495. The community offers proximity to significant regional job centers.

175I think we also should should include that we're on the commuter rail and that has been a significant >> reason for um just access to the commuter rail has been a has been a big thing. >> Um >> it's been a great addition to the town. >> Oh yeah yeah yeah. Well, it goes to explain like what why they're like well there seems to be a mitchmatch between like you know what you know the the imbalance between local jobs and local residents does not point to a clear cause. Well, you know, you got the commuter rail. That's why, you know, there's there lot it's proximity. Yeah, it's approximate to why people are >> people choose Ashlin to live and then they may be choosing Ash choosing Ashlin so that they can get get into Boston

176or Worcester easier. >> Y >> halfway between both >> and then sorry I don't want to cut. Did you >> I was just going to this is sort of a different point but you know it talks about expanding um home ownership opportunities because it builds stability and everything like that and yet >> in reality we're faced with you know the the fiscal reality of of that type of development isn't attractive to a lot of developers and then all of our 40b projects are not homeowners. ownership or don't don't expand home ownership. >> So again, you you know and you are it does decrease stability in the community when you have more transient populations, right? >> Is there anything here in the in the and I can't remember because I read it a few days ago.

177Is there anything in this plan that mentions that >> expanding uh >> expanding home ownership? Yeah. Yeah. I can't because I remember talking with them about it, but can't remember what page. >> 23 number 15. >> Number 15. Okay. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. >> Yeah. >> I thought I saw that. I mean, it's there's there's a lot in here, it feels to me, that aren't >> necessarily something that works for us or >> Yeah. I mean, so >> some of it is very generic, right? >> It is because it it's it's >> not something that we're going we're not going to implement every single little thing that they put in here. >> No, it's It's suggestions and it's, you know, >> it's and and I like the way that they um talk about like

178like staying in safe harbor is like our number one, >> right? And that's really the driving force here, right? Staying in safe harbor, which I understand. It's just that it would be nice if we could do some of these things. And it's just that it just feels like, >> you know, the cards are stacked against us so often when it comes to housing. >> Right. Right. Right. >> Well, I mean, I do think maybe maybe part of the recommendation going forward is to try to find more opportunities to do these sort of things and like prioritize it in a way that that's something that we, you know, as a town, it's something we care about and something we want to pursue and and make it a priority, you know, as we go forward. I mean,

179we I said we're not going to be able to do everything here on the plan, but I mean, stating it as such, I think might make some sense. Does that make sense to you, Claudia? >> Yeah. Cuz I I mean, I agree. Yeah. We do want to see more home ownership >> as well. We want to give make sure that people have opportunity to to to get on that path. Um, you know, there's a lot stacked against it like the economy is is a is a big one in the room. But, you know, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't stop trying, right? >> Yeah. >> No, it doesn't. >> We also want to make sure that the the folks that are residing here can still stay here and can't afford to stay here, >> right?

180>> You know, senior citizens that are slowly getting, you know, pushed out because of the cost of living and and keeping a home here, paying for everything else. It's just uh you know I'm sure I'll hear that again tomorrow when I when I meet with the uh you know Council on Aging. So and they're all worried about that and rightfully so. >> Something that I find interesting in this document is what they're expecting are you know the projection of our population is now 27,000. Whereas 10 years ago when we were looking at these projections even before that our buildout was only going to be like 22,000. >> So I didn't get to ask this when we when we had Goldson, but I'm like why? What's driving that additional 5,000 people? Like where do they think

181they're going to go? >> Well, is it the apartments? Was the original was that original uh 22,000 based on you know some apartments? No, I mean it was probably built more on like single family. So that's not what potentially be the difference, right? And also 40B goes around local zoning. That's right. >> Even if things were zoned for >> a certain density, >> you know, 4B allows higher density >> that and other projections around, you know, regionally like, you know, I know people say that we're losing folks all the time in Massachusetts, but, you know, um there's still going to be growth, you know. >> Yeah. >> So, >> it's a confluence of factors, I think. Mhm. >> So I have a couple more specific comments. >> So on page 80 of the document, um

182>> Jung Friday had mentioned this. >> I think it's just the way that it's worded. Um Ashlin's wastewater collection system similarity demonstrates ample reserve capacity. I know we've talked about it that that um the agreement we have with Framingham actually really restricts our wastewater capacity and >> given what we've got um I know Joan is concerned about water. I'm more concerned about waste to be honest >> because water we have that connection with um >> MWR >> and while it would be expensive it's really the wastewater stuff that is um >> we're paying for >> we're paying yeah well we're just limited we have a limited capacity so I it may be you know maybe it's something about like we need to monitor it or we need to like ensure that there's capacity following these

18340b projects or something. Just just acknowledging that that that's um an issue because I think it actually is an issue, >> right? Do they did I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Oh, I'm just I'm I'm moving on so I didn't >> No, no, go ahead. I'll bring it up later. Um, on the next page, on page 81, the title of the the the chart that says school enrollment on the rise after years of decline. >> I don't really think that that's the case. >> That's pretty much never been. >> Is that true? >> No. The chart right next to it shows that the going up. The only dip the only dip was during co when people >> Well, yeah. I mean, because co but like that's not accurate. There's there's a little bit of a leveling

184off, but it really didn't decline. >> No, >> somebody somebody looked at the graph and didn't >> put any context with it. >> So, >> that's exactly what happened. >> So, anyway, um we need to change that title that >> um and that is that's that's that's it for me. So, I know I'm a lot, but yeah. >> Well, that was awesome. Thanks. >> Oh, thank you. More through a fine through cone than them never. So, thank you. I this is what happens when I I worked on the last housing production plan. So I'm looking at things kind of in that >> Oh, you have in that you have that. >> Yeah. So >> that eye for it. So thank you. >> That's it. >> Y anything else you would like to add or >>

185I have to admit I did not get the opportunity since Thursday to get more detail on this. So >> thank you Brandy for doing the work on this one. um >> everyone halfway. >> I know, you know, the critical thing is one, we need the information right, but the critical thing is we need to get this passed >> and into the state so that we have it >> on the books. Yep. >> To protect us >> and of course continuing to do the work to make sure we get more affordable housing. And to Claudia's point, you know, we need to find ways to make affordable >> purchasing, right? >> Home ownership is is is critical. And um you know we can have the best plan in the world that can talk about that but unless

186we as a town decide to spend money and actually build more affordable units for purchase it's going to be hard to do. So which is why you know it's good we have the affordable housing trust and and you have some funds and it would be good to look at some I know and I know you guys always are working on that. So >> yep I know that Beth is going to be I'm sorry. >> Oh no no no. I know Beth is going to be sitting down uh with us in Habitat with respect to Olive Street. So >> hopefully >> and my my recommendation for Olive Street is small homes. >> Yeah, they are small homes. >> Yeah, like >> they are small. >> 900 square f feet if that you know >> math may

187be,00 >> you know it needs to be it needs to be either for seniors moving in so they can move out of their larger homes >> or start homes >> or starter homes, right? >> Yep. Yep. No, that that's been agreed upon with the affordable housing. >> I know you guys have looked at that for a while for Olive Street. >> Oh, seven years. >> Seven years we've been looking at it. >> Yeah. >> So, just um next steps with the housing production plan. So, um we we're going to see this again before we vote on it, right? that like so we'll get the comments into to you guys will consolidate get the comments into Jen and then I think we're supposed to be voting on this on our next meeting >> on our 18th

188meeting >> on the 18th. >> So >> okay >> um >> so if we can get that before that weekend just just in case to catch anything else that may slip through the cracks >> and Jen needs these ASAP. Yeah, I think um at the planning board meeting presentation she said um basically it was fine for us to give comments today but she needs them tomorrow. I think tomorrow was the >> the ask. >> Yeah. >> Unless I'm not remembering that. >> No, tomorrow was ask. >> Yeah. >> Because you know this the sad thing with respect to that we we we got it late. Um, the points that you all brought up were very valid. Uh, points that should have been caught before they were presented to us would and they weren't. Um, so

189for her to say that she needs them tomorrow. Well, okay, hold on a sec. >> Well, the timeline is our timeline. >> And it's not the consultant's fault that we didn't get this. >> No, I'm I'm not saying that it is, but I'm just saying, you know, >> Well, and to be fair, like Honestly, Jen's presentation was presenting the results and presenting everything to us >> and like we wouldn't have had an opportunity to really like discuss the actual nuts and bolts of that at that meeting. Like we wouldn't we wouldn't have do we wouldn't have dove into >> to headlines and charts and >> like we that wouldn't have been what that meeting was for. So, you know, I think it I I honestly I think it's I think it's fine that we're talking

190about it tonight and we're >> of course but it's you know the timeline is our timeline because we're trying to maintain safe harbor. So, >> y >> that's so >> Okay. Are there any additional facts or points that you want added to these comments um that Brandy has made? Mak 2 am. >> Yeah. At 4 a.m. You're more than happy to email me that because I'll be I'll be up anyway. So, it makes the difference. >> I hope you're not up at 2 a.m. But that's a little side note. >> Can we one one real quick thing only? I'm I'm getting just reviewing. It says our current um affordable housing is only current is 5.8%. Can we verify that number? >> I think it's 11.4. There's something in here that's >> we have a form.

191We don't have We're not over 10%. >> We're not over 10%. >> We are because the two projects >> the comprehensive plan um the comprehensive permit when that was filed >> the um the units for both 10 to 60 Maine and 601 Waverly went on our SH. >> Okay. We definitely need to >> So, okay. >> So, where where because I saw I saw 11 >> when the community subsidized housing inventory is below the 10% threshold, currently 5.8%. Maybe I don't have an updated version. I'm on page 86. The ZBA reviews powers for comprehensive permits under chapter 40B are significantly limited. >> That statement right there. >> I'm sorry, what page are you on? I just went 86. 86. Okay. Sorry. Thank you. Oh, in the in the in the call out in that call

192out >> at the bottom. >> Yeah. Under under the ZVA. Yeah. >> Because there is something in here now. I can't remember what page it's on, but there is something that says that that our current SHI is 11.4. Yeah, >> but but that should get updated if Yeah, that that section. >> Well, it's a good catch. >> That is a good catch. >> Yeah, it's it's on page 2030. It says approval of 240bs totaling 46 76 increases the town sub housing inventory from 5 to 5.8 to 11.4. >> Okay. >> What page was that again, Claudia? That's >> page 30. Thank you. Number five. >> Okay. >> Bless you. That's all I got. >> Okay. >> So, I know that Katherine has writers cramps right now. So, >> Catherine's like that brandy check. Not kidding.

193>> Well, thank you for following up on all of that. Thank you. So, we're good with that. >> So, we we'll get that back to us then. Yep. >> We'll send that off to once once we get it back, we'll send it off and we'll be good to go. Okay. All right. Good. All right. Uh update on the Metro West Tourism Summit and I will turn that over to Michael. >> Yes. So, um, the Metro West Visitors Bureau had, uh, their annual meeting on February 26th and, um, so the focus of their annual conference this year was really all about FIFA and the World Cup coming >> and Fox Brown taking the $8 million. Well, yeah, there was a there was a little chatter about that as you can imagine, but um you know, it

194was a it was a a longer program, but uh very um very well attended. It was over at the the Renaissance, excuse me, not the sher. Um but um it was also great because uh Beth was on a panel about popups >> and so of course she did a great job. But uh yeah um you know this FIFA World Cup thing is is you know Metro West is definitely going to be >> how >> impacted >> how so where are they playing that we could see >> Fox >> impact >> Foxboro then they're going to have like watch parties uh in Franklin in Marboro >> um as well which are apparently pretty extravagant affairs so you know >> Okay. >> Yeah. anything we can do to make some money off it? >> Yeah, what can

195we >> um get out of their way? Um they they're they're actually very notorious about not paying for anything. >> Um so yeah, >> cuz didn't we do World Cup in like 92 if I remember correctly? >> And I say that only because I believe Gillette was a big um supporter of it. >> Yes. I was working for them at the time. >> Yep. >> They were. Yeah. So, so, um, yeah, more that's coming in June. So, more information on that, we'll we'll hear more about it for sure. >> Um, you want me to just keep going keep going? >> Um, nothing new on Zero Cross Street. They haven't tried to pull any >> No, they they didn't. And I and I >> Oh, I went to the meeting that wasn't a meeting >> because

196it wasn't on the agenda. >> What? There was a um Susan Thorne had contacted me and and asked if one of us could go because um it was going to be on the planning board. >> Yeah, it was was that night >> this past Monday. It was nightcom and I was >> so I went online, got the agenda, drove out there and as I'm reading the agenda in the parking lot, >> there was nothing about zero cross street or 86 Franklin Road on the agenda. >> Absolutely nothing. So that's why I came back and >> there wasn't a discussion. >> Did you go in? >> Did I? I went in >> and they said >> there was nothing. >> Was Susan there? >> I did not see her. >> Good. >> That's very awesome. >>

197So what's next? >> Yep. >> Like what like Do we have any rec like is there anything? >> Well, they didn't discuss it. So, I don't know if it was removed from for whatever reason. Um, there was no explanation. I wasn't given an explanation, nor did I ask when I because I was a little annoyed. >> Tony has someone with a hand up. >> Tony, go ahead. >> Can you hear us? Hi. >> Hello. >> Yes. Can you hear us? >> Yes. >> Can we hear you now? Yep. >> Okay. Okay. So, first of all, humble apologies in terms of the the misfire on the date. I originally did request to be on the 23rd, but in the email um she came back and gave the date of March 9th. So, I I apologize if

198that was not clear and I again I just follow my sword if there was a miscommunication about the date. But um I just got an email this evening uh from Aneri Patel that said even the March 9 date that they have taken that off the agenda. Um and I'm just going to read you real briefly what she said in the note. She says because the question you raise related to the enforcement of existing special permit conditions. This matter is being handled through the building commissioner who is the authority responsible for reviewing and acting on enforcement requests. And then she goes on to say, you know, the planning board may want to take this item up at a future meeting. Um, so I know this board has written to Quist Deferm White back in February. Um,

199I don't know if you've heard back from him and I'm I'm just feeling at this point in time the connection really probably best needs to happen between the two town managers, Hopkin and Ashland, and the town councils between Hopkin and Ashland. And again, I'm just requesting if there was any correspondence coming back from um Christopher McWay. >> I did not get any response back from the letter that was sent. >> Okay. Okay. Um >> what about from a Gillas? >> Michael, you had mentioned you were playing um phone tag with the at our last meeting, I think, with the >> with the town manager. And then I do know that uh town council there has been discussions um as well between the two towns. >> Is there any update you can share Michael? >> Um

200no just that I believe what was told in Hopington was that it was the same thing that that you had heard was that it was the building commissioner's responsibility. Okay. So, what's the most effective way now for our town to get some response from him and some action from him because we're just asking him to enforce the special permit. >> Yeah. I don't know what what we can do in Ashland to require the building the building commissioner in another community to do something. I mean what we what we have done is spoken to our building commissioner um and you know said that any permits that would be applied for um shouldn't be issued. >> Right. Appreciate that. Um >> so should I send the the original letter that I sent to McWay to the U

201building commissioner in Hington? >> He is the building commissioner. find out what what's conversations happened with the attorneys, >> right? >> Yes, that would be great. >> I'm hoping that the attorneys can advise Christopher McHuite from a legal point of view because everyone that's looked at this from a legal perspective thinks it's black and white >> and and even I understood from Becca Solomon. >> Touch it. >> Oh, sorry. >> No, that's okay. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you. >> No, no, no. I I was just going to remind you all that Becca Solomon had said to Tony and I that um Hopkin can and should enforce their special permit. So, that's from a legal perspective. So if she can work with their attorney and they in turn with Christopher McB.

202It seems like that's the critical connection that needs to happen at this point cuz otherwise I just candidly I'm feeling like Hopkin Planning Board is just kind of kicking the can down the road by taking it off the agenda for March 9. I mean I went around this past weekend and distributed flyers to like a hundred of my neighbors and and I was planning to do more and everybody that was out on Saturday, it was a beautiful day that I talked with. They absolutely 100% agreed with this and that was both Ashland and Hopkin's side. So that there's definitely public support and I was trying to enlist people to show up for the March 9 meeting but now that's off the table. >> Is there did they give a reason why they took it off

203the March 9th agenda? >> Um uh let me just reread this. So it's because the question you raised related to enforcement of existing >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sorry. Yeah, you did mention that, >> right? So, it's their building commissioner that has to enforce it. So, it's not going to come back to their planning board. >> So, then the question is, how do we make sure that their building commissioner enforces this? Andor is there some legal thing that has to happen that goes, okay, because this is in Ashland, can we transfer this legal um this order from Hopkin to Ashland property? Maybe it's something we have to approve or our town council or something. >> But >> maybe Agilityas will donate it. >> Well, that that's what they're meant to do because it was it's earmarked.

204It is in the registry as open space land. That's they're meant to do that. Yeah. Well, one thing we'll do, Susan, is we'll have uh we'll have Michael uh contact uh Lisa's office and find out what, you know, where it stands with her and then maybe have uh Lisa if if the board agrees, send have uh Lisa send a letter to the building inspector of Hoffington asking what his intentions are with that property and where it has a uh a restriction on it. uh that it should be uh would they would they consider turning it over to the town? >> Who did our letter go to? Our letter went to >> went to the planning board. >> Their planning? >> Yes. >> And the developer, I thought. >> Yeah. >> And the developer to ass

205wouldn't one expect that planning board would respond to us directly or >> never got a response back. >> Or the town manager would respond to us directly. I mean, what's >> Yeah. McWay never sent a response back to my letter directly to me because it came from me. Never got it. I would have I would have more than happily under correspondence would have been part of that package. Never got it. So, all right. So would that would that suit you Susan and Tony for us to uh contact uh uh council to contact Hmonton's uh building inspector this year? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Absolutely, Joe. And and yeah, Michael, if if you mentioned you were playing phone tag with the t uh town manager in Hopkin. I don't know if you made that connection on

206this topic. >> Yeah, we were talking about that. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. And and what did she have to say? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you. No, we haven't been able to con like contact each other. We've been playing phone tag. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. If I mean, if you can continue to pursue that as well, um I think that would be important just to reinforce the importance of this to the town of Ashland and Hopington candidly. Again, everyone's for it, but they they need to take action. >> Yeah. It does seem kind of like they're punting it. Yeah. Yeah. And again, I can't apologize enough about the the date and the misfire on the date. So, thank you for your continued support um in this matter. >> Yeah, you're welcome. It

207is it is important to us and um yeah, any any free land that we can get and keeping open space is always uh a positive for the community as a whole. Susan, I was thinking out loud and uh I I just may take a road trip tomorrow >> to to Hawkington and stop in and see what's going on. >> That would be fantastic. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I'll try to stay in touch with you. Is is the only way to stay in touch through the these meetings or is there any >> No, you can you can you can contact me directly. >> Okay. Okay. All right. Super. Thank you so much. You're >> you're welcome. Thank you. All right. Um, let's see. So, next >> scope letter. >> Yeah. So, next. So, and

208I don't know if you've heard um heard much, but uh so many residents have received a letter uh on behalf of the town, but uh from a company called Cyber Scout um which was notifying residents that they could have been subject to a data breach that happened last year after um insurance uh our insurance council had looked at the um you know looked into the incident, looked into things, uh felt like it was appropriate just to give everybody an opportunity to, you know, let them know that this this uh their data could have been accessed and that they had um the opportunity we were offering to do a credit monitoring service through them. So, um unfortunately, the letter was um it wasn't the best quality um at all and I think that that gave people

209some pause. black and white didn't uh >> yeah it was a little a little flimsy I guess you could say and then there was supposed to be another piece of correspondence that was in there that um you know each resident I've talked to um you know said they only got that one um so that's um I need to look into that >> and how was it determined who would get the that letter I mean were they the only people who were in danger of >> I got one Yeah, I mean it wasn't it wasn't a small list. It was just if there was the potential for their data to be accessed, we wanted to make sure that we notified them and gave them an opportunity to, you know, lock up their credit. >> Yeah. But

210if you didn't receive one, what does that mean? >> Then your data wasn't wasn't privy to being accessed. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, just seems kind of >> Well, it's funny you should say that because I've been having issues with my computer since day one. Since that >> since the letter you got the letter since you got the letter. >> Okay. But that's what that that's what that is. So, I just wanted to let everybody know um who happens to be watching. >> Just out of curiosity, were they supposed to let you guys know before they sent out anything to residents? >> Yeah. I mean, we we gone through and approved like the proofs. Um, >> yeah, it was was a little surprised that >> Yeah, that was a big topic on Facebook. I don't know

211if you folks saw that or not, but it was the big topic on Facebook and people were asking, "Who do we contact to make sure this isn't a scam?" >> Yeah, we we had we've had a lot of people call and come by. >> That's why I asked Michael, what's what's going on here? Because, you know, >> Motion to go past 10:00. Is there a second? >> Oh, >> okay. >> Motion to adjurnn then. >> Second. >> Yeah, that's all I had on that. >> That's all you have? >> Okay. All right. >> We have to vote on the motion to go past 10 o'clock. That's now been seconded. >> Okay. Are we at 10 already? >> We only macro because that says 9 9:05. That's why I That's why I said really >> sorry

212about that. Okay. All those in favor? >> I Those opposed. I didn't hear it. >> No, it's fine. I'm I'm here. I'm here. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'm still awake. I had coffee last night. >> Oh my word. >> Yeah. >> Wow. The same. >> Okay. With that, thank you for that uh description and uh correspondence on the cyber >> that we open the BAA community grant round and if Claudia and Brandy are willing to do it, that they are our subcommittee. Wow. >> I'm getting right to the point. >> You rehear you rehearsed that very nicely. By the way, >> that was not rehearsed. Believe me, >> I don't know if Claudia and Brandy want to do it again this time, but >> I'm happy to do it, but I I just want

213to offer anybody else the opportunity that might want to do it. >> You guys have been such a m >> Thank you for that, Claudia. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Remember that comp plan discussion that That's true. >> So, we'll take a vote seeing that the two recipients aren't saying no. So, let's >> I'm happy to I'm happy to do it again. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All those in favor? >> I I That's 5 Z. Thank you again. >> Get a second. >> I'll I'll be the second. Okay. >> So, the So, the grant the community grant round is now open for the spring. >> Open. >> Okay. Le um liaison updates. Ashlin Cultural Council >> do not have any updates for my committees this time around. So, >> okay. >> Yeah, >>

214you will have one pretty soon because they're going to be meeting with the uh roadway traffic study committee regarding the paintings of all the traffic boxes in town. >> Yes. Well, that is very exciting, but I'm not sure what it depends on what time the meeting is. It will drive whether I can attend or not. >> That'll be on it'll be a topic of discussion when we have our uh traffic study meeting which was cancelled because of the blizzard. >> Yes. >> So, >> but just the boxes not like other >> Oh, no. No. It's just it's just the box. >> I mean, we we've seen other you've probably seen this in other communities, >> you know. So, something that Yeah. >> What we were told they were going to be of a historical nature

215of Ashland. Hey, cool. >> That sounds delightful. I can't wait to hear the discuss about the same thing. So, once we made a decision, >> we would come to the board to vote to approve it. >> Okay. >> And and Makita, it sounds like it will be a nice little >> like mesh of both the Ashlin Cultural Council and your historic. >> I know. It's just it's like it's it's all coming together. >> It's coming together. >> It's all coming together. >> Next conservation commission. So I um I was at the meeting on on Monday as well um with 10 to 60 Maine the opening and I just want to say you know um you know I think the the way that the conservation commission structures that that meeting um you know hopefully they'll they'll

216allow you know the applicant to actually do his presentation but um but other than that I think it was very it it like it's it was very structured. So, um >> it was structured, that's for sure. >> So, you know, they run a tight meeting. So, just >> just uh that is all I have to say on that. So, um and then while I'm talking just because sustainability's on here, y >> I did not go to yesterday's sustainability committee meeting. Um, I had another engagement that I had to had another commitment, but um, I do know that they are submitting um, a warrant article for town meeting on the skip the stuff stuff. >> Um, so I'm sure that they'll be coming before us and I'll I'll talk >> I'm sorry, what are they submitting?

217I didn't hear it. >> I'm sorry. A a a warrant article >> for um the skip the stuff which has to do with the um, take Yeah. >> So, the default would be to not have >> not have it, but upon request. >> Upon request. Yes. So, I'm sure they'll be coming to us to to discuss that. >> Yep. Thank you. >> That's all. Yeah. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. Um, let's see. Town forest committee. >> Storm water. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Storm water. >> Storm water. Let's meet. >> That'll be you. >> Storm water had a meeting last evening that I attended. Um and they uh a lot of the conversation last night was um they are requesting I don't know if they've already spoken to you Joe >> spoke to Rob Y and

218we had to cancel it because April 1st by the way is Passover >> so we have to change that date we will not be meeting >> on April 1st okay >> okay >> so um in any case they are going to come before us and they talked a lot about um what the presentation Rob I think had created a draft and they talked a lot about um things that they would you know be discussing before us um including basically they're waiting for um I'll let them explain it all because it's was this has all been a learning curve for me but um you know the type of criteria that storm water is that we have to function under and things that um right now the MS4 which is what dictates it has um lapsed and

219it's we're waiting for the or the state is going to create a new one, but uh until they do so, we're just trying to keep up with what we're supposed to be doing and hopefully we'll be in good shape by the time they they come out come through with that. So, anyways, I'll let them explain all that. Um and uh that's it for for that for that. Should we do um since we're doing should we just if we if there's something else we wanted to >> Well, I'm not but is this where we might do our updates too? >> Just in general. You know how Yeah, we just go around the room and do that this that. Well, we still have a few other things left to do. Uh, we have the Upper Child's Trail

220Committee. >> Oh. Oh, you know what? I Sorry, I jumped ahead. I was just thinking while I was talking, I kept going, but >> that's okay. >> All right, I'm good. >> Thank you. Upper Charles Trail Committee. So, I had a meeting with the Upper Charles Trail Committee and Diane Mortonson and we are working we have some grant we have some funding available to do some work for engineering and design of the trail and we are working to get we're waiting to get a um quote back from a company called Fuss and O'Neal. They've done a lot of different trails. We had a great meeting with them three or four weeks ago and then we had a followup then I had a follow-up with the trip with the trails committee. So, we're waiting for that

221proposal to come back and the goal is that they will design they will lay out a route from Hopkin to to Framingham Townline and also potentially work on 25% design for the first portion from Framingham to the public safety building and the funds that we have we have to use by the end of the year. So that's why we're working on >> Oh, so it's a mark. I mean, that's I'm sorry, there's a sunset date for that. >> Y Okay. >> Yeah. And then as part of that there, we also have a grant that we received almost two years ago to purchase the land on 126 and we're evaluating those different properties because we might try to do a different property. >> Okay. The other the other property owner backed out of the discussion. >>

222Um well, just made it difficult for you. part partly was the discussion of the owner, but also looking at the parcel. Yeah, it has a lot of wetlands. Yep. >> So, it would be hard. I mean, it would be you could put something through there, but it could be difficult and it could be expensive. >> We could put a bike path in, but we couldn't put or condos in >> because that was part of the that was part of the pro uh property that was on the uh comprehensive. >> No, this is the the parcel that we're talking that I'm talking about was not on >> Oh, it wasn't on >> on the housing affordable housing project. >> Okay. All right. I thought it looked like the same location. >> No. >> Okay. >> No.

223So, uh, yeah. So, things are moving forward. Hopefully, we'll have some more information >> at the end of March. >> The zoning board of appeals. >> That would be me and I have no updates from them. Um, I am I'll go to their meeting next week. >> Okay. >> So, who has who has Town Forest? Does anybody >> I'm not sure. >> They don't need a liazison. >> They're on their own. If not, I'd be willing to take that one. >> I'll take town forests unless someone else wanted unless it's yours. >> Town for Yolanda. >> It's you. I thought I thought you signed up for it. I thought you did sign up for it. >> Thank you, Claudia. >> Thanks for checking that. >> Thanks for checking the spreadsheet that we >> people without

224filling out. >> You're welcome to do it because I signed up for it already. >> You signed up for community preservation committee, but that's wasn't on here. I I been to the meeting. >> You can update that. You can update the spreadsheet. >> No, the spreadsheet is saying it wasn't on our agenda as of >> No, as of now items, >> list of committees. >> I should probably add that working group that I'm >> lazing to as well on that spreadsheet. >> I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. And in doing so, I would like to thank uh >> Charles Litz for his work over the years. >> Yes. >> On the sustainability committee. >> Um >> we

225appreciate all your effort and your uh your wisdom on that on that committee as well. So, thank you very much. >> And and Chuck was also the representative on the comprehensive plan. So, >> I'm got a lot of free time. We must be able to find something for him. >> We definitely >> So, thanks Jack for all your work. And one thing I'd like to note is that um Michael has appointed uh uh an additional uh local building inspector. I'm assuming he's a part-time inspector or >> That is the plan. Okay. So, this will help um ease some of the burden of a full-time employee if you want to talk about it. >> No, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. So, unfortunately, he has turned the position down. >> Oh, no.

226>> Oh, okay. >> Oh, we should have we should have removed that from our consent agenda. >> Yeah. Sorry about that. Uh, >> it just happened. >> Okay. Okay. >> Oh, okay. >> And I was going to say this this this was a a a position that had been vacant. Like, it wasn't it's not created. It's >> not a new position. No. So, just just to clarify for folks. >> But but that's sad news. >> It is sad news. And I just I mean we should mention again, I know it was brought up last time, but um we got that >> $500,000 complete street award. Um >> which is huge for the the intersection of Union and Fountain Streets. And who should we give special thanks to? >> Uh Becca Navaro. >> Yeah. She's she's

227done a great job >> did a great job with that. >> Very nice. Well, please um >> Yep. >> Thank her for us. And uh >> you know, that's certainly some, you know, that's one of those things that >> the community will notice, right? >> Yeah. >> Yep. For sure. >> Yeah. And as a person that's at that intersection on a daily basis. >> Yes. >> Um thank you, Becca. And also, I'm sure all the kids at the high school will thank you, too. They're very >> Well, it is very popular and it's especially with the snow has mounted in that area, it's narrowed it even more so. So, it's people need to be aware of that. So, hopefully this new revision will make it a little bit safer. So, that's good. >> Very good

228to go. >> Yeah. >> All right. Are we ready? >> Yeah. Turn it over to Katherine. >> Yep. We're ready. >> Thank you. So, the community center improvement project update. The organizers are continuing work this week. They are working on um finishing up the wreck storage area and then they'll move on to the art room and it looks amazing. The bins are very organized, clear, labeled, all shelved in a really nice, neat order. It looks really great. >> Excellent. >> Um so they'll continue work there. The the bids came in, so we're working through that. We started a little working group, so we'll meet weekly just to make sure that we're staying on target with everything. Um, so that's moving along. And then, um, any questions there? >> No. >> Okay. And then the next

229thing I want to talk about was Katie Cool. So, I think most of you have met Katie. She's our assistant HR director. And so, she was just accepted into the MMA's uh, HR certificate program. So, the MMA partners with SUFFK University. Nice. >> And uh, we included the syllabus in the pack. Saw that. >> Yeah. And so just from my own personal experience, I can say that working in um HR in the private sector and switching over to the public sector is just a completely different animal. At times I felt like I was starting a new career and so um I wish I had this opportunity. Katie is very lucky um that this came up at the right time and we're able to do it. So, she's going to spend, I believe, at six days,

230two half days, um, and then four full days coming up in April. And it's going to go over, you know, some basics, um, and then sort of build from there. So, contract negotiations, um, how health insurance is just a completely different um, game when you enter the municipal world. um amongst other things, policy updates, case law updates, things that are are really important that we continue working on and and making sure that we're up to speed. >> Very good. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Y that's awesome. That's great news. >> Thank you for the update. >> One quick question. How's the food pantry going at the new location? >> Uh it's actually going really well. Um I've heard I haven't heard any complaints. The only thing I have heard is that um and I

231think I shared this last time that residents who didn't know we had a food pantry um now aware of it and along with your uh WACA uh airing, I watched it the other night when >> you had nothing else to watch. >> Well, it was it well, you know, it's it's it's 2:00. >> He wasn't going to say he wasn't, but >> it was it was 2:00 in the morning. What can I say? >> Okay. I kept you awake for half hour. All right. Okay. >> For those folks who need to know >> laughing at Claudia after almost >> Yeah. Almost out. Yeah. >> Okay. Those are my sleep habits. What can I tell you? What can I tell? I'm glad you guys are getting a kick out of it because >> not giving me

232a kick. That's for sure. >> Lost three jobs. >> Okay. Michael is there. We have uh town manager reports. Are you are you good to go? Oh, that was it. That was the town manager with one. Never mind. Okay. I'm telling you, my eyes are getting tired. Sorry about that. Board reports. Okay. >> I think we should let Katherine do it all the time. >> Okay. >> Wow. Wow. >> Just got it from uh who do we'll start with you >> on board reports. Um, so I have the up I have been invited to be the chair again for the Mass Municipal Association's regional policy committee. So surprised I'm like a third year. I was like really? She's like yeah. I'm like okay. Um, >> so that was good >> I guess. And so on

233Monday what's what's cool is they're bringing all the policy committee members together and so I'm going to be going into the MMA offices in Boston for that. Uh, and then I know I've been a little not as involved with stuff, especially on Tuesdays. I will unfortunately be missing the tri board meeting even though it's one of the things that I know, I know. Um, but I am in rehearsal and next week is tech week. I am performing as part of uh Hopington Centers for the Arts adult musical review called Children Will Listen and that is going to be the 13th and 14th and 2021st at Hopington Center for the Arts. That's awesome. So, getting myself out doing some different things just to take away some of the stress of of work right now. >> And

234then just a reminder, we put our clocks back or ahead >> ahead this weekend. So, >> spring, >> be aware of that spring ahead. So, >> and that's all I got for tonight. >> That means summer's near is is approaching. >> Days are getting longer. >> That means you'll be up at 32, too. You know what? >> It'll be on at 3. >> You're right. You're right. But what a better way to to watch and pay attention to everything that's being said because there's nothing else going on. >> Shout out to WACA for all the night owls out there. >> That's right. So, what would we do? >> What What would we do? Uh very quickly just uh other than my upcoming committee meetings, you caught me off cycle a little bit folks. Uh I

235will be at select board office hours at the bagel table uh with Brandy on the 3rd of on the on the uh 20th of March from 11 to 1. That's Friday, Friday afternoon. So that's um and I know there's a Saturday one coming up. So um >> that's right, you and I. >> But I will not I will not be there. I've switched with >> Saturdays. Oh, it's Saturday, you and I. Okay, cool. >> So, couple of other things. Um, Ashlin Music Association spring concerts are underway. I had a chance to take in a delightful concert last night uh with the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders down at the high school. Snowy night. Incredible music though. Uh, the kids did great. So, uh, thanks once again to for their efforts and thanks everybody for such

236a beautiful concert. Concert series continues. Visit ashammusic.org. or uh to find out more. The Boy Scout pancake breakfast and silent auction will be on Sunday, March 22nd, um at the VFW, 6:30 to 12, I think, or maybe a little later than that. No, actually, no, it's 9. >> I'm sorry. It's like there's some some of us are going to try to volunteer, so like we have to be there at a certain time, but um but yeah, um great community event. Uh please try to take it in, get your tickets, support the Boy Scouts. They support this community immensely and do a lot around town to to make Ashlin great. And uh March 8th is International Women's Day and March is Women's History Month. So um great opportunity to find out uh more and study up

237more on the contributions of women uh not just in public life but in beyond and beyond. So that's what I >> And hockey especially hockey. That's right. >> USA. USA. Thank you. Thank you, Makita Claudia. >> Um, yeah. So, I didn't have much here. I just I did attend the concom meeting and I did want to note that um they they they did a great job. They were they are very structured and um they kind of laid out the parameters the particular uh areas that they have um you know oversight of and so I think it was helpful hopefully to um to everyone involved so that as they go forward um everybody understands what what the uh what what they'll be looking at and and uh so it was a very very good meeting. Um

238That's Oh, and then yeah, well, we already talked that that death, so everything else been talked about. I'm good. Thank you. >> Okay, Brandy. >> Um, so I've been working on some budget stuff. Um, so just budget stuff. >> Yep. >> Including the the uh the public forum that we're going to have. So, um, the things that are coming up that were really interesting, um, not interesting, that's not the word. Heck, um, we have the Eagle Scout Court of Honor that we were invited to, Austin Turncliffe. Um, so I think Joe and I are going to go to that. So, congratulations in advance to Austin. We're excited to be there and to be a part of that. Um, and then there's a couple things that I just wanted to just mention. So, one, um, Yolanda

239had sent me a link. We get a lot of emails from MMA as you guys all know. >> Um, but Yolanda had sent me a link to a webinar that's coming up on March 17th. >> Yeah. >> Um, to which is visually communicate your municipal budget. So, um, maybe make it a little bit more, I don't know, engaging. I'm hoping something that we can bring to the public as part of this budget discussion. Um, so that's coming up on March 17th. And I was having a conversation with Claudia about MMA. We were actually we were talking about um AI because like I've just recently found AI. It's a new >> It's a good find. Um >> Oh, have you now? >> Have you heard about this thing called AI? >> Have Have you heard about

240the AI thing? >> So, um and so like we were just having a conversation about the some of the the good things about AI. And I know there's lots of like guard rails and parameters and things that you want to put in front of doing anything with AI, but I did want to let you guys know there's two webinars on the um on the MMA site that have been from very recently like like February. One that um it's kind of a background and I didn't watch that one. the power of context setting the foundation for AI. And then the second one which was AI and action practical use cases for municipal departments which I thought was really interesting >> um and just ways that it can be utilized in kind of and and and those

241and those guard rails things that you don't want to put into an AI, you know, large language model or anything like that, but um just ways that it could make people's lives just a little bit more efficient. So, um, nothing ever replaces people. We're in a people place. But, um, sometimes I I I I have marveled at some of the things that AI is capable of doing, especially when it's comparing documents or um, you know, >> resumes >> or Yeah. or you're looking for specific things. >> I would recommend at some point if we could get a discussion on the agenda about AI policy, use policy. um you know going forward this is this is actually an this is actually an area I'm very familiar with. I've traveled across the country and given um seminars

242not just on how to use AI but how to use it ethically and also how to to use it from a technical standpoint as well. I've been doing it for the past two and a half years because you know I'm in it. But that I think at this point now that you know MMA and you and you and other folks have discovered it, it might be time to get a conversation going. Um I'm not familiar if the schools have a have a declared policy on it yet as well, but I think that's something that we as a town have to take a look at and and maybe have some discussions about coming up. So I would ask consider >> so on that when I send out the email about >> agenda setting meetings and stuff

243and topics please send that along to me as a reminder and we'll put it on the agenda. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> But anyway, I just wanted to >> Yep. >> because we were talking that it might be useful in in the community um in in the town. Yeah. >> Right. And um you know, just a funny story. I asked um Cindy for a a voter list, but I I wanted to um I was trying to see if I could find it online because it's public document, right? And so I plugged it into AI and AI, you know, said, "Well, you should do this. Contact your town clerk." and gave Cindy's name, gave address, phone number, and then it said you you might also find it here and I can also um contact

244the um town clerk's office for you. And um so I I said to her, "Be on the lookout. You might get an email from from I don't know who requesting it." So >> but but that's the thing, right? And that's why, you know, I think in so far as like how the town uses it and how boards and commissions use it, there needs to be some kind of a policy set for that. >> That would be something that we would have to sit down. >> Yeah. >> And when I attended the storm water meeting, they were asking for um they were looking talking about, you know, storm water fees and and that and um I so they were trying to compare it to other towns. And so I looked that up and it and it

245actually said, "Oh, well, we'll give you a full report in 24 hours." They haven't I just looked again, but I haven't done that yet. >> Be aware of hallucinations there. If you're not using a paid version, you will get a lot of them. >> A lot of them. Yeah. >> Um, that's not true. I say you might be more danger because they're using different quality engines. >> I'm actually using a beta tester that my nephew created. >> So that's that's fun. I am. >> So, so I I think it does I think it does warrant a discussion. We should >> Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. >> Anything else? >> That's it. That's it for me. >> Thank you so much. >> Yep. So, we'll put that on. Just remind me. Put it on the agenda. So, Makita,

246send me off an email. That would be cool. >> I'm emailing you right now, J. >> Thank you so much. All righty. Um I had we had to postpone our uh roadway traffic study committee uh meeting because of the blizzard and uh the guys needed to sleep. They didn't have to sit around and listen to you know complaints about stop signs and speeders and so on and so forth. So we're probably going to schedule that um in a couple of weeks. Uh so we'll be meeting there. Council on Aging are meeting tomorrow at 10:30 at the community center and I'm sure they'll have a lot to advise me about especially when it comes to the budgets. They're they're very concerned and rightfully so as we all are, but they they they're feeling it even more

247so. Um they're doing a great job. I know that uh Candi has been involved with the uh the repairs and the revitalization of of the uh community center itself. And I advised her, I suggested to her that she get a hold of the uh uh Hawkington Laborers Training Council uh center uh to do the uh the patio, the side patio over there because they're always looking for side work to do to teach these guys how to masonary work, leveling off, things of that nature. So, she took the number down and I gave her uh Michael Norton's number and hopefully uh they can work out something. So, that may be it may be very helpful and uh to put the the bod type thing up that they were talking about doing it that could be an

248Eagle Scout project. So, I mean that to save money in some way, shape or form. So, hopefully they're working on that to get to get that going. I don't have to talk about this pancake breakfast. it's already been done. And um I'll be part of the uh ABA town leader panel on the 17th of March uh from 8:30 to 9:30 here in town hall up here. Um it's always a brisk uh conversation and very relative to how the uh and the concerns of the businesses in and downtown in and around the area. So I'm looking forward to that as well. So if there's anything you want to see added or please shoot an email off to me. They'd be happy to be part of that uh discussion as well. >> When is that happening, Joe?

249I'm sorry. >> It's happening on March 17th. >> Okay. >> From 8:30 to 9:30 >> in the morning. >> Yep. And it'll be here in the Slickman's uh Slick Boos room. And uh if you haven't tried it yet, um we had a pizza uh this afternoon from Killer Pizza. It was it was it was very good. You know what it reminded me of in all sense? I don't know. It reminded me of Papuccino's pizza. the same flavor and tech. It was Oh, believe me. >> Did you go there or did you just get take out? >> Oh, we got take out when we walked in. It was beautiful. They did a great job. >> It's absolutely beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. >> And the really cool part is they're Ashlin people. >> Yes, they are. >> Kids

250that the the Davidid who owns it um went to Ashlin public schools and the support. So, yeah. Very >> very great great story. They wanted to come back. He had worked there for years when he was in high school and >> the former owner was still there helping out and everything and of course when D and I come walking in she would go and advise them when there was a half a day or this and that. She was oh D here and it was like old home week for them but yeah it was very very nice. So it was cool. >> So with that uh thank you all for all the efforts that you uh put into this week. >> Oh uh Mr. Chair just one other reminder and greeting for folks March 17th is

251St. Patrick's Day. I don't think we're going to meet before that, but until after that. So, happy St. Patrick's Day to those who celebrate >> to everybody. Yeah, that's right. >> That should be everybody. >> Yeah. >> And the pitches are catches and the socks are playing spring ball already. It's It's a happy time. >> It's March and it's happy time. So, I'll >> Motion to return. >> Thank you. All those a second. All those in favor? I Good night everybody. See you in two weeks and we will see you in two weeks.