Select Board (November 5th, 2025)

001[snorts] Good evening and welcome to the November 5th, 2025 select board meeting. I call this meeting to order at 7:01. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast broadcasted live by WACA TV and livereamed on Facebook. Remote participation is available using the Zoom video conference platform. Any disruption with the video conferencing platform will result in the platform being shut down. In the event of a disruption, broadcasting will continue on WACA TV and livereamed on Facebook. Thank you and good evening board. nice to all have you here. Uh before we start tonight, part of citizens participation uh we're going to do something that uh we should have done a couple of weeks ago and we for some reason we just never got to it and I apologize. That's on me. Um I'd love to have uh Stacy

002Grant Lewis if you come up to the podium if you would please. Stacy, >> we didn't have anybody at Ashland Day 2025 to accept this award. >> Oh, >> so that's what we're doing if you don't mind for for a brief moment. >> So Joe, you're going to need to talk. >> We need to do better. That's >> I know that's my bad. >> I still think I have my outside police voice, but I don't have that anymore. I lost it when I said I do. Um, this is an award that should have been uh done a while back and actually a few years ago and um the Ashland [clears throat] Cultural Council has done an awful lot for the town of Ashland over the years by providing grants and services to many to many

003groups in town. uh without those grants, you would not see some of the beautiful artwork that we have in and around town downtown Ashland and some of the concerts that we have uh that are provided at Stone Park, especially during our summer free summer concerts program. So, I would like to provide and offer you this field marshall award from October 4th, 2025 to the Ashine Cultural Council. It's welld deserved and many thanks and continued success for the town of Ashland. >> Thank you, Joe. Thanks very much. Um I accept this award on behalf of my fellow uh council members, some of who are online right now. Um we're very grateful for the acknowledgement. Thank you. >> Okay. >> And [clears throat] I have a couple of uh proclamations. >> Okay. >> Sorry about that. They

004say they can't hear me at home. I hope you can hear me now. Uh, this is from the state senate. Be it known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to the Ashland Cultural Council being named the Grand Marshall of 2025 Ashland Day for your work and and all your efforts. May you have continued success that this citation be signed by the present by the president of the Senate and attested and a copy therefore transmitted to the clerk of the Senate. and it is signed by Senator Karen Spilka on behalf of the state senate. >> Oh, that's lovely. Thanks everybody. >> And we have one more. >> Nobody can hear you at home. >> Are you good? Can you hear me now? >> Okay. So, it isn't my voice. They're just having difficulties this

005time. >> A little bit. Could be both. A mixture of both. And secondly, um this is from uh Representative Lewis from the House of Rep uh Comalth, the House of Representatives. And again, it's to the Ashland cultural council in recognition of receiving the Grand Marshall award and your continued contribution to rich the tapestry of the Ashland's diverse art scene. And this entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses and hopes for future good future and continued success in its endeavors in Ashland. >> There you are. >> Thank you. Thank you for being here. And >> here collectively, >> would you would you like to say something? Hopefully somebody can hear us. >> Um, sure. >> Thank you everyone. Um, and thank you Representative Lewis and the state senate. We are more than pleased to

006receive this award or this acknowledgement um, recognition. Um, I am lucky to be on a council of really go getting women. Hopefully men will join as well. men, you're welcome to join. [laughter] Um, who worked tirelessly and for free to make things happen here. And some of them have been on the council much longer than I. I have been on it going on three years. Um, and coming to the end of my time there as are other people. So, um, I just want to say just thank you for the recognition. It feels really good. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. So, if you can't hear me at that podium, can you hear me now? >> We're good now. Okay. Uh for those folks who couldn't not hear, we just uh provided a a presentation

007and several citations to the Ashland Cultural Council for their continued efforts and great work that they have provided Ashland over the many years since their inception. And um if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't see all these beautiful pieces of art u and sculptures that you see downtown. So thank you again very much. Thank you, Stacy, for representing the Ashlin Arts Council. Continued success. Thank you again. Okay. Uh, with that, we still have a few minutes. Um, I'll open it up citizens participation. Uh, if there's anybody that would like to speak, hopefully that microphone is working again. >> Yes. Dr. Sony, 119 Main Street. Yes. No. Can you hear me? Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Was this you, Joe? Um, >> I broke the mic. >> I would like [snorts] say like to ask

008two questions or one question and a comment. How much longer and it's not a complaint. How much longer is the pipe construction going to be going on in this town? >> I'm assuming you want it. You're asking that to Michael. Okay. Thank you. because I couldn't tell you when that's going to happen. >> The pipe like the water sewer pipes >> the the road work and stuff. >> Yeah. Um >> that's was thinking about answering it that way. Um in regards to this I'm I'm assuming you're talking about the Union Street project, Mark. >> Yes, the 135. >> Yeah. Uh so I don't have an exact date for you on that one. Um but I can get that for you. But yeah, I think you know, unfortunately, when you don't invest in your infrastructure for

009a few decades, you end up having a a pretty big backlog. So, you know, I I do I do anticipate [snorts] us having to do a lot of this work for many years. >> Okay. And the the um on I know on the agenda is the um about talking about SNAP in this town. I'm one of the recipients of SNAP itself out of the 1,100 plus in this town and I just wondering is it is it going to be a positive or hopeful or both comment tonight about that? >> Um, you know, I'll be interested to see where the discussion goes. I think specifically, you know, we're going to talk about the situation as we know know it is now and and and really kind of stick to the the facts there >> and we're

010are we um engulfed like the whole country about the federal government shutdown and all that. >> Say that first part again, Mark. >> We're engulfed in the we're swallowed up by the federal government's shutdown. >> Um unfortunately, yes, that does have some consequences. >> Okay. because I I have I I'm like I'm on set but I I did my food shop and the car my car didn't work hoping it's going to work out the Friday. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you Mark. I think a lot of people are in the same same scenario that you're in and that's unfortunate but many folks in town and um I know that uh the town and our food pantry is doing the best they can with what they have. I know that if anybody's out there listening

011and they want to contribute food, probably one of the best things to do is to get gift cards um to provide to the food pantry so that people can, you know, purchase food and make it a little easier because we're kind of short on space at the moment type of deal. So that may >> well I think you know it's a combination of space and understanding that with this you know developing need >> um just the generosity of the community we know that it's probably going to overwhelm our space if they look at perishables and stuff. So >> we just want to make sure that if people are taking the time and to be generous and you know that >> it um it gets we get its full effect that's good. Thank you. >> Is

012there a preferred amount? Like if you wanted to contribute $100, would you be better off to give them four $25 cards or how would that work? You think >> do they hand out the card or do they go out and buy it? >> Are you talking um people who are making the donation? Is [clears throat] that what you're asking? >> So we've seen, you know, people give $25 gift cards to the food pantry. We're we're thankful for for any sort of monetary donation whether it's gift cards or you know a money >> right. I was just thinking that if you give them to a person so they can go out and buy their own food that might be better to be in >> Yeah. the smaller $25 gift card increments are really helpful. Yes. >>

013Yeah. >> Good point. >> Thank you. Okay. We have um next on our agenda at 7:15 we have uh Mr. Donald Clark uh to discuss our tax classification hearing. And I think we uh we may be a little ahead of schedule, but seeing that Don's here, >> come on up and help yourself. >> Uh good evening all of you. I know some of you's met me once anyway, but uh [laughter] my name is I am Don Clark, uh the director of assessment for the town. A little bit about myself, uh I've been assessing since the year 2000. Um prior to that, I was a contractor, owned my own companies in two different states doing construction for approximately 30 years. So I went from swinging the hammer to pushing the pencil. It's a little bit easier

014um with that. Is it okay to start, Joe? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> You good to go? >> All right. >> Do you have a presentation you want to share on the board so that on the screen so that everybody can uh at home can see it as well? >> How do I um kick it up there? >> I failed ABA so don't even look at me. >> [laughter] >> Catherine to the rescue. >> One button away. >> Few people in the audience are going AVA. What's AVA? >> Audio visual aids. >> Oh, AVA. You said the AVA. >> Oh, no. AVA. >> Actually, at first I thought you said AVA. No. Put your >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> Let's make it mandatory. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Stacy. Thank you. Enjoy the

015weekend when he gets there. Okay. I just wasn't sure if she was going to provide any additional information. >> Okay, >> looks like we're going to start right on time. >> Yep. >> I thought we were going to get out early. >> Uh, I'm joining from the podium. I need co-host privileges. While we're waiting, would you like to uh move down to uh Item number five, the consent agenda. And >> n got it working. >> Okay. What? >> Guess we'll hold on. >> I'm just gonna completely hide the zoom. You're sharing now. Uh yeah, you can start the presation. Oh, thank you. >> No problem. >> Okay. Um, so the purpose for tonight's classification hearing is the select board must hold a classification hearing each year and consider the tax rate options available to the

016town under property tax classification. The board of assessors will make a recommendation to the select board to consider whether to continue with a single tax rate or go to a split tax rate and whether or not to consider accepting any of the three state allowed exemptions. Um the town of Ashlin has 91% residential, 6 and a.5% commercial industrial and 1.5 personal property. Uh due to these percentages, splitting the tax rate would put a heavier burden on the commercial industry uh commercial and industrial properties throughout the town with minimal relief to the residential properties. It is important to remember the majority of the personal property taxes that are paid within the town are paid by our commercial and industrial properties as well. Therefore, a shift or a split could cause a larger impact on the businesses

017throughout town, which in turn could influence some commercial industrial businesses to leave the town. Uh the next slide is uh setting the values. Um the assessed residential values is based on comparable sales market analysis of the prior year's sales. The assessed commercial value is based on income and expense as well as comparable sales analysis and cost analysis. The department of revenue approves these adjusted values proposed by the assessor's office annually. [snorts] Setting the rate Massachusetts statute requires the assessor to assess all properties at its fair and uh full and fair cash value as of January 1st of each year. Intermar adjustments are adjustments from the market sales analysis during non-certification years. Full property valuations, also known as certification, is required and completed every five years. The town of Ashlin is currently in an interterm year.

018The next certification is 2029. [snorts] The tax rate is derived from total taxable real estate and personal property, town meeting appropriation, state aid, town revenues, town expenditures, new growth, debt exclusion, and overrides. What is new growth? New growth is the increase in property values due to new construction, additions to properties, subdivisions, new condominiums, and the return of exempt properties to the tax roles. New growth is added to the levy limit and increased the town's taxing capacity. >> Excuse me. Can I just jump in right there? >> Absolutely. Um, so where would an apartment building fall in that among those? >> So apartment buildings would also be new growth if it's uh in other words uh you're thinking of Chestnut 90. >> Yeah, any apartment building, but in in these um you know uh groups that

019you've listed here. >> Sure. >> Which one where would it fall? >> Would it be residential or commercial? I think maybe. >> Is that what you're asking? >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Um it's happen Well, it depends on the property itself actually. If there's any commercial involved in the property, if there's certain area put aside for commercial, the apartments themselves fall under residential. >> Can I ask a question with respect to that? Could go one step further. >> Sure. >> If you have a pardon me, if you have a developer that built that unit and using it as income, >> why would that not be considered commercial? uh rent just like a rental property is residential. It's not commercial. So the fact that it's all in one building or separate apartments throughout town, in other

020words, okay, >> in terms of residential or commercial in this town as it stands now, it wouldn't matter, right? Because it's the same, >> right? Because we have it's a it's one tax rate. Yeah. Right. It's more it's it seems so different than you know a single family home or even say multiple family home maybe up to four or something right >> like that an apartment in a building with 250 apartments seems very different right >> sure yeah >> yeah Don that might be I think because I'm under the assumption that you can't you know you don't have the ability to apply a commercial rate to a multif family property Even one that's five units or more. >> That's correct. >> That might be something that we want to explore, you know. >> Sure. >>

021Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> So, I have a question as well. So, when we talk about new growth, as far as the budget goes, when we look at new growth, you know, it's a line item on our budget. >> Um, how is that? And maybe it's like like I know this is probably too technical for what we're trying to to do tonight, but I'm curious like how it gets calculated for something like an apartment building because like we estimate like new growth every year based on what is happening in town. But I'm I'm curious like you know how how we kind of come to that that number of what new growth actually is. Is that something that that the board of assessors calculates. Is it something that the state applies or how does how

022does that work? >> Well, it's in our CAMA system. So, the the it goes through the department of revenue. So, it is state. Um, >> so to answer your question about I think you're leading back towards more units as one. >> It's still the assessed value on the entire property. So, it's growth because it's new construction. >> Okay. In other words, if something's built, we're looking at the assessed value of that entire property to figure out what the growth is. Less the land, >> less the land. >> The land's not included. >> Okay. So, if it's say 250 units versus 16 units >> like is the calculation sort of >> per unit. We look at the rents. This because you can look at cost as well and you can look at income. So, you look

023at both sides of that. >> Okay. and take it into consideration when you're looking at a large um building like that as opposed to four or five apartments. We we we look at the income on the uh you know on the apartments as well. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, >> they have to do they have to be rented or do they have and producing actual income or is it just the ownership? >> Just the ownership, right? >> Yeah. And we're we're also you know we we'll give them adjustments for vacancy when we look at cost. So, >> okay. >> And I one other question too. Sorry to kind of talk a lot about this, but but it's something that we're >> dealing a lot >> with right now, so it's it's top of mind. Um

024so for like an assessed value of a property um say an apartment complex >> is the um because I think there's some preconceived notions that you know apartment complexes don't pay taxes or they pay less taxes or something along those lines. Um but but with the assessed value they are the the property owner is paying its fair share of taxes. Correct. Depending on the assessment. Okay. >> Just if not for right this minute but maybe um sometime in the not too distant future you could send us an example of an apartment complex in in town that has um some kind of history here. Sure. >> And that we would be able to see what it's valued at. >> Sure. Absolutely. Yep. Okay. Everything actually I'm going to jump in just to maybe ask Don to

025explain something from a different angle which I think would flesh a lot of this out. So, so Don, for example, when we talked today about 10 to 60 Main Street >> and I think you had the valuation and it was conservative >> at 77 million, >> right? How did you come up with that figure? >> 77 billion. >> So again, there's both ways you can do it. Well, you look you got to look at the cost first of all to construct it and then you want to look at how many onebedrooms, how many two bedrooms, how many three bedrooms, what those will bring in for rents. And you want those two numbers to work out pretty close to make it fair. >> So, you're looking you're looking at both sides of that to come up

026with that final assessment. >> And then you're taking the assessed value divided by a,000 and multiplying that by the tax rate. And that is the amount of growth that you're getting for that complex less the land value. >> So that's how it works out. >> Does that does that help? Okay. >> Okay. >> We good? Okay. So back to uh new growth. Uh the past year there were over 490 permits. A majority of those were uh required a visit from the assessor's office to evaluate the work that had been done. then determining if these changes could be considered growth by the Department of Revenues guidelines [clears throat] um the history of growth. So this slide represents the total growth from year to year. The assessor's office has been working extremely hard gathering growth this past

027year. A large percentage of that growth came from visiting properties that hadn't been visited in the past few years. Finding construction that was never discovered or permitted. Um the balance of that growth had come from a new apartment complex which we were just speaking about um that was completed this year. Um and the rest came from construction of new residential homes. If our data, meaning the assessor's data, is accurate, it will be fair and equitable for all the residents throughout the town. So, we try to fairly assess and tax everyone in town. Not tax, but assess what's been done. The total town value uh the overall assessed value of the town has increased by 3.58%. While this isn't as much as it has been in the past, the market still remains strong based on 2024

028sales. This is mainly due to lack of inventory in the market. Um, the tax levy, this is one of the pages I had to fix for you guys a couple of times. I apologize for that. Uh, this slide represents the tax levy that the town would have to raise in property taxes. This number is derived from the total amount to be raised minus the total estimated receipts. [snorts] Valuation by class. This slide is a breakdown by class. The reason I'm showing you this is to emphasize that this town is 91.4% residential and 8.6% commercial, industrial, and personal property. A large portion of the commercial property in this town is ma pa meaning small commercial properties. We don't have a lot of large commercial. The impact of splitting the rate. This slide represents a breakdown of

029the average assessed value of each class in the tax amount after splitting the tax rate at these three different levels. providing that there would be very little benefit to the residential properties and a greater expense to the commercial industrial properties. Any questions? Just jump in. Um the savings savings or cost of uh impact of splitting the tax rate. This slide is an example of the actual dollar amounts that would be saved in black for the residential class with a split rate at 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5. Commercial and industrial properties would have to pay additional taxes that's marked here in red. Uh as you can see there is very small savings to tax dollars to the residential class while significantly increasing the burden on commercial and industrial properties and keeping in mind that this is average

030assessed values. So if there's a large commercial business here that's assessed a lot higher than that of course the impact is going to be even greater to them. >> So Don if I may again >> sure. So on this um slide, so in other words, if we had a split rate, >> yes, >> and uh with a factor of 1.3%, the average residential savings um that being uh $273, but based on an average >> home in Nashville >> and and the average assessed value for the town on residential, which is 720 >> 725 or something 25. Yeah. And change. >> Okay. So, um, okay. >> Okay, that's helpful. Thank you. >> Okay. >> How how many I know you said the percentage, but do we know how many businesses would be impacted by this? >>

031I don't have that number for you tonight. No, I can get that number for you, though. >> And and these aren't necessarily There are many businesses in town that rent the space that they're in. >> That's true. >> So, it it actually falls to the owner. Although frequently that would mean an increase in >> rent >> but but nonetheless it is the only >> and no break to the tenant. Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> That's one of the exemptions you guys will be considering tonight. >> Um okay. So this is the uh open space exemption. This is the first one of the three for you guys to consider tonight. U the open space discount is a process which allows cities and towns to grant a tax break to those properties that are classified as

032open space. The issue uh with this is the tax burden then gets shifted to the rest of the residential properties throughout town. The exemption should not be confused with open space or chapter land program. Um, in this town there's currently only one chapterand property um, surprisingly, but that's what the case is. Um, in addition, when they're in the chapter land, uh, it kind of benefits the town in one way that if they ever want to sell the property once they're in that chapter land program, they would have to give the town right of first refusal at whatever price was negotiated for the sale. So, the town would have the option to buy that property. Could could you just um go into a little bit of what chapter land is because I don't think I'm not

033familiar with it. >> Never mind. >> Like is it is it something that is just open space or is it some like a process or >> is a process. Um okay. So there's three levels. There's 61 61A and 61B. Um the reason for that is that one of them requires five acres aside from your home site. So, it can be a single family home with six acres of land and they would qualify. Um, the other one is acreage. Um, and then you would have to um you also would have to show a $500 sales a year to qualify. So, there is some some guidelines that you'd have to, you know, some red tape to jump through in order to qualify for it. But, it's it's not that difficult. People with large lots um, you know,

034could consider it. It's it's considerable break on the back land. As long as they're never planning on developing it. The big thing is if they change their mind or if they're not going to stay on the property for a long period of time, it's probably not something that they want to get involved in. They can transfer it when they sell the property as long as the people that buy the property are willing to stay in the uh program. There's no fees or anything along those lines. So, it's a good it's a good benefit. So it would be a tax benefit for for a homeowner with large Absolutely. open space or something like that. Okay. >> Okay. >> So is it then um if I had six acres of land and my home was on uh

035you know where's it where what part of that becomes available for this break the tax break. >> So whatever is required by zoning in that area. So if you needed 30,000 feet then that would be >> that has to stay with the house outside of that you're over 5,000 magic number [laughter] I just have a quick question when it says the open space exemption >> y >> um and the the discount. So if you have property if you have uh you own property and it's considered uh conservation land that's open space is that considered open space or no? >> No. No. >> So, what is considered open space? >> So, this would be for residential properties. Let's say um you had excess land over and above the 30,000. You didn't want to be involved in

036the program. You guys could vote to put this through and give them a break additional break on the additional land. >> Okay. So, if people own property that's considered unbuildable and it's classified as conservation property, are they being taxed on property that they can't use? >> No, I don't believe so. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that people understand that. Okay. >> Nope, they are not. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, the next one is the small commercial exemption, which is what you guys were kind of alluding to there a minute ago. Um, So the el uh who's eligible for this and uh what's the cr criteria that's required? Uh sole proprietorship no more than 10 employees total value of the property cannot exceed a million dollars. Uh business must be certified by

037the department of labor and workforce department. Uh if if the parcel has multiple tenants all the tenants must be eligible. Uh the intent of this is to give a tax reduction to small commercial property owners at the expense of the larger commercial properties in town. Um you can adjust this up to 10% of the commercial levy uh can be shifted to eligible parcels and um the non-eligible parcels. Um the things to consider with this one is um if like we said earlier, if the business owner um doesn't own the building, he's just a tenant, then that benefit would go to the owner of the building instead of the small tenant uh small commercial business owner that we're trying to give this to. Um it's difficult to track. Um and currently there's only 14 towns that

038are offering this out of the 351 communities. So we would initially have to adopt it [clears throat] >> and then um it would only apply to the this >> that small criteria. Yeah. So it's a tough one >> and they'd have to apply for it or go through they'd have to meet all these. So it would be process, >> right? And is that just a simple vote or does that have to go to um the legislature for approval? Not sure on that. I believe it's just a simple vote from the board. >> So, it's a it's not a home rule petition, >> right? >> Okay. >> And but it only matters if you have a a split tax rate. >> Um no, >> it could still push on the >> you could use it if

039you had the same tax rate. >> Yep. It would still push on the larger commercial properties. Yep. >> But they're picking up the difference. That's the thing. Whatever break you're given to the small um commercial properties. It's got to come from the lodge of commercial properties values >> get pushed to the residential. >> Nope, not at all. No, not this one. >> That's interesting. Okay, so the last one is the residential exemption. Uh the res residential exemption can shift the tax burden within the residential class from the lower priced homes to the owners of nonowner occupied second homes. Uh the town of Ashlin is mainly own uh occupied um owner occupied community. Therefore, this exemption is uh not a good candidate for this town. Um the towns or cities that have adopted this exemption are

040either urban or vacation areas. Uh again, currently there are only 15 towns uh communities, I'm sorry, that are doing this at this time out of 351. >> [snorts] >> Um so the tax rate calculation everyone knows how it happens. Um it is important for the residents to know uh wait a minute no sorry yes this is what I want. Um it is important for the residents to know um that neither the select board nor the assessor's office can raise or lower the tax rate. Spending is determined by the voting public through town meeting. It is the participation of the town residents at town meeting that determine the level of services desired. This in turn directly affects the tax rate. the actual levy divided by the total assessed value multiplied by a th00and could be the

041tax rate for 2026 as you see here. The last thing is to remember that this tax rate is still subject to change until the final approval from the department of revenue. Um the so the board of assesses recommends to the select board um to vote the following and that would be to adopt the single tax rate and to not adopt the three exemptions the three commercial exemptions and that concludes my presentation. if you have any questions. >> So your current suggestion for the tax rate would be 12 >> 77. >> So it's staying the same >> staying the same >> right now unless something else changes before we get approval from the department of revenue. Okay. Do you know where Ashland falls in terms of tax rate >> for this for this coming >> for

042no for in comparison to other communities that I know we could look that up. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I don't have it at tonight. I'm sorry. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. >> Um quick question. So I you know folks have seen their home values increase um over the last especially the last few years. Um, and so I think that there's I think it just it's it's it's important to kind of note how the you know assessed value has probably increased because there's a there's a bit of a lag. >> Sure. So obviously it's you know the assessed value what people are being taxed on now >> reflects the tax ret um reflects the the value from you know a year >> 2024 >> because I have to provide a full year of sales and

043data to department of revenue in order to do this y >> so I'm behind so if somebody lists their property tomorrow they should be able to sell it for more than I have assessed at Okay. And then so you know the the levy we can only raise the levy every year two and a half >> percent. >> Um that you know prop two and a half. And so just you know when people talk about like that their taxes and the rate of that you know basically as values have gone up the tax rate has gone down. It's inversely uh related. Correct. It's like a seessaw. Yes. >> In other words, spending in town, >> if we don't spend any money and the tax rate stays the same and everything will stay the same, but when

044we ask for things, like I say at town meeting, the town needs to know that these are things that will drive up your taxes, but >> not as much fun as a seesaw. [laughter] [clears throat] >> So, okay. because I I just I I just want people to kind of understand how >> like you know their tax bill they can see their tax bill getting getting higher but it's based on their assessed value >> and not necessarily because like the levy is being raised by like more than than two and a half. Right. >> Um >> and another example of that is um residential properties this year on on an average went up 6% still based on 2024 sales. Um commercial went up about 4%. Now there'll be people that will say my house went

045up x amount and you said six. Well six is an average. So, some properties if they had renovations, if like I said earlier, if I was in the field and I picked something up out of your property that wasn't picked up before and it was incorrect or there were errors on your card, those things will make your assessment go up and make your tax bill go up as well. >> And then, you know, the debt exclusions and things that we have sort of layered on top of that is separate from the assessed value and that rate, but it's >> Well, So, the debt exclusions get >> Yeah. Oh, okay. Gotcha. Okay. >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. Uh, the debt exclusion gets added on to the levy. >> Okay. >> So, like if you're, you know, if

046your levy is, you [snorts] know, let's just say $60 million. You add on the new growth, okay, in and your two and a half%, you know, then you have, okay, what your tax levy is. And then what you can tax is you add the you add the debt exclusion amount on top of that. >> Gotcha. Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Oh, no. It's quite a ring. Any additional questions or comments? Um, >> no. Thank you very much. Appreciate this. >> Thank you. Yeah, I maybe just we should explain a little bit about just the process moving forward because we won't be asking for are you looking for a vote tonight on single rate? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> And so what happens is we can't really set the tax rate until after

047town meeting. >> So you have to make sure any opportunities for expenditures that would affect the tax rate are are are taken etc. So we have to wait until after tax or after town meeting. Then uh we'll come back close the hearing >> afterwards. Um and then um we'll have to do the LA5 however they're doing it now. >> Right. >> We should >> Sorry. Um just when you said that we didn't open the hearing. >> You're right. You didn't. >> Yeah. So when we if you start talking about Yeah. We should probably open it now. >> We should. Yeah. >> Yeah. So I um [clears throat] ask that we open the the meeting uh the hearing with respect to our tax evaluation and classification here. >> So moved. Second. >> Thank you. I should

048have done that, but my bad. I didn't want to be interruptive. You were on a roll. [laughter] >> Should we take a vote? >> Yes. >> Yep. Voice vote. >> Yes. >> Thank you. I >> kinsman I >> that's five to zero. Thank you. >> Yeah. And I just uh want to take an opportunity um to thank Don and Cindy and and like our new our new finance team is really coming together and and Don I always give him a hard time because he's been here a year and he's like you know the most senior person in his role. But um you know, all kidding aside, Don's done a really remarkable job in terms of as as he mentioned, going to visit uh a lot of properties that, you know, we we needed to catch

049up on a few things. Uh Don has put in a lot of work to do that. You can see that also in the change in our new growth. I mean, he captured 250,000 in new growth this year that that wasn't, you know, we weren't planning on um is in the process of changing over our our system, our computerized system to make things a little bit more efficient. So, he and Cindy aren't here on Christmas Eve and trying to get uh get things done. >> Um so, he's he's really just done a great job of the assessor's office since he's taken on and it's like the first It's a different presentation in um many years. So, >> actually was the first time I could actually understand it. So, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Appreciate that.

050>> All right. >> Um you uh Michael said you found additional uh new development. Was that because people weren't filing for permits and were doing work on their own or >> could be could be partial. Okay. um property previous people might not have been able to have the time to get in the field and do the field work. >> Okay. >> Um Department of Revenue requires you to see a tenth of your town every year to try to keep up with your inspections. >> It's it's tough. It's a tough day. You know, there's a lot to do in the office alone, but y >> you're only one man, but >> we do what we can. >> Appreciate that. No, >> you're welcome. Any additional questions or comments or we're good. Okay. So, >> I could

051make a motion to um to adopt a single tax rate for FY26. Is that >> you want to provide a number or do you want to discuss it before? Yeah. >> No, just voting on a single >> Okay. >> single tax rate. Um, should we include the other things in the same motion or do we need to have them separate? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, um, I'll make a motion to adopt a single tax rate for FY26. Um, to not adopt the open space exemption, to not adopt the residential exemption, and not to adopt the small commercial exemption. >> There second. There's a second. >> All those in favor of the motion? I >> I that's 5 Z. So >> we're ready to roll. >> Perfect. >> So thank you. Thank you.

052Thank you very much. Appreciate it. And Cindy answers to all the questions. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> To close the hearing or do we keep it open until we do? >> We have to keep it open. >> Without meeting. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh next on our agenda at 7:40 and a little past that, but we're working on it. Um, MWR [clears throat] sewer bond uh with inf um infiltration and inflow local financial assistance program totaling 1,383,000. And um I'll hand that over to Cindy. >> Good evening everyone. Um, tonight I am requesting a vote from the select board on the MWR sore bond dated November 17, 2025. This bond is essential for our participation in the MWR inflow and infiltration loan program which provides financial assistance for INI reduction projects. This program is

053a vital resource for ensuring the long-term integrity of our sore system by enabling investment of our infrastructure and proactive management of INI issues. [snorts] Um these funds will support activities such as sore main and manhole rehabilitation including methods like cured in pipe uh place pipe lining. Um the total funding of 1,383,000 covers phases 12 14 and 16. Um and the breakdown of intent um also includes an article from May 3rd of 2023 which is the phase 12 funding. So um you take that funding the 339,640. Um in addition we have the article 14 of May 7th of 25 which covers phase 14 and 16 of 530,000 and 513,360 and we get a 75% grant and 25% loan non-interest bearing loan for 10 years. You can't beat that. Um, so I have that breakdown and let's

054see what else did I want to mention. Oh yes. So, um, do you have the vote of the select board if you the clerk is going to read that? >> I just had it. >> I have I have an extra if you need it. >> Just a quick question. So, sure. Um, >> with the breakdown from a grant versus loan, is the grant like a state grant or what? Okay. >> Massachusetts Water Resource Authority. It's a whole program throughout the state. >> Um, many communities take advantage of it. Uh, like I said, 75% grant. Don't have to pay that back. Um, 25% loan over 10 years, non-interest bearing. So, it's $32,575 a year for 10 years. >> Okay. Great. Um, and the DPW department has really um, looked into this program and is only taking

055advantage of the highest grant percentage of the phases. So, >> okay, >> they're making certain to, you know, maximize the grant percentage. >> Okay. >> To complete these projects. So, >> thank you. And then Michael, this might be more of a question for you, but um the INI program, can you just give like a real high level like what it what it does and why why we do this? >> Stops leaks. It stops leaks in our sewer system, which is good for us because and so the reason there are leaks is because the way sewer pipes are joined or they're just butdded up against each other. And so groundwater actually gets in there and what happens is then we end up paying for treating and transporting that groundwater. So by sealing those up um we're

056going you know basically we end up saving rateayers money because we're elimin eliminating like additional you know groundwater that's essentially getting in there that's getting treated as sewage. Okay, Claudia, are you ready to read the um >> I don't want to take away your job as >> just to be clear. Is this the motion >> or it says I further certify that the votes were taken? >> This is the vote. >> Oh, okay. We don't have it on our >> No, thank you. No, we do not. because that's what I was just looking for. >> Um, so just read this whole thing here. >> Yep. >> Okay. I, the clerk of the select board of the town of Ashland, Massachusetts, certify that at a meeting of the board held November 5th, 2025, of which all

057of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present. The following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the board in my custody. uh voted that the sale of $345,750 sewer bond of the town dated November 17, 2025 to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is hereby approved and the town treasurer or other appropriate town official is authorized to execute on behalf of the town a loan agreement and a financial assistance agreement with the authority with respect to the bond. The bond shall be payable without interest on November 15th of the years and in the principal amounts as follows. Year 2026 installment $34,575. Um 2027 $34,575. 2028 $34,575. 2029 $34,575. 2030 $34,575. $34,575 2032 $34,575 $34,575 2034 $34,575 $34,575. further voted that

058any certificates or documents relating to bon collectively the documents may be executed in several counterparts each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same document delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to a document by electronic mail in a PDF file or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature to such document. Not a lot of punctuation in this. And electronic signatures on any of the documents shall be deemed original signatures for the purposes of the documents and all matters relating there too having the same legal effect as original signatures. further voted that all action taken to date by the town and its offices and agents to carry out this financing, including the execution of

059any application agreement by the treasurer or any other official of the town, are hereby ratified, approved, and confirmed. and further voted that each member of the select board, the town clerk and the town treasurer be be and hereby are authorized to take any and all such actions and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts, or other documents as may be determined by them or any of them to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes. I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that a no notice stating the place, date, time, and agenda for the meeting, which agenda included the adoption of the above votes, was filed with the town clerk, and a copy thereof,

060posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that the office of the town clerk is located or if applicable in accordance with an alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the attorney general as set forth in 940 CMR 29.032B 03 2B at least 48 hours not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the bond were taken in executive session all in accordance with GLC C3A 18 sections 18 to 25 as amended dated November 5th 2025. Five. >> Nicely done. >> Usually when I read I'm more fun than that. Sorry. >> Okay, we're good. >> We have a

061motion in a second. >> Yep. All those in favor. >> I That vote goes 5 Z. >> So, do you want to >> We could probably sign at the end the end of at the end of the meeting. >> You have to sign. >> You want to sign it now? No, you can sign that at the end. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much and for all your work. Appreciate it. >> Nicely done. Okay. Uh next uh a scheduled uh item is uh 7:50 p.m. uh Rajit public health director uh discussing uh the NFG which is nicotine-free generation. a proposal being discussed by the board of health that was discussed at their last uh board of health meeting and um I hope all of you had an opportunity to see the video uh

062that was provided by uh Wacka on that very uh informative uh video and uh Dr. Rich did a great job. U so Ajit I will hand it over to you. Good evening sir. How are you? >> Very good evening. First apologies you know was not able to attend in person. I'm out for a conference in Springfield. Uh so I'm happy to answer any questions the board have you know or I can brief you uh either way you know. So >> now how will this take effect? Um, if >> actually we explain it for folks who are >> Can you can you give us a brief explanation? >> Because I don't think most people got a chance to watch the video. >> This this is true, >> but they didn't watch the video. Would they find

063it under the board of health website? Maybe a link to it. >> We can there is a vea link, right? But we can put it on our website also if it's need. We can do that, you know. very informative at that point. >> So Raj, could you give maybe like a threem minute summary of of what the proposal is? >> Yes sir, Mr. Manager. So this came to us, right? Uh this was in June uh when Dr. Zachary and one of another resident of Ashlin, Mr. Mr. Francis Scott Frances reach out to us you know that that's that's what they want to bring it to in front of the board you know for the board to discuss uh what we call it as nicotine free generation u what started in Massachusetts around 2020 as tobaccof

064free generation and later turned to nicotine free generation uh this was first adopted by uh the city of Brooklyn in 2020 and so far there are 19 communities that have adopted uh it uh so what what it actually do so for like say Ashland adopts it right so anybody from the day supposedingly we adopt it just hypothetically uh Jan 1st 2026 anybody who's under 21 years of age that at that day won't be able to buy tobacco in Ashland for for their life so that's what the policy is so so far 19 communities have adopted in Massachusetts uh do this uh this Monday you that this week and it was I guess town of uh South Hadley that did it a couple of weeks back. So uh that's what we have. Uh Brookline did did

065get sued you know because of the adop adoption in 2020 after they adopted but that was upheld by a court in 2024. uh other than that I did attend a session on this today also there was a professor from Harvard who actually did a did a session on this nicotine free generation you know uh today in the conference lot of uh lot of stuff going on in public health world regarding that u eventually the state is going to adopt it that's that's the noise right so 19 communities have adopted so far if more communities adopt I guess the state is going to adopt it anyways you know Raj, is there any uh numerical uh information that would help support uh backing this uh this initiative? >> Um just just to clarify, sorry, in what sense,

066you know, >> well, to show the the success of the program and the 19 communities that have already adopted it, have have they've seen a a decrease um >> in smokers? in in in smokers right >> tobacco >> right >> so that data I don't have it right I I can look at it you know what what I know from today right that there are 600,000 people in these 19 communities you know that uh that have uh that that have adopted this policy so far in the state you know but that hard data right what are the impacts you know or that we need to look at and I I can look at it and provide it to the board you I I think that would be helpful because one of the questions I've had

067about this initiative is you know what are the material impacts of moving like we currently have a 18 you know folks who are 18 and over can use tobacco like move shifting that to 20 age 21 folks who are watching here may not understand or you know I I'd like to get clarity too on like why why why is that part of this initiative why is it seen that there are again material impacts and shifting that age up. Does that mean that people who are younger than 18 are less likely to use these tobacco products? I think an explanation might be helpful for folks who are watching at home as to why this particular policy uh this particular policy action has been recommended. >> Just want to clarify you know the the the age for

068you know sale of tobacco right now in in the state is 21. So it's not >> this is something different right? This is >> so I guess the age is 20 21 currently the whole >> that's true that's true and so it's people >> just want to clarify that please >> but yeah I mean I think that that going pursuant to Joe's question though um you know I think understanding like what the actual impacts are from towns and communities that 18 or 19 uh towns and communities who have adopted this and like what what you know what do the data say about tobacco use overall and you know has Has it dropped for young people? Has it stayed the same? I I think that would be helpful for folks to understand. >> Abs. Absolutely. You

069know, I look for the data. You know, I'm not aware of this though. This is very recent, right? I mean, what what they are trying to do is just, you know, to to have the younger younger age group not smoke, you know, or not give them access, you know. So, uh, I guess that's that's all about about the policy that they're trying to ping on, you know, >> just just to clarify because I'm not sure it is clear at this point, but what this does is it says that and and you did you did say it, but um whatever the adoption date is, so we'll say today or whatever, then if you're not 21 as of today, you will never be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco. products in Ashland. >> That is correct. Yes.

070>> So in as of now, you could age into being able to purchase when you turn 21. But what this does is make it so that if you weren't elig if you weren't 21 by November 5th, 2025, then you would never be able to buy um uh tobacco products in Ashland. in Ashland, but not go next door to Framingham. And if they don't enact it, you could do it there. >> So, it's prohibition basically. It's tobacco prohibition for people who are born after a certain date. >> Yeah. >> And then it's on um the retailers um it's their responsibility to make sure they're not selling to those. >> No, it it'll be us regulating it, you know. So, it we'll be put it in the reg. >> It's the retailer, right? They'd have to look

071and say, "Okay, if you're not 21 by this date, then I can't sell it to you." Right. >> That is correct. >> And then the one question I was like, what's what's the process to get this enacted? I hear, you know, the board of health is talking about it. Do they vote it? Is it a town meeting vote? Is it something we as the select board do? Does it go to the ballot? What what would what would that look like? >> So, I I've spoken to the legal council on this, right? So uh there are two both both sides you know if if the board of health have to adopt it it will be just say regulation right the board of health vote can either adopt it or deny it but uh it can be

072a bylaw then you have to go through the process of the town vote. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. And maybe so maybe to help frame this discussion a little bit um just to make sure it it's successful. So right now what's before the board of health is to decide whether to enact a regulation that adopts these policies. Is that correct Raj? >> That is correct sir. >> Okay. And so I think what this board if I understand correctly is talking about doing is having a conversation about it and then making a recommendation to the board of health as to what they should do. So, so it's actually the board of health's >> decision >> to do a regulation or not to create to make >> and so from what I've gathered from the conversation and correct

073me if I'm wrong that recommendation that you made could be to um adopt it as a regulation, not adopt it as a regulation or request that they don't adopt it as as a regulation with the understanding that you would put it on the warrant as a bylaw change. >> Okay. >> At our next at our next meeting. >> Well, at the next town meeting. >> So, I I had a quick question. So, you know, you were talking a little bit about the state level. Um, do you know where it is in the process of, you know, working its way through the state? Because, you know, I I I'm kind of concerned about doing it town by town. Um, and you know, it's it's something I I would think would be better if it was um,

074you know, regulated by the if it if it was mandated from the state and it was applied to all towns and communities. I think that that would be sort of the the preferred way to go because otherwise I feel like it's um, a >> it's like the NIP process, right? hard. It's really hard >> because because you know um >> you know I saw that that Hopington recently adopted this. Um, but I'm I'm curious if there were other communities that around us that have adopted this as well. And also just where we are on the state >> the state process because um I'm you know >> I'm kind of concerned about just doing it in Ashland. >> Sure. So if if it was to the question was to me. So one thing I can uh

075I am not sure that if any formal process have started at the state but uh DPS commissioner was here at the conference this morning and this conversation came right uh with other tobacco policies also I'm aware when when the tobacco 21 was adopted right I guess there was 188 communities at that time had adopted it and then the state did it it as a statewide policy you know so u the same thing happened with the flavored ban And I guess the communities did it first and then the state did it. So I guess that's how uh they do it you know but uh uh I'm very sure about about the uh tobacco 21 you know when when we adopted that uh that it was 1888 communities that did it in first you know so >>

076I I guess I answered your question you know so >> I'm sorry just to clarify so there's there's there's nothing there's nothing working its way through the legislature currently right now about this to be implemented in in in Massachusetts cities and towns overall. Correct. >> I I don't know if there is any legislative process starter but there are different agencies right that work they're working on this you know >> like our message association of health boards right the ma or all all these associations are working towards it right I mean the process is probably you know going community wise you know I'm I'm aware other communities are working on it >> uh like based on what you said that from the legislaturator's perspective, they're not going to start doing something unless they have mass community

077support, right? You're saying it was 188 communities and then the legislation took it up. So, it's one of those things like we want to be in the forefront of that >> or as one of the starting communities or do we just wait for the state? And again, for me, sometimes it's it's, you know, that balance of if we we can do it here in Ashland, but if it's not being done in the communities around us, >> all that's going to mean is that in 10 years, some of our our retailers will not be selling as much and it could impact their bottom line. Whereas, if we wait until the state does it, then it's for everybody and at some point everyone will just stop selling tobacco, at least here in Massachusetts, because no one [clears

078throat] will be old enough >> and they'll all, you know, so I'm not jumping up and down to do this right now, but you know, >> how other people feel. >> I I just want to say um you know, I feel very strongly about the damage that tobacco um does to people. Um and I I think probably most of us have experienced it in our lives have seen uh people that we love um suffer greatly die in many cases um all related to tobacco use. Uh it's unfortunate that even on the federal level that uh tobacco companies have such um sway that that there's tobacco is still so so available um in our society. um you know but uh it is it is hard to um create something on such a a local level that

079would have such a negative impact too on on some of our business owners in that um I you know I I I struggle with it because I I am someone as an educator believe that education is the best tool for most things and I I know it doesn't always work um but I I think um education is is critical um in in all of these things. Um and it it just feels, you know, I I think the community would be shocked if all of a sudden we were to do this um tonight to vote for this and then, you know, really without any input from the community at this point. Um, you know, I don't know that we've we've tried to other than posting it in our agenda, I'm not sure that we've reached out

080um to folks and to try to get where how they feel about it. >> Yeah. >> And I I would agree with that. I would say that like if if this is something that um that you know the board of health wants to continue to to um to pursue that it that it goes to town meeting. I think that that would be the probably the the um the best venue because at you know then there would be then there would be a public hearing. There would be thorough discussion um you know >> I would have to agree with that as well. I concur. >> So I would recommend that the board of health have a few more public forums before we take it to town meeting. Right. Absolutely. So that it's not just the I

081mean >> I I I wouldn't want it to go to town town meeting without hearing or feeling that the majority of people think it's something that we should support, >> right? >> I think that makes sense. >> Yeah. I think the idea is a is a is a nice idea is a good idea. Um but at the same token, uh I wasn't going to act on this tonight. This is the first time I was brought up to us to have a discussion. that that we're having. But I don't think we should make another decision tonight. There's too many other variables that need to be answered before we go. Again, the numerical uh factor for me is is is to >> need some more data to see what's actually happening in those communities that have enacted

082it >> and and I do think like we >> you know there needs to be a discussion on the state level I think to for this to be something that >> I would feel comfortable with. other other than that like I you know I mean I I I love the idea of you know people stop smoking and and vaping and using tobacco products and nicotine products. I think like from a health perspective that's where we all want to go. Um, I do feel like, you know, it it, you know, it does feel a little to me like, um, and I I'm just going to say this, the morality police, like we are like, you know, it could because because, you know, tobacco is legal in Massachusetts at the age of 21 and our retailers have

083to card and police that, which totally that's what their responsib responsibility is um I feel like it's kind of a slippery slope like how do you say okay well then you know alcohol is available for people that are 21 like how like >> this is exactly what is available for people that are 21 I do feel com I feel more comfortable with having that community discussion and and I think we're all aligned or most of us are aligned in fact that it is a big public health issue and that education is key but if we want to take any further steps than that I think a public discussion is is necessary to understand what that means >> because the impact is big >> and that it's not just tobacco but that it's also vaping, right?

084Because >> vaping is one of the larger issues and that's where we're seeing a lot of young people. >> They are vaping. They're not smoking anymore. They're vaping. >> Well, they're Zin they're using Zen pouches. That's what they're using. It's kind of like glorified chewing tobacco is it just sits in that but that's the Zen is is where it's where where where it is. Well, you know, every every decade there's a new iteration of tobacco products, you know, and they, you know, etc., etc. But that aside, >> I think a public discussion on this is necessary before any any other action. >> Well, >> but thank you for bringing it to us and making >> I appreciate that and I appreciate the video that was that was provided to us. I mean, that's the type

085of information that uh that I'm looking for additional information on that as well. So, um >> Dr. And I and I thank you too. I I you know I think it is it's so important and uh >> you know I don't it's it's very important but it it does feel like we need to have >> you know a good community discussion about it and the thing with that is that a discussion right would help to educate people. So even if it didn't ma win or however you want to frame it after a communitywide discussion, it would have an impact because people would have been maybe learned something or been more thoughtful about it. So um so discussion's important for the education in and of itself. >> This this could be a side note discussion that

086we could have with our legislative representatives at a legislative meeting coming up next week. So, >> and I would also be interested like, you know, we're talking about youth. Um, I know that every year the every year or every other year the high school does um participates in the I think it's the Metro West Health Survey. Um, and has some data with the Yeah. Um, and so it would be interesting to see the trending and the data behind that as far as like what percentage of youth in Ashland are smoking or vaping or using >> using um nicotine products, [laughter] >> whatever whatever those things are. I don't even know what that Zen thing is. But um but it would be good to have that information too because I think that would help um that

087would be that would be good background for us too. >> Absolutely. So thank you Rashid. I appreciate that and I appreciate the efforts from uh the board of health uh bringing this discussion up and I think maybe you folks could continue that discussion and uh maybe set up some public forums to bring that uh bring that to light to the public. >> Yeah. Thank you everybody. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you Raj. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, next on our agenda is old new business and I will turn it over to Claudia and to discuss uh the voting on the BAA and select board uh community fall. So Brandy and Claudia, I'll turn this over to you two. >> All right. Thanks, Joe. So yes, uh Brandy and I

088met um maybe two weeks ago, two weeks ago this Thursday um to to uh talk about, you know, as as probably many of you know, um twice a year we have grants available. Um we have two different uh groups there. There are those who are 501c3 nonprofit organizations um who can apply for a grant. Um that money is raised from our uh BAA runners. So every year we have 25 bibs. Now each runner uh raises $3,000. So that brings us to we have $75,000 a year basically to award to um our 501c3s. Um so you know some samples of our 501c3s are uh many of our uh school and town town actually athletes their organizations um firefighters association um library um the link inclusion neur which is neurodeiversity support for children um the farmers market

089music association emergency fund council on aging uh the the bark park um so so there are many um many many organizations that come to uh they in a uh every in a round of two, we'll say a cycle of two awards, they can apply for and receive up to $6,000. Um no more than $4,000 at at any single one um but for a total of 6,000 for two consecutive um award periods. And so this year, this fall, we had uh 21 requests for uh the under the 501c3 program and we were able to award all of them. Um now one of the rules of our uh policy is that we have to maintain 50% um balance for so whatever we start at we have to maintain 50%. In this instance this year we started at

090about $70,000. So we needed to uh keep the balance at 35,000 after the awards were made. So to do so what we did was we applied a little uh math to it and we awarded all the organizations at a 60% uh request. So if they requested $1,000 then we awarded them $600. Um so so basically we awarded 35 thou uh let's see $34,349.97. our um our balance after that is $35,97587. So um so anyway, so you know we're going forward I think we're going to probably have another conversation. I think we Yolanda has brought it up and um that maybe we need to think about what how much we have the runners raise. It's very popular among our runners there. It's very competitive. um applicants. We're we're into always into a lottery situation because people,

091you know, they most of these other organizations, charitable organizations that they run for, um they're raising 8, 10, $12,000 and more. So, um being able to run for $3,000, um is is certainly a privilege. Um and and we are happy about that. We're happy that we can have our because it ends up going to people that live in our community. Um and and they're able to run in the marathon that goes through our town that originated here. And uh so we we certainly appreciate that, but it's probably a time for discussion. Considering looking at what was requested and what you were able to fund, >> you you weren't able to give anybody the full amount that they wanted. No, we just we did the blanket 60%. We did the prorated werated everyone because of our

092having to keep the balance at half of it. Right. Right. >> Right. So if we raised it to even $4,000, >> it's another $15,000 in funds that we would receive that we could then >> 25,000 >> 25 because there's 25 numbers. >> Yeah. Um that's you know because obviously the need and the ask is getting more and more. >> Yeah. >> Like I'm looking at this list of people who have requested >> and I think this is one of the longest lists I've seen in a while. >> Yeah. >> And there was there was >> and because we've raised the amount that people can ask for in a total year to $6,000, >> not only are more people requesting it, but they're requesting more funds. >> Right. Absolutely. >> Yeah. The total amount requested this

093time around was over $57,000. >> And so, you know, we will have for our spring round, we'll have >> more funds because we'll be at the tail end of the >> fundraising >> um for this [clears throat] year. So, that'll that'll make a difference. Um and we had raised and we had raised that amount ba, you know, basically because we had a lot of money left over, right? Um, and so you know the policy >> catch 22. >> Yeah. And I because before we maxed out at 2500 um >> but twice, right? So they could have gotten $5,000 in a year, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. The amount requested was $64,000. So >> 64. >> Yeah, that's what >> Oh, okay. Yep. So what I would what I would say then is next

094year in the spring after we finish this round we have a discussion so that when we go to do the numbers we're not having the discussion right as the lottery is happening or as we're deciding what to do with our numbers. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. I mean this is the first this is the first grant round where we've had to even >> make any adjustments. Um, you know, our policy generally is if it's a if it's a valid request and they they supply all the necessary paperwork and the how they're using the funds and then receipts from previous um, you know, previous use then, you know, we [music] fully fund and this is the first time we're not going to be able to like fully fund everybody. So, um, and the the prorating is

095good too because then it's that it's equitable, which I think is sort of a a >> right except that if there's an organization that was hope that was like, "Okay, I applied in the spring. I got my I received the $4,000 I applied for and they were looking for the $2,000. Now they're only getting 60% of that. So getting something is better than nothing, but depending on if they've planned their budgets and things like that." So >> Okay. And then um the other grant that we give is um the select board community grant and uh this is a grant that goes to um you know organizations in the town that are not don't do not have 501c3 uh >> status and and what that is is basically it's just a tax status. Um, so sometimes

096you can have a nonprofit organization but doesn't it doesn't have 501c3 status and some of these might even fall into that category. But because they don't have 5013 501c3 status um we do have a separate um award for them they um they can apply for a total of $1,500 over two periods. Um, we in fact had eight requests. We made seven awards um to the tune of $50,000. Can that be that can't be right. Go back to the other sheet. Maybe I didn't copy it right. >> Um, 750,000. Wow. >> Yeah. No, it's 7,000 here. Okay. The amount requested Yeah. was $7,000. >> $7,000 and the we what we had was for a total of $50,000 in that account. That account is um funded by rentals, building rentals um field rentals, just rentals in town,

097not field, just the Warren Center. >> It's it's just um fees in lie of taxes at the Warren Center. >> Just the Warren Center. Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. So, so basically when people go and stay at the Warren Conference Center, we get a percentage of >> right from there from the end and things like that. >> So, it's dependent on how how it it varies from year to year, right? >> So, yeah. So, the total award um for that they were we were able to fully fund those because we did have the $50,000 in um in the account. Um so we awarded $7,07869 and um the one one uh organization that we did not fund was the Ashland Day event committee that that is you know now Joe and a group have um gone ahead

098and filed for 501c3 status. So they'll have that by springtime hopefully. And the other thing is that the select board, if you remember when we decided to um have an Ashel and Dave 2025, um the select board did award that group,00 $1,500. Let me >> grab myself. [clears throat] $1,500. Um so, so in any case, we had a conversation with Joe and he was comfortable with uh >> absolutely >> with our not awarding at this time. >> And if the board decides differently, then we can >> Yes. Absolutely. >> Well, I think Ash I mean I know Ashland Day does more than just Ashland Day. Yeah. >> Um but I think I think >> the organization would be better off and we would be better off if we wait until they have their 5013C status

099back >> which I'm very happy to say >> that I got a letter yesterday afternoon in the mail from the IRS saying that we are certified 5013 usually takes that usually takes six to seven months. >> We got that in three weeks. >> Wow. Must have done it before this the shutdown. It's too bad we didn't do it before before the shutdown. That is exactly what happened. We did it. We did it October. >> Too bad we didn't do it before. Okay. You should have done >> I didn't realize it was going to, you know, take it wasn't going to take that long to be honest with you. So, um I guess uh >> I move that we thank Claudia and Brandy for their work and also approve the funding that they have recommended from

100both the um >> selectman's account >> two different accounts. >> Second on that. Okay. All those in favor? >> I I >> That's 5. And again, thank you very much for all the work that you ladies have done throughout the year. and um which is great. >> I like the new sheet. It looks very easy to understand. So, thank you >> and and thank you to all the runners who um fund all these because it's >> and and good luck to the [clears throat] new runners who are starting to raise their funds. >> So, at at some point after we this discussion is over, but I would assume that at some point we will open up another discussion with respect to what we want to charge bibs. >> I think we should do it in

101the spring. I think we should let this this cycle finish, right? Because we're not going to change it now. People are just starting to fund raise. But I think in the spring after the marathon before we get our new round of numbers, I think we have to decide if because we're getting more people requesting funds because we've increased. I mean, this is why I wanted to do it before we did this round, but people didn't want to support that. I think we need to look at I mean yes it's great that it's Ashlin people and sometimes it's but >> there it's it's a true >> fundraiser >> well one it's a fundraiser but it's a real perk to not to only have to raise $3,000 >> and like I said in our last discussion that

102we had a month or two ago I mean there Hopington Center for the Arts gets 10 numbers they have people from around the country applying for those numbers and they ra they off they ask for $10,000 and they have people raise 11 and 12 and $13,000. Now they only have 10 numbers so they need a little bit more money to be raised >> but I I just think that >> we can raise it at least $1,000 as of next year. Um, one thing that's different though when you say Hopington and people from around the country. >> So if they're come, if they're, you know, raising the money and they're from around the country, then they have a bigger pool of people from whom they're raising. Whereas I agree when we give our uh >> our

103bibs to Ashlin residents, they're in some ways, you know, they're all multiple ones tapping the same people, right? So So it's a little smaller. >> I agree. But if we want to be able to give out more fun more fun. >> I feel like this is going to be a great discussion in the spring. [laughter] >> It will be. >> Yes, >> it will be. >> I don't disagree with you. >> And also, we'll be able to see sort of what the asks are in the spring because what we also saw this time around was that >> I think a lot of people in the spring were only eligible for a smaller amount and then [snorts] this time around they might have been more eligible for $4,000 and they maxed all that, you know, the

104ask the their ask. So, which is totally fine. >> Here's a question. >> Yeah. >> So, if someone applied for $4,000 but didn't get the full $4,000, >> how do we in the spring, are we taking that into account and saying, "Okay, even though they applied for $4,000, they didn't get the $4,000, are we going to let them get $3,000 if they didn't get the full 4,000?" >> Yeah. I mean, you know, we we say it's $6,000 in a full calendar in a calendar in a Yeah. in two cycles. >> Yeah. So, it's like if if um it's what they're and then they're they're eligible for whatever is that you know, >> right? So, all these all these people who applied for 4,000 and didn't get it >> if they should apply again in the

105spring, >> they're going to be able to apply for >> more than $2,000. So, we're going to have to make that clear to them that they can apply up to 6,000 if they didn't get their full 4,000. They're not just applying for 2,000. They might be applying for 3,000 or 3500. >> Well, they can apply what? I'm not sure I followed that, but because they can apply for up to 4,000, right? >> Well, they can apply up to 4,000 once, >> Right. >> Yeah. So, >> but the total cycle for the >> It can't go over six. >> They can't go over six, right? >> So, if they only Doesn't matter what if they applied for four and got three this time. >> So, here's one. They applied for $4,000. Oh, no. They were only

106Hold on. I want to find one. >> I don't know. We can continue to discuss. >> I just wanted to bring that up real quick. So, there will be like Makita said, there'll be some brisk discussions in the spring for sure. for sure. Okay, moving along. Uh, our next item under all new business is uh discuss SNAP benefits, the food pantry and potential needs in the community. I know we briefly hit upon that when when Mark was uh in front of the podium and talking about it and I know that he's a recipient and you know there there are many more behind him that you know that are feeling this crunch as well. So uh Katherine, I'll turn it over to you again. >> Thank you. Yes. So, we touched on it briefly. So, I

107think everybody um is most likely aware that SNAP benefits were um not funded effective November 1st. I think as of this morning, from what I read, um the plan is to partially fund. So, I think it equates to about 50% of the monthly benefit that people would otherwise receive. Um and I think that's where it stands as of this morning. I haven't looked recently. Um, and we did touch on how to help. So, if people are interested in helping, we've put a bunch of information out there on social media. It's on the food pantries uh website as well. And so, you can donate monetarily through the Ashlin Emergency Fund to the food pantry, and there's different ways that they can do that, and that's listed on our website. Uh we also have a list of

108our most updated needs for for goods and so all donations are are welcome whether it's goods, monetary donations, gift cards. Uh we were working uh with the public health director on extra space and so if needed we will make that work. Um and then if there are residents of the community that are in need of utilizing the food pantry that is also on the food pantries website as well. So, [clears throat] um, that that sounds great. Thank you for the update. Um, one thing, um, I've been having conversations with a a bunch of folks here in town and some of my fellow members. Um, one one concern I think is uh especially nowadays there are a lot more families who are put in this position unfortunately than have been before and they may not know

109how to get the information they need to be able to take advantage of these benefits. Is there a plan in place to try to get the word out uh and coordinate these efforts and coordinate this communication so that folks who who need these things know that these this help is available here in town. >> So we are getting the word out um via social media and we can definitely add more to the town manager newsletter as well that will go out on Friday. >> Can we put it through this? Can we ask the schools to send it out as well? Because >> So, we've been in communication with this school and I know that they've um put out information as well. >> They're going to be hitting the families potentially that are in need with

110their flyers and their emails. So, if we can ask them to add it to their communication and maybe even put it on the school website as something because some people may instead of going to the town website, they're going to go to the school website to look for information. Hit them [clears throat] hit them where they're looking for their information potentially. >> Yeah. >> Has there been any work with Mr. Adams? >> Yeah. Has there also been any thought to reach out to even like some of the some of the athletic leagues around town where students are participating to make sure that you know coaches who may know families that are struggling might you know not school-based necessarily but um know that this this resource is available because a lot of those families may not

111up to this point have needed to avail themselves of this kind of stuff. >> Yeah. So we can have um our director of prevention and human services connect. We do have a connection there at the schools that we've been working with. So we can certainly do that and put out more information. >> Yeah. Not not at the schools though. I was talking about the youth sports teams. >> And so what the person that we've been talking to is putting it out to all staff at the schools, the work that we've been doing so far um to let them know what's needed and sort of how people can help and so we can do the same thing. So I I do think that's reaching all school staff including Are you talking outside of school? >> I'm

112talking about outside school. >> I apologize. I misunderstood. >> Most of the youth sports, you know, obviously if you're a parent involved with the youth sports, your kids's probably going to be in the schools. So you're probably going to get that information through, you know, the superintendent. >> I don't think we can make that assumption. I think we need to say look look at all organizations within town that are supporting youth and families and make sure they are aware of this information because we have we have homeschool groups probably that might be doing youth sports but they're not doing it through the schools. So sometimes too coaches know >> what kids need needed help to even be able to play the sport. >> Right. >> Exactly. So, so that might be, but one thing I

113was thinking, we have so many youth sports organizations that we're awarding. Um, maybe with the award letters, we could include uh some information about um if they have families. >> Good idea. >> That's a great good idea. >> And that these are some resources for them. >> Yeah, that that is great. And and I think another thing that uh we could do is I rarely advocate uh for the use of those mobile electronic signs >> except when they're really needed, but they are pretty effective. So if we could craft some kind of message that at least, >> you know, says if you need help, you know, here's the number to call or something to that >> effect. On the flip side of that, seniors. Mhm. >> So, you know, again, there may be some seniors

114at this point, uh, who are falling into this category of needing help and they have to this point have not been aware of all of the things that are available. So, it, you know, it's not just the food pantry, but, you know, the breakfast that the community breakfast that haven't, you know, etc., etc. what lines do. You know, is there some kind of coordinated effort to try to figure out how we can reach seniors who might be falling into some food insecurity? I'm sorry, I'm that that's a term I shouldn't use. Falling into hunger uh right now and may not know where to turn. Um >> well, I mean, I do know like our senior services, you know, they don't just serve, you know, the people who come to the community center. Uh especially over

115the last few years they've made a concerted effort to you know reach out to you know Park Road um you know some of the other income adjusted you know housing situations around town you know through things like informal meeting meet and greets and and things of that information sessions there. >> Yeah. So there is a connection >> there is a connection there. Um, but for folks who aren't in those properties who may be living in their houses and have, you know, basically have fallen into this, maybe they're either newly retired or, you know, semi-retired or some kind of situation where they haven't really even availed themselves of these services, but they found themselves in this spot right now because maybe they got laid out. Maybe they got laid off and they've been involuntarily retired or

116something like that. Is there is there going to be any like mailings going out through the town? Like anything like >> water bills or anything? We might be able to put something. >> Yeah. I wonder if we can do something through um the tax bills that would be going out at the end of the year. I know this is a little little late, >> but and hopefully things will be >> there some kind of resolution. [clears throat] >> Probably won't be fixed though. >> So, not only so a lot of people do not get paper tax bills. I think a lot of people are getting them online >> electronic. Yeah. >> So, as they come online or as they get notified in that email that you know their tax bill is ready can >> I

117mean I think what we're saying is as many ways that we can get this information out the better. >> Yeah. Yeah. And there's been some you know a couple of really good ideas here that will help us with that. Is it is would it be possible to have the flyer that you currently have or if it hasn't been made make up a flyer and talk to the postmaster down at the National Post Office to be able to uh >> give it you know give it to his drivers and goes in each everyone's mail >> unless it has postage they can't put it in the mailbox >> and the postal service can't take it. >> Okay. How about this? if you have some ideas um you know maybe you know if you could send it to

118us you know after you have some time to think you know think about it maybe something [clears throat] I don't know you're probably like me where things will wake you up at like 2 in the morning like oh my gosh >> one other thing I was just thinking do we have volunteers that would be willing to make deliveries of food pantry things >> um I'm thinking of seniors I'm thinking of people that may not be comfortable um >> going there >> going to the food pantry. >> We recently put out an ask for volunteers to deliver food doing just that and we just we have a bunch now. So >> Oh, that's awesome. >> Yeah, the community support has been >> amazing. >> Yeah. I mean, people have been asking people have been asking me,

119I'm sure others too about like, you know, people want to help. Like that's the thing. It's like people want to give all sorts of stuff. And I know like um for instance Craig Morrison who did the Halloween house >> um raised probably a ton of like both financial donations and >> um physical donations to the to the food pantry which is amazing. >> Um I know a simple gesture is another mechanism for for donations. Um, I know we were talking about the whole space issue and and stuff like that and people are very generous, you know. So, um, but people want to be able to help in any way. So, if they do want to if they want to volunteer to drive or do deliveries or whatever to contact our human services. >> Yes. >>

120Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you. One more thing, I I did look at the website and it is there, but you know, it would be really nice if there was a link that you could click and pay, you know, donate. I mean, we need to figure something out to do be able to do that. There's so many more people who would donate. >> And there is a way. It's through um city hall systems. So, you actually have to go to the treasure collector's site and go through there and you can click donate and have it go directly to the food pantry. We should put a link to that. >> We just put that out today via social media and then we can add that to the site as well >> because that

121because I I know we do things electronically. >> Does it does it make sense to go through city hall systems or would it be better to go to the Ashland emergency fund? >> Um I it took us a while to figure out between different permissions and and you know getting working with different people this was the best way. I think a lot of towns use that to collect monies for a variety of things. They whatever >> um you know platform they use for collecting [clears throat] bills basically >> that they also use it for other things. So >> So would that money could that money go to the emergency fund itself as it or how would that how does that money get distributed? >> So you'd have to make your check payable to the Ashlin

122emergency fund if you want it to go to the Ashlin emergency fund. >> Okay. Um, and then if you do a donation through city hall systems and write in the food pantry, that would go directly to the food pantry and that's restricted for food pantry use only. >> Okay. Thank you. The the only other question um or and or concern I have is I know that like with the holidays coming up, people are going to be very generous. Um, and if this situation or if conditions generally get worse, >> you know, after January 1st, you know, I I' I'd like to make sure that we understand like continue to understand what the needs are and continue to be able to get, you know, coordinate messaging and to be able to coordinate any all the other

123logistics that you've mentioned. um you know and and you know uh make sure that we we we still have that plan and we're still have a plan and we're still like executing it in so far as communication and and um and donation collection and such. I I suspect that we may need to to start thinking in those terms in a little bit more longer term outside of this government shutdown particular this specific government shutdown that's >> going ahead. So, just a thought as we proceed. >> And and just thank you for for working so hard to try to make it >> absolutely, >> you know, possible for people in our community to to um to have access to to food. Um you know, we are one of the only food pantries locally that is townun.

124>> Um you know, you have Daniel's Table in Framingham. It's a nonprofit. you have um project just because in Hopington which is also a nonprofit and because we are townun it's it's you know it's um >> Hollist has a town run >> do they >> food pantry >> okay um but just you know it's it's um it's just it thank you for for [clears throat] working so hard to to make it happen so >> and maybe we can ask Adam during the u fall town meeting >> to make the announcement you know when he does all those announcements uh right before the meeting starts. >> When could we >> ask people to bring donations to town meeting? Have someone in front of town meeting. >> Why not? >> I love that idea. >> Before they

125come in, there's some bins there as they check in or something and bring donations to them. >> Make sure I bring my truck. >> Um one thing I think, >> you know, Makita, you you had asked, you know, just kind of like our response and you know, if if it needs to be elevated at all. Um I will say we've already um we're looking to increase um Yushi's hours >> by four hours a week. >> Yeah, four hours a week. So, you know, we are we are trying to ramp up, >> you know, kind of the resources that we put into into that. And by the way, she does an awesome job. >> Who is that? >> She's amazing. Yushi. She works at our our food pantries. She's our food resource coordinator. >> She's amazing.

126>> Great. >> But So we're So we're boosting up her hours to >> Yeah, that that makes sense. >> Good. Are we good with this? Ready to move on. [clears throat] Good dialogue and for a great project for a great great need. Thank you, Ashan. As always, remembering our people first. Uh next is um discuss the special town meeting warrant articles. So, Michael and or Katherine, I will turn it over to the two of you. >> While you're warming up your voices, just to add because Brandy said QR code sort of under her breath over here of what we're talking about. So maybe on the town meeting, the handouts that we print, put the a QR code so people can donate money >> because >> sometimes that's easier for people and it might be easier

127for the um food pantry, right? To handle donations as opposed to >> physical. >> Oh, for sure. >> The physical, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, sorry. Go ahead. I hope you warmed up. >> No, that was good. That was just the right amount. Just the right amount. Um yeah, [snorts] so just uh ahead of town meeting which will be you know the next time that we meet and and you meet as as a body. Um, you know, we wanted to run through the warrant articles and really just let you know of a couple changes that are being made. And then, um, I think what we could do is just, Katherine, if you just want to run through the articles and then we also have to determine who, you know, the speakers are going to

128be for the articles. And so, I've got a suggestion after each one and I'll throw that out. Katherine's done with each one. >> Sure. Uh so looking at the special town meeting with the 17 articles listed um article one is our free cash appropriation. Article two is our budget adjustment >> and Oh nice. That sounds good. Um and uh so I think Cindy and I can handle those if you're okay with with those two. Article three is our property property tax exemption. >> Um and then Joe, you usually >> do that one. Yeah. But >> as always, it's >> okay. >> And get passed over. >> All right. And articles four, five, six, seven, and eight are CBC articles. With article four, there's a motion to withdraw this one. Um and article six, there's also

129a motion to withdraw. That's the town forest acquisition of 11 acres. That's an update. >> And then CPC, you know, Aaron would be uh presenting those. >> Um and then article 9 is the historical commission. That's the acceptance of Mass General law chapter 27273A. >> Um Makita, would you would you want to intro that one? >> Happy to do it. >> Okay. Uh, article 10, this is the acceptance of mass journal law chapter 13812D. This is the alcohol license um with the ability for people to transfer that to all alcohol. >> Brady, would you just because you all I know is doing comp plan. >> Yeah. >> So 10 article 10. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. >> I'll do the liquor. [laughter] >> Sorry. You said that with a smile. >> Yeah. Too bad. Too bad

130I We can't have samples, didn't you? >> Oh, don't even go there. >> No. No. >> Article 11 is our [snorts] bylaw update to our in-law bylaw. >> Probably. I'd say that's Trisha. >> Trisha. >> Article 12. It's our uh bylaw update for the dog kennel bylaw. >> Any takers on that one? I'm willing to >> I didn't dare make a make a recommendation. >> So, >> unless someone else wants it, but >> No, thank you. >> Well, Claudia, if you want it because you don't have one yet. [laughter] [snorts] >> Uh, be quiet. I'll be >> article article 13 is our bylaw to update the municipal tax pay agreement. >> That's got written all over it. >> Perfect. Article 14, except the Donnelly gift parcel. So, this is the one that will be removed

131and >> so it's withdrawn here, but then >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So, should should someone say that like should >> you know, I think the question is, you know, do you want to let Rob speak to these the you know, for 14 when it gets moved over to the other one and 15 um meaning the other warrant or, you know, [snorts] You want to say something? >> Well, would it be good like maybe Claudia is the one who says we're withdrawing it here and it's going to the special town meeting after the special town meeting >> or would Rob do it? >> I think it's it it would be good if we do it because it says select board. >> Yep. Well, Claudia can withdraw it and >> Claudia can withdraw it. >> Yeah.

132And introduce >> introduce it during the next one. >> During the special. Yeah. >> Thanks, Claudia. Article >> Article 15, the acceptance of conservation restriction. >> Yeah, Rob, have Rob explain that one. >> He's the one. I mean, ultimately the board will need to need to sign it, but it's got to go to town meeting first. >> Yeah. >> Article 16 is the endorsement of the comprehensive plan envision Ashland. And article 17 is a citizen petition, the Elon Musk resolution. >> Are they withdrawing or are they >> um I can speak to that if you >> I was about to say it. Is that coming up in correspondence? >> It it >> Okay. >> Well, it's not coming up in correspondence. I've talked to him over the phone um with respect that I did email

133him uh this morning, but I haven't got a response back from him. Um his he would like a subcommittee. We can discuss that at a later meeting. And I told him we couldn't do that tonight because it's not part of our agenda. And he didn't have a problem with that. I said, but just understand our meeting is after the fall tile meeting. I said, so you need to withdraw that on tile meeting floor and we will have that discussion in December. And he was okay with that. >> You're welcome. Now, we'll have to Will there have to be a motion to withdraw it or can he just stand up and say >> we're withdrawing it? >> Could could tell Adam? >> I would say I would say we should tell Adam. He should, well, not

134us, but >> there should be a >> someone from the citizen petition should let Adam know that they're going to be withdrawing it and then Adam can just do it because >> I would hate for them to stand up to withdraw it and then there'd be people like >> we don't want to withdraw it or you know there'd be discussion or debate or something. >> Yeah. And I think you would have to open up dis you would have to open up you'd have to make a motion to be a motion to discuss, right? So if it's just Yeah. It's just >> Yeah. Okay. >> [snorts] >> So that's where we're at. >> And then if we move to the second special town meeting of the night, there's one warrant article and that's the acceptance of

135the Donnelly gift parcel. >> Do we have to wait for this first warrant uh to be completed before we go into the special special town meeting or could we do it at that point in time when that warrant article comes into play? I think the discussion has to happen during the second one. >> During this >> I would think that if we're withdrawing it during the first special town meeting that that there's because there won't be a motion to to discuss, right? You have to open you have to make a motion and second it to allow discussion. So if it's being withdrawn, you can't have discussion because there's no motion to discuss. >> Yeah. And so then we have to close the we have to close the first town meeting, open up the second town

136meeting and then have the discussion. >> Yeah. I I don't you know I don't know for sure. We need to check with Lisa I think on that. But um because I do think there you can similar to what happens here sometimes with hearings. You know you could suspend the first town meeting, open up >> the second special town meeting. You know conduct your business close that one and then >> and then close I suspend. So, will Lisa work with Adam and then to figure out this? >> I feel like once we know that like next week we need to have >> like let's sit down and do a a you know a five minute or two minute this is what's going to happen at town meeting. It's going to be a little bit different. >>

137Y >> um but let's let people let's prepare people that this is what we're doing so they don't get there and go what are you doing? >> Yeah. And um so I would say like are we gonna plan to have to post a meeting before town meeting >> like for for us so that we can >> six o'clock >> and then that would be helpful. >> Yeah. >> Does that work for everybody? Six o'clock. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Just one that was going to be something I was going to bring up with the board my board report but saying that we're talking about it now on the 19th. And also like um could we make sure that we get some something in writing from Rob >> that it's going to be that they're going to

138withdraw because >> if if it's not withdrawn I would um I would probably recommend that um in that meeting that six o'clock meeting before town meeting that our board discusses it if we want to take a position on it as a board. So, >> I think that makes sense. >> That makes sense. So, >> um good approach, >> but but you know, we I think if if he can send something in writing saying that they're going to withdraw it, that would be >> I'll take care of that tomorrow. >> Thank you. >> I I I have like an operational question about town meeting. >> So, like I noticed that like before people speak, they give their address. Is that required? >> Because I'd like to not do that going forward. that is um >> um

139>> you know it's something that used to be >> right >> when I checked ages ago right uh but it might have changed. >> Yeah. How can we >> can we check with Lisa on that? >> Yeah. Can we check that? Like >> um I just think it because we televised this on on cable and it's on the internet, people giving their addresses just out there makes it a lot easier for people to be harassed. >> I agreed. >> And I think that's something we need to change. People are getting checked into town, meaning they're being verified as voters. There's no real reason for them to not to I mean they can affirm that they're an Ashlin resident. I think that's enough for that gathering, but I'd like to see that practice ended if we

140can. >> It's a good good point. >> Okay. >> All right. We good with that? >> Any other questions or comments? We good? AI says a lot of things. [laughter] >> Guess the only other thing I would say is you can put anyone's name into Google and I mean I understand they're being they're saying it out loud and stuff. >> It makes it easier and it it a lot of folks avail themselves of data scrubbing um services at this point. So you can't do that. Um, so if someone's going to the trouble of doing that and then they're required to actually say it in a forum where somebody could use that information, >> right? The only thing is that people who are not registered voters and who do not live in Ashland can go into

141town meeting >> in a specific not anymore. >> No, you get a different colored card or you get a card when you register for town meeting. If you come into town meeting and you are a registered voter, you get a specific colored card, >> right? >> So, anyone can come in to town meeting. >> Mhm. >> So, they're not >> so they can show their card. >> Yeah. >> You know, to verify that they're a voter. >> Yeah. Let's >> Let's get some clarification from Lisa on this. >> Yeah. But >> Okay. Um I think We were at C, so I think the next one's D. >> Uh, yeah. Correspondence. >> No, sorry. My bad. >> Yep. Consent agenda. I'll entertain a motion towards No. >> What? I'm sorry. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Authorization of

142the performance I'm sorry, >> I got my short eyeballs in authorized [clears throat] the town manager's performance incentive payment uh per the employment agreement. Um, this is just for total transparency of of the contract that we have. We talked about it. Um, and it's been agreed upon. So, it's that time of it's that time of year to to acknowledge that. And this was after the uh evaluation. And there was a percentage uh going on to the agreement that we made with the town manager on his uh collective bargaining agreement and different um the total number of uh points that he got on his evaluation maybe what was it was it 4.5 or something like that that we I'm trying to remember what the total value to >> 4.22 22 >> point. Thank you. >> Say

143I don't I don't quite remember. It's been >> I know. I know it was a little higher than four, but okay. 4.22. >> I move that we authorize the payment per the employment agreement. >> There a second. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> Thank you. >> We're good. Thank you. >> Continue the good work. Okay. Now I can go to discuss elements correspondence. >> One of the uh [clears throat] one of the issues that I have with some of the uh emails that we received uh could weigh heavy into human resources and potential issues when it came to an employes lack of response. So, my response to the individual that was questioning permits, >> an employees lack of response, >> was that something sent to everybody? >> No, it

144wasn't. No. So I think I think I think the just to kind of backtrack a little bit the the genesis of this is that the emails that are sent to the select board right >> email address that >> um you as chair respond to >> we do not see the responses >> right >> so the thought was that the responses go to Susan so they can be put in our packet so we can just see what >> how things are responding how you're responding responding to things, >> right? >> And and that >> okay, >> you know, like that was the what that >> Yeah. So, I think a couple years ago, actually, after I came on the board, I asked for some way to know what >> right that someone has responded. >> Someone

145has responded because I'd had the experience, >> right? You've been trying to figure out the best way to do it. >> So, >> yeah. >> Um, in any case, and that was decided that we would receive PDFs of responses. And so I think that this is >> and that could be a violation of open meeting laws if everybody got the same notific the same PDF files to everybody. >> How is that a violation of open meeting law? All you're doing is disseminating information. We're not responding. We're not voting. We're not Who Who told you it could be a violation of open meeting law? >> It's it's it's a fine line. I thought I thought Lisa had said >> that's what Lisa said to Jeff >> that we could get around open meeting law by putting

146it in the packet and then making sure we >> Well, if we put it in the packet, it becomes possibly public record, right? >> Well, >> which is fine. >> Yeah. And and that's okay, but um I will ask Lisa again, but she was pretty >> Well, what did Lisa say, Joe? >> She said it's a fine line between an open meeting law violation and >> and potential if >> just talk a little closer to your microphone. >> If the emails that we receive and that I respond to um [clears throat] is a direct result of somebody not happy with the performance of an employee that could end up possibly becoming a human resource. I think we're talking about two different things here, right? Because you It sounds like you're >> But I'm responding I'm

147responding to an email from a resident >> but directly to you. >> Yeah. We didn't get >> and the rest of the board did not get copied. >> Okay. And so I think I think what you're trying to get at is the only things that you wanted essentially to be a part of this discussion or you know part of the packet were emails that were sent to the select board in the response the select board email and the response >> even if that response is so like if this would be my suggestion >> okay >> is if an email comes through sometimes the emails need some research and to figure out like you know what the clarification is or how to respond. But my my suggestion would be an email comes through within a certain

148period of time, a few days or whatever, there's a response to that person that says here's the information you requested or I need to do more research >> or thank you for your email and we'll take it under consideration >> and and like >> so you know we can do and then then those emails however we resolve it get sent to Susan. as part of our information that we get in our backup. >> And it could and and if there's multiple ones, they could be put in the folder as correspondence response, >> right? >> Yeah. >> In the folder. >> Yeah. And it and if there's stuff that's that's sensitive information, obviously like everything else in our packets, it would get redacted before >> things get posted. I mean, I get individual emails from people,

149but >> Yeah. >> Well, some if somebody's emailing you then >> directly, right, then it's a right. But when it's to the select >> Oh, no. I I agree. I'm just like because Joe's bringing up an email that he received directly to him that none of us >> it was directed as the chair of the board of select. >> Right. Right. So, as the chair, I feel that I'm responsible to provide you folks any and all responses that I provide somebody if it's if it's directed to the chair. >> And if you don't, >> I think I think that's fine. That's fine. >> Okay. Well, that's what I've been doing. So, as a result of that, I was told that I need to be very careful because it could be it there could be ramifications

150down the road. >> Yeah, I I think you might want to think about that because that would potentially open up any of your one-on-one or I'll I'll just I don't want to say private, but you know, one-on-one communications. I mean anything >> start with if it was addressed to the select board >> selectboard mass.com >> that's it >> go >> okay >> I mean >> anything in our select board emails right which is why you want to do stuff like that in your select board email not a personal email >> is available right if someone says we want to hear you know all the correspondence you had with Joe Smith about this issue >> Paul Carpenter has access and can go into our town emails Yeah. >> And look for that stuff. >> If there's

151a public record, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Right. Not just Yeah. >> So, and if there's things that we do need to like discuss, then you know it gets put on an agenda, right? You know, >> right? If there's something >> Okay. So, basically then the correspondences that I have other than um well, again, they're all they all came individually to me except for one >> at this point. Why don't at this point why don't you look through them and see which ones went to all of us >> and then give them to Susan and ask her to forward the ones that went to all of us >> and other ones and if there are other ones that you feel you need to talk to us about >> y >> that we need to be

152aware of unless they're personnel issues >> well they could become that's the thing >> but that's where we have to be careful because we as select board >> do not have any purview over personality issues. >> No, I I know that. That's why >> um Okay. So, I think we got a good path. >> I think so, too. I thought before, but >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, that's it. >> We're good. >> I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> No oppos. Thank you for those who have stepped up to >> Yep. >> run. >> Uh, next is the town manager report, update on the Trey board meeting and the housing production plan and municipal improvement act empowerment act,

153I'm sorry. >> Sure. Um, so yeah, uh, just the update on the tri board meeting. You know, obviously we met um you know, a couple weeks ago, had a good discussion, I think, about the financial situation for 2027 and just kind of the initial outlook and kind of laid out in broad terms how we got to this point and some of the things that we've done to stave off the, you know, predicament that we find ourselves in now. Um and so what came out of that meeting is we're going to assemble again on December 10th and we'll figure out the you know the exact we might have come up with a time. I think we did. I don't remember it. Do you remember it right off the top of your head and I want to

154say 6:30 >> or was it six? >> You said 6:30 or 7. >> Okay. >> They're going to meet early. >> Correct. >> Okay. And then um so we'll have a discussion then and so I've had an opportunity to talk to each of you uh since that meeting just to ask what you feel like you need for that uh December 10th meeting. And so we you know the majority of you talked about having different options to discuss. And when I talk about options, you know, basically what would it look like if we did go for an override of a certain amount, you know, and what would the consequences be of that, you know, positive and negative? Um what if we just had something that, you know, covered the deficit, you know, what are the pros

155and cons of that? And then similarly like let's look at an option where we needed to make cuts and understanding that we needed to talk about that very delicately because obviously no decisions will have been made by this point um you know how to basically talk about some of the consequences and ramifications of of cuts um in enough terms where people could get kind of an understanding of what that means without dealing with hard edge specific specifics. Um, and so that's what we plan on presenting. Um, our, uh, department head budgets are due on November 20th. Um, I'd like to get, uh, the information for the tri board meeting to you uh, the Friday before the tri board meeting. So, um it's going to be a fun holiday season for uh for the finance team

156as we start putting things together. Um I will say that I've I've had a couple conversations with Jim since the meeting and um you know he is asking his team to put together a couple of different scenarios as well. Uh so hope I I don't know exactly what the timing is. I think that was still being refined, but you know, we should have some more information there. And um yeah, I I've met with the finance committee since the tribe board meeting. They um um you know, they are obviously very interested in the discussion on the on the 10th as is the school committee. Um, yeah, it's it's going to be interesting. Okay. Um, >> I'm sorry. I'm just I'm just writing down. >> So, let's move on to the housing production plan. >> Okay. >>

157Um, so I believe in your packet >> uh just was uh some email correspondents about us moving forward and starting our housing production plan. Uh we're in a very good situation because um our current plan expires in May of 26. Um and um we are able to work with JM Goldson who has you know been working with us on the comprehensive plan and we're able to really kind of compress the time frame because of the previous work that they've done on the comprehensive plan as well. >> What's the contract cost for this? >> I want to say it is 50. >> Okay. I could be wrong. Don't I don't have that right in front of me. Yeah, definitely. >> Is that Is that a fair assessment on what it would cost to get this done?

158>> Yeah, I believe it was actually a little bit more when we went with MAPC for the last one. >> Okay. >> Well, I feel like we had to do a little bit more. >> There was a lot more work to be done. >> I believe it had just expired. Yeah, >> it was during CO and there was some other things that we had to do that made that our second one a little bit more. >> We broke it into two parts too when we did with MAPC, you know. Um >> but um so just to kind of give people a sense of what the housing production plan is and does. Um, you know, the purpose of it is to to stay in safe safe harbor, excuse me, in safe harbor >> um once our

15940Bs are possibly permitted and um you know, it allows us to it allows us to to continue to stay in safe harbor as long as we're making progress towards. >> Right. So, take take one step back, right? You create a housing production plan to talk about what you think you're going to be able to do on a yearly basis to get to your 10%. >> Correct. >> And then once you have that, as long as you're meeting the goals that you've put into your housing production plan, it then allows you to be in safe harbor. >> Thank you, Yoland. >> That was much better than what I said. [laughter] >> So, thank you. Um, >> I've been doing it a little bit longer and so >> well I'm also kind of brain dead at this

160point tonight. >> Um, so but um you know the housing production plan that we did back in COVID um has you know is only good for five years, right? And then once we get this and this is like a public process, >> there'll be public forums and opportunities for people to weigh in on on things. Are they looking to um utilize a lot of the information that they did on the comprehensive plan? >> Yeah, it's actually we're in I think a really good position because now it's talking about okay really it's going to be focusing on amplifying the strategies that are in the comprehensive plan related to housing. So it it's it's like supercharging that you know that I just had one or two questions unless people of other just general. So you're talking about

161who's involved. I know in the past we've had we sort of created a committee. Someone from the select board was part of it. Uh do you feel like you don't need that as part of this process or or or you know I saw that there was you've already had a team start working with Goldson it seems like on some of this. So, I'm just I just want to make sure we keep I know I know there's a public meeting scheduled potentially in February. No, in in January. I think we had one or two last year and I mean the last time we did it and the before that we had a couple more. Are we feeling like the one is going to be enough because of how much is coming from the comprehensive plan? >>

162Yeah, there there's a lot of lot of stuff in there, a lot of questions. Um so I think you know and to answer your latter one yes you know we feel like there was a lot of so much public participation um you know and a lot of it was focused on housing and opinions on housing. So if definitely feel like we have met that standard. >> Okay. Um, you know, one thing I do want to point out is that, uh, I think part of this process, uh, Goldson will be, um, talk interviewing each of you, would like to interview each of you as part of this, as well as members of the planning board. Um, as well, just to kind of get get your thoughts and take on it. >> Yeah. Um, I'd actually like

163to get a little bit I I see the phases and what's going to happen in each phase, but I'd actually like to like to see the statement of work or to see exactly what the deliverables are from Golton. Like what are we expecting them to do as opposed to what our staff will be doing as opposed to what we'll be doing, you know, to support. I just want to be very clear on like what I want to make sure my expectation like what what am I really expecting here from the consultants? And I think it would be helpful. I think I think that level of transparency would be helpful in general just for everybody to know as we embark upon this process. >> Okay. So like what are we getting? >> Yeah. What are we

164getting through this? >> What are we getting from $50,000? >> But we I think it would be helpful for people to know what effort specifically goes into those sort of things. Um and what we should expect um as we're going through this process >> for sure. >> And I just would like to just kind of review a little history here. So, um, previously we would have if we aren't we had a housing production plan, right? That would have gotten us into safe harbor had we met those goals yeartoear. >> Correct. So, >> but we didn't make them because basically of two projects. >> That is correct. >> Right. So, >> and well, it's interesting. We did get a year of safe harbor out of um you know the UGC >> UGC >> project uh but

165because it was in litigation it fell off and so we didn't get that extra second year >> right and we would have and the same then with pawn street is that true >> we would have gotten yeah some safe harbor so we had a plan to keep us from being in the situation that we're currently in u in terms of you know, correct unbridled house housing development. Um, and but we weren't able to meet the goals for reasons beyond our none of our beyond Yeah. totally beyond our control. >> We did everything that we could, >> right? >> Um, in order to set ourselves up to better control like development that happens in town. >> Um, it's just the private sector didn't uh follow suit this time. So, but it's interesting, Claudia, you know, it's

166such a it's such a good tool that communities have. Um, you know, Ashland, for some reason, didn't have one until 2016. Um, and so, you know, that was the first year we did it. Uh, and then we were able to count Cirrus, um, the 10% that we had in Cirrus, that gave us two years of safe harbor. Um, and then you know we did gymnastics. Pete did gymnastics to do >> the last couple years of that first production housing production plan that we did. >> Yeah. So what was going to happen was the UGC project was going to be permitted after our first one had expired. And so Pete flipped it around to where um he was able to do that and still maintain like full transparency, full hearing process and everything to where we

167were able to get credit that one-year credit for UGC even though we had hoped to get two. >> And we're still waiting. >> Yeah, we're still waiting on >> we're still waiting for the judge's decision. though it was made in February. We still haven't received a written decision. >> Did Did they make a decision in February? No. They they did more hearings and stuff, but they still haven't made a decision. >> There's been no decision, right? >> That's why we're still waiting >> for UGC. Okay. So, Okay. Um and then um so the last item that's printed I just did have one more after that but um so the Municipal Empowerment Act was refiled by the governor. Um, if you are a true municipal nerd, um, you know about this bill very much. Um, and

168just all of the tools that it gives municipalities. uh everything ranging from giving towns the ability to find utilities for double poles um to extending the borrowing term for certain projects which would provide financial relief and you know be much more in line with how long capital uh you know projects go along. Um you know I included as part of your packet just a summary of everything that's in it. Um >> summary >> it is there's a lot of stuff in there. Um and so uh the governor's office had asked me over the weekend if I would be willing to testify um as part of a contingent of uh municipal leaders um on t on the Tuesday, not this past weekend. So last last weekend um and so testify this last Tuesday, this past Tuesday.

169Um uh so I I did that and um >> Did you go into the state house? >> Yeah, I went to the state house. I you know I should say it was in front of the committee on municipalities and regional government which um Jack Lewis co-chairs along with Senator Becca Roush. intimidating group of people tell you but um no it was a it was a very good good discussion very you know obviously after we give our testimony they ask us questions etc etc but um it's really interesting you know I kind of keyed in my testimony on on this concept of empowerment and giving communities choice and that it's interesting that that is a theme that's coming up more and more as we talk about things like MBTA communities law we talk about 40B you

170know things where >> you know yeah where you know municipalities have no choice necessarily so this is a good opportunity to kind of advance that >> so there is the expectation that they're going to try and bring this out and vote it by the end of this um term >> that'd be great that would be Great. So they wouldn't have to refile. Um >> we'll see what happens though. [clears throat] >> Be nice to be able to charge >> every source with all those double polls would probably reduce the uh deficit. >> Just remember though it's it's it's there's a process and they get so many days and and I think they've extended the number of days before you can start charging or I mean that's that's been quite a discussion how how long before

171you can charge a um a utility for the double poles. How many years have we been requesting those? >> Oh, we've been talking about double pole issues for years and not just here but across the Commonwealth. So, >> yeah, believe it or not, double polls was um the feature, you know, >> oh my gosh, every they had a whole like sub panel on >> Oh my word. >> Yeah, we know how we know how >> um >> and then uh before I get to my last item, Katherine, did you have anything? >> No. Um yeah, and so the last last thing is um you know as Makita walks in, I just I want to you know on behalf of of the staff and everybody just um acknowledge and the passing of your brother um Sydney

172Warren and you know our condolences um to you and your family. Um you know a lot of people don't know this, Makita does. Uh I I worked for SETI for a while before coming to Ashland and um I was thinking of just a couple of stories just one you know he was he was mayor in Newton from 2010 to 2018. >> Yep. >> Yeah. And um so one thing from like a management perspective um one thing I learned is just the importance of assembling all your department heads and every morning he would have us like all of us in his office um and just kind of going around and checking in. Um, fortunately he had a very big office. Um, and uh, he um, you know, it was uh, it's something that to this to

173this day like I remember I meet with our department heads every other Monday, you know, not as not as often but we meet for longer and then also meet with our staff and then so that was more on the management end. And then, you know, just on more the human end. Um, you know, we didn't get to work closely together a lot, but I remember one time I actually got into just a little bit of a fender bender and I was actually late to that 9:00 a.m. meeting. And oh man, I came in, I thought I was going to get chewed out because I didn't think he had he had heard, but he had already heard. And I mean just the level of concern on it. It was just like a switch. Like he went

174from kind of like serious to like all of this empathy and you know like are you okay? You know how's how's everybody? How are you all doing and everything and it just um you just really saw the the human aspect of him. So um you know he was a dedicated public servant for many years as an appointed and elected official and um you know Makita just uh I know you you were twins and you had you know that that relationship and um yeah um our condolences. >> Thank you Michael. Uh really appreciate that. You all set? >> Thank you. >> Well, well said. I think we all feel the same way. Makita, uh, board reports. Michelanda, >> a couple things that I've attended. Uh, MAPC had their fall council meeting last week and as a

175representative for Ashland, I was able to go to that. And what was very nice was the new executive director is Lizzie Wyatt, who has been the uh, assistant and has had other roles. So, it was nice to sort of see her step up uh after Mark Dayson has retired. That was a and it's always a great way again in person to connect with other people who are doing similar work that we're doing. Uh then this morning I sat I have a MMA policy committee and our discussion was TOPA which is tenant opportunity to purchase apartments. >> It's uh something that there's a coalition that's trying to get this into the house and senate. There's bills already but hasn't had much traction yet. It was something that was presented to the um Governor Baker as part

176of the housing process that he was working on before he stepped before he he was done. He actually vetoed it because it does remove some of the rights from land owners as they go to sell their property. And I can forward the bill on to people if they're interested in it. Uh to let you know about that. Couple things coming up. senior breakfast tomorrow morning at the community center. Ashton High School has their play coming up this weekend. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I saw advertisement for that. Uh Metro West Regional Collaborative meeting uh on Zoom at 8 a.m. on the 20th. I'll see you all at town meeting on the 19th. And then Michael, you shared your your story about STI Warren and uh I met him once. I think it

177was either 2015 or 2016. There's an organization called Governing that does stuff across the country and they would come to Boston and do these in-person sessions and I was still learning how to be a select board member and I remember going to one and said he gave a session and I remember sitting in on his session and I don't know exactly what it was about but afterwards I went and chatted with him because the information that he get was it was very informative and he saw that I was from Ashland and he asked if I knew you. Um, and I didn't know you at the point at that time, but we had a nice little conversation and I just felt like he was very informative and I think I would, you know, give my condolences,

178but he was someone who really shared his knowledge with people and was very giving of his time and energy. And it's, you know, again, condolences to your family, but it's a loss to our community as well. That's all I got. >> Thank you, Nikita. >> Yeah. Hi. Uh, so a couple of things. Um, first off, thank you Yolanda for your remembrance of my brother. It was very, very beautiful to hear. I'll say a few words about him when I wrap up my board report. Um, so I was at the corner spot closing. It was awesome. It was fun. Um just one of those incredible days and events where you got to really experience the beauty of community here in Ashland. So great job uh corner spot closing folks and um just another great year. I

179also want to extend my thanks to the Ashlin Indians where uh Claudia and myself had a chance to uh attend their Diwali celebration and uh that was a really great time with some really great music, some great dancing and some awesome food. [laughter] So uh we had a wonderful day there. You can fill in the rest there, Claudia. Um I do just want to acknowledge first off thank you so much uh to everyone who has reached out about my brother's passing. Um I have I have not felt uh the the arms of the community around myself and my family uh held so tightly and and so genuinely um uh it is I' not felt it's like like this before this but um I feel uh very held up and supported by this wonderful community. Um,

180I'm not going to say too much about SI because I'm going to say a few things about his him at his wake tomorrow uh between 4 and uh 7 in Newton, Massachusetts at Newton City Hall. Uh and then his uh funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning um at our ladies uh in Newton. Uh, but I will just say that people were asking me today, you know, my goodness, you just lost your brother unexpectedly on Sunday and you're going to come down here and do your select board meeting. And I said, you know, of course I'm going to come down here and do a board meeting. Um, you know, this is in my way a way to tri to to uh pay tribute to him. Um, he was in my mind the consmate

181public servant. Um, I recall back in 2010 when he got sworn in, six weeks after that, my father passed away suddenly and he continued to serve the people of Newton. And likewise, I can't think of any place I'd actually rather be tonight than here at Slakeboard serving the people of Ashlin. So um thanks again for your wonderful words and um uh thank you for your wonderful heartfelt uh comments, gestures and actions. So >> thank you Makita. >> Thank you. Um, you know, Makita, I I did not have the pleasure of ever meeting SI. Um, um, but I certainly had knew of him. Um, and in reading his obituary, I realized that I really wish he was somebody I had known. Um, but I'm I'm glad that I do see a lot of him in you,

182I think. >> Thank you. >> And so, uh, so I'm I'm grateful that I know that part of him. And yes, we did go to Diwali together. I did. [laughter] >> You know, it's just um it's it's always very very fun and it's uh just so vibrant and uh festive and you know, just even the clothes and everything, the food, everything is just so rich um of their culture. So I uh I I really enjoyed that. Um, you know, I just had a couple of things. Um, the, you know, I expected that 40B was going to be on here. I thought we were going to have that as a standing, uh, thing on the on our agenda. Um just I know that people are still waiting for the D and the EPA to respond um

183to the questions and um you know I just think that's something that we just need to continue to um you know I mean we need to get those questions answered from them. I I don't know is there some kind of pressure we can put on them or >> Yeah. So um I can give you a brief update. I think what came in today is I believe Lisa Thuitt from EPA had addressed the questions and Jasmine I believe was in the process sent an email tonight um of of putting those updating the website with with those answers. >> Okay, that's that's awesome to hear. Thank you very much. I >> and you know I know that these things weigh on you as well. Um so it's unfortunate then when they have to kind of drag on.

184Um you know it as we get ready for our conversation on the 10th um it it strikes me that we need to be better at at communication and engaging the public. And I'm not sure and I mean I know we think we talk about that a lot. Um, but when I think about the whole 40b thing and I think, you know, there's going to be so many people going to be surprised, right? And and on some level it's like, well, how can you be surprised? You know, there's been a relatively fair amount of communication about that, but it is reality. And I think that um as we go forward in in terms of conversations about the future of the town and the economics and that I think we need to make sure that we find

185um some ways to to to really get down into the uh in the homes of people so that it becomes part of their conversation and understanding at at their dinner tables. And and one thing I wondered about too, I think at one point we were looking at some of the comparative uh comparisons that could be made among towns and I think the Collins Institute was supposed to get us some information. >> We are we making progress on that? >> Yeah. Do you have a I know we talked about it a couple weeks ago. >> Yeah. So there's two phases. So the first phase, the final um draft should be to us in November, so this month. And then phase two, our first draft should be to us this month as well. So, more to come.

186>> Okay. All right. Good. Because I think it's it's important that we have that information. Um and then um do we have any any when will we have final numbers from the state from this year? >> FY 26 or 27 the one we're planning for. No. 26 for for >> we we already got the final numbers. >> We do in terms of free cash and all that. >> No, no, I thought you meant like the final state aid numbers. Um, no free cash. >> Um, I don't know. I mean, it I'm expecting it soon. I mean, it was submitted last week. It should >> Yeah, I would hope by the end of the week. >> We have to have it for town meeting, right? It has to be certified before town meeting. >> Well, that

187Yeah. I mean, for us to make the appropriations >> because if we don't have it certified before town meeting, we can't make the appropriations, right? >> Correct. >> So, you expect it sometime next week or >> hoping by the end of this week? >> Yeah. I mean I so we're hoping for around [clears throat] you know I think three million. So >> how much are we suggest that we >> three remember we had the ARPA funds that flow through >> oh right we used ARPA funds to flow through so we wouldn't lose Okay. >> Okay. And um that might take some more explanation again too, right? That that whole process with the ARPA funds. >> Oh, it could. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um and let's see. I guess the only other thing is that it just

188I meant to ask for the Valentine estate to be put on this meeting [snorts] and property, but um maybe we could get that on the next meeting that we have. Sure. All right. I think that's uh that's all for me. I know sometimes I end up asking questions during this, but sometimes I don't know when to jump in other times during the meeting. So, >> it becomes sort of a opportunity for me to clarify some things. I I was kind of interested actually. I thought we might have a discussion after we um had um in terms of the the tax rate and the split tax and thing. I thought we might have a little discussion when we when we seconded it. But in any case, um I I just uh was a little bit curious

189about, you know, how much of a negative impact that is to businesses and, you know, we have so few in town. Um what what businesses would it really negatively impact? >> Are you talking about the shift? >> Yeah, the split if you had a >> well it would impact all businesses. Um, you know, I think what Don, you know, what's in your packet is what the, you know, for the average valuation, >> right? But I'm, you know, I was thinking, you know, if we're if well, on one hand, $96 for the average homeowner might not seem like a lot, but if if we end up talking over, we're talking going to get $400, but now maybe we could reduce it to $300, that maybe that's a conversation worth having. um you know so >> could

190be I mean I think you got to think you know the alternative is is the >> what does it do to our business owners right and absolutely that would be something I'd want to more fully understand what businesses are we talking about do I care if Kitty Fenwell um you know maybe maybe not if they pay more I'm not sure that I >> well the thing is is are they going to be paying so much that they look to leave And so then if that's the case, then you you almost have that law of unintended consequences where now you're going to have even less of the commercial to absorb, you know, the tax burden and so more of it gets shifted onto the residential side. So >> I I understand. I just, you know, think

191maybe sometimes we should have those conversations and >> you know, >> I mean I I I And I I don't want to I'll just say this. I think now I'm not going to rain on your parade. All I'm going to say is that I' I'd like to kind of start that. I'd like to get a little bit more clear understanding of what our options are going forward for next year in so far as what we talked about tonight. I'm actually really curious about if there's any way to um focusing on apartment buildings, seeing if they can like more like more than 30 units. there's some way to be able to to collect to shift some of that burden there because just so that we can pay for the folks who are in those apartment buildings

192more effectively, but I don't want to get into that kind of policy discussion right now, but I I'd love to kind of explore some options >> real quick on that. Um, in November, MMA put out the fiscal report that they had. Then there was discussion of how can we instead of just, you know, getting rid of two and a half or doing One of the discussions that they're looking at is how can we tax rental property, large apartments differently than regular residential and as commercial. So there's they're looking it's a discussion that's already starting at certain levels at the MMA because for apartments to your point right if we could tax them they're I mean yes they're residential but they're actually commercial for some communities you don't want to do a split tax rate because

193it's not enough but they are not true residential >> right >> so how can you add a third a third thing to potentially tax them differently that's what the discussion is happening at certain levels at the state. >> Yeah. >> Make a new classification under >> or with potential potential uh communities can opt into that as an option >> as an option. But it's being discussed. >> That's exciting and that's exactly what the kind of conversations that would like I'd like to see here. I know that other municipalities are looking at apartment buildings be you know charged at a commercial rate. I don't know if that's the answer. I think there was a proposal, the Boston City Council discussed something similar to that a couple of weeks ago and and I don't know where that

194went, but I don't know if that's the answer, but I think something that the MMA, as you described, Yolanda, might be something more interesting to explore and I'd like us to take a look that. So, thank you. >> Absolutely. Brandy, >> you're up young lady. >> Are you all set? >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, just a couple quick things. one um just wanted to thank the Ashlin Farmers Market for um they wrapped up their season. Um we did our last round of select board office hours that day. >> Um so >> yeah, it feels it feels like >> feels like forever. >> It feels like forever ago. Um, [laughter] >> so that brings us to our um annual discussion of do we do office hours in a different location and when that would be, you

195know, like so think about that. Um, you know, we don't have to talk about it tonight, but like, you know, maybe there's an event or maybe there's something where we can plug into it. There's going to be the the Thanksgiving farmers market. I don't know if we want to sit out there for a few hours. It might be cold, >> but it might not. >> Depending on the weather. >> The other thing that we use that we did last year was we were at the library when they had their book sales on the first of the month. >> So, we could look at that. >> Um, holiday stroll. We're looking at potentially there was something we were going to do during the holiday stroll. I forget what discussion we had about something during the holiday

196stroll. >> We talked about that last time I remember. >> But not select board meeting. I would put something else. >> More about was it was it getting feedback on like a potential >> oh in input on the override and values >> because it'll be post >> town meeting. >> Town town meeting and post um tri board I think too. >> It'll be before the tri board. >> Before the tri board. Okay. >> So >> Okay. But yeah, so those are some options. But >> yeah. Okay. >> Depending on weather. >> Okay. All right. >> Just so I'm just throwing that out there. >> Um I did want to say that um although I'm late to the game, I finally signed up for committee assignments as a liaison. I was the last one. [laughter] >>

197I wasn't going to say anything, >> but thank you. >> Yep. So, [laughter] just for the record, >> are they now all full? >> Yeah. >> Um, the the only one that's not full is the Council on Aging because they meet during the day >> and so I can't do that. But >> we'll have to >> Why is everybody looking at me? >> Either you or Claudia. >> I mean, >> potentially. Potentially. >> Potentially. >> So, I did take, just for the record, >> you do. She does. Thank you very much. Just for the record, I took um Concom sustainability and ZBA. So um but so thank you for your patience with me and I'm sorry [laughter] I'm so late. I hate I'm usually not the last one to do things. Um and then just

198a reminder that um we do have a planning board meeting tomorrow because we're doing an appointment >> Zoom 7:30 >> at 7:30. I might be on the train coming home. So I will be >> might be in the >> Yeah. >> So um but it should take really she's not even going to have Angel come. >> Um but >> she's not she's not going to have her come. >> No, she's not going to have her come. But basically Trisha needs to recuse herself from um the a project that's going to be at their next meeting after that. So which is why they need an associate member. They need it appointed at this meeting. So that's why they're doing that. >> And um I think that's I think that's that's it. Um there was something else

199I wanted to say and now I can't remember again. >> So we will we will have a quorum for tomorrow night though. >> We should >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Just want to make sure. >> Yeah. And it should be quick. Randy mentioning um committee assignments and liaison reminded me of the email we received from Rob Sharer regarding he is now the chair of the upper child. I think we just got that today. >> Um, and they want to come, but I'll try to connect with him as the select >> I'm talking to him tomorrow about the other things so I could >> Right. But I mean I >> Okay. Oh, yeah. That's right. >> You can talk to him too, but as the liaison. So, >> yep, you're right. >> I won't step

200on your toes. >> Not my staff. >> All right. I think that's it for me. So, >> thank you. >> I know. Very brief. Very, very brief. Um Makita, you and I have already had our conversation and you know how I feel and my blessings are there. Uh affordable housing trust meeting we had uh last week and um Habitat for Humanity. If anybody's looking to volunteer, I have the information as to how about going and who the contact person is. Be happy to provide it to you. >> Share that out to the board and maybe we can find a board date. >> Yep. I we can do that. Absolutely. >> [clears throat] >> And um they're also interested uh down the road once this project gets done they may may be interested in looking at

201uh the affordable housing trust put an RFP out about doing all the street and doing a project on there with Habitat being the uh the builders which would be awesome. So that was that meeting. Um we had a roadway uh traffic study committee meeting uh last week as well. Uh again, a lot of the residents and neighbors are concerned about the uh the rate of speed uh that's happening and potential sidewalks along Chestnut and Cedar Street, which we already explained that that is part of a large plan for sidewalks and things of that nature. So, we're it's not like we're not going to get it done, but it's part of a plan that needs to be, you know, being worked on. So, and uh we had uh last Thursday we had our annual Halloween parade

202and party uh our 36th year doing it. Um it was a great time. We had roughly 125 families show up. Yeah. With two or three children each, so it worked out to be pretty well. There weren't many candy bags left over. Uh little bit. It was It was just lots of fun. Lots of fun. The outfits were fantastic. The town event on Wednesday night was >> Oh, that was crazy. >> Unbelievable. >> So, that's that that's my traffic. >> I was just I was just going to say that that that you know, be prepared for 1060 Main Street. That's what it's going to look like. The traffic downtown. It was at a It was at a halt. >> It was at a It was at a halt outside. Watch the front. Um, I just want

203to remind folks that uh the uh APD is going to be uh enforcing uh the no parking ban starting in uh next week, November. I think it's November 15th that that they start. And it's right up until April. So from uh 2:00 a.m. to uh 6:00 a.m. there's no overnight parking. Uh so just be aware of that. Don't be surprised if you see a little yellow tag on your windshield as a warning and a reminder. You know, after that, then you may you may find a parking citation on there. And now that the uh we're at move the clocks back a bit and it's darker out in the afternoon, please be aware of the kids that are walking home from school late in the afternoon uh because it starts to get that twilight area. And

204then also uh the kids on their ebikes they uh and we'll deal with that at another meeting another time. So just please be prepared. And again we have our Zoom meeting and that's that's it. So I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move second. >> All those in favor. >> Good night and thank you. >> See you on November 19th at town meeting. Great.