001Good evening and welcome to the September 17, 2025 select board meeting. I call this meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast live by WACA TV and live stream livereamed on Facebook. Remote participation is available available using Zoom video conferencing platform. Any disruption of the video conferencing platform will result in the platform being shut down for the evening. In the event of a disruption, broadcasting will continue on WACA TV and livereamed on Facebook. All right. The first order of business is citizens participation. Anybody either on Zoom andor in person, please step up to the podium. Good evening, Mark. >> Good evening. >> It is evening. Do you want the whole introduction or just me? >> Well, whatever you'd like to do. There may be some people out there. Make it
002official so that way people know who you are. >> Good evening. Mark the Sony 119 Main Street. I have all positive on three things. This town is working a lot better together that I can I can see with everything from the committees, board members to the um the uh committees, the planning board, the board of health, everybody's working in this town hall together. two, the um tomorrow night comprehensive plan is holding a good a good meeting of what was the forums information that was forwarded and it's going to be heard tomorrow night at the library at 7 and three. I told you it was going to be positive. That's it. >> Thank you, Mark. It's always nice to start the meeting off on a positive note. Joe, do you want to make mention that there
003should be a link posted now for anybody who might be on YouTube watching us but would rather be back that there should be a link posted on our website. Is that right? >> Yeah, we had some tech technical difficulties earlier this evening. So, um >> you may want to try that new link that's up on our website to watch this meeting. So, I don't have the link itself, but uh >> should be on there. >> Yeah, it should be up on the website either directly on the website or on the agenda. All right. Thank you. Um, let's see. We have five minutes to go before we do our introduction at 7:10. So, I would entertain um not an official thing. I think we can skip it. We can skip it. Okay. Yeah. And she is
004there. That's right. >> All righty. Well, uh, Aria Landry, uh, is our new, uh, director of prevention and human services. So, um, Aria, would you shut right up there? Yeah. Make sure your mic is working. Is it on? There's the red little green light on. There you go. There you go. >> It's the first for me. Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening. Would you please tell us about yourself and thank you for being here. >> Thank you for having me. It's nice to meet you all. My name is Ry Landry. I'm the new director of prevention human services. I come with nine years of experience in this field. I've been working with various populations um and capacities with community facing roles. Most recently, I was a part of the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program and implementing
005a program in Worcester County to provide services to atrisisk youth who are facing potential criminal involvement. And what that looks like is following like an evidence-based model to directly match services to needs. And by doing that, you can reduce overall risk. So I was run on in October 2021 to implement that program, grow it, and eventually um obviously it became successful from networking and just being a part of the community and continuing to get buy in which can be hard with any new program. So that was really um hard, but we just continued to make good connections. communication was important, build a team that could provide services. And um with that, I really was able to develop a program, implement it, and provide um services to youth that weren't being weren't didn't have access to
006services previously. Prior to that, I did community health work. So more basic social determinance of health needs connection throughout Metro West area. Um, so with all that in mind, I really have a vast knowledge of how to connect people to services and also how to implement programs in the communities as well. So I think between all of that um will help me to be successful in this position. >> Nice. Very good. Well, welcome welcome to town. >> Thank you. >> Uh Ashland over 30 years ago began a court diversion program. Uh I happened to be part of that uh program with Isabelle Harrison many many years ago and we they you state used our uh format as their template for future uh court diversion programs in Metro West. So we're kind of proud of that.
007So >> uh we're happy that you follow through and and continue. Have you been in contact with the schools yet to sit down and talk with them about >> So I actually um emailed with the principal today Ashlin High School. So, we're going to have a meeting in early October to hopefully um obviously connect, but I would love to get youth diversion involved in Ashlin specifically. I don't think that um the agency that is responsible for Middle Sex County has been able to connect with the police. So, that's another piece I would love to do as well. And I did meet with Chief Rossy and we had some beginning discussions about that too. >> Nice. >> Yeah. >> I'll open it up to the board. >> Any uh comments or questions you may have? >>
008Had I had one. First of all, welcome. >> Thank you. What made you decide to come to Ashland? >> So, I have never worked for a municipality before, so that was interesting to me. Um, previously I worked in like mental health clinics, so I thought it would be a great way to collaborate across different departments and also a change of environment and pers perspective. Um, as I mentioned with my experience, I feel like um I was looking for continued professional growth and personal growth. And when I saw what this position was offering, I knew that it would be able to apply my experience, but also allow me to grow as well when it comes to more program development and strategic planning, which I wasn't able to tap into fully because I was still doing direct
009service work as well. So, yeah. >> Great. Well, welcome. >> Thank you. >> Forward to seeing what you can do. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Sure. Uh, welcome. Um we had the um opportunity to meet earlier today to talk about our holiday gift program and I'm excited to have you on board. >> Thank you. >> Um and look forward to working with you on that. So welcome. >> Thank you Claudia. We look forward to having your expertise as well. [Laughter] >> Randy, >> so I don't have any questions for you, but I just wanted to say welcome. >> We're excited you're here. I know that there's a lot of changes and things happening over at the community center. So, but um we have a really great team here in Ashland. So, um we
010will definitely um welcome you with open arms and and our team will take good care of you. So, >> thank you >> for sure. Without a doubt, Katherine. >> Yes. So, I just wanted to say this is Area's fourth week with us. It's been a a pleasure working with her so far. So, I um I'm looking forward to continuing that. Um we we've been working on some wellestablish established programs such as the holiday program and Claudia, thank you for pitching in today and helping us sort of brainstorm. Um and so I just, you know, obviously welcome and um am super excited for all the connections that you've been making with not only staff but partners in the community and Yeah. >> Nice. Sure. >> Thank you. Katherine's been so supportive and Michael as well. So,
011I'm really lucky to have their support um as I get familiar with everything as well in addition to all the changes that we've had. So, >> yeah. >> Well, we have we have some good uh resources uh that are out there for you for you to use. So, you know, don't be afraid to take advantage of them. >> Thank you. Dave uh Dave Murray who is a school resource officer. I don't know if you had the opportunity to talk with him yet or meet him yet but uh >> not yet but hopefully when I make the connection with the school as well and we have another meeting coming up at the library that he is was invited to. So if not there then I'll find the time to connect with him as well. >> Nice.
012Very good. Thank you. >> Yeah. Michael. >> Yeah. Just real quick. Um, you know, I know typically when we introduce uh some of our new staff members, we talk a little bit about the process that they went through because I think it's important the you know public know um you know what the process looks like. So Katherine, I didn't know if you wanted to speak a little bit to that. >> Sure. So our interview process started I believe back in um May when uh Kristen French had given her notice and so um we received some uh candidates and I I can't remember the exact number um and had um a few interviews and Area came to us and um it it was a great experience a great interview and and sort of um what sort
013of um impressed us the most is is sort of her um I guess her sort of teamwork and she thrives in a team environment and so that's sort of what what came through and I I think that this uh position within such a small team um is super important that the person is you know not only there to lead but also roll up their sleeves and do the the work alongside their team members. And so that's something that really sort of shown through during the interview. Um and that's um at least for me, one of the biggest reasons that I I really felt a connection um with ARA and that was sort of my deciding factor. And then obviously I leaned on uh those that are within the prevention and human services department for their
014expertise on um the specific knowledge required for for the role. >> Great. Thank you. >> I just wanted to sneak in here. I didn't get a chance to before, but welcome. >> Thank you. >> I had a chance to work with your predecessor on the stop initiative a little bit. we were just getting started. Uh so I'm looking forward to doing some more work with you on that and hopefully some other things as you uh build your tenure here in Ashlin. So welcome. >> Yes, would love any support when it comes to this top grant. I'm sure Michael will be more than happy to help in many many ways. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. So you have a you have quite the load to to carry right now. You have a lot going on. So,
015we appreciate you uh jumping in head steam and the best of luck in your in your endeavors here with the town. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you for h Thank you for being here and we appreciate your work. >> Thank you >> and continued work. Okay. Thank you. Uh we're right on time. Uh our next item on the agenda is the Ashland Fishing Game request to modify the approved operating hours. And I see that uh Ron is here. So Ron, won't you uh step up to the podium if you would please? And I know this is a change of hours. You want to give a little history as to why you uh looking for a change of hours uh with the activities that are going on. >> Can you make sure the green
016light is on? >> There you go. >> Yeah, there you go. >> Okay. Uh softball is back at the Ashlin Fision game. We've been having two games a night. Not every night, but multiple nights. And the problem is the games are getting over close to 10:00 and our hours are 10:00 there. So, we're having stragglers a little bit after and we're trying to get them out of there. So, we're trying to avoid any problems. So, we'd just like to extend it an hour >> to 11. Okay. So, and we're also getting a lot of requests and people reaching out to find out about corporate breakfastes and brunches. And we're trying to open We want to We have a 1:00 close license in the bar. Opens at 12:00. We'd like to open at 8 and leave
017that to 1 and open the bar have it be able to open the bar at the pavilion at 8 and close it at 11. 8 in the morning till 11 at night. >> Correct. And that's if there's an event going on. That's not going to be every day or anything like that. >> Okay. >> But we we definitely need the extra hours >> for the uh for the softball season. >> The softball's huge. That's happening. We just noticing that happen and we don't want to have that problem >> and we haven't experienced the stuff yet because we haven't been able to tell anybody they can use the place early because we're don't have the hours. So, we're actually losing some revenue that that I think we could get to. So, okay. >> There's not many
018places that you can do that and >> y >> we'd like to be one of them if we could. >> So, when is the Frostbite League uh end? >> I got to be honest with Joe. I'm not real sure with that and that's not going to that's another thing that's when softball's done. That's not going to be out late at night and we shut the pavilion down because if stuff freezes out there, we can't. >> So, it's not going to be all winter long or anything. But, we definitely need our hours extended. We'd like to get 8 in the morning to 11 at night in the pavilion. 8 in the morning until our 1:00 that the closing time doesn't change for the bar. >> That's seven days a week. >> Yeah, just to cover it
019just so we're covered. >> We have a problem with that on Sunday. >> So it looks on Sunday like it's 10 a.m. >> We can't serve liquor until 10. We know that. That's that's ABC. That's that's with the state >> 8:00 the rest of the week. >> Yep. >> In the morning, but 10:00 on Sunday. And we do know that. Okay. >> That would not happen before then. Well, it's it's nice to hear you're having that problem that people >> No, it's this is why we're here. We're trying to it's it's and you guys have been a big part of it, you know, rolling with us. And I think a lot of this corporate stuff is coming from these parties that we've had that all these people have showed up and see the facility we
020got and start going, you guys should start checking into that place. >> Okay. >> So, I think that's what's happening here. So, >> okay. >> You guys have been a big part of helping helping us >> monitoring it the right way. Yeah, that's why we're here to try and make sure we don't get ourselves in any trouble. >> We appreciate that. We appreciate that. >> We'll open up for any questions or comments with respect. >> Straight forward. >> Yeah, I did I do have one question. So, as far as like the 8 a.m. start, >> um how how like what what kind of frequency do you are you getting requests for that? >> We've get we've got the phone calls. We haven't even tried to line them up yet. Okay. >> Because we just tell
021them we're not available to do that yet. Now we'll be able to say, "Yep, we can do it, you know, Sunday after 10 o'clock or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday." You know, >> we'll have that option. We don't have that now. So, that's what we're looking to gain. >> Okay. >> Do you do you think during the week corporate stuff will be looking to have alcohol served at >> 8 a.m.? Yeah, it's it's it's not huge. You're talking mimosas and bloody maryies and nobody's going to be down there. >> No, no, no. I'm just Okay. >> Yeah. >> No shots. Well, you never know. >> Yeah. Well, >> we won't go there. >> We are. >> Oh, >> our bartenders bartenders are pretty schooled at being careful. So, >> y that's it. Exactly. >> Okay. Uh, any
022other comments or concerns? No, I we update the hours for Ashlin Fish and Game for the building clubhouse Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. And then pavilion from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. >> Do a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor of the motion. >> I That's 5. Congratulations. Thank you very much as always. You've guys helped us a ton and we appreciate it very much. >> Now, now you can advertise. Go get them. >> Thank you very much. >> You have a big event coming up in a couple weeks, right? >> Yeah. >> This weekend. This Saturday. This right. >> Fall fest. Right. >> Fest. >> Fall fest. Fish game.
023Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Well, that's one less thing I have to put up on my board report. >> Yeah. There you go. All right. Well, they're a good group of people and they're they're very they're very concerned and selfm motivating which is great. Uh old and new business uh special time meeting warrant articles are due by sa Saturday September 27th. And I'll turn this over to Katherine because I know that uh you're meeting this this brigade. >> Um so really no updates there. We're just following the special town meeting uh guidance which uh all articles are due to me by September 27th and then um the warrant will come to you uh on October 15th to vote on closing. So those are sort of the next steps. >> Michael, anything else you want
024to add to that? We good? >> Yeah. No, I just a couple of things. I think um first of all, we're anticipating um just looking at some of the community preservation committee agendas uh potentially, you know, a number of CPC items coming through. Um and then there's also a citizens petition that um is I'll just say kind of in circulation or making the rounds. Um and I think you know some board members might have some questions and inquiries related to that. So, uh, I did have legal counsel take a look at that. Um, and, uh, we'll we'll be able to have some more information about, you know, legal counsel's take on it, uh, once we have a fuller discussion about the warrant and the warrant articles. >> Okay. Thank you. Any any uh, other? Yeah,
025go ahead. >> Yeah. I just wondered is is the the current warrant up on the website someplace so that you could see what's there so far? >> No. No. But I wasn't sure if it would be helpful to kind of advertise it in advance without I wouldn't mean to confuse people by it, but just for them to be able to see what you know where it stands right now. I don't know. >> Yeah, I think you know once I know Katherine is working on a draft of it, you know, with the language, etc. So I do think um at at some point before the um you know obviously before town meeting itself uh that we would have that warrant up there. Um and typically what we do Claudia is is it goes through a couple
026of iterations or it I guess you could say stages of development. So we would uh usually we put the warrant articles themselves or what we have in terms of warrant articles online uh about four weeks before town meeting and then as like the FINCOM has their meetings and develops recommendations for each of the articles you know they'll put those together and usually the last piece is drafting the motions because that's where some of the details that are still in flux you Well, in some cases up to a town meeting, some of those details could be in flux. That's usually the last piece. >> Okay. So, four weeks ahead of time, you get your first draft up approximately. >> Yeah, that's generally >> Yeah, that's good. I I mean, I understand there's a lot of pieces,
027right, that kind of change and then getting the motions ready and all that. So, um >> So, just to follow up on that two things. So, our next meeting is only four weeks before town meeting, right? So, it'll have to definitely be done before that because we'll have to get it at least on the Friday, the draft, so that we can review it. And then we have this citizens participate, this citizens petition that's going around as Michael talked about and they've asked to come and potentially speak to us about it. So, that'll because we're not meeting on the first Wednesday in October because of the Jewish holiday, we're going to want to invite them >> to that meeting to at least tell us what they're thinking and why. I would hope. And then just also
028just to to follow up on that. So we won't see so if we're voting to close the warrant, are we voting to close the warrant on the 15th? >> Yeah. >> So that'll be our first pass at the warrant this year >> because usually we review it a couple of times. >> We review it and then two weeks later, right? So because of the Jewish holiday, we're only meeting once in October, which >> unless we try to do a meeting just for some one or two things. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, >> and we may have to that's that's the deal with the warrant out of it. We may have to >> um if I may make another suggestion and you know sometimes this is what happens. Actually, a lot of times this is what happens.
029Uh we do you know like to schedule the board closing uh and posting the warrant four weeks out. But typically what does happen is that it happens uh you know more like two weeks out. Um, so we could certainly adjust the schedule. We just need to make sure that um it does the board does vote on that two weeks ahead of town meeting because that is the required time frame. It has to be at least two weeks for a special. >> Yeah. Thank you, Michael. All right. We good with that? The explanation is good for everybody. Okay. >> All righty. Good. Uh, Michael, I'm going to turn it back over to you again. Um, review of the scoring of the, uh, project matrix. Uh, you were able to, uh, provide us that information. And so,
030uh, I'll turn it over to you or Katherine, whomever wants to, uh, >> No, I I I can go I can go ahead and speak to it. um just I I did get it later than our established deadline and even if I had gotten it to you by Friday at 11:00. I think it would have been very very difficult to ask you to score all of those projects uh within the matrix uh by tonight to have a discussion. But I did want to put it on the agenda u just to see if you had any questions that you at this point in time. I think I'd mentioned in my email that I would be able to meet with you on an individual basis. I plan on meeting with you individually anyway. Um, you know, just
031for the purposes of general communication and this is certainly something that we could uh we could talk about during those meetings. But, um, yeah, just wanted to put it on the agenda in case anybody had any questions tonight. I'll open up to the board any uh any concerns or questions regarding what uh the matrix uh outline that was provided to us. >> Nikita, anything? >> Not yet, Joe. I haven't really had a chance to think, so I can't really >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> I I would say the same. I I looked at it for a little bit, but not in enough detail to be able to ask any >> intelligent questions right now. So, >> I you know, I just didn't look at it real thoroughly at this point, but it did strike me
032that um you know, I can't remember I one of the one of your one of your projects um that I thought, oh gee, before I would really know how to score that, I' i'd want to know how much money we're talking about that in some instances that would be such an overwhelming factor. Um, and I don't know, maybe the way, you know, the way you've weighted things, um, maybe that financial piece would be enough to to be, um, you know, to kind of take a project out of the picture. >> You know what I'm saying? I felt like, geez, sometimes >> sometimes these things are so interconnected um, that it's hard to maybe isolate them. But again, I mean, I haven't played with it yet, but the thing that just really struck me, um, and
033it might have been the valent, it might have just been the, um, I don't know. I don't know which one it was that I pulled out, but in any case, um, just that the financial aspects would definitely impact how I would feel about it. So, um, again, I wasn't sure how the waiting would work with that and whether or not that would be enough to take it take it off the plate cuz >> Yeah, just just a couple of thoughts in response to that, Claudia. I I'll have to look at our notes because I know we talked about just kind of, you know, the different criteria that the boards would score and the staff would score and I'll have to remember that's coming to mind right now and I don't know if I made any
034kind of distinction on the spreadsheet that ultimately got sent to you. That's number one. But number two, I think in a lot of the cases on those projects that you're seeing, um, we don't necessarily have explicit or detailed financial information. And so part of the work is actually the exploration of that um you know the exploration of the financial factors. So, um, it's a good point that you make and, um, maybe I can I can kind of think of a way to to reframe it a little bit because if if part of the work, I guess what I'm saying is, you know, if if you're looking at it and you think there's a dollar amount to it, but I'm thinking, well, part of the work is to actually figure out what that dollar amount is.
035Maybe I just need to make that more clear. >> Yeah. Or maybe there's even a range, right? I mean, I I think one of them I think is the old police station, right? So, you know, is there maybe is there a maximum I'd be interested in doing it if we had x number of funds and there was a ma maximum amount that we would spend to do so would be this or I don't know. I just feel like the financial piece could be significant. >> Okay. >> And then just a question. So in our packet there's a scoring for one of the projects. Is that an example or is that your input for that particular project? >> Um I believe so it is an example. >> Well there is the template right. Yeah. >> Yeah
036I just used it as those are my thoughts um >> for that particular project. >> Yes. Correct. Okay. Got it. >> You're referring to the uh >> Yeah, the Yeah, >> it just printed it. I just >> No. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, Mike. >> Further, >> but Clyde, I think that's a good a nice idea about putting pot some value figure to this just to see what we're looking at. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I guess nothing's perfect. No, no, but I think that that's a key part of the decision- making process. So, like even a a range or something or Yeah. >> some clarification would be helpful. I think >> if if you're looking at a $6 million project compared to a $50,000 project, I mean that that's, you know, that's dramatic, significant.
037Absolutely. >> Well, but and part of that is also as you look at some of these projects, there could be grants down the line that either we're not aware of or so that could financially impact it, right? or we could make decisions about something and go, "Okay, but to do this, we're going to have to apply for certain kind of funding and we're not going to do it until we get that funding." >> That's all part of the decision-m in the discussion >> and you know, the potential land purchases. There may be some grants already there that may that may have a sunset date on these things. So, you know, we have to be aware of those as well. >> Maybe it's a two-step process almost, right? where you you rate things based on what's
038important to the community and some of these other factors and then um you know so it's a nice to have nice to do nice to but then then there's reality strikes and these are >> I I don't know because then maybe we don't have to figure out the financial end of it until we see how important it is. I don't know. Just an idea. >> And and the other thing that I think is now, you know, we're wrapping up the comprehensive plan. So, how do some of these projects tie into if at all to the comprehensive plan? And if they we haven't gone down the road on some of these projects and we're not seeing them in the comprehensive plan, do we re-evaluate? I don't know. >> Well, that's interesting. Good point. >> Right. We've
039just spent two and a half years developing a comprehensive plan, asking the community what they think is important and and what they want to see. >> So, as we're determining, as we're looking at some of these projects, it's like, okay, do we need to take a step back from these projects and I mean, I know that's a pain in the butt, especially if we spent any money or any effort on it, but >> we just spent two and a half years working on a comprehensive plan that we have said is going to be our flexible roadmap for what we're going to be working on moving forward. Mhm. >> So, we have to take both both sets and see how they melt together and move forward from that. >> Y >> Well, I'll take your expertise
040and and Bry's expertise and Claudia's >> Well, I would hope you all I would I mean my my expectation is that everyone takes the time. I mean, it's a big the the draft is a large document, but it's important that not only all of us, but anyone who's elected or anyone in town looks at that comprehensive plan because I think as we start talking about budgets for future years, that's going to be something we have to look at as well. >> Not a dust collector like years past. >> We want to make sure it's something we use. >> Yeah, it it's um I I think everybody's intention on the comp plan is to make sure that it's implemented. I I I don't think anybody objectively can kind of look at what we've been doing over
041the last 10 years and think any plan sits on the shelf. Right. >> Right. >> But um you know the the point that you make is was actually kind of running through my mind is um I was I was putting this together and uh a a lot of those strategies that you see or a lot of the the list I guess you could see corresponds if not specifically with one of the strategies in the comprehensive plan. uh certainly fits within like the goals and the theme. >> So um so yes point well taken. Okay. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Michael. Okay. Uh next on our agenda is review and discuss the open meeting law violation related to the January 17, 2024 executive session minutes. Okay. >> Yeah. Um, do you want me to >> Yeah, go
042ahead, Mike. I'll >> comment first on that one. So, >> yes. Uh, so we did receive correspondence uh earlier this week just that um that we were found in violation of the open meeting law in relation to that specific executive session. Um, this was a complaint that was brought to um brought to the uh the office uh by uh by Steven Morgan. Uh the specific complaint was that the documents that we used in support of the minutes were not or in support of the meeting were not listed on the minutes. So I just want to make a very very clear distinction that the board and our office provided those minutes. they were accompanying, you know, those doc, excuse me, those documents were accompanying the minutes that we submitted and that are a part of the
043record. It's just we missed the detail um of actually including the list of that docu those documents on the minutes themselves. So, um, certainly, uh, something that we need to work on and do better in are those little small details because they I don't think they impacted the transparency aspect of what we were trying to do, but nevertheless, it was a technical detail that u that we did not adhere to. >> Okay. So the action that we need to take tonight is to >> nothing. We don't >> do nothing because we already we already responded to it. >> The only thing we need to do is say we're going to do better about making sure that when we submit our meeting notes it has all detail attached to it. >> It's part it's part of
044the uh background material. Yeah. And the only other thing I would add just you know as sort of our process I know sometimes when we have executive session we kind we like you know we don't release the minutes until a you know after the issue is resolved and it's you know a public discussion >> um you know we should have some sort of process in place for um tracking all those >> I would say that if we know that we're not going to have an executive session meeting in that quarter that we schedule one for 15 minutes to go back and review any exact mission any exact minutes that we've had. Right? So like this this quarter we've had at least one exact session. So we're going to want to make sure that >> in
045the next 30 or 60 days we schedule another exact session to review those minutes. Right. >> And the same I I don't know I think we had one maybe in the second quarter as well. though on a quarterly basis we should go back look if we've had an exec session and make sure we have another exact session to review minutes and make sure any documents associated with it have been put together and available >> and that's my recommendation >> right and that also comes to the fact that whatever we're discussing executive session if it has to do with land acquisitions or anything like that that may take some time to that to happen >> but at least we've reviewed what we've talked about correct and we either actively say, you know what, we can't release
046them yet, but at least we know they're available, right? And the documentation associated with available, everything's up to date >> so that when we go to release it, they've been approved once we can release them. >> That makes sense. >> You good? >> Any anybody else? We're good. >> I just want to add one thing in reading the letter. Basically, it says we're in violation because they've brought this to our attention before and we still haven't been good at doing it. So, it's not like we maliciously didn't do it or it's it's sometimes hard to get those details together, but we just need to be better moving forward. >> Yep. Absolutely. Appreciate that. Okay. Uh, next on our agenda on the old new business is update on the paving management report and paving projects. >>
047Mr. Michael. >> Yes. So, um I think I did update the board that we were in the process of doing the pave pavement manage a pavement management plan. Um and so I did get a hard copy of that report and I know uh folks at the uh Department of Public Works uh there were a couple of things that they have asked the vendor to go back and clarify or um look at. And uh so once that has been resolved and completed, I can uh submit basically a copy an electronic copy of that for you to look at. And um you know, essentially it is really a um a reference uh library for all of our roads um in town, both, you know, the major arterial roads as well as the neighborhood roads. and a condition
048assessment of each one that was conducted uh by the particular vendor literally I think I mentioned this before like by driving around in like a specialized vehicle. So it's nice to see it all put together um and then from there we can you know talk about what uh you know what roads uh need to get paid. And just as a reminder um what we have done historically is do this u every two years. So what we do is assemble um or collect two years of of chapter 90 money which is state aid um to the municipalities to do paving projects and we do that in order to get more bang for our buck essentially when we go out to bid. So, um, so we did a whole round of paving, uh, this this past year
049and, uh, so we'll be looking at doing some more paving in a couple years. >> Michael, will we can we get a copy of that report so we can review it? And did you send >> I'm sorry, I thought I had said that earlier. Um, just, you know, after DPW has their revisions put in. >> Okay. I mean, I think you said that. I just wanted to clarify it to make sure. Okay. Thank you. >> So, what's the what's the timing and expectation for those revisions being put in? So, when we expect to see it in our inbox, >> a couple of weeks that there weren't that there weren't that many. >> Okay. I was going to suggest too that maybe it get posted on the website so people could look up and and uh
050you know see how their street is rated. I know that some people think their streets need to be done. So, I don't know if it would give them hope if they could say that their street was or not. I'm not. I'm not. >> I know. >> I'm with Mark tonight. I'm going to be optimistic. Um >> Matt Matt, we'll get to you in 22 years. >> Yeah. >> Um Yeah. And then the other thing I I had mentioned, I think, um an email to you and Beth. Uh just I think when there's road work in town, it would be great if Jordan was um putting that out on Instagram and other social media. Um, you know, I know that it's I know that the excuse me, the Elliot Street work has been going on for
051a long time. Actually, it seems like it's simmered down now, but um just lots of times you're interested. Um I know that we've had some work over on the House Street Bridge. I think we had we had barriers up there for about a year and then all of a sudden one day they they took them down and there's just these two little strips of of that were new freshly paved and it's like well what what they've been doing for two years >> or one year. I'm sorry I exaggerating. It was one year. >> It felt like two. So anyways, but in general when people are driving around town, I think it it's helpful to know and maybe you know what's going on or where they might want to avoid and and when possible. >> Agreed,
052Claudia. We we do tr we do try to keep up with it, but um certainly we don't get all of them um for a variety of reasons. And uh yeah, I think u we can certainly >> a few surprises too. We understand that. >> Oh yeah, there there's a couple of >> Yeah, street was a bit of of a surprise for everybody >> for sure. >> Sorry for that late call. >> But it's not even that one. It's the fact that the barriers were up for a year. I mean, that was unrelated, I think. And then all of a sudden they spent a day taking them down. And then then all of a sudden a couple weeks after that there's this night work going on which was pretty loud I might add. It certainly was.
053>> It actually woke me up. It was they were so loud. And um >> you thought it was loud. >> Well, >> holy mackerel. >> I'm sure it was very loud at your house. >> It was. It wasn't. It was interesting. >> Jack hammering at 9:30 at night is not pleasant. It was like 1 a.m. >> No, my phone was loud that night, too, from a number of phone calls. >> Like, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make that call. >> No, Joe. Joe, it please, please do make that call. And uh you know, you were not the only one. >> Oh, I'm >> not the only one. >> I bet I wasn't. Uh but anyway, it got resolved and that's and that's a good thing. So, all right. I I can tell you that
054the road traffic study committee once once paving gets done within two weeks we get a letter from a resident on the newly paved road that cars are flying up and down the roadway which is no you can't win they complain about the roads being you know in bad shape bad form you take care of it and now we have speeders that's I guess you know give or take right all right well none of that paving okay 2025 Boston regional no municipal election uh discuss supporting the nomination of mayor Charles Syski to that position. I know Yolanda you want to check with the town of Nic. >> Yeah. And I still haven't heard anything. And as I'm reading this letter, part of me wants to say no only because of how he addressed it. >> It
055says hello gentlemen. I'm like >> well actually >> know your audience. But >> first it wasn't it wasn't Charlie. You just want to make sure. >> No no I know it wasn't Charlie. Hi. Um, I have not had the opportunity to follow up with NATIC. We are not having an Metro West Regional Collaborative meeting until the 24th of September and I think they need to have nominations by October 6. So, because we're not having a meeting um, >> right? >> So, the thing is Framingham can be nominated and NATO can also be nominated and then there can be an election. So what I would say is we can go ahead and certainly sign nomination papers for Charlie and then if we have to if there is another community that runs then I would suggest at
056our October 15th meeting that we have a discussion about the candidates and make a decision and then as our representative to the metro to the MAPC the fall council meeting is happening like the 23rd of October. So, okay, >> whatever. If if someone else does decide to run against Charlie and well, against the town of Framingham, the city of Framingham, >> then at our meeting on the 15th, we can have a discussion about who we who Ashton wants to support and then I can take that vote to the fall council meeting in October. >> In October. Okay. >> Yeah. So, I would say, you know, support the nomination. Um, so I I move that we as the Ashlin Select Board support the nomination of Charlie Sitzki and Framingham for the MO seat. >> Is there
057a second? >> I'll second that. >> I I just want to ask a question. So once we, you know, vote on this nomination then do we notify the town of Framingham or what? >> So what we would do is we have to let Framingham know that we support Charlie's nomination. They have I don't know how many they have to have like three or four other towns nominate him >> nominate Framingham and then um >> in in our district >> in our district right >> and then if someone else does decide to run >> right >> the election the official election happens >> in at the MAPC winter fall council meeting but we as a select board would then have to officially vote who would we support Framingham I understand. Well, just to the point of
058respond to them, I would like it to somewhere state in that letter that this >> was addressed to >> Yeah, I think so, too. I think we need to say that >> how this how this was addressed was not >> when I read it, I said, "Oh, boy." >> The first thing the first thing in my mind was, I'm going to hear about this letter correct. And I was >> So, so if if I may just um because I I can certainly understand where everybody's coming from, but um the email that you're reading um it was actually sent from Mr. Tino in Framingham uh to myself and um other town uh other town managers, town administrators >> who were who happen to be all >> it's 2025. We don't have to use that anymore. Any
059no matter what. I mean, come on. >> Hello, town managers. Hello. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Well, >> you're not going to win this. >> Are you saying I'm not a gentleman? I'll keep it as generic as possible. You >> I would say once we vote, if Michael, if you were the one to deliver the message, just let them know that we were >> that a majority of your board was not happy with these salutations. >> Okay. >> Three4s. >> Gentlemen, is old school. Three. I'm sorry. Four fifths accurate. >> Oh, no. I read that. I said, "Yep." >> This will be a 10-minute discussion. >> Okay. So, I made a second. >> Yeah. Okay. So, all those in favor of supporting Charlie. >> I >> Thank you. And Michael, you'll just send along the
060uh the comments about proper titles or generic titles. >> Yes. >> Self-awareness. There you go. There you go. That works for me. Okay. Uh next on the uh agenda is update of the public safety building solar and geothermal rebates and credit that total $145,000. Um, last week I got a call from uh, Bill Nagel who was a OEM of the uh, project for the uh, public safety building. Bill was excited and I could tell just by the way he was talking on the phone that he had some good news for us and um the rebates that came through the federal uh portion of this uh solar panel and geothermal aspect of it came back and the town should be getting a check hopefully by the end of this week or possibly next week for $145,000
061uh that went as rebates for the solar panel and the geothermal aspect for a green building. So Ashland was the first public safety building to be fully green in in in the state. So we are the model for it. And as a matter of fact, the town of Orleans uh I spoke with their town manager and their building uh committee uh chair uh regarding uh Vertex as being their one of their individuals that's looking to build a fire station. and I invited them up to take a look at the building because sometimes it's better to see it than just hear about it. So they they'll be scheduling some sort of meeting uh scheduled uh visitation with uh Chief Roby and uh Chief Rossi within the next week or two which is nice. So you know
062we were under budget for the building and we got this back so hopefully the people will appreciate the effort that was done. So just a question because I know the Mendes building got a rebate as well and I thought it was Mendez and public safety. So is this over and above >> That this is just for the public safety building. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> This is just and that's the way that's the way it was presented by Bill. So, I mean, I you know, he's >> because the amount that we received for the two schools, the tax credit, I believe it was, was over $3 million for the the school and then for the public safety building. >> Um, was over I think it was about $3.2 million. >> This is the federal aspect
063of it. Total >> difference. >> Well, the other one was federal, too. >> Yeah, the other one was the other the one that we already received back a couple months ago. So, this is a completely different >> completely different >> credit slashrebate slash something. >> So, I wonder if we're going to get something from for the school based on that. What however whatever pipeline this came down. >> Oh, that's a good question. >> Oh, is there another one that we're going to get more? >> I don't know. >> No, that would be nice. >> Absolutely. >> So, the taxpayers will be happy. >> So, so to that point, Michael, so how is this $145,000 being applied? Yeah, I believe this is under the same program as the uh Mendes rebate. So, we would need to
064uh direct it towards um costs that we've incurred u for the project. So, um I do know with Mendes, the majority of that 3 million is going to go towards offsetting um the debt exclusion costs. uh part of it, I believe 250,000 is going to be um used by the school department because if you remember a couple years ago, you know, the two the school department used $250,000 >> um of their budget to go ahead and um and do what needed to be done with the school and we started looking at doing some value engineering because of cost uh increases etc. So, uh, we would be looking at offsetting the borrowing costs, the debt exclusion piece associated with the public safety building. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's great. Um, next on the agenda is
065the consent agenda. Um, I'll entertain a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I I >> That's 5 Z. >> Congratulations everybody. Moving right along. Okay, Mr. Michael, our manager report. >> Yeah, I had a few things um just that uh that you didn't see listed on the agenda, but um number one, I think when Area was here, uh there was a you know, a brief discussion about the holiday program. Um, I will say just because we've had some transitions at the um within the human services department, uh, I was really concerned about, uh, being able to move forward with the holiday program as, uh, as we typically have done, uh, or historically have done. So, um, you know, kudos to Katherine, Claudia. Um, who
066else did you work with, Katherine? our intern, our prevention and sum um our prevention and human services intern and then Susan Roby as well. >> Yeah, just uh thank all of you for um for stepping up and and being dedicated to make sure that that works. I know that's a an important part of our community. The community looks forward to it. Um and so I'm glad we're going to be able to continue that. Um so thank you. Um, next is uh just a reminder, we do have a borrowing um in to replace or or basically refund a ban another short-term borrowing um that we had that is uh will be expiring in October. Um, we had originally anticipated uh doing a a very brief select board meeting as potentially part of the tri board meeting
067which was originally scheduled on uh September 30th to authorize you know whatever documents needed to happen. Uh so a couple of things have have basically put that in flux. So, first of all, we need to change the tribe board meeting, um, which we're looking at a date in early October, but also, um, SNP, uh, informed us yesterday when they were supposed to give us our rating that they really, uh, wanted to have final audits from our external auditor before they issued that rating. Um, and unfortunately, um, our f our final audit has not been completed. uh not because of anything that we're lacks in but just there's been so much flux in the accounting and auditing world or municipal accounting and auditing world um that uh that they were having a hard time keeping up.
068So I did talk to uh the principal at um at our auditors today just to ensure that we would be getting that um in time those final audits. and uh he he assured me that uh that they would. So, just to give you a heads up on that, >> Mike, how does that affect the uh the potential rate ratings that we have if we're kind of behind on getting that done? >> It shouldn't it it shouldn't at all. Um I will have to say that when we had our call with standard impors um our auditors who were also part of the call made it very very clear to standard and pores that uh the reason that the final audits were not completed had nothing to do with anybody on the town of Ashlin's part. >>
069Okay. >> But it was it was on their end. Um and so I believe that standard and pores heard that uh heard that loud and clear. >> Okay. I know the Feds just lowered their uh interest rates. So hopefully that would help us in the long run. >> So So just so I can just to verify and to verbalize. So the right now we're waiting for the new rating until we hear from the audit and ideally we're going to wait for that rating until we do the new borrowing. Is that what I'm understanding? >> So Yolanda, when we go out and do a borrowing, we have to get issued a rating from standard and pores. Okay. >> So, that comes first. >> Okay. That's what I I just wanted to verify. Yeah. >> So, actually,
070this slight delay could be to our benefit because the interest rates, as Joe said, have just been dropped. So, potentially, we could get a better interest rate than what we were expecting. We could potentially >> It might all work out. >> Yep. >> Sounds good. >> Always nice to have that in our back pocket. Yeah, that they did lower uh you know the Fed did lower the um their rates by uh 25 basis points today. So and also indicated that um you know future ones were forthcoming. So >> good. >> So Michael, just a quick question. Are we going to need to to do that at the tri board meeting with the new dates or are we looking to schedule something else before the 15th? >> Um definitely before the 15th. Um, and if we
071can't do it at the tri board, like if the timing doesn't work out, we will have to schedule it, you know, a brief meeting. >> Most of you, I think, recall what it's like to um, you know, to go through one of these bands, you know, you know, do it can be a brief meeting. It's not like the full bonds where you have to read all of the cusp numbers and everything. >> Yeah. which, you know, can take a long time. >> We had some good ones there. >> We had some real good ones. >> Get ready get ready to read, Claudia. >> Thank you, Michael. Anything else, my friend? >> Oh gosh. Yes. Um, no, just uh on the tri board meeting. Um, you know, we did put a doodle poll out, uh, looking
072at the dates of October 6th or 7th. Um, and we'll be following along with that and hopefully we'll be scheduling that shortly. Um, and then finally, um, I do have West Nile virus on the agenda. Uh, no change in the number of people who have been confirmed as having West Nile virus. Uh we're still at four, but uh Ashland is still listed, I believe, last I checked, as uh in the high-risisk category. >> Thank you. So, we we haven't had any victims, but we're still in that that category of high risk. And is that because we're next to Framingham where they've had issues? >> Yeah, I believe it's it's the proximity. Um I I think I don't know the exact criteria that they utilize. But um just looking at what has been publicized I would
073say both the the criteria well the uh proximity of where a human case is combined with the proximity to cases where they've uh noted westnau virus in mosquitoes. Any uh comments or questions with respect to the West Nile virus and where we stand on that? We're good. Okay. Anything else? Michael, are we good? >> No. Katherine, did you have anything that you >> No. >> Okay. >> No. Good. >> Wow. Oh, wow. I'm not going to say anything. >> Don't say anything. But I will entertain going board reports. >> Okay. >> There's nothing >> just that we got the email from Rob with >> But I haven't responded yet. go and I made a new folder for myself and I and it's and it's listed as select board procedures responding to emails sent to the
074select board unanimously agreed to the following procedure dealing with emails vote was 50 September 3rd the presiding chair will respond to incoming emails and will share the response with the board in the following meeting packet can be placed on the standing agenda item or in place or either at item under old new business or I have to consent agent. So that's right here. Anything I get, we'll go in there and we'll won't lose anything. >> Okay. So we're good. All righty. So with that, I will entertain board reports at this time. >> Okay. So as I mentioned already, Metro West Regional Collaborative is having our next meeting on Thursday, September 25th from 8 to 9:30. It's a virtual meeting if you want to attend via Zoom. And then on 109, the Mass Municipal Association is
075having a leadership session session. Uh, and it's going to be on finance. It's in person. It's happening in Boilston, so it's a little bit of a ride. Um, but they're going to be talking about different financing uh finance, you know, ways that we can finance different things. Uh I was on an exec board sess presentation where they had looked at prop two and a half and not removing two and a half but how can we work with the state to see if there's other ways to get funds back to our cities and towns. So as I get more information I will share that as we start looking at our finances for the next year. Uh and then this is still a little further out. This is more of a fun thing. If you enjoy Halloween,
076The Haunt is coming back to the Metro West YMCA. There's going to be two weekends of performances. Slightly different format this year. So, performances are uh every hour on the hour and the circus is the circus carnival is coming to Deadwoodville. So, you can check out The Haunt Hopinson Center for the Arts and the Metro West YMCA are the recipients of the funds. It's a fundraiser for both of those organizations. So it should be a lot of fun. We have some uh professional circus performers that are coming and participating and >> so it should be it should be fun. So again the performance dates are uh 17th, 18th and 19th and there's also a kid-friendly version on Sunday afternoons on both the 19th and the 26th I think it is. But check out the haunt
077Hopkins Center for the Arts and should be a fun time. those tickets come available? >> The tickets are available now. >> Okay. >> So, you can go online and order those tickets. We had been looking at possibly doing a Halloween performance, but a number of the people that were performing are not available. So, it's just the two weekends uh but not Halloween. So, you can come a weekend before, get in the Halloween spirit, and then have Halloween the following week. >> There you go. That works. >> There you go. >> Very good. >> That's all I got for tonight. >> Thank you, Yolanda Nikita. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, yes. So, uh, last Saturday, uh, was an incredible day for arts in Ashland. So, it was, uh, Porchfest was amazing. I got a chance
078to take in a performance or two there. And then, of course, the Stone Park Music Festival, second year, and I and Mr. Chair, I believe you were there as well. I, you know, I I don't want to take any thunder, but but yeah, just incredible performers and and an interesting range this year, too. We had some more of the traditional classical performing, but we also had uh something a little bit closer to I would say folk um with the uh solo guitarist that was there and close the show. Just again and of course the the the youth contest that beautifully done. Thank you so much for such a great community event on both fronts uh Ashop and uh and Stone Stone Park Music Festival. Can't wait until next year. Um I also had a chance
079to attend the historical commission meeting. Uh so um looking forward to working with that group on a couple of other things. Uh I do know that they've got some some things planned for Ashlin Day. I won't say anything about Ashlin Day, so you could go ahead. But but um but it's going to be a very exciting uh couple few weeks here in Ashlin. Folks, I encourage folks to check out various community calendars and outlets to plan your weekends accordingly. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Claudia. Thank you. Um, yeah, we have uh the Dragonfly >> coming up, >> street fair coming up, right? Yep. >> And I'm going to let Brandy talk about uh because she's been doing a yman's work for Ashland Day. So, I'm going to let her talk about that. Um,
080I do want to mention that we did have a school building mind school building committee meeting last night and that um, you know, Minds received an award in the American school and universities educational interiors showcase. Um, they received a special citation for the design of common the common spaces. Um, there's a I do have a nice u some photos in that, but I should I wasn't prepared. I should have gotten them to somebody so they could have gone up on the screen. But in any case, um, too late for that. But, you know, the really nice thing is that those uh, spaces, the common spaces at Mindas were really designed intentionally. Um, and in part, I think that one might be able to say that they were inspired by the neighbor the multi-age, um, program
081that existed at the school for, I don't know, probably about 20 years. And so, um, and and all the time that students spent, um, with other age groups and that and and were inspired this these spaces to a great extent. So, congratulations um, to that. Good news is there's still a lot of work to be done on the fields there, but they hope to be um usable by the spring. Uh you know, I just wanted to add that just Mr. Kendall is um you know, he's been working with this group um very closely for many years. I'm talking about the people overseeing the project, the builders and and that. And so he has a relationship with them. And sometimes, you know, when our we have a relationship, then we become less able to I think
082um really navigate and um and being really the >> um sorry force for the community, right? Making sure that we get what we deserve. And he does such a remarkable job. You know, if you know Paul, you probably know he's not worried about um in general I'm offending anyone greatly. He he he does what's right and what he knows is right and he speaks to it and he does that masterfully and it's uh it's been important for that building, any project that size, right? There's always something that needs some work or whatever and he's just done that in a masterful way. Um so I just can't even state that enough. Um I did want to mention that um on September 30th um the ZBA meeting is going to be with the uh EPA and D
083both Michael I believe right representatives in particular to talk about um the 40B project that's going to be on 10 to 60 main that will be on top of um the plume. Um it's important um a couple of things here. You should get your questions in, I think, to um Jasmine. Um I I you have to maybe look on the website. Maybe we should put a link on the front of the website. It's supposed to we're supposed to have them in by this Friday. I kind of take exception to that because I really feel as though it should go into your newsletter, Michael, and people should have the opportunity to see the newsletter that that there's questions being accepted and and then um be able to, you know, get them to to Jasmine who will
084then share them with whomever. Um uh and and the other thing too, I think it would be nice to have some of those questions posted because as we all know that often one person has thoughts or comments and it makes us think about um something else that we might have a question regarding. Um so I'd like to see those questions posted and and the opportunity for people to read them and say, "Oh yeah, I I was going to ask that. I won't but oh listen that makes me think about this. Um this is just such an important you know something so important is happening in our community on so many levels um that I just think we really need to take some time and give it um the priority that I believe it deserves. Um
085I know that uh you know we had also asked about a balloon test. I think Mr. Ang Angller had was the one who brought that up way back at the beginning of this process in the late winter. Um, and so I I think, you know, I'm ready to go out and see how high I can get a helium balloon. Um, you know, I can make quite a scene with a helium balloon. Um, but I just think it it's it needs to be done. Um, and then, you know, let's see if there was one. Oh, it was also suggested that maybe we have a whole town meeting and talk about um the 40B projects that the town are faced with. Then, you know, I I kind of thought that was a pretty good idea that maybe
086um this is something that we have a special meeting and and um and give the town the opportunity to listen, we all know that people's lives are very very busy and you know, we we we feel like we know a fair amount of what's going on in town and so sometimes you forget that there's so many people out there that don't know very much at all. And are they do they own do they own some responsibility in the matter? Of course they do. Um but regardless I feel as though we just we need to make some extra effort on on things that are going to have such an impact on the town. >> Um >> you know Claudia we did that once before on another matter that was quite quite important to the town >>
087and um needless to say that was very beneficial for those people who weren't able to uh make many of the meetings and stuff. So it was >> it's hard to keep up with it, right? I mean it is everyone has their own their own their own times and agendas and things they need to do. So having that type of meeting was very helpful at that time. >> so maybe maybe that's something we should consider Michael and uh you know as well as like I said that the question date thing is crazy in my mind. >> Yeah. If I um just uh could say I think Claudia um one of the things that we have talked about is just um I think very similarly uh just having like another education piece and just kind of about
088what 40B is in general and then what it is for the town like you know what we're facing in terms of specific 40B projects as well. So the general aspects of 40B as well as the specific aspects >> I would say because especially because people still think of they still tie 40B and >> well 40B is related to affordable housing but the MWRTA zoning and things like that. People still bring that up of well what about this? I'm like yeah that's not the same thing. >> Yeah. >> You mean MBTA housing? >> MBTA sorry MBTA. I I think there's some value and I and and looping back I do remember uh after we had discussion, Michael, I I think I said something, Claudia said something. I think we all talked about getting some education out
089there and you sent out I thought was a very helpful document. Um but I do I do want to say that I do agree that there may be some value in a public forum and it sounds like um you've done that before. Uh just almost like a little teachin and like a Q&A like what what does this mean? how does this work? How is this impacting Ashlin? So that folks who can who can make it um can hear that information and hopefully uh we can even record it or whatever and disseminate that across the university because I think it would be an incredible an interactive educational opportunity on this. >> Well, it would be nice. I think very effective. I and I and I don't disagree, but I would also like to see a state
090representative, you know, from the state house come just >> I don't I don't I personally don't see the benefit of someone from the state coming here. >> Well, >> because >> they can hear our voices, >> you know. >> I just think it would that people will then get so concerned about trying to get the state to change things and that's not going to happen between now and when we have >> it won't change, but at least at least they'll have an idea. I think it's I think to Claudia's point an educational session that is in a space where people feel comfortable coming that we record that we do via Zoom and that we do via via live. >> Um it was brought up someone that we did one at the community center a couple
091of different ones. We did one there when we were doing the Valentine project the initial thing >> um and then there was another one. So that might be something again that we want to do. the the only thing that we all know is >> when do you do that? >> What what do you pick? What date? What time >> that we can get to as many people as possible? >> Well, and I think I think you know to that point like if we if we're going to do that, >> we need to plan a date sooner rather than later. even if we put it out there for say, >> you know, I don't think anything is probably going to, >> you know, I mean, it's another month until we have our next meeting. Um, so,
092you know, maybe at our next meeting we can talk about a potential date or, you know, maybe we can >> um think about that and see if we can potentially >> finalize a date by >> finalize a date. >> I like that better. >> Maybe maybe like um early November. I'm thinking like before Thanksgiving, >> I'm willing to help facilitate so I can maybe work with Michael or if Claudia you and I want to work with Michael, >> I'd like to do that. >> You know, find a date and see what we can pull together. >> And I think we could probably we could probably pull together a presentation on our own. Like I think I think we have enough information at this point >> I think it's more checking with Michael in regards to
093date of other meetings and things like that, not necessarily Michael having to do the work. Yeah. I I'd just ask that you know just whatever we decide to do we should make sure that the forum um that people are comfortable asking qu make sure that that we make sure that people feel comfortable asking questions I think there there are a lot of folks who might not feel even if like you know people could submit questions in advance if they don't want to you know whatever but anyway we should we should give people many avenues to participate um so that they feel comfortable asking questions and getting the answers because I think a lot of people sort of may assume that they know or feel badly that they may not know as much as they do.
094>> So, I just want to make sure that that we we maintain that kind of tone so that that we're all like kind of learning and teaching together. So >> that's >> and and one thing I want to add too is just that, you know, I've learned a lot through these months of this, you know, these projects and that and and one thing is that how desperate we are in need of and I think everybody can see that, but we are in desperate need for additional affordable housing in this state. And you know, one quote I read, it was, you know, we can't think about um housing for people who live here today. We have to think about housing for people who are going to live here in the future. Right. >> And and and
095I think it's important that we everybody understand that and hear that and and that this could help everybody learn that, too. I think, you know, some of the issues that we have in our community is is you know, how do you do you help housing at at what cost? At what cost is it to a community like ours um to increase, you know, units by another 750 that would fall under the affordable category and another uh beyond that another 6 or 700. Um, you know, I think it's important for people to have the information and um, >> well, why don't we put it on our next agenda because this isn't an agenda item. So, we'll >> You're up next. I'm up next. >> Well, I I just like to chime in a little bit on
096that. Um, and I think, >> you know, my um, so my concern right now is I mean, we do have three very complicated 40B projects. Um I shouldn't say my concern but you know and I want to make sure that our planning department is making all two of them uh is making sure that that process and and is going um cleanly um and so nothing can kind of come back on the town uh from a procedural standpoint uh which takes a lot and uh also our focus is also going to be on developing kind of the tri board meeting but you know to the extent I think a public forum is meant and intended to be informative um and genuinely meant to inform people about the projects and answer legitimate questions. U I think we'll
097be happy to to um you know contribute to that uh to the best we can. >> Don't disagree. The more more information out there and the more educated people are, the better decisions can be made. You have something? >> Yeah, I I'm I'm sorry. Uh I do have one other one other item that I forgot to mention during my board report. Sure. Very quickly. Um so last time we talked about us taking some committee assignments and Susan was good enough to put together a spreadsheet for us to sign up uh and take those assignments. So we'll make sure uh Yolanda and I will make sure that we distribute that. We want to try to finalize appointments as quickly as possible so that we can, you know, basically start leazing with our with our boards and
098committees and making sure we kick off that process. So, um, we'll make sure that a link gets out to y'all for that. I'm sorry. >> No, that's okay. That was last. That's one question I don't have to ask now. >> Had it on my report and thank you for the reminder stuff. So, thank you. >> Okay, Miss Brandon. >> Okay. Um, so tomorrow night we are meeting with our consultant for the last time. I believe for the comprehensive plan. Um we are almost done. So we are in the final stages. I know Yolanda did Yman's work trying to get all these these um forums um up and up and going and the participation and and um all the feedback. So you know, thank you to Yolanda and um it'll be good to have this ready
099to go to town meeting in November. I want to say I didn't do it alone. I had some other board members here helping and I do want to give a shout out to Michael Cairo because he did send them out to the school lists and because of that and I think I said this at our last meeting that we had some people show up that were names that I wasn't familiar with. So >> nice. >> It was nice to work together collaboratively. Yeah, it was good. >> That's awesome. That's good. >> Um I also wanted you guys to um be aware of something that was presented to the board of health last night. Um, I haven't had a chance to watch the the meeting, but I did hear about it through my board of health
100connection, aka my husband. Um, so um there was a presentation done last night about um what's called a nicotine-free generation. Um, and they're looking to Ashlin to adopt this. Um, basically what it is is it sets a date, like a birth date in time that, um, anyone born after that date will never be able to buy cigarettes in a particular town. >> So, it phases out. >> Um, so like people that are older than that date can always buy cigarettes. But basically it's trying to phase out of an age. >> Is it just cigarettes or all tobacco products? >> All tobacco. All Yeah. Sorry. >> Just wanted clarification. Thanks. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. Um all nicotine products. So um except for I think nicotine gum doesn't fall into that whole thing. But but anyway um
101but it's just something that I just wanted to make sure was on your radars. I don't have a ton of information. Again, I didn't watch the meeting. Um but I would hope that you know whatever process the board of health kind of goes through to vet this um you know I would say we should be a part of that as well. >> Yeah. My my only concern with that is yes, I agree. You know, we don't want people to smoke and as you said, over a certain age, you'll always be able to buy cigarettes, but I would think that if they decide to do that, they're going to want to monitor what's going on in other communities because if other communities right next door don't do that, then the people after a certain age will
102just go to another community to buy their cigarettes. It's just something to think. >> Yep. >> So anyway, >> have to be a regional almost kind of. >> Yeah. Yeah. I Well, again, I I asked >> Well, just to be aware. Um and then as Claudia kind of talked about, we've been working on Ashland Day. Um and our next meeting will actually be after Ashlin Day because we are two weeks from two weeks from Saturday, October 4th is what we are um what we are planning for hopefully. I'm Yeah. >> Like it's here. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. It's here. It's real. Um but uh so just to kind of give you guys an idea um we've been busy registering booths. We have about 75 booths registered for Ashlin Day. Um we have a full
103day of performances both music and dance and other demonstrations. Um, we have I think it's five bouncy houses, I think, is what we're >> five bouncy houses, a petting zoo, >> we do have the petting zoo, um, a face painter, lots of other, you know, some some a couple other um, groups are going to do some face painting, too. >> I'm talking Yeah. So my whole idea about a pie in the face thing has really kind of like died a little bit of a painful death. Nobody is excited. Literally I sent out an email to to like you know boards and all this email about like you know potentially doing that. I got one email back that basically said um yep nope >> a lot of pies. Brandy could be >> I'm sorry. I said
104it could be a lot of pies. >> It could be a lot of pies. >> Lot of pies. >> So, um, so I think that might be a next year thing versus a this year thing. >> Not a problem. >> Um, and Beth has offered us >> I think she has a Plinko game. So, I'm thinking Plinko might be the the the town because we're looking for an activity for the town >> tent. Oh. >> So, um, unless anybody else has any other suggestions, I'm I'm I'm gonna go with easy. So, >> yeah. Um, but I will send out at some point a sign up with all the to all the boards and if people want to sign up for times for the table, that would be great and we'll share it with >> Rumor
105has it that the historical commission has something very fun in store. So, >> oh >> more fun more fun than Plinko, less fun than throwing a pie in the face. >> Somewhere in the fun zone, but I can't really quantify where that will land in said fun zone. >> Probably determines on what your It may be fun to determine fun for another. >> It's guaranteed fun. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, and I just wanted to say thank you to everybody that's been involved in in helping this. It's it's it takes a village and um we've got a pretty darn good one. So, >> I have to say I am excited about the number of food varieties that are going to be there. >> I was looking at the list today and I'm like, >>
106okay, I'm not going to eat for a whole week before We do. We have >> try a little bit of everything. >> A little bit of everything. In fact, um >> you might be too busy to >> I might be too busy. That's that's very possible. >> That's where that's when you get a volunteer that goes around and ask people what they want and then they go get it. >> So, um yeah. And and to that point, um we are looking for a golf cart out there. >> I saw that. What happened to the one from Kitty Fenwell? >> It died at Kitt Fenwell. It it died there. Oh wow. >> So yeah. >> So >> Michael, do you know if the the town forest committee if theirs is fixed? They >> Oh, >> I
107was just thinking, are you talking about I mean, would a gator suffice? >> Yeah, a gator would suffice. >> Oh, APD has >> I know it was in the shop a couple weeks ago. I don't know if Ash Police Department has a gator that >> they got a gator. >> They have something like that. It's not a golf cart, but it's >> No, >> but if you're going to use it for trash, it definitely has a place in the back to put the bags in. >> Okay. And it's a two-seater, so you have two people. >> You have any connections down there, Joe? >> I used to been 13 years, but yeah. >> All right. Maybe we can see what we can do. Yeah. Okay. At least we have some options. Yeah. So, okay. Thank
108you. >> That is it for me. >> Oh, good. Thank you. Um, couple of quick things. Like you Makita said, it was a very great day Saturday. You had a lot of events going on and someone made a comment to me while I was sitting at the uh classical uh concert at the gazebo at Stone Park. Why do you have to put so many great events on one day? You know, because you know, people were rushing to get from one place to the other and you really couldn't enjoy, you know, stay for the whole thing. Some people left early and, you know, to go go to Port and unlike last year when they had Portra, they had an entertainment crew right on Summer Street. So they were going, you know, they were rounding out what
109was happening at at the gazebo. So, but thankfully this year it was on the other side of Cherry Street over the hill, so the the pines were blocking that that sound away. But but it was it was good. I went to a couple of the portraites. It was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. All I can say is that's like a tailgate tailgate party. Everybody was tailgating, which was a great time. It was a great time had by all. Um, I'd like to uh say thank you to uh Peter uh comedian who uh was the head of the uh Benwell car show. Uh they said it was the best ever that they've had. They said the weather brought over 500 cars in and out throughout the day. >> Phenomenal. Um Yep. And uh
110when I went at 10:00 to like I did last year to get my get out papers and go, it was already done. Someone had already done it. So I don't know who it was from the town that did it, but it was already done. So but that's okay because I get to walk around and saw my goat and I saw a good friend's Model T with the rumble seat. >> I'm just telling you. Okay. Just it was there cuz I think I would have given them that with that that award for all the for all the stuff that was given to me. But anyway, it was it was a great time. They made a lot of money for the American Cancer Society. So, good for them and and thank you, Peter, for running that. It
111was it was a great day. I know the lines were out straight cooking and stuff. So, they uh >> they were awesome. >> They sold out. >> They did sell out. Okay. I I wouldn't >> hamburgers and hot dogs. >> That's awesome. So >> yeah, well it was a great day for you couldn't ask for a better day. And I did reach out to uh Hank from um Habitat for Humanity to see when they plan on having volunteers come and work. I haven't heard back from them, but I'll I'll keep continuing >> because they've they've had people there. I saw drove by and you saw people with their TJX shirts and stuff. So and I've had one or two other groups ask me >> when they could, you know, how how could they get involved?
112>> Okay. So >> they're actually going to be at Ashlin Day. So we can figure out that. So maybe maybe there's a way that they can incorporate >> Yeah. Sign that information. Yeah. Yeah. That might be a good thing. >> Yeah. So if you have that contact that's going to be >> maybe they can speak about it for a few minutes, we plug them into the schedule. >> That's a good idea. >> So whoever has the connection or well since you're working with them through Ashland day say you want to take a few minutes and talk about it as you sign up volunteers from the gazebo. Yeah, not a bad idea. >> Plug it into the schedule. >> Not a bad idea. Not a bad idea. That's about all I have. Um, we're working on
113uh the Halloween parade party is going to be on the 30th of this year at the Mende School, the new school. Um, all set. Everything is ready to rock and roll. So, we're good for that. Uh, the 24th is slated for the first kid nights out, which is a Friday night. So, which is nice. So, we definitely don't want to interfere with that special event in any way, shape, and form. So, they were gracious enough to uh schedule us for the 30th, which is the day before Halloween. So, that fits right into the whole aspect of everything. So, which is which is cool. So, with that, uh I do have something that I have to read and this is to go into executive session. Uh when we go into executive session, we will not uh
114reconvene into general uh a general meeting. So um I would ask for a motion to adjourn the regular session at this time and call the executive meeting to order. So the executive session is pursuant to general law chapter 3A section 21A paragraph 6 to consider purchase exchange lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the body. At the conclusion of the executive session, the board will not convene in open session. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> This has to be a voice vote. >> Reeves eye. >> Egan I. >> Bennett I. >> Kinsman I. >> Byani I. Thank you. Good night and enjoy this great weather that we have for the rest of the week.
115And don't forget October Fest this Saturday at fishing game. >> So October Fest Dragonfly fall fest dragonfly. and we'll see you all on October 4th at Ashland Day. >> That's right.