Planning Board - September 11th, 2025

001Good evening everyone and welcome to the Ashlin Planning Board meeting of Thursday, September 11th. Um, a reminder to everyone that the meeting is being broadcast and recorded. I'm going to call the meeting the planning board meeting to order at 7:16 with us tonight. We do all has we do have a joint meeting with the select board who are here in person and thank you for joining us. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. um at 7:17 I'd like to call the select board meeting to order. >> All right. So, as I said, we welcome the select board. We are here um as the part of the joint meeting, which would be the first part of this meeting tonight to um to review and vote on um two appointments. The first one is to fill um an empty

002seat on the planning board. Um, this appointment would uh begin as soon as the appointee is voted and um sworn in and would continue until May of next spring when that position would be um up for election. So whether um whether the candidate decides to do that or not is is up to him, but it's a nice little uh trial period. [Laughter] So we will start off with that. Um so the first item on our agenda is to review and vote on appointing new member uh to the planning board. And so I would invite Paul Montesino um to come to the microphone. >> Yeah, you're on. Okay. So my name is Paul Montasino. I've been in Ashland since 2002. moved here from Watertown when I got married to Sandra and um so just kind of

003a little bit more about myself. So I went to Boston College and got my masters of science from there. Did my undergraduate at Bentley, a couple other schools along the way, but that's okay. And um so today I am a director of product marketing for a lighting company. So for those of you that know anything about lighting, you have a couple of components. You have a LED source and you have a power electronics called the driver or ballast or power supply. And so as a director of product marketing, my job is to make luminires with my customers. Uh they come to me and say, "Hey, I've got an idea. Can you do this for me?" And of course with all the the questions and all those things we do, we we figure out what's the

004right approach to accomplish that. Um a little bit less about my work stuff, but I have just talk about the family side. So I have two kids in town. Uh my son Brady, as some of you know, he's uh in his senior year in high school. He's uh hopefully going to be a pilot someday in the future when he gets out of the school system and starts that venture and we'll be looking at some schools recently here that have aviation programs. So that's a lot of fun. Uh my daughter Piper, she's a sophomore in school. Uh she plays on field hockey, lacrosse, and the gymnastics. She's a goalie. Played against Hopington last night. Did great. But uh you know, we're always proud of our kids. They do such a great job. Uh so for me,

005you know, I'm looking at this as a opportunity to give back a little bit. I think that's kind of cliche. Everybody says they want to give back, but you know, with my skill sets and my experience in business and understanding construction a little bit from what I know from my years and, you know, having worked at Home Depot and done lighting design for people, I have a good, you know, aptitude for that kind of stuff and understand planning in the sense of construction planning and documentation and those kind of things. So, um, so I don't ramble on too much. I'll, uh, kind of leave it there and let you ask some questions that are specific. >> Yeah. So, we do have, um, three, uh, questions that that we did email to you in advance just

006to get a little a little bit learn a little bit more about you. >> Yeah. >> And the first one was was, uh, what is one project in Ashlin that you feel contributed positively to the town and in what way? >> Yeah. So, being here 20 years, you get to see a lot happening in the town. Um, for me, I think the the one that really resonated more with me was the um public service, the police and fire department. It's a beautiful building. It rivals some of the other buildings you see across Southboro, Hopington, Framingham, Nic. You know, you look at that and you say, "Okay, I feel proud of the town because we invested in something that's important." You were able to put two different departments together in one. It's a nice shiny building.

007Marathon Day, all the runners are coming by. The media trucks are driving by. So, it really shows off the town and what they've done. Not to say the other projects aren't important, but like you know the high school and, you know, improvements to the middle school, the other elementary schools, but you know, that one to me resonated the most and and what the town came from and where it's going. So, that one to me is the best one. >> Thank you. That was interesting to to hear. Um, question two is how should public feedback factor into a decision for a proposed project and what other feedback do you feel might be helpful to you and the board in making decisions? >> You know, looking at question two, I look at that as very similar to

008what I do today. I mean, I can't make decisions in a vacuum. I can't just take what somebody says once and say, "Okay, this is what I want." I have to go through that collection phase of what what is it that you're specifically asking for? How do we accomplish that? and get as much information from the stakeholders and then comprise all those different thoughts and put them on paper and figure out what is the best path. For me in my job, I spend a lot of company money. I spend millions of dollars creating products. Believe it or not, for a little power electronic that might be this big and a little LED source because at the end of the day, you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars developing something, you better get a return at

009the end. better be beneficial to our customers, the stakeholders as well as, you know, the people within our own little communal orbit. I mean, you know, I work with I work for an Austrian company, not an Australian company, but an Austrian company. So, they're very particular about process, making sure you collect all the data and you follow the different steps to get to the end result. So, for me, it's about getting information from stakeholders and really taking that feedback and then making the proper decision based on what you've received. I'll never claim to be the person who knows everything. I want to know what I don't know and collect it and then that'll help me make the other informed questions and then maybe I learn something different that process. >> Thank you. And question three,

010what is one particular skill, strength or experience um you have that would be an asset to the board? >> Details are important. Um not helpful if you just brush through things and just bypass. It's it's important to understand what does something mean to the next step. If I rush through, let's say, a particular product feature and I don't understand what it's going to mean to somebody using the product, well then I created something that nobody will use. There's going to be hurdles. There's going to be pain to use that product. Whether it's in software, what we call graphical user interfaces, or something that's not embedded within the product. If you don't understand what is there, then it's going to create a problem. So for me, I'd like to understand, you know, as much of that

011process. As I said, I don't have the answers to everything. I don't know what I don't know, but obviously with the board here, everybody has different experiences and skill sets. I'll learn something from everybody and hopefully learn something from me. But at the end of the day, it's, you know, let's use what we all have and work together in teams. I mean, my company is 1,600 people from every country in the world, Russia, Ukraine, UK, South America. So working with different cultures and different people with different experiences is definitely a an experience that I have. >> Great. Thank you. I think you met the select board very briefly. >> I did not meet before. Hi. >> Um before uh before the meeting started while we were waiting and the the planning board I don't think

012you've met uh Deep Event Kit Scott Pellet here >> and Anna Tesminsky is uh is online. Um so um and obviously it's that fifth chair that we're learning to fill. So um at this point are there any other other questions from either board that they would like to ask? You can ask them directly to Paul. >> Hi Paul. >> Uh first off thanks for raising your hand. uh and volunteering. Um so uh a lot of the things that you're talking about uh I'm very familiar with because I've I I've been known to do some product ownership of my own in my own day. But so I think uh it's interesting how you're talked about how some of your uh uh product experience may translate to the board. Um, one of the things that as a

013product owner you have to do is uh make decisions for difficult tradeoffs. >> Um, sometimes actually compromise is important, communication is important. What's your process around around that? Uh, you know what what are some of the factors that you take in place generally when you're trying to make those sort of difficult decisions? >> I'll give you an example of something we're doing now with some products. So the tariffs have been a very big pain in our side for the company because we we have manufacturing in China, we have it in Serbia of all places, the UK and cost is very important. So we have to look at what are the contributing factors to cost and it comes down to the design of the product. In a in a very simplified world with LED drivers, there

014are factors like lifetime whether something is 50,000 hours that may be regulated by design lights consortium out of Medford or giving something of free value which is 100,000 hour product. So we can be two times the life but that comes at a cost. that comes at a trade-off with with internal components that elevate the cost of that and do through that process of do we want to sacrifice our USPS or unique selling position or features that we have for the sake of 10 cents or 15 cents and those pennies do make make a lot of benefit because they do translate to you know three and four times in the sale price of the product so every penny regard you know you may think it's a penny who cares but it translates to higher prices later

015on so we have to weigh those particular facets of cost and determine do we want to give that up or do we want to really compete on on price and the issues in our industry is everything's commoditized because we have a lot of intrusion from the exports coming in from the Asian markets there before they were markets that were mostly geared towards price and lower quality but now that quality has picked up to the point where it's it's hard to compete and they can do it at cheaper prices too through a number of different factors I won't get into those parts But so there we have to from an Austrian company point of view. I mean if you know anything about Austrians and Germans are very particular about process ISO certifications and all that. So

016as you go down that line and I'm doing that right now with our Chinese colleagues who are designing for me today. We go through and we we review those features and I go back to sales and I say are you willing to give up this this this feature this 100,000 hours or this functionality so you can save 15 20 cents and they say no I don't want to do that because I have an advantage over you know companies that are manufacturing in Mexico for that. So, we have to go back and forth and weigh those and and I'll say to them, hey, look, I'm not willing as the product manager to relinquish that because then you're going to hammer me on the fact that you don't have a selling advantage in the market. You're going

017to have to be creative in what values you offer, whether it's longer warranty, taking it from 5 years to seven years or 10 years or sell it at a discounted price to close the deal and get the volume in in the whole business side. So, how would that translate to some of the difficult trade-offs that you'd maybe encounter on the planning board? You kind of give a I'm I'm kind of hearing that that you you you basically take a look at the situation. Um, you communicate with stakeholders with and try to make the determine the best path forward for maximum value. Would that be a fair assessment of what your overall process is? How how would that apply to using philosophically to what you'd be doing? Yeah, exactly. Follow the same kind of process or

018>> I think in this world it's slightly different because it's obviously a different course stakeholders, right? It's not a product, it's more services than what you offer. >> Uh the way I look at it is, you know, having the kind of the DNA around that type of thinking is important because it's really about the foundation and not relinquishing those parts. Um but it as a product manager you're you're in the circle of that spoke and you you're dealing with the executive management people. So to me it would be kind of like the select board and maybe the town man that kind of stuff town manager those kinds of things. And then you have the other people that are R&D quality department which would be other stakeholders within the town and contractors who are maybe saying

019look I want to build this. Okay what is it that you're offering? what is it that you want to provide and and does it meet the the goals and the requirements of the board? Are you are you hitting on all those touch points? You don't want to necessarily approve something because you just want to finish a meeting. You really want to does it achieve the goals that you have set for that person who's going to be standing here after me who's going to talk about the next best project in town. So I think it's important that again everything is all about asking questions having the dialogue and you know leaning on your your peers who have a little more history because obviously coming in new I don't have the background but some of you have

020so you know you have a history behind it like for me I have nine years in my company so I know all of the history of everything we've done since day one that I've been with the company and so when people say this I say well we tried that eight years ago and it didn't work and it failed because of this or it worked seven years ago because we did this. So, I don't mean to kind of roundabout answer the question, but I think it's important to ask the right questions. The end of the day, it's all asking the right questions. And then if you don't have answer, dig in. Talk to the the subject matter experts, whether it's somebody in the legal team in this world or somebody who's really related to the products

021and you want to understand how does this product you're proposing for this project, how how does it work? What does it mean? Are there any issues related to sustainability? Is there something to do with waste or other chemicals that may we didn't think about? Will they leech into something? Those are kind of things. I mean, I think sometimes overanalyzing it can be a little bit of what I'm kind of saying as well, but >> Oh, thank you. Thank you for your answer. >> Thanks for the tough question. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Thank you, Paul. We're good, Madam Chair. Um if is there any discussion that anyone like to any comments anyone would like to make? >> We we'll take your recommendation on on on this bill. Right. >> And just and just thank

022you for for stepping up to be a part of this. So, >> and I just further add that the bottom line of this whole process is that we want people on the board that will make sure that they have the best interest of the town at hearted first more than anything else because that's what's important is that whatever decisions are made are going to affect this community in in the long run, you know, so the stakeholders are the residents of town. Yeah, I think from the conversations I've had with Paul um who has been interested in this since about the time of the election. Um so back in May, but um I think you yeah kind of just missed the timeline in that. And so when this opportunity came up, I reconted him and said

023I think it might have been even first about the associate position. I don't recall. But um but I think um Paul's not only his uh deep roots, connections to Ashland, um which always kind of feed in I think to uh your community, but also uh obviously um uh attention to detail and the ability to um deal with obviously complex projects though in much a different way, much different than the world we have here. But that ability to take um a complex project and try to figure out solutions is something that I thought um would be um applicable and beneficial to the board. >> So we're ready to make take a vote. >> We are ready to have a motion. I'll make a motion, >> please. >> Uh to appoint Paul Montino to the planning board

024for um a term expiring >> 2026. May 26 >> May 2026. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> And I believe we need So we have a quorum of both boards. So I think we need a vote just a vote. >> Majority Y >> majority vote. >> A majority vote. So, um, do we want to just >> All those in favor? >> I I guess that's easiest. >> I >> All those opposed. >> Thanks, Joe. >> Yeah, >> it is interesting. >> So, so, uh, Paul, thank you again for stepping forward and welcome to the board. I think the process from here, Jasmine, right, is that, um, you will need to get sworn in um, and then at the town clerk's office. Go. So, Monday certainly before the next um >> Yeah.

025So, before the next meeting, but um as as I had um mentioned earlier, I would love for you to hang out for the rest of the meeting and um and um be a part of um the the discussions that we have. So, thank you. >> We have one other item. We have one other item that involves um >> the select board. >> Yeah, it involves us. So um an old and new business. We need to discuss and vote on the appointing of Katherine Zurich as uh the precinct for representative on the comprehensive plan steering committee. this there's a vacancy and uh Kate volunteered to step forward and and do the work and was uh we're very happy that you came forward. Do you want to briefly just come up and just we know who you

026are but some folks you know on on TV at home may not know who you are. So >> Katherine Jersey 11 Rodman Road. So I um was on the planning board. I filled my term. I did not rerun and it's actually not because I didn't enjoy it and think it's super worthwhile. Um it is encouraging people and and and a lot of work because you all know that. Um so I did not rerun because I was able to um you know cross fingers a little retire before you get so you can't do things. So I was no longer on the comprehensive plan. So, there's an opening in precinct 4, which I am uh precinct 4. And I think I I'm super excited about being able to have that position since well before that um comprehensive

027plan committee, steering committee even start. I've have been part of the process. I have not been absent when I wasn't a planning board member. There's a couple meetings I've been to, participated under citizens petition. I've recently been to all the forums um that we had on that. I probably one of the biggest cheerleaders um on the committee of publicizing and and selling that and talking to the public about it. I have um two things I would want to mention that there's I think it's obviously winding down. The the goal is to have a we're in a draft but to have it um a draft finalized to be voted on fall town meeting. So between now and fall town meeting I there will be limited time to be reaching out to precinct 4. Like I do

028this I have we have a neighborhood email list which which covers I I um try to I know Facebook doesn't hit everyone but we don't really have I mean the paper is sort of monthly and it um hard to get. So, so I I do want to just disclose that that I think my reaching out to my precinct I I will be very available and I will either cheerleader to the end to get people to participate. that and the second thing is at some point uh mid October to mid November um we we will be um well I won't necessarily be living at 11 Rodman Road but I won't be living somewhere else if that makes sense um to kind of that was part of the retirement plan so so that's um I I plan

029on being here through town meeting, but possibly co couch surfing at some period of time between um >> get back in college. >> So, we should offer you a couch so that you can stay on the comprehensive plan committee. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah. >> Um so, I just want like that that to all be um discussed and disclosed and understanding. I I've been trying to think of how to get out more to precinct 4, but I think given that it's sort of the end, I think we all just do our best about publicizing getting people there's still chances to weigh in, >> get them to town meeting to vote. Um, so that's it. Um, I would be honored and excited to do it and welcome any questions. >> You have any questions? >> I

030don't have any questions. I would just say I think this is a great way to fill that seat. We probably have we definitely have one maybe two meetings left for the comprehensive plan committee as it goes to town meeting. As Kate said, she's been there since the beginning. So to me, it's a no-brainer to appoint her as the precinct 4 rep since we've lost our precinct 4 rep and Kate has been doing the work. >> I'll I'll just add we also lost our planning board second member um because we had a new member that took Kate's spot who has since resigned. So technically the comprehensive plan committee is lacking a planning a second planning board vote and while that's not filled I think Kate stepping up to precinct 4 due to her prior planning board

031experience is extremely helpful >> in this period of a gap >> could we make the appointment precinct 4 and the sec and appoint her as the representative from the planning board like I said there's only two meetings >> this planning board should probably now that we have a fifth member should probably speak because Technically, we we the the new planning board should probably convene and discuss that because in theory, we could >> since we have the planning board jurisdiction, we could appoint a second planning board member as as a second vote just like the select board has two votes on the comprehensive plan. >> There is some benefit to having that full >> two from each. >> Exactly. >> And now that we have a full board, >> we could have other membership who's interested,

032including Trisha, who's been in the process from the beginning. So, >> okay. I think we should reconvene on that and add the right agenda. >> Yeah, I I agree though. I'm um happy that that Kate can fill that hole and that she's obviously been um involved from the very beginning of the comprehensive plan and I know it's very important to her, but it doesn't seem appropriate to step back over the line of planning board. >> I don't think so. >> But she'll already be filling a seat and I I I support that. So, and >> I just wanted to say, you know, I think it's great that that you've been continued to be involved even after the May election. So, um, and you were very much a cheerleader for for the comprehensive plan process and

033add have added a lot of value and um, over the last, you know, couple years as we've been going through this. So, I think it's great that you're willing to to step up and even um couch surf for a little while and um but I I appreciate your you know your dedication to the project because it's it's been it's been it's been a long you know a long project but it's worthwhile and I think hopefully the community will be very happy at the end of this with with what we're presenting at town meeting. So, just thank you for for continuing to be involved and wanting to to continue to be a part of it. So, >> thank you. >> Thanks again, Kate. So, I'll entertain a motion to uh appoint Kate Zurich as the precinct

0344 representative on the comprehensive plan. >> Is there a second? >> I'll All right. I was looking forward to making the motion, but I >> Oh, no. No, no, no. >> You can you have to be my voice if you like. I think it's wonderful the level of excitement to appoint Kate. >> Yeah. >> Um I I just wanted to add that I don't think it would make any sense not to have Kate as a voting member of the comprehensive plan. It wouldn't be the same without her. My only point was going to be that there's no way you're actually retiring. I hope you understand that. >> Take it from somebody who's already Yeah. You don't retire kid. >> That's right. There's no such thing in Ashland. Um but there's been a motion and a

035second. So I think we can vote. So, all those in favor? >> I I >> I That's unanimous. Congratulations, Kate. And thankful for stepping up and continuing your service to town. >> Appreciate it. >> Um, one question. Do I get do I have to get reworn in? >> Yes. Because now you're going in as the precinct for rep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, Monday morning, >> since you're going in for the comprehensive plan, do you also also get sworn in for the planning board? You still have >> as an associate member until the election or until you leave? Um I well I can see how the couch surfing knows and where we're Yeah. >> say I would be interested till May if we're here and I don't think that's 100% decided but that Thank

036you because I would I would absolutely consider if we're here >> something to sleep on. >> I know >> quickly quickly run away here is be be careful volunteering in this room. That's right. >> All right. Great. Thank you, Kate. >> Okay. >> I would entertain a motion to adjourn the select board. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Thank you. And that's at 720 7:42. Sorry. Thank you. >> Thank you for joining us in person. I expected that you would be online and it's it's it's great to see everybody. So, yeah. >> Yeah. Awesome. >> Always a pleasure to be here. Thank you. Enjoy >> the rest of your Thank you again. Yeah, >> you're good. >> Thank you. >> See you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, um, >>

037you want to hang out with us >> or we have we have more spots. >> You may >> you have been invited to to sit with the board, >> the big table. >> Just test it out. See how you feel. Try the different seats. You know, >> you might decide that there. >> Yeah. There's no going back now. >> Be funny if you just like move around and try different seats the whole time. >> Exactly. >> And just look really perplexed and like leave halfway through. >> Get some music. >> No. Yeah. I told you our Yeah, now that you know what it's like. Sure about this? I don't know. >> Welcome. >> Okay. Yes. Awesome. >> You may not be sworn in, but you can swear if you want. >> All right. Not here.

038>> All right. So, as we move on our agenda, we're at item three, the chair clerk's report. Um some of this we'll we'll leave till later. Um as as far as uh the emails that have been received, there were a number of emails in support of a design review committee candidate. We can wait and talk about that under the design review committee which is a later agenda item. There was also um an email regarding the comprehensive plan. Yolanda actually had had um uh um answered that one because it it did go to both boards. There was also a question about road noise, which isn't really this board's purview, and Jasmine had um answered that one and directed the um the the resident to the right to the right source. So, those are kind of the

039the kind of emails um that we've that we've been receiving over the past um over the past few weeks. Um, next on the Does anyone have any questions about that or anything else that you might have seen come across the the board? Um, next we have public comments. It's pretty quiet, but I will open it up for any public comment. >> Anyone online? >> Does anyone want to make a public comment? does not appear that way. >> No, I'm good. Thank you. Okay. >> Just just listening in. >> Thank you, John. >> Special privileges because you are our only online member that we can see or online person that we can see. >> Okay. Um uh next on the list then is um number five, public hearings. We do have one public hearing tonight that

040is for 117 Oregon Road. It is a cell tower um for Paul. Uh these are um kind of fairly regular um applications that come in to the planning board. Um Jasmine, do you have a minute to explain what the the cell phone applications are for? Um >> the majority of the applications that we're receiving now are towers that are already in existence. We're not asking to create new towers since I've been here. But what happens is these towers have certain types of um different u not antennas on them but kind of antennas for different sources. So you might have Verizon, AT&T all one and what they do is they update those antenna and the poll stays and they give us they submit a report about the structural integrity of the pole that it can handle

041the additional weight because obviously it's so high up you're adding bigger antennas additional weight. You need to make sure the pole can handle it. that by law we aren't technically allowed to restrict wireless communications. Um where these poles are already standing, we don't have to do any large inspections for fall radius and things like that is already done at the initial construction. So we're really just reviewing these as a replacement of the existing antenna or adding additional antenna in regard to the structural analysis. So, and while um while you should feel free to participate in the discussion this evening, when we actually I'm not sure we'll be voting on this evening because usually we need the the approval before us. But but um at this meeting at least, you wouldn't be able to vote next

042uh next meeting if that's when we're looking at the approval document, you would be able to vote on that. And I'll just add just for your information that there these are fairly pro- fora and there's federal law that makes it extremely impossible for local planning boards to prevent these types of modifications. It's very narrow area. Um so the review is more proforma um for public transparency and knowledge base more than anything else. There's very rare situations where we have a say on specific design elements. We sometimes do, but generally um it's regulated by the federal government how we must approve um and we have to do it within a certain amount of time typically. >> On that note, would you like to introduce yourself and the project we are dealing with this evening? >> Yes.

043Um I'm Dominica Tatashory with Crown Castle and um thank you for having me this evening and congratulations on your appointment. Um the application currently before you is um on behalf of T-Mobile uh located at 117 Oregon Road. Um just the back of the uh Oregon club >> and uh actually before I make this mistake again which I have made before it's like I did not read it into the records. >> Yeah, let's do that first. So, I did this to you before and I apologize. >> No worries. >> Um, okay. Uh, the planning board will hear the petition of T-Mobile, 15 Commerce Way, Norton, uh, Mass, requesting special permit and special permit modification per chapter 282, section 6.4, wireless communication facilities, and 9.3 of the Ashlin bylaws. The applicant seeks to remove six existing antennas

044and install six new antennas, ancillary equipment, collar mounts, and ground equipment. There is no proposed change to the tower height or compound size. The proposal includes the installation of 5G capable equipment. The property in question is located at 117 Oregon Road Assessor's Map 1, lot 3800 0000 in ash in residential aid district. >> Now we can continue. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so T-Mobile is an existing carrier at the 75 foot uh telecommunications concealment tower. Um, Crown Castle, the company I work for, owns the tower and we have an active lease with the property owner uh till December 3rd, 2067. Uh, so very long term. Um, as you know, telecommunication equipment upgrades are very common um and are desired as technology changes uh to provide better communication services for not only residents

045but businesses and first responders as well. Regarding this application, T-Mobile um antennas are currently located at the 71st center line, that's the very top position, and at this 61st uh foot center line, the second position down. Um and at each of these levels, there's three antennas uh per center line. So, T-Mobile uh proposes to replace the three antennas at the 71st center line with three new antennas and replace three antennas located at the 61st center line with three new three new antennas. So, even swap. So, a total of uh replacing six antennas with six new antennas, three each at different um center lines. Um other ancillary equipment includes but not limited to um collar mounts um bias T's um cables and um cabinets and radios and dlexers. Uh there's no change to either tower height

046or to uh the compound size. The application constitutes an eligible facilities request per the FCC's regulations and does not constitute a substantial change to the tower and as a byright application. Uh the application materials that were submitted to you include the application uh the construction drawings, the passing structural analysis report at 51.9% and a compliant radio frequency emissions analysis report at 3.40%. uh which is well within the parameters of the FCC's federal guidelines for limited exposure. That's all I have. Madam Chair, >> um can you bring up the um the just the image of the tower? Like these are the um uh the new uh cabinets that they're adding, right? Um but the image I didn't even know actually. Yeah, that one. I didn't even know that there was an antenna at this location. I'

047I've been on the board I think seven years and this is the f I believe this is the first one I've ever so I've seen at this location. So Jasmine and I actually drove out to to find this and it actually is in the back right of the parking lot for Oregon Road restaurant if you >> have >> been there. Yes. I did not know we even had one there. >> And it's a bit of an unusual tower. Um, right. It's kind of It doesn't look like the other towers. It's >> No, I mean there's v various types of towers, monopoles, guy, lattice, concealments. There's so many different types. And you're correct, Madam Chair. You cannot even see it from the road. Like when I even went to the site, you know, you have to

048drive down in the back and you get to see it on the right hand side. Um, >> so this is just a concealment tower. I'm not sure why it was permitted that way. I'm not really sure the reason, you know, why that model was chosen. I have no idea. >> So these use a different kind of antenna that can be because a lot of them the antennas are much wider and these are seem much narrower kind of hug the pole and thus can be concealed. There is no big flag on the poll that I saw >> and apparently madam chair there never was >> right on the I don't know how it would be seen hardly uh anyway but okay I just wanted to to clarify there and um when when I realized or when

049I kind of noted that I didn't even know there was a cell tower there um I talked to Jasmine and Jasmine and um Melissa have been working on this is kind of the first draft I think that was sent out um a map of where our cell towers are in Ashland that we actually have them diagrammed on a piece of paper and um and so we'll be kind of like I said this is kind of the first draft of this but we'll we'll kind of um uh be be working on drafts so that we can kind of keep track of where these are um in town. Um >> Madam Chair, there should probably be be plotted on GIS with your uh town. >> Yeah. Oh, you mean that >> as a layer, >> right? Yep.

050Yeah. So, it would be good. It would be good to have that and be able to just bring them bring them up each time. Um, so the um the exchange of the oh, there's a better word for it, but I'm going to say the cabinets, the things on the ground. Um, that's changing pretty extensively as well, but it's staying on the existing pad. >> Exactly, Madam Chair. So, it's within the lease area for T-Mobile, all within the existing compound. There's no expansion. >> It's all contained. >> I just have one question and this might just be the standard language on page four >> of the of the application or the um the document the the radio frequency emissions report. Um, it says that it says based on the theoretical modeling analysis performed, there are areas

051that exceed the FCC's general public and/or occupational limits at this site. T-Mobile must ensure proper mitigation is installed at the site in order for the site to remain in compliance. What is that? Because then it goes on to say that everything is below the limits. >> And Madam Chair, that's a good point. That's just kind of like common verbiage they just kind of leave on. But I was in conversation with the RF engineer that prepared the report and um the accumulative amount of 3.4 is accurate. Um and in fact under five you don't even so if you're a line worker on the tower if you're under 5% you still don't even have to have protective gear on. Uh it's when you get over 5% then the person who's doing the changes to the tower the

052equipment would have to have protective gear. So this is such a low number. So but low or not I this was my question too because page four says exceeds and then page 11 says >> not exceed so which is the accurate >> it's it does not exceed because um you madam chair a fail is 100% and this is 3.4 for >> I just wonder why that why isn't that language changed? I would like I would like to know that for our next meeting >> and madam chair like oh sorry excuse me >> yeah that that's just like it it's going to it's like for us it's like how am I voting on this that says it exceeds it right so if this is a typo or if there's a nuance the nuance should be in

053the text so that we understand it because >> I totally agree madam chair yes I I believe it's more like template language that they leave in and they probably really shouldn't so I will communicate that to the RF engineer Okay. And is that something that we can because obviously for next meeting we will have a a draft of the um of the approval document with any comments we want. But I I I think that should be clarified um in writing that that either either page four is correct or page 11 is correct right and not leave us kind of guessing which is correct. So, >> so I madam chair through you I'll I will um ask the RF engineer to provide um just a quick comment letter. >> Yeah. >> Just to address that. >>

054Okay. >> Any other questions either either about um our process or or about uh >> the cell tower. My only question is is there going to be any site work that's happening because you have concrete and foundation details in drawings. There are trench details as well. >> So is I'm assuming there's some site work that's happening because you have all the details in the drawing. >> So um through you madam chair there's no trench work. It's just basically replacing um the cabling that is currently there and everything on the concrete pads will be um not disturbed as well. So there's no increase in impervious area or anything of that nature. Is that what this drawing detail is E2 drawing E2 and there's also notes that talk about concrete and foundation in the second page but

055there's a trench detail there's a conduit stub up details so there has to be some work that's happening until these draw these details are not meant to be here. >> Or are these just from the original build? I don't know. >> I mean, they're dated August 12th issue. >> That's just when they were submitted. The front page, excuse me, the front page T1 seems to have project description including scope of work for ground. >> Um, Deepa, did you notice any of that reflecting the >> Well, I mean on T2, I also noticed that this concrete and foundation reinforced steel details, I mean notes. >> Mhm. >> Right there. >> Yep. So there must be some amount of sight work >> just not the antennas getting replaced. >> Um through you madam chair that's just verbiage

056that they just leave on regardless for their notes regarding the existing uh concrete and >> there are details drawn on E2 page five maybe. Yeah, the notes are often like just standard page of structural details, but the details themselves usually >> are I don't know if it's just there in case they need it. >> Um, so it would just be it would just be good because there is a lot of change. There's a lot of equipment changing on that pad. I've noticed there's kind of three pieces coming out and a lot of pieces going on staying in the same concrete pad. But it would be good to note um if you know if there's if there's anything um you know yeah if there's any concrete >> going on >> um madam chair it would be

057in our scope of work and I can assure you that there is no new concrete no new expansion of concrete or anything of that nature associated with the scope. So, can we make sure those details if it's not relevant to the project, take it off the sheets? Um, and which detail exactly are you referring to? It's on two >> that I think that's a good point >> because if we just replacing it in kind and not touching the structure structural anything to do with the structure of the pole itself. We want to make sure that there are no details >> connected with that on the drawing set. >> Okay. >> Or if they're just there for reference of previous work done or something just noted, you know, so there's no confusion. Is that possible that

058the engineer can note um work that is actually being done or work that is just being referenced from something past or a standard detail that's not really applicable to the project? >> Yes. Either um they'll provide a comment or we can get have this sheet removed. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Did you have any other comments? Thank you. Any further comments? Okay. So, um yeah. So, I and is there anything um at this time? I don't think anyone has mentioned after these changes are made. Um there probably isn't anything that would be a special condition once once we get the documentation back on those. Obviously, that might change if if uh if that data comes back differently. >> Okay. And and madam chair um just to verify what's the next step for timelines so I

059can report back to management the draft decision council that decision on our September 25th meeting and if we've received the amended doc clarifying documentation at that time and the board feels they've received all the information I think you'd be ready to vote. >> Absolutely. And so just to clarify, Madam Chair, through you, um what it is is basically just a confirmation from the RF engineer regarding the verbiage that he puts on uh the page 4 compared to page 11 and the um elimination of that E2 um plan like detail or clarification. >> Yeah. or clarification. Just understanding is there >> is is there concrete work being done or is are things just being placed on the existing concrete >> because there is a reference to ground equipment on the cover sheet. So maybe there is

060some work happening and these details may connect but maybe the details have to be just clarified. Make sure that it's not new concrete but they're doing repair or renovations too. >> Yes. And and again through you madam chair if there is new concrete work it's not uh atypical for them to put that in the scope as well. So okay I'll let you know and I'll do this prior um to the 25th as well so we can get the decision in hand and hopefully for filing and then the um appeal period and all of that and recording. >> Yes. Um, yeah. And I I don't think there's a obviously I don't think there's a a problem if concrete work needs to be done. It's just knowing what it is. And as there is a restaurant right

061there, um, there may be something about I don't know what the restaurant's hours are. I think the rest the owner of the restaurant must own the the tower as well or >> No, actually, Madam Chair, we own the tower, Crown Castle. They own the properties, not lease with, >> right? So, the coordination between those two would would be between them. I I assume um as it's one one property owner. So, um but yes, so that would that put us in within the the time frames that um that are needed for this project. Yes. >> Um let me just verify the time frames on that. Um so yes, as long as we can have our approval well within hand prior to October 13 because you we also have to do the building permit and all of

062that. Okay. Yes, we should easily be, you know, ready for that given the extra information at our at our next meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Then we will be looking to continue this until September 25th. >> I'll make a motion to continue 117 Oregon Road T-Mobile hearing to September 25th. >> And is there a second? >> Second that. and a roll call vote >> I >> Anna Tismaniski I >> and Trisha Kendall I so we will see you in two weeks and >> I'll be participating by Zoom at that time madam chair but yes I'll have the information prior to the meeting >> great that's that's fine thank you so much >> thank you take care >> oh I've already buried in Okay, continuing. >> Is that what's Yep. Continue. >> Can we still

063continue this one? >> Which one? >> The one that you >> Oh, I'm Wow. Forget it. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Okay. Um, sorry. So, this is the soccer fields. Can um can you just explain Jasmine what's the letter of denial that they are waiting for? >> So typically when you apply for a variance one of the requirements is you have to get a denial letter from the building commissioner so they tell you what section you're seeking relief from so the zoning board knows where to grant. >> Okay. So they're still waiting for the letter so they can go to the zoning board of appeals to ask about the gravel. >> Oh okay. Okay. >> Yes. So that's why they're they've granted the extension because otherwise this would have expired on the 23rd. That would have

064been the end of our 90 days. They granted us an extension um so that way we can continue the hearing. So >> So and and sorry when does the extension go to? >> He he g he didn't give us an end date. He just said we're willing to extend. So he didn't he didn't estimate a time. He just said given an extension. So we can't be >> Can I ask a clarifying question? Is this something that they're required to have as part of their application to have a valid application in front of us or is it something that we are required to provide that we have not yet provided and therefore they're granting us more time? >> It's something >> that was a bit confusing to me. >> It's something they they will need to

065apply to the zoning board of appeals. Okay. >> But they are being held up by the town because they're waiting for the building commissioner to write that letter. But he was out. Our building commissioner was sick for two weeks. So, got it. >> Um, now that they've spoken with him, they spoke, he's been back for over a week, they spoke with him, but they still haven't submitted to the ZB yet. >> so sort of mutually, uh, problematic. >> Absolutely. >> Both entities, the town and the applicant are stuck. >> Yes. >> All right. >> So, there's no window deadline that we are under at the present time. No, >> with them. Okay. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, are we continuing to September 25th? >> They would appreciate that, but No, I'm sorry. They would

066appreciate your first meeting in October because the BA isn't meeting on the 23rd because of Rashana. >> Which meeting is that? >> 30th. >> October. >> We'll be meeting October 11th. >> Okay. >> Are you not? >> I I think it's 9th. >> Oh, you're It is the 9th. I'm sorry. It is the Yes. So, >> yeah. So, and just >> um Yeah, we can do that. So I'll make a motion to move 240 260 Pleasant Street Metro West Facilities LLC hearing to October 9th. >> Second >> and a roll call vote >> I test I >> and Trisha Kendall I. So that is continued to October and then we have next on the agenda is 30 Memorial Drive the YMCA um which will be is we will be will we be restarting that one?

067>> No, they're just requesting a continuence because they only held the one hearing. So, Paul, I'm going to send you a recording and some minutes and it's your choice if you want to read the meeting minutes or listen to the recording. But if you do that, then you can file a Mullen certificate saying that you've watched that and are up to speed. And then you may listen into the rest of the YMCA project and you may vote on it. >> Even though he because that counts as his first even though Even though he wasn't sworn in. And I checked with town council because I've heard >> different things from the towns and she says it doesn't matter. They can miss the one. It doesn't matter that he wasn't appointed yet. >> That is I'm surprised

068by that meeting you didn't even know you. >> Yeah. So it it was a meeting where the where the it was a meeting where the YMCA was kind of reintroduced issue to revertise for the 25th. >> It would have been >> and so it's a good introduction. It'll be a good introduction to that project. You'll see the questions we had on it at that time and then when we see it and when did they want to continue this too? >> They would like to continue this until October 25th. >> Oh, October. >> September 25th. >> Okay. Okay. September 25th. So hopefully then when we see it on September 25th, some of the questions that were raised the last time on the meeting you'll watch hopefully will be >> resolved and presented here. Some of the

069questions that we had um Yes. So we have meeting minutes of the questions that uh of the meeting. So you can either read the meeting minutes which is faster or you can watch the entire meeting on Zoom. You can have them both so you can go through them. Um >> yeah that's actually a good idea to watch the meeting with the meeting minutes in front of you would probably be um helpful in kind of >> getting a real sense of what went on in that. >> So and then we will pick it up with um you and the a set of plans if you would like. We can get you a full set so that we can review those as well. >> Pick them up Monday. >> We pick them up Monday. >> Okay. >>

070All right. And again, the um the timeline on this one is also something that you're watching. Nothing that we need to worry about at this time. >> Not yet. So, we we're good until November. >> Okay. All right. Is this continued to October 9th as well? >> September 25th. I'll make a motion to continue 30 Memorial Drive YMCA hearing to number 25th. >> Is there a second? >> Second that. >> All right. And a roll call vote >> I >> Anna Tesmani I. >> Scott Pitier I >> and Trisha Kendall I. So that is continued to September 25th. >> Okay. Could we I'm sorry to can I make a comment. Could we get that legal opinion formalized in some way? >> I'll ask for it. Absolutely. just in case they're wait later. >> I completely

071understand. >> Okay. Uh and let me just take um first of all, let me just take item seven before item six because it's a shorter item. Um the um for anyone who doesn't know um Ashlin Day was not going to happen this year because of uh not enough funds. So, um, a few members of the select board, um, uh, one of the teachers at the high school and, um, the owner of, um, Anmarie's dance studio, um, who's associated with the building, the business association kind of came together and said, "No, we really need to make this happen." And so, I want to say the first meeting was, I think it was when I was on vacation. I think it was in the beginning of August. um so um kind of came together and they really

072had a a strong um uh showing at the at the meeting and there's it's it's actually a fairly big group that's working on kind of kind of a revised version of Ashlin Day which will be in I think October 4th I think. >> Yes. So um so anyway that the reason this is on the agenda is just that um they are hoping to set up uh um a tent uh for um town boards as a means of outreach and um maybe gaining interest of people being on the board. And so they were looking um for the different boards and and this will come up later to uh take some volunteer hours and kind of manning the tent. Um I think it's Saturday. I think it's Saturday, October 4th. Yes. >> Yeah. So, um, so anyway,

073that was just an announcement there to kind of kind of keep that in mind. Um, >> it sounded like they have one booth for all. >> Yes. A shared come. So, you'd be sharing it with other boards and committees just that way you're aware that you get there if somebody else is there from design review or board like board or something like that that you're not surprised. what the heck are you doing here? >> Okay, we all get along. >> Thank goodness. Yeah. >> So, I think I I think they'll be, you know, getting to into more depth later, but it's just kind of kind of a heads up. Yeah. And that I think it would actually be nice to have a >> a member of the planning board and a member of the select

074board and a member of the board of health or something there at one time so that you can answer a lot of different questions. But, but um just a heads up on that and that event that that will be coming. Okay. So the the other item and this is like the the a big one here um after Paul's appointment um uh the design review committee structure and membership and um so you know frankly the the change today I I I was completely surprised by um what had happened and so and so what I wanted to do the original the original thought was that Um since the design review committee, you know, still still as of now, um only has two members of five. They're supposed to have five members and they have a slot for

075two, they don't call them associate members. I can't remember what the name of it is, but two extra members that can fill in. Um but they were down to two members, which is not a quorum, right? So they in a sense, even if they have a meeting, it's not a meeting because there's no quorum. So, um, Bill, um, Navacowski was is is was a member whose, uh, term has had expired at the end of June. And, um, >> so, >> yes. Yeah. >> Member, which means we just >> by not being on the design review, I think now. >> Oh, yeah. that uh did not come up in anything that um that did not come up in any email that I was sent. >> Pretty sure I'm right on that >> because I think he's

076we want him to vote on the comprehensive. >> Yeah. So what happened was that um he filled out a talent bank form and um um Sue Roby had some questions about how we typically handled um reinstatements um for the design review committee. Um so she had sent that to Jasmine, asked that to Jasmine. But um I had Jasmine of course is new and it hadn't happened before and I had basically was just leaving on vacation and so the email got a little the the talent bank for and the email and the process got a little got a little lost in you know in that process. So, um when um uh when Bill asked about he asked um Jasmine about being on the agenda and Jasmine asked me and I said no, let's wait because first

077I have to fill planning board seats and I I was hoping to have the associate seat filled as well and then once we have the all the members of the planning board since the since the design review committee is an advisory committee to the planning board. I wanted to have all the voices, you know, present not knowing the situation with um comprehensive plan. >> I think I'm right. >> So, um >> I think he's >> Yeah. So, there was a little it uh was just a little strange. I I forwarded afterwards the emails that I had sent saying let us take care of this and then once um our new members are are sworn in then we can discuss membership on the design review committee. Meanwhile, let's talk about the bylaw, introduce new members to

078the design review committee bylaw and figure out as a group what kind of what kind of people, professions, expertise do we as a board need sitting on the design review committee to help us in the decisions we need to make, right? and then the into and to do the things that we don't have time to do. So, um but no one really communicated with me directly. Um they went to Jasmine and Jasmine said I can't put that on the agenda because the agenda, you know, according to state law comes through through me that that I set the agenda. I work closely with Jasmine who obviously keeps the legal aspects in in align um but ultimately I'm setting the agenda and it needs my approval to go out. So she said I can't do that. I

079can't change the agenda without the chair being involved. And it was after that that the letter came that um that the design review committee opted to uh resign in in full. So it the And that and that's kind of all I know about it. I didn't haven't had um besides my one email directly to Bill, I haven't had anyone in direct contact with me about it. So um so I'm not sure where to go from from here. It it was it was about trying to understand the bylaw and trying to figure out what we then what we do. Um but now the question is a little different. So, I'd like to just just I'd like to just open the discussion because I'd love to hear >> feedback from the board. >> So, we have a

080new planner. We have a new board. I would suggest we prepare a letter from our planner and our board to the folks who resigned and simply express a opening for a restart button. And uh it sounds like there may have been a transitional misunderstanding. That's my interpretation of the scenario. And if certainly if there's no interest in reappoint since there was full resignation, there would have to be a discussion and reappointment from scratch, then we would have to open this to the community and seek seek applicants. Obviously, um, as you can tell, sometimes for planning board and design review, it is challenging to find volunteers. These are difficult positions to fill because they require time and commitment and evenings and detail. So um I think the sooner we reach out to them and sort of

081say hey we have a new board now and we are more than you know we're willing to in light of your expertise we're willing to start from scratch and re and work towards reappoint if you're interested give them a time frame and then at that point open it up and tell them in the letter that you know as of a certain time frame if they're not interested in reappoint we would open it up for the public. That would be my suggestion and kind of start from scratch because clearly there's some historic tension points and we have had historic tension points and difficult conversations. Um, and I think we have a full new board as of this moment. Um, and we should perhaps use that as a way to restart a conversation. And I I would

082also suggest maybe we put in the letter, you know, if they wish to have an informal conversation with us um such as a retreat to talk through things. I would be open to that assuming the rest of the board is open to that because it sounds like that might be beneficial at this juncture as well. >> Scott, were you wanting to Sounds like looked like your hand was on the button. >> Why don't you go ahead with your comment to hers? I had a whole line of other questions and stuff. >> Um I I didn't really have an an immediate response. I think um I I think it's more like just hearing everybody first and and then trying to sort out what what the next step is. >> Yeah. So I want to like I

083don't understand. So he bill was done in June. >> Yes. his term expired at the on June 30th of this year >> and then they waited till July 31st to put the or put the paperwork in requesting that he come back in to the thing. >> I think sometimes people just don't uh easily keep track. >> Totally. I'm just I'm just trying to understand timeline. I didn't mean it like a negative way. I just meant like that. I was just trying to understand timing. But >> so when who gets that paperwork on July 31st? >> Susan and myself. >> Okay. And then where does it go from there? But keep in mind that was a brand new planner. >> No, no, totally. I'm just trying to again I'm trying to understand the operation >> get

084sent to Trisha and the rest of the board that this person is interested in this opening. >> So normally it would go to all of us and did it go to all of us or did it just go to Trisha? >> No. So what so what happened? It didn't go to me either. So what what what happened is that um >> Sue Roby got it. she gets the talent bank forms >> and she had a question about the process like um I think the question was do they need this talent bank form for a reinstatement is that how the planning board does it because this is our committee that sits under the planning board right it's not under the select board it's under us right so is this what the planning board does so she

085addressed that question just to Jasmine Jasmine of course didn't have the answer to that question because she's never done it before here in Ashland. Meanwhile, I I think this was right around August 1st, August 2nd, >> I left town that right on August 2nd, right? Um and so in that it kind of that the question, you know, got lost like >> we were in touch with Bill within a week of receiving. still knew that we were not having planning board meetings that we wouldn't be able to appoint the first meeting we had in August because Trisha wasn't here and that we also weren't meeting in the second meeting in August because we didn't have a quorum. So from at least the bare minimum first week of August, they knew that the very earliest they would

086get before you was tonight. >> So that was so that was communicated to Bill. What >> that was communicated to Bill >> but not to the rest of the design. to the rest. No, but that's not usually that's usually >> I'm just trying to understand because I didn't it also wasn't communicated to us. So like I didn't know. Right. Okay. And then >> they were hoping that and then they came to you today or earlier >> gone emailed Trisha last week. >> No, I don't think I got a direct email. I think it went I think I had you had um >> told me about the appointment and so I said sent an email to the design review committee and I think I sent it to everyone >> right >> that said hey we're we

087have this agenda item um and I invited them to attend the meeting to talk about the design reviewing agenda item there was some confusion which I didn't even see at first that um that it was about Bill's appointment and I said actually it's not about the appointment because I want to fill the seat first, >> right? >> But let's talk. >> Let's talk and figure out you're still only going to have three members tops. How do we fill in those extra seats? Let's let's learn about this together. Let's figure out who we're looking for and try to get more than three people on the design review committee when they have a capacity for seven, right? So, um, yeah. So it was then when when I saw that there was I think I think it was

088through Jasmine as well where they still wanted to be on the agenda or were asking about that appointment. I'm like that's not what the agenda item is for. It's it's a general discussion. >> August 12th I informed the entire the three members on the design review committee that we wouldn't be able to do this until the 11th of this month. >> So I did tell them all. >> Okay. So, they all were, >> but we set the expectation that it would be tonight. >> That I said that we wouldn't be able to have it on the agenda until tonight, right? >> Okay. So, tonight would have been the minimum time that we would have been able to do it, >> right? >> But clearly, it sounds like someone on the design review committee assumed today

089was for the vote versus >> Trisha's um point that we wanted a full board. So, so, so here's my two cents. because the three of us have been on the board a little bit longer. There is some history here of challenges in my opinion in the relationship between our board and design review. We have made in my opinion positive steps over the last year and a half. I think we had a retreat maybe a year ago or so would have been longer and I think we've done a really good job as a planning board in better communication and writing as to what we need from the design review committee every single project. So to me those are positive moves forward. Um I also will speak as a planning board member the last month and a

090half or so we have been quieter than normal in this transition period. It has been an unfortunate transition where we have struggled to fill our membership and at the same time we had planner leave and then we had a new planner start. So, in my very humble opinion, while I respect the tension points in the history, I think a lot of this is circumstantial to major periods of transition. And I think it would work well for our new planner, being a new planner, to reach out to these individuals who've resigned, express the board's appreciation of their multiple years of volunteer experience, recognize the unfortunate period of transition, and open up the door for a conversation either through a retreat or um a request for them to reconsider and at least be not reconsider. They can't

091unresign. I don't think >> they would have to. >> Did they actually officially resign though? Did they come in with signed >> sheets? >> Okay. >> So, the request maybe the request can be fairly quick to say, hey, if you haven't formally resigned yet, let us know if you would reconsider uh withdrawing your interest in resignation or if you have resigned already formally with the clerk, let us know if you are cons willing to be appointed so that we can start with individuals who have some experience. I mean, I I wrote to her tonight. I mean, I I didn't get to it till later, but I wrote and saying, "Come to the meeting because you're clearly frustrated." Like, there's no like and I kind of laid out some of the like we didn't even meet

092in August really. Like, we had what a 20 minute online one on the first part and we didn't meet at all in the second part. So, come to the meeting. Let's just have this conversation. And I mean, she hasn't responded, but it kind of late. So >> I think it was like a year or two ago where I went to the design review committee informally to one of their meetings and spoke to them. And so there there could be benefit to one of our new members um you know reaching out personally as well if you have an interest in that. But ultimately again to me this feels like a transition challenge that we need to respectfully reach out and start from scratch. for me >> and put it behind us or try to move forward.

093>> I'm I'm not opposed to that. But part of um part of this is understanding is really um getting to getting to the real basics of the heart of the um of the of the problem of this of the tension between the boards. And for me, as I expressed when Kathy Rooney, the chair, was reappointed, that part of that is rooted in the respect for the bylaws and um and this is I I don't think the boards and I and I would be totally willing to do a retreat and but we have to to talk about this and start at ground zero, right? Start at the beginning. But as I expressed at that time, this board is grounded in the bylaws, right? The things that we do, there's some I'm not saying there's that gray

094area there because the because there is, right? Um, but we have to keep going back to the bylaws, which are the laws of Ashland, which the residents have approved at town meeting. And the effort that we have made in the last couple years to to develop the relationship with the design review committee has always been based in the bylaws and what the design what the bylaws say the design review committee is supposed to do and what their purview is. And the tension has always been I think rooted in that as well as rooted between the role of the planning board which obviously appoints the design review committee and what we as a board are looking for in advisors to our board. Right? The they advise us and then we say yes or no. we make

095the decision as elected members of the board. And so I think there's always been some tension there about um that seniority in a way of one board over another board. And and I I would love as an architect and a designer, and I bet Deepa feels this way too, to have this other group that's looking at all the design related things so that I don't have to because we have enough to have worked to do at this table, right? But I'm not sure I'm getting that from the design review committee all the time. I'm that relationship isn't hasn't been developed. So, I don't think it's about just, hey, let's just pretend this hasn't happened. It's about we need to go back to the bylaws. This is what the bylaws say. We can change the bylaws,

096but it has to go through town meeting if that's what we want to do. So, it's about to me this might be an opportunity to say, okay, if there's something to straighten out here, let's straighten it out. But it has to start at the bottom of what the bylaws say and let's go from there. So I mean the the good news is when we have given directive in writing on project recently I absolutely believe that we have gotten positive constructive feedback from the design review committee. I have not seen although we have had historic challenges as you've described I have seen workable working project by project progress where uh either you or Marcelo or the two of you would prepare a detailed memo as to what we needed and very rarely would there be something

097we would get back that might have a sentence or two that we don't need. Most of the time we were getting good substantive work in my opinion. Um what is it? Two individuals who we currently have and we can fill up to seven. >> There's three of them. The resation had three. >> Three three individuals resign and we can fill up to seven spots. So to me there's also the reality of capacity unless we have people ready to jump in. We need a functional design review committee especially with the YMCA project coming and especially in fact that we have literally a seat on the comprehensive plan that is now no vote. Again, we have a we're down a planning board member, we're down a design review member. So, that's two votes that should be part

098of the process, right? Um to me, we kind of need to do both. We need to have a positive constructive relationship. We need to fill this board with extra people and we need to actually have a functional advisory committee for a big project like the YMCA as soon as possible. So I understand your point, but I to me actions speak louder than history. Meaning there's tense history, but the actions recently in my opinion have been substantive because the more we communicated in writing, the more productive it got. And I would hate to lose that momentum. And I feel like we were finally making progress. And there's something about this transition moment that caused a rupture of the relationship. Um, and I guess I'm hopeful that with a new planner and a new board, there can

099be an attempt for the sake of progress that we've been making. And if it fails, it fails. Um, and I'm also genuinely concerned that we're not going to be able to fill a design review committee because we're struggling to fill our group, never mind design review, which is less recognized, um, more behind the scenes. They do a lot of work with very little recognition and that makes it even more challenging to find volunteers. >> What was the last thing that we asked them to work on >> those before my time? >> We've done essentially on every special permit we've had them recently. We've had their written input. So it like but I guess what I'm saying is there was nothing that was like we weren't holding them back from meeting or working on something now

100because >> there's they last thing the last thing they had input on it was um the soccer fields >> for the start Oh yes >> yeah we we got something for the the soccer fields which are still in front of us. >> They provided some feedback you know on that. >> Oh did they? >> Yes. >> I do just want to say I do especially with the Y coming I understand the importance of having the design review committee. However, you do have the option to send out for a third party architectural design review that will just focus on design elements based on our design criteria in our >> cost money though, right? >> I'm sorry. >> That costs money >> for the applicant. The town doesn't pay it. It's a peer review. So, the applicant

101pays it. So that is something that if we don't feel that we are capable of getting a a functioning design review committee in time for the YMCA, we certainly have that ability to reach out for peerreview design for an architecture firm. I think DSK was one of the firms that Peter Matchek had reached out to. He was going to use them for 61 Waverly, I'm sorry, 10 to 60 Main Street until we had another committee formed for that. that that is something that is in your wheelhouse. So, if you don't have a design review committee, you can still get that design done um at least for your larger projects. I know it's not ideal, but you won't be up a creek and having to do all that entire design of that building by yourselves. I

102think um thanks to the committee for whatever they've done for last few years, but I think it's a two-way process. It feels like these letters and resignations and the emails that came about last few hours does not feel like it was a two-way communication. Um it's very obvious that our our board has gone through transition last few months. It's right out there in every meeting that we are going through. So I think they should have come half the distance to kind of understand the situation. It feels like if they're operating on that hostile thing all the time, it doesn't feel like a collaborative approach to things. And if this means I mean I think we are grateful for all that they've done so far but if this means it's a fresh start to that committee

103I don't think it's a wrong thing because I don't know what efforts were put in by the committee members to increase their board right they had four seats open for I don't know how long now I don't know if there were applications they reached out to members in the community to join their Um there typically are advisory board. >> True. But doesn't it doesn't stop us from kind of having somebody to come on our board kind of come in front of the planning board to kind of interview. Nothing stops anybody to do that. I don't think that effort has ever been done. Um, I I wouldn't buckle with the YMCA in the pipeline, but I feel like this is also an opportunity to have a fresh start, find the right team because I've been I

104in my professional work have been associated with lot of design review boards outside our town and there's like a lot of talent in that because there's amount of wealth of knowledge that they can really support the planning board is amazing. So I think it will be a good time to see if it's time for a fresh start because I know Trisha I've been on this board for now five years and you have from the beginning wanted design review board to be part of planning board. It was a collaborative approach. It was not like that before you started, but you made all your efforts to kind of make this happen, but it has not been a two-way street. So >> I do appreciate that because I want to say um there was a meeting six maybe

105maybe six months after I first joined the board where the then chair of the design review committee um was an architect. he's not on the board anymore or obviously hasn't been for a long time but came to this room and and and talked about the design review committee and I I was was still new. I really didn't know anything about the design review committee except that I at that time was the only designer on the board and so I was thrilled that there was this thing called the design review committee and that they could really work on design. um and Peter Matic at the time who was the town planner who was new like I was and we were really uh determined that we could we could build this into a a great collaborative committee

106the two the two boards and committee would work together. um COVID hit shortly afterwards and though it got a little debunked u you know by that but the effort still went forward and I I was actually you know a number of the I want to say two or three of the design community um divine design committee members that that I personally reached out to saw it and and got them interested on that committee. Um, but for some reason it just it doesn't it just doesn't, you know, and maybe it's it maybe it is a personality conflict, but it just does not it just has not come together to be the collaborative like the collab collaboration with us in the select board. I feel like that's how it should be, but it's ne it's never gotten

107to that point and I I I really don't know what to do. >> So here so here's the reality. They've resigned. Period. Right. So >> it's it's not >> without official without official official notice. So there is a middle ground between what I'm saying and what the two of you are saying. And obviously gentlemen speak up. But my thought is there is a middle ground. Looking at um design plan review section 9.62. Right. We can see very clearly what kind of experience we should have per bylaw. >> Where possible. permanent permanent members shall have experience in the field of architecture, landscape architecture or engineering and one person owning a business in town. So we don't need it to all be designers. We need it to be individuals who are capable of design and who potentially

108have a business interest in town, right? So ideally, and we can have five members and up to two alternatives. So it's seven total. My suggestion would be let's move forward. Let's find a middle ground to what I'm saying and what both of you are saying. We want a fresh start. We're not closing the door. These individuals have not yet resigned until they turn in those pieces of paper. They're still design review committee members, right? We haven't fired them. We haven't done anything like that. So, it's up to them to actually go to town hall and turn in that piece of paper and it's up to us to fill the remaining seats until that happens. >> And note that that's just two of them because like Bill's term has expired. So, >> understood. Okay. Two of

109them. Sorry. Two. So, so as of this moment in time, we have two members who have not yet fully resigned and we have five seats open. So, how about we post for the five, we actually create an advertisement and put it out into the town manager's newsletter and put it on the website, you know, whatever we can do. And let's seek out these individuals in town. Let's reach out to the business association, see if we can find a business owner. that's what the bylaw seems to indicate who might be interested in being on that group. Let's see who within the business community might have other ideas. Let's reach out ourselves and if these two individuals don't formally resign, they can choose to stay on. I still believe some type of letter to them would be

110beneficial because I think that there's something that happened here that again I understand the personality conflict and the history but I also feel like transition was really tough when Peter left that was tough for this board. We really had kind of a gap if you will in our functioning and then we had multiple missteps in membership people joining and then leaving and then new planning. this there's been a lot that I don't think has anything to do with the past. It's just a bad time and that to me seems like we should take some middle ground a little bit. Um so again I like the fresh start concept because maybe the personality conflict needs to be put behind us. On the other hand, they have not turned in that piece of paper >> and that

111tells me something too. >> That he had sent them today at 4:30. >> No, not that one. Do you mind if I read it, Scott? Is that okay? I thought it was very polite and I think he just did exactly what you recommended, extending the olive branch. So, he said, "I understand the frustration, but would ask that instead of resigning, you come to the meeting today and meet with us." The request was sent on July 31st. On August 1st, Camilo resigned from the planning committee. Our next meeting was August 14th, and we had no agenda because all the people who had projects asked to have them pushed out. We only had three of us on the call, and Trisha wasn't one of them. Our next meeting was cancelled on August 28th. Today is the first

112meeting back and Trisha has it scheduled to talk about design committee after we decide on our possible new member. As a new member myself, I don't know much about your committee. And while we've had a lot of emails recommending bill, I still don't really know anything about what makes a good design committee. Again, I understand your frustrations. Clearly, your expectations have not been met. Please come and meet with us and let's see how we can all improve our partnership. So that I thought that was well written and and I think that spoke the true sentiment of what you were saying and we haven't received a response yet. So do you want to >> I think that letter I think that letter may be sufficient. >> Okay. That's what I was wondering because it sounds if

113if that that's already out there. Um I I'm also suggesting we actually take action and start filling the seats. >> I'm completely on board with that >> and not wait anymore. >> Do they have to just like the pling board? Do they have to be members of Ashland to be on that? >> They need to live in Ashland. >> Okay. >> They do. >> So for me, I mean, I I have they're >> they don't need to be these types of people. This is just suggested by the bylaw. Great. >> Yeah. They don't need to be that type of people. But I think um I think the point is to me the point of of the bylaw and this I I have talked to the women the two women who created the design review committee

114all these years ago right and the point was that when there is this board without a single designer and remember when I came on the board I was the one I don't I don't remember who was here before me I think it was more of a contractor so at least had a foot in that But when there is a board where there's not a single designer on the board, the design review committee is there to be the design voice. That's their job. So when when you know, so to me, I'm very hesitant about filling those positions as hard as it is with just people who have an interest kind of in architecture or people who kind of sort of have an interested in how things look. I'm looking for expertise and professionals there, you know,

115in in those seats because they they would need to provide all of the design input to the board if there's no one here sitting who can offer that. >> But right now, we do have two people here who are >> and the bylaw also suggests a person owning a business, >> right? Hannah owns the local business. You know, I guess Kathy does too, right? brick and mortar. There is some flexibility and and capacity is a major problem. I'm telling you, finding seven good people who are all designers is going to be hard. >> I I'm not looking for seven, right? I and I get that it would be hard, but if the if the input that we need isn't capable of coming out of those members, what is that doing for anybody? Talk about tension

116about a group trying to provide input where they don't have the expertise to do it and we having to say well thanks but you know that's the that's the hard part I I think in this >> and I think the change Anna that you just mentioned some time ago that there was that we literally looked at the reports and really followed through was because of the design strength that was part of the design review committee that was for short-lived unfortunately >> but it definitely was a different output when that design strength was part of their committee. It was not that before >> unfortunately we haven't seen projects after that group left but that design strength showed in the reports that we got. >> Yeah. To be clear, I think it's great important for that review

117board to have people in this profession because that's the strength we need because we don't want to look at colors. We don't want to look at the architecture as planning board. If we don't do that, somebody has to do it. >> And if that board is not well equipped to do that, that's why we started to do it, right? We had to shift that focus unfortunately here because at some point we became designheavy and that group was not landscape is one portion of design. It's not the portion of design and I think that chemistry until that change is there, we have to unfortunately be strong. But if we can't have both boards have no design experience and that's going to get us into that same late night hours of hours together trying to clean up

118designs. >> Yeah. the board if the the design review committee doesn't have the kind of professional design expertise I think it's an outside third-party reviewer because otherwise you're you still don't have any design expertise it's not supposed to be just groups of citizens you know can give us their you know public feedback at any time right we can listen to that but that's not what we're looking for >> I think the bylaw is crystal clear as to who should be on it I don't think there's anything we need to argue about I think we're all in agreement what I'm saying is let's stop the We know what we want. Let's start to actually post for it. Let's ask people. We already know some design individuals. Marcela still lives in Ashland, right? Perhaps he's interested or

119others that we know. So, let's do our leg work and ask around um and see what we can do. I >> I'm just outlining a person owning a business is is right there too, right? So I think that there can be value add to someone who is a business owner who understands what Ashlin looks like and what it should look like and u but I'm all for the rest as well. Um finding these people is going to be hard and we should try. Yeah. I mean there um there are people that I think um that I've been thinking that to be a that should be asked that I know who live here and who are designers. Um, I haven't done that yet. Partly because obviously for months it's been overwhelming with uh planning director, assistant

120planning director, board members. It's been it's been non-stop and um trying to trying to fill positions. Um and but the second part of that um is is is I think having a fresh start that these voices are coming into I would think uh and and it doesn't mean that people that haven't that have been on the design review committee can't still be on it but I think that committee needs a fresh start so that it we can reinvent the relationship between the design review committee and the planning board. they can reinvent the structure of of that committee so that voices are you know I I'm not I'm not sure because I didn't you know I I I have watched some of those meetings but I haven't watched a lot of those meetings about how that

121about how that happens. I think in some ways there there was not a lot of guidance about how to efficiently get through the tasks that they were given you know that that landed on them which are like us dealing with big projects and how do we start to break that down in an efficient amount of time. How do we deal with an applicant respectfully you know um and efficiently. Um so in a way I think there's a you know there's a a learning aspect of it too. Um it's a it's a big task. Um but um but I'd certainly be willing to >> the other put out some feelers to I can >> the other the other thing I would suggest is is a zoning bylaw change to this very subtle which is right now

122it's an appointment for an initial term of one two or three years and then you can reappoint for three knowing the challenge of capacity I wonder if we should add to this the possibility of appointment for projects meaning you have a roster of people who may not have the time or commitment. I'm thinking of someone like Marcelo who may not be interested in a one-year appointment, but Marcelo might be interested in the YMCA project. So, I'm I would suggest a shift to this or a change to add an element of potential appointment for a project and a creation of a roster of individuals who again are busy, successful, have zero time for a one-year appointment. Just throwing that out there. That might give flexibility. That's a really interesting idea >> because I think um to

123have like you said a roster >> of um >> that you can see who's okay we need >> three to five people you know to that are interested off of a 10 person list >> I think >> and there could be excitement someone like Marcelo I mean I I I worked with him long enough that I think he would be thrilled by a YMCA project rather than a year appointment >> right and and in fact um for the um 10 to 60 Main Street. Um um the ZBA, I don't I don't really actually know how how it how it happened, but um Marcelo and um a designer in town named Glenn Travis who has an office. Um and ah there was one more person on that who >> Ed um >> Ed Hart. Edart >>

124um who who's not a designer but knows Ashland I think back when >> from the finance committee. >> Yes I think so. Yeah. Yep. >> Um the three of them kind of formed a little group were asked to form a little group to advise on the design >> of of that building which then that you know it's informal but >> so it's it's a similar kind of um >> taskoriented you know kind of thing. I I think that I think that's a great idea. I don't know, you know, maybe what >> I mean, can we do it for fall? If we can make a slight I can send you a sentence. It just needs to be, you know, in addition, the planning board could appoint for to could create a roster of individuals to be

125appointed for specific individual projects based on availability, interest, and expertise. >> If you could send me a sentence, that would be great. Town council's in every Wednesday, >> so I could have her review Wednesday and we could get it on for special town meeting this fall. I know you guys are still, you know, still learning about this, but yeah. Do do you understand these two these two uh methodologies maybe? And you have any questions about how that might >> Yeah. I mean, I think you're going to get people who are more excited about looking at the why than at a soccer field. >> There might be a soccer dad or soccer mom. >> No, totally. I just meant like like I think you I think you're going to have more options to fill with when

126you say hey we got this cool project that you know is really impactful and you get to you know you might get more people raising their hands for that type of scenario. So it's a great idea >> but it's also like making a call that where do we need design review board to weigh in right we don't need everybody to weigh in on every project that comes across >> so it's like so I think it has to be a little more strategic and I think I I am part of a project where they do exactly that they have a group of people and each one kind of looks at a different project and that keeps the change in town you're not bogged by that commitment. I think that's a fantastic idea, >> but it also

127allows flexibility. So, let's say somebody tries it and they fall in love with working with us. We're just so fun obviously to work with >> and uh you know, we're impressed with their communication style with us. What a great way to kind of test out the working relationship and then we can say, "Hey, we we like to appoint you for a year. How do you feel about that?" And you can essentially build the design review committee that way. You can you can sort of create it over time. >> Yeah. And I believe uh it's not in this section, but in this section, I'll have to look at this, but I I believe there's also something in here that in kind of reference to something Deepa said that the design review committee actually always doesn't even

128have to be engaged. >> It's when >> when we need them. >> It's kind of when we need them. And I think that's already in the bylaw, but it doesn't seem to be in this section. So, I'll have to look at where that is. But I think this is a really great thing for someone to be able to say, you know, I can't do it right now, >> but I I could probably do the next project, >> or even something like a soccer field, like maybe that would only need three people. Maybe you want to make sure you have one of the landscape people and one, you know, and a bigger project like like the um the police and fire building might you might want five on that, you know, something that complicated or the

129YMCA if >> well you can have a talent bank form which kind of kind of looks out for interest in commercial buildings, municipality buildings and that then have that group available >> on call. I think if you divide it in a project types >> open kind of >> like we're seeking we're seeking to create a roster of individuals in these areas >> with you know no big obligation >> that to call upon you for specific projects. >> Um I mean it could also be kind of fun in the sense that when we have an exciting project or a soccer field all exciting you know it also gives us as a planning board an opportunity to kind of throw it out into the community. Hey, the planning board has this cool project. We need an engineer

130and architect to help design. So, >> and even something like a soccer field, you might be actually looking for a different specialist like someone who uh who coaches soccer or something who knows about >> the program field. >> Yes. In a way that that like I don't know anything about soccer fields frankly. >> Is there any reach out to the athletic programs to assist soccer program for example? Not a great idea. So that's what we could do when we're design when we're working on a soccer project. We could reach out to them and say we need a >> advisor for this project. >> Somebody who's obsessed with >> I know a friend of mine that is in Bellingham >> coaching ninth grade kids but he's doing it because he the game soccer might be some

131reach out to say hey you guys on the softball or coaches can you give us three months? >> Yeah l lend your expertise. Yeah we need it. >> We don't know we need to know about soccer field. >> Yeah, tell us what should have. >> Yeah, I think it's a good idea. >> Could we have guest members? >> I mean, do they all have to be I don't know if it's like totally within Ashlin, but could we have one out of five, for example, from outside? >> I would say anybody that h and that is on a committee or board has I don't think that's going to be difficult to find. If we if we make it flexible and we add that sentence of that we have the right to appoint somebody for an individual

132project, >> I think we'll be fine. >> I think that's a lot of flexibility. >> Yeah, that's a fantastic idea. >> Would we still It would be too late to get it in tomorrow, but would we still like to post in the town manager's newsletter that we have these >> openings and that we would like people to >> apply? Perfect. I think that I think we should keep that going. I'm curious also about does the town have a list of peer reviewers that we would say that here are bunch of people that we would recommend hey architects get it get it peer reviewed because >> it's not like they choose we have a pre-selected list typically correct >> I could give you a list of architects for you to choose from if you would like

133if you would like to review their qualifications I could get them each to give you a small portfolio of projects that they've reviewed so you can see who you would like to work with. Um, since this is the first time, >> I wonder if you should line that up as well. >> You mean for the Y >> by No, by the time we have this group kind of settled in, if we need for the Y, which is right around the corner, if we should have that lined up as well. >> I I think we should definitely have a plan B. >> I can have that list from the >> Yeah, >> I'm always asked what is my role? What is my job in the census? I send them >> down. >> I don't think we

134have access to that. >> Yeah, I don't know. >> Confidential. >> Um, no. It might be >> I don't think so. >> No, that's probably public information. >> Um, that would be a question for the town clerk, I guess. >> I don't think it's connected to freedom of emails. I don't think so. I don't think so. I think it's just a >> No, >> it's just there. >> Um, >> but I think so. >> There's the power of Google. We can find some architects in Ashland or >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Chad GPT all the way. >> Yeah. Was this it's the >> Yeah. There's professional means by which >> Yeah. >> you can like I can find them. It's what I did before. It's how I found Marcelo, you know. >> And again, Marcela is

135a great example of somebody who may be interested in in a large project >> which he already has done. Even after leaving the >> the planning board, he served in that capacity, you know, in in that way. He was still able to do that. Right. >> Who was our associate member who had engineering background? Kevin Mlan. >> Okay. Do we want to reach out to Kevin? >> He'd be a nice one to be on the list. Do we want to reach out to Kevin? So Kevin Mlan >> Kevin Yeah. He was into like highway design and big structure kind of design. >> His kids now two years old, so he can come back. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Just bring Yeah. >> I also wonder um >> former former planning board member when I joined

136Joe Robert. So I don't don't remember his background but he definitely had some uh intense experience with planning and design. >> He's mostly in like financial end of things. All right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But uh the business association may be worthwhile to reach out to as well and just see if there's business owners who might have interest in being on a roster. >> We do have so we have the BIS Ashlin business association email >> um listing. So, I can actually if we have some garbage together, I can actually just give them the same. >> Yeah. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. I'm actually pretty excited about this because I think um I I think it's a much easier ask for architects and designers and landscape architects to >> one project at a time. >>

137Yeah. To do one project as at a time. And um shorter there shorter meetings. >> It's a shorter time frame. Yeah. >> So, to be kind of clear and efficient, I think what we're doing is we're creating a paragraph that basically says the planning board is doing both things. Yes. We're looking for >> to fill these seats, which could be an appointment starting a one-year term. And >> if you're not available for that appointment, we're also looking to create a roster for individual projects. These are the kinds of people we're looking for. Take it right out of here. >> Yep. >> And that's what we're posting. That way we're kind of getting both birds of >> I'll send it for review before we send it out because I can't send it for the Tom Andrew

138news. >> That's fine. And I can also give you a sentence to amend the bylaw which you'll show for town council and that will I think taking that will take care of it efficiently. >> I'm a look I'm a little confused how we'll do both at one time like if um if we appoint members to the design to this design review committee that we've had >> how do we also then have a >> a roster >> roster. So I mean I guess there could be like three permanent members and >> so let's say you get an incredible person who says yeah I want to be permanent for a year. We could what I'm say we can have a hybrid model. You don't have to have one or the other. >> We're going to amend this

139to create the possibility of either one. Meaning >> somebody comes along that's perfect for a one-year appointment. We appoint them. We start to create a permanent board. >> Right over time if we don't need to we we don't have to go to the permanent board. Right? we have a choice, >> right? >> We can literally say, "Well, we want to pull from the roster." As long as the bylaw says that. >> So, I guess I'm suggesting there's a hybrid position so that as these individuals get experience and fall in love with the work, we could essentially build a permanent board. >> Yeah. I mean, I guess we can we can wait and see. I'm kind of interested in maybe just have like that the ongoing roster I think >> without having a permanent board. >>

140That's fine. You want the flexibility though. >> Yeah. I just don't know how the transition happens because you know because maybe it will maybe it won't pass a town meeting. So don't want to create two groups. >> That's what I'm saying. >> Or maybe it turns out that you have an appointed group but they're on a rotation that yes, you might be on design review committee, but you won't do every single project that comes before you. >> So here's the thing. You leave the jurisdiction with us. >> Sorry, Scott was going to jump in with something. Why can't the other non-permanent like couldn't those non-permanent members be the four, five, six, and seven that are on that list? Like couldn't that be the roster of people? >> It could be. >> Or could we like

141appoint them for three months or like >> Well, then they get tied to the schedule of a review board. Right. >> Right. But if we but if we if in your verbiage change you changed it from one, two, three years and then a second round of three years, couldn't you just do it as or as needed? You know what I mean? I was going to leave the language as is and just add a sentence that the planning board can also point >> project specific >> at least for a stop measure. So like to get us kind of through >> well I mean I don't flexibility but if somebody was on the design review committee and they really excited to be on it and then all a sudden we went and appointed a whole bunch of

142other people to go work on some project and they didn't get to work on the project >> or can we point them also to the project? That's all I just want to make sure like why would you want to be on the committee if like they're going to take all the good ones and give it to the other people. >> I guess the suggestion of bylaw change I'm giving is a flexibility one where we as a planning board get to decide what's best for us right now. We essentially have no capacity. We have no individuals right of this moment that are interested because they've resigned. Right. I I'm just suggesting based on my experience this is not easy to do. So giving the >> I like your idea. I'm just saying like if I joined

143the design review committee because I was excited about >> doing these and then you >> picked you from your roster the other people to do the why and that's what I want to work on and I >> it might be offensive >> but we as a planning board can strategize and make sure that we don't do that >> or just or just say can we also appoint somebody that is on a committee that's okay to do it right >> yeah or or okay >> you know or there's like I said there's standing there's three standing members >> and then you can rotate and then the we handpick off the roster to be best for the Y or to be best for the soccer fields or whatever >> along with the three standing members or but

144I think it's I think it's a kind of a transition we're that we're kind of testing out like what would be good but I think that this idea of not having to have all those full seats all the time which is really hard and maybe event maybe no one will want those seats in which case we'll just have a roster. My my suggestion would be small bylaw changes are really effective. Flexibility is where you want to start because if we start to create the perfect bylaw, it's not going to happen for the fall. >> I agree. >> So my suggestion is let me leave this language as is and just add a flexib flexibility sentence that allows us to create a roster. We play with it for a year. We figure this out and in

145a year we can perfect it into the most beautiful bylaw of all time. I think if we start with beauty, it's not going to happen. >> I agree. >> We just need humans right now on individual projects. That sentence will give us that right. >> So, are these starts and stops delay? These projects were moving forward. >> No. That because they're they're both in um doing things with other boards uh that they some some ducks they need to get in a row before they come back to us. >> But it's but it won't be long. Right. right >> be long >> the 25th really we'll we'll hit the ground running. >> Yeah. So there still may be an option where we need >> a third party consultant >> especially I don't see it I don't

146see needing it for the soccer fields but for the Y >> but for the Y that's >> project might be something we need so >> to get us through. >> Sounds like we're wrapped up on this piece. I just wanted to circle back real quick on one other note. I feel like the email that came today was fostered out of miscommunication, right? >> Totally legitimate reasons. I don't think anybody in the world meant any malice out of anything of the miscommunication, right? We had new planning board members. I had no idea what was going on. We had new planner, new assistant town planner, like whole bunch of things. So what I would like to say is or hope is from this point forward do you think we can open up our communication to a broader

147so because I know sometimes you communicate directly Patricia I think sometimes you also might feel like you have a lot on your shoulders because it gets directed to you now I don't want to break any rules where we can't you know because I know we can't talk about a lot of things especially over emails with reply all and whatnot you'll learn about this. Um, but it would if we maybe a communication that goes out like, hey, this has been submitted or put out or whatever. Don't reply all to this. This is just aformational piece. And then if we need to communicate to one or other people, then okay. But I feel like I've been kind of in the dark on a lot of things. So I would like and obviously whether I don't know the

148backstory on the on the people that quit but it clearly sounded like there was a communication issue. So I want to make sure that we kind of open that up to be more communication forward if >> so we have a new board right so right now Trisha is both the chair and the clerk. I mean in theory we could discuss some reconfiguration of the board and if we could create new roles as well. So if there's a member here, a new one or someone who's been here who wants to become the liaison communicator with the design review roster for example, you know, that's something we could discuss as a board. There's a lot of flexibility now that we have full membership. >> Yeah. I mean, I was thinking about this today because Scott and I

149talked earlier in the day um not about the design review committee stuff because that hadn't happened yet, right? But about just about really commu communication like in general, right? And um because it has been a as someone who started on the board earlier, you know, in the spring, it has been a very weird spring and summer in our schedule. And so it it it it definitely makes sense after he talked about it that like, yeah, I guess you wouldn't know what is going on, >> right? >> And meanwhile, to me, it has been a crazy busy summer. constantly trying to fill these seats, zillions of conversations, trying to, you know, get it all together. And so on the one hand, on the one hand, sending every communication, though it's all public record, if anyone wants

150to subpoena it or whatever the word is, >> um, every communication with me and Jasmine would almost be would would be kind of crazy because literally it's sometimes um, Melissa, there's a typo. Can you Jasmine, can you tell Melissa there's a typo? Right? >> You know, there's a lot of that, but also it puts me in a position where >> I have to make sure like if the planning board is is is a part of my every email, I have to make sure in all of those emails, which are dozens, right? I never express an opinion, right? Because expressing an opinion that going out to the board is where the no is, right? But on the other hand, so the daily thing I don't think makes sense. On the other hand, there has to be

151some kind of um >> But if two people are having an opinion, as long as you're not discussing it with a third, you're not creating a quorum. >> No, but if I'm if I'm sending it out, if if >> if she sends out her opinion to the entire >> board open meeting and if it's if if it's all just like this constantly, >> I don't think it's necessary for the entire board. I guess what I'm suggesting if is if you have specific interest in improving our communication style as a planning board, you could work more directly with Trisha on specific things that you're interested in. I'm just saying that we now have a full board. We can kind of reconfigure how we do this so it's not all in Trisha. >> Yeah. I'm I'm more

152saying that I don't know what's happening >> and I think you and I should have a talk. I think you should come in so I can establish your role here and how the board works. And then I would like to do a director's report and make sure we get everything out the Friday before a meeting. So you have a full week, almost a full week to review it. But I can just give a director's report just going over, hey, this is kind of the stuff that's happened this week. This is where we're at. This is where the projects are upcoming. This is what we're expecting to see. >> To include everybody on on more communications. It's one, it's just not the way it works. And I know that's difficult to understand and I will never

153withhold information from anybody, but there is a structure of the board for a reason. And Trisha is the chair. The chair is who I communicate and then the the chair and I will communicate to the rest of the board the information. So I'm not going to every talent bank form that comes in, I won't just forward it immediately to the board. It just creates chaos and it makes it very difficult for me to manage what's been shared and what hasn't. If I'm sending out multiple things to multiple people throughout the week that I have no idea, I it's very difficult for me to keep track. Have I sent you this? Have I not? So, if I can send it once a week or once before the meeting on a Friday with a director's report, just

154an overview. But I do think just having a a frank conversation about the role and the board's role and how things are done would be very helpful. We also have um upcoming citizen planner training collaborative that's going to be opening up trainings in October that I'd very much like to invite all of you to. The town pays for it, but they do things like what is site plan review, what is special permit, how to write an effective decision, what is open meeting law because these are things that we it is very important for you guys to understand. But there we do have to keep that semblance of structure within the board in order for us to maintain the the work flow as it goes. >> The other thing is she could in theory become an

155agent of communication between us which would violate open meeting law. So if the two of them are having a discussion and Trisha shares her view and then Jasmine tells me what Trisha says and I discuss it with you, we've created a quorum which you don't want to do for for that's bad. So was >> so it's tricky if she if Jasmine starts communicating with all of us. >> Is a director's report something you've done in one of your other positions? >> I've done it in most of my other positions. So since I've been a director, I've done director's reports with every board that I've been with. That's just a general >> top down overview of >> So if a So you know on the Friday before a meeting, we get an email typically from Melissa,

156right? that would say, "Hey, here's a link to the soccer field information. Here's a link to the cell tower information. Here's the meeting minutes from last time that we're going to that you need to review." That's more just informational. >> You're talking about something that maybe goes out every single week, >> whether we have a meeting or not. Sometimes there's two weeks between meetings that says, "Hey, this is what's going on this week that that you should know about." So there would not be any gaps of this whole summer of information and whatever whatever Jasmine and I were trying to figure out, hey, we've been trying to get someone in this seat or we've been communicating with the select board about this issue. >> Jasmine can summarize that and get it out to the board.

157So it's like, hey, this is what's been going on behind the behind the scenes, >> right? >> You know, as we try to >> Yeah, 100%. >> Yeah, it's a great idea. I will say this summer is not normal. >> It's so >> thank goodness >> this is not how the board has worked in the past just to be clear >> major transition period. >> But I think these are two really good ideas about design review committee about communication that have kind of come out of >> this. So I'm excited about that. >> So >> great. Anything else we need to cover on that tonight? >> We're good. So, and everybody else good. >> Everybody will be here for the 25th because YMCA's coming back on the 25th >> as far as I know. >>

158Yes. >> Okay. So, then >> did I share with you all the design plan review bylaw this week? >> I think it's in here. >> Is it? Okay. I >> hoped it was but >> I think we didn't >> okay >> obviously focus on it but >> no but just so you have it to review that if you want you know if we're amending it if you find there's already something another very small thing you think could be easily amended this >> this this fall >> there you go this is the >> very short two pages >> this is the that's that's the printed copy yeah that's about um it may not be in there Yeah, it's probably in our binders, but not in there. >> Yeah, >> you get a fancy binder next time.

159>> You will. >> All right. >> We email you everything, too. So, it helps you to not unless you're like trying to build the biceps. So, >> so are we good? I think we can put planning board task list. >> We've covered some of those items, I think. Yeah. Okay. >> So, next item is report. um comprehensive plan, design review committee of uh community preservation committee and metro rest regional collaborative. Are there reports on any of those items? >> What I'll say in the comprehensive plan is what I said earlier which is that we need a planning board member in addition to me. So the way it's meant to be structured is there's two votes on behalf of the planning board, two votes on behalf of the select board that are part of the ultimate

160review of the plan. So um although the rest of the board has not been involved in the comprehensive plan and our new members have not been involved I think that there is expertise here and if someone on the board would like to step up it's not going to be a huge commitment few meetings to look at the draft and ultimately vote um and you know you can meet with me you can meet with um Kate you can kind of get up to speed review the draft um I think that would be appropriate so that we have full we we can say as a planning board that two of our members ultimately voted for the draft and that will help us with the public and with moving this through town meeting. That would be my suggestion

161and report. >> You're presenting that to the board of selectment in October for >> I don't know today if we can choose someone on the spot to do that. I don't know if we have enough time to make that happen, but yes, it's coming up. But ultimately, there would need to be >> some quick move on this if there's someone on this board who wants to be a voting member of the comprehensive plan committee. >> I think we need another joint meeting with the select board. >> If that's because they appointed Kate to to appoint another planning board member to the >> if there's some interest if somebody here wants to be another vote, >> right? >> Yeah. But they can also do they can also do um they can they can they can do

162it separately. >> We can vote right now for someone. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. So they could vote. >> I mean it was it was my intention I've already downloaded all the things the all the drafts of the comprehensive plan. So it was my intention to obviously read the whole thing as chair. I feel like >> feel like it's part of the obligation to make sure I do that to read the whole thing. So and I have been here the whole time. So, I'm happy to do that and fill in that member, but I'm also happy to step back if someone else wants to do it. I'm not >> I don't I will do it, but I don't have to if someone else is enthusiastic about it. >> I will. >> Right. I'm sure. >> Come

163on. I knew you >> you're detail oriented. Let's jump. >> Um if so, what's her next mean? Yes. Do you have a >> As long as you're not feeling overwhelmed with what you have already on your plate. Uh I want to make sure that I know you had lots on your plate. So as long as you're okay with going through that. If you're not >> I am feeling overwhelmed, but this is something that I already as far as like going through that document is something I already started doing because I feel I I need to. >> Okay. Do we want to take a vote once Paul is sworn in and we can all vote next time on the 25th? Will that give us enough time to get you sworn in with the select board? >>

164Well, we only need >> if we vote on the 25th alto together. We can do it now without Paul or we can get him sworn in and the 25th appoint you. Does that give enough time to get you appointed by the select board? I think the next >> you have to get >> why do you have to get appointed by a select the way it works? >> I thought we had a seat on there. I thought we had two voting things. >> We we voted for me and Keith to be there's there was a formal process. >> It was a formal process. So it's really just um >> it's a formality but >> it's a formality >> but it's consistent with the jurisdiction of both boards. I'm just checking the select board calendar, Anna, to

165let you know when after the 25th when the select board meets again. >> And the comprehensive plan committee meets, I believe, next week. So, I I can get you should attend. We're not going to be voting there. >> I was going to say, is there anything that's going to require me to be a voting member um before the >> I don't think there's a vote at the next meeting, but there I guess there could be. >> Well, that's up to you. There's >> I mean If Paul is not offended, we could appoint you now. So, I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to appoint Trisha to the comprehensive plan committee. >> Second that. >> What was that? >> What is >> there? There we'll call vote. >> Keep going. Good night. >> Anna

166Tesmanitzki. I >> got both your eyes >> and Trisha Kendall. Okay. >> Would we want to invite the select board again to the 25th? They don't meet again until October 15th. >> Sure. They can do it remotely. >> They also they meet September 17th. >> Yeah, they have to meet >> as well. >> Great. Okay. >> September 17th. >> Just have them put it on their their thing. Yeah. >> And then I'll let the uh the chairs of the comprehensive plan committee know. >> Okay. >> They should tell you the meeting schedule and >> and they're just opposite Thursdays. >> Yep. Okay. >> Exactly. >> Okay. Um, great. >> All right. And is there was there anything from comprehensive? No, community preservation committee that you wanted. >> By the way, I'm so sorry to disturb.

167I just realized we didn't have this on the agenda. We just had comprehensive plan as a report. >> So, we may have to do this again. I don't >> I don't think I >> You don't think so? >> I'm I don't know >> because technically we had other appointments. >> Yeah. >> I think we may need to repeat this process on the 25th. >> Okay. >> Because we didn't really >> check with council. Yeah. >> Yeah. Let's not violate. I mean, I'm just saying that it's a little it's a little messy. >> No, I understand what you're saying. >> But if they give us a thumbs up, then it counts. >> We practiced. >> I'll give you a thumbs up if it counts. I'll let >> Yeah. That's I mean, like if you ask and

168they say yes, it counts. >> Yeah. If I ask council and they say no, this was fine, then I'll definitely let you know. >> I mean, you can ask. I'm just saying technically we we had on the agenda other appointments. >> Yeah, it's true. That's true. you and also >> it's a little it's a little hairy >> but also I think >> um >> to be safe put it on the next agenda and ask town council. >> Yeah, I I was going to say we can also put my name forward to select board and even though you know they can >> they can appoint they can do it and then we can do it that's fine. Do it that way. >> It's more of a nomination. >> That's fine. So we just nominated you. >>

169Okay. >> Uh and we will take a formal vote on the next meeting so that we don't get accused of violating the law of the state of Massachusetts. So, the community preservation, sorry, the community preservation committee met um for our first one since the summer. Had a lot of topics to discuss. Um the forest I don't know town forest. >> Yeah, town forest comm. They had a couple uh requests go through front of the board. They're trying to um purchase a couple of different plots of land that are around the town forest and also do an assessment on a old road that used to go through there that backs up to people's houses to kind of figure out where exactly the road is and if it's on anybody else's property or if all the stuff

170is supposed to be on the forest property. So, they're doing that. Um, they put those requests through for funds. I think two of them are going to be going to the town. Um, they're coming back next week and then and I think they're coming back when we meet again and those will be going to the town for the vote. And then uh the YMCA came and asked about the back fields and getting funding for the the back area that they're trying to do. Um I suggested that they instead of wait till the spring that they move now like let's why wait like we like put it in front of the town. Um so they're coming back next week also to ask for um I think it's like$1.2 2 million for there's fields, there's like a

171playground area, there's a nature um like classroom type thing, there's connecting some trails with the other trails that are back there. There's a whole lot of cool stuff all in the back um of that which would also have a second benefit of like saying, "Oh, look, the town has funded this." So when they are fundraising to get the rest of the money, they know that we're already in it. So, >> um we're coming back as well. So, there's a lot of good conversations. Um, and we're meeting next week also. Normally, we don't meet, I guess, twice a month. So, >> we're doing it now so that we can kind of push forward to make sure people can get in for the um meeting. >> Oh, great. I appreciate you taking on that uh that role.

172>> Is there like an application process for CPC funds? >> Yeah. So it's like it's actually only like one page or like two pages maybe like it's a really short application. >> Is there timelines for in a year or you can apply any time? >> Um once you apply you have like we usually kind of put it I guess as kind of three years to use the money. Um, so let's say and use as an example, the dog the the dog park asked for x amount of money and they ended up using only 80% of it. Well, that other 20% just goes stays in the the town. It's not like we like cut a check and say here you go, it's your money. Like have fun. Um, it's it's more about they we allocate the

173funds and then they they get to use them over that period of time. Um because like I think we did one with um there's a cemetery. I don't know where I am. There's a cemetery across the street about them like getting some work done there and we approved, you know, x amount of dollars for it and then something came up and they're not using it all right away or some of it and so it can get returned or they can use it or stuff of that nature. So it's it's not super strict which is pretty cool. But you do also need like um it has to be on public property like it can't be a private thing like um you know I don't know actually nail house or something like can't ask for you know

174money to put something in front of their building or I don't know why I chose that one but like whatever like you know market basket can't >> like I know I'm looking at project where the town has October 1st as a deadline for any CPC funds grant for the applications and between October 1st and December 1st, the comm the CPC committee kind of narrows down what projects that they want to fund. >> I'm assuming this is for a different town. >> It's a different town. So, I was curious like does follow that or is it more fluid? >> So, there's a lot of towns out there that do a really good job of using all their money actually. So, good that they have a waiting list or they get to choose or they say no

175to some projects. We're more like somebody come ask to use this money. Um >> and also like speaking of that, there's um >> like >> there's nobody there representing the affordable housing option. >> Um and I was wondering if I could find out like who is that committee and where are they? >> Which uh which um >> there's an affordable housing committee. >> Um >> but they don't have represent. is the affordable housing trust and yeah, affordable housing trust. I think that's um >> from my understanding there supposed to be people from that on this. >> Yes. Yes. >> Because that's one of the buckets that the CPC has is affordable housing and we've seem to use them for things that aren't necessarily for affordable housing. Um, but it was cool because we talked about

176um I can't talk about another project, but um questions have come up here about who could use, you know, could you go to the CPC and ask for affordable housing credits and you can, >> right? Right. >> We just >> um >> ask that question. >> Yeah, I can't actually remember who's on who's on that committee anymore, but you should be able to look online otherwise Joe knows or Jasmine can find out who's on the affordable housing trust. I I think unless there's anything else I think we just have minutes >> a bunch of meeting minutes left. Um so first one on there is June 26. Boy, it's going back a ways. I don't know. We got kind of off. I guess >> we just had some edits that had to be corrected on that

177one. Um, but they're in in there now. Is that right? >> I think I think it was edits that we had talked about at a meeting. They didn't >> Melissa had done them in and put the in the packet today. >> Right. So, this is the meeting in June where um where I recuse myself for the first part of the meeting. Um, and Anna >> Yeah, Anna chaired the first part of the meeting. >> Yep. I think that was one of the changes that that's now in there. Looks good. >> Are we good? >> I'll make a motion to approve the June 26, 2025 minutes. >> Second and roll call vote. >> Anna Tesmani I >> and Trisha Kindle I. Next one is for July 10th. Let's see. What did we do at that meeting?

178I think that was the >> Oh, lots of cells. >> Electricity meeting. >> Yeah. >> And phones. >> Yeah. >> Phone and >> Gina Roads. >> Yep. >> Becca was there. >> That's right. She was filling in. >> Yep. and I left a bit early which is notated on page three. >> Wasn't that the one that um he also left early too when you guys went to the >> I don't remember that one possibly. No, I think that was No, that's a later. >> I think that's a later. >> Yeah, we had we don't have those yet. >> That was past July 10th. So, are we good with July 10th? >> Yep. >> I'll make a motion to approve the July 10th, 2025 minutes. Second >> and a roll call vote and a >> test

179I got to >> and Trisha Kendall I all right next ones are July 24th. Those are really extensive. Is this the one where No, >> this is extensive and I don't remember it being this extensive. I think the I think the one Yes, this is the the Y one. >> Here is the Y one. >> Maybe the one where you both left was before this. >> Was I there for the whole time? I think I was. Hold on. Yeah, I did leave at 9:51 at 6 page. Okay. Yep. For some reason, I don't remember it as well as the other ones, but >> yeah, actually, you know, I'm sorry, but July 10th was the meeting that I think Camila was there at the beginning >> they left early. It was like 7:30 or 7:45 >>

180I think so. >> Is didn't we started early? Is that the meeting we started early? >> Uh Camila was there on the uh the one where the where you excuse yourself the 50 June 26th one? >> Oh, that's >> that was where he was. Then he Anna and both of them left. >> Then then both Oh, right. Okay. So then Yeah, that's right. >> So he's there on that. >> Yeah. So it was there and then and then I came in. Um I think that's what's actually missing on on on that one that um >> June. >> Yeah. On on June 26. It's just a It's just a note where like where is the note that um and I think it should be right after it should be right after the clerk's report. I think

181that um that Anna and Camo left the meeting to go to that would be that. Yeah. So that's that >> sounds accurate. Yep. >> Right. So, I'm going to make a motion to We already voted on for the June 26 minutes, but I'll make a motion to amend the minutes as Trisha indicated to indicate >> um >> you and Camilo leaving after the clerk's report. >> After the clerk's report, which is reflected actually somewhat on page whatever the second page where there's discussion of unblind 56 of the two of us needing to review the recording, >> right? >> Yep. And at the very end, there's only three of us voting for a journ. Okay. >> So that I've made that motion. Anybody want to second that the amendment? >> Second that. >> And now we

182need >> local vote again. >> Anna Tesmaniski I >> and Trisha Kendall. Okay. So >> So now we're back to July 24th. >> Now we're at the 24th. Um and this was where we reopened I believe. No, the project that Okay, this is where we're talk This is where we're talking about the soccer fields and the granite or sorry, the soccer fields and the um gravel. Yep. >> Now, I remember this. This was a long meeting and I left I had to leave by I think I left at 10ish. Yeah. 9:51. >> Yeah. And then the YMCA um reintroduced. >> So this is the meeting actually that um Paul will be watching. >> Yep. And you can read those minutes, Paul. So I'll make a motion to approve the July 24th, 2025 minutes. >> Second

183that. >> And a roll call vote. Deepening. >> Anna Tesmani. I >> Scott Beltier. I >> and Trisha Kendall. I >> just a quick question on that one. Not that I want to change anything, but on line 278 to 283, there was conversation about creating a list of 40b projects. >> So, I'm working on that list >> and the SHI and the >> I'm working on that list. So, I'll be able to have that for you guys for the 25th. if you'd like I can give a brief update of the 40BS where they are. It's on our agenda. >> There's a spot on our agenda. Yeah. I just >> agenda. I forgot about it and I'm like I hope we didn't like you didn't do all that work and we didn't talk about it is

184what I was trying to get to. So, >> no. I actually created an internal check uh Excel spreadsheet really for the town because there's a lot of once the zoning board of appeals approves a project there's actually still a lot of moving timelines within the community that if we miss them we lose safe harbor. So it's very very critical that once a project is approved that we still maintain these timelines. So I actually am creating this spreadsheet so that way it links to three different people's calendars so that way just in case if something happens you god forbid I decide I'm leaving Ashlin tomorrow. Somebody else still knows that these deadlines are occurring. >> Say things like that. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'm not leaving. I like it very much to the paper. You can't

185do it now. Um, so that's but as far as as far as the 40bs go, we've got 10 to 60 is wrapping up. We anticipate that they'll have their final decision issued by the end of October, first meeting of November. Same exact thing with 61 Waverly. Um, we're finishing up on that. 55 West Union just started. They just had their first opening hearing on Tuesday. So, we've got until February until that closes out. And we will be sending 55 West Union for a peer review for architecture design review. >> Okay. >> So, >> the traffic consultants are looking at Memorial Drive as a whole since we've got the YMCA 30 Memorial Drive potentially the Arbella Park. The Arbella, I don't know if you were here, Scott, is another, it's a senior 40B that's approved up

186the street on Memorial Drive, but it's been in litigation between the owner and the proposed buyer. Nothing to do with us. So, we approved it. The owner brought it into litigation. >> A judge was supposed to rule on it in February. We're waiting on that ruling. So, during when it's in litigation, the time stops ticking. So, they have three years to construct a 40B from approval. When you're in litigation, that time stops. So once they come out of litigation, they essentially have another three years to build the Arbella. So that's another one that we've got the traffic experts looking at. So the Arbella, serious apartments that are existing, the dog park, the YMCA, 55 West Union Street, and Dunkin Donuts. So they're looking at it holistically because that's a lot going on. And in 2027,

187our MBTA trains are going to double their schedule. So instead of running every hour, they're going to run every half hour, which will also increase traffic. So it's something else we're trying to be cognizant of as we review these projects. >> Will it increase traffic or just spread it out? >> We don't know. >> We're not sure. >> We're hoping it will spread it out. >> We're actually hoping it will slow down the speeding because you'll have another train to catch in another half an hour. So we are hoping that it will reduce traffic but what other places have seen is usually when you increase the train times you just increase the traffic. So >> a lot of people will come to Ashlin to take the train. I go to West Nic to take the

188train because it has more more more stops. >> My wife takes it out of Framingham because it's a lot >> Yeah. But Ashley has more parking than West Nic and Framingham. My my suspicion is more people from Firmingham and West Nic are going to come to Ashlin to take the train. As weird as that sounds, >> they may >> because it's easier to park. >> Maybe further down may drive towards us. >> Exactly. >> Further west. >> Okay. >> Exactly. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So, I'll have that spreadsheet to share with you guys on the 25th. >> All right. August 14th minutes. >> We have the last one. This This was the one that you guys were remote and I was not there. I'll make a motion to approve the August 14th minutes

189as is. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. >> Anna testitzki. I >> and Trisha can delay. Actually, I guess I think I can vote even though I wasn't there. Doesn't matter. >> Okay. Um >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn at 9:44. >> All right. You're speedy. >> Is that okay? Do you have something else to say? >> Um wait, let me ask. Does anyone have anything else that they want to do before we adjourn the meeting or are we good? Enough for one night. Okay. So, is there a second on the motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> And Okay. So, that'll be at 9:44 and a roll call vote. >> I test I >> SC. >> Test it out. Paul, >> Trisha Kendall, I thank you everybody. What do you think of the chair?

190You're good.