Select Board - July 6, 2026

All right, I'm going to call the meeting to order. Will you join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good evening. Welcome to the Monday, July 6, 2026 meeting of the Westport Select Board. under Mass General Law, chapter 38, section 20F, this meeting is being recorded.

Um, I just want to start out um the meeting tonight by thanking um the organizers of the Fourth of July parade for the 250th celebration of Fourth of July. So, thank you to the fair. That's a it's a nonprofit private group that runs that um parade. It is not a town entity. Um but thank you for the work that they did and thank you for the highway department and the police department and fire department and um

all the u participants. It was really nicely done event. So um and it was really great to see a lot of the participants. It was we'll try to order less hot um this time but but um good work to everybody involved in the parade. And then just a reminder that um before our next meeting, the Westport fair is coming up. So the Westport fair starts on July 15 to the 19th at the fairgrounds. So that's

another really great event. So I hope to see everybody out there. That's another one private organization is running that one. Um so I hope to see you at the fair. Are there any other announcements?

Okay. Um we did earlier have an executive uh session.

Um we have the first item on the agenda is a public hearing. We have an application request for a motor vehicle repair license from JK Inc. doing business as Fourquare Village Garage located at 618 Stamford Road. Manager Jacob Lopes. Are you here? You can come.

Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. Attorney Matt Long here on behalf of the applicant JK Inc. and manager Jacob Lopes. We were before you at the last meeting for the auto sales license located next door um same parking lot essentially 620 Sanford Road Foursquare Village garage. It's been operated as a automotive garage since the 1940s. Um and this license is uh to change as due to a change of ownership

in the business. Um and JK Inc. is now leasing. Believe the application is in order um and should be pretty straightforward. So, the police department um didn't find anything concerning. I think we were I think before we wanted to make sure that the building inspector was okay with it, right? Is was did we have the approvals?

Uh I have not heard from the building inspector on this. Um however, I can certainly follow up after this meeting because I believe it was uh the signage if I recall. I think fire I know fire has gone through fire signed off which I think was the major concern. Signage signs existing been that way for 40 plus years at this point. So okay I don't Ralph hasn't let any of us know

that there was any issues. Um so I'm unaware of anything at this time.

Okay. Yeah. I don't see anything report.

Um anybody have any questions?

No.

All right. What's the pleasure of the board?

Move acceptance. Madam Chair, second.

Uh, so we have a motion and a second to approve the application request u for motor vehicle repair license. This is a public hearing. Is there any comment from the public?

Seeing none, I think we're ready to vote. All in favor?

I I um any opposed? So that's unanimous.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Good luck.

Have a great night.

You too.

[clears throat] 4. We have a request from the Westport Food Pantry for a one-day all alcoholic beverage license for a summer school fundraiser at Weatherllo Farms at 8:45 Sodom Road on July 25th uh from 5 to 9.

Paperwork [clears throat] all in order on this one?

It is in order. Uh within your packet, you also have a recommendation from the police department. They note that this is the second year of the event. Last year's event just had over 200 attendees. Um the only recommendation they have is that uh police details uh be available for the event. So recommend approval with conditions.

So moved.

Second.

All right. So that's um approval with um depend with police department recommendation.

Correct.

All right. Any discussion? All in favor?

I I that's unanimous. We have a request from Holy Ghost Club at 171 Sodom Road for 1-day all alcoholic liquor license for 179 Sodom Road for the following events. Saturday, July 11, um the 93rd beast from 4 to 8. Sunday, July 12, the 93rd feast from 12:00 to 4:00. Saturday, July 18, an Elvis concert from 4 to 8.

And Saturday, July 25th, a clam boil from 3 to 9. So, these are pretty standard events for that location.

Um, is the paperwork all in order?

It is. Uh, and police also did provide a recommendation for this. Um, again recommending a police detail for those dates for those various events.

Thank you. Was the pleasure of the board.

Motion to approve. Second.

Um, any discussion? All in favor?

I. That's unanimous.

Um, appointments and resignations. We have a request to accept the resignation of Maria Branco. Um, zoning board of appeals administrator.

Anyone? [snorts] Motion to accept the resignation of Maria Bronco.

Second.

Um, I did have a question. We didn't have a mo appoint uh a new one on here or post for a new one. Is there a reason?

Um, no. But certainly I can put that on the next agenda. Um, I know as part of reposting it, we would also update the job description as well. So, all right. So, we have a motion and a second. All in favor?

I. That's unanimous. We have a request to accept the resignation of John Maddock, production assistant for West Community Television.

Motion to approve.

Motion to accept.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor?

I.

I. That's unanimous. We have a request to appoint Jason Pacho to the cable advisory board. I believe that's the school department uh school committee appointment.

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor?

I I that's unanimous. Those of you who follow along really closely uh note that we had a really brief meeting a week ago to make a number of appointments. Um that was so that we could um there were people that needed to be employed on July 1. said, "We had a meeting. It was like a 10-minute meeting to approve a whole slate of appointments." Um, but this these appointments for tonight are

ones that were not done on that that other Monday. So, it's a shorter list, but there were a whole slew of people that got approved um off cycle. So, I will entertain a motion to make the following appointments. Um, for three years on the recreation commission, Donna Amarall and Mary Ellen Foley. Um, and then these are one-year terms. Um, infrastructure oversight committee, Robert Daylor, Morris May, Jose Amarall,

Joseph Hugh, um, Evan Almeida. The client resilience committee, Anthony Vvenzo, Vivvenzio, Joseph Inglesby, Kevin Kurt, Michael Sullivan, Wendy Nicholas. Public way, Izzy Pineda, Jen Vison, Community Preservation Committee, David Enis, Jared Pottager, Brian Belcourt, Assistant Harbor Master Morgan Ritz, and then affordable housing trust for two-year terms. Annne Boxler, Gay Gillespie, Patrick Long, Jane Sabra,

Deborah Crossley, and David Enis.

Um, and just one adjustment to that list, uh, we did receive late correspondence that Evan Almeida uh, does not want to or has, um, declined being reappointed to the infrastructure oversight committee.

Okay. So, remove Evan Almeida.

Yes.

Okay.

So, do I have a motion? So I'll move madam chair for acceptance of those appointments.

Second.

Any discussion?

All in favor? I I. That's unanimous.

Um we have a request to approve the select board appointed boards, commissions, and committees policy handbook.

Um do we want to talk about that now or do we want to take I know there's people here for some of the I don't know. Let's talk about Okay. So, um there was a very detailed um uh document in your in the um materials that we were sent. Chris, do you want to just give us an overview of kind of what what that's all about?

Absolutely. Um so, as the board recalls, um the first draft was provided at the June 1st meeting. Um since that time we've continued to update it in incorporate uh the prior policies that the board had in place as well as the feedback we received since that time uh as well as incorporating what our current practices are and best practices for administering select board appointed boards and

committees. Um so this handbook is broken up into a few different sections.

So, uh, it really goes over the life cycle of a volunteer appointee from, um, you know, their interest in appointment to information about, um, you know, oath of office, getting sworn in, orientation.

It talks about member duties, you know, once they are on a board. It talks about their obligations, you know, to comply with open meeting law, um, posting agendas, um, minutes, um, you know, what is a motion, um, you know, what's a public hearing, what are public comments, and then, uh, the other last few sections, it talks about administrative activities. So, you know, receiving public uh records request, um

use of town council, um requesting space within the town buildings for meetings.

Um so, it it really touches on a lot of different areas. You know, I know that this has been something uh in my short time here that has been uh requested.

Just again, we do have a lot of uh members of the community who this is their very first time serving in local government. So, I think the intent of this is to provide them this resource that they can refer to in addition to what else is out there, you know, through the state, through MMA. Um, but have it be something that's a little bit more specific to Westport and specific

to uh what the board expects of its appointees. Um, you all note that this is uh I'll call it the first draft because this is intended to be a living document. Um so as you know resources change, as laws change, as maybe um the board's positions change or um you know should there be a new issue that needs to be addressed, the idea is that we can go in at a later date and um

you know amend the handbook and issue a new version of it. You know within this um a couple things to note. First is um with the approval of this handbook, this would supersede um some of the older um policies or expectations set out by prior boards. Um you know again with the goal of trying to have encompass everything through this one comprehensive document. The other thing is um you know should there ever be um a

non-policy update you know we have u a new staff member we need to update contact information this would authorize uh my office to make non-policy changes again just so that this document can always be up to date but doesn't necessarily have to come to the board for every uh typo or grammar update or link update. Um, but with that, I know it's a long document, so if there's any

questions in particular, happy to answer them.

I think you've done a very nice job putting this together, and we have had this for quite a while. I know we were it was on the last agenda, we took it off.

So, um, I I'm I'm fine with it, but does anybody have comments or questions?

Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. Just just a few comments um with respect to that.

Um, first off, is this going to be will this be a document that everyone that's appointed to uh a committee or commission in town will get a copy of and and does it make sense to include like a one pager where they're signing off on it uh and returning it so that it's on file so they're well aware of the Yes. handbook.

So, um what we intend to do is if this is approved, uh we'll have a separate uh acknowledgement form.

Perfect. Okay. Uh and then at the time that members are reappointed or appointed for the first time um this would be a form that they have to submit as a condition of their uh being appointed by the board similar to the oath of office and conflict of interest um acknowledgement form. Another question.

Uh the quorum u I know there's obviously some issues when it comes to quorums like people don't know if it's like a quorum of the total number of members on a committee or commission or total number of those who are present. So like let's assume you have a seven member board and you have four present but you have a 3 to one vote. Some people say you needed the four out of the seven. Is

there a way to clarify that or is it just or is the quorum just based on for a passage of something who's present?

Uh so quorum is based off of if you have a majority of members present.

[clears throat] Um you know that constitute quorum uh as it's a majority of the body and again just if it's a simple vote you know it's nothing where it's like a zoning board as an example or um something where you need a supermajority.

Okay. Um it would be a majority of the members present part of quorum. Okay. Because I've heard some people have questions in the past whether you know on a seven member if you only had three and you needed four to pass something. The only other issue that I had um in there is I think we may want to address or with respect to like I know we have conduct a code of conduct and absentees

but is there a way that we could have a section that would strengthen our ability to remove those who have been appointed by the select board? It's it's very vague in reference like I know there are some there's been some issues recently or in the you know uh past here where there's been let's say behavioral or or other issues that are conflicts on boards and it's almost looked like we

don't have much of an ability to you know fix that situation or remove them and I just don't know if there's a way to detail that in there better.

Yeah. So, um, and the reason why it's not outlined as much as maybe like it to is because it really is, um, board by board specific. Um, now what I would say is just a generality is, um, if this was something that the board wanted to pursue at the 2027 town meeting, uh, we could update the bylaws to explicitly give the board that ability um, of removal authority. Now, as I

understand it, uh, from council is if it is a border committee in which their term is set out within our bylaws, um, the appointment would have to be through that term. If it's something where the board through, you know, when the committee is established and you establish a committee charge and you say, you know, I'm just using this example, you know, the term is two years. There's nothing in mass general

law or bylaws that are setting that.

That's just really at your discretion for administrative purposes.

In those circumstances, the board does have the discretion. Okay.

Um right now uh to again um dismiss a member if it's all fit.

But that would be something again if you wanted to have a consistent Yeah. ability through all the boards and committees. We can certainly target I think amendment.

I think it would make sense to be consistent among all of them and if there's a way to you know if the term is set out by the bylaws you're saying we don't really have the ability to to do that but I also think there are issues where there may be committees that don't want to take a hard vote or and or rather does make the decision if there's somebody on the board. Obviously there

could be um internal conflicts on that.

So my thought is obviously if we are appointing them then maybe we have the ability to look into it and and and remove them in some fashion um as opposed to letting a committee you know flounder or not or or basically be in conflict just because of one individual.

So yeah and I guess I would also note too um you know dismissal is certainly an option for the board. Um there are other actions that the board could take. You know, again, if um uh that circumstance came up with the board wanted to weigh in or intervene or really come down um you know, the first one is just non-reappoint, just hey, we're making this decision at this point that um you

know, we're not renewing your term and that's at the full discretion of the board. Okay. um a censure um a request could be made again in the interim, but you know certainly I can make a note of that as a future uh board discussion ahead of town meeting.

That'd be good. Thank you.

Yeah, thank you Chris. And this this is great.

Obviously we we we were lacking this type of document uh in the past and having this and having everyone acknowledge it I think is going to be key um that gets appointed. We already have to do conflict of interest and various other training. So, it should obviously just be part of the process that they get this and obviously sign off on and know the roles and responsibilities. So, thank you Chris.

I do like that um that it kind it requires the boards to and we'll have to be putting this together over time, right? But it requires to to note the charge so that you know what is the purpose of this committee and what is it doing. So, um I I see there's a place in appendix for that that we'll add those um as they come up.

Yes. So I think um you know again I didn't there's a lot of research that goes into that piece of it um and I didn't want that to delay obviously this discussion um but that is something administratively that um you know I do intend on building this out um as time goes on and obviously uh with some of the changes discussed tonight as to what committees are active versus inactive.

Um the only other thing I wanted to note um because it did come up in a prior select board discussion is with regards to uh representative members or uh exeicio members is um you know by the nature of you know as an example um you know my office I am you know in the bylaws a member of certain committees um that is something where through this policy it would no longer be that the board has

to do the appointment annually. Um, it would just be the oath of office and a notification to the board. Um, so I think that will also when it comes time up for reappoint, it should hopefully reduce um some of the administrative burden of going in making these reappoints. Um, so essentially it's an opt out. You you'd have to opt out if you didn't want to continue that, but you're normally just going to get in.

Yeah. Well, reappointed, right? as an example cuz certain boards, you know, they take the vote on who they want to have as their representative member.

So, we're not necessarily appointing them. We're more more or less acknowledging receipt that that's going to be their representative and then, you know, obviously we would communicate with the town clerk's office and they would take the oath of office from there.

We we also seem to have different types of representation on on committees. Some of us are voting members of committees and others are advisory members of committees.

I think that's something we should clarify for like when we're putting together when we're getting the formal charters and everything together. I think we should really note that because a lot of times we want a lot of times like when we're on committees, we're voting members of the committees but not always. Yeah. Because there's a section in here about liaison. So sometimes we're like the liaison, but sometimes

it's more like we're member of the committee on behalf of the board. So that I think I agree that that would be good to clarify as we get more specific.

All right, gentlemen. Do you want to um approve the policy handbook?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

All in favor?

I. That's unanimous. All right. Thank you. Thanks for putting that together.

Um 6B, we have a request to approve and execute the order of taking to complete the acceptance of Stacy Lane as a public way. So Stacy Lane, we had town meeting vote. Um bunch of other stuff happened.

So this is the I think this is the final step in the process is the order of taking.

That is correct. So that would make this a permanent road.

Yes. So this um uh document was prepared by town council. It's inside your packet. Uh it implements the vote that was taken on article 34 town meeting. Um includes the roadway, drainage, utility grading and related easements interest.

Um you know after the vote to adopt and execute the order is taken um you know it will be signed and then you know we'll go and record at the registry within 30 days.

And I just want to note because order of taking sounds ownorous. Um but I just want to note that the people who live there are the ones that petitioned us to take this meeting, right? This is not the town coming swooping in and taking your property. This is the people there asked for it to please become a town road and it was voted on a town meeting.

We've had numerous hearings.

All right. Any questions about any of that?

What's the pleasure of the board?

Make a motion to approve.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

All in favor? I opposed.

Opposed.

So we have four in favor and one opposed.

Uh request to approve clean vessel act grant agreement and authorize expenditure. Must be what you're here for. Captain Chase.

Good evening everyone. you learn.

So, one of our uh less than desirable responsibilities is to eliminate uh raw sewage from the vessels uh that use the Westport River as home. Um so there are two ways that we do that under our contractual agreement with the Clean Vessel Act. Uh one is through a fixed uh system that is at the fuel dock at trips. And how that works is the the vessel owner pulls up to the dock and

uses the suction hose to remove the contents of his sanitation system on the vessel. The other way we do that is with a boat that goes from boat to boat uh on the moorings and within trips uh marina Westport Yach Club and in the other fixed places. The vessel that we had last year um was in difficult condition when we took over. Uh we just barely got through the season with it and if you

want to have a look at it, it's out behind the highway department right now where it will rest for the rest of its day. Uh we did come up with an alternative vessel uh for the beginning of the season knowing full well that none of this could have happened until um the FY27 fiscal year began. So we've patched up a boat uh that we're using right now uh to serve that purpose.

We've been working with a builder uh in Rhode Island uh god since the fall uh to try to get a replacement vessel. Uh there are two things that the Clean Vest Act does for us financially. One is that they um replace the monies uh that we use to operate this vessel uh on an annual basis. It's a calendar year uh contract. So they give us $15,000 for reimbursement for the operation of that

vessel. They also provide matching grant monies to um to afford a replacement vessel to the tune of $56,250.

Where that number comes from, I don't know, but that's part of the services that they provide to help us uh execute these duties. The way it works is the town pays the full price for the vessel which is 125932 minus 56250 is what we would be asking for for this uh grant matching fund. So this vessel is a uh it's very well built. It is designed for this purpose. Uh there's no

wood in the construction of this vessel.

It's all fiberglass and resin.

So it should be good for somewhere north of 20 years. So I think if you look at that $69,000 figure and divide it by 20, uh it becomes very cost-effective. And this is a very critical job uh for us, it goes a long way towards keeping the river as clean as it is right now. And by the way, I got to throw something at you there as far as the cleanliness of

the river. Uh we just had the state give us authorization to open up uh part of the west branch to shell fishing. That area had been closed for seven years. Um and so as a result of the steady testing that they do, they found that uh the river is cleaner than it has been. And uh when they allow you to uh uh execute shell fishing in in certain areas of the

river, you know, you can rest assured that it is very clean. So I think what we do through all of this uh action with CBA um is really critical to the health of the river. Um so this is something we've been working on for a while as I mentioned and uh it's a critical piece of equipment not just for the department but for the river itself.

Thank you. Um, so Chris, so the the um grant requires a matching fund and you're suggesting that the source of the matching fund would be the town grant match account and I'm assuming we have enough money in that account.

We do. Yes.

Okay.

All right. Any questions?

No.

All right. So the the uh act So what is the motion that we need here to authorize the um the signing of the grant agreement uh as well as the expenditure?

Motion to authorize a signature of the agreement and funding, I guess.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Is there any discussion?

All in favor?

I. That's unanimous.

So, it's my understanding that um that the harbor master department along with police and fire had a rescue over the weekend.

We did.

Yeah. And can you want to just give us some boating safety or some Thank you for that? Thank you for the work from all the departments that were involved in that. But do you want to give us an update on how the weekend went or?

Well, other than that part, Madam Chair, it was um fairly routine. I mean, we had a number of callouts for disabled vessels, uh which you can expect on any given weekend. Um I think the important takeaway from this weekend was the way that we worked in conjunction with police and fire. Uh Rick and I have taken the approach uh from the beginning that we need to integrate ourselves as

as tightly as we can uh with police and fire and I think it showed its merit on Saturday. Uh just the communication, the response time um and I would say when the harbor masters vessel, police and fire all arrive at the state boat ramp at the same time within a minute, something's working pretty well. Um, so that was our big takeaway. I think the challenge going into the future is

making sure that we can go east and west because when you look at the geography of the Westport River, it's a big horseshoe, if you will. Sometimes you've got to go east, sometimes you got to go west, sometimes you've got to go offshore. So, you know, we've got enough bodies with with the cadets that we have with us this summer to uh respond the way we did. Um, and I would add that the

u the the marine detail that the police department provided for us last summer uh proved its merit again uh Saturday with Dave Simco. Dave is with us an awful lot. He spends a lot of time with us. He's really one of our guys if you want to call him that. Uh but having Dave there was was critical. He was the real hero in all this.

Right. Thank you. Anything for No.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief. Thank you.

Good to see you.

Um 6D, we have a request to approve the notice of intent for upgrades to Hicksbridge Landing. You want to tell us what this is about? It's a very lengthy document.

Uh certainly. And I Who Who's here to speak on that?

Michael is Michael Bur. Sorry. Should So uh I mean I'll give a go.

Go ahead.

Yeah.

So I think I have Ryan Deont with me.

He's a senior project management from GZA and he's the consultant on this project. He's been helping us the the town out with this project since 2022.

This is a project that was uh awarded a couple of ARPA funds back when when those earmarks were still available to communities as well as a Seapport economic council grant um that we're working or we just finished drawing down um at the turn of the fiscal year. And so what this project is doing is reworking the site access, going to do storm water management, uh well installing the storm water management system,

upgrade the boat launch, um the floats, do salt marsh remediation, and make improvements to the parking. And so the impetus for this project is improve the environmental conditions on the site of the Hicksbridge Landing, but also to continue to make sure that we're enhancing the recreational access that I think that the community really values from this um town owned property. And so

um as we as I said we're closing out the Seapport Economic Council grant and um at the end of that process we started to initiate the um permitting procedures for this project and and um so what we're asking for from the select board is to authorize the submission to the conservation commission a notice of intent um for some of the work that would be uh eventually taking place on

on this site. And so that would include boat launch and the dock. Um regrading the the boat launch and and the parking area, installing a storm water management system and paving the parking area and oh and the salt marsh uh restoration.

Um, and Ryan will give us a little bit more detail on that process, but I just want to let you know while this permitting process is underway, we are looking for um, funding to continue this project where we applied to a Seapport Economic Council grant to the tune of nearly um, $1 million um, for replacing or completing the engineering phase and and design phases as well as um, the initial construction

construction phase for replacing the boat launch um and the do doing some accessibility modifications for persons with disabilities and the salt mars restoration and that's a grant that actually the town would not have to put up any match for um so that's that's good news um if we get get that award and we also have Jeff Bull he just came in here and he's been helping us with this project as well he's the chair

chair of the landing commission Um so with that, Ryan, do you want to talk a little bit about the um notice of intent process?

Yeah, sure. So [clears throat] given the boat ramp's proximity to to the Westport River, there's a number of environmental acts that govern construction within that area. Um with the specifically the notice of intent, which is the first step that we're taking in permitting this project, is in relation to the wetlands protection act. Um because the coastal area is considered a wetland.

It's regulated through Massachusetts law and governed by your local conservation commission that we need to submit this application to.

Um, specifically, it it has triggers for areas of salt marsh, coastal beach, coastal bank, land subject to storm flowage. Um, which basically means the area is in a flood zone, which is not surprising given that it's a boat ramp.

It's near the water. There is salt marsh areas present on the site uh which we are as part of the proposed project uh planning to protect as much of it as we can. There's a small area that we're proposing to relocate. Uh currently the way it works is the existing boat ramp which needs to be repaired and widened is bisects the salt marsh. There's about a a much smaller section to the north of

the boat ramp that we're going to relocate to fill in a gap in the southern salt marsh area. So that our intent is as part of the project, we are going to improve the boat ramp and improve the salt marsh, that'll probably be the critical issue that the conservation commission looks at as part of this work. Um, but also the proposed parking lot that's associated with the boat ramp will need to comply with the

Massachusetts storm water standards. Um, as such today, it's a gravel lot. When it rains, the water runs directly into the river. There's no storm water management. There's no collection system. If you go down to the landing today, you can see where the gravel just washes into the river. Uh the proposed project is hoping to improve that by adding a system of catch basins and vegetated swailes and a subsurface

detention system to collect and treat storm water runoff so that we don't have the situation where we're discharging sediment directly into the river um under rain events in the future.

Um, in terms of the entire process, [clears throat] getting the order of conditions from the conservation commission is step one to permitting.

Uh, once that's completed, the project will need to go through the MEPA process. It will need approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and it will need a chapter 91 license, which um, gives you the license to put the dock in the boat ramp in the water from the state.

Um, I guess I'll stop there if anybody wants to dive into any of that. I'm happy to get very specific, but I don't want to bore everybody with super specific details on that.

All right. So, I think just um so the notice of intent is the first step. So, we don't have funding to build the project. We're not building the project tomorrow. So, this is the um the action that you're asking for us is to approve the notice of intent that's then getting filed with these other agencies, right?

Is that to authorize the submission of the application?

To authorize the submission of the application, right? Thank you.

So, I'm looking at the salt marsh restoration and the um storm water management plan. What do you see as potential um impacts to the users and potential user consequences in regards to like the average person that goes to that boat ramp?

Uh how the salt marsh would impact them just in general? Just like you think like I I can see having a paved lot as being an improvement, having like the boat ramp come out as an improvement, but what potential negative user aspects can you see? So, I think I think this project as a whole really is is improving the user access quite a bit. I think the boat ramp today is in in

fairly poor condition. Um, it's not really wide enough for certain vessels.

There's a section of the ramp that's broken and has fallen off into the river. Um, so the increase of the ramp is going to make it easier for boating users. We are going to include certain Americans with Disability Act upgrades.

I think the current system really isn't accessible in any way. you actually have to walk across the beach to get to the dock. Um, and also specifically that invites foot traffic across the salt marsh. So, we're going to try to eliminate that. So, there's both a benefit for the boers and the dock users and there's a benefit to the environmental aspects by just creating a flow of foot traffic that isn't

trampling across Salt Marsh. Um, and the paved parking lot would be a major upgrade uh for vehicle operation in the area. specifically if there's a rainy if it's rainy, it's wet, muddy, we won't have ruting and and then those types of things. Um, and the parking and flow of traffic will be much more delineated.

Today, it's a free-for-all. Uh, we're going to have some striping and hopefully help users understand where they're supposed to put their cars, how the traffic's supposed to flow in and out. And also, as part of the proposed project, the entrance ramp would be widened uh to allow for two-way traffic.

Right now, that ramp really is only wide enough to support one-way traffic, even though it's being forced to be used for two-way traffic.

What does the timeline look like if this project gets funded, like as far as how long it would take the work to be completed, and what period of the season would it be done in?

Yeah, sure. So, this work would definitely end up with a seasonal work restriction. Um, so we'd be looking at a a winter type of construction season.

And I would think this project given its size essent assuming that it's funded in full could be completed in a single winter season. So you know say something from after Labor Day and open by Memorial Day. It would also be possible to fund the project in pieces and perform the water-based upgrades separately from the land-based upgrades.

Um in that case it could be done under multiple seasons depending on the availability of funding.

Thank you. And Ryan, it would be multiple seasons with the way we're intending on structuring the funding, right? With this initial request, that's about half the project. That's is that correct?

Correct. That seems to be the way we're we're tracking towards funding is that that it would be operated that way.

Thank you.

Anybody else have other questions?

No, we just bull as mentioned has been in couple of times talking to us about this project. So, and I'm familiar with the project. being the leazison to the landing commission.

Landing commission. He's [snorts] approaching the mic. So Jeff, hi. I'm Jeff B, [clears throat] chair of the landing commission. Live on horse neck road to speak to your concern about the impact on users.

Yeah, the landing will be closed for a period of time while the work is being done. We'll try to be plenty of notice about that. to not do that. Eventually, the boat ramp will become unusable at mid to low tide when the rest of it falls off into the river and then cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to dredge out. The current orientation of the the boat ramp separated from the

floats means that people regularly walk through the uh salt marsh on both sides and launch boats uh small craft through the salt marsh. Um, so with the current orientation, there will be beach north of the boat ramp north of the floats, so people can actually easily carry kayaks on the beach rather than walking through the salt marsh where there'll be signage encouraging them to do that. So the the

impact will be it'll be better for users and certainly better for the environment and and easier. Right now, you put your boat in, you or someone, you put it halfway in, sort of tie off to the trailer, push it over toward the float, run back, run down the the floats over the beach, hopefully retrieve your boat, tie it up, run back, drive your truck up, and park it. It's like multiple trips. And when

there's a storm coming, hurricanes, it makes the whole process of rapidly getting people out of the water kind of lengthy and potentially short tempers and at moments dangerous. So, in many ways, this will just be so much better.

And Rick, you haven't been here for the whole saga, but we've made many, many efforts to try to make arrangements to reopen that north um but hasn't worked out. It's private property over there.

So yeah, it looks like a home run. Looks great.

Yeah, there is might be some movement on that, but unfortunately I don't know what's going to happen with the plan again.

Let's put it that way.

We'll see.

All right. Um, so they're requesting that we uh approve the notice of intent.

Submission.

Authorize the submission of the notice of intent.

So moved.

Second.

Is there any discussion? All in favor? I I That's unanimous. Thank you.

Thank you.

[clears throat] Um, I know there was a matter within 40 hours. You want to Oh, yeah. Let's um Michael, while you're here um so we had an under 48 hour rule. So, I um Chris and I I just got this right before the meeting. So, there is a request um to the select board to support um a grant application for the cold water culverts. So, can you um can you uh tell us what this is about?

Yes, this is these are the culverts on Drift Road and Cornell Road. Um it's Angeline Brook, Kirby Brook, Snow Creek.

Um and Lionsbrook, Lionsbrook. Um and we're submitting to the we meaning the the town in partnership with Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Um we'll be working with Gomez and Sullivan engineers and likely Park Corporation as well um for continuity of the work that was done with the Kirby Brook crossing um when that was being considered under the Mass DOT small bridge program. um we'll be submitting a a grant application to the um Federal Highways Administration Aquatic Organism Passage Grant. Um there is $800 million available for this um through this

project this year and this is going to be the last year that all of this funding is available. Um it was funding that was supposed to be released as a component of the infrastructure and jobs act but due to the federal cutbacks. Um the funding was never released uh for the last I think three or four years.

And so all of the money is coming out right now. Um this is really probably going to be the last opportunity to have a bite at this apple for these particular funds under this project. Um so we had applied us the town in Buzzards Bay coalition had applied to this program two years ago um and nothing ended up happening with the grant review again because of the disruption and the

federal government um a couple of years ago and they the Federal Highways Administration never made any decisions on that grant. We were advised by um our contact uh the grant manager in the um one of the federal divisions helping to administer this program um that we had a competitive grant application and he really encouraged us to submit this again. Um and so we're when we had

submitted previously it was just for the culverts um it excluded Kirby Brook because that was under consideration through the mass DOT small bridge program. So for this year we're including it um including Kirby Brook with this submission and what we're doing and I'm sure you all we've been here before the board multiple times not just for Kirby Brookke but for the other three culvert locations. Um so these

would be um bottomless culverts or um small bridges with um um that would enable the passage of sea run brook trout um up those those water bodies.

And um so what we're going to do is bundle all of these applications together. It's going to be probably about an eight or nine million grant request um through the program with match that would be [clears throat] uh hopefully committed through the recently uh passed environmental bond bill in the house. Um Representative Steve had uh requested a $1 million earmark in that bond bill. Um

so hopefully that pulls forward. And then also there is the Massachusetts um federal infrastructure funds bank uh uh match bank that we could request funds from um should it should it be awarded.

The it's the way that that works is they like to have the federal fund the federal funds committed before you can actually go and get the request. So we would have to apply at that time um should should you know the town receive an award here. Um, but as I said, we're bundling together these uh these projects in hopes that we can, you know, uh it all it all fits underneath the

same um type of request that you're improving the aquatic organism passage for seun brook trout, which is a federally listed species. Um and so what we would like is for the select board to support this um grant application um to show that there is some political buy in at the town level um for continuing these projects. And and one thing that we would like to or we are going to do in these applications is to

include some of the um aesthetic considerations that were not able to be considered in the mass DOT um small bridge program. We want to include we're specifically including this in the application so that way we know upfront if we were to receive an award whether or not that would be a fundable activity. um I if we're selected for funding. Um so that's so in my very brief conversation with

town administrator right before this meeting um so it's my understanding that um the grant application does not require select board um support but you're asking for us to provide uh a letter of support to to shore up the grant application.

That's correct. Okay, Madam Chair, uh Michael, thank you for this. Uh appreciate you looking into this and then obviously adding Kirby Brook. Obviously that was been a contentious issue with with that in the past. Um most of these projects are along Drift Road, right? The Lions Brook, Kirby, and then a couple on Cornell.

Two two or three of them are on Drift Road, one is on Cornell.

The timing of this, what are we looking at for timing on this grant?

I mean, given what what's transpired in the last couple of years, I we'll see what happens with the the review process, but from my understanding is that it can be um take up to two years to even get into contracting should you receive a grant award. And um these projects would they can they can be mobilized and implemented pretty quickly because a lot of the the bottomless culverts are manufactured offsite and

then they're brought in and installed in place. So we would obviously want to make sure that the construction period is all occurring outside of the summer tourist season. That would be a major concern with implementing this type of project.

I I appreciate that. the the few people have reached out to me with drift road or that section of drift road needs paving and obviously you wouldn't want to, you know, pave it and then cut it up with a culvert. So, I'm not supporting paving it because it's going to turn to a super highway.

But, um, you know, I think that's a concern at least for the highway department because they keep looking at that section because it is getting a little bit rough. But, um, appreciate you also including the kind of the local control. Um, I'm a big supporter of that. I don't want that to end up being a a bypass, a mass pike bypass going through there. So, um I'm fully supportive of, you know,

if this rest of the select board members obviously throwing our support behind this because I think this is the best option uh given, you know, what we're faced with before. So, thank you for your work in this and hopefully trying to secure this grant money.

Any other comments or questions?

I make a motion to support uh sending a letter in uh to support Mike on the grant process.

Second, Madam Chair, is there any discussion?

All in favor?

I I That's unanimous. Thank you.

All right. Thank you.

Good to see Michael.

Are you guys here for any specific agenda item? I can take that next.

I was just checking on the CBC and the AHT appointments so I can tell my people that they are appointed. They were appointed.

Okay.

Okay. Okay. Um, I'm sorry.

Okay. So, it's down there. I'm I'm I'm ready for that.

Do we want All right. So, because we have because we have the public here, I'm going to take out of order 7 A.

Um, so we did six ABCD and now we're going to take up 7A, which is the Westport parking fees discussion. Um, I don't remember how this got on the agenda. Does somebody request it?

Yeah. So, uh, this was something that the board had brought up in a prior meeting. As you recall, uh, at town meeting, we upped the landing commission or town meeting up the landing commission fines to 200. Yeah. um there was a desire to align uh the parking fees and fees at the other town locations uh to a similar amount and so um you know again just because of their approval process and how they were set

it doesn't follow the exact same process. Um, so with that, uh, we worked with town council who did review our schedule of fees. Um, you know, after consultation, uh, came back that we as a town can't increase the beach parking fines above $50, uh, unless we get special legislation.

Um so because we've accepted uh master law chapter 90 uh section 28 uh and 1/2 our parking fines are handled through the parking clerk and they're capped at $50. So um you know if we have fees that are less than that you know $25 as an example we can up it to 50 but we can't go over that. Um there are a couple of fines that can go over that. So handicap

parking is one. Uh and bus stop violations are the other one. Um, so should this be something that the board uh would like to change, you know, again, just um kind of in line with what was discussed at this last town meeting, uh we would plan to put an article on the 27 warrant um seeking special legislation um to that effect.

But um we can't just up the parking fines at the beach is the bottom line there. make the entirety of the part of the the beach parking a bus lane though.

Make it a bus stop.

A big bus lane. Yeah. So, um it it's very uh we're we're limited in terms of what we can do without the state giving us the authorization.

Jeff Jeff Bull, chair of the landing commission, past member of the beach committee. Um just to speak to the beach issue. I am aware oftentimes that a savvy illegal parker will park on the street outside Cherry and Web rather than park at Cherry and Web because that's unless that's changed a $25 fine.

That's correct. So, you might want to consider raising the the fee for just regular parking on the street where it's signed no parking. That would help a little bit. Um I think also I we had asked for clarity about raising the parking fee the the illegal parking fee at the town landing uh which is currently I believe at 25 uh and we're trying to sort of been waiting to print signage by some action by by

the select board. So, we'd certainly like to go at least to 50 and I'd go to 200 at town meeting. So, the town meeting town meeting votes don't take effect until the attorney general or the secretary of state's office signs off on them. So, anything that was passed at town meeting, we legally can't implement until it gets I don't forget who it is that has to sign off.

Yeah. So once we get back from the state again that they've authorized in and it's correct informed then we um that's communicated through our town council and the town clerk and then it's um again disseminated.

So we're waiting we're waiting for the state for you to be able to increase the landing. And I will just note just with regards to signage, uh I believe my recommendation was, you know, if there was uh a sign where maybe there was um you know, temporary language put over, again, just ordering signs for the season, maybe just put whatever the current amount is, but have it be something that we can pull away

again once these are assumably ratified.

I'm aware of that and trying to work with the highway department on that. Um, I guess I wasn't clear because I don't speak the language of the what was at town meeting whether that was just for relative to overnight parking or any parking regulation at the landings. So, so I can I'm certainly I know um it wasn't just overnight. Correct. Um there were the other fee types as well that

were increased. Um I I can certainly confirm that with you offline.

So the select board will have the ability at some point when the attorney general does their piece.

So the select board, it wouldn't be under the select board. It would already be approved through town meeting. So because that was a bylaw change and we had an update from the from the attorney general.

We have not. So that's going to come to the town clerk and town council.

It usually comes like September.

It takes a few months. They get it.

Yeah.

Okay.

Thank you. Oh, what about on street parking?

So there, so we have other places where parking fees are $25.

Yes.

Yeah. So, uh, you know, when we have the ticket, you know, we have the schedule of fines. So, as you know, no beach permit. I'm just going down the list here. You know, tow zone, no state boat ramp parking or daily fee paid, no hicksbridge parking permit, um, you know, parking within 20 ft of an intersection parking bridge. Are there any of those below $50?

There's a few. Yes.

Yeah. So, um, so what we have to do, we'd have to have a hearing to increase the fees.

Yep.

All right. So, let's put anything lower than $50.

Let's put on a hearing to up it to $50 if that's the maximum.

[snorts] And then, um, put a placeholder for a town meeting uh, for special petition to raise the beach.

How much does the out ofstate parking at Porscheneck is? $40 or something. So, based on experience over this past weekend with Fourth of July, I think um it's kind of a disservice to the town residents because our uh esteemed governor decided to let the state beach be free for the weekend with the heat.

So, basically, they were filled up by by 11:00 a.m. Um so, then obviously those people were looking for other places to access the beach. So they were going to the town beach, dropped getting dropped off at the town beach and then parking in the overflow lot, the bo uh overflow lot at the boat ramp. Um so it it was no pun intended a perfect storm with the heat, free parking, then no parking at

Horseneck and other places to uh trying to find access to the beach. So I agree with you uh chair with trying to increase anything that's at $25 because even and Chris, I don't know if that's correct, but that overflow boat ramp is currently at $25. Is that one that we can go to 50 as well?

So, which would match the obviously beach issue.

It would. Yeah, it would encompass that.

Okay. I I think any place that we can at least get to 50. So, to your question, out of state uh parking at Horsene Neck is usually $40. So, again, as we talked about, it's an arbitrage opportunity.

You go park at some place and pay a $25 fine when you would have paid 40 to get into a horse neck. But this past weekend, it was free for all. So, it didn't necessarily matter what the cost cost was.

So, I'm reading Mass General Law 908 and a half right now. And it's pretty uh black and white as far as uh anything in the same district not exceeding $25 unless it goes on and then it gets 50 and the bus stop for 100. But it also says that there's other um general laws we can accept for our parking schedules for fees than 20A and half.

Uh yeah. So handicap is one of them. And then uh my understanding talking to council just how the fines are established for the landing as an example is another avenue that the towns utilize. But because we've accepted this one um this particular mass general law, these fines are kind of captured through that. So I I think the best path path forward if this was something the board wanted to pursue at town meeting

would be to kind of maintain what we have in terms of acceptances and seek special legislation. I think that would probably be the most expedient.

Madam Chair, just one more thing. And I know there was an issue at the head uh landing at the head of Westport with obviously overnight recreational vehicles parking. I appreciate the new signs that's going up that obviously seem to have solved the problem. So simple signage down there that the town put in place. Uh looks like it has solved the problem and I haven't heard any other complaints with respect to

that. So appreciate you guys taking a step forward with that.

That's it. Um [clears throat] just about that that person's moved to other parts of town.

Oh.

So well then that West then I credit where credit is due.

We need more signs.

Well I think that I personally I don't think signs are the I mean there's a lot of enforcibility of things in town where there's no signs at all. I mean I don't I mean there's probably some there's some fine for littering. I don't see no littering signs all over town. I think, you know, if there's a sign on the way into town that says, I mean, this could become a a much larger issue like it is

in Fall River with people starting to live in Westport in vehicles, not just vacation. So, this is something we really want to be thinking about being ahead of uh because I know Fall River has enormous expense now with people living in vehicles. Uh, so I I think this merits concern. And also, just to be clear, I'm pretty sure handicap parking is two or 300 in town.

300. 300. [clears throat] Yeah. Just so people are clear about that.

All right. Thank you for your efforts.

And All right. So, we'll put the increasing the fees on a future meeting.

Anything else on parking?

Okay. Now, we're going to go back to 6E.

So, um, let's talk about these one at a time, but to make Carla's life easier, we'll we can group them if in one vote.

So, um, we, this is a discussion and a possible vote on dissolving some committees. Um, so we want to just talk about each of them. So, the first one is the ADA transition plan committee. And I think no one really understands what this committee is.

I was I was there when it was created.

Okay. and it was created to help us uh absorb the requirements of the American for Disabilities Act.

So this committee was created I think in around 2012 2011.

Yes, it was.

And um so I think it's obsolete.

I mean because now we're taking those the town administrator and others in town are taking on whatever remaining responsibilities there are. Right.

Correct. but also that that that we it was it was really intended to be an in a timelimited committee.

So yeah, this committee would have been established to develop or update the town's ADA transition plan and self-evaluation.

Uh it has since been updated. Um with regards to the implementation, I'm confident that the commission on disability um could serve in that role of advising and the town on those different action items. And we have we have a more active one now too that would be helpful.

All right. And Madam Chair, I have something to say about this. Go ahead.

Uh the ADA transition committee. I was on the committee and have been for nine years. But what happened was the disability the commission on disability took over the responsibility of updating the plan. The plan was developed in 2010 and has to be updated every 5 years. and it was recently updated and won't be updated again until 20 uh till 2030.

I took this to the last meeting of the commission on disability where I serve as a member and we had a good discussion and it was agreed that the function of updating the plan every five years would be simple simply part of the work of the commiss commission on disability. So, this committee was no longer needed and we voted unanimously to recommend to the select board that it could be discontinued.

All right. Thank you.

Anybody have any We go We'll talk about each of them and then we'll vote later.

Okay. Um the A Open Space Preservation Trust Fund.

Uh so this my understanding is um this committee has not met the funding that was set aside for this. Uh, again, I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but the money was turned back. So, the funding that this would have overseen is no longer available and again, it just it hasn't been active. It's Does anybody have more information on this committee?

No.

I think it's also not necessary. Energy committee though, we had some exciting correspondence about. Are are you still the representative, Dick, on the energy committee?

No, no, I haven't been on that committee for five or six years. So um we first got a recommendation to dissolve from the energy committee chair to dissolve the committee but my understanding from the correspondents is that the energy commission met and they have asked us not to dissolve the committee. Is that am I reading that right?

Uh that is my understanding. Yes. So um so I think the so I think the from the energy commission perspective they um they met on June 30th and um believe that it could be a viable committee um but they would like to have a maximum of five members rather than seven.

So um I just I guess a couple notes on the energy committee. So, I know the town uh does have an energy consultant that we work with. I know a lot of the initiatives um that were supported by energy committee at the time were really um uh administered through our energy manager uh as well as a pri prior town administrator and myself going forward.

um if this was something that the board uh wanted to see uh advance in some way, shape or form, uh I think just because so much time has passed and because this hasn't been a committee that's met frequently, uh it might be worth at the same time that we are updating committee charges for other boards and committees, um maybe to reestablish it with a new number of members, with maybe a new

charge um similar to what the request was, you know, I will note that if the board um you know, did decide um on dissolving the committee, I can confidently say that the work through our energy manager um is doing has been doing a lot of that work over the last couple years as to um pushing the various energy initiatives through. Um but again, it's it's at the board's discretion.

So my thought is if we have people who have previously served on the committee who are excited about continuing on the committee um then I it I personally don't really want to just dissolve it on them but I do think that we need to reook at the charge and the makeup and so I don't so maybe on this one I would rather not dissolve it but but ask them to put together a proposed charter

proposal for yeah and they they're proposing five members maybe some suggestions as to um frequency of meeting and and scope of activities.

So, I'm happy to work um with Walter on that um on a proposed charge uh bring it back to the board. I know at least through the reappoints um uh weren't reappointed as part of this recent round. So when the board or committee is reconstituted at that point we could appoint the members who are the currently active members of that committee if they are reducing the size.

Okay.

Okay.

So let's keep that one for now. So the internet advisory I um and the chair of that committee we have not met in like couple of years although we did just have that um we did just have that um proposal from Keith Novo. But I think that um that's something that we should just work with the select board can handle. I don't think we need an advisory committee. So I'm I'm recommending that we dissolve the

internet advisory committee.

Any questions on that one?

None.

All right. So then the long-term planning town building evaluation committee. Um, so this I know we've kind of taken away the um the charter the charge to them for evaluating the um the old high school building. Um but I think that was a committee that existed before that project. But um I I think my inclination is to dissolve the current committee and then we can always create a committee in the future with a more

specific charge. But my I know I would like to just I I would agree because it it collapsed it charged so much into that property and and and and other town buildings that um it and you were a member of that committee, right?

I was.

Were you also a member of that committee?

I was not.

You're not. Okay.

Yeah. No, I I I don't put me on there.

It it I think you that's one of those things you could find something or or or project area that would be worth be convening a committee for but probably now is not the time.

Yeah.

Okay. Public safety staffing committee.

Madam Chair, I was the chairman of that committee when it was active. I have uh talked to the remaining members who should who are the chief of police, the chief fire chief and uh Mr. Hugh Morton who was on this committee as well. Jim Hartnett was the other member and myself and we have agreed that it serves no purpose. At the time it was to promote the need for more staff in the fire

department and the police department. to some extent that has been achieved. Uh Chief Baldwin said if we needed something like this again perhaps we could reconvene it and we would. So it was unanimous that this should be u done away with.

Thank you.

Is it serves no further need?

And then the tax incentive program committee. Anybody remember that one?

We had a tip for something. Oh, we had a tip for something. Was it the cannabis?

I think this precedes that. It was It was a long time ago that this had a function.

I remember it. Well, maybe not cuz I I think we did do something before I left the board the first time.

Okay. But clearly no one's been a while.

Okay.

Stayed awake worrying about what happened to the We don't remember anything about it. Um if it if the need comes up, we cannot. First of all, we we have these responsibilities that we take on.

Or secondly, if we decided we needed a committee, we would form it. Right. All right. So, I think from general discussion here, I think we need a motion to dissolve the following committees. the ADA transition plan committee, the A open space preservation trust fund, the internet advisory committee, the long-term planning town building evaluation committee, the public safety staffing committee, and

the tax incentive program committee. So, it's leaving in place the energy committee.

Right.

Can I have a motion to that effect?

Motion to dissolve the uh committees you named.

Second, Madam Chair.

Is there any further discussion?

All in favor? I I that's unanimous.

We have a request to approve the lease agreement as amended with Jennifer Belheimer doing business as Kadam Nursery School for the Town Hall annex basement.

Yes. So this is uh back before the board with a minor correction. Um so on that first page of the lease uh the hours of operation uh were updated to reflect the prior lease language. Um, so this is just again for consistency and I think that was the intent with the lease renewal. Um, the tenant has provided a copy of the insurance and intends to sign this week. Um, just pending this board action.

All right. Any discussion?

I have a motion.

I move that that be accepted.

The the approved the lease as amended to be accepted.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? I that's unanimous. We have a request to approve the public health nurse job description.

We had a res uh retirement of the of the nurse, right? So, this is an opportunity to relook at the job description.

Uh that is correct. So, um you know, with her uh retirement this past week, um I worked with our director of public health uh to review the job description.

Um, again, make minor language changes, um, and obviously just reformat it to the same structure as, um, our other job descriptions that we've been approving recently. Um, same number of hours, position grade hasn't changed. Um, you know, again, really just trying to, uh, clean up the language and the formatting of it. Um, all right. So, you're um you're asking for us to approve the update to the

public health nurse job description.

That is correct.

Any comments or questions?

I have a motion.

I'll make that motion, Madam Chair.

Second.

Any discussion?

All in favor?

I I. That's unanimous. We have a request to authorize the creation of the board of health part-time clerk position and approve the job description. Do you want to tell us about this one?

Uh, certainly. So, if you recall, as part of the FY2027 budget process, uh, this was something that was requested by the board of health. Um, as part of what was approved at town meeting, there was funds set aside for, uh, the creation of this part-time role. Um, really the intent of the role is to provide, uh, additional support to the office. um in some of the routine data entry, copying, scanning,

basic correspondence um matters that they receive um within their office. So it is a non-benefit position uh schedule 19 and a half hours per week. Um again with scheduling varying just again as part of this draft that's before you this evening. Um and you know again with that I worked with our director of public health to uh identify the essential functions of the position as well as uh qualifications,

knowledge, skills, abilities and um expected work demands.

So you had highlighted the position grade. Is that because this was a new position?

That is correct. Yes. Um, you know, and I will also note just as part of uh what was approved at town meeting, um, the board now has the discretion to establish positions outside of town meeting. Um, now this would be something where um, next year as part of the 2027 warrant, you know, we would put this for be putting this forward to update our personnel bylaws uh, obviously to reflect any changes that take place

during the fiscal year. So, it provided the town with some additional flexibility.

Hey, thank you. Any comments or questions?

Do I have a motion? Uh, so move, madam chair.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Third.

Whoever you whoever you want to give.

So we have a motion, a second to authorize the creation of the board of health part-time clerk position and approve the job description. All in favor?

I.

I. That's unanimous. Town administrator report.

Uh thank you. Um you know, one of the things that I know the board had expressed was just uh keeping updated on the old high school master plan efforts.

um did receive correspondence at the end of last week from Brewster Thornton. Um they uh did complete their review of the documents that we provided them. Uh there was some additional documentation that they asked of us uh which we were working to get them. Um this week we'll be coordinating for a site walk through.

Um, you know, certainly if there's any other members who would like to attend during that, I I know I received one request from a board member, but if there was anyone else who wanted to attend while they were here in town on site, um, I can certainly send you the details, but um, I get that scheduled this week.

I wouldn't mind attending just if it fits my schedule. So, just let me know when that is. Thank you.

Certainly. Um, and just those a couple other things that I had in my report. Um the state-owned pilot commission is having listening sessions about um their um formula of what they provide to communities in terms of assistance. Um they are occurring in July. Uh the closest one is Marian uh Tuesday July 14th 10 to 11:30 at the Marian music hall. if you're available and wish to attend. Uh no registration needed but

you can sign up ahead of time uh if you choose. Um the last thing which I uh am personally excited about is we have kicked off our implementmentation of clear gov. Um this was something that was approved in the FY27 budget. Um so as part of that um our goal for this upcoming budget year is to bring the operating budget the capital planning process um online and be able to provide

residents with a digital budget book uh at the end of it at a town meeting. So, um we are working with them uh to start that process to get them the information uh and hope to have this um implemented in time for discussions this fall with the budget. So, very excited about that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anything on that?

Um did we have minutes?

Uh minutes were not available in time for this meeting, but we'll have them for the next one. Okay. Um, the bill warrant.

Bill warrant again was uh in order and that was $2.5 million last week. I did advise the assistant town accountant that in addition to Mr. Dutra being a backup that all the members of the select board are now backups in the unl likely event that both of us aren't around.

Okay.

You might get a phone call.

Appreciate your traveling to town hall for us.

It's always delightful.

All right. Um, do we have any committee reports or suggestion for future agenda items? Craig? Uh we we the affordable housing trust has not met since our last meeting, but we did have a very useful opinion from based upon our prior meeting from uh Chris which he took to town council regarding we had some parcels of land that had been acquired or came into the possession of the affordable housing trust. And it turns

out in in those instances, these ones that were singled out, we have um we are unable to uh develop them for affordable housing for a variety of reasons. Uh however, they may be of use to their neighbors. So um we are uh will be I think creating a process to advertise some of these parcels and because the the the the hand the land was actually the property of the affordable housing trust and I think

still technically is we would be in that it is it's town opin town council's opinion that we could take the proceeds from those sales and put that in towards our our land acquisition.

fund.

Okay.

So, thank you, Dick.

Madam Chair, only one meeting was Serta and that was to finally approve the budget and the budget includes a grant from the government uh for free bus service. That will continue throughout this fiscal year and they hope it'll continue on past that, but you have to take it one year at a time. So all is in order there and bus service has been enhanced throughout the region through the work of SERTA. So that's it.

I know from I haven't really had any meetings um but there is a school building committee meeting on Wednesday um I think at 4.

Jake.

Uh there was only one meeting at the infrastructure oversight committee where we're discussing um the plans for uh the expansion of the water line to the Briggs Road Fire Station uh along with funding that may become available in grants for a phase 2 to go further down Route 6. I know there are some water quality issues on South Balt Street uh that we discussed at that meeting um with with obviously our engineer and

others. So hopefully that becomes the the next part of that phase is to try to get those residents on South Baralt and then Bryman uh water um usable water because they actually are having some major issues there uh with not being able to drink the water in there because of uh contamination from cess pools and various other things. So hopefully that's a opportunity for us to do sooner

rather than later. We're trying to see if we can speed up that process to maybe do it in the fall if there's ways to to work around that. But that's that's a goal to uh at least help those residents out. But that was at the IOC meeting.

Thank you.

Thank you. Anything for you?

The only thing I think we need to put in the agenda at some point this year is uh Beach Grove Cemetery's got 203 plots left and once they get down to 200, they can only give a plot if someone has already been deceased. So I think that's going to be an impending issue as far as expanding that.

We haven't heard of a cemetery expansion in a while.

Yes. So I have been talking to the foreman about that. Um also been getting updates just about how many um available pots that they have. Uh it is something that we do have planned for later this month. Just um wanted to get through the fourth of July season. Uh as well as have enough time where we could talk with the board about uh next steps that you want to see happen.

All right. Great.

That's it.

Uh, okay. We don't have any public here.

Anybody have any comments for the public? No. All right. I just a reminder that um we do have a number of vacancies on committees and commissions. Also, many people's um uh term would have expired on June 30th. And so, you may have to get reappointed at the town clerk's office. I know I'm one of those people that needs to go get sworn in again. So, if you're currently serving on a committee and you just got

reappointed, please go check with the clerk. Um, we already handled the under 48 hour notice. Is there anything else?

Nope.

I will entertain a motion to adjurnn.

So, moved.

Second.

All in favor? Bye.

Bye.