Town Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Thank you everyone for coming. Uh thank you for attending this May 5th town council meeting. We are in the hearing mode. It is 6:30. Call the meeting to order a roll call please. Councelor Costan here. Councelor Ceri here. Council Mal here. Council D. Council Romano

presce 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.

Minister from April 21st have been circulated. Is there a motion? Motion by councel, second by councel. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. No.

Just to let everybody know before we go on, this meeting is on Zoom. The meeting ID 82066 827964 passcode 509-355 and the phone number is 3092053325 public hearings we have four. I will open the first public to the tipping fees, solid waste enterprise fund. The public hearing is open. Council attach so we just met on this prior to this meeting. We had some good information from Robert Powers for the town of Winthro. He informed us that the fund 527 health cycle program was previously used to collect fees for bulk items for trash bulk items and collect fees for hazard waste electronic electronic items that was then used to pay for the final removal of those items by the waste removal companies. Since we opened the enterprise fund, all of that activity was taking place through the enterprise fund for solid waste and that health cycle program fund was kind of just sitting there unused. We do need it in FY26 to meet the demands of the tipping fees that have been higher than were anticipated for FY26. And that $85,000 transfer will get us through this fiscal year. And then for FY27, the Midtown manager and his finance team have budgeted 48,000 from the operating um the operating budget to go to the end

the Solways Enterprise Fund to meet those demands for FY27. Uh the finance committee voted to zero in favor of a favorable recommendation to the council for this transfer. All right. Anyone from the public be wish to heard in favor of this? Anyone wish to be heard against this? Any other discussion on the council? So again, this is basically a fund where if you were disposing a TV and you might pay $30, that $30 used to go into this fund and then when capital waste came and picked up TVs, they would give us an invoice. we would pay it out of this fund since so this fund has hasn't been used in almost five years now. So now the if somebody buys a sticker for whatever it happens to be, it goes into the enterprise fund. Industries are paid out of the enterprise fund. So this is kind of just zeroing this fund out. Um yeah, trash has been regular trash and recycle has been crazy money. I mean, it's gone from I mean, recycle was at one point, I think $37 a ton up to $137 a ton, and mainstream trash has been from the $80 range to the $140 range. So, it's it's been kind of crazy, but this is just tearing up this. Any other discussion on this? Just one more thing. Thank you. possible. So, I thank the town manager, I thank Miss Johnson, I thank Mr. P. And I also have to thank Karen Chavez because she had that great question about whether this was needed for FY26

or whether it was going to be able to reduce our FY27 um need for transfer from the operating fund. And uh turns out we do need it for FY26. So just so everyone on the council is aware motion to take this out of order motion by council to take this item out of order second by councelor D. So there is a motion that the town council appropriate the transfer $85,61741 from fund 527 health cycle program to the tipping fees account line and the solid waste enterprise fund. The funding source is a legacy fund uh that is where bulk items fees were deposited prior to establishing the solid waste enterprise fund. This transfer will close out that old fund. The transfer is necessary due to the increased cost of disposal of trash and recycling or take action relative two. So that account 527 which has a balance of 85,6741 will be zero to the account. Any discussion on this?

Yes. Yes. Council. Yes. Council G. Yes. Council. Yes. Council rear. Council. Yes.

Vice President. Yes. President. Yes. And public hearing closed. We will open another public hearing for the town council to appropriate $30,000. This is for a transfer from parking fees account to the expenses for the to use for the expenses to benefit person with disabilities chapter 40 section 22. Uh the funding will be split between the event at Deer Island and probably to the health department for the safety net program that they run to um assist folks who have a have a disability or folks who are aged and maybe experiencing some Alzheimer's or dementia. Um excellent use of the funding. We did have a question from uh John Morgan who's a member of the commission on disabilities whether previous appropriated funding was still available and the answer from Mr. P was yes it was still available and it was being used in addition to this appropriation of $30,000. So other than that, this is a excellent use of the funding and that came out of the finance committee with a favorable recommendation of two to zero. So the safety net program is an incredible program which is paid for by the committee on disabilities, but it's administered that this cost is for the administration for merit and the health

department. Um it's more like a check in follow up see how And anyone from the audience would like to be here in favor of this. John, I'm in totally in favor of this and wish to thank the council and the CFO uh for their work in this. Thank you. Thank you, John. Anyone wish to speak against this? Any further comments from council? Motion take away.

Motion by councelor M to take this item by order. Second by councel dime. There is a motion that town council appropriate in the handicap parking fines account the amount of $30,000 to be used for expenses to benefit persons with disabilities in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 40 section 22G or take any other action relative there too. The handicap funds fund balance right now is 87,575. Um after this mo if this motion is approved, it would be 57,575. Uh this came on a committee with a positive recommendation does not require the second. Uh discussion on the motion. Seeing none, roll call, please.

Council, yes. Council Tering, yes. Council, yes. Council D. Yes. Council Romano. Yes. Council re yes vice president swary

yes motion passing closed we will open another public hearing for town council review ordinance review ordinance committee recommendation to town ordinances so the rules and ordinances met last uh Tuesday and Uh for the town ordinances there are three seven that we give a a permanent vote on a positive vote recommendation on them. Um do we want to go through each individually? Um most of them except for the actual ordinance that was created are more just language changes. I do have all of them if you want to go over. We could just I mean these are changes regarding um amendment with traffic definitions, amendment with street sweeping, amendment public notifications, and then construction by town, new construction replacement of particular source, adding definitions, need of tampering, lead required materials for water services, and the eighth one, motorized school electric bike. Yeah. Okay. If you want to give a there's anything you think should be heard that hasn't been heard already that would be great. So you came out with positive recommendation on seven and one continued. So we did get some uh positive feedback and some good input from uh DPW director

Kala on everything that's on here. Um, and as we reviewed it, I've read it over multiple times and there's nothing significant that would uh I think really alter what the actual fix for the new ordinance would alter what's in each of these ordinances.

Director, do you have anything else for these? I would actually we can we read through all the recommen there is one thing that I think should be added in the ordinances that I don't know if any of those touch on that just because I'm none of those

only because you know they're coming at us with a lot of permits and um just the recommendation I would have and it doesn't have to happen now but anybody applying for accessing unit must have a full crop service if they don't have a full cost of service it's at their expense to install a full profit service before uh you know applying for the ADU. We don't want to add units to ad. So that would be another recommendation for you for an ordinance change.

And that's basically just the any lead in the in the building or is that the lead on the line? Any lead on the service line? No, I mean I mean if the plumbing inspector wants to go further for the internal cushions, but you know my jurisdiction is at the at the service line and uh D is mandating us to remove them all units at the benefit of personal fin. So I think to help to help the town. Yeah, it's I mean that it could actually be added to the new construction that 134

just an amending to that uh new construction handle the addition of accessory drawing It's 13041 is the ordinance. Okay. The second part where it says all new construction number six.

Yeah. I would just I would just amend that to say all all new construction uh including the addition of an accessory dwelling unit. So, council man, I would like to make an amendment. Um, so the 13.044.12 it says removal of lead required material for water services for all new construction and council man would like to add including addition of ADU comma a continuous proper copper water service. So, we would add that into that. At least you have that.

Okay. There's an amendment. Well, when we get to that, um, anybody else from the audience? Mark precinct 2. I think that language that you just talked about is a little vague. Um, it it has to I believe it has to because the copper line, Steve, correct me if I'm wrong. um has to go from the home to and any additional water supply has to come out of the home to the ADU. Correct. That's correct. Okay. So that's they can't add a separate copper line to the ADU. Correct. That's correct. Correct.

But so what what I'm saying with that ordinance is that anybody applying for the ADU has to have a full copper service going into the property from the street where you're responsible to it into the home where you're responsible for water. Right. That's what I'm saying. from the street middle of the road where the water supply comes into the home to inside the home to the primary so that they can't run a separate ADU water

anyone anyone like to be uh would like to speak against Yes. Okay. Open it up for vice president. Thank you. Um member meeting this is not about the one. This is about you had some I thought other additional recommendations for new construction that you wanted. I don't know if it was vegetation or walkways or there was but we had a meeting in public safety that that actually recommended a few things and I don't know if they ever got up to this level. I can go back and look at my notes.

Yeah, we may have something in discussion. I don't Okay, I will for the next meeting try to find those notes and send them to you before.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, I just had to just in relation to the the removal of lead line and water services, there's a second part of this uh ordinance that addresses if a full car service exists prior to the full gut renovation, it will be the homeowner homeowner's obligation and responsibility to prove that lead no longer remains within the service line. Is that something we would want to add? Is that is that section a place we would want to add accessory dwelling units to as well from your perspective? I think it's covered because the accessory dwelling unit is being fed from that primary,

right? But if we say it's new, if we say if we if we add it to the new construction that they have to install it, but it's already installed, do the homeowners have to prove that it's it's no longer let in the service line? I think if we don't include it in the second part, they can tell you that there's a full car service line we who's responsible for proving that it's a full cop. So then I would recommend that that amendment include adding accessories units to the to the last clause last sentence of of 13.04.120. Council president.

Um, any other discussion on the council close public hearing and take a motion by councelor Romano to take this item out of order. Second by councelor D. So there is a motion of the town council vote to adopt the following recommendation from ordinance review committee ordinance 10.04.010 amendment traffic definitions ordinance 12.44.020 amendment sweeping ordinance 12.44.050 amendment public notifications ordinance 13.08.030 300 amendment construction by town new construction replacement of source ordinance 13.08.040 amendment at definitions ordinance 13.04.110 amendment tide and meter tampering ordinance 13.04.12 new ordinance for removal of lead required for materials for water services. Um the last ordinance has been continued. So the motion is just for those seven ordinances and that is make changes language and such. Um there was a motion that came out with positive recommendation. Now there's an amendment submitted by council Romano to add the word after for all new construction and the 1304120 after the word for all new constructions including additions of ADU and also part of that amendment would be after the last line

for after for all full gut renovations including additions of ads. So on the fort line four for all full gut renovations including additions of adus. water service must be installed at the event.

So first we will discuss the amendment. Is there a second for the amendment by council tary? Any discussion on the amendment? Seeing nine others in favor of the amendment say I. I. No. The eyes have it. So now we're discussing the ordinance. The motion as amended. Any further discussion? nine. Roll call, please. Council, yes. Council, yes. Council, yes. Council D. Council Romano, yes. Councilor Rear. Council Finn, yes. Vice President Swope, yes. President Terry,

yes. The motorized food is still in committee. Um, and I know that they are working on that to try to get some ordinances around that, some safety nets support that. So that will be coming back shortly hopefully. Let's open up another public hearing for town council review ordinance recommendation from from the tree committee. Councel council. Yes. Um we did get a submission for ordinance to update a couple sections in it. Here it is. here. So on the ordinance 17.44.060 060. There was an addition to G developer tree plan, a developer tree plan that has been approved by the tree board that is consistent with section 13 of title 12 sidewalks public places chapter 12 48 trees. So then there was also in addition to that uh there was a proposed section 12 that look free plan previous section 12 to be re number 13. So, there was a little change in that, but everything that's listed in here, we did review uh it pretty substantial, but it's uh if we I don't know if we want to go into full details of it. It's uh I mean, I think you went over pretty good details. People have questions. So basically what this is doing is

adding section G of this and renaming section 12 13. But the big thing here is developer tree plan. A developer tree plan has been approved by the tree warden and that is consistent with section 13 of title 12. Um so just more of the safety net for the town in regards to trees and removal. Anyone from the audience wish to be heard in favor of this audience? Tom Darian preinct three and your tree warden. Uh uh first I want to thank the people who donated uh for the trees we planted uh last week. Uh and uh uh the people who actually helped plant those trees. Uh that's greatly appreciated. Uh I checked yesterday that buds are coming out. Uh so uh things are looking up. Uh it's spring. Uh and now in general about trees uh they contribute uh greatly to the town. Uh the town is and has been for quite a while losing its tree cover. So anything that helps us maintain and develop the tree cover in town is a positive for the community. It increases property values, shade, uh it contributes uh oxygen uh and uh mitigates rainfall. Uh so these are all good things. Uh what new construction will occur? Uh I mean we don't know because it's would be new. Um uh but there should be some recognition of the benefit of trees uh in conjunction with any new construction. Uh that's why I of course am in favor of this.

Thank you very much. Thank you Mr. Trees is quite extensive. I read it once if uh will it change if the state mandates us to build pilots like the like the apartment building on whatever the structure is on Australian Veterans Road. There's no room for any trees there. And so I'm wondering if we cover lots with buildings that are similar to that one, where is the room for the trees? How how are you going to mandate that they plant trees when there's no space to plant trees? It seemed ambiguous that you want to put trees because there's no space to put trees. You want to put a building on top. So will that change in any manner? Will this motion change? Will it change in any manner where the state mandates us to put the buildings from sidewalk to sidewalk from post to post? Now if somebody was putting like M talking about somebody was supposed to put a tax amount of trees, would they still be required to put them? If that property didn't have it, would they be able to put a different place? They required to put 10 trees up and they didn't have any space. They still required to put x amount of trees up in a different hi precinct 6, also a member of the tree committee that worked on with this language. Um, I would say yes to that. You know, makes sense. The the

goal is have more trees. Uh and um so if they can't be put if there's a situation where there's just no space anywhere in the courtyard, anywhere, wherever they build, then maybe in the near vicinity or maybe donate a street tree. So it's not meant to be punitive. It's meant to just enhance. that would actually enhance that whatever they're building, you know, to have tree cover. And we have to um also bear in mind that there are a lot of mature trees coming down, not um by the town in private property there is every week I see two, three, whatever they're just bringing them down. And I don't know if people realize that you if you say, "Oh, well, you know, we'll just put two or three more. We'll do two or three to take this 30, 40 year old tree down." It's not equivalent in terms of carbon sequestration. It just doesn't do the same thing that that mature tree is doing. So, we have to wait 20, 30, 40 years for these little trees to do what that one tree is doing. So, I'm I'm putting that out there. I know it's not to read to the audience but you know but um the the relevance is we need to have more trees uh for climate action that just needs to happen. So this is a way to do it and it doesn't seem like an unreasonable request to us. Uh we also um wanted to bring up because it came up recently about um utilities maybe uh having utilities to try to keep this to this

to be something public. You could bring something else. Okay. Okay. I'll do that. Okay.

I'll keep this as succinct as possible. Celestial Bwood precinct one also climate commission. I participated in the tree committee meeting last night with the specific subject matter being the tree being impacted by the following street development. And I think Joan or Tom can correct me if I'm wrong. This also addresses that. are not only um understanding that the goal is for developers to factor in a tree plan and and foliage plan in their development, but also taking ownership of any impact that they have on that and having that lead the way. We're at the point where they're putting utilities and in the developer has been kind of um found out last minute that he's going to be responsible for this tree and the cost and there's a certain degree of haggling that occurred during the meeting. And I think that the goal of this is to um make sure the expectation is set in advance there for the demand diameter of the tree for every 3 ines you would have to um replace it with an additional tree. So it's a 15inch diameter, five trees 3 inches in diameter. Obviously you can't put them back in that same plot. so that they would be distributed. And the some of the conversation was around identifying a dollar value, donating that to the three the tree commission for it to be used to add additional trees in town. That was my takeaway for you. Correct me if I would support that. And if that language isn't in there, I support any of you taking a suggestion to put it in

the tree. Yeah. also on the tree committee. Um, and on that same I don't think in the ordinance it specifies that it needs to be on the property. So I think that I mean we could we could reward it to specify that doesn't necessarily need to be on the property but I think just any trees in town preferably in the vicinity of the construction have to be property.

Thank you. Yeah, Terry Yankee presenting six. Um, I just got through reading the proposed ordinance and I uh some technicalities on that. I'll be referring to chapter 12 of the ordinance. Uh, and then in the actual uh language it refers to chapter 17, which is the zoning ordinance. This looks like a zoning amendment in which we'd have to have go through the 48 process. Um the titling is a um title 12 ordinance, street sidewalks. Um so there's no doubt in my mind there's good intention here. Um but you know I think we have to keep separate sidewalks, streets, chapter 87, shade trees, and then private property and what we're trying to do on private property and dictating. It seems like we're in one s sense telling the state do not dictate to us what to do with our property and in the other sense on this ordinance it's saying we're going to tell you what to do with your property. So I think there's there's some contradiction in one of in our stances as a as a town. Um so again I think the site plan review under chapter 17 the zone zoning ordinance addresses um trees landscapes you need doesn't specifically say trees it says landscaping in which the planning board goes through trees and how they're going to be planted where they're going to be planted on the property or if they can't what other um brush uh bushes can be placed if you go through the seapport district, you see uh them trying to to create this landscape that is actually on the rooftops or on balconies and not because they don't have space on the ground. So, um I like to see some of that. So, I I think it's a we're

contradicting in our ordinances that's going to add more confusion to people um who are trying to build multifamilies in the multif family language. um two families of multif family in our voting in our voting um orders. So are we talking two families? Are we talking more than two families? Um so I just think there's a lot of clarification that needs to be done um to make sure that we are not further complicating processes but streamlining the process and whether that's the planning board coordinating with the treeboarding to make sure that the planning board understands what is needed in the town and having it through site plan review. So the site plan review for the center is the only required site plan review for me with um under our ordinances in which is strictly adhered to and actually goes into great detail uh by materials and facets and landscape and what what's expected. So I just think hopefully this goes to committee in which all of this can be addressed. Um I'm sorry I didn't make the tree um meetings. Um I just I just read it today. So I apolog uh who what I've seen uh is in construction areas it is much easier for the construction company to just wipe out all the trees and start all over again. Uh uh that's unfortunate. uh and if that that could be uh that process could be slowed down. Uh so the trees that exist are considered and additional trees are also considered. Uh on the other hand it would be um a mistake to have uh uh the letter of the law specify that so many trees have to be jammed into a place where it's not biologically sensible for

the trees. I mean you can't put trees close to each other. you can't put them uh surrounded by hardscape. Uh so there's there's got to be a biological u consideration u in in for trees because there are living things. Uh so there's got to be that kind of balance and the intention of this ordinance is to uh uh address that kind of balance uh and not be extreme in one way or the other. And one one more comment about whether or not we're you know chapter 87 is that that's it where the town doesn't have any right to make any that's I don't believe that to be true. I think that it's works in conjunction with it and that it's perfectly okay to have to set these parameters. Um so we're not trying to say hey state you're not telling us what to do. We got our own uh rules here. It's it's uh it's meant to work together.

Sorry, I think there's someone on Zoom. I just wanted to flag someone's on Zoom.

I I don't want my comments to be misconstrued here. I wasn't combining chapter 87. I said they need to be separate. All chain trees are strictly um by regulation in chapter 87 the general box. we can certainly uh implement our own ordinances. Um whether it's a zoning amendment, you have to follow the zoning procedures to amend zoning lots. Um this is titled chapter 12, but then it mentions chapter 17 of our zoning uh bylaws or ordinance, excuse me. So there's no doubt that you have the authority to do it. It's how we do it. Um and then how much overreach do we want in the in the private property? Um that's the question. So those are the ones that I just identified and for further discussion on your sub

Cassie can you hear us?

Yeah. Hi Cassie House 365. Um I just want to point out um that it is a very standard thing and and every other community um that I have worked in and done affordable housing in in the state has a requirement for a tree plan to be submitted with the site plan review. um you know they typically have uh folks in the site plan in the planning department that can review those plans but um you know we have a tree warden and if that is the person that has the authority to do so for our community that is an appropriate thing that is very reasonable for development um and and so I'm in support of this. Thank you.

Thank you. I think this has to be reviewed extensively. This tree planting the average street tree if you plant it on the sidewalk side of road the average lifespan seven years. So that's not a good thing. All the trees at the high school baseball field surround the baseball field were planted in marshland. They should those type of trees that they planted there should last 100 or 140 years. They only lasted four years because they planted put a damper on this whole sanitizer, but they're the wrong trees. They're printed too close together and they're not supposed to be in marsh land. So I I think this has to be reviewed extensively and come up with a better plan than what we have right now for trees. I I read that you're not supposed to spot trees. Doesn't do us any good. I'd like to look into that. So, I'd like this uh to put this vote off until there's more research about who's in charge and who has the best idea where to plant trees. Thank the council. Anyone wish to be heard? I have a question. So, um ordinances. Have they already been reviewed by our town attorney and approved? Is that how this process works?

Vice President on Shirley's the building that was built on Shirley and Veterans, as I understand it, the gentleman who's on the planning board before said there were seven variances on that building. So, I'm not sure that the variances that were allowed cut out the possibility of tree plantings because I do know that I do do recall part of our conversation earlier when Steve was in that we talked about making sure that we had the whole plan for the for the building and it did include landscaping. So it may not have been the trees, but it did. You had to approve the whole whole process. That's one. And the other is it's true about everything that you all said about how to plant trees and all of that. And so, um, I that I think it's a good idea to think about that for the we might want to put forward a whole plan for the city because you all are working on this and it would be wonderful if we had a tree literally a tree plan just like we do other things.

Thank you, Council President. I I just had one question. Maybe the best person is Tom. Um the or maybe it's the uh chair the amendment to there is an amendment here section G under 1744060 is that is that an ordinance amendment that does need to be reviewed by the the planning board and have and have their own public hearing on that just amendment something that they would need to have their own public hearing on. It's a change to the zoning by the law. Yeah. They would have to have a public hearing on the zoning board. The planning board would rather

just like we did anytime we change the they have to have it any sort of you know it's a 48 requirement anytime we change. So if this was actually 17.4406 was out of the zoning order. Yeah. They would still need and not that we wouldn't do it the same way but they would need to have the hearing on it and back to the council to make it. So we wouldn't even we can't we really can't even vote on this. They need to have their public meeting their public hearing on it. Yeah. I don't believe um attorney had a chance to look at this like councilman pointed out. I'd rather have him take a look at it too just to make sure we're crossing all the season on all the chance to look at the other ordinances that we voted on. Yes, those and quite a bit actually. Can we make a motion?

Any other discussion on the public? Not the public. We could make a motion to take it out of order. Motion by council mile to take this item out of order. Second by council dimes. Any discussion on the motion? If not, all those say I. So now there is a motion that the town council vote to adopt following recommendation from the tree committee ordinance 17.44 5060 amendment. And so it's on the floor.

Um can I make a motion to send this to the any board for review. Is that the process though? And to send it to our town attorney. I want to make sure you there's a motion on the floor. Um so I would like to make a motion to send this motion to the planning board for public hearing. A public hearing as well as to attorney letter for review. Second. Second. Second by councelor Any discussion on the motion? Um, yes.

I just Thank you. So, there's a there's a motion to send to the planning board in the terms of whether it's been seconded. That motion is on the table right now. And I wondered what the planning board is actually going to discuss. Are they going to discuss uh the issues about trees at all? I think they're going to discuss this point at the same time. I know, but can they amend it recommend anything? We never they include in their discussion

a full discussion on the entire upsite plan that's comprehensive about new development. I don't know does that work? You could ask I mean talk but I would I would recommend going to the public hearing and certainly having I would like to ask for Okay. Would you like to amend the motion to add talk about this ordinance and something else? Could we amend the motion that way? Well, I think we could we're just asking about this motion, but we but I think we can lead them to that. Okay. To say that we want to review. Okay, thank you.

Any other discussion? Let's take a little call, please. Council, yes. Council Mary, yes. Council Mal, yes. Yes. Council Romano, yes. Council, yes. Vice President, yes. President Cherry, yes. This has been sent to the planning board along with public comments. Well, I did. Oh, yeah. There's something that came up.

Oh, sorry. Joanne Held in precinct six. Um, tree committee member. uh something did come up at the hearing that wasn't um in that ordinance in that um language that maybe I don't know if the subcommittee or I don't know if we do an amendment but the about the utilities you know uh so adding language that maybe the utility companies are subject to the same uh parameter like they have to put so many trees per whatever um if you know it it was just a little unclear how we address the utilities in this in this ordinance. So I'm actually seeking some uh audience review advice here. Who is on the audience committee?

Can't give you any. This is just public comment right here. Okay.

Thank you, Celeste.

Celeste, we reviewed precinct one. To dive off what Joanne said, there was a lot of discussion last night and what really started the conversation was that at the 11th hour, the project is, you know, ready to wrap up and the utility company is putting additional requirements on the developer. Um, I work in development. I've dealt with this. I've been hit sideways um adding 150,000 plus on a project and and having this over a barrel. Um what we would like to see and I don't know how it manifests and how it even starts is to um set some rules of engagement with utility companies. You know they have monopoly in town. They have monop monopoly in most towns on development and at the outset right we know that they come to town council. They present and specifically for this project, they came and they presented what they would need to do to get this project over the finish line and then they switched up. They decided they wanted this tree out of the way and they put the burden on the developer. I'm not overly um worried about developers, but with sphere is fear and you know what we don't want to see is projects to be stuck dead in their tracks. We don't want anybody to have any undue duress and just set the expectation on developers because they pretty much operate at their own leisure and um you know leave the town hanging, leave developers hanging, leave residents hanging. Um so I I don't know what committee that would fall under but I'd like to see some engagement and and some guidelines set for developers because um you know the question was asked in last night's meeting how much latitude developers have and how much um you know conversation and dialogue and malleability there is none and the town sets the expectation in dealing with development in the town of Salem and in the town of Boston where I operate um the town tells us what they will and will not tolerate and then it's up to the developers to find the work around and that could be a huge burden and bring everything to a screeching home

precinct too. I'm going to go off topic here. Um I asked a question a few months ago after the um storm and subsequent uh water breaks. Who's paying for the hundreds of thousands of gallons of water that were released on these water main bricks? The town took responsibility for it. I think it's on the town to find a solution other than passing that on to the rateayers. We did nothing wrong. There should be an answer to that. I've asked the question once, I'm asking it again. Who's paying for that water? Thank you, Tom.

Um,

Tom Darian uh precinct three and uh I'm also was on the climate commission and I want to talk about reviving the climate commission. Uh uh now all of us pay uh electric bill uh heating bill uh and most of us pay it to uh national grid. The national grid is a a UK company. They're far away. Uh the National Grid shares are about about $80 a share. Uh they pay a dividend of $2 a year. Uh so in in a a coffee the other morning with uh uh uh members of the climate commission, we're talking about what what if we had a way to generate our own power? Uh what if there's room on all the roofs of all the buildings in town to put in solar panels and generate electricity that goes back into our grid and into the houses of other people in town. and we generate our own electricity and we're not dependent on national grid. Uh this would involve a lot of things like um uh can we what's it cost to do all that? Can we put that put them on um municipal buildings? Are there grants available to do that? Um we have to buy all the wires and poles from national grid. Uh how would we finance that? Um uh it's a it's a large complicated question. uh and it would take a lot of study uh to see if it's feasible. Uh and it's not something that would happen very quickly. Uh but it may be something uh that

if that all the necessary things and we hope we will get the support of the the town council uh to go ahead and do that. Uh uh town manager thinks it's a good idea. The whole thing he said about electricity, I didn't even give a thought to. He He asked about reconstituting the climate commission. I thought, well, they would never reconstitute. They just decided to stop meeting. I mean, they certainly can just meet whenever they want. That's what I said. So, I'm sorry. I have to correct that. I have to bet that whole idea.

Tar listening to all the discussion today about ordinances, I guess, nobody that won't be ordinances. This is very clear. It says all OC recommendations were forwarded to the town attorney student for review. So I guess no way for that. Um also the other thing that came out of this shortlived ordinance review that we did was the ordinance review would like to recommend the department hands review the ordinances that affect the end department on a retro basis. A few over a period of time that help with every fiveyear review that is done by the Um it was a unanimous decision of the um charter commission which did the charter and the charter review and the ordinances their ordinances which can be changed any time um really require a lot of expertise and many people that are on this committee did not have the expertise and we relied on people like Steve Kella who came through with things from his department uh through uh Chief Goodwin and Lieutenant Colon come in for the right things from their department. Um the chart I don't want to say the chart was an easy access the chart call review committee probably called the ch again that's in the chat so that would you know require a but please I guess as I said I guess nobody read a Just to point larger volume left

maybe consider a standing committee ordinances leading up to to the five ord committee that can make recommendations that are vetted through the interim period, five year periods.

Hi, hi. Um, I just wanted to voice my support for uh the proclamation that hopefully will be discussed later that's listed under new business um in support of the LGBT community. Um I I think it's very important that we are a supportive community and we affirm that locally, not just passively. Um, showing support is important for people who feel marginalized. And by supporting that proclamation, by voting in favor of it, supporting it, and um, ultimately being able to make that that proclamation, um, it will make our community stronger and and show our support for every kid in town, you know, the families that that have members of the LGBT community. And, um, it's very important. So, thank you.

Thank you. Rob DeMarco, can you hear me? We can hear you.

All right.66. I'm actually going to said the prime month in June should be a 9 to nothing vote. Um, the only thing I wanted to say and I missed you guys. Um the only thing I wanted to say that while June we should be supporting pride May with the uptake in anti-semitism we should be celebrating Jewish heritage and that's all I have to say.

Thank you Denise. reports finance. I think we pretty much everything. I think we covered everything. Didn't we do the same

and then also motion to continue. Twitter and mics and the motion will change. Yeah, sorry about that. Yeah, we had the uh positive for the rules for B and C. 2 B and C

motion to amend council procedures from 2 to B and C positive recommendation. I stop trying to step on your to make sure the word my head is going to house building committee met last week. Um going along as planned. Uh people notice not a lot of action I guess is what you notice now which is not Uh the building was actually delayed a little bit coming down so there would have been more an activity there. What is going to be uh before they do that? The face or that side face of the gymnasium hasn't seen the light of day. the better part of 60 years more. So, um they they're putting a new foundation at the base of that smaller foundation with a new brick facade on top so it be more visually appealing and strengthening everything up. So, you will be seeing that over the next three to five weeks. Um you'll then see a finished design coming out. Um and hopefully we will be going to bid I believe for general contractor the end of June and you will start hopefully seeing shovels in the ground by mid fall

maybe so you will be seeing a little activity there over the next four to six weeks more near the gymnasium site uh site is clear right now and all that is good they're doing a few test formings.

Yeah, the test forms are being done so we can finish off the retaining wall and foundation wall you talked about and also tell us how to sit that pipe. I mean, while there's not activity on the site, they can tell you plenty out behind the scenes, but director Cal and I and the OPM and the uh engineers and architects. Um, so they have to put the pipe, you know, what they call the zone of influence outside of the retaining wall zone of influence. Then we have to make sure we what they call petting it. You know, make sure the pipes in the proper material and sits on the ground. That's a 5 foot round concrete pipe and it's going to connect from one culprit go through the building and then connect behind the building. Um so that's what's being worked on right now. And then the benefit of that is once it's in we can back around it and then they'll do what they call you know they'll be bringing in better material and doing 6in lifts and bringing them compacting the material as they go and bringing it up.

Thank you. school department is posted for both the public health and safety committee. We did meet Wednesday. Thanks to Tony, fire chief, police chief and Meredith and also we have listening posted as well as school department school committee met last Monday. As you've already talked about graduations, uh, senior week is, I believe, May 25th, that week. Graduation will be May 29th. Uh, Friday night at Field. Um, also ongoing negotiations. The school committee and the WTA is um going forward with um another round of negotiations. Um, again, those are public sessions and hopefully negotiations could wrap up relatively quickly and see what happens with that. Um, update on policy committees. I don't have man's report has been circulated. Tony, do you have anything to say or question?

Answer any questions. I just want to add one other thing. I just like just a notification. I don't know if anybody saw the uh the impacts too too much, but um the blue line is going to be closed. Um the affected stage on maintenance for on May 9th and 10th up on their website. The affected stations are the airport maverick aquarium state and government center. So anybody who's likely to use the blue line on those days, they'll be offering buses um or in between those stations during that time frame. There is more on the MPA side that certainly open any questions on we did have a great meeting with the um multiple yard clubs and with chamber of commerce um about the 250 celebration. We're zoning in on July 3rd um kicking off the weekend down at the town lighting with the afternoon event and possibly a boat and definitely a boat parade. Everybody's excited about that. And then in sort of um offering up other things around the town. I know the yacht clubs like some of the yacht clubs like to open their door to the public. Um and then hopefully sort of end the night have a shuttle service available, but end the night maybe down in the Pleasant Park area. They want to open up their doors around the time when they shoot off the fireworks at Rose Warf. I guess that's a pretty good spot to see those fireworks. So that's sort of where we're aiming. We got to fine tune a lot of the plans, but council dimes was another meeting as well if she wants to add anything.

Thank you. Um, town manager Marino, I thought the meeting was great. It was full of energy. Um, all the art club team at the table and everyone is really excited about the event and it sounds like it's going to be great. We're going to probably start around noon down the landing with both parade starting around three. Great. Um, promises of continuous shuttle buses to get people to and from where they want to go and um, we're very excited about it. Thank you. Any other questions?

Yes, thank you. uh town council president uh town manager uh just a question of it relates to uh council at times town hall meeting and some of the information in the transcript which I was looking over here as it relates to the easement of the pleasure club is um as far as that overall uh project itself I know we have a pre-existing easement that's that already exists down off the stone

so I think the project itself that um you know we're cutting through we're negotiating with the pleasant 5 yard club it's going to council with a simple letter attorney lettera is have to approve it and so forth and so on I mean I don't know of the cost there's a lot of things I don't know about it uh but I'll ask does that involve the main street as far as any additional uh connections to that location is a very expansive plan or is it just stone and the flooding stone tile stone in Every day there's going to be a director to gall correct me if I'm wrong, but there'll be a pump station uh installed. There will be and that's what the easements for and then the pipe that goes out to the water.

It's the same wershed if we're not expanding that wershed main street area the ref that has it own separate out. Um we will be doing drainage improvements in that area as part of the main street project in future design. But this particular project housing the same waterhed is now currently captain Jackson through the years construction more expensive to try to rebuild it in that area. Uh just because access of it deposed include a a a pump station which would just be a backup. We're going to build this thing once. on the tide to to have any effect on on being able to discharge water. run 90% of the well 99% of the time by gravity but we'll have a supplemental pump station if we have you know the time discharge

and I appreciate that information but I do know again we do have an existing easement is there any cost associated with having to negotiate with fire I'll be doing any additional work uh on their behalf to maybe improve their grounds as well I know that Viking marina area you're talking about. I know they've uh they've had some some concerns as it relates to just fixing that line that's already there and maybe shoring up the wall in the back there. Um and the cost associated with it from what I'm hearing is four anywhere from four to 6.5 million at least right now. Uh and I think my overall question is would it be cheaper? Again, I like to see the cost analysis here as it relates to using our pre-existing easement in comparison to having to jo the right and then cut through the Pleasant Park. I you know I believe that to be a longer fashion

we would need to take that building down. That was a cost. Is that to say they so they built on over the years? Is that legal?

We don't need pressure. We we'll need that um whether or not it's entirely over it or or just too close to being able to construct it. Um there's a problem. You know, the depth and size of this pipe require we don't have the ro shore in there without moving construction. That that's I think I overall I'd like to see at least a a study on on an alternative looking at the cost for 6.5 million. At least that's the rough number being thrown around. Uh, and I know we talked about the existing pipe that's already there. You know, a a collaborative valve at the end. I mean, we're pumping the water through there right now via a hose to DPW and the help of the fire department during storm events.

No, not bypass.

Well, I should say right now we're Yes, let me use the word bypass. But we're expending a lot of town energy to that location. With regards to just replacing that pipe, I think I'd just like to see some even maybe a a presentation on what we're looking at here to bring us all into focus of of what what that is going to to end up and and what is the alternative uh you know in going that way as opposed to what we already own. I mean, if they built on that easement, that's to my point I believe that would be a violation. All these ones are supposed to be remain open in the property of the of the town. Uh I just I just say this because you know you know 4.95 million for the the override schools. We still we're still yet to get hit with the firehouse as far as that that that exclusion. And uh you know I've had a lot of concerned citizens tell me you know how much more can they take after seeing this year's uh you know uh uh tax cuts. So, I mean, and then we're talking about going up on the trash was over. So, I'm a little concerned as far as the again the appetite of the town um as it relates to the cost of this project and you know, is it going to be larger? Is it uh can it be done cheaper? So, I think just the information communications I think is very very important as we think about spending this kind of money uh on Brittlestone uh and uh we're talking Pico and eventually Wooden. So, uh, you know, and I know I'm not going to sit here and bring up 3A, but depending upon how that whole thing, uh, works out, I would hope, uh, you know, if if we have to, uh, bring in 3A, then maybe that money that, uh, you know, that's been talked about will will satisfy this town as it relates to all of the flooding. But, uh, that's yet to be seen as well. But, my concerns are the price tag right now, and I'd like to get more

information on that project as Mr. letter is about to sign, you know, agree with the Pleasant Park job. So, that's all all my concerns out of there. So, uh I appreciate once we get the and we're not even signing ement. We want to have the easement plan. So, once we get the easement plan, then we can have the engineers come in and present to the council and give you an update on it. Thank you, Tom.

Thank you very much, Council President. Thank you, Tom Manager, for your update. Thank you, Council. Very good question about that that girls. We're all eager to get it done, but we do need to get it done with with the, you know, responsibility of taxpayers and mine. Um, I would like to see a presentation on on on the viable options there and the the the cost broken up between what the compensation will cost, what the what the what just the gravity flow would cost and then if there is any uh violation of our existing ement, what what kind of what kind of uh recourse does the town have? I think that's probably a question for the attorney.

Yeah. And then the other question is when we do draft this new ement that's something that the council will vote on before before it gets accepted. So we will have a chance to discuss it again. that I I just thank Council for bringing that back up and keeping that area uh at the front of our minds because we we know Yeah. And and we can't forget like it and we appreciate that. But I know your neighbors appreciate that, too.

I I I hear from them every week. Additional questions. Do we have a prorator amount on what we spent on attorney subleta to file his motions intervene? I I got to get the hours from my track. I mean it's it's going to be like I said the salary just be number of hours whatever.

That's fine. But it's still money that the town spent in order to get involved in a private case. Just wanted to have that out there for the information for the public. Additionally, there's a qu I had a question on the motion to intervene. Again, attorney might be the best person to ask, but I wanted to ask the question anyway since we are here. motion to intervene on that case that was filed. From what I could see online, it seemed to add the town as a plaintiff, a request to add the town as a plaint as a plaintiff as opposed to support the plaintiff, which I think was the motion that the the council passed. Motion to intervene is for the town to be listed on that lawsuit as plaintiff.

Yeah. Even though when we said as a council when the council voted on the 14th we voted in support of they asked the final motion to intervene I believe so there's only one there's only one way to intervene correct okay that process was laid out um the work street which I don't see in the uh in the town manager report just is there a timeline on that on that role work it's got to be done before Jun, but I think director Cam might have some more fine tuning data. Yeah. So, um sidewalk section between street area. Yeah.

Um the sidewalk work is complete. The gas work is complete. Um the schedule for milling and resurfacing between the weeks of May 13 to May 21st. Wednesday, May 13. Um I I expect that way to get built and repaid the following Tuesday I believe which is the 19th. Thank you very appreciate it. I know uh folks down will be very happy when that's fully uh fully respect to the mailing in operation one lane at a time. We'll be automating traffic out earlier this afternoon. We'll try to if you can assist getting you know a message to MW just so they expect delays on those days. There will be won't be restrictions in that road. You will get down there and now it'll be all

and I can tell you happy to see that. Thank you. Thank you President Vice President. Um thank you. Um if you could pass on my congratulations to thank you for his help and motion to intervene and his motion to appreciate both and talk. What will happen?

Ban I just also want to follow up on vice president. Thank the town manager for their work and that motion to be in time. I think it means a lot to the town. Thank you. The first one to approve video recordings of committee meetings to be posted that is continued. Um second one council. So we have a motion for uh to take this in two parts um both came out with positive recommendation. Um and I'll I'll read the first one uh for 2B which is matters to be placed on the agenda for the town council including but not limited to any ordinance order appointment or other matters of business to be presented to the members for action at a regular meeting of the town council shall be submitted to both the council clerk and council president in paper electronic format by 100 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the regular meeting at which such matter is to be considered. All matters requiring a vote shall be submitted in full in the form of a motion. Every effort shall be made to all matters that are submitted for placement on the agenda accompanied by material sufficient to inform council members of the nature and purpose of the agenda ite. If the same matter is submitted by at least four counselors, then that matter

shall be placed on the agenda. The council president or the council clerk shall submit the agenda in paper electronic format complete with all motions and attachments to the town clerk no later than 400 p. p.m. on the Thursday proceeding the regular meeting of which such matters to be considered. motions uh council council where part of recommendation does not require a second discussion council test just I want to be clear that the new language that's added is sentences as if the matter submitted by at least four counselors then shall be placed on the agenda that's not replacing any existing language that's just additional language

it's an additional sentence any other discussion

thank Thank you, Council President. This I actually started this came up when we uh had a special meeting and and it's the same thing. Four counselors want a special meeting, they can call a special meeting, but it seems to me that four counselors feel it's important to discuss, you could put that in the regular meeting. The four feel that it's important enough to bring to the town. So I that's the really impetus for this. So we don't have to call a special meeting because four people want it. I think the four people want it. I think generally we agree. I mean I've often called Jim and asked him to put something on the agenda and he's done that. And I think that I think it will be unusual if it doesn't get on the agenda just with a couple. Thank you.

Thank you. Council President this motion. No questions about it. I I believe this motion will result in having more voices on the council and uh any issue that uh any council may have again we'll have to uh lobby other counselors uh as it relates to getting that on the the agenda itself. Uh but I think overall it uh it will bring uh to light uh the issues of all counselors and uh the assistance of other counselors as well uh to uh perform work in the town uh even in other precincts uh as it relates to getting things done. I think it will help expedite expedite issues that uh that need to be expedited. I think it's a positive move as we look forward and I uh I will be voting yes on this on this motion discussion and I will just say that as president I agree with vice president that most items that are asked put on the agenda sometimes there are reasons for it and that to me is the president's discretion but I appreciate the motion and if there are no other questions I'll ask for Call please.

Council, yes. Council Tassinary, yes. Council Milan, yes. Council D, yes. Councilman Mono, yes. Council Weirden. Council Finn, yes. Vice President SW, yes. President Lutter,

no. Motion passes. Council. Next is the amendment to 2C that states other than amendments to existing motions, no business shall be considered by the town council unless there is a majority vote of the council to wave this rule.

Okay. The motions came out of uh committee with a positive recommendation. No requirement of a second. Um you just explain what was changed. So this one uh what came in is the changes uh there's a majority vote was the major change in this sorry that all that changes the word unanimous to majority

the only change that was my question thank you counc any discussion on a night of change to the agenda without unanimous vote. We can if we can agree to add things to the agenda before the meeting, then we can add it to the next meeting. We're I just

I just Thank you. That's my council. I just want to add um I know that about adding things once being get started, but um councilors still have the right to coun to use council privilege and the charter makes it very clear that a motion can't go through all stages in a single meeting unless all the counselors let it happen. So, um, uh, this is just the council decides, the majority of the council decides they want to take up something. Maybe if they decide it's like, um, it's urgent or they don't want to wait any longer to at least try to get the process started, it allows them to do so. But, um, like I said before, if any counselor wants to put it off for me, that they still have

any that's that's a very good point, counselor. I just do think that were something such an emergency, we would all agree unanimously to add to the agenda. So I just don't see a need for this additional change on top of the change we just made in section B to um after this may use my council privilege to push this off.

This is still council privilege. But it's the first time coming before any other discussion I guess my thought well a couple of thoughts on this I think um custo having made a good point my other thought on this which you know I would say that we've been doing something wrong which I've heard before for many years doesn't make it right to continue to do it but is the open meeting violation where potentially having counselors discussing an item before a meeting. Um I do agree with council tassin that if something is an emergency has always been taken up if there's a need for money or a storm or whatever the situation may be. I had asked council for his thoughts on this and he is asking he says he's reviewed the current version of council rule 2C basically But what he's basically saying is he thinks the charter was written wrongly. It's an open meeting violation to have unanimous because again you could be talking about something before the meeting. um he is going to contact the attorney general's office to see first of all regardless of how we vote to see if it's legal to do which obviously we make sure regardless if we don't change it and then eliminate whatever was there you know to see what the options are if there are any um so that would be you know I'm working against this based on on that alone but Um,

can I make a motion to continue this pending on attorney civil letter's response? Um, sure. I'd like to make that motion. Second. Uh, there's a motion by Caso to continue this matter. It has been seconded. Any further discussion on motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. No. New business council dies.

Thank you, town council president. Um I would first before I read the proclamation, I'd like to recognize um the hard work and dedication by previous counselors Belchure and D Ross for starting the tradition of celebrating Junist Pride Month in Winthrop. A lot of hard work went into that and don't want to leave them out of the conversation, but if I forgot anybody, please forgive me. Um, I'd like everyone to look at this proclamation as an opportunity to show our pride and be a community that looks out for each other, cares for one another, and where everyone is accepted for who they are. I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge my brother, Christopher Richard Dime, who passed away at a very young age of 25 from complications of the HIV virus. My brother never had the experience of seeing his identity openly acknowledged in Winthrop where he grew up. Without symbols of acceptance in his hometown, he learned early what it meant to search for belonging. He never experienced how powerful it can be that belonging is 25 when belonging is finally made visible. The text of the motion is I move that the Winter Town Council approve the following proclamation recognizing June 2026 as Pride Month in Winthre proclamation. Whereas the town of Winra is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community where all residents, employees, visitors, and families are treated with dignity and fairness. And whereas diversity of background, experience, and perspective strengthens the social, cultural, and civic life of the town and contributes to a healthier and more vibrant community. And whereas ensuring that all individuals feel safe, valued, and supported, it's essential to promoting civic engagement, mutual understanding, and equal opportunity. And whereas the town council recognized the importance of affirming shared values of respect, compassion, and inclusion, and of

encouraging ongoing dialogue, education, and community connection. And whereas the month of June provides an opportunity to reaffirm the town's commitment to these principles and to reflect on the importance of standing against discrimination in all forms. Now therefore, the Winter Town Council does hereby proclaim June 2nd through June 15th of 2026 as the town of Winter Pride celebration and authorized the ceremonial raising of the Pride flag at the E Newton School on June 2nd, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in recognition of this observation. and encourages residents to acknowledge the significance and to celebrate inclusion, affirm the dignity and worth of every individual and encourage all residents to contribute to a community grounded in respect, equity, and understanding for all. Be it further proclaimed that the town council encourages residents, organizations, and local institutions to observe this month through reflection, learning, and acts to promote kindness, kindness, unity, and mutual respect throughout the town of Winro. Thank you.

Here's a proclamation brought to the council by Council Dimes. Uh discussion on the proclamation. Um yeah, I think it's fantastic what you just said. I would just uh like to make an amendment to that in a positive way if that's possible. Don't think you can make an amendment. No. Okay. But you can discuss.

Well, I was just thinking I just wrote something up. Fantastic idea, by the way. I love it. Um I was just thinking of changing it's a I just wrote something down here. Therefore, the Winthrup Town Council does hereby proclaim in the month of June uh 2026 as um Town of Win Pride Celebration Month and authorized the ceremonial raising of the Pride flag at the EP Newton school for the full length um in the duration of June 2026. Um, thus the flag will raise on June 2nd at 5:30 p.m. 2026 and lower this flag on June 30th, 2026. But there's an exception. Uh, that exception would be June 19th, which is recognized as the federal holiday Junth um on which on that day that flag would be recognized. Yeah, there is a in the flag policy there's a specific period of time and any other discussion council.

Yeah, I just want to say thank you council guides. Um, as you know last year I was fully behind the proclamation that was quoted by council das and I believe that the flag represents uh many people in this town and they should be heard. they should be seen and as I said last year that flag may be the difference uh of of a young and even maybe somebody who's struggling that uh seeing that flag may may result in the savior of life. So I said that last year I'll stick by that now and I am 100% of

anybody else. Thank you, Council Dennis, for this. I appreciate you doing it in front of all of us. I appreciate you doing the work to uh make sure that the pride flag is raised this year. Um and I think it does come down to affirming the dignity and worth of every individual in this town who lives here, who's grown up here, wants to live here, who wants to visit, comes here every day. So, I appreciate putting this forward and happy. Any other a lot of people in my precinct. Uh, thank you. And that's kind of why I came up with stretching it out, but I didn't know the rule of the law of how long it could be up. Great job.

I'm happy that you recommended more time in all this.

Thanks. My pleasure.

All right. And I'll just say that I'm going to support the proclamation. I there are a lot of marginalized people in this town in every town, right? And we come together twice a year by the council. Some people make a proclamation twice a year. There's a lot of events going on. I think the recognition of Pride Month is incredibly important. I think it should be done and Pride Flight has been a big success as well as other events. Um being very about which flags are raised that aren't raised to me continues to be an issue. Um again I would personally like to go back again and state flag um because we don't we seem to be picky about what months we celebrate what months we don't of the 11 months we don't. So I would just you know since as we continue to have the flat policy we have should be more opening with it if that's what people choose and not just specific 12 but having said that all those in favor say I no

THANK ALL RIGHT. UPDATE ON house post ordinance. Now, this is not on a specific house or just wanted to have I mean we this has been discussed over many years. Do is there an ordinance in the town on house prohibited prohibit? Yeah, I think the ZBA can permit for I believe that but that's they have to go to ZBA to get Do we have any people with no and I know

we have one that's technically they said they want to use as an office but they brought it in over a weekend and we've been battling with it. I won't tell you too much because it's an ongoing litigation and we're getting working to get rid of it. But there is one over that we're working on right now. Now, is there a difference technically between an office and No, it's and a house that definitions a house has to have a motor and this one doesn't even have that. Like it's got to be able to operate under its own power. There's all sorts of state definitions. Even if we allow them, this this would check the box on house. So, um you know, but again, I don't want to give too many,

but we've been on it for months and it's unfortunately Once the sand is hard to definitely get rid of, we got to get the course involved and things like that. So, we can't just go trouble out of there as much as I'd like to test a quick question on that. So, there's a difference between I live on my boat as long as it's not a house boat. People have slept on the boat. Sure. I mean, we have we have pump out boats just for that reason, right? It's during the season, but again, you can't stay there year round. We've had issues with people out on boats on moorings and they try to stay out there all winter and we've dealt with that because the pumpout boats not running and what are they doing with the gray and black water, you know, things like that. So yeah, there's um there's complications to that, but households in particular, you know, that's a different category. Don't allow us to get

any other discussion. Does that mean you think does this need tightening up? People sleep on both, but you can't. No. No. No. Right. Exactly. So, does anybody police that really? We do. The harbor master does. Yeah. We've got a few, like I said, we've got a few ongoing cases of people that have been trying to live there all winter and things like that and been dealing with it. So it but it this is relatively new since you've changed the harbor master to another

we're forcing more but I mean there hasn't been too many cases where people try to stay all winter we've had one or two so it's not a big big problem but it's something that we have to address. Thank you. Appointment 97 appointment council town council president of Mary to the fire house reuse committee for travelers along with the committee before that completes that committee now. Excellent appointment to then I just have discussion June meeting date. So June I think it's second and the 16th. Uh the chav says you have to vote on a budget no later than 15 days which is I will not let us wait that last meeting to vote in case up whatever happens we don't have a quum somebody wants to make an amendment whatever um so on the second I would like to have the finance commission present to the council the budget how we used to do this in in the past is they would present the budget. They do a ton of work on it between subcommittee and finance on the council and the citizens finance committee. They do a ton of work over a three month stretch. Um so we used to have them come in, they make a great presentation, PowerPoint presentation and such and then we vote in the budget which is you know with enterprise funds well over 84 million. Um, so the past several years I've changed it to that we would get the presentation. We would allow counselors to have a week to think about motions if they want to make any amendments because as much as I entice councilors to go to finance

commission meetings, very few do. Um, so I think it's important that you have some time to look at this budget, it's probably one of the most, if not the most important thing we do during the year. Um, so I'd like to give them that week period. Uh, so I' I'd like to request or potentially make an adjustment to switch the 16th for the 9th. We would vote on it the 9th. If something happened, we would have a full meeting, vote on the budget on June 9th. If something happened that somebody wanted to put it off, we'd still have the 16th day. If we complete all the items necessary to meet what we need to meet on the source meeting, we're going to meet what, let me put it simply, we're going to meet on the 9th regardless. Just trying to make it easier for people if you know we could get all our business done including the budget on the 9th and not have to meet on the second.

Yes, I'll set it. The second is when the the finance commission will present us with a budget because they work through the end of May to finalize their recommendations. They will give us a lengthy 12 13 14page report PowerPoint on their recommendations. Uh that's why I always think it takes it's good to give counelors a week to to let that all sink in and see if there's any amendments they choose to make. So we will be meeting on. So obviously I don't think people would want to be the second to none. If you do, I have no problem with that. But we can make that motion. Council rules to have the meeting schedule in June be the second and the nine. Now again what I would say to that is if well and we can always have four meeting the 16th but what I'm saying is if we can get through the business we would not have to be three weeks

I I would just ask it might be a good idea I'm looking right now June actually has an extra Tuesday perhaps maybe we can meet at the 23rd after the 9th that gives us two weeks from the 9th and then two weeks again would be our next meeting on the 7th instead of going a month meeting I think that's what We do on the night if there's if there's a need if there's Tony town manager has stuff on the agenda if the council is say hey we have a topic we need to discuss more than happily have another meeting I think enjoy less meetings but you can always make again you can get four councils and ask for a special meeting on the 23rd or whatever the 16th

I mean I I would like to meet on the 23rd Well, the motion what I'm at. Okay, why don't we do it this way? I'm just going to call a special meeting on the 9th. Thank you.

Right. Keep the 16th. If we want it, we don't want it. We don't have it. So, just to let everybody know, there'll be a special council meeting on the n same time 6:30. Thank you. Jackie, there was discussion earlier concerning the wall that needs to be water and there was discussion a new foundation to carry the the wall and so brick I think that's what you mentioned. So is this a one course brick? It's a two coarse brick with drip and the necessary weep holes to keep everybody knows that the water goes through brick and mort. The way it works is that it goes through and then it drips down and comes out a weep hole someplace. So is there an engineering plan that we can see about concerning that wall? Of course it's going to be covered the cost is going to be covered within the uh 38. So I'd like to see an engineered get stop. Thank you.

I wanted to talk about the street just again precinct six. Uh the re street plantings the trees are going in I guess next week. Is there

30 30 trees? Um, however, the Meridian U plantings are uh up in the air right now and I'll be having a conversation with Benny PB tomorrow, maybe learn more. But I was wondering the green strip, is the town, Steve, are you planting grass on the green strip? And if so, the town is in charge of that. Can we please I suggest putting clover or putting time? you don't have to mow it and do maintenance. Um, and it would be beneficial to I forgot one thing. So, let me one more time. It was mentioned in discussion about leaving the water, the groundwater from the new area. pass through between the schools and the area of the fire station. Where is this water going to lead to? It was mentioned before a couple months ago to me by he thought that there might be a holding tank. We've discussed holding tanks but that's not in discussions too. So where is all this the condo going to be designed to leave the water? on that including the roof water is it is being led to strong grains or is it just leading to what's considered park and if you have a parking lot out back should the water be able to pass through that should it be hot top or something where the water disappear not disappear

disappear you know into the ground so there's not standing any water there. So, so the cost for that sidewall is within the 385 and then the and then the cost to leave this water up that's also within the 385 that the project. Mark precinct. Um, I want to ask questions exist actually is um what property it's actually on. And then um as far as the house vote issue goes um I hope the harbor master didn't issue um a boring sticker for that house vote and if they are and if they didn't are we finding them daily on it I mean money is money makes people motivated if you don't can't be there Thank you.

Tom Darian precinct 3. Uh continuing on the climate commission uh idea. Uh another consideration for energy uh for winup is geothermal a longterm thing. And and I understand that we the ment commission needs two town council members on it. Is that is that is that right? That's right. Um uh uh I would like you to appoint uh the two youngest ones since it's a long-term project. Um if we can do that is that required six and thank you for tableabling um the amendments um that allows councilors by majority vote or unanimous vote. I think either one offends the open meeting law. Um, and the purpose of the opening meeting is not so much for you people behind the the seats. It's for us to be informed of what's being discussed. So if we have an interest in it, we can present ourselves. And I believe in the open meeting law and I'll leave that to attorney to review there is exemptions for emergencies um that the council president or the chairman of any board um that doesn't anticipate may be added uh at the last minute. So I think the emergencies are covered. I appreciate getting legal advice and tableabling it um because it's the benefit of us uh looking at these and deciding whether or not it's worthy to come for that particular night. Thank you.

Yes.

Can you hear us? um I just want to say thank you to Dimes for um for just such a heartfelt thoughtful utilizing experience and then also recognizing how it that kind of beauty even if somebody does not fall into that community. It's all about community as one. So, I so appreciate that. So, I think um and the council council for actually um voting for that. Um I also want to just acknowledge that I am happy to hear that the um the amendment to 2C 2C is um being looked into a little bit further. reading of it. It seemed as it was a way to bypass how the chart was written. Um, and maybe wrong, but also from my understanding, the first time it entered into onto an agenda was during a special meeting, but that special meeting I only have five hours to look at that and then um today marks a full year of being last year. I have not yet

and I came to that meeting because of something that happened in the town and started stand. We are still going to travel on the bridge on Saturday at 12 and again I would love to know members of Come join us. Come see what we're doing. Find out what we're standing up for.

Just one upcoming event. Um I did send it to but I don't think she got it. Um, can I do you mind if I um there's an adopt a tree program that the most trees is doing and the tree board on the new trees that are um being planted on Kennedy Drive. Um at the Arbor Day event, they you could sign up to adopt a tree where you'll be watering a tree and water sources up by the tree farm all the way at the top of Kennedy Drive. The details are online, but um if you would like if anyone's interested, they're looking for many more um adopted tree volunteers and um you can contact Helman tree warden and there is also an online form on the town website. Please support that. And then the Rising Tide Youth Awards um on May 14th um 7 8:30 p.m. at the Elks

to considering uh seeing no further business. I consider this more.