Select Board - Regular Meeting

meeting tonight. Appreciate everyone's uh working with us. Ask that everyone remains on mute unless you're being part of the direct conversation just to keep flow going. And again, as soon as the clock strikes 6:30, I'll commence. Great to see everybody. Great to see all of our friends at the Joe Boach conference room town hall and everybody else. Okay, time 6:30. Uh, and let the meeting commence. Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. PO previously posted with the town clerk on April 16, 2026. Uh, in accordance with chapter 2 of the acts of 2025, the Tuesday, April 21st 2026 6:30 public meeting of the reanth select board shall be conducted remotely. Public is invited to join via Zoom. Uh, login information is on the town website. As a preliminary matter, this is select board chair Chris Gallow. Please permit me to confirm that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear me. Uh members, when I call your name, please respond to the affirmative. We'll start with selectman Jim Anderson.

Anderson here. Uh selectman Bill Harrington. Harrington here. Uh select woman Michelle Rouse here. And selectman Roy Lamoth. Lamoth here. Fantastic. Staff, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Town manager Mike King present. Uh assistant town manager Greg Enus is on vacation. We wish we wish him the best relaxing vacation with his family and uh executive assistant Amanda Vazapolo present. Awesome. That's fantastic. Okay. Uh we're going to bounce around a little bit this evening, folks, but let's start with the announcements and we'll ask Selectman Harrington to read the announcements into the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh announcements for April 21st, sorry, 24th sweep board meeting. The Department of Public Works began hydrant flushing on April 12th. Customers are advised that a drop in pressure and some discoloration of the water may occur while flushing is in progress. If this occurs, you should wait until we are out of the area, then run your cold water for several minutes and should clear up. See the website for street schedule and more details. Real estate and personal property tax bills are due May 4th. Residents can pay in person, online, or by mail. Spring hours, April 15th through April 28th, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gates close at 3. Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Uh that's the hours for the recycling center, which I might add looks fantastic. Uh looks they did a real nice job prepping that new area for the recycling and yard waste. NBridge is hosting an open house meeting regarding the AGT enhancement project. This will be an opportunity to speak with Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission and Al Gangquin representatives Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at Lake Pearl, 299 Creek Street, 4:30 to 6:30. Read more on the town website. Ranthm Police and Fire will be teaming up on ice against Northalk Police and Fire on Saturday, April 25th at 12:00 p.m. at the Northfor Ice Arena. Admittance is free. Come support our local public safety. That's it, Mr. Ch.

Thank you very much, Selectman Harrington. Um, let's go to tab two, which is approval of the minutes. Uh, in our in our packet, we have the April 7, 2026 open session meeting minutes. At this time, Chain a motion to approve the Tuesday, April 7, 2026 open session meeting minutes. So, so moved. Motion made by Selectman Harrington, second by Selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectwoman Rose, yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson's a yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes.

Chris Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Um, as I said, folks, just a quick reminder, we're going to bounce around on the agenda a little bit. Um, let me know if I forget something. Um, and of course, keep me on track during the public hearings. As you know, I love those. Uh uh and we will go to the first order of business. We're going to actually go to um new business and we're going to go to um tab five, right? The special election. Um correct, Mr. King? Uh yes, Mr. Chair.

Okay. So, uh please go to tab five and and we have the supporting documentation in our packets. Uh this is a vote to call for the June 15, 2026 special election for the Rodri Elementary School debt exclusion. Um and vote to insert uh the question into the ballot. Um we have C town council motion in our packet. Uh and um we have to do five separate motions that are all on the next page and they have to be done separately. Um before I go uh to the motions, uh does anyone on the board have any questions? S uh Mr. King, do you have any uh any further instructions for us?

I I'll just add that there will be an article on the June 1st town meeting warrant um in that for for this project to go forward with a dead exclusion, but it needs to be ratified with a ballot vote um which in this case will be on June 15th. All right. Okay. So, thank you for uh that additional information. Uh go to everyone go to tab uh go to page 16 in your packets and at this time I'm going to read the five motions and we're going to vote on them separately one by one. This time chain a motion that a special town meeting be called for June 15, 2026 for the purpose of a special election to vote on a question relative to debt exclusion under proposition two and a half. So moved.

Motion made by select the moth. Second by selectwoman Rouse. Any further discussion? Being none, do a roll call vote. Selectwoman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Blackman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Blackman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Motion number two. This time chain a motion that the warrant be opened for the insertion of questions. So moved. Second. Second. Motion made by selectman. Second by selectman Edison. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Select woman Rouse. Yes. Addison. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth.

Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. Uh motion number three. Chain a motion uh of the select board by twothirds vote to seek voter approval at a special election to uh to exclude from the provisions of general law chapter 59 section 21 the funds required for the payment of principle and interest on bonds note or certification of ineptness. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Motion made by select manison. Second by select mammoth. Any further discussion? I apologize being none. We'll do a roll call vote. Uh, select woman Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes.

Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. Motion number four, that the select board seek voter approval at a spec special election to be held on June 15, 2026 to exempt from the provisions of general laws chapter 59 section 21C the funds required for payment of principle and interest on bonds, notes or certificates of indebtness. U all is set forth in the following question one. Do I have Mike? Do I have Hold on one sec, Jimmy. Mike, do I have to read question one? Uh yes, you do, Mr. Sure.

Okay. Sorry. Hold on, Jimmy. All is set forth in the following uh and question one. Here's question one. Ballot question. Shall the town of Rentham be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 and 1/2 so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay costs of planning, design, and construction uh constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new elementary school to replace the existing Rodri Elementary School located at 120 Taunt Street in Rena, Massachusetts, including the payment of all costs, incidental or related ated there too and there's a yes or a no. So Jimmy Okay. Is there a second? Motion made by select second by select them off moth. Motion made by selectman Anderson just to clarify. Second by select moth. Any further discussion

being none. We'll do a roll call vote. Uh selectoman Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. The moth. The moth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. And the last motion, motion number five, that the warrant for the special election to be held on June 15, 2026 is closed and notice hereof be transmitted to the town clerk. All in favor voted this 21st day of April, 2026, the Rentham Select Board. So moved. Motion made by Selectman Harrington, second by Selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectwoman Rouse, yes. Anderson, yes. Harrington, Harrington, yes. Lamoth.

Lamoth. Yes.

Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Thank you for everybody with that. Okay. Um with that being said, um we're very uh fortunate to have with us. We're going to go to our public hearing, which is tab number three. Our first of two public hearings. Uh we're going to go to tab three. Very fortunate to have with us a wonderful group of people that does amazing work for the town. um uh when we do when we're talking about our sweat fund committee and our sweat fund requests um you know as many people know we have an amazing benefactor uh Mr. sweat uh who gave a substantial amount of money to the town of Rethm. And we have a wonderful group of people, volunteers, um many of whom or all of whom are sitting in the Joe Boach conference room uh that do a great job every year fielding requests for uh um you know uh solicitation of requests for the funds that we have available to give out on an annual basis. These people um I'll name them u just because I think that's appropriate. Um, the Sweat Fund Advisory Committee members are Chris Roman, Greg Pazeric, Joyce Baldiga, Bill Carr, and Shila Duffy. Uh, and they're with us this evening to to run through a highlevel summary with our board what they've spent so much time and energy doing um this season with the the sweat funds. Um, in our packet, we have the public hearing notice and the sweat fund advisory committee recommendations. So before we get going at at this time, the chair would entertain a motion to open the public hearing for the sweat fund requests.

So moved. Moved. Motion made by Selectman Anderson, second by Selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Um, Selectman Gallows, yes. Selectman Lamoth, yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington, yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson, yes. Selectoman Rouse, yes. Uh, motion carries 5. This time ch to detain a motion to wave the reading of the public hearing notice. Some moved. Um motion made by selectman Anderson. Second by selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Select woman Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth.

Lamoth. Yes.

Yellow. Yes. Motion carries. 50. Um so now the public hearing is open. We're going to hear from I'm going to pass it over in a minute to the Sweat Fund Advisory Board. Don't let me forget to ask for public uh comment because this is a public hearing and then we'll close and vote. Um so I'd like to welcome again I'd like to welcome our uh sweat fund advisory committee. Um I want to again thank you for all your hard work. I know we have a lot of information in our packet a summary page that you're going to walk us through right now. Um, and I do want to call out uh a special uh recognition uh for Greg Bazeric and Joyce Baldiger. Um, someone told me that uh is is that and I don't want to assume anything because assumptions get you in trouble, but I was told that this could be the last round of sweat fund uh meetings that or hearings that uh Greg and Joyce are are going to be doing with us.

That would be correct. So, on behalf of on behalf of me and my board, I would just like to thank you for your dedicated years of service, Greg and Joyce. Um, you've been doing this a lot longer than I've been doing this, and I remember my first year when I was a new selectman with Joe Boach as the chair. Um, you know, uh, Joe Joe said it and I'll set it. You guys do a great job for the community and we couldn't do this without you. So, appreciate you all and a special shout out to Greg and Joyce. And at this time, I'd like to chair uh turn it over to I believe Chris Roman's running the meeting. Yes. Thank you, Chairman Gallo. Mike, do we need to reopen this meeting? We we opened before um the public our side of it.

Yeah, you're going to want to open it on Zoom. Great. Recommend open it now. All right. So, a motion to open the meeting. Second. Great. All right. Um, we got Craig Beric. Oh, Chris Roman. Yes. Bobcuffy. And we do have a guest with us tonight, uh, Mary, who is, uh, potentially going to be, uh, we are going to be looking for additional, uh, members because Joyce and Greg, uh, not renewing this coming year, uh, we will need two more members. And so, Mary is joining us tonight.

Welcome. Great to have you all. Welcome and the floor is yours.

Thank you. All right. So, all of you should have in front of you the recommendations that we have gone through. Uh we had four meetings prior to this. One of those meetings where we met with all of the uh uh requesters of of funds from the fund. Uh and we had a total of 13 requests this year that were made. Uh we had available to us from the fund itself from the payout this year $60,737. Uh we had a little bit of funding in the sub accounts of $977. Uh we also recouped uh a certain amount of funding. We'll talk about that as we go through the exhibits uh on on these on this page. Uh so the first request came from the council of aging. Uh it is a recurring request that they will typically make to fund the various programs that they have. Uh the requested amount was for $8,000. Uh and we recommend $8,000. Uh the second one uh was the cultural council uh and uh that was for the old Fisk Museum uh doing some additional archiving of their uh storage in there. uh they had made a request last year, I believe it was, and uh uh this was a a new request that that kind of made sense. They requested $1,000. Uh we suggest that there was still funds available as you can see in exhibit A uh from uh a previous activity that was no longer uh the funds were no longer needed from that. So, we said bring across $292 uh 57 from that account. And so the amount that we're approving for this is $7743 from the fund itself. Uh the third request was from the uh public library. Third and fourth requests. Uh these are also uh recurring requests. Uh and they had requested specifically for the children's programs

$4,810. All of which we recommend. Uh and then the museum passes that we know get used every year for $3,480. Uh we also recommend uh that those funds be be granted. Uh the next request came from the nurses. Uh they have two requests. One for one was for blood pressure machines that they wound up getting a grant. So they no longer needed it needed that. So um that was for $1,200. They don't need that. Uh but then the other request was for the uh blood uh the um nutritional supplements. Uh that's for $2,000 and we uh did recommend that that get uh also uh taken from the fund. Uh and then in the open spaces uh there was a uh a submission put in uh by them. Uh now they had uh they had funds still existing in their account. So they actually didn't need any funding. They didn't ask for it. Uh but they they put the submission in because they wanted to let us know they'd be using the funds that we had given them last year this year and not to forget about them. Uh Greg.

Yeah. The next request is from recreation for concerts on the common. It's an annual request and uh they asked for the maximum they can ask for $9,999. Uh we split that one up. We had some funding available from uh another account which is exhibit B of nine picnic batches of eight two what was that one picnic tables it was for the picnic tables that

oh I'm going yeah from the picnic tables that were uh they were originally going to be used at the uh Roderick school um we contacted the school and uh they with all that's going on there going to need the picnic tables at this time. So, we're going to reallocate that money for conscience on the common a good part of it or all of that. Yeah. The other one came from that other table. Yep. Okay. So,

it's split between uh $28.82 from the uh trust and $9,970.18 for a total of $9,999. Then we had uh a request for a recreation vehicle $9,999. Uh we did not recommend that. Uh we've we've given vehicle before. Um the way the funding was this year, we didn't feel it was within our capabilities to allocate all that. So we did not recommend it. One other request from recreation was for rent day events. It was explained to us how it's going to be a much bigger event this year and that uh they could use some funding. They asked for $9,500. Uh we did vote to uh recommend $4,250 uh partially supporting that request. Then we had a request from the town um of $1,255 for a portable speaker system. And we did recommend $33,9.97 from the trust. And we did have an additional $8658 under exhibit C, which was one other table that was left over from a program of remodeling redoing the basketball court at the Ronald School. Um, and they had funding left over for another picnic

table there, which we recuperated and reallocated for this project. uh holiday lighting $9,999 for the town of Rentham. We recommended that. Then we had a request from the fire department for uh new equipment in the water and ice rescue equipment. The uh past equipment, the hovercraft is getting pretty old and pots are getting hard to come by. uh this is more modern equipment, much easier to use and we felt very strongly that should be recommended. However, we also had a uh Chief Marino let us know that they had a request in for a uh grant from the state. Uh that is still in the process. They I guess they've gotten some partial funding for the project. uh but we did feel it was necessary to go ahead and uh allocate the money he requested and have it be there as needed if uh the grant doesn't cover everything they need. So uh and anything we've talked to the chief and anything that's left over that they won't need will be reallocated next year for some other project.

All right. And then yeah, the last two uh the rent of landscape committee um they have asked for they have a new request specifically for irrigation on a common. Uh that request was for $9,63. Uh we understand that there may be some recurring expenses uh for maintenance of blowing out the system and all that that that needs to occur. Uh but we did recommend that the funding go towards that. And this year the uh landscape commission asked for far less than they usually ask for. And as many of you know the one of the main things that uh William Sweat asked for in his will as far as how the money would be spent would be on the trees and the town common and other things like that. So we always take their requests very highly regarded. Uh this year's request was only for $1,000. So of course we're approving that. uh we're expecting that we're going to need a fair amount of f fair amount of funding next year uh to be able to support their needs. Uh but that essentially concluded the recommended amounts that we have here, $52,894. Uh, and we're suggesting that we um add uh $8,750 uh back into the sub account to address the potential need next year with the landscape committee uh and other things that that would come up next year. The the requests were actually a little lower this year than we typically have. So, um we can expect they're probably going to go up again next year and we know that money is tight and uh it's important to have that funding there. So, uh, these are our recommendations. Um, you see fit to use them as you see fit, of course, chairman Gallow and the rest of the, uh, the chairman or rest of the rest rest of the selectman. And, uh, we like doing this. It's, it's our it's our public duty. So, we appreciate the opportunity. Also,

great. Thank you so much for that great presentation. Chris, I know we have a lack of time here, but you touched on it quickly. for the people listening um c for the record can you just state you know the general intent of Mr. Sweat why he left these funds behind and what his intent was besides landscaping and those things just cuz people always ask us what are sweat funds what constitutes a good you know ask and what constitutes not a good ask so just really quickly I just think uh Mr. sweat in your group deserves uh for the public to understand.

Absolutely. We all have have studied the will and understand his intent. Uh you know and back in 1931, 95 years ago, he established this trust uh and left it to the town to essentially do things for the town that would beautify the town that would make it presentable and also provide funding for for things that maybe the town funding itself that the taxpayers wouldn't normally pay for. um that were beneficial to the town as a whole. Uh and so you see us supporting things like uh the 350th celebration uh or various various recreation department activities like the like the concerts on the common um or of course the trees and other things like that. And so as we're sitting here, we look through these requests and we we we think about what's being asked for. We think about it with that in mind with that intent in mind of of the of what he wanted the buttons used for. we love this town and so he this uh that that donation many many years ago has continued to serve the community quite well and the first the first one that was was done was actually the sweat park that's across the street from the uh town common there and uh that that took a fair number of years apparently to get started I guess it was a hurricane some other things that came through at the time but um

and a depression and oh yeah that I I wasn't around sorry They might have thought about me then. Thank thank you so much for that quick summary. I just think it's important uh to make sure that we don't forget you know why we have this awesome opportunity every year. Um and at this time I'm going to open it up uh to the board members. Uh board members uh please feel free to go ahead ask raise your hand and just ask any questions make any comments you have before I open it up to the public. Any board members have any questions that they'd like to ask or comments? Uh, select Manison, go right ahead, sir.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I just want to thank the uh the sweat fund committee for all the work they do. Uh, they do a great job betting out all the requests. I know it makes uh sometimes difficult decisions uh as far as, you know, how to allocate that money, but I've always noticed that, you know, my all my time in the town, they always do a tremendous job. So, thank you. Well said. Well said. Uh Roy, go ahead. Select Moff. Yeah, being the new guy on the block, I I was just wondering, are we using any principles or just a a certain amount per year of income and interest?

No, there there's no principle being used. Uh it is it is entirely uh what we're able to get out of the fund each year. So, as the economy goes up and goes down, the funding changes every year. Fantastic. Appreciate it. Thank you. Great question, Roy. Uh, anybody else? No, you're good. Select Harington. Select. Good. Okay, great. Um, public members of the public, would anyone like to uh address the group?

If you do, raise, please raise your hand, state your name and address. If you can, uh, turn your camera on and you'll have two minutes to speak. Anybody from the public would like to address the sweat committee regarding sweat funds? I'll give it a few seconds. Sometimes people need a minute to raise that hand. 5 4321. All right. Uh at this time, Chertain a motion to close a public hearing for sweat fund requests. So moved. So a motion made by selectman innocent. Second by selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being known, we'll do a roll call vote. Uh selectman Gallows a yes. Selectman. Leamoth. Yes. Harington. Harrington. Yes. Anderson. Anderson's a yes. Ralph. Yes.

Motion carries. 5-0. Uh public hearing is now closed. Uh now chain a motion to approve the sweat fund monies requested as presented. So moved. Second. Motion. Motion made by selectman Anderson. Second by selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none. Do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lechman Leth. Lamoth. Yes. Chris Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Once again, Sweat Fund Advisory Group. Excellent job, Greg and Joyce. We'll miss you and the rest of the group. We'll see you next year. All right. Thank you.

We need more members. I'm just going to say that Joyce was here for 37 years and that's uh or 38 years actually out of the 45 this has existed. So, wow. And hold on a sec before you go, Mike. They have to close their meeting, right, Mr. King? I I would have them close it on Zoom. Please close your meeting on Zoom, Chris. All right. So, a motion to close the meeting. Second. I I vote to do it. Okay. Anybody object? All right. All right. Motion carries. Thank you very much.

Thank you guys. Have a great evening. See you soon. Bye-bye. Okay. Moving on. We're going to go to our next public hearing. Um, which is tab four. Let me just get my bearings. I apologize. Mike King has me bouncing around tonight and I'm a little unsure. So, uh, okay. Tab four. Uh, this public hearing, this 640 public hearing is the discussion and vote um for the vote by mail VBM uh for the June 15, 2026 special town election. With us, we have our esteemed town clerk Anne Fisk. uh documentation in our packet relating to the public hearing notice um and the board of registar meeting um meeting minutes. So at this time, chair would entertain a motion to open the public hearing for the vote by mail for the June 15, 2026 town special town election.

So moved. Motion made by selectman Harrington, second by selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Innocence. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Now, chair obtain a motion to wave the reading of the public hearing notice. So moved. Second. Motion made by Selectman Harrington. Second by selectman uh Lamoth. Did I do that wrong? Yes. Right. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Select Selectwoman Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Yes. Harington. Harrington. Yes,

yes, yes. Motion carries 5-0. Public hearing is now open. Uh, Mr. King, you're looking at me like I may have missed something. Is everything going according to plan thus far? I'm following along and it's going fine. Okay. Thank you. Mike King is like uh, you know, sometimes it's like my dad, even though he's a lot younger than me, giving me that look that I've done something wrong. So, I like to check in every once in a while. Uh Ann Fisk, great to have you with us. You're doing a fantastic job. Do you mind bringing the board through what we're trying to accomplish this evening at this public hearing?

Hi. Sure. I'd be glad to. Um so there's two types of early voting. The first type is in person early voting. And in that regard, the votes act of 2022 established the board of registars votes whether to recommend that to the board of selectmen select board. And in this case for this election for the June 15th um special town election the board of registars voted to not recommend to the board. Therefore there's no further action the select board can take at this time regarding in person early voting. So that's aside that's the first part of the um main amendments. The primary reason you're discussing this is to discuss um whether this elector wants to vote for in vote by mail early voting which is very similar to absentee voting by mail which we already have con um we've continually had that. So, as I mentioned last time we discussed this, um the board reviewed the pros and cons. They add expenses for um any potential additional voters and determined that we don't feel that there's it brings additional voters to it just kind of as a wash. The voters may vote early voting by mail rather than coming in person. And we do have the polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day. We also make it available so if anyone has any possibility of not being able to make it to the polls, they can vote absentee in person or by mail with us. And we also have accommodations for any folks that are um permanently disabled. They can get a um a not a note from their doctor and they're permanently voter can vote by mail through the town clerk's office. That's annually continued. It's continuous once it's established. So, we work to accommodate anyone who cannot reasonably make it to the polls on election day already without early voting by mail for a local election.

Okay. So, what is your recommendation to us? So, the board voted unanimously to not recommend early voting by mail for the special town election on June 15th. Okay. Uh, I'm gonna open it up to the board members. Um, anyone have any questions or comments? I do, Mr. Chair. Go ahead. select Harrison.

So, uh, each year that I've been on the board, which is, uh, four now, we have the same basic discussions that it's, uh, you know, expensive and requires a lot of additional time. Uh, what is the expense related? How much are you talking about and how much additional time? Uh because again, as I have in the past, I voted to make any opportunity for the public to have any option they should be able to.

Um I can I don't have the exact number because we haven't done it in a while since CO vote by mail, but generally other towns have found it to be $60 to $80 per ballot vote by mail. With the timing, it it varies. There's a lot more staffing involved. Vote mail is less intensive than in person voting, but it's covered by absentee voting by mail. If anyone need has any concern, they can't get there in person. They can vote absentee. We're not required to get any kind of doctor's note or anything if someone wants to vote by mail. I don't have current data since we haven't done it in several years. So, we don't we don't really know what the expense is and we still don't want to do it. It's not fiscally responsible to do it. Okay.

And I hear that constantly. But again, we don't know. But we don't have a dollar amount. Just one sec though, Bill, if you don't mind questions through me as always. Yep. I'm sorry. And and please, the same thing. Direct your questions to the chair. Um and I think she did answer the question Bill. I think other towns estimated $60 to $80 a ballot if I heard uh town clerk correctly. Okay. Thank you. The estimation.

Yeah. If I say chair Gallow, I also agree. I don't want to and I don't want to eliminate any possible voter from voting and I don't think I wouldn't recommend to not do this if I thought that's the case. I think you're just going to have people vote by mail rather than going to the polls or absentee voting. It's not going to increase the voters. I mean, if you want us to go door by door with like with a, you know, bullmobile bus, we could do that if you want to really increase the voters, some kind of outreach, but this case is not going to increase the the total. All right. Thank you, uh, town clerk, and thank you, Selectman Harrington. Uh, selectman Lamach.

Chris, I this is the second year I've heard this and you know, I guess it's been going on year after year. I'm just wondering why we continue to do this or we're continued to force to do this every year. Is there another way around this so that we can do it by exception? if in such case there was another COVID environment and we chose to go with mail-in ballots as a result of special circumstances or do we continue to get into this loop every year? Is there a way around this? I'll let town clerk uh fist answer that.

Um it's this is a process established by the votes act 2022 that we need to do this for every local election in 2022 because of co the the votes act of 2022 that established early voting by mail and early voting person for state elections permanently also had these caveats for the local elections that every year the select board need to review early voting by mail. Okay. And vote on it. So Roy, it looks like we have to unfortunately have this conversation every year. Yep. Got it. Anybody else have anything to add? Select woman rouse or select manison? Nope.

Okay. this time because it's a public hearing and I don't want to forget to let the public speak. Um, anyone in the public like to make a comment, please do so. Raise your hand, state your name and address for the record. Please come on camera and we'll give you two minutes. Up to two minutes. You don't need two minutes, but you have them. Few seconds. 5 4 3 2 1. Okay. This time ch to contain a motion to close the public hearing the vote by mail for the June 15, 2026 special town election. So moved. Second. Is there a second? Second motion made by Select Man. Second by select the moth. Any further discussion? Being known, we'll do a roll call vote. Sele. Yes.

Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Chris Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5. Now listen carefully. Chair would entertain a motion to opt out of the vote by mail for the June 15, 2026 special election. So moved. Second. Is there Okay. Motion made by Selectman Anderson. Second by Selecman Lamoth. Any further discussion? Being known, we'll do a roll call vote. Select Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Lechman Harrington. Harrington. No. Select the moth. The moth. Yes. Hello. Yes. Yeah.

Motion carries. 41. I did that math right. 41. Okay. Uh uh Ann Fisk, I want to thank you. Great job you're doing. Thank you for being on the meeting tonight. Um and thank you to the select board member for members for a great conversation. Okay, let's move on. Now, if I am reading this correctly, we're going to go to tab number seven. Tab number seven is an interview and appointment to the board of registars. Um with us we have three representatives, three people interested in running for this. Um we have Stephen King, we have Teresa Guomi.

Thank you Glyomi. Guomi is that Italian? Better be Williams in Italian. Okay. Well, thank you. Uh, and Jean Matella, Matia, Matela, is that correct? So, actually, Jean was replaced with Laura Beltis and I'm Laura Belt.

I'm sorry, Laura. You're right. It was on my packet, but not on the I apologize, Laura. So, Laura Beltis. Um, what we're going to do, folks, is we're going to interview uh Stephen King, Teresa, and Laura. Um, and then, um, we have an email from Julie Garland, who's the chair of the Democratic Committee in the packet as well. Um, let me see if the let me just get to that letter really quickly. Uh, this is there's really nothing here to read into the record. It just says there's three qualified registered Democrats for the board of registars's appointment. Gives their names and addresses um, and inviting them to this meeting. So, at this time, the the the select board has had an opportunity to review the applications, and we're going to um start asking some questions. We're going to start just because it's in this order. No order. I was just in my packet this way. Uh Stephen King, are you with us this evening?

Yes. Hello. Hi. Hi, Stephen. How you doing this evening? Very good, thanks. It's actually Stefan. No worries, though. It's Stefan. Yes. I apologize. Thank you for correcting me. Um no problem. Uh so Stefan, would you mind explaining a little bit about yourself to the board and why you think you're such a great candidate for this?

Uh sure. Yeah. Uh well, I heard about the opportunity. Um and yeah, I wanted to um you know, step up and and see if uh it might be a good fit. So um my background is uh in software specifically for the past many years. uh the data side of software. So I think there's a a lot of parallels between the work that I do and uh the responsibilities of of the board members uh on the board of registars uh just around uh accuracy uh particularly around accuracy uh safe handling of of data uh and um yeah

great fantastic open it up I'm going to open it up to the board members just so we can ask some questions. We typically do that. Stefan, no problem. Starting with uh I'm going to start with Selectman Anderson. He's our go-to question person. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, Stefan, how do you see your role if you get on if you get on this board?

Uh that's a good question. I I don't really know what to expect uh uh in terms of um you know, the the the day-to-day duties. Um but certainly um I'm there to help out follow the procedures uh understand the procedures of of the role. I think that's probably one of the most important parts of the role uh you know take the direction from u the town clerk and and certainly offer my expertise in in you know helping to optimize streamline some of the the processes if possible obviously to the letter of the law. uh potentially modernize you know I I work a lot in in advanced computer systems and and a lot of you know high volume data situations that are uh you know folks are making business decisions on. So, however I can translate some of that expertise to this role, I would I would do so. But fundamentally, really just just learn about the role. Um, offer whatever I can and and follow the procedures would be the fundamental parts.

Okay. Thank you, Stefan. No problem. Uh, select, we're going to jump. Selectoman Rouse, any questions? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Stefan, thank you for um your introduction and answering uh select board member Anderson's question through you, Mr. Chair, can we ask Annf Fist to give us a little overview for clarity in terms of the responsibilities of this position in terms of time commitment and what actually will be required so that that um people listening and uh people that are going for this position have a good understanding of that. Luckily, that's a fantastic idea. Thank you, Ian Fisk, please.

Sure, I'd be glad to. Thank you for including me. Um so there this is not a partisan position at all. It is it is dictated by the state law that there should be a balance or um a mixture of parties represented in the process to ask the part of the town party committees to nominate appoint um people to be appointed to the board when there's openings. But the position itself has no partisan opportunities at all. It's just helping us keep the voter roles accurate and um maintain them on a daily basis as we do to make sure our voter roles are correct. Um the board of registars also would oversee any kind of audit or recount if that were to happen with me. Um but that's probably the least likely thing that would happen. Most likely you come into the office one or two times a month during office hours and help us process the voter roles, which is often vast majority of duplicates. You make sure things accurate. People want to change their voters party or um they get married, they change their name. keeping things as accurate and um as current as possible by following the state law which requires us to um have a written signature to remove someone from the voter roles. So there's a lot of complicated processes to make sure the voter roles are current but also kept in compliance with state law and it's a very detailed kind of mundane process to check the data and then you also maintain our paper filing system where we have paper cards for voter so in case um anything should happen to the database we have a redundant system of our voter records to rebuild the system from scratch if we had to. So that's literally pulling cards and filing cards as well as sending out notifications to voters of any changes. Occasionally you have to call a voter to clarify something or call like um a management company to clarify an address that kind of thing. So it's fairly administrative. This database we work with is about 25 years old

legacy system. We have no control over it right now as far as optimizing or improving it. they are planning to roll out a new one next year so that you'll learn the system then you'll be learning another system next year which hopefully is built on this but more um like in a Windows environment more modern than what we have currently um you also may help with um voter registration days we have those once before every town meeting election as well as for other um special events um that's usually 10 days before election or town meeting we have a registration date at the library any other questions or things we thought you think we do. Sure.

Um, Mr. Chairman, I was just wondering if um there was any conflict of interest that has ever occurred or or written policy we have for these members. Um, elaborate the like who who conflict of interest with who? thought they were doing some other type of role or activity or involved in certain activities beyond, you know, being on this on this committee. Are you asking if we've ever run into a conflict of interest situation? Yes. Uh Ann Fisk, do you know the answer to that question?

Um I don't believe so, but mo board register members are cannot be on many other committees. There's very few other committees they can serve on. We actually the one who was appointed last year had resigned from open space committee because you cannot be on other town committees. You're allowed to be a town meeting member. So you can go to town meeting and vote town meeting but there's it's very restricted to what other other things you can serve the town as. Um also you cannot sign nomination papers. So you would um if you want to be personally active in a campaign or um a petition, you would probably not be able to do that. You'd have to um cut at the state ethics committee about um that action. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

Great. Yeah, great question. And thank you uh Anne Fisk. Selectman, sorry, selectoman Rouse. Any further two parts? Any further questions to town clerk Anne Fisk and then any questions to Stefan King? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you and for that uh great clarification and information. Stefan, after hearing that information from Ann, is this something that provided more direction to you in terms of what's responsible for the position and are you interested in it?

Uh, for sure. Yeah, it tracks with with uh the general understanding I had of the role. Um, and uh, yeah, definitely interested in in helping out. Um, I I am not part of any other committee in town. I am interested in in helping out. Um well I am I am actually chair co-chair along with Laura um of Keep Brandon Beautiful but it's not a town committee. Um so I don't think there's a conflict of interest there but but really looking to to figure out you know the right role for me to help out within the town. Uh and again given my expertise and in data systems I I thought this was a good a good point to to dive in and see how it might go.

Great. Thank you very much. No further questions Mr. Sure. Okay, great job. Uh, selectman uh Anderson went Selectman Harrington. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, uh, thank you, Stefan, for, you know, willingness to step up. Uh, through you, Mr. Chair, how many positions are open for the three candidates? There's just the one spot. Okay. I didn't I I don't know. I must have missed that. I apologize. Uno. And um, now you just confused me.

Sorry about that. Um jeez. But at any rate, uh I appreciate you, you know, take with your willingness to help out and um certainly have a a good wealth of knowledge in that electrical engineering field. Thank you. Uh and feel free, Selectman Harrington, if I apologize that I screwed you up. Uh if you think of what you wanted to say, come back in. I appreciate it. You're very welcome, sir. Select Lamoth. Stefan, thank you for stepping up. Uh, no, no further questions. Okay, great. Stefan, thank you so much. We're gonna move to Teresa at this point and we'll be back in touch shortly. Um, Teresa, how are you doing this evening?

I'm good. How are you? Great. So, thanks for being here with us. And now that uh you kind of have a better understanding hopefully of what the job entails, um we I I'd first just like to ask you to give us just some rough information about yourself and then as I did before, I'll open it up to my fellow board members to ask any specific questions that anyone might have. So, the floor is yours.

Um I currently I work full-time at a large law firm. I have over 30 years experience in the legal field. I work as a legal assistant. I've worked um public service for the federal government and I worked at big law firms, worked for judges, lawyers, public and uh I've lived in rent them for about 14 years.

Fantastic. Thank you for that. I'm going to open it up to the board members starting with we're going to go in reverse. Slept on the moth, you're up. Well, thank you, Teresa, for stepping up and being here 14 years now getting involved. Um, I love 30 years in the legal environment. Uh, I have no questions. I think, um, you may be a good candidate. It's great. Okay. Uh, Selectman Harrington, you're up. Thank you, Mr. J. Yeah. Uh, very impressive resume you have. Uh, appreciate your willingness to step up and, um, that's all. Thank you.

Great job. Um, Selecman Anderson. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Teresa, um, like I asked Stefon, if we were to put you into that role, um, how do you see it playing out?

It sounds a lot of what I I do for work and have done for many, many years is um, what you need done. It's a lot of administrative work, listening to other people, making sure things are accurate, um dealing with the public, um helping the community, and uh yeah. So, okay. Thank you. Do you are you all set, Selectman uh Anderson? Uh yes, Mr. Chair. Okay, great. And Selectwoman Rouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Teresa, very nice to meet you. Thank you for being here tonight. Just to kind of tap into what Select Board Anderson was saying, I'd love to hear a little bit more about what makes you uniquely qualified uh compared to the other individuals vying for this position. Um well I would say uh a lot of what Ann described was um working together as a team in an office type environment with sensitive documentation and handling it in a way um that you have to be careful and thoughtful. Um and that's I've been trained in that. I I even uh was when she mentioned the um old old school filing. I've I've been trained in that. Um so I've been doing it for many years and I I don't think it would be anything that I wouldn't easily catch on to or understand what we needed to do.

Great. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. No further questions, Mr. Chair. Okay. Last but certainly not least is Laura. Laura Beltus. I apologize uh for the snafu earlier. Uh welcome to the meeting, Laura. I'm going to ask you the same thing that we asked the other two applicants. Please give me just a quick introduction of yourself and your interest in the position and I'll open it up to the other board members. Welcome.

Hi. Yes. Um so just a little bit about me. Um I have lived in Rena for about five years now. I have two young kids in the school system. So, I've been a stay-at-home caretaker for six years now. I currently work part-time taking care of my mother-in-law. She has a disability. I'm her personal care assistant. Um, so I do have time available to devote to this. I have an actuarial background. So, I'm a fellow of the Society of Actuaries. So, I have a masters in mathematics. I worked for over 10 years as an actuary. Most of that time was spent in what's called reserving and regulatory reporting for a health insurance company. I led a team there. our our main responsibility was to work with private healthc care data um analyze that data and estimate medical expenses that were then recorded for the financial company uh for the finances um those estimates totaled hundreds of millions of dollars so I'm comfortable with working with material uh numbers and data sets um and now I just I view this as an opportunity uh to give back to the town so I know the registar isn't uh actuarial in nature but it does require ire a strong attention to detail, which I do have. Um, I'm fortunate that both my kids are in school full-time, so I have more time to devote to this. So, thank you.

Thank you so much for that information. We'll start with selectum the moth again from the board. Well, I love the mathematics background and the the attention to detail. Um, and the the fact that you're dedicating yourself to your to your mother-in-law and your kids, that's great. Or your mother. So, but uh no questions. I mean, you're you're a great candidate. Fantastic. Well said. Um Selectman Harrington, thank you. Yeah, you know, very very impressive background. Um again, I appreciate you being will your willingness to step up and I'm going to leave that difficult question to answer to Selectman Anderson.

Selectman Anderson, you're up and on the spot. Yeah. No, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, so Laura, I want to thank you for uh you know, stepping up to to offering to volunteer. Like to ask the other two candidates, just give us a reason why you think or what you think your role would be in this position.

Yeah. Um I know I'm I'm one of those weird people that loves a good spreadsheet. Um so when Ann was talking about having to um kind of go through old cards and work at the an antiquated system, I've done that. Um I've been there. Um, and I get I get joy out of doing that kind of thing. So, um, yeah. And regarding audits, um, I've been the point person with the state and federal government with questions about audits. Um, I fielded those, so I'm comfortable with that kind of thing. Okay. Thank you, Laura. No more no further questions, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Sleman. Um, and last but certainly not least, Sleekman Ross.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Laura, nice to see you. Um, I think Jim has eloquently asked the question and you've provided the information. No further questions for me at this point.

Okay. So, now we have to make a difficult decision. Board, I was just making sure I wasn't muted. Uh, now we have to make a difficult decision. Uh, in my humble opinion, we have three very qualified uh, very good candidates. Um, and the town's lucky to have uh, uh, all three of you um, for this position. Um but unfortunately um there's only one uh you know so we whoever I will say this though if you don't get uh put on this position this committee I strongly recommend you know doing something else which I'm sure this group of people will you seem like all very good go-getters. Um so do any of uh board members does anyone want to make uh it's a difficult decision but does anyone want to make a recommendation? I know typically I look to select man Anderson in this situation. he's been, you know, with us the longest, so I'd like to give him an opportunity if he has an opinion or if not, I can move on and ask one of the other board members.

Yeah, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Yeah. So, I agree. I I do think that we've got three very qualified candidates. Um, I do think it's a shame we can only pick one, but um I do like Teresa's background uh in law. So, I I would make a a motion to appoint Teresa. Is it Google? Oops. Is Is it Trisha Google? He's unmuting. Sorry, it's Gui. Oh, I'm sorry. Me. No, it's it's hard one to say. Sorry, but I I would make the re recommendation to appoint her and I second.

Is there Okay. So, I had a uh I had a motion made by Select Mananderson. I had a second by Select Moth. Uh any further discussion being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Uh selectman Gallows is a yes. Selectman Lamoth Lamoth yes. Selectman Harrington Harrington yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson G. Yes. Select woman Rouse. Yes. Motion carries 5. Congratulations. Thank you both Stefan and Laura for being here this evening. Uh and um so the motion Yeah, the motion. Let me redo them. Let me just make sure I read the motion the right way because I see Mike King looking at me with those eyes. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would entertain a motion to appoint Teresa Gil Gilme to the well with proper pronunciation. We can say it all together. It's gelme the board of registars for a term effective immediately and expiring on March 31st, 2029. So move. Thank you for amending that select man select the moth there's a second right select on the moth and let's just do the roll call vote one more time any further discussion being none we'll do a roll call vote selectman gal is a yes lamoth lamoth yes Harrington Marrington yes Anderson's a yes rouse yes

motion carries 5-0 um and fist do they need to be sworn in to see you uh yes congratulations um come by and get sworn in. We wait to schedule your training and some IT set up and um look at scheduling during that. All right, Teresa. So, get in touch with Ann Fisk and go get sworn in. And thank you and welcome and hopefully we don't have to appoint you to another board soon because I still won't get your name right. So, uh have a wonderful evening. Thank you. You too.

All right. Thanks. Okay, let's move it on. We keep going here. We're going to go to tab number eight. Uh this is a standard junk antique renewal uh that we do every year. In our packets, we have the junk and antique license renewals, East Street Antiques, and my grandfather, my grandmother had that. Um in our packet, we can see that everything is tidy and it's in order. It wouldn't be in our packet if it wasn't such. Um, so, uh, I'm going to just quickly ask if any of the board members have any questions or comments for myself or Mike King, please speak up, uh, before we can just make the motion and proceed. Anybody? No. Shaking the head. No, everyone's good. So, at this time, chain a motion, entertain a motion to renew the junk/antique licenses for East Street Antiques located at 242 East Street. and my grandmother had that antiques located at uh 446 South Street.

So moved. Motion made by Selectman Harrington, second by Selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes.

Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Okay, great job everybody. Let's go to um tab number nine. Okay, so tab number nine is just a quick discussion on the board committee commission reappoint process. Um Mike King, do you want to give us a little bit of flavor uh based on how the process last year was different than the process before and what applicants can expect etc etc.

Yes. Uh thank you Mr. Chairman. So, so this evening um I am looking to confirm guidance um from the select board on reappointments to be effective July 1st, 2026. Um so if a similar process was to be utilized to last fiscal year, uh it would be as follows. Um so reappoint forms would be distributed to those individuals on boards, committees, and commissions with terms expiring June 30th, 2026. Um with the forms due to be returned by June 2nd. Um, these notices would also be sent to the chairs of the boards, committees, and commissions as well, informing them of the process so that they can be aware and can share this information with their membership. All positions that are expiring will be posted on the town website with notices on social media so that in interested individuals will have an opportunity to apply in addition to incumbents. Um if two or more individuals apply for an appointment, the select board would interview those candidates at its June 16th meeting. Um so that that's a rough outline of what the process would look like. Mr. Chair.

Yeah, Mr. King. Thank you. And I'll just I'll just tag on to that that I believe it was the board's intent last year when we tried to uh uh kind of streamline this process that we just wanted the we just wanted it to be known that um everybody needs to reapply and take this seriously. uh we don't believe in lifetime appointments. Um, so you know, you have to make sure we know that you're still interested and why. And we also believe, you know, that, uh, giving other people an opportunity on certain boards, um, I think is a healthy thing, right? Including our board, right? So, uh, I think that was one of the things that this board kind of charged Mike King with, uh, last year when we uh, went through this process. Um and um yeah, any of the board members have any comments on this or any questions for Mike King before we have a march forward?

Just one one comment. Mr. Chair, go ahead. Select women. I just think also this process really uh helped transparency and we saw much more interest in different positions with the openings being posted and new faces coming forward wanting to get involved. So overall, I think it was was a big plus for the community to to enhance participation and and to give others um chance to get involved.

Right. No, and to your point, it's one of our strategic goals at this board to increase, you know, uh resident interest in these positions. Um, so we we took it upon ourselves, you know, based on some flat numbers in the past and we made it a goal and an objective uh for this board and to funnel through Mike King uh our town manager and the and the the whole you know uh all the employees in town and and we want we want the residents to know that um you know we we you know we want as many people involved as possible. That's what makes a town healthy. Uh so Mike King, with that being said, you have your marching orders from the board. Do you have any further questions from us or are you free to you know proceed?

No, that that's helpful. So, we'll follow a similar process as to last year.

Okay. Thank you very much. We're going to move on and the last thing under the new business is uh we're going to go to tab number six. So, with us we have uh I hope we have Mike Mcnite with us. There he is. So, with us we have Mike Mcnite. Mike, um you're here this evening to kind of walk the select board through your perspective on uh the first annual town sponsored candidate event. Um you know, with that being said, I'll give a the the history here is that this select board charged Mike King, our town manager, um to put together a committee uh and to carry out a town sponsored event. This was a goal from way before I was on the select board. Uh Joe Boach and I talked about this when I was running for select board. Um you know, he mentioned to me that the town used to be much more involved in the town elections. Um and then for whatever reason, we kind of moved away from that. Uh and again, tied into this board's uh you know, goal of transparency and civic engagement with the Rethm voters. Uh we charged Mike King with putting a a team together. Uh he did. Uh, and Mike Mcnite was the moderator of the uh, event for the town. Uh, and, uh, you know, from what I was told, um, and what I witnessed, I think it was overall a very successful event. Uh, but I want to hear from Mike McNight's perspective. I want to hear from Mike King's perspective. Um, and then I want to open it up to the select board members to see what you may have heard uh, about the event. Uh and we also are very lucky that we actually had a candidate uh who participated in our uh the town's event uh on with Michelle Rose. So uh without further ado, Mr. Mcnite, it's good to see you and if I haven't said this in the past, thank you for your tenure of service as planning board chair. Um you know, town's indebted to you for that and it's great to have you active uh in this role.

Thank you, Chair Gallow. Appreciate that. Can you hear me? Okay,

we can hear you well, Mike. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Uh so sure, appreciate this. Um I'm going to give a quick update on the town sponsored event uh that we had for the uh the candidate forum and we think it was a pretty good success. Um we put together the committee uh Mike King and Manasa Polo, Chris Flum, Lauren White and myself. We uh we had a really good working group. We met uh essentially every week and worked through this since we were starting from scratch. um not many members had uh had experienced this before. So um I think it was a good opportunity to take a clean piece of paper and see what we wanted to do from from this perspective given the the guard rails that the select board and Mike King had brought forward to us. Created a mission statement which helped guide us as well. Um really trying to make a nonpartisan event. Uh people could be friendly, they could understand uh what the town was looking for, build engagement, that was another big key. uh get people out. I think all throughout the process we talked to in talking to candidates and board chairs and others uh one of the things that we really encouraged was we need more people to come out and join come out to open up position to open positions. We need people to be on committees uh to vote. So those messages were continually reinforced throughout the process. From a communication standpoint, uh we did a an extensive can candidate outreach, emails, phone calls, multiple times, follow-ups, whether it was to ask candidates to uh explain what the event is and asking them to attend, uh answering questions uh that they might have had, looking at logistics. Um it appears that that outreach was pretty successful. I think on our survey, our postmortem survey, uh we got a comment that uh some additional information about how the event was going to run

before whether it was for candidates and for residents uh would have helped. Um even though we explained what was what was happening, I think we could have done a better job with that. So, uh, we also reached out to board chairs, each one of the board chairs, and we wanted to go in front of those boards and their committees to let them know what the event was. Really just, uh, kind of a public service event announcement about what we're doing and what we're able to do. We got some information from our town attorney that said you can go to boards as long as there is a public comment typically on the agenda. And so we were only able to go to the select board. Um we were able to go to the I believe the KP um sorry the RenaM school committee um board. But we were we were held out of the others because they didn't have that. Although I would say the KP school committee uh we were asked not to attend. They didn't want to mix politics with school work and so uh in deference to them we did not go there. But uh I think we got the message out certainly through the board chairs. Many of them were willing to bring those up at the meeting and to send us questions uh that might have come up from any one of the members. We also reached out to key groups uh Random Business Collaborative. Uh Mike King attended that one. Um Council on Aging um I attended that with Chris Flum. Uh Lion's board meeting. In addition, Lauren White did a great job of connecting with PTO West, Rentham, SEPAC. Um, and so we've got a number of different organizations where the message got out again uh in different forums. And then uh Mike King and Amanda did a great job of putting out town flyers, putting it on the town websites, and then as we got closer to the event, putting it up on the boards that we had

available to us at the town hall at the West Retham Fire Station, and then we had it up on uh some billboards that we had access to. So I think from a communication standpoint and outreach, uh we did a good job and got the message out there. uh from a foreign forum attendance candidates. We had a good turnout. Uh we requested and asked that each uh person going up for election come out. Uh we did not get fisk library candidates uh as they declined. Um and we chose to exclude candidates who pulled papers but didn't return them. And we had two candidates who wanted to attend the event but had previous commitments. And for those they sent in a bio and the answers uh they they sent us responses to the questions that we actually read at the event. So we thought that was a good way for people who absolutely couldn't attend to be able to get their message across. We got some good feedback on that. As far as the audience, we had about 40 residents uh in the uh Fiskill Library uh room. We thought that was a good turnout um and uh pretty engaging actually. We we had time after the event for people to discuss with candidates if they didn't get to ask a question. So that worked pretty well. Uh we felt fist library did the job that we needed to do from from a setup perspective. It was comfortable. It allowed enough chairs uh for people to be comfortable. It wasn't jam-packed. Um and um we probably could have added 20 more and and really made it a tight tight room, but we didn't need to do that. Uh and we were we were putting the message out there that that could actually be viewed on cable 8 as well. So if people didn't attend, they could pick up uh the message. Uh we felt the room seating uh the way we had it set up, we had it set up in a V with tables up front so that both the candidate and the the moderator would face the audience and could face

each other. We thought that that was good. Although in our review of uh commentary in our postmortem, we thought that maybe a more comfortable seating soft seating uh uh setup would be better than tables and chairs. So we took that back as as um as some feedback. the questions uh that we that we were able to build and I'll I'll give credit to Chris Flum for initiating the questions that we had but the whole the whole committee worked on them and we spent most of our time developing the questions challenging the questions editing the questions and I think in the end we had five questions per candidate uh that were that were meaningful um had some depth to them and uh would help uh the residents in town be able to understand what a candidate's perspective on a number of issues were uh we did send them in advance. We deliberated on that quite a bit as well u and we got good feedback from the candidates for sure uh that having the questions uh help them to kind of coales their thoughts. Um what we would probably do next time and we talked about this is to hold back a question or two so that we could see how people think on their feet. Um, that was kind of the feedback at our at our uh at our review meeting. As well, as I mentioned, we did a post-mortem. Uh, we went through and sent out a uh survey. So, Amanda did a nice job putting together a survey, which we collected. Unfortunately, we didn't get a lot of as many responses as we had hoped. Um, but we did get some valuable feedback. Um, and so that in itself allowed us to put into into the thought for next year. uh some of the things that you know we did okay but we could probably do better on or things that you know maybe we missed on a little bit that we could we could include um many of the a few of the things I've mentioned already but there were a few

other things that we got some uh some feedback on uh having an active slide deck uh with updates in the background so that people could see more information about the candidate or the position would be helpful. Um, we did set up the questioning by position open. So if it was school committee and there were three candidates, they sat in the room at at the front of the room and we asked them each question the same question and then went back and forth. So we thought that was good. Um, but having more information about the position andor the candidates that are running uh we thought would be helpful. Um, we also thought that maybe providing some note sheets or some cheat sheets on the candidates uh would have been good so people while they're sitting there listening could make their own notes and or or look at the candidates's uh bio. Um we got a lot of feedback and we tried to do this I know at the uh when I got involved uh when Mike started putting this together uh about one event uh there are two events in town uh most of the candidates throughout the process uh asked why we couldn't do a single event um and then uh we got feedback in the survey that people would like to have one event versus two. Um, we did try to to to get one event and maybe Mike you can speak more to that that some of that was a bit before me but uh it wasn't uh there wasn't enough uh um ability to pull that together at the time in which it came up. I do want to thank the uh the the select board for bringing this forward. It allowed me the opportunity to be part of it uh to moderate the event and for Mike King, thank you for being a a great member on the committee, but also a great leader as you helped us uh bring this to life. Uh Mike, you may have some other thoughts, but I'll turn it back to you, Chair Gallow.

Yeah, Mike, appreciate that. Yeah, and and again, we can u I'm interested to hear what Mike King had to say, too. Um, we I also did hear and we can get into this as needed. Uh, two two events to some of the candidates. They'd rather see one. I'd rather see one event. Um, there was conversation between us and the other one of the I think the other group uh that uh held their own events. We tried, you know, we had a meeting. We tried to collaborate. We just couldn't pull it off this year. We couldn't come to terms. Um, but I know our group uh or from my perspective anyway. I don't want to speak for the select board, but my perspective and I don't want to speak for your group either uh Mr. Mcnite uh and Mr. King, but uh I'm very open to having that conversation if it's still uh you know an option. Um so Mike King, before I turn it over to the select board members that might be able to chime in on, you know, comments that they have, I know a lot of us went to at least one of the events, uh if not both events. Um, you know, I'm going to ask the select board members to weigh in. Um, and and you know, obviously give us constructive criticism. I know I will. Um, it's the only way we get better. Uh, Mike King, do you have anything to add before I do that?

Uh, yeah. Yes, Mr. Chairman. So, uh, I just want to say that I, you know, I I believe the the candidates form was a success in meeting the select board's goal of fostering civic engagement that that that we that I was charged with. um and that there was good attendance for a first-time event over at the the SWAT meeting room over at the the Fisk Library. Um we have received positive feedback. Um and it has been noted that one event is the you know is the preference from a candidates's perspective and I would just like to thank Mike Mcnite, Chris Plum, Lauren White, and Amanda Vasipolo for their efforts in making the candidates forum happen.

And I would like to second that. Uh, I think uh Mike Mcnite, I'd like to add Mike King to the mix uh of people I want to say thank you to. Chris Flum uh and Lauren White uh all did a fantastic fantastic job um for this event. So, great job. We appreciate it. With that being said, um I'm going to change it up. I'm going to start with Select Moth and see if you have any uh comments or things to add, Roy.

Mike, I attended uh that meeting. It was very comfortable environment for both the participants and uh the people that were sitting in the in in the seats. Uh I have one suggestion um maybe a lightning round when there's multiple uh candidates for a particular um position just you know quick question with a yes no or oneline answer so you can see the difference between them. It's hard to determine what the differences are or how they would do things differently. And so, you know, when you give them the latitude for three to five questions and they can ramble, I'm just saying h how do I know what the difference between them is? So, defining that somehow next time around might help. That's all.

Thank you. All right. Great feedback. Um, Selectman Harrington. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Unfortunately, I was sick. I was unable to attend. Uh but I have had numerous people reach out to me that thought what they s they watched it on cable 8 they did not attend. Uh they also mentioned the fact that they prefer to see one event uh but they were very you know they're very impressed with the responses from the candidates and uh they look forward to next year's great um selectman Anderson.

Yeah Mr. chair. Though I I I did attend both um candidates forums. Um I think they both had about the same amount of people in attendance. Um I think it's it's valuable that we we have this uh just so we can get the information out. Hopefully in the future, I'd like to see more people attend. I think it's important, but um you know, maybe we can do a better job messaging as far as getting people out to to attend these events.

Yep. I think we can always try to do better there, Jim. It's uh it's definitely um as you know, you know, any event that we have, it's some, you know, look at town meeting, it's tough to get people out um unless there's a really hot button issue, right? Uh in a really heated contested race, but you're right, we need to do a better job. We need to try. That's what this board does. Uh we never take what we're doing as good enough. We always strive. So, I appreciate the feedback and I think that's great. Um, and last but not least, Selectwoman Rouse, you have a very interesting perspective on this, not only as a select board member, but as a candidate who I believe participated in both events. Um, so I'm very interested to hear your perspective. Don't hold back, be rough on the town event, whatever you need to do just so we can uh, you know, do what we need to do to get better. But the floor is yours, Select Woman Rose.

I appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, I want to thank you, Mike Mcnite, uh Laura, Chris, Mike King, and Amanda for for the event. It was um from the moment I walked in, it felt very professional. It presented that way. The room created an intimacy. So, when I was um answering questions, I felt like I was directly talking to the people that was were there. It it didn't feel so so big and open. It it created a little bit of warmth. So um when I was offered the opportunity to give my perspective and uh answer questions I really felt like I was connecting with the people were there. So the setup was excellent even from you know Amanda timing our answers so that we wouldn't roy ramble on um that was being efficient our name tags the tags in front of us when we sat at the table um it it it all created a very professional event um to myself as a candidate um I also liked it was very different and I love this I loved the picking out of the um hat or bowl where Chris would pick out who would speak next. I thought that that was great. It created a little bit of excitement. It didn't feel so robotic. This person goes, this person goes, right? It it it uh it was fun and uh I thought that that was that was different and and it kept us engaged and on our feet as to if we were speaking next. So I I thought that was excellent. Most importantly in this experience I felt that the questions were extremely relative to current events what was happening with the candidates. Uh there was an excellent understanding from the committee what the candidates were responsible for and the questions that were asked reflected that. So the questions really um addressed things that the candidates should know about that were current um and that were

relevant to to that position. So I thought that was a huge plus within um within this forum. Um it also created the opportunity for consistency. This forum offered that consistency for all of the candidates to not only answer these questions that we had but also all of us had the opportunity to do an introduction and give closing remarks. So that consistency from candidate to candidate was also recognized and I felt was an excellent part of this process as well. Um I think that the communication Mike the individual communication inviting us to this event asking us if we had questions checking in with us um before the event um to see you know how we're feeling about it if we were comfortable with what things were going to be like was excellent. um I had a question about room setup. You were quick to respond and and um answer that question. So I felt that that openness was very much wellreceived. It it g it gave a a great uh level of comfort. Uh I feel that all of us candidates put so much time into preparing for an event like this and um asking you know being available to to to ease some of those you know questions or concerns um from you was excellent. So that that was um wonderful as well. Um so I think that uh that is a that's my roundup. You know, again, I had the opportunity to to attend both events and uh that was those are my my comments about this and any questions that anyone has, I am happy to answer it.

Any questions for select what's that's a new one. Any questions for select woman rouse uh from the board members about uh including Mike Mcnite uh about um you know the candidate events this year. I think you did a great job summing it up, Michelle. Um and believe me, we hear you loud and clear. we hear all the candidates loud and clear. You know, we'll try to re-engage with the other group and see if there's a path forward with one event. Uh like I alluded to before, unfortunately, this year, we don't have to get into the nitty-gritty. We just couldn't make that happen, unfortunately. Uh but we believe me, we, you know, that was the intent. Um so, uh if it can happen, fantastic. Uh and if it can happen, I can tell you we're the town will be doing this event again next year. uh based on the feedback that uh we've received individually and collectively. So I want to thank everyone for all your hard work with that. Mike King, Mike Mcnite again, Chris Flum. Um and if I I I probably messed that up, I apologize. Tell him I'm sorry. His name uh and then a fantastic job as well. Okay, so um anything else from Mr. Mcnite before we let him go?

No, thank you. Thank you for uh for the support and I'm glad it turned out well. We've got some things to document for next year and appreciate being part of it. So, thank you uh Chair Gallow, Vice Chair Rouse, and board members and Mike King. Appreciate the partnership. We had uh we had a lot of conversations over the last three or four months. So, nice to nice to be uh working with you.

All right, great. Thanks, Mr. Mcnite. Feel free to hang on for the rest of our amazing meeting. But if you uh you know, if you want to go watch I don't even know if there's any games on tonight. Uh but this is way more fun. Anyway, so uh with that being said, we're going to move on. We still have a lot of business. We're going to go back to old business at this time. Um and I think everyone will remember we started a discussion uh regarding this housing production plan steering committee at our last select board meeting. Um we interviewed three candidates uh at that last meeting. We interviewed a gentleman by the name of Craig Garcia, we interviewed uh Crystal Burroughs, and we interviewed another gentleman by the name of Michael John's. I asked everyone to take notes because we would be coming back or asking you to refer to those notes for this meeting. Uh for this meeting, we have three more candidates that we're going to interview this evening. Um we have uh in no specific order, we have Amy Jones, Rebecca Zitmore, and David Plum. Um so what we're going to do is again we're going to start with Amy Jones. We're going to ask you to unmute. Amy, uh I'd like you to give us just a quick introduction. um who you are, you know, what you're doing here in Rentham, um and um you know, why you think you'd be a good fit for the committee, and then I'll turn it over to my fellow board members to ask follow-up questions. But I just want to say thank you so much for coming out, putting yourself out there, and applying for this uh committee.

Oh, thank you uh very much uh Mr. Gallow. Um my name is Amy Jones, and I have made rent my home for 11 years. Um I live here with my husband and three children and and my last child will be graduating from King Phillip in a matter of about 6 weeks. So we have love Garnam and very happy um to be living here. Um my background is I am a physical therapist and one of the aspects um of my job as a physical therapist has been to help individuals assess their home living situation. Make sure that they have a safe environment and um you know a home where they can be safe and um hopefully independent. But, you know, an actual home versus even just a house, someplace of security. And so, um, this is something that I'm very passionate about about housing for every member of our community, whether it be elderly, um, disabled, um, young people, families, etc. Um, one of the things that really attracted our family to Rentham, besides um, the small town and the um, excellent schools is that I was very impressed with how um, Rentham as a community had approached planning and zoning and um, really seemed to have a vision in place for a long period of time to make the town work very well together um as far as um you know open land but also you know

housing and um community space as was talked about like the sweat fund. So, housing and um safe environments are a passion of mine and um I would like to give back to the town and um that's one of the reasons that I am applying for this position. So, I think that's Thank you. Thank you very much for that, Amy. I appreciate the introduction. I'm gonna I don't want to steal anyone's thunder here. So, I'm going to open it up to the board to ask some questions starting with selecting them off.

Hi, Amy. Thank you for uh applying. Um, this is a a new program that we're we're putting together, housing plan steering committee. I will be part and parcel to it. The learning curve that we have for this role and roles will be steep, I believe. Um we also have uh the person that was leading this is now found another job. So there's a lot of learning curves you know how willing are you to you know understand um planning zoning those types of laws and and environments how much time can you put into this?

Um as far as number of hours um I I don't know. I couldn't give you an actual number. Um, it's something that I'm currently um not working full-time. So, um, it's I do have some time, you know, I do have a considerable amount of time um, to put towards it. Um, it's something that I have always been very interested in. Um, and I I do find very very interesting and I am a big puzzle solver and researcher. So, it's something that I am willing to put the effort towards and it's something that I do feel is very important for the town um you know and continued prosperity of it.

Thank you. Okay. Uh great. Uh Selectman Harrington.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, uh, Amy, in in your bio, it says, um, that you have a a vision for planning to enable Rentham to continue in a good path. Uh, just a, if you could just give a quick summary of what your vision might be and what you would do to enact it. So, one of the things um the previous town we lived in was um North Attboro. Um, and one of the things that, um, I see that Rentham does better than say North Attar, not to throw a town underneath the bus, but, um, one of the visions that I like the Rensom has done and I would like to continue is seems to be able to keep a good division between um, residential, commercial, and um, green spaces where they're not intermixed where um you end up with somebody who has you know a Walmart in their backyard or you know something like that. I think that um I have been to all I a regular town meetings with you know this voting on the CPA and um other aspects of the town planning and um I I think the approach that Rentham has taken in the past is something that I think it has been great as far as keeping the commercial um aspects of the town near the highways. Um, and I also with the mixed the voting of the mixeduse things mixeduse downtown to bring um housing and um you know some small businesses downtown. I I I think that it's it's been done very well and it's

something that I would like to see continue and would like to be a part of. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sorry about that. Great job. Uh we did Harrington Lamoth select man Anderson. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So So Amy, um not knowing the probably the other candidates, but if if you could just try to separate yourself from the other candidates, what makes you a better candidate than them?

Um I don't know any of the other candidates. Um, but I I would like to think that I am a a good candidate because of the fact that I have lived in multiple different towns that um, like I said, have not necessarily had great planning um, when it comes to to housing and um, because I have had that experience and because also like I said, I've worked with a lot of patients and making sure that they they also have safe housing that I I feel like I could have a little bit of a unique background with that.

Okay. Thank you. Uh no more questions, Mr. Chair. All right. Thank you. Uh select Rouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Amy, very nice to meet you and I'm glad that you've applied for this position. In your introduction, you talked about, you know, your position, uh, looking for different housing needs for your patients and, um, you did say create creating housing for everyone. That that's a little bit of your your vision. I'd like to understand that in how you see that balancing with, um, you know, the needs of the town that you also talk about, like what what would be your plan for that, too? Because it seems to be, you know, I'm trying to understand what your thoughts are there. I guess I mean is that I feel that every every individual any creating housing for everybody meaning um when I was working with you know uh a when I'm working with a patient population I need to make sure a patient has a safe home to go home to um and as far as creating housing for everybody and keeping you know rent them kind of you know still a small town. I think that if housing is well planned um with controlled growth um and also um like I said, I know that uh a few years ago um there was the approval for the zoning downtown um behind where um Sweat Park is and the um you know this the Senoko station. Forget what the name of that project was. I think projects like that are a great way to expand housing in Rethm to different populations who can't necessarily afford a home on a 1acre lot. Um whether it be seniors, young professionals, you know, my children when they come back to town. Um I think there's creative ways to do that to maintain the integrity of the town while also creating different housing options within the town.

Thank you. I appreciate it. No further questions, Mr. Chair. Great answers. Thank you, Amy. Um, so everyone went uh at this time. Amy, we're going to put you on hold and we're going to go to the next candidate. Um, in in no order, the next candidate is Rebecca Zitamore. Uh, Rebecca, when you have an opportunity, if you could unmute and um address us. I know you I can see you're working on it. Take your time. Can you hear me? I can. How are you today? Good evening.

Good to see you, Mrs. Zitmore. Welcome to our meeting. Um, it's great to see you. Um, I would ask you, uh, to please, uh, introduce yourself to the board. Give us a quick, you know, quick summary of who you are and what you're doing, you know, what you're, you know, how long you've been in Rena, uh, maybe some of your relevant experience and why you think you'd be a good candidate for us, um, on this committee. and then I'll turn it over to the other uh board members.

Yeah. Well, thank you for the opportunity to all of you. Um I am a 32-year resident of uh Rentham, so I've seen um a lot in my 32 years being here. And um I think that the background that I bring is um just a a residential knowledge of uh how the real estate market and how the how the housing market has changed over the years as well as being as you all know pretty pretty involved in in the town um commissions committees um and steering committees in the past. Um, so I think that the probably the two most relevant commissions or committees that I've that I've worked on that have to do with housing um are the master plan steering commit committee uh the vision of tomorrow for two 2030 um which did uh you know have a a very large residential housing um section to it and I was very active in that commission. Um and um previous to that I had been very involved in zoning uh for village A and village B. Um and that taught me a lot about zoning, about um town planning. It taught me about uh infrastructure limitations. Um, so I got um a very good background in uh all of the the ways that those pieces have to work together in the master plan and working on that master plan steering committee. Currently I'm the uh chair of the economic development commission. I think that you all know that and um I believe that housing and economic development go hand in hand. Um I think that it's important to make sure that there is a a consistency between those making sure that the goals of housing support the economic development and

vice versa. So, um I think all of all of the infrastructure plans that go along with that along with the zoning and um the other planning board tasks go go hand inand with with the housing development because we need uh everything to kind of work together simultaneously. Um somebody brought up in the in in the last interview that there is a steep learning curve. I do think that I have zoning experience. I have planning board experience or planning planning board experience from listening to many many meetings um with Mr. Mcnite as the chair um and several of the previous members that had a vast wealth of knowledge um including uh Mr. Skinner um and other members of that board that um that were incredibly knowledgeable and just listening and listening to that over the years has really helped me understand zoning and planning uh a lot better. So, um I think um I also grew up with a mother that's a real estate agent and I have this uh this love of uh uh housing kind of real estate and understanding what's going on in the market. So, that's just my personal my personal interest. Um and um obviously I'm on the disability commission, so I am looking at housing and and and special access to for other folks uh with with disabilities and other challenges in town.

Okay. Thank you very much, uh, Rebecca. Appreciate that. I'm going to turn it over to the other, uh, board members to ask any questions, starting with select moth. And don't let them scare you. We're not going to make you work 40 hours a week. Rebecca, uh, I may be on the board and I may have been rent for 42 years. Ah, but by golly, you have such a great resume and active involvement in this town and far exceed anything I could ever have offered or will ever offer. So, um, I have no questions. God bless you and thank you for all your service. Thank you.

Okay. Um, let's go to Selectman Harrington.

Thank Mr. Chair. Uh, nice to see you, Becca. that's, you know, appreciate obviously all you do with all the committees that you're on and the things that you've been involved with and will continue to be involved with. Uh, where do you see yourself regarding um I don't want to use the term affordable, but um mixeduse housing and, you know, maybe smaller home development type of thing. Uh, ADUs. Um well I I think that you know I I go to um the previous candidates's points which I do agree with. the development uh was very clear in what what the Retham residents wanted was development in downtown. Um so I support the mixed use and the you know residential diversity downtown um and um over in you know perhaps the Route One corridor also um with um mixeduse uh development there. Um I do um also appreciate that folks, you know, want to, you know, keep rent rural in some in a lot of ways. So I do think that that that mixed use can be targeted or in the mis mixed residential use, whether it be um uh for lowincome or disabled. um can be targeted to areas that could benefit them to be able to walk and uh shop and live and and do things within the walking distance of town. I think that's very important. Um and um ADUs, I think um you know, we haven't, as far as I know from Rachel, working with Rachel, we haven't seen a lot of ADU um uh building yet in the in the in the town. But um I do think that that op that that does open up the

opportunities for seniors to have an alternate um living situation um or bring younger younger folks to town that would um be able to avo. I do think that we don't we don't have enough um housing for younger for younger uh folks that would like to stay in town. Thank you. Good questions. Good answers. And uh last but not least, oh no, two more. Did uh Anderson, sorry, Jimmy, apologize.

Yeah, Mr. Chair. So So first of all, I've known Rebecca for for a number of years. She's been on a lot of uh commissions and committees in town. She's got a great working knowledge um with what with the town needs and her introduction um and her knowledge is just vast. So I've got no further questions. Great. Uh, select woman Rouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Rebecca, good to see you and thank you for providing such a great introduction and again all of your experiences, time and services to the town. Um, you certainly have the the tenure here, right, with 32 years. I' I'd love to hear your perspective on um you know as as you look to the you know the next 5 10 15 years what what's your vision and how you see housing in rent them when we're seeing uh you know so many demands for increased housing and and um trying to provide housing for all. Um how what's your vision on on what where you'd like to see rent them stand in that area? Well, I think we have to look at Rentham's needs. First of all, I I think that Rentham's needs are our number one priority. And while there may be um there may be a lot of uh pressure or there might be outside influences that want us to build um a lot of housing. Um I'm not saying that a lot of housing is um a bad thing in certain communities. our community uh does have limitations and mostly those limitations from over the years of my experience are infrastructural uh limitations too. I mean we have um we have a lack of water in West Rena which we know we're trying to solve but that's also an 8 to9 million price tag for all of us. Um we have lack of um infrastructure in you know by the lakes. We have you know we have a we have a downtown where anybody can go to the gavl and know we have a lack of infrastructure on a Saturday night um by the by the smell that's down there. So I think we have to control growth and not overburden the the town um as well as being mindful of what the residents have

asked for in our master plan and controlled growth. Um which again the first candidate had mentioned as well. I think that's that's probably our number one and most important priority. I would like to see housing for all. I just don't know that we can we can do that right away. If we are able to get state money, if we are able to figure out some of our infrastructure uh limitations, then um you know, I think that that will help us sustain growth through 2030 and and beyond. Excellent. Thank you. Appreciate that. No questions, Mr. Chair.

Okay. Great answers. Great questions. Last but certainly not least, Becca, we're going to have you go on pause for a second here. And last, but certainly not least, we're going to have uh David Plum. Um David, just like I did with everybody else, I want to welcome you. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule as well as throwing throwing your hat in the ring here. Please give us just a quick intro of who you are. Looks like you're another long-term resident, 29 years. Uh looks like you're a retired uh actuary. So, another smart guy we have with us, Steve. a lot of smart men and women uh way smarter than me uh on this on this call this evening. So, very nice to have you. David, give us a quick little intro and I'll pass it over to the board members for follow-up questions.

Thanks, Chris. Uh I first want to say that I think that Amy and Rebecca will be perfect for this committee. Absolutely perfect. Uh I don't have the same kind of background that they have in housing, but as an actuary, I was the in charge of the u long-term care product development and pricing for the long-term Carolina business at John Hancock. And then unfortunately, I was also in charge of explaining to the states why we needed to change our rates on our enforced policies and getting their approval for billions of dollars worth of revenue for the company. Uh after I retired about six years ago, I started volunteering for the Red Cross. Uh mostly that's now. I started off with feeding at the food bank, but I sort of transitioned to uh sheltering and home fires, you know, responding to home fires in the middle of the night. And uh gone through four different uh sheltering deployments so far. And I I know that this committee isn't all about affordable housing, but I'm sure that's a big part of it. And I know that's been a really big growing problem in basically almost all the whole country, but certainly in Massachusetts. I'm not sure if it's a big problem in Boston or in Rethm or not, but I know in Massachusetts it is. And I think that I'd be very interested in finding out what the what the barriers are to building enough affordable housing. And I think that would involve discussions with builders among other people. But certainly having builders in the room on that, they would probably be able to explain why, you know, why the cost of housing is so high or why more housing isn't being built. And uh other than that, yeah, 29 years in Rentham, live in West Rentham and

love it here. Both kids graduated from King Phillip High. It's a great city and I just wouldn't want to be available if there was ever a need for, you know, for the town and anything that I can help out with. Appreciate appreciate that, Dave. Uh and appreciate the kind words uh about Becca and Amy. Um, I'm I'm not suggesting one way or the other, but if it's not this committee, I would strongly encourage you to get involved because you're a wealth of knowledge and we could use you in many areas in town. Um, so yeah, thanks for being here with us. I'm going to pass it over to uh, Select Limoff.

Well, just going to echo what you just said, uh, chairman. U, there are a number of positions that will be opening up in June and being posted. And please, if you don't get this position, all of you, please take a look at what's what's available. We we need good people and you are all good people. Um, again, same type of question. It appears you're retired. That's great. You have plenty of time. This is going to require a a great learning uh curve. probably some reading and some bedtime books on policy procedures and planning um for our town. Um I I just want to know if if you're really up for that.

Yeah. 10 years ago, I would say absolutely not. But after being retired for six years, yeah, I got the time. Okay. And and desire. Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Mr. Chair. The floor is go on to uh thank you select with the uh selectman Harrington.

Thank you Mr. Chair. So uh similar question you know obviously your resume is you know impressive um no no question about that but a similar question. What would your vision be for housing mixed use for the town? Yeah, you know, I'm I'm not an expert and I don't have the background that both Amy and Rebecca have in terms of the issues for housing in Rethm, but I think identifying what the issues are. I don't even know what the issues are to be honest with you. I would just ask to uh to put my my head in the ring, but I think finding out what the issues are and then having groups of smart people working together to solve them, including all stakeholders like residents and uh and builders and I'm sure there's a lot more, you know, people in the obviously in the uh town council, people who are, you know, coming up with the zoning laws and all that kind of stuff. Oh, you're all set. Okay. Uh, Selectman Anderson.

Yeah. So, David, I want to thank you for uh for stepping up, applying for this position. Um, I appreciate people that are willing to spend time in the town, but I've got no specific questions for you. So, good luck tonight. Okay. Thank you. And, uh, select uh, Select Woman Rouse. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Very nice to meet you, David. Um, you know, similar to what I asked Becca, in terms of being here for 29 years, what do you see your vision for the housing um market and rent them for like the next 5, 15, 20 years? Challenges or your vision associated with that? Um, yeah, I don't think I can really articulate a vision on that.

Okay. But like I said before that I think, you know, we have a lot of smart people in this town and we should be able to figure out any problems that that we encounter. Okay, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.

All right. Thank you for that, David. Um, so at this time, um, I think we've interviewed, uh, all the candidates. We've interviewed, uh, from this from this evening, Amy Jones, Becca Zitmore, David Plum, and then from last time, um, we interviewed Craig Garcia, Crystal Burrows, and Michael John's. Again, I'm seeing a theme here uh of highly qualified people, whether they're policy experts or not, David, I don't care. You're a very intelligent individual. Uh and it's very it's very uh clear to us that that's the case. So, like my select board members said, if it's not this committee, I strongly encourage you to get involved um because I think you'd be a wealth of knowledge and information um and one of those smart people that get into a room and figure stuff out. Um Uh yeah, and and it's the truth. So, uh with that being said, our board has a difficult task ahead of us. Mike King, can you confirm that our job this evening is to pick three of these amazing six candidates?

Uh that that is correct, Mr. Chairman. And when when you choose to do so, I recommend um moving to tab number 11 and notifying the public that you're changing agenda items.

Okay. So, um, what I'm going to do, that's why I have you here. Like, what I'm going to do is we're gonna, uh, we're going to move per our a town manager's request, I think we're done with the current, uh, tab, interview tab, which is tab number 10. Now that we finished that public, we're going to move to tab number 11 and we're going to go to the appointment section of this. And as I started to say, we have uh these eligible candidates, Amy Jones, Michael Jones, Becca Zitmore, Crystal Burrows, David Plum, Craig Garcia, and we need to make one, two, three separate motions. Uh if yes, he's shaking his head. Yes. Three separate motions. Um and uh you know, I'd like to uh yo ask my fellow board members um if anyone would like to start with a motion.

Mr. Chair. Yep. Yep. Through you. Uh We we select three, but is there any room on this on this um committee for associate members? Let's ask Michael King. Great question. The committee was not set up with associate members, but these will be public meetings that can be attended. Okay. Thank you. So, so Mr. Chair. Yeah. And if you I have no issue if you want to give us what you're thinking for three and then you can we'll do three separate you know just so the board has an understanding and then we'll do three separate motions.

So Mr. Chair, just so I get this right. Do you want me do you want me to give you my three candidates or do one at a time? Um Mike, what do you recommend? Should we just do one at a time or have him tell us what he's thinking for three and then we can discuss as needed and then he can do his three separate motions? So that I would I would recommend that the that each motion be done separately, but you can have a general discussion of each me if if selectman Anderson wants to put out the three that he's thinking about and get some feedback from other members, he can. I'm okay with that. Go right ahead, Jim.

Okay. So So Mr. here. So, based on tonight's interviews and and our interviews two weeks ago, I I would make a recommendation for uh Rebecca Zitmore, Amy Jones, and Craig Garcia. Okay, I think those are that's a very fair recommendations. Um what you want do let's discuss it as a board. See if anyone has any comment on those before we do formal motions. I I would agree with you. I think those are three fantastic recommendations. Um, Roy Select Lamoth, raise your hand.

I uh in agreement on Rebecca Zitmore, Craig Garcia, but I like Michael John Mike John's. Okay. Um, anyone else have any feedback or comments? Yeah, Mr. Chair, I have uh Craig Garcia, Crystal Barrows, and Amy Jones. Okay. Um, select select woman Rouse, do you have any feedback before I go to the specific motions? Um, first of all, very difficult process. Yes. Six excellent candidates. Yes.

Really focused on um their perspectives on on understanding Runam, the housing market, their visions, how they see this working and their position. Um, for me, Craig Garcia, um, Rebecca Zitmire, and Amy Jones.

Okay. So, it's similar to Anderson, I think. Okay. Um, all right. So, let's go ahead then. Um, and I would I you agree with everybody. Uh but my personal view um is especially based on Dave Plum's recommendation. I would agree that uh uh and he's fantastic by the way, but I would agree personally. I think that uh Becca Zitmore, Amy Jones, and Craig Garcia would represent the the town very very well. Um so those would be my three candidates as well. Um so it sounds like we're close. So, I'm going to go ahead uh and ask Select Mannison uh to start with his motions and we'll see if the board we can get uh you know we can get a majority on each one.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I'd like to make a motion to appoint Rebecca Zurmore to the housing production plan standing committee for a term effective immediately expiring June 30th, 2027. Second. I'll second that. All right. So, there was a motion made by select Anderson, a second by selectman. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Um, selectman uh, sorry, selectman Gallows, yes. Select Moth, yes. Selectman Harrington, yes. Selectman Anderson, yes. Select woman Rouse, yes.

Okay. Uh, motion carries 50. Becca Zitmore, you're appointed to the housing production plan steering committee for a term effective immediately and expiring on June 3rd, 30th, 2027. Um, you need to get sworn in, right, Mike? Okay. Get sworn in with town clerk and fisk. All right. You're very welcome, Becca. Thank you. All right. Motion number two, selectman Anderson. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, motion to appoint Craig Garcia to the housing production plan standing committee for a term effective immediately expiring June 30th, 2027. Is there a second? Second. A motion made by Select Manison, second by Cele. Any further discussion? We'll do a roll call vote. Sele.

Yes. Anderson. Anderson. G. Yes. Harington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Uh, please let uh Craig know. Um, he needs to uh get sworn in, Mr. King. If that's okay. We we will re reach out and notify him, Mr. Chairman. Okay. And last but not least, motion number three, Selectman Anderson. Yeah, Mr. Chair, motion to appoint Amy Jones to the housing production plan steering committee for a term effective immediately expiring June 30th, 2027. I'll second that.

Okay. Motion made by Select Nison, second by Sele Rouse. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Sele Anderson. Anderson, yes. Harrington. Harrington, yes. Lamoth, let's go for it. Yes.

And Gallo. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. I want to thank all of my select board members. I want to thank all the applicants. We really did have six incredible candidates. Thank you so much. Thank you for your involvement and love for our town. Uh we'll make sure this uh this group of people keeps rent beautiful. Thank you so much. Um all right, let's move on. We still have a lot to go. Uh so at this time we're going to go uh into tab number 12. So tab number 12 we have the town meeting warrant. We're going to get an update on the town meeting warrant. Uh we have documentation in our town meeting packet uh presentation from planning board chair Tom Maloney. So Tom is with us this evening to discuss um the planning board warrant articles. We thought it'd be helpful to have him do a high level presentation for us this evening and then open it up for questions. Um, Mr. Maloney, you here sir? Good to see you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Happy to be with you. All right. Happy to have you. So, um, could you please uh give the board a highlevel uh update and overview of the planning board sponsored articles? We're making we're sharing the screen and we're bringing up a presentation for you right now.

Uh, thank you. Uh thank you Chairman Gallow and on behalf of the planning board we do appreciate the invitation uh to uh to talk with you tonight about four articles that have been that'll be on the upcoming warrant uh all of which were uh endorsed unanimously by the planning board uh in our public hearing of April 1st which was a continuation of the public hearing that began on March 4th. So, we met and discussed these matters uh these articles uh twice and voted unanimously to endorse all four of them. I do see Chuck Woodhams I think is on with us tonight as well. And I was happy to see my uh my former uh colleague Mr. Mcnite here. He gave a a great presentation. So, and uh but anyway, thank you very much. Uh so, what we're doing here and Amanda, thank you very much for helping out with this uh with this presentation. what you're going to look at, what we're going to look at here, Mr. Chairman, is the the presentation, at least a draft of the presentation we plan to give at town meeting. We might move a few things around. Um, but but this is pretty much what you're going to see. Um, we'll be talking about uh on the agenda before town meeting zoning amendments 101, the Route One district, and uh the ADU bylaw, and the retail business B1 and B2 strategy. So, the four articles, let's see here. Go ahead, Amanda. Well, there's a little bit here on zoning amendments 101. Most of you you all probably know most of this material anyway. So, if you have any questions about what you're seeing here, by all means, ask me. But if not, we'll move on to the actual proposals. Okay, we know that the voting threshold in zoning amendments is 2/3 except where the proposals pertain to housing in which case it's a simple majority.

All right. Thank you, Amanda. Article 19 on the warrant deals with uh the addition of a certain commercial use to two districts. The districts are C1N and C1S. And what those refer to two districts that that lie along Route One. Okay? And the N is north and the S is south. And the cutoff line is just north of Thirsten Street. So these exo these zones already exist and have existed for a while. What we discovered, we had a we had a uh an owner come before us who owns a a piece of land in in C1N and he would like to build and operate a selfservice storage facility and we discovered in looking over um the usage chart which is very important in knowing uh that there is no self-servage self-service storage facility mentioned or allowed in either of those two districts. There are other kinds of warehouse uses but not specifically the kind where you bring your stuff in and put it into a an empty space. So uh we uh want we are going to ask town meeting to add that usage selfservice storage facility uh to zones C1N and C1S. I might add also that the selfservice storage I have a real tough time saying it Chris selfservice storage facility is a low impact use you know if you if you've seen these things on the highway there's one in Foxboro uh north of the stadium uh and there's one in planeville you don't see many cars going in there I mean the whole purpose of these things is for you to take all the stuff out of your house put it in there and never go back so that's what they're so there it's a low impact usage we think it's wise to add that usage to the table for those two zones.

The article 20 deals with sort of tidying up the accessory dwelling unit bylaw, I guess, or or bringing bringing the language in our bylaw, which we passed last year, uh, into conformity with the state. Uh, as you as you know, zoning bylaws and zoning bylaw amendments have to be reviewed by the attorney general. Uh in this case, uh the AG basically approved our um our amended um accessory dwelling unit bylaw revision, but did suggest and Mike King perhaps you can correct me on the verb. I'm saying suggested. It could be um required or commanded. I'm not sure. The AG wants us to change the language a little bit and we're going to bring that revised language to town meeting. Couple of things in particular here. Um, in our existing bylaw, we suggest that accessory dwelling units can only be added to single family properties. Uh, they can in fact be added to one, two, and three unit properties. That's how the state wants it to be. So, we've made that change. Uh and um there is some changes pertaining to pre-existing non-conforming uses primarily dealing with the shifting of authority more of the authority from the volunteer boards to the property owners and bringing the ZBA uh into into the picture for the purpose of approval rather than a special permit. That's number 20. Uh numbers 21 and 22. There a lot of slides here on this. Um, let's see. Um, we'll just give you a quick overview here what we're deal what we're doing. We have a a property owner on South Street. Okay. The area we're going to be dealing with I'm sorry, let me back up a little bit. We're deal we're proposing to change the zoning on South Street from Wampam Corner down to Route 495 on the westerly side. That is

to say on the right as you head toward the outlets. Okay. It's all currently zoned R43. We are proposing to change uh the strip between Wampam Corner down about a half to two/ird of the way to the highway from R43 to B1 business one and the remainder from that boundary line down to route 495 to B2 which is a slightly heavier uh business usage. All right. And so we have we have quite a few slides here. Mikey, tell me how much of this you want me to go through. I'm happy to happy to take our take our time here. You guys have been out here for two hours, but I'm my time is yours here, sir.

Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I'll uh I'll answer that, Tom. Okay. I would say I think a highlevel uh summary of it is perfect. And then when you open it up for questions and answers, if the board has specific questions they want to dive a little deeper on, um our board's not shy. They'll definitely do that.

Okay. Very good. you have the language I'm sure somewhere for these two uh these two amendments 21 and 22 uh maybe if we can go to number eight uh what's not changing um you see some of the description of B1 and B2 zoning uh it will allow for business usages along that strip of road where currently you have uh completely residential we do have one property owner down if you look at that sort of shrimp bisque colored dark pink down there sort of um adjacent to the purple that's going to be the B2 zone. And we have a property owner indicated by the three black asterisks of a 10acre parcel who does have an idea for a business that he wants to include. Uh, and it's a it's a sort of a it's it's a um he um he outfits containers like container truck containers and then transports them to a site for usage for for whatever use his client wants to make of it. Uh one uh local or very nearby usage is down at um an unlikely story where they've used one of these containers that made one of them into what's going to be a beer garden down there. So, uh, and then at the front of the property, he wants to have, um, light retail, for example, a Panera Bread or Dunkin Donuts. And so, in order to accommodate there, we are going to add a couple of uses to the usage table there in the B2 zone. So, that's where you see the pink, the darker pink. And then, uh, as we move up, I said targeted reszoning here on option one. We considered two options. One is just the B2 and the other is B2 plus B1. And in the end, we decided to break them out into two separate articles. But the B2, you can see the um what we're trying to do here. We're

adding light manufacturing, fast food, restaurant, and takeout restaurant to the usage chart of B2. And that zone now will be B2 rather than R4. Is it confusing enough, Mr. Chairman? I can make it more so if you like. No, I mean I listen I I love this stuff. So, uh, not confusing. I think you're doing a great job. I would just say let's, uh, you keep doing it. You're doing a great job. But I think, um, it's a great presentation thus far, Tom. Thank you.

Very good. Okay. So, that's fine, Amanda. Keep going. That's fine. What would this would allow under B2 with requested additions? We had focused modernization with limited geographic expansion, additional flexibility at select locations, moderate scale commercial activity. the MA it's a maximum of 25,000 uh uh gross floor area in any of the buildings. Uh there are setback requirements of 100 ft in a B2 zone rather than 50 ft in B1. Uh there is an increased traffic potential and important point here uh any any proposal any application subject to special permit and site plan review standards exercised by the planning board. The next slide will show you um the um a schematic and an artist's rendering of the proposed uh business that that owner to whom I referred uh would like to put was considering or putting or considering applying to be put down in the B2 zone. You see at the front it's a couple of buildings that might hold a cleaner or a small restaurant. And in the back though is where his his operating facility for his uh container business will be.

Sounds good.

All right. And then in option two, we simply what we decided to do is to take a look at the rest of that corridor. And you can see in the lighter pink now once we get beyond the black asterisks. Okay. Right there. You see we're moving up now toward Wampam Corner. And you can see at the top of the map the B1 up there at the top. You see that? That's already zone B1 up there with the CVS and the Commonwealth of Barbecue. Um and then and then and then between that and then right after that you come down with the with the light pink. It's currently zoned residential. We are proposing to change the zoning to B1, a lighter usage than B2. Okay. You can see that the maximum gross floor area for a building in B1 is 15,000 square ft. The maximum height is 2 and a half stories. The residential buffer is 50 ft. And um it tends to draw smaller businesses. The lots that are already there are kind of small. Some are narrow. It's really hilly and rocky. We don't know how much development we're going to get there, but we would like to give those people, the owners of those properties, the opportunity uh to to uh to do something else with them besides residential. So this so for the owners of properties, it's a second use. They are grandfathered in currently at residential, but they may, if they wish, do something else. Okay.

Uh let's see. Okay, Amanda, we'll move on to the next one. Um, let's go to the one right after this one, Amanda, if you don't mind. There's a lot of words on that. There we go. Two different scales of business between B1 and B2. Okay. Retail business neighborhood scale is B1. Retail business community scale is is B2. B2 is a little heavier. That's why we're doing it down closer to Route 495. What you have down there now is just three or four homes that have probably not been lived in for decades. You're never going to get any more residential development down there because when the zoning bylaw was created, there was no interstate highway, but there is now. And you just it's very unlikely you would ever get residential. If that were the case, you would have had it by now. So, we're converting the usage for that that property, which by the way includes some stateowned property right in the elbow of the highway. Uh we're converting it all to B2. B1 is is from the boundary of the B2 zone all the way up to W quarter where it will join the existing B1 in the uh in the corner and you can see examples of the types of businesses you might expect in B1 versus B2. Yeah, that's okay, Amanda. We keep going. Thank you. The planning rationale coming out of the um master plan. You can see some of these are a little small, but uh some of the goals we have here to support walking and biking and uh leverage the public and private infrastructure improvements and we had some these are certain considerations that we had to take into account when we had when we held our public hearing. What we decided to do, Mr. Chairman, just to get back to the beginning of the conversation, we decided to offer town meeting two

uh reasonzoning proposals. Um we considered saying, look, let's do this whole this whole thing is B2 or let's do it. Let's do one article with B2 in here and B1 there. And in the end, and it was Mr. Woodham's idea, said, why don't we break it into two articles? Here's where the B2 would be. Yes or no? Here's where the B1 would be. Yes or no? The next slide we see some FAQs and I call your attention to the first one. Mr. Chairman, does zoning reszoning force me to change my property use? No. Does not force me to do that. Will this increase my taxes? No. Does resoning force me to change my property? No.

Those are great. Okay. Okay. And there's a list of the parcels that'll be available too at town meeting. You know, just cover all the bases. Fantastic. Uh Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for the Is that okay? So, that is the end of the present. That's the end of the presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions, Mr. Chairman.

So, I just want to thank you and the and the the whole planning board. Uh you guys do a great job. Um you know, we're really lucky to have you. You're you know, you're the front lines uh of keeping Rentham at that, you know, incremental growth that everyone uh most of the residents want. keep renting them beautiful the way we all love it. Thank you for that. Um, and we also understand that, you know, we do need development unless all of us want our taxes to continue to go up. So, I think you and the board are doing a fantastic job. Please make sure the board knows that. Um, the only qu and that was a great presentation by the way. Uh, Chairman Maloney, the only question I have before I open it up to the board members is um I agree with everything that you presented tonight. I think it's a great idea. Why why are we only doing it doing it on one side of the road? Why wouldn't we kind of mirror that on the other side of the road as well?

That's a great question. The other side of that road, if you you drive down there tomorrow if you get a chance, it's it's it's all residential. You've got the Wenog Condos there. You've also got a big development going on now where they where we the developer new owner cut out the mountain and they're they're dirt farming at at the moment and they're planning to do they're planning some sort of a proposal which at the moment is planned to be residential. We kind of like that idea anyway. So it it's a more established and rooted uh residential strip along there. Not to say it's someday we don't do the same thing on the other side, but but we kind of like it the way it is is the best answer I can give you, sir. No, it makes sense. I get it. All right. Thanks for that. Uh, Mr. Chairman, this time we're going to open it up to the board. See if anyone has any questions or comments. Um, starting with, uh, Selectoman Rouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Tom, thank you for that, uh, thoughtful and informative presentation. It contains some great information. No further questions at this time. Black man. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Tom, good to see you tonight. Um just a quick question like prior to town meeting, how are you getting this information out to the public?

Um well uh I'll work with uh with um Mr. King on that in the next few weeks. I mean we have had public hearings per the per the the statute. Um we'll have to talk about the media at on site uh in the next couple of week. But we we we do want to be ready. I mean, we're coming here to ask for your support on these. Of course, that's one thing we're doing and your your your meetings are watched by more than any other board. So, uh but uh more to come on that if that's okay, sir.

Yeah. I I just know from experience that with um at town meeting, especially with zoning changes, um if people haven't seen it ahead of time, you know, they they tend to not want to vote that way. Okay. Thank you. Okay. No. Appreciate it. Good feedback, Select Manis. So, let's make sure we get that out. Um, yeah. Uh, so, um, great, great. Uh, Selectman Harrington. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks, Tom. Nice to see you. Uh, is that presentation available? Did you email that to us through you, Mr. Chair? I would refer that to Mr. Kane in the packet. It is in your packet.

The whole presentation was in it in the revised. Yes. Oh, okay. All right. Okay. Great. Thank you. Because I'd like to look at it more carefully. Some nice easy reading before bed tonight, Bill. Yeah, I'm gonna Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Selectman Lamoth. Hey, Tom. Thank you for the for the presentation. Uh, how many acres are involved in B1 and B2?

Well, the the um I'm not sure. We'll have to calculate it. I can tell you that the that the parcel that that is under consideration or where we have an applicant who ready to come forward is about 10.3 acres where those black asterisks are. But it's that entire strip of road and it goes back probably 150 to 200 feet. So it's maybe three four times that right in total. Yeah. Yeah. Probably probably more than three or four times. Yes. Yeah. I'd say I'd say well more than three or four times that. Yeah.

Yeah. No. Um, next question might be, does our town manager have a potential tax benefit that the town may gain from this over the long term that he could use to influence the voters? Mr. Chairman, Mr. King, Mr. King, uh, so to to answer the question that the town utilizes a split tax rate. Um so you know bringing in additional commercial growth um with you know limited impact on town services is a benefit to the taxpayer

but we couldn't give the taxpayers some number how it might improve our tax collections. I cannot because unless we have an approved project that we know a lot of the credentials and valuation on what that would be uh which will go before the board of assessors. So, we're well well ahead of what that would look like, but we know it's a good thing. But Roy, we know the commercial tax rate is Mike. The current commercial tax rate is what 13? What is it? Uh, I'd have to pull it up, but it it is it is significantly higher than the residential rate.

I want to say it's like 12 and 17 or something. So, and don't quote me on that. Let's get the exact number. Uh, so please don't don't anyone write that down or cable, don't quote me. But per Mike King's point, having a split tax rate does a substantial uh and listen, we need to we need to continue this diversified tax base. We always talk about slow incremental growth uh especially that doesn't drain the services. These don't have kids going to the schools. These don't have, you know, uh utilization of ambulances for the most part. Uh you know, it's it's uh you know, not a lot of police and fire calls after hours. Um, so there's just a a significantly less uh drain on resources um than strict residential.

So, Mr. Chairman, I can confirm the tax rates. Um, 1167 residential, commercial, 1689. There you go. $5 difference. $5 difference. Um, so great question, Selecman Lamoth. Any further before I move on? No, all set. Thank you.

Did everyone go? I'm going backwards and forwards. Yeah, I think all the board members had an opportunity to speak. So, uh, Chairman Maloney, I just want to thank you again for a great presentation. Um, I, you know, I support this. Uh, you know, I know Mike, they're looking for, uh, uh, support from the select board. Is that an individual perspective or, uh, as a board? And how would we do that vocally? How would we do that, Mike King?

Yeah. So, at this point, you know, the planning board submitted these articles to be on the warrant, right? And generally speaking, if it's a timely submittal, the the select board would put forward a uh an article on the warrant by the planning board. Um, in terms of, you know, the select board, you know, you have the ability at town meeting to to speak on behalf of any article just as any other resident at town meeting. Beautiful. Um, so yeah, I can tell you from what I'm hearing, I don't want to speak for the board. I'm only one member, but I think these are, you know, very good additions to the zoning, Mr. Maloney. Um, so appreciate your time and we'll look forward to um seeing those articles uh in the final warrant.

Thanks to all of you. We appreciate the invitation again and we appreciate your support and we'll see you on the floor. Was it June 1st, right? Yeah. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. All right. Thank you. Moving on. Let's get let's um wrap this up. We have a discussion tab 13. So you you all will remember at the last uh meeting we had a very robust presentation from our town manager Mike King on the budget. Uh very well done uh very detailed um you know highlighted the fiscal responsibility of the community uh led by uh this board and town manager king and his staff. Um, we wanted to put that back on the budget uh just as a followup tonight with a formal vote from this board of appro uh hopefully of approval on the on the May 6th meeting. If that's correct, Mr. King, please confirm. We'll be looking for a vote on the May 6th meeting.

Uh May 5th, Mr. Chair, sorry, May 5th. See, that's why I have you. May 5th meeting. Um, so again, for now, we just wanted to put the the budget uh back on uh the agenda to see if anyone had any follow-up questions. Mike, uh I know that yourself, myself, and select Lamoth have a meeting uh later this week. I believe it's Thursday, uh to discuss some budgetary questions. Uh besides that, can you update the board on any other um you know, questions you've received or I believe you had a meeting with Fincom last night if I'm not mistaken as well?

Uh yes, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Um, so last evening I I met with the finance committee where the budget was wellreceived and follow-up questions were addressed. Um, so the finance committee just for the edification of the select board will continue its review of the budget on May 4th. Um, and we'll hold the public hearing on the budget on May 18th which is in accordance with the town charter. Um, the select board as just referenced is scheduled to adopt an FY27 budget at its next meeting on May 5th. um as the charter requires um that the select board adopt budget within 30 days of the town manager's budget submitt and the May 5th date meets that 30-day requirement.

Fantastic. Any additional questions for town manager king on the budget while we have them? Shaking heads? No. Okay, we're going to move on to the next topic. The next item is tab 14, public comment. Residents who wish to participate in public comment will be allotted two minutes to speak and must state their name and address for the record. We ask that you also put your camera on if possible. Um at the start of comment, a timer will be sent via message from Amanda Vazipol. It should be visible on the top of the screen and an alarm will shine when time is up. This time we open it up for public comment and we'll give it a few seconds, few minutes. about few seconds. Five, four, 3, two, one. Okay. Uh, next we're going to go to tab 15, town manager report. We turn it back over to you, Tom Manager King.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, so I do have a a sweat park update. Um, so there was a root treatment, root treatment at a sweat park recently that has been completed to help ensure that the sycamore trees remain healthy following the recent park renovations. Um, residents may have noticed some soil disruption around the trees as part of this work. Uh, we are currently planning on a follow-up treatment in the spring as recommended. Um, update on the Eversource project. So Eversource has begun work on Denim Street. Um the area is currently reduced to one lane of traffic and the work is anticipated throughout the summer with an estimated completion uh the week of September 7th. Um residents should plan for possible delays. Uh want to note that the town of Refam has been redd designated by the state of Massachusetts as a housing choice community in recognition of the town's efforts to support housing production including permitting new housing units over the past 5 years. Um, this designation provides the town with access to the housing choice grant program and additional consideration in other participating state grant programs such as the recently awarded park grant which is supporting the pavilion at the Rice Complex. Uh, we recently um had a retirement at the police department, Lieutenant Michael Robelard. He is going to be retiring on May 1st. Um, a retirement send off was held this past Friday in recognition of his 31 years of dedicated service to the police department. We wish him well in his retirement. Um, and lastly, I just wanted to uh thank the the landscape committee landscape committee uh chaired by Selena Zabrski along with the students from the league school for their ongoing efforts to beautify the downtown area. Um, their recent work has included placing wood chip mulch in the downtown parking lot and cleaning up numerous mulch beds. Um, they have contributed many hours on behalf of the Refle community and just wanted to thank them.

And that concludes my update, Mr. Chair. Well said. Uh, looks beautiful down there and it's a lot of hard work. Um, anyone have any questions or comments for our town manager before I end this marathon meeting uh by turning it over to Select Man? No questions or comments. So before I turn it to select Mannison, I will tell you all that I appreciate this board. Appreciate uh this meeting. It was a long meeting. We try not to have these every so often, but sometimes it's out of our control. Appreciate everyone's willingness to uh just put the time in uh and do what's best for the town. So thank you all very much for uh another great meeting. And at this time, Select Man, the floor is yours, sir.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, good job everybody tonight. And uh with your permission, Mr. Chair, motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? Okay, there's a motion made by selectman Anderson. Second by select woman Rouse. Any further discussion being none, we will do a roll call vote. Uh selectwoman Rouse, yes. Anderson definite. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Have a great night, everybody. Night.