Select Board - Regular Meeting

Today is Monday, 04/27/2026. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I do want to let you know this meeting is live on McCann. It is also being recorded this evening for future viewing. And anything first, we're going to do the minutes from 04/13/2026.

I would like to take a motion to approve those minutes. So moved. Sarto. Discussion on the Board? Hearing none. All those in favor?

Aye.

Chair votes aye. All right. Sorry, don't have an agenda in front of me. All right. Next on the agenda, we are going to yes, see if there are any announcements and or recognitions from the board. Mentioned

it, I read, I don't have the pamphlet in front of me, But May 2 is we're having a veterans or a celebration of America's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary on the Town Hall 1. And do you have the information with you? Yes. I I have your number. Please. Thank you.

Paula Faye. And actually I'm going to start before that because on May 2 COA is having the annual breakfast starting at eight from eight to eleven at the COA.

I believe it's Friends of Yeah,

it's the Friends of the Mineral Barrel Friends is who it is that runs that one. Starting at eight going into eleven at the COA on Plymouth Street. And then here on the town lawn, starting at ten, you're going to have a militia reenactment, so they'll be shooting the muskets and those kinds of good things there. Followed by Mary Standish doing her reenactment of Deborah Sampson. Followed by, there will be pizza available for the attendees. So, you're looking for some pizza and soda, that will take place. And then following that at 01:00, it's the National Gods Band is going to be here to perform. And I think that wraps up

next week. It's about a four hour celebration.

Yeah.

And, the veterans agent was very clear, the refreshments until they last.

That's exactly right.

As long as they last.

Yep. So if you're really hungry, get there early.

Thank you, Paula.

You're welcome. Thank you. Anyone else from the board? Anyone else from the public?

Good evening. Nancy Kefalis, just a concerned citizen. I wanted to make everyone aware that the Danny Duggan Fine Arts Fourth Annual Festival will be held February 2026 from four to 8PM at the Middleborough High School. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, On to new business. Letter A, vote to terminate the employment contract with the Director of Planning and Community Development effective 06/30/2026 pursuant to Article 11, Section A of that agreement.

So moved. Second.

Discussion? Madam Chair. Yes.

This is a recommendation due to the budget deficit that we're facing. The Director, Leanne Bradley, has served this town admirably for several years. Her institutional knowledge is excellent. However, we just can't afford that position right now. We're required to have a planner. So it is my recommendation to the Board based on labor council's review of our contract to buy it out. It's one of the it is the only contract in the town that has

a buyout

clause. My recommendation is to exercise that clause and to save that salary.

I'm going to go ahead and talk a little bit about some of the concerns regarding this. Set a little bit of a timeline so everyone can understand how this happened. So Joe had let us know that we were going to be terminating this contract and that the town could not afford the salary at that time. We were approached, I was approached by Ms. Bradley to see if there was a way for her to bump down, back down into the town planner position.

I don't have control. This board does not have control over that employment that would be done by the planning board. So I did let her know that it would have to be a discussion with that board as well. And I did also text the entire Select board individually and let them know that if they would like to discuss, we could do that. I did speak with a couple of them and some we did not talk about it.

But moving forward, every conversation that I had with labor counsel, with Mr. Perkins, and with Mr. Frawley on the planning board was all pursuant to each group having an agreement. There was no offer made. It was simply discussion so that we could potentially have that be the way it would be.

It's a very difficult place to be at, but it is also contractual and I was trying to get labor counsel advice throughout that. I think that there were members of the board who were frustrated that they weren't part of that process and I do apologize for that. It was not intentionally kept from anyone. Was trying to just make sure that the contract and that personnel matter be kept as confidential as possible in the interest of making sure she was protected. Ms.

Bradley did offer to step down as in this contract, she would have given up a $63,000 buyout if that were to have gone through. It did not go through, so we will be voting tonight to give her that $63,000 All of this was done in the best interest of Middleborough and that's all I just wanted to say about it. Anyone else has anything they'd like to say then? The Happy to

the text that I received which when you text a group of people you really can't you can't do that. It's not allowed. You can't have discussion. But the text said that you were gonna send Leanne a letter regarding her employment and contract if you had any questions. And my understanding was that her job was being eliminated and it was on the tenth, the April 10 agenda.

Didn't it got removed of you trying to do something else, which is I understand what you're trying to do. But I wasn't under the impression that you were trying to do something where you were trying to offer her another job or trying to work in a job. So in the future, it'd be nice to know exactly what it is and have a discussion at an open meeting with where we can all discuss it. And then we can all take a position whether or not we want to participate or not. Think that's the best way to do it. But the text message that was sent to me was very specific. It just said a letter was being sent and I thought it was the letter that would be terminating and buying out the contract. I wasn't in any way shape or form knowing that something else was going on. Thank you.

Okay. Anyone else?

Madam Chair.

Yes.

I did hear you say I apologize. So I take that as sincerity that it was being done not maliciously and not knowing that what Brian just stated. I also thought it might be a letter of the same, but and that's why I didn't really call because I thought it was a letter that was coming out just about the what we're doing today. But I will take it as a learning process, and we'll just go forward. Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I also accept your apology and moving forward. It's a difficult spot in that chair, and it's a lot to learn. So moving onward Thank and

you. I

think that we are all human beings and being chair of the supper is a huge learning curve And I think every chair deserves a mulligan. And with grace, thank you. Appreciate the apology. And we just move forward. Appreciate it. Thank you.

All right.

Absolutely. Madam Chair, I couldn't agree more. I appreciate that. Like you said, you you we're trying to do what's best for the town. I think that that's what we're all sitting here trying to do, I appreciate that very much. And we can we can move forward

as a group.

You. Appreciate it. Thank you. Else? Anyone in the audience?

Good evening. Nancy Kefalis, just a concerned citizen. Can you please tell me what that was about? Is that just about terminating the position or is that about the letter? I would just like clarification.

I'm sorry. I didn't

What we're talking about right now?

Yes. Talking about terminating the contract? Just termination, nothing more.

Right.

Correct. That's it.

Alright. I'll save the rest for public comment. Thank you. Okay. Alright.

Voting to terminate the contract. All those in favor?

Aye. Aye.

The chair votes aye. And thank you,

miss Madam Chair, I just wanna reiterate that this is a financial issue. It is should not be Leanne Bradley's service to the town is incredible, and this should not be taken as anything other than a financial decision. I want people to understand that.

Appreciate that. Was just gonna say to think or

I'm gonna say what Joe just said. It It is nothing I have the utmost respect for Leanne Bradley and what she's done for us. And I believe it's just a financial thing. We are in a tough situation. This is going to be a situation that a lot of people are going to be having their job taken care of also.

And this is just one, but all of the people that we're going to have to maybe let go or suspend or through retirement or attrition is going to be a difficult one. And it is something that I've said many times that Mr. Joe Perkins did not sign up for this and neither did any of us, but it is something that as a select board and as the finance committee and anybody that's involved with the town, it is a time that we should all stick together, get through this and I feel that the whole when this is all done and June 1 is finished, we will go and be bigger people than we are now. Thank you.

Madam Chair. Yes. I I feel like the town the town department heads have have done a lot of work, difficult work with Joe. Am I wrong, Joe? I mean, they No.

You're not wrong.

So I really I mean, I'm not going to give it all you all take a little credit away, give it to some of the department heads because it wasn't easy for them either. And when I think of Leanne, I think of the one thing I'll think about most is she probably saved us from the MBTA law. She was extremely responsible for a lot of that. So thank you.

Yes. Absolutely. Thank you. Alright. Moving on to

Excuse me, Mr. Chair. Please direct Jason to keep that he's in a meeting.

Jasper. Jasper.

Jasper.

Thank you. New Business Letter B, revisit discussion vote on a Class two automobile dealer license for Automedic LLC. This was on the agenda for a couple of weeks ago. We did ask for it to be moved as there was some clarification that needed to happen. If you'd like to come on up, we do have some information in front of us.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Can you state your name?

My name is Joe, last name Hana. I'm the owner of Auto Medic LLC.

Thank you.

So I'm trying to expand my business. Also as well, I've been in this town for a year. It's been the best year. I appreciate you guys welcoming me to this town. So I'm trying to expand the business to have a small dealership, which by appointment only, indoors only, which two to three cars the max.

All the parkings that you guys dedicated for customers only. No inventory is going to be done outside. No sales is going to be done outside, and all my customers will be only by appointments. So I could make sure that I'm not interfering with anybody's business within the plaza and everything is organized within the business. Thank you.

Madam Chair?

Yes.

Is it Joe? Correct. Joe, what time is your business going to be open?

From nine a. M. To seven p. M.

Till seven p. M.

Correct. But by appointment?

Correct, only by appointment. I do have a detail shop. So the detail shop will be from nine a. M. To seven p. M. The dealer part of it is only by appointments.

And you detail in stores also?

Correct.

Madam Chair? Yes. Three cars, do you have more space detailing?

Yes. So I do have two bays. The second bay is going to be dedicated to the dealership only. It's going to be like a showroom. The first bay where we're going to be doing all the auto detailing.

Excellent. That was my question because a lot of times if you don't know if this is going be outdoor, would there be enough space to put cars outside and then have areas for people who work there, but because it's a small parking lot. So being indoors, it's much better.

100%.

Thank you. Mister chair,

I I just wanna compliment you on this presentation.

Thank you.

I appreciate

One of the finest we've ever received.

Thank you.

Tells me you're you're probably quite a businessman, and I wish you luck.

I appreciate it. Thank you.

Madam Chair? Yes. I just have a question for you. Mr. Hanna, where is your warranty work going to be done on your vehicles?

So I'm going to be working with the trusted partners in the shop, no mechanical work, only detailing. I will be reconditioning the cars, but no mechanical work will be happening in Automatic LLC. I do have a trusted partners where I bring the car. They make sure that we do a whole 30 inspection on the vehicle. I'm a kind of person I make sure that I run my business in the right way. So I'll definitely make sure that not any mechanical work happening inside my base.

And where is that located?

I do have two. I have one in Fort River and I do have one I'm going to talk to him here in Middleborough. The one next to Cumberland Farms, it's a gas station over there.

Okay. Thank you.

Of course. Thank you.

Any other questions? No. Any other questions from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor? I'm sorry. I'd like a motion to approve. We can do a motion.

To approve the Class II automobile license at Automedica for up to three cars indoors only. Correct. And by appointment.

Second.

Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. Thank you.

All set. Congratulations.

Thank you for your time. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Luck.

If your presentation is anything on your details, your details are pretty good.

Right. New business discussion letter C, vote to approve the twenty twenty six, twenty twenty seven renewal of fuel storage license as indicated.

Madam Chair? Mr. Givinoni. I think I'm going make that motion to approve the renewal of certificates of registration for full fuel storage for 2627 subject to the receipt of all the required documentations being filed with the town clerk's

office. Second.

Discussion.

Madam Speaker At some point, we truncate this. I don't think Christmas tree shops is doing any killing you all.

I don't think so. Ms.

McGee. I just wanted to make the board aware that when you do license renewals, you need to put the addresses of all the places that are being renewed. You don't have to put it into the agenda. You can do an attachment to it, but you need to list exactly where the licenses are.

All that information

I don't

believe it's the ballpark.

You have it.

Yeah, we have On the actual posting notice, has to be. Oh. Yes. Okay. It's an open meeting law requirement.

Very good.

Okay.

In the agenda? In the agenda.

Yeah, on the posting notice and then you would attach it to your agenda.

Thank you. So we do have it, we just didn't have it for everyone to see. Any further discussion?

Well, do

we need to

I don't think we need to put this off.

Do you know?

Madam Chair? Yes. I did a quick count and there's I believe 39 different establishments that we're giving this okay to. And to the motion that it is subject to all paperwork given to the town clerk.

Right. And like Brian said, we have Christmas tree shops on that doesn't need to be there. So we have some Okay. Jim, are you aware of any reason why we can't with as long as we have the everything given to the Clerk, we're good?

The Clerk provided Melissa. So that's how they did it last year. Okay.

Great. And then Let's

make sure we take care of it next time.

Okay. Yeah.

You're good with that, miss McGee?

I think we should just have the motion approve the list as given to the board by the town clerk with this except for Christmas Tree Shop

Right.

Located at 64 Leona Drive. Okay.

That's what I meant.

Yeah. That's what

I meant with my motion.

Nothing else on there that anyone sees?

There is

a tenant

in there

or part of it. So we could have the town clerk make that more clear.

Okay. I guess, madam chair, I guess if

they don't turn in their paperwork, then they don't get it.

Right. Right. Well, that's what I'm asking Right.

There's nobody there then

Did all these people fill out applications and submit them for renewal? Because we don't It says Our office mail reminded notices. It doesn't say that she got them back. It says our office mail reminder notices with the certificate of registration forms and workers' compensation insurance affidavits to all license holders.

Miss chair, through you. Yeah. Miss McGee, the the motion is with all the correct paperwork Right. Filled out. So with what

So this is the list.

Paperwork's not filled out. It's not going through.

Right. Mhmm. Correct.

That's acceptable.

I chair, with with with miss McGee is talking about is kinda what I was saying is can we get rid of we truncate if any of these people aren't. Can we get a get a list back from them and go with the fire chief, interim fire chief, and make sure that there is no tanks there being utilized. And if they have and have they been removed, the UST has been removed, then we can do that. Maybe that would be the way to handle it. But we went kind of with what Pam had asked us to how to vote that. That's why I kind of worked that way.

Makes sense. So two separate things we can vote to approve tonight and then we can also ask for the list to be streamlined. Okay, sounds good. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

I'm going

to abstain. It's a little messy for me.

All right. Fair enough. Sorry, I'm going back and forth because we don't have an agenda. All right. And we're going to skip over Letter D for the Oliver House. We do we still have some work to do with that memorandum of understanding. So we'll revisit that at a later date.

Can we get a draft of it at least?

Yes. I don't even have one yet.

It's in

your Dropbox.

Okay. Sent this Okay.

Came out today.

Yes. And then that was part of it was it was late. Yes. So we'll just revisit once we can look at it. So Letter E, vote to appoint ARPA designee for the town of Middleborough.

Madam Chair, this is a designation by title only, and it would be the recommendation to be the Finance Director or Assistant Town Clerk. It has to be designated for the paperwork to be able to submit the proper documentation by a person with either of those titles. It's titled position, not a named position.

Who was that person last year?

Do you know, Jim?

I don't think we had one. I think that's why there's a problem.

Mister chair, I would propose a motion that we name the assistant town clerk.

Accountant? No. Excuse me?

Either assistant town accountant or finance director.

Oh, excuse me.

Either or both.

I really have no preference, so I don't know. Either. Town

accountant. In the past, it was the town manager who was had the title to do this. Now since we switched, we want it in a position that it is funds, so the ARPA funds should go to that office, not just to a name. It makes it easier when you switch it over.

I think the finance director being the higher level would be the way to go.

I agree. So I'll take a motion to approve the finance director as the ARPA designee for the town of Middleborough.

So moved.

Second.

Discussion.

You guys first. Everybody good.

We're all set. All right. Discuss it.

Madam Chair, could someone please explain to the World Hair Opera is A R P A. It doesn't say what it stands for.

American Recovery

Plan. Plan. Act. Plan.

American Recovery Plan Act.

So we have received numerous dollars.

No, I just wanted to.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Right. Letter F, vote to approve the Sersidge Southeastern Regional Services Group proposed contracts for the Middleborough DPW. This is something we do every year.

Yes. This is something we do every year. Circitge is a group that we are part of, a procurement group that we take part in and this is first set of contracts. So it's DPW supplies and like cold patch, things of that nature for paving. We do this also for our paper supplies later in the year. In the past, that's how we get deal with W. B. Mason and different vendors that way. So this is just DPW. So you have a list in your packet of all the companies that were awarded, the contracts through the Surfshage Group for DPW supplies.

The contracts, what you guys are doing tonight is that you're voting to accept these contracts and then you Mr. Perkins would be signing them on your behalf and then we would be sending them out to the vendors. Okay.

Motion to approve the Sorsage proposed contracts for the Middleborough DPW and allow for Mr. Perkins to sign.

Madam Chair. Yes. I move that we award the 2026 Sersage contract for services as recommended by Chris Peck, our DPW Director, which includes pavement reclamation, asphalt, concrete sidewalks, concrete sidewalk driveways, granite curbing, that's the type of materials, lines, street lines, guardrails, if need be 12 inches These are all the items that are in this bid. So that's what this kind of includes just as what Jim was saying, which is just to give everyone an idea at home.

Second. Discussion. Anyone from the public?

Yes. To Mr. Perkins, I'm reading the letter and it says sign the attached 2025 contract award. Sarasag is known for not changing dates on documents. So can you make sure it's Yes. 2020 Exactly. So just make sure you're signing the

twenty twenty six one.

In fact it says 2026.

Jasper? Could I have said just to add something to the list for the DPW?

So this list is not something that we make. That's something that

can't be This isn't a list we came up with. Yeah. This is a group that we're a part of, Jasper.

Can't you guys address to add something there?

Well, we

can't add to that list because that's all the contracts that we have with them.

In front of them.

In the future what would you like to add though, Ben?

Especially in the high pedestrian hyper traffic areas, raised crosswalks, which you already know that

You're gonna give me that list, right?

Yeah. Still need to remember to do that. Okay. No.

I I I will not forget that, Jeff. I appreciate that. Thank you very much.

And it's a good point.

Jessica McEnough, 17 Hillside Ave. I happen to work in an industry where we work with COMMBUYS, state of Massachusetts contracts. It has nothing to do with you guys but or the town, but are we sure that has somebody done the research to ensure that actually is the best buying price versus the contracts that exist for that material? Or is it just a presumption?

I would defer to the DPW That's his recommendation.

And the reason why is that it's not a statewide contract. It's only for Southeastern Mass, which is why these little consortium groups have kind of come together and do the same thing chemical and we do the same thing for paper products.

Correct. Yes. Surfshidge is just this there's another group is similar to this on the North Shore and in Western Massachusetts. And the procurement process, they run the entire procurement process as we would through COMMBUYS or the central register depending on the material or what we're utilizing. So they have to file all of Mass General Laws in regards to 30B or any type of procurement in regards to this.

And I go to monthly meetings for Middleborough in regards to Surfshark, so does Chris Beck. Those are virtual or you can go in person if you want to head up to Mansfield for those meetings. But yeah, they it's a this consortium is set. So we're able to handle some of these larger procurement items that are in more frequency for some of our larger departments. And it's helpful, but it's a good question because we want to make sure we get the most competitive pricing in regards to the materials we purchase.

There a fee to be a part of it or is it

just?

As we join, there's a membership fee.

Yeah.

And we've been Middleborough I don't know how long Middleborough has actually been part of it, but it's been part of it since I've been here.

Okay. Thank you. Also Jessica, I've dealt with Sersich for a long time since they came into be. Circig has a public procurement certified official that is in place. And they check COMMBUYS. They do all that stuff. But it's a little unknown fact that combines does not mean it is the cheapest price. And that's Right.

It's just the contracted number that the state says somebody has to sell it for.

Always the cheapest price. So that's something that when you're looking, you always wanna try to look different places as well.

Right. I know like as a participating in it like we, my company has to sell something for a certain price to a municipal full stop. It's not supposed to be a cent more than that. So I was just making sure that that resource doesn't cost you more.

Yeah. It's in my dealings with Sorsage, it was a very large savings amount rather than we had previously gone out to bid individually and the savings between Sarsage and going out to bid yourself was quite substantial.

That's good news. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing. All those in favor?

Aye.

Aye. Right. Letter G, discussion vote on the opening and closing of the warrant for the Town of Minervaal Special Town Meeting. Mr. Perkins?

Madam Chair, you have in your Dropbox a rough draft and placeholder document for special town meeting and annual town meeting. You need to set the opening and closing dates. If you'd like to go through it tonight and then set the dates procedurally, I'm asking you how would you like me to proceed?

So we talked about timelines just briefly.

If we open it tonight, close it next week and then present it May 11, we can advertise on May 12 and that would give us enough time to have it posted and published before June 1.

Madam Chair.

Mr. Giannani.

I move that we open the warrant for the special town meeting for 06/01/2026, on Monday, April 27 and close it on Monday, April 4 at 5PM.

May 4.

'4. Sorry, May 4. May 4.

Second.

Discussion. How many articles? Four. Four articles.

Four articles.

Okay.

We should discuss.

Is there a possibility that two land purchase ones for the water department could be considered in the special or did we talk about that at all?

They were just already placeholders in the annual. Okay.

Can we explain the difference just in case people are not clear on it? What the difference between

special annual special is going to clean up twenty twenty six fiscal year issues.

Madam Chair?

Mr. DuBois.

Special town meeting, the moment you vote special town meeting and close the town meeting, anything that is appropriated at that town meeting may be spent immediately. Yep. So if you vote to spend money on

Snow and ice.

Snow and ice, which is one of the items in there immediately upon that you can pay that those bills out of that money. Whereas on the annual it starts the budget starting July 1, you have to wait till July 1 to spend any money out of the annual town meeting. That's why things get put in the special that you'll see certain things to make sure bills get paid before the end of the year. That's why we do it that way.

Madam chair.

Mister Pike.

Seeing that some people do not have our packet, do we want to read each article?

That's what I'm thinking we should.

I think we should.

Madam Chair?

Mr. Givind?

How about if I blow through this really quickly? Just because, we've got some bills to pay for employee fringe benefits for health and life insurance, an additional $650,000 Highway, snow and ice for an additional 500,000 That's a typo. It's $3.50. $3.50? Yep. Okay. That's why it's draft right now.

That's a draft.

Draft right now. So that's article one. Article two is a $150,000 proposal for accrual of benefits for town employees. So that's going to be That's

a sickly buyback bank. And that's

getting smaller and smaller.

I don't think there's anything in it.

Yes. I don't think but I don't know how many more people remain in that.

Well, I know there's a lot of people retiring. Right.

So Right. Oh, no. That's why we need it. Yes. Article three is to raise $750,000. 75.

75. 75.

Sorry. 75,000 for the water department for the related expenses associated with engineering for the town's emergency response plan and annual water management permit, water management permit, so that's Article three. And Article four is to appropriate $2,151.39 to pay a bill from a prior year, which, as it shows here, most people may not know this. I know the telemoderator does. When you pay a bill from a prior year, it takes nine tenths 90% vote to pay a bill from the prior year. So, that's Article four.

Perfect. Thank you. Any further discussion on the board? No, sir.

Through you to Mr. Perkins, do you expect or anticipate any other articles Not

for the special. No.

Any questions in the audience? Seeing none. All those in favor?

Aye.

Question though. Are we voting we voting on the snow and ice at 03:50?

Right now we're just opening the warranty.

Opening the warranty. Okay.

It was 150. We added two to it. So the comment of that making it $350,000,000 so if you add the 150,000,000 and the $350,000,000 it got put $500,000,000 But we're only adding 2,000,000 to the 150,000,000 that was originally in there.

And through you, Madam Chair. Mr. Baker. Tracy, we're just okay to open the warrant. We are discussing the warrants just so that we have it in front of us, but we want to make sure people also know.

Good question. All right. Letter H, discussion vote on the opening and closing of the warrant for the Town of Middleborough Annual Meeting. Mr. Juvenile.

I move that we open the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on 06/01/2026, on 04/27/2026 and close it on 05/04/2026 5PM.

Second. Discussion. Looks like we have eight.

Madam Chair. Mister Jim. Article one would be to hear any report of a committee commission office of the town or even create one if we wanted to. Article two will be the budget, which I believe will be presented next week, right, next week on the fourth. Yes.

Article three is to transfer income from the gas company. That's a payment they make to us from the sale of almost $800,000. Article four is to reauthorize the revolving account that we do annually. There's 10 of them fire alarm system, hazardous material training, recycle program, compost bin, herring fisheries, recreation sports program, zoning map bylaws, subdivision rules and regulations, all of our state committee, tourism committee, and the Wetland Act bylaw. So those we do annually right at the beginning of our town meeting. That's Article Article V is to appropriate the peg access and cable related funds of $392,780

That number has changed.

That's going to change, but $196.57

79.

$196.79. That's going be when we go over it on the eleventh, we'll have the exact numbers in there. That's to go to McCann to afford putting this out on video. That comes from the that comes from the taxes paid by those who have cable TV, believe. Article six is to appropriate $800,000 to the debt stabilization.

Article seven is to appropriate $19,904 for the Town Hall chiller pit project, which is the that thing that big thing with the cage on top, that's the chiller pit. So there's a project there going on. There'll be more information coming. Article eight is 108,770 for purchasing a one ton truck with plow for the wastewater department. Retained earnings.

It'll come out of the retained earnings of the wastewater department. Yes. Uh-huh. Article nine will be vote to raise and appropriate or transfer $6,000,000 to do the North Street water main replacement project for the water department and any bond that was our loan that comes out would be paid for out of retained Borrowing. Yes, borrowing. Borrowing retained earnings. So we're going to borrow and to be paid out of the retained earnings of the water department. Article 10 is $680,005 68,000. $68,005 or 68,000 for a new one ton truck for the water department. Once again paid for out of the water department.

Retained earnings. Retained earnings. See if the town article 11 is $610,000 for a vac truck. A vacuum truck is for the water department And what that is, is a big truck that will be able to clean the sludge tank at the new treatment plant over on Grove Street as well as the sludge tank over on Miller Street when that if that treatment plant is built. Article 12 is $113,700 for new generator at Spruce Street Pump station for the water deposit.

Retained earnings. Out of retained earnings. Article 13 is $518,000, for the purposes of replacement of the Pratt Farm large dam for the conservation commission. Borrowing. There's to be some match in there too.

Yes. It's borrowing as well. Borrowing.

Article 14 is to see a $100,000 from for purchasing the next phase of Munis billing software for the finance department. Article 15 is the CPA annual appropriations where we take the money from CPA and we divvy it up by the requirements by the state. Small portions are required to go into different things from administrative to historic to community to open space and then the budget reserve gets the remainder of it that can be spent accordingly by recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee. Article 16, Community Preservation Committee is looking at a $10,500 for the Robinson Museum Preservation Project, preserving Middle Bar's archaeological collection. Article 17 is also by the Community Preservation Committee, 40,000 out of the budget reserve to fund the Namaskot Park playground project.

We're installing a new playground at 48 Wareham Street, which is where the skate park is going in, believe. Article 18 to appropriate $60,000 from the Budget Reserve Community Preservation Act for the Tismequin Pond project, purposes of removing invasive aquatic vegetation. So and under the direction of the conservation agent, which is great. Article 19 is to rescind a vote of $2,200,000 of borrowing on Article nine of the 10/16/2023 as amended by Article 23 of April 2224 of the Annual Town Meeting and rescind in reverse any transfers made from the Community Preservation Act. I'm sure we're going to get a little bit more information on that on the eleventh.

I believe that's the Bertarelli property that fell to? I believe it was too. The Bertarelli property up near the Bridgewater town line off of Plymouth That went down. Article 20 is to acquire by to authorize the acquire by gift purchase eminent domain or utility easement or otherwise one property is located at 1 Vine Street and 10 Cambridge Street and raise an appropriate The easement

for gas and electric, I believe it's gas

and electric. Article 21 is a zoning bylaw request to change the zoning bylaws for an open space and resource preservation development zone and that's a great read if you can want to go through it. It's

a long read.

It's a long read, but it's really interesting. So I'm sure someone's going to motion to waive that reading, no offense, but everyone should be

in advance.

Well, you've done a good job reading now.

Article 22 is a zoning bylaw for the cannabis business district, and that's to make sure that we have have a bylaw this is for a bylaw to be in place so that there is not going to be social consumption establishments in certain areas. In other words, there's not going to be a bar where people a or a location where people could go and purchase and consume on-site, which the state law allows and that's if the people vote for it. Article 23 is to vote and accept Harvest Lane as a town way. Harvestwood. Harvestwood Lane is located off of Old Center Street?

Yes. Article 24 is to construct the new South Wells water treatment plant to treat Tispequin Wells, which is two, Rock Village Wells, which is two more, and the Miller Street well, which is five for iron and manganese and PFAS. So that's an item that I look forward to hearing a little bit more about on the eleventh. Article 25 is a placeholder for purchase of land across from that location we're just talking about on Miller Street.

It's known as Apache Way.

It's known as

Apache Way. End of Cushman And Miller. Just before you go over $495,000,000 It's all on the right. That would be a purchase with water department money to buy that land as water protection zone and possibly a future well. For possible future And the offer purchase and sale that was signed before I got here was $1,200,000

Article 26, Spruce Street land purchase placeholder, which is what we discussed at our last meeting.

Yes, that is another piece of land that is surrounded or adjacent to the Spruce Street well. And that appraisal came in at $210,000,000 and that would be the authorization to buy that land once we we're in the purchase and sale agreement that we have voted for two weeks ago.

And that would be That's why the

placeholder is there, language hasn't been written yet.

And that would be out of the water retained earnings? Yes. Then finally Article 27 is to raise an appropriate or $500,000 in borrowing from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for the purposes of funding the repair, replacement and upgrade of the waste disposal system. That's for work at the

That's for failed septic systems in town that people can apply to the program and they can get an abatement not an abatement, they can have an assessment attached to their property tax and that way it gets paid back.

It's a very low if not knowing, is it no Lowest? Close to zero. Close to zero. But it allows people to get their septics replaced. It's a septic replacement program. That's what it is. So that's all the articles. That's Perfect.

Thank you.

Not many. 27.

And if any more come in the next week. Yes.

Okay. Any further discussion? Any questions from the public? Seeing none. All those in favor?

Aye. Aye. Looking forward to seeing him in next week. Two weeks. Two weeks. Excuse me. Two weeks. Great.

Next on the agenda is budget discussions. Mr. Perkins?

Madam Chair, I'm still in the process of impact binding with two unions. We have an MOU with the police union. We do not need to we're still talking to library, but we may not need to have an MOU with library. Clerks and GMEG of the two unions allowed to come up with a MOU, and I'm optimistic that we should have that both of those by the end of the year. We're still working on issues such as bumping and workflow and things of that nature.

Just a little time invested in making sure we're getting it right.

You.

To you, Mr. Chen. Joe, have you got all department heads, you've talked with all of them now and got Yes.

I've talked to them prior to impact bargaining.

Okay. Thank you.

Any other comments? Questions from the audience? All right. Thank you.

Thank you.

Talman's research update.

Madam Chair, the RFP closes on Friday, May 1. We anticipate evaluators will begin the review process as early as Monday, May 4. The review process will be conducted by an evaluation committee that I was asked to select. I selected Police Chief, Bob Ferreira Acting School Superintendent, Mike Perrone and Parkin Recreations Director, Fran Kast, to be the evaluators. They have to do some disclosures.

They were included in an e mail I sent that they have to disclose that there's no, obviously, conflict of interest with the vendors and then their ranking sheets on how they open up the proposals and how they go through and rank them, and then they will prepare a ranking sheet, and I'll give it to you with a recommendation, probably May 11 meeting.

Madam Chair.

Mr. Blake.

Just a question on the process here. I just I know the process that we're going through to get a headhunter of some kind. And we have discussed the process of doing a group. Should we get that process done as soon as we can because I think naming people that we do feel should be on this committee should be done very quickly because I think we should be prepared because maybe these candidates will say, well, wait a minute, there's not even a group that are talking that we're going to talk to. So I do feel that we should get that started.

Agreed. Mr.

Chair? Yes.

I don't disagree with Mr. Pike or one of the residents that contacted us today about putting together the search committee. I just don't want to put the cat before the horse because I'm concerned that whoever we choose, to use Bill's words, as a headhunter might have a different way of going about it. And Brian, I believe you're the only one at this table that's been through this. Do you have any input? Yeah.

We're two and a half months behind. Time is of the essence. We I've I've said this I said this in the last time. Say it again. Time is always of the essence because we if we started today,

we're looking

at a six month process almost. So we got to get moving. If we want to do a five person committee where we each select somebody, I think we could all come up with our names and maybe put it on the agenda to have and get our people next week. So we would have our people ready next week and have them good to go and then we've named our names.

I'm okay with that.

That's why I brought it up.

No, agree. I'm glad you did. My only hesitation on the five people is I would be inclined to think more likely seven.

I'm sorry, couldn't say.

Seven people.

Madam chair. Yeah. I agree with you. I feel we should almost like a jury have five people and maybe two alternates just in case there's a problem and that it's an odd number for when there's a vote given to us when they narrow it down. And this committee would give us candidates, there's five of us and then we go hopefully there's only three and then we work with that. My only concern is that when we do give names hopefully we don't all give Well, same

would expect all of us to have contacted the person we

were naming.

That's where I'm going.

So I I think that yeah. So let's do this. Mhmm. So shall we say each one of us will choose one person, that's five, and then we'll have two at large that we'll vote on as a group. Right. And that if anyone would like to apply, we should put it on our website, put it out on social media Mhmm. On our town web's Facebook page that we're looking for people who wish to be included on that list of people. And then out of that, we will pick two from that our seven. Happy

with that.

Excellent.

Madam Chair? Yes. Speaking. I find this very different. I've worked for six different town administrators, so I've been through six different searches.

And I find the only thing I typically in my experience over twenty five years, you had department heads that were comprised of the committee because department heads know municipal stuff. They know, you know, the laws. They know what you have to follow. And I'm just I'm just wondering by having five residents of the community that don't deal with municipal things on a day to day basis and not experienced with it, I'm just wondering how they would pull finalists not knowing what day to day life in a municipality is like?

Mister chair? Yep. I I think you're cutting our residents short. We've got some town full of very intelligent experienced people, and I don't think they necessarily have to be a director. They certainly could be, but that's my feeling.

And I would also say that we don't we're each gonna pick our own person. We I could pick a department head if if I thought. So what there's no caveat

to who

can be

chosen. We won't be asking people to submit letters of interest to be on this

For those two. For

two. For those two spots. Okay. But we will each pick our

So we just pick who we want?

We are allowed to. Okay.

And and just to be clear, we we would each contact the person we choose to make sure, number one, they want it and nobody else expect them. Right?

Mhmm. K.

Madam Chair, I for one have someone who has extensive experience in municipal work and currently works not in this town, but in another town that but lives in this town, who would be an absolute fantastic person who would cover the ideas that Ms. McGee is talking about, but also a tax break. I would never I'd never want to exclude taxpayers in this process. They really need to be involved. And I don't discount the department heads because I think the department heads are going to be part of it.

In fact, our last time we went through this, one of the things the consultant does do is he should be talking with every department head to get input from them as well to help guide this group. And I think it works out pretty well.

I also have my choice and I have that person has a lot of knowledge as well. So I think we all probably have an idea of who we're thinking about and we can bring those people to the meeting next week. It's all valid. I think it's great and this is a good starting point. I think we do need to get going on it. Madam Chair? Yes.

And through you, Tracy, is that the consulting firm that we will have will, as he said, work with the department heads and then they may be talking to 100, but then they will bring to the people we've in the committee maybe 12, maybe 15, maybe 10. And then they'll be able to work with them and there'll be people that they can work with there. And then we will get the finals and discuss it from there.

So Madam Chair, so the select board is not going to when the consultant is hired, are we going to be giving direction to the consultant saying we want you to bring a range of this to that to us?

Yes. Okay. That will be our rule. We won't know who the search committee chooses. And if everyone's on the same page?

Mhmm. Can.

Yeah. Right.

Can. Okay.

Considered it's considered a level of executive session through that whole process into the presentation of four or five or three candidates. But I wouldn't even pigeonhole the group to the group should look at all the applicants. I think the only ones that the consultant really weed out are the absolute they don't even meet the requirements of that kind of. But there could be 100 applications that come in that qualify. I would only hope we get 100 qualifications.

So was hoping Joe

Sultan, will they be working with the search committee to develop the criteria for the applicants? Or are they going to be working with the select board to develop the criteria for the applicants?

So once we choose our people, we have to be hands off. We cannot be hands on with our people. Our people are chosen. They do their job. Because if we put our hands on it, it's now no longer their committee. It's their committee. But the idea is they should the people that I the person that I'm thinking about for me is someone that may reflect certain things that I'm looking for. Unless and the only question would be is the set person who's going to apply for the job, which you never know. But the idea is that I myself am thinking of that person. And they once we set this committee, we shouldn't see anything. Just like when we did school committee, you go through it usually on a superintendent process usually

I say. Usually, yeah.

They do everything, and I don't know anyone but who has been brought to me. And the reason for that is it doesn't taint the rest of it. I actually had someone once say to me, the best candidate didn't get moved to the finalists. And I said, I don't want to hear about it because I can't. I have to work with just what I'm given. But once that process, they're done, they work with the consultant. They could ask us questions, meaning like publicly, hey, what are you thinking about?

So is the consultant going to bring an application packet back to the Board to see if it has everything that the Board would like in a town manager? That's the typical procedure. They bring

a flyer?

Correct. They bring usually it's more than a flyer. And they bring it to the Board and then the Board looks at it and says, okay, it's missing this or that. And then so they would need our approval on the final product before they go out.

We would be choosing them based on all of that.

Good evening. Nancy Kvaalz again, just a current So you said two alternates. So would those be two voting alternates or two?

I would think there were two people at large. I can see them at large.

At large, okay.

Large.

And the only other question I had is because back January 19, I checked my e mail, I asked to help in any capacity. So should I have to reapply or do you have that?

No, You're good.

Thank you.

Just send an email in just in case.

Madam Chair, I just wanted to I'm glad that we got this process going because it's been really concerning me and that we need to put it on next week's agenda. Yes, agreed.

Thank you. And for the two extra people on the committee, I feel like they should be people who civically engage such as going to town meetings, maybe protesting things they don't like but they tend to be a lot more knowledgeable about the fact.

Sounds good to me. Thank you.

You're welcome.

All right. So sorry, my voice is getting worse as the night goes on. Good evening.

Hi, John Burbage. I wanted to ask, would

you also be

accepting recommendations or suggestions for that position from taxpayers in the town, town residents?

That would go, in my opinion, directly to

You can put it to us. We'll get it to the people. Or you can put it to the people that are on that committee. Absolutely. I definitely want input. Because if somebody people are watching it. We're sitting here working with these people. There'd be nothing better than for someone to say, hey, would you ever think about this? And it comes out like that, it's like, wow.

I spent the last five years of my working career as the Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Tax Collector in Randolph before I moved down to Middleborough. I've come across some what I consider very well qualified candidates for a position like this. Thank you very much.

Thank you. All right. So we're clear on the process. We will be accepting from each Board member next week your one choice and we'll be asking anyone in the general public to submit to their request or desire to be on as at large members. We'll be choosing two of them.

Excuse me. Who should they email it to?

So we'll have it emailed

To mister Perkin. You're good, Joe.

Hi. Sorry.

I got

800 emails I know. 800. Okay.

That's a story. Okay.

Madam chair, so what happens if we choose someone that someone else has already chosen? How are we gonna are you gonna let us know?

I I would say you come with two names in your mind. Mhmm. You're you're a player and you're a JV player in your mind.

I'm gonna speak to him.

I'm gonna talk to my person before Yep. And say, hey. Right. Right. Are you willing to serve? And

they'll know if they've already been put in. Okay.

That's how I see it.

Sounds good. Okay. Great. Thank you so much.

Madam Chitt, just I do have a problem with my email. I get a lot of people telling me they email me things. It's in my junk folder. There's an issue with junk. So maybe an email to myself and to a board member. So we're both getting it.

Okay. Would the Board be objecting to having them go to me as Chair?

No. Good idea.

Everyone good?

Yes. I don't want to make sure everyone gets All

covered. Sounds good.

I'm sorry. I have one more thing, Nancy Kefalis. So now that you've set this process that you're going to do, are you going to do a motion to follow the process that you just talked about or are just going to follow it? I don't understand. I'm just trying to plan. Next week you'll be making the process.

Once we give the names then we'll make a motion.

You'll make the process at that you'll finalize the process Thank at that you.

Thank you. All right. We are all up to speed here. We have our 07:30 hearing which is 08:05. Mhmm. And the first hearing is the WRPD hearing.

Madam chair. Yes. May I read the announcement? Please. The Middleborough Select Board will hold a public hearing in the Select Board's meeting room at the Town Hall 10 Nickerson Avenue, Middleborough, Massachusetts on Monday, 04/27/2026, 07:30PM for the purposes of discussion and application filed by Niall Zeigler PE on behalf of ZCE LLC for a special permit under the water resources protection district bylaw to allow for the conversion of an existing shed into a one bedroom ADU in piping of a sewer line for the commercial ADU I'm sorry.

For the ADU to a new septic tank. The property is located at 11 Eldon Street in the Commercial Development And Water Resource Protection District, WRPD Zone 2, and shown on assessor's map 80, Parcel 2015. Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should appear before the time and place designated and the chair will gavel it into the hearing.

Good evening.

Good evening. Tom Morris with Zenith Consulting Engineers. So exactly what you said, we're proposing to convert an existing shed into an ADU unit. And the so there's not going to be any groundwork associated with that. It is within the lot is mostly within Zone 2, which has the 100 foot no touch.

Most of the lot is within that no touch, including the existing house and the shed. So there will be no groundwork associated with the renovation of the shed. The foundation staying exactly the same. It's going to be all internal work. What we're asking for is just the sewer line.

We're going to be putting in sewer line from the shed coming out here sorry, coming out this way to the new septic tank, to a new pump chamber and then up to the existing field, which has passed Title V. It meets the flow requirements for the three total bedrooms that are proposed now. The only thing being changed with the field is the D Box because of its age. So it's really it's just and the tank is just outside of the 100 foot, so it's really just that sewer line to the tank. And this has been approved by Board of Health and Conservation.

Madam Chair?

Mr. Gironi.

So you're adding a bedroom in Zone 2 directly adjacent to or almost directly adjacent to Tisbouquen Pond. Is this a denitrification system? Or is this an existing standard septic?

It's standard. We do meet the loading for the lot size. We are over it's just over 30,000, 30,600. So we meet the loading requirement having three total bedrooms.

But you're adding 50% more potentially of nitrogen into the Tisquepin Pond? That's where it's going

to end up?

Yes. Which is what we're trying to protect with our WRPD.

Madam Chair, how many existing bedrooms are in the lot right now?

There's two bedrooms And in the

then you're adding one more bedroom in this Yes. Okay. And it's an existing septic tank?

So the existing septic tank is going to remain for just the house. We're doing a new tank for the ADU. Okay. It's all going into the existing field, which is sized for three bedrooms.

And the D Box will be replaced?

Yes. Okay.

I'm sure the reason why I talk about this more is nitrogen is an additive. I don't want to call it a contaminant, but an additive. It keeps adding up for so I'm going say, well, it's only one bedroom. It's one bedroom plus that bedroom, the next bedroom, the bedroom after that. We had someone adjacent to this book when the pond that came in here, and we required them to change their septic to a denitrification system.

Was the gentleman who came in and said he did 3,500 septic tanks in his career. So I asked him if he ever did one, he said yes. So he did another one on Tispequin Pond to ensure that we don't keep adding more nitrogen into that pond. I mean, we just talked about our town meeting that we're trying to get rid of invasive species and all that out of Tisbucket Pond, and I'm going add nitrogen to it, which is what causes invasive species to thrive. So I'm stuck in a place where I don't know if I'd vote for this at this time myself.

Mr. Chair, through you. Brian, would you vote for this if we added that system that you spoke of? The system that we

It was what they call an IA. It's an IA system.

Yeah, like a MicroFast or an Orangko.

It's different ones that can be used. Problem is that they're expensive and there's required maintenance. If you don't maintain them, it's almost as bad as pouring it right in the pond. So that's the only issue that I've always had with those systems is somebody needs to know that they have to take care of them. But that was my only concern right now is adding another bedroom that's going to add nitrogen and other things into that pond.

So my question to you, Brian, is would that system

make me feel better?

Yes.

Yes. But I don't want to make them drop a $40,000 septic system in to add a bedroom.

Right. And so what we would typically do for would be a MicroFast in the tank. And in this situation, it would be for just the one new bedroom. So you get a 50% reduction in nitrogen, but it's only for that one bedroom. So I kind of see it as a minor gain. And we are within the limit that is set within the WRPD zone.

Madam Chair, through you. Could I ask, am I reading this right that the existing 1,000 gallon septic tank is going to service the two bedroom house? Yes. And you're putting in a 1,500 gallon septic tank for a one bedroom?

1,500 is the minimum for new construction. The only reason the 1,000 can stay is because it's existing. Exactly.

Okay. Another question. Have you gotten your ADU permit from the planning department?

I don't know about that.

You need to get an ADU permit from the planning department?

Yes. Yes, this is for Joe Mandeil. I don't know if you knew that.

He has to get

an ADU permit from

the He's aware planning of

the process for sure.

Yes. Make a motion to close the hearing. I'm sorry. I

was just going to ask if there's anybody else on the board and anyone And from the

with NitroDrain, it's a key component in multiple fertilizers. And if you put too much fertilizer into a lake, which it's any fertilizer, doesn't matter if it's nitrogen or phosphorus, there's probably going to be more algae growth which can kill up the ecosystem in lakes.

Absolutely right.

You're right. Thank

you Jasper.

You're welcome.

Any other comments from the public? Motion to close the hearing.

So moved.

Second.

All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Hearing is closed.

Madam Chair. I just noted on the application form that needs to be updated? Yep. Make sure it's not going to a dead email address.

Yep. We have I saw the same thing. We have some paperwork that needs to be figured

out.

So assuming that you sent everything to the correct emails, we just have some paperwork on our end that needs to be fixed a little bit. So that's something we have to take care of. We have a motion on the table. Do we have don't have a motion. Sorry. We want to take a motion to do this tonight. Do we have any concerns going forward?

Whatever

pleases the Board.

Madam Chair.

Mr. Mike.

I do make a motion that we okay the WRPD zone and the trying to find the wording.

To approve

the conversion of an existing shed into a one bedroom ADU and piping of a sewer line for the ADU to a new septic tank. The property is at 11 Eldon Street and the commercial development and water resource protection shown on Assessors MAP 80 and Parcel 2015.

Second with discussion. To the engineer, did you say you are adding that device to help remove the nitrogen?

No, I'm just I just discussed what we would typically do for a nitrogen reduction system and the fact that here, it would be for just the one bedroom. We wouldn't be reducing all three bedrooms. And do you happen to know the cost of that? Don't know exactly.

Like the ballpark?

It's at least 5,000

That's a whole lot different than 40,000.

40,000 would be the whole system

being removed. Right. Yes. If it was a whole new septic I system,

would amend the motion to include that installation.

Second.

Further discussion?

Madam Chair, the reason why you made the motion, Tom, but the reason why I like it is it's going to take some of that nitrogen out. I think that that's important. I'd love for them to put it in the other one, but I understand can't be. But I'm just saying, it'd be nice that just

Everything helps,

right?

Everything is going to help better than nothing. And I think that, that really does because even like Jasper said, it does. It will turn that lake and turn green if we're not careful. Mean, I that's the only thing I really get concerned with. But thank you

for making

that motion. I will withdraw

my I will withdraw my motion.

Well, it's the situation

with Just the amendment, yes.

Okay.

On the amendment.

Yes, just amendment.

Good. Any further discussion? Anyone from the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye. The Chair votes aye.

So you understand we want that added?

Yes. Madam Chair, on the main motion, the first was the amendment. And the second, we have on the main motion.

So now we need to

to not

approve. No, we're going approve it.

Approve it as amended.

Right. Prove it as amended. Now