Select Board - Regular Meeting

appreciate you making the extra effort. I know you're uh not feeling great. It's okay. Happy to be here. Feel better. Thank you.

I think we can I think we can move through this agenda at a good speed. Um, obviously we'll we'll take the necessary time wherever needed, but just from looking it over, um, we should be in good shape. We'll get again going right at 6:30. No public hearing, so that's always faster.

Is our vice chair going to join? She's right there in front of you. I can't see her. I am like there sense my presence on this call. I didn't see the face. There these old guys in technology, you know. It's like I got to hit the arrows. I didn't hit the arrows. Get over there. Keep it up. You're right behind us.

It's true. You You know what? You're better than me at technology, especially Jim Anderson. All right. 6:30 is the time being at 6:30. Uh we are going to get going on the Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 uh Rentham Select Board agenda. Um in accordance with chapter 2 of the acts of 2025, the Tuesday May 5th, 2026 6:30 public meeting of the select retham select board shall be conducted remotely. Um the public is invited to join in via Zoom. The instructions on how to join in are on the website. Uh 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. Members, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Um, selectman Jim Anderson.

Anderson here. Selectman Bill Harrington. Harrington here. Selectman uh selectwoman Michelle Rouse. Rousey here. Rousey. Rousey here. Rousey here. That's a new nickname. And selectman Roy here. Lamothy here. Um staff, when I call your name, please respond to the affirmative. Town manager Mike King, present. Assistant town manager Greg Enus. Affirmative. Executive assistant. Uh or is that not the correct title anymore? Amanda Vazapolo. I am present, but the title is now administrative services and communications manager.

Oh boy. Can you email me that so I can update my notes? And is it acronym for that. Is there is there a day a special day of the year for that as well? Uh and introducing executive assistant Maya. Is it Monorazzo? Yep. Uh Morazzo, I'm here. Maya Modazzo, everyone first meeting. Welcome Maya. Thank you. Okay. Um so let's get going. Uh we're going to go right into the agenda. We're going to start with the announcements. We're going to ask uh Selectman Bill Harrington to read the announcements into the record for us.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, tonight's announcements uh please return your 2026 census to the town clerk's office if you haven't already done so. The cultural council is gathering input from community members to help update our priorities for the next granting cycle. Your feedback will guide us in better supporting the cultural needs and interests of RenaM residents. Read more and take the survey on the town website. The Department of Public Works summer brush dump hours are now in effect. Summer hours, April 28th through September 1st, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Gates close at 5:00 and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1. Residents may call the DPW at 508384-5477 prior to lowering their vehicle and bringing to the DPW to ensure the breast dump is open. The annual Memorial Day parade and observance will be held on Monday, May 25th, starting at 10:30. The parade will begin at the King Phillip Plaza, head to the RenaM Cemetery for remarks, and conclude at the Town Common for Roll call of veterans who did not return. The annual stage 2 water ban is in effect starting May 1st to September 30th. Mandatory restrictions. No essential use is pro, sorry, non-essential use is prohibited between 7 a.m. and 700 p.m. Al Gangquin Gas Transmission LLC Al Gangquin is hosting an openhouse meeting between the hours of 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th, 2026 at the Coachman's Lodge located at 273 Rentham Road in Bellingham, Mass. The public is encouraged to attend this openhouse meeting which will provide opportunity for public review and comment on

Algangquin's proposed reliable, affordable, resilient enhancement. This is a targeted enhancement of existing pipeline infrastructure which is designated to upgrade the existing system within or adjacent to existing rights of way. The AGT enhancement will center around already existing infrastructure and will not require the construction of any new compressor stations. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Selectman Harrington. You've earned your paycheck uh this week meeting for sure. Uh we're going to go to tab number two, approval of the minutes. Uh at this time, it's shain a motion to approve the April 21st, 2026 open session meeting minutes.

So moved. Motion made by Selectman Harrington. Second by Selectman Lamoff. Any further discussion? Being known, we'll do a roll call vote. Select Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson's Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes.

Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5. Um, okay. Let's get into some new business. First item on the agenda is a license amendment application. change of officers, directors, LLC managers, the GAVL, Rentham's beloved, the Gavl uh with us. We should have uh attorney Chris Timson. And then owners Glenn Sters and John Cox. I see Timson. I see Glenn. And I see Johnny. Welcome everybody. How we doing? We're doing well. Thank you. Happy Cinco de Mayo.

It is actually Thank Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone. Um, unfortunately we're not having this meeting at the gavl. We're having it uh remote Zoom. So, Attorney Timson, could you give us a quick summary of what we're trying to accomplish this evening?

Yes, sir. This is sort of a a cleanup of the ownership um scenario within the GAVL. Um there's been a divorce scenario between John Cox and Jennifer who Jennifer had shares had um uh officer positions through the divorce decree um an agreement in divorce. John Cox is basically taking over her positions. Jennifer is exiting the gavl and um John assuming the positions that she had as a vice president and director. There's also some cleanup going on between um John and Glenn based upon some financial uh promisory notes and and other things so that uh there's a transfer of shares between them. So really the net of this is that um Jennifer's exited, John has taken her place and there's um some cleanup of um share transfer between John and Glenn that um will will essentially clean up some financial stuff that has happened over the past several years.

Sorry about that. Okay, that sounds good. Pretty straightforward. Um and and Mike King, you can uh uh you can confirm, Mike, that obviously these guys are in good standing. There's no issues with the ABCC. Everything's still hunky dory. That is correct. And you know, the application has passed our internal review. Perfect. Uh I have no further questions. Uh uh happy to help get this done. And John, sorry for the record, sorry that we have to air uh some of your personal business here. It wasn't my intent. So Chris, I got him. I I understand. I apologize, dude. Uh, so, uh, any of the select board members have any questions or comments for anybody, the GAVL owners or the attorney?

No question, Mr. Chair. Anybody else? Okay, seeing none, chair, I would entertain a motion to approve the license amendment application for the change of officers, directors, LLC manager, and change of ownership interest for PH Rentham, Inc., DBA, the Gavl, located at 36 South Cell 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. Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes.

Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. John and Glenn, good to see you guys. Please keep up the good work. You know, this board and our community supports your rest multiple restaurants. Uh, and think you guys are doing a fantastic job. So, it's great to see you both and keep up the good work. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I'll just say that uh I believe it's a welldeserved enhancement of title for Amanda. She is always very uh helpful and knowledgeable and uh she's a great asset to the town and helpful to attorneys like me that are trying to get things done.

Thank you for saying that, Attorney Timson. I couldn't agree with you more. She actually makes us look very good. So, we love Amanda. We're proud of her. She has a bright future with the town of Rethm. And we're very happy to have Maya to step in and uh also uh join our team. So, we're very blessed and fortunate to have great town leadership here, a strong board, uh great uh partner uh uh uh you know, restauranteers and business owners like the Gavl guys uh and others that make Rentham a great place to live, work, and play. So, thanks for saying that. You're welcome. Thank you everybody.

Okay, let's move on. Uh tab number four. So another wonderful person in our community um is uh uh Ray Rose who works for the town is a celebrated veteran uh and a friend of mine uh and many on the board. Um Rey, we're very fortunate to have you tonight to get an update from the Veterans Advisory Board. Uh, and Rey, as you know, we've been inviting all of the boards and committees uh on to our meetings uh when we can in order just to uh just say a quick hello. We want you to know that you have the board support. We want to just kind of take a temperature uh to see how everything's going on your committee uh as well as you know what we can do, what you need from us, if anything. Um and it's unfortunate that I think Jerry had a prior commitment would have liked to have seen him here as well. Um, but you're more than capable, Mr. Rose, uh, to to stand in and and lead the group tonight. So, uh, thank you for coming. It's great to have you. And I turn the floor over to you, Mr. Rose.

Thank you very much. And, um, I also, uh, feel very honored to sit here and talk to you guys and, uh, talk to you a little bit about the Tritown Advisory Board. Um, and now everyone can hear me. Okay. Yes. Awesome. Thank you. We hear you. Great. Yep.

All right. So, um, thank you once again for the opportunity to talk to you about the Tritown Veterans Advisory Board. Both Sher McGovern and myself take great pride in representing the town of Rentham and our local veterans. We are a point of contact for veterans interested in researching programs and services that may support their particular needs. We meet on the third Monday of each month at 6:00. Our meetings are televised and open to the public. We meet at 451 Elm Street, North Attboro. Our Triton Veterans Agent, Scott Smith, served 30 years in the Marine Corps and retired as a sergeant major. We couldn't be more blessed to have him for a leader. We also work closely and as liaison between the Veterans Advisory Board and the American Legion. Uh, a couple of perfect examples of that liaison came to mind when I was writing this stuff down over the winter and everyone knows what a brutal winter we had. A disabled vet on sheer street couldn't get out of his driveway. He reached out to Scott. Scott reached out to me. I reached out to Nick Tobachchuk and within an hour he was plowed out. Also, uh, just before Christmas, a vet on hospice at the Maples asked for a vet to sit and talk with him. Scott reached out to me. I sat and talked with him twice. We traded stories of our time in service, as veterans often do, some good, some bad, all worthwhile. A week later, Nicholas Dutando passed away. So, it was truly an honor to sit and talk with him. Uh, we support our veterans. We engage in community outreach. We take part in our timehonored ceremonies like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We take on an active role in creating and placing and

dedicating of monuments to archive the sacrifices of veterans in our tritown area. Um currently right now we are working on a banner project. The banners would represent veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and/or exhibited exemplary service for fellow veterans in country in a combat role. Our current target date is August 7th, which is Purple Heart Day. So, those are a few of the things that I wanted to share with you guys and um I'm happy to hear any feedback or any questions or any thoughts from the board. Um and once again, it's truly an honor to come here and speak with you guys.

Ray, thank you for that update. I'm going to turn it over to the board members uh in a second. I just want to say uh it's an honor for us to have you. Uh as you know, we appreciate you. We appreciate all of our veterans. We appreciate your service. and not only your service at the time, but your continued service uh like you mentioned, some pretty awesome things were accomplished and uh you know, supporting fellow veterans that needed a little additional help. Um so, I I want I want you to tell us um how we can continue to support you as a town and as a board. Um uh I'm I'm not speaking for you, but but I think you and I agree um that um I think you know, you have a friend in this board and this town administration team. Um, I'm looking forward to marching shoulder-to-shoulder with you, uh, as well as the full board, uh, in the Memorial Day parade as we always do. Um, and I'm looking forward to, you know, being having the opportunity for one of our board members to share some remarks as we always do as well. Uh, just to show the community um, what we feel of our veterans. Um, but with that being said, um, I'll turn it over to my other board members to see if anyone else has any comments. Uh, and I'll start with Selectwoman Rose.

Thank you, Mr. Chair Ray, thank you for joining us tonight. Always good to see you. And let me just reemphasize let me re-emphasize um Chair Gallow's remarks. Thank you and all of our vet veterans here in Runham and elsewhere for your service and dedication to this country. Truly grateful. And also I've taken back by just those few examples that you shared that the council has done to support our veterans. Just amazing. So all I can say is thank you. So appreciated. We are so blessed to have you and the fellow veterans and the advisory board and thank you. Keep up the great great work. Thank you. Well said, Select Manison. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Ray, good to see you, my friend. Likewise.

Yeah. So, listen, I just want to thank you and your team for all the great work you guys do in in the community and the surrounding areas. Um, you know, like chairman Gallow had mentioned earlier, you know, veterans are are a big thing for this board and u, if there's anything we can ever do to help to assist or help, uh, please feel free to reach out and, uh, we more than happy to try to try to assist. So, thank you. 100%. Thanks, Jim. Great. Uh, Selectman Harrington.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So yeah, Rey, you know, like the other board members have said, we greatly appreciate your service, past and current, and all that you do. Uh especially with some of the other items that you do with the archiving and uh you know, the great work on the historical committee. Uh look forward to marching in the parade with you and supporting you and the others in the future. Excellent. Select on Lamar.

Hey Ray, thank you for your service. we go way back. Uh although I was surprised to hear a bit about your your brother at the uh the American Legion, that story was uh very heartfelt and uh he too was a good uh serviceman for sure. So thank you again for your service and everything you do for them. So Rey, I think

I think the summary here is you let us know what we can do to continue to help you. You you know how to get a hold of us. uh you have our email addresses, you know how to get a hold of Mike King, uh and we'll be there to answer the call. So, uh continue the good work. Let us know what we can do to continue to collaborate and partner with you. And we couldn't run this community without, you know, you and the great work that your organization is doing. So, thank you.

Well, I I 100% look forward to standing, you know, side by side with with all of you on Memorial Day. And um I think it is is super important that you know it presents a united front to everybody in the town to know that that support is is mutual. And um I I would be remiss if I didn't also um mention Walker B. Mason, our first casualty in in World War I and the rededication at the uh completion of our normal Memorial Day ceremonies. I'm looking forward to that and uh I'm looking forward to seeing you guys there.

Awesome. Appreciate that, Ray. We'll be there. So, uh keep up the good work and uh have a great evening. We're going to move on to the next agenda item, but uh reach out anytime. We'll see you soon, my friend. Sounds great. Thank you.

Okay, great. Always a pleasure to have Mr. Rose on. Next, we're going to go to tab number five. Excuse me. Tab number five is a National Grid meter replacement update. um this AMI program. Uh in attendance we have uh Bob Morren from National Grid, we have community engagement, Lisa um Morgaraa I believe um lead project manager and uh in our packet I think we have um just a quick uh presentation overview um and I will uh uh turn it over to National Grid. Mike, do we have to add anything? Do you want to add anything before we turn it over to National Grid? Mike, do you have anything to add?

Uh, the only thing I'll add, Mr. Chairman, is that National Grid had reached out to to inform the town um that they're going to be doing this this meter replacement program and just thought it would be prudent for them to present it to the select board um and just a general awareness to the community at large because they're going to be contacted by National Grid as part of this replacement project.

I appreciate that and we'll get into that in uh uh uh with the presentation. they already have begun um this replacement project and I know because someone rang my doorbell uh in the middle of the day. Uh so we'll we'll touch on that in a minute, but uh I'll turn it over to National Grid. Uh I welcome you to the meeting. Please give us um your you know quick highle overview of what we're trying to accomplish this evening and how this board can um you know be of assistance.

Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and uh to members of the select board. Um, by way of introduction, my name is Bob Moran. I'm a community engagement manager with National Grid. Um, long time with National Grid. I've been in this role about nine years, working with Rentham for five or six of that. Um, worked with Kevin and Mike and Greg as well as Chiefs McGrath and and Marino. And, um, I am the community engagement contact. If you have questions or issues regarding National Grid, um, you know, you can certainly get them through Mike and I I can track that down if there's any issues. Um, I also run the municipal room when we go into storms. So, I'm familiar with some of the issues that, you know, come up during those events. And we have on the on the line with us as well, uh, Lisa Majgera. She's a lead program manager for the automated metering infrastructure program which um in terms of rent I think Mike we sent our first communication back in July of last year then we did a February update say we're getting close and the last one being in April and that's when you know we we talked about coming before the board. So um Lisa really is the expert and um I'll turn it over to Lisa and I'll remain here if there's any questions for community.

Great. So Lisa, Lisa, welcome to the meeting. Please feel free to present. I think uh I think there's a volume. Maybe you on mute. It doesn't say she's on mute, but I can't hear her. It's mute now. I don't think we have you, Lisa. I'm going to open the copy of the presentation which I have um I did save it.

Do you need us to Bob? Do you need us to share it? I can ask uh actually what? Yeah. Could you do that? Maya, can you do you mind sharing that? Is that awesome? Oh, Amanda. See, I don't know who I should be talking to. So, go ahead. Uh Bob, why don't you jump in and then Lisa hopefully can come back and we can go from there.

Sure. Um so, and we we can move through these pretty quickly. Um but in in general, uh as I mentioned, Lisa is sort of the subject matter expert on um AMI program and AMI stands for advanced metering infrastructure, sort of smart metering program. And why don't we go to the next one? Um, Lisa's just sent me a message. She's having audio problems. Can you send the meeting ID and I'll call um maybe I can ask Maya or Amanda to send that to Lisa. Yeah, we we can do that. But you're doing a great job, Bob. So, I'd say keep going and then we'll get her in when we can get her in to add anything that you might have forgotten.

Okay. Sure. So, in general, what AMI is is it's a it's a network. Um it's a network that has a field area network or fan devices which are basically receivers um you know that connect to our back office billing system. And we need to install fan network. That was the first piece when we notified you in in July, Mike. Um and the fan network, you can see them in in the bottom in the red circle there. sort of on the back side of a pole and it's it's basically a for back lack of a better word it's a Wi-Fi repeater like it it they need to be placed at certain distances so that we get full coverage and can talk to the meters um we're doing this for almost a million and a half meters so um you know we're doing pretty good high 90s high 999s um but there are sometimes issues and and that's part of why we want to reach out um and make sure there's a good communication. Are you back?

Oh, you're in. Can you hear me now? We can hear you. Yes.

I I don't know why my my computer didn't work, but I'm on my phone. So, thank you and apologize for the the problem here. Um, so I know Bob just covered uh the way the network um operates. This is a network that National Grid is building. Has nothing to do with customers Wi-Fi or internet access. So, customers don't need any Wi-Fi or anything. This is a network that we're building. Um again, we're um installing 1.4 four electric meters across our service territory and currently we have installed approximately 562,000 meters so far in the state of Massachusetts in our territory. So moving right along. Um the next next slide um just some quick a quick overview of the benefits again. Um it's all a wireless network so everything is done over the air. Um all the meter investigations and readings are done over the air and um any additional visits that are needed to a customer's home um can be done online and and via um an outreach to the meter a outgoing signal to the meter to get a reader a read or a troubleshooting um idea of what's going on at the home. Um the big the big benefit for customers and for National Grid is that usage data 15minute interval data is sent directly to National Grid but also available for customers through our my account portal. um allows them to kind of see what they're using, when they're using it, um make informed choices of how they when they want to use their energy, um and set usage alarms, um which helps customers manage their budget. So, it's a a great opportunity for customers to kind of dive in and and be able to see what they're using and when they're using it. Um that outage that um because of that data that we have, that interval data, it also gives us outage data to the meter level endpoint. So during a storm like Bob talked about it in the municipal room we have outages um we send truck rolls to determine where the outage is and determine what's causing it. A lot of this now can be done over the air. Um the meter will send a signal

tries to send a signal back to national grid and when it can't it gives a what we call a last gasp notification um and we know that the customer is out. So when restorations this is super helpful because we can define the outage without having to drive the area. um also helps with um outages when we are restoring and we have those customers that are either at the end of a street or end of a line that we um you know sometimes lose sight of if they haven't called. So now we know where that outage is and when how long it lasts. Um we can use the meter, we can use the control signals to disconnect and connect, which is great for moveins and move outs for customers because we can turn off power uh remotely. So typically a customer has to call and wait for a truck to come. Um, but now that can be done remotely. Um, the meter has a bunch of sensors which gives us um gives us alerts to all sorts of things such as an overheat or um tampering. Um, and we've had some great examples of how that's come into play. Uh, saving a couple houses in our New York service territory from a potential fire. Um, power quality information is good for both customers, towns, and our communities. Um, just making sure that the the supply is adequate, reliable, and uninterrupted. Um and soon to come is a sense app which does appliance level monitoring. This will be offered to customers and it gives them um vision into what they're using at the appliance level in their home. Next slide. Um the meter installations have begun here um in Rentham. Um currently we have uh almost 2,800 meters installed, 48% of the total population. Um, the meter installations are being supported by National Grid and a third party called Utility Partners of America, UPA. There's a photo of their truck. All of the personnel that will be installing meters coming and knocking on your door, as you mentioned, Mr. Gallo, um, will be badged. Um, and the UPA badges will note that they're a contractor. The vehicles are clearly marked. Um, upon arrival,

again, they'll knock on the door. The typical installation is less than 10 minutes, so they'll let the coowner know they're there. They go pull the meter. They inspect the inside of the meter box, make sure everything's okay, put the new meter in, make sure it's sending a signal, um, and then they're all set to go. Um, customers do not need to be home if their meter is outside. If customers have a meter inside, we'll schedule an appointment for them to come. And for any of our customers on um, medical that need to schedule time so that they it's a convenient time, we will do that for customers as well. Next slide. Um, like I said, um, the fan installations, as Bob mentioned, began last December. We have 18 of 19 devices installed. One is impermaning waiting for, um, an approval from DOT. The meter installations began in April, and like I said, we're almost at 2,800 meters, uh, which is about 48% of the population. Um, the commercial rate was just made available, so those customers will be scheduled out over time, and again, it's only small commercial customers. Um, we started sending program information, I think as Bob mentioned in February, and we we send it according to our 6030, 10-day plan, which gives customers kind of a heads up of what the meter is, more information 30 days before, including a welcome brochure with all the information they need on the the meter that benefits the installation. Um, a robocall or a text or an email about two weeks prior to the installation. and and then they get another letter once the meter's been installed and as well as a door tag on their door once we've installed it that day. Um I included a link there for more information that just goes to our smart meter website. And the next slide, um this is just our communications path with our customers and our communities. Again, Bob had a early outreach with you guys and letting you know that we were starting the project back last year. Um this kind of follows this path for every customer. Um 90 days prior is that

initial outreach community. 60 3010 involves our customers with those pieces of um information that I talked about. Day of install um they get a door hanger and then post install. And continuing on beyond that is more information on how the meter will benefit them and the benefits of the um and how they can utilize them. And there's a link to all of our communications there if you're interested in viewing them. Next slide. Um, this is the my account portal. Our customers can see, what you can see there is a visual of a 24-hour day and 15 minute intervals. So, customers can see at what hours and what days they use. This customer has solar, so there's a little bit of a um their uh generation. So, a lag in electricity, but um a lot of customers are finding this super helpful to see um as one of our first users says, the biggest surprise was how much electricity my house uses when no one is here. So customers are starting to see what they use the trends h you know when they're using what's what's using the most power. Um so rather than opening that bill at the end of the month month and seeing that you know the the total amount and saying there's no way I use this much energy they can go back and look at a day a week a month and then carry monthtomonth and look at what they've used and how they've trended um to make some changes in their behaviors. Next slide. Uh this is a new piece that we put together. It's a myths versus facts. A lot of customers have some um conceived ideas that um there's you know a lot of things in the news about smart meters and a lot of people will talk about the bad things about smart meters. There's a lot of benefits like we've said and I've already talked about. So we put together this myth versus fact page which is available on our website. Uh a lot of a lot of talk around safety and security. So the data that you um that is transmitted in the meter to our ter to our um through our backend systems is only usage data. It's an encrypted customer number and their usage. There's

no personal information that's transmitted at any time. Um and then the the the RF frequency of our meters um is at a such a low level that it is um well below the um the FCC levels that are required. Um, we continually test our meter sites and the network sites. Um, and it's about the meter we say is a cell phone is about 12,000 times greater RF frequency than the meter, our smart meters that we're using. So, folks that are concerned about safety or security, um, we certainly have all of that covered and there's been extensive uh, research and and and testing that will continue throughout the project. Next slide. Um, I did include some information on our optout out. So, customers that do not want to receive a meter do not have to get one. If they decide not to get one, they'll have a conventional uh non-communicating meter installed. So, currently we drive down the road and we pick up a signal to the meter. Uh, the new AMI meters will be picked up on a wireless signal. Um, if the customer doesn't want one of those meters, um, this is a meter asset replacement program. So, if a customer doesn't want the AMI meter, they will get a conventional meter. uh comes with a a um $26 a month fee because we'll have to have a utility representative walk up and read the meter uh manually. There's a form um there's you know the cost is covers all the expenses of reading it. Um important to note that landlords cannot opt out on behalf of customers because the um customers are the ones paying the bill and the fees. And next slide that is all the slides I have. So

that's it. Okay, that's what I thought. So um that's uh the project in a nutshell. Um things are going well really well across the state. We had some billing hiccups which have been since resolved. Um our meters are communicating at a 99% uh over 99% communication rate which is um which is great. Um this is you know really helping the need for estimates um and estimated billing for customers um and really giving insight to our customers on what they're using for their electricity. um just another tool to help customers manage the bills which is um high bills is certainly a com you know is an issue that we're seeing and we'll continue to see over the next few years. So um send any questions I'd be happy to take them or um you know Bob or I can um Chris if you want to grab questions and they can be forwarded Amanda I know we had communicated with you so if there's any questions that come up um happy to uh have them sent over to us.

Yeah that's great. We'll just do a quick review now and then any follow-up questions board members can just uh send them to Mike uh and or Amanda and we'll forward them over to you. Um just a small piece of feedback just from my own experience. Um and this listen this totally could be me. Uh but I actually as I mentioned I was I happen to be I work from home and I happened to have uh my doorbell rang and um I didn't know you know who it was. I wasn't expecting anyone and it was a nice gentleman. and I think one of your subcontractors saying he was there to, you know, to do the meter. Um, unfortunately, I was in the middle of a very important Zoom call. I couldn't have a lapse in power. Um, but to your point about the notification, I don't recall getting uh a text message or a uh or a voicemail uh or even a direct mail campaign piece at my home uh on Summer Street. I I could have missed it. I'm not saying that, you know, I just want to provide a little bit of feedback in case you hear from other residents uh with a similar experience. Um, and obviously I'll pass it off to the board members. I don't know if you guys have uh you guys and lady have uh you know uh seen or heard anything. And we'll start with uh Select Woman Rose.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Lisa and and Bob, thanks for the information. I do have a couple questions in uh changing the meters. How many issues have you encountered with residents? Issues meaning not being able to no not being able to install the smart meter.

Um it it's a small percentage. Um what's what what's um unique about this program is that we're well the meters that are in place now for most of our customers are are nearing end of life. So 20 to 25 years old. the van uh the van routes, the AM advanced uh AMR meters as we call them. Um so those meters haven't been pulled in that long. So whenever you pull a meter out of the meter box, unless it's been looked at before, um you never know what you're going to find. Sometimes they need to clean out sockets. Sometimes there's a burnt socket. Um what we're trying to do is not leave customers without power. So, if we pull a meter and there's something burnt in there and we're going to end up leaving the homeowner without power, um we are working with a third-party uh electrician who's um across who is a contractor that works on our facilities as well. Um offering to the homeowner on these simple fixes to come out, have that addressed um so that we can restore power sooner versus later. Um, normally in the meter box if there's a problem, it's a customer's problem to um to to rectify, but we've been we've been finding great success by being able to offer this and that that vendor needs to come and be able to show up and get the fix done within a matter of hours. So, um I haven't heard of many. Um I've heard of some burnt sockets. I've heard of we've we've pulled meters and found tampering. We found pulled meters and found bees nest behind them or insects or whatever it may be. Um nothing out of the ordinary. Um but like I said, we are trying to use this vendor to uh rectify the situation for customers as soon as possible. Um cuz you'd hate to come home or hate to be left without power. So

the vendor that vendor aspect is very interesting for for myself. Um my meter's in great condition. person looked at it and I'm now looking at an $1,800 repair with electrician who has to coordinate with the town of Retham with National Grid to shut off power and to do his own maintenance on electrical box just to get this smart reader um installed. So didn't when I called National Grid wasn't told about a vendor electrician that can help me. I had to source and find my own. So that information might be helpful on some of your communication as well.

Okay. Yeah, it's u like I said it it depends on what the what the issue with the meter is. If it's a simple fix where we can call an electrician and they can just replace the in something inside the socket. Some are bigger fixers and like I said all the all the work on the inside of the meters box is the homeowner's responsibility. But in cases where it's a quick fix so we can pull the vendor in to fix it quickly. Um where we can't plug the meter back in and restore power to the customer, then we're going to call the vendor to see. Now some customers could say no. Yeah. Yeah. It wasn't even touched. they were able to put your meter back in then that might have been a different case.

Yeah. No, it wasn't it wasn't even touched. I'm just saying that, you know, we're being told that it's a simple process was cooperating and then, you know, something now that National Grren has initiated is now turning into a huge bill for for for a resident that, you know, and to opt out, I think, is also a when I look at the charges too, at some point it's going to it's not going to be beneficial to opt out cuz I'm going to get, you know, charge for that as well. So just giving you some feedback as someone who you know it was just quickly looked at and then I had to proceed with this and and it's quite cumbersome for a resident to have to manage and then handle that whole process. So just some feedback.

Okay. I'll make a note of that. Thank you, Selectoman Rouse. Uh Select Manison. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I've got no questions at this time. Okay. Thank you, Selectman Harrington. Thank Mr. Chair. Uh would it be okay if we put this presentation on a town website to share with the with the folks? Um it's a internal Yeah, it's an internal presentation only. I would love for you to be able to include the links that we've included there as well as um some of the uh links to our communication which is the uh all of the customer pieces myths versus success and then the the smart meter page which brings you to all of our FAQs and um the opt out information as well.

Okay, thank you. And select them. So last week they were on our street and they were going one house to the next and he skipped my house. uh seemed to be doing the work quite quickly. I did ask him why and he says I wasn't on his work order. So I'm assuming that some homes that have solar or have been updated may or may not need this at this time. Is that true? Yes. So you have solar? Yes.

Yes. Okay. So right now depending on your meter your the metering um configuration that you have for your solar, we're skipping solar right now. Some customers have two meters, some have one. Um, and if you're on the Mass Smart Solar program, um, if we would change your meter, it's going to right now it'll mess up your credit. So, we certainly didn't want to do that. So, they'll be looping back with solar customers once we have the configuration that's correct for your for your home. So, that's probably why he skipped it. All right. Thank you. Good information. That's good to know. Um, okay. That's it. Uh, there's no vote needed. This is just an update. Um, so Mike King, do you have anything to add before I let the nice people at National Grid go? Nothing to add, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

All right. So, thank you for the presentation. Uh, hope you give you some feedback that, you know, you can kind of incorporate into, you know, the process moving forward. We I the good thing about us is we're actually residents and taxpayers as well. Uh, so it's just good to hear from us, too. Appreciate all the hard work and um have a wonderful evening, everybody. All right. Thank you. Hey, and if any any loose ends, please funnel them through Mike and I'll be sure to follow up as well. All right, thanks everyone. Excellent. Thank you so much. Let's go to tab number six.

Tab number six, unfortunately, we have a resignation acceptance of Anna Dashamps from the elderly and disabled tax aid committee. Um, in our packets, there's a letter of recommendation. I'm going to It's a very quick letter. I'll read it and give selectman Harrington a break. It's dated April 8th, 2026. Dear select board, my tenure for the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund Committee is up on June 1st, 2026. At this time, I'm planning to leave the committee as of June 1st, 2026. I have other volunteer positions and need to cut back. Sincerely, Anna F. Dashamps signed as such. Um, and we know just from asking our friends over at the Council on Aging, Anna's very involved, you know, with other things that she does over there. So, uh, we will miss her. Uh Mike, anything I missed there? I

believe you covered it, Mr. Chair. Okay, fantastic. So, at this time, chair entertain a motion to accept with regrets the resignation of Anna Dashamps from the elderly and disabled tax aid committee. So, moved. Second. Motion made by select Anderson, second by selectman Lamoth. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Rouse, yes, with regrets. Select Anderson. Yes, with regrets. Blackman Harrington, yes with regrets. Lamoth, yes, with regrets.

Gallow. Yes, with regrets. Motion carries. 5-0. Um tab number seven. Uh so tab number seven is of um we have to vote to approve the issuance of $19,560,000 of general obligation public work facility bonds uh dated May 14th, 2026. and then to execute any closing documents related there too. Um I'm going to ask Mike King uh to provide any additional context he feels relevant. Um thank you Mr. Chair. U the the town held a competitive bond sale on Wednesday, April 22nd um for the $19,560,000 uh 30-year bond issuance to finance the construction of the new public works facility approved by town meeting in November. Uh the town received six bids on the bonds and Fidelity Capital Markets was the winning bidder with an average interest rate of about 4%. Uh this interest rate was approximately half a percent less than estimated saving the town approximately $60,000 annually on the debt service payment. Prior to the sale, Standard Empors Global Ratings, a municipal credit rating agency, uh assigned a rating of double A+ with a positive outlook on the bonds. Um, the rating agency cited the town's operating surpluses, reserve growth, and ongoing efforts to enhance the town's financial management practices as positive credit factors. Uh, what is before the board tonight is a vote to approve the bond sale. U, the entire vote does not have to be read, but must be included in the board's minutes. Uh, upon a vote of approval, there are several pages of documents that need to be signed by a majority of the board. Um, please note that wet signatures are required and that one of the signers must be Mr. Harrington in his role as clerk of the board. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Harrington. Okay. So, uh, appreciate that explanation, Mike. And and let's not gloss over the

fact that we were planning on uh four and a half% and we've got 4% due to the fiscal responsibility of the select board and the town management team led by town manager Mike King saving the taxpayers 60 grand a year. Um that just further, you know, adds to the the mission of this board of the continuence of fiscal responsibility and stretching taxpayer dollars. Um, and it's just a very good thing that Rentthm is in such a strong financial uh, position. Uh, as as many of the I I know this board knows, but people that watch this either tonight or, you know, in the future, many people don't know that a lot of the surrounding towns um are struggling and they're not nearly as financially stable or strong as rent them. Um, so there's huge advantages of being fiscally conservative and responsible, um, you know, and having these, uh, you know, um, you know, uh, these accounts, uh, you know, whether they're rainy day accounts, um, you know, or other stabilization accounts that we've worked so hard to develop and fund. Um, and that leads us to getting a double A+ bond rating. Um, and Mike, we're relatively close. We think a AAA bond rating is is uh going to happen at some point. Right.

So the feedback we've gotten from standard and pores is we're on a positive trajectory as a as a town and that a increase to AAA which is the highest bond rating possible um is possible within the next two years. And Mike, do you know how many surrounding towns are on a AAA uh bond rating? I don't have an exact figure. Um but you know that it would definitely put the town in a um esteemed um level um compared to a lot of our neighboring communities.

Yeah, just at some point I'd love to know that information just so we can know uh it's just not bragging rights. It's just good to let the taxpayers know uh that we really think we're doing our job. So with that being said, uh if any of the board members have any comments, raise your hand and you can feel free to to jump in here. I'm not going to go through everybody. Jimmy, go ahead. Yeah, Mr. Yeah, just uh since this requires west signatures, it does. So, if you're not Yeah, I just want to let you know it could be a few days before I even get there. Don't worry about it. We'll cover it.

I can jump in tomorrow. Michelle can jump in tomorrow. I think we got Mr. uh newly retired there, Mr. Lamoth, who I think can head over as well when he's not busy uh playing pickle ball, basketball, or weightlifting. I'll be there tomorrow night after work. and Billy will be there tomorrow night after work. So, Jimmy, we got you covered, buddy. Sounds good. Thank you. You rest up. Anything else? Any other board members have any questions or comments?

Okay. So, at this time, Chetain a motion to approve the votes as written in the form of the documentation that was prepared by bond council and provided to the board for the $19,560,000 general obligation public work facility bonds dated May 14th, 2026 to be issued to Fidelity Capital Markets. So moved. Second. Motion made by Select Madison, second by Select Moth. Any further discussions? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Switching it up. Chris Gallows a yes. Selectman Lamoth. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson's a yes. Select woman Rouse. Rouse. Yes.

Motion carries. 5-0. Great job everybody. Okay. Now, let's go to uh tab eight. This is our annual spring town meeting warrants. Okay. In our packet, um we do want to make a note. Article 11 fired union collective bargaining agreement was removed. I'll let Mike King uh explain why. Uh if you want to just quickly touch on that, Mike.

So uh I had requested that the the fire union collective bargaining article be removed from the town meeting warrant. Um you know, we're at this point we're just a little too far apart and I don't believe that an agreement will be likely before June 1st town meeting. Um it's not unusual. We often sometimes have some of our collective bargaining agreements ratified at the fall town meeting in November.

Thank you for the explanation. Board members, at this we've we at this point in our uh our run here, we've had multiple meetings on this. We've had opportunities to ask questions. I sat through a supplemental very uh good meeting with uh Selectman Lamoth, Mike King, as well as our town accountant. Uh so what we're going to do here is we're going to go page by page and just ask if anyone wants to put a hold on any of these so we can have one final conversation before we go to vote. Uh does that sound good? Okay, good. So uh uh page I'm calling this I'm I'm just going to do article range article one to five. Is there any holds on any of these? Article 6 to 10. Article 11 to 14. Uh, article 15. That's a long one. article uh where did I leave 19 six is it 16

to 20. All right, that's it. 20 articles. Okay. Um so, uh we went through it. Uh Mike, we Let me just look at the motion here. We So you're looking for an emotion to approve and assign the June 1st, 2026 annual springtime meeting order. Correct. That is correct, Mr. Chairman. Okay. So, uh if there's any further discussion, seeing none, chair entertain a motion to approve this and sign June 1st, 2026 annual springtime meeting warrant. Moved.

Motion made by selectman Anderson, second by Selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectman Gallows a yes. Selectman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson's a yes. Selectman Select woman Rouse. Rouse. Yes. Okay. Motion carries. 50. Let's go to tab number. That was nine. Yeah. Tab number 10. Uh this is a one-time revenue recommendations. Uh, Mike King, do you want to give us some uh give us some color on this, please?

Mr. Chair, the the last tab was tab eight. The next tab would be tab 9, vote to sign the warrant for the special election on June 15th. Oh, yeah. Thank you. That's why that's why you're here. Great job. So, tab eight, we're done. We did that. Tab nine. Uh, so tab 9 is a vote to sign the warrant for the June 15, 2026 special election. Um, and basically it's just asking us to sign what we just already said we approved. Right. So, um, Chetain a motion to sign the warrant for the June 15, 2026 special election. So moved. Motion made by Selectman Harrington. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Sele. Rose. Yes. Anderson. Yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes, Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Thanks, Mike. Now, Mike, where were we? Tab number 10. Um, one-time revenue recommendations. You want to take the lead on this?

Sure. Uh so on an annual basis, the the town manager historically has provided a a memo to the select board um recommended um how some of one-time revenues, particularly free cash, retained earnings, an overlay surplus um possibly be allocated at town meeting. Um so the the select board just approved the town meeting warrant um which is the form of the articles but then we have the report to voters which then creates the motions where you get more granular in what those um expenditures are going to be for capital planning um water system improvements deposits into the stabilization account. Um so before the board this evening is a memo with with some recommendations that I believe would be prudent um as town manager for the report to voters. Um, a a vote is not required. This is reallyformational. But, you know, I what I would appreciate from the board is just some feedback on some of these items um as we as I begin to draft the the report to voters um just to understand, you know, what what some of the board's thoughts are um on some of these free cash and other utilizations.

So, let's go through them real quickly and see if the board members want to ask you any additional questions. Mike, how's that sound? That works. All right. So, let's start. Um, we'll start with uh um the first one. We don't have to go line by line, but I can if you want me to. Um, on the first page, from FY26 snow and ice down to capital stabilization, does anyone have any questions? Seeing none, we're going to move forward. The next one starts with special education stabilization down to FY27 water system improvements. But I have a question on that chipper. Go ahead.

Uh I just it seems like an exorbitant amount of money for $78,000 for a chipper. I understand the other one is very old and in a state of disrepair. Uh but in doing a little bit of research, it seems like 78,000 is a pretty large sum for an industrial uh chipper. Um, I mean they go anywhere from 30 to 150,000. Um, and it just seems to me it's 78's an absorbed amount for Chipper.

Mike, could you provide any clar, you know, any additional information? Do we know what size chipper and what Selecman Harrington might have been looking at when he was doing his research versus the chipper that we're proposing? And also, Bill, I know you know this, but I'm just going to say this to the general public who might not know it. uh because we we have to follow mass procurement laws. Um I know sometimes things can be slightly more expensive uh because we have to do that. So sure it has to be bought on a contract. I understand. I did look at a couple of different contracts uh because we working for the state that we also have the same constraints. Yep. Mike, do you have any or Mike? And if you don't have it now, you can always get back to Bill and I with a an update on this after.

Yeah. So, this this is the amount was requested by the Department of Public Works um to replace their 30-year-old wood chipper. It's a 1997 Brush Bandit um that is, you know, been dealing with breakdowns and unfortunately they're having issues getting replacement parts. Um it's part of their DPW operation. It's the only wood chipper they have. Um but what I can do is I can follow up with the exact specifications um and and follow up with that with the board. That'd be great. Thank you. Appreciate that through you. No, that's great, Bill. We're not looking to split hairs, but let's make sure let's make sure we can't pay 35 grand for it. And they're asking for 80 grand for it. Okay. Uh

so we stopped at water system improvements. Now we're going to go um I'm recommending the following pro appropriations for overlay surplus. We're going to start at FY27 capital planning and we're going to go down to the end. Any questions on any of this? Seeing none, we'll uh well, I guess we'll stop there, Mike. As you said, there's no need for a vote. Um you've got our you've got the feedback so far, but here's what I would also recommend the board members to do over the next couple of days. If you read through this again and have any additional questions, feel free to send Mike King and myself uh an email and we will follow up and get you uh your your the answers to your questions the best of our ability. Does that sound fair?

All right. Excellent. Let's go on to tab number 11. Adoption of the um 2027 uh fiscal budget. Uh in our documentation, we've seen this for uh you know, weeks and meetings and meetings. At this point, um Mike did a great job on the budget presentation. He's been in front of FinCom multiple times. Um we've all had the opportunity to review the budget and sit with Mike uh and or send emails with any questions or comments that we have. Um uh now we're going to look to actually uh approve the town manager's budget, take a vote on that. Um would anyone like to uh ask any questions or make any comments before we go ahead and do that or does everyone feel comfortable at this point based on the amount of times that we've been, you know, given this information. I'm seeing thumbs ups across the board here. Okay. So at this time, shain a motion to approve the town manager's fiscal year 2027 budget as presented. So

motion made by select Anderson, second by selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Rouse, yes. Selectman Anderson, yes. Select Harrington. Harrington, yes. Select Lamoth. Lamoth, yes.

Gallow, yes. Motion carries. 50. Uh, excellent. Um, we're going to go to tab number 12. Tab number 12 is the public comment section of our meeting. 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 and we would like you to come on camera um if possible. Um at the start of the comment a timer will be sent via message from I think still Amanda Vazipolo. It should be visible on the top of the screen and an alarm will chime when the time is up. Uh, anyone want to prov do public comment? Speak now or forever hold you peace or at least till next meeting and I'll give a few seconds as I always do. Thought Jim Anderson was waving his hand at me for a second there. I got nervous. Uh, 5 4 3 2 1. Okay, we're going to go to town manager report tab 13. I'm going to hand it over to Mike King.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have several updates this evening. Um the first uh involves our new executive assistant to the town manager. So I am pleased to share that Maya Matarazzo has joined us this week as the new assistant to the town manager. Uh she brings valuable municipal experience from her work with the town of Brooklyn and holds an MBA from UMass Boston. Um with her arrival, the town of manager's office has returned to full staffing following Stephanie Duket's retirement last month. Um, we are excited to welcome Maya to the Refam team and look forward to her contributions. I also

us, sorry to interrupt, but us too publicly. Welcome Maya. I know we've been email, we've emailed you, but it's great to have you on board. Clearly, um, you know, you're you're very intelligent, uh, and I think you're going to be a great asset to this board, uh, as well as the town and the town manager's office. So, thank you. Thank you.

Sorry, Mike. Uh, next update is on the Rice Complex improvements project. Um, so today we had the the pre-bid walkthrough um for the proposed improvements project at the Rice Complex. It was well attended u with strong interest from potential bidders. U bids are due next Thursday, May 14th at 2 p.m. This is to allow sufficient time to incorporate the total project costs into the report to voters and present it at town meeting on June 1st. Um, additional construction project update would be uh, sweat park the sweat park lighting project. Um, bids have been received for the sweat park lighting project with Timberline Communications of Canon as the low bidder. U, we are currently conducting reference checks and anticipate making an award shortly. Um, followed promptly by a notice to proceed. Update on the director of planning and economic development search. Um, candidate interviews for the director of planning and economic development position are scheduled for this week and next. Um, in the interim, while the position remains vacant, the town has engaged Eve Tapper to serve as interim town planner. She expects to provide approximately 10 hours of support each week with Tuesdays designated for inerson availability. Um, update on the demolition of the old salt shed at the DPW. Um, so this past weekend, the old salt shed on the DPW property was demolished as part of the enabling work for the new public works facility. I would like to recognize building commissioner John Nap for his involvement and extend sincere thanks to Refam residents Tom Deplaced and Richard Anderson for generously contributing their time and equipment to help advance that project forward. And my last update this evening is involves the uh the Rampland DPW water division. Uh the town's DPW water division was recognized today um by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protections drinking water program with a 2026 public water system award for outstanding performance in the

medium and large community systems category. Um this honor reflects more than five consecutive years of full compliance with all sampling protocols and zero violations. Uh we believe this is the first time the town has received this award and would like to extend congratulations to the water division staff led by division manager Dean Johnson and supervisor Jonathan Atwood on this well-deserved recognition. Great. That concludes my report.

That's fantastic. A lot of great things happening. Uh and please do uh forward the board's appreciation to uh Mr. Anderson um and Mr. Palaco uh for dedicating their time and and you know as you said uh Commissioner Naf and you know the other people that were involved also please do uh send the board's congratulations to the water department for receiving this prestigious award. As you said you think it's the first time we might have won it as a community. So uh I think that's great. Um does anyone have any comments or questions for town manager Mike King for any item related to his town manager report? Seeing none, selectman innocent, are you up to uh doing your duty or

absolutely so the floor is yours, sir. First of all, thank everyone for a great meeting tonight. And Mr. Chairman, would you have permission? Motion to adjourn. Uh I'll second that. So motion made by select man Anderson and we owed we owed us I owed us a short meeting after a few marathon meetings. So motion made by Select Manis, second by myself. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Cycleman Rouse Rouse. Yes. Anderson. Anderson's a yes. Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. Thank you everyone. And Jim, rest up. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.