Select Board - Regular Meeting

that being as how fabulous you look, the time is now 6:30. And in accordance with chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, the Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 6:30 public meeting of the Rentham Select Board shall be conducted remotely. The public is invited to join via Zoom. The uh directions in doing so posted on town's 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 James Anderson. Anderson here. Selectman Bill Harrington. Harrington here.

Selectwoman Michelle Rouse here. Selectman Roy Lamoth. Lamoth here. Staff, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Town manager Mike King, present. Assistant town manager Greg Enus. Affirmative. Exe executive assistant Amanda Vazapolo present. Okay. Excellent. Um meeting's not called to order. We're going to get right into it. We've got a a decent agenda, but I think we can move uh through it quickly. We're going to start with uh tab one, announcements. I'm going to ask Selectman Harrington to read the announcements.

Yes, Mr. Chair. Excuse me. Announcements. An overnight parking ban on town streets is now in effect from December 1st through April 1st. Vehicles found to be impeded snow removal operations will be towed at the owner's expense. A Manora lighting will be held on Monday, December 15th at 5:00 p.m. on the town common. The RenaM Police Association will be hosting their annual toy drive on Saturday, December 6th, at the Public Safety Building, 60 uh 89 South Street from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. accepting donation of new unwrapped toys and gifts, gift certificates for children of all ages. Please join the Rethm Lions for the senior Christmas party on December 7th from 1 to 3 at the King Phillip Regional Middle School. King Phillip High School football team will be playing against North Aaro in the state championship on Friday, December 4th at 7:45 at Gillette Stadium. Live streaming and ticket purchasing options are available at kpfoot.com. Rentham Community and Mid India is seeking contestants for their home for the holiday merry and bright light tour. Sign up your house at rethamcable8.com. Home for the holidays merry and bright light tours. Come join Renthm Community Media and friends on a magical holiday adventure on Wednesday, December 17th. Bus departments fist library at 6 p.m. Get your tickets at renamcable8.com. Thank you, Mr. Chip. Thank you, Selectman Harrington. I have two quick follow-up announcements. The first one, I just want to say that we had a very successful despite the weather uh holiday uh lighting ceremony Sunday night. Everyone who came out, we appreciate it. A lot of hard work was done. Um and I think overall it was a

success. Uh the additional uh improvements we made to the lighting um on the common areas uh on in the town common look fabulous. And I think the lighting looks fabulous this year as well. And the other announcement I have today is um please wish a happy birthday to Amanda Vazipolo, our executive assistant. Amanda does a lot of things behind the scenes for this select board of Mike King and Greg Enus, our town administration team. Um you know, we couldn't operate this machine without her. Uh she's graciously decided to spend her birthday evening with us. So I'm going to try to move the meeting along for you, Amanda. Uh but happy birthday from your friends on the select board and town administration team. We really appreciate you. Okay, let's get into tab number two. Approval of the minutes. Uh at this time, Chetain a motion to approve the November 18th, 2025 open session meeting minutes.

So moved. 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. Let's get into some new business. Um, okay. First item on the agenda is um we've been doing this this board in in our, you know, in our goal to have uh you know, great relationships with all the other boards and and um uh appointed uh and elected boards and committees in town. uh you know with our transparency initiatives um we're trying to have uh the chair or vice chair um from a lot of or all of eventually those respective boards and committees in town come just tell us what's going on with their board highle overview ask how we can help them uh be supportive of them and tonight we have with us planning board chair Tom Maloney as this board knows we have a great relationship with our planning board um especially you know during the MBTA communities This started with Joe Boach, myself and Mike Mcnite, uh Tom's predecessor. Um and Tom has, you know, car carried the torch, done a great job, and um we have a great relationship with him and his board. So, we thought it would just be prudent to invite Tom on and just give us a quick highle update and let us know how we can be of assistance to him and his team. Mr. Maloney, we know you're busy. We appreciate your time this evening. Welcome to our meeting. please provide us with a uh update as to what the planning board's working on, things you think we should know about and um let's go from there.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tom Maloney, chairman of the Rentham Planning Board. Uh as you all know, but this for the benefit of the public perhaps, the Rentham Planning Board is a seven member elected board uh consisting of uh figures elected for two, two, and three. uh in election years A, B, and C. Everyone serves a three-year term uh and then can run for reelection if he or she wishes to do so. Uh we have a full complement at this time and uh we've been meeting regularly. Generally, we meet twice a month and um in the summertime we take uh one or two weeks off. uh and uh there might be other times when there simply isn't enough to warrant uh holding a meeting so we we cancel a meeting but that's a rare occasion. We work closely uh with people whom you know well and who Mr. King knows well. Rachel Benson and her excellent team at the land use department uh Heather uh and Connor and uh uh working closely with them makes us look smarter than we really are. So anyway, um we've been working in the for the past nine months on a few projects you're probably familiar with. Uh one of which was the pond home uh edition. Uh the folks down at uh at Pond the Pond Home wanted to add a wing for memory care. Um we had probably five or six I think public hearings on that one and we took in a great deal of public input before voting in favor of that project. There are still some approvals they have to go through down there before they can begin construction, but uh from the planning board session, the special permit has been issued. Uh you're also probably familiar with the project at the corner of Beach Street and Taton Street. There actually two projects there. Uh one is an 11 home uh subdivision and the other is a um 66 unit senior living community. They're right across the street from one

another. Both have received special permits. Uh we do expect to see um the beginning of uh land preparation within the next six months. I think probably on the single family homes first and then the senior living community. Um and then the other one, Mr. Chairman, you you know, you and I have talked about a little bit in the past is the uh village zone B project. As you know, in the center of town, we have 50 vacant acres. It's an unusual thing in this part of the world to have such a vacant acreage uh in a town center, but we do. It's the old Crosby Valve property and we have two owners, two parcels owned by two different entities and u one of them, one of the two entities has been sort of headmanning the entire project. We uh we have continued the public hearing on that until our January 7th meeting. And so that'll be when we really get underway with um uh with the uh the plans and the uh the reports and the peer reviews and so forth. So it'll start to get pretty pretty um thick on that project beginning on January 7th. So just for your information, the board did a year ago, last July, give unanimous approval to the concept plan for the entire project, both parcels. And so now we're getting down into the real nitty-gritty. Those are the big projects we're working on these days. Uh uh as you know, we worked with your board and all the boards really on the NBTA communities uh bylaw uh which we brought forward to town meeting a month ago. Uh and town meeting approved it. And I want to thank you by the way, everybody on the on the select board for your your help on that. That was um what do they call it? heavy lift I guess is the term we use these days

but um I think that tactically and strategically the select board and the town administration handled that matter very well and I think it's we have come to what is both a logical pass um and uh we've really done what had to be done on that and we we did it in proper order so uh thank you for the time by the way appreciate the invitation it's good to see you all and I'm happy to answer any questions Tom, before I pass it over to the uh sorry, Mr. Jim, before I pass it over to the board for questions and comments, one thing I always get when I'm talking to residents is they always ask me, you know, with development projects that we're doing, are we impeding or getting close to our 10% affordability threshold? And do you and the planning board, you know, have kind of a plan in place to make sure that we're never in a position where we're susceptible for a 40B development with no oversight because we fall below said threshold?

Well, that's a good question, Mr. Chairman. the the town does not have an inclusive affordability bylaw. We have a bylaw pertaining to senior living communities, but not overall in the town. So, that might be a matter that deserves some attention in the spring if we want to look at bylaw reform uh as a defensive measure against unwanted uh development. Um, at the moment, a direct answer to your question is yes, we are over the threshold. We are at about 11.4% four percent um subsidized housing inventory as a percentage of total number of housing units in the town. So we do keep our eyes on it. So does the ZBA by the way. I've had conversations with Mr. Burns and with Rachel Benson on this too about this matter and I know Mr. King is on top of it. So u but the town there's more than one way to gain safe harbor from 40B. There's actually three ways to do it. One of which is to maintain a 10% or higher percentage of uh subsidized housing inventory as we just discussed. The second is to prepare a a housing production plan which can u hold off a 40B project for a year or two. And the third has to do with uh the percentage of of total land area in the town that is engrossed by uh subsidized housing. That is a rarely used method, but that's one of the uh one of the strategies we're going to pursue in the spring is looking at that 1 and a half% means of safe harbor. Uh it's basically simple math really. But so short answer to your question is yes, we are above the 10% threshold. Yes, we are paying attention to it and yes, we are mindful of the need to uh come up with some additional strategies to

Great. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. At this time, I'm going to ask uh the board if they have any questions or comments. Starting with Vice Chair, Select Woman Rose. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good to see you, Mr. Chair. Uh Tom, um thank you for the information and the updates on the current u developments that you're working on. Just one quick question from your perspective and or and as well as the boards. What do you see your biggest challenge, I guess, outside of uh balancing the needs and the wants from right residents and developers? That's a that's an obvious one, but what what else are you facing on the board that seems to be a big challenge for you?

Well, one of the things that you know you want to be kind of mindful of is how well are we developing on the commercial side. You know, we talk a great deal about residential development because it, you know, a new subdivision can go right near where I live and that could have a direct impact on me too. Uh but we're trying to we're talking a lot with people about Route One and other areas of of potential commercial development. Uh and it it's it's kind of funny. Route one, you know, Route One, you don't need, you know, we talk about it's a part of everyone's the background of everyone's life here, but there is potential on Route One, we think. And um we've seen projects uh gas stations and warehouses and we might uh take a look at um offering to town meeting some changes to uh to zoning bylaws in the commercial districts that might serve as incentives for further development in that area. And um otherwise, you know, we do have a a housing development plan coming forward within probably within the first part of this year. um we have a master plan too that we have to sort of you know regard as as a sort of a double guard rail for us as well. So um that's sort of a lengthy answer to the question but but really when you get down to it madam vice chairman the the the wants and needs of the people who live in the town the neighbors actually come to the fork because they show up at your meetings and they tell you what they think. So

we as we know thank you appreciate it. Good to see you. Okay. Select bananas. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, first of all, Tom, it's good good to see you, my friend. Um, just want to thank you for the update. Um, and as you you go along, you know, I am very interested in the uh village zoning in the downtown area. I think we need to get that up and running and uh make that come to fruition at some point.

Um, thank you, Mr. Anderson. I think we did receive uh today actually a report on the environmental um an environmental related report. We'll have to review it, but we we'll be we'll really be started to get into this pretty deep on January 7th. Okay. If you're interested and you're welcome to join us at our meetings soon. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Selectman Harrington.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So good to see you, Tom, Mr. Chair. Uh so I I assume at this point the village zone B project is your biggest thing coming up to the table. Uh which I see is going to create big challenges for the town. Uh it's going to have huge impacts on public safety, school traffic. Um I'm certainly hoping that you're planning to have um a lot of town input and a lot of impact studies prior to moving anywhere, you know, forward with that project. uh you're going to have in, you know, egress problems. Uh two deadend streets, uh two short streets, uh a center of town that you can barely get through now. So, uh I certainly hope you've got some big plans in in the works. U if you, you know, want to make that work.

Thank you, Mr. Harrington. I think you're right on every point. Uh it's a it's a big area, two big parcels uh in in a in a concentrated it's big, but it's a concentrated area. And you're right, access in and out is going to be important. Height restrictions are going to be important, which is sort of built into the biological limit. I mean, there's there's you're right, there are there are a lot of moving parts to this. As for public input, of course, our our hearings are open when we are entertaining an application for a special permit. We hope we hope public hearings and we're pretty sure they'll be well attended. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, Mr. Select Lamoth.

Tom, thank you for the update. I'm looking forward to the meetings in January on the village zone B. Um, no questions. Awesome. Well, listen, once again, Mr. Maloney, Chairman Maloney, appreciate you taking the time to be on with us. Appreciate all the hard work your board is doing. Let us know how we can continue to support and partner with you and um we'll be looking forward to see how these projects progress in January, my friend. Roger that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much for the invitation. It's good to see you all and happy holidays to all of you.

Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Bye-bye. Now, okay, let's go to tab number four. Tab number four is a license amendment application, change of manager for American Legion. Uh with us, we should have the commander, Nick Tobachuk, um in our packets. We have all the information as to what we're trying to do here. My understanding is it's just a pretty standard uh process of changing the manager, Mike Kang. Is that correct? That is correct.

Okay. So all they you know but and and I just want to remind the board and the public when someone gets to this point it means that all the boxes have been checked. Uh all the different departments have already approved this ABCC on board. You know whoever else needs to be on board is on board. Um and you know we're we're basically the the the last resort to make sure that uh nothing was missed. So uh Mr. Tobachuk, do we have you with us this evening, Commander? I see him. Uh I just don't see that he's unmuted. Uh Mike, do you have anything to add? I'm unmuted now. Hey, Commander, how you doing? Thank you.

Welcome to the meeting. Um I'll just give you a quick opportunity just to address the board. Anything that I missed in the description of, you know, what seems to be a pretty standard pro process. Uh just thank you for your time and taking taking this on and pushing this thing right through and we'll just continue uh providing um our facility for the town

and we do appreciate you providing facility to the town. Um we just had a uh we just had a random employee appreciation breakfast uh over there uh which was you know very well attended. I know there's countless uh events all the time both inside and outside at the American Legion. Um and I know it's important to you guys to continue to do that, but we just want you to know what a important part of the community you are for us. So uh appreciate you being here with us. Um does anybody have any questions uh for the commander about this process? Any of the board members? Go ahead now if you do.

U Mr. Mr. I just want to thank him personally for uh all his support that he provides to the Lions Club and to the uh girls field hockey uh and the other organizations in town. They you guys do a great job and I appreciate it. Thanks, Bill. All right. Uh with that being said, let us go to the motion which is CH entertain a motion to approve the change of manager license amendment application for the American Legion located at 592 Cell Street. So moved.

Motion made by Selectman Anderson. Second by Selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Select woman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson G. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Select Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Commander, good to good to talk to you. We'll see you soon. Thank you, sir. Thank you, everyone else.

Okay, let's go to tab number five. Okay, another license amendment uh application, change of hours, cafe. In our packet, we have the license amendment application. Um, we have Derek uh DBasi with us, Cafe CC owner. I believe I saw Derek. I did. Um and uh you know just for the board um this is pertaining to the recent uh policy that we put in place um trying to make sure that we um our alcohol policy. We never had a an alcoholic license policy in place and we were also trying to clean up um a lot of our license holders that might have had uh common vic licenses that did not match the alcohol license. um with that you know with that process unfolding um it came to Derek's uh Mr. Diosi's um you know uh it came to his knowledge that um the the the policy that we just put in place would actually allow him to extend his hours slightly. Um so uh with that being said his current hours look like they're Sunday 11 to 8, Monday through Thursday 11 to 9, Friday and Saturday 11 to 10. Um, and I believe he was uh he's trying to change the hours to 7 days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., which well falls within um our policy. Um, Mike King, do you have anything to add to that?

Nothing to add, Mr. Chair. Um, Mr. Diosi, are you on? Derek, are you here with us? Yes, I'm here. Derek, welcome to the uh to our meeting. I want to give you an opportunity to address the board, maybe mention anything that we did not say. Um, and then we'll get into any discussion and take a vote.

Okay. Thank you. Uh, good evening to the board members. Basically, what I'm trying to accomplish here is our hours are really still staying the same as far as our general when we're open and when we're closed. The only thing is, and I want to be in compliance with the alcohol license, meaning our last seating might be at like 8:30 or 9:00, but that's the last time I'll take in a customer. So, we still will have those customers seated in there beyond, you know, into 9, 9:30, 10:00. And I just want to make sure I'm in compliance on my liquor license to be able to have those people sitting in my restaurant and being able to serve them without getting in trouble.

Makes sense. and you're well within your right to do that and you're well within our policy to do that. So at this time I'm going to open it up to the board members seeing if anyone has any questions or comments starting with select woman Rouse. No questions. Select manison. Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. First of all I just want to say um Derek good to see you again. Listen love Cafe Cece. It's great food. It's great location and um everyone there is always very very friendly and personable. So, uh, I have no no other questions other than to see this thing get approved tonight.

Thank you, Select Manis. I concur with your sentiments. Food's great. People are great. Great to have him in our community. Let's open another one. I'm kidding, Derek. Uh, Selectman Harrington. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, yeah, Derek. Uh, yeah, I don't want to be one of those guests having dinner and uh cause you to lose your license. You know what I mean? So let's, you know, let's get this into uh into compliance. All right. Select man Loth. No questions.

Okay. At this time, Chetain a motion to change the hours of common victular and alcohol license amendment for Cafe ACC located at 667 South Street to Monday to Sunday, 7 days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Motion made by Selectman Lamoth, seconded by Selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse, yes. Selectman Anderson, Anderson, G. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington, yes. Blackman Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Chris Gallow. Yes. Motion carries 5-0. Derek, congratulations. Keep up the great work. Thank you to the board. Thank you all. Appreciate it.

Okay. Next, we have with us uh we have a Reanthm Premium Village Outlets Black Friday report from Chief Bill McGrath. Uh since Cruiser isn't able to talk, we guess we would have you on, Chief. Well, who says Cruiser can't talk would be the first question? He sometimes is way more articulate than me. As always, it's great to see you. You know, I love you. We can we can poke a little fun at each other.

When your team uh did a wonderful job, I'm told this is you guys have this down to a science at this point. And you don't have to read us the whole report that's in our packet, but do you mind just updating the board briefly on uh big picture, how Black Friday went, challenges, issues, things we can do better, if if any. Uh and we appreciate you being here.

Well, it it it really doesn't come down to a science. Uh it just comes down to a major effort to try to deal with uh the crowds when they arrive and the volume in which they arrive. If you're lucky, it's spread out through a period of hours. And if you're less like lucky, they all try to come in at once, which was more the case, you know, this year. So there there was at one point a backup on 495 that went seven miles. Uh but that was caused in part by a fivecar crash that blocked and closed down the entire high highway right at the peak of traffic. Um, you know, we have about 50 officers deployed for the for this detail. It's huge. Uh, and we really got through it with with no major incidents.

That's great, Chief. Now, let me ask you something. The the slip ramp that's under construction right now, how in your estimation is this going to I mean, this has to help the traffic situation, correct? Well, yeah. We so we I spoke with the state engineer or or uh whoever's manning the trailer, the manager of the project. He said that's at least a year away before that ramp is opened. Yeah. Hard to believe because when you look at it, it looks like it's about ready to be opened. But he explained all the uh issues with it. And uh when when that is complete, it's going to make a major difference for exiting traffic. um the improvements they're making for the traffic that's entering uh isn't going to do much at all.

Right. Unfortunately, because the the interior of the mall itself is is uh filled with choke points or or two major choke points and bottlenecks that unfortunately they didn't coordinate uh you know the public project with the private project. So, okay, that'll be a problem getting in. No, that makes sense. Chief, we again I appreciate all the hard work and the update. I'm going to turn it over to the board members. See if anyone has any questions or comments. Uh, select woman Rouse.

No questions. Just the comment that, you know, watching the traffic and the backup. You guys do an amazing job to manage that many people coming in those 24 hours. So, kudos to you and your team and the surrounding areas. That helped.

Thank you, Selectman Anderson. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, chief, thanks again for all you do for the for the community. Um, no particular questions. I' I've known about uh, you know, the Black Friday weekend for years. I know that it's a major undertaking. So, I just want to say thank you to you and your staff for uh, keeping them safe and and minimum traffic for the uh, entire weekend. Yeah, I just want to comment that I I provided that contrast with Gillette and uh with uh Xfinity because for whatever reason the drum beat got loud this year that we could take a lesson from Mansfield and Foxboro on how quickly and efficiently they handle traffic. So, I I feel like you guys may have to or the board and the town manager may at some point have to listen to that uh that critique and uh that's why I provided you with something that gives you some perspective on uh what we deal with versus what what uh that those events are like.

I appreciate that. I I read through that, Bill, and it was pretty interesting. It's actually amazing. It it really is. So although I joke around with you a lot, it it's it's an impressive thing that you and your team are able to pull off. So uh we do mean that with sincerity. Uh so listen, people are always going to critique us, chief. You know that. We know that. Let them critique and uh we'll we'll continue to provide the facts, you know. Um select so selectman Anderson, are you done? I am done, Mr. Chair. Okay. Selectman Harrington.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So as I was reading that uh chief I found it very interesting that unfortunately we don't have um the same amount of parking available and we don't have the uh additional I think it's um something in the neighborhood of 7 to 800 additional uh public safety vehicles and staff out there to help you. So I guess I'll have to apologize that we don't provide that to you. And uh I just got to say I think personally you guys do a great job and it gets better every year. Um thank you. It's like a fine wine I think selectman Harrington was trying to say. Uh select mimoff you're up.

Bill, thank you for the uh the report and the ammunition should we need it. And uh go KP Warriors.

Yes. And if there's a closing remark to make, it really is that, you know, although we don't have it down to a science because you can't anticipate everything, but we really do I really do have uh a team of supervisors and patrol officers on these details who just every single time uh a fire lights a problem occurs, they just without being asked, they just know what to do and they move into action and they divert traffic where they need to. They resolve problems and they really do make uh my job tremendously easy in the end. Uh you know, it's me just watching them do everything that has to be done. So, you know, they really do deserve uh all of the credit for uh for making for keeping the wheels turning through the whole event.

Yeah, Chief, we couldn't agree more. We just couldn't invite all of them on, so we had to have you on. Well, listen, you're stuck with me, so uh but I'll speak for them anyway. relay the message to the the 50 plus people that we're grateful for their service and they did a fantastic job. Um, and always good to talk to you, Chief McGrath. Have a great night. We're going to move on. Take care. Okay, next item on the agenda is uh tab number seven. We have a a a resignation with regrets acceptance. We have Chris Klinter from the uh recreation commission. There's a letter of resignation um in our packet. Uh uh Miss Leman Harington, do you want to read that into the record for me, please?

Uh yes, Mr. Chair. So it's uh stamped and dated November 12th from the town clerk's office. The letter is dated November 6th. Town of Rentham Select Board, 79 South Street, Rena Mass, Rentham Select Board, I Chris Caner, and writing to formally step down from my position on the Rent Recreation Commission effective immediately. It's been a privilege to serve alongside such a dedicated such dedicated individuals and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our community recreational program. I wish the commission continued success in all its efforts. Please let me know if any further action is needed on my part and it's signed. Uh Chris can't.

Thank you, Selectman Harrington. Mr. King, is there any kind of um like are we going to have to appoint someone or do they handle that on their own? How does that work? So, this is a uh select board appointment position, the recreation commission. So, uh once this resignation is officially accepted, the position will be deemed vacant and we will post it on our volunteer opportunities page. Great. Okay. Thanks for the clarification. Um so at this time chair and entertain a motion to accept resignation with regrets of Chris Kent Liner from the recreation commission. So moved. So moved. Motion made by selectman Anderson. Second by selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Yes with regrets.

Selectman Anderson. Yes with regrets. Selectman Harrington. Yes with regrets. Select Moff. Yes with regrets.

Gallow. Yes with regrets. Motion carries 5. Okay, next. Okay, this is a um this is our we're going to take a look at our traffic speed evaluation policy. So, as the board remembers, uh a couple meetings ago, um we did a great job of u uh updating or actually coming up with um our a street sign policy. Remember, we had a a person that wanted a slow uh you know, child slow sign or whatever we did. So, we we updated the policy. Um we added public input which you know was never done before. Um we had a public hearing about it. Um and then in the same meeting it came to our attention that um that person actually was was was trying to get um a reduction in speed as well in addition to the sign and after the meeting I think well actually during the meeting the board suggested that the next policy we need to take a look at is this one uh the traffic speed evaluation policy. So, I asked Mike King uh and in your packets on page 23, I asked Mike to put our existing policy in the packet. Um I think there's, you know, there's some there's some good things there, but my my two cents is that we we need to mirror the uh the other signed policy. Make sure we, you know, put notice out there to the neighbors, the abutters, the affected people. Actually have a public hearing at one of our select board meetings. um you know and uh I don't think I see uh uh you know the DPW in here uh to talk you know to ask the DPW for their opinion on this. Um so I'd like Mike King to weigh in as well. Then I'll open up to the board for discussion um to see what we think we want to do. Mike, is this a um this is just for discussion tonight. We're not taking a vote on this. Correct.

Yeah. Uh correct, Mr. Chair. So, uh, what I was hoping was to get some feedback from the board on what they would like to see in terms of revisions or additions to the policy. Um, and then at the the subsequent select board meeting, I could I could have a new policy drafted for the board's review and approval. All right. Thank you. I also noticed some verbiage in here, Mr. King, about the um, Norol County traffic engineers. I don't think that's necessary anymore due to the fact that is that is correct. They uh I confirmed with Norfol County um and the Norfol County traffic engineer um no longer exists as a position there. And don't we have the equipment ourselves as well? So

yes, the uh the new speed trailers um that the police department has um are able to uh track um and survey speeds. Okay. So um open for discussion. I open the floor starting with Select Woman Rouse. Michelle, what do you think about you know uh us updating this policy? you're on mute. Uh yes, sorry about that. First of all, glad to see that we're addressing this and putting in a policy with steps so people fully understand what's going to be done. Um I have no recommendations um regarding what's presented and and the timing and how it will will flow. So no formal um comments at this point.

All right, that's fine. Uh Selectman Anderson. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. My only question is has uh Chief McGrath reviewed this? So my understanding is Chief McGrath will be part of the review process. Correct, Mike? That is correct. And as part of the process of be taking this feedback and drafting a policy for the board, it will be provided to both the police department and DPW for their input as well. Okay, very good. Thank you. No further questions. Okay, selectman Harrington.

Yeah, I agree. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So yeah, I agree that you know uh the input should be heavily weighted on the public safety side and um I think it's a great idea that we review it and move forward and everyone's okay uh before I get to selecting them off I think it's important for us to mirror what we did with the other signed policy send notices out to the abutters people on the street have a public hearing where people can come voice their concerns like we did with the other policy in our, you know, in our initiative of being openly transparent as possible with the community. Um, so I'm hoping that that's okay with the board and I turn it over to Select Lamoth.

Just a clarification on your comment, uh, which I agree with. Once the DPW and or police have made a recommendation for a change, if there's no change, do we bother having that same public um exposure? So I think uh that's a great question Roy. Ultimately we're the policymaking board. So I think what we do is we create the policy. We put the steps to the policy in and then we make the ultimate decision based on feedback of DPW public safety the the abutters whomever whether we agree that there should be a reduction or a change or an increase if it goes that way at all. Um I so my my suggestion would be follow the policy um and then vote on it but open to the board's suggestions also.

So So I'm still confused. If if somebody makes a suggestion for a change, do we open it up to the public to comment prior to any feedback we get from the DPW and the police? No. So, so Roy, you'll you'll remember Roy that that's not how the policy for the No, that didn't work that. So, are you saying if they disagree with any change, we're still going to open it up? That's my question. Yeah, I think we will. I think what we'll do is follow the steps. We'll have the DPW and public safety weigh in on it. Then we'll have the public comment on it as well. We'll give that resident the opportunity to state their case to the board and their, you know, uh their their their peers, right? and then our board will make the final decision whether we make a change or no change.

Okay, got it. All right. Yep. Um any further discussion or any other additional comments? No. Mike, is that enough uh is that enough feedback and marching orders for you? Yep. That that's very helpful. I have enough information to draft a policy.

Fantastic. Let's do that and we'll look forward to seeing at one of our next select board meetings. Um so we'll move on now to tab number nine. So this is a discussion on select board meeting start times. So interestingly enough when this group of people gets together and we have our you know in-person meetings once in a while um that we all love. Uh someone made the comment to me that um uh oh it was because the the it was the public safety event, right? We we we started early because we had a a swearing in ceremony at public safety. Now listen, let's be realistic here. I do my best to get through these agendas pretty promptly, but sometimes we have a lot of material in the agenda and our meetings have gone two hours plus, you know. So, it was brought to my attention that if we could accommodate a 6:00 start instead of a 6:30 start, it might help us on those meeting nights when it's a two plus hour meeting so that we're still getting over at a time that's not past my bedtime. Um, so very preliminary conversation at this point. Just trying to gauge the level of that was a joke. Uh, level of feedback uh to see if if there's any interest at all or does everyone would just want to keep it at 6:30. There is another suggestion Mike King brought to my attention that um we could always do like a trial if the board was slightly interested. We could always do like a a one to two month trial just to see how it went. um and then revisit uh the policy to see if we wanted to go back to the 6:30 or keep it at six. So at this time open to suggestion. No bad answers starting with select woman rose.

So we have to choose one or the other. We can't amend the start time when we know we have those longer meetings that are covering more material that most of those meetings go the two and a half three sometimes even three hours. It's it's one it's either six 6:30 or set like it's one set time. We can't say 6 or 6:30 depending. It's a great question for our town manager Mike King. So the the answer is yes, you have that flexibility. U but it's helpful for the public if you have a regular cadence. So there's an expectation of when you're going to be meeting. Yeah, I agree.

I I'm I'm aware that that the six o'clock for some of our residents might be difficult. Um, but as we're seeing in meeting attendance, even when we've done it live, it seems that more people are watching the recorded versus coming to a live, unless we have a very important, um, subject area where we know there's great interest. So, um, I think we should take that into consideration when thinking about it as well. That's a great point. So, Slew Rouse, would you be in favor of a six o'clock start time? I'd be okay with a six o'clock star time. Yeah. Okay, great. Uh, Select Man would like to hear your opinion.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I'm very flexible. I can do six o'clock, I can do 6:30. Um, I'd probably defer to, you know, the uh working board members uh when they get out of work and, you know, how how easily it is for them to get to a meeting at six o'clock. So, um, but I can go I can go at 6, I can go at 6:30. I can go at 7 if you want. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Think for yourself, Jim.

Jimmy, you want to start at 9ine? You want to do that? All right. No, that's that's very that's helpful feedback and it's a great point, right? If people can't get here, then they can't get here uh via Zoom or in person, right? So this is why we're having the conversation. Uh appreciate your input, Selectman. Um Selectman Harrington.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So for me personally, it's uh by the time I get home from work, it's typically between 5:15 and 5:30. Uh so the 6:00 start time is a little difficult, but you know, for certain meetings, like the one we did at the public safety building and then up to the meeting, uh you know, I did have to leave early. uh which some it you know isn't necessarily an issue uh most of the time uh but it can create a situation that depending you know winter-wise the traffic um sometimes you know changes like this evening was very very heavy and very slow

do by chance do we have a headcount on how many people actually watch the meeting after the fact do we have that data uh because I I certainly wouldn't want to change I mean what we get very few people that are on the Zoom meeting now at 6:30. Um, so I, you know, I'd be concerned with the public's portion of it. And other than that, um, it's the will of the board. I mean, if if the voting majority wants to move it to six, I'm not going to be opposed. Yeah. And and again, good conversation, Bill. It's great to hear that feedback to help us make the decision. Selectman Lamoth.

Six is fine by me. Okay. So, I would say uh Mike, next steps would be Michelle. Go ahead. Were you raising your hand? No. No. I'm sorry. I was itching, but go ahead.

Oh, jeez. Sorry. Thought you raising your hand. Uh Mike, next steps. Do you think we, you know, I'm going to open it up and say to the board members because we're not voting tonight. Give it some thought and we could always, you could always send Mike King and I an email. uh if you you know if you if you you know want to put your opinion if you think about it more and you want to put your opinion in writing and send it to us and we could just kind of have a a soft poll of where we think the board if this is something serious that we should even try um and then we can reconvene at one of our next select board meetings Mike we can discuss any feedback that comes in after tonight and then um see if the board wants to take a vote.

Yeah I I I think that makes sense. Um, and I will note that, you know, we are going to be voting um on the select board schedule for 2026 and it does note 6:30 in there. So, just that's just something to highlight um as an upcoming agenda item um in terms of consideration um as we look forward to 2026's meeting calendar. And Mike, that could just that could be amended, correct? If we vote on that tonight, that could easily be amended at a later date. Yeah, meetings are subject to change.

Okay. Uh so okay let's move on then. That was just a nice little discussion. No vote needed. Um so let's move let's move on then to tab number 10. And this is a review and approve 2026 select board meeting schedule. In our packet we have the schedule there. Mike any comments? Is this pretty standard? This is you know routine every year. Th this is the standard select board schedule. So, first and third uh Tuesday of the month with the exception of uh July and August where the select board meets once per the month in the middle of the month.

Yep. And then um we we we will we'll get to this in a minute, but sometimes I know in the past we've foregone the the second December meeting as well if if there's not a heavy agenda. I'm not saying that that's the case this year, but we have done that in the past as well. Um any other discussion regarding this uh select board members? Does anyone have any feedback, concerns, issues? You know, um typically like you said, July and August, we tend to only do it looks like the second for July. Oh, no. Yeah, the second Tuesday for July 14th and then it looks like the one two third th uh third Tuesday for August. All the other ones seem to be first and third.

I have no issues, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I have no issues. None. Roy. None. None. Okay. So, with that being said, at this time, the chair would entertain a motion to approve the 2026 select board meeting schedule as presented with the only caveat of the 6:30 uh start time until we, you know, figure that out and vote on it. So, moved. So moved. Motion made by Selectman Anderson, second by Selectman Harrington. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectoman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson G. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Select the moth. Moth. Yes.

Chris Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Okay. Next, we're going to go to tab number 10. Nope. We're going to go to tab number 11. Sorry. Tab number 11 is uh our vote to um sign the license renewals. This is a yearly thing we do every year. This is the alcohol common victular entertainment amusement in class 1, 2, and three. In our packets, we have a list of the license renewals. You will see the following establishments are scheduled for license renewal 2026. The establishments in red, that's the naughty list. Okay? You can see that in your packet. And the establishments in black, that's the nice list. You can see that in your packet as well. And I will tell you that I know Amanda Vazipolo, the birthday girl, has been uh working the phones to reach out to the people on the naughty list. A lot of it's just a reminder. Um those people tend to, you know, comply once they get the phone call. Um and um just as a uh a general statement as always um with the the the uh these lists will I'm sorry these renewals will not happen unless all of the necessary box are checked right Mike King per normal.

That is correct. It goes through the normal review process. Okay. So do do um do we want to have a discussion or do we just want to go ahead and uh I'll open it up to any discussion. Basically, we're looking to uh for a motion to approve the renewal of all these licenses pending. They're in good standing and all the boxes are checked. Um, yes, sir. Just a quick question. Uh, when do they have to renew by? So, that's a great question and that brings us to another point that we might need to discuss. They have to renew by the end of the year. Um, so we may have to When's our next meeting? The 16th.

16th. So Mike, if it's the fifth It's the What is it? 16th. Yeah, the 16th, right? So Mike, is the is the goal that we would get all these renewals done, you know, by then?

That is the goal. So the the the renewals date that was communicated to the applicants was November 30th. U so now we're at the point where we've you know we've already sent follow-up emails. Now we're making phone calls um to ensure that these renewals can get in before January 1st because their current um licenses are and permits are valid through December 31st. So, the I, you know, the ones that are in in red that haven't yet filed their renewal applications, um, would have till the next select board meeting, um, unless the board was open to holding a special meeting at a later date, um, for those that don't get theirs in on time.

Or couldn't we I know I know there's been discussion in the past about foregoing the second December meeting. Couldn't we also another idea would be just to have a very light agenda meaning have this only this on the agenda and then do a you know do do a either a zoom or a hybrid meeting where we could use electronic signatures and get these things finalized by then. Yeah, the board could do a light meeting with just the renewals on it. Um, you know, we we're doing a full core press right now to make sure everybody gets theirs in to make sure they got their notifications um and those and get those approved for January 1st so everybody's in good standing. So that that is that is an option. Mr. Chair,

uh what's the what's the the thoughts of the board? I will throw this out there. Um I know in the past um we've done uh a few years in a row we tried to do like a a little board um get together. And I'm not suggesting that because I know it's very busy time of year, but if we were to do I'm laughing at Michelle. If we were to do um some kind of hybrid or you know uh remote meeting with electronic signatures and someone wanted to meet me on 1216 Tuesday after that short meeting for a quick libation or coffee at a local establishment, which may be on this list. Um I'd be very open to that as well. Um or we could just do a remote like yeah we could just do a hybrid meeting five minutes approve them and then see you later. Um but Mike I mean I I think we want to make sure that um the majority if not all of the people would be in compliance by then.

That is correct Mr. Chair. So the what's the board what's the will of the board Mr. Chair? Yes sir. So, since I've been on the board, that second meeting in December has always been light. Yeah. And um there's always been a a selectman's get together. So, I'd be happy to have a light meeting and uh more than happy to meet you afterwards and and buy you something that uh would warm your heart. Would be warm or cold. Well, if you're buying Jim, then I guess we're all in. There you go. There you go.

It'll help them sleep better. All right. Well, that what's the other the board members agree? I mean, let's have a let's shoot for a hybrid meeting and there's no pressure. If people are busy and they can't attend the live meeting, then you don't need to. You just zoom in and then we have a quick meeting and then those who can attend the hot or cold libation afterwards, you know, uh are free to do so. Um is that is that agreeable to everybody? Yes. Yeah. Selectman Harrington. Is that agreeable? Yes. All right. Yes. All right.

I mean, I guess we don't have to vote, but we do have to vote on this. So, at this time, Mike, chair, entertain a motion to approve. Should So, should we take the motion now even though they're not in compliance? I I would take the motion would be for those that have submitted. Okay. So, why don't we wait? Well, I don't want to do them all. How about we just we can we should we should approve the ones that did that did submit, right? Don't make them wait. Yeah, I agree. And then the only the only ones we'll be voting on in the next one are the are the people on the naughty list, which we could then, you know, quickly do that via the electronic signatures, right? I concur.

Okay. So at this time chain a motion to approve the renewal of alcohol common victual entertainment amusement and class one two and three licenses per the list provided pending the applicant is in good standing with the treasurer and collector's office board of health department of inspections fire and police departments and anyone else moved moved motion made by selectman moth second by selectman Anderson. Any further discussion? Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Selectwoman Rose, yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson G. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Select Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes.

Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 50. Um, so Mike, let's tentatively let's schedule that December 16th u hybrid select uh select board meeting at 6:30 and make sure those applicants know they have to have all this stuff taken care of by then or unfortunately their licenses won't be um in good standing as of January 1st which would have a huge impact on business. Correct.

Correct. And then it would no longer be a renewal it would be a new application. Yikes. And that's a pain in the butt. So, let's let's hopefully make sure that everyone gets those in. And at this time, let's go to tab number 12. Tab number 12 uh is public comment. Residents who wish to participate in public comment will be allotted two minutes to speak and must state their name and address for the record. At the start of the comment, a timer will be sent via message from Amanda Vazipolo. It should be visible on the top of the screen and an alarm will chime when the time is up. Anyone wishing to make public comment, please do so now. Give you a few seconds to raise your hand. Hit the yellow button. 5 4 3 2 1. Okay. Mike King, tab 13 is the town manager report. Floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so I'd like to begin with a World Cup update. Um, the town has applied for a federal grant to support World Cup security operations and help offset the anticipated public safety costs associated with the event. Uh, the federal government has allocated $46 million to Massachusetts to fund operational overtime specifically related to World Cup safety needs. Uh, in addition, the World Cup working group I referenced at the last select board meeting has now been established and we are in the process of scheduling its kickoff meeting. Uh the group includes representatives from the economic development commission, fire, EMS, planning, police, public works, and recreation. Uh the working group is tasked with identifying opportunities and addressing any concerns related to the upcoming World Cup events.

Great.

I have an additional update on the King Phillip MSBA projects. Uh the King Phip Regional School Committee met yesterday, December 1st, and decided not to move forward with the MSBA heat pump conversion projects for the middle and high schools, which have been estimated at $60 million. Instead, the district will proceed with just the MSBA roof replacement projects for both schools, estimated at 20 million before state reimbursement. Uh, King Phillip will use excess and deficiency funds, which is its equivalent of the town's free cash to cover the schematic design phase, meaning no funding requests will be made um for member towns, including Refleat's spring 2026 town meetings.

That's fantastic.

And the last item I I had on u my t town manager report is to is to echo the the select board chair and the tree lighting uh ceremony. The town held its annual tree lighting ceremony this past Sunday, November 30th. Uh despite the uncooperative weather, the event remained festive, memorable, and full of community spirit. The recent upgrades to the town's electrical system ensured a smooth and successful flip the switch lighting countdown. Um special thank yous to DJ Jeff Hall, Griffin and Casey McGrath of Marquee Labs LLC, and Uncle Joey's Canoli for helping to create an enjoyable experience for all who attended. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Literally the portaotty was the nicest porta party I've ever seen and been in in my life. I almost wanted to move in there. It was so nice. Um so that they did a great job. It was a great time. Mike, one thing not to I know we got to be very careful about what we talk about with your town manager report. I would like you to um the next time we speak to Dr. Ro uh from KP. I would like to address the um article I read in the paper about the um attendance uh figures

attendance teacher and student. Yeah, there was both. It was teacher and student attendance comparable to other communities was pretty interesting. Um so I would like you to add that to the the agenda for the next time we speak to D Dr. Derlette. I will do that. Okay. Um All right. Anything else, Mike, before I turn the floor over to Select Man? Nothing else, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Select Manison. Floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I just want to thank everybody. That was a terrific night at the uh tree lighting ceremony. Um, even with the with the weather as it was, um, I still thought it was a pretty good turnout and, um, I look forward to that being a an annual tradition by the board of selectman. Um, that being said, Mr. Chair, um, motion to adjourn and, um, looking forward to seeing everybody at our next meeting. Is there a motion made by Select Man? Is there a second? I will select second that.

Okay. Motion made by selectman Anderson. Second by select woman Rouse. Any further discussion? I echo your sentiments, Jim. Being none, we'll do a roll call vote. Select woman Rouse. Yes. Selectman Anderson. Anderson. Yes. Selectman Harrington. Harrington. Yes. Select Lamoth. Lamoth. Yes. Gallow. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. And look at that. An hour on the nose and we're done. So, good job. You're right. Well, hey, I was getting Michelle was sending me death threats that you were not in an honor. No, I'm kidding. She was not. She's awesome. But

I want I want to make a comment about the Polar Plunge. We Nobody said anything about that, but that was uh an excellent event that raised a fair amount of money for the the um for the the kids, the uh disadvantaged kids, athletics. It was great. Well said. Select them off. Yeah, I heard it was awesome event. I'm sorry that I was sick in bed and couldn't be there, but I heard that my team carried well even though I was told Slick and Innocent took some shots for not jumping in. But someone told me that he committed to jumping in next year. Next year. Listen, Kim. Yeah.

Yep. Listen, next year. This is This is my goal for next year. So, I think we each okay we're each going to raise 2,000 each, right? And we're each going to bring a significant other to jump with us. All right. It's a good goal. Goals are goals. Goals are good. Lofty goals. Lofty goals are always something to look forward to. Jim, you mind just you mind if you scanning one of your checks and sending them over to me so I can write a $2,000 check out?

Uh, so Mike, on on that note, I would uh Is there a place in town hall for our little trophy? Yeah, it it it's been placed at the uh the counter at this town manager's office. H I think we need to have like a permanent little um you know some kind of beautiful artwork and and the little trophy in its own special place. So So I also think uh if you don't mind um three very brave select board members that that went in. Uh we do have a nice photo that's floating around and maybe attach that photo to that trophy.

Yeah. Can you photoshop a few pounds off of it for me? Hey, photoshop a few pounds off a bill and put my face in there somewhere. Yeah, I got I got to photoshop Christian and my face in there. Yeah. And Jim, I just want you to know that next year it's probably going to be 20 degrees, 15 or 20 degrees. We were blessed this year with it not being that cold, but next year with you plunging, I can guarantee it's going to be chilly. So So I'm I'm already practicing. Like like today I went outside with no socks on. Oh, good. So, yeah. Very good. Good job, Jim. All right, we're already adjourned, right? So, we could just log off. Yes, we can. All right. Have a good night, everybody. Thank you.