{ "about": "Threads: a matter tracked across meetings and boards to a decision. notes/process/THREADS-MODEL.md", "generated_by": "scripts/build_threads.py", "coverage": { "rank_note": "newest first — by the date each thread last came up", "dated_in_the_future_and_excluded": [ { "board": "architectural-preservation-district-commission", "date": "2027-01-16", "file": "sources/data/recording-minutes/architectural-preservation-district-commission/2027-01-16-bpDu97Bl-go.json" }, { "board": "board-of-assessors", "date": "2027-11-06", "file": "sources/data/recording-minutes/board-of-assessors/2027-11-06-anpNaB1l9ho.json" } ], "rank_basis": "when each last came up, newest first", "meetings_readable": 166, "boards_readable": 16, "town_meeting_readable": 10, "official_town_meeting_years": [ "2011", "2012", "2013", "2014", "2015", "2016", "2017", "2018", "2019", "2020", "2021", "2022", "2023", "2024", "2025" ] }, "threads": [ { "id": "turkey-hill-rebuild", "label": "Turkey Hill: rebuild or renovate", "question": "Does the town rebuild Turkey Hill, renovate it, or neither -- and with what MSBA help?", "kind": "project", "groups": "schools;buildings", "tags": "turkey-hill;msba", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-10-15", "closes": "the MSBA statement of interest is submitted or dropped (window opens January, closes April 2027)", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "Nothing has been decided between rebuilding and renovating. A statement of interest asks the state to consider the project; it is not a commitment to build, and it does not commit the town to borrow.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-10-15", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee draft goals: Turkey Hill direction, capital plan, Kids Kingdom, playgrounds, budget rubric/audit", "outcome": "", "t": 7800, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sOnEhLYjmo" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-11-05", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Agreed on a staged, multi-meeting approach to the Turkey Hill decision: first set the end-goal/needs for the building, then debate rehab vs. rebuild, then address funding options.", "outcome": "", "t": 6015, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvMBXdLD8D4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee goal-setting: Turkey Hill rebuild/renovate decision process, MSBA funding mechanics, primary school playground/parking, budget process, facilities plan", "outcome": "", "t": 5046, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvMBXdLD8D4" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-11-19", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee will wait for more information from the superintendent before deciding whether to submit an MSBA statement of interest for Turkey Hill this cycle.", "outcome": "", "t": 6541, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Revised FY27 capital plan and Turkey Hill capital project updates", "outcome": "", "t": 3104, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Turkey Hill / MSBA statement of interest discussion", "outcome": "", "t": 5638, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-12-03", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The district will pursue a Massachusetts School Building Authority statement of intent for Turkey Hill targeting an April 2027 (not April 2026) submission.", "outcome": "", "t": 6529, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAK2GHxq2is" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Turkey Hill building future: MSBA statement of intent, renovation vs. new build, capital needs, debt capacity", "outcome": "", "t": 6507, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAK2GHxq2is" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-07", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Tony will draft a proposed framework/cost threshold for choosing between rebuilding Turkey Hill and building new under MSBA, to bring back for a vote.", "outcome": "", "t": 8709, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Future of Turkey Hill: ADA priorities and MSBA rebuild-vs-new framework", "outcome": "", "t": 7839, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-12", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Debt service, exempt vs. non-exempt borrowing, capacity, and Turkey Hill/MSBA timing", "outcome": "", "t": 3087, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D34uSOZ8GkY" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-21", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business: Turkey Hill Elementary capital planning directive", "outcome": "", "t": 6780, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-01", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Wait to begin discussing the Turkey Hill MSBA application until the next (newly seated) committee member joins, to allow a summer runway.", "outcome": "", "t": 6442, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef6KsOweWs" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-15", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town meeting warrant articles, override placement, and capital plan items (Turkey Hill, primary school)", "outcome": "", "t": 5736, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvTFo6yU_s" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-14", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Turkey Hill/MSBA process, town buildings overview, public engagement and communication goals", "outcome": "", "t": 4607, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-28", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "MSBA accelerated repair program timeline and its bearing on TCP/Turkey Hill decisions", "outcome": "", "t": 6000, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-07-29", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee agreed it needs an MSBA primer/presentation for a future meeting and to begin familiarizing itself and the public with the MSBA process for Turkey Hill.", "outcome": "", "t": 7735, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4gBkOqIaE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Public comment (prior issues): Turkey Hill Elementary building needs and MSBA timeline", "outcome": "", "t": 48, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4gBkOqIaE" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-09", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Formal review/vote on school committee goals for the year is deferred to next week; goals discussed include continuing the Turkey Hill MSBA process, implementing the primary school parking lot/playground study, and pursuing financial stability including using audit findings.", "outcome": "", "t": 6165, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Two school committee members will serve on a committee for the Turkey Hill Elementary MSBA Statement of Interest (SOI) process, which opens in January and closes in April.", "outcome": "", "t": 6396, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Review of prior-year school committee goals and discussion of new goals (Turkey Hill/MSBA, primary parking lot and playground, budget process, tri-board communication, legislative outreach)", "outcome": "", "t": 6123, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Superintendent's draft FY27 evaluation goals: ELA growth, professional culture, Turkey Hill MSBA SOI, and financial leadership", "outcome": "", "t": 4576, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee goal-setting: primary parking lot/playground study, MSBA application for Turkey Hill, and financial fidelity goals", "outcome": "", "t": 6559, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" } ] } ], "meetings": 14, "boards_touched": 2, "first_seen": "2025-10-15", "last_moved": "2026-09-16", "claims_before_started": 14, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Two school committee members will serve on a committee for the Turkey Hill Elementary MSBA Statement of Interest (SOI) process, which opens in January and closes in April.", "outcome": "", "t": 6396, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-09" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee goal-setting: primary parking lot/playground study, MSBA application for Turkey Hill, and financial fidelity goals", "outcome": "", "t": 6559, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "picking up", "stage": "a date is set", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 14, "boards": 2, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 3, "span_days": 336, "meetings_last_90": 5, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 240 }, { "id": "turf-field-study", "label": "The turf field and track study", "question": "Does the town borrow for a feasibility and schematic study of the turf field and track?", "kind": "project;asset", "groups": "schools;buildings", "tags": "athletics;capital", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-01-21", "closes": "Town Meeting votes the study; then the study returns", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "This asks the town to borrow for a STUDY of the field, track, drainage and wall — not for the work itself. What the work would cost is not established anywhere here.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-21", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The draft turf field and Kids Kingdom warrant articles were treated as discussion only tonight, with the language considered ready for the town to act on; no formal committee vote was taken on the article text.", "outcome": "", "t": 4345, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Draft town meeting warrant articles: turf field and Kids Kingdom", "outcome": "", "t": 4201, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8" } ] }, { "board": "Conservation Commission", "board_slug": "conservation-commission", "date": "2026-09-16", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "NOI: concrete boat ramp reconstruction and retaining wall at Shady Point, Lake Shirley", "outcome": "", "t": 4650, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXzIph3Demg" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Request the town raise/appropriate/borrow funds for a full feasibility and schematic study of the turf field, track, drainage and retaining wall, as a placeholder warrant article", "outcome": "passed 5-0 (all yes on roll call)", "t": 1829, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" } ] } ], "meetings": 3, "boards_touched": 2, "first_seen": "2026-01-21", "last_moved": "2026-09-16", "claims_before_started": 14, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Request the town raise/appropriate/borrow funds for a full feasibility and schematic study of the turf field, track, drainage and retaining wall, as a placeholder warrant article", "outcome": "passed 5-0 (all yes on roll call)", "t": 1829, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The draft turf field and Kids Kingdom warrant articles were treated as discussion only tonight, with the language considered ready for the town to act on; no formal committee vote was taken on the article text.", "outcome": "", "t": 4345, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-21" }, "any": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Request the town raise/appropriate/borrow funds for a full feasibility and schematic study of the turf field, track, drainage and retaining wall, as a placeholder warrant article", "outcome": "passed 5-0 (all yes on roll call)", "t": 1829, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "moving", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 2, "boards": 2, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 3, "span_days": 238, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 229 }, { "id": "paraprofessional-contract", "label": "The paraprofessional contract", "question": "When is the paraprofessional contract ratified, and what is in it?", "kind": "contract", "groups": "schools;how-the-town-runs", "tags": "contracts-and-unions", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-09-16", "closes": "the School Committee ratifies the contract", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "Reratification was passed over and the contract is delayed. Why it is delayed, and what is in it, are not on the public record.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Pass over the reratification of the paraprofessional contract", "outcome": "passed (roll call, all yes)", "t": 7649, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Superintendent's report: business administrator search, financial practices review with UMass Boston, special ed stabilization fund, paraprofessional contract delay", "outcome": "", "t": 208, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Vote to pass over paraprofessional contract reratification", "outcome": "", "t": 7358, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Topics for future discussion: capital plan, paraprofessional contract", "outcome": "", "t": 7795, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-09-16", "last_moved": "2026-09-16", "claims_before_started": 5, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Pass over the reratification of the paraprofessional contract", "outcome": "passed (roll call, all yes)", "t": 7649, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16" }, "decision": null, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Topics for future discussion: capital plan, paraprofessional contract", "outcome": "", "t": 7795, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-09-16" } }, "is_new": true, "heat": "just started", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 3, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "tc-passios-site", "label": "TC Passios: the site's future", "question": "What happens to the TC Passios site -- senior housing, a community centre, both, or demolition?", "kind": "project;asset", "groups": "buildings", "tags": "facilities", "boards": "lunenburg-municipal-building-design-committee", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-02-03", "closes": "the feasibility study returns and a board acts on it", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "A feasibility study has been scoped, not commissioned. Three options were named — senior housing, housing plus a community centre, or both plus more — and none has been chosen.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The town will fund TC Pacios building operations through FY27 while winding down user groups, with the goal of not heating it through another winter and a possible decommissioning warrant article next year.", "outcome": "", "t": 3431, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-02-25", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Election Day will remain a day off in the FY26-27 school calendar in case TCP is decommissioned and voting moves into a school building.", "outcome": "", "t": 10499, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYmZPJvgBg" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-31", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Include and recommend approval of Article M1 (special appropriations for TC Pasio decommissioning and assessors' overlay transfer)", "outcome": "passed 5-0, unanimous", "t": 3372, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-04-02", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Recommend approval of special appropriation for TC Pasios operating/decommissioning costs and assistant to the assessor position (M1)", "outcome": "passed", "t": 3982, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUXTd1phSg" } ] }, { "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Article 24: transfer $121,800 from free cash for TCP operating/decommissioning costs and $27,500 from assessor's overlay surplus for a special assistant to the assessor", "outcome": "passed 116-24", "t": 19942, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" }, { "kind": "vote", "text": "Article 24: transfer $121,800 from free cash for TCP building operating/decommissioning costs and $27,500 from assessor's overlay surplus for a special assistant to the assessor", "outcome": "not audible (recording ends during discussion)", "t": 17452, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPu6b2OxSAE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 24: TC Pacios operating/decommissioning funds and assessor special assistant; extended debate on food pantry relocation and building condition; amendment ruled out of scope", "outcome": "", "t": 17434, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 24: TCP (Chief Cassia) building decommissioning funding and a special assistant to the assessor", "outcome": "", "t": 17427, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-14", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Plan a tour of municipal buildings (Town Hall, Ritter, public safety building, DPW, TCP, Brooks House) for select board members, likely timed for after the August election.", "outcome": "", "t": 1613, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Select Board chair to contact Municipal Building Design Committee chair David Blat requesting a formal discussion and recommendation on TCP demolition versus renovation, on a timeline that feeds the fall capital planning cycle.", "outcome": "", "t": 2999, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "TCP building: flood damage, roof-vs-demolition decision, capital planning timeline, tours, role of Municipal Building Design Committee", "outcome": "", "t": 1748, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-28", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "No formal vote taken, but the majority sentiment expressed around the table was against putting more money into TCP (leaning toward demolition rather than roof repair), pending a formal committee vote at a future meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 9082, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Facilities Director tasked with preparing cost estimates for TCP — either roof replacement costs if the building is kept, or asbestos abatement plus full demolition costs if it is not — to inform the FY28 capital plan discussion.", "outcome": "", "t": 6672, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Select Board to schedule a tour of TCP, tentatively during the week of August 10th, pending full board being seated after the August 8th special election.", "outcome": "", "t": 7132, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Workshop opens: TCP building background, partial decommissioning history and cost-savings review", "outcome": "", "t": 2500, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Debate over renovating vs. demolishing TCP; needs vs. wants; land value vs. building value", "outcome": "", "t": 4207, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-04", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Facilities director Chris Ruth will continue developing separated cost estimates for TCP (needs vs. wants, roof, ADA triggers, systems) before the board decides on outside consultants.", "outcome": "", "t": 3030, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "A tour of TC Pacios and Brooks House with the Municipal Building Design Committee was scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th at 4:00 p.m., to be posted as a public meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 3968, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Municipal Building Design Committee discussion: Brooks House and TC Pacios condition, cost estimates, demolition vs. renovation", "outcome": "", "t": 2466, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Scheduling tour of TCP and Brooks House", "outcome": "", "t": 4155, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-11", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "TCP tour begins: food pantry cafeteria/kitchen area condition and roof leaks", "outcome": "", "t": 971, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "TCP decommissioned back half tour: shut-off systems, asbestos, roof drains", "outcome": "", "t": 2206, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-18", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business: Lunenburg municipal buildings (Brooks House, TCP, Ritter tour discussion)", "outcome": "", "t": 4322, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQcT2BMWS4" } ] }, { "board": "Lunenburg Municipal Building Design Committee", "board_slug": "lunenburg-municipal-building-design-committee", "date": "2026-08-31", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee agreed to ask the feasibility study to scope three options for the TC Pasios site: senior housing alone, senior housing plus a community center, and senior housing plus community center plus a town green.", "outcome": "", "t": 1630, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5j-uu0MRo" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "TC Pasios site as possible location for senior housing, community center, and town green; feasibility study scope", "outcome": "", "t": 1152, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5j-uu0MRo" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "TC Pasios building conditions (failed boilers, roof, storage) and future of teen center/food pantry tenancy", "outcome": "", "t": 4647, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5j-uu0MRo" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The board will not pursue a MassWorks grant to study senior housing at the former TCP school this grant cycle, saying more public discussion is needed first.", "outcome": "", "t": 6598, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business on Lunenburg municipal buildings: TCP reuse, potential senior housing, MassWorks grant", "outcome": "", "t": 5952, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" } ] } ], "meetings": 12, "boards_touched": 5, "first_seen": "2026-02-19", "last_moved": "2026-09-15", "claims_before_started": 7, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Article 24: transfer $121,800 from free cash for TCP building operating/decommissioning costs and $27,500 from assessor's overlay surplus for a special assistant to the assessor", "outcome": "not audible (recording ends during discussion)", "t": 17452, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPu6b2OxSAE", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The board will not pursue a MassWorks grant to study senior housing at the former TCP school this grant cycle, saying more public discussion is needed first.", "outcome": "", "t": 6598, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business on Lunenburg municipal buildings: TCP reuse, potential senior housing, MassWorks grant", "outcome": "", "t": 5952, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "picking up", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": true, "momentum": { "meetings": 12, "boards": 5, "votes": 4, "days_since_last": 4, "span_days": 208, "meetings_last_90": 7, "board_meetings_since": 1 }, "weight": 538 }, { "id": "stormwater-fee", "label": "The stormwater fee", "question": "Will every property pay a new stormwater charge, how much, and billed how?", "kind": "money;rule", "groups": "what-i-pay", "tags": "", "boards": "stormwater-task-force", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-01-13", "closes": "a Town Meeting votes the stormwater article and the fee is set", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "No fee has been set. What is on the record is a warrant article and how the charge would be billed — separately from the tax bill, with a quarterly coupon — not an amount any property owner will pay.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-01-13", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports: EDC, Municipal Building Design, School Committee, Capital Planning, Board of Assessors, Stormwater, 300th committee, Council on Aging", "outcome": "", "t": 9057, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJBSRi5z5U" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-02-17", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports (open space, library, master plan, stormwater, finance committee, capital planning, bylaw review)", "outcome": "", "t": 5057, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfWvWHwTzog" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "DPW budget: drainage, catch basin cleaning/street sweeping for stormwater compliance, recycling program cut, snow and ice", "outcome": "", "t": 9009, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-17", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Hold off including the stormwater utility bylaw article.", "outcome": "", "t": 3672, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3K-268mDJs" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-03-24", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Select Board removed stormwater from the tier two override to bring the number down.", "outcome": "", "t": 1989, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1UgU1vxNg" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The boards decided not to pursue a standalone stormwater override article this cycle, deferring to the stormwater task force's meeting the next day.", "outcome": "", "t": 3392, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1UgU1vxNg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Whether to include a stormwater utility/override request, and at what amount", "outcome": "", "t": 1948, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1UgU1vxNg" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-04-06", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business: follow-up tracking, budget process timing, stormwater task force, quarterly reports", "outcome": "", "t": 5069, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyauVYl3zd0" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-05-19", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports: Stormwater Task Force fee structure work", "outcome": "", "t": 2949, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVWS4tJouo" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-04", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports (school committee, cable advisory, building design, Fincom, stormwater, 300th anniversary)", "outcome": "", "t": 5232, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-18", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports (Council on Aging, Municipal Building Design Committee, Cable Advisory, Board of Assessors, Stormwater Task Force, Finance Committee)", "outcome": "", "t": 4452, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQcT2BMWS4" } ] }, { "board": "Stormwater Task Force", "board_slug": "stormwater-task-force", "date": "2026-08-31", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Agreed stormwater fees will be billed separately from the property tax bill, with an option for residents to pay quarterly via a tear-off coupon.", "outcome": "", "t": 1580, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5dSxGy3zZs" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-01", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports: finance committee and stormwater task force update", "outcome": "", "t": 6020, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY" } ] }, { "board": "Stormwater Task Force", "board_slug": "stormwater-task-force", "date": "2026-09-14", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Vote to accept the stormwater warrant article for special town meeting", "outcome": "", "t": 64, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHuUxPFr0rg" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Refer the special town meeting articles (zoning amendments and stormwater management bylaw fee structure) to the planning board for review and public hearing.", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 4548, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "November 17th special town meeting: referral of zoning cleanup and stormwater fee bylaw articles to planning board; Brooks House report article", "outcome": "", "t": 4336, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports (bylaw committee, assessors, open space, Council on Aging, library trustees, MPO, EDC, school committee, FinCom, stormwater task force)", "outcome": "", "t": 6879, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" } ] } ], "meetings": 13, "boards_touched": 4, "first_seen": "2026-01-13", "last_moved": "2026-09-15", "claims_before_started": 3, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Refer the special town meeting articles (zoning amendments and stormwater management bylaw fee structure) to the planning board for review and public hearing.", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 4548, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Agreed stormwater fees will be billed separately from the property tax bill, with an option for residents to pay quarterly via a tear-off coupon.", "outcome": "", "t": 1580, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5dSxGy3zZs", "board": "Stormwater Task Force", "board_slug": "stormwater-task-force", "date": "2026-08-31" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee reports (bylaw committee, assessors, open space, Council on Aging, library trustees, MPO, EDC, school committee, FinCom, stormwater task force)", "outcome": "", "t": 6879, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "picking up", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": true, "momentum": { "meetings": 13, "boards": 4, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 4, "span_days": 245, "meetings_last_90": 6, "board_meetings_since": 1 }, "weight": 439 }, { "id": "brooks-house", "label": "Brooks House: what becomes of it", "question": "Is Brooks House sold, leased, reused or demolished?", "kind": "asset", "groups": "buildings", "tags": "facilities", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-07-14", "closes": "the Select Board adopts a disposition, or Town Meeting votes one", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "The report Town Meeting asked for on selling or leasing the building was already overdue in July 2026, and no municipal use has been identified. Nothing here says what will happen to it.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-14", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Plan a tour of municipal buildings (Town Hall, Ritter, public safety building, DPW, TCP, Brooks House) for select board members, likely timed for after the August election.", "outcome": "", "t": 1613, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Town manager/staff (Director of Planning, with facilities director input) to draft the select board's overdue report on Brooks House sale or long-term lease options, targeted for completion by the fall town meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 4546, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Brooks House: overdue town-meeting-directed report on sale/lease, RFP options, renovation cost estimate", "outcome": "", "t": 3760, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlJWseLMwCE" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-28", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Select Board asked the Building Design Committee to bring back a formal recommendation/vote on the disposition of Brooks House.", "outcome": "", "t": 9664, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Discussion of the Brooks House and lack of an identified municipal use for it", "outcome": "", "t": 9142, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNLbfV7UT4" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-04", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "A tour of TC Pacios and Brooks House with the Municipal Building Design Committee was scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th at 4:00 p.m., to be posted as a public meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 3968, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "TCP/Brooks House will remain a standing weekly select board agenda item rather than being tied to a fall town meeting article.", "outcome": "", "t": 4054, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Municipal Building Design Committee discussion: Brooks House and TC Pacios condition, cost estimates, demolition vs. renovation", "outcome": "", "t": 2466, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Scheduling tour of TCP and Brooks House", "outcome": "", "t": 4155, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0b6T1GdWA" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-10", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Reminder of a posted meeting the next day at Brooks House then TCB", "outcome": "", "t": 706, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTAi2_3RDYU" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-11", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Opening statement and roll call at Brooks House", "outcome": "", "t": 13, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Brooks House tour: ADA/doorway width, balloon framing, fire escape issues", "outcome": "", "t": 97, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Food pantry representative's concerns about relocating into Brooks House", "outcome": "", "t": 298, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Brooks House basement, roof and remaining walkthrough", "outcome": "", "t": 590, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbIQ2xhEw4" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-18", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Old business: Lunenburg municipal buildings (Brooks House, TCP, Ritter tour discussion)", "outcome": "", "t": 4322, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQcT2BMWS4" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The Brooks House long-term sale/lease report will be presented by subject-matter experts (planning, economic development and facilities staff) at the November special town meeting, closing out the November 2024 non-binding vote directive.", "outcome": "", "t": 4673, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "November 17th special town meeting: referral of zoning cleanup and stormwater fee bylaw articles to planning board; Brooks House report article", "outcome": "", "t": 4336, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" } ] } ], "meetings": 7, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-07-14", "last_moved": "2026-09-15", "claims_before_started": 8, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The Brooks House long-term sale/lease report will be presented by subject-matter experts (planning, economic development and facilities staff) at the November special town meeting, closing out the November 2024 non-binding vote directive.", "outcome": "", "t": 4673, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "November 17th special town meeting: referral of zoning cleanup and stormwater fee bylaw articles to planning board; Brooks House report article", "outcome": "", "t": 4336, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "moving", "stage": "a date is set", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 7, "boards": 1, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 4, "span_days": 63, "meetings_last_90": 7, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 133 }, { "id": "925-mass-ave", "label": "925 Mass Ave: the RFP", "question": "What happens to the town land at 925 Massachusetts Avenue?", "kind": "asset", "groups": "buildings", "tags": "", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-05-19", "closes": "a proposal is accepted, or the RFP lapses", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "An RFP was issued in May 2026 with responses due in July. Whether any proposal was accepted is not in the record we can read.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-05-19", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The town manager will ask Amanda Moore whether she wishes to continue serving on the 925 Mass Ave RFP working group despite her board resignation.", "outcome": "", "t": 2212, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVWS4tJouo" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The RFP for 925 Mass Ave will be issued next week with responses due back in July.", "outcome": "", "t": 2254, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVWS4tJouo" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "925 Mass Ave RFP evaluative criteria", "outcome": "", "t": 1698, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVWS4tJouo" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town manager report: 925 Mass Ave RFP, FY26 close-out, municipal aggregation, law training, recruitments and vacancies", "outcome": "", "t": 3623, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ" } ] } ], "meetings": 2, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-05-19", "last_moved": "2026-09-15", "claims_before_started": 12, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The RFP for 925 Mass Ave will be issued next week with responses due back in July.", "outcome": "", "t": 2254, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVWS4tJouo", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-05-19" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town manager report: 925 Mass Ave RFP, FY26 close-out, municipal aggregation, law training, recruitments and vacancies", "outcome": "", "t": 3623, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-15" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "moving", "stage": "a date is set", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 2, "boards": 1, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 4, "span_days": 119, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 128 }, { "id": "trust-fund-vacancy", "label": "Trust fund administration during a vacancy", "question": "Who administers the town trust funds when the commission has a vacancy?", "kind": "rule;office", "groups": "how-the-town-runs", "tags": "legal", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-09-10", "closes": "the warrant article passes", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "A bylaw article about who may administer the town’s trust funds while the commission has a vacancy. It does not change what the funds hold or what they are for.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Trust Fund Commission", "board_slug": "trust-fund-commission", "date": "2026-09-10", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Approve the rewritten warrant article on continuity of trust fund administration during a vacancy on the board, as amended per the lawyer's comments, for submission to the select board/town meeting warrant", "outcome": "passed unanimously (2-0), roll call: John Bowen aye, Richard Howard aye", "t": 5275, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The rewritten warrant article on continuity of trust fund administration will be sent up to replace the version previously submitted to town meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 5296, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Full reading and vote on rewritten warrant article: Continuity of Trust Fund Administration During Vacancy on the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds", "outcome": "", "t": 4933, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-09-10", "last_moved": "2026-09-10", "claims_before_started": 10, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Approve the rewritten warrant article on continuity of trust fund administration during a vacancy on the board, as amended per the lawyer's comments, for submission to the select board/town meeting warrant", "outcome": "passed unanimously (2-0), roll call: John Bowen aye, Richard Howard aye", "t": 5275, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc", "board": "Trust Fund Commission", "board_slug": "trust-fund-commission", "date": "2026-09-10" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The rewritten warrant article on continuity of trust fund administration will be sent up to replace the version previously submitted to town meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 5296, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc", "board": "Trust Fund Commission", "board_slug": "trust-fund-commission", "date": "2026-09-10" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Full reading and vote on rewritten warrant article: Continuity of Trust Fund Administration During Vacancy on the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds", "outcome": "", "t": 4933, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCeOTdyvdc", "board": "Trust Fund Commission", "board_slug": "trust-fund-commission", "date": "2026-09-10" } }, "is_new": true, "heat": "just started", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 9, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "veterans-exemption", "label": "The veterans property tax exemption", "question": "Does the veterans property tax exemption increase, and what does it shift onto other taxpayers?", "kind": "money;rule", "groups": "what-i-pay", "tags": "tax-rate", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-09-09", "closes": "the November Special Town Meeting votes", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "An increase was discussed against the November warrant deadline. Neither the amount nor what it shifts onto other taxpayers has been set.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Board of Assessors", "board_slug": "board-of-assessors", "date": "2026-09-09", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "A placeholder will be requested for a veterans' exemption increase warrant article for the November 17th special town meeting, with research to be discussed at the September 23rd meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 2039, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qimi3yNAudg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Veterans property tax exemption increase and November special town meeting warrant article deadline", "outcome": "", "t": 1978, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qimi3yNAudg" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-09-09", "last_moved": "2026-09-09", "claims_before_started": 9, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "A placeholder will be requested for a veterans' exemption increase warrant article for the November 17th special town meeting, with research to be discussed at the September 23rd meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 2039, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qimi3yNAudg", "board": "Board of Assessors", "board_slug": "board-of-assessors", "date": "2026-09-09" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Veterans property tax exemption increase and November special town meeting warrant article deadline", "outcome": "", "t": 1978, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qimi3yNAudg", "board": "Board of Assessors", "board_slug": "board-of-assessors", "date": "2026-09-09" } }, "is_new": true, "heat": "just started", "stage": "a date is set", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 10, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "sewer-pump-procurement", "label": "The sewer pump station contract", "question": "Does one multi-year contract cover sewer pump operations, maintenance and capital repair?", "kind": "contract;project", "groups": "water-sewer-roads", "tags": "water-sewer", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-09-08", "closes": "the Special Town Meeting article, then the award", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "One multi-year contract would cover operations, maintenance, emergency work and capital repair together. No vendor has been chosen and no price is on the record.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Sewer Commission", "board_slug": "sewer-commission", "date": "2026-09-08", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Authorize development and advertising of a comprehensive procurement combining sewer pump station operations, maintenance, emergency services, and construction/capital repair work into a single multi-year contract, and recommend a warrant article authorizing the town to enter such a contract at the November 17, 2026 special town meeting.", "outcome": "passed (heard as \"motion carries\")", "t": 324, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMfaXMyKBII" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Special town meeting article: sewer pump station O&M/construction procurement contract", "outcome": "", "t": 259, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMfaXMyKBII" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-09-08", "last_moved": "2026-09-08", "claims_before_started": 0, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Authorize development and advertising of a comprehensive procurement combining sewer pump station operations, maintenance, emergency services, and construction/capital repair work into a single multi-year contract, and recommend a warrant article authorizing the town to enter such a contract at the November 17, 2026 special town meeting.", "outcome": "passed (heard as \"motion carries\")", "t": 324, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMfaXMyKBII", "board": "Sewer Commission", "board_slug": "sewer-commission", "date": "2026-09-08" }, "decision": null, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Special town meeting article: sewer pump station O&M/construction procurement contract", "outcome": "", "t": 259, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMfaXMyKBII", "board": "Sewer Commission", "board_slug": "sewer-commission", "date": "2026-09-08" } }, "is_new": true, "heat": "just started", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 11, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 0 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "middle-school-sports", "label": "The petition to restore middle school sports", "question": "Are the cut middle school sports and their transportation restored, and paid from what?", "kind": "money;service", "groups": "schools", "tags": "athletics", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-07-21", "closes": "the Special Town Meeting votes the article", "status": "resolved", "resolved_on": "2026-09-03", "caveat": "The money came from the Winter Recovery Assistance Program, a one-time fund. Nothing here establishes that the same source exists next year.", "closure": { "basis": "ours", "source": "our minutes of the recording, from machine captions", "meeting": "Town Meeting", "date": "2026-09-03", "article": "3", "result": "passed", "amount_as_printed": "", "quote": "Transfer from the Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) special revenue fund to supplement the FY27 Lunenburg public schools operating budget, for restored middle school sports and transportation (Article 3, Motion A)", "fincom": "", "select_board": "", "document": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw", "page": "", "caveat": "AS HEARD from machine captions. A caption model hears \"fifteen hundred\", \"$1,500\" and \"$50\" alike; check the recording at the second cited. This upgrades to the Town Clerk's printed record when that year's annual report is extracted." }, "chronology": [ { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-21", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee's request for a warrant article on additional FY27 state aid: state/town budget timeline, July 8 and July 15 school committee meetings, spending plan changes, citizens' petition for special town meeting", "outcome": "", "t": 1736, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COzfPKYMWPA" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-27", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Call a special town meeting for Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lunenburg Middle High School Auditorium, per the citizens' petition, and open the warrant July 28, 2026 with it closing 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 869, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_3VPZyn6U" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-07-29", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee decided to submit its own school-committee warrant article for the additional state aid, rather than relying solely on Mandy Gilman's citizen petition, so the request could go through school committee process and be adjustable.", "outcome": "", "t": 4078, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4gBkOqIaE" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Mandy Gilman stated she will not pursue additional money through her separate citizen petition, deferring to the school committee's warrant article.", "outcome": "", "t": 4227, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4gBkOqIaE" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-08-13", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Chair asked the school committee to meet (tentatively August 26) before the August 27 public hearing to take up and discuss the citizens petition article.", "outcome": "", "t": 1026, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qvpgKlYRg" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The select board will decide at its August 18 meeting whether WRAP funds go into a restricted special revenue fund or close out to free cash.", "outcome": "", "t": 3121, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qvpgKlYRg" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Finance director will follow up with DLS on two outstanding WRAP-fund questions before the August 18 select board meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 3162, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qvpgKlYRg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Citizen petitioner's presentation on cost model to reinstate cut sports and transportation", "outcome": "", "t": 414, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qvpgKlYRg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) funding discussion", "outcome": "", "t": 2716, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qvpgKlYRg" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-08-18", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "No vote will be taken on the WRAP funds tonight; the board will wait to hear from the School Committee (Wednesday) and Finance Committee public hearing (Aug 27) before deciding, likely at the September 1 meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 4279, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQcT2BMWS4" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) funds and FY26 snow/ice deficit", "outcome": "", "t": 3842, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQcT2BMWS4" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-08-26", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "The school committee will support the spirit of whatever the citizens' petition (warrant article 3) proposes, if funded from a new town source outside the schools' own budget, and will spend it as requested if appropriated at the special town meeting.", "outcome": "passed", "t": 5866, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_kvfs3s0UE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Warrant article 3 (citizens petition for middle school sports) discussion and figures", "outcome": "", "t": 5146, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_kvfs3s0UE" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-08-27", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Public and board discussion of specific sports funding figures for article 3 (ski team, girls lacrosse, middle school sports)", "outcome": "", "t": 4808, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGdwK249dSA" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-01", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "establish a special revenue fund seeded with $36,000 of RAP (Winter Recovery Assistance Program) money, to serve as the funding source for Article 3 (middle school sports restoration)", "outcome": "passed, unanimous", "t": 5806, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The school committee indicated it would vote to spend Article 3 money consistent with the article's intent (restoring middle school sports) if the article passes, since the article language itself is not legally binding on how the school committee spends a supplemental appropriation", "outcome": "", "t": 2931, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Winter Recovery Assistance Program (RAP) funds: curing the FY26 snow and ice deficit and funding Article 3 via a new special revenue fund", "outcome": "", "t": 5142, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY" } ] }, { "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-09-03", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Transfer from the Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) special revenue fund to supplement the FY27 Lunenburg public schools operating budget, for restored middle school sports and transportation (Article 3, Motion A)", "outcome": "passed", "t": 6093, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 3 motion presented: transfer from WRAP fund to restore middle school sports and transportation, with citizen petitioner's cost breakdown", "outcome": "", "t": 6093, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Question on the town's free cash balance and the nature of the WRAP special revenue fund, answered by the town manager", "outcome": "", "t": 6682, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw" } ] } ], "meetings": 9, "boards_touched": 4, "first_seen": "2026-07-21", "last_moved": "2026-09-03", "claims_before_started": 8, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Transfer from the Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) special revenue fund to supplement the FY27 Lunenburg public schools operating budget, for restored middle school sports and transportation (Article 3, Motion A)", "outcome": "passed", "t": 6093, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-09-03" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The school committee indicated it would vote to spend Article 3 money consistent with the article's intent (restoring middle school sports) if the article passes, since the article language itself is not legally binding on how the school committee spends a supplemental appropriation", "outcome": "", "t": 2931, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-09-01" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Question on the town's free cash balance and the nature of the WRAP special revenue fund, answered by the town manager", "outcome": "", "t": 6682, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUpJJb4cPw", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-09-03" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "settled", "stage": "decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 9, "boards": 4, "votes": 4, "days_since_last": 16, "span_days": 44, "meetings_last_90": 9, "board_meetings_since": 3 }, "weight": 435 }, { "id": "sap-rewrite", "label": "The Salary Administration Plan rewrite", "question": "Which bylaw changes to the town's pay plan pass, and what does the comp study cost?", "kind": "rule;money", "groups": "how-the-town-runs", "tags": "personnel", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-08-31", "closes": "November STM and the spring ATM vote the bylaw changes", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "A placeholder warrant article reserves room on the warrant for changes that have not been written yet. Nothing here says what the town’s pay plan will end up saying.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Personnel Committee", "board_slug": "personnel-committee", "date": "2026-08-31", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee will consider a future SAP bylaw amendment exempting job descriptions reviewed and approved within a set prior period (e.g. two years) from re-review before posting, if there is no proposed change.", "outcome": "", "t": 1233, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Committee will consider amending the SAP bylaw so votes require a majority rather than unanimous three-in-the-affirmative.", "outcome": "", "t": 3153, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "The item to align SAP longevity provisions with collective bargaining agreements will be held for the spring town meeting discussion rather than acted on now.", "outcome": "", "t": 3951, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Job-description review requirement (SAP 7-7/7-7A) delaying posting of a vacant part-time data collector position; plan to hold a Thursday Zoom meeting", "outcome": "", "t": 273, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Timing of comp/classification study, FY28 salary grid, funding via November town meeting and free cash", "outcome": "", "t": 2286, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Advice on pacing which SAP amendments to bring to town meeting now versus in spring", "outcome": "", "t": 3260, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-08-31", "last_moved": "2026-08-31", "claims_before_started": 16, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The item to align SAP longevity provisions with collective bargaining agreements will be held for the spring town meeting discussion rather than acted on now.", "outcome": "", "t": 3951, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU", "board": "Personnel Committee", "board_slug": "personnel-committee", "date": "2026-08-31" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Advice on pacing which SAP amendments to bring to town meeting now versus in spring", "outcome": "", "t": 3260, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEdUB3CsCU", "board": "Personnel Committee", "board_slug": "personnel-committee", "date": "2026-08-31" } }, "is_new": true, "heat": "just started", "stage": "a date is set", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 19, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 1, "board_meetings_since": 1 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "dpw-union-contract", "label": "The DPW union contract", "question": "What is in the DPW contract, and what were the discrepancies labour counsel was asked to resolve?", "kind": "contract", "groups": "how-the-town-runs", "tags": "contracts-and-unions", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-07-07", "closes": "the Select Board ratifies, or it returns to negotiation", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "Ratification was held back until labour counsel resolved discrepancies. What those discrepancies are is not on the public record, and neither is what the contract contains.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-07", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Hold off ratifying the new DPW union (Teamsters Local 170) contract until labor counsel resolves discrepancies.", "outcome": "", "t": 4523, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCVy5g-wWE" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "DPW union (Teamsters Local 170) contract ratification", "outcome": "", "t": 4500, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCVy5g-wWE" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-27", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Ratify the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Union Local 170 (DPW).", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 1014, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_3VPZyn6U" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Ratification of Teamsters Local 170 (DPW) collective bargaining agreement", "outcome": "", "t": 993, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_3VPZyn6U" } ] } ], "meetings": 2, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-07-07", "last_moved": "2026-07-27", "claims_before_started": 9, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Ratify the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Union Local 170 (DPW).", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 1014, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_3VPZyn6U", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-27" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Hold off ratifying the new DPW union (Teamsters Local 170) contract until labor counsel resolves discrepancies.", "outcome": "", "t": 4523, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCVy5g-wWE", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-07" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Ratification of Teamsters Local 170 (DPW) collective bargaining agreement", "outcome": "", "t": 993, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_3VPZyn6U", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-07-27" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "slowing", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 2, "boards": 1, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 54, "span_days": 20, "meetings_last_90": 2, "board_meetings_since": 7 }, "weight": 128 }, { "id": "kids-kingdom", "label": "Kids Kingdom: custody to the town", "question": "Does care and custody of the Kids Kingdom playground move from the schools to the town?", "kind": "asset", "groups": "buildings;schools", "tags": "recreation", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-02-05", "closes": "Town Meeting votes the article", "status": "resolved", "resolved_on": "2026-05-02", "caveat": "Town Meeting moved care, custody and control of part of the land. It did not fund moving or rebuilding the playground, and it did not decide where it goes.", "closure": { "basis": "ours", "source": "our minutes of the recording, from machine captions", "meeting": "Town Meeting", "date": "2026-05-02", "article": "33", "result": "passed 100-9", "amount_as_printed": "", "quote": "Article 33: transfer care, custody and control of part of Kids Kingdom land from school committee to select board (2/3 vote)", "fincom": "", "select_board": "", "document": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU", "page": "", "caveat": "AS HEARD from machine captions. A caption model hears \"fifteen hundred\", \"$1,500\" and \"$50\" alike; check the recording at the second cited. This upgrades to the Town Clerk's printed record when that year's annual report is extracted." }, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-02-05", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Superintendent will tell the town manager the committee is split on the Kids Kingdom move and will convene a joint discussion (school committee, Council on Aging, facilities director, library) before any proposal returns for a vote.", "outcome": "", "t": 4223, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad6QtSaJqVU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Kids Kingdom Playground relocation and TC Pasos office move-out", "outcome": "", "t": 3695, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad6QtSaJqVU" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-10-15", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "School committee draft goals: Turkey Hill direction, capital plan, Kids Kingdom, playgrounds, budget rubric/audit", "outcome": "", "t": 7800, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sOnEhLYjmo" } ] }, { "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2025-11-18", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "pass over article 11 (Kids Kingdom transfer to select board)", "outcome": "passed by majority", "t": 11987, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQkLNWEM-iQ" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Select board chair acknowledged there was no urgency to vote on the Kids Kingdom transfer that night, opening the way to passing it over for further public discussion.", "outcome": "", "t": 11783, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQkLNWEM-iQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 11: transfer Kids Kingdom playground from school committee to select board (parking expansion concerns)", "outcome": "", "t": 10820, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQkLNWEM-iQ" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2025-12-09", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Board leaning toward sending a letter to the school committee affirming the school committee's care, custody and control of Kids Kingdom, paired with a rough conceptual site sketch to inform further discussion, rather than issuing it unilaterally.", "outcome": "", "t": 12300, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z87KMc--ZoY" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Special town meeting follow-up: water billing/Fitchburg rate dispute, Kids Kingdom design, mailer/postcard warrant-article idea, APDC/noise ordinance scheduling", "outcome": "", "t": 11883, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z87KMc--ZoY" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-07", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Motion to remit care, custody, and control of Kids Kingdom to the town", "outcome": "passed", "t": 5324, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Kids Kingdom playground: vote to remit to the town", "outcome": "", "t": 4787, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-01-13", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Board will pursue a joint select board/school committee warrant article on Kids Kingdom custody transfer, largely reusing the special town meeting language.", "outcome": "", "t": 4692, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJBSRi5z5U" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Warrant articles to be sponsored by the board: COA warrant, Kids Kingdom, 300th anniversary committee funding", "outcome": "", "t": 4529, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJBSRi5z5U" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-21", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The draft turf field and Kids Kingdom warrant articles were treated as discussion only tonight, with the language considered ready for the town to act on; no formal committee vote was taken on the article text.", "outcome": "", "t": 4345, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Draft town meeting warrant articles: turf field and Kids Kingdom", "outcome": "", "t": 4201, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZgbfhPwD8" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-02-03", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Chair will reach out to the school committee about crafting a joint warrant article on the Kids Kingdom relocation.", "outcome": "", "t": 2908, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7AKUqslZ4c" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Warrant articles to be sponsored by the select board (Kids Kingdom, notice of town meeting, 300th anniversary)", "outcome": "", "t": 2888, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7AKUqslZ4c" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-02-17", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Discussion of warrant articles for 2026 annual town meeting (Kids Kingdom, notice of town meeting bylaw, 300th anniversary, PAC, trust fund commission, open space committee, capital cleanup)", "outcome": "", "t": 2961, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfWvWHwTzog" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-17", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Include the article transferring care, custody and control of Kids Kingdom and its land from the School Committee to the Select Board.", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 4446, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3K-268mDJs" }, { "kind": "vote", "text": "Recommend approval of the Kids Kingdom transfer article.", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 4467, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3K-268mDJs" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Board asked for brief one-slide presentations/rationale to be prepared ahead of town meeting for the Kids Kingdom transfer and Open Space Committee bylaw articles.", "outcome": "", "t": 4487, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3K-268mDJs" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-31", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Recommend approval of the Kids Kingdom article (re-vote; captioned again as Article GG)", "outcome": "passed 5-0, unanimous", "t": 4592, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "Board will reach out to the school committee, meeting the next night, to ask them to formally recommend approval of the override warrant article and support the Kids Kingdom article.", "outcome": "", "t": 5949, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Continued warrant review: union contracts (AA-CC), vacation liability buyout (DD), salary plan (EE), mosquito control (FF), notice of town meeting (GG), Kids Kingdom, open space, food access partnership", "outcome": "", "t": 3975, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-01", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Co-sponsor (re-affirm) the warrant article for Kids Kingdom with the select board", "outcome": "passed", "t": 4759, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef6KsOweWs" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Co-sponsorship of Kids Kingdom warrant article with select board", "outcome": "", "t": 4720, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef6KsOweWs" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-04-02", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Find no financial impact on transfer of Kids Kingdom land to select board", "outcome": "passed", "t": 6903, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUXTd1phSg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "HH: transfer of Kids Kingdom land custody from school committee to select board", "outcome": "", "t": 6879, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUXTd1phSg" } ] }, { "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Article 33: transfer care, custody and control of part of Kids Kingdom land from school committee to select board (2/3 vote)", "outcome": "passed 100-9", "t": 24130, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 33: transfer of Kids Kingdom care/custody from school committee to select board", "outcome": "", "t": 23380, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" } ] } ], "meetings": 14, "boards_touched": 4, "first_seen": "2025-02-05", "last_moved": "2026-05-02", "claims_before_started": 0, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Article 33: transfer care, custody and control of part of Kids Kingdom land from school committee to select board (2/3 vote)", "outcome": "passed 100-9", "t": 24130, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Board will reach out to the school committee, meeting the next night, to ask them to formally recommend approval of the override warrant article and support the Kids Kingdom article.", "outcome": "", "t": 5949, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-31" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article 33: transfer of Kids Kingdom care/custody from school committee to select board", "outcome": "", "t": 23380, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "settled", "stage": "decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 14, "boards": 4, "votes": 8, "days_since_last": 140, "span_days": 451, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 33 }, "weight": 440 }, { "id": "fy25-school-surplus", "label": "The FY25 school surplus", "question": "How did a surplus that size arise in the school budget, and does the explanation hold?", "kind": "money", "groups": "schools;what-i-pay", "tags": "budget", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-11-19", "closes": "the financial practices review with UMass Boston returns and is accepted or not", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "The surplus was explained at the time as a grant and lower utility costs. Nothing we hold tests that explanation, and no vote will settle it — a review of financial practices with UMass Boston is what would.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-11-19", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "The superintendent and business manager will revise the draft public statement on the FY25 surplus with member feedback for possible release/approval at the next meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 1663, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "FY25 end-of-year (TMS) report and current surplus figure", "outcome": "", "t": 910, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Public education/draft statement on the FY25 surplus", "outcome": "", "t": 1058, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-02-04", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Overview of how the FY25 surplus arose (grant, utilities)", "outcome": "", "t": 108, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjpFotE9hc" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Discussion of underruns vs. surplus and current-year budget status", "outcome": "", "t": 2906, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjpFotE9hc" } ] }, { "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Superintendent's presentation of the FY2027 school budget, cuts, class-size projections, literacy data and FY25 surplus explanation", "outcome": "", "t": 6755, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU" } ] } ], "meetings": 3, "boards_touched": 2, "first_seen": "2025-11-19", "last_moved": "2026-05-02", "claims_before_started": 7, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "The superintendent and business manager will revise the draft public statement on the FY25 surplus with member feedback for possible release/approval at the next meeting.", "outcome": "", "t": 1663, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZ-J-oIAkQ", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-11-19" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Superintendent's presentation of the FY2027 school budget, cuts, class-size projections, literacy data and FY25 surplus explanation", "outcome": "", "t": 6755, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU", "board": "Town Meeting", "board_slug": "town-meeting", "date": "2026-05-02" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "stale", "stage": "plans being drawn", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 3, "boards": 2, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 140, "span_days": 164, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 10 }, "weight": 229 }, { "id": "extended-day-fee", "label": "The extended day programme fee", "question": "Does the extended day programme fee go up, and by how much?", "kind": "money", "groups": "schools;what-i-pay", "tags": "fees", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-04-15", "closes": "the School Committee votes the new fee", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "A fee increase was put on a future agenda because the programme was said to be running unsustainably. No amount has been set and no vote has been taken.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-15", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Agreed to place an extended day program fee increase on a future meeting agenda rather than let the program run unsustainably.", "outcome": "", "t": 3453, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvTFo6yU_s" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Extended day program sustainability and proposed fee increase", "outcome": "", "t": 3453, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvTFo6yU_s" } ] } ], "meetings": 1, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2026-04-15", "last_moved": "2026-04-15", "claims_before_started": 6, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Agreed to place an extended day program fee increase on a future meeting agenda rather than let the program run unsustainably.", "outcome": "", "t": 3453, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvTFo6yU_s", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-15" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Extended day program sustainability and proposed fee increase", "outcome": "", "t": 3453, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvTFo6yU_s", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-15" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "raised once", "stage": "talked about only", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 1, "boards": 1, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 157, "span_days": 0, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 9 }, "weight": 127 }, { "id": "solid-waste-enterprise", "label": "Trash and recycling: the enterprise fund", "question": "Does trash and recycling move to an enterprise fund, and does that change what residents pay?", "kind": "money", "groups": "water-sewer-roads;what-i-pay", "tags": "fees", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2026-01-08", "closes": "a Town Meeting votes the solid waste enterprise fund article", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "The Finance Committee recommended the article 5–0 on 31 March 2026. What Town Meeting then did with it is NOT in the record we can read — the 2 May 2026 minutes contain no solid-waste vote at all. The FY2026 annual report would settle it.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-12", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Trash/recycling fee restructuring options (pay-as-you-throw)", "outcome": "", "t": 8281, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D34uSOZ8GkY" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "DPW budget: drainage, catch basin cleaning/street sweeping for stormwater compliance, recycling program cut, snow and ice", "outcome": "", "t": 9009, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-16", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Continue exploring moving the entire trash/recycling program onto an enterprise fund", "outcome": "", "t": 5868, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkqNg9jDIEM" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Recycling program budget drop based on actuals; exploring enterprise fund conversion", "outcome": "", "t": 5596, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkqNg9jDIEM" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-31", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Recommend approval of Article Y (solid waste disposal program enterprise fund)", "outcome": "passed 5-0", "t": 3873, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXm07GcviI" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-04-02", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Recommend approval of the solid waste disposal enterprise fund article", "outcome": "passed", "t": 2989, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUXTd1phSg" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Solid waste disposal enterprise fund", "outcome": "", "t": 2854, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUXTd1phSg" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-04-07", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "recommend approval of Article Y, solid waste disposal enterprise fund appropriation", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 5412, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article Y: solid waste enterprise fund", "outcome": "", "t": 5389, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs" } ] } ], "meetings": 6, "boards_touched": 3, "first_seen": "2026-01-12", "last_moved": "2026-04-07", "claims_before_started": 1, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "recommend approval of Article Y, solid waste disposal enterprise fund appropriation", "outcome": "passed unanimously", "t": 5412, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-04-07" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Continue exploring moving the entire trash/recycling program onto an enterprise fund", "outcome": "", "t": 5868, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkqNg9jDIEM", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-16" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article Y: solid waste enterprise fund", "outcome": "", "t": 5389, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-04-07" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "stale", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 6, "boards": 3, "votes": 3, "days_since_last": 165, "span_days": 85, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 36 }, "weight": 332 }, { "id": "fourth-fire-shift", "label": "The fourth fire shift", "question": "Does the town fund a fourth fire shift, and out of the override or the regular budget?", "kind": "service", "groups": "how-the-town-runs", "tags": "public-safety", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-09-30", "closes": "the budget that funds it is adopted", "status": "resolved", "resolved_on": "2026-04-07", "caveat": "Article 10 — the whole FY27 budget — passed, and the budget does not itemise the shift. That the fourth shift was retained rests on the Select Board’s record of 16 March 2026, not on this vote.", "closure": { "basis": "ours", "source": "our minutes of the recording, from machine captions", "meeting": "Town Meeting", "date": "2026-05-02", "article": "10", "result": "passed 340-68", "amount_as_printed": "", "quote": "Article 10: raise and appropriate the FY27 balanced (town manager's) operating budget, approx. $49,963,990.19", "fincom": "", "select_board": "", "document": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0viGd2yFSU", "page": "", "caveat": "AS HEARD from machine captions. A caption model hears \"fifteen hundred\", \"$1,500\" and \"$50\" alike; check the recording at the second cited. This upgrades to the Town Clerk's printed record when that year's annual report is extracted." }, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-27", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Public comment: firefighters' union president calls for an override to fund a fourth fire shift", "outcome": "", "t": 125, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xPyYMnz50E" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town Manager presents updated FY27 revenue projections, cherry sheet/state aid, and major fixed cost drivers (health insurance, retirement, transportation, fourth fire shift), culminating in a stated multi-million dollar deficit", "outcome": "", "t": 2740, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xPyYMnz50E" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Fire department will use Noba mitigation one-time funds for added predium (call staff) staffing in FY26 and set aside funds for paramedic training in FY27, rather than offsetting the fourth shift's ongoing cost.", "outcome": "", "t": 1104, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" }, { "kind": "decision", "text": "A public presentation on the fire department's fourth shift proposal is scheduled for the following Monday at the Adult Activity Center.", "outcome": "", "t": 10985, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Fire Department FY27 budget presentation and Q&A, including fourth shift proposal, staffing, equipment and grants", "outcome": "", "t": 232, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-03-16", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Fire Department: fourth shift retained, per diem coverage cuts, chief transition salary reserve, impact statement read", "outcome": "", "t": 3420, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkqNg9jDIEM" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-03-18", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Chair's report: fourth fire shift moved from override to regular town budget, concerns about override odds and ambulance staffing", "outcome": "", "t": 380, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8UUVRoCwoY" } ] }, { "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-04-07", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article L: FY27 balanced/omnibus budget, including extended debate over the assistant town manager, fourth fire shift, and free cash", "outcome": "", "t": 3707, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs" } ] } ], "meetings": 5, "boards_touched": 3, "first_seen": "2026-01-27", "last_moved": "2026-04-07", "claims_before_started": 0, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "A public presentation on the fire department's fourth shift proposal is scheduled for the following Monday at the Adult Activity Center.", "outcome": "", "t": 10985, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY", "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Article L: FY27 balanced/omnibus budget, including extended debate over the assistant town manager, fourth fire shift, and free cash", "outcome": "", "t": 3707, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPW2ew89EDs", "board": "Select Board", "board_slug": "select-board", "date": "2026-04-07" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "settled", "stage": "decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 5, "boards": 3, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 165, "span_days": 70, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 36 }, "weight": 331 }, { "id": "turkey-hill-ada", "label": "Turkey Hill: the ADA bathrooms", "question": "Do the accessible bathrooms at Turkey Hill get funded, and from where?", "kind": "project", "groups": "schools;buildings", "tags": "turkey-hill", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-12-03", "closes": "the bathroom project is funded or abandoned", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "A $195,000 transportation earmark was discussed as a possible source for the bathrooms. It has not been moved, and the project has not been funded.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2025-12-03", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Staff will try to compile a list of lower-cost Turkey Hill accessibility upgrades, likely by January, to scope near-term spending options.", "outcome": "", "t": 8609, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAK2GHxq2is" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-07", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Facilities director asked to pull bathroom-accessibility cost figures out of the prior Turkey Hill engineering study to produce a standalone bathroom remodel project proposal.", "outcome": "", "t": 8607, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Future of Turkey Hill: ADA priorities and MSBA rebuild-vs-new framework", "outcome": "", "t": 7839, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Closing remarks and Turkey Hill accessibility figures, DIBELS timing", "outcome": "", "t": 9268, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-02-04", "items": [ { "kind": "vote", "text": "Motion to give the superintendent permission to discuss redirecting the $195,000 earmark (passenger vans) toward Turkey Hill ADA bathrooms with Rep. Scarsdale and Sen. Cronin", "outcome": "passed with one abstention", "t": 2524, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akQoA2PejrQ" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Spending options missed: touch-view screens, Turkey Hill ADA compliance", "outcome": "", "t": 278, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjpFotE9hc" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Permission to discuss redirecting $195,000 transportation earmark toward Turkey Hill ADA bathrooms", "outcome": "", "t": 1916, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjpFotE9hc" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Topics for future discussion: Turkey Hill bathroom, personnel report, updated staffing chart", "outcome": "", "t": 8133, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjpFotE9hc" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-03-04", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Facilities update: capital projects completed, BMS server move, Turkey Hill ADA bathrooms, roof leaks, staffing", "outcome": "", "t": 4191, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfSdiKc6yvo" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-01", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Facilities and grounds report: energy efficiency program, generator relocation, solar array repairs, landscaping bid, staffing changes, Turkey Hill bathrooms", "outcome": "", "t": 4800, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef6KsOweWs" } ] } ], "meetings": 5, "boards_touched": 1, "first_seen": "2025-12-03", "last_moved": "2026-04-01", "claims_before_started": 8, "stands": { "vote": { "kind": "vote", "text": "Motion to give the superintendent permission to discuss redirecting the $195,000 earmark (passenger vans) toward Turkey Hill ADA bathrooms with Rep. Scarsdale and Sen. Cronin", "outcome": "passed with one abstention", "t": 2524, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akQoA2PejrQ", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-02-04" }, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Facilities director asked to pull bathroom-accessibility cost figures out of the prior Turkey Hill engineering study to produce a standalone bathroom remodel project proposal.", "outcome": "", "t": 8607, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSX2hx8kwI", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-07" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Facilities and grounds report: energy efficiency program, generator relocation, solar array repairs, landscaping bid, staffing changes, Turkey Hill bathrooms", "outcome": "", "t": 4800, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef6KsOweWs", "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-04-01" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "stale", "stage": "voted on, not decided", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 5, "boards": 1, "votes": 1, "days_since_last": 171, "span_days": 119, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 10 }, "weight": 131 }, { "id": "monty-tech-assessment", "label": "The Monty Tech assessment", "question": "Why does Lunenburg's Monty Tech assessment rise faster than Monty Tech's own budget?", "kind": "money", "groups": "schools;what-i-pay", "tags": "monty-tech", "boards": "", "registered_on": "2026-09-19", "started": "2025-09-30", "closes": "NEVER -- the assessment is set again every year; a recurring thread", "status": "open", "resolved_on": "", "caveat": "Why Lunenburg’s assessment rises faster than Monty Tech’s own budget was asked by the Finance Committee and, in the record we hold, not answered.", "closure": null, "chronology": [ { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-01-08", "items": [ { "kind": "decision", "text": "Bring Monty Tech in earlier in the budget calendar, before their board votes on its assessment, rather than after.", "outcome": "", "t": 2394, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GykEFtJVvsM" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Budget calendar review and Monty Tech budget/assessment discussion", "outcome": "", "t": 2351, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GykEFtJVvsM" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-01-12", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Net new revenue after health insurance and apportionment among school, town and Monty Tech", "outcome": "", "t": 6003, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D34uSOZ8GkY" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-05", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Monty Tech business manager's FY27 budget walkthrough: foundation budget, chapter 70, required local contributions", "outcome": "", "t": 994, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6csHPPkKg7c" }, { "kind": "topic", "text": "Committee questions Monty Tech on why Lunenburg's assessment rose far more than the overall Monty Tech budget", "outcome": "", "t": 3296, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6csHPPkKg7c" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-02-19", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Schools (LPS and Monty Tech), culture and recreation (library), intergovernmental (Worcester County retirement), and tax title budgets", "outcome": "", "t": 10053, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeK5iigzNY" } ] }, { "board": "School Committee", "board_slug": "school-committee", "date": "2026-03-24", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "FY27 new revenue available for appropriation, Monty Tech assessment, and the school/town revenue split", "outcome": "", "t": 4655, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1UgU1vxNg" } ] }, { "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-03-26", "items": [ { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town manager's revenue presentation: local receipts, free cash policy, Monty Tech assessment", "outcome": "", "t": 3684, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZv6KVIYb9w" } ] } ], "meetings": 6, "boards_touched": 2, "first_seen": "2026-01-08", "last_moved": "2026-03-26", "claims_before_started": 2, "stands": { "vote": null, "decision": { "kind": "decision", "text": "Bring Monty Tech in earlier in the budget calendar, before their board votes on its assessment, rather than after.", "outcome": "", "t": 2394, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GykEFtJVvsM", "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-01-08" }, "any": { "kind": "topic", "text": "Town manager's revenue presentation: local receipts, free cash policy, Monty Tech assessment", "outcome": "", "t": 3684, "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZv6KVIYb9w", "board": "Finance Committee", "board_slug": "finance-committee", "date": "2026-03-26" } }, "is_new": false, "heat": "stale", "stage": "talked about only", "tangled": false, "momentum": { "meetings": 6, "boards": 2, "votes": 0, "days_since_last": 177, "span_days": 77, "meetings_last_90": 0, "board_meetings_since": 18 }, "weight": 232 } ], "declined": [ { "candidate": "#budget", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "a FACET, not a matter — in 87 of 108 recent meetings", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "So are #personnel (86), #facilities (79), #staffing (73), #policy (67). Above the §2 ceiling." }, { "candidate": "Adult Activity Center", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "a VENUE, not a matter — fails the one-question test", "revisit_if": "a matter about the building itself arises", "note": "9 mentions, 2 boards: a surplus electric range, a pavilion dedication, an IT capital request, two love seats, the parking. Seven unrelated questions sharing a location." }, { "candidate": "Green Communities", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "routine appointments — the narrowed `office` kind excludes these", "revisit_if": "the Wallace Park lighting funding becomes its own matter", "note": "4 mentions across 4 boards, almost all committee appointments." }, { "candidate": "the citizens petitioner (a person)", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "A PERSON IS NEVER A THREAD — rule 8", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "Surfaced at 5 mentions across 4 boards. The matter is the petition; see thread middle-school-sports." }, { "candidate": "the Pleasant Street no-trespass order", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "an INDIVIDUAL'S business — excluded by rule, not by threshold", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "Had a scheduled step and real consequence. A thread is a matter of general application." }, { "candidate": "the dangerous/nuisance dog complaint", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "an INDIVIDUAL'S business — excluded by rule", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "A formal public hearing was scheduled. Still not a thread." }, { "candidate": "football helmets / fundraising policy review", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "low reach on the §2 bar", "revisit_if": "ANY further mention — see note", "note": "FLAGGED, NOT REJECTED. notes/process/PERSONAS.md records a booster president telling the School Committee \"we currently have more heads than we have helmets\" in the same year an athletics equipment line spent 44% of its budget. The score cannot see that history." }, { "candidate": "the Eagle Scout loafing shed", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "died on reach", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "" }, { "candidate": "the Town Hall / Ritter tour", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "scheduling, not a matter", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "Cleared the non-decision trigger (\"passed over\"); died at Gate B." }, { "candidate": "49 excise tax abatements moved to the next agenda", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "routine administration", "revisit_if": "never", "note": "" }, { "candidate": "the rec department library-space MOU", "declined_on": "2026-09-19", "declined_by": "TJ+Claude", "reason": "low reach; an internal booking arrangement", "revisit_if": "it becomes a paid or contested arrangement", "note": "" } ] }