===PAGE 1=== Page 1 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 Town of Lunenburg Select Board Meeting Minutes Town Hall, 17 Main Street and via Zoom Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Members Present: Caesar Nuzzolo, Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Amanda Moore, Renee Emkey Members Absent: Tom Alonzo Also Present: Jennifer Warren-Dyment, Town Manager Public Comment Participants are listed in the minutes CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Caesar Nuzzolo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Nuzzolo informed attendees that the meeting was being recorded and broadcast live and would be uploaded to YouTube after the meeting. He explained that the agenda listed topics that may be discussed, but not all items may be addressed and other items not listed could be brought up as permitted by open meeting law. BOARD COMMENTS Member Moore commented as a parent, former Town employee and Select Board member she sees how budget decisions affect all and has sat on both sides of the table in budgeting discussions. She recognized the work that departments and the School Committee and School Administration have put in thus far and she is committed to working together. She stated the Town also needs to look at the long-term infrastructure needs and that the Municipal Building Design Committee (MBDC) project addresses critical space and facility needs for the schools. She stated funding the operating budget and funding the building projects are two different funding paths. She encouraged residents to stay engaged in the entire budget process including capital planning and long-term financial stability. Vice-Chair Jeffreys utilized the comment period to read a farewell address from retired Sergeant Joshua Tocci. He spoke about his twenty years of service to the community. He shared the challenges of the role, the impact Officers have on the community, and how they can change the course of one’s life. He stated he hoped that he had contributed to the betterment of the Town and the Department. He spoke to the professionalism and dedication withing the Department. He spoke to the effort made to build community and interact with residents. He shared anecdotes of the selfless acts of those in the Department. He shared his commitment to community policing. He spoke to the leadership that will be had under Interim Chief Thibodeau and Sergeant Sean Zrate. He concluded in saying he hoped he had made a positive impact and to stay safe. Chair Nuzzolo stated the Board of Assessors hosted their Senior Tax Workshop last week and it is on YouTube if you were unable to attend. ===PAGE 2=== Page 2 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENTS Brian Lehtinen of 88 Beachview Road spoke as School Committee Chair and welcomed the feedback and recommendations from members of the public and encouraged the public to contact the legislative delegation. As a citizen he thanked the Board for putting the Budget Task Force recommendations on the agenda and for creating the Task Force. He stated that he was shocked with how many needs there are across departments. He spoke to staffing issues when positions are non-benefitted. He spoke to the positives of the Community Preservation Act (CPA). He read from the Budget Task Force Recommendations about the limits of Proposition 2 ½ and stated Lunenburg needs an override and the Select Board needs to place the matter on the warrant. Mandy Gilman of 186 Reservoir Road stated she had helped to successfully lead the override last year and thanked those who had supported the override. She stated last year’s override was a stop-gap measure and that they knew it would not fix everything. She encouraged the Select Board and School Committee to collaborate. She stated she was concerned irreversible decisions would be made because it being a chaotic year and not having planned more. She expressed her opinion that it was difficult to talk about a building project and also talk about cutting thirty-six positions at the school. Julie Long of 569 West Townsend Road stated she is a parent of three children and she was concerned about the $3.5M shortfall in the school budget. She asked there be a focus on the overall well-being of the community in the budget process and asked that the school system not only survive, but thrive. She asked for all departments to collaborate. Sondria Harp of 20 Pratt Street stated she has two children in the school system, and she is worried about budget cuts affecting special education. John Bowen of 162 Highland Street stated the Town is looking at five years of 2 ½ overrides to address concerns in a piecemeal manner. He spoke to the positive experiences his son is having in the school system. He stated that if all property owners pay $1,386.33 in the next Fiscal Year we will no longer need to discuss overrides. He suggested the Select Board sell some property. He alleged persons working for the Town owe property taxes. He suggested that if an override vote comes to Town Meeting that you come to Town Meeting when it starts and stay until it ends. Ana Lockwood of 91 Main Street stated that Lunenburg is a good community and it has many needs. She stated she has questions about the school budget process and suggested it could have been talked about months ago. She stated numbers were known by the end of December which would have allowed the School Committee more time to look over the budget. She stated she and her family supported the last override. She also spoke to the work of the MBDC. ===PAGE 3=== Page 3 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 APPOINTMENTS, RATIFICATIONS, AND RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Police Officer Christopher Bergeron effective February 24, 2025. Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Police Officer Jacob LaChance to Sergeant effective February 12, 2025. Both Mr. Bergeron and Mr. LaChance approached the Board with Interim Chief Thibodeau. Chief Thibodeau spoke first to Mr. Bergeron’s background. Mr. Bergeron has been a full-time police officer with Hubbardston since 2014, is certified by the Massachusetts Post Commission, resident of Town, and has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Anna Maria College. He then spoke about his recommendation of Jacob LaChance for Sergeant who has been with the Department since 2014. He has served in many roles in Lunenburg including Field Training Officer, Accident Reconstruction Officer, Taser Instructor, and Traffic Officer. He has excelled at all tasked and has dedication to the community and Department and is prepared for Sergeant. Both candidates expressed their thanks. Members of the Board welcomed and congratulated both Officer Bergeron and Sergeant LaChance. Chair Nuzzolo moved to ratify the Town Manager’s appointment of Police Officer Christopher Bergeron effective February 24, 2025 and the Town Manager’s appointment of Police Officer Jacob LaChance to Sergeant effective February 12, 2025. Vice-Chair Jeffreys seconded the motion. Call for vote: Four- Yes. Motion passed (4-0-0). ANNOUNCEMENTS None. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS None. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Ms. Warren-Dyment provided project updates on the Library Teen Room expansion and Children’s craft room floor replacement and the Town Hall Roof Replacement and Chimney Restoration. She informed the Board that the Town has been notified by the Department of Telecommunication and Cable that the cable television license with Comcast Cable Communications expires on February 29, 2028 and the Town must start to begin the renewal process. She informed the Board that the Administrative Board of the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District voted to allow the Town of Hudson to join the district and that Chiefs Sullivan and Thibodeau were in support. ===PAGE 4=== Page 4 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 Ms. Warren-Dyment provided updates on vacant positions. She stated the application period for the Police Chief position had now closed and that the Screening Committee would begin to review the applicants. She stated the Department of Public Works received a MassDOT grant for $21,953.68 for FY25 Rural Roadways and Fire Department received a Firefighter Safety Grant for the amount of $18,960.00. The Town also applied for and was provided funds under the Wellness grant to provide employees with healthy snacks free of charge. In response to the questions by Member Emkey, she informed the Board that the Police Chief Screening Committee was comprised of the Fire Chief, Senior Center Director, Superintendent, Chief from Another Community, Town Manager from another Community, and herself. SCHEDULED MEETINGS AND HEARINGS 7:05 PM Public Hearing for Class II Auto dealer License at 40 Summer Street (Glauciel Bueno de Oliveira dba Web Motors Group, Inc.) Member Moore read the Public Hearing Notice into the record: The Licensing Authority will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 7:05 p.m. at Town Hall, 17 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Lunenburg, MA, on the application submitted by Glauciel Bueno de Oliveira, 3600 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Apt 811, Medford, MA 02155, d/b/a Web Motors Group, Inc., for a Class II Auto Dealer License. The license is to be exercised at premises located at 40 Summer Street. The applicants seek to store and display fifty (50) used motor vehicles for sale. Proposed hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; or by appointment only. Glauciel Bueno de Oliveira of 3610 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, introduced himself as the applicant. With him, to assist with translation, was William Vilela of 1184 Mary Street, Elizabeth, NJ. When asked if he was hired to translate, they explained that they are friends. Mr. Vilela proceeded to translate (Brazilian Portuguese) for Mr. Bueno de Oliveira. Chair Nuzzolo asked Mr. Bueno de Oliveira to walk the Board through his application. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira stated he is an entrepreneur, has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, and six years of experience with selling cars. He stated he submitted an application to sell forty cars and agreed to reduce the number to thirty. He stated the business hours were accurate. Chair Nuzzolo asked Mr. Bueno de Oliveira if there was anything further he would like to say about his application before opening it up to questions from the Board. He responded no. Chair Nuzzolo turned to the Board for any questions. Vice-Chair Jeffreys asked how many other dealerships Mr. Bueno de Oliveira owned. He responded none. Mr. Jeffreys clarified that Mr. Bueno de Oliveira is neither a treasurer, principal, part owner in any other dealership or any other car license in anyway. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira responded in the negative. He stated he was a general manager in another store and he worked selling cars for another dealership but never being a partner or owner of any other dealership. When asked by Mr. Jeffreys if he was a manager in any other dealership he responded in the affirmative. ===PAGE 5=== Page 5 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 Member Emkey asked if the Board had seen a similar application in the past. Chair Nuzzolo advised that the Board had received an application for the same address, but not by the same applicant. Chair Nuzzolo advised the applicant that the Board was done asking questions for the time. Lunenburg Police Officer Jeffrey Hill approached the Board stating he wanted to speak to the Board about an investigation he had in relation to this application. Officer Hill apprised the Board that on January 6, 2025 he was working a uniform 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift. He was advised by Chief Thibodeau that the Chief had received an email from Annie Aubrey of the Town Manager's Office in relation to documents submitted to a for a Class II Dealers License for 40 Summer Street. Ms. Aubrey shared the paperwork submitted by Glauciel Bueno de Oliveira on behalf of his LLC, Web Motors Group which is registered out of 40 Summer Street in Lunenberg. Officer Hill relayed that Ms. Aubrey had received two separate surety bonds, each for $25,000. Ms. Aubrey had spoken to both Travelers and Western Surety. Travelers advised the bond was active. Western Surety advised that the bond in her hand was not a legitimate bond and the legitimate bond was registered to a Dasa Motors, LLC out of Leominster. Officer Hill stated he communicated with Western Surety through email and by phone. Officer Hill stated he sent the Western Surety bond the Town had received to Western Surety who advised that the document was fraudulent. Western Surety shared with Officer Hill the legitimate bond they had in their system which he shared with the Board (3 page document). He also shared with the Board the copy of the Western Surety bond that had been provided to the Town with the application (2 page document). He noted the six fillable spots in the document: bond number, effective date, coverage name of the company secured by the bond, location of business secured by the bond, date signed by the bond company, and an additional spot for the name of business secured by the bond. Officer Hill stated he noticed a lot of discrepancies. While the bond number of 67166839 is the same on both documents, the effective date of the original document it is August 20, 2024 and the altered document, submitted to the Town, is October 1, 2024. Officer Hill stated on the original document the name of the company secured by the bond is Dasa Motors, Inc. out of Leominster and on the document submitted to the Town, Web Motors, Inc. is listed. The original bond has the location of 728 Central Street, Leominster, and the document submitted to the Town has 40 Summer Street in Lunenburg. The effective date on the original is August 19th and the document submitted to the Town has October 1st. Lastly, the additional spot for the name of business lists Dasa Motors, Inc. in the original and Web Motors Group, Inc. in the document submitted to the Town. He summarized that out of the six possible spots where documentation could have been changed, five of them were changed. Officer Hill then asked the Board to focus on page two of the document. He highlighted that on the original document, Dasa Motors, Inc. is listed and, on the document submitted to the Town, it says Western Surety. He also stated that in the original document the date the corporate seal was stamped was August 19, 2024 and on the one submitted to the Town it is October 1, 2024. The same was true of the date the document was completed in front of a notary public. In summary ===PAGE 6=== Page 6 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 of the second page, out of the six possible spots where documentation could have been changed, three were changed to different information. Officer Hill then provided the Board with the Town of Lunenburg Business identity form from the application submitted by Mr. Bueno de Oliveira. Officer Hill stated the documents show that the applicant is listed as the President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director of the business, showing he should know all documents submitted and their validity. He then directed the Board to the first page of the document, in which Mr. Bueno de Oliveira had appeared in front of Ellen Griffin, Notary Public, and verified through his Massachusetts Driver's License that the forgoing statements were true. Officer Hill stated that there is presently an ongoing investigation. Member Moore asked Officer Hill to speak to the relationship between the business owner that is listed on the bond and the prior business entity at this location. Officer Hill responded that the owner of Dasa Motors is Tatiana Oliveria who is associated with the former business conglomerate, Maxi Auto at 40 Summer Street. Officer Hill also stated he has seen Sidney Fernandes of Maxi Auto with Mr. Bueno de Oliveira while on routine patrols. In response to a question from Member Moore, Officer Hill stated to his knowledge the business in Leominster has been shut down. Member Emkey clarified that there was an ongoing investigation, Officer Hill responded yes. Chair Nuzzolo asked for comments from the public. John Bowen of 162 Highland Street commented. He stated he has been following this situation since September. He stated it seemed like this is an individual who is trying to start a business and separate himself from all the other issues brought up by Officer Hill. He asked the Board to question the applicant whether or not he was separated from the former owner. Chair Nuzzolo called Mr. Bueno de Oliveira and his translator back to the podium. Vice-Chair Jeffreys asked the applicant whether he recalled providing a document with his application (he then handed the two-page Western Surety document to the applicant). The applicant responded that he did not recall providing the document. Mr. Jeffreys stated he believed that the Board will likely find that the two-page Western Surety document was submitted by the applicant to the Town. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira responded that he applied for the bond online and that is why he does not remember the document. He stated he has a bond from Travelers. Chair Nuzzolo asked Mr. Bueno de Oliveira if he was the only one who worked on the application package that was submitted. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira responded in the affirmative. He stated that he had applied for the Traveler’s Bond. Chair Nuzzolo clarified that he was speaking about the application to the Town. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira responded that he submitted the application himself. He again stated he did not recall that specific document. Vice-Chair Jefferey asked Officer Hill if he was aware of how the two-page Western Surety bond (manipulated document) came into possession of the Town. Officer Hill responded that it was submitted in the original Class II license application to Ms. Aubrey at the Town Hall. Officer Hill did not know if it was emailed or hand delivered. ===PAGE 7=== Page 7 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 Vice- Chair Jeffreys opined that this is straightforward for him and that preponderance of evidence is the standard. He stated that Officer Hill has reached a much higher burden. He stated it has been established beyond a reasonable doubt that the document before them was fraudulent. He stated it was self-evident in comparing the original document provided by Western Surety and the document submitted with the application. He stated the manipulation was clear. He stated when you submit fraudulent documents to obtain a license, the answer is no. No other members had questions. Mr. Bueno de Oliveira expressed he has been waiting for five months, paying the bills, waiting for license approval. Vice-Chair Jeffreys moved to close the evidentiary portion of the hearing. Member Moore seconded the motion. Call for vote: Four- Yes. Motion passed (4-0-0). The evidentiary portion of the hearing closed. Vice-Chair Jeffreys moved to approve the Class II Auto dealer License at 40 Summer Street to Glauciel Bueno de Oliveira dba Web Motors Group, Inc. Member Emkey seconded the motion. Mr. Jeffreys offered additional discussion. He recognized that business owners can make mistakes and that a fair opportunity should be provided to correct errors. He stated this does not appear to be an error, but it appears to be a very deliberate misrepresentation of a financial document that was submitted to a government entity to request a license. Mr. Jeffreys stated he was not sure of how many crimes were committed. He stated the Board heard that the applicant should have known that the information presented was false and that the applicant was responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. He stated the Board did not need to be experts to identify what appears to be clear manipulation. Call for vote: Four- No. Motion Passed (0-4-0). The motion failed to pass and the application was denied. Ms. Warren-Dyment stated the applicant will receive a formal decision in writing from the office. Chair Nuzzolo summarized to the applicant that the application had been denied and the applicant will be notified. Vice-Chair Jeffreys moved to close the public hearing. Member Moore seconded the motion. Call for vote: Four- Yes. Motion passed (4-0-0). OLD BUSINESS Action Re: Sell or Hold 55 (*sic) Carr Avenue: *The agenda listed the address as 55 Carr Avenue. The correct property address is 56 Carr Avenue. Chair Nuzzolo advised the Board had an email from the Treasurer/Collector who answered some of their questions. Ms. Warren- Dyment read from a memo that she had provided to the Board on the status of the property. The property has not been foreclosed upon and nothing will happen until the town files a Motion for General Default. She stated there is no requirement for the Town to hold the property for a certain period if the Board chooses to retain the property, but that Counsel advises it should be ===PAGE 8=== Page 8 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 retained for at least twelve months. She went over the costs of holding the property and stated there is no deadline for the board to make a decision. There was no further discussion on this matter. Discussion on Workplace Climate Survey Policy: The Chair passed over this item. Discussion on Select Board and Town Manager Goal-Setting Process: The Chair passed over this item. Review and Discussion on Budget Task Force Recommendations: Member Emkey advised the Board that the Budget Task Force came up with the idea for an audit when they were looking at revenues and noticed that in the category of miscellaneous non-recurring expense revenue that the amount dropped from about $1M by $400,000 and stayed down. She stated that the drop could not be explained and it was a challenge to get a clear picture. She stated a forensic audit had been suggested, but they can be expensive. To narrow the scope, she stated that the Finance Director and School Director of Administration and Finance drafted a memo with five main focus areas for the audit: staffing, technology, payment timelines, process mapping, and interdepartmental communication. She also discussed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) recommendation. She said it is worth looking at closely. Board members expressed a general interest in pursuing the CPA for the next Annual Town Meeting. Members discussed the need for a grassroots effort in regard to the CPA. CURRENT BUSINESS Review ARPA Press Release: Chair Nuzzolo read a draft of the press release he had drafted relative to ARPA funds received by the Town of Lunenburg. Vice-Chair Jeffreys provided feedback on the draft. Chair Nuzzolo suggested bringing the draft to the next meeting of the Board when all members can be present. Discussion on FY2025 Budget, FY2026 Budget, Capital Plan, and Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles: Chair Nuzzolo acknowledged the attention on the budget and is glad the public is involved. He pointed out that we are very early in the budget process. He said that he hoped the budget process would be collaborative and respectful. Ms. Warren-Dyment stated she began in the Town with the budget process well underway and that deadlines were established prior to her arrival. She stated that she would not be able to have a budget presentation by February 13 th. She went over the process, stating requests had come in from departments and meetings with stakeholders were held over the month of January. However, not all that had been discussed had been reduced to spreadsheets. She emphasized that the budget would remain in flux as we approach Town Meeting and that the picture becomes clearer the closer to Town Meeting we get. She went over the Revenue budget that was put together by Mr. Terenzini, stating she wanted to look closer at local receipts and new growth. She stated the revenue budget suggested there was $1.2M in new revenues with $520k going to the Town and $680k going to the school. On the expenditure side we are looking at a 16% increase in health insurance for $489k and $264k from Worcester County Retirement. She stated that she believes that she can close the budget gap on the Town side of the budget, but it was ===PAGE 9=== Page 9 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 premature to discuss how that may happen without knowing the total shortfall. She stated that Mr. Terenzini had put together a $1.2M Capital Plan, much of which was shared with the Capital Planning Committee. There is $225k from the reduction in debt service used to offset the capital plan and while she understands the logic, she is unsure if it can be accomplished. She also discussed some Free Cash transfers that had been planned. She stated she was committed to collaboration through the process. Member Emkey stated she was concerned with the timing in the case an override needs to be brought forward. Ms. Warren-Dyment stated her initial preference was not to go forward with an override this year, but to spend the time doing substantial analysis, but that she could not speak for the Superintendent. Member Emkey expressed an interest in meeting jointly with the School Committee and Finance Committee to discuss the budget. Vice-Chair Jeffreys suggested that cuts should be made across the Board and that parties need to be reasonable in bridging the gap. He stated every department, except the School Department, is dealing with more customers. He stated that he would like further conversation about health insurance living in department budgets, snow removal, facilities, human resources, procurement, and revenue. He emphasized the need to work together. Ms. Warren-Dyment discussed the Town Meeting Warrant and stated she has reached out to departments and Boards, Committees, and Commissions to ensure that no articles had been missed with the internal deadline. Vice-Chair Jeffreys expressed an interest of having proponents of certain warrant articles appear before the Board to discuss their proposals as it has helped in the past. Ms. Warren-Dyment briefly reviewed the articles that had been submitted thus far, acknowledging that some were standard articles and some were placeholders at this point. She discussed the frustration with the internal deadline that was set for warrant article submissions. She stated there is substantial time for Boards to change the language of their articles. Members acknowledged that the internal deadline was set by Mr. Terenzini, and not the Board and that if it becomes an issue it can be revisited. MINUTES/WARRANTS/ACTION ITEMS Regular Session Minutes for February 4, 2025 and January 15, 2025: The Chair passed over this item. Chair Nuzzolo stated he would be creating the action item tracker. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Council on Aging: Vice Chair Jeffreys reported he attended the Council on Aging and it was wonderful to see the new Director engaging. • MMPO: Chair Nuzzolo stated he will be attending the MMPO caucus where they will be selecting the sub-region representative. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE Chair Nuzzolo announced the Board is meeting on February 18 th. ===PAGE 10=== Page 10 of 10 Select Board Mee�ng Minutes February 11, 2025 TOWN MANAGER COMMENT None PUBLIC COMMENTS Glenn Mcleod of 436 Reservoir Road welcomed the Town Manager. He expressed frustration with the legislative delegation. He stated that the state should be the primary target for more funding. He stated the state seems to have plenty of money. John Bowen of 162 Highland Street commented that he agreed with the last speaker. He stated the Town is too busy looking for handouts from the state. BOARD COMMENTS Vice-Chair Jeffreys voiced his strong disagreement with the prior two comments. He wanted to highlight there are needs in the other communities that our legislators serve. He said he has been very impressed with the legislative delegation. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Jeffreys moved to adjourn. Member Moore seconded the motion. Call for vote: Four- Yes. Motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). The Board adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Annie Aubrey, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager These Minutes were reviewed and approved by the Select Board on: Tuesday March 11, 2025 Member Emkey made the Motion to Approve the minutes from February 11, 2025. Seconded by Clerk Moore. Call for the vote: Five-aye. Motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).