Select Board, July 1, 2025

The town published minutes (text) and an agenda for this meeting. Those minutes are the record; what follows is a guide to the recording.

budget fy27capitalcontracts and unionsexecutive sessionfacilitiesgrantshiringhousingoverridepersonnelplanning and zoningpolicypublic commentstaffingsuperintendent reporttax ratetown departmentstown meeting

Present: the chair (chair); Mr. Mloud (select board member); Mr. Leon (select board member); Miss Em (select board member); Miss Moore (select board member); Glenn McLeod (select board member); Jen (town manager); Michelle Feliza (presenter, executive director, Lunenburg Teen Center); Lisa Gamberdella (board chair, Lunenburg Teen Center); Jeremy Martin (treasurer, Lunenburg Teen Center); Matthew Brener (planning board chair); Miss Reed (planning board member); Mr. Wils (planning board member); Tiffany Warren (candidate, Cultural Council appointment, remote). 1 of 14 matched to the board’s posted roster; the rest, in italics, are the caption model’s hearing and may be wrong.

Votes

1. ▶ 10:58Appoint Adam Bernie to the planning board, term to expire at the next annual town election (joint select board/planning board vote, roll call) — moved by a select board member, as heardpassed unanimously
2. ▶ 22:53Ratify the town manager's appointment of Cara McCarthy as communications and IT manager, effective July 2, 2025passed unanimously
3. ▶ 26:39Appoint Tiffany Warren to the Cultural Council, term to expire June 30, 2028passed unanimously
4. ▶ 38:09Authorize staff to record select board votes in OpenGov for licensing and permitting signaturespassed unanimously
5. ▶ 43:46Approve the FY2026 town manager goals as revisedpassed unanimously
6. ▶ 1:05:54Approve the FY26 select board goals as revisedpassed unanimously
7. ▶ 1:21:40Approve the tri-board (select board/school committee/finance committee) ground rules as modifiedpassed unanimously

And 3 procedural: adjourn the joint planning board meeting (▶ 12:01); approve the minutes of december 3, 2024 and december 10, 2024 (▶ 1:42:20); enter executive session (not to reconvene in open session) under mgl c.30 §21a(2) for non-union contract negotiations (town manager) and §21a(3) for collective bargaining strategy (nepba local 353) (▶ 1:53:19).

Against the town’s minutes

The town published minutes (text) for this meeting; ours were compared item by item. 13 agree, 9 caption errors resolved by the official reading, 5 substantive differences. The town’s minutes are a full record.

1. differsRoof replacement ARPA remainder▶ 1:32:07

   recording DPW roof replacement ARPA remainder: $7,700

   town’s minutes “Town Hall Roof Replacement: The Town Manager stated that the project is complete with $7,700 remaining.”

   The amount matches but the building differs (DPW vs Town Hall); check the recording to see which roof was named.

2. differsPlanning Board MBTA Communities bylaw▶ 18:42

   recording Planning board (reported to select board) voted to instruct its consultant to draft an MBTA Communities bylaw raising Tritown zoning density from 22 to 26 units per acre, targeting a fall public hearing and special town meeting.

   town’s minutes “Mr. Brenner stated that the proposed MBTA Communities Bylaw would increase density at TriTown Landing from 22 units per acre to 26 units per acre.”

   The density figures match, but the official minutes record no Planning Board vote to instruct a consultant and no fall hearing or special town meeting target; check the recording and Planning Board minutes.

3. differsExecutive assistant position repost▶ 35:03

   recording Repost the vacant executive assistant to the town manager/select board position, noting a contract arrangement may be available for the right candidate.

   town’s minutes “Executive Assistant position remains open.”

   The official minutes record the vacancy but no decision to repost or the contract option; check whether the board decided this.

4. differsTri-board schedule and FY27 recommendation target▶ 53:58

   recording Select board set a target of having a tri-board recommendation on the FY27 budget by February 2026, with tri-board meetings running from July 2025 through the end of January 2026.

   town’s minutes “Clerk Emkey stated that for the Tri-Board meetings' goals and objectives, she would recommend having the Tri-Board meet regularly through the end of FY26.”

   Ours gives a February 2026 target and a January 2026 end; the official has only a recommendation to meet through the end of FY26 (June 2026) and no budget target; check the recording and the goals document.

5. differsLocation of first tri-board meeting▶ 1:13:18

   recording First tri-board meeting will be held at the Lunenburg Adult Activity Center; subsequent meetings are expected to be at the library.

   town’s minutes “The Town Manager stated that there was a desire from Tri-Board members to meet in a neutral room that the boards do not meet in regularly.”

   The official minutes name no venue; check the recording for the Adult Activity Center and library decision.

Compared 2026-10-06. Neither record is treated as the referee: a caption error is the same fact heard badly; a difference is for a person to check at the timestamp.

Transfers

The money

1. ▶ 27:39Legislative supplemental budget funding for Lunenburg schools

   The town manager announced a supplemental state budget allocation for the schools, split among two transportation vans, infrastructure upgrades, and educational materials.

   as heard:$300,000$195,000$55,000$50,000

2. ▶ 27:59Wallace Park damage / insurance claim

   The town manager reported vehicle-accident damage to the fence and play structure at Wallace Park, with an insurance claim filed and an estimate given.

   as heard:$18,000

3. ▶ 28:19MAR Connect program funding

   The town manager said MAR Connect, previously funded through a 2024 special town meeting appropriation after losing grant funding, was not carried forward into FY2026 and the program ends.

4. ▶ 33:58Temp staffing cost, executive assistant vacancy

   The town manager relayed a temp agency quote for the vacant executive assistant position that the board considered too costly, prompting a plan to advertise it as a possible contract role instead.

   as heard:$80 an hour

5. ▶ 1:24:49ARPA funds received and unspent balance

   The town manager reviewed the total ARPA award and roughly how much remained unspent across committed projects nearing the year-end expenditure deadline.

   as heard:$3,57,970.58900,000

6. ▶ 1:25:30Boys and Girls Club ARPA project remainder

   A small remainder was left on this ARPA-funded project; staff will check whether it can be applied to a qualifying purchase before funds are lost.

   as heard:$1505600

7. ▶ 1:27:34Pack equipment upgrades ARPA remainder

   Staff will check whether prior purchases qualify to absorb this ARPA remainder.

   as heard:$4,119

8. ▶ 1:27:57Municipal building design project ARPA remainder

   The town manager said this remainder's use is pending outstanding invoices and a possible decision on redesign work after town meeting rejected the project.

   as heard:$18,500

9. ▶ 1:28:18Fire department ambulance / power stretcher ARPA remainders

   Small ARPA remainders were noted on ambulance-related equipment purchases.

   as heard:$1,300$290$2,600

10. ▶ 1:28:40Dump truck ARPA overage

    An unexplained remainder was flagged on the six-wheel and ten-wheel dump truck ARPA purchase, to be researched.

    as heard:$2,500

11. ▶ 1:29:01Plow truck (vehicle) ARPA commitment

    A large share of the remaining ARPA balance is committed to two plow trucks ordered in November 2023 and now being upfitted.

    as heard:$480,000

12. ▶ 1:30:02Marshall Park ARPA remainder

    The town manager said this remainder is real, with everything eligible already applied, and the parks commission chair will discuss possible uses with the vendor.

    as heard:$13,266

13. ▶ 1:32:07DPW roof replacement ARPA remainder

    A remainder was noted on a completed roof replacement project.

    as heard:$7,700

14. ▶ 1:43:00Property tax bill mailing schedule

    The board discussed the mailing of preliminary tax bills, with quarterly due dates confirmed as August 1 and November 1.

15. ▶ 1:46:59School committee budget discussion, FY27

    A select board member reported the school committee had discussed level funding, possible cuts, and level services to maintain programs, and discussed the Community Preservation Act as a possible funding source.

Settled without a vote

• ▶ 18:42Planning board (reported to select board) voted to instruct its consultant to draft an MBTA Communities bylaw raising Tritown zoning density from 22 to 26 units per acre, targeting a fall public hearing and special town meeting.
• ▶ 35:03Repost the vacant executive assistant to the town manager/select board position, noting a contract arrangement may be available for the right candidate.
• ▶ 44:30Select board will not add a flag-policy goal now, pending further specific guidance from town counsel, rather than treat it as an immediate priority.
• ▶ 53:58Select board set a target of having a tri-board recommendation on the FY27 budget by February 2026, with tri-board meetings running from July 2025 through the end of January 2026.
• ▶ 1:13:18First tri-board meeting will be held at the Lunenburg Adult Activity Center; subsequent meetings are expected to be at the library.
• ▶ 1:22:44No public comment period will be held at the tri-board meetings, though the public may attend and comment at each body's own regular meetings.
• ▶ 1:37:43Sickle bank policy discussion deferred to a future meeting pending feedback.
• ▶ 1:40:32Scheduled a site walk of the 56 Carter Seller Hold property for Monday, July 14th at 6 p.m., as a posted meeting.

Public comment

1. ▶ 12:43Praised the appointment of Adam Bernie to the planning board. — John Bowen, as heard, resident, 162 Highland Street
2. ▶ 14:29Defended cemetery superintendent Todd Hullman against what he called unfair, ongoing criticism from board and commission members. — John Bowen Jr., as heard, resident, 162 Highland Street
3. ▶ 1:50:10Criticized the condition of the North Cemetery and the cemetery commission's inaction, and renewed a proposal for a cemetery corporation to raise money. — John Bowen, as heard, resident, 162 Highland Street

Where the time went

Minutes of recording by subject, from the topic spans below. A topic with two subjects counts toward both.

• town meeting51 min · 45%
• budget fy2746 min · 40%
• policy41 min · 36%
• grants19 min · 17%
• facilities19 min · 17%
• capital19 min · 17%
• planning and zoning17 min · 15%
• hiring12 min · 11%
• personnel10 min · 9%
• staffing9 min · 8%

The whole meeting, in order

1. ▶ 0:11Opening, pledge of allegiance, open meeting law notice, announcementsinformational · 2:06 long
2. ▶ 2:17Special event license application, Shrieks and Creeks Haunted House/Hayride (Teen Center)no vote taken; public hearing to be posted · 3:05 long · recreation, town departments
3. ▶ 5:22Joint meeting with planning board: appointment of Adam Bernievoted, appointed unanimously by both boards · 6:59 long · planning and zoning, hiring
4. ▶ 12:21Public comment on Adam Bernie appointment and cemetery superintendent Todd Hullmancomments received, no action · 4:15 long · public comment, personnel
5. ▶ 16:36Communication from planning board chair on MBTA Communities Act compliance approachinformational; bylaw and special town meeting planned for fall · 5:34 long · planning and zoning, housing, town meeting
6. ▶ 22:10Ratification of town manager appointment of Cara McCarthy, communications and IT managervoted, ratified unanimously · 1:05 long · hiring, personnel, technology
7. ▶ 23:15Select board interview and appointment of Tiffany Warren to Cultural Councilvoted, appointed unanimously · 4:04 long · hiring, personnel
8. ▶ 27:19Town manager report: state supplemental funding, Wallace Park damage, MAR Connect, Flat Hill bridge, roadwork, staff vacancies, board/committee vacanciesinformational · 5:57 long · grants, facilities, staffing
9. ▶ 33:16Board questions on Flat Hill bridge, executive assistant temp staffing, guardrail projectinformational · 2:48 long · staffing, roads and dpw
10. ▶ 36:04Method for select board signatures on OpenGov licenses/permitsvoted, staff authorized to record votes · 2:25 long · technology, policy
11. ▶ 38:29FY2026 town manager goal setting, revisions and approvalvoted, approved unanimously · 5:40 long · budget fy27, capital, town meeting
12. ▶ 44:09FY26 select board goal setting, revisions and approval (tri-board timeline, budget recommendation, policies, training)voted, approved unanimously · 22:07 long · budget fy27, town meeting, policy
13. ▶ 1:06:16Discussion and adoption of tri-board (select board/school committee/finance committee) ground rulesvoted, approved unanimously · 16:28 long · budget fy27, town meeting, policy
14. ▶ 1:22:44Logistics for first tri-board meetinginformational · 1:22 long · budget fy27, town meeting
15. ▶ 1:24:06ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds status update, project by projectinformational; town manager to consult town counsel on moving remainder funds · 13:17 long · grants, capital, facilities
16. ▶ 1:37:43Sickle bank policy updatedeferred · 0:20 long · policy
17. ▶ 1:38:03Tax classification/investigation report status; 56 Carter Seller Hold appraisal and site walk schedulingsitewalk scheduled for July 14 · 3:56 long · tax rate
18. ▶ 1:41:59Approval of minutes, December 3 and December 10, 2024voted, approved unanimously · 0:41 long
19. ▶ 1:42:40Warrants, action items, tax bill mailing timelineinformational · 2:08 long · tax rate
20. ▶ 1:44:48Committee reports: planning board, board of assessors, school committee, stormwater task force, master plan steering committeeinformational · 4:40 long · planning and zoning, water sewer, superintendent report
21. ▶ 1:49:28Upcoming meetings announcement and final public comment (cemetery conditions)comment received, no action · 3:51 long · public comment, town departments
22. ▶ 1:53:19Motion and vote to enter executive sessionvoted, entered executive session · 1:03 long · executive session, contracts and unions, personnel

What the captions could not carry

• The exact ARPA total figure ($3,57,970.58) appears garbled in the captions and cannot be confirmed as printed.
• Precise vote counts (e.g., 5-0) are not stated for most motions; captions only render repeated 'I' for ayes.
• Several member surnames (Mr. Mloud, Mr. Leon/Leighton, Miss Em) are likely mis-transcribed and could not be confirmed.
• The tree removal ARPA figure was partially inaudible/garbled ('$28,...,000').
• Whether 'Glenn' is a distinct board member or another rendering of an already-named member could not be determined.

Written 2026-09-27 by scripts/write_recording_minutes.py (sonnet) from sources/data/youtube-transcripts/select-board/2025-07-01-CfI2gTkmtbs.json — 2,821 caption segments, sha256 18d4f44c045f…. All recorded meetings.