# select-board — 12 documents, concatenated for reading and search # # This is a CONVENIENCE BUNDLE, not a source. Every document below is # published separately and byte-identically; cite the individual file, # whose path is given in each header, rather than this bundle. # Index of all boards: https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/minutes/INDEX.txt # The town's own scanned original is linked per document. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-09-12-minutes-320.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-09-12 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-09-12-minutes-320.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09122023-320 ======================================================================================== ===OCR macOS Vision=== ===PAGE 1=== Others present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager; Bill Bernard, DPW Director Cemetery Commission Members: Nancy Foss Yasko, David Dorren Chairman Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. Public Comment: Mr. Alonzo expressed condolences to the Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg that experienced extreme flooding conditions yesterday. Mr. Franco reminded all of the Pancake breakfast tomorrow morning at the Eagle House Adult Activity Center from 8:00 to 10:30 am. Residents Tom Watkins, 64 Beale Street and Tim Murphy, 97 Island Road, noted their previously approved event of the Oktoberfest at St. Boniface Parish scheduled for this Saturday may need to be postponed due to the extreme weather conditions. They had a one day liquor license for Saturday and in hindsight they should have requested Sunday as well. Mr. Jeffreys stated the Select Board was meeting on Thursday so the request would be added to their agenda. Announcements: Ms. Lemieux announced the following: • The Farmers Market is every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm through mid-October on the Ritter lawn. • The Discovery Center and the Council on Aging are partnering on a Volunteer Fair taking place tomorrow night from 4 to 7 pm at the Adult Activity Center. • The warrant for the Special Town Meeting will close on Monday the 18 at 5:00 pm. • The Special Town Meeting is November 14" at 7:00 pm at the Middle/High School Auditorium. Joint Meeting with the Cemetery Commission: ARPA Request Ms. Foss Yasko called the Cemetery Commission meeting to order. She had prepared a presentation for the request for ARPA funding. ===PAGE 2=== to $388K. This reduces the life-cycle cost associated with this asset. Cemetery Commission recommends the Select Board members to move forward with securing from the American Rescue Plan Act - significant funding for a New England Rustic Field-Stone Wall vs. Hemlock hedges. North Cemetery 100 year-old Arborvitae hedges were severely pruned in 2023. Following the pruning several licensed and professional arborists were called in by the Cemetery Commission to make recommendations regarding the recovery options to the 100 year-old Arborvitae hedges. Recommendations were simple - because of the lack of historical maintenance and limited access to water, the landmark hedges are likely beyond recovery. Arborists advised not to put good money toward working to improve their health, due to an expected poor outcome and instead recommend removing them. Replacement cost of Hemlock Hedges are estimated at approximately $185K. Anderson Landscape Construction Horticulture Preservation walked the Cemetery Commission and DPW Director through this process. Recommendation and estimate provided to install and plant 173 young trees up to 6-7 feet tall. Extraction and disposal of stumps, set in new planting bed with mulch and watering allowance for one season. Key Note: three seasons of water needs to be complete, which is going to be cost prohibitive - due to lack of water and irrigation at the North Cemetery. Complete estimate from Anderson Landscape Construction Horticulture Preservation has been provided and given to each Select Board member and Town Manager for review. Additional Cost for newly planted Hemlock trees; having 173 newly planted Hemlock trees will cost a significant amount of money for both the watering and maintenance care for three years and beyond. One year of watering will cost the Cemetery Commission and DPW an estimated $3K. This will raise the life-cycle cost significantly. There is no electricity at the North Cemetery for required well pump to water new plants. Both of these requirements will require additional funding. North Cemetery cannot handle the water flow for the additional amount of water needed to keep these newly planted trees alive. Additional cost of $15K or more for a well to be drilled. This does not include the cost for a pump, piping and electricity. A possible solution is tie into the water system on Highland Street - cost to be determined. Preferred Solution: Permanent New England Rustic Field-Stone Wall - estimated range at approximately $288K to $388K, which reduces the life-cycle cost associated with this asset. Permanent New England Rustic Field-Stone Wall - estimated range at approximately $288K to $388K, which reduces the life-cycle cost associated with this asset. Request: $350K for Restoration of North Cemetery Boundaries. ===PAGE 3=== establishments: • Select Board for allowing the Cemetery Commission to make this presentation during your weekly meeting • Stan Dillis - Dillis & Roy Civil Design Group • Jeff Schwarz - Alphagraphics - Shirley • Fred Anderson - Anderson Landscape Construction Horticulture Preservation • Brett Ramsden - Ramsden Stone Walls and Waterproofing, LLC • Matt May - Lakeview Landscaping & Irrigation • Mark Flagg - M Flagg Tree Service/Arborist Central Mass Gardens • Einstein's Solution • David Dorren - Vice-Chair & Clerk, Cemetery Commission • Bill Bernard - DP W, Director The board asked questions about the previous maintenance of the cemetery bushes or the possibility of the current bushes recovering, having more water available in both cemeteries, past vandalism in the cemetery to some bushes, as well as the high cost of the project versus what ARPA funding remains. Mr. Jeffreys thanked the Cemetery Commission for their presentation. He recommended reaching out to the abutters and other residents for feedback on their proposal. Mr. Alonzo commended Ms. Yasko for her presentation. The Cemetery Commission adjourned their meeting. Town Manager Report Board/Committee/Commission Vacancies: The following is a list of current vacancies on the following boards/committees/commissions: • Architectural Preservation District Commission (1 vacancy) • Board of Assessors (1 vacancy until the next Annual Town Election) • Cemetery Commission (1 vacancy until the next Annual Town Election) • Finance Committee (2 vacancies) • Green Communities Committee (1 Regular Member and 1 Associate vacancy) • Open Space Committee (1 Member at Large vacancy) • Park Commission (1 vacancy until the next Annual Town Election) • Personnel Committee (1 vacancy) Interested persons can find Volunteer Applications on the Town Website and completed forms can be sent to the Select Board's Office. Anyone that has any questions on volunteer opportunities can contact the Select Board office at (978) 582-4130 x 144. Employment Opportunities with the Town: The following is a list of current employment opportunities with the Town: ===PAGE 4=== More information on each position can be found on the website under job opportunities, which are located on the town website. September 11th Flash Floods Storm Event and MEMA Situational Awareness Update on Upcoming Rain Although it is estimated we received over 7" of rain from last night's storm event, the damage in Town does not compare to the devastation in our neighboring city of Leominster. Today Senator Cronin's office reached out to see if we had any initial damage assessment to include in their request to the state for relief funding. DPW Director Bill Bernard put together an estimate of approximately $24,000 in costs attributed to this storm and this was forwarded to Senator Cronin's office at the end of the day. Representative Scarsdale and Representative Kushmerek also reached out to see if we needed any assistance, as did our North Central Chamber of Commerce. Today I shared a post from North Central Chamber of Commerce, as they have created a dedicated email hotline for businesses affected by the flood event to contact them for assistance. That email is help@northcentralmass.com. I would like to thank our public safety staff, including our Fire Department that responded with an engine, ladder truck, dive truck and boat to assist Leominster, The engine and ladder truck responded to calls in the City and assisted with evacuations on Exchange Street. The dive truck and boat assisted with evacuations at the Meadowbrook Trailer Park. Also, thank you to the DPW crew who were out until midnight last night closing certain roads that had flooding issues and clearing out drains until they were passable. With the expected additional rainfall tomorrow and Hurricane Lee effects over the weekend, MEMA issued a situational awareness update: "The National Weather Service (NWS) in conjunction with the MEMA Agency Meteorologist are predicting another round of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday. High humidity coupled with a slow-moving cold front will run the risk for heavy bouts of rainfall mainly between 12PM - 10PM. Rainfall rates of near 1 inch per hour may occur across portions of western and central Massachusetts Wednesday afternoon and evening. While these showers and thunderstorms are expected to be more progressive than they were Monday, any storm that produces 1 inch per hour rain rates, especially over a previously hard-hit area, is likely to cause additional instances of flash flooding." Drier weather is expected to return Thursday afternoon into Friday. "MEMA is actively monitoring Hurricane Lee through this week as it makes its way up the east coast. Daily coordination calls with the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and MEMA Command and General Staff are underway. Future information on pre-event planning actions, activation, coordination calls, and response posture will be updated in the coming days." 925 Mass Ave (TM Goal #1,ii) The EPA has approved funding for additional work to be done at 925 Mass Ave that will include soil borings, soil samples, monitoring well installation, groundwater sampling, removal of the hydraulic lift in the building, closure of the floor drain, and removal of the floor drain holding tank. Due to the concentrations of VPH in the underground storage tank excavation groundwater samples, new groundwater monitoring wells in locations where each underground storage tank existed will be installed. Soil samples will be collected from each soil boring to provide additional site data. The work would also include collecting groundwater samples and updated groundwater elevation data. ===PAGE 5=== Infrastructure, Facilities, and IT Updates LED Streetlight Project: Pine Ridge Technologies began the LED Streetlight conversion project on September Sth and ran into issues with the wiring on a majority of the streetlights they have attempted to convert. We contacted Unitil and are coordinating a meeting between their Electric Operations Manager and the vendor tomorrow to review what our contractor has found in the field. In the meantime, our contractor will proceed with the conversion and will address any wiring issues as they are encountered at each light. Senior Center ADA Patio Project: The Senior Center ADA Patio Project is expected to be complete by the end of this month. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be October 11th at noon. TC Passios Roof: There was yet again another leak at TC Passios that occurred over the weekend. After speaking with the Facilities Director and discussing everything that has been done to try to find where the leaks are originating, the patches that have been done, and that the roof is over is life expectancy, he is going to seek quotes to repair that roof in phases. A warrant article has been submitted for the Special Town Meeting as a placeholder. New Website: The question that was raised about accessing the town website with an iPad and having to double tap in order to expand menus will not be an issue with the new website through CivicPlus. Our IT Administrative Assistant contacted our current website host and they would have to remove the whole menu and rebuild it and there would be a cost to that. Since we are moving to a new website in a month, we will not make this change on the current website but it will be a feature in the new website. Third Quarter Preliminary Tax Bills for FY24 third quarter preliminary tax installment cannot be more than the amount of the first quarter preliminary tax installment (IGR 23-1, IV. B.) This year, a "Pro-Forma" Recap Sheet, which does not contain valuation information, will need to be done to issue a third quarter preliminary tax bill and actual tax bills cannot be issued for the third quarter. Once we complete the certification process at the end of January/beginning of February, a tax classification hearing can be held, a Tax Recap Sheet submitted to DOR to set the tax rate, and the 4th quarter actual tax bills issued once the Tax Recap is approved. Budget Updates Health Insurance Estimate for FY25 and future years: The Assistant Town Manager/HR Director, Payroll/Benefits Coordinator, our health insurance broker, and I met with our health insurance account representative last week for our annual review. We were advised that due to the state of the healthcare industry and medical trends, we should budget 10% for active plans for FY25 and expect 8-10% increases in health insurance rates each year over the next five years. This was explained that due to low employment in the medical fields and hospitals renegotiating their contracts, insurance rates are trending high. Our retiree renewal for calendar year 2024 is estimated to be a 6% increase. OLD BUSINESS 1. Review November 14 Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles ===PAGE 6=== Ms. Lemieux reported this article is due to the project scope changing To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money for repairs to the TC Passios Building located at 1025 Massachusetts Avenue; or take any other action relative thereto. (Submitted by the Town Manager) Ms. Lemieux stated the Facilities Director is getting quotes for the roof. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds $1,851.30 into the Sewer Reserve Capacity Stabilization Fund; or take any other action relative thereto. (Submitted by the Sewer Commission) To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds $5,340.00 into the Sewer Inflow/Infiltration Stabilization Fund; or take any other action relative thereto. (Submitted by the Sewer Commission) Ms. Lemieux noted there will be four articles coming from the Planning Board. The board also wanted an article to transfer funds from the special purpose stabilization account to pay for three vehicles originally to be paid by ARPA funding. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Vote to Authorize Town Counsel to respond to 15 Cliffview Terrace Appeal to Worcester Superior Court This is to authorize Town Counsel to respond to the appeal filed through Worcester Superior Court by the residents of 15 Cliffview in response to being informed their home was not zoned for BnB use. Motion: M. Jeffreys 2": T. Alonzo To authorize Town counsel to respond to the appeal to Worcester Superior Court Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye 2. Sign Temporary/Permanent Easement for 895 Flat Hill Road This is necessary the Flat Hill bridge construction. Motion: T. Alonzo 2'°: C. Nuzzolo To sign the temporary/permanent casement for 895 Flat Hill Road as presented Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye Mr. Jeffreys-aye 3. Discuss/Review Dog Hearing Bylaw, Section 110-1 The board discussed discrepancies between state law and the local bylaw when it comes to nuisance or dangerous dog language for dog hearings. Feedback will be solicited from the Police Chief, Animal ===PAGE 7=== Mr. Jeffreys believed the information was already in the google drive. He hoped to discuss this further at another meeting. 5. Approval of Minutes of June 20, 2023 Motion: L. Franco 2nd: C. Nuzzolo To approve the minutes of June 30, 2023 as presented Vote: Ms. Emkey-abstain, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye, Mr. Franco-aye 6. Warrants The board signed a school payroll warrant in the amount of $3514.26; an accounts payable warrant in the amount of $40,779.97; a payroll warrant in the amount of $971,248.01 and an accounts payable warrant in the amount of $1,099,483.99. There were no Action Items this evening. 7. Committee Reports Ms. Emkey reported the School Committee met for the first time since school was back in session. They noted how the first day of school and transportation went well. There was also discussion around the need tor an engineering study tor ADA compliance at Turkey Hill Elementary. Mr. Alonzo reported Finance Committee will be meeting next week. Mr. Nuzzolo reported the Planning Board met and discussed the lack of a Select Board representative on the Master Planning Steering Committee. They meet again next week. Mr. Franco will be representing the Select Board on that committee. Mr. Franco attended the Council on Aging meeting and the projected ribbon cutting date for the ADA patio is October 11th . There is a pancake breakfast tomorrow at the Adult Activity Center from 8 to 10:30 am. Mr. Jeffreys reported he would be attending a regional meeting with Rep. Scarsdale next week. The Lunenburg Municipal Design Committee will be meeting next Monday. We also received a communication from the Water District about representation at an informational seminar. Mr. Jeffreys will work with them to get that scheduled. The Cemetery Commission is meeting this Thursday; Town Manager, Mr. Alonzo and myself will attend their meeting. Mr. Franco stated he would like to attend the 300" anniversary committee meetings on an informal basis, the board concurred Mr. Jeffreys reviewed upcoming meetings. September 14 at 6:00 pm to appoint to the Board of Assessors vacancy with the Board of Assessors until the next annual election; September 19, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24. Public Comment: ===PAGE 8=== To adjourn the meeting Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Claire m. Peterson Elaine M. Peterson Executive Assistant to the Town Manager ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-09-14-agenda-326.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-09-14 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-09-14-agenda-326.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09142023-326 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD Thursday, September 14, 2023 6:00 PM AGENDA REMOTE Via ZOOM In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on FacebookLive on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the LunenburgAccess YouTube after the meeting. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://zoom.us/j/9091740347 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 909-174- 0347 # If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e-mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Telephone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Vote s may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER I. PUBLIC COMMENT***  BOARD  PUBLIC II. Joint meeting with Member of Board Assessors to interview/appoint to Board of Assessor Vacancy until the May 2024 Election: Sarah Cammer, 304 Lancaster Ave. III. PUBLIC COMMENT***  TOWN MANAGER  PUBLIC  BOARD IV. ADJOURN *** Per Policy, Public comment is limited to 15 minutes, with no more than 3 minutes per speaker except at the discretion of the Chairperson. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-09-14-minutes-326.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-09-14 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-09-14-minutes-326.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09142023-326 ======================================================================================== ===OCR macOS Vision=== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD MINUTES September 14, 2023 Via ZOOM Members present: Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Lou Franco, Vice Chairman; Caesar Nuzzolo, Clerk; Tom Alonzo, Renee Emkey Others present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager; Sarah Cammer Board of Assessor members present: Brian Laffond, Jack Rabbitt Mr: Franco called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., noting this is a joint meeting with the two members of the Board of Assessors to appoint to the remaining vacancy until the May 2024 election. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. Public Comment: There was none at this time. Mr. Franco requested the Board of Assessors open their meeting. Mr. Rabbitt asked for a roll call: Brian Latfond and Jack Rabbit stated they were present. Mr. Rabbitt declared a quorum of the BOA was present and opened their meeting. Mr. Franco stated Sarah Cammer was applying for the vacancy. Ms. Cammer, 304 Lancaster Ave., stated she had lived in town for around 10 years. She believed in civic duty, was good with numbers and data and thought she should volunteer until the next annual election. Further discussion ensued about Ms. Cammer and her offer to volunteer. The Select Board and the Assessors thanked her for stepping up. Mr. Jeffreys' Zoom link ended abruptly and he did not return to the meeting. Motion: T. Alonzo 2nd: B. Laffond To appoint Sarah Cammer to the Board of Assessors until the next election in May 2024 Vote: Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Rabbitt-aye, Mr. Laffond-aye, Mr. Franco-aye The Board of Assessors adjourned their meeting and exited the meeting. The Select Board voted on the following proposed warrant articles. Motion: T. Alonzo 2"d: C. Nuzzolo To request Town Manager to place an article on the November Special Town Meeting warrant to ===PAGE 2=== use the special purpose stabilization fund to purchase three vehicles rather than ARPA funding Discussion: Mr. Alonzo clarified this was just to place the article on the warrant. Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye Motion: T. Alonzo 2nd. R. Emkey To request Town Manager place an article on the Special Town Meeting warrant to revise the Town Charter, Chapter 110, Animals, Article 1 Dog Control Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye Public Comment: there was none at this time. Motion: T. Alonzo To adjourn the meeting Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Franco-aye 2'°: C. Nuzzolo The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elainim Peterson Elaine M. Peterson Executive Assistant to the Town Manager ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-09-19-agenda-336.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-09-19 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-09-19-agenda-336.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09192023-336 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD Tuesday, September 19, 2023 7:00 PM REVISED AGENDA Bilotta Meeting Room, Town Hall In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on FacebookLive on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the LunenburgAccess YouTube after the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://zoom.us/j/9091740347 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 909-174- 0347 # If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e -mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Telephone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Vote s may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I. PUBLIC COMMENT*** • BOARD • PUBLIC II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS IV. APPOINTMENTS 7:15 PM Public Hearing for All Alcohol Retail License Transfer to Lunenburg Liquor Mart., Inc. d/b/a Liquor Mart from Elena’s Gourmet Grocery (1 Main Street) and a Change of Location to 88 Mass. Ave. and application for a Common Victualler License 7:30 PM Public Hearing for Amendment to Alcohol License 07528-RS-0636 for Lakefront Beverage Inc. d/b/a On the Rocks, for a Pledge of Collateral V. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS VI. TOWN MANAGER REPORT VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. Re-sign Temporary and Permanent Easement for 895 Flat Hill Road 2. Review November 14th Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles VIII. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Review Select Board Bylaws (FY24 Select Board Goal #3) ===PAGE 2=== 2. Minutes/Warrants/Action Items 3. Committee Reports IX. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE October 3rd, October 10th, October 17th, October 24th October 11th Ribbon Cutting for new ADA Patio, 12 PM, Lunenburg Adult Activity Center, 25 Memorial Drive X. PUBLIC COMMENT*** • TOWN MANAGER • PUBLIC • BOARD XI. ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion to enter into Executive Session and to adjourn the meeting after exiting Executive Session pursuant to MGL c. 30 § 21, Paragraph 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining position and the Chair so declares. (Clerical Union) XII. ADJOURN *** Per Policy, Public comment is limited to 15 minutes, with no more than 3 minutes per speaker except at the discretion of the Chairperson. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-09-19-minutes-336.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-09-19 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-09-19-minutes-336.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09192023-336 ======================================================================================== ===OCR macOS Vision=== ===PAGE 1=== Emkey Member not present: Lou Franco, Vice Chairman Others present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager, attorney Gina Wilson, Vinay Patel, Jignash Patel, Jasminkumar Patel via ZOOM, Attorney Jeff Aveni, Jonathan Dickhaut Chairman Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. Public Comment: There was none this evening. Announcements: Mr. Jeffreys stated the Cemetery Commission would like the community to join them at Town Hall next Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Bilotta Meeting Room to hear their presentation on the proposed restoration of the North Cemetery boundaries as well as to discuss next steps. Ms. Lemieux announced the Farmers Market is every Sunday from 10 AM until 1 PM until mid-October on the Ritter lawn. The Special Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 14th at 7 PM at the MS/HS Auditorium. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ms. Lemieux announced she had received two resignations, the first was from Alex Page, DPW Heavy Equipment Operator. The second was from the newly hired Facilities Superintendent Scott Oja, who will be staying with his former employer as they had made a counter offer to him to stay. Town Manager Report Board/Committee/Commission Vacancies: The following is a list of current vacancies on the following boards/committees/commissions: • Architectural Preservation District Commission (1 vacancy) • Cemetery Commission (1 vacancy until the next Annual Town Election) Finance Committee (2 vacancies) • Green Communities Committee (1 Regular Member and 1 Associate vacancy) • Open Space Committee (1 Member at Large vacancy) ===PAGE 2=== • Assistant Town Accountant (32 hours/week) • Assistant Meal Site Manager (19.5 hours/week) • Conservation Administrator (36 hours/week) • Facilities Superintendent (40 hours/week) • Finance Director (40 hours/week- contractual) • Heavy Equipment Operators (40 hours/week) Principal Assessor (40 hours/week) • Seasonal Cemetery Laborers Videographer (2-10 hours/week) More information on each position can be found on the website under job opportunities, which are located on the town website. Update on Certification of Property Values, Certification of New Growth, and Third Quarter Preliminary Tax Bills for FY24 The Bureau of Local Assessment approved the request for a valuation delay beyond the January 1st deadline on September 13th through Gateway. Through conversations with our Bureau of Local Assessment Field Representative and our Bureau of Local Accounts Field Representative, since our property values will not be certified until February, our New Growth will not be certified until DOR certifies our values, which according to VISION's completion date will be in February. This equates to using the same estimate that we used at the Annual Town Meeting for New Growth at the upcoming Fall Town Meeting. We will need to submit a Pro Forma Recap after the Special Town Meeting and once approved, can mail out the third quarter estimated tax bills before December 31st and they will be due by February 1st. I spoke with another community that went through a third quarter preliminary billing and they provided a template for a tax bill insert for the 3rd and 4th quarter bills, which we will use as a starting point to provide taxpayers information in their tax bills why they are receiving a third quarter estimated bill and what to expect for the 4th quarter actual bills. Infrastructure, Facilities, and IT Updates LED Streetlight Project: Our contractor has converted approximately 50 lights so far. We met with Unitil today and our contractor will be documenting any wiring issues they find in the field and we will provide all this information to Unitil at the conclusion of the project to review costs with the Town. OLD BUSINESS 1. Resign the Temporary/Permanent Easement for 895 Flat Hill Road The board needed to resign the easement agreement as they did not sign the finalized version that included payment last week. Motion: M. Jeffreys To sign the easement agreement for 895 Flat Hill Road 2nd: C. Nuzzolo Vote: All in Favor 2. Committee Reports ===PAGE 3=== Liquor Mart from Elena's Gourmet Grocery (1 Main Street) and a Change of Location to 88 Mass. Ave. and application for a Common Victualler License Mr. Nuzzolo read aloud the public hearing notice. "The Lunenburg Licensing Authority/Select Board will hold a public hearing on September 19, 2023 at 7:15 PM in Town Hall, 17 Main St., Second Floor, Lunenburg, MA, on the application submitted by Lunenburg Liquor Mart, Inc., d/b/a Liquor Mart for an All Alcohol Retail Off- Premises (Retail Package Store) License located at 88 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg, MA. This is a change of location for the transfer of the license from Elena's Gourmet Grocery (1 Main Street). The premises is described as single story building, with two rooms, storage area, two entrances/exits, total 3,100.57 square footage." Attorney Wilson from Pusateri and Wilson PC, introduced herself and Mr. Vinay Patel, the applicant. Mr. Patel stated he was looking to start a business in town with the all alcohol license at 88 Massachusetts Avenue. The unit located in the mini strip mall is currently empty. Mr. Patel has been in the alcohol business for approximately 15 years. He has extensive experience; he is certified, he has been a manager and an operator of other off-premises liquor establishments for quite some time. There are a couple of changes to bring to the board's attention procedurally with regard to the application. Abutter notification was sent out based on the addresses we had on the abutters' list. Of the three that were listed two of the notices came back; both the certified and the first class came back as undeliverable, so I just wanted to bring that to your attention. In actuality it was the same abutter that owned the two properties so that they or may not have had actual notice of this meeting. The other issue was that we do have a couple of updates to the application packet that's before you since that was submitted. There has been a change to the proposed floor plan. I have the updated floor plan here it's not a major change they just added in a second bathroom to the area. Square footage has changed and there is an additional exit on the side. Ms. Emkey asked what was the plan for being at the business since you have two other businesses in Orange and Gloucester. Mr. Patel planned to be in Lunenburg while other employees covered the other businesses. Mr. Patel's brother, Jignesh stepped forward and stated he owns other businesses and has been helping him out. He is moving to Lunenburg as his son is going to be attending Monty Tech in Fitchburg. When asked if he had any incidents in the other businesses, he replied no. Hours of operation will be 8 am to 11 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am to 11 pm on Sunday. Mr. Patel will be using an ID scanning system purchased from the state to verify legal age requirements. An id has to be scanned in order for an alcohol sale to go through the register. Discussion ensued about Mr. Patel meeting the requirement of being there at least 50% of the time. Mr. Patel assured the board that he would be in the store usually between 10-12 hours daily. Mr. Jeffreys reminded the applicant that the policies need to be readily available for the employees in the store. Jasminkumar Patel via Zoom, 155 Northfield Road, was in opposition of the license being transferred out of the town center as it would serve the residents better there. The board responded that they did not know of any other place in town center the applicant could use and there was an existing all alcohol business a short way down Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. J. Patel responded that they did search around ===PAGE 4=== Public Hearing for Amendment to Alcohol License 07528-RS-0636 for Lakefront Beverage Inc. d/b/a On the Rocks, for a Pledge of Collateral Attorney Aveni, 6 Grove Street, Leominster, stated he was representing Avidia Bank who provided a loan to Mr. Dickhaut and we are now fulfilling the obligations of the commitment letter to get the pledge in place. Mr. Alonzo asked for clarification that the pledge cannot occur without the Select Board's approval. Attorney Aveni concurred. Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2nd: T. Alonzo To approve the amendment to license #07528-RS-0636 for Lakefront Beverage Inc. d/b/a On the Rocks, for a Pledge of Collateral Discussion: Mr. Jeffreys stated recently we were advised of an incident at On the Rocks and the way it was handled by your staff represents the appropriate actions we want to see when there are people under the influence of alcohol, so kudos to you. Vote: All in Favor Mr. Aveni and Mr. Dickhaut thanked the board and exited the meeting. Review November 14th Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles Ms. Lemieux presented warrant articles that have been added to the warrant since the last meeting. There are five Planning Board articles and one from the Agricultural Commission. The Agricultural Commission Chair and Town counsel worked together on their warrant article. It amends the Protective Bylaw regarding zoning and the definition of a farm and use and dimensional regulations as it relates to farms. Another article submitted by the Parks Commission has to do with an application for a PARC grant and a required Town meeting vote regarding the ARPA funding and the commitment per the agency they are applying to for the grant. The Parks Commission will be invited in to a meeting to clarify the requirements and the article wording. The Planning Board will be requested to explain the changes in their warrant articles. The Municipal Building Committee is requesting to present an update on their work at the Special Town Meeting. Other articles will address the Animal bylaw, and using the Special Purpose Stabilization Account to purchase an ambulance and two dump trucks. I. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Review Select Board Bylaws (FY24 Select Board Goal #3) Mr. Jeffreys stated as part of our goal we are starting the process of reviewing the wording in the Charter and Bylaws that pertain to the Select Board. The board began with Section 3.2 of the Charter, noting Board of Selectmen should be changed to Select Board. Motion: T. Alonzo 2'°: C. Nuzzolo That the board change the wording of "Board of Selectmen" and " Selectmen" to "Select Board" in every legal document including the bylaws, procedures, and every other document that the Town has, except the Charter which will have its own review Vote: All in Favor ===PAGE 5=== Upcoming Meetings & Events October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24 October 11 Ribbon Cutting for new ADA Patio, 12 PM, Adult Activity Center, 25 Memorial Drive Public Comment: there was none at this time. Motion: M. Jeffreys 2nd: T. Alonzo To enter into Executive Session and to adjourn the meeting after exiting Executive Session pursuant to MGL c. 30 § 21, Paragraph 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government's bargaining position and the Chair so declares. (Clerical Union) Vote: Ms. Emkey-aye, Mr. Nuzzolo-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye, Mr. Jeffreys- aye The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elaine m. Peterson Elaine M. Peterson Executive Assistant to the Town Manager ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-03-agenda-804.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-03 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-03-agenda-804.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10032023-804 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== ===PAGE 2=== ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-03-minutes-804.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-03 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-03-minutes-804.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10032023-804 ======================================================================================== ===OCR macOS Vision=== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD MINUTES October 3, 2023 Town Hall and via ZOOM Members present: Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Chairman; Lou Franco, Vice Chair: Caesar Nuzzolo, Clerk; Tom Alonzo, Renee Emkey Others present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager, Attorney Gina Wilson, Vinay Patel, Jignash Patel, Jasminkumar Patel via ZOOM, Attorney Jeff Aveni, Jonathan Dickhaut, Chris Martin, Police Chief Tom Gammel; Officer Brad McNamara, Matthew Allison, Land Use Director Adam Burney, Matthew Brenner Chairman Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. Public Comment: Mr. Alonzo thanked everyone involved in the Meet and Greet Town Officials event last Thursday at Low Places Ranch, hosted by the Economic Development Committee. Elected and appointed town officials as well as some town employees and various businesses located in Town attended. Mr. Jeffreys noted a thank you card received from the Lunenburg Boys and Girls Club for the ARPA funding. He also acknowledged a thank you card sent by the Trustees of the Library for the same reason. Phyllis Luck, 50 Sunset Lane, inquired as to why the Select Board investigation team is not following the Open Meeting Law (OML) after it was determined by the state that is was in fact a public body subject to the OML. She requested copies of any emails between the investigation team members and contractors or any other organizations or individuals and stated if they were all published to the Town website, she would withdraw her request this evening. Mr. Alonzo responded that the implication or the insinuation that something nefarious is going on is absolutely not true, because the amount of times that our team met is zero; there were some email exchanges, mostly of documents. You're certainly allowed to get them through a public record request but we did not meet at all, and never discussed this in any personal way. There was no behind the scenes deliberations of any kind. Secondly, I would also say for the record and this is me as one person who just read the report; their finding has a numerous amount of ambiguity and contradiction, so it's not as clear-cut as may seem. I as one member dispute the finding and I don't know if we as a board are going to dispute the finding officially. The intent of what the creation of that investigation team was for is certainly not anything they can define. They can define what they believed to be procedurally what was happening, but that was not the intent of what was going on. Those are the inaccuracies I wanted to point out as far as getting to the root cause. I think the report from the independent contractor who we hired came up with ===PAGE 2=== the root cause, that I support; so there are other things that need to be addressed in the department and hopefully we will be coming to a conclusion on addressing those. But the root cause was completely disclosed in the outside contractor's final report. Carl Luck, 50 Sunset Lane, did not have the same opinion as Mr. Alonzo and maintained the state did determine there was an Open Meeting Law violation. Announcements: • The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new ADA Patio at the Adult Activity Center is on Wednesday, October 11th at 12 PM, Rain or Shine. • Halloween Trick or Treating will be Tuesday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. • The Special Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 14th at 7 PM at the MS/HS Auditorium. • The Finance Committee will hold their Public Hearing on the warrant articles on Thursday, October 12th at 7 PM in the Town Hall meeting room. Lunenburg Boys & Girls Club request to close Memorial Drive on Saturday October 21st from 4- 10 pm and reschedule date for tollbooth fundraiser to Sat. October 14th Chris Martin, 981 Northfield Road, introduced himself as a board member of the Lunenburg Boys and Girls Club, and presented their request to close Memorial Drive on October 21 from 10 am to 4 pm. The event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 and we have food trucks coming in as well as hayrides, the Shrieks and Creaks haunted house, and we would like to close the road early for safety. The Police will be doing a traffic detail and setting up road closing equipment. We also unlock the gates behind the Library for the hayride. The Fire Dept. is providing two light towers and will do a walk through inspection of the haunted house before the event as well. Their second request is for a tollbooth fundraiser on Saturday, October 14' from 10 am to 2 pm in town center with a rain date of October 28"h as they had to cancel the last one due to weather conditions. Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2n: T. Alonzo To approve the Boys and Girls Club's request to close Memorial Drive to traffic on October 21st from 4 - 10 pm Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstention (Jeffreys) Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2nl: L. Franco To approve a rescheduled tollbooth fundraiser on October 14 from 10 am to 2 pm in town center Vote: All in Favor Meeting with Police Chief re: Special Town Meeting Warrant Article on Mental Health Co- Response Chief Gammel noted police officers are not trained to handle mental health situations and we recognize we need help. He introduced Officer Brad McNamara, School Resource Officer for the department. We had talked about developing a co-response program within the Police Department with a "ride along" with our officers to provide services when someone is in crisis. The other part is to provide follow up services for those in need, as we can't keep a clinician on board 24 hours a day. Officer McNamara and myself, mostly Officer McNamara, have been working on this for the past three years and it is now at the point where we are ready to start the program. That is why we are here tonight; to request opioid relief funding. We are looking at a partnership with Lancaster Police Dept. and Open Sky Community Services. We felt this would be the best fit for our department and community. We would split the ===PAGE 3=== clinician and cost between Lunenburg and Lancaster (20 hours per week/town). They would respond to critical incidents in either community as needed and available. The clinician would provide on scene assistance with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, divert non-violent, low-level offenders experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use disorder away from the criminal justice system and provide follow up services for mental health and substance use disorders. They presented some statistics from 2021 concerning mental health illness or substance use disorder and noted this affects all ages, cultures and races. The Police Department is part of a program called SIMS, which notifies us if a resident overdoses in a community other than Lunenburg. Once we are notified, one of our officers along with a recovery coach visits the resident to see if we can provide follow up services. Officer McNamara expanded on the co-response program. If approved, a mutual aid agreement with Lancaster would be entered into as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with Open Sky Community Services. We are requesting $79,032. This would be split between Lancaster and Lunenburg and we would be the host community and would have to provide the entire amount then Lancaster would reimburse the town 50%. We are also applying to the Dept, of Mental Health for a $200,000 grant. As this grows we will look for a funding source to keep this going. If we get the grant, we will return the opioid funds. Discussion occurred about the need for the program, how to keep the program sustainable and other resources that could be used. Motion: T. Alonzo 2"d: C. Nuzzolo To include Article D (To see if the Town will vote to transfer $80,000 from the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund to be used to fund the Police Department's Mental Health Co-Response program in the Special Town Meeting warrant. Vote: All in Favor Special Town Meeting Warrant Article for Agricultural Commission Warrant Article Matt Allison, 188 Flat Hill Road, Agricultural Commission Chair, stated this article (M) is the second time we've tried it. We had recent discussions with Town Counsel and he confirmed that this is in fact within the exemption for farming in the state laws, so that our bylaw is effectively not enforceable. The three revisions of the farm size referencing Chapter 48, § 3 is enforceable. Motion: C. Nuzzolo To add Article M to the Special Town Meeting warrant 2nd: T. Alonzo Vote: All in Favor Land Use Director Burney requested to have the Planning Board hold a hearing regarding the article because it is a requirement for any zoning articles. Motion: M. Jeffreys To refer Article M to the Planning Board to hold a hearing consistent with our zoning bylaws 2nd: L. Franco Vote: All in Favor Mr. Allison noted the Planning Board will hold the hearing because the Agricultural Commission does not have that capacity. Meeting with Land Use Director re: Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles from the Planning Board Mr. Burney stated one of the articles presented for the STM warrant addresses off street parking. Currently section 6.4c 5K of the zoning bylaw is common driveways. The Planning Board over the past several years has heard more and more petitions for common driveways. The current language by right allows two lots to share a common driveway as long as it splits the lot line between the two. In practice it tends to be more complicated and there's language that allows the Planning Board and the ===PAGE 4=== Building Commissioner to independently make a determination that an alternative location is okay. Essentially it's just a determination; people come to the Planning Board and sometimes it's easy and the Planning Board says yes, this makes total sense, you're splitting a lot off your existing house and you want to use the existing driveway; people know where it is, there's a curve in the road, why not? Other times it's more complicated and we end up with some fairly ridiculously shaped lots. Secondly the purpose behind common driveways is often to reduce pavement to reduce interactions between driveways and roadways. The Planning Board doesn't have any real standards and wants to formalize this and permit larger development on a common driveway. They've introduced the language that you have in front of you on the warrant and the intent would be to separate it out from section 64 C5 and make it its own section 64 C7. It would allow for four common lots to share a singular driveway as long as all of those lots have frontage on the road that the driveway intersects with. It creates a special permit process for these common driveways, so it makes it a subjective process that the board will review under their special permit standards, their rules and regulations for special permits and site plan approval and it clarifies what the submission requirements would be, what the time frames are and it gives them the ability to condition these common driveways. We spoke with the Fire Chief about requirements he would look for; there are requirements in here for signs at the end of the driveway showing the layout and number location as well as numerical signs at each of the branches for the house that would be located there. It also codifies commercial common driveways MA DOT is highly in favor of and has pushed other communities to introduce. Motion: C. Nuzzolo To accept Article N for the Special Town Meeting warrant 2"d: T. Alonzo Vote: All in Favor Mr. Burney moved on to Article O, which is Solar Parking Canopy: a special application of a ground- mounted solar energy system that is installed on top of a functional parking surface that maintains the function of the area beneath the canopy. This is essentially covered parking that generates electricity. Currently this would not be allowed in Lunenburg because anything over 10kw of production is considered a large scale ground mounted solar and you would need 200 feet offset from the property line and 20 acres of land. So we came up with solar parking lot canopy as an accessory use in the commercial industrial area. This would allow people to install them based on the standards in the bylaw and they would meet standard structure setbacks, you would need to screen with natural vegetation the associated cabinets and equipment and you'd need to make sure that essentially you're not harming the drainage patterns with the installation. There's an exorbitant cost to installing these compared to a green field solar because the racking is more structural and requires footings, but there are opportunities where this could be something people would pursue and take advantage of. Regarding the requirement to install EV charging stations, Mr. Jeffreys noted there is funding provided by the state to businesses to install them. When a minimum height requirement was suggested, Mr. Burney stated he would bring it back to discuss with the Planning Board. Article P amends the Code of Lunenburg, Section 250-4.13, which is a Section of the Protective Bylaw entitled "Solar energy systems," Subsection B, entitled "Definitions," by modifying the definition of "Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic Installation. Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2': T. Alonzo To accept Articles O and P and include in the Special Town Meeting warrant Vote: All in Favor The next warrant article (Q) concerned the Water Supply Protection District: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg, Section 250-4.9, which is a Section of ===PAGE 5=== the Protective Bylaw entitled "Water Supply Protection District," by deleting the same in its entirety and by substituting therefor a new Section 250-4.9. Mr. Burney stated the Water Supply Protection District bylaw that we have dates back to a D model from 1991, and it's now 2023, so we're 32 years late and a whole century past. In 2011 DEP issued a new model bylaw for water supply protection and this is based off that bylaw. We're looking at deleting the entirety of what exists now as section 250-4.9 and replacing it with the updated version. It has been presented to the Lunenburg Water District and they did not think Zone III needed to be regulated (Zone III: An area beyond a Zone II recharge area, as approved by MassDEP and defined under the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations 310 CMR 22.00.) That opinion is echoed by DEP; they don't include Zone III in their bylaw; it just covers Zone II. (Zone II: The delineated recharge area to a public drinking water well as approved by MassDEP and defined under the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations 310 CMR 22.00.) Upon seeing the way the board addressed Zone II, the Water District doesn't see it as a hindrance or problem, and they would be supportive of it. Matthew Brenner, 615 Northfield Road, Planning Board Chair, agreed with the discussion that the Planning Board warrant articles should be presented earlier in the evening when a quorum is present and voters are not leaving early. Mr. Jeffreys thanked Mr. Burney for his years of service to this community and his thoroughness in assisting the Planning Board. (Mr. Burney had submitted his resignation recently to go to another community as Land Use Director) Mr. Alonzo echoed those thanks adding it's been a pleasure working with you over the years. Mr. Franco expressed thanks as well. Ms. Lemieux also thanked Mr. Burney for his nine years with the Town noting he is always professional in everything he does. Mr. Burney thanked the board for their expressions of gratitude. He stated it has been a pleasure working for the town. It's been nice to see the town grow and make changes. Motion: T. Alonzo To accept Article Q. for the Special Town Meeting warrant 2"'d: C. Nuzzolo Vote: All in Favor Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2nd: T. Alonzo To refer all the Planning Board warrant articles that were reviewed this evening to the Planning Board for public hearings Vote: All in Favor Presentation of Environmental Policies Mr. Jeffreys noted these are policies that he had presented last year. He asked the board to review them in advance of their discussion as a starting point. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager's Appointments of Townsend Police Officers as Special Officers & Ret. Officer Robert DiConza to Civilian Traffic Member effective 10/4/23 Ms. Lemieux started with the Townsend Police officers as Special Officers: James Satell, Chief of Police Christopher Peach, Lieutenant George Reidy, Sergeant David Phillips, Sergeant Jeffrey Giles, Sergeant ===PAGE 6=== Mark Francis, Officer Michael Marchand, Officer Christopher Low, Officer Eric Modica, Officer Christopher Tucker, Officer Dylan Silvestri, Officer Matthew Faria, Officer Peter Eldredge, Officer Dylan Denis, Officer Rafael Huertas, Officer Austin Cote, Reserve Officer Motion: M. Jeffreys To ratify the Town Manager's appointments of Special Officers as read by the Town Manager 2"'i: C. Nuzzolo Vote: All in Favor Mr. Lemieux reported the next appointment is for Robert DiConza as a Civilian Traffic Member. Mr. DiConza is a retired Lieutenant in good standing after serving with the department for 20 years both full-time and part-time. He meets all the requirements to become a member of this unit and this would be effective October 4, 2023. Motion: C. Nuzzolo 2nd; T. Alonzo To ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Robert DiConza as Civilian Traffic member effective October 4, 2023 Vote: All in Favor Town Manager Report Board/Committee/Commission Vacancies: The following is a list of current vacancies on the following boards/committees/commissions: • Architectural Preservation District Commission (1 vacancy) • Cemetery Commission (1 vacancy until the next Annual Town Election) • Finance Committee (2 vacancies) Green Communities Committee (1 Regular Member and 1 Associate vacancy) • Open Space Committee (1 Member at Large vacancy) • Personnel Committee (1 vacancy) Interested persons can find Volunteer Applications on the Town Website and completed forms can be sent to the Select Board's Office. Anyone that has any questions on volunteer opportunities can contact the Select Board office at (978) 582-4130 x 144. Employment Opportunities with the Town: The following is a list of current employment opportunities with the Town: • Assistant to the Sewer Business Manager (19 hours/week) • Assistant Town Accountant (32 hours/week) • Assistant Meal Site Manager (19.5 hours/week) • Conservation Administrator (36 hours/week) Facilities Superintendent (40 hours/week) • Finance Director (40 hours/week- contractual) • Heavy Equipment Operators (2) (40 hours/week) ===PAGE 7=== • Land Use Director (40 hours/week) • Principal Assessor (40 hours/week) • Seasonal Cemetery Laborers Videographer (2-10 hours/week) More information on each position can be found on the website under job opportunities, which are located on the town website. Update on Certification of Property Values Project with Vision Government Solutions Last week there was a kickoff meeting with Mike Tarello of Vision, our consultant Nate Cramer of MFS, the Interim Principal Assessor Rena Swezey, and myself. We discussed the timeline for the project, updates to the Board of Assessors and next steps. Vision is finishing up a number of other projects right now, so the first phase of sales analysis and verification will begin around mid-October but will still be complete according to the timetable in their bid. As part of the sales analysis and verification process, Mike Tarello will review the Sales file and the Town will send any sales verification forms we receive to Vision. Vision would like to meet with the Board of Assessors in mid-October to explain the process and answer questions. We also discussed getting information out as early as possible and throughout the process so taxpayers would be aware of what to expect and be part of positive public relations. Community Compact Best Practices Grant Application I applied for the Community Compact Best Practices Grant last week. Towns can apply for up to two "Best Practices", which are outlined in the state's program guidelines. The two best practices I requested funding for were: 1) Financial Management category to utilize the services of the Collins Center to create a comprehensive package of financial management policies, financial procedures manual and a memorandum detailing any additional findings and recommendations regarding financial structure and general administrative practices. This request was for $30,000. 2) Resilient and Reliable Transportation category to create a multi-year asset management plan that inventories and rates the condition of our bridges and culverts. This request was for $25,000. Both of these projects are part of my FY24 goals, as they will be extremely valuable to the Town once completed. As we are all aware, having written policies and procedures identify laws and regulations that need to be complied with, provide guidelines for financial decision making, and outlines for internal processes that should be followed by all stakeholders. The additional value of this best practice would be the inclusion of a high-level review of the overall management structure and recommendations for improvements that will address prior year annual audit comments, a Financial Management Review done by the Department of Revenue in 2008, and will address questions about financial management structure in light of this past year's tax assessment issues. The second best practice will be critical information we are lacking in our capital planning process right now and overall long term planning. We have 26 bridges and large culverts and we do not have a corresponding management plan of when they need to be repaired or replaced or the associated costs. To give an idea of the financial impact, we have approximately $900,000 in local funds and the Small Bridge Grant funds to reconstruct the Flat Hill Road culvert. The end product will be similar to our Pavement Management Plan with an inventory assessment, priority rankings, and estimated costs. Invitation for Bids/Request for Proposals: Bids for the Public Safety Carport Project were due on September 20th and we received one bid from Diversified Construction Services for $517,918. When this project was put out to bid in June of 2021, we received two bids and the low bid was $298,750. We currently have $135,000 in the FY21 Capital Plan appropriation, thus both bids far exceed the available funds for this project. After speaking with both the ===PAGE 8=== Police Chief and Facilities Director, we all agree that we will not be pursuing this project and I will be requesting these funds be re-appropriated at a future town meeting. • Bids for the Two DPW Trucks were due yesterday and we received one bid from Minuteman Trucks LLC for 2 F750 trucks totaling $481,975 (not including trade in values for the de- commissioned trucks. This amount is equivalent to what was committed through ARPA funding. We will be putting the decommissioned trucks on Municibid to see if we can receive more than the trade in value for the trucks and then will award the bid based on those results. Also, the anticipated delivery date by Minuteman is on or before June 30, 2024. • The DPW Director had Mayer Tree Service remove 15 years of accumulated brush from the yard waste area at the capped landfill site as there was no room for more brush. They performed the work under the State Contract for Solid Waste and Recycling Services Category 10: Organic-- Leaves, Yard Waste, & Floating Vegetation and Category 17: Wood. Route 2A/Chase Road/ Electric Ave/Lunenburg Crossing intersections: VHB held a kickoff meeting for the Road Safety Audit (RSA) on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 10 AM at the Public Safety Building. The meeting was attended by the Town Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, DPW Director, VHB engineers, MassDOT District 3 engineers and engineers from MassDOT Headquarters. The issues with the two intersections were discussed. A field investigation was conducted. Repair and mitigation solutions were discussed. A write up of proposed solutions will be forthcoming at a date unknown. Employee Highlights: • This weekend different staff members participated in fundraising events for different causes. COA Director Sue Doherty, the Outreach Coordinator Pauline Roy, and Diane Now of the Council on Aging participated in the Alzheimer's Walk In Worcester. The name of their team was the Lunenburg Purple Turtles and the money they raised goes to the Alzheimer's Association. Police Chief Gammel participated with other Massachusetts Chiefs in the Jimmy Fund Walk this weekend. The name of their team was "Team Police Chiefs" and the money they raised goes to support cancer research and patient care at Dana- Farber. Thank you to the employees recognized here and those that we are unaware of participating in causes like these. The Economic Development Committee's Public Official Meet and Greet was on Thursday, September 28th and there was a great turnout. Thank you to Low Places Ranch for opening up their beautiful location for the event, Joeci Gilchrest and the Economic Development for putting the event together, Lunenburg business owners, staff and committee members for attending. For staff, the DPW Director Bill Bernard, Fire Chief Pat Sullivan, BOH Administrative Assistant Andrea Schnepf, Planning Board Administrative Assistant Annie Aubrey, Conservation Administrative Assistant Ashleigh Denio, Building Commissioner Brian Gingras, Executive Assistant Elaine Peterson and IT Administrative Assistant Kara McCarthy for making the time to attend and connect with our local business owners. Sign Amended License for Lunenburg Liquor Mart Inc. (correction to square footage) The board signed an amended license for Lunenburg Liquor Mart Inc. as the square footage was changed for the business. Discuss Animals Bylaw Special Town Meeting article and remainder of Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles Mr. Jeffreys noted we had discussed adding an animal bylaw on the Special Town Meeting warrant to be in agreement with the state law, but it would be better to tackle this in the spring and take enough time to focus on the wording. Warrant article J (To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg, Chapter 110, being the Animals Bylaw) will be removed from the warrant. The board will vote on the finalized warrant at their next meeting. ===PAGE 9=== Motion: T. Alonzo To include all draft warrant articles as presented with the exclusion of Article J 2nd: C. Nuzzolo Vote: All in Favor Discuss Disposition of Town Property Mir. Jetfreys referred the board members to the Town properties folder. Picking up from last year, the goal is to see which properties we want to hold on to for future use and to determine why we are holding on to some of them. Then we would see if there's a policy to create that identifies the rationale why we're holding them. The other part is there are some parcels that we have through tax title that we might want to consider selling and asking Town Meeting to sell. Last year we started the process in the center. We went to a couple of parcels last summer so what I would like is for you to identify if you have Saturdays that you are available or not available for some site walks. Sign Bond Anticipation Note Mi. Lemieux stated this bond is for a ladder truck and the Saliba property purchase in the amount of $152,499. $96,900 of that is towards the Saliba property and in this debt schedule is the second to last year paying that off. This renewal is for one year. Motion: T. Alonzo 2"l: L. Franco To sign the bond anticipation note in the amount of $152,499 as presented by the Town Manager Vote: All in Favor Approval of Minutes Motion: L. Franco 2'd: C. Nuzzolo To approve the minutes of July 11, July 18, August 1, 2023 as presented Vote: All in Favor Action Items Mr. Alonzo asked about the status of line painting at the intersection of Electric Ave and Route 13 as well as Goodrich Street. Committee Reports Ms. Emkey reported the School Committee met on the 20" and DPW Director Bernard will be managing the sidewalk project. The school has hired a new Facilities Director who will start on October 23"d. They have published their bullying prevention and implementation plan on the website and are seeking public feedback. The retirement of Geraldine Sampson after working for 32 years at the Middle/High School was announced. They are working on their capital plan; there was discussion of replacing the playground equipment at the Primary School in phases. Ms. Lemieux reported the Personnel Committee is going through the process of rating positions. When asked about the Town Clerk position, she stated it is an elected position and doesn't fall under the Salary Administration Plan or a union contract. Discussion about bringing her pay in line with surrounding communities ensued. Mr. Alonzo reported the Finance Committee is meeting this week. We are working to set the next meeting of the Capital Planning Committee and the beginning of the real work in October. Mr. Nuzzolo noted the Planning Board met last night and it was a standard meeting. They also came in tonight in regards to their warrant articles. The MRPC has not met in quite a while. Mr. Franco reported the Master Planning Committee had their kickoff meeting and mostly concentrated on organizing and discussing the schedule. Their next meeting is October 5' Mr. Jeffieys met with the delegation of the Water District and Tighe and Bond to discuss the ARPA funds that were distributed to them and the public education component of the funds. Two weeks ago ===PAGE 10=== Ms. Lemieux and I attended the Chamber of Commerce reception. The North Central Chamber of Commerce received an award for being the best Chamber of Commerce in the United States which is quite phenomenal. It was a good opportunity to meet other elected officials. He also met a consultant company that installs solar panels. They help municipalities identify their brownfields, which Lunenburg is now eligible for. The consulting fee is $20,000 to $25,000. They have a model that allows the community to get solar panels on their landfills at no additional cost to the municipality. He is also going to reach out to the Green Communities Committee and involve them in the process. When asked about the cap on the landfill and keeping it intact, Mr. Jeffreys said he would look into it. He met with Habitat of Humanity to go over what their program offers. They are seeking land for free or at minimum cost and they have engineered plans for one story structures of about 1200 square feet. They have a partnership with Monty Tech and Leominster Tech. I've invited them to come and present to the board. There is no date set yet. Mr. Alonzo reported he had attended the Board of Assessors meeting. He thanked the two new members, Brian Laffond and Sarah Cammer for coming forward. They reorganized with current member Jack Rabbitt and discussed what their next steps will be as far as the five year valuations that Vision will be performing. They would like to address items as a board that were identified during the tax issue problem and how to address them. The new members are on their way to final certification. Mr. Jettreys reported the Municipal Building Committee is meeting with the School Committee as we have identified that phase three has some overlap between Turkey Hill and TC Passios. We are expecting the full School Committee to attend our next meeting. Upcoming Meetings & Events October 10, October 17, October 24 October 11 Ribbon Cutting for new ADA Patio, 12 PM, Adult Activity Center, 25 Memorial Drive November 14th ', Special Town Meeting; 7:00 PM at the Middle/High School Auditorium Public Comment: Dave Rodgers, 82 Highland Street, wanted to thank all the elected and appointed committee members, volunteers, and Town employees; they are working very hard and they don't get the credit they should. He thought the preliminary review of pay rates was a good thing. Mr, Alonzo suggested at the next meeting to discuss their response to the Open Meeting Law violation determination. He believed it was errantly decided for the reasons we put forward through our Town Counsel in response to the initial complaint and believed potentially an appeal was necessary, even it it is not successful to just point out what I think are clear contradictions in the decision. Motion: M. Jeffreys To adjourn the meeting 2nd: T. Alonzo Vote: All in Favor The meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cident Elaine M. Peterson Executive Assistant to the Town Manager ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-10-agenda-307.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-10 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-10-agenda-307.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10102023-307 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD Tuesday, October 10, 2023 7:00 PM AGENDA Bilotta Meeting Room, Town Hall In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on FacebookLive on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the LunenburgAccess YouTube after the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://zoom.us/j/9091740347 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 909-174- 0347 # If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e -mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Telephone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Vote s may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fa ct be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I. PUBLIC COMMENT*** • BOARD • PUBLIC II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS IV. APPOINTMENTS 7:05 PM Joint meeting with Parks Commission to interview/appoint to Parks Commission Vacancy until the May 2024 Annual Town Election: Anita Schiepers, 63 Chestnut Street 7:15 PM Meeting with Parks Commission Chair Ana Lockwood re: Special Town Meeting Warrant Article for PARC Grant for Marshall Park V. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Seasonal Cemetery Laborer Rachel Hunt VI. TOWN MANAGER REPORT VII. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Approval of Minutes of August 8, 2023 2. Warrants/Action Items 3. Committee Reports VIII. OLD BUSINESS ===PAGE 2=== 1. Disposition of Town Property 2. Review of the Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles; Votes on Recommendations May Be Taken 3. Review Select Board Bylaws (FY24 Select Board Goal #3) IX. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE October 17, October 24 October 11th Ribbon Cutting for new ADA Patio, 12 PM, Lunenburg Adult Activity Center, 25 Memorial Drive November 14th Special Town Meeting at 7 PM, LMSHS Auditorium X. PUBLIC COMMENT*** • TOWN MANAGER • PUBLIC • BOARD XI. ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion to enter into executive session and to adjourn the meeting after exiting Executive Session pursuant to MGL Ch. 30A, Section 21(a), subsection (2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and subsection (3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. (Clerical Union) XII. ADJOURN *** Per Policy, Public comment is limited to 15 minutes, with no more than 3 minutes per speaker except at th e discretion of the Chairperson ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-10-minutes-307.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-10 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-10-minutes-307.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10102023-307 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== Select Board Minutes October 10, 2023 7:00 PM Chairman Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. Members Present: Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Charman; Lou Franco, Vice Chair; Caesar Nuzzolo, Clerk; Renee Emkey. Tom Alonzo, Absent. Others Present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager, Chris Sullivan, Zoom Parks Commission, Karen Menard, Ana Lockwood. PUBLIC COMMENT R. Emkey noted new Town website went live today. Caesar Nuzzolo commented on agenda center page with agenda and minutes on one page. L. Franco made comment tomorrow morning (October 11th, 2023) there is a pancake breakfast at the Eagle House at the Lunenburg Adult Activities Center from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Michael-Ray Jeffreys commented on the recent news headlines and encouraged those at home to offer prayers to the people of Israel and Palestine due to the current conflict. Carl Luck, 50 Sunset Lane: C. Luck made comments referring to Open Meeting Law Complaint that was previously filed. C. Luck noted the complaint only named two (2) of the members which included Town Manager and the Select Board Chair and did not name Member Tom Alonzo. MFS Final report identifies the main issue was the Principal Assessor’s work and Department Staffing. C. Luck referenced the investigation team’s report previously presented at Select Board Meetings “asserts that the principal Assessor did no wrong and followed all DOR process requirements. This is blatantly untrue…” Additional notes were made regarding the draft report and management of the prior contract outside the assessor’s supervision of the principal assessor and his Department. It was recommended to publish all teams and residents questions and to open up the process and remove barriers to access information more quickly. Phyllis Luck, 50 Sunset Lane: P Luck noted she was a former Select Board member and understands the situation the Select Board is in; referencing the tax debacle last January. P. Luck asked why the Principal Assessor would be on the investigation team, and noted potential conflict of interest. P. Luck questioned how the 135% tax increase for Lake properties never been answered. Ms. Luck made note investigation efforts seem tainted due to significant difference in MFS Draft and final version including doubled tax ===PAGE 2=== increase percentages which “curiously tied out to the amount the town manager had initially set aside.” It was then requested Chair and Town Manager resign from investigation team and select two new members to join Selectmen Alonzo. Michael-Ray Jeffreys noted there were many inaccuracies to the public comments this evening but chooses to not respond at this time. Ana Lockwood, 91 Main St: As a resident who was not affected by the tax increase A. Lockwood noted she does not believe there was anything nefarious about the investigation team. All reports have been made public and as a community lessons were learned and encouraged the community to look forward and to give support to town employees. APPOINTMENTS 7:05 PM Joint Meeting with Parks Commission to interview/appoint to Parks Commission Vacancy until the May 2024 Annual Election: Anita Schiepers, 63 Chestnut Street Anita Schiepers has been a town resident since 2009, Town Manager has a professional relationship as Anita used to be a Town Administrator and comes very highly recommended. A. Schiepers has 25 years of experience as a Town Administrator and Town Manager and has knowledge on putting forward any facility improvements or capital improvements and working alongside other Commission members with that goal in mind. Ana Lockwood was asked for any comments or questions and noted excitement to have Ms. Schiepers aboard and thanking her for volunteering and being an added resource. Chris Sullivan (remote) commented on his excitement to have someone with the experience and knowledge to bring to the table. Caesar Nuzzolo and Lou Franco made comments on heavy endorsement and noted experience as a Town Manager will be a benefit for the committee. Michael-Ray Jeffreys asked if Anita has seen plans for proposed use for Marshall Park and what part of the plans speaks to you most? Ms. Schiepers responded making note of parking improvements, different facets of the proposed park improvements and multi-generational benefits. Karen Menard made Motion to Appoint Anita Schiepers to the Parks Commission through May 2024; Seconded by Chris Sullivan. Roll Call Vote Ana Lockwood, aye. Karen Menard, aye. Chris Sullivan, aye. Renee Emkey, aye. Caesar Nuzzolo, aye. Lou Franco, aye. Michael-Ray Jeffreys, aye. Unanimous. K. Medard made Motion to Adjourn Joint Meeting of Parks Commission and Select Board. Chris Sullivan Seconded. Meeting Adjourned 7:25 PM 7:15 PM Meeting with Parks Commission Chair Ana Lockwood re: Special Town Meeting Warrant Article for PARC Grant for Marshall Park. Article is to apply for $500,000 of ARPA funds and have Select Board approve at Town Meeting. Purpose of article is to acknowledge the utilization for those authorized funds be used for Marshall Park and there are no conflicts and does not affect Town budget. The article will designate the park as Chapter 45 Section 3. The land was purchased by the Town in 1913 and has a deed restriction. ARPA Funding Application requires vote on allocation of funds but ARPA funds are not rescinded if vote does not pass at town meeting but funds will not be utilized for Marshall Park if voted down. Select Board including Renee Emkey and Michael-Ray Jeffreys expressed concerns about redundancy and how voters will interpret the presentation. Michael-Ray suggested to make presentation very clear to voters if they vote yes or no these are the affects. Heather Lemieux noted that this requirement is specific for this Grant and not typical as well as a requirement under the purchase and sale agreement to designate the property as Park property. ===PAGE 3=== INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Seasonal Cemetery Laborer Rachel Hunt: Applicant withdrew as she took another position. ANNOUNCEMENTS / TOWN MANAGER REPORT Interim Conservation Administrator Leah Virgorov has resigned due to relocation to Western MA. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the ADA Patio for the Adult Activity Center is on Wednesday October 11th at 12:00 PM. Town Manager commended to the efforts of past and present town employees including Rob Olivia, Sue Doherty, Bill Bernard, Chris Ruth, and Don Gagney. Lunenburg Business Association hosting Trunk or Treat Saturday October 28th 12 Noon – 3:00 PM at the High School Upper Parking Lot. Registration is required, information is on Lunenburg website. Halloween Trick or Treating will be October 31st 6 PM – 8 PM. Yard waste started this past Saturday and will be every Saturday until November 18th from 8:00AM – 4:00 PM at Youngs Road behind Tri Town. Planning Board will hold their Public Hearing for the Agricultural Commission and Planning Board Special Town Meeting articles on Monday October 30th at 6 PM in the Bilotta Meeting Room at Town Hall. Special Town Meeting is Tuesday November 14th at 7:00 PM at the High School Auditorium Finance Committee will be holding their Public Hearing Thursday October 12th at 7:00 PM in Bilotta Meeting Room at Town Hall. Land Use Director Adam Burney’s last day is October 12th DPW Employees assisted Mayor Wood in reconstructing a drainage pipe on Gibson Street that was damaged during the September 11th rain event and their efforts had the street open than expected. VACANCIES: Architectural Preservation District Commission – 1 Vacancy Cemetery Commission – 1 Vacancy until next annual town election Finance Committee – 2 Vacancies Green Communities Committee – 1 Vacancy; 1 Associate Vacancy Open Space Ad Hoc Committee – 1 member-at-large vacancy Personnel Committee – 1 Vacancy Volunteer Applications are available on the Town website. More information is available by calling 978- 582-4130 ext 144 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Assistant to the Sewer Business Manager – 19 hours a week Assistant Town Accountant – 32 hours a week Assistant Meal Site Manager – 19.5 hours a week Conservation Administrator – 36 hours a week Facilities Superintendent – 40 hours a week Finance Director – 40 hours a week Heavy Equipment Operators – 40 hours a week ===PAGE 4=== Land Use Director – 40 hours a week Principal Assessor – 40 hours a week Seasonal Cemetery Laborers Videographer – 2-10 hours a week More information available under Job Opportunities on the Town website Update on Community Compact Best Practices Grant Application: Lieutenant Governor notified Town Manager they approved the request to update our financial management policies and procedures and to create a bridge and culvert management plan. Sean Cronin, the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services, updated they were able to fund the management plan through the best practices funding and will be utilizing the department of local services staff to handle the financial management policies and procedures update instead of the Call Center staff. The new town website has launched today; shout out to Kara McCarthy for doing an excellent job as well as Casey Chisholm working with Civic Plus and all departments getting the agendas and minutes posted. MUNIS: Upgrade last week which had several critical issues which has since been resolved. Karen Brochu has approximately 120 hours remaining as interim Finance Director. Her priority right now is to close out FY23 and Steve Barrett the Assistant Town Accountant will be taking on more responsibilities. CURRENT BUSINESS Approval of Minutes August 8, 2023: Caesar Nuzzolo made Motion to approve Minutes from August 8, 2023. Seconded by Tom Alonzo. All, aye. Warrants/Action Items: Payroll warrant $986,208.24. Payroll deduction warrant $687,871.84. Accounts payable warrant $98,161.23. Action Items: Michael-Ray Jeffreys posed the question of how long does it take to cut the cemeteries using existing equipment. DPW Director and Cemeteries Superintendent have been working on it and they were going to use Lakeview and Select Board has been invited to their meeting on the 19 th. COMMITTEE REPORTS: School Committee – Approved Capital Plan as proposed but meeting was conducted without the facilities director. Next meeting is on the 18 th and will have an update on the Rte 70 bridge. Council on Aging – Ribbon Cutting ceremony will happen tomorrow, there will be indoor seating and hot dogs. Master Planning Steering Committee – met on the 5 th and discussed tentative public meeting on November 2nd from 7 – 9 PM in the Library and details will be confirmed at next meeting October 19th. Existing Conditions report of the Town will be discussed and a 5 ft x 7 ft model of the Town will be built in 3-D. PlanLunenburg.com for more information. Capital Planning Committee: Next meeting is October 23rd Municipal Building Design Committee: No report Finance Committee: Michael-Ray will attend next meeting to discuss warrant related to special sterilization fund ===PAGE 5=== OLD BUSINESS Disposition of Town Property: 671 West St, 66.5 acres, intersection of West and Pleasant St as well as Pratt St. ; 225 Pleasant Street and parcel on 27 Young’s Road. Chairman encouraged Select Board Members to walk town owned property. Intent of properties is to hold future use for municipal buildings and intent to create policy in regard to the town holding onto property for future development. Review of the Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles: Motion to Defer Article A to Special Town Meeting, all aye. Motion to Defer Article B to Special Town Meeting, all aye. Motion to Defer Article C to Special Town Meeting, all aye. Motion to Defer recommendation of Article D to Special Town Meeting, all aye. Motion to recommend approval for Article E: Vote to transfer $232,800 from the FY23 Capital Plan under Article 6 of the May 7, 2022 Annual Town Meeting to the Lunenburg School District for the purpose of installing Ductless Split Climate Control Systems. Michael-Ray Jeffreys expressed intent to vote against which initiated a discussion. Mr. Jeffreys is in support of getting installation of air conditioning in school. Is not in favor of all the penetrations into the building exterior that will come with ductless split systems. Every penetration becomes a point of maintenance and vote is against the use of that system for the building. Analysis from facilities director pointed at costing upwards of several million dollars if that system is not used and Michael-Ray rejects that analysis. Board continued discussion and majority in-favor but agreed is less than ideal situation but the cost is greater to not get the school air conditioning. Made Motion to recommend for approval Article E. Lou Franco, aye; Caesar Nuzzolo, aye; Renee Emkey, aye; Michael-Ray Jeffreys, no. In favor 3-1. Article F requests the appropriation of $300,000 for repair TC Passios Building roof. Excess funding from the 30 School St project after receipt of an earmark for $100,000 from the State and Capital Plan FY23 with the Hazardous Materials abatement for 30 School St and funding for this project is available. Michael-Ray Jeffreys made Motion to recommend Approval for Article F to Special Town Meeting, all aye. Article G. To see if Town will vote to transfer $1,851.30 into the Sewer Reserve Capacity Stabilization Fund. Michael-Ray Jeffreys made Motion to recommend approval to Special Town Meeting, ally aye. Article H. To see if town will vote to transfer $5,340 into the Sewer Inflow/Infiltration Stabilization Fund. Michael-Ray Jeffreys made Motion to recommend approval to the Special Town Meeting, all aye. Article I. Vote to transfer $986,000 from Special Purpose Stabilization Fund to pay for a new ambulance to replace Rescue 1 and two (2) new dump trucks to replace two (2) decommissioned dump trucks. Michael-Ray made Motion to recommend approval to the Special Town Meeting. Seconded by Caesar Nuzzolo, all aye. Article J. To see if Town will hear interim report from Municipal Building Design Committee. Michael- Ray made Motion to approve to the Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Caesar Nuzzolo, all, aye. ===PAGE 6=== Article K. To see if Town will vote to reauthorize raising and appropriating $184,000 for final engineering and design services for certain recreation and open space areas at Marshall Park, located at 100 Chestnut Street with an additional sum of $1,000,000 from available ARPA funds. Proposed construction of a playground, multi-sport courts and pavilion, for a total amount $1,184,000. Michael- Ray made Motion to accept Article K into the Warrant. Motion to recommend approval to Special Town Meeting, Caesar Nuzzolo Seconded. All,aye. Article L. Vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg Chapter 250, Zoning Bylaw Definitions. Michael-Ray made Motion to recommend approval to Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Caesar Nuzzolo, all aye. Article M. Vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg Section 250-6.4 Driveways and Entrances. Michael- Ray made Motion to recommend approval to Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Caesar Nuzzolo, all aye. Article N. Vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg Section 250-4.5 and 250-4.6 by adding new sections 250-4.5A(6) and 250-4.6A(4) to include language regarding Solar Parking Canopy. Michael-Ray made Motion to defer to next week Select Board Meeting, Seconded by Lou Franco, all aye. Article O. Vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg Section 250-4.13 Solar Energy Systems by modifying the definition of Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic Installation. Michael-Ray made Motion to recommend approval to Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Lou Franco, all, aye. Article P. Vote to amend the Code of Lunenburg Section 250-4.9 Water Supply Protection District. Michael-Ray made Motion to recommend approval for Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Lou Franco, all aye. Michael-Ray withdrew Motion and Lou Franco withdrew Second. Michael-Ray made Motion to defer to Special Town Meeting, Seconded by Lou Franco, all aye. Lou Franco made Motion that the Select Board has voted on a disposition of any article to either defer, not recommend approval, or recommend approval. Such vote on disposition also explicitly constitutes a vote to put it on the warrant. Seconded by Michael-Ray, all aye. Review Select Board Bylaws (FY24 Select Board Goal #3) Chapter 305 in Select Board Policies pertains to remote participation. Currently guidelines for participating remotely is limited to emergencies, illnesses, or military service. Michael-Ray recommended language changes. Meeting on the 24 th to discuss Chapter 305. Chapter 74 – Michael-Ray made Motion to modify the language in Chapter 74 to read each instance of the word selectman and phrase Board of Selectmen shall be replaced with Select Board. Seconded by Lou Franco, all aye. Michael-Ray made Motion to add those modifications to Chapter 74 to the Annual Town Meeting in the Spring. Seconded by Lou Franco, all aye. Chapter 5 – Administration of Government. 5-3 Conflict with current language in the Charter. The discussion shifted towards Chapter 5 of the town's administration, particularly focusing on sections 5-3, 5-2, and 5-4. There was a noted discrepancy between the current language in the charter and the identified responsibilities. The discussion primarily revolved around the town manager's role in overseeing public grounds, parks, buildings, and places of public resort. It was suggested that clarification is necessary to delineate responsibilities between the Board of Selectmen and the town manager. ===PAGE 7=== Recommendations were made to maintain the current language in section 5-2 regarding the Police Department's oversight, emphasizing the importance of their unique role and the need for additional oversight despite state and town management supervision. It was agreed not to propose substantive changes to Chapter 5 but to review it comprehensively. Tasks were assigned for further review and analysis, with a request for the town manager to advise on Section 5- 3 by the first meeting in December. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE October 17, October 24 October 11th Ribbon Cutting for new ADA Patio, 12 PM, Lunenburg Adult Activity Center, 25 Memorial Drive; November 14th Special Town Meeting at 7 PM, LMSHS Auditorium PUBLIC COMMENT A clarification was provided regarding the town manager's role in the investigation, emphasizing cooperation rather than active investigation. The importance of providing accurate information to the public was underscored. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the ongoing investigation report compilation and the challenges of balancing responsibilities alongside other commitments. ADJOURNED 9:24 PM ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-17-agenda-443.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-17 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-17-agenda-443.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10172023-443 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD Tuesday, October 17, 2023 7:00 PM AGENDA Bilotta Meeting Room, Town Hall In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on FacebookLive on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the LunenburgAccess YouTube after the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://zoom.us/j/9091740347 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 909-174- 0347 # If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e-mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Tele phone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I. PUBLIC COMMENT***  BOARD  PUBLIC II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS IV. APPOINTMENTS 7:10 PM One Day Entertainment License for American Graffiti, 113 Summer St. for 11/22/23 from 7:30-11:00 PM V. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Interim Conservation Administrators Charlotte Steeves and Bryanna Weigel VI. TOWN MANAGER REPORT VII. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Town Manager Report on Staffing 2. Select Board final recommendation votes on Special Town Meeting warrant articles and vote to sign warrants for posting 3. Approval of Minutes of August 15, 2023 4. Warrants/Action Items 5. Committee Reports ===PAGE 2=== VIII. OLD BUSINESS IX. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE October 24th November 14th Special Town Meeting at 7 PM, LMSHS Auditorium X. PUBLIC COMMENT***  TOWN MANAGER  PUBLIC  BOARD XI. ADJOURN *** Per Policy, Public comment is limited to 15 minutes, with no more than 3 minutes per speaker except at th e discretion of the Chairperson ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-17-minutes-443.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-17 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-17-minutes-443.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10172023-443 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== Select Board Minutes October 17, 2023 7:00 PM Present: Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Lou Franco, Tom Alonzo, Caesar Nuzzolo (via Zoom), Heather Lemieux Absent: Renee Emkey Chairman Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access Channel, Facebook Live and the Public Access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Public Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at this meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the Open Meeting Law. PUBLIC COMMENT - None ANNOUNCEMENTS Lunenburg Business Association hosting Annual Trunk or Treat Saturday October 28th 12 Noon – 3:00 PM at Lunenburg High School Upper Parking Lot. Registration is required. Halloween trick or treating will be October 31st from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Yard waste started last Saturday and will continue every Saturday until November 18th 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Youngs Road. Planning Board and Agricultural Commission will hold Public Hearing for the Special Meeting Articles on Monday October 30th at 6:00 PM in the Bilotta Meeting Room in Town Hall. Special Town Meeting is on November 14th at 7:00 PM in the Middle School High School Auditorium Finance Committee held their public hearing last week COMMUNICATION FROM OTHER BOARDS APPOINTMENTS 7:10PM One Day Entertainment License for American Graffiti, 113 Summer Street for 11/22/23 from 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM Todd Jennison, 129 Sunnyhill Rd is the Applicant requesting One Day Entertainment License for a three person band. Tom Alonzo made Motion to Approve the One-Day Entertainment License for American Graffiti at 1113 Summer Street for November 22,2023 from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Seconded by Lou Franco. Roll call vote: Tom Alonzo, aye; Caesar Nuzzolo, aye; Lou Franco, aye; Michael-Ray Jeffreys, aye. ===PAGE 2=== INTERVIEWS / APPOINTMENTS / REAPPOINTMENTS / RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Interim Conservation Administrators Charlotte Steeves and Bryanna Weigel Bryanna Weigel is currently the Conservation Agent for Sterling – 19 hours, and Rutland – 12 hours. She has her Master’s in Science and Geography and dual Bachelor’s degree in Geography Outdoor Recreation Planning and Spanish and is a Certified Storm water Inspector and has experience as a ecological technician providing support in Wetland delineations and updating bylaws and regulations. She is available 10 hours a week for Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Charlotte Steeves is currently full-time Conservation Agent and Assistant Town Planner for Lancaster. She has a Master’s in Biology and a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and Management. Charlotte has received many scholarships and awards as well as participated in a handful of presentations and publications. She was employed by the US Geological Survey New England Water Science Center as a hydraulic technician and co-founded an environmental education platform. She is available to commit to remote work on Friday afternoons and attend Conservation meetings on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Both are temporary positions. Lou Franco inquired about both positions having coordinating meetings to streamline communication and yes there will be coordination efforts. Tom Alonzo made Motion to ratify the Town Manager’s Appointment as Interim Conservation Administrators Charlotte Steeves and Bryanna Weigel. Seconded by Lou Franco. Roll call vote: Tom Alonzo, aye; Caesar Nuzzolo, aye; Lou Franco, aye; Michael-Ray Jeffreys, aye. CURRENT BUSINESS Town Manager Report on Staffing: (Agenda items are out of order of meeting) Report on Staffing Shortages – Topics of discussion include how short staffed we are, causes, organization, current strategies, what more we can do and conclusion and next steps. Current vacant positions include - Principal Assessor (40hrs) - Assistant Meal Site Manager (19.5 hrs) - 2 Seasonal Cemetery Laborers (35hrs) - 2 Heavy Equipment Operators - Assistant to Sewer Business Manager (19 hrs) - Finance Director/Town Accountant (40 hrs) - Assistant Town Accountant (32 hrs) - Land Use Director (40 hrs) - Conservation Administrator (36 hrs) - Digital Services Librarian (20 hrs) - Library Outreach Assistant (14 hrs) - Police Sergeant (40 hrs) - 2 Videographers for Public Access ===PAGE 3=== Departments Subsidized by Consultants/Interim Appointments: Assessing Department (Interim Principal Assessor); Finance Department (Interim Finance Director); Interim Planning Consultant; Interim Conservation Administrators – total hours short of being fully staffed is 200 hours a week. Causes: Significant increase in retirements vs. people entering into municipal careers, employee turnover and current pay rates. Pay rates are confined by collective bargaining agreements and the salary administration plan. Changes to pay scales requires town meeting votes or collective bargaining negotiations. Staying within the budget is crucial, and current employers are counter-offering wages that exceed the town’s pay scale. The strong labor market and inflation reduce the number of applicants for public services jobs. There is a need to maintain pay equity among existing staff. Impact: Staffing shortages lead to decreased productivity, backlog of work, increased possibility of missed deadlines, and decreased quality of work. Financial implications include town board, resident, and business dissatisfaction. Overworked employees experience burnout, reducing morale and the ability to take on new programs and services. Recruitment and Retention Strategies: Recruitment efforts include advertising on various platforms: MMA website, Mass Hite, professional association websites, Indeed, town website, town bulletin boards, Facebook, Instagram, the Ledger, North Central Chamber of Commerce website, and job fairs. Consultants are contacted to fill gaps when necessary. Networking and cold calls are used to attract candidates. Retention Efforts: Town administration conducts wage studies to ensure competitive pay. Employee engagement surveys are conducted to understand and improve morale. Training programs are provided to develop skills. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and health and wellness programs are available. Efforts to improve work-life balance are prioritized. Future Steps: Address wages to offer competitive compensation. Define organizational mission and vision to enhance employee engagement. Create training and mentorship programs. Examine current staffing structure and budgeted positions. Build pathways for future employees by partnering with local schools and higher education institutions. Advocate for state programs and funding to support these initiatives. Board members expressed gratitude for the detailed report and acknowledged the significant efforts made to address staffing issues. Discussions included the importance of competitive pay, flexibility in training, and potential incentives for longevity and retention. C. Nuzzolo emphasized the importance of competitive wages and shared concerns about the financial well-being of town employees. L. Franco agreed. M. Jeffreys made concerns about pay structure for key positions, particularly those identified as undercompensated. Consider increasing hours for part-time positions to attract more qualified candidates. M. Jeffreys commented regarding the Cemetery Department being 53% understaffed. M. Jeffreys calculated the hours it takes yearly to mow the cemetery lawns and it takes 7.5 days to cut the North and South Cemeteries which equates to 600 hours of time cutting grass and we have structured ourselves to have 3,952 hours for the cemetery department to spend 600 hours cutting grass. M. Jeffreys questioned why we might need almost 4,000 hours to get 600 hours of work done. M Jeffreys continued to explore structural changes including assess the feasibility of separating the procurement function from HR responsibilities and consider the option of a full time procurement specialist. It was also mentioned to advocate for municipal workforce development by partnering with local schools and higher education ===PAGE 4=== institutions to create pathways for future municipal employees as well as, work with state representatives to advocate for funding and programs to support municipal workforce development. T. Alonzo commented there has never been a time where Lunenburg has had such a need for employees but external circumstances has caused a shortage as well as the need for balance in paying salaries and tax payers paying for these increases. H. Lemieux responded to Board comments to encourage managing expectations. Many other communities will allow a job posting to lapse to give the impression the position has not been vacant for extended periods of time and it takes a lot of effort to keep track of every job posting on every platform. Another component was engagement recognition – there have been comments from other committee meetings regarding employees not feeling appreciated and speaking with other department heads that issue is town wide. Board comments concluded to consider the presentation from the Town Manager and to start getting items scheduled to increase procurement efforts and increase current employee pay and morale. Select Board final recommendation votes on Special Town Meeting warrant articles and vote to sign warrants for posting Article 1: Related to budget adjustments. Board asked if there are final numbers. No, but H. Lemeiux received confirmation that the Town is able to amend the estimate for state aid at this town meeting so that increases our available surplus $120,000 and estimated increase in New Growth as well. There are 10 more properties the interim principal assessor is working on but looks like we could increase that estimate from 200 to 400. Board agreed until they get final numbers recommend to Defer. Article 2: Refer to prior year expenses. Defer until final numbers come in. Article 3: Refer to funds raised for the Collective Bargaining Unit for Municipal Employees. Defer until numbers come in. Article 4: Related to the special purpose stabilization fund. Michael-Ray attended the presentation before the Finance Committee and committee recommended to not approve the request 3 to 2. One member did not vocalize concerns but voted against it; another member had concerns in wanting to align ARPA funding with the capital plan and had specific objections to funds allocated for the Artisan schools which accounts for 7% of the funding. Another member expressed concern about the ARPA legislation itself which is an executive appropriation. Article 5: Refers to the transfer of $80,000 in opioid settlement stabilization fund; contingent upon the Town of Lancaster’s approval of 50% of the program and did get confirmation that Lancaster did approve that 50%. Tom Alonzo made Motion to approve Article 5; Seconded by Lou Franco. Roll call vote: T. Alonzo, aye; C. Nuzzolo, aye; L. Franco, aye; M. Jeffreys, aye. Article 6: Refers to the school’s request to transfer $232,800 from the Capital Plan to the Lunenburg School District to install ductless split climate control systems at the Lunenburg Primary School. Recommend approval 3 to 1. M. Jeffreys was looking for T. Alonzo to a vote for recommendation. T. Alonzo commented that votes are not cumulative. Article 7: Recommend Approval Article 8: Recommend Approval ===PAGE 5=== Article 9: Deferred Public Comment: Joan Pease, 11 Winter Green Ct, the water protection district warrant article has a procedural irregularity/inconsistency. For the purpose of this bylaw there are hereby established within the town of Lunenburg certain groundwater supply protection areas consisting of aquafers or recharge area zone 2 and certain protected areas beyond Zone 2 and area 3. These areas are delineated on a map entitled Lunenburg Water District Aquifer Protection Zones dated July 2021 which is hereby made part of the water supply protection district bylaw and is on file at the Town Clerk’s office. I am requesting that map be made part of the warrant article so that the government is transparent and all voters have an opportunity at home to see what the map references. Article 10: Recommend Approval Article 11: Refers to repairs on TC Passios roof. Recommend Approval Article 12: Recommend Approval Article 13: Recommend Approval Article 14: Recommend Approval Article 15: Deferred Article 16: Recommend Approval M. Jeffreys made Motion for the Board to accept and sign the warrant posting with the modifications discussed. T. Alonzo Seconded. Roll Call vote: T. Alonzo, aye; C. Nuzzolo, aye; L. Franco, aye; M. Jeffreys, aye. Approval of Minutes of August 15, 2023: L. Franco made Motion to accept the minutes for the meeting of August 15, 2023. Seconded by T. Alonzo. Roll call vote: T. Alonzo, aye; C.Nuzzolo, aye; L. Franco, aye; M. Jeffreys, aye. Warrants / Action Items Accounts Payable Warrant: $1,256,239.82 Committee Reports: Municipal Building Design Committee: Joint Meeting with the School Committee - Met Monday 10/16/23. The discussion primarily focused on the phased plan for the municipal building design, with particular emphasis on accommodating school offices in the Ritter building and constructing a new town hall at its site in phase one. Phase 2 involves renovating the Old Town Hall to include meeting rooms and office relocations. Phase 3 pertains to the TC Passios Community Center addressing structural and code-related issues. There was extensive discussion on the potential overlap between TC Passios and Turkey Hill in phase three. Considerations included building conditions, community needs, and financial implications of renovating versus building new. The School Committee expressed interest in potentially using TC Passios for a future school site, while exploring the suitability of Turkey Hill for community services. The board acknowledged the need for further community input and detailed analysis regarding the functionality and cost-effectiveness of TC Pasio and Turkey Hill for their respective roles. The discussion highlighted the importance of integrating community feedback and assessing building ===PAGE 6=== conditions comprehensively before finalizing plans. It was agreed that phase one and phase two should proceed first, with detailed planning and cost estimation. Further exploration of TC Pasio and Turkey Hill's roles will continue in subsequent meetings to refine the project scope and timelines. OLD BUSINESS UPCOMING MEETING / EVENTS SCHEDULE October 24th November 14th Special Town Meeting at 7 PM, LMSHS Auditorium L. Franco made Motion to adjourn. Seconded by T. Alonzo. Meeting adjourned 8:37 PM ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2023-10-24-agenda-817.txt BOARD : select-board DATE : 2023-10-24 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/select-board/2023-10-24-agenda-817.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10242023-817 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== SELECT BOARD Tuesday, October 24, 2023 7:00 PM AGENDA Bilotta Meeting Room, Town Hall In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on FacebookLive on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the LunenburgAccess YouTube after the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://zoom.us/j/9091740347 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 909-174- 0347 # If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e-mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Tele phone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I. PUBLIC COMMENT***  BOARD  TOWN MANAGER  PUBLIC II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS IV. APPOINTMENTS V. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of DPW Driver/Laborer Mason Cooper VI. TOWN MANAGER REPORT VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. Select Board recommendation votes/discussion on Special Town Meeting warrant articles 2. Review Select Board Bylaws (FY24 Select Board Goal #3) 3. Disposition of Town Properties VIII. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Sign Certificate of Commendation for Immigrant Entrepreneur Award Nominee/Neighborhood Business- Jorge Marzuca Rosas 2. Discussion on Future Workshop: What Makes Lunenburg a great place to live, work and volunteer ===PAGE 2=== 3. Approval of Minutes of August 22, 2023 4. Warrants/Action Items 5. Committee Reports IX. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE November 7; November 14 STM; November 28 Flat Hill Road- November 7th meeting X. PUBLIC COMMENT***  TOWN MANAGER  PUBLIC  BOARD XI. ADJOURN *** Per Policy, Public comment is limited to 15 minutes, with no more than 3 minutes per speaker except at th e discretion of the Chairperson