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Home My WebLink About2023-04-18 Select Board Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2023-04-18 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Agenda: Revised Purpose: General Business Meeting Called By: Caitlin Nocella on behalf of Chair Mark Dockser Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonab ly anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: This Meeting will be held in-person in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall and remotely on Zoom. It will also be streamed live on RCTV as usual. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82138792845 Meeting ID: 821 3879 2845 One tap mobile +16465588656,,82138792845# US (New York) +16465189805,,82138792845# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) Meeting ID: 821 3879 2845 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbBjHFphR PAGE # 7:00 Overview of Meeting 7:05 Public Comment 7:10 Select Board Vote to Reorganize 7:30 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports 3 7:45 Select Board Appointment of Temporary Board of Registrars Member, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 51, s. Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 2 20 8:00 Discussion and Potential Vote on recommendations o f parking violation fees and potential changes 11 8:30 Discuss Revisions to Section 1.2.5 of Reading’s Select Board Policy 15 8:45 Discuss the purchase of real property for municipal use, including a potential executive session under Purpose 6 to consider the value of 17 Harnden Street 9:15 Discuss Future Agendas 17 9:30 Approve Meeting Minutes 20 Office of the Town Manager 781-942-9043 16 Lowell Street townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us Reading, MA 01867 www.readingma.gov/town-manager To: Select Board From: Fidel A. Maltez Date: April 18, 2023 RE: Town Manager Memo for April 18th, 2023 Meeting At the writing of this Memo, the Town Clerk is working on the details and logistics for the recount following our recent election. I have full confidence in our Town Clerk and know that she will do an excellent job on this recount. We will share more details with the Select Board as they are finalized. At this meeting, the Select Board will be asked to appoint a Temporary member to the Board of Registrars, in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 51, Section 20. This temporary appointment is being presented to ensure a full Board is present and available at the recount, given that one of the permanent members will be out of the country. Select Board Policy Section 1.1.1 states that the board “shall schedule a meeting after the Town election and prior to the opening of the annual Town Meeting” to reorganize and elect officers. This reorganization is part of the agenda for this upcoming meeting. We also have an item to vote on the parking violation fees and potential changes recommended by the Reading Police Department. The change in fees have been presented to the Select Board previously, and after thorough review, staff is confident that these are appropriate to Reading. The proposed changes are summarized in the memo from Lieutenant Jones first presented to the Select Board on February 8, 2023. Town Staff prepared and has advertised a community survey for our potential rubbish and recycling cart roll-out that will be in front of Town Meeting this April. A summary of the survey results are attached to the packet following this memo. So far, we have received 1,469 responses, which is excellent given the short period of time that the survey has been up. I also wanted to thank the Select Board, our businesses and our residents for your ongoing patience given the large amount of construction in our downtown. Our staff is doing the best job we can with communication via social media and reverse-911 notifications. We know that construction and detours are disruptive and can have significant impact on the daily operation of our local businesses. We apologize in advance and thank you for your patience. Finally, the Select Board will be asked to revise Section 1.2.5 of the Select Board policy and remove item (3) avoid making disparaging comments about individuals. This change is being recommended considering the recent Supreme Judicial Court decision in Barron v. Kolenda. A summary of the decision from Town Counsel is below. Barron v. Kolenda held that “civility restraints on the content of speech at a public comment session in a public meeting are forbidden." Briefly, the Court explored the legality of Southborough Select Board’s Civility Code, which provided, in relevant part, All remarks and dialogue in public meetings must be respectful and courteous, free of rude, personal or slanderous remarks. Inappropriate language and/or shouting will not be tolerated. …” The Court concluded that the town’s Civility Code sought to prohibit discourteous, rude, disrespectful, or personal speech about government officials and governmental actions, speech which is solidly protected by Articles 16 and 19 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. At the meeting in question, Louse Barron stated during public comment that the “town had been spending like drunken sailors” and expressed her frustration with members of the Select Board violating the Open Meeting Law, stating that “I know it’s not easy to be volunteers in town but breaking the law is breaking the law.” In response, the acting chair accused her of slandering town officials and said that if she couldn’t stop, he was going to end the public comment session and recess the meeting. Barron retorted that he needed to “stop being a Hitler”, at which time, the acting chair recessed the meeting, ending public comment. The acting chair then turned off his microphone and yelled at Barron that she was “disgusting” and that he would have her “escorted out” of the meeting if she did not leave. Concerned about his threat, she left the meeting. The Court stressed that reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions could be imposed on public speech to ensure a “peaceful and orderly” meeting. However, “peaceable and orderly” conduct is not the same as “respectful and courteous” statements. “There was nothing respectful or courteous about the public assemblies of the revolutionary period. There was also much that was rude and personal, especially when it was directed at the representatives of the king and the king himself.” Southborough’s Civility Code crossed the line from regulating a “peaceable and orderly” meeting, into viewpoint and content-based discrimination, “allowing lavish praise but disallowing harsh criticism of government officials.” The Court provided some guidance on what type of restrictions might be permissible: “[r]easonable time, place, and manner restrictions could include designating when and where a public comment session may occur, how long it might last, the time limits for each person speaking during the public comment session, and rules preventing speakers from disrupting others and removing those who do. FAM Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 63.54%934 36.46%536 Q1 Would one (1) 64-gallon cart be sufficient for your weekly household RUBBISH? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q2 If a 64-gallon cart is not sufficient, would you consider leasing a second 64-gallon cart for an annual fee (estimated between $150-$200)? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 13.67%201 86.33%1,269 TOTAL 1,470 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 44.83%659 55.17%811 Q3 If a 64-gallon cart is not sufficient, would you consider using 30-gallon overflow bags that can be purchased at a local retail establishment when needed (bags are priced about $2-$3 each). Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q4 Would you prefer a cart smaller than 64-gallons for your weekly household rubbish? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 12.04%177 87.96%1,293 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 65.03%956 34.97%514 Q5 Would one (1) 64-gallon cart be sufficient for your weekly RECYCLING? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q6 If one (1) 64-gallon recycling cart is not sufficient, would you be interested in the Town providing you with a second 64-gallon cart? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 68.84%1,012 31.16%458 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q7 How many people live in your household? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% 1 2 3-4 5-6 7+ Other Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 2.86%42 19.12%281 55.03%809 21.77%320 0.88%13 0.34%5 TOTAL 1,470 #OTHER DATE 1 plus Two dogs 4/16/2023 5:00 PM 2 Prefer not to answer 4/12/2023 1:59 PM 3 but frequent visits from kids 4/12/2023 7:06 AM 4 ,bjlhj;h;l 4/11/2023 1:59 PM 5 NA 4/10/2023 6:33 PM ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES 1 2 3-4 5-6 7+ Other 3.81%56 64.69%951 31.50%463 Q8 Do you have children under 18 in your household? Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Prefer not to answer Yes No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Prefer not to answer Yes No Q9 What is your age? Reading Rubbish and Recycling Cart Program 7.48%110 2.18%32 0.07%1 5.99%88 32.38%476 26.05%383 13.81%203 12.04%177 Answered: 1,470 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 1,470 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Prefer not to answer Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Prefer not to answer Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Date: February 8, 2023 To: Town Manage Fidel Maltez From: Lieutenant Christopher Jones RE: Parking ticket fee structure Sir, The police department has analyzed the parking violations and fines for Reading and our surrounding communities. The police department recommends the following changes in order to update the fee structure and be consistent with surrounding communities. Group A Violations: Increase from $20 to $25 (No Parking Zones, Overtime Parking, Wrong Direction, Blocking Private Road/Driveway, etc.) Group B Violations: Increase from $50 to $100 (Ten Feet from Hydrant, Fire Lane) Group C violations: Increase from $100 to $300 (Illegal Parking in Handicap Spaces) Often motor vehicles that are ticketed still remain in violation for several hours after. In in effort to deter this, we would recommend a separate violation ticket may be issued after two hours of the violation is still occurring. All the above language conforms to M.G.L. c. 90, §20A½ in that fees would not be greater than specified under the law. Handicap Additional Amendments: Over the past few years we have observed many handicap violations such as cars blocking the handicap ramp that is next the handicap space, cars parking on the marked-out space used for handicap van access, and several vehicles to even include a delivery truck parking in a handicap space and once ticketed still refusing to move. We would like the ability to tow motor vehicles in these if they refuse to move. The Reading Police Department recommends adopting Mass General Law Chapter 40 Section 22D; “Vehicles parked in violation of law; removal” into Traffic and Parking Regulations within Town of Reading Bylaws Regulations and Policies under Public Safety. READING POLICE DEPARTMENT 15 Union Street . Reading, Massachusetts 01867 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emergency Only: 911 . All Other Calls: (781) 944-1212 . Fax: (781) 944-2893 Local governments may impose parking rules and restriction and may authorize the “Chief Officer of the police department or such Sergeants or other officers of higher rank” to remove, to some convenient place any vehicle parked or standing on any part of any way under the control of the municipality in such a manner as to: • Obstruct any curb ramp designed for use by handicapped persons as means persons as means of egress to a street or public way. • To occupy or obstruct any parking space reserved for a vehicle used by a disabled veteran or handicapped person (with proper credentials) • To impede in any way the removal or plowing of snow or ice or in violation of any rule or regulation which prohibits the parking or standing of all vehicles on such ways or portions thereof at such time and recites that violator pays removal fee: whoever violated it shall be liable to charges for the removal and storage of the vehicle as well as subject to punishment by fine. The following vehicles shall not be removed: • Vehicles owned by the commonwealth, a political subdivision (City or Town) or the United States or any foreign diplomatic corps or by foreign consular who is not a citizen of the United States. Respectfully, Christopher Jones Lt. Christopher Jones The parking fees for surrounding towns are: Andover: · $250 - Handicapped · $100 - 10’ of hydrant, fire lane and Taxi stand · $30 - Crosswalk, winter parking ban, blocking driveway or sidewalk and 25 ft. from fire station · $20- meter violation, overtime parking, wrong direction, all night parking (when Restricted) Beverly: · $200 - Handicapped · $100 - 10’ of hydrant, fire lane and Taxi stand · $50 - bike lane, winter parking ban, and prohibited areas · $20-$15 for all other violations · $5 Penalties for non-payment after 21 days · $30 after registry notification Concord: · $150 - Handicapped · $50 - 10’ of hydrant · $25-$20 for all other violations · $5 - Penalties for non-payment after 21 days · $30 - after registry notification Lynnfield: · $100 - Handicapped · $15 – Fire lane · $15 – Parking on sidewalk · $15 – Parking on crosswalk · $15 - Snow removal · $15 – All night parking Melrose: · $150 - Handicapped · $150 – Handicapped ramp · $50 – 10’ hydrant (towable), Snow emergency (towable), Snow removal (towable) · $50- (6) wheel or larger 1hour limit · $25 - for all other violations · $5 Penalties for non-payment after 21 days · $30 after registry notification Stoneham: · $300 – Handicapped/ramp · $100 - 10’ of hydrant,10’ from unobstructed lane, fire lane and bus stop · $50 – 15’ from a fire station · $25 $15 - for all other violations · $5 Penalties for non-payment after 21 days · $30 after registry notification Wilmington: · $100 - Handicapped /ramp, blocking hydrant · $15 - 10’ from hydrant, fire lane, bus/taxi areas , snow removal, loading zone, upon crosswalk/sidewalk, all night parking 1am-6am. Winchester: · $100 - Handicapped · $30 - 10’ of hydrant , Snow removal/plowing, blocking private driveway or loading zone · $25 for all other violations · Penalties for non-payment after 21 days registry notification Wakefield: · $125-Handicapped · $100-Parking in Bus Stop · $50- Fire Hydrant/Snow removal · $25 for all other violations · Penalties for non-payment after 21 days registry notification Woburn: · $300 – Handicapped/ramp · $50-Parked in roadway for 72hrs (abandoned) · $25- Fire lane/Upon a sidewalk or crosswalk · $10- Bus stop · $20-$15 for all other violations 1-3 Select Board Policies rotate turns with Office Hours, and make a report to the full Board during Liaison reports as needed. 1.2.3 Meeting Agendas The purpose of the agenda is to allow the general public an opportunity to participate in a topic matching their interests. The Agenda shall: 1. Be approved by the Chair in consultation with the Town Manager. 2. Contain any discussion item requested by two or more Board members as soon as practical 3. Be published in advance as far as is possible. 4. Contain public communication received since the last Board meeting. Some Board meetings may consider only a single agenda item. However typical Board meetings will have the following agenda items: 1. Proclamations / Certificates of Appreciation 2. Reports and Comments (including Select Board Liaison Reports and Comments, Town 3. Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting 4. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes 5. Personnel and Appointments 6. Discussion / Action Items 7. Licenses, Permits, and Approvals 8. 9. Executive Session The regularly scheduled meetings of the Select Board shall be limitedby having discussion limited to agenda items taken up or tabled prior to 11:00 p.m. All remaining items will be deferred to a subsequent meeting. In order to facilitate the above policy efficiently, the Chair shall: 1. Limit the time of speakers from the floor especially during public hearings. 2. Call for votes on major issues or policy changes prior to 11:00 p.m., or defer final votes to subsequent meetings. 3. Request staff to prepare motions for Board action in advance. 1.2.4 Deferred Agenda Items It shall be the policy of the Select Board to conduct the business on its agenda at the meeting for which it is listed, unless a particular member of the Board is essential to the topic of discussion by virtue of special background or expertise, and is not able to be present at the meeting for which that item is listed. 1.2.5 Public Comment Each person appearing before the Select Board who wishes to speak will, upon recognition by the Chair, identify him/herself by name and address of residence. Failure to identify him/herself may result in the Chair withdrawing permission for that individual to speak to the Select Board. When 1-4 Select Board Policies recognized by the Chair, the speaker shall (1) address only the Chair; (2) speak for only the time allocated; and (3) avoid making disparaging comments about individuals. 1.2.6 Executive Sessions The Board shall always begin a meeting in Open Session, and may enter Executive Session only for the purposes allowed under Open Meeting Laws. Whenever possible, Executive Sessions will be scheduled at the end of an open session, and for the convenience of the public the Board will announce their intention to adjourn without returning to open session. In accordance with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law, the Town Manager, acting as clerk to the Select Board, will review approved confidential minutes of the Select Board's Executive Sessions on a regular basis. It is the intent of the Select Board to withhold minutes only for as long as the publication of the record would defeat the original purpose of a lawfully convened ExecutiveSession.TheTownManagerwillreviewall approvedminutesstillinconfidentialstatus, andwillreleaseforpublicationthosesegmentsthat neednotbeconfidential anylonger.Thisaction will be part of a report on the "Routine Matters" of the Select Board's meeting agenda. 1.2.7 Conduct of Select Board Meetings In the conduct of all Select Board Meetings, the following rules shall be observed: Rule 1 A quorum for doing Select Board business shall be a majority of the total number of Select Board members, as defined in the Reading Home Rule Charter. Rule 2 Pursuant to Sec. 1.6 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, except as otherwise determined by bylaw or statute, a majority of the total number of Select Board members shall constitute the majority vote for approving motions. Rule 3 All articles on the Select Board agenda shall be taken up in the order of their arrangement in the agenda unless otherwise decided by a majority vote of the members. Rule 4 Every Select Board member shall respectfully address the Chair, shall not speak until recognized by the Chair, shall speak to the question under debate and shall avoid making disparaging comments about individuals. Rule 5 No speaker at a Select Board Meeting shall be interrupted, except by a Member making a point of order, or by the Chair. Rule 6 A procedural ruling of the Chair may be overturned by a majority vote of the Board. Rule 7 Select Board members who have a financial interest in any matter that comes before the Select Board for consideration is required by M.G.L.c.268A, §19 to recuse themselves from participatingintheSelectBoarddeliberations. Membersofthepublicwhohaveafinancialinterest inanymatterthat comes before theSelect Boardforconsideration and any personwhoseemployer has such an interest are encouraged to disclose such interest or interests before speaking on such matter. April 24, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING April 27, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 1, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 4, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 9, 2023 Tuesday Overview of Meeting Dockser 7:00 Public Comment Board 7:05 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15 Vote on Local option to increase the Cost of Living Adjustment (“COLA”) for Fiscal Year 2023 to up to 5 percent on the base amount specified pursuant to G.L. c. 32, § 103, for retirees. Board 7:30 Vote on Letter of Support for MassWorks Grant Board 7:45 Discuss Exploration of Town Counsel Board 8:15 Discusion on a Dog Park in Reading Board 8:30 Discuss FY24 Water & Sewer Rates Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30 Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:40 May 23, 2023 Tuesday Overview of Meeting Dockser 7:00 Public Comment Board 7:05 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15 HEARING Approve Classification & Compensation Maltez 7:30 HEARING Vote on FY2023 Water & Sewer Rates Maltez 7:45 Committee Report from CPDC CPDC 8:00 HEARING Discuss/Vote on FY24 Non-Union Classification & Compensation Schedules Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30 Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:40 June 6, 2023 Tuesday Ice Arena Authority Report Board 8:00 June 20, 2023 Tuesday July 18, 2023 Tuesday August 1, 2023 Tuesday August 22, 2023 Tuesday September 12, 2023 Tuesday September 26, 2023 Tuesday October 10, 2023 Tuesday October 24, 2023 Tuesday November 7, 2023 Tuesday November 13, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 16, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 20, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 21, 2023 Tuesday Novmeber 27, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING December 5, 2023 Tuesday Vote to approve annual licenses (delegated to TM Office) Vote to approve Liquor Licenses December 6, 2023 Wednesday Department Budget Presentations December 12, 2023 Tuesday Department Budget Presentations Future Meetings - Agenda Items VASC Policy Changes and Recommendations VASC Discuss Early Sunday Hours at Recreational Fields & Parks Rec Comm Public Safety Quarterly updates Board Air BnB update CPDC Update on 186 Summer Ave / Review of Select Board role (consult with Town Counsel) Town Counsel Discuss Police Department Policies with respect to Police Reform Legislation & Department Accreditation Board Discuss and Approve Flag Policy Board Recurring Agenda Items Close Warrant: Annual Town Meeting March 3/1/2022 Close Warrant: Subsequent Town September 9/27/2022 Appoint Town Accountant March Annual HEARING Approve Classification & May Annual Appointments of Boards & Committees May/June Annual HEARING Approve Tax Classification October Annual HEARING Approve Licenses December Annual Liaison: RCTV members Report Annual Liaison: CAB (RMLD) member Report Annual Liaison: MAPC member Report Annual Liaison: Reading Housing Authority Annual Liaison: Reading Ice Arena Report Annual Town Accountant Report Qtrly Economic Development Director Semi-ann Parking/Traffic/Transportation Task Town Board & Committee visits Town Department visits Review Select Board Goals Review Town Manager Goals February/March Select Board Draft Minutes March 21st, 2023 MD – ZOOM Public Comment Diane Sirwa of Sanborn Lane noted she would like to see a sidewalk put in because the road is narrow and unsafe as is. Bruce Mackenzie, also of Sanborn Lane, noted he was the resident who placed the last 2 citizen petitioned Articles on the Town Meeting warrant and would like help from staff to improve his articles. He would also like the Select Board to take a vote to recommend his two articles before town meeting. Bill Brown noted none of the restrooms are ADA compliant in Town Hall. He would like this building brought up to code ASAP. Geno Pilyavsky wanted to comment about incentivizing volunteers that the board spoke of last meeting. He doesn’t feel offering money or gift cards is the right way to go because we want to draw in volunteers who are passionate about the boards they are on, not just volunteering for the money. Liaison Reports Bacci mentioned the Recreation Committee meeting that discussed softball putting in a temporary home-run fence and pickleball is not pursuing courts at Sturgis or Washington Park. June 10th is friends and family day. Ice Arena Authority had a standard meeting before this; they are working on a few internal bylaw changes. He noted he has found 7 firms that handle municipal law. Haley noted the School Committee meeting met and decided on the first day of school. RCTV held the candidate forum last week. Herrick noted last Thursday was Winterfest and it was well attended. FINCOM finished up budget presentations and discussed standardizing the trash carts and Birch Meadow Phase I. She attended RMHS PTO noting travel programs are back. She spoke about the Reading Scholarship Foundation who distributes funds to Reading residents. Last night the Killam School Building committee met last night as we enter the next phase of the MSBA program. Today was METCO advocacy day at the State House; she joined Sherilla Lestrade and many students from the METCO program. She thanked Mark Dockser for being Chair the past year. McCarthy attended FINCOM where DPW and Fidel explained the recent comments made regarding staffing levels and they have made great progress filling those positions. She attended an MMA Webinar about affordable housing trust funds and communities that have adopted one of these. The RMLD board met last week. She was nominated to the Energy and Environment policy committee through the MMA. She mentioned health related events coming up. Dockser noted the Bill Russell events that were held recently. ReCalc will be making a presentation tonight on their findings. The Select Board will have a table at Friends and Family day. DRAFT Town Managers Report He noted we are significantly overbudget for Birch Meadow because of inflation and market conditions, not because the project was changed in anyway. There are some options on deferring certain aspects of the project but there are some concerns about doing that. Article 14 for Town Meeting covers this request and reallocating funds from other projects. He noted they are down to only three vacancies in DPW right now. Water & Sewer Rates Matt Abrahams from the Abrahams Group gave the board a presentation about water and sewer rates and going to a tiered system. He noted is a lot of the same material the Town Manager has showed them previously. The presentation can be found in the Select Board meeting packet on the town website. The board discussed when the tiered system would start and what kind of increases they would see each year. Carla Nazzaro asked if tiered rates are mandated? It was noted the MWRA states that towns belonging to the MWRA should have a tiered rate. She also asked which tier a family of 4 would be considered. An average family of 4 would be in tier 4 which this system would not help; it would increase their rates. ReCalc Presentation ReCalc and Council on Aging called to order. John Sasso of ReCalc gave the board a presentation on their findings. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. ReCalc and Council of Aging adjourned at 9:31 PM. Parking Kiosks Presentation Economic Development Director Ben Cares gave the board a presentation about how to roll out the parking kiosks the board voted previously to put in to help downtown parking. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. Sherilla Lestrade suggested changing the cobblestones in front of CVS to 15 minute parking instead now so that can be used for people doing quick errands. Town Forest Committee Presentation William Sullivan, Chair of the Town Forest committee gave the board a presentation about what the committee has been up to lately. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. Surplus There has been a request of the board to vote to declare some items from the police department as surplus. DRAFT Haley moved to declare the 37 Glock Handguns as presented as surplus property. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved to declare the ammunition as presented as surplus property. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Affordable Housing Trust Fund The board needs to vote a member to be the board representative on the new Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board. Dockser nominated McCarthy to be the board representative. Bacci seconded the nomination. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes The board edited previous meeting minutes. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from March 7th, 2023 as amended. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Executive Session At 10:39 PM, Haley moved to enter executive session under Purpose 6 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of 17 Harnden Street, as the Chair declares that an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, to invite Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Jennie Merrill, Town Manager Fidel Maltez and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella to attend the executive session, and not to reconvene in open session. DRAFT