 Good evening. Welcome to the select board meeting of Monday, November 18th, 2019. I'm Diane Mahon to my right and your left John Herrod Joseph Kearrow Dan Dunn Steve D'Corsi Adam chapter lane town manager Town Council And the board has also been informed by ACMI that they're having some technical issues The meeting is not running concurrently live Hopefully that'll be fixed soon My speaking skills are with everybody's indulgence time I'm gonna on a couple things jump around what I'd like to do first is take up under appointments number seven Equal employment opportunity advisory committee. Is there a motion? To take it out of order. Oh It's okay. Yeah, totally. Yeah, please. Yes Is there a motion? Move by mr. Herd seconded by Second yeah, mr. Dunn if you could just come up to the microphone Just say your name and whatever remarks you'd like to say in terms of What you'll bring to this committee or whatever you want to say Hi Samantha do judge I have to say where I'm from Precinct 20 I Would like to join this committee specifically because my background is mental health and my doctorate is in Leadership in higher ed my own my own private practice Counseling Center in Arlington Heights as well, and I'm I see a lot of the community members my practice couples kids individuals And that's kind of like where my heart is to help like, you know better serve the community and in health care and And Thank you Thank you for volunteering. It's a great resume The help we get from volunteers really makes the town work and we really appreciate it. Yeah. No, thank you Any further questions or comments if not on a motion by mr. Herd seconded by mr. Dunn all those in favor say aye Opposed unanimous. Thank you so much. Thank you I'm just gonna do one of the thing out of order because I know she's doing triple duty tonight with my colleagues Approval agenda item 6 ever source petition Jackal and Duffy Good evening And star electric. Oh Jackie Duffy ever source and star electric DBA ever source energy We'd like to install 25 feet of conduit on mass Avenue. This is to supply electric service to the electric vehicle charging station This is a public hearing is anyone here for the ever source petition on mass Avenue All the butter is notified if not, I'll take a motion from Move approval such raw conditions are set forth second seconded by mr. Dunn any further questions or comments if not on a motion by Mr.. Carol seconded by mr. Dunn all those in favor say aye. I Unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, and now we will go back to Agenda item 1 to review and approve bond issue and related matters Did you want to stop this off? I think Phyllis can Introduce it just name and position from the record Good evening Phyllis Marshall. I'm the town treasurer and Here on some exciting news. We just we sold bonds 13th 70 million one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars We've got eleven bids which was Outstanding and the range of the bids was very close. So I think that's a tribute to the the town's triple-a rating which has a financial impact on the borrowing It's a lot of work, but it represents all of the work of the policies that are created and managed by the town and So we we got a great bid from Morgan Stanley who Bid on our last bonds as well and So I just wanted to highlight the whole triple-a bond rating versus double-a plus which is the next Bond rating that you could get and it represents a million dollars a million 80 that eighty nine thousand dollars over the life of the bonds. So it is a substantial savings to us and Not to mention that it reflects the the management and the financial responsibilities of the town and how they're discharged Are there any questions? He said it saves us a million dollars over the next step over 30 years. Wow, that's even more than I realized Is there a motion so moved And this is a silly question that I'm pretty sure the answers know but when we do Thanks to the Diligence of your office and your staff Go out to the mall and find that you know as you said, you know, it's a million eighty nine thousand over thirty years That will be quote-unquote saving. I'm assuming the answer to this question is no, but say we had another project that We Bid it at one price and we just happened to be a million eighty nine thousand dollars short That particular savings is not an avenue that we could explore, correct well There's two separate answers. I don't know if I'm asking my question But I think you know I understand what you're saying so From the point of view of the majority of this borrowing was the high school Borrowing so that was fifty eight million dollars worth of this borrowing So that in any event that doesn't give the town any more budgetary flexibility What that means is that the tax impact that we had projected will be lower when we ran all of the projected tax Impact figures for the high school borrowing we did that with an estimate of a four percent interest rate This came in just below a two point seven percent interest rate So the the high school portion of that savings directly benefits the taxpayers and how much they pay in their debt exclusion or their excluded tax rate the portion that's saved in the capital budget can't be Directly put to another project But what it means is that over the course of the entire capital plan our debt service payments will be lower than what we budgeted So there'll be more capacity in the capital plan to be able to do more projects It's not a direct correlation to the one million dollars because that is over thirty years And we look at the capital plan in the five-year chunk But if we have lower debt service payments that we budgeted again It gives us more capacity to just do a little bit more with the capital plan Okay, I expected a good thing from no, but I'm hearing it's it's a good Okay, thank you. I didn't mean to throw that at you. That's all right things pop into my mind Um any further questions or comments? If not an emotion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Herd all those in favor say aye I suppose unanimous vote. Thank you so thank you. Thank you. Thank you have a signing party in the back room Agenda item two quarterly financial report We have our deputy town manager just and our comptroller name of positions even though I just said it You know I'm sandy pool or deputy town manager It a Cody comptroller We thought that this would be such a new and exciting report for you that would take two of us to do it So when we're very happy to be here tonight We are a real team and this is a team effort Eda and I have spent many many hours putting this report together working with our our chart of accounts to Line things up to make it easier to run these reports. It's been an ongoing process And we we it took a lot of time to put this first one together and we think in the future It'll be a little more smooth But I do want to compliment Eda and her staff on all the work They did to on the accounting side to put this together What I want to go over a few General points on this and then maybe take a little bit of time to go into a little bit of detail not not too much but Since this is the first time that we've presented this report to you both to Help you I hope understand it and to extent that tonight or at a later time You have any feedback to us about what's in the report of the format. We'd certainly welcome that So just a few things one This kind of report definitely fits in with financial best practices And in fact, it's one of the things that the rating agencies when we have our call with them have asked us about and so We're very proud that the fact that we can now start putting this out on a quarterly basis Second is that as we look at these budgets you have a lot of Detail particularly in the backup material on line by line budgets The way budgets are voted by town meeting and the way we look at them is a bottom line budget by department We do pay attention during the year to the difference between what's being spent on salaries and expenses But the legal bottom line authority to spend is is at the bottom line for department So as you kind of look at how a department is going along. I think that is important to keep in mind Third as as we do this And engage in this in as a regular pattern We're going to learn more and more about Department spending patterns as we went through this this first time It involves a lot of phone calls with department heads to ask them about some of these numbers to look into munis To see the specifics of what's in these line items And we tried to capture some of those important points in this memo But I think as we go along we will start to see patterns You know typically I think but both Ed and I have seen in the other places We've worked where we've done these sort of things is you start to let get to know these departments over the years and see What their spending patterns are and see what's sort of normal and what's out of line and finally I would just say This the act of putting this together is Informative in and of itself because it's a good exercise On a regular basis to just look and see and there were a couple of things that we found that in asking departments what was going on Had them go back and double-check a few things and we found a few things that had been done quite right So it's a good chance to catch things early on and keep moving. So With that what I thought I do with your indulgence is just walk you through a little bit of the report I'm actually going to have ask you Please to turn to the first page that has all these little numbers on it like this. It's probably about the Sixth or seventh page of the report and I'm going to have you focus on the select board's office Can you just read the top two lines at the top what the top two lines of the top say so I know I'm on the right page Sure, it is it's going to say at the top town of Arlington year-to-date budget report. Okay. Thank you And you'll see about two-thirds of the way down. It says selectman's expenses Eunice is a little slow catching up with select board, but And I just wanted to point out an important feature of what this report does As you see under the selectman's expenses that third line down is office supplies So far this year as of the end of this report the select board Office has spent four hundred twenty one dollars and ninety six cents on expenses But they had encumbered three thousand two hundred and eight dollars and four cents That encumbrance is important because as we're looking at how report Expenditures go throughout the year what we do is we add up the actual expenditures the date plus the encumbrances and then subtract that from the original budget to see what's really left in This case as it's in the case of a lot of apartments where it looks like they may be spending ahead of schedule It's because they've encumbered money so in the select boards instance, they've encumbered money up front for Wb Mason for their anticipated office supplies throughout the year and for Verizon for for phone costs throughout the year and small amount for Printing expenses because they know at the beginning of the year that they're likely to spend those things So they put in a purchase order That set aside that money for those specific purposes and it ties it up that way And so in one sense it looks like the money's been spent because It's encumbered. It's not available to be spent on other things But really it's good budget practice and we do encourage the departments to encumber funds Upfront when they know they're gonna be spent that way. So I think that's just a fundamental part of how This report works. So it looks like that Office supplies have been used up to the extent of 57% so far this year, but that's really because of the encumbrances The report is based on the first quarter So in other words what activity has happened through the first three months of the year or the first 25% So what we look for in a report at this time of year is if any of these departmental numbers have a variance Beyond 25% either higher or low and we've tried to write the memo in a way to explain that to you and I'm automatically if we saw a bottom line variance either salaries or expenses of More than 10% or if we thought there was something in particular that we should call out so with that I will just go through some of this in a little bit of detail and Obviously, please If you have questions for either of us, we'd be happy to answer them Are you moving off of the selectments? Are you gonna stay on that? I'm gonna move off of the select board and go to the front of the memo here Can I just ask one question certainly just really again an off-road question either to you all or Mrs. Kruppelka if you know or someone can get back to the board under dues National League of Cities who pays that CDBG so none out of the select board The MMA office pays the MMA dues That's just when I saw dues and I saw the variance and when I first got on the board NLC really was like a Chrome my bonnet that you know now I see the value of National League of Cities But more from planning and the manager's offices versus, you know, thank you. Sorry certainly Please continue. So now you're gonna go. Now we're gonna go back to the first page of the report like this And I'm just gonna go through some of the expenses here So the first Department that had a variance More than 10% from our 25% goal was Finance committee and that's because really they do most of their work at the end of the year and it really comes in conjunction with their spending on Producing their report for town meetings So you wouldn't really expect to see a lot of spending from finance committee now So that is a good example of a kind of a timing issue The second one is information technology where it looks like they're 49% Through their budget, but that is another good example of encumbering things or having to pay certain license fees are So they've encumbered a lot of their telephone budget And they've had to pay a lot of their munis fees up front because that's just the nature of some of these contracts We have with the software providers So again, we find that that is in keeping with their spending in a department like that Planning they've expended 35% of the budget to date. So that's a 10% variance And that's really because they had a retired Employee who retired this summer and we had to pay out the accrued vacation and sick leave for that employee so It took a big it was a big chunk of money right at the beginning of the year For an expense that wouldn't be continuing throughout the year So again, sometimes those things just happen sometimes particularly With departments that have retirements as you'll see in parking. It was the same thing Oftentimes you we can make up that variance because you then have a vacancy in that in that position and the vacant position being vacant for Weeks or sometimes months then make up for whatever you're paying out as a payout It's only board of appeals the last one on this page looks like they've gone through 34% of their budget But again, because they know upfront they're going to do a lot of advertising They just encumber that money up front so that they know I just mentioned parking Okay Facilities is another one where they Encumber a lot of money particularly for their energy accounts up front because they know they're going to go through it They want to set that aside for energy so it's not Spent on anything else public works look has a lot of encumbrances because We pay up front the full amount of our trash and recycling contracts, and that's just the terms of those contracts Veterans as the report says we had a Couple of big one-time expenditures Plus they've encumbered a certain amount of funds knowing that they're going to have other ongoing expenditures through the year But this is a good example of then going and talking to the department head Asking them what's going on understanding the specifics of the kind of claims They've had and understanding that this isn't going to set a trend for the rest of the year But was that a bump early on and it also just shows that the veterans department is doing its job to provide the services That we expect them to provide so looking into it is a good good thing And a couple of things we've totally expended already Our minute man Assessment and our pension assessment we have to pay right at the beginning of the year So as we would expect it's at a hundred percent Any questions on expenditures the point otherwise, I'll go right into revenue I have questions comments, but if you want to wait to the end because they might be global Well The what excuse me I'm gonna they have for two questions I'll save the other two for the end and I'm going to use Snow and ice budget. Yeah, I know I'm sorry. I'm the heat's driving me out. Um, I know you anticipate doing this quarterly I wouldn't anticipate to see snow and ice or whatever we call that particular budget Until it's a seasonal thing until it comes up. So am I correct in that regard that as we move along During the quarter I may see snow and ice in quarter two and three but not in one and four That's correct that there's in fact $1,500 of overtime expenses in the snow and ice budget so far this year because they had to have somebody Spread around some ice melt a couple of weeks ago But other than that, that's the only expense and you're right the rest of it will come in the winter And then my second question is and I don't know it's necessarily Should come out of this report you all should do it or someone else should and provide the information to you again using a seasonal snow and ice When you give us the report on it and it's more than 25 50 whatever percent then we had anticipated Just using that as an example will also be contained in this report What I would call sort of like an internal correction that we know we went 1.2 million more than we had budgeted for snow and ice So I don't know if internal corrections like will it then identify the next step to say How that would be corrected or no, that's we get it another way Yes, we will it it's a matter of course now and it's been going on for several years the DPW reports the finance committee on the state of snow and ice expenditures because if they know that's likely that they're going to Need a reserve fund transfer. They like to give the finance committee a heads up ahead of time And so as we are now reporting to you in this way on a more regular basis We can incorporate those things on at least on a quarterly basis to let you know If we see it heading in a certain direction that it may be likely, you know through December or through March That we've had a really bad snow year and that there may be a need for a transfer sometimes you don't really know that until the end of the year because It may be that you know nature being what it is trends don't aren't always linear it may be that there are other savings that have gone on in the DPW that they won't require transfer That's what happened last year even though their snow and ice expenditures are a little high They had a little wiggle room in the rest of the budget And sometimes if it's a really bad year and where when we get some reimbursement from FEMA or MIMA We can incorporate that into our overall budget So it's a long way of saying that yes We do keep very careful track of that and we'd be glad to keep you informed as we continue these reports With your indulgence. Can I just do one more question say? Informational technology you've identified it identified what has been expended on the budget Identified a lot of it is a crude vacation and sick leave but because there is a position that is not currently filled That's Going to cover those expenses. So it just is an example say in that particular case all that were true However, there was a pressing or Maybe not so pressing need that we had to also use that salary which wouldn't cover What it's covering right now Where would I get that information would that be like a report from the town manager when that position is being open and being hired Would that be included? Somehow in your report and I'm not saying it should I'm just looking because you've given us someone so much information I mean, I'm definitely like trying to see everything I can get out of it. So does anyone have a grasp on my question like if you take I think I can take a shot at it so I think it's very much going to be on a case-by-case basis obviously because you the Hypothetically you brought up would be where for some other reason in that department there were extraordinary expenses that we might need that those salary savings for for some reason As a general matter, I would I'm happy to say that generally doesn't happen because I mean be quite frank. These budgets aren't that exciting. They're pretty much kind of the same thing from year to year I'm so into budgets. You have no idea. I've had some of my best times through budgets We share a certain bug then Common interest So if but it I think that is exactly the kind of thing where if it's truly an out-of-the-ordinary event Unanticipated that for one makes it eligible for a reserve fund transfer Those are sort of the rules and why we set up a reserve fund. So for some reason there was You know some loss of a lot of computer equipment or or software or something at some point I T had to go buy a bunch of things in the middle of the year because of Some IT disaster I think that would be eligible for a reserve fund transfer and that really won the areas I might look to and suggest that we do so I Think we would have to balance that against the importance of the that vacant position and how Important it is to hire that right away talk to the department head about do you need to hire it right away? Can you wait a couple of months? I mean it usually takes a couple of months to hire a lot of these positions anyway But I think those are all sort of the questions that we go through with the department head to see whether we need to fill right away and I think I can't speak to what usual communication you have on that. I would say mostly that is us dealing with the departments about filling Vacancies and making sure the departments are running and keeping up their missions on a day-to-day basis Thank you, and I do all the questions, but they're global. I'll wait to the end. I Mr. Carol and thank you for allowing me to go first. Thank you Thank you for this is budget to actuals report. It's great. I don't actually have many questions because this memo was so clear I did it's it's pretty small dollars, but I did have a question on I noticed a lot of the cost centers have a cleaning line item that It looks like although it's mostly small dollars Most of those are fully expended and I'm just wondering what what drives that So that is an item if you had seen this report a year ago you would have seen cleaning listed under Expenses as opposed to salary. You're seeing them now listed in salary accounts and I will again give you the credit For looking at where we put those in the budget and pointing out that those are things that are required under our contracts with with our Unionized employees contractual agreements They get a stipend a cleaning stipend within their contracts, so it's just right up front at the beginning of the year Okay, okay great that wasn't that wasn't clear I didn't And it just also and again small dollars it strikes me what a small purse like approaching zero percentage of the warrant article Budget expenses have been Expended so far. I'm going to assume that this is a trend that you typically see we're during the summer where so many of these are Volunteer-led or that season all that this this they are under the oversight of volunteer committees and For a lot of them in the summer isn't their most active time. Yeah We do it just I think it's interesting to note with those items often even by the end of the year They're not fully expended because they are Volunteer committees and sometimes it takes them a little while to get their act together So for those line items we do allow them an extra year To get to spend those funds and by that time after two years if they haven't spent the money then we say, okay You're done, but we try to give them a little extra leeway that way Thank you very much. Thank you madam chair All right So we talked about money going out and expenses the money coming in We feel that all of our revenues are on schedule. We know For example that our tax rate collection is right where it should be that is obviously the most important thing We Our next biggest tax is motor vehicle excise. We've collected only five percent during the year, but Our big bills go out in February and March. You've probably gotten your own excise bills at that time of year That's when we get that information to the Department of Motor Vehicles and we send those bills out Medicaid and penalties and interest on taxes as of the end of September we did not have any collections that way, but then in October just to give you a sneak preview for the next report Some of the Medicare reimbursements did start to come in that is just a timing thing and since it relates to having to Submit reimbursement requests to the federal government. You have to do a lot of paperwork to do that. So We're feeling good about where we are on that Earnings on investment. It's too bad. Phyllis isn't she's still here. So now I can say terrific things about what a financial investment genius She's done in all seriousness the Treasurer's Office has done a very good job of investing Balancing out short-term accounts and CDs and so forth We are way ahead of our projections it is all so quite frankly a result of Even though interest rates are near historic lows, they're not quite as low as they were a year ago And so they have bounced up a little bit The Fed has since lowered them again. So I don't know that this will be a long-term trend But it was an outlier And cemetery fees this turns out to be just a little bit of a a timing issue In October they caught up to where they should be so Again, I think that is an example of seeing a number making a phone call Understanding what's going on and getting things resolved I Won't spend as much time in the enterprise funds except to say that a lot of these Funds do have their own quirks as to What their revenues and expenditures are in the case of the water and sewer fund that the big things on the expenditure sides Have to do with the fact that when we do the offsets from the water and sewer fund to the general fund Those all come out at the beginning of the year. So you have this one big chunk coming out on a revenue side It's also the MWA Subsidy from the general fund goes in at the beginning of the year. So again, it looks like you're collecting more We try to factor that stuff in when we think when we look at all the different lines that are happening there So we understand what's really going on The AYCC fund Actually a question about the next one, sorry, there's a typo in the next one. All right The subsidy is 120 not two hundred thousand dollars from the general fund but For AYCC but their expenses are running a little bit Ahead I think it's just because of the timing of when Kind of the level of clients they're taking in and the fees that they're generating. So the fees are there to support the work that they're doing We will look at that carefully as we go on through the rest of the year to make sure that Their expenditures are within authorized levels Otherwise, we might have to come back to town meeting or something and actually amend their budget Later in the year, but we will continue to watch that the other funds Are as I say in line with What we know about what is happening in those funds or what has happened in past years, you know For example, we have three percent collection of revenue from the rink But there really was not a lot of skating going on in the summer. So And right that's another thing we when we see something like that we go back and Eda did she went she looked at prior years to see this time. Where were we are with the same numbers they were It gives us a sense of comfort and as they say over the years as we continue to put these reports together We'll understand more and more what those trends are. Mr. Don. So on the COA Transportation like that one the expenses is that one also in line like with the trend Adam do you happen to know why that one runs slower like like or is that I just don't know if I could answer Please sorry. Yeah, I think it's just the level of the number of people taking rides over the summer tends to dip a little bit and so According as we asked we called up and asked and that's what they told us. Thank you Cool. Thank you. I have Refuse just because this report is The breath of it you've included so many things. It's sort of triggering things in my mind and this question and I don't know if it's for our treasurer or someone else, but I Know I've been having conversations as we all have it including what's Mr. Pooler and Mr. Chaplain and my colleague, Mr. DeCorsi about I keep reading about a recession coming possible next two to five years when I saw the And I'm thinking about if and when that recession hits and you know We should start to kind of prepare for that in terms of a framework When we have to make some really tough decisions I'll highlight my questions under Ernie's on investment I understand it says, you know You project the revenue extremely low Based on the lowest rate lowest interest rate in the past decade The reason I pose this question, and I don't know that it's from this report If and when and I hope we don't we get to this recession that I'm hearing about from other people I value their knowledge. I'm in no way projecting it. It's not my background Where and when if at all is the proper venue place to have a conversation I understand that practice right now Where we're really Doing it low and it makes good budgetary sense But when we get to a point if we do that We really need to look in any core every corner in crevice Where would that discussion be held? Is it a finance committee? Is it so if I if I could along with the treasure? Yes so One of the benefits of having a low revenue estimate $65,000 is the revenue estimate for for interest is that all the excess revenue that comes in then flows at the end of the year into free cash and By flowing into free cash at the end of the year in the next year's budget half of it is Going to support the operating budget, but the other Excess gives us the and that gives us the capacity in good years in the fat years So to speak when these interest rates are high actually just to put more money aside Into the override stabilization fund so what we're doing now When we get this excess revenue is essentially building up our reserves for the day that as you accurately say is Going to come when we're going to have to look at all of our our resources The way that Arlington has done it with it's known around the state that Arlington plan is to have this reserve this override stabilization fund and To continue to build it up in these years The advantage of doing it that way is but is by keeping our investment revenue estimates low As opposed to building them up later on if we built them up later on and then the recession hit and the economy Started the tank and interest rates were going lower We would both have a budget shortfall and we'd have to go through the pain of bringing down that revenue estimate to keep Keep within what we're really going to get so we're trying to avoid that that double whammy live within your means within the $65,000 estimate each year and to extent you do better set it aside in that reserve so That is a conversation that happens quite regularly in the long-range planning committee and The kind of consensus that's developed around the Arlington plan through that process Okay, and I correct to assume and this very rarely happens on the town side I'll stop there put the period there But and again an example powers and Sullivan comes in, you know does their outside audit They make some suggestions corrections, etc If and when and they're a very rare case that that happens Would that be something that? If any of this information included in there happened to address that particular P&S correction That's where you would include it in this report or no I think that the I'll answer and then either can answer to I Think that the form for which those things are gonna brought to the attention of the public and so forth is through the audit committee of which The board has representation So in terms of seeing what they have to say and kind of dispersing that information The kind of things that they tend to talk about there Are not going to show up and frankly be part of what we're analyzing here, which is really a budget report They may look more at things like accounting issues how we're accounting for funds how we're using Funds have been spent or and whether things have been encumbered or carried on too long or so forth, but Most of what they're looking at is kind of outside the parameters of a simple budget analysis And if you want to say anything else they will not interfere with our budgeting Policies or processes what they do they look at the results They look at the estimated and the actual results and everything will be public And it will show at the end of the fiscal year that there was a shortfall here or a surplus here But they are not here to judge us. You didn't perform correctly. They will just expose it to the world You didn't do good or you did excellent and this financial statements are public No, and I'm in that audit committee as we all are and yes What I'm Thinking of is I'm just a suggestion if for some reason we go through the audit on the town side because that's all we can discuss And they identify that Not necessarily a law that needs to be implemented and do things a different way But maybe that's a case of point or maybe they identify, you know, you're not doing anything wrong But good auditing practices say don't let all these Reimbursements build up to the end of the year. You should do them By court, you know quarterly by annually whatever if that were the case and then some of that information would probably be contained in here What I'm saying is, you know, if we do get a correction like that and some of your reporting actually Overlaps on that. That's something that I'd like to see in there if it's appropriate. I'm not asking for any extra work You know what I'm saying foot is helpful for us to know the kind of things your expectations about what you'd like to see report But it's your call on that I can always find another way to get sorry But for the most part is the DOR that's policing our estimated revenues So if they think that we're estimating we're being too optimistic estimating the revenues, they're not gonna prove our tax rate So we've been complimented by DOR and by the rating agency that for being so conservative And not necessarily relying on this huge surplus and that's just taking it as a bonus at the end of the fiscal year Just the two hundred thousand dollars Extra money investments. Okay. I'm a lot of this. I'm sort of laying some groundwork for I know I'm I keep stressing This is just the town So just keep that in the back of your head. I'm assuming that we're doing this are any of our counterparts on the school administration or school side Doing the same thing or I'm assuming you are not looking at school expenses because that's a matter for The school committee in the school business agent and that's superintendent to do the reporting to the school committee That's fine with that. And then let them overspend You don't want to get me started The last question I have and it may be more of a cerebral at it in a different Meeting We get all the time, you know informational brochures whether it's GPW road work whether it's HVAC state-of-the-art, etc I don't know if you have an opinion or Maybe this is something that should be discussed in the future or know It's a done deal every now and then we all get you know informational brochures by and large I think from companies that are really trying to get you interested in you know Maybe calling the town manager you all to say look at this technology this software this, you know hardware HVAC maintenance My question is and if you're doing something right, it's not broke. Don't fix it but I'm just curious in terms of the way we do budgeting and accounting Here and now if the discussion has been had should be had or should not be had regarding Using munis because every now and then I get you know We Sandy can speak to it We from soup to nuts use munis to build the entire budget and we should stick with that absolutely Thank you. That's all my questions Mr. Decorson, thank you madam chair. I'm Mr. Poole and miss go. Thank you very much for this report It's it's with mr. Dunne next to me again. I feel like it's we're back in the old days I see mr. Howard here tonight to Feel like I'm at a Fincom meeting, but I think this is really helpful and just in terms of budgeting but also in terms of like looking the cash flow management in terms of what you're Doing with the pensions putting the money in at the beginning of the year and I see for Minuteman For example, you've encumbered the whole year, but it looks like you pay that quarterly to hang on to the money as long as possible so It's a good tool to look at that and just a question on that on the convention between What you're showing is encumbered and in year-to-date expended Minuteman. We know what the assessment is It's five point three million dollars The state assessment does is that subject to change during the year or is that three point four million dollars? Unknown that you just pay over the course of the year because I I don't see anything in the encumbrance Column for that. It's a set amount. That's decided by the state and it's getting wired. Okay. Okay They actually deducted from what they pay us okay Okay, all right, so we know that's gonna be three point four million dollars So that's that's not gonna go over a hundred percent. We're gonna know that You may be assigning it twenty five percent per quarter But but we know it's gonna be three point four million for the year There's sometimes a very minor adjustments to things like charter school assessments or tuition Choice assessments, but those are those are fairly minor over the course of the year. Okay, and This is the first one that that that I've seen but I just again harken back to Fincom and there'd be times during the year where we would know what we spent a year ago or in two years ago But we didn't know what we spent in the current year So maybe you can talk a little bit about how this will actually help budgeting from year to year once you do this Then have more of a routine for it quarterly so I'll just say I think the philosophy that we try to use here is to empower Departments to manage their own budgets That's one of the reasons I mentioned the bottom line in my initial remarks to say that Departments have a bottom-line budget and we expect them to manage to that budget There can be variances from year to year and their needs or their expenditure requirements Fire department may have to overhaul a couple of their engines and it's a lot more in maintenance Or they may have a lot of overtime in a particular year and What we try to do is not focus on a line-by-line analysis of their budgets We try to understand what's going on but empower them to manage to that level Over time we will see the kind of trends that will develop and I think have a better understanding of What's likely to happen? Just you know just knowing for example It's sort of common sense But knowing that the rink is not going to have a lot of income in the first of the year And then just seeing that plate itself out of here of here So I think it is important for us And particularly for the comptroller's office as the year goes by to be working with departments and looking at their spending trends And it has certainly has been doing that This is a way of sort of putting that on paper for you to see that The good work that comptroller's office is doing and as we monitor these budgets Thank you very much Do I have a motion to receive by So move mr. Currow seconded by mr. Herd I'm really excited by this document. I apologize to everybody out there that had to sit and listen to my off-road questions, but I Know this is going to the select board in the finance committee, but it's also a public document You know, there's a lot of work in here Helps answers a lot of questions And I had so many questions because of everything that you provided so please don't take that any other way Then I'm just trying to get the most bang from my buck and you guys are the experts along with fillers to do that so On a motion move received by mr. Currow seconded by mr. Herd any further questions or comments? If not all those in favor say aye Opposed unanimous vote and my last question is I know you came here tonight and sent the memo to us And this also went to finance committee Do you anticipate doing maybe for the first time the same presentation to them or no they live this stuff? They don't need I'm going to follow Al Tosti's lead on that. Thank you very much. It's a good lead to follow. Okay. Appreciate it Thank you. Thank you We now will go to Did we vote on that? Yeah, is it all in favor say? Consent agenda vote chapter 268 a section 20 b3 contract Certification submitted by our director of public works for approval all into public art youth banner initiative of Massav and Allenton Center April 2020 to June 2020 Caitlyn Longmeyer is the project coordinator and requests for a special one-day beer wine license 1130 19 at Robbins Memorial Town Hall For a chess's 50th class reunion Joe, Britannia class president first is their Motion of approval by mr. Herd seconded second mr. Currow. Is there anyone here? Under these three items that would like to speak to them Okay, any further questions or comments from my colleagues if not on a motion by mr. Herd seconded by mr. Currow's if they say I Was unanimous vote. We now go back to appointments. Thank you everyone for being patient first We have the historical commission Michael Jervay term to expire June 30th 2022 Mr.. Jervay here and apologies if I didn't even get close to your name Name and address for the record Michael Jervay, I live at 15 watch use it at Avenue in Arlington Okay, and if you could just briefly For people are saying okay. This is a new person to the historical Commission Any comments in terms of your interest on the historical Commission things you have done or will do that you will bring to the Or anything else you want to say okay? I've actually been sitting in on some of the meetings already I Have history in the community I do renovations and I do things and I pride myself in making sure that the houses that I work on Stay in the character that they really are in in fact very rarely have I ever done any changes on the outside unless enhancing them We're taking them back to the original way And I think that's what makes our town so unique is that our town has so much unique architecture And I also offer different on the committee just because I work in the industry in a different way than other people on the committee Is there a motion? There's approval by Mr.. Carol seconded by Mr.. Corsi any further questions or comments If not our motion by Mr.. Carol seconded by Mr.. D'corsi all those in favor say aye Thank you so much for you. Thank you If you stick around for item 13, we'll be talking about the intersection of what you sit in Florence, which is going to be really riveting stuff Yeah, you don't have to We go to Agenda item number nine. Mr.. Curel Yeah, I spoke to Mr.. Sonasia Yesterday and he had a previous engagement If with the board's indulgence, I'd like to move that we approve His appointment so that he can attend the Wednesday meeting of the Commission and request that he come to at his next Availability to our next meeting moved by mr.. Curels or a second by mr.. Hurt Any questions or comments if not on a motion by mr.. Curels seconded by mr.. Hurt all those in favor say aye Opposed unanimous what we now go to Park and recreation Commission appointments Scott Walker Term to expire June 30th, 2021 and to associate members with no X term expiration the abrotor and Sarah carrier Are you all here or something you want to just same thing? I Don't mean to direct what you should speak to but just in terms of what you'll bring her My name is Scott Walker. I live on Appleton Street in the Heights and Been a resident for almost 10 years Live with my wife and my son who is a Dallin student fourth grader So we've used most of the open spaces in rec Spaces in Arlington and and love them I learned of the committee from a couple of friends that I know that are currently commissioners Phil asker and Shirley Kenneth and just the opportunity to open up and I would love to be a part of making sure the open spaces and rec spaces in Arlington are maintained and Bettered and looking forward to the opportunity so And you can pull that mic down if you want so you don't have to do tip it over. I learned that Hi, good evening. I'm Sarah carrier. I live on situate Street in Heights I'm a landscape designer and certified playground safety inspector and I'm looking forward to working with the Commission To improve the quality and condition of the parks, especially the playgrounds Thank you. Um, is there a motion By mr. Kill seconded by Mr. Heard one of the things that I think has really worked As decade or a couple of decades That really was kind of new Is I really appreciate the outreach that the parking rec commission that you all have I mean you're in the trenches You're in the open space. You're you know a part of the sports groups, etc I've not only seen that as a great benefit, but I've also seen it grow into Because it came to a place that really wasn't there really a partnership with all user groups Whether big or small and I think that's a big benefit and success to the Park and Rec Commission Believe it or not many many years ago The meetings were we're not as productive and maybe respectful as I thought they could have been back then but with the new commissioners Full or associate members. I really see that's one of the benefits that you're bringing but will continue to do but also I'm removed her from it for a good 10 12 years now You all have the knowledge because you're out there So you're gonna make the best commission members and I think it's great that we definitely have institutional knowledge old people like me But it's good to have people that are really current on what you're going to be discussing discussing So I really appreciate you doing this. I know you do a paying up job Any further questions, mr. Don just repeating what I said earlier volunteers make the town run We really appreciate your time and effort. It really matters a lot. We thank you very much And mrs. Kruppelka we can just check in with Leah to see Diane I'm almost sure but I think she might have called it four o'clock. That's fine. She said she was not gonna take the position The other Park Commission is so they're both here. So I think well, why don't we Find out I'll refine my motion to to Mr. Walker Ms. Carrier and Find out as she decides. I'll have her in at another meeting. Yeah Mr. Hurd you take that amendment? Yes, still second. Okay. Any further questions or comments? If not on a motion by as amended by mr. Carrow seconded by mr. Hurd all those in favor say aye Opposed unanimous vote. Thank you so much. Thanks for sitting while that Next agenda item 11 for approval food vendor license mask convenience at 86 Warren Street is mr. Krishna canal here And again, I apologize if I didn't say your name correctly Good evening. Good evening. It's Krishna canal. I live in Arlington since a long time and I'm still working on the same convenience sister the boss. He wants to hand over to me So I want to buy you buying from the boss. Yes. Good. I know your boss We all know your boss very nice. Yes. He's a he's a good business businessman In this community I like this community. That's why This community Arlington community is good community other that is good people. That's why I I emphasize Hand over hand over to me and I can run it So my my wife is just left and she's coming back to but no Yeah, a lot of these convenience stores are really like family run It's similar to restaurants now. It's a cozy type business. That's why I know and I'm I appreciate the fact That, you know, you've been working there So you're aware of how to run that business successfully and what needs to be done plus any future ideas that you want to impart on it So I'm really pleased by this and you know, I congratulate you for taking on this big debt Is there a motion by so moved mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Cureau any questions or comments if not a motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Cureau all those in favor say aye Opposed unanimous vote. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone signed up for citizens open form do we know? If not, I won't even Think we got a taker Let me say the preamble and I apologize Except an unusual circumstances any matter presented for consideration the board shall not be acted upon nor decision made the night of the Presentation in accordance with the policy under which the open forum was established It should be noted that there is a three-minute time limit to present a concern or request We know who you are, but if you could just say your name letter Diggins East Arlington eight Windsor Street. I'm all alone on On the list feels so lonely. Anyways I'm here to announce the remaining Precinct meetings. It's going very well. We have 18 precincts that are meeting and We start out on this if we had gotten 14 I would have been content to me. I think a lot of people have been disappointed but two-thirds would have been great But we have six sevenths and we may even have another one and one was actually kind of motivated by Resident who wanted you know a precinct meeting and I think that's important to know Because I think to the extent that there is some hesitancy to have these meetings It's because the it has been tried and it hasn't been much turnout But but we're really trying to get you know the citizens you know to push for this because it's really for them more So than it is for the town meeting members but anyways the remaining ones are well, they're three going on tonight and Two four and six and it's probably a little late to get to that one But tomorrow night there is 13 and 15 at the senior center six to eight on Tuesday the 26 precinct 17 is meeting at the Pierce school from 6 30 to 8 And on Tuesday the third precinct nine is meeting in Lyons hearing room at from 7 to 8 30 and on the 5th of December precincts 16 18 and 20 are meeting in the Dowling school from 6 30 to 8 p.m So once again, I want to express a deep appreciation to Julie Brazil and envision Arlington for really helping to make these happen So that's it. Thanks for your time Thanks for helping to organize that with everybody I think that was the only person for citizens of what? We'll now go to agenda item 12 under traffic rules and orders on the business initial report of the election Monetization committee. I see we have our assistant town Moderator here, and I don't know if Greg's you're going to get up also Names for the record when you speak James O'Connor precinct 19 Chara the election modernization study committee pursuant to Article 36 as amended and supported unanimously by the select board We're charged with attempting to find solutions to modernize the municipal local elections Management encourage wider participation and increase voter access So we submit to you a copy of our initial report as voted on on September 19th Do you all have a copy? If you notice there are several points of interest One of which is early voting and by the way, Greg why don't you introduce yourself as well sure Greg Dennis? I'm a town meeting member from precinct one, and I'm the cork of the election modernization committee In addition to that we talked about early voting practices and procedures rank choice voting designating an election administrator Which is detailed in the comments Public engagement in elections the status of our current equipment and deployment online voting Polling locations and accessibility and all these are under current study with the purpose of trying to accomplish Increased voter turnout and participation and interest We've gotten the support of Envision Arlington that has asked us to submit five questions for the town's annual survey in January we had an And a member from the disabilities commission, but unfortunately Paul's act resigned so we're looking for a replacement. We have four vacancies One of which you're all invited to choose amongst yourselves to participate in our meeting It'll be tomorrow night in the Charles Lyons Selectments conference, you know conference room next door and we'll be meeting at 7 30 We would like to get the participation of the select board because Your introduction your introductory report before town meeting was to look for Low-hanging fruit and great ideas. So we welcome your input We have two other vacancies they haven't heard from anyone in the Republican town committee Sean Harrington has been notified routinely There is a vacancy from the clerk's office and the as fore said the Disabilities Commission but Greg and are here to answer any questions if you had in the basis of the report as filed and We would love your input and questions You have any questions? Yeah, I've got a bunch. This is awesome. Thank you very much Very glad so first of all, I didn't realize there's a vacancy tell them from the select board Tell me more about that. Is that like an appointee or is it one of the like the initial my memory? Okay, the initial proposal. Yeah as made and adopted five zero by the select board Was it all 13 members would be elected? I mean they would have voting power Christa Kelleher made an amendment that passed and then it was adopted by town meeting 189 to 9 but at that point six members the designee from the moderator which is myself the designee from the Disabilities Commission the clerks the select board which is either our mayor Marie Kappelka or a designee our overworked Yes, of course Competition But there are six non-voting members Their participation has been great Jennifer Seuss is the designee from the School committee and she's been working very hard on the compilation of the questions working with Julie Brazil from Envision Arlington, and I think we have some really positive feedback from all the members So we would appreciate if Dan you would like to volunteer or Please get the permission of your mayor here because it does say the board administrator and or their designee So if you want to volunteer, I'd be glad to apply. Yeah, so Madam chair, I do think we should have attendee there I definitely had thought that Now that now that you've refreshed my memory I had thought that Marie was the right person, but at the same time if Marie's not the right person So I don't know if you want to vote from us to Power you to appoint someone at your discretion. I'll do that and then if Any of my colleagues Be willing to volunteer for this just let Mrs. Kruppel get out and I can decide from there. Okay, if not, I'll die the reason I didn't accept the appointment when he asked is because if you remember that when they said Board administrator, but I did not have a vote and I told him right up front I'm not going to empty meetings and just sit there and not have a vote Sorry, and that's why John Leone. He didn't go or someone from the town clerk's office So if they want to fill them, that's not a problem And I spoke with Julie and I had conversations which I can find well Maybe maybe I could interject that in conference with the moderator John and I talked about that we take a straw vote Get the interest of the entire body as present at the meetings and then the voting members could reflect that in their vote so there is a way to Work around the the decision of town meeting to make the ex-officio appointees non-voting Yeah, but I wouldn't want to feel why don't you start working? Yeah, and it's totally supported by both the Committee members. I mean they asked me to be chair by unanimous vote in the beginning and There's been some really great ideas that have come forth. So you're not going to get to my question if you keep going Similarly we need to get someone from the clerk's office there I just does it does not make sense for us to be having studying elections and not having somebody from the selectman's office And someone from the clerk's office. We got to have the knowledge in the room or we're not going to be moving forward So I don't know whether I certainly appreciate Some of the difficulties going on in the clerk's office, and I'll be happy to make a phone call Perhaps madam chair if you want to make a phone call mr. Manager if you feel like making a phone call I'm I think we should do that I'll work with the manager on that to make sure we're not both bombarding the same thing. Cool Thank you, and I guess you already talked about the thing that I the other item which I wanted to which is I And so I know you're thinking about it already, but it definitely please continue to is we've got a primary coming up that In Massachusetts the federal level that looks like it's going to our vote will matter as opposed to you know some of the other ones and clearly we've got elections coming up in State primary that's you know contested and is going to be interesting and then subsequent to that We've got a presidential that you know all signs point to the most votes that we've ever seen and so I Definitely encourage you all to as much as you can to prioritize it and figure out if there's things that you can drive in in advance of those because it would be it would be a missed opportunity of December of next year We came up with some really good ideas, and I'd love it if we could and so don't feel like you have to Wait until the end and then issue a list of Suggestions like say here's our first list. Here's our second list. Here's our third list like I look forward to the work coming out Can answer your question? I have advised the committee that The open warrant will start the first week of December for warrant articles that members would want to put forward So that's being considered as well as the questions It would be forthcoming from the results of the survey, but two of the areas that have been discussed in part are the Early voting and access to members and of the community and one of the questions We want to ask is did you vote at the last election if you voted did you vote early? Did you find it convenient? Did you have any issues with parking? Because in some of the locations there is a serious issue where they are at the schools the schools are in session And I for one had to park two blocks away I voted the pierce school and I had to walk all the way down the street and some now I'm an agile human being so I can do that but what about the people that are partially disabled or have difficulty walking and Especially since you mentioned March is primary if there's snow coming up the hill on Newland Road is you know really difficult So that would be one consideration and then we have an idea that Greg could highlight the rank choice voting Yeah, be happy to answer any questions with respect to what's in the report first Maybe before delving into any of the issues that interest me just to highlight One thing that this board has gone through when you might have been the board of Slechman then that really created a lot of fervor and and strong feelings and To at least one or two town meeting members still resonates today is around I'm pleased to see public engagement in elections Having gone through Temporary Polling places polling places being moved temporarily Because of school construction or something else as well as permanently with 14 and 17 Because was not handicapped accessible etc. I Would just say I would look for Any work around that Really to be far-reaching if that's you know right now I don't really see that but you all made but just know the experience where I've had the history moving a polling place is A very serious thing and it's you know, it's been more than 10 years in this still So I I would have to be really convinced and I'm not saying this won't happen But like the outreach was done times three And it's really justified to do that with any additional costs that may come to light And I don't want to preclude that discussion. I just want to I think being tell meeting members You're aware of this 14 17, you know unfortunate situation. It had to be done You may find another situation like that, but I know we're all handicapped accessible I just wanted to put that out there and I understand you have for voting members you have vacancies for Did I understand that correctly? No, they're not for voting members the The member from the Republican town committee Designee would be a voting member, but the other three are ex officio That is from the select board the town clerk's office. Okay, I got Just to that point and mean this with all respect and I'm not saying any of my colleagues besides mr. Dunn should not submit interest And I'm not saying you should but I really was disheartened unless something's happened in the past week or two Not with mr. Dunn, but the two people who sold me on this and I can't think of her name She's a town meeting member who this was her expertise and I think she worked maybe in Cambridge who came as Lee waxman She's not on the committee. She is on the committee. She is she's been an excellent because she's the person that really you know Because you know what do I bring to it? I can bring my limited You know municipal law which mr. Of course he could run circles and around me on so okay So I'm strongly encouraging one or if we want to make it a contest a couple of my colleagues who are interested in this I can tell you I cannot Take on this responsibility Okay Mr. Cureau A couple questions Thank you, I really I'm excited about this as well And I really like the list that you've laid out I know that all of these are for further study, but you have a ballpark idea of from this list which of these Eight items are likely to require some state action or a home rural petition in order for us to be able to Accomplish or changes the state legislation sure well, if we pursue ranked choice voting for local elections that would almost certainly require Some state action and a home rural petition to accomplish What what's not on one item that's not on there But we have since started to talk about Since that report was put together is potentially lowering the voting age or a home rural petition to lower the voting age for local elections As other communities have pursued That would also require state action There's a question around The consolidation of the town meeting member races. I spoke with Town council Heim about this whether or not that would require it could be done in a by-law or would need a Petition to accomplish were not don't have a firm answer on that yet And I think That pretty much sums up the ones that would require state action So my understanding is and I know that you're an expert on this and the mistake my understanding is that There are some cities that do the ranked choice voting currently But are there any towns that you're aware of that have put this in Towns in Massachusetts No, there are cities. So the cities in Massachusetts that have enacted it include Cambridge, of course Amherst they enacted it when they moved from a town to a city and Eastampton, which is a city But smaller than we are so there are municipalities smaller than we are there using it, but no towns per se Okay, I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to use that I was a delegate to my diocesan convention they use ranked choice voting to elect all of the the Officers, but it was a little bit easier than I think we'd see in the ballot box here though Because it was a tablet where you could drag people into the order that you wanted them So I presume that in addition to the legal Aspects of this you're looking at some of the public education that would have to go along with it because I think that one would Require a lot of explanation Yeah, and that's something we're learning from Communities all around the country that are now implementing it including The big news recently was New York City adopting it which is became the largest Jurisdiction the United States to adopt it so far Mr. Hard I think online voting would require State approval. Yeah, sure sure. Mr. Hard. Just one question about early voting I was actually talking to a constituent this week about it who was in support of it I just before if we if we go through the process and the study committee and there's a lot of support to implement early voting in every Election we have what actions need to be taken in order to do that Is it just this board decides that we want to do early voting or? It's how meeting I just use my Something as far as the early voting is good as of right now It's the federal government in the state that tell us now come much Supposedly as of right two weeks ago We're going to have five days of early voting unless they change that for March Then you're going to have early voting again in September, but in November election for presidential It's going to be ten days September will be five days in November is ten and According to what they tell me and this is Secretary of State's office They're the ones that will send the letters out and determine it We don't have control of early voting unless they change that and Jim said something and I don't want to correct him But I'm going to correct him when you was talking about early voting. It was a mess at peer school We never had early voting at any place. We've had early voting with town hall Early voting was at town hall was was an issue But that question will be on the survey because a number of people have Approached us by just conversation and said, you know, is it possible to have Saturday voting? In different hours, so is is the comment that you made about the five days of early voting Specific days or can we choose would have to be it says town hall I was but we can choose They should give the option of choosing a Saturday and we have when I say I think the board has allowed Always to have that Saturday from eight to five with town hall days and last time we had it We had it from eight to five o'clock at night. Mr. Saturday. Mr. Chapter Lane, so to answer Mr. Herd's question It's it's unclear, but I think there would need to be comprehensive statewide legislation to allow local governments to do to Just specifically for our elections, so we can't do early voting for our elections We can only do what the state tells us our early elections. We do have if I'm understanding the law correctly They say the number of days they say when those days fall on the calendar year and then it's we determine I believe What those hours will be say they say five days the fifth through the tenth and then so the only control We have over is Can lobby the state? Yeah. Oh this I'm Mr. Herbert you done. Mr. Dacour. Yeah, thank you madam chair and then thank you for the report It really is interesting in terms of the number of things that you're looking at One of the things that from the town meeting vote. I think it says at absence town meeting extending the Committee it will dissolve at the end of the 2020 town meeting. Do you think you're going to be able to get through your work and your recommendations? Before this town meeting probably not given the fact that the survey results will come out in March And then we have a meeting in April. So When I give a report to the moderator We would propose that there be a vote to extend the committee's life Okay, we have a lot of committees, you know that never meet and they say let's dissolve them But this is one that is currently very active. No, that's good And this is one of those ones where by its terms it would dissolve on its own absent Town meeting action. So I just we're going to open the warrant Soon so just just to be aware that and would you like to put that in his elect select board? Article well if it gets continued, you will wait to the hearing But I am a little sympathetic to what mrs. Kruppelka said earlier that if it is extended. I realize now it is what it is You maybe some consideration can be given that everybody who goes gets a vote because it's it is People's time and I think that may be one of the reasons why you're not filling Some of those spots, but that's a discussion down the road I only bring it up because you think you may extend it Extend the time and then the other thing and you answered it earlier, but one of the charges was voter eligibility rules and It sounds like that's going to be Discussed at an upcoming meeting. Are there any other rules other than age that you're talking about an eligibility? No, okay Okay, thank you Can I add a possible nine? I think you outlined your points we welcome that and if this is not a Proper issue to address through this committee my feelings won't be hurt But around elections Especially if we're talking about whether by state law local law offering more Opportunities in person online is a totally different discussion I don't know if it's appropriate for this committee to look at how we advertise gather Election workers poll workers because basically the way it's done now. It has to be done through the select board office But especially with these, you know extra early voting days It's really a board administrator begging people and calling them in and it's generally from The same pool so I had always said, you know, is there something if it's appropriate that we can connect with the you know At the high school the young Republicans Democrats Libertarian Committee, you know when they try because the pay's not great And it's a long day, you know what I mean? So basically Thank goodness, you know that And my thing is you know similar I had this conversation about convenience stores where they're looking at losing major revenue Well convenience store 20 years ago Would be outlined. This is your business that will thrive Can we go through that now? So what I'm saying is if it's appropriate? Maybe you could bring it up as a topic and if there's no interest because you have a lot on your plate Maybe some discussion and research into how myself through the select board Maybe there's other things that cities and towns are doing that we just haven't thought of and there is a pool of Candidates available so well Leslie Waxman is an election administrator in Cambridge so she has been a vital resource to us and one of the considerations in item three was to have a designated election administrator in Knowing town funds You know, I wouldn't want to submit a new budget item, but the consideration that seemed to I as a worker realized was that the select board chooses the workers and Gets the workers assigned, but then the clerk's office manages the election and sometimes the communications regarding different procedures Is a little more challenging because there's multiple people doing a job so in Line with this idea. We thought if there was one person that was designated to oversee the elections Their charge may also be from either of the two divisions the clerk's office or the select board to get workers and To find new avenues to attract people to want to participate in that way I would just tell you my personal preference anything that under state law and or federal but mostly state Secretary state that myself as a member of the select board is responsible for That would continue as it has to go through the select board office I don't see the need for another person to be hired for something that you know Sometimes we can go through a year with one maybe two elections and sometimes it's four to six. So I I'm looking more for Me maybe that's something that doesn't have to be done I will say that I'll make them both happy that hopefully you're going to get an increase in pay for the certainly for the April election After it's all right. I don't want to be the dead horse. I'll just add that Both sorts of questions is why it's going to be very important to have the select board representatives and the clerk's office Participating in the committee so we can we can know better how things work today and how to improve them And I'm just saying stuff. That's already delineated by state law We we don't really need to look into that just within the parameters of that Sure, how we do what's delineated by state law perhaps a different way Augmented something else that I do agree with if you understand but right now when I hear you know Delineate another person for elections coordinate or whatever. It's a real tough sell for me But is there it was somebody that was working within the two departments. I'm appointed by or working for one But sure having some involvement with the other because without getting in the detail We know that there's been a few delays and certain proceedings and it's but I think that's just Episodes, but right and I don't want to get politics into sure so So let's just stay within the framework is there and plus we have I know People waiting patiently so we can continue these conversations whether it's through our designee to the committee or individual calls So either of you two or anyone else on the committee do I have a motion to receive by Mr. Carol seconded by Mr. Hurd any further questions or comments if not on a motion to receive by Mr. Carol seconded by Mr. Hurd all those in favor say aye unanimous vote and I will work With the manager and the vice chair regarding First myself and then if we have to broaden it we will Okay, with my thank you so much. Thank you for your attention with my colleagues permission. I'm going to jump to Agenda item 14 and then 15 right after that Just because we I've been a little long in the tooth tonight. So who knows what I'll do on 13 So if that's okay, mr. Dunn agenda item 14 sure so I see in the audience we have Pete Howard and Gordon Jameson who Made a case I think to us specifically at a board at a previous board meeting Then I followed up with they followed up with a private meeting with me and they persuaded me that we should try changing the order of the The warrant articles and so technically that's like who controls like when the pro what the order of the warrant articles is that Or is approved by us and the way that we've done it as a matter of practice is that we've opened the warrant and we've and we effectively Implicitly gave our office permission to just to do the order to do the order Because they're the ones who actually send it to the printer But then also as a matter of practice a number of committee chairs get involved and get on the phone and Will lobby the tech our office for various orders and things and so what I thought it'd be good Is today as we're getting ready to open the warrant is that we would talk about that a little bit sets Set some guidelines that give the board office both Flexibility to execute on a warrant that I that like it accepts input from a lot of people but also gives them Like a bit of a backstop where when if someone is trying to bend their twist their arm too far They can say look I've got this vote from the board of select or the select board that says I have to do it in this particular order And this is the way that We should do it so my motion is that we should Continue the practice of this of the office setting the order and we should give them the guidance that we prefer that We open with substantive Voter 10 voter articles. We move next to selectman articles. We move next to zoning articles We move next to financial and finally we do any resolutions And so the practical impact of that is that we would move zoning from first We would move select board stuff first and zoning stuff second second motion Okay motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Carol. I'm Think I'm gonna take that a step further. I think what we're doing is When I first got on the board It really Irritated me the way the then board of selectmen has no control whatsoever and my then colleagues sort of abdicated that Because for years I would say this is the select board. This is our warrant This is not the way we want to do it. It's not working and it creates I worked in the select board thought board of selectmen then for 14 months and I saw all the extra work and delays and Sometimes extra costs. We had to pay to the printer because we were bound by everybody Controlling this who really shouldn't And so I I'm totally in agreement that what I'm saying from this vote here tonight when I hear from the rest of my colleagues is I think this vote when it goes through Basically means that's the way it's gonna be it's gonna be controlled through the select board through the select board office this is what we've outlined and I Agree with the order because especially with the finance committee being later on in in the Town meeting so what I'm saying here tonight is I my intention is that once we take that vote It will now mean truly that the select board through the select board office sets the order of the warrant and the it it is what it is and We have to effectively get that message out because in years past when I've asked To this day, I couldn't get you know a second on the board and it sounds like I know I'm serving with a different board now. I'm very and I'm so grateful for that So this has been something that's really, you know Irritated me for many years, but you know as I was told if you can't count it three Don't you know so it kind of laid dormant and I do appreciate that and I want to ask if you want to come Up to speak. I know mr. Howard and mr. Jamison As you know Thank you Can you hear me? Yeah, so I'm Gordon Jamison I'm co-chair of envision Arlington physical resource task group in a town meeting member from pc. 12 Just to back up quickly I want to commend the the board the managers and the finance department on the the re-awarding of the triple a Which enabled us to get a great rate on our debt including part of the high school and the Initiation of the quarterly report. I spoke briefly which you may unfortunately have heard me speaking to the the Comptroller and Treasurer and I was inviting them. We have a series of as the manager in the deputy town manager knows We have a series of inviting people who are involved in the finance department now Something that mr. Howard worked on very hard a long time ago initiating the discussion 20 years ago So we have them in for friendly discussion About you know tells what you do and we ask questions I think they find it enjoyable that someone cares what they do and listens but back to the issue at hand This is something that we've been Occasionally throwing out to the board over the last couple years this year. We got an earlier start Pete was instrumental in contacting most of you I think I contacted mr. Herd and also reaching out to I think the moderator and Jenny rate who Is the really the object? So I think I think the as presented by mr. Donn I think that's a great solution and and it really takes the the redid the zoning articles and the ARB Away from that first first night of Where many many we have we off we run about 30 new members a year I think 20 to 30 and those people it takes a while to get their feet on the ground and so this will be much better I think we'll have a more efficient meeting and More constructive meeting so I thank you for your action I have a motion by Mr. Donn seconded by mr. Curell I'm certainly in favor of this I In case I haven't made that point Is there anybody that would like to change a mend or if not any further questions or comments on a vote on a motion? Move by this done second by mr. Curell those of those opposed unanimous vote again with my colleagues approval We'll go to which end item 15 for approval opening of the warrant for the annual town meeting We need someone to read the preamble So move by Some of the debt there mr. Donn. You want me to read it or yes, and let me get it in seconded by Second mr. Hard. Yes, please at our meeting of Monday, November 18 2019 and 17 select board voted to open the warrant for the annual town meeting the annual town meeting will take place on Monday April 27th 2020 at 8 p.m. The warrant will open on Tuesday December 3rd at 8 a.m. It will remain open until 12 noon on Friday, January 31st 2020 Second Have a on that motion by mr. Donn seconded by mr. Curell again in accordance with I think it was the former town moderator mr. Warden Who? Suggested extending it to three or four weeks. We've pretty much doubled that so until what I would say to people out there because one of the reasons for extending that is to allow people time to Get the information together speak to who they need to speak to get the necessary Registered voters signatures, but invariably since we've been doing this. It's still pretty much comes in at the end And then the other thing that I don't know how we make this better if People just don't want to do it They don't have to meet with the town moderator turning Leonie or our town council attorney Heim But it's to their benefit and avail and it's it's an opportunity for them whoever the proponent is of a Individual warrant article and one thing that's really frustrating to me is And again, it's just to put a plea out to say I want to work with everybody as we all do When we get warrant articles on the rare occasions that the proponents just do not want to come before us And then unfortunately that turns the discussion down a town meeting to not so productive and Not an efficient kind of discussion So I you know, we can't force anyone on the 10 registered voter article to come when we have the warrant article hearings But I get really frustrated when the board gets referenced. This is my personal frustration It gets inferred or directly referenced that We didn't take a position on it. We didn't listen to the information didn't have the opportunity because that's not the case And it doesn't happen all the time But the times that I've seen it happen it really turns into a long night at town meetings and sometimes Continued on to another night. So I just want to make it clear to anyone any proponents out there More than welcome, you know, when the warrant articles here, you don't have to be here But I think it benefits everybody and it certainly benefits our colleagues at town meeting That we have that important part Of the process so it's not a requirement, but it's a sincere request So any further questions or comments on a motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Cureau I'm sure I oh attorney. Hi. I apologize. Thank you madam chair if I could just for one moment I just want to let folks know that the purpose of the town moderator and I taking a look at any registered voter articles are Primarily two-fold want us to make sure that an article's objective is feasible You don't have to believe us if we say it's not feasible But for example, there are certain things that aren't allowed under home rule the town can enact ordinances that are inconsistent with the general laws Sometimes there's something that might be accomplished one way such as a special act which couldn't be enacted by a town bylaw so we're trying to provide folks with clear and upfront An assessment of whether something's feasible and if it is feasible how it might be feasible And the second piece of it is that oftentimes the moderator or myself both want to make sure a warrant article is in the best possible Form for discourse so for example the standard advice the moderate and I will both give is that folks should always make sure to include language That gives them enough latitude that if they want to amend it or they Figure out that there's a different way that they want to approach it They commit themselves to something that's too precise the moderator might find that a later amendment is out of scope or a later Motion is out of scope so those are the reasons that we ask folks to come and see usually attorney Leone and myself Both both individually or by email or something like that and we'll try to turn it around as fast as we can But if we get a slew of articles Four days before the warrant closes. It can be really difficult to offer Good counsel on whether those articles are in good shape, so I appreciate your words very much madam chair. Thank you The only thing it costs you is your time Okay On a motion by mr. Don seconded by mr. Cure all those favor say aye I have those opposed unanimous vote We will now go back to agenda item 13 for approval traffic rules in order designate 40 feet No parking zone to accommodate handicap parking sign on Florence Ave We have a report from officer Corey Ratau from our traffic and parking unit Let's say my colleagues Mr. Dunn I'm ready to move approval as written is a second by mr. Herd any further questions mr. Herd comment Because I spoke to Mr. LaRocca. I went to the property. I spoke to him originally about a handicap parking sign and Do the agent is disability this is one particular situation where it flies a Little bit in the face of our established policy because there's a garage there But it just to the extent anyone goes by the property and sees this the garage is located down a hill around the corner And it's just not really a feasible place for Mr. LaRocca or his wife to access so that's why in speaking with him I'd recommended an overnight parking Situation where he wanted his handicapped spot. So I just wanted to note that whereas we're putting a We don't want to be in the business of giving overnight parking spaces where that's garage parking But this was an extended situation And I just have a question on that And I think it's covered by That the select board is notified if the sign is no longer available I just don't want someone coming in real estate or Future buyer and say well, I bought the property because I saw that there So I don't know how else we enforce like I don't know what we could do because it's really an honor system And we haven't had Yeah No, no, yeah, no, and I just want to make that click because that's those of the nights that we're like, oh, yeah, you know Okay That was a motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Herd. Do I have that right? Any further questions or comments if not all those of favor say aye Opposed unanimous vote correspondence receive request study crosswalk intersection summer street by McClendon Park via email request crosswalk midfoot street a parallel submitted so regular snail mail and Transportation and climate initiative gas tax proposal from mass fiscal. Oh, is there a motion to receive by Mr.. Carol second to buy second mr. Herd Any questions comments or motions contained therein on any of these mr. Chapter lane number 16 the ballard That this resident was requesting has already been replaced She actually emailed me. I think this morning thanking us for getting that back up out there And I have told her that as part of the sustainable transportation plan We are looking at Sort of a metric for how we'll look at various intersections for potential potential pedestrian improvements and she seemed happy Okay, so it's In any action by my colleagues nothing I'm saying it's needed on 17 or 18 if not an emotion by mr. Carol second By mr. Herd all those of mr. Sackalca We gave that to Cory and he's looking at it so eventually he'll come back with reporting. I spoke to the gentleman I love when we're on top As we always are on a motion by mr. Carol second by mr. Herd all those in favor say aye I have those opposed unanimous vote new business. This is corpalka Journey hind no new business. Thank you Two brief pieces of new business just want to tell the board that we're Knee deep in our budget meetings. We've been had we started two weeks ago with our department a lot of budget meetings And we're continuing them through this week in the next couple weeks So I if it's if I'm slower to get back to you or return a call It's because I'm in a back-to-back budget meetings as you can see sandy and Eda are fully fully engulfed in budgets as well And also last week I had the opportunity to carry the board's support for the future act That's the act that Brucey Moulton and mother's out front came in on several meetings ago They asked me to be part of a municipal panel to testify before the Joint Committee on telecommunications Utility and energy or vice versa In support of the future act and I was able to do that last week Which was it was very well attended by mothers out front, and I think the town support was very much appreciated Yeah, thank you madam changes briefly I want to congratulate the Arlington High girls soccer team They made it to the division to North final yesterday Unfortunately, they lost to Winchester out at Manning Field and Lynn But they were one game away from playing for a state title and it's a remarkable accomplishment. So I know it probably still stings But they had a great season. So congratulations to the girls soccer team And I just want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving because we will not be meeting until after Thanksgiving on the 28th Class of 80 mr. Vice-chair done Carol Yeah, I was negligent. I think the last time I want to extend congratulations. We know mr. Diggins who films our meetings and also has been very very much Involved in recent meetings going a few weeks ago He was elected the chair of the regional transportation advisory council, which represents I think it's something like 26 municipalities and several tens of other agencies that are advising on regional transportation policy, I know he's been very involved with MBTA With the MBTA users advisory group for many years and so we just want to Congregulate him on that and knowing that Arlington Will have an Arlington voice there with the regional transportation matters. I think it's Thank you I'll advise him about how I got to ill wife this morning at 9 15 and waited on the platform for 20 minutes Before I gave up got on a blue bike biked to Harvard Square and beat the train there by 20 minutes Our own little clock can't hear Should have just kept going on that blue bike Well, I was my office in Harvard Square. So I had a good reason to stop there I just have to brief New business which were kind of touched upon Mr. Chaplain the B word for him is budgets and so there's been a delay my B word is GB grandbaby So I have been You know came two weeks early and it's getting the older to the six and six year old to school the three year old To all his appointments and whatever so I am really behind in my email And or if any of my colleagues or anyone else out there, so my B word is not budget. It's baby and then Nicholas Robert and then the other thing is I just want to Thank and through the town manager think our veteran services director Jeff Chung low as well as his willing And wonderful wife Diane jungle for the veterans day services once again I'm so impressed by the amount of respect and reverence and thought and machinations to have a really moving event be appropriately recognized as well as I Do want to say quite a few people have said to me and I know then was there also but ACMI's coverage of so many events But especially veterans day in terms of it's a marching parade. It's going inside. It's going outside And having being able to pick up audio pretty much all of the time. I do appreciate AC appreciated the event but definitely the coverage because The Sean to Sean and yeah, no all of a same. I think they have three or four cameras if and I'm but I don't know So I can't I shouldn't speak to that but I think it was a very poignant I've never seen the house the firehouse down at headquarters that full There were over a hundred children. I want to say Conservatively there was a group of I don't know what the organization was or if it was just a bunch of moms and dads that got them together That basically made up a banner thanking of veterans for our services that I would equate to what you'd see in a parade and Every seat was filled and it was pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder in there and I Definitely appreciated all the speeches from Father Mark Bishop all in Jeff Chungal all the way through but again Veterans Day growing up in a military family has always And held in reverence nuts that that it hasn't but I really do appreciate how Ellington celebrates that as well as the community Celebrates that because I remember coming from the time with them You know my uncle's coming back in a different version from Vietnam and it's sort of waxed and waned on that and I really do appreciate this generation's Renewed support and respect for Veterans Day Memorial Day as well as other you know So I just wanted to say that because this this particular service really Made me feel good and almost I'm not a weepy wissy little but I got a little lump in my throat. So With that I will take To adjourn bye so move mr. Carol seconded by Mr.. Of course the all those papers say aye all those close unanimous vote. We will meet again on Monday December 2nd at 2019. Thank you ACMI