 Good evening everyone and welcome to the Board of Selectments meeting for December 2nd of 2013. It is 7.15 and we are ready to get going. I just want to remind everyone that these meetings are recorded by ACMI and by other people who are reporting. So this is a recorded event. First up is Consent Agenda. And the Consent Agenda consists of minutes of the November 18th, 2013 meeting. We have reappointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals of Pamela Heidel, termed to expire 10, 2014. Cable Advisory Committee of John Maher and Joseph Weath, apologize if I mispronounced, to expire on May of 2016. And Michael Quinn to expire in October of 16. We have the appointment of the two new election workers, John Ackerly of Edge Hill Road and Kelly Mullen of Winslow Street. And we have a request for a beer and wine license. We're actually going to pull that off the Consent Agenda and talk about that separately. So if I could have a motion on- Those are approval on A, B, and C. Is there a second? Any further discussion? Any of those people here who are wish to discuss their reappointments? I'm not recognizing anyone. Okay, all those- Oh, Pam, I apologize. I don't need to discuss it, I just tried and thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve on the CBA. Thank you very much for your contribution. I apologize. We've spoken on the phone, but I'm not sure we've ever met in person. We thank you very much as well. Do I understand you're the new chair? Yes. Thank you very much. Congratulations. So it should be interesting. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion? Thank you. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All right, 5-0 on A through C. So item D, we have a proposal from Bishop PTO and there's two different parts to this. There's an afternoon and an evening event on December 6th. And I know that there's been some back and forth in particular about the afternoon event and whether or not it was appropriate. And so I don't know if there's someone from Bishop who wants to talk about the event or if we want to start with a motion or- They'd actually contacted us and said they were unable to be present. There was a letter that was sent to the members of the board from the organizer. All right. The Joe, basically the fact that I've got this email on my desk, I think I'm just going to point it to you as we start. Thanks. I think what we have in front of us is an application for a one day beer and wine license for the Bishop Night Out, which is a social event that's being organized by the Bishop PTO. The PTO had actually approached us initially, and I'm going to defer it to the administrator to correct anything that I say that's wrong here. But the PTO had approached us initially asking us for this license to cover both the Parents Night Out, which is the evening of social event, as well as the annual holiday craft fair. They've done the craft fair now for many years. And they've typically hosted it in private establishments. It's typically a venue for crafters, predominantly adult crafters, to showcase their wares and offer an opportunity for individuals to purchase it. It's a fundraiser for the PTO. There are some children who do participate as crafters, though. And I think that when this was presented to us that there may have been some concern on that part. The reason that both of these came to us at the same time is that I think the PTO had saw some economies of scale in scheduling the events back to back in terms of rental costs and set up and all of that. And I think that there had been in some of the communications some confusion over the fact that there were two distinct events. But with some of the same caterers that had been contracted for. I've attended the event in the past. And it is a nice, casual event. But they have, in the past, for at least the last six years, they've had this event and had a cash bar on premises. And I'm not aware of any incidents at that point. But it has not been on town property. So I understand that there's a little bit of a higher bar to be met. We did receive recommendation, at least from the police department, against it because of the understanding that it was a children's event. Which I think I would quibble with whether it really would be classed as a children's event. And so I sat back and I thought about what our interest actually is here in the licensing. And it strikes me that we have really two overriding interests. So one is that we prevent underage consumption of alcoholic beverages. And the other is that we make sure that any adults who dupe our take of alcoholic beverages do so in a controlled and responsible manner. Because of the misunderstandings, the event had been apparently advertised as having the cash bar on premises. Which is unfortunate and that probably should not have been done. But I would like to propose and move that we actually approve the application in front of us for the Bishop Night Out as is. And that we actually extend the approval to the afternoon craft fair with additional conditions. Those conditions, wait a second, I think I've written them in the email. Those conditions being that any individual partaking of alcohol at the event be limited to two drinks per person for the duration of the craft fair. So as to prevent excessive consumption. And also that wristbands be employed to clearly identify eligible patrons to prevent drinks from being passed. And obviously we'd need to extend the requirement for police details to mirror whatever would be required. Both within the event and I guess out front there's also concern with traffic. So I would like to move that we do extend that to the Bishop and allow them to use the license for the duration in that manner. I feel like these are some prudent controls that we can take to ensure. Is there a second? I'll second the discussion. Okay. Diane? I'm not in favor of this and I'll try to be brief and succinct for a myriad of reasons. First of all, we have a policy and a process, which is the application that we have before us. And in it, it states the hours that they want it for, which is 7 to 11 p.m. As well as one of the questions that we ask them. And I don't know if town council can, I'm trying to get everybody as many ducks in a row on my side. But one of the questions on there says, will persons under the age of 21 be on premises? No. So that's part and parcel of the application that's before us. I don't know if legally we can just make this, if majority of the board accepts Mr. Curell's making an amendment, but we do have an application before us from 7 to 10, 7 to 11. And it says you have to, which they did fill this out. I believe it's 45 days prior to the event. So that doesn't meet that. So I don't know legally if we can actually make that change and allow it. Secondly, I'm not in favor of it for several reasons. First of all, the superintendent came out this year. And this only applies to public schools, events that public school children attend. And I'm speaking as a high school coach. I'm not speaking on behalf of the superintendent or the school committee or as a member of the Board of Selectment. But the superintendent along with the principal and athletic director has indicated to the high school and middle schools that whenever there are any athletic arts and drama events where our students will be there, there will be not only no alcohol on the premises, but no consumption of alcohol on the premises. And the reason for that is just trying to, you know, practice what we preach and talk about. So while this board is not bound by the decision of the superintendent, and I assume with the approval of the school committee, but it's brand new this year. So I haven't really been following in the meetings. We're sort of flying in the face of that. I will just say as an individual and as a coach, but also my players, not just cheerleaders, other athletes have said to me, you know, sometimes you adults really preach a lot about alcohol for us and it flies in the other thing. So to give a seven-hour alcohol permit where there will be children there, as well as we do have from Officer Ato who did look into this and said, you know, to have an alcohol permit for seven hours the way I'm reading it is certainly excessive. And basically he says during the day is a children's arts and craft fair, which is then followed by the adult social. Someone may say no, but to me, I don't see why they need to be drinking for seven hours. I understand that the thing in the risk policy and all that, but I just think it sends a really bad message as well as according to our application, you have to submit this within a certain amount of days. It was submitted. It was submitted for the evening event only. It was represented that while alcohol is being served, there will be no persons under the age of 21. So for all those whole myriad of reasons, and again, we're not found by the superintendent and the school's policy about adults, responsible adults, no drinking. When you're at an event that has children, I would not be supporting this. Could I just ask for some clarification on the application before us? It looks like some of the points referring to the craft fair have actually been waited out. Is that correct? Was it originally submitted within the time limit for both that waited out? This is their application. So I support Joe's motion for a couple reasons. In particular, I think that the important thing that we should be looking for, I think that Joe said it right, is our underage people drinking. And the other question is are people who are overage drinking responsibly? And I just, I don't agree with the notion that we, the children can't see adults drink. I think that adults do drink. And I think that the way that children learn responsible drinking is by seeing people drink responsibly. And so I have no problem with children being present at an event where alcohol is being served, provided the two things which are, are they being served? And are the adults drinking responsibly? And I'm satisfied that the Bishop School PTO and the professional bartender and the police detail they're purchasing can provide that. And so for that reason, I support Joe's motion. Is there any further discussion? Well, I'm undecided to be honest. I mean, I think the arguments both you and Joe make, Mr. Chairman are strong, but I also think Mr. Mahan's arguments. I mean, in a way wish someone from the Bishop PTO would have been here to tell us why and to what degree they feel that the drinking is crucial to the success of that event. It's what would bring me there, let's be honest. So I need another minute to be honest. I wonder what Mr. Byrne says because I think they're all swaying. I do appreciate everyone's comments that have been made tonight. But when I'm going through Officer Ratau's email, I think it does come down to the town's liability at an event like this. And I think Kevin's point to where does the success of this event hinge on having this bar? And I don't think it does. And I don't think having, you know, I don't think it's necessary to have that bar available for, you know, seven hours. Where, you know, while it is pointed out that these are tech, they might technically be two separate events, I think in a large part will be the same attendees for both events. So for that, unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to support your motion. Well, and if I understand they did request it, then they withdrew the request and now they have re-requested. And I, you know, so again, I wish one of them were here or somebody were here. I agree that I think that I too regret because I feel like part of the reason is because the request came in late. And therefore there's back and forth that was happening on Wednesday as they're trying to get the packet out the door. And I think that I agree that it could have, if we'd had more time, we might have been at a better place. I agree with that. Doesn't change my vote. I'm ready. All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor of Joe's motion seconded by Kevin, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? No. Down three, two. Thank you. Thank you. So now we do have to approve this other one. We don't have to. You don't want it? I move approval on the secondary or the license for the evening. Seven to 11 second. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Five, zero. Thank you, everybody. All right. Next up is property classification tax rate. John Spidell assessor. It must be Christmas season. It is. My name is John Spidell and the director of assessments for the town of Arlington. And I'd like to introduce Mary Wynne Stanley O'Connor, the chairman of our board. Welcome. Welcome, Mary. Good evening. Good evening to all of you. I just want to point out on your agenda, it refers to this as a discussion. This is actually the public hearing that's been advertised on this issue. You do have the packet that John has put together for you, which reviews the levy limit and the amount, the calculation of the fiscal 2014 tax rate. And it's set out here. And what is included in the levy limit is the 2013 levy limit, two and a half percent. New growth. Now we want to bring to your attention. You can see that the 2014 fiscal year 2014 new growth is nearly double what it has been over the past several years. And that is primarily related to the Sims Hospital, the Mill Street project, and some other things that have come online. That new growth is fairly substantial in the effect it has on the tax rate. But for that additional new growth, the tax increase would probably be another eight or nine cents, a thousand. Mary, excuse me, what page are you on? We're on page two. How to determine the levy, totally raised on the tax rate. You also know that we add into the levy the school debt exclusion, the water and sewer debt that was shifted to the real estate tax bill and the Sims capital debt exclusion to get the total to be raised. So are there any questions on that? I do actually have some questions about Sims, but maybe they can wait until do you want me to wait? And it's going to be about like how it relates to like the part that goes to pay for pay off the debt and stuff like that. Do you want to talk about that now or do you want to talk about that later? John may best answer those questions, but give us the questions that you have. So I'm curious what fraction of the new growth money is going to the general revenue and what fraction of it is being of the new growth is being the revenues derived from it are going towards paying off the debt for Sims. Well, the debt that Sims debt exclusion is a separate line item in the tax rate. So I would suggest to you that the new growth is probably the Sims is all new growth. I think I can help. If Mr. Spinal could refresh my memory on what amount in the 1.3 million is attributable to Sims? I think it's 730,000. So approximately 750,000 within that 1.3 is Sims. What will happen this year and going forward until the debt is paid off, that money will be raised but then moved into the urban renewal fund and then the debt service will be paid from the urban renewal fund. This year, the past two years and then this year, we've had to raise some money on the debt exclusion to service that debt because we hadn't been at the full value collecting full tax payments. This is the last year we expect to raise money on the debt exclusion. The past two years, we raised approximately 300,000 a year. You'll see it's gone down to 150 this year and that's because of the amount that's being raised up above and the new growth will be moved to the urban renewal plus that amount in the debt exclusion that will service the debt every year going forward. The tax levy into the urban renewal fund and we don't expect to have to raise any more on the debt exclusion. Thank you. This is Mohan. I saw you raise your hand as well. I don't know if I have a question so I'm going to ask it and if it's a silly one to say it's not making sense as a question. Under the FY2013 levy limit, why is it zero under the FY2014 override? What page do you want, Diane? I'm on page 2. I believe we put it all on one year. I'm sorry? I believe we put it all on one year. You did? It was spread out. I thought it was spread out. By the Department of Revenue's terms, overrides are attributable to one fiscal year. So the fiscal year that the most recent override was attributable to was FY12. That's the only year you'll see it show up in that line because after that it goes into the base which is built into the FY13 limit. And since I'm not recalling that unless somebody knows what that number was, it's approximately off the top of their head. And if someone does, could you tell me what that number was? And if not... $6,490,000. Okay. Thank you. Now I believe you should also know that only 70% of Sims is in this 2000. So there's still an additional 30% to come online with respect to the Sims project. Now, relative to what you're going to do this evening and the issue of one tax rate versus two tax rates, what we have done for you, you can see is that the residential component in this town makes up the majority of the tax base. Commercial, industrial and personal totals 6.13% of that amount, 4.5% approximately is the commercial property in town. A quarter percent is industrial and 1.42% is personal. So those numbers are important to you because what impact would having a split tax rate have? And we've done for you on further into your handout, a chart of what the impact would be if you in fact had a split tax rate so that you can see the actual impact. For instance, we go from 100% to 150% which is permitted. And the increase to the commercial taxpayer or the industrial taxpayer or personal property taxpayer wouldn't really apply there. It would be a split tax rate at 150% would be an increase of $3,600 and the savings to the homeowner on $500,000 would be $239 on the tax bill. So that's a decision that you people make, not the Board of Assessors, but we give you that data. We think that that's the data you're looking for, what's important in the ultimate decision. Are there any questions? Kevin. So if I understand this correctly, whether we do or we don't, the tax comes out the same. What do you mean? So if we don't go to a two level or whatever the right word I should say, right, the amount of taxes raised would be the same even if we go to it and have an increase. Yes, it's just the impact on the taxpayer. Okay. That's what it is. I'm sorry. I'm just saying that it's hot. It's very hot. She's right. I'm not doing signals. Yeah. Now, you know, one of the other things I'd like to raise is that there's been some discussion that some people think the residential taxpayer is bearing the greater burden for the commercial properties. We went back and we looked at after Patriot finished their value, the valuation. The commercial properties went up 12% increase over the value of the year before. Industrial went up 6% and residential went up 4.6%. So, you know, it's relative. I just want to say I'm disappointed the whole time I was speaking Diane kept saying hot, hot. I think it's the bow tie, Kevin. Well, I mean, it's, I don't know, I'll listen to my colleagues, but each year I think it's been fairly consistent. We, you know, at 6%, it's low enough actually Steve is here. I don't know whether he wants to comment on this either because, well, because other years I think Steve, you've helped us understand a little bit more the difference between, but residents come first in this town, in my opinion, no question, but we need to do what we can to help businesses and most of our businesses are very small businesses. And a $700 increase is a significant, in my opinion, I don't know how many non-Condona's caught, I mean, not that they're suffering at all. Steve, sorry, if you don't mind. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Geller. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. I have to say that going back too many years, surfing with Mr. Greeley on the board, I have to agree that I always favored a single tax rate for the town. It created equity amongst all parcels that are being taxed. There's an economic situation whereby if, and Mr. Greeley pointed it out quite adequately, if you want to attract businesses to Arlington, you do not want to have the perception of the appearance of a higher tax rate for businesses that has the potential of going up higher each time there's a reval done on assessing property. Although you heard the chairman of the board of assessors say it does not adversely impact the residential rate this time, there are instances where the calculations would, could prove that the residential tax payer would pay an inordinate amount of an increase once the levy was determined. It's, it is the vote of the board. As I said, I've always erred on the side of the taxpayer and the resident of the town and maintaining equity across the board for the tax rate. If you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them for you. Joe. I mean, I think I echo those sentiments. I mean, I think the most telling table in, in, in the book is actually the, towards, towards the middle where it gives some scenarios around the rate per 1,000. If we went to the full 150% differentiation, I mean, it would mean about 20 bucks a month for, you know, a residence of five, you know, assessed at 500,000. But it would be, you know, $3,600 a year increase. I'm sorry, decrease for, I'm sorry, increase, increase. So, I mean, 20 bucks in the pocket of per month for residences, but it would be $3,600 increase for commercial industrial. And we've been hearing from the residents loud and clear through the master planning process. It's one of the top three priorities that we keep hearing again and again. We want more commercial, you know, and industrial growth and, you know, more of a balance in our economic mix in the town. And so I think that, that voting for classification would just fly in the face of that. So I'll be supporting the 100% rate. So I will move that. Second. What's the rate factor of one? Rate factor of one. Rate factor of one. There is, just so that, you know, there is public, if there's public participation. Yeah. Yeah, I know. We've just made the motion. We're not taking it. Okay. So there's a motion on the vote. Yeah. We have a motion. We have a second. And so you were, yeah, we need that vote. And we also need a rate vote. You need two different votes. Is that right? No, just one. Okay. All right. Before further discussion of the board before public seeing none. All right. So this is a public hearing on the rate classification. Is there anyone from the public who wanted to weigh in on this one? Seeing none. Any further conversation from the board? Yeah. Just that through, I like Joe's point about the master plan, and I hope that at some point, I like to get to a point where creating a split rate would make more sense. And that is only comes with an increase in, you know, commercial property. So I think we're, you know, doing everything we can to get us on that path. So I am happy to support the single rate for now. Seeing none. I think we're ready for a vote. All right. Any opposed? Five zero vote. Thank you very much. Thank you. We do have the L.A. Five to get a sign. All right. Is that the only vote? We'll take care of it. And that's the only vote you need for us to take on this one. Okay. Mary, in 1967, the tax rate was 106 per thousand? It was higher in other years. 124. But the values were much, much lower. I mean, we're at fair market. 100%. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you, John. Thank you, Mary. And other assessors. Steve. Next up, snow, snow season preparation. Mike, how are you tonight? We didn't put you dead last tonight. Well, thank you. I'm, I'm well, thank you, chairman. Tax time, snow time at all. Yeah. Same time. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Same time. Right. Thank you for having me here for hopefully a few minutes. I'm trying to take too much of your time. Just wanted to give a brief summary of preparation for the upcoming winter. Give you an idea of where the DPW is at when we're making decisions and entertaining any questions. Essentially, as the winter seasons approach, we're in the mode of making sure that the equipment is up and running and and serviceable and maybe folks notice Saturday we had kind of what we call a snow equipment shake down. We take out the big equipment, we run them through their paces, do the different routes, make sure that we're not going to have any seized breaks or what not. And then we actually then had a little event on Sunday where we got a report from the police. There was some icing conditions that were pretty bad accidents over the part of the state. So we had some folks out doing some salting on Sunday, which I'm not sure if you have a copy of the memo I sent to the manager, but that falls into kind of one of our event categories. We essentially have four rough categories. One is we just have a patrol out looking to see if there's issues, areas we need to address. That's a pretty low level mild day to be that where we've had report of icing and we would send a small number of trucks out to address that. The next event would be something that's in the range of one to three inches of snow where we would, we can handle that with just our salting vehicles and our plow equipment that we have in house. Once the forecast calls something more than three inches of snow, we just don't have the equipment or personnel to address that. That's when we would call either a limited amount or all of our contracted plows in to help and at most we would call in about 50 pieces of equipment. If it wasn't so bad, we could call anywhere between 20 and 30. We played as it comes for the snow event. The second part of the snow preparation is what do we do with the snow if we get lots of snow. And slowly and slowly we've been losing our spaces to put snow. We can tuck a little bit away at the yard but it builds up pretty quickly. We don't have a lot of room. This year I have two plans for dealing with snow that needs to be removed from the streets. One is for storms about three, well, four or five, six inches to about 10 inches or so. Most of the snow can stay on the street but we have to clear it from crosswalks and major intersections near school so kids can walk to school. An event such as that the plan is to truck it to right now the reservoir parking lot and store it there. And as we start to run out of space at that location we would have a private hauler truck that snow out of town to make room for future events. In the case that we have a significant blizzard like we had in February of last year we would get 30 plus inches and we need to clear the avenue so that businesses can function and parking exists. We would call in an operation where we would have a contractor clear the streets and truck it directly out of town which is we did that in some small portion last year as well. So that's pretty much where we're at. I mean so far so good with that you know it's aging but we're maintaining it well and I think we'll do just fine. It all depends on the severity of winter which last year was pretty bad so hopefully someone gives us a break this year. But if anyone had any questions on that. Questions. Diane. I want to thank Mr. Rademacher and the town manager for getting us this information. Just a few points you may want to speak to just some to me. Can you tell me right now when you did the equipment roll out how many operational snow fighters we have? We had eight snow fighters out and there are two that just need some minor repair to get rolling. And the reason I asked that is last year a substantial amount of the snow fighters sat for many, many weeks because they did break down and we were caught in a situation of if anybody wants to add to that. It's the big huge one that everybody wants. They say I don't want the 50 and I shouldn't say the 50. We have eight of these. We have 12. Well some of them pretty aged but we have 10 that we can easily roll into service. They're the larger ones you'll see on the avenue or the fighting snow on the steeper hills where contractors dare not go. And I'm just putting before the town manager and I'm going to call it snow fighters, whatever the official thing is. In other cities and towns. If we do have a winter like we did last year, have we explored whether there are other companies out there, we can get a quicker turnaround on getting these equipment, snow fighters back into service because I know there's a lot of snow fighters out there and I know there's a lot of snow fighters out there. I'm not going to go into service because I know quite a time that we had close to half the fleet down. And then my other question was I thought, and I guess I misread it because I went back and looked at the capital budget. I thought we were budgeting this year for three new replacement snow fighters but now it's not until next year? It was not in the budget for three in one particularly. We do one a year over the course of three years. I think it's another one in a year or two after that. I just would put forth the discussion of maybe if we could look at that and maybe every other year do one and then do two or something like that until we can get back that at least 65, 70% of our snow fighters that a lot of the streets especially the hills really need that we get to that point. I understand capital expenditures and requests and things like that so that we don't have the same issue because it is an aging fleet. These big pieces of equipment that everybody wants even if you are massive in East Allenton you want that piece too. I'm not saying a snow fighter shouldn't be doing that on Fair Mon or Egerton or anything like that but also look into that we don't have a snow fighter down you know more than three or four weeks. And I don't know you may be limited in that in terms of that. Yeah the guys do a very good job on the yard. I don't believe we had half the fleet down. I know there was a few vehicles that were down for a longer period of time because of parts that were typical to get. It's a long story you know we go with the lowest bidder and sometimes that vehicle is something that's not locally sourced and it's a state bid type thing but for future purchases we're going to try that out with my taxes. That's two things I can count on. So the other thing is again just for future references and I know the town manager is working with all of our employees union and management on the comparable salary study committee but and I know we're always looking at employees and things like that. I know I get many questions from you know. When does the second wave of town employees come in to drive those snow fighters and we're already doing that but I just again want to put it on the table that when we're going through budgets and the like especially with the override if we could maybe project out every other year we get one more town employee that can you know operate that piece of equipment or somehow deal with that and again I'm just for discussion just to leave before you then the other thing was I have had the conversation with the governor of the city of Monterey and I know that purchasing what I'm going to call a mini melting machine like they have over at Mass Port at the airport and our purchasing surrounding communities is cost prohibitive. Two questions the first question this is what I think tell me what's the truth. What's the facts we pay for removal of snow. If we have a very large and large number of people like other cities and towns do I would anticipate just by going by other businesses that that rate is going to be a higher rate or is it a flat rate for the removal like say everybody gets hit with a foot and a half two foot two feet right so we will have a contract in place for that large scale removal so but does it cost increase it's a cost increase sort of like supply and demand it won't happen before the snow falls we will have a contractor with the price to do the work. My question is if it's a three to four inch snow event removal or it's a three to four feet snow removal is it the same price in the contract? No it's an hourly so how long if it's more snow it's going to take longer to remove so you pay the same hourly rate you might just pay it longer. What I would like in the case of what I'm going to call the mini melting machine purchased alone by Arlington what the cost would be and cost out purchased regionally with some other cities in town I'm not saying they're willing to do that but I know some of them being on other lists have the same issue along with what a five or ten year contract projection would be. We can look into that the difficult part is it's not just a snowmelter there's that cost but there's the methodology which you would use it you would still need a place to bring the snow to stockpile it and melt it because they can't unless you buy they come in different sizes the more there's only one or two communities I know of that have one and they have a $300,000 machine and it can only melt snow at a rate so they basically stockpile it in a parking lot and then after the storm is over they chip away at it if we were going to have one on the av that would melt it as we put the snow into it that's more about a $750,000 piece of equipment so really for that type of machinery to work for the town you still need a layover facility which was still well the res unfortunately wouldn't work because as it is, it's not going to have any distance from a fresh body water I don't want to beat it where I'm being told for even before the current town manager it's just cost prohibitive if I could just get even if it's in the spring if you could just supply the board with sort of you know maybe after this storm events over say here's what we did here's what we paid in the contract here's what the hourly rate was I'm not saying it's anything I mean you have a snow plan and it's a very good snow plan with your DPW employees under the direction of the town manager I'm not questioning that at all so maybe in the spring early summer after town meeting even you know we can get into that yeah we can certainly work on that I mean I know Mike's been working to get pricing I know it's anecdotal but Mike even spoke with a dealer of melting machine so there it's an interesting sort of issue to deal with and the regional issues are really tough one too because we all get snow so it would be tough to share that kind of machine because regionally if we all had a need we'd all have a need at the same time so sharing it would be challenging but I know Mike is working to price it out when we get those prices we'll definitely share regionally there's a city or town that says I have the appropriate site you all can bring you snow there sometimes my thing is just having the conversation you might find a completely different solution you know dump it in Mahan's backyard it's all done we're good Steve you know just I appreciate Diane's leadership on this but with the cost analysis that's been done I think that it wasn't said explicitly but a benefit analysis needs to be done side by side so we as Mike was saying you know we can see not only just the cost but we're what's really doing the work and if that snow melting machine isn't going to do it then that's you know fine but I just think that I want to include just for the record as one would say the we need that benefit to be involved to be sure thank you thank you thanks for all your work on this I think I understand that the pre-treating operations we do not only prevent bonding with the snow to the road surfaces but in the big picture potentially lower the overall amount of salt that we would have to use if we weren't doing the pre-treating operations well it you pre-treated and it keeps the snow from sticking so you won't get that hard pack of snow so you're correct right if you get a real hard pack of snow eventually at the end of the snow you need to put more product down to melt through this allows you to plow it off the street last year in that same vein that we were also alright in that same vein we were looking at higher-tech spreading technology so that we more efficiently spread the salt we're not wasting some out into people's front yards or what not I didn't know where we were with that that's something that definitely will be purchased as we buy newer equipment we're still looking to see if the existing equipment is something that can be fitted efficiently okay great thanks you may have answered one of my other questions and using the reservoir floor for depositing the snow presumably even without the snow melter in the picture there are environmental constraints on how close we can get to the I've had a preliminary meeting with the conservation commission and we're going to present a plan for them to review and hopefully approve I believe we've come to some agreement on what that plan will look like I just need to formalize that with the conservation commission okay thanks and the last question maybe more for the town manager there's a lot of good information here but presumably we have a public communications strategy for as snow season is coming on as to what people can expect where they should call with complaints or such because you know we're always getting people calling directly but if we have some place to just directly I know we've got that all up on the websites and such but presumably we'll do another push to tickle folks absolutely as we do every year we'll push that out and actually Mike and I have discussed possibly updating what we have on the website with some of the information that was provided to the board very helpful Kevin so Mike do you want me to move the receipt or for approval whatever the board so desires a receipt I guess I'd like to move the receipt but did I hear you say that a dealer said he would not sell us a nice melting machine he wouldn't recommend it let's send this woman over to this guy well his the discussion I had with this individual person is he is very specific not to oversell these machines he said it's not necessarily the silver bullet it's a tool to use with other methods for treating your snow he warns against municipalities thinking if they get this then they're not going to need to place the store snow or they're not going to need to truck snow and he also doesn't like to oversell it and he said to me you know you'll buy this and it lasts maybe 20 years and you'll probably use it 5 years of the 20 so it's a fairly big capital investment and it's not used every year and he doesn't want unhappy customers so he basically just wanted to educate as best as possible so we fully understood what we were getting so I move the receipt second second so thank you very much for coming in and talking to us about this you know it's a new england thing and so you know the snow is coming and so one of the big topics is what are we going to do about the snow and so I really appreciate you coming in and how it goes out I totally think you're focused on the right thing which is of course we're moving the snow but I will put on like I'll talk about something else that I saw that I thought was really interesting so the city of Chicago exposed the GPS data for all of their trucks and then someone took that GPS data and made it into a real time map of where the trucks were and so as you could sit at home and think about you could know the last time it was plowed and when the estimate maybe of when the next time was and one of the things that I think we got from the Arlington Visual Budget Project that was kind of cool was we exposed the data and then private citizens render it into something that's neat and so I know that we've got GPS coming online on the snowplows and it might be interesting to see what we do or I thought we did all right then maybe it's not ready for prime time but I think about things like we exposed the data as a town and then we let other people do creative things with the data. MBTA has had a lot of success with that with all the apps and stuff like that to just be, yeah you're focused on the right thing but that doesn't keep me from coming up with it. Do I see a question, Paul? It's not a public hearing but go for it. It's been a few years I think since Director Rodimic's predecessor has left that we've had a snow and ice committee meeting just throwing that out there it's been a few years I think that got some positive citizen involvement especially got some good suggestions from Council on Aging, Commission on Disability I know the last couple years in the spring we've talked about maybe having those again it just never happened I also want to express whether it's a 6 inch storm or a 36 inch storm I think sometimes when it comes to some of the pedestrian access issues with the snow removal the 6 inch storms might not get the snow removal that they deserve and we all know what happens on every corner in every business district all that snow turns to ice and they can be there for weeks if not months like we had last year so I'm just curious what the plan is for the pedestrian accessible curb cut issues, bus stops, Minuteman trail and what the citizens can expect going forward if there's a time frame or a metric so what we can expect Adam are you I'll let Mike speak to you there's a list of all public ways, intersections and curb cuts that the DPW does maintain I know we spoke earlier today about the Minuteman bikeway in another matter and that is something that we also maintain as for a timeline I guess it does depend on the severity of the storm and the availability of resources but Mike do you want to inform that anymore so we can anticipate once again that all the curb cuts on Mass Ave Broadway and Warren will be addressed I mean do you want to speak to the list I believe that it's a priority of ours once the storm has wound down and the guys fight in the storm have a chance to get some rest the next effort to clear up those crosswalks on those major roadways you mentioned the bikeway which we do keep plowed as well and that happens either during the storm or after depending on the severity of the storm like Mr. Chaplin said the timeline is difficult depending on how if it's a shovel that can clear a crosswalk or if it needs to be a small piece of equipment but that is our goal to get those intersections as well as we have a certain radius around each school that we clear the crosswalks and curb cuts so the kids can get to school so will all those tasks be done by city employees or typically it's town employees thank you so we have a motion for receipt we have a second any further all those in favor please say aye thank you Mike thank you next up ACMI Annual Report welcome welcome thank you we in your packet you should have received the annual report and we had sent around electronically I think Marie circulated our audited financial we are going to give for an original for your files you got them between those two things you have a picture of ACMI for the past year you can see we once again passed the auditing and we are filing our tax return within the next day or so and the booklet gives you a good summation of what we have done in the past year and what we have accomplished one of the big things normal tell you a little more is we fully open studio B down across from Stop & Shop that was a big push for us and we used a bit of our funds do you have anything else to say about that before we get to our other issue other than saying that I think most of the instructors at the high school were thrilled with the idea of just walking across the street it saved so much time and part of the students having to go all the way up to the main studio in Park Ave so the students had a lot more time to learn and it was much easier on the faculty certainly the other thing we wanted to address with you guys tonight is we have three years for our contract with the cable companies runs out and I think you got a letter back in April June from the state April and June from the state giving us the notice we have to we can tell you what to do we just want to remind you that we have to get back to them and say we're going to enter the cable companies that we will be opening up negotiations and part of that is another needs assessment I think that's why you have that big pile of cash 50,000 put aside we have to be hiring a lawyer to negotiate that and I think I'm not sure Norm and I have asked Marie who was always on the cable advisory committee we knew it was John Maher and Michael Quinn and how much is anyone else we have some appointments we just appointed some tonight Joseph Wise my understanding they plan to come in February to initiate the process okay obviously that's the town's ball of wax but we're really interested in it as well the things we would like to get out of right up front is keep the 5% keep the capital we get and HD channels we'd like to have all three of our channels transmit to HD all the equipment we've been buying all the equipment we bought for the studio both studios is all HD capable we just need to have something to plug it into and cable companies are they reluctant to give it out they're reluctant to give us any access station to bandwidth that's what it comes down to but there are some RCN has given it to Lexington and it's given it to Newton I believe but that's partly I believe because RCN is so to speak not quite as big as Verizon or Comcast and I have a little letter from the state and we looked at it I talked over briefly with the town manager and I shared it with the rest of the board as a correspondence and we did deliberately push it off to next year just because there will be plenty of time still and we just didn't want to kick on it less than you think less than you think if the assessment takes a while you have to plan surveys who's going to do what you have to get it out of the process our first time we did it 7-8 years ago Kevin and Diane will remember it was quite a challenge to get them all lined up and get them all given us the same package it's and they're fighting it now they don't want to give the 5% anymore they just want to nationwide they're looking to cut these unless we go in fully prepared we have a lot to lose because frankly that's what runs us and if we lose that a franchise fee we don't know what to do we'll be looking for a job we haven't been making that one out yet we hope we don't have to but we just wanted to bring that to the forefront and push it along some one of the recommendations that we've talked about at various conferences and legal counsel that we've been talking to informally when I go to conferences is that once this letter appears they're recommending that you respond very briefly within a 6 month period from the date of the letter and that means basically saying acknowledging to the cable companies that yes you're taking this seriously and that we're going to be pursuing this with legal counsel that's all you have to do right now and then the cable advisory committee could take over from that point one last I don't know whether you've been watching Arlington Public News good we're getting better I hope sorry do you have any questions or comments or anything you want to bring to Norman my attention now that you have this thank you for this for including so many people who are at ACMI Acme that are involved Kudo's good idea getting a picture of Milo in there we certainly have enjoyed him here at the Selections meeting he was here earlier but he is at school and just because I have the audience and I'll leave it to you all in terms of you know when we respond if there's a brief response initially as I think I'm hearing suggested as well as after we have the appointments and reappointments to the cable advisory committee I think one person serves as chairman pro temp maybe that person should be contacted and say you know what is your purview what is your pleasure and then since you're here just sort of an ongoing item on the plate and you're certainly well aware of and I understand it's not a quick fix but I we've all heard a lot of times from people who come to Selections meetings is there any way you know when you're sitting in the back some people just don't want to sit in the front there was a solution where you were turning the sound up so that you could hear it coming from there but I think the previous producer person behind the controls he addressed as well as sometimes unfortunately not for me sometimes you have select men who don't speak that much and who don't speak that loud even if you are sitting in that front row you really can't hear so just once again the request and I don't know if anybody else has anything to add to that that actually came up in a discussion we had with the town manager and in all honesty we've been so busy with the audience in public news honestly it slipped through the cracks but I don't attend all that often myself here so what was going on so I immediately texted my staff and let them know we've got to fix this only because this is like the how long have you all been in existence for five years we've discussed it so just sorry let's get a sound system in here it's not like we need to do this through the cable equipment not at all we'll fix it here comes Jess to say will you speak loud she's pointing out the reason again that we don't use the TV anymore because if you turn that up you get feedback it just goes into the room itself but we can adjust the other speakers that we can purchase it's not a big purchase just put one of the back on either side here lower the volume angle the speakers it's not a big problem I've told people that for years and they come in and it's a poor reflection on us that's all poor reflection on us too and I apologize but so many come in and all these microphones so they can hear us in the back and how often they made the comment turn on the microphones turn on the microphones these are our cable thank you sorry is this also a move receipt move receipt but I would just like to say I have seen a significant increase in the quality of programming there and I congratulate you and you John as well that when debates this year I thought were really professionally done I sounded like a moron but I thought that the way it was you know the two interviewers the timing, the number of staff that was there I mean you know I have been doing this a couple of years and also the way you did the 100th anniversary show for us and the way that came out I thought was really and these Selectman meetings I'm stopped all around town it's amazing to me how many people say I saw you the other night in Selectman you were wrong on such you know but it's amazing how many people do well we found out from the survey this is the number one show in the town of Allenton congratulations listeners for making us number one but anyhow move receipt second I think Kevin said it all my only comment was I was impressed reading the report and the program expansion has been going and I was impressed that it was that you're able to support that scope increase it was impressive to me we have a motion a second all those in favor please say aye thank you for coming stay honest on that John next up a common victual license Sergio Gonzales I'm sure I screwed that up come on up to the microphone and tell me how to say your name I apologize you've got representation good evening everybody Sergio Gonzales I apologize welcome thank you I'm representing Bagelville of Allenton whose principal is Sergio Gonzalez Mr. Gonzalez would like the opportunity to open a 64 seat restaurant 1398 Massachusetts Avenue the formal Panera site we will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and we are operating seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. questions Kevin samples did you bring some sample of foods tonight yeah so I move approval subject to all conditions as set forth and thank you very much for choosing Allenton for your business and using such a sharp attorney he always does a very good job here I second second no I just like to say thank you also for filling that space you know I've heard probably more about that space you know since it's gone vacant from you know residents around the town who are really missing that type of an establishment there so thank you very much I think it's important to have a meeting place of that sort up in the heights and appreciate it I'm sorry I do have one more important question the pastrami sandwich has brown mustard can I get it with yellow oh yes I move approval I had two questions one of them more serious than the other so I'm just curious compared to Panera and like you know obviously people are used to Panera being there and what the space was like and do you envision it being roughly similar or do you think that there's a significant departure I'm just curious what should people expect when they walk in the floor plan is basically the same layout as Panera we removed a wall and created a half wall to make it a little more open seating but the floor plan is pretty much the same layout we reduced the seating though just to give people a little more room alright but in terms of like atmosphere and type of food and stuff like that roughly the same most of the same yeah we're going to have an open bar salad so if you can make your own salad then we have a soup sandwich bagel sandwich we have a 21 different flavor on the bagels around 12 to 15 different flavor on the cream most of the same but I think we're going to have a better price Wi-Fi that's walking distance from my house and that's definitely sometimes a workspace which one do you think will be Gordon's table as soon as you walk into the left yeah exactly and so I saw it when reading through the other places you own there's Monkey Bar somewhere else that's a problem then I have a good drink yeah just one I'm sure your attorney has made you aware because I see you have for trash removed two times a week or more if needed that there is a town by law concerning when the trash company can come in and haul and I'm sure he's made you aware what those restrictions are that would be the only thing just where that you're neighbors right behind you not that it doesn't apply to everybody it does I just raise that point thank you we have a motion to second any further discussion all those in favor please say aye aye welcome thank you number six is canceled they have withdrawn at least for the time being so we move on to number seven open forum except in unusual circumstances any matter presented for consideration of the board shall neither be acted upon nor a decision made the night of the presentation in accordance with the policy under which the open forum was established it should be noted there is a three minute time limit to present a concern or request is there anyone here for Simpsons open forum I'm not seeing any so I'm going to move on and we will start we've got two minute man issues first up is the draft report navigating the Minuteman commuter bikeway Christopher Tonkin thank you for having me probably going to have actually three topics pushed all together so hopefully we can deal with that I'm going to hand you all a little package great so thanks you have a copy of the newly produced map and a copy of our annual sorry semi annual report which touches on the tool report and finally there's a copy of our comments the clamp for your notes or your records before I get started I'd also like to thank the DPW for fixing the bumps recently I think that's a great thing to do glad they got it done before the season changed and we're all very happy about that so thank you very much for the DPW so I'm going to run through the report if that's okay with you and there'll be the clamp, the tool reports and then a few comments at the end and if you want to stop me or say anything please go ahead I think what we it's barely mind the time so let's do the two report type items that you wanted to give let's talk about the draft report and then let's talk about the usage guidelines so let's do them kind of reporting first and then the draft report about the common signage and stuff like that and then let's do the we have a bike committee report I can run through that quickly too I'll do that first so we work with TAC develop a set of guidelines for the striping of roads in town you've seen that in the west of Mass Ave I think they've been quite successful they may need tweaking a little bit we're quite okay with them being tweaked we regard them as a work in progress in stone as a user I've been very happy cycling on it and also as a driver I've been very happy driving on it it's worked well I think both well for the future we held another tour of Arlington again we went through around the Mystic watershed went across the Medford boat club who had permission from them to use the boat club that was a great way of seeing part of Arlington you don't normally see by coming down the Mystic it's a nice event, beautiful day and we have to thank the Winchester police force who escorted us on two motorcycles the entire length of the tour because Arlington police force was unavailable they had other commitments that morning unexpectedly we held a safety stop on the bike trail which we got your permission for earlier this year that was quite successful but of course it rained a little bit beforehand and so it wasn't perhaps as heavily used but we definitely were able to assist some people who when you lift their bike up their wheel fell out so there are a lot of people out there on very dangerous machines we're able to help them out point out people how they should wear their helmets again a lot of people don't do that correctly those of course are the people who want to listen we also engage people in conversation about the Mass Ave project and handed out the pamphlet we worked on with the police department detailing cyclist rights and responsibilities we did a town day again we talked about all the things that concern the citizens it's cycling on sidewalks, night time visibility as well as traffic enforcement the committee has been in contact with TAC from a letter that we received from you you received from a concerned citizen about the lake street crossing I don't really go into that right now but TAC's developing a more thorough response to that I'll just let you say there's no easy solution we've also been engaged in bike counts and the numbers have really almost doubled in four years so that's the usage we've been counting so that's quite a considerable use and that bodes significant for the tool report I'm going to get into later and also economic development of how many people are using the bike trail the crest of the town manager we've worked on the usage guidelines currently has those those guidelines and we're waiting to hear back as to we're going to finalize those so I think that's more or less the report I'm giving on that unless you want to say any more about that do you want to jump in? we'll talk about those that'll be our last one we worked on the tool report so the tool report I'm going to hit on some highlights here and they sort of had some of them were under the headlines of maintenance as a roots invasion which is we've just had something the DPW fixed it but it's an ongoing problem and there are ways to mitigate these problems some are less expensive, some are more expensive but I think going forward it's something we're going to have to pay attention to because it might be more expensive to do a piecemeal than just fix the problem in certain areas where we know there's a lot of trees and we know there's a lot of roots again you want to keep the surface in good condition because damage can occur if it's not kept in good condition and again it ends up being more expensive than you want to they have tried to develop a series of guidelines for signs and usage signs along the entire route of the bikeway so that we're consistent from one end of the bikeway to the other perhaps differentiating the towns by color, so for example minute men bikeway signage in the past for example in the center of the banners we might continue to use blue Lexington might use green and Bedford may use some other color but they would have the same design fonts and everything else would be the same so there would be a continuity that you knew you were on a bike trail going somewhere but you were passing through different towns as you went through it and then sort of they suggested that there was a common policy towards the upkeep and the various usage such as we developed for the town manager between the different towns so they all had similar policies so this may mean that they have to develop something like a joint powers committee such as was I believe enacted to deal with the sewer overflows in the alewife area but that is considered to be a fairly important key factor for ongoing maintenance of the bikeway as a unit not just the Arlington bikeway or the Bedford bikeway or the Lexington bikeway they also felt there should be various education outreach and it should be marketed towards motorists so they can know about the responsibilities on bikeway crossing and it is also very specific about how bikeway crossing should be set up there are some for example not so many in Arlington but more in other towns where there are more bikes and cars and maybe the stop sign should be actually on the cars rather than the bikes in these instances I think seasons 4 might be an example of this but again this doesn't really for the most part in Arlington I think although down by the spy pond there might be an intersection there that might fall into this sort of category of social media club member outreach and safe route to schools may also be involved in this sort of activities they also suggested the possibility due to the high usage that the bike trail is widened in places this again may not be such a feasible in Arlington because Arlington has rights of way issues and we also have a lot of bridges that not much can be done with it's also expensive so again this might be something in the future but it might be something that on the uphill stretch for example you might want to widen the uphill part there might be a possibility of that but maintain the downhill just like some roads do and also there should be it is a facility that exists right now but it can be intercontinental with many other facilities around and is being so the extension the formatory extension in Bedford possibly interconquered at some time the Medford and the new bikeway that's going in at Fresh Pond that will take it down to maybe down to Watertown maybe to the river which will enable a lot of cyclists to be kept off the roads disentangling cars and bikes and as we're seeing more and more cyclists there's something we want to perhaps encourage because if you're on a bike you're not in a car less cars there's more space for the cars so although many drivers don't like cyclists if you get them on a bike they're not in the car impeding your progress so it's pretty much summation the usage is going up this is we should implications for the economic development in town along with towns along the route the bikeway was created by the three separate communities acting separately but I think the maintenance is going to be something that we're going to have to do together and this is where I think the three powers committee may be something that we really have to invest some time and effort into looking into how it's set up and how it functions also on a sort of similar matter we've recently been approached by an individual who's familiar with the funding of these kinds of and he wishes to form a friends of bikeway the bikeway in Arlington so this would be a way of possibly funding marshaling volunteers doing things that the DPW can't do or in addition to what the DPW is able to do it's not an excuse for the DPW to pedal back and not do things but maybe these groups could perhaps work on invasive weeds that they don't have the time to do or could do other such things like that so I think that's pretty much it on that now do you want to proceed to the sorry questions there so if it's okay we're going to talk about feedback for you on both the semi-annual report and the tool report because I know in particular I have some comments on the tool report Kevin you're up first so I just wanted to ask you for an excellent job as always has our your Arlington bicycle advisory committee met with the Lexington and the Bedford advisory committees I know you're saying we the board of selectmen should meet but I bet you'd get it done quicker and you're far more knowledgeable I think on the bikeway needs than we would be yes we have when we were in touch with them Peggy Elders is it Peggy Elders in Lexington and thank you Terry Gleason I believe in Bedford we're in fairly frequent contact with them we have had joint meetings every few every year or so but we haven't had them for a year or so we're probably due for one we usually sit select a town and I think it was here in Arlington a couple of years ago we haven't had one for a while but again this might be something that we would have one on we've talked about having one on this subject I should have also added the map is part of a spin-off for this whole project that was instigated by the same time thank you Steve got me next I really like what you're doing especially on the regional issue and I'm excited for the friends of the bikeway to get on their way I'm looking at the tool design report navigating the minivan commuter bikeway and I just have one quick comment that for the fourth bullet point at the bottom I use the term police and that's something I'd ask you to consider potentially changing to maybe educate or inform these are just some highlights taken from a highlight it's not the actual report you already have copies of the actual report and I think they might have used different wordage than me I didn't some reason ambassador didn't work well for me there you go you see ambassadors I hear just the word police to go to me and I think that can give kind of a false sense of power that we don't want to run into but other than that I really like what you're doing and I do support it thank you just a comment that sort of overlaps all three issues that we have before us I agree with Mr. really you are the best people ambassadors etc in terms of coordinating with the town manager with our member communities around the issues and some of the areas you highlight that you might want to move forward in the future I just want to put before you all and I mean this just in the spirit of this was the rails to trails program part of the reason we received as much federal and state funding I'm told by the then elected officials and Don Marquis who the trail is named after is that this is not this is a multi-use path a multi-use trail and I just want to make sure that I know when you all go for certain funding we need to highlight bikeway improvements and but that there are many different kinds of commuters on that this is a trail and people have said that to me that you know sometimes they fail if they're pushing a stroller you know they're walking to the owl wife one percent of you know people who are riding sometimes think you know they're in the race over over in France or whatever this is a trail for commuters and I don't want to lose sight of that I do want to highlight and make as many bikeway bike path improvements but I also want to make sure that we're not designing for the future that we're excluding that other larger audience I don't think that's the intention I think the signage that is envisage would in fact help mitigate some of this would you know also you know sort of it's not very wide so walking to stroll as a breast sometimes when it's busy is not helpful you know so cyclists going too fast when it's too busy is not helpful you know that so walking dogs on leashes is not helpful all these sorts of things hopefully we'll be able to get some sort of signage but I'm just saying going forward if somehow maybe just in one sentence there's a mention of that whole universe of people commuters pedestrians that use the bike path the trail whatever we want to call it so that I don't want people to be taken away with that you know we're not making trail improvements as you stated because we are making trail improvements we're not just making bikeway bike path so I'm going to point out and I know my the chairman has comments on the tool I also have a comment on the draft proposed but we haven't got to that yet thank you very much thank you for all your work on this this map Lexington took the lead on that so I must give him the credit for most of and Joey here in the playing department it's still fantastic the way it highlights a lot of the areas of the points of interest here I hope you made a lot of copies we had a sponsor who was a sponsor who printed it for free basically so with their free copies and it's been made so it's more readily updateable than the last one was so we should be able to go forward and change it if necessary that's great because one thing that you'll be wanting to add here and then distribute the maps out of is the visitor information center right on Uncle Sam and I was just looking at this and this is really perfect for inclusion at that center when it opens hopefully next spring fantastic I had a couple of questions on the report you mentioned the work you've done on the guidelines around restriping and and sharrows and such and I know we've received you know unsolicited praise for what has been done up in Mass Ave and the recent work it's fantastic what it says here is that lessons learned from this project be incorporated into guidelines going forward and that you'd look at other parts of town as well I'm thinking of one example that just came my way in the last couple of weeks you may be familiar with some offsite improvements that have been done in conjunction with the Sims redevelopment to improve motorist travel it's traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures we've heard some feedback from bicycles that insecure there now some of the narrowing of the physical space on the road and I don't know what process you would take to look at something like that and potentially would you take your lead from tack? I'm not familiar from that we probably take our lead partly from tack we maybe want to have some input but Scott here is on tack so he would be able to optimally represent us both committees there are issues often when you neck things down I can think of some to concord having Cambridge well as a traffic calming measure which basically makes the road width of the car so a cyclist in a car cannot physically fit in this very short period and we're always a little bit dubious of that kind of activity because it might be hazardous for the cyclist in the car trying to squeeze in it inadvertently getting too close to one another I think the area I'm thinking of the edge lines on the road were being used as de facto bike lanes and they've that was partially intentioned but the road surface I believe at the time we looked at it wasn't wide enough to make them real bike lanes with a travel lane this was the idea this would all be in these guidelines until they could be used in various places in town going forward you know where there isn't room for bike lanes there isn't room for them but we should maybe have the shadows this is a commonly biked route which there are several routes in town great I'll look forward to that on the next steps as far as a three powers agreement is there work that's actually concretely happening now to draft a memorandum agreement for our boards I envision this would probably be something like the battle roads process where all of the communities signed on to an MOU I think that's a good thought and I think the reason Christopher and Joey are here tonight is to really ask for the board sort of support and starting to move in a direction of pursuing a joint powers agreement and actually I just saw today a solicitation for the MAPC's district local technical assistance grants which might be a well timed opportunity to get some technical assistance to help work between the three communities to formulate a joint powers agreement so that we can vote to receive this report should we take a vote to direct you to pursue that further express support of the board would be a positive thing okay thank you very much oh I just have one other question this I think came to all members of the board and it's not something I've thought much about we had a member of the community who wrote to us asking if illumination has ever been considered on any parts of the bikeway whether illumination has been considered yes it has and we've discussed this issue perhaps here or was it I believe when it was built it was specifically said there would be no illumination because of the butters and it was a way of getting it built then to go back on that you have issues however there are areas where it is illuminated because it's in the like a long Magnolia field and down there because there's no real butters and it's heavily used late at night for safety reasons so it makes some sense there but other parts I'm not exactly sure how that would go ahead it would cost some money obviously again how the butters would feel about that if they were on timers it might be something that would mitigate the you know it went off at 11 o'clock after the last train arrived at L-Wife might be something but I think it definitely having ridden it at night there are issues a lot of people wear black walk their dogs you don't see a darn thing I might have a headlight on or have headlights on my bicycles but the other people don't and they suddenly appear out of nowhere so it is an issue technically the out of a bikeway it is closed as the same out or open the same house as the parks in town again for it was a number that was pulled out of the I believe the thin air because somebody asked when it was opened we had a town warrant on that but it was shot down by the police because they liked the ability to stop people being there for not trespass after hours yeah I can imagine it would be a very long difficult discussion yeah thank you so I hadn't expected your semiannual report I appreciate it no it's fine it's a lot of good work and I really thank you for all the work that's there I did come prepared with a series of comments on the tool report okay so here we go first off I think that the overall goal of the tool report of coordinating the three towns I think is absolutely on target and I completely support it in particular the concepts of like making common signage and making common materials for it and stuff like that I think that all that is dead on and I completely I think the reports doing the right thing I was I'm definitely more I was not as I had a very cool reception to the concept of having a regional agreement which has essentially an annual fee from each of the towns and so I just wanted to consider one of the things that Joe just mentioned was the what we did for the scenic byways with a similar set not the same set but a similar set of towns is we created an administrative group committee that manages it all but we didn't actually we still left all the money with the individual towns and so we could you know that group could come up with the what the signage plan is and that could be approved but then you you fund projects ad hoc not out of you know a new body so that might be but I would be I'm delighted to support a tool like concept but I become very chilly when it has a I think it's a concept and we you know you can take bits of it you want and adapt it and I'm trying to share with you where my thoughts are so that we can do that adaptation I like the idea of bike more bike racks I just question the utility of the U shaped ones that are actually in that report I think I hate them yes I think I know I think I was going to say I think they're terrible was going to back off and say yeah because they just don't have enough you can't buy bikes on them so things in terms so those were comments about like what the group would do in terms of what the town would do and they talked about like obligating the towns to do plowing or root removal and I think that we as a town can and should do better about root damage like the work we did it's by bottom delighted we did it but I wish we'd done it you know a year and a half ago or two years ago on the other hand the plowing I support the plowing of the town but I also know that in the future budget year we may not be able to support it and so I'm not ready to sign anything that says thou shalt plow going forward so I think Lexington has a different attitude towards the plowing too so yeah okay so that one is probably not going to be second last comment was I think it was similar to what Diane said when you look at who responded to the survey and who the surveys were from it was a very eccentric response rate and I know that the report did go through significant lengths to talk about non-bike usage but it still does come through as a bike report more than a Minuteman path report and I think that general acceptance and you know its path going forward is probably going to be more successful if it's a little if we you know tweak that focus somewhat that might be something that the friends of group should they get going would take care of we are a bike committee so we will be bike centric I understand the bike committee absolutely should be bike centric but in terms of the Minuteman report and also the friends of Minuteman that was actually going to be my last comment I hadn't thought about that I hadn't heard about it another we had a gentleman at our last meeting who was lived in Austin, Texas I believe he now moved back to Arlington after many years and is very enthusiastic to drum up support and funds for he ran the parks similar friends of parks in Austin we have similar models that work really well in Austin we are aware of those its something we have debated for many years there is one in Lexington it tends to be the same people as a bike committee they just have on right after another they don't need to change their seats so I really would like it to be different because I don't think necessarily we would bring anything new to the table so thank you that was my feedback about having read it and I must admit I did not expect to get a heat map of the frequency of decorative plants and yet I did it was an exhaustive report the way I would describe it so we don't actually have a motion on the table did Mr. Curell make a motion to first move receipt of this I move receipt of the which we have a lot of reports here let me move receipt of the the tool reports all those in favor please say aye I move receipt of the ABAC's semi-annual report dated December 2013 all those in favor please say aye I move support of work towards the drafting of a memorandum of understanding to be reached between Bedford Lexington and Arlington relative to a three powers agreement subject to approval of the board of selection second very inelegantly would you accept an amendment of something along the lines of in the model of the scenic byway because I'm specifically angling for no money argument here yes that's read my mind is there a second second no really second is there any further discussion I do think I understand the money clause at some point money is necessary I think and on looking at I understand you know not wanting to disperse town funding on a regional level but I do think something like the bike path is better handled on a regional level I think going forward with these plans with all the communities that it runs through impacts is overall better bike path so I am or trail and so I'm a little more inclined to think positively on the regional level but I'll still support this I would just say in drafting it I understand you're looking to not put us on the hook for guaranteed appropriations going to the future but I think we would agree that we would want any three powers organization to have the ability to apply for grant funding yes absolutely I think so Steve I think your point is really well taken and I'm not post spending the money and I think I guess I like a model in my head more of the case it's made on a case by case basis than it is on a general budgetary authority that's what made me twitch was creating this budgetary authority I mean yeah further discussion all those in favor please say aye 5-0 last but not least we have a proposal for guidelines for event use on the minuteman trail Adam did you yeah so if you don't mind briefly this came up some time ago in discussions that I was having with Joey Glishko the planning department I know discussions she was having with A-Back and with Christopher and I think from both sides there was an awareness that there was a growing amount of special events that were being requested to occur on the bikeway on the minuteman trail and though it seemed to start becoming a bit unwieldy about where to direct people and there was no formal process for it so I'd ask Joey to work with A-Back to draft a policy which is the policy before you tonight before we implement the policy we obviously wanted it to come before the board take any feedback any comments many suggestions the board might have before we finalize it and actually implement it you can see the goal really is to just create a formal permitting process through the town manager's office has notice in advance it has certain permit fees based on the number of people that will be participating it has it doesn't preclude further approvals coming from either this board parks and rec, DPW police and fire, public safety and it really just it tries to manage 5Ks other you know longer shorter races walks maybe a charity bike event different special events that aren't just your normal commuting or recreational use by a biker, a walker, someone with a stroller a runner whatever it might be so I'm happy and I want to thank Christopher and Joey and the committee for their work on it and we're happy to take your comments, feedback and suggestions on the policy Diane? Thank you and I raised my hand first only because I want to make my comments on this and I support it a policy a family situation home something very minor so I'm going to have to leave it, nothing bad it's just but and I did have a brief conversation with the manager on this it's my understanding right now that in terms of people using the Minuteman trail the Minuteman bikeway that ultimately and I use the case in point with the athletic director Dougalucky that the select since it's a public thoroughfare that we the only reason I say that is when we had the athletic director come before us I was advised by the then town council I don't know if you also advise me that we needed it I said why don't we just have the town manager but the town manager the town manager the town manager the town manager the town manager the town council has advised me that the actual rail trail is the authority of the town manager I said why don't we just have the town manager but because of liability saying using public ways though roads okay you can work that out but I do want to maintain whatever authority that we have towards any of these events my thing is if we didn't need to have that meeting in 48 I was just told that we play a role in it so so my comments on this would be again and it's already incorporated in here so Christopher read my mind it's identified as a trail and a bikeway so I'm not happy with that just since this is a stepping forth point I'm assuming comments will be taken tonight and you'll present final draft it's up to you since it's your you as the town manager but do you want to have an age requirement for the permit request this is just the court reporter crap so I don't know if that would I shouldn't say crap court reporter in me I don't know if that would be included in number one I'll leave it to under number two in terms of charging the fee I assume it that's what we do that it would go to general fund or perhaps it goes to maintenance of the bikeway the trail I'll leave that again I assume that's your purview to do that under number three I just put forth since we have a completion time of 9 a.m. do we want to put no earlier than a stop time in there and then the only other thing I would ask I'm sorry skipped over it in number two again case in point with the public school fundraiser that they have can we not make it a hard unless you want to because it's your jurisdiction a hot and fast rule that it has to be at least 45 working days prior to the event excluding any extenuating circumstances or something like that so that if we're presented with what we were presented with before by the athletic director that it's not a fast rule I think 45 working days is a pretty reasonable time frame to be able to plan and ask departments to do that. I do too but that would have precluded I'm just thinking of what we just went through with the road race from the schools I'd rather consider some language that would allow the town manager to make exceptions to the policy based on circumstances as opposed to softening that you know what yeah what I'm saying is if you feel if you don't need language in there every 10 years something like that comes along I'm just saying just from the legal side of it do you want to put and I'll leave it to you if you put it in fine if you don't I'm not going to lose any sleep if you want to put something in there that gives you the room to sort of override that 45 day requirement I agree that you should have at least 45 days notice you know especially with events like that and the only other thing is and I've heard this from user groups and bicyclists who've said based on the larger road races I don't know if you want to make a policy that similar to what we do for the town day road race that if you're going to have an event that's a certain amount a certain number it has to start you know like ideally town days I think we start at 7 in the morning 830 but the events over you know Saturday morning do we want to say you know events like that or Saturday and Sunday mornings only because that's what I've heard and then when you know during the week the bike path is used a lot by commuters but do you think item 4 covers that or no in general special events with like so basically says don't do it during peak usage right but it also it lets you go in during the weekdays I just leave it to the town manager if you want to offer the bike path during non peak usage during the weekday I mean sometimes the usage is high but during the rest of the day during the week it's fairly low but at the weekends it's pretty high after you on Saturday all day long and Sunday after a certain time so you know it's well I'll leave it for you I just know that this year we were bound by the event that the schools had scheduled they already printed everything starting a road race to go on to the bike path thankfully there are only 50 that started at 10 o'clock on a Sunday morning 8 in the morning you know bike break is really used then so again I apologize I just wanted to put those in whatever you incorporate that's fine this will not happen at the next meeting it's just the first night sorry thank you further discussion Joe just a quick question on number 8 given what you just told us Mr. manager regarding the jurisdiction of manager versus board of select on the abutting lands does that have to come to us yeah that's a good that's a good sign if you're right okay thanks Kevin I skipped you I apologize no no no that's okay so I am a little surprised that this comes under the town manager to be honest especially a policy related to usage I was surprised in town council what idiot told you that is he sitting to your left absolutely not but so on these do we have to approve these or you're just telling us this is what you're doing you want us to just receive it really more of the latter and I think it's part of the policy we would still be letting the board go to any events that would be going on and frankly just bigger events are going to use bikeway and road waste is going to be a lot of overlap between authorities anyways that's what that's going to ask if we assume we're at the end of this year and we're not quite right but let's say we are at the end of December how many events this past year 2013 would have come under these guidelines how many different events were there Marie you know I would say probably I was going to say six yeah how many are specifically just the bikeway not using public roads right so I'm saying which ones just on the bikeway there is such a thing I don't think there is such a thing as only a bikeway event is anybody familiar with there definitely was I know there was one actually it might have been the event that your bike safety thing I'm sorry I said it that way Chris but you know what I mean we can bring a bike down you check and you write on the path there and well that might be numbers because you know we might be below the numbers that are involved in in an F26 or something it was like five of us and whoever stopped by so it wasn't really but I think you were talking the event it was the breast cancer walk I believe that they gave no notice they just came through and they just plugged the place up for hours and nobody knew about it there was another event that I remember specifically because I remember being the impetus for me to start talking with Joey there was a group of I think it was an alumni group who wanted to do an alumni event they wanted to do a race specifically on the bike path and when that request came in is what really brought up the well we don't we don't have a way to say yes no or how to manage it that was the impetus for this and I do think with its popularity with continually changing demographics in this area I think we're going to see more and more requests and that's another reason why we're talking about this now it should also be mentioned that these are very similar to the guidelines from Lexington which helped us draw up these Lexington's very similar guidelines and I think it's something in the tool report too that they should be usage guidelines so this is a step towards that direction I couldn't think of what a bike you know what a Donald R. Marquis trail event would be that wouldn't cross a public road you know so anyhow that's all so I move the seat second in this case you know we have been talking heavily about bikes but rightly so the Minuteman commuter bike way and I should say that this is under your purview as well and it is recognized as it's called Donald R. Marquis Minuteman trail here in Arlington but the last few times I am always amazed and I would say myself this is an informal the walkers are at least three to one to bicyclists and if indeed 2,000 of them are going through there on a weekend day that's 6,000 walkers although I would imagine the walking commuters are more during the weeks if it's a thousand bikes during the week but 4,000 people on that trail every day we do have the numbers I don't have them in my head but we've collected the numbers and we do break them down into pedestrians joggers which we count separately people in strollers and bikes and rollerbladers they do periodic hard checks like hour by hour it's every we count every quarter from about 7 to 7 but is it accurate that walkers throw out a number of bikers no it varies okay Scott sorry Scott hi Scott Smith attack in ABAC when we've done counts of people passing a particular point the ones I recall it's roughly equal numbers but the walkers are using it for a greater amount of time for a given mileage covered so if you're looking at time that they're on there you'll see more walkers but people passing a point it's about equal that morning my campaign I would say the number of walkers has significantly increased near our life even though around our life there's a thousand bikes parked there every day yeah at our life it's mostly walkers I've counted it in its one place I've counted East Arlington Falls I have walked down the trail to L.Y. so but to me who first served here in 1989 you can't believe the number of neighbors that came before us and begged us not to build this bike path this trail that it would decrease the value of their properties that crime would increase and all of this sorry they sold their homes because I think every single home along that bike path has increased in value excuse me so my only comment I like the guidelines in general I also like where I actually prefer the elements where you're riding yourself leeway because I really do think that good judgment is no substitute for smart rules so I definitely support continuing flexibility Steve I support as well one thing for its implementation that you thought this I just hope that it is you know put out there pretty publicly not really you know not I don't mean the text message notification but you know just make it visible so no one runs into that 45 day deadline any further discussion we have a motion to receive all those in favor please say aye thank you very much thank you very much alright our 10th item is a request of removal 15 minute parking sign at 1317 Mass Ave Chuck Pappas Swifty printing Mr. Pappas welcome thank you as we've mentioned before we wanted to remove that sign that's in front of the floors it's become an issue since they increased the size of the bus stop and we've lost the 1 1.5 to 2 parking spots I went ahead and did a survey so you would make sure that all the business owners up there were aware that it was requested it was originally requested to me by Mimi who owns the classic cafe I had this filled out and she went around I was only going to survey just the people on that side because 15 minutes would really affect just them because they take you 15 minutes to get across they have sometimes she went ahead and did everybody other than the vacant store and a new hairdresser who moved up there to my salon which is closed on Mondays she wasn't able to get them but they've all checked off the box yes as you can see from the back side they were urged to drop it off who take that can I just ask that specifically includes the florist yes specifically includes the florist it specifically includes she's checked off and initialed and she repeats also who checked off yes and initialed because those were the two that originally requested it at that spot even Sammy take a stenos checked it off okay so we also do have a recommendation from Corito to not support it and he was particularly he says the two talks about the history about 2008 and the two established being currently business second answer to that too I spoke to Corey when he was in the other day needed some signs about that and we didn't get to finish our conversation but he did mention the fact that it was specifically brought there for the pizza in the florist job and I said I've got a signature from everybody who's there including the people who originally did it some of his concern too was the cost of the ticket in the park in the bus station is so high he fails he was trying to help the businesses but not have it in this case the businesses are the ones who have asked for it and things have changed because of the the new bus stops so at that time going back even further when they asked for the 15 minute it was another situation when we were losing parking spots because of the redesign of the heights so it was granted there and it's if the business is requesting it I'm sure we'll be the first to hear if it's a failure but it's if everybody in that block on both sides is asking for it I might have to disagree a little bit with Cory this time motion I'm sorry I'm on clear check what you're asking what are you specifically asking for to remove the the one spot that's marked 15 minutes only it kind of used to be in front it used to be in front of the florist but now that we've extended now that the bus is larger the 15 minute slot slid towards dagustinos one and so now it's in front of classic cafe so the request is to change that from 15 minute to 2 hour is what the default would be and then there will be no 15 minute space anywhere correct it also gives the decision to because of how it was moved and how few spots are left that it kind of looks also that there's 2 to almost 3 spots that are 15 minutes so I mean the compromise would have been if if I had anybody on the list who was against it my second recommendation would have compromised and to be sure to post a sign that it's only one spot but I was surprised myself that the people that I thought who wouldn't want it which are both the florist and the vice both were for it they had the option to yes no and I don't care and they were no I don't cares I I'm not seeing anyone jumping up so I'm going to speak unless anyone I had come here tonight prepared to follow Corey's recommendation because of the why it was done in the first second but given if we the florist is saying no I don't want it anymore I'm ready to go along with that and I have no problems with changing it personally that would be my thought I think I'm inclined in the same way I hate to be the one to make another motion to go against one of the recommendations tonight but I will I will move to support the 15-minute parking is there a second I'll second it can we potentially maybe have someone in our office call the florist and Capri just to confirm and make sure they're okay with it before any signs go up you know because it doesn't I of course trust Mr. Pappas I would have you know preferred to hear it from them I think that the way to do that then if you is to put up a competing motion to table and say that we need to collect that information yet Kevin could I just ask if Mr. Cura would be willing that we revisit it in six months that we support the removal and let's just you know I think that's the I think that's completely appropriate because if I'm not mistaken there's still efforts underway to try to convince the state to give a little leeway on those bus stops is that that's correct I think the town also is checking the plans against what was painted and we're waiting for some of that information back to actually I support that six months because sometimes people ask for something they're not always sure what the result is I think that makes complete sense you know there's a vacancy there yeah that sounds good to me is there any further discussion all those in favor please say aye thank you if I can take one more minute going back to the first lights when this came up we were actually talking about the no parking up there in certain areas that ended up getting tabled but I kept it open because I myself are asking if we can put up some no parking signs during the event in prior to just prior to the event in front of my business only because I need those parking spots I brought these from Maria actually but Santa needs a little parking spot and if people bring in the petting zoo need a little parking spot because they need to keep their equipment close to the animals and where they're having it which is in my parking lot so I can't take them off the street I remember I was here and I don't remember we literally just tabled the question at the time and so you're asking us to reserve two spaces in front of your essentially making the temporary reserve spaces technically I think we have three in front yeah right yeah yeah correct at the time we hadn't fixed the plans yet and so we were keeping it open thinking that some people up at that end needed more space and our committee up there has decided against that. How many hours are you looking for? I'm looking for during the whole event which is 12 to 5 and I need it you know blocked off by 11 just so the cars aren't there during that time because what's happening these three items are happening in stages so the first vehicle is going to need we need more space for the first two actually and then they need space to clear and get out yeah Kevin? So I moved that from 11 to 5 on December 7th we allow three spaces is it three? Charlie excuse me Charlie be reserved for that period of time that's the right way to say it second thank you very much and thanks for the leadership on this Chuck as well I know you're putting quite a lot of effort in I think it's going to be a good event thank you I have to give the credit to the chamber who started it other had just been organizing the heights to try and get them going did you know that the select tones actually sang Shoppers Wonderland song tonight for a commercial for first lights Chuck no I did not you missed out most of the people up here there are people chingling with excitement to see this commercial I am greatly disappointed that I missed it you were not disappointed that I missed it however all right we have a motion we have a second any comments discussion please say aye 4-0 thank you thank you for approval tack Russell place report we have a written report for the attack they review so we referred to them a study of Russell place specifically related to traffic volume anticipated traffic volume from the altar development which is a K.A. the former Brigham's and they looked at it and they evaluated and they recommended that there is that there be no action and Maria's told me that she's followed the original requester who obviously could be here to talk to us about it but I think that the basic message was the impact is not sufficient to warrant any changes I move receipt second any further discussion no is it just receipt or is it for what says no action we have nothing to do that sounds good basically we maintain status quo all those in favor please say aye next up are the human rights what is it human rights commission response coordination team thank you well put Joe you brought this up at our last meeting we asked for volunteers and you volunteered and Steve volunteered and Steve let it go we're putting Steve's name forward I move to appoint Steven Byrne as the slackman's liaison to the human rights commission's response coordination team I'm looking through my packet and I don't see like a curriculum for this gentleman whom I love and support 100% is that a second wait wait I'm on this side we have motion to second all those in favor please say aye opposed I won't lay it down congratulations thank you special town meeting I guess we have two votes which I didn't think about thank you alright and so I had some questions and I asked this to be tabled in particular I had asked for why are we doing this so early because I thought maybe we could benefit from doing it late and it was explained to me thank you about why it is we're doing it so we're doing it because in particular we have to mail out the warrant in order to save on mailing costs we piggyback on the advocate doing their all town advocate delivery which means we've got a printer on the 6th which is what backs us out to the warrant being open on February 11 so I would personally my questions that I raised two weeks ago I'm satisfied so I think it would be good unless if there's any motion to set a special town meeting for April 30 so moved second is there any discussion Adam anything no all those in favor please say aye all opposed 4-0 and the next is a vote is to open the warrant for special town meeting the warrant will open on Tuesday February 11th at 8am and will remain open until 4pm so moved any further discussion all those in favor please say aye thank you next up we have correspondence received I think we can just I guess in particular the care well urgent care center I had a number of questions on that one and so I guess I would ask that the board I might intend is to put that up on the future meeting for actual discussion because I have real concerns about where their actual entrance is and what the current handicap availability is and what we're going to lose any spaces and stuff like that but she's that we're referring this to tackle you want to answer these before we refer to because it's parking only I actually think the memo itself is incorrect I think that we shouldn't go to tack because it's a tack is when things are moving and when things are not moving that's us in this in this case we're talking about a mobile object so I think that's that's just us and so just so the board knows what I was so I'm particularly I want to know the memo talks about the state department of health asking says you should request these two things is that just some like thing that they send out every time you should ask for these things or did they look at this and evaluate and say that you actually need these things and looking at the actual space that they're going into they're not going into unleashed they're not going to hair cuttery they're going to the one that's next to that and they're talking evidently as I understand it they're not using the door on the front so why would you put a using the door on the front the drop off areas in the back properties why would we do it and also because the assisted living across the street we already have some handicapped parking in that particular area and I want especially considering you know we've been talking about how the park we lost three spots in the heights earlier this year so I'm asking the to look at what our inventory is of handicapped spaces what is in the private lot for all of these and I'm going to ask this in its own right okay so I move we put this on an agenda and we get you the information you're asking for by the time of that so second do you want it the next meeting Dan? I think so let's just see how but I think it probably will be but let's just go with that yeah fourth with I'll in favor please say aye okay so that disposal of that one the sidewalk on Quincy street I wanted to refer that to the tree committee to have a strong response but I think it's healthy for the frankly I think it's good for us to be if they're going to be our advisers and advocates about tree policy they need to talk about the good things and the bad things and this was one where a tree was a bad thing Adam did you have anything else you wanted to weigh in on that or was that sufficient? okay second I'll in favor please say aye and I think the rest of it is just move receipt unless there's anything that I have overlooked okay on the last one on the parking yes so on the last one on the parking so we have a gentleman who is a emergency responder and his emergency worker is an EMT he shares his roommate also is a paramedic and he was looking for an exemption for public safety workers from the overnight parking thank you for reminding me and I read it and I thought about it myself and I just said I think that the whole question last year was quite clear that our overnight parking plan is supported by the people who live in town and if he wants if he wants that to happen I think he needs to start a grassroots revolution that converts everyone's opinion and I like to work so I was going to say we could refer this to Cory personally I don't think I need Cory to tell me what the voters said last year but if anyone else had a different opinion this would be the time to say that Murray was that sufficient? was that weird? okay so I think we've got three items to just move receipt seconds all those in favor? thank you new business? Cory what? we are electing a representative in congress on December 10th what time are the polls open? seven o'clock to eight at night and we have three candidates on the ballot and a write-in slot I know that it makes your night longer but as you can is that you announcing a write-in campaign? no it is not that's Daniel anything else? esteem town council I have nothing here Mr. Chairman thank you I want to wish Ed well in his last meeting before the board yes just a brief piece of new business I know the board had designated Mr. Greeley to be their representative in terms of dealing with an e-packet solution however Adam Growski the new systems analyst would like an opportunity to come before the board prior to a board's meeting have it be part of a posted meeting but come and do some give and take and have a discussion with the board so I'd like to ask that the board consider perhaps an hour early on January 13th the regularly scheduled January 13th meeting start at 6.615 have Adam Growski come and have a discussion with the board there's a document provided to the board tonight which sort of lays out the process that Adam is using to go about analyzing an e-packet or e-document system for the board so if you want to review that give me any feedback prior to that meeting or let me know if the 13th doesn't work otherwise we'll plan on moving forward with the 13th and that's all I have for new business thank you Kevin yes I just have a couple things for departing council Mr. Marlinga the five members of this board in the meetings you've been here which are you most impressed with in these meetings so far there can be no doubt can there be well I'm just asking I'll just leave that to your discretion I have an assignment would you please look into whatever ridiculous council made the ruling the manager is more powerful than the board of select when it comes to the men and men trail I mean which other ridiculous council no just that we did do this commercial for first lights but I'm going to leave Joe did a beautiful speak over the select tone singing and I'll let him deal with that and ask people more to first light Joe sure I guess that really is the only piece of business I have this Saturday December 7th from 12 o'clock to 5 p.m. there will we have a shop local event that the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring but in cooperation with a lot of local organizations businesses I know the town is cooperated as well in staging this the events going on in all through the major business districts capital square the center and in the heights including at 4 30 there will be tree lightings and special events in those areas with some of our local musical talent will be will be singing some from the schools from children's theater other representatives arts groups and some other special surprises but there will be a lot of special events Mr. Pappas already mentioned one of them at Swifty in the Heights it will be a great family friendly day and we urge everybody to come on out if I may just add to that free parking in the Russell Common lawn and there are shuttles that will move people from there very important there are two shuttles will be running at all times during those hours there will be designated stops for folks to get on and off Steve no new business Mr. Chairman I just had one item which was really brief which is that we as a board said that we would have executive session minutes every six months and we're due up for that so I'm planning on scheduling an executive session our meeting in two weeks which I don't anticipate will be too long because basically it's just going to be approving minutes and deciding which minutes we can release so that means we'll have a confidential part of the packet that comes in two weeks and then we'll do that at that point Mr. Chairman all those in favor say aye