 Good evening everyone. If you could take a seat. We'll begin the Board of Selections meeting for February 27th 2017 first we will go to the Emergency Agenda Addendum Agenda Addendum For approval vote authorize borrowing MWRA $200,000. We have our treasurer mr. Gilligan. I believe here tonight Name and position name and position for the record Madam chairman and members I thank you for the time your time this evening the reason for the emergency Addendum is that the bonds arrived the bond certificates arrived later than your Thursday night deadline but a week earlier that they were supposed to and We thought it prudent to as the saying goes go for the money So you are asked to approve and to sign the bond certificates for $200,000 for an MWRA water bond Which is of no interest zero interest and no cost to the town And this is for projects that the board is aware of and that have been appropriated through town meeting We're just able to borrow the money through the MWRA instead of a general obligation bond Which carries interest and if the board has any questions, I'd be more than happy to hear move approval move by mr. Burns seconded by second secure any questions or comments from my colleagues if mr. Greeley yes Just a comment that I'd like to ask the crowd here to give this gentleman a rousing round of applause He's decided not to run again for treasurer after 30 years of service to this community Chair of the conservation Commission Former member of the board of selectmen and has been our treasurer for how long 11 years. Thank You mr. Gilligan Hasn't always been right, but I love the guy I think the board for its time. Thank you very much. Okay on a motion by mr. Burns seconded by mr. Cure. Oh all those in favor say aye Those opposed unanimous vote we now go to the meeting agenda for approval Comcast late license renewal I believe we have attorney maher here from our cable advisory committee just name and position for the record, please Chairman of the cable advisory committee you all know what a thrill it is for me to be before you and look forward to this I'm hyperventilating just just thrilled But in any event we do have a Recommended license extension for Comcast for a period of 10 years effective date to be October 2016 of course subject to your approval It was a as expected a very contentious Negotiation sessions which they tend to be The principal aspects of it was essentially carrying forward the existing provisions with a couple of changes The major provision of course is the 5% of gross revenues that Comcast arrives from all like the subscribers to be Irmarked for ACMI Most of the issues that we talked about Comcast with him as a matter of fact with all the cable Companies is what can we get for ACMI for them to continue their most excellent work in providing? cable access community service through their Several channels We all of the 5% goes to ACMI to fund their ongoing expenses, but one of the principal components also is to augment their New technology and getting them some additional money for the capital improvements, and that was a major source of contention Comcast actually wanted to reduce the amount of Capital expenditures from the existing 400,000 but over a period of time led by the town manager and Are very capable outside council Peter Epstein and with very strong support of dugime Town council we're able to increase that from 400 to 500,000 other provisions of the contract are What it's called a level playing field level playing field means that if for any reason we negotiate a different set of Financial terms for the other contracts be art being our sienna Verizon we would have to go back and Revisit the Comcast license is a very common provision Comcast was had a service that nine net For the community for the town it was just not used and but they were required under the license to maintain it They've good it informs us that it was very if ever used so We were we told Comcast that we would relieve them from that responsibility Upon the payment of twenty five thousand dollars that goes to the general fund not the ACMI So those are the principal provisions. It's for a ten-year license and Be happy there are some minor provisions Which I think are set forth in the town manager's memo if you have any questions comments We're very glad to try to respond and if you are so inclined after your comments to Approve it. I would propose a motion Yeah, I just want to thank John and the committee You do finally have a senior discount to which the answer from Comcast has been Solidly no for all these years. It's not as it's it's not as good as I'd like But nonetheless, I know that you had to work hard to make that happen So, thank you very much Mr. Curell, thank you very much and thank you also to you and the committee for all the hard work on this I know I did flag a few issues and I funneled them through that the Town manager in the town council my understanding is that they there has been resolution on them one is Just as with with the RCN contract ensuring that the Non-discrimination clause in the in the Comcast Contract for service referenced Local law as well as state and federal law. My understanding is that Comcast has Agreed to that and that's an excellent point Something that I should have picked up on before but we're appreciate you calling that to our attention It has been incorporated and Comcast has agreed to it. I Wanted to say that I'm disappointed that Comcast did did not agree to HD service for the the Public access channels for ACMI, but I appreciate you and on the other end getting some additional capital for this And I think that's probably good compensation and just the last point that I had the question I had raised with town manager I know that the the list of public buildings that will receive Service through this contract did not specifically include the Gibbs which will be a public school But my understanding is that some of the language does address that that future public school buildings will be Buildings Essentially at the town's behest that we will certainly do that when Gibbs comes online You're correct that we were not able to get either HD or video on demand from Comcast The only statement I can make with regard to they have not agreed to that with any of the communities In the Commonwealth RCN as you know did that We're going to be pressing hard with Verizon We like to think that RCN has a little bit of a competitive edge because they have agreed to provide that For local access at least that's what we hope and we will continue those efforts And if it becomes feasible or any other communities get it during the course of the license We'll certainly pursue Comcast notwithstanding the fact that we have a signed license We're able to reopen that and and take a hard look at that if we get any indication at all that they are Relenting with with regard to any other community Fantastic, thank you And I do want to say mr. Mar on behalf of my colleagues on the board We've been through several cable advisory renewal Committee meetings reports, etc. I think this has been one of the most sort of fruitful In terms of concessions that the cable advisory committee and yourself have been able to negotiate I certainly appreciate the resolution of the long-standing inet issue Because that sort of has been on the table At least twice when we've gone through this and we now have some resolution on that and in Accordance with the concessions that you negotiated on that as well as my colleagues points to the Gibbs and in the senior rate Etc. And I am very pleased that you have sort of a placeholder in Senate motion in terms of any reciprocity with Verizon or any other communities And I know this is a as everyone else does Committee of volunteers like everybody else in Ellington that we have but I have to say I'm really impressed by the concessions You were able to get you didn't get everything, but you got almost everything So thank you so much and if you mess my colleagues have further questions I think if you have any comments or a suggested motion Thank my colleagues on the cable advisory committee Mike Quinn and Dave good jossie Those three individuals are I have voted unanimous We have voted unanimously to recommend approval and the motion would be to approve as licensing authority The extension of the Comcast license to be effective on October 1st 2016 to expire September 30th 2026 and I'll be back at that time So moved move by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Byrne any further questions and comments Anybody here, I'm sorry mr. Chapter Langtown manager. Thank you, madam chair I do believe the board should take a separate vote to authorize the signing of the INET decommissioning agreement as well Okay, so on the first motion by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Byrne to approve the contract October 1st 2016 through September 30th 2026 any further questions and comments if not all those in favor say aye I was opposed in the appropriate wording for the INET Both a motion to approve the execution of the discontinuance of the INET and return for $25,000 payment to the town Move by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Byrne Any further questions and comments if not an emotion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Byrne all those in favor say aye All those opposed unanimous vote. Thank you attorney ma. Thank you Next we have consent agenda for those It may be your first time and hopefully not your last time here. These are really perfunctory Agenda items. I'll go through them rather quickly and hopefully not stumble over too many and usually There aren't many speakers, but I do believe at least one Item under the consent agenda. I will be calling on an individual so our consent agenda are The minutes of the meeting February 6 2017 and requests from the Patriots Day Committee events April 23rd 2017 for approval to sandwich boards for shoot the cure 2017 March 17 through March 25th Jennifer Tripp president and Jennifer Goodwin-Clerk request from Ellington High School ice cream fundraiser for Dana Faubur Cancer Institute on the Jefferson Cutterhouse lawn May 20th 2017 10 a.m. To 6 p.m Tarangana Thapa Patrick old tool Jeremiah Jacob Dolan and the Ellington High School scoops club an appointment to our Transportation Advisory Committee associate member to full member Michael Gordon re-appointments Board of Registrar's John L warden the third term to expire 3 31 2020 Adele Krause term to expire 3 31 2019 a Request for a special one-day baron wine license March 10 2017 at Robbins library for books in bloom Sally Nash and Patsy Kramer from the books in bloom fundraiser committee a request special one-day beer and license March 11 2017 Robbins Memorial Town Hall for beats for eats fundraiser Laura Ledger and Vicki Rose from the Ellington eats committee a request special one day One day alcohol license March 18 2017 at Ellington Catholic High School for quiz night Erin Simmons the development coordinator for the Ellington Catholic High School And then we have appointments of new election workers Mock de Rosa 15 Cornell Street Precinct 12 Elizabeth Diggins to 208 Renfuse Street Precinct 12 Lynn Gallagher 6 Hawthorne Avenue Precinct 18 is there a motion to approve move approval subject all conditions are set forth second move by mr. Carol second minute by mr. Burn. I believe mr. Bose may be here If you could just state your name and address position for the record and what consent agenda item you're here for 26 Lakeview volunteer member of the Patriots Day Parade Committee, and I'm here requesting permits for three events to occur that day I have the Pleasure and privilege of serving with a wonderful group of volunteers for the committee They bring you two messages tonight number one. We expect to have a fabulous parade this year and Number two we believe we'll have blue skies and 75 degrees so it should be good We have three different requests tonight one is for Events that occur all on Sunday April 23rd The first is the 53rd running of the fun day run for Patriots Day It begins at the Arlington Lexington line at 8 45 a.m. on Sunday morning and Runs to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club at noon time We have the historic re-enactment at the Jason Russell house and Then at 2 p.m. The parade kicks off at approximately Brattle Street, and that will go until 5 p.m We will arrange to have sufficient police forces Engaged for that day to provide for public safety And if you approve those I have two more requests So if we prove if approved We would like the board to alert through media the MBTA commuting citizens that the buses normally operating along mass Avenue We'll be using alternate routes along the parade route from 12 p.m. To 5 p.m. And again, if so approved That the Board of Selectmen Meet prior to the April 23rd parade meeting to publicly thank our diamond and platinum sponsors The parade committee will have recognition plaques to present to these sponsors who've made the 2017 Patriots Day parade possible Mr. Don Very excited, and I just want to be clear So the parade this year is essentially a week later than usual because of Easter. So it's the 23rd Yeah, so it's interesting the Lexington parade will still occur on the day after Easter What's interesting is we've now found that certain bands and people we couldn't have in the past maybe now be more available to us Which is great news? And in terms of the logistics mr. Chapter Lane, I believe in the past the committee has worked with The Board of Selectment and Town Manager's office in terms of notification of MBTA and police services So we'll just continue with the same correct, okay so that'll be that and I'll make it a point that the Selectmen's meeting immediately prior to the Patriots Day parade this will be an agenda item at the beginning of The meeting because I know you all have other things to do there So when we take our vote for consent agenda Inherent in that will be those three actions that you specifically asked of us if that's okay, okay? Thank you very much And I just want to check if is there anyone else here from the consent agenda that wanted to speak to their particular agenda item You just come name an address in event for the record, please Hi, I'm a gentrip 328 Park have Arlington Jennifer Goodwin 64 Winchester Road So we're organized with the shoe for the cure which is a annual hockey fundraiser for cancer This is our 10th event and this year is going to be March 24th and March 25th We have Travis Roy coming Friday night and we're asking for permission to put some sandwich board signs out So people know that Travis Roy will be in Arlington on Friday, March 24th Just some additional publicity for the event this year because it is our 10th anniversary Did you hear that they will have cupcakes In terms of the sandwich board we do have a policy I believe it's through the town manager's office They're approved through the okay, so after once we approve this tonight, which I anticipate we will you'll continue the process I'm at that and I can't believe it's been 10 years and congratulations on getting mr. Roy and as well as all the Volunteers that are working on this event for the 10th year. I really do appreciate the two of you with others spare heading That's very important. Thank you Appreciate it Is is there anyone else here for a consent agenda if not with those remarks and Considerations amended to the vote by mr. Cairo seconded by mr. Burn all those in favor say aye aye all those opposed unanimous vote We now go to agenda item 12 Request common victor license classic cafe 1313 mass av Fatos curry Hi, if you could just say your name and establishment. Yeah, my name is Daniela canina and my husband Nice we are very honored to be here to introduce ourselves as new owner of classic a fair as many of you know that this place Breakfast and lunch has been running for more than 13 years in Arlington area We are very excited to you know to come to this point to be a new owner of classic a fair We have been my husband have been working more than six years as a chef there and You know, I think he has a good reputation in people, you know for our customers We'd like to make some changes in a future next year this year or next year new design for the restaurant to make a you know a new atmosphere Where people can enjoy the meal and have a good time with their families We have been talking with a landlord. She's trying to change the whole facade of the restaurant Which is very good news for us We'd like to stick on some items of the menu because people like it, you know, Irish mostly Irish Dishes, but he likes to put some new items in the future Italian dishes maybe we know that mostly are Irish people in Arlington But maybe they like some Italian foods I keep asking actually customers if they like something to be improved in our place and They are very welcome, you know, we'd like to make them happy and so the business can run as it was before You know with a good reputation and even better in the future. So Mr. Greeley, yes Before I move approval subject to all conditions are set forth. Do you have any samples of the food with you this evening? I still move approval. I've been there many times Move by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Dunn Mr. Dunn. Hi, you can find me sitting on one of your stools on many Saturdays. So I look forward to seeing you more And congratulations, I have not yet met the chef who's been feeding me pretty consistently And I also still in yes. Yes. Yeah certain places where you say, okay, let's meet and talk about that and And I one thing we'd like to put next year delivery It's not yet there, but we'd like to make it easier for people that they cannot come in special day So we can deliver the food in their house And I don't know you don't have to if the chef wants to say anything But I look forward to you sort of experimenting and introducing sort of new cuisine My daughter-in-law is from Kathmandu, Nepal. So for the past seven or eight years I have yet to make that ginger base sauce right yet But I've certainly learned a few new dishes that as a Sicilian and also Irish descent I never thought I would touch. So I really look forward to that and I think you'll find Arlington Which does have its base roots also has a very diverse community and I think you'll be very well received Whatever I encourage him to cook at home as well. So he can cook for me at home All right, thank you so much Did you want to say anything or no? He delivered everything to me. Okay on a motion by smart man right there On a motion by mr. Grayley second and by mr. John any further questions if not all those in favor say aye aye I'll those opposed unanimous vote congratulations Our next agenda item under traffic rules and orders First we have for approval from our Arlington Committee on tourism and economic development a revision of charter plus Proposed visitor sensor center programming and banner. I know I've spoken to miss Ozoski. I'll call on you first Just name and committee for the record Angela Ozoski and I chair the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee also known as ATED So our first item is to revise our charter. So you were given two things one, which is the original Committee composition when you form the committee under an old name and there were 13 members at that time Many of whom were chosen as representatives from certain other committees in town Over time we found that that didn't really fit us anymore So while we want the committee to remain at 13 members We want you as a pointing authority and us as recommending to have greater opportunity To just make the committee diverse people who represent the historic and cultural Aspects the business community, you know residents who are willing to volunteer and help out So we revised that You were also given that document where we would have staggered terms And and follow along that structure Mr. Carol I move approval Moved approved moved approval by mr. Cura on the revision of charter seconded by second mr. Dunn Mr. Cura, thank you very much and thank you. Thank you, Angela Yeah, having served before I passed the baton to mr. Dunn and mr. Greeley having served for many years as liaison to ATED I was involved with the drafting of This charter and I think there was an issue that that that was arising where the original charter Actually very strictly specified representation from all different boards and committees who all have very busy List of activities themselves it's the same issue we ran into with vision 2020 with the standing committee So I think this does give more flexibility And allows you know over time there have been some vacancies On ATED which which it would be helpful to to to fill so I think this will give a lot more flexibility to doing that Okay, and a motion by mr. Carol seconded by mr. Dunn to approve the revision of charter any further questions or comments If not all those in favor say aye aye all those opposed unanimous vote If anybody needs to speak on that any other agenda item raise your hand But I believe the next one is the proposed visitor center. Is that miss Alzowski or yeah So this is we we want to propose some programming at the visitor center for the season And it's called diversity weekends And so the idea behind this is to celebrate the culture in Arlington And so we thought both as an activity to draw people But that would be a good time with the business community is to see if we could get some restaurants in town especially those that serve various ethnic foods to Come and either give samples or sell something at the Uncle Sam Plaza at the visitor center But then also in exchange for using the the land for free They need to get their own food permits and all of that but that they would sponsor a cultural activity So that could be in conjunction we would approve it But could be anything from maybe dancers or music or a children's activity And so this would once again celebrate the culture But also draw people to the Uncle Sam Plaza and in conjunction with that We've also had an offer to sponsor a banner which I know you were given a photo of in Preparation for the meeting and that would say Arlington for all and and it also has a hashtag on it And that would be hung between the poles at the flag poles at the Uncle Sam Plaza only during the events so it would go up and come back down again It would be constructed properly so that it could be out in the elements and the wind and hang and then be taken down Thank you, mr. Burn Thank you very much have you been in touch with any restaurants who have expressed interest in this so far We have we have one we think so far Yes We're getting there. Yeah, we're working on it. We also wanted to get formal although we've discussed it I know I think Ted's talked about it with Adam We we've you know discussed it at meetings when we've had our select and representatives there But we also wanted to get formal approval before we move forward And I think that you know if this is approved just make sure that the restaurants are ready to go through the whole permitting process To make that smoothly. Yeah, thank you Okay, is there a motion so moved by mr. Burn seconded by second mr. Greeley any further questions or comments if Yes Come up to the microphone, please name and address for the record Brooks Harrelson 27 Ashland I just want I'm part of the diversity task group and they brought this to the diversity task group Several times and we was discussed and approved at the diversity task group Another volunteer committee Any further questions or comments if not on a motion by mr. Burn seconded by mr. Greeley all those in favor say aye All those opposed unanimous vote Thank you. Thank you Thank you, Mrs. Uski and thank you, mr. Poo so appreciate all your efforts and Mr. Harrelson and others next we have for approval transportation advisory committee tack recommendations on speed limit changes I believe we have our working group lead Jeff max students here name and position for the rocket, please Jeff max tutors Arlington transportation advisory committee members of the board. Thank you So recently the state enacted new regulation that allows communities to change the statutory speed limit for town-owned roadways From 30 miles an hour, which it is now to 25 miles an hour Statutory speed limits affect roadways that don't have any regulation or posted speed limits on them The only change would be to actually and Install signs at the border saying that the the new town speed limit is 25 miles an hour So the tack unanimously Approved this recommendation to recommend that the board of select men Adopter recommendation to the statutory speed limit from 30 to 25 miles an hour All town-owned roadways within thickly settled or business district and this would have to be noted have to notify mass DOT if this is enacted Okay, is there a motion move approval move by mr. Curie Seconded by second mr. Mr. Burn mr. Burn and then mr. Greeley. This is actually Not so much on the speed limit which I do support and thank tack as always for their work But I saw earlier in the consent agenda that you're moving to an associate member from a full-time member So I just want to thank you very much for all the work. You've done over the past few years I know you really helped hold You know give us advice that I think helped to move the town forward and we're deeply grateful for that So thank you. Thank you. I'll still be involved Mr. Greeley just want to be clear from Adam that the request is that this be effective May 1st Right May I thank you? Yeah, yes based on the need to create the signs post the signs and for us to launch a public information Campaign so that people both locally in Arlington and around Arlington know this change is happening We're suggesting a May 1st effective date I'll amend my motion accordingly Mr. Dunn so I just want to be clear So there's a list in this in the packet that has a bunch of town Excuse me a bunch of roads in town that are of different speed limits And those aren't changed because those are set by the the other authorities that it lists, right? Those won't change nor will the state Roadways under state jurisdiction will not change. Okay so for instance that means like the route to frontage road there are parts of it that are 40 miles an hour and You know, they're part they're parts of Route 60, you know Pleasant Street That's 35 miles an hour and stuff like that all of those we're not touching it's going to be this is most This is like unsigned roads that are Under our control as opposed to other people correct. Thank you Mr. Chapter Lane, did you have anything you wanted to add? Okay, and I just want to say for everyone out there This has sort of been a long-standing issue when I first got involved in the late 90s I was so excited that the then senator sponsored and filed a bill to Allow Arlington to reduce its speeds limit and I thought it was a done deal But it wasn't until the recent municipal acts there have been several different avenues of relief and What we've done here tonight is We've already accepted in town meetings discussed and adopted in terms of being able to similar to the city of Boston and others lower the speed limit in the jurisdictions that we control But what we're doing and continuing to do right now and we're getting near the end is Just not going willy nilly out Outline in a process we have many many experts mr. Mac students and others in our town manager's office that are working through this so that we sort of roll this out in an effective and Staggered way and I'm sure at future meetings will have future discussions in terms of final steps that we need to take in any analysis benefit Study that's done But I do want to thank the transportation advisory committee with my colleagues who we send so many things to that If we had to pay for it I kind of shudder to think how much this additional cost would be but again the many different Residents we have in Arlington that volunteer for all different committees and commissions So I really thank you and think once again. Thanks tack on our behalf We know we'll see you again soon on a motion by and amended by mr. Curel seconded by mr. Burn any mr. Curel. Yeah, I just want to say just quickly my As coincidence would have it my oldest daughter started her driver's ed classes this week God help me And she came she came home, and I said you know what they just taught you about the 30 mile an hour limit forget about it We're about to change it That's a little light-hearted But I mean we may want to make sure that there is a little bit of outreach to the local driving schools They have a lot of Arlington High School and our own Catholic kids who are signed up through the high school for They had over 40 just this week just make sure they're aware that we're about to change this It's just a thought Could I beg your indulgence mr. Curel that I appoint you to follow up on that with The town manager and the superintendent schools and anyone else whom you deem fit it when appropriate report back to us all I don't mean to pass the buck Okay On a motion by mr. Curel seconded by mr. Burn all those in favor say aye aye those opposed unanimous vote What I'm going to do is I try to dispense and thank you mr. Max, thank you Jeff Spends as much of the business as we could and maintain the board of selectmen agenda But recognizing that you know quite a few of you are here for warrant article hearings Unless and I have discussed this with my colleagues and Gotten their initial approval, but I want to do it officially that agenda items 1516 and 17 I believe those are really what I would call in-house agenda items that the board and the town manager office and department heads That I'll put those on the table for now so we can get into the warrant article hearings Everybody is welcome to stay to the very end and when we get back to those you're welcome to stay I just know that a lot of you are here and giving up your time and and good thoughts For the warrant article hearings, so I'd like to get to that I'd also sort of what I want to do is just outline a very brief process call on each of my colleagues for any initial comments But then get to the comments from pros cons or just people who have comments or questions They'd like to put on the table that we can answer if we can't answer tonight with a Quick concise truthful answer We will be keeping track of the questions and the board of selectmen's office along with the town manager's office We'll compile all those questions put put them in some form Get get the correct answer or answers to those questions and at the next selectmen's meeting will announce You know the results of that and the proper formats in which we'll be distributing The answers to those questions. I do want to say that we may not go that late But if we're still in the business at around 11 o'clock We'll have to adjourn and if we don't get to any other warrant articles I apologize to those here for that. I'll have to reschedule them to another meeting because of the What I anticipate the amount of speakers who may want to speak We'll do as we've done in selectmen's meetings before first of all Respectful remarks as we we have always done three-minute limit We're not going to get into any sort of debate or anything Feel free to ask questions if you don't get your answer tonight It's because it's not a simple yes. No, but we will get the answers to those questions and Before I call on the vice chair. Mr. Dunn just to sort of outline the process At our last meeting at the end of January. I had put forth and proposed to my colleagues with their approval that the board of selectmen insert this warrant article as a resolution as result of what I and others have been hearing from a great many Constituent citizens and others here in Arlington Concerning Arlington as a community and I just want to say that for myself personally I'm just trying to do a good thing for good people Now I'm trying to do a good thing for all good people I'm not trying to create any laws that allows bad people here in Arlington to Be allowed to do unlawful acts I'm for myself personally, and I know I've heard from my colleagues in various forums it's basically just embracing and Making a statement Pretty much what we're already doing our police chief at our January meeting has already said in practice We're already doing what we're requesting and put forth putting forth for four town meeting for The sanctuary town status. I believe the state house today took a vote to call it the safer communities act But we have we are bound by what we put in the warrant. We can't change any wording We can certainly add comments, but I really want to stress that this is just for Arlington for our great community for all of our good people and Please when you know you come up if you hear something My colleagues have had to put up up with me since 1999 and sometimes I say things and I'm sure they'd rather Give me the raspberry or give me a little hiss or something, but they don't And I do appreciate that and I say that in light, but I also say that you know Maybe initially when I first got on so I would just ask you all as you have done in the past to Recognize that and we'll all just act accordingly. I do have a list. I'm gonna keep track of the list. I do have Once we get to the speakers, I'm gonna ask you to line up behind the microphone, although we are co-sponsoring With the Human Rights Commission a warrant article as well as they had a public information hearing yesterday And then I do want to call on the town moderator and then we'll just get to everybody and I'll make sure as you say Your name I'll check off if you're on the list if you're not on the list feel free to get up But first I'd like to turn over to Excuse me the vice chair mr. Dunn. Yeah, thank you Mrs. Mon I've two points two things I want to say first just a little bit for many people this is your first town meeting here hearing and The way the process works is as Mrs. Mohan said we've got a warrant article We've got a warrant the warrant lists everything that's going to be discussed at town meeting and then for many of the articles The board of Selectman gets to choose what the first main motion is on that article And so tonight's hearing is about that is about what the Selectman should recommend to town meeting so either I can't imagine will actually take a final vote tonight We'll take we may take some vote tonight about direction But the actual final language that we recommend to town meeting will be voted at a future meeting And then when it comes to town meeting town meeting will start with the words that we put in front of them town meeting However can make any amendments they can remove it they can change it They can town meeting is the ones who actually make the final decision So our hearing tonight is about what the first motion is going to be it's about the first draft And so I just wanted to give a little bit of that context The second thing I wanted to say and I'm gonna read from notes You'll have to forgive me is that I wanted to talk for a minute about the tone of this debate and what it means for the town going forward I've had dozens of conversations with residents about this resolution And there's a wide range of opinion about whether we should move forward with this resolution or not and even resolution Supporters differ on the details what should be in this the language Tonight we're going to hear a lot of people talk and we aren't going to agree with everyone And what I encourage you all to remember is that we're neighbors We are all neighbors here tonight. We will be neighbors when we wake up tomorrow morning We will be neighbors going forward in the months and years ahead I need you all to remember that while you're sitting in your seat and when you're at the microphone We're going to have disagreements tonight, and that's okay We're gonna have passion and that's okay too, but while we're having this debate We must remain retain our civility. We are neighbors We don't boo we don't hiss and we let people have their say even when we strongly disagree We need to remember that after this night, whatever we do or don't do we all need to move forward tomorrow Passion is good, but please don't let it overwhelm your civility. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Don. Mr. Cureau Thank you very much madam chair and Mr. Vice chair I Just want to say thank everyone who has come out tonight. Obviously. There is a lot of passion around around this issue A lot of people came here yesterday as well We had over a hundred people in this hall yesterday as well for a question-and-answer session on the warrant article I want to particularly thank the town manager the town council and Captain Curran of the police department who came out on its Sunday to help you know address some of the Questions that have arisen around around this which I'm sure we'll get into with some of our debate as well as well as the Human Rights Commission, which Organized it and had some representatives of the community who are you know directly feel direct impact by whatever decision We make here this evening and lastly also mr. Thielman. He's a member of our school committee But by day he works for one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in New England and He also lent his his name as well So I think yesterday was a time for questions and answers You know quite back a lot of back-and-forth at the information session This evening is just to hear the public testimony from the community pro con or are in between And I look forward to hearing from all of you. Thank you. Mr. Greeley. Yeah, thank you madam chair And thank you all for your passion and being here with us this evening The only thing I would like to say is madam chair is can we have our town council at some point? I believe there's a lot of misunderstanding About what what this means to be a sanctuary city. Were you going to call on him? Oh, I'm sorry Thank you for that suggestion. Thank you Mr. Burn, you know Again, thank you. I am very grateful that everyone is here tonight and I'm looking forward to the discussion I know that in my several years on this board. I've never seen a turnout like this and that speaks quite a bit to the seriousness that we're Addressing this topic in this discussion and it is something that I'm looking forward to and again. Thank you all Okay, so I have three pre designated speakers before I I'm gonna ask everyone to line up on the microphone as of right now 72 of you have signed up. I Would just Not instruct but if you hear your point has been made one two three times You're welcome to make it a fourth or fifth or sixth time but Just in the business of the board of selectmen warrant article hearings as many you know There are other article hearings behind This item and the remaining four if we don't get to any of them then that's what happens but I just would Make your remarks and if they've already been made please come up and just say that and You know, maybe add a little bit more to that but sometimes if you hear the same point seven eight times over Someone who may actually have a different point that this board needs to consider and approve or consider and and not approve We might not get to it tonight. So with that first At the recommendation of mr. Greeley. Thank you mr. Greeley I hadn't thought of that if I could call on our town council and for people who are tonight first time ever board of select Men meeting even though we're meeting where town meeting does we have our town manager mr. Chapter Lane We have our town council attorney Douglas Heim and then we have our From the board of select men's office. We have to take a later vote on that Mrs. Mary and Sullivan and then the rest of us you can see from our name tags who we are so attorney Heim Thank You madam chair Good evening folks I'm gonna try not to go through everything that I've already articulated in a written memo to the board Which is available to everybody But I just want to highlight a little bit about the posture and scope of the resolution We're actually talking about tonight and some select legal issues that relate to it The scope of the resolution and it's important to highlight that it's a resolution We're not a city so we don't have the ability to pass the types of ordinances that some of our neighbors like Boston and Cambridge have the resolution is oriented towards Encouraging and celebrating existing Arlington Police Department policies, but how they Interact with all residents what information they gather and what information they voluntarily share or don't share with the federal government The purpose as I understand it from the excellent work of the Arlington Human Rights Commission members of this board the town manager and the Arlington Police Department of the resolution is To reflect a certain value with respect to how we treat Potential undocumented immigrants as well as ethnic and religious minorities in Arlington But also to engender trust within all facets of our communities so that victims witnesses and Persons in need of aid feel free to work with town personnel Without fear of deportation or other immigration and customs enforcement related actions There are a lot of pieces of the conversation that I think are important but again, I want to note that the Posture of this is relative to that interaction between Arlington Police Department what information it gathers one information that shares It's not with respect to every executive order that the president has issued with respect to immigration to immigrants and refugees For example, it doesn't contemplate whether or not we should be allowing more or less in terms of refugees from other countries It's really oriented again Around how the Arlington Police Department and certain other town departments and agencies do their jobs What type of information we collect and what type of information we disseminate? There are three major Categories of actions that sanctuary communities generally contemplate and it's maybe valuable to note here That there is no legal definition of a sanctuary town or city or a trust act town or city The term trust act is borrowed in part from I what I believe is a common set of Ordinances that have been passed in places like Boston that are very very similar to what we're contemplating as resolution but In terms of the types of things that they contemplate they contemplate one gathering information about someone's immigration status or citizenship as an ordinary course of a police interaction to joining with the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in either developing some sort of registry of undocumented immigrants religious or ethnic minorities or some other vulnerable population or Engaging in some sort of joint operation might that might be referred to as a roundup where APD is joining in ice to identify and take into custody persons who are undocumented residents in the United States and three Certain other aspects of information sharing that might happen when a stop or an arrest is made Again at present Arlington Police Department's voluntary Internal policies did not and did not basically do any of those things. We don't conduct joint operations with ice We don't gather information about Residents citizenship status as an ordinary course of Discharging law enforcement duties and we generally don't proactively share information with ice I don't want to speak out of turn for the police department or go over points in more detail than folks need But again, these are our APD practices and this resolution is consistent with those Existing practices. I know that a lot of people are going to have concerns about what this means for the town And again without trying to steal anybody's thunder or foreclose debate With respect to risks of liability for the town those risks are real, but they're quite low They're low in two regards the low because it's unlikely that the resolution being contemplated by town meeting will result in some sort of determination by the President Or the Trump administration that we're in violation of the executive order is that issue and they're low in the sense that Generally speaking Federal money is tied to specific federal programming so that if we don't cooperate with the federal government on something that they Say that we should be they shouldn't be cutting funds for something unrelated to that in other words community development block grant funds school funds At least ordinarily within the realm of constitutional norms that have existed to date Should not be vulnerable Just because we're not cooperating with Immigrations and Customs enforcement and a final word on that I hope consistent with what the chair and the vice chair have said some of these issues Are going to appeal to certain values that might be described as liberal or conservative Democratic or Republican, but I do want to note within that Specific realm of funding issues. These are really issues of federalism and they have been discussed both in the context of Democratic liberal policies as well as conservative or Republican policies Mention of the groundwork for the legal landscape was laid in terms of Affordable Care Act cases and gun rights cases from a different administration in a different time So I just want folks to understand that again There are risks, but those risks are relatively modest and unless anybody from the board has any further specific questions or comments they'd like me to address I will Be quiet now and let the folks who want to speak Share their thoughts with us. Thank you Thank You attorney. Hi Okay What I'm going to do in an effort to get to every speaker If you want to do what we do in the labor union member 22 22 maybe just do one clap Because I'm trying to add 72 speakers. You don't all have to take three minutes each, but So if you really need to clap, let's just do it once and then we can just keep moving I'd like to Before we get to a representative from the Human Rights Commission who is co-sponsoring this warrant article with the board of select men call on our town moderator If you could just identify yourself for the record, sir Evening John Leone town moderator As you are aware resolutions at town meeting do not carry the benefit of a bylaw and are effectively unenforceable votes As has been the practice for the past several years the debates on both articles 59 and 60 I'm going to limit to 10 minutes per side The proponents and opponents will each be provided a total of 10 minutes present their best arguments Then we'll conduct our vote This should not be interpreted as limiting debate Instead the time limit is to preserve town meeting members time to conducting the Time in focus to conducting the actual business of town meeting Our budgets bylaws and zoning bylaws I encourage both sides to organize in advance and prepare the most effective arguments and presentations And I encourage this board to continue to hold additional public meetings so that these issues Can be aired out by the townspeople And to provide an and that you also provide an avenue for both sides to organize So that they can prepare their best meetings. They're both arguments and be concise at town meeting This is so that town meeting can conduct its business without having Hours long presentations as you know, we like to do so any questions Thank you I just wanted to let everybody know that in advance so that they're not surprised at town meeting when I go ahead and make this Announcement again. Thank you for the time Thank you and what mr. Leone is outlined is our future process of town meeting. We stopped meeting the last Monday in April Only town meeting members can actually be sitting where you all are now So if you want to come down to the meeting you're more than welcome to attend you can't be on the floor Of town meeting you can sit up in the balcony if you want to speak you can contact any town meeting member All the members of the board of select minute town meeting members so you can contact from your precinct And you can be introduced onto the floor But the town moderator has outlined the process that when we get to that warrant article a town meeting sometime in May The ten minutes each side so And if there's a third side, but I it's either yay or nay so So with that I'd like to first Our co-sponsor the is the Human Rights Commission to article 59 if I could call on Mel Goldsipe Just name address and or Commission for the rocket Mel Goldsipe, I'm in precinct 20 in the Heights, and I am the Arlington Human Rights Commission co-chair First of all, thank you for voting unanimously to co-sponsor this warrant article with the Human Rights Commission I want to remind everybody that Arlington's by-law states. We value the diversity of our population Our town's mix of ethnic religious and cultural backgrounds as well as economic and personal circumstances Enriches us all we will be known for the warm welcome and respect we extend to all and I hope your vote today We'll reaffirm this pledge At yesterday's info session Captain Curran said that when there's real trust in a community It's impossible to separate the police from the people Many places across the country There's a chasm between the police forces and those they swear to protect and serve and we must continue to prevent that from happening here This trust act and the Massachusetts State Communities Act Which is co-sponsored by Senator Donnelly and representatives Garberley and Rogers Affirm that we need to choose solidarity over division The trust act says everyone should be able to feel safe fully participating in town life It says that we support sound community policing practices That we won't conduct data collection activities that violate people's religious freedom And that we won't detain people without a criminal warrant because it's wrong and it would leave us open to fourth amendment lawsuits People should feel safe seeking medical care or assisting the police Whether they're from a family that helps build Arlington or if they came to this country and this town more recently Bringing with them new businesses new ideas and new energy No one should live in fear just because of where they were born Immigrants have tenacity ingenuity and most of all hope that the hard work That they exhibit can build a future for their families here just like generations of immigrants before them This spirit is essential to Arlington At the last town meeting we added gender identity to our non-discrimination by-law Arlington was one of the towns and cities to show state lawmakers that momentum was building In support of the state equal access bill a few months after hours passed The vote succeeded in the state and Governor Baker signed it into law But without towns like ours the bill wouldn't have even made it to a vote Likewise new sanctuary and trust act towns make passing the Massachusetts State Communities Act more likely So let's make Arlington a leader for positive a change again this year Let's reject fear and vote for trust Thank you next I would ask people to Start to line up at the microphone and give your name and address for the record you have up to three minutes. Thank you Elizabeth Huykler 32 Coolidge Road. Thank you, madam chairman and members of the board If you want to have conversations, please step outside because it's really hard to disseminate the background Talk in the chatter and I'm gonna restart your time So definitely have the conversations, but take them out to the hallways if you could start again. I apologize Elizabeth Huykler 32 Coolidge Road Thank you, madam chairman and members of the board I appreciate the opportunity to tell you why I support the sanctuary or trust community resolution It draws a clear line between the roles of federal immigration enforcement agency and our local law enforcement and Supports our community policing approach Our community is safer when everyone knows they can trust the police and they're not afraid to report a crime or come forward with Information that can help the police simply because of their immigration status I think it's important to clear up the misconceptions. This resolution does not facilitate or encourage disregard for the law Following the policy also protects our town from potential liability For violating the constitutional rights of someone who is held for no reason other than are crest from ice There are numerous cases across the US where people are successfully suing local police agencies When their rights were violated while they were held on detainers We're fortunate to be served by a highly professional police department here in Arlington This resolution confirms our support for their focus on our urgent local policing priorities. Thank you For the record, please Irving Kersh 144 Medford Street My mother was came to this country as an undocumented immigrant and I'm very thankful that the her being welcomed here allowed me to exist Outside before this meeting I saw a young man who was very pleased to see taking a role in political activities and he had a sign that said We are a nation of law Why should we obey some laws and not others? Well? I don't see anything in the resolution that advocates disobeying any law at all So it's really not pertinent pertinent to that, but I think it deserves an answer There are some have been in this country and others laws and states which deserved to be disobeyed examples would be Laws barring non-white children from going to certain schools Laws barring white and non-white individuals forget from getting married Laws forbidding the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution These and other laws have been changed and they've been changed by individuals disobeying them and bringing them to court so sometimes laws can be disobeyed one very last thing and that is The spirit that I see in our board of selectmen that I see in many of the people outside and in this room And that I think is fundamental the first few of these words I'm sure you will all recognize maybe not some of the latter ones They're short, but there's what are inscribed on the statue of Liberty that immigrants see or used to see When they came by boat years ago into this country give me you're tired Your poor your huddled masses yearning to breathe free the wretched refuse of your teeming shore Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp Beside the golden door Thank you And next name and address for the record stranger hard act to follow Brooks Harrelson 27 Ashland Street first. I madam chairman members of the board I want to thank you and applaud the vote you took at your last meeting As I read all of the media around this issue in Arlington It comes down to three issues for me one is whether or not we would be ignoring criminality I think that's been dispensed with the second is loss of funding and our town council has ably spoken to that and I think that it is perhaps even less a risk than he mentions And the third one is whether or not this would make us less safe a community Which I don't see has been addressed yet, but there is a recent study I want to refer to out of the University of California at San Diego by professor Wong that shows the sanctuary town's makes a Significantly safer community out of over 2,000 communities. He surveyed over 600 of which were Sanctuary cities in the small communities 35 fewer criminal incidents per 10,000 residents in the small communities 65 per 10,000 residents fewer criminal Events in the larger communities. These are reported in the Washington Post in the last couple of days so I believe that there is adequate evidence that the sanctuary town Designations have in fact created safer communities principally for the reason of increased trust and Reporting it's these are also actions that are supported by the major city chiefs of police and the International Association of the chiefs of Police that says that local police should not be involved in immigration activities Because it makes their community safer when they are not. Thank you David Haller and 114 Pleasant Street Thank you for your service and thank you for a very well-run meeting Now is the time to do the right thing now is an especially important time and I believe that This warrant will make Arlington a safer place where citizens can live in an atmosphere of acceptance and Neighborly neighborliness not of fear. Thank you My name is Lynette Martin 18 Eustis Street I'd like to thank members of the board for voting to bring this warrant forward I'm here to disagree with one of my fellow Arlington residents who was quoted in the globe recently She stated as a mother of two young children. I am extremely concerned about the message This decision would be sending we do not get to pick the laws. We want to obey As a mother of two young children myself I believe what makes America great is our freedom to challenge laws that do not serve the greater society on The contrary I think the message we send to our children by challenging harsh Deportation laws is important is an important one I want my children to learn to stand up and support the marginalized to recognize their own privilege and to be active in fighting for new laws When current standards prove biased or unfair There are no good paths to citizenship for individuals to find as unskilled laborers The immigrants that make sure our produce shelves are full at the grocery stores The immigrants that cook and serve the food at the restaurants. We like to frequent Currently have no good paths to citizenship Until new laws are created to address the needs of these immigrants to address this clear need in our economy We must continue to resist what makes Arlington great is our ability to recognize this Injustice to organize and to find the strength to stand up to a federal administration that is running on policies of fear and bullying As I teach my children that sometimes Conscience requires breaking and unjust law I would like to remind opponents that in this case we are lucky and that no law breaking is required for us to stand up for What's right? There is nothing in the resolution that would prevent immigration and customs enforcement from enforcing federal laws We will not be standing in their way or stopping them from doing their work We are instead advocating for our towns resort for our own towns resources and Personnel and refusing to do their job for them The federal government cannot force our police officers into putting aside their local work to do another agency's work instead Enclosing what makes Arlington great is the outrage that these new immigration policies that this xenophobic Rhetoric has evoked in our community What makes Arlington great is our eagerness to stand beside all our neighbors Regardless of status and say we have your back Thank you Fred McKenna 6th Gray Street Number World War two veteran served from 1942 to 46. I mentioned that only because it's Was that on behalf of the town? Thank you for your service. I Mentioned that only because it's pertinent to my statement I was having coffee with a friend up here in the restaurant on mass I have a new couple of weeks ago and a gentleman passed me and he saw my sign Which carries a world war two pen and he thanked me for the service then he stopped and turned around and said Would you hope would you under the certain certain circumstances would you re-enlist again? If I think for the first time in my life I hesitated I Said this is not the country that I signed up for Way back when I was 17 years old In the recent election we saw a major candidate say make the statement the long-held religious beliefs shall have to be changed and basically that the government should have the guts to enforce that we love one of the things that when I went in was That we were a country of freedoms. We were a country of laws and nobody was above the laws I Remember when the road versus weights was first passed people mentioned that this was for you starting to slip your slope once you devalue the value of life. I Think that has come the these multiple mass killings that have gone on in our country for the last few years Support that statement We don't value life anymore. I'm afraid that with this Sanctuary program we're seeing the same slippery slope We know certain cities known for that kind of stuff have been We're the first to set this up now. We're seeing it get down To the smaller towns in the smaller countries. I'm the smaller counties. I'm sorry Friday in Connecticut they had to issue an amber alert Gentlemen I use the word it wisely someone killed his wife and took his six-year-old daughters and was running away with He was none He was an illegal immigrant who had been deported once before Fortunately they caught him up with him the child was kicked This is a Recurring story. We know the one up in San Francisco. They got so much publicity Gentleman had been deported several times always came back and took advantage of the Sanctuary cities of San Francisco and so forth and ended up killing horribly killing a woman 20 30 seconds you're a little over three minutes, but if you want to make your final remarks so I'm asking what messages are we sending to our children? If the government is gonna say we're not gonna obey the law if anyone can start saying when we're gonna not We were a country of freedoms and we were a country of laws and we should keep it that way Thank you. Thank you for coming up from 28 Chandler Street And I want to quote an important figure from literature Albus Dumbledore Both quotes are words. He said to Harry Potter in the book Books about the epic struggle between our beloved heroes and Lord Voldemort The first one is it is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities and the second Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between What is easy and what is right? Tonight here in Arlington We have a responsibility as a community to stand for what is right I can't imagine we would wish to be a community that turned people over to be deported or Imprisoned we know the history of the Nazi holocaust what happened to my people And I think one of our deepest most sacred honor duties is to stand in the way of anything That reinvigorates a gestapo Right here and right now we need to stand for what is morally right and choose to be a sanctuary town It is better to relinquish money if need be then destroy the essence of our humanity Thank you Christine French precinct 1375 Winchester Road I just want to voice my opposition to the sanctuary status as a lifelong resident of Arlington I believe that our declaration of a sanctuary status would be detrimental to a town That's already overtaxed and financially stressed However low you think this risk is there is a risk that this action would potentially place us in conflict with federal law Putting Arlington at a risk of losing a portion of if not all of the approximately five million dollars it receives an annual federal funds Our school department faces more than $800,000 in deficit. We have an overcrowded middle school. We have a high school that's in desperate need of renovations My kids are in modular schools up at the Stratton They're going to be in modular schools probably at the audison and probably again at the high school Our roads are in tough shape. We need federal funds for a lot of stuff They shouldn't be affected isn't good enough for me That doesn't mean that they won't be affected that they shouldn't be affected I agree that they shouldn't be affected But we cannot afford to take this risk the town of Arlington is in enough trouble We can't afford to risk any federal funding We don't have the commercial or industrial or institutional tax base that can withstand a potential reduction in federal money There is no guarantee that we won't will not lose any federal funds It's naive to assume that this risk is as low as you say it is Clearly we are a very diverse community Arlington has always been and will continue to be an inclusive community Why do we need to break federal law and risk federal funds in order to label ourselves a sanctuary city? When in fact we already police the town as such For me, this is not a political issue It's a legal issue and more importantly a financial issue The idea of helping people and being an inclusive community and supporting immigrants is really very noble But not when it comes at the expense of breaking federal law and I beg you Please do not break federal law in my name. I have two questions What is the plan for offsetting the loss of federal funds if it happens and Two is this going to be a ballot question on a local election so that residents can vote on it? Thank you. Thank you Next please Orchard terrace I think it's PC seven to get closer to the microphone. Sorry. I'm David treznor curse. I live a orchard terrace I'm here to speak in support of the resolution I thank the board and madam chairman for the work preparing this compassionate resolution And I think the chief of police and in the Ellington police department for their ongoing policies that are in line with this resolution I just asked the board and everyone here to Consider the circumstances that many would have to find themselves in to be willing to leave behind everything They know a community that speaks their language Way ways that they they know of getting their their food To come to a new place and risk breaking another country's law When when that tenuous Existence is the safer choice for them Imagine imagine how dire the circumstances that they left behind were and I would say that any law that Prevents somebody from leaving those circumstances is an unjust law And we should not ask the Ellington police to squander resources or squander community trust Unenforcing a federal vendetta From billionaire politicians who who want to go after these vulnerable people who have not broken Ellington laws who have not broken Massachusetts laws So for for these reasons I again commend the the committee I hope the town meeting will vote similarly and I'll just conclude in In saying that I hope that our children will look back on 2017 with the words First they came for the immigrants and we said hell no Okay next My name is Anna van someren and I'm at 78 Gloucester Street And I'm speaking in support of the trust act I just wanted to say It's important to remember that we weren't born into these lives that we lead in Ellington and in the first world Because we deserve it or because there is something better or special about us Any one of us could have been born into or could find ourselves in an insecure or violent situation From our position of relative wealth and comfort we should show respect kindness and hospitality to everyone as Has been discussed the trust act affirms the Ellington police department's existing philosophy and policies So some might say there's no reason for the trust act I disagree I support it because President Trump has created a culture of hate and fear and this sends a message of love I Attended yesterday's information session and was moved to tears several times Hearing from Ellington residents a long time Ellington residents who came to this country escaping war and violence I'm so proud that the Ellington police department and the board of select men support the trust act. Thank you Thank you. I'm Deborah Goldsmith 21 Devereux Street I am a clinician in town and I want to speak From that perspective. I have an eight-year-old and a 12-year-old in my practice My own kid is bigger than that Both of whom are frightened Not for themselves. They're citizens their parents are citizens. They're frightened for their classmates. They're terrified because they have diverse Companions some of whom are particularly are Latino and They're terrified because those other children are terrified if not for themselves for their parents for their uncles for their grandparents. I Look forward to our being able to pass Not only this resolution but to have in every school and hopefully every doctor's office and the library and everywhere else Documents that can reassure our children and their parents That they are as safe as they can possibly be in this town And I do appreciate very much what you're doing and the session yesterday was very helpful and particularly hearing some of the details from our community police about how They will even take someone into protective custody Just because someone encounters a policeman even in an untoward situation Does not mean that they're suddenly marked in this town as criminals who have to leave We are a town of generosity and caring and that's what we provide in our churches in our schools in our homes Our synagogues our mosques for our children Please we need to make it substantial. We need to make it real We need to be able to point to a sign on the wall. It says remember in this town. You are safe Thank you for what you're doing Hi, my name is Jordan Weinstein 23 Len road in Arlington precinct 21 We seem to be in a in a an era that has rejected science and rejected data and Where it seems to be fine and perfectly good to make decisions based on fear and conjecture and I Understand many of the criticisms that some of our our own residents have raised. I've spoken to many in my neighborhood The the fear of losing money millions of dollars in finances and having to perhaps raise taxes, but that The data has been presented That it's a low risk and that the money Isn't even likely to be targeted because it's not connected to Homeland security issues or policing issues The other issue that's been raised is one of fear for public safety And we've already heard from or at least yesterday. We heard from the police department of representatives that in fact This bill which or this resolution which only Supports and kind of codifies what the police are doing anyway Would simply encourage people who may be undocumented to report crime To intervene in a criminal act to be able to go to police So I just asked those that are opposed to it to take a look at the data and the evidence and To question in their own hearts whether their objections based on finance or their objections based on public safety are not really Simply Objections that are based in some other kind of bias Thank you, Rachel. Hi 251 Gray Street precinct 14 I'm speaking in support of the resolution and I thank the Selectment for putting it forward It's unreasonable to expect municipal police departments to carry out the business of a federal immigration agency Particularly when that agency is directed to detain people who have not committed crime That's not an appropriate function for a community oriented police department and it is liable to erode trust Declaring ourselves a sanctuary community will build trust It sends a message of trust to our police department Indicating that we appreciate and support current practices with regard to immigration It also sends a message to immigrants who may be fearful especially but not only those who are undocumented that they can trust law enforcement officers in Arlington and Can safely appeal for help and protection report crime or step forward as witnesses like any citizen I believe this designation will make the community stronger. Thank you Pascal Richelette 114 Pleasant Street. I simply want to thank Nice and close to the microphone like this. Sorry. Should I repeat my name? Yes, please Pascal Richelette 114 Pleasant Street I'm simply here to thank you from the bottom of my heart to do what you're doing Supporting the trust act and just want to thank you. You're welcome. Thank you for coming out Adam McNeil 19 Melrose Street Hello, and thank you for giving this opportunity to speak Thanks glue the majority of this speech that I wrote out. I don't think is Especially new so I'm going to skip a lot of it. I'm really actually glad to be able to do that There is one point I'd like to respond to that I heard and I saw in a letter in the paper before that we should not make this a moral issue that it was merely or Clearly an economic issue and I think that misses a big port and that all the politics is inherently moral It's how we legislate what our values are how much they how much we value those values and what we do in certain values contradict Some values say we might lose Theoretically if it's unlikely, but we might use some education funding for example, how do we value that versus? some the right to a freedom from fear of deportation or harassment or or even for legal immigrants and native born citizens fear from suspicion of being something I Mean I'm I'm American citizen. I was born in Connecticut, but and you might guess that from looking at me I have blue eyes and white skin, but that's not necessarily true. I could have very easily come overseas I want to talk to what if I got a student visa and just overstayed my welcome. It's a very common Thing to happen on it's it's a wonderful wonderful thing to say I'd sacrifice anything for my children It's laudable. I I don't have any children. I would do it for my younger sister But I think it's it's a little different to say to look to somebody else somebody who hasn't done anything wrong to you and say I'd sacrifice you for that same thing It's that's it's an understandable. It's an understandable opinion to do that But that is most certainly a moral question not an economic one Thank you Hi, my name is Elizabeth Dre. I'm at 130 Jason Street And I'd like to thank you for your co-sponsoring of this resolution I speak to you not only as a citizen but also as a 12-year volunteer with the Arlington Teosinte sister city project and seven years as its director and in that capacity I've got I've had the privilege to speak to speak and to hear real-life stories About what life is like in El Salvador and what are the reasons that people are coming here the gang violence the kidnapings the murders makes Education impossible it makes work impossible. It makes daily life impossible People are trapped in their houses and they have no choice But to leave and if they can't leave as a family they send their children Can you imagine? sending Your 12 year old your 10 year old a Way like that You don't do that if you have a choice That reminds me of a poem called home By worse worse in Shire, and I recommend that you read the entire thing, but the first line No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark You only run for the border when you see the whole city running as well Closer to home. I've had the privilege of being in our schools The Arlington Teosinte sister city project has had curriculum in the public schools in second grade fourth grade and through middle school and the high school since 2009 and I have stood in front of dozens of classrooms hundreds of students and spoken to them about the value of this Incredible relationship. We have with our sister city and how proud we should be of that 29 year old friendship And it comes up how on earth that Arlington become friends get connected with with Teosinte and I'm able to talk about How 29 years ago a group of Arlington citizens understood that our government Was doing something immoral in our name in El Salvador a small insignificant country so far away and Instead of looking away and saying well, that doesn't affect me. That's too hard That's too risky They they stood up and they made a change and They understood that they had a moral responsibility To stand up for someone whose voices were silenced or ignored and with that action 29 years ago They saved lives they literally saved lives and they have forever connected our towns and I talked to our Students about social justice and I talked to them about the responsibility that they have With the privilege that they have to help others along and I am So proud to say that a group of Arlingtonians people just like them or their parents Saw something wrong and took a moral stand and changed lives forever both there and here in Arlington Okay, three and a half I wonder what we'll say to them if we don't stand up at this moment if we in five years in ten years Will we say that we followed our moral compass even though it was hard Expensive risky, or will we say that we were afraid and in that fear? We let them take away their friends their classmates their neighbors Our workers our residents and sent them back to the mouth of the shark Good evening. My name is Eli Gerzon. I live at 76 Bartlett Avenue and and So my family first moved to Arlington in 1991. I was in first grade and I Come from a pretty large family and we did not have very much money and sometimes we relied on government funded programs So by adopting a sanctuary city, there's a small chance we will lose that funding that type of funding But even if there is a small chance I refuse to choose between taking care of young people poor people the elderly or Immigrants if they try to take away federal funding, we must fight it We cannot fall for the threats and bullying of a racist fascist president Trump Everyone have the three minutes you just took about 24 seconds You can keep sharing And my family knows something about fascists because my grandfather and my grandmother left the Netherlands after Hitler taking it over And I think it's also important to remember that Anne Frank tried Another Dutch Jew tried to come to the US tried to come specifically to Boston and was not able to come Because of our immigration laws and because of fear and we cannot fall for that same kind of fear. Thank you My name is Eric loss. I'm at 279 Appleton Like the gentleman before me my family knows something about fascism my dad Fought in World War two. He was an immigrant and a vet He came to this country couldn't speak the language didn't know his way around had no family here He assimilated into American society pretty quickly as a result of that He made me read the Constitution as a 12-year-old not a lot of fun for a little kid We're a nation of laws and we are a nation of rules and We are Right now as I read the the language The sanctuary city status doesn't change operationally anything that APD is doing APD is doing Essentially in compliance with what they're supposed to do in terms of coordinating with ICE The language in that I see here does not affect that What it does is put us at risk for losing funding which as other folks have pointed out Is really essential to our schools and to serving citizens that are here right now now It's been also pointed out that that risk of loss is low Okay, but it's a risk nonetheless and another thing. I don't see in here is Any discussion about how we will replace it? So what does that mean? It means either raising taxes or curtailing services or both in the event that we lose the funding granted all that takes time The judicial system works slowly that sort of thing and point of fact We're not dealing with a rational actor in the current administration. That's been pointed out as well so in the event that we lose funding what we're talking about then is providing really an Uncertain benefit for an unknown number of people at some unclear point in the future Who weren't here legally? With no operational impact or immediate benefit to the town I Get the humanitarian interest at work But I think that for a broader number of people to support this We need to see some discussion and specific plan for replacing the funding because if we think that Trump won't Punitively try to take this away from us. We're kidding ourselves. Thank you. I Just want to say I'm gonna call in the next speaker and then I'm just gonna take a quick five minute break So I'm just gonna ask everyone after this gentleman speaks If you don't want to remain standing sit, but we're gonna do the honor system in terms of what the order is Sir the floor is yours. My name is John Bass. I live in Old County Road in Allenton Excuse me I've Born in Allenton and my great-grandparents came here from Italy in the 1890s My wife came here in 1962. I met her in the military where I served 26 years I'm also a retired Allenton police officer Numbers are very easy to play with as anybody that attended college economics You can play with crime facts And I'm afraid that we're gonna have problems in this town if we just open up the gates I just have seen so many changes and I know It's I'd like to have people think a little bit about the elderly in this town and Instead of doing for everybody else. Let's take care of our own people first That's all I have to say. Thank you, sir Okay, and we'll take a very brief break break beat back in the next five ten minutes Okay, is everyone ready? Okay next speaker name and address for the record, please Hi, my name is Susan born of 18 school Street precinct 14 I I'm in I'm very much in favor of this resolution. I think that it enhances Arlington residents freedom from fear on multiple levels we have an excellent police department and I totally applaud their community policing efforts and Everyone in town should feel as safe speaking to the police as I do and I also think that this enhances People's safety and that it keeps abusers in domestic situations and it keeps other criminals from using People victims or witnesses immigration status against them as a weapon that if they go to the police they'll find themselves thrown out and Also, I know that there's a very slim chance that we would lose any federal funding over this but I think that that's a big part of our town's freedom from fear too because if we obey unjust rules that are put forth by the president because there's a very slim chance that we could lose funding then I Don't know. I don't know what sorts of things will wind up having to agree to over the next few months in the next four years Lawrence and Chelsea have already mounted lawsuits against the executive order saying that funding can't be restricted that broadly and I Hope the I hope that they'll succeed because this is a terrible tactic and Thank you every thank you all for advancing this resolution Thank you Hi, my name is Dana Highland. I live at 63 farm street I'm probably one of the many people that you receive letters from I was one of them and I just I really appreciate what everyone's been saying tonight like on both sides. I Wondering and a lot of what different people have said. I've already shared in my letter But one thing I'm wondering Because it kind of sounds like the decision's already been made by you all and that it seems like it might already be made but I'm just wondering if there's any kind of compromise where Could we call it something a little different The word sanctuary is so it's so charged right now and I'm just wondering if you know if we believe in this so much and We want to do this that calling it something else that would take us away or out of the Risk of losing anything I think that might be something to consider Because you know, I think both sides have valid Concerns and I think it is important to remember that we're basically talking about criminal illegal aliens We're not talking about regular Immigrants I should say illegal immigrants So if people have committed crimes, it's really important that those people and They're illegal that they be Handled under the law and if it's already happening by the police It seems redundant So I just asked you to consider is there any kind of a compromise changing the name a little bit so that we're not in the line of fire Because I think it is a concern financially and I guess it just It's hard when there's this kind of dialogue It it's put in the place of like one side is the heart felt and the people with the heart And then the other side are the people who you know don't have heart or they don't care And I just I don't think that's a valid argument I don't feel it's a fair conversation to have it in that way because I think people have hearts on both sides And people care about people here So and I care about the community too and and immigrants, so Thank you. Thank you. I just want to say to that I don't know if somebody can articulate it better for me than I can This is in no way adopting endorsing that any immigrant legal or illegal is allowed to Commit criminal acts and not be prosecuted and not I'm probably not going to say this Appropriately is there someone just very briefly that could speak to that attorney Heim because I apologize if in my Interpretation and relaying it to members of the Arlington community That is not what we're going to do and I believe when the police Made their initial presentation They cited that we did have a very dangerous criminal and that person was prosecuted But attorney Heim if you could help me out here and say it more succinctly than I am Thank you, madam chair, and I know there's a lot of folks waiting So I'll be brief just to be clear an ice detainer does not necessarily Indicate whether or not someone is a convicted felon whether they've been charged with a specific criminal act other than And this is subject to a lot of debate Entering or remaining in the country without some other permission. So the ice detainers don't necessarily tell us much about somebody That for example, they have that would be different a warrant is a different matter when we send information to National databases what we're getting is Hopefully any indication whether there's outstanding warrants someone's been arrested arrested in some of their state and charged with some other crime But the ice detainer doesn't necessarily tell us anything about that It's a civil request to hold somebody on the suspicion that they might be here in the country Without permission and the word illegal, you know, it's difficult because it's using a slightly different context It's not the it's not evidence sufficient to establish criminal activity that has to still be litigated So if that answers your question madam chair, no, definitely not. I just wanted to clarify that in the past four or five years there was Individual who committed criminal activity and we did follow all proper procedures to make sure that that individual was prosecuted in every way possible So as I said from the beginning, this is just to protect good people in the town of allington It's not to protect any bad people and allow them to break any criminal laws Whether you regard them as violent or nonviolent. So I apologize if I didn't say that as succinctly as I could name address or position My name is Laura rotolo. I'm here tonight representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts We're at 211 Congress Street in Boston And I just want to very briefly commend the Arlington residents and the select men and the human rights Commission for taking up this very important Resolution and I want to add to the really amazing statements that have been said tonight that as Arlington you you're not alone Over 400 cities towns counties around the countries have passed similar policies None of them have lost their funding in Massachusetts. We have eight cities now that have passed similar policies. Those are Boston Somerville Cambridge Lawrence Amherst Northampton Holyoke and most recently Newton And as one Arlington resident already mentioned the cities of Chelsea and Lawrence have already brought a Sort of preemptive lawsuit about the loss of funding because they really do receive a lot of funding That affects really the most vulnerable among them in that those cities So it's a real issue for them But I just want to reiterate that there is broad consensus among us in the legal community that Denying that kind of funding as retaliation for doing something that the town of Arlington and all these other cities are within their rights to do Would be unconstitutional. It would be illegal and unconstitutional coercion And you will certainly be supported in any litigation any fight that might come up Whether it be the ACLU or the Lawyers Committee or any other of our groups within the legal community We believe that that is unconstitutional and the Trump administration will certainly have a fight on its hands So, thank you very much for your time and we just want to show our support to the town of Arlington for taking this on Hi, I'm Jean FitzMars 231 Mass Ave East Arlington Thank you I'm going to talk about the legal aspect and I appreciate your information Doug Mr. Heim as an attorney From what I understand Under the recent Supreme Court ruling about five years ago, Arizona versus Napolitano remember there was some laws that were passed in Arizona by Governor Jan Brewer and the Obama administration took it up to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court held that the federal government has plenary power over immigration and enforcement now Maybe five years ago. It's a little bit, you know memory-wise, but remember Arizona as a border state they were trying to say hey, you know, we you know, we have this Problem with people criminals coming over the border and all these things and so they passed a few laws and Some of those laws got struck down by the Supreme Court case. I believe it was 2011 Arizona versus Napolitano So why it affects this here is if if if that's a state You know, and that's precedent. That's a state Arlington is a town and even if you saying that As the person previously said there's a few Communities that are saying sanctuary which there is no legal definition as Mr. Heim said there's no legal definition All these different towns and places around the country. They're slightly different but under the Constitution The the Congress makes laws about immigration and naturalization naturalization So we had an amnesty That was done in 1986 Under and Reagan signed it and the Congress did that So what I what I urge is I know everybody's emotions are raw and I know that 60 percent of the voters in Massachusetts voted for Clinton and probably 90 percent in Arlington but What we need to what if if if we want to change immigration or enforcement the ice Policies what we need to do is we need to get on the phone with Catherine Clark Why isn't she here the Congress people we need to senator Markey? We're senator Warren Why didn't she immediately say we're going to pass a dream act? Even that easy step we're going to amnesty all people who under the DACA provision Why aren't you on the phone? Why isn't Charlie Baker? He was talking to Trump at the ball last night Where is Charlie Baker? You guys have to be on the phone So we can pass whatever you know resolution You know I'm saying and you said that it's not going to change the policy But we're against the Constitution and against Supreme Court precedent if we pass this Resolution saying it's a sense of our local government Thank you Thank you so much Hello, it's James Butler at 42 Grafton Street And thank you very much for allowing me to address you tonight. Thank you to the other speakers I think many things have been said tonight that I supported and I want to say my family and I We support what Arlington is trying to do here And we'd also like to celebrate the current policies of the Arlington Police Department in supporting strong communities by Allowing us to celebrate inclusiveness as well as welcoming everyone regardless of their their situation Because many things have been said I think one of things I'd like to focus on kind of stepping back to the previous comment on Arizona we're not a country that asks people papers, please and The opposite of supporting our our current policy is to start asking for papers, please and for myself I I don't I'm not concerned. I I Recognize the privilege that I have and I'm I'm not concerned for myself I am concerned for my wife and I'm concerned for my four-month-old son and What's country will be like where we ask those that seek help from the police or or seek help from others? What is your status as the first question they ask as opposed to how can we help you? What do you need? How can you help us and and I as I mentioned I'd like to support and and applaud the work that's done here I? recognize there are other voices and There are other differences, but but we stand strongly in support with you. So thank you I'm Stephen de Pisa 86 high-hate road I'd like to thank all our elected officials present as well as everyone else who came out to be part of this important decision I Moved to Arlington about four and a half years ago And in that time I like to think I've learned a good deal about the place For instance, I know I can head out front door this building pick a direction and start walking and for too long I'll run into some kind of tangible reminder perhaps accompanied by a plaque of those who in generations past defied Then laws of the land to stand up for justice The essence of this issue with which we find ourselves faced is whether we're going to put a price tag in federal dollars on our conscience as a community Whether we will stand up to fear and to resist the callous abuse of authority or else abide silently as accomplices to such I Would therefore urge in the strongest possible terms that we as a town united call President Trump's contemptible bluff Say no to his petty divisive and inhumane tactics by voting to adopt sanctuary status Money and fear are fleeting the decisions of community that define its character are however forever Thank you all for your time and attention Jeff Halperin 48 Edmund road Madam chair members of the board. I want to thank you for Bringing forth this motion Just a couple of comments first that this is Primarily a matter of public safety and public trust in the police For all people whether they are witnesses whether they are victims to to feel safe in in working with the police and I want to address that in particular to people who have addressed concern about The elderly and that we must consider the elderly in this town which which has historically been a great place to be aging gracefully and That we should remember the care providers who work in in in situations like home health aides and remember where those people come from and Remember that that we want those people to feel safe in and working with our police Lastly, I would like to to agree with the speaker who resident who Suggested that even though the town warrant Wording is fixed and there's no way to change it It would be a wonderful thing if this could become called something other than sanctuary town a couple reasons you know When I read here that sanctuary town status does not mean that the services housing or other accommodations are Offered to undocumented integrants because of sanctuary designation We've been here for for several hours and heard and and we've had an opportunity to read this document not everyone will do so and So when in an age of sound bites, you know, if there's any way we could call this safety oriented policing or Something like that that emphasizes that this is a hard-headed and Practical approach that that I think would personally I would advise I want to thank you very much for your time and attention I'm Beth Salzburg from 303 Gray Street, and I appreciate our town police. I appreciate our government I appreciate everyone who's here tonight. You all care a lot about this town I support the resolution and I want to make three quick points One is that this is not just symbolic. This is something that has a real impact right now Something we don't see so much in Arlington But that is quite visible in neighboring communities that have a higher immigrant population is that people are terrified Kids are staying home from school. Parents are staying home from work. People are literally going into hiding So it takes a proactive strong statement to try to counter that and make the point that People who live or work or pass through Arlington actually can turn to the police here and feel safe the second point that I want to make is that There is no legal route for a lot of people who are crossing the border between Mexico and the United States who actually should be protected under US Treaties because they are refugees So for the last couple years the majority of people coming through Mexico have been from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras Which are three of the most dangerous countries in the world that are not in a declared state of war and Many studies have shown that the majority of these folks meet the criteria as refugees But they don't they're not able to get a lawyer. There aren't enough lawyers. These folks have no money Without a lawyer, they're 15 times more likely to be deported and about 90% of them are So you could easily argue that the US is actually not honoring our treaties by giving them a path to establish that They're refugees the third thing I want to say is that scapegoating is incredibly dangerous Right now we have an administration that is telling us that our country is more dangerous because of immigrants That is telling us that our economy is in bad shape and jobs are being taken because of immigrants There is so much documentation that these two things are false as one of the other speakers said Well, the sanctuary communities are safer But even beyond that the rate of crimes Committed by immigrants whether documented or not is lower than that of US-born citizens This is absolutely documented in many places and also Economists have looked at what the impact of mass deportations would be and it's devastating to our economy Already our economy is suffering tourism is suffering Foreign exchange students are deciding not to come to the United States. This is bad for us. I Grew up with the specter of the Holocaust I think we all know what scapegoating can do when a government is saying You're the good guys. These are the bad guys. Just give me the power and I'll take care of it I'll get rid of these bad guys for you and I really do see that happening now So I feel this is incredibly urgent. Thanks very much Thank you My name is Isabella J. I'm address is 130 Jason Street And I'm very proud that Arlington is taking steps for becoming a sanctuary town Arlington needs to pass a resolution to become a sanctuary town to protect all of the students in Arlington public schools My peers and friends need to feel safe and support in Arlington not threatened I have recently begun to work with students from Central America in the high school I go to a class during my free period to translate for them at 16 They should be able to focus on school and learning not feel not fear for their lives The trust acupuncture that they feel welcome and supported here in Arlington We all need to stand by refugees immigrants and people of all religions races and identities to uphold the values of Arlington. Thank you Hi Jennifer Litovsky 76 Oxford Street I stand here as a resident of Arlington a parent of a child at Arlington schools and a taxpayer But not as a citizen. I entered the United States in 2001 I moved here from Canada and over that time I have made friends from all over the country I've lived in fantastic communities and I have trusted colleagues again from all over the country and all over the world And it's only in the last few months that I have honestly felt a chill to the point a chill in expressing myself politically or Speaking out in public to the point that I was hesitant to even come up here and speak in little Arlington to do this And I can only imagine how much worse this is for people who don't have my advantages because I'm hardly the person most at risk here I'm I'm from Canada. I'm white. I don't speak with much of an accent and And I don't have an Arabic name, but I have colleagues who fall under all those categories and I'll tell you they feel it There's I Was really impressed to hear the fellow from the Arlington Police Department at the info session yesterday Describing the Arlington community policing policy. I think it's really admirable. I'm proud of what they do I only started hearing about that and learning about it in the last few weeks There is really of value in taking a public stand and making a public statement That this is what Arlington believes in and this is our policy Because you can't engender this trust and build this community if people don't actually know and that's one of the reasons Why using the actual terminology of a sanctuary community or a trust community matters because people know what it means and can Recognize that this is something that Arlington does and that we know that this community that we've loved so much since moving here a couple of years ago that This community stands up and welcomes or stands up for and welcomes people regardless of where they're from Their immigration status what they look like and what they believe. Thank you very much Aram Holman 12 Whittemore Street Thank you for hearing me. I'm here to speak in favor of this resolution to short points one longer one First the argument about the safety has been made I think the biggest risks to Arlington's public safety are cell phone distracted drivers and Cyclists who think that mass av is their place to ride the Grand Prix when we take care of those problems Let's worry about people who are coming here for their own security and at that point we'll worry about it Some people worry the town has changed. Yes, it has in many ways But frankly we become a gated community and the gate around Arlington is high housing costs and high taxes When we find something to do about that then again, we can worry about a few people who are coming here for security and safety I think the most important point, and I haven't heard it addressed too much is a direct response To the people who say what part of illegal don't you understand? And I think they do deserve a response and I think the response is that When law and justice conflict as they often do Americans have a tendency to choose justice over law and Even in cases where the just justice and law are in accord with each other We tend to choose justice Tempered with mercy, and I think that's what we're trying to do here That's who we are as Americans. That's what defines us and there is plenty of history of Choosing that and also choosing to violate some laws including federal law in pursuit of what is right Over what may be legal and there's lots of history for that Bostonians in 1850 resisted the fugitive slave act and freed slaves who were captured and about to be deported back to the south I went to Oberlin College where there are railroad tracks rising out of the ground at an angle a Symbol of the fact that Oberlin was a terminus point of the underground railroad We're not actively aiding and abetting the smuggling of human beings here. We're just allowing them to live here. That's Much less risky if people could do that and it was the right thing then this is certainly the right thing now and We need we we just need to consider that Ten seconds. I vote. Thank you. I've Again as a matter of balancing federal and local government We do not ask the federal government to police our streets the although we cooperate The federal government should not be asking us to perform a federal immigration function. Thank you very much My name is Jennifer Lachlan. I live at 20 Foster Street Others tonight have spoken of a slippery slope Helping the vulnerable is not a slippery slope Protecting human rights is not a slippery slope. It is fast as fascism that is the slippery slope Many things have occurred nationally in the past five weeks that few people would have anticipated a short time ago The fact that our police are already doing the things that this warrant covers is no guarantee that they will be able to continue doing so We need written policies and resolutions that we can point to in saying that these are the values We hold and so that we can support our law enforcement officers in Continuing to treat all people fairly in Arlington even if our nation takes a different course Thank you And I just want to say before the next speaker starts I think I actually see the end of the line where we can the board will then Make a motion or not make a motion and we will vote on this and then please everybody you're welcome to stay We do have several more four or five six warrant article hearings final warrant article votes And then we still have to get back to the business of the meeting that I took out of turn So I'm gonna assume everyone who wants to speak is in that line and as Sinatra would say now the end is near Name and address for the record, please Kelly Sullivan 23 Belknap Street and I just wanted to say that I stand a hundred percent in support of Making Arlington a sanctuary town and I want to thank all of your work on this and the police department and all the work They've done in the past. I am so proud to be an Arlington resident I'm going to take a little turn on that though for a moment And I'm going to ask or just remind us all of one of the problems that's happening With the division in this country right now and that is that there is a large amount of people who? Feel who may be less educated than the major wonderful majority of Arlington citizens or maybe less fortunate to have as much Money and income and privilege and so as we do this I can understand how some people might fear that we would lose some federal funding because of this issue and so I'm just Hoping or putting up the question that the rest of us as we all speak an Unbelievably eloquent speakers tonight in support of this and I'm so proud of all of you But how can we also? Support our elderly and support our low-income And other people who at the very very small chance that that We would actually lose federal funding How is it that we could commit to them the rest of us and and say we stand by you and we as a town will Will help you in this issue and again as such a small chance with all the courts with everything that's happening But I thought it was a small chance that Trump would win, but Unfortunately, he didn't I'm sorry if that was out of line. Thank you very much for letting me speak Hi, I'm Deborah Mutes 19 Belknap Street in Arlington. I've lived in the town for about 25 years I work in the town. I work with children. We teach our kids and I'm here in support of this Absolutely, we teach our kids to be caring confident and conscientious people And I think that we as adults need to start looking at the similarities we have with others as opposed to Pointing out the differences all the time. So thank you for your help My name is Otto mahiya from to pine reach road in Arlington And I am here used to thank you for considering close like this. Sorry. I'm here used to thank you for the Consider an island to be a sanctuary city It is hard for immigrants to come and they don't come here because they just decide one day They come here for many reasons and then get into a place where everything is different It's hard not not To consider the other things like police and stuff out there to get you if that's where you came from and you think the police is going to be after you and The sense that going to them and to report something Will be Something that keep them from doing it. It will not be safe police will not have their support I am Witness of that happening in other countries where you grow up and They tell you Keep away from police. Don't tell them anything. You see something keep quiet because Police were for the government and the government is corrupt something that you come to this country and think that this Paradise and unfortunately People think that these people coming will take advantage of the country Services if that's what they think and they think that Immigrants are rapists rapists and terrorists, well, they be they should be afraid of me and Simply I want to say that we are lucky Everybody here is lucky because we don't choose where we are born. We don't choose color sex forms We we are born and if you were anywhere where You have no choice you will leave that place and you will go and Find a better place every one of you will do it given these circumstances So you are just like we I'm very like I married 25 years ago with a wonderful woman. I love my woman. She Changed my life, but many people have not been that lucky and luck is everything I just thank you for considering and That's all Hi My name is Kathy Peterson and I live at 31 Chandler Street. I Don't think I'm going to be nearly as eloquent as everyone else here I just wanted to say that I 100% support this I think that if Arlington does go ahead and Become a sanctuary town that in the future we're going to look back and we're going to be so proud of ourselves We have an incredibly sinister government presidency at this time It's been disturbing pretty much every single day since his inauguration I was dreading what he might do and since he's actually become president it's A thousand times worse than I ever could have imagined and I think a lot of Americans feel the same way I Think we could go further than this I Absolutely, thank for all the reasons other people have been stating we should I urge you To put this Before the town and I hope that there's a vote for it I think that I calculated on my calculator what the taxes would cost if we had to raise taxes with the population of 40 to 1,000 in town taxes should be about 120 per head. I think we could afford that But going a step further there's a town in California that I don't know if you write about this town Richmond It's a or it's a city in California and they recently the city council voted To recommend that impeachment hearings start against Trump and And they're hoping that there'll be cities and towns across the country that will you know put a vote out there and recommend that there be a Special impartial commission to investigate Trump For various reasons his competence on the emoluments clause So I just wanted to put that idea out there No one else has mentioned it. I think we could go a little bit further. That's all. Thank you Okay One three four five six because we we have to get to a vote at some point folks So if you're not in line We're gonna you really need to let us get to a vote and we do have other business other people are here for other warren articles and I guess what I would say is If you can't get a sense of how we're gonna vote and you need to convince us So you get a sense of how we're gonna vote and you want to unconvince us That's great But we really so if nobody else the end of the line is with I think it's number seven back there Thank you name and address for the hi. I'm Pam de Bona from 53 River Street I just have a quick piece a new piece of the puzzle here that you know It's really not an abstract feel-good thing even here in Arlington to call ourselves a sanctuary town I Am lucky enough to live over in the Thompson school district I live just a couple blocks from the public housing and My kids don't look like me. There are many of us in town who have kids who are internationally adopted Who are really? Also really feeling nervous about what's happening Currently in the country my kids have had to be reassured several times that they are American citizens And that nothing can happen to them We're really lucky here in Arlington my kids are friends with Officer Hogan and in his in his dog and You know what a cool thing that is to be able to go up and do a high five with your police officer Noah was officer Hogan and officer Hogan's baseball team This is what we're trying to cultivate here that everybody can have this opportunity in Arlington that my kids friends at the Thompson school who don't speak languages who don't speak English at home who Practice different religions who are here for many different reasons you can feel safe here And so I'm here really to thank you all for putting this forward and Hearing all of us tonight Elaine Shea 9 Lincoln Street and I'm delighted to be here. I've lived here all my life, which is a very long time And I've never been more proud to be an Alintone and I have with this whole sanctuary movement And I'm so grateful to all of you for being part of that Couple years ago. There was a woman who spoke at the library and she was Polish Jewish woman who as a child Her family had been Disrupted with the Nazis and most of them had been killed But she and her siblings were saved by Upstanders and I had never heard that term before But it really resonated with me and it does now This is the time for us to be Upstanders and I believe in all of you and your willingness to do that I've been thinking of my late husband tonight who was one of the early members of the Human Rights Commission and how Pleased he would be to see all of this going on and I thought to myself what would Bill say and He would say take the high road That's what he would say. So I hope you all take the high road and erupt standards in this matter Wendy Bell Arlington Human Rights Commission I just want to acknowledge the really real and palpable fear that people have expressed across the political spectrum about the loss of federal funding And I want to say that it's a fear that I actually share But not as a result of our becoming a trust fund or a trust If we could become a trust fund town Not as a result of our becoming a trust act town. I think that attorney Heim has done a very good job Assessing the risk and has determined it to be real but quite low my fear is rooted in my understanding of the governing philosophy of the current administration and their threats to Dismantle the education system and other programming that towns like ours rely on And so I do think that there's a potential for the loss of funds And I think that's something that we as a town need to Respond to and prepare to resist But I don't think it's part of the conversation that we're having tonight And I hope that we can address it another town another time after we've done the work of being upstanders As other speakers have said so thank you very much for hosting this and for Well, I one for the one rapper Street. I've been in the United States for 16 years and I've been here in Arlington for 11 years, I think as a person with foreign origin and with a strong accent I actually Speaking here in objection to this motion First of all, I think some people some fellow residents have alluded to the possibility of losing federal funding That's a real possibility, but equally importantly, I think That's that's a question of principle here I think when I came to the United States I came here because you know, this is a land of Opportunity and also this is a land of loss So we don't make you know our rules we follow the rules if we don't like the rules We talk to our congressman will change the rules. That's how it works So I think, you know having if we pass this motion and you know decided to Proclaim our town as a sanctuary town It's a wonderful thing to make our town as a you know diverse as possible But at the same time we are taking the rule in our own hands. We're not following the following the rules That's that's all I have to say. Thank you Wendy Seltzer 176 Pleasant Street. Thank you madam chair board of selectmen Thank you to the Human Rights Commission for bringing this motion forward and commendations to the Arlington Police Department for already Following the principles that we're seeking to In trying in the trust act. I think there are three key reasons nonetheless to adopt trust act resolution to support our neighbors in their freedom from fear all of our neighbors to influence state law and Federal law sending the message that we as a town believe strongly in inclusion and then affirming our common humanity and I think we Need to be responsive to the concerns that we've heard in the room. I heard concerns that we be enforcing rules correctly and concerns about the funding at issue and on the question of rules We're not asking sanctioning Breaking the law. We're asking to repudiate unjust law prior administrations enforced immigration law against violent criminals and those who had broken laws beyond the Immigration laws this administration appears dedicated to rounding out anyone whose only crime is being found in the wrong place That's not the humanity that we should be a part of and It's not sanctioning the Running foul of all laws to reject this one and In regards to the question of funding I want to commit to working with others in the town that if we were to to run that small risk of Losing federal funding that beyond this meeting beyond this season of resolutions beyond this administration That we are a town that supports all of our residents And I think our first step is supporting this resolution. Thank you I'm Donna more and I live at 15 Jason Street And I'd like to encourage the board and as well as the town meeting members when that time comes to support this trust act Resolution making Arlington a sanctuary town In my view this act has both practical and symbolic implications that are all positive for the future of our community In particular, it sends a strong message to the people who live here work here shop at local businesses and attend local Activities that this is an accepting and welcoming community where people can support and trust one another And we find that in the current political climate people's stress levels are really on the rise Just recently the American Psychological Association conducted a poll Finding that 57% of adult Americans consider the current political climate to be a significant source of stress And this is a much higher percentage than in other recent years One aspect of the current Presidential administration that I fear is the bullying tactics that are often used By declaring ourselves as a sanctuary town We're affirming our support of the current police practices and that we do not want the police to be pressured into adopting practices such as detaining people and Conducting a registry of people and things like that So this act is very proactive and the thing that we can do as a community to bring us together and Help reduce a climate of stress and fear. I Feel that this act will benefit all people who are connected to Arlington to ease The political stress and fear and to help us instead Celebrate the community that we all share. Thank you very much Yeah, Meiji from 20. How's on air? Can you get close to the mic and in here? I'm sorry First of all, I'd like to thank you the ball for the board to provide the opportunity of the hearing And I do appreciate the culture of Arlington because as an immigrant I I do not see anybody here is not welcoming immigrants By reading the fact sheets, I noticed that the police in Arlington is already following the guidelines of sanctuary city so my question is at At this point, what is the urgency to make it the town a sanctuary town right now? Because if the goal is to welcoming immigrants, we have already reached the goal and We are just just because the name of the sanctuary city. We are risking Losing millions of the federal funds Which is going to be used to the education system and for the elderly housing and the people really in needs I don't know how many of you knows that the Minotomy preschool that is located in the Arlington High School The kids of the preschoolers They have been drinking from a water fountain that has a lead level four times higher than required And these are the vulnerable kids The that they are the most vulnerable from lead poisoning just because the school system is so Old when I hear the news my heart really really sank for those kids So I urge the board to take a very great cautious to evaluate the pros and cons of the being a sanctuary city without Urging to make a decision and we should I urge you guys to further research in detail And have all the residents in Arlington be aware of what are the pros and accounts Thank you. Thank you my name is Tuecy Lee from 846 my family Arlington and actually I'm a Immigrant to use Actually, thank you for us people welcome me to to this country and Actually, but I'm here to object to this Resolution because so my Concern is first I Already welcome people any people regarding the background regarding the whether the immigrant or not So we don't need to just to be in the name of the city of Sanctuary to pass this No solution. I saw it to pass this Resolution and the second my concern is I mean to be a risk of lose the funding of education actually I Actually, I live close to Arlington high school, but I actually paid I know the island high school is not it of course. It's it's now it's going up It's pretty good, but it's not the best and I want to honest high school to be the best How we need the money we need the funding more funding of course more better You I one of my kids if one day if he is Get education in Arlington high school I want to he to go to the together best education to go to how well why we just just for the to bear the name of the Sanctuary city and lose the my my children to Potentially to get as Ingoing hover and my second concern it's like if we barely know it also at the same time you could encourage Encourage some people probably encourage some Illegal immigrant to come here. Hey, this is the city that the Sanctuary city. Oh, I want to go here people I mean, of course, we work on any people, but we don't want to what like like London people are kind here. We want the people like like nice to each other be generous to each other Yeah, that's my concern. Thank you very much. Thank you Okay, um, I'm gonna turn it to my colleagues. I want to thank everybody Especially you all that have hung in there to till the end. I have written down eight questions. I know that Mrs. Sullivan and the town manager also have been keeping track. So In the interest of time, I won't go over them, but I'll be shocked at between the three of us we didn't get them all and I just want to Before I turn this over to my colleagues Just make it clear that and I accept the praise from the pros and the cons the for and against the in favor not in favor In terms of well, we're already doing it, you know Why do we have to take this step if we have one of the best little kept secrets in the town of Allington? But nobody really knows about it unless they've been involved with this issue and came to a public meeting yesterday or God bless you. Nothing better was on and you happen to catch the board of selectman's meeting at the end of January Street to San Francisco on Channel 3 might do you better but I Think it's very important and Just for my own personal family circumstances and that they don't reside in Arlington But I think this is how we make that statement and how we say to our community This is what we're doing and we want to let you know you're doing This is what we're doing and we want to let you know Diane Mahan and her husband know that they're still really proud that they're in a community that that cares and they can lay Their head down at night and we want to let those people My daughter-in-law and her parents from Nepal Kathmandu. She's a legal US citizen in my two grandsons Also, but I can't tell you the Trepidation I don't want to you know escalate it But the true trepidation they have it in terms of you know where they live and and they're legal US citizens so I'd like to I take the Positive remarks for the Allington Police Department Whether you were for or against this because you all recognize that it's a compassionate force, but it's also a very lawful force Thank you to Captain Flynn and and others who have been here tonight But I think it's really important that we get this word out that we don't it's not just a Few hundred or thousand or so people that know about it, but I'm getting ahead of myself I need to turn to my colleagues to see what they would like to do Mr. Grilly Yeah, thank you madam chairman and all of you who are here tonight by my count we had 47 speakers and Probably another 40 that wish they could 39 I by my count spoke in favor Five and I give them a lot of credit brave souls Who spoke against it in a in a very passionate room in a couple? I couldn't quite tell whether they were speaking for or against For myself, I don't think there's any question What is the right thing to do and Is it right? necessarily to Hang over our heads that I'll withhold funds because I disagree with the moral stance that you take And if that were to happen We with the passion who are here tonight have to commit We have to go out and fight whether it be for an override or rather. We will have to find a way to get those funds We need to fight like heck that it doesn't happen But what's the right thing to do in my opinion? It's for Arlington to continue to be a sanctuary For all peoples I move we recommend favorable action Okay Okay on article 59 we have a motion by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Cureau Any questions comments mr. Burn. Oh Sorry Thank you very much. I really enjoyed the discussion tonight. I think I've learned a lot I saw our sense of passion that I haven't seen this room in you know a long time I think we learned tonight that everyone regardless of how you feel about this issue respects our police department and our other town employees and You know, I think it's important that We all know that they operate professionally and ensure that we all feel safe regardless of a community member situation Over the past few weeks. I have put quite a bit of thought in To you know, the potential loss of these federal funding these federal funds that keep coming up tonight And you know where we where we stand right now. I'm confident that our CDBG funds and education funds So, you know, we'll not be at harm If we Received, you know, quite a bit of Department of Homeland Security funding You know, maybe there would be a greater opportunity for those funds to you know Not be given out to our community, but we don't receive any and you know When I do think what's more important is what we heard tonight and that's the community that we want to be So what we're doing is in my mind is we are, you know Reaffirming the long-standing commitment that we have protecting everyone in town We're providing a sense of safety to those who feel they need it and We're making a statement about the type of community. We are It's a community that I'm proud to serve. It's one that I've watched my family members serve for generations now and it's one that I hope we continue to You know move in the right direction with And whether you've been here for two hours or two generations You're going to be safe in Arlington and that's something I'm proud to support. So thank you Mr. Kero Thank You madam chair and thank you to my colleagues and mr. Greeley for the motion You know in some of the correspondence that we've received We have been admonished a bit and and it's been said that you know, you're sworn To uphold the law I think the town council actually put it very succinctly summarized something that a number of you have said this evening and That is that there is a difference between disobeying the law and Something neglecting to cooperate with the federal government. There is a difference there and as elected officials You know, we are also here what first and foremost were answerable to the voters But we also have a responsibility to anyone who lives in lives in Arlington anyone who works in Arlington anyone who worships here Anyone owns a business pays taxes or simply visits our town. We have a responsibility to make sure that they are all served fairly not only by our police but by all of our Public officials in our interactions with them that we do not Someone said we don't ask for for papers as a condition I think about You know who is impacted by this the statement because this is really a statement that we're making Passing this and I think about what I've seen on the board here. We saw actually tonight We saw some small business owners who came before us and and we're great They're permit to follow their dream and and to serve the town of Arlington something we sorely need We hear a lot about empty storefronts something we sorely need and something I say this a lot something I have to I really love something that my colleague. Mr. Greeley does so often with The the applicants no matter where they come from comes up before us. He often says thank you for choosing Arlington Thank you for choosing Arlington and For so we know that for common vitriol licenses and such such a huge percentage of that We may as well be saying thank you for for choosing America too and for investing in our community investing in in our country and so I think if If we don't make this statement, we I think in an alternative universe We don't have a proactive and proud police department, which is they're they're they're they're motto How how false would that ring when we say welcome, you know, thank you for choosing Arlington If we were then to say oh and by the way You'll be periodically visited by the police and we'll be checking your employees and disrupting your customers That's an alternative vision That's an alternative vision. I Think about my times on the school committee I think at that time I see mr. Hainer in the front here. You might be able to confirm this Something like 50 or 60 languages are spoken in the homes of our students and we some people spoke about kids And I'm glad Pam mentioned Kids who are international adoptions. I also know kids in Arlington who are international adoptions and are also petrified And I've been asking their parents. Am I gonna be sent back? That it's important to send a message to our kids and we send a message as Leaders in the community that that's not going to happen. We also we know of that population We have a vision our minds of what an undocumented Migrant is we think about someone who's Slipping the fence down at the Texan border maybe fleeing across the desert and risking their lives Of course, we turn on the TV now. We see people who are fleeing through the snows of North Dakota fleeing us It's not funny. I It's ironic, but it's not funny But undocumented immigrants they may be legal one day and they're illegal the next much of our population in East Arlington For example, we know we have a lot of graduate students and those families come in for a number of years And it may well be that they finished a graduate study their student visa Maybe has lapsed while they're trying to get a work permit an H1B or something like like that We heard the situation where somebody comes in Illegally, but they're actually seeking refugee status. They're in that kind of limbo place We're not equipped here in Arlington. I think to to Moderate that so I just want to talk about two two more things. I'm sorry I know it's been a long night, but I feel very passionate about this I want to talk about the perceived threat and The action that's before us I Never in my life thought that I would be sitting in a body like this and be worried that my government Would be Presenting me with a threat Playing off immigrant community against the poor those who need housing Those who need special education services because that's that's what the funds federal funding comes from I never thought that we would that we would face that because This action is it's really a declaration of war not just it's on our communities writ whole It's a it's a threat. I want to talk about the action though That we have before us and just reinforce Something a number of people mentioned captain Curran He was wonderful yesterday and one thing that he did he read from Sir Robert Peel's principles of law enforcement from 1829 That guide our community policing philosophy here and our own team and the second principle of Sir Robert Peel was the ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of Police existence actions behavior and the ability of the police to secure and maintain public respect The purest form of public approval is for our town meeting to be able to stand up and make a statement To stand up and make a statement. This is a non-binding resolution before us and what we're facing is this threat Or we perceive a threat for town meeting expressing its opinion expressing its opinion that's all in support of our police department and by my reading of the Constitution That doesn't fly and I think that if we exceed To that threat for voicing our public approval of our current practices I Have to wonder what the monotony sons of liberty who are lying buried just Shortways away from here how they would judge us So I enthusiastically support the resolution Thank you. Thank you very much I am now going to call for a vote on this motion made by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Cureau if you're not staying for the rest of the meeting Please leave Safely and quickly and have your conversations out there just to be mindful and respectful of we still do have an awful lot more Business and warrant articles and those people are waiting to have their turn. So Any further discussion or questions if not on a motion by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Cureau for Cureau for favorable action For article 59 all those in favor say aye those opposed unanimous vote we now Thank you, okay, thank you and thanks for coming out. Thank you. I guess I'll take Okay, if you if everyone please could be respectful we still have a lot more warrant articles and other business to get going So if you could take your conversations outside or you're welcome to stay and observe And I apologize, but we still have probably have another hour or two ahead of us And most of you probably don't God bless you all Madam chair Attorney Heim I'm sorry just just as a reminder on our for folks who are listening what I'm going to do is try to take the comments that have been made by the select men tonight and Marshall them into a Vote we've had some draft resolutions circulated Some competing resolutions. I just want to make sure that I'm assuming correctly that the board is authorizing me to go ahead and continue to work on those to put one in front of All of you at the next votes and comment session Yes, as a matter of fact to that end I'm gonna pass back over at the end of the meeting the eight questions that I wrote down that I got as well as The list of people who signed in I checked off that they did and I added names. Thank you very much madam chair You just pass that down. Okay. We're now going to continue on with our Warren article hearings because correct me if I'm incorrect mr. Chapter Lane the Other three items under traffic rules and orders of really just housekeeping of everybody up in this table We don't have any department head or anything waiting on any of those Okay, we will now go to any Warren article hearing for article 15 again We had extensive conversations on this in January The Human Rights Commission along with the town manager's office and the Board of Selectman's office has sort of been retooling What our possible? Final vote and comment could be and working with the Human Rights Commission and the town manager and the Administrative staff at the Selectman's office. We do have that draft language that has been submitted to us If there's anyone here who would like to speak I'm gonna do the same thing come to the microphone, but we do have the results of You know, we had the extensive hearing in January. We have the results from yesterday. We have the draft language. So Please feel free to come up. Do we have it? Maybe one person from the Human Rights Commission at least that could speak to this Or two we can have two Just again name an address. Yeah. Hi. Good evening. My name is Anna Watson. I live at 200 spring Avenue and I actually really excited to come after this exciting past warrant because this is also a question of How do we how do we welcome each other? How do we? How do we treat our neighbors? So I'm a lesbian. I'm a mom And I've lived in Arlington for over 20 years and I am here to support the establishment I believe the language is the LGBTQIA plus rainbow Commission and I know that's a lot of letters and They stand for lesbian gay Bisexual transgender queer or questioning intersex Asexual and the plus sign reminds us that there are a lot of other identities as well And this alphabet soup It really always indicates to me and reminds me makes me think about how there are many many different kinds of queer people and That we all deserve recognition support community and opportunities to network and create culture so just a little bit about What I've seen living in Arlington as a queer person starting about 12 years ago I began doing some queer community organizing From queer parent family potlucks when my kids were in grade school to helping form one of our area's first middle school gay straight alliances at the oddison middle school and Currently, I am president of an all-volunteer grassroots Organization the mystic LGBTQ plus youth support network or queer mystic and the more out and about I've been in town The better understanding I have that the needs and interests and issues of queer people here are as varied as our alphabet soup Line-up indicates and as a survey of queer adults by the Arlington Human Rights Commission has backed up Coordinating with other organizations and agencies in town has shown me that citizens In Arlington are truly open to creating resource and community for a vibrant part of the population And that's why we have a queer book group at our local library as well as events for queer elders at our council on aging and The time has definitely come for town information and supports to be located in one accessible place and for a commission to be Formed in order that the work that has been done by many volunteers and many colleagues That that isn't lost and that it can continue to grow So as president of queer mystic and as a queer citizen of Arlington, I support the Rainbow Commission. Thank you Hi, I'm bill Gardner. I live at 11 monotony Rocks Drive, and I'm here to support my colleague Also a member of queer mystic I had an opportunity to speak to you earlier and I just want to reiterate a couple of the points that I made to the larger audience First of all, thank you for this amazing experience tonight, I really Can't tell you how proud I am to be living in Arlington based on what I experienced here tonight It was really powerful and what you did as leaders Really really touched me And I hope that you'll also have the same kind of energy and support for our LGBTQ neighbors one of the things that's really important to me as an American is the incredible energy millions of people across our country who are engaged in activism to support the LGBTQ community and They have organized all and every every state in the country and in hundreds of cities and in hundreds of universities Forming organizations and structures, and I think that's what this discussion is about tonight Putting entities in place that can really help to form create an interface between the LGBTQ community and the government and agencies and Citizens groups that are part of it, and I think that's an incredibly powerful thing that's happening and We can look to the many human relations committees that are forming and now the be the emergence of these new groups and There's only like 10 or 12 of them that I can identify around the country that are specifically focused on the LGBTQ community trying to get that out and so Providing that kind of focus and that connection is really important and we have an opportunity here to create that Here in our town and to be in a certain sense a national leader if we were to form it here and I'm impressed that Austin, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have just started that discussion in their own towns around doing that as well So I think it's a great opportunity for us I think it's a Significant time for us to put a place together that they can really create that interaction between the community and the Government that we're a part of thank you very much for considering that Okay That's much shorter this time. I wanted to let you know that Just a minute. Oh, sorry Mel Goldstein Human Rights Commission Pursing 20 I wanted to let you know that at the last Human Rights Commission meeting that we had we had a Community member come to us and say I'm really concerned about this executive order rescinding support for transgender students Are our students safe here? And I was so proud to be able to say Last year at town meeting we made sure that our students are supported and safe in our schools And can be themselves when they arrive in the hallways So thank you for that work from last year But I think that that kind of concern and the fact that people don't know what we've already done on shows the need for this kind of Commission to be established so we did vote unanimously at the last Human Rights Commission to support this morning article And I'm gonna skip everything else about this and just say that as a queer person myself. I also support this so thank you Mr. Dunn I would like to move approval I Move favorable action or that we recommend favorable action to town meeting on this move by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Greeley mr. Dunn I will say that I had one thing that I mentioned to the town council earlier today was that the Potential draft language we includes here it says that it's gonna have a variable number of people And it says that people will serve until their successor is appointed and those two things I don't think work together and so We should either You know recommend to the town council our choice or we should ask him to come up I think with a more elegant solution, but I think that there's the act There's something there that I don't think is we need to tweak before we vote our final language So I don't personally Does anyone have a preference? Why don't we just say what it's either one or the other and Take the less ambiguous, which is what the first thing you said. Well, we can either say that there's a Variable number of people on the committee and so and then we all point to say three-year terms and when your three-year term is up You're done. You're gone and if we don't reappoint you then there's just fewer people in the commission Which is something that we could do or we could say there will be five or people or they will be nine people And then if we fail to appoint somebody that somebody knew then the predecessor continues in their way Mr. Cureau and then mr. Burn of those I would I would tend to just go for a set number Be at five be at nine because I think it's probably a management headache if you're trying to figure out now How many vacancies do we actually have when it's constantly expanding and sure I can I agree with that particularly because we're requiring a quorum for any meetings to conduct business I think that probably having a set number will make it easier for that sake Okay, so we'll vote favorable action with the language that we discussed in the latter with a set number of Do we know if it's five or nine? I think it's I forget. It's good nine. It says it has an up a limit of nine nine members is what's here? Oh, wait What number give us a number I really think nine is too hard to start out with I don't think we're gonna find people right away I was think five or seven. Can we start with five and that's why I think five Yes, we can just come back and ask for more people later Like in two years if the Commission needs more people we just amend it Because of the way we're putting this into a bylaw changing the number will require another vote of town meeting All right, let's do seven Okay, so Can we incorporate that what we just said on a motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Gradually with those amendments for final votes and comments. Is that okay? Thank you madam chair, okay? I'm any further clarifications questions if not all those in favor say aye. All those opposed unanimous vote I'm sorry. I just realized I was using my voice when this auditorium was packed So I'm gonna try to Bring it down a few decibels probably don't even need this anymore now go to article 18 by law amendment appraisals of town property interests Mr. Chapter Lane, what's this list thing? All right when we go back upstairs, we're gonna go back the other way Is there anyone here who wants to speak to warrant article 18, please come up to the microphone? I Think there may be two or three of you according to this list, but it's up to you all name and address for the record Sure, Lisa Reynolds one one ponderous Thank you for considering this article The issue of valuation of town owned real property interests came to our attention when the town disposed of the pleasant view and spring easement and it was article 29 of 2016 and the release of that easement and when we looked at how the easements Were valued we thought that the value should be determined according to commonly accepted real estate appraisal practices We think the town would benefit from establishing the practice that is in accordance with the state best practices and laws Detailed in chapter 36 be it's section 16 of state law So we ask that the board Recommends the new guidelines So that town meeting is presented with the sound value from which to base their vote when disposing of town owned property And real property interests Thank you. Oh, Mr. Dunn. Sorry, so too much miss Reynolds. I'm sorry So if I read correctly you are the original signer and the sponsor that brought this for it Okay, so can you tell me a little bit more like what about the motivation like what is it that you do? Do you perceive something that the town did wrong or do you perceive something that we might do wrong in the future? Can you tell me more about? So some of these and I asked honest It's a very honest question because some of these things that come forward I say, oh, I know exactly what the problem is that they're trying to fix in this case It wasn't clear to me and I'd love to hear it. Did you receive the write-up that we sent to? February 17, mm-hmm get that outlines it somewhat. Yeah, and I mean it's from you Yeah, but could you just encapsulate it especially for people sitting at home when they ask us this exact same question? We can't say well, we'll give you this you like you you're gonna give us the best answer to that yet when the The easement that the town was disposing of was valued We found that the procedures and the formula that they used to value that property was not in keeping with best practices of the real estate appraisal industry as well as state guidelines and So we would recommend that we use Commonly accept a real estate appraisal practices in order to arrive at a fair Value for the property Okay, and my husband could have spoken a little bit more detail probably on it But he had he was not feeling well tonight and only made it about halfway through this meeting. So But thank you Okay stranger name and address for the record. Good evening Michael Ruderman nine Alton Street Madam Chairman members of the board and fellow government policy fans This this warrant article is a Classic sort of good governance article that would make the typical good practices of Our government a little better I can tell you from the last couple of years in town meeting that there was a bit of perplexed discussion when the questions of of selling real property have come before us last two years Questions that I believe a typically present and professional appraisal would have answered and hastened us to to The the discussion of the actual matters at hand not the questions that were prevalent in the hall Which were along the lines of How did we get to this price, you know, is this is this a fair price? Is this you know, is this objectively determined, you know, how did they come up with this? Should we even be selling it? Is it even real estate? I did hear that quite a bit in the question of of an easement for the town to have the privilege of creating a road, which I Assure you is and you know real estate but it would have settled a great many questions to have had an appraisal before us because Not just the the the number or the opinion of value that goes on page one Is found in appraisal, but all the pages that follow it list the appraisers methods and The way that the appraiser came to the professional decision Including whatever special circumstances prevail such as the property being of distressed Condition or of limited utility to anyone except a neighboring property owner these are all fairly typical conditions in the world of real estate appraisal and they could have been the questions of How do we come up with a fair price? the how Questions could have been dispensed with if we had had in our hands and an objective Third-party appraisal to consider then we would have been able to advance the discussion more rapidly to a question Whether it was in the town's interest to to make this sale or not, and that's why I'm a supporter of the article Thank you. Mr. Grilly Can I ask to you madam chair the town manager's position here do you mind commenting on that? May thank you madam chair I Think this this article if the board so choose would be fine to pursue I think it would give us a standardized procedure for handling these Somewhat though they have happened in successive years that the past two years I still think they'd actually be pretty unique situations that wouldn't occur Very frequently so providing a standardized procedure that the that all town officials could use I think could be helpful too Move we recommend favourable action move favorable action by mr. Grilly second by mr. Hero Any further discussion and comments from my colleagues if not an emotion by mr. Yeah Okay, I've been Formulating this one. I think as we draft whatever Language I think I'd like us to talk about whether or not we want to lead frankly leave room for exceptions and I think that we I just want to make I guess I would The draft that I hope what we see doesn't have There are weird property things that you know that like there are deed restrictions and there are things like that that end up being Very difficult and so I have no Seeking the opinion of people is one thing I just want to make sure we don't bind ourselves to something that it ends up being nonsensical in the future journey I I've spoken with miss Reynolds about this a little bit and I think that she's shown me some draft language that Would allow us to proceed in a manner consistent with what folks are talking about not necessarily in terms of whether it would apply or not But how the appraisal how much how binding the appraisal is on us, okay? Is that is that a fair characterization miss Reynolds? Okay, thank you With that all those of favor say aye aye all those opposed unanimous vote We now come to article 19 vote appointment of town treasurer Thank you Thank you Name and address for the record. Thank you madam chair chairwoman Bill Haina 19 Putnam Road And I honestly believe the three-minute rule was put in in anticipation of me coming up Beat you to it I Looking at this article, I can remember I think it was about six years ago a similar article article 53 Pointing the treasurer and at that time the major argument was the fear of electing a person not competent or capable of dealing with it I think right now knowing the way the ballot is going right now. We probably have one of the most capable People going with this so in the manner of keeping it brief. I would ask the The board here to consider no action and Establishing a study committee I'm not opposed to the the whole thing the way I was vehemently the last time but I don't think it's necessary at this time I think a study committee to to look at all aspects of it Might be beneficial. Thank you Mr. Burn Bill, okay How how no please how would you want that study committee to differ from the last study that we did? Well, the the correct me if I'm wrong, but the major emphasis was the DOR report at that time It was dealing with Barnstable. I argued at that point. We are nothing like Barnstable We did not have a corrupt official that they were dealing with at that time going back then We're a totally different entity I Leave it to the board. I just don't think Right now is the time to be looking at an appointed treasurer based on I mean if the board has another Rationale for bringing it forward this time other than the idea the fear of an elected person coming up not capable as I said before I have Disagreed with mr. Common or a lot of issues, but I have never disagreed with his qualification. I know he's standing right behind But at the same time I mean his qualifications or as far as I'm concerned I'm impeccable and it's to the benefit of this town So if there's another reason I'd be happy to not necessarily in this form to hear the rationale For going forward with an appointed, but that was the reason given at that time I haven't heard anything other than that and if I could to that point before we hear from the gentleman behind you Just myself personally When we started down this path Eight years ago eight nine years ago that as I will say respectfully the tale of two audits after we went through all that and it had to be reported and proper Groups came out and spoke to different boards and Commission It was decided upon then because nobody was trying to you know trash and burn or anything like that to Commission And it was then Brian Sullivan. I know I had some role in it because I was very passionate about it, but I wanted just to Stop to go down the road and do the right thing and then so that's why we had DOR come out They came out with their recommendations. This was one or seven or one of ten. I will say as back then I also wanted to take just about all of their recommendations in terms of Town school finance department and having an assistant or a co. I realized recognized That's not what we're doing with this warrant article. We're just taking one of those seven steps or tenets as I call it But I have said in the past and I'll say in the future I'd like to continue on with another recommendation of the DOR report and I think My colleagues here on the board of selectmen as well as my colleagues on the school committee I think that's something it would be a much more productive Conversation regardless of whether anything comes out of it now than it would have been eight or nine years ago so for me Commissioning another study setting up another study group It's you know enough already, you know this started nine years ago And I think for myself personally I've been as respectful and civil in terms of what was put on my plate and and try to Move forward in a positive action and I just want to keep continuing down the road. So Sure, I understand that and I think one of the emphasis at that time And I just come on the school committee at that time was the one point five million dollars and that aspect of it there But as mr. Curie remembers he was still on the school committee One of the aspects of the study and it's not necessarily in this part was Taking over the school finances and stuff and I vehemently opposed that since nineteen ninety three brighter ninety three the school committee literally Mike will manage the whole system since nineteen ninety three We hold three powers hiring the superintendent policy and budget and tantamount to that and I see My fear going down the road with an appointed treasurer may not be in this one at this time But it's the next step going down there is giving up one of those prerogatives at that part We'll save that for another time I guess I asked the board to share with the community the Rationale is it the same and I question that if it isn't the same, please bring it forward Thank you, and we'll look to the then chairman of the board come-town meeting As well as any comments we want to add. Yes. Name and address for the record stranger. Hi Dean Carmen 29 kill safe road I'm gonna take a slightly different tack to mr. Hainer in that I'm gonna ask That you it's kind of what I'm gonna say I'm gonna ask you to vote no action on this but not for the point of Creating a full-blown study committee where we talk about town finances and things like that. I think that's past. I do I think we're um I Think we have an in it. We have a path of an integrated finance department. I think we've studied it three times I think it's time to accept it. I Think what we haven't done is looked Fully at specifically the role of the treasurer because I think in the past it Inherently became a personal discussion in these matters And I think it's important to do that because the treasurer's job is really three jobs. It's the treasurer The collector of taxes in the parking clerk, so I'm gonna stipulate upfront and say there's really no policy involved in collecting taxes It's an implementation job. It's a professional job should be handled as such But the treasurer's job has a lot of policy matters. It has an investment policy It has cash management policy and it's debt policy now We could you can look at it and you can say Many things you can look and you could say well, maybe That should be split into two roles so a treasurer and a collector Maybe you can say it should be a part-time treasurer. Maybe you could say it would be a treasurer Committee of three. I don't I don't know but I think it's sort of odd to go to town meeting and recommend appointing three positions Without knowing exactly what the answer is And I also think there's I would like to say that there isn't a great sense of urgency Involved right now for the spring I'm guessing we're gonna have a fall town meeting I'm gonna guess that whoever's elected treasurer isn't gonna do the job full-time I'm gonna guess that they're gonna have the town manager find a full-time professional person To run the office, which amazingly is allowed to do under The town bylaws there's a section 9 it under the treasurer's laws that allows that to happen and so there isn't this great urgency right now to To try to get the position appointed or get the vote passed at town meeting and wait a full year for the election because I Think a lot of what the a lot of the commonalities that you all want that I think some people Here want can really be achieved through bylaw changes. I mean just like how the Assessors office was you know moved under the town manager through bylaw that wasn't moved under through ballot and And so that's just that's just my thought because I think For for the sake of maybe taking a leap here that between the five of you and the person who may be elected treasurer There's probably not a heck of a lot of difference in thoughts It's just you know stepping back and saying how do we How do we pull this all together in a very detailed level of the various functions of that department. Thank you So do you so Making the treasurer not be elected does have to go to the ballot Yeah, and so do you Think is that something you think we should be doing a year from now like in spring 2018 or By by doing no action now are you thinking we should be doing it in 2019 or Yeah Take a small amount of time to just sort of think about if you just focus for the forget again knock It's all there fine. It's talk about the treasurer's office in particular and just say how does the Functions they are fit into Arlington government and because you know, we have a very I'm just gonna make this up. It's sort of an illustrative example is We have a strong capital planning committee and they along the way if you look at your capital planning book set Bonding they have bonding recommendations now What's really odd about the current framework of the town is that the treasurer isn't actually required to follow the Recommendations of the capital planning committee. I mean if you really think about that it's insane It just is and so maybe we come back and we say And we come back in the fall and we say that the you know The chair of the capital planning committee will be the treasurer for debt matters and whatever comes out of the capital planning committee We do You know and maybe on the investment side We say okay, we have this will formalize what I think is the trust fund commissioners and whoever we have Is our chair of the trust fund commissioners and that that's kind of what I'm saying So I don't I think in some ways you could change the law through bylaws You can ever say I guess damn wait where you could You could have a full-time treasurer. You could have a part-time elect full-time like the treasurer You have a part-time elected treasurer. You could have You can have an appointed treasurer. I mean you could I mean let's just to me. It's just let's figure it out There is I don't think there's this great sense of urgency to just sort of go through the weeds because right now I don't think a strict appointment answers the questions. I just asked Doesn't answer the question. Okay, so if you say the capital planning committee can be Completely ignored by the treasurer. How does this vote fix that? Okay, and of course, you know being on the finance committee for many many years That's a topic. That's near and dear to my heart is you know the capital planning recommendations Come up and maybe they get changed or whatnot and you know And I think that's the same thing when you're looking down the road with schools, you know all these big school projects We're gonna bottom 20 years. We're gonna bottom 30 years You know, how did these kind of work out in the end? That's just my thought is you take some time just sit back Think about the role of the treasurer how it should fit into the larger organization and You know, I would assume Now really fine tuning on timeline, I'm gonna guess we're gonna have a town meeting in the fall We always seem to have one in the fall now. It just seems to be the way it is So we have a town meeting in the fall You guys want to go ahead and appoint it Still hits then it goes on the ballot in April So that would be my suggestion Yeah, I'm not sure this is a question for Dean, but we are we Faced with the issue of we've got to have a parking clerk the day after that election That is not necessarily the treasurer. That's our appointment. As you know, I'm sure Well, I'm just we got to deal with that You know, if you're talking about someone's part time all of a sudden can we gonna apart them appoint them parking clerk probably not Okay, I don't know we have to deal with that It's not automatic As part of the treasurer as you positioned it Thanks I have some pondrances that I want to hear from Paulson 1989 right I Just have a quick comment because I know everybody's a little tired I think there are three basic options regarding article 19 yes, no and a study group or committee of some kind I think the ants the yes option has the real possibility of re-enacting the 2011 town meeting debate There was opinion-based rather than fact-based The no vote solves the problem temporarily, but that doesn't put the issue to rest one way or another I think a study group of private citizens Appears to be the best option identifying the important facts issues and hopefully what is best for the town Rather than a study group of elected appointed or full-time senior managers and And honestly, I think the unfortunate part of the 2011 debate was It wasn't terribly informed, but it was very passionate and it really hardened positions for a number of people and I think with the Emotion that's running in this town as seen tonight regarding the sanctuary Issue I'm afraid that we're gonna have that kind of a debate all over again That's not really gonna get to the heart of the matter And I think it would be in the best interest of the town if we could temporarily postpone The issue to where town meeting has a worthwhile report of an agreed-upon set of facts and issues Pro and con of an appointed versus an elected treasurer and then in 2018 the town meeting then they The town meeting then could make a worthwhile decision Hopefully an informed decision based on fact rather than just opinion. Thank you. Thank you Thank You madam chair and Michael Ruderman precinct nine. I'll Ask you to count me as a no recommendation on the warrant article for two reasons I'll save my typically over impassioned speech for town meeting on my my love of having as many of My representatives in local government Elected and reachable and immediately answerable to to the people they serve But the point I'll make tonight is that We do have a rare opportunity coming up only the second change in Incombency in in the office of treasurer in Arlington since 1972 this gives us a chance to See a new person in action by a new board with present-day Concerns in in front of them all and As my predecessor at the microphone. Mr. Carmen said let's see what happens in the new new treasurer's nascent administration and see if the board can achieve through Dialogue and cooperation with the newly elected treasurer the goals and objectives that it has before most for You see seeing the way the town's finances are carried forward into the future and perhaps through Co-operation these very same goals can be achieved with less of a change to the town Charter then Taking one elected office off the ballot. Thanks Mr. Greeley Well, I really think Dean raised some interesting points, however I'm going to move that we recommend favorable action on this So we will discuss it and have lots of opportunities to do so I think it's been studied quite clearly to me. It has nothing to do with whether people are like to capable I think the last two have been quite capable as treasurers but To me this is about coordinating A financial management as we've started with the board of assessors now Reporting into the manager, but I think we would have great benefit Coordinate, I mean we've seen for years a problem of having different computing systems between Departments and stuff so I think bringing this up to town meeting and people should be allowed to be passionate if they choose to do so Is something we should do and some of these issues will be brought up and discussed so I recommend favorable action Motion by mr. Greeley's Second second and by mr. Dunn Mr. Dunn, so I've I believe that we should have moved towards an appointed treasurer Model and so and I think that the speaker there are a lot of really good points I'll hit and get them in order Bill When I have been a supporter of this in the past it wasn't my statement I would I was very strongly disagree was about competency and it was about effective governance, and I think that part was part of what might have sounded like competency, but it isn't but it is That I think that we can draw from a stronger pool by looking to professionals than by look Then by doing it elected and so which isn't a That's part of it and the second thing is that I think that we can get a lot of we can Perform our finance functions better if we are aligned under a single person and that is and I believe that this position should be Professional as opposed to political which is why I think the town manager and his designees should be the person who drive it We have the up here We have the pleasure slash pain of being the political but we then we but we let the town manager People be professional so that's my so my reason I support it Isn't that I think that we don't get competent treasures or we can't get competent treasures But I think that we can run more efficiently and effectively. That's why I would it's why I supported it then It's why I still support it now Dean interesting and I agree that there are a whole bunch of questions that still need to be settled but I'm okay with pushing forward in trying to in putting this on the ballot in a year from now in 2018 and Working out those questions as we get you know, we still got a lot I understand you're asking for time till September and I think or you know until whenever we have if we have a special town meeting But I'm okay pushing Forward faster because I really think this should happen. And so I don't want to wait around Mr. Ruderman, I'm gonna respectfully disagree. I understand that I understand your argument I think I do about wanting more elected people and I definitely believe that elected people should be Held to you know, you don't like what we're doing then vote us out. I absolutely believe that but this is but I this is again where I think there's a difference between the professional versus the political and The treasure does not have as the town has evolved the political aspects like the That have dropped away and it really is much more about an execution job. And so that's why in this case I respectfully disagree with you And Paul I agree that the last debate was It was it was hard. I really just and but I still think it's the right thing for us to do and I'm just I'm hoping that we can come to this especially because we are at this time of transition where we can be less about personality And that may just be fierce optimism on my heart, but that's where that's ramp. So for all those reasons I'm gonna support Miss Greeley's motion Ditto and I do want to say that It's been a long road and you know, I want to get started. I want to put the shovel break some ground and get moving All the points brought up by the speaker speakers before us I anticipate that will be flushed out as we move along and I think we really need to start this process It's been highlighted where it this is an opportune Time to stop that process as well as further conversations down the road in terms of some staff Changes which is not part of this warrant article But I definitely want to really put something to this especially I would say I'd be a bit concerned But it wouldn't be my final say that if we went through this and we basically took the Elected treasurer and came up with you know, we had two three four five little baby part-time treasures or I Will just say what if I had my druthers right now? I'm looking to define a process where we hire either through an election or through an appointed treasurer One person and then she or he reports to the town manager or whatever I I I can be convinced otherwise, but when I hear sort of convolution, you know Capital planning and the Capital Planning Committee shall have you know, I'll to miss it say on that I'm just thinking of not only getting my head around that and Selling it to the citizens of the town. I think it Really convolutes that particular area even for citizen Involvement in terms of you know, I have this thing where I used to I have a question or a concern or whatever Capital expenditure I used to go to the treasurer for that or whomever But now it could possibly two three four or five part-time people on that kind of put a big question in my mark And for a minute there is thinking of all maybe we shouldn't move forward on this But I'm gonna stick with where we originally started that I think you know We need to We need to start to do this to have the conversation I think from what I'm getting from everybody who were on who were on the pro and con side is that you know, everyone's really Recognizing this is the opportunity for us to do that And I think it would be the best environment for us To actually stop that process and make it effective. So I agree with mr. Dunn and I will be supporting this Mr. Burn yep, so Thank you very much and back in 2012 debate that we had around this I was pretty involved in it and it was one of the first, you know real issues first committees I Was a part of as a member of this board and I Still do believe that there is a need for a professional treasure I Don't know if I'm necessarily Feeling strong enough not to give Perhaps mr. Carmen or whoever the next appointed or next elected treasure is a year to try to implement some of what we heard tonight I think You know having a professional treasure is You know, it sounds like the direction that he's most likely going in I am a little bit Not concerned, but I'd be interested in the coordination Between the town manager's office and the town treasurer's office. I think that it's You know, I think it's clear that that that could be improved and I think moving forward it You know that's certainly a Conversation or many conversations that needs that need to take place You know if we take the time to Until the election happens, I think we can have fairly productive conversations and If we take if we you know kind of fight this tooth and nails from Right now. I think maybe those relationships could possibly fray in those conversations become You know a little bit a little bit more difficult And and so I am I am pretty torn I can see this going both ways right now So I think that you know I Seems like the board is going to be supporting this and I'm looking forward to the town meeting debate, but I think I am going to vote no action and Give Dean the opportunity to kind of work with us and the town staff over the next year I think obviously I've also supported it. I mean I see the same Notifications we get every month from the DOR Bureau of local services and periodically they report on the percentage of of town treasurers have gone to professional positions and I also note that in our Packets here we actually received a memorandum from my mr. Bella for was our elected town treasurer and collector of taxes for 33 years and also supports now moving toward an appointed professional Town treasurer and collector with some caveats around the dolls for scholars Program I have to admit having some pause when mr. Carmen, you know presented Some of these ideas and I'm wondering though if if progress Along that that line is really mutually exclusive from from placing this before town meeting The only question I have is there is a question as to whether or not the town treasurer and collector of taxes Can be addressed as two separate positions and we have we have here in the in the the Some of the draft language we've provided a single ballot question making that the town treasurer and collector of taxes Unappointed position, but I think they they are actually logically to two separate positions if I'm not mistaken Am I off base here? I know we've always treated them as one we've always vested them in a single individual But I believe that they are actually two positions Bigly collector of taxes or two separate positions even though in the past we've lumped them into what we've always vested I think I would say they can be two separate positions as they can be one shared position and as you're stating They're currently treated as one position But they could be certainly treated as separate positions as well And that's why I reckon the reason I ask is I don't know it might be confusing to the electorate But I'm wondering if it were two questions shall the trip town treasurer be an appointed position shall the town That the collector of taxes being appointed position does that leave open options for some of the creative thinking that mr. common is Put out on the floor Or is it just confused matters? I? think that Dunham town council, I think that from the perspective of the ballot question It seems to me that in Arlington the positions were consolidated at some point in time and so You know you're only talking about one position right now in terms of transitioning it from elected to appointed and I'm not sure if I heard mr. I'm not sure I understood everything as well as all the folks here who have been part of this debate for a long time But I think what mr. Common is saying is the treasurer's position that really makes the policy decisions that the vote is Relevant to I don't know if there's a so I don't know that it would achieve much by having two separate ballot questions I'll support the motion. Okay Just please briefly, please we still have so much more I just warn you that if you make them to ballot questions and one passes and one doesn't that could be really embarrassing to the town That's all The last last chop at it. It's 11 Just so everyone's on the same page You guys vote for this Tom meeting approves it No, let me back. Let me speak to simpler. I think Doug can disagree with me but the message is generalize pretty clear that The change from elected to appointed doesn't occur Until the end of the treasurer's term I Just want to point that out because if you're if everybody's thinking here that it hits here 1718 and then it's appointed That's not true Even if it would have you guys were to pass it to me we're passing the citizen who would pass it in 18 It wouldn't take effect till 20 Okay, and a motion by mr. Greerly seconded by mr. Dunn any further questions or comments if not all those in favor say aye I was opposed four to one Next article 20 vote email accounts for members of public bodies I don't see the proponent mr. Loretty here and I believe move no action move no action by mr. Greerly seconded by Mr. But I would like to point out again mr. Loretty who sponsors a warrant article Does not choose to participate in the process and be here at the hearing, but it's unnecessary. We've already done this move no action Okay on a motion by mr. Greerly of no action seconded by mr. Carrow all those in favor say aye all those opposed unanimous vote we go to article 60 resolution supporting state and federal legislation That promotes greater transparency and political donations and limits the influence of money in politics Hi, my name is Elizabeth Kwaski. I'm at 60 Pleasant Street Thank you for the late night This resolution isn't nearly as flashy as the sanctuary city one But I think it is still important what I would like is for the town of Arlington to adopt a non-binding resolution in support of the American anti-corruption Act This is a statewide or this is a part of a nationwide non-partisan effort Starting at the local level in order to reduce the influence influence of big money in politics I'm motivated by an organization called represent dot us this long-term goal and the long-term goal of this Organization is to gain enough popular support To pass this type of legislation on the state level and we're using the initial process to do so and Eventually, we'd like to pass it on the federal level. That's a big goal, but we're starting small. We're starting locally Now I'm not trying to say that Arlington has any sort of corruption problems Or that we have big money in our politics But by passing this non-binding resolution, we would show support for the statewide legislation that we're hoping to get done Similar legislation was passed recently in South Dakota This anti-corruption Act has several parts to it That aim to stop conflicts of interest and political bribery provide transparency for political donations and Fixed elections through measures like redistricting to prevent gerrymandering and to provide public funds for campaigns a Government should serve its people But lobbying groups and large political donations have circumvented that purpose and I have a bunch of research That shows this and I just want to cite one study in 2014 professors at Princeton and Northwestern Published results from a study that looked at more than 20 years of data to answer a very simple question Does the government represent the people and their study took data from nearly 2,000 public opinion surveys and compared it to policies that ended up becoming law in other words They compared what the public wanted to what the government actually did and what they found was that the opinions of 90% of Americans have essentially no impact at all Conversely, they found that the opinions of big money interests Do have a substantial impact for that and I do have a source for that that study So is it possible to completely remove the influence of money in politics? not likely But the anti-corruption Act is a good step towards better accountability there and this resolution will be a small step in order to help support that Mr. Burn I have a question where in the resolution it talks about preventing lobbyists from donating to politicians and Then but what do you say even though that those donations are Transparent and recorded through the Secretary of State site. So it seems like that I don't know if it Just might not really fit into the other themes that you know this Resolution is hitting on right. There's a lot of components this resolution and if you look at the anti-corruption Act There's a lot of components of that because it's trying to cover a fair amount of bases on that. I Don't really know how to state one way or the other on Just a question. I've you know, I do work in government affairs for quasi-state agency or we're not actually quasi-state agency but the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and You know, but and while we you know, I don't really think I make many donations I you know feel like this might be targeting, you know, a certain group here And I don't know if I'm really comfortable putting my name on this tonight Mr. Dunn so I In general, I really think that town meeting is best focused on on local issues And you know, I will say obviously Tonight was the exception that proved the rule because I really do strongly believe in the sanctuary town, but It is it's fairly It's fairly frequent for Groups of citizens like yourself are passionate about things which I I'm glad I just don't think the town meeting is Is the right venue? So I'm gonna move we recommend no action and I'm not gonna and it's not About the content. It's supposed so much as about the the relevancy and I don't think because I Yeah Motion of no action by mr. Dunn seconded by second Mr. Burn. Mr. Carol. Thank you And I'm sorry to hear it to this late hour But I do kind of Echo this I think the you probably heard some of the hesitation on the part of the moderator at the beginning of this evening about Resolutions he actually handles them in a specific way because There's a reason for that because the town meeting members That this town meeting has held the record for the longest town meeting going 15 16 17 nights something something like that To the point where We had difficulty actually even recruiting people to run with vacancies all over the town So there's been a lot of efforts to try to to try to slim down the the town meeting This is one of unfortunately. This is one of one of the ways The sanctuary town resolution related directly to a local policy matter But as far as statements on national or or state legislation, I Think what we've done in the past or done in the past is Offered during the announcement section of one of the time every every night at Tom meeting it begins with announcement Time any resident of the town is permitted to get up and speak for a limited I think it's three minutes for announcements To speak speak to the entire body of the town meeting and what's been done in the past is proponents for these resolutions You know, I'm happy to introduce you or I'm sure one of my colleagues would be happy to introduce you So that you could get up before the town meeting and invite All-town meeting members who will wish to to to sign on there's always a break in the in the middle And there's always at the beginning the only other thing I'll say is that I discussed this today with Representative garbally and he's more than willing also to meet with you about that the legislation to try to You know learn more about it and and you know potentially, you know assist you in forwarding it at the state level So I think those are a couple of the things that we could help you and if you need that introduction also to our delegation I think we all have good relations with with all three members of our state delegations as well And we're happy to help make those introductions as well Okay, we have a motion by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Burn any further discussion comments if not all those in favor say aye Hi, all those opposed unanimous vote. Thank you. Thank you saying so late We do still have three more items on the agenda, but let's see final votes and comments. Is there a motion move approval second so I Town council was tasked with either doing the really incredible amount of work You didn't prepare him for the sanctuary town article or prepare final votes and comments And I told them to prepare the sanctuary town matters. So those are not prepared for the board tonight. Okay, so All right, so moved to the table by mr. Grayley seconded by Second mr. Don all those in favor say aye Those opposed unanimous vote will now go to agenda item 15 endorsement of Purple Heart Community designation our town manager, mr Chapter Lane. Thank you madam chair This is simply I'm looking for a go-ahead from the board Jeff Chung low our veteran service officer in the veterans council Took a vote to request that this board designate Arlington as an honorary Purple Heart community And also that we then designate Mass Ave as our honorary Purple Heart Avenue If the board was so inclined to endorse that We would have a proclamation drafted and have signs made up that would be placed on Mass Ave Double-sided signs nearby both the central and Highland fire stations that would designate Mass Ave As an honorary Purple Heart Avenue didn't want to go through drafting the proclamation or creating the signs if the board didn't Like the idea if you do we'll come back at a future meeting this spring and have an official ceremony for such designation Motion to improve endorsement of Purple Heart moved by mr. Burn seconded by mr. Kiro any further discussion and comments if not on a motion by mr. Burn seconded by mr. Kiro all those in favor say aye aye all those opposed unanimous vote the next Request for a board designee and I'm gonna let the manager explain Exactly what this would be and I Will be unable to do this I have spoken with mr. Grilly Who I believe Is willing to accept this but mr. Chapter Lane if you could thank you not at the meetings tonight Incentive Thank You madam chair as the board knows it issued an RFP for the disposition of 1207 Mass Ave The town has received one proposal and after review by myself town council and direct the director of planning and community development We have found that one proposal to be Responsive in meeting the minimum quality criteria But the RFP did require both myself and a designee of the board to review and score that proposal before making a final Recommendation to the board so tonight. I'm asking for that board designee We will review and score the proposal and bring back a final recommendation to the board at an upcoming meeting So our motion are Can I point mr. Grilly or someone okay? I'd like to move by mr. Dunn seconded by mr. Currow any further discussion if not all those in favor say aye aye those opposed unanimous vote We now come to agenda item 17 mr. Grilly. Yes. Thank you madam chair first of all We all send our love and hopes out to Mariek Rappelka Who has gone through I think it's our 37th surgery or something but We we hope she's back as soon as possible, but it has come to We we have not really Established a process for a time like this. Marie's been out for a couple of weeks and will probably be for a couple more weeks so What I'd like to move is that? We set a policy going forward that we empower the chair in situations such as this to a name in this case Marianne Sullivan as as the acting administrator and Also Fran as the acting office manager and To you madam chair to also work with Adam and figure out the compensation Motion by mr. Grilly is there a second second I have a burn come as well And it's just that perhaps we should update the select bin's manual to reflect that I Was waiting for the vote on that but as soon as we approve that Is there are there any questions comments mr. Dunn I think it's a great idea. I think it's Jumping ahead to mr. Greeley's favorite to the handbook I think you should we should make sure that it includes notification of the rest of the board and town manager But yeah, yeah Okay, and a motion by mr. Greeley seconded by mr. Burn all those in favor say aye Those opposed unanimous vote correspondence received motion to receive by Mr. Burn is there a second second Mr. Cureau any comments questions From my colleagues if not on a motion by mr. Burn seconded by mr. Cure all those in favor say aye All those opposed unanimous vote Move we just been new business so moved Unless there's something does anybody is anybody burning what does that with a necessity? Okay, so with that I will take a motion to adjourn by move to adjourn really seconded by second mr. Cure all those in favor say aye