 Good evening everybody and welcome to the Arlington Board of Selection meeting for Monday March 23rd 2015 it's a little past 715 and I do call this meeting to order Like to remind everyone that ACMI is filming us tonight. So please smile widely when at the microphone We'll jump right into it with a discussion of the cable advisory committee status support John mark Thank You mr. Chairman now Glad to be here. I Wish I in purpose. Let me just say how much I miss coming to Selectman's meetings and it's It's just like old times and it's reminds me of the pleasure that I derived From my meeting with this August board But did you forget the dress code mr? The last time I was here I was one with the suit of mr Agrily informed me that I didn't get the casual dress memo now I if I was if I if I get embarrassed I would have been embarrassed, but I'd I'd never get embarrassed. So Genius whether you're in jeans or a suit sir Massachusetts and federal law requires you as licensing authority to have a ascertainment hearing after consultation with the manager and with your chair We've determined that April 15th will be the day of that meeting We'll be held here in the town hall Our outside council very capable gentleman by the name of Peter Epstein has put together a proposed agenda Which will be circulated to you prior to that hearing but I have it here tonight And I'll just briefly outline what will be covered at that meeting at that meeting first off We have with the capable assistance of Marianne and Marie in your office. We have made sure to post the notice In the or published the notice in the Arlington advocate in the next success of two-week editions We've also posted the notice on the web town website ACMI is putting it on Using a pretty on their facilities available to them as far as the notice on the bulletin board and so forth We have sent letters to all Perspective stakeholders including school committee superintendent schools the chamber the cable companies and other interested parties The first time we'll build this obviously will be Introduction by the chair at that time and then you the board as licensed authority will hear testimony from various parties including cable advisory committee ACMI first off any citizen input and as the chairman will announce as per the agenda item that Published comments are welcome both written and testimonial at that meeting and the record will be kept open for some time It'll be clear made clear though that rates of pay from each of the cable Companies is not something that is it within the purview of the licensing authority nor the programming but we anticipate hopefully a good turnout and We look forward to everyone's comments just to refresh your memory the Various cable contracts expire Comcast in July of 2016 RCN in September of 2016 and Verizon in March of 2017 it sounds like we're way ahead of the curve here, but we're actually not We have to leave time for adequate Negotiations which can has in the past can be shall we say The The site of visitor vigorous and frank exchanges sometimes contentious, but we're prepared I think And we'll be meeting with you again prior to those negotiation process going forward to talk about strategy And what the town would like to see is in the renewals of the various licenses So with that I'm glad to respond to any questions. I know you have a full agenda But again, I'm pleased to be here and just to bring you quickly up to date Also, by the way, we have met with ACMI Adam and I in late the late fall. We're meeting again with them this coming Thursday so that the town is In sync with them with regard to Those items that they'd like to see included be as you know, they're the principal beneficiary of the cable licensing 5% So we're looking at we're working hand-in-hand with them in furthest of that Adam and I asked ACMI to put together a booklet about Their needs going forward and you I think you have those in front of you. I asked if they'd be dropped off Just I just got mine today I have spent a little bit of time on them. It looks to be extremely impressive Publication and again, we'll be working hand-in-hand with the ACMI going forward in our Negotiation process at some point as I say we'll be back before you to talk about strategy in talking to you each individually So we can formulate what that strategy is going to be. So if there are any questions, I'm glad to respond Otherwise nice to see you all. Thank you very much. John. This is one of these committees that you know I think not a lot of people really think about but it's quite important for the town So I do think thank you for your work on that but I'm questions from the board Dan Just could you repeat that what day again? Are we doing it? I'm sorry. What day again April 15th Which I think it's a Wednesday Wednesday. Yes This may not be appropriate, but I'm taking advantage of the opportunity and it's something that we've discussed with the town manager At some point if working with ACMI we can get the select men's meetings Some of the technology that the school committee has in terms of like when we give PowerPoint presentations We have to show them on the chalkboard and it's really difficult when the camera tries to pick it up And I do know the technology that the school committee has which I am happy that they have it Their power points can get fed right into cable and be shown or it and they also have a different kind of screen And I said and have spoken with the town manager, you know I'm amenable to if you know for some reason we have to move this side over to that side and you know to put The screen up there, but what I'm not sure this is the appropriate venue, but I figure I put put it with Presented to you since you are discussing with ACMI along with the town manager that you know If that could be maybe this year's to-dos list that we can just get kind of up to speed with the technology We're you know, we're doing everything else that we can That's the point we'll raise with ACMI on Thursday. Thank you Mr. Greeley. Yeah Another concern I'd like you to bring up. I don't feel I'm on screen enough Would it be possible to increase my exposure? During these meetings like a separate camera I think we could probably work something else So we just traded on you Kevin for the entire we'll have two cameras one on you But the 15th is just for the ACMI, correct? I'm sorry the 15th hearing is just ACMI Oh, no, no, no, it's the general public. Okay, the law requires us to ask the general public on two points one is You know, what do you consider the performance of the various cable companies and what are the town? Needs as far as both the town side school side and a public What would they like to see how can cable be improved and again? It can't be about rates. It can't be about Programming but there are other things that certainly can be addressed and we've had the last hearing we had was up, you know Over about, you know, 12 13 years ago, and I remember we had quite a bit of input from the public So it's the general public ACMI And any any other interested individuals who want to be heard? No, but is it Verizon also? Is it Verizon? Comcast and RCN all are invited. We're a little bit fortunate because have we have three Cable companies and all of the licenses expire about within a year of each other. So we're only gonna have one ascertainment hearing Rather than having three for each of the providers Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman I just wanted to say first off Attorney Marr has really done put a yeoman's effort into leading this charge So I want to thank him for his work to date But to be brief if you're watching this at home or you're gonna eventually watch this streaming And you think that's valuable come to this hearing and state that ACMI and the services it provides Thank you very much So further discussion seeing none. Thank you very much John. Thank you. Thank you Moving on consent agenda. We have the minutes of meeting of March 9th 2015 we have the appointment of new election workers a Roxy Mercipian Evelyn Lewis and Carol Phillips Approval motion I'd like to abstain on the minutes. Can we take them separately? Yes. Yes. We of course we can so first motion on minutes of meeting section We need a motion on it I think that's what Mr. Greeley was moving. All right. Well, I moved on the election worker appointment. Oh, okay I'll move on the minutes second. We have a motion a second all those in favor. Please say aye. Hi And a motion on number three So move approval on the three election workers second your motion a second all those in favor. Please say aye. Thank you The new election workers here Nope Moving on license and permits we have a request for a common victual error for Maria's pizzeria Ruzana Please come to the microphone Good evening. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I your plans for the restaurant, etc. Good evening board members My name is Immanuel may Maris. I'm the attorney representing Zikarian and her corporation it's a real Maria ink in her quest to acquire the pizzeria at 86 mass avan Arlington from the current owner She comes with the background of about 14 years of experience having worked in a couple of places similar in size and Work as Maria's pizzeria currently offers The plan is to keep the establishment as it is right now. The menu is going to stay the same the hours of operation are going to stay the same the Think a couple of employees are going to stay on for a while until she gets the hang of the business she has worked and continues to work right now in a lunch establishment that serves American deli type food and Previously to that was working in a breakfast place Right now. She's in water town at 40s falafel in deli and previously. She was at Heidi's restaurant in Waltham She has a wealth of experience in this field and she is also it's going to be like a family operation her sister-in-law is going to be very much involved in the day-to-day operations as manager and And What else can I mention? There is a current license to have outdoor seating and chairs. I think three Tables and six chairs outside during the summertime where they put up umbrellas and we are hoping that license continues with To be transferred to the new owners Thank you very much The vendors are going to stay the same too. Awesome questions comments from the board I just actually Mrs. Sullivan or perhaps town council through you and this is Move approval on this application. It's just sort of a housekeeping thing Um, I see that down in the application. We have seating capacity, which is for inside Should we have something on this? For establishments that do have outside seating that they can also put that on or is that just something? That's not needed. No, we definitely could we've actually been working On developing a new common victula So we could easily do that if you could just discuss it and then you want it was just has nothing to do with the application It just happened to catch my eye. Thank you. Kevin. Yes Thank you very much for choosing Arlington for your business samples of your food Well, I'm gonna have to go on blind faith, but I support it and thank you very much for being here Thank you very much for the comments seeing none comments from the crowd Seeing none. So we have a motion a second and I'll echo Kevin's comments from Congratulations, and thank you very much. All those in favor, please say aye. I Congratulations, thank you council. Thank you moving forward the discussion and adoption of of Pacty policy insurance requirements. This is an issue we discussed Well, it must have been last month or a few meetings ago and we asked to Hope push it off until we could get some input from Taxi drivers that operate in Arlington, and I think I see many of them here tonight and we did receive Written comments as well Before I Get into discussion and ask the board for further discussion. I Think that as of right now, you know, I think With the plan stated this the industry seems to be a pretty dynamic right now. There's quite a few Things going on at the state level that I would be comfortable Waiting to implement these changes until we see what those Changes at the state level are I think we have to you know This it's tricky. We don't know what the regulations for the ride sharing will be and you know, I think that it might be prudent to Put this off until that time comes but with that being said, I'm happy to get into the discussion with the board So Mr. Chair question to you. What is the status of House bill 854? So, you know, I don't think You know, I don't have Any comments on the status of this bill 854, but I know that I Think that we'll see movement on if not 854 very You know, I don't want to call it similar language, but I anticipate this issue being a priority that is Discussed forthwith And I think that you'll see some action on this in the near future and I think that you know listening to the discussion both You know, I think in the city of Boston and then At the state house that there this is on the top of their priority list and they realize that regulations Will be necessary for it Joe says I look at this and it looks like actually what the house is anticipating is actually greater than what what We have in front of us as a proposal except for the the property and medical portions of it Is that the state of it the bill as you currently understand it? so I don't want to I don't want to be speaking as someone who knows exactly what's gonna happen and I think that the Committee will probably take up a you know, if not this bill of a similar piece of legislation that focuses You know, I don't know if it will be this exact language, but I think that there will be some sort of regulations put forth Thank you Further day in and just to put on the table What I'm leaning the position I'm coming from right now is that We've had discussions at previous meetings with town council and the select ones office amongst ourselves that I would like to set The 100 300,000 rate We discussed previously that if the state comes out with different recommendations and we think they're better, you know We can adopt them only because this has been discussed at the State House, but I think the uber talks have really Dominated and kind of sidetracked everything and we began this discussion About about a year about 15 months ago when the globe came out with the spotlight on the city of Boston And it is noted that you know, New York City and Los Angeles have the 100 300,000 That's the lowest and then I think Chicago and Dallas were 300 and 500 for personal and then Triple that for property So so I'm sort of the position that you know, it's been like 15 16 months now I'd like to set something But I do want to hear from the acne taxi owners Their thoughts on that as well as if and when we didn't make any changes If there's a you know more appropriate time that works for everybody Through the selectments office as well as people the hackney owners in terms of best transition But I'd kind of like to and I don't mind waiting I'm not you know gonna stomp my feet and be really angry and upset, but I just feel like we've waited so long So I'm of that position, but I want to hear what everyone else has to say Okay, so I think that's where we understand where There's a divide between the board on this and I think that we look forward to hearing from everyone in the crowd, so please If we I guess we'll just take it in order if there Anyone who wants to speak on this will line up Behind the microphone and we'll do it that way. How you doing? Good evening Tom Whelan owner and operator of I like to veterans taxi I've had got my first license. I think it was in 95 somewhere on there and I picked up the second license here a couple years ago When I got it got the letter here, it's the first time I heard about it So I really didn't have time to check it a lot, but I did check with my insurance company and First they told me that my insurance company, which is a rubella Does it will not cover the higher rates. They don't cover them and most Cavs in the state of Massachusetts cover that basic what we have right now And my rates would basically double from what they are I heard the board talking about The state and all the stuff that's going on there, but that's uber. That's not taxi cabs Taxi cabs are different. We you know, we already regulated We were here a couple years ago when the all the licenses were opened up and I Know a couple of taxi people we we didn't like it Because we just the business is not there for all these cabs I can't even get my cabs on the stand during the morning sometimes With uber and all this other stuff. It just seems like Again, it's the cabs that are coming down. You know that people that were heavy rate regulated We have to have proof of you know all our stuff. It just seems like Here we go again but Other than that This is basically all you have to say. I just think I hope the board will really think about What you're gonna do if you do it and give us as much time as possible And do some you know check around and just see what the other towns are doing I'm Like I say from what I've gathered. This is big. That's the basic coverage for the Boston does business like that Low Lawrence all these they all do the same. So I don't know Do we have questions from as well Hi, so one of thank you for coming and talking to us one of the Emails that we got from one of the other cabs insurance companies Specifically had a problem so in the recommendation. There's talked about the personal property the accident the property of the medical payments and The the the email that we got said that the particular we had a particular problem with the medical payments Right, okay. They won't even come my I don't even she told me that this new insurance company that I would have to get There's a rebel it won't cover it won't even cover that that's something else. I'd have to get so I don't even know where I get it so that one That one to me was that email was very informative for me. So I'm definitely The medical payment. I'm definitely very concerned about is there so but beyond the I will also say that the 2040 number Seems surprisingly low like it just doesn't seem and so I was curious if there was is so is there a number there that you Think that makes sense or is it you know, is there any movement or look at it? So the medical payment. I'm I definitely I get the message and I understand personally I don't know the rest of the board and I hear that one, but the 2040. I'm similarly Wondering if there's somewhere that would be in a more appropriate number Well, I'd say I'd never I just go by I take my stuff up to my agent She tells me what do we got to have and that's you know, that's what I go by I mean just like any of the business you want to have your You know your overhead is not low as possible. I mean So thank you Further discussion. Oh, I'm sorry for the question. I have a question I'm not sure if I can ask it and if you don't want to answer it. That's fine I'm just trying to think of if there is any transition Is it appropriate if I ask like when like I know my husband every year at a certain time We have renewals whether it's life insurance health insurance. Is it appropriate for me to even ask? the gentleman when he Renews his goes to the insurance company every year. Why I mean this you feel comfortable and I'm I'm just trying to think of My head in terms of you know lines runs out at mom like halfway to my runs out in November every year November of the Okay, thank you Thank you for discussions for I mean further questions. Yeah, I had one more question similar to Dan's I mean one other thing that I flagged here is that that We're asking for proof of registration on the certificate and Correspondence we received from one of the other operators said that the insurance agents are not able to provide that I thought we already had that On the certificate, okay Thank you for the discussion From the audience Very in I think so, too, and I'm here to answer any questions that you may have But for you Need this back Thank you some of this research has Come out of the commissioner's office And are there any questions on that email Dan I was just gonna ask at some point the same question that I asked mr. Whalen, which is So you give an understanding that the medical payment is significantly different medical payments are impossible. There's excess I love me. I'm just understanding that they're they don't make sense Is there a number on the other two that does make sense? You can answer it in the course of again, mr. Dunn. We don't set those rates They come out of the state rating bureau. They come out of the commissioners office and they come out of Car Commonwealth automobile reassures They set the rate and I understand they had a meeting a match 10th to raise those rates That's not gonna happen. However, I Think it I think if you have no more questions on what I sent to you I drew something up in conclusion and then maybe you can ask some questions You might the board might be able to understand a few things if it's okay I think that we prefer to hear a presentation and then we'll ask questions Pardon we prefer to hear your presentation Well, the presentation went to you to each and every one of you via email Well, didn't you just say you I'd conclude a remarks. Well, I do But there's no questions being asked on the presentation Further, yes, I'll try again then so I understand that you don't set the rate But the the the limits that we're current that are under our current policy that the requirement is 20,000 40,000 right that state state mandated right and so it's state mandated and echoed in our policy Yes, and so one of the there there has been talk on the State House of raising that 2040 to 100 slash 300 yes, and there's something that we sent in a memo that we were considering doing 50 to 100. Yes, and so in the the response that you In your presentation spent talked a lot about the medical payment and that message has been received But I haven't heard an argument about why 2040 is preferable to say 50 100 or 100 300 Well, please be advised that I am not an insurance man I only know what I was taught in the last 45 years in this business What happens is when you ask for excess limits on taxi caps Those excess limits can be provided through the assigned risk bureau of which there are only two companies that will write Those limits, which is safety and pilgrim. However Anything over and above the bodily liability They have their own reasons We would have to leave the Commonwealth and get the excess limits in another in another state And it would be written out of the manual so an experienced modification Would not help that situation and mr. Chairman a lot of those questions that mr. Dunn's asking me I remember my minutes and Maybe it'll be a bit clearer Thank you, because I'm not totally familiar with These answers and I get nervous under a camera and if I misspell something or say something wrong I don't want it held against me I'd like to ask the same question I asked the previous gentleman if you happen to know When your liability insurance is yes On some cases the physical fiscal and some are annual it depends upon when you first sign on So it's either July of this year or December this not necessarily it could be a Policy can run from February to February or March to March Thank you, you're welcome Could mr. Chairman mr. Dunn and I we've had a little love Communication and I'd like to clear that up with him if I may I'm certainly okay with it I'm it has to I'm sure it has to do with the the email described a car accident that one of his cars had with a uber driver and Yeah, so I mean I'm not sure it affects our rate does but I'm sure it affects this But I've certainly no problem talking about it. Okay. Thank you mr. Chairman mr. Dunn that loss happened on February 4th, and I believe the date of the Denial was the 23rd to on that particular date We did not know why it was denied we called The senior claims adjusted and they simply said that it was canceled for non-payment that and then thank you for your time and Educating me about a company regarding over now at the time. I did not know it was an uber driver or A a lift driver or a side side car I believe they call it and it's to my understanding that everyone these individuals out there have these into individual taxi apps And they're working for all three However, we did discover that that passenger that was in their vehicle who was in the front seat by the way and We were deemed no fault by the Arlington Police Department. We had the vehicle towed We had to pay the gate fee and the gate fee out finally We did get our Bella to come out our Bella deemed the vehicle total So obviously because we is just tying the thing up. We we get rid of the vehicle but this brings me to what's really going on in our community and We have people who will go out and hire a passenger plate So like you guys put your vehicles on I'll tell you a lot of this is in my minutes Because they spent a lot of time and I think it'll be very clear if I'm allowed What if I'm allowed to read my closing? Yes, please. All right. Thank you Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak on the insurance issue The bottom line is taxis are regulated by them by this board in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a Taxi plate means a taxi the insurance to operate is extremely expensive for the mandated limits Which are 2045? That are currently compulsory if you bought those limits in North Carolina or out in Seattle or someplace else those limits would be a lot less But there's only two companies at right taxies voluntarily in the Commonwealth. So they kind of have us under their gun Any increased coverage where it would have to come from the pool. That's the assignments bureau plus out-of-state coverage for the excess limits because anything it's mandated 2040 and My case we carry extra property damage in case we do get involved. You never know you'd hit a Mercedes or something That would double our existing premium blanket coverage is totally unavailable for taxis Therefore in consideration of the board, please know that the increased premium cost would be reflected in the meter rate. So if you We'd have to raise the rates. We don't want to in fact in our last meetings of 2012 We haven't raised our rate In consideration of the boy, please know that the increased premium cost would reflect reflected in the meter rate And there was no need for additional coverage as we are not contractual This would have an impact on the seniors their families in the community The already existing insurance coverage is the same mandatory rates in all cities and towns Including the city of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville and Waltham to mention a few Note for the city of Boston the compulsory rate averages around ten thousand dollars annually for those same lower mandated rates So 2045 cost a Boston cab driver near ten thousand dollars and that's with a Written in voluntarily out of the pole, but if he's on the merit system those numbers could they could jump Compulsory mandated coverages for those drivers with an excellent merit rating a drive with bad experience would be facilitated in the pole The Assignments Bureau and said rates would be considerably higher The board needs to be clear a passenger plate your vehicles my vehicle into a delivery plate the premium is far less and Excess coverage is available For the non regulated motoring public and livery carriers The non-taxi plate With increased bodily injury property damage coverage comes with a lower premium cost because it's a non-taxi Is he getting clear the passenger and the liveries are not mandated by regulation Therefore not a level playing field Please know that the Commonwealth automobile reassure is known as car is the ruling government governance of what is a livery and what is a taxi? The ruling is as follows a taxi is a call and pick up on demand. This is coming from the Commonwealth a livery is a reservation and no we'll call on demand livery the term livery comes from the stables up in the heights the old no dairy where They Had a horse in carriage and they were allowed to take somebody to a wedding in town down in the center and every every town You know had that but and and for funerals But according to the the regulations that livery needs a phone call as a reservation It can do what it's hired to do But it must return to the barn and not leave for two hours, which is totally being abused After clearing the livery must return to this place of garaging and wait for the next move for a period of two hours This rule is being totally ignored mandates We must adhere by the board's rules as to a fix a taxi plate and pay the high taxi premium for our units If not our licenses will be suspended by this board as we would be in violation We must have a meter in the unit as to measure cost We must license our drivers and the driver print driver training programs, etc comply with the honest and pleased apartment in conjunction with the board's rules of governing We have for over 40 years adhere to those rules without an infraction however, we are completing with the likes competing with the likes of gypsy cabs tax apps taxi apps that have no taxi plate and are not paying the taxi premium and Doing taxi work. It's a catch 22 The exact same duties as we without regulation they do have and I have to bring them in because they're a part of the problem the exact same duties as We without regulation. They do not have any rulings whatsoever They are allowed to pick up in our community without complying with the board's rules and regulations They have drivers who are not quarried as the taxi app driver And I know Dan will give me an argument in that but I'll get to that in a minute They have drivers who are not quoted as a taxi app driver application only describes that driver of said applicant However, does not describe the next driver and or the next shift Who uses the applicants pre-approved communication with the app carriers connection? The individual's account the public has no idea of who is driving them Currently local and state police are investigating rapes and robberies that have been televised that I'm sure the board is familiar with with no actual arrest This is an unfair playing field, but we must abide Overcharging we cannot charge a premium surcharge. If so, we would be in violation of the said rules of this board and penalized But the app carriers can It's published an example a late Friday night with inclement weather over skylift and sidecar can have Chads a premium or a surcharge on top of the premium surcharge. Let me give you an example and we tested it There has been public complaints regarding price gouging from the taxi apps We're off. We're all aware of that Sir, is this going to get back to the insurance part of it with almost done Another example, they will not do any work in town This is where the insurance present Mr. Chairman what I'm trying to explain to you is when they're using a passenger plate and putting on a hundred three hundred a hundred thousand property damage They can do that they can do that for between eight hundred and twelve hundred dollars We because we're mandated by your board. We can only get 20 40 50 and it cost in the city of Boston $10,000 and I'm trying to explain why they're getting away with that in this community, and I'm Please mr. Chairman, will you let me finish well, please do yes, but you're going in a very roundabout way Okay, I'll get to the point. We are not a contractual vendor We represent the licensing board of this community and are subject to carry the Commonwealth's mandatory compulsory insurance rates Higher rates are an unaffordable and can't be Unobtainable we have an average of three losses a year Main offender vendors if we were there to incur a major liability bodily injury loss to last will be impacted upon us And I'm going to close one more paragraph It's been brought to our attention. There are lawsuits going on the city of Boston Taxi divisions as well as other communities for not enforcing their own rules and regulations as well as selective enforcement and spot zoning the taxi industry and its agents have hired a lobbying group as well as as legal teams and actuaries to Compensate for the insurance increases and sidecar attack inside car our taxis doing its work with no taxi insurance Nor are they required to be burdened with the high tax premiums for compulsory coverage because they do not have taxi plates One one more paragraph is I know Try writing it Please know there are currently current meanings going on the state-level in conjunction You just meant to mention the House bill number and the insurance commissioner state reading Bureau Commonwealth of Mass Reinsurers notice cat the Attorney General and Governor's office. We have been informed that decisions on regulation insurance and otherwise Etc is getting close We are on the list according to the Commonwealth of Mass chapter 159 159a and 160b of the DPU for the results of such hearings There are inquiries and discussions with the insurance commissioner's office state rating Bureau governor's office as well as the attorney Joseph we will be notified of that clarity and will inform this board of those results There are many other issues that we have on our agenda regarding the taxis in Allenton that need to be addressed and Discussed with this board our business dropped over 50% so since our last meetings of 2012 I would like to discuss these issues with the town in a closed session as there is just too much at Hand to get into those matters this evening We are requesting that the board delay the insurance increase and thank you that you did and on the liability and property damage To receive clarity from the Commonwealth Commonwealth's governing authority respectfully Allenton taxi Thank you, Mr. Chairman questions further questions seeing none Question is a comment so I do agree that there are I'm always happy to talk about ways that these rules can be improved But I will say that we can't do it in closed session legally so anytime But anytime you wish you want to do it either through correspondence or through Conversation or something like that. I'm happy to do it. Well, there are certain things that can't be discussed because You're opening your books up and that's that's illegal and at the same time We I hope that the board now understands what's going on at the bottom line is a taxi plate one-price Passenger and they're taking advantage of that, but our community is suffering as well We've lost four of our drivers who've put uber cars on that that Picking up people not just in our community Thank you. Thank you. Yes, Kevin. So, I mean, I agree. It's unfair clearly But isn't your argument that we should find a way to regulate uber versus Right, isn't that your whole argument that they're not regulated and we are is that really that's part of the argument But let's let's list uber under livery. There is no regulation on liveries And there never has been regulation on liveries. We should have nipped this in the bud 25 years ago However, we did not and this is the end result today and we're going to leave that up to the state The Department of Public Utilities will will probably take that over and and and take care of that regulation until then I I would I would I guess ask the board Why are we not concentrating on some type of prohibitive rulings for those who are picking up that are not legal in this community community and enforcing it I Think that's what I'm I'm I'm asking Yes, how could we possibly enforce it? Well, we have a police department No, I understand but how would I mean if I understand the way uber works, and I've never used them So I don't know it's done by cell phone Right. Yes, so we would have to be outside someone's address when they're being picked up Mr. Greeley it's going beyond that they're pulling on your stands with the few stands we have left their parking there They're parking over in Belmont and down in Cambridge and They're just you know picking up I think a phone call from one of our drivers or our office would send a cruiser right down and yet We're being scrutinized left and right extra additional insurance. I'll tell you how I feel Yeah, no, no, we I know that 2012. Mr. Greeley. I beat up pretty bad here and I I'm still recovering from those bruises and I Don't know where to go next Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Yes, I'm further discussion from the board I just want to say first of all in that example of the the pickups from the stands I mean it's illegal for them to be for anyone other than taxis to be in those stands, so I Don't know why you wouldn't make it So that that's just one thing what a part of your presentation you said that you stated the difficulty in obtaining Absurances beyond in excess limits Have you gotten any indication from your carriers that if the state does increase the limits at the state level that they will cover to that level the commissioners of office and car are well aware of the premium for those carriers that write Fleets voluntarily I Don't know what they're gonna do with the involuntary market are the assigned risk bureau But I think that they would take into consideration the cost Now one or two things will happen. I think that maybe That the premium for delivery Once they establish what is in fact delivery may rise I Think that may be for hopefully for the around the same money that we're paying that our limits would would be increased But I can tell you this I think was as much 10th Just a few weeks back They had a meeting on it and nobody budged So I can't answer that so I think where I feel like I am right now These limits have to be increased I believe but I'm tending to just to agree with the chair Holding on and I know we've been dragging this out a long time We've been dragging this out a long time, but I don't want to have to come back here and do it again in the future and Tending to agree with the chair that we should give it just a little bit more time for the state process to work through But they do have to increase one way or another This will not be the only community to be state-wide It's just oh, I thought he was addressing me mr. Chairman you can actually sit down Okay, I thank you. Thank you. May I approach the bench and get my copy from Mr. I actually have a question about that. Does this have to go into public record now that it was discussed by the board Well, those are my personal records, I just shared that with the board Okay, so we'll make a meeting of that there's any private information in there we can Thank you for the discussion Further I think we have more taxi driver companies further discussion from the crowd Please come forward Good evening the Glad to see that You know We're all growing beards these days. It seems like the new fashion Yeah, although I'm starting to think taxis kind of like snow lately it's become a four-letter word that shouldn't be used in public I'd like to respectfully ask that what the chair suggested at the beginning be Seriously considered this there's so much on the table. There's so much moving about right now between City of Boston looking at this. I know Mayor Walsh and Mayor Curtatone. You're heading up a committee that's looking at this The the state is looking at it at the DPW level car is looking at it They're a bunch of them are waiting for a number of lawsuits to see how they fan out to see how that's going to affect One of the things that's been floated about is that the lift ride What is it lift uber a side car and all them would be placed into the carpool So that would you know that would Enhance the number of people insured it would raise the pool limits and then we would all have to get the same level of insurance That's one of the theories that's out there whether or not that happens A lot of people are waiting to see what action the state house takes and then car will respond to that to set the Set the rates You know, it's hard. I mean that I don't blame uber, but they they have a billion dollars and We don't have a million between all of us the You know and then when when we're also in a community there. It's not a medallion community. So the value of our Permits is not existent. They're only valued based on Next year's issuance. So, you know, we don't have that Wherewithal to sit there and be able to challenge all this with you know a group of lawyers up here I Would just respectfully ask that you wait and see what action the state City of Boston and some others take I think there's going to be some action nationally on some of this because it's becoming an issue that You know, what's next are they going to start having mobile? Bar service. I know there's somebody out there trying to do a fundraising thing for that they want to have mobile bar services that'll move around cities and towns and If you don't regulate uber, why would you regulate that? You know, I mean, it's Now they're doing laundry maps or laundry service. It's Where's it start? Where's it end? But I'd like to see what action the state takes because if the state takes the action Car will have to allow those rates and then at least everyone in the industry will be on an equal footing Right now uber is killing us lifts killing us side cars killing us The bunch of unregulated livery services running around is killing us if you raise our rates and we have to raise our rates We're going to be priced out of a market that we're already dying in and That'll mean cabs from some of all cabs from Cambridge will be able to come in under cut what little taxi business there is still left and None of us will be at the next meeting We'll probably be applying for jobs Or driving uber. Thank you. Thank you questions Yes, they are Just the same question if you know when you you feel comfortable saying do you have a standard time that your liability insurance needs to be renewed? Mine is usually November 30th because that's when the taxi plates renew. Thank you. Thank you further questions Kevin. Mr. Bonnie, are you down 50% more? For the questions seeing them. Thank you very much. Thank you. I move we table on your recommendation sir about See what happens on the state level We have a motion second Yes, I also like to suggest that maybe if we are tabling I noticed that the petition is by Can I get one last bite? You certainly can okay? This was originally filed January 2013. I think it was I don't know if it's representative Bradley or senator Yeah, and if you follow the evolution of it back in January 13 Goes to the house goes to the Senate. They sent it to the committee on financial Services it came out Favorably by that committee went back Languished all the way of 2014 and came back again represented a godly as you know what bills 20 people can file the same bill you know sign on a sponsor So at the last meeting in March of 2015 what the house did in the Senate concurred which was to refer it back to Financial services, which is what they did in January 2013 the reason why I? One of the main motivating factors that I have is number one whatever Rate we set the insurance companies will provide. I'm not talking medical pay or anything like that But personal body injury and property whatever we set You will be able to get insurance for that number one number two a lot of our hackney providers are providing services to special ed Students and young adults and I know Rick. I and Nellie spoke very highly of Several of the drivers that are doing that And I think the nature of the business has changed as well as even if you're an able-bodied person and you you get hurt 20,000 you know unless it's a very minor accident, so I guess my plug here is I just see this languishing forever forever forever and you know I was hoping at some point And perhaps maybe as a compromise just hearing from The gentleman who came before us. It seems like the end of the year is when their policies are coming up for renewal I Would like to take action on this tonight, but I don't think I can count to two Unless I can count myself three times But you know I don't want to keep waiting on the state because there's some background stuff on this If you know if you look at the litany and the evolution and basically they've tossed this hot potato around for two years You know they've had recommendations of what it should be But you know how it is constituents go in and groups go in and I think at some point We just have to put the hammer down so if there's not an appetite to do tonight I guess I would just please inform my colleagues that you know By the end of the year and I think the state house is still not going to come out with anything I think the city of Boston will And again, it's around the uber to it's it's kind of tied. That's two hot potatoes But I think to just keep saying wait wait for the state wait for the state they've been In my opinion playing games with us for two years, and I'm just thinking of the nature of the business And I know sometimes it's really hard to be in hackney and livery. You know when the cost of gas was 479 A gallon I know filling up my car was 75 to 80 dollars now down to 15 or 20 You know so there are things that rise and fall in every business, and I think you know at some point Hopefully we can step up on this especially, you know, I don't know if there's any way we can just I Guess for the future if we could increase the bodily injury side I mean because that's my main concern, but I think legally we can't you know if we increase bodily we have to You know in the medical profession. It's one times three You have one million three million you have two million six million in terms of coverage But I'm not seeing the appetite for anybody wanting to Vote on this tonight. I guess I would just implore. Let's not just keep doing what the state is doing and just doing nothing And then have someone come to the microphone and bring somebody in with medical costs, and we say Well, we'll wait for the state Thank you for the discussion Dan I Definitely I understand your argument Diane for sure, but I'm not yet convinced that we can act Without the state and so the thing that would I can tell you the thing that would convince me is that if I So On one hand, but we've got several taxid Owners and a quote from a specific insurance company of one of the taxi owners in our packet And I don't have any corresponding Like you know essentially a counter argument where someone could say if we do this rate change The rate impact will be and it's like a manageable number And if I saw that I would be ready to move out of line with the state But right now my my instinct tells me my instinct With the information I've got in front of me I'm trusting the insurance company that actually you know put their thoughts in paper So I'm giving you the recipe for getting your vote Which is show me that the impact is reasonable and if it is I'll support it so We have a motion a second on the table. I think that but we have further discussion Okay Let you know I'm I run higher rates and that causes me a lot Hot of time to grow any bigger Because of that, you know a hundred thousand three hundred thousand would put me out of business And they would definitely put me out of business. Thank you very much. Thanks Okay, so we have a motion a second is there a further discussion before we vote on this Yes, Kevin. Well, I I Agree we should wait for the state, but I hear what Diane is saying so I'm willing to amend my Motion to table until November 1st or whatever that first meeting in November is Doesn't mean we're gonna do anything different and I don't know if that's soon enough for you Diane, but I Hear your point and if it is indeed the end of November that a lot of them are renewing then Maybe that'll be a time and I will see what the state has done by that point So I will support that but I do think that when we get when we get to that point I guess what I'm worried about is Taking this issue up and then having to readdress it, you know And another couple months after that. So I think that if we my instinct is if we wait to see what the state regulations are we can do a You know a whole worth what we can come to a whole worthwhile approach that involves everyone at the table as opposed to You know doing it this way, but I think I'm where the hell the motion is I will support it and So Motion to second all those in favor of please say aye. Hi post. No Thank you four to one Could I get some direction or just clarity on one thing right now? Yes So we currently won't renew until after a discussion in November Or should I go through that review product renewal process now? I start on I feel we should just go forward with the rules as they exist Yes, that's what I would anticipate. So I know which ones come up before November 1st. Yes They're all up there passed up because we've been waiting so good. I will renew that. Yes. Thank you Talk with Joe Carabello and we'll go with the policy as it is So even that issue with a bond with the state. We will not accept. We go to our policy. Yes Thank you everyone Moving on orders in other business approval Memorial for Robert Bobby Mack McMurray Second we have a motion a second Dan Thank you to the public Memorial Committee for their work. Thank you to this board for what I'm sure is it's forthcoming Approval seeing as it did I can tell you I've only had a board of selectments packet make me cry once And it was all the letters that we got in support of Bobby and I was down to quad cycles on Sunday, and we're getting ready to do a Memorial ride and the certification of like the event on April 4th And so I hope that what people can join us and thank you Thank you very much We have a motion a second further discussion Seeing none all those in favor, please say aye Thank you, and thank you Dan for bringing that to our attention Presentation from the Arlington Commission on Arts in Culture in your report We just wanted to briefly highlight some of the I mean we're not going to go through the whole report It's brief anyway, but we would just want to highlight a few of the items because they pertain to an upcoming meeting that we'd like You all to know about So some of the things that we've worked on over the past year as we've hired our new arts and culture liaison who you may have heard about or it may have even met Amy Monju She has been working on our website and she has created, you know, a beautiful Blog format. It's very graphically appealing with different organizations and institutions of arts and culture and then if you click on the various circles You can learn more about them and hear about upcoming events She also keeps the cultural calendar which all the arts organizations have been clamoring for for quite some time No one has actually been able to do it in a sustainable way and even though she's taken on a full-time job She seems to somehow still be Keeping with this keeping up with this cultural calendar. So That's very exciting Yeah, she is keeping up with so far so we'll see how that goes and Also, we've spent a lot of time discussing the idea of a cultural plan Starting to research cultural plans of other towns partly, you know, thinking about it in conjunction with the master plan process That's been going on We have been Commenting on the various white papers we did, you know, when they were out in last spring On matters of arts and culture just trying to create some awareness and and About about that when we were talking about Planning for the town and cultural venues and use of public space and things like that One thing that we've also been researching is this idea of cultural district designation. This came up In a long time ago when we did the 2012 Arlington alive meeting We had Mary Jenkins from the Massachusetts Cultural Council speak at that meeting and she was in charge of cultural districts And so it's something that now we're returning to as next steps for Arlington. We've thought about Applying for a grant, you know grant applications We thought about coming and doing a cultural plan and we're thinking about cultural district designation It seems like cultural district designation is the lowest hanging fruit. What is cultural district designation? It is a designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council given to towns that have a density of Cultural offerings within a walkable geographically defined district We are we have arguably at least two districts in town that are like that Maybe we can make the argument that You know are a larger piece of the town could be designated. We're not sure but right now We are planning on convening meeting of some potential stakeholders and some key organizations on April 16 We are we are co-chairing we are co-sponsoring this meeting with Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee We have had some joint meetings with them to discuss this So we've invited these key organizations to come I know that Cambridge Savings Bank has accepted and Artbeat and Forest 13 Forest Gallery the library and we're collecting more RSVPs for this meeting to try We're still sending out invitations and we're trying to To put together a partnership because one of the requirements of cultural districts is that you must have a partnership that has public and private organizations in the town together and And and that that becomes the management organization of the district They have to come up with a marketing plan and a management plan for the district among the other steps that May be taken if the the application does actually have to come from the town It's a matter of you're signing it, but it's also a matter of you're holding a public hearing announcing the intention of that of wanting to form a cultural district so right now we are for you gathering Folks together to see if there is actually that will if you're going to have the swell if you're going to have the People power to actually manage this district And if we have that support and the will of the cultural entities in town Then we hope that you will want to you know host a hearing and and possibly sign this application Thank you very much. It sounds like an exciting time No, very cool work questions comments from the board Joe. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you Bob and Stephanie You know the Commission is pretty young, but has really been Going to town with a lot of different initiatives. I don't think you mentioned you mentioned Hiring Amy is as the liaison. She's been donating our time to the town ten hours per week So and it's it's she's got a lot of energy and that was really a great great initiative on your part. I've been working with the the ATED on the cultural district initiative, but I know that You know all of the the members of the working group went out and talked to probably 12 or 15 different communities that have done that Including I had the opportunity to speak to our former planning director. Mr. McClennan was now a Sluckman down in Orleans and and that community had had Had instituted a cultural district. He was very helpful because he knows our town as well I was able to give some some great advice and point us to some other folks who have been very helpful and Kind of advising us and and what Arlington's prospects would be I'd also note that one of the I Guess it's the newest member of the the Commission that the manager Appointed and we we approved was Mr. Hyde who was he worked in the mass office of tourism If we are successful in obtaining the cultural district Designation the town does get promotion both through the mass cultural council But also through the mass office of tourism they specifically promote These these districts and I think we have a lot going for us But this will have to be a big community effort and I think that Barbara and Stephanie and the others you've done a great Great job turn a drum up and and identify organizations. It's it's businesses It's non-profits. It's arts and culture organizations. It's it's governmental organizations so, you know, I'm looking forward to to the Upcoming meeting and the efforts around this it does give us preferential treatment in terms of looking for grant Support in the future. Theoretically it does at least that was the intent of the legislation. I don't think I misspoke. Did I? It doesn't hurt for a community to show all the different entities working together and that is a way to get grants Nobody's promising anything, but that is what we're trying to do here to get Businesses and arts organizations cultural organizations historical entities to come together 37 communities in the Commonwealth have Named there are 37 cultural districts. You can have up to three in each city or town, right? So anyway, we are following our mandate among which is a cultural plan You have for the board of has charged us with that and so we are These are all part of a whole Toward a cultural plan and as Stephanie said, this is low-hanging fruit We think we are looking forward to seeing what the community members will say and this is just a first Step there will be larger meetings to come So, thank you. Thank you First I'd like to move receipt of your second annual report and secondly just a quick question if it's still in the Brewing stages and there's not an answer yet. That's fine. I'm just curious. I know it's said somewhere in here I believe that Amy met with Adam Kowalski if I'm butchering his last name. I apologize about Getting a map that displays cultural organizations and something else my question is If this is the way you're going, I think it's fantastic Do you envision the end result of that would be that somehow when people go on to the town? Town of Allington website There'd be some sort of a feature that they can go to to actually see that like where will this information be displayed? So if you know right now to be honest right now that map is a requirement of the cultural District application Yeah, and so that needs to go with the application Then I think they come the Mass Cultural Council sends a representative that comes and walks that District with you and then kind of advises you on the boundaries of it and what's workable and what is it? Oh, because I want to say that's a great idea No, whatever you all you all say it's supposed to be I'm not trying to I just saw that I thought wow That's a really great opportunity if I'm interpreting it or misinterpreting it the right the wrong way. Thank you Further discussion from the board Joe I just want to make one my other point one important criterion for cultural district designation is that the district be Walkable it has to be walkable So I think the work that this board has been doing as well as the the manager in the town in trying to improve You know pedestrian walkability and safety is going to be these will be key features You know included, you know massive corridor project as well as the Arlington Center safe travel projects I think those those do play into it because that that's a big criterion is that the districts be walkable Further discussion Seeing none we have motion on the table and again would like to thank you so much for your hard work on this So we've motion a second all those in favor. Please say aye. All right Thank you Moving on we have an approval for a letter Another letter to the FAA that I drafted last week when I I was in touch with Frank Siano our CAC member and this is the language that he Or I guess the direction that he recommended I go in with this letter So I've one of these issues that when I first ran for the board I never saw myself getting into but it's obviously You know a very important one and it does come down to a quality life issue, and I certainly didn't Really appreciate the response that we got last time and I think that this a second letter urging the FAA to take action in I think And and it's meant to do so in a way that shows that we're doing this on a You know much more than a town level that we're doing this with our neighbors who are also being affected by it So I hope that um, you know, and if you want to make any changes, of course feel free and I just think It just shows where we stand on this. So thank you Do you know or do you anticipate I Read the supported motion that you crafted along with Frank Siano and so so I'll say that motion wasn't crafted by us That motion was Voted on by the CAC at their meeting and that's where that came from. Okay, and my only thing would be The way I'm reading this language Implies to me that there will definitely be or there should be some sort of response back to the town. Do you know If that's a requirement or if that's something that we're hoping for and or any sort of timeline Like is this a process that you did this and you'll get something back in 60 days 90 days, or is it just We're giving it a shot. No, I think this is more of we're putting our best foot forward. Okay I think of it as us applying as much political pressure as we can yeah to get our if we can get our local and our state and our federal Represents was all aligned. That'll be the only way we get this. It's probably beyond our purview or any kind of We could demand an answer But I think the chairman's written the letter and if he's comfortable with it That's fine, and he certainly has kept up to speed on it. So and I think that they've They've responded in the past and I think that you know while they might just you know not put much Consideration into their responses. They they do get back to us and I do see this as where We're just doing what we can to help out and you know, I don't know if demanding I don't think the man's have gone very far in the past and I don't anticipate them to go Thanks, yeah, they did kind of tell us to take a long flight up a short run way the last time but there's just just technically I as I would just suggest where it says respectfully the Allenton Board of Select with the chair sign on our behalf and We'd be sure to copy our state and federal legislative delegations as well as if it's advised these there are some CAC members will and Logan officials were specifically called out in the original Belmont letter that we make sure that copies of ours Correspondence goes to that list as well as all of our delegation. Thank you. That's all. Thank you Further Seeing none anyone in the audience seeing none So we have a motion and a second no further discussion all those in favor, please say aye. I Thank you very much Moving on we have an endorsement of a letter to the state delegation regarding MBTA assessments. Mr. Chaplain. Thank you, Mr. Chairman So very briefly I put a letter before the board for its consideration to endorse The chairman chairman of the finance committee and myself signing on sending a letter to our delegation the letter Sample you have is to senator Donnelly, but of course we sent it to representatives Garverly and Rogers This issue very quickly came to the attention of myself and Chair of the finance committee L. Tosti at an MMA fiscal policy meeting We were attending where the executive director of the MBTA advisory board was presenting more macro-level issues in regards to funding for the MBTA and also distributed The attachment that you see on here showing how the assessment is calculated His point was to bring to our attention that the MBTA may be considering increases in assessments as just one means or a means of Increasing their funding going forward what the chair of the finance committee quickly noticed is that Arlington in that Calculation it has a weight of nine. That's a manner in which they assign level of service So Arlington has a nine and with a quick further look as is outlined in the letter Quincy has a weight of three There are other communities that quickly come to your mind when you look through the list that have what appear to be an inequitable weight compared to Arlington So myself and mr. Tosti Quickly agreed that taking action on this now was an appropriate time because there's so much attention on the tee There's a special commission studying the tee and there may be an opportunity to get a foot in the door here for Some changes to this assessment formula I Say that this is the right time because this assessment formula is actually in the statute that was passed in 1999 Went into effect in FY 2000 setting forth MBTA funding So this can't simply be regulatorally changed by the MBTA or mass dot It actually has to be a state law change change these weights Without too much further detail I think some of the cause of this is that the original communities in the MBTA For lack of a better way to say it got the short end of the stick here So those up above the gray line you see on the chart Arlington being one of those Those are the original communities that have the higher weights and then communities that were added on subsequently Did not receive such higher weights There may be some other reasons in regards to the decision decision making that was made in 1999 that led to this but Without saying more I think this is an appropriate step for us to take to notify our legislature Our legislative delegation of our desire to have this explored and some equity be pursued for Arlington Thank you very much What a find I mean, I can't believe that this is in a discussion everywhere more often So thank you very much to Adam and El Tosti So, yeah, I'm happy to sign on to this I was gonna move approval We have a motion and a second further discussion Joe. I just noticed the theme of the night is planes trains and automobiles This is a big fine. I think this is another benefit of having our manager at the table at that these MMA the fiscal local local what is the fiscal policy committee fiscal policy committee and on the board to help us Find some of these things Yes, you may have already said it in your remarks, and I just didn't glean it out and I apologize Is there we're asking the senator and the two reps to you know, look at this formula look at the inequity We're at a nine Lexington Burlington other like communities are at a three do we already know From yourself or mr. Tosti or whoever else has looked at this what part of that formula is really penalizing Arlington Or is it just kind of like we get penalized in terms of our income and education funds? So the way the formula works is they take whatever that waiting Factor is and multiply your population by that and that gives you your percentage of the total assessment So the total assessment is I believe 160 million dollars So after they take your population multiplied by the weight They get that percentage. That's what you pay. So because we are 42,000 times nine. We have a much higher percentage than somebody who even has a population like Quincy of 93,000 So they're even though they're they're bigger than us. They have four red lines More bust lines No, no, I get all that what I'm saying is can we identify in the formula where Wait, I mean there must be some how do we get to a nine and you know Lexington gets to a three and Quincy. I think it might have been a three I mean, do we know that yet or it's just it's one of those crazy formulas that just kind of Okay, thank you. That's what I Okay, that's what I thank you thank you further questions Yes, good catch Including you mr. Chairman, but it's amazing how above the gray line and then the dramatic Drop to three or one. I mean, there's there doesn't seem to be unless I'm missing it fours or fives or You know what I mean? It's nine to three. Yeah, it's the next lowest 1812 9 I think they kept it as multiples of three. It appears for some reason. I don't give a six then will you? I'll take a one I will say I do think we have some potential partners in this effort, especially with Maybe a Belmont Watertown or even a Medford or a Watertown that they have service and we don't not have service But certainly not service to the level of some of these communities that are rated Thank you, thank you Further discussion seeing none. We have a motion a second all those in favor. Please say aye. Aye Thank you. Thank you Back to mr. Chatlain designation of a special miss of a employee attorney Kevin bat as special municipal employee Thank You mr. Chairman so we In trying to finalize The solar power purchase agreement that was presented to the board last fall And in working with the finance committee in discussions regarding that agreement we have For a very limited scope hired attorney Kevin bat to review that agreement he has an expertise in solar power purchase agreements however in his Practice he also serves as Lexington Outside council with his firm Anderson Krieger so to avoid any potential conflicts in the future He requested that we designate him as a special municipal employee Which provides those protections against conflicts in the future for doing this work at this point and then eventually potentially representing Lexington in An action against Arlington in the future Not to be negative, but that would be the protection he'd be seeking so town council did have an opportunity to Review that I don't want to speak for him, but I don't have any This confidence is a highly unusual situation That's right next to you that may have disparate interests not just in terms of a litigation but in terms of certain types of Situations that come up from time to time Different types of agreements that we enter that are not necessarily we're not always have The same interests I guess is the right way to put it We need to advocate for Arlington's perspective and like somebody needs to advocate for their perspective So it's a rare situation, but I think it's appropriate here, and I think it's I think it's a risk management move that makes sense Thank you very much I'd like to move that we designate attorney Kevin bat as a special municipal employee And then I have one question second Do we need to put any sort of? Time on this or is it just add infinitum or? Can I so we're designating the it's sort of the position he special municipal council for the sole purpose of reviewing this Power purchasing agreement, so we don't need to put a specific limitation on it because it'll basically expire with that position Thank you very much for the questions Seeing none we have a motion second. We have a motion a second all those in favor. Please say aye. All right Thank you This is a night for mr. Chaplin a vote for the reinstatement of metering in municipal lots Sometime last month. We had requested an emergency agenda I am the board to suspend metering based on the sheer amount of snow and what the weather was doing to the operability of the meters At this point I'd like to ask the board to vote to reinstate the metering A the snow has melted and been cleared to such a degree that that's no longer an issue They all four are currently operable as I understand And in terms of managing both the amount of revenue that we'd expect to collect the remainder of the fiscal year and also manage The permits in the lot so having people have to pay in the meters and then also have Available permit spaces makes it important to get the meters back up and running at this point I will say we have narrowed down to one vendor with our search for replacement of key it kiosks We've got confirmed pricing and should be able to act Very shortly to move towards the purchase and then eventual installation of new kiosks In the very near future I know this might not be an easy vote and that I think Everyone's expressed their frustration with Meters in the lots several times in recent years months days But I do think this is the right decision you know just for to Put some fairness back in lots. I don't think it's fair that we're charging monthly rates while we're not collecting Rates for the actual meters in and I do think it comes out to quite a lot of revenue that will be lost if we don't You know reinstate these or any it will be even extra revenue loss if we then say, you know, okay Well, we won't pay money for Monthly passes either. I don't think that's really the right decision To make so that's my pitch, but further discussion I'll grudgingly move to approve the the manager's motion to reinstate the the meters Noting that perhaps he would like to hold on to those contractor trash bags because those meters looked really nice inside of them I Wonder if we should have some sort of like ceremony with the old machines And maybe we can like auction off like maybe like there's like, you know Like a car compressor thing and like you get to be the person who presses the button that destroys the meeting or destroys the meters Or maybe we can like have a public spectacle where we like drop them from something really high and we sell tickets You know like When I was a kid the local fair had an opportunity they'd bring in a junk car from five bucks You could take a swing at the sledgehammer There we go, I nominate mr. Denim mr. Currow to oversee that Sorry further discussion Seeing none we have a motion in a second all those in favor, please say Thank you Moving on mr. Greeley Yes Are you interested in I'd like to speak if I may sir as I warned you I would at the last meeting So mr. Chairman, I would first like to move that we reopen the hearing on warrant article 11 second Motion a second all those in favor, please say aye aye and What I would like to recommend sir is if people have article 11 in front of them under section one establishment and membership and under paragraph B at the bottom of paragraph B where it states all No, sorry the bottom of paragraph a excuse me and for at-large members appointed by the town manager subject to approval by the Board of Selectman I And I'd like to replace that sir And on the basis of you know, I really feel this is going to be using tax dollars And I feel we really need a coordination among ourselves among this committee CDBG funding General budgets etc So I would like us to be a little bit more actively involved the Board of Selectman and Actually in this approval So I'd like that replaced with and for at-large members appointed by a joint vote of approval By the Board of Selectman in the town manager as follows Candidates for at-large membership shall be jointly gathered and screened by the town manager and the chair of the Board of Selectman or Designee who shall jointly forward recommended candidates for a vote on appointment by the full Board of Selectman Plus the town manager So a majority vote the Board of Selectman and town managers shall be required for appointment to an at-large member position Further and I'm not sure the wording of this. I'm sure town council can help me But we had before stated that these this committee should be formed 30 days after approval of the warrant by the attorney general I'd like to also amend that to say 45 days. So that's my motion sir Thank you very much. Mr. Greeley. Yes, just so you know that section six effective date If you're trying to find where the 30 versus 45 days section six. Thank you very much. Okay. Thank you I'll second the motion. We have motion a second discussion then Not sure if you would consider splitting the votes Because I'm with you on the first part On the second part, as you know, it was 45 days. We had discussion. Yeah, and I had discussion with Ms. Rowe And that's where the 30 days came up and okay, everybody said they could That's where I so so if you could split the vote because the only reason I changed the 45 to the 30 is when I spoke to key people involved that was the desired change and Ms. Rowe stated, you know, it's something that definitely could be done within that time period And I don't want to misrepresent the manager who said of course, there'll be less time But you know, we have some notice and you know, they could work within the parameters of the 30 days So that's why I'd like to vote yes for the second and implore my colleague Motion motion one is on the this board with the time manager actually approving the four candidates And then I'll I'll move for the other part of it, sir. That's okay. That works for me further discussion Joe yeah, I'll just say that I mean I think I already stated this the last meeting I know that on our initial discussion. I was kind of on the horns of a dilemma I think our precedent for a lot of our committee appointments works well with the manager But as I've since that time as I've talked to people in the community people who are very involved in the CPA Effort, I mean, I think I've become convinced that this is special and it does warrant the additional scrutiny And so I'm happy to support the motion and and have us involved in the screening jointly with the the manager on this Thank you very much for the discussion, Dan I Definitely when we discuss this the last time I saw the merits of both ways and I don't think I appreciated your passion on the Where you think that the the the you know one option over the other and when I don't have that passion I definitely I should have them and I do now I defer to yours also That was very well put because I think I I felt pretty strongly going the other way Not as strongly as mr. Greeley felt and I do see the merits of doing it this way that being said I would really urge My colleagues to vote for the 45 days. I think that adding this extra layer Giving those for good giving those additional days will help in the coordination and Kind of make the process move a bit more smoothly. So there's my pitch The other way but that being said we have two motions on the table. We'll take them separately But is there any discussion from the crowd? Seeing none any further discussion from the board mr. Greeley. I just and I should have preamble with this but this is absolutely nothing to do with total confidence in Adam chapter lane on his own being able to do a very Excellent job as he has on all appointments But you know tax dollars. I feel we should have approval not just Appointment not just approval of appointments. And it's also why I insist on including him with us in the final vote Thank you, sir. Thank you miss really so we'll have a We have a motion for Mr. Greeley's first suggestion did we have a second for it? I said Okay, all those in favor of mr. Greeley's first First recommendation, please say aye opposed We have another motion on the table that was seconded for the Extension to 45 days Okay So we have a motion on the table to extend to 45 days all those in favor, please say aye Yes, miss mohan was raising her hand. Oh, you want to go and know just very briefly what I want to say is Same due diligence as previous reason The 30-day idea did not come from me It actually came from people involved with the community preservation act specifically miss row who I place a lot of Value on her opinion. So I guess I just put my pitch that we keep it at the third. Thank you, mr. Chairman Thank you. Yes, Stan amusingly And mr. Rarig bent my ear and he said go with the 45 so we're gonna have to lock the two of them into a room and But I'm gonna The person who talked to me last is gonna win on this one Yes, Joe, I think I'm persuaded by an argument the chair made at our last meeting He noted that if we're going to to with as we have gone with mr. Greeley's proposal We're gonna inevitably have more scheduling difficulties Because we're now gonna have to have a select man and the manager and probably a slew of applicants if and I'm sure all of us have had a lot of people saying They'd like to apply for this So it strikes me that logistically It's just it's fairer to the manager and and and all around to to go with the 45 days Even saying that though, I know that in our initial discussion. We had Stated that it should be possible to start this process Rolling in some measure even before the Attorney General You know approves the town meeting action, I would hope that we could do that. Thank you very much further discussion well With all due respect to miss mohan, I'm gonna support the 45 Because I really do think as long as we're clear to candidates Subject to approval by the Attorney General It seems to me the day of that approval these appointments could be made and there's no reason why the committee can't meet at that point in time but so But I do agree adding a select man to this process Might might take a little bit more time We have a motion a second all those in favor, please say aye aye opposed no four to one Thank You mr. Greeley Yes, I think I may make a motion that I think But I just I I'd like to make a motion that we approve the final remarks as Amended so basically what I'm trying to get at is are we recording our vote is 5-0 or we're recording our vote is 4-1 in the final In the final accounting of it You want to make a motion? I would make that second So that's to approve the final comments unanimously Thank you, sir. Yes, so just to make sure I understand the the comments I think Need to be modified from their current form to reflect the discussion I'll have happened here, but this motion has been made so that the comments will reflect that the overall support for this measure is fine See I can take the spot Yeah, I was Doing that I was in the same spot when I thought I was gonna lose 3-2 and I was ready to vote 5-0 on the final I just was yeah, thank you very much Now on to warrant article hearings, so For this year's hearing process I'm going to ask that each presenter makes their presentation within 15 minutes at the 12 minute mark I will inform the speaker of the time and ask that you begin your concluding remarks following your presentation will have a Question answer and discussion period for the board members and the presenter at the conclusion of That question answer in the discussion period I'll ask if any members of the audience would like to comment on the warrant for us that individual will have five minutes to make their remarks Which will also be followed by the same process from the board after All of the members of the public who want to speak are given the opportunity the board will deliberate and vote on the matter and Of course, we appreciate everyone's cooperation in this process So let's get started article 12 vision 2020 standing committee Julie I would like to thank Julie for her all her work on this. I know You've voted quite a lot of time to it. So thank you very much. You're very welcome. I won't need anything like 15 minutes. This is We're not really planning to make radical change to vision 2020 The just the quick summary and background is of course vision 2020 was created by town meeting in 1992 and At that time it was largely created to operate as an oversight and advisory board Because vision 2020 exists as a standing committee and multiple subgroups task groups underneath it that Advisory piece is very important and sort of the heart of vision 2020 The standing committee was created with 22 positions which includes Chairman's of the school committee and the board of selectmen and the finance committee and the redevelopment board and The town manager and the superintendent and that's a lot of very very busy people So just logistically speaking getting 22 people in the room Month after month is challenging in addition It's not very efficient because some of the work that the standing committee has to do to operate vision 2020 includes Planning town day managing a budget and it's really unreasonable to ask Adam or Steve or Dan to be there for planning town day so it's So the concept is simply to recognize that there are two functions There's the management piece and there's the advisory piece Split the standing committee into two pieces We'd have a 10 member advisory board of the elected officials and town leaders with the expectation that those people would Join the standing committee Three or four times a year where we can really have a meeting that's focused on the strategy piece and really doing the work of Working on the town goals, which is really what vision 2020 was created to do to constantly assess and re-evaluate our progress Towards meeting those very lofty ideals The standing committee itself would function as a nine-member committee There'd be a chair and then an eight residents of the town appointed to by each of the Boards involved the school committee the select man the moderator gets to and Planning a redevelopment board. So that's pretty much the concept Okay Move approval and I just put this question out there and if it's Something that is already implied is inherent or is not needed. That's fine There's no language or verbiage in here for the voting members and I'm just putting it as a question to you Some committees board's commissions have that if the actual voting members miss a certain amount of meetings pending any, you know emergency medical catastrophic whatever that That that members of point membership comes up and someone gets reappointed I don't see anything in here that says that is that just something you don't feel that you need I think with a nine-member board that's appointed specifically to do that work. Okay. I'm not that's fine No, if you feel it's not needed then that's fine because it's thank you very much No, I support favorable action Yeah, I think both mr. Burn I were at some of the conversations vision 2020 around this and I think that you Elegant solution You know a strong governing, you know leave you with a strong governing body I know there was a lot of discussion about the role of the standing committees And I think the decision to just ensure that that vision 2020 is flexible Self-governed and can create and dissolve standing committees as you see fit Is the wisest route and I'm glad that this is the the formulation that you decided to take so I'm happy to support the Yeah, I also supported I know I struggled with attending when I was the chair and so I think that the I think of the concept of refocusing it makes a lot of sense for making it such that you can you know be there when you're Going to be helpful and not be there when you're not So we have a motion in the second on the table, I know that a lot of people played a role in bringing this Yeah, bring this warranted article together, so they all deserve to be thanked But no, I do think that this will definitely help Moving forward, you know Vision 2020 does a lot of important work and it's important every so often to re-evaluate The work that's been done and see how it can be more agile and moving forward I think that's exactly what this does so With a motion a second All those in favor, please say aye Thank you Moving on 19 revolving funds Thank You mr. Chairman This is the annual vote that's put before the board of select men and then ultimately town meeting authorizing the various revolving funds Utilized by the town This year we've provided the original votes as are put together by the comptroller or the original statement of each of the accounts And the funds along with the more detailed breakdown that we first started providing last year as a supplementary Piece to be provided in the select wins report in the document before you I think that more supplementary piece comes first with then the formal votes coming after I would recommend one Small change that we didn't get in in time for this submission on page three of the document The second from the bottom of the list the library vend fund Currently has an expenditures not to exceed cap of 12,000 that was exceeded last year, so I would ask that the board Increase that expenditures not to exceed cap and today's vote to 25,000 to what 25,000. Sorry. I'm sorry We'll be recommending favorable action In second Adam should we worry or should we increase the board of health to seeing as it was at 97 out of 100? It's a top of page two. Yeah, so They didn't raise concern to me, but I don't think it would be I think it would be prudent to do so so perhaps You know by another increment of Maybe 25,000 to not have to act more regularly might be advisable if the board Mr.. Greeley, okay without as an amendment. Yes, I am second so it's 100,000 to 125. Yes on the board of health fees I just have one question on the expenditures as As shown, I don't know if you know mr. Manager It seems to me that within this past Fiscal year we approved expenditures out of the private way repair fund, but I don't see any Reflected here here. Perhaps it wasn't maybe it was the previous fiscal year, but I thought it was this one So this actually right Street, I think yeah This actually this cuts off at the as of June 30 2014 So the expenditures may not have occurred until after that it looks like I'm guessing we collected some of those Payments in that $37,000 collection, but didn't actually pay the contractor until This in within this current fiscal year that we're operating in right now, right? Okay. Okay, great. Thank you Just I guess two comments and or maybe if there is actually an answer to either question the town manager could Provide it. I'm just curious Two things just stuck out on the revolving fund an expenditure detail And it was the Robbins house and Gibbs school energy. Those are the only two that have utilities I Just looked at that and knowing the nature of both buildings if there's any programs in the future in terms of Where we don't see utilities from the town hall anything to compare it to but I just noticed that that was the two and they are two very old buildings Just wanted to highlight that that kind of stuck out for me and then the other thing was under the Robbins house I'm just curious in terms of The maintenance costs when I look at some of the other comparable maintenance costs Seems to be the lodges by far So I'm just wondering if there was a big project that we took on and that number is going to go back down in future Years or is this a trend that we're spending that much more Over at the Robbins house and is it because of the nature of the building is it historical? District requirements, or you know what I'm saying? Yeah So if you I just wanted to just put that before you that that kind of just stood out And if you could just maybe in the future if there is an answer, maybe it is what it is So may I mr. Chairman? Yes, please so in regards to utilities the Gibbs fund is solely for payment of utilities For the vendor so that's that's why that's utilities in terms of the Robbins house That's really attributable to the outside uses outside of town function for the rentals and the utilities that are used So the Robbins house fund and at times the town hall Fund are used to pay for utilities if appropriate in terms of the maintenance On the spot. I don't know if that was for a specific project so I can follow up with you on that That's a fair question. Thank you He made him chairman I Believe I've had conversations with Folks about that property. I believe that is attributed to a Chaplain, but I just wanted to say that I do believe that is due to a Specific means yeah, no if you can look into it because my memory is it was a five-figure last year also But my memory could be wrong. Thank you Very much further discussion Seeing none, we have a motion and a second that motion includes mr. Dunn's amendment All those in favor, please say aye. All right post. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Chapter Yes, so that we increased the vending to 25 and the health to 125 And once again, I failed to ask Doug if you have enough information for everything. I've got it. Thank you Okay final votes and comments articles for review article 7 The zoning by-law amendment regulation of post-it event notices article 13 disposition of real-estate 1207 Mass Ave Article 16 acceptance of legislation complete streets program Article 46 resolution master plan endorsement Second I was really happy with the way the signs language came out I was really pleased with that. I think that that really cuts through a lot of the challenge I do think and so I urge the chairman to work with the moderator and the chair of the ARB And probably the town manager to to coordinate how that's going to play out on the floor of town meeting Because I think we've got if we're not careful We're going to have a lot of conflicting messages out there and I suspect that we can Get to the same place, but it's going to take a little dancing Thank you further discussion Seeing none All those in favor, please say aye. All right Thank you very much for your work on that Yeah, I had How were we planning or were we planning on talking about the final vote on? Complete streets. Did I is that next did we have that on our agenda anywhere? We just voted. Oh it included the The revised language Pardon me Not the complete streets I thought I saw that the complete streets as article 16 You'll see the Desk it came late in an email. Yes Okay, I didn't realize so the I just hadn't realized that this so we are including so this was a part of the motion We just yes good. I'm happy Thank you Okay, so let's see. I think that wraps meeting on this chairman. Yes And I apologize for the late notice on this it's something that was raised to my attention while I was Out on leave and I only got the opportunity to get a full amount of information that was required to address this issue today It does relate to votes and comments With respect to vote and comments on article 9 this board previously approved there was a complaint by the proponent that the comment for article 9 Noted that the AARC the on the Human Rights Commission quote-unquote corroborated this view at hearing As the board knows your votes and comments are based on my notes I try to take copious notes and accurately reflect as best I can the boards Overall impression as well as the comments from many folks in the audience However, I will say that I looked back at the tape which was not initially available to me I did note that the individual who came and spoke from the on the Human Rights Commission did not in fact necessarily corroborate as much as she said that they would report further to town meeting. I feel like this is a mistake that I've Made in terms of representing this and I would respectfully request that the board take a vote to strike that specific piece from its previously approved language the Last sentence which is says a art a hrc corroborated this view at hearing so moved We have a second Discussion Seeing none all those are fairly safe. I thank you for taking care of that. Thank you very much And I know with new business we have a set plan But I am going to go out of order and congratulate Doug and his family on welcoming a new baby girl hyper So we're very happy for you and congratulations. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman If I may just say I very much appreciate the town personnel including all the legal staff at Jarvis house as well as all of you for your patience and support during the period of time I was out With my wife and my older daughter and my the new addition to our family It's very much appreciated all the kind words that you all offer as well as again the patients at this really busy time of Year the town manager and his staff as well as I again the select man's office and folks in the Jarvis house Planning all these folks were really terrific in this game patient Why I was addressing a few things by email but spending some time with my family So I thank you all very much Please don't thank us Are you aware of that playing Red Sox baseball games Our baby's crib at night will help our child to grow up more intelligent Are you aware of that research mr. Really, I don't know whether you're aware that my wife would sign on to that research That's the one we want Congratulations, thank you, sir. Yeah, so new business Marian Doug none. Thank you Two pieces of new business Believe it or not with spring allegedly here The Massav corridor project is due to begin work very soon. So They're going to actually be starting up again next week With some early work. We have a three week look ahead It's been drafted just going through some final approvals with mass dot and I'll be providing that to the board and then sending it out publicly Hopefully within the next two days And then we'll be putting together a public meeting to be held in early may To sort of update everybody on the progress what the schedule is and where it will go over the next You know six months to year The work that's going to start next week is going to be very similar to the work That we saw at the end of the construction season sidewalk work on the I guess it would be the north side of Massav or left when you're facing Cambridge Proceeding down towards capital square And then subsequently several weeks from now It will start on the south side of Massav back at Pond Lane, but it will never be parallel such that parallel sidewalks are being Excavated at the same time. So I'm Very pleased that they're chomping at the bit ready to get at it Now that we've been a little bit of a thaw going and we'll keep the public dialogue moving. So that's Sort of exciting to me The other thing I wanted to inform the board about Is that the town has become aware and has now as of today Been given some level of detailed information about a proposed development at the mu gar site As you probably know the mu gar property is about 17 acres Forming roughly a triangle down near thawndyke park bordered by route to thawndyke park with thawndyke fields And the neighborhood with dorothy street being most adjacent to the property A group called oak tree development Has informed us that they're going to be pursuing a 40b housing project on that site The proposal that they described To myself and some other staff from town this morning would include proposing 219 units 12 of which would be townhomes on approximately 7 acres of the site They would then be committing to conserving the remaining 10 and a half acres via either a conservation deed restriction Or by gifting the land to either the town or a nonprofit for the purposes of conservation So they provided some detail about the buildings parking Hydrology or are flooding issues at the meeting this morning It was myself the planning director of the director of inspection of services Town council as well as director public works Sitting in and listening this morning. And I think we collectively all expressed our serious concerns About flooding and traffic impacts in the neighborhood and the appropriateness Or whether there was any appropriateness of this site for such development Obviously, there was no Decisions commitments or anything made I did let them know that I thought letting the board know and thereby letting the public Know that we have knowledge of this was the appropriate thing to do tonight. So I don't know that Discussion right now would be necessary But happy to either have the developer before the board at some point We'll have further discussions with the board about the town's position and actions to be taken Thank you. I Agree that this Being that it is under new business Probably not the right time to have a discussion on this I know that we will have to have many moving forward and Perhaps even have it on the agenda item Sooner as an agenda on a future Have it as an item on a future agenda In the near future to discuss. Thank you One quick question. You said 219 units Inclusive of 12 townhomes. Thank you Thank you. It's a lot of units By comparison if I may miss jimmy by comparison Brigham's is the Brigham property is about 116 units and sims is 168 Units so by Comparison standards, it's a large number of units. Thank you And and What makes it a 40 b in particular? Uh, was that just a term for a large development? Do you know what I mean? So what would make it a 40 b is they would be able to bypass any Local zoning requirements by including a 25 affordable housing within the right Thank you. I don't remember that a lot of issues here for sure Um, moving on mr. Greeley On new new business. Oh, thank you, sir Two quick things. One is I want to thank our mayor marie kruppelker at home or marianne sullivan or fran or Gina whoever is responsible Our wall of fame is current in the back of the hall. Okay, and I believe it's the first time in 15 years That and one that stands out in particular is the smiling face of diane mahan Back there right next to jack heard, but thank you very much when this is very recently done or did I miss it at the last meeting? Thank you very much. I appreciate Fantastic. Thanks. And the second thing is We have two superb candidates up for election on the board of selectmen this saturday And just to remind people it is election day and please remember to get out to the polls From eight to eight on saturday And no matter what your choice is for candidates is very important to get people to the polls Thank you, sir. Thank you Just two things as the manager said it is allegedly spring And I know During this cumbersome winter We've all gotten many many comments positive comments in terms of dpw and the Herculean efforts that They have gone through as well as clearing snow and and whatnot So I just would leave it to the manager at whatever appropriate time at whatever appropriate venue If we could somehow You know, whatever you see fit and or any assistance From any of the board members that you might need Um Would be willing to provide it but this really wasn't very unique year And with only nine snow fighters As well as all the subcontractors that we had but really it's those nine snow fighters and you know what that dpw crew did I I know we were all appreciative so I'll leave that in your court And then the second thing is just sort of an fyi Spurned on from the students from the high school that came before us with the parking issues As well as I know rob d loretto who gives out the Employee parking stickers also says that there is a need I have had conversations with the town manager About 15 years ago when we did over the warrenate pierce field And we did the turf and the lights and the school board and whatnot We had a group of consultants that also came in And came up with four plans Of the parking lot as you enter on mill street that has that crazy rotary And I happen to also speak to rick ianelli who's director of transportation on the school side that I may have his title wrong He also was included at that meeting and he brought to my attention that there were four plans that the then developer came up with That for whatever reason we didn't move forward. He said to me when he looked at plan four Or plan d And I've asked the manager to go on a scavenger hunt as well as take my picture down put it on the scavenger Um that plan must exist somewhere and what he said it would do is it would create 60 new parking spaces Which would include um Allowing all of the school buses to be parked in that area Because I know it's really tight down the dpw yard and we've been trying to Away for years to try to you know find a place for the buses and give some of that back and Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think um micrata maca would be appreciative if we could something that's true It's sort of been a lot. So I just want to make sure this board So Also recognizing they have to have conversations With the superintendent as well as when we get to that point I would assume The current chair or future chair would also have discussion with His or her counterpart over at the school committee. Um, but just on that side You know there are plans that already exist and if we can really look at it And maybe it's a joint effort between town and school funds or maybe it's lodged to just school funds because it's an issue that they've asked Um For us to look at so I just want to make sure everyone's aware of that. So if it does come up bore all up to speed Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you very much Joe are you going to talk about the af Pierce All right, uh, so on sunday yesterday Steve and joe and I have represented this board at the arlington education foundation trivia b. Thank you And joe provided the costumes. We showed up in camouflage. Believe it or not With letters on the back that said b o s as if it's sort of like fbi or something like that Unfortunately dan's o fell off You lost your own And uh, we did what in my mind was absolutely perfect, which was to come in second in the first round Which means it was very respectable And you can leave before the final The final was hotly contested and went on I understand quite the way it's in and um, so anyway I was happy to support the af and it really is a very very fun event So Thank you. Um, well firstly, mr. Chair. I'm cognizant This is your last last meeting with the uh, the gavel and I want to thank you for all of your services. Thank you very much Outstanding job, especially with these warrant article hearings. We've had a relatively calm year and I think I think we're reaping the fruits of that So I want to thank thank you. Um for a great year. Um I also wanted to give a shout out to uh, some of our staff and some of our other departments Some of their efforts over this past month and and weekend and uh, mrs. Mahan mr chaplain and I would down at the guns and hoses uh game on on uh, on friday raises money for autism and um Brought my daughter and she was very understanding when I said we cannot go sit down because that implies taking a side So um, congratulations to our fire and police officers. Well, um Who all um, you know competed very very wonderfully and and uh, Do you have any idea how much they raised on that? It must have raised a lot Though a lot of people came a lot of people in there. So, um, I also wanted to um note this a busy month for our Library we're just finishing up The month of march with the town read my my sister lives on the mantle piece and the library um Ms. Nicolet and her staff have done a great job of using this book With other community organizations as a springboard for important conversations. I know they've worked with The vision 2020 diversity task group on um, you know discussions around discrimination and racism Which is a theme in the book. They they did an event with the um, the youth health and safety coalition on the effects of um alcoholism on children growing up in families Uh with that and I know I was able to attend This past saturday They actually hosted an author event where they skyped to the uk with the author And ironically somebody pointed out, you know, the community room where the screen is That the author was on the mantle piece and they pointed It wasn't on purpose, but they pointed that out to her and I think that is nicolet I was going to send her a picture because it's quite humorous. Um um also on Friday, I think mr. Chapt lane and I and mr. Tosti were over at the mma legislative breakfast those always Very good conversations with our legislative delegation some of the other local officials One of the things that was discussed a bit was that while some of the initial news And and you can correct me if if i'm misstating anything at them, but um Some of the initial news around our local aid figures has seemed good on the face of it There are a number of areas where there have been Proposed cuts in the governor's budgets If if the governor's budget holds right now, for example, our schools would potentially lose their kindergarten grant They're potentially I think negative impacts on circuit breaker reimbursements for special education Which wouldn't have an immediate effect in our link because the way the budgeting is done It would have an effect next year if that that were to hold met go in some other areas so It was a good opportunity to get a clearer picture of what the potential impacts are on Arlington where Well, we have a lot of good news. I think on on the the ogre and on the You know the pothole assistance and such There are some some other uh areas that where the news is not potentially not so good and we'll have to keep our eyes Open a lot of that impact hits across the street with the schools And the the last thing I wanted to just remind you all of I see mr. Grilly has his white ribbon on and Somebody else somebody else walked in here. Oh adam has his good. Good. Very good Wanted to remind folks, um, I um, I think when miss shea came in for our Resolution around white ribbon day She noted that she was working on putting together an event in a community conversation and that's going to take place This thursday in the lion's hearing room from seven to eight thirty I'm working with her on it, but first step domestic violence programs working on it craig Norbert bomb from the mens initiative for jane doe Will be coming out There'll be a Video presentation followed by a community discussion. I know the police are planning to send some some folks as well To participate. Um, I I encourage everyone especially men, but but it's really it's open to everyone Come on out and I did want to know we got one email from A resident who saw the town Announcement and he was disturbed that the the word fight was used in the in the subject the fight against domestic violence and he felt that it It implied or might convey the theme of using violence to counter violence Um I want to say this is well taken I take responsibility for the wording because I did the draft of that And I think it's spot on for what will be discussed on thursday night because a lot of what will be discussed is the way Language has been contorted over time to take men out of the picture On domestic violence. So I actually appreciate this correspondence. I think it's a good springboard for the conversation So thank you very much. I'm sorry. Thank you a lot. No, that's busy week So Yes, a e f was a blast Yesterday and uh, they're seeing how that event's grown. It's um, really amazing But I guess the only comment Otherwise I have is I guess it could be a follow-up to miss mahans And that I we all do recognize the stellar work the dpw did Over the past few months, but now moving forward. I think it's time for, you know, all the residents to help them out With all the snow melting You know, I think we're going we've seen and are going to continue to see an increase in litter on the ground an increase in People who may have forgot to pick up after their dogs You know when the cold weather and I really think that You know starting now, I think we should all Everyone in town be cognizant of that and do whatever you can to you know pick up Whatever you see on the ground and it will go a long way and it that is Something that it's kind of been driving me nuts lately And so I think uh, that's something we can all pay a little bit more attention to and we'll have um, Erelington back to The cleanliness it was before the winter In the very near future. So thank you very much. And that's all my new business Second Motion a second all those in favor, please say aye