00:00:00,160 S1: All right. Why don't we get underway for the April 14th, 2026 meeting of the Wyndham Select Board? We're meeting virtually this evening. Opening the meeting at 631. Um, present among select board members at this time are Gary Cheesman, Deirdre Perotti, and Ben Timon. And with that, we will go to our agenda. Um, starting with public input. This is an opportunity for members of the public to comment in any matters not otherwise specified on the agenda. And we allow up to two minutes per person to speak on such public topics. Um, Joe, are there any folks with their hands up for public comment? 00:00:55,320 S2: No hands are up. 00:00:56,759 S1: Great. All right. Thank you. All right. That will move us to town administrators update and town announcements. Steve. 00:01:07,079 S3: Yeah, I really just have, uh, you know, one, one update or announcement tonight. I just wanted to, you know, publicly thank all the residents who came out to a successful town meeting last Thursday and also the staff, um, and boards and committees and all the effort that put in that, you know, got put into it, coordinating it, um, you know, managing expectations, uh, you know, uh, emotions can run high and, you know, with folks and I know that it can be difficult. And, you know, everybody stayed calm, cool, collected. And, you know, we saw it all through. And the town was able to take care of the business that it needed to take care of. So, um, yeah. Thank you for that. That's all I have. 00:01:50,000 S1: Great. Thank you very much. Um, my only, uh, comment is to, Um, publicly recognized. Uh, Gary, who we hope and expect this won't be, uh, that this will be a very temporary goodbye. I'll leave it at that. But, uh, tonight marks Gary's last meeting. For what is his. Is it third consecutive select board term, Gary? 00:02:22,599 S4: Six years. Thank you very much. 00:02:24,800 S1: Yes. So thank you so much for your dedicated service over the six years. I know the first year or two you were really, um, doing double and triple duty. And I think people in town still remember that. And remember how you stepped up during some of those difficult times in particular. But, um, you know, including over your, over the complete two terms and, uh, continuing a very distinguished record of public service. So I just wanted to recognize, um, you. Um, given that you'll be finishing out this current term. But again, without sounding too partisan. Um, we hope that it is a short interlude before we see you again. 00:03:12,289 S4: Well. Thank you. 00:03:13,729 S1: That's all I have. 00:03:15,050 S4: And, uh, certainly appreciate your thoughts. And certainly I must say that I've really enjoyed the time, especially this past year working with the Selectboard and with Steve and the entire staff. And I'd also echo, you know, what a great town meeting we had. And, uh, everything moved forward in the very progressive votes. So thank you to the public, uh, citizenry. And yes, hopefully it's just a quick break till June, but thank you very much. 00:03:43,490 S1: Thanks, Deirdre. 00:03:45,810 S5: I'll just echo what both of you have said. But then I echo what Ben said and thanking Gary for his service, particularly in some very trouble. 00:04:06,009 S1: I think there may be an audio problem. 00:04:09,129 S5: Um. Do you not hear me? 00:04:10,930 S3: Yeah, I know if it was mine. I don't know if it was me. So thanks for saying. Yeah, it sounds like there's some audio with your mic. Maybe. 00:04:19,930 S5: Um, I'm not sure there's much I can do. 00:04:22,129 S1: So now we hear you. 00:04:24,490 S2: Now. 00:04:24,689 S3: Okay, now it's soft, but we can hear you. 00:04:26,970 S5: I didn't do anything but. Okay, just echoing what's already been said and thanking all the departments, as well as the Finn Comm colleagues on the Selectboard, town clerk's office, public safety staff, everybody, and of course the townspeople for turning out. I thank Gordon College as well for hosting us. We do appreciate that. Um, and I think despite a couple of small technical difficulties, it was a very well-run, efficient meeting. Thoughtful comments and questions from the public. Um, and it was a it was a good night. 00:05:05,649 S1: All right. Thanks very much. That moves us to our consent agenda, which includes two items. Meeting minutes from the open session of the Select Board on March 17th of this year, and a one day liquor license for First Church for an event to be held on April 30th from 5 to 8 p.m., unless any board member wishes to discuss either of those items individually, I'd entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. 00:05:36,009 S4: I move to accept the consent agenda as published. 00:05:39,410 S5: Second. 00:05:41,129 S1: Thank you. We'll take a roll. Deirdre. Yes, Gary? 00:05:44,569 S4: Yes. 00:05:45,290 S1: And Ben is. Yes. All right. Moving right along. Um. Item. See appointment of Officer John Phillips to Patrol Sergeant effective April 26th, 2026 through June 30th of 2026. And I believe that the chief is present to speak to this appointment. 00:06:09,769 S2: Let me just promote you. 00:06:11,329 S1: As well as a second one that'll be coming afterwards. 00:06:17,370 S2: Okay. 00:06:18,410 S6: Can you guys hear me and see me? Okay. 00:06:20,930 S1: We can't chief. And just not to interject again, but I see that item D is also an appointment, uh, of Sergeant Michael. Um, and I'm sorry to. I don't want to mispronounce his last name, but the second appointment. So, um, are you going to speak to both of those at the same time? 00:06:39,610 S6: Yes, if that's okay. They kind of work. Work with each other. Right. And, uh, before I do that, if I could also just echo, uh, your comments about Gary, and I'm just, uh, on May 1st, I'll finish my fifth year as chief and I. I can't tell you how appreciative I am individually in my position, and I and I speak for the men and women of our police department to not only have the support of of Gary, but the entire board. Um, so, so lucky. So I just want to thank Gary for that. And, you know, echo that to the board as well. Um. Thank you. So, uh, as you know, Sergeant Michael is going to be retiring after 20 years. Um, we did with the anticipation of his retirement. And then also knowing, um, last year that, uh, Sergeant Dave Marsh was retiring, and then we had another, um, medical, uh, retirement. But we did a process. And, um, in that process, uh, Officer John Phillips did a very nice job. He passed all portions of the process, and he was next in, in line, uh, to assume the role when Sergeant Moss retires officially on April 25th. In working with that sergeant. Will transition to a special officer. Um, which, uh, several of our last, uh, retired officers have done, which they just work. Traffic details in town. Um, it's budget neutral for the town. Just only paid by the vendor. So we're happy to have Mike stay on board and super appreciative of his 20 years of service. And we're excited with, uh, um, soon to be Sergeant Phillips, um, nine years as a full time officer. He has a bachelor's in criminal justice administration from Salem State, and he has a master's in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University. Um, not to mention his education is great, but he's also, um, super professional, super hard work, and gets along well with everyone in the police department. He's, um, one of our firearms instructors, uh, does a really nice job with that. Is passionate about that. He works in our evidence room and anything that's asked of him by myself or the deputy. He he steps up and does it. So where we're excited to now have the third of three new sergeants within the past, what, six, six months or so? And I know super confident John is going to be be excellent in his role. And I'm super confident and I should say thankful that Sergeant Moss for his service in time, not only as a sergeant, but as a police officer and happy to keep him on board as a special officer. 00:09:20,820 S1: That's great and welcome, Peter. Um, uh, who's come over onto the panelist side for the zoom? Uh, chief, thanks very much to any members of the board. Have any questions or comments for the chief? 00:09:39,700 S4: Not here. 00:09:41,779 S6: The the only thing I would like to add is, uh, John Phillips. What? He did have a conflict that he, he wanted to be on tonight, but he was super appreciative and wanted to make sure I passed on a thank you to the board for trusting in him, and I trust in him as well and know he's going to do great. So I just wanted to add that that he did want to be on and, um, I felt bad about that. 00:10:03,500 S1: Okay. Thanks for letting us know and please pass on our regards to him as well. Steve, do either of these appointments require a vote from us tonight or. This is more informational? 00:10:13,740 S3: Uh, no, I would, I would if you could vote and appoint. 00:10:17,500 S1: Okay. I just wanted to double check. Thank you. All right, so, Tina, when we take them separately and entertain a motion to, um, appoint Officer John Phillips to the sergeant position. 00:10:31,340 S4: So move. Gary. 00:10:35,419 S1: Is there a second? 00:10:37,059 S5: Second? 00:10:39,139 S1: And just to clarify. Will this will be a motion to appoint in accordance with how it's listed on the agenda, which includes the the term. All right, we'll take a roll call. Vote. Peter. Yep. Gary. 00:10:52,659 S4: Yes. 00:10:53,379 S1: Deirdre. 00:10:54,500 S5: Yes. 00:10:54,899 S1: And Ben is. Yes. And now it entertain a motion to appoint Sergeant Michael Moses to the position of special police officer. Um, as printed in the agenda. 00:11:09,539 S4: Gary. So moves. 00:11:11,779 S2: Second. Peter. 00:11:13,899 S1: Great. We'll take the roll call. Deirdre. 00:11:15,980 S5: Yes. 00:11:16,740 S1: Gary. 00:11:17,460 S4: Yes. 00:11:18,299 S1: Peter. Yes. And Ben is. Yes. Thanks very much. Uh, chief. Thank you. 00:11:25,940 S6: Thank you so much. Thank you again for everyone, for the support. And I'll be, uh, I'll pass it on accordingly to John and Mike. 00:11:33,259 S1: Great. Our congratulations to them both. Thank you. 00:11:36,259 S2: Thank you. 00:11:37,539 S1: All right. That moves us to item E, um, which is a discussion and potential vote for when I'm to become a Purple Heart community. We have with us this evening Vy Perrine, who is our liaison at Cape and Veteran's Services. She's going to give an overview of the Purple Heart community designation and next steps required to achieve it. Following these presentation, we will discuss and may vote. Um, Joe, if you could, in addition to bringing um V over as you have done, could you also promote Bill Wilson to a panelist? Bill is the vice chair of the Veterans Committee, uh, and heavily involved in this effort in case Bill wishes to add anything to the discussion. 00:12:35,980 S2: No problem. 00:12:36,860 S1: Thank you. All right. But with that, um, v, thank you so much for for joining us. And we were eager to hear your, um, summary of what it means to become a Purple Heart community and how one might be able to achieve that. 00:12:53,470 S7: Absolutely. Thank you so much, Ben. And I first apologize for my voice, or lack thereof, today. Um, thank you so much for allowing me the time to speak to you. I do have a presentation written out so that I make sure I hit up on all the points, and then I'll be open to any questions that anyone may have at the end. Um, so I'm, I'm essentially here as the voice for Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families who reside in Wenham or are buried in the town of Wenham. Uh, Purple Heart recipients are typically among the most humble veterans you will ever encounter. Many do not consider themselves heroes. They simply say they were doing their job. Yet many carry these silent burdens from their service. Some live with the lasting effects of their wounds, while others struggle with survivor's guilt, often asking themselves why them and not me? These men and women rarely seek recognition for their sacrifices. In fact, many never publicly identify themselves as Purple Heart recipients at all. The Purple Heart is one of the oldest military decorations in our nation's history. Established by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit. Today, it is awarded to service members who are wounded or killed in action while serving our country across communities throughout the nation. Cities and towns have chosen to formally recognize these sacrifices by designating themselves as Purple Heart communities. This designation is meant to to honor both those who return home with wounds of war and the families who lost loved ones in service to our country. This designation itself is symbolic in nature. It carries no financial burden to the town and requires no ongoing obligations. Typically, it simply includes the installation of 1 or 2 signs recognizing the community itself as a Purple Heart community at entrances to the town or the cemetery, and the flying of a Purple Heart flag. On August 7th, in recognition of National Purple Heart Day. Today, I asked the Selectboard to consider a future vote proclaiming Wenham as a Purple Heart community. This small gesture sends a powerful message that the town recognizes the sacrifices made by our nation's combat wounded veterans and remembers those who never returned home. It acknowledges families who carry that sacrifice every day. Our Gold Star families whose loved ones gave their lives in service to this nation. Designating Wenham as a Purple Heart community, would place the town among many municipalities across Massachusetts and the country that have chosen to publicly recognize and honor these sacrifices. This is a simple and meaningful way for the town of Wenham to demonstrate its gratitude and respect for those who have borne the wounds of war, and for the families who have endured the ultimate loss. Thank you all for your time and your consideration. And if you have any questions, or if Bill Wilson is allowed to elaborate, he can share some statistics in particular of how many purple Purple Heart recipients we have in Gloucester. Um, excuse me, not Gloucester. Wenham and, uh, are buried in Wenham as well. 00:16:17,230 S6: Thanks for, uh. 00:16:18,669 S8: Um, I wasn't particularly familiar with how many Purple Heart winners. It's not really a win, and it's the recipients of that. We had them win them. So I did a little bit of research on that and come to find out that there are ten Wenham residents who are in, came into the service, went off, did their thing and came back or didn't come back. But they weren't buried in one of cemetery. There are ten people that are recipients of Purple Hearts. Um, when recipients here, one of which is Alan B Cheeseman, Gary's brother, who was killed October of 1970, in Vietnam. There's one of the people there. There are several other ones as well. There are six that are interned. And when a resident, they're buried in there. POW! Silver star winners. Bronze star winners. Um, it's like an unknown history. And for me, this is just a chance to raise the visibility within the community of those that served. I've served a long time, and, uh, I didn't know all the details associated with these individuals. So now it's an opportunity for the Veterans Committee, the VSO, D, and Bryant to bring this forward to the community. Raise the flag on August 7th and hopefully the town recipients will ask who were they? What did they did? What did they do? So I strongly recommend the select board. Consider this in the I think, um, you are a Purple Heart recipient as well. Did I get that right? V as well. And this is near and dear to her heart and why she's here. And we want to recognize her. All the individuals in town that made the sacrifice to stand up when they called to stand up and do the duty. So. Thank you. Um, Ben, I'll turn it back over to you. Any questions from the board? 00:18:23,279 S1: Thank you. Bill. Appreciate. Um, appreciate that additional information and the research that you did. And thank you. Um, I'll open it up to members of the board who have any questions or comments for either V or Bill. 00:18:40,119 S9: I would this is Peter. I would just say that I'm very supportive of this. 00:18:46,720 S1: Thank you. Peter. Gary. Deirdre. Deirdre I see her just likewise. 00:18:53,160 S5: I thank you very much for both presentations. I just learned a lot and I would fully support this as well. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the town. 00:19:03,359 S4: Oakley and Gary. I certainly support and I'm glad we recognize that V is also a recipient of the Purple Heart. 00:19:14,519 S1: Yes. Um, thank you for your service. And Bill and Gary and everyone else on this call who is a veteran. Um, I, of course, fully support this as well. And, um, I think, you know, you've got, uh, strong support from the board. Um, just a logistical question. If we vote this evening to pursue the designation. Um, Steve, you could work with Bill and V to take whatever next steps are required to, uh, to, um, you know, have that designation finalized? 00:19:55,960 S3: Yes. Absolutely. 00:19:57,880 S8: Indeed. Just to go into this a little bit, I think we're going to be bundled together with, um, with Gloucester, Manchester. If you could just tell a little bit about that, the application that you submit once you receive board approval going forward. 00:20:12,240 S7: Absolutely. So, um, essentially the idea is that we can get as many communities within our Cape and district on board with this. Um, I might end up just doing Gloucester and Wenham, since both of us, um, seem to be ready to move forward with this and then do the other three, if possible. Um, as a bulk as well, at a later time. Um, essentially what I would need is a proclamation from the select board that this is happening. We need to post 1 or 2 signs of your choosing at the location of your choosing, and then do a formal flag raising. We send the application as a bulk, along with Gloucester's um, to the state, uh, the National Purple Heart Association, where they approve it, and we get added into this online database in which anyone in the country can look us up and see that we are a Purple Heart community. We are listed as a Purple Heart community. Uh, again, it's a symbolic in nature. Um, it's more showing that we support all veterans, Purple Heart or not. It's more, um, just showing a little additional recognition to a few individuals who may not necessarily like to recognize themselves or speak for themselves. And it's not about me and the fact that I myself have a Purple Heart. It's more for a lot of those that I serve and that I've come to know personally. And I know they would never do this for themselves. And so this is a recognition that I feel, um, they are entitled to they, um, should be recognized whether they want to be known or not, but this is just a special recognition for them. 00:22:00,480 S1: All right. Thanks very much. So I would entertain a motion that the town of Wenham pursue designation as a Purple Heart community and that the board, um, delegate to the town administrator and the Select board chair the filling out execution of any paperwork, including proclamations necessary to achieve that designation. 00:22:28,920 S4: Gary. So moves. 00:22:30,519 S9: Second. 00:22:31,319 S2: Peter. 00:22:32,680 S1: All right, we'll take the roll. Deirdre. 00:22:35,880 S5: Yes. 00:22:36,680 S1: Gary. 00:22:37,519 S2: Yes. 00:22:38,279 S1: Peter. 00:22:39,160 S9: Yes. 00:22:40,079 S1: And Ben is. Yes. So thank you very much, bill and Vee. And we're excited to travel down this path with you. 00:22:47,799 S2: Thank you. 00:22:48,720 S8: Yeah. 00:22:48,920 S2: Thank you. 00:22:52,160 S1: All right, that brings us to the next agenda item F review, discussion and potential vote on a request. Oh, could we, on request from one resident, Laurie Hale, to allow a citizen funded porta potty to be placed at West Wenham Park? 00:23:14,400 S3: We want to move Lori over. So Lori approached Cate, and then and then ultimately the Select board's office to request, um, whether a porta potty could be placed at West one and park the in the park's design. It did incorporate a pad where a porta potty could be placed, but given the budgetary constraints, we did not add any additional services to the park this year. So Lori proposed that, you know, they may be able to do some citizen fundraising in order to get a porta potty up there for a period of time. I've, you know, I've heard either from one weekend or through the entire summer. But with that, I'll let let Lori, uh, address the board. 00:24:04,130 S10: Thank you. Can you hear me? 00:24:05,730 S11: Can hear me? 00:24:08,130 S3: Lots of echoes. 00:24:10,569 S10: Okay, how about now? Is this better? 00:24:13,170 S3: Yes. 00:24:14,049 S10: Okay, perfect. Thank you all for having me in today. And thank you for the nice tie up. Uh, my name is Lori Hale. I'm a wedding resident, as Steve mentioned. I'm also a Girl Scout leader. mom of a kindergarten and first grader, a member of the Mothers Club. I'm sort of your target demo for West Woman Park, and was so thrilled by the beautiful revitalization and was at the opening last October when it finally we cut the ribbon and started it. So it's a beautiful facility. And, um, if you want to flip to the next slide with the summary of the request, uh, essentially, uh, what I realized, I sort of thought that by, by this season there would be a porta potty there. But I connected with Kate Mallory, who's been a great partner in helping me, um, get some of the history here. And she's on the call as well. Uh, and it sounds like, um, right now there isn't a current plan to put one there. So my request would be to a get permission whether there might be funding somewhere or not. So that's a separate topic. But if not, if there isn't somewhere through DPW or the Recreation Department for this funding. I'm happy to go do a pass the hat or whatever it is. I think there would be great need for something like this during what I call sort of prime park season, like the May 1st to October 31st, when like, I'd go every day now to just check on who's there and like, there's tons of kids there, there's families there. And as I'll talk to in a minute, um, without a porta potty, we're not so great with the other options or alternatives. So ideally we at least get permission this year to get one there. Whether it's through, we find some funding or privately fundraise. And then from next year, get it into the cycle for funding from, uh, the town. And I don't know if that comes from recreation or DPW, but um, get it allocated so that it becomes something that's part of ongoing maintenance for the park. So if you wouldn't mind flipping to the next slide Just to give a quick recap. The park was beautifully revitalized. Opened in mid-October of last year. Um, it's got tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court. It's a pump track. It's got the playground and fitness equipment. This huge, beautiful pavilion with, I think it's 6 or 8 picnic tables and all these things would, you'd think, maybe necessitate needing a toilet there? Um, and yet one is not currently there. Um, and as the plans, it's hard to see a little bit. But I tried to do a call out box to show you there's a couple of small boxes where that is coming from, and that is where the facilities were designed to be. So in essence, those are just across from where the handicapped accessible parking spots are and where a porta potty was placed for the opening day celebration in October. So, um, somebody realized that when it was opening day at the park, there would be necessity for a toilet. Um, I think that was Kate. Um, so there is a spot for where where it would go. And my last bullet point. However uncomfortable it is to talk about, is if you don't have a potty. People are going to have to make do. And while it may be cute for kids to pee in the woods, it's not so cute for adults to do that or allowed by law. And that means that people are leaving the park. So if you have an event or a gathering, I mean, we don't have a gas station next door. There is no Dunkin Donuts nearby. So I don't want to wait. You know, I get it, I get budget cycles, but I feel like the time is now to get a porta potty there. And if I have to, you know, do a little pasta hat in the town. If we can't find budget, I'm willing to do that because it feels like that's the right way to enjoy this beautiful new space is with appropriate facilities. Um, and then unless there's any questions, we can just, uh, flip to the next slide where I kind of I've done some research. I think the right thing to do is to get an accessible porta potty. If we're building an accessible park with accessible parking, we should get an accessible porta potty. So it is a little bit more, um, but it's it feels like the right thing to do to make the park fully accessible. So I got some quotes, the one that seemed to be most attractive, and it's a vendor that was has been used previously by the town and the one that was used for the opening, uh, the throne King. Very attractive name. Uh, it's 265 a month. They'll drop it off, uh, do weekly cleaning, servicing of the unit and pick it up at the end of the season. I'm recommending we do it May 1st to October 31st, somewhat arbitrarily. It's a date future from here, but not too long because I'm already seeing folks use the park. So it's a six month time frame. And that would sum to just under $1,600 for the for the year. So we're not talking totally big bucks. It's a lot for a past the hat, but, um, I think it would be worth it to make this more comfortable. And then the final slide, uh, Kate was kind enough to supply a little quote. You know, she and I have been talking extensively, um, that it was thoughtfully revitalized to be a place where people can stay, play, and gather. Adding a portable toilet ensures visitors can fully enjoy the space comfortably, making the park more welcoming, functional and complete for everyone. So I will pause there for any questions that you may have for myself or Kate. If Kate's on, um, if there are any. 00:30:01,099 S1: Thank you. Um, Laurie. Kate, did you want to add anything before we, um, turn it over to the board for questions? 00:30:08,140 S12: No, Laurie handled that perfectly. Thank you. 00:30:11,220 S2: Great. 00:30:11,700 S1: Thank you. All right. Are there questions or feedback from members of the board? 00:30:21,299 S4: Gary just said good idea. Well, need. And I think it will attract more people to the park, which is what we want. 00:30:29,779 S2: Okay, I. 00:30:30,980 S9: Agree, I agree with what Gary just said. 00:30:36,980 S9: And it doesn't sound like it's a lot of money. 00:30:40,500 S1: Thank you. Peter. Deirdre. Anything? 00:30:44,059 S5: I just want to thank Lori. It's very obvious now that you point it out, but, um, hadn't thought about it, to be honest. So I appreciate you spotting this as an issue and raising it with us. Appreciate the presentation. Um, I definitely think that you're right about this. I just, I guess I'm questioning, um, given how close we were to an override this year, I'm not sure where we would look for the funding. I don't know if. Kate, you have any thoughts if this could go into the recreation budget? I'm just not sure about that part, but I think this is something that needs to happen. 00:31:24,019 S1: I had a similar question on the funding. Steve, looks like you prepared to speak to that. 00:31:28,819 S2: Yeah. 00:31:29,019 S3: I mean. 00:31:29,339 S2: Well. 00:31:31,460 S3: You know, it's one of those things we already, you know, a tight budget cycle. So, you know, the DPW is budgeted pretty tightly. Um, the recreation budget is a shared service with Hamilton, so it's essentially budgeted to the penny. Um, so there's no expense lines in there where, you know, in the DPW and tree warden, you know, which would be probably similar, you know, a use that could be, you know, close enough to park maintenance that, you know, you could appropriate the funds out of, you know, would be, you know, it wasn't planned for it. So whatever we spend out of there would be something less that wouldn't be able to get done as the year unfolds. Um, you know, that's really the long and short of it. I mean, I think, you know, early in the season, could we. You know, again, we don't have the funds available now. They'll be available on July 1st. Like, could we find the money? Probably. But just knowing that, you know, we'll take from something later on in the year. 00:32:39,339 S1: So if we were to budget for this in the next budget cycle, then that funding wouldn't be available until July. You know, designated line item funding wouldn't be available until July 1st of 2027. Is that right? 00:32:55,579 S3: Yeah. Um, yes. 00:32:58,180 S1: Um, I had a question. Laurie or Kate, just about the six month, um, proposal. So. And I think it you basically say it in the, in the slide, but where it says recommend placing unit in park for six months. Um, so that means that if we were to follow this proposal that some around October 31st or shortly thereafter, that, um, throne king would, would remove the porta potty from the site and then bring it back. Um, on May 1st. Is that right? 00:33:30,829 S10: Yes. They can work on any cadence or cycle. They they install these monthly and can service them with whatever frequency you choose. So I was proposing this more just from a volume of use. I mean, I would think if you go to a park in November, you may not expect the same amenities or to expect to stay as long as something that you might do in the summertime. So it's a bit arbitrary. I was just proposing that six month cycle. They can work on whatever cadence we ultimately decide. 00:34:00,589 S1: Great, right? Um, so I support this as well. I think my only concern is that, um, is that we given that it looks like there isn't town funds available, at least at this moment, um, that we had. I'd sort of like to know whether the, you know, $1,590 is committed. And I realized that it's not committed yet because, as you indicated, you, um, you know, would go out and do sort of a pass the hat, but I just would I wouldn't want to have it there, um, without funding for it to be cleaned every week. Um. 00:34:43,750 S10: That's part of the 1590. Just to be clear. 00:34:46,550 S1: Yes. Right. Right, exactly. 00:34:48,230 S10: Yeah. 00:34:49,309 S1: Um, so I wonder whether we could approve this with a condition that, you know, we receive, or the town administrator receives some evidence that that $1,590 has been committed, um, by private donations, so that we know that when it's there, it's going to be cleaned weekly. And then also a condition on the six month. So we know that it that it isn't going to be left there. Um, you know, without the cleaning service taking place in those other six months. 00:35:25,230 S10: Sure. That is doable. From my. If you were asking me, it's certainly I can't pay for it until I have the funding anyhow. So certainly I can signal to whomever on your end needs that sort of formal green light. Um. For sure. 00:35:40,789 S2: Okay. 00:35:42,190 S1: Um, other board members have any problem with approving it with those conditions or the funding? You know, front loaded funding, I suppose, or it sounds like from Larry, that that it's all going to have to be paid anyway in order to even get the, the porta potty and then also the six month condition. 00:36:02,110 S5: I would expect that it would have to be paid before it's placed. And the, you know, the cleaning is part of the fee, so I'm comfortable with all of that. Um, I guess I would. First of all, I appreciate the fact that you're willing to fundraise for this. Um, I do think it's something that we can work towards for the town to fund or figure out how we get bathrooms there in some fashion. Um, but as you've heard this year, the budget is extremely tight. I think another consideration would be maybe not to do six months in the first year, but maybe four months. So it's fully covered while kids are out of school. That's just a suggestion, but ultimately it would be up to those of you who, um, pulled together the funding. Um, so I appreciate that you're willing to attempt this, and I think we should work towards covering this from the town to the extent possible, given our current budget constraints. 00:37:07,389 S2: All right. Well. 00:37:09,030 S10: One quick question. If I could, um, I believe there is a maintenance budget allocated toward taking care of the park, right? Like, if something safety wise popped up or what have you. I wondered if all of that is line item committed, or if perhaps that would be something. A place to look. I mean, I'm happy to fundraise if we need to, but I believe there is money earmarked to care for the park, and I don't know if this would be part of that, or if that's two distinct from what that budget might carry or cover. 00:37:43,230 S3: The intent of that line was specifically for, um, like landscape maintenance. 00:37:51,030 S10: Got it. Okay. 00:37:55,429 S1: All right. So I'll, I'll move that that we allow, um, a handicapped accessible porta potty to be placed at West Wyndham Park For up to six months during the period of May 1st through August 31st of 2026, conditioned upon the porta potties removal of by from from West Wenham Park no later than October 31st, 2026 and information provided to our land use Director or town Administrator that sufficient funding or the unit and weekly cleaning be committed prior to its delivery to West Wenham Park. 00:38:46,559 S9: Peter Claeys seconds. 00:38:50,119 S1: Great. We'll take a roll call. Gary. 00:38:53,760 S2: Yes. 00:38:54,840 S1: Peter. 00:38:55,960 S2: Yes. 00:38:56,920 S1: Deirdre. 00:39:01,519 S1: Oh, we didn't hear you. Deirdre. 00:39:03,159 S5: Yes. 00:39:03,920 S1: Oh. Thank you. Uh. And Ben is. Yes. And, uh. Laurie, thank you very much. And and to Kate and to everyone else involved in, in bringing this forward, because it's going to be a great addition and hopefully we'll be able to, um, plan for it in next fiscal year. Budget. 00:39:23,360 S10: Terrific. Thank you very much for approving the request. 00:39:26,760 S1: Thank you. 00:39:27,679 S5: Thank you. 00:39:29,360 S1: All right. That brings us to item G review of RFP submissions, along with Historic District Commission's recommendation of their preferred vendor to perform the historic district guidelines, work discussion and potential vote to select and approve the vendor. I think, Joe, you're going to present. 00:39:52,880 S2: Yes. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, just by way of background, um, when I'm has historic district guidelines that are used for the historic district, uh, sort of offer guidance for Developers, homeowners just, you know, lets them know what you know, what you can and can put in the district. Um, but similar to the subdivision rules that Kate and Margaret were working on. They hadn't been rewritten since the 1980s. Likewise, the historic district guidelines have not been, um, updated since the late 1990s. Um, so I know folks recall last year's town meeting. Um, but the historic district guidelines project was approved via um capital funding and approved by the voters for $50,000. So over the past several months, the HTC has went through several drafts of the scope of work, um, to send out to potential vendors to rewrite these historic district guidelines. Um, we had three vendors that did respond to the scope of work, and the names of the vendors were. Let's pull it up here. 00:41:09,599 S2: When Innes Land Strategies group, Barrett Planning Group and scaling preservation services. Um, Kelly Schmitt, the chair of the HCC, and I met with all three vendors to interview them and all three were very well qualified. We also checked references on the three, and it was not an easy choice, but Kelly and I both recommended. Um, Barrett Planning Group, uh, for a number of reasons, namely that the person that would be helping the HCC on this project, Jen Doherty, has worked for the Mass Historical Commission, the state agency, and also her expertise is in historic preservation and sort of these rewriting these guidelines for other towns. Um, likewise, the HTC met on March 26th and unanimously recommended they're planning as well. So tonight, I'm hoping to get the select board's blessing to engage with Barrett Planning Group and get these guidelines rewritten for the HTC. 00:42:15,000 S1: Thanks, Joe. Any questions or comments from members of the board? 00:42:24,199 S5: The proposals were quite good, so that was helpful to understand what distinguished them for you. Joe. So thank you. 00:42:35,119 S1: Peter. Gary. Anything to add? 00:42:38,880 S1: Gary you're muted at the moment. 00:42:41,400 S4: I would just add that certainly you know sometimes the decisions of the HTC in the tail a lot is judgment. So I think the the more clear and precise regulations that we can put in this area will be a benefit to the town and keep the controversies down. So let's go forward with the selective enter. 00:43:04,889 S1: Great. Um, and I know that Judy Barrett and her group are excellent and sort of the leaders in this and many planning fields as, as a lot of people on the call know from, you know, working with them on different things in the past. Um, all right. With that, I would entertain a motion. 00:43:31,769 S1: Oh, Gary, I think you're muted. 00:43:34,809 S4: Okay. So I'll do it. The small print here, I move that. Uh. 00:43:43,090 S4: Can you get it? It's my print. Um, you got the name there? 00:43:50,329 S1: Oh, it's, um. It's a Barrett group. 00:43:55,170 S2: Yes, Barrett planning group. 00:43:58,489 S4: I move that, we select Barrett group, uh, for the, uh. program for the Historic District Commission's preferred vendor for the guidelines work. 00:44:09,570 S9: Peter Clay. Seconds. 00:44:12,050 S1: All right. Thank you. We'll take a roll. Peter. Yes, Gary. 00:44:16,210 S4: Yes. 00:44:17,010 S1: Deirdre. 00:44:17,969 S5: Yes. 00:44:18,809 S1: And Ben is. Yes. All right. We do not have any other new business or old business. So at 715, who wants to do the honors? 00:44:30,090 S9: Hey, Gary. 00:44:32,530 S13: Thank you. 00:44:34,409 S4: So. 00:44:37,210 S9: Adios, amigo. 00:44:38,530 S4: All right. Thank you. I move that we adjourn at 7:15 p.m.. 00:44:44,610 S5: Second. 00:44:45,769 S1: Great. Deirdre. Roll call. Yes, Gary. 00:44:49,530 S4: Yes. 00:44:50,610 S1: Peter. 00:44:51,489 S9: Yes. 00:44:52,570 S1: And Ben is. Yes. All right. Thanks, everybody. 00:44:56,170 S3: Yeah. Thank you. Have a great night. 00:44:57,929 S1: Take care. 00:44:58,530 S13: Bye bye.