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Home My Public Portal AboutSelect Board -- 2021-01-04 Minutes o� «all ,;F9* Town of Brewster Office of: Select Board 2198 Main Street Town Administrator U Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 r w Phone : ( 508) 896 - 3701 Fax : (508) 896 -8089 MINUTES OF THE SELECT BOARD REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DATE : January 4, 2021 TIME : 6 : 00 PM PLACE : Remote Teleconference ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY : Chair Chaffee , Selectperson deRuyter, Selectperson Whitney, Selectperson Chatelain , Selectperson Bingham , Town Administrator Peter Lombardi , Assistant Town Administrator Susan Broderick, and Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator Robin Young, Fire Chief Moran , David Telman , Katie Jacobus , Judy Lech , Cindy St . Amour, Joan Pernice Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum , Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement Chair Chaffee called the meeting to order at 6 : 04pm , conducted a roll call vote of attendance, declared a quorum present, and read the meeting participation and recording statements . Executive Sessions To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares : _IAFF Local 3763 Chair Chaffee stated that the Board would be going into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining as an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares : IAFF Local 3763 , and would be returning to open session . Selectperson Bingham moved that the Board go into executive session at 6 : 07pm to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining as an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body : IAFF Local 3763 , and will be returning to open session Selectperson Whitney second . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Chatelain , Chair Chaffee-yes . The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No . The Select Board returned to open session at 6 : 11pm . Public Announcements and Comments Members of the public may address the Select Board on matters not on the meeting' s agenda for a maximum 3 -5 minutes at the Chair' s discretion . Under the Open Meeting Law, the Select Board is unable to reply but may add items presented to a future agenda . No announcements . Vote on International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3763 Agreement Regarding Training Requirements www , brewster-ma . gov BoS 01 - 04-21 Page 1 of 5 \��0A£ w8u� /yip, Office of: lo(� o' ." ire �,9 Town of Brewster Select Board 2198 Main Street Town Administrator �3 U a Brewster, MA 02631 = 1898 Y Phone : ( 508) 896- 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 loll i�UirnrnrNinMmnua��a�Q�o m of agreement with the International Association of Fire Mr . Lombardi summarized the memorandu Fighters Local 3763 ( IAFF LOCAL 3763 ) and the Town of Brewster . It clarifies the process for new hires which will provide flexibility for training requirements . This is a side letter of agreement that would be included in the next update to the contract . Selectperson Bingham moved to accept the IAFF Local 3763 Agreement regarding training requirements, Selectperson Whitney second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Chair Chaffee -yes . The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No . Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports The Vision Planning Committee will be before the Select Board on January 19, 2021 , The Vision Planning Committee meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 4pm . Town Administrator' s Report Mr . Lombardi recapped the most current Governor' s executive orders . This effects the capacity reduction from 40% to 25 % at most businesses . Indoor gatherings are capped at 10 people . Outdoor gatherings are capped at 25 people . The State continues to release information on phasing for the vaccine distribution . Information has been posted on the Town ' s website . The State discouraged group activities around the holidays . The Lt . Governor will be updating Town officials on January 5 , 2021, and Mr . Lombardi anticipates they will extend the standing executive order . County wide there are 3 new local facilities for Covid - 19 testing . Information for those and all of the testing sites are on the Town ' s website . The case load at the local city . The Town of Brewster has 219 cases with 100 in long hospitals is rising, and they are at or near capa term care facilities . That is 61 new general population cases in the past month . The peak was 21 cases in a week in mid - December . The past week, 15 new cases were reported . The Town was moved back down to the Yellow Designation , but it is expected that this coming week could see a move back to the Red Designation . The Town offices are currently closed to the public until January 10, 2021, however this may be extended depending on the States decision . The Federal Legislation passed last week includes CARES Act funding, over $ 850, 000 for the Town of Brewster . The ability to use these funds has been extended . These funds are to be used in matters directly related to the pandemic . An updated budget calendar has been circulated , and the joint meetings with the Finance Committee will be pushed back about a week . Consent Agenda Meeting Minutes : December 7 & 151 2020 Appointments : Eric Bohn, Cultural Council Authorize Chair to Sign Letter of Support for Brewster Historical Societ ' s application to the Massachusetts Preservation Proiects Fund for re-shingling the Higgins Farm Windmill Authorize Chair to Sign Letter of Support for Cape Rep Theatre' s grant application to the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund for their Crosby Barn Rehabilitation Project www . brewster-ma . gov BoS 01 -04-21 Page 2 of 5 k%gkA4UWY E WbuMy,�i 8T */of Office of: At Ourl � � Town of Brewster o o• + 9 Select Board +' 2198 Main Street Town Administrator Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 VO w Phone : ( 508) 896- 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 Maiu�iaau`Q�� Selectperson Bingham moved to approve the consent agenda as recommended by Administration , Selectperson Chatelain second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain - yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Chair Chaffee -yes , The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No . Interview Candidates for Brewster School Committee & Appoint Member to Fill Vacancies — Joint Meeting with Brewster School Committee Brewster School Committee Chair David Telman called the meeting of the Brewster School Committee to order at 6 : 35pm . Select Board Chair Chaffee summarized the interview and voting process for the 5 candidates . Each of the 5 candidates ; Marie Enochty, Rick Draper, Rheanna Hastings , Sarah Sherman and Casey Mecca , introduced themselves and gave a brief personal background and explanation of why they were interested in serving on the Brewster School Committee . Selectperson Whitney asked each of the candidates if they would consider running in the election process in May, and what their priority for the next five months would be . Ms . Enochty has been involved in Town politics since she arrived and does not rule out running for the seat . She would prioritize union negotiations and budgets . Ms . Hastings would run in May . She would prioritize strategic planning, collaboration , Covid learning strategies and finances . Ms . Mecca would run in May . Her priorities would be student avocation . Ms . Sherman would run for the 3 year term . She would use this temporary position to become engaged and creating as many resources for the students as possible through funding and advocacy . Mr . Draper would consider running for the committee in May . His priorities would be community outreach . Selectperson Bingham asked if the candidates had an opinion on school consolidation and if they had the time to devote to the School Committee and the meetings . Ms . Hastings would consider the community as a whole in regards to building consolidation , and will be fully committed to the position . Ms . Mecca has heard of the consolidation conversation but would need to further analyze the data on the issue and would prioritize her role on the committee . Ms . Sherman would consider the feasibility study results before making a decision , but is largely against the school consolidation . She would not like to see that space utilized for a new community center or COA, as she would like a better option for either . She has a flexible schedule and is able to fully commit to the committee . Mr . Draper has been following the discussion of school consolidation since the beginning . He is wary of making radical changes to quickly solve a problem . He would make a data drive, education based decision . Ms . Enochty has had a long history with the schools, and would base her decision on enrollment, data , need and strategic thinking . She will have no problem with the time needed to dedicate to the committee . The members of the Brewster School Committee had no further questions . For the candidates, the Select Board voted : Selectperson Chatelain — Sherman & Mecca , Selectperson deRuyter- Mecca & Enochty, Selectperson Whitney — Enochty & Mecca , Selectperson Bingham — Draper & Mecca , Chair Chaffee — Mecca & Enochty . The School Committee Voted : Dave Telman — Enochty & Hastings, Katie Jacobus — Enochty & Draper, Judy Lech - Enochty & Draper . Ms . Enochty had 6 votes and Ms . Mecca had 5 votes for the 2 simple majority vote winners . Selectperson deRuyter moved to appoint Ms . Enochty and Ms . Mecca to the Brewster School www , brewster-ma . gov BoS 01 - 04- 21 Page 3 of 5 �,�• Town of Brewster Office of: z0 o� •+• Select Board 2198 Main Street Town Administrator J r= Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 so Vs - Phone : (508) 896- 3701 Fax: ( 508) 896- 8089 o y�4iyi, 1HnMuimiN��u�� °\ Committee, Selectperson Bingham second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Selectperson delluyter-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Chair Chaffee -yes , The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No . Katie Jacobus — yes, Judy Lech — yes Dave Telman — yes . The Committee vote was 3 -yes, 0- No . Judy Lech moved to adjourn the Brewster School Committee meeting at 7 : 25pm , Katie Jacobus second . A roll call vote was taken . Telman — yes, Lech — yes, Jacobus — yes . Brewster Ladies Library Association Update on the Library Capital Renovation Plan and Fundraising Efforts — Joan Pernice, BLLA President Joan Pernice and Cindy St . Amour joined the meeting . Ms . Pernice reviewed a slide presentation on the library' s critical needs accessed which was included in the agenda packet . Ms . St . Amour reviewed that a State grant was awarded to the library in July of 2017 . The plan for FY22 for final design cost would need to be approved . The funding for the project would be needed in the FY23 - 24 budget, which is when they anticipate the State grant would be awarded . Changes to the library' s structure due to the Covid pandemic were explained , as well as further State and Federal funding offered for support . Mr . Lombardi explained the challenge on planning for the project in the Capital Plan , given the unknown of when the State grant funding would be available . The Capital Planning Committee included the project in their budget documents . Seeking an appropriation of a little under $ 500, 000 to finalize the design plan with funding being allocated ( split ) between Free Cash and Community Preservation funding in FY22 . The construction funds, once the State grant is awarded , is estimated at $ 12 million $ 4 . 6 million from State, BLL association has fundraised $ 2 million , which leaves $ 5 . 5 million that the Town would have to cover, with Free Cash appropriations, appropriations from the Stabilization funds, and additional Community Preservation funds as the grant match . Selectperson Whitney asked if the CPC application has been submitted . This would be done in the fall of 2021 or spring of 2022 . They are aware of the project and the intent to submit an application in the near future . A Capital Stabilization fund will be generated in the near future for the project . Discuss Select Board Feedback on Draft Town Charter Comments were provided from Selectperson Whitney and Chair Chaffee . Selectperson Whitney suggested additional clarification on the section regarding the Select Board keeping the Bylaws up to date . Chair Chaffee encouraged that the Charter Committee recall provision be modeled after the Assembly of Delegates . Clarification on Town Meeting dates should be considered , Code of Conduct section be placed in a different section , and include a Charter preamble . She would like it to be as simple, easy to read and accessible as possible . Descriptive sub - headings, suggested punctuation and grammar changes, and format considerations were included in the comments . Selectperson Bingham will submit the information back to the Charter Committee at their next meeting . Update on Nauset Regional High School Proiect Mr . Lombardi updated the Board on the announcement of the Regional School Committee' s decision to take a district wide vote on the project . An article in the Cape Cod Times clarified initial statements on moving www . brewster- ma . gov BoS 01 -04-21 Page 4 of 5 Office of: o� << •gyp+".; �9� Town of Brewster Select Board _ +' = 2198 Main Street Town Administrator rm Brewster, MA 026314898 r w Phone : ( 508) 896= 3701 ''� Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 ��U/M//f11�IIMII1N11N\\u�Q\\� forward with the Code Compliance version of the project . The Town Clerks from each of the four communities met with Nauset officials and proposed that the district wide vote be held on March 30, 2021 from 11am — 7pm . The Regional School committee will vote on this . This date allows for absentee ballot voting . Debt is assumed to not be issued for another year or so . The Town Administrators will be meeting soon and will be offering their recommendations on term of debt . The Clerks are having active discussion on the debt exclusion vote on the same date, which might mean two separate ballots will be needed . Emails from citizens were read to the Board . Selectperson deRuyter inquired if the voter will need to check in twice when voting on each ballot . Both will be mailed . Mr . Lombardi will confirm with the Town Clerk . Emails from Jane Lange and Helga Dyer were read . Mr . Lombardi clarified some of the statements made in the emails . For Your Information No discussion . Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair None . Questions from the Media None . Next Meetings : January S . 12 and 19, 26 2021 Adiournment 1 Selectperson Bingham moved to adjourn at 8 : 17pm , Selectperson Chatelain second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Chair Chaffee -yes . The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No . I 3 i Respectfully submitted , Robin Young I I Approved igned : r Date Selectperson In arsc ar of Selectman Accompanying Documents in Packet : agenda, TA report documents, consent agenda, Fcant' s letters of interest and resumes, presentation for BLL, Charter document and response emails www , brewster-ma . gov BoS 01 - 04- 21 Page 5of5