Select Board: April 12, 2023

Transcript captured from MHTV’s Vimeo auto-captioning. No speaker labels; proper names and dollar figures occasionally misheard. Click any timecode to jump to that moment in the source video.

0:00 Meeting is being recorded and videotaped via Zoom. Welcome everybody. We have a 14 item agenda. And without further Ado. Let’s jump in we have at four gonna start with the public hearing and it’s vis-a-vis the riptide lounge and we have Paul Lynch going over very well and Michael Michael. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Welcome both you and why don’t you go ahead and brief the board on what you know, Michael has the agreement. Had agreement both the real estate. Yeah in the business of the riptide and He is proposing to continue the business as it’s president room with some improvements into the building and into the business itself. Perfect. And so

0:47 we’re looking forward to that. He has some experience. He has some management people in his company that have Long restaurant experience. Yeah, and he’s hoping to continue that in Marblehead. Okay. Now what I will do is because this is a public meeting. I’m going to go ahead and open the public hearing. Okay, and and we’re gonna open the public hearing for the transfer of all alcoholic beverage license to Riptide Group Incorporated 116. Pleasant Street. This public hearing was advertised in accordance with chapter 138 of the Mass general laws. So with that Paul if you could continue, okay, so we have filed all the

1:33 appropriate applications. We have all the Corey from all the managers and all the owners of the property that we have filed with the town and the application is complete upon the vote of this board. It will go to the ABC for review and hopefully they will approve it upon total review and probably they will have some questions for the applicant and review some financial information. Okay. Great. Great, Michael any any additional comments? And what I what I do need to do is is open up and ask anybody present or online whether they are opposer or who’s opposal in favor per per usual Paul as you know, absolutely. All right. So any other comments no,

2:18 I think Paul summed it up best. I mean, we’re just looking to you know, I do the transfer of the liquor license. Okay, great. Thank you at this point. I’d like to call on anyone who is opposed to this application. Is there anybody in the room here opposed to the application anybody online?

2:39 Okay, anyone in favor of this application that would like to speak from from the public? I see if you would approach Mr. Zissen. If you I think you were first if you would if you would go to the go to the microphone, please. You know, just the usual name and address, please so that we know gym business in two Mound Road. Of course. We want to see our Riptide stay open and maybe spruced up a bit would be nice, but I had quite a surprise when I came in here an old friend of mine. John Ward is involved in this we go way back to the 1980s up and head over New Hampshire, and I just want to say he and the whole group I met there I stand up group, and I think they’ll do right by it. So just very pleasant surprise came down to fine it was going on. And so anyway,

3:25 go ahead. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, please. Hi, Jamie, Champa current daughter-in-law the owner of the riptide. Okay. I just want to say the new people that are going to be taking over seem to be wonderful. They seem to have everything pulled together and they want to take the riptide. and make it a pretty place but keep it as the bar obviously but to Spruce it up to make it look really good for the downtown and we’re excited to have new ownership to carry on because we’ve had it for 55 years and we’re tired so Right, so hopefully everything goes through well, thank you for making an icon in town.

4:13 Right. Thank you. All right anybody else?

4:17 Anybody online? No, okay. So at this point I’m gonna go ahead and close the public hearing and take any comments, you know from the or discussions from the from the from the board.

4:30 Any thoughts comments through the chairman sure, please. Yeah, just any Vision like what you’re you know what your thoughts are from where it is like to what kind of keep it kind of like the level that it is now, we’re not trying to turn it into something that it shouldn’t be. Yeah different the town needs something. You know and that Vibe and that level and they want to keep it there. That’s

4:59 Any other any other comments? All right. Well, you know what we were wondering whether it would pass hands and we’re and we’re glad that it has in its current form. So, you know speaking speaking personally, so And with that we need to take two votes tonight one’s a regular vote ones a poll vote. I’m going to go ahead and entertain a motion to approve the application for a common Vic license for Riptide Group Inc. 116 Pleasant Street manager Michael vinow hours of operation Monday through Saturday 9am to 12 midnight Sundays 11 am to 12 midnight subject to receipt of all applicable inspection sign offs, and all paid fees. Second seating capacity 45. Okay all in favor.

5:46 Unanimous, thank you. We’d like to move to a polled vote and I’m going to ask for For some assistance on this and it’s an emotion to approve the transfer of all alcoholic beverages beverage license from Riptide Lounge Inc doing business as Riptide Lounge to rip tide Group Inc. 116 Pleasant Street manager Michael vinow hours of operation Monday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 12 midnight Sunday 11:00 am to 12 midnight subject to the approval from the ABC Corey approval and receipt of all applicable inspection sign offs and all fees paid and proof of tips or equivalent certification. And the seating capacity is 45. Yeah. Psych person second. We’ve got that.

6:33 Missing in favor who’s Newman and fairer, Mr. Knight and Taylor

6:39 In favor. Thank you very much. Really? Appreciate it. Congratulations.

6:46 All right second on our agenda is is interviews for cultural council is Mark Philip here Mark, please. Haven’t seen at the table. right Good evening. First of all, thank you very much for volunteering. Yes. We really appreciate yes, and we’d like to just get to know you and maybe you could tell us you know, why you know, what kind of what’s in your background? What why is this interesting to you? And what you achieve? Yeah. No, so professionally. I’m a creative director in advertising some very passionate about the arts and culture in general and I think it’s seriously the important, you know, service all of our lives and so share community and Subs looking

7:33 for an opportunity to volunteer for some time now and just seemingly really good fit my background. Okay, okay. Any other questions from the from the board? No question. I mean, I just think that your background and your professional skill set will be of great value. Thank you. Yeah, I mean looking forward to support it anyway again. Thank you. Thank you for praying a great letter is yeah, I think you’re here a good fit. And yeah. You know, okay. So with that automatically up one second. Yeah with I like to entertain emotion to a point mark Phillip to the cultural council with the term to expire in June 2025. second I was in favor.

8:19 That’s right. Thank you very much. Yes, enjoy wearing. Yeah, just Mark. I’m reminded by Jim that you need to swear in with the with the clerk to before assuming your duties and enroll their. All right, so and any time when they’re open, thank you seven forward. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. So the next is the MBTA Advisory Board. And I by way of quick introduction here The mpta Advisory Board is an Advisory board that advises the MBTA and effectively the governor on on these issues. It’s a very large committee and it it typically assigns the chairs of the different select boards,

9:04 you know, the chairs of the executives or the Mayors to this committee and what we’d like to do though is a point a designee that will assume the responsibilities of going to the to the meetings, you know, advocating on behalf of Marblehead and keeping the select board a prize of you know of what’s going on at the MBTA and there’s a lot of you know, this has been we’ve been doing this I guess since 2006. So this is something that’s been pretty standard. I think you know, the number one issue obviously is making sure that we have continuous service at the end of the line here, which is super important. And obviously the mbta’s engaged as a whole series of initiatives around affordable housing and stuff which is kind of newer newer on the horizon. But

9:52 with that I’d like to I no need for anybody to leave the room in this I think what we’re going to do is just keep it pretty focused and go by alphabetical order Dan Albert, if you would kindly step up and join us, that would be great. and

10:11 you know, I think we’re just going to ask you give us a little bit of your background, you know background why you’re interested and what you’d like to accomplish when you’re there and I think we’ll ask the same questions of everybody. So, you know just far away. Sure. Well, yeah my letter I I certainly got a background in this material. I think everybody knows here how passion I am about issues around Transportation. I I have PhD in history. I studied transportation and urban planning written historically on the development of rapid transit in Detroit and wartime, Ypsilanti, Michigan

10:59 I’ve taught Transportation studies at the Salem State University. I also did course work on transportation and urban planning at the University of Michigan and I’ve written extensively on these issues both as an academic and in popular press. In terms of the position, I would say a couple of things one is I spoke on Norm katola who had the job previously. I asked him as you guys know, he was incredibly qualified. I said no, why are you not still doing this? He’s tired of things. Come on. Anyway, he wouldn’t do it. So here we are. I I’m very excited having said that to do it.

11:45 The in terms of what I would like to get out of it and what I think the town needs let me separate those two things. So first of all for me, this is just, you know the opportunity to be able to go to the MBTA and say give me those ridership figures. I am the representative Marblehead. I would like to know what’s going on here and to get a response personally. That’s really exciting. I like data. I like to know what’s going on. One of the things we already know is that the people who use the bus

12:22 a lot of the people who use the bus don’t live in Marblehead. They live in Lynn they live they come to Marblehead for jobs for school. And their people of color and they need that that bus service. The other thing that’s very interesting to me and I spoken to you guys about it before is the bus stops in Marblehead are not safe the most dangerous spot in Marblehead and has been the site of numerous pedestrian incidents is best in Street. And the bus stop right there and the issues pretty straightforward. There’s parking the bus doesn’t actually stop the bus stop. It has to go there then people come across the street and hit and run so forth so on so I’m interested in understanding the buses

13:08 in Marblehead. the other thing is we’re spending half a million dollars a year. We’re assessed by the MBTA. And it used to be I feel we got good value for money. We had a bus that ran into Haymarket. We don’t anymore and I believe it was 2012. Was it 2016 where they said? Oh, yeah, we’re gonna cut your buses. And that was you know, how true that was. I don’t know that those you as you guys know, those things are sometimes Scare Tactics, but we immediately went to the meetings that you know, our officials and said no and they listened and and we still have our bus service. It’s not good enough. I think we can do much better. And so I would like to

13:56 um really be able to dig down into the MBTA and and get us out of the position of please stop taking things away from us, which is obviously you know where we’re going.

14:12 And you know we need we need more. How can we advocate for more? What can what can we offer the only other thing I’d add and I know I’m going on I always do is I spoke at length with Jenny armini because we put in a bill. It’s called a safe bicycle yield bill. It’s um, it’s in the house anyway, so that was a long conversation part of which was about mass transit in Marblehead. And as she pointed out we’re gonna run into a real problem because what MBTA wants and what the state wants using mdta is to develop heavily along the rail corridors at those Transit hubs. What that means is

14:57 Lynn becomes very congested the Lynnway becomes very congested the way she put it is Marblehead becomes an island a transportation Island without good mass transit and one of the most interesting things about that in the context of the MBTA is we used to be called for the purposes of 3A a bus Community or not anymore. We’re called a mass transit. I believe we’re Rapid Transit adjacent community. The point being it’s not entirely clear MBTA has a lot of interest in us having bus service. They’re interested in developing around their heavy and Light Rail pumps. So those are all really interesting. So it’s it’s an exciting time to do this and that’s why I’m

15:45 doing it. That’s excellent. Good any any other? thoughts comments questions just

15:56 what are your thoughts on the South Salem commuter rail proposal and location and the location tell me more. Why why are you feeling that they just yeah recently voted. There were four. Four proposed maybe five proposed locations and they ended up going with the most expensive one that is in a net industrial area. and the criticism is that they that there are a lot of people that felt that it should really go by the Salem State Community University on Canal and Jefferson right at a less of a cost with more obviously convenience for Marblehead sale in North Shore residents, right and and that’s exactly an example of it. And I used to work at Salem

16:42 State and you know that that you know, the train used to stop there. The It ultimately has to do with Transit oriented development and the argument would be that what we’re trying to use that as a as a hub and we’re going to develop around it as opposed to putting it somewhere where there’s already development, which is what goes on at Salem State and

17:09 You’re absolutely right. They’re not thinking about us as part of that equation because they’re assuming we’re not going to you know, take the bus there and take the train. And so I think I don’t know that we have anything to say about it at this point that I’d have to look into that more. But I think that’s kind of an example of what goes on.

17:33 All right. Okay sure and I just you know, I looking into this obviously there’s several committees that are part of this and you know, it’s a very very large entity and then broken down to some committees which are doing very specific different levels of focus and work. And so we’re any of those things that you personally would say, you know, I’d want to prioritize like obviously there’s you know, two or three that focus on budget and auditing and bylaws and then there’s you know, climate clean energy commuter rail, very committee, you know budget review Rapid Transit committee. So some of them are focusing more on the fiduciary side some of our focusing more on like the planning side. Is there anything that to you as you’re looking at this you would say? Okay. This would be something that you would be interested in focusing or

18:21 on as well as perhaps which one of these do you believe would be more applicable to focus on for Marblehead. yeah, yeah, and and I said this that you know in my letter the the budget stuff that the thing with these large agencies is the budgets are kind of fictional documents in a way and so for someone like me and for a small town represented to have a Important role I mean certainly it’s worth knowing what’s going on there. But I don’t see that fiduciary component being really Central I do see it’s called the rapid train. I believe it’s called the rapid Trans. In fact, I wrote it

19:07 down tonight Rapid Transit. Yeah, so that includes the buses and the Paratransit and the Paratransit is the one in particular. I’m very very interested in engaging with more. The reason is they’re about 20 depends on how you count them MBTA owns about 1200 buses. They went from about a third of a million rides to about a quarter of million rides between you know, 2019 and 2021. Um Paratransit had something like 7,000 rides down to 6,000. Those Paratransit rides are extraordinarily expensive. They are the driver and and para Transit by the way is the the you know

19:52 Pick up on demand. That’s right the ride. It’s called the ride. Right and I would really very much like to know about the utilization of that and how that’s interacting with the transportation Network companies which you know, the Ubers and lifts and and how we’re being paid by those companies. So that’s a really fascinating thing to me because the other thing is and this is kind of big picture. There’s a lot of argument about the economics of city buses, you know, there’s a saying in the public transport world that overhead walks on two legs. In other words. The reason we have gigantic buses is because we’re paying a driver that drivers really expensive the bus

20:37 is less expensive. So we can’t afford to have drivers with small buses. Even though for Marblehead smaller Vehicles would be more energy efficient and so forth and so on so as you can see I can go on. Okay? No, it’s just curious like which one of those those are the big committees. Yeah. I understand like statistically like I being someone who worked at the airport. I was at 442 bus driver. Yeah Rider to Wonderland for a long time. So yeah and really utilize that because parking at the airport. Yeah, not easy. So yeah very much a fan of and the very first thing I want to know is who how many people are riding the bus. When are they riding it if they’re not riding a warranty, right? That’s what We need we need higher load factors.

21:24 Dan thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you volunteering. Yeah. Thank you. Our next is is Chris Harding. Hey, Chris. Good to see you again. Welcome. Welcome. Hi. Again, all right. Yeah, welcome. Thank you very much for volunteering and just if you could just tell us a little bit about your background and what you know, what you’re interested in doing specifically for this great this commission. Thank you. I’m Chris Hardy. I live it 36 fourth path. I’ve worked as a public affairs manager for energy infrastructure projects across the continent guiding government media Community Affairs for complicated infrastructure projects That’s the basis of my interest. But I’ve been a writer the mpta for the past 35 years since I

22:10 was a teenager and in my past career, I was a lobbyist the legislature and was present during the time when the last major MBTA reformist conducted when I first started working at the Statehouse in 1996 MBTA was fun and in a rears by the legislature, so it’s a lobbyist you recognizant of this because it put intense pressure during budget times because you never really knew how much money they were gonna hold over to pay for the NBA. Because they just sent the bills over afterwards. And so you always had to be cognizant. So that’s how you just knew but the MBTA and it was also known as Mr. Bulger’s transit’s story at that time, which reflects its history. It’s always been broke. It’s been supposed to be face it it’s been deep seated in corruption and entrenched interest for decades. It’s been underfunded. It’s

22:58 been torn between the forces of focusing on the core assets and those who want to expand it and extend rail extent services. So it’s just been strangled to death since it’s Inception. It’s really never been allowed to really As an institution really grow and so I see that all the safety instances that have occurred in the last couple years and just the the failure of the forward funding which you know was to put the MBTA on a forward funding basis for its first time. It’s history as an institution. Think about that that was in like 1996 is already like 100 years old, you know as are you miss and so it put it on his Ford funding basis, but with declining sales tax revenues and

23:44 You know Rising debt load the MBTA was forced to take on a lot of The Big Dig dead. There’s a whole political negotiating going on as to who is going to absorb the big dig debt and the MBTA because for a variety of financial reasons ended up taking on a too much of it more than it could bear and so it’s been been burdened with debt that wasn’t even part of its own assets as part of The Big Dig so I do think the let’s just have to take on some significant reforms financially and put institutionally put it in better shape. And you know, I’ve seen good news coming down with respect to the new general manager and I think that gives a great promise, you know, someone who’s born and raised here. I’ve always looked pretty Pride with the fact that the MBT was, you know, the oldest and be in Subway in the world and as a kid, I used to think that was the coolest thing in the world and now I don’t know if it’s gonna be

24:32 safe if I’m gonna get there on time and it trains have to run on slow time. It’s been 33 days that they’ve run on reduced times. It’s been over a year now that we’ve since we’ve had like a reliable schedule, so It’s really an Institutional tragedy. And so anyway, I like to my reason is because I’d like to join with other towns or recognize that we are kind of at the end of a peninsula here. We are some of the small town compared to some of the bigger fish and that gives in the way institutional reform works is by through alliances and coalitions. So I would see myself as working with the representatives and Salem and Lynn and all the communities down the line to making sure that we as part of that line, you know get get our ability is Marvel letters to have our say because we utilize those

25:17 large resources that are in sale and in Revere I do it Wonderland and others but recognizing we are someone one town and 176 cities and towns and it’s through really alliances with others that we can raise our voice and hold the tea reliable and accountable and transparent which is all I could really aim to do. right outstanding if you’d like to You like to follow up with the same question? Yeah, I had another question. I felt like

25:49 Dan had answered it so I didn’t ask it but um, what do you Chris? What do you look at the MBTA do to increase utilization of the tea by Marblehead residence good question.

25:59 I think electrification of the buses would be one thing that might be exciting and attract more people. I mean we have to we have to do some mode shift to Transit a lot of Marvel headers myself included are thinking about EV vehicles and sort of figuring out. When is it appropriate? When am I gonna make this decision? I can’t afford to now but the reality is if you’re making a commute or you’re doing some sort of list You’re Gonna Want to utilize the transit system. It’s more Equitable overall it you’ll get greater carbon emissions benefits, but putting more people on a Transit than having everyone buy, you know their own little cars and such. So, you know, if we can perhaps work with sustainability planning and climate planning to highlight that and put pressure on electrification of the fleet as a way of modernizing it.

26:46 Increasing more reliable. I think some of the safety issues that are previously mentioned are you know key factors that it looks a little dodgy sometimes, you know, if you’re driving by and you see how they stop and pick up and you might it’s natural from someone in town to think twice about the safety of that. So improving the overall cultures is awesome important. I think most people hesitate to take the MBTA given what’s occurred to it and that’s rational. So until that is fixed. It’s gonna scare some people away, but overall, I think if we can have a conversation about transportation in a larger frame than just ev-focused and looking at a broader Suite biking is one Transit is another EVS or another but they’re

27:33 you shouldn’t all be obsessed about just one and two weeks of the others. Right answer the chair. And so same question just you know, obviously. When you know these get divided into different subcommittees and you can’t sit on every single one. So we have to kind of say okay. What’s the focus? What’s more applicable to Marblehead? How do we you know address the things that are we’re bringing to you use our voice. So obviously there’s you know, there’s eight committees. You three or four specific to budgeting auditing? Review committees and you know budget review and then the other committees, like I said, you know, there’s like bylaw the rapid transit which is you know, focusing on busting and the climate and clean energy. I you know, are there any of these that speak to

28:19 you that you would say okay, that’s something that I would be looking to To sure my first I’d want to get on the executive because they make all decisions. Anyways, right? Yeah, that’s true but for serious, but I like to clean energy committee like the rabbit rabbit transit for the yeah. The reason that it probably touches more people and Marblehead. Yeah, and then this very committee and the commuter rail just because of the Salem I mean, Salem has a great I’ve used their Ferry which is non ndta. Yeah, and I know I was in the presentation a couple weeks ago and I know they’re not planning to accept for example the mvta bus, but if they were to accept the Ada pass, for example, that’s a really attractive option. I find it the most comfortable way to get into the city. I think more people would take advantage of it if

29:07 there were tools like the obta pass provided. So I’ve kept that in mind, but I would say the Rapid Transit and the clean energy Community. Thanks. Welcome that same question. I asked sorry Jimmy thoughts on the proposed location of the South Salem real station. I don’t to be honest. Yeah, I was consult with others and you know work with to reflect the community our communities values and work with them to fit the best solution that but I would just stepping back from what you’re discussed. I mean the MBTA has a history of spending on Sons of money on these white elephants Transit stations. Yeah with in neglecting basic nights and it’s just

29:54 part of the capital planning and there’s all kinds of reasons why but yeah, it’s important for Citizens particularly Riders who have to put their heart and money into getting to work to Advocate. You know, what they see is important at my voice to that. Thank you.

30:13 Yeah with that Chris. Thank you very much. Appreciate you. Appreciate you stepping up. Thank you volunteering. All right, and and Ed McCarthy. Hello. Welcome. Thank you very much.

30:29 Again, you know what, you know, tell us a little bit about yourself if you could and and you’re interested in the yeah, so I’m my background for the past 15 years. I’ve been working in project management. For Empower retirement and ask Mutual. So I’ve been I’ve experienced leading projects. So I think that relate itself towards the subcommittees that they have for the MBTA I also have Financial experience on accounting major. I was the finance manager. For the Boston University physical plant, so I have experienced developing budgets getting them approved. So I think I would be a good fit. I also I’m just recently retired.

31:14 So I had I have the time to put into it.

31:20 I’ve been my interest in MBTA. I’ve been taking the subway since I was five years old and I calculated this morning. I think I’m taking 20,000 rides on the subway so I know each line. as a commuter And also I’m a bit of a new town I’d be the papers every day. So I’m well aware of the problems MBTA has

31:47 crisis of confidence known as knowing has conference they can get to their appointment on time. So that’s why I think people are not taking the MBTA there was a statistic and yesterday’s paper that leadership is down 45% So that means a big drop in Revenue. and a lot of people aren’t coming back so So the MBT has a lot of problems safety maintenance a bunch of Terry. And hopefully this new Philippine. Hopefully he has all solutions, but he has to touch up. so Of course, I I’ve taken the the

32:33 bus for 10 years. So I’ve been interested in the bus. But I think if we just look at the bus, that’s kind of short-sighted. We I think we need to look at the whole system even though maybe we don’t take the red line. we still need to be interested in it because the MBTA I think is the backbone of the Eastern Massachusetts economy and As Massachusetts goes so does Marblehead to some extent so we need to be aware of that. But I am interested in the the bus and I I’ve been reading on the website MBTA bus. And apparently it’s been approved that they’re going to drop the Boston at Square. It’s already been approved. I don’t have seen that and I’ve also

33:20 a plan is to reduce the 441 bus. 442 I forget the numbers, but from Old Town. They’re going to show in the length of it. Because what they did was they hired Consultants to look at everyone’s cell phones and from that they can determine usage where people are coming from which is really good data. I’d like to see myself but like who’s taking the bus? So yeah, so there are a lot of problems and I think like I said, we need to look beyond the bus but the bus is important. I mean you ask the question about what what would to attract more writers? I thought this myself.

34:06 They used to be the express bus to downtown Boston. And after one to land there was maybe three people on it. I mean really, but if there was an express bus to Wonderland, that would be I think that would be helpful.

34:21 and also maybe have the bus be free. I mean, that’s a thought. I probably wouldn’t go over but because well most people take on the bus. They’re going to get on the blue line anyhow, so You know. Why it’s just make it free.

34:41 Interesting. Yeah. so what questions do you have Alexa you were sorry. And so For being here. I really appreciate it was wonderful to read your Information I’m so same question just for you. Obviously, there’s a prime sub communities subcommittees that they work through. Yeah, obviously three or three three of them are heavily focusing on budget one is focused on bylaws and then you know, we look at the fairy look at the rapid transit part of that busing system. Yeah and in the commuter rail committee. Just wanted to see you know for you. What do you think would be one of the Committees that you would be interested in the budget? I’m the numbers guy. So the budget really that appeals to me. Okay, I would like to do a deep dive in that. see where the money is going and

35:28 So anyway, we can save some money.

35:35 Yeah the questions. Ed thank you, very very thank you. Thank you so much.

35:44 okay, now comes the The hard part we have one vacancy three fantastic and free fantastic candidates. What I’d like to First do is entertain a motion to place all three names and denomination to serve on the MBTA Advisory board with the term to expire in June 2023, and we’re going to go ahead and do. Uphold vote and the first person to achieve three votes will receive the nomination and if we do a first round and we don’t get free votes, we’ll we’ll drop the lowest receiving vote vote getter off of it and then redo the redo the vote again. Okay, so to put them in so moved

36:31 and second, okay? and with that if there’s you know, we can proceed directly to the vote or we can you know in this instance a deliberate typically we move straight to the to the to the vote but If there’s any any questions comments. I just wanted to say how impressed. How impressive all three of you are and your interest in this. I mean, this is such an important. It is an important issue for so many reasons for where we’re moving in terms of. Sustainability and environmental concerns and electrification of the rail system in terms of you know, what’s going on with the MBTA and the culture right now and there’s a there there’s a

37:17 proposal to invest 9.2 billion dollars into the capital investment plan. Right now. We have a new GM but in 80% of that money is dedicated just for safety and reliability with only 5% going towards expansion efforts. So some people think that that’s not enough for expansion. We we are in a kind of an a niche area for the tea and I think all three of you hit on the, you know, the shortcomings of the the bus routes and just How you would Advocate and and participate be a very? Kind of advocate for the North Shore needs and and

38:03 even I think and both people both. Had mentioned, you know working with our local Representatives. I think that’s really important in terms of being productive and Brandon Crichton is big on transportation and and electrification of the real Trail. He’s submitted a bill for a deadline for us to do that. And I know Jenny is also concerned about the congestion and the traffic and all of that. So it is a big issue and just wanted to think this is like really a very difficult decision. I mean all three of you any one of you would be fantastic for the job. I don’t quite nowhere to go or send all three they could probably use that use the help.

38:51 Okay, any any other comments? Okay, we do have a we have a motion and a second to place all three names into nomination all in favor. Okay, so if we could go ahead and start with the pole boat around the table, please.

39:08 Sorry, like making me feel sick and these like this. Yeah, this is one of the hardest things we do. Um

39:19 and Dan Albert.

39:26 Miss Noonan

39:30 guys, it’s really really tough.

39:34 because especially to all three of you were so passionate about about the job and

39:39 I’m gonna I’m gonna I’m gonna say Dan. Just I just I think that the your educational PhD background and the transportation.

39:53 the transportation studies are going to be a value. Thank you, Mr. Knight, Dan Albert.

40:06 Okay with that Dan Albert, you have three votes you are inside and it was that difficult. It’s really

40:17 work together. Yes, that’d be great. Yeah, that would be great. And yeah. Congratulations.

40:32 Dan I’m not sure how whether you need to go to the to this morning to be sworn in because this is a designate position. He probably sworn in but I’ll have to write a letter that we sent from the office to I can get something to in the next day. That’s right. If you coordinate with Kyle, that would be great. That would be great. And thank you for coming forward everyone. Thank you Christian Ed. Thank you very much. I hope Chris. I hope you don’t stop volunteering. It seems like there’s plenty. There’s plenty of opportunities to step forward again, and thank you so much for coming and you too. Yes. Oh you back. Thank you. Thank you. Great. Thank you. You want to take a great? Yes. We’ll take a quick quick recess here.

43:17 we’re now back in session and we’d like to continue with the disabilities commission for interviews and appointments and pretty much the same format as you’ve observed robot go by alphabetical order and D if you could please Come forward. That would be great.

43:37 We did. Thank you very much. Okay. Appreciate it. I am decaf. I live at Front Street and

43:48 I have two hats that I wear I work for a lot of Urban Land Bradley borlaw firm. And I’m also a referral agent. I’ve been in real estate for many many years. I was an office administrator for a long time then got involved after the pandemic in a law firm. I got involved with. People in wheelchairs many years ago when a friend of mine had an accident and got paralyzed. After that happened, I went down to DC for a couple of years in a row. They at that time they were this was a long time ago like a 2005. I think they were lobbying to pass the Christopher and Dana Reeve paralysis at so I got involved in that that was really interesting. And then subsequently, I think I’ve known too many people that have been injured and I was motivated to take Richard

44:36 Ramos’s position. He was a good friend of mine. I met him. In 2016 when he was at that time, he was on hospice and I’m a volunteer for hospice. So I met him he was not they misdiagnosed him at that time and he was not terminal at that time. But then you know as you know, he passed away in December. So I thought what better way to honor him than to take his spot and I know he was, you know involved in the getting the Hoyer lift installed. And so I just wanted to kind of do what he couldn’t do anymore.

45:11 Okay, it’s my story. Thank you. Any other questions? I’m bored.

45:19 Thanks for coming forward and thank you for the letter that you wrote Oh, yes right back. Okay, thank you. Okay. Thank you very I’m sorry. Oh you I’m sorry. I thought I know I was late to responding. Yeah, I’m not easy tonight. Yeah. No, I was thinking about Richard. Anyway, I got that’s not there for a moment that moment and no it’s it’s great. I appreciate it. So one of the things and that you mentioned was lobbying DC for the passage of the Christian for three paralysis act. I just didn’t know if you could talk about that. Well, I got involved in that one a friend of mine way back then fell over coffee table and was paralyzed and then I had heard about this. It’s like it was a Grassroots organization of people that

46:07 converged in DC and we met I met with Senator Kerry and then the following year John Tierney was involved in it. And at that time that the law as it was written then wasn’t passed but they did eventually pass it and it was about getting stem cell research involved in helping with paralysis. So Yeah, just met a lot of interesting people and then you know, I met Richard and then another friend of mine Diane swamp Scott was hit by a car. He’s now in a wheelchair. So it’s just Personally, I know a lot of people that are and I used to walk with Richard a lot. You know, when I would see like the issues that he would have and where he couldn’t go and restaurants. He could only go The Landing really was the

46:53 only place actually we did get into not the rib type of place next door the June teaching right we could get in there, but you know, we were always in the back door or you know, so I thought you know when you’re not really aware of it. Then you don’t really think about it so much when you’re walking with somebody who’s and even actually on the sidewalks and Marblehead. He couldn’t decide walks or treacherous. Yeah, they’re all bummy.

47:20 So he would go, you know in the street except for right? Great. Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah, just curious. Thank you. Thank you.

47:31 ibergey Thank you. Thank you for coming and waiting. Good evening. Yeah. Oh, no problems. I’m retired. So I have That’s good. So I was a practicing I’m still practicing a little bit but I am an employment lawyer. I’ve always worked either at a law firm or at a company for the last 12 years. I was at the same company in Boston and as an employment lawyer always sort of working on the management side. Employment disability law was sort of a significant thing that we worked on in the employment context. It’s a little bit different but the concepts are the same and one of the things that I sort of enjoy most about my practice of law was sort of helping my

48:19 client do the right thing figure out like what are your legal obligations? And how do you how do you make it work? How do you get to a good solution for everybody so that you’re complying and people can do whatever they need to do. And that’s sort of what disability law tends to be about is like getting to a place where people are meeting and you’re enabling people to be able to do what they need to do have access to the services that they need. So having retired, I sort of been thinking about what are good things that I can do I can contribute now in a way that I really feel like I have the bandwidth to do. So when I saw this, I thought that might be a good use of my skill set. Thank you, and that’s thank you for volunteering. Yes, any questions I can improve your questions?

49:06 I know thank you for your letter. I read through all your stuff great. Okay. Thanks Bridget. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay, and we’re gonna follow the same process we did. Again difficult. Yeah again, it’s yeah. Yes. What I like to do is entertain a motion to place both names and denomination to serve on the disabilities commission with the term to expire in June 2020 four. So second second and

49:42 Any any comments final comment before we? both all those in favor Okay. and say thing first candidate to receive three votes, I guess the appointment and if we could cargo around the table again, please.

50:09 noon

50:14 um d decaf

50:20 deep Thanks. Congratulations Dee. Thank you. And yeah, and we really appreciate appreciate coming. And please please find another place to volunteer in town was really appreciate it. Yeah, very congratulate you on your retirement. That’s okay.

50:42 All right d and and again you should go to the clerk to to be sworn in before you assume your duties. Okay. Thank you venture again God this way. It was Monday night was really cold, too. Okay.

50:58 I’ll set we have okay next on our agenda is Arbor Day Proclamation and the motion is pretty self-evident. I’m going to go ahead and read the proclamation. Um Proclamation other day, this is from our tree water. whereas in the year 1646 in the then town of Boston of Massachusetts, they call in the first recorded public tree planting in the new world took place as a community effort involving men women and children and whereas Arbor Day which was first celebrated in 1872 by Jay Sterling Morton is traditionally observed in Massachusetts on the last Friday in April had planning of trees as living reminders of all the cities that all citizens bear the responsibility of stewardship and whereas the trees can reduce the erosion of

51:45 our precious top soil by women water heating and cooling costs moderate the temperature clean the air produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife and whereas trees are renewable resource getting this paper wood for our homes feel for our fires and countless other work products and whereas the trees increase property values enhance the economic Vitality business areas beautifier, wherever they are planted and our source of joy and spiritual renewal now therefore we the select Board of the town of Marblehead do here about I am Friday April 28th, 2023 Arbor Day and urged the citizens of Marvel to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to support Community Tree Care programs and a plant trees to Glad in the hearts and promote a well-being of present

52:31 and future generations and undersigned by the by the existing members of the board. And with that. I’d like to entertain a motion to approve the request from Johnson. Fobert treeward to Proclaim Friday April 28th. 2023 is Arbor Day for the town of Marblehead. So moved second all those in favor. Unanimous outgrade letter a great letter you absolutely it’s really it’s something to really celebrate though. That’s for sure leading us right into the next one lady is Right chamber of color. Yeah Chamber of Commerce. That’s right. Okay. Oh, yes. I’ll do this right now.

53:23 I’m gonna go ahead and offer a brief introduction for what we’re doing next. This is a request from the Chamber of Commerce. To allow tables and out and displays on outside areas to permit outdoor entertainment rest or restaurant outdoor seating and allow small beautification projects. Now, this is something we’ve been doing since 2013. Okay, and I think it’s very important as we are considering the motion that we understand that this does not is not part of the the state emergency order that has been recently been renewed. Okay that needs to be by the way which was extended for another year and that needs to be taken under advisement

54:10 in terms of whether we want to take the opportunity to pass by laws as specifically address this on a permanent basis. But for now, what we’re doing is we’re doing something that we’ve done for many years under a specific set of rules, which I will read is part of the motion. Okay, and so this is remained unchanged as I say for since 2013. I’d like to entertain a motion to approve the request from Catherine Koch executive director Chamber of Commerce to hold the annual quote celebrate Marblehead, April 13th to October 31 2033 and to allow the businesses in town the following considerations subject to receipt of the required Certificate of Insurance and compliance with Ada fire building zoning and Health Department

54:58 requirements. Number one allow tables and or displays outside of stores for non-restaurants business will remain compliant with all Ada fire building and Zoning codes tables and/or displays will allow for the required 36 inches of sidewalk space excluding curve for handicapped accessibility requirements sidewalk space will allow for 48 inches. However, an unobstructed 36 inch path of travel, excluding curb will be maintained past any sidewalk obstruction such obstruction includes all but not limited to utility bills mailboxes trees. In areas around them street lights traffic signal bases and Precast foundations and other signal Hardware hydrant signs and poles. It is preferred the tables and

55:43 chairs are made of natural materials and other words wood or metal. Number two permit outdoor entertainment from Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. Business will remain compliant with all Ada fire building and Zoning codes entertainment will only include smaller solo performances without amplification. The third is permit restaurant outdoor seating from the hours of 7 AM to 10 pm. And this is for restaurants only only business will remain compliant with all fire building and Zoning codes tables chairs and benches will allow for 36 inches of sidewalk space excluding curve to comply with the handicap accessibility requirements cables will be small. The maximum of eight seats per establishment sidewalk space will allow for 48 inches. However, an unobstructed 36 inch path of travel excluding Curve

56:31 will be maintained passing sidewalk obstructions include but not limited utility of polls mailboxes trees and open areas around them treat lives traffic signal bases and Precast foundations and other signals signal Hardware hydrant Sign Pros. It is preferred the tables and chairs are made of natural materials and metal. No alcohol is permitted to be served outside of any establishment in compliance with liquor license regulations vendors and restaurants will receive required Board of Health approval and lastly allow small beautification projects business will remain compliant. With all Ada fire buildings and Zoning codes, for example flower pots alongside walks placement will offer the required 36 inch sidewalk space for handicapped accessible requirements and the chamberal community guidelines to all businesses and to

57:20 ensure that ADA fire ability Zone and health and Department requirements are established. So with that that is the motion second all those in favor. Okay unanimous. Thank you very much.

57:36 Next is another continuing Asian continuing on the celebration theme Here Atlas pyrotech. Thanks. This is the allows the chair to sign on behalf of the town to.

57:54 Entertain the motion to for the contract between the town and that was power Vision Entertainment Group Inc in the amount of 49,000. Even an authorization share the sign on behalf of the board someone second. All right. Now that this is obviously the component of the fireworks just for the the barge and the fireworks and everything. So that is this is and Alexander focused as an amazing job every year organizing this

58:28 Making this event super okay all in favor. Unanimous, okay.

58:36 Next is a bubble bar Boston request for one day Vic license and I’ll just go ahead and the motion is self-evident to entertain and approve the request from bubble bar Boston for one day liquor license at Lee mansion on Saturday, May 13th, 2023 from 10 AM to 2:30 PM subject to the following delivery of and receipt by the licensing authority of the required fee $50 delivery out of receipt of the licensing authority of proof that the alcohol be purchased from an authorized Source proof that the applicant can receive proper delivery provide proper storage and disposal of averages purchase all the courts with requirements in general section. 138. Alcohol will be purchased and

59:21 mark from Yeti. Smoked and a second. Okay. We need to pull the vote on this cause if you could help us in favor.

59:35 Mr. Greater in favor

59:42 Okay, agenda item number 9 is again all alcoholic beverage license renewal a motion to renew the following all alcohol seasonal Club license subject to all taxes and fees for the to the town being paid receipt of all applicable Department approval Cory approval and compliance with chapter 304 of the acts of 2004 for the Eastern is two licenses for the Eastern Yacht Club the pool license at 42 to 44 Foster Street, the manager being Jared Cheney dolphin Yacht Club 17 hours in place manager being and Martin. somewhat second Again, hold vote Yes you in favor

1:00:31 in favor. You spell Becker in favor, Mr. Green in favor. Okay. Next on our item is an entertainment license for the dolphin Yacht Club, and I’d like to entertain a motion to renew the following local Sunday entertainment license subject to all taxes and fees to the town being paid and and approval from the commonwealths Department of Public Safety for Sunday entertainment dolphin Yacht Club 17 elephants. So moved second. and all in favor unanimous

1:01:07 Okay now. This next item on our agenda. Thank you very much for standing by Parker we much appreciate it, and I understand that. Alicia is on the line is well, but if you could give us a little bit of background, that would be that would be great. Sure. Well, we should come up reached out to me a while back about opeb other post employment benefits Gatsby 74 75 goes near financial statement every year. Basically, it’s the promise you’ve made to provide health care benefits in retirement for your employees, which you obviously have your employees already are working toward that and all the retirees who previously retired or accepting said benefits. And so we do actual

1:01:53 evaluations. I won’t bore you to tears about what actually do but the basic gist of it is we figure out the value of what all these promises are and bring all those future dollars back to today create a number that goes in your financial statement. This is almost certainly the largest item on your financial statement in terms of death following probably closely by your pension plan. So these are the two big Twin Dragons and your financial statement that need to be Slade and we work with I say about 135 towns and cities across Massachusetts 190 housing authorities, probably 30 school districts and maybe 25 utility districts across the state. So working quite a few people in the state including in your area. I’m just looking at things Saugus Stoneham Revere Everett Malden

1:02:40 Danvers. Wenham Middleton Essex, Hamilton Ipswich so a lot of people in your general area that our clients of ours and we’ve been doing this stuff for our firms been doing this since 1989 I mean to start 1998. I’ve been doing it since 1989. So I’m doing this stuff for a long time which just means I’m old but no I’ve been doing this stuff for a long time and our firm. We do, you know quite a bit of this with all the various towns and cities work with all the Auditors and I think it’s a fairly. I know it’s not the most exciting thing in the world. Nobody wakes up some days as Euros that I really want to buy an open valuation. So I get that but the reality is you need to have it as part of your audit. That’s how you get to a clean financial statement, which is how you get to good Bond ratings.

1:03:25 And also again it is the biggest item on your liability side of your financial statement. So our job the way we view it is to help you learn how to manage it and how do you address this? You know giant liability of no nearly 200 million dollars in your balance sheet. How do we find ways to address that and start driving it down over time? So that’s the basic long-winded way of saying yeah, we do a lot of this stuff. You make Actuarial works on pretty exciting actually. Okay, we certainly we certainly do we can’t. Hey we enjoy it, but it’s recognizes not for everyone. Understood is Alicia online. She is but she’s having trouble unmuting and I just tried to go in the other room. We can’t go she’s she’s logged off and maybe logging back on but okay, unfortunately can’t I know

1:04:11 and yourself on muted Parker did a great job and we also got it. We have a letter from her office. This is part of her stepping through the things that she needs to do to get us you get us prepared for the audit. Yeah. So I think this is a pretty straightforward unless she wants to say Any luck guys? She’s at Mary Alice. Okay, having a bad connection. No, I think I think her letter is is very clear and Parker. Thank you for for hanging on there. Oh I do. What’s that?

1:04:43 I think what I’ll do, what I like to do is enter entertain a motion to approve the contract between the town and odyssey advisors Inc for Actuarial and consulting services in the amount of 8,450 and authorized that share to sign on behalf of the board. Some of second all those in favor, but that’s what she is on there. Now she is on it. Okay. What’s that? Oh, yes.

1:05:16 I apologize. Hello. Hey, Alicia, listen, Alicia. We hate to say this, but we’ve already taken the vote, but Parker did a Parker did a great job and we did get your letters. So, you know, we understand the reason behind it. Perhaps you could give us a little extra color. We depreciate it.

1:05:38 The last year are you still on Alicia? She’s probably got bad connection going on and she’s probably in her office, which is yeah. I’m not good there. Okay. Okay with that, I think we Parker thank you very much again, and I think we’re gonna move on to our next agenda item. Thank you. Thank you. Yep. Have a good night. Thank you. Okay. Next is opening night reception at Abbott Hall.

1:06:14 And this is really just kind of filling in we’ve already voted on this, but we do need to vote on another. Opening reception date. It’s now being included as part of the schedule. So we’ve you know, we’ve already improved the whole exhibit, but we need to vote on this. If that’s clear should be clear enough, right you can see the schedule in front of you. Okay, like to entertain a motion for the request from Shirley huller White Lead Teacher instructor Marblehead High School to use Abbott Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, May 23 2023 from 4 to 8 PM for an opening reception for the Marblehead High School exhibit subject to the usual rules and regulations and receipt of the required fees.

1:06:59 over second and second all those in favor exciting event

1:07:07 That’s what we just approved. That’s what that’s the one we do. Yeah, so that we basically approved the other items there but not that. Okay. Yeah. Okay the Halifax greetings. This is this is kind of Give me kind of exciting was that. We’re just nice over here.

1:07:31 Are you?

1:07:36 Really get into the table you okay? Well, this is a really big deal for the town and the and the yacht clubs and it’s I understand the Halifax race now is just you know exploding with a lot of boats a lot of interest after the covid period and you know, we’d like to do there’s a traditional greeting that the select board gives, you know to the to the committee along with the mayor of Halifax. So what we need to do is just a set of motion to prepare a message so

1:08:18 very excited about that you Can see some of the letters in there if there’s anything. Picture maybe and a picture. Well, we do have to get an updated picture. Yes, we do. Maybe I know. Yeah, that’s an old picture though. We need a new one. Okay. So the motion is to like entertain a motion to approve the request from Kate Ferris Richardson to prepare a message from the select board for the 2023 Marblehead Halifax Race book as has been the tradition since the start of the race in 1905.

1:08:51 some old all those in favor Okay, that is it.

1:09:01 We have got we’ve now arrived at do we have anybody left online who might be interested in public comments? We don’t have anybody. Here. Hey, Alicia.

1:09:19 Listen, we just plowed ahead on the strength of your letter and Parker’s explanation. So I hope you’re not insulted. No. Thank you very much.

1:09:33 Your effort tried to try to join anyway, so you’re you’re looking at the closing comments now, so we’re about ready to take public comment. Is there anybody have their hand up Kyle? I don’t see anyone Mr. Chair. And don’t have anyone here left. Okay. So any any select board announcements? Just like board member announcements.

1:10:00 Okay. Hi motion door generation to a journey.

1:10:06 all in favor We are now adjourned. Thank you, Alicia.