Georgetown Board of Selectmen
Monday January 8, 2024
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Whittier vote
The section provides detailed information regarding the voting process for the upcoming Whittier vote on January 23rd. Critical details include voting hours from 11 to 7, with no provision for early voting but the availability of absentee ballots. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted by January 11th, with January 13th being the deadline for new voter registration in Georgetown. The announcement emphasizes the importance of verifying voter status through the secretary of state's website and mentions specific dates and procedures for in-person voter registration and absentee voting. Additionally, all absentee ballots must be returned to the town clerk's office by 7 PM on January 23rd, with a ballot drop box available outside the town hall. The announcement also notes efforts to disseminate election-related information through various channels.
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APPOINTMENTS: • Applicants S. Epstein & L. Repplier -Appointment to the Conservation Commission.
The public hearing addressed the appointments to the conservation commission with two volunteers, Steven Epstein and Laura Repplier, being considered for the open spot left by Karshad's vacancy. The board engaged in extensive discussions with both candidates. Epstein's history of involvement in town governance and his approach to law and due process were scrutinized, with concerns about his argumentative nature being raised. Meanwhile, Repplier emphasized her commitment to the commission’s mission, her previous experience, and her desire to collaborate closely with the board and other town departments. Various issues such as conflict of interest, administrative oversight, and public perception of the conservation commission were debated. Board members expressed a desire for a functional conservation commission and discussed the possibility of looking at other candidates, considering the contentious history and the need for a fresh approach. Concerns about reestablishing a previous commission's atmosphere and the necessity for positive changes moving forward were central to the deliberation. Ultimately, the board leaned towards taking no action on the current nominations, suggesting a preference for considering additional candidates or other solutions to ensure a constructive and cooperative commission environment.
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APPOINTMENTS: • Approval of the list of election poll workers for 2024-See Attached list of names.
In a discussion about the approval of the election poll workers list for 2024, several members revealed personal connections to individuals on the list. Smith disclosed that his housemate was included, while Pacheco humorously noted past school associations with some candidates, emphasizing her neutral stance despite different political beliefs and highlighting the inevitability of knowing people in a small town setting. Bancroft echoed this sentiment, pointing out the close-knit nature of their community. Despite these revelations, the list provided by town clerk Carrie McManus was accepted for the appointment of election workers, underscoring the transparent handling of potential conflicts of interest and the small-town dynamics affecting the selection process.
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VOTES BY THE BOARD/APPOINTMENTS: • COA Surplus
In a recent public hearing, Kristen Crockett, the new Council on Aging (COA) director, addressed the need to declutter and reorganize the COA's resources. The plan includes disposing of generously donated items that are no longer needed or safe to use, such as outdated books, scratched pots and pans, and excess medical equipment that poses safety hazards. The aim is to consolidate bookcases into a designated library area and replace unsafe kitchen items, thereby maintaining a clear and safe space for community members. Crockett mentioned that surplus items would first be offered to other town departments, with certain books potentially benefiting the library's book sale and usable medical equipment being donated to the Ipswich Masons' medical equipment program. Broken items, like sewing machines, would be appropriately discarded. The board voted to proceed with the disposal of the surplus materials as outlined by Crockett.
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NEW BUSINESS: • GYCC Update to the Board.
Erin Duggan, representing the Georgetown Youth Community Center (GYCC), addressed a public hearing to provide updates on the center's progress and future initiatives. The GYCC, open for five years with growing membership and event participation, collaborates closely with community organizations and schools to offer diverse programs including a popular ski club and summer programs. Highlighting the importance of youth engagement and mentorship, Duggan discussed the center's efforts in supporting school clubs through stipends and bringing vendors for social-emotional development. Challenges such as losing funding from various sources were mentioned, with discussions on seeking alternative supports, including potential cannabis and opioid settlement funds. The GYCC's commitment to providing a safe, enjoyable environment for youth development, despite financial and operational hurdles, was evident.
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NEW BUSINESS: Boston Systems update / training on Microsoft 365.
Robert Kelly, a partner at Boston System Interventions, a Massachusetts and New Hampshire-based IT consulting firm, discussed the process and benefits of migrating the town's email system from an on-premises Exchange Server 2016 to Office 365 Government Community Cloud (GCC). The transition, aimed at enhancing security and reducing costs, involves migrating current and inactive employee mailboxes to the GCC server using a staged approach to minimize impact on the town’s server resources. The project leverages existing licenses and introduces two-factor authentication to strengthen email security. Special attention is given to the transition’s technical aspects, including after-hours migration to ensure minimal disruption and the provision of training for town employees and board members to adapt to the new system. The discussion also touched upon the broader context of cybersecurity, the importance of training to mitigate risks, and compliance with state guidelines for data protection. Concerns about email phishing and the challenges of managing obsolete technology and devices in this context were also addressed, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance and education in cybersecurity practices.
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NEW BUSINESS: • Open Meeting Law Violation
The section details a discussion led by Smith regarding a prior open meeting law violation. Smith confirms that the issue has apparently been addressed, questions if a vote is required to accept a response from KP Law regarding the violation, and inquires about the necessity of filing anything further with the Attorney General. The tone suggests satisfaction with the resolution progress.
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ON-GOING BUSINESS: • Whittier Building Project
The discussion highlights the efforts to develop and disseminate a fact sheet addressing the complexities of the Whittier vote to the public, ensuring accuracy given the fluid nature of financial figures. Participants discussed coordinating with local leaders and scrutinizing the legal implications of their communication strategy to avoid distributing incorrect information. They considered various methods for broad outreach, including bulk mail, while acknowledging the necessity of clearly communicating that the project is not debt-excluded but might require a separate town vote for additional funding measures. They also discussed the importance of simplifying the message by focusing exclusively on the most critical override concerning Whittier, avoiding confusion with other financial issues. Furthermore, the selection board plans to present three budget scenarios to address financial planning for critical needs, particularly in the police and fire departments, while acknowledging delays in the budget process due to new personnel.
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WARRANTS & MEETING MINUTES: • Approval of meeting minutes from December 4, 2023 & December 11, 2023.
The session involved a review and approval of meeting minutes from previous sessions held on December 4th and December 11th. Initially, participants were asked if there were any revisions or notable changes needed for the December 4th meeting minutes, to which there were no objections. Following this, the meeting minutes were accepted as presented. Attention then shifted to the December 11th meeting minutes, where it was mentioned that a potential issue had been resolved just before closing that meeting. After discussing and amending the December 11th minutes accordingly, a motion to accept them as amended was entertained, moving the session forward.
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