Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — June 1, 2026
The meeting featured several interruptions to enforce time limits on public speakers and debate over policy nuances, though no major votes were split.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Affordable Housing Funding
Approval of $350,000 in total funding for two specific affordable housing projects (Pheasant Lane and Brigantine Lane). Affected: Local residents and the broader community through changes in housing stock and AMI-based developments.
zoning change
02
Watershed Management Cost Distribution
Establishment of a task force to determine equitable cost distributions for mandated connections. Affected: All residents subject to mandated watershed management and wastewater connections.
fee change
03
Northland Residential Corporation Project
Approval of a revised Local Initiative Program application for a 36-unit rental project with 11 affordable units. Affected: Local community and future renters.
zoning change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Appointment of Dr. Heather Goldstone as Chair
Dr. Goldstone was nominated and appointed as Chair.
Unanimous
Appointment of Mr. Colin Reed as Vice Chair and Clerk
Mr. Reed was nominated to serve as Vice Chair and in the capacity of Clerk to the Select Board.
Approved
Consent Agenda Approval
The consent agenda was approved with the exception of administrative orders 1, 4, and 6.
Approved
Steamship Authority Letter
Approved a letter opposing the Steamship Authority's 5:30 AM ferry service with specific wording edits proposed by Chair Goldstone.
Approved
John Wesley United Methodist Church Permit Fee Reduction
Approved a reduction of the special event permit fee for worship services at Surf Drive Beach.
Approved
NSTAR/Eversource Pole Installation
Approved the petition for the installation of 11 new mid-span JO poles on Nathan Ellis Highway.
Approved
Approve application to the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund from Falmouth Housing Trust Inc. for 21 Pheasant Lane ($175,000 total).
$25,000 for pre-development and $150,000 for construction of one deed-restricted home at 80% AMI.
Approved
Approve application to the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund from Falmouth Housing Trust Inc. for 20 Brigantine Lane ($175,000 total).
$25,000 for pre-development and $150,000 for construction of one deed-restricted home at 140% AMI.
Approved
Continuation of Shade Tree Public Hearing
The hearing for 122 Jericho Path was continued to June 8th to allow the applicant to present a revised site plan.
Approved
Continuation of Holly Park Variety Inc. Hearing
The hearing regarding the change of manager/officers for Holly Park Variety Inc. was continued to June 8th due to applicant absence.
Approved
Amendment of Meeting Calendar
The 2026 Select Board meeting calendar was amended to add June 8th and remove June 15th.
Approved
Adopt the Town of Falmouth Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy.
Policy adopted as presented to comply with MassDEP requirements.
Approved
Adopt the Watershed Management Financial Fairness Task Force charging document.
Adopted with the inclusion of a Select Board liaison.
Approved
Approve lodging house license application for MVC Hospitality Inc (DBA Inn on the Square) at 40 North Main Street.
License approved following review of applicant's status and operational details.
Approved
Approve change of manager application for Bad Martha's Farmers Brewery LLC.
Ralph Young approved as manager of record for the farmer brewery and winery pouring licenses.
Approved
Accept requested change to the Local Initiative Program application for 809 Sandwich Road.
Approval of Northland Residential Corporation's revised proposal for 36 rental units (11 affordable).
Approved
Unanimous appointment of Mr. Reid as Vice Chair of the Select Board.
Mr. Reid accepted the nomination and expressed his commitment to the role.
Unanimous
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:37 Select Board Reorganization
The Board conducted its annual reorganization following the May elections, including nominations for Chair and Vice Chair.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 18:34 Proclamations
The Board read proclamations for Falmouth Pride Day and Juneteenth.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 32:13 Town Manager Report
Updates regarding North Falmouth Elementary School roof repairs, Nauset Disposal trash container issues, and the retirement/replacement of the Finance Director.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:15:12 Public Hearing: Shade Tree Removal
A hearing regarding the requested removal of two white oak trees at 122 Jericho Path to accommodate a proposed driveway.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:05:44 Affordable Housing Projects: 21 Pheasant Lane and 20 Brigantine Lane
Discussion regarding funding applications for two affordable housing developments through the Falmouth Housing Trust. Topics included septic requirements for Pheasant Lane, financing models based on AMI (Area Median Income), and the use of land trusts.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:00:40 Consent Agenda and Related Approvals
Approval of consent agenda (with exceptions), Steamship Authority letter, John Wesley United Methodist Church permit fee reduction, and NSTAR/Eversource pole installation.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:39:00 Continuation of Holly Park Variety Inc. Hearing
The hearing regarding the change of manager/officers for Holly Park Variety Inc. was continued to June 8th due to applicant absence.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:40:15 Amendment of Meeting Calendar
The 2026 Select Board meeting calendar was amended to add June 8th and remove June 15th.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:00:00 Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Purchasing Policy
The board discussed the adoption of an updated procurement policy required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to maintain eligibility for sustainable materials recovery program grants.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:07:58 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Discussion
The board discussed potential language for an AI policy, specifically debating whether employees should be required to disclose the use of generative AI in work products. Suggestions included a general disclaimer in email signatures to balance transparency with the pervasive nature of AI tools.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:05:33 Watershed Management Financial Fairness Task Force
Discussion on the charging document for a new task force aimed at determining equitable cost distributions for residents regarding mandated watershed management and wastewater connections.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:17:46 Select Board Member Reports
Members provided updates on emergency planning exercises, upcoming training for newly elected members, and a scheduled housing forum.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:21:30 Cybersecurity and iPad Training
The board discussed scheduling training sessions for cybersecurity threats and maximizing the use of the new iPad platform features.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:23:10 Future Agenda Planning
The board discussed long-range planning, including tax ramifications of borrowing and a request for a joint meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the relationship between the local comprehensive plan and the Select Board strategic plan.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:32:30 Inn on the Square Lodging House License
Review of a lodging house license application for 40 North Main Street following a change in ownership to MVC Hospitality Inc.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:42:00 Bad Martha's Farmers Brewery Change of Manager
Discussion regarding a corrected application to change the manager of record for the brewery's pouring licenses to Ralph Young.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:58:30 Northland Residential Corporation: 809 Sandwich Road
Discussion of a revised Local Initiative Program application for a 36-unit rental project with 11 affordable units.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Shade Tree Removal at 122 Jericho Path
A conflict between residential development (need for a driveway) and environmental preservation (loss of 60-year-old mature white oaks).
Board position: The board hesitated to grant full removal, opting to continue the hearing to allow for a revised plan that might preserve the larger tree.
medium concern
02
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Debate over transparency versus practicality; specifically whether employees should be forced to disclose the use of generative AI in work products.
Board position: The board is seeking a middle ground, considering email disclaimers rather than strict mandatory disclosure for every use.
Internal dissent
Board members expressed differing views on whether a specific AI policy is necessary or if a broader data privacy policy would be more effective.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Develop a proposal for tackling larger issue workshops/agenda items.
Assigned: Dr. Heather Goldstone (Chair) · Due: Mid-July
Ensure a response to board emails or ensure a response from town management within 48 hours.
Assigned: Town Management · Due: Ongoing
Oversee accountability for Eversource pole replacements and debris removal.
Assigned: Town Manager's Office · Due: Ongoing
Prepare a revised site plan to accommodate the preservation of the larger white oak tree.
Assigned: Applicant (122 Jericho Path) · Due: 2026-06-08
Execute documentation for financial awards to Falmouth Housing Trust for Pheasant Lane and Brigantine projects.
Assigned: Town Manager
Prepare a revised draft of the AI policy for the next consent agenda, incorporating discussions on data privacy/prohibited data and potential disclosure of AI use.
Assigned: Town Staff · Due: Next meeting
Review feedback from staff managers regarding disclosure statements and incorporate suggestions into the AI policy.
Assigned: Staff/Management
Submit lists of top priorities for the next -6 months to be used in a prioritization exercise during a future meeting.
Assigned: Select Board Members · Due: Next meeting
Attend cybersecurity and iPad training tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 8th at 5:30 PM.
Assigned: Select Board Members · Due: 2026-06-08
Notable statements
Elections are a competition, governing is a team sport. — Dr. Heather Goldstone · Discussing her approach to leadership and leveraging the diverse strengths of board members. ▶ 06:40
I'm not in fear of failure, but I'm just making my case that I will respond to the emails. — Douglas Brown · Making his case for the Chair position, highlighting the need for better responsiveness to constituents. ▶ 10:00
Insurance will cover two-thirds of the cost of the 1.9 million [for the school roof]. — Town Manager · Reporting that insurance determined roof damage was a covered peril due to winter storms. ▶ 35:26
By building affordable housing we are now creating a real estate tax revenue from these homeowners which is a benefit to the town. — Unidentified speaker · Explaining the economic benefit of converting non-revenue producing town-owned land into affordable housing. ▶ 2:05:08
I would prefer, rather than an AI policy, to simply see a data privacy policy... to take that 'is it AI or not' out of it. — Unidentified speaker · Expressing concern that an AI-specific policy might be too narrow compared to a broader data privacy requirement. ▶ 3:15:27
I would simply argue that the private sector and town governance have different transparency responsibilities to the public. — Unidentified speaker · Responding to discussion about whether the town should disclose the use of AI in public documents. ▶ 3:35:49
They [the DEIB committee] did not feel that their work was fully respected by the board. — Unidentified speaker · Providing feedback on a previous discussion involving the DEIB committee to encourage mindfulness of volunteer expertise. ▶ 2:19:00
I'd like to get on the table what the plan is for 2028 balancing the budget. — Unidentified speaker · Requesting a specific future agenda item regarding long-term financial planning. ▶ 2:24:29
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
4
Total speakers
0
Addressed
2
Partial
2
Not addressed
Nan Garrett Logan
Not addressed
She introduced herself as a member of the Falmouth Gun Safety Coalition and discussed 'Wear Orange Weekend' to honor Haida Pendleton and promote gun violence prevention. She also mentioned the coalition's local activities, such as providing brochures and gun locks at community events.
Key concern
Raising awareness for gun violence prevention and encouraging the board to wear orange ribbons.
Board responseThe Chair intervened to ask the speaker to wrap up as she had reached her two-minute limit.
The board did not engage with the topic of gun safety; they only enforced the time limit for public comment.
Ms. Russell
Not addressed
She expressed concerns regarding the lack of oversight for the North Falmouth Elementary School roof and structural issues project. She questioned who is managing the project following the departure of the previous project manager and raised concerns about structural safety and inspection protocols.
Key concern
Lack of professional oversight and documentation regarding the structural integrity of the elementary school roof.
Board responseThe Chair acknowledged the concern but had to interrupt the speaker to enforce the two-minute time limit.
The board acknowledged receipt of the concern but did not provide answers or address the specific questions regarding project oversight or inspections during the comment period.
Unidentified speaker
Partial
The applicant for a shade tree removal hearing explained that two white oaks need to be removed to accommodate a proposed driveway at 122 Jericho Path. He argued that removing both trees is necessary for safety and aesthetics and noted that they plan to mitigate this by planting many more trees and shrubs.
Key concern
Requesting permission to remove two trees for a residential driveway installation.
Board responseThe board deliberated on whether to allow the removal of both trees or just one (as recommended by the tree warden) and ultimately decided to continue the hearing to allow the applicant to present a revised plan that might save the larger tree.
The board did not reach a final decision but addressed the request by scheduling a continuation of the hearing to see if a compromise could be reached.
Sandy Stowes
Partial
She spoke against the removal of the shade trees, noting that the trees are approximately 60 years old and provide significant value. She argued that new plantings do not adequately replace mature trees and suggested the developer should have designed the driveway to accommodate them.
Key concern
The loss of mature, valued shade trees due to new residential development.
Board responseThe board listened to the comment and then deliberated with the applicant and other board members to decide whether to postpone the decision.
The board heard the objection, and it contributed to the decision to continue the hearing rather than making an immediate vote to approve the removal.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-02.