Community Safety and Social Justice Committee (CSSJC) Sep 9, 2026

Hello. >> Hello. Sorry about that. Everybody, >> we're already recording. >> Yeah, the system already records as soon as we put it on. It's a feature to make sure that all um >> I still need to change my name cuz look, I still show up as Algra. I don't know. >> Can Can someone send like a new link out for to the panelists? >> Yeah, I can. >> I have to do this every time. >> Okay, I'll annoying. >> I'll have um Camille talk to Angel about that to send it out. Hopefully that does it. And I apologize. Of course, as soon as I started to log on, my computer was restarting and everything and I'm on my phone, but we made it work. >> Okay, awesome. Phillip. Um, so will you be able to also kind of like do the whole thing when we bring in the panelists and all of that? >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. Okay. So, I'm going to get us started then. Let me just look at my little script here. All right. It is 6:34 and we're going to begin the meeting of the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, CSSJC. Uh, pursuant to chapter 2 of the acts of 2025. This meeting will be conducted via remote means. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting remotely may do so via Zoom or by telephone. No inerson attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via tech meets. Um so I'll go over the agenda. Uh we'll do in a little bit uh call to order, announcements, um approval of minutes, member reports, public comment, then uh crescent DI updates, um resident oversight board updates from the go, which is the governance organization and legislation, um committee, um the youth empowerment center funds and location. We're going to be talking also about ICE, the anti-immigration group that the federal anti-immigration group. Uh so we'll be dealing with ICE update sanctuary city bylaw um membership and then retreat agenda. Right now we have it scheduled for Saturday uh September 26, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Um in-person meeting that we have scheduled for October 28th, 5:30 to 7. hybrid meetings, town council meeting planning, and then our second public comment, the topics not anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of this meeting, and then we adjourn. Um, but first, I just want to make sure that we can all hear one another. So, if you can unmute yourself and just say um that you can hear us and we can hear. >> I'm here. I can hear. >> I can hear. >> Okay. Awesome. Um, so I know that um, Anna contacted Evelyn and I and said that she will not be able to attend. Uh, Lisa had contacted us previously to say that she wouldn't be attending for a time a certain time period. Um, but I'm assuming she'll be on she'll be able to join us soon. I have not heard from Bridget. So, um, today if it's just the three of us, then we won't have a quorum. Um if if Bridget did come, then we would have a quorum. So we'll see if there's anything that you know if we need to vote on anything, we'll have to to table it for now. Okay. >> I think the only thing we would have had to vote on were the meeting minutes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But also like I don't know if like through our discussion if we do end up having anything where you know what I'm saying? If we end up needing to vote for on something then we won't we wouldn't be able to do it too. So, um, but all right, any announcements. >> Yes, I do. Um, so I I I think um I'm going to I'm I'm by myself tonight, so bear with me. Um, some time ago, I communicated a few times of the lowinccome houses that were being built in North Amhurst. Um they are officially open and on the market. Um there's a ribbon cutting last week that I went. I saw the finished houses. They look very very nice. Um and again just a reminder to um everyone they are meant to be for lowincome families. Um it is home ownership not rentals and it is based on income. So people who think they may not qualify that is not the case. It is not um if you make too much money you will not qualify. So again it is I encourage people to go see um talk to get involved contact valley CDC they are the group behind this. I think also when we were there we were told that four were already under contract so people are taking advantage. Um but again it is geared towards home ownership for people with very low income. So I encourage people who um this is a very good opportunity for people to um own property, pass down property and it might be more affordable than the rent you're paying now. So don't say you cannot afford it before you actually go and ask questions to see what you qualify for. Thank you, Emerald. Erica, >> yeah, I just wanted to add that. Thank you, Eveald, for uh going to the ribbon cutting. Um my understanding is that they have eight families ready to um move forward. Um but they have 30 spaces and some families are having difficulties with banks. Um uh I try to um contact our town, uh the affordable housing coordinator. He said that's not unusual. Sometimes it's a little slow. Um but they are watching and monitoring all of this. Um but I agree with Eril that if there's anybody out there and feels that they can meet the threshold, they should contact uh Valley um definitely Valley um for the community housing on homes because there are 30 units there and we want them all filled because they are for affordable housing and for families. Um there is a requirement I believe that you have to live there at least 15 years before you can sell the property unless you're selling it to a family member. So to sustain that affordability concept. Um but these are beautiful, beautiful places. I live in North Ammeris. We're so excited about um families moving in because um you know we're seeing a decline in families being able to afford to move into Ammeris. So um we are very ecstatic about getting as many families in there as possible. So um thank you Erica and Averil again. So just to say it um it's valet I know they they had done a presentation which was wonderful a few months ago but it's valet what >> valet CDC >> CDC because I know some families so I want to make sure to um send that information along to them um because I know um there's a lot of low-income families out there that you know want to buy and I know that they have this this program that could could answer questions and help figure out sometimes this daunting task of buying a home. So, I definitely want to um share this information. That's really good to know. Thank you. >> And I think if I remembered correctly, there is also information on the town site. So, >> um if people don't remember Valley CDC, um there should be information on the town site, but again, um it is um to Erica's point, there are going fast. >> Okay, great. That's excellent. >> But I I I I losing you a little bit. >> Traditional traditional mortgage. Um because I know that's >> just letting you know that you kind of went in and out. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Um >> am I back? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can you hear me now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, yes, I I hear Erica on people having issues with traditional mortgages. That was part of the concern I raised when this was before the zoning board to say how do we get people qualified. Um but again, you know, there are opportunities. I know that there are programs out there to Deb's point. And so I encourage people go ask questions before you say, "I cannot afford it." Because when we looked at the numbers, um as I said, it is very possible that your mortgage could be lower than your current rate. Right. Any other announcements? >> This isn't an announcement, but I just wanted to um I just wanted I I know a lot of people are aware that there were horrific floods on the border of Tibet and Nepal. Um right now they have uh listed 1300 dead and there's still 5,000 people missing. Um there's a large Nepali community here in Amherst. Um I actually know of one person who lost a lot of uh his extended family members. Um so I just wanted uh to make people aware um you know if you know of anybody who is Nepali just to you know touch base with them and and just see if there's anything we can do or um just even just provide support and in recognition that this is a horrific horrific tragedy that has happened there. Um and so I just wanted to make people aware of it. >> Thank you. Um yeah, along along those same lines, um you know, um I should probably announce this because of our K Verden community in Ammerst. Um that there was this really horrible uh tragic uh bus accident that happened in one of the islands in Cape Verde. Um it was this like school trip with like chaperones um that had gone to like one of the volcanoes and then on the way back the the bus swerved and fell down a ravine and 25 people passed away. So um all at once and most of them all children um and teenagers. So you know obviously it's impacted the K braiding community as a whole um very much so and we're all kind of going through it. So, just like Erica said, if you all do see other Cians around town, um you know, wouldn't be a bad thing to just check in with people in terms of these things cuz you know, it's just all very horrific and very sad. Okay. So, if there are any other announcements, yes, as El said, we're going to skip over the approval of minutes, but what I want to say is that right now then, we're kind of backed up because we have June, July, and now August. So for the next meeting um hopefully people can just look at those minutes from um these past three months so that at the next meeting um we can we can adopt and it'll it'll have to be also September that we'll be adopting uh for the October meeting so we can get caught up because I know some people they do go and look at our minutes so we do want to get caught up um by the next meeting hopefully when we'll have a quorum again. All right, the next one are U member reports. Anyone have any member reports? So, oh, go ahead, Erica. Sorry. Um, I just wanted to say that I didn't get a chance to talk to Anna about our website, but I did look at our website. It seems like our website has changed a little bit. It's just specific information about us, uh, about our charge, etc. um I compared to the DEI website. So, Philip, kudos to you. Um the DEI website has a has a a whole section called local resources and then underneath that uh a section called immigration resources that if you click on it's amazing the amount of resources that are listed there. So, I'm wondering if we should cross reference having um you know local resources too. I also liked with regard to the DEI website that um it is linked to other committees like human rights committee um the commission on disability people with disabilities um the reparations committee filing a report with the human rights uh commission. So I think we should either think about linking to the DEI um website saying there are lots of really important information that um our communities uh might find useful or we might want to replicate that on our website. So something to discuss for later, but um it was something that you know you charged Ann and I to take a look at. So I just wanted to report on that. >> Great. Thank you. And Anna did um submit an update in terms of that and we can maybe talk more about it when we get to the ICE because it was around the immigrants um uh information, you know, for immigrants. So, um, you know, we can talk a little bit more about that, too, because she did, uh, do some links. And I'm thinking, like you said, Erica, that we'll probably want to do some more followup on this when we talk about, um, ICE and immigration. Okay. Um, for me, I I want to just report that, you know, uh, received a report of, um, some hate graffiti that was spotted around Ammerst. Um, and um, you know, from from what I I know there was at least three. Um, I know one was reported to me. It was a swastika that was badly drawn. Um, it wasn't even a true representation of a swata, but it would, you know, looked like a swata type thing. Um and um and you know from what I know and we'll talk more about it and you know during the the update to see if there's any kind of updates in regards to it because I heard that you know one those the graffiti was of course taken care of right away um you know painted over and that an investigation is occurring. I don't know who's doing the investigation. I know that Paul did put um a um statement out, but again, you know, we weren't notified. So, our our group wasn't notified. I don't know if HRC was notified. So, you know, just different things that I think need to happen, but we can talk more when we do the DEI uh portion. And then um the other one and we'll talk more um when we discuss the resident oversight board is of course that you know all about us members we did a lot of um work this past month to just make sure that the go group um was ready to kind of really focus on a resident oversight board and establishing a resident oversight board. Uh so we'll discuss it more during the resident oversight board, but but just wanted to say that the meeting did happen on the 8th. Um and several of us were able to attend. Uh some of us made public comment and um we're definitely going to continue the pressure to make sure the resident oversight board is established, but we want a strong resident oversight board, not uh the review model. We want the investigatory model um with um um subpoena power. So, we'll um talk more about it when we get to the resident board, but I just wanted to um share that report. Any other member reports? Okay. So, why don't we go to the first public comment? I think we only have one person in attendance today. So, um because I know there's a lot going on. And I know some people attended um the go meeting yesterday and then CSJC was today. So I think you know obviously it was a lot happening. So I I douly understand why a lot of people weren't able to attend today because they attended yesterday's meeting which you know ran pretty late too. All right. I don't see any hands up at this time. So, we will move on, but we will give another public comment um period at the end of our meeting. Okay. Um now for I guess we'll do the DI update. So, Philip, you said that so Camille is not attending today. Do you know if anyone from Crest is going to be attending or No. >> Um I do not believe anybody from Crest is going to be attending. It was a last minute um occurrence that happened. I just received a text not too long ago that she's not going to be able to attend. So, she was planning on attending and is no longer able to. >> Okay, got it. So, yeah. So, probably something that just came up. All right. Um All right. So, then we will uh follow up with Camille. Um you know, if we have any follow-up things that we want to ask her, we can do it in between meetings. If not, you know, we'll wait for October. Um because I do know and I guess I'll just say it publicly. I do know that I'm interested in finding out from Crest about whether they contacted the clinician that I sent. So I sent um Camille information on a a blackowned um um therapy group here in Ammerst and I sent her the contact information and everything else, but I heard from the person that no one has contacted her. So, I I'm I'm just interested in finding out what's happening with that because I think she's ready, willing, and able to to hear more about what Crest is looking for in terms of this clinician position and um is very interested in finding out more and seeing and if there's a possibility of them being able to work. But my thing is if there's a blackowned therapy group here in Ammeris, we should if if it, you know, obviously if things work out right, if it if it's in alignment that we utilize um and it's a blackowned woman um therapy group. So, uh we want to make sure to to to utilize our our resources here in town, right? Um and then second publicly, I want to thank Camille for featuring us in in the newsletter. Um, so you know, last time as you all heard, she has said that if we wanted, we could um, you know, send in a little blurb. So I sent in something to her and she uh, published in the newsletter. So I'm very thankful for that because of course we need to, you know, make sure that people know that we're out here and hopefully people are tuning in and and listening in to to the work that we're doing. Anything else in regards to Crest? and then we'll move right into you, Philip. Erica. >> Yeah. So, uh, for July, they had three dispatch calls. Uh, it's still I find it very problematic even though, uh, when I went to the town council meeting that, you know, our town manager reported that three quote unquote is similar to Northampton, but it seems three is very, very, very low. Um, and my understanding is is that they're doing a review. Um, so I find that very problematic. It's only three dispatch calls. Um the other thing is um I think um I think there's enough community support and pressure to extend hours, but not at I I don't think we should support it at the level of staff that they have. We really really need to when we start um you know putting pressure on town council around the budget is to make sure that they minimally have 10 staff members as responders, just responders. Um, and that doesn't include uh Camille and hopefully we can get a a program director for her as well. So, I just wanted to raise that. >> Yeah. And and and I want to kind of add to that, Erica, because I I noticed that too that the dispatch is still at three. Um, again, it doesn't make any sense to me. And the fact that Paul said that that's in line with Northampton. Northampton started their crest even after us. We're the ones that actually help North Hampton to estab establish their crest and also their community responders program is not like our community responders program. So for him to be um comparing us with Northampton is totally not in alignment. And so um you know this is this is not okay. It's not okay that every month we're we're coming back with the fact there's only one dispatch call or two or three. This is not moving. There's still resistance in terms of on the part of Dispatch and APD and and the town to having Crest be fully uh an alternative to policing. It's still just getting, you know, they're having to do what they can with what they have type of thing, you know, which is, you know, going and and and doing all the the other work, but they need to be an alternative to policing. And the fact that month after month after month, we're still getting three calls or two calls or one call from this patch is just a joke at this point. It really is a joke. You know, this was supposed this was launched in January. We are in September and there's still only three calls. So, there's active resistance on the part of the town towards Crest being an alternative to policing and that is not okay. So for us as you know this committee that was charged to make sure that the the recommendations of CSWG are put in place, we really need to figure out what our next steps are going to be, which for me it's going to be contacting, you know, we need to strategize around contacting town council members because it seems that that's the only people that that Paul listens to um is the town council. So we need to make sure that they're they are on board and know what is happening here um in terms of the fact that you know these dispatch calls are not happening. They're not they're not taking place and that's that's that's the bottom line uh in regards to this. So um you know we need to do more more followup. So um I guess that being said when we said in terms of the town council I know that Holla is our liaison. So there's Holla I know Jill Amber you know um what is it? >> So I mean we need to to contact these town counselors and and let them know like what is what is happening um in around Crest. So, um, I'll do I don't know whose hand went up first. Was it Erica's or Errol's? >> You can go with Eril first. >> What is it? >> Eril could go. Eril could go first. >> Go ahead, Averil. >> Thank you, Erica. So, I I was going to say, you know, it's it would be helpful if we have not just the calls that were dispatched to Crest, but all the dispatch calls. That way we have an idea as to what calls are coming in. And I think it makes your argument stronger if there are calls on there that we think should have gone to Crest but didn't go to Crest or we can see why the calls are not being dispatched to Crest. Um because I I think we had said that of course there may be some calls that are not appropriate for Crest and I think Camille had alluded to that as well. Um you know safety and things like that. So I I think it it'll be very helpful if we have um that information to reference to say okay this is what's happening and what needs to happen. So, ever how do you think though we can get those because you know I mean I think we have discussed that before in terms of trying to get those and and I don't know if the the police are they going to share that with us dispatch going to share that with us? We have to do it through the town council. Do we have to do a public records request? >> It it seems very counterproductive if we have to do a public records request. I mean, if if this is meant to be a true um you know, and I don't want to use the word audit, but >> this is a process that was ordered by council and by extension the town manager to say Crest needs to be taking dispatch calls. I'm trying to figure out why it's not easy access for our town council leazison to say, "Hey, we have this charge about Chris being on dispatch. We need to know what calls Chris are getting or not getting. Can you just turn over these records to us and maybe get them that way?" And and I I know there's going to be arguments about privacy concerns, but quite frankly, once a call comes into 911, it's public. >> Yeah. >> So, you think like um um connecting with Hala >> and and see, you know, what are the chances we can get >> all the calls for July? I think he said July only had three. >> Um that way we can see. I mean, let's just go with July. Can we get all the dispatch calls to into Amherst PD for the month of July and so we can walk through and see and and I'll gladly volunteer to go through it. Um >> Mhm. and and see what they were because I I have history with Kogs and I know ex I read them and know what they are and see you know why okay if this person call for X Y and Z and we say X Y and Z should have gone to Crest but APD was dispatch we need to understand why >> okay >> so yeah if she has any avenue to get it to us as I I I would gladly um spend the time in going through them. >> Okay, good. Erica, >> so uh before I I make my comment, a point of clarification, Emerald, what is on the uh APD website as a call log? Those are not all the 911 calls because they do have uh it's not very clear, but they do have them on um the APD website. Um, and I'm I'm wondering what's possibly the difference between what they have on their website. I mean, they're supposed to have data on their website. I don't see data. What I see is a lot of junk. I'm sorry. >> So, let's look at if you want to send me a link to what you find, I can go through because part of any discovery that I get with a case. I usually get dispatched and call out so I know what exactly what I look for. >> So, if you want to send me the link to the direct page on APD website, >> I will do that. >> Um, we may be able to say, "Oh, they're here." and don't necessarily need to look for them any other way. >> Perfect. Perfect. Okay. Um, so um when I was at >> Did I Did I freeze or did you guys freeze? >> No, we I hear you. >> Okay. >> Yep. Yep. So, I will definitely do that. Emerald. Um, so what I was going to say is um when I was at the uh town manager presentation and unfortunately Camille's not here. Um the issue of the school on East Street came up. Is it Southeast Street or East Street? Anyways, um it was people asked about how the traffic was going to be controlled because there's still building on there. Um and I am pretty sure that the town manager said that they were also going to use crest to help with traffic and parents. And the reason I wanted to ask Camille this is because it seems when the town is interested in having extra bodies and there's nobody else around, they will use Crest. Um, and when we want them to be fully funded for what it is they're supposed to do, which is answer dispatch in respond to crises that are not criminal uh or violent. Um, there's no support there. So, um I I know uh Philip I may be putting you on the spot, but do you know if Crest was asked to participate with the traffic control for the school opening on East Street? >> I do not know that. >> Okay. Yeah, but that's a good question because um cuz it's really just supposed to be nonviolent because it could still be, you know, they could still be called on something that's criminal. You know what I'm saying? It could be still a violation of law, but it's just nonviolent. So that's a wide swath of of things, right, that's nonviolent in in our town. And again, and I know that I'm a broken I sound like a broken record when I say our town is ultimately not a violent. So a lot of the these um calls should be going to Crest. So I don't understand why there's only three every every time or two or one, you know. I think the most that we've had has been three. I don't even think there's been four or five dispatch calls. I'm not sure. Of course, don't quote me on it, but all I I I see is these little, you know, amounts of numbers. Um, definitely single digits, not double digits. We haven't hit any double digits, that's for sure. So, um, and this is in a month. So, I'm just like, and what is happening here, you know, um, in a town that's not primarily a violent town, I I don't get how Crest isn't and getting more calls. So, in terms of followup, Eril, since you do know like kind of what to ask for, do you mind kind of following up with Holla then? >> I can do that. >> Yeah, you can copy me on it. Um, like this, we can kind of tag team if we need to do any followup and then um we can kind of go from there to see if we can get these these records. Uh, I know Erica is going to send you the call log, but if that's not sufficient and we need to request the records, then yeah, if you could follow up with Holla and then we can kind of put some pressure to get that information. Um, because you know, the thing is to increase this patch and like you said, Erica, it's like we need to increase the hours. You don't know how many times I've had the the wantingness to report something to Crest, but it being after 4:30 and knowing that they're not there, you know, and I'm not going to call the police. I'd rather like, you know, if it's a again nonviolent, right? If it's emergency, of course, I want to call the police. If it's a violent situation, something very dangerous, I'm calling the police. That's when I will call them. Emergency. But if it's something less than that, I want to call his Crest, but I can't call Crest because Crest can't doesn't have the staffing, doesn't have the hours to actually be able to to respond to what it is that I need. It's been it's been after hours in the weekdays or even like on a Saturday and everything. And I know they they don't work on Saturday and Sunday. So, we're left without any options, right? And I'm not going to, you know, if it's a person or whatever, I'm not going to put that person in harm's way because a lot of times that's what ends up happening when the police are called. So, um, I'm not going to do that. Um, and so therefore, I don't call anyone, you know, and I feel like my hands are tied and that's not okay. So, that's the other part that we need to do, right? I know that we're talking about a retreat and things like that, but the other part is really I think the last meeting we had talked about Jill Breivik really kind of focusing on the budget. So, actually, that's one thing I can do. I can follow up with Jill um Breivik um and see where things are at in terms of getting additional funding for Crest because we definitely need to increase the funding. They need an assistant director and they need more responders so that they can increase their hours. Um but obviously to increase their hours, they also need dispatch calls to be gone to them. So, it's like a vicious circle, you know. Um, but I'm going to put that on my to-do to follow up with Joe around the the budget because we know that it's around this time that the things are starting to gear up for the budget cycle. So, we need to to stop putting the pressure now. All right. Any other thoughts, comments, questions around Crest before we move to DEI? All right, Phillip. >> All right, so on our update here that we sent out, um the office has moved back upstairs of the bank center. The bank center is currently being renovated and so a lot of movement is happening. Public health is now on the second floor and by the end of this month, uh the recreation department will also be on the second floor. Uh the senior center has moved down the hall to where public health is at while work is being done in that area and then they'll continue to update and work on the rest of the bang center there. Um hopefully you all were able to see that we put out an endofear fiscal report for 2025 2026 just capturing everything that we did in this past fiscal year. Um Pamel and I feel like it's a very important document to just highlight all the work that we do. When people ask um what it is that our office does, it really captures all of the work that we do. Uh this past month we went to a in-person conference for the Massachusetts DEI Coalition in Cambridge and it was a great networking event to talk to other DEI practitioners. There were about 30 people in the room. Um, so it was really great um to host there and just to have fellow um municipality DEI practitioners in the room and just talk about what they're doing, what we're doing, and just bouncing ideas off of each other. Uh, just want to highlight a congratulations to Pamela. She has been selected for the Massachusetts Municipal Association. acronym is MA MA not the fighting club DEI advisory committee. Um so there she will be doing work on a larger scale of how to advance DEI and racial equity work across the Commonwealth there. Last week we hosted a community heart and soul event. It was kind of the leadup to our main kickoff event that we will have on the 22nd. So, we are really encouraging people to come out for that event. That event is going to be kind of the moving on to um what what it is that we want to do as a community with this project. So, we're really highlighting that one. We're asking everybody to come out. It would be great if everybody could come out and show up for that event to really move forward um what it is the residents of Ammerst would like to see um with this project. So, whatever we hear in the room is the direction we're going to start heading to. So now is the time for people to hopefully show up and let us know what it is that um they would like us to do with this initiative. >> So wait, so Philip, sorry. So September 22nd, what's the time? Where is it happening? >> I'm sorry. So that's October 22nd. Um at 5:00 p.m. at the Banks Community Center. >> 5:00 p.m. at the Banks. Okay. >> And there'll be food and child care and um Yeah. Go ahead. No, I was going to say and you you'll send a flyer because I'll do what I can if this is going to off to kind of really decide um you know what's happening and things like that. I'm going to see if I can attend it. Um >> yeah, definitely we'll we'll send out the flyer to all of members of CSSJC and the human rights commission and the other commissions that we're leazison for. >> Okay. All right. Great. Perfect. Yep. Uh DI interns, we are pleasantly um welcoming back one of our interns that we had all last year, Valentina. She is going to be working her senior year with us um at the office. So, it's really great to cultivate someone for an entire year and welcome them back for another year. So, that way it feels like a productive process for both of us on our ends. On that note, we are bringing in one more intern. So, we are currently going to be interviewing on Friday and then hope hopefully making a decision by Monday or Tuesday to bring on a second person for interns that will help out with all our programming. DEI training for staff and departments are starting up this month. So we are um going to be offering those monthly um volunteer trainings still and then uh department trainings that we go to departments and they um tell us what it is that they would like us to a little bit hit on and talk about. Um we meet with directors to see what would be useful in their department. So that is going to be happening. We have a youth programming on September 23rd. It is college preparedness that's going to be in partnership with UMass and Ammeris College. And tenatively right now, we are looking like we might be able to go into the middle school cafeteria. So, we're hopeful with that. If not, it will be at town hall. We're really trying to work on bringing the programming to the kids. Obviously, the high school would be a little bit better for this one, but the high school did not work out um for this programming, but we are trying our best to bring the programming to the kids rather than ask them to come to the bangs or town hall. >> And what what time is that at at the September 23rd? >> Yep. So, it is an early release day. So, the kids get out at 120 and so it's going to start like 1:40 1:45 by the time that kids get there. And so, we'll have food and snacks there also. Okay, great. >> Yep. The DEI office submitted a poster to the othering and belonging conference that is in Kentucky. It's going to be happening October 9th and 10th. And so Pamela and I will be going out to talk about that poster. Um during that conference, it's highlighting the work of Liberatory Visioning, the Amoris Global Village Festival, and the Community Heart and Soul Initiative. And so it really is an effort to highlight the work that the department has done in the town and around um othering and belonging there. So we're really excited that we got selected for the poster and really excited to be going. And then we also just wanted to highlight our community outreach between August 24th and September 30th. We will be um participating in over 14 community events. And so we're really getting out there in the community as much as possible um between Pamela and I. And so with that, um on our update, we've listed out all the events. But just want to highlight the block party will be there obviously and other um events that we host is like the quarterly DEI connecting event which brings DEI practitioners. That group is growing which is really great. And then looks like we have our um September newsletter linked onto the update. And then one other update that didn't make it in because it was um happened afterwards is that we are working with uh Vice President Walker to conduct a training um for the town council in hopes of having that training be done by the end of this year with the focus on um DEI initiatives in that way. So we're meeting actually with the consultant on Friday to have um them host that um training for the town council. So, we will keep you all updated when that is finalized and more details to come, but just wanted to note that that is in the works and underway. >> Right. Thank you, Phillip. Uh Erica, >> thank you so much, Phillip. Um I still don't know how you do this with the little staff or no staff except for wonderful interns and volunteers. Uh I just don't know how you do it all. Uh, and I I we really need to advocate for more staff for you. But I have a question. As part of the training for town council, uh, and part of the training when, uh, people from the finance department come from town hall, um, is there conversation on the what equity actually means? because uh here you and Pamela and Camille and all of the little staff and volunteers that you have are literally doing all of the DEI work for the town and you're definitely not getting the resources you need in order to do this. So when we talk about equity around finance, it should be those who need it the most, who have the most impact uh in terms of social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion in creating diversity and equity, inclusion. So I'm just wondering if part of the training includes the whole conversation of what does equity actually mean in terms of a municipal functioning town. >> Yeah. Um so I'll say it's a twofolded answer there. Yes, we do cover it. Um, as you know, they are voluntary training. So, whoever is in the room is hearing that. Um, if they're not in the room, then obviously it's not getting covered to them. >> Philip, um, thanks again for everything. Um, what with the block party, we usually get, um, to sign up to help with the coverage. Can you all do that again for us? >> Yeah, we can definitely do that. And I am usually a little bit um ahead of schedule there with that sent out, but I will make that um on the note here to set send that out um either by tomorrow or definitely by Friday of the signup genius like we've done in the past for you all to sign up um and do and we'll offer it to the human rights commission as well. >> Okay, perfect. Wonderful. Um I think that was it. Yeah, >> you did have a question at the beginning of the meeting in regards to um >> Oh, yeah, exactly. Around the graffiti, the hate graffiti. >> Um is do you know what's happening with that? >> So, as for me, I um did not know until probably an hour or two before that statement went out um that anything was being done. I had heard about it, but I did not know. Pamela probably was in a conversation a day before um with that and in terms of it being investigated, it is being investigated by PD. So, but do you have any because again like I said, you know, and and this is what I kind of am communicating out to the community is just like we should have more of like a healthy outreach in terms of like when things like this happen. It would be great if like you know our group would be contacted, HRC would be contacted. I don't know if reparations wants to be contacted but reparations is contacted so that then we can advise you all right advise the town in terms of steps to to be to to take in terms of you know making sure that um our um community you know is is you know is healing and and and understanding what's happening around it. So the fact that obviously I have to hear from town members, right? I didn't hear this from anyone. And when did that when did that statement go out? I don't even know when the statement went out. >> It went out yesterday. >> So statement goes out yesterday. And when did it go out? I mean, was it sent to it was just put on the town website. >> So the town has a um I think forget what they call it, a notifications alert. And so that went out um just like if a road closure occurred or anything like that. um it it went out through that. >> Yeah. I mean that I don't think that that's sufficient. You know what I'm saying? I'm like when you have you know members who don't even speak English is not their first language. We have members who have different abilities right in terms of things. So just sending it out in an alert again is not really showcasing the importance of this. Um, and let me tell you, once I started hearing um, more about this, right, once a community member alerted me to it, I I'm I was mentioning mentioning it to my son who's a high school student, and he was just like, "Mom, I saw that. I saw this the swastika, you know, on the on the corner of Northampton Road and and uh, South Pleasant, cuz that's it was on the electrical box and everything. So you having, you know, young black kids seeing stuff like that, you know, so obviously people saw it before it got um cleaned out and stuff and yet, you know, nothing's being done, you know, it it we don't know what's happening. So I was kind of like, you know, so he's just like, "Yeah, I saw that, mom." And you know what I'm saying? So if he saw it, I know other young people saw it. And what's going through their minds? Obviously, he has me at home, so we kind of discussed it and processed and things like that. But what about other young people that probably saw that or other people that saw that and don't have that type of, you know, ability to process something like that, right? Um because obviously if someone's taking the time and it was a big big one, that's what he said. It was a big one that was on the electrical box. It wasn't a small little swastika. It was white. It was huge. Um that was on there. then um then that's a problem. You know, when we're talking about liberatory visioning and healing and all these other things, you know, these are the types of things that we need we need to have like a a network, right? Because we had the hate letter that was put on on people's windshields. Now we have hate graffiti, right? and swastikas and things like that go along with the national trends which is anti-immigrants, anti- Palestinians, you know, all sorts of different things, anti-Jewish, um, you know, so on and so forth, right? And we can go on and on and on. Anti- anti-anti. So, so, you know, these, you know, the town used to take this seriously. Sending a statement out on something where road closures or alerts go out is not taking it seriously. I'm sorry. Not communicating the committees that handles these types of of situations is not taking it seriously. It's again a huge um gap that the town has. We already had discussed it when when the the the hate uh letter had been found on on people's windshields. And yeah, here we are months later, graffiti is popping up all over the town. My son got to, you know, to to view it before it was erased. Um, and I'm sure if he did, like I said, others did, too. Um, and we don't have any information. We don't know what's what's happening, what's going on. >> You know, we're all left in the dark in terms of steps the town is taking to actually address this. >> No, I you're not wrong. I don't have anything else to say. >> No, I know it's not you, Philip. And I'm putting you on the I'm not putting you like you said, you just learned about it yesterday. I'm talking about the town manager. This is on his lap. You know, he's the one that needs to take the steps, you know, uh to make sure that this this is dealt with in a way that really communicates to our residents, especially our BIPO residents, that this matter is being taken seriously, that this is something that, you know, the town actually cares about, especially with the anti-immigrant sentiment that is happening across our country. these types of symbols first and foremost I think in in this day and age right because the symbols have been used in a variety of different ways are are right now being used as anti-immigrant right because of everything that's happening you know in in in in our country um with the snatchings and abductions and so on so forth so um the sentiment of hate is very real so there's people in our town that have the sentiment of hate And so that really makes people fearful and intimidated and and and and not sure what to do and and how to get the help that they need. So people are going to continue to hide or or feel like they can't leave their homes or or what have you, not feel secure because of of some of these things that are happening. So, you know, it's it's just very disappointing and saddening. Erica. >> Um I just want to add um and again uh I'm sorry you're getting the brunt of this Phillip. Um I know that you advocate uh and you're working 24/7 to really make a difference here in this town. Um and I think we probably Deborah I think we probably should send a message to Paul directly but what it does it doesn't give us an opportunity in terms of the CSSJC and the human rights commission and maybe if the reparations commission wants to do this as well or you know the commission on disability uh persons with disability to unify and say no hate will be tolerated this town no anti-semitism no racism no um >> Islamophobia No Islamophobia, no homophobia, no LGBTQ. >> Exactly. And we are united to ensure that there will be an inclusive community here. And you know, it is our our responsibility as individual residents as well as those of us who are on these committees to ensure that people do feel included and safe and that the message is loud and clear that it drowns out those acts of inhumity. Um, so I I really I would like to offer that we should probably reach out to Paul and let him know that he really it would be a stronger message if the town, you know, combined with the human rights committee in our committee and anybody, you know, any other commission to write a really strong statement saying this will not be tolerated. >> And and we need to be notified though. You know, it's just like it can be these things where, you know, lack of transparency is is not good for a town, right? It creates mistrust. If we're finding out through second, third, fourth people, right, as opposed to finding out from Paul Bachman or his or you know his design, right, in terms of these things happening and where the committee is being tacked with, you know, you know, with dealing with social justice and you know, equity, inclusion, and we're clueless. We don't know anything that's going on in our town, right? Um, and my son is is is viewing these types of things and having to deal with it, you know, by himself. You know, young people are having to deal with it by himself. That's not okay. That's not okay. And thankfully, you know, once I found out, that's how we were able to to have a discussion about this. I'm just like, you know, it's total disconnect. But we've we've communicated this to Paul time and time again. when there was the the um the you know hate letter, we communicated that right that we need to be you know we we have to be in touch. We have to have a network in place, outreach network in place to send this strong message to our community that that you know hate has no place in our town, right? It's not it's unacceptable. All forms of hate across the board. So um and and yet you know we continue to have these things happen. Um so it's it's very um disappointing again and saddening and and frustrating and and angry in regards to it, right? That I have to kind of deal with this on a p peace meal basis as opposed to as a committee, as a town together, right? so I can reach out to Paul again and um ask these questions because I reached out to him when the letter you know came out and everything. So I will reach out to him. Um but maybe what I can do is um CC our lesson on Hala and I will CC probably like Mandy Joe because you know at this point I'm just like I can't be a broken record just doing things the same way over and over again and then when the next incident happens again we're left out of the loop and everything. So, okay. Thank you though, Phil, for uh reminding me of that because I did want to discuss it and again apologize that obviously, you know, you're kind of getting more of our frustration and but I know that you're doing >> no need to apologize that I >> get your frustration and I know it's not directed towards me. So, I appreciate you saying that, but no need to apologize. >> Thanks. >> All right. Any other questions? Any other thoughts or comments for Phillip? >> Thank you, Phillip. I I think I lost you guys for a while. I'm keep getting unstable connection. I I I think maybe we want to add um to our retreat agenda how to best engage with town manager and see how we can be utilized when these you know cuz to your earlier point Deb you know the information sharing or receiving information seems like there's a gap and you know who does tel man should consult before sending these communications out um who gets these notifications. So, I think maybe we add that to our retreat agenda to say, okay, what can we do um to establish some kind of process or get town to commit to a process to say when these things happen, you know, these committees get notified and or we ask for input as to how to respond. >> Yeah, that's a great idea. Erica, can you add that to our retreat? Awesome. Thanks. Yeah, because we do we we need to figure this out because if not, we're going to continue to bang our head against the wall. Um, and we need to figure this out because like I said, then it's, you know, for me, it's community residents that are coming to me frustrated and angry, you know, and saying, you know, things don't change. They're not changing and then they're not working well. And so, we we really need to kind of figure this out. All right. So, um our next item on the agenda is a resident oversight board. Um so the go um update our resident oversight um board open letter that we sent. Um and I guess I can go into it a little bit just to kind of say you know what we did and then obviously anyone else can chime in and add too and then we can have a discussion. Um, but you know, as as you all know, we discussed this last time and Emerald um had taken on kind of breaking up our letter because we had um found out that at at the last Joel meeting, even though we sent the letter, our letter was mentioned, but it was not read or anything like that, right? Um or or discussed at length. And so then um Emerald um turned our letter into like these different sections um of talking points. So, thank you, Emerald. that was very very helpful. And so we said that if we and then we would ask to present at at their next go meeting which took place yesterday. And so I reached out to Anna Develin Gothier who's the chair of go to see if we would be able to um present and at first I didn't get a response. Then I had to kind of get all the town council um involved and then I did get a response from Anna. Um and basically she said that at this point that she didn't feel comfortable without the other members also agreeing to invite us to um one of their meetings. Um so therefore we went with our plan B which was to then attend the meeting and share some of that information from our letter um during public comment. Um and so that's what um what we did. So, um, Eric and I were able to attend public comment and we shared different portions of the meeting. Um, and then for me, you know, during my comment, I really stated again, you know, why is it that that go is even engaging into in discussions as to why um as to whether the rob should be established at all. I mean, that was not their charge. The charge from the town council was for them to um decide upon one of the models which was between a review model and investigatory model which was proposed by the consultants. Again, you know, we have to take this in in the perspective. It's been over four years since CSWG made the recommendation and the recommendation let's remind everyone the recommendation was adopted by the town to establish the resident oversight board. So with them engaging on whether the resident oversight board should be established or not, that was really again delay, delay, delay, right? More delay. Um because that was discussions for for several meetings. Um and so for me, I was just like, you know, we need to to you all need to get to the point of just discussing these models. And then of course I said we need to have an empowered um uh resident oversight board with investigatory powers and subpoena powers so that they actually have um you know some teeth to be able to do something and so that our um our residents really feel that you know their complaints whatever complaints they bring that they're going to be fairly looked at right and at the end of the day you know because even during the meeting yesterday's meeting uh one of the town counselors Amber Kana Martin she actually read from our letter which I was very thankful to her that she read from our letter and which stated which was apart from the CSWG report which stated that this ultimately right the resident oversight board is going to help to build trust between the APD and our town residents especially our BIPO residents right because if there's a fair process in place to really look at complaints that people have you know that's going to really build that trust between um the law enforcement and and Again, it's not going to be just APD. Crest is also going to be part of this too, right? So, complaints can be lodged against Crest and APD, right? Um and um there'll be a fair process in place to look into those complaints, right? So, um then the public comment ended. There were several others who who made public comment and you know um other residents which we were very thankful that came out in support. Um and then they started discussing and I was glad that you know they even realized through some of their opening discussion that um and Anna said it she was like well we want to be clear that you know we're not saying that the resident oversight board is not going to be established. It is going to be established you know. So I was like, "Okay, well great." Because that's not what had been communicated for the past few meetings when they had met, right? Because the attorney, the town attorney came and started putting all these things in their heads in terms of liability and risk and so on so forth. And then they were shying away from things, right? Um but finally they were like, "Okay, we need to to start discussing." And they did. They started discussing the two models, right? The review model and the investigatory model. Um and I think for us you know as a group there is this memo that they kept sharing right that um Paul sent to them which has the model and the bylaws that the consultant sent. So what I would say to us is that we need to look at that document again. really needs to, you know, read that document very thoroughly and be prepared to um, you know, make public comment again when, you know, because they'll be meeting in in the next two weeks where they're going to continue to discuss this, right? And and from the feedback that I was hearing when I was on in the meeting, um, there's kind of like some of the council members who basically want the review model. Um, there's, you know, some, and I'll just say some, I'm just gonna say plural because I don't want to out any of the council members, even though you can go in and listen to the recording, that basically want a hybrid, you know, kind of review, a little bit of the review, a little bit of of the investigatory. And then there's some of the counselors who want the investigatory model. Okay. And so, um, so it seems like it's kind of a hodge podge in terms of of of these council members and where they're at. Um, and there's really from what and this is my opinion, right? Because obviously I know that others in our group were listening. So I want to hear what you all also heard, right? Because I know we even though we all have the same meeting, we might hear things differently. Um, but for me, I think there's still a lot of um mis uh information and misinterpretation around the investigatory model, right? cuz I don't even think I think they need to really review that document themselves. I think they were ready to really talk about the the the aspects because I think there was a lot of confusion and misinformation around the investigatory model because you know there was kind of like well investigatory model you would kind of review what the police did and then you know investigate and and things like that and and and that's not the case. That's that's the review model, right? you review what they did and then you kind of say, "Okay, you know, maybe you need to look at this, maybe you need to look at that, or maybe all you're doing like some of the coun, one of the council was talking about, which was um recommend education or, you know, or what have you based on on the review of what the the police investigation did. Um and so but in in terms of an investigatory model, it is about of a community member coming in. They have a complaint. It goes to Rob. Rob looks at the complaint and if the community member wants to move forward with an investigation, then investigators would be hired to do the investigation. It wouldn't be anything about reviewing what the police did or or what have you. It would be an independent investigation being done by um you know the resident oversight board. Um I know there was some comments too made around like how Cambridge has a huge amount of budget for the resident oversight board. We we cannot equate ourselves to Cambridge. Look at the size of Cambridge and look at at our size. And when we looked at the investigative model is you have investigators on contract, right? So, it's only when there's investigation that you bring someone in to then um investigate the allegations. So, it's not like you have a full-time person sitting around and they're getting paid this enormous amount of money to to to do investigations because we don't know when those complaints are going to come in, right? Um so so I I think for us we really need to kind of look at that document and really kind of educate the the council members around it because you know from my for me again my opinion when I kept hearing about the review model right that that's what that you know some of the members want is a review model I really think that the review model is just going to be you know um a Again, no teeth. It's going to be just kind of looking at what the police um did. And I'm focusing on the police, you know, with this because they're the establishment really working at even though of course this will be applicable to Crest too, but you know, looking at what the APD did and then what and then what are you going to say? Um I really don't know. You know what, you know, you're going to talk to them about their policy process. We've been talking to them about their policy process for the past four years. They haven't even looked at their policy process. That was one of the recommendations in the CSWG report was for them to look at their policies and revamp their policies. They had it's been four over four years. They haven't done any of it. So, what makes you think that they're going to do it if a resident oversight board reviews something and says, "Oh, yes. This is what we we pinpointed as an issue. So, we really think you need to look at your policies or we really it's just going to be a huge waste of time. And I'm I'm just saying it my opinion huge waste of time. Uh um so um for me that's you know and I think for us as a committee we need to kind of strategize again if if you know again you know asking to be to present I think we should ask to present at the at the next um um meeting at their next meeting and um and really educate them on on the investigatory model because this investigatory model isn't even as strong as CSWG's model. So, um you know, we we we need to kind of provide the information because right now it feels like they're very confused around it, but I know Emerald, Erica, I know you all were also like listening in. I don't know what your views are. >> I agree there. There was it was very good to listen to. Um, and I I I do fully appreciate that, you know, it seems as if the talent counselors were genuinely struggling to um get get it right. Um, I I know some of the positions were already preformed. I know one person was all about the review model and nothing was going to change that. Um, so that was a little bit concerning. Um but in the same vein to your point when the budget argument came up that was my also my thought Cambridge is a city we're accounting um that money does not equate um and it's there's a lot of fear in what was being said. Um there's some genuinely um relevant and smart questions that were asked. Um, one of the big ones were, you know, how do we compel the police to answer um, if they're subpoenaed given the fact that from what they found out in their own investigation that, you know, police don't necessarily have to respond. And so, yes, if we're doing this, then the directive to the police is that if you're spending by res oversight board, you must respond. and if you don't respond, there's going to be there should be consequences. Now, there were unions, there were conversations about unions, and so it it almost sounded as much as I thought people were trying to get it right, I I think they were leaning towards the safe alternative because of what they perceive as barriers. Yeah. And no one was and and I I shouldn't say no one but there are some that was still trying to um you know make the argument as to why it should be the investigative model versus just a review model. I mean a a review model is exactly that. It's nothing you review and okay a complaint was lodged and you did your own internal investigation. we're going to review and what happens after the review to your point, we make a recommendation and nothing happens. So, I I think I agree with you. we should try to give the opportunity to present to them again and if we can somehow get that document that they're reading from. That way we can actually spend time with it, answer some questions, fill in some gaps. um that way um when we present we're actually addressing some of those issues and presenting what we think are um correct approaches that as CSSJC what we would recommend um but then they went into like a hybrid model um something between the review model and the invest model so I think there's opportunities there to actually and I hope there is rather opportunities there to say invite us to this committee. listen to what the people who are directly involved have to say. and here is what um you know we propose and here are some answers to your questions and your concerns and continue to make the strong argument as to why something that has um I don't want to use the word power but something that has credibility um is ch is chosen because again a review battle is just that it's it's already you can always review anything but at the end of it it's nothing comes out of it. It's like you know someone comes to you and says oh this happened to me and I I I don't think that's what the community deserves. Um, I don't think that is what um the recommendation was, but I I like I like to be fair to people and I think I heard genuine questions and concerns about which way to go. And I think if we can, we should take the opportunity to help answer those questions and concerns. That way we end up with something that has very strong credibility and is supported by the CS um the CSWG work group recommendations that um were made many many years ago to Deb's point. So yeah, I I I I don't think money should factor in because there's no way we're going to rise to the level of a Cambridge budget. It's um we are a small town that has quite frankly more police officers than I think we need. Um so if there is any arguments about you know and and we live in a relatively um safe space um where it's I mean I I I I'm sure I could Google how much officers Cambridge has and crime stats in Cambridge. we would we're not even a fra we're not even like anywhere close to a tenth of what that might be in terms of what happens in the sound of Amherst. So yes um I I did not like the money arguments because usually when that raises head then everything gets stuck and stops there and I don't think we should bring money into this equation. >> Yeah. And really even like I remember that one of the like oh because between schools and and and staffing resident oversight board we're going to pick schools. And it's just like again why you even bringing up a budget when the resident oversight is not even established. We don't even know how much funding is actually going to take to to to staff it and already putting that out there into the public. Right. Especially during these difficult times, right? And we know that our schools need funding and things like that. So that as you said everyone a lot of fear right a lot of fear is being brought up before anything is even established which was the same type of thing resistance that we got around crest right when crest was going to be established since it was something new a lot of fear a lot of you know what's going to happen and what's the budget going to be like and so on so forth as opposed to let's establish it and let's see what the budget's going to be like and things like that as opposed to already thinking it's going to be this ginormous amount of money. Um, and again like you said, you know, comparing it to Cambridge, there's no comparison, you know, to Cambridge. We don't compare to Cambridge at all in terms of size or incidents or anything like that. So, but one one quick thing that I do want to say um also around the review model that I forgot to say that I remembered during the meeting is if if they establish a pure review model, there won't be complaints filed. Again, you know, the resident oversight board is going to be there to review the police. So, the police is doing the internal investigation. The reason why people don't go to file complaints against the police is because they know they're doing that investigation, right? So, they feel it's not going to be fair. They feel that there could be, you know, retaliation towards them. They feel like, you know, there isn't this kind of separate entity looking into the situation. So the review model is going to utilize the police's investigation, right? And so again, who's going So there's not going to be complaints filed. You're going to send you're going to establish this resident oversight board that's that's going to essentially just look at what the police has done with like we said to to do what to say what to make what recommendations that pro that are going to be sitting on somewhere and collecting dust, right? And I really think people won't file complaints as opposed to if it's an independent investigation being done by objective um you know uh factbinders right investigators then people will be more apt to file complaints right because they'll feel like okay I'm going to get a fair shot at this and you know and this there could be actually an outcome that can happen in regards to this. Um, and so that's where I'm just really concerned with with them uh adopting a purely um review model. >> And and that is a key phrase there. It's people believing that if it is done by somebody other than the police, they will get a fear shot. And I think that is what needs to be emphasized. It's the whole idea is to instill trust in the police. So if the police will left the police themselves, um there there there is you know there's not going to be that trust and I think we need to help the Joel fully appreciate that. >> Yes, definitely. Um one of two follow-ups that I was thinking around this, Erica, um because I know you're great at kind of finding out all the like where all the town stuff is at. Could you look to find the document that we need to look at that they were referring to and if you could share it with all of us? >> Definitely. >> Yeah, then that would be great. I'll follow up again with Anna to ask for us to um present and then maybe ever when we get the document and we're able to kind of, you know, dissect it if you because I know you're really great at kind of, you know, breaking things down. Maybe if you could you would be able to break it down. um you know so that we're able to kind of present on it you know um some of the arguments that that we've made today um then that would be very helpful. >> Do we know if the the meeting from last night was transcribed? >> Yeah, usually it's recorded, right? >> Yeah, it's recorded. >> But is there any transcripts? I have never seen transcripts and I couldn't even find the packet of information that uh Ann Anna was referring to because I would like to see that packet of information that's her research that she did like on uh Cambridge and Boston. Um so I mean I' I've tried before looking at um previous materials for meetings with the go. Um you know they've changed how we find things on the town website and I don't think it's any easier. Sorry, it's just not any easier. Um, but I also just want to say I just want to recognize that counselor Lord is in the uh attendee se uh section. >> Okay, great. Excellent. >> All right. So, um I mean I can also ask Anna I mean I can ask Anna when I email about um adding any of the information like her research. Do you want me to do that Erica? All right. Okay. any other um conversations? I guess the other thing Erica when you um look at that just to kind of you know well I can ask but just to kind of send to us I mean it's it's every two weeks that they meet right so we're thinking let me see today is the 9th so that means they would be meeting on the 22nd which is Tuesday right that would be it yeah so it's a quick like short turnaround period But we'd have to kind of figure that out. So, September 22nd, >> uh I have looked at the memo uh and uh the bylaws. Uh that's what they were starting to go through it. Uh it's it's uh I mean, if you're used to regulations, then maybe it's easier reading bylaws, but it is literally a little bit confusing. It does separate the two uh and it does have bylaws for each of them. Um I really think you know we need to stay with the investigative model and just keep on proposing that one. >> Yeah, but we also need to kind of showcase how the review model wouldn't work though too, you know. Um so but yeah. All right. Thank you. Any other questions on on this? Uh our next uh item is a youth empowerment center. Um I know that you know you had sent that update in terms of what uh Paul had discussed uh last time in terms of the youth empowerment center that he shared with the town council. I really don't have any other updates. I don't I haven't heard anything because you know when he shared he said that in terms of Wildwood there was probably going to be you know the Wildwood was going to be coming back to the town and then there was going to be some type of group working group and I haven't heard anything else on it. Has anyone heard anything? >> My understanding is is that it has been turned over to the town but I've heard nothing about the working group. Okay. >> I have neither. I can tag that on the YC um working group when I send them the email around the graffiti. I'll pack that on. Okay. Um our next item is around ICE immigration updates. I know that um Anna did send an update. So, I'll just read what she sent. She said um that she got more information from Sean about the t town website so we can update the immigration resource page. Um she said that it's under the HRC, so we should probably collaborate with them on any updates. Sean Sean said that the staff leaison is generally the person who maintains committee web pages and looks like Philip is a lelayison for the oh human rights commission. So Philip I guess the other leazison for the human rights commission and she was wondering if we could ask you about whether we could update or collaborate with them or you know or link to their page um around the resources um for for immigrants. Yeah, I mean if you want the link on the CSSJC website, that should be simple enough. Um, in terms of adding on any links, yeah, I would say if we could coordinate a conversation between you all and the Human Rights Commission, they put in a lot of work into that website. So, I don't want to take any credit and give them all the kudos for doing that. And I don't I don't want to overstep and and say that you can add in anything without having them in the conversation. Okay. >> Yep. And then I guess just for your all's record, um, Ronnie stepped down as chair. So now the new chairs are J P and Milan Clark. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Um, maybe we could do is just at least link to their page and link to your page, >> you know. Um because that would at least make sure that there's so if someone is looking on CSSC they could at least link to resources that you all have both pages you know that could be a start. >> Yeah definitely. >> Yeah that could be simple enough and then we could kind of discuss more whether we want to build a resource page on our website itself. You know what I'm saying? That would be a longer conversation, but I I just want like at least for us to get like links so that people can get to resources very quickly. So, you can you can check into that for like >> Yeah. Yep. I'll check into it. I'm making a note right now. >> All right. Perfect. Thank you. And the only other thing too is that I know that there's a group of people in town. And I'm I'm one of them too that we're really trying to, you know, build some resources and everything for immigrants in um town um when they're going through or have questions or dealing with any ramifications from ICE. Um so you know obviously just because of the nature of things I don't want to go into specifics but just know that there is a group um kind of working on you know just building more resources and being available to the immigrant population and um letting them know like different avenues and and things where they can get the information they need in different languages and things like that so that they're empowered to make hopefully um informed decisions. you know, and as we know, under sometimes very stressful um situations. All right. So, I did have membership here um because I don't know if we wanted to talk about anything else. I know we still have one vacancy um available. I don't know if I took on following up. I haven't had been able to follow up with Angela. So, I don't know if someone is willing to follow up with Angela. Um, she's kind of like the town uh person that just kind of see where things are. If we have applications, we can follow up. >> Yes. Yes, I'll do it. >> Great. Um, just to kind of see if we have applications because I know like right now we have a quorum as I stated before. So, that means sometimes they won't look at our um group as quickly as they'll look at other groups that maybe don't have quorums. But at least we can try to see where we're at in terms of of our queue, right, for them to do interviews and whether we have applications. And then if we do know that or not, then we can also do more recruiting. Um because I know we we talked about hopefully having, you know, younger members if we can, you know, add a younger person to um to our group. That would be great. But we know that obviously sometimes just because of everything that they have going on in their lives, it could be really difficult cuz we've tried that in the past. um when we've had like even college students and things like that and then they just aren't able to show up to meetings you know so um so it becomes really difficult but okay Erica that would be great >> all right and then the next one is the retreat so I'll turn it over to Erica >> Y thank Thank you. Um, so we do have an agenda and it looks like we have a new agenda item. So I will uh incorporate that in there and just send it to all of you. Again, I will try to play with the times and see who we can fit that in. Um, so I've been uh going back and forth with Angelica uh and we were going to talk about it here. She cannot make the 26 because she has a work-related issue. Um I'm just going to say what my opinion is right now and that is is that um it is very difficult to find a time for everybody to to to do the retreat. Um and you know I'm sure she's got a lot of balls you know up in the air and I'm sure when we made the date she couldn't foresee that she had work related issues but we did make the date um alto together she was there um and good that Holla is here because um hopefully she got my emails. Um so we are going to meet on the 26. I think we can facilitate ourselves. I think we have very focused topics. Um I don't think um I think we can easily facilit facilitate oursel. It would have been great to have Angelica but I think changing the date is going to be much more problematic and then it's going to get later and later and I think you know with the budget issue that's where really the action meets the rubber on the road. Without money nothing happens no matter how many resolutions and votes take place. So, um, I would just really recommend that we stick with the date, which is Saturday the 26th of September from 9:00 to 1 at the Bank Center. Um, uh, Anna said that, um, Jill will definitely be available to be there. Um, we've committed to being there. Um, and, um, I think I think it'll be important. Um, I did reach out to Camille um, in terms of budget and that was the back and forth between also paying for a facilitator. Um, and so if we're not going to have one, I think um, then we don't have to worry about that. Um, Camille hasn't confirmed in terms of uh, supporting for food, but she also hasn't said that there isn't any money for food, so I think that should be fine. Um, so I think we're good to go for the 26th. >> Yeah, I mean I I agree with that too. Um cuz you know I know Erica had contacted myself and Adil just in terms of you know unfortunately and Helica um wouldn't be able to facilitate on the 26 and of course we're trying to look at different dates but you know things start filling up in terms of events and different commitments and all of that and so um I think if we do have a date that works for all of us yeah we we should stick with it just because of the importance of everything that we've been discussing um and for us to kind of really internally talk about some of these um issues and concerns so that then we can um have a a plan right a plan of action um to move forward for this next you know fiscal year um especially around the budget because yeah that's really the bottom line is you know we need to increase budget for you know crest DEI we need to make sure you know the budget for youth empowerment center um and um you know and really even foresight in terms of the resident oversight board, right? They establish it. Then when is it that they're going to have the budget for it and everything? So, we need to kind of, you know, advocate for the resident oversight board, too. So, um, so we have several things that we need to kind of discuss and talk, and I think changing it at this late date, um, won't be a good thing. So, yep. I think not hearing anything. I think yeah I think we should keep it uh on the 26th. So now I guess we just need to think about logistics. So it'll be 9 to1 at the bangs. Um you'll talk with Camille right Erica to see if we can have you know some snacks and food um there. Um so in terms of facilitation what what do you thinking Erica? Um, >> I mean, I think I can keep the conversation going and also, um, you know, definitely, I mean, if you would be willing to welcome people. I I don't know, uh, if someone would be willing to maybe do an icebreaker because, you know, Bridget is new and Anna's new. Um, you know, but I can keep the, you know, group focused on time and on topic. Um, so I don't have difficulties in doing that. Um, but if I can get someone to, you know, you do the welcome and maybe um I can get somebody else to just do an icebreaker. I think >> I can do icebreaker. I can come up with an icebreaker. So, I can do the welcome and icebreaker. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That I think I think that'll do. Um, and I'll, you know, I'll take my notes too and then give uh highle uh notes back to Angela. Um, I'm not an Angel as part of uh, you know, documentation for this. And I'll make sure that Angel also posts the meeting and the retreat agenda. Um, >> great. Great. Yeah, if you could do that because I was already thinking about I was like, "Oh my god, when when we need to like post it, but if you could kind of communicate with Angel and get that going cuz since we that would be great. All right. Okay. And then um we still have tentatively the in-person meeting um scheduled for October 28th 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. So um you know we'll continue to have that on and then we can discuss it more at a October meeting you know because then that'll be closer in time and we'll really need to think about that what we want to do during that time period. Um and I'm thinking you know just off the top of my head I'm just thinking that obviously we'll probably have followup from our retreat. Um, and that could be a good opportunity for us to, you know, kind of maybe check in with people if we kind of break up into subcommittees or things like that for some of the issues that we discussed as a retreat. That could be a good check-in time um to really see where folks are at in terms of the subcommittees and progress on the work that we we say we're going to do during the retreat. So, um, that might be a good check-in point. Um any other um thoughts on the in person in terms of the hybrid meetings? Um Anna did follow up on that. So I'll read what she said. Um she said that she did find out from the town that um we could have the hybrid meetings at the bank center. Um, so Sean said he will be able to meet with Camille, Angel, whoever would be in charge of tech to go over using it with them. Um, and she said she's also used kind of like the tech for to do hybrid meetings at UMass. She said for herself. So she says she might be able to help set up. So basically she's saying that hybrid meetings could take place at the banks um or obviously at the town. Um, so you know, that's something for us to consider, too. If we wanted to do like even that um in-person meeting on Wednesday, if we wanted to do a hybrid um to allow others to be able to, you know, participate um then we could do that. Okay. So, let's let's talk more, you know, let's be prepared to talk more about the October 28th meeting. um you know at our October regular time meeting. We'll we'll discuss the specifics. Okay. All right. Um next agenda item is town council meeting planning. Um, so I mean I at this point I'm just thinking that when we talk during the retreat, which is in two weeks, we can kind of talk more about that because I think that that's some of what we'll be discussing in terms of strategies. Um, so you know, I know we can talk more about that then, but Erica, >> um, I don't know if it was you or someone who's who raised that the town council president has sort of changed how you can get on the agenda. And I mean I think that would be really important to know because if there's some rigid structure that means more exclusion versus inclusion and we might need to like ask them away in advance to get on the agenda because I know once they start you know putting things on like the budgets and you know broad they're going to say they don't have enough time for us. So, um I I really think we should find out what the parameters are to be on the agenda and um you know, have that information available for the retreat. So, I don't know if if Holla can help us with that, but um I think it for transparency sake, it would be really important if town council put it on their website. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, could you tack that on like with that your followup, Erica, when you're following up with Holla um and and Jill? I think that that could be something that, you know, either or both could kind of talk to us about because I'm sure they know what it is cuz what from what I heard, just a little I heard is that now like a town council a town counselor has to make a motion um to add the agenda item and things like that on on so we have to go through a town um counselor to get on the agenda. So it's not something where we can just contact the town council and say, "Hey, we want to be on the agenda." And then the chairperson like before the chairperson will say okay yes or no or whatever but now it's like almost like a town counselor has to make a motion to then add us to present or whatever as an agenda item but for the but I don't even know you know what that means what that entails you know like you said you know do we need to talk to the town council to do it you know today for next month I don't know you know so there's a lot of question marks though even if that is the case and I and don't even quote on me on it. I don't even know if that's the full thing we got to do. I'm not sure of everything. So, lots of question marks, you know, around it. So, we do have a few more members that joined. Now, we have three attendees. Um, and so I'm not sure if any of the attendees want to make a public comment. We do have one hand raised. Phillip, are you able to bring them in? Yep. Great. >> Oh no. Hello. >> Okay. Can you guys What What happened? >> Yeah, we can hear you. Oh, okay. >> Yep, we can hear. >> So, first of all, I continue to be very grateful for this committee so much. Keep up your spirit. I know your job is very difficult. I know that the administration tend to, you know, neglect the important work that you guys are doing. But um the fact that this committee still exists, you know, is just I'm very very grateful. I also want to thank all the people that made public comment yesterday at the jail or whatever it's called uh meeting. So I think um your committee need to really at your retreat um or maybe not this retreat or in the future planning you know what you guys are you know going to do when T council you know vote on the type of R O um I think if there is huge um community push back if they choose the review model. Um I I think if they choose that it's almost like not even having RO, you know, and I don't know where CSSJ stand on that. I know, you know, you guys are pushing for the investigatory um board. Ideally, that would be good. But what if you know the town council vote the other way? You know, you know what is the plan? Are we just going to allow you know the you know the manager to appoint people to be the review board or just you know in a way like push back. Um because having re review board will be like status quo same old same old you know nothing is going to move move forward you know we're not going to see any systemic change so I'm concerned about that I just you know got out of um district 2 um meeting with our two counselors uh with so much information and I spoke spoke very briefly and and I my comment was as a um a resident who whose real estate tax is so high like other people and as a black woman uh a woman of color I don't see where my tax dollar is going to um that CSSJC you know uh CSWG pushing for ROB, pushing for youth center, pushing for bicultural center and none of this is happening. Recommendation from Dr. Barbara love. And so, you know, I I basically put our two town counselors on notice, you know, telling them that, you know, they need, you know, the town council need to do something to improve race relation in our town because our our town is so divided and there's so much a disunityity because people are feeling not getting the same resources that our tax dollar, you know, um is used for. So, um I think it, you know, it can feel very discouraging, but you know, we we should still continue to push and, you know, uh fight back. That's all we can do. Um it's very very frustrating, but we can never give up and that's why I try to attend, you know, this meeting, you know, to listen, you know, and provide, you know, whatever support I can give. Thank you all for the wonderful job that you do. >> Thank you, Miss Pat. >> Yeah. >> Any other public comments? I don't see any other hands raised. So um any topics not anticipated by um us 48 hours in advance of this meeting? So um for our next meeting it will be on October 14 um at 6:30. We'll have our usual um agenda. Um, we'll I'll still keep retreat on there because we'll need to kind of pro process our retreat. Um, the in-person meeting on the on on the 28th because like I said, maybe we could use that as kind of a followup to our retreat. Um, and then obviously, you know, I'll send it out so that if if folks want to add anything else, we can we can add, but I know we have like a a bunch of different each of us has different follow-ups um to do with different people and then we can just report back on a lot of that. Okay. Anything else for the good of the cause? If not, it is 8:17. Wow. >> And uh yeah, that's because it was only three of us. >> I know. >> Well, we got a lot done. We got a lot done >> and Camille wasn't on because, you know, we usually have a lot of a lot of questions for Crest. So, um but um thank you all again. You know, I have to echo what Miss Pat said. I mean, you know, all of you just thank you for your time and commitment. Um you know, I know I can speak for myself. It's not easy work. is very draining. It's very frustrating. But it's because of people like all of you that we continue to do this work. And I really think like make an impact. Um because I hear from the community members, different community members who always thank us for doing what we're doing. So thank you and have a wonderful evening. Get some rest. >> Thank you also. >> Bye. Thank you.