watch and listen to the talking news every day at twelve noon and six pm on channel ninety six comcast six finity and channel thirty verizon fi os it can also be heard two mondays and tuesdays at four thirty pm and wednesday at twelve thirty pm on channel nine x finity and channel twenty nine fi o's listen any time on the b m c podcast network on sound cloud an i tunes just search for the belmont media podcast network and now on to the talking news unfunded or p b liability unfunded liability estimate of one hundred eighty six point three million has been reduced to ninety million then to the efforts of the other post employment benefits o p e b study committee belmont's town accountant treasurer a human resources director an interim town administrator who help collect data used by siegel consulting for the twenty seventeen actuarial valuation are actually our our crude actuarial liability that is has to appear next year on fiscal year two thousand and eighteen financial statements is now about half of what it would have ben had we not gotten these numbers down to a much more reasonable number said all p e b study committee chairman ralph jones according to jones the twenty sixteen actuarial valuation which estimated the unfunded liability to be ninety six point seven million are was based on census da not actual data because the actuary was not able to get the data he needed from the town when the actuarial valuation was done in two thousand and sixteen jones said it took a lot of effort to segregate out the dodder for retirees and how that they and how they have retrieved it they will recommend the town continue to segregate and keep records of it jones said many retirees from those of actual employees and sorry duction in the a liability of about thirty percent when they did their actuarial report this jones said his committee decided to try to replicate the same approach in belmont using that fine we can get a much better picture of what our cost trends are and can continue to reduce our liability  looking at it in a much more fine grained way than we had before said jones cathy riley the actuary with siegel consulting gave a presentation at the december eighteenth board of select meeting of how she determined the unfunded liability to be able fifty percent less she said the key changes in assumptions was which reduce the unfunded liability were based on changes in per capita costs trend assumptions and a change in the discount rate she estimates the unfunded liability will be fully funded in about twenty four years by the they want to be able to drive to the corner store to buy marijuana in the two thousand and sixteen state election question for tulisa legalize adult use marijuana sales in massachusetts was approved by fifty two and a half percent of belmont voters who cast ballots turnout in the election was eighty three percent of belmont's registered voters the state is currently in the process of drafting regulations for adult use marijuana and stablish ments in massachusetts applications for licenses will begin to be accepted by the state april first two thousand and eighteen s must decide on december eighteenth dr david out per member of the belmont board of health inform the selectmen they need to make an important decision whether or not the town should opt out of allowing adult use marijuana establishment and belmont the question would need to be on the ballot of a special election before april first or the town election april third a special election will cost  town approximately fifteen thousand dollars according to alper but if the selectmen decided to wait until the april third election there is a two day window when someone could submit their application to the state to open an adult use marijuana establishment in belmont so lekman could also decide to do nothing and see what happens they have made this important decision on january eighth members of the board encourage residents to email them their thoughts on the matter at selectman at belmont dot gov the secretary of state will receive a draft of the state regulations from the cannabis control commission or c c c on december twenty ninth and on february five there will be a public hearing at the state house set alper on march twenty third regulations will become law and the state will start accepting licenses april first and shops would be able to open beginning july first he said alper said he believed belmont will be targeted by retailers of adult use marijuana because the town is well to do he said if the selectmen decide to do nothing are the town after an election decides not to opt out the board of health will have to get in gear and get regulations in place for belmont he said the planning board would also have to create zoning regulations on december nineteenth he met with the planning board to forewarn them of the time table zoning regulations would limit where adult use establishments could open in belmont once the planning board decides on  regulations town meeting would vote on them in the spring alper said the maximum number of adult use marijuana establishment allowed in belmont if the town does not  testing labs marijuana product manufacturers and retail marijuana stores the board of health role would be to inspect retail establishment who would be selling edible such as brownies gummies lollipops and orioles alper said another example of an adult use establishments could be a casual room at a yoga studio or a massage therapist who sold marijuana products to clients if belmont does not opt out one day licenses for marijuana could also be issued similar to one day liquor licenses december nineteenth joked it's like the revenue generated by a dunkin donuts alper said when the planning board decides how to write zoning regulations for adult use marijuana businesses it would be to the town's benefit to have the establishment in a location that would be successful not hidden in a less heavily trafficked part of town per almost also in farm selectman about the three percent marijuana sales tax the town could levy if an adult use establishment opens in belmont the three percent tax would be on top of the state sales tax and would need to be earmarked for drug education which the town health department would oversee said town meeting would have to vote on adopting this three percent additional sales tax now over to macs thanks c similar vein retailers look for ways around selling marijuana by getting by jerry twenty cannabis entrepreneurs are working to find a place in the massachusetts market sometimes treading on legally dubious ground from a meet up web site that connects pot smokers with home growers to a start up that delivers fifty five dollar bottles of fruit juice with a free gift of marijuana somewhere basing small businesses on a provision of the state law that allows people to exchange gifts of up to one ounce of wheat or other enterprises with larger corporate backing are planning to enter the legal marijuana market through state regulated channels to offer new types of pot products following the passage of a ballot question marijuana became legal for recreational purposes in massachusetts in december two thousand and sixteen well it's legal to grow and possess limited quantities of pot there's still no legal way to buy it the state cannabis control commission is currently developing the regulatory framework for legal sales the first licensed commercial marijuana dispensaries in massachusetts are expected to open in july quote it's the elephant in the room in states that are coming online the states say it's legal but there's no way to access it unquote said oregon resident will go debt co founder and c e o of harvest plug a web based platform where pot growers and smokers can arrange transactions in legal states the black market is still thriving something is wrong with the way we're coming online  legal states we have to quit controlling cannabis like its uranium people engaging in arrangements to in effect buy or sell pot are at risk of being arrested police departments across the state have continued arresting people on charges of marijuana distribution possession with intent to distribute and trafficking pot gifts scrutinized on harvest blog which operates under the slogan weed is free time is money users can post if they're seeking or making available specific strains of pot in a particular geographic area get it argues that the platform which open to massachusetts residents last month is legal because growers are paid for their time not for the quote free unquote marijuana the exchange messages of law enforcement officials however have a different opinion of such exchanges felix brown a spokesman for the executive office public safety cautioned that quote sham transactions unquote involving the exchange of marijuana and disguised payments or reciprocal gifts remain against the law he pointed to the guidance the office issued to district attorneys and believes chiefs in late two thousand and sixteen in early two thousand and seventeen in a memo issued in february ethiopia's chief legal counsel david solid advised prosecutors that there are quote a number of individuals and businesses that are attempting to evade the commonwealth's prohibition on the unlicensed sale of marijuana by engaging in organized sham transactions unquote that advisory specifically referenced high speed the service that developed delivers fruit juice for fifty five dollars or more per bottle with an accompanying quote free unquote gift of pot quote obviously this is a thinly concealed scheme to obscure the illegal sale of marijuana by an unlicensed seller unquote sold its memo stated despite the legal scrutiny however high speed was still operating in massachusetts as of late december gallaudet says he hopes to disrupt the emerging commercial pot industry the which same way air b n b and goober have up ended the hotel and taxi industries shifting commercial power from large corporations and towards small entrepreneurs legal cannabis is not working for everyone he said we want to offer a way we can embrace the black market and maybe put a tax on the point of sale between peers or create a license for people who want to home grow and sell among peers new products when marijuana sales became legal in massachusetts excuse me become legal investors its consumers will likely be able to choose from a wide variety of products that go far beyond sm cannabis edibles tinctures oils and other products are expected to be stocked in state licensed marijuana dispensaries in california rebel coast winery recently announced a new line of can infused not alcoholic wine the federal prohibition on marijuana prevents the transport of marijuana products across state lines so rebel coast doesn't plan to ship its products to massachusetts or other states any time soon but producing cannabis wine is something that could potentially be duplicated a message to sits and other states that have moved to legalize marijuana over you bob thank you max nomination papers available for town offices the town clerk announces that nomination papers for a town offices are now available for registered voters interested in running for office in belmont in addition to many town wide offices twelve representative town meeting members are elected for three it terms from each of the eight voting precincts this year there are also some partial term openings for town meeting vacancies created by members moving or resigning annual town meeting takes place in the spring and typically last for six evenings customarily monday and wednesday in early may then early june town meeting makes all of the decisions about the town's budgets and local bylaws belmont's government is a representative town meeting which means that only town meeting members can debate and vote at town meeting unlike the open town meeting form of government twelve town meeting members from each of the eight voting precincts are elected each year to with three to three year terms a limited number of additional partial term seats are sometimes available stop by the town clerk's office to pick up nomination papers have your neighbors and friends who vote as sign your nomination papers and submit the signed forms to the town clerk by the deadline february thirteenth twenty eighteen at five pm the town clerk's web pages contain quite a bit of information to help make a decision to seek office at w w w dot belmont dash mass dot gov select town clerk then select running for elected office and campaigning or call six one seven nine nine three twenty six hundred to be nominated for a town wide offices signatures of at least fifty registered voters of the town are required on the nomination papers the town clerk must certify  signatures so officials suggest obtaining about twenty percent more just to be safe offices to be filled for april thirteenth twenty eighteen town election moderator board of selectmen board of assessors board of cemetery commissioners board of health members of the housing authority trustees of the public after thirty five years of service to to the town what a division manager michael bishop has decided to retire his last day was december twenty nine although i loved the career i chose i felt it was the right time in my life he said bishop hopes to finally get to him his honey do list and work on his golf game he also plans to spend more time as a volunteer trainer at the new a for the past ten years bishop currently resides in woburn but grew up in belmont graduating belmont high school in one thousand nine hundred seventy three on december eighteenth the town on it bishop with a retirement reception in presented him with a proclamation for his service he said he will miss the public works family and all the town employees he has worked with for the past thirty five years bishop sat down with the belmont citizen harold recently to reflect on his creed korea question looking back what would you say your greatest accomplishments have been in your  i would have to say my greatest accomplishment has to be our water main capital improvement plan that began in one thousand nine hundred ninety five to present although i believe this has been one of my greatest accomplishments i can't take all the credit there has been so much support from our public works director j marcotte assistant public works director michael santoro water advisory board members board selectmen town meeting members and our residents to keep this important improvement program going what were your greatest challenges i stated in an newspaper  several years ago what i believed was my greatest challenges i still believe today that the most challenging part for me was having to find ways to do more with less although the wada division is an enterprise fund and the watt a budget is funded soley through the water rates i still have to be fiscally responsible to our residents one of the more difficult aspects of my position along with my public works director j marcotte is having to pass the needed rate increases to the residents in order to provide a quality service and maintenance to the town's water distribution system it is often misunderstood service hair salon which opened in november c e o wanted a place of business that leaves people who work there and customers satisfied haven is for everyone who is here an open environment creativity education mutual support it will be a haven she said the mix of contemporary and vintage decor they chose in the salon creates an atmosphere that is a relaxing elegant refuge services include cutting coloring extensions carotene treatments blow outs waxing services and scalp massages our guests will be offered the option to have an essential oil scalp massage with oil of their choice a truly relaxing sensory experience sensor see a perfect match for the women met through a mutual friend who knew each of them wanted to open their own salons and thought they would be the perfect match as it turns out they were they've known each other since april and immediately knew they wanted to go into business together ninety nine percent of our ideas align said cohen prior to opening her new salon cohen worked for a salon need newton for many years she has been in the field hundred eighty s sia has ten years of cosmetology experience and recently moved back to massachusetts from california where she worked as an educator in the hair industry they both have the same style and taste they say and they both love dogs which is why there will always be a dog bowl outside their salon and dog treats on hand book lovers were also want to stop by haven and hair to check out their book exchange even if a customer isn't film shows care worker client relationships no political or economic argument makes the case for change like every day lived experiences says the produces behind a new documentary called care the film showing on p b s highlights the close relationships between direct care workers such as home health aides certified nursing assistants and personal care attendants and the older adults and families they serve through the personal stories the producers of care say it reveals the deep you millet he he managed the excuse me and poignancy of care work as well as the challenges older adults their families and their care workers face but documentary explores the challenging working conditions for direct  workers and the barry is older adults and family caregivers experience in assessing the home based direct care in addition the film highlights the growing movement to address these interconnected issues national association of social workers is promoting the documentary because of its relevance to the associations of long term services and supports policy statement said chris herman a senior practice associate at again a s w the policy statement highlights the high demand for direct care workers who provide essential services for low wages and with limited access to health insurance or other benefits herman said the documentary aired on p b s in september the kid documentary website care documentary dot com includes information about assessing the video archive available until october fifth and a bout hosting or attending local screening events throughout the fall at the website visitors can also assess access to research and learn about ways to take action and over declare thank you bob here are three natural digestive aids to try to prove the weak eating habits to your food slowly and thoroughly avoid lying down for an hour after you eat increase your stomach acid try diluting a tablespoon of lemon water apple cider in the nigger in water each day add these to your diet papaya pineapple ginger mango and honey all these contain enzymes that can help you digest according to live strong dot com superfoods want to try some seaweed one super food you'll probably not aware of is seaweed seaweed has been a staple in many east asian diets for centuries people have suspected the long lifespan enjoyed by the japanese was due in part to their diet a big part of which is seaweed the american journal of their good culture and food chemistry concluded that seaweed can promote heart health and lower blood pressure in the last food tech lasers don't lie research is at the university of british columbia have developed a laser that can help identify if ground beef is one hundred percent ground beef at times meat produces can mix in internal organs to stretch the supply further but the new laser uses spectral signatures to analyze each sample in test researches were able to determine whether ground beef samples included other animal parts with ninety nine percent accuracy now hears max thanks clear up on beacon hill the children families and persons with disabilities committee held a hearing on several proposals involving persons with disabilities including replace handicap with disability as fifty strikes all references in the state's general laws to handicap and replace them with disability supporters said over the years the word handicap has developed a negative connotation and is commonly perceived as being offensive by implying that persons with disabilities are somehow lesser than their able bodied peers prohibit electric shock treatment as ninety three prohibits any state or local facilities from using electric shock therapy hitting pinching or any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain on individuals with physical intellectual or developmental disability disability awareness training h three eight zero two establishes a mandatory disability awareness training for employees of the massachusetts house and senate massport m and all public safety agencies disability is defined in the measure as a person with quote physical or developmental impairments blind this deafness and intellectual disability now back to bob along with my colleagues clara max we thank you for listening to the talking news and hope you've enjoyed the show we return next week for another edition of local news happening around