[0:15] I'd like to get started. Our first order [0:18] of business is the pledge of allegiance. [0:21] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the [0:24] United States of America and to the [0:26] republic for which it stands, one nation [0:29] under God, indivisible, with liberty and [0:32] justice for all. Okay, like to get [0:36] started with public speak. Um, we're [0:39] going to get started with Jasmine. [0:47] Okay, I'll move off her. [gasps] Um, [0:50] Eric, I'm gonna Jasmine, I know you came [0:52] off mute. [0:53] >> Yes. Sorry. [0:54] >> Hi. [0:54] >> That's okay. [0:56] >> Hi. [0:57] >> Thanks for meeting. [0:59] >> Um, I am looking to join. I submitted my [1:02] letter of interest to join the rec [1:03] commission and I was told that I needed [1:05] to attend this meeting tonight. [1:07] >> We appreciate that you're here. Thank [1:08] you very much. [1:09] >> Thank you. [1:11] >> Eric, I'm going to skip you because [1:12] you're going to talk later. Uh, Grace [1:14] Castanian, [1:18] » I'm all set for now. Thank you. [1:21] >> Got it. Uh, Robera, I'm gonna skip you [1:23] and I'm gonna move on. And and I realize [1:25] that a lot of the people that are here for the rec commission and [1:29] that's great. Um, you can [1:32] participate in public speak if you have [1:33] something else they'd like to talk about [1:35] or if you'd like to talk about the rec [1:36] commission, that's fine. Uh, Ben Harp. [1:40] Uh yeah, I'm here for the rec committee [1:42] uh as well. Um other than all set. Okay. [1:46] Uh Liz Latch. [1:49] >> Uh nothing nothing for now. Thank you. [1:52] >> Um TL Hastings. [1:58] » All set. Thank you. [2:00] >> Melissa Latesca. [2:02] >> I'm just here for recommission. Thank [2:04] you. [2:05] >> Joanne Heert. [2:09] Hello. I just have two quick things. Um [2:11] the first one is that I wanted to say [2:14] that I really think that the chip seal [2:16] that's done on Wales Road and Townsen [2:19] Road, you know, is amazing. Um I would, [2:22] you know, as a person that lives on a [2:24] road that used a different kind of [2:26] surface that had a lot of dust and [2:27] everything in the past, um those roads [2:30] look spectacular. I mean, I love driving [2:32] on them. So, kudos to that choice. I [2:34] would love that to keep that company. [2:36] And then I'm hoping when you get to the [2:39] long hill bridge update as someone [2:41] that's affected directly by it if we [2:44] could have a you know [2:47] and I understand there's a lot of work [2:49] involved so everybody has inconveniences [2:51] in life but you know it's at least 10 [2:54] minutes added every trip and I do a lot [2:56] of trips in and out of the house all the [2:58] time the family everybody with gas [3:00] prices and you know the miles we're [3:02] putting on. So, if we could have a [3:03] realistic, you know, end date of when [3:06] that might, you know, something to [3:08] target of when it might be done. I go up [3:10] north a lot and I see bridges wash out [3:13] and different things and I see repairs [3:15] done a lot quicker, but I realize [3:17] there's a lot to this that I don't know. [3:20] So, thank you for that when you get [3:21] there. Okay. [3:25] Uh Sarah Zitney [3:33] rep commission as well. Megan Lai. [3:38] » Hey, you just here for the rec [3:39] commission tonight. [3:40] >> You got it. Tess Grass. [3:44] » I'm all set, Jeff. Thank you. Uh [3:47] >> Wayne Cassic, [3:49] >> all set. All right. Kimberly Persan. [3:53] >> All set. Thank you. [3:55] >> All right. Um, a phone number ending in [3:58] 3815. [4:05] Okay. And [clears throat] phone number [4:06] ending in 2345, which I believe is [4:09] Dennis, but I'll let him say it. [4:19] » Hello. Okay, Dennis, you're good. Unless [4:22] you want to say something. [4:22] >> I am good. I'm good. Yes. [4:25] >> All right. And then we'll put you back [4:26] on mute. And then um phone number 3815. [4:35] » Does any [4:37] >> Hello. [4:38] >> Hi. Yes. [4:39] >> Can you hear me? [4:40] >> We can. [4:41] >> Hi, this is Leanne. This is Leanne [4:43] Hutchinson. Um I don't have anything for [4:45] now. Thanks. [4:46] >> Okay, you got it. Did I miss anyone? [4:51] Well, let's ask Ashley if she'd like to [4:54] participate. [4:55] >> I'm also here for the rec commission. [4:56] This is Sarah Zitney. [4:58] >> Yeah, no problem. Uh Ash Johnson, we're [5:01] in public speak if you'd like to say [5:03] something before we move on. [5:05] >> Oh, I'm good. [5:06] >> Okay. All right. Um if I missed anyone, [5:10] please let me know. [5:13] Going once, going twice. All right, [5:15] we're going to move on. Uh, item three, [5:17] additions and changes to the agenda. [5:22] Anybody else but me? I have a couple [5:24] things I'd like to deal with. [5:28] Okay. Uh, I'd like to make a motion that [5:31] we add um uh [5:36] discussion and possible action on uh the [5:40] appointment of someone or some company [5:43] to uh for cleaning of the town office [5:46] buildings. Uh [5:49] we're going to put those under old [5:50] business. So [5:54] K [5:56] 10K and then um 10 L discussion and [6:02] possible action on the appointment of a [6:04] maintenance person [6:08] » and then I would like to go so those [6:11] would be 10L and I would like to add [6:13] under new business [6:16] D [6:17] 11D [6:19] discussion regarding the prior [6:22] uh AES and town operating uh bank [6:26] account procedures or process [6:29] and 11E and these won't take long [6:33] discussion and possible action of um [6:38] well we'll just call it discussion now [6:41] discussion and possible action regarding [6:43] the temporary light at the intersection [6:45] of Route 6 and Hendy Road is 11E. [6:50] I would like to add those to the agenda. [6:55] >> I will second that. [6:57] >> Dave Gustan and seconded. Is there is [7:00] there anything else that anyone would [7:02] like to [7:04] put on the agenda or take off the [7:05] agenda? [7:08] >> No. [7:10] >> Yeah. We had gotten an email about the [7:13] boy scout troop about possibly [7:16] h allowing the veterans committee to um [7:21] be supervisor I forget what they called [7:24] it with them. So maybe that should be on [7:27] our agenda too. [7:29] >> Um [7:32] what would you like to call that? We'll [7:34] call that 11F. And so discussion [7:38] >> discussion on the boy scout troop [7:42] >> discussion [7:42] >> and veterans [7:44] committee. [7:48] » No no I don't want my hand raised. [7:54] Leanne if you could mute yourself. [8:01] Okay, so that would be five things. 10K, [8:06] uh the town office cleaning contract. 10 [8:09] L, uh the town maintenance person. 10D, [8:13] discussion, uh regarding the AES town [8:17] operating account procedures and [8:19] process. 11E, discussion and possible [8:22] action uh uh regarding the temporary [8:25] light at the intersection of Route 6 and [8:27] Hendy Road. an 11F discussion regarding [8:30] the Boy Scout troop and veterans [8:33] committee uh email. [8:38] Okay. [8:40] Oh, I have somebody with their hand up. [8:44] Well, you can come off mute. I'll I'll I [8:47] know Diane Grer joined us, so I'll let [8:49] her do public speak. Um No, you're late. [8:52] Diane, you can wait till the end. Um, [8:55] does somebody does the phone number 3815 [8:58] I guess that's Leanne Hutchinson. Do you [9:00] have your hand up for a reason? [9:05] » I think she said she didn't know why it [9:08] was on. So, I think she's trying to [9:10] figure out how to turn it off. [9:12] >> Let's see if I can do it. [9:16] >> You should be able to do that, Jeff. [9:18] >> Yeah, it's already It's already gone. [9:19] She already figured it out. Good job, [9:20] Lean. All right. Um, so Dave, um, I'll [9:26] second the the 11F or we'll we'll let [9:28] Dave sec Dave, do you have a problem [9:30] with 11? [9:30] >> I will second all of them. [9:32] >> You second all of those. Great. Um, [9:34] [sighs and gasps] [9:35] all those uh, well, I'm gonna have to go [9:36] around. Any, how do you vote on putting [9:38] those on the agenda? [9:40] >> Yes. [9:42] >> Great. Dave Gustanian. [9:44] >> Hi, [9:45] >> Scott Person. [9:48] Christine Randazo, [9:50] >> hi. [9:51] >> And Jeff McGuire. I so that's five [9:52] nothing for those. Okay. So let's let's [9:56] move ourselves through this. [gasps] [9:59] Okay. Um [10:02] item four, board and commission [10:03] presentations. Matt, I don't believe we [10:05] have any. [10:07] Okay. There's no board and commission [10:09] presentations. Uh item five, department [10:11] presentations. This is something new [10:13] that I I would like to um get started [10:17] and have uh on a more consistent basis [10:20] is providing the department heads an [10:23] opportunity to come talk to us about [10:24] what they're doing, what's going on, and [10:28] um what they need from us to sit there [10:30] and and make the town more successful or [10:32] a better place to drive around or to [10:35] live in. And um hopefully what we can do [10:38] is we can move from the department of [10:41] public works and the town clerk to RAM [10:44] to AES to anything else that we can sit [10:48] there and have uh the departments uh um [10:52] give some information to the community. [10:54] So, we're going to start this with uh um [10:57] Eric Johansson who is our director of [11:00] public works and in our packet he has [11:03] provided us information. [11:05] So, and I know Matt is going to share [11:08] his screen and allow the community to [11:11] sit there and see the information. So, [11:14] Eric, uh all yours. [11:18] >> Thank you very much. Um, [11:21] I'm sure the board has had a chance to [11:23] look over all this stuff. Um, has does [11:26] anybody have any questions before I get [11:27] started? [11:30] >> Uh, no. But Matt, I know you're One [11:33] second. Matt, I know you're operating [11:34] two computers. So, [11:39] do you want me to share my screen? [11:42] >> Oh, is it is it not showing up on there [11:44] right now? [11:46] >> Well, I don't know if everybody looking [11:48] at it the same thing. I'm looking at two [11:49] screens. One is a small. [11:52] >> Let me uh try this. [11:53] >> What is everybody else looking at? Just [11:55] so I understand. [11:56] >> Two screens. [11:57] right? His his big image [12:00] and then Yeah. Okay. [12:01] >> Yeah. [12:02] >> Okay. [12:02] >> Road project update. [12:05] >> Okay. [12:06] >> But you can't barely make it out. [12:07] >> I'm trying I'm trying to figure that [12:09] out, right? It's just the layout. [12:15] Um I'm going to stop that share for now. [12:17] There you go. You had it just [12:19] >> I know just at the end. [12:21] >> Okay. Well, um everybody, if you the [12:26] residents, if you go to our packet and [12:28] you pull up the packet, you can sit [12:30] there and see what Eric is going to go [12:31] over. Um [12:37] » do it. No, [12:40] [snorts] [12:41] don't do it. [12:42] >> Okay. All right. We're going to get [12:44] better at this. So Matt, let's go and [12:46] we'll move on. Um Eric, you can go [12:49] ahead. Um [12:51] >> okay. I'm just going to give a broad [12:52] overview of it. Um as you can see, uh [12:56] what the fund balance, what the fund [12:58] balances are at the very top. Um what [13:00] we've spent, uh what's left over from [13:03] last year and what's remaining. Um I'm [13:06] the rubber chip. Um that's something I'm [13:10] going to really push for in this town. [13:13] Um, as as I've told some of you, [13:15] [snorts] um, this is how we're going to [13:18] go about, uh, chip sealing our roads [13:20] from here on out. It's a much better [13:22] product. As long as the roads in good [13:24] shape, um, we should get 7 to 12 years [13:28] out of it. [snorts] Um, the only [13:30] drawback to it is, like everything else, [13:33] it's more expensive, but the end of the [13:36] day, we can just we can put this down as [13:38] long as we prep the road correctly and [13:40] we can walk away from it. There's no [13:42] dust. It looks like we paved it. There's [13:45] minimal sweeping. And again, it's just [13:48] it's it's a way better product. Um [13:51] instead of chip sealing, let's say we [13:53] chip seal six, seven roads a year, maybe [13:55] we can only do five. But again, it [13:58] outlasts it outlasts everything. Um this [14:03] those roads we did Oak Farms Road, which [14:05] is a dead end. [snorts] Um, some of the [14:08] things initially that I uh looked into, [14:11] they said deadends weren't a good seat [14:14] for this, this road was like right on [14:16] the tipping point of doing something. [14:19] So, this is kind of an experimental road [14:21] to see how it's going to hold up over [14:24] time. Uh, we also did Towns and Road and [14:26] Wales Road. Um, and again, I've heard [14:29] nothing but good about it. Uh in the [14:32] picture you'll see that uh Towns and [14:34] Road is one and [snorts] the other [14:36] picture is um uh Oak Farms. We also did [14:41] standard chip this year. Um that was on [14:43] Aspenol, Bailey, East Street, Hickory [14:46] Hill, Shotty Mill from Wales to the Town [14:49] line and Webster Lane. The reason why I [14:51] did these roads like that is because [14:54] they're basic they they should be [14:56] reclaimed, but um at some point I didn't [15:00] want I didn't feel the need to put the [15:02] money from the rubber chip into these [15:03] roads because we're going to have to do [15:05] some major work to these roads down in the near future. Um we ran a [15:12] different type of stone with these [15:13] roads. It wasn't as dusty as it normally [15:16] is and the emulsion sticks better to it. [15:19] Um, we still have to we still have to [15:21] sweep them, but not as much. Um, we're [15:24] actually going to go out probably the [15:25] middle end of this week and do a second [15:27] sweeping on those roads. Um, the the [15:31] third part is a reclaiming of Ridge [15:34] Road. [snorts] [15:35] That road is totally like like Oh, [15:37] sorry, [15:38] >> Eric. Hold on. [15:38] >> Sorry about that. [15:39] >> That's all right. Good job. I like it. [15:42] Um, can you give us an understanding of [15:46] how the rubber chip seal is priced out [15:49] versus the standard chip seal? I know [15:51] you gave us total dollars and that's [15:53] great, but is it by square foot? Is it [15:56] by square mile? What do you how do you [15:58] how is it? [15:59] >> Well, they they they do it a square [16:01] yard. So that the rubber chip, excuse [16:03] me, the rubber chip is 5 575 a square [16:08] yard and the standard chip is 325 a [16:12] square yard. [16:14] >> Okay. [16:14] >> Um and then [16:16] >> there's al there there's also an [16:17] escalation built into that as well [16:20] because as you guys all have driven by a [16:22] diesel pump that we're paying six and [16:24] change a gallon right now. Um what you [16:27] see at the pump is what the cost is for [16:30] the oils that are used for any asphalt [16:34] product or crack sealing product. So in [16:37] their contracts they they build in if it [16:39] goes over x amount then we have to pay more. Um [16:46] but again the rubber the rubber chip we [16:48] don't it it's it's a much better [16:50] product. It lasts a lot longer and [16:53] there's as long as we crack seal it and [16:57] shim it correctly and the road is in [16:59] good shape for the most part, we [17:01] shouldn't have to touch it from anywhere [17:02] from 7 to 12 years where again with the [17:05] standard chip you're going back every 5 [17:07] to 8. [17:11] » Wow. I I can tell you that that's not [17:13] happened on Lake Road. Um [laughter] [17:17] I mean I'm I'm not I'm not complaining. [17:20] I mean, Dave, I know you live on it. I [17:21] don't think Lake Road is bad. Um, but [17:24] that tip seal was done [17:28] at least seven, eight years ago. And [17:32] well, what I was after more than what's [17:33] a square yard get you per mile? Like, if [17:36] you can do this next time you come, [17:38] >> y the the standard chip seal at 325 [17:42] versus the the the rubber chip seal at [17:45] 575, how much it costs per square mile. [17:49] So that we can sit there and understand [17:51] if we sit there and request that you go [17:53] to rubber chip seal, we're just going to [17:56] get so many less miles because the price [17:59] is, you know, price is almost it's, you [18:02] know, 40% of, you know, you're paying [18:06] 40% more to do the rubber chip seal and [18:08] it obviously better product. I mean, [18:10] that's the difference between we did [18:12] this back when Eric did Lakeside. He did [18:17] lakeside in a rubber chip seal or in an [18:20] alternative format and then he did a [18:23] lake in the standard format. So, and [18:29] yeah. So, okay. So, it's about dollars [18:32] and if you could give us that the next [18:34] time um [18:35] >> how many miles you could get doing each [18:37] one and how many miles you are planning [18:40] on um that would be great. [18:44] >> Okay. [18:46] Um, go ahead. [18:50] » Read's a mess. [18:51] >> Yep. Um, it's never been, [18:55] from what I can see, it's never been [18:57] chip sealed or crack sealed. It appeared [19:00] to be just put in and nobody ever did [19:02] anything to it. Um, it is beyond any [19:05] type of chip sealing methods. Um, it [19:08] needs to be totally reclaimed and [19:11] repaved. Um, [19:13] with that said, we went in this summer, [19:15] we we fix when you do a project like [19:18] this, you go in and fix all the catch [19:20] basins, you put in new tops, you fix [19:23] anything in the catch basin, even if you [19:26] think it looks bad, you replace it. Um, [19:29] and that's basic we that's what we did [19:31] this summer. Uh, we repaired and [19:34] replaced 14 catch basins. We're [19:37] actually, if you look at the photo to [19:39] the left, that's um Bernap Brook. We're [19:42] actually putting in a basin to the to [19:44] the left of that picture. Um what that's [19:47] going to do is there's there's kind of [19:49] like some drainage ditches on the side [19:51] there. And it was just kind of a mess [19:55] over there as well. So, we're cleaning [19:57] that up, adding a catch basin. So, the [19:59] water coming down the road will run into [20:01] the catch basin and then run into the other two basins that you see. and [20:06] then it goes out to the right into the [20:09] woods. Um, [20:12] so they're going to re what they're [20:13] going to do is they're going to grind [20:14] the road up. Um, grade it out to the to [20:17] the catch basins this time. Um, I don't [20:19] know if uh anybody on the board has ever [20:21] driven that road. Whoever put those [20:23] catch basins in um they did not match [20:27] the grade of the road. So every time we [20:29] drove up there with the plow truck in [20:31] the winter time to plow it, it really [20:33] beat the plow and the driver and the [20:36] truck. Um so that's going to be a plus [20:38] in itself [20:40] along with everything else. Um but [20:43] anyway, it'll be ground up. It'll be [20:45] regraded. [snorts] It'll then be 2 in of [20:48] binder will be put down. Uh it'll then [20:51] be totally uh curbed. They'll put down [20:54] another top coat of 2 in. We're going to [20:57] come in and back fill all the curbing [20:59] with lom and any driveway aprons that [21:01] need to match the new road, we will do [21:03] that. Um um the contractor that's doing [21:07] it has actually because of the weather [21:09] lately keeps getting backed up. He told [21:12] me somewhere at the end of August. I [21:14] called him actually last week. He's [21:16] probably looking at the end of [21:17] September, beginning of October now. Um [21:20] it's still not too late to do anything. [21:22] Um, I've actually paved uh with my other [21:26] job and personally up till the beginning [21:28] of November. So, I'm not I'm not overly [21:30] concerned about the pavement going down. [21:32] Um, if this was a chip seal product, I [21:34] would I would have said absolutely not [21:37] cuz you need some time for that to melt [21:39] in. Um, getting into the crack sealing. [21:44] Um, oh, sorry. [21:46] >> Estimated. I know you have up there on [21:48] the top like final numbers a a [21:51] guesstimate of what Ridge is going to [21:53] cost us. [21:55] >> So, [21:57] just bear with me one minute. I do have [21:59] some [22:04] and why he's looking for that. Um, [22:09] I know Wayne is on the phone. Um, [22:13] this road was never put in properly by [22:17] the developer that did that [22:21] project. [22:23] And this is one of those things that we [22:24] discussed at our special meeting that uh [22:28] we need to hold anyone who does a [22:31] project in town accountable if they're [22:33] going to build a road and to do a [22:37] development and then turn it over to the [22:39] town because this um this was not done [22:43] correctly from the get-go. So [22:46] >> this is one of the things [22:48] >> Yeah. Go ahead. Some of the things I [22:50] heard was the uh the catch basins were [22:54] put in on a weekend in order for just to [22:58] get get the project done that much [23:00] quicker. Um the subsurface on on some of [23:03] these places is is horrible. So grinding [23:08] it up will actually give us a better uh [23:10] base for it as well too. So, I'm um I've [23:14] done this in other towns like this and [23:17] it sometimes you have to haul stuff out [23:19] when they grind it up and other times [23:21] you have to bring stuff in. Um I'm [23:24] hoping looking at everything the way we [23:27] angled the basins in the road. I'm [23:29] hoping that we have enough uh material [23:32] when they grind the asphalt up to reuse [23:35] it as a base to do that. Worst case [23:38] scenario, we'll have to haul some stuff [23:39] in to uh to help fill in some of the [23:43] spots to get the grade we need to those [23:45] basins. [23:46] >> Yeah. [23:48] >> Um I have the numbers here. Again, these [23:50] are preliminary because these were all [23:52] given to me before the price of oil went [23:55] up. Uh to reclaim it is [23:59] 18,000. Uh 2-in binder is uh 61,000. [24:05] uh 2-in uh top coat is 48,000 and to [24:09] curb it is 21,000. [24:12] So all in all, we're looking at [24:14] $150,000. [24:17] Um there's some co other costs as well. [24:20] Um cuz we're going to have to buy some [24:22] lom to back fill. Um I bought some seed [24:25] this spring for other projects that [24:27] we've done around town back filling [24:29] curbing. So I believe I have enough of [24:32] that. All the catch basin products [24:34] except for the two that big ones that [24:36] you're looking at at the bottom of the [24:37] hill. Those were all purchased I want to [24:40] say either last year or the year before [24:43] cuz again this project from what I was [24:46] this project was was supposed to be [24:48] started before I got here and I but with [24:50] the staffing changes that happened last [24:52] year it never got done. [clears throat] [24:54] Um, [snorts] [24:55] so the only thing the only catch basin [24:59] products I put into it is the is the two [25:02] uh double basins at the bottom. Um, [25:04] those were the worst two that we had. [25:07] Um, the good news is all the pipe in the [25:09] ground is uh cement and it's all in good [25:12] shape. So we don't have to there was no [25:15] metal piping or anything in that [25:18] project. [25:20] Um, does anybody have any questions? [25:27] All right. Uh crack sealing. We did I [25:30] crack sealed all the roads that were [25:32] done uh outside a ridge that we um that [25:36] we chip sealed. Um this year uh we used [25:40] a new vendor. Um I used the Crog. It was [25:43] on the Crog bid which we're part of. Um [25:46] I actually Matt myself actually know the [25:49] vendor too. So I he did a he did a [25:52] phenomenal job. I was very happy with [25:54] what he did. Um and he put us first on [25:57] the list. So we were able to get get our [25:59] other um shimming and uh um [26:04] chip ceiling done earlier. Um shimming [26:07] of the roads. Um that's done by uh our [26:10] an outside contractor, Abby [26:11] Construction. We uh pay for the asphalt, [26:15] they pick it up, and then they they put [26:17] it down. Um there was a lot of shimming [26:20] work this this year that needed to be [26:23] done prior to the uh prior to the chip [26:26] seal to be done. What that does is if [26:28] there's problems in the road, we can [26:31] when we they can they have like a small [26:34] reclaim machine. [snorts] They'll [26:36] actually grind it up. We can explore [26:38] what's going on in there. They [snorts] [26:40] grade it out and then they they repave [26:42] it. Um, we used they they used $279 tons [26:47] this year at the cost of $74,000 [26:51] alto together for all the roads for all [26:54] the roads that we chip sealed. Uh, [26:56] that's also includes uh all the curbon [26:59] they did as well. Um, we I'm not going [27:01] to [snorts] lie, we tore some curbon up [27:03] this past winter just because it was a [27:05] horrible winter. [27:07] >> Um, catch [27:10] >> facing cleaning. [27:12] Oh, I'm sorry, Dave. What? [27:14] >> Also, some mailboxes. [27:16] >> Uh, maybe. [laughter] [27:19] Um, [27:21] catch basin cleaning. This is done [27:23] yearly by an outside contractor. Again, [27:25] same thing. Um, I I got he came off the [27:29] Crag bid. Um, he was really cheap. Um, [27:33] he was actually cheaper than what I uh [27:35] what I thought it was going to be. We [27:37] actually saved money there. Um we did [27:40] 478 catch basins. We have 200 more to [27:44] and we he's coming back within the next [27:46] few weeks to do about 200 more. Um [27:48] [snorts] we usually hold off uh doing the catch basins that we're going [27:54] to chip seal because there's no sense in [27:56] cleaning them out twice. Um [snorts] [27:59] we start we started around the lake [28:00] especially this year. I got them in [28:02] super early because we as you guys know [28:05] we we were running real low with the [28:06] salt. So, I got I wanted to make sure [28:09] the lake got done first before all the [28:11] sand uh got into the lake. [28:15] Uh [28:18] let's see. Uh okay, guardrail [28:21] replacement. [28:23] As you guys know, you've seen the old [28:25] rope guard rail around town. Half of the [28:27] rope's missing. A lot of the poles are [28:30] uh are broken. So, [snorts] [28:33] um I'm doing my my predecessor slowly is [28:36] replacing it little by little um so we [28:40] don't get hit all at once. It's being [28:42] replaced with the the metal flex beam [28:45] which is way better crash rating. Um we [28:48] replaced uh 1,237 [28:51] ft [28:53] and we did it on we did one section on [28:56] Lake Road and two on Bunker Hill Road. [29:00] uh line striping. We line we did the [29:03] library parking lot. Um OSHA came [29:06] through last last year and actually um [29:11] uh told them that they had to have a [29:13] walkway going in the bottom of the [29:16] library and there was uh the cement [29:18] curbing that was put in there. The uh [29:21] OSHA inspector actually tripped over [29:22] that curbing to get into the bottom of [29:24] the uh bottom door there. So, we removed [29:27] that. But in order to have a walkway [29:29] there, we had to restripe we had to [29:31] restripe the whole parking lot. So we [29:34] took one of the uh handicap spots from [29:37] up top and we moved it down below. So [29:39] there's a handicap spot there and we [29:42] restriped the whole the rest of the [29:44] parking lot. Um we did line removal. So [29:48] any chip sealed road that we had, we had [29:51] to remove the lines. If you don't do [29:53] that, the the mulion or the rubber chip [29:56] will not stick to the epoxy paint. So, [29:59] that has to be removed. Um, if you look [30:02] in some towns where they don't do it, [30:04] what'll happen is they'll run their plow [30:05] down the center and you'll see a nice [30:07] bright yellow line on a brand new chip [30:09] sealed road. Um, it actually happened in [30:12] our the last town I was in as well. [30:15] >> [snorts] [30:16] >> Um, we're going to start putting uh I'm [30:19] going to start I'm going to have the uh [30:21] company come in and install uh stop bars [30:24] and lines for the roads that were chip [30:26] sealed last year. So that's uh [30:29] Skinnerill uh Gilead [30:33] Cone and I think that's it. That's what [30:37] was done. Um, we're also going to next [30:42] hope as long as the catch basin project [30:44] on uh Bernat Brook goes well next [30:47] [snorts] week we're going to start uh [30:49] the uh prepping the area for the [30:51] handicap spot down at the new park at [30:53] the pick where the pickle ball is. Um [30:55] we're going to have to have that lined [30:57] as well to mark that out for the [31:00] handicap spots. Um we use a again we use [31:04] a high reflective uh epoxy paint. It [31:07] lasts it lasts two to three times longer [31:10] than the regular conventional paint. Um, [31:14] and if it's done right, it is and put [31:17] down the year after, it should last [31:18] many, many years. [31:21] Um, materials we use this year to date, [31:25] processed stone and top soil, uh, [31:27] [snorts] 8,600 bucks, catch basin [31:30] products, pipes, cement, uh, uh, [31:33] fittings, etc. it was $6,000. [31:38] Um, pending projects that we have, [31:41] again, like I mentioned, we're going to pay get we're going to [31:45] prep and pave the uh handicap area down [31:47] at the new park. We're also [snorts] [31:49] going to run some conduit for uh [31:51] cameras. I've talked to Bob Downer. Um, [31:54] I met with him to see where the cameras [31:56] will will work. So before we go uh [31:59] paving everything down there, we're [32:01] [snorts] going to run the conduit to the [32:03] to one light pole into the pavilion. [32:06] There's already conduit coming out of [32:07] the shed that's down there. I had the [32:09] contractor put that in prior to him um [32:13] prior to him putting the shed on on top [32:16] of the electrical panel down there. [32:19] Um as you can see our salt, we're going [32:21] to repair our salt shed. Uh [snorts] the [32:23] walls are starting to come apart. Um [32:26] over time the salt the water has gotten [32:29] in into the uh the cracks of the um [32:32] cement and starting to pop the concrete. [32:35] Um I didn't noticed that it was this bad [32:37] until uh this past winter. Uh again it [32:40] was too late to do anything cuz it was [32:42] as you guys know it was zero out. [32:44] [snorts] [32:44] So we're we're kind of lucky that we [32:47] didn't fill the salt shed because now we [32:49] can move it out. We can repair half of [32:51] it. Move the other half over and repair [32:53] that half. Um, this is just a temporary [32:56] fix. Um, that longterm we're going to [32:59] have to do something because the um, as [33:02] you can see in one of the pictures, the [33:04] um, the salt's already gotten into the [33:06] uh, rebar. Once it gets into the rebar, [33:09] it it rusts and it actually will pop the [33:11] concrete and pop sections of the wall [33:13] out. Uh, [33:18] Chamberlain Pond, that's another project [33:20] coming up. Um, that's that's further [33:23] down on the agenda. in my uh monthly [33:25] report. Um you guys are gonna I I um [33:29] cost that all out. Um you'll see that uh [33:33] what we're going to have what it's going [33:35] to cost to do that job. We're not going [33:37] to get to it this we're not going to get [33:39] to it before winter. We just have too [33:41] much other stuff going on. We have to [33:42] start prepping for winter. We got to get [33:44] the salt shed done. We got to pave like [33:46] I was telling you the uh the parking [33:48] area down at the new park. [33:49] >> [snorts] [33:50] >> Um, if we get a warm winter, if you guys [33:52] approve this, we can uh we can start it [33:54] this winter or we'll get it like late spring. [33:58] Um, the fuel system um they actually [34:01] started installing that today. Uh, the [34:03] pump is up and running. Um, they I was [34:08] uh they showed me how to enter in [34:11] everything and how to how to retrieve [34:13] information out of it. there. It's still [34:16] in the uh what we call the default mode [34:18] right now because we have to enter in [34:21] all the keys for it and for all the [34:24] vehicles and then we have to everybody [34:26] needs their own PIN number so we can [34:28] track who's using what [snorts] who's [34:31] using what where for that for that [34:33] system. Um, so for the time being, [34:36] probably I want to say for maybe another [34:38] week, we're still going to have to write [34:39] it on paper and then once all the keys [34:42] are handed out and everybody has a code, [34:45] we'll just cut it off and everybody can [34:46] start using the pump. [34:49] Um [snorts] future projects coming up. [34:53] Um the AES town hall and fire department [34:56] parking lots. Um they've outlived their [35:00] uh lifespans. Uh with AES being the [35:03] worst. Um I'm going to start getting [35:06] quotes on to redo all three parking [35:08] lots. The um there's the curbing shot. [35:12] They'll probably do the same thing like [35:14] we do with Ridge. have them come in, [35:15] reclaim it, pave it, line it. There's I [35:20] believe in the upper AES parking lot, [35:22] there's two or there's one one or two [35:24] basins that we can't do. They're just [35:27] they're they're too deep and we don't [35:29] have the the equipment to to actually [35:32] fix them. [snorts] Um I want to do the [35:34] same thing again. Same same thing like [35:37] on Ridge. I want to repair everything. [35:39] We fix it. if it needs it, we're going [35:41] to put it in and then we can walk away [35:44] from it for 20 years. But, uh, there the [35:47] most of the, um, basins we can do. Um, [35:50] we actually had to fix one this past [35:52] summer. Um, we'll look at the piping. [35:55] Um, we can back fill [35:58] everything as well. That's another cost savings. [36:02] Um, another future project is the DPW [36:06] generator. the de the the generator is actually from the [36:11] Vietnam era. Um it's very unreliable. We [36:15] have to shut many circuits down in that [36:18] facility so we don't burn anything out. [36:20] Um one of the things especially we just [36:23] spent $30,000 on a brand new pump. Our [36:26] fire alarm system, we're going to have [36:28] to do something with that. Um, and this [36:31] generator is not, it just doesn't have [36:34] the surge protecting in it or the [36:37] capability to even keep up on most of [36:39] the building. Um, [36:43] in the end, I'm going to ask for an [36:46] additional pickup truck. Um, this summer [36:49] really showcased. We had a lot of work. [36:51] Um, and we were driving around for [36:54] transportation transportation using [36:56] $300,000 trucks. These trucks nowadays [37:00] are not designed to just putt around. [37:02] They're designed to work. Um the [37:04] emission systems on these things are are [37:07] very expensive and if we're just using [37:10] it for transportation, they're going to [37:12] load up and create all sorts of problems [37:14] in the engines. Um we've had to take one [37:17] of these to training. Um [37:21] it's [snorts] we we we really need [37:23] another another pickup truck. Um, if we [37:26] do we if we do get one, I like to put a [37:29] plow and sander on it. That would be the [37:31] truck that I would use in the winter [37:34] time. So, when I'm out doing parking [37:36] lots or if I'm doing helping somebody do [37:38] a dead end or even if I'm doing a small [37:40] road around the lake, I have material [37:42] on, I can hit it and it's less time [37:44] somebody has to come back. Um, we do [37:48] have money in um in tar. We could get it [37:52] out of that with your approval. I do [37:54] have some uh numbers from probably 6 [37:58] months ago that I could I could give you [38:00] guys if you would like just to see, [38:03] [snorts] but like everything else as you [38:05] guys have seen, everything's gone [38:06] through the roof. So, it's pro those [38:07] numbers probably aren't even real [38:09] numbers right now. [38:11] Um the tree work, tree work, we're going [38:15] to have to increase that line item as [38:17] well. The cost of the contractors are [38:19] going up. As you guys know, again, [38:22] you've driven by a diesel pump. It was I [38:24] saw it out on Route 6 today. It was 619 [38:26] a gallon. Um the last my my predecessor [38:30] did a great job with removing trees and [38:32] doing canopy work. I can say since I've [38:35] been here since November, I've gotten [38:38] two calls on trees coming down. Um the [38:41] last job I was at at least minimum twice [38:44] a week the that town was going out to to [38:48] pick trees up off the road. So, I'm I'm [38:51] very impressed on the on just the tree [38:53] work alone that's been done here. Um, it [38:57] keeps the public safe and it helps us, [39:00] too. If we can do canopy work, if we can [39:02] get the sun in there, it dries the road [39:04] out so you don't have a wet base. Um, we [39:07] don't have to put as much salt down. Um, [39:09] we don't have to plow it as much because [39:11] again the the sun gets in there and can [39:14] actually melt the snow better [snorts] [39:16] than putting the uh [39:19] better better than putting the salt [39:20] down. Um, we have I believe [39:26] we have we have two payments out there [39:29] uh for our debt service. One's for our [39:32] 24 John Deere roadside mower. There's [39:35] two payments left on that. Um, and then [39:38] we have one payment left on our uh [39:40] full-size plow truck, a 2024 Freight [39:43] Liner. Um, and again, we have one [39:46] payment left on that. Once once these [39:49] are paid off, I'm going to I'm going to [39:51] come back to the board and start [39:52] discussing what other piece [39:54] [clears throat] of equipment that we [39:55] would need. I'd like to start talking [39:57] about getting another uh full-size dump [40:00] truck. Our oldest one in the fleet is a [40:02] 98 Ford, and we can't even get parts for [40:05] it. So, it one step away from basically [40:09] being just a boat anchor, unfortunately. [40:12] Um, that's my take. [snorts] [40:17] Do you guys have any questions? [40:19] >> Yeah. When when do we make that last [40:21] payment for this year for the uh plow [40:25] truck? [40:27] >> I believe [40:29] >> October. [40:31] >> In October. [40:32] >> That's when it gets made. I mean, [40:34] >> that's when it comes up. Yes. The John [40:36] Deere is already paid. The payment for [40:38] the Freightlininer is is due now. [40:43] >> Yeah. And then we'll have one more after [40:45] that. [40:45] >> Correct. [40:46] >> Yes. [40:47] >> He's just doing next fiscal year. So, [40:50] it's part of it is in the report that's [40:53] coming up with his information. Um, one [40:55] thing I would sit there and tell you if [40:57] you guys have those classes or anything [40:58] like that, could you please uh get with [41:01] Matt and get with um a test to sit there [41:04] and see if there's any of the vehicles [41:06] available from um you know the the [41:11] fleet, the senior driving fleet that you [41:13] might be able to use. Would have been [41:14] better for you to take a van than take [41:16] the truck. [41:19] >> Right. [41:21] We get that new van. [41:23] You guys could take the old one, drive [41:25] people around with that. [41:27] >> Yeah. [41:29] >> Let's sit there and get [41:30] >> Let's get test engaged so we know [41:33] >> what can and can't be done. But I mean [41:35] you guys have all the certification to [41:36] drive any of those vehicles if you [41:38] needed. [41:38] >> Yes. [41:40] >> Okay. So um you know from starting from [41:45] page you know nine down these are all of [41:48] the July transactions for public works. [41:52] So, go ahead, Eric. [41:57] I don't think [41:58] >> I don't think there's anything really [42:00] need to say other than if somebody has [42:02] any questions. [42:03] >> Page page 11 and page 10 are reversed. [42:06] Page 11 should be before page 10, but [42:08] somehow they got switched. [42:10] >> Um, [42:13] a couple big purchases in there. One of [42:15] them I bought a spare loader tire for [42:18] the uh for our loader. Um [snorts] again [42:20] in my last job since our loader is the [42:23] primary piece um we as it was in my last job um we we wrecked the tire [42:31] doing moving some stuff off the road in [42:34] emergency and it took 4 days to get a [42:36] tire for it and then another day to get [42:38] it put on. Um, this way we have it. If [42:42] something happens, we can call the tire [42:44] service and we're probably back up in 2 [42:46] or 3 hours instead of 3 or 4 days. [42:49] >> Well, that 275562 [42:52] is a spare loader tire. [42:54] >> Yes. [42:55] >> Okay. [42:56] >> Um, what typically what happens is uh [42:58] that's through Pete's Tire Barn. We're [43:00] on a state bid. So, if you were to go [43:02] buy that tire, it' probably be almost [43:04] $4,000. [43:06] Um, so we get government pricing for [43:08] that. Um, typically what they always [43:12] tell you, "Oh, we can get it. We can get [43:14] it." And then when you need it, they're [43:15] like, "Oh, yeah. We can get it in like 3 [43:17] days or something like that." And again, [43:19] in a in in a snowstorm, in any type of [43:22] emergency, that's basically our [43:23] frontline piece. And if we need it, we [43:26] have it. And I can just call them, [43:27] they'll come out, put it on, and like I [43:29] said, within 2 three hours, we're we're [43:31] moving. Um, I I've I've talked to some of you guys. I'm kind of I'm not a [43:37] prepper, but I like to be prepared in [43:40] case something happens. Um, another [43:43] thing we another thing we did was we I [43:46] bought a uh last fiscal year I bought a [43:48] 100gallon gas tank and just to have 100 [43:53] gallons of gas at our facility. This [43:55] past winter twice when we had those big [43:58] snowstorms, we went to go fuel our [44:00] trucks for our gas and both gas stations [44:03] were out of gas. [44:05] Um they got it they got it in like the [44:08] next day, but again if we're plowing at [44:10] night and we need it, we have it. Power [44:12] goes out, it's out on Route 6, you're [44:14] not getting gas. So I'm going to always [44:17] have that tank. It runs off a battery so [44:20] we can if again our Vietnam War [44:23] generator dies, we can still pump gas [44:26] into our trucks. Um [44:30] the other big the other big item was too [44:32] on that for the vehicle maintenance um [44:34] the tires on uh my truck need were were [44:38] gone. So I had to buy four tires and [44:40] have those mounted as well. [44:43] >> But [44:45] does anyone have any questions for [44:48] uh Eric regarding any of the [44:50] transactions in the month I know it's a [44:52] small month but the month of July. [44:57] Okay. Um Eric, page of 12 is your the [45:03] fund balances, the capital reserve funds [45:05] that you're responsible for. Um this [45:10] first report uh and we need to make a [45:12] correction to it uh from the cycle of it [45:17] shouldn't be July 30th to July 31st. So [45:19] there's no there's very minor changes. [45:21] That's not the information that board [45:23] should look at or the public should look [45:24] at. You should look at pages 13 and page [45:27] 13. Those are all the transactions that [45:30] Eric was talking to us about related to [45:33] um Aby's and Hannes and and the [45:37] materials that he bought from uh for the [45:41] chip ceiling that he put down. So that's [45:43] all under the road improvement fund. And [45:45] then Scott, you can sit there and see [45:47] the John Deere payment was uh 47,808. [45:52] >> And the credits are the amount that the [45:56] residents funded through taxation for [45:59] these. So the equipment uh reserve fund [46:03] was funded $125,000, [46:06] $47,000 for the John Deere, and then the [46:08] other payment is related to the truck. [46:12] 385,000 funded for road improvement and [46:15] then $50,000 for the tree removal fund. [46:20] So, [46:22] anybody have any questions related to [46:23] those transactions? [46:27] Okay, Eric, thank you very much. It's [46:29] appreciated. Uh the the roads look good [46:32] and uh thank you for uh for everything [46:35] that you do. [46:36] >> Yeah, it was excellent report, Eric. [46:39] >> Thank you. All right. Um uh we we also [46:43] have uh Roberta Dherty who is our town [46:46] clerk on. So Roberta if you can come and [46:49] join uh the meeting. [46:52] >> Yep. I'm off mute. [46:54] >> There you go. All right, Roberta. Um [46:57] here you go. It's it's yours. You can go [46:59] through your presentation. [47:01] >> So I uh worked on the annual report [47:04] which is due anyway which gives you an [47:06] overview of everything that our office [47:08] has done in the last fiscal year. Um, so [47:10] if you have any questions about that, we [47:12] can go through that. I'm happy to answer [47:15] uh [clears throat] everything that I'm [47:16] familiar with. Um, otherwise, I just [47:19] have some other fun and exciting things [47:20] to talk about that we've been working on [47:22] since I got elected in this office. [47:25] >> Uh, I do have a question. So, [47:27] >> Sure. [47:27] >> when you're doing um your statistics for [47:30] fiscal year 2526. [47:33] >> Yep. [47:33] >> So, that ran from July 1st to June 30th, [47:36] correct? July 1st of 25 to June 30th of [47:40] 2026. [47:41] >> Correct. [47:42] >> And so we had seven marriages, 23 [47:45] deaths, and 18 births. [47:48] >> Yes. [47:49] >> And the births are calculated or how are [47:52] they how are they reported so we know? [47:55] So the births come through a website [47:57] through the state of Connecticut for [47:59] anybody that was either born in the town [48:02] of Andover or um parents were residents [48:05] of the town of Andover. [48:09] >> So 18 18 births to residents who live in [48:13] the town of Andover [48:14] >> or lived in the town of Andover during [48:16] that time or use the address. So they [48:19] could be residing at their parents [48:20] house. It just that's the residence they [48:22] put on the birth certificate when they [48:26] fill it out. [48:28] >> So, our town is contracting by five [48:31] residents. [48:33] >> I don't know whether those births, those [48:36] new babies still live here or not. I [48:38] just know that they were residents of [48:40] the town when they were born. [48:42] >> No, no, no. I was talking the deaths [48:43] versus [48:44] >> Oh, the deaths. Yeah. But, and the [48:46] deaths also are the same situation. It's [48:49] either if you've died in the town of [48:51] Andover or if you resided in the town of [48:53] Andover when you passed away. But if you [48:55] were like living in a nursing home and [48:57] not using but still owned a home in [48:59] Andover, we might not get that death [49:01] certificate [49:03] >> because your residence isn't considered [49:05] Andover. [49:06] >> Okay. [49:08] All right. Thank you. [49:12] >> Any other questions about this report? [49:19] Okay. [gasps] [49:24] » So, if there's no questions about this, [49:25] I'll talk about the other things that I [49:27] have going on in the office. Um, one of [49:30] the things that I did once I got elected [49:33] and first of all, thank you for giving [49:34] me the opportunity to speak with you and [49:36] let you understand what the uh town [49:38] clerk's office does. Um, and I'm happy [49:41] to answer any questions while uh I put [49:44] out this information. Um, so one of the [49:47] first things I did was I wanted to uh [49:50] get the contract for the land records [49:52] program that we use. And uh we were just [49:56] recently renewed to a 5-year contract. [49:58] So I think I think I have three more [50:00] years left, three or four more years [50:01] left of this contract. But um our [50:04] contract included a cashiering system. [50:07] This information is not in the um [50:11] it's not in the you know report because [50:13] it happened I started working with this [50:15] stuff after [50:18] the fiscal year. So our land our [50:20] contract with the land record system [50:22] offers a cashiering system with a [50:24] cashier drawer and a validator and a [50:27] receipt printer that we were not using. [50:30] And so I have uh we had contacted the [50:34] company and we've gotten those um [50:37] products into our office now and we're [50:40] learning how to implement them for our [50:42] LAN record system. Um if you come and [50:45] [clears throat] record a document, [50:46] you'll see that we have the volume and [50:49] page and doc number will be stamped on [50:52] with our validator instead of [50:54] handstamped like we've done before. Um, [50:57] it allows us, it will allow us to run [50:59] state reports with the system and not [51:02] have to hand count every month like [51:03] we've done previously. [51:06] It should be able to help us in the [51:08] future with all our cashiering needs, [51:10] not just land records, and be able to [51:12] run reports back to the uh treasurer's [51:16] office to um figure out how much money [51:20] we brought in for different uh [51:23] different things that we charge for in [51:25] the office. [51:26] So that was exciting for us. Um, every [51:29] year the town clerks are offered a grant [51:34] um for historic preservation. [51:37] So this past fiscal year, we got a new [51:42] uh revolving fireproof vitals cabinet. [51:46] Our vitals cabinet that we had in the [51:48] vault was so packed it didn't have room [51:50] for another book uh vitals book. So, we [51:53] have a brand new cabinet that locks and [51:56] it will um it doubled the space and then [51:59] also gave more space to the cabinet it [52:03] was in, which could be used for [52:04] something else in the vault. Um, public [52:08] works helped me and rearranged my vault [52:11] so we it would all fit. It gave me the [52:13] opportunity to clean up the vault and [52:15] organize the vault. Um, so that's really [52:19] exciting. This new uh blocking [52:23] revolving cabinet in my vault. [52:27] Um we with transfer station stickers, we [52:31] are now um always putting it [52:34] automatically on the Excel spreadsheet [52:37] at the time of selling the sticker. So [52:38] we will no longer have to reenter all [52:41] the information from a handwritten sheet [52:43] at the time of sale. So, that should [52:47] help later be able to search more and [52:49] find the information regarding uh people [52:52] with the transportation stickers a lot [52:54] quicker [52:55] and um not have to redo the work twice. [52:59] Um Lauren and I have gone through and [53:03] tried to organize all the drawers and [53:05] cabinets in the office and see what we [53:08] needed and what we had that we didn't [53:10] need. [53:11] We had uh Willie come in and paint the [53:14] office. Um he rehung our bulletin [53:17] boards. He made some other repairs. He [53:18] painted our ceiling and all of our uh [53:22] door frames and window frames. So um [53:25] it's made a noticeable difference in the [53:26] office. It creates a really nice work [53:28] environment for Lauren and myself. And a [53:31] number of occasions residents have come [53:33] into the office and commented how [53:35] wonderful it looks. So that's really [53:37] good. Um, we are constantly looking for [53:40] ways to improve our process. I've been [53:42] visiting other town clerks across the [53:44] state. I just had the town clerk of [53:46] Cromwell come in two weeks ago and help [53:49] me with the land record systems. Um, [53:52] we're also working on documenting, [53:54] creating manuals and checklists of all [53:56] the procedures in the office. So, in the [53:58] very far future, if we have a new town [54:01] clerk or a new assistant town clerk, um [54:04] they can take over the office without a [54:06] lot of guidance. [54:08] So, those are some of the major things [54:11] that we've done since I've been elected [54:13] in November. [54:16] >> Okay. Um why don't we slide down? uh [54:20] your budget isn't that significant, but [54:24] is there anything that we should be [54:26] thinking about or you want to bring us [54:29] bring to our attention? [54:31] >> Um the only thing is that during um the [54:34] spring [54:36] June is the same month at June is the [54:39] dog licensing month. We've licensed 207 [54:42] dogs in the month of June. Most of those [54:45] were uh people that came into the office [54:47] to uh get licensed, but it's also the [54:51] same time that people come in for [54:52] transfer station stickers. And it just [54:55] makes the office extremely busy with [54:58] vacations and everything like that. It's [55:00] a time of year where we might need to [55:01] bring in some extra help to lessen the [55:04] burden on uh the office with both those [55:08] things at the same time or talk about at [55:10] another time maybe changing the date of [55:12] the renewals of the transfer stationers. [55:15] But it's something I'm exploring and uh [55:17] when I have a better plan I will bring [55:19] to the board of selectman. [55:22] Okay. [55:23] >> It [clears throat] would be good to [55:24] bring a plan to spread it out. I think [55:27] it would work. So [55:32] whether you change the date of the dog [55:34] licensing or you change the date [55:35] >> the dog licensing cannot be changed. It [55:37] has to be the month starts the month of [55:39] June and there's nothing I can do about [55:40] that. That's state [55:42] >> state [clears throat] statute. Okay. [55:43] >> Yeah. [55:44] >> Let's look at our transfer station [55:46] stickers and see if we might be able to [55:47] spread it out in some manner. [55:49] >> Right. Right. [55:51] >> Um any of the other members of the board [55:54] have any other questions for the town [55:55] clerk? Very [55:59] nice report, Roberta. [56:01] >> Say that again, Scott. [56:02] >> Very nice report, Robera. Thank you very [56:04] much. [56:05] >> Thank you. Yeah, it was it was [56:07] interesting to look at all those numbers [56:08] at the end of the year um to see how [56:12] much we do in a year. [56:15] >> Um Robera, the office does look very [56:18] nice. The new uh you know, rotating file [56:22] system was a nice addition to the vault. [56:25] Um, so thank you and it's appreciated. [56:28] >> I can show that off too. I can if you [56:31] want if you take me off shared screen, I [56:33] could um maybe [56:35] >> Well, how about we have everybody come [56:37] into your office and say hello? [56:39] >> I am hoping to do another um open house [56:42] like I did last year after I got [56:44] elected. I'm hoping the whole town hall [56:45] will uh work with me with this year and [56:50] invite all the town residents in to see [56:53] us and talk with us. I always say it's [56:55] always an open house in the town hall. [56:57] Just we don't always have food to share, [56:59] but when we do have a formal open house, [57:01] we do have food to share. [57:03] >> Okay. All right. Any uh any other [57:05] questions from anyone else? [57:08] >> All right, Robera, thank you very much. [57:10] I appreciate it. [57:10] >> Yeah, reach out to me anytime if anybody [57:12] has any questions. Thank you. Got it. [57:14] >> All right. [57:15] Um, we're going to move on to [57:18] item six, resignations. Matt, I don't [57:20] believe we have any. [57:22] And if you can stop sharing, that would [57:24] be great. [57:25] Um, [57:27] okay. Um, I don't believe we have any [57:30] rec uh resignations at this month. Uh, [57:33] item seven, appointments. Uh, I know we [57:35] have the rec commission. [57:38] Um [57:41] I I would sit there and and this is to [57:43] the board members first and then we will [57:46] sit there and and hear from the members [57:49] uh or the residents that are applicants [57:51] for the rec commission. Um there are 11 [57:54] applicants for the rec commission and [57:56] I'm just going to read them because we [57:58] had gotten their their information. [58:00] There's Ben Harp. There's Grace [58:02] Gustanian. There's Jacob Gdamsky. [58:04] There's Megan Lai. There's Jasmine [58:07] Baralt, Linda Armstrong, Melissa [58:09] Latesca, Haley Proto, Tori Goldberg, and [58:13] Sarah Zitney. Um, [58:15] >> that's 10, Jeff. [58:17] >> That's 10. Did I miss Did I Did I miss [58:19] anyone? [58:22] >> Nope. Not so [58:26] I thought I had an email that's at 11. [58:28] Um, all right. As long as I didn't miss [58:30] anybody, um, what I would recommend is [58:34] that we appoint everyone to the WCK [58:36] commission. Yeah, that would be me. Um, [58:41] the WEC Commission is um an organization [58:45] that always needs volunteers and um I'm ecstatic that we had that many [58:54] people put their names forth for the WCK [58:57] commission. Um [59:00] the way I see the reccomission moving [59:02] forward [59:03] its primary function will be to sit and [59:07] [clears throat] deal with as youth [59:10] recreational sports and then to assist [59:13] with uh direct involvement from the [59:16] community center director to do [59:20] functional uh activities such as [59:23] concerts and the uh the veterans [59:27] memorial. Memorial [59:28] >> Veterans Memorial Day, [59:30] >> you know. So, um, having as many [59:33] volunteers as possible would be, I [59:36] think, a valuable thing for the [59:38] community. [59:39] >> So, um, but [59:41] >> how many [59:42] >> Go ahead. [59:43] >> How many of these the 10 are directly [59:47] aided related to the youth [59:50] sports? [59:52] Are they all? Well, everybody would be, [59:54] but I mean, um, why don't we [59:57] >> why don't we ask and and you know, we [1:00:02] don't need um uh since we want to [1:00:05] appoint everybody, we don't need to sit [1:00:08] there and and go and have a significant long [1:00:14] uh conversation, but why don't we go [1:00:16] through and let the individuals say a [1:00:19] quick hello and what they're interested [1:00:21] in and we'll go from Right. Is that okay [1:00:23] with the breast of the members? [1:00:25] >> Yeah, sounds good. [1:00:26] >> All right, we'll start with Ben Harp [1:00:28] because he was first on our list. [1:00:31] >> Hey, just want to say hi to everybody. [1:00:34] Um, yes, my I have a daughter in the [1:00:37] youth basketball program. Um, but I'm [1:00:40] also [1:00:42] interested in just recreation in general [1:00:44] for the town. Um, I would like to [1:00:46] potentially [1:00:48] in the future start a far farmers market [1:00:51] again and I do like the um the concerts [1:00:54] and stuff. Um, just get the town [1:00:58] recreating. Uh, that's all for me. [1:01:01] >> Uh, Grace Gustinian. [1:01:06] » Hi everyone. Um, I think I know many of [1:01:08] you who are on this meeting right now. [1:01:10] Um, so I, you know, I'm all for the [1:01:13] kids. I think it's really important that [1:01:15] we support youth sports, but I also want [1:01:18] to represent the adult community as [1:01:19] well. Um, many of you know that I play [1:01:23] pickle ball quite often and have been [1:01:25] very active in the program in Andover. [1:01:27] So, I'd like to see more activities for [1:01:31] our, you know, older adults perhaps. [1:01:35] >> Thank you. Right. Um, I noticed I just [1:01:39] let in Jacob Gdowski, so I'll let Jacob [1:01:42] speak. [1:01:48] Welcome back to Jake. Megan Lai. [1:01:53] » Hi everyone. Yep. I'm Megan Lai. Um I've [1:01:56] lived in and over I think 15 years now. [1:01:58] I have uh two kids in the elementary [1:01:59] school. So I am, you know, definitely [1:02:02] interested in elementary school stuff [1:02:03] and I've been coordinating u basketball [1:02:05] over the the last month to keep things [1:02:07] moving along. But I kind of echo Grace's [1:02:09] thoughts at the same time too as um I [1:02:12] don't know if I'm going to classify [1:02:13] myself as an older adult, but maybe a [1:02:15] younger adult. [laughter] Um you know, I [1:02:17] think the town we have some great things [1:02:20] going on, but I think we could certainly [1:02:21] do more for um you know, our adult [1:02:23] community as well. So I'd love to, you [1:02:26] know, help try to come up with ideas [1:02:27] along those lines as well. Um happy to [1:02:29] answer any questions anyone has. I did [1:02:31] just want to point out, Jeeoff, that [1:02:32] there's technically five regular member [1:02:34] seats. So, if you appoint everyone, you [1:02:36] may wish to decide who the five regular [1:02:39] members are so there isn't confusion [1:02:41] there. And I know Linda Armstrong, who [1:02:43] is the one person left on the [1:02:44] commission, was interested in moving [1:02:46] from an alternate to a regular member. I [1:02:48] don't think she's on the call. So, I [1:02:49] just wanted to mention that. [1:02:52] >> Is uh is that in the charter? [1:02:55] >> It is. [1:02:58] >> Okay. [1:03:03] » All right. Um, [1:03:05] Jasmine Burl. [1:03:08] >> Hi. Um, I agree with uh Megan and Grace. [1:03:14] Um, I have children in the community, [1:03:17] but I also would like to offer other [1:03:20] programs for families or the adults. Um, [1:03:24] I do have um I am interested in the [1:03:28] sports aspect as well, but I'm just [1:03:31] looking to make this town even more [1:03:37] um more activities for them. [1:03:41] >> That is all. [1:03:42] >> All right. Thank you, Linda Armstrong. [1:03:49] » She might not be here. Uh me uh Melissa [1:03:52] Lesca. [1:03:54] >> Hi Melissa Lesca. Um for anyone who [1:03:57] doesn't know me, I have been a teacher [1:03:58] at AAS for almost 20 years. So um I have [1:04:01] been directly involved with the youth of [1:04:03] this community for a long time. Um now [1:04:06] as uh my children have also um been [1:04:09] involved with basketball since they were [1:04:11] in preschool. So I have directly been a [1:04:14] part of the um youth sports as well. Um, [1:04:18] I'm looking to bridge the gap between [1:04:21] the collaboration between the community [1:04:22] and the recck department. Um, and have [1:04:26] our rec department become cohesive with [1:04:28] the community in the community center. [1:04:32] >> Uh, Haley Proto. [1:04:38] » Hi, thank you so much. Um, yes, [1:04:42] definitely interested in youth sports. [1:04:44] My son participates in the basketball [1:04:48] and also interested just as everybody [1:04:51] else has been saying in the community [1:04:53] events. I really enjoy being in the [1:04:56] community and think that these events [1:04:58] give a lot of opportunity for people to [1:05:02] mingle, meet one another, and it just [1:05:04] makes Andover stronger overall. [1:05:08] >> Okay, thank you. Um, is Tori Goldberg on [1:05:11] with us? [1:05:15] Okay. And I know we have Sarah Zitney. [1:05:21] At least I thought we did. [1:05:30] Okay. Um, [1:05:35] so I I actually [clears throat] have [1:05:37] asked the town attorney to look at the [1:05:40] charter, but Megan, I'm going to sit [1:05:41] there and and say you're right. Okay. [1:05:45] So, [1:05:45] >> I didn't mean to come off that way. I [1:05:47] just [1:05:49] [laughter] [1:05:50] >> my memory. I think I think the committee [1:05:53] should uh embrace all of the the [1:05:57] individuals and um [1:06:01] you know I'm not a big believer in in [1:06:06] limiting you know a volunteer group. So, [1:06:09] I hope they all can have uh votes, but [1:06:12] um I'd like to um [1:06:17] well, I like to open it up to the other [1:06:19] members who who I mean, I could tell you [1:06:22] who I would sit there and and put on if [1:06:24] there was just five members that were uh [1:06:28] and then I would leave everyone else as [1:06:31] an alternate at a point. Everyone else [1:06:32] is an alternate. [1:06:34] But anybody [1:06:36] How about I go through my people? I I [1:06:38] would sit there and um I would put I [1:06:43] would put um Megan Lai, Melissa Latesca, [1:06:46] Haley Proto, Grace Castanian, and Ben [1:06:49] Harp because I think it fills out the [1:06:52] group of people that are there's a lot [1:06:56] of people there that are related to [1:06:57] youth sports and athletics and and I [1:07:00] know we also have Jacob Gdamsky. I know [1:07:02] he he his son is in uh uh AES and is in the basketball [1:07:10] program, but I think that would fill out [1:07:14] rounding it out to allow people to [1:07:18] uh have different interests like Ben [1:07:19] having an interest in the farmers [1:07:21] market, Grace having an interest more in [1:07:24] pickle ball, Megan, Melissa and focusing [1:07:28] on the youth sports aspect, and Haley [1:07:30] having previously worked at the uh [1:07:34] community center. [1:07:39] Anybody else? [1:07:43] An go ahead. [1:07:46] >> A pretty good start. I almost think that [1:07:48] we might want to let the whole group [1:07:50] meet and then sort of see who's got [1:07:54] strengths among the group instead of [1:07:57] just us looking at it. and they might [1:08:00] feel like they want to shift that by one [1:08:02] or two people. [snorts] [1:08:05] >> Well, if any of the five members didn't [1:08:07] want to sit there and continue, they [1:08:09] could sit there and resign or turn over [1:08:13] their [1:08:15] seated position to an alternate, [1:08:17] >> right? [1:08:18] >> Yeah, that's what I think. We should [1:08:20] leave it sort of open to being able to [1:08:22] do that and not just say, "Well, this is [1:08:24] the five." [1:08:26] Well, if our if if our role I mean [1:08:31] our role is to appoint the best group of [1:08:33] people, I I would like all 11 or all 10 [1:08:37] to be full members. If by charter, which [1:08:40] Dennis is telling me, [1:08:42] >> well, I had already told Megan she was [1:08:44] right. Right. So, I have I don't have [1:08:46] the charter in front of me, but I asked [1:08:47] Dennis to look at it. Dennis said that's [1:08:49] accurate. There's only five needed [1:08:51] members of [1:08:52] >> the rec commission. We need to appoint [1:08:54] five members. How many alternates? [1:08:56] >> Two. [1:08:56] >> We can we can appoint I I I don't I will [1:09:00] violate the charter to appoint all the [1:09:02] alternates. [1:09:04] >> Yeah, [1:09:04] >> that'd be good. [1:09:05] >> Um I also I mean in in part I do agree [1:09:10] with Ann in that um that I I thought [1:09:14] maybe I misinterpreted Megan. um she had [1:09:17] said that Linda Armstrong wasn't on the [1:09:19] call, but she was interested and she was [1:09:22] one of the only people left on the [1:09:23] commission when the rest of the [1:09:24] commission had resigned. I didn't know [1:09:26] if she was interested in holding one of [1:09:28] those roles. So, I I didn't want to [1:09:30] leave her out. But that but then again, [1:09:33] maybe based on everybody's time and what [1:09:36] they have to put in it, maybe they want [1:09:38] to tweak the, you know, maybe one or two [1:09:42] standing members. [1:09:45] Uh while I understand that and I do I do [1:09:49] understand that Christine I I'm just [1:09:54] looking at the overall group and trying [1:09:56] to find the right people to fit [1:09:59] >> and to at least have a voice for [1:10:01] different segments of um [1:10:06] different segments of the community. [1:10:09] So, um, [1:10:14] Ashley, if you can put your hand down [1:10:17] for one second. Um, uh, [1:10:22] okay. [1:10:24] So, five members who shall serve [1:10:27] two-year terms. Okay. Um, thank you, [1:10:31] >> Matt. You can No. [1:10:36] >> Okay. [1:10:38] I mean, Matt, I'm assuming you're doing [1:10:40] that. [1:10:41] >> I am. Yes. [1:10:43] >> Okay. [clears throat] All right. You can [1:10:44] put that down now. [1:10:47] Thank you. [1:10:49] All right. So, um [1:10:58] yeah. So, um we're not going to wait. [1:11:01] Um, [1:11:03] I think we need to appoint the five [1:11:05] members and then we appoint all the rest [1:11:08] as alternates [1:11:09] and hope that they all participate. So [1:11:14] Ashley, I'm not supposed to Well, I'm [1:11:18] going to let it go. Ashley, what would [1:11:19] you like to say? [1:11:23] » Okay, so I just have a quick question. [1:11:26] Um, is there a reason that we have to [1:11:29] appoint the five today right now versus [1:11:33] allowing time for all 10 people to get [1:11:36] together and maybe present themselves to [1:11:39] you guys as who they would [1:11:41] >> rather be. [1:11:46] So, so, um, just as a point of order, [1:11:50] I'm not I don't, you know, [1:11:53] it's only supposed to be the board of [1:11:54] selected members, but I'll answer your [1:11:56] question. So, right now, we have a [1:11:58] Veterans Day program that has to get [1:12:01] rolling and we have Halloween coming up. [1:12:03] So, it's in every and the and the [1:12:05] basketball program starts in October. [1:12:08] So, it's really in our interest and the [1:12:10] committee's interest to get this started [1:12:12] because they're going to have to appoint [1:12:13] a chairperson and they're going to have [1:12:15] to make sure that all of the the [1:12:18] functions and the [1:12:20] I mean, I'm sure Megan, you're also [1:12:22] taking you're taking applications now. [1:12:24] There's a lot of issues going on with [1:12:25] basketball as I well know, but you know, [1:12:28] we do need to appoint this and [1:12:30] >> this has to be moving. [1:12:31] >> Yeah. Listen, we may not [1:12:34] >> you might have you might have someone [1:12:35] that doesn't want to be a regular member [1:12:38] and then it's going to be the [1:12:40] committee's job to to come to us and say [1:12:43] we're going to change this. So, um [1:12:46] again, [1:12:48] I I just want to know I I understand [1:12:50] Linda Armstrong, Christine, she is the [1:12:52] one that I sat there when I looked at [1:12:54] the list. I and I and I'll tell you [1:12:56] exactly why it was like Grace Grace's is [1:12:59] more [1:13:01] pickle ball which we really need to [1:13:03] focus on getting more uh I mean that pickle ball court is probably the [1:13:08] most used thing in the community right [1:13:09] now. So, uh it would be good to have her [1:13:12] because of the list. She's the one that [1:13:14] I know there and like I said, Megan has [1:13:16] been involved in basketball forever. [1:13:18] Melissa is a direct link to the school [1:13:21] which we need to improve our [1:13:22] relationships with and and she has young [1:13:24] children and she's she's a very positive [1:13:28] person to put on that board. Haley had [1:13:30] has worked at the community center, so [1:13:32] she has a direct link to Tess, who I [1:13:35] expect to be highly engaged in this. And Ben, um Ben, I mean, I'm not going [1:13:43] to I mean, I need a male on the [1:13:45] committee and and not Ben, it's not a [1:13:48] bad thing. I could put we could put [1:13:49] Jacob on that committee, but I do think [1:13:51] Ben has asked to participate in other [1:13:53] things and it's about time that we give [1:13:55] him an opportunity to participate in [1:13:57] something. That's my take. That's how I [1:14:00] look at it. So, those are the five [1:14:03] people that I would put on to the rec [1:14:06] commission. [1:14:08] >> Second that, Jeff. [1:14:10] >> Okay. [clears throat] [1:14:11] >> I just have a question. [1:14:13] >> Sure. [1:14:14] >> With this I'm not really familiar with [1:14:16] how this committee works if we have five [1:14:19] people on the committee, but the other [1:14:22] five who are alternates can still be [1:14:25] very active. Isn't that correct? [1:14:27] >> Correct. if somebody doesn't attend the [1:14:29] meeting, they that one of the [1:14:31] individuals would be pointed to the seat [1:14:32] and have a vote. Um, listen, this um I [1:14:37] have said to Tess many times that that [1:14:40] her job is a volunteer coordinator. And [1:14:43] to be really honest, if the rec [1:14:44] commission can have as many people [1:14:46] participating as possible, it's a [1:14:49] volunteer function. And [1:14:52] >> we need people to volunteer in this [1:14:54] town. We need people to continue to move [1:14:56] into different positions so that we uh [1:14:59] you might grow from the rec commission [1:15:01] into, you know, planning and zoning and [1:15:03] from planning and zoning into the board [1:15:05] of selectman. Who knows? But [1:15:08] I think all of the people that I named, [1:15:11] there's reasons why I would put them on [1:15:13] the board on the right commission. [1:15:18] » Decision got to do. Let's vote. [1:15:21] >> Anything else? Okay. So, um, I'm going [1:15:25] to just state it for the record, Scott, [1:15:26] and I know. So, I'm going to make a a [1:15:29] motion to appoint as regular members to [1:15:31] the recreation commission, Ben Harp, [1:15:33] Grace Gustinian, Megan Lai, Melissa [1:15:36] Latesca, and Haley Proto. [1:15:39] And then in addition, I would make I [1:15:44] would add as alternates Jacob Gdamsky, [1:15:47] uh, Jasmine Baral, Linda Armstrong, Tori [1:15:51] Goldberg, and Sarah Zitney. [1:15:55] >> I'll second that, chair. [1:15:56] >> Okay, further discussion. [1:16:00] All right. Uh, Ann, how do you vote? [1:16:04] Ann votes yes. Dave Gastanian. Hi. Scott [1:16:08] Person. [1:16:09] >> Hi. [1:16:10] >> Uh Christine Rendazo. [1:16:12] >> Hi. [1:16:13] >> And Jeff Magcguire. Hi. [1:16:15] >> Okay. Um [1:16:18] and now we're going to move to item uh [1:16:20] eight of town administrators report. [1:16:22] That was a second dairy packet that was [1:16:25] posted up on the line. So Matt, all [1:16:27] yours. [1:16:29] >> All right. Uh do you mind if I put that [1:16:31] on the screen? Go ahead. Okay. [1:16:39] All right. Hopefully it came up. [1:16:42] Uh so uh good evening everyone. Uh [1:16:47] so the first thing uh was that this past [1:16:50] week uh there was a meeting at the uh [1:16:54] the Ram Regional School Board and uh [1:16:56] they put rolled out a capital projects [1:17:00] plan for the next 10 years and uh it [1:17:04] basically is uh there's $28.8 8 million [1:17:07] in high priority items and another 13 [1:17:10] million. But it was really just uh as I [1:17:12] probably explained it to the first [1:17:14] segment, they're just throwing a lot of [1:17:16] spaghetti against the wall. These are [1:17:17] all the things that they're uh [1:17:19] considering. Uh they obviously have to [1:17:21] whittle this down and they're probably [1:17:24] going to be looking at about $30 million [1:17:26] or so of projects. Um [1:17:29] the uh superintendent Colin McNamera is [1:17:33] interested in uh doing outreach to the [1:17:37] different communities because obviously [1:17:38] there's going to need to be stakeholder [1:17:40] buyin [1:17:41] and uh we would like to try and get him [1:17:44] in here. I think that uh perhaps the day [1:17:46] after Columbus Day we don't meet that [1:17:48] Monday we do the Tuesday or if we at at [1:17:51] the worst maybe in November. But I think [1:17:53] that it's important that you know there [1:17:55] we're meeting tonight uh to talk about [1:17:58] some of the items. So I I'm sure it's a [1:18:00] fluid situation with which projects uh [1:18:03] at the end of my uh uh packet there are [1:18:07] a lot of information all the information [1:18:09] that was provided to the from the board [1:18:12] of education. It's in the I mean I'm [1:18:14] looking at page 53 now which is a [1:18:16] spreadsheet of them. So, it's it's high [1:18:19] up there, but if we're not going to go [1:18:21] into the weeds tonight, it's just to let [1:18:23] you know that this is something that was [1:18:24] there. Rob England was at the same [1:18:26] meeting. Uh, and they're talking about [1:18:29] possibly uh going out to a target [1:18:32] referendum date either in November of 27 [1:18:35] or May of 28. Now, they do have some [1:18:38] items that are on there that uh I I [1:18:40] don't think that they're they're urgent [1:18:42] items that probably don't won't wait two [1:18:45] uh calendar years, basically school [1:18:47] years. Uh some of it has to do with the [1:18:49] uh their Wi-Fi at the at the school [1:18:52] campus and uh uh and then there's also [1:18:55] in the gymnasium there's a a a partition [1:18:58] that's uh giving them trouble. So those [1:19:01] are a couple things that are on the uh [1:19:03] capital projects list, but they may have [1:19:06] to come back and do those uh through [1:19:08] their regular annual capital projects. [1:19:12] Um [1:19:14] >> so one Matt, if you could break page 53 [1:19:17] out and put that up on the town's [1:19:18] website, that would be appreciated. [1:19:21] >> $43 million, Jeff. [1:19:23] >> Yeah, I know. But what it doesn't what [1:19:26] it doesn't tell you though is it doesn't [1:19:28] tell you any potential state funding. [1:19:31] Doesn't tell you how our representatives [1:19:33] are going to work together to sit there [1:19:35] and get this paid for. Um [1:19:39] it's a capital projects plan. This is [1:19:41] what we as a town should be preparing. [1:19:44] This is what the schools should be [1:19:45] preparing. This is this is a start. It [1:19:49] doesn't mean you're going to get all the [1:19:50] money, but it also doesn't tell me [1:19:54] how they're planning to pay for it. So, [1:19:56] yeah. So I I think that you know in the [1:19:58] a lot of the details there's projects [1:20:00] that are are have uh some anticipated [1:20:04] reimbursement and there's others that [1:20:06] aren't. Basically that number that uh [1:20:09] Scott was talking about that 41 million [1:20:11] for all projects in 2026 because we know [1:20:14] that there's they're planning you know [1:20:17] they're they've basically did a 4.5% per [1:20:20] year increase over time. uh if none of [1:20:23] these projects get done, they're looking [1:20:24] at like $63 million in 2036. But in that [1:20:28] $41 million, 16 million of that would be [1:20:31] anticipated reimbursement. So the [1:20:34] district cost for those would be $24.9 [1:20:37] million. Um basically anything that said [1:20:42] is re like uh a replacement or [1:20:46] renovation. [1:20:48] uh anything that's not new is uh [1:20:51] something that it will not have [1:20:53] reimbursement. But there are items like [1:20:55] uh uh some of the roofing costs uh some [1:20:59] of the safety systems uh they have a [1:21:01] that some of the items even have the the [1:21:03] tennis court needs some replacement. I [1:21:05] think that actually may have some [1:21:08] reimbursement, but the HVAC pro uh [1:21:12] projects [1:21:14] there's too many to go in and I I could [1:21:17] bore you, but uh it it I'm not prepared [1:21:19] to really go through line by line, but [1:21:22] uh Jeff makes a good point that, you [1:21:23] know, there's a a lot that still has to [1:21:26] take place, especially if they should [1:21:28] really concentrate on the items that do [1:21:30] get uh the maximum reimbursement from [1:21:33] the state. Is that a list of in [1:21:36] priority? [1:21:38] >> Uh they have certain ones that the high [1:21:41] priority if if you were on the page 53 I [1:21:44] could I don't want to jump too far [1:21:46] ahead. I guess I could [1:21:49] >> some of are high priority and and then [1:21:53] broken out into lower priorities. [1:21:55] >> Yeah. So if you can see there they have [1:21:56] the high priority items and then there's [1:21:58] like they're talking about a middle [1:22:00] school generator. They're talking about [1:22:02] uh sidewalks and stairwells and they're [1:22:04] placing be uh bleachers at the high [1:22:07] school. Um the so I think that you can [1:22:11] see that that you know this is a so even [1:22:13] if they went to uh went out to [1:22:16] referendum and say [1:22:19] >> fiscal 28 you're talking that you know [1:22:21] the pro the projects are just going to [1:22:23] continue to escalate. [1:22:25] >> Don't don't don't get let's not get [1:22:27] stuck in the weeds on the individual [1:22:28] projects. to me. I mean, what you what [1:22:31] the town should get [1:22:33] >> kind of in their heads is we represent [1:22:36] about 15% of RAM. So, the total if it [1:22:40] all came through to fruition is is, you [1:22:44] know, at the and I think I did it at the [1:22:48] projected district cost is $3.75 [1:22:51] million. So, it's not a small and it [1:22:54] will never happen once. It will never [1:22:57] happen all at one shot. So, [1:23:01] it's a it's a it's a guide. It's [1:23:03] something that we should be aware of. We [1:23:05] should let the community know this is [1:23:06] being discussed and so we can go from [1:23:09] there. [1:23:10] >> Okay. [1:23:11] >> So, uh the next item was that we did [1:23:14] have a a member of uh the finance [1:23:16] committee uh ask to attend uh well, they [1:23:20] were asking if there was funds uh to for [1:23:22] train uh to go to this FOI convention. [1:23:25] It's $90. [1:23:27] Uh [1:23:28] >> I'll pay for it. They can go. [1:23:30] >> Okay. But I also want to say if anybody [1:23:32] else was interested, it's uh Friday, [1:23:36] September 25th. Uh it might be something [1:23:39] worthwhile. Uh but if you people want to [1:23:41] think about it and uh let us know. I'm [1:23:43] sure that [snorts] uh we can find $90 [1:23:46] for a few other people to go. [1:23:50] Um, [1:23:52] this past week I had Jim Cole from the [1:23:54] Conservation Commission come in. I I I [1:23:56] obviously I've only started here a few [1:23:58] months ago. Uh, they wanted to bring me [1:24:00] up to speed that there was a project [1:24:02] called uh the Joshua's Trust uh uh path [1:24:06] plan which is on some town open space [1:24:09] that was t uh originally uh land that [1:24:11] was taken for Route 6. Uh it it was a [1:24:15] few years ago. It sort of was placed on [1:24:17] the table, I guess. Um, but he was [1:24:20] interested at least to let me know about [1:24:22] it and if there was still any interest [1:24:24] from the select board. I do not know all [1:24:27] the history to this, but uh uh there was [1:24:30] about 11 uh letters of recommendation [1:24:34] and there was uh one letter that was [1:24:36] opposed to it, but uh uh I'd be happy [1:24:40] for if somebody wanted to at some point [1:24:42] give me an update, but uh it they [1:24:44] basically uh basically want permission [1:24:46] to build a uh a path on that abuts their [1:24:51] property on some town open space. So, [1:24:56] I don't know if anybody wants to talk at [1:24:58] that. Speaking of uh some space, uh [1:25:01] Stephen King come in uh couple weeks [1:25:04] ago. Now that the parcel swap between us [1:25:08] uh meeting the town of Andover and [1:25:11] himself have been completed. He thought [1:25:13] it might be a good idea to put some out [1:25:15] some sort of announcement or press [1:25:17] release to let the people know that [1:25:18] there's that 1acre parcel that uh could [1:25:21] be used for parking alongside the Hop [1:25:24] River Trail. [1:25:27] Um [1:25:28] just I know that you know obviously [1:25:30] we've already appointed people to the [1:25:32] rec commission. I just want to remember [1:25:33] people that Veterans Day is fast [1:25:35] approaching. So hopefully they will uh [1:25:37] get together and roll up their sleeves [1:25:39] and but I just didn't know if there were [1:25:41] without that if we had anybody that was [1:25:43] interested in uh trying to help [1:25:45] spearhead that coordination to pull that [1:25:47] ceremony together. Uh it sounds like [1:25:50] they'll have the they'll be able to do [1:25:52] that. Uh I was asked by multiple members [1:25:55] of the fire department uh that you know [1:25:57] public works to move the they got their [1:25:59] new [1:26:01] uh [1:26:03] air tank the compressor system and they [1:26:07] wanted the the inquiring whether the [1:26:09] money could uh come back to them. [1:26:11] Typically if we sell a piece of like [1:26:13] apparatus an old firet truck the monies [1:26:15] the proceeds from that we put back into [1:26:17] you know their fund. uh this happened to [1:26:20] be a capital projects uh paid. So at the [1:26:23] time I was didn't want to speak for the [1:26:26] select board to say that those funds uh [1:26:28] the public works brought it today to for [1:26:31] scrap and from what Eric tells me was [1:26:34] about $250. [1:26:36] Uh typically when we bring in scrap [1:26:38] metal those funds just go into the [1:26:40] general fund miscellaneous receipts. Um [1:26:44] but then again it's $250. I don't know [1:26:46] if the will of the select board is to [1:26:48] have that go to the the fire [1:26:51] commissioners or not, but I will leave [1:26:53] that with you. [1:26:56] Uh let's see here. The Longill uh River [1:27:00] Bridge project, we did have a member of [1:27:02] the public ask about uh for some detail. [1:27:06] the uh they are sort of uh running [1:27:08] behind a little bit only because uh [1:27:11] they've had some trouble with the the [1:27:13] pilot uh micro piles uh on one side of [1:27:18] the bridge on the east side. Uh [1:27:22] but they uh from what they understand is [1:27:24] that they're going to you know they they [1:27:27] try to see where the they said here [1:27:30] uh the update on the schedule. Uh the [1:27:33] project is slightly behind schedule uh [1:27:35] based on what they had originally [1:27:37] submitted. They did get a little behind [1:27:39] earlier with the utilities but they for [1:27:42] the most part had caught up. Uh the [1:27:44] issue with the micro piles has slowed [1:27:46] things down, but uh they still plan to [1:27:49] complete most of the work this year. The [1:27:51] only problem they anticipate is if they [1:27:53] run into any weather issues. So uh it'll [1:27:56] they'll just have some minor work. So [1:27:57] all anticipate uh what I've told from uh [1:28:00] SLR is that uh middle of December [1:28:04] they're still planning for the bridge to [1:28:06] open. So I know that [1:28:08] >> I talked to Matt and I talked I talked [1:28:10] to Allan this afternoon. He said that [1:28:13] the west side and I went down and looked [1:28:15] the west side abutman is all done. [1:28:17] They're warming up the east side micro [1:28:21] piles are done. Um and he wants that to [1:28:25] be done in the beginning of December. [1:28:28] >> That's why I said the middle of December [1:28:30] >> on Bunker Hill last year. We we paved [1:28:34] at the beginning of December to get the [1:28:37] road open for the winter. And that's [1:28:40] what he's hoping for for the same thing [1:28:42] to happen down there this year. They're [1:28:44] gathering days, you know, as they're [1:28:46] working through this quicker and quicker [1:28:48] to try to get everything done. And he's gathering he's already gathered two [1:28:51] or three days [1:28:53] to to push this ahead. They're starting [1:28:55] to work on Saturdays also. [1:28:58] >> Yeah. So, this was the picture from [1:29:00] Friday. You can see this side, you know, [1:29:02] they pretty much get they're working on [1:29:03] the the far side. [1:29:05] >> So, you you you need uh we need Scott [1:29:08] and Matt. We need to push them because, [1:29:10] you know, they don't if they go farther [1:29:13] than that, they're going to have a [1:29:14] problem paving. So, [1:29:17] we can't have that [clears throat] [1:29:18] bridge closed all winter. [1:29:20] >> They want it open, Jeff. [1:29:21] >> No, they want it. [1:29:22] >> They want it open. Trademark wants it [1:29:25] open. They want to be gone. Just come [1:29:26] back in the spring and finish up some [1:29:29] light stuff. [1:29:30] >> Okay. [1:29:31] Uh, two other items I have is that uh [1:29:34] they uh our opening burning official [1:29:37] Scott Yman's got reertified, but he uh [1:29:40] also informed me that he's looking to [1:29:42] step down from that position by the end [1:29:45] of the year. So that would be something [1:29:47] that we uh would want to look into. [1:29:49] Perhaps the, you know, select board has [1:29:52] an idea. that we can talk to the fire [1:29:54] marshall, the fire chief about, you [1:29:55] know, anybody that may be either with [1:29:58] the town or maybe from another town to cover that uh that position. [1:30:04] And uh I had also submitted uh our tree [1:30:07] warden had asked about a vegetative [1:30:09] management plan. We had uh he had uh [1:30:12] [clears throat] [1:30:13] drafted one back in I believe it was [1:30:16] July. I think I have to look back here, [1:30:19] but we've uh banged it around a little [1:30:22] bit and uh I think he's got it final. He [1:30:24] just wants the final blessing prior to [1:30:26] implementation. So, that's attached for [1:30:29] your uh perusal. If you Let's see here. [1:30:32] I got uh Yeah. So, all the backup [1:30:35] paperwork for the next pages are all the [1:30:38] uh dealing [snorts] with [1:30:41] items from the report here. So, I can [1:30:43] just scoop through here. If there was [1:30:46] some pictures that I that was the open [1:30:50] space plan. This was okay. Was this is a [1:30:52] me the when I went back to January about [1:30:55] going back to the uh Joshua trees on the [1:30:57] Skinner Hill Road property. [1:31:02] Let me just go. [1:31:05] >> Sorry. If everybody could take the time [1:31:06] to read the vegetation plan, we could [1:31:08] put that on for next meeting. [1:31:10] >> Yep. [1:31:10] >> Right. And then then there's a lot of [1:31:13] information as far as the open burning. [1:31:16] So, uh, with that, I know, uh, I'm here [1:31:19] to answer any questions that you may [1:31:21] have. [1:31:23] All right. Any, uh, members have [1:31:26] anything for Matt? [1:31:32] Okay, [1:31:33] let's move on to item nine, treasurer's [1:31:36] report. Um, [1:31:39] Lisa is here. Hi, Lisa. Sorry. [1:31:42] >> Taking this long, but [1:31:43] >> that's okay. [1:31:46] >> All right. Um, starting on uh page 21 of [1:31:51] the packet starts the treasurer's [1:31:53] report. So, Lisa, go ahead. [1:31:55] >> Yeah, your budget to actual. Um, this is [1:31:57] for July. [1:31:59] Um, we are still finishing up July. Um, [1:32:03] nothing more can be purchased, but we [1:32:05] just want to make sure we have [1:32:06] everything in there [1:32:07] >> that that's August. [1:32:10] We're finishing up August. So, listen, [1:32:13] the the reason the way the way that this [1:32:16] is going to work, it's when I was at the [1:32:18] last board of finance meeting [1:32:21] [clears throat] is the board of finance [1:32:22] meets at the end of the month, they're [1:32:25] going to get the information first from [1:32:26] a financial perspective. So at their [1:32:29] meeting in September, they will get the [1:32:30] August information and then we as a [1:32:32] board will get our August information at [1:32:35] our October meeting so that the finance [1:32:38] department can stay on top of [1:32:40] reconciling and have everything ready. [1:32:42] So [1:32:44] >> yep, [1:32:44] >> this is July. [1:32:48] Any questions on the budget to actual [1:32:53] not a lot spent yet because we're early [1:32:55] into the budget. [1:32:58] You see, you have a real number in the [1:32:59] open space fund now. [1:33:03] >> Yeah. You're talking about on the budget [1:33:06] dash or these other reports that we have [1:33:08] that I'm going to get to [1:33:09] >> report. [1:33:10] >> Yeah. [1:33:11] Um Yeah. As far as the cash [1:33:13] balances, I'll just go go to the cash [1:33:16] balances. Um we have 8.7 million, but [1:33:20] that is that's you know, a lot of that [1:33:23] is earmarked. So it's not like it's um [1:33:25] just to spend. We have the stiff account [1:33:28] um that's getting 3.76% [1:33:31] interest. The Mnt investment account [1:33:33] which transfers over from the operating [1:33:36] account is 2 and a half%. So we're [1:33:39] getting interest on that. [1:33:41] Um [1:33:44] >> what was the interest for the month of [1:33:45] July? [1:33:48] >> Um [1:33:50] hold on. I have August right here. I [1:33:53] didn't [1:33:56] Hold on. I'd have to look in here. Hold [1:33:58] on. [1:33:59] >> So, $15,81 [1:34:02] and interest earned between the two [1:34:04] accounts for the month of July. [1:34:06] >> Yes, but there's more for August. So, I [1:34:09] didn't know if you wanted for August [1:34:11] also. Yes, there's almost 21,000 in [1:34:15] August, but we'll get to that next [1:34:17] month. [1:34:18] And that makes sense because, you know, [1:34:21] not only do we is our bank balance X, [1:34:24] it's X because we've collected in [1:34:27] advance the taxes [1:34:30] for our first cycle. So July is always [1:34:33] the biggest month for collections, [1:34:37] right? Okay, let's go. [1:34:40] >> Check register. Are there any questions [1:34:43] on the cash balances? [1:34:48] that check register. [1:34:51] Any questions on the checks for the [1:34:53] month [1:35:01] and then we get to capital reserve funds [1:35:03] that everybody's been wanting to see. Um [1:35:06] Scott, is that what you were speaking [1:35:08] of? [1:35:10] Page 35. [1:35:16] Is anybody there? [1:35:19] >> Scott Scott's open space fund comes [1:35:21] later. [1:35:22] >> Oh, okay. All right. [1:35:24] >> So, this is just the capital reserve [1:35:25] funds, [1:35:26] >> right? And everybody was interested in [1:35:28] seeing the capital um balances. Um so, [1:35:31] we worked on that and the change in it. [1:35:34] Um several of those are what we've [1:35:36] allotted for this year's this year's [1:35:38] budget. So, those were added into that [1:35:40] the amount for July 31st 26. So, if [1:35:44] we're on page 35, [1:35:46] >> y [1:35:47] >> all of the positive numbers in the [1:35:48] change are what was added from the [1:35:51] budget. [1:35:53] And the only one that [1:35:56] >> the only two that have had a decrease [1:35:58] are the equipment reserve fund because [1:35:59] we paid for the John Deere tractor and [1:36:03] the AES capital fund has decreased [1:36:05] because we've paid for the bathroom. [1:36:13] Yeah. [1:36:17] » And then um everybody was curious during [1:36:20] budget season about the bridge and [1:36:22] coverts. Um that next page 36, the non- [1:36:26] major capital projects funds. Um, I want [1:36:29] to point out that the Bunker Hill bridge [1:36:32] fund really should be changed to the [1:36:33] bridge front because that also includes [1:36:35] Long Hill. [1:36:44] And what everybody was wanting also in [1:36:48] budget season was the breakdown of all [1:36:50] the smaller funds that we were holding. [1:36:53] And that page 37 that you have [1:36:57] um that is your non- major special [1:37:00] revenue funds. Those are the special [1:37:02] funds. [1:37:04] >> They used to be called liability [1:37:06] accounts, [1:37:07] >> right? The L accounts is what everybody [1:37:08] called them. [1:37:11] >> So Scott, here's your open space fund [1:37:14] >> right in the middle there. Scott [1:37:20] or something? uh 311 31 [1:37:23] >> to 364. [1:37:24] >> That's the same thing as in the TAR [1:37:26] account. [1:37:27] >> Uh TAR account is 333141, [1:37:31] >> right? [1:37:34] >> Yep. [1:37:35] >> And we haven't received any town aid [1:37:38] road funding in July. So that'll [1:37:40] increase as we get our state money in. [1:37:43] >> And the veteran veterans field fund [1:37:45] includes like play the playground. [1:37:48] So that's [1:37:49] >> uh that needs to go to uh that that that [1:37:53] $10,000 was the grant that was received [1:37:57] from Hartford for um [1:37:59] >> foundation. [1:38:00] >> Oh yeah, Harford Foundation for giving [1:38:02] um and that was that's going to be moved [1:38:05] to offset the cost of the pickle ball [1:38:08] court and the playground [1:38:11] um project. [1:38:15] And some of these need to move, you [1:38:17] know, we need to sit there and see what we can [1:38:21] do with some of these dollars. So, now [1:38:24] that we actually see them like the these [1:38:26] are coming off of the audit and a lot of [1:38:29] these don't change like we have we still [1:38:31] have a farmers market fund for $1,000. [1:38:35] Not. And so there's there's a lot of [1:38:38] these that need to be adjusted and uh we [1:38:41] need to decide what we're going to do [1:38:42] with them and closed out. Like the ARPA [1:38:45] things need to come off of our financial [1:38:46] statements for those small amounts and [1:38:50] we just don't need to see them. So [1:38:51] there's some transactions that I'm going [1:38:53] to sit there and recommend that the [1:38:54] treasurer gets done. So we clean this up [1:38:57] a little bit. [1:39:03] And then we have page 38, non- major [1:39:06] permanent funds. [1:39:10] These are the basically the Norton funds [1:39:12] and a breakdown of the Norton funds. [1:39:19] » And one of [clears throat] the things [1:39:20] that needs to happen for July is these [1:39:22] are the funds that um are going to get [1:39:27] credited for interest income. [1:39:30] So, um, the Brown and Brown, the Dian [1:39:34] Grineer scholarship, the Irene Mooney, [1:39:36] the Norton Children's Library, the [1:39:38] school fund, and the library fund. Well, [1:39:40] I'll break the school down separately. [1:39:43] >> All need to get credited with interest. [1:39:46] So, the only one that had a transaction [1:39:48] was the Norton Children's Fund and the [1:39:53] school fund. Just so everybody aware, [1:39:54] there's $80,000 in the school fund, but [1:39:56] $65,000 or somewhere in that ballpark is [1:39:59] related to the value of the stock that [1:40:01] is held by that fund. So there's Bank of [1:40:04] America stock held. And the reason why [1:40:07] there's $372 [1:40:09] added to that fund is the dividends. [1:40:18] Right. [1:40:24] All right, let's go. Next one. Oh, [1:40:27] that's it. Anybody have any It's for [1:40:29] Lisa. [1:40:32] » Lisa, thank you very much. Appreciate [1:40:34] it. You can [1:40:36] go enjoy your rest of your evening. [1:40:37] >> I can have my apple dumpling now. [1:40:39] >> There you go. Good luck. [1:40:40] >> Thank you. [1:40:41] Lisa. [1:40:42] >> You're welcome. [1:40:44] >> So, we're going to move on to [1:40:52] All right. Item 10, old business. [1:40:55] Discuss and act upon the following. So, [1:40:59] um, [1:41:01] review of the senior transportation [1:41:02] garage status. It's still open. It needs [1:41:05] to get worked. Needs to get done. Uh [1:41:09] Scott, we need to get that pushed [1:41:11] through with Matt and we need to have [1:41:14] that get done before the end of uh [1:41:19] I would like to get it done before the [1:41:21] end of next fiscal year, but that's [1:41:22] going to be tough, but we need to do [1:41:24] that. Um [1:41:26] anybody have anything on that? [1:41:31] » Nope. [1:41:32] >> Okay. Uh 10B, the status of the Longill [1:41:35] Bridge project. We've had that [1:41:36] discussion from Matt and Scott. So, I [1:41:40] don't think there's anything else [1:41:41] related to that. 10C, the status of the [1:41:43] Percy Cook Trail preliminary plan, but [1:41:46] just the status of the Percy Cook plan. [1:41:49] So, everybody understands, we paid for [1:41:52] the engineering um related to this. [1:41:55] There's a program that if we apply for [1:41:58] the next grant, we will get that funded. [1:42:01] Um [1:42:02] I believe that's correct, Scott. Is that [1:42:04] accurate? You already paid for the [1:42:06] engineering again. [1:42:08] >> No, no, no, no, not again. It's been [1:42:10] paid for. [1:42:12] >> We actually have the plan. [1:42:14] We just need to sit there and go to the [1:42:17] next step and get that built. So, [1:42:21] >> I mean that that plan would connect the [1:42:25] rail trail up to the fire department uh [1:42:29] and the town complex. [1:42:31] So, it is something that we should do. [1:42:33] it would be beneficial to the community. [1:42:36] That has to be followed through on. So, [1:42:39] we have to sit there and get that done. [1:42:41] Um [1:42:43] there's not not much else to sit there [1:42:45] and talk about that. These are [1:42:47] >> the grant is is the uh engineering all [1:42:50] done now then? [1:42:52] Um, I don't believe they finalized it [1:42:55] because I don't think we've actually [1:42:56] told them that we agree with exactly the [1:42:59] layout of where it's proposed to go, [1:43:01] which I'm good with. [1:43:03] >> Good with it, too. [1:43:06] >> Okay. Um, [1:43:10] so [1:43:11] >> who's the point person on this? I called [1:43:13] the lady in Maine one time to talk to [1:43:15] her, the engineer. Said we owed her some [1:43:18] money. [1:43:21] Um, [1:43:22] I'm not aware of that, but Matt should [1:43:24] be the point person on it. So, we need [1:43:26] to push that through. So, [1:43:29] >> I uh I got an email from Ana Chandler [1:43:32] actually today. We're setting up a [1:43:34] meeting in the next week or so just to [1:43:36] go, you know, bring see where we are. [1:43:38] So, [1:43:40] >> that's good. [1:43:41] >> She's with that uh guidance in Barton. [1:43:45] >> Yeah. I I don't know of anything that's [1:43:47] outstanding, Scott, but that's good [1:43:50] question for the treasurer when we see [1:43:52] her. [1:43:54] Uh 10D update on the AES bathroom [1:43:56] renovation. [1:44:00] Is it completed? We all good? [1:44:02] >> I heard is it'll be completed in a day [1:44:04] or two. There's just like one or two [1:44:07] tiny things left and it'll be done. [1:44:09] >> There was just a couple punch list, a [1:44:10] few crack tiles and things like that. [1:44:12] All cosmetic stuff. Everything done. I [1:44:15] had asked for some pictures, but they [1:44:17] didn't come in time to get on the I [1:44:19] still don't have them, so I want to [1:44:20] include them in the report. [1:44:23] >> Okay. Um [1:44:26] 10 discussion and possible action on a [1:44:28] Hop River Homes contract. Um [1:44:34] I believe somebody asked to for a [1:44:36] meeting. Is that accurate? I don't know [1:44:38] if that was from Matt or from Scott. [1:44:42] Yeah, they asked to have another meeting [1:44:44] with us. [1:44:45] >> Okay, let's get that scheduled so that [1:44:47] we can sit there and decide what we're [1:44:48] going to do related to that. [1:44:50] >> Yeah, Marie Hullman was in my uh came to [1:44:53] my office about a week ago. She would [1:44:54] like to urge that we try and get [1:44:57] together. [1:44:59] >> Okay. So that if you get that scheduled [1:45:01] and do it at your convenience so that [1:45:04] one of us can sit there and uh [1:45:07] participate with that and you know [1:45:09] that's a little tricky thing but let's [1:45:12] sit there and decide what we're going to [1:45:14] do as a board once we have the [1:45:15] documentation in front of us and we all [1:45:17] can [1:45:20] get some information. Um [1:45:24] 10 F discussion of possible action on a [1:45:26] town administrator's contract. Um, [1:45:30] does everyone have a copy of the [1:45:31] contract? [1:45:34] Okay. All right. Um, [1:45:41] >> you finalize it this weekend. [1:45:44] >> We can finalize it. Is everybody okay [1:45:46] with most of the docuation? Any [1:45:48] problems? [1:45:49] >> Yeah. [1:45:50] >> All right. Um, [1:45:52] I know that what I'll sit there and [1:45:54] recommend is that we agree to get it [1:45:57] done and we make sure that u it has a [1:46:00] onceover review again from Matt and from [1:46:03] Attorney O'Brien so that we can sit [1:46:05] there and get it signed. [1:46:08] >> All right. [1:46:09] >> To approve that tonight so we can get [1:46:11] that going. [1:46:12] >> Sure, let's do it. [1:46:14] >> Ann, why don't you make the motion? I I [1:46:16] move that we approve and finalize the [1:46:21] contract for Matt Strereer as the town [1:46:25] administrator. [1:46:30] » I second. [1:46:31] >> Christine seconded. Okay. Uh further [1:46:34] discussion. [1:46:36] All right. And K. How do you vote? Hi. [1:46:40] >> Dave Gustinian. Hi. Scott Person. [1:46:46] >> Hi, Christine Randazo. [1:46:48] >> I [1:46:49] >> and Jeff Magcguire I. So, five nothing. [1:46:51] So, let's get that off our list. Um 10G, [1:46:56] a discussion and possible action on the [1:46:58] Bazula Road culvert. [1:47:01] So, um I know we've gotten uh [1:47:05] information from uh [1:47:09] Howard, I forgot the engineering firm. [1:47:11] Matt, you got it in front of you. [1:47:15] >> Jacobson. Uh, Nathan Jacobson. [1:47:17] >> Nathan Jacobson. Howard [1:47:19] >> on mute. Nathan Jacobson. Yes. [1:47:21] >> Yeah. So, [1:47:24] >> he um he and I had discussions this week [1:47:27] as well. He's he shared some emails and [1:47:29] I shared some emails with him. Um, we [1:47:32] have to get with the town attorney and [1:47:34] get the uh the biggest problem that we [1:47:38] have right now to sit there and and just [1:47:39] get this moving forward in an [1:47:41] appropriate way is to get all of the ver [1:47:43] the easements uh signed. So, [1:47:48] um Howard sent us an email with some preliminary or some draft [1:47:52] easements, easements from other projects [1:47:54] that he's worked on. So, uh I'll get [1:47:57] with attorney O'Brien, Matt, get with [1:47:59] attorney O'Brien. We need to push these [1:48:01] through. I would recommend that we go [1:48:03] after the the easier ones to get done. [1:48:06] And um I'm sitting there trying to get a [1:48:10] meeting with uh one of the residents who [1:48:13] has a more significant easement. and [1:48:15] >> get over this weekend over there. [1:48:18] >> Uh, no. She um her and her husband were [1:48:22] ill and sick and so they pushed it back [1:48:25] and trying to just get a face to face [1:48:27] just to say hello and let them know that [1:48:30] we're going to do our best to um make [1:48:34] this as easy as possible and to get [1:48:36] their property back to the shape it was [1:48:38] in before we sit there and do this [1:48:40] project because it's beneficial for the [1:48:42] community to have that road done. And [1:48:44] what I would like to tell them or let [1:48:46] everybody know is that ease that that [1:48:49] covert is not in the best of shape and [1:48:51] if it does collapse, we have bigger [1:48:54] problems and there won't be [1:48:57] a lot of options at that point in time. [1:49:00] >> Talk to that guy Howard. He said that [1:49:02] he's going to get the surveyors out this [1:49:04] week to start mapping out on the ground [1:49:09] with stakes where the actual easement is [1:49:12] going to lay out. Then we'll know better [1:49:17] who we need to talk to and what and what [1:49:20] trees and things are in actually in the [1:49:23] easement and out of the easement or on [1:49:25] town property. [snorts] [1:49:28] >> Okay. Well, that is something that I [1:49:30] need to Matt that needs to be [1:49:32] communicated to the residents there. So, [1:49:34] you might want to take a ride out to [1:49:37] primarily the two residents that are on [1:49:40] the [1:49:41] if you're going up Bazora Road on the [1:49:44] right hand side, there's two residents [1:49:46] that would have um a temporary uh [1:49:51] road going through a portion of their [1:49:53] yard. And [1:49:55] >> I think it's McNeels is the biggest [1:49:57] impact one, [1:49:58] >> correct? [1:49:59] >> McNeel [1:50:01] >> here. Hold on. I'll tell you. Uh, and [1:50:03] Christine, this would be something [1:50:04] really positive for you to help us with [1:50:08] because if you can, it's going to be a [1:50:10] lot of um not just engineering, but a [1:50:13] lot of u [1:50:17] uh landscaping work that needs to get [1:50:19] done once this is. [1:50:22] >> So, the other uh I'm sorry, this thing [1:50:26] is a little smaller than me. [1:50:30] I can't read it. I I have to blow it up [1:50:32] on my computer, but yes, it is the [1:50:34] McNeels. I know it's the McNeels and I [1:50:37] can't read the name of the other [1:50:39] resident that has a small sliver taken [1:50:42] related or not taken. I shouldn't say [1:50:44] that. A small easement needed to sit [1:50:47] there and get through the project. Um [1:50:50] >> temporary easement. [1:50:51] Okay. So, we'll get [1:50:54] that done. Uh 10H, a discussion and [1:50:57] possible action on the Dorsy Chamberlain [1:50:59] pond signage. that is uh uh it'll be in [1:51:04] the packet from public works for his [1:51:06] monthly report. He showed us pictures of [1:51:08] the the the [1:51:12] parking lot for the Doris E Chamberlain. [1:51:15] Um so that'll be in his thing, but the [1:51:18] signage is something that we have to [1:51:20] decide. We talked about this last month. [1:51:22] Did we did we pick a side? [1:51:24] >> I had to decide where you're going to [1:51:26] get the money from. [1:51:28] >> Right. [1:51:29] >> Yeah. And Jeff and I were going to talk. [1:51:30] We'll find the money somewhere. [1:51:32] >> Okay. So, um, uh, did [1:51:35] >> we haven't done that yet. [1:51:36] >> Did we pick a sign? [1:51:38] >> Yeah, we picked number two. [1:51:40] >> Okay, Matt. So, sign number two. Let's [1:51:43] get a quote on it and let's there and [1:51:45] figure out where we're going to um find [1:51:49] and utilize the money from to get that [1:51:52] done. [1:51:53] >> Okay. Um, 10 I discussion and possible [1:51:56] action on the town attorney contract. I [1:51:58] know we talked about this last meeting. [1:51:59] I looked at the minutes and it appears [1:52:01] that we did not vote to approve the [1:52:03] contract that was presented for the town [1:52:06] uh attorney. He does have the same [1:52:10] um fee as is budgeted for, which I [1:52:13] believe was $13,500 [1:52:16] or somewhere in that range. Um [1:52:19] >> I'll make a motion we approve his [1:52:20] contract before he changes his mind. [1:52:23] >> Okay. Um I'll second that. Um, further [1:52:29] discussion on his contract? [1:52:31] No. Okay. And Crema, how do you vote? [1:52:36] >> Dating. [1:52:37] >> Excuse me. [1:52:38] >> I'm going to abstain. [1:52:41] >> Abstain. Okay. [1:52:42] >> Yes. [1:52:42] >> Uh, Dave Gustanium. [1:52:44] >> Hi. [1:52:46] >> Scott. Um, Scott Person. [1:52:48] >> Hi. [1:52:49] >> Christine Rendazo. [1:52:51] >> Hi. [1:52:52] >> And Jeff Magcguire. I. So that is 401 [1:52:57] with an creme abstaining. Okay. [gasps] [1:53:01] All right. Uh [1:53:04] 10J discussion and possible action on [1:53:07] hybrid meetings is on our agenda. [1:53:09] [gasps] [1:53:10] So, um, [1:53:13] I would tell you, Matt, if we're really [1:53:15] going to have discussions on that on [1:53:17] this issue, you have to sit there and [1:53:19] find out technically what would happen, [1:53:21] where we would ho host them, and what's [1:53:23] the technical needs required to sit [1:53:25] there and get that done. I know uh I [1:53:28] would recommend you go to the school [1:53:29] because the school does it and make sure [1:53:31] that we have all the equipment [1:53:33] necessary. So if we were ever intending [1:53:35] to go and do hybrid meetings that we [1:53:37] actually have the proper technology to [1:53:40] get it accomplished [1:53:42] >> and zoning does hybrid already and they [1:53:44] do that in town hall. [1:53:46] >> Um [1:53:48] what are you using? [1:53:50] >> I believe they use the owl the same as [1:53:52] the school does. [1:53:54] >> Okay. I can talk to the zoning [1:53:57] >> zoning that's been working. [1:53:59] >> Zoning is more advanced than the board [1:54:00] of selectman. So, let's make sure that [1:54:02] we get it lined up. [1:54:05] >> All right. Um [1:54:08] 10K [1:54:10] um the status and discussion on the the [1:54:12] town office cleaning contract. Matt, [1:54:14] where are we? [1:54:17] >> Well, uh we have had uh a we're trying [1:54:21] out a person that uh we've KT Cleaning, [1:54:26] uh, who's done it, uh, twice so far. [1:54:28] They were brought in the middle of [1:54:31] August. Um, [1:54:34] we initially had them come in uh every [1:54:36] other week, so that's why it's only been [1:54:38] a couple times. But, uh, [1:54:41] >> I think that there's, you know, some [1:54:42] things we still have to work out if [1:54:44] that's going to be I think that we have [1:54:45] we may have to just rehivot [1:54:49] and figure out if we want to do this [1:54:50] weekly, if we want to have them do it, [1:54:52] if we want to, you know, the other check [1:54:54] on another person that might be [1:54:56] interested in doing that. So, uh, [1:54:59] you know, I've had mixed reviews. Some [1:55:01] people are, you know, the whether the [1:55:03] town halls is clean, but it's not [1:55:05] sparkling. Uh yeah, I I agree that, you [1:55:09] know, probably needs to be a little bit [1:55:10] more uh more done there. So, [1:55:12] >> Susan and Willie were there twice a [1:55:15] week. [1:55:17] >> Why? What What is the change? [1:55:20] >> I don't I don't understand why you're [1:55:22] you've changed that. [1:55:26] Uh they were only at the town hall one [1:55:28] day a week when I was here and then they [1:55:31] were over the community center and they [1:55:34] charged you know there was one and a [1:55:36] half people that they charged us. So we [1:55:39] did get a little bit of a deal. [1:55:42] >> Well listen this is something that I'm [1:55:45] just going to sit there and say Matt you [1:55:46] got to sit there and get organized and [1:55:48] you got to get it done so that we have [1:55:50] the appropriate level of service being [1:55:53] provided for what has been budgeted. We [1:55:55] are not going to get what we got from [1:55:59] the prior group. It's just I mean but [1:56:04] that doesn't mean that we shouldn't [1:56:05] strive to get that and it doesn't mean [1:56:07] that if we have to be creative, we need [1:56:09] to be creative. We can't not just do [1:56:11] something. So um we have KT if that's [1:56:15] not enough find other alternatives and [1:56:18] bring them to us and get them executed. [1:56:22] >> Excellent. We'll do it. [1:56:24] >> Thanks. Get get those stairs clean. [1:56:28] >> He did a great job on the stairs. [1:56:31] >> Yeah. Discussion of possible action on a [1:56:33] maintenance person because I know we [1:56:34] talked about breaking this project into [1:56:36] two things cuz [1:56:38] >> um [1:56:40] the prior group also did maintenance for [1:56:42] the library. So, we had talked about [1:56:46] getting a uh handyman in place. Matt, [1:56:49] where are we? [1:56:51] >> Well, I have a gentleman that is [1:56:52] interested in doing it. uh we just have [1:56:54] not connected yet. So, but I have not [1:56:56] heard of anything that we're uh that's [1:56:59] not being done in the meantime, but uh [1:57:01] we will uh I will get you some answers [1:57:03] before the next meeting. [1:57:05] >> Okay. [1:57:07] All right. Um [1:57:09] item 11, new business. Uh discussion uh [1:57:12] discussion and possible action. A [1:57:15] discussion and possible action on the [1:57:16] establish of New Town Bank accounts. Um, [1:57:20] I had requested Matt to get with um, Mnt [1:57:25] Bank to potentially set up uh, town [1:57:29] accounts related to uh, the library, the [1:57:33] fire department, and the board of [1:57:35] education. And um I just wanted to let [1:57:38] everybody know that that planning was in [1:57:40] place to potentially uh [1:57:44] do a better job shephering and looking [1:57:48] at and overseeing the town cash and the [1:57:52] town bank accounts. So there's nothing [1:57:54] really other than I wanted to make sure [1:57:56] that everybody was aware that this was [1:57:59] happening. uh the accounts may or may [1:58:01] not be used, but I don't want to waste [1:58:03] any time if there possibly is an [1:58:06] opportunity to do this better. So, um I [1:58:11] have a potential I'm trying to get I [1:58:14] talked to Wally Barton who's the [1:58:15] chairperson of the fire department. I [1:58:18] asked him to schedule a meeting with uh [1:58:20] Sean Kovville who is the treasurer for [1:58:23] the fire department. And uh I do believe [1:58:26] Diane Grener was on this. I need to get [1:58:28] with Diane and make sure that I get with [1:58:30] the library board chairperson and with [1:58:34] Amy Ormolowski so that I can sit there [1:58:36] and make sure that uh we're all good [1:58:39] related to that and related to the bank [1:58:42] accounts. Um [1:58:45] well, I actually put this on the other [1:58:47] agenda, so we'll talk about it at a [1:58:48] different uh [1:58:53] yeah, we'll talk about 11D. [1:58:56] Um [1:58:59] so 11 uh B discussion and possible [1:59:03] action on the land use application fee [1:59:06] and cost charges. Uh this is what we had [1:59:09] at our special meeting on the 3rd. Um [1:59:13] I don't necessarily Did everyone read [1:59:14] this? Everybody read it. We're all good. [1:59:17] Matt, did you get this posted at the [1:59:19] town hall just so the residents could [1:59:21] see this in advance? [1:59:23] >> It was posted at the town hall. [1:59:25] >> Okay. Okay. Yes, we did. And [1:59:27] >> I have a motion, Jeff. [1:59:29] >> Go ahead. Let's go. [1:59:30] >> Motion to approve the town of Andover [1:59:33] land use application [1:59:36] fee and cost charges ordinance as [1:59:40] written. [1:59:42] >> I second. [1:59:44] >> Go ahead. [clears throat] Uh, further [1:59:46] discussion. Han, [1:59:49] or were you just trying to second? [1:59:51] >> Was trying to second. [1:59:52] >> Okay, that's good. All right. Uh, [1:59:54] further discussion? No. Uh, Ann, how do [1:59:57] you vote? [1:59:58] >> Hi. [2:00:00] >> Okay. Dave Ganian, [2:00:02] >> hi. [2:00:03] >> Uh, Scott Person, [2:00:06] >> Christine Randazzo, [2:00:07] >> hi. [2:00:08] >> Jeff Magcguire. I So, Wayne, thank you [2:00:11] very much for all the work you did on [2:00:12] that. It's greatly appreciated and [2:00:13] hopefully [2:00:15] >> make sure that we don't get uh the town [2:00:17] doesn't have any costs related to any of [2:00:20] these projects that potentially come up. [2:00:23] Thank you. [2:00:24] >> All right, got it. [2:00:27] Okay. Um, [2:00:30] I might have put the initials out of [2:00:32] order, so I'm going to go as I did the [2:00:34] motion 11D discussion and possible [2:00:38] action, but it's mostly discussion uh [2:00:39] regarding the prior AES town operating [2:00:42] account processes. So at our special [2:00:45] meeting, uh [2:00:48] an had sat there and made a comment that [2:00:52] my understanding of what was done in [2:00:55] prior years related to the AES in the [2:00:58] town having a combined operating account [2:01:00] was inaccurate. So I just wanted to make [2:01:01] sure that everybody had gotten the [2:01:03] information that I sent over today. Um [2:01:08] going back as far as 2014 where the [2:01:12] records that I had uh through 2019 the [2:01:16] town and the AEES accounts were [2:01:21] uh transactions were all run out of the [2:01:23] same operating account which is the [2:01:25] current operating account we still have [2:01:26] which is still the same account number [2:01:28] 5111 which is the operating account that [2:01:30] we currently have in Mnt. you know, at [2:01:33] the time and the information that I sent [2:01:34] to the board, it was Farmington Bank, [2:01:37] but it's changed multiple times from [2:01:39] bank consolidations over. So, um, I [2:01:43] provided everybody with the work that I [2:01:45] had done when I first got on the board, [2:01:47] which was to reconcile the bank account, [2:01:50] that bank account from 2014 through [2:01:52] 2017. I provided the transactions. Uh [2:01:56] and the biggest issue for you to really [2:01:57] look at is the bank account to sit there [2:02:00] and see that the checks that were [2:02:02] clearing through [snorts] that account [2:02:04] were both town and board of education [2:02:07] account. So that's how it had been done [2:02:10] all the way up in 2019 where I ended up [2:02:12] becoming first selectman and because we [2:02:15] were having trouble reconciling the bank [2:02:17] account because [2:02:19] uh we were operating on two different [2:02:22] accounting systems it was uh difficult. [2:02:25] So, the decision was made at that point [2:02:26] in time uh between myself, Eric [2:02:29] Anderson, and the superintendent to sit [2:02:32] there and separate the accounts. And I [2:02:34] also provided you with the bank account [2:02:36] that the superintendent set up that you [2:02:38] can sit there and see um [2:02:41] it was from March of this year and you [2:02:43] can sit there and see the balance that [2:02:44] was in that account, which is really the [2:02:46] whole issue that I have related to all [2:02:48] this. So, um anyway, I didn't put that [2:02:52] out in the packet. I'm just letting [2:02:54] everybody know that because I didn't [2:02:55] want to share bank information. U [2:02:59] I'd be happy to go over with anybody who [2:03:01] sits there and would like to learn a [2:03:03] little bit more about it though. Um [2:03:07] but anybody else have any other [2:03:08] questions related to you know the [2:03:10] transactions and how they happened. But [2:03:12] what you said the last meeting was very [2:03:14] accurate that [2:03:18] I'm an accountant. [2:03:22] » You know, I know nobody I not I know not [2:03:24] everybody on our board likes that I'm an [2:03:25] accountant or that I understand these [2:03:27] things, but it's just the reality of [2:03:29] life. [gasps] [2:03:30] Just like I don't understand, Christine, [2:03:33] all of the issues that you deal with [2:03:34] when you have to go out and do a [2:03:35] project. So, [2:03:38] okay. Anybody else? [2:03:41] No. Okay. Um, [2:03:45] oh uh before I leave that one, I think [2:03:49] everybody saw the uh also the emails [2:03:52] today that we got. Uh we had gotten the [2:03:55] uh revised complaint from the board of [2:03:58] education to the department of [2:03:59] education. Um that complaint was [2:04:03] answered this morning by attorney [2:04:05] O'Brien. Um the request from attorney [2:04:09] O'Brien and myself was that we actually [2:04:11] have the board state board of education [2:04:14] schedule a meeting so that we could [2:04:17] potentially work together. Um [2:04:21] that was granted in one day within [2:04:24] probably about 3 hours because I think [2:04:26] it's appropriate that we work together [2:04:28] and not have this uh adversarial issue [2:04:33] that's going on currently. So the [2:04:35] request from the letter was to explain [2:04:38] our position but also to ask for a [2:04:40] meeting and the Department of Education [2:04:42] has granted that meeting. So uh Ashley, I'm not going to call on you. [2:04:50] can wait till public speak so you [2:04:52] can put the hand up. Okay. Um [2:04:56] Attorney O'Brien, if you'd like to sit [2:04:58] there and say anything, now is your [2:05:00] time. [2:05:01] Hello. [2:05:02] >> Yep, you're good. [2:05:05] Okay. Well, yeah. Uh [2:05:07] I I wrote a letter with to Jeff's help [2:05:10] and a lot of information from Jeff to [2:05:12] the uh state board of education because [2:05:16] uh they had uh they had filed some [2:05:20] information and uh Jeff and I uh worked [2:05:23] together and we agreed that the best [2:05:25] thing to do would be to ask the state [2:05:28] board of education to have us uh the two [2:05:31] of us go down and meet with two people [2:05:33] from the board of ed and maybe one [2:05:35] person or whatever they want to do from [2:05:37] state board and try to work out an [2:05:40] arrangement that uh you know resolves [2:05:42] whatever issues we have between us in [2:05:45] this matter. Uh I think it's important [2:05:47] for us to work together. Jeff feels the [2:05:49] same way and uh I'm looking forward to [2:05:51] the meeting. [2:05:54] >> Uh anybody else have any [2:05:56] >> if anybody has any questions at all [2:05:57] about the details. Uh it's probably all [2:06:00] in the letter but uh I would be happy to [2:06:03] answer any questions. [2:06:06] Uh, anybody on the board want to sit [2:06:07] there and have any discussion right now [2:06:10] in public? No. [2:06:12] All good. All right. [2:06:15] Uh, [sighs and gasps] [2:06:16] [snorts] [2:06:17] >> thank you. [2:06:18] >> Yep. Uh, 11E discussion and possible [2:06:23] action regarding a temporary the [2:06:26] temporary light at the intersection of [2:06:28] Route 6 and Hendy Road. The reason I [2:06:30] brought this up and it was supposed to [2:06:32] be on the agenda and that's my bad. [2:06:35] Um, [2:06:37] I honestly think that we as the local [2:06:40] traffic authority need to make a request [2:06:43] to the state of Connecticut to make that [2:06:46] a permanent light. The state department [2:06:50] of transportation has has been reluctant [2:06:53] to make that a permanent light [gasps] [2:06:56] because there's been no deaths at that [2:06:58] intersection, which I think is totally [2:07:01] incorrect [2:07:03] thought process. But from driving [2:07:06] through town since that light has been [2:07:08] up, it seems as if the traffic flow has [2:07:11] been better and that the people coming [2:07:13] out of Hendi can turn in a more [2:07:16] appropriate manner without trying to run [2:07:18] the gambit of making it through. So, I [2:07:22] just wanted to put it out there that I [2:07:24] would like to I' I'd like to make a [2:07:27] motion that we request that we uh that [2:07:31] we ask the town administrator to write a [2:07:34] letter to the Department of [2:07:35] Transportation requesting that that [2:07:37] light be made permanent. [2:07:39] >> Second, Jeff. [2:07:40] >> Okay. Uh further discussion because this [2:07:42] is just an issue that I I [2:07:46] in favor of it all. So, it's a good [2:07:47] idea, Christine. [2:07:51] Oh, Dan, do you want to go first? [2:07:53] >> All right, thanks. Um, my only comment [2:07:56] would be possibly instead of having a [2:07:59] red left turn arrow and having to wait [2:08:03] for that that maybe it could be like a [2:08:06] blinking yellow so that you know you [2:08:08] have to watch out to make the left. [2:08:11] Making people always wait for that green [2:08:14] arrow has been a bit of a problem. And [2:08:18] the biggest problem from that recently [2:08:20] is they somebody painted in a stop line [2:08:24] in the last week and they put it so far [2:08:27] back that if you stop at that line that [2:08:30] line you don't trip the light and you [2:08:33] can sit and wait through many cycles and [2:08:35] never get your green arrow. [2:08:38] So you have to go up beyond the line. [2:08:40] the one on route, [2:08:42] >> but the one coming out of Hendi is the [2:08:44] quickest light I've ever seen in my [2:08:47] life. [2:08:48] >> That's sometimes you wait a long time. [2:08:51] Depends on the traffic on Route Six. [2:08:53] >> But the one on Route Six coming out of [2:08:55] Bolton to Willamunic, you have to go a [2:08:58] car length past the [2:09:00] >> Yeah. [2:09:01] >> the thing they they should repaint that. [2:09:03] >> Yeah. Or adjust the signal of one or the [2:09:06] other. [2:09:07] >> Well, those are issues that we can get [2:09:09] to. Yeah, it's more [2:09:11] >> Does everybody believe that it's a good [2:09:13] idea to make that a permanent line? [2:09:15] >> I do. [2:09:16] >> Christine, go ahead. [2:09:18] >> Yeah, I I do I do think it's been [2:09:21] helpful to be able to turn left out of [2:09:24] Hendi onto Route 6. Um I do know that [2:09:27] when the bridge is open, there will be a [2:09:29] lot the traffic counts will have [2:09:31] decreased substantially from all the [2:09:33] cars traveling back on Long Hill. But as [2:09:37] Ann said, um, they put the the stop bar [2:09:41] way too far back. You don't get over the [2:09:43] leaf detector to be able to take a left. [2:09:45] So you sit through three cycles of [2:09:46] lights when you're trying when you're [2:09:48] sitting on Route 6 trying to turn on to [2:09:51] Hendi that a lot of people just will end [2:09:53] up driving through the red light or go [2:09:56] past and turn into where the hot dog [2:09:59] stand is so they can take a left because [2:10:01] the timing is off or the loop detector [2:10:04] isn't being tripped because of where the [2:10:05] stop bar is. So, so there is there is a [2:10:09] problem and it is it's yeah it's and [2:10:13] it's usually during rush hour that you [2:10:15] just get stuck there and then there's no [2:10:17] traffic coming at you where you could be [2:10:20] taking a left. It's wide open and clear [2:10:23] but you're waiting for the signal to [2:10:25] change. [2:10:26] >> Okay. So, so I I guess the issue ends up [2:10:30] being is it still a good idea to have [2:10:33] the light because you guys live over [2:10:34] there. I I My trans my traffic is this [2:10:38] way going down six and I just know the [2:10:40] flow of traffic. It almost feels like [2:10:42] the speed is different because of that [2:10:44] light. [2:10:45] >> Yeah. [2:10:46] >> So [2:10:47] >> I I think it holds some cars back [2:10:50] because I think they were all [2:10:51] bottlenecking as you approach the [2:10:53] library and 316. So I think having a set [2:10:58] of lights, you know, a couple miles [2:11:00] prior to that, it kind of breaks down [2:11:02] the groupings of traffic. Um because now [2:11:05] I I do see a lot of traffic, you know, [2:11:07] in front of Andover Landscaping where I [2:11:09] had never seen that before. It's just [2:11:11] kind of pushing the bottleneck, you [2:11:13] know, dispersing it maybe a little bit [2:11:16] more uniformly. Um I don't I think that [2:11:19] the state um doesn't only look at deaths [2:11:21] when they're doing a traffic analysis. I [2:11:23] think they're also looking at the travel [2:11:26] counts. How many people are using the [2:11:28] collector road coming out to Route Six? [2:11:30] And maybe we're under the threshold, but [2:11:32] it is it is dangerous for the kids and for myself when I'm driving a truck [2:11:39] and a trailer trying to take a left on [2:11:40] to Route 6 from Hendee. But um like [2:11:44] myself and my family do [2:11:48] um if there if we do have to take a left [2:11:51] oftentimes if it's during rush hour, [2:11:53] we'll just go down Long Hill instead so [2:11:55] we can go to the right. [2:11:57] >> So I I think it's a 50/50. personally. [2:12:00] Um [2:12:02] >> well, it might not get approved. This is [2:12:04] just like a request. But the issue for [2:12:07] the board has to be is it a legitimate [2:12:10] request or not? If it's not, that's [2:12:13] okay. We we don't we are the traffic [2:12:15] authority in town. If we don't put forth [2:12:16] the request, it can it won't get [2:12:20] approved. If we put it forth, it might [2:12:21] get approved or it might get rejected. [2:12:23] So, um I I [clears throat] my personal [2:12:26] opinion is it just seems like the flow [2:12:28] of traffic down Route 6 has been better [2:12:31] since that light went in. [2:12:35] So, [2:12:36] um All right. So, I do Scott, you did [2:12:40] second that, correct? [2:12:41] >> Yes. [2:12:42] >> Okay. Um [2:12:45] so, we'll we'll go around. Ann, how do [2:12:46] you vote? [2:12:48] >> Okay. Um Dave Castanian. Hi [2:12:52] >> Scott Person. [2:12:55] >> Hi. So that's three. Uh Christine [2:12:57] Rendazzo. [2:12:58] >> Hi. [2:12:59] >> Okay. And Jeff Magguire. I 5 nothing. So [2:13:02] uh Matt, if you could have drafted a [2:13:05] letter to the department. Uh and you can [2:13:07] look in previous [snorts] correspondence [2:13:10] from Eric because he has requested this [2:13:12] in in before. Um so [2:13:14] >> we'll take care of that. I'll get that [2:13:16] right away. [2:13:17] >> Thank you. Um, [2:13:20] all right. Uh, 11F, a discussion [2:13:23] regarding uh the Boy Scouts and the [2:13:26] Veterans Committee email. Um, and Ann, [2:13:29] I'm going to let you take this one [2:13:30] because I haven't seen that email. [2:13:35] » Let's see. It came yesterday. [2:13:39] And what it is is the [2:13:43] scout troop here in Andover had been [2:13:46] sponsored by the Andover Congregational [2:13:49] Church. They're not doing that anymore. [2:13:52] So now um Michelle Loren and the troop [2:13:57] leader have approached the veterans [2:14:00] municipal veterans committee [2:14:02] [clears throat] and asked if they would [2:14:03] perform that duty. So, um, they have [2:14:08] agreed to that. I guess we have to vote [2:14:12] to allow the veterans committee to do [2:14:16] that. [2:14:18] So, um, they had sent us yesterday three [2:14:23] attachments. [2:14:25] Um, [2:14:27] there's a memo [2:14:29] to for the board of selecting [2:14:32] this to open it. [2:14:35] Yeah. Um [2:14:37] requesting [2:14:39] uh Susan Camaroda and John Body are [2:14:42] requesting permission to engage in an [2:14:44] agreement with Scout Troop or Scout Pack [2:14:47] and Troop 124 and the Connecticut Rivers [2:14:50] Council of Scouting America [2:14:54] that would designate the Veterans [2:14:57] Representative Committee as the [2:14:58] chartered organization for Scout Pack [2:15:01] and Troop 124. [2:15:08] So that is their question. [2:15:10] >> So I I don't I mean basically after just [2:15:13] reading it quickly, I don't really have [2:15:14] a problem with it. What I I would like [2:15:17] to sit there and do is just make sure [2:15:19] it's contingent upon the town attorney [2:15:21] taking a quick look at the agreement. Um [2:15:25] >> Okay. [2:15:26] So, [2:15:27] if you want to make a motion to get it [2:15:29] approved contingent upon um the review [2:15:33] of the town attorney and his approval, [2:15:35] that would be great. [2:15:38] >> I make that motion. [2:15:40] >> Okay. So Ann is making a motion to [2:15:43] approve the uh memorandum requesting [2:15:48] permission for the Andover Municipal [2:15:49] Veterans Committee to be the charter [2:15:52] organization for the Andover Scout Troop [2:15:55] and Pack 124. [2:15:58] That was Ann's motion. [2:16:02] >> I second that. [2:16:03] >> Dave Gustadian second that [2:16:05] >> did that that come from Susan Camaroda? [2:16:09] Uh, it came from Veterans Affairs. I do [2:16:12] believe it came from Susan. Yes, [2:16:14] >> Susan and John Woody was signed by both [2:16:16] of them. [2:16:19] >> Okay. Uh, further discussion. [2:16:22] All right. Uh, Ann, how do you vote? [2:16:25] >> I. [2:16:26] >> Dave Gustanian, how do you vote? [2:16:28] >> Hi. [2:16:29] >> Scott Person, [2:16:32] >> Scott says yes. Uh, Christine Randazo, [2:16:35] >> hi. [2:16:36] >> Jeff Magcguire, yes. Okay, that's the [2:16:38] fastest uh one day turnaround on [2:16:40] something like that we've done in a long [2:16:42] time. [2:16:43] >> Um, I just have to say something and I [2:16:44] can't raise my hand. This is Michelle [2:16:46] Lorent. I am the pack leader and I am so [2:16:49] the cub master and the scout master of [2:16:51] Andover. I just I want you guys to know [2:16:53] I we need it done before October 31st. [2:16:56] There's a deadline. It wasn't written in [2:16:58] the letter by Susan um just because [2:17:00] that's when our recharter is and so all [2:17:04] right. I just wanted to let you know [2:17:05] thank you so much for considering us. [2:17:07] >> Thank you. [2:17:09] Right. Um [2:17:12] so now we're going to move on [2:17:15] to [2:17:17] item 12, approval of minute meetings. Uh [2:17:21] 12A, [2:17:22] the August 10th meeting, and 12B, the 93 [2:17:27] special meeting. [2:17:30] Anybody have any issues with either set [2:17:32] of minutes? [2:17:35] Okay. Then I make a motion that we [2:17:36] approve both the August 10th regular [2:17:40] minute meetings and the uh September [2:17:42] 3rd, 2026 special minute meetings. [2:17:47] >> Second, [2:17:48] >> Scott Persona seconded. Uh further [2:17:51] discussion and how do you vote? [2:17:54] >> Dave Gustanian, how do you vote? [2:17:56] >> Hi. [2:17:58] >> Uh Scott Persona, [2:17:59] >> yes. [2:18:01] Christine Randazo [2:18:02] >> I [2:18:03] >> and Jeff Magcguire I that's five nothing [2:18:05] vote. Um [2:18:08] in our packet there was information from [2:18:10] the tax collector. [2:18:12] Um [2:18:15] oh I got to find my packet. Here it is. [2:18:18] [sighs] [2:18:22] So the tax collector was talking to us [2:18:25] about um [2:18:28] various things. So, you can sit there [2:18:29] and go in through and sit there and see [2:18:31] on page 58 what the tax collectors paid [2:18:34] in her pie charts and how much is [2:18:36] uncollected and collected. Um, [2:18:40] you can she she put in the information [2:18:42] for July and August. So, July there was [2:18:45] $3,38,000 [2:18:47] collected. As I was saying before, it's [2:18:49] uh July is our largest collection month. [2:18:52] uh August uh which is on page 61. We [2:18:56] collected $467,000 [2:18:59] during this month and it will drop off [2:19:02] again in September and then pick back up [2:19:06] again in October as the next quarterly [2:19:08] payment comes too. [gasps] [2:19:10] Um any other questions related to or [2:19:14] thoughts related to [2:19:17] the tax collector's presentation? [2:19:22] Okay. On page 64, there's uh um [2:19:27] $813.54 [2:19:29] in total tax refunds being requested. [2:19:32] So, I'll make a motion that we approve [2:19:35] um the tax refunds requested in the [2:19:39] amount of $813.54. [2:19:47] Who second that? [2:19:50] >> Ann seconded it first. I heard it. [2:19:52] Chirp. Um so um further discussion. [2:19:55] Nope. An how do you vote? [2:19:58] >> Hi. [2:19:58] >> Dave. [2:20:00] >> Scott Persson. [2:20:01] >> Hi. [2:20:02] >> Christine Renazo. [2:20:04] Jeff Magcguire. I 5 nothing. Okay. [2:20:09] Uh then you get into your departmental [2:20:11] reports. Um, we had the community [2:20:14] center. Um, [2:20:18] there's a lot of stuff going on in the [2:20:19] community center. Uh, I know that, uh, [2:20:22] Tess wasn't feeling well today, but the [2:20:25] system is, uh, up and running. And if [2:20:27] you as a resident haven't stopped in to [2:20:29] get your, uh, your your [2:20:34] barcode, key tag, whatever for uh, [2:20:37] participation at the community center, [2:20:39] you should. I have mine. I scanned it [2:20:41] onto my phone so I can use a picture. [2:20:43] You go in, you sign up, you pick the [2:20:46] events and activities that you want to [2:20:48] go to. And um as the community center [2:20:52] and the director get more familiar with [2:20:54] it, they'll be able to provide us with [2:20:57] actual uh [2:21:00] information as to how many participants [2:21:02] are going and using the community center [2:21:04] and what we need to do to sit there and [2:21:06] improve participation. But, um, I'm very [2:21:10] happy that that Tess and her team have [2:21:12] gotten that up and running and, uh, I [2:21:16] think it's going to help out a lot. [2:21:19] So, [2:21:21] >> place going really well. [2:21:24] Yeah, I was at the um [2:21:27] they had an ice cream social to end [2:21:29] their um they had done an ice cream tour [2:21:34] uh with some of the seniors and uh [2:21:38] and it was very nice and we do have a [2:21:42] lot of participation and we even have [2:21:44] our oldest resident who I believe is our [2:21:46] oldest resident gets to the community [2:21:48] center on a regular basis. She's 102 [2:21:50] years old and uh she was there for the [2:21:54] ice cream social. [2:21:55] >> Well, she's there every week. [2:21:57] >> Yeah, she I I was amaz I'm I can only [2:22:03] hope I'm that active cuz she's still [2:22:05] getting around. Um [2:22:07] >> she wasn't in a wheelchair. She was [2:22:10] getting herself around. [2:22:11] >> So, um anyway, I I believe Tess and her [2:22:15] team are doing a really good job and [2:22:17] it's it's growing. So, we want to [2:22:18] continue to move it in that direction. [2:22:23] Okay. Um, [2:22:26] we have the assessor's office has a [2:22:30] packet in there. Anybody have anything [2:22:32] that they want to talk about related to [2:22:34] that? [2:22:36] Then the building department is in [2:22:38] there. So, all of the the collections [2:22:40] for the month of of this actually might [2:22:43] be August. Uh, she did she put the month [2:22:46] of August in there. So, the total [2:22:48] permits and bonds for the month of [2:22:49] August were $5,187.80. [2:22:53] Um, [2:22:55] we need to keep looking at that and keep [2:22:57] looking at how to [2:22:58] >> I did I looked through them all. [2:23:00] >> Yeah, [2:23:00] >> they look good. [2:23:02] >> Okay. [2:23:04] Um, [2:23:09] she has a lot of information in here. [2:23:13] And then the DPW starts on a 90 page 94 [2:23:18] and you can sit there and see where they [2:23:21] were showing he was showing us the uh [2:23:24] Chamberlain Pond parking lot on a rainy [2:23:26] day. So I believe Scott that the that uh [2:23:31] all of the appropriate permits were [2:23:33] filed so that we could get this done and [2:23:35] put down millings and put down stone. [2:23:38] It still drains out into the road [2:23:40] though. You know, all that water, [2:23:44] >> believe it or not, doesn't drain back [2:23:46] towards the pond. Drains right out on [2:23:48] 316. [2:23:51] >> Okay. [2:23:53] Um [2:23:55] he put in uh this is Eric Johansson on [2:23:59] page 100. He put in a projected cost on [2:24:01] that project of $24,000. [2:24:06] So, um, Matt, you probably should work [2:24:09] with him to sit there and see if that's [2:24:10] appropriate number or if there's [2:24:12] something that we should do to make that [2:24:15] a little bit, uh, uh, less expensive. [2:24:19] So, [2:24:20] >> yeah, we'll uh we'll go over the [2:24:22] numbers. [2:24:23] >> Okay. [gasps] [2:24:30] And then I think the last one we have is [2:24:33] Andover Public Library. [2:24:36] Well, the Landover Public Library and [2:24:37] the Register of Voters. So, the Andover [2:24:40] Public Library is on page 106. The [2:24:42] register of voters is in 107. And um [2:24:48] just so everybody understands [2:24:51] um [2:24:53] the register of voter voters conducted [2:24:55] seven days of early voting [2:24:58] um [2:25:00] for the primary [2:25:02] which is something that the state has [2:25:04] forced us to do. And uh I think [2:25:08] >> how many voters? [2:25:10] >> Uh I I knew I read it. I thought it was [2:25:14] 17, but I might it might have been uh [2:25:18] >> voters. No, it was 52 voters that came [2:25:22] [clears throat] [2:25:23] >> out of 190 196 voted on the the primary [2:25:28] day and 52 voters voted over the 7-day [2:25:31] period. So, in effect, seven voters a [2:25:34] day. Um, [2:25:37] it's not a lot of voters for uh $4,000 [2:25:40] in total expenditure for the town. Now, [2:25:43] the town did get a grant, but the [2:25:45] question that I have for Wall-E is, is [2:25:47] that the grant for the entire year for [2:25:49] early voting? Because we have more than [2:25:51] one election. Um, will we get another [2:25:54] $5,000 for the um election in November [2:25:59] or how are we how does that work? But it [2:26:02] is an extra cost that the town has to [2:26:05] pick up for early voting. So [2:26:09] anyway, that's it. That gets us down to [2:26:12] correspondence, which I don't believe we [2:26:14] have any. Matt, is that accurate? [2:26:17] >> That is correct. [2:26:18] >> Okay. Um, if nobody has anything else to [2:26:22] discuss or anything that we need to do, [2:26:23] I'm going to sit there and move to [2:26:24] public speak. [2:26:27] We good? Okay. Ashley Johnson, you're up [2:26:31] first. [2:26:36] » Hey. Okay. So, uh, quick question about [2:26:41] the school and the budgets and all of [2:26:44] that. I'm just kind of wondering [2:26:48] why you, [2:26:51] how do I say this? [2:26:55] Why does the town and the school not get [2:26:58] along? [2:26:59] Like I know I'm new, but I mean you [2:27:03] would think that y'all would work [2:27:06] together way better. I mean you guys use [2:27:09] the school for the meetings and you know [2:27:14] part of the whole reason that we even [2:27:16] moved here is because the education is [2:27:18] excellent. [2:27:20] Um, so I'm just wondering why this seems [2:27:23] to be a thing year after year that it [2:27:27] seems like y'all are just always butting [2:27:29] heads and it doesn't make sense. [2:27:33] >> We try not to. We got to keep working on [2:27:35] it. Ashley, [2:27:37] >> right? [2:27:38] >> I mean, try and do. [2:27:40] >> Do let's do. [2:27:42] >> Yeah. [2:27:43] >> Okay. Um Diane Grineer. [2:27:48] >> Hi there. Um another great meeting full [2:27:51] of meat and uh good stuff. You guys work [2:27:53] really hard on lots of things. Um I'm [2:27:56] particularly delighted with the reports [2:27:58] from um um the new presentations tonight [2:28:01] from the town clerk and the public [2:28:03] works. I think that's a good idea and I [2:28:05] encourage you to continue that. I also [2:28:08] support the idea of um the veterans uh [2:28:12] sponsoring the scout troop. I think [2:28:13] that's a good plan and the light at [2:28:16] Hendi I think well needed welldeserved [2:28:19] that people want it. I know that the DOT [2:28:21] has multiple times um done their traffic [2:28:25] survey and decided that we don't we [2:28:28] don't need it. We don't meet the counts. [2:28:30] Um but I think it's good that you [2:28:32] continue to request it and people really [2:28:35] want that light. So anyways, good job to [2:28:38] all. Thank you very much for all you do. [2:28:40] Have a good day. Right, Jasmine. [2:28:42] [clears throat] [2:28:50] » Okay, I'll come back to you, Liz Loatch. [2:28:54] >> Hi. Um, great meeting tonight. Uh, very [2:28:58] productive. I'm I was always 5050 on [2:29:01] keeping the light, but I don't have a [2:29:03] problem with keeping it, but I think um [2:29:05] definitely somebody [2:29:08] should evaluate um how well it's [2:29:10] functioning just because of what I've [2:29:12] heard, all the complaints I've heard [2:29:13] online about it. But other than that, [2:29:16] I'm good. Good job, guys. [2:29:18] >> All right, [snorts] Ben Harp. [2:29:21] >> Yeah, I'm all set. Thank you. [2:29:23] >> Right, Wayne Cass. Wayne, how do I say [2:29:26] your last name accurately? [2:29:28] >> Versace. [2:29:29] I got it next time. [2:29:32] >> Unlike my cousin Corey [2:29:37] >> or former cousin um anyway on the light [2:29:40] at uh Hendy and and uh Route 6, I I I [2:29:46] would wholeheartedly uh support keeping the light. Uh, being [2:29:53] a resident of Bear Swamp and now having [2:29:55] go down Hendy Hendy, I I really do like [2:29:58] the light. [2:30:00] Okay. [2:30:02] Uh, Eric Johansson, if you're still [2:30:05] available, if you want to say anything. [2:30:08] >> I just like to thank the board for [2:30:09] having me on and if anybody has any [2:30:12] questions, please feel free to contact [2:30:14] me. Thank you. Right, [2:30:15] >> Joanne Heert. [2:30:19] Yeah, just two quick comments. As [2:30:21] someone that has to use the Hendy Road [2:30:23] light too, I'd probably be in the [2:30:28] negative of keeping it only because it's [2:30:32] so scary when you are sitting on the [2:30:34] Route 6 coming from the Manchester [2:30:36] location and you're backed up. And as [2:30:39] someone who has been rearended at a [2:30:41] stoplight before and suffered from it, [2:30:44] when I see those cars whizzing by, it's [2:30:46] just a very scary place to park to to be [2:30:49] sitting. Um I've got that in the back of [2:30:52] my head. Are they paying attention? Do [2:30:54] they see us because we're lining up? [2:30:55] Lights are going. I'm [2:30:57] like, what is going on? There's been [2:30:59] like four cycles. So, thank you, [2:31:00] Christine, for bringing that up so that [2:31:03] I can understand it because I don't want [2:31:04] to break the law, but I don't want to [2:31:06] get rearended. Um, so there's that [2:31:08] problem. Um, the other thing is thank [2:31:11] you for the long hill update. Although [2:31:14] I'm sad to hear about it, I appreciate [2:31:16] the honesty. Um, again, as someone that [2:31:20] is very active, it adds and time is the [2:31:24] essence in my day. It's 20 minutes added [2:31:27] to each trip that I take in and out of [2:31:29] my house, you know, from where I go if [2:31:32] I'm traveling the whole way around. and [2:31:34] then if I have to backtrack like you [2:31:36] said the two miles that I'm making up, [2:31:39] you know, once I get on Route 6. So that [2:31:41] coupled with all the gas and all of [2:31:43] that, listen, I'm not going to complain [2:31:45] about that. There's a lot worse things [2:31:47] going on in the world than me suffering [2:31:49] a little bit with time management, but [2:31:51] hoping that we can get that done and [2:31:53] completed, you know, by December as [2:31:55] you've all said. So, thank you for that. [2:31:58] Any test graphs? [2:32:06] Dennis O'Brien. [2:32:09] >> Yes. I just want to thank the board of [2:32:11] selectmen for voting to uh continue me [2:32:14] as the town attorney under a new [2:32:16] contract which uh it's uh actually it's [2:32:19] for $12,500 [2:32:21] a year. I love working for the town. [2:32:24] I've been with the town for oh 23 years [2:32:27] or so and the people here are wonderful. [2:32:30] The public officials are great and the [2:32:32] board of selectman is doing a fine job [2:32:35] and I was really pleased by the uh as [2:32:37] Diane Grener was by the uh the meeting [2:32:40] and all the good information that came [2:32:42] forward. Thank you. [2:32:44] >> Okay. Uh test I know she's probably not [2:32:48] still listening but [2:32:51] okay. Um item 17 um I'll make a motion [2:32:56] to adjurnn. [2:32:58] and [2:32:59] >> and second. Um, Ann, how do you vote? [2:33:03] >> I, [2:33:04] >> Dave Gustadian, how do you vote? I, [2:33:06] >> Christina Rendazo. Oh, I went out of [2:33:08] order. I'm sorry. Scott Pers, [2:33:11] I Jeff Magcguire, I 5 nothing. [2:33:13] Everybody, thank you very much. I [2:33:14] appreciate it. And, uh, we'll see you [2:33:16] guys later.