1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:10,400 I'm just laughing at today's man. I did that all by myself, too. 2 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:16,120 I want that recorded. >> 199 employees. Wait, bump it up to 200. 3 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:18,800 » We were so close. We were down to 427 at one point. 4 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:25,560 That means what the good news is it means that we can add eight more 5 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:30,320 beds. We're about 124 6 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:32,400 and there she goes. We're going to be >> Can you get me back? 7 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:33,680 » I want to get you back. >> It is You're recording. That's not the 8 00:00:33,480 --> 00:00:36,360 issue. >> We need to kick people off the list. 9 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:40,665 » But he never received >> All right. 10 00:00:38,645 --> 00:00:40,665 » [laughter] 11 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:49,680 » All right, everything was fine until you guys get on. 12 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:53,560 It's Devin acting up. Devin, keep it under control. 13 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:57,000 » Charles, you have another >> Hang on. What is this? Who is this? 14 00:00:55,480 --> 00:01:00,040 » agenda Uh if not, let me go back. I don't but 15 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:03,520 let me get you some more coffee. >> You may have to go Devin, you may have 16 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:06,040 to go on and off again. >> 2 minutes. 17 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,480 » All right. Talk for a second. Let me hear you. 18 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,640 » 2 minutes. >> And 19 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:12,120 » Devon, you're muted. You're muted. 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:13,880 » We just need an agenda. >> Okay. 21 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:17,160 » No. >> Devon, can you talk and I can hear 22 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:18,760 » Hang on. I got an agenda. No. >> No. 23 00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:21,280 » And wait, I need the uh >> Yeah, I can talk. 24 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,920 » Yeah, that's what it It's Devin, it's you. 25 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,920 Whatever 26 00:01:25,150 --> 00:01:28,640 » [clears throat] >> You sound like Mickey Mouse. 27 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:31,480 You're Mickey Mouse-ing so you have to go off and try again. 28 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:35,631 » Put away the helium. >> Yeah. 29 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:38,200 » Is that a helium leak? >> [laughter] 30 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:43,200 » Don't check the tanks. >> And don't screw it up then. 31 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:45,840 » Devon, log off and log back in. Can you hear us? 32 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:51,840 Log off. Totally log off and log back in. 33 00:01:55,120 --> 00:02:02,680 No, he's in Randy Hall's office at the jail, but Randy's computer I don't know 34 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:05,160 I've never seen that office log into Zoom, so I don't know what kind of 35 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,240 » Yeah. >> technology that's in there. Yeah. 36 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,679 » The camera with the little microphone for sure. 37 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:14,000 » I know. >> Seeing that it's 8:30, we're going to 38 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:19,520 call this commissioner's meeting to order. It's Wednesday, August 12th. All 39 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:23,520 commissioners are present. Um going to start off with public comment seeing 40 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:29,120 that there's no public. I'm going to move on to elected officials and 41 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:31,920 department head updates. We'll get to your some of yours in a 42 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:35,160 bit. Um 43 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:38,640 I know Nick you're here. I don't know if Devin can have talk and not sound like 44 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:41,560 Mickey Mouse. Um but we'll we'll test that out in a 45 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:44,800 second. So you want to start Nick and Devin can join us. 46 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:48,520 » Yeah, just to give an update on some of the stuff. I'm still I've been off for a 47 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:54,800 little bit, so I'm coming back tomorrow, so I'm on Zoom from home. 48 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:59,880 But the AC unit is uh it we are getting AC. One of the hot water heaters is 49 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:04,040 working. One of them is not. Uh they did put in a claim through 50 00:03:02,239 --> 00:03:07,200 Primex. Uh that was Chris's recommendation, so Steve's been on it 51 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:11,160 with us. And so they got a lot of the steps. 52 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:15,840 Devin got Steve a time frame of everything from when the power went out 53 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:19,920 to when the problems were finally noticed to when the companies were 54 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:24,519 called, the invoices that were given and everything. Uh Devin did get a 55 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:28,840 quote from What was it? E&E about if they were to 56 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:33,080 come and do a detailed check on everything. Uh the quote I think was 57 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:38,040 26,000. >> About 27,000. 58 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:43,560 » Oh, okay. Yeah. 27. So he did get that checked. That that was just the quote 59 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:49,280 E&E sent us. They did when the lead engineer from E&E came, we asked and 60 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:52,960 Chris asked about what can we do as a backup in the future and if there isn't 61 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:57,800 really a a simple backup they could give us. 62 00:03:55,560 --> 00:04:01,840 There's no like easy backup. There's no double system or anything like that. 63 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:06,800 This was just kind of a wild scenario that happened, but it's 64 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:10,080 not like we could have something on on hand. So, if it did happen again that we 65 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:13,440 could just switch to that. It's not really a simple 66 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:16,079 thing like that. Devin can talk a little bit more to it if he doesn't sound 67 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,239 silly, but >> Yeah, 68 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,880 can you guys hear me? >> Yes. 69 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:27,520 » Yeah, this was a an anomaly that that just happened. Everybody we've talked to 70 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:33,120 so far up to this point said this just happens. There's no no prevention from 71 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:38,880 stopping uh power surges from damaging any type of 72 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:44,480 electronical equipment. Um like Philly said, we now have one hot water boiler 73 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:49,760 up and running. Our AC is working. I think our plan forward from this point 74 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:54,600 is to get everything running and then we would like to have the E&E systems 75 00:04:52,560 --> 00:05:00,720 engineers and techs come in and do a retro uh commissioning of the entire 76 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:07,040 system cuz we still don't know exactly what else has been affected 77 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:11,960 downstream from where we're at now. >> And one of the things that we did learn 78 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:17,160 is that one of the issues was that when every when they had the surge it went 79 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:19,800 into um default mode. Default mode in New England is heat. 80 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:24,240 » Yes. >> So So, they had to correct that and they 81 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:27,600 had to it was actually something about this big 82 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:33,000 that was really the problem if I remember exactly. And uh he was able to 83 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:38,080 pinpoint that, fix that really quick quickly, and it took probably about 3 84 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:43,880 hours, correct me if I'm wrong, uh about 3 hours to get us back to where it's uh 85 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:49,400 comfortable. But, it was a many days where we didn't have any AC and no hot 86 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:52,840 water. Or I would should say we had hot hot-ish water. We had it in the '80s. 87 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:56,920 » Correct. >> It's now over 100 and it's back to 88 00:05:55,200 --> 00:06:00,320 semi-normal. So, um that's 89 00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:04,360 I think the guys learned a lot out of it, too, and understand it. They they 90 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:08,840 they were they were right there with the team learning as they went about, asking 91 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:13,120 questions the whole time. Um and I think they they have a a 92 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:18,080 greater handle on on the overall process. Like you said, it was a car 93 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:22,524 accident, it took out a telephone pole, it caused a surge, 94 00:06:20,280 --> 00:06:24,919 and there you are. And >> [clears throat] 95 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:29,520 » so, now we know that. We all know, as he said, that the panel the whole panel is 96 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:33,240 outdated and will have to be replaced over time. We can do it piecemeal, 97 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:37,600 though. We don't have to do it all at once and is what they said. And so, 98 00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:40,200 we'll take a look at all the all the alternatives and see how we want to move 99 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:46,720 forward. >> So, it was just a minor disruption. It 100 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:46,720 didn't really cause any problems. 101 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:54,600 Operation of the UOC, though, right? >> It [clears throat] created angst across 102 00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:58,520 the the the all departments because they had no AC for 103 00:06:56,600 --> 00:07:03,520 what, 6 days? >> Yeah. Yes. 104 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:09,240 » 6 days when you need it. So, they actually I will tell you for not having 105 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:13,560 any AC and walking the unit walking the halls in near the pods, I did not want 106 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:17,360 to go into any the pods because I knew I would be somebody that everybody would 107 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:20,320 all of a sudden I could create angst at a higher level if I would have and they 108 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:24,080 could all of a sudden have somebody to direct it towards, but everybody seemed 109 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:28,040 to handle it well. They had extra water in there. They had industrial fans that 110 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:32,280 they brought in. So, they handled it extremely well. During the night, they 111 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:36,840 had the the activity areas windows open so that the 112 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:42,880 cool air could be brought in to cool down the area, but from about 2:30 on in 113 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:46,520 the afternoon if it was a hot day, it did warm up and you had to shut 114 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:52,040 everything up and just blow a lot of hot warm air around the area, but we didn't 115 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:55,120 have any incidents that I'm aware of. We had people 116 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:59,040 wondering what was going on and I think if Devin walked into a unit, they were 117 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:02,160 they would ask immediately, "What's going on? You know, is it fixed yet?" 118 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:06,480 You know, that kind of thing. He'd say they're working on it, but then we were 119 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:10,280 able to get the architect here. It's interesting. All of a sudden he just all 120 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:12,360 of a sudden showed up, right? >> Yeah, 121 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:15,760 yeah, yeah, that works. >> Yeah, real surprising after you, you 122 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:19,080 know, on the phone you say, "Why are you here?" 123 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:23,400 Um, and then they they turned it around and 124 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:28,680 everything else is back to normal. >> I guess my question would be, if 125 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:32,719 the expert came in and found the issue in a in a short amount of time, what can 126 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:36,719 we do to make sure that there's an expert available when we make the first 127 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:42,280 call? >> It's one of It's one of the questions I 128 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:46,880 asked and it was a perfect storm. The guy that normally is the backup for 129 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:51,920 everybody, the architect that knows the system 130 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:58,120 inside and out, was on vacation. >> Yeah, the main Chris, the main engineer 131 00:08:54,640 --> 00:09:02,600 that knows that system was on vacation. He just so happened to be on vacation at 132 00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:08,280 that time. So, I got the next best thing, which was who was the engineer in 133 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:12,160 charge at that point and that was Tim and Tim 134 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:18,000 knows the system, but he doesn't know it as well as Sam does. So, Tim was helping 135 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:22,000 us work through the problems until Sam came back from vacation. 136 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:24,240 » That was that and when CT came through, it was within 137 00:09:23,680 --> 00:09:28,560 a you know, hours. I would say that that 138 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:32,880 they figured out where the issue was and and they were able to turn things around 139 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:34,960 real quickly. So, I said to them, "Well, he's probably going to go on 140 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:39,160 vacation again." >> Or get hit by a bus. 141 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:44,320 » And and or retire or whatever it may be. So and so I received a call from uh some 142 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:48,280 of the top brass there this week and they're looking into how to come up with 143 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:50,440 a solution to those answers. But it's a good question because we asked the same 144 00:09:49,680 --> 00:09:53,320 thing. >> All right, thank you. 145 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:57,800 » Yeah. Any other things that you guys have? 146 00:09:56,320 --> 00:10:00,520 » No, that's all we really had. 147 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:04,320 » Okay. >> Yeah, I think we're good. I think we're 148 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:08,720 we're at a good spot right now. Um like I said, we still don't know exactly the 149 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:12,720 extent of this. So hopefully if we could get the engine engineers in here with 150 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:19,000 the technician and kind of go through the system and actually find out all the 151 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:19,000 issues that it may have caused. 152 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,200 » Okay. 153 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,840 All right, thank you. I appreciate it. >> Yep. 154 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:32,040 » Yep. >> All right. Um anybody else? Yes, ma'am. 155 00:10:29,560 --> 00:10:37,160 » I have a non FMLA well, an extension of an FMLA 156 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:43,280 um leave of absence request for one of our employees at Maple Wood. He will 157 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:49,400 exhaust his FMLA um effective September 2nd, but he had a non-work related very 158 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:56,680 significant fracture and he's got some complications. So they're looking for an 159 00:10:52,880 --> 00:11:01,640 additional eight weeks after his um FMLA exhaust, which would bring him back 160 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:06,000 at the end of October. Um this would be without pay because he 161 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:09,360 I believe at this point has exhausted all of his time. 162 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:13,560 » Okay. >> motorcycle 163 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:16,839 » Is there a motion? >> I have a friend who's what? 164 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:18,880 » I don't know. I try to stay out of people's way. 165 00:11:17,932 --> 00:11:21,160 » [laughter] >> fell down the stairs 166 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,640 » motorcycle accident >> He did something that was significant. 167 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:28,320 Yeah. >> That's a long healing time. 168 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:31,880 » Yeah, here's so my question My question would be 169 00:11:29,839 --> 00:11:35,080 by by it, we're not causing ourselves any great 170 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:38,200 great issue by I mean it is >> Um he works in our activities 171 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:43,320 department, so they're working a little short, but it's not um they're they I 172 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:47,680 talked to the manager and she is supportive of us. 173 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:50,520 » And I'd move to extend this request as >> Second. 174 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,760 » Second Commissioner Clark. >> Yes. 175 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,080 » Commissioner Stewart. >> Yes. 176 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:55,760 » Commissioner DiBernardo. >> Yes. 177 00:11:53,680 --> 00:12:01,480 » All right, moving on. I'm going to jump the calendar a little bit and start with 178 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:06,760 EMS presentation that we have today. I want to start off by having Chief Andrew 179 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:12,400 out to take the time for you to just leave what he has put together. 180 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:16,800 Um Mike is here. He's our our architect. You've met him before 181 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:21,600 um to really support the the conversation and answer any questions 182 00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:26,800 that people may have pertaining to to this, but um just wanted to start with 183 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:31,800 with the you reading this document that I think is outstanding that the chief 184 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,800 really put together. 185 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:50,200 » How long you guys on? I'll start. I'll start. I'm the long. 186 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:55,560 Um so as you know, we've been, you know, especially now 187 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:58,680 with the rural transformation funding in play, 188 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:03,320 we've been taking a look at our need across the county, but one of the 189 00:15:59,960 --> 00:16:09,480 biggest needs we have is is is an EMS. When we started this whole idea, it was 190 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:12,640 initially with two ambulances. It was 191 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:17,920 um that we were going to be transporting 192 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:23,400 and facility transfers in West Columbia. Over time, that grew to three, 193 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:29,000 uh and then when Swansea became a reality, it became four, then quickly 194 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:33,240 five, and that's where we are today. We built this 195 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:39,640 this facility with the idea that we were really going to follow at the max three 196 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:43,080 or ambulances at a time. We're at five. We could be at heading towards six in 197 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:45,880 the near future. And 198 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:52,280 uh and and and we also built it with the 199 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:58,800 idea of we only had so much money, so much funds, ARPA funds. So we built 200 00:16:55,720 --> 00:17:05,400 off of what was there and built new at the same time. The base, as you know, 201 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:09,280 are new and they are for six vehicles. Currently, if you drive by, 202 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:14,520 you'll see that we have multiple ambulances outside. 203 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:18,120 Um we're about to take on another new ambulance and a parent new paramedic 204 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:23,720 ambulance set in the near future September I believe. 205 00:17:20,839 --> 00:17:28,199 And that is going to strain us even that much more. 206 00:17:25,079 --> 00:17:33,920 So we are looking at at what we need to do and whether it is 207 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:39,320 you know build off what is currently there and and is that make sense or 208 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:43,440 look longer term and build new and what would that mean and what the 209 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:47,520 funding would look like. We have an had an opportunity and we 210 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:51,400 took it uh and just because we didn't want to lose 211 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:57,280 the opportunity to uh go after $50,000 planning grant. 212 00:17:54,680 --> 00:18:01,480 And so we we we took that so that we have more time to take a look at the the 213 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:08,080 capabilities of the uh uh bus going after this and 214 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:11,480 uh the need is that we need we will we're we're needing more beds, we're 215 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:16,480 needing more we we do not have right now the 216 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:20,960 the upstairs which they call the bowling alley was actually built for storage and 217 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:27,840 it's what it is you you know what storage. It is not handicap accessible. 218 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:32,880 Um we do have community uh trainings that go on and um it's it's 219 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:36,040 just reality if you're going to build something it should be handicap 220 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:40,400 accessible. Uh 221 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:43,200 so there's there's a there's multiple concerns we have but it really is about 222 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,920 growth and [clears throat] I want to start 223 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:50,120 first by just allowing Chief to add any of his thoughts. I know he's written 224 00:18:48,360 --> 00:18:54,760 down but if you have any other thoughts that you want to express or add before 225 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:59,560 we go to Mike and just allow him to give some insight from what he's he's looking 226 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:04,600 at and what he goes he Mike was the architect that built the initial with 227 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:09,080 what information we had at the time is is is what we should what it should be. 228 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:11,400 So I'm going to start with any comments 229 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:15,200 that you have. >> Yeah sure obviously thank you for taking 230 00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:20,360 time to read that. I think most of my thoughts are in there. I think that 231 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:22,160 we've done a very good job of trying to um 232 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:25,920 manage what we have going on and build a 233 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:29,240 successful department. Um I think right now, 234 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:34,080 especially with the the rural health care funding and things 235 00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:38,240 like that, you know, understanding that, you know, Church Creek EMS has been 236 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:41,520 um not a 237 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:45,240 inexpensive endeavor, right? So, recognizing a a great opportunity and 238 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:49,000 trying to make sure that we can take advantage of that. I figured that right 239 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:52,880 now is a great opportunity to just bring some of the 240 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:56,760 I almost felt guilty writing it, right? Because it's like this whole thing was 241 00:19:54,720 --> 00:20:01,040 built and it's been wonderful and and things like that. So, kind of pointing 242 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:07,360 out some of the flaws to uh it and um our capabilities of operating 243 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:10,840 within it was slightly difficult. So, um I don't have much say other than, you 244 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:15,000 know, I'm hoping that we have the opportunity to move forward with 245 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:18,720 planning and and seeing what we may or may not be able to do with different 246 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:22,200 funding opportunities. And appreciate your time and here mostly to answer any 247 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:25,240 questions that you may have. >> Yeah, do you receive calls how you all 248 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,720 feel? >> Can we Can Can we first just hear from 249 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:31,600 Mike before you? Oh, is that all right? 250 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:33,440 » No. >> All right. Sorry. 251 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:38,400 » Thanks. Thanks, Carson. >> I'm Mike Petrovec. I was the architect 252 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:42,080 for the for the current site. And you know, we we really did a lot with a 253 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:45,320 little. There was a lot of funding available 254 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:48,720 and really the focus needed to be on building a new building to house the 255 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:52,720 ambulances. We had two existing buildings to kind of 256 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:56,720 work with and create what we could on a very, very tight budget and really an 257 00:20:55,240 --> 00:21:00,760 unknown. Like there was a lot of my doubts about what this this operation 258 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:05,560 would be. As we look at expanding that operation 259 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:09,640 and create a facility for that operation, 260 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:13,360 that site is under utilized and pretty a lot more and so it's we've looked at 261 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:17,400 ways to to rethink it and build off of what's 262 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:21,360 there. There's a lot of opportunity there and 263 00:21:19,360 --> 00:21:25,000 the existing building, which is the administration building, 264 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:29,000 was an existing building that we essentially put a little bit of money in 265 00:21:27,360 --> 00:21:33,280 to make it so it could function so that they could get started and really see 266 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:36,960 what this is. So, there's opportunity there and to bring that site up to what 267 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:41,320 it meeting all the requirements of a true 268 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:44,960 EMS facility. >> Hey Jerry, sorry. 269 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:48,440 » That's all right. You got anything yet? 270 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:53,000 All right. >> Um okay, as far as you know, the 271 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:56,760 the call lines. Uh 272 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:59,400 I I looked over the heat map that you you sent over. 273 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:06,200 Okay, so that's a subscription that we we no longer 274 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:09,320 Do we still have that subscription to that with the other company? 275 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:14,320 » Yeah, the continuum subscription. >> Yes, yep. 276 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:16,440 » Uh so I I spoke at length with um uh 277 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:23,080 over at rescue asking him about if if he had something 278 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:29,280 like that. Said he had continuum up until a few years ago. 279 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:32,960 Hasn't used it cuz of the cost and But he did he did say that uh 280 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:40,720 he was pretty much just going to stay in Hinsdale and Chesterfield up to the 281 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:42,280 32 632. 282 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:48,000 » Yes. >> Yes, 283 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:52,320 he'd seen uh he's been in Keen a lot. 284 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:54,320 We've been in Keen a lot, too. >> Yes. 285 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:59,280 » Why? Why both of the cities? 286 00:22:56,920 --> 00:23:05,760 » Well, it all depends on what is happening Keen in their 287 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:12,240 uh, run cards if they have major events, um, they will pull resources from 288 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:15,960 Cheshire County EMS primarily to, like if there's a fire, [clears throat] 289 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:23,920 for example, uh, Cheshire County EMS will provide the 290 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:29,040 ambulance for the scene itself and, uh, the command the EMS operations for that. 291 00:23:27,120 --> 00:23:33,080 Um, often times in order to not completely uh, Cheshire County EMS of 292 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:38,480 all of its resources, they'll additionally request Rescue Wing to come 293 00:23:35,360 --> 00:23:42,000 on to cover additional call volumes that may or may not present itself. 294 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:45,160 Uh, >> Or other communities. 295 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:49,600 » Or other communities, uh, >> So, this isn't a spike. This is just 296 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:55,160 something that's happened along. It sounded to me 297 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:58,960 something that was abnormal. >> I I can't speak. That would be more of a 298 00:23:57,360 --> 00:24:01,360 question for him. I know when we're called, we we respond to the city of 299 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:04,040 Keene. >> I mean, is it more now than it used to 300 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,800 be? >> It's fairly well. 301 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:11,320 » Uh, okay. >> The the current chief 302 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:14,560 revised his run card a little bit. For a while, we were only sending one 303 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:18,520 unit to the scene. And Rescue Wing was back going to the 304 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:24,000 Keene stations. They want a quicker response after 305 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,000 they're at Keene station. 306 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:30,320 » And I know I know we just entered in an into an agreement [clears throat] with 307 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:34,320 them. >> We're still going back and forth with 308 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:38,880 that agreement. It [clears throat] is not. 309 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:44,320 Uh, they had a, uh, as you, I'm sure are aware, uh, changing 310 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:47,800 their leadership. So, I think, uh, we are still in communication, but we're 311 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:51,400 just letting the kind of the dust settle on that transition. 312 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:54,520 Um, but I have reached out to Chief C Moore multiple times just to make sure 313 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:58,560 it and assured it's still on the table. 314 00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:03,800 » We started nice conversation. >> So, is that likely to increase the calls 315 00:25:01,120 --> 00:25:03,800 in the [clears throat] kingdom? 316 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:11,040 » I don't believe it will adjust their run card. 317 00:25:08,360 --> 00:25:13,400 So, I I can't say whether it would increase or decrease the call volume in 318 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:18,320 the kingdom. >> It It depends on the on the day, too. I 319 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:23,200 mean, to be honest, I mean, Keene has pushed forward to add more staff. 320 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:26,640 Which, when you're adding more staff, means they have the availability of 321 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:31,440 adding another ambulance to the the scenario. So, I believe that at least 322 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:34,840 they're running at least two a day. At least. 323 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:39,520 Unless staffing is is a concern. >> Or for maintenance, they they've had 324 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:44,240 multiple vehicles uh have mechanical failures, 325 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:49,200 uh not unlike us, and they'll communicate that. And if they're down 326 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:53,160 two ambulances, you know, they may only have one or two running for the city 327 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:56,840 that day. They communicate that to Deputy Atkins, and that would be a day 328 00:25:55,120 --> 00:26:00,920 that we're probably going to get called into Keene considerably more. Uh 329 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:05,520 » But they're only I mean, last year they were only like 330 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:08,080 80 calls? 100 calls? 331 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:12,800 » Yeah. >> Our core mission right now is and and 332 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:16,800 you tell me if I'm off off the numbers here, but you know, Swanzey's 1,200 333 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:22,680 calls. Uh Winchester has the has the ability to 334 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:26,720 have 800 calls, of which we're in a month's time we're doing anywhere 335 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:30,480 between 30 to 60% of those calls. >> Have two two ambulances right now at 336 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:33,200 Fitzwilliam for a motor vehicle accident on Route 119. 337 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:35,920 » Right. So, Troy Fitzwilliam is as a backup. And 338 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:41,600 » We're primary, too. >> And we're probably primary because there 339 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:45,680 are staffing issues. Um but we also have a core coming out of Marlborough and 340 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:51,240 Harrisville right there. So, that's our that's the meat of a good 341 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:56,080 chunk of of our our calls right there. And then you have Winchester, I mean 342 00:26:54,240 --> 00:27:00,000 Fitzwilliam, Troy like you just said, that adds in a little flavor to it, too. 343 00:26:58,840 --> 00:27:04,800 » So so would you say that 344 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:09,320 in the number of calls, would it be Swanzey, Winchester, 345 00:27:07,360 --> 00:27:15,160 uh Marlborough, and and East, and then 346 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:15,160 North in that order? 347 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:20,320 Taking care of >> I I I could I could definitely get you 348 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:25,560 the town-by-town call numbers. >> Well, I see the heat way it looks is in 349 00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:30,480 » Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I would think that Swanzey is by far uh the most prolific. 350 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:36,560 Uh Winchester depends on the day. 351 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:40,640 Uh Marlborough, Westmoreland, um 352 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:45,280 then, you know, Harrisville, Gilsum, Stoddard 353 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:47,840 are are probably pretty comparable across the board. 354 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:51,160 » Richmond >> Yeah, Richmond is probably one of the 355 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:54,480 lower. Richmond and Gilsum 356 00:27:52,320 --> 00:28:02,160 » Yeah, so I I've been just trying to look at the need, the present need, and 357 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:04,200 see past, and and trying to predict um 358 00:28:05,120 --> 00:28:11,880 where, you know, where some of that that is being taken care of by other 359 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:15,040 people will fall on us. 360 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:19,080 So would would you say that 361 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:22,600 that's that's a possibility? >> Yeah, I think it should actually is part 362 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:25,560 of our strategic plan, and Chief Deacon and I meet pretty regularly. We have 363 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:32,880 been for uh over 2 years, even back uh when uh 364 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:36,440 Chief Burn was here, and looking at every ambulance service around us, and 365 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:41,120 some of the difficulties that they're facing, trying to have uh 366 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:44,520 open lines of communication with with them, with their select boards, you 367 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:48,960 know, and then basically around the water cooler, uh you know, who's having 368 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:53,960 staffing issues, who's having budgetary issues, and trying to identify okay, 369 00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:59,880 it's kind of a uh not a game, but a strategic move to 370 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:05,040 say okay, hypothetical situation, this ambulance department closes tomorrow, 371 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:08,760 what would our reaction be, and how are we poised to answer that bell. 372 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:11,080 Um thankfully, 373 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:16,120 you know, uh 374 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:20,640 most of those things have not come to total fruition, uh but we do have, you 375 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:26,040 know, the the day of the barbecue up in Summer, right? Uh 376 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:29,760 Keene got their entire barn. Uh Fitzwilliam, Troy did not have coverage 377 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:35,240 that day. Winchester did not have that coverage that day. 378 00:29:31,920 --> 00:29:38,880 Um we had a full complement of staffing that day, 379 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:45,320 uh but that ambulance that was at the the Summer outing, that was the only 380 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:48,600 ambulance available for the city of Keene, city of Keene, all their 381 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:54,520 contracts, all of our contracts, Fitzwilliam, Troy, and Winchester. And 382 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:59,960 we were just with bated breath. Thankfully, we got through without uh 383 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:04,600 another major issue, cuz that would have been I mean, we would have probably had 384 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:09,720 uh you know, Alstead coming down 385 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:14,240 into the area, or uh Jaffrey, Rindge, or Peterborough needing to be coming over 386 00:30:11,840 --> 00:30:17,240 to cover something. >> Just one more question on the personal 387 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:20,000 level of risk. I'll be here. 388 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:23,920 Uh This build here, 389 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:23,920 uh 390 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:30,680 let's look at 10 years from now, 15 years from now. 391 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:34,080 Is this Is this Are we going to find ourselves in 10 392 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:37,160 years saying that this is not enough? 393 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:41,200 Just right? >> The the communication that I've had with 394 00:30:39,200 --> 00:30:44,680 Mike and Chris so far, you know, we don't have the exact plans, but that has 395 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:49,160 been our top priority is to make sure that this is something that is not only 396 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:52,640 suitable for what we have going on today, but well, well, well into the 397 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:56,440 future. So, and I'm going to turn it over to Mike in 398 00:30:54,000 --> 00:31:00,320 2 seconds, but this is a ongoing conversation. There's two ways we can 399 00:30:59,040 --> 00:31:06,200 look at this. And one and and and it really comes down 400 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:09,560 to cost. We can we can take a look at what we have currently and try to build 401 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:15,480 off it. Is that that's case in there? No, it's not. That 402 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:20,320 is a 10 to 15-year look, I would guess and Mike can Mike can eat me out of it 403 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:26,040 even shorter. But, um but or we build new, then you're looking out years. 404 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:26,040 So, um 405 00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:33,920 uh you know, it's it's going to come down to numbers, it's going to come down 406 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:38,240 to One of the reasons that I like that we go after planning grant right now. 407 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:43,840 Well, pays for services, I always like that, but more importantly 408 00:31:41,080 --> 00:31:49,320 is there is rumor uh from from Go North that they are 409 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:54,320 going to ask for a waiver for the Center of Medicaid Services 410 00:31:51,440 --> 00:32:00,280 to forego right now. Right now, they will pay they will pay for uh 411 00:31:56,920 --> 00:32:04,440 for infrastructure you currently have to renovate. 412 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:09,440 They're not doing new. So, we built a foot new foot footprint, 413 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:13,840 that would be considered our footprint. So, we could actually 414 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:16,400 have the internals built through Go North. 415 00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:22,920 And I know that for a fact because I've asked both the director, 416 00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:28,280 the assistant director Go North, and the where the money lays in CDFA and the 417 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:32,360 executive director of CDFA. So, they've all said the same thing. If we build our 418 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:36,040 enlarge our footprint, that becomes our footprint, and they would pay for the 419 00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:39,760 internal workings of it. What they are now saying is that they're going to look 420 00:32:38,480 --> 00:32:42,680 work with the center for Medicaid services because they're the ones that 421 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:46,760 control this. What we can and can't do. And see if 422 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:49,920 they can we get a waiver so that they can build 423 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:53,440 do because what they're hearing out there there is a lot of people like us 424 00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:55,560 that are in this position. And so 425 00:32:54,800 --> 00:33:00,400 at getting a planning grant allows us that 426 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:06,960 allows us that much more time to look for us to go in the next round to go 427 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:11,440 after full funding of the project. Instead of 50% of the project. So 428 00:33:09,760 --> 00:33:13,880 that's that's my my thought at this point. 429 00:33:12,480 --> 00:33:16,680 And it's going to come down to whatever it is. I'm taking time away from you, 430 00:33:15,440 --> 00:33:20,000 Michael. >> Yeah. So, 431 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:23,920 my background is that we do public safety facilities. Several fire stations 432 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:28,920 and obviously this facility and 433 00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:32,880 and I speak at a national conference for public safety building design. And the 434 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:37,200 the way that we look at this is that we like the ambulance facilities they're 435 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:40,480 not that is a 50-year building. We want to build a 50-year building, but 436 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:45,320 we don't want to build out for a space for 50 years. So as we plan 437 00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:49,840 this site, part of the reason we want to look at removing that existing admin 438 00:33:47,800 --> 00:33:55,800 building and kind of creating a campus there is that we can plan out to towards 439 00:33:53,200 --> 00:34:00,120 10 to 15 or 20-year growth. And then where does it go after that and 440 00:33:57,800 --> 00:34:04,400 how to plan that site for expansion so we're not kind of redoing things in the 441 00:34:02,480 --> 00:34:08,159 future. The other thing is that when a building is built, try to make the 442 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:13,639 building as flexible on the interior as possible so that things can change over 443 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:18,000 time because how we address these needs can change in 20 years. So we don't want 444 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:22,000 to have to do a major renovation or tear down at that point. So we're looking in 445 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:27,320 the future and how to address these things and spend money wisely and be 446 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:31,919 good stewards of taxpayer dollars. As I had to build these buildings. 447 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:37,919 » And and if you were to do new, how would that coexist with us 448 00:34:35,679 --> 00:34:41,960 being able to do our service? >> So, we've looked at the site a little 449 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:46,399 bit, and one of the things would be to I my idea is to One of the issues they 450 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:50,159 have is getting from the administration building to the ambulances in inclement 451 00:34:48,639 --> 00:34:55,399 weather, particularly in the winter, it's dangerous. So, how would we add on 452 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:59,960 to the ambulance facility and create an one interior space? So, we would build 453 00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:03,080 from the ambulance facility to the existing facility while it's still in 454 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:06,600 operation. Get them into that new section, and then 455 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:11,000 tear down and build the rest of the building. If that's the way we go. But, 456 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:15,240 we've thought through how we get this thing up and operating. We can't be 457 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:19,360 We're doing this in Walpole now. We tore down part of the existing station for 458 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:22,640 the new for the new section, and then they continued to operate out of the 459 00:35:20,840 --> 00:35:26,440 base full function out of the fire station. 460 00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:28,960 So, this that is a capital goal of the sites. 461 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:35,640 I hope that answers your question. Oh. Oh, Walpole right there. 462 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:38,080 » Okay. So, they're So, they're increasing their their capacity. 463 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:41,360 » They are. They're only adding one ambulance. It's 464 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:46,760 just that they did We had They had no decon. They had no interior space to 465 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:50,800 service their No staff support. Right? So, that part of what that new set 466 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:54,960 station is is addressing. They're only adding one ambulance, but 467 00:35:52,600 --> 00:35:58,960 it's also how are they staff How are they servicing their staff? 468 00:35:57,040 --> 00:36:02,880 They We've actually got future growth on the second floor for 469 00:36:01,240 --> 00:36:06,760 uh for both of them. To go into a partial career department. 470 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:10,200 » And is there No, is anybody else expanding? Do you know? 471 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:13,520 » I'm aware of They're all coming to you guys. So, we're working Winchester, 472 00:36:11,960 --> 00:36:16,320 Hinsdale, Charlestown. 473 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:21,240 That's it. They're all >> Um 474 00:36:19,865 --> 00:36:23,360 » [clears throat] >> So, 475 00:36:21,960 --> 00:36:26,360 » Yeah, Jim, you're good. >> And some of the others have already 476 00:36:24,640 --> 00:36:29,960 expanded. >> We have a new station we did in in Palm 477 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:35,280 and they're they don't have they don't have any plans. So, they have any plans. 478 00:36:33,120 --> 00:36:37,200 » That was more than what is nice. Thank you. 479 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:39,240 » They don't have any more? >> I toured it. 480 00:36:38,440 --> 00:36:42,560 No, they don't. >> No, they don't. They have no plans. 481 00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:48,120 » And we just one thing, can we all just speak up just a little bit? I want to 482 00:36:45,760 --> 00:36:50,650 make sure that it's recorded because the agency is going to take notes from 483 00:36:49,360 --> 00:36:54,280 this. >> [laughter] 484 00:36:52,240 --> 00:36:56,840 » You better turn off the volume. >> If I may. 485 00:36:58,720 --> 00:37:04,405 » The future is unknown basically as we all know. 486 00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:06,880 It would seem >> [clears throat] 487 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:13,320 » that going with the what I got short-term 15 488 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:18,360 or 20 years planning at the moment would be 489 00:37:14,720 --> 00:37:22,520 easier than trying to look further out 490 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:27,520 because there's just too much too much is changing. Right? We really 491 00:37:25,040 --> 00:37:30,800 don't know who else will pick up or what will happen. 492 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:35,191 So, I think at the moment I think that just 493 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:40,040 doing what we can with the existing [clears throat] facility would make more 494 00:37:37,160 --> 00:37:40,040 sense to me. 495 00:37:40,600 --> 00:37:48,160 » The existing building is is is the the part that we renovated for 496 00:37:45,720 --> 00:37:50,720 staff is done. Right? There's nothing I can 497 00:37:48,280 --> 00:37:54,520 » I'm sorry. I meant I meant the building building on that property. That's what I 498 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:58,400 That's what I meant. My apologies. >> Okay. 499 00:37:55,880 --> 00:38:02,280 » Yeah, working on that piece of property. >> Okay. So, 500 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:06,280 I'm envisioning some sort of a horseshoe. Is that kind of thing? 501 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:09,960 » You need a job because I need to hire some people. Now, that's worth thinking. 502 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:12,120 » We're looking at a horseshoe right now. >> Yeah. 503 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:15,840 » So, that we can connect and keep people inside. 504 00:38:13,360 --> 00:38:15,840 » That's right. 505 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:22,320 » So, right now we're just talking about a planning grant to see what's even 506 00:38:19,080 --> 00:38:25,000 possible to do and to flush out that plan as well. 507 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:32,080 » What What was the question? >> I said, right now we are just looking at 508 00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:36,920 the planning grant. We see what it is that's possible. 509 00:38:34,360 --> 00:38:42,120 » We put in for the planning grant as it was a time-sensitive, 510 00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:47,040 and then that would allow us to actually get greater details on what we're 511 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:50,880 looking at, and then then we can move our decisions from that. 512 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:55,280 » Right. So, right now it's just planning, I started to blueprinting and figuring 513 00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:59,840 out all the things that are possible, and looking at if whatever plan this is 514 00:38:58,040 --> 00:39:01,840 has its own limitations. >> Yeah. 515 00:39:00,040 --> 00:39:07,200 » And thinking about how we would address that later. 516 00:39:03,120 --> 00:39:11,880 » But my our my my desire is to walk with you guys every step of the way, so that 517 00:39:10,160 --> 00:39:15,320 when we take our next step, you're going to hear us again, and it's going to be 518 00:39:13,160 --> 00:39:19,840 repetitive on some of the things, but it's just that I 519 00:39:17,080 --> 00:39:23,840 I I think this is of a dire need for the department. 520 00:39:21,360 --> 00:39:23,840 Um, we 521 00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:29,520 In a second, I'm going to have Chief Reed a letter that he received 522 00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:33,680 yesterday, an email he received yesterday. 523 00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:36,480 And it really brings home why we do what we're doing. 524 00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:40,080 And I would have never When we were in the 525 00:39:38,240 --> 00:39:43,572 midst of all this, I didn't have I couldn't think 526 00:39:41,640 --> 00:39:46,440 where we were going to land. >> [clears throat] 527 00:39:44,160 --> 00:39:52,320 » I you know, we just built what we needed to build at the time. Remember, we had 6 528 00:39:49,760 --> 00:39:57,560 to 8 months to build a building because we knew that we were being told that the 529 00:39:55,000 --> 00:40:02,560 other other vendor was going to be closing um in in that period of time, 530 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:07,000 and that we had to be up and running. So, we did everything, and the reason we 531 00:40:04,920 --> 00:40:11,000 couldn't do everything we wanted at the site is because we were buying 532 00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:15,920 ambulances, because we were buying supplies, stretchers. All the other 533 00:40:13,880 --> 00:40:20,440 costs had to be We were are startup, and our firm money is the only 534 00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:25,440 way we've been able to do that. I've had multiple conversations. I'll be in a 535 00:40:22,160 --> 00:40:30,280 conversation and a week from now with people from Bedford, New Hampshire who 536 00:40:28,080 --> 00:40:34,320 are talking about some crisis they're having over there and they've and 537 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:37,760 they've asked the Dupont group to ask us to to sit in in that meeting, Chief. 538 00:40:36,120 --> 00:40:40,360 You're going to be in on that meeting. And 539 00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:45,320 but we couldn't done this without it, but it only had it had its limits. 540 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:50,200 And so we could only spend so much at the end of the day we did what we could. 541 00:40:47,880 --> 00:40:53,200 I mean even the kitchen itself was it's just a and you've been in there it's 542 00:40:51,560 --> 00:40:57,320 it's a tiny little thing and it doesn't really serve the purpose and and it 543 00:40:55,560 --> 00:41:02,720 really needs to be industrial and it needs to be something that where people 544 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:08,000 can gather even easier and uh because it's it is it is important that they 545 00:41:05,440 --> 00:41:12,520 have that culture there. And and then the office set up with the captains and 546 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:16,760 all that, I think we just need to take a look at this. So, yeah, we're going to 547 00:41:14,600 --> 00:41:20,280 tell you the story along the way the whole time. 548 00:41:18,160 --> 00:41:25,240 And and and just make sure you all are aware of everything that we're doing. 549 00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:27,920 » So, with this planning grant >> Yes. 550 00:41:25,520 --> 00:41:31,120 » and we're looking at 10 to 15 years. >> Yeah. 551 00:41:28,640 --> 00:41:37,400 » Um how much does that increase our capacity? What we're planning on doing 552 00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:44,720 in terms of because you know when I look at the amount of growth that's happened 553 00:41:41,080 --> 00:41:48,400 in such a short period of time and I see how 554 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:52,680 towns are not able to keep up with their own needs. 555 00:41:50,080 --> 00:41:56,520 That's only going to snowball. And is this thing that we're putting 556 00:41:54,080 --> 00:42:01,800 together for the 10 or 15 years, is it going to build that capacity 557 00:41:59,360 --> 00:42:07,320 for us to hold on for that time period? Or are we going to fall short with our 558 00:42:04,240 --> 00:42:12,960 10 to 15 year plan on and I know nobody has a crystal ball, but if you look at 559 00:42:10,040 --> 00:42:18,600 how fast things are moving, will this 10 or 15-year plan keep up? Because you 560 00:42:15,920 --> 00:42:23,680 didn't expect what happened when you started to where we are now. 561 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:28,280 And it just means that if that is going to continue to happen, will whatever 562 00:42:26,120 --> 00:42:32,000 we're going into keep up with that, or are we going to 563 00:42:29,640 --> 00:42:35,720 blow through this a lot faster than we think? Just looking at the towns that 564 00:42:34,040 --> 00:42:41,920 you know are going to come online in the next 5 years because of their own 565 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:45,960 financial or staffing problems. >> I'm sure Mike can speak better to this, 566 00:42:43,800 --> 00:42:50,600 but I I would like to comment. Uh I think that we were uh 567 00:42:48,800 --> 00:42:57,800 I I know we weren't fully prepared, uh but we had prepared 568 00:42:53,800 --> 00:43:00,600 uh considerably for different um things that may or may not happen in the 569 00:42:59,480 --> 00:43:06,080 region. Uh yes, and I'll let him speak more to 570 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:10,800 the increased uh capacity of the building. 571 00:43:07,360 --> 00:43:14,400 But there is a finite amount of expansion that that site 572 00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:18,280 » Correct. >> will have to 573 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:23,080 uh absorb, right? Because certain towns, if 574 00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:27,080 they were to come on board, that is not the geographic location to respond from, 575 00:43:25,440 --> 00:43:32,880 right? So at that point, we would have to start looking at, you know, uh either 576 00:43:30,200 --> 00:43:36,040 sub con you know, substations or or things like that because of geographic 577 00:43:34,560 --> 00:43:40,360 region. My understanding, and I'll let him speak 578 00:43:38,640 --> 00:43:45,720 definitely more to it, is that this would maximize our opportunity that 579 00:43:42,320 --> 00:43:50,680 every place that is possible to be reached from that location, this 580 00:43:47,920 --> 00:43:53,760 expansion would allow us to um 581 00:43:51,720 --> 00:43:57,000 be ready to take any and all of that, including 582 00:43:55,240 --> 00:44:03,880 the logistical um [clears throat] and operational 583 00:43:59,520 --> 00:44:06,160 um needs for that location, as well as any or all 584 00:44:04,760 --> 00:44:12,360 » So right now, it's building to the capacity that that location can reach. 585 00:44:09,400 --> 00:44:15,160 » Sure. Yes, that's that's Can I Can I just add in before my 586 00:44:13,840 --> 00:44:20,920 » Yeah, go ahead. You go. >> Um a few things. One is 587 00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:25,280 And and Mike, you can tell me I'm wrong, uh but 588 00:44:22,720 --> 00:44:28,840 we're building for 10 to 20 year growth, but we're also building building this is 589 00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:32,160 a 50 year building. Okay? Just so you know, we're building 590 00:44:30,760 --> 00:44:36,040 something that's going to stand the test of time. May need to be painted a few 591 00:44:34,120 --> 00:44:39,200 times in that period of time or whatever it is, but the bottom line we're 592 00:44:38,040 --> 00:44:42,720 building a building that's going to stand. 593 00:44:40,440 --> 00:44:47,520 And it will allow us also in that period of time to 594 00:44:44,240 --> 00:44:52,360 um sort of like we did with the DOC, we know if we ever needed it, we have the 595 00:44:49,960 --> 00:44:57,080 ability to add another pod up there. That is our hope at the station down 596 00:44:54,680 --> 00:45:01,000 there is that we do what we need to do with the idea if there is still 597 00:44:58,960 --> 00:45:05,040 availability when we're done, we're going to know what that availability is 598 00:45:02,760 --> 00:45:09,320 and how to build on it. So, we will have >> that room. 599 00:45:05,920 --> 00:45:12,880 » Two is I believe that substations are going to have be 600 00:45:10,800 --> 00:45:18,160 occurring naturally. That over time there these certain towns 601 00:45:15,720 --> 00:45:22,040 are going to see, and when they do, we're going to go in because it makes 602 00:45:19,880 --> 00:45:26,800 the sense because of the of the call numbers to have an ambulance in that in 603 00:45:25,440 --> 00:45:31,000 that area. And that will happen naturally. It 604 00:45:29,160 --> 00:45:35,160 happened naturally with Westland because we needed a place to put an ambulance 605 00:45:33,080 --> 00:45:38,960 when we didn't have a facility yet. And we kept it there and we built out for 606 00:45:37,160 --> 00:45:43,920 that so that we had something in that area right away. 607 00:45:40,920 --> 00:45:49,320 Um so, I think there are two possibilities of naturally happening 608 00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:52,280 um over time, and in non-public they'll be talking about some other things that 609 00:45:51,000 --> 00:45:57,960 I can't really talk about right now because it's negotiations. 610 00:45:54,320 --> 00:46:03,120 Um but but the bottom line I see that this is whatever we decide, 611 00:46:01,080 --> 00:46:07,760 the building that we build is for 50 years with the idea that we understand 612 00:46:06,240 --> 00:46:10,360 that we're looking at 10 to 20 year growth. 613 00:46:08,760 --> 00:46:16,120 And it could be in the middle of that it could be 15. 614 00:46:12,680 --> 00:46:18,680 But we'll we'll see. So, Mike. >> We will 615 00:46:17,200 --> 00:46:23,480 We will So, Chief has laid out a certain amount of 616 00:46:20,520 --> 00:46:29,040 criteria here. Part of our our planning process is that we were a very extensive 617 00:46:26,080 --> 00:46:32,360 programming discussion with the folks. Look at 618 00:46:30,120 --> 00:46:37,360 based upon this what that translates to be today. 619 00:46:34,440 --> 00:46:41,920 Interpolating into the future. 10 to 20 years. And then even looking 620 00:46:39,640 --> 00:46:47,040 beyond that it could be added to this site without having to do major work to 621 00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:51,080 the to the building. So, there is a process that we go through to look at 622 00:46:48,960 --> 00:46:55,960 that. And then this may say this actually builds out the site or maybe 623 00:46:53,040 --> 00:46:59,720 this phase takes it to three quarters and this is a little bit more that could 624 00:46:57,360 --> 00:47:04,720 be added down the road. Then we know that it's built out and then it goes to 625 00:47:01,680 --> 00:47:09,760 substation. So, part of our process is looking at that with the department to 626 00:47:07,160 --> 00:47:15,040 understand how does that translate to the site? What can we do to maximize it 627 00:47:12,720 --> 00:47:18,800 in all in all ways? We also through this process budget look 628 00:47:17,120 --> 00:47:23,120 at budgets and what this does budget wise. So, maybe that building two-thirds 629 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:26,480 of that site now takes you to where you want to be budget 630 00:47:24,520 --> 00:47:30,200 wise. But we've reserved that that we show this is how this would be expanded 631 00:47:28,720 --> 00:47:34,800 in the future. Without tearing down half the building 632 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:34,800 to do that. 633 00:47:36,040 --> 00:47:43,240 » The idea is that that they're going to give us both scopes of what we can do. 634 00:47:41,600 --> 00:47:47,680 And then it'll be first and foremost your 635 00:47:45,160 --> 00:47:51,120 decision and then we take it on to the executive committee and the delegation 636 00:47:49,800 --> 00:47:54,240 or because we may have to bond we may not 637 00:47:53,000 --> 00:47:58,560 have to. So, 638 00:47:55,440 --> 00:48:02,200 we'll see. So, how much of that land there 639 00:48:00,400 --> 00:48:06,160 can we put a building on and still have room 640 00:48:05,040 --> 00:48:09,680 for parking? >> So, that's the balance that we do, 641 00:48:07,720 --> 00:48:12,120 right? So, kind of provide parking for staff. 642 00:48:10,960 --> 00:48:15,880 The other thing that we have there is it's a site that's governed by some of 643 00:48:14,400 --> 00:48:18,840 the state road. And and they're they're right about 644 00:48:17,880 --> 00:48:22,720 there how they want this type of vehicle 645 00:48:20,760 --> 00:48:26,960 traffic entering into that mix of traffic. So, we went into that some of 646 00:48:24,600 --> 00:48:31,280 that last time. We have that data going into this. Uh but that site's got some 647 00:48:29,240 --> 00:48:35,680 some space on it for building. Uh it And and it looks like do we want 648 00:48:34,040 --> 00:48:39,360 to front it on the road and have all the parking behind but whatever works in 649 00:48:37,920 --> 00:48:43,960 terms of passing through the site. We definitely 650 00:48:41,000 --> 00:48:49,480 need to maintain that in inbound access and exit onto Wake Street and minimize 651 00:48:47,320 --> 00:48:52,240 only entering onto the site from the state road. 652 00:48:52,920 --> 00:48:56,960 I think there's there's but I we did some preliminary sketches just for 653 00:48:56,200 --> 00:49:00,400 discussion. >> How many acres is it? 654 00:48:58,680 --> 00:49:03,720 » I don't recall off the top of my head. But it's got some fairly lenient 655 00:49:02,360 --> 00:49:08,200 setbacks. Um and the town of Swansea when we went 656 00:49:06,360 --> 00:49:13,440 before the planning board last time just as a courtesy, you know, a wire or two, 657 00:49:10,360 --> 00:49:15,680 um it was very lenient on what we could do there. 658 00:49:19,160 --> 00:49:22,240 » What are the questions? 659 00:49:22,520 --> 00:49:28,960 » That's where we're at. That's what we're looking at. Um well, it What we did is 660 00:49:27,760 --> 00:49:33,760 if uh we submitted a opportunity to go after a 661 00:49:32,120 --> 00:49:36,280 planning grant. I don't know if there's more work that we'll have to do. We'll 662 00:49:35,280 --> 00:49:40,920 see. Um and it's like with everything that 663 00:49:38,840 --> 00:49:44,680 we've submitted to go north lately, it's you submit and then they're going to 664 00:49:42,680 --> 00:49:49,000 maybe send us uh something more that they want more questions to answer. And 665 00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:53,480 then we see if we get the grant and we move forward. So, that's where we're at 666 00:49:50,880 --> 00:49:58,480 at this point, moving forward. Submitted last week 667 00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:58,480 and we'll go from there. 668 00:49:58,760 --> 00:50:04,000 Okay, and we'll keep reporting out. And I I appreciate you taking the time. 669 00:50:02,120 --> 00:50:06,440 » Oh, absolutely. >> All right, thank you. 670 00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:11,040 » Do you want Mark to read that? >> I would like Mark to read the letter. If 671 00:50:08,720 --> 00:50:14,520 uh I just think it's uh he sent it to me last night. I was out 672 00:50:13,000 --> 00:50:22,000 walking um and I had music on and it it it 673 00:50:17,560 --> 00:50:25,040 just about wrecked me. So, go ahead. >> All right, [clears throat] so I've just 674 00:50:22,840 --> 00:50:29,240 got to uh obviously the patient's name isn't here, so I'm going to redact that. 675 00:50:26,800 --> 00:50:31,880 » And the And the issue the issue probably, too, right? That she 676 00:50:31,000 --> 00:50:34,120 suffers from. >> long as I don't say the name, it's okay. 677 00:50:33,160 --> 00:50:38,000 » Okay. All right. >> Uh so, dear Chief and Deputy Chief, I'm 678 00:50:36,240 --> 00:50:41,120 writing to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the two paramedics 679 00:50:39,640 --> 00:50:44,280 and EMTs who cared for my and transported my mother 680 00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:48,000 on August 10th, uh 2026, 681 00:50:46,080 --> 00:50:51,480 from Troy to the hospital and later during her transfer to 682 00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:54,640 Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. I would be incredibly grateful if you 683 00:50:53,200 --> 00:50:58,480 would pass on the message along to the three providers who cared for her. 684 00:50:56,760 --> 00:51:01,440 I understand the demands of the job and the importance of professionalism, 685 00:50:59,680 --> 00:51:05,120 communication, and compassion in patient care. Because of that, I want to take 686 00:51:03,480 --> 00:51:08,120 the time to recognize these individuals for the exceptional care they provided 687 00:51:06,720 --> 00:51:12,200 to my mother. My mother has aphasia, which makes 688 00:51:09,880 --> 00:51:15,280 communication very difficult for her. Unfortunately, I have become accustomed 689 00:51:13,960 --> 00:51:20,520 to healthcare providers speaking primarily to me, sometimes as though my 690 00:51:18,280 --> 00:51:24,160 mother is not present, even when she is sitting right in front of them. Your 691 00:51:22,400 --> 00:51:28,480 team was completely different. The paramedic spoke directly to my mother. 692 00:51:26,400 --> 00:51:31,920 They asked her for her the questions, gave her the opportunity and time to 693 00:51:29,880 --> 00:51:35,240 respond, and only turned to me for clarification when she was unable to 694 00:51:33,560 --> 00:51:39,520 answer appropriately. That may sound like a small detail, but 695 00:51:37,120 --> 00:51:43,040 it meant so much to both of us. They recognized that although my mother has 696 00:51:41,200 --> 00:51:47,720 difficulty communicating, she is still an active participant participant in her 697 00:51:46,080 --> 00:51:51,160 own care deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 698 00:51:49,560 --> 00:51:56,320 I also want to specifically recognize the EMT who stayed with me 699 00:51:53,680 --> 00:52:00,280 at my mom's bedside while the paramedics were receiving a report from the nurse 700 00:51:57,760 --> 00:52:04,040 prior to the transfer. She was a She had the kindest words. It truly I truly 701 00:52:02,240 --> 00:52:08,120 appreciated it. All three of them were exceptional. They 702 00:52:05,880 --> 00:52:12,720 were professional, patient, passionate, and incredibly kind, not only toward my 703 00:52:10,600 --> 00:52:16,400 mother but toward me as well. They demonstrated the kind of patient care 704 00:52:14,480 --> 00:52:19,680 centered care that makes a lasting impression. 705 00:52:17,920 --> 00:52:23,520 I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I was with the care that they provided. 706 00:52:21,640 --> 00:52:26,960 They didn't simply transport my mother, they made her feel seen, heard, 707 00:52:25,080 --> 00:52:31,480 respected, and cared for. As someone who works in EMS myself, I 708 00:52:29,760 --> 00:52:35,600 know these things matter tremendously and I wanted to make sure their efforts 709 00:52:33,480 --> 00:52:39,120 did not go unrecognized. Please pass along my heartfelt thanks 710 00:52:37,080 --> 00:52:42,840 and appreciation all three of them. They represented CCEMS with the highest level 711 00:52:41,200 --> 00:52:46,160 of professionalism, compassion, dignity, and humanity. 712 00:52:44,360 --> 00:52:50,960 Uh they are a wonderful reflection of your organization and excellent example 713 00:52:48,600 --> 00:52:55,040 of what EMS providers can be. I'm incredibly grateful that my mother 714 00:52:53,280 --> 00:52:58,800 was in their care and that she was treated with respect and compassion that 715 00:52:57,080 --> 00:53:02,680 every patient deserves. With sincere gratitude, and then signed. 716 00:53:03,400 --> 00:53:10,320 » And this is somebody that actually is an EMT of some level, I don't know what, 717 00:53:08,640 --> 00:53:16,640 and works for uh somebody another agency. 718 00:53:13,280 --> 00:53:20,560 Um and for all of us that have started from day one, I think that's what it 719 00:53:18,000 --> 00:53:24,520 struck struck me last night, maybe I don't know, but from day one and all 720 00:53:22,760 --> 00:53:30,600 that we've gone through to to actually hear something like that was a powerful 721 00:53:27,240 --> 00:53:32,920 powerful statement cuz, you know, >> Well, it's good training. 722 00:53:32,320 --> 00:53:34,320 » Good job. >> Right. 723 00:53:33,840 --> 00:53:36,280 » Thanks. >> Yeah. 724 00:53:35,280 --> 00:53:40,400 » Sorry. >> But uh if I may, 725 00:53:38,560 --> 00:53:46,200 quite a while ago, but I didn't write a letter, but I I did follow up with 726 00:53:42,560 --> 00:53:51,320 rescue of similar feelings. Appreciate what they did. 727 00:53:48,520 --> 00:53:54,720 » I think not only is it incredibly important that our individuals 728 00:53:52,760 --> 00:53:59,360 understand the skills associated with EMS, you know, such as, 729 00:53:57,760 --> 00:54:04,600 you know, starting IVs, things like that, but that human centered 730 00:54:02,120 --> 00:54:08,040 thing is is something we really focus on and try to make sure that individuals 731 00:54:06,600 --> 00:54:10,960 are, you know, understand that they're being advocated 732 00:54:09,440 --> 00:54:15,800 for. And I [clears throat] 733 00:54:12,480 --> 00:54:19,760 I won't say that other places don't or anything like that. I just think that 734 00:54:17,720 --> 00:54:25,720 all of our training has a lot of that effective um 735 00:54:22,600 --> 00:54:25,720 part of it. 736 00:54:26,320 --> 00:54:31,440 We have to walk the walk and talk the talk that we're on, take care of the 737 00:54:29,240 --> 00:54:35,600 people, and that the family members, for example, are 738 00:54:33,400 --> 00:54:40,280 in our care, too, you know, these are very highly emotional, 739 00:54:38,080 --> 00:54:43,000 emotionally charged situations that 740 00:54:41,800 --> 00:54:48,520 can get out of hand if if 741 00:54:44,760 --> 00:54:54,200 it's not treated with kindness. There's a famous saying in EMS that 742 00:54:51,400 --> 00:54:57,400 BLS before ALS, right? So, it's you know, 743 00:54:55,400 --> 00:55:01,520 every, you know, medics save patients, but EMTs save medics. 744 00:55:00,120 --> 00:55:07,560 You know, and we take it one step further where it's yes, BLS before ALS, 745 00:55:04,960 --> 00:55:10,840 but human kindness before BLS. So. 746 00:55:09,360 --> 00:55:15,000 » I like to also add though that, you know, the work that that points out that 747 00:55:13,040 --> 00:55:20,400 every call they go on, they need to be able to deliver that level of care, that 748 00:55:18,080 --> 00:55:24,000 humanity, and they've got call after call after call after call on a shift, 749 00:55:22,480 --> 00:55:27,080 and we're getting tired, and you're getting rushed. 750 00:55:25,760 --> 00:55:30,880 You need to be able to go back to recharge between calls. So, wherever 751 00:55:29,160 --> 00:55:35,720 wherever they're going to, the facility that they have to live in for however 752 00:55:33,520 --> 00:55:42,040 many hours in every shift, you You looking at the at the HR aspect of this, 753 00:55:39,280 --> 00:55:46,680 it's about care and health and safety of the EMTs and firefighters and all public 754 00:55:44,840 --> 00:55:51,320 safety. So, that's why that that facility becomes extremely important in 755 00:55:49,280 --> 00:55:55,880 how it how it serves them. And currently, it really doesn't. 756 00:55:53,520 --> 00:56:00,600 It's it's it's been working for a short time, but it's it's lived its life 757 00:55:58,040 --> 00:56:00,600 already. 758 00:56:00,640 --> 00:56:07,280 » I think it's simply put, it's it was the dream from day one 759 00:56:05,000 --> 00:56:13,000 be able to ensure that those in our care get the best quality care possible and 760 00:56:09,720 --> 00:56:18,120 are shown the greatest level of care of respect in that home of need. So, I I I 761 00:56:16,520 --> 00:56:21,803 just I don't know what I got me last night, but it got me, man. I'm like, you 762 00:56:19,840 --> 00:56:25,960 you I don't can't say what I said. >> [laughter] 763 00:56:22,880 --> 00:56:27,960 » Oh, I can read that too, if you like. That's all. 764 00:56:26,680 --> 00:56:30,320 » All right, moving on. Thank you very much. 765 00:56:28,480 --> 00:56:33,880 » Yeah, you're welcome. >> Um 766 00:56:30,960 --> 00:56:33,880 » Nice to meet everyone. 767 00:56:34,000 --> 00:56:40,280 » I'm going to bounce back, guys. Um I'm going to bounce back to the agenda 768 00:56:38,680 --> 00:56:44,440 and I'm going to give master agenda item number 137A, second quarter budget 769 00:56:42,400 --> 00:56:48,880 review. Cheryl Tremblay is here. Action expected. Receive informational report 770 00:56:46,120 --> 00:56:51,320 on second quarter budget. Thank you. 771 00:56:54,160 --> 00:56:56,280 » Thank you. 772 00:57:00,040 --> 00:57:02,920 Oops. Thank you. 773 00:57:08,964 --> 00:57:10,984 » [laughter] 774 00:57:11,560 --> 00:57:19,040 » So, this will be going before the executive committee next Monday night 775 00:57:15,680 --> 00:57:23,280 about where we stand at as of the um 6-month mark of 2026. 776 00:57:21,680 --> 00:57:27,240 And the combined expenses for the nursing 777 00:57:25,800 --> 00:57:32,640 home and the general fund are approximately um 778 00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:38,840 1,384,000 under um um expenses 779 00:57:36,000 --> 00:57:44,800 with the county expending about 49% of their budget and the nursing home at 46% 780 00:57:42,640 --> 00:57:49,880 of their appropriate budgets. And as far as the revenues for the nursing home in 781 00:57:46,520 --> 00:57:55,240 the um general fund, they're under about 688,000 of their projected revenues with 782 00:57:53,640 --> 00:58:01,640 the general fund having achieved about 49% and the nursing home at 48%. So, the 783 00:57:58,480 --> 00:58:08,000 combined the shortfall are are sorry. And then where where we look at this is 784 00:58:03,640 --> 00:58:14,040 basically our expenses are under our shortfall of our revenues of about 785 00:58:09,760 --> 00:58:19,160 696,000. So, that's a good thing. Um and perhaps if you if we continue on 786 00:58:17,160 --> 00:58:23,960 that trend come year end, that should about double. But, things change over 787 00:58:21,680 --> 00:58:27,440 the course of the year because um you know, the first half we only 788 00:58:25,960 --> 00:58:32,600 started giving cost of livings as of April 1st. People start getting 789 00:58:29,920 --> 00:58:38,480 increases throughout the year. So, that could go down. Um but, hopefully we'd be 790 00:58:36,440 --> 00:58:44,960 on the mark to about double that. As far as Cheshire EMS, um they are currently 791 00:58:41,600 --> 00:58:51,400 have achieved um as of June 46% of their revenues um and expenses are at 48% 792 00:58:48,760 --> 00:58:56,560 spent. Um currently I'm showing a deficit on the EMS at about 150,000. 793 00:58:55,280 --> 00:59:00,480 And I you just never know from month to 794 00:58:58,520 --> 00:59:05,520 month where their um call volumes going to come in. Like 795 00:59:02,360 --> 00:59:10,120 for instance, the the the month of um July, which is not part of this, I had 796 00:59:07,840 --> 00:59:16,040 about $340,000 of revenues versus some months being 797 00:59:14,200 --> 00:59:19,360 low 300. So, you just never know, it could uptick. We also have other areas 798 00:59:18,280 --> 00:59:23,360 that haven't accounted for because we haven't 799 00:59:21,200 --> 00:59:29,040 gotten there yet, such as a contract with um a the city of Keene to to start 800 00:59:26,800 --> 00:59:32,240 bringing some revenues in. I don't know what Winchester is. So, 801 00:59:30,480 --> 00:59:36,320 there are some things that could happen over the last 6 months that could start 802 00:59:34,080 --> 00:59:39,240 narrowing that gap, but as of 6 months, that's where we're standing at 150,000 803 00:59:38,640 --> 00:59:41,320 in the bank. >> 46%? 804 00:59:40,480 --> 00:59:43,800 » I'm sorry, what? >> Billing 805 00:59:42,880 --> 00:59:48,760 receipts. >> Um no, revenues are at 46% received, but 806 00:59:47,320 --> 00:59:53,800 there's multiple as far as the um 807 00:59:50,720 --> 00:59:57,080 the IFTs and the 911s, they they're right at their mark. We're we're 808 00:59:55,520 --> 01:00:00,720 achieving what we need to there, but there are other components of the 809 00:59:58,400 --> 01:00:05,600 billing. We've got the town contracts, which that's going to come in exactly as 810 01:00:03,320 --> 01:00:11,040 we budgeted because we knew exactly what those were. The Cheshire Medical Center 811 01:00:08,960 --> 01:00:16,520 um I there's no reason why they wouldn't be paying us come year end. It's these 812 01:00:13,720 --> 01:00:20,280 other areas such as what we were um anticipating 813 01:00:18,280 --> 01:00:26,080 I think happening sooner rather than later is to start getting these um 814 01:00:23,800 --> 01:00:30,360 contracts that are reimbursable through the City of Keene 815 01:00:27,840 --> 01:00:36,400 and also having deeper conversations with the towns that we provide back up 816 01:00:34,000 --> 01:00:42,120 to that are currently only getting charged for when there is a an intercept 817 01:00:39,760 --> 01:00:47,280 uh paramedic intercept. So, those are things that the conversations 818 01:00:45,040 --> 01:00:52,040 need to be had that we did have a placeholder 819 01:00:48,920 --> 01:00:55,880 anticipating money coming in um so, 820 01:00:53,240 --> 01:00:59,800 » And we also the towns only are paying half 821 01:00:58,720 --> 01:01:02,440 of their contracts this year because 822 01:01:01,800 --> 01:01:05,200 » As of >> of July was when they they they changed 823 01:01:04,840 --> 01:01:09,120 over. >> Yeah, July 1st, they'll start paying 100 824 01:01:07,280 --> 01:01:15,880 they'll go to that 100%. So, we for 2026, we only get half of a year of the 825 01:01:12,440 --> 01:01:19,960 impact of this now ramped up amount with the first half of 2026, but that's how 826 01:01:18,000 --> 01:01:23,880 we budgeted it. It was budgeted knowing that there was only going to be half. 827 01:01:21,600 --> 01:01:28,800 So, um you know, that will have an impact uh a positive impact on the 2027 828 01:01:26,600 --> 01:01:31,080 budget budgeting being the budget for the year. 829 01:01:29,920 --> 01:01:36,760 Um, but >> It's about $350,000. 830 01:01:33,920 --> 01:01:40,920 » So, there are some things that are potentially hopeful over the last 6 831 01:01:38,480 --> 01:01:44,040 months because I do know that there is a contract in the hands of the city of 832 01:01:42,840 --> 01:01:50,240 Keene. Um, but I haven't yet factored that in. 833 01:01:47,840 --> 01:01:54,840 Um, so hoping that this will end up starting to close the gap. 834 01:01:52,120 --> 01:01:58,880 Um, just areas I These are a lot of these things are um, 835 01:01:56,640 --> 01:02:03,640 said over and over and over some of this just to be able to educate or re-educate 836 01:02:01,240 --> 01:02:06,280 people why when they get when they look at these reports 837 01:02:05,400 --> 01:02:09,600 um, that I'll be sending to the executive 838 01:02:07,560 --> 01:02:12,520 committee why some things might be zero because you know, for instance, the 839 01:02:10,840 --> 01:02:17,240 municipal reimbursements we don't get those until December. 840 01:02:14,280 --> 01:02:21,320 Um, registry of deeds fees or I'm sorry, I just skipped one. Grant reimbursement 841 01:02:18,760 --> 01:02:25,880 it's the same way that the the expenses for the grant 842 01:02:24,520 --> 01:02:31,000 reimbursements pretty much mirror the revenues. So, 843 01:02:29,000 --> 01:02:34,800 when you see revenues falling short, you're also seeing the expenses falling 844 01:02:32,680 --> 01:02:39,440 short at the same level. So, it's not um, a negative impact um, on fund 845 01:02:37,520 --> 01:02:44,080 balance. It's just the both of the boats haven't are rising at the same speed. 846 01:02:41,840 --> 01:02:48,280 Registry of deeds fees, this is always one that about this time of year they're 847 01:02:46,360 --> 01:02:54,200 really looking to be off the mark, but I never know what's going to happen um, as 848 01:02:50,760 --> 01:02:59,680 we get to year end. Um, we just she had a phenomenal month in the month of July. 849 01:02:57,200 --> 01:03:03,480 I mean, the biggest payment to the Department of Revenue ever over a 850 01:03:01,640 --> 01:03:07,840 million dollars, which unfortunately tripped us up last night because 851 01:03:05,960 --> 01:03:11,480 we didn't have clearance to even make a transfer of a million and it got 852 01:03:09,480 --> 01:03:15,640 returned. What's that? 853 01:03:13,680 --> 01:03:19,280 It I'll probably that's probably what did it. So, I actually have Misty 854 01:03:17,160 --> 01:03:24,283 working on that right now. Because the payment got returned to us. 855 01:03:22,000 --> 01:03:27,040 That That's our protections that we >> [laughter] 856 01:03:25,800 --> 01:03:32,880 » Um Connected families, that's another area 857 01:03:29,400 --> 01:03:37,880 where their revenues and their expenses are um basically 858 01:03:35,600 --> 01:03:43,280 coming in their expenses are coming under, whereas their revenues are also 859 01:03:40,240 --> 01:03:47,080 coming in under as well. There is much more room in the program to hire more 860 01:03:45,880 --> 01:03:52,040 people. Um and so 861 01:03:49,080 --> 01:03:57,360 by hiring more people, that would also produce more revenues for the billing. 862 01:03:55,480 --> 01:04:03,400 But, I don't know that necessarily the reason why the the the um the hiring 863 01:04:01,640 --> 01:04:06,920 or the vacancy, I think the vacancies are more there because I think the 864 01:04:05,160 --> 01:04:11,000 caseload it it would not support hiring more 865 01:04:08,760 --> 01:04:15,600 people. So, I'm not saying that this has any bearing on 866 01:04:12,840 --> 01:04:21,680 um HR not getting people in. This has more to do with that we've kind of put a 867 01:04:17,520 --> 01:04:24,840 halt on filling those vacancies until we can see that the state has more cases 868 01:04:23,520 --> 01:04:29,320 that they're going to actually pay us for the services that they provide. 869 01:04:27,240 --> 01:04:34,560 » Yeah, we've had conversations with Dennis in that 870 01:04:31,360 --> 01:04:38,280 there's an expectation that they get every staff up to eight cases per 871 01:04:36,960 --> 01:04:43,560 individual. And um 872 01:04:39,880 --> 01:04:48,120 on some situations they can hire, but um it's rude and so until that happens 873 01:04:46,840 --> 01:04:51,800 we're really just saying >> You got a halt. 874 01:04:49,320 --> 01:04:55,880 » You got to You just got to do work with what you got. Get those people that are 875 01:04:53,720 --> 01:04:59,240 new up to speed so they can get standing in play. 876 01:04:57,120 --> 01:05:04,400 And um if somebody leaves and you can replace that person, but otherwise we're 877 01:05:02,080 --> 01:05:07,840 we're just looking at holding it tight. Um I mean, they're they're looking good 878 01:05:05,960 --> 01:05:11,840 for the end of the year, but still we're we're just having them do that and at 879 01:05:09,640 --> 01:05:16,280 the same time working with the state because the it's the 880 01:05:13,520 --> 01:05:20,720 it's it's multi-layered. School's not in session. 881 01:05:18,000 --> 01:05:24,480 School's one of the biggest referrals. So, 882 01:05:22,920 --> 01:05:28,040 it's you know goes right here, but even when they do 883 01:05:25,800 --> 01:05:33,120 come in, the state turning around like we can turn around and go visit a family 884 01:05:31,560 --> 01:05:37,240 and get every all the paperwork into the state, it's now up to the state then to 885 01:05:34,880 --> 01:05:40,000 turn around and send the case loads out. >> They are 886 01:05:37,840 --> 01:05:43,040 » that's where the hiccup is a little bit. It's better than it was. 887 01:05:41,360 --> 01:05:47,680 » And they're also looking at some more potential funding that they're going 888 01:05:44,800 --> 01:05:52,240 after that could it would be temporary though, so it 889 01:05:49,320 --> 01:05:57,480 wouldn't be like long-term, but there is a population of um 890 01:05:56,040 --> 01:06:04,640 people that they take care of that are called under um uninsured. And so this 891 01:06:00,880 --> 01:06:08,440 these uninsured people essentially are how we get reimbursed through the state 892 01:06:06,640 --> 01:06:14,000 contract. Well, the state contract has been at 1 million 150 per many, many 893 01:06:11,040 --> 01:06:17,200 years. And so therefore, they're trying to get some other funding and it might 894 01:06:16,200 --> 01:06:19,360 be through these older >> It's rural it's rural it's rural it's 895 01:06:18,720 --> 01:06:23,240 rural health. >> that would allow for them to start 896 01:06:21,360 --> 01:06:27,280 giving us more money. Um and so 897 01:06:24,880 --> 01:06:31,600 that would be wonderful, but it is not permanent. It is um but we'll take it 898 01:06:29,320 --> 01:06:34,560 while we can get it. So, we'll we'll let you know when that comes to fruition. 899 01:06:32,560 --> 01:06:37,320 » And and I know that Genesis and the other company that that does this 900 01:06:36,280 --> 01:06:41,840 there's only two in the state of New Hampshire that are doing this. 901 01:06:38,920 --> 01:06:47,000 Uh and uh they are our working with the state to have them understand 902 01:06:44,000 --> 01:06:52,520 that the level of intake that we do should be enough for them to move 903 01:06:49,520 --> 01:06:56,480 forward quicker and not have to repeat everything that we've done 904 01:06:54,800 --> 01:06:59,640 through their intake. So, it is a conversation that's going 905 01:06:58,680 --> 01:07:02,920 on. We'll see how it works. You know, it is 906 01:07:01,320 --> 01:07:06,520 the state of New Hampshire, so sometimes it gets a little bogged down. Uh but we 907 01:07:05,360 --> 01:07:11,680 love you. Um but so that's where we're at. 908 01:07:09,440 --> 01:07:16,320 » Um the miscellaneous revenue I'm just noting here because the miscellaneous 909 01:07:13,680 --> 01:07:19,560 revenue shows a huge credit and that is because of that is cheap money. 910 01:07:18,520 --> 01:07:25,720 That basically we got 476,000 more than we 911 01:07:22,800 --> 01:07:32,080 ever would have expected in that area. That will be going pre before the 912 01:07:28,640 --> 01:07:36,680 executive committee based on your discussion a couple weeks ago that we 913 01:07:34,600 --> 01:07:39,520 will hopefully have it allowed to go into 914 01:07:37,600 --> 01:07:43,720 fund balance so that we can consider using in future budget years if 915 01:07:41,840 --> 01:07:47,800 necessary to help offset taxes to be raised. 916 01:07:44,760 --> 01:07:51,920 So, that um is the explanation and also so the 917 01:07:50,480 --> 01:07:56,720 executive committee understands where this unexpected money came from. 918 01:07:54,320 --> 01:08:00,960 The DHH's additional credit this is something we got last year for the first 919 01:07:59,160 --> 01:08:06,920 year it came in in 2025 and it will continue on to 2028. We did budget for 920 01:08:03,600 --> 01:08:11,520 it but currently the budget the the line items at zero. We did receive it in July 921 01:08:09,400 --> 01:08:15,360 so the next time around that will no longer be at zero. These are those 922 01:08:13,280 --> 01:08:20,440 monies that the counties 923 01:08:16,880 --> 01:08:27,400 worked hard to to convince the state that during the 924 01:08:23,400 --> 01:08:31,960 COVID years when the state received more money from the federal government 925 01:08:29,839 --> 01:08:37,600 that was specifically to increase the feds portion towards the 926 01:08:36,000 --> 01:08:43,120 Medicaid contribution for residents in nursing 927 01:08:40,080 --> 01:08:50,000 homes and home and base community care which we pay 50% and the feds pay 50% 928 01:08:47,920 --> 01:08:55,799 but by the feds increasing their percentage it should have decreased the 929 01:08:53,240 --> 01:09:01,680 county's percentage and the state did not do that. They 930 01:08:58,799 --> 01:09:06,799 they kept the money for themselves. So, after a great amount of persistence and 931 01:09:04,200 --> 01:09:10,560 convincing, the state finally realized that they were not right in keeping the 932 01:09:09,200 --> 01:09:14,080 money. Um although I think it was going to bust 933 01:09:12,279 --> 01:09:18,720 the bank if they gave it all at once. So, there was an agreement that they 934 01:09:16,640 --> 01:09:23,960 would divvy it out over a course of 4 years and our share is this 334,000 935 01:09:22,759 --> 01:09:27,839 per year. Um and that's just again more or less in 936 01:09:25,880 --> 01:09:34,319 education because this will go away as well in 2028. Um up to 2028. Um then 937 01:09:32,200 --> 01:09:38,120 again just explaining why fund balances at zero, special revenue capital reserve 938 01:09:36,480 --> 01:09:42,960 funds are at zero. Um and then as far as the general county 939 01:09:39,920 --> 01:09:47,759 again the commissioner's budget um is slightly over budget with 45% remaining 940 01:09:45,720 --> 01:09:50,240 and that's mainly because of the travel line but I think 941 01:09:49,520 --> 01:09:54,160 » It's two things. >> that should um 942 01:09:51,480 --> 01:09:57,200 wind down pretty well. I mean unless you've already paid for NJCAA annual 943 01:09:56,040 --> 01:09:59,320 conference. >> Yeah, we already have. 944 01:09:58,080 --> 01:10:02,680 » Okay. So. >> Yeah, two things. One is the 300 that 945 01:10:01,840 --> 01:10:06,840 you were just talking about that was the nursing home, right? 946 01:10:03,920 --> 01:10:12,480 » That was No, the 300,000 No, that's a different thing. I can talk 947 01:10:09,160 --> 01:10:17,600 to that but it's not something that is evident. So, each year the 948 01:10:16,680 --> 01:10:23,920 um each year 949 01:10:19,680 --> 01:10:30,120 if the state did not expend all the money 950 01:10:25,920 --> 01:10:30,120 out of their account 951 01:10:30,160 --> 01:10:35,760 to pay nursing homes throughout the state 952 01:10:33,280 --> 01:10:39,640 for their Medicaid rate reimbursement, they do a distribution to all nursing 953 01:10:38,600 --> 01:10:43,600 homes. And um 954 01:10:41,800 --> 01:10:49,320 we haven't gotten one in many years because the state 955 01:10:45,960 --> 01:10:54,680 have hit the cap statewide and there was no extra money in this 504 account. So, 956 01:10:51,680 --> 01:10:58,800 they call it some some specific account. This year they had excess money. And so, 957 01:10:57,000 --> 01:11:03,160 what it actually what it means is the rates that they assign to all the 958 01:11:00,240 --> 01:11:03,160 nursing homes, 959 01:11:03,640 --> 01:11:09,600 they they they could have gone higher and divvied it out with the the daily 960 01:11:07,480 --> 01:11:13,040 rate, but because um 961 01:11:10,440 --> 01:11:17,440 they set the daily rates and the census must have come in lower, they had excess 962 01:11:15,160 --> 01:11:20,720 money, and so they have to then divvy it out to all the nursing homes, 963 01:11:18,960 --> 01:11:25,800 and we received um I think it was like 223,000 964 01:11:23,760 --> 01:11:30,720 or whatever as a one-time payment. It's not in here because the nursing home 965 01:11:28,120 --> 01:11:35,600 revenues are already short. So, it's we don't have to amend the budget. It's 966 01:11:32,200 --> 01:11:40,720 just it's helping us to meet or get closer to the budget projections, but it 967 01:11:37,680 --> 01:11:42,760 was a the one-time payout that um 968 01:11:41,720 --> 01:11:46,320 we get periodically, and we actually have not 969 01:11:44,640 --> 01:11:50,680 This is the first time in several years that we've got a payout from this that 970 01:11:48,200 --> 01:11:55,480 line item. So, we Um as far as the expenses back on the 971 01:11:53,360 --> 01:11:59,360 expenses, uh the medical examiner, that hasn't come up in a while, but that's 972 01:11:57,160 --> 01:12:02,800 it's not major money, but just to point out that this line item or this budget 973 01:12:01,160 --> 01:12:09,800 area is oh it's at 37% remaining, and this is a 974 01:12:06,240 --> 01:12:13,640 statutory requirement that the counties, through the county attorney's office, is 975 01:12:11,280 --> 01:12:17,520 responsible to pay the medical examiners for untimely deaths. So, it's really one 976 01:12:15,880 --> 01:12:20,320 of those un you know, you don't know what it's going 977 01:12:18,640 --> 01:12:22,720 to be, but we have to pay it. We get the bill. 978 01:12:21,680 --> 01:12:26,080 Um human services, that will come back in 979 01:12:24,440 --> 01:12:30,880 line. Uh there is a particular 980 01:12:28,000 --> 01:12:37,440 one-time credit that we get um in July, but that's with it being um 981 01:12:35,440 --> 01:12:41,480 a bit over budget as of June, one might think 982 01:12:39,760 --> 01:12:43,960 that could be a big dollar amount, but it's not that big. It comes back in 983 01:12:42,400 --> 01:12:48,800 line. And 984 01:12:45,520 --> 01:12:53,760 as far as the nursing home the nursing home, we are currently at a census of 985 01:12:51,080 --> 01:13:01,440 115 with a budget of 120. As Chris mentioned, um they are working to open 986 01:12:58,520 --> 01:13:03,160 more beds with a hopeful clinical to get what? 987 01:13:02,200 --> 01:13:06,600 » Uh 124. >> 124. 988 01:13:04,120 --> 01:13:10,080 » Which is one person below where it was before COVID. 989 01:13:08,320 --> 01:13:14,440 » We're actively moving residents >> Yeah. 990 01:13:11,680 --> 01:13:16,720 » Um which will open beds on two and four. So we can start 991 01:13:15,960 --> 01:13:21,640 » And it >> And we just hired or we just internally 992 01:13:18,960 --> 01:13:27,440 promoted one of our um nursing supervisors to that unit um manager 993 01:13:25,120 --> 01:13:31,800 position that has been vacated for a long time because it wasn't needed. So I 994 01:13:30,560 --> 01:13:34,840 think that's going to be hopefully a good thing cuz there are a lot of people 995 01:13:33,280 --> 01:13:40,960 knocking on the door trying to get in and calling Chris asking me, you know, 996 01:13:37,120 --> 01:13:40,960 is there anything we can do to 997 01:13:41,840 --> 01:13:45,160 » Yeah. >> Last I knew. 998 01:13:45,560 --> 01:13:50,000 » About that. >> Yeah. 999 01:13:47,080 --> 01:13:54,080 » I mean it it it it it just we're we're we've worked 1000 01:13:51,640 --> 01:13:57,880 all of us and I look at Kim on a lot of this, too. We've worked 1001 01:13:56,040 --> 01:14:04,640 extremely hard to get staffing 1002 01:14:00,280 --> 01:14:08,680 back to where it is. I don't I believe one of the things that people are 1003 01:14:05,840 --> 01:14:13,440 finding is we're consistent about how we go about our business. We offer a 1004 01:14:10,800 --> 01:14:18,520 competitive salary. We offer other things that people And so, you know, we 1005 01:14:16,320 --> 01:14:24,080 were at one point down to 427 for staffing or they're about. 1006 01:14:21,520 --> 01:14:28,440 We're now 499. >> We're at a point where we are in a scary 1007 01:14:26,640 --> 01:14:34,600 situation cuz as you know, we are trying to get live on a new payroll system that 1008 01:14:31,360 --> 01:14:39,960 we are so close, but there's just hiccups that keep happening that we're 1009 01:14:36,800 --> 01:14:43,960 not willing to allow it to go live until they get these things fixed. But the 1010 01:14:41,560 --> 01:14:47,360 problem is is the old system that is end of life. 1011 01:14:45,240 --> 01:14:53,600 We've run out of licenses. So, we're having to get creative and we 1012 01:14:50,720 --> 01:14:57,840 have not hit that I mean, we have to sometimes here and there but we have to 1013 01:14:56,240 --> 01:15:02,920 manage it like because we just have a lot of agency people. But now we are at 1014 01:15:00,560 --> 01:15:07,160 the point where we are we're having to get really creative 1015 01:15:05,720 --> 01:15:11,920 potentially. Um so, it's it's a good problem to have. 1016 01:15:09,840 --> 01:15:15,240 We have not been here in a long time with 1017 01:15:12,960 --> 01:15:19,760 having the number of actual full-time staff employees in the as we are now. 1018 01:15:21,760 --> 01:15:27,280 Yep. Yep. >> Which is So, so we go years 1019 01:15:26,080 --> 01:15:33,600 years. And so all of a sudden and you would you 1020 01:15:29,520 --> 01:15:39,200 think about adding through the visa or people RNs coming back to us locally and 1021 01:15:36,920 --> 01:15:43,600 with with on the horizon a third visa nurse. The other two nurses are doing 1022 01:15:40,880 --> 01:15:47,480 well. Um Yeah, we're just trying to tackle it in 1023 01:15:45,480 --> 01:15:53,880 so many different ways and then slowly but surely is going to start showing 1024 01:15:50,400 --> 01:15:58,040 that we can get to 124. Maybe we can get at some point down to 130. And when I 1025 01:15:56,360 --> 01:16:02,640 first came through the door, we were at 133. That's the highest I remember being 1026 01:16:00,800 --> 01:16:08,080 maybe 136. You guys might >> I remember 148. 1027 01:16:04,440 --> 01:16:11,400 » Yeah. So, so you know, but we're we're slowly getting there and so I have to 1028 01:16:10,280 --> 01:16:15,480 thank everybody that's involved especially Catherine and her staff 1029 01:16:13,480 --> 01:16:22,560 because it's so important like you said, we are getting calls or emails all the 1030 01:16:19,000 --> 01:16:26,560 time about, you know, my my father is is there anything it's like it's you know, 1031 01:16:25,080 --> 01:16:31,880 you just got to go through the process and hope that that they can get you in 1032 01:16:28,720 --> 01:16:31,880 sooner than later. 1033 01:16:33,640 --> 01:16:40,280 » I Isn't it county-wide about 120 people turnover? 1034 01:16:38,480 --> 01:16:43,760 If I don't know what area that was come from. 1035 01:16:40,600 --> 01:16:46,200 » Um well, simply I mean, simply because Maplewood is 50% of our 1036 01:16:45,800 --> 01:16:50,040 » Yeah. >> um, overall staff. The the turnover 1037 01:16:48,520 --> 01:16:50,800 there's higher, but we're under the patients. 1038 01:16:50,160 --> 01:16:55,000 » patients >> Oh, patients. 1039 01:16:51,640 --> 01:16:55,000 » Oh, residents. Oh, okay. 1040 01:17:03,480 --> 01:17:07,960 » I don't really want to just, you know, there if they're if they're only it's 1041 01:17:07,040 --> 01:17:11,840 yeah, I don't want to >> I actually have that information, but 1042 01:17:13,200 --> 01:17:17,600 » So, she'll look at look that up. Is there anything else while you're looking 1043 01:17:16,400 --> 01:17:20,240 at up? Is there anything else you want to add in? 1044 01:17:18,320 --> 01:17:24,480 » I really don't. I mean, I there the nursing home expenses are coming in far 1045 01:17:22,760 --> 01:17:30,200 under what their revenues are falling short. So, they're um, they're in good 1046 01:17:27,480 --> 01:17:33,600 shape. I mean, Catherine really watches her expenses 1047 01:17:32,320 --> 01:17:38,680 um, as it pertains to her revenues and 1048 01:17:36,320 --> 01:17:43,800 holds off on things if necessary or really kind of looks at the staff and so 1049 01:17:40,680 --> 01:17:48,280 that um, if they're not able to achieve the the revenues because of the level of 1050 01:17:47,520 --> 01:17:54,600 um, census that they can maintain, then she 1051 01:17:52,680 --> 01:18:00,080 uh, holds off on filling positions. Um, but because well, 1052 01:17:58,000 --> 01:18:03,760 not holds off. Ideally, she wants them coming through 1053 01:18:01,600 --> 01:18:07,240 the door, but as she could has a health home door, that's how she's releasing 1054 01:18:06,040 --> 01:18:11,960 the um, and her staff take on more beds. So, 1055 01:18:09,920 --> 01:18:15,480 » that's that's a a good thing. We have been saying this. 1056 01:18:13,160 --> 01:18:16,360 » Well, we got it in 2024, she opened 10 beds. 1057 01:18:16,000 --> 01:18:20,520 » Yeah. >> And now we're opening 1058 01:18:18,400 --> 01:18:25,200 another 15 to I think she kind of inched up to 15 and 1059 01:18:23,240 --> 01:18:27,760 then now she's going to >> Yeah. 1060 01:18:26,000 --> 01:18:30,240 » 24 >> So, we're getting there slowly. 1061 01:18:29,640 --> 01:18:33,880 Um, and we're doing it the right way. We're 1062 01:18:31,560 --> 01:18:39,440 not We're not pushing a side care. So, that's important. Uh, the only thing 1063 01:18:36,200 --> 01:18:46,320 I'll throw out in the all this report is remind you that I don't understand 1064 01:18:43,400 --> 01:18:53,000 what in the big beautiful bill or the triple B as I call it, uh, 1065 01:18:50,480 --> 01:18:57,680 there was cuts to Medicaid at some levels. 1066 01:18:54,560 --> 01:19:00,240 But it was after the midterm elections that they're that we're going to be 1067 01:18:58,760 --> 01:19:04,480 looking at. And I don't know what that means yet or we're going to be watching 1068 01:19:02,240 --> 01:19:10,080 to see what it means. I've asked actually Katie at the DuPont Group, Kate 1069 01:19:06,800 --> 01:19:13,800 Organ, to see if there's, you know, people that can talk to us about what we 1070 01:19:12,160 --> 01:19:18,440 should be looking for, what it could mean to us because 1071 01:19:15,920 --> 01:19:23,680 uh, I'm still not I I I've looked at it and I I don't want to panic or I don't 1072 01:19:21,440 --> 01:19:29,320 want to be chicken little um, if I don't know if it's real. 1073 01:19:27,160 --> 01:19:33,920 So, you know, some people say this, some people say that. I don't go on those uh, 1074 01:19:31,600 --> 01:19:38,040 on that level. I really want to research and get more facts into it then we can 1075 01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:41,400 prepare ourselves as best we can what that could mean to us. 1076 01:19:39,720 --> 01:19:44,800 » Is there is there some sort of summary executive summary kind 1077 01:19:43,240 --> 01:19:48,320 » There is. There is and that's what we've asked we've asked for something more 1078 01:19:46,760 --> 01:19:52,840 than that, you know, a little bit more in-depth. And maybe Nate Nate could 1079 01:19:50,720 --> 01:19:56,640 somehow, you know, give us something from their perspective. 1080 01:19:55,160 --> 01:20:00,400 So, we'll see. >> I do have a question. Has anybody from 1081 01:19:58,840 --> 01:20:08,480 the executive committee or the delegation um, brought forward requests 1082 01:20:05,160 --> 01:20:14,360 to uh, change or add anything to the budget? Would you tell us what it is? 1083 01:20:11,720 --> 01:20:20,360 » It's on my thing, but I'll do it now. Um, so the only 1084 01:20:17,720 --> 01:20:24,400 the the two there's two things that I'm aware of. 1085 01:20:21,560 --> 01:20:29,480 Um, I have a meeting at 2:30 today about one of those things. 1086 01:20:26,040 --> 01:20:35,040 But um, one of them is they're concerned for cost of food and cost of 1087 01:20:33,840 --> 01:20:38,760 um of gas for what um 1088 01:20:39,480 --> 01:20:44,320 It's right here. It's a community kitchen. So, they're looking at adding 1089 01:20:42,520 --> 01:20:47,920 $20,000 to the community kitchen. 1090 01:20:46,360 --> 01:20:51,840 Um the 1091 01:20:49,080 --> 01:20:55,720 I've asked Barb Weisman to be there for both meetings so she can 1092 01:20:54,360 --> 01:21:01,120 answer any questions if they're going to bring it up. Um but, you know, mobile 1093 01:20:59,120 --> 01:21:03,320 pantry expansion, you know, that's been going on 1094 01:21:02,560 --> 01:21:06,720 uh in Gilsum, Richmond, Fitzwilliam, and 1095 01:21:04,880 --> 01:21:12,520 Winchester once a month for 4 months of a year. It's now turned into um a 1096 01:21:10,440 --> 01:21:16,120 situation where Gilsum, Richmond, and Fitzwilliam they have strengthened their 1097 01:21:14,600 --> 01:21:20,360 infrastructure to each community to establish 1098 01:21:17,480 --> 01:21:23,960 uh King Community Kitchen pantry in each town to help the towns because they were 1099 01:21:22,600 --> 01:21:26,840 aging out. They didn't have the facilities. 1100 01:21:25,320 --> 01:21:30,960 Uh these satellite pantries can now offer food distribution monthly 1101 01:21:28,360 --> 01:21:34,880 year-round. This expansion provides much greater food storage building consisting 1102 01:21:32,960 --> 01:21:38,240 food areas for residents. Um the trucking and regional food 1103 01:21:36,760 --> 01:21:39,920 distribution and 1104 01:21:38,840 --> 01:21:44,680 at the end of the year last year they bought a truck. That truck now goes 1105 01:21:42,480 --> 01:21:48,720 weekly multiple times to the pantry to receive free food from the New Hampshire 1106 01:21:46,080 --> 01:21:53,320 Food Bank. Um they hired a full-time driver to do that and and which now 1107 01:21:51,480 --> 01:21:57,480 makes daily trips to the food bank in Manchester. Year-to-date we delivered 1108 01:21:55,360 --> 01:22:01,760 more than 90 tons of food to 12 agencies throughout the region including Jaffrey, 1109 01:21:59,640 --> 01:22:04,280 Dublin, Troy, Chesterfield, Marlborough, Keene, Gilsum, Richmond, and 1110 01:22:03,080 --> 01:22:08,840 Fitzwilliam. The mobile pantry bus, they purchased a 1111 01:22:06,400 --> 01:22:14,680 mobile pantry bus which will be here on Monday. It's really cool 1112 01:22:11,520 --> 01:22:19,360 um because now they have it so that it's new to them. It's not new new. It's 1113 01:22:17,320 --> 01:22:23,480 new to them. It was a food truck of some sort that would go to festivals that was 1114 01:22:21,080 --> 01:22:26,720 online and they thought this was much better for people and they could put the 1115 01:22:25,120 --> 01:22:31,280 food, bring it down, you'll see everything because they're going to 1116 01:22:28,480 --> 01:22:34,360 be giving us the dinner on Monday. Um, roast beef sandwiches, you know, 1117 01:22:33,120 --> 01:22:37,120 turkey, um, 1118 01:22:35,240 --> 01:22:41,160 potato salad, all that stuff. So, um, 1119 01:22:38,560 --> 01:22:45,680 it allows the this pantry bus allows them to be more nimble and existing food 1120 01:22:44,720 --> 01:22:51,280 and two existing food access infrastructure. 1121 01:22:48,680 --> 01:22:51,280 Um, 1122 01:22:51,840 --> 01:22:57,800 let's see. And then she's broken down, you know, 1123 01:22:55,560 --> 01:23:00,840 how much pounds per town they've given out to 1124 01:22:59,000 --> 01:23:06,920 and the cost and all that. So, I'll let her talk about that, but that's the one 1125 01:23:03,400 --> 01:23:13,920 and we I reached out to Anne Fetty, uh, who's the deputy attorney general, 1126 01:23:10,000 --> 01:23:18,280 to see if uh, I was right in my thinking and uh, feeling at this point we have 1127 01:23:16,440 --> 01:23:22,880 that he came came back and said if it's within the RSA, blah, blah, blah. We 1128 01:23:19,800 --> 01:23:27,280 reviewed the RSA. We did AI to see if the if we were right in our thinking 1129 01:23:25,440 --> 01:23:31,320 and it came back that we could actually use opioid funding if we chose to and 1130 01:23:29,440 --> 01:23:33,880 not and and because who are they serving? 1131 01:23:32,720 --> 01:23:36,120 » Which funding? Opioid >> Opioid 1132 01:23:34,400 --> 01:23:39,880 » Opioid funding if we chose to because who are they who is some of the biggest 1133 01:23:38,280 --> 01:23:41,920 audience that they're doing we choose to. 1134 01:23:40,840 --> 01:23:46,080 Um, if but that's up to the delegation if 1135 01:23:44,640 --> 01:23:49,400 they choose to. Uh, that's one I'm hearing and then the 1136 01:23:47,720 --> 01:23:52,960 other one is um, 1137 01:23:51,280 --> 01:23:57,200 restorative justice and they there's 1138 01:23:55,600 --> 01:24:01,640 If you look at the minutes, the minutes say in it that then August they would 1139 01:23:59,360 --> 01:24:05,200 take a look at where things stand. In the meantime, if you remember, they 1140 01:24:03,200 --> 01:24:07,800 asked me to work with Patrick to take a look at what grants are out there. We 1141 01:24:06,600 --> 01:24:12,120 did that. We looked at grants and there weren't 1142 01:24:10,240 --> 01:24:16,560 really any grants that administratively would pay for that what needed to be 1143 01:24:14,240 --> 01:24:21,400 paid for. It was that he would could take on more responsibility and within a 1144 01:24:18,680 --> 01:24:25,960 a new grant to create something new and that would help pay a period of 1145 01:24:23,040 --> 01:24:30,880 time, that doesn't make sense to me. And so we went we will move forward with 1146 01:24:29,040 --> 01:24:34,320 knowing that um if he couldn't somehow or find some 1147 01:24:32,960 --> 01:24:38,960 money that it was going to stop in December 31st because that's what the 1148 01:24:37,120 --> 01:24:42,760 delegation had said. If you remember too, 1149 01:24:40,680 --> 01:24:46,800 um in May uh he came to me and said that his 1150 01:24:44,760 --> 01:24:49,880 family, he and his wife who she's a doctor, has been in the doctor in the 1151 01:24:48,320 --> 01:24:53,960 region for years, um they're formerly from Canada. Had 1152 01:24:52,280 --> 01:24:57,920 they chosen and they have children back up in Canada. They chosen to move back 1153 01:24:56,000 --> 01:25:02,240 to Canada, which they had planned to do anyways. 1154 01:24:59,240 --> 01:25:06,360 Um so at that point and his last day was June 26th. If you remember we had a 1155 01:25:04,680 --> 01:25:08,800 a thing here for him. And 1156 01:25:07,600 --> 01:25:14,400 so I went came to you all and said it 1157 01:25:11,240 --> 01:25:19,120 doesn't make a lot of sense because he's remember he 1158 01:25:16,600 --> 01:25:25,080 last day technically full-time was the 26th. He had four cases that he's still 1159 01:25:22,840 --> 01:25:29,680 finishing up that he's working minimal hours but he's working on 1160 01:25:26,840 --> 01:25:34,640 closing up those cases. For me to think that I could put a thing 1161 01:25:31,880 --> 01:25:39,480 out saying I want to hire somebody by September so that they can work 1162 01:25:36,680 --> 01:25:42,920 September, October, November, December and you agreed with me at that time that 1163 01:25:41,000 --> 01:25:49,320 it did make a lot of sense even though I did have an application 1164 01:25:45,840 --> 01:25:53,160 um from somebody who works full-time didn't doesn't understand the the the 1165 01:25:51,440 --> 01:25:57,120 setting of what we were working with at the time. 1166 01:25:54,480 --> 01:26:00,480 And um but she works full-time over in 1167 01:25:58,600 --> 01:26:04,360 Brattleboro Retreat. So she would come leave that position to 1168 01:26:02,400 --> 01:26:08,640 come over here for 4 months cuz that's what we have. 1169 01:26:05,880 --> 01:26:13,080 So that's the discussion is that they're they're wanting it to go through the 1170 01:26:10,800 --> 01:26:18,360 They want to reconsider it so that they can put it back in so we can go through 1171 01:26:14,920 --> 01:26:22,440 the budget process and if it passes the budget process then for another year, 1172 01:26:19,840 --> 01:26:27,120 but if it doesn't it doesn't and and it would stop in March of next year. Or 1173 01:26:25,360 --> 01:26:33,520 April 1 of of next year. >> There'll be a motion that if if the 1174 01:26:30,920 --> 01:26:36,320 executive committee agrees because of course it's got to be 1175 01:26:35,560 --> 01:26:39,360 a majority of them. 1176 01:26:37,680 --> 01:26:44,120 It would be a motion to recommend that delegation reinstate the budget funding 1177 01:26:41,800 --> 01:26:47,640 in the 2027 budget for the restorative justice program. 1178 01:26:45,680 --> 01:26:53,240 So that it will allow for the program to continue past December 31st and be 1179 01:26:50,120 --> 01:27:00,880 revisited for approval March 2027. Because right now the way that they the 1180 01:26:55,600 --> 01:27:05,960 the motion came out of the March of 2026 there's no permission to even create a 1181 01:27:03,360 --> 01:27:10,960 budget for restorative justice out of the department or the county or 1182 01:27:08,920 --> 01:27:14,640 the budget. It's it's um 1183 01:27:12,280 --> 01:27:19,960 it's it's no funding after after December. So this would 1184 01:27:17,360 --> 01:27:22,800 allow for it at least get considered again 1185 01:27:21,120 --> 01:27:27,520 in the 2027. >> And I'm expected I'm going to make it 1186 01:27:24,680 --> 01:27:31,800 very clear that it was my decision come to you and you agreed with my 1187 01:27:29,200 --> 01:27:36,760 decision and I'm expected to get spanked by some on the delegation side on Monday 1188 01:27:35,000 --> 01:27:40,960 because it you know they're thinking that we're stopping a program which do 1189 01:27:39,240 --> 01:27:46,760 we technically have the authority to stop. My thing is is reality is is 1190 01:27:44,280 --> 01:27:50,400 I just felt like why go through the process of hiring 1191 01:27:48,640 --> 01:27:55,960 somebody when you made the decision in the first place? So if I'm wrong then 1192 01:27:53,200 --> 01:27:59,840 I'll get on it right away and I'll go through the process, but 1193 01:27:57,200 --> 01:28:04,480 » I don't So I don't I don't know I think once the money's been appropriated 1194 01:28:01,400 --> 01:28:08,240 commissioners then have the decision to spend it. So 1195 01:28:05,720 --> 01:28:11,560 » I mean but do they have it? Do they have The argument's going to be do they 1196 01:28:09,640 --> 01:28:15,400 technically have the power to end a program. 1197 01:28:12,480 --> 01:28:17,400 » The The Patrick ended the program. It's I mean 1198 01:28:16,480 --> 01:28:20,000 so >> Well, 1199 01:28:18,520 --> 01:28:22,680 I just We You're talking to somebody that made it. 1200 01:28:21,040 --> 01:28:24,000 » We just have a vacancy. >> Yeah. 1201 01:28:23,680 --> 01:28:27,360 » So, >> Now, we're choosing to 1202 01:28:25,200 --> 01:28:30,040 fill. Now, we're not choosing to fill. >> Yeah. [clears throat] We got a vacancy. 1203 01:28:29,120 --> 01:28:33,200 » Yeah. Yeah. 1204 01:28:30,320 --> 01:28:37,640 » Until, you know, we get direction on whether or not 1205 01:28:35,680 --> 01:28:40,960 we're going to be able to hire a full-time employee. Cuz it's not 1206 01:28:39,720 --> 01:28:44,240 reasonable to think that we're going to be able to hire a full-time employee for 1207 01:28:43,240 --> 01:28:47,400 months. It's just not reasonable. 1208 01:28:45,200 --> 01:28:51,960 » Yeah. So, So, that's going to be my I think that's great wording is vacancy. 1209 01:28:49,920 --> 01:28:56,040 Because But But the bottom line is is that 1210 01:28:53,480 --> 01:28:59,280 it it is what it is. Uh Paul's going to come in and meet with me today. 1211 01:28:57,880 --> 01:29:02,520 And so, >> So, let me back up a minute. 1212 01:29:01,640 --> 01:29:06,400 » Yeah. >> How many cases 1213 01:29:04,440 --> 01:29:10,920 went through restorative justice last year? 1214 01:29:08,080 --> 01:29:14,520 Did you say seven? >> This year? This year? 1215 01:29:12,360 --> 01:29:19,960 » 2026. How many seven? So, for nearly $100,000, 1216 01:29:18,240 --> 01:29:22,760 we did seven cases? 1217 01:29:21,680 --> 01:29:25,640 » Well, >> That's a yes or no question. Then you 1218 01:29:24,840 --> 01:29:30,462 can follow up. >> Now, I feel like I'm ON CAPITOL HILL. 1219 01:29:28,442 --> 01:29:30,462 » [laughter] 1220 01:29:32,240 --> 01:29:40,240 » YES. YES, YOU'RE YOU ARE correct in that when it comes to restorative justice, 1221 01:29:36,000 --> 01:29:43,520 legally, you are correct 100%. Now, I would argue that it's the program's 1222 01:29:42,160 --> 01:29:48,240 been bigger than that. Patrick's been doing a lot more work in a lot of other 1223 01:29:45,840 --> 01:29:51,640 areas besides that. But there are a lot of people that are stuck on this. 100% 1224 01:29:49,960 --> 01:29:55,040 you're correct. We would probably would have been closer to 1225 01:29:53,520 --> 01:30:00,600 If we stopped referrals, I know Chris has has come to me since he took on the 1226 01:29:57,920 --> 01:30:04,760 prosecuting role for the city of Keene with five cases that he probably could 1227 01:30:02,480 --> 01:30:13,520 have sent down to us. So, that Let's just say 12. So, again, is 12 to 16, you 1228 01:30:09,520 --> 01:30:17,040 know, a year worth $100,000? That is going to be the question, too. 1229 01:30:14,840 --> 01:30:22,000 » Well, the other question is is they want $20,000 1230 01:30:19,680 --> 01:30:27,520 for the food pantry, which serves how many people? 1231 01:30:24,040 --> 01:30:32,600 versus seven for $100,000. That when I look at taxpayer money and 1232 01:30:30,240 --> 01:30:36,920 the benefit, right? Um do you serve more people 1233 01:30:34,640 --> 01:30:40,640 through the food pantry or seven people for $100,000? 1234 01:30:38,560 --> 01:30:45,360 » people. I think Excuse me, but you're wrong. It's not 1235 01:30:42,680 --> 01:30:48,520 seven people. It's It's How many How many students in Keene High School are 1236 01:30:46,920 --> 01:30:52,440 going to detention? How many students, you know, how many 1237 01:30:49,920 --> 01:30:55,640 how many people in the neighborhood are fighting 1238 01:30:53,400 --> 01:30:59,920 » How? That's a different pot of money. >> No, it's not the same It's the same 1239 01:30:56,920 --> 01:31:01,080 » same pot of money that Patrick works on. That's 1240 01:31:00,600 --> 01:31:03,120 » Yeah. >> So, 1241 01:31:01,600 --> 01:31:05,480 » That That position was expanded to $100,000. 1242 01:31:03,320 --> 01:31:10,120 » Let's think about I'm looking at this from You look at the money for the food 1243 01:31:07,760 --> 01:31:13,920 pantry versus restorative justice and the impact. 1244 01:31:12,080 --> 01:31:19,440 That's what I'm looking at. That that massive amount of money 1245 01:31:16,440 --> 01:31:24,880 and you're saying that the food pantry needs all this money because they 1246 01:31:21,040 --> 01:31:30,160 increase families' hunger issue. And it can be solved with $20,000, 1247 01:31:27,960 --> 01:31:33,560 but we're going to use $100,000 for this other thing. 1248 01:31:31,480 --> 01:31:37,080 Taxpayer money doesn't make a lot of sense to me. 1249 01:31:35,400 --> 01:31:38,800 » But the argument's going to be not with us. 1250 01:31:37,720 --> 01:31:42,600 » I understand that. >> You're doing just I just think because 1251 01:31:41,200 --> 01:31:46,048 » I understand that, but >> I said you. 1252 01:31:44,028 --> 01:31:46,048 » [laughter] 1253 01:31:46,600 --> 01:31:51,560 » All right. >> THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING IT. 1254 01:31:48,720 --> 01:31:55,400 EXACTLY, BECAUSE this is, you know, if the commissioners 1255 01:31:53,240 --> 01:32:00,040 and you make a decision about a particular project 1256 01:31:57,640 --> 01:32:04,080 using taxpayers' dollars and we're supposed to be good stewards of the 1257 01:32:01,640 --> 01:32:08,960 money that I have to look at the value added for $20,000 1258 01:32:06,680 --> 01:32:14,200 helping X number of families and X number of communities versus 1259 01:32:12,280 --> 01:32:18,920 this other $100,000. >> I think it's simpler than that. I look 1260 01:32:16,200 --> 01:32:23,760 at it as the body as a whole that makes the decision around financial for the 1261 01:32:21,720 --> 01:32:28,040 county made a decision that as of December 31st this program no longer 1262 01:32:26,640 --> 01:32:32,960 would exist. Based on that knowledge and based on not 1263 01:32:31,000 --> 01:32:40,000 having any other knowledge but that in May and June I made a decision and came 1264 01:32:35,440 --> 01:32:44,600 to you to say I don't believe that once he is officially finished with 1265 01:32:42,320 --> 01:32:48,920 everything he needs to do that I would would make sense for me to 1266 01:32:46,760 --> 01:32:53,720 expend energy on and having people come in and telling them yeah this job is 1267 01:32:51,680 --> 01:32:57,440 only for 4 months. It it just doesn't make a lot of sense 1268 01:32:55,520 --> 01:33:02,520 to me so that's why I didn't vote. >> I also think that I know you we've got I 1269 01:33:00,680 --> 01:33:07,120 also feel like the the the heart of the motion when it was 1270 01:33:05,400 --> 01:33:12,920 made was because they knew that they were dealing with an individual and 1271 01:33:09,440 --> 01:33:17,240 rather than on March 17th or whenever we passed that budget 1272 01:33:14,600 --> 01:33:21,520 saying we're ending this program April 1st we're cutting the funding out and 1273 01:33:19,680 --> 01:33:27,680 therefore you're going to have you know this really and that that it was 1274 01:33:24,360 --> 01:33:32,160 to be able to provide time for a person doing the program to know well in 1275 01:33:30,080 --> 01:33:37,800 advance that the program was over as of January 31st and that it was to get the 1276 01:33:35,480 --> 01:33:41,560 cases closed out and figure out what is going to happen next. I think because 1277 01:33:39,880 --> 01:33:44,840 they didn't want to be there again next year cutting it out so that's what I 1278 01:33:44,000 --> 01:33:50,680 think the heart of the >> initially there was there was there was 1279 01:33:47,880 --> 01:33:55,400 a push to cut the program. And I know exactly who was pushing that. 1280 01:33:53,760 --> 01:34:01,080 I think that then there was another person John who came in and said, "No, 1281 01:33:58,600 --> 01:34:05,800 no, no. Let's just make sure this person's aware that as of December the 1282 01:34:03,080 --> 01:34:09,560 my motion would be that December 31st that that this that this program would 1283 01:34:07,920 --> 01:34:13,200 no longer exist." That's what I remember in the 1284 01:34:10,800 --> 01:34:18,880 conversation. And that's what I based every all my information and and and my 1285 01:34:16,120 --> 01:34:24,560 decision-making on that. It was that, and that's when I came to you all when 1286 01:34:20,880 --> 01:34:24,560 Patrick I made you aware 1287 01:34:25,040 --> 01:34:28,400 » I I agree with Carrie. 1288 01:34:28,600 --> 01:34:36,360 We did what we did. It made sense any anybody running a business would do the 1289 01:34:33,720 --> 01:34:38,280 same thing. Why why advertise for the for the job? 1290 01:34:38,260 --> 01:34:40,760 » [snorts] >> But it isn't just 1291 01:34:39,840 --> 01:34:44,360 » to go from there. >> But it isn't just about advertising for 1292 01:34:43,000 --> 01:34:47,760 the job. It's 1293 01:34:46,200 --> 01:34:50,880 getting rid of the program. >> Yeah, that's what I'm 1294 01:34:48,480 --> 01:34:55,120 » That's the piece that I'm focusing on. >> I I felt like I was finishing the 1295 01:34:52,640 --> 01:34:58,680 program when I when you guys gave me the already not to move forward and bringing 1296 01:34:56,480 --> 01:35:04,200 somebody else on that the program as a whole was stopped 1297 01:35:01,280 --> 01:35:09,280 officially when when Patrick finished up his last cases. 1298 01:35:06,400 --> 01:35:10,840 » As set by the delegation, basically. >> Correct. 1299 01:35:10,120 --> 01:35:12,200 » Right. >> They agreed to stop 1300 01:35:11,680 --> 01:35:16,720 » So any pushback 1301 01:35:13,800 --> 01:35:22,480 any pushback is what it is. But we made in my mind 1302 01:35:19,640 --> 01:35:26,560 it it was you had the final decision, yes, but it was my my thought that it 1303 01:35:25,120 --> 01:35:31,440 just administratively made didn't make a lot of sense to me that we move forward 1304 01:35:29,400 --> 01:35:35,320 in filling that position for a period of time that the delegation set. 1305 01:35:33,000 --> 01:35:41,240 » Right, because the program was going to be out of business as of December 31st, 1306 01:35:38,560 --> 01:35:44,920 period. Not on hold. >> Did you get any pressure to fill the 1307 01:35:43,240 --> 01:35:52,200 position? >> I think there may be comments on Monday 1308 01:35:49,120 --> 01:35:56,080 that say that that they that we that we and I'm going to make it very clear. 1309 01:35:53,800 --> 01:36:00,720 It's not we, it's me. I made the initial push. You had the 1310 01:35:58,360 --> 01:36:05,240 ultimate decision, but it was my bringing to you that I didn't see 1311 01:36:03,520 --> 01:36:06,800 that it made any sense because they made the decision. 1312 01:36:06,686 --> 01:36:09,920 » [clears throat] >> And I think the body as a whole will see 1313 01:36:08,160 --> 01:36:13,680 that and I just think I just wanted to just tell you. 1314 01:36:11,600 --> 01:36:18,640 I just want to say I think you're about ready for Capital 1315 01:36:15,520 --> 01:36:21,920 Hill based on you ran there for the yes or no answer. 1316 01:36:24,400 --> 01:36:27,920 » That was a five-minute yes or no. 1317 01:36:28,800 --> 01:36:34,840 » That's why first make it >> But I got it in. 1318 01:36:32,000 --> 01:36:34,840 THE ONLY THING 1319 01:36:35,200 --> 01:36:40,092 » WHAT YOU DIDN'T recommend is you I believe neglected to thank her for the 1320 01:36:39,440 --> 01:36:42,112 question. >> [laughter] 1321 01:36:42,520 --> 01:36:45,800 » Happy advice of counsel. 1322 01:36:46,840 --> 01:36:51,600 » But I I do think that that 1323 01:36:49,800 --> 01:36:55,600 » Well, with the community kitchen and the added money is appropriate with all the 1324 01:36:53,680 --> 01:37:01,280 work that they're doing. I think Barb and her team over there are sensational. 1325 01:36:58,680 --> 01:37:04,440 It's It's they're Yeah, they're making every penny count 1326 01:37:03,200 --> 01:37:07,880 over there and they're doing what they can to bring it to the communities and 1327 01:37:06,040 --> 01:37:11,640 that's what we wanted from them. I believe in the next three years you're 1328 01:37:09,560 --> 01:37:16,200 going to see them have a distribution center over here that 1329 01:37:14,480 --> 01:37:20,480 you know, and I think that they'll be an example. They'll be a test pilot for the 1330 01:37:18,160 --> 01:37:24,000 rest of the state and that it will be a good thing because what they're doing 1331 01:37:21,960 --> 01:37:27,360 right now is they're getting pantries more food than they've ever had before 1332 01:37:25,960 --> 01:37:31,400 to get out to families and I think that's a good thing. 1333 01:37:28,880 --> 01:37:35,840 » What about gas for? Sheriff, EMS, 1334 01:37:33,800 --> 01:37:38,160 and EOC. >> Yeah, did we work on a contract for 1335 01:37:37,720 --> 01:37:41,200 that? >> Do we have enough money? 1336 01:37:40,640 --> 01:37:43,800 » So >> to to go through 1337 01:37:42,080 --> 01:37:45,320 » You're just killing me. You're killing me. 1338 01:37:44,120 --> 01:37:47,560 » Are we working >> Thank you for the question. 1339 01:37:46,902 --> 01:37:49,400 » [laughter] >> So, 1340 01:37:48,760 --> 01:37:53,840 um you know, since you know, we we've 1341 01:37:51,600 --> 01:37:57,720 looked at it and if you look since February, and I want 1342 01:37:55,640 --> 01:38:02,200 to thank uh Cheryl and her team. I want to thank Davis and everybody that had uh 1343 01:38:00,520 --> 01:38:05,280 helped make this start pulling this together cuz it's not an easy task, and 1344 01:38:03,800 --> 01:38:08,040 I think Linda was was one of the individuals who really 1345 01:38:06,560 --> 01:38:11,640 worked down in the finance office to make this happen. 1346 01:38:09,440 --> 01:38:17,880 We've seen since February um 1347 01:38:13,320 --> 01:38:25,320 that unleaded fuel has been up by a uh plus 47%. 1348 01:38:21,280 --> 01:38:31,480 And diesel's up by 28%. So, the blended average between the two 1349 01:38:27,960 --> 01:38:37,800 is about a 36% average increase. You need to remember uh that we do have a 1350 01:38:33,840 --> 01:38:40,800 WEX fuel card. It's a 15 cent savings on every gallon 1351 01:38:39,440 --> 01:38:42,960 that we got. Um 1352 01:38:43,240 --> 01:38:55,120 Um see. So, if you look at it uh in February, we 1353 01:38:49,680 --> 01:39:02,480 were at we were at uh gasoline $2.88. And uh diesel we're $4.09. 1354 01:38:58,960 --> 01:39:08,160 In March, we were at $3.58. And uh diesel was $4.95. In April, we're 1355 01:39:06,360 --> 01:39:14,840 at $4.07. Um and uh for uh $4.07 for gasoline and 1356 01:39:13,320 --> 01:39:17,160 $5.96 for 1357 01:39:15,840 --> 01:39:23,040 for diesel. We were um in May 1358 01:39:19,680 --> 01:39:23,040 uh $4.47 1359 01:39:23,280 --> 01:39:31,600 uh for gasoline and $5.90 1360 01:39:28,240 --> 01:39:36,200 for diesel. And then in June, we're at $5.26 1361 01:39:34,000 --> 01:39:41,520 and $4.23. So, you can do which is which by then. 1362 01:39:39,360 --> 01:39:45,360 Um The Sheriff's Department 1363 01:39:43,480 --> 01:39:51,200 and you know, we're seeing that the uptick there and their road road shifts 1364 01:39:48,760 --> 01:39:56,960 that they're doing uh covering the county around the clock. Uh ambulances, 1365 01:39:53,760 --> 01:40:02,720 it's obvious that we are I think last month alone we averaged all ambulances 1366 01:39:59,880 --> 01:40:06,720 combined 26,000 mi. Uh 1367 01:40:03,680 --> 01:40:12,200 and if you look at the gasoline within that, you know, we're we're up there. Um 1368 01:40:09,520 --> 01:40:19,600 Maple Manor nursing home transportation and DOC, uh although although we do get 1369 01:40:16,520 --> 01:40:23,280 uh reimbursement from our transports we're still utilizing, you know, it's 1370 01:40:21,280 --> 01:40:27,240 out pacing it's going to outpace the pricing of price of gas is going to 1371 01:40:24,920 --> 01:40:30,280 outpace our cost. >> Do we have 1372 01:40:29,040 --> 01:40:34,800 » So that's not that didn't answer my question. 1373 01:40:31,680 --> 01:40:38,160 Do we have enough money in our budget to last the end of the year to absorb those 1374 01:40:36,760 --> 01:40:40,000 increases? >> Well 1375 01:40:38,480 --> 01:40:44,680 » Overall >> they asked the delegation. 1376 01:40:42,640 --> 01:40:47,680 » We will find other areas of the budget to cover it. 1377 01:40:45,600 --> 01:40:51,600 » You just you just heard her say 1.3 million 1378 01:40:48,920 --> 01:40:56,480 uh is where we're where we are currently and for the end of the year. 1379 01:40:53,520 --> 01:41:03,080 And this is going to eat into those monies that we then apply for next year. 1380 01:41:00,760 --> 01:41:07,440 » And what about the increases food costs? >> Same thing. It's going to eat into 1381 01:41:05,560 --> 01:41:11,200 » We have We're not going to have to ask >> No, we're not going to ask for We're 1382 01:41:09,120 --> 01:41:15,320 we're going to We have access money that we can utilize, but it's going to leave 1383 01:41:13,200 --> 01:41:20,080 us less when we look at next year's budget. 1384 01:41:16,880 --> 01:41:25,400 » Do we know how many gallons per used all total for gas and diesel separately? 1385 01:41:24,000 --> 01:41:28,600 » I can get that in >> Because the thing is 1386 01:41:28,040 --> 01:41:30,560 » I know. >> Yeah, well that's going to be going 1387 01:41:29,920 --> 01:41:35,160 forward. >> But here's the thing. If if we're not 1388 01:41:32,920 --> 01:41:40,880 negotiating with the company based on the number of gallons and I come back to 1389 01:41:38,080 --> 01:41:44,640 Irving, which is everywhere, because you're saying that with the WEX card, we 1390 01:41:42,720 --> 01:41:50,360 get a 15% and with Irving, they already give a 10 1391 01:41:48,320 --> 01:41:56,840 cent discount to just the average citizen. So, why aren't we trying to 1392 01:41:52,880 --> 01:42:02,000 negotiate for diesel and gas for all of our pieces based on the volume? 1393 01:42:00,080 --> 01:42:07,480 » It's also the excise tax. >> No, I understand that, but I'm just 1394 01:42:03,920 --> 01:42:12,880 saying if if if Irving is already giving the average person 10 cents, we're only 1395 01:42:10,320 --> 01:42:17,960 getting an extra five from this company, right? Why aren't we trying to go for 1396 01:42:14,880 --> 01:42:20,320 more based on the volume that we use? And Irving is everywhere throughout the 1397 01:42:19,760 --> 01:42:23,520 county. >> Yeah, well, actually they're Yeah, even 1398 01:42:22,360 --> 01:42:28,600 throughout New York. >> Right, but you know what I'm saying. So, 1399 01:42:24,840 --> 01:42:31,920 they they would have easy access. >> I think it's I think what we're finding 1400 01:42:30,960 --> 01:42:37,400 is this is a new thing and we've had these 1401 01:42:34,400 --> 01:42:42,200 conversations and we are going to start exploring like we just came back to and 1402 01:42:39,280 --> 01:42:44,320 said that we locked in our propane cost. >> Right. 1403 01:42:42,840 --> 01:42:48,320 » That we're going to be doing the same thing, looking at if there's an 1404 01:42:46,280 --> 01:42:53,120 opportunity for us to get a better pricing than what we're initially 1405 01:42:50,240 --> 01:42:55,800 paying, but it was you know, it's it's it's 1406 01:42:54,360 --> 01:43:00,120 to be honest with you, we're we're just really starting to wrap our heads around 1407 01:42:57,600 --> 01:43:03,720 this whole thing. Yeah. All righty. 1408 01:43:01,120 --> 01:43:07,640 » I I guess I don't understand why we don't ask the delegation 1409 01:43:05,520 --> 01:43:11,840 of the authority to take money for the gas. I understand 1410 01:43:10,000 --> 01:43:16,240 what you said that you can find 1411 01:43:13,720 --> 01:43:19,920 the budget as such, but 1412 01:43:17,800 --> 01:43:23,400 it's got to be I think it's important enough that we'd 1413 01:43:21,600 --> 01:43:28,560 ask the delegation to cover the increase in the 1414 01:43:26,440 --> 01:43:30,040 » So, so if you look throughout the budget, 1415 01:43:29,200 --> 01:43:33,280 » Mhm. >> you're going to see lines already 1416 01:43:31,200 --> 01:43:35,560 overdrawn, not just the gas. >> Mhm.