1 00:09:14,959 --> 00:09:16,880 I know the food looks great back there. 2 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:28,870 Grab some and have a seat. 3 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:32,160 Isn't that fun? Hey everybody, I'm Susan 4 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:36,160 Clark. Uh I am your town moderator. Uh 5 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:38,000 you elected me in March town meeting for 6 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,760 this year. So you are stuck with me for 7 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,360 now or I'm stuck with you. 8 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,720 Um so joining me up here is uh in front 9 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,360 of the room is your select board. Um we 10 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,920 you guys can wave. Liz Sharf is the 11 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,680 chair. Uh Zara Vincent uh is the vice 12 00:09:55,680 --> 00:09:57,680 chair. Paul Smanara. 13 00:09:57,680 --> 00:10:00,880 Uh Stacy Scadler and Lawrence Rooney. 14 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:02,959 This is your select board, the folks who 15 00:10:02,959 --> 00:10:06,640 oversee our town functions. Um uh town 16 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,519 clerk Bridget Brownie is here back there 17 00:10:09,519 --> 00:10:11,920 waving. 18 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,360 Carol Maloney is here. Thank you, Carol. 19 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,320 >> Carol. Carol's taking the minutes. Thank 20 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:20,399 you, Carol. This is this is the woman to 21 00:10:20,399 --> 00:10:21,920 watch out for when if you stand up and 22 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,800 say your name. That's that's why 23 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,200 we appreciate um work of media for being 24 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:29,360 here as well to record the meeting and 25 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:31,760 to live stream it. Um your kids are 26 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:33,360 welcome here at town meeting. If you 27 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:35,279 have kids with you, that's great. Um 28 00:10:35,279 --> 00:10:36,959 just stay chill so the people around you 29 00:10:36,959 --> 00:10:38,800 can hear. And for those of you who do 30 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,640 have kids at the community connections 31 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,360 uh connections child care um that child 32 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,440 care goes until 12:15 regardless of the 33 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,000 length of the meeting. So uh if we're 34 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,360 still here, your kids are welcome to 35 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:51,040 come back here and thanks to the Middle 36 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,760 Sex Community Fund uh for funding the 37 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,519 childare and making that free. Um 38 00:10:57,519 --> 00:10:59,360 especially if you're new to town 39 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:00,800 meeting, I want to draw your attention 40 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:03,760 to the blue forms. Um they're over there 41 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,160 on the table back there. Um, and uh, 42 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:07,680 these have information about Robert's 43 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:10,399 rules. The most important rule is if you 44 00:11:10,399 --> 00:11:12,320 have a question, raise your hand and 45 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,680 ask. Um, there is an evaluation form at 46 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:17,519 the bottom. For any of you that have 47 00:11:17,519 --> 00:11:18,959 suggestions for improving the town 48 00:11:18,959 --> 00:11:21,600 meeting process, you can use those forms 49 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,560 um, appropriately on a table marked the 50 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:29,990 nut table. Um, 51 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,800 sorry. any anything the uh it's it's 52 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:34,560 from the from the Romney school I think 53 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:37,200 has a nut policy so anyway just that was 54 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,920 kind of funny 55 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,240 all right so Robert's rules this is a 56 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:43,760 special town meeting but it is still in 57 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:45,920 fact a town meeting uh so by law it has 58 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,160 to be run by a town meeting um so as 59 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:49,600 always I'm going to offer a brief 60 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:50,880 overview of the rules that we're going 61 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,279 to be working with today I've got eight 62 00:11:53,279 --> 00:11:56,000 items and it has been a hard six weeks 63 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,079 folks so emotions I think are running 64 00:11:58,079 --> 00:12:00,000 high so I'll just ask you to pay special 65 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,120 attention to these reminders. Um, number 66 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:05,680 one, uh, Robert's rules of order are the 67 00:12:05,680 --> 00:12:08,560 parliamentary rules for the meeting. Um, 68 00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:10,160 uh, except where Vermont law takes 69 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,320 precedence. So, we can't change state 70 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:13,839 law. Uh, but you can change Robert's 71 00:12:13,839 --> 00:12:15,440 rules for the twothirds vote if you 72 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:17,040 desire. 73 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:18,880 Uh, number two, if you would like to 74 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:21,360 speak at the meeting, um, if you'd like 75 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,120 to speak, you raise your hand and when 76 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:24,720 you're recognized by the moderator, 77 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,600 please stand up and uh, if you can and, 78 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,200 uh, and you wait for the microphone to 79 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:30,320 come to you. We've got a couple of 80 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:32,160 microphone runners, at least one 81 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,399 microphone runner. So, where's Kimberly? 82 00:12:34,399 --> 00:12:36,880 There she is. Okay. And, uh, we've got 83 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:39,440 some more coming, I think, um, to carry 84 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:41,680 those microphones. So, you stand up, you 85 00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:43,839 state your name. Um, and even if you did 86 00:12:43,839 --> 00:12:45,279 just state your name earlier, please 87 00:12:45,279 --> 00:12:47,120 state your name clearly. I might even 88 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:49,040 ask you to spell it. Don't take it 89 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:50,480 personally. It helps out with the 90 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,480 minutes. 91 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:54,240 I want to say if you've had your hand up 92 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:55,600 for a while and you haven't been called 93 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,760 on, I'm really sorry. We have a few 94 00:12:57,760 --> 00:12:59,279 options for that. feel free to wiggle 95 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:01,680 your fingers or wave so I can't miss 96 00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:05,120 you. Um or um this time we do have a 97 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,200 standing mic in the front of the room. 98 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,600 Um if you if you like that idea, if you 99 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,000 want to wait to be called on there, you 100 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,920 can. Or you can do it from your seat, 101 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,399 whatever makes you more comfortable. 102 00:13:16,399 --> 00:13:18,480 And as a as a last resort, you can um 103 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,200 call out point of order um and you can 104 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:22,720 state your complaint. For instance, hang 105 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,040 on a second, madam moderator. You called 106 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:26,720 on that person twice before you called 107 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:28,800 on me once. That's a point of order. You 108 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,839 can do that at any time. 109 00:13:31,839 --> 00:13:33,839 So, article one is a significantly yes 110 00:13:33,839 --> 00:13:36,880 or no kind of question. Um, so I'm gonna 111 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,440 make a very slight change of process. 112 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:41,519 Some moderators do this all the time, 113 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:43,839 some don't. Um, after the motion has 114 00:13:43,839 --> 00:13:45,200 been made and explained, I'm going to 115 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:46,800 ask specifically for a variety of 116 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,560 viewpoints for someone to speak in 117 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:50,320 favor, someone who's opposed, someone 118 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:51,839 who's in favor, someone who's opposed. 119 00:13:51,839 --> 00:13:53,279 We'll do that for a while just to make 120 00:13:53,279 --> 00:13:56,720 sure that we get the air clear. Um, in 121 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,000 between though, I'm going to ask if 122 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:00,240 anybody has a clarifying question. I 123 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,480 went back and counted um from our notes 124 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:04,480 from uh town meeting last time and we 125 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:06,000 had some people in favor, some people 126 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,760 opposed, and the most number of people 127 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:09,760 were the people who had questions. They 128 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:12,079 were like, "Ah, help me out here. What 129 00:14:12,079 --> 00:14:13,839 does this mean?" So, feel free to ask 130 00:14:13,839 --> 00:14:16,800 those as well. 131 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:19,600 when you do speak um a reminder that 132 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:21,600 Robert's rules requires that all your 133 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:23,920 motions and your remarks and discussions 134 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:26,800 are addressed to the moderator and that 135 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,519 just helps that we ensure on the issues 136 00:14:29,519 --> 00:14:31,600 we focus on the issues not not on the 137 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,920 personalities not talking to each other 138 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,160 this is the way the the procedure works 139 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,920 um terms of parliamentary procedure um 140 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:41,839 by under Robert's rules members are not 141 00:14:41,839 --> 00:14:44,079 allowed to engage in personal attacks on 142 00:14:44,079 --> 00:14:46,800 another member or question their motives 143 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,639 The way they say this in Robert's rules 144 00:14:48,639 --> 00:14:51,839 is your speech must be confined to the 145 00:14:51,839 --> 00:14:54,639 merits of the question. So think really 146 00:14:54,639 --> 00:14:55,760 hard about the article that we're 147 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:57,120 talking about and focus right in on 148 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,519 that. Um I'm going to remind us all to 149 00:14:59,519 --> 00:15:01,920 talk about um positions uh rather than 150 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,079 people. So for instance, please refer to 151 00:15:04,079 --> 00:15:06,560 the select board or the town clerk or 152 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:08,720 the petitioners, not specific 153 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,279 individuals names. It's important that 154 00:15:11,279 --> 00:15:13,680 we not get distracted and that we focus 155 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,480 like a laser on the actual articles that 156 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,199 we're here to address. 157 00:15:19,199 --> 00:15:21,279 Uh number three, in order to speak or 158 00:15:21,279 --> 00:15:22,880 vote at Middle Sex Town meeting, you 159 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,279 must be a Middle Sex voter. Um the 160 00:15:25,279 --> 00:15:28,160 exception is uh if the assembly votes to 161 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:29,839 suspend the rules for speaking, for 162 00:15:29,839 --> 00:15:31,839 example, to allow a person representing 163 00:15:31,839 --> 00:15:33,600 an out of town organization to address 164 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:35,600 the group. So, at this time, can I 165 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:37,680 please see a show of hands of anyone who 166 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:41,120 is not registered to vote in Middle Sex? 167 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,600 We got Okay. Yes. People waving their 168 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:47,519 hands. Great. Oh, great. Okay. Got some 169 00:15:47,519 --> 00:15:49,600 kids here. That's great. Um, that's 170 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,199 wonderful. Welcome. We're glad to have 171 00:15:51,199 --> 00:15:52,560 you. Um, just want to remind you that 172 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,120 you may not vote. 173 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:56,720 Um, 174 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,279 number four, feel free again to ask 175 00:15:59,279 --> 00:16:00,800 questions. Feel raise your hand. You 176 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:02,079 don't understand what's happening. you 177 00:16:02,079 --> 00:16:04,079 think a mistake has been made, you don't 178 00:16:04,079 --> 00:16:05,519 have to be a parliamentary expert. You 179 00:16:05,519 --> 00:16:07,440 can just raise your hand and say, "Okay, 180 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,199 here's what I want to do. How should I 181 00:16:09,199 --> 00:16:10,880 turn that into a motion?" The 182 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:14,880 moderator's job is to help. 183 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,160 Um, number five, this is your meeting. 184 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:20,959 Um, the role of the moderator is to help 185 00:16:20,959 --> 00:16:23,759 you accomplish the business that you 186 00:16:23,759 --> 00:16:26,000 intend to do. So, if you feel that the 187 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,320 moderator has made an improper ruling, 188 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:30,480 please raise your hand. Robert's rules 189 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:32,320 allows for the group to appeal the 190 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:33,839 moderator's decision. It's a really 191 00:16:33,839 --> 00:16:35,759 simple process to ensure that the 192 00:16:35,759 --> 00:16:38,399 moderator serves the interests of the 193 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:40,000 group. 194 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,399 Uh number six, we can only address 195 00:16:42,399 --> 00:16:44,160 foreign articles. It's against state law 196 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,320 to consider articles or issues that have 197 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:49,680 not been warned on the agenda. 198 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:53,440 Uh number seven, you can end debate by 199 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:56,240 calling the question. If a voter feels 200 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:58,480 deliberation has gone on long enough, 201 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,360 they can move to cut off the debate. Uh 202 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,199 they do this by raising their hand and 203 00:17:03,199 --> 00:17:04,720 after they're recognized, they say, "I 204 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:06,640 call the question." 205 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:10,000 Twothirds of this group must vote yes on 206 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:11,919 calling the question in order to cease 207 00:17:11,919 --> 00:17:14,400 debate. Otherwise, the discussion 208 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,120 continues. In most uh cases, calling the 209 00:17:17,120 --> 00:17:19,199 question is not necessary. The moderator 210 00:17:19,199 --> 00:17:22,240 will call for a vote when she in this 211 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,280 case uh feels that all points of view 212 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,760 have uh been heard or that there are no 213 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,000 more hands raised. And that avoids us 214 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,679 having to do the whole two-thirds thing 215 00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:36,720 of of uh calling the question. 216 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:38,320 And finally, there are different ways 217 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,160 that we can vote. Once we're done 218 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:42,480 deliberating on an article and we're 219 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:44,240 ready to vote, the moderator calls for a 220 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:46,559 vote, usually by uh voice at town 221 00:17:46,559 --> 00:17:49,679 meeting. Um, if you are in favor of the 222 00:17:49,679 --> 00:17:52,240 motion, you say I. Uh, if opposed, you 223 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,799 say no or nay. Other forms of voting 224 00:17:54,799 --> 00:17:57,760 that you may expect to see, a show of 225 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,840 hands or standing mode. You can always 226 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:02,320 request this, by the way, uh especially 227 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,080 if you disagree with the moderator after 228 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,160 the the result of a voice vote is 229 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:08,559 announced. And the third way is a paper 230 00:18:08,559 --> 00:18:11,360 ballot or secret ballot. Um, this is a 231 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:13,039 really important option to know about if 232 00:18:13,039 --> 00:18:14,640 you feel that privacy on a vote is 233 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:18,000 important. any voter uh may move that a 234 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,400 vote be taken by paper ballot and if 235 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,360 seven voters support the motion then 236 00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:25,360 pieces of paper um will be distributed 237 00:18:25,360 --> 00:18:26,880 and you can see we have tables set up 238 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,360 back there because uh we won't be 239 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:31,280 surprised if we see this method used 240 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:33,760 today. So, um the piece of you you go 241 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,880 up, you're going to say your name, um uh 242 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:38,400 get marked off on the checklist, you'll 243 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:41,760 be given a little tiny ballot, um to 244 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:44,000 vote on um and our election officials 245 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:48,630 will count those um immediately. 246 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:50,960 » So, that's 247 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:53,200 um okay, we are going to open our 248 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:54,640 meeting with 249 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,320 >> Oh, there's a question. 250 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:56,960 >> Yes, 251 00:18:56,960 --> 00:18:59,280 >> student assessment. Um there are a lot 252 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:01,280 of people here. We wind up having to 253 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:04,080 paper ballot. Is there a good process so 254 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,559 it's not just a crowd that's going to 255 00:19:06,559 --> 00:19:07,760 descend on the 256 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:09,600 >> Yes. Susan Susman wants to know how 257 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,480 we're going to have an orderly um uh 258 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,760 paper ballot and um they we have a a 259 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:17,520 board of civil authority that is all 260 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,880 over this. So they have divided the 261 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,320 tables by alphabet um and I so that 262 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:27,679 we'll so there'll be three lines. Um, 263 00:19:27,679 --> 00:19:30,240 and uh, Darinda said, "Susan, you should 264 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,160 make sure to remember how we divided up 265 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,080 the alphabet." And I completely forgot. 266 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,400 Um, c can you remind me, Dinda, what the 267 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:38,080 what what is the alphabet back there? 268 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:40,720 It's A through 269 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,720 >> A through F as in Frank. 270 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,750 >> G. 271 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:49,190 M. 272 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:50,559 » Yes, it's labeled on the front of the 273 00:19:50,559 --> 00:19:53,280 table. So, A through F as in Frank. G 274 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:56,400 through M as in Mark. N through Z. So 275 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,880 you'll line up in the in your by your 276 00:19:58,880 --> 00:19:59,919 last name. 277 00:19:59,919 --> 00:20:01,919 >> Susan. 278 00:20:01,919 --> 00:20:03,200 >> Yes. 279 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:04,799 >> Could I make a suggestion that maybe we 280 00:20:04,799 --> 00:20:06,799 do it like at a buffet dinner? We go by 281 00:20:06,799 --> 00:20:09,360 line. We call the back line vote so we 282 00:20:09,360 --> 00:20:10,480 don't get too crowded back there in 283 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:11,760 three lines. It doesn't seem to be a lot 284 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:13,760 of rooms. Just a suggestion. 285 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:16,880 >> Sure. People like that idea. Yeah. I 286 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:18,400 also like the whole buffet dinner 287 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:23,190 reference because we have some 288 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:24,720 » Yeah. heard a wedding. 289 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:27,919 >> So, is Brennan Swain here? Bren, come on 290 00:20:27,919 --> 00:20:31,919 up. Brennan goes to U32. Um, and I've 291 00:20:31,919 --> 00:20:33,520 asked him to read our civil invitation 292 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:36,400 today. He enjoys skiing. He enjoys 293 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,480 reading. Um, one of his favorite 294 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:40,159 memories growing up in Middle Sex is 295 00:20:40,159 --> 00:20:42,159 attending the performances at the band 296 00:20:42,159 --> 00:20:44,400 stand. I need to tell you, Brennan is a 297 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:46,960 soontobe Middle Sex voter. He turns 18 298 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:49,679 in two months. So, yeah, exactly two 299 00:20:49,679 --> 00:20:51,840 months by 300 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:54,720 His 301 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,799 birthday's on July 9th, so exactly two 302 00:20:56,799 --> 00:20:58,159 months from today. Does anybody have an 303 00:20:58,159 --> 00:21:00,799 objection if this not yet voter reads 304 00:21:00,799 --> 00:21:03,840 our civil invocation? 305 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:08,000 Okay, great. I asked him to read it. He 306 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:13,830 memorized it. 307 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:15,520 All right. 308 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:18,159 Welcome to Middle Sex Town Meeting. We 309 00:21:18,159 --> 00:21:20,960 have come together in civil assembly as 310 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,600 a community in a tradition that is older 311 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,919 than our state itself. We have come 312 00:21:25,919 --> 00:21:28,480 together to make decisions about our 313 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,679 community. As we deliberate, let us 314 00:21:31,679 --> 00:21:34,240 advocate for our positions but not at 315 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,960 the expense of others. Let us remember 316 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:39,039 that there is an immense gap between 317 00:21:39,039 --> 00:21:42,559 saying I am right and saying I believe I 318 00:21:42,559 --> 00:21:45,280 am right. and that our neighbors with 319 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:48,480 whom we disagree are good people with 320 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:52,000 hopes and dreams as high and as true as 321 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:56,000 ours. And let us always remember that in 322 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,640 the end caring for each other in this 323 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:01,919 community is of far greater importance 324 00:22:01,919 --> 00:22:16,549 than any difference we may have. Welcome 325 00:22:16,559 --> 00:22:19,520 Thank you, Brennan. 326 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:21,039 Right. 327 00:22:21,039 --> 00:22:23,200 Okay. So, we're going to get into the 328 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:25,600 business section here. And just so that 329 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:28,720 we are all on the same page, we are here 330 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:30,320 to talk about the Middle Sex Town 331 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:34,080 budget. Everybody in the right place? 332 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,799 Okay, great. We passed a budget at our 333 00:22:36,799 --> 00:22:39,039 town meeting uh back on March 3rd. That 334 00:22:39,039 --> 00:22:41,520 was article six at the meeting. Um after 335 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,960 that, as is allowed by law, a petition 336 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:47,039 um was circulated to reconsider that 337 00:22:47,039 --> 00:22:48,720 vote and the petition received the 338 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:50,640 requisite number of signatures and it 339 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,200 was submitted to the select board uh in 340 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,440 time for the statutory deadline. So the 341 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:57,360 select board scheduled a special time 342 00:22:57,360 --> 00:23:00,799 meeting. So under article one at this 343 00:23:00,799 --> 00:23:02,480 meeting, we will discuss and vote on 344 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:04,880 whether to reconsider the budget. If 345 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:08,640 article one does not pass, then we stick 346 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,559 with the budget that we passed on March 347 00:23:10,559 --> 00:23:13,120 3rd and the meeting ends there. If 348 00:23:13,120 --> 00:23:15,760 article one does pass, then we will move 349 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:17,919 on to article two and we will discuss 350 00:23:17,919 --> 00:23:20,880 the budget just like we did on March 3rd 351 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,360 with the ability to amend. 352 00:23:23,360 --> 00:23:26,880 Everybody got it? At least for now. You 353 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:28,320 can feel free to ask questions as we 354 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:30,480 move along. 355 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:33,440 Okay. Article one. 356 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:35,600 Shall the town of Middle Sex reconsider 357 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,480 the vote taken on March 3rd, 2026 on 358 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:42,159 article 6, which read to vote a fiscal 359 00:23:42,159 --> 00:23:49,590 202627 budget of 2,261,978.14 360 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:51,679 to meet the expenses and liabilities of 361 00:23:51,679 --> 00:23:54,000 the town and authorize the select board 362 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,039 to set a tax rate sufficient to provide 363 00:23:57,039 --> 00:23:59,679 the same. Is there a motion on article 364 00:23:59,679 --> 00:24:03,120 one? Jack Coons moves. Is there a second 365 00:24:03,120 --> 00:24:07,200 on article one? Mark Harris seconds. 366 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:09,760 Okay. Art article one has been moved and 367 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:11,760 seconded. I am required to read it 368 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:14,080 again. Shall the town of Middle Sex 369 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:15,919 reconsider the vote taken on March 3rd, 370 00:24:15,919 --> 00:24:19,279 2026 on article 6, which read to vote a 371 00:24:19,279 --> 00:24:25,990 fiscal 202627 budget of 2,261,978.14 372 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,320 to meet the expenses and liabilities of 373 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:30,159 the town and authorize the select board 374 00:24:30,159 --> 00:24:33,039 to set a tax rate sufficient to provide 375 00:24:33,039 --> 00:24:35,200 the same. So, the floor is open for 376 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,789 discussion. 377 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:44,710 » Yes. 378 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:46,960 Hi, my name is Shelley Desarden. I just 379 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,039 want to take a few minutes explain why I 380 00:24:49,039 --> 00:24:51,279 brought forward the original petition 381 00:24:51,279 --> 00:24:53,440 and my intent, what it was at the time. 382 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:55,279 And I'm not a speaker, so excuse 383 00:24:55,279 --> 00:24:57,679 wherever I mess up. Uh, when I first 384 00:24:57,679 --> 00:24:59,360 submitted the petition, it was because 385 00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:01,039 both the select board and the town 386 00:25:01,039 --> 00:25:02,799 office had expressed the need for three 387 00:25:02,799 --> 00:25:04,640 bodies to handle the workload, which 388 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,960 they both needed. The office wanted a 389 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:08,480 town clerk, treasurer, and assistant 390 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,240 town clerk. The select board wanted a 391 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:11,760 town administrator, town clerk, and 392 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:13,520 treasurer and found that they cannot 393 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:15,120 eliminate the assistant town clerk. So 394 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:16,799 they reduced the assistant town clerk 395 00:25:16,799 --> 00:25:19,600 from 32 to 8 hours per week. That was my 396 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:21,919 sole motivation. The first petition was 397 00:25:21,919 --> 00:25:23,679 ruled out as invalid and a second 398 00:25:23,679 --> 00:25:25,840 version was later drafted drafted with 399 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:28,159 the help of a lawyer from another town 400 00:25:28,159 --> 00:25:30,960 resident which I helped bring around. 401 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:32,720 That language is what brought us to 402 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:35,200 where we are now to bring up the uh 403 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,039 question to resend the entire budget and 404 00:25:37,039 --> 00:25:39,679 reopen the discussion. At that point, my 405 00:25:39,679 --> 00:25:41,840 concern was that we had valuable 406 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:43,520 experience within the office along with 407 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:46,080 a new town clerk who was willing to do a 408 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:48,240 hybrid position as town clerk and town 409 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:49,840 administrator after she was brought up 410 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,000 to speed. I believe that if we tabled 411 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:53,840 the town administrator position for one 412 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:55,520 year, we could evaluate whether it was 413 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:57,600 truly needed and potentially save the 414 00:25:57,600 --> 00:25:59,760 town money. With three bodies in the 415 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:01,760 office and the office felt a hybrid 416 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:03,440 approach could meet both the select 417 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:05,360 board needs and the operational needs of 418 00:26:05,360 --> 00:26:07,679 the office at a lower cost. This was the 419 00:26:07,679 --> 00:26:09,600 point I was trying to raise on March 3rd 420 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:11,840 before the discussion of the town 421 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,240 administrator was closed. Since then, 422 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,080 the situation has unfortunately led to 423 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:17,840 confusion, misunderstandings, hurt 424 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:19,679 feelings, and even threats. That was 425 00:26:19,679 --> 00:26:21,840 never my intention. Voters have a clear 426 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,080 right to question decisions made by the 427 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:27,039 town and the process to do so. Gathering 428 00:26:27,039 --> 00:26:31,440 5% of the vote to bring back an issue back for discussion as part of 429 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,120 that right. It does not mean that 430 00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:35,679 decisions can change. It simply allows 431 00:26:35,679 --> 00:26:37,200 for clarity and understanding, 432 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,480 especially for those who were not 433 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:40,559 recognized to speak or felt they had 434 00:26:40,559 --> 00:26:42,799 something to say. I recall another 435 00:26:42,799 --> 00:26:44,400 gentleman saying he was not called on 436 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:47,440 during article 6 at that time. After the 437 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:49,039 petition and follow-up meetings, some 438 00:26:49,039 --> 00:26:51,039 comments were made that came across as 439 00:26:51,039 --> 00:26:53,039 disrespectful to our office staff. 440 00:26:53,039 --> 00:26:55,600 Sadly, our assistant town clerk has 441 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,080 since given her notice. That outcome is 442 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,720 deeply troubling to me. My hope is that 443 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:02,640 regardless how today's vote turns out, 444 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:04,320 that we can come together as a town 445 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:06,480 office, as a community, move forward 446 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,240 with respect, learn from this 447 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:10,480 experience, even when we disagree, we 448 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:11,840 should still be able to be neighbors 449 00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:13,520 friends and a town that works together. 450 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:15,600 Thank you all for listening. 451 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,080 >> Thanks. 452 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:19,679 >> All right. Is there somebody who would 453 00:27:19,679 --> 00:27:21,679 like to speak in opposition to article 454 00:27:21,679 --> 00:27:31,909 one? 455 00:27:31,919 --> 00:27:33,520 in the back. 456 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:43,590 >> Okay. Yep. That 457 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:45,200 » I raised my hand just because I didn't 458 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:46,080 see anyone else doing it. 459 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,480 >> We can't hear you very well. So maybe 460 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:50,159 >> it's better. 461 00:27:50,159 --> 00:27:52,640 >> Didn't hear anyone else doing it. Uh, I 462 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:55,200 hope I speak for more than just 463 00:27:55,200 --> 00:28:02,070 >> keep cutting out. 464 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:03,520 » I got it right up against my mouth. Can 465 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:05,520 you guys hear me now? 466 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:08,159 >> To the receiver. Yeah. Okay. Um, so 467 00:28:08,159 --> 00:28:10,880 yeah, our our sound technician Bennett 468 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:12,640 Shapiro is telling you to move a little 469 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:14,000 closer to the front of the room if you 470 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:15,919 don't mind. 471 00:28:15,919 --> 00:28:18,880 >> Where is the receiver? Is it that thing? 472 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:19,520 >> Just come to this. 473 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,600 >> Yes, that's great. 474 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,430 You're good. You're good. 475 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:27,120 » Are you guys able to hear me now? 476 00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:28,799 >> Yeah, but we can't have that mic next to 477 00:28:28,799 --> 00:28:30,720 that mic. 478 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:32,080 >> And there we go. 479 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:34,640 >> There you go. Try that. 480 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:35,279 >> Sorry. 481 00:28:35,279 --> 00:28:37,520 >> Well, I'm glad to provide at least comic 482 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:39,600 relief. 483 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:41,200 Hopefully, I'm not speaking for just 484 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:42,640 myself. Uh, but I 485 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:43,600 >> Can you say your name? 486 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,799 >> My name is Matt Ariwak. Uh, I'm live off 487 00:28:46,799 --> 00:28:50,159 of Mccau Hill Road on Merill Road. Um, I 488 00:28:50,159 --> 00:28:52,240 was involved in the budget process that 489 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:54,000 the normal budget process that led up to 490 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:56,720 town meeting this previous year. I I 491 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:57,279 didn't 492 00:28:57,279 --> 00:28:59,200 >> just a little louder. 493 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:01,600 >> I didn't see anything that I thought was 494 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:04,480 unusual. No process is perfect. I 495 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:05,919 wouldn't claim that this one was. I 496 00:29:05,919 --> 00:29:07,919 thought we had good discussions. Since 497 00:29:07,919 --> 00:29:10,080 the petition has been filed, I haven't 498 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:12,320 heard a rationale or a new piece of 499 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:14,159 evidence for why we should reconsider 500 00:29:14,159 --> 00:29:16,399 the vote as part of the budget in the 501 00:29:16,399 --> 00:29:17,679 committee. I haven't heard anything that 502 00:29:17,679 --> 00:29:18,720 would make me think that we need to 503 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:22,960 change a line item. Um, and I'll end my 504 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:24,480 thoughts there. I think we should just 505 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:26,159 keep the budget as voted through and as 506 00:29:26,159 --> 00:29:30,720 the voters at town meeting approved it. 507 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:32,080 So, somebody who'd like to ask a 508 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:35,039 clarifying question. General Yeah. Dave 509 00:29:35,039 --> 00:29:44,389 Shepard. 510 00:29:44,399 --> 00:29:47,360 Um, it's what I was wondering is if 511 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:48,960 someone from either the select board or 512 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:51,120 the budget committee might be able to 513 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:53,840 just I mean I think I would benefit from 514 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:57,679 knowing between the last vote and the uh 515 00:29:57,679 --> 00:29:59,679 special budget meeting that I attended 516 00:29:59,679 --> 00:30:03,919 here and now what has happened and 517 00:30:03,919 --> 00:30:06,640 because my understanding is that both 518 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:09,600 the committee budget committee and the 519 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:10,240 select board 520 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,480 >> the budget committee 521 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:14,559 So I don't have to say my name again. 522 00:30:14,559 --> 00:30:15,919 >> Yeah, I know. I see. I shouldn't. I'm 523 00:30:15,919 --> 00:30:19,360 enabling, right? I shouldn't. 524 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:21,919 >> So, um, 525 00:30:21,919 --> 00:30:24,720 so let's back up a little bit in terms 526 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:28,080 of the process because it is at times 527 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,360 confusing when we get into a situation 528 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:35,200 that's as challenging as this one is. 529 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:37,039 Um, 530 00:30:37,039 --> 00:30:40,320 so at the I think it was the April 7th 531 00:30:40,320 --> 00:30:43,360 select board meeting, we had a 532 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:46,960 discussion on what next steps were about 533 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:48,960 the petition 534 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:52,000 which was submitted to the town clerk I 535 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,520 think on April 2nd with a hundred little 536 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:59,600 over 100 signatures. So clearly over 5% 537 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:02,080 of registered voters in the town. And 538 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:04,720 for folks who aren't familiar with that 539 00:31:04,720 --> 00:31:07,840 particular aspect, Vermont law states 540 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:10,880 that anyone 541 00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:13,360 can question an article at a town 542 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:17,520 meeting and ask for a revote if they get 543 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:21,200 5% of registered voters to sign a 544 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:24,320 petition within 30 days and submit it to 545 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:26,799 the town clerk. So that's what happened 546 00:31:26,799 --> 00:31:29,039 in this case. 547 00:31:29,039 --> 00:31:32,320 So again, democracy is not always clean 548 00:31:32,320 --> 00:31:34,880 and neat. Sometimes it's messy. We're 549 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:38,640 probably in the messy portion right now. 550 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:40,880 So, at the April 7th select board 551 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:43,840 meeting, the decision was to hold a I'll 552 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:46,320 call a special budget meeting that was 553 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:49,120 to be moderated by the budget committee, 554 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:52,240 namely myself, and to meet with 555 00:31:52,240 --> 00:31:54,559 petitioners with basically two 556 00:31:54,559 --> 00:31:57,600 objectives. one to gain common 557 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:00,720 understanding of petitioners concerns 558 00:32:00,720 --> 00:32:04,399 because it was clear that withund and 559 00:32:04,399 --> 00:32:07,840 some odd signatures on that petition 560 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:10,000 not every petitioner was signing it for 561 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:12,559 the same reason. So there may well have 562 00:32:12,559 --> 00:32:15,200 been different 563 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:17,919 people signing that petition. So that 564 00:32:17,919 --> 00:32:20,000 was the first objective of the April 565 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,720 23rd special budget meeting. The other 566 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:25,440 was to take feedback from petitioners 567 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:27,919 and other folks in the meeting as to 568 00:32:27,919 --> 00:32:30,559 what they wanted to see in a an 569 00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:33,279 alternate or revised budget. So we held 570 00:32:33,279 --> 00:32:37,200 the April 23rd meeting. I think we got a 571 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:40,399 much better understanding of petitioners 572 00:32:40,399 --> 00:32:43,120 concerns. I thought the meeting went 573 00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:44,799 well. there are a lot of viewpoints 574 00:32:44,799 --> 00:32:48,240 expressed and in my mind it was quite a 575 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:51,039 civil and open and inclusive meeting 576 00:32:51,039 --> 00:32:53,840 which was encouraging. 577 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:57,360 Uh the second aspect is there were uh 578 00:32:57,360 --> 00:33:00,480 quite a few points of view about what to 579 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:02,880 do about the current budget and they 580 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:06,080 were both to increase it and some folks 581 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:10,640 wanted to reduce it. So, we held an 582 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:12,720 alternate budget meeting which was open 583 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:16,880 to the public on Wednesday, April 29th 584 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:18,960 at which the budget m committee 585 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:21,600 discussed what should we do about an 586 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,080 alternate budget. 587 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:26,240 While the reality was we really couldn't 588 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:29,440 come to consensus over what to do about 589 00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:31,760 the approved budget, whether to increase 590 00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:34,000 it, we had some folks who said let's 591 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,159 increase it a little bit. We also had 592 00:33:36,159 --> 00:33:38,720 some feedback about 593 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:40,880 maybe we should cut some areas in that 594 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:43,440 budget. And we also had people who said, 595 00:33:43,440 --> 00:33:44,960 I don't know, let's just keep it the 596 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:47,120 same and talk to the select board. So, 597 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,360 we came out of that meeting with the 598 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:52,320 recommendation to keep the budget as is 599 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:54,960 and have the discussion at the May 5th 600 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:56,559 select board meeting, which was this 601 00:33:56,559 --> 00:34:00,240 last Tuesday. So there was quite a bit 602 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:02,799 of discussion over what to do, what what 603 00:34:02,799 --> 00:34:04,960 are we going to do with this budget and 604 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:08,000 we landed on leaving the alternate 605 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:10,720 budget the same as the approved budget 606 00:34:10,720 --> 00:34:13,520 because if we get to article two, I 607 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:17,280 think people felt comfortable with 608 00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:19,760 voters coming up with floor amendments 609 00:34:19,760 --> 00:34:23,359 again like we did for article six at our 610 00:34:23,359 --> 00:34:25,919 town meeting on March 3rd and we just 611 00:34:25,919 --> 00:34:30,480 simply redo article six and 612 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:32,879 let folks talk for as as long as they 613 00:34:32,879 --> 00:34:35,359 felt they needed to if we got to article 614 00:34:35,359 --> 00:34:37,839 two. So that's where we are folks. I 615 00:34:37,839 --> 00:34:43,589 hope that clarifies things. 616 00:34:43,599 --> 00:34:45,760 Okay. Is there somebody who'd like to 617 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:47,839 speak in art in favor of article one? 618 00:34:47,839 --> 00:34:51,280 Somebody else other points you'd like to 619 00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:52,480 clarify? 620 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:54,639 >> Yeah. 621 00:34:54,639 --> 00:34:56,079 >> My name is John Christian. 622 00:34:56,079 --> 00:34:58,160 >> Okay. Let's John. Sorry. A second John. 623 00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:00,000 Just 624 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,160 >> Thank you. 625 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:07,750 >> Is it working? 626 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:08,800 » You hear me now? 627 00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:10,400 >> No. 628 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:22,230 >> I'm so sorry. 629 00:35:22,240 --> 00:35:24,000 » I think the the microphones work in the 630 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,359 front of the room and not the back. 631 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:29,599 It's not on. Okay. So, Kimberly, why 632 00:35:29,599 --> 00:35:31,200 don't you go over and talk to Bennett 633 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:32,880 about how our microphones work? These 634 00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:33,119 are 635 00:35:33,119 --> 00:35:34,079 >> Is this working now? 636 00:35:34,079 --> 00:35:34,640 >> Thank you. 637 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:38,079 >> The last gen who just spoke 638 00:35:38,079 --> 00:35:40,560 just to clarify this. 639 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:42,960 So, the existing budget and this new one 640 00:35:42,960 --> 00:35:44,880 that you have, they're identical 641 00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:47,119 >> microphone around 642 00:35:47,119 --> 00:35:48,640 >> because they're supposed to be talking 643 00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:51,040 to the moderator. 644 00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:51,440 >> John, 645 00:35:51,440 --> 00:35:52,400 >> so what you're saying, 646 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:54,480 >> John, I'm sorry. I I know it's 647 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:56,000 confusing, but please address the 648 00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,040 moderator. We we it can de I know it 649 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:01,680 gets messy, but pretty soon we're like 650 00:36:01,680 --> 00:36:03,520 >> So the last gentleman we just spoke 651 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:04,079 >> Yeah. 652 00:36:04,079 --> 00:36:06,320 >> as I understand it, 653 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:08,800 the existing budget and the new budget 654 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:11,359 are identical. 655 00:36:11,359 --> 00:36:11,920 >> Correct. 656 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:14,800 >> Do you want to answer that question? 657 00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:15,839 >> The answer is yes. 658 00:36:15,839 --> 00:36:16,720 >> Yes. 659 00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:18,720 >> Oh, 660 00:36:18,720 --> 00:36:20,320 so I just like to say it's a nice to be 661 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:23,119 treated like sheep then. You can amend 662 00:36:23,119 --> 00:36:25,440 at any time. If we move on to article 663 00:36:25,440 --> 00:36:28,079 two, it's just like at town meeting 664 00:36:28,079 --> 00:36:31,119 where we start with the number that we 665 00:36:31,119 --> 00:36:33,280 started with at town meeting and if we 666 00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:35,839 if we're on article two, the body can 667 00:36:35,839 --> 00:36:37,280 move to amend that article. 668 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:40,390 >> Okay. 669 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:43,520 Um are is there a clarifying 670 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:47,349 question? 671 00:36:47,359 --> 00:36:51,520 » Okay. Yeah. Um and Green and 672 00:36:51,520 --> 00:36:53,200 Greenfelder. 673 00:36:53,200 --> 00:36:55,520 It was my understanding from town 674 00:36:55,520 --> 00:36:58,720 meeting that there was a considerable 675 00:36:58,720 --> 00:37:02,640 expense acrewed because we did not have 676 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:05,280 a person in the town who knew how to 677 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:08,560 deal or who had the time to deal with 678 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:12,160 fundraising, FEMA, etc. So, I'm 679 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:14,960 wondering if there's somebody here who 680 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,160 could readress some of that expense that 681 00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:21,119 justifies having a town administrator. 682 00:37:21,119 --> 00:37:21,680 >> Okay. 683 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:22,560 >> Thank you. 684 00:37:22,560 --> 00:37:26,240 >> So, um we have to we're it's a fine line 685 00:37:26,240 --> 00:37:28,640 here and um basically what we really 686 00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:31,200 need to focus on is whether we want to 687 00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:34,160 revisit the budget or not. So, if 688 00:37:34,160 --> 00:37:36,079 somebody who helped create the budget 689 00:37:36,079 --> 00:37:38,960 can answer Annie Greenfelder's question 690 00:37:38,960 --> 00:37:41,680 in the context of why it makes sense to 691 00:37:41,680 --> 00:37:44,720 revisit or not revisit. If we do revisit 692 00:37:44,720 --> 00:37:46,320 this, if we move on to article two, we 693 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:48,400 can dig into the details. But at this 694 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:50,320 point, the question is, should we 695 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:52,160 revisit? Yeah. 696 00:37:52,160 --> 00:37:54,720 >> So, it's it's my understanding that if 697 00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:57,839 we vote no today, then we keep the town 698 00:37:57,839 --> 00:38:00,880 administrator. Um and to speak to that 699 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:05,040 um like yeah we just 700 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:07,599 Mike Klene uh who's a for river 701 00:38:07,599 --> 00:38:09,520 scientist the road committee we just 702 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:12,160 applied for a $200,000 brick grant 703 00:38:12,160 --> 00:38:14,160 through FEMA which is building resilient 704 00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:16,880 infrastructure in communities and I 705 00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:19,680 believe the town administrator can take 706 00:38:19,680 --> 00:38:21,760 those things on. We have we've missed 707 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:23,760 other grant opportunities. I don't know 708 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,000 if we're going to get this one, but yes, 709 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,079 if we vote no, we get our town 710 00:38:28,079 --> 00:38:29,920 administrator, which is like a higher 711 00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:31,839 kind of functioning 712 00:38:31,839 --> 00:38:35,119 um person who can take care of town 713 00:38:35,119 --> 00:38:39,920 issues that come up um versus filing and 714 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:42,560 dog licenses and marriage licenses and 715 00:38:42,560 --> 00:38:45,440 the the administrative things that go on 716 00:38:45,440 --> 00:38:48,960 in town hall. This would be a person who 717 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:50,960 deals with kind of the bigger problems 718 00:38:50,960 --> 00:38:54,400 that this town has been facing for far 719 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,599 longer than I have been volunteering. If 720 00:38:57,599 --> 00:38:59,839 we do reconsider, then the town 721 00:38:59,839 --> 00:39:02,160 administrator position is very likely to 722 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:04,400 go away. 723 00:39:04,400 --> 00:39:06,000 It's there's no knowing the outcome. 724 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:07,760 >> Okay, that's my understand it it opens 725 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:09,839 it up. Yes. Is there someone who'd like 726 00:39:09,839 --> 00:39:12,640 to speak in favor of article one? Yes. 727 00:39:12,640 --> 00:39:19,430 Mr. 728 00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:21,520 Partial knee replacement. I have to know 729 00:39:21,520 --> 00:39:24,480 >> on Wednesday. 730 00:39:24,480 --> 00:39:31,349 >> No narcotics. 731 00:39:31,359 --> 00:39:34,400 » I am Dexter Lefver, Middle Sex resident 732 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,119 on Dolan Road. You may want to call me 733 00:39:37,119 --> 00:39:43,030 Dexter on Dolan. 734 00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:46,800 Uh it's unfortunate that this article is 735 00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:49,040 becoming about the town administrator 736 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:50,560 because it really shouldn't be about the 737 00:39:50,560 --> 00:39:52,320 town administrator. It should be about 738 00:39:52,320 --> 00:39:56,480 the budget. Um the budget is framed to 739 00:39:56,480 --> 00:39:57,839 include a position of town 740 00:39:57,839 --> 00:40:00,000 administrator. But there's really no 741 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:02,000 reason that the select board at any time 742 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:04,880 could not create that position and hire 743 00:40:04,880 --> 00:40:08,880 a town administrator without a town 744 00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:12,960 vote. So just put keep that in mind. I'm 745 00:40:12,960 --> 00:40:15,680 also the author of a posting on front 746 00:40:15,680 --> 00:40:17,839 porch forum called the top 10 reasons to 747 00:40:17,839 --> 00:40:22,800 vote yes on one and no on two. Although 748 00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:24,560 I'm certainly going to reserve any 749 00:40:24,560 --> 00:40:26,560 comment I have on two because I am 750 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:30,000 hoping for a yes vote on two today. 751 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:32,240 I'm sorry. Yes, a yes on two and a yes 752 00:40:32,240 --> 00:40:34,320 on one. That's two yeses. That's pretty 753 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:37,200 good for me. 754 00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:38,720 I was proud to be the only one that 755 00:40:38,720 --> 00:40:42,560 voted no on the budget last year. 756 00:40:42,560 --> 00:40:45,440 Uh let's see. 757 00:40:45,440 --> 00:40:48,240 The past budget total was set on how 758 00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:50,079 much of an increase the town boards and 759 00:40:50,079 --> 00:40:51,440 committees thought the voters will 760 00:40:51,440 --> 00:40:53,359 accept. It should be based on real 761 00:40:53,359 --> 00:40:55,839 historical and planned expenditures. 762 00:40:55,839 --> 00:40:57,920 Such information has been absent through 763 00:40:57,920 --> 00:41:00,560 the budget process. There's just been a 764 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:03,119 real lack of up-to-date information 765 00:41:03,119 --> 00:41:06,160 about spending status on the FEMA 766 00:41:06,160 --> 00:41:10,240 project, the town budget, um, and things 767 00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:12,240 such as that. So, it's difficult to have 768 00:41:12,240 --> 00:41:14,160 a realistic picture on what our spending 769 00:41:14,160 --> 00:41:17,920 was in the last fiscal year. 770 00:41:17,920 --> 00:41:20,640 The FEMA audit is not done. Our prior 771 00:41:20,640 --> 00:41:23,200 budgets have included items subsequently 772 00:41:23,200 --> 00:41:25,680 covered by FEMA. Those funds have not 773 00:41:25,680 --> 00:41:27,680 been returned in the budget. We need to 774 00:41:27,680 --> 00:41:30,000 demand an accounting of these reimburse 775 00:41:30,000 --> 00:41:32,000 reimbursements in a return of those 776 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:34,400 funds to the town 777 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,800 to the operating budget. 778 00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:40,640 The town audit for FY 24 I think I might 779 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:44,720 have meant 25 is not done. We should 780 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:48,720 base our new budget on accurate FY25 and 781 00:41:48,720 --> 00:41:51,520 prior year actuals. actual expenditures 782 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:53,920 to date for FY26 783 00:41:53,920 --> 00:41:55,599 have been unavailable throughout the 784 00:41:55,599 --> 00:41:59,270 budget process. 785 00:41:59,280 --> 00:42:02,400 I was I've been in too deep well I don't 786 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:03,920 know if I've been I've been in deep with 787 00:42:03,920 --> 00:42:05,839 the budget process. I've been to uh the 788 00:42:05,839 --> 00:42:08,400 two budget committee hearings and I've 789 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:10,720 got the spreadsheet 790 00:42:10,720 --> 00:42:13,280 on my computer that was the basis of the 791 00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:15,760 town report and I've got my own 792 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:17,760 spreadsheet cooking 793 00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:20,240 uh but just in too deep. Anyway, our 794 00:42:20,240 --> 00:42:22,480 budget has rapidly increased and 795 00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:25,760 escalated as a result of COVID. So 796 00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:28,880 that's, you know, 2020 through 797 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:32,560 21 COVID impacts, 23 24 floods. We need 798 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:34,079 to go back way back to see 799 00:42:34,079 --> 00:42:37,040 representative expenditures. Then we can 800 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:40,000 adjust for actual inflation needs. The 801 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:42,720 average 300 number five because I got 802 00:42:42,720 --> 00:42:46,079 10. The average $38 803 00:42:46,079 --> 00:42:47,760 tax bill increase, which has been 804 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:49,440 estimated by a member of the budget 805 00:42:49,440 --> 00:42:51,920 commission committee, is an average 806 00:42:51,920 --> 00:42:54,560 month's food bill for one person. Those 807 00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:56,640 without disposable income may choose to 808 00:42:56,640 --> 00:42:58,480 go without food rather than lose their 809 00:42:58,480 --> 00:43:01,760 property for tax sale. Our neighbors, 810 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:03,760 the number six, our neighbors and other 811 00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:05,839 good people are fleeing the state due to 812 00:43:05,839 --> 00:43:08,079 high taxes. This is a step we can take 813 00:43:08,079 --> 00:43:11,040 to make Vermont more affordable. 814 00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:13,440 Not everyone. Number seven, not everyone 815 00:43:13,440 --> 00:43:16,880 can afford an increase even if you can. 816 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:19,520 And I can afford this increase and I 817 00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:21,040 choose to live here even though it's 818 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:24,160 very costly. 819 00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:26,720 There are redundant items in double 820 00:43:26,720 --> 00:43:28,720 counting within the budget. That's 821 00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:40,390 number eight. 822 00:43:40,400 --> 00:43:43,119 Number nine, a reworked budget proposed 823 00:43:43,119 --> 00:43:45,599 for article two could not be developed 824 00:43:45,599 --> 00:43:47,680 because it requires more than a 2-hour 825 00:43:47,680 --> 00:43:50,319 budget committee meeting and a 30 minute 826 00:43:50,319 --> 00:43:52,640 discussion by the select board. We 827 00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:54,160 really need to roll our sleeves up, 828 00:43:54,160 --> 00:43:57,680 folks, and get a real um solid budget 829 00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:00,000 together. And a lot of it goes back to 830 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:01,599 like my first or second item where 831 00:44:01,599 --> 00:44:03,520 there's just a lack of up-to-date cost 832 00:44:03,520 --> 00:44:05,920 information. 833 00:44:05,920 --> 00:44:08,079 Number 10, accelerating budget 834 00:44:08,079 --> 00:44:10,079 increases. Widen the divide between the 835 00:44:10,079 --> 00:44:11,839 halves and the halves not. We all know 836 00:44:11,839 --> 00:44:13,680 there's a lot of division in our world 837 00:44:13,680 --> 00:44:16,079 and things we do to make uh the cost of 838 00:44:16,079 --> 00:44:18,000 living here, our tax bills higher and 839 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:20,960 greater uh just furthers at least one of 840 00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:26,150 those divides. Thank you. 841 00:44:26,160 --> 00:44:27,520 » All right. Is there somebody who would 842 00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:30,240 like to uh has has concerns about 843 00:44:30,240 --> 00:44:31,839 passing article one as opposed to 844 00:44:31,839 --> 00:44:33,520 passing article one to reconsidering the 845 00:44:33,520 --> 00:44:36,319 budget? would like to speak. 846 00:44:36,319 --> 00:44:37,920 Uh, yeah, I saw I hit it right here in 847 00:44:37,920 --> 00:44:47,750 the middle. 848 00:44:47,760 --> 00:44:50,240 » Yes. So, uh, my name is Tracy Liboitz 849 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:55,520 and I'm a Middle Sex resident and um I I 850 00:44:55,520 --> 00:44:58,240 I've just I just my my thoughts on this 851 00:44:58,240 --> 00:45:00,079 and I think a lot of people some people 852 00:45:00,079 --> 00:45:02,400 may feel the same is just I think that 853 00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:04,319 the biggest thing is that you know we 854 00:45:04,319 --> 00:45:07,599 already had the town meeting um and the 855 00:45:07,599 --> 00:45:09,920 budget was passed and there were a lot 856 00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:12,319 of Middle Sex residents that came here 857 00:45:12,319 --> 00:45:14,079 and participated in a very long 858 00:45:14,079 --> 00:45:16,720 discussion and considered everything 859 00:45:16,720 --> 00:45:18,319 that that came up that day and 860 00:45:18,319 --> 00:45:21,760 considered everyone's opinions. Um, you 861 00:45:21,760 --> 00:45:23,760 know, that was the meeting. That was 862 00:45:23,760 --> 00:45:25,760 everyone's chance to come up, have a 863 00:45:25,760 --> 00:45:29,040 say, um, and participate in in the 864 00:45:29,040 --> 00:45:33,200 democratic process. Um, and I just feel 865 00:45:33,200 --> 00:45:35,040 it's 866 00:45:35,040 --> 00:45:37,359 I can't I can't vote to reject that, to 867 00:45:37,359 --> 00:45:39,440 throw that out, um, because of 868 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:42,079 everything that went into that. Um, I 869 00:45:42,079 --> 00:45:46,000 just cannot justify any type of decision 870 00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:49,680 to to throw that out. Um, and I think, 871 00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:52,560 you know, I recognize that the process 872 00:45:52,560 --> 00:45:54,960 that we everybody went through to get to 873 00:45:54,960 --> 00:45:58,160 this special meeting is legitimate um, 874 00:45:58,160 --> 00:46:00,640 and legal and nothing wrong with it, but 875 00:46:00,640 --> 00:46:03,920 it was also legal and legitimate, you 876 00:46:03,920 --> 00:46:05,680 know, that we came and passed the budget 877 00:46:05,680 --> 00:46:08,079 at the town meeting and more people were 878 00:46:08,079 --> 00:46:11,839 present for that. Um, it just, hate to 879 00:46:11,839 --> 00:46:12,640 say this, I don't want to be 880 00:46:12,640 --> 00:46:15,200 inflammatory, but it seems undemocratic 881 00:46:15,200 --> 00:46:18,640 to have a smaller group here rejecting 882 00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:20,480 uh the decision that was made by 883 00:46:20,480 --> 00:46:22,640 everybody who showed up uh at the last 884 00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:26,480 town meeting. So, I think 885 00:46:26,480 --> 00:46:30,000 I've uh I've heard it said that in 886 00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:31,920 Vermont politics to to accomplish 887 00:46:31,920 --> 00:46:35,839 something, you just need 10 friends. Um, 888 00:46:35,839 --> 00:46:38,079 and that, you know, that can be that can 889 00:46:38,079 --> 00:46:40,400 be a good thing. you don't need a big 890 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:42,400 army of people to to get something done 891 00:46:42,400 --> 00:46:44,160 here, but it can also be a bad thing. 892 00:46:44,160 --> 00:46:47,359 Um, and I just it doesn't sit well with 893 00:46:47,359 --> 00:46:50,400 me that somebody, you know, had 10 894 00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:52,240 friends and then those individuals had 895 00:46:52,240 --> 00:46:54,880 10 friends and that got a 100 signatures 896 00:46:54,880 --> 00:46:56,160 and then we're all back here to 897 00:46:56,160 --> 00:46:58,319 reconsider a decision that was already 898 00:46:58,319 --> 00:47:02,240 made. So, I that's why I just will not 899 00:47:02,240 --> 00:47:05,520 be supporting um rejecting the the 900 00:47:05,520 --> 00:47:12,230 budget that was already passed. 901 00:47:12,240 --> 00:47:14,319 Okay. Is there someone who'd like to 902 00:47:14,319 --> 00:47:19,349 speak in favor of article one? 903 00:47:19,359 --> 00:47:20,560 » Ask a question. 904 00:47:20,560 --> 00:47:24,950 >> Yes, you can ask a question. 905 00:47:24,960 --> 00:47:25,680 » Oh, sorry. 906 00:47:25,680 --> 00:47:28,400 >> Uh, Dave Smith, this is just a simple 907 00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:30,720 question. Is this a simple majority to 908 00:47:30,720 --> 00:47:31,920 decide article one? 909 00:47:31,920 --> 00:47:34,800 >> Simple majority. Yes, is the answer. Did 910 00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:42,550 you want to um Cheryl? Yes. 911 00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:43,839 Not a public speaker. 912 00:47:43,839 --> 00:47:45,839 >> Cheryl hates public speaking. We know. 913 00:47:45,839 --> 00:47:48,000 this about her. She hates this. 914 00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:50,400 is why I am treasurer. So we don't 915 00:47:50,400 --> 00:47:52,319 have to do this. 916 00:47:52,319 --> 00:47:54,480 >> Kiss the microphone. 917 00:47:54,480 --> 00:47:55,280 >> Can you hear me? 918 00:47:55,280 --> 00:47:57,680 >> Yes. Okay. So, there's important 919 00:47:57,680 --> 00:47:59,440 realities being left out of the entire 920 00:47:59,440 --> 00:48:00,880 conversation. There's an old saying that 921 00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:02,319 this town has a whole lot of chiefs and 922 00:48:02,319 --> 00:48:04,319 not a lot of engines. Frankly, I'm 923 00:48:04,319 --> 00:48:06,079 extremely sick of the misinformation as 924 00:48:06,079 --> 00:48:07,920 it keeps occurring. The town cannot 925 00:48:07,920 --> 00:48:09,680 simply go back to pre-COVID and pre- 926 00:48:09,680 --> 00:48:11,040 flood spending levels and pretend that 927 00:48:11,040 --> 00:48:12,880 the world did not change. Middle Sex, 928 00:48:12,880 --> 00:48:14,240 like many Vermont towns, has faced 929 00:48:14,240 --> 00:48:16,240 dramatic increases in infrastructures, 930 00:48:16,240 --> 00:48:17,760 costs, insurance, fuel, health 931 00:48:17,760 --> 00:48:19,359 insurance, emergency response, road 932 00:48:19,359 --> 00:48:21,839 repairs, state mandates, cyber security 933 00:48:21,839 --> 00:48:23,119 requirements, and administrative 934 00:48:23,119 --> 00:48:25,280 demands. We have had two historic floods 935 00:48:25,280 --> 00:48:27,040 alone permanently changing the financial 936 00:48:27,040 --> 00:48:29,520 landscape of our town. The FEMA process 937 00:48:29,520 --> 00:48:31,839 is also as nearly as simple as some make 938 00:48:31,839 --> 00:48:33,359 making it sound. and reimbursements do 939 00:48:33,359 --> 00:48:35,920 not arrive immediately. Towns often have 940 00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:37,119 to front millions of dollars while 941 00:48:37,119 --> 00:48:38,640 waiting months and sometimes years for 942 00:48:38,640 --> 00:48:40,800 approval and repayment. That creates an 943 00:48:40,800 --> 00:48:42,559 enormous cash flow pressure, borrowing 944 00:48:42,559 --> 00:48:44,079 costs and engineering requirements, 945 00:48:44,079 --> 00:48:48,640 audits and compliance obligations that never existed before. FEMA 946 00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:50,319 reimbures towns for the money that's 947 00:48:50,319 --> 00:48:52,000 already been spent. It does not hand out 948 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:53,680 extra money. Middle Sex has to carry the 949 00:48:53,680 --> 00:48:55,680 burden of two floods while also paying 950 00:48:55,680 --> 00:48:57,280 the legal fees, engineering fees, 951 00:48:57,280 --> 00:48:59,200 interest costs, bond expenses, and other 952 00:48:59,200 --> 00:49:01,440 professional costs every time borrowing 953 00:49:01,440 --> 00:49:03,920 has been required. Suggesting that the 954 00:49:03,920 --> 00:49:05,760 town is simply holding on to FEMA money 955 00:49:05,760 --> 00:49:07,359 ignores how municipal finance and other 956 00:49:07,359 --> 00:49:09,599 disaster recoveries actually work. As 957 00:49:09,599 --> 00:49:11,760 for the audit timing, many Vermont 958 00:49:11,760 --> 00:49:13,280 municipalities are behind because of 959 00:49:13,280 --> 00:49:15,200 flood related reporting. FEMA 960 00:49:15,200 --> 00:49:16,640 documentation, grant compliance, and 961 00:49:16,640 --> 00:49:18,240 staffing shortages. That is not unique 962 00:49:18,240 --> 00:49:21,599 to Middle Sex. The FY24 budget was 963 00:49:21,599 --> 00:49:24,720 completed and posted online. 964 00:49:24,720 --> 00:49:28,480 Okay, just so you know, the FY25 regular 965 00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:30,000 audit was actually completed in February 966 00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:31,760 and the single audit required enormous 967 00:49:31,760 --> 00:49:33,680 amount of documentation and detail and 968 00:49:33,680 --> 00:49:35,280 was complete pending a meeting with the 969 00:49:35,280 --> 00:49:36,720 select board for a formal presentation 970 00:49:36,720 --> 00:49:39,280 and acceptance of that audit. We are not 971 00:49:39,280 --> 00:49:41,440 auditors. We are not this auditor's only 972 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:43,040 client and many towns are in the same 973 00:49:43,040 --> 00:49:45,280 exact position. And while everyone feels 974 00:49:45,280 --> 00:49:46,880 rising costs differently, framing this 975 00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:49,359 as has and have nots risk dividing the 976 00:49:49,359 --> 00:49:50,640 neighbors instead of trying to solve 977 00:49:50,640 --> 00:49:52,559 problems. The people working in the 978 00:49:52,559 --> 00:49:54,079 office on committees and on the road 979 00:49:54,079 --> 00:49:55,760 crew, fire departments, lead board and 980 00:49:55,760 --> 00:49:57,040 commissions are not trying to hurt 981 00:49:57,040 --> 00:49:58,880 residents. Most are trying to keep the 982 00:49:58,880 --> 00:50:00,559 town functioning under enormous pressure 983 00:50:00,559 --> 00:50:02,160 with limited staffing and increasing 984 00:50:02,160 --> 00:50:04,480 demands. At the end of the day, nobody 985 00:50:04,480 --> 00:50:06,319 wants our taxes to increase, but nobody 986 00:50:06,319 --> 00:50:07,920 wants a failing infrastructure, delayed 987 00:50:07,920 --> 00:50:10,079 emergency response, understaffed 988 00:50:10,079 --> 00:50:11,839 offices, and compliance failures or 989 00:50:11,839 --> 00:50:14,319 losing because of workload has become 990 00:50:14,319 --> 00:50:16,240 impossible either. Those are difficult 991 00:50:16,240 --> 00:50:17,920 realities that towns across Vermont are 992 00:50:17,920 --> 00:50:20,400 facing right now. The can has been 993 00:50:20,400 --> 00:50:25,040 kicked down the road for years, and that's why we are here today. 994 00:50:25,040 --> 00:50:27,040 Budgets were repeatedly cut to suppress 995 00:50:27,040 --> 00:50:28,880 tax rates while infrastructure and 996 00:50:28,880 --> 00:50:30,400 operational needs have continued to 997 00:50:30,400 --> 00:50:32,000 grow. 998 00:50:32,000 --> 00:50:34,400 Had there been 999 00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:37,920 Okay, wait a second. 1000 00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:39,520 The continued misinformation being 1001 00:50:39,520 --> 00:50:41,280 spread is creating mistrust in the town 1002 00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:42,880 and government and undermining the hard 1003 00:50:42,880 --> 00:50:44,800 work. I've had many sleepless nights as 1004 00:50:44,800 --> 00:50:46,079 many as the slate board has and 1005 00:50:46,079 --> 00:50:47,920 countless hours and many people have put 1006 00:50:47,920 --> 00:50:49,440 into making these difficult decisions 1007 00:50:49,440 --> 00:50:51,040 under incredibly difficult 1008 00:50:51,040 --> 00:50:53,680 circumstances. I live personally on both 1009 00:50:53,680 --> 00:50:55,359 sides of this property tax coin. I 1010 00:50:55,359 --> 00:50:57,119 understand exactly what rising taxes 1011 00:50:57,119 --> 00:50:59,280 mean. Paying roughly $13,000 a year 1012 00:50:59,280 --> 00:51:01,200 myself and property taxes is not an easy 1013 00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:03,040 task and certainly will not be any 1014 00:51:03,040 --> 00:51:05,200 easier in my retirement. But the town 1015 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:06,800 does need a town administrator. We need 1016 00:51:06,800 --> 00:51:08,720 office staffing beyond an 8 hour day. We 1017 00:51:08,720 --> 00:51:10,319 need our roads paved. We need our trucks 1018 00:51:10,319 --> 00:51:12,160 that are safe and reliable. We need 1019 00:51:12,160 --> 00:51:13,760 functioning highway garage. We need 1020 00:51:13,760 --> 00:51:15,760 working town space. We need equipment 1021 00:51:15,760 --> 00:51:17,599 not for that is constantly filling. We 1022 00:51:17,599 --> 00:51:20,319 need to address years of the backlog. 1023 00:51:20,319 --> 00:51:22,000 We need security upgrades and we need 1024 00:51:22,000 --> 00:51:23,200 the building maintenance. We need 1025 00:51:23,200 --> 00:51:25,119 windows replaced before it become before 1026 00:51:25,119 --> 00:51:26,480 this rot has become instructional 1027 00:51:26,480 --> 00:51:28,079 damage. Those are not luxuries. They are 1028 00:51:28,079 --> 00:51:29,760 the realities of operating a town 1029 00:51:29,760 --> 00:51:31,359 responsibility. 1030 00:51:31,359 --> 00:51:45,270 And that's all I got. 1031 00:51:45,280 --> 00:51:48,800 » Uh so we need to um do this by process. 1032 00:51:48,800 --> 00:51:51,119 Can you raise your hand please and your 1033 00:51:51,119 --> 00:51:51,839 name? 1034 00:51:51,839 --> 00:51:52,800 >> Robert Edson. 1035 00:51:52,800 --> 00:51:54,720 calls the question. And 1036 00:51:54,720 --> 00:51:57,040 there was a second. Penny. 1037 00:51:57,040 --> 00:52:00,480 >> Rob Penny. So, um the question has been 1038 00:52:00,480 --> 00:52:04,079 called. Um uh moved and seconded. Um 1039 00:52:04,079 --> 00:52:08,480 this is a call to um cut off debate. Um 1040 00:52:08,480 --> 00:52:11,040 and uh in order to cut off debate, we 1041 00:52:11,040 --> 00:52:13,839 need to have a twothirds uh vote in 1042 00:52:13,839 --> 00:52:15,760 favor of cutting off debate. So, this is 1043 00:52:15,760 --> 00:52:17,200 a question of whether we're going to 1044 00:52:17,200 --> 00:52:20,160 stop talking about this um and and uh 1045 00:52:20,160 --> 00:52:22,960 and vote. So, I need uh a couple of 1046 00:52:22,960 --> 00:52:25,760 border civil authority folks up here. Um 1047 00:52:25,760 --> 00:52:27,680 Chris McBay or because you need to help 1048 00:52:27,680 --> 00:52:29,920 me do the hand count. Um when it's a 1049 00:52:29,920 --> 00:52:34,240 twothirds, I prefer a hand count. 1050 00:52:34,240 --> 00:52:37,839 Um so if you can count the folks on this 1051 00:52:37,839 --> 00:52:40,559 side and Chris can count the folks on 1052 00:52:40,559 --> 00:52:45,359 this side. Okay. All those in favor. 1053 00:52:45,359 --> 00:52:52,069 >> Yeah. Yeah. Folks in back, pick a side. 1054 00:52:52,079 --> 00:52:55,599 like the approach. 1055 00:52:55,599 --> 00:52:58,319 >> I need to try file. I'm going to dump. 1056 00:52:58,319 --> 00:53:02,160 >> So, to be clear, we're voting on whether 1057 00:53:02,160 --> 00:53:04,960 or not to stop talking right now. Um, if 1058 00:53:04,960 --> 00:53:07,520 you vote yes, you would like to stop 1059 00:53:07,520 --> 00:53:10,079 talking and move on to vote on article 1060 00:53:10,079 --> 00:53:12,880 one. If you vote no, you would like to 1061 00:53:12,880 --> 00:53:15,599 continue the discussion on article one. 1062 00:53:15,599 --> 00:53:18,559 All those in favor of ending discussion, 1063 00:53:18,559 --> 00:53:21,440 please raise your hand. 1064 00:53:21,440 --> 00:53:24,000 Whoa. Okay. Actually, hang on a second. 1065 00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:25,440 Um, can 1066 00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:26,240 >> let us down. 1067 00:53:26,240 --> 00:53:28,000 >> Well, tell I'd like to do it the other 1068 00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:30,640 way. All those opposed to ending 1069 00:53:30,640 --> 00:53:32,000 discussion right now, please raise your 1070 00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:33,280 hand. This will be a little quicker. 1071 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:37,430 >> That's fair. 1072 00:53:37,440 --> 00:53:39,520 » Put your put your hand down after I get 1073 00:53:39,520 --> 00:53:50,950 you, please. 1074 00:53:50,960 --> 00:53:51,920 You have three. 1075 00:53:51,920 --> 00:53:54,000 >> We have five. Okay. So, we have no 1076 00:53:54,000 --> 00:53:56,079 eight. Okay. And I'll just ask you again 1077 00:53:56,079 --> 00:53:57,520 to raise your hand if you're ready to 1078 00:53:57,520 --> 00:53:59,839 end discussion. Please say I. Can 1079 00:53:59,839 --> 00:54:01,680 everybody just agree that this is more 1080 00:54:01,680 --> 00:54:04,800 than eight? Um more than 60 I should 1081 00:54:04,800 --> 00:54:07,119 say. Yeah. Thank you. With your with 1082 00:54:07,119 --> 00:54:10,880 your permission, I will not um uh do a 1083 00:54:10,880 --> 00:54:14,000 further assessment on that 2/3. Okay. 1084 00:54:14,000 --> 00:54:15,760 So, that means that we're done talking. 1085 00:54:15,760 --> 00:54:16,640 Um, and 1086 00:54:16,640 --> 00:54:18,480 >> explain what the votes mean. 1087 00:54:18,480 --> 00:54:22,160 >> Uh, yes, we will. Um, do uh is there I 1088 00:54:22,160 --> 00:54:23,599 understood that there was some interest 1089 00:54:23,599 --> 00:54:25,680 in doing this by paper ballot. Is that 1090 00:54:25,680 --> 00:54:26,960 the case? 1091 00:54:26,960 --> 00:54:29,839 >> I need a motion. 1092 00:54:29,839 --> 00:54:30,640 >> Okay. 1093 00:54:30,640 --> 00:54:32,960 >> I Ursula Stanley, I move that we vote by 1094 00:54:32,960 --> 00:54:33,839 paper ballot. 1095 00:54:33,839 --> 00:54:35,599 >> Okay. And um are there seven other 1096 00:54:35,599 --> 00:54:37,200 people who agree with Ursula Stanley 1097 00:54:37,200 --> 00:54:39,599 that we should do this by paper ballot? 1098 00:54:39,599 --> 00:54:42,640 Yes, there are. Okay. Thank you. Um, so 1099 00:54:42,640 --> 00:54:44,800 we will be voting this by paper ballot. 1100 00:54:44,800 --> 00:54:49,270 Um, and 1101 00:54:49,280 --> 00:54:52,319 the way that's going to work is that we 1102 00:54:52,319 --> 00:54:54,720 are all going to go to the Well, we're 1103 00:54:54,720 --> 00:54:57,119 Okay, so we're going to divide by um 1104 00:54:57,119 --> 00:54:58,960 what is the dinner party rule? You 1105 00:54:58,960 --> 00:55:00,640 >> want me to do it? Larry, 1106 00:55:00,640 --> 00:55:04,880 >> Larry is a former um 1107 00:55:04,880 --> 00:55:08,000 crowd control officer. 1108 00:55:08,000 --> 00:55:09,440 >> Sorry. Oh, hang on a second. Just a 1109 00:55:09,440 --> 00:55:10,960 second. Uh, Larry, there's a question in 1110 00:55:10,960 --> 00:55:12,400 the back. Yes, 1111 00:55:12,400 --> 00:55:14,800 >> I had a suggestion to take advantage of 1112 00:55:14,800 --> 00:55:17,280 the excellent planning that was done to 1113 00:55:17,280 --> 00:55:19,280 make this efficient and have three 1114 00:55:19,280 --> 00:55:22,559 tables and if we do it a first and then 1115 00:55:22,559 --> 00:55:24,000 otherwise we're going to have two empty 1116 00:55:24,000 --> 00:55:26,160 tables going 1117 00:55:26,160 --> 00:55:30,309 right and I'm wondering whether 1118 00:55:30,319 --> 00:55:32,720 » that's Larry's idea exactly yeah yeah 1119 00:55:32,720 --> 00:55:36,640 and um yeah so um I just want to Is 1120 00:55:36,640 --> 00:55:41,760 there a mobile mic I can use or so what we did was we actually made a flip 1121 00:55:41,760 --> 00:55:45,200 chart and it says um and there's um 1122 00:55:45,200 --> 00:55:47,839 there's two of those you if you take off 1123 00:55:47,839 --> 00:55:49,040 the top sheet you'll see there's a 1124 00:55:49,040 --> 00:55:51,200 second one they can't hear me. Hey 1125 00:55:51,200 --> 00:55:52,559 Bridget 1126 00:55:52,559 --> 00:55:54,240 >> there there's two of those pieces of 1127 00:55:54,240 --> 00:55:55,839 paper that are identical so you can put 1128 00:55:55,839 --> 00:55:59,119 the other one on the other flip chart 1129 00:55:59,119 --> 00:56:02,640 um and it explains um the way it is 1130 00:56:02,640 --> 00:56:05,760 written. Do I have it in front of me? Um 1131 00:56:05,760 --> 00:56:10,549 article one 1132 00:56:10,559 --> 00:56:12,319 Just a just a second. I need another 1133 00:56:12,319 --> 00:56:17,589 mic. 1134 00:56:17,599 --> 00:56:19,280 » Everybody hear me? 1135 00:56:19,280 --> 00:56:22,799 >> Yes. Okay. So, this is going to be on 1136 00:56:22,799 --> 00:56:25,359 the flip chart. 1137 00:56:25,359 --> 00:56:28,160 Article one. That's what we're voting 1138 00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:33,440 on. If you vote yes, yes means that you 1139 00:56:33,440 --> 00:56:36,799 want to reconsider the budget vote for 1140 00:56:36,799 --> 00:56:39,920 March 3rd and you want to move on today 1141 00:56:39,920 --> 00:56:42,799 now to article 2. That's a yes vote. If 1142 00:56:42,799 --> 00:56:45,920 you vote no, it means you do not want to 1143 00:56:45,920 --> 00:56:48,240 reconsider the budget. It means that you 1144 00:56:48,240 --> 00:56:50,480 want to keep the budget as it was passed 1145 00:56:50,480 --> 00:56:53,280 on March 3rd. So, we have that on flip 1146 00:56:53,280 --> 00:56:54,720 chart back there because you probably 1147 00:56:54,720 --> 00:56:57,200 forget by the time you get there. Yes. 1148 00:56:57,200 --> 00:57:00,240 Why are we doing it? So obvious 1149 00:57:00,240 --> 00:57:02,240 why are we wasting everybody's time? 1150 00:57:02,240 --> 00:57:05,440 >> It's democracy, my friend. 1151 00:57:05,440 --> 00:57:07,119 This is This is how we're doing it. So 1152 00:57:07,119 --> 00:57:09,200 Larry, you have a you have a microphone. 1153 00:57:09,200 --> 00:57:10,880 >> I'm going to talk loud so we can hear. 1154 00:57:10,880 --> 00:57:13,760 >> Okay. Really loud. 1155 00:57:13,760 --> 00:57:15,920 >> You know what? Use a microphone. 1156 00:57:15,920 --> 00:57:18,400 >> Not loud enough. 1157 00:57:18,400 --> 00:57:21,040 >> Sorry. Let's start with the uh people 1158 00:57:21,040 --> 00:57:22,720 that are standing in the back. If you 1159 00:57:22,720 --> 00:57:24,960 can go first and then these two rows 1160 00:57:24,960 --> 00:57:34,309 right here. right here. 1161 00:57:34,319 --> 00:57:36,160 » And anyone at any time is allowed to get 1162 00:57:36,160 --> 00:58:00,150 a snack. 1163 00:58:00,160 --> 00:58:21,910 Is that better? 1164 00:58:21,920 --> 00:58:37,910 Yeah. 1165 00:58:37,920 --> 00:59:01,109 This is Yeah. 1166 00:59:01,119 --> 00:59:04,309 So 1167 00:59:04,319 --> 00:59:11,829 happy about that. 1168 00:59:11,839 --> 00:59:18,309 like this. 1169 00:59:18,319 --> 00:59:32,150 » Thank you. 1170 00:59:32,160 --> 00:59:39,910 » It's going to be a half hour. 1171 00:59:39,920 --> 00:59:48,710 feel over by 1172 00:59:48,720 --> 01:00:03,270 now. 1173 01:00:03,280 --> 01:00:08,309 Seriously. 1174 01:00:08,319 --> 01:00:26,390 Nobody sure 1175 01:00:26,400 --> 01:00:31,109 know because you're know 1176 01:00:31,119 --> 01:00:43,670 why 1177 01:00:43,680 --> 01:01:01,670 Yeah. 1178 01:01:01,680 --> 01:01:24,710 Okay. 1179 01:01:24,720 --> 01:01:26,960 the next two uh rows here, this 1180 01:01:26,960 --> 01:01:40,710 row here and this row here. 1181 01:01:40,720 --> 01:01:51,750 Like, are you kidding me? 1182 01:01:51,760 --> 01:01:54,319 It's 1183 01:01:54,319 --> 01:01:58,309 a little black 1184 01:01:58,319 --> 01:02:10,549 America. 1185 01:02:10,559 --> 01:02:31,109 You are now 1186 01:02:31,119 --> 01:02:37,750 clear. 1187 01:02:37,760 --> 01:03:19,829 Heat. Heat. 1188 01:03:19,839 --> 01:03:22,319 Okay. Can I have the next two rows? The 1189 01:03:22,319 --> 01:03:26,710 next two rows here and here. 1190 01:03:26,720 --> 01:03:39,910 » Excuse me. 1191 01:03:39,920 --> 01:03:57,829 This row right here is good. 1192 01:03:57,839 --> 01:04:22,230 Happy 1193 01:04:22,240 --> 01:04:28,870 miles 1194 01:04:28,880 --> 01:04:51,910 on 1195 01:04:51,920 --> 01:04:53,760 Yeah. 1196 01:04:53,760 --> 01:05:03,750 Heat. 1197 01:05:03,760 --> 01:05:16,069 Heat. 1198 01:05:16,079 --> 01:05:20,870 Oh yeah. 1199 01:05:20,880 --> 01:06:00,789 Heat. 1200 01:06:00,799 --> 01:06:03,200 Okay, the next rows. Let's go. Next two 1201 01:06:03,200 --> 01:06:05,839 rows. We can go two rows. You're 1202 01:06:05,839 --> 01:06:08,319 welcome. 1203 01:06:08,319 --> 01:06:10,400 You're all set. People here, you good to 1204 01:06:10,400 --> 01:06:13,039 go? 1205 01:06:13,039 --> 01:06:16,549 >> Yes. 1206 01:06:16,559 --> 01:06:47,190 Heat. Heat. 1207 01:06:47,200 --> 01:06:49,119 If you have voted already and you're up 1208 01:06:49,119 --> 01:06:51,599 back, can you guys take a seat or move 1209 01:06:51,599 --> 01:06:53,280 back? Go back to your seat so we have 1210 01:06:53,280 --> 01:06:55,200 room for people. 1211 01:06:55,200 --> 01:07:03,029 Yeah. 1212 01:07:03,039 --> 01:07:14,710 Heat. 1213 01:07:14,720 --> 01:07:34,630 Heat. 1214 01:07:34,640 --> 01:07:36,559 Yeah. Okay, people. If you have voted 1215 01:07:36,559 --> 01:07:38,880 already, can you return to your seats? 1216 01:07:38,880 --> 01:07:48,710 We got to have room, people. Thank you. 1217 01:07:48,720 --> 01:07:50,640 » If you have voted already, please return 1218 01:07:50,640 --> 01:08:01,270 to your seats. 1219 01:08:01,280 --> 01:08:40,229 Heat. Heat. 1220 01:08:40,239 --> 01:08:44,239 If your name ends with between N and Z, 1221 01:08:44,239 --> 01:08:46,319 that table is empty. So people up front, 1222 01:08:46,319 --> 01:08:50,319 if your name ends between N and Z, your 1223 01:08:50,319 --> 01:08:52,799 last name is N and Z, that line is 1224 01:08:52,799 --> 01:08:56,000 available on the very end. 1225 01:08:56,000 --> 01:08:58,319 >> N through Z 1226 01:08:58,319 --> 01:09:01,040 right here. We're Dinder. Our our 1227 01:09:01,040 --> 01:09:04,000 wonderful our wonderful 1228 01:09:04,000 --> 01:09:19,829 assistant Dinda. 1229 01:09:19,839 --> 01:09:26,630 No, it's the last two rows. 1230 01:09:26,640 --> 01:09:28,560 » The last two rows can go up and get in 1231 01:09:28,560 --> 01:09:31,440 line. N through Z especially is empty. 1232 01:09:31,440 --> 01:09:33,520 So everybody else, if you have not 1233 01:09:33,520 --> 01:09:38,229 voted, go up and vote. 1234 01:09:38,239 --> 01:09:45,829 It's going to get a little crowded. 1235 01:09:45,839 --> 01:09:48,159 » If you have voted, please return to your 1236 01:09:48,159 --> 01:09:50,880 seats. If you have voted, please return 1237 01:09:50,880 --> 01:10:18,709 to your seats. 1238 01:10:18,719 --> 01:10:28,229 What? 1239 01:10:28,239 --> 01:10:30,159 » Anybody that has not voted can get in 1240 01:10:30,159 --> 01:10:32,719 line. Anyone who has not voted can get 1241 01:10:32,719 --> 01:10:58,550 in line. 1242 01:10:58,560 --> 01:11:03,830 Oh my 1243 01:11:03,840 --> 01:11:19,430 god. 1244 01:11:19,440 --> 01:12:14,390 Heat. Heat. 1245 01:12:14,400 --> 01:12:17,120 Yeah. 1246 01:12:17,120 --> 01:12:27,189 Heat. 1247 01:12:27,199 --> 01:12:49,110 Heat. 1248 01:12:49,120 --> 01:13:06,149 She doesn't know. 1249 01:13:06,159 --> 01:13:17,510 Never have too many. 1250 01:13:17,520 --> 01:13:21,910 Yeah. 1251 01:13:21,920 --> 01:13:51,430 Heat. 1252 01:13:51,440 --> 01:13:53,520 If you have voted, if you have already 1253 01:13:53,520 --> 01:13:56,320 voted, please return to your seats. If 1254 01:13:56,320 --> 01:13:58,080 you have already voted, please return to 1255 01:13:58,080 --> 01:14:00,560 your seats. Thank you. 1256 01:14:00,560 --> 01:14:22,229 Heat. 1257 01:14:22,239 --> 01:14:47,830 Heat. 1258 01:14:47,840 --> 01:14:50,080 If you have not voted, please head up 1259 01:14:50,080 --> 01:14:52,400 and vote. If you have voted, please 1260 01:14:52,400 --> 01:15:23,189 return to your seat. Thank you. 1261 01:15:23,199 --> 01:15:27,120 Ken, how are you? 1262 01:15:27,120 --> 01:15:28,719 >> Good. Have you seen like big pile of 1263 01:15:28,719 --> 01:15:30,159 lunch? 1264 01:15:30,159 --> 01:15:31,679 Oh my goodness. You're working on your 1265 01:15:31,679 --> 01:15:34,000 yard and mulch. 1266 01:15:34,000 --> 01:15:36,560 This is like what? It's not done yet 1267 01:15:36,560 --> 01:15:38,880 like this. But if it's done in 10 weeks 1268 01:15:38,880 --> 01:15:52,950 when you come back, then I kind of patty 1269 01:15:52,960 --> 01:15:55,679 anybody in N through Z. The table is 1270 01:15:55,679 --> 01:16:09,189 available N through Z. Let's 1271 01:16:09,199 --> 01:16:37,750 do that again. 1272 01:16:37,760 --> 01:16:53,590 Thank you. 1273 01:16:53,600 --> 01:17:05,910 Heat. 1274 01:17:05,920 --> 01:18:03,110 Heat. 1275 01:18:03,120 --> 01:18:06,480 Okay, anybody else needs to vote? If you 1276 01:18:06,480 --> 01:18:08,000 guys could recite to return to your 1277 01:18:08,000 --> 01:18:12,390 seats, we're almost completing it. 1278 01:18:12,400 --> 01:19:29,189 Heat. Heat. 1279 01:19:29,199 --> 01:19:31,040 I have 1280 01:19:31,040 --> 01:19:41,669 Yeah, I didn't know. 1281 01:19:41,679 --> 01:19:57,910 Heat. 1282 01:19:57,920 --> 01:20:14,870 Anybody 1283 01:20:14,880 --> 01:20:18,320 left to vote? If anybody not voted, come 1284 01:20:18,320 --> 01:20:23,590 up to the front, please. 1285 01:20:23,600 --> 01:20:32,149 Yeah. 1286 01:20:32,159 --> 01:20:42,229 Heat. 1287 01:20:42,239 --> 01:20:53,669 Anybody 1288 01:20:53,679 --> 01:21:08,790 left? Anybody need to vote? 1289 01:21:08,800 --> 01:22:21,430 Heat. Heat. 1290 01:22:21,440 --> 01:22:30,229 I believe we are done voting. Ide 1291 01:22:30,239 --> 01:22:36,229 Could 1292 01:22:36,239 --> 01:22:40,000 we have all BCA members, all board of 1293 01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:42,320 civil authorities, board of civil 1294 01:22:42,320 --> 01:22:44,639 authorities to the library, please to 1295 01:22:44,639 --> 01:22:47,520 count these votes, 1296 01:22:47,520 --> 01:22:50,719 please? Anybody in the BCA 1297 01:22:50,719 --> 01:22:53,600 go to the library to count these votes? 1298 01:22:53,600 --> 01:22:54,159 >> Voting. 1299 01:22:54,159 --> 01:22:56,560 >> So, the polls are closing. Anybody who 1300 01:22:56,560 --> 01:22:59,120 hasn't voted, if anybody who hasn't 1301 01:22:59,120 --> 01:23:01,360 voted, make sure you voted. We are 1302 01:23:01,360 --> 01:23:04,000 stopping the voting right now. Anybody? 1303 01:23:04,000 --> 01:23:06,320 Last minute. So now the board of civil 1304 01:23:06,320 --> 01:23:07,120 authorities is going to go to the 1305 01:23:07,120 --> 01:23:17,430 library and count the ballots. 1306 01:23:17,440 --> 01:23:19,440 » Okay, the voting is now closed. Voting 1307 01:23:19,440 --> 01:23:24,070 is now closed. 1308 01:23:24,080 --> 01:23:34,310 Heat. Heat. 1309 01:23:34,320 --> 01:23:56,709 Hey, 1310 01:23:56,719 --> 01:24:02,070 good t-shirt. 1311 01:24:02,080 --> 01:26:43,669 Heat. Heat. 1312 01:26:43,679 --> 01:26:44,800 You want to make 1313 01:26:44,800 --> 01:26:47,280 resource 1314 01:26:47,280 --> 01:26:52,310 computer 1315 01:26:52,320 --> 01:26:53,600 when we 1316 01:26:53,600 --> 01:27:07,830 3,000 1317 01:27:07,840 --> 01:27:36,870 But Thank you. 1318 01:27:36,880 --> 01:28:15,350 Heat. Heat. 1319 01:28:15,360 --> 01:28:28,149 Sorry. 1320 01:28:28,159 --> 01:28:57,750 Good morning. 1321 01:28:57,760 --> 01:29:05,990 Okay. 1322 01:29:06,000 --> 01:30:30,390 Heat. Heat. 1323 01:30:30,400 --> 01:30:41,430 Yeah. Heat. 1324 01:30:41,440 --> 01:31:17,189 Heat. 1325 01:31:17,199 --> 01:31:22,390 Okay, folks. 1326 01:31:22,400 --> 01:31:28,870 » We have our results. 1327 01:31:28,880 --> 01:31:30,719 Before I read the results, I just want 1328 01:31:30,719 --> 01:31:32,800 to give a shout out to Annette 1329 01:31:32,800 --> 01:31:42,870 Fitzgerald of the Story Road Bakery. 1330 01:31:42,880 --> 01:31:46,080 And she wants you to know that she does 1331 01:31:46,080 --> 01:31:50,080 not want to take any of this food home. 1332 01:31:50,080 --> 01:31:52,080 >> And in fact, she said she even has a 1333 01:31:52,080 --> 01:31:53,920 table full of seconds at home. So, if 1334 01:31:53,920 --> 01:31:55,840 you not only want to have take some on 1335 01:31:55,840 --> 01:31:59,440 your way out, but follow her home, 1336 01:31:59,440 --> 01:32:01,920 could be 1337 01:32:01,920 --> 01:32:05,360 um I I will also uh I'd just like to 1338 01:32:05,360 --> 01:32:08,320 point out that um I know that the uh 1339 01:32:08,320 --> 01:32:10,639 budget committee um and uh some other 1340 01:32:10,639 --> 01:32:12,000 folks, the solutions committee are 1341 01:32:12,000 --> 01:32:14,320 interested in um doing some lessons 1342 01:32:14,320 --> 01:32:18,239 learned um work. Uh uh so some follow-up 1343 01:32:18,239 --> 01:32:20,239 meetings um about this about this 1344 01:32:20,239 --> 01:32:22,400 process, how we can make things better, 1345 01:32:22,400 --> 01:32:24,080 clearer, more transparent for next year 1346 01:32:24,080 --> 01:32:25,920 and make every uh thing go more 1347 01:32:25,920 --> 01:32:28,400 smoothly. Um okay, so we have the 1348 01:32:28,400 --> 01:32:30,560 results that I just got handed by our 1349 01:32:30,560 --> 01:32:32,480 board of civil authority. The results 1350 01:32:32,480 --> 01:32:36,960 are yes to reconsider 40 votes, no to 1351 01:32:36,960 --> 01:32:41,120 not reconsider, 142 votes. So, article 1352 01:32:41,120 --> 01:32:45,040 one does not pass and that means that 1353 01:32:45,040 --> 01:32:48,400 you can go rake your lawn. 1354 01:32:48,400 --> 01:32:52,870 >> Motion to dismiss. 1355 01:32:52,880 --> 01:32:55,760 » Motion to motion to adjourn. Yes. 1356 01:32:55,760 --> 01:32:57,280 >> Second. All those in favor of 1357 01:32:57,280 --> 01:32:59,440 adjourning. 1358 01:32:59,440 --> 01:32:59,920 >> Thank you. 1359 01:32:59,920 --> 01:33:02,320 all for coming. Thank you. 1360 01:33:02,320 --> 01:33:10,629 Thank you. 1361 01:33:10,639 --> 01:33:14,120 guys.