1 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:27,760 So, it is uh Monday, August 31st, 2026. It is 6 pm. This is a special meeting of 2 00:00:25,279 --> 00:00:33,840 the Montgomery Select Board and Water Commission. Um, we'll call the meeting 3 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:37,760 to order. Um, first, uh, item of business as always is to review and make 4 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:42,960 any changes to the agenda. Do any board members have any, uh, additions or 5 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:46,719 deletions to the agenda? >> No, I don't have anything. 6 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:50,960 » No. >> All right. Uh, not hearing any additions 7 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:55,199 or deletions to the agenda, we'll move on to the approval of the August 21st 8 00:00:52,960 --> 00:01:00,960 special meeting minutes. Um, is there a motion to approve the 9 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:03,840 August 21st meet? Can we just Can we Can we Can we not talk? 10 00:01:03,359 --> 00:01:07,720 » Thank you. >> I make a motion to approve. 11 00:01:08,159 --> 00:01:12,159 » I'll second it. >> Okay. So, we have a motion from Dennis 12 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:15,760 to approve the August 21st meeting minutes as written. We have a second 13 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:18,920 from Mark. Is there any discussion on the minutes? 14 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,920 Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or raising your 15 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:32,079 hand. I >> I 16 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:37,119 » Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Motion 17 00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:40,720 carries and the minutes are approved. Um just as a point of information in case 18 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:45,920 folks didn't catch it, Daniel is on the Zoom tonight. So that was the eye from 19 00:01:43,759 --> 00:01:50,560 the computer. All right. Third item here is to review 20 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:54,000 uh a review and analysis of the latest complaints concerning violations of 21 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:59,680 state of Vermont open meeting law and municipal conflict of interest policy. 22 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:03,280 Um Chris was appointed the leazison to deal with these and [cough] so took 23 00:02:01,176 --> 00:02:09,280 [clears throat] it up to work through this new set. So I will turn it over to 24 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:15,599 Chris. Um I just want to verify with you Chris that in preparing this you worked 25 00:02:12,239 --> 00:02:18,720 independently uh of other board members. um and just put this together by 26 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:21,360 yourself. Correct. >> That's correct. 27 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:24,959 » All right, that's enough. >> All righty, 28 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:30,959 » Amy. It's not visitors. You'll have a chance to comment. 29 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:35,519 » Yeah, but really I must be honest. >> All right. Thank you, Amy. You'll have a 30 00:02:32,879 --> 00:02:37,856 chance to comment during public comment. Uh so, Chris, I'm going to turn this 31 00:02:36,879 --> 00:02:40,800 over to you at this point [clears throat] to work us through item 32 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:44,319 number four, item number three on the agenda. 33 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:49,840 » Okay. So, we have uh we have two complaints that we're addressing and 34 00:02:46,959 --> 00:02:52,720 I've prepared a report for each. Um, so I'm just going to go over the I'm going 35 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:56,239 to go over the report and then the board can discuss and decide whether they want 36 00:02:54,879 --> 00:02:58,319 to agree with the findings of the report. 37 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:00,959 » I don't mean to interrupt. >> Amy, you're going to have a chance to 38 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,640 comment during visitors. >> Copy of the agenda that I can have. 39 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:09,319 » A copy of the agenda. There might be one on the board outside. You can grab it if 40 00:03:06,239 --> 00:03:09,319 you want. 41 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:18,319 » Okay. So, we'll start with the August 23rd written complaint from Josh 42 00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:23,200 Howard. And that complaint contains two 43 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:28,239 allegations. The first one is uh pursuant to Vermont's open meeting law 1 44 00:03:25,519 --> 00:03:31,440 VSA 312, meeting minutes must serve as a true indication of all public business, 45 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:34,959 including a record of official documents received and any material public access 46 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:41,840 disruption. Sorry. 47 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:45,519 » The relevant law here is 1 VSA 312B1 and it requires that minutes shall be 48 00:03:43,519 --> 00:03:48,799 taken of all meetings of public bodies. The minutes shall cover all topics and 49 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:52,159 motions that arise at the meeting and give a true indication of the business 50 00:03:50,159 --> 00:03:57,200 of the meeting. Minutes shall include at least the following minimal information. 51 00:03:54,879 --> 00:04:01,360 All members of the public body present. All other active participants in the 52 00:03:58,879 --> 00:04:05,040 meeting. All motions, proposals, and resolutions made, offered, and 53 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:09,120 considered. and what disposition is made of same and the results of any votes 54 00:04:07,519 --> 00:04:14,640 with a record of the individual vote of each member if a roll call is taken. 55 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:18,160 1 VSA 312 sets a minimum standard of requirements for what must be included 56 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:21,680 in the meeting minutes. This standard does not include a list of documents 57 00:04:19,759 --> 00:04:24,560 received and it does not require written comments submitted by the public to be 58 00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:28,960 included in the minutes in their entirety. The standard also does not 59 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:34,720 specifically include public access disruptions. In this instance, the 60 00:04:31,759 --> 00:04:41,199 reference document was was included in the August 21st select board minutes and 61 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:46,520 it's in the minutes pages 13 through 15. The recommendation is that no violation 62 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:46,520 occurred. 63 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:53,360 The second allegation is that the town's interactive public Zoom link failed to 64 00:04:51,759 --> 00:04:56,960 function, completely blocking remote citizen participation. 65 00:04:55,440 --> 00:05:00,960 This represents the second meeting where this spec specific technological failure 66 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:04,000 has occurred. The select board has long-standing firsthand knowledge of the 67 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:07,039 systemic defect as members of the select board personally tried to open the 68 00:05:05,199 --> 00:05:10,800 broken link a few weeks ago live during a public meeting. Because the board 69 00:05:09,199 --> 00:05:14,000 possessed clear advanced notice that remote public access was non-functional 70 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:17,120 and failed to correct it, proceeding with official board deliberations 71 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:23,840 constitutes a distinct and actionable open meeting law violation. 72 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:27,680 In the 7 in the 7:20 uh July 20th select board meeting, Josh commented that the 73 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:31,680 Zoom link was not working and that's on the meeting recording starting at 9:07. 74 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:34,880 Several people in the room tried the link and the consensus seemed to be that 75 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:39,360 the link was not clickable on some phones, but copy pasting the link 76 00:05:36,479 --> 00:05:42,880 worked. The meeting agenda for the August 21st select board meeting 77 00:05:41,039 --> 00:05:48,000 included a Zoom link as well as a Zoom meeting ID and passcode. Three members 78 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:52,720 of the public, John Chamberlain, Alyssa Hardy, and Brent Goden, participated in 79 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:55,840 the August 21st meeting via Zoom. They were offered an opportunity to make 80 00:05:53,919 --> 00:06:00,240 public comment, and that's on the meeting recording starting at 1:2428. 81 00:05:58,639 --> 00:06:02,880 All three participants responded when their names were called, mostly stating 82 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:07,680 that they did not have any comments to add. 83 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:11,680 Also at 5:01 p.m. on August 21st, a community member posted on the McGomery 84 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:14,479 area ver Montgomery Vermont area community forum Facebook group 85 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:18,160 encouraging people to join the select board meeting via Zoom. The post 86 00:06:16,479 --> 00:06:22,160 included an incorrect link to the Zoom meeting. 87 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:26,319 » Can you slow down a little bit? >> Sure. 88 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:31,520 Relevant law 1VSA 312A3 89 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:36,080 requires state level public bodies to hold all special and regular meetings in 90 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:41,600 a hybrid fashion. This requirement does not apply to local bodies such as the 91 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:45,199 Montgomery Select Board. Local public bodies are required to 92 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:49,759 provide electronic access to a meeting if they receive a written request for 93 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:53,280 access. The Vermont Secretary of State provides 94 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:56,639 an open meeting training video and there's a link to it in the report that 95 00:06:55,199 --> 00:06:59,639 provides more information about these requirements. 96 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:06,560 The select board is not required by one VSA 312 to hold meetings in a hybrid 97 00:07:04,639 --> 00:07:10,880 format unless a written request for electronic access to that specific 98 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:16,000 meeting has been received. No such request was received for the August 21st 99 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:19,360 meeting. Nevertheless, the August 21st Select Board meeting was held as a 100 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:23,280 hybrid meeting. Three members of the public participated in the meeting 101 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:26,720 remotely via Zoom. Many factors can cause someone to have 102 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:29,919 trouble connecting to a Zoom meeting. These factors can include internet 103 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:34,400 connection issues, problems with the Zoom app, or user error. The select 104 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:38,479 board has no control over any of these factors. 105 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:42,000 In the July 20th meeting, Josh reported difficulty clicking on the Zoom link. 106 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:45,360 Several people in the room tried the link and the consensus seemed to be that 107 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:50,639 the link was not clickable on some phones but copyping the link worked. The 108 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:55,520 URL for the Zoom link is generated by Zoom. Zoom support provides some 109 00:07:53,039 --> 00:07:59,039 troubleshooting steps to follow when having trouble connecting to a meeting 110 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:03,840 which include manually entering the meeting ID and passcode. 111 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:07,440 The Vermont the Montgomery Vermont area community forum Facebook post that 112 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:10,400 contained an incorrect link may have also contributed to some members of the 113 00:08:09,039 --> 00:08:14,160 public having trouble connecting to the August 21st Zoom meeting. The select 114 00:08:12,639 --> 00:08:18,879 board has no control over the Facebook group or the account that posted the 115 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:22,440 incorrect link. Recommendation, no violation of 116 00:08:33,519 --> 00:08:42,320 And then um the motion >> the motion that we should make would be 117 00:08:39,839 --> 00:08:44,800 » if we make I'll make a motion to accept. >> Okay. I had can 118 00:08:43,839 --> 00:08:50,399 » both. >> Okay. And uh the the wording um of the 119 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:53,519 motion should be after reviewing the facts and applying the law as described 120 00:08:51,839 --> 00:08:57,440 in the report. I move that the select board find that no violation occurred 121 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,760 and that no cure is necessary and that a copy of the report be attached to the 122 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:04,160 minutes of this meeting. >> Yeah, 123 00:09:01,519 --> 00:09:10,600 » that's that's the motion. >> Uh so we have a motion from Mark. 124 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,600 Is there a second? 125 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:20,880 Second. We have a motion made and seconded. Is 126 00:09:15,519 --> 00:09:24,800 there any discussion? So um I've zoomed on twice. having an issue. 127 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:29,519 So are there and this is this is just a 128 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:32,240 question that probably might not be able to be answered but the people that are 129 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:36,720 having problems is it consistently the same people is it they can get on one 130 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:39,920 time and on another time I I mean I'm not something that we're going to be 131 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:48,320 able to solve the problem now but um is this a an action to I mean because 132 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:53,600 it is a hybrid form or um maybe in good faith are we I mean is this a contacting 133 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:58,720 Zoom or is this more were you looking this specific at a user error? 134 00:09:55,760 --> 00:10:03,120 » Well, I think probably I think what I think the issue probably is is that when 135 00:10:01,519 --> 00:10:06,880 you click on the link, what what happens when you click on the link depends on 136 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:10,480 what app you're using to display the document. So, that may be different if 137 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:16,079 you're on a if you're on a computer versus a phone and the uh the agenda 138 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:20,959 goes out as a PDF document. So depending on what PDF viewer you're using, it may 139 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:26,560 behave differently and I think that's probably what's causing the issue. 140 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:31,680 » Is this just for you guys right now? >> What I want to know. 141 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:37,519 » So is when when we when we post this um on the website, can they click directly 142 00:10:34,079 --> 00:10:42,399 from the website with the link? >> Yeah. So, when you if you go to the 143 00:10:39,279 --> 00:10:45,839 website and you look up the the agenda on the drop-own menu, there's two 144 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:50,000 options. You can download it or you can preview it. If you download it, you'll 145 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:56,800 download the full PDF. If you preview it, the PDF will pop up in a window. Um, 146 00:10:53,519 --> 00:11:00,399 and in that window, if the PDF is in the right format, the link is live. That's 147 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:07,600 what I used to get that computer on there. Um there was one posting of the 148 00:11:02,959 --> 00:11:13,839 agenda where somehow when the um when the PDF was transmitted to Liz or when 149 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:18,560 Liz posted it, the link was a dead link. It like didn't go anywhere. Um and we 150 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:21,760 didn't realize it until that meeting. That was when the the link was grayed 151 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:25,200 out. It wasn't blue. >> Um I think we resolved that in terms of 152 00:11:23,680 --> 00:11:28,240 how things are set and how it gets posted. But I have been checking that 153 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:35,680 when it gets posted to make sure that the link is live. So now that we're we 154 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:42,959 offer a hybrid function for people um is there something that we can do um before 155 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:47,360 the meeting starts that we're ensuring that the link is is viable or I mean and 156 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:52,079 and I'm not saying it's possible. I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm just 157 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:55,839 saying that to appease or to help um the people or the people. I mean I like I 158 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:59,279 said I've done it twice. I haven't had an issue. I've done it on my computer. I 159 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:02,640 haven't done it on my phone. Um, but I just I mean obviously I know an Android 160 00:12:01,279 --> 00:12:06,320 and Apple have a different operating system and the computer has a different 161 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:09,680 operating system whether it's an a Mac or a 162 00:12:07,519 --> 00:12:14,480 » a regular computer. So um just saying that is there um you know when we when 163 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:19,680 we pose this are we making sure I mean obviously it's a Zoom thing right this 164 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:21,839 not we we they generates the link Zoom generates the link we don't generate the 165 00:12:20,959 --> 00:12:25,600 link >> and that link is generated and from what 166 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:30,079 you said when it's blue it means it's live I think that's the 167 00:12:27,839 --> 00:12:33,920 » that's my non-technical way of phrasing that but 168 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:37,360 » and I would say the other thing that we could do is just make sure that people 169 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:40,800 know that if the link doesn't work they can you can go on Zoom, you can go to 170 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:44,399 the Zoom website and you can click join a meeting and you can type in the 171 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:49,760 meeting ID and passcode. >> Okay. 172 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:55,680 » One thing I don't want to make a I do not want to make a friendly amendment um 173 00:12:52,160 --> 00:13:00,240 to to what was motioned, but something that my takeaway on this is that there 174 00:12:57,839 --> 00:13:06,240 is a concern about the Zoom and accessibility. Um, I what I'd like to 175 00:13:03,519 --> 00:13:10,639 do, you know, is with the board's kind of agreement, if you will, I think it 176 00:13:08,959 --> 00:13:15,200 might be helpful if I could uh go into the town office, maybe talk to Liz um 177 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:18,639 and and better understand like what all of these processes are because I think 178 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:22,240 we've been doing it the same way for a really long time. And as far as I know, 179 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:26,480 it works, but some people have had issues. Uh, I wonder if there's um if it 180 00:13:25,279 --> 00:13:29,600 might be helpful for me to just go through and see if there are any 181 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:33,120 accessibility improvements or recommendations that I can make like how 182 00:13:31,519 --> 00:13:37,040 links are posted, how meetings are posted. Um, looking at the user 183 00:13:34,959 --> 00:13:41,440 friendliness of the website, just maybe try to have a a comprehensive look at it 184 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:45,279 and maybe solicit input from the community if they have, you know, 185 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:49,040 requests something that might make it easier or make this hybrid system work 186 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:52,320 better for them. understanding that none of this is a promise that anything will 187 00:13:50,639 --> 00:13:56,240 change, but just to see if there are improvements that we can do without 188 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:59,959 detracting from, you know, the the requirements of the meeting. 189 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:08,079 » Sure, Daniel. Yeah, by all means, if you want to dig [snorts] into it. 190 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:11,760 » Yeah, I would I would say I think uh looking at the the usability of our 191 00:14:09,680 --> 00:14:15,839 website and those processes is a great idea. Um, in terms of the actual Zoom 192 00:14:14,399 --> 00:14:19,760 link, I don't think it's going to make much difference because a Zoom link is 193 00:14:17,279 --> 00:14:23,760 just the address of a web page. And so, it's either clickable or it's not. I 194 00:14:22,399 --> 00:14:27,440 mean, it's either it's either in the document as a link or it's in there as 195 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:34,240 text >> and it's probably I think probably most 196 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:38,959 of the issues are maybe specific to a particular platform like particular, you 197 00:14:36,639 --> 00:14:44,720 know, phone configuration in PDF viewer that's causing the link not to 198 00:14:42,079 --> 00:14:49,360 not to be active >> because it is active on when you open it 199 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:52,360 from a computer. It is active and it works. 200 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:57,560 » All right. Any other discussion on the motion? 201 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:04,880 » Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or raising your 202 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:11,639 hand. I >> Any opposed? 203 00:15:06,959 --> 00:15:11,639 Any abstensions? I will abstain. 204 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:21,519 Uh, the motion carries. Chris, back to you. 205 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:26,800 » Okay, so the second complaint is an August 21st complaint from Carrie 206 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:33,040 Quinton and it has several allegations. Uh, 207 00:15:29,279 --> 00:15:38,720 allegation one is that Charlie's 33125 email violated open meeting law. This is 208 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:44,160 the wastewater email. Um, and this uh was actually I think maybe the complaint 209 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:50,720 was written before um the result of our last meeting, but this uh open meeting 210 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:54,320 law question was covered in last week's report. 211 00:15:52,639 --> 00:16:03,440 » Um, and the uh complaint says that um that 212 00:16:00,639 --> 00:16:08,560 it that the email constitutes a meeting under one VSA 312 and it is possible 213 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:13,360 for emails to constitute a meeting under 1 VSA 312. But in this case, Charlie's 214 00:16:11,839 --> 00:16:16,399 email does not meet the definition of a meeting because it did not discuss 215 00:16:14,639 --> 00:16:21,120 business of the select board. It discussed a public election. 216 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:25,519 So the recommendation there is that no violation occurred. 217 00:16:23,519 --> 00:16:31,759 The second allegation is that Charlie's 218 00:16:28,639 --> 00:16:37,199 33125 email violated the public records act 219 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:41,759 one v one VSA 316. Charlie's 220 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:46,800 email was released in response to a July 27th public records request from Carrie 221 00:16:44,079 --> 00:16:52,079 Quinton. And the email is attached to the minutes of the August 3rd McGomery 222 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:57,440 Select Board meeting. And the email includes and the the response to the 223 00:16:54,800 --> 00:17:06,480 public records request includes the list of BCC recipients. 224 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:14,799 So the um the al the allegation here was that the use of the BCC function was 225 00:17:11,439 --> 00:17:18,240 a violation of the public records act. >> Are you going through the first letter 226 00:17:17,039 --> 00:17:23,919 or are you going through the one that I gave you recently? 227 00:17:20,079 --> 00:17:28,000 I'm going through I'm going through the um I'm going through your 228 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:33,919 » the stuff that you submitted that was that was in the um minutes of the last 229 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:37,919 meeting >> that you submitted on August 21st. 230 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:43,120 » Okay. Thank you. >> The other the other email that you sent 231 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:45,280 um was a list of questions and it did not appear to be a complaint. It was 232 00:17:44,559 --> 00:17:49,280 just a list of questions. >> Exactly. I was like wait. 233 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:55,760 » Yeah. So I'm not going through that. All right. Um, so the BCC function is 234 00:17:53,120 --> 00:17:59,280 commonly used when sending a mass email in order to avoid sharing the email 235 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:04,000 addresses of each recipient with all the other recipients. The email was released 236 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:09,039 in response to a public records request on July 27th. The response to the public 237 00:18:06,559 --> 00:18:14,880 records request included the list of BCC recipients. 238 00:18:10,799 --> 00:18:19,760 Recommendation, no violation occurred. >> I just added all this to add to your 239 00:18:16,799 --> 00:18:19,760 meeting. It wasn't 240 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:28,160 We'll have chance for public comment when we get to public comment. We're 241 00:18:26,559 --> 00:18:34,320 going to let Chris continue. We're going to let Chris continue with his report. 242 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:40,000 » Allegation three, Charlie's 33125 email constituted abuse of town resources and 243 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:44,160 impermissable impermissible electioning. The email was sent from mcgomery 244 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:48,960 selectboard.charie@gmail.com. A free Gmail account created by Charlie. 245 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:54,480 The email did not use any non-public or confidential town information. No town 246 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:59,280 resources were used to send the email. The relevant law here uh is the 247 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:04,953 municipal code of ethics uh misuse of position, misuse of information, and 248 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:07,200 misuse of government resources. >> [snorts] 249 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:10,480 » A common thread running through the recent complaints seems to be the 250 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:14,799 misconception that select board members must remain neutral or impartial on 251 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:19,120 public policy questions and that it is somehow improper for them to advocate 252 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:23,840 for a policy position. This is not the case. Select board 253 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:28,400 members are elected officials and it is entirely acceptable for them to hold and 254 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:32,080 advocate for policy positions. see the report on investigation into 255 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:39,760 ethics and OML complaints which is the report from last week's meeting. 256 00:19:35,919 --> 00:19:44,880 The 2022 article ask do select persons have to be impartial by VLCT municipal 257 00:19:43,039 --> 00:19:48,640 assistance center attorney Garrett Baxter also explains this common 258 00:19:46,799 --> 00:19:52,640 misconception. Do select persons have to be impartial? 259 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:55,760 And this is this is a quote from the article. Do select persons have to be 260 00:19:54,559 --> 00:20:01,520 impartial? >> Not always. one article, correct? 261 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:07,280 » It's from uh Vermont League of Cities and Towns Municipal Assistance Center. 262 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:10,559 And there's a uh there's a link to it in the in this report. There's a link to 263 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,520 the folder. >> So, where do I find that report though? 264 00:20:12,799 --> 00:20:16,640 » It'll be >> Will it be posted? 265 00:20:15,039 --> 00:20:18,960 » It'll be posted to the minutes. >> Yeah. 266 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:24,559 » Okay. >> Do select persons have to be impartial? 267 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:28,799 Not always. It depends on the context. Like all other elected officials at the 268 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:32,799 local, state, or federal level, select persons are first and foremost 269 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:37,679 politicians. Politicking involves finding common ground where it exists, 270 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:43,440 engaging in horse trading, advocating for or against people, projects, and 271 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:46,960 positions, and sometimes taking sides. There's a widespread misconception in 272 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:50,880 local government that a select board must be impartial in all matters that 273 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:56,080 come before it. This is simply not the case. Context is key. 274 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:59,520 Many people run for office because of something they want to accomplish or 275 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:03,520 because of a particular issue that sparked their spirit of civic 276 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:06,799 engagement. Publicly taking a position on an issue will generally not 277 00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:12,320 disqualify a select person from participating in a legislative 278 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:17,120 rulemaking or executive administrative context so long as some unique benefit 279 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:20,480 is not conferred upon them that is not afforded to the rest of the general 280 00:21:18,799 --> 00:21:25,520 public. Bias, a preference or inclination that 281 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:30,240 inhibits impartial judgment, typically only becomes a disqualifying factor when 282 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:35,520 a select person acts in a quasi judicial context, i.e. when it is acting like a 283 00:21:32,799 --> 00:21:39,600 court. Examples of when a select board serves in this role include when it's 284 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:42,640 hearing a dog bite complaint or when it's sitting in judgment of a tax appeal 285 00:21:41,360 --> 00:21:45,640 as a member of the board of civil authority. 286 00:21:46,159 --> 00:21:51,919 The email did not use any non-public or confidential town information. 287 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:56,640 Therefore, there was no violation of 24 VSA 1993D. 288 00:21:54,720 --> 00:22:01,360 It did not use any town resources. Therefore, there was no violation of 24 289 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:04,480 VSA 1993E. The email provided no personal or 290 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:11,120 financial benefit for Charlie. Therefore, there was no violation of 24 291 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:14,120 VSA 1993 C. Recommendation, no violation occurred. 292 00:22:14,559 --> 00:22:22,880 Allegation four, the August 17th special town meeting violated 1 VSA 312, which 293 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:27,400 states the public must be able to hear the conduct of the meeting and be heard 294 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,400 throughout 295 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:38,880 Vermont opening law 1 VSA 310 item item five defines the term meeting 296 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:43,280 and 5E explicitly excludes special town meetings. 5E says meeting does not mean 297 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:46,640 a gathering of the voters at a municipality for the purposes of 298 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:50,200 conducting an annual or special municipal meeting. 299 00:22:51,919 --> 00:22:59,280 the cited section of 1vsa 312 to be able to hear the conduct of the meeting and 300 00:22:56,880 --> 00:23:07,360 be heard throughout the meeting which is from 1vsa 312 part u section a part c2 301 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:13,679 applies to meetings where a member of the body is attending remotely even if 1 302 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:17,280 vsa 312 did apply to the special town meeting town meetings do not allow 303 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:21,360 remote participation so this section would not apply 304 00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:25,080 recommendation No violation occurred. 305 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:33,679 Allegation five, the August 17th special town meeting 306 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:37,440 should be invalidated based on Charlie's conflict of interest, his failure to 307 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:42,400 abstain, and failure to provide a legally audible forum. Charlie must 308 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:46,720 abstain from participating in or presiding over any and all citizen 309 00:23:44,799 --> 00:23:52,400 petitions or special meetings in the future. 310 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:56,159 So, facts. On June 15th, 2026, the select board adopted the short-term 311 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:59,360 rental ordinance. On July 6th, the select board received a petition seeking 312 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:04,720 a special meeting to disapprove the ordinance. On July 13th, the select 313 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:08,640 board warned the August 17th special meeting to act on the following article 314 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:11,919 of business. Shall the town of Montgomery disapprove the short-term 315 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:17,200 rental ordinance adopted by the select board on June 15, 2026, thereby 316 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:22,880 rendering said ordinance null, void, and of no legal effect via petition 24VSA 317 00:24:20,799 --> 00:24:26,880 1973. The special town meeting was held on 318 00:24:24,559 --> 00:24:31,919 August 17th and was presided over by Jacob Rekusen, the moderator elected by 319 00:24:29,039 --> 00:24:35,679 the town. The audience microphones were not working during the first part of the 320 00:24:33,360 --> 00:24:38,480 meeting. The moderator encouraged everyone to speak loudly or come to the 321 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:42,559 front of the room and use the moderator's microphone if needed and 322 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:46,640 offered to repeat questions or comments as needed so that everyone could hear. 323 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:53,360 The microphone issue was fixed during the meeting. 324 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:58,320 Relevant law 17 VSA sections 2640 through 2667 325 00:24:55,200 --> 00:25:04,240 regulate the conduct of town meetings. 17 VSA 2641 requires that a town meeting 326 00:25:01,679 --> 00:25:11,600 be warned not less than 30 nor more than 40 days before the meeting. 327 00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:16,240 17 VSA 2666 requires that neither the warning, the notice, the official voter 328 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:20,960 information cards, nor the ballot itself shall include any opinion or comment by 329 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:27,440 any town body or officer or other person on the matter to be voted on. 330 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:31,200 17 VSA 2667 requires that the legislative body of the municipality 331 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:34,880 shall take reasonable measures to ensure that voters who are elders or have a 332 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:38,960 disability may conveniently attend annual or special meetings, provided, 333 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:43,120 however, that such measures need not be taken if doing so would impose undue 334 00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:46,799 hardship on the town. Measures may include location of meetings on the 335 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:50,320 ground floor of buildings or providing ramps or other devices for access to 336 00:25:48,799 --> 00:25:54,320 meetings. 24 VSA1973 337 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:58,320 allows voters to petition to disapprove an ordinance by submitting a petition 338 00:25:56,480 --> 00:26:03,520 signed by at least 5% of the voters within 44 days of the adoption of the 339 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:07,520 ordinance. 24VSA1973 then requires the select board to call a 340 00:26:05,360 --> 00:26:12,400 special meeting within 60 days from the date of the receipt of the petition. 341 00:26:10,799 --> 00:26:16,159 The select board received petition calling for a vote to disapprove the 342 00:26:13,919 --> 00:26:20,799 short-term rental ordinance. The select board warned the meeting as required by 343 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:26,720 17 VSA 2641. The warned article warned article did 344 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:33,120 not contain any opinion or comment. So there was no violation of 17 VSA 2666. 345 00:26:31,279 --> 00:26:37,120 This is the only action the select board takes with respect to a petition. The 346 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:43,200 question then goes to the voters of the town at the special town meeting. 347 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:46,960 17 VSA 2667 requires reasonable measures to ensure 348 00:26:45,279 --> 00:26:52,080 that voters who are elders or have a disability may conveniently attend 349 00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:56,240 unless doing so causes undue hardship. The town hall where the special meeting 350 00:26:53,760 --> 00:27:00,000 was held has ramps and an elevator to ensure wheelchair accessibility. There 351 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:04,080 is no specific requirement that microphones be provided. 352 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:08,080 The audience microphones were not working at the beginning of the meeting. 353 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:11,679 The moderator made reasonable efforts to ensure that everyone could hear the 354 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:15,440 proceedings. He encouraged everyone to speak loudly or come to the front of the 355 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:19,360 room and use the moderator's microphone if needed and offered to repeat 356 00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:22,919 questions or comments as needed so that everyone could hear. 357 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:29,600 The complaint also claims that Charlie has a conflict of interest, but does not 358 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:33,760 identify a specific conflict. This conflict of interest claim has already 359 00:27:31,360 --> 00:27:37,840 been addressed in the report from last week. 360 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:42,320 Charlie's affiliations with VLCT, Vermont Land Trust, Working Lands 361 00:27:39,679 --> 00:27:46,720 Enterprise Board, etc. do not create a conflict. Not because these are 362 00:27:44,559 --> 00:27:51,600 reputable organizations whose missions benefit Vermont communities, but because 363 00:27:49,279 --> 00:27:55,919 none of these organizations have any stake in the outcome of Montgomery's 364 00:27:53,679 --> 00:27:59,679 wastewater project or short-term rental ordinance. 365 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:04,000 A conflict of interest does not exist in a vacuum. It must be tied to a 366 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:07,600 particular issue. In order for one of Charlie's 367 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:11,840 affiliations to cause a conflict on a particular issue, there would need to be 368 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:16,880 evidence that Charlie through his affiliation with the organization stands 369 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:21,360 to gain or lose something based on the outcome of the select board decision. 370 00:28:19,360 --> 00:28:25,039 The complaint does not identify which organization is involved or what 371 00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:29,279 interest that organization might have in the wastewater or short-term rental 372 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:33,840 issues. The complaint also claims that Charlie 373 00:28:31,679 --> 00:28:39,360 was not impartial. There is no requirement that select board members be 374 00:28:35,679 --> 00:28:43,520 impartial on questions of public policy. The job of the select board is to 375 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:47,520 supervise the affairs of the town 24 VSA872. 376 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:51,360 When a proposal such as the wastewater project or short-term rental ordinance 377 00:28:49,679 --> 00:28:55,600 comes before the select board, each select board member studies the issue, 378 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:59,200 asks questions, listens to public comment on the issue, and discusses the 379 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:03,440 issue with other members in open meetings. Each member forms their own 380 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:07,679 opinion as to whether they are in favor or opposed to the measure at issue. 381 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:13,440 Having an opinion on a public policy issue is not evidence of a conflict. In 382 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:17,600 many cases, as in the case of the short-term rental ordinance, petitions 383 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:22,080 are brought for the purpose of reversing or undoing an action taken by the select 384 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:25,919 board. Therefore, it should not be surprising for a select board member to 385 00:29:24,159 --> 00:29:30,240 be opposed to an article that is brought by petition. The fact that a select 386 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:34,480 board member disagrees with the petitioner's policy position does not 387 00:29:32,799 --> 00:29:39,600 indicate that there must be some hidden conflict of interest. 388 00:29:37,679 --> 00:29:43,120 At the town meeting, voters ask questions, share their opinions, and 389 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:47,919 hear perspectives from both sides of the issue, and the voters make a decision. 390 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:52,399 There is no requirement that select board members remain silent during this 391 00:29:49,679 --> 00:29:56,399 process. As the elected representatives of the voters, it is entirely 392 00:29:54,399 --> 00:30:01,760 appropriate for select board members to explain the select board's actions and 393 00:29:58,559 --> 00:30:05,679 the reasoning behind them to the voters. The special town meeting is not a select 394 00:30:03,919 --> 00:30:09,600 board meeting. It is a meeting of the voters of the town of Montgomery. 395 00:30:07,919 --> 00:30:13,520 Charlie did not preside over the meeting. The presiding officer of the 396 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:18,080 meeting was Jacob Racusen, the moderator elected by the town. Charlie's actions 397 00:30:16,159 --> 00:30:22,559 during the special town meeting included participating in floor debate when 398 00:30:19,679 --> 00:30:27,360 recognized by the moderator and voting. These are actions that are available to 399 00:30:24,399 --> 00:30:30,399 every voter at the meeting. Recommendation. 400 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:34,559 The petition to disapprove the short-term rental ordinance was handled 401 00:30:32,159 --> 00:30:39,200 properly by the select board. There is no cause to invalidate the result of the 402 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:43,120 August 17th special town meeting. Charlie has no obligation to abstain 403 00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:47,320 from future special meetings or select board action on voter petitions. 404 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:52,799 » I'll make a motion. >> Okay. 405 00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:54,480 » Did you have >> same motion as before? 406 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:57,919 » Yeah. >> After reviewing the facts and applying 407 00:30:55,919 --> 00:31:01,200 the law as described in the report, >> I move that the select board find that 408 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:04,000 no violation occurred and that no cure is necessary and that a copy of the 409 00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:07,440 report be attached to the minutes of this. 410 00:31:04,559 --> 00:31:10,799 » Yeah, that's the motion. We have a motion from Mark. Is there a 411 00:31:09,279 --> 00:31:14,080 second? >> Second. 412 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:17,799 » Thank you, Dennis. Is there any discussion on the motion? 413 00:31:19,760 --> 00:31:24,000 Not hearing any. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or raising 414 00:31:23,039 --> 00:31:27,440 your hand. >> I. 415 00:31:25,279 --> 00:31:33,039 » Any opposed? Any abstensions? I will abstain. And the 416 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:38,480 motion carries. That brings us through item three. 417 00:31:35,039 --> 00:31:42,960 Uh moving on to item four. So this is um board process for receiving written 418 00:31:40,159 --> 00:31:47,519 comments and communications. Um so I'm looking for guidance from the board on 419 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:53,200 this. We only started accepting written comments back in July. Um 420 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:57,840 since then given the volume and timing of the material that we've received um 421 00:31:55,679 --> 00:32:03,200 you know the minutes from August 3rd were 24 pages long. The minutes from 422 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:07,760 August 21st were 19 19 pages long. for the comments. Um, timing wise, we 423 00:32:05,679 --> 00:32:12,240 sometimes get stuff given to us at the meetings, stuff comes in the Monday 424 00:32:09,919 --> 00:32:16,799 following. We also get stuff submitted Thursday with a request to put them on 425 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:22,000 the following minutes. So, so timing is kind of unclear. Um, and there's also 426 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:25,679 some questions about the content. Um, specifically, if we receive written 427 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:31,360 comments that include profanity, how do we handle that? Um, and so, uh, I'm 428 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:36,320 looking for some guidance from the board as to how to handle written 429 00:32:34,559 --> 00:32:40,080 communications or written comments the board receives. Again, when we started 430 00:32:38,559 --> 00:32:46,480 receiving them and recording them in July, I did that on my own. I didn't ask 431 00:32:43,039 --> 00:32:51,840 the board. I just said, "Sure." Um, but now I am looking for the board to 432 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:56,480 provide some guidance on how we how we handle this. Um, again just given the 433 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:59,679 volume, the timing, the content, and then the physical requirements of having 434 00:32:58,159 --> 00:33:03,279 to actually record all this stuff on archival paper. 435 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:07,679 » Is there any um guidance from like the state of how to handle 436 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:12,720 » So according to state law, the minutes cover uh basically just three things. 437 00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:17,120 Who was there, the motions that were made, and then the result of any votes. 438 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:21,760 Um, so the requirements for the minutes in one VSA 312 are are limited. It's who 439 00:33:20,080 --> 00:33:26,600 was there, motions, proposals, resolutions made, and the outcome of the 440 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:26,600 votes, 441 00:33:28,559 --> 00:33:33,200 » but there's nothing anywhere saying when you do get a written request, what you 442 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:37,600 have to do. >> No, there isn't. Uh, the towns handle 443 00:33:35,200 --> 00:33:41,200 this differently. Um, there are towns that have uh written board policies, 444 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:46,080 which we've talked about in the past, that talk about uh taking written 445 00:33:44,399 --> 00:33:52,080 communications and putting them in a file. It's available on public record. 446 00:33:48,559 --> 00:33:55,200 Um, I haven't found any board or city council that actually accepts written 447 00:33:53,919 --> 00:33:59,919 comments and records them with the meeting minutes. Um, 448 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:03,919 but there's no there's no formal guidance other than that. Um, if you 449 00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:08,800 read things that are out there about minutes, um, some of the stuff that 450 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:12,079 you'll find it is statements like the minutes exist to record the board's 451 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:17,119 business. It's not a forum for public discussion. Um, but there's no other 452 00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:20,960 guidance beyond what's in state law from the state. 453 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:25,520 What was it about the profanity? >> Uh my question related to profanity was 454 00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:30,240 what do you do if there's profanity in written comments? Um I don't feel 455 00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:36,159 comfortable censoring someone's written comments or editing them. Um, 456 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:40,639 » well, because >> um, so, uh, 457 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:43,359 » board members, >> if you can't be quiet and act 458 00:34:42,560 --> 00:34:46,320 respectfully, >> I asked you because sometimes 459 00:34:45,040 --> 00:34:50,240 » you'll get a chance during public comment to talk. So, when you're 460 00:34:48,240 --> 00:34:53,679 recognized, you'll have a chance. Thank you, Amy. 461 00:34:51,839 --> 00:34:57,839 » And, she just turned around and told me. >> Thank you, Amy. Okay, let's all try to 462 00:34:55,679 --> 00:35:02,800 behave like third graders and kind of keep their hands to oursel and stay 463 00:34:59,599 --> 00:35:06,720 quiet and and not be mean to other people. We're just going to, you know, 464 00:35:04,720 --> 00:35:10,800 be ourselves. So, >> all right, board members, 465 00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:17,359 what do you want to do with written communications that are received either 466 00:35:14,240 --> 00:35:23,040 at a meeting or between minute meetings? H how do you want to handle this? 467 00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:27,839 So, have we always accepted written? 468 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:32,560 » No, we we only started really doing it back in July. It was at the request of a 469 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:35,440 member of the community that didn't feel comfortable speaking publicly and I 470 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:37,520 said, "Just give me your comments and I'll record them with the meeting 471 00:35:36,480 --> 00:35:42,160 minutes." >> Um, 472 00:35:39,359 --> 00:35:47,680 following that seemed to kind of >> open the floodgates to that. Um, and so 473 00:35:45,599 --> 00:35:51,440 again, given the timing, the volume, the content, 474 00:35:49,359 --> 00:35:57,119 » I'd like to figure out something that, you know, we can do to receive these, 475 00:35:54,720 --> 00:36:01,359 um, but also make the minutes manageable and, you know, in the in the format 476 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:04,680 that's appropriate given what they're there to do. 477 00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:15,680 » Yeah. I I feel like the minutes aren't really the right place for those. I 478 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:20,720 wouldn't be opposed to posting them somewhere else 479 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:24,320 if there if there's another place to do that. 480 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:26,960 » So like you mean physically post a copy? >> Well, I was thinking on the website is 481 00:36:25,599 --> 00:36:31,680 what I was thinking. But >> yeah, my only concern with that is that 482 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:36,720 then we end up with a part of our website that really looks a lot like a 483 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:40,400 comment section on the Facebook post. Um, and we all know what happens in the 484 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:44,000 comment section of the Facebook posts. >> That's a that's a good point. And then 485 00:36:41,680 --> 00:36:48,400 it it becomes an there's an onus on the board to either moderate that or respond 486 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:55,920 to it which kind of creates a separate dialogue from what's happening. 487 00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:59,520 I mean I'll offer that the and I have not done an exhaustive survey of other 488 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:02,640 boards policies but the policies that I have looked up the ones that I have read 489 00:37:01,680 --> 00:37:08,320 that have policies [clears throat] related to this seem to say that they 490 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:11,920 accept the comment. um they'll record it received and they'll keep it on a file 491 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:16,480 that's available for public inspection. Um they don't record it with the 492 00:37:13,599 --> 00:37:22,480 minutes. If it is a comment that gets at a specific policy um such as conflict of 493 00:37:20,079 --> 00:37:27,119 interest policy, complaint policy, dog policy, then that policy governs what 494 00:37:24,960 --> 00:37:30,119 happens with uh the comments beyond that. 495 00:37:37,119 --> 00:37:43,119 There's there's kind of a distinction between maybe there's a distinction also 496 00:37:40,720 --> 00:37:48,400 between a comment and versus a versus a written complaint because complaints 497 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:52,640 would ideally have a policy for how to handle those depending on what type of 498 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:56,880 complaint. So in the case of that if a complaint 499 00:37:54,640 --> 00:38:02,480 was received in writing at a meeting it would be taken stamped as received filed 500 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:05,359 and then the complaint policy would govern the next steps associated with 501 00:38:04,480 --> 00:38:10,800 that >> similar to if a written complaint about 502 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:16,240 a dog was handed to us. Um if it was just written comment related to 503 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:20,640 someone's opinion on the color of the new trucks uh that would be stamped as 504 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:24,240 received and it would go into the file and retained. uh that's available for 505 00:38:22,880 --> 00:38:30,200 public inspection, but it would not get posted with the minutes or anything 506 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:30,200 happen beyond right. 507 00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:40,320 » So, we're talking about people are just writing an opinion that can't be here. 508 00:38:37,359 --> 00:38:44,480 Is that or because they don't? >> So, what we're getting now is we're 509 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:48,800 getting things handed to us at meetings. We're getting communications emailed to 510 00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:52,880 us before and after meetings with requests that they be recorded with the 511 00:38:50,480 --> 00:38:56,400 minutes. [snorts] Um, we're getting stuff all sorts of ways 512 00:38:54,560 --> 00:38:59,760 » and the the law states that we're not required 513 00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:03,760 to >> one VSA 312 simply states that the 514 00:39:02,079 --> 00:39:08,160 minutes cover who was there, the motions, proposals, resolutions made, 515 00:39:05,359 --> 00:39:12,640 and the result of the votes. Our minutes tend to be a little bit more 516 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:17,520 than that just to give a little bit more color into like so for example when Mark 517 00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:21,040 provides an update on public works we tend to give a short synopsis of the 518 00:39:19,680 --> 00:39:25,040 guys are working here they're finishing that up so we try to add a little color 519 00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:29,760 I mean if you go back into the town records and look at minutes from like 520 00:39:26,480 --> 00:39:34,320 the 70s some of these are less than onethird of a page long for a meeting 521 00:39:31,520 --> 00:39:40,400 that lasted six and a half hours >> so um we've gotten a little bit more 522 00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:45,760 verose with our minutes over the years. Um, but state law, three things, who was 523 00:39:43,680 --> 00:39:48,960 there, motions, proposals made, and the result of the votes. 524 00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:51,440 » Larry had a question. >> Can it wait until public comment? 525 00:39:50,640 --> 00:39:54,960 » I'm okay. >> Thanks, Larry. 526 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:58,480 » Just trying to help you out. >> I just I don't want to start selectively 527 00:39:56,880 --> 00:40:03,320 letting people talk whenever. So, we're going to handle everything during public 528 00:39:59,920 --> 00:40:03,320 comment. Um 529 00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:11,520 » um >> I'd like I'd like to just look into it 530 00:40:09,119 --> 00:40:14,079 more and then see what you know. >> Okay. 531 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:17,839 » If you want to table it, that's fine. I just as as the person who currently is 532 00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:21,119 taking the minutes. >> I don't feel comfortable making a 533 00:40:19,440 --> 00:40:24,400 unilateral decision about this one way or the other just as I don't feel 534 00:40:22,560 --> 00:40:26,480 comfortable censoring something that comes. 535 00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:28,160 » I'm hoping hoping this is going to slow down. 536 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:31,359 » Okay. >> All right. If if that's fine, if folks 537 00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:35,440 are comfortable tableabling this, we can. Um, it also brings up the broader 538 00:40:34,160 --> 00:40:39,839 question that came up at a couple meetings around board policy related to 539 00:40:37,440 --> 00:40:44,160 things like if we are doing a hybrid meeting and the meeting glitches, what's 540 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:48,400 the process for addressing it? So, we can look at a a board policy about 541 00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:50,400 meetings too if we want to. >> Yeah. 542 00:40:48,720 --> 00:40:51,440 » Um, so we can certainly look at that, but if 543 00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:54,800 » maybe that's >> if the consensus is that we want to 544 00:40:52,800 --> 00:40:59,040 table it for this evening, that's >> totally fine with me. 545 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:01,599 Yeah. >> Okay. 546 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:06,400 » Sounds like the consensus is to table it. So, we'll carry that item forward 547 00:41:03,760 --> 00:41:10,720 while folks can think on it and um do a little bit more digging if they want to. 548 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:15,760 That brings us to item five. This is the Northwest Fiberworks lease agreement. Um 549 00:41:13,599 --> 00:41:19,920 so, I will point out that this is one area where if the board does want to go 550 00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:23,680 into executive session, we can because it's essentially a contract. And so 551 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:28,720 premature public knowledge of our positions related to a contract during a 552 00:41:25,440 --> 00:41:32,960 contract negotiation is a mechanism whereby we can go into executive session 553 00:41:31,280 --> 00:41:36,160 because the premature knowledge of our discussions could put us at a 554 00:41:34,079 --> 00:41:42,560 disadvantage. Um I'm not saying we have to do that. Um I don't think there's a 555 00:41:39,119 --> 00:41:47,119 lot in here that's proprietary or or secretive. Um I'll walk through. So, was 556 00:41:46,240 --> 00:41:52,079 there anybody else >> interested in doing a lease with us for 557 00:41:49,839 --> 00:41:55,680 » So, we do have So, we have two we have two uh two entities looking to enter 558 00:41:54,240 --> 00:41:58,880 into an agreement with us. The first is Northwest Fiberworks. This is the one 559 00:41:57,599 --> 00:42:04,079 that we've got before us tonight. They're the ones that want to put the 560 00:42:00,240 --> 00:42:08,160 equipment in the firebase um storage area in the back. Doug is working with 561 00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:13,520 them very closely on that. Doug has reviewed all this and is okay with it. I 562 00:42:09,839 --> 00:42:19,280 will say um the other entity is north is uh NEK broadband or NEKCU. 563 00:42:17,359 --> 00:42:24,000 Um they're also looking to enter into an agreement with us that would be to house 564 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:27,680 equipment outside of the building uh on a separate 565 00:42:25,839 --> 00:42:33,280 thing that they would have access to out there. Um they have not gotten back to 566 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:37,119 me with detailed responses some of the questions I posed. So we don't have 567 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:40,720 something to act on by them tonight. But those are the two groups that are 568 00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:45,680 looking to utilize space here. >> Oh, okay. 569 00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:47,760 » Are we are we looking at So, we're not we're we're in the position to pick one 570 00:42:47,119 --> 00:42:50,160 or the other. >> No. No. So, this So, so this is Sounds 571 00:42:49,680 --> 00:42:55,760 like >> uh NEK broadband is coming over the hill 572 00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:59,599 down 242 and Fiberworks is coming in from the west. So, Montgomery is going 573 00:42:58,160 --> 00:43:04,480 to be served by two different communication districts. Yeah. Um, and 574 00:43:02,240 --> 00:43:08,800 because essentially both of their lines terminate in Montgomery, they're both 575 00:43:06,560 --> 00:43:13,040 looking to house equipment here to assist with the operations of their 576 00:43:10,319 --> 00:43:16,640 systems. So, North House Fiber Works, um, the 577 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:21,520 response to some of the things that were raised in the last uh, draft that we 578 00:43:19,119 --> 00:43:24,160 reviewed. Um, so the this agreement should be between the town of Montgomery 579 00:43:22,880 --> 00:43:31,359 and the fire department. That's been corrected here. Um, article three, um, 580 00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:35,440 there was some conversations around, uh, the free service at the subject 581 00:43:32,800 --> 00:43:38,400 property, this ser this property. So, um, in consideration for the lease 582 00:43:37,119 --> 00:43:43,040 agreement, they would give free service to the town. Um, they're also providing 583 00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:46,319 a generator out back that will then be in our ownership. So, in addition to the 584 00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:50,400 generator, they're looking to provide free service. I did go back and forth. 585 00:43:48,720 --> 00:43:54,880 » So, the current cost of the service is 250 a month. So, then they're going to 586 00:43:52,079 --> 00:43:57,359 wave that. Uh yes, that would be the idea. Dennis, you got a question. 587 00:43:55,920 --> 00:43:57,920 » They are paying for the generator. >> Yes. 588 00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:02,000 » Yeah. >> So the generator is being furnished and 589 00:43:59,839 --> 00:44:05,440 then that reverts the ownership of that uh reverts to the town. 590 00:44:03,680 --> 00:44:10,240 » Um it will be hooked into their system so that should power fail that generator 591 00:44:07,440 --> 00:44:12,960 will work for them but it will also work for this building. 592 00:44:11,520 --> 00:44:17,520 » So this building is okay. >> Yep. 593 00:44:13,920 --> 00:44:21,119 » Um so I did ask about other places in town and free service other locations. 594 00:44:19,599 --> 00:44:24,640 The response I got in writing here is that um the free service only pertains 595 00:44:23,119 --> 00:44:28,079 to the premise in which the equipment is being housed. 596 00:44:27,359 --> 00:44:31,599 Um >> so let me ask this question. So if we're 597 00:44:30,319 --> 00:44:34,400 looking at two different >> companies coming in here, does it have 598 00:44:33,280 --> 00:44:40,640 to be >> one's coming from the west, 599 00:44:37,839 --> 00:44:44,240 one's coming from whatever, east, north, south, whatever. So does it have to be 600 00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:50,000 this building? Can one be at a different building and one what I'm getting at is 601 00:44:46,560 --> 00:44:54,960 that this one's offering free internet service for here like we got you know 602 00:44:52,880 --> 00:44:59,920 other public spaces is that is it availability to 603 00:44:56,720 --> 00:45:04,319 » Yeah. So um so I think the location here is what makes the most sense for where 604 00:45:02,000 --> 00:45:09,520 their service is going to kind of be divided like any K is going to come down 605 00:45:06,720 --> 00:45:12,640 the hill basically to here. Northwest works is going to come from the west up 606 00:45:11,040 --> 00:45:17,440 to here. So this location just makes sense in terms of where their service 607 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:21,440 lines end. Um I have talked to them a little bit more about where they are 608 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:24,720 proposing to offer service in the community um and where we would have 609 00:45:23,280 --> 00:45:31,200 access to it. So they are going to have service on Main Street. To your broader 610 00:45:27,040 --> 00:45:37,200 point, if NEK broadband terminates here, um my question to NEK broadband would be 611 00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:41,359 can you provide us free service here? thinking any uh Northwest Fiberworks 612 00:45:39,760 --> 00:45:43,760 could provide us free service at some other location on Main Street like the 613 00:45:42,800 --> 00:45:47,119 town hall. >> Um 614 00:45:44,880 --> 00:45:53,359 » I have not gotten a definitive answer like on that from either one other than 615 00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:57,359 that's something that we can do. Um, so my my recommendation once I run through 616 00:45:55,920 --> 00:46:04,960 the questions is going to be that within this we amend uh we we approve it with 617 00:46:01,359 --> 00:46:08,880 an amendment to um the third article in here that instead 618 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:11,680 of saying >> third 619 00:46:09,760 --> 00:46:14,960 » um town of Montgomery future fire 620 00:46:13,280 --> 00:46:17,920 department 86 Mountain Road that we amend that to at one municipally owned 621 00:46:17,280 --> 00:46:22,319 property. >> Yeah. 622 00:46:18,960 --> 00:46:24,800 » Yeah. I guess my thing too is that if we don't have the proposal from another 623 00:46:23,599 --> 00:46:30,000 place, what are their what are they offering? Yeah. For the town, are they 624 00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:32,560 more amunable to saying all public, you know, all the spaces or 625 00:46:31,280 --> 00:46:35,440 » Yeah. So, I don't think that would work for them because they're not going to 626 00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:37,520 the only they're not going to have service that extends to any other of our 627 00:46:37,280 --> 00:46:40,079 buildings. >> We're just coming to here. 628 00:46:38,560 --> 00:46:43,040 » So, just so it's going to stop here and it's not going to go that way. 629 00:46:41,119 --> 00:46:46,480 » That's my understanding. So, NEK would be basically the ones that we'd want to 630 00:46:44,640 --> 00:46:49,599 provide here. Yeah. and and they have said in principle in an email like 631 00:46:48,160 --> 00:46:54,720 that's something that they would be amicable to as consideration for the 632 00:46:51,920 --> 00:46:58,400 agreement. Um but they haven't gotten that to us in in writing yet. 633 00:46:56,480 --> 00:47:01,760 » So this 250 is what they're saying what like what what's what's our service? 634 00:46:59,920 --> 00:47:05,839 What are we paying now? >> It's through uh we have a few different 635 00:47:04,240 --> 00:47:10,720 services here. I talked to Liz about it today. We've got a consolidated account. 636 00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:15,839 We also have a Comcast business account. Um, I think when you combine all these 637 00:47:13,119 --> 00:47:18,319 things, it's over 250 a month. >> Yeah. 638 00:47:16,240 --> 00:47:20,400 » Um, I don't know the exact number we're paying. 639 00:47:19,359 --> 00:47:23,520 » This building has two different carriers. 640 00:47:21,520 --> 00:47:27,040 » Yeah, we have an account through uh through Comcast Business. We also have 641 00:47:25,280 --> 00:47:31,440 an account through Consolidated. I don't quite understand this, but the 642 00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:36,160 consolidated one I think we have because of the package that they offer. They 643 00:47:34,480 --> 00:47:39,839 don't I mean I dropped consolidated a while ago, so I don't really know, but I 644 00:47:37,599 --> 00:47:44,560 guess it's like you you you can't just tease out the phone service the way that 645 00:47:41,920 --> 00:47:47,599 they were basically pitching it to us. I'm not sure. 646 00:47:45,359 --> 00:47:49,760 » So our phone services was consolidated. Okay. 647 00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:53,599 » And my preference would be longterm to figure out some voiceover IP thing so 648 00:47:51,839 --> 00:47:57,119 that we can just go straight internet and drop the phone altogether. But 649 00:47:56,000 --> 00:48:01,359 there's some details that have to get worked out there. 650 00:47:57,920 --> 00:48:04,960 » My yeah concern with that would be is if the internet goes down I mean I guess 651 00:48:03,680 --> 00:48:07,920 one or the other. If the internet goes down I would think the phone lines are 652 00:48:06,079 --> 00:48:10,920 going down anyway. So >> um 653 00:48:11,040 --> 00:48:20,160 okay. >> So 654 00:48:15,920 --> 00:48:24,800 the generator not only u covers their panel but it it it covers 655 00:48:22,720 --> 00:48:29,040 this building right that it runs his building. Yep. 656 00:48:27,440 --> 00:48:32,240 » And who and who's responsible for the update of the generator? 657 00:48:30,480 --> 00:48:35,440 » Uh we maintain the generator. >> So it's our responsibility. It's a free 658 00:48:33,920 --> 00:48:37,200 generator, but we're we're we're taking care of it. 659 00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:42,160 » Okay. >> And and and who's doing that? Obviously, 660 00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:44,400 it's the whoever's installing it or >> I'd be the company we use to do all of 661 00:48:43,680 --> 00:48:51,839 our generator maintenance. >> Yeah, we use Milton Cat. 662 00:48:47,920 --> 00:48:54,960 » Milton Cat does our generator. >> All right. So, oh, sorry. Do you have 663 00:48:53,440 --> 00:48:58,480 another question? Is that the generators going on in here as Milton Cat? 664 00:48:56,240 --> 00:49:01,280 » I I haven't walked up to see I don't know what it is, but Milton's Cat is the 665 00:49:00,079 --> 00:49:05,119 company we use to service the generators. 666 00:49:03,280 --> 00:49:10,000 » Uh so going again going through our punch list that we sent back to them. 667 00:49:06,880 --> 00:49:12,319 Article five, exhibit A needs amending. They've corrected that. 668 00:49:11,760 --> 00:49:16,480 » Yeah. >> Article six, landlord agrees to provide 669 00:49:14,640 --> 00:49:20,720 electricity electricity. Tenant pays amounts of usage based on monitoring 670 00:49:18,160 --> 00:49:25,520 equipment. So, um, we can figure out with them whether we want to invoice 671 00:49:22,800 --> 00:49:28,720 them monthly or quarterly. Um, they're fine with either. Quarterly is probably 672 00:49:27,359 --> 00:49:33,920 more efficient. >> Um, article seven, 673 00:49:31,680 --> 00:49:38,640 uh, the generator is a Generrack 30 kilowatt singlephase LP liquid cooled 674 00:49:36,319 --> 00:49:46,680 transfer switch is a gener 400 amp singlephase automatic transfer switch. 675 00:49:42,720 --> 00:49:46,680 » Uh, article nine. 676 00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:52,000 Uh so they have clarified the generators being supplied by Northwest Fiberworks. 677 00:49:50,400 --> 00:49:55,119 Article 9 is to ensure that any upgrades to the backup battery equipment that may 678 00:49:53,680 --> 00:49:59,920 be needed in the future is accounted for. Um 679 00:49:58,240 --> 00:50:03,920 so they addressed the question that we had with article 9. So that should be 680 00:50:02,079 --> 00:50:08,079 fine. Now uh article 17 the question was 681 00:50:06,480 --> 00:50:11,599 clarifying the gen the owners the ownership of the generator and they have 682 00:50:09,760 --> 00:50:17,680 clarified yes the generator will remain with the town of Montgomery. 683 00:50:14,800 --> 00:50:22,960 Uh, and they fixed the stuff in exhibit A. The header is no longer Alberg. It's 684 00:50:20,079 --> 00:50:26,319 Montgomery. The address has been fixed. The location has been clarified. And 685 00:50:24,800 --> 00:50:32,400 which door they're talking about in exhibit A has also been clarified. 686 00:50:28,960 --> 00:50:37,280 So, uh, they've addressed all the concerns. Um, again, I went over this, 687 00:50:34,559 --> 00:50:40,000 Doug has gone over this, um, since he has a better understanding of the 688 00:50:38,319 --> 00:50:43,760 electrical needs plus on the part of the fire department. Um, so my 689 00:50:42,559 --> 00:50:50,960 recommendation to the board tonight would be to sign this, but that we amend 690 00:50:47,359 --> 00:50:55,599 article three. Um, >> so that it reads as such service 691 00:50:53,200 --> 00:51:00,559 delivered to the town of Montgomery for use at and then instead of it saying the 692 00:50:58,800 --> 00:51:05,359 Montgomery Fire Department, 86 Mountain Road, etc., etc., [clears throat] um, we 693 00:51:02,960 --> 00:51:08,110 just say at a municipal property of our choosing. [cough] 694 00:51:10,675 --> 00:51:12,695 » [clears throat] 695 00:51:13,440 --> 00:51:19,680 » So, this this one here is going to service more of the town 696 00:51:18,559 --> 00:51:23,120 » than the other one coming in. Is that what you're saying? I 697 00:51:20,400 --> 00:51:26,240 » I believe that um this this [clears throat] one's going to serve 698 00:51:24,079 --> 00:51:32,945 more uh residences >> and more of our infrastructure, more 699 00:51:29,520 --> 00:51:34,800 Yeah. more the town buildings. [clears throat] 700 00:51:33,200 --> 00:51:37,440 » And Charlie, just to confirm that uh generator backup is going to be for all 701 00:51:36,319 --> 00:51:41,200 components of the public service building. That's the fire department, 702 00:51:39,119 --> 00:51:43,440 the town office, and the library. >> Yeah. 703 00:51:41,599 --> 00:51:47,040 » Yeah. I So, just to clear be clear, I don't think it's it means that we can 704 00:51:45,119 --> 00:51:50,480 run everything all at once off of it. I think what it means is that should we 705 00:51:48,720 --> 00:51:55,280 have a power outage that gener that generator will allow the building to be 706 00:51:52,400 --> 00:51:59,599 used in the capacity of a fire department and an emergency shelter. Um, 707 00:51:58,240 --> 00:52:02,640 so I don't think we could all be in here at once with all the lights on doing 708 00:52:00,960 --> 00:52:08,319 stuff like we're doing right now. Um, but it would be a backup so that EMS 709 00:52:05,440 --> 00:52:15,000 could be served out of that bay and that um, if we needed to make this a a 710 00:52:11,119 --> 00:52:15,000 shelter, we could do that. 711 00:52:19,280 --> 00:52:26,559 » So, what I'd be looking for, if folks are game, is a motion to um, adopt the 712 00:52:24,880 --> 00:52:30,240 lease agreement as amended. And again, the amendment would be article three, 713 00:52:28,319 --> 00:52:33,119 changing the Montgomery Fire Department, 86 Mountain Road, Montgomery, 714 00:52:31,520 --> 00:52:37,200 Vermont,05470 to at a municipal property of the town's 715 00:52:35,440 --> 00:52:43,680 choosing, and then we can work out with them which property you want that to be. 716 00:52:40,640 --> 00:52:46,559 » So, I'll I'll make that motion through. >> All right. Thanks, Mark. 717 00:52:44,640 --> 00:52:49,119 » Going to lease. Yeah. Yeah, >> I'll second. 718 00:52:47,359 --> 00:52:52,319 » All right. We have a a motion from Mark to adopt a lease agreement with 719 00:52:50,880 --> 00:52:57,040 Northwest Fiberworks. [snorts] We have a second from Chris. 720 00:52:54,880 --> 00:53:00,720 Is there any further discussion? >> The only the 25-y year lease. 721 00:53:00,160 --> 00:53:04,640 » Yep. >> That's the only I mean that's 722 00:53:03,359 --> 00:53:11,200 it's all on lease. >> It is. Um NEK is angling for a permanent 723 00:53:07,599 --> 00:53:16,319 easement. Um and I'm trying to work on them to figure out like 724 00:53:14,480 --> 00:53:20,800 why they need that because permanent is a lot longer than 25 years. 725 00:53:18,319 --> 00:53:27,626 » Uh I think 25 years is probably the lifespan of their equipment. I'm not 726 00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:27,626 quite sure, but yeah. [clears throat] 727 00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:38,559 » And again, the it's going to [snorts] be housed in the fire department with 728 00:53:35,760 --> 00:53:42,720 access through the fire department. Um, and like I said, the fire department 729 00:53:40,480 --> 00:53:45,920 through Doug, the chief has um reviewed this and they're okay with all that. 730 00:53:44,880 --> 00:53:47,599 » So, if something goes down the equipment, they're going to get access 731 00:53:46,800 --> 00:53:49,680 to the building. Yep. >> Whereas the other company would be 732 00:53:49,200 --> 00:53:53,839 outside. >> Outside. Yep. And so NEK is going to or 733 00:53:52,160 --> 00:53:58,640 Northwest Fiberworks is going to have a punch code to that outdoor outside door 734 00:53:56,240 --> 00:54:01,880 to get into the fire bay to get back to their equipment. 735 00:54:04,960 --> 00:54:11,960 » Any other discussion on the uh on the agreement? 736 00:54:13,520 --> 00:54:18,160 All right. Not hearing any. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or 737 00:54:16,880 --> 00:54:22,559 raising your hand. >> I 738 00:54:18,559 --> 00:54:25,440 » I. Any opposed? >> Any abstensions? 739 00:54:23,760 --> 00:54:30,800 » Abstain. >> Okay. So, I think what I heard I heard 740 00:54:28,720 --> 00:54:35,280 three eyes, one abstension. I didn't catch your 741 00:54:32,960 --> 00:54:37,680 vote, Daniel. >> Oh, I was for it. 742 00:54:36,319 --> 00:54:45,119 » For it. Okay. >> All right. Um, so motion carries. 401. 743 00:54:41,920 --> 00:54:50,800 Dennis abstaining. All right. Uh, that brings us to article 744 00:54:47,920 --> 00:54:54,800 six. Article six. Item six, um, bridge rental agreement with the town of 745 00:54:51,920 --> 00:54:59,119 Georgia. So, um, as folks should already be aware or if you're not already aware, 746 00:54:56,640 --> 00:55:02,000 for full disclosure, my day job is the Franklin and Grandal County Forester 747 00:55:00,720 --> 00:55:08,240 with the Department of Forest Parks and Recreation. I'm bringing this to the 748 00:55:04,480 --> 00:55:14,400 town to the board for your take on it with that hat on. Um, in my capacity of 749 00:55:12,079 --> 00:55:18,480 county forester, I work with towns to develop management plans and execute 750 00:55:16,079 --> 00:55:23,040 work on town forests. Um, I'm working with the town of Georgia to do a timber 751 00:55:20,240 --> 00:55:27,920 sale on their Silver Lake Town Forest. Um, in order to access that, we need a 752 00:55:25,599 --> 00:55:32,400 temporary bridge to get over a small stream on the truck road to get to the 753 00:55:29,920 --> 00:55:36,079 property. Um, I thought we had a bridge secured through the department. Uh, but 754 00:55:34,640 --> 00:55:42,000 it turned out that it is not available this winter. Um, the town of Montgomery 755 00:55:38,800 --> 00:55:45,119 has a portable temporary bridge that is sitting up at the water plant. It's been 756 00:55:43,760 --> 00:55:49,119 sitting in there for >> I'm not sure how much is left of it 757 00:55:47,040 --> 00:55:52,960 because we used some of it on Brady Road and then some of it on Cotch. So, 758 00:55:50,799 --> 00:55:57,040 » yeah, I did. So, I did stop and talk to Scott. Uh 759 00:55:54,559 --> 00:56:03,920 » Randy might say might know how much is left, how many feet. Um, and so what 760 00:56:01,520 --> 00:56:10,160 what I what I would like what I'm asking from the board tonight is um I guess 761 00:56:08,079 --> 00:56:15,760 verbal approval [clears throat] to pursue putting together uh some sort of 762 00:56:12,880 --> 00:56:19,280 an agreement to loan them this bridge. It's going to take going and actually 763 00:56:17,599 --> 00:56:23,040 figuring out how many pieces are there, the span, getting the stuff. I have 764 00:56:21,359 --> 00:56:27,520 talked to Scott and he's okay with it. >> Yeah. Um, I will point out that like in 765 00:56:25,680 --> 00:56:32,480 my capacity as county forester, I have no stake in this timber sale. I don't 766 00:56:30,160 --> 00:56:37,119 get paid one way or the other from it. None of the proceeds come through me. I 767 00:56:35,280 --> 00:56:41,839 am a facilitator working on behalf of the department. Um, but I have no 768 00:56:39,440 --> 00:56:46,079 personal financial or other interest in this timber sale. I'm just trying to 769 00:56:43,920 --> 00:56:50,319 help another town in Franklin County get work done. So the history of this bridge 770 00:56:48,480 --> 00:56:53,119 is this [snorts] was a temporary bridge we got when the Lonely Bridge was 771 00:56:52,589 --> 00:56:57,200 [clears throat] before the Long Lonely Bridge got 772 00:56:54,880 --> 00:57:02,240 repaired. So we got this bridge through the grant through a grant this temporary 773 00:56:59,200 --> 00:57:06,000 bridge. Um so we've used two sections of it. We've used one section on Brady 774 00:57:04,000 --> 00:57:08,640 Road, another section on Cotay. So there's still some of the bridge left. 775 00:57:07,440 --> 00:57:13,760 So that's what we're talking about. >> Yeah. And I believe the span they'd be 776 00:57:10,640 --> 00:57:17,839 looking for is like 30 to 40 feet. So I think I think we have enough there, but 777 00:57:16,079 --> 00:57:22,000 » we can clarify. We have to cut out some of the sumac that's grow through it. 778 00:57:19,920 --> 00:57:25,760 » Randy might know you know [snorts] how much is left 779 00:57:23,359 --> 00:57:30,559 » and what would the length of the rental be and the also the revenue from it? How 780 00:57:28,720 --> 00:57:33,680 much would we charge? What's like a reasonable fee or 781 00:57:31,680 --> 00:57:36,720 » Yeah. So so the length of time would be this fall through the spring. It would 782 00:57:35,119 --> 00:57:41,200 be just used for this one winter to execute the timber sale. The uh the 783 00:57:39,680 --> 00:57:46,319 rental agreement would be up to the town. Um, we could mirror uh the kind of 784 00:57:44,799 --> 00:57:52,240 rental agreement that the Department of Forest Parks and Recreation uses and the 785 00:57:48,319 --> 00:57:55,200 fee structure there. Um, at a minimum, I'm going to put on my slugboard hat 786 00:57:53,599 --> 00:57:58,720 again for a second. At a minimum, I would want us to have at least a bond in 787 00:57:57,200 --> 00:58:03,520 place so that if the bridge was damaged or destroyed, we get covered. 788 00:58:01,040 --> 00:58:09,599 » Uh, as to the fee that we charge, that's up to the board. Um, 789 00:58:07,680 --> 00:58:15,200 so again, tonight I'm looking for the board basically to say we're cool 790 00:58:12,079 --> 00:58:19,760 looking into that. Um, from this I can work with Scott to figure out exactly 791 00:58:16,960 --> 00:58:23,839 the pieces that would be needed. Um, I can put together a uh like a rental 792 00:58:22,240 --> 00:58:27,200 agreement mirroring what the department uses and bring that back to the board 793 00:58:25,520 --> 00:58:28,640 and we can talk about the the fee structure, too. 794 00:58:28,160 --> 00:58:33,359 » Yeah. >> But tonight was just kind of a this is 795 00:58:31,280 --> 00:58:36,880 an idea I've got. Is this something that I can pursue and come back to the board 796 00:58:34,960 --> 00:58:41,440 with or is this a No, no, no, no, no. We're not renting our bridge to anybody. 797 00:58:39,440 --> 00:58:44,480 » I don't I don't see a problem with it. I mean, the bridge is sitting there. So, 798 00:58:42,960 --> 00:58:48,880 » if we have an asset we're not using and we can get some money renting it out to 799 00:58:46,720 --> 00:58:52,000 a local town in need. That seems perfectly reasonable. I don't have a 800 00:58:50,240 --> 00:58:57,280 problem with that. >> Okay. All right. Well, if there's no 801 00:58:54,160 --> 00:59:01,920 objection, I will work with Scott to get the details on this and then at our next 802 00:58:59,920 --> 00:59:05,359 uh meeting, I'll bring back uh a draft agreement for the board to look at. Um 803 00:59:04,160 --> 00:59:09,839 and then we can talk about the particulars. But that's great. I 804 00:59:07,520 --> 00:59:13,200 appreciate that. Um I think anytime towns in Franklin County can work 805 00:59:11,760 --> 00:59:17,440 together to help each other, it's a good thing. So, 806 00:59:14,799 --> 00:59:22,640 » I appreciate that. All right. No formal action on that, but 807 00:59:19,119 --> 00:59:26,720 we'll keep that uh moving. The uh item seven here is the town hall committee 808 00:59:24,319 --> 00:59:30,640 charter. Um so this was brought at a request of the chair of the town hall 809 00:59:28,720 --> 00:59:34,559 committee. The request was to amend the composition of the board from seven 810 00:59:32,160 --> 00:59:39,200 members to five members. Currently their charter speaks of a seven member board. 811 00:59:37,119 --> 00:59:42,799 They want to drop it to five. So the action would be to amend the town hall 812 00:59:40,880 --> 00:59:48,000 committee charter to state that the composition of the board is five members 813 00:59:44,960 --> 00:59:52,400 not seven members. >> What is the reasoning for that? just 814 00:59:50,880 --> 00:59:55,040 » so yeah. So Tosska, since you're the chair of the committee and this is 815 00:59:53,839 --> 00:59:57,520 subject to the charter, you're recognized to give whatever background 816 00:59:57,119 --> 01:00:01,520 you want. >> It's essentially that we have three 817 00:59:59,440 --> 01:00:03,520 people that show up. So in order to have a consistent quorum, 818 01:00:03,119 --> 01:00:07,920 » okay, >> we would rather have a five member 819 01:00:04,960 --> 01:00:11,760 board. Two of the other members are come and go. 820 01:00:09,119 --> 01:00:17,599 » Um but they're not consistent. So right now we have three solid people that show 821 01:00:14,160 --> 01:00:21,760 up at every meeting and with seven members. 822 01:00:19,359 --> 01:00:25,440 So five is five is work. 823 01:00:23,760 --> 01:00:30,640 » So I make a motion to amend the town hall committee charter to five members. 824 01:00:29,040 --> 01:00:32,480 » Okay, we have a motion from Mark. Is there a second? 825 01:00:31,680 --> 01:00:36,799 » Second. >> Thanks Chris. 826 01:00:34,480 --> 01:00:42,720 Uh is there any discussion on the motion? 827 01:00:41,200 --> 01:00:45,280 Not hearing any. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or raising 828 01:00:44,160 --> 01:00:49,200 your hand. I >> I. 829 01:00:46,000 --> 01:00:53,200 » Any opposed? Any abstensions? You are unanimous by zero. Motion carries. So 830 01:00:51,760 --> 01:00:58,880 that brings us through our agenda to public comment. And so we will go to 831 01:00:55,200 --> 01:01:02,079 public comment now. Um I think I have everybody already here. 832 01:01:00,880 --> 01:01:05,280 We don't have a sign in tonight, but I think I have everybody listed. Um so 833 01:01:04,240 --> 01:01:09,920 we're going to start. We're going to go left to right. Um we're not going to put 834 01:01:08,240 --> 01:01:18,160 a clock on folks, but I would ask that you try to be um concise and uh so we're 835 01:01:14,559 --> 01:01:20,640 not here until late. Um, dope. We're going to start on the left. So, my left, 836 01:01:19,680 --> 01:01:24,559 Cliff, you're up. >> Oh, I just got a quick question. Uh, 837 01:01:23,107 --> 01:01:30,799 [clears throat] what is the status of the updated policies and procedures on 838 01:01:26,480 --> 01:01:37,119 why the my two voicemail messages were uh not given to the town assessor in 839 01:01:35,119 --> 01:01:41,200 order to get to why I had somebody trespass, 840 01:01:38,640 --> 01:01:46,480 not trespass, but walk onto my property without after I warned the town. 841 01:01:43,920 --> 01:01:50,799 » I was like, know where we're at, please. Yeah. So, um, so we don't have a formal 842 01:01:48,960 --> 01:01:56,079 written process or procedure for that. Um, I have spoken with Liz about it and 843 01:01:52,960 --> 01:01:59,599 she has, uh, worked with our tech folks to see what happened as far as where the 844 01:01:57,920 --> 01:02:03,920 gap showed up and she believes it's addressed. Um, 845 01:02:01,599 --> 01:02:07,599 » here's the I would like to know because the next step I want to do is is 846 01:02:05,760 --> 01:02:12,400 probably fight the assessment since it was in violation the law. 847 01:02:09,920 --> 01:02:14,960 » Okay. I mean, I can ask Liz. Uh, >> I don't want to do that. It's just 848 01:02:13,599 --> 01:02:17,760 because I was like all I want is somebody to tell me it's fixed and it's 849 01:02:17,040 --> 01:02:21,040 never going to happen. >> Yeah. So I I believe 850 01:02:19,040 --> 01:02:24,160 » I said show me not say yeah I think it's fixed. 851 01:02:21,599 --> 01:02:26,480 » Okay. So I believe it has been fixed. Um I what what sort of evidence 852 01:02:26,000 --> 01:02:30,079 » is not >> So let me ask you this. Uh you said show 853 01:02:28,480 --> 01:02:32,480 me what what kind of evidence would you like? 854 01:02:30,960 --> 01:02:36,400 » Well just show me what you're doing for procedures and policy that won't happen 855 01:02:34,640 --> 01:02:39,440 again >> because obviously they slipped through. 856 01:02:38,319 --> 01:02:42,079 » Okay. So a written >> please help me out here. 857 01:02:40,480 --> 01:02:44,880 » Yeah. No no. So, I'm just asking what you would like as far as the 858 01:02:43,440 --> 01:02:47,040 » just give me some kind of policy or procedure that this is not going to 859 01:02:46,079 --> 01:02:50,799 happen to anybody else. >> Okay. Looking for the for us to write up 860 01:02:48,480 --> 01:02:54,319 a a procedure that says that this is >> I asked the town. They said, "Hey, call 861 01:02:52,400 --> 01:02:56,640 this number appointment." >> I did it. I did it twice. Left messages. 862 01:02:56,400 --> 01:02:59,359 Okay. >> And still had to show up. So, 863 01:02:57,920 --> 01:03:01,520 » when you say left messages with the town or the assessor? 864 01:03:00,400 --> 01:03:04,640 » The assessor. [snorts] You're supposed to make it over cross over the 865 01:03:02,880 --> 01:03:09,760 electronic stuff. Again, >> my point is I would like to have some 866 01:03:08,640 --> 01:03:12,160 kind of resolve. >> Okay. written resolution. Okay. We I 867 01:03:11,839 --> 01:03:14,720 will >> otherwise I don't want to go down the 868 01:03:13,359 --> 01:03:17,760 other route. >> Heard. So I will work with Liz to get 869 01:03:16,480 --> 01:03:20,880 you something in writing that addresses how it was addressed and then what the 870 01:03:19,359 --> 01:03:22,400 policy is in the office for doing that. Yep. 871 01:03:21,520 --> 01:03:28,213 » Thank you. >> All right. Good. 872 01:03:24,400 --> 01:03:29,039 » Roberta, you're good. Okay. Hi. You're [clears throat] good. 873 01:03:28,640 --> 01:03:31,440 » Y. >> All right. Carol 874 01:03:31,039 --> 01:03:36,079 » for now. >> You're good. Pat, 875 01:03:33,119 --> 01:03:40,960 » um, on the fiberworks, I've been talking about Northeast 876 01:03:37,599 --> 01:03:46,720 Fiberworks. Um, so I had some questions, concerns, and I don't know how the phone 877 01:03:44,559 --> 01:03:52,160 lines that you're currently using down here are run, if they're run pole to 878 01:03:49,599 --> 01:03:55,200 pole or underground. Where we are in Reagan Road, they're underground. 879 01:03:54,559 --> 01:04:01,359 » Yeah. >> And [laughter] 880 01:03:57,280 --> 01:04:08,160 and um that means that if a tree falls on the line, it knocks out the electric 881 01:04:04,480 --> 01:04:11,839 but not the phone. And we can report an outage, 882 01:04:10,000 --> 01:04:16,079 fiber works is going to string it pole to pole. So, if you're going phone over 883 01:04:14,480 --> 01:04:20,559 internet, uh, you're going to lose that when the 884 01:04:18,160 --> 01:04:26,960 line goes down. >> What? We're going to be what? 885 01:04:23,760 --> 01:04:31,920 » It's not It's It's If you go with the NEK, if you leave consolidated, 886 01:04:29,920 --> 01:04:35,760 » if you if you switch your phone service like Verizon or AT&T, I'll use that as 887 01:04:33,680 --> 01:04:38,640 an example. It's not I mean it's apples and oranges but but you have consol I 888 01:04:37,599 --> 01:04:41,680 don't know what you have now but say you have consolidated what he's saying is if 889 01:04:40,079 --> 01:04:47,119 he's consolidated on the Reagan road is underground. If he was to switch over to 890 01:04:44,559 --> 01:04:51,200 NEK they're going pull the poles to his point is if a snowstorm hits power lines 891 01:04:49,920 --> 01:04:54,319 go down that means the phone lines go down if you're using NEK. If you're 892 01:04:52,720 --> 01:04:56,079 still in consolidated you're fine >> right? 893 01:04:55,119 --> 01:04:58,960 » That's what that's what he's saying. It's not saying it's not saying it's 894 01:04:57,200 --> 01:05:02,240 everybody's going NEK. It's it's your choice to switch over. That's for the 895 01:05:00,720 --> 01:05:05,039 town risk. But then they usually can only put it underground to get to your 896 01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:07,359 house >> that you just 897 01:05:05,920 --> 01:05:09,680 » Yeah, but that's but that's >> that's only 898 01:05:08,160 --> 01:05:12,480 » that that's only if but that doesn't have if if something happens up the 899 01:05:11,119 --> 01:05:15,599 street and the pound goes down, you're not going to get phone access or 900 01:05:13,599 --> 01:05:19,359 internet access or that's what he Right. Is that 901 01:05:16,799 --> 01:05:25,839 » I mention it's it's a consideration that's important for me. It may or may 902 01:05:21,599 --> 01:05:28,480 not be important for the town. Yeah, >> great great point to raise with folks 903 01:05:27,359 --> 01:05:34,480 when they're considering whether or not to switch service. I guess yeah, 904 01:05:31,359 --> 01:05:36,960 » but consolidated is Reagan World might have it underground, but I don't know if 905 01:05:35,680 --> 01:05:41,119 other people have it underground. I think it's all it's all it's it's it's a 906 01:05:39,039 --> 01:05:44,240 it's a fin it's a financial burden on them that they make that choice to 907 01:05:42,960 --> 01:05:47,200 either put it underground, which costs more. 908 01:05:44,799 --> 01:05:51,520 » Yeah. and easy cost obviously is to put it up in the air which obviously living 909 01:05:49,920 --> 01:05:56,160 in Montgomery you're going to have a different potentially outcome you know I 910 01:05:54,160 --> 01:06:01,119 use the examples like like the Belelfrey we went to um to Starlink 911 01:05:58,720 --> 01:06:04,799 » for that reason because we were constantly we would lose power we have a 912 01:06:02,960 --> 01:06:08,640 generator but we'd always lose our phone lines and we'd lose our credit card 913 01:06:06,079 --> 01:06:11,839 reader and everything so um and I understand what you're saying I agree 914 01:06:09,680 --> 01:06:14,400 with you I just it's just that it's you know it's 915 01:06:12,799 --> 01:06:18,480 » the preferential of the company how they want to spend spend their money. So, I 916 01:06:15,920 --> 01:06:23,520 mean, it's tough. >> Um, but I think your point being is that 917 01:06:20,400 --> 01:06:28,240 if we're going to use NEK here, we're potentially going to this building's not 918 01:06:25,359 --> 01:06:34,160 going to have internet andor phone. 919 01:06:30,880 --> 01:06:35,920 » Well, if it's strung on a power on a pole and 920 01:06:35,039 --> 01:06:37,359 » Yeah. >> tree falls. 921 01:06:36,799 --> 01:06:40,359 » Yeah. >> Yeah. 922 01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:47,359 » Thanks, Pat. Anything else, Pat? >> No. Okay. Uh Sue, 923 01:06:46,400 --> 01:06:50,559 » not at this time. Thank you. >> Okay. And I will just uh seeing you 924 01:06:49,359 --> 01:06:55,920 reminded me, I'll just let everybody know uh I did check in with DEEC Friday. 925 01:06:53,839 --> 01:07:00,559 They thought they were going to have the written response to the public comment 926 01:06:58,880 --> 01:07:04,400 on the wastewater indirect discharge permit by Friday. They haven't posted it 927 01:07:02,640 --> 01:07:07,359 yet. I haven't heard from them yet this week, but as soon as that does come out, 928 01:07:06,079 --> 01:07:10,319 we'll put something on the website so folks can read that. So, thank you. 929 01:07:09,200 --> 01:07:15,520 » Yeah. >> Um so, we're going to keep going around 930 01:07:12,559 --> 01:07:17,280 in public comment. So, Alyssa, you're good. Tusca, 931 01:07:16,559 --> 01:07:20,480 » I'm good. >> You're good. All right. Now, we're going 932 01:07:18,799 --> 01:07:24,640 to loop to the next row and go back this way. I don't see anybody behind Alyssa. 933 01:07:22,720 --> 01:07:25,599 So, Amy, you're up. >> Me? 934 01:07:24,960 --> 01:07:32,319 » Yep. >> All right. So, Oh, yeah. Mine was kind 935 01:07:28,720 --> 01:07:36,720 of about what um [clears throat] the farmer was talking about because we 936 01:07:34,480 --> 01:07:42,720 had a man probably two weeks ago step up and said 937 01:07:39,200 --> 01:07:47,920 that they had ran ran the fireworks up to 938 01:07:44,640 --> 01:07:51,599 and I was like really and you know and he's coming and he's [clears throat] 939 01:07:49,039 --> 01:07:56,880 looking at our meters and everything and there was nothing up there and he said 940 01:07:54,400 --> 01:08:03,119 they're supposed to be running it and I was like, well, that's kind of far. 941 01:07:59,839 --> 01:08:06,799 And then I was to the understanding that they overtook Consolidation, but no, 942 01:08:06,319 --> 01:08:13,119 » no, >> no. So, in town now, we're going to have 943 01:08:10,079 --> 01:08:19,279 NEK in their service area, Northwest Fiberworks in their area, Consolidated, 944 01:08:16,880 --> 01:08:23,440 which is now Vidium, >> and you can also get Comcast, I believe, 945 01:08:21,679 --> 01:08:24,880 as another alternative. So, there's still going to be 946 01:08:24,319 --> 01:08:29,759 » certain points. >> Certain points. Yeah. Not everybody. I 947 01:08:27,120 --> 01:08:34,560 should somebody going to be that far up? >> So my understanding is that um the 948 01:08:32,640 --> 01:08:39,040 communications union districts are trying to get to the quote last mile for 949 01:08:37,359 --> 01:08:42,960 service everywhere. Okay. >> So they should be running it all the way 950 01:08:40,880 --> 01:08:46,080 up to the geoo. That's that's their plan at least. 951 01:08:44,560 --> 01:08:53,520 » Okay. I just find it funny, you know, because 952 01:08:48,239 --> 01:08:57,239 just where we are, you know. Yep. Um, and then, uh, 953 01:08:58,400 --> 01:09:07,279 I don't know, Terry, this might not have nothing to do with, you know, the topic 954 01:09:03,359 --> 01:09:16,000 tonight, but it has to do with Act 181 and 2, Act 250 that 955 01:09:12,159 --> 01:09:21,440 I'm concerned that there a statement by you that 956 01:09:21,600 --> 01:09:29,920 are going to just take our land by conservation whether you 957 01:09:27,839 --> 01:09:34,560 remember Dennis you said you can get what you want for your land whether you 958 01:09:31,600 --> 01:09:37,759 want you know the price you're asking >> somebody's going to pay if they want 959 01:09:36,239 --> 01:09:42,000 your land they're going to pay for it >> but but that's going away when that 960 01:09:40,080 --> 01:09:46,239 assessor come up he said we're not assessing your property we're assessing 961 01:09:44,000 --> 01:09:50,400 your land your land's going to be devalued we were 962 01:09:48,480 --> 01:09:53,920 Oh, >> this was the nemerric assessor that came 963 01:09:52,159 --> 01:09:56,320 to your property. >> Okay. I mean, the assessor should be 964 01:09:55,760 --> 01:10:01,120 assessing >> devaluing someone's land. 965 01:09:59,840 --> 01:10:04,400 » You're talking about the statewide assessment of everything, properties and 966 01:10:02,880 --> 01:10:05,679 land. I guess I don't I'm just trying to understand, 967 01:10:04,960 --> 01:10:09,199 » right? >> So, this whole state, 968 01:10:06,800 --> 01:10:12,640 » this whole act, it involves the whole act 181. 969 01:10:10,320 --> 01:10:15,600 » I'm not really fully familiar with 181, but 970 01:10:13,280 --> 01:10:20,000 » I would I got something for you and you better be. You're going to be if you 971 01:10:17,520 --> 01:10:25,360 watch this, you will be. But 972 01:10:21,840 --> 01:10:29,360 they're he told he said they're not. He He didn't even care about our building. 973 01:10:27,679 --> 01:10:38,800 He didn't care about what was in our building. He said we're here for the 974 01:10:32,400 --> 01:10:43,040 land. So what I want to know is no. >> Well, 975 01:10:40,960 --> 01:10:46,040 I read statement a statement from Charlie 976 01:10:46,880 --> 01:10:54,719 and in a in a 977 01:10:51,679 --> 01:10:59,040 I believe it was BLCT, but I could be wrong, 978 01:10:57,360 --> 01:11:04,159 that there's going to be a 40-year easement on 979 01:11:02,000 --> 01:11:08,800 certain people's property, which I know mine's one of them because we're not in 980 01:11:06,800 --> 01:11:17,280 current use, down to 10 down to 10 acres 981 01:11:13,360 --> 01:11:24,080 where you're going to prevent us from allowing our son 982 01:11:20,159 --> 01:11:27,840 son's kids to build on our land that we have paid full property. We're not 983 01:11:27,120 --> 01:11:31,040 current use. >> Yeah. Yeah. 984 01:11:28,320 --> 01:11:35,600 » We've always paid full property taxes, >> but because you want it so bad for 985 01:11:32,800 --> 01:11:38,960 conservation that you just want you're just going to snatch it. 986 01:11:37,199 --> 01:11:42,640 » So, do you have can you can you point me towards the statement you think I made 987 01:11:41,040 --> 01:11:45,360 where where I can find it? She said, "I I don't know what you're talking about." 988 01:11:43,840 --> 01:11:49,280 And not no offense. >> Well, I tried to find it right before I 989 01:11:47,040 --> 01:11:52,800 came here, >> but I couldn't. Okay. 990 01:11:50,560 --> 01:11:56,880 » But I've seen it, >> so I'm going to find it. You know, I 991 01:11:55,120 --> 01:12:00,000 will. You know, I will find it. >> Okay. And I'll just say if you can find 992 01:11:58,320 --> 01:12:04,000 what you're referencing and send it to me, I'm happy to address it. What you're 993 01:12:02,080 --> 01:12:11,120 saying does not ring any bells related to anything that I'm aware of. As far as 994 01:12:07,120 --> 01:12:14,480 act 181 goes, that was repealed. Um, and so that's 995 01:12:11,920 --> 01:12:17,840 » but but what you're going to do, so we got our gravel pit. What you're going to 996 01:12:16,320 --> 01:12:23,120 do with the gravel pit is you're going to say it's too close to the beaver 997 01:12:19,520 --> 01:12:28,800 pond. We've already I've already seen this action already occur cuz they were 998 01:12:26,159 --> 01:12:34,239 in our somebody was parked at the Beaver Pond driveway and I walked in there and 999 01:12:31,760 --> 01:12:38,560 I asked them what they were doing. >> When you say they like do you have their 1000 01:12:35,840 --> 01:12:42,960 contact information like who this was? They were the natural resources 1001 01:12:41,679 --> 01:12:45,840 commission. >> So it was somebody from the Department 1002 01:12:44,400 --> 01:12:47,120 of Environmental Conservation. >> Yes. 1003 01:12:46,480 --> 01:12:52,480 » Okay. >> And you know what? 1004 01:12:49,840 --> 01:12:56,880 » Our gravel pit been there longer than the beavers, but we we protect those 1005 01:12:55,280 --> 01:13:00,960 beavers left and right. >> Okay. I'm I'm not aware of anyone trying 1006 01:12:59,360 --> 01:13:03,520 to shut down your gravel pit, Amy. So I I don't know. But again, if you can find 1007 01:13:02,719 --> 01:13:06,480 the >> find the statements, 1008 01:13:04,560 --> 01:13:10,159 » there's a lot of money involved here and a lot of money you want to get away with 1009 01:13:08,480 --> 01:13:17,040 because what it's going to what it's turning into be is you have the first 1010 01:13:13,600 --> 01:13:19,520 right of refusal. >> Who does 1011 01:13:18,080 --> 01:13:20,800 » you? The town >> on what? 1012 01:13:20,159 --> 01:13:24,880 » On what? >> On on the properties. 1013 01:13:23,120 --> 01:13:29,040 » I don't believe we do. >> Come on, Mark. You can sit there and 1014 01:13:27,280 --> 01:13:34,960 shake your head all you want. Your farm is so protected. I can't believe it. 1015 01:13:32,159 --> 01:13:36,640 » So So Amy, so if you can if you can find >> I'm gonna find it. 1016 01:13:35,920 --> 01:13:41,520 » Yeah, I would love that >> because you know what? Every time I go 1017 01:13:38,400 --> 01:13:46,560 in into these um places that I've looked and I found it before, 1018 01:13:43,920 --> 01:13:51,760 it there's a red flag saying don't enter this. It's It's dangerous. It's a 1019 01:13:49,440 --> 01:13:55,280 dangerous site. You know what? I entered that site today. There's nothing 1020 01:13:53,679 --> 01:14:01,199 dangerous about it. >> Okay. Yeah. 1021 01:13:59,120 --> 01:14:05,760 » But if you so so if you can find if you can find and send uh send me on the 1022 01:14:03,360 --> 01:14:09,440 board a reference to what you're looking at, I think we'd be better able to 1023 01:14:07,760 --> 01:14:14,080 address it. So yeah, if you could do that, that'd be great, Amy. 1024 01:14:11,679 --> 01:14:17,360 » And it it'd be great if if you would appreciate us some more for what we've 1025 01:14:16,239 --> 01:14:20,960 done. >> I will try to appreciate you more, Amy. 1026 01:14:19,280 --> 01:14:25,199 But I think I've said in the past, >> what pissed you off, Charlie, 1027 01:14:23,360 --> 01:14:29,600 » is when we put our road in right alongside that class 4 road because we 1028 01:14:27,760 --> 01:14:33,199 asked for help for many years and you wouldn't help us and you said, "Here we 1029 01:14:32,159 --> 01:14:37,199 go. >> I'm going to I'm going to shove it right 1030 01:14:35,199 --> 01:14:41,440 up their ass." And that's what you done. >> I didn't shove anything anywhere and I 1031 01:14:39,440 --> 01:14:45,679 don't have any opinion left, right, or center on your road. 1032 01:14:42,719 --> 01:14:51,040 » Look at Look it. It pissed you off. >> And don't tell me it didn't. That pissed 1033 01:14:48,159 --> 01:14:57,360 you off, child. But yet, >> a mile past our place, you guys went in 1034 01:14:54,080 --> 01:15:03,520 that went in up on that Atlas land. You took bulldozers and skitters and 1035 01:15:00,800 --> 01:15:08,320 everything you could and made a two-lane highway, but yet we put a driveway in 1036 01:15:06,320 --> 01:15:15,920 because nobody would give us money for 30 years to take care of a class 4 road 1037 01:15:11,920 --> 01:15:21,840 that we done out of the kindness of our heart. But when times got tough, and 1038 01:15:19,280 --> 01:15:26,159 it's the same thing you guys do. When you can't afford it, what do you do? You 1039 01:15:24,080 --> 01:15:32,239 raise taxes. >> We couldn't afford it. What you do to us 1040 01:15:28,159 --> 01:15:37,360 when we asked you for help? >> That's what you did to us. 1041 01:15:34,880 --> 01:15:40,880 » All right. Thank you, Amy. Uh Carrie, 1042 01:15:39,120 --> 01:15:47,600 » uh I think that she was talking about maybe your your not just 181, but your 1043 01:15:43,920 --> 01:15:49,679 conservation company or nonprofit. >> Are you talking about Cold Holiday 1044 01:15:48,960 --> 01:15:55,440 Canada? >> Yeah. And I I'm hoping because I know 1045 01:15:52,719 --> 01:16:00,000 that now we're not allowed to. We used to be able to kind of comment together 1046 01:15:57,280 --> 01:16:04,480 per topic instead of having to revisit other people's topics, too. So, 1047 01:16:02,400 --> 01:16:08,080 » there's a lot on my plate that I'm going to try to go through nicely. 1048 01:16:06,000 --> 01:16:12,320 » Or yours. You can >> like I said, no one's got a time clock 1049 01:16:09,679 --> 01:16:15,360 on yet. Everyone has >> Okay, go ahead. 1050 01:16:13,199 --> 01:16:20,800 » Kind of keep it straight forward. But >> for your for your She's talking too 1051 01:16:18,560 --> 01:16:28,159 about your conservation. Is there anything that you know of in law, 1052 01:16:24,239 --> 01:16:33,920 legislation, lobby or just your executive director of your company is 1053 01:16:31,520 --> 01:16:38,080 think considering anything >> company 1054 01:16:35,120 --> 01:16:42,960 » taking land instead of asking people if they want to buy not buy 1055 01:16:41,199 --> 01:16:47,040 » no one is taking anybody's land. >> Okay. So that's what I I wanted to know 1056 01:16:44,719 --> 01:16:50,960 if there is anything that can that that is in action has been done at all. So 1057 01:16:49,600 --> 01:16:53,199 nothing related. >> Yeah. 1058 01:16:51,520 --> 01:16:55,679 » I just wanted to know. I didn't know >> you're talking about eminent domain. 1059 01:16:55,040 --> 01:16:59,120 » Yeah. >> But for conservation purpose. 1060 01:16:57,679 --> 01:17:02,080 » No. Yeah. >> No. And this is Dennis. This 1061 01:17:01,280 --> 01:17:05,679 » I'm just asking. >> No. No. I'm just saying this. I'm just 1062 01:17:03,280 --> 01:17:08,400 » Okay. So So question answered. We're good. Okay. 1063 01:17:06,320 --> 01:17:11,920 » And it's answered and we we're >> it's different than imminent domain. 1064 01:17:10,239 --> 01:17:16,000 » And then yeah, not imminent domain. Whatever. I don't know what that's not 1065 01:17:14,000 --> 01:17:23,679 my focus right now. Um, the tech comment was more about 1066 01:17:20,159 --> 01:17:29,040 really kind of just having maybe you do a lot of work, Charlie. You do the 1067 01:17:25,199 --> 01:17:32,719 minutes, you do the tech, you do you moderate, you know, you're and you've 1068 01:17:31,120 --> 01:17:36,560 been doing this for quite a while and you've had to take on some of these 1069 01:17:35,040 --> 01:17:41,040 extra [clears throat] roles like Suzanne used to be the minutes, you know, and so 1070 01:17:38,719 --> 01:17:47,040 it would just kind of be nice if we had an independent person that could do the 1071 01:17:43,679 --> 01:17:51,440 tech. um or somebody that is specially here for all of the technological things 1072 01:17:49,199 --> 01:17:55,440 so that you're not having to do that on top of everything else. If something 1073 01:17:52,800 --> 01:18:00,400 isn't working because things are not working on a regular basis, there's a 1074 01:17:58,159 --> 01:18:05,199 problem somewhere and and if you're not able to find it, we should have a tech 1075 01:18:02,159 --> 01:18:10,159 person that is more responsible to make sure that that's all functioning like 1076 01:18:07,360 --> 01:18:14,800 like we have Northwestern access today. they they're in charge of 1077 01:18:12,320 --> 01:18:20,960 their their stuff and it's working, you know, um because they're setting I don't 1078 01:18:17,760 --> 01:18:28,480 even know they're who knows. And then the same with the minutes too and then 1079 01:18:24,480 --> 01:18:32,840 the public record complaint. Um, so with that, 1080 01:18:33,199 --> 01:18:41,120 I mean, it's not just a a select board email that's advocating for something, 1081 01:18:39,120 --> 01:18:46,239 and I've already talked to you about that. That wasn't the problem. The the 1082 01:18:44,400 --> 01:18:52,159 attorney sending back all that information, it was fantastic, but it 1083 01:18:48,719 --> 01:18:57,679 was very narrow. It avoided a lot of the main points that were solid that I was 1084 01:18:54,719 --> 01:19:02,719 concerned with. And I'm looking up a lot of like past connections because you 1085 01:19:00,480 --> 01:19:07,600 when you start having affiliation with so many different boards and you're on a 1086 01:19:05,360 --> 01:19:12,640 legislative level and there's a lot of money involved on all of these boards 1087 01:19:09,600 --> 01:19:16,400 together including your nonprofit and grants are being given everywhere. 1088 01:19:14,320 --> 01:19:22,159 People like Tusca need grants. You're in charge of like she has to say yes and 1089 01:19:19,120 --> 01:19:25,840 you're part of the board that like says yes for that for every grant. Like all 1090 01:19:24,480 --> 01:19:28,960 I'm saying is you're affiliated with things. I don't even know if there's an 1091 01:19:27,199 --> 01:19:34,080 affiliation with any dress that she gets from from but it's a whole atmosphere 1092 01:19:32,080 --> 01:19:39,920 out there politically with a lot of money and kind of potentially a lot of 1093 01:19:36,400 --> 01:19:45,360 like control. So that's what my concern was more with that with that um email 1094 01:19:43,120 --> 01:19:48,800 that you were saying something that was not true 1095 01:19:46,640 --> 01:19:53,760 » and you were promoting it in a way that was like swaying voters. like not only 1096 01:19:52,080 --> 01:19:58,080 were you promoting it, we know that you like you want the wastewater system, but 1097 01:19:55,840 --> 01:20:03,120 you had an angle on it that was like no matter what, you factually characterized 1098 01:20:00,719 --> 01:20:08,719 like something wrong. It was inaccurate and it was to me a little like deceitful 1099 01:20:05,840 --> 01:20:14,880 saying that the person who wrote the petition was from from mass when it it 1100 01:20:12,480 --> 01:20:18,560 was from Vermont. And you might may or may not have known that. I'll figure 1101 01:20:16,480 --> 01:20:22,239 that out at some point. I I mean I've told you that multiple times in and open 1102 01:20:21,040 --> 01:20:24,800 meeting. It's on the record. It's recorded. You can watch it again, but 1103 01:20:23,920 --> 01:20:30,320 keep going. >> Yeah. Exactly. So So you were persuading 1104 01:20:27,520 --> 01:20:34,640 voters in a false way. >> That's the problem with the with the 1105 01:20:32,000 --> 01:20:36,800 open meeting law. That is the the main there. There's probably more, but that 1106 01:20:36,159 --> 01:20:40,480 was the problem. >> So just to be clear, are you saying that 1107 01:20:38,320 --> 01:20:41,600 that is in violation of Vermont's open meeting law? 1108 01:20:41,199 --> 01:20:43,040 » Yeah. >> Okay. It's not. 1109 01:20:42,640 --> 01:20:48,480 » No. >> Yeah. So Okay. It's I respect your 1110 01:20:46,719 --> 01:20:51,040 opinion that you don't like it, but it's not a violation of open meeting law. 1111 01:20:50,320 --> 01:20:54,800 » No. >> Just like I know you don't like that I'm 1112 01:20:52,640 --> 01:20:57,440 involved in a lot of things. It's possible. And no matter what, 1113 01:20:56,159 --> 01:21:02,960 » you're just not getting any answers you want. So that's all there is to it. 1114 01:21:00,960 --> 01:21:06,400 » You do with ethics issues. I >> How long are we going to hash this out? 1115 01:21:05,040 --> 01:21:08,480 » We've gone over it how many times, Carrie? 1116 01:21:06,960 --> 01:21:10,800 » Okay. If they had just if you had figured something out. 1117 01:21:09,280 --> 01:21:14,320 » Jeez, it's getting ridiculous. >> Like across the board blanket. 1118 01:21:12,400 --> 01:21:16,960 » Okay, just keep going. We're through your comments. You're good. 1119 01:21:15,840 --> 01:21:21,040 » I just don't think that this should continue to be something. 1120 01:21:18,080 --> 01:21:22,960 » You should stop any time on this issue. >> All right, Mark. Let's just let her 1121 01:21:22,320 --> 01:21:24,560 finish. >> Yeah. 1122 01:21:24,159 --> 01:21:29,360 » Yeah. >> Yeah. Watch out. 1123 01:21:27,920 --> 01:21:33,199 » Guys, guys, everybody take a deep breath. 1124 01:21:31,280 --> 01:21:35,679 » Everybody take a deep breath. >> Carrie, you have the floor. 1125 01:21:34,960 --> 01:21:39,440 » Okay. So, >> work through your comments. 1126 01:21:36,719 --> 01:21:41,440 » Yep. And that's fine. Thank you. Sorry. I'm 1127 01:21:40,239 --> 01:21:47,520 » No, don't be shy. [snorts] >> It's okay. It's all right. Um then I 1128 01:21:45,280 --> 01:21:53,199 wanted to ask um oh the connection with Sarah 1129 01:21:51,120 --> 01:22:02,159 having done that I mean she she she has presented 1130 01:21:57,600 --> 01:22:08,400 two VT Vermont city league and towns. She was a presenter for codes for code 1131 01:22:05,360 --> 01:22:13,199 of ethic and they changed the codes of ethic. So she literally created the 1132 01:22:11,760 --> 01:22:16,159 codes of ethic potentially. >> Okay. Can you just can you clarify what 1133 01:22:14,560 --> 01:22:18,080 you're saying? So Sarah Buckton, our municipal attorney 1134 01:22:17,600 --> 01:22:23,120 » Yeah. >> presented at a VLCT event about the 1135 01:22:21,840 --> 01:22:25,920 municipal code of ethics. >> Y 1136 01:22:23,520 --> 01:22:30,159 » and you're saying that led to the state legislature changing the code of ethics? 1137 01:22:27,840 --> 01:22:34,159 » No, I'm not. I'm just saying I'm just trying I'm just trying to understand 1138 01:22:32,639 --> 01:22:38,560 what you're what you're saying, Carrie. just saying you're getting all of your 1139 01:22:36,000 --> 01:22:45,360 information from the attorney that wrote wrote that like the the response and 1140 01:22:42,239 --> 01:22:50,480 she's she's the one involved in Vermont City leads and towns. She's giving our 1141 01:22:47,199 --> 01:22:55,760 town advice. You are the president vice president there, right? So like it's all 1142 01:22:53,679 --> 01:23:01,920 like the fact that we are sending our select board members to a place that is 1143 01:22:58,960 --> 01:23:07,280 like potentially there's a lot of conflict between in the past between 1144 01:23:04,560 --> 01:23:11,199 that I can see and I'm finding between you and Sarah having like a pretty 1145 01:23:09,199 --> 01:23:13,199 long-standing crossover like relationship 1146 01:23:11,840 --> 01:23:17,199 » like can you like what >> I have a few I have plenty 1147 01:23:14,639 --> 01:23:21,120 » like what I just if you have a few no if you're going to accuse me of a conflict 1148 01:23:19,280 --> 01:23:23,840 of interest in every breath I want you to be specific. What is it? What is the 1149 01:23:23,440 --> 01:23:28,159 conflict? >> I don't want to say anything that's 1150 01:23:25,040 --> 01:23:31,679 that's technically like wrong. I If I do it, it has to be in writing. It's 1151 01:23:29,520 --> 01:23:36,560 horrible. But it's just >> Okay. Well, I would appreciate instead 1152 01:23:33,600 --> 01:23:42,159 of kind of vague assertions of things, specifics really do help. 1153 01:23:38,880 --> 01:23:46,480 » So, well, yeah. What what do they follow for the what's their it's called 1154 01:23:44,480 --> 01:23:52,719 something the >> no for the um yeah for the for the code 1155 01:23:50,719 --> 01:23:56,560 of ethics for Vermont leaks cities and town there's a name of it 1156 01:23:54,880 --> 01:24:02,560 » so just so I can clarify >> that's you you have an issue with 1157 01:24:00,400 --> 01:24:05,520 the lawyer who sits on the board that helps to write the ethics 1158 01:24:03,760 --> 01:24:10,560 » no so she doesn't sit on the board >> No okay okay so she she she she wrote 1159 01:24:08,880 --> 01:24:11,679 the code of ethics for the municipality bodies. 1160 01:24:11,199 --> 01:24:14,400 » No, >> no, 1161 01:24:12,000 --> 01:24:18,639 » no. She, no. She has presented to Vermont League cities and towns who then 1162 01:24:17,120 --> 01:24:22,800 » trains you >> and works with you and 1163 01:24:21,360 --> 01:24:29,040 you know what they're following for their codes of ethics is like right on 1164 01:24:25,120 --> 01:24:33,120 track with with her. So like that in addition to the state, 1165 01:24:31,199 --> 01:24:36,719 » the attorney's office that she's involved in, Paul Gill, is that his 1166 01:24:35,679 --> 01:24:45,280 name? >> Gillies Tarant is the firm. Gilly has 1167 01:24:40,800 --> 01:24:52,080 has wrote a and and for quite some time a significant book about town policies 1168 01:24:50,560 --> 01:24:55,920 act 250. >> He Yeah, he has. So, but just to be 1169 01:24:54,000 --> 01:25:02,639 clear like >> the LCT has many events. They bring in 1170 01:24:59,199 --> 01:25:08,880 many speakers to address things. They didn't write the code of ethics. The 1171 01:25:04,400 --> 01:25:12,080 legislature did. So again, I I I >> But hopefully that'll change in 1172 01:25:10,400 --> 01:25:15,440 November. >> Sure. Anything can change with 1173 01:25:13,840 --> 01:25:20,000 elections, but I >> So So again, car I guess all I'm asking 1174 01:25:17,360 --> 01:25:25,679 Carrie is if there are specific >> things that you can give us in writing 1175 01:25:23,040 --> 01:25:29,840 to respond to, but I don't know. I don't quite understand some of the the 1176 01:25:28,080 --> 01:25:32,800 » That's why I write because I'm really a horrible public speaker. I I 1177 01:25:31,984 --> 01:25:36,159 [clears throat] don't it doesn't come out right at all. It's it's not 1178 01:25:34,880 --> 01:25:38,639 something that >> it's one of those things that I'm 1179 01:25:37,360 --> 01:25:41,520 working on. >> Okay, hold on, Amy. I'm gonna I want 1180 01:25:40,080 --> 01:25:46,080 Carrie to finish her public comments and then we're gonna go to Josh. 1181 01:25:44,480 --> 01:25:50,159 » I just am saying that she did a presentation that's explaining how 1182 01:25:47,840 --> 01:25:55,600 municipality municipal offices should analyze conflicts of interest. So, she's 1183 01:25:53,280 --> 01:26:00,960 the one she's saying this is how you should analyze it. And then she's our 1184 01:25:57,679 --> 01:26:07,040 town attorney and all of the people here are going like to to her and there's a 1185 01:26:05,280 --> 01:26:12,400 background between you guys that I'm like very concerned about that that was 1186 01:26:09,679 --> 01:26:17,040 a very biased response. It was narrow. There's a lot of stuff that I'm going to 1187 01:26:14,159 --> 01:26:21,440 be needing to go through legally because it's not it's not fully right and you 1188 01:26:19,760 --> 01:26:28,320 shouldn't have been doing some like talking about our code of ethics policy 1189 01:26:25,440 --> 01:26:33,760 with with like attorney money for one and talk about it from a legal 1190 01:26:31,040 --> 01:26:38,400 standpoint. That's why are we defending that's not what I was asking. I wanted 1191 01:26:35,520 --> 01:26:43,120 to ask if you guys had talked like actually talked amongst the board about 1192 01:26:40,800 --> 01:26:48,400 the possibility of an appearance to a reasonable person in town that there 1193 01:26:45,040 --> 01:26:53,280 could have been a town code of ethic violation. A reasonable person in town 1194 01:26:51,679 --> 01:26:57,440 couldn't have assumed that if a reasonable person in town does any kind 1195 01:26:55,199 --> 01:27:01,679 of research at all and understands anything, it's possible. Nice. 1196 01:27:00,400 --> 01:27:06,080 » I mean, I just >> I'm I just don't want to get to the 1197 01:27:03,360 --> 01:27:10,960 point where I have to find like bad. Like, it's just I want to prevent that. 1198 01:27:08,560 --> 01:27:15,840 » I just You should have at least like talked amongst yourself. I was expecting 1199 01:27:12,880 --> 01:27:19,679 you to not give this legal like spend a lot of money, give this legal response 1200 01:27:18,080 --> 01:27:24,000 to all the code of ethics. >> I was expecting you to talk about it at 1201 01:27:21,760 --> 01:27:27,920 a select board meeting. Would would somebody reasonably think that? So 1202 01:27:26,800 --> 01:27:31,120 Chris, you're the one that talked to her, Sarah, correct? 1203 01:27:29,920 --> 01:27:38,000 » Yes. >> So this was Hold on. So So to your to 1204 01:27:35,600 --> 01:27:42,239 your point to your point, Carrie, you're saying 1205 01:27:40,480 --> 01:27:48,080 » Chris is the one that headed the investigation, right, Chris? Correct. 1206 01:27:45,679 --> 01:27:54,400 Right. So we can clear that up now. So you saying that Charlie spoke to her 1207 01:27:50,880 --> 01:28:00,320 about what we what Chris addressed has it's nothing to do with Charlie. Like 1208 01:27:56,159 --> 01:28:03,520 Chris did his part to do to to to talk through through this stuff. So Charlie 1209 01:28:01,760 --> 01:28:07,040 had nothing to do with this. If you're going back to looking at it as a 1210 01:28:04,719 --> 01:28:11,360 standpoint of their relationship, which I mean I don't I mean I don't know. I 1211 01:28:08,800 --> 01:28:17,679 mean you know people have relationships with lawyers because they have the best 1212 01:28:13,840 --> 01:28:22,000 interest of in this case the community. um whether and people have the complete 1213 01:28:20,480 --> 01:28:25,199 right to disagree with it, right? Because anybody we're going to disagree 1214 01:28:23,679 --> 01:28:29,199 whether it's wastewater or short-term ordinance or you know the lawyer the 1215 01:28:27,199 --> 01:28:32,719 conflicts or whatever what have you. But that's why she went to law school is and 1216 01:28:30,880 --> 01:28:36,880 if she's talking about ethics that's like that's what you know that's if I'm 1217 01:28:35,040 --> 01:28:40,880 not mistaken that the law firm is specializes in municipality ethics. 1218 01:28:39,280 --> 01:28:45,360 » She's she's in general. Okay, we're going to we're going to 1219 01:28:42,719 --> 01:28:49,840 » Yeah. So, all all I want to end on this, all I want all I want to end up saying 1220 01:28:47,199 --> 01:28:52,480 is Chris is the one that spoke with her, not Charlie. 1221 01:28:50,960 --> 01:28:57,199 » So, this is the order of operations because Chris did already email me back 1222 01:28:54,480 --> 01:29:04,000 about what happened. Liz emailed the attorney. The attorney replied to 1223 01:29:00,320 --> 01:29:07,920 Charlie and repi replied to Liz because he's the chair, right? But he is the one 1224 01:29:06,239 --> 01:29:11,040 that I'm talking about conflicts of interest 1225 01:29:09,440 --> 01:29:15,760 that I don't know if it should have just gone back to to Liz and then I think he 1226 01:29:14,480 --> 01:29:20,560 said and I have to go back through his email to explain all of the dates and 1227 01:29:17,520 --> 01:29:25,840 all the times but that that Charlie then asked him to to present. So like you 1228 01:29:24,080 --> 01:29:29,520 made a decision for him to present before you even fine 1229 01:29:27,760 --> 01:29:34,480 » the at the public meeting at the grain shaw Chris was appointed by the board in 1230 01:29:32,080 --> 01:29:37,360 a vote that I abstained from to lead on this just as a matter of fact and a 1231 01:29:36,639 --> 01:29:42,159 record. >> I did not pick Chris or tell Chris in 1232 01:29:40,320 --> 01:29:46,960 charge of all >> this is a topic on you and you should 1233 01:29:44,000 --> 01:29:51,199 really not be talking. >> Carrie Carrie I am the chair of this 1234 01:29:49,199 --> 01:29:54,560 board. It's a public comment session. We're going to keep doing public comment 1235 01:29:52,639 --> 01:29:57,920 and we're going back to Robert's rules right now. The person with the floor can 1236 01:29:56,480 --> 01:30:00,480 talk. Carrie, you have the floor. You can finish your public comments. 1237 01:29:59,360 --> 01:30:04,639 » Okay. >> Yeah. And that's the whole ethics part 1238 01:30:02,800 --> 01:30:07,199 of it that if it wasn't about that that it wouldn't I wouldn't care who is 1239 01:30:06,159 --> 01:30:13,440 moderating. >> Um so we what did we end up doing with 1240 01:30:10,719 --> 01:30:17,120 Northwest Fiber tonight? They're essentially going to be working together 1241 01:30:15,520 --> 01:30:20,639 and they're >> we executed a lease agreement for them 1242 01:30:18,719 --> 01:30:22,080 to house equipment in the public safety building in the fire bay. 1243 01:30:21,840 --> 01:30:27,520 » Yeah. >> And do they have any like is it possible 1244 01:30:25,199 --> 01:30:30,880 that NEK can go underground? Like >> I don't know the mechanics of their 1245 01:30:28,880 --> 01:30:32,320 operation. You can ask them. >> We're just doing we're doing public 1246 01:30:31,840 --> 01:30:37,199 comment. >> Was there another option for the JP part 1247 01:30:35,120 --> 01:30:39,120 section or is that the only thing we had? 1248 01:30:37,520 --> 01:30:43,360 » The only commun the only communication unions districts are Northwest Fiber 1249 01:30:41,120 --> 01:30:45,920 Works and NEK Broadband. the service. >> So, we're just trying to get it here. 1250 01:30:44,560 --> 01:30:52,480 Sweet. >> And then 1251 01:30:48,639 --> 01:30:58,320 I think I think I might be really close. >> Um, yeah. I mean, I'm not going to 1252 01:30:55,920 --> 01:31:01,760 I don't want to go too crazy right now, so I'm fine. 1253 01:30:59,679 --> 01:31:04,719 » Okay, great. We're going to go to Josh. >> I do have a question about that 1254 01:31:02,880 --> 01:31:08,320 broadband. You said that we have a 25 year lease agreement. We could have a 25 1255 01:31:07,040 --> 01:31:12,239 year lease agreement and we have to maintain that for 25 years. What happens 1256 01:31:10,000 --> 01:31:15,920 if no one dies? We have to buy a brand new one in that arena. 1257 01:31:14,400 --> 01:31:18,080 » I'm sorry. Buy a new what? >> Generator. 1258 01:31:17,120 --> 01:31:21,360 » Uh >> cuz you said we have to maintain it for 1259 01:31:19,600 --> 01:31:23,679 25 years only buying the original one. So if it dies in 15 years, we have the 1260 01:31:23,199 --> 01:31:29,199 new one. >> So no, the lease agreement of 25 years 1261 01:31:26,239 --> 01:31:31,520 is just for them to have access to that space. 1262 01:31:30,080 --> 01:31:35,760 » Um there's nothing in that agreement where if the generator died and we 1263 01:31:33,520 --> 01:31:38,920 didn't furnish one, we'd be required to. Just curious 1264 01:31:40,480 --> 01:31:45,280 maintain that thing. >> The generator is ours for good. 1265 01:31:43,520 --> 01:31:47,679 » So, we have to maintain that for them no matter what. 1266 01:31:46,159 --> 01:31:50,639 » Uh we maintain it. We'll we'll be maintaining it with all of our 1267 01:31:48,719 --> 01:31:53,520 generators because it'll serve both them and the building. 1268 01:31:52,560 --> 01:31:58,400 » No, >> I'd like uh just go off for a question. 1269 01:31:56,800 --> 01:32:03,600 Uh could you tell us if you've ever had any uh things with Sarah Box before you 1270 01:32:01,520 --> 01:32:08,159 were before she was a lawyer? Have you ever testified next to her like 1271 01:32:06,880 --> 01:32:12,239 three different times? >> No, I have never had any kind of 1272 01:32:10,159 --> 01:32:17,840 personal or business relationship with Sarah Buckton prior to her being the 1273 01:32:14,320 --> 01:32:22,320 municipal attorney starting in 2023. >> And I still have no other relationship 1274 01:32:19,760 --> 01:32:26,159 with Sarah outside of her being the municipal attorney. We don't serve on 1275 01:32:24,080 --> 01:32:29,840 any boards together. We don't hang out on the weekends. 1276 01:32:28,000 --> 01:32:34,800 She's the municipal attorney. I saw that you guys testified next to each other in 1277 01:32:31,440 --> 01:32:40,159 2003 in March. I think it was >> we testified in March of 2000 where 1278 01:32:38,320 --> 01:32:43,120 » I can find it. Come back to me. I'll find it for you 1279 01:32:41,040 --> 01:32:47,199 » like in court. >> Come back to me. I'll find it. 1280 01:32:44,960 --> 01:32:50,639 » Like a legislative committee. You mean something like a 1281 01:32:49,679 --> 01:32:54,000 » I didn't go back. >> I just 1282 01:32:52,400 --> 01:32:58,639 » Okay. Are you good? >> You don't remember? 1283 01:32:55,679 --> 01:33:00,639 » You know. Yeah. I'm getting gray hairs. All 1284 01:33:00,719 --> 01:33:04,400 right, Charlie. I'm going to make it simple tonight. 1285 01:33:03,199 --> 01:33:08,960 » All right. Love simple. >> Okay. Because you talk about the 1286 01:33:06,880 --> 01:33:14,639 temporary bridge. Well, my other half's a logger, so I know all about temporary 1287 01:33:11,360 --> 01:33:22,480 bridges. Okay. And you know, well, I just looked it up online so that you 1288 01:33:17,440 --> 01:33:26,880 everybody know how much a 40 foot temporary bridge would cost. 1289 01:33:24,880 --> 01:33:31,080 » Like the purchase price. The purchase price 1290 01:33:28,080 --> 01:33:31,080 » $26,000 1291 01:33:32,159 --> 01:33:37,280 » for a temporary bridge, but it's yours. >> But I just want everybody to know how 1292 01:33:36,719 --> 01:33:41,929 much >> how much is the weight of 1293 01:33:38,880 --> 01:33:48,000 » I don't know that. Just look the 40 foot [snorts] 50 foot is 6 26,0002. 1294 01:33:45,679 --> 01:33:51,760 » I don't give you the button. >> Anything else? Teresa. 1295 01:33:50,480 --> 01:33:55,719 » Oh, there wasn't there. >> Hang on. It's Teresa's 1296 01:33:56,239 --> 01:34:03,000 » radio, but I don't know how much >> Teresa, you still have the floor. 1297 01:33:59,760 --> 01:34:03,000 » I know. 1298 01:34:03,199 --> 01:34:10,094 » Yes. But I'm being nice tonight, just to let you know cuz I got dinner waiting 1299 01:34:08,080 --> 01:34:12,114 for me at [laughter] 1300 01:34:12,239 --> 01:34:19,920 » Daddy's cooking. >> And I know how great you how you how 1301 01:34:18,239 --> 01:34:25,199 everything goes around here. I've been here long enough and I'm not rehashing 1302 01:34:22,239 --> 01:34:30,480 anything, but these meetings are great. But 1303 01:34:27,040 --> 01:34:34,239 sometimes people decide or get really heated up. 1304 01:34:32,880 --> 01:34:38,000 They got to remember they're in the public and they're [snorts] 1305 01:34:36,320 --> 01:34:41,360 thinking, you know what I mean? Like Mark, I'm not going to pull you out 1306 01:34:39,520 --> 01:34:43,360 right now, but you got a little mad. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. 1307 01:34:42,000 --> 01:34:47,920 » You got a little mad. >> Yeah. 1308 01:34:43,760 --> 01:34:52,159 » And that okay, but cuz we all love you. We're all here. We're all family. That's 1309 01:34:50,159 --> 01:34:54,719 I become family up here and I don't know why. 1310 01:34:52,800 --> 01:34:58,239 » I don't love mine. I like them. >> Okay. Can we 1311 01:34:56,080 --> 01:35:00,639 » But anyway, >> I just want to let you know about the 1312 01:34:59,600 --> 01:35:04,400 logging bridge. >> Okay. 1313 01:35:01,040 --> 01:35:12,120 » And if a Georgia thing's coming up, let us know cuz Chris needs another job. 1314 01:35:07,600 --> 01:35:12,120 » Okay. I need I need to 1315 01:35:13,679 --> 01:35:18,719 » Thank you. Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Teresa. We're 1316 01:35:16,480 --> 01:35:22,560 going to go. Craig needs one too, right? >> We're going to Larry for public comment. 1317 01:35:20,880 --> 01:35:25,040 Larry, public comment. The floor is yours. 1318 01:35:23,280 --> 01:35:27,385 » I have five or six in no particular order. 1319 01:35:25,440 --> 01:35:30,639 » You can do them whatever order you want. [laughter] 1320 01:35:28,560 --> 01:35:36,800 » Uh Chris did a prefest for us. He did 1321 01:35:33,760 --> 01:35:43,040 script for the uh before he read the lawyers interpretation 1322 01:35:39,280 --> 01:35:48,239 last time on the 21st. and he read this document to the public that were here. 1323 01:35:46,320 --> 01:35:52,000 » And I believe this document should have been part of your minutes and and should 1324 01:35:50,719 --> 01:35:54,000 have been attached as well. >> It was 1325 01:35:52,560 --> 01:35:57,120 » it it was not with the minutes. >> I think it was. 1326 01:35:55,040 --> 01:36:00,880 » No, it was it was not it was basically >> this just this document with Sarah's 1327 01:36:00,000 --> 01:36:04,000 interpretation >> the report. 1328 01:36:01,760 --> 01:36:09,040 » Okay. But this was read before he did that before he did that interpretation. 1329 01:36:06,880 --> 01:36:11,280 Before he read her interpretation, he read this. 1330 01:36:10,320 --> 01:36:15,840 » Okay. That's pretty >> that's the it's the document that um 1331 01:36:13,760 --> 01:36:19,440 it's the document that Sarah provided that went over the open meeting law 1332 01:36:17,920 --> 01:36:23,679 complaint section of the report. >> Okay. 1333 01:36:20,480 --> 01:36:26,880 » And um so I read instead of reading the text of the report, I read it was 1334 01:36:25,120 --> 01:36:29,520 basically a summary of the of that section of the report. 1335 01:36:27,760 --> 01:36:32,400 » And this and this should have been because it was read to the public should 1336 01:36:31,040 --> 01:36:36,080 have been part of >> part of the part of the record. 1337 01:36:34,159 --> 01:36:41,360 » Okay. If we if board members want to amend the minutes from last meeting, we 1338 01:36:38,800 --> 01:36:47,040 there's a process to do that. >> Secondly, at one time, sometimes it 1339 01:36:45,360 --> 01:36:52,080 doesn't seem like very long ago, but maybe it was the beer or something. At 1340 01:36:48,880 --> 01:36:57,760 one time, Liz was uh going to be head of the uh do I want 1341 01:36:55,840 --> 01:37:00,639 to say ethics? We needed a we needed a 1342 01:37:00,000 --> 01:37:06,320 » a >> person a person that was a employee and 1343 01:37:03,280 --> 01:37:10,080 she took it. How did that she go away and Chris became 1344 01:37:08,800 --> 01:37:16,159 » what happened to Liz? >> So Liz is the leazison with the uh 1345 01:37:14,000 --> 01:37:21,360 ethics commission. Um the ethics commission exists only in name right 1346 01:37:18,239 --> 01:37:25,360 now. Um we have we can't we so we basically they're useless to us until 1347 01:37:23,119 --> 01:37:28,560 they get money and can do stuff. >> Thank you. 1348 01:37:27,040 --> 01:37:33,320 You're talking about all the complaints you receive. 1349 01:37:30,320 --> 01:37:33,320 Lucky 1350 01:37:34,080 --> 01:37:42,639 you you have a you have a format that you use for complaints of ordinances and 1351 01:37:39,840 --> 01:37:46,159 policies uh particularly with planning commission zoning and everything else. 1352 01:37:44,400 --> 01:37:50,000 You might want to look at that to see if that's something you can use and you can 1353 01:37:48,480 --> 01:37:52,239 look at the complaint and see if it's really worthwhile. Okay. 1354 01:37:51,760 --> 01:37:59,520 » Yep. >> Mhm. Um, 1355 01:37:55,840 --> 01:38:04,080 » what the hell does that say? [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. The environmental group guys 1356 01:38:01,440 --> 01:38:07,920 that were here and asked and took a few questions about the 1357 01:38:06,239 --> 01:38:12,239 » uh the Yeah, the folks from DEC on the indirect discharge permit. Yeah, 1358 01:38:09,520 --> 01:38:15,280 » they said probably two weeks or more. It's definitely been two weeks or more. 1359 01:38:13,840 --> 01:38:18,239 Have you heard anything back from >> Yeah, like I said earlier, I checked in 1360 01:38:16,800 --> 01:38:21,520 with them Friday. I thought they were going to have the written response to 1361 01:38:19,679 --> 01:38:24,880 the comment log up Friday. It's not there. Um, I'll check again with them 1362 01:38:23,119 --> 01:38:28,320 tomorrow, but as soon as we get word that the comment log responses are live 1363 01:38:26,960 --> 01:38:31,600 on their site, we'll put something on the website. 1364 01:38:28,880 --> 01:38:34,639 » A follow-up question to to that is, are you going to award a contract without 1365 01:38:33,679 --> 01:38:39,760 their answers? >> No, because we need we need the answers 1366 01:38:36,880 --> 01:38:45,280 and the the permit, >> the 25 year 1367 01:38:42,639 --> 01:38:47,920 um, >> can it be broken? 1368 01:38:47,199 --> 01:38:53,600 » Uh, there is. >> What's the terms of being able to break? 1369 01:38:49,520 --> 01:38:57,880 Yeah, there are there is severability uh or default I should say. 1370 01:38:59,360 --> 01:39:07,159 » Yeah, it's on 19 uh there's a default provision. 1371 01:39:12,560 --> 01:39:19,760 » I mean it would be broken through the default provision in clause 19. Um 1372 01:39:17,840 --> 01:39:24,800 there's no other clause that essentially allows either party to break it at any 1373 01:39:21,679 --> 01:39:29,199 time. So it would be a case of we would default on it somehow and that would be 1374 01:39:26,400 --> 01:39:35,440 the breaking of the lease. My my last my last comment is that a 1375 01:39:33,040 --> 01:39:39,440 good lawyer a really good lawyer would probably poke a lot of holes in Sarah's 1376 01:39:37,840 --> 01:39:45,679 interpretation because it is an interpretation not not all of it is law 1377 01:39:42,800 --> 01:39:52,400 and I think that's on those people that disagree to be able to to have to do 1378 01:39:48,480 --> 01:39:54,880 that. It's not it's other than that it's done. 1379 01:39:53,040 --> 01:40:00,000 » Sure. Yeah. I mean, like anything related to law, until it's ruled on by a 1380 01:39:57,199 --> 01:40:04,239 judge, it's two interpretations of law until it's settled. 1381 01:40:02,080 --> 01:40:08,800 » Anita, anything for visitors? >> Nope. Okay. Thanks. We're going to go to 1382 01:40:05,679 --> 01:40:11,800 the Zoom. Uh Daniel, anything for visitors? 1383 01:40:12,000 --> 01:40:20,520 » Uh [laughter] Gabby, anything for visitors? 1384 01:40:16,239 --> 01:40:20,520 » Uh Peter, anything for visitors? 1385 01:40:21,280 --> 01:40:27,440 » Yes. Hi. Can you hear me? >> Yep, we can hear you. 1386 01:40:24,719 --> 01:40:33,520 » Just an observation. Uh over many months and a few years, the board seems to be 1387 01:40:30,320 --> 01:40:40,480 spending u an increasing amount of time defending itself 1388 01:40:35,600 --> 01:40:46,000 on either real or appeared conflicts. And I understand you're addressing it 1389 01:40:42,159 --> 01:40:54,560 through uh process. It concerns me that the process involves uh a law firm that 1390 01:40:51,520 --> 01:41:00,159 is being employed by the town at the approval of the select board. Basically, 1391 01:40:57,119 --> 01:41:04,480 the select board is policing itself. Uh she does have a stake. Sarah or her 1392 01:41:02,719 --> 01:41:12,880 firm have a stake. They've been employed by the town for many years past and um 1393 01:41:09,600 --> 01:41:17,280 anticipated years forward. So once again, and I've brought this up 1394 01:41:14,880 --> 01:41:23,600 before, and it's obviously the final decision is yours, but the um oversight 1395 01:41:21,440 --> 01:41:30,159 of conflict of interest should be removed completely from anybody with 1396 01:41:26,719 --> 01:41:34,880 affiliation or the potential to um continue 1397 01:41:32,880 --> 01:41:42,159 as a vendor or whatever you would call a law firm with the town and be hired out 1398 01:41:39,840 --> 01:41:47,360 uh to somebody who's got absolutely no affiliation with the town. That's just 1399 01:41:44,639 --> 01:41:54,159 an observation. Over the years, the the board is spending a lot of time 1400 01:41:50,480 --> 01:41:59,520 uh on these issues and that doesn't seem to be getting any traction in terms of 1401 01:41:56,800 --> 01:42:07,880 resolving them uh because nobody frankly is is 1402 01:42:03,520 --> 01:42:07,880 buying the process right now. 1403 01:42:08,400 --> 01:42:16,000 That's my observation and that's it. It's uh and and the question remains, 1404 01:42:14,560 --> 01:42:22,400 you know, what what are these people being paid at Gilly's Tyrant or Tarant 1405 01:42:18,320 --> 01:42:26,080 Gilly's law firm that Sarah works for u to address conflict of interest? The 1406 01:42:24,560 --> 01:42:31,440 question's been asked and I've never met a lawyer that hasn't built somebody for 1407 01:42:29,360 --> 01:42:34,760 breathing within the month that they took the breath. 1408 01:42:36,560 --> 01:42:43,360 So, I'm quite sure you have what they're charging you. You must have it by now 1409 01:42:40,719 --> 01:42:45,679 because this has gone on for a while. >> So, 1410 01:42:44,159 --> 01:42:51,520 » yeah. So, we don't actually have an invoice to cover her work on the 1411 01:42:49,520 --> 01:42:53,679 conflict of interest stuff yet. I I checked today because it someone else 1412 01:42:52,960 --> 01:42:58,960 asked. >> Um 1413 01:42:54,800 --> 01:43:02,480 » I mean, I will say that it the the board policing itself, that's the process. I 1414 01:43:00,960 --> 01:43:05,840 mean, if complaints come to the board, the board is the one that addresses 1415 01:43:03,840 --> 01:43:11,600 them. I think we brought Sarah in at that point to try to 1416 01:43:09,119 --> 01:43:15,760 address the lack of trust with the board members um by having a third party and 1417 01:43:14,000 --> 01:43:20,239 we thought the municipal attorney given that they are the attorney that 1418 01:43:17,040 --> 01:43:24,000 represents the town would be a an adequate third party. It sounds like 1419 01:43:21,760 --> 01:43:30,639 there's a definitive lack of trust now with her with a subset of the community, 1420 01:43:27,520 --> 01:43:35,440 however small it might be. Um if something else comes up and we want to 1421 01:43:32,880 --> 01:43:39,280 hire a third-party law firm to address it, we certainly can. Um but in the 1422 01:43:37,679 --> 01:43:43,600 absence of working with an admissible attorney, it comes back to the board. 1423 01:43:41,600 --> 01:43:49,920 And so the board essentially is who would address complaints. Um and we can 1424 01:43:47,600 --> 01:43:52,920 certainly not involve the town attorney. Um 1425 01:43:53,040 --> 01:43:57,840 but that's that's the resource we have right now to answer questions related to 1426 01:43:56,320 --> 01:44:01,920 legal matters. So then the follow-up comment would be 1427 01:43:59,679 --> 01:44:08,400 that basically the person who is citing law is being paid by the town to cite 1428 01:44:06,239 --> 01:44:15,360 law to substantiate a position of what is a conflict and 1429 01:44:11,280 --> 01:44:20,639 what is not. And as you must well know, you can cite law to support pretty much 1430 01:44:18,239 --> 01:44:23,840 any position. That's why you have a system all the way up to a Supreme 1431 01:44:22,080 --> 01:44:30,000 Court. uh far beyond our scope, but the point 1432 01:44:27,199 --> 01:44:37,040 is that you're paying this lawyer >> to uh feed Chris 1433 01:44:34,719 --> 01:44:42,880 supporting documentation to a position that the town uh select 1434 01:44:40,000 --> 01:44:48,719 board has not breached conflict of interest. And I take exception also to a 1435 01:44:46,719 --> 01:44:53,679 subset of the community, however small it is. It's not quite as small as you 1436 01:44:51,040 --> 01:44:59,360 might imagine, Charlie. There are a lot of people that don't speak 1437 01:44:56,320 --> 01:45:05,440 uh publicly but voice their opinions privately 1438 01:45:00,880 --> 01:45:12,719 that have absolutely no faith in the um integrity of the select board. 1439 01:45:08,239 --> 01:45:16,320 And you know I'm personally I I am uh cognizant of all the work you do. 1440 01:45:14,560 --> 01:45:24,239 There's a lot of positive work you do. I get all that. My concern is that your 1441 01:45:18,960 --> 01:45:29,520 time doing that work is being chewed up by these types of complaints of conflict 1442 01:45:26,800 --> 01:45:34,560 of interest that are not adequately being addressed 1443 01:45:31,679 --> 01:45:40,480 and the money is aside but uh it's not really aside. I mean the money is the 1444 01:45:36,159 --> 01:45:45,360 money but uh the result is long you know it's it's not happening you're not 1445 01:45:42,719 --> 01:45:50,719 squelch you're not satisfying the concerns of the subset 1446 01:45:48,400 --> 01:45:55,119 that uh there's there's not a conflict of 1447 01:45:52,800 --> 01:46:00,960 interest and that that could go on for more years 1448 01:45:57,119 --> 01:46:04,719 who knows but I think it would be a productive [clears throat] constructive 1449 01:46:02,159 --> 01:46:10,400 first step to not rely on someone that the select 1450 01:46:06,800 --> 01:46:15,840 board is authorizing to be paid to make the judgment. The judgment should be 1451 01:46:12,560 --> 01:46:20,880 made by somebody with absolutely uh nothing to gain. I understand you pay 1452 01:46:17,840 --> 01:46:26,400 a third party, but you don't pay a third party for years back and years forward. 1453 01:46:24,000 --> 01:46:30,400 It's a oneshot deal. And that that's kind of what I'm 1454 01:46:28,080 --> 01:46:35,440 suggesting. But uh that's obviously again up to you guys. 1455 01:46:32,800 --> 01:46:39,679 And that's it for me. All right. Thanks, Peter. That brings us 1456 01:46:37,440 --> 01:46:42,960 through the public comment. Um, that brings us to the end of our agenda. 1457 01:46:41,360 --> 01:46:46,800 We've done a round of public comment that I received. 1458 01:46:44,320 --> 01:46:50,639 » We've done a round of public comment. We're all going to try to take a deep 1459 01:46:48,480 --> 01:46:53,760 breath and go home to dinner. >> Thank you. 1460 01:46:51,440 --> 01:46:58,639 » Uh, with that, uh, 1461 01:46:57,040 --> 01:47:03,600 brings us to our agenda. Is there a motion to adjurnn? 1462 01:47:01,360 --> 01:47:06,400 » Make a motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? 1463 01:47:04,560 --> 01:47:11,520 » Second. >> Is there any further discussion? 1464 01:47:10,239 --> 01:47:13,840 Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I or raising your 1465 01:47:12,880 --> 01:47:15,119 hand. >> I 1466 01:47:14,320 --> 01:47:18,880 » I. >> Any opposed? 1467 01:47:16,960 --> 01:47:25,080 Any abstensions? All right. Motion carries and we stand 1468 01:47:20,239 --> 01:47:25,080 in adjournment at 7:48 p.m.