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Oh one.

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Good morning

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everybody. Good morning,

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Dan.

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I'm gonna, it is 10 0 1.

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Welcome to town meeting 2026.

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Is this my, is this, can somebody turn the mic up in

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that case, are we better now?

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Close. Close. Close. Okay,

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Mic.

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Let's not get personal.

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Welcome to town meeting 2026.

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Ladies and gentlemen, it has been our tradition

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to start this meeting with a poem for decades read

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by our unofficial poet laureate Charlie Barish.

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Charlie has, I'm sorry to say, declined

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to read this year for understandable reasons,

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but I wanna keep the tradition of a poem

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and with, even though it was extremely cold last night,

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there is hope of spring and baseball season on the way.

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Therefore, I give you Casey at the back

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for your entertainment pleasure.

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The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day.

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The score stood four to two with,

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but one inning left to play.

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And then when Cooney died at first

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and Barrows did the same,

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a Paul like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

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A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.

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The rest clung

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to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast.

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They thought if only Casey could get a whack at that,

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we'd put up even money now with Casey at the back.

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But Flynn proceeded Casey

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as also did Jimmy Blake.

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And the former was a hoodoo, and the latter was a cake.

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So upon that stricken, multitude grim, melancholy sac

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for, there seemed to be no chance

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of getting Casey to the back.

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But Flynn let drive a single to the wonderment of all.

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And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball.

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And when the dust had lifted

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and men saw what had occurred,

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there was Jimmy safe at second

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and Flynn, a hug third.

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Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lus.

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It rumbled through the valleys. It rattled in the Dell.

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It pounded on the mountains and recoiled on the flat.

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For Casey, mighty Casey

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was advancing to the back.

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There was ease in Casey's manner

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as he stepped into his place.

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There was pride in Casey's bearings

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and a smile at Casey's face.

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And when responding to the cheers,

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he lightly docked his hat.

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No stranger in the crowd could doubt

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was Casey at the bat.

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10,000 eyes were on him as he rubbed his hand with dirt.

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5,000 tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.

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Then wild arriving, pitcher ground the ball into his hip.

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Defiance flashed in Casey's eyes

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and a sneer curled Casey's lip.

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And now the leather covered sphere came hurling

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through the air and Casey stood watching it in Horty

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grandeur there, close by the sturdy Batman ball.

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Un sped. That ain't my style, Casey said.

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Strike one, the umpire said,

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from the benches black

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with people there went up a muffled roar like the beating

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of the storm waves on a small stern

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and distant shore kill,

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kill the umpire shouted somebody in the stand,

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and it's likely they'd have killed him, had not.

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Casey raised his hand with a smile

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of Christian charity, great Casey's vision shown,

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and he stilled the rusting alt and he bathed the game.

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Go on. He signaled to the pitcher.

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And once more, the Dun sphere flew.

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But Casey still ignored it.

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And the umpire said,

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strike two fraud.

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Fraud cried the Madden.

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Thousands and an echo answered fraud.

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But one scornful look at Casey and the audience was odd.

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They saw his face gu, stern and cold.

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They saw his muscle strain.

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They knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

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The sneer is gone from Casey's lips.

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His teeth are clenched in hate.

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He pounds with cruel violence, his back upon the plate.

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And now the pitcher holds the ball. And now he lets it go.

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And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

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Oh, somewhere in this favored land,

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the sun is shining bright, the band is playing somewhere,

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and somewhere hearts are light.

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And somewhere men are laughing and somewhere children shout.

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But there is no joy in mudville.

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The mighty Casey has struck out

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the meeting's over.

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Now, before I begin,

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I just want, just really briefly, I, I'm, I'm indebted Mike,

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I'm sorry, I'm indebted Rebecca Ellis, who's the town

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moderator in Waterbury.

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I I put this in front porch for him.

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Posted some really nice information about Robert's rules.

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And I'll just go over a few of these before we start.

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So the discussion can only begin

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after an article is moved and seconded.

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Each person may speak once until everybody else who wants

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to speak has spoken.

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Motions can be amended, but only once.

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So excuse me, motions can be amended

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and the amendment can be amended only once,

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meaning you cannot amend to the third degree.

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If you want a motion

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to call the question meaning ending debate.

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In order to do that, you cannot shout

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that out from the floor.

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You must be recognized.

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And when you are recognized

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and you say, I, I wish to call the question

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or call the previous question, either one is acceptable.

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That stops debate that is won by a two thirds majority.

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You'll notice when I call for a voice vote, I'll ask

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for the yays and nays.

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I will say the yays appear to have it

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or the nays appear to have it.

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I will wait after I say that I am waiting for somebody

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to say division of the house, which means you're not unsure

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of how I called the vote either yay or nay.

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Anybody who wants a division of the house, you don't have

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to be recognized to say division of the house.

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And then we will count the votes by hand.

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We can also on any, on any motion,

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have a paper ballot.

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I would ask you to please remember, oh, it takes seven votes

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to sustain a paper ballot.

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So the person who calls for it, six others,

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I would remind you that a paper ballot takes forever.

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So that's that.

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I also wanna just acknowledge very quickly

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that Paula Emery is here to help me.

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Paula has been,

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she's been helping if, if you have an amendment, if you,

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if you have an amendment and you can possibly write it down,

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that would be most helpful.

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If you need help formulating an amendment,

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I will do my very best to help you do that.

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And so, and Paula is also, has also kept a queue

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and helps me because I don't hear very well

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and she can speak into my right ear.

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So with that said,

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before we take up article one,

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Our representative, representative Mark Mahaley

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and Senator Andy Perker here

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with no objection by, by unanimous consent.

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Or I will, lemme put it this way, is there unanimous consent

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to allow our elected representatives

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to speak before the meeting?

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Yes. Yes. Okay.

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Yes, there is unanimous consent.

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I wanted silence, but I'm gonna take that

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as humanist consent.

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Ladies and gentlemen, representative Mahaley, Senator Ley,

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What did we do for,

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I didn't need to hear Casey at the bat

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after being in the legislature.

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I kept hoping that he'd hit the ball,

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but oh well I kept hoping that Casey would hit the ball.

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It just reminded me too much of the legislature.

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So just first of all, where we are really quickly,

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we're about to be half over.

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That is not this Friday.

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Next Friday we have to have all of our bills out

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of our committees and over to the Senate.

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And same thing for them. So they go like this.

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So it's kind of hard to know what's gonna happen.

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But just a few observations really quickly.

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One is the,

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the craziness in Washington is unfortunately affecting us.

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It, it really, the federal government's efforts at the

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state level are kind of collapsing.

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You know, there's just a lot of money that we used to get.

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About a third of our budget more,

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I guess came from the federal government.

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And it's gonna be less,

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and Andy's gonna tell you he's head

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of appropriations in the Senate struggling with this.

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But I just tell my committee all the time, there's no money.

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You know, it's, it's a real problem.

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Also, although I'm head of the housing committee,

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I care a lot about flooding.

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Guess why. And

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so I had a bill last session which created a study

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and this session I think that Bill has a real, another bill

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to do disaster relief planning

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and set up a real system that works fast, I mean

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fast in the event of a problem at the dam.

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So I just keep pushing that issue

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because I really believe playing Field and Marshfield

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and really East Montpelier all would be in terrible trouble

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if there's a problem at that dam.

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So we're working on it.

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Everybody knows that there's not enough housing

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and what we've got is too expensive.

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And so I'm just gonna say I'm spending my time trying

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to make housing easier to permit less bureaucracy, trying

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to make it easier to finance

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and trying to make it a little harder to challenge,

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not impossible, but a little harder so that we get,

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you know, people who wanna build, can build.

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I'm spending a lot of time this session on rural towns

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and helping small towns

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and like this one build if they want.

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Healthcare is a total mess as you know, I don't have

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to tell you, but le we did pass legislation

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that makes it allows better negotiation over drug prices.

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And that saved $230 million.

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That sounded like a lot of money.

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It ain't compared to the total cost of healthcare,

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230 million is a drop in the bucket.

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But it's something and we're continuing to work on it.

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Education, I think I'll let Andy talk about education

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for me, just in a word, I think the most important thing is

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to figure out how to change the financing.

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I mean, we're spending more and more money

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and we're not getting the quality we want

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and everybody knows that.

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The last thing I'll say is there are a number

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of bills in the house that would increase the tax rate

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for the most wealthy Vermonters.

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I have to say, I,

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although generally I don't think there's much room

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for a lot more taxes in Vermont,

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the most wealthy Vermonters have received huge tax benefits

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from the federal government.

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They're just paying a lot less

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and the federal government wants the states

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to take over everything.

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So I think some of that savings has to come back

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to the state and I support that.

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Thanks Mark. Yeah, and I, and I agree

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And there's work happening in the senate.

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Your other, one of your, your other two senators,

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Anne Watson, Ann Cummings, Ann Cummings is on the chair

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of the finance committee and they're working

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through a couple different ways of, of taxing the,

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the highest in income brackets, moving a bracket like

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to those that are making over $500,000,

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having a new marginal tax above that.

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So yeah, de definitely support that hope.

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Hopefully we can find a way to get it past the governor.

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'cause the governor has been very clear

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that he would veto anything like that.

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But maybe as part of a whole package on education,

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we would have something that the governor can

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support on education.

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I wanted to, to say that we're, we're working on trying to,

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you know, maintain local schools.

261
00:15:29,115 --> 00:15:30,245
Some of us are trying

262
00:15:30,245 --> 00:15:32,685
to maintain local control and, and good schools.

263
00:15:32,745 --> 00:15:36,245
But at the same time we hear that we, we know that we need

264
00:15:36,245 --> 00:15:38,525
to do something about property taxes and the,

265
00:15:38,545 --> 00:15:41,245
and the whole education system as how complicated it is

266
00:15:41,245 --> 00:15:42,885
and how there isn't as direct connection

267
00:15:42,885 --> 00:15:45,965
to your vote on your local budget and what your taxes are.

268
00:15:46,385 --> 00:15:47,725
So we're trying to fix that.

269
00:15:47,865 --> 00:15:50,165
So I think we are, there's agreement between the governor

270
00:15:50,165 --> 00:15:51,205
and the majority of the

271
00:15:51,205 --> 00:15:52,645
legislators that we should do something.

272
00:15:53,745 --> 00:15:56,165
We will likely move to a foundation formula.

273
00:15:56,665 --> 00:15:58,685
But how the new districts get formed

274
00:15:58,785 --> 00:16:00,005
is really the sticking point.

275
00:16:00,625 --> 00:16:03,645
I'm supporting the, the Senate Education Committee is trying

276
00:16:03,645 --> 00:16:05,005
to do a more bottom up

277
00:16:05,025 --> 00:16:07,485
or organic kind of decisions on

278
00:16:07,485 --> 00:16:09,125
how the new districts are created.

279
00:16:09,575 --> 00:16:11,805
Where the governor's proposal is more just top down,

280
00:16:11,805 --> 00:16:13,205
just like Montpelier has to do it.

281
00:16:13,205 --> 00:16:16,245
We will decide, but I think that usually just doesn't work.

282
00:16:16,405 --> 00:16:18,485
'cause they're gonna make mistakes all different towns

283
00:16:18,485 --> 00:16:19,845
throughout the, throughout the state.

284
00:16:20,105 --> 00:16:21,485
But I wanted to do a quick poll.

285
00:16:21,605 --> 00:16:23,845
I did this on Sunday in Marshfield.

286
00:16:24,985 --> 00:16:26,005
And also I wanna say, Jim,

287
00:16:26,025 --> 00:16:28,525
you guys are all packed in your feel guilty in Marshfield

288
00:16:28,525 --> 00:16:30,405
that we have the, the, the school.

289
00:16:30,415 --> 00:16:32,645
We're all spread out very comfortably when we're there.

290
00:16:32,645 --> 00:16:34,245
We probably don't have that many more people

291
00:16:34,245 --> 00:16:35,365
than you do here in Playfield.

292
00:16:36,435 --> 00:16:38,605
Yeah, but it, it's much cozier here.

293
00:16:41,265 --> 00:16:45,085
So if Twinfield was to merge with another district,

294
00:16:45,165 --> 00:16:47,405
I just want a quick poll to see whether you would support,

295
00:16:47,615 --> 00:16:49,845
which you would rather you have three choices

296
00:16:51,035 --> 00:16:54,685
move towards U 32, move west towards the Montpelier area

297
00:16:54,685 --> 00:16:55,845
or the U 32 district.

298
00:16:55,955 --> 00:16:57,005
Just kind of stay where we are

299
00:16:57,105 --> 00:17:01,005
or have our attention focused east to the bill,

300
00:17:01,005 --> 00:17:02,085
the Caledonia district

301
00:17:02,385 --> 00:17:05,285
or the third op option is you either don't care,

302
00:17:05,595 --> 00:17:07,925
need more information or want something else.

303
00:17:09,585 --> 00:17:11,405
So if you, just a show of hands,

304
00:17:11,465 --> 00:17:14,325
who would would rather have Twinfield merge East

305
00:17:14,345 --> 00:17:15,525
to the U 32 district.

306
00:17:17,475 --> 00:17:19,725
Okay, thank you. And who would rather stay

307
00:17:19,725 --> 00:17:22,725
with the Caledonia or kind of east of the Danville area?

308
00:17:22,945 --> 00:17:26,165
St. J. Okay. And then who's, who's the third option?

309
00:17:26,165 --> 00:17:29,205
Like don't care, don't know about another option.

310
00:17:29,795 --> 00:17:32,325
Okay, that's helpful. That's similar to what the,

311
00:17:32,325 --> 00:17:34,405
the boat was in, in Marshfield.

312
00:17:36,745 --> 00:17:37,885
And I'm on,

313
00:17:38,105 --> 00:17:40,325
I'm on the transportation committee and the appropriations committee.

314
00:17:40,405 --> 00:17:41,845
I just wanted to say something about transportation.

315
00:17:41,895 --> 00:17:44,845
We're having trouble in the transportation fund as of the,

316
00:17:45,025 --> 00:17:46,805
as the, as we are with the general fund.

317
00:17:46,805 --> 00:17:48,725
The general fund is, as Mark's talked about,

318
00:17:48,745 --> 00:17:49,805
the federal government.

319
00:17:49,825 --> 00:17:51,885
Not that the government's not just pulling back,

320
00:17:52,105 --> 00:17:54,485
but they're also completely chaotic and erratic.

321
00:17:54,595 --> 00:17:57,525
They'll say you have 65 million, you don't have 65 million.

322
00:17:57,865 --> 00:17:59,125
Oh there's 80 million coming,

323
00:17:59,425 --> 00:18:00,485
but we don't know when it's coming.

324
00:18:00,505 --> 00:18:03,405
So it's very hard for the state to budget when there's,

325
00:18:03,405 --> 00:18:06,845
they're drawing back, there's lawsuits they're doing drawing

326
00:18:06,845 --> 00:18:09,525
back funds saying that they're just holding it,

327
00:18:09,525 --> 00:18:11,045
but they may give it to us later.

328
00:18:11,425 --> 00:18:13,245
So it's making it very difficult

329
00:18:13,545 --> 00:18:15,205
to have the federal government as a,

330
00:18:15,205 --> 00:18:16,685
as a partner and a lot of things.

331
00:18:17,025 --> 00:18:19,005
The one exception is on transportation.

332
00:18:19,225 --> 00:18:23,325
The federal government is meeting our kind of current needs

333
00:18:23,385 --> 00:18:25,245
for federal funding for transportation.

334
00:18:25,305 --> 00:18:27,965
But the state pays somewhere around 30%

335
00:18:27,965 --> 00:18:30,365
of all the transportation costs in our revenue

336
00:18:30,595 --> 00:18:32,885
through gas tax and other things is not keeping up.

337
00:18:32,905 --> 00:18:34,885
So we're having trouble keeping up with the paving

338
00:18:34,885 --> 00:18:36,925
and the bridges and things, things like that.

339
00:18:37,865 --> 00:18:39,205
So we're trying to figure that out.

340
00:18:39,545 --> 00:18:41,965
What's the best way to make that gap?

341
00:18:42,165 --> 00:18:43,845
'cause we want to be able to pull down all the federal

342
00:18:43,845 --> 00:18:47,005
funds, but right now we have about a $30 million gap to,

343
00:18:47,105 --> 00:18:49,125
we would leave kind of money on the table if we didn't

344
00:18:49,125 --> 00:18:50,165
find that, find that money.

345
00:18:51,505 --> 00:18:53,725
And the one other thing that we're working on that I,

346
00:18:54,105 --> 00:18:56,845
one thing that I've heard from constituents the whole eight

347
00:18:56,845 --> 00:18:58,485
years, seven and a half years that I've been there,

348
00:18:58,945 --> 00:19:01,525
is about the, our vehicle inspection system.

349
00:19:02,265 --> 00:19:05,445
And we've tried to amend it and work on it before.

350
00:19:05,725 --> 00:19:08,925
'cause a lot of Vermonters have had a lot of trouble

351
00:19:09,035 --> 00:19:11,685
with getting their vehicles inspected, not feeling

352
00:19:11,685 --> 00:19:12,845
that it was a safety issue,

353
00:19:12,865 --> 00:19:15,005
but being told that it, they had to get, you know,

354
00:19:15,155 --> 00:19:17,365
repairs done $1,200 rotor jobs

355
00:19:17,385 --> 00:19:19,645
and things like that when they weren't really sure

356
00:19:19,675 --> 00:19:22,165
that the car only had 4,000 miles on it.

357
00:19:22,665 --> 00:19:25,605
So I had a bill to get rid of safety inspections entirely.

358
00:19:25,605 --> 00:19:27,765
There's no evidence that it really makes your,

359
00:19:28,305 --> 00:19:31,005
the straight the streets or the, the populace more.

360
00:19:31,875 --> 00:19:34,005
Yeah, thanks. More safe.

361
00:19:34,005 --> 00:19:35,925
There's, we're a one of only nine states

362
00:19:35,925 --> 00:19:37,485
that do annual inspections.

363
00:19:37,485 --> 00:19:39,485
You go to other states that don inspections, there's no,

364
00:19:39,485 --> 00:19:41,405
there's not more accidents than, there's not,

365
00:19:41,405 --> 00:19:42,485
the crashes aren't worse.

366
00:19:43,705 --> 00:19:45,605
So, but the, the DMV

367
00:19:46,155 --> 00:19:47,445
Scott's administration doesn't

368
00:19:47,445 --> 00:19:48,485
support just getting rid of it.

369
00:19:48,485 --> 00:19:49,885
So we're trying to work with DMV

370
00:19:49,885 --> 00:19:53,845
to just basically completely redo the inspection manual so

371
00:19:53,845 --> 00:19:56,805
that rust, if your high beam light isn't on,

372
00:19:56,825 --> 00:19:59,485
you don't pass inspection right now if you just have a small

373
00:19:59,485 --> 00:20:01,365
crack in a side window, you don't pass inspection.

374
00:20:01,745 --> 00:20:02,925
So just get rid of all those.

375
00:20:03,105 --> 00:20:04,685
And so it's really only some kind

376
00:20:04,685 --> 00:20:06,165
of very drastic like your brake

377
00:20:06,165 --> 00:20:07,405
lines are broken or something.

378
00:20:07,745 --> 00:20:09,205
And then everything else will just be a,

379
00:20:09,435 --> 00:20:10,485
basically a warning.

380
00:20:11,025 --> 00:20:13,605
So I'm, I'm hopeful that we can make that major change

381
00:20:13,625 --> 00:20:15,525
to our vehicle inspection system so that

382
00:20:15,865 --> 00:20:17,125
for Vermont can drive their cars.

383
00:20:17,525 --> 00:20:20,365
'cause it's a major expense. It's basically a, just a,

384
00:20:20,425 --> 00:20:23,005
an un voted on tax of Vermonters

385
00:20:23,005 --> 00:20:24,525
to do all these repairs on their cars

386
00:20:27,025 --> 00:20:30,205
and yeah, I think that's, that's the update.

387
00:20:31,665 --> 00:20:33,445
The moderator has made it clear

388
00:20:33,445 --> 00:20:36,965
that I would strike out if, if we took any more time.

389
00:20:37,505 --> 00:20:38,925
So if you have questions

390
00:20:39,025 --> 00:20:42,045
or you wanna talk to us, talk to us, you know how

391
00:20:42,045 --> 00:20:45,005
to reach me and I'll just tell you right now,

392
00:20:45,105 --> 00:20:47,885
my personal email is mark, my name.

393
00:20:47,955 --> 00:20:52,805
It's just mark@mahaley.org and send me an email, reach out.

394
00:20:58,095 --> 00:21:01,925
Thank you Mark. And, okay, we're we're just about

395
00:21:01,925 --> 00:21:03,685
to Are is this microphone on?

396
00:21:03,685 --> 00:21:06,445
Can you hear me well enough? Yes. Okay.

397
00:21:06,445 --> 00:21:08,685
Before we get into article one, I neglected

398
00:21:08,685 --> 00:21:11,005
to say at the beginning when you are recognized,

399
00:21:11,435 --> 00:21:14,365
each time you speak, please state your name

400
00:21:15,425 --> 00:21:19,485
and also today when you are recognized,

401
00:21:19,485 --> 00:21:21,325
the microphone will be brought to you.

402
00:21:21,645 --> 00:21:23,445
I would ask you to stand unless you,

403
00:21:23,985 --> 00:21:26,645
unless if mobility's a problem and you can't of course,

404
00:21:27,225 --> 00:21:28,525
but it'd be it hopefully.

405
00:21:28,525 --> 00:21:31,245
If you stand, please state your name every

406
00:21:31,245 --> 00:21:35,485
single time you speak. Absolutely. Call

407
00:21:35,485 --> 00:21:36,485
It.

408
00:21:36,485 --> 00:21:39,045
I'm keeping stack, which means I'm gonna take your name and,

409
00:21:39,105 --> 00:21:41,565
and just cross you off when you've spoken

410
00:21:41,745 --> 00:21:42,965
and go to the next person.

411
00:21:43,565 --> 00:21:44,805
I may or may not know your name

412
00:21:45,385 --> 00:21:47,165
and so I may ask you for your name

413
00:21:47,305 --> 00:21:49,485
but I might, I'll point to you when it's your turn.

414
00:21:49,955 --> 00:21:51,445
Okay. So just, you don't have

415
00:21:51,445 --> 00:21:55,325
to keep your hand up just when I do this, it means I saw you

416
00:21:55,345 --> 00:21:56,725
and I got alright.

417
00:21:56,915 --> 00:21:59,085
Okay. If you have a mask on, I might not recognize you.

418
00:21:59,815 --> 00:22:01,285
Thank you. Article one.

419
00:22:02,375 --> 00:22:04,925
Shall the general obligation bonds

420
00:22:05,065 --> 00:22:10,005
or notes in an amount not to exceed $700,000

421
00:22:10,755 --> 00:22:14,045
subject to reduction by the application of federal

422
00:22:14,185 --> 00:22:15,485
and state grants and aid

423
00:22:15,485 --> 00:22:19,005
and reserve funds be issued for the purpose

424
00:22:19,145 --> 00:22:23,045
of constructing water system improvements, namely

425
00:22:23,715 --> 00:22:26,485
replacement of the waterline on School Street,

426
00:22:27,225 --> 00:22:28,565
the estimated cost

427
00:22:28,625 --> 00:22:32,685
of such improvements being $700,000.

428
00:22:33,305 --> 00:22:36,045
May I have a motion on Article one please?

429
00:22:38,355 --> 00:22:40,645
It's been moved. Is there a second? Second.

430
00:22:41,225 --> 00:22:42,925
Do we know who moved and seconded? I

431
00:22:42,925 --> 00:22:44,565
See Tim Phillips move Who Second.

432
00:22:44,565 --> 00:22:45,565
Scott Stewart. Scott

433
00:22:46,575 --> 00:22:48,205
Discussion on article one,

434
00:22:50,735 --> 00:22:51,845
Peter articles

435
00:22:51,845 --> 00:22:52,845
One, two and Three.

436
00:22:53,885 --> 00:22:55,845
Articles one, two and three are the subject

437
00:22:55,945 --> 00:22:59,125
of the Australian ballot not floor action.

438
00:23:01,685 --> 00:23:04,325
I thank you for the correction. Yeah,

439
00:23:04,325 --> 00:23:05,885
Those are the things that are people

440
00:23:05,885 --> 00:23:06,885
Keep Voting.

441
00:23:06,885 --> 00:23:10,925
I thought it was only article three that was so

442
00:23:12,835 --> 00:23:13,445
nevermind

443
00:23:18,715 --> 00:23:19,725
Article four

444
00:23:20,745 --> 00:23:23,965
to hear reports on the town officers

445
00:23:25,235 --> 00:23:29,045
hear reports of the town officers and act on the same.

446
00:23:29,225 --> 00:23:31,365
May I have a motion on article four?

447
00:23:32,145 --> 00:23:35,525
Motion Been moved. Is there a second?

448
00:23:38,265 --> 00:23:39,605
Second. Second.

449
00:23:39,665 --> 00:23:42,165
We need names of the first and second Scott Stewart

450
00:23:42,905 --> 00:23:45,245
And Tim Phillips Discussion,

451
00:23:47,135 --> 00:23:49,805
discussion on article four.

452
00:23:50,385 --> 00:23:50,605
Dan,

453
00:24:00,575 --> 00:24:04,765
thank you As much as I love Robert's rules, I we're about

454
00:24:04,765 --> 00:24:07,005
to hear about 15 different reports

455
00:24:07,745 --> 00:24:10,205
and I wonder if since it's one article on the ballot,

456
00:24:10,265 --> 00:24:13,605
if we could just have one vote at the end of the 15 reports

457
00:24:14,185 --> 00:24:17,245
rather than having 15 different votes.

458
00:24:18,625 --> 00:24:22,605
And so I guess I would make that an amendment to the motion.

459
00:24:22,905 --> 00:24:24,645
It it okay

460
00:24:25,155 --> 00:24:27,325
that we do one article vote rather than

461
00:24:27,325 --> 00:24:28,725
individual committee votes.

462
00:24:29,155 --> 00:24:30,325
Okay, it's been moved

463
00:24:30,635 --> 00:24:34,245
that we vote on all the town reports in one vote.

464
00:24:34,385 --> 00:24:35,885
Is there a second? Second

465
00:24:36,425 --> 00:24:38,045
Jeremy Discussion?

466
00:24:41,665 --> 00:24:46,485
Seeing none am am I missing discussion?

467
00:24:47,305 --> 00:24:48,845
Seeing none. All those in favor

468
00:24:48,865 --> 00:24:51,725
of voting on all the town reports and one say aye.

469
00:24:52,465 --> 00:24:57,005
Aye. Opposed say no. The ayes appear to have it.

470
00:24:58,665 --> 00:25:00,245
The ayes do have it

471
00:25:01,905 --> 00:25:04,925
and we will vote all in one.

472
00:25:05,665 --> 00:25:07,365
Is there any further discussion

473
00:25:08,745 --> 00:25:11,285
on the town reports?

474
00:25:11,705 --> 00:25:14,325
Any further discussion or questions on the town reports?

475
00:25:18,155 --> 00:25:19,155
Yeah, Charlie,

476
00:25:19,875 --> 00:25:20,875
Charlie ********>

477
00:25:21,835 --> 00:25:23,165
Mike Mike is gonna come.

478
00:25:23,165 --> 00:25:25,685
Charlie Cockwell, am I correct in

479
00:25:25,685 --> 00:25:28,805
that there is no treasurer's report in the town reports?

480
00:25:34,585 --> 00:25:39,165
I'm not gonna answer that. Peter.

481
00:25:53,225 --> 00:25:53,445
Yes,

482
00:25:59,015 --> 00:26:01,005
there is no narrative report from

483
00:26:01,005 --> 00:26:02,285
the treasurer in the report.

484
00:26:02,975 --> 00:26:06,525
There are four normal financial reports.

485
00:26:06,745 --> 00:26:07,805
Two of them are printed

486
00:26:08,505 --> 00:26:11,685
and there is a note that the other two were not ready when

487
00:26:11,685 --> 00:26:12,685
this went to press

488
00:26:12,905 --> 00:26:15,725
and they will be posted on the town website

489
00:26:15,725 --> 00:26:16,805
when they are completed.

490
00:26:18,145 --> 00:26:20,045
Any other discussion on article four?

491
00:26:20,345 --> 00:26:23,085
The town reports or questions on the town reports?

492
00:26:27,985 --> 00:26:31,725
Seeing none. Oh, in the back? Yep. Please go ahead.

493
00:26:33,665 --> 00:26:34,885
The mic is coming your way.

494
00:26:39,845 --> 00:26:42,805
I know we Are an electronic age, but

495
00:26:42,845 --> 00:26:46,765
I I find the idea of publishing on the website

496
00:26:47,555 --> 00:26:52,485
essential reports that are late completely unacceptable.

497
00:26:53,385 --> 00:26:56,445
That's not, I mean I I just, I'm dumbfounded

498
00:26:56,635 --> 00:26:58,765
that anybody would think that was acceptable.

499
00:26:59,665 --> 00:27:02,205
Not everybody has access partially

500
00:27:02,445 --> 00:27:04,605
'cause some of us don't have really great internet access,

501
00:27:05,065 --> 00:27:07,565
but other people just may not be internet savvy.

502
00:27:08,345 --> 00:27:12,005
And it just seems like if that's the case, then

503
00:27:12,005 --> 00:27:14,365
what the board should be doing is delaying town meeting

504
00:27:14,775 --> 00:27:18,085
until there can be complete reports available to people

505
00:27:18,615 --> 00:27:20,845
ahead of time to peruse.

506
00:27:21,245 --> 00:27:25,445
I know another time we had an insert in the town report at

507
00:27:25,445 --> 00:27:28,085
the town meeting and I think there needs to be a lot

508
00:27:28,085 --> 00:27:29,205
of thought about the process

509
00:27:29,945 --> 00:27:32,085
and what it means in terms of accessibility

510
00:27:32,585 --> 00:27:36,285
and transparency to follow that kind of process that was

511
00:27:36,805 --> 00:27:38,885
followed this time and previous times.

512
00:27:41,225 --> 00:27:44,005
Any other discussion on article four?

513
00:27:46,745 --> 00:27:50,565
Seeing none, Carl?

514
00:27:50,675 --> 00:27:52,485
Yeah, I just have a more comment to respond.

515
00:27:52,485 --> 00:27:55,365
Yeah, by all means we do. Before you do

516
00:27:55,455 --> 00:27:58,885
Folks, I I I have a tendency not to look up sometimes

517
00:27:59,425 --> 00:28:02,325
if you're up in the balcony, please make a noise so

518
00:28:02,325 --> 00:28:04,325
that you get recognized in case I don't look

519
00:28:04,325 --> 00:28:05,325
Up there.

520
00:28:05,325 --> 00:28:09,125
Thank you. We have a list of people

521
00:28:09,155 --> 00:28:11,965
that do not have access to electronic

522
00:28:14,355 --> 00:28:18,685
reports and so they would have a report sent

523
00:28:18,685 --> 00:28:19,925
to them by mail.

524
00:28:23,485 --> 00:28:25,365
I don't know if that answers your concern,

525
00:28:25,505 --> 00:28:29,085
but we do, we do recognize not everybody's online.

526
00:28:31,875 --> 00:28:32,875
Rose Paul

527
00:28:33,595 --> 00:28:37,325
Rose Paul, I just would like a clarification

528
00:28:38,745 --> 00:28:40,725
on the select board report.

529
00:28:41,465 --> 00:28:45,885
Are we voting to accept the financial report

530
00:28:46,185 --> 00:28:48,205
as well as the narrative report?

531
00:28:50,145 --> 00:28:52,845
Yes, I believe we are. Well

532
00:28:53,445 --> 00:28:55,245
I Okay,

533
00:28:57,085 --> 00:28:58,325
Somebody tell me if I'm wrong please.

534
00:29:00,265 --> 00:29:01,265
Do you mean the budget?

535
00:29:02,475 --> 00:29:03,725
Well there's the budget.

536
00:29:04,335 --> 00:29:06,485
Sorry, I'm going to, all I know is baby talk.

537
00:29:06,485 --> 00:29:11,285
There's the budget that is for the coming year. Yes.

538
00:29:11,785 --> 00:29:15,525
But then there's the finances that review the past year

539
00:29:16,545 --> 00:29:19,845
and the past year has no actuals in it.

540
00:29:20,625 --> 00:29:22,885
It just represents the budget for that year.

541
00:29:23,025 --> 00:29:25,685
But we don't know how the numbers worked out.

542
00:29:26,545 --> 00:29:29,725
So I guess with that clarification, I

543
00:29:30,965 --> 00:29:35,925
I would like to have a separate vote on the select

544
00:29:35,985 --> 00:29:39,125
boards, the, the entire select board report.

545
00:29:40,485 --> 00:29:44,845
I I don't rose, IIII don't,

546
00:29:45,085 --> 00:29:48,645
I don't think we, I don't think we can reconsider the vote

547
00:29:49,545 --> 00:29:52,285
at this time since we already voted

548
00:29:52,305 --> 00:29:53,725
to accept them all at once.

549
00:29:54,365 --> 00:29:57,165
I I think it might be possible to reconsider the vote

550
00:29:57,905 --> 00:30:02,525
if somebody who voted on the winning side, which would you,

551
00:30:02,865 --> 00:30:05,965
you can ask, I think you can ask for reconsideration if,

552
00:30:06,145 --> 00:30:07,445
did you vote I rose?

553
00:30:08,385 --> 00:30:10,525
Yes. Then I believe you can ask.

554
00:30:10,925 --> 00:30:12,965
I believe you can ask for reconsideration.

555
00:30:13,205 --> 00:30:16,005
I I'm not Is that what you want to do?

556
00:30:19,145 --> 00:30:23,525
Yes, please. Okay, so is there a second? A second.

557
00:30:24,385 --> 00:30:28,485
So it's been moved and okay, it's been moved

558
00:30:28,505 --> 00:30:30,565
and seconded to reconsider the vote

559
00:30:30,865 --> 00:30:33,805
at, let me see if I can help.

560
00:30:36,345 --> 00:30:40,045
If, if I say this Rose would draw a motion, be I move

561
00:30:40,275 --> 00:30:43,525
that we reconsider the vote to take all the reports at once

562
00:30:43,945 --> 00:30:47,525
and discuss the select person's report.

563
00:30:48,465 --> 00:30:49,465
Is that a fair?

564
00:30:51,445 --> 00:30:55,685
I I well I I would simply like

565
00:30:55,745 --> 00:30:58,885
to have the select board report separated out.

566
00:30:59,545 --> 00:31:02,125
So if the, that I like your wording

567
00:31:02,145 --> 00:31:03,445
but it's the rest

568
00:31:03,445 --> 00:31:06,645
of 'em can be lumped. But the select board,

569
00:31:06,825 --> 00:31:08,765
It would only involve the select board report.

570
00:31:08,795 --> 00:31:11,965
What what I'm saying? So if you would, if you would say

571
00:31:12,645 --> 00:31:14,645
I move that we reconsider the vote

572
00:31:14,745 --> 00:31:16,885
to take all the reports at once

573
00:31:17,505 --> 00:31:20,125
and have a discussion about the select board

574
00:31:20,185 --> 00:31:21,325
report. It's not

575
00:31:21,365 --> 00:31:22,365
A discussion.

576
00:31:22,365 --> 00:31:22,965
It's the vote

577
00:31:23,605 --> 00:31:24,605
I didn't hear.

578
00:31:24,605 --> 00:31:26,885
It's not the discussion. It's the vote

579
00:31:31,505 --> 00:31:32,645
Saying it's the vote.

580
00:31:34,275 --> 00:31:36,005
It's not the discussion I'm

581
00:31:36,005 --> 00:31:37,605
Asking Rose State her amendment

582
00:31:37,825 --> 00:31:38,965
Is the vote on, well

583
00:31:38,965 --> 00:31:41,685
what she said is she didn't want the select board report

584
00:31:41,935 --> 00:31:43,765
voted on with all the other reports.

585
00:31:43,985 --> 00:31:46,925
So it's not a question of discussion, it's a question

586
00:31:47,025 --> 00:31:48,765
of being voted on separately,

587
00:31:49,225 --> 00:31:50,485
if I'm understanding correctly.

588
00:31:50,505 --> 00:31:53,165
But that's not what you phrase how you phrased it for her.

589
00:31:53,305 --> 00:31:55,525
And I see Rose shaking her head Yes.

590
00:31:55,865 --> 00:31:58,245
So I'm thinking that what, rather than saying

591
00:31:58,505 --> 00:32:01,645
to have a discussion separately, what you wanted to say is

592
00:32:01,645 --> 00:32:04,085
to have the vote separately for the select board report.

593
00:32:04,425 --> 00:32:05,425
Yes.

594
00:32:05,885 --> 00:32:07,405
I I I'm not sure I heard that

595
00:32:09,145 --> 00:32:11,005
Saying it's not the discussion,

596
00:32:11,315 --> 00:32:13,245
it's the vote that they're separating.

597
00:32:15,125 --> 00:32:17,045
I think that that it was initially stated as

598
00:32:17,635 --> 00:32:20,165
Rosa are you asking for a discussion or a vote?

599
00:32:22,205 --> 00:32:23,885
I would like a separate vote please.

600
00:32:24,275 --> 00:32:26,725
Okay. It's been moved

601
00:32:26,865 --> 00:32:30,005
and seconded that there be a separate vote

602
00:32:30,665 --> 00:32:32,525
not discussion as I understand.

603
00:32:32,535 --> 00:32:33,845
Thank you for the correction.

604
00:32:35,545 --> 00:32:40,085
All those in favor of having a separate vote. Peter?

605
00:32:40,515 --> 00:32:41,645
Yeah, Peter YoungBear.

606
00:32:41,855 --> 00:32:44,565
Could I ask a question of clarification?

607
00:32:44,635 --> 00:32:46,885
What you're looking for here?

608
00:32:47,425 --> 00:32:52,125
You talked about budget numbers, there is a vote

609
00:32:52,665 --> 00:32:56,045
the later article when we vote on the select board proposed

610
00:32:56,625 --> 00:33:00,325
budget, but it sounded like you were talking about something

611
00:33:00,325 --> 00:33:04,085
else other than the select board's proposed budget.

612
00:33:04,865 --> 00:33:07,725
The only other select board report is the narrative.

613
00:33:08,445 --> 00:33:10,045
I think you're asking, it sounded

614
00:33:10,045 --> 00:33:12,245
to me like you were asking something about

615
00:33:12,345 --> 00:33:13,685
the treasurer's reports.

616
00:33:14,955 --> 00:33:18,605
Well I may not understand properly,

617
00:33:18,865 --> 00:33:23,485
but the whole financial report of the prior year

618
00:33:25,165 --> 00:33:27,995
there, there are normally actuals.

619
00:33:28,295 --> 00:33:31,955
How did that year end up? Were you under over?

620
00:33:32,105 --> 00:33:36,435
What was the variance? I didn't see that in this year's

621
00:33:36,435 --> 00:33:37,435
Report.

622
00:33:37,435 --> 00:33:39,435
Right. And that is there, that is a notification.

623
00:33:39,435 --> 00:33:42,315
It actually appears twice in the report that says those,

624
00:33:42,565 --> 00:33:45,995
those two financial reports were not available

625
00:33:46,175 --> 00:33:47,275
and are not available.

626
00:33:48,215 --> 00:33:52,675
The, we have been without a basically an acting treasurer

627
00:33:52,675 --> 00:33:53,995
since the middle of December

628
00:33:54,495 --> 00:33:59,315
and we have a contract with an accounting firm, a CPA firm

629
00:33:59,655 --> 00:34:01,115
who is completing that work

630
00:34:01,215 --> 00:34:03,155
and that work is not yet done,

631
00:34:03,165 --> 00:34:05,235
which is why it's not appeared.

632
00:34:05,665 --> 00:34:08,195
Okay. So maybe I misunderstood

633
00:34:08,215 --> 00:34:11,035
and I thought all those financials were part

634
00:34:11,035 --> 00:34:12,515
of the select board report.

635
00:34:12,895 --> 00:34:14,875
If they're part of the treasurer report

636
00:34:15,575 --> 00:34:17,155
and we're not voting on it

637
00:34:17,155 --> 00:34:21,635
because we don't have a complete treasurer's report, then

638
00:34:22,145 --> 00:34:23,235
I'll withdraw my motion.

639
00:34:24,145 --> 00:34:26,035
Okay, thank you Rose. Thank you.

640
00:34:26,705 --> 00:34:29,195
Okay, any further discussion on article

641
00:34:29,545 --> 00:34:32,555
four in that case?

642
00:34:32,735 --> 00:34:35,155
All those in favor of accepting the reports of the town.

643
00:34:35,215 --> 00:34:37,555
Oh, article four reads to hear the reports

644
00:34:38,095 --> 00:34:40,315
on the town offices and act on the same.

645
00:34:40,855 --> 00:34:42,795
All those in favor of accepting the town

646
00:34:42,795 --> 00:34:44,115
reports, please say aye.

647
00:34:44,735 --> 00:34:48,875
Aye. All opposed? No, the ayes appear to have it.

648
00:34:50,335 --> 00:34:51,435
The ayes do have it.

649
00:34:51,975 --> 00:34:55,195
And you have accepted the town officer's reports.

650
00:34:55,335 --> 00:34:59,915
The Town Town reports Article five

651
00:35:01,125 --> 00:35:04,835
Shall the town vote to raise appropriate

652
00:35:05,015 --> 00:35:07,995
and expend the question?

653
00:35:08,855 --> 00:35:10,475
Any discussion until there's another article?

654
00:35:15,015 --> 00:35:16,475
Are you making a point of order sir?

655
00:35:17,155 --> 00:35:20,435
I yeah, I'm actually, what is your point of order? Phillip?

656
00:35:21,345 --> 00:35:24,715
Phillip Parisi. Phillip Parisi.

657
00:35:24,815 --> 00:35:28,235
You're not asking for Abstentions No.

658
00:35:28,975 --> 00:35:31,755
And aren't is that, isn't that part of Robert's rules?

659
00:35:32,155 --> 00:35:34,035
I don't believe it is. Huh.

660
00:35:34,785 --> 00:35:36,435
Okay, well then I'm glad you're not at the

661
00:35:36,435 --> 00:35:37,725
faculty assembly at Linden.

662
00:35:37,995 --> 00:35:38,285
Okay.

663
00:35:42,715 --> 00:35:47,125
Article five shall the Town vote to raise

664
00:35:48,075 --> 00:35:50,245
appropriate and expend the sum

665
00:35:50,345 --> 00:35:50,565
of

666
00:35:50,745 --> 00:35:55,745
$606,833

667
00:35:56,185 --> 00:35:58,445
and 6 cents for the support

668
00:35:58,785 --> 00:36:01,765
of Rural Community Transportation Incorporated

669
00:36:02,265 --> 00:36:06,005
to provide services to the residents of Plainfield.

670
00:36:06,265 --> 00:36:08,725
May I have a motion on Article five please?

671
00:36:10,505 --> 00:36:12,645
Second. Moved and seconded,

672
00:36:13,535 --> 00:36:14,535
Scott.

673
00:36:14,535 --> 00:36:16,925
Okay, so we got Scott Move and Tim Seconding

674
00:36:19,615 --> 00:36:21,165
Discussion on Article five.

675
00:36:25,825 --> 00:36:26,825
Yep. Dan,

676
00:36:29,035 --> 00:36:30,035
Mike, oops.

677
00:36:31,385 --> 00:36:32,845
Can we record this time too?

678
00:36:37,045 --> 00:36:39,365
I, I'll just say obviously this is an important

679
00:36:40,265 --> 00:36:41,805
infrastructure in our town,

680
00:36:41,905 --> 00:36:43,285
the rural community transportation

681
00:36:43,665 --> 00:36:46,045
and the actual sum they've asked for is totally flat.

682
00:36:46,045 --> 00:36:47,125
So they weren't asking for any more

683
00:36:47,125 --> 00:36:48,285
than we, we gave last year.

684
00:36:48,385 --> 00:36:50,485
So I think for both this

685
00:36:50,825 --> 00:36:52,725
and the the next article,

686
00:36:53,075 --> 00:36:55,605
they're both flat requests from these

687
00:36:55,605 --> 00:36:56,805
transportation providers.

688
00:36:56,825 --> 00:37:00,365
So hopefully we can all vote. Yes. Thank you. Okay.

689
00:37:00,505 --> 00:37:01,605
Any further discussion

690
00:37:02,715 --> 00:37:03,715
Over here?

691
00:37:03,785 --> 00:37:06,285
Yes. Rebecca? Yep. Rebecca down on

692
00:37:07,565 --> 00:37:08,965
I just, oh, thank you.

693
00:37:10,285 --> 00:37:12,045
I just wanted to let people know,

694
00:37:12,185 --> 00:37:13,765
and I am in support of this article,

695
00:37:13,825 --> 00:37:17,365
but I just wanted to let people know that they just

696
00:37:18,565 --> 00:37:21,645
canceled the mid-afternoon route,

697
00:37:22,445 --> 00:37:23,565
route two commuter route.

698
00:37:23,625 --> 00:37:28,205
So if anyone is relying on that there had, they didn't, I,

699
00:37:28,405 --> 00:37:32,165
I knew because a family member got a flyer on the bus,

700
00:37:32,585 --> 00:37:36,365
but even calling to check if it was running this week,

701
00:37:37,135 --> 00:37:39,405
there was not a lot of information.

702
00:37:39,985 --> 00:37:42,165
It took a, it was hard to get confirmation

703
00:37:42,165 --> 00:37:44,125
that yes indeed they canceled that route.

704
00:37:44,385 --> 00:37:45,845
So just want people to know that

705
00:37:46,465 --> 00:37:51,165
and I would, I would hope that there's an opportunity

706
00:37:51,225 --> 00:37:52,325
to try to get that back

707
00:37:52,325 --> 00:37:55,325
because I think that there are people that were relying on

708
00:37:55,325 --> 00:37:57,805
that that was the run

709
00:37:57,835 --> 00:38:00,565
that picked up in playing field at like 3 25

710
00:38:00,705 --> 00:38:02,285
or something like that on weekdays.

711
00:38:02,385 --> 00:38:04,685
So she wanted to let people know that don't,

712
00:38:04,685 --> 00:38:06,645
don't cow do riding that one anymore.

713
00:38:08,475 --> 00:38:11,525
Okay. Are you ready for the question on article five?

714
00:38:14,185 --> 00:38:17,845
Seeing none, the question is, shall the town vote

715
00:38:17,865 --> 00:38:19,285
to raise appropriate

716
00:38:19,305 --> 00:38:23,405
and expend the sum of $6,833

717
00:38:23,745 --> 00:38:26,085
and 6 cents for the support

718
00:38:26,145 --> 00:38:28,725
of Rural Community Transportation Incorporated

719
00:38:29,065 --> 00:38:32,045
to provide services to residents of the town of Plainfield?

720
00:38:32,385 --> 00:38:36,405
All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Oppose?

721
00:38:36,545 --> 00:38:39,845
No, the A's appear to have it,

722
00:38:41,065 --> 00:38:42,125
the ayes do have it.

723
00:38:42,225 --> 00:38:43,805
And you've accepted Article five,

724
00:38:44,955 --> 00:38:47,045
article six point of order.

725
00:38:47,665 --> 00:38:48,925
Yes. What is your point of order?

726
00:38:52,085 --> 00:38:56,205
I, I missed something and it's regarding article four

727
00:38:56,385 --> 00:38:59,365
and I apologize that I couldn't speak about this earlier,

728
00:38:59,585 --> 00:39:02,765
but I thought that the change in motion was

729
00:39:02,765 --> 00:39:05,125
to accept all the reports in one vote,

730
00:39:05,705 --> 00:39:07,565
but we haven't actually heard the reports.

731
00:39:07,625 --> 00:39:09,685
For instance, we haven't heard from the energy coordinator.

732
00:39:09,685 --> 00:39:12,485
We haven't. When when do we actually hear the reports?

733
00:39:12,505 --> 00:39:14,965
Mr. Michael? I'm gonna have to rule you out of order

734
00:39:14,965 --> 00:39:17,285
because we are, we are beyond that and,

735
00:39:17,305 --> 00:39:19,965
and it's just, it it is, it is out of order.

736
00:39:20,545 --> 00:39:23,125
So because we've already accepted it, it would've been,

737
00:39:23,355 --> 00:39:26,205
your argument is perfectly acceptable if it had been raised

738
00:39:26,385 --> 00:39:28,565
during that discussion, Michael. Okay,

739
00:39:28,785 --> 00:39:30,325
So point Information by the way,

740
00:39:30,545 --> 00:39:32,045
my ruling can be overruled

741
00:39:32,065 --> 00:39:33,725
by a majority if anybody wants to,

742
00:39:33,905 --> 00:39:35,525
So, so maybe I'll put it differently

743
00:39:35,545 --> 00:39:36,685
as a point of information.

744
00:39:37,155 --> 00:39:40,565
When will we hear the reports of the town officers?

745
00:39:43,175 --> 00:39:44,485
There, there they're in the,

746
00:39:46,135 --> 00:39:48,125
There, there usually is a verbal report.

747
00:39:48,405 --> 00:39:51,645
I mean, I'm just saying that in custom that's been the case.

748
00:39:55,355 --> 00:39:57,885
Yeah, I mean I think during that point when, when

749
00:39:59,105 --> 00:40:02,285
Donnie asked if there was discussion 12 different times,

750
00:40:02,315 --> 00:40:04,245
that was the time if anybody wanted to speak

751
00:40:04,245 --> 00:40:05,445
to their report they could have done

752
00:40:05,505 --> 00:40:07,245
so maybe that could have been clearer.

753
00:40:07,505 --> 00:40:10,125
But that is, we've moved past that.

754
00:40:10,225 --> 00:40:13,125
So I think there are, there is the other, other,

755
00:40:14,365 --> 00:40:16,645
whatever the last article is, if folks really need to speak,

756
00:40:16,645 --> 00:40:17,645
they could always do it then.

757
00:40:17,955 --> 00:40:19,605
Yeah, I mean I I frankly,

758
00:40:19,665 --> 00:40:21,885
and I don't wanna take more any more time on it than you do,

759
00:40:21,885 --> 00:40:24,445
but I, I thought we were voting

760
00:40:25,335 --> 00:40:27,965
after the reports we would only vote once, in other words,

761
00:40:27,995 --> 00:40:30,005
hear all the votes and only vote once.

762
00:40:30,105 --> 00:40:32,125
We would hear the reports and only vote once.

763
00:40:32,465 --> 00:40:34,325
And that's, I that's why I re

764
00:40:34,545 --> 00:40:36,045
that's why I didn't discuss anything.

765
00:40:36,245 --> 00:40:37,325
'cause I thought I was just voting

766
00:40:37,325 --> 00:40:38,525
about how many times we'd vote

767
00:40:38,845 --> 00:40:41,325
I that I can see where there is a confusion

768
00:40:41,505 --> 00:40:45,605
and I don't that, that,

769
00:40:45,635 --> 00:40:46,885
that might have been confusing

770
00:40:47,225 --> 00:40:48,605
and I, I'm not sure what to do.

771
00:40:48,605 --> 00:40:50,605
Yes, please, please state your

772
00:40:50,605 --> 00:40:52,085
name when you state your name. I'm Carlos

773
00:40:52,365 --> 00:40:55,685
Siegel and it's just, it's, I'm Carla Siegel

774
00:40:56,185 --> 00:40:59,685
and it was just our experience that people stand up

775
00:40:59,685 --> 00:41:03,125
and talk about their, you know, their reports

776
00:41:03,465 --> 00:41:05,005
and so we just expected that.

777
00:41:05,245 --> 00:41:07,405
I also thought that we were just saying

778
00:41:07,405 --> 00:41:09,525
that at the end we'd vote on mass,

779
00:41:09,825 --> 00:41:13,605
but it seems like a other people thought that

780
00:41:16,115 --> 00:41:17,565
There's a hand back.

781
00:41:19,585 --> 00:41:20,685
You don't need to bring Mike all the way

782
00:41:20,685 --> 00:41:21,765
back here, but just affirming that.

783
00:41:21,805 --> 00:41:23,525
I also thought we were gonna hear report

784
00:41:23,595 --> 00:41:24,645
your name, vote on all of them.

785
00:41:24,695 --> 00:41:28,245
Sorry. Ren lanky. Ren Lansky. Okay, thank you.

786
00:41:29,935 --> 00:41:33,525
Peter. Do Okay

787
00:41:34,465 --> 00:41:35,465
Donnie.

788
00:41:35,465 --> 00:41:38,005
I I I think you the the,

789
00:41:38,395 --> 00:41:40,165
what I would say at this point is I think

790
00:41:40,165 --> 00:41:41,245
those points are well taken.

791
00:41:41,425 --> 00:41:42,525
It was misunderstood.

792
00:41:42,885 --> 00:41:45,405
I don't know how to go back on the order at this point

793
00:41:45,405 --> 00:41:47,565
because we have gone beyond the article

794
00:41:48,025 --> 00:41:49,565
so it would be wrong to go back.

795
00:41:49,815 --> 00:41:53,445
There was a chance to reconsider if it was misunderstood

796
00:41:53,635 --> 00:41:55,245
forever for whatever reason.

797
00:41:55,945 --> 00:41:57,565
I'm sorry I didn't understand it.

798
00:41:57,565 --> 00:41:59,085
There was clearly confusion

799
00:41:59,385 --> 00:42:02,005
but we don't, I don't believe that it would be an order

800
00:42:02,105 --> 00:42:04,645
to go back after we have passed the article.

801
00:42:05,785 --> 00:42:09,165
Dan? Yeah, so our article 14, which is the last article, is

802
00:42:09,165 --> 00:42:11,165
to transact any other non-binding business

803
00:42:11,165 --> 00:42:12,885
that may properly become before the meeting.

804
00:42:13,525 --> 00:42:16,485
I think if there are folks who want to verbally report

805
00:42:16,485 --> 00:42:18,925
that don't get a chance to, they could stand

806
00:42:18,925 --> 00:42:20,645
and be recognized during that period.

807
00:42:21,865 --> 00:42:25,085
Say that again please. Article 14, which is the non-binding,

808
00:42:25,225 --> 00:42:27,485
if let's say the emergency manager,

809
00:42:27,555 --> 00:42:30,685
emergency management director wanted to speak to his report,

810
00:42:30,705 --> 00:42:31,965
he could do it during that time.

811
00:42:33,425 --> 00:42:34,605
You could recognize him then

812
00:42:34,605 --> 00:42:35,605
and we could hear from the courts

813
00:42:35,605 --> 00:42:36,925
so it could come up under other business.

814
00:42:37,155 --> 00:42:38,565
Yeah, it's not called that but yeah.

815
00:42:39,675 --> 00:42:43,725
Okay, we're gonna move on. Article six.

816
00:42:45,695 --> 00:42:50,365
Shall the town of Plainfield appropriate the sum of 1,490

817
00:42:51,935 --> 00:42:56,645
shall the town of Plainfield appropriate the sum of $1,499

818
00:42:57,225 --> 00:43:01,485
as its share of the 2024 year

819
00:43:02,075 --> 00:43:04,765
cost of commuter bus service along route two

820
00:43:05,075 --> 00:43:07,165
with service into Montpelier?

821
00:43:07,915 --> 00:43:11,765
This appropriation funds a portion of the total cost

822
00:43:11,785 --> 00:43:14,285
of the service which will be supported

823
00:43:14,305 --> 00:43:19,045
by appropriations from other towns, state federal funds

824
00:43:19,225 --> 00:43:20,645
and passenger fares.

825
00:43:22,825 --> 00:43:26,245
May I hear a motion on article six?

826
00:43:28,635 --> 00:43:30,325
It's been moved. Is there a second?

827
00:43:30,625 --> 00:43:32,365
Second we have them, Scott

828
00:43:32,365 --> 00:43:33,365
And Tim.

829
00:43:35,815 --> 00:43:36,805
Discussion Peter,

830
00:43:52,885 --> 00:43:55,445
I would move To amend, I think there's a typo there

831
00:43:55,445 --> 00:43:58,005
that should read 2026, not 2024

832
00:44:02,125 --> 00:44:06,885
Seconded Jeremy, excuse me. It should read 2020.

833
00:44:07,145 --> 00:44:09,125
It should read. So Peter will you make that an,

834
00:44:09,205 --> 00:44:10,285
I think it needs an amendment.

835
00:44:10,985 --> 00:44:12,325
Yes. Yes. So

836
00:44:12,675 --> 00:44:15,525
Amen that to read 2027 fiscal year.

837
00:44:15,745 --> 00:44:18,645
So it's been moved. Is there a second Jeremy

838
00:44:18,795 --> 00:44:19,795
Mass second.

839
00:44:19,795 --> 00:44:20,505
Yes.

840
00:44:20,905 --> 00:44:22,285
So it's, it's been moved

841
00:44:22,305 --> 00:44:26,405
and seconded to amend Article six to read Shall the Town

842
00:44:26,405 --> 00:44:30,605
of Plainfield appropriate the sum of $1,499

843
00:44:30,825 --> 00:44:34,845
as its share of the 2026 year cost?

844
00:44:35,945 --> 00:44:40,885
27 the year

845
00:44:41,025 --> 00:44:44,085
of 27 cost the commuter bus service along Route two

846
00:44:44,085 --> 00:44:45,405
with service into Montpelier.

847
00:44:45,635 --> 00:44:48,605
This appropriation funds a portion of the total cost

848
00:44:48,605 --> 00:44:51,445
of the service which will also be supported

849
00:44:51,445 --> 00:44:53,325
by appropriations of other towns, state

850
00:44:53,325 --> 00:44:54,845
and federal and passenger affairs.

851
00:44:55,905 --> 00:44:57,245
We are voting on the amendment.

852
00:44:58,345 --> 00:45:01,725
So your name please This discussion on the amendment

853
00:45:02,565 --> 00:45:03,685
Timothy Buxton.

854
00:45:03,745 --> 00:45:06,805
So, so you are doing it correct now you are voting

855
00:45:06,985 --> 00:45:08,125
on the amendment

856
00:45:08,435 --> 00:45:10,245
Correct with The previous article.

857
00:45:11,225 --> 00:45:14,175
Dan made an amendment to

858
00:45:15,195 --> 00:45:17,135
act upon all the reports at once

859
00:45:17,235 --> 00:45:21,335
and what we should have voted on was voted on the amendment.

860
00:45:21,915 --> 00:45:23,575
If the amendment was accepted

861
00:45:23,965 --> 00:45:25,255
then we would've voted that way.

862
00:45:25,395 --> 00:45:28,295
But anyways, the decision has made been moved forward.

863
00:45:28,805 --> 00:45:30,335
This is the correct way to do it.

864
00:45:30,335 --> 00:45:32,935
We're voting on the amendment and then we will vote on

865
00:45:32,935 --> 00:45:34,855
The you are correct and it is my apologies.

866
00:45:35,075 --> 00:45:36,975
No, no, but it's okay. You are correct. We're

867
00:45:36,975 --> 00:45:37,975
Good.

868
00:45:37,975 --> 00:45:38,345
Thank you

869
00:45:39,625 --> 00:45:40,625
Again.

870
00:45:40,625 --> 00:45:42,495
Up. Yep.

871
00:45:46,735 --> 00:45:48,095
I have a point of information on the,

872
00:45:48,195 --> 00:45:50,335
on the article not the amendment, so

873
00:45:50,445 --> 00:45:51,445
I'll wait.

874
00:45:53,335 --> 00:45:54,295
I think we can do that in the

875
00:45:54,295 --> 00:45:56,055
other business when we get there. No,

876
00:45:56,055 --> 00:45:57,055
It's on the article.

877
00:45:57,555 --> 00:45:58,895
Yes, on the, okay.

878
00:45:59,355 --> 00:46:03,575
So any further discussion on the amendment,

879
00:46:03,745 --> 00:46:07,655
which basically changes the year 2024 to 2027.

880
00:46:07,895 --> 00:46:09,615
I won't read it again. Any further

881
00:46:09,615 --> 00:46:10,895
discussion on that amendment?

882
00:46:13,275 --> 00:46:17,135
Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

883
00:46:17,315 --> 00:46:22,095
No, the ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it.

884
00:46:23,435 --> 00:46:25,735
And you have amended Article six.

885
00:46:28,755 --> 00:46:32,135
Any further discussion on Article six as amended?

886
00:46:33,235 --> 00:46:35,455
We have Ren who's gonna come down the stairs.

887
00:46:42,215 --> 00:46:45,015
I just have a point of information on article six,

888
00:46:45,025 --> 00:46:47,855
which is, how is it different than Article five?

889
00:46:47,955 --> 00:46:51,655
My understanding is that RCT Rural Community Transit is the,

890
00:46:51,835 --> 00:46:54,375
the agency that runs the Route two Commuter

891
00:46:54,715 --> 00:46:56,935
and then Article six is about the Route two meter.

892
00:46:56,975 --> 00:46:58,135
I just don't understand the difference between the

893
00:46:58,135 --> 00:46:59,255
two line items.

894
00:47:06,215 --> 00:47:09,835
Two different entities. Yeah,

895
00:47:09,835 --> 00:47:11,795
folks are saying up here are two different entities.

896
00:47:12,925 --> 00:47:15,355
Green Mountain Transit and Rural Community Transit.

897
00:47:16,495 --> 00:47:20,435
Do they both run separate? They do.

898
00:47:20,595 --> 00:47:22,995
I think both together and we create separately.

899
00:47:23,905 --> 00:47:27,715
Okay. Any further discussion on article six?

900
00:47:27,855 --> 00:47:30,325
Are you ready for the question? Yes,

901
00:47:31,165 --> 00:47:33,565
I do have a question, right? Oh, we got one up.

902
00:47:33,825 --> 00:47:36,005
Yep. Those we can't,

903
00:47:36,005 --> 00:47:37,205
We need, please say your name

904
00:47:37,865 --> 00:47:39,645
And there's a microphone coming to you.

905
00:47:46,315 --> 00:47:49,125
Both of these rural transit companies have been cutting.

906
00:47:50,795 --> 00:47:54,885
John Hosford have been cutting their routes regularly.

907
00:47:54,885 --> 00:47:56,885
Green Mountain Transit a lot last year.

908
00:47:57,185 --> 00:47:58,725
Is there anything in our contracts with them

909
00:47:58,725 --> 00:48:01,005
that we get money back when they stop servicing us?

910
00:48:06,785 --> 00:48:10,645
Any further discussion on Article six as amended?

911
00:48:17,025 --> 00:48:21,005
Seeing none, all those in favor of accepting I'll,

912
00:48:21,005 --> 00:48:22,965
I'll read the, I'll read it again since it's amended.

913
00:48:23,475 --> 00:48:26,605
Article six as amended reads, shall the town

914
00:48:26,605 --> 00:48:31,085
of Plainfield appropriate the sum of $1,499

915
00:48:31,545 --> 00:48:35,125
as its share of the 2027 year cost

916
00:48:35,125 --> 00:48:37,285
of commuter bus service along Route two

917
00:48:37,595 --> 00:48:39,125
with service into Montpelier?

918
00:48:39,395 --> 00:48:43,045
This appropriation funds a portion of the total cost

919
00:48:43,145 --> 00:48:45,365
of the service which will be supported

920
00:48:45,365 --> 00:48:49,285
by appropriations from other towns, state and federal funds

921
00:48:49,585 --> 00:48:50,765
and passenger fares.

922
00:48:51,265 --> 00:48:54,845
All those in favor of accepting Article six, please say aye.

923
00:48:55,705 --> 00:49:00,085
Aye. All those opposed? No. The ayes appear to have it.

924
00:49:01,025 --> 00:49:04,045
The ayes do have it. And you have accepted Article six.

925
00:49:04,045 --> 00:49:08,165
Article seven Shall the Town Voters

926
00:49:08,475 --> 00:49:10,045
authorize the expenditures

927
00:49:10,385 --> 00:49:14,805
for the following nonprofit service agencies as recommended

928
00:49:14,865 --> 00:49:17,645
by the appointed Social Concerns Committee

929
00:49:18,765 --> 00:49:20,645
Capstone Community Action.

930
00:49:20,755 --> 00:49:25,125
$500 Central Vermont

931
00:49:25,535 --> 00:49:27,805
Basic Education $400

932
00:49:28,595 --> 00:49:31,045
Central Vermont Council on Aging,

933
00:49:31,625 --> 00:49:35,605
$1,450 Central Vermont

934
00:49:35,635 --> 00:49:36,965
Home Health and Hospice.

935
00:49:37,415 --> 00:49:41,285
$3,100 Circle

936
00:49:42,075 --> 00:49:46,885
$525 Elevate Youth Services

937
00:49:47,435 --> 00:49:49,245
$550.

938
00:49:50,305 --> 00:49:53,645
The Family Center of Washington County. $500.

939
00:49:54,755 --> 00:49:57,285
Good Beginnings, $400.

940
00:49:58,115 --> 00:50:02,845
Good Samaritan Haven $1,250

941
00:50:04,045 --> 00:50:05,045
Neighbors in action.

942
00:50:05,585 --> 00:50:09,605
$250 Onion River Food Shelf,

943
00:50:09,945 --> 00:50:10,965
$1,000.

944
00:50:11,785 --> 00:50:15,525
Our House, $100 People's Health

945
00:50:15,785 --> 00:50:19,205
and Wellness Center, $1,000

946
00:50:20,115 --> 00:50:25,085
Twin Valley Senior Center, $4,650

947
00:50:25,955 --> 00:50:30,565
Twin Valley Together mentoring program, $250

948
00:50:31,515 --> 00:50:36,205
Vermont Center for Independent Living, $175

949
00:50:37,455 --> 00:50:39,405
Washington County diversion.

950
00:50:39,715 --> 00:50:41,645
$400 for a total

951
00:50:41,785 --> 00:50:45,165
of $16,500.

952
00:50:45,705 --> 00:50:48,925
May I have a motion on Article seven?

953
00:50:49,795 --> 00:50:53,925
Jana Second Osman. Wait who? Who? Jana.

954
00:50:54,115 --> 00:50:56,245
Okay, so wow, okay, this is really throwing me off.

955
00:50:57,235 --> 00:51:00,285
Jana moved. Yeah, second Jeremy.

956
00:51:01,595 --> 00:51:03,245
Okay, You ought thank you.

957
00:51:04,455 --> 00:51:06,645
Discussion on Article seven.

958
00:51:10,775 --> 00:51:12,525
Steve State your name.

959
00:51:12,945 --> 00:51:14,005
Steven Farnam.

960
00:51:14,945 --> 00:51:18,485
I'm not proposing to change any of these

961
00:51:18,485 --> 00:51:20,245
because that's a very painstaking process.

962
00:51:20,455 --> 00:51:24,925
It'll take all day. But what I would like

963
00:51:24,925 --> 00:51:28,845
to know is a little more information about the numbers.

964
00:51:30,645 --> 00:51:33,245
I broke up my calculator last night

965
00:51:33,505 --> 00:51:36,485
and discovered that in some of these situations we're paying

966
00:51:36,485 --> 00:51:39,485
as little as a dollar 66 per person served.

967
00:51:40,105 --> 00:51:42,045
And on a couple of the others it was as much

968
00:51:42,065 --> 00:51:45,205
as almost $70 per person served.

969
00:51:46,195 --> 00:51:48,605
Some instances it was a family served as a,

970
00:51:48,705 --> 00:51:50,045
as opposed to a person.

971
00:51:51,065 --> 00:51:52,845
And I guess I'd like a little more context

972
00:51:53,335 --> 00:51:55,605
about what this means.

973
00:51:56,345 --> 00:51:58,125
You know, maybe some of these organizations have

974
00:51:58,835 --> 00:52:00,805
significant funding from elsewhere

975
00:52:00,805 --> 00:52:02,405
and they're just looking for a matching grant

976
00:52:02,505 --> 00:52:05,405
and maybe others this is the only money they get.

977
00:52:06,125 --> 00:52:07,645
I think a little more information about

978
00:52:07,645 --> 00:52:09,725
that would be helpful to understand

979
00:52:09,985 --> 00:52:11,445
how these numbers have arrived at

980
00:52:15,185 --> 00:52:16,185
The discussion.

981
00:52:16,675 --> 00:52:19,405
Judy, Judy sip.

982
00:52:21,355 --> 00:52:22,685
Judy Sip. And I'm a member

983
00:52:22,685 --> 00:52:24,245
of the Social Concerns committee.

984
00:52:24,705 --> 00:52:27,005
Can hear you. Can you hear me now?

985
00:52:27,075 --> 00:52:28,405
Okay, Judy Sip

986
00:52:28,425 --> 00:52:30,605
and I'm a member of the Social Concerns committee.

987
00:52:31,055 --> 00:52:32,765
Would it be helpful if I explained the process?

988
00:52:34,145 --> 00:52:38,685
So towns put in a request for funding every year

989
00:52:39,425 --> 00:52:41,485
and then we consider that requests.

990
00:52:41,945 --> 00:52:45,885
We ha I have to say we think all the organizations

991
00:52:45,885 --> 00:52:50,445
that put in requests are totally worthy of our support,

992
00:52:50,945 --> 00:52:53,845
but we have to consider the budget

993
00:52:54,505 --> 00:52:56,885
and you know, what the town can afford.

994
00:52:57,585 --> 00:53:00,445
So we look at the requests

995
00:53:01,225 --> 00:53:05,845
and we have some criteria that we use to make our decisions

996
00:53:06,415 --> 00:53:08,325
about how much funding

997
00:53:08,745 --> 00:53:11,405
and some of that criteria is what are they asking for?

998
00:53:12,185 --> 00:53:15,725
How much of an increase is it? How?

999
00:53:17,625 --> 00:53:20,045
How unique are their services to playing field?

1000
00:53:20,465 --> 00:53:23,005
Are they local? Which we support more than a

1001
00:53:23,005 --> 00:53:24,405
statewide organization.

1002
00:53:25,265 --> 00:53:26,685
How many people do they serve?

1003
00:53:27,385 --> 00:53:29,445
So there's a lot of things that we consider

1004
00:53:30,305 --> 00:53:33,245
and so we really base it on what was their request?

1005
00:53:33,875 --> 00:53:37,485
Have they been somebody that we funded in the past,

1006
00:53:38,335 --> 00:53:40,325
which isn't, I mean we also fund new things

1007
00:53:40,625 --> 00:53:42,685
and we just try and make a decision.

1008
00:53:42,825 --> 00:53:46,245
We don't break it down into how much per person.

1009
00:53:49,795 --> 00:53:50,795
Also a member

1010
00:53:52,345 --> 00:53:55,485
You have to be recognized now you are. Okay.

1011
00:53:55,825 --> 00:53:57,405
Hi, I'm Marcy Holle

1012
00:53:57,425 --> 00:53:59,405
and I'm also on the Social Concerns Committee.

1013
00:53:59,825 --> 00:54:01,765
And the other thing about the numbers is

1014
00:54:01,925 --> 00:54:06,005
that the groups asking for money tell us sometimes

1015
00:54:06,225 --> 00:54:07,285
how much they're spending.

1016
00:54:07,505 --> 00:54:10,525
So it's not equal for group to group.

1017
00:54:10,665 --> 00:54:13,725
So one group might say it costs a hundred dollars per family

1018
00:54:14,305 --> 00:54:17,485
and another group might say it costs $25 per person.

1019
00:54:17,825 --> 00:54:18,885
It just varies.

1020
00:54:19,745 --> 00:54:24,205
And some of them are just asking for a show

1021
00:54:24,205 --> 00:54:27,205
of support so that they could get other major funding

1022
00:54:27,465 --> 00:54:29,245
and they're not really asking for us

1023
00:54:29,265 --> 00:54:30,805
to give significant support.

1024
00:54:31,385 --> 00:54:34,285
So it varies so much from group to group

1025
00:54:34,825 --> 00:54:38,445
and some I, I really think they should ask for more.

1026
00:54:38,825 --> 00:54:39,885
Not that we can give more,

1027
00:54:39,905 --> 00:54:41,885
but it really is based on what they ask for.

1028
00:54:41,985 --> 00:54:43,645
We can't give them more than they ask for.

1029
00:54:43,745 --> 00:54:45,445
One group actually asked for less.

1030
00:54:45,685 --> 00:54:47,285
I don't know if that was on purpose or not,

1031
00:54:47,385 --> 00:54:48,445
but that's what they did.

1032
00:54:50,355 --> 00:54:53,085
Yeah, it just varies so much. Does that help?

1033
00:54:56,345 --> 00:54:58,725
Are you ready for the question or are there more?

1034
00:54:58,945 --> 00:54:59,965
Is there more discussion?

1035
00:55:02,025 --> 00:55:04,085
Seeing none if you are ready for the question.

1036
00:55:04,145 --> 00:55:07,285
The question is, shall the town voters authorize the

1037
00:55:07,285 --> 00:55:10,165
expenditures for the following nonprofit services

1038
00:55:10,305 --> 00:55:13,925
as recommended by the appointed social concerns committee

1039
00:55:14,145 --> 00:55:17,085
for a total of 16,500?

1040
00:55:17,325 --> 00:55:22,005
I won't read them all. All those in favor of please say aye.

1041
00:55:23,195 --> 00:55:26,725
Opposed? No, the ayes appear to have it.

1042
00:55:27,865 --> 00:55:32,645
The ayes do have it. And you have passed Article seven.

1043
00:55:33,035 --> 00:55:37,445
Article eight Shall the town voters

1044
00:55:37,795 --> 00:55:41,645
authorize an appropriation of $56,000

1045
00:55:42,465 --> 00:55:46,845
to the Cutler Memorial Library to pay for the librarian,

1046
00:55:47,685 --> 00:55:50,965
a library assistant and the purchase of materials

1047
00:55:50,965 --> 00:55:55,085
and services, including those to make the library

1048
00:55:55,855 --> 00:55:57,405
accessible to the community.

1049
00:55:59,105 --> 00:56:02,605
So moved. It's been moved. Is there a second? Second.

1050
00:56:02,865 --> 00:56:07,205
Second. Your name Carla Steve Farner moved.

1051
00:56:07,835 --> 00:56:09,245
It's been moved and seconded

1052
00:56:10,865 --> 00:56:13,605
to accept Article eight discussion.

1053
00:56:18,425 --> 00:56:21,885
Seeing none. All those in favor

1054
00:56:21,905 --> 00:56:23,565
of article eight please say aye.

1055
00:56:24,225 --> 00:56:28,795
Aye. All those opposed no ayes appear to have it.

1056
00:56:29,695 --> 00:56:30,715
The ayes do have it.

1057
00:56:30,815 --> 00:56:32,875
And you've passed Article eight, article nine.

1058
00:56:34,725 --> 00:56:36,155
Shall the town approve

1059
00:56:40,725 --> 00:56:45,725
$311,874

1060
00:56:45,975 --> 00:56:49,795
for the operation of the water department for the period

1061
00:56:49,975 --> 00:56:52,515
of July 1st, 2020 sixth

1062
00:56:53,215 --> 00:56:57,155
to June 30th, 2027 to be paid for

1063
00:56:57,175 --> 00:56:58,795
by the rate payers of the system.

1064
00:57:00,575 --> 00:57:03,315
May I have a motion on Article nine?

1065
00:57:05,025 --> 00:57:06,675
Been moved by, moved. Second.

1066
00:57:07,255 --> 00:57:09,635
Second Moved and seconded.

1067
00:57:09,635 --> 00:57:13,195
Discussion on Article nine please Steve.

1068
00:57:16,275 --> 00:57:18,715
I would Say say your name again as Steven

1069
00:57:18,775 --> 00:57:19,775
Farham.

1070
00:57:19,995 --> 00:57:23,115
I would like to amend that to state the users of the system,

1071
00:57:23,295 --> 00:57:24,835
not the rate payers because the rate

1072
00:57:24,835 --> 00:57:26,155
payers doesn't tell you who they

1073
00:57:26,155 --> 00:57:27,155
Are.

1074
00:57:27,155 --> 00:57:31,035
Okay, so Steve, you you want

1075
00:57:31,035 --> 00:57:33,195
to amend this exactly the same

1076
00:57:33,805 --> 00:57:36,435
Substitute users for rate payers.

1077
00:57:37,655 --> 00:57:38,355
So the EMO

1078
00:57:43,735 --> 00:57:45,475
is, is there a second to this amendment?

1079
00:57:46,975 --> 00:57:48,075
Second. What's

1080
00:57:48,075 --> 00:57:49,075
Your name?

1081
00:57:49,075 --> 00:57:49,835
Garfield Barn.

1082
00:57:51,545 --> 00:57:54,595
Okay, so now we are on the amendment.

1083
00:57:54,975 --> 00:57:56,755
It has been moved

1084
00:57:56,895 --> 00:58:00,195
and seconded That article 10 shall read.

1085
00:58:00,765 --> 00:58:04,915
Shall the town approve $392,055

1086
00:58:04,975 --> 00:58:07,675
for the operation of wastewater department for the period

1087
00:58:08,055 --> 00:58:12,915
of July 1st, 2026 to July 30, 27 to be paid

1088
00:58:13,015 --> 00:58:17,675
for by the users of the system.

1089
00:58:22,255 --> 00:58:26,915
All the article, article nine,

1090
00:58:27,695 --> 00:58:29,795
I'm sorry, article nine by the users of the system.

1091
00:58:30,895 --> 00:58:33,715
Any further discussion on the amendment stand?

1092
00:58:43,815 --> 00:58:45,035
So just for clarification,

1093
00:58:45,095 --> 00:58:47,155
the rate payers in the system are the users of the system.

1094
00:58:47,495 --> 00:58:49,595
The reason we use rate payers is the Vermont

1095
00:58:49,595 --> 00:58:50,675
League of Cities and towns.

1096
00:58:51,155 --> 00:58:52,475
Attorneys have told us

1097
00:58:52,475 --> 00:58:54,275
that's the best way for us to word this.

1098
00:58:55,215 --> 00:58:56,635
We should be using rate payers

1099
00:58:56,635 --> 00:58:59,675
because we wouldn't want a situation where

1100
00:59:00,285 --> 00:59:02,355
there was some sort of weird definition of user

1101
00:59:02,355 --> 00:59:04,035
that if you're gone for six months you're only

1102
00:59:04,035 --> 00:59:05,235
half a user or something like that.

1103
00:59:05,495 --> 00:59:07,555
So I would say we should reject this amendment

1104
00:59:07,555 --> 00:59:10,115
because it makes it unclear who's paying the bill.

1105
00:59:10,145 --> 00:59:13,315
Whereas rate payers is a clear distinction in law

1106
00:59:13,415 --> 00:59:15,755
and with the water and wastewater department.

1107
00:59:15,855 --> 00:59:17,515
So please vote no on this amendment.

1108
00:59:18,665 --> 00:59:20,555
Further discussion on the amendment up,

1109
00:59:20,575 --> 00:59:22,045
up in the balcony. Just

1110
00:59:22,045 --> 00:59:23,685
To say a user could be a Rent.

1111
00:59:24,105 --> 00:59:25,805
We need your name please, Janice.

1112
00:59:26,285 --> 00:59:27,485
A user could be a renter.

1113
00:59:27,755 --> 00:59:29,965
They're not the ones paying it, they're paying rent.

1114
00:59:30,185 --> 00:59:33,485
So it should be the property owners defined by

1115
00:59:34,355 --> 00:59:35,405
damn set rate.

1116
00:59:36,295 --> 00:59:38,925
Payer Further discussion on the amendment.

1117
00:59:41,465 --> 00:59:44,605
Seeing none. Yep,

1118
00:59:45,885 --> 00:59:46,885
I I can yell Jeremy.

1119
00:59:47,075 --> 00:59:49,965
Matt, we should follow the

1120
00:59:50,345 --> 00:59:54,085
Advice or follow the advice of the lawyers is what I think

1121
00:59:56,675 --> 00:59:59,885
then, then you would vote apparently for according to Dan,

1122
00:59:59,885 --> 01:00:02,005
then you would vote no on this amendment correct.

1123
01:00:04,465 --> 01:00:09,205
So any further discussion on the amendment, the amendment

1124
01:00:10,305 --> 01:00:14,685
as put forward would read Shall the town approve

1125
01:00:15,895 --> 01:00:19,965
$392,055 for the operation

1126
01:00:19,965 --> 01:00:24,165
of the weight wastewater department for the, oh,

1127
01:00:24,225 --> 01:00:25,605
I'm, I I'm sorry I

1128
01:00:26,835 --> 01:00:27,835
They all look the same.

1129
01:00:28,385 --> 01:00:30,085
I'm gonna take a vacation when this is over.

1130
01:00:35,335 --> 01:00:36,765
We're on nine. Yeah.

1131
01:00:37,255 --> 01:00:38,485
Shall the town approve

1132
01:00:39,655 --> 01:00:44,565
$311,874 for the operation

1133
01:00:44,565 --> 01:00:48,245
of the water department for the period of July 1st, 2026

1134
01:00:48,265 --> 01:00:50,965
to June 30th, 2027 to be paid

1135
01:00:51,225 --> 01:00:54,325
by the users of the system?

1136
01:00:58,025 --> 01:00:59,565
That's the amendment. That's

1137
01:00:59,565 --> 01:01:00,565
What we're voting on.

1138
01:01:03,865 --> 01:01:05,845
No, we're voting on the amendment now.

1139
01:01:05,945 --> 01:01:09,925
Am I we are voting on the amendment now. This is,

1140
01:01:10,865 --> 01:01:13,205
That's the amendment Every now and again.

1141
01:01:13,265 --> 01:01:13,685
I'm correct.

1142
01:01:20,665 --> 01:01:23,485
The amendment basically changes rate payers to users.

1143
01:01:24,345 --> 01:01:26,365
Is is everybody clear And are we ready

1144
01:01:26,365 --> 01:01:27,485
for the question? Yes.

1145
01:01:27,665 --> 01:01:29,685
Yes. All those in favor

1146
01:01:29,745 --> 01:01:32,765
of the amendment which basically changes rate payers

1147
01:01:32,765 --> 01:01:33,925
to users say aye.

1148
01:01:35,425 --> 01:01:36,565
All opposed say no.

1149
01:01:37,025 --> 01:01:41,525
No the nays appear

1150
01:01:41,525 --> 01:01:45,045
to have it and the nays do have it

1151
01:01:45,825 --> 01:01:48,165
and we are back to the original Article nine.

1152
01:01:49,225 --> 01:01:51,445
Any further discussion on article nine?

1153
01:01:54,625 --> 01:01:57,965
Seeing none if you are ready for the question.

1154
01:01:58,105 --> 01:01:59,485
The question now is,

1155
01:02:00,935 --> 01:02:05,685
shall the town approve $311,847

1156
01:02:05,745 --> 01:02:06,685
for the operation

1157
01:02:15,575 --> 01:02:16,325
We're here right?

1158
01:02:16,325 --> 01:02:17,325
Article nine,

1159
01:02:19,315 --> 01:02:20,315
Yeah.

1160
01:02:20,315 --> 01:02:24,765
Shall the town approve $311,874

1161
01:02:24,905 --> 01:02:27,685
for the operation of the water department for the period

1162
01:02:27,705 --> 01:02:31,925
of July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027

1163
01:02:32,345 --> 01:02:36,365
to be paid for by the rate payers of the system?

1164
01:02:41,385 --> 01:02:43,285
All those in favor please say aye.

1165
01:02:44,025 --> 01:02:45,645
Aye. All opposed? No.

1166
01:02:46,905 --> 01:02:50,645
The a's appear to have it, the a's do have it point of

1167
01:02:50,645 --> 01:02:51,645
Order.

1168
01:02:51,645 --> 01:02:53,485
What is your point of order Hug.

1169
01:03:01,035 --> 01:03:01,325
Amen.

1170
01:03:06,085 --> 01:03:08,125
I think now we're finally on article 10.

1171
01:03:11,295 --> 01:03:13,205
We're done with that Article

1172
01:03:13,425 --> 01:03:14,425
10.

1173
01:03:15,055 --> 01:03:16,485
Shall the town approve

1174
01:03:17,415 --> 01:03:21,565
$392,055 for the operation.

1175
01:03:21,865 --> 01:03:25,605
Oh that for the operation of the wastewater department

1176
01:03:26,105 --> 01:03:29,045
for the period of July 1st, 2026

1177
01:03:29,505 --> 01:03:34,445
to June 30th, 2027 to be paid for

1178
01:03:34,585 --> 01:03:36,605
by the rate payers of the system.

1179
01:03:39,185 --> 01:03:40,325
Can I have I

1180
01:03:40,325 --> 01:03:44,205
Move Further discussion

1181
01:03:44,225 --> 01:03:45,445
on Article 10.

1182
01:03:53,185 --> 01:03:54,645
That's hard to accept that

1183
01:03:54,645 --> 01:03:59,165
as discussion in that case.

1184
01:03:59,945 --> 01:04:01,445
If you are ready for the question.

1185
01:04:02,865 --> 01:04:05,685
The question is, shall the town approve

1186
01:04:05,695 --> 01:04:09,245
$392,055 for the operation of

1187
01:04:09,815 --> 01:04:13,485
wastewater system for the period of July 1st, 2026

1188
01:04:13,585 --> 01:04:16,325
to June 30th, 2027 to be paid

1189
01:04:16,345 --> 01:04:18,005
by the rate payers of the system?

1190
01:04:18,625 --> 01:04:23,485
All those in favor of Article 10 say aye. Aye. Opposed?

1191
01:04:23,585 --> 01:04:26,245
No, the ayes appear to have it.

1192
01:04:26,265 --> 01:04:30,805
The ayes do have it. And you've passed Article 10.

1193
01:04:32,435 --> 01:04:37,405
Article 11 Shall the town approve

1194
01:04:38,015 --> 01:04:42,765
total fund expenditures of I had to rehearse this number.

1195
01:04:44,535 --> 01:04:47,445
Shall the town approve the total fund expenditures

1196
01:04:47,485 --> 01:04:51,165
of $1,842,047

1197
01:04:51,225 --> 01:04:55,845
and 44 cents to pay for administrative operations,

1198
01:04:56,515 --> 01:04:58,245
fire and rescue department

1199
01:04:58,265 --> 01:05:01,325
and highway department of the town of Plainfield

1200
01:05:01,705 --> 01:05:04,405
for the period of July 1st, 2026

1201
01:05:05,265 --> 01:05:08,845
to June 30, 20, 27 Of which

1202
01:05:09,865 --> 01:05:14,645
$1,326,787

1203
01:05:14,745 --> 01:05:18,645
and 47 cents shall a 44 cents

1204
01:05:21,875 --> 01:05:23,925
It's just 3 cents for God's sake

1205
01:05:28,535 --> 01:05:29,325
shall be raised.

1206
01:05:30,185 --> 01:05:31,645
And I'll start from the

1207
01:05:31,645 --> 01:05:36,085
beginning article.

1208
01:05:36,355 --> 01:05:41,205
Article 11, shall the town approve a total fund expenditure

1209
01:05:41,205 --> 01:05:41,405
of

1210
01:05:41,505 --> 01:05:46,325
$1,842,447

1211
01:05:46,545 --> 01:05:50,925
and 44 cents to pay for the admin pay

1212
01:05:50,925 --> 01:05:54,885
for administrative operations, fire and rescue department

1213
01:05:54,945 --> 01:05:57,605
and highway department of the town for the period

1214
01:05:57,625 --> 01:05:59,925
of July 1st, 2020 sixth

1215
01:06:00,625 --> 01:06:03,605
to June 30, 20, 27 of which

1216
01:06:04,945 --> 01:06:09,605
$1,326,787

1217
01:06:09,705 --> 01:06:13,765
and 44 cents shall be raised by taxes

1218
01:06:14,945 --> 01:06:18,925
and $515,260

1219
01:06:19,145 --> 01:06:20,445
by non-revenue,

1220
01:06:20,825 --> 01:06:24,965
by non-tax revenue. May I have a motion?

1221
01:06:25,485 --> 01:06:30,245
I move that this article be postponed to a date set

1222
01:06:30,245 --> 01:06:31,325
by the select board

1223
01:06:31,735 --> 01:06:34,525
after the full financial reports have been received.

1224
01:06:35,045 --> 01:06:38,405
I don't see how we can possibly do a vote on this without

1225
01:06:38,405 --> 01:06:40,525
having complete financial reports. Just a minute. You, you

1226
01:06:40,525 --> 01:06:41,525
Are.

1227
01:06:41,525 --> 01:06:42,885
My motion is that this be postponed

1228
01:06:43,465 --> 01:06:45,245
and not voted on at this meeting.

1229
01:06:45,785 --> 01:06:47,405
That's not a point of order. That's a motion.

1230
01:06:47,715 --> 01:06:49,085
It's a motion on the article

1231
01:06:49,585 --> 01:06:51,605
to not vote on it during this meeting.

1232
01:06:51,915 --> 01:06:53,365
It's not out of order. You weren't, you

1233
01:06:53,365 --> 01:06:54,765
Weren't call them, you weren't.

1234
01:06:54,785 --> 01:06:56,725
You don't have to. Everybody else goes so moved.

1235
01:06:56,945 --> 01:06:58,325
And so I don't go so moved.

1236
01:06:58,685 --> 01:07:01,605
I move that we do not vote on it at this town meeting

1237
01:07:02,105 --> 01:07:05,125
and it be, it will be voted on at a date certain

1238
01:07:05,495 --> 01:07:08,685
after all the financial reports have been received.

1239
01:07:11,025 --> 01:07:14,965
You got me confused now you have not been recognized right

1240
01:07:14,985 --> 01:07:16,165
now you are out of order.

1241
01:07:16,305 --> 01:07:17,885
You need to be recognized to speak

1242
01:07:17,985 --> 01:07:18,985
Number one.

1243
01:07:18,985 --> 01:07:19,485
Okay. Could you recognize me please?

1244
01:07:23,975 --> 01:07:27,605
There is also no second so far Pete.

1245
01:07:27,925 --> 01:07:29,325
I not Did you have a point of order?

1246
01:07:29,845 --> 01:07:33,325
I have you Scott moved. I will second, second.

1247
01:07:35,225 --> 01:07:36,485
I'm sorry. I don't know what I

1248
01:07:36,855 --> 01:07:39,765
Scott moved Tim Phillips seconded Now

1249
01:07:40,415 --> 01:07:41,965
where we're at. Discussion.

1250
01:07:42,515 --> 01:07:45,165
Okay, so now we're at discussion of the motion.

1251
01:07:48,425 --> 01:07:50,685
Do you wish to make an amendment Sasha?

1252
01:07:50,685 --> 01:07:53,165
Do you wish to make an amendment? You may make an amendment

1253
01:07:54,295 --> 01:07:55,295
Discussing.

1254
01:07:55,665 --> 01:07:58,885
I'm I I'm moving that we not vote on this.

1255
01:07:59,465 --> 01:08:01,245
Not to make an amendment to the content.

1256
01:08:01,965 --> 01:08:06,085
I am moving that the, that the vote on this article 11

1257
01:08:06,825 --> 01:08:08,325
be delayed to a time

1258
01:08:08,455 --> 01:08:11,965
after which all the financial reports have been received.

1259
01:08:13,865 --> 01:08:16,085
I'm not asking to delay the entire town meeting,

1260
01:08:16,865 --> 01:08:19,965
but I am asking and moving that this article

1261
01:08:20,705 --> 01:08:22,725
not be voted on at this town meeting

1262
01:08:23,825 --> 01:08:27,125
and be voted on at a subsequent town meeting at a date

1263
01:08:27,185 --> 01:08:28,325
set by the select board.

1264
01:08:28,655 --> 01:08:32,725
After all financial reports have been received, including

1265
01:08:32,745 --> 01:08:36,445
Are, are, are you moving to postpone to a definite time?

1266
01:08:37,145 --> 01:08:38,965
I'm not moving to postpone to a definite time.

1267
01:08:39,205 --> 01:08:42,645
'cause so far nobody has any idea when the audit, when the,

1268
01:08:43,105 --> 01:08:45,525
you know, financial formal financial audit will be done.

1269
01:08:45,825 --> 01:08:48,885
So I'm moving to postpone vote on this article

1270
01:08:49,985 --> 01:08:52,405
to a date set by the select board.

1271
01:08:53,175 --> 01:08:57,365
After all financial reports relate,

1272
01:08:57,365 --> 01:08:59,405
have been received, including the financial

1273
01:08:59,405 --> 01:09:00,645
report for the previous year.

1274
01:09:01,425 --> 01:09:02,605
Can you put it in writing please?

1275
01:09:03,785 --> 01:09:04,645
It would be very helpful

1276
01:09:04,745 --> 01:09:05,605
if you could put your motion writing.

1277
01:09:05,605 --> 01:09:06,605
I'll be, be happy to do that for,

1278
01:09:06,845 --> 01:09:10,325
I think what you're trying to do is postpone definitely

1279
01:09:11,715 --> 01:09:13,965
that, that, that that's what I see on, on

1280
01:09:14,065 --> 01:09:16,485
as I understand my Robert's rules of orders that you,

1281
01:09:16,745 --> 01:09:18,245
it would be very helpful Sasha,

1282
01:09:18,245 --> 01:09:20,485
if you would put your amendment in writing please.

1283
01:09:21,115 --> 01:09:22,445
Well, I don't know what the effect

1284
01:09:22,445 --> 01:09:25,725
of postponing indefinitely is and I do wanna relate it.

1285
01:09:25,725 --> 01:09:30,365
I don't either. I do wanna relate it to a time to be set

1286
01:09:30,365 --> 01:09:33,085
by the select board after all the financial reports have

1287
01:09:33,085 --> 01:09:35,085
been received, including the one

1288
01:09:35,105 --> 01:09:36,565
for the done by the auditors.

1289
01:09:37,075 --> 01:09:38,205
I'll try and write it out.

1290
01:09:38,225 --> 01:09:40,285
But you probably have a recording somewhere.

1291
01:09:40,825 --> 01:09:45,565
Dan, I I I won't weigh in on, on this postponing though.

1292
01:09:45,565 --> 01:09:48,165
I do believe you in Robert's drills, you either have

1293
01:09:48,165 --> 01:09:50,005
to postpone to a date or postpone indefinitely.

1294
01:09:50,005 --> 01:09:51,565
Those are your two choices. You,

1295
01:09:51,625 --> 01:09:53,285
you can't postpone to other action.

1296
01:09:53,785 --> 01:09:56,005
But what I wanted to say is, so you know,

1297
01:09:56,005 --> 01:09:59,405
we haven't had a town treasurer who's been physically able

1298
01:09:59,405 --> 01:10:01,045
to do the job since early December.

1299
01:10:01,105 --> 01:10:03,485
And so I just wanted to explain how the select board came

1300
01:10:03,485 --> 01:10:04,805
to a budget that we have today.

1301
01:10:04,945 --> 01:10:09,885
So when we knew Josh was out the board selected two of us,

1302
01:10:09,975 --> 01:10:12,605
Peter Young Bar and myself to work

1303
01:10:13,205 --> 01:10:14,685
independently on the budget.

1304
01:10:15,225 --> 01:10:18,725
We contracted with Sarah Macy, who is the director

1305
01:10:18,725 --> 01:10:20,125
of finance for the city of St.

1306
01:10:20,285 --> 01:10:24,805
Alban's. And so we worked through our, our budget,

1307
01:10:25,585 --> 01:10:27,885
we worked with all the different departments within the town

1308
01:10:28,385 --> 01:10:29,765
for how much they've spent.

1309
01:10:30,065 --> 01:10:31,085
You know, in the last years

1310
01:10:31,145 --> 01:10:35,405
and this year we did also speak with the bowel shelter

1311
01:10:35,425 --> 01:10:37,725
and associates who were the auditors who we've been working

1312
01:10:37,725 --> 01:10:41,285
with and using their financial acumen along with a lot

1313
01:10:41,285 --> 01:10:43,365
of input from all of the different departments

1314
01:10:43,425 --> 01:10:45,005
and volunteers and folks in town.

1315
01:10:45,345 --> 01:10:47,405
We created this budget that is a little,

1316
01:10:48,165 --> 01:10:51,925
a little under 2% under last year's taxed amount.

1317
01:10:51,925 --> 01:10:53,605
So it's actually not even a flat budget.

1318
01:10:53,635 --> 01:10:55,725
It's a, it's a negative budget partly

1319
01:10:55,725 --> 01:10:57,445
because we have some funding we're able

1320
01:10:57,445 --> 01:11:00,845
to pull across from this budget into next year's budget.

1321
01:11:00,905 --> 01:11:03,445
And those numbers were verified by Sarah Macy, the,

1322
01:11:03,585 --> 01:11:06,165
the financial director of the city of St.

1323
01:11:06,365 --> 01:11:08,165
Alban's along with the folks at the batch

1324
01:11:08,185 --> 01:11:09,285
Elders and Associates.

1325
01:11:09,385 --> 01:11:12,685
So we worked very dig diligently for about two months

1326
01:11:12,705 --> 01:11:13,780
to come up with those numbers.

1327
01:11:14,865 --> 01:11:18,405
And it is not an issue of us not knowing

1328
01:11:18,835 --> 01:11:21,085
what the budget should be, what we spend

1329
01:11:21,505 --> 01:11:22,605
or any anything else.

1330
01:11:22,615 --> 01:11:23,965
There are some official reports,

1331
01:11:23,995 --> 01:11:26,285
some official auditing reports that it just take time

1332
01:11:26,475 --> 01:11:27,965
that we don't have because we didn't

1333
01:11:27,965 --> 01:11:29,165
have a treasurer for those times.

1334
01:11:30,045 --> 01:11:32,205
It is not a situation where we are,

1335
01:11:33,185 --> 01:11:35,525
we don't know what's going on in the town finances.

1336
01:11:35,545 --> 01:11:36,765
So I think that's probably fair.

1337
01:11:36,765 --> 01:11:38,205
And I don't know if Peter has anything to add,

1338
01:11:38,385 --> 01:11:41,485
but I, I am reading the, the two choices.

1339
01:11:42,345 --> 01:11:45,565
It seems to me parliamentary are either to postpone

1340
01:11:45,565 --> 01:11:48,285
to a definite time or postpone indefinitely.

1341
01:11:48,965 --> 01:11:52,165
I have been handed this in Vermont town.

1342
01:11:52,195 --> 01:11:53,445
This is from Robert's Rules

1343
01:11:53,445 --> 01:11:55,965
of Order in Vermont Town Meetings, which are governed

1344
01:11:55,965 --> 01:11:59,165
by Robert's Rules of Order as modified by state as modified

1345
01:11:59,165 --> 01:12:04,125
by state statute, the motion to postpone indefinitely acts

1346
01:12:04,145 --> 01:12:07,725
as a procedural tool to kill a main motion,

1347
01:12:08,765 --> 01:12:11,605
a warrant article, without having to take a direct vote

1348
01:12:12,305 --> 01:12:13,685
on the issue itself.

1349
01:12:14,155 --> 01:12:16,045
Here are the specific effects

1350
01:12:16,185 --> 01:12:18,405
and rules for this action in Vermont.

1351
01:12:19,175 --> 01:12:21,605
Final disposition for the session.

1352
01:12:22,225 --> 01:12:25,405
If a motion to postpone indefinitely is adopted,

1353
01:12:25,745 --> 01:12:29,925
it effectively defeats the original main motion article

1354
01:12:30,265 --> 01:12:33,045
for the duration of that specific town meeting.

1355
01:12:34,065 --> 01:12:37,285
It avoids avoids direct vote.

1356
01:12:37,865 --> 01:12:41,125
It is used when the assembly does not wish to vote yes

1357
01:12:41,185 --> 01:12:43,885
or no on a sensitive, embarrassing,

1358
01:12:43,945 --> 01:12:47,005
or badly worded motion, allowing them

1359
01:12:47,025 --> 01:12:49,805
to avoid talking a direct position.

1360
01:12:50,825 --> 01:12:52,965
No automatic reconsideration.

1361
01:12:53,795 --> 01:12:56,405
Once an article is postponed indefinitely,

1362
01:12:56,585 --> 01:12:59,565
it cannot be brought back in the same meeting

1363
01:13:00,305 --> 01:13:02,445
limits on reconsideration.

1364
01:13:03,815 --> 01:13:06,285
While it kills the motion for the current meeting,

1365
01:13:06,825 --> 01:13:09,645
it does not prevent the issue from being warned

1366
01:13:09,825 --> 01:13:13,125
and brought up at a future or annual or special meeting.

1367
01:13:14,245 --> 01:13:17,125
Procedural requirements Debatable.

1368
01:13:17,705 --> 01:13:20,525
The motion to postpone indefinitely is debatable

1369
01:13:20,825 --> 01:13:24,005
and debate can include the merits of the main motion.

1370
01:13:25,465 --> 01:13:29,045
It requires a majority vote rank.

1371
01:13:29,265 --> 01:13:32,765
It is the lowest ranking subsidiary motion, meaning

1372
01:13:33,505 --> 01:13:36,485
it cannot be made while other motions like amendments

1373
01:13:37,105 --> 01:13:40,165
or to postpone to a specific time are pending

1374
01:13:41,755 --> 01:13:43,085
distinction from table.

1375
01:13:43,425 --> 01:13:47,965
It is often misused for the motion to lay on the table.

1376
01:13:48,345 --> 01:13:51,805
In Vermont, Robert's rules postponing indefinitely is

1377
01:13:52,045 --> 01:13:55,885
attended for the final disposal, not a temporary delay.

1378
01:13:56,705 --> 01:14:00,725
The context of Vermont town meeting articles except

1379
01:14:00,725 --> 01:14:04,165
for the election of candidates generally cannot be passed

1380
01:14:04,195 --> 01:14:07,365
over, but it can be postponed indefinitely.

1381
01:14:08,535 --> 01:14:11,605
Those are the rules, as I was just understanding.

1382
01:14:11,905 --> 01:14:16,445
So There is a motion on the floor.

1383
01:14:18,745 --> 01:14:21,245
Do we have it? Well, there's

1384
01:14:21,565 --> 01:14:22,685
Steven's hand is up.

1385
01:14:23,425 --> 01:14:25,125
It was just a point of order that we had a motion

1386
01:14:25,155 --> 01:14:27,285
that hasn't been seconded that I've heard.

1387
01:14:28,185 --> 01:14:29,245
So this is Jeremy,

1388
01:14:29,425 --> 01:14:30,425
By the way, right?

1389
01:14:30,795 --> 01:14:32,725
It's been seconded. Oh, it has? Yes.

1390
01:14:32,905 --> 01:14:37,125
Yes. It's been seconded. So we have Steve with Carla,

1391
01:14:37,425 --> 01:14:40,565
but are you, he hasn't called discussion yet. I'm

1392
01:14:40,565 --> 01:14:41,565
Just Point of order.

1393
01:14:41,565 --> 01:14:44,285
No, Sasha's made a motion that hasn't been seconded that I

1394
01:14:44,285 --> 01:14:45,285
Heard.

1395
01:14:45,285 --> 01:14:46,485
But we need to hear Sasha's motion.

1396
01:14:47,065 --> 01:14:49,085
You don't have to be recognized for a point of order.

1397
01:14:49,105 --> 01:14:50,445
You can just stand up and say it

1398
01:14:50,445 --> 01:14:51,765
and we'll hear the point of order.

1399
01:14:53,725 --> 01:14:56,365
I just felt confused if we were in discussion or not,

1400
01:14:56,945 --> 01:14:59,245
Or we are not in discussion yet. Okay.

1401
01:14:59,985 --> 01:15:01,725
But we're going to be right. Hopefully

1402
01:15:02,995 --> 01:15:04,085
Hope springs eternal.

1403
01:15:08,075 --> 01:15:10,085
Okay. Is this Sasha's amendment? Well,

1404
01:15:10,085 --> 01:15:11,085
This is right.

1405
01:15:13,685 --> 01:15:17,565
Sasha, are you moving to postpone to in, are you moving

1406
01:15:17,585 --> 01:15:19,005
to postpone indefinitely?

1407
01:15:19,095 --> 01:15:21,365
Which in effect, as we just read, kills the motion.

1408
01:15:22,475 --> 01:15:27,245
Well, it doesn't, it kills it at, at this town meeting,

1409
01:15:27,785 --> 01:15:31,005
as you mentioned, in two separate times in that account.

1410
01:15:31,025 --> 01:15:32,325
And I appreciate that account.

1411
01:15:32,905 --> 01:15:35,925
So I am, I, I I think my motion would've worked,

1412
01:15:36,305 --> 01:15:39,205
but my motion would be I moved to

1413
01:15:39,725 --> 01:15:42,325
postpone the vote on Article 11

1414
01:15:43,105 --> 01:15:44,845
to an indefinite date.

1415
01:15:46,775 --> 01:15:51,405
After all financial reports have been received,

1416
01:15:51,875 --> 01:15:53,005
including those

1417
01:15:53,545 --> 01:15:57,045
for the 20 25, 20 26 fiscal year.

1418
01:15:58,775 --> 01:16:02,845
Thank you. Will you hand that up please, Steve? Okay.

1419
01:16:03,555 --> 01:16:05,925
It's been moved and it is now

1420
01:16:05,925 --> 01:16:07,045
that this is an official motion.

1421
01:16:07,225 --> 01:16:10,925
Is there a second? Because we really didn't have an official

1422
01:16:10,925 --> 01:16:12,765
motion until this, now there's

1423
01:16:12,765 --> 01:16:13,965
an official, is there a second?

1424
01:16:16,115 --> 01:16:17,605
It's been moved and seconded.

1425
01:16:19,345 --> 01:16:21,525
Now there's a discussion on the amendment.

1426
01:16:22,265 --> 01:16:24,285
Let me, as soon as Paula gets this, I shall,

1427
01:16:24,355 --> 01:16:26,125
well, I'll do my best. So

1428
01:16:26,765 --> 01:16:28,005
Sasha, you're gonna need to fill in some

1429
01:16:28,005 --> 01:16:29,485
blanks. Probably. We'll

1430
01:16:29,595 --> 01:16:30,595
Send it up.

1431
01:16:30,595 --> 01:16:32,805
Sasha, can you send your, your, your up here

1432
01:16:32,805 --> 01:16:34,045
so I can read it correctly.

1433
01:16:43,855 --> 01:16:44,285
Thank you.

1434
01:16:48,245 --> 01:16:49,125
Sasha has moved.

1435
01:16:49,325 --> 01:16:53,325
I, Sasha says I move to postpone the vote

1436
01:16:53,985 --> 01:16:58,525
on Article 11 to an indefinite

1437
01:17:07,665 --> 01:17:11,605
to an indefinite a date.

1438
01:17:11,885 --> 01:17:13,245
DATE. Sir, I moved

1439
01:17:13,245 --> 01:17:16,965
To postponed on Article 11 to an

1440
01:17:17,035 --> 01:17:20,405
Inde indefinite date to, in i I moved

1441
01:17:20,405 --> 01:17:23,245
to postpone Article 11 to an indefinite date.

1442
01:17:23,695 --> 01:17:26,285
After all financial reports have been received,

1443
01:17:27,565 --> 01:17:31,765
including those for 2025

1444
01:17:31,985 --> 01:17:34,205
and 2026 fiscal year.

1445
01:17:35,005 --> 01:17:38,205
Sasha, do I have your amendment correct? I think so, yes.

1446
01:17:38,875 --> 01:17:42,205
Okay. It's been moved. Discussion.

1447
01:17:42,265 --> 01:17:46,125
We are now on the, on Sasha's amendment. Steve,

1448
01:17:47,625 --> 01:17:50,485
So it appears to me Say your name every time, Steven

1449
01:17:50,545 --> 01:17:51,545
Far.

1450
01:17:51,545 --> 01:17:53,965
It appears to me that we have the option of

1451
01:17:54,855 --> 01:17:56,365
indefinite postponement

1452
01:17:56,425 --> 01:18:00,245
or a date certain that we don't have, excuse me, a date.

1453
01:18:00,245 --> 01:18:01,805
Certain or indefinitely.

1454
01:18:01,905 --> 01:18:03,525
It doesn't seem like we have any other option,

1455
01:18:04,585 --> 01:18:06,085
but we could have a date certain,

1456
01:18:06,185 --> 01:18:09,885
if the select board could say we might have this information

1457
01:18:09,885 --> 01:18:11,405
ready by a certain time

1458
01:18:12,505 --> 01:18:15,925
and then we could set that date.

1459
01:18:16,265 --> 01:18:19,045
And the reason I raised this point is I assume if we're

1460
01:18:19,045 --> 01:18:20,965
gonna postpone this vote, we'll have

1461
01:18:20,965 --> 01:18:24,325
to convene a second meeting to vote on it. Am I correct,

1462
01:18:24,895 --> 01:18:25,895
Steve?

1463
01:18:25,895 --> 01:18:28,965
I think that what you can do if you want to is amend

1464
01:18:29,525 --> 01:18:33,885
Sasha's amendment from indefinite to a certain time.

1465
01:18:34,195 --> 01:18:36,485
Well, I'm asking for a recommendation 'cause I

1466
01:18:36,625 --> 01:18:37,625
Not from me.

1467
01:18:37,625 --> 01:18:40,165
You're not gonna get one. Well, there's

1468
01:18:40,165 --> 01:18:41,325
A select board up there.

1469
01:18:41,785 --> 01:18:43,405
Can they give a date that we can

1470
01:18:44,025 --> 01:18:45,025
Use?

1471
01:18:45,025 --> 01:18:49,565
That we can set? Are you making I, I'm sorry, Steve.

1472
01:18:49,725 --> 01:18:52,085
I I don't, I'm confused. I need to know what your,

1473
01:18:52,645 --> 01:18:54,285
I would make a motion if I had a date

1474
01:18:54,305 --> 01:18:55,605
to move it too, is my point.

1475
01:18:55,675 --> 01:18:57,445
That is out of order at this point.

1476
01:19:00,715 --> 01:19:03,045
Okay, so we have, we have a few people.

1477
01:19:03,515 --> 01:19:06,645
Okay, we're on the amendment. Jana.

1478
01:19:06,785 --> 01:19:09,285
Oh, Charlie Carla. I think

1479
01:19:10,475 --> 01:19:11,475
Jana Michael.

1480
01:19:11,595 --> 01:19:14,805
Okay. Oh, it's got that. I have the mic in my hand.

1481
01:19:15,985 --> 01:19:19,605
You have what? That doesn't matter. Janet.

1482
01:19:22,145 --> 01:19:24,365
No, no dispensation for wives.

1483
01:19:25,375 --> 01:19:26,725
Thank you. Charlie. Cogno.

1484
01:19:27,685 --> 01:19:30,485
Actually, I have been pondering this exact problem

1485
01:19:30,905 --> 01:19:33,765
for the past since I received my annual

1486
01:19:33,865 --> 01:19:34,865
Report.

1487
01:19:35,645 --> 01:19:37,445
I think there's a confusion between

1488
01:19:38,265 --> 01:19:41,045
the financial report and the budget.

1489
01:19:42,425 --> 01:19:47,245
The financial report is for the treasurer and assistance

1490
01:19:47,785 --> 01:19:52,125
and the auditors to present what has happened in the past.

1491
01:19:54,685 --> 01:19:58,505
The Budget proposal is a proposal

1492
01:19:58,605 --> 01:19:59,825
of the select board.

1493
01:20:01,525 --> 01:20:02,545
Now we're snookered

1494
01:20:03,095 --> 01:20:06,745
because the select board could not take into account

1495
01:20:07,915 --> 01:20:10,165
what the auditors haven't gone over.

1496
01:20:12,225 --> 01:20:16,165
But the select board budget can stand alone

1497
01:20:17,275 --> 01:20:18,365
without having those.

1498
01:20:18,625 --> 01:20:21,485
In fact, I would predict that if we postponed it,

1499
01:20:21,705 --> 01:20:24,685
we might end up with financial reports,

1500
01:20:25,105 --> 01:20:29,605
but we would end up with basically the same budget, which is

1501
01:20:29,605 --> 01:20:31,245
what should be on the table here.

1502
01:20:32,705 --> 01:20:36,205
So what I suggest is that we have a discussion,

1503
01:20:36,505 --> 01:20:39,005
we defeat the amendment to pass over,

1504
01:20:39,185 --> 01:20:40,885
or excuse me, the motion to pass over

1505
01:20:42,105 --> 01:20:44,445
and then consider the budget.

1506
01:20:45,505 --> 01:20:47,085
Yes, we have all heard

1507
01:20:47,355 --> 01:20:50,605
that the financial reports are coming.

1508
01:20:51,465 --> 01:20:56,045
Who knows when the town has an audit that's ongoing.

1509
01:20:56,745 --> 01:20:58,365
The town has consultants.

1510
01:20:58,665 --> 01:21:00,445
The town has two select board members

1511
01:21:00,445 --> 01:21:03,725
that have gone in great detail over

1512
01:21:03,915 --> 01:21:05,685
what this budget should be.

1513
01:21:06,445 --> 01:21:08,725
I think we should get on and discuss the budget

1514
01:21:09,425 --> 01:21:11,365
and not worry about what is missing

1515
01:21:11,715 --> 01:21:13,085
that will not change things.

1516
01:21:24,895 --> 01:21:27,325
Carla Siegel again, I don't mean to cause trouble,

1517
01:21:27,625 --> 01:21:31,445
but information is everything.

1518
01:21:32,105 --> 01:21:34,205
And some of us have it and some of us don't.

1519
01:21:34,905 --> 01:21:38,405
And I do trust our elected officials,

1520
01:21:38,785 --> 01:21:40,365
but we audit for a reason.

1521
01:21:43,765 --> 01:21:45,885
I don't think we should put the cart before the horse.

1522
01:21:47,005 --> 01:21:49,245
I think we should mind our Ps and Qs.

1523
01:21:49,905 --> 01:21:52,685
And I think it's the end of democracy when we start saying,

1524
01:21:52,705 --> 01:21:54,085
oh, trust us, it's fine.

1525
01:21:54,865 --> 01:21:58,165
We are supposed to be here to look at the information.

1526
01:21:58,815 --> 01:22:01,205
We're supposed to have time to consider the information

1527
01:22:02,265 --> 01:22:06,045
and I just don't think we should rush past that.

1528
01:22:09,705 --> 01:22:11,325
We pause one sec. We need to pause

1529
01:22:12,345 --> 01:22:13,345
One moment.

1530
01:22:13,345 --> 01:22:14,045
The moment's recess.

1531
01:22:15,845 --> 01:22:17,325
I only got the first part of,

1532
01:22:19,385 --> 01:22:23,325
No, it, I mean Charlie, I don't, we need, we don't need

1533
01:22:23,325 --> 01:22:24,725
to record it word for word. Okay.

1534
01:22:24,785 --> 01:22:28,205
So then Jana. Okay. Jana point of information. Yes.

1535
01:22:29,945 --> 01:22:32,525
You have a point of information. No, I can. Oh, okay.

1536
01:22:32,525 --> 01:22:35,045
Thank you. Janice. I wanted

1537
01:22:35,185 --> 01:22:37,645
To support, I wanted to say Exactly what

1538
01:22:37,645 --> 01:22:38,645
Charlie said.

1539
01:22:39,035 --> 01:22:41,445
Okay, well said.

1540
01:22:42,705 --> 01:22:45,045
Is there any further discussion on the amendment?

1541
01:22:45,725 --> 01:22:47,445
Michael and Jeremy? Michael.

1542
01:22:49,685 --> 01:22:53,165
Michael Billingsley. I just wanted to say,

1543
01:22:53,565 --> 01:22:56,525
I think this is appropriate that in our

1544
01:22:57,755 --> 01:23:02,285
ongoing fiscal year, which ends in the, at the end of June,

1545
01:23:03,425 --> 01:23:05,765
our present fiscal year is the one

1546
01:23:05,765 --> 01:23:07,125
that has already been budgeted

1547
01:23:07,125 --> 01:23:10,045
and the budget was approved in last year's town meeting

1548
01:23:10,275 --> 01:23:12,965
that we're living by, I just speaking

1549
01:23:12,985 --> 01:23:16,965
for emergency management have not expended all my budget

1550
01:23:17,265 --> 01:23:19,925
and to report on it in part of the year.

1551
01:23:20,025 --> 01:23:21,885
In other words, if somebody wants what's going on

1552
01:23:21,885 --> 01:23:25,645
with emergency management, how long, how much of your budget

1553
01:23:25,755 --> 01:23:28,445
that we allocated for you have you spent so far?

1554
01:23:29,865 --> 01:23:32,925
We often spend somewhere close to 40%

1555
01:23:32,925 --> 01:23:34,925
of our budget in the last three months of the fiscal year.

1556
01:23:35,265 --> 01:23:37,845
And it wouldn't be helpful for you necessarily to know that

1557
01:23:37,845 --> 01:23:39,845
unless we're vastly off track.

1558
01:23:40,545 --> 01:23:42,245
So at any point

1559
01:23:42,245 --> 01:23:44,605
that a report is made about the current year,

1560
01:23:44,755 --> 01:23:46,805
it's always going to be a shifting landscape

1561
01:23:46,835 --> 01:23:48,965
because each of the departments is spending money

1562
01:23:48,985 --> 01:23:51,085
as it goes along, as the need arises.

1563
01:23:51,225 --> 01:23:53,925
So I personally don't feel we're gonna gain much

1564
01:23:53,985 --> 01:23:56,725
by changing the data, which we examine the financial data.

1565
01:23:57,995 --> 01:23:59,685
Further discussion on the amendment.

1566
01:24:00,425 --> 01:24:00,845
Jeremy?

1567
01:24:04,625 --> 01:24:06,605
Jeremy, that's fine.

1568
01:24:07,355 --> 01:24:09,685
I've spoken a lot. You can cheat. Okay. Which is it?

1569
01:24:10,595 --> 01:24:12,525
Yeah. Jeremy first, I believe

1570
01:24:13,485 --> 01:24:14,485
Jeremy, Matt.

1571
01:24:15,245 --> 01:24:17,045
I also think that we have enough information to vote.

1572
01:24:17,105 --> 01:24:18,365
We know what the costs are.

1573
01:24:18,625 --> 01:24:21,645
I'd also be concerned about, you know, these important

1574
01:24:22,885 --> 01:24:24,325
things that we're trying to fund here.

1575
01:24:24,535 --> 01:24:27,525
Being left without a budget indefinitely

1576
01:24:28,175 --> 01:24:31,045
until we get some financial reports

1577
01:24:31,675 --> 01:24:33,365
that we don't know when they're gonna arrive.

1578
01:24:34,645 --> 01:24:36,365
I don't know. I I just, I I I think

1579
01:24:36,365 --> 01:24:37,765
that Charlie said it really well.

1580
01:24:37,985 --> 01:24:39,125
So yeah. Vote no.

1581
01:24:44,635 --> 01:24:48,965
Allison, joy, IL My question is,

1582
01:24:49,785 --> 01:24:54,525
if we don't pass this today, how does this affect,

1583
01:24:54,585 --> 01:24:58,405
for example, salaries of our road crew, et cetera?

1584
01:25:04,385 --> 01:25:05,725
Dan, you wanna respond to that?

1585
01:25:05,985 --> 01:25:07,885
So the budget year starts July 1st,

1586
01:25:08,225 --> 01:25:10,325
and so as long as the budget is passed by July 1st,

1587
01:25:10,345 --> 01:25:11,405
it wouldn't have any effect.

1588
01:25:11,565 --> 01:25:13,165
I mean, even beyond that,

1589
01:25:13,165 --> 01:25:15,845
there's provisions if we didn't somehow pass a

1590
01:25:15,845 --> 01:25:17,205
budget for what our budget would be.

1591
01:25:17,265 --> 01:25:19,365
So it's not gonna affect anybody's salaries.

1592
01:25:19,365 --> 01:25:22,525
Folks are getting paid regularly. Okay.

1593
01:25:22,705 --> 01:25:25,365
Any other further discussions? Betsy?

1594
01:25:27,995 --> 01:25:28,995
It's coming.

1595
01:25:31,425 --> 01:25:35,005
Hi, Betsy Zigler. I'm just disappointed.

1596
01:25:35,525 --> 01:25:37,685
I feel like this is no way to run a business.

1597
01:25:38,795 --> 01:25:40,205
This is our town business

1598
01:25:40,425 --> 01:25:42,485
and we should know what we've spent,

1599
01:25:42,875 --> 01:25:45,365
even if it's three quarters of the money spent.

1600
01:25:45,685 --> 01:25:48,485
I, I have beyond the regional plan, regional

1601
01:25:50,015 --> 01:25:51,245
solid waste district,

1602
01:25:51,465 --> 01:25:55,285
and I said to long meetings of looking at spread sheets

1603
01:25:55,585 --> 01:25:57,765
and looking at quarterly reports.

1604
01:25:58,205 --> 01:26:00,685
I mean, this is how you should be running an organization.

1605
01:26:00,745 --> 01:26:04,165
And I'm sorry, this person who was, was our treasurer is,

1606
01:26:04,225 --> 01:26:07,485
was unavailable, but it seems like we're late in

1607
01:26:07,485 --> 01:26:08,805
getting fixing that problem.

1608
01:26:12,175 --> 01:26:12,525
Karen,

1609
01:26:17,895 --> 01:26:18,895
Karen Hatcher.

1610
01:26:20,645 --> 01:26:23,005
I just wanna say that I appreciate all the work

1611
01:26:23,005 --> 01:26:25,765
that the board did to try and figure out this budget.

1612
01:26:25,905 --> 01:26:29,445
And I also wanna just acknowledge that Josh Pitts

1613
01:26:29,985 --> 01:26:31,485
put in a lot of time and energy

1614
01:26:31,545 --> 01:26:34,565
and effort into creating the beginning of this budget.

1615
01:26:35,305 --> 01:26:39,005
And yeah, it's, it is unfortunate that he took ill,

1616
01:26:39,625 --> 01:26:43,845
but I think life's not perfect.

1617
01:26:44,305 --> 01:26:46,045
You know, we've been dealing with a lot of things

1618
01:26:46,105 --> 01:26:47,805
and this board has taken on a lot

1619
01:26:48,545 --> 01:26:52,285
and I, I think that the kind of expertise that you went

1620
01:26:52,305 --> 01:26:54,245
and got in Sarah Macy

1621
01:26:54,245 --> 01:26:57,365
and the batch shelter group consulting with the League

1622
01:26:57,365 --> 01:27:00,485
of Citizen Towns and doing your best work to create a budget

1623
01:27:00,555 --> 01:27:03,405
that we, you know, that all of us

1624
01:27:03,425 --> 01:27:07,285
who worked on it feel pretty good about.

1625
01:27:07,645 --> 01:27:10,045
I think, you know, I would just say

1626
01:27:11,025 --> 01:27:12,685
for me it's a, we should go ahead.

1627
01:27:13,365 --> 01:27:14,365
I,

1628
01:27:18,745 --> 01:27:21,805
Any, any further discussion on the amend on, on the,

1629
01:27:21,945 --> 01:27:22,965
on the, on the motion.

1630
01:27:23,115 --> 01:27:24,485
It's not an amendment, it's a motion.

1631
01:27:24,625 --> 01:27:26,005
Any further discussion? Steve,

1632
01:27:26,665 --> 01:27:30,845
Can you just clarify if we're voting no on this motion,

1633
01:27:30,915 --> 01:27:32,325
that means it's going to be defeated

1634
01:27:32,325 --> 01:27:34,805
and we're get a second chance to vote yes on the budget

1635
01:27:35,105 --> 01:27:36,125
Or the amendment?

1636
01:27:36,145 --> 01:27:37,845
What's the process if you vote no,

1637
01:27:37,945 --> 01:27:39,285
the amendment will be defeated

1638
01:27:39,345 --> 01:27:42,245
and we will go back to the original article.

1639
01:27:44,105 --> 01:27:46,525
Is that, is that what you're asking? Yes.

1640
01:27:47,225 --> 01:27:48,805
Any further discussion on the amendment?

1641
01:27:52,145 --> 01:27:55,685
Glenda, is your hand up? I'm sorry. Okay.

1642
01:27:56,385 --> 01:28:00,965
Seeing none, I shall read Sasha's amendment.

1643
01:28:01,685 --> 01:28:04,405
Sasha, please again, correct me if I, if I get this wrong

1644
01:28:04,475 --> 01:28:07,565
because which are Sasha moves

1645
01:28:07,945 --> 01:28:10,285
to postpone the vote on Article two

1646
01:28:10,465 --> 01:28:13,685
to an indefinite date After all financial

1647
01:28:13,685 --> 01:28:15,405
reports have been received. Article

1648
01:28:15,405 --> 01:28:16,405
11.

1649
01:28:18,525 --> 01:28:18,885
I didn't

1650
01:28:22,945 --> 01:28:24,445
Oh, article 11.

1651
01:28:24,675 --> 01:28:26,645
Yeah, I thank you.

1652
01:28:28,965 --> 01:28:31,805
I moved to postpone the vote on Article 11

1653
01:28:32,665 --> 01:28:34,005
to an indefinite date

1654
01:28:34,215 --> 01:28:36,685
after all financial reports have been received,

1655
01:28:36,685 --> 01:28:40,805
including those for 25, 26 fiscal year.

1656
01:28:41,185 --> 01:28:44,525
All those in favor of the amendment say aye,

1657
01:28:45,225 --> 01:28:46,225
Aye.

1658
01:28:46,225 --> 01:28:47,445
All those opposed say no.

1659
01:28:48,145 --> 01:28:51,045
No, those appear to have it

1660
01:28:52,025 --> 01:28:53,485
and the nays do have it.

1661
01:28:54,025 --> 01:28:56,725
And we are back to the original article.

1662
01:28:57,715 --> 01:29:00,325
Further discussion on Article 11

1663
01:29:05,185 --> 01:29:06,565
if you are ready for the question.

1664
01:29:07,825 --> 01:29:09,645
Yep, Betsy.

1665
01:29:12,915 --> 01:29:14,125
Okay, I'm looking at the,

1666
01:29:14,805 --> 01:29:16,165
I think I'm looking at the budget.

1667
01:29:17,145 --> 01:29:19,485
We are in the budget. Is there money allocated

1668
01:29:19,665 --> 01:29:22,805
for the central Vermont Solid Waste Planning District?

1669
01:29:23,245 --> 01:29:26,605
I don't see it. What what pa what Under what area

1670
01:29:29,825 --> 01:29:31,045
Aren't we talking about the budget?

1671
01:29:31,665 --> 01:29:32,965
Am I sorry, am I at the wrong?

1672
01:29:34,345 --> 01:29:36,125
No, No, I I think that

1673
01:29:36,785 --> 01:29:40,165
The article We're on article 11, which, which

1674
01:29:40,195 --> 01:29:43,685
Does not, I'm, yes, I, okay,

1675
01:29:43,685 --> 01:29:44,965
maybe I'm in the wrong spot,

1676
01:29:45,025 --> 01:29:47,205
but I'm looking, I'm asking the select board,

1677
01:29:47,205 --> 01:29:50,845
where in the select board's budget did they allocate money

1678
01:29:51,145 --> 01:29:54,685
for the central Vermont Solid waste planning districts?

1679
01:29:55,335 --> 01:29:56,335
Thank you.

1680
01:29:57,395 --> 01:29:59,605
Okay, Dan?

1681
01:29:59,955 --> 01:30:01,645
Yeah, so we have a, a section

1682
01:30:01,865 --> 01:30:04,365
of the budget called public safety.

1683
01:30:04,955 --> 01:30:07,565
Okay. Oh, I, I'm looking at the,

1684
01:30:08,865 --> 01:30:10,285
let me see if I can find it on the pages

1685
01:30:10,525 --> 01:30:11,765
'cause I'm looking at the spreadsheet.

1686
01:30:12,395 --> 01:30:13,395
Page 46,

1687
01:30:15,345 --> 01:30:18,285
Number 75, Number 75.

1688
01:30:18,525 --> 01:30:20,845
Apparently you guys are there faster than me

1689
01:30:20,845 --> 01:30:22,725
because I was looking at the spreadsheet. 75

1690
01:30:22,955 --> 01:30:24,485
Line 75. Line 75.

1691
01:30:24,735 --> 01:30:28,045
There you go. It should be $1,900 for solid waste.

1692
01:30:29,075 --> 01:30:33,685
Okay. Okay. Page 46, line 75.

1693
01:30:38,375 --> 01:30:39,925
Thank you. That wasn't clear to me.

1694
01:30:42,425 --> 01:30:46,925
Bob. Bob

1695
01:30:47,215 --> 01:30:52,165
Enson, energy coordinator on page, I talked

1696
01:30:52,205 --> 01:30:53,605
with Carl about this yesterday.

1697
01:30:53,605 --> 01:30:58,365
We got on page 45, line 64,

1698
01:30:59,505 --> 01:31:02,925
the energy conservation budget was put

1699
01:31:04,195 --> 01:31:07,325
into the conservation commission budget.

1700
01:31:08,105 --> 01:31:09,805
So I'd just like that to be weed out.

1701
01:31:09,805 --> 01:31:11,885
It's not gonna change the amount at all

1702
01:31:12,705 --> 01:31:14,205
in the overall budget figure,

1703
01:31:14,345 --> 01:31:15,925
but I'd just like that

1704
01:31:15,925 --> 01:31:19,845
to be Donnie

1705
01:31:20,145 --> 01:31:21,145
Dan.

1706
01:31:21,145 --> 01:31:24,165
So in, in an effort to make our computer system work better,

1707
01:31:24,165 --> 01:31:25,885
Josh has been, was implementing some changes.

1708
01:31:26,475 --> 01:31:28,845
It's really hard for our system if,

1709
01:31:29,185 --> 01:31:31,485
if like literally one thing is its own

1710
01:31:31,485 --> 01:31:32,725
department, so like energy.

1711
01:31:33,025 --> 01:31:35,125
So we've been grouping things into departments.

1712
01:31:35,585 --> 01:31:38,405
So your $500 budget is still your budget.

1713
01:31:38,835 --> 01:31:40,485
It's just the way that it comes out on here.

1714
01:31:40,505 --> 01:31:42,365
And the conservation commission has their own

1715
01:31:42,365 --> 01:31:43,805
written, we just have to group things.

1716
01:31:43,865 --> 01:31:46,045
So like public for example, solid waste being part

1717
01:31:46,045 --> 01:31:48,765
of the public safety grouping.

1718
01:31:48,765 --> 01:31:50,645
It's just the way that our online system works.

1719
01:31:50,745 --> 01:31:53,285
And so we're trying to have this budget match

1720
01:31:53,285 --> 01:31:54,485
what we use in the online system.

1721
01:31:54,505 --> 01:31:55,685
So there's less confusion

1722
01:31:56,025 --> 01:31:57,285
as we actually try to track things.

1723
01:31:57,365 --> 01:31:58,925
I know there's been a regular problem

1724
01:31:59,105 --> 01:32:00,485
of folks not knowing exactly

1725
01:32:00,505 --> 01:32:01,965
how much might be in certain accounts

1726
01:32:02,225 --> 01:32:04,125
or which committees have, which budgets left.

1727
01:32:04,345 --> 01:32:06,005
And so we're try as in a way to do that.

1728
01:32:06,025 --> 01:32:07,885
And we may be able to turn change the title

1729
01:32:07,905 --> 01:32:10,365
of it in the future from Conservation Commission

1730
01:32:10,425 --> 01:32:12,685
to Environmental Commissions or something.

1731
01:32:12,985 --> 01:32:15,165
But that's the reason they're together. Okay?

1732
01:32:15,235 --> 01:32:17,325
It's not that they're in control of the budget.

1733
01:32:17,595 --> 01:32:19,925
Well, in trying to Avoid

1734
01:32:19,925 --> 01:32:21,605
Confusion, you created confusion.

1735
01:32:22,115 --> 01:32:24,525
Confusion for you left, confusion for office staff.

1736
01:32:27,155 --> 01:32:28,365
Okay, further discussion.

1737
01:32:28,365 --> 01:32:32,485
Article 11. Charlie.

1738
01:32:33,235 --> 01:32:36,845
Charlie, yeah. Charlie Cobell.

1739
01:32:37,635 --> 01:32:41,085
I've always been confused whether we can line item

1740
01:32:41,665 --> 01:32:43,045
change the budget.

1741
01:32:44,265 --> 01:32:47,125
That's just a que an open question.

1742
01:32:47,425 --> 01:32:49,525
We certainly can change the bottom line,

1743
01:32:50,265 --> 01:32:51,805
but I'm not gonna address that right now.

1744
01:32:53,185 --> 01:32:57,925
The only thing in the budget that this body has control over

1745
01:32:58,545 --> 01:33:01,525
are the salaries paid town officers.

1746
01:33:01,545 --> 01:33:04,485
That's by statute and by our charter.

1747
01:33:05,545 --> 01:33:08,565
That's the point of information I want to jump on

1748
01:33:08,625 --> 01:33:10,165
to the budget itself.

1749
01:33:10,905 --> 01:33:15,525
The budget itself proposes about 15% more

1750
01:33:15,645 --> 01:33:20,005
expenditures, but that is balanced by revenues.

1751
01:33:20,865 --> 01:33:24,205
Two lines of revenues, one hold harmless,

1752
01:33:24,685 --> 01:33:25,965
$180,000

1753
01:33:27,145 --> 01:33:30,725
and another prior year surplus,

1754
01:33:32,205 --> 01:33:36,125
I hate to say who determined prior year surplus

1755
01:33:36,135 --> 01:33:37,365
after all the discussion,

1756
01:33:37,665 --> 01:33:41,285
but there's $200,000 in in the budget

1757
01:33:41,955 --> 01:33:45,485
that brings the budget below level funded

1758
01:33:47,745 --> 01:33:51,885
tax needs from the town.

1759
01:33:53,245 --> 01:33:58,165
I would hope that the, the various items such as the flood

1760
01:33:59,085 --> 01:34:01,045
received as revenues for reimbursement

1761
01:34:01,045 --> 01:34:03,125
that are would come in in this fiscal year.

1762
01:34:03,965 --> 01:34:06,205
I would assume that there are many other things

1763
01:34:06,355 --> 01:34:09,525
that are totally unable

1764
01:34:09,945 --> 01:34:13,005
to estimate was it sits now we have

1765
01:34:13,525 --> 01:34:14,965
a better than level budget

1766
01:34:16,705 --> 01:34:20,605
and we have an opportunity to vote

1767
01:34:20,605 --> 01:34:22,005
that which is our taxes.

1768
01:34:23,445 --> 01:34:25,765
I would say with all the uncertainties,

1769
01:34:26,115 --> 01:34:28,285
this is about the best we're ever gonna get.

1770
01:34:29,945 --> 01:34:34,365
So I, I support voting that as the budget

1771
01:34:34,985 --> 01:34:38,645
and let it play out as it plays out.

1772
01:34:39,145 --> 01:34:43,045
And we might hope to have $200,000 more in previous year

1773
01:34:43,155 --> 01:34:44,245
because it was wrong.

1774
01:34:48,025 --> 01:34:50,165
Any further discussion? No.

1775
01:34:50,595 --> 01:34:53,525
Yeah, just, I'll just explain the,

1776
01:34:53,785 --> 01:34:55,485
the previous year surplus.

1777
01:34:55,585 --> 01:34:57,845
So a big part

1778
01:34:57,845 --> 01:35:00,965
of our flood work is actually like our road crew spending

1779
01:35:00,965 --> 01:35:04,925
time and energy on flood recovery, flood repair stuff.

1780
01:35:05,185 --> 01:35:07,565
And so we're paying 'em in this year,

1781
01:35:07,975 --> 01:35:09,165
we're paying their salaries

1782
01:35:09,165 --> 01:35:11,165
and things like that in this year.

1783
01:35:11,465 --> 01:35:14,005
And so when, when we get reimbursed, a lot

1784
01:35:14,005 --> 01:35:16,125
of the reimbursement money comes right to the town.

1785
01:35:16,625 --> 01:35:18,005
And so not all of it,

1786
01:35:18,305 --> 01:35:20,645
but some of it is what we were push we're putting forward.

1787
01:35:20,745 --> 01:35:24,325
And I'll say Josh, Josh Pitts had a whole spreadsheet of of,

1788
01:35:25,045 --> 01:35:27,765
I mean I think he feels we could have a bigger number there,

1789
01:35:28,505 --> 01:35:30,125
but in working with Sarah Macy,

1790
01:35:30,125 --> 01:35:31,565
who's the director of finance from St.

1791
01:35:31,725 --> 01:35:33,365
Albans town and working with our auditor,

1792
01:35:34,065 --> 01:35:35,845
we felt the most conservative

1793
01:35:35,865 --> 01:35:37,485
and comfortable number that we could put

1794
01:35:37,545 --> 01:35:40,365
as prior year surplus was the 200,000.

1795
01:35:40,645 --> 01:35:43,045
I will say Peter and I spent a frantic four

1796
01:35:43,045 --> 01:35:46,045
or five days getting ourselves to a budget that was even,

1797
01:35:46,145 --> 01:35:48,205
or at 2% without that 200,000.

1798
01:35:48,505 --> 01:35:51,165
And then we reinstated funding once we found out for sure

1799
01:35:51,165 --> 01:35:52,325
that that 200,000 was there.

1800
01:35:52,705 --> 01:35:54,365
But we did have a plan, a plan B

1801
01:35:54,925 --> 01:35:57,845
scenario in case we decided we couldn't do the surplus.

1802
01:35:57,945 --> 01:36:00,525
But so three different folks, our treasurer,

1803
01:36:01,305 --> 01:36:02,685
the director of finance from St.

1804
01:36:02,845 --> 01:36:04,325
Albans and our auditor all felt that

1805
01:36:04,325 --> 01:36:06,085
that 200,000 was a justifiable

1806
01:36:06,085 --> 01:36:07,085
and pretty conservative number.

1807
01:36:08,835 --> 01:36:09,965
Further discussion.

1808
01:36:10,155 --> 01:36:14,525
Article 11 if you are ready for the question.

1809
01:36:15,545 --> 01:36:19,245
The question is, shall the town approve total fund

1810
01:36:19,245 --> 01:36:20,725
expenditures of

1811
01:36:20,785 --> 01:36:24,285
$1,842,047

1812
01:36:24,465 --> 01:36:28,885
and 44 cents to pay for administrative operations,

1813
01:36:29,235 --> 01:36:31,525
fire and rescue department

1814
01:36:31,625 --> 01:36:34,245
and highway department of the town of Plainfield

1815
01:36:34,545 --> 01:36:37,285
for the period of July 1st, 2026

1816
01:36:37,825 --> 01:36:41,285
to June 30, 20, 27 of which

1817
01:36:42,225 --> 01:36:46,765
$1,326,787

1818
01:36:46,865 --> 01:36:50,205
and 44 cents shall be raised by taxes

1819
01:36:51,105 --> 01:36:55,085
and $515,260

1820
01:36:55,785 --> 01:36:59,125
by non rev, by non-tax revenue.

1821
01:37:00,465 --> 01:37:04,605
All those in favor of Article 11 please say aye. Aye.

1822
01:37:05,115 --> 01:37:08,725
Opposed? No, the eyes appear to have it.

1823
01:37:10,065 --> 01:37:12,725
The eyes do have it. And you've passed. Article 11,

1824
01:37:17,795 --> 01:37:18,765
article 12.

1825
01:37:20,235 --> 01:37:24,245
Article 12 reads, shall the town of Plainfield

1826
01:37:24,795 --> 01:37:26,645
authorize the select board

1827
01:37:26,665 --> 01:37:30,445
to apply any surplus from the current fiscal year

1828
01:37:31,025 --> 01:37:34,685
to reduce taxes in the next fiscal year?

1829
01:37:35,385 --> 01:37:38,565
May I have a motion on Article 12, please?

1830
01:37:39,825 --> 01:37:42,325
Second, Jeremy Been moved

1831
01:37:42,385 --> 01:37:44,885
and seconded to pass article

1832
01:37:44,945 --> 01:37:47,645
12 discussion.

1833
01:37:52,705 --> 01:37:56,565
Seeing none. All those in favor of article 12 say, aye.

1834
01:37:56,985 --> 01:37:59,285
Is there up? Yep, go ahead. Sorry.

1835
01:37:59,905 --> 01:38:01,765
Aye Steve, we got

1836
01:38:01,765 --> 01:38:02,765
A comment there.

1837
01:38:02,765 --> 01:38:04,325
It was behind

1838
01:38:07,085 --> 01:38:08,085
Garfield Barnes.

1839
01:38:08,325 --> 01:38:11,285
I was just Garfield Barnes, your

1840
01:38:11,285 --> 01:38:12,285
Name please.

1841
01:38:12,285 --> 01:38:13,885
Garfield Barnes. Thank you.

1842
01:38:14,065 --> 01:38:17,345
And I was just wondering if anything

1843
01:38:17,345 --> 01:38:22,105
that was left over could be reserved as a contingency for,

1844
01:38:23,045 --> 01:38:27,145
you know, like a rainy day rather than going through

1845
01:38:27,205 --> 01:38:29,745
and having to have everybody

1846
01:38:30,925 --> 01:38:34,665
get back 57 cents or $2 and whatever,

1847
01:38:34,685 --> 01:38:36,065
or whatever it might be.

1848
01:38:37,565 --> 01:38:41,065
Is that possible? It's our choice, right?

1849
01:38:41,095 --> 01:38:42,305
Well, it is, it is our choice.

1850
01:38:42,445 --> 01:38:45,585
So what typically happens is if there's un unattributed

1851
01:38:45,855 --> 01:38:48,065
surplus at in June, at the end of June

1852
01:38:48,565 --> 01:38:52,305
before anybody gets a tax bill, that surplus would then be

1853
01:38:52,965 --> 01:38:55,265
put towards the next year

1854
01:38:55,725 --> 01:38:57,705
and then the tax bills would be decided on.

1855
01:38:57,765 --> 01:39:00,105
So the idea is, is it would buy down tax bills

1856
01:39:00,105 --> 01:39:01,305
before the tax bills happen.

1857
01:39:01,765 --> 01:39:04,865
And so this taxable amount that we just set of

1858
01:39:06,365 --> 01:39:10,105
to raise of 1,326,000, et cetera,

1859
01:39:10,355 --> 01:39:13,105
could become smaller if we have extra money.

1860
01:39:13,685 --> 01:39:14,865
So that, that's the idea.

1861
01:39:15,805 --> 01:39:17,265
We definitely don't have to do that.

1862
01:39:17,415 --> 01:39:18,585
It's, I think what we've done at

1863
01:39:18,585 --> 01:39:19,665
least as long as I've been in town.

1864
01:39:19,725 --> 01:39:21,465
But it is a way for us

1865
01:39:21,525 --> 01:39:24,825
to ensure the lowest tax rate possible for the residents of,

1866
01:39:25,125 --> 01:39:29,425
of Plainfield for the discussion on Article 12.

1867
01:39:31,765 --> 01:39:32,985
If you're ready for the question.

1868
01:39:33,765 --> 01:39:36,105
The question is, shall the town

1869
01:39:36,105 --> 01:39:38,145
of Plainfield authorize the select board

1870
01:39:38,165 --> 01:39:40,785
to apply any surplus from the current fiscal year

1871
01:39:41,085 --> 01:39:43,625
to reduce taxes in the next fiscal year?

1872
01:39:43,965 --> 01:39:45,425
All those in favor say aye.

1873
01:39:46,405 --> 01:39:50,625
Aye. Opposed? No, the ayes appear to have it.

1874
01:39:51,245 --> 01:39:54,145
The ayes do have it. And you've passed Article 12.

1875
01:39:54,145 --> 01:39:58,145
Article 13 shall the town vote

1876
01:39:58,205 --> 01:40:02,345
to accept the provisions of public statutes relating

1877
01:40:02,345 --> 01:40:06,945
to the collection of taxes by the town treasurer VSA

1878
01:40:07,495 --> 01:40:10,545
section 30 VSA 32,

1879
01:40:10,545 --> 01:40:12,545
section 47 91,

1880
01:40:13,085 --> 01:40:17,585
and vote to collect municipal taxes 30 days from mailing

1881
01:40:17,925 --> 01:40:22,905
and not prior and not prior to August 19th, 2026

1882
01:40:23,805 --> 01:40:25,185
and collect school taxes

1883
01:40:26,445 --> 01:40:29,225
on November 18th, 2026

1884
01:40:29,925 --> 01:40:34,385
and February 10th, 2027, collecting half

1885
01:40:34,965 --> 01:40:38,265
the total school taxes on each of those dates.

1886
01:40:39,365 --> 01:40:43,105
May I have a motion on article 13?

1887
01:40:43,805 --> 01:40:47,265
Motion Been moved. Is there a second?

1888
01:40:47,885 --> 01:40:50,865
Second Discussion on Article 13?

1889
01:40:55,675 --> 01:40:56,805
None. Seeing none.

1890
01:41:00,225 --> 01:41:03,685
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? No.

1891
01:41:05,515 --> 01:41:07,445
Ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it.

1892
01:41:07,445 --> 01:41:11,645
And you've passed Article 13, article 14

1893
01:41:12,545 --> 01:41:14,365
to transact any other business

1894
01:41:14,395 --> 01:41:16,365
that may properly come before the meeting.

1895
01:41:17,595 --> 01:41:18,595
Michael.

1896
01:41:24,725 --> 01:41:26,205
Thank you Michael Billingsley.

1897
01:41:28,285 --> 01:41:29,685
I wanted to take this opportunity

1898
01:41:29,805 --> 01:41:33,685
because it's going to be pretty clearly to me.

1899
01:41:33,685 --> 01:41:36,485
My last report as Emergency management director.

1900
01:41:38,005 --> 01:41:41,405
I announced to the select board in November.

1901
01:41:42,125 --> 01:41:44,005
I think that I was planning to step down in the spring.

1902
01:41:44,945 --> 01:41:47,205
It was pretty, it was a soft date initially,

1903
01:41:48,125 --> 01:41:50,165
although I did have May 1st

1904
01:41:50,465 --> 01:41:52,965
as my assistant is leaving her job.

1905
01:41:52,985 --> 01:41:55,005
And I felt it would be hard to continue

1906
01:41:55,005 --> 01:41:57,285
after that in full capacity.

1907
01:41:57,745 --> 01:42:00,725
But I fell down a flight of stairs in December and,

1908
01:42:01,265 --> 01:42:03,285
and tripped at the top and, and

1909
01:42:03,425 --> 01:42:08,085
and permanently pulled a tenant away from my shoulder and,

1910
01:42:08,465 --> 01:42:10,605
and had a concussion and stuff.

1911
01:42:10,825 --> 01:42:13,525
And so I pretty much saw that as a sign

1912
01:42:13,525 --> 01:42:14,845
that I better be definite.

1913
01:42:15,005 --> 01:42:17,765
I knew that exhaustion and distraction played into that.

1914
01:42:18,265 --> 01:42:21,005
And I don't think at this point I didn't want

1915
01:42:21,005 --> 01:42:22,565
to celebrate my 80th birthday in June

1916
01:42:22,745 --> 01:42:24,845
and still be in this capacity.

1917
01:42:25,025 --> 01:42:26,405
So I'm pulling away from it.

1918
01:42:26,705 --> 01:42:30,685
But in the context of doing that, I also wanted to say that

1919
01:42:30,685 --> 01:42:34,525
what lies ahead on some level I can be

1920
01:42:34,525 --> 01:42:35,605
very optimistic about.

1921
01:42:36,825 --> 01:42:39,565
We have, and on another level, I'm,

1922
01:42:39,565 --> 01:42:43,645
I'm feeling a little bit glum, but first of all, we do have,

1923
01:42:44,025 --> 01:42:45,685
and and probably I should say

1924
01:42:45,685 --> 01:42:47,085
for the first time in a long time,

1925
01:42:47,145 --> 01:42:50,245
we have a very solid public safety presence.

1926
01:42:50,505 --> 01:42:52,605
And I'm using public safety in this context,

1927
01:42:52,865 --> 01:42:54,205
not the way it's written in the budget,

1928
01:42:54,625 --> 01:42:56,365
but the way it's defined at the state level.

1929
01:42:56,365 --> 01:42:57,805
There is a department of public safety.

1930
01:42:57,805 --> 01:43:00,405
Underneath of it are the police are the,

1931
01:43:00,405 --> 01:43:02,165
which would be equivalent to our constable.

1932
01:43:03,195 --> 01:43:05,085
There's also emergency management,

1933
01:43:05,085 --> 01:43:09,365
there's also hazard mitigation, there's also all

1934
01:43:09,365 --> 01:43:12,045
of the attendant things to keep people safe.

1935
01:43:12,045 --> 01:43:13,485
That's what public safety is.

1936
01:43:13,865 --> 01:43:18,205
And here in town, we have a really wonderful team right now

1937
01:43:18,205 --> 01:43:21,965
with a constable, a public health officer,

1938
01:43:22,365 --> 01:43:24,445
a emergency management coordinator,

1939
01:43:26,965 --> 01:43:28,725
animal control officer and emergency,

1940
01:43:28,745 --> 01:43:31,925
and an emergency management assistant and GIS mapper.

1941
01:43:32,465 --> 01:43:36,405
And in order to go forward to have those services continued

1942
01:43:36,705 --> 01:43:40,685
to be present for the town, I'm laying

1943
01:43:40,825 --> 01:43:42,125
and have been laying that groundwork

1944
01:43:42,125 --> 01:43:43,125
for the last six months.

1945
01:43:43,145 --> 01:43:46,365
So I can announce that I have two very strong candidates

1946
01:43:46,385 --> 01:43:48,165
to take my place and

1947
01:43:48,165 --> 01:43:51,285
that they will be stepping into position when I

1948
01:43:51,285 --> 01:43:52,525
retire on the 1st of May.

1949
01:43:53,945 --> 01:43:56,245
I'm also working on finding the funding

1950
01:43:56,425 --> 01:43:59,445
to have another emergency management assistant paid

1951
01:43:59,445 --> 01:44:02,405
for in this case by AmeriCorps, starting in the summer,

1952
01:44:03,045 --> 01:44:05,365
working under the new person who would take my place.

1953
01:44:05,385 --> 01:44:06,525
So we can look forward to that.

1954
01:44:07,145 --> 01:44:10,325
And then in the past, of course, we've had an enormously

1955
01:44:11,285 --> 01:44:14,565
grueling year actually as Karen Hatcher certainly can speak

1956
01:44:14,565 --> 01:44:17,965
to and Josh, but our funding group started out with all

1957
01:44:17,965 --> 01:44:20,685
of the multiple ways in which we've lost money in which

1958
01:44:20,685 --> 01:44:25,445
we've been hurt as a town by a constant procession of floods

1959
01:44:25,745 --> 01:44:28,645
and, and financial disasters in a sense

1960
01:44:28,645 --> 01:44:30,285
because there's a lot of costs going out.

1961
01:44:30,545 --> 01:44:32,565
And we still don't know that all of those costs

1962
01:44:32,905 --> 01:44:34,365
and monies are gonna come back.

1963
01:44:35,625 --> 01:44:38,005
And so with our volunteers, people

1964
01:44:39,065 --> 01:44:42,125
who have put in tremendous amount of time, we've pulled

1965
01:44:42,125 --> 01:44:45,645
through that particular rough patch, we're now waiting

1966
01:44:45,645 --> 01:44:47,565
to see what the federal government would do.

1967
01:44:48,125 --> 01:44:51,525
I mean, I'm familiar in, as most of you are, that floods

1968
01:44:51,625 --> 01:44:53,845
and are,

1969
01:44:54,015 --> 01:44:56,725
we're about our biggest issue all along in history.

1970
01:44:56,925 --> 01:44:58,245
I mean, I grew up in Northfield

1971
01:44:59,425 --> 01:45:00,805
and went to elementary school there

1972
01:45:00,825 --> 01:45:02,525
and I saw floods in Northfield

1973
01:45:02,525 --> 01:45:04,645
and there are floods in any valley town,

1974
01:45:04,745 --> 01:45:06,605
and we're going to see those again in the future.

1975
01:45:06,955 --> 01:45:09,125
What we've always counted on is having the federal

1976
01:45:09,125 --> 01:45:10,245
government assist us.

1977
01:45:10,895 --> 01:45:13,445
We've always counted on the fact that when we,

1978
01:45:14,065 --> 01:45:16,285
and it's through the state, a lot of that funding comes.

1979
01:45:16,385 --> 01:45:18,765
The state receives a big chunk of money from fema.

1980
01:45:19,585 --> 01:45:21,965
And what I now know is that this war

1981
01:45:21,965 --> 01:45:25,125
that has just gotten engaged in in the last three days is

1982
01:45:25,155 --> 01:45:28,805
costing a billion dollars a day.

1983
01:45:30,285 --> 01:45:34,695
That money is coming from the quote savings accomplished

1984
01:45:34,755 --> 01:45:38,375
by Doge as they gutted federal department

1985
01:45:38,375 --> 01:45:39,535
after federal department

1986
01:45:39,535 --> 01:45:41,655
and took away many of the skilled people

1987
01:45:42,045 --> 01:45:45,495
that have helped our country navigate

1988
01:45:45,495 --> 01:45:47,295
through enormous disasters.

1989
01:45:47,465 --> 01:45:50,575
We've lost a skilled team or part of a skilled team

1990
01:45:50,915 --> 01:45:52,095
and we're lost the money.

1991
01:45:52,605 --> 01:45:56,295
Just got the notification on Thursday that fema,

1992
01:45:56,295 --> 01:46:00,255
which has taken a lot of its budget under the decision

1993
01:46:00,395 --> 01:46:03,895
of the Director of Homeland Security under which FEMA is,

1994
01:46:04,925 --> 01:46:06,055
they're almost outta money.

1995
01:46:06,765 --> 01:46:08,655
They haven't been putting new money in

1996
01:46:08,675 --> 01:46:12,175
and they have not been basically squirreling away money

1997
01:46:12,275 --> 01:46:15,135
for an increasingly damaging future

1998
01:46:15,135 --> 01:46:16,375
from the point of view of climate.

1999
01:46:16,995 --> 01:46:18,335
So we're all going to have

2000
01:46:18,335 --> 01:46:21,495
to pull together a whole lot more than we have.

2001
01:46:21,915 --> 01:46:26,655
And our state will be greatly stressed because the 30%

2002
01:46:26,755 --> 01:46:30,055
or so of what our disaster recovery costs

2003
01:46:30,115 --> 01:46:32,855
and it come in some instances up to close

2004
01:46:32,875 --> 01:46:37,735
to 75% has been coming from the feds, may not come anymore.

2005
01:46:38,315 --> 01:46:41,375
So I'm just kind of warning you in a, in a,

2006
01:46:41,375 --> 01:46:45,855
in an encouraging way to, to, to,

2007
01:46:45,915 --> 01:46:48,015
to believe that yes,

2008
01:46:48,125 --> 01:46:51,725
Vermont is probably in a better position to weather

2009
01:46:53,305 --> 01:46:55,405
all of the likely disasters

2010
01:46:55,405 --> 01:46:57,445
that are still heading down the pike toward us

2011
01:46:57,445 --> 01:46:59,485
because climate is not getting any cooler.

2012
01:47:00,225 --> 01:47:03,045
The num amount of moisture in the environment is not

2013
01:47:03,445 --> 01:47:05,765
reducing, it's increasing, which means the storms

2014
01:47:05,765 --> 01:47:08,685
that we have will continue to both, both pound us

2015
01:47:08,685 --> 01:47:10,405
and perhaps pound us work more

2016
01:47:11,175 --> 01:47:13,725
water than even we experienced last year,

2017
01:47:13,725 --> 01:47:15,845
which is unbelievable and hard to take in.

2018
01:47:16,665 --> 01:47:19,965
So I want all of you to pull together, please

2019
01:47:20,625 --> 01:47:22,085
to put aside the bickering,

2020
01:47:22,085 --> 01:47:24,365
to put aside all the ways in which you might not

2021
01:47:24,365 --> 01:47:25,525
comfortably work together.

2022
01:47:26,045 --> 01:47:28,325
'cause we're going to need to work together.

2023
01:47:29,145 --> 01:47:32,525
We need to be a team no matter what our backgrounds are,

2024
01:47:32,545 --> 01:47:34,605
our education, whether we voted for

2025
01:47:34,625 --> 01:47:35,965
or against Trump, whether

2026
01:47:36,065 --> 01:47:39,645
or not we support any particular kind of political party.

2027
01:47:40,635 --> 01:47:43,405
This is a Vermont town with a long history

2028
01:47:43,825 --> 01:47:46,165
and a lot of the history has included disasters

2029
01:47:46,165 --> 01:47:47,765
where people have pulled together in the past.

2030
01:47:48,025 --> 01:47:50,485
I'm encouraging you you to continue to do

2031
01:47:50,485 --> 01:47:52,285
that again in the future.

2032
01:47:52,545 --> 01:47:54,845
And I hope from the town's point of view

2033
01:47:54,845 --> 01:47:57,965
that we can have a skilled emergency management team working

2034
01:47:58,545 --> 01:48:02,045
to see our way through each disaster as it occurs.

2035
01:48:02,105 --> 01:48:03,765
But I thank you for all your support

2036
01:48:03,785 --> 01:48:06,605
for the select board support and for everyone else's support

2037
01:48:06,665 --> 01:48:08,685
and let us go forward hopefully

2038
01:48:08,685 --> 01:48:10,645
with optimism and collaboration.

2039
01:48:31,535 --> 01:48:34,565
Thank you Michael. I know I speak for this entire town.

2040
01:48:34,755 --> 01:48:37,365
When I say to say you have gone above

2041
01:48:37,625 --> 01:48:40,365
and beyond is the understatement of the year.

2042
01:48:40,915 --> 01:48:44,165
Michael has been phenomenal.

2043
01:48:44,335 --> 01:48:46,525
Thank you so much for all you've given

2044
01:48:54,135 --> 01:48:55,245
other business, Becky?

2045
01:48:56,105 --> 01:48:58,205
Yes, Pies.

2046
01:48:58,945 --> 01:49:01,245
We still have some pie slices here

2047
01:49:01,905 --> 01:49:03,805
and if you've already had a piece

2048
01:49:04,305 --> 01:49:08,045
and would like to put your used fork in this container,

2049
01:49:08,105 --> 01:49:10,005
we will give it back to you next year.

2050
01:49:11,265 --> 01:49:13,525
But, but it'll, it'll be, it'll be clean

2051
01:49:15,135 --> 01:49:20,005
Other, So please, please bring your forks back and come

2052
01:49:20,005 --> 01:49:22,045
and get another piece of pie that we've got about,

2053
01:49:22,925 --> 01:49:25,125
I don't know how many, but they look wonderful.

2054
01:49:25,495 --> 01:49:26,495
Thank you.

2055
01:49:27,095 --> 01:49:29,685
Thank you. Bob. Are you

2056
01:49:39,225 --> 01:49:40,225
For usual?

2057
01:49:40,225 --> 01:49:42,405
Michael is a extremely hard act to follow,

2058
01:49:43,345 --> 01:49:46,525
but I just wanna give you a quick little summary from

2059
01:49:47,065 --> 01:49:48,165
energy coordinator.

2060
01:49:49,215 --> 01:49:51,165
We've started to spend down the

2061
01:49:52,515 --> 01:49:56,365
municipal Energy resilience program, grant Money merp

2062
01:49:57,145 --> 01:50:00,885
and the town garage has benefited from

2063
01:50:01,425 --> 01:50:04,445
two brand new overhead doors that, guess what?

2064
01:50:04,585 --> 01:50:06,885
You don't have to climb down out of the grater

2065
01:50:06,945 --> 01:50:09,125
to get the door open by pulling the chain fall,

2066
01:50:10,115 --> 01:50:12,165
push a little button and it goes open for you.

2067
01:50:12,345 --> 01:50:15,285
So there's a big improvement there that I'm hoping

2068
01:50:16,185 --> 01:50:17,325
is much appreciated.

2069
01:50:17,865 --> 01:50:20,605
And we've also contracted for solar array

2070
01:50:20,605 --> 01:50:22,005
for the roof of the town garage.

2071
01:50:22,825 --> 01:50:27,725
And I was able to get the group net metering thing in place

2072
01:50:27,905 --> 01:50:30,765
so that that power can be shared throughout the other

2073
01:50:31,525 --> 01:50:34,525
buildings owned by the town that's going on.

2074
01:50:38,095 --> 01:50:41,845
We're gonna have a few meetings with the building managers

2075
01:50:42,385 --> 01:50:47,245
coming up and seeing what we can best do for each facility

2076
01:50:47,345 --> 01:50:48,565
as we go down through that.

2077
01:50:49,865 --> 01:50:52,075
It's been really difficult.

2078
01:50:52,545 --> 01:50:56,875
Everybody knows by having budget cuts

2079
01:50:56,875 --> 01:50:58,355
that Michael was referring to,

2080
01:50:59,285 --> 01:51:03,955
we've lost the 30% incentive as of the end of last year.

2081
01:51:04,925 --> 01:51:08,715
There are still opportunities through efficiency Vermont,

2082
01:51:08,715 --> 01:51:11,395
because by rate payers as a demand side utility.

2083
01:51:12,175 --> 01:51:16,155
So would you please read the, my report

2084
01:51:16,295 --> 01:51:18,915
and the town report?

2085
01:51:19,655 --> 01:51:21,995
And if you've got any questions, please see me

2086
01:51:22,735 --> 01:51:25,755
and we will see if we can work out the best way together.

2087
01:51:26,285 --> 01:51:28,995
Solar still remains a very good value

2088
01:51:29,775 --> 01:51:33,475
and a way to make power that is not involved

2089
01:51:33,475 --> 01:51:35,515
with the fossil fuels of the world.

2090
01:51:36,745 --> 01:51:38,075
Take care. Thank you.

2091
01:51:42,465 --> 01:51:43,755
Okay. It's it's gonna be

2092
01:51:44,425 --> 01:51:45,425
Next up.

2093
01:51:45,425 --> 01:51:46,795
Paula, Karen, and then Jeremy.

2094
01:51:48,315 --> 01:51:51,315
I have a question. I'm Paula Emery, can you hear me?

2095
01:51:51,575 --> 01:51:56,035
Hi, are your hands up?

2096
01:51:56,375 --> 01:51:58,275
Yes. Okay, you're on stack.

2097
01:52:01,355 --> 01:52:02,955
I have a question about page 21,

2098
01:52:02,955 --> 01:52:04,315
statement of delinquent taxes.

2099
01:52:06,855 --> 01:52:11,115
The amount the balance owed for 2024 seems so high.

2100
01:52:11,165 --> 01:52:12,195
55,000.

2101
01:52:12,455 --> 01:52:14,675
And I was wondering if anybody on the select board could

2102
01:52:15,035 --> 01:52:16,195
speak to that.

2103
01:52:16,295 --> 01:52:18,195
Is, is does this have to do with the flood?

2104
01:52:19,535 --> 01:52:22,955
Is this, are these taxes, are people

2105
01:52:23,055 --> 01:52:26,035
who lost their homes still responsible for paying taxes?

2106
01:52:27,415 --> 01:52:31,245
And I, I just would love to hear a little bit

2107
01:52:31,245 --> 01:52:32,365
of information about how that works.

2108
01:52:36,735 --> 01:52:41,725
Peter, Peter And Sasha.

2109
01:52:41,725 --> 01:52:42,725
Here's your notebook.

2110
01:52:48,575 --> 01:52:50,005
Peter Young bear. Paul,

2111
01:52:50,085 --> 01:52:51,525
I heard two different questions there.

2112
01:52:51,585 --> 01:52:53,885
The, I'll take the second one first.

2113
01:52:54,745 --> 01:52:58,805
Do people who lost their homes, are they still paying taxes?

2114
01:52:58,945 --> 01:53:03,125
The answer is yes, but in most cases, the listers

2115
01:53:03,665 --> 01:53:04,805
and if not all cases,

2116
01:53:04,945 --> 01:53:06,925
and the listers can correct me here if I'm wrong,

2117
01:53:06,985 --> 01:53:09,485
but the land values

2118
01:53:09,785 --> 01:53:13,485
and house values were much reduced.

2119
01:53:14,415 --> 01:53:18,405
There was a major, I, I can't remember how many,

2120
01:53:18,555 --> 01:53:23,045
some 30, 32, 36 properties where we abated taxes

2121
01:53:24,065 --> 01:53:26,445
in the, the year immediately following the flood.

2122
01:53:26,865 --> 01:53:29,925
And then the reappraisals took those reduced

2123
01:53:29,925 --> 01:53:31,565
values into account.

2124
01:53:32,825 --> 01:53:36,125
So that's that the first part of your question had to do

2125
01:53:36,125 --> 01:53:38,685
with the delinquent tax collectors report.

2126
01:53:39,185 --> 01:53:42,565
And I was just trying to look back to the year

2127
01:53:43,385 --> 01:53:47,125
before from last year's report.

2128
01:53:47,425 --> 01:53:50,405
It is not unusual to see the high number in the most

2129
01:53:50,505 --> 01:53:51,685
recent year.

2130
01:53:53,315 --> 01:53:56,525
What it doesn't show, this was, this is also for the year

2131
01:53:56,675 --> 01:53:58,285
that ended June 30th.

2132
01:53:58,825 --> 01:54:02,085
So it's not what's going on in the current year.

2133
01:54:02,235 --> 01:54:05,685
That is, this is the report for the year that ended already.

2134
01:54:06,305 --> 01:54:07,305
So

2135
01:54:08,375 --> 01:54:08,725
Karen,

2136
01:54:16,615 --> 01:54:17,615
Steve, you got Steve.

2137
01:54:22,775 --> 01:54:27,005
Thank you. I just wanted to take a moment to thank

2138
01:54:27,185 --> 01:54:28,645
and acknowledge Carl bis.

2139
01:54:29,195 --> 01:54:29,485
Yeah,

2140
01:54:53,945 --> 01:54:55,445
you are well loved Carl,

2141
01:54:55,625 --> 01:54:57,245
and you will be missed on this board,

2142
01:54:57,305 --> 01:55:01,645
but I'm sure you will be everywhere the way you have been.

2143
01:55:02,045 --> 01:55:04,045
I just have been honored to work

2144
01:55:04,045 --> 01:55:05,285
with you these last two years.

2145
01:55:08,175 --> 01:55:11,645
There is no one with a bigger heart for this town than you.

2146
01:55:13,305 --> 01:55:16,245
And I don't know

2147
01:55:16,245 --> 01:55:17,925
what I would've done without you as a partner.

2148
01:55:18,665 --> 01:55:20,285
And I just wanna say how much I love you

2149
01:55:20,305 --> 01:55:22,245
and I, I appreciate all that you've done

2150
01:55:22,505 --> 01:55:26,205
and all the ways that you have led during these really,

2151
01:55:26,205 --> 01:55:27,445
really difficult times.

2152
01:55:27,665 --> 01:55:31,125
So thank you for being my friend and for being our friend.

2153
01:55:31,415 --> 01:55:32,415
Appreciate it.

2154
01:55:40,255 --> 01:55:42,885
Karen. I Would just like to take the

2155
01:55:43,725 --> 01:55:45,325
A moment to say amen.

2156
01:55:48,065 --> 01:55:50,005
Jeremy. Jeremy, you're up.

2157
01:55:54,585 --> 01:55:56,525
Hi everyone. Well that was a tough act to follow.

2158
01:55:58,035 --> 01:56:00,405
Just wanted to give a quick update on CV. Fiber.

2159
01:56:00,525 --> 01:56:02,405
I don't really have anything prepared,

2160
01:56:03,385 --> 01:56:05,685
but some really good news.

2161
01:56:05,865 --> 01:56:08,765
We got a rather large grant from the federal government

2162
01:56:08,765 --> 01:56:11,205
that will allow us to continue building

2163
01:56:11,465 --> 01:56:13,245
and we'll build out the rest of our network.

2164
01:56:13,805 --> 01:56:18,605
We are going to all addresses that are on grid is kind

2165
01:56:18,605 --> 01:56:20,965
of a, a little bit of the line.

2166
01:56:20,965 --> 01:56:23,965
There's some detail there if you want to talk to me.

2167
01:56:24,065 --> 01:56:28,325
I'm over here. The other good news is

2168
01:56:28,325 --> 01:56:31,125
that Plainfield is kind of front of the line.

2169
01:56:32,055 --> 01:56:33,605
Plainfield, Marshfield, orange.

2170
01:56:33,635 --> 01:56:36,845
That area is where our first phase of build is going

2171
01:56:36,845 --> 01:56:39,245
to be once the bead funding arrives.

2172
01:56:40,155 --> 01:56:44,085
However, that is a little bit of a

2173
01:56:44,675 --> 01:56:47,325
uncertainty because there's so much federal red tape

2174
01:56:47,325 --> 01:56:49,325
that needs to be completed.

2175
01:56:49,395 --> 01:56:52,965
There's, you know, this review in that review

2176
01:56:52,985 --> 01:56:54,125
and environmental reviews.

2177
01:56:56,845 --> 01:56:59,845
I don't have a firm date still, which is frustrating.

2178
01:56:59,925 --> 01:57:03,565
I, you know, I've been at this for, you know, close

2179
01:57:03,565 --> 01:57:05,925
to a decade now, trying to push this forward

2180
01:57:06,225 --> 01:57:08,645
and we're still working on it

2181
01:57:08,645 --> 01:57:10,245
and we still don't have a date of like,

2182
01:57:10,245 --> 01:57:12,605
we're gonna be served by this and such a date.

2183
01:57:12,665 --> 01:57:14,125
But we're getting close.

2184
01:57:14,585 --> 01:57:17,165
And yeah, if you have any questions, come by

2185
01:57:17,165 --> 01:57:18,325
and have a chat with me.

2186
01:57:19,185 --> 01:57:20,185
Thanks all.

2187
01:57:27,235 --> 01:57:31,165
Alicias. Oh, I'm sorry, I got it out of order.

2188
01:57:31,165 --> 01:57:32,405
But Betsy's next after

2189
01:57:34,385 --> 01:57:35,385
You're outta Florida.

2190
01:57:36,265 --> 01:57:38,285
Alicia Weiss, I am a member.

2191
01:57:38,865 --> 01:57:40,085
I'm the chair, current chair

2192
01:57:40,145 --> 01:57:44,045
of the playing Field Accessibility Advisory Group.

2193
01:57:44,145 --> 01:57:47,605
And I wanna rec, sorry. Okay, better. I'm a New Yorker.

2194
01:57:47,645 --> 01:57:52,085
I always think I'm too loud. Thanks. I wanna recognize that.

2195
01:57:52,805 --> 01:57:54,765
I want us all to think about the fact that

2196
01:57:55,125 --> 01:57:57,485
although some people chose not to come today,

2197
01:57:57,695 --> 01:58:00,205
there are people who are not represented in this room

2198
01:58:00,355 --> 01:58:03,165
because they couldn't be here for accessibility reasons.

2199
01:58:04,675 --> 01:58:07,485
Accessibility means more than having a lift,

2200
01:58:08,095 --> 01:58:09,525
which I'm glad we have.

2201
01:58:10,155 --> 01:58:14,525
Vermont is one of unique,

2202
01:58:14,585 --> 01:58:19,525
the unique states in the, in our union, if you will, that

2203
01:58:20,225 --> 01:58:25,005
has voting laws that fly in the face

2204
01:58:25,465 --> 01:58:27,445
of the Americans with Disability Act

2205
01:58:27,945 --> 01:58:30,965
and its own disability laws,

2206
01:58:31,215 --> 01:58:35,125
which in fact are more expansive than the a DA.

2207
01:58:35,145 --> 01:58:36,925
The a DA needs to be the floor.

2208
01:58:37,785 --> 01:58:39,405
It doesn't need to be the ceiling.

2209
01:58:39,585 --> 01:58:42,205
And we have made our disability protections

2210
01:58:42,625 --> 01:58:44,445
for inclusion stronger in Vermont.

2211
01:58:45,185 --> 01:58:49,485
But the Vermont voting laws, which

2212
01:58:50,025 --> 01:58:52,525
you know, began hundreds of years ago

2213
01:58:54,145 --> 01:58:58,085
and more recently, the Secretary of States

2214
01:58:58,825 --> 01:59:00,765
interpretation of them

2215
01:59:01,555 --> 01:59:04,845
have really amounted whether intentionally

2216
01:59:04,865 --> 01:59:09,245
or not to voter suppression for many, many people

2217
01:59:09,435 --> 01:59:10,485
with disabilities.

2218
01:59:10,545 --> 01:59:12,165
And that's not all people

2219
01:59:12,185 --> 01:59:13,605
who are not able to be in the room.

2220
01:59:13,605 --> 01:59:16,125
Maybe people with children

2221
01:59:16,595 --> 01:59:18,445
with special, you know, with needs.

2222
01:59:18,635 --> 01:59:21,885
They can't be accommodated at the daycare,

2223
01:59:22,055 --> 01:59:26,605
which we thoughtfully provide people who are elderly, people

2224
01:59:26,605 --> 01:59:29,285
with transportation issues of right people.

2225
01:59:29,955 --> 01:59:32,005
It's a class issue. People who can't,

2226
01:59:32,055 --> 01:59:34,005
don't get this day off, can't afford

2227
01:59:34,005 --> 01:59:38,405
to take a day off unpaid and don't have personal days.

2228
01:59:40,745 --> 01:59:41,885
Why am I telling you though,

2229
01:59:41,955 --> 01:59:44,125
this other Vince is say you a bummer.

2230
01:59:44,205 --> 01:59:46,805
I mean, we rarely think of ourselves as being a very caring,

2231
01:59:46,915 --> 01:59:50,005
inclusive state and and town.

2232
01:59:51,745 --> 01:59:55,925
The accessibility advisory committee is going to be

2233
01:59:56,555 --> 02:00:00,125
launching a public education

2234
02:00:00,185 --> 02:00:05,165
and outreach program this year, which we,

2235
02:00:05,505 --> 02:00:09,605
our intention is to bring an article for the

2236
02:00:11,405 --> 02:00:15,365
somewhat revision of how we do town meeting

2237
02:00:16,595 --> 02:00:19,565
some alterations, modifications to

2238
02:00:20,835 --> 02:00:22,965
this group next year.

2239
02:00:23,995 --> 02:00:28,605
Okay. As an article, what I'm asking you is to just,

2240
02:00:28,785 --> 02:00:31,325
you know, we all have really busy lives

2241
02:00:31,345 --> 02:00:34,205
and we all get way too many notifications,

2242
02:00:35,185 --> 02:00:40,125
but it real, we really need everyone to, when we

2243
02:00:40,705 --> 02:00:45,125
put out calls for input or we have public meetings

2244
02:00:45,325 --> 02:00:46,485
'cause we wanna educate people

2245
02:00:46,705 --> 02:00:48,285
and we want to hear what you say.

2246
02:00:48,285 --> 02:00:51,845
Have to say, we wanna come to a solution together, not

2247
02:00:51,845 --> 02:00:56,285
by us showing up and suggesting one or trying to impose one.

2248
02:00:56,585 --> 02:01:00,605
Please take time out of your schedules to think about

2249
02:01:01,185 --> 02:01:02,765
the people who may wanna be here

2250
02:01:02,905 --> 02:01:05,845
and are, you know, we pride ourselves a lot on participatory

2251
02:01:05,845 --> 02:01:08,845
democracy, see, in Vermont,

2252
02:01:08,845 --> 02:01:11,005
but it's not participatory democracy.

2253
02:01:11,825 --> 02:01:16,525
If people can't attend floor votes are usually

2254
02:01:16,615 --> 02:01:20,445
maybe only 2% as they're currently conducted

2255
02:01:20,705 --> 02:01:21,925
of people in a town.

2256
02:01:22,375 --> 02:01:25,565
There are ways to make that better. We can do better.

2257
02:01:25,675 --> 02:01:28,925
Vermont actually ranked 49th in terms

2258
02:01:28,985 --> 02:01:30,885
of disability voting access,

2259
02:01:31,135 --> 02:01:33,125
which I think is pretty appalling.

2260
02:01:33,745 --> 02:01:37,005
So again, thank you all for being here

2261
02:01:37,025 --> 02:01:40,245
and thank you all for being the people I know we are

2262
02:01:40,245 --> 02:01:41,525
as a town who care.

2263
02:01:41,585 --> 02:01:43,965
And I'd like to echo Michael's

2264
02:01:47,195 --> 02:01:51,325
request, his ask or maybe even plea for us to come together.

2265
02:01:51,465 --> 02:01:54,325
You know what? Social media, I often feel that we

2266
02:01:54,325 --> 02:01:56,805
as a species have not evolved as quickly

2267
02:01:56,945 --> 02:01:58,325
as our technology is.

2268
02:01:58,625 --> 02:02:03,405
And social media for all it's good evils

2269
02:02:03,625 --> 02:02:07,645
and in between seems to have unleashed

2270
02:02:09,005 --> 02:02:11,285
a tendency for us

2271
02:02:11,305 --> 02:02:14,685
to put things out there without thinking about the effect

2272
02:02:14,685 --> 02:02:16,885
things we might not say to people

2273
02:02:17,425 --> 02:02:20,405
or might not say to people if we didn't

2274
02:02:20,585 --> 02:02:24,245
or might not say if we didn't have access to public media.

2275
02:02:25,345 --> 02:02:29,445
And this goes for everyone. Let's not just be critical.

2276
02:02:29,615 --> 02:02:30,645
Let's think critically.

2277
02:02:32,945 --> 02:02:36,925
If there, you know, I see on all ends of the spectrum,

2278
02:02:37,225 --> 02:02:40,285
all political sides, all sides of issues in,

2279
02:02:40,465 --> 02:02:42,085
in this town that have been divisive.

2280
02:02:42,445 --> 02:02:44,165
I see people making assumptions

2281
02:02:44,665 --> 02:02:47,365
and attributions about people they don't know.

2282
02:02:47,365 --> 02:02:49,045
What is their motivation for doing this?

2283
02:02:49,045 --> 02:02:51,365
What is their motivation for not wanting to do this?

2284
02:02:52,665 --> 02:02:55,405
Ask someone or at least put the question out there.

2285
02:02:55,865 --> 02:02:57,485
But please, let's stop assuming

2286
02:02:57,595 --> 02:03:00,205
that we know why people are taking positions they're taking,

2287
02:03:00,585 --> 02:03:03,365
as Michael says, we're going to need each other a lot more.

2288
02:03:05,305 --> 02:03:07,325
You know, I ju it's not just in terms

2289
02:03:07,325 --> 02:03:09,885
of Envir environment right now.

2290
02:03:10,225 --> 02:03:12,565
States are scrambling to

2291
02:03:14,025 --> 02:03:15,445
ensure voting rights

2292
02:03:15,475 --> 02:03:17,285
because federally,

2293
02:03:17,315 --> 02:03:19,325
there's a good chance they're going to be decimated.

2294
02:03:19,825 --> 02:03:21,045
We really need each other

2295
02:03:21,145 --> 02:03:23,525
for the good people we are fi Finally,

2296
02:03:24,085 --> 02:03:25,365
I wanna say thank you to Michael.

2297
02:03:26,785 --> 02:03:29,085
You are unbelievable.

2298
02:03:29,185 --> 02:03:32,165
You know, you, you're sort of in many ways, not all,

2299
02:03:32,165 --> 02:03:34,165
but many ways who I want to be when I grow up

2300
02:03:34,585 --> 02:03:36,525
as an ethical conscious

2301
02:03:36,705 --> 02:03:40,325
and you know, someone with mindful service.

2302
02:03:40,705 --> 02:03:41,705
So thanks everyone.

2303
02:03:48,095 --> 02:03:51,285
Thank you. I just wanna say a couple things.

2304
02:03:51,935 --> 02:03:53,685
Betsy Ziegler is my name.

2305
02:03:54,745 --> 02:03:57,685
I'm requesting that in the next report we say it's the

2306
02:03:57,685 --> 02:04:00,685
central Vermont Solid Waste Management District

2307
02:04:00,685 --> 02:04:04,805
that's receiving the money from, so that it's not confused

2308
02:04:04,805 --> 02:04:06,165
with the Northeast kingdom.

2309
02:04:07,385 --> 02:04:10,285
You know, there's other solid waste management districts.

2310
02:04:10,555 --> 02:04:14,765
Okay, thank you. And the solid Waste Management district has

2311
02:04:14,765 --> 02:04:18,965
now opened the Eco Depot, which is up on Granger Road.

2312
02:04:19,585 --> 02:04:22,365
And it will take all kinds of hazardous waste.

2313
02:04:22,905 --> 02:04:26,565
It will also take just

2314
02:04:27,855 --> 02:04:32,405
especially recyclable items

2315
02:04:32,675 --> 02:04:35,485
such as batteries, light bulbs,

2316
02:04:37,215 --> 02:04:41,845
other devices like computers, anything, anything

2317
02:04:41,845 --> 02:04:44,885
that has mercury, propane tanks, et cetera, et cetera.

2318
02:04:45,105 --> 02:04:47,445
If you're not sure what to do with something that needs

2319
02:04:47,445 --> 02:04:51,005
to be disposed, check their website or call them

2320
02:04:51,145 --> 02:04:52,365
or email them.

2321
02:04:52,745 --> 02:04:56,405
But you can make an appointment Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

2322
02:04:56,865 --> 02:04:58,205
So they're open now

2323
02:04:58,625 --> 02:05:02,245
and a lot of the alternative recycling items are free.

2324
02:05:03,065 --> 02:05:06,245
So thank you. And the other thing is, as a representative,

2325
02:05:07,125 --> 02:05:08,965
I could use an alternative alternate.

2326
02:05:09,205 --> 02:05:12,365
I could use an alternative too. But anyway, I could use it.

2327
02:05:12,385 --> 02:05:13,685
We could use an alternate.

2328
02:05:14,065 --> 02:05:15,845
So if there's anybody interested,

2329
02:05:16,315 --> 02:05:18,405
they're a really well run organization

2330
02:05:18,905 --> 02:05:22,005
and it's a worthwhile spending.

2331
02:05:22,315 --> 02:05:24,565
It's usually worthwhile spending their time at the meeting.

2332
02:05:25,205 --> 02:05:26,325
I wanna say one more thing.

2333
02:05:27,255 --> 02:05:29,845
Thank you to the people who are leaving us

2334
02:05:30,545 --> 02:05:34,205
and who have put in so much over the last years

2335
02:05:35,475 --> 02:05:37,805
Damn f Carl Bishop.

2336
02:05:42,705 --> 02:05:46,445
And I wanna, I also, I also wanna say thank you

2337
02:05:47,625 --> 02:05:51,445
to our town clerk, Graham Tobin, who's leaving as well.

2338
02:05:52,915 --> 02:05:54,165
They, all of you

2339
02:05:54,225 --> 02:05:57,845
and many others have served us very with, with, with

2340
02:05:58,645 --> 02:06:00,285
unbelievable amount of time

2341
02:06:00,345 --> 02:06:02,765
and energy over the last few years.

2342
02:06:03,465 --> 02:06:04,605
Not much. Thank you.

2343
02:06:10,565 --> 02:06:13,045
I believe you have something, make a statement

2344
02:06:13,045 --> 02:06:14,485
and then hand it up to us please.

2345
02:06:15,945 --> 02:06:17,325
Ray Carter. Two things.

2346
02:06:17,425 --> 02:06:20,405
One is there's an update on the playing field Resilience hub

2347
02:06:20,955 --> 02:06:22,005
info sheet floating around.

2348
02:06:22,005 --> 02:06:23,285
That's an update from what's in the

2349
02:06:23,285 --> 02:06:24,445
town report if you are interested.

2350
02:06:24,445 --> 02:06:25,525
It's on a few different tables.

2351
02:06:25,785 --> 02:06:28,165
And I'm also here to make a motion

2352
02:06:29,225 --> 02:06:32,085
for a non-binding advisory resolution

2353
02:06:32,185 --> 02:06:35,685
to petition the Vermont State legislature to adopt the right

2354
02:06:35,705 --> 02:06:39,845
to grow food and restore the regulation of farming and farm

2355
02:06:39,905 --> 02:06:43,125
and farming and farm businesses to the Vermont Agency

2356
02:06:43,125 --> 02:06:45,045
of Agriculture Food and Markets.

2357
02:06:45,315 --> 02:06:47,005
I've never done this before, so I don't know if I

2358
02:06:47,025 --> 02:06:48,125
say something else.

2359
02:06:48,505 --> 02:06:49,965
You said, I make a motion that, and

2360
02:06:50,265 --> 02:06:53,045
So I am making a motion for the non-binding advisory

2361
02:06:53,965 --> 02:06:55,045
resolution second,

2362
02:06:55,265 --> 02:06:56,265
Jeremy.

2363
02:06:56,395 --> 02:06:57,685
Okay. Okay. If you hand it up,

2364
02:06:57,715 --> 02:07:01,925
I'll not the microphone.

2365
02:07:02,455 --> 02:07:07,365
Thank you very much. Oh, that's mine. Yeah, sure. Yeah.

2366
02:07:07,365 --> 02:07:08,845
Can I have my copy? Yes.

2367
02:07:13,315 --> 02:07:16,085
Okay. So it's been moved and seconded.

2368
02:07:16,085 --> 02:07:17,405
This is the right to grow food.

2369
02:07:17,435 --> 02:07:19,925
This is how Ray Rays

2370
02:07:20,965 --> 02:07:24,445
resolution reads a non-binding resolution to petition

2371
02:07:24,985 --> 02:07:29,205
the state legislature to adopt the right to grow food

2372
02:07:29,305 --> 02:07:31,845
and restore the regulation of farming

2373
02:07:31,905 --> 02:07:34,005
and farm business to the Vermont Agency

2374
02:07:34,005 --> 02:07:36,285
of Agriculture and Food Markets.

2375
02:07:37,715 --> 02:07:40,445
This non-binding resolution is intended

2376
02:07:40,545 --> 02:07:42,725
to encourage the state legislature

2377
02:07:43,105 --> 02:07:46,245
to restore the longstanding exemption for farms

2378
02:07:46,245 --> 02:07:47,525
and municipal zonings

2379
02:07:47,745 --> 02:07:50,405
and to codify the right to grow fruit

2380
02:07:50,675 --> 02:07:55,285
that clearly includes the right to raise livestock

2381
02:07:55,665 --> 02:07:57,845
and to sell agricultural products.

2382
02:07:58,905 --> 02:08:03,285
The Vermont Supreme Court ruled on May 30th, 2025

2383
02:08:05,045 --> 02:08:07,405
re Taft Street, DRB

2384
02:08:07,405 --> 02:08:10,085
and NOVO Appeals 2025 Vermont.

2385
02:08:11,115 --> 02:08:13,485
That farming is not

2386
02:08:14,105 --> 02:08:16,485
exempt from all municipal regulation.

2387
02:08:16,755 --> 02:08:21,205
Instead, the court interpreted exemption in 24

2388
02:08:21,405 --> 02:08:26,245
VSA section 4 4 1 3D one A,

2389
02:08:26,945 --> 02:08:30,485
the multiple zoning statute as a reference only

2390
02:08:30,865 --> 02:08:33,285
to the policies and standards intended

2391
02:08:33,345 --> 02:08:35,965
to reduce agricultural and water pollution.

2392
02:08:36,505 --> 02:08:37,805
The court concluded

2393
02:08:38,115 --> 02:08:42,005
that municipalities may regulate all aspects of farming

2394
02:08:42,435 --> 02:08:44,525
that do not relate to water quality,

2395
02:08:45,275 --> 02:08:47,125
thereby setting a new precedent.

2396
02:08:47,345 --> 02:08:51,885
In stark contrast to the previous statewide understanding

2397
02:08:52,235 --> 02:08:55,445
that farming is exempt from municipal regulations.

2398
02:08:58,405 --> 02:09:02,645
Granting municipalities this new authority allows them

2399
02:09:02,645 --> 02:09:05,405
to determine where farming may or not occur

2400
02:09:05,465 --> 02:09:09,125
and potentially require new permitting for the events,

2401
02:09:09,785 --> 02:09:13,085
for events, farm structures and other farming activities.

2402
02:09:13,545 --> 02:09:16,165
All of which would add regulatory hurdles,

2403
02:09:16,275 --> 02:09:17,445
operational costs,

2404
02:09:17,865 --> 02:09:20,445
and additional burdens to farms, many

2405
02:09:20,445 --> 02:09:23,525
of which already struggle with financial vulnerability

2406
02:09:23,625 --> 02:09:28,085
and viability as all qualifying farms are subject

2407
02:09:28,145 --> 02:09:32,725
to wraps required agricultural practices overseen

2408
02:09:33,065 --> 02:09:35,405
by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture

2409
02:09:35,405 --> 02:09:38,445
and Food Markets, regardless of their relationship

2410
02:09:38,945 --> 02:09:40,445
to a water body.

2411
02:09:41,115 --> 02:09:45,725
This ruling and newly granted authority creates

2412
02:09:46,055 --> 02:09:47,645
where a farm is located.

2413
02:09:48,985 --> 02:09:51,845
It it could, I'm sorry, a confusing

2414
02:09:51,845 --> 02:09:54,765
and complex regardless of their relationship.

2415
02:09:54,995 --> 02:09:58,245
This ruling and newly granted authority creates a confusing

2416
02:09:58,245 --> 02:10:01,525
and complex mosaic of regulatory oversight

2417
02:10:01,595 --> 02:10:04,725
that farms now face, which depend on

2418
02:10:04,725 --> 02:10:06,365
where a farm is located.

2419
02:10:07,065 --> 02:10:10,725
It could be subject to different levels of local regulations

2420
02:10:10,745 --> 02:10:13,485
and oversight that others are not exposed to.

2421
02:10:15,435 --> 02:10:17,285
Town by town farm regulation

2422
02:10:18,555 --> 02:10:20,605
variances create a patchwork

2423
02:10:20,605 --> 02:10:23,325
of regulatory framework across the state,

2424
02:10:23,615 --> 02:10:26,245
which will be difficult to navigate and administer.

2425
02:10:27,115 --> 02:10:29,325
This ruling also raises questions

2426
02:10:29,345 --> 02:10:33,485
for farmers whose operations cross town lines potentially

2427
02:10:33,515 --> 02:10:35,925
requiring different regulations for different parts

2428
02:10:35,925 --> 02:10:37,125
of their farm properties.

2429
02:10:37,665 --> 02:10:42,365
All subject to change over time, allowing municipalities

2430
02:10:42,545 --> 02:10:43,685
to regulate private

2431
02:10:43,785 --> 02:10:45,365
and commercial food production

2432
02:10:46,005 --> 02:10:49,165
threatens the agricultural economy with inconsistent

2433
02:10:49,225 --> 02:10:53,405
and destabilizing regulations for farmers across the state

2434
02:10:53,825 --> 02:10:57,125
as well as for institutions that help keep farming alive.

2435
02:10:57,185 --> 02:11:00,605
In Vermont, farmers are already grappling

2436
02:11:00,605 --> 02:11:03,165
with many emerging challenges, including flooding

2437
02:11:03,185 --> 02:11:06,525
and other impacts of a changing climate, changing

2438
02:11:06,585 --> 02:11:09,845
to fed changes to federal funds and widespread inflation.

2439
02:11:10,515 --> 02:11:13,085
Opening the door for municipal regulation

2440
02:11:13,105 --> 02:11:16,845
of farms contradicts the longstanding policies, culture,

2441
02:11:17,265 --> 02:11:20,485
and precedent that has protected Vermont's rights

2442
02:11:20,785 --> 02:11:21,845
to farm the land

2443
02:11:22,545 --> 02:11:24,685
and that farm the land they have access

2444
02:11:24,685 --> 02:11:28,285
to hindering Vermont's ability to produce its own food.

2445
02:11:28,745 --> 02:11:29,805
And by extension,

2446
02:11:30,535 --> 02:11:33,885
comprising compromising the state's food security.

2447
02:11:34,545 --> 02:11:36,285
The longstanding interpretation

2448
02:11:36,285 --> 02:11:38,565
of the legislative intent has been

2449
02:11:38,565 --> 02:11:42,005
that agriculture is not subject to municipal regulations,

2450
02:11:42,195 --> 02:11:45,605
including practices defined by the jurisdiction of the state

2451
02:11:45,745 --> 02:11:50,365
of ag, of state agency of agriculture, food and markets.

2452
02:11:51,785 --> 02:11:55,245
Almost there folks. The new ruling

2453
02:11:56,405 --> 02:11:58,885
diverges from this interpretation intent

2454
02:11:59,305 --> 02:12:01,885
and now draws a distinction between regulation

2455
02:12:01,885 --> 02:12:04,125
of agricultural practices broadly

2456
02:12:04,385 --> 02:12:07,165
and the regulation of agricultural practices

2457
02:12:07,385 --> 02:12:10,325
as they apply specifically to water quality impacts.

2458
02:12:11,355 --> 02:12:14,845
This resolution proposes to resolve this divergence

2459
02:12:15,345 --> 02:12:17,325
and return the ag exemption

2460
02:12:17,385 --> 02:12:21,645
of 24 VSA section 4 4 1 3D one a,

2461
02:12:22,275 --> 02:12:25,925
back to its original intent, as well as to codify

2462
02:12:26,985 --> 02:12:30,565
the right to grow food for anyone engaging in substance

2463
02:12:30,565 --> 02:12:34,045
or cultivating practices that are beneath the criteria

2464
02:12:34,185 --> 02:12:37,925
of the RAP rule in order to protect the rights of the public

2465
02:12:38,265 --> 02:12:42,085
to engage in food growing practices on any land they

2466
02:12:42,085 --> 02:12:43,205
have access to.

2467
02:12:45,585 --> 02:12:50,365
Has there been a second been

2468
02:12:50,615 --> 02:12:52,445
moved and seconded? Discussion?

2469
02:12:53,265 --> 02:12:56,085
Oh A second. Oh, I'm sorry.

2470
02:12:56,085 --> 02:12:57,605
There's this, there's a back page.

2471
02:13:04,275 --> 02:13:05,485
Okay. Therefore, okay,

2472
02:13:05,505 --> 02:13:08,525
I'm gonna skip this part, be it resolved.

2473
02:13:09,145 --> 02:13:11,645
Here's here, here's, I think this is the meat of it, Ray,

2474
02:13:12,025 --> 02:13:13,765
please correct me if I have this wrong.

2475
02:13:13,785 --> 02:13:18,485
Please. Therefore be it resolved that the town

2476
02:13:18,485 --> 02:13:20,165
of Plainfield petitions the

2477
02:13:20,165 --> 02:13:21,805
legislature of the state of Vermont.

2478
02:13:21,905 --> 02:13:25,645
Two, restore the municipal zoning exemption for farming

2479
02:13:25,865 --> 02:13:29,245
and ensure statewide consistency in the regulation

2480
02:13:29,245 --> 02:13:32,005
of farming and agriculture under the authority

2481
02:13:32,065 --> 02:13:34,085
and expertise of the Vermont Agency

2482
02:13:34,085 --> 02:13:35,765
of Agriculture, food and Markets.

2483
02:13:36,945 --> 02:13:39,165
Codify the right to grow food

2484
02:13:39,165 --> 02:13:44,085
that explicitly includes livestock, protect the right

2485
02:13:44,145 --> 02:13:47,725
of Vermonters to grow, raise, produce, donate,

2486
02:13:47,745 --> 02:13:52,245
and sell the food they have produced, relieve municipalities

2487
02:13:52,745 --> 02:13:56,565
of unintended regulatory burdens resulting from

2488
02:13:56,925 --> 02:13:58,165
judicial interpretation.

2489
02:14:00,555 --> 02:14:04,285
This resolution is in solidarity with ongoing organism

2490
02:14:04,465 --> 02:14:07,365
and advocate and advocacy of rural Vermont.

2491
02:14:07,745 --> 02:14:10,805
The Vermont Farm Bureau, Aramark Cabot,

2492
02:14:10,995 --> 02:14:15,005
Vermont Dairy produces Alliance, nofa, Vermont nofa,

2493
02:14:15,035 --> 02:14:18,765
Vermont, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

2494
02:14:19,305 --> 02:14:24,005
and the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance Farm

2495
02:14:24,105 --> 02:14:28,165
to Plate, American Farmland Trust, the Land Access

2496
02:14:28,825 --> 02:14:33,165
and Opportunity Board, more organizations and farmers

2497
02:14:33,265 --> 02:14:37,605
and communities and more across our state discussion

2498
02:14:39,625 --> 02:14:40,925
Or to this, James,

2499
02:14:42,345 --> 02:14:44,405
I'm not calling on you, he's calling on you.

2500
02:14:44,465 --> 02:14:47,525
I'm, I'm just pointing it out. Okay. Yeah.

2501
02:14:48,915 --> 02:14:50,285
Toby Buxton, could you read

2502
02:14:50,885 --> 02:14:53,245
sentence number eight in paragraph 64?

2503
02:14:55,865 --> 02:14:57,965
No, I'm just get, so that was way too much.

2504
02:14:58,465 --> 02:15:02,285
So could you just read what the resolution is? Not the whole

2505
02:15:03,235 --> 02:15:04,235
Okay.

2506
02:15:04,235 --> 02:15:06,325
I thought I just did, I fell asleep in the preamble,

2507
02:15:06,325 --> 02:15:08,125
but because I agree with that, but I

2508
02:15:08,385 --> 02:15:09,385
I'm happy to do it again.

2509
02:15:09,385 --> 02:15:10,205
Thank you.

2510
02:15:13,145 --> 02:15:14,685
It, So the resolution

2511
02:15:14,795 --> 02:15:17,965
therefore be it resolved that the town

2512
02:15:17,965 --> 02:15:21,045
of Plainfield petitions the legislature of the state

2513
02:15:21,045 --> 02:15:25,485
of Vermont two, restore the municipal zoning exemption

2514
02:15:25,485 --> 02:15:27,565
for farming and ensure

2515
02:15:28,315 --> 02:15:31,365
statewide consistency in the regulation of farming

2516
02:15:31,425 --> 02:15:33,645
and agriculture under the authority

2517
02:15:33,745 --> 02:15:36,085
and expertise of the Vermont Agency

2518
02:15:36,085 --> 02:15:37,805
of Agriculture Food and Markets.

2519
02:15:38,385 --> 02:15:39,565
That's one bullet point.

2520
02:15:40,225 --> 02:15:43,925
The second bullet point codify a right to grow food

2521
02:15:44,315 --> 02:15:47,205
that explicitly includes livestock.

2522
02:15:47,665 --> 02:15:51,845
The next bullet point, protect the right of Roman Vermonters

2523
02:15:51,845 --> 02:15:54,365
to grow, raise, produce, donate,

2524
02:15:54,385 --> 02:15:56,165
and sell the food they have produced.

2525
02:15:56,745 --> 02:16:00,325
And the final bullet point, relieve municipalities

2526
02:16:00,465 --> 02:16:03,845
of unintended regulatory burdens resulting from

2527
02:16:04,205 --> 02:16:05,325
judicial interpretation.

2528
02:16:08,105 --> 02:16:10,125
Ray, I just wanna make sure we have it exactly

2529
02:16:10,125 --> 02:16:11,925
right wherever you are.

2530
02:16:12,395 --> 02:16:16,045
Yeah, I I did not write this. Yes. This is why Yes.

2531
02:16:16,155 --> 02:16:17,965
That is what is proposed by all of those

2532
02:16:17,965 --> 02:16:19,165
Organizations that you Okay.

2533
02:16:19,165 --> 02:16:20,485
Further discussion in that case.

2534
02:16:22,615 --> 02:16:25,765
Ellen? Oh, I'm sorry. Where, where are we? Janice?

2535
02:16:26,145 --> 02:16:28,285
Janice, Janice first and then, and then Ellen.

2536
02:16:28,485 --> 02:16:32,645
I think I just wanna speak from a town perspective

2537
02:16:33,025 --> 02:16:35,285
and a member of the DRB

2538
02:16:36,345 --> 02:16:41,045
adding more municipal rules by volunteer boards in towns

2539
02:16:41,045 --> 02:16:43,965
that we don't have any expertise over controlling farms

2540
02:16:44,465 --> 02:16:47,205
and far people growing food is not a wise idea.

2541
02:16:47,625 --> 02:16:50,685
So as a town representative, if somebody has

2542
02:16:50,685 --> 02:16:55,125
to enforce rules, I do not support what happened in the law.

2543
02:16:55,125 --> 02:16:59,525
And I support us wholeheartedly allowing people to grow food

2544
02:16:59,905 --> 02:17:01,045
and care for animals.

2545
02:17:01,065 --> 02:17:04,845
And there are other ways, if we find issues with people care

2546
02:17:04,905 --> 02:17:09,045
for livestock, we can deal with that through animal control

2547
02:17:09,145 --> 02:17:11,405
and through the state to main situations.

2548
02:17:11,405 --> 02:17:15,485
So we don't need more laws in towns to regulate things

2549
02:17:15,515 --> 02:17:17,085
that we already have laws for,

2550
02:17:17,225 --> 02:17:19,005
and we need people to be able to grow food

2551
02:17:19,005 --> 02:17:21,365
and share food without municipal rules.

2552
02:17:21,825 --> 02:17:22,925
So that's what I want to say.

2553
02:17:28,935 --> 02:17:29,285
Ellen,

2554
02:17:35,325 --> 02:17:36,845
I I don't know about everyone else. We need your

2555
02:17:36,845 --> 02:17:37,765
Name again. Ellen. Sorry,

2556
02:17:38,185 --> 02:17:39,085
What's that? Your,

2557
02:17:39,195 --> 02:17:40,195
Your name?

2558
02:17:40,265 --> 02:17:42,085
Oh, Ellen Sitz. Thank you.

2559
02:17:43,565 --> 02:17:47,125
I didn't have a chance of being able to process all that.

2560
02:17:49,005 --> 02:17:51,845
I can't imagine that I wouldn't wanna support this

2561
02:17:52,995 --> 02:17:55,285
just based on what I could understand,

2562
02:17:55,905 --> 02:17:58,205
but I,

2563
02:17:58,365 --> 02:18:01,405
I ha I find it really difficult when we had non-binding

2564
02:18:01,885 --> 02:18:05,045
proposals at the end of long meetings

2565
02:18:06,785 --> 02:18:09,885
to really be informed about voting on them.

2566
02:18:09,945 --> 02:18:12,565
And this is more of a, a question about that process.

2567
02:18:13,925 --> 02:18:18,725
I know we can't warn these proposals ahead

2568
02:18:18,725 --> 02:18:20,365
of time if they're non-binding,

2569
02:18:21,225 --> 02:18:24,605
but can we at least get information ahead

2570
02:18:24,605 --> 02:18:28,965
of time from anybody who is planning

2571
02:18:29,105 --> 02:18:32,325
to propose something new

2572
02:18:40,955 --> 02:18:42,045
Okay. In the balcony.

2573
02:18:42,995 --> 02:18:47,285
Yeah. I support what race that proposed.

2574
02:18:47,445 --> 02:18:49,285
I know she didn't write you to your name, please.

2575
02:18:49,545 --> 02:18:51,445
Deb Barnwell. I used to work at the color.

2576
02:18:53,255 --> 02:18:54,945
From everything I've been reading online,

2577
02:18:54,995 --> 02:18:56,465
there is a tremendous amount

2578
02:18:56,465 --> 02:18:58,145
of pressure from the billionaires

2579
02:18:58,765 --> 02:19:02,945
to greatly suppress our freedom of sovereignty

2580
02:19:02,945 --> 02:19:04,905
with seed saving, food growing,

2581
02:19:05,645 --> 02:19:09,945
and keeping it within our freedom to be able to do,

2582
02:19:10,415 --> 02:19:11,985
they have a large attention.

2583
02:19:12,215 --> 02:19:15,585
Bill Gates specifically who owns a great percentage

2584
02:19:15,925 --> 02:19:20,465
of every seeds seed bank on the planet to

2585
02:19:21,985 --> 02:19:25,035
interfere with our freedom as far as seed savings,

2586
02:19:25,505 --> 02:19:27,245
food sovereignty, globally.

2587
02:19:27,515 --> 02:19:30,125
It's not just here that they're trying to do this too.

2588
02:19:31,025 --> 02:19:33,845
And I feel like this is an extremely important thing

2589
02:19:33,845 --> 02:19:35,285
that need to be researching.

2590
02:19:35,905 --> 02:19:37,325
I'm very upset the fact that

2591
02:19:37,325 --> 02:19:40,245
that legislation has already inhibited our

2592
02:19:40,245 --> 02:19:41,565
ability to do some of this.

2593
02:19:42,145 --> 02:19:45,005
And they have every intention of pushing that envelope

2594
02:19:45,305 --> 02:19:46,605
as far as they can.

2595
02:19:51,155 --> 02:19:52,885
Okay. We're still on Ray's proposal.

2596
02:19:53,155 --> 02:19:55,005
Anybody any further discussion?

2597
02:19:57,625 --> 02:19:58,765
Ray, Ray,

2598
02:20:01,545 --> 02:20:02,545
Ray Carter.

2599
02:20:03,435 --> 02:20:05,445
This information has been circulating

2600
02:20:05,445 --> 02:20:06,965
through the different organizations

2601
02:20:07,035 --> 02:20:09,405
that were mentioned being asked

2602
02:20:09,425 --> 02:20:12,285
to be on town meeting agendas.

2603
02:20:12,785 --> 02:20:14,845
And it wasn't until six o'clock last night

2604
02:20:14,845 --> 02:20:16,165
that I was asked to do this.

2605
02:20:16,865 --> 02:20:18,365
And so I did the best that I could.

2606
02:20:19,205 --> 02:20:21,085
I know that there, it would be push pushback

2607
02:20:21,085 --> 02:20:25,565
around the non-binding resolution.

2608
02:20:26,505 --> 02:20:28,965
And I took a risk to bring this forward

2609
02:20:28,965 --> 02:20:30,765
because I think it's important for this community

2610
02:20:30,785 --> 02:20:33,565
as a farmer, as the manager of volunteer manager

2611
02:20:33,565 --> 02:20:36,925
of the farmer's market, I printed out on my own printer a

2612
02:20:36,925 --> 02:20:38,085
couple of copies to hand it

2613
02:20:38,085 --> 02:20:40,165
and did the best that I could to bring this forward.

2614
02:20:40,955 --> 02:20:43,725
This is something that is going to impact us, us all.

2615
02:20:43,745 --> 02:20:45,645
And this is something that Marshfield already passed

2616
02:20:45,745 --> 02:20:46,925
and other towns are passing.

2617
02:20:46,985 --> 02:20:49,525
And rather than it being called on individuals

2618
02:20:49,525 --> 02:20:51,965
to contact slate state legislators over

2619
02:20:51,965 --> 02:20:54,085
and over, which we are already doing for so many reasons,

2620
02:20:54,355 --> 02:20:56,725
this is something that the old town can communicate about.

2621
02:20:57,025 --> 02:20:59,845
And I will take the responsibility of if it does pass, go

2622
02:21:00,045 --> 02:21:01,725
and make sure that that's reported back so

2623
02:21:01,725 --> 02:21:03,165
that it gets back to the legislature.

2624
02:21:03,175 --> 02:21:04,175
Thank you so much.

2625
02:21:09,505 --> 02:21:10,805
Are you ready for the question

2626
02:21:10,865 --> 02:21:12,085
or is there more discussion?

2627
02:21:15,605 --> 02:21:16,605
I

2628
02:21:17,545 --> 02:21:18,545
Do.

2629
02:21:18,545 --> 02:21:20,285
Is the resolution the last couple of

2630
02:21:20,285 --> 02:21:21,285
Paragraphs?

2631
02:21:21,285 --> 02:21:23,885
Yeah. Let, I think we're, I think we're there if, if I may.

2632
02:21:25,265 --> 02:21:28,125
So the question is, there's no more, the question is

2633
02:21:28,755 --> 02:21:31,045
therefore be it resolved that the town

2634
02:21:31,045 --> 02:21:32,125
of Plainfield petitions,

2635
02:21:32,125 --> 02:21:33,725
the legislature of the state of Vermont.

2636
02:21:33,785 --> 02:21:37,805
Two, restore the municipal zoning exemption for farming

2637
02:21:37,905 --> 02:21:40,725
and ensures statewide consistency in the regulation

2638
02:21:40,725 --> 02:21:43,325
of farming and agriculture under the authority

2639
02:21:43,625 --> 02:21:45,645
and expertise of the Vermont Agency

2640
02:21:45,645 --> 02:21:47,485
of Agriculture, food and Markets.

2641
02:21:48,915 --> 02:21:52,325
Next bullet point, codify the right to grow food

2642
02:21:52,715 --> 02:21:57,205
that is explicit, that that explicitly includes livestock

2643
02:21:58,425 --> 02:22:02,205
bullet point to protect the right of Vermonters to grow,

2644
02:22:02,455 --> 02:22:06,525
raise, produce, donate and sell food they have produced.

2645
02:22:07,065 --> 02:22:09,565
And the last bullet point, relieve municipalities

2646
02:22:10,065 --> 02:22:13,405
of the unintended regulatory burdens resulting

2647
02:22:13,995 --> 02:22:15,805
from judicial interpretation.

2648
02:22:16,545 --> 02:22:20,805
All those in favor say aye. Opposed?

2649
02:22:20,985 --> 02:22:24,245
No, the ayes appear to have it,

2650
02:22:25,585 --> 02:22:28,405
the eyes do have it, and you have passed the resolution

2651
02:22:33,305 --> 02:22:34,305
On.

2652
02:22:34,305 --> 02:22:36,645
Okay. I got four people on stack, Janice,

2653
02:22:36,645 --> 02:22:38,605
Deborah Poller and, and Michael,

2654
02:22:39,885 --> 02:22:42,165
I was gonna do the same resolution, so,

2655
02:22:43,635 --> 02:22:44,205
Okay. Deborah.

2656
02:22:45,155 --> 02:22:48,725
Deborah. All right.

2657
02:22:49,465 --> 02:22:53,885
So another non-binding resolution

2658
02:22:53,915 --> 02:22:58,885
that I would like to bring to the town is that I would like

2659
02:22:58,905 --> 02:23:03,765
to the town of Plainfield to urge for,

2660
02:23:04,025 --> 02:23:06,845
to, to make a statement, we know this is non-binding,

2661
02:23:07,385 --> 02:23:12,245
but to make a statement that we urge the abolishment of ICE

2662
02:23:12,865 --> 02:23:15,445
to keep all of our citizens safe.

2663
02:23:16,155 --> 02:23:18,125
Okay. Can you hand it up, Deborah? Do you have it written?

2664
02:23:18,445 --> 02:23:21,445
I just scribbled it. We'll, we'll, we'll do our best

2665
02:23:21,445 --> 02:23:22,485
to interpret scribble.

2666
02:23:25,795 --> 02:23:26,925
Okay. Is there a second?

2667
02:23:28,155 --> 02:23:32,605
I'll second. Second. It's discussion.

2668
02:23:36,755 --> 02:23:41,405
Well, immigration and custody enforcement is what ice is.

2669
02:23:42,905 --> 02:23:45,125
All right. Let's see if I can read the scribble here.

2670
02:23:46,065 --> 02:23:47,405
If, are you ready for the question?

2671
02:23:47,905 --> 02:23:48,965
If you are ready for the question.

2672
02:23:48,965 --> 02:23:53,325
That is a non-bias statement that the town of Plainfield

2673
02:23:59,045 --> 02:23:59,285
recognize.

2674
02:23:59,905 --> 02:24:02,045
Oh, recognize that the town of Plainfield

2675
02:24:03,145 --> 02:24:05,165
demand demands the abolishment

2676
02:24:06,185 --> 02:24:08,685
Of Ice, of ice and to keep,

2677
02:24:09,915 --> 02:24:11,295
To keep all of our

2678
02:24:11,775 --> 02:24:13,855
Citizens and to keep all our citizens safe.

2679
02:24:14,075 --> 02:24:16,135
So the statement that we abolish ice

2680
02:24:16,235 --> 02:24:17,655
and keep all the citizens safe,

2681
02:24:17,725 --> 02:24:19,015
it's been moved and seconded.

2682
02:24:19,075 --> 02:24:20,775
Is there any further discussion?

2683
02:24:21,855 --> 02:24:24,735
Actually some, Yes, go ahead.

2684
02:24:25,675 --> 02:24:27,615
I'd like to Amend that to We need your name please.

2685
02:24:28,085 --> 02:24:31,175
Michael Morland. I would like to amend that to all

2686
02:24:31,175 --> 02:24:34,295
of our citizens and residents safe.

2687
02:24:35,365 --> 02:24:39,655
Okay, Deborah, if that's a friendly amendment,

2688
02:24:39,755 --> 02:24:40,775
we can just accept it.

2689
02:24:40,955 --> 02:24:43,455
Yes. Yes. And I, I wanna say

2690
02:24:43,455 --> 02:24:47,215
that even though this is just a non-binding resolution,

2691
02:24:47,215 --> 02:24:48,895
what's important about it is

2692
02:24:48,895 --> 02:24:51,455
that this would go into the papers, right?

2693
02:24:51,715 --> 02:24:55,975
So others around the state of Vermont would see

2694
02:24:56,365 --> 02:24:59,055
that there are towns that want to ensure

2695
02:24:59,055 --> 02:25:01,855
that all their citizens and residents are safe.

2696
02:25:07,285 --> 02:25:08,895
Okay. I I'm just waiting a minute while,

2697
02:25:08,895 --> 02:25:11,815
while Paul puts this in a, a form, I can read

2698
02:25:17,355 --> 02:25:22,295
any further discussion while we're waiting in that case.

2699
02:25:22,475 --> 02:25:24,725
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, Wait. To

2700
02:25:25,745 --> 02:25:26,885
To keep, what did you say?

2701
02:25:26,885 --> 02:25:27,885
All of our residents,

2702
02:25:28,805 --> 02:25:31,045
Citizens, residents.

2703
02:25:43,515 --> 02:25:45,085
Okay. So it has been moved

2704
02:25:45,105 --> 02:25:47,765
and seconded that the town of Plainfield

2705
02:25:48,275 --> 02:25:52,925
demands the abolishment of ICE to keep all of our citizens

2706
02:25:52,945 --> 02:25:54,485
and residents safe.

2707
02:25:55,505 --> 02:25:57,325
All those in favor, please say aye.

2708
02:25:58,125 --> 02:26:02,925
A All those opposed No, the aye appear to have it.

2709
02:26:02,985 --> 02:26:05,605
The aye do have it. And we passed the resolution.

2710
02:26:09,535 --> 02:26:10,565
Paula, you're up next.

2711
02:26:10,995 --> 02:26:12,445
Michael, you're up after me.

2712
02:26:13,405 --> 02:26:14,845
I am the plaintiff representative

2713
02:26:14,985 --> 02:26:16,765
to the Central Mountain Regional.

2714
02:26:17,985 --> 02:26:19,005
Oh, Sorry,

2715
02:26:23,825 --> 02:26:25,005
My name's Paula Emery.

2716
02:26:25,205 --> 02:26:26,845
I am your playing field representative

2717
02:26:26,985 --> 02:26:29,485
to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission.

2718
02:26:30,675 --> 02:26:34,005
That means, you know, I want you to think about region as,

2719
02:26:34,185 --> 02:26:38,605
as a watershed, as a a bio region, right?

2720
02:26:39,305 --> 02:26:42,805
We are one little spec in a much bigger place.

2721
02:26:44,625 --> 02:26:47,005
So when we talk about responsible development

2722
02:26:47,005 --> 02:26:49,245
and all that, I, I really wanna encourage people to

2723
02:26:50,435 --> 02:26:52,245
join me when I go to these meetings.

2724
02:26:52,625 --> 02:26:55,125
We meet, they're really excellent conversations.

2725
02:26:55,155 --> 02:26:58,125
Most of the time you can go by Zoom

2726
02:26:58,265 --> 02:27:01,685
or you can ride in a car with me to Montpelier and,

2727
02:27:01,865 --> 02:27:03,285
and a lot of times there's pizza.

2728
02:27:05,265 --> 02:27:08,725
So it's a, the second Tuesday of every month.

2729
02:27:09,785 --> 02:27:11,045
And, and it's fascinating

2730
02:27:11,065 --> 02:27:13,685
and it, it just, it will help, it, it can help to sort

2731
02:27:13,965 --> 02:27:15,685
of build understanding for people

2732
02:27:15,685 --> 02:27:18,605
who wanna really focus on responsible development.

2733
02:27:20,995 --> 02:27:23,965
Okay. Michael, I think you're next.

2734
02:27:26,155 --> 02:27:27,245
Michael Billingsley,

2735
02:27:27,905 --> 02:27:31,645
before we all disband, I wanted to quickly also add that

2736
02:27:32,185 --> 02:27:34,805
in addition to the people we know have been working out

2737
02:27:34,805 --> 02:27:38,765
front helping the town, and particularly people like Dan

2738
02:27:38,765 --> 02:27:43,125
and Peter and Karen, who sort of officially are visible

2739
02:27:43,625 --> 02:27:46,045
as helping us recover from our disaster,

2740
02:27:46,415 --> 02:27:50,365
there are also two people who efforts are also heroic

2741
02:27:50,365 --> 02:27:52,885
and involved, not just but weeks and weeks

2742
02:27:52,945 --> 02:27:54,765
and weeks of solid effort.

2743
02:27:54,865 --> 02:27:57,565
Who on whose coattails I now

2744
02:27:58,065 --> 02:28:00,405
and others are getting the benefit,

2745
02:28:00,625 --> 02:28:02,685
and particularly in terms of grants that were written

2746
02:28:02,825 --> 02:28:04,645
or programs that are coming to fruit

2747
02:28:04,945 --> 02:28:06,605
or repairs to our highways.

2748
02:28:06,605 --> 02:28:10,485
And that is Gary Smith, who has just retired

2749
02:28:10,665 --> 02:28:12,045
as from the funding group

2750
02:28:12,045 --> 02:28:15,405
and whose work was incredibly important in breaking down the

2751
02:28:15,405 --> 02:28:19,165
Great Road, great Brook, excuse me, the Brook Road and,

2752
02:28:19,305 --> 02:28:22,245
and other assorted infrastructure projects.

2753
02:28:22,245 --> 02:28:24,125
And also Michael Zaner, who

2754
02:28:24,365 --> 02:28:26,965
although a Marshfield resident devoted incredible amount

2755
02:28:26,965 --> 02:28:30,045
of time to help us get through a state

2756
02:28:30,105 --> 02:28:33,965
and federal process to bring into the town hundreds

2757
02:28:33,965 --> 02:28:36,165
of thousands of dollars, which we are in the process

2758
02:28:36,265 --> 02:28:37,365
of putting to work.

2759
02:28:37,705 --> 02:28:39,885
So I'd like to just add my thanks,

2760
02:28:44,975 --> 02:28:46,565
Peter, Peter Young bears up.

2761
02:28:46,565 --> 02:28:50,045
Yeah, I I would like to sort of make an announcement

2762
02:28:50,105 --> 02:28:55,005
and to extend an invitation, several folks, Betsy, Paula,

2763
02:28:55,135 --> 02:28:58,605
stand up and say they are our representative to such

2764
02:28:58,605 --> 02:29:02,165
and such a, a committee or commission, et cetera.

2765
02:29:02,635 --> 02:29:04,765
Most of those are annual appointments

2766
02:29:05,065 --> 02:29:06,085
and those come up,

2767
02:29:06,455 --> 02:29:10,805
those will all come up a week from now when the new select

2768
02:29:10,805 --> 02:29:12,565
board has what is known in the statute

2769
02:29:12,665 --> 02:29:14,845
as its organizational meeting.

2770
02:29:16,405 --> 02:29:19,765
I can tell you in the approximately year, year

2771
02:29:19,785 --> 02:29:21,925
and a quarter that I've been on the select board,

2772
02:29:22,395 --> 02:29:24,885
that we often get a request to appoint someone

2773
02:29:24,945 --> 02:29:28,365
to a committee or a commission to fill a vacancy.

2774
02:29:29,225 --> 02:29:32,925
And we don't know for how long that term is

2775
02:29:32,955 --> 02:29:36,045
because we really haven't paid close attention

2776
02:29:36,105 --> 02:29:37,125
to that for a while.

2777
02:29:37,925 --> 02:29:41,045
I have been comparing the list that appears in the beginning

2778
02:29:41,105 --> 02:29:44,285
of this year's annual report with last year's

2779
02:29:44,465 --> 02:29:48,485
and there are innumerable inconsistencies in the terms

2780
02:29:48,745 --> 02:29:51,125
and we've been trying to get that straightened out.

2781
02:29:52,185 --> 02:29:56,605
But in the meantime, if you are one of those appointees

2782
02:29:56,605 --> 02:29:58,125
and would like to be reappointed,

2783
02:29:58,625 --> 02:30:01,725
please contact Jamie at the town clerk's office

2784
02:30:02,265 --> 02:30:04,605
and let them know they've been keeping a list

2785
02:30:05,285 --> 02:30:07,445
and let's certainly let the select board know.

2786
02:30:08,345 --> 02:30:12,845
And if you know the term of your office, we need

2787
02:30:12,845 --> 02:30:13,965
to know that as well.

2788
02:30:14,795 --> 02:30:17,085
This is something we've been trying to clean up along

2789
02:30:17,085 --> 02:30:18,165
with a number of other things

2790
02:30:18,545 --> 02:30:23,205
and your help is appreciated on the town website has been a

2791
02:30:23,205 --> 02:30:24,725
list of vacancies.

2792
02:30:25,455 --> 02:30:28,565
Those continue. We need and,

2793
02:30:28,585 --> 02:30:30,765
and it's in the, in the back of the report.

2794
02:30:31,625 --> 02:30:34,885
We do need you all to chip in and help out.

2795
02:30:35,145 --> 02:30:37,565
We cannot do it without the volunteer work.

2796
02:30:37,745 --> 02:30:39,485
So please step up,

2797
02:30:39,485 --> 02:30:41,365
please let us know if you'd like to continue.

2798
02:30:41,425 --> 02:30:43,685
Please let us know if you'd like to serve. Thank you.

2799
02:30:49,065 --> 02:30:51,605
Is there anything else to come up under other business?

2800
02:30:55,525 --> 02:30:58,685
I seeing none. I would be more than delighted

2801
02:30:58,745 --> 02:31:00,805
to entertain a motion to adjourn.

2802
02:31:01,345 --> 02:31:03,205
So is there a second?

2803
02:31:04,425 --> 02:31:07,445
All those in favor of adjourn, say aye. A.

2804
02:31:08,545 --> 02:31:10,285
All those opposed, keep it quiet.