1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:27,040 Good evening and welcome to the Town Council meeting for September 28th. My name is Bob Bryant, and we're sitting here in the now open and operating police department, the new building here in town, to have our first meeting here to have the public invited and so on. So if everybody would just rise. I don't see why there's no flags. 2 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:36,440 Anybody got red, white and blue on? There we go. Right there. Everybody please rise. Anyway. 3 00:00:36,440 --> 00:01:08,440 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I thank you. I'm going to take a minute and go around the room and just introduce the players who are here from my far right, Miss Bonnie Wright. Hello, Salem. To her left, Kathy Stacey, good evening. To my immediate right, the board secretary, Lisa Withrow. 4 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:09,320 Good evening. 5 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:48,110 To my immediate left, Mr. Joe Sweeney. He's the vice chair. Good evening. To his left we have Jeff Hatch. Hello, Salem. To his left, Paul Pelletier. Good evening. Salem. Going further down the road, Keith. Good evening. And then David Betancourt sitting down there in the corner. Good evening. And then we have our town manager, Mr. Devine. And we have several members of the fire department. The police chief is here. The finance director for the town is here. The gentleman who runs the water out of Kennedy Lake is here. Everybody's here. So. Good evening. 6 00:01:48,110 --> 00:02:03,390 And the assistant town manager is hiding. Yeah, she. She supposedly. Did you notice everybody's on this side and not crazy. Anyway, they went into a new building and they just couldn't pick the right side. We're going to go with meeting minutes. Miss Withrow. 7 00:02:03,390 --> 00:02:06,830 I move the meeting minutes from September 14th, 2026. Second. 8 00:02:06,830 --> 00:02:13,230 Motion has been made and seconded to move the minutes. 9 00:02:13,230 --> 00:02:29,910 All those in favor? S1: 10 00:02:29,910 --> 00:02:47,110 Mr. chairman, this time I move. We adopt the September 28th, 2026 consent agenda. Second and further, to acknowledge acceptance of the following donation with gratitude to the Community Services Department. Friends of Salem Recreation $2,156. 11 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:51,270 20 S4: 12 00:02:51,270 --> 00:02:52,150 Second. 13 00:02:52,150 --> 00:03:06,350 Motion been made and seconded. Discussion. None. All those in favor? We got 9 to 0. Second page additions are requested for the public. 14 00:03:06,350 --> 00:03:13,430 Was there anybody on the sheet? S1: 15 00:03:13,430 --> 00:03:14,150 Good evening. 16 00:03:14,150 --> 00:03:15,990 Good evening. 17 00:03:15,990 --> 00:04:41,310 He was a private citizen and resident. Yes. So further down the agenda is the amendment for the multifamily housing. I'm against this amendment because I think it's going to tax our infrastructure, our water, the water that we've been in a drought and in mandatory water restrictions all summer long. I also feel it's going to create so much more traffic, which when we did that survey, everybody came across saying taxes, taxes and traffic are our big things we're really worried about. Take down the traffic, take down the taxes. This is going to make both of those things worse because if we have multifamily housing, we're going to have more needs for public safety. And and that's going to cost us more money. And I know it's housing, but we are the housing champion of New Hampshire. Can someone else become a champion of housing in New Hampshire. We don't have to be the only one to carry that torch. We've already making amends for people. We've got our a DAADU accommodations. I don't think we need multifamily housing, and I definitely don't think we need them right in the heart of Salem, up and down 28 from Kelly robe, robe to aroma. So yeah, that's, that's how I feel. I hope you vote against it. 18 00:04:41,310 --> 00:05:00,710 Okay. Thank you, Susan. I appreciate it. Okay, next up, Mister Manager Joe. Can you take us through the fire department first on the agenda for the swearing in of a new firefighter and introduction of the fire administration coordinator identified Fire Chief Lanier to come up and kick us off. 19 00:05:00,710 --> 00:05:17,390 Good evening, Mr. Chair members. Thanks for. Thank you for having me tonight. My name is Greg. I'm honored to serve as Salem's Fire Chief. Um, I'm actually going to start with our fire administration coordinator today. Skyler Moore, if you can, please stand up. 20 00:05:17,390 --> 00:06:07,470 So I'm pleased to introduce Skyler Moore, our new fire administration coordinator. She'll have the badge 284. She. Skyler lives in Pelham, New Hampshire, and brings experience in administration, communications, and public service. She served eight years as a mass communications specialist in the U.S. Navy, supporting senior command staff, and continues to serve in the Navy Reserves. For the past two years, she has supported division leadership at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, handling work that includes payroll scheduling, purchasing and confidential records. Please join me in welcoming Skyler to our department. 21 00:06:07,470 --> 00:06:09,510 Congratulations and welcome. 22 00:06:09,510 --> 00:06:17,950 Welcome. 23 00:06:17,950 --> 00:06:19,150 Welcome. 24 00:06:19,150 --> 00:06:27,230 Welcome to the clan. Congratulations. Congratulations. 25 00:06:27,230 --> 00:06:30,070 Okay, great. 26 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:42,310 You can. 27 00:06:42,310 --> 00:06:50,310 Stay here. Don't worry about it. 28 00:06:50,310 --> 00:06:55,910 Thank you. 29 00:06:55,910 --> 00:06:57,870 Sorry. 30 00:06:57,870 --> 00:07:00,710 I apologize. 31 00:07:00,710 --> 00:07:02,550 Okay. 32 00:07:02,550 --> 00:07:08,190 Next, I'm going to introduce Nikola. 33 00:07:08,190 --> 00:07:14,470 And his wife Caitlin will be pinning him. 34 00:07:14,470 --> 00:07:16,590 And the baby is here. 35 00:07:16,590 --> 00:07:18,910 We can tell. You couldn't tell. 36 00:07:18,910 --> 00:07:57,110 Nico joined us September 14th as a firefighter on probation badge 283. Nico is a Salem resident and a Salem High School alumni. He is certified firefighter one and two and an EMT basic. He previously served as a firefighter in Chester and entered in entering the fire service. Worked as a registered nurse at Haverhill Pavilion Behavioral Health Hospital. His experience caring for people will serve him well in his new role. Nico is beginning his assignment in our training division before joining our operations battalion. 37 00:07:57,110 --> 00:08:03,950 Nico, swear you in now? Okay. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. 38 00:08:03,950 --> 00:08:05,950 I, Nicola Adeola. 39 00:08:05,950 --> 00:08:07,950 Do solemnly and sincerely. 40 00:08:07,950 --> 00:08:09,710 Do solemnly and sincerely. 41 00:08:09,710 --> 00:08:10,990 Swear and affirm. 42 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:12,430 Swear and affirm. 43 00:08:12,430 --> 00:08:14,830 That I will faithfully and impartially. 44 00:08:14,830 --> 00:08:16,870 That I will faithfully and impartially. 45 00:08:16,870 --> 00:08:18,470 Discharge and perform. 46 00:08:18,470 --> 00:08:19,910 Discharge and perform. 47 00:08:19,910 --> 00:08:22,030 All the duties incumbent upon me. 48 00:08:22,030 --> 00:08:23,870 All the duties incumbent upon me. 49 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:24,830 As a firefighter. 50 00:08:24,830 --> 00:08:26,030 As a firefighter. 51 00:08:26,030 --> 00:08:27,950 According to the best of my abilities. 52 00:08:27,950 --> 00:08:29,950 According to the best of my abilities. 53 00:08:29,950 --> 00:08:31,190 Agreeably to the. 54 00:08:31,190 --> 00:08:33,430 Rules, agreeably to the rules. 55 00:08:33,430 --> 00:08:34,870 Regulations and orders. 56 00:08:34,870 --> 00:08:36,070 Regulations and orders. 57 00:08:36,070 --> 00:08:37,350 Of the Salem Fire Department. 58 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:38,350 Salem Fire Department. 59 00:08:38,350 --> 00:08:40,310 Into the ordinances and laws. 60 00:08:40,310 --> 00:08:41,870 And city ordinances and laws. 61 00:08:41,870 --> 00:08:43,270 Of the town of Salem. 62 00:08:43,270 --> 00:08:43,990 Town of Salem. 63 00:08:43,990 --> 00:08:45,230 In the state of New Hampshire. 64 00:08:45,230 --> 00:08:46,150 In the state of New Hampshire. 65 00:08:46,150 --> 00:08:46,950 So help me God. 66 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:48,190 So help me God. 67 00:08:48,190 --> 00:09:07,590 Congratulations. 68 00:09:07,590 --> 00:09:10,910 No blood. 69 00:09:10,910 --> 00:09:14,550 It's the only chance you get. 70 00:09:14,550 --> 00:09:20,070 It's hard to do with a new shirt. Got it. I'll take a quick photo. 71 00:09:20,070 --> 00:09:20,830 Yeah, sure. 72 00:09:20,830 --> 00:09:26,750 Sure. Absolutely. Shake his hand. Thanks for having us tonight. Appreciate it. Thank you. 73 00:09:26,750 --> 00:09:30,550 You're welcome. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. 74 00:09:30,550 --> 00:09:37,270 Thank you. Thank you. Sir. Niko. 75 00:09:37,270 --> 00:09:39,790 Did you guys graduate together? Yeah. 76 00:09:39,790 --> 00:09:41,630 Congratulations. 77 00:09:41,630 --> 00:09:59,270 Congratulations. You mentioned that Michael Gordon was. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about the table. The table. I'll kick it over. 78 00:09:59,270 --> 00:10:02,030 Go, go! 79 00:10:02,030 --> 00:10:13,230 All right. Thanks again. 80 00:10:13,230 --> 00:10:13,630 Okay. 81 00:10:13,630 --> 00:10:17,830 It's truly as exciting as it is to sit here with us. I'm sure we're going to give you a minute to clear. 82 00:10:17,830 --> 00:10:18,070 Thank you. 83 00:10:18,070 --> 00:10:19,750 Very much. 84 00:10:19,750 --> 00:10:21,390 Thank you. 85 00:10:21,390 --> 00:10:22,030 Thank you. 86 00:10:22,030 --> 00:10:22,870 Thank you. 87 00:10:22,870 --> 00:10:25,670 Thank you. Take care. 88 00:10:25,670 --> 00:10:35,710 Say hi to your sister. 89 00:10:35,710 --> 00:10:42,550 So, did you graduate? 90 00:10:42,550 --> 00:10:52,070 Oh. That's nice. That's nice. 91 00:10:52,070 --> 00:10:56,110 Okay. 92 00:10:56,110 --> 00:11:09,830 So as much as we don't like a dead zone in the old TV program. I think we're back in business. Mr. Devine. We're going to move on to number seven, the second reading and adoption of a resolution, please. 93 00:11:09,830 --> 00:11:34,110 This will be for resolution 2026-14, which is the Community Development Program. A department is proposing an amendment to the Commercial Tax Credit program. You have a staff report from Assistant Planner Karen Brubaker, along with the proposed amendments to the program. Um, Assistant Town Manager Colleen Mayo is here to answer any questions. Uh, there is some updates from the first meeting, uh, reflecting the changes that the council is looking for. 94 00:11:34,110 --> 00:11:40,830 Okay. 95 00:11:40,830 --> 00:11:43,030 That's all. 96 00:11:43,030 --> 00:11:44,670 Good. 97 00:11:44,670 --> 00:11:45,790 Okay. 98 00:11:45,790 --> 00:11:46,350 All right. 99 00:11:46,350 --> 00:11:47,150 You're up. 100 00:11:47,150 --> 00:11:49,070 Mr. chairman, Council. 101 00:11:49,070 --> 00:11:51,190 Is very brief. 102 00:11:51,190 --> 00:14:12,460 As you recall. Creighton was here at your last meeting to speak to you about this. But the, um, the commercial tax incentive program is something that was originally passed by the board back in 2024. What we have proposed here are some amendments to the program to um to refine what types of properties are eligible for the exemption. Initially, this program was adopted in order to encourage commercial development and redevelopment. What we're looking here to do is to refine that so that we're really encouraging redevelopment of properties that are already in commercial use. Um, it's a way to help encourage redevelopment, to eliminate blighted properties and really see better use and added value to the commercial side of our program. So the way that this program works for people that may not be familiar, um, for properties that do qualify or qualifying structures and qualifying areas, um, when you redevelop those properties, you are eligible for an exemption of 50% of the increased assessment in year one that goes down to 40%, then 30% and 20% in subsequent years. So this is really for if as a property, if it's valued at $1 million today, when they redevelop and improve that property, it creates more value. That additional value is what they're getting an exemption based on. That's a short exemption for the first few years of the property. Then after that, that's added value on the commercial side that's been added to the tax base, which the goal of this is to see that commercial redevelopment, which then helps to take some of that tax burden off the residential side. And we're seeing increases in commercial development. One of the questions that came up at the last meeting was just regarding the qualifying structure. We did work on some language to make clear that a qualifying structure is one that has been previously approved for occupancy for commercial or industrial use within two years of the application date. By including just a little bit of that extra language, make sure that this is not something that someone can, you know, Put a small shed on a property or do something to try to skirt the rules. It really needs to be a structure that was utilized for a commercial industrial use and is now being redeveloped or revitalized. So I'm happy to answer any questions the council may have. 103 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:13,740 Mr. hatch. 104 00:14:13,740 --> 00:14:29,420 If you don't mind, Mr. Chair, I have a couple of them. Go ahead. The first one is, is could you take us kind of like through the timeline or first tell us how do the property owners or the developers find out about this program? How are we making them aware of it? 105 00:14:29,420 --> 00:14:40,780 It's available on the town's website. We have information. If folks come in to speak to us in town hall, if they are redeveloping their property, we can explain what the process. 106 00:14:40,780 --> 00:14:45,500 Because the reason why I ask is I'm looking at the. 107 00:14:45,500 --> 00:15:25,100 One of the graphics that you sent and it says you may not obtain a building permit or construction prior to the Town Council rendering the decision on the application. So if I'm a property owner and I'm unaware of this and I want to renovate my building now, I'm going to have to wait if I want to take advantage of this. We're talking CBA time. We're talking. So they can get on our agenda. So it doesn't sound like it's going to be that easy for a property owner to take advantage of this. If they have to wait 90 days to 120 days to go through all the approvals. 108 00:15:25,100 --> 00:16:07,940 So typically, if it's a commercial property, they may need a site plan approval. They may be going through a planning board process. This approval can happen concurrent with those land use approval processes. So if someone comes in and is eligible for the program, we can talk to them about it. They can request. So there is kind of that delicate timing because they need to receive Planning Board approval prior to pulling a building permit. And that's really because before they start putting shovels in the ground, They need to come in and get approval from this council, demonstrating that they've met the criteria of the program and showing that they're really adding value to the Salem community. And then they're eligible for the exemption. 109 00:16:07,940 --> 00:16:11,340 And I know currently, if I may, Mr. Chair, if you don't mind. 110 00:16:11,340 --> 00:16:12,260 Yeah. Go ahead. 111 00:16:12,260 --> 00:16:28,580 I know currently or previously, uh, Mr. Lafontaine, when somebody would come in about a particular property that may qualify for this, he actually stapled or provided them a read ahead. 112 00:16:28,580 --> 00:17:00,860 We still going to do that when they come in? S5: 113 00:17:00,860 --> 00:17:18,380 Okay. And last, um, there's been some significant changes to this since the committee has taken a look at it and it came to us, we made a bunch of changes to it. 114 00:17:18,380 --> 00:17:52,460 Do we need to send this back to the committee for them to take another look at it for more input? S5: 115 00:17:52,460 --> 00:17:55,300 That's all I have, Mr. Chairman. 116 00:17:55,300 --> 00:18:51,940 Um, I heard from someone who was on the BBC, and Geoff, in answer to your question, the EDC is planning several different, um, training sessions to be open to the public, working perhaps with the chamber or some other group to talk about things. And this, um, plan is one of the things that is being discussed, but one of the um members of the committee said page two says that if the property goes to the ZBA for variance, they are disqualified. So if a use isn't expressly permitted in the zoning table, but otherwise is a good fit for the neighborhood and they are eliminating blight, creating jobs, adding to the tax base, etc. it doesn't matter because they had to get a variance. That doesn't seem right. That's a pretty substantial change to what the EDC passed to the town Council. 117 00:18:51,940 --> 00:20:01,900 So if the use is not permitted, if you're an industrial zone and and your use is not permitted, the language of this was to make sure that only permitted uses are going to be eligible for for that exemption. Um, if a brewery is not a permitted use, then it would not be able to receive the exemption. And I think that's just we do regularly in this council controls what the allowed uses are under zoning. We can have zoning amendments. I think that right now our zoning ordinance pretty well manages what our permitted uses in a zone and what are not. If there are things that come up that we think should be allowed uses, that's something that this council has control over. But I think that by its nature, if it's not permitted in the zone, it's because there is a reason or something that that precludes that from being an appropriate use in the zone, I would want to open up and allow commercial tax exemptions for a use that the zoning ordinance hasn't anticipated as being an appropriate use for the zone. 118 00:20:01,900 --> 00:21:53,380 Mr. Betancourt? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of comments. Based on the discussion thus far, Jeff, I had asked a similar question to yours at the last meeting in terms of how we promote the tax credit. I think you got a good explanation, but one of the things that was mentioned at the previous meeting that I think is important is that the state also promotes the tax credit when they're out recruiting businesses to come into Salem or into New Hampshire. And they've had some some pretty good luck of it as of as of late. So they they do help out as well. Um, in terms of, um, you know, the eligibility, I mean, this in all sincerity, if Enoch wants to make some recommendations about what should be eligible and changing the eligibility of it, I would encourage them to do so if they want to have some some deliberations over that and come back with some recommendations as to how we could further, um, change or critique the eligibility to make it more attractive and work better. Absolutely. I'd be I'd be encouraging of that, of that discussion. Last question though is so these are changes based on this tax credit has been around for a couple of years is my understanding. It's not terribly used. It's what I recall from the last meeting. And so we're making some changes to try to make it more attractive. And my comment is question rather is going forward, think about what the appropriate period of time to go by is for us to then be able to assess how it's going, if it's working, if the changes that we've made are having the intended effect of making it something that's attractive to a new businesses that are looking to come to Salem and think about when the appropriate time for us to have that check in might be. 119 00:21:53,380 --> 00:21:58,260 Anybody else? 120 00:21:58,260 --> 00:21:59,580 Mr. Sweeney. 121 00:21:59,580 --> 00:23:19,580 At this time, I move that the Town Council hereby adopt resolution number 2020 614 relating to amendments to the Commercial Tax Credit Program criteria as recommended by the Economic Development Committee. This resolution shall take effect upon its passage as follows. Whereas, at the June 3rd, 2024 meeting, the Salem Town Council created the Salem Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Program. The program, under resolution 2020 409 pursuant to RSA 7280-83. And Whereas, the Town Council amended the program on November 18th, 2024 to update the defined uses, amend the tax relief period and increase the number of public benefits needed for eligibility. And Whereas, the town seeks to further refine the program to ensure clarity 30. In the application process, focus the program toward redevelopment and further refine the balance of public benefits given in exchange for property tax relief. And whereas, the Economic Development Committee reviewed and unanimously recommended the proposed changes at their August 18th, 2026, meeting. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Salem Town Council that the Salem Town Council hereby approves the proposed updates as identified in the Red Line Program document, updated application and outlined in the staff memo and further amends the Salem Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Program with the changes related thereto. 122 00:23:19,580 --> 00:23:20,140 Second. 123 00:23:20,140 --> 00:23:26,380 Motion made. Seconded by Miss Withrow. 124 00:23:26,380 --> 00:23:32,980 All those in favor? S9: 125 00:23:32,980 --> 00:23:36,860 Next up. Mr. Devine. 126 00:23:36,860 --> 00:23:50,140 Next is going to be a public Hearing and Resolution 2026-16, which is a request to merge lots of five Ferry Street, September 14th meeting. The Council will consider the request by NCC Real Estate Development. 127 00:23:50,140 --> 00:23:56,420 Attorney Campbell is here to answer any further questions that the Council may have on this matter. 128 00:23:56,420 --> 00:24:01,060 So that means. Been open to the public. Mr. Campbell, if you would, please, if you have something. 129 00:24:01,060 --> 00:24:10,660 Um. Certainly, Mr. Chairman. 130 00:24:10,660 --> 00:26:00,220 Good evening for the record. Attorney Bernard Campbell, from the office of Belmont and Campbell here in Salem. Um, I was I was present before you two weeks ago. Just to give you a summary of what we're doing in this case. I don't know that I need to go through that again. I just want to remind everyone that we're operating under RSA. 67439 AA, which is the restoration of involuntarily merge lots. Um, and by section two of that statute, lots that were involuntarily merged by a municipality. At the request of the owner shall be restored to their pre-merger status and all zoning map shall be updated to identify. Provided that no owner in the chain of title voluntarily merged her lots, either by requesting a merger or by conduct. Um, that's defined in voluntary merger in section one, small C um, these lots in question. Uh, the pieces that we propose to merge, um, are essentially undeveloped. Um, and there's been no record of any voluntary merger. And as I pointed out to the council during the last time I was here, um, although these appeared, this appeared as a single lot as early as the 1960s, they were still being conveyed as separate lots into the mid 1980s. And so the property owners at that time certainly weren't thinking that they had merged these lots in any way. And finally, just say that the the municipality has the burden to prove proof, to show that prior owners voluntarily merged his or her lots. And I haven't received any indication from the staff that they believe they have such proof. So I believe we're entitled to the relief. 131 00:26:00,220 --> 00:26:05,260 Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Questions. Anybody? Motion. Mr.. 132 00:26:05,260 --> 00:27:11,700 Mr. chairman, at this time, I move that the Town Council hereby adopt resolution number 2020 616 relating to a request to Unmerge lots at five Prairie Street. This resolution shall take effect upon its passage as follows. Whereas, RSA 67439 AA authorizes the Town Council to grant request to unmerge lots. And Whereas, the Town Council received a request from attorney Bernard Campbell representing NTC Real Estate Development LLC, to unmerge lots at five Prairie Street, map 15 lot four, eight, four, eight. And whereas town staff reviewed the information submitted relating to the request to Unmerge lots at five Prairie Street and further, it is recommendation of the staff that the information provided supports the request to unmerge the lots at five Berry Street and accordingly recommend the application be granted. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Town Council that the Town Council hereby grants the request of NTC Real Estate Development, LLC to Unmerge lots at five Prairie Street, map 15, lot 4848, in accordance with RSA 67439. 133 00:27:11,700 --> 00:27:13,860 A second discussion. 134 00:27:13,860 --> 00:27:48,810 Motion has been made and seconded for discussion. I see hands in the audience and what I'd like to make you aware of, because you probably haven't ever been here before. And you got a twofer tonight. You got to see the brand new police station and join your first meeting. There's a sheet on the on the podium here prior to. Yeah, it was it was on the podium prior to the meeting. I was here at six and it was here at six. Um, so if there's people that want to talk about this particular issue, um. 135 00:27:48,810 --> 00:27:52,530 I guess it's a public hearing. 136 00:27:52,530 --> 00:28:10,450 Public public hearing. So they can, so if you want to come up, give us your name and address and you want to talk about it before I pull the vote, then do so. And we and we try not to, uh, hamper you in any way. So just state your name and your address and go for it. 137 00:28:10,450 --> 00:28:33,010 My name is Steve Donahue. Uh, Steve five Shore Drive, which is across the street. Um, and we have a piece of that lot that has our leach field, and I'm not sure how that affects that leach field. 138 00:28:33,010 --> 00:28:34,490 So what is the, I guess my question is, what is this new lot going to look like? S1: 139 00:28:34,490 --> 00:28:36,970 Mr. Campbell, if you could please. 140 00:28:36,970 --> 00:29:14,730 So this is the plan that the Council has. You are over here. This is your sewer line. It goes. It's. I'm looking at the plan dated July 10th, 2026. This is your septic line. It goes down to this lot. This lot is not being. We're unearthing this one. And these two here. So what's going to be left is L and J, which is where your line is and where your central system is. Those lots are staying where they are. Yeah. There's a pond of some sort of surface water. 141 00:29:14,730 --> 00:29:15,450 This is. 142 00:29:15,450 --> 00:29:16,450 Definitely. 143 00:29:16,450 --> 00:29:24,410 On two. And this one F, G and k. J and L will stay together. Okay. 144 00:29:24,410 --> 00:29:25,010 Good. 145 00:29:25,010 --> 00:29:25,930 Okay. Yes. 146 00:29:25,930 --> 00:29:26,650 Answer the question. 147 00:29:26,650 --> 00:29:35,890 Is that also because when we put the leach field here, how come no one approached us about this. I am just questioning. Anyways. 148 00:29:35,890 --> 00:29:36,730 Paula Donahue. 149 00:29:36,730 --> 00:30:00,090 Paula, you're making all these plans without even approaching the neighbors. But anyways, um, because we have our leach field here, there's a property of land, um, that was agreed upon, um, for the person who lived across the street at ten Prairie to have access to the lake water. 150 00:30:00,090 --> 00:30:03,490 But you mean 1010 Shore Drive. Okay. 151 00:30:03,490 --> 00:30:09,930 And so how is that going to affect that land property that was put in agreement for the leach field? 152 00:30:09,930 --> 00:30:35,450 Well, I'm not exactly. I've seen the agreement for the leach field. Um these two lots FGK would not necessarily have any of that because the owner at that time was this lot, which is the ten shore drive. That property, I believe does have the benefit of a right of way over here? Yes. So that would be this property. But it doesn't extend to these three. 153 00:30:35,450 --> 00:30:43,130 Okay. So that would still stay with just just that one property. Yes. Okay. 154 00:30:43,130 --> 00:30:51,890 Is that going to be put in writing somewhere? Because we've had people from these other properties trying to use that land. 155 00:30:51,890 --> 00:31:26,090 Right now it's going to be I don't know where those other people are. They're over here or on the other side of Perry Street. You're going to have to deal with them and tell them they don't have any rights there, because the easement agreement that created the septic system was with this gentleman who owns the central drive. Matt 15, lot 4849. Now, the current owner does own that. So right now he owns everything. I mean, he's sitting in the back. So he's going to hear what you have to say. And, and but this is the only property that has that associated right to the water. 156 00:31:26,090 --> 00:31:27,050 So then these lots would. 157 00:31:27,050 --> 00:31:29,370 Not, these lots would not. 158 00:31:29,370 --> 00:31:40,090 It would have been nice to have been approached ahead of this time to have a conversation. I'm sorry we had to bring this up tonight. Thank you. You're welcome. 159 00:31:40,090 --> 00:31:42,330 Ma'am. Gentleman with. 160 00:31:42,330 --> 00:31:44,810 The hat. Did you want to come up or somebody else wanted to come up? 161 00:31:44,810 --> 00:31:45,810 Yeah, it's just. 162 00:31:45,810 --> 00:32:24,090 My name is Oscar. I'm calling from Short drive. South Shore Drive, which is next to five. Okay. And, uh, some of the concerns are to the safety in the area because that lane that goes into the water that goes into between both properties, since there's nobody in, uh, like claims or we don't know who belongs to this, this property. Uh, we seen in the summer many people that was using that dock, uh, in that area to get access to the water. Wow. And we thought that that was from the owners, but we don't know the owners. 163 00:32:24,090 --> 00:32:25,450 Right. 164 00:32:25,450 --> 00:32:31,010 Nobody. Yeah. We don't we don't know anybody and we don't know what exactly is happening around. 165 00:32:31,010 --> 00:32:31,930 Okay. 166 00:32:31,930 --> 00:32:37,050 I guess this is part of the conversation. 167 00:32:37,050 --> 00:32:40,970 All right. 168 00:32:40,970 --> 00:32:43,610 Anybody else? 169 00:32:43,610 --> 00:32:48,810 Gentlemen. 170 00:32:48,810 --> 00:32:50,090 Good evening. 171 00:32:50,090 --> 00:32:52,570 My name is nine Shore Drive. 172 00:32:52,570 --> 00:32:53,570 What's your name again? 173 00:32:53,570 --> 00:32:57,810 Michael Kerins. Okay, ERINS. 174 00:32:57,810 --> 00:33:21,490 I guess we would have liked to have seen the plan that they proposed. Uh, this attorney came up here and said two weeks ago he was before you and proposed a plan. Mhm. We didn't get it. We didn't get anything of that. And what we did get is a drawing of the all merged lots. We've never seen a map of what the. 175 00:33:21,490 --> 00:33:22,850 Lots look like separated. 176 00:33:22,850 --> 00:33:41,770 Going backwards. So I think that's something that should have happened before there was a meeting to approve it going backwards, I don't. I mean, basically he stood up there and said, it's going back to the way it was, but nobody's ever shown us what it was. 177 00:33:41,770 --> 00:33:43,610 Lisa? 178 00:33:43,610 --> 00:33:44,450 Um, Mr.. 179 00:33:44,450 --> 00:33:58,770 Campbell, could you correct me if I'm wrong? But is this all this is happening within the boundary lines of one lot, one unwillingly merged lot. So it's all one owner's property and they're not doing anything outside of their own property. 180 00:33:58,770 --> 00:34:21,250 Is that correct? S1: 181 00:34:21,250 --> 00:34:23,570 All right. 182 00:34:23,570 --> 00:34:23,970 We can hear. 183 00:34:23,970 --> 00:34:24,170 That. 184 00:34:24,170 --> 00:34:25,210 Supposed to be up there. 185 00:34:25,210 --> 00:34:25,450 Okay. 186 00:34:25,450 --> 00:34:26,450 Well. 187 00:34:26,450 --> 00:34:27,250 Before tonight. 188 00:34:27,250 --> 00:35:21,490 Yeah. Excuse me if I might. Okay. Just so you know, as long as he's doing something with inside his borders of his property, he doesn't have to notify you of anything. All they're doing is he's not even changing the ground layout. He's just merging the lots. Nothing's going to happen until he comes before a board and says, I want to put a house on it, or I want to put a garage on it, or I may never do anything with it. So all of this is legitimately before the board. That's why we did it two weeks ago, and that's why we're doing it again tonight. Because inside his boundaries, he can do pretty much what he wants as long as they weren't merged by him originally. So we're just taking them apart because the town put them together, that's all. There's nothing dramatic going on. Nobody's trying to. 189 00:35:21,490 --> 00:35:42,410 No one's saying it's dramatic, but I do think, as I said previously, you should show where it's going before it gets approved by the board. You're talking as if it's his property, and I get that. But you're going to approve the subdivision that nobody's ever shown any of us. 190 00:35:42,410 --> 00:35:44,290 It's not a subdivision. 191 00:35:44,290 --> 00:35:45,570 Not a subdivision. 192 00:35:45,570 --> 00:35:48,330 He's erasing a line. That's all he's doing. He just wants. 193 00:35:48,330 --> 00:35:50,690 To own anything. He's got to go before zoning or planning. 194 00:35:50,690 --> 00:36:15,330 Yeah. So he's just going to have to go before the zoning board or the variance board or something, and then they'll notify you of a building or whatever else, you know, fence, whatever. But right now he just wants to be able to unmerge them, that's all. 195 00:36:15,330 --> 00:36:18,170 So to go back to this used. 196 00:36:18,170 --> 00:36:32,170 To be separate and this one will be separate. These two will remain together, particularly because of that septic line and the easement that was granted to these folks. So the registered letter that came to us doesn't show anything. 197 00:36:32,170 --> 00:36:32,970 It shows. 198 00:36:32,970 --> 00:36:33,930 What looks to be two. 199 00:36:33,930 --> 00:36:35,410 Lots, right? It shows. 200 00:36:35,410 --> 00:36:36,490 This and. 201 00:36:36,490 --> 00:36:39,450 This. I didn't send out the registered. 202 00:36:39,450 --> 00:36:40,290 Sent out the registered. 203 00:36:40,290 --> 00:36:48,010 Letter. The town sends out letters to town, letting them know that the request to Unmerge the lots is coming before the council. 204 00:36:48,010 --> 00:36:50,810 I just want to show you what we received. Okay. 205 00:36:50,810 --> 00:37:00,730 It looks like they're taking this one big lot and merging it to two this and that, and that's not what we show. 206 00:37:00,730 --> 00:37:09,090 So I guess I assume the town probably had posted some of the materials for tonight's. We did. Yes. Yes we did. 207 00:37:09,090 --> 00:37:09,330 On the. 208 00:37:09,330 --> 00:37:09,930 Website. 209 00:37:09,930 --> 00:37:10,250 It's on our. 210 00:37:10,250 --> 00:37:14,010 Website. Would have been visible if you'd gone to the website, I guess. 211 00:37:14,010 --> 00:37:23,610 Other comments you said was it's undeveloped property. There's a homicide. Well, that's not that's not undeveloped property. That's that's developed property. 212 00:37:23,610 --> 00:37:26,450 There's no hot tea or here or here. The house is here. 213 00:37:26,450 --> 00:37:28,530 Does the septic system count as developed? 214 00:37:28,530 --> 00:37:29,770 Well, and that's not here. 215 00:37:29,770 --> 00:37:37,650 Yeah. So each piece of property right now is developed. So your statement of it's undeveloped property is incorrect. 216 00:37:37,650 --> 00:37:45,450 Well G, F and k are undeveloped. There's nothing on them and they haven't been used for any purpose. Yeah. 217 00:37:45,450 --> 00:37:46,210 If there's a drive. 218 00:37:46,210 --> 00:37:46,530 Going. 219 00:37:46,530 --> 00:37:52,970 Through both of these and you got septic system, you got a drive going through all these lots and you have a. 220 00:37:52,970 --> 00:37:54,170 House. 221 00:37:54,170 --> 00:37:56,610 That's developed. 222 00:37:56,610 --> 00:37:57,050 Okay. 223 00:37:57,050 --> 00:38:02,610 I think I think you need to go back to property and look at what the property actually is. 224 00:38:02,610 --> 00:38:07,530 I think that's out there once. Okay. Okay. Thank you. 225 00:38:07,530 --> 00:38:27,250 Also, stuff might have been available online, but on the letter that we received in the mail, it said, if you have any questions, call this number, which we did. And they pretty much said, you have to come to the meeting to get any information. So they didn't say to us, you can get information by going online to do more research. 226 00:38:27,250 --> 00:38:27,930 Okay. 227 00:38:27,930 --> 00:38:32,810 So we didn't even know that was an option. 228 00:38:32,810 --> 00:38:50,330 Mr. Kim, for clarification, as far as you know, the the lots that you're on merging are undeveloped. There's no there's no structures on them, structures, no underground stuff, nothing. No, nobody built a bomb shelter or anything. 229 00:38:50,330 --> 00:38:54,330 And if the septic system. So that would be developed. 230 00:38:54,330 --> 00:38:55,970 No septic. 231 00:38:55,970 --> 00:38:57,770 System is not on those three lots. 232 00:38:57,770 --> 00:38:58,130 Staying. 233 00:38:58,130 --> 00:38:59,250 As is. Yes it is. 234 00:38:59,250 --> 00:39:02,730 It's staying. That's staying with the one with the house. 235 00:39:02,730 --> 00:39:04,370 It's staying with the one lot. The house. 236 00:39:04,370 --> 00:39:06,530 Is on one lot and the septic system is. 237 00:39:06,530 --> 00:39:09,130 On. But they're staying as one. 238 00:39:09,130 --> 00:39:10,050 No they're not. 239 00:39:10,050 --> 00:39:12,170 No they're not. That's not what they're showing. 240 00:39:12,170 --> 00:40:04,330 All right. Explain it. Okay. The the lot with the septic system serves ten shore drive and by an easement document serves the property of five Shore Drive. This survey, done by Meissner in July of this year, shows those two lines passing through parcel L with a septic system on parcel J. That lot J and L are not being Unmerged. Thank you. They are staying together. Right. The lots that are being asked to be basically unmerged are K, which is up here at the corner of Henry Taylor and Shore Drive. And then F and G, which are at the corner of Prairie and Shore Drive down here. So the septic system is not on any of the lots that we're asking to have. Unmerged. 241 00:40:04,330 --> 00:40:07,850 But it's on the law that currently has the house. 242 00:40:07,850 --> 00:40:08,570 It sure does. 243 00:40:08,570 --> 00:40:10,130 It is not the one that you're saying. 244 00:40:10,130 --> 00:40:23,480 Actually, I don't think the house is even on this for 8 or 8. I think it's on four, eight four, nine. But the septic system that serves ten shore drive is on four, 848. 245 00:40:23,480 --> 00:40:27,560 Right. The plumbing has to come from the house to the septic system. 246 00:40:27,560 --> 00:40:51,880 So they've never been those have never been. Those have always been septic separate. In other words, the owner at ten Shore Drive, um, built the septic system at a time when he owned parcel J. And he agreed to grant an easement to the other people across the street. 247 00:40:51,880 --> 00:41:06,720 That still doesn't follow your statement, that the lot that the house is on does not have any of the septic. Yes. That's not from an engineering standpoint. It's impossible. 248 00:41:06,720 --> 00:41:09,320 But that. 249 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:11,320 Okay. 250 00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:46,280 I don't think I don't think we're going to resolve it in the next two minutes. But what I believe, Mr. Campbell said was that the three lots that are being unmerged have no house, no septic, no pipes, no anything. The other two have septic and a pipe that goes between them. And those were always the same. And we're not talking about those. We're talking about the other three lots. So I'm going to ask for a vote. All those in favor? Oh. Did you have something you wanted to say, Mr. 251 00:41:46,280 --> 00:42:33,680 Bettencourt? S8: 252 00:42:33,680 --> 00:43:44,440 The process is that if Mr. Campbell's client wants to unmerge his properties and we go back as long as there were maps and or tax records, and we find that they were never voluntarily by the owner put together, then the town had no right to tax them as if they were together. And therefore we're just merging them. That's it. That's all we can do. We can't do anything else. If he wants to build 42 homes there, then he has to go to variance and planning and all the other stuff. But we're only talking about taking the lots and merging them. What they do afterwards. You will be notified by the Variance Board or the Planning Board or whoever. If somebody's going to put something in your eyesight, if you can look out your window and see it, then you're probably going to get told that there'll be a house, a garage, a shed, whatever. So based on what Mr. Campbell's doing here, I don't think we have a problem. But Mr. Campbell looks like he wants to say something. 253 00:43:44,440 --> 00:44:32,280 Well, I just want to say, Mr. Chairman, I don't want you to overstate something. So, for example, um, five, if we went to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to get a variance to do parcel F at the end of Prairie Street and Shore Drive. Yeah. The owner at five Shore Drive probably is not going to get noticed because they're not, they're not an abutter to that property. They're not they're not in abutter. They're further away. So some of those folks might not get it. If we do partial F, um, some people across Ferry Street, some people across Shore Drive, but I don't know that five Shore Drive would get noticed because first of all, ten shore Drive is between it and Parcells. J and L will still be between it, so they won't be in a butter. 254 00:44:32,280 --> 00:44:50,480 So I can assure you they will know about it because we're going to be voting tonight about signage that's going to go out on any piece of property that's going for a variance or before the boards. It's going to say variance. It's going to give you information right on that signage. It has to be placed on that lot. So they will, I'm sure, be able to see. 255 00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:50,960 There has. 256 00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:55,720 Been constructive notice all along from publication. But obviously that doesn't always get. 257 00:44:55,720 --> 00:44:55,800 It. 258 00:44:55,800 --> 00:44:57,320 Doesn't always get. 259 00:44:57,320 --> 00:45:23,680 Heard. Everybody's computer savvy and can find it every time they want it. But I'll tell you one thing. If somebody tried to do that in my neighborhood up the street, I wasn't in a butter. and within five minutes of them receiving the letter, they were standing in my doorway. What can I do for you? They're going to make a mess out of the street. I said, okay, whatever. So we. 260 00:45:23,680 --> 00:45:24,160 Can I vote. 261 00:45:24,160 --> 00:45:25,640 Now? 262 00:45:25,640 --> 00:45:29,880 Let's do it again. 263 00:45:29,880 --> 00:45:32,440 All those in favor? S1: 264 00:45:32,440 --> 00:45:37,160 Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Have a good night. Thank you. Congratulations. Police department. 265 00:45:37,160 --> 00:45:37,800 Yeah. 266 00:45:37,800 --> 00:45:39,440 I guess we gotta find a flag, though. 267 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:40,480 Yeah. 268 00:45:40,480 --> 00:45:41,400 Yeah. 269 00:45:41,400 --> 00:45:42,880 We got one yet? 270 00:45:42,880 --> 00:45:46,200 Yeah. There you go. 271 00:45:46,200 --> 00:45:49,360 Okay. 272 00:45:49,360 --> 00:45:58,120 Mr. Devine, we're going to go to see public hearing. I'm going to open a public hearing on town wide fee schedule. 273 00:45:58,120 --> 00:46:20,080 So this will be resolution 2026-17, which is a public hearing in the finance department to consider the 2027 town Schedule your Las Vegas trip for Finance director was before you to propose some changes. There is one change that was reflective of the Council that has now been updated with an existing schedule. 274 00:46:20,080 --> 00:46:22,040 Miss McGee. 275 00:46:22,040 --> 00:46:42,120 Town council. My name is Nicole McGee. I'm the finance director here again. We were here a couple of weeks ago about the proposed fee schedule and the questions you may have. Um, as I said, we did update the mattress and box spring fees based off of the discussion that was had a couple weeks ago. 276 00:46:42,120 --> 00:46:44,680 Questions? 277 00:46:44,680 --> 00:46:48,520 Mr. 278 00:46:48,520 --> 00:46:58,560 hatch? S13: 279 00:46:58,560 --> 00:47:10,600 VIN number identifications. To me, I look at that as somebody coming into the town hall and wanting a document notarized. 280 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:42,880 It's really, to me, there's nothing special going on. Maybe the chief can come up and explain, because I had it done. The guy officer came out. I waited longer in the waiting room than it took him to the ID, you know, to verify the VIN number and it cost me 15 bucks. So to me, it's the same as somebody getting notarized. And we do that for free at the town hall. So explain to me what that why we charge $15 for that. 281 00:47:42,880 --> 00:47:45,720 And maybe the chief will help you out since he's back there. 282 00:47:45,720 --> 00:47:47,520 Because we don't want him to go there. 283 00:47:47,520 --> 00:47:49,960 What are you talking about? 284 00:47:49,960 --> 00:48:04,320 Yeah. Something different on the screen. Yeah. So this is a fee that's currently in place, not one that's changed. I would imagine again, I don't know the answer to that. I wasn't prepared. I didn't know that. 285 00:48:04,320 --> 00:48:08,280 My guess is probably just a staff member's time. 286 00:48:08,280 --> 00:48:08,840 Make a motion. 287 00:48:08,840 --> 00:48:09,120 To make. 288 00:48:09,120 --> 00:48:12,360 It zero. 289 00:48:12,360 --> 00:48:15,120 Let me do it. Be brave. 290 00:48:15,120 --> 00:48:17,200 Where were you during the budget? What are we. 291 00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:17,520 Doing? 292 00:48:17,520 --> 00:48:17,960 We do it. 293 00:48:17,960 --> 00:48:18,400 Now. 294 00:48:18,400 --> 00:48:20,360 Okay. Okay. All right. 295 00:48:20,360 --> 00:48:23,760 This is. This is coming before us again. Just so you know. 296 00:48:23,760 --> 00:48:27,720 All right. There you go. 297 00:48:27,720 --> 00:48:28,840 Joel Dolan's my honor. 298 00:48:28,840 --> 00:48:29,360 To serve as. 299 00:48:29,360 --> 00:48:31,080 Chief. 300 00:48:31,080 --> 00:48:55,400 Uh, I don't have the answer off the top of my head. I don't know if it's. I don't think it's mandated by statute or if it's just something that a board many years ago put into the into the fee schedule because it was it's not really a law enforcement service. So so we are providing a service outside of our, our scope in the town. Just thought they should charge a fee for it because it is an administrative function performed by a town. 301 00:48:55,400 --> 00:49:38,240 So yes, I mean, yeah, I don't know. It's been around as long as I remember. I believe it went from 5 to 15 at one point, but it is. And I can do a little bit more research. And yeah, if you could or how many that we do. I mean, if it's something that we do a lot of. Yeah, then maybe, maybe that's the case. I don't know. I was just, I mean, it's not that I can get the exact number, but we do, we do the cost didn't throw me off. That's I mean, it's only $15. It's just that was to me. I equate it with getting something right. It's quick. It's easy. So why are we charging for it? If you could just. 302 00:49:38,240 --> 00:49:41,600 Like a second. Or do you have something else? 303 00:49:41,600 --> 00:49:43,360 Are we talking about water fees at this point? 304 00:49:43,360 --> 00:49:43,840 No. We're not. 305 00:49:43,840 --> 00:49:45,000 No. 306 00:49:45,000 --> 00:49:46,640 Miss Withrow. 307 00:49:46,640 --> 00:49:52,040 Mr. Town Manager, can you clarify if I wanted this information, could I go to the town hall and get it for nothing? 308 00:49:52,040 --> 00:49:53,720 It's a VIN verification. No. 309 00:49:53,720 --> 00:50:10,160 By statute, it requires a law enforcement officer to go out and verify the VIN and sign off This thing that they've looked at, the VIN on the vehicle, the trailer or whatever it is, and the VIN matches what's going to be on the bill of sale. I think you can also go to a station, you can go to a station, or a service station will charge you. 310 00:50:10,160 --> 00:50:11,840 They will charge you. 311 00:50:11,840 --> 00:50:14,920 So. 312 00:50:14,920 --> 00:51:56,880 That's that's valid to I don't know if the inspection watch, but I can get you that information. Well, why don't we just don't go to the police department? Well, DJ, thank you, Mr. Chairman. So Mr. Hatch's comment brings up two things. The first is we're going to get the full town wide fee schedule before us for approval later this winter. Right. So we'll be able to dive into all of that, but the conversation and then it will pertain to what's before us directly tonight. You know, it's my perennial point that, you know, the town wide fee schedule fees are intended to cover the costs of the services that are being rendered. And so again, I'll say when this matter comes before us, I guess in February, I'm going to be asking that question I think you're hearing already, but some others are going to have that question as well. If the fee is going up, the fee is going down, whatever. What is impacting that? What is the increase in the cost to cover that service? It's not a revenue maker. It's intended to cover the cost. So with regard to the transfer station issue, I understand that we've had significant challenges with getting the trash out of town and that the costs associated with that, wherever the heck it goes to China or wherever has gone up. So my question in this instance is, are these fees? So we're implementing a new one and we're increasing another. Is that going to get us closer, if not completely, to cover the costs of what we've got to get out of there. And you know Cathy's laughing because it's a rhetorical question reality because the answer is going to be no. 313 00:51:56,880 --> 00:51:57,680 Correct. 314 00:51:57,680 --> 00:52:48,440 So I think we've got to be smart about this in the sense that how much of the fee is going to cover such that we don't have to dip into the underlying budget for the transfer station when we go through the budgeting in a couple of weeks. Well, that's the comment I made two weeks ago. Yeah. The exact same comment to Nicole before the meeting even started. Does this cover the costs or these changes cover the cost of whatever we're doing? And if that's not covering the cost, then that's. So when I went out there and I found out that people are dropping off somewhere in the vicinity of 90 mattresses a week, that's a lot. And they're heavy. And when they get wet, they're heavier. So when they go out, they get weighed. So it's, it's we need to work this out. 315 00:52:48,440 --> 00:52:48,960 This one's a. 316 00:52:48,960 --> 00:53:48,470 Tough one to Mr. Chairman, because you've got subsidization essentially taking place here because we give permits for free to those who are 65 and older, which I support. So the fees have to not. The fees have to try to cover some of the cost, and then also backfill some of the loss of revenue from the fact that we've given this benefit to older residents, which, again, I don't have a problem with. My point is, you know, it cuts both ways for me. When I see a fee go up, I want to understand what the cost driver of that is. And, you know, because I want to try to keep them as low as we can. But when I see something that, you know, I know for a fact is not going to cover the cost. And my next question is, well, what's that delta going to be? So I'm not just trying to drive everything down though. That's great. I also want to try to understand how we're protecting, in this case, the underlying budget line for the transfer station so that we can budget for that as appropriately as we can. 317 00:53:48,470 --> 00:53:55,190 Historically, the Town Council Board of Selectmen have not. 318 00:53:55,190 --> 00:55:28,030 My experience here. They've not tried to make the permit fee equal the cost of operating the transfer station. They. So this this proposed change will not even bring us remotely close to the cost of what it is to operate the transfer station. There was discussions in the past of, you know, slowly trying to increase fees to get us to that point. Um, I think there was, you know, a couple of moves made over a few years to get the fees up to the $60. The transfer station committee met and came up with a recommendation to increase it at least by $10. As we are going out to bid for a new solid waste contract, we anticipate that our cost, our tipping fees will increase by at least, if not more than $10, $10 per pound or per ton. Excuse me. Um, yeah, that would be a big change, right? Yeah. Um, so that's where this generates. The committee said, let's at least be proactive. And then truly, at any time, the fee schedule can be modified by the town council at any time. We just typically do it this time of year for two reasons. One is to. We can modify the revenue budget to for any changes that are made. And then the second is, of course, with the water and sewer rates trying to hit that January 1st target so that each section of town gets the same rate change in same fiscal year. 319 00:55:28,030 --> 00:55:31,150 Mr. hatch, I assume a couple of things. Just one. 320 00:55:31,150 --> 00:55:32,110 O. 321 00:55:32,110 --> 00:55:32,870 The. 322 00:55:32,870 --> 00:55:34,430 It's got to do with the collection. 323 00:55:34,430 --> 00:56:09,110 Of fees. I have no problem with the fee. As a matter of fact, I question whether. Whether it's high enough. But that's neither here or there. The. Um, can we work on the system where the residents can go online And pay for the electronics or the mattresses or whatever they're trying to get rid of, so they don't drive down there with them on a Saturday and get turned around because they didn't go to Town hall on Friday and get a thing. So if we can figure this out, that's something staff is looking into currently because I watched three people. 324 00:56:09,110 --> 00:56:10,190 But they should know. 325 00:56:10,190 --> 00:56:10,790 So. 326 00:56:10,790 --> 00:56:12,670 They should know. It's been that way for years. 327 00:56:12,670 --> 00:56:13,470 Yeah. 328 00:56:13,470 --> 00:56:21,310 So I don't I don't buy that. But we can improve. Right. Yeah. But I don't buy that. They don't know it's a convenience. 329 00:56:21,310 --> 00:56:23,670 So that's all. 330 00:56:23,670 --> 00:56:56,710 Miss Withrow just quickly I'm supportive of both of these fees. I don't have a problem with the the vendor verification either because it is a service that we're providing. Um, I think this is almost like a stopgap. The finance committee is going to be looking at the fee schedule. They're going to be really diving in and coming up with justifications for all the fees. If we're charging too much or if we're not charging enough, we're going to get some some definitive answers on why and what's appropriate. So I'm content almost with the status quo and looking forward to them doing that. 331 00:56:56,710 --> 00:56:59,110 Nothing further. Mr.. 332 00:56:59,110 --> 00:57:42,470 Mr. chairman, at this time, I move that the Town Council hereby adopt resolution number 2020 617 relating to the adoption of the 2027 town wide fee schedule, with such fee schedule to be effective January 1st, 2027, this resolution shall take effect upon its passage as follows. Whereas, section 1.2 of the Town Charter vested in the Town Council, the powers of the legislative and governing bodies and. Whereas RSA 419 A two allows the governing Board to establish and amend fees provided, the provisions of RSA 419 A1 have been met. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Town Council that the Town Council votes to adopt the proposed town wide fee schedule effective January 1st, 2027. 333 00:57:42,470 --> 00:57:43,270 Second. 334 00:57:43,270 --> 00:57:47,430 Motion been made and seconded. 335 00:57:47,430 --> 00:57:54,750 All those in favor? S17: 336 00:57:54,750 --> 00:57:55,430 It's a fun. 337 00:57:55,430 --> 00:58:00,830 Job. 338 00:58:00,830 --> 00:58:02,190 Okay. 339 00:58:02,190 --> 00:58:03,390 Next up is. 340 00:58:03,390 --> 00:58:04,710 D. 341 00:58:04,710 --> 00:58:12,310 Public hearing again. We're going to open a public hearing to consider a zoning amendment. Open another public meeting. 342 00:58:12,310 --> 00:58:29,750 This is for resolution 2026-18, which is zoning amendment to the Municipal Code chapter 490 attachment one, which is the permanent use table after September 14th meeting. Jacob La Fontaine was here to speak to this. Um, if you have any questions. Assistant town manager. I was here to answer that for you. 343 00:58:29,750 --> 00:59:01,630 I'm happy to answer any questions. This is a really straightforward one. Um, right now we have several different lines for churches versus religious institutions. Um, daycare center versus childcare versus group daycare. This is just to clean up the use table, just to make it easier to administer and really get rid of what's really just kind of confusing to people who are trying to understand what they can do and where they can do it. 344 00:59:01,630 --> 00:59:55,190 Mr. chairman, this time I move that the Town Council hereby adopt resolution number 2020 618 to consider amendments to Municipal Code, chapter 490 zoning Attachment number one permitted use table as recommended by the Planning Board. Whereas, the Salem Town Charter adopted by voters at Town Meeting March 14th, 2023, vests the Town Council with the authority to adopt and amend land use ordinances. And Whereas, the Planning Division has proposed amendments to the Permitted Use table for attachment, one that consolidates educational uses and religious uses and allows personal service uses in the business office district. And. Whereas, the Planning Board, at their August 25th, 2026 meeting, has unanimously voted to recommend Town Council adoption of the proposed amendments. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Salem Town Council that the Salem Town Council hereby approves the amendments to the Permitted Use Table as presented. 345 00:59:55,190 --> 01:00:00,990 Second motion been made and seconded. 346 01:00:00,990 --> 01:00:08,430 All those in favor? S17: 347 01:00:08,430 --> 01:00:16,510 And we're going to open another one on another zoning amendment. And, Miss Mayhew, you're up. 348 01:00:16,510 --> 01:01:53,190 So this is zoning amendment. It's a resolution 2026-19. Um relative to mixed use development in commercial districts to comply with state law. Um, there were legislative changes HB six, 31, 1010 and 1588 that did amend RSA 674 80. Um, this is in effect and does require that municipalities allow, um, multifamily housing in districts where commercial development is permitted. So right now the state law is in effect, it preempts our local zoning. So regardless of if the council did not want to change this, we're bound by state law. Um, I will just point out that the language that we've proposed here and that has been reviewed and recommended by the Planning Board does, um, the statute does allow and we've included in our language just to strengthen the adequate infrastructure, storm water drainage traffic be provided. Um, the dimensional requirements be met. We have some limitations here on ground floor space. So restricting um, at least 33% of ground floor space to commercial use and addressing incompatible impacts. So we are required to meet state statute. Um, and this is a way that we're able to meet the state law and also still make sure the Planning Board has adequate controls to make sure the housing is being built is meeting our standards. 349 01:01:53,190 --> 01:01:54,230 Mr. 350 01:01:54,230 --> 01:04:48,470 Sweeney? S4: 351 01:04:48,470 --> 01:04:50,390 Um, I have Miss Stacy. 352 01:04:50,390 --> 01:06:01,740 Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, um, I obviously took the time to read these pieces of legislation. And my suggestion to the people who are watching, if you don't like it, contact your politicians because that's who's in charge of putting this stuff into effect. I have a real problem when I see a piece of legislation that says this is by right, number one. Number two, my belief was when I read this that if it's a commercial property, they cannot build above what they already have for height. They can't go above, they can't build floors above. They have to stay within the guidelines of what that building currently is on the property. That's what I read in this piece of legislation. So I just want people to realize that so that they realize, you know, if it's over in the commercial zone, I mean, I'm not happy about this, but obviously, again, our hands are tied because it's the state law. So we have to comply. We have to comply. Otherwise we get sued. And we certainly don't want those kind of lawsuits. But again, I suggest that if you have a problem, you start reaching out to your state reps and your senator, let it be known. Thank you. 353 01:06:01,740 --> 01:06:09,100 Paul. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A lot of the concerns I hear I've heard around town are their concerns between. 354 01:06:09,100 --> 01:06:09,940 The. 355 01:06:09,940 --> 01:06:12,100 The corridor of route 28. 356 01:06:12,100 --> 01:06:13,340 Um. 357 01:06:13,340 --> 01:07:53,780 There is I was kind of I had to reluctantly vote yes on the planning board because we had we do must have to comply with state law, although one of the, one of the restrictions here that that are kind of scares people, uh, in, uh, in number two, the Requirements. Uh, it says however preexisting non-conforming structures may be converted into multi-family dwelling units if the structure's envelope is not altered to further violate zoning requirements. That's a that's a good, good, uh, paragraph to consider. But most, most of route 28 that I find right now, uh, most of the dwellings in, uh, structures in route 28 will probably not conform with the requirements that are, that are needed, uh, to build multi-family units on the, um, you need 33% of the floor space. Uh, that's another one of them. And the floor ground space. Uh, this certainly isn't enough land property where these, uh, buildings on 28 originally exist. Now to, make a massive comply with the setback, comply with the 33% of ground floor and have enough parking in the area for whatever they want to put up. So. So hopefully you won't see any a lot of this on Ward 28. I can't guarantee it, but hopefully we won't. 358 01:07:53,780 --> 01:08:43,900 Mr. hatch okay, so it's been stated that we're doing this to comply with the state law, which I understand, but complying with state law and creating an ordinance that complies with state law is like two different things, because we've already stated a couple of times that if we if we vote this down and don't create the ordinance, then they'd be allowed to do it anyway. So I'm going to vote no against this, because I feel like we're creating an ordinance that we don't really need. And if something happens and the attitude changes and they repeal this law, now we're going to have to have another meeting to repeal the ordinance. And and if they're sleeping at the wheel ten years from now while I'm six feet under. 359 01:08:43,900 --> 01:08:44,220 Ten. 360 01:08:44,220 --> 01:09:06,900 Years, you know, who's you know, they don't realize the ordinance is even written. Someone's going to walk in the door and say, hey, I can do this because it says it here. I to me, I don't think we need the ordinance saying we got to comply with state law anyway. Then why create the trouble to say. 361 01:09:06,900 --> 01:09:09,540 Miss Withrow? 362 01:09:09,540 --> 01:09:10,700 Um. 363 01:09:10,700 --> 01:09:25,060 Okay, so two things. One, to Jeff's point, can we make this only effective as long as the state requires it? Cannot ordinance only be. Can it be tied to that? And if they repeal it, it's automatically off our books. 364 01:09:25,060 --> 01:09:25,500 I don't think. 365 01:09:25,500 --> 01:09:26,300 So. 366 01:09:26,300 --> 01:09:27,380 I don't think we can do that. 367 01:09:27,380 --> 01:10:01,340 Okay. I didn't think so, but I wanted to ask. So of the ground floor space, 33% of available ground floor space has to be commercial use. So, Joe, this might be to you. I had asked Cathy. She pulled this out. Um, I was wondering if a commercial apartment building went there. Is that first floor considered if it's lobby space, is it considered commercial? And according to number three on whatever this is here, it says an example would be retail office lobbies, residential amenities. So it doesn't have to have an office or retail store. 368 01:10:01,340 --> 01:10:03,260 Right. A gymnasium downstairs. 369 01:10:03,260 --> 01:10:16,980 It could be something that people off the street cannot walk into vending areas. It's only for that building. And I think that flies in the face of the gold deal. So I think that I don't think we can do anything about it. I think we should keep our eye on it. I think you should change it. Okay. 370 01:10:16,980 --> 01:10:19,100 This is this is this is. 371 01:10:19,100 --> 01:10:20,140 That's what we. 372 01:10:20,140 --> 01:10:20,660 That's us. 373 01:10:20,660 --> 01:10:23,940 That's us. So that we can change them. 374 01:10:23,940 --> 01:10:29,300 Okay, so let's 375 01:10:29,300 --> 01:10:31,660 Take that back. 376 01:10:31,660 --> 01:10:37,380 Anybody else? Joe. 377 01:10:37,380 --> 01:10:38,540 Go ahead. 378 01:10:38,540 --> 01:11:07,820 Mr. chair, this time I move that the Town Council hereby adopts resolution number 2020 619 to consider amendments to Salem Municipal Code, chapter 49501. Multifamily mixed use developments as recommended by the Planning Board. Whereas, the Salem Town Charter adopted by voters at Town Meeting March 14th, 2023, vested the Town Council with the authority to adopt and amend the land use ordinances. 379 01:11:07,820 --> 01:11:43,180 And Whereas, the Planning Division has proposed an amendment to 49501B1K S4: 380 01:11:43,180 --> 01:11:44,060 Second for discussion. 381 01:11:44,060 --> 01:11:47,500 Second for discussion. Miss Stacy. 382 01:11:47,500 --> 01:11:50,620 Would you modify that to make the changes that I just suggested? 383 01:11:50,620 --> 01:11:50,860 Yeah. 384 01:11:50,860 --> 01:11:53,020 What percentage? 385 01:11:53,020 --> 01:11:57,300 I like the 33%, but it should actually be retail or office or something. 386 01:11:57,300 --> 01:11:58,140 Somebody available. 387 01:11:58,140 --> 01:11:59,940 To use other than just people that. 388 01:11:59,940 --> 01:12:00,100 Live. 389 01:12:00,100 --> 01:12:01,380 Residential amenities. 390 01:12:01,380 --> 01:12:11,340 Yeah. Lobby. Residential amenities. I think 33% should actually be commercial or office or something for the general public. Yeah. 391 01:12:11,340 --> 01:12:12,380 Sure. 392 01:12:12,380 --> 01:12:21,500 I would, I would imagine that with that, if that if you have what needs to be written for that. Yeah. Everybody okay with that? Yeah. 393 01:12:21,500 --> 01:12:23,580 Yeah. I'll go with that. 394 01:12:23,580 --> 01:12:27,580 Okay, so my second stance. 395 01:12:27,580 --> 01:12:33,220 And our second stance. 396 01:12:33,220 --> 01:12:36,060 All those in favor? S15: 397 01:12:36,060 --> 01:12:43,460 Opposed? Three. Two ones opposed. Well we don't get. 398 01:12:43,460 --> 01:12:50,060 We're going to close that public meeting because God only knows we need another one. Hold on. 399 01:12:50,060 --> 01:12:59,860 Next up is f appropriate. Uh 2620 public hearing. Consider zoning amendments. 400 01:12:59,860 --> 01:13:01,660 Yay! S14: 401 01:13:01,660 --> 01:13:04,300 Everybody loves the zoning in their life. 402 01:13:04,300 --> 01:13:06,420 How about we just get rid of it? 403 01:13:06,420 --> 01:13:07,540 Oh, really? 404 01:13:07,540 --> 01:13:09,900 I'm living where I live. Everybody else can just sit down. 405 01:13:09,900 --> 01:13:55,420 This is resolution 2026-20 amendment relative to kennels. So is the council may recall at your prior meeting. This was included kennels and cigar bars, setting a restriction on how far they can be located from a residential district. Um, we did, at the council's request, eliminate cigar bars from this. We'll take that up in a future review of potential other amendments. So this is truly just establishing a 750 foot buffer between kennels from residential districts. It's just intended to preserve quality of life. Um, the character of those surrounding neighborhoods. Happy to answer any questions council has. 406 01:13:55,420 --> 01:13:56,140 Okay. 407 01:13:56,140 --> 01:14:10,060 I just had a question with regards to what do we have a definition for kennel? I just I'm just curious because, you know, my circumstance. So I'm just what's considered a kennel. We do. And I don't have it right here in front of me. But it is um, I'll keep this. 408 01:14:10,060 --> 01:14:10,380 I've looked. 409 01:14:10,380 --> 01:14:11,260 It up. 410 01:14:11,260 --> 01:14:12,620 And. 411 01:14:12,620 --> 01:14:12,940 It's. 412 01:14:12,940 --> 01:14:13,420 Five. 413 01:14:13,420 --> 01:14:18,220 Anything more than five? Thank you. Considered a kennel. Thank you. 414 01:14:18,220 --> 01:14:20,260 Dogs. dogs, dogs. 415 01:14:20,260 --> 01:14:25,780 Dogs, dogs. 416 01:14:25,780 --> 01:15:26,020 Mr. chairman, at this time I move that the Town Council hereby adopt resolution Number 20 2620 to consider amendments to the Salem Municipal Code, chapter 400 9501 proximity of kennels to residential districts as recommended by the Planning Board. Whereas, the Salem Town Charter adopted by voters at Town Meeting March 14th, 2023, vest the Town Council with the authority to adopt and amend land use ordinances. And Whereas, the Planning Division has proposed an amendment to 495 01C1E to establish a 750 foot buffer between kennels from residential districts to preserve quality of life, property values and the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. And whereas the Planning Board, at their August 25th, 2026 meeting, has unanimously voted to recommend Town Council adoption of the proposed amendment. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Salem Town Council that the Town Council hereby approves the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance as presented. 417 01:15:26,020 --> 01:15:26,940 Second. 418 01:15:26,940 --> 01:15:37,860 Motion been made and seconded. Questions on cigar bars and dog kennels. This kennel. I'm sorry. Just kennels. 419 01:15:37,860 --> 01:15:41,820 And those of you who didn't hear kennel. 420 01:15:41,820 --> 01:15:42,780 Is anything over five, right? Keith? S19: 421 01:15:42,780 --> 01:15:47,940 Okay. 422 01:15:47,940 --> 01:15:55,620 All those in favor? S15: 423 01:15:55,620 --> 01:16:03,060 Hold on a second. Close that meeting and, oh, we're out of it. No. 424 01:16:03,060 --> 01:16:04,380 We did this last time. 425 01:16:04,380 --> 01:16:15,740 Oh, great. All right, so now we're finally into new stuff. All right. Municipal service department. Water restriction update. Mr. Devine. 426 01:16:15,740 --> 01:16:17,220 So I'm putting your package of staff report from. 427 01:16:17,220 --> 01:16:24,700 Minister Services Director Wayne Amaral. Wayne is here to talk about the water restrictions in town and to give an update on the lake levels, I can't. 428 01:16:24,700 --> 01:16:25,060 Thank you. 429 01:16:25,060 --> 01:18:12,740 William Mitchell, services director. Um, we have good news. Um, because of your proactive, um, decision you made on May 4th or May 14th of 2026, we're at a pretty acceptable level. As you see below, we will make it until the fall with the restrictions we have right now. If we keep the restriction going at right now at 215.99. As of September 18th, our model is predicting around 215.88. By the time we get to mid October mid November, we should go down to apply. So we're in very good shape. And it's because we did the proactive um making the restriction. Actually on the days that we restrict water that we allow for no watering, we have a 10% reduction in water, which is huge for us. So it shows that it works. It shows that we have a tool that we could use in the years coming. We have this happening again next year or of the year after that could be just water that. With restriction and balancing of the regional water usage every every day on a daily basis. Should they be succeeded? We don't have extra water. I'm not trying to. I would not recommend we get off of the restriction. I would wait until we get Tallahassee on. We won't come back to you and ask you to rescind the restriction for the season. So I think we're in very good shape. Honestly, I think we did. What we did was the right thing. We called it early other places. If you heard in the news and you saw it, they called it late. We had to do mandatory restrictions seven days a week, 24, seven. We never had to do that. So we allowed our residents to water them on every other day, which is a pretty good deal. We did so everybody could save their lawn this year. That's where we're at this year. I want to say we did a great job. I think we did a great job. You guys did a great job on that. I think we're in a good position and a very drought season. 430 01:18:12,740 --> 01:18:16,020 Questions for Mr. Pelletier. 431 01:18:16,020 --> 01:18:28,820 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I don't know if you've driven by. But Carnivale is now down about right around two feet. What I what I can estimate. 432 01:18:28,820 --> 01:18:36,740 Are we holding more water now from the pipeline than we are from Carnivale? S16: 433 01:18:36,740 --> 01:18:38,700 Fred, come on up and join us. 434 01:18:38,700 --> 01:18:41,380 It's down to 2.5ft, 2.5ft. 435 01:18:41,380 --> 01:18:43,900 Thank you, Mr. Fred Wallace. 436 01:18:43,900 --> 01:18:44,620 Utilities. 437 01:18:44,620 --> 01:19:16,610 So we're taking as much water as we possibly can from, um, regional water. I mean, we're restricted to how much we can take. Right. We can only pump so much. The way we operate is we take more when the water treatment plant is operating and when the water treatment plant shuts down, we decrease the flow from regional gives out tanks a chance to, to, to cycle. So we're not creating quality farms in town, but we're taking as much as we possibly can. 438 01:19:16,610 --> 01:19:20,250 That answered my question. 439 01:19:20,250 --> 01:19:34,170 But obviously, as people calm down their watering as the weather gets cooler and we have more rain events, can we expect that to happen soon? Hopefully people don't want their lawn this weekend. 440 01:19:34,170 --> 01:19:38,570 Market basket did on 28th. 441 01:19:38,570 --> 01:20:01,930 They're inside. They're inside the Tuscan, aren't they? So they have their own. Well, okay. Okay. Speaking to him. They have their own. Well, right. Their own. Well, okay. Yeah. You go around town and some of these commercial properties and I'm not singling them out, but there's commercial properties that are spitting water out of there, you know. 442 01:20:01,930 --> 01:20:02,490 So one of the. 443 01:20:02,490 --> 01:20:02,930 Things. 444 01:20:02,930 --> 01:20:03,450 Systems. 445 01:20:03,450 --> 01:20:09,210 Selectmen did back in 2018, maybe 2017. 446 01:20:09,210 --> 01:20:10,690 Mandated in all. 447 01:20:10,690 --> 01:20:39,690 Commercial properties coming into the system. Had to drill a well if they wanted to go on irrigation, they couldn't. They couldn't buy an irrigation meter and use municipal water for irrigating. So there's a number of commercial properties that are out there. There are some that are buying water from Australia, and we track them and they're following the ordinance. But the ones that you're seeing watering, they're on a well and they have every not that it's the right thing to do, but they have every right to do so. 448 01:20:39,690 --> 01:20:54,530 Fantastic. Anything else for Fred or for Wayne? Not seeing any gentlemen. Thank you very much, Miss Donnelly. Did you have something to contribute? And your name wasn't on the list? But go ahead. 449 01:20:54,530 --> 01:20:56,610 I apologize for not putting my name on the list. 450 01:20:56,610 --> 01:20:57,850 That's okay. 451 01:20:57,850 --> 01:22:31,330 Donnelly, 40 West Dustin Road. I'm coming before you as Kennedy Lake Protective Association president to ask that we have. I know a agreement that says that the town will switch over no earlier than October 10th to Arlington Pond. And I'm just asking the board to consider switching over as soon as possible. As we know, our. The lake is down five feet because its top level is 220. And so it's now at 250. Hopefully by the time we get. It'll be up to 216 by the end of this spring period that we're proceeding, which we all are thanking our lucky stars for. As we know, we're going into a super El Nino year. So we don't know what the prediction of what kind of moisture we're going to be getting this winter. And as we know from last year, we didn't receive a lot of moisture from the snow. It was very crystallized. It was very cold weather. So therefore the snow that we did get was not dense with moisture. In addition, in the spring, we did not receive a lot of rain. So I'm hoping that I can work with the town and we can really convince the town to switch over to Arlington Pond as soon as possible, and to help Candy Lake recover and recharge and give us an extra month and not switch over mid-November. Switch over within October this year. And that's my request and hope the town would please take that under consideration. Um, as we move forward this fall. 452 01:22:31,330 --> 01:22:36,650 When's the actual switchover date? Normally. Fred. Mr. waltz. 453 01:22:36,650 --> 01:22:54,810 So we start drawing down, um, Arlington Pond, October 30th, usually after the Columbus Day holiday. Okay. We have to bring that down to to, uh, it's 116154. 454 01:22:54,810 --> 01:23:46,890 From 160. Um, during that draw down, we can't take water into the treatment plant to process it. It's just, it's too hard to manage. And we don't have the residuals handling to dispose of our wastewater. November 15th is our target date. We'll we'll do everything in our power to try to get over early. That's that's our intent every year. It's just it's physically impossible for us to do it as early as October 10th. October 15th. I know the Arlington language gives us the authority to take that water and use it if we can. As a matter of fact, we can take water at any time of the year, even in the summer, as long as the level is over 1617. So but it's our intent to get on that as early as we can. Okay, good. 455 01:23:46,890 --> 01:23:48,410 Thank you. I appreciate your time. 456 01:23:48,410 --> 01:23:53,570 Okay. Thank you. Mr. Thomas's report. 457 01:23:53,570 --> 01:25:16,290 Great. Thank you very much. So I do have a PowerPoint for you tonight. It'll be tough to see you kind of hold your shoulders a little bit, but just to kind of go over some stuff. Um, so I'm going to highlight a couple quick things. Um, move through this quickly for you. Uh, first, we're rebranding our employee of the month. Uh, before, which is kind of a nomination system anybody was able to nominate. Um, we kind of geared more towards what we feel Salem is, which is service accountability, leadership, excellence, and mission. So we're trying to make sure that it fits within those requirements as we're nominating people. Um, so for the first year, you know, if somebody was doing their job and they did a great job, we would reward them. We're looking for those people now that are going above and beyond and really helping the residents, things like that. So we hope this rebranding will really help bring things together for us. Um, so, uh, this past winter, Muckrock joined the state news and the Concord Monitor, um, surveyed 22 towns and 18 school districts under the right to know law, to see how transparent we were and how we would provide information. I'm happy to report Salem finished second out of the 22 towns with a score of 9.3 out of ten. Manchester was the only one higher at 9.5 um. They had eight different requests for us, responded um and they were very happy with the response, which is why we ranked second out of the 22 communities that they surveyed. 458 01:25:16,290 --> 01:26:34,810 Um, just to make you aware. So, um, freedom Energy and Salem are finalists for the Climate Transition Energy Leadership Award. Um, we're being recognized and it'll be October 8th at the Museum of Science in Boston, um, to see if we win this. Basically it's due to the partnership specifically around, uh, the creativeness that we've used for the electric co-op and really trying to get the rates at the best rate for the Salem ratepayers. Um, as we know, since we're sitting here, the police station is officially open again. We just want to thank everybody who was involved in that, specifically the voters, the contractors, and all of our partners who helped make this happen for us. Uh, just a reminder, we have a general election coming up in November. Third. You can register to vote by what? Until Wednesday, October 28th. We have to stop ten days prior to any election, but you can register to vote at Election Day at the polls. Just so you have an idea, absentee ballots will be arriving in mid-October. Primary we received. We had 188 requests for absentee ballots. We received 166 back. And again, we have four districts. We have eliminated two schools. So please pay attention to where you're supposed to be voting. I know there was some confusion during the primary as far as GIS being updated. It has been fully updated so people can go online and see where they're supposed to be voting and where they're supposed to go. 459 01:26:34,810 --> 01:27:08,290 Um, Arlington Mill Reservoir Watershed Plan. There's a public meeting on Tuesday, October 13th in the nightly meeting room from 5 to 6. Uh, this is a specifically talk about water quality and the cyanobacteria that's been occurring at Arlington Pond. Um, ZBA notification signs is Councilor Stacey kind of alluded to. Uh, this is something that we're going to start doing ten days prior to any hearing. We will be putting a notice at the property letting people know that we have a variance for this property. As you can see, there's a QR code that people can go up, take a picture of it, and they'll see the plans and see exactly what's going to be happening at that address. 460 01:27:08,290 --> 01:28:16,170 It's a quick community events, household hazardous hazardous waste days coming on October 17th. Um, that's 8 to 1. Uh, we have trunk or treat from 5 to 730 at the senior center. Uh, we will be having a costume contest for people ten and under. Trick or treating will be on October 31st from 6 to 8. And again this year we're doing a Salem freights, which is a Halloween display. People can register their addresses and let people know that they can come by and check out all their awesome Halloween decorations. Just a quick update for you just to give you some ideas. The department in the month of August had 528 runs. We collected $726,000 in motor vehicle and fee revenue. We issued 497 landfill permits. We had 231 backflow assemblies at it wise, we had 196 different IT help desk tickets. Um, it has been working hard on looking at our old copper lines and old data circuits. Um, we've retired several of those, resulting in a savings of approximately $17,000 so far. And then human service calls, we had 63 people looking for assistance and coming out for help. 461 01:28:16,170 --> 01:28:40,890 A couple quick staffing updates for you. We've had some staffing changes. Currently open right now is we have a planning director, chief assessor and municipal services director. We have a support service supervisor in the police and then a support service clerk part time and then welcoming some people aboard. We've hired a new collections clerk and a maintenance craftsman and assistant planner. The fire administration coordinator who you met tonight and a custodian for this building. 462 01:28:40,890 --> 01:29:20,090 I gave you guys an update on Bridge Street Bridge last meeting, but again, we're running 6 to 7 weeks behind the telling us December 4th. They'll be completed. Irma road is ongoing right now. Um, we are looking we just awarded the Brookdale Road sewer pump station. Mall. Road overpasses under work. Um. It will be stopping in the fall prior to Black Friday is what they've told us. With the work continuing again in the spring of 27. Uh, Lake and bluff, we started finalizing bids for this. This is going to be a warrant article we'll be looking for in 2027. Uh, the road program is wrapping up right now, just completing punch lists, and the fire station is going through schematic design right now. 463 01:29:20,090 --> 01:29:47,050 Uh, there's a lot of talk on the Reval. Um, just so people are aware, the deadline to register for a hearing was supposed to be today. We've asked vision to extend that because we heard some people that did not receive notices, um, in a timely fashion. So we are extending this to October 2nd. And they have opened up more dates as well for people looking to have hearings for this. This is the final step before the numbers are set. And we can file the Ms1 with the state to for tax rate setting purposes. 464 01:29:47,050 --> 01:30:56,490 Um budget calendar. On Thursday we're going to start the town Council budget review. Uh, the Finance Committee wrapped up on Monday reviewing the Town manager's budget. So. October 1st will be the Town Council's budget. October 2nd seventh will be another review, a possible final votes if the council wants to wrap it up that night. But we do have October 14th also held as well. If you need to have that for purposes for final voting. And then finally, something that I'm going to try to do this fall, I want to get out into the departments a little bit more. So I'm going to be making my mobile, my office mobile a little bit more. I'm going to be spending a week in every department working at that department. The idea is not to micromanage staff, not to micromanage the department heads, but really just to listen and kind of get an idea of what our staff is actually dealing with, hear their concerns, hear what's actually happening. I'm seeing different process improvements, things like that. So that's something you're going to see for me. So for some reason, I'm out of town hall. Maureen will let you know where I am, but I'm going to be just kind of bouncing around from each department to really get a good understanding of what we've got going on. And I'm happy to answer any questions that the Council may have. 465 01:30:56,490 --> 01:30:58,530 Questions, Mr. Sweeney. 466 01:30:58,530 --> 01:31:12,890 Thank you, sir. Um, the overpass at the mall. The last time the state was in here a year ago or a month ago, they promised it would be done before Black Friday. Craziness. Do we have an estimated last. 467 01:31:12,890 --> 01:31:16,690 I've heard they're still pushing towards the before the Black Friday. 468 01:31:16,690 --> 01:31:23,610 I just got off the phone, so I'm going to finish before Black Friday. Then they left Oklahoma Springs and. 469 01:31:23,610 --> 01:31:26,090 They're going to wait till the spring. Correct. Beautiful. 470 01:31:26,090 --> 01:31:26,890 Perfect. 471 01:31:26,890 --> 01:31:29,490 Thank you. 472 01:31:29,490 --> 01:31:31,250 Mr. Pelletier. 473 01:31:31,250 --> 01:31:41,770 Don't go anywhere. Thank you. You probably know what I'm going to ask you. I have a sign. School sign. 474 01:31:41,770 --> 01:31:42,210 They now. 475 01:31:42,210 --> 01:31:44,890 Have a. We'll be up before winter. 476 01:31:44,890 --> 01:31:45,810 I will follow. 477 01:31:45,810 --> 01:31:51,440 Up with James on that one. Now we have a staff member who could actually do that. 478 01:31:51,440 --> 01:32:02,560 I have a few people that are calling me up all the time. I follow her. Okay. Thank you. 479 01:32:02,560 --> 01:32:08,480 I'm going to go with Kathy for 25. You get a couple things. 480 01:32:08,480 --> 01:32:14,120 Just one. Uh, what's the deal with the clerk's office being closed this Friday? 481 01:32:14,120 --> 01:32:19,360 I'm not, I haven't, I haven't heard why I saw the Facebook post is how I found out. 482 01:32:19,360 --> 01:32:22,520 Whoops. Here we go. 483 01:32:22,520 --> 01:33:40,920 Um, the town clerk has an appointment and is not available that afternoon in the deputy clerk's hours are typically scheduled until 2 p.m.. So, um, so after the deputy clerk leaves at 2 p.m., um, there are 2 or 230. There will not be someone in the clerk's office to process ballots. So that's why we made those posts in advance, to give people as much advance warning as possible that there will not Lucky a clerk. We don't have the ability to shift somebody's hours so that somebody is covering it all day. And we do try to accommodate and like for next week, for example, there's a period where the clerk is going to be at a at a clerk's conference for training for three days. So the deputy is taking on additional hours to cover the office during that time. It just happens that this Friday afternoon we're not able to get coverage. So, you know, again, obviously this is a concern to to taxpayers in this community who rely on they may not see this posting on Facebook. They may not be on Facebook. They show up there to get business done and they can't do business. That's a problem. So we need to try to really eliminate this ongoing issue that's been happening. Thank you. 484 01:33:40,920 --> 01:33:42,040 Mr. hatch. 485 01:33:42,040 --> 01:33:43,040 I just wanted to. 486 01:33:43,040 --> 01:33:43,240 Make. 487 01:33:43,240 --> 01:34:31,200 Everybody else, my fellow council members here, aware that. We spoke with Town Manager today and asked him to see if we can get permission from the folks across the street to for people to park their cars over in that lot. When this room here is being used for meetings or such, and to put possibly a crosswalk with one of those flashing lights, because as you see, when we came in today, there's not enough cars to park out front. If this room was being occupied and being used and we had nowhere close to 70 people here. So I just want to make everybody aware of that. 488 01:34:31,200 --> 01:34:32,640 Okay. 489 01:34:32,640 --> 01:34:53,440 Anything else, miss? Right. You all set? Everybody's good. Okay. I'll accept the motion. Oh. I'm sorry. Let me do this first. Upcoming meetings, October 1st for the budget. October 5th has officially been canceled. We don't need it. So get it off your schedules. October 5th. You're free as a bird. 490 01:34:53,440 --> 01:34:55,080 Yes. 491 01:34:55,080 --> 01:34:56,320 Thank you. 492 01:34:56,320 --> 01:36:59,200 October 7th. Preliminary discussion on the budget and the warrant articles that can also go right to final votes if everybody gets their information that they need on time and so on. Otherwise, October 14th will be doing budget and warrant article final votes. And then our second meeting of the month will be October 19th, regular meeting at 7 p.m. back at our usual haunt, the Salem High School Media Center. Anything further? I only have one other thing to say, and I'm going to say it in public because I just we have had a situation going on, I think, at the transfer station where people are getting into the transfer station with a Massachusetts license plate on, and I'm not happy. And when I say a New Hampshire license, I mean a new license plate with a full load. I mean, a full load and no tag. Uh, they're getting permission to come in under other people's permit. They're getting permission to come in from people who don't have the authority to give them the permission if they have a Massachusetts plate on their car. I don't care if you're a summer resident, if you're not a resident of this town with a New Hampshire license plate, you shouldn't be going into the transfer station. And I've seen mass plates. I actually saw a Florida plate, and I know people go back and forth to Florida, and he might very well or she might have been a snowbird. But if you're not here at least six, six and a half months or seven months out of the year, you should have a New Hampshire plate? I don't understand how they're getting in there, and that's costing the taxpayers money. So we're going to look into that. That's one of the things that's on my agenda. So that'll be coming up soon. Anybody else got anything they want to add to the agenda? No. Okay. 493 01:36:59,200 --> 01:37:00,440 Motions to. 494 01:37:00,440 --> 01:37:01,240 Adjourn. 495 01:37:01,240 --> 01:37:01,240 Motion to adjourn. Seconded. All those in favor? 9 to 0. Thank you, everybody, for tuning in.