1 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:35,240 Good evening, everybody. This is the August 3rd meeting of the Sharon Finance Committee. I'm Donald Brickter on the chair of the committee. We're going to get started right away. I try to get our meeting started on time. We have a agenda that if you're not available, it's posted on the town website. You can go to the calendar and click on today and you'll see the finance committee meeting and there's a link to the agenda right there. 2 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:35,300 There. 3 00:00:35,940 --> 00:00:41,580 A first order of business is an update from the subcommittee reviewing salaries of elected 4 00:00:41,580 --> 00:00:43,780 officials and the method of selection of the town clerk. 5 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:45,640 Phil, you here with us? 6 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:47,080 I'm here. 7 00:00:47,820 --> 00:00:48,020 Okay. 8 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:48,260 Great. 9 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:52,160 Okay. 10 00:00:52,420 --> 00:00:52,960 That's all right, Jim. 11 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,380 We've only met one time, so unfortunately I don't have much to report. 12 00:00:58,940 --> 00:01:01,320 We're still collecting information from other communities. 13 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,460 So far, we've identified no community that has gone from elected to appointed. 14 00:01:08,100 --> 00:01:17,180 I'm sorry. It's gone from a point it to elected. Yes, but there are many communities that have gone from elected to appointed. 15 00:01:18,220 --> 00:01:22,520 So we're reaching out to get more information from those communities on why they did it. 16 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:29,300 In terms of the compensation, that's next and we have a meeting on Thursday, so we'll start digging into that issue later this week. 17 00:01:31,100 --> 00:01:36,120 Okay, that's great. Just keep us posted. I know you guys have a deadline of reporting, I believe, in November. 18 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,680 And it's much appreciated work you're doing. 19 00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:44,120 Our next item agenda, rather, is an update from a town administrator. 20 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:46,480 I'm not seeing Fred online, so I'll skip over that. 21 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:52,040 We have an update. I'm sorry. Yeah. Our next is an update. 22 00:01:52,820 --> 00:01:59,120 I was talking offline to Charlie from Sharon TV about this, about trying to facilitate 23 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:04,720 hybrid meetings, I've talked to Krishan as well as this. My preference, as I've expressed 24 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:10,920 repeatedly, is that the committee meet in person. I find that we do better when we meet 25 00:02:10,920 --> 00:02:17,160 in person in our conversations, I think, are more focused. On the other hand, I've heard 26 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:23,800 clearly that for some of our members, meeting in person is a challenge. So we have identified 27 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:30,680 one town that has, I would say, and I regret me if you feel otherwise, has 28 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:35,320 perfected hybrid meetings. They run meetings. I've looked at their videos, 29 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,780 their meetings, their seamless between audience participation of the live 30 00:02:39,780 --> 00:02:43,420 audience, the board meets in person, they're in a hearing room large enough for 31 00:02:43,420 --> 00:02:49,320 folks to attend, and also public officials and others who cannot be 32 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:54,120 physically in the room and they participate by Zoom. Ironically the town is 33 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:58,220 near Tucket so it's a little bit of a shut up to get there but I and I are 34 00:02:58,220 --> 00:03:03,320 going out on Wednesday. I've spoken to the folks at their local table TV 35 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,760 station to the folks in the town manager's office and we've set up meetings. 36 00:03:07,420 --> 00:03:11,180 They select board meets on Wednesday and we're going to be there for at least 37 00:03:11,180 --> 00:03:15,360 the start of their select board meeting. Unfortunately they meet at 5.30 so we 38 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:20,960 grab a ferry back on the same night. And the plan I've talked to Fred and 39 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,980 Krishan about this is to find out what's needed. By the way, we invited 40 00:03:24,980 --> 00:03:28,540 Sharon to be to join us on this trip but they're not able to and they asked us 41 00:03:28,540 --> 00:03:33,140 please bring back all the information, all the specs, all the details, hardware, 42 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:39,820 software, whatever we need to make hybrid work. The general idea is for those of us 43 00:03:39,820 --> 00:03:45,700 in the room. We'll be able to see the folks who are on Zoom. Folks on Zoom will be able 44 00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:52,080 to see all of us in the room and that will allow us to meet in person, but also respect 45 00:03:52,080 --> 00:04:00,840 those for whom an in-person meeting is a challenge and allow us to allow those folks to attend 46 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,300 by Zoom. Is there anything you want to add to that? 47 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:08,880 The only thing I would suggest is I think we have the link. Don't we, Don? People could 48 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,920 actually tune in to the meeting. I think it's uh oh it's like we're eating on Wednesday? 49 00:04:13,180 --> 00:04:18,260 Yeah sure, I mean or any other time. Or I guess you could go to the 50 00:04:18,260 --> 00:04:24,440 tell the replay website and what the replay right because then they'll get people get an idea of 51 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:30,140 what we're talking about. I believe they stream their meetings on YouTube I believe is what they do. 52 00:04:30,660 --> 00:04:36,860 I mean I don't think they broadcast them over the local cable station. I mean Sharon TV both broadcast 53 00:04:36,860 --> 00:04:42,000 over its cable network and streams live on their website. 54 00:04:42,620 --> 00:04:44,940 So it kind of sort of more or less, 55 00:04:44,980 --> 00:04:47,360 more or less kind of sort of works the same way. 56 00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:51,660 I mean, whether the output is the, you know, 57 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,680 sort of a private link to cable subscribers 58 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,720 or a public link over the streaming either way 59 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:58,880 is more or less the same. 60 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,240 Is anybody in the community of any questions about this effort? 61 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:17,320 And the goal, we'll find out what a cost, we'll try to put together a budget, and whether we really have no idea if it's a short dollar budget, you know, a couple hundred or a couple thousand dollars or if it's required more than that. 62 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:28,260 But Fred and Cristiano are aware of this, they've encouraged us to get all the information, and we have some ideas on how this can be funded, perhaps not necessarily with town money, but we'll see. 63 00:05:28,260 --> 00:05:33,480 but we're not on TV to find this. We understand they have some financial challenges, 64 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:39,640 as folks are cutting the cord and not subscribing to cable. So that's the upshot. 65 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,800 And we'll report that. I see the threads here because the next couple of things involve 66 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:45,380 Fred, Freddie with us. 67 00:05:48,010 --> 00:05:51,610 I'm here. Great. So we're going to item three, 68 00:05:51,830 --> 00:05:53,950 Town Administrative Update. There are two things that's there. 69 00:05:53,950 --> 00:05:55,870 I had a quick question about this. I'm sorry, good stuff. 70 00:05:55,870 --> 00:06:03,150 So, just something I think is worth considering is, you know, I'm reminded of the Historical 71 00:06:03,150 --> 00:06:08,570 Society and that if, you know, since the Sharon TV isn't part of the town, per se, it's 72 00:06:08,570 --> 00:06:09,730 a private organization. 73 00:06:10,050 --> 00:06:14,570 If we have to buy equipment to make these hybrid work, are we going to buy it and give it 74 00:06:14,570 --> 00:06:19,790 to Sharon TV or would the town retain ownership or something we will need to consider at that 75 00:06:19,790 --> 00:06:20,150 time? 76 00:06:21,570 --> 00:06:21,710 Great. 77 00:06:21,710 --> 00:06:26,510 We're going to explore all the options, and that's part of the reason for the side visit. 78 00:06:27,350 --> 00:06:28,210 We'll report back. 79 00:06:29,030 --> 00:06:29,170 Okay. 80 00:06:29,730 --> 00:06:29,850 Yeah. 81 00:06:30,130 --> 00:06:31,670 Just because of what we have just highlighted. 82 00:06:32,150 --> 00:06:37,290 Fred, the thing's going to be that the town will be the owner of the equipment in some wave shape. 83 00:06:37,450 --> 00:06:40,550 That's the idea, but we'll want to make sure it works properly. 84 00:06:41,270 --> 00:06:41,450 Okay. 85 00:06:42,290 --> 00:06:42,690 Okay. 86 00:06:43,150 --> 00:06:43,410 Thank you. 87 00:06:43,410 --> 00:06:43,630 Okay. 88 00:06:43,870 --> 00:06:45,690 So we're going to go to the town administrator update. 89 00:06:45,790 --> 00:06:46,570 We have two items. 90 00:06:46,570 --> 00:06:52,870 The first one is the status of the landfill solumist, at least rather in the financial implications, Fred. 91 00:06:54,070 --> 00:06:54,210 Okay. 92 00:06:55,990 --> 00:07:05,690 We've had three calls with DSD, their construction financing, and their ownership group. 93 00:07:05,690 --> 00:07:12,830 They have listed our landfill project among 20 plus or minus projects that are within, 94 00:07:13,610 --> 00:07:17,490 you know, a quality of 80% or higher completed, that they're trying to sell up as assets. 95 00:07:18,450 --> 00:07:24,950 They have a preferred bidder, that they're getting close to closing on as soon as they have. 96 00:07:25,590 --> 00:07:29,910 I'm not signing an agreement, they will close through that as it gets to the talk to the directly. 97 00:07:29,910 --> 00:07:34,190 Unfortunately, as I said, George Aronson and Arnie fall in scene have been on the calls 98 00:07:34,190 --> 00:07:34,610 with me. 99 00:07:35,790 --> 00:07:41,890 At this point, it's a little, feels like a little bit of stringing along, but I took the 100 00:07:41,890 --> 00:07:51,010 measure of contacting town council to see whether they had appropriate experience dealing 101 00:07:51,010 --> 00:07:54,930 with potentially the severing of the lease or dealing with this company. 102 00:07:55,790 --> 00:07:56,850 Things don't work out. 103 00:07:56,850 --> 00:08:00,990 than the either declared bankruptcy or go into deeper financial trouble. 104 00:08:02,130 --> 00:08:06,090 At this point, they've told us it's about 23 weeks from the time that they would close 105 00:08:06,090 --> 00:08:13,850 on a transfer for a new vendor to fire up and get the landfill generating solar enough 106 00:08:13,850 --> 00:08:14,810 to pay lease payments. 107 00:08:15,470 --> 00:08:22,370 So at minimum, we're into the third quarter of the year, which represents roughly $375,000 108 00:08:22,370 --> 00:08:23,950 dollar potential revenue shortfall. 109 00:08:24,710 --> 00:08:26,070 We're keeping a close eye on that. 110 00:08:26,210 --> 00:08:28,130 We shine on I against other areas in the budget 111 00:08:28,130 --> 00:08:30,830 where there's positive revenue variances like state aid. 112 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:33,650 We're reviewing closely investment income, 113 00:08:34,450 --> 00:08:39,050 see where we stand against the payments from both 114 00:08:39,050 --> 00:08:44,630 the library, state, MBLC, and the school project. 115 00:08:45,310 --> 00:08:48,330 Bring those funds back in place and to reduce our borrowing 116 00:08:48,330 --> 00:08:54,110 across. We actually have a call tomorrow with our financial advisor to begin preparations 117 00:08:54,110 --> 00:08:58,130 for the February bond issue and figuring out if we're going to be converting it to the 118 00:08:58,130 --> 00:09:03,870 short-term borrowing into the long-term. We'll also be discussing whether or not to consider 119 00:09:03,870 --> 00:09:10,250 switching from S&P back to Moody's, shake things up after being with S&P for four or five years now. 120 00:09:10,730 --> 00:09:16,610 So Fred, I just want to remind the committee that current budget, this current fiscal year budget, 121 00:09:16,610 --> 00:09:21,510 budgeted income of $522,000 from the leasing. 122 00:09:22,870 --> 00:09:25,490 Last year, we also budgeted that amount and got zero. 123 00:09:26,830 --> 00:09:29,710 When we heard about this a month or two ago, 124 00:09:30,030 --> 00:09:32,770 some members of this committee strongly recommended 125 00:09:32,770 --> 00:09:35,630 that we looked to zero as the possible income, 126 00:09:35,870 --> 00:09:39,610 as Fred just indicated, that comes online in Q4 looking at 127 00:09:39,610 --> 00:09:42,390 one quarter of that or less. 128 00:09:42,390 --> 00:09:52,190 So I asked Fred to just keep us abreast of his discussions with the company and so we understand the financial implications. 129 00:09:53,410 --> 00:10:00,190 Our first call is, I believe August 12th, so if there's any substantive update, I'll send an email around to the committee. 130 00:10:01,030 --> 00:10:03,510 Does anybody have questions for Fred about this? 131 00:10:06,350 --> 00:10:08,470 Okay Fred, oh wait, Philip, go ahead. 132 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:15,440 I seem to recall there was something in the lease that if they're so long, if they don't 133 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,640 take it online, we can actually get a reprocessed for free. 134 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,080 When does that come into play and is it something worth exploring? 135 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:27,860 Well, one of the conversations we've had with them, it's five years worth of time which 136 00:10:27,860 --> 00:10:35,980 actually expired a year ago, or we could set up a lease, then we owned basically all the 137 00:10:35,980 --> 00:10:41,360 steal all the equipment on site unless they remove it, and then take over the ownership 138 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:46,980 and responsibility for that. The town's not equipped to operate the facility. We'd have 139 00:10:46,980 --> 00:10:52,160 to go to the market or try to identify somebody to complete the project and take on the commitment 140 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:56,920 at the end of the project to remove it. It's sort of a last resort, but with something certainly 141 00:10:56,920 --> 00:11:02,420 that we're reviewing. Right, but if we check it over, that equipment all has values, so we're looking 142 00:11:02,420 --> 00:11:06,800 to somewhere to operate and we're basically handing them a project that's ready to go online 143 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:12,900 versus they're looking to sell it and make money off of it so it would be that I would think 144 00:11:12,900 --> 00:11:16,540 we could get a lot of money to get someone to operate at this point because it's pretty much 145 00:11:16,540 --> 00:11:21,240 from my understanding pretty much ready to go online needs a little bit more work so we're taking 146 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:25,420 a project so there's a lot of value and what's on there that we would basically inherit for Fred. 147 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:30,240 If we suffer the lease they would be entitled to remove their equipment whether they're able to 148 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:35,680 financially or choose to do that's one is an open question. Arnie's certainly an advocate 149 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:40,400 of taking that step sooner than later. I think we'll see where we are on August 12th. 150 00:11:41,420 --> 00:11:41,900 Judy? 151 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:55,000 Yeah. Okay, thank you so much, sir. Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm using Zoom 152 00:11:55,000 --> 00:12:01,440 thing, so I think she's okay. I asked her to unmute. Sorry. So thank you, thank you, Charlie. 153 00:12:02,660 --> 00:12:09,740 So a couple of things, yeah. They could remove it. Also, I am extremely concerned at this 154 00:12:09,740 --> 00:12:14,380 point that any credits that could have emanated from this property when it's actually plugged 155 00:12:14,380 --> 00:12:21,080 in and attached to the grid are dead because of how long it has taken to get to this point. 156 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:27,340 I haven't been able to do that analysis. I'm not the lawyer for this for the town, but I do work 157 00:12:27,340 --> 00:12:35,140 with energy credits, a fair bit. I also might recommend at this point just because of where 158 00:12:35,140 --> 00:12:39,960 this is heading, and again, I'd say this very clearly, I am not the lawyer for the town, 159 00:12:40,140 --> 00:12:45,540 and I do not think that someone from my law firm should be the lawyer on this matter, 160 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:50,600 but I might recommend that it would be wise to consider scheduling an executive session. 161 00:12:50,600 --> 00:13:00,060 For you all, with a proper workout attorney to discuss your options and understand them, 162 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:01,960 this stuff is complicated. 163 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:09,200 You also probably should not say any more about your potential approach in open session. 164 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:10,880 Thank you, Judy. 165 00:13:11,220 --> 00:13:18,580 I know if you heard Fred said, he's every spoken to town council to start that step to see 166 00:13:18,580 --> 00:13:20,340 if we can identify council to do this. 167 00:13:20,560 --> 00:13:23,020 Right, and so then my advice is do the rest of this 168 00:13:23,020 --> 00:13:24,760 in exact forever more, please. 169 00:13:26,020 --> 00:13:28,180 As much as the public might be interested, 170 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,200 other than just saying, this isn't working or. 171 00:13:31,340 --> 00:13:31,460 Right. 172 00:13:31,740 --> 00:13:33,060 No, that's a great point. 173 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:33,780 Thank you for that. 174 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:36,260 I wanted on the financial side to make sure 175 00:13:36,260 --> 00:13:40,160 the committee understood the community and that there's 176 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,660 a half million dollars we had budgeted and income 177 00:13:42,660 --> 00:13:44,240 that we're probably not going to see. 178 00:13:44,560 --> 00:13:45,760 That part is totally fine. 179 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:52,480 That was a significant part of the update, and I appreciate your guiding us and suggesting 180 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:56,260 that we would be really careful what we say going forward. 181 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:00,420 Next item, Fred, is the Carnegie Library building? 182 00:14:01,140 --> 00:14:01,280 Yes. 183 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:09,560 So the Select Board completed negotiations for a land development agreement to diligence period 184 00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:16,900 with paramount development, the residential proposal, both parties of signed agreement. 185 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:20,340 The due diligence period started on July 27th. 186 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:26,100 I know the developers already identified a structural engineer. 187 00:14:26,940 --> 00:14:35,700 He has his architecture or designer in place, he's trying to retain a septic person. 188 00:14:35,700 --> 00:14:39,000 and I've given him an exchange contact information 189 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,820 with the Historical Commission, Dave Martin, 190 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:45,700 and Jim Grassfield try and get some early feedback 191 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:48,660 from them on placement of Windows size, 192 00:14:49,260 --> 00:14:50,840 number of Windows in the addition, 193 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:52,340 and what they're going to be comfortable with. 194 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,920 So things are proceeding along the path to pursue that. 195 00:14:58,640 --> 00:14:59,920 We've also lined up with a prazer. 196 00:15:00,340 --> 00:15:30,320 And I would expect as soon as he has a preliminary design, we'll give that to the appraisal, and then they'll turn around. He actually appraises a little, I'll just negotiate the terms of sale for our personal sale agreement, both parties want to proceed. Thank you, Fred. Are there any questions from the committee for Fred Ira? I have a quick one and if Judy might be able to weigh in, I remember watching the reuse committee meetings, and I think that topic came up about the windows from the historical society. 197 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:38,180 Did you recall anything that was said that would make us fear what might happen with that 198 00:15:38,860 --> 00:15:40,140 discussion now? 199 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:44,600 Sorry, that mirror duty. 200 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:48,280 Okay, 201 00:15:50,860 --> 00:15:52,140 Judy, you should be okay. 202 00:15:52,220 --> 00:16:00,760 Sure. So, I mean, what Mr. Gerosa has said is that obviously he has to add windows on the side 203 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:26,860 because it's residential and there are requirements for that. He's also, I felt made it clear that the front facade of the building will have no changes to windows and the windows they would add on the side would fit appropriately with the other windows on the building, but that's part of why the early process involves this. 204 00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:30,740 I don't believe that so the way the 205 00:16:30,740 --> 00:16:34,540 diligence, the land development 206 00:16:34,540 --> 00:16:38,300 and diligence agreement is written a bit of a mouthful, 207 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:41,840 and Fred, did you share it with the committee? Did you say? 208 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:45,020 I was posted on the website and specifically email it to them now. 209 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,480 Okay, so it's posted on the Library Reuse Committee website, 210 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,520 which you can all find, but probably so just be 211 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:54,280 easily emailed to you by Fred. 212 00:16:54,280 --> 00:17:02,600 So, there's stuff that they have to deliver within 60 days, discussions with the Historic 213 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:09,560 Commission and any application with them that wouldn't happen presumably until if and 214 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:16,500 until we were to move into a purchase and sale and then and then it would likely be joint 215 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:24,680 between the town and the petitioner. But, again, Dave Martin is going to see what they submit 216 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:29,640 as part of the diligence. He can't speak on behalf of the entire committee, but that's why 217 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:33,680 we do have a liaison, so. Thank you. I just want the committee to know if case 218 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:40,780 they don't. Judy is on the library. We use committee and so that's the things why I asked for her. 219 00:17:40,780 --> 00:17:48,260 Yes, and just to be clear, I was speaking on my own behalf, not on behalf of the whole committee, but I am the vice chair of the committee. 220 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:50,140 So, and I have a question. 221 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:51,280 I'll go to this process. 222 00:17:51,460 --> 00:17:55,660 Fred about the Carnegie Library project. 223 00:17:57,560 --> 00:17:59,900 Okay, Krushan, Fred, you're up next. 224 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:04,280 We're looking at the FY26 town budget closeout. 225 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:20,100 Hi, so it's in progress right now and when I submit my Q4 you should see at this moment 226 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:26,500 I'm looking at at least around 50 to 60 thousand dollars in appropriation turnbacks for 227 00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:34,160 this year from the town side schools of course I don't expect anything but they're yet 228 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:40,640 to close their sign. So by the end of this month, we should have a firm picture and I'm looking 229 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:45,320 at what is at $50,000 to $60,000 of appropriation done back. 230 00:18:46,020 --> 00:18:50,620 And, Krishan, that's after accounting for the transfers that the Select Board and the Finance 231 00:18:50,620 --> 00:18:51,600 Committee approved, right? 232 00:18:54,490 --> 00:18:58,430 As always, that's wonderful news. We always like to hear that. Fred, 233 00:18:58,550 --> 00:19:03,430 do you have anything to add to that? I just want to say that we're down to a handful of adjustments 234 00:19:03,430 --> 00:19:09,530 That's for waiting on EPW and water to send us some items that make sure they're allocated 235 00:19:09,530 --> 00:19:13,430 the right side of the house if you will, between enterprise fund and the regular fund. 236 00:19:14,030 --> 00:19:18,690 We also had a conference from town council funds from last year through the transition 237 00:19:18,690 --> 00:19:19,850 that we'll be turning back. 238 00:19:20,270 --> 00:19:22,390 So I'm comfortable in saying that. 239 00:19:22,790 --> 00:19:25,930 Krishan's number probably plus 30 or 40 more. 240 00:19:26,910 --> 00:19:28,210 That's even better. 241 00:19:28,830 --> 00:19:29,350 That's even better. 242 00:19:29,350 --> 00:19:30,810 I was starting with more cons than we do. 243 00:19:31,410 --> 00:19:31,570 Yeah. 244 00:19:33,130 --> 00:19:34,590 All right, Philip. 245 00:19:34,670 --> 00:19:36,210 My nature, that's how I am. 246 00:19:36,490 --> 00:19:39,370 So I mean, we've already identified potential short comings 247 00:19:39,370 --> 00:19:40,530 in this coming years budget. 248 00:19:40,570 --> 00:19:43,490 I know in our last meeting, we talked about larger was, 249 00:19:43,630 --> 00:19:45,190 I asked about having a larger reserve. 250 00:19:45,610 --> 00:19:47,470 We obviously don't know where snow will be. 251 00:19:47,650 --> 00:19:48,830 Snow was high this year. 252 00:19:49,330 --> 00:19:50,630 So it's nice to see turnbacks. 253 00:19:50,630 --> 00:19:52,530 But how does that compare to prior years? 254 00:19:52,530 --> 00:19:54,430 I'm just curious in terms of turnbacks. 255 00:19:54,610 --> 00:19:55,050 Where do you mean? 256 00:19:55,170 --> 00:19:58,310 This year's expenditure turnback is lower than it has been 257 00:19:58,310 --> 00:20:06,290 in prior years. Part of it is the absorption of snow removal costs. Part of it is some IT expenses 258 00:20:06,290 --> 00:20:13,290 that she's approved. As we've updated, the servers and some other things that have been licensing 259 00:20:13,290 --> 00:20:17,550 that need to be taken care of. Just looking through the list. 260 00:20:21,250 --> 00:20:23,230 If you remember, we had an assumption 261 00:20:23,230 --> 00:20:27,390 of a retirement, the Trojars Office didn't happen, so there was a little shortfall there, we'd 262 00:20:27,390 --> 00:20:34,960 We had to cover, and what else? 263 00:20:35,060 --> 00:20:36,720 This Medicare was higher than expected. 264 00:20:37,860 --> 00:20:42,360 We also, if we had extra funds, we applied them to increase the amount. 265 00:20:42,360 --> 00:20:47,100 We put in the unemployment fund, I'll show that up and reduce the amount that we had 266 00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:52,900 to increase it from 75 to 90,000 and going forward, so I feel like we're in a good spot. 267 00:20:53,780 --> 00:20:53,920 Okay. 268 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:57,220 So as much as this will end up by assuming free cash. 269 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:01,660 Yes, any turn back, we'll add to the free cash. 270 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:02,320 Yeah. 271 00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:03,580 Yeah. 272 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:08,640 As you know, we've added police and fire personnel through grants that phase out over time. 273 00:21:08,860 --> 00:21:16,220 So some of this shortfall is covered by the grant, but obviously that's because the expenditures 274 00:21:16,220 --> 00:21:17,660 are up in both departments. 275 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:24,940 So we have those phased in over a pair of years, which reduces the tax impacts from absorbing 276 00:21:24,940 --> 00:21:30,780 most personnel. But hopefully with that, I'm fine, overtime costs, I'll go down in the future. 277 00:21:31,300 --> 00:21:37,400 Yes, there's a balance with that as well. Are there any other questions on the preliminary 278 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:46,020 closeout for this fiscal year, the fiscal year closes on June 30th? Okay, so our next item of 279 00:21:46,020 --> 00:21:52,660 business is liaison updates. I'm going to take them in a particular order. Community preservation, 280 00:21:52,660 --> 00:21:58,100 neither Keith nor Alex are here. I don't believe the committee is met, so there's probably 281 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:03,840 not much to report. Standing building committee, Chris is not here. He told me he had to go 282 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:09,480 out of town for work and hope to be able to join by Zoom, but I don't see him. Mike, if you 283 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:12,580 know mine, Planning Board and ZBA, is there anything going on there? 284 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:21,280 Yes, so good evening, everybody. There are two things I just want to mention. First, the 285 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:27,780 planning board at the July 9 meeting voted to begin a review of the post office 286 00:22:27,780 --> 00:22:36,240 square design guidelines. So they engaged a consultant and they're hoping to 287 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:42,560 get a draft of these design guidelines and as well as some potential areas for 288 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:50,220 zoning by law amendments or additions. You know, take add more teeth to the post 289 00:22:50,220 --> 00:23:02,600 office square design guidelines. So there's going to be a little bit of work I think around that depending on what the end result is based on this engagement. 290 00:23:03,540 --> 00:23:17,440 So that's number one. And the other thing that's hanging out there, I can't obviously we can't really talk about it, but it's the sunrise senior living suit, which is ongoing. 291 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:26,560 I do know August 18th, I think there's mediation is going to begin, so they are working toward resolving it. 292 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,700 Depending any questions, those are the two things that I've... 293 00:23:30,700 --> 00:23:34,260 There's nothing really on the zoning board side, aside from being a party to the Sunrise. 294 00:23:35,020 --> 00:23:36,200 Right, okay, fair enough. 295 00:23:36,500 --> 00:23:42,360 I mean, historically, the zoning board actions don't typically affect the town. 296 00:23:42,360 --> 00:23:46,860 It does, in this case, because of their role in the sunrise development, but sort of 297 00:23:46,860 --> 00:23:53,800 the routine zoning board hearings and approvals, typically or not, something that the finance 298 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:58,320 committee has dealt with, planning board, absolutely, because zoning changes and proposals 299 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:01,360 come before town meeting, and we have to weigh in on them. 300 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:03,400 But thank you for that update, Judy. 301 00:24:07,900 --> 00:24:08,320 I'll get you. 302 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:08,840 Okay. 303 00:24:08,940 --> 00:24:09,360 That should work. 304 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:10,820 Thanks. 305 00:24:10,820 --> 00:24:38,640 So, um, and I apologize I haven't had a chance to watch those meetings, so you should try and keep up on all the meetings. Um, but, um, I do recall that if I'm remembering correctly, the reason for pursuing some of these guidelines were concerns about the first MBTA zoning townhouse project that's going in on, um, I think I'm on street. 306 00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:45,860 maybe if my memories are not failing, and I guess I just, when I'm trying to understand 307 00:24:45,860 --> 00:24:56,660 and maybe this is more a question for Fred, is putting in guidelines that could obfuscate 308 00:24:56,660 --> 00:25:04,620 the requirements or intent of the MBTA zoning somewhat concerns me. 309 00:25:04,620 --> 00:25:11,980 And just because I remember the reaction of the planning board and certain members during 310 00:25:11,980 --> 00:25:18,480 the discussion of that project, and particularly when it was before the ZBA, at least one 311 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:25,660 of the planning board members attended and shared some pretty forceful thoughts about 312 00:25:25,660 --> 00:25:26,940 the design. 313 00:25:28,900 --> 00:25:30,720 That's beyond the scope of the plan. 314 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:32,560 Okay, I'm just trying to understand this there. 315 00:25:32,580 --> 00:25:33,460 I appreciate that. 316 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:35,880 I believe respectfully it's more appropriate 317 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,540 before the planning board at this point. 318 00:25:39,420 --> 00:25:42,360 And I'm not, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm with, I'm trying, 319 00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:43,340 when I was trying to get out. 320 00:25:43,380 --> 00:25:45,860 Your concerns are fair, but, but at this point, 321 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:49,620 I don't think it's, it's something I want to hear 322 00:25:49,620 --> 00:25:51,800 continue discussion on at this meeting. 323 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:53,160 Can I finish a sentence please? 324 00:25:53,540 --> 00:25:55,720 My question to Fred, I suppose, 325 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,940 was do they have legal counsel to help them with this? 326 00:25:58,940 --> 00:26:04,480 because that is a dollar amount that goes to the planning board. That's why I felt it was 327 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:09,220 appropriate for everyone. Thank you. Yes, they have legal funds in their budget plus we have 328 00:26:09,220 --> 00:26:15,860 general town council budget. Once the consultant starts to flush out some guidelines, I'll engage 329 00:26:15,860 --> 00:26:19,020 council on it. Thank you. That was really my question. 330 00:26:19,060 --> 00:26:23,200 Fair question. Thank you so much, Judy. Okay. I have a council on aging. Anything going on? 331 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:29,960 Council lady hadn't met since the last meeting, however, as a board member of the Friends 332 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:35,120 to the Sharon Council on Aging, I'd like to make people aware that this Wednesday at 333 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:43,640 the Lake Concert Series, the Friends is sort of hosting an information table and also an 334 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:43,980 auction. 335 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:51,560 So it's always a good time at the lake and it's a chance for people to maybe stop by the 336 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:57,320 move and find out a little bit more about activities with the friends and also the council 337 00:26:57,320 --> 00:26:57,840 on aging. 338 00:26:58,420 --> 00:26:59,360 Okay, thank you, Sharon. 339 00:27:01,620 --> 00:27:03,660 No, I was just supporting Ira with clapping. 340 00:27:03,820 --> 00:27:04,060 Okay. 341 00:27:04,460 --> 00:27:06,060 I'm not good at figuring that. 342 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:07,600 I see a yellow hand waving. 343 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:08,660 I assume you want to talk. 344 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:09,220 Fair enough. 345 00:27:10,500 --> 00:27:10,760 Okay. 346 00:27:11,060 --> 00:27:12,400 I saved the best for last. 347 00:27:12,740 --> 00:27:13,740 And that's the schools. 348 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:17,100 Ira, Jonathan, you guys want to update us on what's going on at the school department? 349 00:27:17,820 --> 00:27:18,080 Sure. 350 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:25,000 I'll kick it off and Jonathan you feel free to supplement and I see we have some guests 351 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:30,060 as well that may be able to shed some light if I omit anything. 352 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:41,040 The Google Committee had a special meeting last week and the agenda items were the Superintendents contract 353 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:51,880 And also a potential appointment of the Super Intentant Effective 7-1-27, which is the end of this next school year. 354 00:27:54,620 --> 00:27:57,920 It's been a lot of discussion. 355 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:05,680 I'm not a big Facebook participator, but I've had a number of people tell me I had at least read some of the things. 356 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:17,800 And I tried to, but maybe the people here who are more adept or are more willing to get involved with that mode of communication. 357 00:28:18,620 --> 00:28:33,120 But the synopsis is that they did hear from Superintendent Batello, and he's decided not to continue past this next year. 358 00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:41,820 So as of June 30, 2027, he'd be no longer with the Sharon School Department. 359 00:28:42,840 --> 00:28:46,240 That was the first agenda item. 360 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:55,380 And then the next one was the chair read some of the policies that the school committee 361 00:28:55,380 --> 00:29:02,920 is obligated to when there is a vacancy to meet and discuss what the steps would be. 362 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:15,440 And that was the arrest of that particular meeting where they wanted to decide what process they would take to seek to fill that position. 363 00:29:16,300 --> 00:29:32,280 And I would say if people have the keen interest, it's on Sharon cable television, that replay and instead of me reciting what actually took place, 364 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:42,300 You could actually see the entire meeting, but the essence of it was after discussion of whether 365 00:29:42,300 --> 00:29:47,780 research was correct or an internal hire would be an appropriate way to go. 366 00:29:47,780 --> 00:29:55,340 So, a motion was made. I just want to read it, I have it to 367 00:29:58,890 --> 00:29:59,470 higher. 368 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:09,120 Move to higher, Dr. Jocelyn, as our next superintendent, effective July 1, 2027, pending negotiation 369 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:18,000 of a contract. And that was voted five to two. So that's sort of a synopsis of that meeting 370 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:23,780 and where that was. And if you have lots of time, I guess you can get a lot more information. 371 00:30:23,780 --> 00:30:46,660 I particularly don't want to just rely on Facebook, but there's some information that one can gleam from that and make your own decision of what the next steps might be if the community has a place and input. 372 00:30:46,660 --> 00:30:50,180 but I believe, and I see the chair is here, 373 00:30:50,500 --> 00:30:52,620 that at the next school committee meeting, 374 00:30:53,740 --> 00:30:55,940 that probably will be an agenda item, 375 00:30:55,940 --> 00:30:57,840 and there'll be more information about that, 376 00:30:58,020 --> 00:31:00,760 and a chance for Dr. Jocelyn 377 00:31:01,130 --> 00:31:03,200 to address the community as well. 378 00:31:04,260 --> 00:31:07,340 Jonathan, anything else, you want to correct or read? 379 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:10,700 Hi, I think that was a pretty objective recount 380 00:31:10,700 --> 00:31:12,320 of what transpired. 381 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:16,000 So, I mean, I don't know that we need to get into 382 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:20,180 a whole back and forth on the Ben Com committee meeting but. 383 00:31:24,060 --> 00:31:30,680 Right, and Don, I think, you know, if people have followed in and there's any information 384 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:35,960 they want to add or give an opinion, that's where I would be objecting. 385 00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:40,900 I mean, it's possible that some of us like me are ostriches and keep our head in the sand, 386 00:31:40,900 --> 00:31:47,740 but clearly the decision to move ahead immediately and hire Dr. Jocelyn is met with incredible 387 00:31:47,740 --> 00:31:54,580 commentary from our community, there's petitions to ask the school board to reconsider. 388 00:31:55,140 --> 00:31:56,240 Philip, question. 389 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:57,240 Yeah, I see your hands up. 390 00:31:57,460 --> 00:32:01,900 Yeah, I unfortunately was not at the meeting having had a chance to watch it, but I'm assuming 391 00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:07,620 they conferred with key stakeholders, the STA, principals, et cetera, about who they would 392 00:32:07,620 --> 00:32:11,440 be reporting to and spoke with them as part of the process of hiring a new superintendent 393 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:16,980 as most communities would do that, and most companies do that as part of the process to 394 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:22,040 Don't play cute with us, you know darn well that didn't happen, come on, don't do that. 395 00:32:22,780 --> 00:32:28,480 If you have a concern about what the school committee did, I opened this up deliberately to allow this committee. 396 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:36,200 I heard Jonathan's point, but I want to release a lot of this committee if they have anything they want to weigh in on to do that. 397 00:32:36,340 --> 00:32:40,480 But please don't, don't be little or intelligence with that kind of statement though. 398 00:32:40,480 --> 00:32:41,380 Does 399 00:32:45,500 --> 00:32:48,680 anybody want to add weigh-in, have anything to say? 400 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:50,780 No, it's totally, it's a totally finance or also. 401 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:58,660 Okay, I'm going to take the prerogative as the chair to offer 402 00:32:59,250 --> 00:33:01,680 a couple of cents from my perspective. 403 00:33:02,780 --> 00:33:07,840 I would find it normal to totally ignore what other committees do 404 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,960 other than as it directly affects our role in the finance committee, 405 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:15,460 whether it's a funding issue or an article issue for 406 00:33:15,460 --> 00:33:24,540 town meeting, and I respect I was a very neutral explanation without commentaries as to 407 00:33:24,540 --> 00:33:32,460 what happened. The concern that I have, and I want to make this very clear, this has 408 00:33:32,460 --> 00:33:37,720 nothing to do with the choice of the next superintendent. My view this is everything 409 00:33:37,720 --> 00:33:44,160 to do with the process, and I think as a town, we have an obligation to our citizens. 410 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:50,420 We sort of have a sort of, we have a direct democracy in this town, which is called 411 00:33:50,420 --> 00:33:50,860 town meaning. 412 00:33:51,620 --> 00:33:54,940 And those of us on this committee are actually elected by town meaning. 413 00:33:55,580 --> 00:33:58,820 The school committee is directly elected by our voters, as is the slot board. 414 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:03,420 And we are not a private business. 415 00:34:03,700 --> 00:34:09,320 Town of Sharon has to operate, in my view, better than a private business. 416 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:19,500 I have no question that on the face of it, the school committee was entitled to do what it did, but I am not happy with the way they handled it. 417 00:34:20,140 --> 00:34:37,860 I have tried to research, and I can't say that I've got everyone right, but I'm aware that most management level positions at the school department talking about building principles, directors, for example, athletic director, special ed director, early childhood director. 418 00:34:37,860 --> 00:34:46,560 All of whom were hired following a very public process, a process that included, as Philip Tongan-Chic said, 419 00:34:46,900 --> 00:34:53,280 conversations with students, parents, stakeholders, interviews, resume review, et cetera. 420 00:34:53,860 --> 00:34:57,220 And the school committee declined to do that, and I don't think that's okay. 421 00:34:57,840 --> 00:35:07,100 I can tell you as a member of this committee who was reappointed, I had it appear before the nominated committee and explain who I am or what I was, even though I was on for two years. 422 00:35:07,100 --> 00:35:14,600 Our new members were asked to submit resumes, and this is for an advisory committee to our 423 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:15,140 town meeting. 424 00:35:15,680 --> 00:35:21,400 By contrast, the superintendent oversees a roughly $65 million budget. 425 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:29,860 It's a significant job, and I'm Dan and Georgianne, I respectfully respect you, each of you, 426 00:35:30,040 --> 00:35:33,340 but I think it's important that you at least hear from this one person. 427 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:34,480 I think we could have done better. 428 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:39,300 In fact, I think you should have done better and I was very disappointed it's 11 months away. 429 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:43,600 You certainly could have had a process you did not need to hire a search firm. 430 00:35:44,180 --> 00:35:48,700 You certainly, you could have if you needed to and then raised the concern that it was going 431 00:35:48,700 --> 00:35:51,000 to cost 12 or 15 or $20,000. 432 00:35:51,980 --> 00:35:56,780 I believe there's enough flexibility in your budget for that but if not, like other departments 433 00:35:56,780 --> 00:36:00,440 you certainly could have come to the finance committee next June and said, hey, we had 434 00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:05,720 is unexpected expense. Would you, folks, be willing? Please give us a transfer from the reserve 435 00:36:05,720 --> 00:36:10,300 fund. We've done that for many departments for under similar circumstances. And as one member, 436 00:36:10,380 --> 00:36:16,080 I certainly would have supported that. And that should not have been the reason to not hold a search. 437 00:36:16,340 --> 00:36:20,280 And I don't want to get into all the reasons you did, it didn't do it, but I just want to, 438 00:36:20,420 --> 00:36:26,640 to let you, the community know that at least as the chair of this committee, I was disappointed at 439 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:34,480 actions. Not the choice to pick Dr. Jocelyn. I have no problem with that whatsoever, but I thought it 440 00:36:34,480 --> 00:36:39,540 should have followed a much more robust, much more open, a much more accessible process. 441 00:36:42,620 --> 00:36:42,880 I see 442 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:45,920 Judy's hand. Is anyone else on the committee before I recognize Ms. Crosley? 443 00:36:49,870 --> 00:36:50,050 Judy? 444 00:36:51,390 --> 00:37:03,850 Thanks. So I just I had two thoughts. One is I watched and actually attended and really 445 00:37:03,850 --> 00:37:10,290 paid close attention to the process for hiring our most recent recreation director, which 446 00:37:10,290 --> 00:37:16,430 was an internal hire at the end of the day. Right? We had an internal candidate. He's currently 447 00:37:16,430 --> 00:37:22,530 he had been the interim. That's important to note. He wasn't just handed a full contract, right? 448 00:37:22,770 --> 00:37:29,530 Wreck director left. We had an interim. Then we had a process. There were two outside finalists 449 00:37:29,530 --> 00:37:38,630 and one internal finalist. There were robust reviews and discussions, select board interviewed all 450 00:37:38,630 --> 00:37:47,850 three in public, and for a position that pays close to half of what the superintendent gets, 451 00:37:48,550 --> 00:37:55,810 a tremendous amount of what I thought was valuable and important public process and time 452 00:37:55,810 --> 00:37:56,610 was spent. 453 00:37:57,330 --> 00:38:02,310 And I think so far the chosen internal candidate is doing great. 454 00:38:02,510 --> 00:38:05,270 And by the way, I had resumes for all the candidates. 455 00:38:05,950 --> 00:38:08,950 I don't have a resume for Dr. Jocelyn. 456 00:38:09,650 --> 00:38:14,890 To my knowledge, there was no packet provided to the school committee for their Wednesday 457 00:38:14,890 --> 00:38:21,210 meeting, and because Dr. Jocelyn was not hired by the school committee, because assistant 458 00:38:21,210 --> 00:38:27,830 superintendents are not hired by the school committee, they're hired by the superintendent, I don't 459 00:38:27,830 --> 00:38:33,310 think any of them had a resume for Dr. Jocelyn when they took that vote. 460 00:38:33,310 --> 00:38:41,390 I don't know who, besides potentially Dr. Batello and Ms. Whittamore, have seen his resume, 461 00:38:41,890 --> 00:38:50,070 who has vetted his resume, who has spoken to any references of Dr. Jocelyn. 462 00:38:50,270 --> 00:38:51,590 His LinkedIn is inaccurate. 463 00:38:52,330 --> 00:38:54,970 I've established that from basic Google searching. 464 00:38:55,890 --> 00:39:02,070 Not saying he's not an appropriate candidate, but I am saying that for somebody who I think 465 00:39:02,070 --> 00:39:10,450 they are about to hire to take over for a three-year term which will run through 20-30 and 466 00:39:10,450 --> 00:39:17,370 will involve a salary that is second solely to Fred's, with Fred having something approaching 467 00:39:17,370 --> 00:39:24,950 I don't want to age a Fred, but at least 30 close years of experience as a senior administrator 468 00:39:24,950 --> 00:39:36,490 in towns. This feels unjustifiable. It also feels like it is setting us up for further legal action 469 00:39:37,190 --> 00:39:45,410 in a whole host of ways. And there is an opportunity to slow this down. There is an 470 00:39:45,410 --> 00:39:50,210 opportunity to do it correctly. That doesn't mean you have to have a broad public search, 471 00:39:50,210 --> 00:39:54,530 but it does mean you don't start contract negotiations. 472 00:39:55,130 --> 00:39:57,450 You do a public vetting of the candidate. 473 00:39:58,030 --> 00:39:59,530 That's not that hard. 474 00:40:00,570 --> 00:40:02,750 I am incredibly concerned. 475 00:40:02,970 --> 00:40:08,510 I'm also worried about the impact of this on ongoing negotiations with the teachers. 476 00:40:09,130 --> 00:40:12,190 Because I know there was no feedback from the teachers 477 00:40:12,190 --> 00:40:15,750 and some of the lead teachers are starting to speak publicly. 478 00:40:16,650 --> 00:40:21,170 that is not good when you are trying to settle a contract. 479 00:40:21,930 --> 00:40:29,070 So since the chair is on, I am begging the chair to work with his colleagues, 480 00:40:29,990 --> 00:40:33,710 take this back about 100 steps, and do it right. 481 00:40:34,270 --> 00:40:35,090 Thank you. 482 00:40:35,470 --> 00:40:36,170 Thank you, Ms. Cross. 483 00:40:36,250 --> 00:40:36,730 We feel it. 484 00:40:38,250 --> 00:40:42,870 Yeah, I believe when we hired our last superintendent, there was a discussion around 485 00:40:42,870 --> 00:40:46,250 around a clause in the contract that gave the community 486 00:40:46,250 --> 00:40:50,070 and how would the payout, a reduced payout, 487 00:40:50,190 --> 00:40:52,530 but a payout that allowed us the ability 488 00:40:52,530 --> 00:40:53,450 to sever the contract. 489 00:40:53,790 --> 00:40:57,710 Given what Ms. Crosby said about a three-year contract, 490 00:40:58,230 --> 00:41:00,870 do we know if there's a plan to put that in this contract 491 00:41:00,870 --> 00:41:02,130 since it's not in our current state? 492 00:41:02,150 --> 00:41:03,630 That's not our scope, Bill. 493 00:41:03,790 --> 00:41:04,650 That's totally our scope. 494 00:41:04,650 --> 00:41:08,390 I understand, but the child has faced a lot of legal laws 495 00:41:08,390 --> 00:41:09,130 through the payout. 496 00:41:10,070 --> 00:41:12,630 And I'm really concerned if it's not in there 497 00:41:12,630 --> 00:41:18,430 that we could be facing yet another legal contract if something goes awry. So I would encourage 498 00:41:18,430 --> 00:41:23,630 that Fred to ensure that something like that is taken care of because we're having trouble 499 00:41:23,630 --> 00:41:28,310 getting insurance as it is. If we go through another legal case, it's going to make that problem even 500 00:41:28,310 --> 00:41:34,870 worse for us. I appreciate the input. No disrespect to Fred. This is the school committee's decision 501 00:41:34,870 --> 00:41:39,370 and I don't mean to suggest for a second it's not. As I said, I just wish they had 502 00:41:39,370 --> 00:41:47,130 as slowed down a bit and done some of the steps that I and others have suggested. 503 00:41:47,910 --> 00:41:51,430 Anyone else on the committee or anyone else watching want to comment? 504 00:41:52,770 --> 00:41:55,230 Okay, fair enough. Okay, next item on agenda. 505 00:41:56,450 --> 00:42:01,510 The only vote we have tonight is to approve the minutes of the June 29th, 20th, 26th meeting. 506 00:42:02,170 --> 00:42:03,590 I appreciate a motion. 507 00:42:06,560 --> 00:42:07,140 So moved. 508 00:42:07,140 --> 00:42:16,140 Philip made the motion. Is there a second Jonathan second it because we're on zoom a role call is required 509 00:42:16,140 --> 00:42:30,560 Ira. Yes. Zach. Yes. Sharon. Yes. Jonathan. Yes. Michael. Yes. Philip. Yes. And I'm a yes. 510 00:42:31,740 --> 00:42:34,160 that's seven to zero, the motion passes. 511 00:42:35,100 --> 00:42:40,100 Um, um, topics not anticipated within 48 hours of the posting. 512 00:42:40,100 --> 00:42:41,100 I don't have anything. 513 00:42:41,680 --> 00:42:47,160 Um, and if, uh, gave Fred a chance to town administrator off of his report, 514 00:42:47,340 --> 00:42:50,520 I assume there's nothing else there, but I'll just double check. 515 00:42:51,060 --> 00:42:56,440 Anyone on the committee have anything that was not known at the time of the posting 48 hours ago? 516 00:42:57,060 --> 00:42:57,960 Okay. Great. 517 00:42:57,960 --> 00:43:03,960 Right. Well, I tried hard to keep the meeting focused and on time and looks like we did 518 00:43:03,960 --> 00:43:09,040 both of those things. The agenda list are upcoming meetings. I'm just going to state 519 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:13,920 them out loud. He's always subject to change. But the plan now is to meet on, these are 520 00:43:13,920 --> 00:43:20,840 all Mondays, 10th of 14th, October 19th, November 16th, and December 14th. You know, once 521 00:43:20,840 --> 00:43:27,780 a month for the next four months, the meetings will be in person. And we will do our best 522 00:43:27,780 --> 00:43:35,720 to come up with if we cannot perfect a hybrid model by then and I doubt we'll be able to perfect it. 523 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:44,300 We certainly have some ideas, Sharon TV has given us some ideas and how we can at least do a some type of hybrid. 524 00:43:44,540 --> 00:43:57,760 So if committee members are unable to attend in person, we certainly will or a staff, 525 00:43:57,760 --> 00:43:59,040 It is not known for eight hours. 526 00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:00,420 I just want to mention, sorry folks, 527 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:02,880 I've asked Joan our administrative assistant 528 00:44:03,360 --> 00:44:07,820 to help update the finance committee portion 529 00:44:08,240 --> 00:44:09,020 of the website. 530 00:44:09,720 --> 00:44:13,460 Specifically, I'm looking to see that meeting handouts 531 00:44:13,460 --> 00:44:17,280 and other material that's relevant to the work we do 532 00:44:17,700 --> 00:44:20,080 is posted not only after the meeting, 533 00:44:20,240 --> 00:44:22,180 but if we get information before the meeting, 534 00:44:22,320 --> 00:44:23,620 we had no handouts for this meeting. 535 00:44:24,440 --> 00:44:26,860 The Q4 report is not yet prepared. 536 00:44:26,860 --> 00:44:33,580 but anything that goes out to the committee in advance that's a public record, I'm going to have Joan place on the website. 537 00:44:34,120 --> 00:44:36,240 So the public can see it as we do. 538 00:44:36,740 --> 00:44:41,420 There's also a place on the website that we can now link to the videos of our meetings. 539 00:44:41,740 --> 00:44:47,040 So folks who can look back and want to find out what happened at that particular meeting, 540 00:44:47,580 --> 00:44:52,400 they'll be able to click a link that will take them to the Sharon TV page. 541 00:44:52,400 --> 00:44:59,860 So, I'm trying in small ways, and I appreciate John's efforts apparently are the new... 542 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:31,580 The company that's doing the web design doesn't always make things as easy as the chair would like. And Joan Smiley, because she knows what I'm talking about, we're trying hard folks who can hope that we can, you know, make things more available not only to the committee, but to the public. So with that said, I'll let the tenant motions to adjourn. 543 00:45:31,580 --> 00:45:41,080 Michael. Yes, Philip. Yes, and I'm a yes, the 7-0 meetings adjourned. Thank you folks very much. Appreciate your patience with us. Have a great evening. 544 00:45:41,080 --> 00:45:41,740 Thank you. 545 00:45:42,920 --> 00:45:42,940 Bye.