[0:09] That's it.
[0:11] Good evening. 6:30 p.m. August 24th,
[0:14] 2026. I call the select board regular
[0:17] meeting to order. If you are able,
[0:19] please join stand for the pledge.
[0:26] I pledge algiance to the flag of the
[0:29] United States of America and to the
[0:31] republic for which it stands. One nation
[0:34] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:38] justice for all.
[0:45] » Thank you.
[0:48] As a reminder, this meeting is being
[0:49] broadcast live on TCTV cable station 8
[0:52] and on YouTube web platform. A recording
[0:55] will be available on TCTV YouTube
[0:58] channel at the conclusion of this
[0:59] meeting. Is anyone else recording the
[1:01] meeting?
[1:04] And at this time, would uh anyone please
[1:06] silence your phones?
[1:09] Public participation will be limited to
[1:11] citizen input, a maximum of three
[1:13] minutes per person with a time limit of
[1:15] 21 minutes so as to be fair to all. The
[1:18] board does not enter into discussion,
[1:19] debate, or dialogue within individuals
[1:21] during citizen input. This meeting is
[1:24] governed by the open Massachusetts open
[1:26] meeting law and the select board policy.
[1:31] At this time, I would uh
[1:35] inform the board uh another unpleasant
[1:39] duty uh
[1:42] from the librarian and uh and the senior
[1:45] center uh announced the passing of U.
[1:50] Irene Murray. Uh the statement from
[1:53] Jackie. It's with profound profound
[1:55] sadness and broken hearts we announce
[1:57] the sudden and tragic passing of Irene
[2:00] Kadigeski Murray age 75 Baldenville
[2:03] Massachusetts on August 18th 2026.
[2:07] She was uh volunteered on the council of
[2:09] aging in Templeton the Baldenville
[2:11] Senior Center. She was involved in her
[2:14] community at the senior center
[2:15] historical site society and the woman's
[2:18] auxiliary at Baldenville
[2:22] American Legion. So at this time I would
[2:24] ask for a moment of silence for Irene.
[2:46] Thank you.
[2:49] First item on the agenda is approval of
[2:52] meeting minutes of July 14th, July 27th,
[2:57] and August 4th, 2026.
[3:04] » At this time, I would move to approve
[3:06] the meeting minutes of July 14th, July
[3:08] 27th, and August 4th, 2026 as presented.
[3:12] >> Second.
[3:14] >> Motion made and seconded. Any issues
[3:17] with the minutes?
[3:18] >> Yes. Um, July 27th, 2026.
[3:23] Residents name last name is spelled
[3:25] wrong. Richard Payne. It's spelled P A Y
[3:28] N E. It should be P A I N E.
[3:31] >> Check.
[3:37] Any other issues with minutes
[3:45] hearing? None. On the motion, how would
[3:47] you vote? Mr. May,
[3:48] >> yes.
[3:50] >> Miss Graves,
[3:51] >> yes.
[3:52] >> Mr. To?
[3:53] >> Yes.
[3:54] >> Miss Culver?
[3:55] >> Yes.
[3:56] >> Mr. Bennett is Yes.
[4:08] No executive session meeting minutes.
[4:10] Next item up is citizen input. Do we
[4:13] have anyone who wishes to speak? Mr.
[4:26] First of all, I want to say how much I
[4:29] love each and every one of you. I was
[4:31] very impressed by the August 17th
[4:34] meeting in which how you conducted
[4:35] yourselves. You were opposed in many
[4:38] ways to different things that were
[4:39] discussed, but yet by the end of the
[4:42] meeting, you came to a consensus and
[4:43] that's really good government. And
[4:46] sometimes I don't think people realize
[4:48] just how much it takes to serve and to
[4:51] get criticized. As I said in an email to
[4:55] all of you, you could get a billion
[4:57] dollar grant and somebody would complain
[5:00] that it wasn't $2 billion. So sometimes
[5:02] it's a thankless job. So I want to thank
[5:04] you guys for that. And also while I'm at
[5:07] it, the town administrator,
[5:10] you need to clone him. He's been very
[5:12] busy. Uh cloning is a scientific option
[5:16] that that should be explored by the
[5:18] town. I would I would expect some grant
[5:21] funding. Uh but in the meantime, I ask
[5:25] you all to treat him with kindness
[5:27] because this whole override thing has
[5:28] got him stressed. And on the subject of
[5:31] the override,
[5:34] I'm in favor of the override. Not
[5:35] because I like taxes. I hate taxes. When
[5:39] my property tax bill comes in the mail,
[5:42] I never like it. But what I do like is
[5:45] the character of Templeton and I like
[5:48] what's been done with Templeton. And I
[5:50] don't want to have the public safety
[5:54] completely degraded. I don't want to
[5:57] have the parks department, the highway
[5:59] department, the fire department
[6:01] degraded. I want to have a strong
[6:03] library and I want to have a town that
[6:06] property owners can call their home and
[6:10] actually be able to sell their property
[6:11] for what it's worth. I've done some
[6:14] studies and did you know that in cases
[6:17] where an override has failed, there was
[6:20] a specific case, it was out in actually
[6:22] in Oakland, California, property values
[6:26] fell 15%.
[6:29] So, for example, on the $378,000
[6:32] home that is actually quoted in in the
[6:35] figures in which people might spend I
[6:38] think it's $439 or something for the
[6:41] year.
[6:43] If the override is not approved, that
[6:45] $378,000
[6:47] home is likely to fall to a value of
[6:49] $328,000
[6:51] in five years. You would have spent a
[6:54] couple of grant grand grand on the
[6:56] override, maybe two or three because
[6:57] things go up a little bit, but you would
[6:59] have lost 50 grand if you didn't approve
[7:01] the override. So, even if you can't
[7:04] stand the subject of paying taxes, even
[7:06] if you don't like the idea, even if you
[7:08] have all kinds of reasons against it, I
[7:11] say vote your self-interest.
[7:14] Vote for the override on September 28th.
[7:18] It's the right thing to do. And by the
[7:20] way, your police and fire and all the
[7:21] other folks will thank you for it. Thank
[7:23] you.
[7:24] >> Thank you.
[7:32] » Anyone else?
[7:39] » Y Noel Waterhe Circle. So yes, I did
[7:43] write to our representatives
[7:45] and I did receive an answer.
[7:48] Um, you know, yes, they understand,
[7:53] but being a government
[7:56] agency
[7:58] takes time. Takes time. Um, and people
[8:02] have to understand that the school
[8:04] district, it's its own little town, its
[8:06] own little village, and they have their
[8:08] expenses and their income, and and then
[8:11] there's the town, and we have ours, but
[8:13] our income limits are limited. Um,
[8:18] you know, um, there has been progress on
[8:22] chapter 70, but not enough.
[8:25] Um,
[8:26] the FY27 budget provides a minimum aid
[8:30] increase of 160 per student. So, that's
[8:33] a little bit of help. Um,
[8:37] last year, Naransit received $324,000
[8:42] in rural aid.
[8:45] you know, so their income went up.
[8:49] So, it's just little things like that.
[8:52] Um,
[8:53] and our representatives have asked
[8:57] um for better rural coverage and they
[9:02] were defeated, especially on the
[9:03] transportation
[9:05] issue. So, we're trying.
[9:09] Thank you. Thank you.
[9:11] >> Thank you for your hard work.
[9:24] Nothing further. Next item on the agenda
[9:27] would be town administrative comments.
[9:29] >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. So override
[9:31] communication update. Uh we updated the
[9:33] website. It's live. Includes frequently
[9:35] asked questions, an estimate for how
[9:37] much it'll be for the average single
[9:39] family home tax bill. Uh there is a do
[9:42] calculator to get an idea uh if you want
[9:45] to see how much your particular home um
[9:48] uh may cost you if if an override is
[9:51] approved. So you can type in some
[9:52] information there and uh gives you some
[9:54] um information, but all these are
[9:56] estimates I should uh point out. Um
[10:00] there's also a detailed timeline and
[10:01] explanation of the override and
[10:03] potential cuts on the website and a
[10:05] number of budget related documents. Um,
[10:07] I also submitted uh a press release to
[10:10] the gardener news and the gardener
[10:11] magazine um which is a paired down
[10:14] version of the website explanation and a
[10:17] one page flyer to the light department.
[10:20] However, I just found out that they uh
[10:23] will not be able to send that out with
[10:24] their next bill because they also have a
[10:25] flyer going out related to their their
[10:27] new system. So, I sent it over to uh
[10:30] Chief Aldridge at the sewer department
[10:32] to see if um it could go out with those
[10:35] bills. Um,
[10:37] let me see what else. Uh, we've also
[10:40] done some social media posts. Jill's
[10:42] done multiple already. Thank you, April,
[10:45] for the graphic. Um,
[10:48] and so we're hoping more more posting
[10:50] comes up in more feeds. Um, and I'm
[10:53] working with staff currently to plan
[10:55] severalformational meetings. The first
[10:57] one is tomorrow night at 6 PM if people
[10:59] want to um, uh, come and listen and ask
[11:02] questions. Yeah.
[11:04] >> Um and there'll be more to come on that
[11:07] um on the website. And so I keep pushing
[11:09] people to the website so we can keep
[11:12] people updated as more information
[11:13] becomes available. Um
[11:16] we interviewed candidates for the
[11:18] assistant town clerk position. Um once
[11:20] she starts, I'll announce her name, but
[11:22] you know, for all I know, she might not
[11:24] show up the first day, so we're just
[11:25] waiting for that. Um um but we we
[11:29] interviewed uh several people. Um the
[11:32] candidate we chose has a strong human
[11:33] resources background and was really
[11:35] impressive in the interview where she
[11:36] demonstrated um a lot of the right
[11:39] instincts for for the position. Um her
[11:41] first day of work is Monday, August
[11:42] 31st. And I want to thank Carol Harris
[11:45] and Justice Graves who are part of the
[11:47] interview committee and whose feedback
[11:49] was crucial in choosing what I believe
[11:51] to be the right candidate for the town.
[11:53] Um, and uh, tomorrow I'll be meeting
[11:56] with the DPS director and our staff
[11:59] person from Tyin Bond um, to receive a
[12:02] fresher on the Main Street Bridge. And
[12:03] depending on the outcome tonight of the
[12:05] later agenda item, we'll talk about next
[12:07] steps. Uh, this will give the DPF
[12:09] director a chance to get up to speed on
[12:11] this project. And that is my report for
[12:14] tonight. Thank you.
[12:15] >> Mr. Chair, can I ask James a question?
[12:17] all kind of a thing.
[12:19] >> Um on the town website, could we do
[12:22] something on how people can, you know,
[12:25] um register and then they can get the
[12:27] town um news thing,
[12:29] >> you know, um register
[12:31] >> sent to your um to your um email
[12:34] account, like when when um the executive
[12:38] assistant sends um or you update that
[12:41] line, I get it because I signed up, so I
[12:44] know. Could we do an advertisement?
[12:47] >> Advertise
[12:48] >> on that feature. Yes. Yes. On that
[12:50] feature because that would be helpful
[12:52] with the um override so if more people
[12:55] could sign up for that like code red
[12:57] then they can get more information. Um a
[13:00] lot of people might not know. I know it
[13:01] says to register but they might not know
[13:04] there's actually you can pick town um
[13:07] you know to get the town news. Yep.
[13:09] >> Yeah.
[13:10] >> We can advertise that.
[13:11] >> Thank you. I appreciate it.
[13:28] The next item on the agenda is a public
[13:31] hearing.
[13:35] And as this will work, I will make a
[13:38] motion and the board will vote to open
[13:40] the public hearing. There will be a
[13:42] presentation by the applicants or the
[13:44] sponsors. There will be uh opportunity
[13:48] for anyone in favor of it to speak uh
[13:51] give a statement. Then there will be an
[13:54] opportunity for statements or questions
[13:55] for anyone opposing it. And then any
[13:58] town board staff uh will have uh any
[14:02] recommendations or statement. And
[14:07] finally, there will be uh a time for the
[14:10] applicant to respond to any questions or make any closing statements and then
[14:15] the uh board will vote to close the
[14:17] public hearing and then debate on uh the
[14:20] subject of the public hearing. At this
[14:24] time, I move to open the public hearing
[14:26] to consider application for the transfer
[14:28] of the annual allcoholic on premises
[14:31] restaurant license and common Victoria
[14:35] license from A1 Family Group LLC doing
[14:38] business as Long Long Noodles to Silk
[14:40] Road Bites Incorporated. Long Noodles
[14:43] located at 9 Central Street,
[14:45] Baldenville, Mass 01436.
[14:49] Second
[14:54] motion made and seconded
[14:57] any discussion.
[15:01] Hearing none on the motion, how would
[15:02] you vote? Mr. May,
[15:03] >> yes.
[15:04] >> Miss Graves,
[15:06] >> yes.
[15:07] >> Mr. Toe,
[15:08] >> yes.
[15:09] >> Miss Cobber,
[15:10] >> yes.
[15:10] >> Mr. Bennett is yes.
[15:19] and public hearing is open and the
[15:22] respondents and the applicant uh via
[15:26] Zoom.
[15:29] >> Yes, good evening. Uh my name is May who
[15:32] I represent the applicant Silk Road
[15:34] Bites Inc. The proposed manager in
[15:38] England is also on Zoom uh here today.
[15:43] Um, Silk Road Bites Inc. uh will carry
[15:47] on with the San DA Long Long Noodles at
[15:52] 9 Central Street, Baldenville.
[15:55] Currently at that location is operated a
[15:59] restaurant business by A1 Family Group
[16:02] LLC. A1 family has been there for the
[16:06] last six years and uh over the co period
[16:10] there were some difficult times but now
[16:12] they're back and running. Um Mr. Miss
[16:16] Inging Llin has been working at the
[16:18] restaurant for the last few months and
[16:21] she is basically being trained to uh be
[16:24] able to take over the restaurant
[16:26] operation and also get to know the
[16:29] patrons and the neighbors. and she feels
[16:32] really positive about Templeton and uh
[16:35] she decided and made an offer and the
[16:38] offer got accepted. So that's how we
[16:41] come to today. She's really looking
[16:43] forward to be a productive member of the
[16:46] Templeton town [snorts] and um as in far
[16:50] as far as the restaurant operation,
[16:53] there will be no changes of operation,
[16:55] no change in menu. Uh the seating is
[16:59] still maintained at 36 seats. Um in
[17:03] terms of finance uh financial uh
[17:07] resources on this particular
[17:09] transaction, the seller is uh financing
[17:13] uh a uh 80% uh seller carryback uh note
[17:18] uh in order to help Inging get going.
[17:21] and Ingllin also uh borrowed uh 30,000
[17:26] uh as a initial capital to help her uh
[17:29] put in the business. Um lastly, the
[17:33] proposed manager in England is a
[17:36] qualified green card holder and she's
[17:40] been in the business restaurant business
[17:42] for the last 10 years. She um she has
[17:46] recently become a uh uh Massachusetts
[17:50] resident. uh she secured a lease
[17:52] agreement for an apartment at um at uh
[17:56] Gartner and uh she's familiar with the
[17:59] rules and regulations
[18:02] um with the town um as well as the ABCC
[18:07] the state uh uh regulations on service
[18:11] of alcohol and she's also tip certified
[18:15] and we're here to answer any questions
[18:17] the board might have.
[18:21] Thank you. Is is there anyone present
[18:25] here? Uh any butters or anything to
[18:27] speak in favor of this or
[18:31] is there anyone opposed?
[18:37] Uh I only see one department here. Um did we have any
[18:45] input or any questions or anything?
[18:47] police fire or anyone like that?
[18:49] >> Nope. Not from us?
[19:04] So,
[19:05] before we close the hearing, do you have
[19:08] anything else to add
[19:10] from uh Attorney Hugh or the proposed
[19:14] manager?
[19:15] >> No. Oh, you're all set.
[19:19] >> Okay.
[19:30] » At this time,
[19:32] >> I would move to close the public
[19:33] hearing.
[19:35] >> So moved for a second.
[19:37] >> Motion made and seconded. Any
[19:39] discussion?
[19:42] Hearing none on the motion. How would
[19:44] you vote, Mr. May?
[19:46] >> Yes. Miss Graves,
[19:47] >> yes.
[19:48] >> Mr. Toe,
[19:49] >> yes.
[19:50] >> Miss Cover,
[19:51] >> yes.
[19:52] >> Mr. Bennett is Yes. The hearing is
[19:54] closed at 6:49.
[20:06] At this time, I would move to approve
[20:08] the transfer of the annual allcohol on
[20:11] premises restaurant license and common
[20:13] petroleum license from A1 Family Group
[20:16] LLC doing business as Long Long Noodles
[20:18] to Silk Road Bites Inc. Long Noodles
[20:21] located at 9 Central Street, Boston,
[20:23] Mass 01436.
[20:26] >> Second.
[20:29] » Motion made and seconded. Any
[20:31] discussion? Does anyone have any
[20:33] questions for the the applicant?
[20:37] >> No.
[20:44] » Hearing none on the motion, how would
[20:46] you vote? Mr. May,
[20:48] >> yes.
[20:49] >> Miss Graves,
[20:50] >> yes.
[20:51] >> Mr. Toe,
[20:52] >> yes.
[20:52] >> Miss Cover,
[20:53] >> yes.
[20:54] >> Mr. Bennett is yes.
[21:03] and your your license uh for alcohol and
[21:08] common vic for food is is hereby
[21:10] approved. Uh the board will sign your uh
[21:13] licenses necessary paperwork and they
[21:15] will be in the uh select board's office
[21:17] for you.
[21:19] >> Okay. Thank you.
[21:20] >> Thank you so much.
[21:22] >> Have a good evening.
[21:23] >> Congratulations. You too. Thank you.
[21:26] >> Thank you. Have a good evening.
[21:34] Okay,
[21:39] » the next item up is to discuss uh the
[21:43] animal control
[21:44] >> uh position and uh the availability. And
[21:49] as a reminder, back uh in June uh 1st,
[21:54] 2026,
[21:56] uh there was a uh a model for service,
[22:01] if you will, uh for the animal control
[22:05] after uh facility uh and officers. After
[22:08] the board voted to terminate the
[22:10] regional agreement with Lynchington,
[22:14] uh there was a several options given. Uh
[22:19] option A was the part-time model. uh
[22:26] broken down uh so it would provide 24/7
[22:29] coverage uh Monday through Friday, eight
[22:33] hours each day and uh then after that
[22:36] they would be on call hours uh
[22:42] really uh circled around uh at least
[22:44] three ACOs uh to keep hours below the
[22:48] average of 20 so we keep everyone
[22:50] part-time and uh not have to deal with
[22:54] the benefit increased cost. Uh the board
[22:57] voted that night. Um
[23:00] for option A uh
[23:04] all were in favor of the motion a roll
[23:07] call. Uh so there's been some questions
[23:11] uh since the board did uh hire and
[23:14] appoint uh one individual
[23:17] to be in a position. uh received
[23:20] questions and concerns not only from the
[23:22] board but from from a few residents uh
[23:26] why we don't have someone in the
[23:29] building or someone to uh take calls uh
[23:34] even as
[23:36] uh there is training scheduled for the
[23:40] uh one cycle of training in the month of
[23:43] September. uh but state statute allows
[23:47] uh the individual to have uh up to their
[23:50] first year to complete uh several units
[23:53] of training. So,
[23:56] uh with the questions and concerns by
[23:58] some board members and residents, uh I
[24:01] thought we'd put this on for discussion
[24:04] so the public could uh hear uh what's
[24:08] transpired to date. Uh Mr.
[24:12] administrator. Do you have any
[24:13] >> Sure. Um
[24:14] >> follow up.
[24:15] >> Sure. So, as excuse [clears throat] me,
[24:18] as I have previously mentioned, um when
[24:21] we hired new ACOs, we were going to
[24:23] train them have unless they came with,
[24:25] you know, years of experience or
[24:27] something or if we were getting them
[24:28] from another poaching them from another
[24:29] town, for example. But, um so far we
[24:32] we've only hired one person. Hi, Devon.
[24:35] Um and so she's been training um over
[24:39] the last few weeks and she's done a
[24:41] great job. There was a I put together an
[24:44] extensive list of um um online training
[24:48] for her to do in consultation with a
[24:50] couple of people who worked for the
[24:51] state who work for the state. Um and
[24:54] she's I think it was over 16 hours of
[24:56] work. So, she's been plugging along at
[24:58] that and um cleaning up the um the acco
[25:03] the um the kennel as well. Um and I just
[25:08] found out today that um I don't even
[25:10] know if the chief has told her this yet
[25:12] because it was just scheduled, but we
[25:13] were looking to get her to shadow um uh
[25:18] an acco. And so, um, the acco and
[25:22] gardener is, uh, she's going to shadow
[25:24] the ACO and gardener, uh, on Thursday.
[25:27] Um, so that'll provide some on the
[25:30] street hands-on training. Um, also, you
[25:33] know, help help us, um, evaluate where
[25:36] she is cuz neither the chief nor I are
[25:38] trained animal control officers. Um, and
[25:43] so, uh, that's that's where we stand,
[25:45] uh, right now. She works uh two days a
[25:47] week and um she's doing training right
[25:50] now.
[25:53] >> Any questions from the board?
[25:55] >> Um yes. Um today there was an incident
[25:59] on Dudley Road. It was over the um the
[26:02] system um that said that the animal
[26:05] control officer along with the police
[26:06] officer was called in and that um was
[26:11] Devon working today?
[26:14] >> I I don't know I don't manage her on the
[26:15] day-to-day police chief does. I
[26:16] apologize for not knowing that.
[26:18] >> I I just was wondering, you know, if
[26:19] that would be a good experience, you
[26:21] know, in that situation um to have been
[26:24] brought in if she was on if she was at
[26:26] the uh police station. And then I guess
[26:29] in our weekly there has been um a bite
[26:32] incident and it also said they were
[26:33] working with the animal control officer.
[26:35] Do you know if Devon was worked with
[26:37] that?
[26:37] >> No, I wouldn't know that. Devin, were
[26:39] you did you were you brought in with
[26:41] Lori on the animal bite situation?
[26:44] >> Uh Lori told me about it, but I was
[26:46] never shown every anything about it. So
[26:50] >> informed it happened
[26:51] >> cuz that can be leading possibly to
[26:54] something, right?
[26:55] >> Yeah. Paperwork to do for that.
[26:57] >> Yeah. I can do
[26:59] >> Were you informed about the um dog
[27:01] incident on Dudley Road this morning?
[27:04] >> Nope.
[27:04] >> No. So, were you in the Were you in the
[27:07] building at the police station or in
[27:09] >> working today, but
[27:11] >> you two seconds away.
[27:12] >> Okay.
[27:16] » So, if it's okay, I'd like to know uh if
[27:19] you could come and tell us what you've
[27:21] done so far, up to date, your
[27:22] perspective of what you've done so we
[27:24] can have your
[27:26] >> what you've done so far.
[27:27] >> Yeah. Um I've cleaned out the shelter.
[27:29] I've organized everything. uh like deep
[27:31] cleaning. I did outside work. Um
[27:33] weeding, taking plants out that have
[27:35] been there forever. Um I did a bunch of
[27:39] online trainings, hours on end, but
[27:42] nothing
[27:44] on it's hard with ACOs to do hands-on
[27:47] training. You don't get hands-on
[27:48] training unless you're doing it yourself
[27:50] or shadowing somebody. I mean, for me
[27:53] personally, like I learn by doing. I'm
[27:55] not going to learn by information. Jump
[27:57] in my face. Um, were you the one on
[28:01] Facebook that put the uh Are you able to
[28:03] go on Facebook and write? Was that you
[28:05] that wrote about the donations and stuff
[28:08] in the Facebook account?
[28:09] >> Okay.
[28:10] >> I know that we had a couple of I mean,
[28:13] they resolved it in the in a couple
[28:15] areas in town, missing animals, and they
[28:18] resolved it pretty quick. The local
[28:20] neighbors and stuff.
[28:21] >> Yeah, I've had plenty of people
[28:22] messaging me, but I tell them I'm like,
[28:24] I don't want to overstep because I don't
[28:26] want to lose my job. So, I'm
[28:28] >> But people are messaging you knowing
[28:30] that your job role is Yeah.
[28:32] >> Every day I get messages about Luc.
[28:34] >> That's what I thought was happening. It
[28:36] seemed like it. Yeah.
[28:37] >> Yeah. And but you're just sitting there
[28:39] waiting until they tag you in.
[28:41] >> So, you have five months of experience.
[28:44] >> I was out on calls.
[28:46] >> No, she's Wait, at her last job?
[28:48] >> Yes.
[28:48] >> Was three months?
[28:49] >> Three months of experience at her last
[28:51] job.
[28:51] >> She Well, specifically because three
[28:53] months doesn't really detail how much
[28:54] she has. 209.5 hours of work. So that
[28:58] divides out to about 26 8 hour shifts.
[29:00] So it's a little over 5 weeks.
[29:02] >> But they put her in a truck by herself
[29:04] and put her on calls.
[29:05] >> She was responding to calls.
[29:07] >> Okay.
[29:08] >> And our money paid for those calls.
[29:11] >> Okay. I mean like like I said that you
[29:13] know she has the equivalent of five five
[29:15] weeks of training. Um, so you know, it
[29:18] was, as I've mentioned before, it's it's
[29:21] our intent to set the employee up for
[29:24] success. So we don't necessarily want to
[29:27] put her out in the street until we feel
[29:28] that she's ready to succeed. We don't
[29:31] want an accident to happen. We don't
[29:32] want mismanagement. We don't want u her
[29:35] to come across a rabid animal that, you
[29:38] know, we don't we don't know where her
[29:40] skill level is yet. And so again, we
[29:42] don't want to put her out. Like a police
[29:44] officer, for example, goes through six
[29:46] months of training and another six
[29:48] months on the street. And it's not what
[29:49] we're asking here, of course, but this
[29:51] is a technical position that has a lot
[29:54] of statutory authority, especially with
[29:56] barn inspections and ticket writing and
[29:58] um maintaining someone's pet. So that's
[30:01] someone else's property. To many people,
[30:02] that's their family. Um so it has been
[30:06] our intent to train her first and then
[30:08] put her on the street.
[30:09] >> So when is she expected to go out on her
[30:11] own? So, she, like I said, she'll be
[30:13] shadowing the gardener um acco on
[30:17] Thursday and and we'll see how it goes
[30:19] then and what the what the feedback is.
[30:21] Um, but I think the original intent was
[30:24] to um let have her go through um some
[30:28] shadowing or get through the state
[30:30] training that comes in September, but um
[30:32] I'm starting to see some
[30:35] um anxiousness for her to get out on the
[30:38] street. So, I think we would like some
[30:40] feedback from an act a trained acco um
[30:43] before we put her out on her own. Um so,
[30:47] that opportunity comes Thursday and you
[30:49] know, maybe we'll set her up with more
[30:50] shadowing days as well. I just um I'm
[30:54] glad that we were going to this route
[30:56] because finding out the things that were
[30:58] lacking on the other side of the coin
[31:00] where you're just saying that we needed
[31:01] um she would have needed more training
[31:03] on your perspective but yet we weren't
[31:06] getting that from um on the winchon and
[31:08] they weren't doing that kind of
[31:10] protocol. So you so I guess it's a it's
[31:12] a positive thing we're moving into this
[31:14] light.
[31:15] >> Well so I don't know what they were
[31:16] doing for I know she was shadowing
[31:17] people. I I don't know.
[31:18] >> She wasn't. Were you? I shadowed people
[31:21] for maybe a week and then I told them I
[31:23] said I'd learn more just doing things on
[31:25] my own and that's how I learned
[31:26] >> because I know you drove the truck by
[31:28] yourself. I know for a fact
[31:29] >> I had the truck at my house for weeks.
[31:31] >> Yeah.
[31:32] >> So do you have set hours right now?
[31:35] >> 7 to three Tuesdays and Thursdays and
[31:36] >> are you getting your 19 hours?
[31:38] >> Not hours. So the plan you voted was two
[31:43] eight hour days [snorts] amongst well it
[31:45] would be two two and one and so it' be a
[31:47] rotating shift once we had three ACOs on
[31:51] because we need to save hours for when
[31:54] everyone's fully trained and they're
[31:55] also on call because if they get called
[31:58] in those are hours that counter against
[31:59] the 19 and so we have to stay under 20
[32:03] otherwise they become benefit eligible.
[32:05] So it's two eight hour days and then on
[32:07] call hours.
[32:08] >> Excuse me Mr. Chair. Mr. May,
[32:11] >> I'm sitting over here and this is all
[32:12] news to me.
[32:13] >> Yeah. Yeah.
[32:14] >> It was what you voted for. I
[32:16] >> We didn't vote for hours.
[32:18] >> It You voted for three people to share
[32:21] Monday through Friday, 7 to three,
[32:23] >> right?
[32:24] >> So,
[32:25] >> we hired We hired her.
[32:27] >> I fully expected her to be available.
[32:30] >> Yeah.
[32:31] >> To be out on the road.
[32:33] >> So, I had
[32:33] >> I I and I don't know where the we're
[32:37] checking to see. We're going to see
[32:40] because as you said, you don't have any
[32:42] experience. Neither does the chief. So,
[32:45] how are you going to be qualified
[32:46] [clears throat]
[32:47] to say she is?
[32:49] >> So, for the third or fourth time, she
[32:50] will be shadowing people. And I also
[32:53] want her to go through the state
[32:54] training as well, which is in September
[32:57] year to take that training from the time
[32:58] that she's fired.
[32:59] >> Okay? So, there's the legal requirement,
[33:01] but then there's training an employee.
[33:03] The reason why there is an entire year
[33:06] to get it done is because that part of
[33:07] the training is only offered once a
[33:09] year. Now, normally when you bring in
[33:11] someone, you have someone else to train
[33:12] them, we don't have that. So, I was
[33:14] hoping to send her through the full
[33:16] training because September is not far
[33:18] away. We're also setting her up to
[33:20] shadow people as well.
[33:22] >> See, now I would think since we were in
[33:23] the agreement with Washington and they
[33:25] hired her and they put her out on the
[33:26] road that she would be there.
[33:29] >> Well, she like I said, she worked the
[33:31] equivalent of five weeks. Bob, do you
[33:33] really think that's a And Deon, I'm not
[33:35] criticizing. I think you're doing a
[33:36] great job, but they're asking you these
[33:38] questions.
[33:39] >> Sworn in five weeks,
[33:40] >> five weeks. Do you think that's a fully
[33:42] trained person?
[33:43] >> She's also took the oath now
[33:45] >> just because Winchin let her do it on
[33:46] her own. And we're not Winchendin.
[33:48] They're not liable.
[33:49] >> We're in a inter intermunicipal
[33:51] agreement with Winchin. We were just as
[33:53] responsible as that. Not
[33:54] >> But not now. Now it's just us and now
[33:58] it's on me. If something goes wrong,
[33:59] you're going to look at me. Well, we
[34:01] hired her.
[34:02] >> Okay. And And who manages her on the
[34:04] day-to-day? It's the chief.
[34:06] >> Is it the chief? Do you report to the
[34:08] chief? Do you see the chief?
[34:09] >> No.
[34:10] >> Do you report to the chief?
[34:12] >> I text dispatch when I'm on duty. That's
[34:14] >> But your supervisor is the chief of
[34:16] police. It says it in your appointment
[34:18] letter.
[34:18] >> Who's been working with you at the
[34:19] police station?
[34:21] >> Eric Baker. He's the only one that's
[34:23] been telling me what to do, but
[34:24] unfortunately he
[34:25] >> she is also sworn in. So when when the
[34:27] bite happened, she should be involved in
[34:29] that since she is sworn in for that
[34:31] duty. She did take the oath and they did
[34:34] vote
[34:35] >> being fully trained,
[34:36] >> but they also voted her in for that
[34:38] particular thing. So she So and Lori has
[34:40] huge amount of experience in that too.
[34:42] So she would have
[34:44] >> I asked another question here.
[34:45] >> Oh, she did.
[34:46] >> And who did respond?
[34:48] >> Lori.
[34:49] >> Oh, do you want to bring in the police
[34:51] chief? We could have come into your next
[34:52] meeting. No, but I'm just wondering who
[34:53] did respond because we don't have an
[34:55] acco. So, nobody with acco training
[34:57] respond.
[34:58] >> Correct.
[34:58] >> So, wouldn't somebody who had some
[35:00] [snorts] acco training be better than
[35:02] somebody who has none.
[35:04] >> I don't know. Depends on the situation.
[35:05] Do, like I said, do we want to set the
[35:07] employee up for success or do we want to
[35:08] roll the dice?
[35:10] I'm I'm trying to
[35:13] success here. I'm I I want her to
[35:14] succeed here. Well, in the animal bite
[35:18] situation, she could have been with Lori
[35:20] and in the board of health and and Lori
[35:22] has extremely a lot of experience with
[35:24] this matter and so she would have been
[35:26] basically technically training with her
[35:28] in a way when she was with her because
[35:30] she'd be working with her. I mean, know
[35:32] she contacted her, but that is working.
[35:35] So, she would need hours to actually
[35:36] help Lori in that matter. um in my
[35:39] opinion. I mean, but I just feel like
[35:43] she's she's just like my previous world
[35:46] where she's really with the depart um
[35:48] Lor's department and she's really with
[35:50] the police department. She's in both
[35:52] worlds. Her her job is in both worlds.
[35:54] So, she can benefit both the chief and
[35:57] also with Lori um and and her folks on
[36:00] that department um because she's really
[36:02] with both of them. I for respectfully I
[36:05] think the reason why Lori is handling
[36:07] some of the stuff is because we don't
[36:08] have an acco and so they come to the
[36:09] health department.
[36:10] >> No, Lori always has hand has handled a
[36:13] lot of that stuff in the past with the
[36:15] ACOs. The uh her the uh the board of
[36:18] health works hand in hand with that
[36:20] situation because it's a human being and
[36:22] that lands in her wheelhouse and the
[36:24] animal he goes into the animal control
[36:28] officer's wheelhouse. So they work
[36:30] together in that situation. And that's
[36:32] why the board of health board votes to appoint her to work with them. They
[36:37] appoint them to work with them. I mean,
[36:39] otherwise, why would they appoint them
[36:40] if they didn't need them on that
[36:42] department?
[36:44] So, it is a two it's a twofer
[36:46] department. They're literally She's
[36:47] literally in two different directions
[36:50] just like we have other we have another
[36:52] department that's the same way. They're
[36:53] in two different directions, you know.
[36:56] >> And then also, you had a Facebook page.
[36:58] I saw that you were receiving donations.
[37:00] All of a sudden, the Facebook page
[37:02] disappeared. People are calling that we
[37:04] don't have acco. They're being told. I I
[37:06] mean I mean it's like two steps forward,
[37:08] three steps back. Like I forward
[37:10] momentum.
[37:11] >> Okay. So they So the Facebook page was
[37:13] taken down because per your social media
[37:16] policy, social media accounts have to be
[37:18] approved by the town administrator. She
[37:20] didn't know this. I don't blame her.
[37:21] She's new here. But that Facebook page
[37:23] was not approved. And there were some
[37:26] errors happening. Again, I don't blame
[37:28] you. But they're asking me these
[37:30] questions, Devon, so I have to answer
[37:31] them.
[37:32] >> She
[37:34] >> Okay. But was Eric Baker the one hiding
[37:36] comments? There was violations of first
[37:38] amendment um issues. She was violating
[37:40] the first amendment of people's rights.
[37:42] So I had to take it down.
[37:44] >> So taking it down and just getting her
[37:46] the form and going through the It's a
[37:48] form that we have in the office.
[37:49] >> Okay. So it's a 10page policy that I
[37:52] have not had time to go through and
[37:54] understand and I'm not putting it back
[37:56] up until I
[37:57] >> signed it myself. Good for you. It's 10
[37:59] pages. All right. And I and I'm
[38:01] responsible for it's my name on it. And
[38:03] I've been dealing with more important
[38:05] things and I'm I've told her multiple
[38:07] times I am trying very hard to get to
[38:09] it, but I put in overtime last week
[38:11] dealing with override stuff. So, I'm
[38:14] sorry, but the the the Facebook page,
[38:16] you have to wait a few days.
[38:18] >> And just so you know, the frustration
[38:19] from me on this is because I've asked
[38:22] twice over the summer
[38:24] >> what's going on, and I did not get an
[38:25] answer.
[38:26] >> Right. So, let's talk about that, Bob.
[38:27] So, the reason why you didn't get an
[38:29] answer is because you send me emails
[38:31] that are rude and are ill-informed. And
[38:34] so, I've decided that I'm no longer
[38:36] answer. Hey, I'm speaking now. I've
[38:37] decided that I'm no longer answering
[38:39] your emails when you disrespect me. I am
[38:42] sending them to the chair and I'm saying
[38:43] if you want to talk about it, we talk
[38:45] about in these public meetings so people
[38:46] can see and understand how you treat me.
[38:49] >> Well, how I treat you.
[38:50] >> Yeah. Enough.
[38:51] >> You want to talk about that email? One
[38:52] you didn't want to talk about.
[38:54] >> Enough. Enough. Done. Got
[38:56] >> idea. Read it.
[38:57] >> We're done.
[39:01] » Yeah. Have a discussion without arguing.
[39:03] We'll move on.
[39:04] >> Great.
[39:06] >> We'll move on.
[39:09] >> So, let's So, to the board.
[39:12] >> We're done.
[39:13] >> No. No. I'm I'm I'm good. I'm just
[39:15] saying. So, it sounds like the board
[39:16] wants her on the street.
[39:18] >> I do.
[39:18] >> Right. If that's what the board wants,
[39:21] then I will talk to the chief. However,
[39:23] the chief has made it clear that he is
[39:25] in charge of officers per the statute.
[39:27] It just says officers. So, if he's not
[39:30] comfortable with it, you will have to
[39:31] talk to him directly.
[39:34] I would like also for her to be working
[39:37] with Lori
[39:39] with this
[39:40] >> under general law that the town admin uh
[39:45] town meeting approved section 97A the
[39:47] so-called strong police chief states the
[39:51] police chief reports to the board same
[39:54] as the strong fire chief law doesn't
[39:57] report to the town administrator that's
[39:59] town meeting vote that's master general
[40:00] law so if the chief has something to
[40:03] tell the board he can come talk to the
[40:05] board cuz that's who he reports to via
[40:08] town meeting vote that match general law
[40:11] and section.
[40:14] Next item uh vote to accept parks and
[40:17] recreation donation.
[40:19] Uh there's a memo
[40:23] a there's two items on it.
[40:27] Uh
[40:33] there's a donation of $10 by
[40:36] uh a couple I think Aaron and Henry. It
[40:40] was a playgroup donation for $10.
[40:44] And during apparently during the
[40:46] National Play Outside Day event, they
[40:49] received uh general donations.
[40:52] I guess during the event a total of $24
[40:56] with total donations to be turned over
[40:59] is $214.
[41:03] So, at this time, I would move to accept
[41:05] the donation to parks and recreation
[41:09] uh of $10 from Aaron and Henry as well
[41:13] as the general donations during the
[41:17] national play outside event uh in the
[41:19] amount of $24 for a total of donation
[41:22] amount of $214.
[41:26] » Second.
[41:28] >> Motion made and seconded. Any
[41:30] discussion? Hearing
[41:33] none. On the motion, how would you vote?
[41:35] Mr. May,
[41:36] >> yes.
[41:37] >> Miss Graves,
[41:38] >> yes. And thank you.
[41:39] >> Mr. To?
[41:40] >> No.
[41:43] >> Miss Cobber?
[41:45] >> Yes. And thank you.
[41:46] >> Miss Bennett is Yes.
[41:56] » Mr. Chairman.
[42:01] » Yes. General comment. This is the second
[42:04] or third year in a row National Play
[42:06] Outside Day has been a one day in the
[42:09] month of August event. If you look up
[42:11] National Play Outside Day, it is a
[42:14] year-long event. It occurs the first
[42:17] Saturday of each month. I would like to
[42:19] see our parks and recreation actually do
[42:22] the program as it was intentionally
[42:24] designed or we need to change the name
[42:27] because we're actually plagiarizing a
[42:29] different program and that's why I voted
[42:32] no.
[42:34] >> Mr. Chair, it's it's it's a national
[42:37] day. It's just like National Outside
[42:39] Day. You it's it happens yes once a
[42:42] month and it's an option that they can
[42:44] do. They can they can they can celebrate
[42:46] it. Um, and they chose to celebrate it
[42:49] with their funds this this one time a
[42:52] year. It's their prerogative
[42:56] as commissioners.
[43:22] Next item on the agenda is to consider
[43:24] the acceptance of the town hazardous
[43:27] hazard mitigation plan.
[43:30] Mr. Curtis,
[43:32] how you doing this evening, Mitch?
[43:34] >> Good.
[43:36] >> Taking a breath now.
[43:38] >> Good evening.
[43:38] >> We're all good.
[43:40] Yeah, you're good. We're not going to
[43:41] let you go out with anything.
[43:42] >> If you don't start, there won't be no
[43:46] >> um it's been about three years since
[43:48] this thing started.
[43:49] >> Yeah, it's been a long time
[43:51] >> and
[43:53] it's finally getting close to being in
[43:55] it. We're not there yet. Uh after
[43:58] tonight, there should be no reason for
[44:00] any discussion really or any
[44:03] decisions to be made other than to adopt
[44:05] it. U it's been approved by FEMA the way
[44:08] it is.
[44:09] So our next steps would be after the
[44:12] adoption is to send the adoption paper
[44:15] to
[44:17] Massachusetts at Regional Planning.
[44:20] They send FEMA that and a copy of the
[44:25] plan. I'm sure you all got um without
[44:28] the draft written on it. And once they
[44:31] send it back to us, it's official.
[44:35] And then I can apply for the
[44:37] reimbursement which will get the town
[44:38] back $22,500
[44:42] which we have already spent
[44:45] right
[44:46] >> and then in rears for but
[44:49] >> so that's where we stand right now. So
[44:51] it's not over yet but it's getting close
[44:53] >> and we have until I don't know if it's
[44:56] November 1st or 15th to get this done.
[45:00] So
[45:01] >> I understand you're retiring at the end
[45:03] of the month. Will you be sending this
[45:04] out
[45:05] >> Monday? Week from?
[45:06] >> Oh, yes. A week.
[45:07] >> Um, at the end of the month, I said.
[45:09] >> Yes.
[45:09] >> So, will you have this out to them prior
[45:11] to then or is this something that James
[45:13] is going to be sending out? I just want
[45:15] to make sure the coordination is
[45:17] >> It'll get sent out as soon as you sign
[45:19] it. Is I mean, we'll have it out
[45:21] tomorrow.
[45:21] >> Okay. And then who will be going for the
[45:24] grants? Who will be following up with
[45:25] that? Do we have a plan in place?
[45:27] >> I'm still going to be helping out get it
[45:29] done.
[45:30] >> Oh, I just want to make sure. Thank you.
[45:33] I appreciate that.
[45:40] » Uh,
[45:42] anything else from the board?
[45:45] >> Uh, just before you, uh, before we let
[45:49] you go,
[45:52] how long have you been the Templeton EMD
[45:58] goto guy?
[45:59] >> 18.
[46:00] years.
[46:03] and
[46:04] >> all together. It was
[46:06] >> myself and Richard probably um I don't
[46:09] know swatted flies back and forth a
[46:11] couple more than a couple times over the
[46:13] years. Sometime budget, sometime just
[46:15] philosophical stuff. Uh
[46:19] I will say that he has operated without
[46:23] [sighs] the taxation budget of like and
[46:26] like nothing. uh he is also
[46:31] doesn't matter what you think of AMD the
[46:33] building all that stuff doesn't matter
[46:35] all the stuff in there in the operation
[46:37] and everything that uh whenever they
[46:39] have done something including cert
[46:42] um the ice storm comes to mind back in
[46:46] 2008 it's uh
[46:49] his probably the most prolific grant
[46:53] writer the town has had to date. Uh he's
[47:01] it he's just been awesome at getting
[47:05] grants for
[47:07] any number of things. Uh
[47:10] so on that front, uh he will be missed.
[47:14] Uh
[47:16] on behalf of the board and the residents
[47:18] of the town, I thank you for your time.
[47:20] uh the only way you're going what you're
[47:23] gonna do when you retire because uh I
[47:26] think you've already done that once but
[47:27] >> I set myself up with a wood shop.
[47:30] >> [laughter]
[47:31] >> Whatever you choose to do, it's uh it's
[47:34] fine by me. But uh I on again on behalf
[47:37] of the board and the residents of the
[47:39] town, uh thank you for all your time and
[47:41] your service, Rich, because you have uh
[47:45] put up with uh some stuff over the
[47:47] years. Uh all kinds of different angles.
[47:50] Uh myself included in that. And uh but
[47:54] you've always done uh good and again
[47:56] you've been a prolific grant writer
[47:58] which has uh gotten the town stuff uh
[48:01] for for little to to no money out of uh
[48:04] taxation or anything. You've just been
[48:06] getting uh the money that we send out of
[48:08] the town. You've brought some back. Uh
[48:12] and for that uh very thankful. So enjoy
[48:14] your time and uh
[48:18] take care. Thank you.
[48:19] >> Thank you.
[48:20] >> I'll keep in touch. [laughter] I know
[48:22] this has been your uh your baby all the
[48:24] way through and I thank you for the
[48:26] dedication and the diligence working
[48:29] through it. I also shared many years
[48:31] with you on the rescue squad and I know
[48:33] the time you've put in on EMD.
[48:35] >> Yeah.
[48:36] >> And I'll echo Jeff's sentiment. I know
[48:38] the minuscule budget you've had and what
[48:41] you brought back two, five, tenfold at
[48:44] times. It's just like we need more of
[48:46] you. I heard it said earlier and I'll
[48:48] have to
[48:50] >> I will steal fire between
[48:52] >> I'll steal Warner's uh thing. We need to
[48:54] clone you as well, sir.
[48:56] >> Thank you.
[48:57] >> I just want to let you know Terry would
[48:58] have been here tonight because she
[48:59] wanted to thank you in person, but she
[49:01] wasn't unable to. So, I just wanted to
[49:03] let you know to pass that on to you and
[49:05] to thank you for everything you've done
[49:06] for our town. We appreciate it.
[49:08] >> Thank you.
[49:09] >> Thanks, Rich.
[49:10] >> Thank you.
[49:11] >> I'll wait until you vote.
[49:15] side is exhibited. I think we have a
[49:17] reputation.
[49:21] » At this time, um I would move to adopt
[49:25] the hazard mitigation plan 2026 as
[49:29] presented and for the board to sign.
[49:31] >> Second.
[49:37] » Any discussion on the motion
[49:43] hearing? None on the motion. How would
[49:44] you vote? Mr. May,
[49:45] >> yes.
[49:46] >> Miss Graves,
[49:47] >> yes.
[49:48] >> Mr. To?
[49:49] >> Yes.
[49:50] >> Miss Cover?
[49:50] >> Yes.
[49:51] >> Mr. Bennett is Yes.
[50:00] Now you can be happy.
[50:03] >> I won't be happy till it's all over.
[50:05] [laughter]
[50:07] >> All right. Good night all.
[50:09] >> Thank you. Jeff, if you want to rip out
[50:10] a copy of an um your packet and sign it.
[50:14] >> Yes.
[50:15] >> That the board sign it and I can pass it
[50:17] over to Rich. And
[50:18] >> I wrote all over mine.
[50:50] Yeah, you don't need glasses for that.
[50:52] Me
[50:53] worse than a doctor.
[50:54] >> Get over
[50:56] here.
[50:59] Thank you.
[51:11] All right. The next item on the agenda
[51:13] is uh
[51:16] indirect billing of the enterprise
[51:18] funds. Uh I put this on the agenda for a
[51:22] couple of reasons.
[51:24] one uh
[51:26] the
[51:28] auditors
[51:30] uh doing the town audit. Uh
[51:35] under the management letter uh they have
[51:40] consistently commented on the uh
[51:43] indirect cost
[51:46] uh not only for the water, light, sewer
[51:49] and even enterprise fund would be uh
[51:53] TCTV
[51:56] uh transferring
[51:58] excuse me transferring funds to cover
[52:01] there the enterprise fund
[52:04] portion of health insurance, retirement
[52:09] and OPED,
[52:11] but we are also allowed
[52:14] uh
[52:16] by the Department of Revenue, Division
[52:18] of Local Services
[52:20] to
[52:22] build for
[52:24] such things as the accounting
[52:26] department, uh the collector and the
[52:29] treasury treasurer
[52:32] because they are town departments and
[52:37] all of their paperwork, all of their
[52:39] invoices,
[52:41] uh their pension, their vacation, their
[52:44] W2s,
[52:46] uh
[52:49] all of that is done in town hall
[52:52] and
[52:55] the sewer department, the town voted um
[52:59] and and the selection did uh to collect
[53:02] the sewer bills in uh the treasurer's
[53:07] office.
[53:08] So there is a a formula or a process
[53:17] uh you have to figure out the
[53:21] portion of the amount of time that
[53:25] such as the accountant, the treasurer
[53:27] and the collector
[53:31] have to put forth
[53:33] to do all this this work. And it it has
[53:38] to uh from what I read uh
[53:41] in the uhformational guide release uh
[53:45] there's you figure out
[53:49] the time that each department puts into
[53:52] doing that billing and you do a
[53:55] percentage and they did it for the
[53:57] sewer.
[54:00] There was a uh
[54:03] prior town administrator
[54:05] uh interim slashf full-time Mr.
[54:08] Teranzini
[54:10] figured out uh
[54:14] the collecting of and the processing of
[54:16] all the paperwork, the collecting of the
[54:17] sewer bills plus the processing of their
[54:19] payrolls, the this that all of that
[54:21] other stuff
[54:23] and how much time each department was
[54:27] putting in and did a percentage. And uh
[54:30] I'm going to track it down. It's uh
[54:35] they did a uh a presentation
[54:38] on it uh and they came up with uh an
[54:43] amount of just for the sewer was $19,161
[54:47] that would come back to the general
[54:49] fund.
[54:51] Um,
[54:53] we had change in accounting personnel
[54:56] and it I spoke with the treasurer today
[54:58] and it like fell off the table and
[55:02] hasn't been done in a couple of years.
[55:06] So, I wanted to get the feel of the
[55:10] board
[55:12] uh because it's going to be some time
[55:13] and work to ask the accountant, the
[55:16] treasurer, collector uh their their time
[55:20] uh in all of those services uh what's
[55:23] the percentage of their time and to come
[55:25] up with a formula to uh charge the
[55:30] enterprise funds for the services that
[55:33] we do to them in town hall. So, it's
[55:36] just a a consensus on the board. If you
[55:39] feel that you'd like to pursue this,
[55:41] again, it was 19,000 just back in 19
[55:45] just for uh the sewer department.
[55:49] If we could get close to that with the
[55:53] other two big ones, plus the uh
[55:56] TCTV is a is an enterprise fund or
[55:59] whatever we're processing for them.
[56:02] um you know it's like 40 50,000 30 thou
[56:08] what this it's not going to help in 27
[56:12] by the time if you know if we get all
[56:13] this stuff through and and and start
[56:16] this process but it would help going
[56:18] forward
[56:20] uh you know the the enterprise funds
[56:23] build the town for electric water and
[56:25] sewer even though you know we're town
[56:28] departments and I gave you a handout if
[56:30] you look at the light and the water
[56:31] bills Residential
[56:35] light bill has a customer service charge
[56:36] of $4.3.
[56:38] A commercial building has a customer
[56:42] search charge of $8.91
[56:45] and that's the service charge that they
[56:48] are attaching to all the town buildings
[56:52] electric bill.
[56:54] >> Mr. Mayor,
[56:55] >> um I don't know, you can tell me, Mr.
[56:58] chair if you think this is acceptable to
[57:00] discuss with this agenda item. But um in
[57:03] the budget, we have money that we budget
[57:07] from the general fund to pay for light
[57:09] bills and water bills. Um I don't have I
[57:14] don't have the number in front of me. I
[57:15] don't know if it's it's about 70,000 or
[57:17] something that includes street lights.
[57:20] As we know, the the light department um
[57:23] from time to time gives us um you know,
[57:27] agrees to give us money for this project
[57:28] or that project or or what have you. Um
[57:32] would the board want to consider asking
[57:34] the light department to cover instead
[57:37] the light and um water bills uh instead?
[57:42] That way it is a consistent amount of
[57:44] money that as we know ultimately
[57:47] increases every year. So, it's almost
[57:48] like a built-in way to get a certain
[57:51] amount of money from them a year that
[57:54] slowly increases.
[57:56] Um, that might be something worth
[57:58] exploring with them because I assume
[58:00] that Mr. Driscoll probably has a number
[58:03] in his head each year that he says, you
[58:06] know, when he's doing his budget that
[58:07] says, "All right, I'm going to set aside
[58:09] this amount to possibly give to the town
[58:11] if they come to me and ask for, you
[58:13] know, money for a project." like the
[58:15] carport that we're currently bidding out
[58:17] is is something they agreed to. Now, if
[58:19] we asked them for this money, that other
[58:21] money probably goes away. So, it would
[58:24] be a trade-off between what we think
[58:26] we'd get with what we know we'd get. And
[58:28] what we know we'd get would come with,
[58:30] you know, a modest increase each year
[58:31] depending on what it is that they we're
[58:33] paying for electricity.
[58:35] >> I think that's a great approach. I think
[58:37] opposed to sitting down and saying, you
[58:39] know, we offer you this service, this service. you know, just us
[58:43] as a board making the decision. I think
[58:45] having a conversation would go a long
[58:48] ways and I I think that that is a good
[58:50] idea. Maybe we could swap one service
[58:52] for another.
[58:53] >> So, the Department of Revenue in our
[58:56] financial reviews in 2009 and March of
[59:00] 2021
[59:02] has recommended to
[59:05] come to a pilot agreement with the light
[59:09] department.
[59:11] uh so far has really gone nowhere. Uh
[59:16] Ashenham's municipal light department
[59:18] back in 2013 had an annual town meeting
[59:22] vote for a pilot with Ashenham's
[59:26] municipal light department and it's
[59:28] based off a formula a percentage of
[59:31] kilowatt hours
[59:33] and
[59:35] it's roughly been around the 65ish,000
[59:41] 65,000ish or so uh dollar amounts. you can uh get on the Ashenham website,
[59:48] find the time meeting things and you can
[59:50] see it. It's generally
[59:52] within the first
[59:56] five articles. I think it's like usually
[59:59] article three, but we've tried that
[1:00:02] approach. Uh also in the past up until
[1:00:08] uh well they in 2014
[1:00:12] and that was the year uh the town was in
[1:00:16] uh trouble. There was an article, it's
[1:00:18] article two, uh for a special town
[1:00:22] meeting on July 10th, 2014 where the
[1:00:26] town would vote to appropriate to the
[1:00:28] general fund of the town the sum of
[1:00:32] $31,532
[1:00:36] from surplus funds in the operating
[1:00:37] account of the municipal lighting plant.
[1:00:41] Back in 2013, that same article, it was
[1:00:45] 150,000. And if you go back and look
[1:00:48] through the annual town meeting reports
[1:00:51] up until 20134,
[1:00:55] if you will, there was always an article
[1:00:59] and the amounts varied from 75,000 to
[1:01:05] 150. It there was no like set amount.
[1:01:08] It's it seems like whatever the
[1:01:11] commissioners
[1:01:13] had surplus revenue and they voted
[1:01:16] uh they offered it to the town to you
[1:01:18] know it was a town meeting vote to
[1:01:20] accept it uh to help the town. Uh
[1:01:23] generally it was uh
[1:01:28] it was stated that uh to be used to
[1:01:30] offset the fiscal like in 2013 the
[1:01:33] fiscal 14 town expenses as part of a
[1:01:35] town balance budget.
[1:01:37] uh some of the articles had uh to assist
[1:01:41] the assessors in setting the tax rate.
[1:01:43] It would mean it would be in a revenue
[1:01:45] amount to be added to general state aid,
[1:01:48] local receipts and you know you need
[1:01:51] making up numbers 10 million and you
[1:01:54] have 3 million in local receipts and
[1:01:56] state aid and the light money and free
[1:01:58] cash. So subtract it from 10 and that's
[1:02:01] how much you have to get from uh
[1:02:04] real estate taxes in a nutshell. I think
[1:02:08] uh I think
[1:02:11] >> geneneralally
[1:02:11] >> close enough.
[1:02:13] >> So
[1:02:15] if we could get something like that uh
[1:02:20] preferably like a a set amount or an
[1:02:23] agreement uh sort of like the pilot
[1:02:26] amount. Uh,
[1:02:27] >> by the way, I'm saying I'm I'm I'm
[1:02:28] saying do both. Um, I'm I'm with you in
[1:02:32] trying to figure out more charges to um
[1:02:35] indirect bill them on. And I tried to
[1:02:38] work on this during the last budget
[1:02:40] cycle, but it was a little hard to
[1:02:42] because the trick is having a
[1:02:44] justifiable way to bills. You have to
[1:02:46] figure out like you were mentioning to
[1:02:48] figure out your time. Um, so we
[1:02:50] obviously we did that I did that with a
[1:02:52] couple of small things like uh I think
[1:02:54] the cost of Harpers or it and I I did
[1:02:56] assess the um or indirect bill I should
[1:02:58] say the um sewer department more but
[1:03:01] that didn't apply to light and water. Um
[1:03:04] but but I agree that be a good idea to tweak that for FY28.
[1:03:09] Um, but I also think that it might be
[1:03:12] helpful for the board to consider um
[1:03:14] asking light if they would go back to
[1:03:17] some sort of pilot payment or just agree
[1:03:19] to pay for the the the the light and
[1:03:23] water costs to run these municipal
[1:03:24] buildings. Just unfortunate that we take
[1:03:28] our general fund money and and ship it
[1:03:29] over there for this when, you know, they could consider covering it.
[1:03:35] Do you think if we had a like a workshop
[1:03:38] type of of like a one time like a thing
[1:03:41] where they could come in and have a
[1:03:42] conversation with us?
[1:03:45] >> I I don't that didn't feel like it
[1:03:46] worked good last time.
[1:03:48] >> Oh, did we try that? Well, but that was
[1:03:50] different. They were all in the back.
[1:03:51] Oh, you mean the thing?
[1:03:53] They didn't come forward.
[1:03:54] >> I think if the select board
[1:03:55] >> was too much on the agenda. I think if
[1:03:56] the select board uh is interested in the, for example, the covering of the
[1:04:00] light bills and the water bills, we
[1:04:02] politely ask if the light commissioners
[1:04:05] would be, you know, into that.
[1:04:08] >> Mr.
[1:04:09] Yes,
[1:04:10] >> if I may, just as another justification
[1:04:12] for this is um TA was just saying um I
[1:04:18] talked to Tom back I think it was in
[1:04:20] January um and asked him and he stated
[1:04:24] there's about 5,000 telephone poles on
[1:04:27] Templeton property by the Templeton
[1:04:29] light. So that is another means that you
[1:04:32] could justify any expense
[1:04:35] um potentially and that was what was
[1:04:37] told to me also by I forget who at the
[1:04:39] time when I was asking about um the uh
[1:04:43] pilot system or the pilot idea but I do
[1:04:47] like James' idea to get rid of the uh
[1:04:51] electric and water here and potentially
[1:04:55] to make it a you know reasonable number.
[1:04:57] I think you probably have to include the uh town street lights too.
[1:05:06] » Yeah,
[1:05:07] >> cuz the street lights uh this is from
[1:05:10] this is for fiscal 26 is listed at
[1:05:14] >> 20
[1:05:15] >> 17,000 by 41.
[1:05:18] Uh
[1:05:23] for a period of time they the light
[1:05:25] department came up with a thing that
[1:05:29] they would pay for the street lights. It
[1:05:32] paid for the electric portion of the
[1:05:34] town bills for
[1:05:37] I think it might have been a couple
[1:05:39] three years, a couple years and then
[1:05:43] they started they would charge the town
[1:05:46] like 10% of the electric cost and then
[1:05:50] the next year it would increase it and
[1:05:52] increase it uh till it got back to the
[1:05:54] point where the town was paying. I
[1:05:57] forget what it was what the reasoning
[1:05:59] was for. Uh
[1:06:02] it's it's in the uh one of the budget
[1:06:05] books I think maybe 19. But uh again I
[1:06:10] just wanted to see if the board what the
[1:06:12] board thought on u
[1:06:15] approaching this and trying to see if we
[1:06:17] could uh get something on the table.
[1:06:20] Again do has recommended this twice into
[1:06:24] financial reviews that we get to a pilot
[1:06:27] agreement.
[1:06:28] Um, I have asked put it in front of the
[1:06:31] board before or or put it on the agenda
[1:06:34] to let the board know that uh for
[1:06:36] instance like Ashpenheim does it off of
[1:06:39] a formula. That was the town meeting
[1:06:41] vote to accept the formula and the
[1:06:44] percentage and each year now
[1:06:48] you take the formula you figure out what
[1:06:50] the amount and that's how they arrive at
[1:06:51] the amount.
[1:06:53] So
[1:06:56] >> do you think that would be a
[1:06:58] better to have a private conversation
[1:07:01] like James or is that something that we
[1:07:03] should do publicly
[1:07:05] >> about which part?
[1:07:06] >> Just in regards to the whole program.
[1:07:09] I think it I think maybe a better a
[1:07:11] private conversation may work better.
[1:07:14] >> Well, I think there's two things that
[1:07:15] the board can kind of direct me to do. A
[1:07:18] there's the project of we we don't need
[1:07:22] necessarily their permission to indirect
[1:07:24] bill them. Um, I don't know what they
[1:07:26] would say if they said no. If I don't
[1:07:28] know what would happen if they said no,
[1:07:30] but if if we can show that we are uh
[1:07:34] experiencing costs through the work
[1:07:36] we're doing, then we can bill them,
[1:07:39] charge them. Um, then the second piece
[1:07:42] is is if you want to pursue a pilot
[1:07:44] payment or the uh water electric bills
[1:07:47] idea. So, I think there's two separate
[1:07:49] things here to for you to consider and
[1:07:52] you can do them both. And I think we
[1:07:54] should definitely at least continue
[1:07:56] trying with the indirect billing because
[1:07:57] we're already doing it on a lot. Just
[1:07:59] the what we're talking about now is
[1:08:00] probably the hardest part is figuring
[1:08:03] out what staff time goes to to handling
[1:08:06] their payroll that comes in, their AP
[1:08:07] that comes in. It's really kind of a
[1:08:09] tracking game, but we with enough time
[1:08:12] and effort, we could figure it out.
[1:08:15] I believe the formula, the procedure is already there for the sewer. It was
[1:08:20] worked out. There's a um
[1:08:24] a presentation I I would have to track
[1:08:26] down the the meeting day. I believe it
[1:08:29] started in 19 but and it just fell off
[1:08:32] like uh
[1:08:35] maybe 25 when we had Kelly left and then
[1:08:41] uh we got Melanie and then
[1:08:45] we had a Ponte and then we had nobody.
[1:08:47] But somewhere between I think 19 and
[1:08:52] 25 somewhere in there. Uh
[1:08:56] Cheryl would have give it an email she
[1:08:58] could look it up and and find when it
[1:09:01] fell off. But that has already you know
[1:09:04] that percentage and the way they were
[1:09:05] building had already been figured out.
[1:09:07] It's just the light water and even TCTV
[1:09:10] is an enterprise fund. Uh I don't know
[1:09:13] if that's ever the the accountant the
[1:09:16] treasurer collector has ever done for
[1:09:19] how much they do for them but they like
[1:09:21] I said they
[1:09:23] the W2s they don't get them they they in
[1:09:26] town hall you know where is it at
[1:09:27] because we town hall does all of that
[1:09:29] stuff for them.
[1:09:30] >> I mean they're
[1:09:32] >> including their debt and and all of
[1:09:34] that. I mean, they're sending us a bill
[1:09:36] on the services that they provide us,
[1:09:39] you know, the water and the electrical
[1:09:41] for our buildings, but we're not sending
[1:09:44] them for the services that we provide on
[1:09:46] our end. So, I mean, logically, it makes
[1:09:49] sense. And if we're not really
[1:09:51] benefiting that much, I mean, we are I
[1:09:54] mean, it's a taxpayer dollars no matter
[1:09:57] what you look at all the way around, but
[1:09:58] it would be helpful to um the general
[1:10:01] budget.
[1:10:03] I think we should do all three
[1:10:04] departments, not just single out one.
[1:10:08] >> No, all the enterprise funds. I'm just
[1:10:09] saying sewer had been done before
[1:10:12] because they are collecting sewer bills
[1:10:14] in town hall and they came up with a percentage the formula said 2019 it
[1:10:22] was like $19,000 just from the sewer
[1:10:25] department. Okay.
[1:10:26] >> So, uh is there a consensus to have the
[1:10:30] town administrator
[1:10:32] Look at the things that you just brought
[1:10:34] up the indirect billing for the indirect
[1:10:37] cost and
[1:10:39] either the pilot or maybe pay for you
[1:10:43] know don't charge the town buildings for
[1:10:45] the rod and electric the sewers etc. Try
[1:10:49] just try the angles and see what the
[1:10:51] response is
[1:10:54] and if they come up with something then
[1:10:55] it could be on uh an agenda for for a
[1:10:58] discussion.
[1:11:00] How how long do you think I mean how
[1:11:02] long do you think I mean you we're
[1:11:04] already working on a lot of projects in
[1:11:05] our office. How long out do you think
[1:11:08] that um we should put put that at? It
[1:11:11] would probably have an effect um
[1:11:17] more more on the 28 budget than the 27
[1:11:21] depending on where it would come because
[1:11:23] it would be unexpected revenue and you
[1:11:27] know like I said it looking further out.
[1:11:29] This is not really going to fix the 27
[1:11:33] uh
[1:11:35] budget thing but it's just to be more
[1:11:37] forward looking. Uh
[1:11:40] >> so I was
[1:11:41] >> to try to bring in you know more money
[1:11:44] back to the general fund because right
[1:11:45] now the general fund is sending light,
[1:11:48] water and sewer money
[1:11:51] to those departments and in return you
[1:11:55] can you could say they take that money
[1:11:59] and and some of it's coming back to the
[1:12:01] general fund when they pay their
[1:12:04] enterprise funds portion of the health
[1:12:06] insurance, the retirement, the OPED and
[1:12:09] so forth. So, it's kind of going in a
[1:12:12] circle right now. Anyways, we need to
[1:12:15] try to claw back some of that money for
[1:12:18] the general fund.
[1:12:21] Uh because, you know, if we could get
[1:12:23] 50,000, 60,000, 40,000, whatever, it's a
[1:12:27] help. Uh it's it's not going to pay big
[1:12:31] things off, but
[1:12:32] >> it could be.
[1:12:36] So that so as we go into the budget
[1:12:38] season,
[1:12:38] >> we have money going there. So we we need
[1:12:40] to see if we can claw some of that back
[1:12:43] is is
[1:12:44] my thought.
[1:12:46] >> So we're probably looking at wanting to
[1:12:48] have some of this information by the
[1:12:49] time we hit what February as we go into
[1:12:52] the budget season. Yeah.
[1:12:55] >> Depending on, you know, the
[1:12:56] conversations how they go.
[1:12:58] >> Yeah. Well,
[1:12:58] >> I mean, as far as the indirect billing
[1:13:00] goes, yeah, that's a project we have to
[1:13:02] figure out how to do it. if if you can
[1:13:04] find any information um from the past um
[1:13:07] whether it was just a an agreement or if
[1:13:10] there was a a mathematical formula they
[1:13:12] followed um otherwise I will do it the
[1:13:15] way that I know and we have to figure
[1:13:16] out you know people's time
[1:13:19] relating to those those items and then
[1:13:21] as far as the um the pilot or um taking
[1:13:26] care of the bills um that'll just be on
[1:13:29] them to decide if they want to do it or
[1:13:30] not. So there'll be no time frame on
[1:13:32] that. that's beyond the light
[1:13:34] commissioners, but I can at least tell
[1:13:35] them that this is what the board is in
[1:13:38] favor of. So, you know, please consider
[1:13:40] it.
[1:13:40] >> Okay,
[1:13:42] >> I'm on board.
[1:13:47] » Uh the next item is item H. Uh it has to
[1:13:51] do with uh
[1:13:57] it's light and water because they're uh
[1:13:59] covered under the special legislation.
[1:14:02] But again, uh it's particularly the
[1:14:05] water department. Um
[1:14:08] it's happened several years when it
[1:14:10] comes time for the town to do
[1:14:14] uh its financial audit. Uh
[1:14:20] past
[1:14:21] I think three years the
[1:14:26] or four years back
[1:14:29] two. Yeah. starting I think in 22 the audit uh in 19 was was completed and
[1:14:36] presented in November 2019 and that's
[1:14:39] you know fiscal 19 ended June 30th 2019
[1:14:43] and the audit was presented to the town
[1:14:45] in November
[1:14:48] 2020 was in
[1:14:52] second week of January
[1:14:54] uh the next year's was done at the end
[1:14:58] of January
[1:14:59] And then the follow-up ones were hit in
[1:15:02] March and then April and the reason
[1:15:05] given was water wasn't ready.
[1:15:09] Uh this year I talked the last I talked
[1:15:12] with the accountant a week ago waiting
[1:15:15] on the water department. I don't know
[1:15:18] what the issue is. If they don't have
[1:15:19] the funds, if they'll if it's their
[1:15:22] auditor firm, whatever the case may be.
[1:15:26] Light and water. The light operates
[1:15:28] under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter
[1:15:31] 164.
[1:15:34] And under 164,
[1:15:37] section 56
[1:15:40] states
[1:15:43] that the manager of the light water
[1:15:48] shall at any time when required by the
[1:15:50] mayor, selectman, municipal light board,
[1:15:53] if any, or department make a statement
[1:15:56] to such officers of his doings, business
[1:15:59] receipts, dispersements,
[1:16:01] balances, and indebtedness of the town
[1:16:04] and his department.
[1:16:07] There is also uh section 57 which says
[1:16:10] at the beginning of each fiscal year the
[1:16:12] manager of the municipal lighting shall
[1:16:14] furnish to the mayor selecting municipal
[1:16:16] light board if any an estimate of the
[1:16:18] income sales of the electric gas and and
[1:16:21] so forth. So there's two different
[1:16:23] sections.
[1:16:25] Section 56
[1:16:28] states that if the select board wants
[1:16:31] request the general manager to come
[1:16:33] before them and explain the conditions
[1:16:36] financially of the light of the water.
[1:16:40] I would put this on to see if the board
[1:16:43] is interested and has consensus to uh
[1:16:47] request the general manager
[1:16:50] to give us an update on the water
[1:16:54] department's finance and what is the
[1:16:58] holdup on the audit which is holding up
[1:17:01] the town's audit where the the
[1:17:03] accountant has said our auditor which we
[1:17:06] have under contract for to do fiscal 25
[1:17:10] Um we're waiting on water and I I think
[1:17:13] the board has a responsibility and and
[1:17:16] the residents would you know we have a
[1:17:19] responsibility for the residents to know
[1:17:21] why uh you know what's the hold up with
[1:17:25] this department?
[1:17:26] >> Have there been any communications sent
[1:17:28] to them
[1:17:29] >> other than the accountant checks and see
[1:17:31] if they're ready you know to go or not.
[1:17:35] Um she had been told uh nope. Uh and
[1:17:39] again
[1:17:41] uh to finding an audit firm going
[1:17:43] forward, you know, they could be in the
[1:17:45] same position as the town because one
[1:17:47] company bought up almost all of the
[1:17:50] independent audit firms and now a big
[1:17:53] company bought them out. So they have so
[1:17:56] and the do is aware of it. The fact that
[1:17:59] there is a the number of firms to do
[1:18:01] audits is shrinking and uh Mr.
[1:18:05] administrator.
[1:18:06] >> Um my understanding was that a I don't
[1:18:08] know few months ago, whatever it was at
[1:18:10] this point, um a communication was sent
[1:18:13] from them to Amber in that what's
[1:18:16] holding up the audit is that they
[1:18:17] changed their accounting system and for
[1:18:22] some reason that change is is they're
[1:18:24] having trouble generating information, I
[1:18:27] guess, that the auditors need. Some for
[1:18:29] some reason that change is holding up
[1:18:30] their audit. So that's what that's what
[1:18:32] I was told several months ago.
[1:18:37] So again, is uh Mr. May,
[1:18:40] >> if I might, um I just have a concern as
[1:18:43] I read this um it seems to state to me
[1:18:48] in a declining order that under the
[1:18:51] direction and control of the mayor,
[1:18:53] selectman or municipal light board, and
[1:18:56] we do have a municipal light board.
[1:18:59] So I would in the way I read this they
[1:19:03] would be the ones that they'd report to
[1:19:04] in this scenario not necessarily the
[1:19:06] select board and they definitely
[1:19:08] wouldn't select report for the mayor
[1:19:10] because we don't have one.
[1:19:13] Well, again, I just
[1:19:15] >> just my reading that's
[1:19:17] >> again. It says the manager shall at any
[1:19:19] time when required by the mayor, the
[1:19:22] select men, the municipal light board,
[1:19:23] if any, or department.
[1:19:26] Uh
[1:19:28] if we if the board's not, you know,
[1:19:31] interested in doing it, that's fine. Uh
[1:19:34] >> I'm interested. I just don't know if we
[1:19:35] have the
[1:19:36] >> authority. I I know it says that you
[1:19:39] know if you don't have a light board uh
[1:19:45] they said that then
[1:19:48] if we didn't have a light board then the
[1:19:49] select would set the conversation all
[1:19:51] that but we do have a light board I mean
[1:19:54] >> I think we're holding up our audit
[1:19:57] >> we should have some input
[1:19:59] >> married to both of them the manager and
[1:20:00] the uh their board
[1:20:04] >> James
[1:20:05] >> April's calling upon Sorry for you.
[1:20:08] >> Um my reading of the statute and again
[1:20:11] not a lawyer but my reading of the
[1:20:13] statute because later on in in that in
[1:20:15] that section um it says you know it says
[1:20:18] something along the lines of um to kind
[1:20:21] of anyone who who this affects. So
[1:20:23] obviously their billing and stuff runs
[1:20:24] through us. What they do affects us. So
[1:20:26] we may be able to call them but my
[1:20:29] concern were was along two two routes.
[1:20:32] one, I think all that statute um gives
[1:20:36] is that at best he would have to send
[1:20:39] you something in writing. So whatever
[1:20:41] you ask him, he'll send you something in
[1:20:43] writing. So I I don't think we can
[1:20:45] summon him here for a discussion or
[1:20:47] anything. And then then then there's a
[1:20:48] practical sense that even if we
[1:20:51] requested this of the light department
[1:20:53] and they didn't respond, what is the mechanism? they they're
[1:20:58] protected by the light commissioners
[1:21:00] that you know may be uninterested or not
[1:21:04] in complying with requests that we have.
[1:21:07] And then the third I guess there's a
[1:21:08] third section. Um I think if we're going
[1:21:11] to ask them for for money in a sense of
[1:21:14] a pilot or something else, we want to be
[1:21:17] careful what we also demand of them from
[1:21:19] a political perspective.
[1:21:23] Don't poke the bear.
[1:21:25] >> I I step on toes. I step on toes. It
[1:21:27] doesn't
[1:21:28] >> we just want to know when they
[1:21:30] >> Mr. Toe knows me. The audit the audit's
[1:21:32] one thing. I mean I can I can I can
[1:21:34] email and call them to ask
[1:21:37] >> the concern I have and I heard what the
[1:21:39] TA said. I I agree to an to a point but
[1:21:43] if their audit is holding up our audit
[1:21:48] and correct me if I'm wrong the deputy
[1:21:51] assessor is sitting right here. Our
[1:21:53] audit also in turn may or may not impact
[1:21:57] setting the tax rate.
[1:22:00] >> I don't know what
[1:22:03] >> I'm not 100% either.
[1:22:05] >> It's not one of the things that I have
[1:22:07] to check off or that I need to work with
[1:22:09] the accountant on. Um it does become an
[1:22:11] issue with with bond council. I know
[1:22:13] that when we don't have audits. So I I
[1:22:16] believe the board does have the
[1:22:18] authority to request these folks come in
[1:22:22] and if the light and water commissioners
[1:22:24] don't want to act, we can step in and
[1:22:28] say we need answers. And it this may
[1:22:31] come down to the fact the auditing the
[1:22:34] pool of auditing firms is dwindling and
[1:22:36] we know this but if if we're waiting on
[1:22:40] them to do our part and then it can
[1:22:42] impact down the road. It's just a series
[1:22:44] of dominoes which one's going to fall
[1:22:46] first and then how many do have to drop
[1:22:49] before we get to the next piece of the
[1:22:51] puzzle. That that's my biggest concern
[1:22:54] right now. I just see this whole big
[1:22:56] thing as the snowball waiting to get
[1:22:58] tipped and pushed down the mountain
[1:22:59] side.
[1:23:00] >> I mean, I could start with just having a
[1:23:02] conversation with them and seeing what
[1:23:03] the holdup is before we send some
[1:23:05] official letter or something.
[1:23:07] >> And to your to your point or concern,
[1:23:10] Mr. Toe, uh I think what I'm doing on
[1:23:18] every Wednesday and I I'll have to check
[1:23:20] when I get home. I think they might have
[1:23:22] started at Tuesday from
[1:23:26] uh 10:00 a.m. to noon. You can submit
[1:23:30] questions to uh
[1:23:34] municipal finance [sighs and gasps]
[1:23:36] legal bureau DLS library and ask them a
[1:23:40] question. You can submit it in and then
[1:23:42] you sit there on a zoom meeting and they
[1:23:44] will sometime they will answer your
[1:23:46] question and sometime they will tell you
[1:23:48] um check with town council. I said, "I
[1:23:51] waited here an hour and a half for you
[1:23:52] to tell me that." Okay. But, uh, it's I
[1:23:56] could, uh, possibly find that, get them
[1:23:58] that they would answer that question. I
[1:24:00] think they started it on they started
[1:24:02] doing it Tuesday and Wednesday
[1:24:05] because they were getting, uh, like I
[1:24:07] said, the last time I did it on
[1:24:08] Wednesday, it was about an hour and a
[1:24:11] half wait on the Zoom meeting because
[1:24:13] when I submitted my question, there was
[1:24:15] a bunch of people in front of me.
[1:24:16] >> The number of participants is growing.
[1:24:18] >> Yeah. you get, like I said, you whatever
[1:24:21] position in line your question is,
[1:24:23] that's you wait that long.
[1:24:25] >> And that just proves to me a lot of
[1:24:27] towns are in the same.
[1:24:28] >> Yep. It's uh just well utilizing uh
[1:24:32] utilizing the state entity that uh you
[1:24:36] know, they they push out DLS push out,
[1:24:38] hey, ask us, ask us, ask us. So,
[1:24:41] >> Mr. Chair, I am concerned if it has to
[1:24:43] do with their new billing system that
[1:24:45] that's what's the hold up that hopefully
[1:24:47] they can they have a grasp on it and
[1:24:49] give the information to their auditor
[1:24:51] because that's like I just have this pet
[1:24:53] in my stomach when you said that. I'm
[1:24:56] hoping they can get the data out of the
[1:24:58] system that they're requiring that this
[1:25:01] is not a major issue on their end.
[1:25:05] [clears throat]
[1:25:10] Are we all set on that?
[1:25:13] So, the town administrator will just
[1:25:14] have a a conversation
[1:25:16] >> and I'll report back.
[1:25:20] >> All right. Uh
[1:25:22] the next item on the agenda is to open
[1:25:25] the special town meeting warrant.
[1:25:28] Uh,
[1:25:32] and it has to be it's a special town
[1:25:35] meeting, so it has to be open for uh has
[1:25:38] to be open for 14 days and it has to be
[1:25:41] posted for 14 days. And if we voted to
[1:25:46] open it
[1:25:48] uh
[1:25:51] August 25th, it would close on
[1:25:56] uh
[1:25:59] September 21st.
[1:26:01] Uh and the only the only thing would be
[1:26:06] uh the time to close it.
[1:26:11] Uh, so at this time I would move to open
[1:26:14] the special town meeting warrant and for
[1:26:16] it to close on September 21st, 2026
[1:26:21] at 400 p.m. I chose the time if any
[1:26:26] want to extend it or close it earlier.
[1:26:31] » What day of the week is that?
[1:26:34] >> The 21st is a a Monday.
[1:26:37] >> It's a Monday. Thank you.
[1:26:43] That's the uh
[1:26:46] that's the 28 days. I mean, it could
[1:26:48] close 30 days out if you want, but I we
[1:26:52] close it and then
[1:26:54] get it prepared for our meeting the
[1:26:57] following week
[1:27:00] and we will I mean we have that
[1:27:03] special election on that on the 28th. So
[1:27:08] um
[1:27:10] we would know what we're going to be
[1:27:11] doing for articles, you know, we pass
[1:27:14] over or we
[1:27:16] prepare to uh appropriate uh the monies
[1:27:20] from the uh override if the question
[1:27:23] passes.
[1:27:23] >> Are we still going with the 21st of
[1:27:25] October for the town? I mean the town
[1:27:28] meeting
[1:27:29] >> 30 uh 21st of uh yes. I don't we
[1:27:33] >> I didn't know if we were moving it up to
[1:27:35] the 14th or the 7th
[1:27:37] >> to uh to give us time uh
[1:27:44] » for the warrant
[1:27:49] and Octo we 21st that gives I believe
[1:27:53] the uh the assessor's time to take
[1:27:57] whatever is done at the meeting to get
[1:27:59] ready for uh the tax classification
[1:28:02] hearing and then uh ultimately the tax
[1:28:06] recap sheet so
[1:28:08] we can get our stuff done that needs to
[1:28:11] be done so
[1:28:13] >> tax bills can be set the tax bills can
[1:28:15] be set out on time and you know there's
[1:28:19] no need for bans and all of that stuff
[1:28:21] hopefully it just
[1:28:24] things line up this year
[1:28:29] okay
[1:28:31] So,
[1:28:32] >> are we good with the date and the time?
[1:28:34] >> Yes.
[1:28:34] >> Yep.
[1:28:40] » Was there a second?
[1:28:41] >> Second.
[1:28:48] » On the motion
[1:28:51] to open special town meeting more and to
[1:28:53] close. How would you vote? Mr. May,
[1:28:55] >> yes.
[1:28:56] >> Miss Graves,
[1:28:57] >> yes.
[1:28:58] >> Mr. To?
[1:28:59] >> Yes.
[1:29:00] Miss Cover.
[1:29:01] >> Yes.
[1:29:01] >> Mr. Bennett is a yes.
[1:29:06] 19.
[1:29:15] » The next item is uh the assessor's admin
[1:29:19] assistant uh resignation. Mr.
[1:29:21] Administrator.
[1:29:22] >> Yes. Um,
[1:29:24] uh, the deputy assessor's, uh, part-time
[1:29:26] admin, um, has resigned effective
[1:29:29] Friday. Right.
[1:29:30] >> Right. Effective Friday. Um, so I I just
[1:29:34] wanted to make sure that the board was
[1:29:36] okay with us filling that. We filled,
[1:29:39] you know, we filled the one in the town
[1:29:41] clerk's office. It's a situation where
[1:29:44] you have one full-time employee and then
[1:29:46] a part-time employee that managed the
[1:29:48] whole office. Um, it's in the budget,
[1:29:51] obviously. Um, it take us a couple weeks
[1:29:54] at least to hire, but it's the board's
[1:29:57] prerogative. I because of the budget
[1:29:59] situation, I did want to pause and give
[1:30:01] you the opportunity to weigh in. I see
[1:30:05] that justice is here. if you have any
[1:30:08] questions. But it's it's just it's just
[1:30:09] that
[1:30:11] >> we did uh we did keep that in the budget
[1:30:14] when all when we were
[1:30:16] >> I know we went back and forth on it and
[1:30:17] we ultimately decided to leave it
[1:30:19] >> leave the administrative assistant in
[1:30:21] the budget. So
[1:30:24] the money is there uh we put the
[1:30:28] assistant in there
[1:30:30] because we're adamant about town hall
[1:30:33] and
[1:30:35] so forth. So
[1:30:38] unless there's objections,
[1:30:39] >> I object.
[1:30:42] >> Go back.
[1:30:42] >> I think right now we are in a crisis and
[1:30:45] where it's not absolutely necessary to
[1:30:48] fill that position. I think we need to
[1:30:49] hold off to see where we land.
[1:30:52] I I really honestly do. We need to
[1:30:58] I I don't think that we should fill it.
[1:30:59] I don't see a need.
[1:31:02] We filled one of the resistant and we
[1:31:05] did leave it in the budget. So it is it
[1:31:09] was funded.
[1:31:12] whatever happens that's in the uh zero
[1:31:17] override budget
[1:31:19] because we did we would we were going to
[1:31:21] cut it then we went back and said keep
[1:31:23] it and we had
[1:31:25] >> I I thought we did a hiring increase
[1:31:27] though
[1:31:27] >> multiple uh
[1:31:31] after multiple iterations u that
[1:31:35] position was left in the zero override
[1:31:37] budget which town meeting approved and
[1:31:40] voted for. So, uh,
[1:31:46] Mr. Chair,
[1:31:47] >> yes.
[1:31:48] >> Could we hear what the deputy assessor
[1:31:51] has to say about the potential of us,
[1:31:55] >> let's say, holding that position until
[1:31:57] after the override either passes or
[1:32:00] fails?
[1:32:02] >> I mean, it's the board's prerogative
[1:32:04] whether or not there is a hiring freeze
[1:32:06] or not. Um,
[1:32:10] as you know, I'm the only full-time
[1:32:12] person in the office and after this
[1:32:13] week, I'll be the only employee of that
[1:32:16] office. Um, I'll be honest, I've had two
[1:32:20] health events that have happened in the
[1:32:22] last two years. Um, and it is one of
[1:32:24] your core financial offices. Granted,
[1:32:26] the administrative assistant or my
[1:32:28] office does not perform the valuation
[1:32:31] duties that I perform. Um, but it's just
[1:32:34] something to keep in mind that when you
[1:32:36] have such a small department like ours,
[1:32:38] any giant fluctuation like that, um, can
[1:32:41] make things more difficult one way or
[1:32:44] the other. And ultimately, it's the
[1:32:45] board's prerogative if you want to wait
[1:32:47] until after the override. Um,
[1:32:52] I I don't
[1:32:55] We're talking It's the 24th now. You're
[1:32:59] talking like 34 days. Um,
[1:33:03] but it's just something to keep in mind,
[1:33:05] you know, will there be that much of a
[1:33:06] difference in four days? Um, considering
[1:33:08] that it is a part-time position with no
[1:33:10] benefits. Um,
[1:33:14] and I'll just note for the board too.
[1:33:15] Um, you know, it's up it's up to you,
[1:33:17] but um, when you have a department like
[1:33:20] this, you know, Justice does a good job
[1:33:22] of um, staffing town hall hours. You
[1:33:24] know, if he has a vacation, um, the
[1:33:26] admin assistant works more. Um, but
[1:33:29] anytime he's, you know, off if if we do
[1:33:32] hold it um the office would be closed
[1:33:35] and so we'd have to put up notifications
[1:33:37] and you know it is what it is but just
[1:33:39] making sure you know that's what part of
[1:33:42] your consideration
[1:33:43] >> which I've done in the past when I
[1:33:44] haven't had an assistant in the interim
[1:33:47] um or even when I had first just started
[1:33:49] taking over um completely by myself in
[1:33:51] the office um I didn't have an assistant
[1:33:53] for a couple of weeks um so it's not
[1:33:56] something that I'm uncomfortable with
[1:33:58] doing but
[1:34:00] Keep in mind that I have to conduct
[1:34:02] property visits. There's trainings I
[1:34:04] have to go to um and other things may
[1:34:07] come up. So, you know, it depends on
[1:34:09] what the interest of the board is.
[1:34:15] And there's also the consideration, you
[1:34:16] know, to be technical, but the override
[1:34:19] could pass and then fail to be
[1:34:21] appropriated at town meeting. Um, so the
[1:34:24] question would be, okay, do we
[1:34:26] >> do we do we hold off until, let's say,
[1:34:29] the override's approved or do we hold
[1:34:31] off until after town meeting? So that
[1:34:34] would kick it down the road some more.
[1:34:38] And that is the that is a good point on
[1:34:40] the override. Again, uh I've said it in
[1:34:43] the past, it's been said by others. It's
[1:34:46] a two-step process. The override can
[1:34:48] pass at the ballot.
[1:34:50] We still have to have articles
[1:34:53] to or article to uh appropriate
[1:34:58] the money from
[1:35:02] uh the override
[1:35:04] as was stated when we were doing from
[1:35:06] the first one back in March and April.
[1:35:10] We had stated that if either the two or
[1:35:14] 4 million had passed,
[1:35:17] we were going to only ask town meeting
[1:35:19] to appropriate a portion of it and the
[1:35:22] rest would be uh
[1:35:25] would be left as excess levy capacity
[1:35:28] for any increases on the following
[1:35:30] fiscal years. So again, the override can
[1:35:34] pass at the ballot. Uh but then you have
[1:35:38] to ask town meeting to appropriate it.
[1:35:41] And the amount of money that they
[1:35:42] appropriate, that's the money that's
[1:35:44] going to really affect uh
[1:35:48] their tax bills.
[1:35:50] So
[1:35:51] uh
[1:35:53] never looked up I never looked up to see
[1:35:55] how many overrides have passed and the
[1:35:58] appropriations, you know, did not match
[1:36:00] up. But it's something I've never I've
[1:36:02] never checked on. Might be something to
[1:36:04] look at. But uh the the possibility is
[1:36:07] there that town meeting could just say
[1:36:11] no. So that we have to ask them to
[1:36:14] appropriate
[1:36:16] uh the the override money. So it is a
[1:36:20] two-step process.
[1:36:24] » Can I speak?
[1:36:26] So again, we
[1:36:29] when we first started back in March, um
[1:36:32] the second or third meeting, which
[1:36:34] whatever it was, uh we did go back and
[1:36:38] forth with cutting the administrative
[1:36:40] assistance and then decided to leave
[1:36:43] them in budget.
[1:36:46] Uh
[1:36:48] and we're looking for an assistant town
[1:36:51] clerk. Oh,
[1:36:56] so
[1:36:59] I don't know how soon they'd find
[1:37:01] someone.
[1:37:03] I I don't know uh how long it took uh
[1:37:07] when this one started to, you know, the
[1:37:11] previous one who left. Um how long a
[1:37:14] process it was to find somebody to take
[1:37:18] the job. I mean, it's not a it's not a
[1:37:21] $50 an hour job or nothing. I mean, it's just part-time 19 hour, whatever it
[1:37:28] is, and some blowing hours. Um,
[1:37:31] so it's it's it's not a big hit in in in
[1:37:36] my opinion. Uh, and it's something that
[1:37:39] we already budgeted for. It's already
[1:37:41] town meeting already voted for. So,
[1:37:46] and yes, you know, could be stuff we're
[1:37:48] looking at cutting, you know,
[1:37:51] but uh and we did make the thing that,
[1:37:54] you know, we didn't want to punish town hall. We
[1:37:58] weren't going to decimate town,
[1:38:03] » but she's leading. And I think where
[1:38:05] we're in a budget crisis and again when
[1:38:07] it comes to
[1:38:10] public safety over an administrative
[1:38:12] assistant, we should be hanging on to
[1:38:15] those funds to see what the outcome is
[1:38:17] before we make any moves. I I
[1:38:23] to close his office for a couple hours
[1:38:24] if he has to go here, there, or
[1:38:26] wherever. I I don't just that the proper
[1:38:29] notifications go out. I don't foresee a
[1:38:30] problem with it. Um,
[1:38:34] I think that we need to watch our
[1:38:35] dollars and I don't feel as though
[1:38:38] that's a essential
[1:38:41] job.
[1:38:55] » Well, anything further from the board?
[1:38:58] Well, at this time, I would uh I would
[1:39:01] move to allow for the advertisement and
[1:39:05] hiring um for an administrative
[1:39:09] assistant in the board of assessors
[1:39:11] purpose.
[1:39:29] » I'll second it so we can discuss it.
[1:39:35] Motion made and seconded. Discussion
[1:39:39] outside of what we've already had
[1:39:47] » to the chair.
[1:39:48] >> Yes, I tend to agree with Miss Cover. If
[1:39:51] we're going to implement a hiring
[1:39:53] freeze, we implement a hiring freeze. It
[1:39:56] doesn't matter what department. A hiring
[1:39:58] freeze means just that. It's a hiring
[1:40:00] freeze. my own current position. It's
[1:40:04] 1D. When I'm not there, the work doesn't
[1:40:06] get done. End of discussion. It's that
[1:40:09] simple.
[1:40:15] It's you can't say it any cleaner and
[1:40:17] planer. I mean, if the person's
[1:40:19] resigning, I I respect that. I
[1:40:21] understand that they're moving on. But
[1:40:23] these are desperate times. It calls for
[1:40:26] some desperate measures, and we don't
[1:40:28] know what's going on. There's too much
[1:40:30] uncertainty right now.
[1:40:34] » Anything further?
[1:40:38] >> I'd still I still like the idea of
[1:40:40] waiting until after the um initial
[1:40:43] election override because that's
[1:40:45] generally the the one that we have the
[1:40:48] problem with. And if my thinking is
[1:40:52] correct, um she's resigning the end of
[1:40:56] the week. So that really leaves
[1:41:00] 28 days, really is four weeks. Um, best
[1:41:05] case scenario, we advertise now, we
[1:41:08] probably get somebody in three maybe,
[1:41:11] you know. Um,
[1:41:14] I I wouldn't even mind, you know,
[1:41:16] advertising as long as they don't hire
[1:41:19] that.
[1:41:27] because we did talk about a freeze
[1:41:32] and I do know it's funded and I agree
[1:41:34] that it's needed. Um, but I just think
[1:41:37] that before we hire somebody
[1:41:43] a week before the override and then tell
[1:41:45] everybody else we got to let them go,
[1:41:48] that just doesn't really fly well
[1:41:51] if that's the way it transpires.
[1:41:55] So that just my two cents.
[1:42:04] Anything further
[1:42:10] hearing? None. On the motion, how would
[1:42:12] you vote? Mr. May,
[1:42:15] >> no.
[1:42:17] >> Mr. Toe,
[1:42:19] >> no.
[1:42:20] >> Miss Cobra,
[1:42:21] >> no.
[1:42:22] >> Mr. Bennett is a yes.
[1:42:42] Last item on the agenda is uh Main
[1:42:44] Street Bridge contract amendment. Mr.
[1:42:46] administrator.
[1:42:48] >> So in your packet you will find um if
[1:42:50] you wish to continue forward um you know
[1:42:54] it was part of your um the goals um and
[1:42:59] uh there needs to be updates to the
[1:43:02] current um agreement or not agreement
[1:43:05] sorry the engineering study that's been
[1:43:07] done. It's a couple years old and um
[1:43:09] some uh a bunch of regulations have
[1:43:12] changed since then. I mean the same
[1:43:14] thing that's affecting um the Royalston
[1:43:17] Road project um with the map DOT routs
[1:43:21] changed and and just some updated stuff.
[1:43:23] Um
[1:43:25] uh I think I thought I mentioned this
[1:43:27] but we we have money in um chapter 90
[1:43:29] that we can spend on this is a chapter
[1:43:30] 90 eligible um task item and um if the
[1:43:36] board approves this Chris is ready to
[1:43:38] you know submit that. Chris being the
[1:43:40] DPS director for the people at home. Um
[1:43:43] he's ready to submit that if the board
[1:43:45] so so chooses. Um taching your packets
[1:43:48] is a description of of the work that
[1:43:50] needs to be done and the cost which I
[1:43:51] think is what 95,000.
[1:43:54] >> How much is in chapter 90 right now?
[1:43:56] >> Uh I think it was 700,000 that we're
[1:44:00] eligible for because we didn't do any we
[1:44:02] didn't do much or any paving this
[1:44:03] summer.
[1:44:10] See if I wrote that down. I think it was
[1:44:12] seven.
[1:44:21] Um with uh
[1:44:23] and with this update too, um down the
[1:44:26] road, we we we would be eligible to
[1:44:28] apply for the basically the Mass Works
[1:44:31] um grant uh in June. And so that would
[1:44:36] be my goal would be to take this updated
[1:44:38] study and apply for that.
[1:44:43] » When are you applying for that?
[1:44:45] >> I believe it's June that the that that
[1:44:47] the next round is available.
[1:44:51] » This year this fiscal year the water uh
[1:44:54] department uh applied for something so
[1:44:56] we weren't eligible because they view us
[1:44:58] as one town. Um so in June but besides
[1:45:01] this has to be get updated anyway. So,
[1:45:03] the timing is kind of good. Um, so I
[1:45:05] believe it's in June that the next round
[1:45:07] is available.
[1:45:10] >> Are you going to make the water
[1:45:11] department aware that we're going to be
[1:45:13] applying in June of 2027?
[1:45:16] >> Yes, I already had that conversation
[1:45:17] with um um
[1:45:20] Scott.
[1:45:21] >> Okay. And this money will be coming out
[1:45:23] of money that the um public service
[1:45:26] director
[1:45:28] um controls
[1:45:30] >> chapter 90.
[1:45:31] >> Yeah.
[1:45:31] >> Yes. Um, I just had a question. How come
[1:45:34] he didn't come in tonight?
[1:45:36] >> I didn't ask him because this isn't
[1:45:38] about chapter 90. It's just it's about
[1:45:40] the Main Street Bridge.
[1:45:41] >> Chapter 90 would just be the funding
[1:45:43] source.
[1:45:48] » Mr. Chair, if I may.
[1:45:50] >> Yes.
[1:45:50] >> Um, the grant what you're talking about
[1:45:52] for June, um, does that have any co-pay
[1:45:56] or participation
[1:45:58] uh, all that you know of?
[1:46:01] one house one
[1:46:04] >> you know what I do not know I will write
[1:46:07] that down and um get get you that answer
[1:46:11] >> okay because that you know I mean I
[1:46:14] understand the necessity of this if
[1:46:15] we're going forward but if we're we
[1:46:18] don't have the money to go forward this
[1:46:20] seems
[1:46:25] questionable
[1:46:26] um to do now I understand it does have
[1:46:28] to be done but until we're
[1:46:32] somewhere in a position to follow
[1:46:34] through on it.
[1:46:37] Um,
[1:46:38] you know, cuz we do have the Main Street
[1:46:41] Bridge,
[1:46:43] Hlet Mill Bridge,
[1:46:45] Berry Road,
[1:46:48] and the like. Um,
[1:46:51] I know it pays up to five could pay um
[1:46:55] dish out up to $5 million. And in
[1:46:58] talking with Scott Slinger, the water
[1:47:00] department, I I don't remember him
[1:47:02] saying that they had they had a match,
[1:47:04] but um yeah, I don't know for certain.
[1:47:07] >> I don't believe usually mass works
[1:47:09] requires someone, but
[1:47:11] >> according to the web, it doesn't.
[1:47:13] >> Okay. They usually don't. Good. It's a
[1:47:16] good question though because
[1:47:25] » but if uh you know if the board wants to
[1:47:26] pursue this this this is uh we're on
[1:47:29] track to take a shot at this if we can
[1:47:31] get this updated and go for that mass
[1:47:33] works grant 5 million might if we get it
[1:47:35] 5 million might cover this and then you
[1:47:37] have a major piece of infrastructure get
[1:47:40] updated that would be amazing for this
[1:48:08] At this time, I would move to accept the
[1:48:11] Main Street
[1:48:13] contract amendment and for the town
[1:48:15] administrator to sign as well as to
[1:48:17] apply for the max work grant.
[1:48:20] >> Second.
[1:48:24] » Put that under AC. Second. Any
[1:48:28] discussion?
[1:48:31] And unless I'm misreading this, this
[1:48:34] takes tie-in bond gets us through the
[1:48:36] 100% construction documents as well on
[1:48:40] this $95,000 expenditure.
[1:48:43] >> Yeah, because I think you were there,
[1:48:44] but the thing just got out to date. So,
[1:48:46] >> yeah, I I think that's what this is,
[1:48:48] just getting it current.
[1:48:49] >> Yeah.
[1:48:56] » Anything further?
[1:48:59] Hearing none on the motion. How would
[1:49:01] you vote? Mr. May
[1:49:09] want me to come back that
[1:49:10] >> please. I'm just doing some
[1:49:12] >> I know the calculator is smoking.
[1:49:13] >> Yeah, it is. It is cuz this I just
[1:49:16] noticed this and I'm sorry to It's okay.
[1:49:19] >> I just noticed it says total estimated
[1:49:21] duration for this is 10 months.
[1:49:25] um that drops us in in June.
[1:49:33] » They're aware of this grant, so they're
[1:49:35] gonna have to get it done. [laughter]
[1:49:39] >> I'm just saying, you know, this what it
[1:49:40] says in black and white, right? Yeah.
[1:49:43] >> Um
[1:49:46] but that's it. Sorry, Mr. Chair.
[1:49:59] on page six.
[1:50:47] You could approve me to sign it, having
[1:50:48] them change it to nine months.
[1:50:57] Hold their feet to the fire. Yeah, it's
[1:51:00] one month. I And they know the grants
[1:51:02] available. Um,
[1:51:05] so I don't think they'd have a problem
[1:51:07] with that.
[1:51:14] I would be fine with that.
[1:51:31] I just hate to miss a deadline by
[1:51:35] >> No.
[1:51:35] >> Yeah, I agree.
[1:51:46] » Are you good now about?
[1:51:48] >> Yeah, I I I think Yeah, I'm good. Okay.
[1:51:53] So on a motion, how would you vote? Mr.
[1:51:54] May,
[1:51:54] >> yes.
[1:51:56] >> Miss Graves,
[1:51:57] >> yes.
[1:51:58] >> Miss Stealth,
[1:51:59] >> yes.
[1:52:00] >> Miss Cover,
[1:52:01] >> yes.
[1:52:02] >> Mr. Bennett is a yes.
[1:52:15] And
[1:52:21] that is the end of the agenda. It is
[1:52:25] time for board member comments.
[1:52:31] Mr. May.
[1:52:33] Yes.
[1:52:35] I have one comment
[1:52:38] or one cons one items. Uh, let me
[1:52:43] just bear it with me here. On on June
[1:52:45] 15th, the select board voted five to
[1:52:47] Darl to send my encroachment data to the
[1:52:49] assessor's office. We were asked to give
[1:52:52] the assessor two weeks and get the info
[1:52:54] back to us. On July 7th, we received
[1:52:57] this email saying I received this email
[1:53:01] saying justice asked to let you know
[1:53:03] he'd be out of the office um and he'd
[1:53:06] get back to the work. I don't want to
[1:53:08] read the whole thing because it has some
[1:53:09] of it, but it just says it get back to
[1:53:11] the enclosing information as the board
[1:53:13] requested.
[1:53:15] And then on July 22nd, I asked this
[1:53:19] issue again and the following is
[1:53:21] response I received. I have not received
[1:53:23] anything from him so far. Anything? So,
[1:53:27] no. Bear in mind last week due to
[1:53:29] unforeseen an unforeseen incident. Um,
[1:53:33] justice tends to be very thorough. um
[1:53:37] and catch up on his work.
[1:53:39] Um so as we stand today, it's now two
[1:53:43] months and nine days since the select
[1:53:45] board voted on this and we have still
[1:53:48] not received a response which I find
[1:53:51] just inappropriate.
[1:53:53] Um
[1:53:56] and I I I
[1:53:59] don't think this is a timely response,
[1:54:02] timely man. And uh I wouldn't like to do
[1:54:06] this again.
[1:54:08] And that's the end of my comment.
[1:54:15] » That's Grace.
[1:54:18] » I'd like to thank everybody that put on
[1:54:20] the the fair at the senior center um for
[1:54:24] the um for the community garden. They
[1:54:27] did an excellent job. Um everybody had a
[1:54:30] good time and they're looking forward to
[1:54:32] possibly doing it next year.
[1:54:34] And um and
[1:54:38] that's all I besides.
[1:54:41] >> That's tough.
[1:54:44] One quick thing, quick update. The uh
[1:54:46] state land pilot and the working group,
[1:54:49] there was a meeting scheduled for
[1:54:52] October that's been pushed out. It's now
[1:54:54] become a two-part meeting
[1:54:57] in November and December. and I'm hoping
[1:55:01] they don't push much much further, but
[1:55:04] I'm already signed up to attend those.
[1:55:06] I'll keep everybody updated as this
[1:55:07] goes. Senator Komaer has been pushing
[1:55:10] for this for quite some time, and there
[1:55:12] is a separate working group for the
[1:55:14] Quaban Reservoir watershed communities.
[1:55:17] That pilot is paid for by the using
[1:55:20] communities that benefit from that
[1:55:22] watershed and that project as the
[1:55:24] reservoir.
[1:55:26] But the state pilot for the land use uh
[1:55:29] this town will benefit from as well. And
[1:55:31] they know that formula is broken just
[1:55:34] like many of the others. And we're
[1:55:36] finally getting a little bit of traction
[1:55:37] on it. Let's hope we can get the
[1:55:39] traction we really need.
[1:55:42] >> Miss Golden.
[1:55:44] >> Um first off, I want to, you know, again
[1:55:46] congratulate Mr. Curtis on his
[1:55:48] retirement next week. Um I'm happy to
[1:55:50] hear that he's going to be finishing out
[1:55:53] um that
[1:55:54] plan and uh applying for that grant so
[1:55:57] that we can get that those funds back.
[1:55:59] Um also wanted to remind the public of
[1:56:02] tomorrow night's citizen meeting in
[1:56:04] regards to the over the question and
[1:56:07] answers. Um it's happening here in town
[1:56:09] hall at 6 o'clock. Um, also I've
[1:56:13] received several emails from citizens um
[1:56:15] being copying me on emails to the
[1:56:17] senator um and the representative, the
[1:56:19] state representatives. I really do
[1:56:21] appreciate that. Thank you so much. I
[1:56:23] think we need to continue to stay on top
[1:56:25] of them. Um, and then the last thing is
[1:56:27] Justice, your assistant. Um, I'm sorry
[1:56:30] to see that she's resigned. Um, and I
[1:56:32] hope that my concerns in regards to um,
[1:56:36] administrative assistance and our budget
[1:56:38] comments isn't what prompted that.
[1:56:44] Yep.
[1:56:44] >> Uh I just have uh one thing. Uh I sent
[1:56:48] this I forwarded this email out uh last
[1:56:52] week. I met with the mayor of Gardner.
[1:56:55] Uh I just popped into uh
[1:56:58] I had a conversation with Mr. for uh
[1:57:00] Warner Po and uh I went in I talked with
[1:57:04] the mayor about uh grant writing and uh
[1:57:09] the firm they have and uh you know how
[1:57:12] they paid for it and how much. Uh we
[1:57:14] chatted for a while. Uh,
[1:57:18] and I asked him uh
[1:57:21] if uh if he possibly could attend uh a
[1:57:26] future meeting of the select board uh to
[1:57:30] talk uh a little bit about uh Gardner's
[1:57:34] grant writing, uh the firm they use, how
[1:57:37] they pay for it, the projects that they
[1:57:39] have completed, and any you know
[1:57:41] projects they're planning on uh with
[1:57:44] grant uh funding.
[1:57:46] Uh, I didn't expect it. As fast as I got
[1:57:50] it, I got home that evening uh and I
[1:57:52] forwarded to the board. He not only sent
[1:57:56] uh the email uh naming the company and a
[1:58:00] contact uh
[1:58:03] he basically gave us uh 90 95% of the
[1:58:09] homework uh their RFP how much they pay
[1:58:13] uh all of the other firms uh that they
[1:58:16] looked at all the other firms that uh
[1:58:20] replied to their RFP
[1:58:24] and gave heads up on uh how there was a retainer per month and some of them
[1:58:31] were charging this way or that way. Uh
[1:58:34] so I intend to ask the mayor to come uh
[1:58:38] to one of the September meetings. Uh I
[1:58:41] was going to email him or pop in and ask
[1:58:44] him which one of our meetings would
[1:58:46] better uh fit his schedule. He said he
[1:58:48] would he said he'd be glad just give him
[1:58:51] the date and and he would come here and
[1:58:53] give us just a little thing on uh
[1:58:57] how Vader
[1:58:59] uh approaches grant writing and uh their
[1:59:03] firm and how they pay for it and their
[1:59:05] projects and so forth. Uh
[1:59:09] they pay uh $7,500 a month. uh you do
[1:59:12] the math. If you went out and hired an
[1:59:15] employee experienced grant writer,
[1:59:19] you're probably in the 80k range. Then
[1:59:22] you have their benefits and then you
[1:59:24] have to have an office and then you have
[1:59:25] all the office expenses and you know
[1:59:29] they go on vacation, they can't have
[1:59:31] sick, they have a personal day, they
[1:59:32] could miss a grant through, you know, no
[1:59:34] fault of their own just being off and
[1:59:36] stuff. Uh, and this is something I I
[1:59:38] think Templeton cannot afford
[1:59:42] not to do.
[1:59:44] So, uh,
[1:59:47] unless there's any objections, I'm going
[1:59:49] to invite the mayor to one of our
[1:59:50] September meetings, uh, assuming he can
[1:59:53] make the September thing, uh, to give us
[1:59:56] a little, uh, insight as to what they
[2:00:00] do, uh, and this firm that they use. and
[2:00:02] he seems to think that uh even though
[2:00:05] they have a sort of an exclusive
[2:00:07] agreement something about we're in
[2:00:10] district two he said something that
[2:00:12] might be a possibility where we could uh
[2:00:14] join on uh
[2:00:19] but again I I just think it's something
[2:00:21] we have so many project we have stone
[2:00:23] bridge we have uh hamlet mill road
[2:00:27] bridge if we shut down the main street
[2:00:29] bridge before that one is done. I I
[2:00:33] don't know if it can handle it. It's
[2:00:34] already been inspected and had holes in
[2:00:36] it from Mass that it's it's on the the
[2:00:40] downhill slide of its lifespan. So, uh
[2:00:42] and our roads, uh
[2:00:45] I I looked up an email that I I sent Mr.
[2:00:48] Driscoll from the water department and
[2:00:51] they wanted to do some water manes uh on
[2:00:55] this CDBG grant funding, but they run
[2:00:57] into the same things as you do with uh
[2:00:59] chapter 90 funding. Uh it's technical
[2:01:03] stuff like it's more of a artery lane
[2:01:05] than feeding like neighborhoods. So
[2:01:09] they wanted to do from East Dumbleton
[2:01:11] all the way to Ladder Hill Bridge. Uh
[2:01:13] but again the CDBG says that really
[2:01:16] doesn't meet the specs. So they wanted
[2:01:18] to replace water mano and south main
[2:01:20] street.
[2:01:22] Nope. Same thing. They you know so they
[2:01:24] run into these technicalities. So if we
[2:01:27] could get a grant writing firm instead
[2:01:29] of just uh has been done in the past
[2:01:32] citing hoopla about oh look at our
[2:01:34] pavement study look at all these road
[2:01:36] paved did we do any drainage did replace
[2:01:38] any water manes did we do any sidewalks
[2:01:42] you know did we do anything under the
[2:01:44] road and the answer is no and we pave a
[2:01:47] road and half of my road and paved over
[2:01:51] existing pavement why well budget this
[2:01:54] and that the only half of a road that's
[2:01:56] got drainage. Some of it's old country
[2:01:59] of drainage. It's over in the side of
[2:02:01] the road. A couple of them, if you
[2:02:03] didn't know they were there, they're
[2:02:04] buried in leaves. They they're
[2:02:06] absolutely useless. But it's always come
[2:02:08] down to funding. And chapter 90, like
[2:02:11] chapter 70 for the school aid, general
[2:02:13] state aid, the pilot for stateowned
[2:02:16] land, it's all antiquated. It doesn't
[2:02:18] cover nearly enough and it's most of the
[2:02:22] funding that this town has to address
[2:02:23] its roads. So, uh, again, those are all
[2:02:27] the reasons that, uh, I would like the
[2:02:30] mayor to come to, and I hope this is
[2:02:32] something that we can, uh, we we can't
[2:02:34] afford not to do it.
[2:02:36] >> Uh, it would be a a good sell. Uh, and
[2:02:40] they not only do grant writing, they do
[2:02:42] lobbying. And unfortunately, that's the
[2:02:45] system. Uh, you have to pay to play and
[2:02:48] pay to win. It just is a fact. It just,
[2:02:51] you know, it's like, hey, uh, here's
[2:02:53] money for your re-election, blah, blah, whatever it is, and they sponsor
[2:02:58] the bill and and you get the money. It's just the way it is. So, unless
[2:03:03] anybody's uh objections, uh, I'll
[2:03:07] contact the mayor and see what they he
[2:03:09] can come in and and like I said, he he
[2:03:12] sent like 90% of the work. Uh, totally
[2:03:14] unexpected. Very gracious of him. Uh,
[2:03:17] very thankful for that. So on that note,
[2:03:21] uh I would entertain a motion to adjurnn
[2:03:24] at 8:303
[2:03:26] p.m.
[2:03:28] moved.
[2:03:28] >> That's a record.