1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:09,560 Okay, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Good morning, everybody. 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:09,560 September 1st, 8:30 a.m. 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:14,400 Um, start out with additions and deletions. 4 00:00:13,519 --> 00:00:20,320 Do we have any? >> Um, I have one just a fix. Uh, we got a 5 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:24,240 comment last night from a resident. Um, so we're going to just change the 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:28,820 citizens comments, remove the word resident just per person. Uh, so non we 7 00:00:27,119 --> 00:00:31,519 have allowed non-resident in the past. [clears throat] So this will be an extra 8 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:35,440 edition. >> Okay. 9 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:41,200 » I just have an addition uh just to add a statement uh ahead of the both sections. 10 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:46,800 So after after this Yeah, I guess now whatever. 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:52,719 » Go ahead. >> Okay. Yeah, I just wanted to share uh 12 00:00:50,879 --> 00:00:57,280 unfortunately after a lot of soulsearching I've been decided to 13 00:00:54,879 --> 00:01:01,359 resign from the select board effective at the end of this meeting. Uh there's 14 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:05,760 several factors that led to the decision but the biggest is time. I've uh simply 15 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:10,720 don't have the time to dedicate to the role right now given the demands of my 16 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:13,680 career which includes increased uh travel requirements over the coming 17 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:18,000 months that become increasingly challenging to schedule around. So, I 18 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:22,960 appreciate your grace with me in the past on the scheduling stuff. Um, and 19 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:26,880 then the two disasters our hotel business has gone through over the last 20 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:31,040 year have complicated matters further, both are ongoing and require my 21 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:34,079 attention. In normal times, I may have been able to continue the board 22 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:37,840 commitment, but given the tumultuous times our town is going through, I feel 23 00:01:36,079 --> 00:01:41,840 the role needs someone who can dedicate more time than I have available to give 24 00:01:40,159 --> 00:01:46,399 right now through the end of my term in March. Um, I wanted to do this while we 25 00:01:44,799 --> 00:01:50,399 were searching for Susan's replacement as well, so it doesn't come as another 26 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:54,799 item. I just want to thank the community, uh, most importantly for 27 00:01:52,399 --> 00:01:59,439 placing their trust in me in this role and my, uh, fellow board members and, 28 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:04,000 uh, the town staff. It's been amazing to see how much you do on a daily basis. 29 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:08,959 So, I look forward to serving in other ways as I can, mostly on things where I 30 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:13,200 can work my time in, where it's not on a strict schedule. But, thank you all. 31 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:16,480 Thank you, Cliff. Thank >> And thank you, Cliff, for your your 32 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:21,120 service. We really appreciate it. We're sad to to see you go. 33 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:26,160 » Oh, thank you. >> Um, okay. So, we have a little 34 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:30,879 housekeeping since Susan's uh resignation. 35 00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:36,400 We really haven't appointed uh a select board chair or a select board vice 36 00:02:32,959 --> 00:02:41,360 chair. Uh so, I'd like to take the time now to do that. Does anybody have any 37 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:45,360 motions? I would like to make a motion. May I do both positions at once, sir? 38 00:02:43,599 --> 00:02:49,840 » Uh, I don't do one >> one at a time. I'd like to make a motion 39 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:52,959 that Norm is chosen as a select board chair. 40 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:58,400 » Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? 41 00:02:55,920 --> 00:03:00,640 » No discussion. Just in favor? >> All those in favor say I. 42 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:05,879 » I. >> All those opposed. 43 00:03:02,879 --> 00:03:05,879 Okay. 44 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:11,200 I would like to make Oh, actually, I don't think I can make a motion. Someone 45 00:03:09,519 --> 00:03:14,159 else could make a motion for Maryanne. >> I can't make it. 46 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:18,640 » I'd like to make a motion that Maryanne is the select board's vice chair. 47 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:21,920 » I second that. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. 48 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,480 » I. >> I. 49 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:29,519 » All those opposed. >> Okay. Housekeeping's done. 50 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:35,120 » Congratulations. >> Um, ambulance write offs. 51 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:40,760 Anybody have any >> Denmore is here from the finance office. 52 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,760 Morning. 53 00:03:40,959 --> 00:03:52,239 » Morning Robert. >> Um so in our process for ambulance um we 54 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:59,200 have a so from the time of the call we have like a year to uh to bill insurance 55 00:03:55,360 --> 00:04:04,720 and to then um attempt to collect on any outstanding balance from there. Um, and 56 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:09,360 then we, you know, so when we're doing this, we go through the end of like a 57 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:13,280 fiscal year and then we go till the next fiscal year before we collect. So this 58 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:20,799 would be like the ambulance writeoffs through June 30th of 2025. Um, since all 59 00:04:18,239 --> 00:04:27,680 those calls happened prior and they've gone more than the year collection 60 00:04:22,479 --> 00:04:33,680 period, um, the amount is consistent with the previous year as well. Um we're 61 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:39,280 hoping that amount will go down with the um with the addition of a third party 62 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:45,120 software. Um that you know this is their sole focus is ambulance filling. 63 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:50,080 » Um I don't have the number in front of me. I believe it's like 119,000 64 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:54,000 » 113,900. >> So 113,000 like I said it's consistent 65 00:04:52,479 --> 00:05:00,560 with last year actually. I believe it's a decrease of about six to six or 7,000. 66 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:04,400 » I think it's an increase. down went down 67 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:06,000 » went down went down 2024 was higher >> was 68 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:11,520 » go ahead >> yeah I think we were about 119,000 last 69 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:16,960 year um and now we're at 113 so we had a slight decrease I think that's in part 70 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:21,759 um to the staff that we have they have uh really dedicated time to tr you know 71 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:26,400 to trying to make sure that we're getting as much as possible and I think 72 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:31,360 um with the third party we're going to continue to see that trend um like I 73 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:35,680 said that's their sole focus where as you know here we have so many 74 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:40,479 conflicting responsibilities. Um so I think it will allow for a higher level 75 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:45,440 of dedication to it. >> Are they are they incentivized? 76 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:50,000 » Um so they receive a portion like a percentage of what what we what they 77 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:54,320 overall what they collect. What we figured out is it's probably about the 78 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:59,680 same amount as we're going to be paying uh staff time to do the same thing. Um, 79 00:05:57,199 --> 00:06:06,000 I think between the sa savings and software staff time and benefits, we 80 00:06:02,639 --> 00:06:10,880 were within a couple thousand dollars of what we would pay versus what we were 81 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:14,240 going to pay them. So, it wasn't a huge it was not going to be a huge impact 82 00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:17,919 overall on the budget because then we're going to be able to take that staff time 83 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:21,440 and dedicate it to other areas that are in need at the moment. 84 00:06:19,919 --> 00:06:27,280 » Found it very interesting after reviewing that. Uh there were about 90 85 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:31,680 claims and 25 claims were not paid by insurance companies or Medicaid, not the 86 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:35,680 non-insured. So there's a good percentage of those. 87 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:39,440 » But what I don't understand is Medicaid and Medicare paid for some and didn't 88 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:43,919 pay for others. It's weird. >> Uh so there's many Yeah, there's there's 89 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:49,280 many reasons. It could be um it could be as simple as an issue with the claim 90 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:54,880 itself. It could be the type. uh it there could have been an error in the 91 00:06:51,199 --> 00:06:58,800 original submission. So um once again with having this third party they're 92 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:03,280 dedicated to that. So if there's any one of those issues then that will be 93 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:08,400 resolved by them. So that's why I say we should receive more or have less 94 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:13,039 writeoffs going forward. Um their process is slightly different. I think 95 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:17,599 they do like a 30 60 90 day and then when when it hits 120 they consider it 96 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:23,199 uncollectible at that point. Um whereas we um we would we would 97 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:28,000 attempt to collect on it for like a year. Um but the the likelihood of 98 00:07:25,919 --> 00:07:35,919 collecting on anything that's more than 120 days past is so is is rare um in the 99 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:40,240 ambulance field. Um so it's one of those where once they hit that's their policy 100 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:45,919 and so once it hits that then it would be deemed a write off on their end. 101 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:51,840 » Okay. I think um looking at the numbers I 102 00:07:48,319 --> 00:08:01,440 think was brilliant to hire this uh part this vendor because 2024 103 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:07,360 most the majority was uninsured in 2025 it was these u insurance so these this 104 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:11,680 biller is they know what they're doing here they they know the ins and outs so 105 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:15,360 I think it was really a brilliant move whoever kudos to whoever 106 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:19,199 » brought them It was a collaborative effort. I mean, it was a discussion 107 00:08:17,039 --> 00:08:23,199 between finance, between ambulance department and, you know, obviously 108 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:27,360 Eric. Um, but I think it we just highlighted the need at the time. Um, 109 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:33,120 because we had so many different conflicting priorities at the time. So, 110 00:08:29,199 --> 00:08:37,760 we were um it it had been talked about in a smaller level at the past or a like 111 00:08:35,599 --> 00:08:41,599 a not as large of a discussion and then we really highlighted it as a need for 112 00:08:39,919 --> 00:08:46,880 improvement and that's why we went that way. uh October one of 25 I believe was 113 00:08:44,959 --> 00:08:48,480 the date that they came on board. >> Good move. 114 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:51,200 » Yeah. >> Yeah. 115 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:54,399 » Do you uh do you track by essentially monthly monthly collection rates? 116 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:57,760 Obviously there's a maturation period where the insurance comes back in and 117 00:08:56,000 --> 00:09:02,399 everything but given we started them in October. 118 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:05,360 » We have uh we get reports every month um and it shows like outstanding 119 00:09:03,656 --> 00:09:08,800 [clears throat] balances for the previous ones. It shows what will come 120 00:09:06,959 --> 00:09:13,279 in from insurance and everything like that. They handle everything as far the 121 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:17,279 only thing that we have is anything that's automatically deposited into our 122 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:22,720 account through an AC. We provide them that information and then they will um 123 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:28,880 they it's part of their monthly report. Um, so what changed in our process was 124 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:33,120 instead of um, receiving the ambulance payments and then processing it through 125 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:37,200 our cash receipts module, we now just do one monthly journal entry at the end of 126 00:09:35,279 --> 00:09:42,480 the month and we list out all the payments that came in that way. Um, they 127 00:09:39,839 --> 00:09:45,200 also uh have the ability to deposit into our bank account. So anything they've 128 00:09:43,839 --> 00:09:50,080 received as far as checks, they're deposited automatically by them as well. 129 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:54,720 So, it's um we are going to continue to look at the reports. Um but we are still 130 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:59,200 I mean we're not even a full year in so knowing the difference right now. It's 131 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:02,080 just it's still fairly new as far as looking at everything. 132 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:04,640 » And then is that that's an annual contract there? 133 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,839 » Um >> three year 134 00:10:05,279 --> 00:10:10,640 » three years. >> Yeah. Three-year contract and then 135 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:13,760 obviously with the ability to renew uh in 2028. 136 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:18,320 Thanks. >> Sounds good. Great. 137 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,320 » Thank you, Robert. 138 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:23,040 There's a motion to approve the write-offs. 139 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,720 » Oh, I make a mo motion to approve the write off. 140 00:10:23,680 --> 00:10:26,959 » Second. >> All in favor? 141 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:30,000 » I. >> All those. 142 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:34,920 » Oh, good. Thanks. [laughter] Got that one. 143 00:10:30,399 --> 00:10:34,920 » Okay. Approved. Thanks, Robert. 144 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:42,880 » Okay. U next on our agenda number four, school board vacancy appointments. 145 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:47,600 Um, David Rubin and Claire Bernard. Is 146 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:52,880 anybody here? Are you here? Claire, come on up. 147 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:54,320 » Like to uh >> Morning. 148 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,560 » Morning. How are you doing? >> I'm well. How are you guys? 149 00:10:55,440 --> 00:11:01,612 » Good. >> First day of school, Eve. So, very happy 150 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,612 day in our house. [laughter] 151 00:11:03,839 --> 00:11:07,920 » Tell us about yourself. >> Sure. [laughter] So, 152 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:11,440 » make a great school board member. >> Yeah. So, um I'm Claire Bernard. My 153 00:11:10,079 --> 00:11:16,240 husband and I moved here with our three kids three years ago. We live up Church 154 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:22,079 Hill Road. Um our children are entering kindergarten second and third right here 155 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:26,480 at West. Um very happy um thriving there. Uh it was a deliberate choice for 156 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:30,640 us to come to this community in a lot of ways. I work at Dartmouth and so we 157 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:36,079 looked sort of in the, you know, drivable radius for me of Hanover and we 158 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:40,480 were looking for a community that's thoughtful, engaged, committed and the 159 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:45,200 school was a very important part of that decision for us. And so we felt great 160 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:49,839 about um the conversations we had with parents locally, the administration 161 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:55,680 about the quality of the experience here. So we and it's been great since we 162 00:11:53,360 --> 00:12:00,399 have arrived and um there's a lot going on with the school in the district and 163 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:05,519 we would like to see it continue to thrive in the future. And so uh it only 164 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:12,800 happens if people step up and and participate in that process. And so my 165 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:16,639 my professional background is um I'm educated in law, higher ed 166 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:19,760 administration and policy. I practice law for a couple years and I've been 167 00:12:18,079 --> 00:12:24,480 working in higher education for over a decade now. Um I'm an athletics 168 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:27,519 administration at Dartmouth and so I write a lot of policies, I interpret a 169 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:34,000 lot of policies, I do a lot of leadership hiring. Um and in a context 170 00:12:31,519 --> 00:12:37,839 where the purpose is holist holistic education um and there are a lot of 171 00:12:36,079 --> 00:12:42,240 stakeholders who care deeply about what's going on and not enough resources 172 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:47,120 to do all the things everyone wants to do. So I feel like that's very similar 173 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:51,839 in the sense of what our school board is being asked to do in this moment with uh 174 00:12:49,519 --> 00:12:56,800 the budget crisis and technology changing education and the construction 175 00:12:54,880 --> 00:13:01,760 of the build and the bond and everything happening in Montpielar. 176 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:04,399 So I just want to help. >> Great. Thank you. 177 00:13:02,639 --> 00:13:09,339 » Thank you very much. Do you have any questions for us? 178 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,339 » I don't think so. [laughter] 179 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:14,480 » Is there anything else I can answer for you? No. 180 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:17,440 » Have you been attending the school board meeting? 181 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:21,200 » I've I've been to some. Yeah, I've been to some. It hasn't been something I've 182 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:25,200 been able to do consistently going on, but and it's a big commitment, but you 183 00:13:23,519 --> 00:13:30,560 know, after talking with my family, it's something that's important. So, 184 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:34,160 » be there going forward if if elected. >> Have you had a chance to talk to Carrie? 185 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:38,160 » Yes, I have talked to Carrie. >> Okay, great. 186 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:40,320 » She didn't talk me out of it. [laughter] >> That's good sign. 187 00:13:39,279 --> 00:13:43,839 » Yeah. >> Great. Thank you. Thanks. Yeah. Thank 188 00:13:42,079 --> 00:13:47,680 you. >> David, is David in the room? 189 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:50,839 » David, if you're online, you can raise your hand. 190 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:58,040 » Okay. Was he invited? >> Yeah, he was invited. I think he said he 191 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:58,040 would be online. 192 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,600 » Don't see a David online at all. 193 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:10,360 message. 194 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:16,000 » How should we? >> So, you can make a recommendation now if 195 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:19,360 you want or you could table it to later in the later to see if David can hop on 196 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:23,120 later in the meeting. It's up to select board. 197 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:27,279 » We looked over the letters sent by both Claire and David with their 198 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:30,720 qualifications and their interest. We would like to make a recommendation to 199 00:14:29,199 --> 00:14:35,120 the school board that >> Sorry, you you should make the motion 200 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:38,560 yourself, not for the whole board. >> Oh, okay. I'm speaking for myself. 201 00:14:37,710 --> 00:14:43,760 [laughter] It's hard sometimes. Um, but looking 202 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:48,160 over both candidates and their qualifications, the recommendation is 203 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:51,920 that we I would like to see Claire Venard on the school board. 204 00:14:51,199 --> 00:14:54,880 » Okay. >> We make a motion. 205 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,519 » Yeah. So, just rephrase that. Make a motion to recommend her. 206 00:14:55,839 --> 00:15:02,560 » I make a motion to recommend Claire Venard be a part of the 207 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:09,279 I can never remember. Mountain View Supervisory School Union. I second. 208 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:12,000 » Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. 209 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:17,600 » All those opposed. >> Okay. Congratulations. 210 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:19,440 » Keep smiling. [laughter] >> Okay. Is that enough for what you guys 211 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,839 need? >> Yes. 212 00:15:19,839 --> 00:15:27,199 » Perfect. Okay. Thank you. >> Um, okay. Number five, Pumpfort and 213 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:32,959 Hartland Hill Road Paving Bid Award. >> Yeah. So, Greg Fulton's here. Um, so 214 00:15:30,399 --> 00:15:38,320 Greg received $200,000 in a grant from Vrans uh to pave this road. Uh, we went 215 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:44,160 out for a bid. Uh, you have the three bids in front of you. Um, a little bit 216 00:15:40,399 --> 00:15:47,850 came in uh with Pike. Um, we also have $239,945 [clears throat] 217 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:59,759 in reserves for road improvements. Um, so we're recommending the board approves 218 00:15:55,440 --> 00:16:02,720 the Pike um bid as a lowest bid. Um, and then we'd allocate the rest of the money 219 00:16:01,279 --> 00:16:05,600 to capital reserves. >> Pike's done work for the town before 220 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:08,959 Town Village, right? >> Correct. Yeah. 221 00:16:06,959 --> 00:16:11,519 » And Pike was the 365. >> Yeah, they were the lowest. 222 00:16:10,639 --> 00:16:16,800 » Yeah. >> Uh, was there a um did the did the quote 223 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:21,680 on that one? I'm sorry, I read this last night. Did the quote on that one pass 224 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:26,800 the deadline pass already? I thought I saw something seven days within 225 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:31,040 » Yeah, >> accepted within seven days. 226 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:34,160 » They were one of the first ones to get back to us, I believe. 227 00:16:32,959 --> 00:16:37,600 » So, we have in touch with them that there has to go through the select 228 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:40,959 board. So, we can confirm that that remains the same. 229 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:46,959 » And Greg, this covers everything that we needed to do on both those roads. 230 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:52,959 » I mean, what you asked for. Yeah, it needs more than it's a band-aid like 231 00:16:50,079 --> 00:16:57,440 we're doing everywhere, but we can't afford to rip it down and start over. 232 00:16:55,600 --> 00:17:01,759 Not at this point in time. So, we're going to resurface the whole thing. 233 00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:06,000 We'll have to do the shoulder edges where they need if there's a bit of a 234 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:12,079 drop off um off the edges, we're going to do that. Um 235 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:17,120 but it's [clears throat] it's a help. Heartland Hill is terrible. 236 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:22,959 my opinion, it should be all ripped out and new material put down. But I think 237 00:17:21,039 --> 00:17:26,720 we got to do what we have money enough to do with at this point in time. 238 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:32,880 » We need to do something. >> How much did we hand it in reserves? 239 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:35,679 » Uh $239,945. >> Okay. 240 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:38,720 » I got places for the rest of it if we don't burn it up. 241 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:43,679 » Okay. >> Small projects. And there's also I Rob 242 00:17:41,919 --> 00:17:45,760 was like $50,000 in the operation budget per year for paving around that. 243 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,760 » Yeah. >> Yeah. 244 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:56,160 » Okay. >> Anybody like to make a motion that we 245 00:17:54,559 --> 00:18:00,320 approve the >> I make a motion we approve Pike to do 246 00:17:59,039 --> 00:18:03,520 the work. >> I second. [clears throat] 247 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:06,240 » All those in favor say I. >> I. 248 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:10,960 » All those opposed. Okay. Good to go. and Greg. And they 249 00:18:09,360 --> 00:18:13,679 they can do it this fall, right? That the hope. 250 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:20,080 » Yeah. Yeah. I think he said October, but I'll I'll uh it's been on hold until we 251 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:22,640 did this step. So, I'll get in touch with them. Perfect. 252 00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:27,200 » You have to stay right there. >> Yeah. [laughter] 253 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,919 » We're dealing with the town garage repair contract. 254 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:32,080 » Before we get that, can I actually I was going to be in my management report, but 255 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:37,120 could you maybe give an update of what happened yesterday with the water pipe 256 00:18:33,919 --> 00:18:39,440 and where we're at? um has more of an expert than I am. So if 257 00:18:38,559 --> 00:18:45,520 there are questions >> um obviously I don't know everybody 258 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:52,480 knows we had a bottoming break um down by Melishwood which was them digging 259 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:57,760 um and they hit the line that is now feeding mewood 260 00:18:54,880 --> 00:19:02,400 to the valve off. So we had two inches of pipe running 261 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:07,440 u with no shut off. Um they were doing it to put thrust 262 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:11,919 blocks in behind the new water line that they're going to use for the new 263 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:15,039 building. Um so we had to pump all the water out of 264 00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:20,320 the dish box and get a new valve on there. It was it was uh quite a chore to 265 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:25,919 do. Um and in the meantime the well was shut 266 00:19:22,559 --> 00:19:30,480 down so we could put in the new BFD box. So, we had no water to speak of coming 267 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:35,440 into the system except for the small well. Um, which we run into a problem 268 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:41,520 with that now, too. We're looking into another box perhaps to control that 269 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:48,720 well. So, we're up and running now with the old control in the well. Um, and we 270 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:53,840 put a valve on the existing line that's going to feed the mellishwood until that 271 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:59,760 building gets tore down and the new one is occupied. 272 00:19:56,400 --> 00:20:01,360 Um but it was their fault basically. Um >> we're going to say allegedly their 273 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:05,600 faults. >> Allegedly mean. 274 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:10,640 » Yeah. >> So it was a bit of a challenge for a 275 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:13,280 while yesterday afternoon. >> Sorry. Go ahead. 276 00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:16,799 » I saw your crew down there 6:30 7:00 they were working. 277 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:22,400 » Yeah. Yeah. But the tank maintained level um and it gained overnight and the 278 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:29,880 the well is working. The main well is working now. So, uh, we got to regroup 279 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:29,880 on the patrol docks for the main Well, 280 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:34,400 » I just want to say the crew was there late last night and I was here at 8 in 281 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:40,799 the morning and they were already here in the morning. So, they've been going 282 00:20:36,799 --> 00:20:42,320 full on last 24 hours. >> Okay. So, I just want to give an update. 283 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:47,840 So, >> yeah. 284 00:20:43,919 --> 00:20:53,440 » Um, moving forward, um, we have a quote for, uh, repairing the lower garage 285 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:58,400 roof. Um, Greg can speak to the concern with the rubet as is um we've spent I 286 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:03,280 don't know six seven months trying to get other quotes we can only get one 287 00:20:59,679 --> 00:21:07,360 quote um per the person uh procurement policy you know the effort to try to get 288 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:14,960 quotes is enough to satisfy what the policy says um we have 289 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:18,400 $105,000 in capital reserves for a lower lower highway garage roof repair. Um, so 290 00:21:17,360 --> 00:21:23,520 that's where this money would be coming out of if the board agrees on the 291 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:25,200 contract. But I'll let Greg speak to a little bit. [cough] 292 00:21:24,469 --> 00:21:29,600 [clears throat] Currently, elix 293 00:21:27,679 --> 00:21:35,120 way overdue. [laughter] Um, we have equipment in there. It's 294 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:39,280 heated. It's a heated place. Um, the there's wood that's rotting around the 295 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:44,320 edges. We've actually the guys have taken peeled up the the rubber roofing 296 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:48,640 and put plywood underneath to keep the water away from the side of the 297 00:21:45,679 --> 00:21:55,255 building. Um, this has been going on for I don't know how many people 298 00:21:51,200 --> 00:22:01,360 before me. Um, we had a price in uh [clears throat and cough] 22 I think. 299 00:21:58,799 --> 00:22:04,799 Um, the can just get kicked down the road and the roof isn't getting any 300 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:08,080 better. So, these guys have been good about coming and looking at it. Um, not 301 00:22:06,799 --> 00:22:12,720 only are we getting a new roof, we're getting insulation down first. They're 302 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:17,760 taking care of all the wood, the rotted wood and so forth, and putting a 303 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:22,320 standing seam roof on the back part of it. Um, 304 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:26,080 uh, we need to do something. It's It's leaking inside. I don't know if it is 305 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:32,080 today, but it excessively is during the winter when there's snow up there. So, 306 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:38,720 » is there a guarantee on the roof? >> I believe so. I don't have it. I think I 307 00:22:35,039 --> 00:22:43,120 saw it. I didn't see it. And it might be in that um pamplet that 308 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,840 you have. >> Yeah, I think it was. 309 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:54,559 » And you think it it covers everything that you would like to have repaired on 310 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:59,360 that roof? >> It looks as though I mean the thing I'm 311 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:03,360 going to tell you is anybody probably knows that rot is something that's not 312 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:07,039 always seen. So, if they peel back that roof and there's something else, we may 313 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:10,320 have to put some more sheathing underneath it. Um, 314 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:11,919 » it looks like it's in that contract that they're going to 315 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:15,919 » most of it is. Yeah. >> Yeah. 316 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:19,520 » The longer we wait, the more water gets in there, the more damage is going to 317 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:23,360 happen. Plus, prices keep going up, >> right, 318 00:23:19,919 --> 00:23:26,880 » on this stuff, too. So, >> yeah. 319 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:32,720 » Anybody like to make a motion that we approve that roofing? 320 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:36,559 » Yeah. I move to approve the roof construction as presented. 321 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:38,640 » Second. >> All those in favor say I. 322 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,559 » I. >> I. 323 00:23:39,039 --> 00:23:43,039 » All those opposed. >> Okay. 324 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:43,600 » Great. >> Greg, 325 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:44,640 » thank you. >> Thank you, Greg. 326 00:23:44,159 --> 00:23:49,840 » Thank you. >> Oh, can I just ask one question? Do we 327 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:54,919 do we um post bids on that Vermont business registry site? 328 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:54,919 » Yes, we do. 329 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:02,880 » Okay. Okay. Number seven, foliage portaotti rental. 330 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:07,520 » Yep. Uh this this is mine. Um what what I'm asking for the board is approval of 331 00:24:04,799 --> 00:24:12,559 up to $5,000 um of the economic development local option tax fund uh to 332 00:24:10,159 --> 00:24:16,240 fund uh portaotties for at least indigenous people weekend and if not the 333 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:19,760 weekend before uh we place them behind the welcome center uh so we have more 334 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:23,679 facilities for all the tourists that'll be coming in over those high periods. 335 00:24:22,159 --> 00:24:27,760 How many of them are there? Uh >> in the past we've gone two. 336 00:24:25,279 --> 00:24:29,919 » Two. Yeah. I'm I didn't catch. Where is it coming 337 00:24:29,279 --> 00:24:32,799 from? What? >> Uh my request is for it to come out of 338 00:24:31,279 --> 00:24:37,760 the economic development local option tax. Uh Robert has a number. We have a 339 00:24:35,120 --> 00:24:44,080 projected balance around 700,000 in the account as of June 30th. Um so $5,000. 340 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:47,440 It's not a lot, but um that's what I'm asking from the board. 341 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:50,960 » And I think it'll be under I'll be under $5,000, but I just want to make sure I 342 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:57,279 don't have to come back in front of you. >> Okay. 343 00:24:53,520 --> 00:25:02,799 » I had a question on that. Is it that much more expensive to keep it until the 344 00:25:00,559 --> 00:25:07,039 Wasel parade? >> Um I I believe it's somewhere between 345 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:10,400 $800 a weekend. Is that right, Stephanie? I think it was $1,200 for 346 00:25:09,120 --> 00:25:15,039 July 4th. >> Um so you're probably talking from 347 00:25:12,559 --> 00:25:18,400 people that's two months. >> Okay. So maybe we just 348 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:21,919 » Yeah. And then you have the issue of uh either locking it and not using it or 349 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:26,320 having people use it and having to clean it and pay for the cleaning. Yeah. 350 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:35,200 All right. Does anybody have any other questions or would you like to make a 351 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:40,720 motion that we approve the portaotties? >> I move to approve up to 5,000 on the 352 00:25:37,679 --> 00:25:45,400 portaotties for the foliage season as discussed. 353 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:45,400 » Second. 354 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:51,200 » All those in favor say I. >> I. 355 00:25:48,159 --> 00:25:56,559 » Allos. Okay. Board of parties are approved. 356 00:25:53,520 --> 00:26:01,840 Trustee of public fund appointment Mark Hall. 357 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:06,360 No, I think it's Mark online. >> I don't see a mark online. 358 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:19,919 » Yeah. >> So, everybody reviewed his application? 359 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:26,159 » Would anybody >> How often do they meet? I the last 360 00:26:22,559 --> 00:26:31,600 meeting notes I saw um was in September 25 and there are two people on the board 361 00:26:29,679 --> 00:26:37,520 already. This would be the third, right? >> With Mark Harris going off uh 2027. 362 00:26:35,679 --> 00:26:41,120 » Yeah. So they meet at least once a year to vote on the allocations to come 363 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:44,400 forward. Um but they can meet more often. I think the hope is for them to 364 00:26:42,559 --> 00:26:48,720 meet more often and have a better sense of the totality of the of the funds and 365 00:26:46,799 --> 00:26:53,200 their responsibilities. Uh and actually uh Rob and I are meeting 366 00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:57,679 with uh Mark Harris on Friday and that's part of the conversation on the agenda. 367 00:26:55,039 --> 00:26:59,760 Even though maybe we need to sit there. >> Thank you. 368 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:06,720 » Yeah. >> I make a motion that we appoint Mark 369 00:27:03,279 --> 00:27:08,960 Hall to the P uh to the trustee of public funds. 370 00:27:08,799 --> 00:27:13,039 A >> second. Okay. All those in favor say I. 371 00:27:12,159 --> 00:27:19,520 I. All >> those opposed. Okay. 372 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:19,520 Congratulations, Mark. 373 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:31,600 Okay. Um, in our last meeting we talked about uh reviewing hiring a forensic 374 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:38,960 accountant for um our report for the financials and uh 375 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:43,520 Susan and Maryanne were tasked with this research and they have a little bit to 376 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:47,440 report on today. We're very fortunate in that a variety of individuals came 377 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:52,159 forward and gave us names, whether it was from Norm, somebody in the 378 00:27:49,120 --> 00:27:57,600 community, or our lawyer. We selected four candidates to be interviewed based 379 00:27:55,440 --> 00:28:02,399 on their certification, how long they have been in practice, and where they're 380 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:07,600 licensed. One woman no longer does this type of work. a gentleman I am going to 381 00:28:05,120 --> 00:28:11,600 be zooming with on Thursday morning at 11 and Maryanne is sending out a letter 382 00:28:10,559 --> 00:28:15,360 of what was it called? >> I sent it I sent a he'll be sending us a 383 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:20,480 letter of engagement >> a letter of engagement. Uh we looked at 384 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:24,080 amount of time when this could get started and how much it would cost and 385 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:29,919 those are the figures that we're waiting for. So hopefully in two weeks we'll 386 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:34,960 have more concrete information. >> Okay, 387 00:28:30,559 --> 00:28:37,679 » Mary has her hand. Mary is I think you want to try to have discussion with the 388 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:43,520 commission done the discussion before you open up those 389 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:47,720 » do we have any good >> okay Mary 390 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:11,120 » the um the Forensic um update was are the um 391 00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:19,679 addit auditors um arson per the auditors for the town 392 00:29:17,039 --> 00:29:26,960 were they um consulted? 393 00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:29,960 » No. But um uh 394 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:34,520 Janet 395 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:49,760 Mud Janet Coer is the auditors for the town and there's there's um their t 396 00:29:45,120 --> 00:30:00,720 their time and money are very um very good. And why would that 397 00:29:54,960 --> 00:30:11,039 not be them to have the the forensic accounting update for why would that not 398 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:13,600 be the person who would forget it? >> Do they have the certification that is 399 00:30:12,799 --> 00:30:17,039 needed? >> Yes. 400 00:30:14,080 --> 00:30:22,320 » Do they for certified fraud examiner? We looked at all these different titles 401 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:27,760 that I have no idea. I mean, we didn't consider them because 402 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:33,200 I think that the opinion was that we wanted an independent 403 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:37,919 uh firm to to look at the the all the the numbers. 404 00:30:34,159 --> 00:30:47,120 » Well, they're independent because they're the town and village and there's 405 00:30:42,559 --> 00:30:58,559 independent are auditors. There's there um Tyler Kimberly the auditor that 406 00:30:53,200 --> 00:31:03,679 what has w worked in the town that there's 407 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:08,240 they're um they'll they'll do that work. 408 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:10,399 » Yeah. I don't see why we couldn't reach out. 409 00:31:08,799 --> 00:31:14,399 » Can you give us that name again? Or >> we can get that 410 00:31:12,799 --> 00:31:17,200 Robert. get in touch. 411 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:21,360 » I mean, is there any reason we can't >> um auditors the tailor 412 00:31:20,399 --> 00:31:23,919 » is that what we're saying? >> Yeah, that's what that's what the 413 00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:31,679 residents asking us. >> I think there was some um concern from 414 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:38,159 residents that they didn't catch this. They didn't um look at at documentation 415 00:31:35,039 --> 00:31:45,440 behind some invoices. Well, this audit audit is the 416 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:52,240 where is the audit? Where is it? Or is it um right now? 417 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:55,200 » You're a for 2025. Yes, it's closed. >> It's done. It's done. 418 00:31:53,679 --> 00:31:59,360 » Is that correct? >> Yeah. The books are closed. And there's 419 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:07,640 um all of the the 420 00:32:02,799 --> 00:32:07,640 um information is all the 421 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:12,279 » you make a good point. >> Yeah. 422 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:17,519 » Yeah. I Thank you, Mary. >> Thank you. 423 00:32:15,519 --> 00:32:21,000 » Thank you, Mary. >> Your hand up online. 424 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:28,559 Who is it? I think >> Hello. 425 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:33,440 Hi. Um, yes. So, I just wanted to clarify that uh Mr. Kimberly probably 426 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:38,640 should not be considered in this process because um as Miss Sweeney recognized, 427 00:32:36,159 --> 00:32:43,360 he completely overlooked this issue uh when he was conducting the initial 428 00:32:40,399 --> 00:32:47,679 audit. Uh and then more importantly, I mean, I think the recording the minutes 429 00:32:45,519 --> 00:32:51,840 recording um from the board meeting where he was presenting pretty much 430 00:32:49,519 --> 00:32:56,480 evidences that Mr. Duffy has already misled him and he accepted Mr. 431 00:32:54,080 --> 00:33:00,840 story without factecking it. So, he's not independent. Thank you. 432 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:05,039 » Anybody else? >> I just want to make clear that I had no 433 00:33:03,679 --> 00:33:09,440 communications with Tyler during the audit process. I go through the finance 434 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:13,799 department and I emailed him a few times checking on the deadline and that was 435 00:33:10,799 --> 00:33:13,799 it. 436 00:33:16,080 --> 00:33:27,360 » Any further? Okay. Um number two on on discussion um we we 437 00:33:24,559 --> 00:33:34,399 need to talk about as a board uh how we're going to move forward um with uh 438 00:33:31,039 --> 00:33:39,919 our two select board vacancies uh Susan and Cliff. And so we have we have three 439 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:49,440 options. We have uh one option is we can as a as a board appoint two two members 440 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:55,679 to board. uh we could with some angst we could we could add them to the general 441 00:33:51,760 --> 00:34:01,360 election in in the fall but it's not really uh according to Charlie it's not 442 00:33:57,919 --> 00:34:05,600 really a a a good process because of what we were what we're required to do 443 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:13,800 on mails Charlie can maybe explain more of that or we could wait until March 444 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:13,800 town meeting and and elect 445 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:26,480 It's my recommendation that u we open the applications. We consider the the 446 00:34:21,919 --> 00:34:31,760 current uh people who want who uh raise their hand for the previous election and 447 00:34:29,359 --> 00:34:36,079 we asked them if if they would uh entertain service and I also think 448 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:43,280 because it's two seats we should still open up the application process. the the 449 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:46,399 three uh people who did not get voted in uh they've already gone through the 450 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:51,119 application process and interview process but if we have any new 451 00:34:48,240 --> 00:34:57,280 applicants uh we would entertain that we we would like that if if we could um or 452 00:34:55,040 --> 00:35:00,480 I would like that um anyway any 453 00:34:59,599 --> 00:35:04,880 » I can just make one point of clarification uh and cliff and I knows 454 00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:09,599 this we've talked about a lot there seethwidth I think or forthright is our 455 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:13,040 appointment. The advice we got from council basically means you should do 456 00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:17,119 that as soon as possible. So leaving it open to March is probably going to be an 457 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:20,640 issue for us just with the way the state statute's written. I just want to make 458 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:24,240 that. >> Yeah. And it ultimately was unresolved 459 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:30,480 like there's legal opinions on both sides of what for means. 460 00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:37,040 » So we went through that. >> I would um not limit. So there a couple 461 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:42,000 more people put applications in. Eric Nesbbit and Robert Cole, they they 462 00:35:40,400 --> 00:35:46,160 provided. So if they wanted to apply again, I don't I think that that we 463 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:48,079 could use the same application as well. What do you think? 464 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:50,720 » Yeah. Yeah. >> And do you have a deadline for 465 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:54,720 theations? >> I I think I'd like to propose September 466 00:35:52,640 --> 00:35:59,119 10th so we could get this resolved hopefully by our next meeting uh which 467 00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:02,960 is the 15th. Mhm. >> Um, 468 00:36:01,119 --> 00:36:06,240 and they would need to, anybody new would need to uh complete the 469 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:12,320 application and anybody that already has an application would need to let us know 470 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:19,680 that they are interested to to serve out these two terms. 471 00:36:15,920 --> 00:36:24,240 Any more discussion? Anything? I think it might be helpful for the 472 00:36:21,359 --> 00:36:28,320 public. Obviously, I will remove myself from what you decide here, but uh for 473 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:33,280 Charlie, if you're willing to explain like the difference between November and 474 00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:36,320 the primaries because that like we obviously had a lot of discussion last 475 00:36:34,720 --> 00:36:40,560 time about how to go about this. >> Yep. Yeah. 476 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:43,599 » Yeah. I'm happy to um join in the conversation here. I think 477 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:48,560 » Sorry, could you give your full name? >> Charlie Dunner, Woodstock Town Clerk. 478 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:56,000 the board I [clears throat] think was well-intentioned last time when you had 479 00:36:51,520 --> 00:37:01,040 vacancies and uh unfortunately I don't think it procedurally worked out the way 480 00:36:57,839 --> 00:37:04,880 everyone had hoped. So Vermont statute says that when there's an opening on the 481 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:09,680 select board the select board needs to appoint someone to fill the vacancy 482 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:12,680 forth with. Um 483 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:20,160 I'm a little offkilter here so I apologize. There's a few different 484 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:25,040 things going on. So, if you you will need to appoint somebody to to serve on 485 00:37:23,119 --> 00:37:28,480 this board regardless. And I think you've already had an application 486 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:32,000 process and you've had some parties who've expressed interest in being on 487 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:37,680 the board. And I think Norm's suggestion for how to proceed makes the most sense 488 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:40,240 to me. Um, if you hold an election at the general election in November, I 489 00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:43,839 think you're still going to have to appoint somebody to serve until 490 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:48,960 November, and that's going to create problems for you. Also, 491 00:37:45,760 --> 00:37:53,800 administratively, trying to um piggyback something on the November general 492 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:53,800 election becomes 493 00:37:54,240 --> 00:38:01,440 ext has extra layers of complication. Now that the state has universal mail-in 494 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:05,040 ballots for the g general election, the Secretary of State's office will be 495 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:09,440 mailing every registered voter in Vermont [clears throat] a general 496 00:38:06,720 --> 00:38:13,359 election ballot for the state. So we would have to be running a concurrent 497 00:38:11,359 --> 00:38:18,079 election at the same time. Then the question arises, do we have a vote of 498 00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:22,880 the town to proactively send town ballots to every registered voter in 499 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:26,880 town? Do we not? So people automatically get their general election ballot, but 500 00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:31,119 they have to call and request a town ballot or come and vote in person for 501 00:38:28,560 --> 00:38:35,680 that town ballot. So I think just for the extra confusion that would be 502 00:38:33,359 --> 00:38:39,440 involved, I would not advocate running any kind of municipal election 503 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:44,880 concurrent to the November general election. And I think because you need 504 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:49,200 to appoint somebody forth with, my recommendation is to follow what Norm 505 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:55,839 suggests. I think as a board maybe solicit find out who's interested and in 506 00:38:52,000 --> 00:39:01,040 a short amount of time make two people appointed to serve until town meeting in 507 00:38:58,320 --> 00:39:06,320 March and then we'll um under the normal timetable um elect people to serve on 508 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:08,320 the board. >> Thank you. 509 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:12,880 » Wasn't very articulate but >> you did a great job. Charlie, you did a 510 00:39:10,240 --> 00:39:17,040 great job. There are two hands up online. The board 511 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:21,760 is done. I don't know who they are. 512 00:39:18,560 --> 00:39:25,839 » Sheldon and Roger. >> Hello. 513 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:30,160 » Nicholas. >> Yep. Come on. Go on. 514 00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:35,040 » So, uh, you know, I had my hand raised at your last issue just now and I was 515 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:39,680 not called on. So, I'm just hoping to make a point of order. Uh, Mr. Duffy had 516 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:44,240 made a representation again to this board that he had no communications with 517 00:39:41,839 --> 00:39:49,920 Tyler, uh, the auditor. And that's just not true. The auditor told us during his 518 00:39:47,760 --> 00:39:53,520 presentation that Mr. Duffy was interacting with him, was providing 519 00:39:51,359 --> 00:39:56,880 information to him about the legal fees, and was providing documentation to him. 520 00:39:55,280 --> 00:40:03,119 And I just cannot have these misrepresentations continue to stand. 521 00:39:59,680 --> 00:40:07,720 So, thank you. >> Uh, I think we have Roger Logan. 522 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:15,599 » Roger. >> Hi. Um, 523 00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:20,560 can you hear me? >> Yep. 524 00:40:16,480 --> 00:40:25,280 » Okay. Um, I just want to um I I agree with with Charlie. Um, and obviously 525 00:40:23,760 --> 00:40:31,920 Charlie knows a lot more about this than I do anyway. Um, 526 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:38,800 I think you should appoint people until the next until town meeting. And I also 527 00:40:35,839 --> 00:40:43,520 urge you not to take the road that was taken last time, which is to only 528 00:40:40,880 --> 00:40:48,880 appoint someone if they have if they have explicitly said they do not plan to 529 00:40:46,079 --> 00:40:54,240 run. I think you need people who are committed to this for the long term. 530 00:40:51,599 --> 00:40:58,480 It's obviously becoming a complicated and difficult thing for people to serve 531 00:40:56,960 --> 00:41:03,040 on the board under the present circumstances. So, I think we need 532 00:41:00,720 --> 00:41:07,440 people who are who are going to be able to make a long-term commitment. Thank 533 00:41:04,720 --> 00:41:13,400 you. >> Thank you, Roger. Anybody else? 534 00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:13,400 » Mary. 535 00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:19,400 » You You can You can stay right there. >> Thank you. 536 00:41:15,440 --> 00:41:19,400 » Yeah. Um, 537 00:41:22,640 --> 00:41:39,040 » the um the process that we had for the um the select board was um there's is 538 00:41:36,319 --> 00:41:48,400 there everyone who um 539 00:41:41,599 --> 00:41:55,760 there's four three people that did Not. Yes. In the fourth person, um is there 540 00:41:52,720 --> 00:42:03,520 anyone who that that um there quickly can be 541 00:42:01,599 --> 00:42:06,520 uh um 542 00:42:06,800 --> 00:42:15,440 Yes. Well, so we're our hope is that u we 543 00:42:13,680 --> 00:42:21,520 will hear back from the previous candidates and that we will hopefully 544 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:26,800 get more applications in between now and September 10th. 545 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:33,359 » And our hope is that we have all all appointments done by the September 15th 546 00:42:29,839 --> 00:42:36,359 meeting next time our next board meeting. 547 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:42,640 » You're welcome. Anybody else? >> So, we'll get language out about the 548 00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:46,240 applications. Uh, we can reach out to the former anyone who's sent an 549 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:48,640 application in the last five, six months, say interested and then go from 550 00:42:48,319 --> 00:42:51,599 there. >> Yep. 551 00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:54,880 » You ready to go over that? >> Yep. 552 00:42:52,319 --> 00:43:00,560 » Okay. Uh, >> okay. So, 553 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:05,280 number three, agenda format change. >> Maryanne, 554 00:43:01,280 --> 00:43:12,240 » this is me. Uh I am proposing two changes to the agenda. Instead of having 555 00:43:09,119 --> 00:43:17,440 vote and discussion which uh were confusing to me I think to a lot of 556 00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:22,560 people that we have to vote on these items and apparently it's not that what 557 00:43:20,319 --> 00:43:27,440 I would propose instead of vote and discussion is to have two sections old 558 00:43:25,119 --> 00:43:33,040 business new business. and the old business. First of all, it 559 00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:38,400 will keep things in in our head and and public that that we have not forgotten 560 00:43:35,359 --> 00:43:44,560 anything that we will be hopefully checking things off on that. And um for 561 00:43:41,599 --> 00:43:50,480 new business, if there is a vote or an action, it would say specific action 562 00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:57,200 may be taken. So, you could table it, you can uh vote on it, whatever. So, so 563 00:43:53,760 --> 00:44:01,520 I'm suggesting those I think um it'll be clearer and it'll be a bit more 564 00:43:59,599 --> 00:44:06,800 transparent. That's the first thing. The second thing 565 00:44:03,760 --> 00:44:13,359 is I'm proposing something called a consent agenda which is used by a lot of 566 00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:21,119 governments and um corporations actually. And what it does is it it 567 00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:26,319 groups routine items like um >> liquor licenses or abatements that have 568 00:44:23,760 --> 00:44:30,319 already been vetted by Robert and puts them in one category. They're still 569 00:44:27,920 --> 00:44:35,920 there. We still have the paperwork. But if they're under consent agenda, 570 00:44:32,880 --> 00:44:39,599 » the board can come in and just say we are there any discussions about these? 571 00:44:38,319 --> 00:44:45,760 If there are, then they're taken out. Otherwise, it's one motion, one vote. 572 00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:52,560 I looked at the agenda for the last meeting and twothirds of the items could 573 00:44:50,640 --> 00:44:59,520 have been if they were in a consent agenda. Nothing was um opposed. They 574 00:44:56,560 --> 00:45:04,480 were routine non-controversial items and we could have saved a lot of time for 575 00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:09,280 more substantial discussions. So that's what I'm proposing. I will say 576 00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:14,880 in all transparency that the downside of this is and it puts a little bit of 577 00:45:11,200 --> 00:45:18,640 bonus on the taxpayers. You'll get the agenda prior. It's on the 578 00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:22,240 website and if you have a problem with something 579 00:45:20,560 --> 00:45:27,359 or you have a question about something under the consent agenda, you would need 580 00:45:24,960 --> 00:45:32,640 to tell us ahead of time so that we can take it out. So it's not something that 581 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:38,480 can be done in real time in the meeting. it would be presented and then we would 582 00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:43,200 do a motion and a vote. So, I don't know how that will how anyone feels about 583 00:45:41,040 --> 00:45:48,480 that. We could try it, we could not try it, whatever. We could limit um the 584 00:45:46,079 --> 00:45:55,280 consent agenda items to certain categories such as liquor licenses or or 585 00:45:52,880 --> 00:45:58,640 even approval of minutes, I think. So that's what I'm suggesting those two 586 00:45:56,800 --> 00:46:03,599 things because a meeting that that goes over three 587 00:46:00,720 --> 00:46:06,000 hours um I can't I don't have stamina for it. So 588 00:46:04,720 --> 00:46:08,560 » can I ask a clarifying question? >> Yeah. 589 00:46:06,480 --> 00:46:12,640 » So we talking about um there are things in the consent agenda. We post agenda on 590 00:46:10,400 --> 00:46:15,599 a Thursday for a Tuesday meeting. Are you saying that residents would have to 591 00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:19,040 reach out to the board prior to the Tuesday meeting and then the Tuesday 592 00:46:17,280 --> 00:46:20,720 meeting you'd make a motion to move something out of the consent somewhere 593 00:46:20,319 --> 00:46:24,720 else? >> Correct. There would even five minutes 594 00:46:22,560 --> 00:46:31,079 before someone you could just walk up and say, you know, I want to discuss 595 00:46:26,720 --> 00:46:31,079 this item in the consent agenda 596 00:46:31,920 --> 00:46:39,280 » by streamlining an agenda. And I do agree with you also with keeping citizen 597 00:46:37,040 --> 00:46:44,079 comments to or I'm sorry, yeah, citizen comments to two minutes. If this does 598 00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:48,560 work by streamlining anything, any possibility we can go back to maybe one 599 00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:50,720 meeting a month, >> but just a thought. Just a thought. 600 00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:54,480 Yeah. >> Yeah. I can get some history to that. I 601 00:46:52,400 --> 00:46:58,720 think um two years now maybe we went to uh 602 00:46:57,119 --> 00:47:02,480 historically the board would go to one meeting a month during the summer. Um 603 00:47:00,560 --> 00:47:05,760 and they found the time that right before we did anything with the water 604 00:47:03,599 --> 00:47:09,200 company, one meeting a month was signed. Um then when the water company thing 605 00:47:07,839 --> 00:47:14,160 kind of kicked off, they were meeting three, four, five, six times a month to 606 00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:17,599 kind of go through that process. Um and there was some concerns with uh 607 00:47:15,920 --> 00:47:22,560 overwhelming the select board and staff at all these meetings. So I think for uh 608 00:47:20,720 --> 00:47:25,839 last May was when they decided to go to two meetings a month to try to stop 609 00:47:24,000 --> 00:47:29,520 having special meetings and keep that kind of routine of two meetings a month 610 00:47:27,359 --> 00:47:36,160 going. Um so that's kind of just the history of it. Um just so you know that 611 00:47:34,480 --> 00:47:41,920 » I recall it was just after I was elected. 612 00:47:37,040 --> 00:47:45,920 » Yes. Thanks for ask me. >> The one thing I would say is like on the 613 00:47:43,760 --> 00:47:49,839 old business and new business because there could technically be a vote in old 614 00:47:47,520 --> 00:47:53,359 business as well, right? Or you only have them in new business. 615 00:47:51,040 --> 00:47:57,520 » No, I think it would you can say it within the item. You can just say 616 00:47:55,040 --> 00:48:00,800 specific action may be taken or for discussion only. So 617 00:47:59,680 --> 00:48:04,640 » yeah, I just would want to make sure it's really clear to the public like 618 00:48:02,640 --> 00:48:08,720 what items we're voting on because those have to be worn in advance and then just 619 00:48:06,720 --> 00:48:12,640 making like so I don't know however it was designed to make sure that's super 620 00:48:10,880 --> 00:48:16,400 clear like what items are being voted on, you know. 621 00:48:13,839 --> 00:48:21,200 » I'm not sure actually if it has to say vote on the agenda or if it can just say 622 00:48:19,520 --> 00:48:24,000 specific action. >> Yeah. So this is the Maryanne talked 623 00:48:22,720 --> 00:48:27,200 about this last week. This is when the communications the board would have to 624 00:48:25,520 --> 00:48:30,319 do if you want to make the change. let people know that there will be things in 625 00:48:28,960 --> 00:48:33,359 the agenda that may be voted on that does not say necessary will be voted on 626 00:48:32,079 --> 00:48:37,040 like you know people are used to this format. Um so it just be kind of 627 00:48:35,520 --> 00:48:40,079 communication that people understand that it's going to be a different format 628 00:48:38,319 --> 00:48:44,720 going forward and if something's on the agenda it could be a vote you know this 629 00:48:42,800 --> 00:48:49,119 so it'll be very people have to be very clear with that. 630 00:48:45,440 --> 00:48:52,880 » I think that we we can also work on the [clears throat] agenda to be more 631 00:48:50,720 --> 00:49:01,119 specific about what it is we're doing. So, we could say discussion and possible 632 00:48:55,040 --> 00:49:04,000 vote um for each item and it's a work in progress. 633 00:49:02,400 --> 00:49:07,200 » Well, I think we give it a shot. Yeah. >> And uh 634 00:49:05,440 --> 00:49:12,720 » Maryanne's going to work with me and Eric on all of the agendas moving 635 00:49:10,000 --> 00:49:16,559 forward. So, we'll work through it and if we have to make changes, we can do 636 00:49:14,880 --> 00:49:23,160 that. Uh >> there's a hand up online. K. Do you have 637 00:49:18,319 --> 00:49:23,160 your hand up, too? Or gay. 638 00:49:34,079 --> 00:49:42,319 Okay, Travers Wishto, it's nice to be back on this side of the table. Uh, two 639 00:49:39,040 --> 00:49:47,119 things. Um, is the plan to keep citizens comments at the end from now on? 640 00:49:44,640 --> 00:49:51,839 » Uh, we're that's we're going to try it. Yeah. 641 00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:55,280 » And may I ask why? uh because um I look at it as a significant roadblock. It 642 00:49:53,839 --> 00:49:59,280 means that citizens who have something to say have to wait throughout the 643 00:49:56,880 --> 00:50:05,119 entire meeting and I just think it's a it just sends a message out right right 644 00:50:02,000 --> 00:50:11,520 away that you know you that citizens have to wait and and you know that's 645 00:50:07,280 --> 00:50:16,559 sort of my you know uh my soap box of where I am on this is that that citizens 646 00:50:13,839 --> 00:50:24,960 should feel free and unencumbered to express what they have to say. 647 00:50:19,599 --> 00:50:31,520 So, I'm just wondering why the change. >> Well, I' I'd like to say that um 648 00:50:29,440 --> 00:50:36,960 from my when I was on that side of the table that I felt that we were spending 649 00:50:34,640 --> 00:50:42,480 a lot of time with with the uh public comments and they and 650 00:50:40,079 --> 00:50:47,040 then we'd be brushing through the rest or you know looking at the clock and 651 00:50:44,319 --> 00:50:53,200 things. So I think that um the citizens comments are necessary but the point of 652 00:50:50,800 --> 00:50:58,240 this meet it's a business meeting and not a hearing and and sometimes it has 653 00:50:55,680 --> 00:51:01,599 veered off. I think there are other avenues and 654 00:51:00,720 --> 00:51:08,000 » what are those? >> Well, you can contact any one of us 655 00:51:04,480 --> 00:51:13,119 about an item and I can tell you that you will get a response from this board. 656 00:51:11,440 --> 00:51:18,400 And so I think that will take some of the heat off these public comments by if 657 00:51:16,800 --> 00:51:22,319 you write in about something, you'll get a response within 10 business days. 658 00:51:20,640 --> 00:51:28,000 That's what I'm proposing for this board. Um it may not be a resolution 659 00:51:25,680 --> 00:51:33,520 because something's very complicated. We don't know what the timing will be, but 660 00:51:29,839 --> 00:51:38,559 you'll get a response. And so I think um if we give this a chance to see how it 661 00:51:36,079 --> 00:51:42,240 goes, and that's my that's my feeling about 662 00:51:40,720 --> 00:51:48,400 it. This is a business meeting. We're doing the business of the town and you 663 00:51:45,599 --> 00:51:53,040 are the town, but sometimes it fears a little bit off and we'd like to get 664 00:51:49,839 --> 00:51:57,839 through these excuse me these items. >> So my my reasonings my reasonings were 665 00:51:56,000 --> 00:52:02,559 uh we have to conduct business of the town and important that we focus on that 666 00:52:01,040 --> 00:52:07,280 initially. We're not we're not eliminating anybody's opportunity to 667 00:52:04,480 --> 00:52:12,240 talk to have a citizen's comment. Uh we're just moving it to the end. Um, we 668 00:52:09,599 --> 00:52:18,240 spent a lot of time as board members trying to uh govern and help govern our 669 00:52:15,599 --> 00:52:22,960 town and we need the opportunity to do that and I think this allows us the 670 00:52:20,160 --> 00:52:28,800 opportunity and time to work on it and uh we're not eliminating anybody's 671 00:52:25,280 --> 00:52:34,800 opportunity to speak. >> Um, 672 00:52:30,400 --> 00:52:39,119 I obviously disagree with this. Uh, I I did not see a big hold up with citizens 673 00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:43,599 comments. I mean citizens the citizens are your boss ultimately and yes you are 674 00:52:41,839 --> 00:52:48,800 conducting a business meeting but it is for the community and it's just it just 675 00:52:46,640 --> 00:52:53,599 sends such a message is what I'm saying it sends a message hey you know you guys 676 00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:58,319 are at the end good luck you know hang around you know so that's that's that 677 00:52:55,680 --> 00:53:03,440 secondly I really think you should put other business back on the agenda for 678 00:53:01,280 --> 00:53:09,200 the select board it was on for years and it suddenly mysteriously was taken off 679 00:53:05,760 --> 00:53:13,680 in the last year. It gives um select board members uh the opportunity that 680 00:53:11,760 --> 00:53:18,400 something comes up and they're able to speak. I found myself, frankly, to be 681 00:53:15,520 --> 00:53:23,040 quite muzzled on your side of the table and not being able to do that because it 682 00:53:20,559 --> 00:53:28,160 was very regimented. So, I really advocate for a much more open process. I 683 00:53:26,079 --> 00:53:33,280 know you all are saying it, but once again, it's hidden behind forms and you 684 00:53:31,200 --> 00:53:37,359 know, requests and speaking to one person so that it's not open. You know, 685 00:53:35,760 --> 00:53:40,480 it's an open process when you have somebody sitting here talking. Thank 686 00:53:39,839 --> 00:53:44,160 you. >> Thank you. 687 00:53:41,440 --> 00:53:47,599 » You have three hands up online and 688 00:53:45,680 --> 00:53:51,359 » um who can you just give me the names online? 689 00:53:48,079 --> 00:53:56,160 » Uh Nico, Roger, Alisa. >> Alisa, I always 690 00:53:54,480 --> 00:54:00,559 » Eliza you online. 691 00:53:57,599 --> 00:54:05,440 » Hi, I'm It's actually Alisa. Thank you, Eric. It was right the first time. Alisa 692 00:54:02,960 --> 00:54:10,079 Tarlo, I live in the village. Um, I want to comment on on all these changes. Um, 693 00:54:08,480 --> 00:54:13,440 I forget what you called it, but if you're putting something on the agenda 694 00:54:11,440 --> 00:54:17,599 that we would have to notify you about before it begins, I think that's a 695 00:54:15,440 --> 00:54:22,400 mistake. If you want to have like right in the beginning, if you have a comment 696 00:54:19,440 --> 00:54:28,240 on these things, you need to like say so we can move it from contingent or 697 00:54:24,319 --> 00:54:32,160 whatever um to like discussion, that's fine. But to say we have to tell you 698 00:54:29,920 --> 00:54:35,520 ahead when like we don't even know when the agendas are going to come out and 699 00:54:33,760 --> 00:54:39,520 like we'd be rushing right before to make sure because it's not always there 700 00:54:37,280 --> 00:54:43,440 early. And anyways, I think that's a bad idea. I think it's just another way of 701 00:54:41,520 --> 00:54:49,119 saying we're not going to listen to you. I think I'm shocked you guys moved it to 702 00:54:45,680 --> 00:54:53,440 the end. Um I I think public comment should be at the beginning and at the 703 00:54:50,960 --> 00:54:57,359 end, but at least at the beginning. You're basically saying everyone has to 704 00:54:55,359 --> 00:55:01,839 wait and wonder when we're going to be done. Maybe someone has a comment and 705 00:54:59,200 --> 00:55:05,520 they are totally not interested. They agree with everything on the agenda. 706 00:55:03,359 --> 00:55:10,559 They have no concerns, but they have a comment. They have to randomly try to 707 00:55:08,400 --> 00:55:14,559 guess when they should join the meeting. It's absolutely shocking you guys are 708 00:55:12,880 --> 00:55:19,440 doing this when there is so much controversy going on in town and there 709 00:55:16,400 --> 00:55:24,319 are so many upset residents. Just instead, you should be opening your arms 710 00:55:22,000 --> 00:55:29,680 to people talking to you, not closing the door. So, please reconsider, push 711 00:55:27,520 --> 00:55:34,640 public comment back to the beginning of the meeting. It's very important. And I 712 00:55:32,400 --> 00:55:39,520 also agree other business should be on the meeting. You have to say you are 713 00:55:37,040 --> 00:55:45,680 here for the people of Woodstock because that is who you're hired to represent 714 00:55:42,400 --> 00:55:52,240 and um it's just one thing after another of dismissing the people and and it it's 715 00:55:49,280 --> 00:55:56,640 it's not okay. So, please reconsider all of these changes that are really pushing 716 00:55:54,880 --> 00:56:03,359 us out of being able to speak to you all. Thank you. 717 00:55:58,799 --> 00:56:09,359 » Thank you. Uh, Nico, >> hi. Yeah, I just wanted to uh echo the 718 00:56:06,640 --> 00:56:14,559 last two speakers. Um, it sounds as though you are pushing citizens comments 719 00:56:11,839 --> 00:56:21,040 to the end. Uh, from what I heard from Miss Chiefsky, it sounds like you intend 720 00:56:16,559 --> 00:56:27,920 to give us onethird 33 and a3% less time to speak. So, you are silencing us. 721 00:56:24,160 --> 00:56:33,520 That's what this is. You are not walking the talk of transparency. You ran on 722 00:56:31,520 --> 00:56:37,680 transparency. That was your platform, Mr. Freighus and Miss Sweeney. That was 723 00:56:35,760 --> 00:56:42,640 your platform. And you are walking it back step by step. You're talking the 724 00:56:39,760 --> 00:56:48,799 big talk, but you're not actually doing behavior that is transparent. That is 725 00:56:45,920 --> 00:56:52,480 transparency. You work for us. Okay? We don't work for you. We are not your 726 00:56:50,319 --> 00:56:58,240 employees. We elected you to do a job. We elected you to listen to us and to 727 00:56:54,960 --> 00:57:01,760 put our thoughts into public policy. And what are you doing? You are you are 728 00:56:59,920 --> 00:57:06,799 hiding serious issues. Look at the legal fees. You didn't disclose that to us. We 729 00:57:04,400 --> 00:57:10,640 disclosed that to you. We brought that to you because you couldn't figure that 730 00:57:09,040 --> 00:57:14,400 out. The boards couldn't figure that out. The boards couldn't figure out that 731 00:57:11,920 --> 00:57:19,440 manager Duffy was lying and hiding. We brought that to you and now you want to 732 00:57:16,880 --> 00:57:24,799 put us last. I I've been asking the boards this for weeks and months. Who do 733 00:57:22,319 --> 00:57:29,760 you think you represent? I I don't know who you think you represent. And this is 734 00:57:27,040 --> 00:57:37,040 the ultimate stab in our backs, especially those of us who voteed for 735 00:57:31,760 --> 00:57:37,040 you expecting transparency. Thank you. 736 00:57:37,599 --> 00:57:45,520 Roger Logan. >> Hi. I just want to say that I strongly 737 00:57:42,640 --> 00:57:50,640 support a decision to move citizens comments to the end. First of all, let 738 00:57:48,319 --> 00:57:55,280 me point out again there is no requirement in Vermont law that there be 739 00:57:53,040 --> 00:57:59,599 citizens comments on items that are not on the agenda. 740 00:57:57,599 --> 00:58:03,760 I I think you should have citizens comments on items that are not on the 741 00:58:01,359 --> 00:58:08,079 agenda, but it has become a huge distraction. 742 00:58:05,440 --> 00:58:13,520 The boards are here to do the people's business. We need that business to get 743 00:58:10,319 --> 00:58:16,559 done. Thank you. >> Thank you, Roger. 744 00:58:14,880 --> 00:58:20,000 » Anybody else? >> Yes. I just want to uh 745 00:58:17,760 --> 00:58:22,880 » you you got to stand up. Tell us tell us who you are. 746 00:58:21,680 --> 00:58:27,440 » Come on up. >> You can stay there. You can stay there 747 00:58:24,240 --> 00:58:29,200 if you want. Just tell us who we >> swear. 748 00:58:28,160 --> 00:58:32,720 » No, >> no swearing. 749 00:58:30,799 --> 00:58:36,319 » Michael France and I just want to support the uh citizens comments at the 750 00:58:35,040 --> 00:58:41,440 beginning of the meeting. They've been done that for decades, decades. They've 751 00:58:39,839 --> 00:58:45,920 always been in the beginning. It's only due to the recent controversies that 752 00:58:43,680 --> 00:58:50,240 citizen comments have loomed. But again, the transparency issues are very 753 00:58:47,680 --> 00:58:54,640 important to the community and you need to regain the respect of the community. 754 00:58:52,720 --> 00:58:58,640 By keeping the citizens comments at the beginning of the meeting, I think you 755 00:58:56,559 --> 00:59:03,359 will achieve that. So I don't I don't see the inconvenience of having it early 756 00:59:00,720 --> 00:59:07,119 on, having it later. Again, as Gay says, it's just 757 00:59:05,520 --> 00:59:12,640 it's putting people down, putting them in their place, and uh we need to be at 758 00:59:09,280 --> 00:59:16,640 the forefront of life again. and I am affected by citizens comments today 759 00:59:14,480 --> 00:59:21,319 because I have an item to say but I have to wait forever. So thank you 760 00:59:22,799 --> 00:59:25,799 » Wendy. 761 00:59:27,040 --> 00:59:35,920 » Hi hi. Thank you. Um, yes, I I was not 762 00:59:34,079 --> 00:59:42,559 going to add to this conversation, but I do want to say that I've been attending 763 00:59:38,720 --> 00:59:49,200 meetings for a long time and and uh my recollection is that moving citizens 764 00:59:45,839 --> 00:59:56,559 comments to the very beginning was recent. Um, and I think that maybe Mary 765 00:59:53,200 --> 01:00:03,599 Riley as a previous select board chair can attest to that. Um because I think 766 01:00:00,720 --> 01:00:09,520 there was a response not too long ago by this by the um administration, not sure 767 01:00:07,520 --> 01:00:15,680 you know who made the decision, but to move it forward. So it's it's been in 768 01:00:12,400 --> 01:00:21,119 both places. It has not always always been at the beginning. I've waited 769 01:00:18,160 --> 01:00:26,319 through many meetings to make a comment. What I'd prefer to hear from you all is 770 01:00:23,920 --> 01:00:31,760 a way to address throughout an entire meeting how the 771 01:00:28,480 --> 01:00:39,280 public can engage on an issue. Um I think reflecting on the vote versus the 772 01:00:34,559 --> 01:00:45,359 discussion, there's been um seemingly a message, I don't know if it was 773 01:00:40,880 --> 01:00:50,960 intentional, I um to just vote and not continue discussion. a citizen may not 774 01:00:48,480 --> 01:00:56,799 have participated in the discussion and suddenly there's a vote. Uh there needs 775 01:00:54,000 --> 01:01:04,000 to be flexibility. There needs to be a way that citizens trust that they can 776 01:00:59,920 --> 01:01:09,680 speak on any agenda item whether it's action phase or discussion phase. So I I 777 01:01:07,760 --> 01:01:14,000 am in support of changing it to old business and new business and continuing 778 01:01:11,760 --> 01:01:19,280 dialogue. I think the real point is continuing dialogue. I think the select 779 01:01:16,799 --> 01:01:23,760 board needs to decide when it's time that enough discussion has been had or 780 01:01:21,280 --> 01:01:29,359 whether to table a discussion. But I would just like to say rather than 781 01:01:26,799 --> 01:01:34,319 hyperfocusing on citizens comments, let's take a step back and make sure 782 01:01:32,400 --> 01:01:40,480 citizens feel comfortable commenting throughout all topics. Um, and how um 783 01:01:37,920 --> 01:01:42,799 and thank you for listening. >> Thank you. 784 01:01:41,200 --> 01:01:46,480 » Thanks, Wendy. Anybody else? 785 01:01:44,559 --> 01:01:52,960 » I see. [clears throat and cough] >> Okay. Um, Marian, do you want to talk 786 01:01:49,599 --> 01:01:55,359 about the resident agenda request form? >> Sure. Or you can talk about it. 787 01:01:54,720 --> 01:01:59,440 » You want to talk about >> Yeah. I think um a little while ago the 788 01:01:57,440 --> 01:02:04,480 the board uh kind of voted on the approval of this with edits from myself 789 01:02:01,599 --> 01:02:08,799 and the and the chair. Um Maryanne has helped me in the last two weeks kind of 790 01:02:06,960 --> 01:02:12,640 put the final edits on it so we have it in the agenda. It's already been voted 791 01:02:10,559 --> 01:02:18,000 on. So, we don't need to do anything, but it'll be on the website. I think the 792 01:02:14,799 --> 01:02:22,319 original intent um for the new chair was the chair will be the one responding to 793 01:02:20,240 --> 01:02:25,839 the intent items. Um so, it's responsibility. Um so, we'll have it on 794 01:02:24,240 --> 01:02:31,760 the website. We'll also have it hard copies um at town hall. Um I think the 795 01:02:29,839 --> 01:02:36,480 goal was a 90day trial, see how this would work. So, we're talking September 796 01:02:33,599 --> 01:02:39,920 1. Um, so CL goes through September, October, November and if the board wants 797 01:02:38,319 --> 01:02:42,640 to continue this process or becomes overwhelming or not useful, we can 798 01:02:41,760 --> 01:02:45,920 revisit it. >> Okay. 799 01:02:43,119 --> 01:02:51,599 » But it'll be on our website Kitty today. >> Yeah. 800 01:02:48,720 --> 01:02:56,960 » So, um, some of the changes that we made to the format that you had seen earlier, 801 01:02:54,480 --> 01:03:00,960 the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, is that we 802 01:02:59,359 --> 01:03:07,359 we [clears throat] clarified how this will be done and who will do it. So 803 01:03:05,119 --> 01:03:14,079 a request for an agenda item will go to Norm and he will either respond or 804 01:03:11,359 --> 01:03:18,880 delegate among the board member but a response will be made within 10 business 805 01:03:16,160 --> 01:03:21,920 days I believe >> outside of extraordinary 10 seconds. So 806 01:03:20,799 --> 01:03:24,319 a response could be hey we don't have time for this. 807 01:03:22,480 --> 01:03:30,720 » That's right. A response could be you know this was already discussed removed 808 01:03:27,200 --> 01:03:35,760 or whatever. So, it just be um we're and it could also be we may not have the 809 01:03:32,480 --> 01:03:40,000 time to add this now or this is we've re we've received several of these. It'll 810 01:03:37,599 --> 01:03:46,599 be on the agenda, you know, whenever. So, you'll you'll get a response which 811 01:03:43,359 --> 01:03:46,599 is important. 812 01:03:47,280 --> 01:03:58,480 Okay. Um any comments on that? Okay. Uh we added number four the I'm sorry 813 01:03:56,640 --> 01:04:03,680 number five the Vond Delov easement review and we just added it because 814 01:04:01,599 --> 01:04:10,400 we've got a lot of new members and it was important that you reviewed the the 815 01:04:07,119 --> 01:04:12,559 our our easement language in there and Eric want to speak a little bit about 816 01:04:12,160 --> 01:04:16,319 that. >> Yeah. So the really outstanding thing 817 01:04:14,319 --> 01:04:19,760 between now and the conservation ement go into effect is an agreement on what 818 01:04:17,760 --> 01:04:24,000 the easement will actually say. Uh we posted a notice that the 30 days that's 819 01:04:21,760 --> 01:04:28,640 already out there. Um our engineering firm has given some comments. Um Womba 820 01:04:27,280 --> 01:04:32,400 has given some comments. Those are both with the land trust. Now they're 821 01:04:29,920 --> 01:04:35,599 reviewing it. Um town council has also reviewed it. They're going to give some 822 01:04:33,440 --> 01:04:38,160 comments as well. Um but I thought it was important for especially the new 823 01:04:36,640 --> 01:04:42,319 board members who weren't here when disease origin was created um to have 824 01:04:40,880 --> 01:04:47,200 some time to review it and let us know if you have any questions or comments. 825 01:04:44,640 --> 01:04:50,559 Um the land trust email me this morning. they'll get back to our comments and 826 01:04:49,119 --> 01:04:54,640 Womba's comments by the end of this week. Um, and we're probably still 827 01:04:52,480 --> 01:04:57,200 looking at a midocctober closing. So, we still have plenty of time to kind of 828 01:04:55,680 --> 01:05:01,520 hatch out the easement if things need to change. So, I'd recommend um the board 829 01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:05,359 review easement. If you have any questions, reach out to me. Um, and we 830 01:05:03,440 --> 01:05:11,280 have to call Donna Foster if we need to trust. 831 01:05:07,280 --> 01:05:14,640 » Okay. Any any further discussion on that questions? 832 01:05:11,920 --> 01:05:17,839 » Is that road a class 4 road >> up there? Yes, it is. Right, Charlie? 833 01:05:15,920 --> 01:05:20,640 Yeah. is Yeah, because one of the things in here says something about motorized 834 01:05:19,839 --> 01:05:23,280 vehicles. >> Yes. 835 01:05:21,440 --> 01:05:27,119 » And that means you can't use it as a class 4 road anymore. 836 01:05:26,559 --> 01:05:31,680 » That's right. >> I saw that, too. And I'm not an expert 837 01:05:29,599 --> 01:05:36,240 on this, [clears throat] but my interpretation was that the class 4 road 838 01:05:34,559 --> 01:05:40,400 is the town road and it passes through this property. So, I don't think we're 839 01:05:38,240 --> 01:05:45,920 talking about limiting or prohibiting use of the road. It's um still a 840 01:05:43,839 --> 01:05:49,039 municipal road that just goes through the property. So, I don't think the 841 01:05:47,039 --> 01:05:51,520 easement covers that at all. >> Okay. 842 01:05:50,079 --> 01:05:53,440 » That's a great thing to point out. So, we confirm that 843 01:05:52,160 --> 01:05:57,039 » thing to confirm. >> We need to do that. 844 01:05:54,160 --> 01:06:01,680 » But yeah, I would dig into that and make sure that that is the intention. 845 01:05:59,039 --> 01:06:08,640 » I don't want to get in trouble. >> Too late. I know. Uh on page nine, it 846 01:06:05,440 --> 01:06:12,880 mentions something about fees. >> Where is that? 847 01:06:11,119 --> 01:06:19,240 The right to charge members of the public reasonable fees for admission to 848 01:06:15,119 --> 01:06:19,240 use of the protected property. 849 01:06:20,160 --> 01:06:24,440 Number 10 on page nine. 850 01:06:33,039 --> 01:06:38,559 » I that that just gives a child's ability to do it. 851 01:06:36,559 --> 01:06:43,440 » Yeah. And just one last thing, is the porta 852 01:06:40,720 --> 01:06:46,799 potty going to be there forever? >> Um, I actually have to a 853 01:06:44,640 --> 01:06:51,680 » trial basis. Trial based to I have not heard any complaints um from it. I'll 854 01:06:49,200 --> 01:06:58,119 reach out to I'm actually meeting with on Friday. So bring that up as well. 855 01:06:54,240 --> 01:06:58,119 » Perfect. Thank you. 856 01:06:58,480 --> 01:07:03,160 » Any comments? Okay. 857 01:07:03,839 --> 01:07:06,839 Again, 858 01:07:12,160 --> 01:07:21,200 this is my other soap box. Uh, two of you haven't heard my spiel, so I'm going 859 01:07:18,160 --> 01:07:27,520 to be very brief on this. Uh, I questioned why we're doing this at all. 860 01:07:23,760 --> 01:07:32,400 I've gotten sort of this uh answer that, well, it'll be protected forever. My 861 01:07:30,000 --> 01:07:42,000 response to that is as long as the town owns it, it's protected forever. Um 100% 862 01:07:38,799 --> 01:07:45,760 of the select board who put this in action 863 01:07:43,680 --> 01:07:52,400 are gone. So that's how that's how permanent that 864 01:07:48,880 --> 01:08:00,880 was. So five people put this in place for something in perpetuity 865 01:07:55,039 --> 01:08:06,799 and now they're gone. So, I really ask and suggest that you all really look at 866 01:08:03,760 --> 01:08:13,200 this again as fresh members, new members. You're going to get two more 867 01:08:08,960 --> 01:08:16,599 members and really look at why why are you doing this? 868 01:08:18,640 --> 01:08:26,799 Are do any of you can any of you answer that question? 869 01:08:23,120 --> 01:08:33,040 » I can answer it. At least my opinion my opinion is that um we are uh selling the 870 01:08:31,199 --> 01:08:38,480 development rights but maintaining the ownership of the property. So in 871 01:08:36,239 --> 01:08:43,920 perpetuity nothing that property can't be subdivided, can't be sold. It it can 872 01:08:41,440 --> 01:08:50,400 be used for recreational purposes only and we have a backup if we need to for 873 01:08:46,319 --> 01:08:57,679 our water company. Um, we're we're making it a a a facility for all to to 874 01:08:54,319 --> 01:09:00,679 enjoy and on top of it we're getting a million5,000 875 01:09:01,679 --> 01:09:06,359 for it. That those are my reasons. 876 01:09:06,400 --> 01:09:17,920 » Have the two of you had time to be able to assess it? 877 01:09:13,679 --> 01:09:21,120 » I I just know it was a done deal. So, and and 878 01:09:19,920 --> 01:09:24,640 done deal. It isn't a done deal. There are all these steps and it still isn't a 879 01:09:22,560 --> 01:09:30,319 done deal. It hasn't closed. So that's why I'm really sort of beseeching you. 880 01:09:26,640 --> 01:09:37,359 Um because I just there the second we owned it was the 881 01:09:34,640 --> 01:09:43,359 second this started to go into into action. And I I just really wonder, you 882 01:09:40,080 --> 01:09:48,480 know, once again why when owning it we have complete control. 883 01:09:45,359 --> 01:09:53,440 Frankly, the Lantra sometimes um can prove to be disappointing on on what the 884 01:09:50,719 --> 01:09:58,159 expectations have been. So anyway, so I ask you the two new board members to 885 01:09:56,480 --> 01:10:03,040 really look into it. That'd be great. And also to sort of then wait because 886 01:09:59,679 --> 01:10:07,600 you're going to get two more because as I say 100% of the people who 887 01:10:05,040 --> 01:10:10,920 put an action are gone. Thank you. >> Thank you K. 888 01:10:11,520 --> 01:10:16,960 » Any more comments? No, I just want to Raj and if I made one clarification, 889 01:10:15,440 --> 01:10:20,640 there is about 10 acres that's being exempt, you know, from the whole 890 01:10:18,800 --> 01:10:24,719 property that could have future development on it. Everything else will 891 01:10:21,760 --> 01:10:31,760 be exempt. >> Uh, Roger, I just end up Roger Logan. 892 01:10:28,159 --> 01:10:39,840 » Um, I just want to say again, this board needs to do the work that you 893 01:10:35,760 --> 01:10:45,520 were elected by the people to do. If we revisit every decision that's ever been 894 01:10:42,239 --> 01:10:50,719 made, you will never do any work. This decision has been made. It has been 895 01:10:47,679 --> 01:10:56,320 talked about for months and months and months and months and months. Do not 896 01:10:54,000 --> 01:11:02,080 revisit decisions like this unless there is some absolutely horrible outcome that 897 01:11:00,159 --> 01:11:07,520 you that was not known about at the time. We need the work to get done. We 898 01:11:05,199 --> 01:11:11,600 do not need to sit there and revisit every decision that's ever been made. 899 01:11:09,920 --> 01:11:14,760 Thank you. >> Thank you. 900 01:11:14,960 --> 01:11:17,960 » Wendy, 901 01:11:19,520 --> 01:11:27,440 » thank you. I just wanted to add that uh there were many public forums. I 902 01:11:24,880 --> 01:11:35,120 attended some of them to educate people and review the the select board and the 903 01:11:30,719 --> 01:11:40,560 um uh municipal manager's office uh solicited a lot of public opinion. It 904 01:11:38,320 --> 01:11:46,800 was in paper. There were a lot there was a lot of discussion about public 905 01:11:43,040 --> 01:11:51,280 interest in doing this easement. So, um just wanted to share that uh having 906 01:11:49,120 --> 01:11:57,360 experienced it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Wendy. Anything 907 01:11:54,880 --> 01:12:02,640 else? Okay, moving on to our last discussion 908 01:12:00,880 --> 01:12:08,159 item. The chamber town website memorandum of 909 01:12:06,080 --> 01:12:14,440 understanding. Would you guys like to come on up? Okay. 910 01:12:10,320 --> 01:12:14,440 » Jim Kelly, let's talk chamber. 911 01:12:14,480 --> 01:12:19,920 » Lauren Fischer, village resident, president of the chamber of commerce 912 01:12:17,679 --> 01:12:23,840 board. So, we are proposing 913 01:12:21,679 --> 01:12:28,880 » You want to talk? Go ahead. Sure. >> We're proposing uh a change to theou 914 01:12:27,199 --> 01:12:37,280 that the town has with the chamber of commerce regarding the website. Uh when 915 01:12:32,960 --> 01:12:42,159 it was put together a year ago, part of the discussion was the selling 916 01:12:39,440 --> 01:12:46,800 of ads and who would do that. And it was our understanding that both the town and 917 01:12:43,840 --> 01:12:54,239 the chamber would sell the ads. uh as it stands now uh town has expressed no 918 01:12:49,920 --> 01:13:01,600 interest in doing that and uh and as such uh the advertising revenue is split 919 01:12:57,760 --> 01:13:07,920 50/50 between the town and the chamber. We're doing all the work. We'd like to 920 01:13:03,840 --> 01:13:15,760 see the proceeds. Um one that we're proposing is uh determining how much the 921 01:13:11,120 --> 01:13:23,760 town spends annually to maintain for uh actually not maintain but for uh 922 01:13:20,159 --> 01:13:29,920 uh fees for the website for hosting u and subtract that from the revenue and 923 01:13:28,159 --> 01:13:35,800 then the chamber would receive the rest of the revenue as sold by the chamber. 924 01:13:36,719 --> 01:13:46,480 » So the the fees for do we know what those are the fees to make 925 01:13:45,360 --> 01:13:50,719 So something that they're looking into. I mean there's fees for uh the website 926 01:13:49,040 --> 01:13:55,040 itself. There would also be I would consider fees for running the website 927 01:13:52,400 --> 01:13:58,320 and having mer be in charge of the website. So it's probably a lot of 928 01:13:56,640 --> 01:14:01,040 conversation we want to have where we can get all the information for the 929 01:13:59,760 --> 01:14:06,159 board to discuss okay >> you know losing fees. 930 01:14:03,760 --> 01:14:09,360 » So was that would that be something you would 931 01:14:06,400 --> 01:14:13,360 » Yeah. also we could that could designate uh this currently three of you um two of 932 01:14:11,440 --> 01:14:16,719 you to you know meet with Lauren and Jim and myself and maybe Abby or Jess Kirby 933 01:14:15,360 --> 01:14:20,640 and kind of have this conversation to kind of hash out more what the chamber 934 01:14:18,719 --> 01:14:23,440 wants and you know what the fees are. >> I'd be willing to do that. 935 01:14:21,840 --> 01:14:27,040 » I would be willing to >> All right. So Susan and I will 936 01:14:26,080 --> 01:14:32,239 » okay >> we'll kind of 937 01:14:28,800 --> 01:14:38,719 » and just so we we're aware um this agreement should is in place through 938 01:14:35,199 --> 01:14:41,600 December 31st 2026 uh can be renewed and affirmed or new agreement put in place 939 01:14:40,320 --> 01:14:44,320 by then. So we have some time. >> So we have some time. Okay. All right. 940 01:14:43,760 --> 01:14:45,360 Cool. >> Very good. 941 01:14:45,040 --> 01:14:48,111 » Thank you. >> Thank you. 942 01:14:45,679 --> 01:14:51,600 » All right. Thank you very much. [cough] 943 01:14:49,040 --> 01:14:56,080 » Oh sorry. While I hit the chamber, uh do you have a preference on porta potties 944 01:14:54,480 --> 01:14:59,360 um just for indigenous people weekend or the weekend before as well? Do you have 945 01:14:57,679 --> 01:15:02,000 a sense on or you look at your numbers from last year and tell us when you 946 01:15:00,480 --> 01:15:06,719 think you need? >> Both weekends were according to our 947 01:15:05,120 --> 01:15:11,199 records really busy. 948 01:15:08,400 --> 01:15:14,400 » Doesn't matter each way. >> I I would think there's nearly as many 949 01:15:12,880 --> 01:15:16,800 people here that we had before. Perfect. Good. Thank you. 950 01:15:15,199 --> 01:15:18,897 » So, we're doing both. That's what I'm hearing. 951 01:15:17,199 --> 01:15:20,917 » Yes. Okay. >> [clears throat] 952 01:15:21,120 --> 01:15:28,360 » All right. Um, next up is citizen comments. 953 01:15:28,640 --> 01:15:35,560 Michael, >> you're going to need to come up. Sit up 954 01:15:32,560 --> 01:15:35,560 here. 955 01:15:36,560 --> 01:15:44,800 » Stay state who you are. >> Michael Brands 956 01:15:41,440 --> 01:15:49,199 and Lincoln Street. Uh, it's my understanding 957 01:15:46,480 --> 01:15:57,440 the discussion of the rooster ordinance has been stopped by this board and I 958 01:15:53,760 --> 01:16:01,040 don't know why that occurred. I wasn't able to attend for a couple meetings. 959 01:15:59,199 --> 01:16:09,120 I've been out of town for a good portion of the summer and uh but but uh we still 960 01:16:06,000 --> 01:16:14,880 have a rooster on site. There's a apparently they may have taken away the 961 01:16:11,600 --> 01:16:20,159 the main culprit, but there's a new baby rooster that is starting to get his 962 01:16:16,880 --> 01:16:26,239 voice. And uh it says I assumed it would happen once you stop trying to adopt an 963 01:16:23,040 --> 01:16:32,560 ordinance, the owners would replace that rooster with another and 964 01:16:28,480 --> 01:16:39,120 life would continue on. And uh it's not pleasant hearing a rooster all day long 965 01:16:36,480 --> 01:16:43,920 from 5:30 in the morning. Uh I urge you to continue discussion of 966 01:16:42,000 --> 01:16:49,679 the uh rooster ordinance. Get it adopted. I've proposed a very simple 967 01:16:46,800 --> 01:16:56,400 simple ordinance that affects a very small portion of the town and I don't 968 01:16:53,920 --> 01:17:01,920 need to change that going forward. I know there's only three 969 01:16:58,880 --> 01:17:04,880 of you left anymore, but hopefully we can get some agreement on this. 970 01:17:04,320 --> 01:17:09,199 » Okay, >> so uh where do we stand? 971 01:17:07,360 --> 01:17:13,679 » Well, we were told that there was no longer a rooster and so there was no 972 01:17:11,600 --> 01:17:19,679 longer a problem and I think at that point we tabled it or right cliff. 973 01:17:17,040 --> 01:17:22,239 » Yeah, I that was the that that was the information that we 974 01:17:21,120 --> 01:17:25,920 got. There were no other complaints about other roosters. I don't know who 975 01:17:23,840 --> 01:17:30,480 informed you of that, but uh there is a rooster on site and he's continuing. Not 976 01:17:28,960 --> 01:17:32,800 the same one maybe, but >> it's not the same one. 977 01:17:32,159 --> 01:17:36,960 » Different rooster >> coming on. It's a younger one because 978 01:17:34,640 --> 01:17:39,600 his voice is fairly >> useful at the moment, but he's he's 979 01:17:38,719 --> 01:17:42,159 coming on >> learning the process. [laughter] 980 01:17:41,440 --> 01:17:47,199 » Okay. >> There's just no need for I can't see any 981 01:17:45,679 --> 01:17:54,000 possible need for a rooster in a community like that. 982 01:17:49,520 --> 01:17:59,120 Um, so where do we move from here? >> There was a village ordinance. Remember 983 01:17:56,480 --> 01:18:01,280 Mary 198 something >> because I 984 01:18:00,239 --> 01:18:03,280 » there is a village in your >> neighborhood. 985 01:18:02,080 --> 01:18:05,840 » Thank you. Yeah. >> Two houses down. 986 01:18:04,080 --> 01:18:11,360 » Two. Yeah. Well, that that rooster crowed like from midnight to 6, took a 987 01:18:08,400 --> 01:18:16,080 break and went again and um the rooster had to go away. It was many years ago. 988 01:18:14,640 --> 01:18:19,360 Many many years ago. But the neighborhood, we have a very tight 989 01:18:17,679 --> 01:18:21,760 neighborhood. same situation where I am. 990 01:18:20,719 --> 01:18:24,400 » Yeah. >> Neighborhood and 991 01:18:23,120 --> 01:18:27,920 » I think we can add it to our >> Yeah, I can I can discuss this in my 992 01:18:26,159 --> 01:18:30,560 manager reports after this if you want. >> We had some proposals. Yeah. 993 01:18:29,840 --> 01:18:35,360 » Yep. >> Okay. So, we can continue forward with 994 01:18:32,239 --> 01:18:37,920 that and uh see where it goes. Excellent. I appreciate that. 995 01:18:37,120 --> 01:18:43,880 » Thank you. >> Thank you, Michael. 996 01:18:40,080 --> 01:18:43,880 » I have two online 997 01:18:44,640 --> 01:18:52,960 who do we have. Alisa. 998 01:18:49,760 --> 01:18:57,199 » Hi there. Alisa Tarlo with I live in the village. Um I'm just going to read my 999 01:18:55,440 --> 01:19:03,040 comments so I don't get nervous. Okay. Anyways, I'm So I'm not sure if you guys 1000 01:18:59,760 --> 01:19:08,400 are aware, but um in August, the last planning commission meeting. They spent 1001 01:19:05,520 --> 01:19:15,840 it as their first meeting to go over redoing our town and village plan. Um, 1002 01:19:13,280 --> 01:19:22,320 you all unfortunately approved a grant for Two Rivers to assist with this. Two 1003 01:19:19,199 --> 01:19:29,040 Rivers was at the meeting, of course. Um, they're running the show. They're 1004 01:19:25,199 --> 01:19:34,560 like full steam ahead on changing our town plan. They've already made a whole 1005 01:19:32,480 --> 01:19:39,360 bunch of changes. They plan to go through a chapter a month. They will 1006 01:19:37,360 --> 01:19:46,880 maintain the master copy. They're directing the entire process. I want you 1007 01:19:42,719 --> 01:19:52,960 to stop what's going on with this. So, I think you need to let your constituents 1008 01:19:48,800 --> 01:19:57,920 be the drivers of our own town plan. In a meeting that was held last Friday by 1009 01:19:55,600 --> 01:20:03,520 the chief of staff and both zoning administrators, 1010 01:19:59,600 --> 01:20:11,360 um, a lot of citizens came and everyone felt the same way. They heard a earful 1011 01:20:06,400 --> 01:20:17,120 from from a lot of citizens and we all want to determine our own town plan. So 1012 01:20:14,560 --> 01:20:21,199 I am requesting that you relieve Two Rivers from attending planning 1013 01:20:19,040 --> 01:20:27,760 commission meetings while the planning commission spends many months focusing 1014 01:20:24,159 --> 01:20:32,480 only on community outreach. This would include speaking with all of the boards, 1015 01:20:30,320 --> 01:20:37,920 all of the committees, speaking with businesses, local nonprofits, 1016 01:20:35,520 --> 01:20:44,159 have group brainstorming sessions with residents, creating surveys to reach all 1017 01:20:41,440 --> 01:20:47,600 of the home residents and people that are not coming out of their home. 1018 01:20:45,840 --> 01:20:52,000 They're unable to attend meetings for whatever reason. [clears throat] 1019 01:20:49,920 --> 01:20:57,520 And speaking with those that have a real history here in town and have lived here 1020 01:20:54,159 --> 01:21:02,159 for 30 or 50 more years, your chief of staff said that the grant with Two 1021 01:20:59,600 --> 01:21:07,920 Rivers can be extended. And I encourage you all to put a stop to 1022 01:21:04,800 --> 01:21:13,920 the way this town is being run and stand up for your constituents and let us 1023 01:21:11,199 --> 01:21:19,920 determine the future of Woodstock. let us determine our town and village plan 1024 01:21:17,199 --> 01:21:25,840 and then we can bring river two rivers back in to do what we want them to do. 1025 01:21:23,440 --> 01:21:30,960 Whereas right now they're telling us what to do and that is not how we should 1026 01:21:28,239 --> 01:21:37,040 go about this. This should be a bottom up process not a top down one. So, 1027 01:21:34,000 --> 01:21:43,600 please, I hope you consider this and discuss it because you can make a 1028 01:21:39,920 --> 01:21:48,080 difference and the citizens of your town want to be heard and this is one way 1029 01:21:45,760 --> 01:21:52,639 that you can show them that you care. Thank you. 1030 01:21:50,159 --> 01:21:55,639 » Thank you. Gay 1031 01:22:00,560 --> 01:22:09,040 » Gay Travers. I just want to say that it is going to be a big loss losing you, 1032 01:22:06,320 --> 01:22:13,120 Cliff. And I just want to express my appreciation for your service 1033 01:22:11,199 --> 01:22:16,560 » and your measured presence. It's been really appreciated and it's a real loss 1034 01:22:14,719 --> 01:22:20,880 and sorry to lose you. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. 1035 01:22:18,880 --> 01:22:23,840 » Cliff Johnson, that's the one that dropped off. 1036 01:22:25,306 --> 01:22:29,480 » [laughter] >> You can shut your 1037 01:22:30,560 --> 01:22:35,120 uh Nico. >> Hi. Yeah, Nicholas Elden. Uh yeah, just 1038 01:22:33,440 --> 01:22:38,639 I just want to thank Cliff Johnson as well. You know, out of out of the entire 1039 01:22:36,719 --> 01:22:42,239 board that existed when all of the legal fee issues were going on. He was 1040 01:22:40,320 --> 01:22:46,800 actually the only one who stepped up and did a calculation and he published that 1041 01:22:44,719 --> 01:22:51,520 calculation publicly. Uh and he confirmed for the public that everything 1042 01:22:48,880 --> 01:22:55,040 Allison Taylor was saying was correct. And I just want to thank him for that. 1043 01:22:52,960 --> 01:22:59,600 And you know, this is a huge loss. Uh I'm I'm very disappointed to hear uh 1044 01:22:57,440 --> 01:23:03,679 that he is resigning from this board. It was it was one of my you know little 1045 01:23:01,760 --> 01:23:07,920 glimmers of hope as what the future is going to look like. Um but not to lament 1046 01:23:06,320 --> 01:23:11,120 that and I'm not going to lament transparency. I already discussed that 1047 01:23:09,280 --> 01:23:15,840 earlier today. Um I just wanted to point out that a new news story has come out 1048 01:23:13,840 --> 01:23:20,480 in the Upper Valley, I'm sorry, the Valley News. Uh where Mr. Duffy has 1049 01:23:18,080 --> 01:23:24,639 given a new interview and a new story that he has not previously given about 1050 01:23:22,320 --> 01:23:29,199 those legal fees. And I encourage you to go and look at the news article. And 1051 01:23:26,159 --> 01:23:35,520 what you will see is that Mr. Duffy is now claiming that he always intended for 1052 01:23:32,480 --> 01:23:39,920 the town to spend $150,000 on the village legal fees and that the town was 1053 01:23:37,760 --> 01:23:44,480 supposed to pay for all of the vill's legal fees related to Chief Joe Swanson, 1054 01:23:42,239 --> 01:23:48,480 who is a village employee. That's what the news article says in his interview 1055 01:23:46,159 --> 01:23:52,880 with them. uh which again like I said new story that he's not previously given 1056 01:23:50,639 --> 01:23:57,360 uh it's actually in total conflict Mr. Freighes with a story that you've given 1057 01:23:55,520 --> 01:24:01,120 uh about where did these fees who authorized them how much is it how did 1058 01:23:59,760 --> 01:24:05,199 this happen and what could we do to prevent it from happening again and 1059 01:24:03,120 --> 01:24:08,000 that's exactly what you had said Mr. Freddy's is the same thing that Miss 1060 01:24:06,400 --> 01:24:14,639 Ford had said is how do we prevent this from happening so those two stories 1061 01:24:10,800 --> 01:24:18,320 don't align Mr. Duffy's story does not align and it never has aligned when you 1062 01:24:16,880 --> 01:24:23,199 actually look at the facts and you look at the evidence. Um it it's because it's 1063 01:24:21,280 --> 01:24:28,159 fraud. It's that's why he's under criminal investigation right now for 1064 01:24:25,199 --> 01:24:32,880 financial fraud. Uh and and this is going to be evidence in Joe Swanson's 1065 01:24:30,400 --> 01:24:37,679 discrimination case that Mr. Duffy is under criminal investigation for fraud 1066 01:24:35,440 --> 01:24:40,960 and you as a board as a joint board with the trustees are not putting him on 1067 01:24:39,280 --> 01:24:44,560 administrative leave. you're not doing any of the things that he did to Joe 1068 01:24:42,560 --> 01:24:49,040 Swanson. That's discrimination. Joe Swanson wasn't even under criminal 1069 01:24:46,320 --> 01:24:52,000 investigation. So, I really encourage you to look at the decisions that you're 1070 01:24:50,480 --> 01:24:56,159 making and the failure to make decisions and how that's actually going to impact 1071 01:24:54,000 --> 01:25:00,400 Woodstock in the long term in other contexts. Um, but I agree with other 1072 01:24:58,639 --> 01:25:04,480 people. I think Woodstock is being taken over right now. We've got the Avatars. 1073 01:25:02,639 --> 01:25:08,320 We've got, you know, a sleazy accountant who has repeatedly lied to the public in 1074 01:25:06,719 --> 01:25:12,159 order to get more money and a higher salary for himself. Uh, we've got people 1075 01:25:10,480 --> 01:25:16,239 that have moved here from New York a few years ago and they instantly tried to 1076 01:25:13,760 --> 01:25:20,239 outlaw motorcycles and they just, you know, accept Mr. Duffy's statements at 1077 01:25:18,400 --> 01:25:24,400 face value and they're coming here and they're telling this board, "Silence 1078 01:25:22,080 --> 01:25:27,840 your citizens. Put citizens comments at the end. You don't even need citizens 1079 01:25:26,080 --> 01:25:31,760 comments. There's no Vermont law that requires citizens comments." Who are 1080 01:25:29,760 --> 01:25:35,520 these people? They move to our town. They move to our community and they 1081 01:25:33,840 --> 01:25:39,440 start to destroy it and they start to change it. And then this board, like 1082 01:25:37,280 --> 01:25:44,480 Miss Ford and other people, you blame us. You blame the public for our 1083 01:25:41,360 --> 01:25:48,880 reaction. My reaction, my anger, my anger about being lied to, my anger 1084 01:25:47,120 --> 01:25:53,679 about what Mr. Duffy has done to my family, my anger about what this board 1085 01:25:51,520 --> 01:25:58,320 has allowed Mr. Duffy to do. And you make us the abusers. And that's that's 1086 01:25:56,639 --> 01:26:02,639 classic abuser syndrome. That's what abusers do. That's what, you know, 1087 01:26:00,560 --> 01:26:06,719 aggressive husbands do to their to their battered wives. And that's what this 1088 01:26:04,800 --> 01:26:12,199 public board is doing to its residents. And it's got to end. It's got to end. 1089 01:26:09,040 --> 01:26:12,199 Thank you. 1090 01:26:12,239 --> 01:26:16,960 Thank you. Anybody else? >> I haven't seen mine. 1091 01:26:16,480 --> 01:26:19,520 » H >> not seeing mine. 1092 01:26:18,000 --> 01:26:24,159 » Okay. >> All right. Uh we're going to end with 1093 01:26:22,239 --> 01:26:27,440 the manager's update. >> Yeah. Just a few things. One, um Greg 1094 01:26:26,239 --> 01:26:31,199 already spoke to the water issue. So, again, I just want to thank the staff 1095 01:26:28,880 --> 01:26:34,719 for all the work over the last 24 hours kind of fixing that as soon as possible 1096 01:26:32,639 --> 01:26:38,639 and making sure we didn't have to uh conserve water or anything else. So, I 1097 01:26:36,320 --> 01:26:43,360 want to thank AJ Butch, Greg, and his whole public works crew for all the work 1098 01:26:39,840 --> 01:26:48,159 they did. Uh, this Friday is the last Friday of summer hours, so after Labor 1099 01:26:45,600 --> 01:26:54,159 Day, Friday, we open 4:30 and that'll continue throughout the rest of the 1100 01:26:50,159 --> 01:26:58,880 fall, winter, and spring. Um the second uh third um I believe the 1101 01:26:57,280 --> 01:27:03,199 trustees are going to hold their public hearing on the bylaw updates on 1102 01:27:00,800 --> 01:27:06,880 September 29th. Um so I believe that's the the the date for the hearing. Uh we 1103 01:27:05,520 --> 01:27:10,239 haven't officially scheduled it, but that's what we're talking about. Uh just 1104 01:27:08,719 --> 01:27:15,679 the word out so people are aware of when that hearing is going to take place. Um, 1105 01:27:12,800 --> 01:27:21,520 finally, uh, late last night, I got an email, um, that looks like FEMA has 1106 01:27:19,040 --> 01:27:26,800 approved the various buyouts, um, that some businesses did in Woodstock post 1107 01:27:24,000 --> 01:27:31,040 flood. Um, and what that is is people were able to apply for the buyouts. 1108 01:27:28,800 --> 01:27:36,320 Federal government comes in, um, gives a fair market value price, you know, for 1109 01:27:33,199 --> 01:27:41,360 the property. It turns over to the town. uh you basically have to level the 1110 01:27:38,480 --> 01:27:45,199 entire buildings and it can become a green space and very limited elsewhere. 1111 01:27:43,760 --> 01:27:47,679 Um so we'll be reaching out to those business owners the next few days to 1112 01:27:46,719 --> 01:27:50,480 make sure see if they're still interested or not. If they're interested 1113 01:27:49,360 --> 01:27:53,920 we'll work with them go through the process. Uh they can also reject the 1114 01:27:52,320 --> 01:27:58,239 grant if they want and kind of keep things as they are. Uh so that'll be 1115 01:27:55,840 --> 01:28:00,560 happening in the next week, two weeks. So hopefully by the next meeting we have 1116 01:27:59,440 --> 01:28:07,800 an update on where we're at with all that. Uh that's all I have. Okay. 1117 01:28:04,800 --> 01:28:07,800 Anybody 1118 01:28:08,000 --> 01:28:15,840 we open for any more comments? Okay. Well, I would like to someone make a 1119 01:28:14,000 --> 01:28:20,719 motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Move to adjourn for the last one. 1120 01:28:19,280 --> 01:28:24,159 » Second. >> All those in favor say I. 1121 01:28:22,480 --> 01:28:29,040 » I. All those opposed. >> Okay. 1122 01:28:24,560 --> 01:28:29,040 » What a pleasure to work. Yeah. on weeks.