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I hereby call to order the annual

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meeting of the town of Waterberry.

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The inhabitants of the town of

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Waterberry who are legal voters of the

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town have been notified and warmed to

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meet and conduct business in the

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Brookside Primary School gym at 47 Sto

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Street at 9:00 in the afternoon on March

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3rd, 2026.

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Please rise to say the Pledge of

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Allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. You may be seated.

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The first article on the warning is to

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elect a moderator for the meeting.

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Article one, which is on page one of the

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town report. to elect a moderator to

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preside at the meetings of the town

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whose term of office shall be for the

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ensuing year. What is your pleasure with

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respect to article one? Mr. Clap.

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>> Madam moderator, I nominate Rebecca

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Ellis as moderator.

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» Are there further nominations for this

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office?

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» Seeing no further nominations, the town

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clerk shall pass one ballot for Rebecca

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Ellis. and thank you for electing me as

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your moderator.

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So today's meeting will be run following

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Robert's rules of order. So I'm going to

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start by giving you a quick overview of

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the rules. The purpose of the rules is

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to make sure town meeting is orderly and

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everyone gets a chance to speak and

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participate. My job is to help you

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understand the rules. So, if you ever

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have a question, please feel free to

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interrupt and say, "I have a question or

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come to order," and I will help you out.

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If you wish to speak, please go to the

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microphone, which is located up here in

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the front. In in order to speak, you

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must be recognized by me, the moderator.

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Speeches and remarks are limited to five

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minutes. A voter will not be recognized

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a second time on a particular article or

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amendment until all other voters who

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wish to speak have done so before you

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speak. Please clearly state your name.

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All motions and remarks should be

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addressed to me the moderator in front

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of the room and all articles must be

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moved, seconded and restated by the

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moderator before debate may begin.

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Discussion on motions must be germanine

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to the issue. Germaine means relevant or

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pertinent. If the discussion is not

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gerine, anyone in the body may call for

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a point of order.

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Now, articles may be amended and

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amendments may be amended and amendments

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must also be germanine to the main

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motion.

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Debate may be cut off by a motion and a

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twothirds vote. The motion is

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non-debatable.

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You must wait your turn and be

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recognized by the moderator to call the

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question. You cannot shout out close the

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bait.

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Votes are usually by voice vote and in

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announcing a vote I will say the eyes or

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nose appear to have it and then there

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will be a long silence

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before I announce the vote and the

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silence gets gives you a chance to call

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for a division of the house. A division

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of the house means people must raise

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their hands or stand to vote. The

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moderator or the public may call for a

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division of the house if either I or the

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body is unsure of the outcome of a voice

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vote.

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All you need to say is madam moderator

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division of the house.

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You may also request a paper ballot and

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seven voters are needed to request a

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paper ballot.

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Now, as my predecessor um also told this

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body, please don't show your approval or

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disapproval after someone speaks. And

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while none of you would of course boo or

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kiss a speaker, it can be just as

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intimidating to follow someone who

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received a round of applause.

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A motion to reconsider must be made

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before discussion begins on the next

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article. The person who brings the

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motion to reconsider must have voted on

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the prevailing side of the motion. A

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motion to reconsider cannot be brought

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once discussion begins on the next

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article.

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The role of the moderator is to explain

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procedural questions and ensure fair and

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civil debate. The moderator's decisions

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may be appealed by a motion to object.

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The motion is debatable and requires

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majority vote and I will not be offended

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if you overrule me at any time. This is

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your meeting and you are ruled in the

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end. If there is something you would

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like to do but you don't know the

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correct procedure, request to be

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recognized and I will help you out. And

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if you are feeling confused and don't

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know how to say something or don't know

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what we're voting on, you can just join

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shout out point of order or objection.

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I'll then give you a chance to explain

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and if needed, I'll help you phrase your

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objection.

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Please be patient and respectful. Let

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others state your opinions and don't be

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hasty about wanting to limit debate.

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The legislature has changed the law with

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respect to discussion of Australian

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ballot items. It is now permissible to

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discuss Australian ballot matters except

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for the election of officers.

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Finally, only Waterbury residents may

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vote. Um, non-residents may not speak

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without unanimous consent or a motion to

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suspend the rules.

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Please note that the warning contains 30

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numbered articles and we will take some

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short recesses during the meeting to

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hear from our legislators and

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presentation of the Keith Wallace Award.

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No binding action can take place unless

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it is warned.

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And finally, um, please note the select

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board is here to answer your questions

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as our acting town manager, Bill

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Woodruff, and interim town treasurer,

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Bill Shepla. I would also like to thank

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her petravich for um stepping in today

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to take notes.

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And two announcements that I'll try to

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make regularly throughout the morning

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are we have lunch at noon which will be

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served by the senior center and it's by

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donations and so your donations will

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support the senior center

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and the children's room is open

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downstairs. There's not childare this

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year but the children's room is open

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should any of you need a break for your

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children.

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Uh so quickly to I will introduce the um

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select board. Alyssa Johnson is chair,

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Kain Sweeney vice chair, Roger Clap,

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Michael Bard, and Tore Parabella.

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Articles 2, three, and four are

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Australian ballot items for the election

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of various town and school officials in

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Proond. You can get your Australian

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ballot and your printed ballot at the

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entrance to the gym. And as I said

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previously, Vermont law does not allow

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discussion at time of candidates who are

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running for positions on Australian

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ballot, including writing candidates. So

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we will therefore move to article five.

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Again, we're starting on page one of the

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town report where you will find the

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warning.

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Article five is to act upon the reports

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of the several town officers with the

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exception of claims for free

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compensation during 2025.

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What is your pleasure with respect to

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article 5? Mr. Bard,

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I move to accept the report of several

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town offices officers as printed in the

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annual report. the exception of claims

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for compensation by officer

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report.

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» The motion has been made by Mr. Bar. Is

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there a second?

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The motion has been moved and seconded.

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The motion is to accept the reports of

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the several town officers as printed in

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the annual report with the exception of

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claims for fees or compensation by town

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officers for services rendered during

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2025. Mr. Barter, would you like to

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speak to the motion?

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>> Um, as I said, there are many town

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reports that are available in the annual

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report. If you could uh please refer to

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those. If you do have any questions, I

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or any of the select board members will

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be

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would be glad to ensure

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» would anyone like to speak to the time

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reports

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» this is

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just a reminder to people this is really

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the time when if you have questions

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about last year's public you should ask

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it when we get to the budget typically

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that's

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what student proposed for 2026. So if

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you have questions about the 2025

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budget, this is really the time to ask.

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» Madam moderator, my name is John Mal. I

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live in Waterberry Center and it is with

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great pleasure I get the opportunity to

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kick things off.

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uh for a few moments. I was warned not

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to make it more than five minutes, so I

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will be good about that. Uh just want to

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give a quick read back of last year, we

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had our hazardous waste collections. And

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of the 429 households that participated,

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45% of them came from the town of

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Warbury,

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194 folks that were getting rid of their

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bad stuff. Uh this year we're going to

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be teaming with the Central Vermont

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Solid Waste District at their Eco Depot

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for uh anytime that you need to uh make

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an appointment to go up here for

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household hazardous waste uh disposal.

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Plus, we will be having a collection at

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the Cross Middle School in the fall.

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We're still working on the uh contract

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for that, but maybe they'll be coming

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out uh early uh early this uh spring. We

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also collected 35 plus tons tons of

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textiles at several sites around the May

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River Resource Management Alliance uh

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communities. We continue to increase the

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amount of those things that are then be

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able to be reused and uh repurposed. We

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also collected over 245 tons of food

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scraps through folks like the plus we

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also have our composting program and we

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will be doing a composting workshop

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again uh later on this spring. So look

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out on front porch forum uh for that

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information. Uh we collected again over

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15 tons of e-waste. I don't know why

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people continue to generate all this

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stuff. You know, we we we we have to

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kind of get more into uh reducing the

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amount of uh waste that we're

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generating. And over seven tons of tires

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were collecting. Now, I will like to

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turn this over to one of my associates,

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Lisa. If you could come up here and

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continue in the in the way of solid

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weights.

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» Good morning. Um, my name's Lisa Scalod

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and most of you know me as the editor at

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Waterberry Roundabout. Um, but long

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before the roundabout came to be, um,

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I've been Waterberry's readout

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coordinator. So, just for a minute, I'm

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going to wear that hat just to let folks

276
00:12:54,079 --> 00:12:55,839
know. Um, Greenup Day is always the

277
00:12:55,839 --> 00:12:58,240
first Saturday in May. Um, it'll be

278
00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:01,040
Saturday, May 2nd this year. Um, so put

279
00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,399
that on your calendar. If you already

280
00:13:02,399 --> 00:13:04,560
are a Greenup helper and you pick up,

281
00:13:04,560 --> 00:13:06,160
you do don't need to do anything. You'll

282
00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,079
get the emails from me. You'll get the

283
00:13:08,079 --> 00:13:09,920
information in about a month or so. If

284
00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:11,680
you have not helped out with Greenup in

285
00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:13,279
the past, um, I'm going to have a little

286
00:13:13,279 --> 00:13:14,880
list here. I'll throw it on the table.

287
00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:16,639
If you want to add your name to this,

288
00:13:16,639 --> 00:13:18,160
give me your um, email and your name.

289
00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:19,440
I'll add you to the email list. I

290
00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:21,680
promise not to spam you with much um

291
00:13:21,680 --> 00:13:24,639
emails between now and greenup day. Um

292
00:13:24,639 --> 00:13:26,399
greening up and we have a sign up for

293
00:13:26,399 --> 00:13:28,880
green up that is uh appreciated but not

294
00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:30,800
required. It helps so that people know

295
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:32,000
where everyone's going to clean up and

296
00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,880
we can all spread out. Um I'm also um

297
00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:36,639
looking for a group to pick up and

298
00:13:36,639 --> 00:13:38,639
recycle and redeem and keep the money

299
00:13:38,639 --> 00:13:41,839
for all the five and 15 cent uh 10 cent

300
00:13:41,839 --> 00:13:43,760
15 cent whatever they are the returnable

301
00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:45,279
bottles and cans. If you'd like to do

302
00:13:45,279 --> 00:13:47,760
that, let me know that. Um, and I'm also

303
00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:49,360
looking to see if there's anyone who's

304
00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:51,680
interested in helping to be an assistant

305
00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:53,839
coordinator to help me with sort of the

306
00:13:53,839 --> 00:13:55,600
greenup creep that is starting to happen

307
00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:57,519
where it's sort of a good thing and a

308
00:13:57,519 --> 00:13:58,959
challenge because more people want to

309
00:13:58,959 --> 00:14:00,959
get involved um in doing green up a

310
00:14:00,959 --> 00:14:02,959
little bit ahead of green up these days.

311
00:14:02,959 --> 00:14:05,120
So to have a little bit more uh

312
00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,120
bandwidth to help with organizing and

313
00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:08,639
coordinating in the runup to green up.

314
00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:11,199
So May 2nd, put on your calendars and

315
00:14:11,199 --> 00:14:12,639
we'll clean up. Last year we cleaned up

316
00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:14,880
over two tons of trash. Um, which is

317
00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:16,560
sad, but it's also great that so many

318
00:14:16,560 --> 00:14:18,160
people came and pitched in and did that.

319
00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:24,310
So, looking forward to it. Thanks every

320
00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:30,310
further discussion on article 5.

321
00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,959
is to accept

322
00:14:32,959 --> 00:14:35,120
the reports of the town officers with

323
00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:36,639
the exception of claims for fees or

324
00:14:36,639 --> 00:14:40,710
compensation during 2025.

325
00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:42,480
I have a question about um

326
00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:43,760
>> Can you state your name?

327
00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,600
>> My name is Kathy Grace, South Main

328
00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,000
Street. I have a question about the

329
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,320
articles um where we appropriate sums of

330
00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,959
money for at the end of the county every

331
00:14:54,959 --> 00:14:58,160
year. And I have two questions. one is I

332
00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,839
would like the select board to publicly

333
00:15:01,839 --> 00:15:05,839
explain their policy for when um some

334
00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:07,680
people get put in the actual budget and

335
00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:10,240
at what time and when they don't. Um

336
00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,519
also I noticed that there's a dispar

337
00:15:13,519 --> 00:15:15,920
disparity about the people who are

338
00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,839
asking for money. Some people actually

339
00:15:17,839 --> 00:15:20,160
put in their financials, other people

340
00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,120
did not. And we have no way of

341
00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:29,590
questioning their financials and um

342
00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:31,279
» it's it's for this year there are

343
00:15:31,279 --> 00:15:34,399
articles um

344
00:15:34,399 --> 00:15:36,480
this this year they're articles 16 and

345
00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,680
17. But I just wanted to get a clear

346
00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:42,320
picture of the policy for this because

347
00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,000
it looks like some people put in their

348
00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,160
budget, some people don't. I also

349
00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:47,760
understand that some people who got

350
00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,839
money didn't even pick it up last year.

351
00:15:49,839 --> 00:15:52,079
Are you able to tell us who didn't pick

352
00:15:52,079 --> 00:15:55,279
it up at this time in the 2025 budget?

353
00:15:55,279 --> 00:15:56,720
There's just a lot of questions. It's a

354
00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:58,000
grow. I bring it up every year. There's

355
00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,199
a growing list, but I wonder what the

356
00:16:01,199 --> 00:16:04,880
expectations are.

357
00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:08,560
So um because article five is really

358
00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,600
focused on last year's reports and

359
00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,440
budget um if there is somebody from the

360
00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,920
select board who would like to address

361
00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:22,079
the last year's um special articles um

362
00:16:22,079 --> 00:16:24,000
we can do that and then when we discuss

363
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,880
next year's special articles um starting

364
00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:31,440
at article 16 to 30 we can return to

365
00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,629
your

366
00:16:34,639 --> 00:16:37,519
Mr. Bard.

367
00:16:37,519 --> 00:16:40,639
>> Thank you, uh, madam moderator. Uh, just

368
00:16:40,639 --> 00:16:45,120
to answer Kathy's questions, um,

369
00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:50,079
especially the ones that were approved,

370
00:16:50,079 --> 00:16:52,959
unless we have a report from them, we

371
00:16:52,959 --> 00:16:56,560
will not disperse money for them. So

372
00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:58,720
that is a little bit, you know, it's

373
00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:00,959
kind of unfortunate that if we've voted

374
00:17:00,959 --> 00:17:04,480
for something and people don't submit a

375
00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:07,439
report, they don't get the money. Uh so

376
00:17:07,439 --> 00:17:12,240
that's um answers that question as to

377
00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,400
you know there has been some concern

378
00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:18,240
over future budgets but that's where you

379
00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:22,079
we would discuss that at um the

380
00:17:22,079 --> 00:17:24,959
individual special articles uh for for

381
00:17:24,959 --> 00:17:27,919
this coming year but any past ones you

382
00:17:27,919 --> 00:17:31,280
know we wouldn't pay anyone and this is

383
00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:33,120
something I learned at a recent select

384
00:17:33,120 --> 00:17:36,080
board meeting that I was concerned about

385
00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:38,799
the creep of the number of special

386
00:17:38,799 --> 00:17:40,320
articles, which I think a lot of

387
00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,440
residents are, but if they get the

388
00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:46,480
appropriate number of votes, uh, vote

389
00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:50,160
signatures on a petition by state law,

390
00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,160
we're required to put them on the

391
00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:54,000
warrant. I hope that answers your

392
00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,720
question. Are they you said they have

393
00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,120
>> so if you want to ask further questions

394
00:17:59,120 --> 00:18:02,000
um we need to wait for other people to

395
00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,720
>> clarify that clarify something because I

396
00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,640
asked if they had to submit financial

397
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,799
reports you just said they had to submit

398
00:18:08,799 --> 00:18:10,799
reports

399
00:18:10,799 --> 00:18:13,840
>> all right um for that we'll let you

400
00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,559
answer that um point of order

401
00:18:16,559 --> 00:18:19,280
>> they do have to submit a a report it's

402
00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:22,240
not a a detailed we can if we have any

403
00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:25,200
questions we could ask for a You know,

404
00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,400
all nonprofits submit 990 reports. We

405
00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,440
could always look at a 990 report

406
00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,400
online. Anyone, any any resident of the

407
00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,080
state of Vermont, I don't even think you

408
00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,720
have to be a resident, can look under

409
00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,200
990s and look at any nonprofit as to

410
00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:47,990
what their um financial statuses.

411
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,080
» Are there further questions about

412
00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:54,549
article five?

413
00:18:54,559 --> 00:18:56,799
Madam moderator, is this an appropriate

414
00:18:56,799 --> 00:19:00,400
time to report on who we paid in 2025 or

415
00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,360
should we wait to answer Mrs. Grace's

416
00:19:03,360 --> 00:19:06,559
question? Yes, if it's about the 2025

417
00:19:06,559 --> 00:19:06,960
budget,

418
00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:08,480
>> I just want to note that the special

419
00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:11,120
articles in 2025

420
00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:14,320
um after town meeting, as has been

421
00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,240
talked about, we did work last year when

422
00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:18,880
Karen was serving as clerk to notify

423
00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:21,039
those organizations after town meeting

424
00:19:21,039 --> 00:19:23,520
if their funding was approved. As was

425
00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:25,440
noted, we said we needed to receive an

426
00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,000
invoice in order to pay them. We did

427
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,880
receive invoices for and pay all of the

428
00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:33,919
special articles from 2025 town meeting.

429
00:19:33,919 --> 00:19:35,360
And I'm happy to speak to the

430
00:19:35,360 --> 00:19:37,760
formulation of the warning and how

431
00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:39,039
things are clustered whenever it's

432
00:19:39,039 --> 00:19:49,110
appropriate.

433
00:19:49,120 --> 00:19:51,039
» All I wanted to ask people was

434
00:19:51,039 --> 00:19:52,240
>> introduce yourself please.

435
00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:55,200
>> Christians, I'm sorry. Uh all I wanted

436
00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:56,559
to ask people when they come up to the

437
00:19:56,559 --> 00:19:58,400
mic if you could speak up to the mic.

438
00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,559
I'm sitting here in the back uh third of

439
00:20:00,559 --> 00:20:02,880
the bleachers there and I asked the

440
00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,720
folks in behind me if they could hear

441
00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:06,559
what Kathy was saying and they could

442
00:20:06,559 --> 00:20:09,280
not. So if you could just step closer to

443
00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,080
the mic, we'd all appreciate it. Thank

444
00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:15,520
you. And if anyone can't hear, you can

445
00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:17,600
interrupt and raise your hand and say

446
00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:19,760
point of personal privilege. I can't

447
00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:23,360
hear or there's a fire or there's cold

448
00:20:23,360 --> 00:20:25,039
air coming through the windows. So

449
00:20:25,039 --> 00:20:27,120
things like that you can just interrupt

450
00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:28,799
and let us know and that's helpful to

451
00:20:28,799 --> 00:20:30,000
know that you can't hear. These

452
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,200
microphones are a little tricky.

453
00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,080
Further questions about article 5, the

454
00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:41,350
reports for 2025.

455
00:20:41,360 --> 00:20:43,520
Uh hearing no further discussion, we

456
00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:45,840
will proceed to vote on article 5. The

457
00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:47,760
motion is to accept the reports of the

458
00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:49,760
several town officers as printed in the

459
00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:51,760
annual report with the exception of

460
00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,840
claims for fees or compensation by town

461
00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,080
officers for services rendered during

462
00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,120
2025. If you vote I, it means you accept

463
00:20:59,120 --> 00:21:00,880
the reports of the town officers. If you

464
00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,440
vote no, it means you reject the votes

465
00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:05,840
of the town officers. All those in

466
00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,760
favor, please say I.

467
00:21:07,760 --> 00:21:08,640
>> I.

468
00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:12,000
>> Those opposed, please say no.

469
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,120
The eyes appear to have it.

470
00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:17,440
The eyes do have it and you have passed

471
00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:20,240
article five.

472
00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:23,120
Article six to act with respect to

473
00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:25,120
claims of town officers for their

474
00:21:25,120 --> 00:21:28,080
services during 2025.

475
00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:29,600
What is your pleasure with respect to

476
00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:33,520
article six? Mr. Flanders,

477
00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:34,640
would you like to come up to the

478
00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:47,430
microphone?

479
00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,240
Thank you, madame moderator. Uh, skip

480
00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,679
planners of library. I move that the

481
00:21:53,679 --> 00:21:56,159
claims of the town officers for their

482
00:21:56,159 --> 00:21:59,280
services to $225

483
00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:02,559
be as follows. Select board chair

484
00:22:02,559 --> 00:22:04,880
$2,500.

485
00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:08,240
Vice chair $2,500.

486
00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:12,400
and other select board members $2,250

487
00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:16,880
each and listeners $750

488
00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:20,470
each.

489
00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:24,000
Is there a second?

490
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,600
The motion has been moved and seconded.

491
00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:29,919
The motion is to pay the claims of the

492
00:22:29,919 --> 00:22:31,440
town officers for their services

493
00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:33,919
rendered during 2025

494
00:22:33,919 --> 00:22:37,760
for select board chair $2,500.

495
00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,559
Vice Chair, $2,500.

496
00:22:40,559 --> 00:22:46,149
Other select board members, $2,250.

497
00:22:46,159 --> 00:22:51,760
» And for the listers, $750 each.

498
00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:53,360
>> Mr. Flanders, would you like to speak to

499
00:22:53,360 --> 00:22:54,240
your motion?

500
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,720
>> Yes, I would.

501
00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,120
Um, I'd like to speak to this motion in

502
00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:02,880
the way I arrived at these uh numbers.

503
00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,640
And uh I to

504
00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:09,120
served under the manager uh Bill

505
00:23:09,120 --> 00:23:11,840
Shefflck for many years and how he looks

506
00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,559
at figures many different ways to arrive

507
00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:18,000
at what we should do. I reviewed the pay

508
00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,880
of the select board over the years and I

509
00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,280
learned that the last time the select

510
00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,559
board pay was raised was a motion by

511
00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:30,880
manager Bill Shipler in 2013 for the

512
00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:36,880
2012 pay. It went from $1,000 to $1,200

513
00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,559
for the uh sweatboard people and for the

514
00:23:40,559 --> 00:23:47,110
chair and vice chair to $1,450.

515
00:23:47,120 --> 00:23:49,600
I started looking at the ratio of the

516
00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,080
select board pay to the total budget

517
00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:55,039
that the town had passed. And I looked

518
00:23:55,039 --> 00:24:02,000
at uh 9 years between 1965 and 2025.

519
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,840
And to my surprise, the highest ratio of

520
00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:09,919
select board pay to the town budget was

521
00:24:09,919 --> 00:24:12,559
in 1965.

522
00:24:12,559 --> 00:24:16,559
That select board was paid $250

523
00:24:16,559 --> 00:24:21,990
and had a budget of $383,000.

524
00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:25,279
If we applied that same ratio to today's

525
00:24:25,279 --> 00:24:28,159
budget, the select board pay would be

526
00:24:28,159 --> 00:24:31,909
$4,319.

527
00:24:31,919 --> 00:24:34,159
I floated that number to one of the

528
00:24:34,159 --> 00:24:36,320
select board members and they thought

529
00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:39,679
the pay was that was too high.

530
00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:44,159
In 1965 to 2009,

531
00:24:44,159 --> 00:24:46,400
the pay for the select board went from

532
00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,400
$250

533
00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:53,200
to $500 over a period of 44 years. That

534
00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:58,789
budget in 2009 was $3,488,000.

535
00:24:58,799 --> 00:25:02,080
I also applied the ratio of the pay of

536
00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:07,360
the budget in 2012 when it was raised to

537
00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:09,760
uh 1450.

538
00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:14,549
and they had a budget of $3,612

539
00:25:14,559 --> 00:25:17,760
million at that time. And if you applied

540
00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:21,840
that same ratio in 2012

541
00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:25,520
to today's budget, you arrive at pay of

542
00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:29,430
$2,656.

543
00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,960
I then looked at the uh inflation index,

544
00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:35,039
the CPI

545
00:25:35,039 --> 00:25:37,200
from 1965

546
00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:39,760
to 2026,

547
00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:44,799
applying it to that $250 pay.

548
00:25:44,799 --> 00:25:48,320
Surprisingly, when you apply inflation

549
00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:52,559
to that $250 pay, it comes out to be

550
00:25:52,559 --> 00:25:56,470
$2,581.

551
00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:59,039
So these two methods,

552
00:25:59,039 --> 00:26:02,320
the ratio of the budget and inflation, I

553
00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:04,960
came up with appropriate pay I thought

554
00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:07,360
for the chair and vice chair to be

555
00:26:07,360 --> 00:26:10,870
$2,500

556
00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,520
and the other select board members to be

557
00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:16,789
$2,250.

558
00:26:16,799 --> 00:26:20,000
And if you looked at just the inflation,

559
00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:23,279
the select board members are paid the

560
00:26:23,279 --> 00:26:28,549
same as that select board in 1965.

561
00:26:28,559 --> 00:26:30,720
I believe the increase in pay is

562
00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:33,279
recognition of the importance of the

563
00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:36,080
work of a select board in overseeing the

564
00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:39,200
welfare and business of our community.

565
00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,200
We owe the select board a vote of

566
00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:45,120
appreciation for the job being done.

567
00:26:45,120 --> 00:26:47,919
>> Thank you, Mr. Flanders. Is there a

568
00:26:47,919 --> 00:26:50,240
discussion? And if you have um questions

569
00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,080
for Mr. Flanders, your question should

570
00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,559
be directed to me and then I will ask

571
00:26:54,559 --> 00:26:57,039
Mr. Flanders if he wishes to be

572
00:26:57,039 --> 00:26:59,760
interrogated and answer those questions.

573
00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:02,880
So if you have a question or a comment,

574
00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:12,230
please come up to the microphone.

575
00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:15,039
» Hi, Evan Carl Hoffman of Butler Street.

576
00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:17,120
Uh, I want to thank Mr. Flanders for

577
00:27:17,120 --> 00:27:18,320
making this motion because I was

578
00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,240
planning to do something similar. I have

579
00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:22,320
a lovely graph here I wish I had on the

580
00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:24,320
poster so I could show you all of the

581
00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:27,120
select court pay adjusted for inflation

582
00:27:27,120 --> 00:27:30,640
over the past 65 years. And it is pretty

583
00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:32,799
remarkable how much has dropped in that

584
00:27:32,799 --> 00:27:37,120
period of time. Uh, I mostly agree with

585
00:27:37,120 --> 00:27:39,679
his numbers, but I believe the select

586
00:27:39,679 --> 00:27:42,000
board chair has a lot of additional

587
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:44,559
duties beyond the regular members of the

588
00:27:44,559 --> 00:27:46,640
select board. And with that in mind, I

589
00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:48,000
would like to move that the pay for the

590
00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:51,990
chair be $5,000.

591
00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,919
» All right. So, are you making a motion

592
00:27:53,919 --> 00:27:55,679
to amend the motion?

593
00:27:55,679 --> 00:27:56,960
>> Yes.

594
00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:03,840
>> Um, so the motion to amend is to um

595
00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:07,039
strike $2,500

596
00:28:07,039 --> 00:28:10,559
from the motion and to replace it with

597
00:28:10,559 --> 00:28:12,799
$5,000.

598
00:28:12,799 --> 00:28:15,600
Is there discussion on this motion to

599
00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:19,510
amend?

600
00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,840
» Sorry, for the V for the chair. Is that

601
00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:22,720
correct?

602
00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:23,360
>> Yes, that's correct.

603
00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:25,360
>> Okay. So, the motion to amend is to

604
00:28:25,360 --> 00:28:27,440
strike $2,500

605
00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:31,360
and replace with $5,000 for the chair's

606
00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:34,320
compensation.

607
00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:36,559
Is there discussion on the motion to

608
00:28:36,559 --> 00:28:38,960
amend? And once we vote on the motion to

609
00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:42,559
amend, we'll go back to the motion.

610
00:28:42,559 --> 00:28:44,320
>> Oh, sorry. Yes. Is there a second on the

611
00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:48,950
motion to amend? Thank you.

612
00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,840
Mr. Bar,

613
00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:55,120
>> thank you, madam moderator. Uh, I was

614
00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:57,840
going to comment on the general motion.

615
00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:02,240
I'm definitely opposed to the increase.

616
00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,039
I know having been chair of the select

617
00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:08,080
board, it is a lot of work, but

618
00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:10,640
ultimately I look at this board as being

619
00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:15,039
a volunteer board. It's um

620
00:29:15,039 --> 00:29:17,279
we don't I know I don't do it for the

621
00:29:17,279 --> 00:29:18,880
money. I know the first year I was on

622
00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:21,600
the select board 7 years ago, I wanted

623
00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:25,360
to donate my pay back to to the town. Uh

624
00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:27,840
I'm not going to say who who refused

625
00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:30,880
that, but it it's someone in my family.

626
00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:38,320
And uh I get I'm concerned overall as much

627
00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:42,640
as it took me back that the large

628
00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:44,399
increase. I'm not saying that the select

629
00:29:44,399 --> 00:29:47,360
board doesn't deserve,

630
00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:50,799
you know, an increase, but we are still

631
00:29:50,799 --> 00:29:53,200
a volunteer board. We're we're looking

632
00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:57,760
for an increase in our tax rate. And to

633
00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:02,240
me, I would just assume keep our our

634
00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:07,039
dollar amounts flat to help the town. I

635
00:30:07,039 --> 00:30:10,559
don't think any of these people do the

636
00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:13,679
job because of any kind of a stipen. To

637
00:30:13,679 --> 00:30:16,799
me, I look at as I tell my 105year-old

638
00:30:16,799 --> 00:30:18,640
mother-in-law, do you get money from

639
00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:20,799
that town job? And I said, yeah, it

640
00:30:20,799 --> 00:30:23,120
probably works out to maybe maybe 25

641
00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:26,559
cents an hour. And I don't think any of

642
00:30:26,559 --> 00:30:30,320
us, we're volunteers and I get concerned

643
00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:34,000
with our town budget increasing. Do we

644
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,559
want to see these increases? And I I

645
00:30:36,559 --> 00:30:39,440
don't think we're going to lose

646
00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:46,720
very any people who want to serve the town uh by increasing the amount of

647
00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:50,480
pay. My opinion. Thank you.

648
00:30:50,480 --> 00:30:52,480
>> Thank you. Is there further discussion?

649
00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:55,520
If you'd like to um make a comment,

650
00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:56,960
please come up to the microphone so

651
00:30:56,960 --> 00:31:01,029
people can hear you.

652
00:31:01,039 --> 00:31:02,720
» Hello, I'm Karen Miller, Waterberry

653
00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:05,679
Center and um I was a past life board

654
00:31:05,679 --> 00:31:08,000
member. I agree with everything that was

655
00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,120
said. It is really a a service to the

656
00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:14,320
community and you know you you do a lot

657
00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:17,600
of work and the pay is you know that

658
00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:20,080
that's not what's motivating. And so

659
00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:21,600
when they, you know, 5,000 was

660
00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:23,279
mentioned, I was actually shocked

661
00:31:23,279 --> 00:31:25,760
because that that's uh I just think it's

662
00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:28,559
an unnecessary expenditure and people do

663
00:31:28,559 --> 00:31:30,640
this because they love the community and

664
00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:32,640
they want to serve the community and

665
00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:34,399
it's nice to have a little bit of money

666
00:31:34,399 --> 00:31:36,480
um you know, pay your gas, get there,

667
00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:39,039
whatnot, but it's really not the goal of

668
00:31:39,039 --> 00:31:46,310
why we do what we do. Thank you.

669
00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:48,399
» Good morning. I'm Danny Kelman. Um, I

670
00:31:48,399 --> 00:31:50,000
also had the privilege of serving on the

671
00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:52,240
select board. Um, I did have a full-time

672
00:31:52,240 --> 00:31:54,240
job and a part-time job when I was

673
00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:56,159
serving and then had to reduce that

674
00:31:56,159 --> 00:31:58,880
part-time job because of the hours um, I

675
00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:01,519
put in serving as vice chair. Um, and

676
00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:04,080
yes, we don't do it quote for the money.

677
00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:05,919
Um, but what a privilege it is to say

678
00:32:05,919 --> 00:32:08,000
that. What a privilege it is to say I

679
00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:09,840
have enough money that I get to spend my

680
00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:11,279
time volunteering. And of course, we

681
00:32:11,279 --> 00:32:13,840
want that. But I also want to recognize

682
00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:15,440
um, there aren't a lot of candidates on

683
00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:17,360
the ballot. There's in fact a lot of

684
00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:18,880
people going around begging their

685
00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:20,720
friends and neighbors. I texted everyone

686
00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:23,440
I knew, "Do you have time? Do you have

687
00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:25,279
the availability? Do you have the

688
00:32:25,279 --> 00:32:27,360
capacity to put in these hours?" Select

689
00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:29,760
board members do not show up. Most

690
00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:31,679
select board members do not show up on a

691
00:32:31,679 --> 00:32:33,600
Monday for two and a half hours and then

692
00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:35,840
that's all they do twice a month. Um,

693
00:32:35,840 --> 00:32:37,760
they put in a lot of time, a lot of

694
00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:39,519
effort, a lot of outreach. It is

695
00:32:39,519 --> 00:32:41,600
emotionally draining to sit in front of

696
00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:43,600
a room and have your neighbors tell you

697
00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:45,120
sometimes really positive things and

698
00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:46,559
sometimes all the things you're doing

699
00:32:46,559 --> 00:32:48,480
wrong. And that's the job. And they

700
00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:49,840
wouldn't be there if they didn't love

701
00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:53,200
it. And also um let's remember that the

702
00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:56,159
select board chair puts in I don't know

703
00:32:56,159 --> 00:32:58,080
the hours a week are a lot. I don't want

704
00:32:58,080 --> 00:32:59,600
to put words in somebody's mouth, but

705
00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,240
it's really high. It's highlevel work.

706
00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:04,960
It's budgeting. Um it's communication

707
00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:07,840
skills. It's people skills. So I'm not

708
00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,159
very concise. I know that. But um I

709
00:33:10,159 --> 00:33:12,399
whether 5,000 is the number or not, I'd

710
00:33:12,399 --> 00:33:14,559
love for us to get out of the mindset of

711
00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:16,880
like money is only because we're greedy.

712
00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:19,120
Money is because we have to live in this

713
00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:21,039
world. And if we want folks to be on

714
00:33:21,039 --> 00:33:22,720
that ballot and not have to desperately

715
00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:25,120
run right in candidates, this might be

716
00:33:25,120 --> 00:33:27,120
one way that other folks that aren't

717
00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:29,279
either retired or wealthy or have

718
00:33:29,279 --> 00:33:30,960
multiple incomes can serve their

719
00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:34,320
community in the way they'd love to.

720
00:33:34,320 --> 00:33:41,269
>> Is there further discussion, Mr. Cheva?

721
00:33:41,279 --> 00:33:45,679
Bill Shep. Um, I I support the I support

722
00:33:45,679 --> 00:33:48,799
the motion and I frankly support the

723
00:33:48,799 --> 00:33:52,720
amendment. I would remind all of us that

724
00:33:52,720 --> 00:33:55,120
the claims of the officers is something

725
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:58,000
that we vote on every year. It doesn't

726
00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:01,279
mean just because we do this now that we

727
00:34:01,279 --> 00:34:04,480
have to uh keep the same money forever.

728
00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:06,799
It typically works that way and you know

729
00:34:06,799 --> 00:34:09,679
10 15 30 years go by before we give them

730
00:34:09,679 --> 00:34:13,359
a raise. Um you know in in the select

731
00:34:13,359 --> 00:34:16,079
board report uh Alyssa Johnson I think

732
00:34:16,079 --> 00:34:18,639
wrote it uh you know there were there

733
00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:21,520
were 34 select board meetings uh this

734
00:34:21,520 --> 00:34:24,560
year special and regular meetings. If

735
00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:28,560
you divide $5,000 by 34 meetings for the

736
00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:33,359
chair that's $147 a meeting. Uh when I

737
00:34:33,359 --> 00:34:36,879
was on the BLCT Health Trust Board for

738
00:34:36,879 --> 00:34:42,079
20 years, um I got $100 a meeting for uh

739
00:34:42,079 --> 00:34:44,159
probably the first 15 years that I did

740
00:34:44,159 --> 00:34:47,919
that job. And then I got $150 a meeting

741
00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:51,760
for the last uh five years or so that I

742
00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:55,200
did that job. Um I agree with what Dandy

743
00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:59,119
said. Uh, if you look at this board, and

744
00:34:59,119 --> 00:35:02,240
I can say this because I'm well, I guess

745
00:35:02,240 --> 00:35:05,520
I'm one of 5,000 employees, but I think

746
00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:08,320
only one of those people up on the on

747
00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:11,680
the dis uh who serves on the select

748
00:35:11,680 --> 00:35:14,720
board right now has children. And, uh,

749
00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:16,960
the one who has children, they're grown

750
00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:18,240
now. They don't have to worry about

751
00:35:18,240 --> 00:35:22,160
child care. Uh, there's, uh, single

752
00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:24,960
young people up there. um they have

753
00:35:24,960 --> 00:35:26,960
other jobs. There's a lot of things that

754
00:35:26,960 --> 00:35:29,760
they have to do. Um

755
00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:32,960
and uh if you have to hire a babysitter

756
00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:35,680
to go to a select board meeting, uh

757
00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:37,520
you're going to you're going to you're

758
00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:40,800
going to pay a lot of that money. So, I

759
00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:42,640
would just remind you this isn't

760
00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:44,880
necessarily forever. This was a

761
00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:49,440
tumultuous year for our town. Um, and

762
00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:55,760
there's I'm not pointing any fingers for blame, but you know, about a third

763
00:35:55,760 --> 00:35:59,200
of the staff resigned this year. Uh, we

764
00:35:59,200 --> 00:36:01,920
lost the municipal manager. Uh, the

765
00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:05,839
select board uh had to do many things

766
00:36:05,839 --> 00:36:08,480
that are kind of outside of what would

767
00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:11,200
happen normally. So, for this year, I

768
00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:14,720
think $5,000 for the chair and and the

769
00:36:14,720 --> 00:36:17,599
other amounts that that Skip recited for

770
00:36:17,599 --> 00:36:19,520
the rest of the board, including the

771
00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:23,040
vice chair, is is appropriate. And next

772
00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:25,040
year, we can think about this again. So,

773
00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:28,320
I would encourage you to approve the uh

774
00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:33,030
the amended motion.

775
00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:36,000
So, the motion to amend is to strike

776
00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:39,119
$2,500 and replace with $5,000 for the

777
00:36:39,119 --> 00:36:41,200
chair's compensation. Is there further

778
00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:44,710
discussion?

779
00:36:44,720 --> 00:36:46,320
» I wasn't here for the rules at the

780
00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,240
beginning. Madam Chair, I make a

781
00:36:48,240 --> 00:36:50,240
comment.

782
00:36:50,240 --> 00:36:51,760
>> Yes, you may. And if you'd like, I can

783
00:36:51,760 --> 00:36:54,240
repeat the motion, the original motion,

784
00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:55,599
and then the motion to amend if you

785
00:36:55,599 --> 00:36:57,520
would like. Madam Chair, I have a

786
00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:00,000
recognized bias as I I volunteered for

787
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,079
the army and I volunteered at no

788
00:37:02,079 --> 00:37:05,119
airplane. Both volunteers um privates

789
00:37:05,119 --> 00:37:07,520
are not paid a lot of money. Um they do

790
00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:10,240
it without a selfless service. I'm not

791
00:37:10,240 --> 00:37:12,880
um advocating that the race does not

792
00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:15,599
happen. I'm just point

793
00:37:15,599 --> 00:37:21,829
>> of order. What is your point of order?

794
00:37:21,839 --> 00:37:24,320
» And also for the body, please introduce

795
00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:27,119
yourself and speak in hear me now.

796
00:37:27,119 --> 00:37:29,280
>> I could use my army voice, but you don't

797
00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:31,760
want to hear that.

798
00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,320
>> So, Madam Chair, my only comment is I do

799
00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:37,040
not

800
00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:39,599
>> I do apologize. My name is Tom G. I

801
00:37:39,599 --> 00:37:41,119
thought I was a known entity. I know

802
00:37:41,119 --> 00:37:42,960
everybody on this board knows me. Some

803
00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:44,800
of you do not, but I do regularly

804
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:47,359
attend. I usually watch the video. I

805
00:37:47,359 --> 00:37:49,440
would advocate you do that. I would also

806
00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:51,040
advocate you be in the budget meetings

807
00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:52,800
because they're very good. And I think

808
00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:54,400
this board has done an exceptional job

809
00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:57,520
on many items. I'm I'm not at all saying

810
00:37:57,520 --> 00:38:00,560
we shouldn't give a raise. Um but I

811
00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:02,000
think it should be something

812
00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:04,640
commensurate with an understanding that

813
00:38:04,640 --> 00:38:07,280
when you when you run for this position,

814
00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:09,359
you do so out of selfless service. When

815
00:38:09,359 --> 00:38:11,119
you volunteer for anything, you do so

816
00:38:11,119 --> 00:38:13,520
out of selfless service. I'm concerned

817
00:38:13,520 --> 00:38:16,000
that right now we talk a lot about

818
00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:18,720
affordability. $5,000 is not going to

819
00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:21,839
break one individual. I get it. Uh but

820
00:38:21,839 --> 00:38:25,440
the pattern is a little bit precarious

821
00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:28,720
if we tie service to a dollar figure.

822
00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:30,720
That's my only point. I I absolutely

823
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:32,400
respect everybody on the board. I do

824
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:34,960
believe the chair should make more. I

825
00:38:34,960 --> 00:38:36,480
think there's decisions that can be made

826
00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:39,119
in the future as Mr. Sheplock has said.

827
00:38:39,119 --> 00:38:41,839
Um but for clarity, would that be

828
00:38:41,839 --> 00:38:45,839
amending to pay the previous board or

829
00:38:45,839 --> 00:38:48,400
the one to be elected?

830
00:38:48,400 --> 00:38:52,960
So the article is to um act with respect

831
00:38:52,960 --> 00:38:54,800
to claims of town officers for their

832
00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:57,520
services during 2025. So this is for

833
00:38:57,520 --> 00:39:01,119
past year's services and the motion um

834
00:39:01,119 --> 00:39:05,119
from Mr. Flanders was to pay the claims

835
00:39:05,119 --> 00:39:07,839
of the town officers for their services

836
00:39:07,839 --> 00:39:11,599
rendered during 2025. Select board chair

837
00:39:11,599 --> 00:39:15,599
$2500, vice chair $2,500, other select

838
00:39:15,599 --> 00:39:18,160
board members $2,250,

839
00:39:18,160 --> 00:39:22,400
and listers $750 each. And we now have a

840
00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:24,160
motion to amend that motion that was

841
00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:27,920
brought by Mr. Hoffman to strike $2,500

842
00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:30,240
replaced with $5,000 for the chair's

843
00:39:30,240 --> 00:39:32,400
compensation. So, we're now discussing

844
00:39:32,400 --> 00:39:35,359
the motion to amend. So, it's just the

845
00:39:35,359 --> 00:39:38,160
last part. strike $2,500 replace with

846
00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:40,960
$5,000 for the chair's compensation. Is

847
00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:42,880
there further discussion on the motion

848
00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:48,230
to amend?

849
00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:51,280
So, um, seeing no further discussion,

850
00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:52,960
we'll vote on the motion to amend and

851
00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:55,119
then we'll go back to the main motion.

852
00:39:55,119 --> 00:39:57,599
So, the motion to amend is to strike

853
00:39:57,599 --> 00:40:01,119
$2,500 and replace with $5,000 for the

854
00:40:01,119 --> 00:40:03,599
chair's compensation. All those in

855
00:40:03,599 --> 00:40:06,720
favor, please say I. I

856
00:40:06,720 --> 00:40:13,030
>> All those opposed, please say no.

857
00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:14,560
» Um

858
00:40:14,560 --> 00:40:16,960
I am uncertain as to the outcome of that

859
00:40:16,960 --> 00:40:19,359
vote. So I'm going to ask for a division

860
00:40:19,359 --> 00:40:21,359
of the house, which means you'll raise

861
00:40:21,359 --> 00:40:23,359
your hands and I will need the board of

862
00:40:23,359 --> 00:40:36,230
civil authority to help with that.

863
00:40:36,240 --> 00:40:38,400
Is the board of civil authority prepared

864
00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:42,230
to count votes?

865
00:40:42,240 --> 00:40:44,880
» Okay. And

866
00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:47,599
John is going to count that half and

867
00:40:47,599 --> 00:40:51,440
Carla is going to count that half. So,

868
00:40:51,440 --> 00:40:53,200
um,

869
00:40:53,200 --> 00:40:54,880
I'm going to ask you to raise your hands

870
00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:57,119
and please keep your hands raised until

871
00:40:57,119 --> 00:40:59,680
they come up to me with their count for

872
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,960
each part of the vote. So, those in

873
00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:04,800
favor of the motion to amend, the motion

874
00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:07,520
to amend is to strike the $2,500

875
00:41:07,520 --> 00:41:09,839
replaced with $5,000 for the chair's

876
00:41:09,839 --> 00:41:12,560
compensation. All those in favor, please

877
00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:43,589
raise your hand.

878
00:41:43,599 --> 00:41:49,510
Thank you.

879
00:41:49,520 --> 00:41:51,839
» All those opposed, please raise your

880
00:41:51,839 --> 00:42:39,270
hand.

881
00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:42,480
So the results are the eyes have 67

882
00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:46,800
votes, the nose has 52 votes. So, the

883
00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:49,599
motion passes.

884
00:42:49,599 --> 00:42:53,040
So, you have um replaced $2,500 with

885
00:42:53,040 --> 00:42:55,760
$5,000. So, we'll now go back to the

886
00:42:55,760 --> 00:42:59,829
main motion.

887
00:42:59,839 --> 00:43:01,760
is to pay the claims of

888
00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:03,520
the town officers for their services

889
00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:05,760
rendered during 2025.

890
00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:09,280
Select board chair $5,000. Vice chair

891
00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:10,960
$2,500.

892
00:43:10,960 --> 00:43:14,240
Other select board members $2,250

893
00:43:14,240 --> 00:43:17,920
each. Listers $750 each. Is there

894
00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:25,829
further discussion on the main motion?

895
00:43:25,839 --> 00:43:28,720
Seeing no further discussion, um we'll

896
00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:30,880
now vote on the main motion which is

897
00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:33,280
again to pay the claims of the town

898
00:43:33,280 --> 00:43:34,800
officers for their services rendered

899
00:43:34,800 --> 00:43:37,599
during 2025. Select board chair 5,000

900
00:43:37,599 --> 00:43:40,319
vice chair 2500 at their select board

901
00:43:40,319 --> 00:43:44,640
members 2250 each listers $750 each. All

902
00:43:44,640 --> 00:43:46,880
those in favor please say I.

903
00:43:46,880 --> 00:43:47,839
>> I.

904
00:43:47,839 --> 00:43:54,069
>> Those opposed please say no.

905
00:43:54,079 --> 00:43:58,240
The eyes appear to have it.

906
00:43:58,240 --> 00:44:00,079
The eyes do have it. And you have passed

907
00:44:00,079 --> 00:44:04,309
article six.

908
00:44:04,319 --> 00:44:06,800
I'd like to make one last comment as

909
00:44:06,800 --> 00:44:09,040
long as you're speaking about the select

910
00:44:09,040 --> 00:44:12,309
board.

911
00:44:12,319 --> 00:44:14,400
» Do you have a point of personal

912
00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:15,920
privilege?

913
00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:19,280
>> Um I'm not sure I follow it. It's about

914
00:44:19,280 --> 00:44:22,000
appreciation for the board for the work

915
00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:23,520
that

916
00:44:23,520 --> 00:44:25,839
>> Yeah, actually let's take a short break

917
00:44:25,839 --> 00:44:29,839
for um some awards and appreciation that

918
00:44:29,839 --> 00:44:34,160
will be um led by Mr. Flanders and um I

919
00:44:34,160 --> 00:44:36,079
give the floor to you. Um hearing no

920
00:44:36,079 --> 00:44:38,079
objection, I'll give the floor to Mr.

921
00:44:38,079 --> 00:44:39,680
Flanders.

922
00:44:39,680 --> 00:44:46,640
>> Briefly before we get to the Wallace

923
00:44:46,640 --> 00:44:49,119
award, as I said earlier when I made the

924
00:44:49,119 --> 00:44:53,599
motion, we owe the uh sweatboard a vote

925
00:44:53,599 --> 00:44:56,560
of appreciation. And I would also like

926
00:44:56,560 --> 00:45:00,480
to at this time take an opportunity to

927
00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:03,680
recognize and extend our appreciation

928
00:45:03,680 --> 00:45:06,240
for the service of Alyssa Johnson for

929
00:45:06,240 --> 00:45:09,280
her outstanding leadership in Waterbury

930
00:45:09,280 --> 00:45:12,000
and the dedication of the town report to

931
00:45:12,000 --> 00:45:16,079
her. as we hear so often in uh listening

932
00:45:16,079 --> 00:45:19,839
to uh athletics and sports about an

933
00:45:19,839 --> 00:45:22,640
outstanding player being referred to as

934
00:45:22,640 --> 00:45:24,800
a generational

935
00:45:24,800 --> 00:45:29,359
talent. I believe in Alyssa Johnson has

936
00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:32,640
a generational public servant and a

937
00:45:32,640 --> 00:45:35,359
thank you to Alyssa from all of us for

938
00:45:35,359 --> 00:45:39,510
our service.

939
00:45:39,520 --> 00:46:09,510
HEAT. HEAT.

940
00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:11,839
Madam moderator says I could respond.

941
00:46:11,839 --> 00:46:14,000
I'll just say I had no idea what was

942
00:46:14,000 --> 00:46:15,680
going to happen at town meeting and this

943
00:46:15,680 --> 00:46:17,839
will be the first thing I had no idea

944
00:46:17,839 --> 00:46:21,040
was going to happen. Um and whether you

945
00:46:21,040 --> 00:46:23,040
voted no or yes, I just want to say

946
00:46:23,040 --> 00:46:25,280
thank you. I had no idea either of these

947
00:46:25,280 --> 00:46:27,040
motions that were going to be made and

948
00:46:27,040 --> 00:46:28,640
would just say while I'm grateful for

949
00:46:28,640 --> 00:46:30,400
the recognition, I want to emphasize

950
00:46:30,400 --> 00:46:32,480
that I think this is a team sport and

951
00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:34,480
far more important to me than any of the

952
00:46:34,480 --> 00:46:36,160
things is that this doesn't happen

953
00:46:36,160 --> 00:46:37,920
without a full board of select board and

954
00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:40,400
without our municipal staff and without

955
00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:42,400
volunteers and all of the residents. So,

956
00:46:42,400 --> 00:46:44,400
thank you all for being here. Thank you

957
00:46:44,400 --> 00:46:46,480
for this generous recognition, but

958
00:46:46,480 --> 00:46:48,000
really thank you to the full board and

959
00:46:48,000 --> 00:46:56,710
to all of you.

960
00:46:56,720 --> 00:46:58,240
And we'll now proceed to the

961
00:46:58,240 --> 00:47:05,109
presentation of the Keith Wallace Award.

962
00:47:05,119 --> 00:47:07,200
Thank you, Madam Chair. And I have uh

963
00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:10,800
Roger Clap here with me to uh make a

964
00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:14,400
presentation of the Keith the Lawless

965
00:47:14,400 --> 00:47:18,319
Award. Um, and I look forward to this at

966
00:47:18,319 --> 00:47:20,800
every town meeting to recognize one of

967
00:47:20,800 --> 00:47:23,440
our citizens for their community

968
00:47:23,440 --> 00:47:26,160
service. And for those of you who are

969
00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:30,400
new to town meeting, a brief uh history

970
00:47:30,400 --> 00:47:32,720
of the board that Keith Wallace was a

971
00:47:32,720 --> 00:47:35,520
longtime resident and served as our town

972
00:47:35,520 --> 00:47:39,680
moderator for 34 years. He also served

973
00:47:39,680 --> 00:47:43,280
19 years on the select board

974
00:47:43,280 --> 00:47:46,160
and in excuse me

975
00:47:46,160 --> 00:47:48,880
and in the Washington County uh as a

976
00:47:48,880 --> 00:47:51,119
Washington county senator in the

977
00:47:51,119 --> 00:47:53,440
legislature.

978
00:47:53,440 --> 00:47:57,599
Keith retired as moderator in 1994 and

979
00:47:57,599 --> 00:48:00,880
died in 1995.

980
00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:04,309
Excuse me.

981
00:48:04,319 --> 00:48:08,079
Um Keith's family came to the town and

982
00:48:08,079 --> 00:48:10,560
asked if an award could be presented at

983
00:48:10,560 --> 00:48:14,160
town meeting in honor of uh Keith's

984
00:48:14,160 --> 00:48:16,960
service to his community and this we've

985
00:48:16,960 --> 00:48:20,480
done for 31 years and we've honored 40

986
00:48:20,480 --> 00:48:23,520
people. This year's Wallace Award

987
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:27,680
recipient has spent 25 years serving

988
00:48:27,680 --> 00:48:31,839
Waterberry area residents and visitors

989
00:48:31,839 --> 00:48:35,280
in their times of greatest need. This

990
00:48:35,280 --> 00:48:38,880
year's recipient is Peter Cogy. like

991
00:48:38,880 --> 00:48:51,510
that.

992
00:48:51,520 --> 00:49:23,030
HEAT.

993
00:49:23,040 --> 00:49:25,920
Uh Pete A. Wallace Memorial Community

994
00:49:25,920 --> 00:49:28,000
Service Award. The residents of

995
00:49:28,000 --> 00:49:30,559
Waterbury honor Peter Flogger in

996
00:49:30,559 --> 00:49:33,920
appreciation of outstanding service

997
00:49:33,920 --> 00:49:36,480
to improving our community. Presented at

998
00:49:36,480 --> 00:49:49,430
Waterbury Town meeting March 3rd, 2026.

999
00:49:49,440 --> 00:49:54,630
» It's not your time to speak.

1000
00:49:54,640 --> 00:49:57,839
We tried to surprise Peter today, but we

1001
00:49:57,839 --> 00:50:00,880
weren't able to do that. We thought if

1002
00:50:00,880 --> 00:50:03,920
we told him, he might bring a big sermon

1003
00:50:03,920 --> 00:50:07,829
to

1004
00:50:07,839 --> 00:50:10,640
Peter grew up in Michigan and went to

1005
00:50:10,640 --> 00:50:13,839
seminary in Chicago and served at church

1006
00:50:13,839 --> 00:50:16,800
in Yag Maine before he came to the

1007
00:50:16,800 --> 00:50:19,520
library congregational church in the

1008
00:50:19,520 --> 00:50:21,520
year 2000.

1009
00:50:21,520 --> 00:50:24,240
Since then, Peter has worked with the

1010
00:50:24,240 --> 00:50:27,440
church on massive renovation, led his

1011
00:50:27,440 --> 00:50:32,079
community on conser conversations about

1012
00:50:32,079 --> 00:50:35,200
open and firmly worship and recently

1013
00:50:35,200 --> 00:50:37,440
worked with his community on making the

1014
00:50:37,440 --> 00:50:40,240
Waterbury Community Congregational

1015
00:50:40,240 --> 00:50:44,160
Church sanctuary church as a safe place

1016
00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:47,280
for immigrants who are fearing being

1017
00:50:47,280 --> 00:50:50,240
detained illegally by ICE.

1018
00:50:50,240 --> 00:50:52,559
Peter has involved with the Barnberry

1019
00:50:52,559 --> 00:50:55,680
area food shelf since he arrived and

1020
00:50:55,680 --> 00:50:57,520
he's been the director of the Good

1021
00:50:57,520 --> 00:51:01,200
Neighbor Fund for nearly that long. This

1022
00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:04,240
service is on a volunteer basis and is

1023
00:51:04,240 --> 00:51:06,880
part of his calling to bring assistance

1024
00:51:06,880 --> 00:51:10,720
to those in need when they need it. The

1025
00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:13,119
Good Neighbor Fund for those who don't

1026
00:51:13,119 --> 00:51:17,599
know is a strange gift attached gifts

1027
00:51:17,599 --> 00:51:19,760
during tough times.

1028
00:51:19,760 --> 00:51:22,000
The annual report for the good neighbors

1029
00:51:22,000 --> 00:51:27,200
fund averages $20,000 a year given to

1030
00:51:27,200 --> 00:51:35,109
residents of library ducksbury mult

1031
00:51:35,119 --> 00:51:38,160
support increases during times of crisis

1032
00:51:38,160 --> 00:51:41,839
including the tropical storm Irene when

1033
00:51:41,839 --> 00:51:45,280
a total of over $350,000

1034
00:51:45,280 --> 00:51:48,640
was distributed to those in need of help

1035
00:51:48,640 --> 00:51:51,280
various expenses including heat,

1036
00:51:51,280 --> 00:51:54,400
electricity, food, and replacement of

1037
00:51:54,400 --> 00:51:58,000
housing goods. Peter also led efforts to

1038
00:51:58,000 --> 00:52:01,520
open the church as a Red Cross shelter

1039
00:52:01,520 --> 00:52:04,880
in immediate aftermath of Irene,

1040
00:52:04,880 --> 00:52:06,559
allowing the church to provide

1041
00:52:06,559 --> 00:52:09,920
assistance to residents of Kirby House

1042
00:52:09,920 --> 00:52:12,880
when their home was flooded.

1043
00:52:12,880 --> 00:52:15,599
He is a faith leader, a community leader

1044
00:52:15,599 --> 00:52:19,040
who volunteers his strength and vision

1045
00:52:19,040 --> 00:52:22,640
in those to those of need. A truly

1046
00:52:22,640 --> 00:52:24,800
Christian value that aligns with the

1047
00:52:24,800 --> 00:52:27,920
values of our committee and hope and

1048
00:52:27,920 --> 00:52:30,400
desire to take care of our neighbors

1049
00:52:30,400 --> 00:52:33,839
when they are in need. When Peter became

1050
00:52:33,839 --> 00:52:37,040
the pastor's library, I don't know if

1051
00:52:37,040 --> 00:52:40,240
anyone told him that it also included

1052
00:52:40,240 --> 00:52:42,800
being the town service officer of the

1053
00:52:42,800 --> 00:52:44,880
liability.

1054
00:52:44,880 --> 00:52:47,359
And Peter did the job faithfully as the

1055
00:52:47,359 --> 00:52:51,200
service officer for 17 years until it

1056
00:52:51,200 --> 00:52:53,920
was abolished by the legislature.

1057
00:52:53,920 --> 00:52:56,000
And even though it's abolished, Peter

1058
00:52:56,000 --> 00:53:00,400
has continued performing to do

1059
00:53:00,400 --> 00:53:04,079
over the years, excuse me, I've had the

1060
00:53:04,079 --> 00:53:06,079
opportunity to work with Peter on

1061
00:53:06,079 --> 00:53:08,800
funerals, sending people who need

1062
00:53:08,800 --> 00:53:12,000
assistance to the good neighbor and the

1063
00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:15,599
library who shall help with comment.

1064
00:53:15,599 --> 00:53:18,640
I also have one special occasion to work

1065
00:53:18,640 --> 00:53:24,240
with Peter on event honoring Edward Fra.

1066
00:53:24,240 --> 00:53:26,720
the namesake of an Edward Ferrari

1067
00:53:26,720 --> 00:53:29,040
utility history.

1068
00:53:29,040 --> 00:53:32,640
Edward was a businessman in library. He

1069
00:53:32,640 --> 00:53:35,440
was a public servant serving as a

1070
00:53:35,440 --> 00:53:38,640
village trustee. He was a fireman, a

1071
00:53:38,640 --> 00:53:42,079
policeman, and a water commission.

1072
00:53:42,079 --> 00:53:46,480
He died at village meeting in 1904.

1073
00:53:46,480 --> 00:53:49,359
He was elected village president and a

1074
00:53:49,359 --> 00:53:52,079
water commission in October of that

1075
00:53:52,079 --> 00:53:53,040
year.

1076
00:53:53,040 --> 00:53:55,599
He died in a cave-in at the head of

1077
00:53:55,599 --> 00:53:58,079
Ellen Street while installing a sewer

1078
00:53:58,079 --> 00:53:59,680
line.

1079
00:53:59,680 --> 00:54:01,920
The utility district wanted to honor

1080
00:54:01,920 --> 00:54:06,079
that service with a blast plaque placed

1081
00:54:06,079 --> 00:54:10,160
on his gravestone hope cemetery.

1082
00:54:10,160 --> 00:54:12,960
For that dedication, I asked Peter to do

1083
00:54:12,960 --> 00:54:16,160
the benediction and he graciously said

1084
00:54:16,160 --> 00:54:19,599
yes, for which I was grateful.

1085
00:54:19,599 --> 00:54:22,800
For that benediction, Peter wrote a very

1086
00:54:22,800 --> 00:54:25,839
thoughtful benediction on the community

1087
00:54:25,839 --> 00:54:28,960
service of Everett Farac

1088
00:54:28,960 --> 00:54:31,839
with a few modifications and at the risk

1089
00:54:31,839 --> 00:54:35,040
of being accused of plagiarism.

1090
00:54:35,040 --> 00:54:37,599
I'm going to read this benediction in

1091
00:54:37,599 --> 00:54:40,079
recognition of the community service of

1092
00:54:40,079 --> 00:54:43,599
Peter Fog to the residents of Water Bird

1093
00:54:43,599 --> 00:54:46,800
and surrounding communities.

1094
00:54:46,800 --> 00:54:49,520
I would like you to listen closely to

1095
00:54:49,520 --> 00:54:57,190
the words of this benediction that Peter prepared.

1096
00:54:57,200 --> 00:54:58,880
A benediction

1097
00:54:58,880 --> 00:55:01,839
you will no doubt know is literally a

1098
00:55:01,839 --> 00:55:05,520
good word. It is the compound Latin word

1099
00:55:05,520 --> 00:55:10,000
consisting of ben good and discern to

1100
00:55:10,000 --> 00:55:14,240
speak. It is clear that I am speaking.

1101
00:55:14,240 --> 00:55:17,680
What is always less clear when anyone

1102
00:55:17,680 --> 00:55:22,400
speaks least of all a clergy person is a

1103
00:55:22,400 --> 00:55:25,040
good part. I don't know why he added

1104
00:55:25,040 --> 00:55:28,319
clergy person but

1105
00:55:28,319 --> 00:55:32,400
maybe it was different for Mr. Ferrar.

1106
00:55:32,400 --> 00:55:35,119
His obituary said that he always had a

1107
00:55:35,119 --> 00:55:38,880
good word for all and his next breath it

1108
00:55:38,880 --> 00:55:41,760
was said that his willing hands were

1109
00:55:41,760 --> 00:55:45,760
always ready to help. That seems to me

1110
00:55:45,760 --> 00:55:49,440
the important a good word and willing

1111
00:55:49,440 --> 00:55:50,960
hands.

1112
00:55:50,960 --> 00:55:55,440
The great German philosopher Emmanuel K

1113
00:55:55,440 --> 00:55:58,960
famously wrote that the only good thing

1114
00:55:58,960 --> 00:56:03,200
without qualifications is a good will.

1115
00:56:03,200 --> 00:56:05,839
What he meant by that exactly has been

1116
00:56:05,839 --> 00:56:09,119
debated through the ages. What can't

1117
00:56:09,119 --> 00:56:11,599
seem to be opening the door to

1118
00:56:11,599 --> 00:56:14,480
understanding the good

1119
00:56:14,480 --> 00:56:17,760
in a way forgotten by many philosophers

1120
00:56:17,760 --> 00:56:21,280
and theologians since. opening the door

1121
00:56:21,280 --> 00:56:24,240
in the direction we want it open. When

1122
00:56:24,240 --> 00:56:27,760
we speak of Peter like

1123
00:56:27,760 --> 00:56:30,160
when we speak of people like Peter

1124
00:56:30,160 --> 00:56:31,680
Potty,

1125
00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:35,119
which is to say that you cannot claim

1126
00:56:35,119 --> 00:56:38,160
that his good will, which resulted in

1127
00:56:38,160 --> 00:56:40,400
the betterment of the lives of his

1128
00:56:40,400 --> 00:56:43,520
neighbor, no matter who they were or

1129
00:56:43,520 --> 00:56:46,319
where they live, could be anything but

1130
00:56:46,319 --> 00:56:48,400
good.

1131
00:56:48,400 --> 00:56:51,520
In other words, one could all

1132
00:56:51,520 --> 00:56:53,920
unqualifiably say that Peter's

1133
00:56:53,920 --> 00:56:58,000
dedication to service was a choice

1134
00:56:58,000 --> 00:57:00,559
driven by a valid understanding of the

1135
00:57:00,559 --> 00:57:04,559
best among possible choices for him. So

1136
00:57:04,559 --> 00:57:07,359
what is good is properly tied to what is

1137
00:57:07,359 --> 00:57:11,280
spoken and what is spoken is worthless

1138
00:57:11,280 --> 00:57:13,520
unless it is done.

1139
00:57:13,520 --> 00:57:15,760
Let me offer to you the example of

1140
00:57:15,760 --> 00:57:18,000
Albert Schweitzer.

1141
00:57:18,000 --> 00:57:20,960
One of those rare clergymen who are in

1142
00:57:20,960 --> 00:57:25,119
the early 20th century hung up his robes

1143
00:57:25,119 --> 00:57:27,839
and journeyed to Africa to be with a

1144
00:57:27,839 --> 00:57:31,680
people with whom he long felt a deep

1145
00:57:31,680 --> 00:57:34,559
connection and to serve them as a

1146
00:57:34,559 --> 00:57:37,040
medical doctor.

1147
00:57:37,040 --> 00:57:40,240
As we leave this place where we've given

1148
00:57:40,240 --> 00:57:43,599
recognition to a man who has spent a

1149
00:57:43,599 --> 00:57:46,720
quarter century serving us, may

1150
00:57:46,720 --> 00:57:50,160
Schwitzer's words go with us.

1151
00:57:50,160 --> 00:57:53,280
I don't know what your destiny will be,

1152
00:57:53,280 --> 00:57:57,200
but one thing I do know, the only ones

1153
00:57:57,200 --> 00:58:00,559
among you who will be really happy are

1154
00:58:00,559 --> 00:58:03,520
those who have sought and found how to

1155
00:58:03,520 --> 00:58:07,119
serve. Thank you, Peter. And now may we

1156
00:58:07,119 --> 00:58:21,510
all go in peace the message of Peter P.

1157
00:58:21,520 --> 00:58:24,160
I just said I'm told Skip I'm sorry you

1158
00:58:24,160 --> 00:58:25,680
had to read that. I'm sorry you had to

1159
00:58:25,680 --> 00:58:28,240
listen to that. Uh,

1160
00:58:28,240 --> 00:58:30,559
I simply mean to say that that we all

1161
00:58:30,559 --> 00:58:33,760
are tasked to do our best and I'm

1162
00:58:33,760 --> 00:58:35,520
privileged to be able to do that in this

1163
00:58:35,520 --> 00:58:37,760
community and will continue to do that

1164
00:58:37,760 --> 00:58:40,000
as well as I can for the years that I

1165
00:58:40,000 --> 00:58:44,559
have. Uh, what I do is in large part

1166
00:58:44,559 --> 00:58:47,280
simply being a conduit of your good

1167
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:49,200
graces.

1168
00:58:49,200 --> 00:58:51,280
The only thing that Skip got wrong is

1169
00:58:51,280 --> 00:58:53,760
that the $20,000 that he mentioned in

1170
00:58:53,760 --> 00:58:55,599
terms of our annual expenditure is a

1171
00:58:55,599 --> 00:58:59,200
little low. I just uh submitted a grant

1172
00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:02,559
report to somebody. We gave $77,000 in

1173
00:59:02,559 --> 00:59:06,400
25 and 10 and some odd thousand in in

1174
00:59:06,400 --> 00:59:10,640
24. So um thank you uh from the bottom

1175
00:59:10,640 --> 00:59:12,079
of my heart for all of your your

1176
00:59:12,079 --> 00:59:19,670
goodwill.

1177
00:59:19,680 --> 00:59:22,799
Well, my wife is with Eron Mui is at the

1178
00:59:22,799 --> 00:59:25,599
table as a justice of the peace. My

1179
00:59:25,599 --> 00:59:28,799
daughter is working at Redhead Cafe and

1180
00:59:28,799 --> 00:59:30,720
my other daughter's at school. So, I'm

1181
00:59:30,720 --> 00:59:32,960
not sure.

1182
00:59:32,960 --> 00:59:35,200
>> Where is she? Is she here?

1183
00:59:35,200 --> 01:00:04,309
>> She's there.

1184
01:00:04,319 --> 01:00:07,920
I have one last thing

1185
01:00:07,920 --> 01:00:13,670
>> new for this year.

1186
01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:16,720
One last thing that's new for this year.

1187
01:00:16,720 --> 01:00:19,520
One of the four recipients of the Keith

1188
01:00:19,520 --> 01:00:23,599
Wallace Award has long said, "Why give

1189
01:00:23,599 --> 01:00:25,839
them a plaque that they throw in a

1190
01:00:25,839 --> 01:00:29,359
drawer and never look at again? Why

1191
01:00:29,359 --> 01:00:31,680
don't you give them a certificate and

1192
01:00:31,680 --> 01:00:34,960
allow them to make a uh the cost of the

1193
01:00:34,960 --> 01:00:37,760
plaque to a charity of their choice?"

1194
01:00:37,760 --> 01:00:41,040
The select board this year has agreed

1195
01:00:41,040 --> 01:00:43,040
that the cost of the plaque, which is

1196
01:00:43,040 --> 01:00:46,000
about $150,

1197
01:00:46,000 --> 01:00:47,760
you can let us know whether you would

1198
01:00:47,760 --> 01:00:50,799
like us to buy you a plaque to put in

1199
01:00:50,799 --> 01:00:55,670
the door

1200
01:00:55,680 --> 01:00:58,240
or you would like us to write a check to

1201
01:00:58,240 --> 01:01:02,160
a charity of your choice for $150. So,

1202
01:01:02,160 --> 01:01:04,400
you can let us know what your

1203
01:01:04,400 --> 01:01:18,549
preferences would be.

1204
01:01:18,559 --> 01:01:20,960
Okay, now we will return to the orders

1205
01:01:20,960 --> 01:01:23,119
of the day. Thank you, Skip. That was

1206
01:01:23,119 --> 01:01:24,960
wonderful.

1207
01:01:24,960 --> 01:01:28,160
Article seven. This is not as much fun

1208
01:01:28,160 --> 01:01:30,240
as this the Keith Wallace award, but

1209
01:01:30,240 --> 01:01:33,119
article seven. Shall the tax warrant on

1210
01:01:33,119 --> 01:01:36,880
real property be dated July 1st, 2026

1211
01:01:36,880 --> 01:01:39,440
and the taxes be due in two installments

1212
01:01:39,440 --> 01:01:41,119
with the first installment due and

1213
01:01:41,119 --> 01:01:43,839
payable on August 14th, 2026 and the

1214
01:01:43,839 --> 01:01:45,520
second installment due and payable on

1215
01:01:45,520 --> 01:01:48,319
November 6th, 2026. What is your

1216
01:01:48,319 --> 01:01:50,960
pleasure with respect to article 7? Miss

1217
01:01:50,960 --> 01:01:52,880
Harvella,

1218
01:01:52,880 --> 01:01:55,359
>> I move that the tax warrant on real

1219
01:01:55,359 --> 01:01:58,640
property be dated July 1st, 2026 and the

1220
01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:01,280
taxes be due in two installments with

1221
01:02:01,280 --> 01:02:03,760
the first installment due and payable on

1222
01:02:03,760 --> 01:02:06,880
August 14th, 2026 and the second

1223
01:02:06,880 --> 01:02:08,960
installment due and payable on November

1224
01:02:08,960 --> 01:02:11,200
6th, 2026.

1225
01:02:11,200 --> 01:02:13,119
Moved by Miss Taraveella. Is there a

1226
01:02:13,119 --> 01:02:15,280
second?

1227
01:02:15,280 --> 01:02:19,599
>> The motion has been moved and seconded.

1228
01:02:19,599 --> 01:02:21,520
Miss Taraveella has moved that the tax

1229
01:02:21,520 --> 01:02:23,520
warrant on real property be dated July

1230
01:02:23,520 --> 01:02:26,000
1st, 2026 and the taxes be due in two

1231
01:02:26,000 --> 01:02:27,520
installments with the first installment

1232
01:02:27,520 --> 01:02:30,079
due and payable on August 14th, 2026 and

1233
01:02:30,079 --> 01:02:31,520
the second installment due and payable

1234
01:02:31,520 --> 01:02:34,480
on nove on November 6, 2026. Miss

1235
01:02:34,480 --> 01:02:35,760
Taravella, would you like to speak to

1236
01:02:35,760 --> 01:02:37,920
the motion?

1237
01:02:37,920 --> 01:02:43,109
>> No, thank you. All right.

1238
01:02:43,119 --> 01:02:48,069
Is there any discussion?

1239
01:02:48,079 --> 01:02:49,839
Hearing no discussion, we will proceed

1240
01:02:49,839 --> 01:02:52,960
to a vote on article 6 uh sorry, article

1241
01:02:52,960 --> 01:02:55,520
7. It has been moved that the tax

1242
01:02:55,520 --> 01:02:57,440
warrant on real property be dated July

1243
01:02:57,440 --> 01:03:00,240
1st, 2026 and the taxes be due in two

1244
01:03:00,240 --> 01:03:01,680
installments with the first installment

1245
01:03:01,680 --> 01:03:04,079
due and payable on August 14th, 2026 and

1246
01:03:04,079 --> 01:03:05,599
the second installment due and payable

1247
01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:08,319
on November 6th, 2026. All those in

1248
01:03:08,319 --> 01:03:10,799
favor, please say I. I.

1249
01:03:10,799 --> 01:03:13,359
>> Those opposed, please say no.

1250
01:03:13,359 --> 01:03:16,559
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

1251
01:03:16,559 --> 01:03:20,000
have it. And you have passed article 7.

1252
01:03:20,000 --> 01:03:23,119
Article 8. Shall each tax installment be

1253
01:03:23,119 --> 01:03:25,200
paid in hand at the municipal office by

1254
01:03:25,200 --> 01:03:27,359
4:30 p.m. on the due date without

1255
01:03:27,359 --> 01:03:29,200
discount and interest be charged at the

1256
01:03:29,200 --> 01:03:31,280
maximum allowed by statute not to exceed

1257
01:03:31,280 --> 01:03:34,240
1 and 12% per month or portion thereof

1258
01:03:34,240 --> 01:03:36,559
on each installment and a late penalty

1259
01:03:36,559 --> 01:03:38,799
of 8% be charged as allowed by statute

1260
01:03:38,799 --> 01:03:41,280
on taxes not paid when due. What is your

1261
01:03:41,280 --> 01:03:44,079
pleasure with respect to article 8, Mr.

1262
01:03:44,079 --> 01:03:48,230
Bar?

1263
01:03:48,240 --> 01:03:51,599
Madame moderator, I move that each tax

1264
01:03:51,599 --> 01:03:54,000
installment shall be paid in hand at the

1265
01:03:54,000 --> 01:03:57,680
municipal office by 4:30 p.m. on the due

1266
01:03:57,680 --> 01:04:00,079
date without discount and that interest

1267
01:04:00,079 --> 01:04:02,319
be charged at the maximum allowed by

1268
01:04:02,319 --> 01:04:06,160
statutes not to exceed 1 and 12% per

1269
01:04:06,160 --> 01:04:09,280
month or portion thereof on each

1270
01:04:09,280 --> 01:04:13,119
installment and a late penalty of 8% be

1271
01:04:13,119 --> 01:04:18,079
charged as allowed by statute on

1272
01:04:18,079 --> 01:04:21,200
taxes not paid when due

1273
01:04:21,200 --> 01:04:25,280
>> moved by Mr. Bard. Is there a second?

1274
01:04:25,280 --> 01:04:27,440
The motion has been moved and seconded.

1275
01:04:27,440 --> 01:04:29,440
And if there's no objection, I will not

1276
01:04:29,440 --> 01:04:32,240
restate the motion. Mr. Bard, would you

1277
01:04:32,240 --> 01:04:35,119
like to speak to the article just

1278
01:04:35,119 --> 01:04:39,359
briefly? Um, we I think extended in the

1279
01:04:39,359 --> 01:04:43,760
last year or two it to 5:00. Uh, we

1280
01:04:43,760 --> 01:04:46,079
weren't getting any payments that late

1281
01:04:46,079 --> 01:04:48,960
to make municipal staff stay when there

1282
01:04:48,960 --> 01:04:52,160
wasn't uh payments being being made. Uh,

1283
01:04:52,160 --> 01:04:56,400
we moved it back to 4:30. Thank you. Is

1284
01:04:56,400 --> 01:05:03,349
there further discussion on article 8?

1285
01:05:03,359 --> 01:05:05,119
Seeing I'm hearing no further

1286
01:05:05,119 --> 01:05:07,039
discussion, we will proceed to a vote on

1287
01:05:07,039 --> 01:05:08,960
article 8, it has been moved that each

1288
01:05:08,960 --> 01:05:11,520
tax installment shall be paid in hand at

1289
01:05:11,520 --> 01:05:13,760
the municipal office by 4:30 p.m. on the

1290
01:05:13,760 --> 01:05:15,520
due date without discount if that

1291
01:05:15,520 --> 01:05:17,200
interest be charged at the maximum

1292
01:05:17,200 --> 01:05:19,599
allowed by statute not to exceed 1 and

1293
01:05:19,599 --> 01:05:21,920
12% per month or portion thereof on each

1294
01:05:21,920 --> 01:05:24,400
installment and a late penalty of 8% be

1295
01:05:24,400 --> 01:05:26,319
charged as allowed by statute on taxes

1296
01:05:26,319 --> 01:05:28,960
not paid when due. All those in favor,

1297
01:05:28,960 --> 01:05:31,680
please say I. I.

1298
01:05:31,680 --> 01:05:34,640
>> Those opposed, please say no.

1299
01:05:34,640 --> 01:05:37,280
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

1300
01:05:37,280 --> 01:05:41,200
have it. And you have passed article 8.

1301
01:05:41,200 --> 01:05:43,920
Article nine. Shall the voters of the

1302
01:05:43,920 --> 01:05:46,480
town of Waterbury adopt the proposed

1303
01:05:46,480 --> 01:05:48,559
operating and capital budgets which

1304
01:05:48,559 --> 01:05:53,670
contain $6,567,486

1305
01:05:53,680 --> 01:05:59,589
in expenses of which $4,585,774

1306
01:05:59,599 --> 01:06:02,480
is to be raised by property taxes and

1307
01:06:02,480 --> 01:06:06,309
$1,981,712

1308
01:06:06,319 --> 01:06:09,280
is to be funded by anticipated nonpropy

1309
01:06:09,280 --> 01:06:11,839
tax revenues. What is your pleasure with

1310
01:06:11,839 --> 01:06:15,119
respect to article 9, Miss Johnson?

1311
01:06:15,119 --> 01:06:17,359
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

1312
01:06:17,359 --> 01:06:19,599
of Waterbury adopt the proposed

1313
01:06:19,599 --> 01:06:21,680
operating and capital budgets which

1314
01:06:21,680 --> 01:06:27,029
contain $6,567,486

1315
01:06:27,039 --> 01:06:33,349
in expenses of which $4,585,774

1316
01:06:33,359 --> 01:06:35,920
is to be raised by property taxes.

1317
01:06:35,920 --> 01:06:40,069
and1,981,712

1318
01:06:40,079 --> 01:06:42,720
is to be funded by anticipated nonpropy

1319
01:06:42,720 --> 01:06:45,839
tax revenues. Moved by Miss Johnson. Is

1320
01:06:45,839 --> 01:06:48,960
there a second?

1321
01:06:48,960 --> 01:06:52,400
The motion has been moved and seconded.

1322
01:06:52,400 --> 01:06:54,000
It has been moved that the town of

1323
01:06:54,000 --> 01:06:56,079
Waterberry adopt the proposed operating

1324
01:06:56,079 --> 01:06:58,160
and capital budgets which contain

1325
01:06:58,160 --> 01:07:01,349
$6,567,486

1326
01:07:01,359 --> 01:07:05,920
in expenses of which $4,585,774

1327
01:07:05,920 --> 01:07:08,319
is to be raised by property taxes and

1328
01:07:08,319 --> 01:07:10,960
$1,981,712

1329
01:07:10,960 --> 01:07:13,119
is to be funded by anticipated non-propy

1330
01:07:13,119 --> 01:07:15,200
tax revenues. Miss Johnson, would you

1331
01:07:15,200 --> 01:07:16,640
like to speak to the motion?

1332
01:07:16,640 --> 01:07:19,920
>> Yes, please. Um, first with regard to

1333
01:07:19,920 --> 01:07:21,839
semantics, I would note that in my

1334
01:07:21,839 --> 01:07:23,440
current three-year term on the select

1335
01:07:23,440 --> 01:07:25,200
board, I think I have made the budget

1336
01:07:25,200 --> 01:07:27,839
motion each year at town meeting. And I

1337
01:07:27,839 --> 01:07:29,760
requested to make it the first year

1338
01:07:29,760 --> 01:07:32,240
because it used to be quite long and

1339
01:07:32,240 --> 01:07:35,280
flowery and uh said things about for the

1340
01:07:35,280 --> 01:07:37,039
purposes of laying out roads and

1341
01:07:37,039 --> 01:07:38,880
highways, this amount for the library,

1342
01:07:38,880 --> 01:07:40,000
this amount. And I just want to

1343
01:07:40,000 --> 01:07:41,359
acknowledge for folks who have been to

1344
01:07:41,359 --> 01:07:43,119
town meeting for multiple years that

1345
01:07:43,119 --> 01:07:45,680
we've evolved and continued to uh move

1346
01:07:45,680 --> 01:07:47,520
forward with the structure of this. So

1347
01:07:47,520 --> 01:07:48,960
last year's looked a little different

1348
01:07:48,960 --> 01:07:52,240
and included an anticipated tax rate. Um

1349
01:07:52,240 --> 01:07:54,799
our moderator uh our former municipal

1350
01:07:54,799 --> 01:07:56,559
manager and myself met with the town

1351
01:07:56,559 --> 01:07:58,640
attorney and went back and forth several

1352
01:07:58,640 --> 01:08:01,200
times and on his advice, this motion as

1353
01:08:01,200 --> 01:08:03,760
stated and this warning article is more

1354
01:08:03,760 --> 01:08:06,079
in line with the practices in most towns

1355
01:08:06,079 --> 01:08:09,039
and has received his review. Um, I would

1356
01:08:09,039 --> 01:08:12,079
start with page 20 in our town report,

1357
01:08:12,079 --> 01:08:14,480
um, which speaks to the anticipated

1358
01:08:14,480 --> 01:08:16,319
property tax rate because we know that

1359
01:08:16,319 --> 01:08:18,319
is an important consideration for folks

1360
01:08:18,319 --> 01:08:22,560
in considering the municipal budget.

1361
01:08:22,560 --> 01:08:24,319
Um,

1362
01:08:24,319 --> 01:08:27,359
in short, assuming that our grand list

1363
01:08:27,359 --> 01:08:31,279
increases 8% um, next year, uh, it's

1364
01:08:31,279 --> 01:08:33,120
been about 1% over the past couple of

1365
01:08:33,120 --> 01:08:36,640
years, um, this would result in a 2.7%

1366
01:08:36,640 --> 01:08:39,120
increase in property taxes. Um, with the

1367
01:08:39,120 --> 01:08:43,199
budget motion, as I stated, um, overall

1368
01:08:43,199 --> 01:08:45,120
with regards to the budget, I would note

1369
01:08:45,120 --> 01:08:47,359
that the items included in this is

1370
01:08:47,359 --> 01:08:49,199
continuing town and municipal

1371
01:08:49,199 --> 01:08:53,359
operations. Um, we went department by

1372
01:08:53,359 --> 01:08:55,520
department through each of these. Um, I

1373
01:08:55,520 --> 01:08:56,960
would also note that we have a

1374
01:08:56,960 --> 01:08:58,640
collective bargaining agreement with a

1375
01:08:58,640 --> 01:09:00,239
number of our town employees and this

1376
01:09:00,239 --> 01:09:02,960
includes um appropriate staff and wages

1377
01:09:02,960 --> 01:09:06,000
as um or salary and wages, excuse me, as

1378
01:09:06,000 --> 01:09:08,239
negotiated in that. Um, and beyond that,

1379
01:09:08,239 --> 01:09:11,600
I'm happy to send to questions.

1380
01:09:11,600 --> 01:09:15,839
>> Is there um discussion on the budget on

1381
01:09:15,839 --> 01:09:31,590
article 9?

1382
01:09:31,600 --> 01:09:35,040
Bill Shapp again. Um, none of what I'm

1383
01:09:35,040 --> 01:09:39,759
going to say is is going to change um

1384
01:09:39,759 --> 01:09:43,600
the the tax rate that uh is shown on

1385
01:09:43,600 --> 01:09:47,600
page 20. I think the uh 2.7%

1386
01:09:47,600 --> 01:09:50,400
increase in the property taxes is in

1387
01:09:50,400 --> 01:09:53,040
line with inflation that was the

1388
01:09:53,040 --> 01:09:56,320
inflation rate for 2025 year-over-year

1389
01:09:56,320 --> 01:09:59,920
at the end of December. And uh it it

1390
01:09:59,920 --> 01:10:03,360
seems reasonable. I will say and I I've

1391
01:10:03,360 --> 01:10:05,199
talked to the select board about some of

1392
01:10:05,199 --> 01:10:09,040
my concerns already. Um it's very

1393
01:10:09,040 --> 01:10:11,760
difficult in the format that the budget

1394
01:10:11,760 --> 01:10:15,760
is presented to get to any of the

1395
01:10:15,760 --> 01:10:24,400
numbers that are on page 20. Uh and it's unfortunate but it's the case. I I

1396
01:10:24,400 --> 01:10:28,080
spent a lot of time with it and as um

1397
01:10:28,080 --> 01:10:30,480
was stated earlier, I'm acting as the

1398
01:10:30,480 --> 01:10:32,880
town treasurer now and I've been working

1399
01:10:32,880 --> 01:10:35,040
uh the last several weeks and have come

1400
01:10:35,040 --> 01:10:39,520
across some concerns. I would say that

1401
01:10:39,520 --> 01:10:43,199
uh two of the things that um stand out

1402
01:10:43,199 --> 01:10:45,120
to me about the budget and and they're

1403
01:10:45,120 --> 01:10:47,520
minor, but I want to make sure that the

1404
01:10:47,520 --> 01:10:49,440
next select board, whomever they might

1405
01:10:49,440 --> 01:10:54,159
be, um will try to avoid these things.

1406
01:10:54,159 --> 01:10:58,080
So, this the $6,500

1407
01:10:58,080 --> 01:11:02,719
that was originally in the U select

1408
01:11:02,719 --> 01:11:07,040
board's request for uh payment of the of

1409
01:11:07,040 --> 01:11:09,199
the officers for the for the select

1410
01:11:09,199 --> 01:11:10,960
board members and and then for the

1411
01:11:10,960 --> 01:11:15,120
listeners. Um that $6,500

1412
01:11:15,120 --> 01:11:17,920
appears in the general government budget

1413
01:11:17,920 --> 01:11:22,239
already passed. Now, um, we we increased

1414
01:11:22,239 --> 01:11:28,159
that that 6,500 shouldn't have been in the budgets on page 24 and following

1415
01:11:28,159 --> 01:11:31,199
at all. The special articles that we're

1416
01:11:31,199 --> 01:11:34,080
not going to get to until the end of the

1417
01:11:34,080 --> 01:11:39,280
meeting, um, if you look on page 29,

1418
01:11:39,280 --> 01:11:41,280
all of the special articles, which add

1419
01:11:41,280 --> 01:11:45,350
up to $50,632,

1420
01:11:45,360 --> 01:11:49,199
already show it. So, I don't know if

1421
01:11:49,199 --> 01:11:51,360
when we vote on the special articles,

1422
01:11:51,360 --> 01:11:54,400
are we doubling it up? Uh, if this is

1423
01:11:54,400 --> 01:11:57,920
already included, it's it's just it's a

1424
01:11:57,920 --> 01:12:02,320
bad presentation. And I I feel um badly

1425
01:12:02,320 --> 01:12:04,000
about that. There's a few other things

1426
01:12:04,000 --> 01:12:05,679
that I'll wait for when we get the

1427
01:12:05,679 --> 01:12:09,040
special articles. What I have found, and

1428
01:12:09,040 --> 01:12:10,880
I'm I'm stating this because I know

1429
01:12:10,880 --> 01:12:12,400
there are people that go through the

1430
01:12:12,400 --> 01:12:14,640
budget, they have questions, they've

1431
01:12:14,640 --> 01:12:17,360
come to me, they've talked about it. Uh

1432
01:12:17,360 --> 01:12:21,600
while there are these uh mistakes, if

1433
01:12:21,600 --> 01:12:25,040
you will, or misrepresentations,

1434
01:12:25,040 --> 01:12:27,440
I haven't seen anything that's to the

1435
01:12:27,440 --> 01:12:29,360
degree that I would worry about the

1436
01:12:29,360 --> 01:12:32,320
bottom line that they have presented for

1437
01:12:32,320 --> 01:12:35,840
a budget for this year and for tax rate.

1438
01:12:35,840 --> 01:12:38,159
But if any of you are concerned, it is

1439
01:12:38,159 --> 01:12:40,320
difficult to follow the bouncing ball a

1440
01:12:40,320 --> 01:12:53,350
little bit. Thank you.

1441
01:12:53,360 --> 01:12:55,840
» Madam Chair, may I ask Mr. Sheffllock a

1442
01:12:55,840 --> 01:12:58,719
few questions? And I think he's got the

1443
01:12:58,719 --> 01:13:00,719
previous experience as a town manager. I

1444
01:13:00,719 --> 01:13:03,040
think he'll have the most effective

1445
01:13:03,040 --> 01:13:04,239
answer.

1446
01:13:04,239 --> 01:13:06,000
>> Mr. supple. You agree to be

1447
01:13:06,000 --> 01:13:09,990
interrogated.

1448
01:13:10,000 --> 01:13:13,040
» I agree. I agree to be interrogated. I'm

1449
01:13:13,040 --> 01:13:17,430
not sure I'll agree to answer.

1450
01:13:17,440 --> 01:13:20,159
» So, and and I absolutely respect that

1451
01:13:20,159 --> 01:13:22,480
walking is nonspace. As I referenced

1452
01:13:22,480 --> 01:13:26,560
earlier with the flex board, I I I

1453
01:13:26,560 --> 01:13:29,120
the learning is in the labor of building

1454
01:13:29,120 --> 01:13:31,760
the budget and I would advocate that we

1455
01:13:31,760 --> 01:13:33,600
don't just look at this day. So again,

1456
01:13:33,600 --> 01:13:35,280
that's a plug to say when they build the

1457
01:13:35,280 --> 01:13:37,520
budget, please, please, please be

1458
01:13:37,520 --> 01:13:40,480
present. Um, Zoom is a wonderful thing.

1459
01:13:40,480 --> 01:13:42,960
If you can do it, teams or be in the

1460
01:13:42,960 --> 01:13:45,040
room. You're in the room, you're in the

1461
01:13:45,040 --> 01:13:48,320
fight. When it gets to this, we're going

1462
01:13:48,320 --> 01:13:52,000
yes or no. That's it. So the question

1463
01:13:52,000 --> 01:13:55,840
after that long I tried to on the pilot

1464
01:13:55,840 --> 01:13:57,840
fund specifically

1465
01:13:57,840 --> 01:14:02,640
does that give you pause that the state

1466
01:14:02,640 --> 01:14:05,520
we appear to be over 100k lower than

1467
01:14:05,520 --> 01:14:09,510
pilot?

1468
01:14:09,520 --> 01:14:11,600
» That's a better question probably for

1469
01:14:11,600 --> 01:14:16,640
the select board. I I read u Tom Light's

1470
01:14:16,640 --> 01:14:21,120
uh report. He does speak to that. Um the

1471
01:14:21,120 --> 01:14:24,960
pilot payment evidently is uh the

1472
01:14:24,960 --> 01:14:28,960
formula that the state currently uses um

1473
01:14:28,960 --> 01:14:33,440
suggests Tom suggested is um

1474
01:14:33,440 --> 01:14:34,960
is

1475
01:14:34,960 --> 01:14:36,960
affected by the common level of

1476
01:14:36,960 --> 01:14:40,719
appraisal of the town of Water and our

1477
01:14:40,719 --> 01:14:42,880
grand list

1478
01:14:42,880 --> 01:14:46,640
uh as it shows uh about $8 million of

1479
01:14:46,640 --> 01:14:49,040
the grand list as I understand it. about

1480
01:14:49,040 --> 01:14:50,560
50%

1481
01:14:50,560 --> 01:14:55,360
low. Um, so the pilot payment, if you

1482
01:14:55,360 --> 01:14:58,159
look on page 24,

1483
01:14:58,159 --> 01:15:00,320
um,

1484
01:15:00,320 --> 01:15:04,000
and Tom's, uh, Tom's manager's report

1485
01:15:04,000 --> 01:15:08,239
speaks to it, there's $36,000

1486
01:15:08,239 --> 01:15:11,760
that is budgeted for 2026.

1487
01:15:11,760 --> 01:15:15,199
Um the bigger concern unfortunately is

1488
01:15:15,199 --> 01:15:19,440
that while we received $383,000

1489
01:15:19,440 --> 01:15:23,360
in 24 according to this budget um he and

1490
01:15:23,360 --> 01:15:25,440
the select board presented a budget of

1491
01:15:25,440 --> 01:15:29,840
420,000 last year and only received

1492
01:15:29,840 --> 01:15:31,360
340,000.

1493
01:15:31,360 --> 01:15:33,679
So I think they've taken into

1494
01:15:33,679 --> 01:15:35,440
consideration

1495
01:15:35,440 --> 01:15:37,600
uh the fact that the pilot payment

1496
01:15:37,600 --> 01:15:40,400
formula is going to generate less money

1497
01:15:40,400 --> 01:15:45,199
than it has before. Um so it it is a

1498
01:15:45,199 --> 01:15:46,640
little bit of a concern but I think

1499
01:15:46,640 --> 01:15:48,080
they've addressed it.

1500
01:15:48,080 --> 01:15:49,760
>> Madam moderator, I'm happy to speak to

1501
01:15:49,760 --> 01:15:50,560
this.

1502
01:15:50,560 --> 01:15:53,440
>> Um yes, Miss Johnson, sorry I know it's

1503
01:15:53,440 --> 01:15:55,679
out of order. Um I just wanted to offer

1504
01:15:55,679 --> 01:15:57,600
on pilot specifically. I think the

1505
01:15:57,600 --> 01:15:59,360
significant error was actually with

1506
01:15:59,360 --> 01:16:01,280
regard to last year's budget and I think

1507
01:16:01,280 --> 01:16:03,600
that $420,000

1508
01:16:03,600 --> 01:16:05,679
number is part of the reason we're

1509
01:16:05,679 --> 01:16:09,120
looking at this. So, uh Tom Light's

1510
01:16:09,120 --> 01:16:11,440
reasoning when I asked him is that um

1511
01:16:11,440 --> 01:16:13,679
the pilot fund, the fund that the state

1512
01:16:13,679 --> 01:16:15,440
pays this out of, and I saw at least one

1513
01:16:15,440 --> 01:16:17,040
of our representatives has joined the

1514
01:16:17,040 --> 01:16:20,159
room, um is based on a formula. And so,

1515
01:16:20,159 --> 01:16:22,320
um the payment, as has been noted, is

1516
01:16:22,320 --> 01:16:24,000
decreased by the common level of

1517
01:16:24,000 --> 01:16:27,120
appraisal. Um if you look between 2024

1518
01:16:27,120 --> 01:16:28,960
and 2025

1519
01:16:28,960 --> 01:16:31,280
um without a change to that formula why

1520
01:16:31,280 --> 01:16:34,239
we budgeted for approximately $40,000

1521
01:16:34,239 --> 01:16:36,480
more revenue in my mind that was the

1522
01:16:36,480 --> 01:16:38,640
error um without that formula being

1523
01:16:38,640 --> 01:16:41,440
changed. I believe the reasoning was or

1524
01:16:41,440 --> 01:16:43,920
the thought Tom had was that because

1525
01:16:43,920 --> 01:16:46,159
more towns are adopting local option

1526
01:16:46,159 --> 01:16:48,239
taxes because it no longer requires a

1527
01:16:48,239 --> 01:16:51,360
charter change. He presumed perhaps that

1528
01:16:51,360 --> 01:16:52,960
there would be more money coming into

1529
01:16:52,960 --> 01:16:55,360
that fund and the formula would change.

1530
01:16:55,360 --> 01:16:57,679
No such change happened. So instead, we

1531
01:16:57,679 --> 01:16:59,920
were just looking at a decreasing common

1532
01:16:59,920 --> 01:17:01,440
level of appraisal. So again, we've

1533
01:17:01,440 --> 01:17:03,520
accounted for that moving forward. But I

1534
01:17:03,520 --> 01:17:05,120
think the large discrepancy this year

1535
01:17:05,120 --> 01:17:07,199
was due to last year's budget number.

1536
01:17:07,199 --> 01:17:08,640
And again, we've tried to account for

1537
01:17:08,640 --> 01:17:11,920
that moving forward.

1538
01:17:11,920 --> 01:17:13,840
>> You can ask another follow-up um

1539
01:17:13,840 --> 01:17:18,080
question um for Mr. Seplot.

1540
01:17:18,080 --> 01:17:21,440
And I apologize to Tom Glor now a known

1541
01:17:21,440 --> 01:17:24,960
entity so next year I I'll wear a sign.

1542
01:17:24,960 --> 01:17:29,280
Uh Mr. Sheplock again you referenced um

1543
01:17:29,280 --> 01:17:31,679
patterns in the past and when I look at

1544
01:17:31,679 --> 01:17:33,679
this I just want to know and I'm one of

1545
01:17:33,679 --> 01:17:35,840
those people that tabulate and go

1546
01:17:35,840 --> 01:17:38,960
through it. Um details matter and I

1547
01:17:38,960 --> 01:17:40,800
think you know that in a budget a

1548
01:17:40,800 --> 01:17:43,280
budget's not a blank check right. So, in

1549
01:17:43,280 --> 01:17:45,360
your experience,

1550
01:17:45,360 --> 01:17:47,199
when I look at these budgets, I look at

1551
01:17:47,199 --> 01:17:50,880
the 2024 actual, then the 2025 budget,

1552
01:17:50,880 --> 01:17:53,760
then the 2025 actual. And I noticed

1553
01:17:53,760 --> 01:17:56,640
before I even get to page 25, there are

1554
01:17:56,640 --> 01:18:00,320
many lines that are overspent in 25. Um,

1555
01:18:00,320 --> 01:18:03,440
I'm not really worried about the each,

1556
01:18:03,440 --> 01:18:06,960
it's the big each. And as a previous

1557
01:18:06,960 --> 01:18:09,520
town manager, how do you typically deal

1558
01:18:09,520 --> 01:18:11,440
with the debits and credits, the fact of

1559
01:18:11,440 --> 01:18:13,679
life changes that happen during the year

1560
01:18:13,679 --> 01:18:16,159
as we approach 2026

1561
01:18:16,159 --> 01:18:18,719
when we appear to be on path to be over

1562
01:18:18,719 --> 01:18:23,189
spent on the line items?

1563
01:18:23,199 --> 01:18:25,120
» Well, that that's a little bit of a

1564
01:18:25,120 --> 01:18:28,880
complicated question. Um, clearly a

1565
01:18:28,880 --> 01:18:31,840
budget is the best representation that

1566
01:18:31,840 --> 01:18:35,120
the manager and the board um expects

1567
01:18:35,120 --> 01:18:39,040
spending to be for the the the year that

1568
01:18:39,040 --> 01:18:42,560
we're in. So, it started January 1st, so

1569
01:18:42,560 --> 01:18:46,400
we've had two months of spending already

1570
01:18:46,400 --> 01:18:49,040
that have happened. The budget is put

1571
01:18:49,040 --> 01:18:52,239
together in December and January. And uh

1572
01:18:52,239 --> 01:18:54,880
you know, we didn't get it, but if we

1573
01:18:54,880 --> 01:18:57,760
were on a calendar year basis and we got

1574
01:18:57,760 --> 01:19:01,360
a huge blizzard that impacted us like it

1575
01:19:01,360 --> 01:19:04,320
did down in southern New England,

1576
01:19:04,320 --> 01:19:07,679
you know, we might be well ahead of uh

1577
01:19:07,679 --> 01:19:10,560
schedule in terms of our spending for

1578
01:19:10,560 --> 01:19:13,280
salaries and overtime and the like uh

1579
01:19:13,280 --> 01:19:16,719
for for the highway department. um if a

1580
01:19:16,719 --> 01:19:18,960
fire truck uh gets hit on the

1581
01:19:18,960 --> 01:19:21,280
interstate, which happened at least once

1582
01:19:21,280 --> 01:19:24,560
or twice in in my career, and uh you

1583
01:19:24,560 --> 01:19:26,000
know, you don't have it in the budget

1584
01:19:26,000 --> 01:19:28,800
that you have to uh pay a couple

1585
01:19:28,800 --> 01:19:31,360
hundred,000 to get a new truck, even

1586
01:19:31,360 --> 01:19:33,440
when you take into consideration

1587
01:19:33,440 --> 01:19:35,679
insurance because the insured value of

1588
01:19:35,679 --> 01:19:39,679
the a truck is usually less than the the

1589
01:19:39,679 --> 01:19:43,280
cost to replace that truck. So, um, if

1590
01:19:43,280 --> 01:19:46,000
there were times when, uh, we had an

1591
01:19:46,000 --> 01:19:47,679
unanticipated

1592
01:19:47,679 --> 01:19:50,560
significant overspending, I would report

1593
01:19:50,560 --> 01:19:52,159
that to the select board and I would

1594
01:19:52,159 --> 01:19:54,400
send a memo to all the department heads

1595
01:19:54,400 --> 01:19:56,480
and say, "We had an issue in the fire

1596
01:19:56,480 --> 01:19:58,400
department. I know you think the fire

1597
01:19:58,400 --> 01:20:00,480
department is its own department and it

1598
01:20:00,480 --> 01:20:02,320
doesn't affect the library or the

1599
01:20:02,320 --> 01:20:04,960
recreation department. However, we're

1600
01:20:04,960 --> 01:20:07,840
going to be $300,000 over in our budget.

1601
01:20:07,840 --> 01:20:09,520
So, everybody's got to pull back a

1602
01:20:09,520 --> 01:20:12,239
little bit." So, I'm sure that kind of

1603
01:20:12,239 --> 01:20:15,040
thing has happened here with Tom and

1604
01:20:15,040 --> 01:20:18,320
with with this select board. Um, so

1605
01:20:18,320 --> 01:20:20,320
that's the answer to that.

1606
01:20:20,320 --> 01:20:21,120
>> Thank you.

1607
01:20:21,120 --> 01:20:25,040
>> I I would make one uh correction to what

1608
01:20:25,040 --> 01:20:28,400
you said that we get to only vote yes or

1609
01:20:28,400 --> 01:20:30,800
no here. We actually get to amend the

1610
01:20:30,800 --> 01:20:32,800
budget here if you think that it needs

1611
01:20:32,800 --> 01:20:35,120
to be amended either up or down. And

1612
01:20:35,120 --> 01:20:36,880
that's why we had a discussion a year

1613
01:20:36,880 --> 01:20:40,000
ago about presenting the budget like

1614
01:20:40,000 --> 01:20:41,679
this where we can talk about it as

1615
01:20:41,679 --> 01:20:44,159
opposed to Australian dollar. So with

1616
01:20:44,159 --> 01:20:48,870
that I'll

1617
01:20:48,880 --> 01:20:52,159
» is there further discussion

1618
01:20:52,159 --> 01:20:57,110
we are um on article nine.

1619
01:20:57,120 --> 01:21:00,719
» Thanks Mrs. moderator. Um

1620
01:21:00,719 --> 01:21:03,440
>> Christian from Waterberry. Yeah. Hey,

1621
01:21:03,440 --> 01:21:05,840
everybody knows from the discussion that

1622
01:21:05,840 --> 01:21:08,640
just took place that uh our ensuing year

1623
01:21:08,640 --> 01:21:11,520
budget is a moving target.

1624
01:21:11,520 --> 01:21:13,280
Last year, I stood right here in front

1625
01:21:13,280 --> 01:21:15,840
of all you voters and suggested that if

1626
01:21:15,840 --> 01:21:18,560
the local options tax was used wisely

1627
01:21:18,560 --> 01:21:20,880
that the town municipal tax rate

1628
01:21:20,880 --> 01:21:22,719
shouldn't see an increase for at least

1629
01:21:22,719 --> 01:21:24,719
10 years.

1630
01:21:24,719 --> 01:21:27,760
Well, I have to apologize for that u

1631
01:21:27,760 --> 01:21:30,159
because of the way the the budget is

1632
01:21:30,159 --> 01:21:33,440
structured this year. So, and you can

1633
01:21:33,440 --> 01:21:35,760
correct me if I'm wrong, um, any of the

1634
01:21:35,760 --> 01:21:37,920
board members or even Mr. Sheffle, but

1635
01:21:37,920 --> 01:21:41,440
u, it seems like we rolled into 2025

1636
01:21:41,440 --> 01:21:44,080
with about a $400,000

1637
01:21:44,080 --> 01:21:47,199
surplus in the U local options tax and

1638
01:21:47,199 --> 01:21:49,120
then this year's local options tax

1639
01:21:49,120 --> 01:21:52,320
generated $935,000

1640
01:21:52,320 --> 01:21:55,920
for a total of $1.3 million of local

1641
01:21:55,920 --> 01:21:58,800
options tax. What bothers me about the

1642
01:21:58,800 --> 01:22:01,040
budget, even though it's, you know, if

1643
01:22:01,040 --> 01:22:03,760
you look at it, uh, in its entirety, it

1644
01:22:03,760 --> 01:22:05,760
seems like it's been structured very

1645
01:22:05,760 --> 01:22:09,360
well, the problem is we're still asking

1646
01:22:09,360 --> 01:22:11,360
for a 2.7%

1647
01:22:11,360 --> 01:22:12,960
increase.

1648
01:22:12,960 --> 01:22:15,760
That may not seem like much. It's

1649
01:22:15,760 --> 01:22:18,880
figured as a a typical cost of living

1650
01:22:18,880 --> 01:22:21,040
increase.

1651
01:22:21,040 --> 01:22:22,880
I've spent a lot of time in the last

1652
01:22:22,880 --> 01:22:26,239
week and a half talking to my neighbors.

1653
01:22:26,239 --> 01:22:30,000
About 10% of them are on the on are are

1654
01:22:30,000 --> 01:22:31,520
going to be packing up and leaving the

1655
01:22:31,520 --> 01:22:34,159
state, another 30% of them are

1656
01:22:34,159 --> 01:22:36,000
considering it.

1657
01:22:36,000 --> 01:22:37,760
So,

1658
01:22:37,760 --> 01:22:41,120
at this point, I think and then what we're seeing from our school

1659
01:22:41,120 --> 01:22:44,080
education tax increase and if anybody's

1660
01:22:44,080 --> 01:22:46,320
been watching some of the legislative

1661
01:22:46,320 --> 01:22:48,480
proposed bills, they're looking at

1662
01:22:48,480 --> 01:22:50,400
coming after our non-residential

1663
01:22:50,400 --> 01:22:52,880
properties from one end to the other,

1664
01:22:52,880 --> 01:22:55,520
obviously scaled differently depending

1665
01:22:55,520 --> 01:22:57,199
on whether you're an out ofstate owner

1666
01:22:57,199 --> 01:23:00,159
of that property or you're a resident of

1667
01:23:00,159 --> 01:23:02,400
the town.

1668
01:23:02,400 --> 01:23:04,080
Somehow, we got to stop the bleeding

1669
01:23:04,080 --> 01:23:05,280
here.

1670
01:23:05,280 --> 01:23:07,120
because it's just forcing out more

1671
01:23:07,120 --> 01:23:09,679
people out of this state than we think

1672
01:23:09,679 --> 01:23:11,760
we're bringing in or trying to help

1673
01:23:11,760 --> 01:23:14,960
bring in. The ones that are here are

1674
01:23:14,960 --> 01:23:17,040
struggling, a lot of them. I know I've

1675
01:23:17,040 --> 01:23:20,800
talked to them. So,

1676
01:23:20,800 --> 01:23:23,600
this particular budget for 2026 calls

1677
01:23:23,600 --> 01:23:27,040
for a 2.7% increase. I told the select

1678
01:23:27,040 --> 01:23:28,719
board there a few weeks ago that I was

1679
01:23:28,719 --> 01:23:32,320
going to ask for that to be reduced to a

1680
01:23:32,320 --> 01:23:36,400
0% increase at this particular meeting.

1681
01:23:36,400 --> 01:23:38,880
You can't there's no indication here on

1682
01:23:38,880 --> 01:23:42,239
2026 proposal of a projected fund

1683
01:23:42,239 --> 01:23:45,920
balance for the end of 26.

1684
01:23:45,920 --> 01:23:47,520
If we knew that, we might be able to

1685
01:23:47,520 --> 01:23:51,600
wipe that 2% 2.7% right out immediately

1686
01:23:51,600 --> 01:23:53,920
and even if we ended up with a 0% at the

1687
01:23:53,920 --> 01:23:56,239
end of 26, but we don't have that

1688
01:23:56,239 --> 01:23:58,639
information here. The other issue that's

1689
01:23:58,639 --> 01:24:02,960
not in this town report is the cost of

1690
01:24:02,960 --> 01:24:10,320
replacing the staff that we lost and the uh um training that's going to

1691
01:24:10,320 --> 01:24:13,199
involve in replacing those staff and

1692
01:24:13,199 --> 01:24:17,360
just the entire concept of the fluidity

1693
01:24:17,360 --> 01:24:20,159
once you get those people into those

1694
01:24:20,159 --> 01:24:23,679
positions and then make it all gel.

1695
01:24:23,679 --> 01:24:26,239
Off the top of my head, based on my 20

1696
01:24:26,239 --> 01:24:27,920
years of being involved in town

1697
01:24:27,920 --> 01:24:30,480
politics, I'm suggesting that it's going

1698
01:24:30,480 --> 01:24:34,480
to eat into $100,000 at least, probably

1699
01:24:34,480 --> 01:24:38,560
pretty hard. Um, so

1700
01:24:38,560 --> 01:24:42,400
I'm not going to call for that 2% 2.7%

1701
01:24:42,400 --> 01:24:45,520
uh increase to be wiped. I hope that the

1702
01:24:45,520 --> 01:24:48,080
in the the new board will look at that

1703
01:24:48,080 --> 01:24:50,719
and try to

1704
01:24:50,719 --> 01:24:52,880
mitigate through not only the

1705
01:24:52,880 --> 01:24:55,280
replacement costs of or the costs for

1706
01:24:55,280 --> 01:24:58,239
the training and the new staff and of

1707
01:24:58,239 --> 01:25:00,320
course I'm sure increases in pay will

1708
01:25:00,320 --> 01:25:02,880
come with that as well and other benefit

1709
01:25:02,880 --> 01:25:05,600
increases but um I just want everybody

1710
01:25:05,600 --> 01:25:07,679
to know that

1711
01:25:07,679 --> 01:25:10,480
I'd like to see this a 0% increase this

1712
01:25:10,480 --> 01:25:14,000
year uh in lie of the fact that we got

1713
01:25:14,000 --> 01:25:17,600
$1.3 million of additional taxes. The

1714
01:25:17,600 --> 01:25:19,360
cost of living increase doesn't take

1715
01:25:19,360 --> 01:25:22,320
into the fact that when every whenever

1716
01:25:22,320 --> 01:25:25,199
you go purchase something at the store,

1717
01:25:25,199 --> 01:25:26,639
that's another increase that's coming

1718
01:25:26,639 --> 01:25:28,400
out of your pocket that goes towards

1719
01:25:28,400 --> 01:25:30,560
that local options tax. So, that needs

1720
01:25:30,560 --> 01:25:32,639
to be considered when you're thinking

1721
01:25:32,639 --> 01:25:34,560
about it in your head as well because

1722
01:25:34,560 --> 01:25:37,679
that's also impacting your ability to

1723
01:25:37,679 --> 01:25:44,149
continue to stay here. Thank you.

1724
01:25:44,159 --> 01:25:49,189
Is there further discussion?

1725
01:25:49,199 --> 01:25:52,159
» Hi Karen Miller uh very senator and I

1726
01:25:52,159 --> 01:25:54,000
just want to touch on the thing about

1727
01:25:54,000 --> 01:25:56,320
yes or no for the budget. It's very

1728
01:25:56,320 --> 01:25:59,199
admirable that you can go to the budget

1729
01:25:59,199 --> 01:26:01,199
meetings and see what's happening and

1730
01:26:01,199 --> 01:26:03,440
hear what's happening but that's what

1731
01:26:03,440 --> 01:26:06,480
meeting is also for. There's uh I mean

1732
01:26:06,480 --> 01:26:07,760
that's the glorious thing about town

1733
01:26:07,760 --> 01:26:11,840
meeting. You can amend any single line

1734
01:26:11,840 --> 01:26:13,840
in the budget. I just want to be, you

1735
01:26:13,840 --> 01:26:16,560
know, clear and concise. It's not you're

1736
01:26:16,560 --> 01:26:18,800
voting yes or no. You do have the option

1737
01:26:18,800 --> 01:26:20,800
to look at each line and say, "Let's

1738
01:26:20,800 --> 01:26:23,120
talk about that." All right? Or or we

1739
01:26:23,120 --> 01:26:24,880
need to explore that more. I don't

1740
01:26:24,880 --> 01:26:26,719
understand what that line is being paid

1741
01:26:26,719 --> 01:26:28,320
for. So, I just wanted to bring up

1742
01:26:28,320 --> 01:26:31,040
again. is it's town meeting is

1743
01:26:31,040 --> 01:26:33,280
empowering and it's empowering you to

1744
01:26:33,280 --> 01:26:35,600
question and just because you didn't

1745
01:26:35,600 --> 01:26:37,520
attend every single budget meeting the

1746
01:26:37,520 --> 01:26:39,520
board did doesn't mean you don't have

1747
01:26:39,520 --> 01:26:51,750
the right to question the budget.

1748
01:26:51,760 --> 01:26:53,440
» Hi, my name is Kathy Murphy. here. I

1749
01:26:53,440 --> 01:26:55,040
live in Waterbury Center, but I own a

1750
01:26:55,040 --> 01:26:57,840
Stow Street Emporium in the village. And

1751
01:26:57,840 --> 01:27:01,040
Chris brought up the local option tax as

1752
01:27:01,040 --> 01:27:04,560
did um Alyssa. Very confused about it.

1753
01:27:04,560 --> 01:27:06,960
As a retailer, people ask me all the

1754
01:27:06,960 --> 01:27:09,600
time, what is this extra 1% I'm paying.

1755
01:27:09,600 --> 01:27:11,600
I struggle to be able to answer where

1756
01:27:11,600 --> 01:27:14,320
that money is going. It seems like we've

1757
01:27:14,320 --> 01:27:16,800
really taken in a lot of money, and I

1758
01:27:16,800 --> 01:27:19,760
thought that was going to go towards

1759
01:27:19,760 --> 01:27:21,920
other expenses. But if somebody could

1760
01:27:21,920 --> 01:27:23,920
clearly answer that for me, I'd really

1761
01:27:23,920 --> 01:27:27,350
appreciate it.

1762
01:27:27,360 --> 01:27:30,560
So, um, we will be discussing the local

1763
01:27:30,560 --> 01:27:34,880
option tax as part of article

1764
01:27:34,880 --> 01:27:38,229
15.

1765
01:27:38,239 --> 01:27:49,189
Um, further discussion on article 9.

1766
01:27:49,199 --> 01:27:51,760
Uh, Angela Wells, Waterberry Center, and

1767
01:27:51,760 --> 01:27:54,639
I have a question about the public

1768
01:27:54,639 --> 01:27:57,520
safety and adding Washington County

1769
01:27:57,520 --> 01:28:00,719
Sheriff's Road Patrol Service

1770
01:28:00,719 --> 01:28:02,560
for $75,000

1771
01:28:02,560 --> 01:28:04,960
in addition to the embedded trooper

1772
01:28:04,960 --> 01:28:06,719
program,

1773
01:28:06,719 --> 01:28:10,080
uh, which is 477,

1774
01:28:10,080 --> 01:28:11,840
uh, bringing

1775
01:28:11,840 --> 01:28:19,990
law enforcement up over 550,000.

1776
01:28:20,000 --> 01:28:23,199
What are what are the hours? What are

1777
01:28:23,199 --> 01:28:26,159
the numbers? Do we get that revenue

1778
01:28:26,159 --> 01:28:30,000
back? I'm less concerned about having to

1779
01:28:30,000 --> 01:28:32,880
help our embedded troopers for their

1780
01:28:32,880 --> 01:28:35,280
sick pay or vacation pay or training. I

1781
01:28:35,280 --> 01:28:38,080
mean, I as an employee get that, too.

1782
01:28:38,080 --> 01:28:41,120
But I'm wondering,

1783
01:28:41,120 --> 01:28:44,159
crime is increasing. We have more

1784
01:28:44,159 --> 01:28:47,040
traffic. We're a destination.

1785
01:28:47,040 --> 01:28:50,719
We're a link between, you know, Stowe,

1786
01:28:50,719 --> 01:28:54,480
the Mad River Valley. Um, so my question

1787
01:28:54,480 --> 01:28:56,800
is, what are the hours? What are the

1788
01:28:56,800 --> 01:28:59,120
sheriff's going to be doing? Is it only

1789
01:28:59,120 --> 01:29:02,000
road patrol ticketing? Are they going to

1790
01:29:02,000 --> 01:29:05,199
be investigating other crimes,

1791
01:29:05,199 --> 01:29:07,840
responding? Are they covering what

1792
01:29:07,840 --> 01:29:10,159
hours?

1793
01:29:10,159 --> 01:29:13,120
Um, I really I like our troopers, but I

1794
01:29:13,120 --> 01:29:15,199
just don't see them very often. And I

1795
01:29:15,199 --> 01:29:19,120
know that VSP is spread thin over the

1796
01:29:19,120 --> 01:29:23,040
state. Um, so it's not really on them

1797
01:29:23,040 --> 01:29:27,360
that we don't see them very much. Um,

1798
01:29:27,360 --> 01:29:30,400
and then as a follow-up question, is the

1799
01:29:30,400 --> 01:29:33,040
select board looking at reestablishing

1800
01:29:33,040 --> 01:29:35,840
our own police department?

1801
01:29:35,840 --> 01:29:40,000
I mean what which is a huge expense but

1802
01:29:40,000 --> 01:29:42,000
this just

1803
01:29:42,000 --> 01:29:46,960
we seem to be adding new things without

1804
01:29:46,960 --> 01:29:50,080
looking at existing problems that we

1805
01:29:50,080 --> 01:29:52,639
seem to just kick down the roof.

1806
01:29:52,639 --> 01:29:54,480
>> Thank you. Um is there a member of the

1807
01:29:54,480 --> 01:29:55,760
select board who would like to respond

1808
01:29:55,760 --> 01:30:00,470
to that question?

1809
01:30:00,480 --> 01:30:03,199
» Mr. Bar.

1810
01:30:03,199 --> 01:30:08,000
Thank you madam moderator. Just as a

1811
01:30:08,000 --> 01:30:11,440
uh responding to that, we too understand

1812
01:30:11,440 --> 01:30:15,199
that there are especially issues with

1813
01:30:15,199 --> 01:30:17,280
lifestyle kind of things, speeding in

1814
01:30:17,280 --> 01:30:20,639
town, parking, etc. And that's one of

1815
01:30:20,639 --> 01:30:24,800
the reasons why we've added that $75,000

1816
01:30:24,800 --> 01:30:26,960
for the sheriff's department as kind of

1817
01:30:26,960 --> 01:30:29,440
a pilot program to see if that's going

1818
01:30:29,440 --> 01:30:33,120
to help stem some of the lifestyle

1819
01:30:33,120 --> 01:30:34,880
things.

1820
01:30:34,880 --> 01:30:37,040
People don't realize the cost of

1821
01:30:37,040 --> 01:30:41,840
policing. If we went to a fullervice

1822
01:30:41,840 --> 01:30:43,760
police department,

1823
01:30:43,760 --> 01:30:47,360
not only with startup for equipment,

1824
01:30:47,360 --> 01:30:51,600
etc. Uh we're looking at probably

1825
01:30:51,600 --> 01:30:54,320
multi-million dollar budget for for a

1826
01:30:54,320 --> 01:30:57,280
fullervice police department. Uh small

1827
01:30:57,280 --> 01:31:00,239
departments don't function very well. Uh

1828
01:31:00,239 --> 01:31:03,280
they have, you know, police have a lot

1829
01:31:03,280 --> 01:31:05,600
of training requirements. We would be

1830
01:31:05,600 --> 01:31:08,000
responsible for that. The troopers

1831
01:31:08,000 --> 01:31:11,040
already have that kind of uh training as

1832
01:31:11,040 --> 01:31:13,760
well as the deputies if we feel that

1833
01:31:13,760 --> 01:31:17,520
there was additional uh policing needed.

1834
01:31:17,520 --> 01:31:19,360
That's one reason where we would go next

1835
01:31:19,360 --> 01:31:22,880
year to maybe increasing that uh the uh

1836
01:31:22,880 --> 01:31:25,679
budget for the uh sheriff's department

1837
01:31:25,679 --> 01:31:28,480
to aid the troopers in what they do.

1838
01:31:28,480 --> 01:31:30,400
They just don't have enough time in the

1839
01:31:30,400 --> 01:31:33,600
day. The troopers, you know, between uh

1840
01:31:33,600 --> 01:31:36,400
drugs and other kind of, you know,

1841
01:31:36,400 --> 01:31:39,600
enforcement issues. Uh we're actually to

1842
01:31:39,600 --> 01:31:42,400
me getting a great deal with what I know

1843
01:31:42,400 --> 01:31:44,639
people think, oh a half a half a million

1844
01:31:44,639 --> 01:31:47,679
dollars is, you know, a lot of money.

1845
01:31:47,679 --> 01:31:50,239
That's just it's very little compared to

1846
01:31:50,239 --> 01:31:52,480
what we would have to pay with a full

1847
01:31:52,480 --> 01:32:00,480
service and that would really have an a delirious effect on our tax rate.

1848
01:32:00,480 --> 01:32:02,320
>> Thank you.

1849
01:32:02,320 --> 01:32:04,480
>> Um

1850
01:32:04,480 --> 01:32:07,040
thank you. Um I think Miss Johnson, did

1851
01:32:07,040 --> 01:32:09,679
you want to um speak to that?

1852
01:32:09,679 --> 01:32:11,520
>> Sure. Yeah. So I wanted to just start to

1853
01:32:11,520 --> 01:32:13,360
clarify for folks that the state police

1854
01:32:13,360 --> 01:32:15,520
contract is included in public safety.

1855
01:32:15,520 --> 01:32:17,600
The pilot with the sheriff's office is

1856
01:32:17,600 --> 01:32:19,360
something we're proposing to fund out of

1857
01:32:19,360 --> 01:32:21,440
the local option tax with Kathy spoke

1858
01:32:21,440 --> 01:32:23,040
to. So for folks looking that's an

1859
01:32:23,040 --> 01:32:25,679
article 15 that we'll talk about later.

1860
01:32:25,679 --> 01:32:28,159
I will say the sentence you said about

1861
01:32:28,159 --> 01:32:30,320
um awareness and presence. So the state

1862
01:32:30,320 --> 01:32:33,040
police contract is 80 hours a week for

1863
01:32:33,040 --> 01:32:35,120
those two officers. It includes their

1864
01:32:35,120 --> 01:32:37,120
vehicle. It includes their leave time.

1865
01:32:37,120 --> 01:32:39,040
Again, we recognize they sometimes are

1866
01:32:39,040 --> 01:32:41,360
called away um for other things. And

1867
01:32:41,360 --> 01:32:43,679
though there is a mechanism to not have

1868
01:32:43,679 --> 01:32:45,600
the town charged for that, in general,

1869
01:32:45,600 --> 01:32:47,840
we have less control over that. With a

1870
01:32:47,840 --> 01:32:49,600
sheriff contract, which again is not in

1871
01:32:49,600 --> 01:32:52,560
this item, but for 15, we are build only

1872
01:32:52,560 --> 01:32:55,120
for the actual hours served in the

1873
01:32:55,120 --> 01:32:56,960
community and we have the ability to

1874
01:32:56,960 --> 01:32:59,840
tailor and target. So again, I recognize

1875
01:32:59,840 --> 01:33:01,360
it's the challenge because these are in

1876
01:33:01,360 --> 01:33:03,360
two different areas in terms of talking

1877
01:33:03,360 --> 01:33:05,840
to this, but the goal of that pilot was

1878
01:33:05,840 --> 01:33:07,520
to have more information for the

1879
01:33:07,520 --> 01:33:10,000
community again to say is this serving

1880
01:33:10,000 --> 01:33:11,760
the needs more appropriately and

1881
01:33:11,760 --> 01:33:13,760
something that could be scaled up or

1882
01:33:13,760 --> 01:33:15,760
considered in future years as we don't

1883
01:33:15,760 --> 01:33:19,440
have any contract with them right now.

1884
01:33:19,440 --> 01:33:20,960
>> Thank you. Do we have further

1885
01:33:20,960 --> 01:33:22,960
discussion?

1886
01:33:22,960 --> 01:33:25,600
Um there's several people I think um you

1887
01:33:25,600 --> 01:33:28,639
were standing there for a long time.

1888
01:33:28,639 --> 01:33:29,840
Would you like to come up?

1889
01:33:29,840 --> 01:33:35,990
>> Well, I don't know that I'd like to, but

1890
01:33:36,000 --> 01:33:38,080
» good morning.

1891
01:33:38,080 --> 01:33:40,320
My name is Peter. I'm your beekeeper on

1892
01:33:40,320 --> 01:33:46,870
Guild Hill.

1893
01:33:46,880 --> 01:33:49,040
» Okay. Is that more better?

1894
01:33:49,040 --> 01:33:54,159
>> Okay. um our local option tax years ago,

1895
01:33:54,159 --> 01:33:57,520
3, four years ago, the come on was we're

1896
01:33:57,520 --> 01:33:59,679
going to have a local option tax. We're

1897
01:33:59,679 --> 01:34:01,760
going to have more revenue. We're going

1898
01:34:01,760 --> 01:34:04,400
to pay down the municipal debt and we're

1899
01:34:04,400 --> 01:34:07,040
going to hold the line on spending and

1900
01:34:07,040 --> 01:34:10,320
no more tax increases. Well, here we

1901
01:34:10,320 --> 01:34:13,600
are. Taxes are going up. That was so

1902
01:34:13,600 --> 01:34:17,280
much Hulum. Municipal debt is going up.

1903
01:34:17,280 --> 01:34:20,320
We're borrowing money against money that

1904
01:34:20,320 --> 01:34:23,040
we might be getting from the low block

1905
01:34:23,040 --> 01:34:24,960
tax.

1906
01:34:24,960 --> 01:34:28,320
Now we've gone from a volunteer select

1907
01:34:28,320 --> 01:34:33,280
board to a professional select board.

1908
01:34:33,280 --> 01:34:34,800
Somewhere

1909
01:34:34,800 --> 01:34:40,880
I think the residents of Waterberry Center ought to start

1910
01:34:40,880 --> 01:34:43,360
thinking about the money we're spending,

1911
01:34:43,360 --> 01:34:45,520
what we're getting our bang for our

1912
01:34:45,520 --> 01:34:50,080
buck. I don't see any profit in going

1913
01:34:50,080 --> 01:34:53,760
further in debt. I don't mean to be the

1914
01:34:53,760 --> 01:34:56,480
bearer of bad tidings,

1915
01:34:56,480 --> 01:34:58,800
but I'm afraid little by little we're

1916
01:34:58,800 --> 01:35:01,360
digging ourselves a hole that's going to

1917
01:35:01,360 --> 01:35:03,679
be awfully hard to climb out of. Thank

1918
01:35:03,679 --> 01:35:06,400
you for your time.

1919
01:35:06,400 --> 01:35:10,229
>> Is there further discussion?

1920
01:35:10,239 --> 01:35:11,760
» You can come up to the microphone. There

1921
01:35:11,760 --> 01:35:13,360
are several people with hands raised.

1922
01:35:13,360 --> 01:35:16,870
So,

1923
01:35:16,880 --> 01:35:18,960
» hi. Um, can you hear me?

1924
01:35:18,960 --> 01:35:19,360
>> Yes.

1925
01:35:19,360 --> 01:35:21,440
>> Perfect. Um, my name is Michelle Downey,

1926
01:35:21,440 --> 01:35:24,080
Barber Center, and I wish this was after

1927
01:35:24,080 --> 01:35:25,760
I believe Karen in the green was up

1928
01:35:25,760 --> 01:35:27,040
here. This would have been much better

1929
01:35:27,040 --> 01:35:29,360
timed. But I'm here actually on behalf

1930
01:35:29,360 --> 01:35:31,520
of supporting what Karen had suggested,

1931
01:35:31,520 --> 01:35:33,920
which is figuring out a better way to

1932
01:35:33,920 --> 01:35:35,520
talk about all of the articles that

1933
01:35:35,520 --> 01:35:37,920
we're that we're addressing today. And

1934
01:35:37,920 --> 01:35:39,760
one of those ways that we can do that is

1935
01:35:39,760 --> 01:35:41,920
joining the Waterberry Town Study um

1936
01:35:41,920 --> 01:35:43,760
meeting commission, which I'm thankful

1937
01:35:43,760 --> 01:35:45,440
to be a part of. We're actually looking

1938
01:35:45,440 --> 01:35:48,639
for four additional people to join um to

1939
01:35:48,639 --> 01:35:52,320
join us. And so um we meet monthly over

1940
01:35:52,320 --> 01:35:53,840
the next six months to figure out ways

1941
01:35:53,840 --> 01:35:55,600
in which we can find compromise between

1942
01:35:55,600 --> 01:35:57,600
current town meeting structure and

1943
01:35:57,600 --> 01:35:59,199
Australian ballot. So if you're

1944
01:35:59,199 --> 01:36:00,960
interested, please um come find me at

1945
01:36:00,960 --> 01:36:04,320
some point today. Thanks.

1946
01:36:04,320 --> 01:36:06,080
>> Thank you, Miss Downing. Is there

1947
01:36:06,080 --> 01:36:11,350
further discussion?

1948
01:36:11,360 --> 01:36:13,280
» My name is Kathy Grace and I live on

1949
01:36:13,280 --> 01:36:14,880
South Main Street and I just want to peg

1950
01:36:14,880 --> 01:36:17,920
you back on what Angela Wells said. Um I

1951
01:36:17,920 --> 01:36:21,120
live in the village and until the last

1952
01:36:21,120 --> 01:36:23,199
couple years there didn't seem to be so

1953
01:36:23,199 --> 01:36:25,600
much crime as there has. I just want to

1954
01:36:25,600 --> 01:36:26,639
tell you about something that happened

1955
01:36:26,639 --> 01:36:30,239
this summer. but a 15year-old boy that

1956
01:36:30,239 --> 01:36:33,840
um had moved here from another town into

1957
01:36:33,840 --> 01:36:36,639
the subsidized housing. And my

1958
01:36:36,639 --> 01:36:38,639
grandchildren were swimming in our pool

1959
01:36:38,639 --> 01:36:42,239
and all of a sudden this kid goes across

1960
01:36:42,239 --> 01:36:45,679
our yard followed by three policemen and

1961
01:36:45,679 --> 01:36:48,000
they tackled him and what had happened

1962
01:36:48,000 --> 01:36:50,159
is he actually had a gun and they took

1963
01:36:50,159 --> 01:36:52,480
the gun away from him and he'd been

1964
01:36:52,480 --> 01:36:54,560
breaking into some of the houses on

1965
01:36:54,560 --> 01:36:57,920
South Main Street. So I and we've also

1966
01:36:57,920 --> 01:37:00,880
as much of the village now has seen we

1967
01:37:00,880 --> 01:37:02,880
have constant breakins in cars and

1968
01:37:02,880 --> 01:37:05,520
things. So I'm concerned whether even

1969
01:37:05,520 --> 01:37:08,480
with the contract with the um church

1970
01:37:08,480 --> 01:37:10,400
department if we're going to have enough

1971
01:37:10,400 --> 01:37:13,119
coverage given what I've seen over the

1972
01:37:13,119 --> 01:37:15,920
last couple years which also begs do we

1973
01:37:15,920 --> 01:37:19,520
need uh you know 90 more housing units

1974
01:37:19,520 --> 01:37:22,320
without an increase in policing to add

1975
01:37:22,320 --> 01:37:24,880
more issues to the village. So could

1976
01:37:24,880 --> 01:37:26,960
somebody answer that please?

1977
01:37:26,960 --> 01:37:29,119
>> Um

1978
01:37:29,119 --> 01:37:32,639
you brought up several um points um and

1979
01:37:32,639 --> 01:37:35,040
I think they are actually

1980
01:37:35,040 --> 01:37:36,719
in other articles that we'll be

1981
01:37:36,719 --> 01:37:40,159
discussing those points. Um

1982
01:37:40,159 --> 01:37:43,119
so unless a select board member wants to

1983
01:37:43,119 --> 01:37:44,880
respond I think that will come up as we

1984
01:37:44,880 --> 01:37:47,280
go through um some of the additional

1985
01:37:47,280 --> 01:37:52,149
articles.

1986
01:37:52,159 --> 01:37:54,159
Is there further discussion on article

1987
01:37:54,159 --> 01:37:55,840
nine?

1988
01:37:55,840 --> 01:37:57,440
>> Um,

1989
01:37:57,440 --> 01:37:59,119
>> yeah, Mr. Sheffllock has already spoken

1990
01:37:59,119 --> 01:38:00,560
once, so if there's another person who

1991
01:38:00,560 --> 01:38:06,149
would like to speak, please go ahead.

1992
01:38:06,159 --> 01:38:09,760
» Good morning, Cheryl Glor. Um, just a

1993
01:38:09,760 --> 01:38:12,400
question on page 23 regarding the

1994
01:38:12,400 --> 01:38:14,800
recreation facility planning and

1995
01:38:14,800 --> 01:38:19,199
estimating. We budgeted 175 uh last

1996
01:38:19,199 --> 01:38:22,159
year. I don't see it expended and I have

1997
01:38:22,159 --> 01:38:24,800
a note here working on potential figures

1998
01:38:24,800 --> 01:38:29,040
for 2026 but it's blank. Um has that

1999
01:38:29,040 --> 01:38:31,440
been sidelined? I know we're trying to

2000
01:38:31,440 --> 01:38:33,600
build direct department back up in the

2001
01:38:33,600 --> 01:38:37,119
program. So um is that money reserved

2002
01:38:37,119 --> 01:38:38,800
and we're going to further explore this

2003
01:38:38,800 --> 01:38:42,560
in 2026. Um but I see nothing budgeted

2004
01:38:42,560 --> 01:38:45,040
for 2026. So just question.

2005
01:38:45,040 --> 01:38:46,320
>> Thank you. Is there a member of the

2006
01:38:46,320 --> 01:38:48,080
select board who can respond to that

2007
01:38:48,080 --> 01:38:53,360
inquiry? On page 23, the 2026 budget for

2008
01:38:53,360 --> 01:38:55,360
recreation facility planning and

2009
01:38:55,360 --> 01:38:57,360
estimating. Yep. So once again, these

2010
01:38:57,360 --> 01:38:59,600
are local option tax expenses. Those

2011
01:38:59,600 --> 01:39:01,679
will be covered in article 15, but the

2012
01:39:01,679 --> 01:39:04,639
175 was last year from the 2025 budget,

2013
01:39:04,639 --> 01:39:06,400
and there is no funding proposed for a

2014
01:39:06,400 --> 01:39:11,350
recreation facility this year.

2015
01:39:11,360 --> 01:39:13,440
» Is there further discussion? Is there

2016
01:39:13,440 --> 01:39:16,639
anyone who has not spoken a first time

2017
01:39:16,639 --> 01:39:18,239
who would like to speak for a first

2018
01:39:18,239 --> 01:39:25,910
time?

2019
01:39:25,920 --> 01:39:27,280
Why don't you come on up to the

2020
01:39:27,280 --> 01:39:35,750
microphone? Thank you,

2021
01:39:35,760 --> 01:39:41,510
» Madam.

2022
01:39:41,520 --> 01:39:43,119
How about now?

2023
01:39:43,119 --> 01:39:44,960
I'm Billy Bingdorf from Waterberry. I'm

2024
01:39:44,960 --> 01:39:46,320
on the planning commission. I'm not

2025
01:39:46,320 --> 01:39:48,159
speaking on behalf of the commission at

2026
01:39:48,159 --> 01:39:50,080
all. But for the last year, I've

2027
01:39:50,080 --> 01:39:52,080
listened to great ideas about what we

2028
01:39:52,080 --> 01:39:54,400
need in town, how many things we want to

2029
01:39:54,400 --> 01:39:57,360
do. And nobody talks about how to spend

2030
01:39:57,360 --> 01:39:59,600
money to do it or how we spend it. So

2031
01:39:59,600 --> 01:40:01,440
there's a tension in the room when we

2032
01:40:01,440 --> 01:40:04,480
talk about we want to reduce our taxes,

2033
01:40:04,480 --> 01:40:06,560
but where's the line item of the

2034
01:40:06,560 --> 01:40:08,639
services that we're going to forgo? So

2035
01:40:08,639 --> 01:40:10,560
if we're going to either challenge the

2036
01:40:10,560 --> 01:40:12,080
budget, the real way to do it if you

2037
01:40:12,080 --> 01:40:13,679
want to reduce spending or reduce the

2038
01:40:13,679 --> 01:40:15,920
growth of spending is to actually decide

2039
01:40:15,920 --> 01:40:18,239
what services we do not want to have

2040
01:40:18,239 --> 01:40:21,600
less of. Fewer plows, fewer roads, fewer

2041
01:40:21,600 --> 01:40:24,159
fire trucks. When I look at these lines,

2042
01:40:24,159 --> 01:40:26,000
it's hard to see things that we don't

2043
01:40:26,000 --> 01:40:28,480
really want. So when you know we have we

2044
01:40:28,480 --> 01:40:30,960
have so the debate should really be what

2045
01:40:30,960 --> 01:40:33,520
less we want, not less what do you

2046
01:40:33,520 --> 01:40:38,870
attach to. Thank you.

2047
01:40:38,880 --> 01:40:40,880
Is there any other um further

2048
01:40:40,880 --> 01:40:43,119
discussion? Anybody who has not had a

2049
01:40:43,119 --> 01:40:45,440
chance yet to speak for a first time, go

2050
01:40:45,440 --> 01:40:51,270
ahead.

2051
01:40:51,280 --> 01:40:54,560
» My name is Sandy Sen from War Center. Um

2052
01:40:54,560 --> 01:40:59,760
I have a quick check on um number 20 on

2053
01:40:59,760 --> 01:41:03,440
page 23 about the local options tax. It

2054
01:41:03,440 --> 01:41:07,040
has the adopted budget uh 2025 budget

2055
01:41:07,040 --> 01:41:09,520
but it doesn't have the actual figure

2056
01:41:09,520 --> 01:41:12,880
and I'm just wondering why.

2057
01:41:12,880 --> 01:41:16,000
Um so we will be discussing the local

2058
01:41:16,000 --> 01:41:19,600
option tax as part of article 15 I

2059
01:41:19,600 --> 01:41:22,000
think. Is there a quick answer to that

2060
01:41:22,000 --> 01:41:27,750
question from the select board?

2061
01:41:27,760 --> 01:41:29,760
Um no. So we'll we'll discuss that at

2062
01:41:29,760 --> 01:41:31,440
article

2063
01:41:31,440 --> 01:41:35,430
15. Any

2064
01:41:35,440 --> 01:41:37,119
further discussion? Anyone who has not

2065
01:41:37,119 --> 01:41:42,870
had a chance to speak for a first time.

2066
01:41:42,880 --> 01:41:44,639
Okay. U Mr. Shappelock, would you like

2067
01:41:44,639 --> 01:41:48,480
to speak for your second time?

2068
01:41:48,480 --> 01:41:53,119
>> Yeah. Still Bill Shappel. um to try to

2069
01:41:53,119 --> 01:41:56,800
um uh point back to Chris's Chris

2070
01:41:56,800 --> 01:42:00,560
Vienza's question about the um fund

2071
01:42:00,560 --> 01:42:03,600
balance and a little bit to disagree

2072
01:42:03,600 --> 01:42:07,760
with Mr. Big Door. I agree with Billy

2073
01:42:07,760 --> 01:42:09,840
when he says we should talk about what

2074
01:42:09,840 --> 01:42:13,760
services we don't want if we have to

2075
01:42:13,760 --> 01:42:17,040
just um either raise taxes or cut

2076
01:42:17,040 --> 01:42:20,320
services. What I'm not sure of, and

2077
01:42:20,320 --> 01:42:22,320
again I I mentioned this to the select

2078
01:42:22,320 --> 01:42:25,119
board before the meeting started, but I

2079
01:42:25,119 --> 01:42:29,920
cannot find anywhere in the 2026

2080
01:42:29,920 --> 01:42:34,159
budget any reference to what our general

2081
01:42:34,159 --> 01:42:38,400
fund fund balance is. Um, if you look on

2082
01:42:38,400 --> 01:42:40,159
page

2083
01:42:40,159 --> 01:42:46,550
uh 21,

2084
01:42:46,560 --> 01:42:49,440
you'll see on line number 23, which is

2085
01:42:49,440 --> 01:42:52,639
about 2/ird of the way down that page,

2086
01:42:52,639 --> 01:42:55,440
it says that we are proposing to use

2087
01:42:55,440 --> 01:42:59,430
$87,8650

2088
01:42:59,440 --> 01:43:03,280
of the general fund balance to reduce

2089
01:43:03,280 --> 01:43:07,520
taxes. So, uh, our our grand list is

2090
01:43:07,520 --> 01:43:10,080
about 8,600,000

2091
01:43:10,080 --> 01:43:14,719
or 8,800,000 right now. So, that 80 that

2092
01:43:14,719 --> 01:43:17,199
80 um

2093
01:43:17,199 --> 01:43:21,840
use of fund balance uh 85,700

2094
01:43:21,840 --> 01:43:25,040
is that the number? Yeah. 85,759

2095
01:43:25,040 --> 01:43:29,520
on line 23. That's that's one penny. If

2096
01:43:29,520 --> 01:43:33,199
we didn't use that $85,000 to reduce,

2097
01:43:33,199 --> 01:43:36,960
you know, to help uh pay for the 2026

2098
01:43:36,960 --> 01:43:40,080
budget, our our our tax rate would have

2099
01:43:40,080 --> 01:43:43,280
to be one penny higher. If you look over

2100
01:43:43,280 --> 01:43:46,320
at page 43,

2101
01:43:46,320 --> 01:43:48,159
and Paul Willard will ask for his

2102
01:43:48,159 --> 01:43:50,239
magnifying glass when he looks at page

2103
01:43:50,239 --> 01:43:53,350
43,

2104
01:43:53,360 --> 01:43:55,760
that first column there is the general

2105
01:43:55,760 --> 01:43:57,360
fund.

2106
01:43:57,360 --> 01:44:00,719
At the end of 2024,

2107
01:44:00,719 --> 01:44:03,199
the audit report that we got from

2108
01:44:03,199 --> 01:44:06,639
Southern Empower, our CPA, said at the

2109
01:44:06,639 --> 01:44:08,560
end of 2024,

2110
01:44:08,560 --> 01:44:12,960
coming into 2025, we had 848,000.

2111
01:44:12,960 --> 01:44:15,280
So almost $850,000

2112
01:44:15,280 --> 01:44:17,920
of of fund balance.

2113
01:44:17,920 --> 01:44:20,320
There's nowhere in this book that I can

2114
01:44:20,320 --> 01:44:24,480
find that tells us what the current end

2115
01:44:24,480 --> 01:44:29,760
of the year 2025 fund balance is. Um, a

2116
01:44:29,760 --> 01:44:32,719
couple of weeks ago when I started this

2117
01:44:32,719 --> 01:44:34,880
new job of mine, the balance sheet said

2118
01:44:34,880 --> 01:44:39,590
that we had negative $477,000.

2119
01:44:39,600 --> 01:44:42,880
I worked through that for about three

2120
01:44:42,880 --> 01:44:46,560
days and because of some mistakes with

2121
01:44:46,560 --> 01:44:50,400
regard to uh the the school taxes that

2122
01:44:50,400 --> 01:44:54,400
were paid, we fixed that and I believe

2123
01:44:54,400 --> 01:44:57,119
that the fund balance is somewhere

2124
01:44:57,119 --> 01:45:00,719
between $450 and $600,000

2125
01:45:00,719 --> 01:45:03,199
ending 2025.

2126
01:45:03,199 --> 01:45:10,229
So if you look back at page 35,

2127
01:45:10,239 --> 01:45:14,000
at the bottom of page 35, you see our

2128
01:45:14,000 --> 01:45:16,000
grand list, the municipal grand list,

2129
01:45:16,000 --> 01:45:18,639
8,66,000.

2130
01:45:18,639 --> 01:45:20,159
So

2131
01:45:20,159 --> 01:45:23,280
to Chris Vienza's point,

2132
01:45:23,280 --> 01:45:25,840
um the tax rate that the select board is

2133
01:45:25,840 --> 01:45:27,840
proposing this year, and that's back on

2134
01:45:27,840 --> 01:45:34,159
page 21, is um is 57 cents. I think last

2135
01:45:34,159 --> 01:45:40,320
year it was $55 I mean 55.5.

2136
01:45:40,320 --> 01:45:43,840
So there's a 1.5 cent increase between

2137
01:45:43,840 --> 01:45:46,800
last year's taxes and this.

2138
01:45:46,800 --> 01:45:50,960
If you've got five or $600,000 of

2139
01:45:50,960 --> 01:45:53,440
year-end fund balance,

2140
01:45:53,440 --> 01:45:56,159
you could use $120,000 of that fund

2141
01:45:56,159 --> 01:45:58,719
balance and that that would reduce your

2142
01:45:58,719 --> 01:46:02,960
taxes by 1.5 cents. So,

2143
01:46:02,960 --> 01:46:05,520
we don't have all the information in the

2144
01:46:05,520 --> 01:46:08,000
talent report that we need to make these

2145
01:46:08,000 --> 01:46:11,760
decisions, unfortunately. Um,

2146
01:46:11,760 --> 01:46:15,119
a lot of towns keep a significant

2147
01:46:15,119 --> 01:46:17,199
percentage of their general fund budget

2148
01:46:17,199 --> 01:46:20,080
as a fund balance. CPAs, the Vermont

2149
01:46:20,080 --> 01:46:22,560
League cities and towns suggest that

2150
01:46:22,560 --> 01:46:25,119
maybe you should have 5% of your budget

2151
01:46:25,119 --> 01:46:29,119
as a fund balance. Um, Waterbury has

2152
01:46:29,119 --> 01:46:31,440
several reserve funds. We've got a tax

2153
01:46:31,440 --> 01:46:33,440
stabilization fund that's over a million

2154
01:46:33,440 --> 01:46:36,400
dollars. We have a library fund that's

2155
01:46:36,400 --> 01:46:39,280
over $800,000. We have a cemetery fund

2156
01:46:39,280 --> 01:46:39,520
balance,

2157
01:46:39,520 --> 01:46:42,000
>> Mr. Shepher. 30 second warning, Mr.

2158
01:46:42,000 --> 01:46:42,639
Shephel.

2159
01:46:42,639 --> 01:46:45,920
>> Okay. So, anyway, um I'm not sure that

2160
01:46:45,920 --> 01:46:48,800
we need to have an unrestricted fund

2161
01:46:48,800 --> 01:46:51,920
balance in our general fund of four or

2162
01:46:51,920 --> 01:46:54,320
five or $600,000.

2163
01:46:54,320 --> 01:46:59,840
We could use some of it if we wanted to reduce our tax rate without having to

2164
01:46:59,840 --> 01:47:02,960
reduce the services that Mr. Bigor

2165
01:47:02,960 --> 01:47:06,639
suggested we should fund.

2166
01:47:06,639 --> 01:47:14,870
Thank you. Is there further discussion?

2167
01:47:14,880 --> 01:47:16,880
» Yeah, Christian from Waterberry again.

2168
01:47:16,880 --> 01:47:18,960
Uh I just wanted to respond to Bill as

2169
01:47:18,960 --> 01:47:22,159
well. Um

2170
01:47:22,159 --> 01:47:23,840
looking at the budget, reducing the

2171
01:47:23,840 --> 01:47:25,840
budget doesn't necessarily mean reducing

2172
01:47:25,840 --> 01:47:28,639
services. I can tell you right now

2173
01:47:28,639 --> 01:47:30,639
without really looking into it, uh

2174
01:47:30,639 --> 01:47:33,679
there's a line item in our town report

2175
01:47:33,679 --> 01:47:36,719
for concrete sidewalks.

2176
01:47:36,719 --> 01:47:39,440
I asked for the information from our

2177
01:47:39,440 --> 01:47:42,000
former town manager. How many feet of

2178
01:47:42,000 --> 01:47:43,760
sidewalk are you planning on doing this

2179
01:47:43,760 --> 01:47:45,760
year there? He didn't have that

2180
01:47:45,760 --> 01:47:47,440
information, but said he would get it

2181
01:47:47,440 --> 01:47:49,760
for me. After doing a little bit of

2182
01:47:49,760 --> 01:47:51,440
research myself, because I own my own

2183
01:47:51,440 --> 01:47:55,840
concrete business for 10 years, uh

2184
01:47:55,840 --> 01:47:59,600
half of that budget of 150,000, just if

2185
01:47:59,600 --> 01:48:01,360
you put just that number towards the

2186
01:48:01,360 --> 01:48:03,760
concrete itself for the sidewalk would

2187
01:48:03,760 --> 01:48:07,119
do 1,500 lineal feet of sidewalk.

2188
01:48:07,119 --> 01:48:09,600
There's no way in heck in this town in

2189
01:48:09,600 --> 01:48:10,960
one year you're going to accomplish

2190
01:48:10,960 --> 01:48:13,679
1,500 ft of sidewalk. that one line

2191
01:48:13,679 --> 01:48:16,320
item, that one budget line item could be

2192
01:48:16,320 --> 01:48:19,520
reduced by $50,000. Wouldn't even you

2193
01:48:19,520 --> 01:48:21,920
wouldn't even know it was gone. I've

2194
01:48:21,920 --> 01:48:24,159
also asked about a year and a half,

2195
01:48:24,159 --> 01:48:26,400
maybe two years ago, for a 10-year

2196
01:48:26,400 --> 01:48:29,679
proposed outlook to see where our town

2197
01:48:29,679 --> 01:48:34,000
is headed. There's a lot of knowns in

2198
01:48:34,000 --> 01:48:37,520
our expenditures that we can project out

2199
01:48:37,520 --> 01:48:39,679
uh to try to get some guard rails on our

2200
01:48:39,679 --> 01:48:42,639
spending and try to look at the the

2201
01:48:42,639 --> 01:48:46,480
issues that need uh repairing and need

2202
01:48:46,480 --> 01:48:49,600
to be brought up to date that we could

2203
01:48:49,600 --> 01:48:51,760
uh plug into that 10-year proposed

2204
01:48:51,760 --> 01:48:53,679
outlook. And at least it would give us

2205
01:48:53,679 --> 01:48:55,760
an idea of what type of revenue we're

2206
01:48:55,760 --> 01:48:57,840
going to need moving forward and

2207
01:48:57,840 --> 01:49:01,440
possibly holes in that timeline where we

2208
01:49:01,440 --> 01:49:05,040
actually by buying down debt and making

2209
01:49:05,040 --> 01:49:06,880
some smart moves and getting caught up

2210
01:49:06,880 --> 01:49:09,600
in some of our problems. we could find

2211
01:49:09,600 --> 01:49:12,800
revenue holes in that 10-year outlook

2212
01:49:12,800 --> 01:49:15,280
that we could come up with revenues to

2213
01:49:15,280 --> 01:49:17,360
solve like our swimming pool problem or

2214
01:49:17,360 --> 01:49:19,119
look at other projects that we're

2215
01:49:19,119 --> 01:49:21,360
interested in doing without going back

2216
01:49:21,360 --> 01:49:23,760
to you guys turning you upside down and

2217
01:49:23,760 --> 01:49:25,920
shaking you for more money to try to

2218
01:49:25,920 --> 01:49:28,400
solve our problem. So there, you know,

2219
01:49:28,400 --> 01:49:30,560
this year's budget, proposed budget, I

2220
01:49:30,560 --> 01:49:33,360
believe there's even without any uh fund

2221
01:49:33,360 --> 01:49:35,520
balance, if there was zero fund balance,

2222
01:49:35,520 --> 01:49:37,199
I think there's enough fat in this

2223
01:49:37,199 --> 01:49:40,000
budget uh based on bringing the right

2224
01:49:40,000 --> 01:49:42,320
information to the table that we could

2225
01:49:42,320 --> 01:49:44,400
cut this back so there wouldn't be any

2226
01:49:44,400 --> 01:49:49,510
municipal tax increase at all.

2227
01:49:49,520 --> 01:49:55,750
» Is there further discussion?

2228
01:49:55,760 --> 01:49:57,280
If you would like to call the question,

2229
01:49:57,280 --> 01:49:59,920
you have to be in order. So stand at the

2230
01:49:59,920 --> 01:50:03,280
microphone and um you can do that like

2231
01:50:03,280 --> 01:50:06,080
next. Um can I ask a question about

2232
01:50:06,080 --> 01:50:10,080
order? So if I understand what Bill said

2233
01:50:10,080 --> 01:50:13,920
is if we use some of the general funds

2234
01:50:13,920 --> 01:50:16,080
just questionable about what that fund

2235
01:50:16,080 --> 01:50:19,600
man much is and reduce it reduce our

2236
01:50:19,600 --> 01:50:23,840
overall tax of the 57% or 57 cents down

2237
01:50:23,840 --> 01:50:26,639
what to 1 reduce it by 1.5 by taking

2238
01:50:26,639 --> 01:50:29,119
from the general fund then we would be

2239
01:50:29,119 --> 01:50:30,880
basically paying the same amount that we

2240
01:50:30,880 --> 01:50:34,159
paid last year in our taxes is my

2241
01:50:34,159 --> 01:50:37,199
understanding. So, how do how do we go

2242
01:50:37,199 --> 01:50:39,119
about saying we want to move money from

2243
01:50:39,119 --> 01:50:41,679
the general fund to cover an increase

2244
01:50:41,679 --> 01:50:44,639
that that 2.7% increase? Just take it

2245
01:50:44,639 --> 01:50:46,239
from the general fund instead. I don't

2246
01:50:46,239 --> 01:50:48,880
know how to make that. Um, all right.

2247
01:50:48,880 --> 01:50:53,270
So, you would like to make a motion.

2248
01:50:53,280 --> 01:50:55,760
Um, I think you would

2249
01:50:55,760 --> 01:50:58,639
add however much money you want to add

2250
01:50:58,639 --> 01:51:02,239
from the general fund to the nonpropy

2251
01:51:02,239 --> 01:51:04,560
tax revenues.

2252
01:51:04,560 --> 01:51:07,199
So I don't know what amount you want to

2253
01:51:07,199 --> 01:51:07,440
add.

2254
01:51:07,440 --> 01:51:08,800
>> I don't know what the amount would be to

2255
01:51:08,800 --> 01:51:10,080
do I want to know what the amount would

2256
01:51:10,080 --> 01:51:12,159
be to do that to take it from the

2257
01:51:12,159 --> 01:51:13,920
general fund so that we don't have that

2258
01:51:13,920 --> 01:51:41,990
increase. I don't know what that is.

2259
01:51:42,000 --> 01:51:46,320
So what you would have to do is um the

2260
01:51:46,320 --> 01:51:50,400
tax rate last year was 55 cents. The

2261
01:51:50,400 --> 01:51:55,440
proposal this year is 50 50 55.5 cents

2262
01:51:55,440 --> 01:51:58,480
last year and it's 57 cents this year.

2263
01:51:58,480 --> 01:52:00,400
Right.

2264
01:52:00,400 --> 01:52:05,280
So that's 1 and 12 cents, isn't it?

2265
01:52:05,280 --> 01:52:11,910
So 1 12 cents 1.015

2266
01:52:11,920 --> 01:52:15,599
times last year's grain list was

2267
01:52:15,599 --> 01:52:22,629
8,66,457.

2268
01:52:22,639 --> 01:52:27,119
So, if you if you moved $120,000

2269
01:52:27,119 --> 01:52:30,960
from the general fund balance and add

2270
01:52:30,960 --> 01:52:35,440
that to the U nonpropy tax revenue,

2271
01:52:35,440 --> 01:52:37,520
that would be close enough. Your grand

2272
01:52:37,520 --> 01:52:39,199
list is going to increase a little bit

2273
01:52:39,199 --> 01:52:42,560
this year. So, um

2274
01:52:42,560 --> 01:52:44,800
but that's the best that I can do right

2275
01:52:44,800 --> 01:52:48,080
now. So, it would be $120,000.

2276
01:52:48,080 --> 01:52:52,870
>> So, I think what you would have to do is

2277
01:52:52,880 --> 01:52:54,400
And I'll have to do a little bit of math

2278
01:52:54,400 --> 01:52:56,800
before I can you completely, but you

2279
01:52:56,800 --> 01:52:58,719
would reduce the amount of money that

2280
01:52:58,719 --> 01:53:00,639
you would raise by property taxes and

2281
01:53:00,639 --> 01:53:02,400
then increase the amount of money that

2282
01:53:02,400 --> 01:53:04,639
you would fund by non-property tax

2283
01:53:04,639 --> 01:53:08,480
revenues. And I can if that amount is

2284
01:53:08,480 --> 01:53:10,880
$120,000

2285
01:53:10,880 --> 01:53:14,229
um

2286
01:53:14,239 --> 01:53:17,119
we can just add those amounts and I'll

2287
01:53:17,119 --> 01:53:58,870
give you the numbers.

2288
01:53:58,880 --> 01:54:03,119
So, um, you'd be do you have your, um,

2289
01:54:03,119 --> 01:54:37,589
I'll just write the numbers in for you.

2290
01:54:37,599 --> 01:54:40,400
So if you want to

2291
01:54:40,400 --> 01:54:42,880
amend the motion.

2292
01:54:42,880 --> 01:54:46,880
by way of substitute. You can just

2293
01:54:46,880 --> 01:54:50,960
read that. And for the body removing

2294
01:54:50,960 --> 01:54:53,760
$120,000

2295
01:54:53,760 --> 01:54:58,080
um from property tax revenues or um

2296
01:54:58,080 --> 01:54:59,679
looking at the property tax number and

2297
01:54:59,679 --> 01:55:02,320
subtracting $120,000 and looking at the

2298
01:55:02,320 --> 01:55:04,239
nonpropy tax revenues and adding

2299
01:55:04,239 --> 01:55:06,639
$120,000.

2300
01:55:06,639 --> 01:55:08,080
>> All right. So, you have to bear with me

2301
01:55:08,080 --> 01:55:09,840
because I have to read the paragraph.

2302
01:55:09,840 --> 01:55:15,199
So, um, I'd like to should I say amend or

2303
01:55:15,199 --> 01:55:16,560
>> Yeah. Okay. Move.

2304
01:55:16,560 --> 01:55:19,520
>> I move to amend article Yeah. Article 9

2305
01:55:19,520 --> 01:55:22,320
substitute the following numbers. Um, it

2306
01:55:22,320 --> 01:55:24,000
said, "Shall the voters of the town of

2307
01:55:24,000 --> 01:55:26,639
Waterberry adopt the proposed operating

2308
01:55:26,639 --> 01:55:28,719
and capital budgets which contains

2309
01:55:28,719 --> 01:55:31,599
6,567,486

2310
01:55:31,599 --> 01:55:33,920
in expenses of which, and this is where

2311
01:55:33,920 --> 01:55:40,709
the substitute is, um 4,465,774,000

2312
01:55:40,719 --> 01:55:44,239
be raised by property taxes. And again,

2313
01:55:44,239 --> 01:55:48,960
this is a substitution. $2,11,712

2314
01:55:48,960 --> 01:55:51,920
to be funded by anticipated nonpropy tax

2315
01:55:51,920 --> 01:55:52,960
revenues.

2316
01:55:52,960 --> 01:55:54,400
>> All right, there's a motion to amend it.

2317
01:55:54,400 --> 01:55:57,840
Is there a second for that motion?

2318
01:55:57,840 --> 01:56:00,880
The motion to amend has been moved and

2319
01:56:00,880 --> 01:56:03,440
seconded

2320
01:56:03,440 --> 01:56:06,400
and the um motion to amend by

2321
01:56:06,400 --> 01:56:09,760
substitute. So, it's a will read. It has

2322
01:56:09,760 --> 01:56:11,119
been moved that the town of Waterbury

2323
01:56:11,119 --> 01:56:13,040
adopt the proposed operating capital

2324
01:56:13,040 --> 01:56:17,830
budgets which contain 6,567,486

2325
01:56:17,840 --> 01:56:24,229
in expenses of which 44,465,774

2326
01:56:24,239 --> 01:56:26,800
is to be raised by property taxes and

2327
01:56:26,800 --> 01:56:29,440
2,1001,712

2328
01:56:29,440 --> 01:56:31,679
is to be funded by anticipated non-propy

2329
01:56:31,679 --> 01:56:34,560
tax revenues. So, we're going to vote on

2330
01:56:34,560 --> 01:56:37,760
the motion to amend um and then go back

2331
01:56:37,760 --> 01:56:40,239
to the main motion.

2332
01:56:40,239 --> 01:56:42,480
Is there discussion on the motion to

2333
01:56:42,480 --> 01:56:48,229
amend?

2334
01:56:48,239 --> 01:56:50,400
You can come up to the microphone. Thank

2335
01:56:50,400 --> 01:56:58,550
you.

2336
01:56:58,560 --> 01:57:07,199
I would like to I would like to see two things happen. Uh number one um

2337
01:57:07,199 --> 01:57:11,040
eliminate the 2.7%

2338
01:57:11,040 --> 01:57:14,080
property tax increase.

2339
01:57:14,080 --> 01:57:17,040
I have to agree there's enough fat in

2340
01:57:17,040 --> 01:57:21,360
the budget. um we don't have to improve

2341
01:57:21,360 --> 01:57:24,480
abuse homeowners anymore than we already

2342
01:57:24,480 --> 01:57:28,239
are. Uh number two,

2343
01:57:28,239 --> 01:57:31,920
um the town has trust funds, savings

2344
01:57:31,920 --> 01:57:36,560
accounts, bonds, whatever it is. And

2345
01:57:36,560 --> 01:57:41,280
these monies become sacred. they the the

2346
01:57:41,280 --> 01:57:44,239
money in trust funds, bonds and whatever

2347
01:57:44,239 --> 01:57:47,760
cannot be robbed from to subsidize the

2348
01:57:47,760 --> 01:57:52,080
budget. The interest off that money uh

2349
01:57:52,080 --> 01:57:57,440
is something else. Um that can be used

2350
01:57:57,440 --> 01:58:01,280
for um to subsidize the budget if

2351
01:58:01,280 --> 01:58:04,400
required. But those monies that have

2352
01:58:04,400 --> 01:58:07,119
been invested by the town

2353
01:58:07,119 --> 01:58:09,920
uh the residents be grants or whatever

2354
01:58:09,920 --> 01:58:14,000
uh become sacred and not rob from. Thank

2355
01:58:14,000 --> 01:58:17,189
you.

2356
01:58:17,199 --> 01:58:19,199
Is there further discussion of the

2357
01:58:19,199 --> 01:58:21,440
motion to amend? So, the motion to amend

2358
01:58:21,440 --> 01:58:25,199
is to reduce the tax revenues by

2359
01:58:25,199 --> 01:58:28,719
$120,000 into or the the amount of

2360
01:58:28,719 --> 01:58:30,480
revenue raised by property taxes by

2361
01:58:30,480 --> 01:58:32,159
$120,000

2362
01:58:32,159 --> 01:58:34,639
and to

2363
01:58:34,639 --> 01:58:37,920
add $120,000 to the anticipated

2364
01:58:37,920 --> 01:58:41,280
non-propy tax revenues.

2365
01:58:41,280 --> 01:58:46,149
Yes,

2366
01:58:46,159 --> 01:58:49,119
Teresa Wood from Waterberry. Uh, madame

2367
01:58:49,119 --> 01:58:51,040
um, uh,

2368
01:58:51,040 --> 01:58:51,599
>> moderator.

2369
01:58:51,599 --> 01:58:53,520
Yeah. Yeah. I I I was gonna

2370
01:58:53,520 --> 01:58:55,119
say speaker just because that's what I'm

2371
01:58:55,119 --> 01:58:57,920
used to saying. Um, uh, madam moderator,

2372
01:58:57,920 --> 01:58:59,679
I just I didn't know if there's still

2373
01:58:59,679 --> 01:59:01,119
going to be an opportunity or this is

2374
01:59:01,119 --> 01:59:02,400
the opportunity to still ask a question

2375
01:59:02,400 --> 01:59:04,239
about a line item in the budget.

2376
01:59:04,239 --> 01:59:06,000
>> Um, that would still be Germaine, so you

2377
01:59:06,000 --> 01:59:07,679
may ask that question.

2378
01:59:07,679 --> 01:59:11,280
Um, so I'm referring to page 25 under

2379
01:59:11,280 --> 01:59:14,560
the fire department revenue

2380
01:59:14,560 --> 01:59:18,080
and I'm just curious as to the town of

2381
01:59:18,080 --> 01:59:22,400
Ducks's fire contract um for 2025 is

2382
01:59:22,400 --> 01:59:24,320
127,500.

2383
01:59:24,320 --> 01:59:27,679
However, we've only received 63,780.

2384
01:59:27,679 --> 01:59:29,360
I'm wondering if there's an explanation

2385
01:59:29,360 --> 01:59:31,679
for that. Is there a member of the

2386
01:59:31,679 --> 01:59:33,760
select board who can respond to that?

2387
01:59:33,760 --> 01:59:35,679
I'll start by crediting our treasur,

2388
01:59:35,679 --> 01:59:37,119
Bill Sheplick, who already brought this

2389
01:59:37,119 --> 01:59:38,639
to our attention before the meeting. We

2390
01:59:38,639 --> 01:59:40,159
believe it's a printed error. We did

2391
01:59:40,159 --> 01:59:41,679
receive the full contract amount and

2392
01:59:41,679 --> 01:59:43,440
it's just not reflected appropriately in

2393
01:59:43,440 --> 01:59:44,000
the report.

2394
01:59:44,000 --> 01:59:46,719
>> All right. Thank you.

2395
01:59:46,719 --> 01:59:48,800
>> Sorry, I wasn't here.

2396
01:59:48,800 --> 01:59:50,639
>> No, that was he didn't say it publicly.

2397
01:59:50,639 --> 01:59:52,960
So, I will just say, but it among many

2398
01:59:52,960 --> 01:59:55,040
things because I believe it is Germaine.

2399
01:59:55,040 --> 01:59:56,800
Madam moderator, I will also take this

2400
01:59:56,800 --> 01:59:58,960
time to note Chris Vienn's about 15

2401
01:59:58,960 --> 02:00:01,360
comments ago talked about the cost of

2402
02:00:01,360 --> 02:00:03,280
staff transition and the like. And I

2403
02:00:03,280 --> 02:00:05,760
will take the moment to acknowledge Bill

2404
02:00:05,760 --> 02:00:08,400
Woodrrith to my right and Bill Sheplech,

2405
02:00:08,400 --> 02:00:11,199
um, Carrick, Beth Jones in the back. Too

2406
02:00:11,199 --> 02:00:13,119
many that I can list, but I will just

2407
02:00:13,119 --> 02:00:15,199
say as the one who had to put out calls

2408
02:00:15,199 --> 02:00:17,520
for an interim municipal manager, if you

2409
02:00:17,520 --> 02:00:19,280
get an outofstate consultant for that

2410
02:00:19,280 --> 02:00:21,280
position, they ask for the entire

2411
02:00:21,280 --> 02:00:23,599
previous salary plus benefits and

2412
02:00:23,599 --> 02:00:25,679
housing. And so the fact that Bill

2413
02:00:25,679 --> 02:00:28,239
Woodruff has stepped up to serve in this

2414
02:00:28,239 --> 02:00:30,880
interim role for the community is really

2415
02:00:30,880 --> 02:00:33,040
important. And I just want to recognize

2416
02:00:33,040 --> 02:00:50,709
and thank him publicly.

2417
02:00:50,719 --> 02:00:52,639
Again, because we have an incredible

2418
02:00:52,639 --> 02:00:55,280
dedicated group of community members and

2419
02:00:55,280 --> 02:00:57,280
municipal employees, I don't want to

2420
02:00:57,280 --> 02:00:58,880
mitigate or diminish the points that

2421
02:00:58,880 --> 02:01:01,360
were raised. There's unquestionably um

2422
02:01:01,360 --> 02:01:03,199
opportunity costs and real cost of staff

2423
02:01:03,199 --> 02:01:04,639
transition, but I just wanted to note

2424
02:01:04,639 --> 02:01:06,719
that the community would be far worse

2425
02:01:06,719 --> 02:01:09,119
off monetarily and otherwise if not for

2426
02:01:09,119 --> 02:01:12,950
these folks stepping up.

2427
02:01:12,960 --> 02:01:14,639
» Thank you. Is there further discussion?

2428
02:01:14,639 --> 02:01:16,639
This is a motion to amend the main

2429
02:01:16,639 --> 02:01:19,910
motion.

2430
02:01:19,920 --> 02:01:23,280
Uh Andy Wood. Um, I have a concern with

2431
02:01:23,280 --> 02:01:25,440
the amendment to the motion of using the

2432
02:01:25,440 --> 02:01:28,560
200,000 without a clear accounting for

2433
02:01:28,560 --> 02:01:30,639
the fund balance now which was called in

2434
02:01:30,639 --> 02:01:32,719
question. It seems like we could be

2435
02:01:32,719 --> 02:01:35,040
using a large amount of that fund

2436
02:01:35,040 --> 02:01:37,599
balance without the clear ramifications

2437
02:01:37,599 --> 02:01:39,360
and expectations without the select

2438
02:01:39,360 --> 02:01:42,080
board other having done the thought

2439
02:01:42,080 --> 02:01:44,159
process for that exercise. I think that

2440
02:01:44,159 --> 02:01:46,639
would be a good thing to entertain

2441
02:01:46,639 --> 02:01:48,639
building the budget for next year. But I

2442
02:01:48,639 --> 02:01:51,280
say I have a concern with that large

2443
02:01:51,280 --> 02:01:53,679
portion. You know, we said maybe 400,000

2444
02:01:53,679 --> 02:01:56,639
the actual balance. We talked 200,000 a

2445
02:01:56,639 --> 02:01:59,280
large portion of that

2446
02:01:59,280 --> 02:02:00,719
120.

2447
02:02:00,719 --> 02:02:02,960
>> And these references given that 80,000

2448
02:02:02,960 --> 02:02:04,960
from the 86,000 I believe from the fund

2449
02:02:04,960 --> 02:02:06,880
balance is already in the budget. So if

2450
02:02:06,880 --> 02:02:09,040
we have that 86 plus the 120 of this

2451
02:02:09,040 --> 02:02:10,480
motion were to pass, it would be in the

2452
02:02:10,480 --> 02:02:14,470
neighborhood of 200.

2453
02:02:14,480 --> 02:02:19,189
» Thank you. Is there further comment?

2454
02:02:19,199 --> 02:02:21,440
I was thinking the same thing. Evan Carl

2455
02:02:21,440 --> 02:02:24,080
Hoffman again. Uh based on the numbers

2456
02:02:24,080 --> 02:02:26,960
Mr. Shepard gave earlier, the proposed

2457
02:02:26,960 --> 02:02:30,480
120,000 could be between like 20% and a

2458
02:02:30,480 --> 02:02:33,440
third of the general fund balance. And

2459
02:02:33,440 --> 02:02:35,199
without knowing exactly what that number

2460
02:02:35,199 --> 02:02:36,719
is, I don't feel comfortable drawing

2461
02:02:36,719 --> 02:02:38,480
from it because if it is in the

2462
02:02:38,480 --> 02:02:40,000
negative, as the audit showed, we could

2463
02:02:40,000 --> 02:02:41,520
be pushing ourselves further into the

2464
02:02:41,520 --> 02:02:44,629
negative.

2465
02:02:44,639 --> 02:02:46,719
Sorry, you mentioned a a negative

2466
02:02:46,719 --> 02:02:50,719
balance that from somewhere.

2467
02:02:50,719 --> 02:02:53,599
>> Do you want to interrogate Mr. Chev?

2468
02:02:53,599 --> 02:02:55,599
>> He doesn't mind.

2469
02:02:55,599 --> 02:02:59,350
>> Thank you.

2470
02:02:59,360 --> 02:03:03,280
» So, the the fund balance going into 2025

2471
02:03:03,280 --> 02:03:05,599
was over $800,000.

2472
02:03:05,599 --> 02:03:08,719
The balance sheet of the town unodudited

2473
02:03:08,719 --> 02:03:12,719
a month ago showed that we were negative

2474
02:03:12,719 --> 02:03:15,360
$477,000.

2475
02:03:15,360 --> 02:03:18,320
I've worked with the bookkeeping staff

2476
02:03:18,320 --> 02:03:22,239
and uh communicated with the auditors.

2477
02:03:22,239 --> 02:03:25,119
We fixed some mispostings to the general

2478
02:03:25,119 --> 02:03:28,080
fund to the general ledger I mean. And

2479
02:03:28,080 --> 02:03:30,719
that $477,000

2480
02:03:30,719 --> 02:03:33,280
negative fund balance is gone. I can't

2481
02:03:33,280 --> 02:03:38,000
remember if it's 500,000 now or $600,000

2482
02:03:38,000 --> 02:03:40,080
now, but it's in the range of about a

2483
02:03:40,080 --> 02:03:44,400
half a million dollar. So, if we use

2484
02:03:44,400 --> 02:03:46,960
$200,000 a bit, I think we will still

2485
02:03:46,960 --> 02:03:49,199
have $200,000

2486
02:03:49,199 --> 02:03:52,000
at minimum left in the general fund

2487
02:03:52,000 --> 02:03:54,320
balance. I would remind the audience

2488
02:03:54,320 --> 02:03:56,320
that until

2489
02:03:56,320 --> 02:03:59,360
three years ago that every year the

2490
02:03:59,360 --> 02:04:01,920
budget that was built by the select

2491
02:04:01,920 --> 02:04:04,960
board and the manager used all of any

2492
02:04:04,960 --> 02:04:06,800
previous fund balance. We brought the

2493
02:04:06,800 --> 02:04:09,760
fund balance down to zero, used all that

2494
02:04:09,760 --> 02:04:12,960
money as a carry forward to uh prevent

2495
02:04:12,960 --> 02:04:16,320
us having to pay taxes. So if we have

2496
02:04:16,320 --> 02:04:19,679
two or three or even $100,000 in the

2497
02:04:19,679 --> 02:04:22,080
fund balance now, it's significantly

2498
02:04:22,080 --> 02:04:24,639
more than the town ever carry. And my

2499
02:04:24,639 --> 02:04:27,119
point before was we have a number of

2500
02:04:27,119 --> 02:04:30,400
reserve funds that can be used if

2501
02:04:30,400 --> 02:04:32,239
there's an emergency. When we had

2502
02:04:32,239 --> 02:04:35,119
tropical storm Irene, we drew off the

2503
02:04:35,119 --> 02:04:37,920
tax stabilization fund. We paid it back,

2504
02:04:37,920 --> 02:04:40,800
but we had the cash available to meet

2505
02:04:40,800 --> 02:04:44,560
our needs. So I don't think if we use

2506
02:04:44,560 --> 02:04:46,960
$200,000 of the fund balance that we're

2507
02:04:46,960 --> 02:04:51,510
going to be in peril.

2508
02:04:51,520 --> 02:04:53,520
» Hello. Is there further discussion? Did

2509
02:04:53,520 --> 02:04:55,360
you have a further comment to make?

2510
02:04:55,360 --> 02:04:56,960
>> Just to say that I I'm still

2511
02:04:56,960 --> 02:04:59,040
uncomfortable with that without knowing

2512
02:04:59,040 --> 02:05:00,639
exactly what the number is in the

2513
02:05:00,639 --> 02:05:05,270
balance.

2514
02:05:05,280 --> 02:05:07,520
» Is there further discussion? This is a

2515
02:05:07,520 --> 02:05:15,589
motion to amend the main motion.

2516
02:05:15,599 --> 02:05:18,239
Madam moderator, uh just in this

2517
02:05:18,239 --> 02:05:19,679
conversation, I think it's been very

2518
02:05:19,679 --> 02:05:24,719
good. This is why we do town meetings. I would absolutely, again, the reason I

2519
02:05:24,719 --> 02:05:26,320
seconded this is there's a lot of

2520
02:05:26,320 --> 02:05:28,560
uncertainty out there. I think we all

2521
02:05:28,560 --> 02:05:30,400
recognize that, but also there are many

2522
02:05:30,400 --> 02:05:32,239
towns that are introducing a local

2523
02:05:32,239 --> 02:05:35,760
option tax. The last word in that

2524
02:05:35,760 --> 02:05:38,639
acronym is tax. We will experience that

2525
02:05:38,639 --> 02:05:40,639
when we go to different areas. You buy a

2526
02:05:40,639 --> 02:05:43,520
refrigerator, you buy a you name it.

2527
02:05:43,520 --> 02:05:46,080
Some of those towns don't have one now.

2528
02:05:46,080 --> 02:05:48,239
They've gotten good on this. I think we

2529
02:05:48,239 --> 02:05:49,840
are out ahead of it. I think the white

2530
02:05:49,840 --> 02:05:51,840
board did a phenomenal job along with

2531
02:05:51,840 --> 02:05:54,560
the town manager before. Um but these

2532
02:05:54,560 --> 02:05:56,639
are all costs we're going to see. So I

2533
02:05:56,639 --> 02:05:59,440
absolutely advocate that if if we could

2534
02:05:59,440 --> 02:06:01,599
use town meeting the way I I was taught

2535
02:06:01,599 --> 02:06:04,320
we could do this that we take advantage

2536
02:06:04,320 --> 02:06:07,750
in and resto.

2537
02:06:07,760 --> 02:06:10,239
Thank you.

2538
02:06:10,239 --> 02:06:19,830
Is there further discussion?

2539
02:06:19,840 --> 02:06:21,760
Yeah, Miss Johnson,

2540
02:06:21,760 --> 02:06:23,599
>> I would just note I will not be a select

2541
02:06:23,599 --> 02:06:25,520
board member making a budget next year,

2542
02:06:25,520 --> 02:06:27,840
but I certainly would say, you know, I

2543
02:06:27,840 --> 02:06:29,840
just have a concern for a future board

2544
02:06:29,840 --> 02:06:33,520
about if we are using a total of if this

2545
02:06:33,520 --> 02:06:36,000
uh substitution was to pass $200,000 of

2546
02:06:36,000 --> 02:06:37,520
fund balance, notwithstanding the

2547
02:06:37,520 --> 02:06:39,520
difference, notwithstanding the peril of

2548
02:06:39,520 --> 02:06:42,079
the budget. Um, but it will just be more

2549
02:06:42,079 --> 02:06:43,599
challenging. I will note the sidewalks

2550
02:06:43,599 --> 02:06:45,199
that were discussed are in local option

2551
02:06:45,199 --> 02:06:47,840
tax. There's other options to fund it.

2552
02:06:47,840 --> 02:06:49,760
Um, but I guess would echo Mr. Wood's

2553
02:06:49,760 --> 02:06:51,760
comments that

2554
02:06:51,760 --> 02:06:54,880
this is an opportunity to do this and

2555
02:06:54,880 --> 02:06:56,560
can feel challenging at this moment. But

2556
02:06:56,560 --> 02:06:57,840
if other board members want to speak to

2557
02:06:57,840 --> 02:07:03,589
it, that's mine.

2558
02:07:03,599 --> 02:07:05,679
Is there any further discussion on the

2559
02:07:05,679 --> 02:07:07,840
motion to amend? This is to move

2560
02:07:07,840 --> 02:07:11,679
$120,000 from property tax to non-propy

2561
02:07:11,679 --> 02:07:23,030
tax revenues.

2562
02:07:23,040 --> 02:07:24,560
Sorry, Miss Moderator. I'll make it

2563
02:07:24,560 --> 02:07:26,480
quick. Um, can you give me an idea of

2564
02:07:26,480 --> 02:07:29,440
how much uh debt service will be paid

2565
02:07:29,440 --> 02:07:31,840
down and eliminated this this year from

2566
02:07:31,840 --> 02:07:37,189
this this proposed budget?

2567
02:07:37,199 --> 02:07:38,880
» Is there a member of the select board

2568
02:07:38,880 --> 02:07:40,320
who would like to respond to that

2569
02:07:40,320 --> 02:07:42,639
question?

2570
02:07:42,639 --> 02:07:46,320
Um, ballpark. I want to say we had maybe

2571
02:07:46,320 --> 02:07:49,040
80,000 to 150,000 that is built into the

2572
02:07:49,040 --> 02:07:50,639
budget as being paid down so that it

2573
02:07:50,639 --> 02:07:52,000
didn't need to be serviced. There's also

2574
02:07:52,000 --> 02:07:53,679
additional debt service and local option

2575
02:07:53,679 --> 02:07:55,920
tax that is three-year debt. So we will

2576
02:07:55,920 --> 02:07:58,159
pay this year and propose to budget next

2577
02:07:58,159 --> 02:07:58,880
year.

2578
02:07:58,880 --> 02:08:02,159
>> So you're saying that

2579
02:08:02,159 --> 02:08:04,800
80 to 150 is going to be completely

2580
02:08:04,800 --> 02:08:06,400
eliminated. I'm guessing that that

2581
02:08:06,400 --> 02:08:08,800
you're about right with that.

2582
02:08:08,800 --> 02:08:10,400
So with that debt service being

2583
02:08:10,400 --> 02:08:12,000
eliminated,

2584
02:08:12,000 --> 02:08:13,679
that starts to build your fund balance

2585
02:08:13,679 --> 02:08:16,239
for the following year automatically.

2586
02:08:16,239 --> 02:08:18,320
Uh so you need to take that into

2587
02:08:18,320 --> 02:08:21,679
consideration. I I I approve this motion

2588
02:08:21,679 --> 02:08:30,149
uh that Karen made. Um so

2589
02:08:30,159 --> 02:08:33,669
go ahead.

2590
02:08:33,679 --> 02:08:37,040
This is um Miss Wood's second time

2591
02:08:37,040 --> 02:08:38,560
speaking. So, if there's anyone who

2592
02:08:38,560 --> 02:08:42,709
wants to speak a first time

2593
02:08:42,719 --> 02:08:45,199
on the motion to amend. Okay, go ahead.

2594
02:08:45,199 --> 02:08:47,280
Thank you, madam moderator. Uh Teresa

2595
02:08:47,280 --> 02:08:50,480
Wood again, Waterberry. Um for people

2596
02:08:50,480 --> 02:08:52,159
who are concerned about the lack of

2597
02:08:52,159 --> 02:08:54,159
available cash resources, I do want to

2598
02:08:54,159 --> 02:08:57,280
call your attention to page 34 that uh

2599
02:08:57,280 --> 02:08:59,679
lists all of our reserve funds and the

2600
02:08:59,679 --> 02:09:02,960
balances. And I particularly want to uh

2601
02:09:02,960 --> 02:09:05,520
Mr. Sheplick had uh talked about the tax

2602
02:09:05,520 --> 02:09:08,079
stabilization fund. It's a fund I helped

2603
02:09:08,079 --> 02:09:10,239
create when I was on the school board

2604
02:09:10,239 --> 02:09:13,520
and um I'm happy to see that it's uh

2605
02:09:13,520 --> 02:09:15,280
more than doubled since we made that

2606
02:09:15,280 --> 02:09:18,960
initial investment and uh I speak in

2607
02:09:18,960 --> 02:09:21,199
favor of the motion that's before us

2608
02:09:21,199 --> 02:09:23,920
because uh I believe that we have

2609
02:09:23,920 --> 02:09:25,679
sufficient revenues if an emergency

2610
02:09:25,679 --> 02:09:28,639
occurs that we are along with whatever

2611
02:09:28,639 --> 02:09:31,840
is already built into the budget. uh as

2612
02:09:31,840 --> 02:09:35,119
we get to the uh talking about the um

2613
02:09:35,119 --> 02:09:37,199
various other funds that have already

2614
02:09:37,199 --> 02:09:39,280
been built into the budget for reserves

2615
02:09:39,280 --> 02:09:42,400
uh in addition to these that uh we have

2616
02:09:42,400 --> 02:09:44,719
sufficient funds in order to handle

2617
02:09:44,719 --> 02:09:48,000
that. And so um I speak in favor of this

2618
02:09:48,000 --> 02:09:50,560
motion because that is taxpayer dollars

2619
02:09:50,560 --> 02:09:53,760
that were paid by taxpayers and should

2620
02:09:53,760 --> 02:09:59,350
be returned to them in my opinion.

2621
02:09:59,360 --> 02:10:01,119
Is there further discussion on the

2622
02:10:01,119 --> 02:10:03,040
motion to amend? And this is to move

2623
02:10:03,040 --> 02:10:04,560
$120,000

2624
02:10:04,560 --> 02:10:07,599
from tax revenues to nonpropy tax

2625
02:10:07,599 --> 02:10:12,550
revenues.

2626
02:10:12,560 --> 02:10:16,560
Um well, seeing no further discussion,

2627
02:10:16,560 --> 02:10:19,920
um we'll now vote on the motion to

2628
02:10:19,920 --> 02:10:22,159
amend.

2629
02:10:22,159 --> 02:10:25,199
And again, um I'll reread it. We're

2630
02:10:25,199 --> 02:10:27,040
going to vote on the motion to amend and

2631
02:10:27,040 --> 02:10:30,480
then on the main motion. Um even if they

2632
02:10:30,480 --> 02:10:31,840
end up sounding the same, we're going to

2633
02:10:31,840 --> 02:10:33,760
do both votes so that we um make sure

2634
02:10:33,760 --> 02:10:36,159
that we've done it correctly. So the

2635
02:10:36,159 --> 02:10:38,719
motion to amend is to in some move

2636
02:10:38,719 --> 02:10:41,679
$120,000 from property tax revenues to

2637
02:10:41,679 --> 02:10:44,079
non-propy tax revenues. And the motion

2638
02:10:44,079 --> 02:10:45,840
is to move that the town of Waterberry

2639
02:10:45,840 --> 02:10:47,920
adopt the proposed operating and capital

2640
02:10:47,920 --> 02:10:52,950
budgets which contain $6,567,486

2641
02:10:52,960 --> 02:10:58,790
in expenses of which $4,465,774

2642
02:10:58,800 --> 02:11:01,199
is to be raised by property taxes and

2643
02:11:01,199 --> 02:11:04,079
$2,11,712

2644
02:11:04,079 --> 02:11:06,400
is to be funded by anticipated non-propy

2645
02:11:06,400 --> 02:11:08,639
tax revenues.

2646
02:11:08,639 --> 02:11:10,800
So all those in favor of the motion to

2647
02:11:10,800 --> 02:11:14,079
amend, please say I. I.

2648
02:11:14,079 --> 02:11:16,079
>> Those opposed, please say no.

2649
02:11:16,079 --> 02:11:17,760
>> No.

2650
02:11:17,760 --> 02:11:22,400
>> The eyes appear to have it.

2651
02:11:22,400 --> 02:11:25,280
And the eyes do have it. You have passed

2652
02:11:25,280 --> 02:11:28,079
the motion to amend. We are now going to

2653
02:11:28,079 --> 02:11:32,320
vote on the main motion. Um, which is

2654
02:11:32,320 --> 02:11:34,320
the same as the motion to amend. That

2655
02:11:34,320 --> 02:11:35,920
might be your moderator's fault, but

2656
02:11:35,920 --> 02:11:38,320
anyway, we're going to do it. Um, are

2657
02:11:38,320 --> 02:11:42,719
there any questions on the main motion?

2658
02:11:42,719 --> 02:11:45,280
Okay. The main motion. It has been moved

2659
02:11:45,280 --> 02:11:47,119
that the town of Waterbury adopt the

2660
02:11:47,119 --> 02:11:48,800
proposed operating and capital budgets

2661
02:11:48,800 --> 02:11:53,270
which contain $6,567,486

2662
02:11:53,280 --> 02:11:58,310
in expenses of which 4,465,774

2663
02:11:58,320 --> 02:12:00,639
is to be raised by property taxes and

2664
02:12:00,639 --> 02:12:03,360
$2,11,712

2665
02:12:03,360 --> 02:12:05,520
is to be funded by anticipated nonpropy

2666
02:12:05,520 --> 02:12:07,360
tax revenues.

2667
02:12:07,360 --> 02:12:10,079
All those in favor, please say I.

2668
02:12:10,079 --> 02:12:14,000
>> I. Those opposed, please say no.

2669
02:12:14,000 --> 02:12:17,840
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

2670
02:12:17,840 --> 02:12:19,840
have it. And you have passed article

2671
02:12:19,840 --> 02:12:23,840
nine. Yay.

2672
02:12:23,840 --> 02:12:28,000
Um I want to um remind people that there

2673
02:12:28,000 --> 02:12:30,320
will be lunch in the cafeteria at I

2674
02:12:30,320 --> 02:12:32,480
believe 12:00

2675
02:12:32,480 --> 02:12:36,480
um that the senior center is serving.

2676
02:12:36,480 --> 02:12:40,480
Um, we will not take a break for lunch.

2677
02:12:40,480 --> 02:12:42,880
Um, but if you are hungry, please go

2678
02:12:42,880 --> 02:12:45,440
downstairs at 12:00 and get some food,

2679
02:12:45,440 --> 02:12:48,800
eat it, and come back up. Um, but we are

2680
02:12:48,800 --> 02:12:51,119
going to take a short break right now to

2681
02:12:51,119 --> 02:12:53,920
hear legislative reports from

2682
02:12:53,920 --> 02:12:56,400
Representative Stevens and

2683
02:12:56,400 --> 02:13:00,320
Representative Wood. Um, if there is no

2684
02:13:00,320 --> 02:13:02,320
objection.

2685
02:13:02,320 --> 02:13:04,320
All right, let's move to legislative

2686
02:13:04,320 --> 02:13:24,310
reports.

2687
02:13:24,320 --> 02:13:26,719
Uh, good morning everyone. Uh, my name

2688
02:13:26,719 --> 02:13:29,119
is Terresa Wood. Um, I've been your

2689
02:13:29,119 --> 02:13:30,880
state representative. This is my 11th

2690
02:13:30,880 --> 02:13:33,920
year. I serve in the House Human

2691
02:13:33,920 --> 02:13:36,480
Services Committee and am currently

2692
02:13:36,480 --> 02:13:38,719
chair of that committee and sit on four

2693
02:13:38,719 --> 02:13:42,400
other legislative committees as well. Um

2694
02:13:42,400 --> 02:13:44,239
just to give you a little bit of updates

2695
02:13:44,239 --> 02:13:46,079
about what are happening in the House

2696
02:13:46,079 --> 02:13:48,000
Human Services Committee and uh things

2697
02:13:48,000 --> 02:13:51,199
in general. Um we deal with everything

2698
02:13:51,199 --> 02:13:53,760
from prenatal services to death. So

2699
02:13:53,760 --> 02:13:56,800
essentially across the lifespan in house

2700
02:13:56,800 --> 02:13:59,119
human services and one of the things

2701
02:13:59,119 --> 02:14:01,360
that we have recently done is to update

2702
02:14:01,360 --> 02:14:05,280
the adult uh protection laws. So uh to

2703
02:14:05,280 --> 02:14:09,119
update the laws where the adult abuse

2704
02:14:09,119 --> 02:14:11,280
protection where people have to report

2705
02:14:11,280 --> 02:14:14,159
on abuse where uh there is consequences

2706
02:14:14,159 --> 02:14:17,679
for that abuse and um so we have updated

2707
02:14:17,679 --> 02:14:20,480
that statute recently. Um, one of the

2708
02:14:20,480 --> 02:14:22,719
things that is making its way relatively

2709
02:14:22,719 --> 02:14:25,360
quickly through the legislature this

2710
02:14:25,360 --> 02:14:28,079
year and the governor is poised to sign

2711
02:14:28,079 --> 02:14:31,920
is um, H545, which is legislation that

2712
02:14:31,920 --> 02:14:34,159
we have passed actually already in the

2713
02:14:34,159 --> 02:14:36,239
house once and it's passed in the Senate

2714
02:14:36,239 --> 02:14:38,639
and they have moved it back to the house

2715
02:14:38,639 --> 02:14:41,360
um, to create authorization for the

2716
02:14:41,360 --> 02:14:43,520
Vermont Health Department and the Health

2717
02:14:43,520 --> 02:14:46,800
Commissioner uh, to issue vaccine

2718
02:14:46,800 --> 02:14:49,679
recommendations to uh, Vermont monitors

2719
02:14:49,679 --> 02:14:52,880
about um what is safe, what's

2720
02:14:52,880 --> 02:14:55,440
appropriate, what is recommended by the

2721
02:14:55,440 --> 02:14:58,480
science and we have needed to do this

2722
02:14:58,480 --> 02:15:00,880
honestly um just being frank that the

2723
02:15:00,880 --> 02:15:05,040
CDC has become very politicized and um

2724
02:15:05,040 --> 02:15:07,119
by our health care professionals in

2725
02:15:07,119 --> 02:15:09,760
Vermont um believe that they are not

2726
02:15:09,760 --> 02:15:13,840
making recommendations that uh meet with

2727
02:15:13,840 --> 02:15:16,639
um the strict scientific and uh public

2728
02:15:16,639 --> 02:15:19,440
standards that we would expect. So, um,

2729
02:15:19,440 --> 02:15:21,920
we have instituted this law to enable

2730
02:15:21,920 --> 02:15:25,040
Vermonters to still receive, uh,

2731
02:15:25,040 --> 02:15:26,960
accurate and timely information about

2732
02:15:26,960 --> 02:15:29,440
vaccines. I I this is not requiring

2733
02:15:29,440 --> 02:15:31,360
anybody to get vaccines. This is just

2734
02:15:31,360 --> 02:15:34,000
saying if you want the vaccine, it will

2735
02:15:34,000 --> 02:15:37,360
still be available to you and at no cost

2736
02:15:37,360 --> 02:15:41,199
um at no cost to you. So um we are

2737
02:15:41,199 --> 02:15:44,239
relying on the science and the best

2738
02:15:44,239 --> 02:15:46,000
practice in the field to make these

2739
02:15:46,000 --> 02:15:47,599
recommendations and the commissioner

2740
02:15:47,599 --> 02:15:49,760
will have an advisory panel that will

2741
02:15:49,760 --> 02:15:52,480
advise him on that.

2742
02:15:52,480 --> 02:15:54,159
Other implications of things that are

2743
02:15:54,159 --> 02:15:56,480
happening in Washington in terms of

2744
02:15:56,480 --> 02:15:58,800
having a real impact on our state tax

2745
02:15:58,800 --> 02:16:02,400
dollars uh that we all pay to run our

2746
02:16:02,400 --> 02:16:06,960
government. um uh three squares which is

2747
02:16:06,960 --> 02:16:09,679
a uh food assistance program. It's a

2748
02:16:09,679 --> 02:16:12,320
federal program. The federal government

2749
02:16:12,320 --> 02:16:14,480
has reduced the amount that it will pay

2750
02:16:14,480 --> 02:16:16,320
for administration of that program and

2751
02:16:16,320 --> 02:16:18,960
that now is being borne by state

2752
02:16:18,960 --> 02:16:22,560
taxpayers in the governor's FY27 budget.

2753
02:16:22,560 --> 02:16:24,639
Uh we are going to pay an an additional

2754
02:16:24,639 --> 02:16:28,000
$4.5 million to administer that program

2755
02:16:28,000 --> 02:16:31,520
uh for verers. And that's all because of

2756
02:16:31,520 --> 02:16:35,359
uh HR1, the budget uh that was uh

2757
02:16:35,359 --> 02:16:38,000
passed, the bill that was passed by the

2758
02:16:38,000 --> 02:16:39,840
federal government.

2759
02:16:39,840 --> 02:16:41,359
>> Um

2760
02:16:41,359 --> 02:16:43,439
during that same time in November, I

2761
02:16:43,439 --> 02:16:44,960
think people remember the government

2762
02:16:44,960 --> 02:16:48,319
shutdown that happened and we had very

2763
02:16:48,319 --> 02:16:51,120
significant number of verters, 60,000

2764
02:16:51,120 --> 02:16:54,399
verters who rely on SNAP benefits. It's

2765
02:16:54,399 --> 02:16:56,800
known as three squares here in Vermont.

2766
02:16:56,800 --> 02:16:59,920
And during that time, we did not know um

2767
02:16:59,920 --> 02:17:01,760
if there were going to be resources for

2768
02:17:01,760 --> 02:17:06,080
Vermonters. Um we we did not know if

2769
02:17:06,080 --> 02:17:07,760
people were going to have access to the

2770
02:17:07,760 --> 02:17:10,240
food that they needed. And so um not

2771
02:17:10,240 --> 02:17:13,120
only did our community step up and uh

2772
02:17:13,120 --> 02:17:15,599
hold food drives and the Waterbury

2773
02:17:15,599 --> 02:17:17,920
Common Market was very busy during that

2774
02:17:17,920 --> 02:17:20,800
time. Um but as a state we also had to

2775
02:17:20,800 --> 02:17:24,080
pay out another $6.5 million to asssure

2776
02:17:24,080 --> 02:17:27,439
that people had access to food. So um

2777
02:17:27,439 --> 02:17:29,599
that's $11 million in one little

2778
02:17:29,599 --> 02:17:32,399
microcosm of one program and we have

2779
02:17:32,399 --> 02:17:35,359
many many federal programs that uh

2780
02:17:35,359 --> 02:17:37,200
Vermont participates in. So I just

2781
02:17:37,200 --> 02:17:39,920
wanted to give you some sense of how uh

2782
02:17:39,920 --> 02:17:42,240
what happens in Washington is really

2783
02:17:42,240 --> 02:17:45,280
impacting what uh we have to deal with

2784
02:17:45,280 --> 02:17:47,920
here in Vermont. and uh it's a it's a

2785
02:17:47,920 --> 02:17:49,920
daily occurrence frankly about whatever

2786
02:17:49,920 --> 02:17:53,439
news is coming out of DC. Um we've also

2787
02:17:53,439 --> 02:17:55,200
been busy in my committee working on

2788
02:17:55,200 --> 02:17:58,080
solutions to the uh homelessness uh

2789
02:17:58,080 --> 02:18:00,639
issues that we have in the state. We

2790
02:18:00,639 --> 02:18:04,240
have uh over uh 4,500 people nearly

2791
02:18:04,240 --> 02:18:06,319
4,600 people who are homeless in this

2792
02:18:06,319 --> 02:18:09,920
state. Over 800 of them are children. Um

2793
02:18:09,920 --> 02:18:12,479
those are children 800 children who lack

2794
02:18:12,479 --> 02:18:14,880
any kind of dependable fixed nighttime

2795
02:18:14,880 --> 02:18:18,800
residence where where they call home and

2796
02:18:18,800 --> 02:18:20,960
uh we can do better than what we're

2797
02:18:20,960 --> 02:18:23,040
doing in this state for people who are

2798
02:18:23,040 --> 02:18:24,960
homeless and among our most vulnerable

2799
02:18:24,960 --> 02:18:27,599
individuals.

2800
02:18:27,599 --> 02:18:32,240
Um on a positive news, um we we hear a

2801
02:18:32,240 --> 02:18:34,559
lot about education and about the cost

2802
02:18:34,559 --> 02:18:37,519
of education and about restructuring

2803
02:18:37,519 --> 02:18:40,479
education and about test scores and all

2804
02:18:40,479 --> 02:18:43,519
the like and um honestly it's it's not a

2805
02:18:43,519 --> 02:18:45,359
lot of positive news that we hear these

2806
02:18:45,359 --> 02:18:47,760
days about education, which um is

2807
02:18:47,760 --> 02:18:51,599
unfortunate. However, um the the changes

2808
02:18:51,599 --> 02:18:53,120
that we've done and the investments that

2809
02:18:53,120 --> 02:18:56,080
we're making in pre kindergarten are

2810
02:18:56,080 --> 02:18:58,319
paying off and I think that it's

2811
02:18:58,319 --> 02:19:01,200
important for people to know that we uh

2812
02:19:01,200 --> 02:19:03,519
in my committee we deal with prek. Um

2813
02:19:03,519 --> 02:19:06,479
I'm not the education committee but uh

2814
02:19:06,479 --> 02:19:09,040
pre kindergarten is a what we call a

2815
02:19:09,040 --> 02:19:12,319
mixed delivery system. It is uh provided

2816
02:19:12,319 --> 02:19:14,960
by private prek providers as well as

2817
02:19:14,960 --> 02:19:18,479
public schools and those funds are

2818
02:19:18,479 --> 02:19:21,439
utilized for all verers to have access

2819
02:19:21,439 --> 02:19:23,519
if you're a three or four year old to up

2820
02:19:23,519 --> 02:19:27,920
to 10 hours a week of uh prek. About 60%

2821
02:19:27,920 --> 02:19:30,240
of our youngsters receive it in the

2822
02:19:30,240 --> 02:19:33,040
private system and about 40% receive it

2823
02:19:33,040 --> 02:19:36,639
in the public prek. Um, on the good news

2824
02:19:36,639 --> 02:19:39,359
side of things, uh, Vermont ranks second

2825
02:19:39,359 --> 02:19:42,880
in the nation in access to preK. And not

2826
02:19:42,880 --> 02:19:47,920
only access, but 85% more than 85% of

2827
02:19:47,920 --> 02:19:50,319
our pre kindergarteners are showing

2828
02:19:50,319 --> 02:19:52,960
excellent readiness for kindergarten.

2829
02:19:52,960 --> 02:19:54,479
And that's because of the investments

2830
02:19:54,479 --> 02:19:57,680
we're making in early education. And

2831
02:19:57,680 --> 02:20:00,479
those investments will pay off as those

2832
02:20:00,479 --> 02:20:01,840
children make their way through the

2833
02:20:01,840 --> 02:20:04,000
public school system. So, um, we're

2834
02:20:04,000 --> 02:20:06,000
among the tops in the country in that

2835
02:20:06,000 --> 02:20:08,560
area. And I just wanted to be able to

2836
02:20:08,560 --> 02:20:11,200
share some positive news about education

2837
02:20:11,200 --> 02:20:14,000
as well. So, thank you very much for the

2838
02:20:14,000 --> 02:20:15,760
opportunity and the honor to represent

2839
02:20:15,760 --> 02:20:19,120
you in Mont Pillar and I appreciate all

2840
02:20:19,120 --> 02:20:22,720
the texts and um, emails and keep them

2841
02:20:22,720 --> 02:20:32,630
coming. So, thanks very much.

2842
02:20:32,640 --> 02:20:35,600
Um, just I'm going to always call Teresa

2843
02:20:35,600 --> 02:20:37,920
out for the work that she does for the

2844
02:20:37,920 --> 02:20:41,280
human services committee because it is

2845
02:20:41,280 --> 02:20:43,600
it's one of the largest budgets in the

2846
02:20:43,600 --> 02:20:46,800
state and we're dealing primarily with

2847
02:20:46,800 --> 02:20:50,399
people who um the way that I grew up

2848
02:20:50,399 --> 02:20:53,040
were the way that my grandparents or my

2849
02:20:53,040 --> 02:20:54,720
parents refer to them were people who

2850
02:20:54,720 --> 02:20:58,000
are less fortunate than we are. And too

2851
02:20:58,000 --> 02:21:00,560
often we forget that the people who are

2852
02:21:00,560 --> 02:21:02,160
being served by the human services

2853
02:21:02,160 --> 02:21:04,800
department are people who don't have the

2854
02:21:04,800 --> 02:21:07,680
resources that many of us have. And

2855
02:21:07,680 --> 02:21:09,280
that's why there's such a focus in the

2856
02:21:09,280 --> 02:21:11,600
state house on making sure when we say

2857
02:21:11,600 --> 02:21:13,120
that we want to protect the most

2858
02:21:13,120 --> 02:21:15,840
vulnerable or the young or the or the

2859
02:21:15,840 --> 02:21:17,439
old or the poor, that's what we're

2860
02:21:17,439 --> 02:21:19,280
talking about. And I just the the work

2861
02:21:19,280 --> 02:21:23,200
that um Teresa puts in for not only

2862
02:21:23,200 --> 02:21:25,120
during the session but throughout the

2863
02:21:25,120 --> 02:21:27,760
year is just remarkable to me. Her

2864
02:21:27,760 --> 02:21:32,720
energy and her passion for her work is probably deeper than anything I've

2865
02:21:32,720 --> 02:21:35,040
ever seen before in in in the state

2866
02:21:35,040 --> 02:21:42,309
house. So thank you Teresa.

2867
02:21:42,319 --> 02:21:45,200
IER now on the appropriations committee

2868
02:21:45,200 --> 02:21:46,880
which means that all of the policies

2869
02:21:46,880 --> 02:21:49,439
that that Teresa is talking about or any

2870
02:21:49,439 --> 02:21:51,760
of the other policy committees think is

2871
02:21:51,760 --> 02:21:53,760
going to be the greatest idea then has

2872
02:21:53,760 --> 02:21:55,680
to come to the appropriations committee

2873
02:21:55,680 --> 02:21:57,200
to get paid. We just had that

2874
02:21:57,200 --> 02:21:59,920
conversation locally here and whether or

2875
02:21:59,920 --> 02:22:02,000
not we have enough money in our state

2876
02:22:02,000 --> 02:22:06,000
budget to fund um feeding Vermont

2877
02:22:06,000 --> 02:22:07,920
verters feeding verters which is a

2878
02:22:07,920 --> 02:22:10,160
program that gives money to farmers this

2879
02:22:10,160 --> 02:22:11,840
time of year so they can grow crops that

2880
02:22:11,840 --> 02:22:14,080
they will then donate to the food bank.

2881
02:22:14,080 --> 02:22:16,720
um is asking for more

2882
02:22:16,720 --> 02:22:19,600
funds. Um there are so many programs

2883
02:22:19,600 --> 02:22:21,520
that our pri when when people say well

2884
02:22:21,520 --> 02:22:23,920
you have to budget to your priorities.

2885
02:22:23,920 --> 02:22:26,560
It's like there's been $300 million

2886
02:22:26,560 --> 02:22:28,560
worth of requests by the time we get

2887
02:22:28,560 --> 02:22:30,880
back of what people's priorities are

2888
02:22:30,880 --> 02:22:32,880
whether they are part of a policy

2889
02:22:32,880 --> 02:22:34,640
committee or whether they are one-time

2890
02:22:34,640 --> 02:22:36,800
items that did not make it into the

2891
02:22:36,800 --> 02:22:39,840
governor's recommended budget. And that

2892
02:22:39,840 --> 02:22:42,720
kind of balance or imbalance between the

2893
02:22:42,720 --> 02:22:46,640
amount of money that we have um to to to

2894
02:22:46,640 --> 02:22:50,240
help Vermonters in in these categories

2895
02:22:50,240 --> 02:22:53,520
is we're basically back to an austerity

2896
02:22:53,520 --> 02:22:55,280
budgeting method which is saying we have

2897
02:22:55,280 --> 02:22:58,240
this many dollars and this is what are

2898
02:22:58,240 --> 02:23:00,080
we going to spend it on as opposed to

2899
02:23:00,080 --> 02:23:01,840
what we experienced a little bit of

2900
02:23:01,840 --> 02:23:03,920
during COVID which was what are the

2901
02:23:03,920 --> 02:23:06,960
problems and here's you know how much

2902
02:23:06,960 --> 02:23:09,680
money do we need to do it and and it was

2903
02:23:09,680 --> 02:23:11,840
provided through the COVID relief money.

2904
02:23:11,840 --> 02:23:14,560
CO relief money is gone and we're now at

2905
02:23:14,560 --> 02:23:17,600
a point where we are seeing all of those

2906
02:23:17,600 --> 02:23:19,439
investments pay off. So the housing that

2907
02:23:19,439 --> 02:23:21,760
you're seeing is being built downtown um

2908
02:23:21,760 --> 02:23:23,600
and across the state. This is about the

2909
02:23:23,600 --> 02:23:25,120
last year that there's going to be

2910
02:23:25,120 --> 02:23:27,040
multiple ribbon cutings because all of

2911
02:23:27,040 --> 02:23:28,960
the money that we used from CO to go

2912
02:23:28,960 --> 02:23:30,960
towards housing, which was over three

2913
02:23:30,960 --> 02:23:35,280
or400 million is has has

2914
02:23:35,280 --> 02:23:37,840
um been is is being harvested as we

2915
02:23:37,840 --> 02:23:40,000
speak. So, but in the next several

2916
02:23:40,000 --> 02:23:42,080
years, we're not going to see as much

2917
02:23:42,080 --> 02:23:44,160
affordable housing built because there's

2918
02:23:44,160 --> 02:23:46,319
just not the funds to do it through our

2919
02:23:46,319 --> 02:23:48,880
normal budgeting process. So, when we

2920
02:23:48,880 --> 02:23:50,880
get back, there's going to be two solid

2921
02:23:50,880 --> 02:23:53,760
weeks of of listening to folks ask for

2922
02:23:53,760 --> 02:23:55,680
money and for us making decisions in the

2923
02:23:55,680 --> 02:23:58,720
appropriations committee um to create a

2924
02:23:58,720 --> 02:24:01,439
document that we think reflects what we

2925
02:24:01,439 --> 02:24:03,600
believe in, but also what the what the

2926
02:24:03,600 --> 02:24:05,280
financial reality is going to be. It's

2927
02:24:05,280 --> 02:24:08,240
going to be very difficult to say no to

2928
02:24:08,240 --> 02:24:11,760
people, but that's that's probably 75%

2929
02:24:11,760 --> 02:24:13,359
of the job on the appropriations

2930
02:24:13,359 --> 02:24:17,520
committee. So, we have um we have gotten

2931
02:24:17,520 --> 02:24:19,760
to work on it and in in several weeks

2932
02:24:19,760 --> 02:24:21,439
we'll see what the results of that were.

2933
02:24:21,439 --> 02:24:22,720
I want to speak a little bit about

2934
02:24:22,720 --> 02:24:25,359
education funding. um whatever the

2935
02:24:25,359 --> 02:24:27,280
budget turns out this weekend in all of

2936
02:24:27,280 --> 02:24:30,000
the towns that are voting on the on your

2937
02:24:30,000 --> 02:24:32,319
school budgets, just remember that we

2938
02:24:32,319 --> 02:24:36,399
paid down um over $120 million of the

2939
02:24:36,399 --> 02:24:38,960
property tax burden last year and it was

2940
02:24:38,960 --> 02:24:41,040
a response to the two years ago when

2941
02:24:41,040 --> 02:24:43,359
there was a 15 to 20% increase on

2942
02:24:43,359 --> 02:24:45,520
property taxes and it's and it's we know

2943
02:24:45,520 --> 02:24:47,920
it's unsustainable to see increases like

2944
02:24:47,920 --> 02:24:49,359
that.

2945
02:24:49,359 --> 02:24:52,080
The governor has proposed to use $105

2946
02:24:52,080 --> 02:24:55,520
million to do the same thing this year.

2947
02:24:55,520 --> 02:24:57,680
The problem that we're seeing and that

2948
02:24:57,680 --> 02:24:59,520
we're experiencing was when we look at

2949
02:24:59,520 --> 02:25:01,840
your when the December letter came out

2950
02:25:01,840 --> 02:25:03,840
and said that there is an anticipated

2951
02:25:03,840 --> 02:25:07,200
12% increase in um statewide property

2952
02:25:07,200 --> 02:25:10,160
taxes to pay for the your education. 50%

2953
02:25:10,160 --> 02:25:12,960
of that was because of the $120 million

2954
02:25:12,960 --> 02:25:16,880
we put down the year before. And so that

2955
02:25:16,880 --> 02:25:18,880
under most circumstances is very

2956
02:25:18,880 --> 02:25:20,399
difficult budgeting. We did it because

2957
02:25:20,399 --> 02:25:21,920
it seemed to be the right thing to do

2958
02:25:21,920 --> 02:25:24,240
last year. And the question for us to

2959
02:25:24,240 --> 02:25:26,000
answer is is it going to be the right

2960
02:25:26,000 --> 02:25:28,479
thing to do this year? And do we get

2961
02:25:28,479 --> 02:25:30,240
back on the regular track of whatever

2962
02:25:30,240 --> 02:25:33,120
the increases are? Um or should is it a

2963
02:25:33,120 --> 02:25:35,600
priority to pay down to keep paying

2964
02:25:35,600 --> 02:25:37,840
down? So every year a portion of what we

2965
02:25:37,840 --> 02:25:40,319
have to raise is paying down last year's

2966
02:25:40,319 --> 02:25:43,040
education funds. Um because we're not

2967
02:25:43,040 --> 02:25:44,880
reducing spending when we do that. We're

2968
02:25:44,880 --> 02:25:49,359
just reducing um what it costs to um to

2969
02:25:49,359 --> 02:25:51,920
the taxpayers. It's got it's got some

2970
02:25:51,920 --> 02:25:54,160
mileage to it, but that's going to be a

2971
02:25:54,160 --> 02:25:55,920
big thing because again, it's $300

2972
02:25:55,920 --> 02:25:58,240
million of asks for people who are

2973
02:25:58,240 --> 02:26:00,399
looking for funds that are going to keep

2974
02:26:00,399 --> 02:26:03,040
Veroners alive over the next year. So,

2975
02:26:03,040 --> 02:26:08,479
that's that's our that's our um job. And

2976
02:26:08,479 --> 02:26:09,840
the chaos that's coming out of

2977
02:26:09,840 --> 02:26:11,520
Washington every day is not making it

2978
02:26:11,520 --> 02:26:15,280
easier. And so we we're constantly being

2979
02:26:15,280 --> 02:26:17,520
told something is being cut um just a

2980
02:26:17,520 --> 02:26:19,680
second on housing. The Vermont State

2981
02:26:19,680 --> 02:26:21,600
Housing Authority receives almost all of

2982
02:26:21,600 --> 02:26:23,760
its all of its funding from the federal

2983
02:26:23,760 --> 02:26:26,160
government until this year when the

2984
02:26:26,160 --> 02:26:27,600
federal when the Housing and Urban

2985
02:26:27,600 --> 02:26:29,439
Development cut their funding for

2986
02:26:29,439 --> 02:26:32,240
existing vouchers. So people who need

2987
02:26:32,240 --> 02:26:34,240
vouchers to help pay for rent, which

2988
02:26:34,240 --> 02:26:36,240
helps landlords keep people in their

2989
02:26:36,240 --> 02:26:37,920
building on a regular basis.

2990
02:26:37,920 --> 02:26:39,920
>> Mr. Stevens, 30 second warning.

2991
02:26:39,920 --> 02:26:43,120
>> Thank you. um it is it we have to fill

2992
02:26:43,120 --> 02:26:44,800
in a gap that the federal government is

2993
02:26:44,800 --> 02:26:46,880
doing and we may lose those those

2994
02:26:46,880 --> 02:26:49,280
vouchers in the meantime. So that's what

2995
02:26:49,280 --> 02:26:51,200
we're working with. It's not been fun,

2996
02:26:51,200 --> 02:26:53,040
but the people who are doing it, I

2997
02:26:53,040 --> 02:26:55,280
believe in them. I even if I don't um

2998
02:26:55,280 --> 02:26:57,600
belong to the same party as they do, I

2999
02:26:57,600 --> 02:26:59,200
believe in working together across the

3000
02:26:59,200 --> 02:27:00,880
aisle to come to the best decisions that

3001
02:27:00,880 --> 02:27:03,600
we can make together. Thank you for the

3002
02:27:03,600 --> 02:27:05,600
privilege of serving with you. Um, I

3003
02:27:05,600 --> 02:27:06,960
know I'll be here for a little while to

3004
02:27:06,960 --> 02:27:08,720
answer questions in the back if anybody

3005
02:27:08,720 --> 02:27:10,880
has any particular questions. But again,

3006
02:27:10,880 --> 02:27:12,720
thank you for your time. Thank you for

3007
02:27:12,720 --> 02:27:22,950
your support and we'll see you soon.

3008
02:27:22,960 --> 02:27:24,800
Thank you to our legislators. And if you

3009
02:27:24,800 --> 02:27:26,800
do have questions um for them, I'm sure

3010
02:27:26,800 --> 02:27:28,399
they'd be happy to chat with you in the

3011
02:27:28,399 --> 02:27:30,000
back.

3012
02:27:30,000 --> 02:27:32,080
So, back to the orders of the day. We're

3013
02:27:32,080 --> 02:27:34,880
now on article 10 which is in page one

3014
02:27:34,880 --> 02:27:37,920
of the town report. Article 10. Shall

3015
02:27:37,920 --> 02:27:40,160
the town establish a reserve fund to be

3016
02:27:40,160 --> 02:27:42,640
called the natural disaster reserve fund

3017
02:27:42,640 --> 02:27:44,479
for the purpose of responding to natural

3018
02:27:44,479 --> 02:27:47,520
disasters in accordance with 24 Vermont

3019
02:27:47,520 --> 02:27:51,840
statutes annotated section 2804.

3020
02:27:51,840 --> 02:27:53,520
What is your pleasure with respect to

3021
02:27:53,520 --> 02:27:56,960
article 10? Miss Taraveella.

3022
02:27:56,960 --> 02:27:59,040
I move that the town of Waterberry

3023
02:27:59,040 --> 02:28:00,960
establish a reserve fund to be called

3024
02:28:00,960 --> 02:28:03,280
the natural disaster reserve fund for

3025
02:28:03,280 --> 02:28:05,120
the purpose of responding to natural

3026
02:28:05,120 --> 02:28:08,560
disasters in accordance with 24 VSA

3027
02:28:08,560 --> 02:28:11,920
section 2204.

3028
02:28:11,920 --> 02:28:13,760
Moved by Miss Taravela. Is there a

3029
02:28:13,760 --> 02:28:15,280
second?

3030
02:28:15,280 --> 02:28:17,520
The motion has been moved and seconded.

3031
02:28:17,520 --> 02:28:18,720
It has been moved that the town of

3032
02:28:18,720 --> 02:28:20,720
Waterbury shall establish a reserve fund

3033
02:28:20,720 --> 02:28:22,240
to be called the natural disaster

3034
02:28:22,240 --> 02:28:23,600
reserve fund for the purpose of

3035
02:28:23,600 --> 02:28:25,280
responding to natural disasters in

3036
02:28:25,280 --> 02:28:28,479
accordance with 24 Vermont statutes and

3037
02:28:28,479 --> 02:28:30,479
section 2804.

3038
02:28:30,479 --> 02:28:32,080
Mr. Tarella, would you like to speak to

3039
02:28:32,080 --> 02:28:34,960
the motion? Yes, please. Uh, I would

3040
02:28:34,960 --> 02:28:37,280
like to point out that on our town

3041
02:28:37,280 --> 02:28:40,000
within the booklet on page 57, we

3042
02:28:40,000 --> 02:28:43,600
include a natural disaster reserve fund

3043
02:28:43,600 --> 02:28:45,680
allowable uses. The point of this fund

3044
02:28:45,680 --> 02:28:48,479
is that we realize that FEMA funding

3045
02:28:48,479 --> 02:28:50,399
cannot really be depended on going

3046
02:28:50,399 --> 02:28:52,960
forward. And also, it's not going to

3047
02:28:52,960 --> 02:28:54,960
cover everything that could come up if

3048
02:28:54,960 --> 02:28:56,720
we unfortunately have to experience

3049
02:28:56,720 --> 02:28:59,600
another flood or other natural disaster

3050
02:28:59,600 --> 02:29:01,359
like our neighbors in Connecticut just

3051
02:29:01,359 --> 02:29:03,520
went through. Um the purpose of this

3052
02:29:03,520 --> 02:29:07,520
fund is to help mitigate the costs of

3053
02:29:07,520 --> 02:29:10,080
training of volunteers, personnel over

3054
02:29:10,080 --> 02:29:12,880
time, repair and cleanup, and other such

3055
02:29:12,880 --> 02:29:15,040
costs um that may or may not be covered

3056
02:29:15,040 --> 02:29:17,840
by federal or state response funds. It's

3057
02:29:17,840 --> 02:29:20,640
the purpose is to hopefully alleviate

3058
02:29:20,640 --> 02:29:22,399
some of this burden from the town

3059
02:29:22,399 --> 02:29:24,960
taxpayers and allow the people the

3060
02:29:24,960 --> 02:29:27,120
employees of Waterberry to respond

3061
02:29:27,120 --> 02:29:29,200
promptly and efficiently should a

3062
02:29:29,200 --> 02:29:32,000
disaster occur.

3063
02:29:32,000 --> 02:29:34,479
Thank you. Is there discussion on

3064
02:29:34,479 --> 02:29:52,070
article 10?

3065
02:29:52,080 --> 02:29:54,240
» Karen Miller Weber Center. I have just

3066
02:29:54,240 --> 02:29:56,640
one question. I'm not opposed to this

3067
02:29:56,640 --> 02:29:58,720
fund. I think it's actually a good idea.

3068
02:29:58,720 --> 02:30:01,200
But how are we're not putting any money

3069
02:30:01,200 --> 02:30:03,359
into it this year? How's the funding of

3070
02:30:03,359 --> 02:30:04,160
it going?

3071
02:30:04,160 --> 02:30:06,240
>> That's article 11.

3072
02:30:06,240 --> 02:30:11,429
>> There you go.

3073
02:30:11,439 --> 02:30:13,359
Is there further discussion on article

3074
02:30:13,359 --> 02:30:17,429
10?

3075
02:30:17,439 --> 02:30:20,640
Seeing no discussion, we will move to

3076
02:30:20,640 --> 02:30:24,319
voting on article 10. Um,

3077
02:30:24,319 --> 02:30:25,840
it has been moved that the town of

3078
02:30:25,840 --> 02:30:27,680
Waterberry shall establish a reserve

3079
02:30:27,680 --> 02:30:29,439
fund to be called the natural disaster

3080
02:30:29,439 --> 02:30:31,840
re reserve fund for the purpose of

3081
02:30:31,840 --> 02:30:33,520
responding to natural disasters in

3082
02:30:33,520 --> 02:30:37,840
accordance with 24 VSA 22804.

3083
02:30:37,840 --> 02:30:40,160
All those in favor, please say I.

3084
02:30:40,160 --> 02:30:40,960
>> I.

3085
02:30:40,960 --> 02:30:44,000
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

3086
02:30:44,000 --> 02:30:46,720
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

3087
02:30:46,720 --> 02:30:49,680
And you have passed article 10. Article

3088
02:30:49,680 --> 02:30:52,960
11. Shall the town appropriate $14,000

3089
02:30:52,960 --> 02:30:55,040
of local option tax revenues to the

3090
02:30:55,040 --> 02:30:56,960
natural disaster reserve fund? What is

3091
02:30:56,960 --> 02:31:01,349
your pleasure with respect to article?

3092
02:31:01,359 --> 02:31:03,280
Miss Paravella.

3093
02:31:03,280 --> 02:31:05,120
>> I move that the town of Waterberry

3094
02:31:05,120 --> 02:31:08,240
appropriate $14,000 of local option tax

3095
02:31:08,240 --> 02:31:09,840
revenues to the natural disaster

3096
02:31:09,840 --> 02:31:11,200
reserve.

3097
02:31:11,200 --> 02:31:13,280
>> Is there is there a second? Sorry about

3098
02:31:13,280 --> 02:31:16,800
that. The motion has been the article

3099
02:31:16,800 --> 02:31:18,560
has been moved and seconded. It has been

3100
02:31:18,560 --> 02:31:20,000
moved that the town of Waterberry shall

3101
02:31:20,000 --> 02:31:23,680
appropriate $14,000 of local local

3102
02:31:23,680 --> 02:31:25,359
option tax revenues to the natural

3103
02:31:25,359 --> 02:31:27,280
disaster reserve fund. Mr. Harvella,

3104
02:31:27,280 --> 02:31:28,880
would you like to speak to the motion?

3105
02:31:28,880 --> 02:31:31,920
Yes, please. Uh

3106
02:31:31,920 --> 02:31:33,600
what is the point of making a reserve

3107
02:31:33,600 --> 02:31:35,200
fund if we don't actually put money in

3108
02:31:35,200 --> 02:31:37,200
it?

3109
02:31:37,200 --> 02:31:38,880
We've chosen to take it from the law

3110
02:31:38,880 --> 02:31:41,840
local option tax as a

3111
02:31:41,840 --> 02:31:44,160
hope to not you know impact the tax rate

3112
02:31:44,160 --> 02:31:46,720
further with this uh fund balance. But

3113
02:31:46,720 --> 02:31:49,200
we also recognize that while there may

3114
02:31:49,200 --> 02:31:52,080
not be expenses every year that we have

3115
02:31:52,080 --> 02:31:54,399
this fund creating this and putting the

3116
02:31:54,399 --> 02:31:56,319
money into this reserve fund will allow

3117
02:31:56,319 --> 02:31:59,120
us to have this amount roll over year to

3118
02:31:59,120 --> 02:32:01,760
year and be protected for this specific

3119
02:32:01,760 --> 02:32:04,800
use. So that is our hope.

3120
02:32:04,800 --> 02:32:15,270
Is there discussion on article 11

3121
02:32:15,280 --> 02:32:18,479
John Malter Waterberry Center I'm the

3122
02:32:18,479 --> 02:32:21,200
chairman of the uh natural disaster

3123
02:32:21,200 --> 02:32:23,680
preparedness committee and along with

3124
02:32:23,680 --> 02:32:27,120
the other committee uh personnel

3125
02:32:27,120 --> 02:32:31,120
uh we strongly uh endorse this. We see

3126
02:32:31,120 --> 02:32:35,520
the need for both volunteers and

3127
02:32:35,520 --> 02:32:38,640
resources to be available in the event

3128
02:32:38,640 --> 02:32:42,240
that July 10th happens again someday,

3129
02:32:42,240 --> 02:32:45,200
which we know unfortunately it has

3130
02:32:45,200 --> 02:32:47,040
happened and maybe it'll be a different

3131
02:32:47,040 --> 02:32:49,600
day, a different year, but uh it's

3132
02:32:49,600 --> 02:32:52,479
important to have certain uh resources

3133
02:32:52,479 --> 02:32:55,439
there that uh the the town isn't going

3134
02:32:55,439 --> 02:32:58,479
to be purchasing. things like uh factory

3135
02:32:58,479 --> 02:33:01,040
trucks, uh industrialgrade

3136
02:33:01,040 --> 02:33:02,880
dehumidifiers,

3137
02:33:02,880 --> 02:33:06,319
uh things like having extra dumpsters

3138
02:33:06,319 --> 02:33:09,520
and rolloffs and uh other equipment as

3139
02:33:09,520 --> 02:33:13,040
well as training and uh some staff uh

3140
02:33:13,040 --> 02:33:16,399
extra time for staff to participate in

3141
02:33:16,399 --> 02:33:19,600
the immediate uh aftermath of an event

3142
02:33:19,600 --> 02:33:23,120
of this nature. So I just that money is

3143
02:33:23,120 --> 02:33:26,000
important. We uh are always looking for

3144
02:33:26,000 --> 02:33:28,960
more volunteers. I'm happy to sign

3145
02:33:28,960 --> 02:33:32,319
anybody up who is looking to uh get

3146
02:33:32,319 --> 02:33:35,680
dirty and uh get the satisfaction of

3147
02:33:35,680 --> 02:33:38,560
seeing the before and seeing the after.

3148
02:33:38,560 --> 02:33:42,950
So, thank you.

3149
02:33:42,960 --> 02:33:45,280
Is there further discussion on article

3150
02:33:45,280 --> 02:33:49,750
11?

3151
02:33:49,760 --> 02:33:52,160
Seeing no further discussion, it is it

3152
02:33:52,160 --> 02:33:53,520
has been moved that the town of

3153
02:33:53,520 --> 02:33:56,240
Waterberry shall appropriate $14,000 of

3154
02:33:56,240 --> 02:33:58,240
local option tax revenues to the natural

3155
02:33:58,240 --> 02:34:00,640
disaster reserve fund. All those in

3156
02:34:00,640 --> 02:34:02,319
favor, please say I.

3157
02:34:02,319 --> 02:34:03,040
>> I.

3158
02:34:03,040 --> 02:34:06,160
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

3159
02:34:06,160 --> 02:34:08,000
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

3160
02:34:08,000 --> 02:34:11,439
And you have passed article 11.

3161
02:34:11,439 --> 02:34:14,160
Article 12. Shall the town establish a

3162
02:34:14,160 --> 02:34:16,160
reserve fund to be called the Waterbury

3163
02:34:16,160 --> 02:34:18,399
Housing Reserve Fund for the purpose of

3164
02:34:18,399 --> 02:34:20,960
supporting

3165
02:34:20,960 --> 02:34:23,040
housing initiatives and incentives in

3166
02:34:23,040 --> 02:34:24,720
alignment with the Waterberry Housing

3167
02:34:24,720 --> 02:34:27,520
Trust Fund allowable uses in accordance

3168
02:34:27,520 --> 02:34:29,920
with 24 Vermont statutes annotated

3169
02:34:29,920 --> 02:34:32,399
section 2804.

3170
02:34:32,399 --> 02:34:33,840
What is your pleasure with respect to

3171
02:34:33,840 --> 02:34:37,200
article 12? Mr. Sweeney.

3172
02:34:37,200 --> 02:34:39,040
>> I move that the town of Waterberry

3173
02:34:39,040 --> 02:34:40,880
establish a reserve fund to be called

3174
02:34:40,880 --> 02:34:42,960
the Waterberry Housing Reserve Fund for

3175
02:34:42,960 --> 02:34:44,399
the purpose of supporting housing

3176
02:34:44,399 --> 02:34:46,160
initiatives and incentives aligned with

3177
02:34:46,160 --> 02:34:47,840
the Waterberry Housing Trust Fund

3178
02:34:47,840 --> 02:34:51,359
allowable uses in accordance with 24BSA

3179
02:34:51,359 --> 02:34:54,160
section 2804.

3180
02:34:54,160 --> 02:34:57,680
>> Moved by Mr. Sweeney. Is there a second?

3181
02:34:57,680 --> 02:35:00,560
The motion has been moved and seconded.

3182
02:35:00,560 --> 02:35:02,080
It has been moved that the town of

3183
02:35:02,080 --> 02:35:03,680
Waterberry shall establish a reserve

3184
02:35:03,680 --> 02:35:05,439
fund to be called the Waterberry Housing

3185
02:35:05,439 --> 02:35:06,880
Reserve Fund for the purpose of

3186
02:35:06,880 --> 02:35:08,800
supporting housing initiatives and

3187
02:35:08,800 --> 02:35:10,399
incentives in alignment with the house

3188
02:35:10,399 --> 02:35:12,479
waterberry housing trust fund allowable

3189
02:35:12,479 --> 02:35:15,359
uses in accordance with 24 VSA section

3190
02:35:15,359 --> 02:35:16,880
2804.

3191
02:35:16,880 --> 02:35:18,479
Mr. Sweeney, would you like to speak to

3192
02:35:18,479 --> 02:35:19,520
the motion?

3193
02:35:19,520 --> 02:35:21,200
>> Sure.

3194
02:35:21,200 --> 02:35:24,640
So, we already have as a line item the

3195
02:35:24,640 --> 02:35:26,720
Waterberry Housing Trust Fund, which

3196
02:35:26,720 --> 02:35:29,520
just solely exists as a line item in our

3197
02:35:29,520 --> 02:35:31,920
local option tax

3198
02:35:31,920 --> 02:35:35,680
on the applicable page in your report.

3199
02:35:35,680 --> 02:35:39,280
Um, what this will do is codify

3200
02:35:39,280 --> 02:35:41,280
Waterberry's commitment to housing going

3201
02:35:41,280 --> 02:35:45,200
forward. Um, look to the next article

3202
02:35:45,200 --> 02:35:46,880
which

3203
02:35:46,880 --> 02:35:49,520
present shortly. the funds have already

3204
02:35:49,520 --> 02:35:54,319
been allocated to the trust fund.

3205
02:35:54,319 --> 02:35:59,760
Therefore, we wouldn't be allocating any money that hasn't been set aside for

3206
02:35:59,760 --> 02:36:06,150
this project already the previous year.

3207
02:36:06,160 --> 02:36:12,630
» Is there further discussion?

3208
02:36:12,640 --> 02:36:20,309
» Please come to the microphone.

3209
02:36:20,319 --> 02:36:24,399
the Woody um Avenue project.

3210
02:36:24,399 --> 02:36:27,359
>> Um sorry, the Woody Island up by the

3211
02:36:27,359 --> 02:36:28,880
actually is they're thinking of

3212
02:36:28,880 --> 02:36:30,399
developing the land across from the

3213
02:36:30,399 --> 02:36:32,560
school where the armory is. Can't hear

3214
02:36:32,560 --> 02:36:33,600
me.

3215
02:36:33,600 --> 02:36:35,920
>> Oh, sorry. Kathy Grace, South Main

3216
02:36:35,920 --> 02:36:39,760
Street. I'm just curious um because I

3217
02:36:39,760 --> 02:36:42,240
haven't seen a bond vote or anything on

3218
02:36:42,240 --> 02:36:45,359
selling or uh the Woody Avenue project.

3219
02:36:45,359 --> 02:36:49,359
If we put money more um if we codify as

3220
02:36:49,359 --> 02:36:51,760
you say um does that mean that you can

3221
02:36:51,760 --> 02:36:54,319
spend money on a project without the

3222
02:36:54,319 --> 02:36:56,319
town

3223
02:36:56,319 --> 02:36:59,520
taxpayers voting a yes or a no? Is this

3224
02:36:59,520 --> 02:37:01,760
money going to be something that we get

3225
02:37:01,760 --> 02:37:04,000
to say where what it gets spent on or is

3226
02:37:04,000 --> 02:37:06,560
it just a way of giving you money to do

3227
02:37:06,560 --> 02:37:08,960
it without us having a project?

3228
02:37:08,960 --> 02:37:11,520
>> Okay. Thank you for the question. So um

3229
02:37:11,520 --> 02:37:12,800
is there a member of the select board

3230
02:37:12,800 --> 02:37:14,399
who would like to respond? All right,

3231
02:37:14,399 --> 02:37:15,280
Mr.

3232
02:37:15,280 --> 02:37:17,600
Um, if you looked at page 53 in your

3233
02:37:17,600 --> 02:37:20,000
reports, there's allowable uses for the

3234
02:37:20,000 --> 02:37:22,399
trust fund.

3235
02:37:22,399 --> 02:37:29,200
As of right now, the housing fund as it sits funds a

3236
02:37:29,200 --> 02:37:30,720
program called the Waterberry Housing

3237
02:37:30,720 --> 02:37:33,359
Improvement Program, which operates much

3238
02:37:33,359 --> 02:37:39,280
like VHIP, which um provides grants and

3239
02:37:39,280 --> 02:37:44,710
loans to folks building ADUs.

3240
02:37:44,720 --> 02:37:47,520
If you look at the allowable uses, there

3241
02:37:47,520 --> 02:37:49,840
are guidelines

3242
02:37:49,840 --> 02:37:52,399
and a massive focus on affordable

3243
02:37:52,399 --> 02:37:57,349
housing.

3244
02:37:57,359 --> 02:38:00,960
» Um, thank you. If there are questions,

3245
02:38:00,960 --> 02:38:02,880
you can address them to me and I'll find

3246
02:38:02,880 --> 02:38:04,560
out if there's someone who would like to

3247
02:38:04,560 --> 02:38:06,720
answer it.

3248
02:38:06,720 --> 02:38:10,800
is will it will spending the funds on

3249
02:38:10,800 --> 02:38:14,479
like using that as an example the Woody

3250
02:38:14,479 --> 02:38:16,720
Avenue development will be passed

3251
02:38:16,720 --> 02:38:20,000
through that or will taxp

3252
02:38:20,000 --> 02:38:21,600
okay so the question if people can't

3253
02:38:21,600 --> 02:38:24,160
hear it is whether or not funds that are

3254
02:38:24,160 --> 02:38:26,640
put into this reserve fund are can be

3255
02:38:26,640 --> 02:38:28,399
spent at the discretion of the select

3256
02:38:28,399 --> 02:38:29,680
board or if there needs to be further

3257
02:38:29,680 --> 02:38:32,240
vote on how they're expended. Is there

3258
02:38:32,240 --> 02:38:33,680
someone on the select board who would

3259
02:38:33,680 --> 02:38:35,680
like to answer that?

3260
02:38:35,680 --> 02:38:38,160
Um, so the function of a reserve fund is

3261
02:38:38,160 --> 02:38:40,080
the select board would have the

3262
02:38:40,080 --> 02:38:42,720
discretion to spend in alignment with

3263
02:38:42,720 --> 02:38:44,960
the allowable uses. So to your question,

3264
02:38:44,960 --> 02:38:47,280
if there was a housing project that

3265
02:38:47,280 --> 02:38:49,040
aligned with the objectives defined

3266
02:38:49,040 --> 02:38:51,120
here, we specifically designed the types

3267
02:38:51,120 --> 02:38:52,960
of affordability that would count and

3268
02:38:52,960 --> 02:38:55,359
the types of projects. If there was to

3269
02:38:55,359 --> 02:38:57,439
someday be a project at Woody that met

3270
02:38:57,439 --> 02:38:59,760
those criteria, the select board could

3271
02:38:59,760 --> 02:39:01,680
spend from this reserve fund to support

3272
02:39:01,680 --> 02:39:03,280
that project if it met the other

3273
02:39:03,280 --> 02:39:05,520
allowable criteria without needing to go

3274
02:39:05,520 --> 02:39:07,439
to a full-time vote. I will note for

3275
02:39:07,439 --> 02:39:09,840
today's conversation, the funding that

3276
02:39:09,840 --> 02:39:11,600
Kane spoke to and that's in the next

3277
02:39:11,600 --> 02:39:14,240
article is for the other programs Kane

3278
02:39:14,240 --> 02:39:15,920
already spoke to and we have a separate

3279
02:39:15,920 --> 02:39:18,399
item in local option tax specifically

3280
02:39:18,399 --> 02:39:20,080
addressed to Woody AB. So, I don't think

3281
02:39:20,080 --> 02:39:22,160
it's contemplated at this point as a

3282
02:39:22,160 --> 02:39:24,399
use, but it technically could

3283
02:39:24,399 --> 02:39:26,240
potentially be allowable under these

3284
02:39:26,240 --> 02:39:31,590
guidelines.

3285
02:39:31,600 --> 02:39:34,080
» Is there um further discussion on

3286
02:39:34,080 --> 02:39:36,800
article 12?

3287
02:39:36,800 --> 02:39:39,040
>> Madam moderators,

3288
02:39:39,040 --> 02:39:40,960
um I understand that and I advocate for

3289
02:39:40,960 --> 02:39:42,880
this. It's a wonderful thing. My

3290
02:39:42,880 --> 02:39:44,800
question though is the number correct

3291
02:39:44,800 --> 02:39:46,880
because I we have an active program

3292
02:39:46,880 --> 02:39:49,760
right now like so we're asking for this

3293
02:39:49,760 --> 02:39:51,840
to be put in reserve fund but there are

3294
02:39:51,840 --> 02:39:54,720
actually applicants for an active

3295
02:39:54,720 --> 02:39:58,479
program so that will be burned down this

3296
02:39:58,479 --> 02:40:00,479
year.

3297
02:40:00,479 --> 02:40:02,880
>> Okay. So the question is

3298
02:40:02,880 --> 02:40:07,280
>> reconstitute 175 right it's 175 minus

3299
02:40:07,280 --> 02:40:09,760
anything that's already been earmarked

3300
02:40:09,760 --> 02:40:13,280
for people targeted for that

3301
02:40:13,280 --> 02:40:16,319
>> so article 12 is just the creation of

3302
02:40:16,319 --> 02:40:18,720
the trust fund um I think you may be

3303
02:40:18,720 --> 02:40:24,950
speaking to article 13

3304
02:40:24,960 --> 02:40:26,479
» is there any further discussion on

3305
02:40:26,479 --> 02:40:30,550
article 12.

3306
02:40:30,560 --> 02:40:33,439
» Um, Teresa Wood again. I just thought

3307
02:40:33,439 --> 02:40:35,280
folks might be interested because it's

3308
02:40:35,280 --> 02:40:37,120
been mentioned in the last two articles

3309
02:40:37,120 --> 02:40:41,439
what 24 VSA section 2804 actually is.

3310
02:40:41,439 --> 02:40:44,720
Um, so, uh, and I just was, uh, bringing

3311
02:40:44,720 --> 02:40:49,040
up because, um, Kathy's question, um, it

3312
02:40:49,040 --> 02:40:50,960
says specifically at it, it's about

3313
02:40:50,960 --> 02:40:54,000
reserve funds, and it's at an annual or

3314
02:40:54,000 --> 02:40:56,319
special meeting, duly warned, a

3315
02:40:56,319 --> 02:40:58,479
municipality may establish a reserve

3316
02:40:58,479 --> 02:41:00,560
fund, and this is the part that the

3317
02:41:00,560 --> 02:41:02,800
question came up about to be under the

3318
02:41:02,800 --> 02:41:04,800
control and direction of the legislative

3319
02:41:04,800 --> 02:41:07,200
branch of the municipality,

3320
02:41:07,200 --> 02:41:08,800
which is the select board. So, I just

3321
02:41:08,800 --> 02:41:10,000
thought I would provide that background

3322
02:41:10,000 --> 02:41:15,670
for you.

3323
02:41:15,680 --> 02:41:17,520
Is there further discussion on article

3324
02:41:17,520 --> 02:41:19,920
12?

3325
02:41:19,920 --> 02:41:22,479
Seeing no further discussion, um we'll

3326
02:41:22,479 --> 02:41:24,640
proceed to a vote. It has been moved

3327
02:41:24,640 --> 02:41:26,240
that the town of Waterberry shall

3328
02:41:26,240 --> 02:41:28,160
establish a reserve fund to be called

3329
02:41:28,160 --> 02:41:30,560
the Waterberry Housing Reserve Fund for

3330
02:41:30,560 --> 02:41:32,000
the purpose of supporting housing

3331
02:41:32,000 --> 02:41:33,840
initiatives and incentives in alignment

3332
02:41:33,840 --> 02:41:35,439
with the Waterberry Housing Trust Fund

3333
02:41:35,439 --> 02:41:38,640
allowable uses in accordance with 24 BSA

3334
02:41:38,640 --> 02:41:40,640
section 2804.

3335
02:41:40,640 --> 02:41:43,680
All those in favor, please say I. I.

3336
02:41:43,680 --> 02:41:46,319
>> Those opposed, please say no.

3337
02:41:46,319 --> 02:41:49,359
The eyes appear to have it and the eyes

3338
02:41:49,359 --> 02:41:51,040
do have it. And you have passed article

3339
02:41:51,040 --> 02:41:52,640
12.

3340
02:41:52,640 --> 02:41:55,840
Article 13 um

3341
02:41:55,840 --> 02:41:59,600
states, "Shall the town allocate 175,000

3342
02:41:59,600 --> 02:42:03,200
of local option tax reserves to the

3343
02:42:03,200 --> 02:42:06,399
Waterberry Housing Reserve Fund." What

3344
02:42:06,399 --> 02:42:08,319
is your pleasure with respect to article

3345
02:42:08,319 --> 02:42:10,640
13, Mr. Sweeney?

3346
02:42:10,640 --> 02:42:14,080
>> I move that the town deposit 175,000 of

3347
02:42:14,080 --> 02:42:15,920
local option tax reserves to the

3348
02:42:15,920 --> 02:42:18,560
Waterberry Housing Reserve Fund.

3349
02:42:18,560 --> 02:42:22,240
>> Moved by Mr. Sweeney. Is there a second?

3350
02:42:22,240 --> 02:42:24,399
The motion has been moved and seconded

3351
02:42:24,399 --> 02:42:26,640
that the town of Waterway shall allocate

3352
02:42:26,640 --> 02:42:28,240
$175,000

3353
02:42:28,240 --> 02:42:30,560
of local option tax reserves to the

3354
02:42:30,560 --> 02:42:32,640
Waterbury Housing Reserve Fund. Mr.

3355
02:42:32,640 --> 02:42:34,080
Sweeney, would you like to speak to the

3356
02:42:34,080 --> 02:42:36,240
motion?

3357
02:42:36,240 --> 02:42:40,080
>> As I uh iterated before, the money the

3358
02:42:40,080 --> 02:42:42,399
175,000 had already been set aside as a

3359
02:42:42,399 --> 02:42:45,680
line item in for tax

3360
02:42:45,680 --> 02:42:48,479
budget. Um, it's money that was set

3361
02:42:48,479 --> 02:42:50,080
aside over the last two years, which

3362
02:42:50,080 --> 02:42:51,680
means there would be no money coming out

3363
02:42:51,680 --> 02:42:54,560
of, as far as I understand it, 2026

3364
02:42:54,560 --> 02:42:57,200
budget to go into this fund. It's just

3365
02:42:57,200 --> 02:43:02,870
money that has already been set aside.

3366
02:43:02,880 --> 02:43:04,640
» Is there further discussion about

3367
02:43:04,640 --> 02:43:10,150
article 13?

3368
02:43:10,160 --> 02:43:12,240
» Yes.

3369
02:43:12,240 --> 02:43:14,399
Um, preemptively to the potential

3370
02:43:14,399 --> 02:43:16,640
question, I would just note $100,000 of

3371
02:43:16,640 --> 02:43:18,240
that was designated by the select board

3372
02:43:18,240 --> 02:43:21,200
in 2024. The other $75,000 of local

3373
02:43:21,200 --> 02:43:23,359
option tax money was voted here a year

3374
02:43:23,359 --> 02:43:25,520
ago by all of you at town meeting. To

3375
02:43:25,520 --> 02:43:28,240
the question about uses, we do have a

3376
02:43:28,240 --> 02:43:30,319
use following the approved uses that

3377
02:43:30,319 --> 02:43:32,080
we've discussed. The Waterbury Housing

3378
02:43:32,080 --> 02:43:33,760
Improvement Program, we do have

3379
02:43:33,760 --> 02:43:35,760
applicant. As far as I'm aware, we have

3380
02:43:35,760 --> 02:43:38,000
not yet awarded funding. Though we have

3381
02:43:38,000 --> 02:43:40,800
designated that $100,000 could be used

3382
02:43:40,800 --> 02:43:42,880
for that. Out of those two items, they

3383
02:43:42,880 --> 02:43:44,160
have not been paid. They would be

3384
02:43:44,160 --> 02:43:46,160
allowable uses. So even if this funding

3385
02:43:46,160 --> 02:43:48,720
was moved to this reserve fund, it still

3386
02:43:48,720 --> 02:43:51,279
could be used in that manner. I also

3387
02:43:51,279 --> 02:43:52,720
will take this moment while it's

3388
02:43:52,720 --> 02:43:55,279
journeying to recognize Sandy Saving for

3389
02:43:55,279 --> 02:44:04,150
her advocacy on both of these articles.

3390
02:44:04,160 --> 02:44:06,880
Is there further discussion on article

3391
02:44:06,880 --> 02:44:10,230
13?

3392
02:44:10,240 --> 02:44:13,359
Seeing no further discussion, we will

3393
02:44:13,359 --> 02:44:15,439
proceed to a vote. It has been moved

3394
02:44:15,439 --> 02:44:17,120
that the town of Waterberry shall

3395
02:44:17,120 --> 02:44:19,840
allocate $175,000

3396
02:44:19,840 --> 02:44:22,319
of local option tax reserves to the

3397
02:44:22,319 --> 02:44:25,200
Waterberry Housing Reserve Fund. All

3398
02:44:25,200 --> 02:44:28,160
those in favor, please say I. I.

3399
02:44:28,160 --> 02:44:31,200
>> Those opposed, please say no.

3400
02:44:31,200 --> 02:44:33,279
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

3401
02:44:33,279 --> 02:44:37,520
have it. And you have passed article 13.

3402
02:44:37,520 --> 02:44:40,960
Article 14.

3403
02:44:40,960 --> 02:44:44,319
shall notes of the town of Waterberry in

3404
02:44:44,319 --> 02:44:51,030
an amount not to exceed $414,47

3405
02:44:51,040 --> 02:44:52,479
subject to the reduction from the

3406
02:44:52,479 --> 02:44:54,399
receipt of available state and federal

3407
02:44:54,399 --> 02:44:56,800
grants and aid and reserve funds be

3408
02:44:56,800 --> 02:44:59,120
issued for the purposes for the purpose

3409
02:44:59,120 --> 02:45:01,680
of acquiring a replacement fire truck.

3410
02:45:01,680 --> 02:45:03,520
The estimated cost of such improvements

3411
02:45:03,520 --> 02:45:07,510
being $414,47

3412
02:45:07,520 --> 02:45:10,560
with the debt service by $110,000 in

3413
02:45:10,560 --> 02:45:14,240
local option tax revenues in 2026.

3414
02:45:14,240 --> 02:45:15,840
What is your pleasure with respect to

3415
02:45:15,840 --> 02:45:18,160
article 14?

3416
02:45:18,160 --> 02:45:23,110
Mr. Bard.

3417
02:45:23,120 --> 02:45:26,720
» Madame moderator, I move to authorize

3418
02:45:26,720 --> 02:45:29,760
the select board to transfer up to

3419
02:45:29,760 --> 02:45:31,520
$380,000

3420
02:45:31,520 --> 02:45:33,840
from

3421
02:45:33,840 --> 02:45:48,550
>> That's last year's motion.

3422
02:45:48,560 --> 02:45:52,240
corrected one. I move to authorize the

3423
02:45:52,240 --> 02:45:55,040
town of Waterbury to borrow by note in

3424
02:45:55,040 --> 02:46:02,630
an amount not to exceed 414,47

3425
02:46:02,640 --> 02:46:04,880
subject to the reduction from the

3426
02:46:04,880 --> 02:46:07,600
receipt of available state and federal

3427
02:46:07,600 --> 02:46:10,880
grants to aids and reserve funds for the

3428
02:46:10,880 --> 02:46:13,920
purpose of acquiring a replacement fire

3429
02:46:13,920 --> 02:46:16,399
truck. the estimated cost of such

3430
02:46:16,399 --> 02:46:23,030
improvements being $414,47

3431
02:46:23,040 --> 02:46:27,200
with the debt service by $110,000

3432
02:46:27,200 --> 02:46:32,870
in local tax revenues in 2006.

3433
02:46:32,880 --> 02:46:35,920
Um the moved by Mr. Bard. Is there a

3434
02:46:35,920 --> 02:46:37,680
second?

3435
02:46:37,680 --> 02:46:40,560
The motion has been moved and seconded.

3436
02:46:40,560 --> 02:46:43,279
And um if there's no objection, I will

3437
02:46:43,279 --> 02:46:46,720
not reread the article. And Mr. Dylan,

3438
02:46:46,720 --> 02:46:50,960
would you like to speak to the article?

3439
02:46:50,960 --> 02:46:55,910
>> Sometimes I think you're better off just

3440
02:46:55,920 --> 02:46:59,990
that.

3441
02:47:00,000 --> 02:47:03,439
» Thanks for having my back.

3442
02:47:03,439 --> 02:47:06,880
You need two of these.

3443
02:47:06,880 --> 02:47:12,479
Um, so here I am again and I and I sound

3444
02:47:12,479 --> 02:47:16,160
like a broken record. Um, and I get it,

3445
02:47:16,160 --> 02:47:18,399
but it's what happens when you um merge

3446
02:47:18,399 --> 02:47:21,760
two fire departments into one and

3447
02:47:21,760 --> 02:47:24,479
previously you bought fire trucks

3448
02:47:24,479 --> 02:47:27,279
together to save a little bit of money.

3449
02:47:27,279 --> 02:47:30,880
Um, so this is the last big truck that

3450
02:47:30,880 --> 02:47:34,240
you're going to see me for. Um, yeah,

3451
02:47:34,240 --> 02:47:38,000
like forget it. Uh

3452
02:47:38,000 --> 02:47:39,600
there there's still a pickup truck out

3453
02:47:39,600 --> 02:47:43,120
there somewhere. Um and that was delayed

3454
02:47:43,120 --> 02:47:46,479
from this year to possibly next year. Uh

3455
02:47:46,479 --> 02:47:48,640
this tank truck is replacing a truck

3456
02:47:48,640 --> 02:47:52,399
that should have been replaced in 2018.

3457
02:47:52,399 --> 02:47:56,960
Um but that was before we merged. And in

3458
02:47:56,960 --> 02:47:59,920
working with Bill originally, uh we

3459
02:47:59,920 --> 02:48:02,000
started doing a lot of separation of our

3460
02:48:02,000 --> 02:48:03,600
trucks.

3461
02:48:03,600 --> 02:48:05,920
um to put them off a little bit so that

3462
02:48:05,920 --> 02:48:09,040
we're not buying two big trucks in a

3463
02:48:09,040 --> 02:48:12,720
year. Um I also worked with the previous

3464
02:48:12,720 --> 02:48:16,240
manager to come up with uh the

3465
02:48:16,240 --> 02:48:17,920
replacement date for this truck this

3466
02:48:17,920 --> 02:48:22,319
year. Um and

3467
02:48:22,319 --> 02:48:25,120
what we're getting is a new tank truck

3468
02:48:25,120 --> 02:48:28,960
to replace one that is in need of

3469
02:48:28,960 --> 02:48:30,560
replacing. Again, it should have been

3470
02:48:30,560 --> 02:48:33,439
replaced in 2018. I'm not saying that

3471
02:48:33,439 --> 02:48:34,960
I'm upset about that. It was the right

3472
02:48:34,960 --> 02:48:40,160
thing to do. Uh but this one it is due

3473
02:48:40,160 --> 02:48:43,439
and it is necessary. There are

3474
02:48:43,439 --> 02:48:45,279
mechanical issues that we're we're

3475
02:48:45,279 --> 02:48:48,479
piecing together. There's, you know,

3476
02:48:48,479 --> 02:48:51,600
it's a poly tank and a body, meaning

3477
02:48:51,600 --> 02:48:55,359
plastic. Um and they work great, but

3478
02:48:55,359 --> 02:48:58,319
over time bolts and stuff shift. We if

3479
02:48:58,319 --> 02:49:00,080
we we're going to have to start start

3480
02:49:00,080 --> 02:49:02,960
taking a look at uh refabricating some

3481
02:49:02,960 --> 02:49:06,080
of the the parts where the hinges go and

3482
02:49:06,080 --> 02:49:09,040
there's shock issues or not shocks uh

3483
02:49:09,040 --> 02:49:11,439
springs and brackets that hold the

3484
02:49:11,439 --> 02:49:13,680
springs on. I'm not a mechanic. Chris is

3485
02:49:13,680 --> 02:49:15,840
probably sitting there thinking I know

3486
02:49:15,840 --> 02:49:19,920
what that is. Um, but this truck again

3487
02:49:19,920 --> 02:49:23,439
is a demo truck and in in lie of

3488
02:49:23,439 --> 02:49:26,240
spending more money um and trying to

3489
02:49:26,240 --> 02:49:28,160
save money. That's what we've been

3490
02:49:28,160 --> 02:49:30,640
buying for the last four trucks are demo

3491
02:49:30,640 --> 02:49:33,600
trucks. We get it, we order the other

3492
02:49:33,600 --> 02:49:35,520
parts that we that need to come on it

3493
02:49:35,520 --> 02:49:37,600
because it comes as just a plain truck.

3494
02:49:37,600 --> 02:49:39,600
Even with the parts that we're ordering

3495
02:49:39,600 --> 02:49:41,200
that have to be on this truck, we're

3496
02:49:41,200 --> 02:49:44,880
still saving in the area of $40,000

3497
02:49:44,880 --> 02:49:47,840
in a $400,000 truck. I get it's not

3498
02:49:47,840 --> 02:49:51,760
much, but maybe it's a sidewalk. I don't

3499
02:49:51,760 --> 02:49:55,040
know. Um, but it is something. So, we

3500
02:49:55,040 --> 02:49:58,319
are doing our best to to get a truck

3501
02:49:58,319 --> 02:50:00,960
that works for us.

3502
02:50:00,960 --> 02:50:04,080
We're not a big city, a big town that

3503
02:50:04,080 --> 02:50:06,319
has a lot of money that are buying

3504
02:50:06,319 --> 02:50:09,600
trucks with big names that some places

3505
02:50:09,600 --> 02:50:12,880
do. Um because that's not what we need.

3506
02:50:12,880 --> 02:50:16,000
And you know, we can spend $400,000 on

3507
02:50:16,000 --> 02:50:18,960
this truck and other towns would spend

3508
02:50:18,960 --> 02:50:22,240
$750,000 because it's a big brand name.

3509
02:50:22,240 --> 02:50:25,120
And the trucks do the exact same thing.

3510
02:50:25,120 --> 02:50:27,600
So, I'm willing to answer any questions

3511
02:50:27,600 --> 02:50:31,439
for you if you have them.

3512
02:50:31,439 --> 02:50:32,800
uh fire away.

3513
02:50:32,800 --> 02:50:35,439
>> Okay. So, um if there's further

3514
02:50:35,439 --> 02:50:37,520
discussion um so you can put the

3515
02:50:37,520 --> 02:50:39,439
microphone down and then if people have

3516
02:50:39,439 --> 02:50:46,070
questions, we'll let you answer them.

3517
02:50:46,080 --> 02:50:49,520
» Okay. Is are is there further discussion

3518
02:50:49,520 --> 02:50:59,269
on this motion?

3519
02:50:59,279 --> 02:51:02,560
All right. Well, seeing no further

3520
02:51:02,560 --> 02:51:06,000
discussion, we will take a vote on it.

3521
02:51:06,000 --> 02:51:08,080
Um, it has been moved that the town of

3522
02:51:08,080 --> 02:51:09,840
Waterberry shall issue notes in an

3523
02:51:09,840 --> 02:51:13,920
amount not to exceed $414,47

3524
02:51:13,920 --> 02:51:15,520
subject to the reduction from the

3525
02:51:15,520 --> 02:51:17,120
receipt of available state and federal

3526
02:51:17,120 --> 02:51:19,359
grants and aid and reserve funds be

3527
02:51:19,359 --> 02:51:21,040
issued for the purpose of acquiring a

3528
02:51:21,040 --> 02:51:22,720
replacement firet truck. the estimated

3529
02:51:22,720 --> 02:51:26,640
cost of such improvements being $414,47

3530
02:51:26,640 --> 02:51:29,279
with the debt service by $110,000 in

3531
02:51:29,279 --> 02:51:32,640
local option tax revenues in 2026.

3532
02:51:32,640 --> 02:51:36,080
All those in favor, please say I.

3533
02:51:36,080 --> 02:51:39,040
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

3534
02:51:39,040 --> 02:51:40,960
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

3535
02:51:40,960 --> 02:51:43,840
And you have passed article 14.

3536
02:51:43,840 --> 02:51:46,319
So,

3537
02:51:46,319 --> 02:51:48,240
I've just been informed that if you are

3538
02:51:48,240 --> 02:51:49,840
hungry and would like to take a short

3539
02:51:49,840 --> 02:51:52,319
break in the cafeteria, lunch is being

3540
02:51:52,319 --> 02:51:55,279
served by the senior center. However,

3541
02:51:55,279 --> 02:51:56,800
for those who want to stay upstairs,

3542
02:51:56,800 --> 02:51:59,120
we'll continue going through articles.

3543
02:51:59,120 --> 02:52:02,240
We will now move to article 15. What is

3544
02:52:02,240 --> 02:52:04,080
your pleasure with respect to article

3545
02:52:04,080 --> 02:52:06,800
15, Mr. Sweeney?

3546
02:52:06,800 --> 02:52:10,399
>> I move article 15.

3547
02:52:10,399 --> 02:52:12,160
So to popular claim, we're going to

3548
02:52:12,160 --> 02:52:14,720
shorten some of the process here. So

3549
02:52:14,720 --> 02:52:18,240
moved by Mr. Sweeney. Is there a second?

3550
02:52:18,240 --> 02:52:20,000
>> The motion has been moved and seconded.

3551
02:52:20,000 --> 02:52:21,600
Now I actually do have to read the whole

3552
02:52:21,600 --> 02:52:23,840
thing. It has been moved that the town

3553
02:52:23,840 --> 02:52:26,720
will during 2026 appropriate a total of

3554
02:52:26,720 --> 02:52:28,640
$935,000

3555
02:52:28,640 --> 02:52:31,120
from local option tax revenues as

3556
02:52:31,120 --> 02:52:34,479
follows. $150,000 for grapple roads,

3557
02:52:34,479 --> 02:52:37,200
$25,000 for the highway capital fund,

3558
02:52:37,200 --> 02:52:40,800
$150,000 for a new pool filter, $75,000

3559
02:52:40,800 --> 02:52:44,000
for a new F350 vehicle for public works,

3560
02:52:44,000 --> 02:52:46,560
$150,000 for sidewalk improvements,

3561
02:52:46,560 --> 02:52:48,800
$15,000 for consulting services to

3562
02:52:48,800 --> 02:52:51,840
assist with the town plan update, $8,500

3563
02:52:51,840 --> 02:52:54,399
for tree inventory, $10,000 for expenses

3564
02:52:54,399 --> 02:52:57,359
related to Teimo Bio projects, $25,000

3565
02:52:57,359 --> 02:52:59,200
for the Stanley Wson and Woody Avenue

3566
02:52:59,200 --> 02:53:01,920
housing projects, $10,000 for non grant

3567
02:53:01,920 --> 02:53:04,080
eligible expenses for the Randall Meadow

3568
02:53:04,080 --> 02:53:07,279
Flood Mitigation Project, $75,000 for a

3569
02:53:07,279 --> 02:53:08,560
pilot service agreement with the

3570
02:53:08,560 --> 02:53:11,200
Washington County Sheriff, $8,000 for

3571
02:53:11,200 --> 02:53:13,200
inventory supplies for natural disaster

3572
02:53:13,200 --> 02:53:16,399
preparedness, $3,500 for the Waterbury

3573
02:53:16,399 --> 02:53:21,120
Vermont 250 planning committee, $126,67

3574
02:53:21,120 --> 02:53:22,800
for debt service for a fire truck

3575
02:53:22,800 --> 02:53:27,600
approved by voters in 2025. $13,333

3576
02:53:27,600 --> 02:53:29,200
force debt service for a public works

3577
02:53:29,200 --> 02:53:32,399
truck approved by voters in 2025.

3578
02:53:32,399 --> 02:53:34,160
Mr. Sweeney, would you like to speak to

3579
02:53:34,160 --> 02:53:36,000
the motion?

3580
02:53:36,000 --> 02:53:40,000
>> Sure. Uh, briefly,

3581
02:53:40,000 --> 02:53:42,640
we feel that all of these expenditures

3582
02:53:42,640 --> 02:53:45,680
fall into the four buckets of allowable

3583
02:53:45,680 --> 02:54:00,870
usage for the local

3584
02:54:00,880 --> 02:54:04,960
Okay. Any um further discussion about

3585
02:54:04,960 --> 02:54:08,240
article 15? This is the article dealing

3586
02:54:08,240 --> 02:54:10,240
with the local option tax. So there were

3587
02:54:10,240 --> 02:54:13,279
questions about this earlier. So um

3588
02:54:13,279 --> 02:54:14,640
please come up to the microphone if

3589
02:54:14,640 --> 02:54:21,510
you'd like to make comments.

3590
02:54:21,520 --> 02:54:24,560
Sandy Saven, Waterberry Senate. Um, as I

3591
02:54:24,560 --> 02:54:27,840
had asked before, um, I just wondered on

3592
02:54:27,840 --> 02:54:30,720
page 23 of the local options tax

3593
02:54:30,720 --> 02:54:33,279
breakdown from the adopted budget last

3594
02:54:33,279 --> 02:54:36,160
year and proposed this year if we have

3595
02:54:36,160 --> 02:54:39,680
the actual figures that were spent for

3596
02:54:39,680 --> 02:54:41,359
2025

3597
02:54:41,359 --> 02:54:44,399
so that we can see compared to what was

3598
02:54:44,399 --> 02:54:47,600
budgeted, what was spent.

3599
02:54:47,600 --> 02:54:51,359
and then a final after that a final

3600
02:54:51,359 --> 02:54:56,150
actual year end balance.

3601
02:54:56,160 --> 02:54:59,359
So the question relates to page 23 um

3602
02:54:59,359 --> 02:55:03,840
the local option tax 25 2025 budget

3603
02:55:03,840 --> 02:55:06,080
compared to actuals and the final

3604
02:55:06,080 --> 02:55:07,840
balance

3605
02:55:07,840 --> 02:55:09,680
regretfully I don't have it in a

3606
02:55:09,680 --> 02:55:11,359
beautiful well-laidout format or in the

3607
02:55:11,359 --> 02:55:13,760
town report but to speak to the 2025

3608
02:55:13,760 --> 02:55:16,640
column to help um outline my

3609
02:55:16,640 --> 02:55:18,640
understanding and knowledge is that um

3610
02:55:18,640 --> 02:55:21,600
all of the expenses adopted for local

3611
02:55:21,600 --> 02:55:24,399
option tax in 2025 have been expended

3612
02:55:24,399 --> 02:55:26,160
did at least substantially with the

3613
02:55:26,160 --> 02:55:29,279
exception of the card access/security

3614
02:55:29,279 --> 02:55:31,120
system for the municipal offices that

3615
02:55:31,120 --> 02:55:33,520
$25,000 I believe the estimates came

3616
02:55:33,520 --> 02:55:35,600
over very high and we haven't moved

3617
02:55:35,600 --> 02:55:37,359
forward with the project as a result of

3618
02:55:37,359 --> 02:55:39,600
that but otherwise my understanding is

3619
02:55:39,600 --> 02:55:42,479
again at least substantially those funds

3620
02:55:42,479 --> 02:55:44,960
have been spent as allocated

3621
02:55:44,960 --> 02:55:47,120
and then I believe the question also was

3622
02:55:47,120 --> 02:55:48,800
if there's a balance is that your

3623
02:55:48,800 --> 02:55:51,200
question

3624
02:55:51,200 --> 02:55:52,399
just

3625
02:55:52,399 --> 02:55:58,399
>> yeah sorry So if the um if the 25,000

3626
02:55:58,399 --> 02:56:00,880
was not re does it go back to the

3627
02:56:00,880 --> 02:56:03,920
balance fund and if it you decide later

3628
02:56:03,920 --> 02:56:06,880
on to do it at a higher cost will be

3629
02:56:06,880 --> 02:56:10,240
brought to for the voters at that point.

3630
02:56:10,240 --> 02:56:13,120
So is that still in the balance because

3631
02:56:13,120 --> 02:56:16,240
it didn't get used last year. So the

3632
02:56:16,240 --> 02:56:19,760
balance actually was higher and if we do

3633
02:56:19,760 --> 02:56:22,080
decide to do it later on I think it is a

3634
02:56:22,080 --> 02:56:28,070
good idea present that to the voters.

3635
02:56:28,080 --> 02:56:29,920
» Miss Johnson, would you like to respond?

3636
02:56:29,920 --> 02:56:31,680
And just to restate, if anyone couldn't

3637
02:56:31,680 --> 02:56:33,279
hear, what I think Sandy walked along

3638
02:56:33,279 --> 02:56:34,720
and we are agreeing with is that that

3639
02:56:34,720 --> 02:56:37,359
25,000 that was allocated but not spent

3640
02:56:37,359 --> 02:56:39,600
out of local option tax is still in the

3641
02:56:39,600 --> 02:56:41,680
town accounts coming from local option

3642
02:56:41,680 --> 02:56:43,279
tax and could be used for that purpose

3643
02:56:43,279 --> 02:56:45,279
and additional funding needed to be

3644
02:56:45,279 --> 02:56:46,640
sought that could be brought to the

3645
02:56:46,640 --> 02:56:58,150
voters.

3646
02:56:58,160 --> 02:57:01,279
moderator. Um, Chris Fens,

3647
02:57:01,279 --> 02:57:03,520
can I ask a general question about local

3648
02:57:03,520 --> 02:57:05,120
options tax? I've been kind of waiting

3649
02:57:05,120 --> 02:57:07,359
for the right article to pop up. Uh, and

3650
02:57:07,359 --> 02:57:09,680
could I request a show of hands based on

3651
02:57:09,680 --> 02:57:10,399
that question?

3652
02:57:10,399 --> 02:57:11,279
>> No, you may not.

3653
02:57:11,279 --> 02:57:13,520
>> Okay.

3654
02:57:13,520 --> 02:57:15,840
All right. Something to think about. Um,

3655
02:57:15,840 --> 02:57:18,800
I won't ask for a show of hands. I had

3656
02:57:18,800 --> 02:57:21,600
proposed earlier in the year, um, this

3657
02:57:21,600 --> 02:57:23,840
local options tax is generating about a

3658
02:57:23,840 --> 02:57:25,520
million dollars a year additional

3659
02:57:25,520 --> 02:57:28,160
revenue that we never had before.

3660
02:57:28,160 --> 02:57:30,080
Uh, back when I was on the board, we

3661
02:57:30,080 --> 02:57:32,479
always worked within the confines of the

3662
02:57:32,479 --> 02:57:34,720
budget year-over-year and didn't

3663
02:57:34,720 --> 02:57:37,279
fluctuate too far from from the tax rate

3664
02:57:37,279 --> 02:57:39,920
that we had. Obviously, it increased

3665
02:57:39,920 --> 02:57:41,279
penny and a half to two pennies

3666
02:57:41,279 --> 02:57:44,469
year-over-year.

3667
02:57:44,479 --> 02:57:46,319
The reason I'm interested in this

3668
02:57:46,319 --> 02:57:49,200
proposal, I had mentioned it to the to

3669
02:57:49,200 --> 02:57:50,800
our select board earlier in the year.

3670
02:57:50,800 --> 02:57:52,800
What I'd like to see of that local

3671
02:57:52,800 --> 02:57:54,479
options tax, it's almost a million

3672
02:57:54,479 --> 02:57:55,920
dollars a year. We have our tax

3673
02:57:55,920 --> 02:57:57,760
stabilization fund that's about a

3674
02:57:57,760 --> 02:58:00,640
million4 plus or minus. It fluctuates

3675
02:58:00,640 --> 02:58:03,840
back and forth based on um stock market

3676
02:58:03,840 --> 02:58:05,840
and portfolio and based on whether we

3677
02:58:05,840 --> 02:58:08,319
borrow it down or not.

3678
02:58:08,319 --> 02:58:11,520
Prior to co that million4 and we can

3679
02:58:11,520 --> 02:58:14,800
only draw that down to 650,000. Uh that

3680
02:58:14,800 --> 02:58:18,080
was I believe a an an amendment that

3681
02:58:18,080 --> 02:58:20,880
Teresa put forward back in the day to uh

3682
02:58:20,880 --> 02:58:24,880
stabilize that at no lower than 650,000.

3683
02:58:24,880 --> 02:58:27,200
Prior to CO,

3684
02:58:27,200 --> 02:58:30,399
that million4 bought what we thought

3685
02:58:30,399 --> 02:58:33,439
would buy a million4.

3686
02:58:33,439 --> 02:58:36,160
After CO and now we all know that the

3687
02:58:36,160 --> 02:58:38,640
dollar value has plummeted to such a

3688
02:58:38,640 --> 02:58:41,600
degree that that million4 has only gone

3689
02:58:41,600 --> 02:58:44,880
to buy about half of that. It only has

3690
02:58:44,880 --> 02:58:48,560
about half the value it had precoid.

3691
02:58:48,560 --> 02:58:51,840
What I'm asking the board to consider is

3692
02:58:51,840 --> 02:58:54,560
200,000 a year for 5 years out of that

3693
02:58:54,560 --> 02:58:57,840
local options tax. Contribute it to that

3694
02:58:57,840 --> 02:59:00,720
tax stabilization fund to build that to

3695
02:59:00,720 --> 02:59:03,040
2 million for or whatever it'll be at

3696
02:59:03,040 --> 02:59:05,920
that time through growth, normal growth

3697
02:59:05,920 --> 02:59:08,720
on on the through the portfolio

3698
02:59:08,720 --> 02:59:10,880
uh and then interest paid back by the

3699
02:59:10,880 --> 02:59:12,640
town if we borrow off it and pay

3700
02:59:12,640 --> 02:59:15,200
ourselves back. But we need to bring

3701
02:59:15,200 --> 02:59:18,160
that up to a higher value than it

3702
02:59:18,160 --> 02:59:20,640
actually can buy right now. Because just

3703
02:59:20,640 --> 02:59:22,960
because we think it's a million4 there,

3704
02:59:22,960 --> 02:59:24,880
it's not going to buy what we think a

3705
02:59:24,880 --> 02:59:26,720
million four would would have bought 10

3706
02:59:26,720 --> 02:59:28,880
years ago. So I want you to consider

3707
02:59:28,880 --> 02:59:33,760
that. Um the other thing I'd like to ask

3708
02:59:33,760 --> 02:59:36,319
the Woody Avenue that's on here, the

3709
02:59:36,319 --> 02:59:39,279
$25,000 and kind of answer Kathy's

3710
02:59:39,279 --> 02:59:41,200
question there that she kind of brought

3711
02:59:41,200 --> 02:59:45,120
forward before. I'm hoping that this

3712
02:59:45,120 --> 02:59:47,920
project behind us here uh we have the

3713
02:59:47,920 --> 02:59:51,760
capacity I believe within our town and

3714
02:59:51,760 --> 02:59:54,319
maybe we don't have to

3715
02:59:54,319 --> 02:59:56,880
uh uh seclude it just to the town but

3716
02:59:56,880 --> 03:00:00,319
open that project up to local developers

3717
03:00:00,319 --> 03:00:02,960
and I've got some ideas in my head that

3718
03:00:02,960 --> 03:00:05,920
I don't believe that the taxpayers will

3719
03:00:05,920 --> 03:00:08,240
have to burden any of that cost and I

3720
03:00:08,240 --> 03:00:09,840
think we can get some good homes out of

3721
03:00:09,840 --> 03:00:13,359
it at a at an affordable price tag.

3722
03:00:13,359 --> 03:00:15,600
if we approach it in the manner that I'm

3723
03:00:15,600 --> 03:00:18,000
thinking of. Uh, and I just, you know,

3724
03:00:18,000 --> 03:00:19,840
to remind everybody, I've been in the

3725
03:00:19,840 --> 03:00:22,240
construction industry for 45 years. So,

3726
03:00:22,240 --> 03:00:24,720
I have a little bit of clue as to how

3727
03:00:24,720 --> 03:00:26,960
those projects can take place. And I'm

3728
03:00:26,960 --> 03:00:30,000
hoping that we can produce this project

3729
03:00:30,000 --> 03:00:33,040
out here with no with no additional tax

3730
03:00:33,040 --> 03:00:39,510
revenue from you guys.

3731
03:00:39,520 --> 03:00:41,680
Is there further discussion on article

3732
03:00:41,680 --> 03:00:47,349
15?

3733
03:00:47,359 --> 03:00:48,720
» Yeah,

3734
03:00:48,720 --> 03:00:50,560
>> Kathy Grace, I think this is where I'm

3735
03:00:50,560 --> 03:00:52,319
supposed to ask the questions I tried to

3736
03:00:52,319 --> 03:00:55,840
ask before. Okay. um about the Ludy

3737
03:00:55,840 --> 03:01:00,000
Allen project. First of all, um I have

3738
03:01:00,000 --> 03:01:02,640
been questioning all along why we need

3739
03:01:02,640 --> 03:01:07,040
to put housing up there and basically

3740
03:01:07,040 --> 03:01:09,040
get rid of the only property we have

3741
03:01:09,040 --> 03:01:11,840
around the school to use in case we have

3742
03:01:11,840 --> 03:01:14,800
to expand the school. Plus, parking is

3743
03:01:14,800 --> 03:01:17,200
already a nightmare. if you I mean right

3744
03:01:17,200 --> 03:01:20,160
now the school if you have a kid in

3745
03:01:20,160 --> 03:01:21,920
first grade and a kid in fourth grade

3746
03:01:21,920 --> 03:01:23,760
you have to come twice because there's

3747
03:01:23,760 --> 03:01:27,439
not parking um for um everybody to be

3748
03:01:27,439 --> 03:01:29,760
here all at once. So I just I think

3749
03:01:29,760 --> 03:01:32,160
there needs to be a discussion about the

3750
03:01:32,160 --> 03:01:35,439
use of Woody Allen at Woody Avenue. And

3751
03:01:35,439 --> 03:01:37,600
the other thing is just the traffic at

3752
03:01:37,600 --> 03:01:40,000
the coming of school and departing of

3753
03:01:40,000 --> 03:01:42,800
school. The fact that can you even get

3754
03:01:42,800 --> 03:01:45,200
um safety vehicles up through there? My

3755
03:01:45,200 --> 03:01:47,680
son owns a house on the corner of Stow

3756
03:01:47,680 --> 03:01:50,000
Street and High Street and you can't

3757
03:01:50,000 --> 03:01:52,720
even park there. So, there's just so

3758
03:01:52,720 --> 03:01:54,319
many questions that I feel haven't been

3759
03:01:54,319 --> 03:01:56,560
answered or brought forth to the town.

3760
03:01:56,560 --> 03:01:57,760
How about the people that live on

3761
03:01:57,760 --> 03:02:00,000
Alenwood Avenue? You know, is there

3762
03:02:00,000 --> 03:02:01,680
going to be a forum for people to

3763
03:02:01,680 --> 03:02:04,240
discuss that that and I'm hoping that's

3764
03:02:04,240 --> 03:02:08,399
maybe what your $25,000 is for is to

3765
03:02:08,399 --> 03:02:11,200
have more public input about that. And

3766
03:02:11,200 --> 03:02:12,960
the second thing I brought up before is

3767
03:02:12,960 --> 03:02:15,439
the police. And you notice that I did

3768
03:02:15,439 --> 03:02:17,200
say there were three troopers down there

3769
03:02:17,200 --> 03:02:20,640
that night. But we have had an

3770
03:02:20,640 --> 03:02:23,040
incredible increase in viol violent

3771
03:02:23,040 --> 03:02:25,200
crime in Waterbury Center and in

3772
03:02:25,200 --> 03:02:28,399
Waterbury. Domestic issues and you know

3773
03:02:28,399 --> 03:02:30,160
the stabbing in the park by the

3774
03:02:30,160 --> 03:02:33,359
teenagers, the um issues in the cemetery

3775
03:02:33,359 --> 03:02:36,800
behind the uh white church, you know,

3776
03:02:36,800 --> 03:02:39,439
defacing the monuments and then you this

3777
03:02:39,439 --> 03:02:42,720
is a 15year-old kid with a gun going

3778
03:02:42,720 --> 03:02:45,600
house to house and on South Main Street.

3779
03:02:45,600 --> 03:02:48,319
So I I wonder if there could be some

3780
03:02:48,319 --> 03:02:52,800
explanation about um what you're doing

3781
03:02:52,800 --> 03:02:54,640
with the sheriff because it looks like

3782
03:02:54,640 --> 03:02:57,760
it doesn't start to July 1st,

3783
03:02:57,760 --> 03:03:00,080
right? Am I right? It's not starting

3784
03:03:00,080 --> 03:03:01,600
soon. It's not starting as of town,

3785
03:03:01,600 --> 03:03:03,840
meaning I guess we want to know um the

3786
03:03:03,840 --> 03:03:06,240
rationale why it's not starting sooner.

3787
03:03:06,240 --> 03:03:08,800
Um it looks like the state police's

3788
03:03:08,800 --> 03:03:12,000
contract ends on June 30th. Is is that

3789
03:03:12,000 --> 03:03:14,160
being reuped? Are we going to have the

3790
03:03:14,160 --> 03:03:16,479
two for a while? I just would like an

3791
03:03:16,479 --> 03:03:18,880
update on the public dece.

3792
03:03:18,880 --> 03:03:20,240
>> Okay.

3793
03:03:20,240 --> 03:03:24,000
>> Thank you. So the first question um is

3794
03:03:24,000 --> 03:03:26,000
will there be a forum to discuss the

3795
03:03:26,000 --> 03:03:29,200
Woody Avenue project? Is there um can

3796
03:03:29,200 --> 03:03:31,920
you answer that Mr. Clap?

3797
03:03:31,920 --> 03:03:35,120
>> Yeah. As the uh soul select board member

3798
03:03:35,120 --> 03:03:37,840
that will be remaining here uh next

3799
03:03:37,840 --> 03:03:40,720
year, uh I will say yes, we will have a

3800
03:03:40,720 --> 03:03:43,200
hearing on Woody Avenue. Uh that's part

3801
03:03:43,200 --> 03:03:44,880
of what the funding is for is to figure

3802
03:03:44,880 --> 03:03:46,960
out what's feasible in terms of traffic

3803
03:03:46,960 --> 03:03:51,600
and building parking, etc. Um uh I'll

3804
03:03:51,600 --> 03:03:55,040
also respond to Chris's comment that uh

3805
03:03:55,040 --> 03:04:00,240
230,000 of this uh funding uh is to pay

3806
03:04:00,240 --> 03:04:03,279
down debt service, which serves uh much

3807
03:04:03,279 --> 03:04:07,520
the same proc uh uh objective of the uh

3808
03:04:07,520 --> 03:04:10,479
debt stabilization program. Uh that's

3809
03:04:10,479 --> 03:04:12,160
money that is not going to have to come

3810
03:04:12,160 --> 03:04:14,479
out of the taxpayers's pocket uh because

3811
03:04:14,479 --> 03:04:16,000
we're paying down debt that would

3812
03:04:16,000 --> 03:04:17,680
otherwise have to go into the regular

3813
03:04:17,680 --> 03:04:21,279
budget. Um and then uh in terms of

3814
03:04:21,279 --> 03:04:25,279
public safety uh yeah we are uh looking

3815
03:04:25,279 --> 03:04:28,960
to see what we can do uh by using the

3816
03:04:28,960 --> 03:04:30,800
$75,000

3817
03:04:30,800 --> 03:04:32,880
to pay for a sheriff. They don't have

3818
03:04:32,880 --> 03:04:36,399
anyone available until the 1st of July.

3819
03:04:36,399 --> 03:04:40,000
Uh and so we are uh you know doing what

3820
03:04:40,000 --> 03:04:42,560
we can with with what's available uh to

3821
03:04:42,560 --> 03:04:44,800
see if that's a better use of our public

3822
03:04:44,800 --> 03:04:49,200
safety funding uh to direct uh the uh

3823
03:04:49,200 --> 03:04:53,750
service points where it's really needed.

3824
03:04:53,760 --> 03:04:56,160
» Is there further discussion on article

3825
03:04:56,160 --> 03:04:59,600
15? Um just about Yeah, Miss Johnson,

3826
03:04:59,600 --> 03:05:02,080
did you want to respond?

3827
03:05:02,080 --> 03:05:04,080
I was just going to elaborate on Rogers

3828
03:05:04,080 --> 03:05:06,560
to note that this $25,000 in local

3829
03:05:06,560 --> 03:05:08,240
option tax for the housing is not the

3830
03:05:08,240 --> 03:05:10,800
only funding. We have also received a

3831
03:05:10,800 --> 03:05:12,479
federal community development block

3832
03:05:12,479 --> 03:05:14,399
grant planning grant planning only

3833
03:05:14,399 --> 03:05:16,479
because as was noted there's quite a lot

3834
03:05:16,479 --> 03:05:18,640
of questions and that we've been awarded

3835
03:05:18,640 --> 03:05:20,000
that grant. It doesn't have a local

3836
03:05:20,000 --> 03:05:21,840
match. So we are still asking for this

3837
03:05:21,840 --> 03:05:23,600
budget request in case there are things

3838
03:05:23,600 --> 03:05:25,840
that are not covered. that that has I

3839
03:05:25,840 --> 03:05:28,399
believe north of $270,000

3840
03:05:28,399 --> 03:05:30,560
for things like engineering permitting

3841
03:05:30,560 --> 03:05:32,640
and public engagement. So knowing that

3842
03:05:32,640 --> 03:05:35,040
significant additional needs work needs

3843
03:05:35,040 --> 03:05:37,600
to be done working with all of these

3844
03:05:37,600 --> 03:05:39,279
things to figure out next steps. So I

3845
03:05:39,279 --> 03:05:40,960
just wanted to note this is not the only

3846
03:05:40,960 --> 03:05:43,040
funding allocated there is other funding

3847
03:05:43,040 --> 03:05:44,960
the town has received again for planning

3848
03:05:44,960 --> 03:05:48,399
for that property.

3849
03:05:48,399 --> 03:05:51,600
Go ahead, Martha Stasis. I'm actually

3850
03:05:51,600 --> 03:05:53,520
here speaking on behalf of the planning

3851
03:05:53,520 --> 03:05:55,279
commission and I'd like to ask the

3852
03:05:55,279 --> 03:05:57,279
planning commission members to stand

3853
03:05:57,279 --> 03:05:59,120
just so you can see who your planning

3854
03:05:59,120 --> 03:06:01,840
commission members are. I know Robbie's

3855
03:06:01,840 --> 03:06:03,760
here. I thought I saw Dana. Did he

3856
03:06:03,760 --> 03:06:06,319
leave? He had to leave. Okay. And Billy

3857
03:06:06,319 --> 03:06:09,439
Victor. Um there's an additional 15,000

3858
03:06:09,439 --> 03:06:12,160
in here. I I think I hope folks are

3859
03:06:12,160 --> 03:06:14,800
aware that the town is going through a

3860
03:06:14,800 --> 03:06:18,000
significant overhaul of the entire town

3861
03:06:18,000 --> 03:06:21,680
plan and we had we asked for 50,000 last

3862
03:06:21,680 --> 03:06:24,160
year and another 15 this year. Uh

3863
03:06:24,160 --> 03:06:26,399
there's some key elements to it and I

3864
03:06:26,399 --> 03:06:29,279
kind of making a pitch here too for your

3865
03:06:29,279 --> 03:06:31,120
participation. There have been questions

3866
03:06:31,120 --> 03:06:33,359
asked about what about housing, what

3867
03:06:33,359 --> 03:06:36,000
about development. There's 12 chapters

3868
03:06:36,000 --> 03:06:38,319
in the town plan that cover energy,

3869
03:06:38,319 --> 03:06:40,640
transportation, housing, local

3870
03:06:40,640 --> 03:06:43,279
government, and this is your opportunity

3871
03:06:43,279 --> 03:06:46,080
to participate. We've had visioning

3872
03:06:46,080 --> 03:06:49,840
sessions and surveys, but um our emails

3873
03:06:49,840 --> 03:06:51,680
are on the website, and if you have

3874
03:06:51,680 --> 03:06:53,680
comments or thoughts, we certainly would

3875
03:06:53,680 --> 03:06:56,319
like to hear about it. Now, we're the

3876
03:06:56,319 --> 03:06:59,680
timeline is to have a draft by the end

3877
03:06:59,680 --> 03:07:01,920
of the summer going and have this

3878
03:07:01,920 --> 03:07:03,760
project completed by the end of the

3879
03:07:03,760 --> 03:07:07,120
year. So, now is the time if you haven't

3880
03:07:07,120 --> 03:07:09,279
done so already.

3881
03:07:09,279 --> 03:07:15,269
>> Thank you.

3882
03:07:15,279 --> 03:07:17,840
» Do you have a point of order or uh would

3883
03:07:17,840 --> 03:07:20,960
you like to discuss article 15?

3884
03:07:20,960 --> 03:07:23,120
>> Okay, so we'll go in order. Thanks.

3885
03:07:23,120 --> 03:07:25,359
Angela Wells Waterberry Center. So to go

3886
03:07:25,359 --> 03:07:27,200
back to my original question which

3887
03:07:27,200 --> 03:07:30,560
didn't get answered, the 75,000

3888
03:07:30,560 --> 03:07:34,800
for the sheriff program. We don't know

3889
03:07:34,800 --> 03:07:37,439
what that's going to cover, what hours,

3890
03:07:37,439 --> 03:07:39,920
what that's going to look like for

3891
03:07:39,920 --> 03:07:43,359
coverage, and what coverage they are

3892
03:07:43,359 --> 03:07:47,680
providing. We don't know that right now.

3893
03:07:47,680 --> 03:07:49,120
>> Is there a member of the select board

3894
03:07:49,120 --> 03:07:50,479
who would like to respond to that

3895
03:07:50,479 --> 03:07:55,190
question?

3896
03:07:55,200 --> 03:07:57,359
Um, we did use a number. I'll try and

3897
03:07:57,359 --> 03:07:59,279
get the estimate for you. The reason the

3898
03:07:59,279 --> 03:08:01,359
proposed start date was was to cover

3899
03:08:01,359 --> 03:08:03,040
nine months of service through next town

3900
03:08:03,040 --> 03:08:05,439
meeting in March, beginning in July, I

3901
03:08:05,439 --> 03:08:06,960
believe they might need to h try and

3902
03:08:06,960 --> 03:08:09,279
hire more folks to be able to provide as

3903
03:08:09,279 --> 03:08:11,439
many hours as this funding would cover

3904
03:08:11,439 --> 03:08:13,920
in Waterbury. So recognizing that if our

3905
03:08:13,920 --> 03:08:15,920
budget passes today in the end of March,

3906
03:08:15,920 --> 03:08:17,359
we need to wait till the end of April

3907
03:08:17,359 --> 03:08:19,200
and then give two months for hiring for

3908
03:08:19,200 --> 03:08:21,200
the sheriff beginning in July seemed

3909
03:08:21,200 --> 03:08:22,880
prudent. So it's not that I think the

3910
03:08:22,880 --> 03:08:24,479
town would be opposed to starting

3911
03:08:24,479 --> 03:08:26,640
sooner, but that was the reasonable

3912
03:08:26,640 --> 03:08:29,520
planning. Um I will try and see now if I

3913
03:08:29,520 --> 03:08:32,000
can get the estimate of number of hours.

3914
03:08:32,000 --> 03:08:34,000
Um it's not another 40 hours a week.

3915
03:08:34,000 --> 03:08:36,000
It's supplemental. Um, but I think the

3916
03:08:36,000 --> 03:08:37,680
town does have the ability through the

3917
03:08:37,680 --> 03:08:39,520
town manager and the select board to

3918
03:08:39,520 --> 03:08:41,840
provide input on where and at what times

3919
03:08:41,840 --> 03:08:44,399
would be most important. Um, the sheriff

3920
03:08:44,399 --> 03:08:46,560
also serves a number of our neighboring

3921
03:08:46,560 --> 03:08:48,960
communities in the Mad River Valley and

3922
03:08:48,960 --> 03:08:51,840
there's some benefit to clustering time

3923
03:08:51,840 --> 03:08:54,080
of service closer together because we do

3924
03:08:54,080 --> 03:08:55,840
have to pay them for mileage travel from

3925
03:08:55,840 --> 03:08:58,080
Montielar. And so they said there's some

3926
03:08:58,080 --> 03:08:59,520
work they're already doing and might be

3927
03:08:59,520 --> 03:09:02,319
able to add on and also serve water.

3928
03:09:02,319 --> 03:09:05,120
>> But there's no average number of

3929
03:09:05,120 --> 03:09:07,600
>> point of order. Yes.

3930
03:09:07,600 --> 03:09:15,110
>> No point of information.

3931
03:09:15,120 --> 03:09:18,240
» $75,000 for Washington County Sheriff is

3932
03:09:18,240 --> 03:09:21,600
for patrol services. So that's speed

3933
03:09:21,600 --> 03:09:25,040
control. It says that the estimated time

3934
03:09:25,040 --> 03:09:29,200
would be 650 to 700 hours of road

3935
03:09:29,200 --> 03:09:34,550
control services. So that's what 75,000.

3936
03:09:34,560 --> 03:09:37,120
The state police are not able to do a

3937
03:09:37,120 --> 03:09:39,200
lot of

3938
03:09:39,200 --> 03:09:40,880
>> Okay. Thank you. That's not a point of

3939
03:09:40,880 --> 03:09:43,840
information. The point of information um

3940
03:09:43,840 --> 03:09:45,520
would be to ask me, but that's helpful

3941
03:09:45,520 --> 03:09:47,520
information that you can share when you

3942
03:09:47,520 --> 03:09:51,040
come up to the microphone.

3943
03:09:51,040 --> 03:09:56,080
>> I think that 50 to 700 hours over a

3944
03:09:56,080 --> 03:09:59,040
year, over 6 months. I'm trying to get a

3945
03:09:59,040 --> 03:10:02,880
clearer picture of what the hour

3946
03:10:02,880 --> 03:10:05,680
estimated hours

3947
03:10:05,680 --> 03:10:07,120
>> we're going to get.

3948
03:10:07,120 --> 03:10:10,160
>> Okay. Um, so I think that the select

3949
03:10:10,160 --> 03:10:12,240
board has actually tried to answer the

3950
03:10:12,240 --> 03:10:13,920
question. Not to your satisfaction

3951
03:10:13,920 --> 03:10:17,840
though. Um, but uh both Mr. Bard and

3952
03:10:17,840 --> 03:10:19,920
Miss Johnson have attempted to answer

3953
03:10:19,920 --> 03:10:22,319
the question and Mr. Shepher has pointed

3954
03:10:22,319 --> 03:10:25,680
to page 12. So you may not be satisfied

3955
03:10:25,680 --> 03:10:27,439
with the answer you've gotten, but I

3956
03:10:27,439 --> 03:10:28,800
think that's all the information there

3957
03:10:28,800 --> 03:10:29,600
is.

3958
03:10:29,600 --> 03:10:33,200
>> Okay. So there is no clear definition

3959
03:10:33,200 --> 03:10:36,240
what I'm getting from you of the 650 to

3960
03:10:36,240 --> 03:10:37,840
700

3961
03:10:37,840 --> 03:10:41,279
road patrol hours of service. We don't

3962
03:10:41,279 --> 03:10:45,359
know what hours and what time frame

3963
03:10:45,359 --> 03:10:48,319
those hours are covering.

3964
03:10:48,319 --> 03:10:50,240
>> I think your question has been asked and

3965
03:10:50,240 --> 03:10:53,200
answered. So um and not to your

3966
03:10:53,200 --> 03:10:56,000
satisfaction.

3967
03:10:56,000 --> 03:10:58,000
>> I would just say assuming we start in

3968
03:10:58,000 --> 03:10:59,439
the nine months. I'm out of order.

3969
03:10:59,439 --> 03:11:01,920
Apologies not moderator. Um assuming we

3970
03:11:01,920 --> 03:11:04,160
do the 9 months I outlined July till

3971
03:11:04,160 --> 03:11:06,720
March and it's the higher end of that

3972
03:11:06,720 --> 03:11:09,279
the 750 is we're paying the sheriff

3973
03:11:09,279 --> 03:11:11,120
about $100 an hour. I don't know that

3974
03:11:11,120 --> 03:11:12,800
that's quite the correct rate. It's

3975
03:11:12,800 --> 03:11:15,200
about 20 hours a week of road coverage.

3976
03:11:15,200 --> 03:11:17,279
And again, the times of day and where

3977
03:11:17,279 --> 03:11:19,680
they would be would be up to negotiation

3978
03:11:19,680 --> 03:11:21,359
with the future board in management

3979
03:11:21,359 --> 03:11:27,110
based on community needs.

3980
03:11:27,120 --> 03:11:35,590
» Thank you. Is there further discussion?

3981
03:11:35,600 --> 03:11:41,750
» Chuck Magnus question

3982
03:11:41,760 --> 03:11:44,479
» on your proposal for up back for

3983
03:11:44,479 --> 03:11:46,560
housing. What are you planning on for?

3984
03:11:46,560 --> 03:11:51,120
Um so in terms of the process you can

3985
03:11:51,120 --> 03:11:53,439
state your question and then I will ask

3986
03:11:53,439 --> 03:11:56,479
the select board if they would like to

3987
03:11:56,479 --> 03:11:58,399
um be interrogated and answer your

3988
03:11:58,399 --> 03:12:01,359
question. So um

3989
03:12:01,359 --> 03:12:03,120
are you going to be asking a series of

3990
03:12:03,120 --> 03:12:05,040
questions or do you want to um make a

3991
03:12:05,040 --> 03:12:06,720
statement just for

3992
03:12:06,720 --> 03:12:08,960
>> I'm just curious on how many units going

3993
03:12:08,960 --> 03:12:11,120
to be there and how much they thought

3994
03:12:11,120 --> 03:12:15,680
this out with the access with the road

3995
03:12:15,680 --> 03:12:18,399
with the one access room out of there in

3996
03:12:18,399 --> 03:12:20,160
the winter time.

3997
03:12:20,160 --> 03:12:20,720
>> Okay.

3998
03:12:20,720 --> 03:12:25,200
>> You can't use the other entrance to

3999
03:12:25,200 --> 03:12:28,479
them, etc. So, I'm just curious what

4000
03:12:28,479 --> 03:12:30,640
they thought out and how much

4001
03:12:30,640 --> 03:12:32,720
>> Sure. So, the the question for the

4002
03:12:32,720 --> 03:12:37,200
select board um is um how what are the

4003
03:12:37,200 --> 03:12:39,359
current thoughts as to the the Woody

4004
03:12:39,359 --> 03:12:41,520
Avenue project? Is that the one you're

4005
03:12:41,520 --> 03:12:42,720
asking about?

4006
03:12:42,720 --> 03:12:45,200
>> Yes. What what you think it can get for

4007
03:12:45,200 --> 03:12:46,880
housing? Okay. So, is there a member of

4008
03:12:46,880 --> 03:12:48,000
the select board who would like to

4009
03:12:48,000 --> 03:12:51,600
respond to that? Miss Carvella.

4010
03:12:51,600 --> 03:12:53,840
So, it's my understanding that those

4011
03:12:53,840 --> 03:12:56,399
answers would come after the research

4012
03:12:56,399 --> 03:12:58,160
that we would be undertaking with the

4013
03:12:58,160 --> 03:13:00,160
community development block grant money

4014
03:13:00,160 --> 03:13:03,200
that we have been awarded and without

4015
03:13:03,200 --> 03:13:05,520
having that research already undertaken,

4016
03:13:05,520 --> 03:13:07,600
we are not able to answer that right

4017
03:13:07,600 --> 03:13:10,319
now.

4018
03:13:10,319 --> 03:13:12,560
>> Okay. So, you really have no idea. So if

4019
03:13:12,560 --> 03:13:14,880
you want to make a comment, let me just

4020
03:13:14,880 --> 03:13:17,200
for general conversation and moving this

4021
03:13:17,200 --> 03:13:19,359
along. Uh if you want to make a comment

4022
03:13:19,359 --> 03:13:21,279
about the project or the planning of the

4023
03:13:21,279 --> 03:13:23,920
project, that is um perfectly in order.

4024
03:13:23,920 --> 03:13:26,000
Um but asking continued questions,

4025
03:13:26,000 --> 03:13:27,439
unless it's a very specific question

4026
03:13:27,439 --> 03:13:29,200
that a select board member or somebody

4027
03:13:29,200 --> 03:13:31,279
in the audience wants to answer, that

4028
03:13:31,279 --> 03:13:33,439
would be out of order. So if you want to

4029
03:13:33,439 --> 03:13:35,520
make a comment about the project or the

4030
03:13:35,520 --> 03:13:37,279
planning, now would be the appropriate

4031
03:13:37,279 --> 03:13:41,349
time to do that.

4032
03:13:41,359 --> 03:13:43,520
Okay.

4033
03:13:43,520 --> 03:13:46,000
Is there any more discussion on article

4034
03:13:46,000 --> 03:13:51,910
15?

4035
03:13:51,920 --> 03:13:55,520
» Good afternoon Jonas Waterberry.

4036
03:13:55,520 --> 03:13:58,800
Um more of just a comment.

4037
03:13:58,800 --> 03:14:01,359
Can you hear me?

4038
03:14:01,359 --> 03:14:04,800
>> Okay. Louder. Um just regarding public

4039
03:14:04,800 --> 03:14:06,640
safety. There's kind of an array of

4040
03:14:06,640 --> 03:14:08,720
different public safety related issues.

4041
03:14:08,720 --> 03:14:10,800
There are ordinances that the state

4042
03:14:10,800 --> 03:14:13,600
police are not in going to enforce

4043
03:14:13,600 --> 03:14:15,920
typically and then there's like major

4044
03:14:15,920 --> 03:14:18,080
crimes like a previous commenter was

4045
03:14:18,080 --> 03:14:22,000
talking about. Um, and I just wonder um

4046
03:14:22,000 --> 03:14:24,000
what is the best way for us to know

4047
03:14:24,000 --> 03:14:26,479
better what the troopers are doing with

4048
03:14:26,479 --> 03:14:29,439
their hours um what we're getting for

4049
03:14:29,439 --> 03:14:31,520
that commitment that we've made to the

4050
03:14:31,520 --> 03:14:33,920
state police. I speak as a retired

4051
03:14:33,920 --> 03:14:37,200
member of the state police. Um and also

4052
03:14:37,200 --> 03:14:39,200
regarding the sheriff's department,

4053
03:14:39,200 --> 03:14:41,760
their contract, do you know or have you

4054
03:14:41,760 --> 03:14:44,319
asked about um what level of

4055
03:14:44,319 --> 03:14:46,000
certification

4056
03:14:46,000 --> 03:14:49,040
the deputies would have here? Because

4057
03:14:49,040 --> 03:14:51,359
there are different levels of

4058
03:14:51,359 --> 03:14:54,319
certification and that enables deputies

4059
03:14:54,319 --> 03:14:57,600
to uh enforce things from traffic stop

4060
03:14:57,600 --> 03:14:59,920
all the way through major crimes. So, I

4061
03:14:59,920 --> 03:15:01,279
think it's important to know what we're

4062
03:15:01,279 --> 03:15:05,120
getting for our commitment. Thank you.

4063
03:15:05,120 --> 03:15:06,319
>> Thank you. Is there a member of the

4064
03:15:06,319 --> 03:15:08,160
select board who would like to address

4065
03:15:08,160 --> 03:15:10,560
that question,

4066
03:15:10,560 --> 03:15:14,550
Mr. Bar?

4067
03:15:14,560 --> 03:15:17,200
Thank you, madam moderator. I think

4068
03:15:17,200 --> 03:15:21,040
that's going to come out a little bit in

4069
03:15:21,040 --> 03:15:22,640
uh

4070
03:15:22,640 --> 03:15:25,439
we kind of have a set contract with this

4071
03:15:25,439 --> 03:15:29,120
state police. We know that from

4072
03:15:29,120 --> 03:15:32,880
residents comments and such that it's

4073
03:15:32,880 --> 03:15:34,800
not sufficient.

4074
03:15:34,800 --> 03:15:36,319
Uh

4075
03:15:36,319 --> 03:15:39,200
we are going to engage in

4076
03:15:39,200 --> 03:15:42,399
you know a pilot with the the sheriff's

4077
03:15:42,399 --> 03:15:44,800
department. I think that's going to be a

4078
03:15:44,800 --> 03:15:48,080
supplement a lot due to the lifestyle

4079
03:15:48,080 --> 03:15:50,000
things that people have addressed things

4080
03:15:50,000 --> 03:15:52,720
such as speeding in different areas. But

4081
03:15:52,720 --> 03:15:57,200
I think we're going to be getting uh

4082
03:15:57,200 --> 03:15:59,760
from the from the state we get from the

4083
03:15:59,760 --> 03:16:03,600
state police we get quarterly updates. I

4084
03:16:03,600 --> 03:16:06,720
would encourage you to when those items

4085
03:16:06,720 --> 03:16:09,120
are on the select board agenda either

4086
03:16:09,120 --> 03:16:12,399
attend the meeting or follow the the

4087
03:16:12,399 --> 03:16:14,960
minutes and that will give you an idea

4088
03:16:14,960 --> 03:16:18,640
as to what what type things the the uh

4089
03:16:18,640 --> 03:16:21,120
state police is doing. And if not,

4090
03:16:21,120 --> 03:16:24,239
attend a select board meeting. And we we

4091
03:16:24,239 --> 03:16:27,120
always welcome questions from the from

4092
03:16:27,120 --> 03:16:30,640
residents at to the state police as to

4093
03:16:30,640 --> 03:16:32,479
what they're doing. So that could answer

4094
03:16:32,479 --> 03:16:38,550
some of your questions. Thanks.

4095
03:16:38,560 --> 03:16:40,560
» Is there further discussion? Miss

4096
03:16:40,560 --> 03:16:42,000
Johnson?

4097
03:16:42,000 --> 03:16:44,160
>> Sorry, terrible habit. Um, two quick

4098
03:16:44,160 --> 03:16:45,760
followups. We do get a monthly breakdown

4099
03:16:45,760 --> 03:16:47,600
from the Vermont State Police of the

4100
03:16:47,600 --> 03:16:49,279
types of calls they respond to, which

4101
03:16:49,279 --> 03:16:51,120
for folks would know what they are, and

4102
03:16:51,120 --> 03:16:52,560
I'm trying to find the appropriate page

4103
03:16:52,560 --> 03:16:54,160
on the municipal website to direct you

4104
03:16:54,160 --> 03:16:56,239
all to, but we do receive that. We Sally

4105
03:16:56,239 --> 03:16:58,479
Dylan helps compile it. Um, and I don't

4106
03:16:58,479 --> 03:17:00,239
think we have any agreements as to the

4107
03:17:00,239 --> 03:17:02,000
level of certification for the sheriffs.

4108
03:17:02,000 --> 03:17:03,600
I think that could be a discussion

4109
03:17:03,600 --> 03:17:06,000
point, but we were I don't given any

4110
03:17:06,000 --> 03:17:14,150
explicit um particular level of service.

4111
03:17:14,160 --> 03:17:16,319
Is there further discussion on article

4112
03:17:16,319 --> 03:17:21,590
15?

4113
03:17:21,600 --> 03:17:24,080
Um if if there's anyone who has not

4114
03:17:24,080 --> 03:17:25,840
spoken a first time who would like to

4115
03:17:25,840 --> 03:17:28,720
speak,

4116
03:17:28,720 --> 03:17:33,040
you're welcome to. Um seeing nobody. Um,

4117
03:17:33,040 --> 03:17:36,950
Miss Grace,

4118
03:17:36,960 --> 03:17:39,040
» I want to um The reason I'm just

4119
03:17:39,040 --> 03:17:42,399
focusing on the Woody Avenue project is

4120
03:17:42,399 --> 03:17:46,880
that the prior um zoning administrator

4121
03:17:46,880 --> 03:17:48,880
um had let me know that they were

4122
03:17:48,880 --> 03:17:52,000
planning for 40 to 60 units up there.

4123
03:17:52,000 --> 03:17:53,680
So, I'm thinking that there is some

4124
03:17:53,680 --> 03:17:55,760
information that potentially you can

4125
03:17:55,760 --> 03:17:59,120
share. Can you anybody speak to that?

4126
03:17:59,120 --> 03:18:01,680
I'm assuming that the administrator, the

4127
03:18:01,680 --> 03:18:03,279
zoning planner or the zoning

4128
03:18:03,279 --> 03:18:06,000
administrators had some discussion, the

4129
03:18:06,000 --> 03:18:08,080
developers or someone, otherwise it

4130
03:18:08,080 --> 03:18:09,920
wouldn't be out there in the public. So,

4131
03:18:09,920 --> 03:18:11,840
I think that's what Mr. Magnus was

4132
03:18:11,840 --> 03:18:15,040
probably wanting an answer to.

4133
03:18:15,040 --> 03:18:18,960
>> Thank you. Um, is there anyone in who

4134
03:18:18,960 --> 03:18:19,760
like to respond? M

4135
03:18:19,760 --> 03:18:21,040
>> I can't speak to what the former

4136
03:18:21,040 --> 03:18:22,720
employee do. I will say town employees

4137
03:18:22,720 --> 03:18:24,720
looked at municipally owned land that

4138
03:18:24,720 --> 03:18:26,479
could be used for housing and that was

4139
03:18:26,479 --> 03:18:28,399
one of the parcels that came up. I've

4140
03:18:28,399 --> 03:18:30,560
seen a subdivision for eight potential

4141
03:18:30,560 --> 03:18:32,560
single units that was sketched out for

4142
03:18:32,560 --> 03:18:34,880
that lot. Beyond that, what's allowable

4143
03:18:34,880 --> 03:18:36,720
under the zoning, which to your point

4144
03:18:36,720 --> 03:18:38,479
could likely be a very significant

4145
03:18:38,479 --> 03:18:40,479
amount of units, is possible. I don't

4146
03:18:40,479 --> 03:18:41,920
think there's been any commitments made

4147
03:18:41,920 --> 03:18:43,520
by the board or others, which is why

4148
03:18:43,520 --> 03:18:45,200
we're trying to not speculate, but there

4149
03:18:45,200 --> 03:18:47,040
could be a huge range. And that's part

4150
03:18:47,040 --> 03:18:48,399
of the goal of the study is to

4151
03:18:48,399 --> 03:18:50,160
understand what the community wants,

4152
03:18:50,160 --> 03:18:52,239
what's allowable and permissible. I've

4153
03:18:52,239 --> 03:18:54,239
heard varying opinions from varying

4154
03:18:54,239 --> 03:18:56,560
boards, committees, and individuals in

4155
03:18:56,560 --> 03:18:58,000
town about what they'd like to see

4156
03:18:58,000 --> 03:18:59,680
there. So again, I think that's the goal

4157
03:18:59,680 --> 03:19:03,439
of the outreach and study work.

4158
03:19:03,439 --> 03:19:05,680
>> Further discussion?

4159
03:19:05,680 --> 03:19:08,319
>> Andy Wood. Um, I have a question. I'm

4160
03:19:08,319 --> 03:19:10,640
looking at the proposed budget on page

4161
03:19:10,640 --> 03:19:14,319
20 or local option tax on 20 page 23 and

4162
03:19:14,319 --> 03:19:16,080
comparing with this article and other

4163
03:19:16,080 --> 03:19:18,800
articles and I don't see where we're

4164
03:19:18,800 --> 03:19:20,960
voting on the payoff for the bank loan

4165
03:19:20,960 --> 03:19:23,520
or the payoff for the loan for the fire

4166
03:19:23,520 --> 03:19:26,160
vehicle. Um

4167
03:19:26,160 --> 03:19:27,760
can somebody address that?

4168
03:19:27,760 --> 03:19:30,080
>> Sure. Miss Johnson, would you like to

4169
03:19:30,080 --> 03:19:32,000
address that? They were in article 9. It

4170
03:19:32,000 --> 03:19:33,600
was an inconsistency, but they were

4171
03:19:33,600 --> 03:19:36,239
built into the previous overall budget

4172
03:19:36,239 --> 03:19:41,670
and not called out as an item.

4173
03:19:41,680 --> 03:19:47,590
» Further discussion, article 15.

4174
03:19:47,600 --> 03:19:50,800
» Just a quick question. I know that when

4175
03:19:50,800 --> 03:19:53,680
we built the two new fire stations that

4176
03:19:53,680 --> 03:19:55,279
we had to offset some of the

4177
03:19:55,279 --> 03:19:57,279
recreational property in Waterbury

4178
03:19:57,279 --> 03:19:59,760
Center and that is up here. So, is there

4179
03:19:59,760 --> 03:20:02,319
a plan to switch that somewhere else or

4180
03:20:02,319 --> 03:20:05,520
are we just going to develop?

4181
03:20:05,520 --> 03:20:08,880
>> Okay. So, we're not going to impede on

4182
03:20:08,880 --> 03:20:11,760
>> Okay. So, the question was whether or

4183
03:20:11,760 --> 03:20:14,399
not the land and water conservation fund

4184
03:20:14,399 --> 03:20:17,520
easement on the property behind the

4185
03:20:17,520 --> 03:20:19,439
school would need to be swapped out in

4186
03:20:19,439 --> 03:20:22,160
order to do further housing development.

4187
03:20:22,160 --> 03:20:25,120
The answer was no. The easement would

4188
03:20:25,120 --> 03:20:29,110
stay.

4189
03:20:29,120 --> 03:20:31,439
No, the easement is only on the back

4190
03:20:31,439 --> 03:20:35,359
part of the property. Yeah.

4191
03:20:35,359 --> 03:20:37,920
Is there further discussion on article

4192
03:20:37,920 --> 03:20:39,520
15,

4193
03:20:39,520 --> 03:20:41,600
Miss Johnson? I think maybe point of

4194
03:20:41,600 --> 03:20:43,200
information. I did find the appropriate

4195
03:20:43,200 --> 03:20:46,000
municipal web page and uh the reporting

4196
03:20:46,000 --> 03:20:47,760
monthly from Vermont State Police is

4197
03:20:47,760 --> 03:20:49,680
under departments public safety. So

4198
03:20:49,680 --> 03:20:56,630
there's PDFs there.

4199
03:20:56,640 --> 03:21:06,550
Is there further discussion?

4200
03:21:06,560 --> 03:21:09,439
» Yes. My name's Conrad Emma and on

4201
03:21:09,439 --> 03:21:11,680
article 15,

4202
03:21:11,680 --> 03:21:13,520
$150,000

4203
03:21:13,520 --> 03:21:16,479
for a pool filter. Are we replacing the

4204
03:21:16,479 --> 03:21:23,110
whole pool house or is it a filter?

4205
03:21:23,120 --> 03:21:24,960
All right. Thank you for the question.

4206
03:21:24,960 --> 03:21:27,520
Is there a member of the select board or

4207
03:21:27,520 --> 03:21:29,520
the town manager would like to answer

4208
03:21:29,520 --> 03:21:31,200
this one?

4209
03:21:31,200 --> 03:21:32,239
>> No. The question

4210
03:21:32,239 --> 03:21:33,600
>> Wait a second.

4211
03:21:33,600 --> 03:21:35,520
>> I've just been notified that the town

4212
03:21:35,520 --> 03:21:38,000
manager is a resident of Ducks. Hearing

4213
03:21:38,000 --> 03:21:40,399
no objection, will you allow the town

4214
03:21:40,399 --> 03:21:43,040
manager, acting town manager to speak?

4215
03:21:43,040 --> 03:21:45,120
Okay, no objection. Go ahead.

4216
03:21:45,120 --> 03:21:50,389
>> I thought I heard objections.

4217
03:21:50,399 --> 03:21:52,720
I will speak as the only member of the

4218
03:21:52,720 --> 03:21:58,710
head table who didn't get a raise today.

4219
03:21:58,720 --> 03:22:02,960
Um the 150,000 for a pool filter is kind

4220
03:22:02,960 --> 03:22:05,359
of still in the study phase. Uh the pool

4221
03:22:05,359 --> 03:22:08,239
filter system and the chlorine injection

4222
03:22:08,239 --> 03:22:11,439
stuff and the circulation of the pool is

4223
03:22:11,439 --> 03:22:19,030
all very old and in need of update.

4224
03:22:19,040 --> 03:22:20,960
Are there any other questions or

4225
03:22:20,960 --> 03:22:24,000
discussion on article 15, the local

4226
03:22:24,000 --> 03:22:30,469
options tax article?

4227
03:22:30,479 --> 03:22:33,680
Seeing no further discussion, um we will

4228
03:22:33,680 --> 03:22:38,080
proceed to a vote on article 15.

4229
03:22:38,080 --> 03:22:40,080
It has been moved that the town will

4230
03:22:40,080 --> 03:22:42,560
during 2026 appropriate a total of

4231
03:22:42,560 --> 03:22:44,239
$935,000

4232
03:22:44,239 --> 03:22:46,319
from local awesome tax revenues as

4233
03:22:46,319 --> 03:22:49,760
follows. $150,000 for gravel roads,

4234
03:22:49,760 --> 03:22:52,239
$25,000 to the Highway Capital Fund,

4235
03:22:52,239 --> 03:22:56,239
$150,000 for a new pool filter, $75,000

4236
03:22:56,239 --> 03:22:59,040
for a new F350 vehicle for public works,

4237
03:22:59,040 --> 03:23:01,600
$150,000 for sidewalk improvements,

4238
03:23:01,600 --> 03:23:03,760
$15,000 for consulting services to

4239
03:23:03,760 --> 03:23:05,680
assist with the town plan updates,

4240
03:23:05,680 --> 03:23:09,120
$8,500 for a tree inventory, $10,000 for

4241
03:23:09,120 --> 03:23:11,680
expenses related to FEMA bio projects,

4242
03:23:11,680 --> 03:23:14,160
$25,000 for the Stanley Wson and Woody

4243
03:23:14,160 --> 03:23:16,720
Avenue housing projects, $10,000 for

4244
03:23:16,720 --> 03:23:18,479
non-grant eligible expenses for the

4245
03:23:18,479 --> 03:23:21,600
Randle Meadow Flood Mitigation Project,

4246
03:23:21,600 --> 03:23:23,920
$75,000 for a pilot service agreement

4247
03:23:23,920 --> 03:23:25,680
with the Washington County Sheriff,

4248
03:23:25,680 --> 03:23:27,760
$8,000 for inventory supplies for

4249
03:23:27,760 --> 03:23:30,880
natural disaster preparedness, $3,500

4250
03:23:30,880 --> 03:23:32,960
for the Waterberry, Vermont 250 Planning

4251
03:23:32,960 --> 03:23:36,080
Committee, $126,667

4252
03:23:36,080 --> 03:23:37,600
for debt service for a firet truck

4253
03:23:37,600 --> 03:23:42,870
approved by voters in 2025. $13,333

4254
03:23:42,880 --> 03:23:44,720
for debt service for a public works

4255
03:23:44,720 --> 03:23:48,399
truck approved by voters in 2025.

4256
03:23:48,399 --> 03:23:51,840
All those in favor, please say I.

4257
03:23:51,840 --> 03:23:55,200
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

4258
03:23:55,200 --> 03:23:57,439
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

4259
03:23:57,439 --> 03:24:02,070
And you have passed article 15.

4260
03:24:02,080 --> 03:24:06,399
We'll now move to article 16.

4261
03:24:06,399 --> 03:24:08,560
What is your pleasure with respect to

4262
03:24:08,560 --> 03:24:11,920
article 16?

4263
03:24:11,920 --> 03:24:19,030
Mr. Malter,

4264
03:24:19,040 --> 03:24:23,269
» madam moderator,

4265
03:24:23,279 --> 03:24:26,720
» thank you. whatever she said. I move

4266
03:24:26,720 --> 03:24:32,080
that article 16 uh to uh for the voters

4267
03:24:32,080 --> 03:24:34,800
uh during 2026

4268
03:24:34,800 --> 03:24:37,359
appropriate the funds for the 12 items

4269
03:24:37,359 --> 03:24:39,600
listed.

4270
03:24:39,600 --> 03:24:41,279
>> All right. The article 16 has been

4271
03:24:41,279 --> 03:24:44,080
moved. Is there a second?

4272
03:24:44,080 --> 03:24:46,560
>> The article has been moved and seconded.

4273
03:24:46,560 --> 03:24:48,399
It has been moved that the town will

4274
03:24:48,399 --> 03:24:51,439
during 2026 appropriate $1,000 for

4275
03:24:51,439 --> 03:24:53,760
support of Capstone Community Action,

4276
03:24:53,760 --> 03:24:55,920
$1,000 for support of Community Harvest

4277
03:24:55,920 --> 03:24:58,640
of Central Vermont, $500 for support of

4278
03:24:58,640 --> 03:25:01,200
Everybody Wins Vermont, $1,000 for the

4279
03:25:01,200 --> 03:25:02,399
support of the Family Center of

4280
03:25:02,399 --> 03:25:05,200
Washington County, $1,000 for support of

4281
03:25:05,200 --> 03:25:07,439
Friends of Waterberry Reservoir, $500

4282
03:25:07,439 --> 03:25:09,040
for support of Good Beginnings of

4283
03:25:09,040 --> 03:25:12,000
Central Vermont, $975 for support of

4284
03:25:12,000 --> 03:25:15,040
Mosaic Vermont, $250 for support of Our

4285
03:25:15,040 --> 03:25:17,439
House of Central Vermont, $1,000 for

4286
03:25:17,439 --> 03:25:18,640
support of the People's Health and

4287
03:25:18,640 --> 03:25:20,960
Wellness Clinic, $500 for support of the

4288
03:25:20,960 --> 03:25:22,479
Vermont Association for the Blind and

4289
03:25:22,479 --> 03:25:24,880
Visually Impaired, $600 for support of

4290
03:25:24,880 --> 03:25:26,399
the Vermont Center for Independent

4291
03:25:26,399 --> 03:25:28,399
Living, and $800 for the support of the

4292
03:25:28,399 --> 03:25:31,600
Waterberry Community Band.

4293
03:25:31,600 --> 03:25:40,870
Is there um discussion on this article?

4294
03:25:40,880 --> 03:25:43,520
Um Kathy Grace, this is a question I

4295
03:25:43,520 --> 03:25:46,319
asked early on. Could you turn to page

4296
03:25:46,319 --> 03:25:51,750
22, please?

4297
03:25:51,760 --> 03:25:53,520
» You can't hear me?

4298
03:25:53,520 --> 03:25:57,359
>> Okay, turn to page 22. Um, over the past

4299
03:25:57,359 --> 03:26:00,080
several years, I've just seen the number

4300
03:26:00,080 --> 03:26:02,800
of um people who get the 30 signatures

4301
03:26:02,800 --> 03:26:06,640
needed to have their um special interest

4302
03:26:06,640 --> 03:26:10,800
put on on the voting ballot. And um and

4303
03:26:10,800 --> 03:26:12,720
there's a policy I think they have for

4304
03:26:12,720 --> 03:26:14,720
that that I want to have this slide for

4305
03:26:14,720 --> 03:26:17,520
explain in a bit. But if you notice in

4306
03:26:17,520 --> 03:26:21,040
the last year we had an 18% increase in

4307
03:26:21,040 --> 03:26:23,840
the number of people who asked to have

4308
03:26:23,840 --> 03:26:26,720
um their um

4309
03:26:26,720 --> 03:26:28,960
organizations put on the ballot and on

4310
03:26:28,960 --> 03:26:31,120
your taxes it's going to be adds up to

4311
03:26:31,120 --> 03:26:32,800
be 2.71%

4312
03:26:32,800 --> 03:26:34,960
interest. That might not seem like very

4313
03:26:34,960 --> 03:26:37,279
much, but we've been arguing over 15,000

4314
03:26:37,279 --> 03:26:41,920
for planning, 25,000 for Woody um Woody

4315
03:26:41,920 --> 03:26:44,800
Avenue planning, and this is 50,000.

4316
03:26:44,800 --> 03:26:46,880
Those two things don't even equal that.

4317
03:26:46,880 --> 03:26:48,800
And usually we just pass them all at

4318
03:26:48,800 --> 03:26:51,680
once. And I've sat here many times and

4319
03:26:51,680 --> 03:26:53,279
thought about what about the

4320
03:26:53,279 --> 03:26:55,279
organizations that benefit are kind of

4321
03:26:55,279 --> 03:26:58,000
like the Rotary that never ask for

4322
03:26:58,000 --> 03:27:00,479
money. and some of the the good neighbor

4323
03:27:00,479 --> 03:27:02,479
fund we just talked about that never

4324
03:27:02,479 --> 03:27:05,120
asked for money, but yet we're giving

4325
03:27:05,120 --> 03:27:08,720
$50,000 away to some company that, you

4326
03:27:08,720 --> 03:27:10,000
know, they don't even have to give a

4327
03:27:10,000 --> 03:27:12,080
financial report. I would have to to

4328
03:27:12,080 --> 03:27:15,200
look it up. And sometimes it feels like

4329
03:27:15,200 --> 03:27:18,319
I'm being asked to fund something that I

4330
03:27:18,319 --> 03:27:21,520
should fund personally. And I would I

4331
03:27:21,520 --> 03:27:24,080
think I spent $5,000 a year donating to

4332
03:27:24,080 --> 03:27:25,840
different organizations.

4333
03:27:25,840 --> 03:27:27,279
But here I don't feel like I have that

4334
03:27:27,279 --> 03:27:29,200
same choice sometimes because it's just

4335
03:27:29,200 --> 03:27:32,640
passed over all the time. So I I guess

4336
03:27:32,640 --> 03:27:34,319
I'd like to have a discussion about that

4337
03:27:34,319 --> 03:27:36,880
and the policy that you use because the

4338
03:27:36,880 --> 03:27:38,720
other thing there's many more of these

4339
03:27:38,720 --> 03:27:40,800
special interest groups that aren't on

4340
03:27:40,800 --> 03:27:43,279
this list because after 5 years I

4341
03:27:43,279 --> 03:27:44,880
believe they automatically go in the

4342
03:27:44,880 --> 03:27:46,640
budget. So if they've collected

4343
03:27:46,640 --> 03:27:48,800
signatures for five years in a row, they

4344
03:27:48,800 --> 03:27:51,359
automatically go in the budget. So

4345
03:27:51,359 --> 03:27:53,760
question one is how much is in the

4346
03:27:53,760 --> 03:27:56,319
budget from that were these at one time

4347
03:27:56,319 --> 03:27:58,560
special interest groups that are now

4348
03:27:58,560 --> 03:28:00,640
just in the budget. I want to know the

4349
03:28:00,640 --> 03:28:02,080
answer to that and I would like you to

4350
03:28:02,080 --> 03:28:06,640
explain the policy that you have to

4351
03:28:06,640 --> 03:28:09,439
tax. Thank you.

4352
03:28:09,439 --> 03:28:11,760
Is there a member of the select board

4353
03:28:11,760 --> 03:28:14,000
who would like to talk about the policy

4354
03:28:14,000 --> 03:28:16,560
of which articles or which requests are

4355
03:28:16,560 --> 03:28:19,840
in the special article?

4356
03:28:19,840 --> 03:28:22,560
>> Kathy, I appreciate your comments

4357
03:28:22,560 --> 03:28:24,479
because this is always this has been a

4358
03:28:24,479 --> 03:28:26,800
peekadoo of mine for ever since I

4359
03:28:26,800 --> 03:28:30,239
started on the select board.

4360
03:28:30,239 --> 03:28:32,960
you have the option to make an amendment

4361
03:28:32,960 --> 03:28:37,040
to remove any of these from the from

4362
03:28:37,040 --> 03:28:40,239
that special article. I don't you know

4363
03:28:40,239 --> 03:28:42,960
no one wants it's like mother apple pie

4364
03:28:42,960 --> 03:28:45,359
and Chevrolet you know no one wants to

4365
03:28:45,359 --> 03:28:48,239
go against a lot of things but I'm I'm

4366
03:28:48,239 --> 03:28:50,000
concerned as well as probably a lot of

4367
03:28:50,000 --> 03:28:53,760
people in this audience of the creep of

4368
03:28:53,760 --> 03:28:55,600
special articles. Where is it going to

4369
03:28:55,600 --> 03:28:58,560
go? We have a a lot of these groups are

4370
03:28:58,560 --> 03:29:00,479
very worthy groups. I'm not going to

4371
03:29:00,479 --> 03:29:02,960
deny that. But if someone really feels

4372
03:29:02,960 --> 03:29:06,399
that one of these organizations need to

4373
03:29:06,399 --> 03:29:09,279
be excluded, less money, you have that

4374
03:29:09,279 --> 03:29:11,920
option. So, I'll I'll leave it at that.

4375
03:29:11,920 --> 03:29:14,720
Thanks.

4376
03:29:14,720 --> 03:29:16,160
>> Um, I'm going to take the select board

4377
03:29:16,160 --> 03:29:18,720
members first, Mr. Abello.

4378
03:29:18,720 --> 03:29:20,479
>> Thank you, madam moderator. If I may,

4379
03:29:20,479 --> 03:29:22,239
the policy is that we follow state law

4380
03:29:22,239 --> 03:29:23,520
and that if they collect the right

4381
03:29:23,520 --> 03:29:25,200
amount of signatures, then we have to

4382
03:29:25,200 --> 03:29:27,600
put it on to the special articles. The

4383
03:29:27,600 --> 03:29:30,080
only thing that the select board policy

4384
03:29:30,080 --> 03:29:32,239
so to speak can control is how we group

4385
03:29:32,239 --> 03:29:34,640
them. As to the amount of the budget, I

4386
03:29:34,640 --> 03:29:39,429
would defer to somebody else. Respect.

4387
03:29:39,439 --> 03:29:40,640
» Mr. Bar,

4388
03:29:40,640 --> 03:29:45,190
>> I could answer article

4389
03:29:45,200 --> 03:29:48,239
16 are

4390
03:29:48,239 --> 03:29:50,960
special articles that are grouped at

4391
03:29:50,960 --> 03:29:53,120
10,000

4392
03:29:53,120 --> 03:29:55,120
and below. So we group those all

4393
03:29:55,120 --> 03:29:57,520
together so we don't have to go through

4394
03:29:57,520 --> 03:30:01,279
them one by one and you know town

4395
03:30:01,279 --> 03:30:03,680
meeting will be over at 3 4:00 in the

4396
03:30:03,680 --> 03:30:06,720
afternoon if we wind up doing that. Uh

4397
03:30:06,720 --> 03:30:09,120
again you have the right to you know

4398
03:30:09,120 --> 03:30:12,239
have an amendment to remove one of these

4399
03:30:12,239 --> 03:30:14,000
special articles should you should you

4400
03:30:14,000 --> 03:30:20,479
wish. The article 17 through 30 are all

4401
03:30:20,479 --> 03:30:23,279
uh requests that exceed that $1,000

4402
03:30:23,279 --> 03:30:27,279
level or when there there are new

4403
03:30:27,279 --> 03:30:30,880
requests we ask that they they get voted

4404
03:30:30,880 --> 03:30:34,309
on separately.

4405
03:30:34,319 --> 03:30:36,160
» Um there's other people who haven't

4406
03:30:36,160 --> 03:30:38,319
spoken yet. Well, you hear from

4407
03:30:38,319 --> 03:30:45,990
>> question.

4408
03:30:46,000 --> 03:30:47,520
» So, there's a question as to whether or

4409
03:30:47,520 --> 03:30:49,359
not any of the special articles are in

4410
03:30:49,359 --> 03:30:53,429
the budget.

4411
03:30:53,439 --> 03:30:57,439
» No, there there there are some things

4412
03:30:57,439 --> 03:31:00,080
that formerly were

4413
03:31:00,080 --> 03:31:02,960
as special articles are now embedded.

4414
03:31:02,960 --> 03:31:05,680
Things like the senior center, etc. are

4415
03:31:05,680 --> 03:31:09,920
now costs that we feel that have have

4416
03:31:09,920 --> 03:31:12,640
shown the test of time. The community

4417
03:31:12,640 --> 03:31:15,760
supports and they're they're in the the

4418
03:31:15,760 --> 03:31:18,160
standard budget. We don't a lot of these

4419
03:31:18,160 --> 03:31:21,359
other charities and such, they do good

4420
03:31:21,359 --> 03:31:23,520
things. They're not they're not usually

4421
03:31:23,520 --> 03:31:27,760
put in into this into a special article

4422
03:31:27,760 --> 03:31:32,389
designation.

4423
03:31:32,399 --> 03:31:35,520
» Is there further discussion? Um I'm

4424
03:31:35,520 --> 03:31:37,279
happy to just hand you this Kathy. This

4425
03:31:37,279 --> 03:31:38,880
is the list of town funding requests

4426
03:31:38,880 --> 03:31:42,000
that we reviewed on 11626. And shout out

4427
03:31:42,000 --> 03:31:44,720
to our town clerk staff past present

4428
03:31:44,720 --> 03:31:46,479
including interim Carol Oz for helping

4429
03:31:46,479 --> 03:31:48,720
to compile. So the standard has been if

4430
03:31:48,720 --> 03:31:50,399
an organization receives a funding

4431
03:31:50,399 --> 03:31:52,560
amount last year approved by the voters

4432
03:31:52,560 --> 03:31:54,239
and they request that same amount this

4433
03:31:54,239 --> 03:31:56,160
year we put it on the warning. That has

4434
03:31:56,160 --> 03:31:57,840
been the standard of the select board.

4435
03:31:57,840 --> 03:32:00,000
We decreased the amount of the clumping

4436
03:32:00,000 --> 03:32:02,399
in article 16. Last year that was a

4437
03:32:02,399 --> 03:32:04,960
$2,000 threshold. In response to

4438
03:32:04,960 --> 03:32:06,800
community feedback, we changed it to

4439
03:32:06,800 --> 03:32:08,800
just $1,000.

4440
03:32:08,800 --> 03:32:10,560
I during my four years on the select

4441
03:32:10,560 --> 03:32:12,479
board am not at all aware of a five

4442
03:32:12,479 --> 03:32:14,080
years and then you become part of the

4443
03:32:14,080 --> 03:32:16,479
budget policy. The one change I'm aware

4444
03:32:16,479 --> 03:32:18,479
of in my time is for example the senior

4445
03:32:18,479 --> 03:32:21,439
citizen center who is represented here

4446
03:32:21,439 --> 03:32:23,840
um will vote on later for article 27.

4447
03:32:23,840 --> 03:32:26,000
There is $30,000 for the senior center

4448
03:32:26,000 --> 03:32:27,600
that was included in the budget that we

4449
03:32:27,600 --> 03:32:30,000
already voted on in earlier years on the

4450
03:32:30,000 --> 03:32:32,479
select board. I think it used to be 225

4451
03:32:32,479 --> 03:32:35,120
in a special article and the balance in

4452
03:32:35,120 --> 03:32:37,040
the budget and after a certain amount of

4453
03:32:37,040 --> 03:32:39,279
time the select board chose to put more

4454
03:32:39,279 --> 03:32:41,120
in the budget. The select board funds a

4455
03:32:41,120 --> 03:32:42,960
number of nonprofit organizations as

4456
03:32:42,960 --> 03:32:44,479
part of the budget and I don't have an

4457
03:32:44,479 --> 03:32:49,030
overall number to give you.

4458
03:32:49,040 --> 03:32:51,359
» Thank you. Is there further discussion?

4459
03:32:51,359 --> 03:32:53,520
We are on

4460
03:32:53,520 --> 03:32:56,800
article 16.

4461
03:32:56,800 --> 03:33:02,710
>> Mr. Colleague

4462
03:33:02,720 --> 03:33:06,800
Alex Collie from uh Village Library. Um

4463
03:33:06,800 --> 03:33:09,680
obviously times of affordable

4464
03:33:09,680 --> 03:33:11,680
>> obviously these times we all are trying

4465
03:33:11,680 --> 03:33:15,439
to afford um just try to live here very

4466
03:33:15,439 --> 03:33:17,200
difficult. What you need to understand

4467
03:33:17,200 --> 03:33:19,760
about these nonprofits is that, you

4468
03:33:19,760 --> 03:33:21,600
know, yes, they might add up, but they

4469
03:33:21,600 --> 03:33:23,840
don't add up to much, but they're very

4470
03:33:23,840 --> 03:33:26,000
important to each and every one of these

4471
03:33:26,000 --> 03:33:27,920
organizations

4472
03:33:27,920 --> 03:33:29,840
because when they do their grant

4473
03:33:29,840 --> 03:33:32,800
writing, they include how many towns

4474
03:33:32,800 --> 03:33:35,359
support them. So even if it's like $200

4475
03:33:35,359 --> 03:33:39,680
for such and such, if they have the um

4476
03:33:39,680 --> 03:33:42,560
you know, if they have the support of 15

4477
03:33:42,560 --> 03:33:45,840
towns, it shows really great when it

4478
03:33:45,840 --> 03:33:48,000
comes to Grand Rank and they're they're

4479
03:33:48,000 --> 03:33:51,840
able to get more money to help support

4480
03:33:51,840 --> 03:33:54,239
all of us in their uh in their

4481
03:33:54,239 --> 03:33:57,670
activities.

4482
03:33:57,680 --> 03:34:00,000
» Further discussion

4483
03:34:00,000 --> 03:34:01,279
point of order.

4484
03:34:01,279 --> 03:34:09,190
>> What is your point of order?

4485
03:34:09,200 --> 03:34:14,160
Yes. Um, is the board of civil authority

4486
03:34:14,160 --> 03:34:17,359
chair available?

4487
03:34:17,359 --> 03:34:22,070
Um,

4488
03:34:22,080 --> 03:34:39,750
Mr. McDougall will help her.

4489
03:34:39,760 --> 03:34:41,920
Thank you for the point of order and

4490
03:34:41,920 --> 03:34:44,720
thank you Mr. McDougall. Go ahead.

4491
03:34:44,720 --> 03:34:48,880
Uh the amounts on the warning match the

4492
03:34:48,880 --> 03:34:51,600
line item on page 22, but I noticed

4493
03:34:51,600 --> 03:34:54,880
there's a table on page 35 of the report

4494
03:34:54,880 --> 03:34:56,880
that summarizes the special articles and

4495
03:34:56,880 --> 03:34:59,840
that has a very different total number.

4496
03:34:59,840 --> 03:35:04,880
Uh 59,000 as opposed to

4497
03:35:04,880 --> 03:35:09,840
50 where we here 50,600.

4498
03:35:09,840 --> 03:35:11,680
Uh so I'm just wondering where that

4499
03:35:11,680 --> 03:35:13,600
discrepancy came from. I can't make the

4500
03:35:13,600 --> 03:35:15,359
numbers in the table add up to what's

4501
03:35:15,359 --> 03:35:16,880
actually on the warning.

4502
03:35:16,880 --> 03:35:18,319
>> Sure. And can you repeat the page

4503
03:35:18,319 --> 03:35:19,120
numbers again?

4504
03:35:19,120 --> 03:35:22,640
>> Uh the line item is on page 22 and the

4505
03:35:22,640 --> 03:35:24,880
table is on page 35 right above the

4506
03:35:24,880 --> 03:35:28,080
grant list.

4507
03:35:28,080 --> 03:35:29,439
>> Is there a member of the select board

4508
03:35:29,439 --> 03:35:32,800
who can address that or Mr. Shappl? I

4509
03:35:32,800 --> 03:35:34,239
was say I'll defer to Chevle, but just

4510
03:35:34,239 --> 03:35:36,479
note the asterisk indicating items

4511
03:35:36,479 --> 03:35:38,239
included in budget line items, which

4512
03:35:38,239 --> 03:35:39,760
would have been in not special articles,

4513
03:35:39,760 --> 03:35:41,200
but in the budget, and I don't know if

4514
03:35:41,200 --> 03:35:42,720
that fully accounts for it. I

4515
03:35:42,720 --> 03:35:46,710
>> I don't believe it does.

4516
03:35:46,720 --> 03:35:51,120
» I'm I'm pretty certain that the table on

4517
03:35:51,120 --> 03:35:55,040
page 35 is what was appropriated a year

4518
03:35:55,040 --> 03:35:59,439
ago. It's It's not accurate at all. The

4519
03:35:59,439 --> 03:36:04,309
column adds up to $75,15749,

4520
03:36:04,319 --> 03:36:07,830
not 59,357.

4521
03:36:07,840 --> 03:36:09,760
There's 26,500

4522
03:36:09,760 --> 03:36:11,439
in there for the senior citizens

4523
03:36:11,439 --> 03:36:12,960
association.

4524
03:36:12,960 --> 03:36:16,399
Um the special articles last year for

4525
03:36:16,399 --> 03:36:19,200
senior citizens were 6,500.

4526
03:36:19,200 --> 03:36:21,920
As Alyssa mentioned, there was uh

4527
03:36:21,920 --> 03:36:24,000
actually 32,500

4528
03:36:24,000 --> 03:36:27,600
has been in the budget since 2024. So

4529
03:36:27,600 --> 03:36:29,600
these numbers don't make a lot of sense,

4530
03:36:29,600 --> 03:36:33,920
but they do not refer to the 2026

4531
03:36:33,920 --> 03:36:37,359
budget request.

4532
03:36:37,359 --> 03:36:44,229
>> Is there further discussion?

4533
03:36:44,239 --> 03:36:48,239
» MK Monley from Waterberry Center. Um, I

4534
03:36:48,239 --> 03:36:51,279
would just like to point out that these

4535
03:36:51,279 --> 03:36:55,359
organizations in article 16

4536
03:36:55,359 --> 03:36:58,399
are part of our community and it what

4537
03:36:58,399 --> 03:37:02,640
makes Waterberry a great place to live.

4538
03:37:02,640 --> 03:37:06,160
And um I'll give a plug for Good

4539
03:37:06,160 --> 03:37:08,960
Beginnings. I'm a new volunteer. So if

4540
03:37:08,960 --> 03:37:11,359
anyone is interested in holding new

4541
03:37:11,359 --> 03:37:14,319
babies and helping out new families,

4542
03:37:14,319 --> 03:37:17,920
it's a great thing to do. So I totally

4543
03:37:17,920 --> 03:37:21,840
support article 16.

4544
03:37:21,840 --> 03:37:26,630
>> Further discussion.

4545
03:37:26,640 --> 03:37:28,479
Duncan McDougall from Waterberry Center.

4546
03:37:28,479 --> 03:37:30,319
And speaking of volunteers, just a quick

4547
03:37:30,319 --> 03:37:32,800
glance at article 16 all the way through

4548
03:37:32,800 --> 03:37:36,479
article 30. I would guess 3/4 of those

4549
03:37:36,479 --> 03:37:38,560
organizations are run in large part by

4550
03:37:38,560 --> 03:37:41,040
volunteers. So it's not like they're,

4551
03:37:41,040 --> 03:37:42,479
you know, making a lot of money or

4552
03:37:42,479 --> 03:37:44,560
anything. Uh these funds go a long way

4553
03:37:44,560 --> 03:37:46,000
because a lot of the work is done by

4554
03:37:46,000 --> 03:37:48,880
volunteers. They do need some funds for

4555
03:37:48,880 --> 03:37:51,200
things that they do. Um but this is a

4556
03:37:51,200 --> 03:37:53,439
really key part of our community and it

4557
03:37:53,439 --> 03:37:55,439
gets a lot done. So I think you'd be

4558
03:37:55,439 --> 03:37:57,520
hardressed to find a better investment

4559
03:37:57,520 --> 03:37:59,279
than than these organizations. Thank

4560
03:37:59,279 --> 03:38:02,550
you.

4561
03:38:02,560 --> 03:38:04,720
» Is there further discussion on article

4562
03:38:04,720 --> 03:38:09,190
16?

4563
03:38:09,200 --> 03:38:11,359
Seeing no further discussion, we will

4564
03:38:11,359 --> 03:38:14,399
proceed to a vote. It is moved that the

4565
03:38:14,399 --> 03:38:18,800
town will during 2026 appropriate $1,000

4566
03:38:18,800 --> 03:38:21,279
for Capstone Community Action, $1,000

4567
03:38:21,279 --> 03:38:22,960
for support of Community Harvest of

4568
03:38:22,960 --> 03:38:26,080
Central Vermont, $500

4569
03:38:26,080 --> 03:38:28,080
uh for support of Everybody Wins

4570
03:38:28,080 --> 03:38:30,880
Vermont, $1,000 for the support of the

4571
03:38:30,880 --> 03:38:32,640
Family Center of Washington County,

4572
03:38:32,640 --> 03:38:34,399
$1,000 for support of Friends of

4573
03:38:34,399 --> 03:38:37,040
Waterberry Reservoir, $500 for support

4574
03:38:37,040 --> 03:38:39,760
of Good Beginnings of Central Vermont,

4575
03:38:39,760 --> 03:38:43,040
$975 for support of Mosaic Vermont,

4576
03:38:43,040 --> 03:38:45,359
$250 for support of Hourthouse of

4577
03:38:45,359 --> 03:38:47,840
Central Vermont, $1,000 for support of

4578
03:38:47,840 --> 03:38:49,840
the People's Health and Wellness Clinic,

4579
03:38:49,840 --> 03:38:51,760
$500 for support of the Vermont

4580
03:38:51,760 --> 03:38:53,600
Association for the Blind and Visually

4581
03:38:53,600 --> 03:38:56,000
Impaired, $600 for support of the

4582
03:38:56,000 --> 03:38:57,840
Vermont Center for Independent Living,

4583
03:38:57,840 --> 03:39:00,080
and $800 for support of the Waterberry

4584
03:39:00,080 --> 03:39:02,560
Community Band. All those in favor,

4585
03:39:02,560 --> 03:39:04,720
please say I. I.

4586
03:39:04,720 --> 03:39:07,359
>> Any opposed, please say no.

4587
03:39:07,359 --> 03:39:09,279
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

4588
03:39:09,279 --> 03:39:17,910
have it. And you have passed article 16.

4589
03:39:17,920 --> 03:39:20,560
So, we'll now go through a series of

4590
03:39:20,560 --> 03:39:23,840
articles. Article 17 to30 and I'll be

4591
03:39:23,840 --> 03:39:26,080
looking for um members of the body to

4592
03:39:26,080 --> 03:39:30,239
make the motions. Um so, article 17 is

4593
03:39:30,239 --> 03:39:31,840
shall the town of Waterberry vote to

4594
03:39:31,840 --> 03:39:34,319
appropriate $2,000 for support of the

4595
03:39:34,319 --> 03:39:36,800
American Red Cross. What is your pledge

4596
03:39:36,800 --> 03:39:55,190
with respect to article 17?

4597
03:39:55,200 --> 03:39:58,720
I move that the town of Waterberry.

4598
03:39:58,720 --> 03:40:00,319
>> Um,

4599
03:40:00,319 --> 03:40:01,760
I propose

4600
03:40:01,760 --> 03:40:03,200
>> I move that the town of Waterberry

4601
03:40:03,200 --> 03:40:06,000
>> I move the town of Waterberry um propose

4602
03:40:06,000 --> 03:40:08,479
to appropriate $2,000 to support of the

4603
03:40:08,479 --> 03:40:10,560
American Red Cross. Thank you. Is there

4604
03:40:10,560 --> 03:40:12,479
a second?

4605
03:40:12,479 --> 03:40:14,800
The motion has been moved and seconded.

4606
03:40:14,800 --> 03:40:17,520
The motion is to appropriate $2,000 for

4607
03:40:17,520 --> 03:40:19,359
support of the American Red Cross. Would

4608
03:40:19,359 --> 03:40:20,880
you like to speak to the motion?

4609
03:40:20,880 --> 03:40:23,520
>> Uh, the information is on page 61 if

4610
03:40:23,520 --> 03:40:27,429
anybody is interested.

4611
03:40:27,439 --> 03:40:31,750
» Is there further discussion?

4612
03:40:31,760 --> 03:40:34,080
» Hearing no further disc, we will proceed

4613
03:40:34,080 --> 03:40:38,000
to a vote on article 17. The motion is

4614
03:40:38,000 --> 03:40:39,279
for the town of Waterberry to

4615
03:40:39,279 --> 03:40:41,359
appropriate $2,000 for support of the

4616
03:40:41,359 --> 03:40:43,840
American American Red Cross. All those

4617
03:40:43,840 --> 03:40:46,239
in favor, please say I. I.

4618
03:40:46,239 --> 03:40:48,880
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

4619
03:40:48,880 --> 03:40:50,640
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

4620
03:40:50,640 --> 03:40:53,840
And you have passed article 17. Article

4621
03:40:53,840 --> 03:40:56,319
18. Shall the town of Waterbury vote to

4622
03:40:56,319 --> 03:40:58,239
appropriate $2,000 for support of

4623
03:40:58,239 --> 03:41:00,640
Central Vermont Adult Basic Education?

4624
03:41:00,640 --> 03:41:02,160
What is your pleasure with respect to

4625
03:41:02,160 --> 03:41:07,269
article 18?

4626
03:41:07,279 --> 03:41:10,160
Uh Jane Willard, uh Waterbury resident

4627
03:41:10,160 --> 03:41:15,760
and I reside just above Woody Avenue.

4628
03:41:15,760 --> 03:41:18,399
>> So um Madame Waterberry here.

4629
03:41:18,399 --> 03:41:20,720
>> Yes. Um I move that the town of

4630
03:41:20,720 --> 03:41:24,000
Waterbury vote to appropriate $2,000 for

4631
03:41:24,000 --> 03:41:26,000
support of Central Vermont Adult

4632
03:41:26,000 --> 03:41:27,840
Education.

4633
03:41:27,840 --> 03:41:29,439
Moved by Miss Willard. Is there a

4634
03:41:29,439 --> 03:41:30,720
second?

4635
03:41:30,720 --> 03:41:32,960
>> The motion has been moved and seconded.

4636
03:41:32,960 --> 03:41:35,120
The motion is to appropriate $2,000 for

4637
03:41:35,120 --> 03:41:36,720
support of Central Vermont Adult Basic

4638
03:41:36,720 --> 03:41:38,560
Education. Miss Bullard, would you like

4639
03:41:38,560 --> 03:41:40,800
to speak to the motion? I would say that

4640
03:41:40,800 --> 03:41:43,680
I am a very enthusiastic,

4641
03:41:43,680 --> 03:41:47,600
longtime volunteer with the organization

4642
03:41:47,600 --> 03:41:50,399
and I would refer to you to refer you to

4643
03:41:50,399 --> 03:41:53,120
page 63.

4644
03:41:53,120 --> 03:41:57,349
Is there further discussion?

4645
03:41:57,359 --> 03:41:59,040
Seeing no further discussion, we will

4646
03:41:59,040 --> 03:42:01,439
proceed to a vote on article 18. All

4647
03:42:01,439 --> 03:42:03,439
those in favor, please say I.

4648
03:42:03,439 --> 03:42:04,000
>> I.

4649
03:42:04,000 --> 03:42:06,640
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

4650
03:42:06,640 --> 03:42:08,720
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

4651
03:42:08,720 --> 03:42:11,920
And you have passed article 18. Article

4652
03:42:11,920 --> 03:42:14,640
19. Shall the town of Waterbury vote to

4653
03:42:14,640 --> 03:42:17,439
appropriate $2,250 for the support of

4654
03:42:17,439 --> 03:42:19,200
Central Vermont Council on Aging and

4655
03:42:19,200 --> 03:42:21,920
Americaore Senior RSVP? What is your

4656
03:42:21,920 --> 03:42:39,030
pleasure with respect to article 19?

4657
03:42:39,040 --> 03:42:40,960
Uh, madame moderator, I move that the

4658
03:42:40,960 --> 03:42:44,880
town of Waterbury for 19 um vote to

4659
03:42:44,880 --> 03:42:46,960
appropriate $2,250

4660
03:42:46,960 --> 03:42:48,720
for the support of Central Vermont

4661
03:42:48,720 --> 03:42:52,160
Council on Aging and Americaore Senior

4662
03:42:52,160 --> 03:42:54,080
RSVP.

4663
03:42:54,080 --> 03:42:56,080
>> Thank you. And uh

4664
03:42:56,080 --> 03:42:57,680
>> for the body, what is Please state your

4665
03:42:57,680 --> 03:42:58,000
name.

4666
03:42:58,000 --> 03:43:00,080
>> Oh, Queen Waterbury.

4667
03:43:00,080 --> 03:43:00,880
>> Thank you.

4668
03:43:00,880 --> 03:43:03,279
>> I have no idea where Woody Allen or Pat

4669
03:43:03,279 --> 03:43:05,520
have is.

4670
03:43:05,520 --> 03:43:07,840
>> Is there a second on this motion? The

4671
03:43:07,840 --> 03:43:09,840
motion has been moved and seconded to

4672
03:43:09,840 --> 03:43:12,399
appropriate $2,250 for the support of

4673
03:43:12,399 --> 03:43:14,080
Central Vermont Council on Aging and

4674
03:43:14,080 --> 03:43:16,560
Americanore Senior RSVP. Is there

4675
03:43:16,560 --> 03:43:21,269
discussion on the motion?

4676
03:43:21,279 --> 03:43:23,120
Seeing no discussion, we will proceed to

4677
03:43:23,120 --> 03:43:25,520
a vote. two for 2000 for the town of

4678
03:43:25,520 --> 03:43:28,399
Waterberry to appropriate $2,250

4679
03:43:28,399 --> 03:43:29,840
for the support of Central Vermont

4680
03:43:29,840 --> 03:43:31,600
Council on Aging and Americaore Senior

4681
03:43:31,600 --> 03:43:35,600
RSVP. All those in favor, please say I.

4682
03:43:35,600 --> 03:43:38,239
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

4683
03:43:38,239 --> 03:43:40,800
appear to have it. The eyes do have it

4684
03:43:40,800 --> 03:43:43,199
and you have passed article 19. Article

4685
03:43:43,199 --> 03:43:45,040
20. Shall the town of Waterberry vote to

4686
03:43:45,040 --> 03:43:47,520
appropriate $1,375

4687
03:43:47,520 --> 03:43:49,520
for support of circle? What is your

4688
03:43:49,520 --> 03:43:58,950
pleasure with respect to article 20?

4689
03:43:58,960 --> 03:44:03,040
Madam moderator. Yes. Uh I move that the

4690
03:44:03,040 --> 03:44:06,319
town of Waterberry appropriate Where did

4691
03:44:06,319 --> 03:44:08,960
it go? $1,375

4692
03:44:08,960 --> 03:44:11,840
with the support of circle.

4693
03:44:11,840 --> 03:44:15,279
Moved by Miss Wood. Is there a second?

4694
03:44:15,279 --> 03:44:17,920
The motion has been moved and seconded

4695
03:44:17,920 --> 03:44:20,880
to appropriate $1,375

4696
03:44:20,880 --> 03:44:22,640
for support of Circle. Wood, would you

4697
03:44:22,640 --> 03:44:23,920
like to speak to the motion?

4698
03:44:23,920 --> 03:44:27,920
>> Um, yes, I would. Uh, just uh because I wasn't able to find it, although it

4699
03:44:27,920 --> 03:44:31,439
might be in here. Um, uh, Circle is an

4700
03:44:31,439 --> 03:44:34,239
organization that supports mostly women,

4701
03:44:34,239 --> 03:44:36,319
uh, who experience domestic and sexual

4702
03:44:36,319 --> 03:44:39,359
violence in Washington County and an

4703
03:44:39,359 --> 03:44:40,800
organization that does an awful lot of

4704
03:44:40,800 --> 03:44:44,000
good for people who um are are fleeing

4705
03:44:44,000 --> 03:44:46,880
those kinds of situations. Thank you.

4706
03:44:46,880 --> 03:44:48,800
>> Is there further discussion on article

4707
03:44:48,800 --> 03:44:50,960
20?

4708
03:44:50,960 --> 03:44:52,560
Seeing no further discussion, we'll

4709
03:44:52,560 --> 03:44:54,319
proceed to a vote. It has been moved

4710
03:44:54,319 --> 03:44:56,000
that the town of Waterbury appropriate

4711
03:44:56,000 --> 03:44:57,760
$1,375

4712
03:44:57,760 --> 03:44:59,840
for supportive circle. All those in

4713
03:44:59,840 --> 03:45:02,000
favor, please say I.

4714
03:45:02,000 --> 03:45:04,720
>> Those opposed, please say no.

4715
03:45:04,720 --> 03:45:07,520
>> The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

4716
03:45:07,520 --> 03:45:10,399
have it. And you have passed article 20.

4717
03:45:10,399 --> 03:45:12,720
Article 21. Shall the town of Waterberry

4718
03:45:12,720 --> 03:45:15,199
vote to appropriate $1,500 for support

4719
03:45:15,199 --> 03:45:17,040
of down street housing and community

4720
03:45:17,040 --> 03:45:18,800
development? What is your pleasure with

4721
03:45:18,800 --> 03:45:28,630
respect to article 21?

4722
03:45:28,640 --> 03:45:30,080
» Madam, moderator.

4723
03:45:30,080 --> 03:45:30,640
>> Yes.

4724
03:45:30,640 --> 03:45:33,520
>> I move that the town of Waterbury

4725
03:45:33,520 --> 03:45:35,920
appropriate

4726
03:45:35,920 --> 03:45:37,120
uh which one are we on?

4727
03:45:37,120 --> 03:45:39,279
>> 21.

4728
03:45:39,279 --> 03:45:42,239
>> Vote to appropriate 1,500 for support of

4729
03:45:42,239 --> 03:45:44,000
downtown Housing and Community

4730
03:45:44,000 --> 03:45:47,349
Development.

4731
03:45:47,359 --> 03:45:50,640
moved by Mr. Goule. Is there a second?

4732
03:45:50,640 --> 03:45:52,560
>> The motion has been moved and seconded

4733
03:45:52,560 --> 03:45:55,120
to appropriate $1,500 for support of

4734
03:45:55,120 --> 03:45:56,960
down street housing and community

4735
03:45:56,960 --> 03:45:59,359
development.

4736
03:45:59,359 --> 03:46:04,070
Is there discussion?

4737
03:46:04,080 --> 03:46:07,439
Uh seeing no uh discussion, we will

4738
03:46:07,439 --> 03:46:09,840
proceed to a vote on article 21. It is

4739
03:46:09,840 --> 03:46:11,120
moved that the town of Waterberry

4740
03:46:11,120 --> 03:46:13,359
appropriate $1,500 for support of

4741
03:46:13,359 --> 03:46:14,800
downstream housing and community

4742
03:46:14,800 --> 03:46:16,319
development. All those in favor, please

4743
03:46:16,319 --> 03:46:17,920
say I. I.

4744
03:46:17,920 --> 03:46:20,399
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

4745
03:46:20,399 --> 03:46:22,720
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

4746
03:46:22,720 --> 03:46:25,600
And Article 21.

4747
03:46:25,600 --> 03:46:28,080
Article 22. Shall the town of Waterberry

4748
03:46:28,080 --> 03:46:30,560
vote to appropriate $1,500 for support

4749
03:46:30,560 --> 03:46:33,199
of Elevate, formerly Washington County

4750
03:46:33,199 --> 03:46:35,359
Youth Services? What is your pleasure

4751
03:46:35,359 --> 03:46:40,550
with respect to article 22?

4752
03:46:40,560 --> 03:46:43,120
You're on a roll.

4753
03:46:43,120 --> 03:46:45,120
>> Madame Water, I move that the town of

4754
03:46:45,120 --> 03:46:46,960
Waterbury

4755
03:46:46,960 --> 03:46:52,239
uh vote to approve appropriate $1,500500

4756
03:46:52,239 --> 03:46:55,600
to uh for support of Elevate Washington

4757
03:46:55,600 --> 03:46:58,000
County Youth Services

4758
03:46:58,000 --> 03:47:00,720
in Wayu Lake Waterbury.

4759
03:47:00,720 --> 03:47:03,520
>> Is there a second? The motion has been

4760
03:47:03,520 --> 03:47:09,830
moved and seconded. Is there discussion?

4761
03:47:09,840 --> 03:47:12,720
Seeing no discussion, it has been we'll

4762
03:47:12,720 --> 03:47:15,760
proceed to a vote on article 22. It has

4763
03:47:15,760 --> 03:47:17,199
been moved that the town of Watergate

4764
03:47:17,199 --> 03:47:19,680
appropriate $1,500 for support of

4765
03:47:19,680 --> 03:47:21,439
Elevate Washington County Youth

4766
03:47:21,439 --> 03:47:23,600
Services. All those in favor, please say

4767
03:47:23,600 --> 03:47:24,880
I. I.

4768
03:47:24,880 --> 03:47:27,199
>> Opposed, please say no.

4769
03:47:27,199 --> 03:47:29,279
>> The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

4770
03:47:29,279 --> 03:47:32,560
have it. And you have passed article 22.

4771
03:47:32,560 --> 03:47:34,720
Article 23. Shall the town of Waterberry

4772
03:47:34,720 --> 03:47:37,439
vote to appropriate $7,500 for support

4773
03:47:37,439 --> 03:47:39,439
of the Early Education Resource Center

4774
03:47:39,439 --> 03:47:42,319
of Waterberry, the Children's Room?

4775
03:47:42,319 --> 03:47:44,000
Michelle Downing, Waterberry. Let's see

4776
03:47:44,000 --> 03:47:45,439
if I got this right. I move that the

4777
03:47:45,439 --> 03:47:48,479
town, Madam Speaker, moderator, I move

4778
03:47:48,479 --> 03:47:50,479
that the town of Waterberry go to

4779
03:47:50,479 --> 03:47:52,640
appropriate $7,500 for the children's

4780
03:47:52,640 --> 03:47:55,359
room of Waterberry.

4781
03:47:55,359 --> 03:47:57,120
Moved by Miss Downing. Is there a

4782
03:47:57,120 --> 03:47:59,520
second? The motion has been moved and

4783
03:47:59,520 --> 03:48:01,359
seconded. It has been moved that the

4784
03:48:01,359 --> 03:48:03,840
town of Waterberry appropriate $7,500

4785
03:48:03,840 --> 03:48:05,520
for support of the Early Education

4786
03:48:05,520 --> 03:48:07,359
Resource Center of Waterberry, the

4787
03:48:07,359 --> 03:48:09,279
Children's Room. Miss Downing, would you

4788
03:48:09,279 --> 03:48:12,080
like to speak to the motion? Um, there's

4789
03:48:12,080 --> 03:48:13,199
more information about the children's

4790
03:48:13,199 --> 03:48:15,840
room if I'm familiar on page 67 in your

4791
03:48:15,840 --> 03:48:18,080
booklet here. Um, the the children's

4792
03:48:18,080 --> 03:48:19,520
room is an excellent resource for

4793
03:48:19,520 --> 03:48:21,439
families with young children in the town

4794
03:48:21,439 --> 03:48:23,920
of Waterberry and beyond. We've seen an

4795
03:48:23,920 --> 03:48:26,479
increase of 50% uh usage over the last

4796
03:48:26,479 --> 03:48:28,160
two to three years and haven't asked for

4797
03:48:28,160 --> 03:48:29,920
any change in budget in over 10 years

4798
03:48:29,920 --> 03:48:31,760
with the exception of this year. So

4799
03:48:31,760 --> 03:48:33,439
really appreciate your support and

4800
03:48:33,439 --> 03:48:35,040
continuing to provide young families

4801
03:48:35,040 --> 03:48:38,479
with a resource and opportunity to um

4802
03:48:38,479 --> 03:48:43,120
create community in. Thank you.

4803
03:48:43,120 --> 03:48:46,720
Is there further discussion?

4804
03:48:46,720 --> 03:48:53,750
Yes.

4805
03:48:53,760 --> 03:48:57,040
I just note that um

4806
03:48:57,040 --> 03:49:00,479
the appropriation a year ago was $4,000

4807
03:49:00,479 --> 03:49:04,800
and now it's $7500 which is almost a

4808
03:49:04,800 --> 03:49:08,880
it's an 88% increase. Um we talked about

4809
03:49:08,880 --> 03:49:12,160
more more children. Uh what other

4810
03:49:12,160 --> 03:49:15,600
resources besides $7,500 from the town

4811
03:49:15,600 --> 03:49:18,239
of Waterbury do you get?

4812
03:49:18,239 --> 03:49:21,040
So, the question is, what resources

4813
03:49:21,040 --> 03:49:23,439
besides um what sources of resources

4814
03:49:23,439 --> 03:49:25,199
does the Waterberry Children's Center

4815
03:49:25,199 --> 03:49:27,760
have besides the town? And if you choose

4816
03:49:27,760 --> 03:49:29,680
to be interrogated, you may answer, but

4817
03:49:29,680 --> 03:49:35,189
you don't have to.

4818
03:49:35,199 --> 03:49:37,840
» Downing Waterberry um thank you for the

4819
03:49:37,840 --> 03:49:40,640
question. So, our our um program is

4820
03:49:40,640 --> 03:49:43,920
completely volunteerrun. Um and we have

4821
03:49:43,920 --> 03:49:46,640
that's we have one uh paid employee.

4822
03:49:46,640 --> 03:49:48,239
Most of our funding comes from

4823
03:49:48,239 --> 03:49:51,439
donationbased um sources. So families in

4824
03:49:51,439 --> 03:49:53,439
the community of of Waterberry and

4825
03:49:53,439 --> 03:49:55,439
beyond. We also receive funding from

4826
03:49:55,439 --> 03:49:58,160
additional towns much to I think you

4827
03:49:58,160 --> 03:50:00,800
were you were mentioning um based on the

4828
03:50:00,800 --> 03:50:03,199
number of of folks who come from those

4829
03:50:03,199 --> 03:50:06,880
towns. So of the about 5,500 people who

4830
03:50:06,880 --> 03:50:09,120
generally use the children's room in

4831
03:50:09,120 --> 03:50:12,399
Waterberry annually about 50% of those

4832
03:50:12,399 --> 03:50:14,640
people come from Waterberry. others come

4833
03:50:14,640 --> 03:50:18,319
from multiple towns um surrounding us.

4834
03:50:18,319 --> 03:50:22,880
Does that answer question?

4835
03:50:22,880 --> 03:50:27,680
>> We do. We do. Yes. And and um

4836
03:50:27,680 --> 03:50:30,710
Yes.

4837
03:50:30,720 --> 03:50:32,640
» Thank you. Okay. Is there any other

4838
03:50:32,640 --> 03:50:40,550
discussion? Yes.

4839
03:50:40,560 --> 03:50:42,479
Cheryl Glory.

4840
03:50:42,479 --> 03:50:44,800
Madam moderator, I would like to amend

4841
03:50:44,800 --> 03:50:46,239
this article.

4842
03:50:46,239 --> 03:50:48,479
>> I would like to level fund the funding

4843
03:50:48,479 --> 03:50:52,239
back to what it was last year. Um, and

4844
03:50:52,239 --> 03:50:53,920
not because these services aren't

4845
03:50:53,920 --> 03:50:57,040
needed, but as a taxpayer, I'd rather

4846
03:50:57,040 --> 03:51:00,479
see my tax dollars fund the town

4847
03:51:00,479 --> 03:51:03,199
recreation department and their programs

4848
03:51:03,199 --> 03:51:06,000
that are in need. Um, and if you look at

4849
03:51:06,000 --> 03:51:10,399
page 27 and page 67, you'll see that

4850
03:51:10,399 --> 03:51:12,560
most of those

4851
03:51:12,560 --> 03:51:16,000
um, services are either very similar or

4852
03:51:16,000 --> 03:51:18,560
duplicative of what the recck department

4853
03:51:18,560 --> 03:51:21,520
also offers. Um, and I think if we build

4854
03:51:21,520 --> 03:51:24,000
up the recck department, we get a better

4855
03:51:24,000 --> 03:51:26,880
a bigger demographic for um, not just

4856
03:51:26,880 --> 03:51:28,479
young children, but other children as

4857
03:51:28,479 --> 03:51:29,840
well.

4858
03:51:29,840 --> 03:51:33,840
So, the motion to amend is to strike

4859
03:51:33,840 --> 03:51:40,550
$7,500 and replace with $4,000.

4860
03:51:40,560 --> 03:51:42,319
» Yes, the level fund what it was last

4861
03:51:42,319 --> 03:51:44,160
year and hopefully that money would go

4862
03:51:44,160 --> 03:51:45,760
back to the record.

4863
03:51:45,760 --> 03:51:49,760
>> Okay. So, um we'll first vote on on the

4864
03:51:49,760 --> 03:51:52,560
motion to amend and then once that is up

4865
03:51:52,560 --> 03:51:56,000
or down, we'll vote on the main motion.

4866
03:51:56,000 --> 03:52:03,439
Oh, is there a is there a second? Is there a second on

4867
03:52:03,439 --> 03:52:06,399
the motion to amend from $7,500 to

4868
03:52:06,399 --> 03:52:09,120
4,000?

4869
03:52:09,120 --> 03:52:11,199
>> The motion h the motion to amend has

4870
03:52:11,199 --> 03:52:13,439
been seconded. So, is there discussion

4871
03:52:13,439 --> 03:52:17,760
now on the motion to move uh

4872
03:52:17,760 --> 03:52:19,920
>> to strike $7,500

4873
03:52:19,920 --> 03:52:22,960
um and replace with $4,000?

4874
03:52:22,960 --> 03:52:29,990
Yes.

4875
03:52:30,000 --> 03:52:32,160
Hi, my name is Beth Anne Mayor. I'm a

4876
03:52:32,160 --> 03:52:35,120
resident of Waterbury Village and I was

4877
03:52:35,120 --> 03:52:37,760
on the founding board of the Children's

4878
03:52:37,760 --> 03:52:40,960
Room. My 43year-old son was a

4879
03:52:40,960 --> 03:52:43,600
one-year-old when we made the the

4880
03:52:43,600 --> 03:52:46,000
Children's Room. That's how long this

4881
03:52:46,000 --> 03:52:49,120
organization has been working in our

4882
03:52:49,120 --> 03:52:54,399
community. My memory of previous years

4883
03:52:54,399 --> 03:52:57,680
is that this funding from the town was

4884
03:52:57,680 --> 03:53:01,199
usually in the range of $6,000 to $7,000

4885
03:53:01,199 --> 03:53:04,720
a year and that last year or the few

4886
03:53:04,720 --> 03:53:08,160
years before that it was diminished. I I

4887
03:53:08,160 --> 03:53:10,960
have a memory of asking for $6,000 from

4888
03:53:10,960 --> 03:53:14,720
the town and getting it easily. Um, so

4889
03:53:14,720 --> 03:53:19,199
I'd be willing to be uh corrected on

4890
03:53:19,199 --> 03:53:23,120
that, but this money is is very well

4891
03:53:23,120 --> 03:53:27,680
used to support families to have a place

4892
03:53:27,680 --> 03:53:30,560
to be with other young

4893
03:53:30,560 --> 03:53:32,720
families trying to put their lives

4894
03:53:32,720 --> 03:53:36,479
together and uh it's a service that is

4895
03:53:36,479 --> 03:53:41,670
very well worth continuing.

4896
03:53:41,680 --> 03:53:45,590
Is there further discussion?

4897
03:53:45,600 --> 03:53:47,840
Hi, Happy Fish. Uh, I'm a Waterberry

4898
03:53:47,840 --> 03:53:52,239
resident. I am also a um previous member

4899
03:53:52,239 --> 03:53:55,199
of the children's room board. Uh both of

4900
03:53:55,199 --> 03:53:57,040
my children attended this children's

4901
03:53:57,040 --> 03:53:59,920
room and um to answer questions too

4902
03:53:59,920 --> 03:54:02,399
about like fundraising, they do amazing

4903
03:54:02,399 --> 03:54:04,319
community events like the barn dance

4904
03:54:04,319 --> 03:54:06,160
where families can come together and

4905
03:54:06,160 --> 03:54:08,239
they run they do a lot of fundraising

4906
03:54:08,239 --> 03:54:12,319
and and get money from that. Um

4907
03:54:12,319 --> 03:54:16,960
I think it's also a resource space for

4908
03:54:16,960 --> 03:54:20,399
educators who are in their homes. I was

4909
03:54:20,399 --> 03:54:22,960
a family child care educator for 13

4910
03:54:22,960 --> 03:54:25,840
years and I could bring my group of

4911
03:54:25,840 --> 03:54:29,040
children here into the school and have

4912
03:54:29,040 --> 03:54:31,680
them have the opportunity to experience

4913
03:54:31,680 --> 03:54:33,279
what the school that they were going to

4914
03:54:33,279 --> 03:54:35,600
be attending. So, we would come and eat

4915
03:54:35,600 --> 03:54:37,680
in the cafeteria because the children's

4916
03:54:37,680 --> 03:54:40,399
room is located right next to it. So,

4917
03:54:40,399 --> 03:54:42,880
it's a great community resource. It also

4918
03:54:42,880 --> 03:54:47,199
provides um specialized care services to

4919
03:54:47,199 --> 03:54:49,920
happen in that space. So for children

4920
03:54:49,920 --> 03:54:52,479
who need services and the families can't

4921
03:54:52,479 --> 03:54:54,560
do that in their home, they can use the

4922
03:54:54,560 --> 03:54:57,520
children's space for that. Um, so I'm an

4923
03:54:57,520 --> 03:54:58,880
advocate and I would say that they

4924
03:54:58,880 --> 03:55:03,600
deserve that $7,500 and more.

4925
03:55:03,600 --> 03:55:07,830
Further discussion.

4926
03:55:07,840 --> 03:55:10,399
» Hi, I'm Lena Gordon uh live in

4927
03:55:10,399 --> 03:55:12,880
Waterberry Center. Um, I just wanted to

4928
03:55:12,880 --> 03:55:15,600
say that as a parent who utilized this

4929
03:55:15,600 --> 03:55:17,600
children's room as an incredible

4930
03:55:17,600 --> 03:55:19,840
resource for those of us who moved to

4931
03:55:19,840 --> 03:55:21,920
the state because we fell in love with

4932
03:55:21,920 --> 03:55:24,479
Vermont. We don't have roots here. We

4933
03:55:24,479 --> 03:55:27,120
don't have a community that we can rely

4934
03:55:27,120 --> 03:55:30,319
on already in place. And organizations

4935
03:55:30,319 --> 03:55:32,239
like the children's room gave me that

4936
03:55:32,239 --> 03:55:35,439
community so I can meet other parents so

4937
03:55:35,439 --> 03:55:37,680
I could learn about the resources that

4938
03:55:37,680 --> 03:55:39,680
were available to me, form

4939
03:55:39,680 --> 03:55:42,880
relationships, form friendships. And

4940
03:55:42,880 --> 03:55:45,920
without that resource, um, I don't think

4941
03:55:45,920 --> 03:55:48,479
that I would have stayed. So, I really

4942
03:55:48,479 --> 03:55:50,319
want to make sure that we understand the

4943
03:55:50,319 --> 03:55:52,800
value to new families moving to this

4944
03:55:52,800 --> 03:55:56,080
area that the children room um has.

4945
03:55:56,080 --> 03:55:58,560
Thank you. I believe you deserve the

4946
03:55:58,560 --> 03:56:02,070
higher number.

4947
03:56:02,080 --> 03:56:03,920
» Is there further discussion on the

4948
03:56:03,920 --> 03:56:07,670
motion to amend?

4949
03:56:07,680 --> 03:56:10,000
» Uh Alex Collie Village again. Uh it's

4950
03:56:10,000 --> 03:56:12,479
been years since

4951
03:56:12,479 --> 03:56:14,560
my kids have needed the program, but we

4952
03:56:14,560 --> 03:56:18,080
certainly did. Um, I just want to say

4953
03:56:18,080 --> 03:56:19,920
the recck department, what they do is

4954
03:56:19,920 --> 03:56:24,239
great. What children does is great.

4955
03:56:24,239 --> 03:56:26,560
I don't see a whole lot of overlap. I

4956
03:56:26,560 --> 03:56:29,680
think they uh work well together. They

4957
03:56:29,680 --> 03:56:33,680
are viable for this community.

4958
03:56:33,680 --> 03:56:37,439
>> Is there further discussion?

4959
03:56:37,439 --> 03:56:40,000
>> Mr. Shlock,

4960
03:56:40,000 --> 03:56:42,479
>> I want to be clear. I I support the

4961
03:56:42,479 --> 03:56:46,800
$7,500 request. I wanted to just ask

4962
03:56:46,800 --> 03:56:49,120
whether there were funding that came

4963
03:56:49,120 --> 03:56:51,439
from other towns. This was a significant

4964
03:56:51,439 --> 03:56:55,120
increase in one year. Um, and to Miss

4965
03:56:55,120 --> 03:56:57,439
Glor's point, I don't think there's a

4966
03:56:57,439 --> 03:57:00,640
way that you can at this time direct the

4967
03:57:00,640 --> 03:57:02,960
$3,500 to the recreation department.

4968
03:57:02,960 --> 03:57:05,600
We've already passed the town budget,

4969
03:57:05,600 --> 03:57:08,000
but I support this. I just wanted more

4970
03:57:08,000 --> 03:57:12,080
information about other funding.

4971
03:57:12,080 --> 03:57:14,000
Um, Miss Danner, would you like to speak

4972
03:57:14,000 --> 03:57:16,479
again?

4973
03:57:16,479 --> 03:57:18,239
>> First off, thank you for everybody who's

4974
03:57:18,239 --> 03:57:20,399
already spoken. Um, I think two other

4975
03:57:20,399 --> 03:57:21,920
things that might be helpful when making

4976
03:57:21,920 --> 03:57:24,319
a decision. Um, one is beyond the barn

4977
03:57:24,319 --> 03:57:26,239
dance, which is our largest fundraiser

4978
03:57:26,239 --> 03:57:29,359
of the year, we do put on mostly free

4979
03:57:29,359 --> 03:57:32,239
events for the entire town. Um, whether

4980
03:57:32,239 --> 03:57:34,640
it's dabble days or open gym during the

4981
03:57:34,640 --> 03:57:36,319
winter when our kids get so crazy

4982
03:57:36,319 --> 03:57:39,120
inside, it offers opportunity for for

4983
03:57:39,120 --> 03:57:40,720
community. And I think that's really

4984
03:57:40,720 --> 03:57:42,080
important especially in this day and

4985
03:57:42,080 --> 03:57:45,680
age. Um and um then secondly with the

4986
03:57:45,680 --> 03:57:47,439
recck department totally support the rec

4987
03:57:47,439 --> 03:57:49,920
department too but I think what the

4988
03:57:49,920 --> 03:57:51,439
children's room does that is different

4989
03:57:51,439 --> 03:57:53,439
is services those who are under the age

4990
03:57:53,439 --> 03:57:55,520
of six. And so I think that's a pretty

4991
03:57:55,520 --> 03:58:00,550
significant difference between the two.

4992
03:58:00,560 --> 03:58:02,800
Is there further discussion? This is a

4993
03:58:02,800 --> 03:58:07,040
motion to amend the strikes $7,500 and

4994
03:58:07,040 --> 03:58:12,239
replace with $4,000 on article 23.

4995
03:58:12,239 --> 03:58:13,840
Is there any further discussion on the

4996
03:58:13,840 --> 03:58:16,160
motion to amend? All right, we'll vote

4997
03:58:16,160 --> 03:58:17,920
on the motion to amend and then we'll

4998
03:58:17,920 --> 03:58:20,319
still vote on the main motion. If you

4999
03:58:20,319 --> 03:58:24,479
vote yes, then you are striking $7,500

5000
03:58:24,479 --> 03:58:27,840
replacing with $4,000. If you vote no,

5001
03:58:27,840 --> 03:58:34,710
then the amount will remain $7,500.

5002
03:58:34,720 --> 03:58:37,199
All right. So, all of those in favor of

5003
03:58:37,199 --> 03:58:43,279
the motion to amend, please say yes.

5004
03:58:43,279 --> 03:58:44,960
>> All of those opposed to the motion to

5005
03:58:44,960 --> 03:58:46,640
amend, please say no.

5006
03:58:46,640 --> 03:58:48,479
>> No.

5007
03:58:48,479 --> 03:58:52,479
>> The nos appear to have it. The nos do

5008
03:58:52,479 --> 03:58:55,680
have it. And we will now vote on the

5009
03:58:55,680 --> 03:58:57,840
main. We'll consider again the main

5010
03:58:57,840 --> 03:59:01,520
motion. Is there any

5011
03:59:01,520 --> 03:59:04,640
further discussion. Thank you. I ask the

5012
03:59:04,640 --> 03:59:07,279
folks in the back to just um keep their

5013
03:59:07,279 --> 03:59:10,000
voices a little lower. The vote on the

5014
03:59:10,000 --> 03:59:13,279
main motion um is it's now is not the

5015
03:59:13,279 --> 03:59:16,160
motion to amend um did not pass. So the

5016
03:59:16,160 --> 03:59:17,600
motion is now shall the town of

5017
03:59:17,600 --> 03:59:20,640
Waterberry vote to appropriate $7,500

5018
03:59:20,640 --> 03:59:22,319
for support of the Early Education

5019
03:59:22,319 --> 03:59:23,920
Resource Center of Waterberry, the

5020
03:59:23,920 --> 03:59:25,600
Children's Room. Is there further

5021
03:59:25,600 --> 03:59:30,870
discussion on the main motion?

5022
03:59:30,880 --> 03:59:33,120
Seeing no further discussion, we'll

5023
03:59:33,120 --> 03:59:35,120
proceed to a vote. Shall the town

5024
03:59:35,120 --> 03:59:37,600
appropriate $7,500 for support of the

5025
03:59:37,600 --> 03:59:39,359
Early Education Resource Center of

5026
03:59:39,359 --> 03:59:41,199
Waterberry, the Children's Room. All

5027
03:59:41,199 --> 03:59:43,840
those in favor, please say I. I.

5028
03:59:43,840 --> 03:59:46,399
>> Those opposed, please say no.

5029
03:59:46,399 --> 03:59:48,800
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

5030
03:59:48,800 --> 03:59:53,279
have it. And you have passed article 23.

5031
03:59:53,279 --> 03:59:55,840
Article 24. Shall the town of Waterbury

5032
03:59:55,840 --> 03:59:58,720
vote to appropriate $2,382

5033
03:59:58,720 --> 04:00:00,239
for support of the Green Mountain

5034
04:00:00,239 --> 04:00:02,479
Transit Agency? What is your pleasure

5035
04:00:02,479 --> 04:00:13,590
with respect to article 24?

5036
04:00:13,600 --> 04:00:15,199
» But I'm moderator.

5037
04:00:15,199 --> 04:00:20,000
>> Yes. I move the town of Waterbury

5038
04:00:20,000 --> 04:00:24,160
vote to appropriate 2382 $2382

5039
04:00:24,160 --> 04:00:26,080
for the support of the Green Mountain

5040
04:00:26,080 --> 04:00:29,910
Transit Agency.

5041
04:00:29,920 --> 04:00:32,960
» The motion has been moved and seconded

5042
04:00:32,960 --> 04:00:36,239
for the town to appropriate $2382

5043
04:00:36,239 --> 04:00:37,600
for support of the Green Mountain

5044
04:00:37,600 --> 04:00:40,080
Transit Agency. Is there further

5045
04:00:40,080 --> 04:00:45,030
discussion?

5046
04:00:45,040 --> 04:00:46,880
Hearing no further discussion, we will

5047
04:00:46,880 --> 04:00:49,520
proceed to a vote on article 24. Has

5048
04:00:49,520 --> 04:00:50,960
been moved that the town of Waterbury

5049
04:00:50,960 --> 04:00:53,439
appropriate $2,382

5050
04:00:53,439 --> 04:00:54,720
for support of the Green Mountain

5051
04:00:54,720 --> 04:00:56,800
Transit Agency. All those in favor,

5052
04:00:56,800 --> 04:00:58,960
please say I. I.

5053
04:00:58,960 --> 04:01:01,600
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5054
04:01:01,600 --> 04:01:03,279
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5055
04:01:03,279 --> 04:01:06,319
And you have passed article 24.

5056
04:01:06,319 --> 04:01:09,040
Article 25. Shall the town of Waterbury

5057
04:01:09,040 --> 04:01:11,439
vote to appropriate $1,500 for the

5058
04:01:11,439 --> 04:01:13,680
support of the Harry N cutting American

5059
04:01:13,680 --> 04:01:15,199
Legion?

5060
04:01:15,199 --> 04:01:16,560
>> What is your pleasure with respect to

5061
04:01:16,560 --> 04:01:17,840
article 25?

5062
04:01:17,840 --> 04:01:19,600
>> Madon moderator, I move that the town of

5063
04:01:19,600 --> 04:01:21,199
Waterbury

5064
04:01:21,199 --> 04:01:23,760
vote to appropriate 1,500 for the

5065
04:01:23,760 --> 04:01:26,399
support of the Harry and Cutty American

5066
04:01:26,399 --> 04:01:28,000
Legion.

5067
04:01:28,000 --> 04:01:30,479
>> Moved by Mr. Goule. Is there a second?

5068
04:01:30,479 --> 04:01:32,640
The motion has been moved and seconded.

5069
04:01:32,640 --> 04:01:33,760
It has been moved that the town

5070
04:01:33,760 --> 04:01:36,239
appropriate $1,500 for the support of

5071
04:01:36,239 --> 04:01:38,239
the Harry and Cutting American Legion.

5072
04:01:38,239 --> 04:01:39,600
Mr. Goule, would you like to speak to

5073
04:01:39,600 --> 04:01:40,239
the motion?

5074
04:01:40,239 --> 04:01:42,800
>> Sure. Um, my name is Wayne Gule. I am

5075
04:01:42,800 --> 04:01:44,560
the commander of the Harry and Cutting

5076
04:01:44,560 --> 04:01:49,520
459 Waterbury uh American Legion post.

5077
04:01:49,520 --> 04:01:52,720
Um and what I want to say is uh thank

5078
04:01:52,720 --> 04:01:55,120
you in the so in the past you guys have

5079
04:01:55,120 --> 04:01:59,359
uh given us a lot of or voted to um

5080
04:01:59,359 --> 04:02:01,680
provide us a lot of money that and we

5081
04:02:01,680 --> 04:02:03,680
really appreciate like for example in

5082
04:02:03,680 --> 04:02:06,800
2024 you gave us $4,125

5083
04:02:06,800 --> 04:02:08,960
to replace our LED lighting and we did

5084
04:02:08,960 --> 04:02:11,279
that. So thank you very much. And last

5085
04:02:11,279 --> 04:02:15,199
year um we asked for 2500 to support our

5086
04:02:15,199 --> 04:02:18,479
programs and our programs support we

5087
04:02:18,479 --> 04:02:19,760
have four pillars of the American

5088
04:02:19,760 --> 04:02:21,840
Legion. It's veterans affairs, national

5089
04:02:21,840 --> 04:02:23,680
security and national security,

5090
04:02:23,680 --> 04:02:26,720
Americanism and and children and youth.

5091
04:02:26,720 --> 04:02:30,000
And so the money that you provide to us,

5092
04:02:30,000 --> 04:02:34,080
it helps us to um to donate to the

5093
04:02:34,080 --> 04:02:37,279
community. And so the $2,500 that you

5094
04:02:37,279 --> 04:02:40,160
gave us last year uh helped us we used

5095
04:02:40,160 --> 04:02:46,239
that money and and it and and the the total amount that we provided to to

5096
04:02:46,239 --> 04:02:49,760
the community was $10,000 from the

5097
04:02:49,760 --> 04:02:52,319
American Legion and about $5,000 from

5098
04:02:52,319 --> 04:02:56,319
our auxiliary auxiliary and our um sons

5099
04:02:56,319 --> 04:02:58,479
of the American Legion.

5100
04:02:58,479 --> 04:03:01,600
So, um, this year what we want, the

5101
04:03:01,600 --> 04:03:05,680
$1,500 is for an AED for our downstairs,

5102
04:03:05,680 --> 04:03:10,000
um, uh, room where we have fundraisers.

5103
04:03:10,000 --> 04:03:12,479
So, that's where we're requesting the

5104
04:03:12,479 --> 04:03:16,160
money for. So, thank you.

5105
04:03:16,160 --> 04:03:20,309
>> Is there further discussion?

5106
04:03:20,319 --> 04:03:26,070
» Yes. Come to the microphone.

5107
04:03:26,080 --> 04:03:28,479
Uh, the reason I'm speaking to this one,

5108
04:03:28,479 --> 04:03:30,160
and full disclosure, I've come from a

5109
04:03:30,160 --> 04:03:32,160
family of veterans and I'm an auxiliary

5110
04:03:32,160 --> 04:03:35,359
member of Post 59. But I kind of feel

5111
04:03:35,359 --> 04:03:37,359
like this crosses the line because it's

5112
04:03:37,359 --> 04:03:41,040
a um, it's a private club. You have to

5113
04:03:41,040 --> 04:03:43,359
have memberships to belong to it, paid

5114
04:03:43,359 --> 04:03:46,080
to it. Not everyone's can go in there

5115
04:03:46,080 --> 04:03:47,840
all the time because it's a private

5116
04:03:47,840 --> 04:03:50,080
club. And I just feel like, and I said

5117
04:03:50,080 --> 04:03:51,760
this three years ago, when we first gave

5118
04:03:51,760 --> 04:03:53,840
them money that

5119
04:03:53,840 --> 04:03:56,960
Um, I think it's a precedent that we

5120
04:03:56,960 --> 04:03:58,960
don't want to go down. Will the Masonics

5121
04:03:58,960 --> 04:04:01,199
come to us next? Will Boy Scouts come to

5122
04:04:01,199 --> 04:04:03,199
us next? Who else will come? It's a

5123
04:04:03,199 --> 04:04:06,399
private club. So, um, I'm voting in

5124
04:04:06,399 --> 04:04:12,309
opposition.

5125
04:04:12,319 --> 04:04:20,150
Is there further discussion?

5126
04:04:20,160 --> 04:04:22,720
» Declan Scandal, Waterberry Center. Uh, I

5127
04:04:22,720 --> 04:04:25,439
would like to say that if the majority

5128
04:04:25,439 --> 04:04:26,560
of those funds that are being

5129
04:04:26,560 --> 04:04:28,880
appropriated are for an AED in the

5130
04:04:28,880 --> 04:04:31,279
lodge, I am 100% for it as a first

5131
04:04:31,279 --> 04:04:33,760
responder. These things save lives. I

5132
04:04:33,760 --> 04:04:35,199
think they should be in every private

5133
04:04:35,199 --> 04:04:37,279
club regardless. Uh, but good on the

5134
04:04:37,279 --> 04:04:43,990
American Nation for requesting one.

5135
04:04:44,000 --> 04:04:49,030
» Is there further discussion? Mr.

5136
04:04:49,040 --> 04:04:54,160
First and foremost, I want to thank all of our veterans. Um, I think they're

5137
04:04:54,160 --> 04:04:57,520
important. I understand Kathy Grace's

5138
04:04:57,520 --> 04:05:01,359
sentiment, but one, I do like the idea

5139
04:05:01,359 --> 04:05:04,479
that the uh, Legion has decreased their

5140
04:05:04,479 --> 04:05:06,960
requests. I don't see that too much from

5141
04:05:06,960 --> 04:05:10,399
other of these nonprofits. And I think

5142
04:05:10,399 --> 04:05:14,399
based upon it, it I know as a heart

5143
04:05:14,399 --> 04:05:18,319
attack survivor and I was glad to see an

5144
04:05:18,319 --> 04:05:21,600
AED put in our town offices finally uh

5145
04:05:21,600 --> 04:05:23,920
which I think was really great. I think

5146
04:05:23,920 --> 04:05:26,560
it's a really important need to support

5147
04:05:26,560 --> 04:05:29,840
community organizations uh do important

5148
04:05:29,840 --> 04:05:32,000
work like like that. I think it's you

5149
04:05:32,000 --> 04:05:35,040
know a lot of people Winterfest goes in

5150
04:05:35,040 --> 04:05:37,040
there. I know I'm president of the

5151
04:05:37,040 --> 04:05:39,840
Rotary. we have our pie for breakfast.

5152
04:05:39,840 --> 04:05:42,239
It's really important that and with all

5153
04:05:42,239 --> 04:05:44,319
these community functions I think that

5154
04:05:44,319 --> 04:05:51,279
an AED be uh you know put in pass in is in align with what's what will be for

5155
04:05:51,279 --> 04:05:56,550
a special article. Thank you.

5156
04:05:56,560 --> 04:06:02,150
Is there further discussion?

5157
04:06:02,160 --> 04:06:05,760
We're on article 25.

5158
04:06:05,760 --> 04:06:08,160
All right. Seeing no further discussion,

5159
04:06:08,160 --> 04:06:10,239
um we'll proceed to a vote. It has been

5160
04:06:10,239 --> 04:06:11,840
moved that the town of Waterbury

5161
04:06:11,840 --> 04:06:14,239
appropriate $1,500

5162
04:06:14,239 --> 04:06:16,160
for the support of the Harry N cutting

5163
04:06:16,160 --> 04:06:18,319
American Legion. All those in favor,

5164
04:06:18,319 --> 04:06:20,479
please say I.

5165
04:06:20,479 --> 04:06:23,439
>> Those opposed, please say no.

5166
04:06:23,439 --> 04:06:26,720
>> The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

5167
04:06:26,720 --> 04:06:31,040
have it. And you have passed article 25.

5168
04:06:31,040 --> 04:06:33,439
Article 26. Shall the town of Waterberry

5169
04:06:33,439 --> 04:06:36,239
vote to appropriate $2,500 for the

5170
04:06:36,239 --> 04:06:38,399
support of the Waterberry area maker

5171
04:06:38,399 --> 04:06:40,479
sphere cooperative? What is your

5172
04:06:40,479 --> 04:06:42,800
pleasure with respect to article 26?

5173
04:06:42,800 --> 04:06:46,560
Madam moderator, Kley Waterberry Center,

5174
04:06:46,560 --> 04:06:48,880
founding board member, Maker Sphere, I'm

5175
04:06:48,880 --> 04:06:52,239
going to make it short. Page 94 of the

5176
04:06:52,239 --> 04:06:55,760
book. It's a great organization and I we

5177
04:06:55,760 --> 04:07:02,790
all appreciate your support. Thanks.

5178
04:07:02,800 --> 04:07:06,800
Come on, Bill. All right. I move I I did

5179
04:07:06,800 --> 04:07:10,080
my little speech before, Rebecca. Sorry.

5180
04:07:10,080 --> 04:07:11,680
>> I'll add a moderator. I move that the

5181
04:07:11,680 --> 04:07:13,680
town of Waterberry vote to appropriate

5182
04:07:13,680 --> 04:07:16,399
$2,500 for the support of the Waterberry

5183
04:07:16,399 --> 04:07:18,960
Area Maker Spear Cooperative.

5184
04:07:18,960 --> 04:07:21,040
>> Great. It's been moved by Miss Monley.

5185
04:07:21,040 --> 04:07:23,359
Is there a second? The motion has been

5186
04:07:23,359 --> 04:07:25,600
moved and seconded by many. Um, it has

5187
04:07:25,600 --> 04:07:26,960
been moved that the town of Waterberry

5188
04:07:26,960 --> 04:07:29,279
appropriate $2,500 for the support of

5189
04:07:29,279 --> 04:07:31,040
the Waterberry area Makersphere

5190
04:07:31,040 --> 04:07:32,239
Cooperative. Is there further

5191
04:07:32,239 --> 04:07:34,720
discussion?

5192
04:07:34,720 --> 04:07:39,429
Yes.

5193
04:07:39,439 --> 04:07:41,279
Don Schneider at Waterberry Center. I

5194
04:07:41,279 --> 04:07:43,359
was on the Makersphere board for 6

5195
04:07:43,359 --> 04:07:45,439
years. Just got off in October. And I

5196
04:07:45,439 --> 04:07:47,120
will let you know this is a maker

5197
04:07:47,120 --> 04:07:49,600
organization. In the six years, not one

5198
04:07:49,600 --> 04:07:52,479
class workshop ever was run in front of

5199
04:07:52,479 --> 04:07:54,560
a bunch of computers. This is all

5200
04:07:54,560 --> 04:07:57,359
hands-on clay, stained glass,

5201
04:07:57,359 --> 04:07:59,920
woodworking, uh, drawing, painting,

5202
04:07:59,920 --> 04:08:02,000
creative stuff. So, if you want, if

5203
04:08:02,000 --> 04:08:03,199
you're concerned about our society

5204
04:08:03,199 --> 04:08:05,439
drifting into the digital outer world,

5205
04:08:05,439 --> 04:08:07,199
make a spirit, not that. This is very

5206
04:08:07,199 --> 04:08:09,199
hands-on that teach people to make

5207
04:08:09,199 --> 04:08:15,269
things that they can use or enjoy. So,

5208
04:08:15,279 --> 04:08:18,399
is there further discussion?

5209
04:08:18,399 --> 04:08:21,760
This is article 26.

5210
04:08:21,760 --> 04:08:23,520
Hearing no further discussion, we will

5211
04:08:23,520 --> 04:08:25,680
proceed to a vote on the article. It has

5212
04:08:25,680 --> 04:08:27,279
been moved that the town of Waterberry

5213
04:08:27,279 --> 04:08:29,760
appropriate $2,500

5214
04:08:29,760 --> 04:08:32,000
for the support of the Waterberry Area

5215
04:08:32,000 --> 04:08:34,479
Maker Sphere Cooperative. All those in

5216
04:08:34,479 --> 04:08:36,399
favor, please say I.

5217
04:08:36,399 --> 04:08:37,040
>> I.

5218
04:08:37,040 --> 04:08:39,920
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5219
04:08:39,920 --> 04:08:42,560
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5220
04:08:42,560 --> 04:08:45,840
And you have passed article 26.

5221
04:08:45,840 --> 04:08:48,560
Article 27.

5222
04:08:48,560 --> 04:08:50,560
Shall the town of Waterberry vote to

5223
04:08:50,560 --> 04:08:53,040
appropriate $6,500

5224
04:08:53,040 --> 04:08:55,760
for the Waterberry area senior center

5225
04:08:55,760 --> 04:08:58,239
senior citizens association in addition

5226
04:08:58,239 --> 04:08:59,920
to the amount included in the general

5227
04:08:59,920 --> 04:09:02,319
fund budget for such purpose? What is

5228
04:09:02,319 --> 04:09:04,000
your pleasure with respect to article

5229
04:09:04,000 --> 04:09:24,150
27?

5230
04:09:24,160 --> 04:09:27,600
Alex Schol. Uh, I move that the town of

5231
04:09:27,600 --> 04:09:31,279
Waterberry appropriate $6,500 for the

5232
04:09:31,279 --> 04:09:34,560
Waterberry Area Senior Senior Citizens

5233
04:09:34,560 --> 04:09:36,960
Association in addition to the amount

5234
04:09:36,960 --> 04:09:39,120
included in the general fund budget for

5235
04:09:39,120 --> 04:09:41,680
such purpose.

5236
04:09:41,680 --> 04:09:44,800
>> Thank you, Mr. Klay. Is there a second?

5237
04:09:44,800 --> 04:09:48,239
The motion has been moved and seconded.

5238
04:09:48,239 --> 04:09:49,760
Um, it has been moved that the town

5239
04:09:49,760 --> 04:09:52,399
appropriate $6,500 to the Waterberry

5240
04:09:52,399 --> 04:09:54,399
Area Senior Citizens Association in

5241
04:09:54,399 --> 04:09:55,680
addition to the amount included in the

5242
04:09:55,680 --> 04:09:57,359
general fund budget for such purpose.

5243
04:09:57,359 --> 04:09:58,800
Mr. Collie, would you like to speak to

5244
04:09:58,800 --> 04:09:59,439
the motion?

5245
04:09:59,439 --> 04:10:03,920
>> Uh, the information is on page 95.

5246
04:10:03,920 --> 04:10:13,510
>> Is there further discussion?

5247
04:10:13,520 --> 04:10:17,120
and in the village. Um, if you look at

5248
04:10:17,120 --> 04:10:21,279
page 95, the first couple of lines say

5249
04:10:21,279 --> 04:10:25,760
that uh they enjoy service the seniors

5250
04:10:25,760 --> 04:10:28,960
enjoy servicing us, but they're saying

5251
04:10:28,960 --> 04:10:33,359
it's middle middle sex or more town, but

5252
04:10:33,359 --> 04:10:36,160
it doesn't say waterberry.

5253
04:10:36,160 --> 04:10:40,239
So, I'm confused, you know. Uh

5254
04:10:40,239 --> 04:10:46,160
it for the seniors of um Middle Sex. So

5255
04:10:46,160 --> 04:10:51,199
are we voting for water fairy citizens

5256
04:10:51,199 --> 04:10:56,790
or for middle

5257
04:10:56,800 --> 04:10:59,120
» it just proves that we need to be doing

5258
04:10:59,120 --> 04:11:01,680
more with maker sphere and away from the

5259
04:11:01,680 --> 04:11:05,040
>> um do we have um anyone who can respond

5260
04:11:05,040 --> 04:11:08,000
to the question? Um it looks it looks

5261
04:11:08,000 --> 04:11:09,840
like the letter though addressed to the

5262
04:11:09,840 --> 04:11:11,840
town of Waterberry might have been

5263
04:11:11,840 --> 04:11:14,880
intended for the town of Morttown.

5264
04:11:14,880 --> 04:11:17,120
Is there anyone who can address that?

5265
04:11:17,120 --> 04:11:22,870
Looks like we don't have anyone here.

5266
04:11:22,880 --> 04:11:29,830
» Is there further discussion?

5267
04:11:29,840 --> 04:11:33,279
» Angela Wells Library Center.

5268
04:11:33,279 --> 04:11:36,080
Um, I

5269
04:11:36,080 --> 04:11:39,199
love the senior center. My former

5270
04:11:39,199 --> 04:11:42,000
father-in-law who's now passed away and

5271
04:11:42,000 --> 04:11:44,399
other family members receive great

5272
04:11:44,399 --> 04:11:46,560
services there.

5273
04:11:46,560 --> 04:11:51,120
I question why their budget since

5274
04:11:51,120 --> 04:11:54,160
they get um a significant amount of

5275
04:11:54,160 --> 04:11:57,120
money in the general budget. why their

5276
04:11:57,120 --> 04:11:58,720
budget is not included in the town

5277
04:11:58,720 --> 04:12:02,399
report and what the additional

5278
04:12:02,399 --> 04:12:05,600
this additional special funding money is

5279
04:12:05,600 --> 04:12:08,319
for as it's in addition to what they're

5280
04:12:08,319 --> 04:12:11,600
already receiving in the budget. And

5281
04:12:11,600 --> 04:12:14,560
then as a side note, a few years ago, we

5282
04:12:14,560 --> 04:12:17,760
also had a conversation about the fact

5283
04:12:17,760 --> 04:12:21,120
if somebody from that organization can't

5284
04:12:21,120 --> 04:12:23,760
come and speak to their motion and

5285
04:12:23,760 --> 04:12:25,920
answer questions,

5286
04:12:25,920 --> 04:12:28,960
then why are we continuing

5287
04:12:28,960 --> 04:12:32,640
to vote to give them money, which ends

5288
04:12:32,640 --> 04:12:36,960
up being an additional $50,000? So, I

5289
04:12:36,960 --> 04:12:40,160
just am wondering what that additional

5290
04:12:40,160 --> 04:12:43,520
special article money is for in addition

5291
04:12:43,520 --> 04:12:45,199
to what they're already getting

5292
04:12:45,199 --> 04:12:48,000
budgeted. Even though I support the

5293
04:12:48,000 --> 04:12:51,439
senior center, I just question what the

5294
04:12:51,439 --> 04:12:55,120
money is being spent on. Thank you. Is

5295
04:12:55,120 --> 04:12:57,439
there anyone who can respond to that

5296
04:12:57,439 --> 04:13:02,000
question? Mr. Sheff,

5297
04:13:02,000 --> 04:13:03,920
>> I'm not from the senior center, though

5298
04:13:03,920 --> 04:13:06,479
I'm a senior now.

5299
04:13:06,479 --> 04:13:09,120
Um, so

5300
04:13:09,120 --> 04:13:14,239
this this funding um this funding

5301
04:13:14,239 --> 04:13:21,359
structure, if you will, goes back many years. Um, the senior center uh

5302
04:13:21,359 --> 04:13:23,600
initially way back when I first started

5303
04:13:23,600 --> 04:13:26,080
was probably asking for $5,000. They

5304
04:13:26,080 --> 04:13:27,840
came to the town, they asked for a

5305
04:13:27,840 --> 04:13:29,760
special appropriation,

5306
04:13:29,760 --> 04:13:32,319
the town got it, gave it, and then the

5307
04:13:32,319 --> 04:13:34,080
next year their appropriation was the

5308
04:13:34,080 --> 04:13:36,800
same amount. Um, and we talked about

5309
04:13:36,800 --> 04:13:39,920
this at the select board several times,

5310
04:13:39,920 --> 04:13:42,960
uh, and decided that at some point that

5311
04:13:42,960 --> 04:13:45,040
we would put money in the special

5312
04:13:45,040 --> 04:13:50,000
articles for senior senate, um, and also

5313
04:13:50,000 --> 04:13:51,680
put it in the budget. And we've

5314
04:13:51,680 --> 04:13:54,080
continued to do that. If you look on

5315
04:13:54,080 --> 04:13:56,239
page 29,

5316
04:13:56,239 --> 04:14:01,199
you'll see that since 2024 anyway, there

5317
04:14:01,199 --> 04:14:03,840
has been a $6,500

5318
04:14:03,840 --> 04:14:06,239
appropriation in the special articles

5319
04:14:06,239 --> 04:14:08,479
for the senior center. And if you look

5320
04:14:08,479 --> 04:14:13,199
back on page 25, since 2024, there has

5321
04:14:13,199 --> 04:14:16,000
been an appropriation in the budget of

5322
04:14:16,000 --> 04:14:18,560
$32,500.

5323
04:14:18,560 --> 04:14:22,720
So, the request is $39,000 this year. It

5324
04:14:22,720 --> 04:14:24,560
was last year. It was the year before

5325
04:14:24,560 --> 04:14:27,120
that. Um

5326
04:14:27,120 --> 04:14:30,080
I'm not sure why we continue the same,

5327
04:14:30,080 --> 04:14:33,680
but we must put it in there just so we

5328
04:14:33,680 --> 04:14:36,479
have some extra things to talk about. So

5329
04:14:36,479 --> 04:14:45,750
it it hasn't changed in a long time.

5330
04:14:45,760 --> 04:14:50,399
Is there further discussion on article

5331
04:14:50,399 --> 04:14:54,560
27 $6,500 for the Waterberry Area Senior

5332
04:14:54,560 --> 04:14:57,040
Centers Association, Senior Citizens

5333
04:14:57,040 --> 04:14:58,319
Association.

5334
04:14:58,319 --> 04:15:00,479
>> Hi, I'm moderator. Sorry, we were

5335
04:15:00,479 --> 04:15:03,199
downstairs.

5336
04:15:03,199 --> 04:15:04,080
>> Okay.

5337
04:15:04,080 --> 04:15:04,960
>> Um, so

5338
04:15:04,960 --> 04:15:06,399
>> can you state your name?

5339
04:15:06,399 --> 04:15:09,199
>> My name is Charlene. I work at the

5340
04:15:09,199 --> 04:15:10,880
senior center. I'm the director there

5341
04:15:10,880 --> 04:15:13,199
and I can try to answer some of the

5342
04:15:13,199 --> 04:15:15,600
questions that y'all have.

5343
04:15:15,600 --> 04:15:17,359
>> Great.

5344
04:15:17,359 --> 04:15:19,040
Go ahead.

5345
04:15:19,040 --> 04:15:21,760
>> Oh, well actually, so you weren't here

5346
04:15:21,760 --> 04:15:23,120
to hear the question. So,

5347
04:15:23,120 --> 04:15:24,479
>> let's not sorry about that.

5348
04:15:24,479 --> 04:15:25,520
>> Sorry.

5349
04:15:25,520 --> 04:15:29,120
>> There was a question um in the town

5350
04:15:29,120 --> 04:15:32,880
report. The um letter mentions more

5351
04:15:32,880 --> 04:15:34,880
town. So, we're wondering if that was

5352
04:15:34,880 --> 04:15:37,600
intentional or if it's a typo.

5353
04:15:37,600 --> 04:15:38,880
was one question.

5354
04:15:38,880 --> 04:15:42,399
>> Uh, Moretown, we do serve some

5355
04:15:42,399 --> 04:15:50,389
>> some of the people in Mtown.

5356
04:15:50,399 --> 04:15:52,640
» Charlene, are you from Waterberry?

5357
04:15:52,640 --> 04:15:53,279
>> I'm sorry.

5358
04:15:53,279 --> 04:15:54,319
>> Are you from Waterberry?

5359
04:15:54,319 --> 04:15:56,640
>> I am not from Waterberry. I just work in

5360
04:15:56,640 --> 04:15:57,520
Waterbury.

5361
04:15:57,520 --> 04:16:00,399
>> Okay. So, um,

5362
04:16:00,399 --> 04:16:02,080
normally only members of the town can

5363
04:16:02,080 --> 04:16:04,479
speak unless, um, there's, uh, no

5364
04:16:04,479 --> 04:16:07,439
objection to you speaking. So, um, the

5365
04:16:07,439 --> 04:16:09,680
motion is for Charlene to And what is

5366
04:16:09,680 --> 04:16:10,479
your last name?

5367
04:16:10,479 --> 04:16:11,359
>> Suai.

5368
04:16:11,359 --> 04:16:15,439
>> Suveet to speak. Um, if there's no

5369
04:16:15,439 --> 04:16:17,760
objection. Okay, there's no objection.

5370
04:16:17,760 --> 04:16:19,359
So, go ahead. Thank you.

5371
04:16:19,359 --> 04:16:23,120
>> Okay. Um, so we do serve some of the

5372
04:16:23,120 --> 04:16:28,149
seniors in Moretown. So, that is

5373
04:16:28,159 --> 04:16:29,680
I'm not sure what the question on it is.

5374
04:16:29,680 --> 04:16:31,439
We serve some seniors in Mortown. We

5375
04:16:31,439 --> 04:16:34,479
split it with another center.

5376
04:16:34,479 --> 04:16:40,149
>> Okay. Um

5377
04:16:40,159 --> 04:16:42,159
I think there was a question from Miss

5378
04:16:42,159 --> 04:16:45,439
Wells um asking

5379
04:16:45,439 --> 04:16:47,600
um if you know why or happen to know

5380
04:16:47,600 --> 04:16:49,920
that why um there's some money in the

5381
04:16:49,920 --> 04:16:51,840
budget and some in the special article.

5382
04:16:51,840 --> 04:16:54,640
There's $32,500 in the regular budget,

5383
04:16:54,640 --> 04:16:58,000
$6,500 in the special article. And do

5384
04:16:58,000 --> 04:17:00,399
you know, and you might not, but do you

5385
04:17:00,399 --> 04:17:02,080
know why that amount is split up like

5386
04:17:02,080 --> 04:17:04,399
that and what the 6,500 would be used

5387
04:17:04,399 --> 04:17:06,960
for?

5388
04:17:06,960 --> 04:17:07,920
>> That

5389
04:17:07,920 --> 04:17:08,720
>> Yeah.

5390
04:17:08,720 --> 04:17:10,479
That I unfortunately do not have

5391
04:17:10,479 --> 04:17:11,439
the answer to.

5392
04:17:11,439 --> 04:17:18,870
>> Okay.

5393
04:17:18,880 --> 04:17:21,279
» I I think it's clear the first sentence

5394
04:17:21,279 --> 04:17:24,000
here in this says it talks to the

5395
04:17:24,000 --> 04:17:26,159
residents of Mtown. I think it's just a

5396
04:17:26,159 --> 04:17:27,279
typo.

5397
04:17:27,279 --> 04:17:30,159
The funding funding request from the

5398
04:17:30,159 --> 04:17:32,159
senior citizen center is clear. It's

5399
04:17:32,159 --> 04:17:34,080
39,500.

5400
04:17:34,080 --> 04:17:37,040
It's the town that has decided to

5401
04:17:37,040 --> 04:17:41,279
bifurcate how it's being uh paid and

5402
04:17:41,279 --> 04:17:45,359
that's our business really that

5403
04:17:45,359 --> 04:17:48,080
>> um it might be helpful if you just want

5404
04:17:48,080 --> 04:17:49,760
to say a little bit about the services

5405
04:17:49,760 --> 04:17:52,080
provided by the senior center to

5406
04:17:52,080 --> 04:17:54,479
residents of Waterberry.

5407
04:17:54,479 --> 04:17:58,000
>> Okay. Um, so we offer the Meals on

5408
04:17:58,000 --> 04:18:00,319
Wheels program where we deliver a hot

5409
04:18:00,319 --> 04:18:03,120
lunch Monday through Friday to any of

5410
04:18:03,120 --> 04:18:06,080
the seniors in the area and surrounding

5411
04:18:06,080 --> 04:18:09,840
areas. We also deliver frozen meals on

5412
04:18:09,840 --> 04:18:12,479
Friday to anybody who elects to have a

5413
04:18:12,479 --> 04:18:14,000
weekend meal. And these are for the

5414
04:18:14,000 --> 04:18:16,399
folks that are unable to get out and

5415
04:18:16,399 --> 04:18:18,720
about in the community. They have no way

5416
04:18:18,720 --> 04:18:20,399
to get to the grocery store, no way to

5417
04:18:20,399 --> 04:18:21,920
get a hot meal. They can't cook for

5418
04:18:21,920 --> 04:18:23,600
themselves or do things like that for

5419
04:18:23,600 --> 04:18:26,800
themselves. Um, we also offer congregate

5420
04:18:26,800 --> 04:18:28,560
lunch Monday through Friday at the

5421
04:18:28,560 --> 04:18:30,720
center. It's it's geared towards

5422
04:18:30,720 --> 04:18:32,720
seniors, but it's open to the community

5423
04:18:32,720 --> 04:18:36,479
and we just ask for a $5 donation. It's

5424
04:18:36,479 --> 04:18:38,319
a voluntary donation for anybody over

5425
04:18:38,319 --> 04:18:39,920
the age of 60, but anybody in the

5426
04:18:39,920 --> 04:18:42,800
community is welcome to come in. Um, and

5427
04:18:42,800 --> 04:18:46,479
we do um ask for donations um for under

5428
04:18:46,479 --> 04:18:48,479
60 because we don't get any funding for

5429
04:18:48,479 --> 04:18:51,920
anybody under 60. Um, that's Monday

5430
04:18:51,920 --> 04:18:54,080
through Friday at noon. And then we

5431
04:18:54,080 --> 04:18:57,199
offer activities such as dominoes on

5432
04:18:57,199 --> 04:18:59,600
Mondays and Wednesdays. We hold dominoes

5433
04:18:59,600 --> 04:19:03,840
games for the seniors and the community.

5434
04:19:03,840 --> 04:19:06,880
We do a movie day um once a month on

5435
04:19:06,880 --> 04:19:09,199
Sundays. Weekends tend to get kind of

5436
04:19:09,199 --> 04:19:11,279
rough for some of our seniors who don't

5437
04:19:11,279 --> 04:19:13,840
have a lot of family and friends around

5438
04:19:13,840 --> 04:19:15,600
and that's one thing that we've noticed.

5439
04:19:15,600 --> 04:19:17,760
So, especially on the long holiday

5440
04:19:17,760 --> 04:19:21,279
weekends. So, we try to incorporate our

5441
04:19:21,279 --> 04:19:23,680
movie days and things like that on those

5442
04:19:23,680 --> 04:19:25,680
long extended weekends so they don't

5443
04:19:25,680 --> 04:19:28,000
have the three or 4 day stretch of

5444
04:19:28,000 --> 04:19:30,479
nobody seeing them. A big part of our

5445
04:19:30,479 --> 04:19:33,120
program is with the meals on wheels to

5446
04:19:33,120 --> 04:19:37,760
do a quick wellness check and to visit

5447
04:19:37,760 --> 04:19:39,520
with these people for at least a few

5448
04:19:39,520 --> 04:19:42,080
minutes. Sometimes we are the only

5449
04:19:42,080 --> 04:19:43,680
people they get to see throughout the

5450
04:19:43,680 --> 04:19:46,159
day or throughout the week. So getting

5451
04:19:46,159 --> 04:19:48,640
that wellness check in and letting them

5452
04:19:48,640 --> 04:19:50,239
have a little bit of communication with

5453
04:19:50,239 --> 04:19:53,680
people is really good for them and it's

5454
04:19:53,680 --> 04:19:55,120
good for their family to know that they

5455
04:19:55,120 --> 04:19:57,120
have somebody here checking in on them

5456
04:19:57,120 --> 04:20:00,080
regularly. So those are the main things

5457
04:20:00,080 --> 04:20:01,760
we do for them.

5458
04:20:01,760 --> 04:20:03,760
>> Great. Thank you. You can you don't have

5459
04:20:03,760 --> 04:20:05,359
to sit stand at the microphone. You can

5460
04:20:05,359 --> 04:20:07,199
sit down if you want. Is there any

5461
04:20:07,199 --> 04:20:17,189
further discussion?

5462
04:20:17,199 --> 04:20:17,760
Thank you.

5463
04:20:17,760 --> 04:20:20,239
>> Thank you, Mr. Bar.

5464
04:20:20,239 --> 04:20:23,439
>> Can can you or anyone provide how much

5465
04:20:23,439 --> 04:20:25,840
support you're receiving from Morttown

5466
04:20:25,840 --> 04:20:28,479
and Ducksbury or are you receiving

5467
04:20:28,479 --> 04:20:31,279
anything?

5468
04:20:31,279 --> 04:20:33,439
>> So, the question is, what kind of

5469
04:20:33,439 --> 04:20:36,479
support does the Waterberry Area Senior

5470
04:20:36,479 --> 04:20:38,399
Citizens Association get from the other

5471
04:20:38,399 --> 04:20:41,040
towns? And um if you're able and want to

5472
04:20:41,040 --> 04:20:42,640
answer that question, you may just come

5473
04:20:42,640 --> 04:20:47,830
to the microphone.

5474
04:20:47,840 --> 04:20:52,800
» So we do um put a request in to ask for

5475
04:20:52,800 --> 04:20:56,159
funding through the other towns as well.

5476
04:20:56,159 --> 04:20:59,439
And it's they do the voting on it and

5477
04:20:59,439 --> 04:21:01,920
whatever they vote on and say we can

5478
04:21:01,920 --> 04:21:04,560
cover this much funding. It's kind of

5479
04:21:04,560 --> 04:21:06,319
the same as what we do here. and just

5480
04:21:06,319 --> 04:21:09,760
ask for help with however many people we

5481
04:21:09,760 --> 04:21:12,080
serve in their community. Do

5482
04:21:12,080 --> 04:21:13,920
>> you know how much you asked of each each

5483
04:21:13,920 --> 04:21:14,800
of those towns?

5484
04:21:14,800 --> 04:21:17,279
>> Um, I am not sure. It varies depending

5485
04:21:17,279 --> 04:21:19,199
on how many. We look at who we served,

5486
04:21:19,199 --> 04:21:21,120
how many people we served in each

5487
04:21:21,120 --> 04:21:23,279
community each year. So last year,

5488
04:21:23,279 --> 04:21:25,120
however many people we served for the

5489
04:21:25,120 --> 04:21:28,239
town of Mortown, we'll figure that out

5490
04:21:28,239 --> 04:21:30,000
and we'll go to them and say, "This is

5491
04:21:30,000 --> 04:21:31,840
how many people in your community we

5492
04:21:31,840 --> 04:21:34,560
have served and this is what it costs us

5493
04:21:34,560 --> 04:21:36,399
to feed them." and we are asking for

5494
04:21:36,399 --> 04:21:41,349
your help with this much.

5495
04:21:41,359 --> 04:21:44,080
» Is there any further discussion?

5496
04:21:44,080 --> 04:21:47,040
Yes, Miss Grace and Charmaine, you can

5497
04:21:47,040 --> 04:21:50,720
aside. Thanks.

5498
04:21:50,720 --> 04:21:53,439
I'm actually pretty confused right now

5499
04:21:53,439 --> 04:21:55,279
because we have a letter that says

5500
04:21:55,279 --> 04:21:58,880
Moretown that's asking for 39. I can't

5501
04:21:58,880 --> 04:22:02,399
find where senior center is in the

5502
04:22:02,399 --> 04:22:04,080
regular budget, but it sounds like Joe

5503
04:22:04,080 --> 04:22:07,840
says it's 32, right?

5504
04:22:07,840 --> 04:22:08,800
>> Page 25.

5505
04:22:08,800 --> 04:22:11,279
>> So that the two together,

5506
04:22:11,279 --> 04:22:16,159
but we can't confirm that the 39 was not

5507
04:22:16,159 --> 04:22:17,760
more than what?

5508
04:22:17,760 --> 04:22:19,120
>> So I think that's been asked and

5509
04:22:19,120 --> 04:22:20,800
answered and it was an error in the

5510
04:22:20,800 --> 04:22:24,389
letter.

5511
04:22:24,399 --> 04:22:28,149
» Thank you.

5512
04:22:28,159 --> 04:22:31,600
Is there further discussion?

5513
04:22:31,600 --> 04:22:36,640
So, the motion is to appropriate $6,500

5514
04:22:36,640 --> 04:22:38,720
for the Waterberry Area Senior Citizens

5515
04:22:38,720 --> 04:22:40,479
Association in addition to the amount

5516
04:22:40,479 --> 04:22:42,159
included in the general fund budget for

5517
04:22:42,159 --> 04:22:44,399
such purpose. Are you ready for the

5518
04:22:44,399 --> 04:22:47,510
question?

5519
04:22:47,520 --> 04:22:50,880
» Yes, Mr. Bar. I'm going to ask a

5520
04:22:50,880 --> 04:22:54,159
question that I know the report on page

5521
04:22:54,159 --> 04:22:57,199
95 from the senior center to me is

5522
04:22:57,199 --> 04:23:04,479
fairly deficient. I would ask that you contact the director and the board

5523
04:23:04,479 --> 04:23:07,120
chair that they provide a better report

5524
04:23:07,120 --> 04:23:11,680
to the town of Waterbury on you know

5525
04:23:11,680 --> 04:23:13,120
what you're asking for, what you're

5526
04:23:13,120 --> 04:23:15,279
receiving from other towns, etc. I think

5527
04:23:15,279 --> 04:23:17,279
that's really important to a lot of

5528
04:23:17,279 --> 04:23:21,269
residents. Thank you.

5529
04:23:21,279 --> 04:23:24,640
Is there further discussion?

5530
04:23:24,640 --> 04:23:27,840
>> We will proceed to um a vote on article

5531
04:23:27,840 --> 04:23:30,319
27. It has been moved that the town of

5532
04:23:30,319 --> 04:23:32,239
Waterberry.

5533
04:23:32,239 --> 04:23:34,080
>> Yes. Go ahead.

5534
04:23:34,080 --> 04:23:35,520
>> I would just like to make a

5535
04:23:35,520 --> 04:23:37,840
recommendation for future budget that we

5536
04:23:37,840 --> 04:23:40,159
just have one line item and not break it

5537
04:23:40,159 --> 04:23:44,070
out anymore.

5538
04:23:44,080 --> 04:23:47,359
for future select board members has been

5539
04:23:47,359 --> 04:23:48,960
requested.

5540
04:23:48,960 --> 04:23:51,199
You have one item for the special

5541
04:23:51,199 --> 04:23:54,319
articles or no, you wanted to have the

5542
04:23:54,319 --> 04:23:56,399
senior center to be in one place, not

5543
04:23:56,399 --> 04:24:00,159
two places. Noted.

5544
04:24:00,159 --> 04:24:01,920
All right.

5545
04:24:01,920 --> 04:24:04,479
Is there further discussion? Hearing no

5546
04:24:04,479 --> 04:24:06,479
further discussion. It has been moved

5547
04:24:06,479 --> 04:24:08,319
that the town of Waterberry appropriate

5548
04:24:08,319 --> 04:24:11,279
$6,500 for the Waterberry Area Senior

5549
04:24:11,279 --> 04:24:13,439
Citizens Association in addition to the

5550
04:24:13,439 --> 04:24:14,960
amount included in the general fund

5551
04:24:14,960 --> 04:24:17,439
budget for such purpose. All those in

5552
04:24:17,439 --> 04:24:20,080
favor, please say I. I.

5553
04:24:20,080 --> 04:24:22,880
>> Those opposed, please say no.

5554
04:24:22,880 --> 04:24:25,520
The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do

5555
04:24:25,520 --> 04:24:29,120
have it. And you have passed article 27.

5556
04:24:29,120 --> 04:24:31,840
Article 28. Shall the town of Waterbury

5557
04:24:31,840 --> 04:24:34,399
vote to appropriate $5,000 for support

5558
04:24:34,399 --> 04:24:36,640
of the Waterbury Common Market? What is

5559
04:24:36,640 --> 04:24:38,239
your pleasure with respect to article

5560
04:24:38,239 --> 04:24:46,309
28?

5561
04:24:46,319 --> 04:24:48,560
» Madam, I'm Rick Weston. Live here in the

5562
04:24:48,560 --> 04:24:53,030
town. I move

5563
04:24:53,040 --> 04:24:55,439
» the town of Waterbury uh appropriate

5564
04:24:55,439 --> 04:24:58,880
$5,000 for the Waterbury Common Market.

5565
04:24:58,880 --> 04:25:02,080
>> Moved by Mr. Weston. Is there a second?

5566
04:25:02,080 --> 04:25:04,720
>> Motion has been moved and seconded. The

5567
04:25:04,720 --> 04:25:06,880
motion has been to appropriate $5,000

5568
04:25:06,880 --> 04:25:08,720
for support of Waterberry Common Market.

5569
04:25:08,720 --> 04:25:10,159
So, Mr. Weston, would you like to speak

5570
04:25:10,159 --> 04:25:11,760
to the motion?

5571
04:25:11,760 --> 04:25:15,279
>> Sure. Only that um for those of you who

5572
04:25:15,279 --> 04:25:17,199
may not be aware of it, it is otherwise

5573
04:25:17,199 --> 04:25:19,120
known as the Waterbury Food Shelf. that

5574
04:25:19,120 --> 04:25:21,760
provides obviously a very important

5575
04:25:21,760 --> 04:25:24,319
service to our community in particular

5576
04:25:24,319 --> 04:25:28,640
to those who are needy uh by

5577
04:25:28,640 --> 04:25:31,920
providing food at low cost or no cost

5578
04:25:31,920 --> 04:25:34,880
and my wife volunteers there and we feel

5579
04:25:34,880 --> 04:25:38,000
strongly about it.

5580
04:25:38,000 --> 04:25:40,319
>> Is there further discussion on article

5581
04:25:40,319 --> 04:25:47,590
28?

5582
04:25:47,600 --> 04:25:50,000
Hi, I'm Sarah White. I am a Ducksberry

5583
04:25:50,000 --> 04:25:51,040
resident.

5584
04:25:51,040 --> 04:25:54,319
>> Uh, so hearing no objection, Miss White

5585
04:25:54,319 --> 04:25:56,080
will be allowed to speak.

5586
04:25:56,080 --> 04:25:58,319
>> Okay. I'm the director of the Waterberry

5587
04:25:58,319 --> 04:26:00,239
Common Market, formerly the Waterberry

5588
04:26:00,239 --> 04:26:02,080
Area Food Shelf. I have been the

5589
04:26:02,080 --> 04:26:04,319
director there for 5 years. In my time,

5590
04:26:04,319 --> 04:26:06,479
we have not requested any funds from the

5591
04:26:06,479 --> 04:26:08,800
town of Waterberry. We have also not

5592
04:26:08,800 --> 04:26:10,960
requested funds from any other other

5593
04:26:10,960 --> 04:26:13,040
towns that we serve. We will be doing

5594
04:26:13,040 --> 04:26:16,159
that next year. It was a very big

5595
04:26:16,159 --> 04:26:18,319
process to get on the ballot this year

5596
04:26:18,319 --> 04:26:20,000
onto the budget. So, next year we're

5597
04:26:20,000 --> 04:26:21,279
going to focus on some of the other

5598
04:26:21,279 --> 04:26:24,159
towns that we serve. We do serve um our

5599
04:26:24,159 --> 04:26:29,279
patrons are about 95% of Waterberry Center residents. Uh let's

5600
04:26:29,279 --> 04:26:31,279
see. Um as Teresa mentioned, Three

5601
04:26:31,279 --> 04:26:33,680
Square's benefits were um cut in

5602
04:26:33,680 --> 04:26:35,600
November. Our numbers dramatically

5603
04:26:35,600 --> 04:26:38,319
increased from there. In January last

5604
04:26:38,319 --> 04:26:41,120
month, we had 210 visits. That was our

5605
04:26:41,120 --> 04:26:45,359
record number of visits for ever ever since I've been in my job. And

5606
04:26:45,359 --> 04:26:49,600
that's a 184% increase over last year in

5607
04:26:49,600 --> 04:26:51,520
January. So just think about the

5608
04:26:51,520 --> 04:26:54,000
numbers. Um we are funded by private

5609
04:26:54,000 --> 04:26:56,880
donations and grants. Um but we request

5610
04:26:56,880 --> 04:27:01,040
town funding. Um we are also going to

5611
04:27:01,040 --> 04:27:03,120
next year, this summer, we're installing

5612
04:27:03,120 --> 04:27:05,760
a wheelchair ramp to ex increase our

5613
04:27:05,760 --> 04:27:08,239
access for wheelchairbound residents. So

5614
04:27:08,239 --> 04:27:10,159
that's going to be huge. We are also

5615
04:27:10,159 --> 04:27:13,040
working on a delivery system for folks

5616
04:27:13,040 --> 04:27:15,680
that cannot reach us. So, um the funding

5617
04:27:15,680 --> 04:27:18,159
will be used very well and I hope you

5618
04:27:18,159 --> 04:27:22,469
support us. Thank you.

5619
04:27:22,479 --> 04:27:29,269
» Is there further discussion?

5620
04:27:29,279 --> 04:27:31,199
» Hi, John Malder. I I think that's a

5621
04:27:31,199 --> 04:27:34,319
great thing. I just were wondering if uh

5622
04:27:34,319 --> 04:27:38,319
the Meals on Wheels folks and the uh

5623
04:27:38,319 --> 04:27:40,319
Common Market could possibly get

5624
04:27:40,319 --> 04:27:43,439
together on some of the delivery of the

5625
04:27:43,439 --> 04:27:45,920
foods to the people that can't get

5626
04:27:45,920 --> 04:27:52,229
access to them. Thought

5627
04:27:52,239 --> 04:27:56,710
» is there further discussion?

5628
04:27:56,720 --> 04:28:00,399
Hearing no further discussion, um we'll

5629
04:28:00,399 --> 04:28:02,000
proceed to the vote. It has been moved

5630
04:28:02,000 --> 04:28:04,399
that the town of Waterberry appropriate

5631
04:28:04,399 --> 04:28:06,800
$5,000 for support of Waterberry Common

5632
04:28:06,800 --> 04:28:08,960
Market. All those in favor, please say

5633
04:28:08,960 --> 04:28:10,479
I.

5634
04:28:10,479 --> 04:28:13,120
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5635
04:28:13,120 --> 04:28:15,120
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5636
04:28:15,120 --> 04:28:18,159
And you have passed article 28.

5637
04:28:18,159 --> 04:28:20,560
Article 29. Shall the town of Waterbury

5638
04:28:20,560 --> 04:28:23,279
vote to appropriate $2,500 for support

5639
04:28:23,279 --> 04:28:25,120
of Waterberry Local Energy Action

5640
04:28:25,120 --> 04:28:26,800
Partnership League? What is your

5641
04:28:26,800 --> 04:28:29,359
pleasure with respect to article 29?

5642
04:28:29,359 --> 04:28:31,520
>> Duncan McDougall from Waterberry Center.

5643
04:28:31,520 --> 04:28:32,640
Madam moderator.

5644
04:28:32,640 --> 04:28:32,960
>> Yes.

5645
04:28:32,960 --> 04:28:34,560
>> I move that the town of Waterberry

5646
04:28:34,560 --> 04:28:37,199
appropriate $2,500 to support Waterbury

5647
04:28:37,199 --> 04:28:39,120
Leap, the local energy action

5648
04:28:39,120 --> 04:28:40,399
partnership.

5649
04:28:40,399 --> 04:28:42,000
>> Is there a second?

5650
04:28:42,000 --> 04:28:44,319
>> The motion has been moved and seconded.

5651
04:28:44,319 --> 04:28:45,600
It has been moved that the town

5652
04:28:45,600 --> 04:28:47,760
appropriate $2,500 for support of

5653
04:28:47,760 --> 04:28:49,199
Waterberry Local Energy Action

5654
04:28:49,199 --> 04:28:51,120
Partnership LEAP. Mr. McDougall, would

5655
04:28:51,120 --> 04:28:52,399
you like to speak to the motion?

5656
04:28:52,399 --> 04:28:54,399
>> I would. Thank you. Um, I encourage you

5657
04:28:54,399 --> 04:28:57,040
to turn to page 100 for Waterberry Leap.

5658
04:28:57,040 --> 04:28:58,960
As you may know, Waterberry Leap is an

5659
04:28:58,960 --> 04:29:01,520
all volunteer uh town energy committee,

5660
04:29:01,520 --> 04:29:03,520
one of 120 town energy committees in

5661
04:29:03,520 --> 04:29:05,600
Vermont. Our job is to help our

5662
04:29:05,600 --> 04:29:08,080
neighbors uh save energy and save money,

5663
04:29:08,080 --> 04:29:10,319
and we've been doing that for 18 years.

5664
04:29:10,319 --> 04:29:12,080
Um, this is a list of some of the

5665
04:29:12,080 --> 04:29:13,760
activities that we run. All of our

5666
04:29:13,760 --> 04:29:16,080
programs are for free. Uh we do walk and

5667
04:29:16,080 --> 04:29:18,000
bike to school days where we have 200

5668
04:29:18,000 --> 04:29:21,040
250 people come out for that. Um we have

5669
04:29:21,040 --> 04:29:25,120
been assisting uh Waterberry with the writing of the town energy plan. We

5670
04:29:25,120 --> 04:29:28,000
have an electric vehicle fest. Um we do

5671
04:29:28,000 --> 04:29:30,479
window dressers program where we build

5672
04:29:30,479 --> 04:29:33,040
um window inserts for folks who have uh

5673
04:29:33,040 --> 04:29:35,199
drafty cold houses. We do button-up

5674
04:29:35,199 --> 04:29:36,479
weatherization and home heating

5675
04:29:36,479 --> 04:29:39,359
workshops. Um, if you go to the front,

5676
04:29:39,359 --> 04:29:40,880
you'll see that there's a display for

5677
04:29:40,880 --> 04:29:43,680
the better connections grant. We wrote

5678
04:29:43,680 --> 04:29:47,199
and received a 90 uh $97,000 grant from

5679
04:29:47,199 --> 04:29:49,359
Vrans, and we're now trying to make the

5680
04:29:49,359 --> 04:29:52,239
center of Waterberry Center be safer uh

5681
04:29:52,239 --> 04:29:53,840
and more accessible for bikes and

5682
04:29:53,840 --> 04:29:56,640
pedestrians and others. Um, and our

5683
04:29:56,640 --> 04:29:58,880
flagship event is um the Leap Energy

5684
04:29:58,880 --> 04:30:00,800
Fair, which happens every April. So, I

5685
04:30:00,800 --> 04:30:02,319
strongly encourage you to come out on

5686
04:30:02,319 --> 04:30:05,040
April 11th, Saturday, at the gym at

5687
04:30:05,040 --> 04:30:06,800
Crosset Brook Middle School. will have

5688
04:30:06,800 --> 04:30:09,199
60 energy green energy exhibitors on

5689
04:30:09,199 --> 04:30:11,600
every topic under the sun. Um it's all

5690
04:30:11,600 --> 04:30:13,680
free. Uh we have free electronics to

5691
04:30:13,680 --> 04:30:16,000
recycling, free ice cream, magician

5692
04:30:16,000 --> 04:30:17,840
show, and it's a great way for you to

5693
04:30:17,840 --> 04:30:19,920
learn how to save energy and save money.

5694
04:30:19,920 --> 04:30:24,080
We'd love to see you there. Thank you.

5695
04:30:24,080 --> 04:30:26,000
>> Thank you. Is there further discussion

5696
04:30:26,000 --> 04:30:31,590
on article 29?

5697
04:30:31,600 --> 04:30:33,359
Hearing no further discussion, we will

5698
04:30:33,359 --> 04:30:35,760
proceed to a vote on article 29. It has

5699
04:30:35,760 --> 04:30:37,199
been moved that the town of Waterberry

5700
04:30:37,199 --> 04:30:39,359
appropriate $2,500

5701
04:30:39,359 --> 04:30:41,279
for support of Waterbury Local Energy

5702
04:30:41,279 --> 04:30:43,439
Action Partnership Week. All those in

5703
04:30:43,439 --> 04:30:45,760
favor, please say I.

5704
04:30:45,760 --> 04:30:48,960
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5705
04:30:48,960 --> 04:30:50,640
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5706
04:30:50,640 --> 04:30:53,680
And you have passed article 29.

5707
04:30:53,680 --> 04:30:56,239
Article 30. And this is the last

5708
04:30:56,239 --> 04:30:58,479
article. Shall the town of Waterbury

5709
04:30:58,479 --> 04:31:00,960
vote to appropriate $3,000 for the

5710
04:31:00,960 --> 04:31:02,800
support of Washington County Mental

5711
04:31:02,800 --> 04:31:04,880
Health Services? What is your pleasure

5712
04:31:04,880 --> 04:31:20,630
with respect to article 30?

5713
04:31:20,640 --> 04:31:23,040
» Madam moderator, Teresa Wood here. I

5714
04:31:23,040 --> 04:31:25,680
move that the channel Waterberry move to

5715
04:31:25,680 --> 04:31:29,279
appropriate $3,000 for Washington Health

5716
04:31:29,279 --> 04:31:30,800
Services.

5717
04:31:30,800 --> 04:31:33,120
Moved by Miss Wood. Is there a second?

5718
04:31:33,120 --> 04:31:36,560
The motion has been moved and seconded.

5719
04:31:36,560 --> 04:31:38,800
Would you like to speak to the motion?

5720
04:31:38,800 --> 04:31:40,880
>> I would just briefly. Um, Washington

5721
04:31:40,880 --> 04:31:43,120
County Mental Health Services uh

5722
04:31:43,120 --> 04:31:45,760
provides a wide variety of services for

5723
04:31:45,760 --> 04:31:46,960
people with intellectual and

5724
04:31:46,960 --> 04:31:48,399
developmental disabilities, people with

5725
04:31:48,399 --> 04:31:50,800
mental health challenges, children and

5726
04:31:50,800 --> 04:31:54,159
adults, uh, older Vermonters. and I can

5727
04:31:54,159 --> 04:31:55,520
tell you that they are being

5728
04:31:55,520 --> 04:32:00,239
dramatically impacted by the um changes

5729
04:32:00,239 --> 04:32:02,800
at the federal level in terms of the

5730
04:32:02,800 --> 04:32:04,800
resources that they have available to

5731
04:32:04,800 --> 04:32:06,640
them. So the support from the towns is

5732
04:32:06,640 --> 04:32:10,479
really important. Thank you.

5733
04:32:10,479 --> 04:32:15,030
Is there further discussion?

5734
04:32:15,040 --> 04:32:16,880
Hearing no further discussion, we will

5735
04:32:16,880 --> 04:32:18,960
proceed to a vote on article 30. It has

5736
04:32:18,960 --> 04:32:20,479
been moved that the town of Waterberry

5737
04:32:20,479 --> 04:32:23,279
appropriate $3,000 for the support of

5738
04:32:23,279 --> 04:32:24,880
Washington County Mental Health

5739
04:32:24,880 --> 04:32:26,960
Services. All those in favor, please say

5740
04:32:26,960 --> 04:32:28,479
I.

5741
04:32:28,479 --> 04:32:31,359
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5742
04:32:31,359 --> 04:32:33,840
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5743
04:32:33,840 --> 04:32:36,960
You have passed article 30. You've now

5744
04:32:36,960 --> 04:32:39,439
made it through all 30 articles in the

5745
04:32:39,439 --> 04:32:42,159
morning. I now open the meeting to any

5746
04:32:42,159 --> 04:32:43,600
other business that you would like to

5747
04:32:43,600 --> 04:32:45,680
raise, but please note that no binding

5748
04:32:45,680 --> 04:32:47,439
action can take place under other

5749
04:32:47,439 --> 04:32:50,080
business. Are there any further items

5750
04:32:50,080 --> 04:32:57,510
for discussion under other business?

5751
04:32:57,520 --> 04:33:01,600
And I'm going I would request that the

5752
04:33:01,600 --> 04:33:05,840
future select board and officers for

5753
04:33:05,840 --> 04:33:10,080
next year's uh annual report printed as

5754
04:33:10,080 --> 04:33:15,680
8 12 by 11 and not 5 by seven. These old

5755
04:33:15,680 --> 04:33:19,039
eyes even with a magnifying glass

5756
04:33:19,039 --> 04:33:24,789
difficult.

5757
04:33:24,799 --> 04:33:28,879
» Is there any other other business?

5758
04:33:28,879 --> 04:33:30,959
>> Dr. McDougall, I would just like to

5759
04:33:30,959 --> 04:33:32,879
express my thanks and hope you'll join

5760
04:33:32,879 --> 04:33:34,959
me in expressing thanks to the select

5761
04:33:34,959 --> 04:33:37,119
board, to the moderator, to the town

5762
04:33:37,119 --> 04:33:38,480
clerk, to the board of civil

5763
04:33:38,480 --> 04:33:40,320
authorities, to the voting volunteers

5764
04:33:40,320 --> 04:33:49,510
for all their efforts.

5765
04:33:49,520 --> 04:33:51,680
WELCOME BACK.

5766
04:33:51,680 --> 04:33:53,600
>> Other business,

5767
04:33:53,600 --> 04:33:55,760
>> Billy Big Waterberry and I also want to

5768
04:33:55,760 --> 04:33:57,439
call out Mike because Mike has been on

5769
04:33:57,439 --> 04:33:59,119
the board for almost as long as I've

5770
04:33:59,119 --> 04:34:00,799
lived here. So, thank you for all your

5771
04:34:00,799 --> 04:34:10,070
service, Mike, in the time you spent.

5772
04:34:10,080 --> 04:34:17,029
» Anything else? Yes, Mr. Grace.

5773
04:34:17,039 --> 04:34:18,959
» My name is Robert Grace. I live on South

5774
04:34:18,959 --> 04:34:21,279
Main Street.

5775
04:34:21,279 --> 04:34:23,520
I have a suggestion

5776
04:34:23,520 --> 04:34:25,680
for the select board for next year's

5777
04:34:25,680 --> 04:34:28,639
annual meeting. I think there's a large

5778
04:34:28,639 --> 04:34:30,400
vacancy

5779
04:34:30,400 --> 04:34:33,039
in the information that we're crying out

5780
04:34:33,039 --> 04:34:37,039
for that is not visible in the town

5781
04:34:37,039 --> 04:34:39,439
report.

5782
04:34:39,439 --> 04:34:44,709
the subject I think should be approached

5783
04:34:44,719 --> 04:34:48,799
that we have a a chapter

5784
04:34:48,799 --> 04:34:52,799
for all of these small

5785
04:34:52,799 --> 04:34:54,879
nonprofits

5786
04:34:54,879 --> 04:34:57,039
that explains what they do and how they

5787
04:34:57,039 --> 04:35:00,000
do it. We have line items for our street

5788
04:35:00,000 --> 04:35:01,680
department

5789
04:35:01,680 --> 04:35:04,480
that explains how many yards of sand we

5790
04:35:04,480 --> 04:35:07,520
got and how many miles we've secured. So

5791
04:35:07,520 --> 04:35:12,000
we have proper transportation.

5792
04:35:12,000 --> 04:35:15,920
We have our fire chief explaining to us

5793
04:35:15,920 --> 04:35:18,719
everything in his budget

5794
04:35:18,719 --> 04:35:21,600
on how many accidents we went to and how

5795
04:35:21,600 --> 04:35:25,119
many training hours we had.

5796
04:35:25,119 --> 04:35:28,400
And I'd like to respectfully request

5797
04:35:28,400 --> 04:35:31,680
that we receive that same information

5798
04:35:31,680 --> 04:35:33,840
next year

5799
04:35:33,840 --> 04:35:37,439
from our public safety and the Vermont

5800
04:35:37,439 --> 04:35:41,680
State Police. Thank you.

5801
04:35:41,680 --> 04:35:43,680
>> Thank you. Is is there any other

5802
04:35:43,680 --> 04:35:45,840
business that people would like to bring

5803
04:35:45,840 --> 04:35:48,719
up under other business?

5804
04:35:48,719 --> 04:35:50,879
>> Yes, Mr. Clap.

5805
04:35:50,879 --> 04:35:53,520
Uh madam moderator, uh we just spent the

5806
04:35:53,520 --> 04:35:56,000
past hour supporting a lot of uh

5807
04:35:56,000 --> 04:35:58,879
nonprofits here in Waterbury. Uh many of

5808
04:35:58,879 --> 04:36:02,240
them are volunteer organizations and uh

5809
04:36:02,240 --> 04:36:04,400
the town wreck department and

5810
04:36:04,400 --> 04:36:07,520
revitalizing Waterbury will be hosting a

5811
04:36:07,520 --> 04:36:10,561
Waterberry community volunteer fair uh

5812
04:36:10,561 --> 04:36:14,240
right here on the 28th of March. Uh all

5813
04:36:14,240 --> 04:36:16,080
these organizations need volunteer

5814
04:36:16,080 --> 04:36:18,000
support and we really appreciate you

5815
04:36:18,000 --> 04:36:26,310
coming out to support them.

5816
04:36:26,320 --> 04:36:28,000
I just want to thank the people that

5817
04:36:28,000 --> 04:36:31,039
were here asking for money that gave um

5818
04:36:31,039 --> 04:36:33,279
really good reports and information on

5819
04:36:33,279 --> 04:36:35,680
it. I know Teresa recommended they all

5820
04:36:35,680 --> 04:36:38,080
be grouped together. I guess what I

5821
04:36:38,080 --> 04:36:40,480
would prefer that you maybe group the

5822
04:36:40,480 --> 04:36:43,279
Waterberry the local ones together. Oh,

5823
04:36:43,279 --> 04:36:45,119
okay. I'm sorry. I guess I would like

5824
04:36:45,119 --> 04:36:47,119
that. that you group the local ones

5825
04:36:47,119 --> 04:36:50,000
together, county ones together, the

5826
04:36:50,000 --> 04:36:52,240
state ones together, and the

5827
04:36:52,240 --> 04:36:54,719
international ones together. And I and I

5828
04:36:54,719 --> 04:36:56,639
also agree with Angela. It seems like if

5829
04:36:56,639 --> 04:36:58,240
you're going to ask for money, you

5830
04:36:58,240 --> 04:37:00,480
should be here to I have somebody here

5831
04:37:00,480 --> 04:37:02,959
that works for that organization

5832
04:37:02,959 --> 04:37:06,879
um to explain it, to request it, um and

5833
04:37:06,879 --> 04:37:08,320
not just have somebody who says, "Oh, I

5834
04:37:08,320 --> 04:37:09,439
think it's a great idea. I'm going to

5835
04:37:09,439 --> 04:37:11,359
come up and and recommend it." Because

5836
04:37:11,359 --> 04:37:13,039
as we saw today, we couldn't get the

5837
04:37:13,039 --> 04:37:15,359
answers to some of our questions.

5838
04:37:15,359 --> 04:37:17,840
And that's been my main thrust for

5839
04:37:17,840 --> 04:37:20,400
saying it just seems to be too easy for

5840
04:37:20,400 --> 04:37:22,719
people to ask for money and not have to

5841
04:37:22,719 --> 04:37:28,080
do that much in exchange. I belong to a group a nonprofit and we got so many

5842
04:37:28,080 --> 04:37:29,600
requests for money that we finally had

5843
04:37:29,600 --> 04:37:32,240
to say that's why I asked about a policy

5844
04:37:32,240 --> 04:37:34,639
because we're a educational student

5845
04:37:34,639 --> 04:37:36,561
group that the money you have to show

5846
04:37:36,561 --> 04:37:38,719
that how it's going to benefit children

5847
04:37:38,719 --> 04:37:40,879
and education and it seems like we

5848
04:37:40,879 --> 04:37:42,561
should have some kind of policy for that

5849
04:37:42,561 --> 04:37:44,480
so we just don't become a catchall. We

5850
04:37:44,480 --> 04:37:48,000
spend an hour on this. Thank you.

5851
04:37:48,000 --> 04:37:52,709
>> Thank you. Other business,

5852
04:37:52,719 --> 04:37:56,080
» Kathy, I can answer. Uh, a lot of these

5853
04:37:56,080 --> 04:37:57,840
nonprofits are not big enough. They

5854
04:37:57,840 --> 04:37:59,279
don't have enough people to go to all

5855
04:37:59,279 --> 04:38:01,840
the towns like the ones that are in

5856
04:38:01,840 --> 04:38:03,680
Washington County. I don't know how many

5857
04:38:03,680 --> 04:38:05,039
towns in Washington County, Eric. Can

5858
04:38:05,039 --> 04:38:07,760
anybody tell me exactly? But a lot of

5859
04:38:07,760 --> 04:38:09,680
these nonprofits don't even have the

5860
04:38:09,680 --> 04:38:13,199
staff that can go there. So, that's one

5861
04:38:13,199 --> 04:38:14,959
of the problems. So, I understand your

5862
04:38:14,959 --> 04:38:17,359
issue because we would like to have some

5863
04:38:17,359 --> 04:38:19,359
uh give and take with them if we have

5864
04:38:19,359 --> 04:38:24,709
questions, but it's not always possible.

5865
04:38:24,719 --> 04:38:30,390
» Is there any other business?

5866
04:38:30,400 --> 04:38:34,629
» Mr. Bar,

5867
04:38:34,639 --> 04:38:38,320
» I I thank Billy. I know I enjoyed 22

5868
04:38:38,320 --> 04:38:40,959
years in various capacities serving this

5869
04:38:40,959 --> 04:38:43,680
community, but I do want to

5870
04:38:43,680 --> 04:38:51,279
recognize we've had a lot of turnover of employees in in the town offices and

5871
04:38:51,279 --> 04:38:55,840
I want to recognize all of our valued

5872
04:38:55,840 --> 04:38:58,160
town employees. They're really, you

5873
04:38:58,160 --> 04:39:00,719
know, it got a little turbulent with

5874
04:39:00,719 --> 04:39:04,480
our, you know, you know, union contract,

5875
04:39:04,480 --> 04:39:08,879
but I know I value all every one of our

5876
04:39:08,879 --> 04:39:11,039
town employees. They're kind of the

5877
04:39:11,039 --> 04:39:15,520
bedrock of what makes our town go. And

5878
04:39:15,520 --> 04:39:17,279
everyone, if they could give them a big

5879
04:39:17,279 --> 04:39:27,109
round of applause. Thank you.

5880
04:39:27,119 --> 04:39:31,349
Is there any other business

5881
04:39:31,359 --> 04:39:34,240
hearing? No further discussion. Would

5882
04:39:34,240 --> 04:39:36,080
someone like to make a motion to

5883
04:39:36,080 --> 04:39:40,470
adjurnn?

5884
04:39:40,480 --> 04:39:43,040
I'll second.

5885
04:39:43,040 --> 04:39:46,480
>> Who made the motion? Mr. Weston.

5886
04:39:46,480 --> 04:39:47,040
>> Second.

5887
04:39:47,040 --> 04:39:49,760
>> Mr. Maler seconded. The motion to

5888
04:39:49,760 --> 04:39:52,320
adjurnn has been made and seconded. All

5889
04:39:52,320 --> 04:39:55,120
those in favor, please say I.

5890
04:39:55,120 --> 04:39:58,160
>> Those opposed, please say no. The eyes

5891
04:39:58,160 --> 04:39:59,840
appear to have it. The eyes do have it.

5892
04:39:59,840 --> 04:40:03,718
And the meeting is assured.