1 00:00:00,654 --> 00:00:02,674 [clears throat] 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:12,120 Well, I think it's easier to talk to people face to face, but when you're on 3 00:00:07,759 --> 00:00:12,120 like the camera is a different 4 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:22,279 » No, we went over everything and you sent that to me and I read about 5 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:27,920 this. We need to talk more about it. >> Well, yeah, because that's kind of your 6 00:00:27,279 --> 00:00:35,040 Yes. >> Well, it's fine. Yeah, totally. 7 00:00:31,599 --> 00:00:38,440 And then pictures are not that, 8 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,480 » you know, 9 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:49,719 and then I really 10 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,039 have 11 00:01:12,479 --> 00:01:18,880 Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. 12 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:25,560 » We'll call this select board meeting to order. 6 pm on Monday, July 20th. 13 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:33,119 Okay. Um, open meeting law states that any member of the public wish to speak 14 00:01:31,439 --> 00:01:38,159 at the meeting must receive permission of the chair. The listening agenda items 15 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:44,880 are those reasonably anticipated by the chair and discussed at meeting. Not all 16 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:51,600 items listed may in fact be may in fact be discussed. Other items not listed may 17 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:59,240 be brought up 15 by first step is the minutes from July 18 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:59,240 6th, 8th and 15th. 19 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,920 » Motion. >> I'll make a motion we receive them as 20 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:06,640 presented. >> I'll second. 21 00:02:05,439 --> 00:02:11,200 » All in favor? >> I 22 00:02:08,959 --> 00:02:18,800 minutes and administrator update. Um so that um 23 00:02:16,239 --> 00:02:24,080 the digital equity grant that we got that pays that's going to pay for uh 24 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:27,840 Wi-Fi down a cart pond in the next couple weeks. National grid inspector 25 00:02:25,599 --> 00:02:32,879 are going to get the lines run to to the shed and then um we have an electrician 26 00:02:30,959 --> 00:02:37,599 that's going to get that all set up. So, you know, that's coming up. And also, 27 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:44,800 the library is going to be getting um additional hotspots uh for lending and 28 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:49,680 um some I think iPads, few more things I've just granted. So, that'll be coming 29 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:54,720 up. I also wanted to say so that everyone knows we I actually work with 30 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:57,840 Kathy and we have a nurse from the health alliance that's going to be 31 00:02:56,239 --> 00:03:01,840 coming. She came once already. She's going to come the third Wednesday of 32 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:05,760 every month to do blood pressure checks in the hallway there. So, we're going to 33 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:09,360 Kathy and I are going to try to get some other things going, but for now, that's 34 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:13,840 already on the calendar, the website calendar to remind everybody. So, 35 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:20,560 » that's it. >> This also hotspot. 36 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:24,280 » Well, anybody can use here, but this is something they can take. 37 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:38,560 Um, citizen speak to ensure that every interested individual has an opportunity 38 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:42,799 to speak and to ensure that the board has the ability to complete its business 39 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:47,519 in a fashion. It will follow the rules and proceed worldwide. Total time 40 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:52,720 allowed for public comments is 10 minutes. Before sharing substantive 41 00:03:50,239 --> 00:03:56,640 comments, the individual wishing to speak shall be shall wait to be 42 00:03:54,799 --> 00:04:01,840 recognized by the chair and then they shall state their name and address. 43 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:06,879 Each speaker will be limited to speaking once for a maximum of three minutes. 44 00:04:04,879 --> 00:04:11,280 Speakers may only raise issues within the jurisdiction of the board. Absent 45 00:04:09,439 --> 00:04:17,040 extraordinary circumstances, the board will not respond to or discuss the 46 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:20,799 issues raised during public comment and all remarks are to be addressed through 47 00:04:18,959 --> 00:04:28,240 the chair and all speakers are encouraged to present their remarks in a 48 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:33,160 concise, orderly and peaceful manner. Anyone like to speak citizen speak? 49 00:04:38,639 --> 00:04:46,560 Uh Joe Roy Jr. 3 Miller Lane uh vision committee chair. Uh just a quick update 50 00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:51,840 about two things that uh we we are discussing at the vision committee. One 51 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:55,520 is that we we updated you on the scrims and the fact that we're about to 52 00:04:53,840 --> 00:04:59,840 probably order a few to get the ball rolling. Um and I just wanted to let you 53 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:04,080 know that the board has considered when we showed them to you in in color. We're 54 00:05:02,639 --> 00:05:07,680 considering doing them in black and white. I didn't know if you had any 55 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:11,919 objections to that. I know you can't discuss it now, but if you if you have 56 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:16,000 any feelings as a board about it, uh just get in touch with me and because 57 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:20,080 we're about to vote on it, I just let it know or let Andy know. He he attends our 58 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:26,000 meetings and we're having one in about a week. So, uh that would be great. The 59 00:05:23,039 --> 00:05:32,080 other thing about uh vision committee is uh about a year ago during the past year 60 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:36,560 we've spent uh about six months seriously discussing west welcome to 61 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:42,560 West Stockbridge signs and uh and we kind of dropped the ball on that because 62 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:45,360 the board wanted to consider what future signs in West Stockbridge should look 63 00:05:43,919 --> 00:05:50,960 like if there should be any continuity to them or do we just pick all we have 64 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:56,080 left to do for the signs is uh pick colors and on one size. Uh everything 65 00:05:53,840 --> 00:06:00,080 else is done. Uh it's just a matter of deciding how they should look. And if 66 00:05:58,479 --> 00:06:03,919 you haven't done anything more on that, let me know uh if there's anything the 67 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:07,479 vision committee can do to help with that. Thank you. 68 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:15,319 Anyone else for citizen speak? 69 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:24,319 » No. >> Okay. Um, first 70 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:30,600 discussion business item is the appointment of Don Rose. Uh, Chief, 71 00:06:27,199 --> 00:06:30,600 would you like to? 72 00:06:36,639 --> 00:06:39,880 » Good evening. 73 00:06:43,919 --> 00:06:51,759 Officer Donald Rhodess joined the West Sock Police Department last September 74 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:55,919 following an honorable 30-year law enforcement career in Texas where he 75 00:06:54,160 --> 00:07:01,840 served both as a municipal police officer and later the chief of police 76 00:06:59,039 --> 00:07:06,319 for our college police department. Since joining our agency, Officer Rhodess has 77 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:10,560 quickly become an invaluable member in the department. 78 00:07:08,479 --> 00:07:14,800 Although he has been with us for less than a year, Officer Rhodess has made a 79 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:19,599 tremendous impact on both his fellow officers and the residents of West 80 00:07:16,639 --> 00:07:24,160 Operation. I regularly receive letters in the mails from members of the public 81 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:28,479 recognizing our officers for their professionalism and service and officer 82 00:07:26,639 --> 00:07:34,160 Rose has been the subject of several of those commendations. In fact, just last 83 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:40,000 week, I received another email from a resident expressing appreciation for his 84 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:44,160 professionalism and assistance. Officer Rhodess has also dedicated 85 00:07:42,479 --> 00:07:48,639 himself to learning the nuances of Massachusetts law and has developed into 86 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:54,879 a confident and capable member of our department. His extensive experience, 87 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:59,199 positive attitude, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the department, 88 00:07:57,039 --> 00:08:03,039 his fellow officers, and the community have earned the respect of both his 89 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:07,440 peers and the public. Given his proven leadership, decades of 90 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:11,280 law enforcement experience, and dedication to serving the town of West 91 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:16,319 Stockbridge, I believe Officer Rhodess is exceptionally wellqualified for the 92 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:20,400 vacant sergeant position. Accordingly, I respectfully request that the select 93 00:08:18,319 --> 00:08:25,560 board approve my recommendation to promote Officer Donald Rhodess to the 94 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,560 rank of sergeant. 95 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:35,080 » Thank you. Any comments from my colleagues? 96 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:35,080 » I'm good. 97 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:41,760 » I'm enthusiastically supportive. I I think my own 98 00:08:39,039 --> 00:08:49,519 interactions with with Officer Roads have been um reflective of of what Chief 99 00:08:45,839 --> 00:08:54,000 Ren has said. So I'm in great support. 100 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:59,726 » And before we call a vote, would Officer Rhodess like to say anything before we 101 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:03,680 » I am in support of this myself. [laughter] 102 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:07,760 I really want to thank you guys, Chief Written and specifically Officer Wilton, 103 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:11,519 because without these two, I wouldn't have gotten to where I'm at now. Kurt 104 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:15,839 would answer the phone at 2 or 3:00 in the morning almost nightly. Got me where 105 00:09:13,519 --> 00:09:19,920 I'm at. So, I appreciate everything you guys have done. And like I said, I'm 106 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:23,760 enthusiastically in supporting myself also. [laughter] 107 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:30,560 Well, we we appreciate what you've done and it's certainly a a glowing 108 00:09:27,519 --> 00:09:36,800 recommendation from now Chief Ren who was your 109 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:42,000 colleague and has since taken on a a a superior position. So I would say with 110 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:47,600 that recommendation and everything else that we've heard about you that will 111 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:54,959 join my colleagues and wishing you uh congratulations and uh calling I guess 112 00:09:52,160 --> 00:10:01,440 we have we have a vote we have second we don't have any discussion 113 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:05,279 » and um I'll make a motion that we appoint 114 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:10,000 Don Rhodess as police sergeant. Thank you very much. Call 13. 115 00:10:08,959 --> 00:10:14,920 » All in favor? >> I 116 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:14,920 congratulations. 117 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:22,279 » Thank you. >> Thank you. 118 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,600 » All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. 119 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:35,600 » Um Mark Wilberg, you're up next. 120 00:10:31,519 --> 00:10:41,440 » Um Michael will actually Oh. Michael will speak from our 121 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:47,680 so thank you for casting Simon Dport fellow commissioner and 122 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:53,120 Michael the chief sewer water operator license um we want to we have an 123 00:10:50,959 --> 00:10:59,680 opportunity to Kurt's retiring as you know and Kurt helps out and fills in um 124 00:10:57,279 --> 00:11:04,640 with Michael and we have a young gentleman who is fully licensed and 125 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:11,360 terribly capable And we I think we're just lucky in that 126 00:11:07,279 --> 00:11:16,399 we could find that person. Um and he is willing and able to to slide in with 127 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:22,480 cars. Is that correct? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, uh Peter Carlado um 128 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:26,640 pretty sure he's a junior. His father was a lineman for National Grid for many 129 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:31,440 many years around here. And Peter grew up in Utah. He's worked for the schools 130 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:36,880 um since they built the wastewater plant at the new elementary and middle schools 131 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:40,560 down at for Berkshire Hills. So he is fully licensed, has all the licenses 132 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:47,040 required for the job and he's been doing it boy a long time. Schools have been 133 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:54,000 there quite a while already. Um and we would love him to be able to fill in the 134 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:58,079 spot that Kurt um Kurt does a ton for us. It's going to be tough to make the 135 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:01,360 transition because he does so much behind the scenes during our because 136 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:06,320 we're part-time. He's here during the day and I rely on him greatly for stuff 137 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:09,839 that needs to be done during the workday for so I don't have to take time off of 138 00:12:08,399 --> 00:12:14,639 Stockbridgeidge and come over the hill and work over here. But um we'll we'll 139 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:23,760 we'll transition into that as best we can. But um so we're hoping to have uh 140 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:31,040 Peter Carl Jr. uh join the the staff. I did uh request a packet. He has all the 141 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:37,279 paperwork for town hall fill out all the HR stuff. Um and uh he's he hasn't 142 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:41,920 returned yet. But um so we're just hoping that we can 143 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:46,800 make that transition while we're in the hiring mood. 144 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:51,839 » When is done? >> Well, Kurt's done it officially like 145 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:55,279 November 20th or something. Thanksgiving, 146 00:12:52,399 --> 00:13:00,959 » but he's with the vacation time and sick time and stuff, he's gonna like I think 147 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:05,040 in September he's kind of be phasing out. So, 148 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:08,560 » um we'd like to have Peter shadow us for quite a bit. There's a lot to learn with 149 00:13:06,560 --> 00:13:14,399 the water and wastewater here in town. Um so, the sooner we can get him to 150 00:13:11,279 --> 00:13:21,920 follow us around after work um and get him on boarded be would be great. 151 00:13:19,279 --> 00:13:26,160 and finding licensed operators for what we have is it's just it's super tough 152 00:13:24,639 --> 00:13:30,880 and been friends with him for 35 40 years. 153 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:36,959 I've known him for a long time and he's very reliable. He's right. So emergency 154 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:42,399 wise he's close for making emergency calls for what as well. Very fortunate. 155 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:45,600 » Yeah. Yeah. So Mike, can you just explain a little 156 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:51,600 bit what that looks like? If, as you said, Kurt's here during the day, so he 157 00:13:47,519 --> 00:13:55,279 handles a lot of minutes to minutes of of it won't be exact apples to apples. 158 00:13:54,240 --> 00:14:01,279 » Correct. Place, >> right? We do need we do need a third 159 00:13:57,279 --> 00:14:07,040 operator. Um, as far as what Kurt does, he does like payroll. I I sign off 160 00:14:03,680 --> 00:14:10,800 payroll and do bills. He brings them down here, which I can handle. We'll 161 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:14,880 just have to do a timely thing with with a lane. But if a plumber needs water 162 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:18,399 turned off during the day, we're still going to have to figure this all out. 163 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:23,199 This is the stuff the dayto-day that Kurt does. Um 164 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:28,639 Peter's obviously not going to be able to do, but we'll have to figure out u 165 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:32,720 something with uh we've all thrown the word around 166 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:36,000 shared services or whatever, but I I mean I've been here for 31 years, so 167 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:39,760 I've been taking a lot of time off of work to come over here to work. So it's 168 00:14:38,079 --> 00:14:47,040 if I have to do it more, I just have to do it more. Um, as far as Peter, we just 169 00:14:42,959 --> 00:14:51,920 need we need another operator. So, um, the, uh, D regulations and requirements 170 00:14:50,160 --> 00:15:00,639 and all that. So, we need we have have to have another person. But um 171 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:05,040 the day-to-day stuff that Kurt does um like I said, plumber needs water turned 172 00:15:02,639 --> 00:15:10,079 off. He has to go do a sewer hookup inspection or a water hookup inspection. 173 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:16,000 Uh read random meters. There's just a lot of stuff during the work day that 174 00:15:12,959 --> 00:15:20,639 gets done that is going to be a transition for all of us water operators 175 00:15:18,639 --> 00:15:25,440 over there to that to come over the hill and take time 176 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:31,120 off of work and make it happen so to speak. So to your point Kathy it is a 177 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:35,279 partial resolution but a needed section of it because we need that by the 178 00:15:33,519 --> 00:15:41,120 license. >> Yeah. Yeah. because I I mean it the plan 179 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:45,920 has to be touched seven basically can't do it every day. So that's that's the 180 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:49,680 » essentially the need of the other ones. >> Yeah. 181 00:15:47,279 --> 00:15:52,079 » So you're saying we we need another person? 182 00:15:50,399 --> 00:15:56,240 » No, we got to figure it out. >> Just scheduling. 183 00:15:53,360 --> 00:16:00,959 » Yeah. The day-to-day stuff that Kurt does, we've got to really I've been 184 00:15:58,959 --> 00:16:07,040 pushing the board to think about that for quite some time. We just need to 185 00:16:03,279 --> 00:16:10,959 figure out a way to it because it it burns up a lot of my time. You know, my 186 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:15,920 vacation time gets chewed up very readily to come over 187 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:20,079 on often. You know, it's multiple, you know, a wastewater alarm or a pump 188 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:23,759 station alarm or a water alarm or there's all kinds of stuff and it 189 00:16:21,759 --> 00:16:28,560 happens when I'm at work most of the time or two in the morning and you got 190 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:32,639 to drop with a gentleman, head over and take care of it. most of the time is a 191 00:16:30,639 --> 00:16:38,000 phone call occur and he takes care of it. So that is 192 00:16:35,759 --> 00:16:42,160 a thing we're going to dear leaving us. So 193 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:47,360 So getting a new operator on board and transitioning into 194 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:52,000 um taking on what care does for us is going to be a little not a super 195 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:55,920 challenge but it's going to be more time. 196 00:16:53,360 --> 00:17:03,759 » Right. Right. Any thoughts guys? I guess my question 197 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:06,480 would be budgetwise how how you I assume Kurt hasn't been paid out of water 198 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,679 sewer. >> Oh yeah, 199 00:17:07,120 --> 00:17:12,400 » he has. Okay. All right. So that >> that's more than covers what we're 200 00:17:11,919 --> 00:17:17,959 talking about. >> Current is that's got changed. 201 00:17:14,959 --> 00:17:17,959 » Okay. 202 00:17:18,319 --> 00:17:26,000 And as a followup to that, do do we foresee potentially a time that we might 203 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:30,720 need to look at the budget and look at filling another seat at on a part-time 204 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:35,840 basis or you mentioned shared services. Is there any type of shared service 205 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:40,240 agreement to be had? I mean, I just hate to we can't be in a 206 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:45,840 shortfall, right? So, we're >> as far as the three operators, that's 207 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:50,640 all we will need. Um I have 208 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:56,640 the the retirement word with me is five and a half or so years away. So when 209 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:59,919 that comes there's going to be and Mark is going to actually can potentially 210 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:05,760 retire before me because he's a little older than I am. Mark Bell Jr. So 211 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:11,039 there's going to be a hurdle there. Um I I don't know. Um when I retire I want to 212 00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:15,600 be like Kurt. I want to just say I'm all done. I don't want the two in the 213 00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:23,120 morning phone calls. And I was up at the wells for a few hours uh at 1:00 in the 214 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:27,840 morning um last week uh and Fourth of July weekend with the storms that rolled 215 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:31,919 through. So, um that'll be a hurdle for sure. Um 216 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:36,640 finding another operator to take my spot, but that's like I said, five and a 217 00:18:33,679 --> 00:18:41,919 half years down the road. Um, and as far as the shared service go, I think, um, 218 00:18:39,360 --> 00:18:46,640 I've talked to Mike Canal and Marquez as well. I think to simplify things as far 219 00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:53,360 as, um, I just think an agreement between 220 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:58,480 the two towns where I can leave work and come over here, do my thing, and go 221 00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:01,360 back, not have to use time. However, this will work out. But I don't know how 222 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:06,000 we can work at alpha. >> Um 223 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:10,400 I I we've gone down different path different 224 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:17,200 » machinations but and we to your point when Michael 225 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:24,320 and Mark retired will have to in all likelihood do combination miss offers 226 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:29,200 being the obvious partner um because going back to Mr. Kada there just aren't 227 00:19:27,039 --> 00:19:32,400 folks with licenses out there. And it's not like look at the water turns and 228 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:36,960 east. >> And the tough thing with water and 229 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:40,880 wastewater is is that you have to work in a system for five years before they 230 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:46,400 will give you full status. So you can't just come in go get you can't go get 231 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:50,720 your license and run a plant without the experience. And water systems is even 232 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:56,559 more difficult because you have to take the the uh grading the licenses in 233 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:59,760 stages. You can't just because our wastewater is a grade four wastewater 234 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:03,919 plant. We can actually wastewater operators can say I want to take the 235 00:20:01,039 --> 00:20:07,760 grade four. You you can skip the one, the two, and the three and go to four. 236 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:11,919 But with water, you can't. So it's a little bit more difficult with water and 237 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:17,679 it's timely. And if you work at a part-time 238 00:20:13,679 --> 00:20:23,200 facility, they take a 40hour work week and look at that. So, like for instance, 239 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:27,120 Mark who works over at Stockbridge with us full-time, he works 50/50 water and 240 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:33,039 wastewater. He had to work eight years before they would get full status to be 241 00:20:29,679 --> 00:20:37,520 a full status operator in in Stockage. So, they look at it and when D comes, 242 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:42,000 they know everybody's how the hours are. They know all that. So, that's a that's 243 00:20:40,559 --> 00:20:45,039 finding and Peter's done this long enough where he's full status. So, and 244 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:48,720 he's not going to be the primary operator, but he's going to be an 245 00:20:47,039 --> 00:20:54,159 assistant operator, but the primary operator is the is where you got to have 246 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:57,440 full status, which is tough because a lot there's a lot of if you find people, 247 00:20:56,240 --> 00:21:01,600 you're either going to steal somebody from another town or you're going to get 248 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:07,360 a younger operator that's starting out, but they don't have the full status 249 00:21:03,120 --> 00:21:11,360 can't come in and take over. So when we get to that stage, it'll be a 250 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:14,000 little more difficult five, six years down the road, but we're not quite there 251 00:21:13,360 --> 00:21:16,720 yet. So >> sounds like we may be just short of 252 00:21:16,159 --> 00:21:20,640 that. >> And Peter's younger than I am, and he's 253 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:23,919 got all those licenses. He's younger than both and I, so by four or five 254 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:27,760 years. So, >> but he likes his current job, so he's 255 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:30,159 not going to work. >> Yeah. 256 00:21:28,559 --> 00:21:34,320 » So, um, yeah, it's a great parttime It's a 257 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:41,840 great part-time job. There's a lot But there's a lot to it. It's, you know, the 258 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:46,720 utilities world is 24/7 365. It's it's all kinds of phone calls and stuff. So, 259 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:50,559 but I think Peter will be a great addition. I think moving forward the 260 00:21:48,799 --> 00:21:54,720 water and sewer commissioners, we can talk with uh Mike and Stock and 261 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:59,120 Stockbridge and try to figure out a solution and we'll keep you board 262 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:01,919 selecting updated on where we where we move with that. 263 00:22:00,799 --> 00:22:05,679 » Yeah. I'm just wondering if there's anything that this board can do to help 264 00:22:03,360 --> 00:22:12,799 to facilitate that or support you guys in in those efforts because it doesn't 265 00:22:09,360 --> 00:22:14,880 sound like it's really that far away to >> No, it is. 266 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:18,640 » If it if it takes five years to bring someone on to full license, that's eight 267 00:22:17,039 --> 00:22:22,400 years or three more years. >> The D with water and sewer and stockers, 268 00:22:20,799 --> 00:22:25,919 they made us do a succession plan because all three of us are water and 269 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:29,840 wastewater certified. But most towns don't they don't do that. It's either a 270 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:32,640 water or a sewer operator. So, you're either going to get a water operator or 271 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,760 a sewer operator, and somebody's got to go get one or the other licenses, and 272 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:40,880 that's the five-year thing that they thought about. So, it's very difficult. 273 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:46,559 Um, and I think eventually, like Mark alluded to, we're eventually going to 274 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:51,200 potentially maybe be the water operators and Stockbridge and wastewater will do 275 00:22:49,120 --> 00:22:56,400 both because it's a part-time facility, so it can be taken care of within the 276 00:22:53,039 --> 00:23:01,360 workday of the the workforce and stopage. That was that was one of the 277 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:06,559 right conversations we had. >> So what it looks like is we're looking 278 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:10,559 to avoid a problem whether it be now, three years from now or five years from 279 00:23:08,159 --> 00:23:14,080 now and we're preempting that problem by going through this process and hopefully 280 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:17,841 appointing Peter. >> Yep. 281 00:23:15,679 --> 00:23:17,841 » Yep. [clears throat] 282 00:23:21,679 --> 00:23:28,559 » Yeah. Sounds like a good thing to think about. And I think the idea 283 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:35,679 » we've been at least since I've been on this board, the the idea of borrowing 284 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:39,840 » from other towns, it just seems like it doesn't work. You know, [clears throat] 285 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:44,159 doesn't endear us to our neighbors and then you get into budget conflicts and 286 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:47,280 » we don't we we don't call it steal. Oh, you said good 287 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:51,360 steal. >> Yeah. 288 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:58,240 » And we used to do it a lot more than we have just never seemed in my mind to 289 00:23:54,400 --> 00:24:01,400 work out. So in any case, um I entertain a motion. 290 00:24:01,919 --> 00:24:13,760 » I'd like to make motion to appoint Peter Kawado as WWTP employee. 291 00:24:08,559 --> 00:24:17,039 » I'll second. Any further discussion? All in 292 00:24:14,159 --> 00:24:22,686 » favor. >> Thank you. Thank you. 293 00:24:20,666 --> 00:24:22,686 [clears throat] 294 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:29,440 » Uh Joe, you back up. >> Father Joe. 295 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:34,720 » Oh, brother Joe. [laughter] It has no one, two, or three. 296 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:40,400 » That's why I said junior. I'm a junior. It's anybody who's confused about 297 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:45,520 » Good evening. Hi. I'm representing uh parks and wreck today and I've got a 298 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:49,919 handful of items that I sent a little packet. I don't know if you all had a 299 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:53,200 chance to review it or not or I'll just go over it real quick. Um parks and 300 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:58,320 recck is looking to add a handful of things to our um playground and town 301 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:01,039 grounds area and we have a few ideas that we just want to run by before we 302 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:07,360 pull the trigger on some of these things and get any input or concerns that you 303 00:25:03,360 --> 00:25:12,159 may have. Uh the first is a gaga gaga ball pit added to the playground area. 304 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:16,000 Uh PNR would like to add a gaga gaga ball pit to the playground area at town 305 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:20,640 hall. We've already talked with DPW about this and they're okay with the 306 00:25:17,919 --> 00:25:25,840 addition gaga a gaga ball pit. It's about a 14 to 20 foot octagon or hexagon 307 00:25:23,679 --> 00:25:30,880 made out of steel uprights and pressuret treated 2x4s. It's only about 2 ft high. 308 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:35,440 Um and it's just basically just a little enclosure for kids to play a game called 309 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:38,880 Gaga Ball. Um, we've asked a bunch of kids around the neighborhood for wish 310 00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:42,320 list items. This is a big one. Um, and it's relatively cost-ffective. It's 311 00:25:40,559 --> 00:25:47,840 something we can do ourselves and we already got the okay from DVW to do it. 312 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:51,440 Um, location is still to be determined. Um, one thing for sure is that it's 313 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:55,279 definitely going to be in the playground section, like somewhere around the swing 314 00:25:53,360 --> 00:25:59,919 sets, somewhere around the playground area. We were originally potentially 315 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:03,200 over near the pavilion, but we don't want to get too close to the offices 316 00:26:01,679 --> 00:26:07,039 because we don't want to disrupt people during the hit. Um, you know, bunch of 317 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:10,240 kids yelling and screaming outside Marie's office, so she probably has 318 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:13,440 something to say about that. >> She'd be out there. 319 00:26:11,679 --> 00:26:19,360 » Yeah, that's true. She might join in. Um, but that's that. Um, 320 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:23,679 uh, pause here real quick. Any concerns, questions about that? 321 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:29,840 And oh, that'll 100% be funded by our budget. So 322 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:35,760 » my only thing would be just to continue to talk about location because lots of 323 00:26:32,559 --> 00:26:39,760 things are being talked about for for the 324 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:44,640 space behind this building. I don't know how much. 325 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:47,919 » Sure. It's quite small. It's like um like from here to the corner of the 326 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,000 room. It's it's very very small. It's not it's not like a baseball field or 327 00:26:49,360 --> 00:26:53,283 anything like that. >> I've never seen it happen. 328 00:26:51,039 --> 00:26:56,400 » Well, you will. You will. >> [laughter] 329 00:26:54,400 --> 00:27:00,000 » Um, no, it's quite small, but absolutely we'll see. We'll certainly keep you 330 00:26:57,679 --> 00:27:05,840 informed about the location and if um, uh, I plan on having a on-site meeting 331 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:08,880 with Kurt, Frank Alonso, members of our board, and we'll certainly let you know 332 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:12,159 when that's going to be. So, if you want to put in your two cents, please let us 333 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:16,720 know. Um, we've also talked to the library, too, and they are thrilled. So, 334 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:25,120 um, next thing on the list is a hopscotch. Um, this just a stencil just 335 00:27:19,679 --> 00:27:30,880 added to um a stencled hopscotch setup on the walkway to the library. Pretty 336 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:36,159 self-explanatory, just a traditional oldfashioned thing we'll just do with uh 337 00:27:33,679 --> 00:27:39,600 paint for on on the ground there on the pavement. And we already checked out 338 00:27:37,679 --> 00:27:43,600 with the library. Library again thrilled for the addition. Again, would pay for 339 00:27:41,279 --> 00:27:49,039 that 100% out of the parks and record budget. Um, 340 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:54,399 any questions about that? Any concerns? No. Okay. Um, the next thing, uh, the 341 00:27:52,159 --> 00:27:57,679 idea, we have an idea about a skate park painting day. Did Did you want me to do 342 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:01,279 this or you want to do it? >> Okay. Um, 343 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:05,360 Parks and Rex is floating around the idea for kids to submit ideas for 344 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:09,679 painting fun pictures or scenes on the side of the skate park ramps. Uh, we're 345 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:13,440 in the process of researching this a little bit more. Uh we're going to talk 346 00:28:11,279 --> 00:28:16,640 to the guy who built the uh structures and see if there's any special paint 347 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:24,080 that we should use or if there's any safety concerns to consider um visual 348 00:28:19,679 --> 00:28:28,720 issues, whatnot. Um fully funded again by parks and recck 349 00:28:25,679 --> 00:28:31,760 budget. Um before we just go ahead and start painting things, we definitely 350 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:36,240 wanted to talk to you guys first and just see if you had any concerns about 351 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:39,840 this. We would definitely have the kids submit their ideas first before we just 352 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:44,640 let them go and we would supervise the whole thing. So any questions or 353 00:28:41,919 --> 00:28:46,320 concerns in that regard? >> No question. 354 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:51,360 » Yes. >> Permanent pain. 355 00:28:48,399 --> 00:28:55,760 » I mean as any paint is permanent. >> Well the reason why I'm asking is let's 356 00:28:53,279 --> 00:29:00,240 say a year from now, six months from now come with other ideas paint over it or 357 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:03,520 change it or redo. >> I I think we hope to make this a regular 358 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:06,399 thing. So, if it's a success, >> updated and keep it nice for the 359 00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:09,120 community. And we also thought that it'd be a great idea because when you pull 360 00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:13,679 into the parking lot, you can see the new Gaga pit and like kind of like 361 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:19,120 revamp the skate park situation. Bring bring it visually better with some kids 362 00:29:16,640 --> 00:29:21,970 ideas that are approved by adults. >> Yes. 363 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:26,399 » Part of the reason why we are suggesting [clears throat] this is because um one 364 00:29:24,559 --> 00:29:29,360 thing that is being done, I don't know if you noticed about the skatepark is 365 00:29:27,919 --> 00:29:32,640 being painted. All the sides of the plywood is being treated with the 366 00:29:30,559 --> 00:29:36,399 special primer to help prolong the lifespan of the wood part of it. Um, 367 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:39,039 some of it needs to be rebuilt. We're on top of that, too. But we were just 368 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:42,399 saying like, you know, if we're going to paint it, 369 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:46,320 » fun for the kids. >> Then kids can get involved. It'd be fun. 370 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:50,080 So, that's that idea. >> Great. 371 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:54,080 » Um, next is a walking path, soccer field, and grant application. Um, as you 372 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:57,360 know, Parks and Rec's been researching a walking path idea for the town hall 373 00:29:55,600 --> 00:30:02,559 grounds. uh we've been in touch with the Berkshire design group and have done um 374 00:30:00,159 --> 00:30:06,159 more re research about this about about how best to go about the project. After 375 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:10,799 some research, we're thinking about shifting gears on this slightly. First, 376 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:16,480 everybody up to speed about the walking path idea. Toby, I don't know if you 377 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:22,640 were okay. The the original idea was to construct a about a six-foot 378 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:25,679 pave like airport compacted airport mix walking path around the perimeter of the 379 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:31,520 town hall grounds. Mhm. >> Um, this has only been in research phase 380 00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:35,120 so far. Uh, we did make a CPC um, application for this. It didn't pass 381 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:38,240 this time around. This is just a little too much money. So, we decided to start 382 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:43,600 looking into grant applications to fund this project. Um, but we in our 383 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:46,640 research, we talked to a lot of different people. We talked to the dog 384 00:30:44,799 --> 00:30:52,240 park. We talked to people who were doing little league games, soccer games, 385 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:56,799 neighbors. Um, and it's not that we really got a lot of kickback, a lot of 386 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:59,840 push back from the idea, but it just brought up a lot of concerns. It 387 00:30:58,799 --> 00:31:02,880 wouldn't be able to be used during soccer games. It wouldn't be able to be 388 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:08,320 used during little league games. It wouldn't be able to be um I mean, some 389 00:31:06,559 --> 00:31:12,240 people were concerned about exposure to their backyards, and that's totally 390 00:31:09,919 --> 00:31:17,120 legitimate. So, we're shift we'd like to shift gears about this a little bit, and 391 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:22,399 the idea is to kind of change things to the soccer field. Um, we like to 392 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:27,840 research the idea of rebuilding our existing soccer field. Um, our soccer 393 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:36,840 field is, um, a great field, but it could really use a lot of upkeep and 394 00:31:31,360 --> 00:31:36,840 some and some refurbishing. Um 395 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:47,679 see um the idea is to basically just um pull up all the existing grass, pull up 396 00:31:44,159 --> 00:31:52,559 the um basically level out the ground, reseed it and then treat it over the 397 00:31:49,919 --> 00:31:58,159 years. Um that would basically require um the uh assistance of a groundskeeping 398 00:31:56,240 --> 00:32:01,519 company to come in. I talked to DPW about this. Um they said they could 399 00:32:00,399 --> 00:32:04,640 definitely take care of the regular mowing, but another company would have 400 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:10,399 to come in, keep up with the actual grounds. Um so basically any weeding, uh 401 00:32:08,159 --> 00:32:15,360 fertilizing, grub, removal, things like that. Um so basically it would just be 402 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:18,799 like a true true green like company or something like that that would come in 403 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:24,799 basically just treat the lawn twice a year most likely. Um and then the idea 404 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:29,760 would be to around the perimeter of the new soccer field do like a small paved 405 00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:32,720 walking path. So basically as long as like more of like a track kind of like 406 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:37,679 what they have up at Monument up at the school. Um so that that could be dual 407 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:41,679 purpose. That would be a walking path and that would also be a nice way of 408 00:32:39,279 --> 00:32:44,240 delineating the new soccer field from the existing lawn because we're not 409 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:49,600 looking to do the entire lawn because that would be a fortune. Um it's a big 410 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:54,799 project that would have to be funded by grant money. Um so we'd basically be 411 00:32:51,919 --> 00:33:00,799 applying for a grant for this idea. Um, and that's pretty much the gist of it. 412 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:04,320 Um, we got a lot of research to do still, but before we proceeded with that 413 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:08,679 research, we just wanted to check to have see if you had any questions or 414 00:33:05,679 --> 00:33:08,679 concerns. 415 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:14,240 » Yeah, >> I like it. Okay, cool. 416 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:19,200 » It's good. The uh Joe, >> yes. Uh I've been involved with 417 00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:22,640 tournament teams on Long Island and one of the biggest problems they had is not 418 00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:25,519 that you're going to have it. One of the biggest problems was the geese on the 419 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:30,799 field. Ah >> so I would check that out to with the 420 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:34,559 environmental. See how we can keep the geese away because the geese are big 421 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:36,880 problem. Not only are the geese the problem but they lay trap. 422 00:33:36,559 --> 00:33:41,919 » Yeah. >> Okay. So and you don't want that. So 423 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:44,000 just check that out before anything goes through. And I'm not saying not to. 424 00:33:43,519 --> 00:33:47,519 Yeah. >> Just it's an annoyance to the kids. 425 00:33:46,159 --> 00:33:52,960 » Oh, god damn it. Yeah. >> Yeah. That is been those geese have been 426 00:33:49,919 --> 00:33:56,799 the bane of my existence for a very long time. [laughter] 427 00:33:54,960 --> 00:34:00,399 » We finally just gave up and hired a guy to just pick up the geese stuff. 428 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:04,399 » Right. >> Um Okay. Um any other questions 429 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:11,440 regarding the >> I I just a point of curiosity. Yeah. How 430 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:16,000 often are the different elements of the playground used? like how the beach 431 00:34:14,079 --> 00:34:19,599 safety fans do have. 432 00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:23,200 » So Marie could answer to that time. It's way more than you think. It's 433 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:25,919 » all the time except the winter. >> Yeah, 434 00:34:23,520 --> 00:34:29,440 » there's fall league, spring league. Little league uses a little league 435 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:33,280 field. Adults use the in the summer use the soccer field. 436 00:34:31,679 --> 00:34:36,480 » It's used all the time and there's always kids on the playground during the 437 00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:40,240 day. >> So from my personal experience, first 438 00:34:38,720 --> 00:34:45,359 and foremost, let me be perfectly clear. I have a tremendous bias to this idea 439 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:51,839 because my son's in soccer. [laughter] Um, but it's it's um just from my 440 00:34:48,639 --> 00:34:55,599 experience, I can tell you that um my son's team practices there twice a week 441 00:34:53,520 --> 00:35:00,640 during the fall and the and the summer. Um that's 20 plus kids twice a week. 442 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:06,640 Then plus they have all their home games here. Um we're just one team. Birkshire 443 00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:11,520 Hills um middle school has two teams. They also use that. Um, not to mention 444 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:14,560 any other local team in the area. I I don't know if any of the high school 445 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:19,760 teams are here, but I do know that it is a premium spot during the spring and 446 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:24,560 fall soccer season every weekday. There's I would say probably at least 447 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:25,359 what 50 people out there throughout the day. 448 00:35:25,040 --> 00:35:31,760 » Yeah. >> So, it's it's used a lot. Um there was a 449 00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:35,680 game um not too long ago where we had a soccer game going on and there was a 450 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:38,640 little league going on and everywhere in between there's a bunch of little kids 451 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:43,839 playing all over the playground. It was awesome and I really want to foster 452 00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:48,720 that. So um that's what this idea is all about. [snorts] 453 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:53,440 » So the teams are not are through all through the school 454 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:56,880 district or 455 00:35:54,000 --> 00:36:03,520 » Yeah. So, our school system certainly does use it um a lot. Um there are other 456 00:36:01,839 --> 00:36:05,440 » It's only Bergkshire Hills. >> Oh, I thought there was like adult teams 457 00:36:05,200 --> 00:36:10,560 that >> there is adult teams in the summer 458 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:14,320 months in between the spring and fall seasons of Berkshire Hills soccer. 459 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:16,880 » Okay, I was mistaken though. >> There's no schools. 460 00:36:15,839 --> 00:36:21,599 » No other schools, right? >> There's no schools. I mean, Berg Hills 461 00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:25,920 is not necessarily school. It's a just a youth sports team, 462 00:36:23,839 --> 00:36:31,599 » right? So, it's almost 100% 463 00:36:28,720 --> 00:36:34,720 our our people. Yeah. Um, 464 00:36:34,079 --> 00:36:37,599 » moving on. >> Yeah. 465 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:41,520 » Excellent. Okay. And we'll certainly keep you updated that goes. Well, last 466 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:47,040 question that we have on on the list is the open gym night. Um, we are very 467 00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:50,960 thankful. Now, to Toby, are you up to speed about our efforts for the open gym 468 00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:54,400 night? You are. Okay, cool. Uh we are very thankful for your input on open gym 469 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:58,560 night uh for the information that you've given us from town council and from the 470 00:36:56,560 --> 00:37:02,720 insurance councils. We understand that both the insurance company and town 471 00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:08,160 council would like open gym to involve some level of supervision and signed 472 00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:11,040 waiverss. If let me just say right now if if that's your guys wish too, we're 473 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:14,960 probably just going to drop the idea because none of us really want to put 474 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:18,800 that level of involvement into it. We just don't have the time. But that and 475 00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:23,760 if that's the case, okay, we'll drop it. Um 476 00:37:21,599 --> 00:37:29,200 however after reviewing the information we never saw a reason as to why these 477 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:33,599 restrictions are required uh where other similar places do not require such 478 00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:37,920 restrictions. Um so why does the gym require this level of scrutiny where 479 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:42,160 other like places like the outdoor basketball court, tennis court, card 480 00:37:39,599 --> 00:37:46,400 pond, skate park require no waiverss or supervision. All those places listed are 481 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:50,560 town owned property where someone is just as likely, if not more likely, to 482 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:54,960 be injured in its use. Meanwhile, the town gym is right next to the police 483 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:58,720 state department and under 24-hour video surveillance. Rest assured, we're not 484 00:37:57,040 --> 00:38:02,320 trying to butt heads with you guys at all. We're just looking for some clarity 485 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:04,480 on it. That's all. So, I don't know if you guys have an answer to that question 486 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:10,320 or >> Yeah. So, I I'm from town council, which 487 00:38:07,599 --> 00:38:15,119 I did give the board this information before, but it says um he said with 488 00:38:13,119 --> 00:38:19,200 regards to outdoor facilities, because I did ask why nothing out there. Oh. 489 00:38:17,280 --> 00:38:23,599 » He said such as the skate park and the soccer fields, most towns do not require 490 00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:27,920 users to sign a waiver. This is likely because doing so would be impractical 491 00:38:25,599 --> 00:38:32,400 and prohibitively expensive to enforce. However, if you're looking, you should 492 00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:36,880 look to reduce the town's exposure by installing signs, which we do. Skate at 493 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:40,880 your own, everything's at your own risk out there. We already have that out 494 00:38:38,160 --> 00:38:46,079 there. As for the gym, you should limit your risk in a number of ways using 495 00:38:43,359 --> 00:38:51,119 requiring users to sign a waiver, a sign in at the gym stating users voluntarily 496 00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:56,160 assume all risks, having town employee monitor the gym during open hours, or a 497 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:58,720 combination of any of these. It's the board's policy what they want to do. 498 00:38:58,320 --> 00:39:04,880 Okay. >> Um he recommended that the um requiring 499 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:08,880 participants to sign a waiver and it's advisable to have them resign it every 500 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:12,880 year. In terms of adult supervision, it's a matter of policy for the board to 501 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:16,440 decide, but he re recommends they require supervision. 502 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:21,200 That's the board's discretion. So, I'm just giving them the information that I 503 00:39:20,240 --> 00:39:27,040 received. Okay. >> Um from that. And then as far as the 504 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:30,160 insurance company, um, waiverss should be in place for the town's protection. 505 00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:34,000 It's not a requirement for your insurance, but would help in a claiming 506 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:38,160 situation if the town were to the carrier strongly suggest utilizing it. 507 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:42,640 So, >> but that's just a generic thing for 508 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:44,880 probably any town owned property, right? They didn't specifically say indoors for 509 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:47,280 that. >> Well, no, I specifically asked her about 510 00:39:46,720 --> 00:39:51,520 the gym. >> Oh, okay. Got it. Well, like 511 00:39:50,240 --> 00:39:54,000 » so I'm just giving you the information that I got asking the questions that you 512 00:39:53,520 --> 00:39:59,040 had asked. >> I appreciate it. Thank you, M. Um well, 513 00:39:57,119 --> 00:40:03,760 like I said before, we're just not prepared to do the supervision part. Um 514 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:06,000 it's just too much of a um a big an ask. So, 515 00:40:04,079 --> 00:40:09,119 » but we do kind of agree with like a sign in like if the kids are able to come 516 00:40:07,520 --> 00:40:13,040 here, the kids can sign in and perhaps the parents have signed a waiver 517 00:40:10,480 --> 00:40:16,960 previously for the year for their kid to play at the best at the gym, 518 00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:20,400 » right? you know, like so it's under surveillance and also we know the kids 519 00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:24,400 that are going to be here and also the police station is across the hall and 520 00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:27,680 also they will sign in. I think having a gym and being able to use it is really 521 00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:31,760 important for our youth and our community. 522 00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:36,079 What I would like to suggest is if we could put together um our list of what 523 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:40,720 we are prepared to do for an open gym night following as much of the criteria 524 00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:46,560 as we're willing to do present it to you guys and see if it's okay 525 00:40:43,359 --> 00:40:50,880 maybe at a future date and if it's if it doesn't meet the criteria that you want 526 00:40:47,920 --> 00:40:53,280 then we'll we'll show the idea. >> Yeah. I I 527 00:40:52,800 --> 00:40:58,480 » go ahead. >> I I would love to see the gym used. I 528 00:40:56,079 --> 00:41:03,040 think it's it is an asset. Yeah, that >> the town has. And so I think we should 529 00:41:00,880 --> 00:41:08,000 I'm all for exploring >> how to sort of thread that needle a bit. 530 00:41:05,359 --> 00:41:12,000 And uh yeah, I I encourage it. >> Joe, here's a little tweak. As far as 531 00:41:10,319 --> 00:41:16,560 the usage of the gym is concerned, as far as talking about supervision, 532 00:41:14,240 --> 00:41:19,760 um if you had one of the parents definitively at the site, meaning the 533 00:41:18,960 --> 00:41:24,560 gym >> during [clears throat] the usage and 534 00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:32,079 they're there, that could be deemed as supervision. So um it it might be it 535 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:37,119 might be used under the supervision of a parent but the parent has got to be 536 00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:41,520 diligent and a person's got to be there and not there holding the 537 00:41:39,440 --> 00:41:45,680 responsibility. If the kid gets injured but that it's supervised 538 00:41:43,839 --> 00:41:50,400 kid gets injured call the police call the ambulance as opposed to nobody 539 00:41:48,480 --> 00:41:55,119 supervised that had to go away. >> Yep. I do feel like as a person that 540 00:41:52,319 --> 00:42:00,560 lives kind of close by, my kid is riding his bike around here all the time and he 541 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:04,240 doesn't have my supervision to do that. He rides his bike over here. He crosses 542 00:42:02,319 --> 00:42:07,119 the streets. He might skin his knee. It's happened before. He's come home 543 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:11,920 crying a couple of times. He plays with a couple older kids. Um it's just 544 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:14,960 » hard to say yes to supervising something inside 545 00:42:13,680 --> 00:42:19,200 when we're not supervising the same thing outside. 546 00:42:17,520 --> 00:42:22,880 The kids are kind of like independent, you know? they are like in a little West 547 00:42:21,119 --> 00:42:26,560 Ori biker gang. And >> to kind of tee off that and what Toby 548 00:42:24,720 --> 00:42:31,280 said, I think what we're just trying to do is make best use of the asset that we 549 00:42:29,200 --> 00:42:36,720 have that's for the most part by the community mostly [clears throat] don't 550 00:42:32,960 --> 00:42:40,000 use um and let kids be kids. Um but I also understand the legal point of it 551 00:42:38,560 --> 00:42:45,440 too. So hopefully we can thread that needle as you put it. So, um, we'll put 552 00:42:42,720 --> 00:42:49,599 together a list of suggestions and see what you guys think and we considered a 553 00:42:47,680 --> 00:42:53,040 first draft and say, "Here's where we're willing to move, here's where we're not. 554 00:42:50,960 --> 00:42:55,839 We can bounce back ideas back off each other." 555 00:42:53,599 --> 00:42:59,359 » Thanks. >> I appreciate you taking that. 556 00:42:57,599 --> 00:43:03,920 » Oh, absolutely. Happy to do it. >> Yeah. And to piggyback on that, I think 557 00:43:01,200 --> 00:43:08,240 that we we talked about too that the gym did used to be used by more than just 558 00:43:06,079 --> 00:43:12,400 kids. There used to be yoga classes in there. There used to be Zumba classes in 559 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:17,520 there. there could be more things I think Kathy Porty mentioned for for the 560 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:24,400 the seniors >> to to do in there. So to Toby's point, 561 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:32,079 using the gym as an asset for the town as a whole, you know, maybe it requires 562 00:43:29,359 --> 00:43:37,280 a little group to look at the types of opportunities, look at what other towns 563 00:43:34,560 --> 00:43:43,119 do in their gyms or, you know, some way to have it become more of a thriving 564 00:43:40,720 --> 00:43:48,880 part of of a community center. Yeah. >> Which I think is would be pretty 565 00:43:45,359 --> 00:43:53,599 wonderful. McMurray, did you send that >> a long time a while ago when they talked 566 00:43:51,839 --> 00:43:57,359 about this before? This was back in April. 567 00:43:54,960 --> 00:44:00,880 » We did do a couple um gym nights over the winter time when it was easier to 568 00:43:59,359 --> 00:44:05,920 use the gym because outside was not great. And I was the parent in charge 569 00:44:03,839 --> 00:44:09,920 one time and I had about 15 kids and they all signed waiverss and you know 570 00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:12,720 eventually my husband and I were here. One of us went and got pizza. The kids 571 00:44:11,200 --> 00:44:16,400 had a little pizza. We cleaned up after ourselves and I think the police joined 572 00:44:14,560 --> 00:44:20,079 us for pizza. not trying to throw anybody to the boss here, but it was it 573 00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:24,960 was really nice for the kids to interact with the police as well and become more 574 00:44:22,400 --> 00:44:28,800 friendly with them in a friendly situation. So, I think the more 575 00:44:27,200 --> 00:44:33,400 opportunity we have to do that, it's really good for the police and the kids. 576 00:44:34,000 --> 00:44:38,960 » And that's everything on my list. >> One more, 577 00:44:38,160 --> 00:44:44,800 » Joe. Yes. >> Use of pavilion. Yeah, I drive by all 578 00:44:42,240 --> 00:44:48,319 the time and I'm not telling you to round up and knock on people's doors to 579 00:44:46,640 --> 00:44:53,839 use the pavilion, but I don't see anybody at the pavil pavilions and it 580 00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:56,720 saves me to figure these hot days. Nobody's at the beach any 581 00:44:55,599 --> 00:44:58,960 » during the day. There is >> Yeah. 582 00:44:57,119 --> 00:45:02,160 » And they all sit on the chairs that you bought. The chairs were there yesterday. 583 00:45:01,359 --> 00:45:06,160 » Nice. Nice. >> Or today. 584 00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:10,079 » Um it's it's mostly it's used a lot during soccer season, tell you that 585 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:12,800 much. Um, you know, when the the younger siblings and stuff like that are sitting 586 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:14,560 around waiting for their older sibling to be done with soccer practice, 587 00:45:14,160 --> 00:45:16,800 » right? >> Um, 588 00:45:15,119 --> 00:45:19,440 » it's kind of the only shaded place. Yeah. 589 00:45:17,119 --> 00:45:21,440 » Between the dog park and the playground, it's kind of the only shade that's 590 00:45:20,720 --> 00:45:23,760 provided. >> Yep. 591 00:45:22,240 --> 00:45:28,000 » Um, just >> I know the books from the library even 592 00:45:25,760 --> 00:45:33,119 allowed to sit out there, read a book. Um, it it does get a decent amount of 593 00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:37,760 use. I I had about uh 25 kids under there after a soccer game. Um, and they 594 00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:41,359 all had Subway sandwiches. It was great. >> And I actually had somebody reserve it 595 00:45:39,280 --> 00:45:46,079 for a birthday party at 21. >> Well, I'm glad you So, that is a thing. 596 00:45:43,760 --> 00:45:49,200 We can actually do that. I might need to talk to you about that. Okay. All right. 597 00:45:47,520 --> 00:45:51,599 So, we can advertise it as such that it can be reserved for 598 00:45:50,240 --> 00:45:54,240 » just like they do for the gym for birthday. And maybe that could be 599 00:45:52,800 --> 00:45:58,480 another community event for people outside of just kids. Maybe, you know, 600 00:45:56,319 --> 00:46:03,119 ladies book club wants to meet there on Thursday nights at 6:00 or something. 601 00:46:00,480 --> 00:46:07,760 » Serve the serve it and use it. >> Um, better exposure though. Uh I we can 602 00:46:05,680 --> 00:46:12,240 serve a rake. We're it's finally going to be finished within the next like 603 00:46:09,839 --> 00:46:15,200 month or so. Um it's getting a whole gravel bed and some trim around the 604 00:46:13,839 --> 00:46:18,000 outside and at that point I can take some really nice pictures and put in the 605 00:46:16,720 --> 00:46:20,880 yoke. Let people know that it's available. 606 00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:22,480 » Good. Thanks. You bet. >> Thank you very much for your time. 607 00:46:21,839 --> 00:46:26,200 » Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. 608 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:26,200 » Thanks. 609 00:46:26,960 --> 00:46:37,760 » Okay, Toby. Um yeah, so this uh this item Bob 610 00:46:33,119 --> 00:46:45,280 Auststerhout um you might remember Bob Solerno brought to us uh the request by 611 00:46:41,839 --> 00:46:50,720 Bob's granddaughter Tori. Um, and the history is 612 00:46:47,200 --> 00:46:57,520 um that that section across from Bob's house on um Woodruff 613 00:46:54,640 --> 00:47:04,000 uh he maintained for as long as I can remember in fact 614 00:47:00,640 --> 00:47:09,040 » many many years and did so meticulously. Um 615 00:47:05,839 --> 00:47:15,920 » uh I think it's worthwhile to entertain Tori's request to put some sort of u 616 00:47:11,920 --> 00:47:20,880 memorial there on his behalf. Um Kurt, I I talked with Kurt about this. He had 617 00:47:17,920 --> 00:47:27,680 some ideas regarding a tree and possibly a bench or or something. And um just 618 00:47:24,480 --> 00:47:34,800 something simple to to recognize his many many years of maintaining that. Um 619 00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:43,560 and so with your permission, I would um I would commission Kurt to uh present 620 00:47:38,400 --> 00:47:43,560 some ideas and and for our approval. 621 00:47:43,599 --> 00:47:48,319 Yeah, I think it would be nice. I think obviously the thing that we have to be 622 00:47:46,720 --> 00:47:54,079 concerned about and not that everybody doesn't deserve their plaque, but 623 00:47:51,359 --> 00:48:01,440 we have a population who since stay around forever and we can't have 624 00:47:58,079 --> 00:48:05,520 a town full of plaques. But I think the idea of it, you know, does I wonder if 625 00:48:03,119 --> 00:48:08,079 it makes a difference if say for example it's a bench and maybe we should just 626 00:48:07,040 --> 00:48:13,119 hear the ideas first. >> I think so. And I think the the 627 00:48:09,680 --> 00:48:18,400 difference in this case is of you know it was not asked of him. It it was just 628 00:48:15,920 --> 00:48:22,240 something he took on for for a long time and the town in a way that now we're 629 00:48:20,480 --> 00:48:25,760 going to figure out how to deal with you know now to maintain that's going to be 630 00:48:24,880 --> 00:48:31,520 um >> back on town resources. So I think it' 631 00:48:28,880 --> 00:48:35,160 be worthwhile. >> Let's look at it. 632 00:48:35,200 --> 00:48:40,520 » Okay. So let board speak 633 00:48:40,640 --> 00:48:48,000 » said my piece >> nothing for me 634 00:48:45,040 --> 00:48:50,319 » and uh nor for me. >> So with that I'll make a motion to 635 00:48:49,680 --> 00:48:53,319 adjurnn. >> Second 636 00:48:53,599 --> 00:49:00,960 » and I'm up. >> Nice. Nicely done. 637 00:48:59,599 --> 00:49:05,200 » It's nice up. >> I was just going to interrupt for one 638 00:49:02,640 --> 00:49:10,720 question now that we're on a shift. When town council said 639 00:49:08,079 --> 00:49:16,720 supervision, did he request town supervision or somebody to supervise the 640 00:49:13,599 --> 00:49:23,200 people they bring? >> He said having a town employee monitor 641 00:49:19,760 --> 00:49:27,920 the gym during hours or a combination of volunteers or town employees. 642 00:49:27,200 --> 00:49:31,200 » Be a parent. >> Yeah, I would say 643 00:49:28,960 --> 00:49:36,880 » that would solve a lot. I think it's just really to have an adult 644 00:49:33,920 --> 00:49:40,559 because the police are not always here. That's true. 645 00:49:37,599 --> 00:49:43,680 » So, you can't count on them to be taking care of that. 646 00:49:41,280 --> 00:49:46,079 » Yeah. on the top.