[0:00] Seven o'clock. [0:04] Okay, we call the meeting order for the Monday, [0:08] September 14th, 2026. [0:10] Williamstown Select board meeting for site of the agenda is [0:15] to pledge of allegiance [0:24] To the flag of the United States of America [0:28] and drew to Republic for which it stands. [0:30] One Nation honor God, indivisible, with liberty [0:34] and justice for all. [0:41] Next item is set the agenda. [0:44] Brian just asked me if he could run a proposal by us. [0:50] This wasn't wor so we, there's nothing we could vote on, [0:53] but we could list what he is gotta say [0:55] and then it's definitely gonna have [0:58] to have some research done to it. [0:59] So, does anybody have any objections to that? [1:02] No. No. So we'll put you in [1:06] after the presentation from Du Bois and King. [1:08] So you won't have to sit through all the other stuff. Judge. [1:11] It'll be a second. So just I'll tell you when it's time. [1:13] Okay. [1:18] And one other thing that I know, [1:19] if we have another payroll warrant [1:21] for nine 11 needs to be added to. [1:23] Yep, yep, yep. Anybody else have anything? [1:26] Nope. I have a motion on the agenda. [1:32] Make a motion to accept that as amended. Second. [1:35] Motion made Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? [1:41] I Review of open public comments has eliminated [1:45] paper out on the shelf back there. [1:47] If anybody's interested in how the meetings are run, [1:50] welcome to take a look at it. [1:54] Is there any select more announcements? [2:00] I would like to behalf [2:02] of the town welcome a new business in town called Embers. [2:06] We tried it out the other night. It's very, very good. [2:08] So we're fortunate now we have three restaurants in town. [2:12] Yeah, couple bars actually all three of 'em have liquorice. [2:15] So, but it, it was very good. [2:17] Very nice and glad to see him in town. [2:23] Any public announcements, [2:28] commission committees, trustees, virtue service reports, [2:32] other board announcements, [2:36] Youth sports. [2:37] The next three weekends we got events over at the field. [2:40] So this coming Saturday we have our third [2:42] and fourth grade jamboree following Saturdays. [2:45] Our first and second grade jamboree. [2:47] And then the first weekend in October is the [2:49] fifth and sixth grade World Cup. [2:51] We got the lights, we got scoreboard. Kids love it. [2:55] Come check it out. It's a good time. [2:58] Extra parking. Extra parking. [3:00] Yep. It all worked out well this way. Good, good. [3:06] Okay. Next item is approval of the warrants. [3:08] Do you two have any that you can't be involved in? [3:12] Yes. [3:18] Not the warrants for me. Just, just the payroll warrant [3:20] For me. [3:21] I cannot be So you go first [3:23] For me. [3:24] It's just one of the payroll warrants. [3:25] Okay. I cannot be involved with 22,210. [3:31] So 2 2 2 1 0 22 2 10. [3:33] Yeah. Okay. [3:37] So let's do 'em all except for 22, 2 10. [3:43] Does someone have a motion on that? [3:46] I make a motion to approve those. Written [3:48] With With it. [3:50] With it. Object. 22 2 1 0. [3:54] Mayor second. I'll second. That motion May 2nd. [3:58] Any further discussion I have on [4:04] 22, 2 0 9. [4:27] Very top item is a mailbox post. [4:32] $814. [4:36] Our standard procedure on mailbox posts that get hit [4:39] by snowplows is what you say it was? [4:42] 45. 45 [4:43] Bucks. [4:45] Yeah. So I don't believe, [4:48] I guess this is a nice granite post one, But [4:53] our red along all the time I've been on the board anyway, [4:57] it's been like way less than that. [5:01] So I don't think it should be any different. [5:02] And if they wanna put, [5:05] I got a mailbox up there, it's very expensive. [5:07] That's totally up to them. If snow plow happens to hit it, [5:11] which they don't do it intentionally, [5:13] but some nights snow's hard. [5:15] You can't see in front of you and snow banks get high [5:19] or get load in. [5:21] Things happen. But I think we'd be setting a bad precedent [5:24] if we okayed this amount for this one. [5:29] That's my opinion. So [5:35] if I, we could just remove that from it [5:38] and just go with a standard thing. [5:40] If everybody's available that or we can go with this. [5:43] It's whatever and I, somebody needs to make a motion on it. [5:49] I, I can wait till the, the discussion after. [5:53] Maybe we should clarify the thing again just so [5:56] Yeah, so removing that would make the warrant [6:02] 22, 2 0 9. [6:04] 80,004. $24 and 74. [6:14] I know that that's probably been in place [6:19] for quite a few years. [6:21] I might need to bump it up a little bit. Yeah, [6:24] We're gonna have to revisit some policies. [6:26] That, that was my thought. [6:28] 'cause it's 45 bucks isn't gonna, [6:29] Why not box anymore, right? [6:31] That doesn't buy a four by four. [6:33] Yeah, I, I mean I would think a hundred dollars at least. [6:37] Yep. I'll spot on this so we can make it, [6:39] we can vote on that afterwards. [6:44] Okay. What you say? There's revised about lost down right? [6:48] $80,424 and 74 cents. [7:05] Okay. So [7:11] we need to have a motion to, if this is route, you want [7:15] to go with a 2020 [7:18] 200, 209 [7:22] Amendment. [7:23] Amendment. [7:26] And I just have a question. Do not about this Warrant, [7:28] warrant 22 2 2 2 1 2. [7:33] There was a [7:36] Booth payment For the Autumn Festival. [7:40] Yeah. Planning commission. Okay. Talking about the plan. [7:44] Okay. I just didn't Know. Rented a booth from the club. [7:49] I, okay, so we need a [7:54] motion to amend a motion I guess to [7:57] change the amount on 2209. [8:01] I'll make a motion to accept the amended amount. [8:07] I I didn't catch all that number. [8:09] 80,004. $424 and 74 cents. [8:13] 74 cents. Yes to that number. [8:16] You second? Yeah, I'll second that motion May 2nd. [8:19] All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? [8:24] Now we vote on, I need a motion on [8:28] 2 2 2 1 0. [8:32] Make a motion on that. [8:34] I make the motion to approve 2 2 2 1 0 as written. [8:40] I'll second. Motion May 2nd a discussion. [8:47] All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. [9:04] Payroll warrants some of these you guys, guys. [9:09] 28 20. I think 8 23 is only One. [9:16] Yeah. 8 23 is the one I have to do. [9:19] You got some too? Yeah, I, I have to few. Let's [9:22] Just do, let's, there's only three. [9:23] Let's just do it separate. [9:25] I'll make a motion on the first one. 8 23. [9:29] I make a motion to accept the payroll warrant for 8 23. [9:34] I'll second. Motion made seconded a discussion. [9:39] All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? [9:46] Next one is nine six. Get a motion on that. [9:49] I make a motion to approve the payroll warrant. 9 6 26. [9:54] Yeah, I'll second that [9:55] Motion may seconded Any discussion? [10:00] All in favor? Aye. Aye. [10:03] I myself. Okay, [10:08] next one is payroll warrant nine 11. [10:13] A motion on that? [10:16] Go ahead. I make a motion to accept payroll warrant [10:18] for 9 11 20 20 26. [10:22] Second. Second. Any discussion? [10:27] All in favor? Aye. [10:35] Okay. I'll just let board meeting minutes have a motion on [10:40] that for eight 10. [10:47] I make a motion to accept the meeting minutes. [10:49] Your second. Second. Don't you be second. [10:52] Any discussion in the minutes? [10:58] All in favor? Aye. [11:00] Opposed? Yes. Europe, Brian [11:04] And just one second. [11:05] I did just so all the citizens know, [11:07] I don't know if we mentioned this last board meeting. [11:09] I think we did, but the first Monday of every month [11:12] the air raid siren is gonna go off the firehouse for testing [11:16] just to make sure it's functioning so [11:20] all citizens know it's not an emergency [11:22] other than you hear it a lot then it would be an emergency. [11:24] But it's the first Monday of every month. [11:30] Okay. [11:35] I started diving into budgeting for next year [11:38] and I've started with wa the water and sewer budget. [11:41] We're essentially looking at a $44,000 [11:44] increase on the new contract with Simons [11:47] that would go into effect next year. [11:49] Which means we will have to raise base charges [11:52] and rate some to cover. [11:54] This large increase comes from being locked into a five year [11:58] contract with Simons at a fixed rate, [12:00] which they no longer offer to municipalities. [12:05] So they, they still offer it to us or, or no [12:09] Would this new if we decide to go with Simons, [12:12] the contract that they're gonna submit to us [12:15] will be a five year contract, [12:17] but it will increase by 2.5% every year [12:20] to cover their rising costs. [12:22] They don't offer that anymore? [12:24] They do not. We are the one of two towns [12:26] that still have a fixed rate. [12:29] Okay. And the town has not increased our rates at all [12:34] in the same five year time period, which requires us [12:36] to make a larger adjustment than usual. [12:39] The good news is that Alan [12:41] and I have identified several areas within the budget [12:43] that we can scale back to help us make the rate [12:45] and increase the smallest possible. [12:50] We were all set up with Deluxe being our new credit card [12:53] processor as our last vendor was gonna start charging us a [12:56] $500 monthly fee to continue using their services Deluxe [13:00] to even sweeten the deal by offering us a lower service fee [13:03] rate of 2.35%, which was originally 2.85%. [13:09] They also threw in two free terminals to use [13:12] for processing cards in the office. [13:15] The Baptist Street Culvert project is [13:17] continuing along ahead of schedule. [13:20] The concrete footings have been poured. [13:22] The stem walls have been poured and pure for a few days. [13:25] If everything continues according to plan, [13:27] the road will be opened on October 1st rather than the [13:31] original date of October 8th. [13:34] The Graniteville road PE road paving project will [13:37] begin in mid October. [13:39] I'll inform the public when I get a solid date from Pike [13:43] in the process of putting out another RFP [13:45] for Construction Hill on Chelsea Road [13:48] and we can open those bids. [13:50] Maybe we can just have a quick [13:53] meeting when I get those bids in just so we can open them [13:56] because you've already put them out. [13:58] Right. Okay. So did [14:00] You check on maybe getting them bids in quicker [14:05] so they have more time? [14:06] Yeah, yeah. So I gave 'em two weeks so we'll see. [14:10] See what we come back with in two weeks. [14:12] So when will the bids be coming in now? [14:16] It'll be still for the October 8th meeting. [14:18] No, no, but it'll be earlier than that. [14:20] It'll be, it'll be two weeks from Friday [14:26] On October 1st or second [14:31] 25th. Yeah. [14:33] But Rod and I talked [14:35] because the pavement season's coming to an end shortly [14:38] to we get 'em quicker. [14:40] Yeah, we could just get together to approval. [14:42] Yeah. Yeah. [14:44] So Pike is very interested in doing those two projects [14:47] as well and they wanted [14:49] to know if we could just tack them on [14:51] but we have to put things out to bid [14:54] and stay within our policy. [14:56] But I wouldn't be surprised if they were the low bid account [14:59] 'cause they'd like to just do 'em all while they're here. [15:02] So we'll see. [15:06] We have new maintenance person cleaning the town office [15:09] and the public safety building in Valerie who started [15:13] the last week of August. [15:15] Our previous cleaning company stopped showing up [15:17] and didn't communicate with me as to [15:19] what was going on from week to week. [15:20] So went with a local person [15:22] who expressed interest back when I posted the position [15:24] earlier this year and she's doing a great job. [15:29] The state police finally returned the previous manager's [15:32] desktop and laptop to us now that the case has been closed, [15:35] that where those were being used as evidence. [15:39] And the current delinquent tax total is $209,444. [15:43] We have collected $997 since the last update. [15:49] This is the worst month [15:50] for delinquent collections I've had since I started. [15:53] A bunch of people miss their payment agreements [15:58] so we're gonna have to follow up with a [16:00] lot of people to see what's happening. [16:02] New tax bills will be sent out this week [16:04] after the new rate has been set, [16:06] which will be up this weekend. [16:07] So we hope to get those tax bills out tomorrow afternoon. [16:13] Everything lines up. [16:16] The current delinquent utility total is $55,072. [16:20] We recovered $10,661 since the last section. [16:27] Anybody Have any questions for Ryan? [16:30] Anybody in the audience have any questions for Ryan? [16:35] Okay, We'll go on to new business [16:38] Williamstown Sidewalk Pro project presentation [16:54] And just there's like a slide thing right on the top [16:58] and just give it a second. [17:00] Yep. There you go. Yeah. Hi. Good evening. [17:05] I'm sorry I have to cut my back to cut some of you. [17:07] It's very short cord. I haven't seen you before. [17:12] My name's Andrea Haynes. [17:13] I'm a landscape architect with Du Bois and King [17:16] and we have been working on this sidewalk feasibility study. [17:22] We started I think in the spring. [17:27] So on the project team [17:31] is the central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. [17:34] Ruben is here from there. [17:38] And like I said, I'm from Du Bois and King. [17:40] We're based in Randolph and then the town of course. [17:46] So Ryan and Cody have both been involved [17:50] along with some other folks. [17:52] So if you haven't heard about this at all, this is a study [17:57] to look at the possibility of putting sidewalks in [18:02] in the orange dash is the general project area. [18:05] So we're looking at putting in a sidewalk [18:09] between the schools [18:11] and then also from the school area into the village. [18:16] So finding a safe route from that area to the village [18:24] and the potential routes, well what a feasibility study is. [18:28] So this is part of a, a larger multi-step process [18:34] where you have to do either a feasibility [18:36] or a scoping study. [18:38] Feasibility study is a little bit shorter, [18:40] a little bit less detail, [18:42] but depending on [18:46] what v vRAN says you can, it's a, it is a step [18:50] that you usually do a scoping study [18:53] which is a little more detailed [18:54] but we can sort of skip a another study [18:58] 'cause we've done most of the work. [19:00] So we can hopefully go straight to construction documents [19:05] with a few more reports and things that vRAN requires [19:10] before they'll approve any money [19:12] for these kinds of projects. [19:15] And at the beginning we have, we want a lot of public input. [19:20] We did have two meetings already [19:24] where we went over, we just got everybody's feedback called [19:27] the local concerns meeting [19:28] and then we did an alternatives presentation. [19:31] So this is actually our final presentation. [19:35] And so as it goes on, more public input later as it goes on, [19:40] less public input, more cost. [19:44] So the different alternatives that we looked at were [19:48] just the connection between the schools. [19:50] So that's what you see in the blue line. [19:53] So we're calling that alternative number one. [19:56] And then we were looking at the possibility of [19:59] Construction Hill Road. [20:02] I'm sorry I have a cold. [20:05] So either two possibilities on there, [20:07] either the north or the south side. [20:10] And then the third alternative we looked at is [20:14] in the orange line. [20:15] So that's Brush Hill and Brook Street. [20:19] So two possible alternatives on that one as well. [20:23] Two sub ones. So just real quick, [20:26] you probably all are familiar with these roads. [20:29] This is just what it looks like [20:32] on Brush Hill slash Hebert Road between the schools. [20:37] There's actually good amount of space. [20:40] I know it's a big concern with snow [20:42] safety in the winter for the kids. [20:45] 'cause there's a lot of kids that go from [20:48] the middle high school to the elementary school [20:50] to pick up younger brothers and sisters [20:52] or get picked up from there together. [20:58] So this is, we, we were looking at, you know, what it fit [21:03] and it was, it's pretty evident [21:05] that it should be on the east side [21:07] 'cause that's the side, the schools they're on. [21:11] And we study things in section two here. [21:15] So we're looking at the grades. [21:18] We actually, I think there was a previous project [21:20] where they had widened the road in hopes [21:23] of doing a sidewalk at some point. [21:25] So there's actually a good bit of space, [21:29] not too many technical challenges when it comes to putting [21:34] a sidewalk in. [21:36] There are some slopes either going up as you can see on [21:40] that first section or some slopes, you know, going down, [21:45] which is not too difficult to deal with. [21:50] Just some regrading might be needed. [21:55] So the strengths of actually building this one is that [22:01] it would, you know, greatly improved safety [22:04] for kids obviously by having, [22:08] what we were looking at was a curved, a raised sidewalk. [22:13] Not a ton of utilities along here. So that's great. [22:17] There are some slopes, there's a little bit of tree [22:21] and brush removal, that kind of thing. [22:23] But not a lot of difficulty. [22:25] It's pretty easy to get a sidewalk in here. So that's great. [22:31] Construction hill. So what, what we did here is that [22:36] doing the sidewalks between the schools is like priority. [22:40] Like that's a pretty much a yes. Let's do that. [22:44] And then the next question really is in addition to that, [22:49] would it be better to go on Construction Hill [22:51] or on Brook Street? [22:53] So that's really the question here that we were looking at. [22:57] So this is just the conditions on Construction Hill Road. [23:04] There are some narrow areas, there's some steep slopes, [23:08] there's a lot of catch basins, there's a lot of [23:11] stormwater infrastructure that would need [23:14] to be updated and placed. [23:16] That's some of the challenges. [23:20] So what we looked at, looked at either doing [23:25] part of the route on the south side [23:28] and then moving up to the north side [23:32] and then also actually continuing down to [23:37] Main Street and Meadow Street [23:39] because that's a, that's a route that a lot [23:42] of kids take is they actually then go down Meadow Street. [23:46] So we were looking at also making some crosswalks [23:49] and improvements there, like reducing this, [23:54] do I have, so like bumping this curve out. [23:58] 'cause right now it's really, really wide. [24:00] So making that a shorter crossing. [24:05] There is a lot of stormwater issues [24:08] with water entering properties on this side [24:10] because it's all slows down once you get that way. [24:16] There were some blind corners. [24:18] That was why we were looking at [24:20] the south side of the street. [24:22] And then in section, the strengths of youth [24:27] of taking this route are that a lot [24:29] of the kids already walk this way to get [24:32] to the village from school area. [24:36] We're not hemmed in with a river like we are on Brook [24:39] Street, which is a big challenge. [24:41] There's less traffic on Construction Hill, [24:43] which is probably the reason kids already take it. [24:47] Doing construction here would also mean [24:51] you have the opportunity to update the stormwater [24:53] infrastructure that's there. [24:55] The challenges are that all of [24:57] that stormwater infrastructure is there [24:58] and it's very expensive to redo [25:01] that for this option. [25:05] Crossing the road a bunch of times is less than ideal. [25:11] And yeah, there's a challenge when you come, [25:15] when you're crossing Main Street, [25:16] there's not good sight lines there. [25:22] Construction Hill is also steeper, [25:24] especially when you get close to Main Street [25:27] because it's very steep. [25:30] So looking at B, [25:32] this would be keeping the sidewalk on the north side [25:36] the whole time except when you need [25:38] to cross right at the intersection of Main Street. [25:43] So again, this is the route most of the kids are taking. [25:47] The advantage of doing it on the north side is that we would [25:52] put a swale on the, we [25:56] would put a swale on this side of the sidewalk [26:02] and manage and capture the stormwater [26:05] before it comes onto the road versus [26:09] you capture it passes road and neither. [26:14] So if you have to build into the hill [26:17] or if you have to build down the slope, they are kind of, [26:23] it's like six to one half dozen of the other, [26:25] whether you're on the north side [26:27] or the south side, it's, there's not a lot [26:29] of advantages like technically or costwise. [26:33] So that's not the biggest consideration here. [26:38] We did in the discussions with, at the alternatives meeting, [26:43] we did identify this as the preferred alternative [26:48] to take Construction Hill and to have it on the north side. [26:51] This is what we identified as the preferred. [26:55] And this is just a little closeup of [26:56] what I was talking about with this intersection. [26:59] So right now you can just barely see this curve, [27:03] this black gray line. [27:05] It's really wide, which makes it a really long crossing [27:08] distance for here and also here. [27:11] So this green that's showing that [27:14] pushed out further into the roads so [27:16] that pedestrians don't have as far to go. [27:20] And as you see there's a crosswalk here [27:23] and then coming down here makes this, [27:26] this is a safer crossing [27:28] because cars are coming down this pretty quickly [27:32] and it's like a blind turn as well. [27:35] So this we just think is much safer. [27:39] Safer versus people crossing up here [27:45] and then just, this is not our preferable alternative. [27:48] But we did look at this and the challenges [27:51] with Brook Street. [27:53] I'm sure you all will know there's bridge, [27:55] there's the river, there's a lot of houses, there's a lot [27:59] of utilities, a lot of driveways. [28:03] Houses are really close to the road. [28:04] So it's very, it would be very challenging. [28:07] We'd also need to put in like a pedestrian bridge to cross [28:11] Stevens branch once you get on the [28:15] brush hill section. [28:19] So it's very narrow. Many driveways. [28:21] There would also be a conflict if you brought the sidewalk [28:24] all the way to here with the parking lot of the library. [28:29] We did look at an A and a B option, A being to just have [28:33] a sidewalk the entire way [28:35] and around the corner at the library, [28:38] this is what it would look like. [28:40] And as you can see, we're really getting hemmed in [28:42] by the Stevens River in two different scenarios here. [28:46] Depending on where you look in section, [28:51] it is, the road itself is relatively flat, [28:53] but there's a lot you're just M in. [28:59] It's very narrow. We did also look at this option B of [29:05] building a sidewalk and then crossing near Tiffany Drive [29:08] and then just directing pedestrians to walk [29:11] through Memorial Park. [29:15] Which, you know, it's still, it has disadvantages [29:19] because of the bridge. [29:20] And so this is where you'd, [29:22] there's another bridge right here. [29:23] So you'd have to put in a pedestrian [29:24] bridge 'cause it's too narrow. [29:27] And then this is not the best to have a midblock [29:32] crossing for safety reasons. [29:34] Plus again, we have high speeds coming around a corner. [29:38] Midblock crossing, it's not, it's not ideal. [29:43] So just looking at that in section, [29:45] that would be where the crossing is. [29:48] And you can see we're hemmed in by the river. [29:50] And so we decided [29:53] that was not the best alternative. [29:56] So as I said, alternative two B [30:01] was the preferred alternative. [30:04] And these are very, very preliminary construction costs. [30:10] So this is very conceptual level design. [30:14] But this just gives you an idea of like the level of [30:18] cost we're talking about. [30:21] As you can see, you know, there's not really any difference [30:23] between two A or two B. [30:26] Taking Brush Hill [30:27] and Brook Street would be the most expensive [30:29] because we'd have to put in a bridge. [30:33] The good news is that just adding the sidewalk [30:37] between the schools is our, is the lowest cost [30:41] project that we'd be looking at. [30:42] Which I know was, was the priority for the safety. [30:48] And yeah, this is still very preliminary. [30:51] Don't get to hung up on those numbers. [30:56] So the next steps for this project is [31:00] the select board has to formally accept our study [31:05] that we've done and then [31:09] you all will determine, you know, which projects you'd like [31:12] to move forward with and then coordinate with V Trans about [31:17] the process that you would need to do with them. [31:21] Since this wasn't a formal scope and study. [31:25] So you might need to do, you know, you could skip right [31:28] to the design and construction, but just have to go back [31:30] and do archeological and historic resources [31:34] because that wasn't a part of this project. [31:36] And that's like a required step. [31:38] I thought we got an email about the [31:40] Archeological that we did. [31:45] Like a very superficial Okay. [31:47] Yeah, that was like a very, very superficial one. [31:50] That's not a full study. Yeah. Yeah. [31:56] Any questions? What kind of money are we talking [31:59] for the, for the options. [32:02] How much? Oh here I can go back to that. [32:05] Can't see it from here. Oh, I'm sorry. [32:07] I could tell from dollars. So a little higher. [32:10] So for alternative one, that's the sidewalk [32:13] between the schools. [32:16] That's 800,000, 800. [32:21] So take that with a really, really big grain of salt though [32:26] that we, we always put in like [32:29] 20% contingency, [32:31] extra escalation like we put in just so people aren't like, [32:36] oh it's only gonna be a hundred and it turns out to be 400. [32:39] We always like pad it a lot. [32:43] That's the upper end. So What's that? [32:45] That's the upper end. [32:46] Yeah, I would, I can't say for sure [32:50] but yeah, we try to, you know, [32:55] yeah, so nobody gets stickers shock later. [32:57] We always add like contingency percentages. [33:01] I think we put, what do we put, [33:05] 30% contingency? [33:08] No, 20% because we just don't know what we don't know [33:11] until you really start doing survey. [33:15] Like this was a, this is a very conceptual level project [33:20] that we did here. [33:22] We didn't have surveys. [33:24] We're just using like what's available data [33:27] online basically. [33:28] So we, you know, there could be surprises. [33:32] And then so alternative two, that's the two options [33:36] for Construction Hill I, the north side of South side, [33:39] they both came in the same 1.5 million, which includes [33:44] redoing the entire road, redoing a bunch [33:47] of stormwater infrastructure also [33:50] with the giant contingency on top. [33:55] And then alternative three, [33:58] which is Brook Street Brook and Brush Hill. [34:02] Either, either option is 1.6 million. [34:07] So that's also up there. [34:13] Which we determined is not what's best for safety. [34:17] Yeah. Is [34:19] There, has there been any talk, the plan in there [34:22] to put those pedestrian squashers down on Main Street? [34:26] It's already, [34:28] Yeah, I think we did put that in our final report, which [34:33] I'm not sure if the town puts that up on the website. [34:38] Like once the report is done, if, if people can look at it. [34:40] Yeah. Yeah we, we have definitely [34:44] recommended those many places [34:47] and I think that's in this report too. [34:52] I I be a problems [34:54] and kids coming down construction go with that bad corner. [34:57] That's a bad intersection to start with on 14. [35:01] Yeah, That's a bad intersection to start with [35:04] and I don't know how you're gonna [35:05] slow the traffic down there. [35:07] Well that's what you were talking about with the flashers. [35:10] Yeah. Yeah the, the pedestrians mean [35:12] If they don't have an electrical shock system in [35:14] it's probably not gonna work. [35:17] I know we allowed do that rapid flushing but [35:21] You know what I'm saying. [35:22] Yeah, yeah I know. [35:25] I mean the kids are already crossing there. Right. [35:28] Some they should be crossing down towards the pub mar [35:33] towards Depot Street, but yeah, away from that corner. [35:37] So [35:40] Yeah, Having lived up there for a lot of years, [35:45] sometimes the children come down [35:48] and walk down towards the library [35:50] and cross between the six to four [35:54] and others dance across the road between the car. [36:01] And that's always been something in the back [36:05] of my mind fixed. [36:08] We're finally getting there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. [36:13] It's slow progress. [36:17] The did that bridge on 64, [36:23] they reread the traffic down through by the church [36:27] and bank parking lot. [36:30] Now does the state of the town own any of that property [36:32] or is that all still private property? [36:35] A church, It's like a park there [36:37] now belongs to the church. It does belong [36:39] To the church. Yeah. [36:40] Yeah. Okay. So what I was thinking that's [36:43] where the road should have stayed to begin [36:45] with when they changed it over [36:47] because it might eliminate a lot of future problems [36:50] but disagree with you. [36:51] Yeah and I don't know why it never was. [36:54] I was thinking that might be a good option [36:56] to get the kids across the road, you know, out of the, out [36:59] of the way because they gotta slow down to that corner. [37:03] Are you saying that we have to redo the [37:06] bridge on Brook Street? [37:08] They already has a sidewalk, not the Brook Street. [37:12] It would just be the one above it. There's a small bridge. [37:15] Yeah, yeah, no I know it from the right here on Brush Hill. [37:19] Yeah, on Brush Hill. Okay. [37:21] So that, and it's too narrow to add a sidewalk. [37:23] So what we would, you can either put in a whole new [37:27] vehicular end pedestrian bridge [37:29] or you can just build a small pedestrian bridge [37:32] of guns still, [37:35] Right? [37:36] Well it is, it is still there. [37:37] What it is is a pipe piece cover. [37:39] That's where the town water line run right across my [37:42] property and across the thing. [37:43] That little foot bridge was left of it. [37:45] It's still there. It used [37:46] To be one years ago. It [37:47] Is still there. Yeah, it's still there. [37:49] It saved Walk Pass was there, [37:52] I walked around Was the side they preferred [37:54] Walked. [37:57] Oh yeah. Nothing but the styrofoam on top of the I beam [37:59] and the grass and some trees. [38:02] It's still there. [38:05] We did a lot of work for uni for back when they had to [38:08] ation stuff up there. [38:12] I think the safest route in my opinion would be [38:15] to do the construction hill route. [38:17] But I would keep everything on the south side. [38:23] I mean it's kinda like east side, no, [38:27] no go against the universe. [38:29] Property land. But the opposite side road [38:33] come down along the Rush Hill Hebert Road [38:36] in the Rush Hill intersection [38:38] and then go over to the, to the, [38:42] to the elementary school side of Construction Hill. [38:46] Then keep, stay on that side all the way down through, [38:49] there's all kinds of drainage systems manholes [38:53] or the new first cleanup that goes [38:55] to a pump station down below. [38:57] I don't believe they much disturbed that. [39:00] Where is, where's this? [39:01] It's all the catch basin that you're talking about. [39:04] It would be on the opposite side [39:05] of Road Elementary school on Construc Hill [39:08] on the same side as, [39:09] Oh here there's the map [39:12] This called duffle whatever it is. Street [39:16] Talking to have to come down here [39:17] and along this side instead of the upper [39:19] Side. [39:20] So you're saying they have drainage structures on [39:23] that North's all drain along that side all the way [39:25] Down this side route drainage that's all's down [39:29] through here to a pump stations down behind. [39:32] Yeah, the pump stations right behind [39:33] My house. [39:34] So you're not, they won't even let you touch that. [39:36] Yeah, I would come across then go this way. [39:39] Stay on this side all the way down through [39:42] where you get down past. [39:43] That's where they said there go back up [39:45] And then back down again. [39:46] Would you get down past High Street which was here? [39:49] Yeah, the bank is very steep comes right. [39:52] Yeah. That's why we had to switch sides. Yeah, [39:54] We'd go across the other side just I'd sta right on this [39:57] side all the way to Brook. [39:59] Yeah, you don't have to cross high street with kids. [40:01] You don't have to cross see one the kids. [40:03] And it's could be just as like you said, [40:05] just the same amount of work [40:06] to do it on low side or out or the upper side. [40:08] Yeah. Yeah. You have to Do a ready walk wall. [40:10] Yeah, retain wall of some sort. [40:12] And what I would do is when you got down on the 14, [40:16] I would try to locate that crosswalks somewhere halfway [40:19] between Brook Street, construction Hill rather than so close [40:21] to Construction Hill on the spot that works. [40:24] That gets kids farther away from that intersection. [40:27] Both intersection for [40:28] Sure. [40:29] Yeah. So I know there, there was talk of eventually [40:34] connecting, like completing the sidewalk all the way from [40:40] along Main Street to connect all the way from Construction [40:43] Hill to Brook Street. [40:44] Like to actually have a complete to [40:46] Go up the Library eventually, right? [40:48] I don't think you can't, you can't make a crossing [40:50] that close to the intersection mean [40:53] that's a interstate access road. [40:56] We're not gonna let you put a crossing right [40:58] at the Brooks intersection. [40:59] You're gonna have to move it back, back away from that [41:03] Intersection. [41:04] I would say Rob, if you went to the north side [41:06] of the library in that area, [41:08] Yeah. [41:09] I don't know how it would land on [41:11] somebody's driveway across the road, [41:12] but figure out a way to make it work [41:14] and somewhere that area between s [41:17] and library so it doesn't come into somebody [41:21] directly into somebody's driveway and the side. [41:26] Yeah, You do you have a photo of that area? [41:30] Not between, not between. [41:34] Wait actually I do [41:38] That kind Of shows here. Yeah, [41:42] That's the library right there. [41:43] So you have cross like [41:44] Here. [41:45] So you're saying right there, that [41:46] Driveway on there, that Cheryl's trailer [41:49] Find, find a place somewhere where was, [41:53] was it coming into the driveway? [41:58] So you could do it near The fire hydrant. You won't [42:00] Do parking there, anything Not, [42:03] we're not gonna be able, they won't let you [42:05] put it right on the intersection. [42:06] I know for sure, but maybe like that's the driveway. [42:11] So just like, like in here something [42:16] have the crosswalk there, [42:17] the other sidewalk is already in place. [42:19] Another side room [42:24] About the, like we did contact [42:30] this, the civil engineering company [42:32] who worked on the capping [42:36] and the environmental remediation for the universe. [42:39] Universe site. [42:42] Yeah, we, we did tell 'em about this project [42:46] and we asked 'em like, is there any [42:50] regulations or requirements like that we need to stay [42:54] a certain distance away from like the edge [42:57] of the property or anything. [42:59] And they said there's not So as long [43:02] as we're still in the right of way up here [43:08] or are you saying that we would, [43:10] I know for sure 'cause we put it in [43:12] End up hitting the, there's sewer, [43:19] they have a sewer right [43:20] Through Here. Yeah. Okay. [43:23] Cars probably know as much as anybody. [43:25] It comes away, goes all the way down this side there. [43:28] All right. The ditch line, [43:29] you'll see some manholes down there. [43:31] Yeah. Goes down this area here somewhere. [43:36] There's a tank that comes across the road down [43:40] Clayton's place, pump station, that's all, [43:44] all drainage systems, drainage, pipe crush, stone manholes. [43:49] And that's a separate system from the town that that, [43:52] that collects all the first contamination if there's any [43:57] who carries down to that filtration. [44:00] Okay, so there's a special filtration system down. [44:02] So they, they're not gonna let you mess [44:03] that I'm sure. Yeah, [44:05] Well It's right, it's right like the [44:07] road edge and road here. It's like, [44:09] Okay halfway. [44:11] So I mean we can, we can go back to calling [44:15] But you got plenty of road on the other side. [44:16] Option A the preferred. Yeah. [44:18] The reason we, we wanted to, we can't, [44:22] we can't put a sidewalk in over here [44:25] because the, the, the properties drop off [44:28] and this garage is super close to the edge of the road [44:32] so we had to switch over to the north side. [44:35] So we didn't love the idea of, you know, [44:40] the more times you make people cross back [44:41] and forth over a road, the less likely they're gonna do it. [44:44] You could build that up for you [44:46] where rock haul retain while fits on it. [44:50] Sidewalk [44:52] This building, I'm not sure. [44:54] So yeah, we don't look at, at this level of study, [44:59] we don't actually get like the right of way. [45:03] We don't have like perfectly accurate information on, [45:07] you know, is that building in the right of way [45:09] or is it like where the right of way is? [45:12] That was recently built not too long ago. Oh that's [45:15] Been there since I was a kid. [45:16] Oh, that garage. Which building are you talking [45:18] About? Roland Ion's garage. [45:19] There's right here there's a Little garage. [45:21] The ion's gun shop was oh [45:23] Ion's scratch. [45:24] That's been there I saw about the other one. [45:29] So yeah, we just don't like that [45:34] that level of detail would be like in, in a phase [45:38] where you're actually getting a survey done. [45:41] So finding out like exactly where [45:45] the universe structures are, finding out exactly [45:48] where the right of way is versus the existing pavement. [45:52] Like those kinds of things would be, you know, [45:57] so study closer [45:58] In as we were doing this. [45:59] Right. I ideally, [46:01] ideally it's just on one side all the way down to the end. [46:06] Right? That's ideal. Yeah. So there's no crossings. [46:09] So our thought was, and again this [46:11] what you're talking about Larry, we saw those [46:13] 'cause they came through not too long before we did the walk [46:17] and you could see where they dug up the covers [46:19] and were doing testing or whatever they were doing. [46:23] But I, I think for us, everybody that was involved in this [46:26] and the other public meetings we had, [46:29] that was the ideal kind [46:30] of main choice was keeping it on one side. [46:33] Now if we get to the point where they start to go [46:35] to the next step and say, hey, the state whoever says yeah [46:41] actually you can't do that. [46:44] This would then be the fallback. [46:48] You plan on the fallback [46:49] because they gonna let you go whole [46:52] that whole drainage system [46:54] That that and I think you're opening up another bag [46:55] of worms if you start digging around that, [46:59] that place been contaminated for those years. [47:01] Nobody wants to take that responsibility [47:04] Where they paved it, they cleaned it up and paved it. [47:07] You can't even put a shovel on the ground. Yeah, yeah, yeah. [47:09] This is down below that. [47:10] This is down where the contamination's being picked up. [47:14] But I Don't think this is any [47:16] of it's gonna be real all not relevant [47:18] 'cause I don't think States's gonna let us have school here [47:20] in another couple weeks. [47:22] And, and again this is, I really don't, [47:24] This is, I really do believe Williamstown is probably [47:27] gonna lose your schools and this probably isn't [47:32] Distinctly doesn't want Williamstown [47:33] to have their own school anyway. [47:35] No, no. But I think [47:37] that's gonna be our next fight on our hands [47:39] before we worry about whether or not we put a [47:42] Now Sidewalk in for [47:44] Em. [47:45] Right. Let's, let's put it this way, if you put it in, [47:47] I'm pretty sure that not stay. [47:50] Oh yes, yes. I'm just saying if we don't have, [47:53] there's no kids up there going to school, [47:56] Well there, there still would be at the high schools [47:59] 'cause you have middle school at [47:59] least, so that won't go away. [48:01] You just wanna have the high school. If that happened, [48:04] you just wanna have the high school. [48:05] So again, this is a multi-year, like [48:08] construction wouldn't happen for [48:09] at least probably a couple years. [48:10] And then it would be in phases. [48:12] So you'd have the blue just connecting the two schools. [48:14] That would be phase one, get that done first, [48:17] then it would move on in sections from there. [48:21] And I totally get what you're saying, Scott, [48:24] that's a definitely a big concern. [48:26] But like I just, [48:28] my my opinion is I think it's still worth it [48:30] to con at least start continue with this [48:34] and connect the two schools [48:35] because we, the elementary schools' going anywhere [48:38] and we still have the middle [48:39] school that's not going anywhere. [48:41] And that's the biggest safety issue as far [48:43] as everybody we've talked to is is [48:46] that section the kids walking down between the two schools? [48:51] Oh yeah. I see a lot more people walking along [48:53] Edge Province. [48:55] Yeah. Exercising more the older people. Right. [48:58] And even if that school gets shut down, [49:01] the high school part of it, they're going to, I mean it goes [49:04] to the town or whatever, somebody's gonna rent it out [49:06] for something and there's gonna be people, [49:09] you know, sidewalk's always useful. [49:11] What's the plan for funding those projects? [49:15] I think part of that is on Ruben's end. Yeah. [49:18] So there are multiple state federal grant programs. [49:24] You generally, generally looking at [49:28] 20% match. [49:30] So the town put up 20% total cost, [49:33] whether 80 come from in state of federal. [49:37] Some of 'em times you can find the 10% left other [49:48] Friendship Still expensive. [49:51] But is is it worth, you know, the safety of the kids [49:55] and the people in town, you know, [49:58] because that is a constant complaint [50:00] and concerns that I've had is the kids walking down [50:03] that side there and I mean they're right, [50:05] they're right on your call. [50:07] You know, one kid gets pushed, one kid slips. [50:10] I mean does is it gonna take a kid getting run over [50:12] for us to do something about it? Like [50:14] I've seen, I've seen kids get pushed [50:16] because they used to drop my grandkids, [50:18] pick up my grandkids up there at the high school. [50:22] I've seen kids being pushed and Oh yeah. [50:25] Ending up in the road between the two schools. Yeah. [50:29] And they need some, [50:33] I'm not really crossing guards, [50:34] but they need somebody supervising the walk between [50:38] the schools and maybe teaching these kids [50:40] what their folks should taught 'em from, [50:44] you know, how do you act in public? [50:48] But they are kids so you know, what are you gonna do? [50:51] But there is definitely the long term thought [50:54] of is there gonna be a lot of use there, you know, as far [50:57] as this other stuff for sure. [50:59] But yeah, my, I think right now we just have to decide on [51:03] do we move ahead with the planning process and what route? [51:07] And then again it would be we, [51:08] because we can always do, we do the a, the the two schools [51:12] and then we decide and that might, that's gonna be two, [51:15] three years down the road, whatever it's gonna be. [51:17] And by that time the state says X, Y, Z [51:19] and we go, okay, well now we're not gonna continue [51:20] with the rest of the sidewalk. [51:22] We can, we can choose to do that. We do it in pieces. [51:25] So you talked about doing a sidewalk [51:27] between the two schools and to go nowhere [51:30] Just to connect the two schools [51:31] because there's a lot of kids [51:33] that walk from the middle high school down [51:36] and either get picked up [51:37] or they pick up their siblings at the elementary school. [51:40] Yeah, I mean I feel like if anything I, [51:43] my opinion would be that to do [51:45] between the two schools if you think kids will take either [51:48] route, whichever, whether we put a sidewalk [51:50] on one side or the other. [51:52] Right. I think kids are gonna go whichever way they want. [51:54] Yep. But I do agree as a past student [51:58] and to a parent that [51:59] between the two schools if is probably more dangerous than [52:03] having a full cycle with that. [52:09] I don't think this option of going down through [52:12] by the veterans park in between the bank [52:14] and the church is very good. [52:15] We got people backing in and out the bank. [52:17] Last thing idea, the church didn't know [52:19] what that happen else. [52:21] Yeah. Let's there, let's there the church property [52:24] or town property, once you get to the veterans place [52:28] and that's, and then it be, we'd be crossing the road [52:31] right on right around that s [52:35] Yeah. [52:36] Yeah. The 25 mile an hour that nobody does. [52:40] I stay, stay totally on the library side of it. Hmm. [52:46] Yeah, They did put a sidewalk section on the [52:50] bridge on that side. [52:53] They did? Yeah. [52:58] Okay. Any other questions? [53:00] Anybody else have any questions [53:02] for her sometime for [53:06] Coming in? [53:07] Oh yeah, you're very welcome. And [53:08] Like I said, this is the first step [53:10] and you know, you all have a lot of decisions [53:15] To make. [53:16] Do you need stuff from us tonight? [53:18] Like any decisions on stuff tonight or [53:20] If you can just formally say [53:24] we accept your, your study. Thank you. [53:26] That includes everything. Just, [53:28] Just our study. Yeah, like the [53:30] Document, the study in general. [53:31] Yeah. Okay. Yeah. [53:32] So you don't need the like I think we're [53:34] picking this route tonight. Just [53:35] No. [53:36] Okay. No, and yeah, even, [53:38] even if you said we picked this route tonight, [53:40] you're still not obligated to do that. [53:43] Pursue that. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. [53:45] Yeah. Okay. So [53:49] Yeah, I, I would just make sure for clarity's sake, [53:52] that accepting the study doesn't create any future [53:55] obligations on the part of the town. [53:57] Yep. It just says, yep, you see that you did the work [54:01] and we accept the work [54:05] that has been done to, [54:09] Okay, so do we need to make a motion? [54:13] Okay, so I just, I make a motion [54:15] that we accept the feasibility study from Du Bois and King. [54:20] Yeah. I'll second that motion page second [54:23] any further discussion. [54:26] So you'll be coming back after do some more homework on [54:28] the universe thing and stuff. [54:32] Okay. I don't, I'd say I'm right [54:33] but I'm pretty sure I have, I'm, [54:36] I don't have it's sacred ground up [54:38] there. You can't touch it. [54:39] Well I don't know if that's necessarily true though [54:41] because I don't know, three, four [54:42] or five years ago the universe was gonna sell that property [54:46] to the town for a dollar so kids could park [54:49] Read the, Because then the town would [54:51] be responsible for Exactly. [54:52] You read the covenant It. No, no, I know I'm saying you [54:55] Can't touch nothing even said [54:58] No to it. [54:59] I know they did uni first wants to pan [55:01] that land off faster than they can keep it. [55:04] Absolutely. You can't put a shovel [55:07] in the ground anywhere is up there. [55:10] Okay. They'll give it to you [55:11] for a dollar, but you can't do nothing. [55:13] So look at it basically. [55:16] Okay, so all in favor of the motion? [55:20] Aye aye. Aye. Opposed? I [55:23] Just have a question on the warrant [55:29] that now is this, we're gonna receive bills from the town [55:38] Once they, are you talking about the tax bill? [55:40] No, the one where the, where you did the warrants [55:46] for everybody and there was, [55:48] is there money on the library is questioning [55:54] what kind of bills? [55:56] Because we put in our budget for whatever this is, [56:01] if it is to do with the payroll. [56:03] And now if we get this bill again this bill [56:08] and it is over a thousand dollars. [56:12] What? Wait, what what Bill, [56:14] what bill are we talking about? [56:15] It's due with workman's comp and stuff. [56:18] Well that, that wasn't on many of these warrants. [56:21] Okay. She's, she's talking about warrant 22 2 0 9. [56:25] Okay. Really it's listed as due from library fund [56:29] on pages two [56:31] and three for passive [56:36] VLCT employment resource on page two, [56:40] it's almost due the bottom paying the packs of dues. [56:44] And then on the second page, [56:46] it's basically on the top quarter [56:47] and the bottom, we'll call it three quarter. [56:53] Which one are you talking about? [56:55] It's the Payroll warrant or [56:57] It's, it's, it's the warrant. [56:59] 2 2 2 0 9. [57:02] Alright, we got it on the second page. Second page. Okay. [57:07] If you go down all of the passives, [57:12] just tell where they go. [57:14] But the library says due from library fund [57:18] on the second page it's passive again it says if [57:21] where the account gives their explanation, you know, [57:25] once this property insurance, once this property casually. [57:28] The next one says due from library fund [57:30] and then the VLCT employment resource, [57:33] which is the very first one on that list [57:36] for the page three says due from library fund [57:39] where all the others just list unemployment [57:41] insurance is what she's talking about. [57:43] Okay. [57:59] Yeah, let me double check with Jen. [58:02] But I think those are just part of the, [58:04] the annual dues from, from our insurance company. [58:09] But let me, yeah, [58:14] so there's one for 687 7 [58:19] and one for $272 and one for [58:21] 72 50, 72. [58:25] That's the one That's the employment resource. Oh PC two? [58:30] Yeah. Let me, let me just double check [58:32] with the treasurer, we'll get that. [58:36] Okay. Because we put in our budget money for Yeah. [58:40] Everything and we get the figure. [58:42] No we have to figure from Jen. Okay. Like this. [58:45] We just couldn't figure out why we were, [58:47] how we should pay this just early in the year. [58:49] Okay. Yeah. Let me just double check. [58:51] I'm not entirely sure on the, [58:54] when the dues are supposed to go up. [58:59] And the other question I have Larry is [59:01] I don't see anywhere in here where [59:05] before there was a section where people could ask questions. [59:08] I don't see anything on the agenda here. [59:12] Public comment that are public questions. [59:15] I forgot what it was listed as where we can ask questions. [59:20] That was the last sideboard now public announcement, [59:24] open public comment. The [59:27] Only place that says public's [59:28] announcements where you could announce [59:30] Stuff. [59:31] Yeah, there used to be something in the, yeah, it used [59:32] to be something about the public comment. Public comment. [59:36] Public comment. Public comment. Yeah. [59:38] Review of open public comment. [59:40] That's just the review though should be right under that. [59:44] That's under set the agenda. [59:46] But that's reviewing and how we that Okay. [59:50] But there were missing one. [59:52] She's right, it was a public announcement. [59:55] It was in that area. It's not that one. [59:57] It was, I don't, I don't, I know you [59:59] Discuss Stuff. [1:00:00] It was like public. I think she's, [1:00:03] I think she's saying it used to be down. [1:00:05] Yeah it might've been down in here. [1:00:06] Was it before new business? [1:00:07] Maybe? I don't know where it was. [1:00:09] No it was, it was if you had all [1:00:11] of a sudden had questions about something that you had [1:00:14] to discuss and we listen [1:00:17] if you had a question sometimes that's [1:00:20] where you could bring it up. [1:00:21] Okay. You usually down towards, yeah, [1:00:24] I know exactly what you talked about. [1:00:25] Okay. I can add that look back at so [1:00:27] of old ones you should see it. [1:00:30] Okay. Thank you for bringing that up. Thank you. [1:00:38] Okay Brian you wanted to make [1:00:44] Yep. [1:00:45] For the board. Some [1:00:46] of you may know me, some of you may not. [1:00:49] I'm Brian Foster, I'm pretty much a lifetime resident here [1:00:52] in and I live on 3 9 9 DuPont Road [1:00:58] and what I'd like to bring to your attention [1:01:02] we're just maybe being open-minded to selling some property [1:01:07] up there where the tower water tower is [1:01:11] that land up there is owned by Williamstown. [1:01:14] I think it's 65 acres total where the water tower [1:01:17] Is And on the very south end of [1:01:21] that is my property, which is 3 9 9 Mont Road [1:01:25] and there's a section there, there's a field [1:01:29] that's sister's my, my property. [1:01:34] And I'm just looking at maybe if you guys would be [1:01:36] open-minded in selling it's roughly 25 acres. [1:01:41] I'm looking at, I don't know if you guys would be [1:01:46] open-minded to put it on the agenda to look at it [1:01:49] to see if you would want to sell a portion of that [1:01:54] and if so, how much you would want to sell it to. [1:02:00] I got some little bit of homework I did with a counselor, [1:02:05] but one option is about 13 acres. [1:02:09] Just the field area I'm looking at maybe some dividing, [1:02:12] put some houses up there. [1:02:14] Maybe in the future maybe I wouldn't do nothing. [1:02:19] But it is just something I'm kind [1:02:21] of interested in knowing whether you guys were on the south. [1:02:26] The other option was 25 acres, [1:02:30] but it's on the very south end of the 65 acres portion [1:02:36] that the town owns. [1:02:38] Is that right across from the turn to [1:02:40] Your road? [1:02:41] Yep, yep. Right across from me road, that one field. Right. [1:02:46] It's a field. It kind of looks, I'm looking, that's [1:02:48] what I'm looking at my phone for the map. [1:02:50] Go ahead. It kinda looks like a seven [1:02:52] If you look at the map like I'm looking [1:02:54] Yeah, I show you [1:02:58] Joined your property and Charlie Carrier's property [1:03:02] and water tower property, that was [1:03:05] where I think they gonna put in solar, [1:03:07] solar panels at one point it [1:03:09] Was, but I could And that that [1:03:11] Up about that for one time. [1:03:12] Right. That Rear road from 64. [1:03:17] This is the property right there. Yep. [1:03:18] And that's your property and this It's my property here. [1:03:21] Yep. Thank pretty much have that. Okay. Yeah. Okay. [1:03:25] Yeah to that or maybe just the field area, [1:03:29] but you know, maybe the future subdivided, which [1:03:35] maybe not do nothing at all. [1:03:37] I know for past experience, I don't exactly just [1:03:40] how it all works, but I'm pretty sure that if the town was [1:03:44] to sell any property, they would've to make it, [1:03:48] give it all adjoining land orders that bought [1:03:51] that opportunity to purchase it. [1:03:53] And we may have to even put it out [1:03:56] to bid if we decide to sell it. [1:03:58] Yeah. But I think that we, I think it reads, [1:04:01] if I remember right that the joining, when was [1:04:04] that first option to purchase it ship tell 'em, [1:04:07] decide that they wanted to sell it. [1:04:09] Yeah. But there's other things that we need to check into [1:04:11] as far as the water tower and the isolation area around it. [1:04:17] You may not be able to do it [1:04:18] and on it anyway if you wanted do [1:04:20] So. [1:04:21] Yeah. And if that's the case, [1:04:22] then nobody would want it anyway. [1:04:24] Right, right. So because I, I spoke to Alan [1:04:27] and Alan would probably say no to that idea. [1:04:31] I mean I don't know why but [1:04:34] We'd have to, we'd have to do some research on it [1:04:36] before we even thought about [1:04:38] whether we wanted to sell it or not. [1:04:40] Yeah. I don't know if that's something you can look into [1:04:44] and maybe come to the board at a later date [1:04:49] after we figure out. [1:04:50] Yep. Yeah, I'm just putting it out there [1:04:53] to see if you guys would be interested [1:04:54] or if it's even doable. Yeah. [1:04:56] Alright. It may, it may mean something you already want [1:04:58] after we [1:04:59] Find out what, yeah, it may not, [1:05:01] but just take it one step at a time [1:05:03] and if you guys decided you wanted to do something with it, [1:05:06] I could take it first and see if it's even worth building. [1:05:10] So like I said, there's a certain process we'd have to go [1:05:12] through in order to do it to be fair to everyone that's [1:05:17] Do you have an extra copy of that map that I can add [1:05:20] of the area you're looking at? [1:05:21] I can. I can give you these. Okay. Yeah. [1:05:27] But I'll give you everything that I got on. Okay. [1:05:29] I even got the, the value of the property, [1:05:31] I did a little homework on it. [1:05:33] Okay. Yep. I'll take, [1:05:42] appreciate it. [1:05:43] Thank you. [1:05:46] Okay, next item is set the tax rate. [1:05:48] Roy, you wanna us through that? [1:05:53] Yeah, so basically the bottom line [1:05:58] on the new tax rate is we're looking at [1:06:05] a 4.2% increase versus last year. [1:06:11] You can see kind of in the middle of the page [1:06:15] where it says budgeted proposed in 20 26, 27 [1:06:21] and the last fiscal year, the last column [1:06:23] where it says difference. [1:06:24] So on the first page you doctor [1:06:25] On the first page? [1:06:26] Yep. Yep. Where it says difference to go down to this, [1:06:30] this line here, [1:06:32] 0.042 is basically a 4.2% increase [1:06:36] over the tax rate from last year. [1:06:40] Can't hear you. What was the increase? 4.2%. [1:06:47] That's where the school Town. Yep. [1:06:52] How much is this? The town's portion of it? [1:06:56] I think that is just the town. Is the town Just 0.86. [1:07:01] Yes. Yep, you're right. [1:07:03] We don't have the school one yet. [1:07:08] Last year's school was 1.6, we were 0.81. [1:07:13] So we were BA basically half [1:07:15] Of the school Of Yeah. [1:07:18] Or ours was half. [1:07:20] I mean it's still, yeah it shows 2.4 6, 7 6 is what [1:07:24] the total the school in town and then this year. [1:07:27] So I don't know if the school budgets even, [1:07:30] I think they decide that at a later date. [1:07:33] That's a town meeting I believe when they put that through, [1:07:39] we have no say over that regardless. [1:07:40] So [1:07:59] Guess it is what it is. [1:08:01] Yeah. Yeah. Unfortunately [1:08:07] do better than a lot of towns. [1:08:08] I was gonna say, say that's double dig it increases. [1:08:10] Yeah, it's 0.8. [1:08:14] And the biggest increase was general funds. [1:08:16] So what was, I'm trying to think, [1:08:20] what do we do in the general fund [1:08:21] that was higher? Is that part of the road? [1:08:24] General fund? The road is separate. That's in the highway. [1:08:26] Highway fund is separate from general. [1:08:28] So something that's where [1:08:30] General fund includes libraries, [1:08:34] fire department, ambulance. [1:08:36] But it is, isn't that about [1:08:38] what our general fund went up was around 4%? [1:08:41] Well it's gotta be, I'm just saying like if you look at [1:08:43] the two differences, like all the different nothing, [1:08:45] There's nothing way outta whack. Yeah. No. [1:08:47] Previous they should, they should pretty much line up. [1:08:49] Yeah. Which, Yeah. [1:08:59] Okay. So what is the dollar amount that we need to prove [1:09:04] to make sure we get it right? [1:09:07] Is it a percentage or a dollar amount? [1:09:16] Amount? I think it's the percentage. [1:09:17] I think you were looking for a percentage rate or a 0.8. [1:09:20] Yeah. 86 cents. [1:09:22] Yeah. Percentage rate [1:09:24] 0.8603. [1:09:27] Zero zero. Three zero. [1:09:38] We have a motion on the, [1:09:43] No one wants to do it, but I'll do it. [1:09:45] I make a motion to bring the tax rate [1:09:49] to 0.86030 for the fiscal year [1:09:53] of 26, 27. [1:09:56] You got that right? Yeah, that's sir you're second. [1:10:00] I'll second it. Motion be seconded. [1:10:03] Any further discussion? All in favor? [1:10:07] Aye. Aye. Opposed? [1:10:11] Okay. [1:10:18] Okay, the next item is continuation [1:10:20] of the waves down Fast squad. [1:10:26] I'm gonna recuse myself right now. [1:10:28] Okay. There's been [1:10:33] correct me if I'm wrong, [1:10:35] but the Fast Squad [1:10:37] would like the fire department to take it over [1:10:42] It. [1:10:43] So the fire department has mentioned [1:10:46] that they would be willing to take over the Fast Squad [1:10:51] that their membership is willing to participate in, that [1:10:57] the membership of the Fast Squad solely the Fast Squad has [1:11:00] lost interest due to the fact that we're not getting called [1:11:03] nearly as frequent frequently as year one. [1:11:07] So I essentially, it's myself right now [1:11:10] and the fire department goes as well. [1:11:13] So the fire department's willing to [1:11:18] take over leadership of that leader department, [1:11:23] speak to that a little bit more. [1:11:25] Yeah, so we, when it was brought us about it, [1:11:31] I laid it out to the firemen and, [1:11:34] and in our meeting I asked everyone to attend. [1:11:39] Most everyone attended that night. I laid it all out. [1:11:43] What's, you know, what's being asked of us, if [1:11:48] had any interest in, you know, taking on the fast squad [1:11:52] as we know that we'd have to get some, some training and, [1:11:56] and so on so forth. [1:11:59] Laid out what my expectations would be if, [1:12:03] if the fire department was to take on and, [1:12:07] and at the end of the night was boat, you know, [1:12:10] I laid it out the boat, handed out a piece [1:12:12] of paper every one of 'em Came back to [1:12:16] four 14 to one 14. [1:12:18] Yes. One no about the fire [1:12:22] department pursuing it. [1:12:25] I know you and I had talked shortly [1:12:27] after that, shortly, shortly about it [1:12:30] and kind of sounded like it was going dead in the water. [1:12:36] Hadn't really done anything more with it than [1:12:41] last couple weeks ago. [1:12:43] When I heard that this was getting discussed again, [1:12:47] I brought it back up [1:12:49] and at that time I had asked again. [1:12:54] It was, it was the same, it was less people that night, [1:12:59] but it was the same majority. [1:13:02] And then I had 'em, you know, [1:13:04] after the names written right here, had them put a piece [1:13:08] of paper on the table [1:13:10] and had them put their names on for anybody [1:13:12] who was interested in doing it. [1:13:14] 'cause I said I wasn't gonna, I wasn't gonna work to get it [1:13:19] and work with work for Barry Town and to get this up [1:13:24] and going if nobody was gonna do it. [1:13:26] It's, you know, I think I got [1:13:30] 12 names down there now. [1:13:34] So where I'm out the fire department is, is [1:13:39] I would behalf to take on to benefit the community. [1:13:43] I am not, you know, a medical guru like some [1:13:46] of the others are here. [1:13:49] But I think, you know, I think it, it is a good thing [1:13:53] to consider continuing on for wind. [1:13:57] You know, bury found out on our call [1:14:03] or out on the transfer or, [1:14:05] or you know, if they're not housed here [1:14:10] because out doing other things. [1:14:13] I don't think kind of like it was set up before. [1:14:17] Originally it worked. [1:14:21] I think it, I think if I was the fire department was [1:14:24] to take on there, there would need to be some written [1:14:28] expectations laid out between area town and MS [1:14:33] and fire department and select board. [1:14:37] Because I'm not gonna put my guys through training, [1:14:41] getting them up, getting them up to enjoying it [1:14:44] and then have nothing to, you know, nothing to go to. [1:14:48] And I, you know, David could speak to Barry 10, I need mask, [1:14:52] but the misconception [1:14:54] of the ambulance is here 24 7 [1:14:57] unless it's out of Williamstown golf not happen. [1:15:01] So I'm looking at it like what's best for the community. [1:15:05] It, they're out doing something else. [1:15:08] I'm waiting for another ambulance to come in [1:15:11] from a different station, then we can help save a life [1:15:16] or stop the bleeding or do chest compression. [1:15:22] Try to make someone stay a little bit better until [1:15:24] the ambulance can get there [1:15:26] and then, then I support that. But [1:15:30] We do also think that the biggest probably issue [1:15:34] to make this work the best that we wanted it [1:15:36] to is we do have two different dispatching systems. [1:15:40] But I do think it gets confusing for various city dispatch [1:15:43] to tell the fire department versus the Fast Squad. [1:15:46] I think if we're all under one en entity, that might make [1:15:50] that communication a little bit better [1:15:51] for Berry City dispatch [1:15:53] because I think sometimes when Barry Town asks for help, [1:15:56] they don't know, might not know specifically with a go [1:15:59] and they're calling the fire department or the Fast Squad. [1:16:00] That's happened a few times. [1:16:05] For example, this trauma [1:16:07] that we had out here not too long ago [1:16:09] that broughted multiple ambulances, [1:16:10] but that's why they've been called to that. [1:16:12] The only reason I started to respond is when they called the [1:16:14] fire department for air support. [1:16:17] So I was like, well maybe I should do it, [1:16:18] but we were not called for that. [1:16:20] So I found that a little frustrating. [1:16:22] So I think there's just, there's a communication issue also. [1:16:26] But I think if we were one entity, [1:16:28] you know the fire department was [1:16:29] also fault for the accident. [1:16:31] The Fast Squad would've also essentially been there. [1:16:34] 'cause we've been trained as members [1:16:35] of the fire department, if that makes [1:16:38] Sense. [1:16:39] Just a clarifying question, real quick comment [1:16:41] On that One second Steve. [1:16:43] I, is it that Williamstown is [1:16:47] different dispatch than [1:16:49] This has been a problem since than Barry day one? [1:16:52] Yeah, but but that's, [1:16:53] and what you're talking about is Williamstown is a different [1:16:56] dispatch than Correct. Okay. Okay. I was just, [1:16:58] And I can't believe in this day [1:17:00] and age that everybody can't get on the same page. [1:17:04] This is a bunch of, [1:17:07] I agree And I think a lot of us are doing this web [1:17:10] of work also agree with that [1:17:12] Sometimes this this day [1:17:13] and age, this shouldn't be an issue. [1:17:15] And I don't know what the answer is but, [1:17:18] and I was talking to Ryan about this last week. [1:17:20] We're going to get to the bottom of it [1:17:22] and I'm gonna figure it out [1:17:23] because this has been going on now for two years. [1:17:26] Yeah. Now I've got a little issue. [1:17:30] Two months ago we needed an ambulance at the house. [1:17:34] It was over 20 minutes before an ambulance showed up. [1:17:40] The EMT that showed up was the ambulance was super, [1:17:44] that gal knew her crap. [1:17:45] Like you would not believe the driver of [1:17:48] that ambulance shouldn't have been driving a wheelbarrow [1:17:52] because he couldn't turn the ambulance around with me trying [1:17:57] to which, yeah, with me trying to guide him [1:18:00] because he wouldn't, it was raining in some [1:18:01] and he wouldn't roll his window down [1:18:03] enough so I could guide him back. [1:18:04] He was trying to do it on his own [1:18:05] and he definitely couldn't back up the mirrors. [1:18:09] So I have zero faith [1:18:13] in them right now because of that. [1:18:15] If my neighbor across the road was having a heart attack, [1:18:18] he'd be dead before they ever got there. [1:18:21] That really irritates the hell out of me. [1:18:25] We used to have an ambulance up at the house quite regular [1:18:28] and the longest we ever waited for one [1:18:31] was less than eight minutes. [1:18:35] That one was all volunteer with nobody supposedly [1:18:39] stationed here at the public safety building. [1:18:42] So I think that's a total disaster [1:18:47] and I was afraid of that from the get go. [1:18:51] And I'm still upset about it [1:18:52] and I probably will always be upset about it [1:18:55] and there's just no excuse for 'em. [1:18:58] If they can't be in it, we'll do something different. [1:19:04] But they shouldn't, we shouldn't [1:19:05] have 'em if they can't do it. I [1:19:07] Can tell you for sure what we had before wasn't working. [1:19:10] Well it worked, it worked for us at the house. [1:19:12] I'll tell you that every time we called for the ambulance, [1:19:14] like I said, it was less than eight minutes was [1:19:16] the longest one we ever waited. [1:19:18] And that was in the winter time [1:19:20] with snow on the road at midnight. [1:19:24] So that's my experience. [1:19:25] And it wasn't just a one or two shot deal [1:19:28] because my late wife had an ambulance come up quite regular. [1:19:33] Okay. So I, [1:19:34] I'm just saying the system right now is failing badly. [1:19:38] A lot worse than the old one did. [1:19:41] Well here, one of the [1:19:43] first time I ever heard anybody complain about [1:19:45] It. [1:19:46] Well obviously nobody said anything [1:19:47] Because before we were getting many, [1:19:49] many complaints about it. Yeah, [1:19:50] Well I never had a complaint before [1:19:52] and like I said, we lived way out of town [1:19:54] and there was always snow on the road in the wintertime [1:19:57] in the middle of the night because obviously a town truck [1:20:00] isn't going out around the clock. [1:20:03] I mean there's no need of it. [1:20:05] And you know, when you got six, seven inches [1:20:07] of snow on the road and the ambulance is there in less than [1:20:09] eight minutes, I'd say that's pretty good [1:20:13] Response time. [1:20:15] Yeah, I won't disagree with you on that. [1:20:19] I, when I, William and I had the discussion, my biggest fear [1:20:24] of this is we got a very good fire department, very young, [1:20:28] very energetic, good, good, good people. [1:20:32] A lot of towns watching on the news lately are struggling [1:20:35] to get volunteers for, to fill their fire departments. [1:20:40] I'm just afraid if you take on this, [1:20:44] everybody wants to do this. [1:20:46] All sounds great. We went through this [1:20:48] with the ambulance squad, we went through it [1:20:50] with the Fast Squad and a few months into it people start [1:20:56] dropping off and next thing you go, you got, [1:20:58] you don't have enough people to make it work. [1:20:59] Start with, I'm just worried that we would [1:21:04] burn out our good firemen taking [1:21:09] this on extra duty on, [1:21:12] and I dunno they was you Tyler, [1:21:16] I contacted Barry City dispatch to see how many [1:21:20] responses the PA squad was dispatched to. [1:21:23] How many they responded to, [1:21:24] how many they did not respond to. [1:21:26] The first page is, yes, this is the first page. [1:21:32] So lemme see, which was January 1st, 2025, [1:21:35] December 31st, 2025. [1:21:37] They responded. [1:21:43] I got that kind of reiterate pages [1:21:45] 16 calls, they responded to every single call [1:21:46] That that kind of reiterates what I just said. [1:21:48] 25, they responded to all of them. [1:21:51] And then this year there was 20 calls they responded to four [1:21:54] Membership. [1:21:55] Currently the active members that have one took over leading [1:22:00] Mont failure, one became a paramedic, it's left me, [1:22:04] I haven't been able to recruit anybody. [1:22:06] 'cause the last several calls that we've had, most [1:22:08] of the calls of this year have been left assist only. [1:22:12] So the fire departs getting called [1:22:14] for those anyway and then dissolve it. [1:22:16] The fire department's gonna get called for those. [1:22:18] I think it makes sense to, to combine them both [1:22:23] and increase their training. [1:22:25] They get first aid training [1:22:26] as a requirement anyway for the department. [1:22:28] So having a is basically the same thing. [1:22:32] Maybe adding a little bit more. [1:22:33] So it wouldn't really be any increased, like a large amount [1:22:38] of training to add to them to get them going. [1:22:44] But the response, the, like I, [1:22:46] year one we have like 10 members [1:22:48] and now I have pretty much me, [1:22:50] it's showing up when I'm available [1:22:52] and I can't be available 24 7. [1:22:54] But a lot of people stop because of what was being called [1:22:58] for lip assist or they went off [1:23:00] and furthered their career, [1:23:01] which is essentially what we want them to do. But, [1:23:06] So so you mentioned the majority [1:23:07] of the calls are Lyft assist for this year. [1:23:10] That's what Because, because this shows only [1:23:12] three Lyft assists. [1:23:14] This is 25 and this one's 26. [1:23:17] Yeah, this is 26 I 26 the first year. [1:23:21] Yeah, I know, but I'm, I'm just, [1:23:22] I'm just saying like you mentioned, [1:23:24] the majority is list assist, [1:23:25] but this only shows three lift assists out of the, [1:23:29] I guess it's technically 19, there's 20 calls, [1:23:32] but one of them was accidental dispatch. [1:23:33] So 1919 calls, [1:23:37] I don't know if, well some [1:23:39] of these we get auto turn tell the fire department. [1:23:41] So the fires, I would, [1:23:43] those ones we yes get called with the fire department. [1:23:49] We had some calls. Some [1:23:50] of these motor vehicle accidents might be the interstate [1:23:52] ones, which we've been dispatched to [1:23:53] and we're not supposed to go to. [1:23:56] And what Marie's saying about that, again, there's a qualm [1:23:58] between having two dispatchers. [1:24:02] Berry City wasn't getting contacted [1:24:04] and I, when I was getting this information, I was talking [1:24:06] to, I can't remember the gentleman's name, [1:24:08] it's listed on the sheet. [1:24:09] I don't have it obviously in my hand. [1:24:11] But Larry, the, the way the, if the public doesn't know, [1:24:14] the way the 9 1 1 system works, you dial 9 1 1, [1:24:19] it goes to a larger dispatcher. [1:24:22] So generally in Williamstown, that's Williston Vermont [1:24:25] Williston answers the phone says, where do you live? [1:24:29] Where's the call? Where is it on the interstate? [1:24:31] Then they type into the computer and get Bar City dispatch. [1:24:35] But I guess I learned this a day or two ago. [1:24:37] Lamo dispatch is also is called a psat. Yeah. [1:24:40] So if it goes just right to Lamo, they're gonna dispatch [1:24:44] and the caller says Hello, [1:24:47] I saw a car off the road on I nine near exit five. [1:24:50] Are there any injuries? No, there are no injuries. [1:24:52] Boom, fire department gets dispatched. [1:24:54] But if there are injuries, they're just going [1:24:58] to dis dispatch the ambulance [1:24:59] and then maybe the fire department [1:25:01] and then Berry City will say, okay, [1:25:03] well there's injuries, we're gonna send both. [1:25:05] There's just a lack of communication with all of that. [1:25:08] And I think [1:25:10] what happened when we got our new ambulance being two [1:25:12] different dispatch agencies. [1:25:15] Barry Berry City was both Williamstown ambulances [1:25:17] and Williamstown Fire Department's dispatcher. [1:25:20] So they both got dispatched correctly [1:25:22] because it was the same dispatching agency. [1:25:25] My previous career in Chitman County, [1:25:28] my department had a dispatcher. [1:25:30] The college had a dispatching agency. [1:25:32] The, I'll be honest, [1:25:34] south Burlington had a dispatching agency. [1:25:36] They all had different dispatching agencies. [1:25:38] But when I went to those other communities, I switched [1:25:41] to the channel of that, of that community. [1:25:44] So I'll be honest with everybody worked for Burlington, [1:25:47] Vermont Fire, [1:25:48] but if we had medical call at UVM, [1:25:50] they had their own dispatching frequency. [1:25:52] So we had to switch from our frequency in Burlington, [1:25:54] which was called Abel to UVMs to talk to the UVM ambulance. [1:25:59] And that's the big concern with a lot of this. [1:26:02] And what I was very surprised [1:26:04] with when I looked at all the data, [1:26:07] the Fast Squad was never dispatched to any cardiac arrests. [1:26:11] And you know, I brought this, so again, [1:26:14] the public can see this is, it's called team focused CPR. [1:26:18] So it's also off anyone's a NASCAR fan. [1:26:21] It's called PIT who CPR. That's actually in the protocol. [1:26:24] So CPR has changed significantly over the years where [1:26:29] every two minutes. [1:26:30] So it's a 30 to two compressions to breaths. [1:26:35] After that two minutes, the person doing chest [1:26:38] compressions has to rotate. [1:26:40] And that reason for that is physical stability [1:26:43] of the person doing compressions. [1:26:46] I cannot believe we have not had a cardiac, [1:26:48] and I don't want to say we've had, [1:26:49] I don't want cardiac arrest to have in our community. [1:26:52] The whole point of that is when CPR is being performed, [1:26:55] it's being performed at the highest level. [1:26:57] And this came out of Seattle, Washington [1:26:59] where they started doing this [1:27:00] and Vermont accepted this protocol [1:27:03] I would say maybe a decade ago. [1:27:06] So it it, I don't understand [1:27:11] how an ambulance that I do believe, [1:27:12] and I Dave can tell me, I'm not sure how, [1:27:16] I think there's two to three people on our ambulance [1:27:18] that are stationed in Williamstown. [1:27:20] But realistically you need five to seven to be doing CPR. [1:27:24] So the fast squad was never dispatched over the last two [1:27:27] years to a cardiac arrest. [1:27:30] And is that the best care [1:27:32] for the person in the most significant pain? [1:27:35] I've been doing EMS since I was 16 [1:27:38] and I'm not patting myself on the back. [1:27:40] I've had two CPR saves both in Burlington, Vermont [1:27:43] and one in my current employer where there was lots [1:27:46] of doctors, lots of medications, lots of nurses. [1:27:50] But since I was 16 years old [1:27:52] and I'm now 40, I've only saved three people CPR And [1:27:55] that was the best circumstance given. [1:27:58] And two of them, the ones that I saved in my previous [1:28:00] career, they were cardiac arrest as we showed up. [1:28:04] So they, they got the advantage that 9 1 1 called, [1:28:08] they literally lost their pulse while the [1:28:10] ambulance was pulling into the driveway. [1:28:12] So CPR was started within 30 seconds. [1:28:16] William. Yep. [1:28:20] Just to kind of go back to one question that you, [1:28:24] you had asked and, and Scott was making a comment on, [1:28:28] so I'll answer 'em separately. [1:28:31] The communications medications, I, I believe, [1:28:36] I mean Dave and I had have been dealing [1:28:39] with this from day one. [1:28:41] I think without going back and doing any kind of studies [1:28:46] and research that I do believe that 9 1 1 end of it [1:28:51] has gotten a little bit better. [1:28:53] I do feel that when Berry Town Ambulance gets called [1:28:58] to an accident that, that the fire department is not fired [1:29:02] behind there. [1:29:05] I had gotten questioned on our response time to the, [1:29:10] the bad accident a couple weeks ago [1:29:14] and it it led me to think I maybe needed [1:29:16] to check in the times I checked with both dispatchers. [1:29:19] We were, we were two minutes [1:29:20] behind getting called after Barry Town. [1:29:23] MS not a huge, not not a big deal compared [1:29:27] to what it used to be. [1:29:29] Where the communication problems lie now is, [1:29:34] I don't know, one more I can do. [1:29:35] We, we program Memorial indoor radio radios, [1:29:39] we have tried multiple times to reach [1:29:43] reach Berry town EMS [1:29:46] and my exact words are Williamstown engine one two [1:29:51] Berry Town EMS responding, Williamstown [1:29:55] crickets and crickets. [1:29:58] I get nothing. I talked to one of the medics here [1:30:03] a few days later when I caught off to someone and it's [1:30:06] 'cause they don't carry portable radios on 'em. [1:30:09] So once they're out of the ambulance, they're out, you know, [1:30:12] all communications, they're lost. [1:30:15] Sure. It, it, it is a big, that that's just a, [1:30:20] it's a concern and a pet peeve of mine [1:30:21] because we need, you know, fire department needs to know [1:30:24] what we're getting into and we've had two motorcycle [1:30:27] accidents in Williamstown, this, this, she [1:30:31] within a month of each other. [1:30:33] And when you hear motorcycle accident, [1:30:35] you instantly think the worst. [1:30:37] So what are we up against? [1:30:40] And them being right here [1:30:43] or usually here in the station, [1:30:45] they're gonna get there first. [1:30:47] I mean, unless we're sitting here tonight, [1:30:49] like we are out there, you know, we have a chance [1:30:53] to race them, but they're gonna, they're gonna beat us [1:30:56] to the scene all the time as they're here. [1:31:01] So getting that vital information to know [1:31:04] what we're up against and, and, [1:31:05] and where, where I have a problem [1:31:07] with the communications is, is up at the bad accident. [1:31:12] A few weeks ago, the discussion [1:31:15] of needing dark helicopter was brought [1:31:17] up my incident command. [1:31:20] I was not at that one. I was on vacation. [1:31:23] The incident commander was standing in the group of medics [1:31:28] when this discussion was being brought up. [1:31:32] We need dark. My incident commander asked you, [1:31:37] are you asking for Dar I gave him a disgusted look, [1:31:42] went to the radio, went through the MO memorial, had [1:31:46] to then get a hold of us. [1:31:47] I don't know how much better we give when your face to face. [1:31:51] Boom boom. I mean a whole that that, [1:31:55] that's just a whole nother discussion. [1:31:56] But I think the issues we were having [1:31:59] between fire department not getting called [1:32:02] and marytown EMS getting called [1:32:03] and Dave, maybe you, you can agree or best disagree, [1:32:06] but I think that has gotten a little bit better. [1:32:09] It's now the communications when we're on scene. [1:32:14] So there's my answer to that [1:32:16] and to yours about people getting burnt out. [1:32:20] I I, I laid it, like I said, I laid it all out to 'em [1:32:25] my expectations if, you know, if we continue on with it, [1:32:32] Dave, you know, was agreement of it, you know, people, [1:32:38] I feel the fire department [1:32:39] and I don't wanna speak for all the firemen, [1:32:42] but we come here on Monday nights because it's fun. [1:32:46] We go to the calls because we have a good [1:32:48] time helping people. [1:32:50] Our job is to help somebody on their worst day try [1:32:54] to make 'em all try [1:32:55] to make their worst day a little bit better. [1:32:59] And do we have fun doing it? Yeah, we have fun doing it. [1:33:03] We don't do it for the money, we don't do it [1:33:05] for a slap on the back. [1:33:07] We just want to simply help people. [1:33:09] And I think when the people [1:33:14] that actually put their names down on here, some [1:33:16] of 'em actually surprised me that they, [1:33:19] you know, would want to do it. [1:33:21] But it all comes back to, you know what, you know, [1:33:24] what more can we do to help the community? [1:33:29] You know, Tyler could probably could either answer to it [1:33:33] or whatnot, but I hold, I hold the guys [1:33:37] and gals to a, you know, a standard of [1:33:41] if you're gonna do this, you're gonna, you're gonna do it [1:33:43] and if you're not gonna do it, [1:33:45] then you need to need to move on. [1:33:47] You need to put in the effort, you need to put in the time, [1:33:50] you need to put in the training hours. [1:33:54] And I think people come here on Monday nights, not [1:33:56] because it's a requirement but [1:33:58] because it's not, it's something [1:34:00] to do with help the community. [1:34:03] So if it is done right [1:34:05] and if it is done the way we can all agree on it being done, [1:34:12] getting those calls going out, having a thrill of coming, [1:34:17] I I truly think it could be, could be sustainable [1:34:22] and go, I don't, you know, we all agree [1:34:25] we don't wanna be like some [1:34:27] of the other fast squads in the area. [1:34:29] We don't wanna go with everything. [1:34:31] 'cause as I'm sure Berry Town can agree, [1:34:35] I mean sometimes you probably just are in the way [1:34:37] and you don't need that many people. [1:34:41] But when the ambulance is coming from, you know, Berlin [1:34:44] or East Berry or, [1:34:45] or back from the hospital, wherever it's coming from [1:34:49] and there's a fireman down the road [1:34:51] that can start pumping on your chest [1:34:54] or holding on the bleed until more supplies and, [1:34:58] and more trained people get there, then I, [1:35:03] I really, really can't argue with not doing it. [1:35:07] So that that's, that's where we're at. [1:35:11] If you guys decide you don't wanna do it, you don't want us [1:35:15] to continue it on, you know, that's fine. [1:35:20] But it just seems like we should we, we should try [1:35:26] it is something that you consider and wanting us to do [1:35:29] or continue on. [1:35:31] All I ask is that between Barry County EMS [1:35:34] and you, you give us a year, give us a year to try it, [1:35:37] give us a year to show that we're doing it [1:35:40] and that we don't hold up our end [1:35:44] and you can send us all down, [1:35:46] send us all down the road after. As [1:35:48] Far as the monetary end of it, [1:35:51] you think you can stay within that $12,000 budget [1:35:54] that we originally proposed for the fast what [1:35:58] I did? [1:35:59] I mean even I think even between the fire budget. [1:36:02] 'cause at that point it's all, [1:36:05] I think it all become one budget as far [1:36:07] as the pay payroll goes. [1:36:12] I do. I mean if you, if you take the additional 12,000 [1:36:14] and slap it in there, you know, again, I don't, [1:36:20] David could probably come out [1:36:21] and rattle some numbers at some point. [1:36:24] I'm not saying that we're gonna go to a hundred [1:36:25] and assist calls. [1:36:28] I, you know, but I, I think that budget [1:36:33] between our fire budget could be sustainable. [1:36:37] I don't, I don't think we've gone over [1:36:40] payroll in the last couple of years that it is. [1:36:45] But yes, you've gotta, you gotta account they, you know, [1:36:48] they would be going to more [1:36:50] and it wouldn't be, it wouldn't, [1:36:52] it would not be like the fire department. [1:36:54] Like right now you've got, you know, [1:36:56] when a fire call comes in, you get called people [1:37:01] when when the fast broad calls come in, especially [1:37:03] during the day might get one, you might get two at night, [1:37:08] you might get four or five. [1:37:10] And that's something that I, I did portray [1:37:14] to the firemen when we were discussed at both times that [1:37:18] if you're, if you hear two, three people sign on, that is, [1:37:23] you know, dream with [1:37:24] what the ambulance is when an ambulance is coming. [1:37:28] So three or four people sign on that you're going to it. [1:37:31] That's probably, you know, probably enough [1:37:35] and we don't need to send 12 people to do it. [1:37:41] Ask for supplies. We still have a bunch [1:37:42] of stuff left over from the ambulance [1:37:45] that does not fire just like gauze and stuff [1:37:48] and still a bunch of that to redo [1:37:50] kits for all of the trucks. [1:37:52] Right now they have just little back first day kits. [1:37:54] So I would do bigger kits for them [1:37:57] so they have more supplies on each truck. [1:38:00] But we have plenty and coats in that closet [1:38:03] that would get 'em going. [1:38:07] I think the only supply that we need to exchange [1:38:08] for them is a DD pads that are expired. [1:38:12] But everything else could is well [1:38:16] and the past, the plan was anyway, if we have anything [1:38:19] that was due to expire, [1:38:20] we swap out very down that we do something. [1:38:23] I'm assuming that would be the same contract if, if [1:38:28] our fast flood state license does expire in December. [1:38:33] So if we decide not to switch it over, [1:38:36] the passport essentially would be done in December. [1:38:41] But I'd like to see the fire department take it on [1:38:44] and I would still be an active member and assist. [1:38:50] I just, I can't do it by myself right now. [1:38:52] I can't get people who want to join [1:38:54] and the fire department's being called anyway so. [1:38:57] Right. That goes the next question. [1:38:59] I mean I've said this in the past, you know, [1:39:04] Williamstown's a town [1:39:05] of population roughly 3,700 people versus Berry City, [1:39:10] bumpier Berry town of 10 to 12,000 people. [1:39:14] We can't, we can't compete service wise with the, [1:39:19] we get a very good thing with Berry Town [1:39:21] with their service at a very, [1:39:26] you know, reasonable price. [1:39:27] We're we're paying less now than we used to pay. [1:39:29] We had our own stuff and it's a higher level of service. [1:39:34] I guess the real question is, is there really need [1:39:36] for set Fast Squad to start with with with [1:39:39] what we have at Barry Town? [1:39:40] I mean we, like you just said, you started it, [1:39:44] everybody's enthusiastic. [1:39:45] I was involved in those very first meetings. [1:39:48] It was kind of a gentle letdown from the ambulance squad [1:39:51] to give him up to, to this fast squad thing. [1:39:57] I like that few people. I'd like to, [1:39:59] I said it started out good The squad meeting, [1:40:01] Then it fizzles out just like the, [1:40:03] just like the ambulance was doing [1:40:05] before we made the decision to do what we do. [1:40:09] I guess my question would be to Dave, you see [1:40:14] I was talking to with your CH select board chairman [1:40:17] and one issue William [1:40:19] and I talked about was you were transporting the, [1:40:21] the ambulance outta here one time [1:40:24] and there was a lag time in what incident? [1:40:27] I don't remember. It was not recently [1:40:29] but what years or so ago, whatever. [1:40:31] No, and it was in the spring Snow was Mel. So, [1:40:36] But he, he informed me [1:40:38] that you bought a new ambulance just for transport. [1:40:42] Yes. So is that, [1:40:44] that helped alleviate any issues like that or [1:40:47] Yeah, so I can give you a kind of a broad overview [1:40:49] to address a few things. [1:40:52] So yes we did, we did buy a transport unit that works [1:40:58] 12 hours a day handling you know, non bunch [1:41:00] of transports from the majority of the time [1:41:02] there's gonna be overlapping calls. [1:41:04] You know, there's gonna be times when we're not in the [1:41:07] station 'cause we're out on another call, you know, [1:41:09] transporting, coming back from hospitals believe that like [1:41:11] that in, since we've been here [1:41:16] January 1st of 24, we've handled just shy [1:41:19] of 1459 1 1 calls in the town of Williamstown. [1:41:23] Our average time of call to on scene for all of those calls. [1:41:27] Now some are gonna be a little longer depending on [1:41:29] where we are and time are gonna be shorter, [1:41:31] but our average time is eight minutes and nine seconds. [1:41:35] So I'm happy [1:41:37] to look at specifics if people bring them to me. [1:41:39] But to see, you know, if there was some issue like, [1:41:42] like I said, there's gonna be some [1:41:43] that are a little longer depending on where you live. [1:41:45] Even coming from here to, you know, different places [1:41:49] as William Tyler alluded to is the nine one one system [1:41:53] you call 9 1 1 I get threeway [1:41:55] to the dispatch center, get three relay to us. [1:41:56] That all takes some time. [1:41:59] To Tyler's point, I can't give specifics obviously, [1:42:03] but we have had two cardiac arrest in the last [1:42:06] 18 months of Williamstown. [1:42:07] Cultural rotations are still alive. [1:42:10] We do invest heavily in technology [1:42:15] and we have auto pulses on our trucks. [1:42:18] So the two that I speak of, I, I could look back [1:42:21] and see if there's other ones that I, that I, [1:42:23] these ones I'm specifically knowledge about [1:42:24] because we give our providers a an commendation if they say [1:42:28] someone's life, one of 'em when the cardiac arrest [1:42:32] as our crew walked through the door [1:42:33] and the other one at some point between the call [1:42:35] and when they got there with the difficulty breathing. [1:42:39] So, but we have all pulses. [1:42:40] So if the patient is in cardiac arrest, [1:42:42] they get put on a machine [1:42:43] and that machine does the compressions for us. [1:42:47] But I'm not saying that if we work coming from ways [1:42:50] where it's not beneficial to that health because it is. [1:42:53] So I would never talk a town out of taking care [1:42:57] of people in their own community even, you know, [1:42:59] if we are here and because there's, there's unknowns, right? [1:43:03] There's, if there's a structure fire and we're there [1:43:06] and there's a call across town, [1:43:07] if we're coming back from the hospital, [1:43:08] if we're on another call to Marie's point, we [1:43:14] can exchange equipment so that wouldn't [1:43:15] or you know, help provide some of the extra equipment if the [1:43:20] fire departments to take it on. [1:43:23] We also have the capacity to handle the training [1:43:26] so we can do the classes or whatever is needed for the task. [1:43:31] So to that point, you know, [1:43:37] we're here, we're providing the service [1:43:39] that everyone's come to expect. [1:43:42] But I wouldn't say, I wouldn't advise against it [1:43:47] because that's just not like, I don't, [1:43:49] I'm not gonna advise the community not [1:43:51] to have their own members care for their own people [1:43:55] when they have the option now. [1:43:57] So to the thing we're seeing there is a downward trend of, [1:44:02] you know, fast squads in the area that are struggling. [1:44:06] We have seen some successes with the, you know, [1:44:10] combining the entities [1:44:11] because you can see a little bit of a lesser response. [1:44:14] So like to William's point, call comes out for help. [1:44:19] He doesn't need to send 20 people every time, [1:44:21] you know, they can either. [1:44:22] However he wants to run his operation, [1:44:24] have a little call sign up sheet where he is gonna have two [1:44:26] or three people work to his 0.2 or three people sign on. [1:44:29] That's good enough for this call. [1:44:34] And you know, I think it does help with [1:44:38] when the fire department, when it's one combined it to be, [1:44:42] it helps with a lot of things communication [1:44:45] to both of their points. [1:44:46] It's, it can be dicey dispatching when you're talking about [1:44:50] 9 1 1 multiple dispatch centers, multiple agencies. [1:44:53] So there is some utility in in consolidating [1:44:56] that into one system. [1:45:00] It also gives us a better opportunity to train [1:45:02] with one entity if, you know, if they want [1:45:05] to do education training or whatever that training is [1:45:07] and then we can be involved in it also helps [1:45:10] with the departmental of communication. [1:45:13] With any luck Scott, we're gonna have, [1:45:16] I hope in Vermont in the next year [1:45:18] or two, hopefully sooner, a statewide CAD system, [1:45:22] computer aid, computer computerated dispatching which will [1:45:25] go to great lengths to solve decade old problems in Vermont [1:45:29] of emergency communication. [1:45:32] It's not isolated to Berry Town or Williamstown [1:45:35] or it's a statewide problem [1:45:37] that the state is just a vested $11 million in a statewide [1:45:41] task force to look at all these issues [1:45:43] because it's been such an issue. [1:45:44] As Tyler said in Chip County, there's [1:45:47] the dispatch center on every street corner. [1:45:51] So we're hopeful that that's gonna go a long way. [1:45:55] Radio communication. [1:45:57] In the last six weeks [1:45:59] we have turned on our simulcast system. [1:46:02] The town Barry spent around a half a million dollars [1:46:04] upgrading our towers. [1:46:05] So now we have two towers in town, the simulcast. [1:46:09] So William, if you try it, you should be able [1:46:12] to talk on portable 12 one now then left [1:46:16] where you probably couldn't three months ago. [1:46:20] What about fire to ambulance? It should, it should. [1:46:23] If it goes to the repeater you should be able [1:46:25] to much clearer. [1:46:27] 'cause it used to be just Tower Road, [1:46:28] now it's Tower Road and Lin Road. [1:46:31] But what about your people answering back? [1:46:35] I mean problem we have borders in the trucks. [1:46:37] They don't always take 'em out when they're, [1:46:39] when they're getting out of the truck. [1:46:40] That's so I can certainly ask them [1:46:45] to more often, but it's not [1:46:46] always something that all of 'em do. [1:46:48] Some of 'em do, some don't. No, it's your, your protocol. [1:46:51] I just, it is just mind boggling [1:46:53] that in today's times you go into a people's houses [1:46:57] and some of the state mine people are in all [1:47:00] of a sudden held at gunpoint and they have no communication. [1:47:04] I, I mean I think a lot of it has been [1:47:05] that the radio tower issues [1:47:07] and now that we've turned that all on [1:47:09] because six months ago there were many places [1:47:11] where you could use portable radio and now we can. [1:47:14] So it's, it is greatly improved. [1:47:18] So that's my long winded spiel. [1:47:21] I'm happy to take any questions [1:47:22] but it has any specific ones. [1:47:25] Did you guys move into your new building up in Berlin [1:47:28] Yet? Soon? [1:47:29] So any chance taking all your dog lovers [1:47:34] and moving 'em up there? [1:47:39] I, there's, there are different stations depending on, [1:47:43] I move 'em around depending on certifications and whatnot. [1:47:48] Okay, I have a question. [1:47:51] So the fast forward's budget right now is $12,000 a [1:47:54] year total? [1:47:56] Yes, yes, Yes. Okay. [1:47:58] So as a resident I don't think that [1:48:01] that's money deemed would want to not spend just [1:48:05] to save, it could save one life. [1:48:08] $12,000 is a drop in the bucket. [1:48:11] It goes into the general fund. [1:48:13] Anything that's not used, [1:48:14] are you saying you want more funding? [1:48:16] No, I'm saying that we shouldn't not have a fast fund if [1:48:19] just because of it it's financial. [1:48:22] Larry was saying did he even leave it? [1:48:24] No, it's, it's not really a financial thing. [1:48:26] Again, I can show you the, [1:48:28] Well I don't, I don't, I'm just saying I think it, [1:48:31] I think if the fire department's willing to take it on, [1:48:34] they should absolutely do it. We shouldn't be without, [1:48:36] Yeah, no and and I think you know [1:48:40] with within the fire department discussions [1:48:43] and the reason I'm sitting back here [1:48:44] and not up the select board, this is the hard thing when [1:48:46] you're yeah a member of a public agency [1:48:48] and also a government official, [1:48:51] but within our meetings too, like [1:48:56] he was saying a lot of fast squads that they've dealt [1:48:58] with like Washington, I'm trying to think of others [1:49:01] that might have 'em, but those fast squads got [1:49:04] are called for everything. [1:49:06] What Williamstown's belief is [1:49:08] and the benefit financial benefit [1:49:11] but also helping benefit is when the ambulance [1:49:14] that's at this station is no longer at the station. [1:49:17] Yeah. That's when the fast squad gets dispatched. [1:49:20] And it could be someone stubbed their toe, who cares [1:49:23] Because realistically I've had a lot of experience, [1:49:26] I've been doing this since I was 16 years old. [1:49:28] I always love telling this story. [1:49:30] In my previous career, this is just not a funny one, [1:49:32] but we got a dispatch for someone that fell off a bench [1:49:36] and my partner literally jiggled or sorry giggled at me [1:49:39] and said oh what a bad call he, he did fall off a bench [1:49:43] down the 75 foot embankment [1:49:45] but we got the call, the call came is falling off a bench [1:49:48] that required rope systems and lots of people. [1:49:51] So that's where nine one also has its little qualms. [1:49:54] So, but the fire department, [1:49:56] and William can correct me if I'm wrong, [1:49:59] but the Fast squad that the fire department wants [1:50:01] to be moving forward with is when Barry Town [1:50:05] is not in the station automatic call and [1:50:08] or when they go like say they have a heavy [1:50:11] patient, they need a lift assist. [1:50:13] Absolutely. But if they're here they can do the job. [1:50:15] There's no reason for the fast squad. [1:50:17] Yeah, it's those two scenarios [1:50:18] and I think he's explained in the past, [1:50:20] you know again if a fast squad gets called to every little [1:50:24] call they that is gonna wear them down. [1:50:27] But the fire department's again, [1:50:29] am I incorrect with that chief? [1:50:31] So that's the purpose is as soon as that ambulance goes out, [1:50:36] Memorial knows the ambulance station [1:50:37] in Williamstown is gone. [1:50:39] As soon as they get a second medical call [1:50:40] or whatever it might be, boom [1:50:43] the fire department fast squad is dispatched and [1:50:46] or if they need a lift assist [1:50:48] or they have a CPR call automatic, [1:50:51] those are, we are here to help you. [1:50:54] That's the reales thing we can say. Well [1:50:58] If I may just ask Dave, you know what Tyler just said, [1:51:02] it is what we talked about being called when [1:51:07] that ambulance has been station, is that something that [1:51:10] between you guys and Memorial would be feasible to do? [1:51:14] I mean, yeah, there's gonna be times when, like right now [1:51:19] for example during the day we staff five ambulances. [1:51:23] One of those ambulances is because we're busy [1:51:26] and that ambulance is a float ambulance. [1:51:28] So if this crew goes out during the day, [1:51:31] that crew is gonna be in South Berry and leave [1:51:33] and head toward here or head towards East Berry Broad. [1:51:36] Now if there's, if all three stations are out, [1:51:38] whichever one went out first, [1:51:39] they're gonna be rolling that way. [1:51:41] So you know, or they're gonna come back [1:51:43] and sit in Southbury in the middle of it all. [1:51:46] So we can certainly look at that. [1:51:48] But there might be a time when they're rolling down the [1:51:50] road, you know, they're, they're all [1:51:53] by the cemetery and the call goes out. [1:51:55] They're not sitting the station, you probably won't get [1:51:56] called 'cause dispatch knows that they're here. [1:51:59] So yeah, we, [1:52:00] but we can certainly look at that, you know, making sure [1:52:02] that when they are, when that truck's not on duty [1:52:04] and this truck goes out, that [1:52:06] that they're called with you guys. [1:52:07] I, I mean I can't speak for the driver around [1:52:09] but I'm assuming if we were to get canceled [1:52:11] because you get a crew that's close by, [1:52:14] I don't think people are gonna be upset about that. [1:52:18] I think it's just more of not getting pulled. [1:52:20] Like I was in town when that traffic accident happened [1:52:24] and the didn't get toned [1:52:26] and the fire got told a couple times that [1:52:28] by the time the second or the one for the dark [1:52:31] came out I was like, they more hands [1:52:34] because the fire department gets [1:52:35] during the day they less people. [1:52:37] So I started to head that way and then that got canceled. [1:52:41] But I just like, I don't know, [1:52:44] I just feel like we didn't, we're we haven gotten call [1:52:47] to the capacity that we could have. [1:52:49] And I get that. I don't have the membership right now. [1:52:52] We, we started off great, we started off [1:52:54] with like 40 calls first year full roster. [1:52:58] It was just dwindled. But I would like to still provide [1:53:02] that service one way or the other for this community. [1:53:07] That particular call, there was a truck here [1:53:09] and two in South Bay. [1:53:10] So there was three influences there and [1:53:14] Not all the time. [1:53:15] Yeah, and [1:53:17] Well like I said before, you know, for [1:53:20] not a small small town, [1:53:22] but we're less than medium sized [1:53:24] town compared to cities around us. [1:53:27] We can't be everything for everybody like the cities can do. [1:53:31] We're not gonna have people there instantly. [1:53:33] Like the cities can do. [1:53:35] We don't have a full-time fire department [1:53:36] and we do have an in-house able service under contract. [1:53:44] The thing that worries me is this fast guard thing [1:53:49] starts snowballing into something that's not intended to be, [1:53:53] it's intended to be a backup. [1:53:55] A case of us needs help [1:53:57] or needs can't get here [1:53:59] for some particular reason quick enough. [1:54:01] And your guys are, people are available if we, [1:54:04] if it starts getting beyond that, you know, [1:54:07] I think we're talking 20 to 25 calls a year when we first [1:54:10] talked about this way back start gets beyond that, [1:54:14] then it starts getting more expense to the taxpayers. [1:54:18] And many times it may not be needed. [1:54:21] I mean if it's needed it's good, [1:54:23] but if it, every time you know, the toner goes off, [1:54:26] you get three, four firefighters show up, [1:54:28] they get the ambulance show up [1:54:29] and they might not need more than two people there. [1:54:31] So that's, that's what bothers me about the thing, [1:54:33] if it's really needed or not. [1:54:37] And I think like looking at some of that, [1:54:39] although some of those numbers of that call list [1:54:41] for this year, I just looked it is not completely accurate. [1:54:43] But so a lot of them being motor vehicle accidents, [1:54:46] the fire departments aren't gonna go. [1:54:47] So they have that extra medical training and they get there [1:54:49] before the ambulance gets there. [1:54:50] That just helps that patient. [1:54:53] So I mean I feel like, you know, them having extra training, [1:54:57] even buyers and bcs would be great. [1:55:01] And then I, the occasional medical call, again, [1:55:05] it's probably gonna be that cardiac arrest [1:55:08] or a a massive, you know, mi [1:55:11] but we, for the most part, [1:55:13] I feel like the calls are the motor vehicle accidents, [1:55:15] the fire, the assist and the cardiac arrest. [1:55:19] Hey Dave. Yeah. [1:55:21] And to Marie's point, the town's gonna see no additional [1:55:23] expense on any of the motor vehicle crashes or fires [1:55:25] 'cause the fire farms aren't going anywhere. [1:55:27] So that's gonna be a wash as far as the labor goes [1:55:30] because they're, they're already going on the call [1:55:34] And we just just like get rid of the pass bottle together. [1:55:38] They're still gonna be asked to go. It's really not. [1:55:43] It's gonna probably be the same. [1:55:45] So when it relates to the medical situation, [1:55:49] the fire department is very aware that [1:55:52] Mary town is in charge of that situation. [1:55:55] And if it's fire situation significant, you know, [1:55:58] the fire department, the guys work together on it work, [1:56:01] but just not try to, [1:56:04] sometimes you get too many cooks in the kitchen [1:56:06] and things. Something [1:56:08] I'm not aware about that one. [1:56:09] And I work pretty well together [1:56:12] and we, so I'm not, you guys will make your decisions. [1:56:16] Just two quick things to say. [1:56:20] If your decision is to put the passcode under the fire [1:56:23] department, William, you and I can sit down [1:56:24] and come up with, you know, what [1:56:26] that response looks like if the board wants to see it. [1:56:31] I am hopeful that you're making a decision tonight [1:56:33] because, so I'm, yes, I'm the, the director of very tiny US [1:56:37] but I'm also the district six chair [1:56:40] and we've got 16 days [1:56:43] to get the relicense application in. [1:56:45] So it's not something that can wait until October. [1:56:49] And if it's gonna continue, we, you guys are gonna have [1:56:52] to do, I would suggest you do a, [1:56:57] a town ended department merger [1:57:00] because a new license [1:57:02] for the fire fire department is going back through all the [1:57:07] notice and all that stuff [1:57:09] that I really don't think is necessary. [1:57:11] I think if you merge the departments on the town end, [1:57:14] add fire to the license that goes to the state, [1:57:16] I think we'll be okay if you choose go, [1:57:20] I think it'd be a great thing [1:57:21] to combine yourself as a taxpayer. [1:57:30] That easy. I can all, [1:57:33] So just taking this all in, I'm seeing kind of [1:57:39] separate issues within the one issue, you know, [1:57:42] the other communication piece [1:57:43] and you guys figuring out when, you know, [1:57:46] you would call the fast quo stuff, [1:57:47] but as, as far as this in general goes budget wise, right? [1:57:51] 12,000, they've never even used, they used about [1:57:54] maybe 30% of their budget each year. [1:57:56] So it's not much as somebody who deals [1:58:01] with volunteers quite a bit with youth sports, I, [1:58:06] I don't see, and I understand everybody else's view as far [1:58:09] as right, you get people that wanna gung-ho let's go [1:58:12] and then six months down the road it fizzles out. [1:58:15] But I don't see the, the harm in, if we have [1:58:18] to meet back here in a year and it fizzles out [1:58:20] and we say, okay, well now we gotta shut it down. [1:58:22] Well we had another year of some extra help [1:58:25] and maybe some lives saved for really no additional cost. [1:58:32] I, I don't see any harm. [1:58:34] And especially if you have 14 people that say, Hey I want [1:58:36] to do this, why would we say, well no, [1:58:39] we don't want you to do that. [1:58:42] So I, I'm all for giving this opportunity [1:58:45] to the fire department of being able to give this a try. [1:58:48] And again, if we give them a year and we come back [1:58:51] and we get the yep, hey look you're only responding [1:58:55] to 15% of the calls, you know what's going on? [1:59:00] Then we just take it from there [1:59:02] and we say, well we're gonna shut it down now, [1:59:04] but you know, if for the next six months it works great [1:59:07] and they respond to a hundred percent of the calls [1:59:09] and there is that one CPR person [1:59:11] they get to and they save their life. [1:59:12] That's worth it in my opinion. [1:59:16] So I mean the other stuff, [1:59:17] hopefully you guys can figure that stuff out. [1:59:21] I think me personally, once you guys do figure out yes when [1:59:24] the ambulances are here, once you get that agreement, [1:59:27] I would be interested to see it. [1:59:30] I don't know if the rest of the board would like to see it [1:59:32] as well, but I'd like at least just to look at it so we kind [1:59:35] of all are on the same page [1:59:37] and I would like to thank you guys [1:59:39] 'cause I've had calls to my house for the ambulance [1:59:42] and they've been there on time. [1:59:44] They've been just fantastic. [1:59:48] So I appreciate the work of, of all the, [1:59:51] the service members, fire department, everybody, [1:59:54] everybody that does that stuff. [1:59:56] So thank you for what you guys do. I appreciate it a lot. [1:59:59] Tyler. Again, I'm gonna stay out [2:00:04] of the agreement portion, but [2:00:05] as a selectman I think it would be the best [2:00:08] to have the select board agree upon the agreement [2:00:11] and actually make it like a standard operating guideline [2:00:15] or a, you know, you know what EMTs have to follow [2:00:20] for protocols just so it's not an, you know, [2:00:24] under table written agreement. [2:00:26] I think it needs to be shown that the slick court says yes [2:00:29] if there's a call that Barry Town is not in this town, [2:00:32] the Fast squad needs to be dispatched [2:00:34] because I, what has happened, I do believe in the past, [2:00:37] and I could be incorrect, you can say your name to this. [2:00:41] Like again, she brought the example, I was not at [2:00:43] that motorcycle accident myself, but we have a fast squad. [2:00:46] It was in the middle of town, not even dispatched again. [2:00:50] He said there's two cardiac arrests in Williamstown [2:00:53] that were life saves, which is amazing, [2:00:56] but the Fast squad should have still been called for that. [2:00:59] And I, I explained this [2:01:00] to the fire department when we were discussing this, [2:01:02] right when I started in, in, [2:01:06] in my previous city when we had a cardiac arrest, [2:01:09] the old school method was an ambulance [2:01:11] and an engine, which could be four to five people. [2:01:15] When the new protocols came out a few years ago, [2:01:17] it's now two engines or three engines and two people. [2:01:21] Now I don't know if my previous employer has the new modern [2:01:23] technology, but if that battery dies backup. [2:01:27] Well, I'm just saying though, to, and, [2:01:29] and to bring in the DART perspective, [2:01:33] we just had dart train here, what, two, [2:01:35] three months ago, somewhere around there. [2:01:37] They unfortunately it rained every day. [2:01:39] So the helicopter didn't land, [2:01:41] but one of dart's something that that organization says, [2:01:46] call us if we turn around because you don't need us. [2:01:49] We're absolutely fine with that. [2:01:51] But especially with the helicopter, [2:01:54] if we call 20 minutes past when we thought we needed them, [2:01:57] they have to check the helicopter. [2:01:58] They have, they going, same with calling a fast squad, [2:02:01] it's better to have someone get dispatched [2:02:04] and then say, oh we're good and then it's safer. [2:02:08] But the FAS squad's not gonna get called out [2:02:11] if they're Correct. [2:02:12] Correct. No, what I'm saying is that's what you just said. [2:02:14] No, I'm saying if they are not in town, [2:02:17] the Fast Squad needs to be called. Right. [2:02:20] Well that's where we talk. What I'm, that needs [2:02:22] to be written on paper because I think [2:02:24] that was supposedly the idea [2:02:25] originally and it has not happened. [2:02:27] Right. And I know that this one recently they were in town [2:02:29] and that and but it, the way it came across [2:02:32] that there was multiple people [2:02:34] and so we originally talked a couple years ago about like if [2:02:37] they know it's gonna be multiple, [2:02:39] potentially multiple people calling the just, you know, [2:02:42] it said hand while they waited for their other to come in. [2:02:44] You know, it's the middle of the day during weekdays [2:02:46] and they have extra ambulances. [2:02:48] Okay. They, but it could have just been another [2:02:50] body to help they, [2:02:51] Yeah. [2:02:52] So the the document we're talking about is an operational [2:02:54] letter of agreement that it has to be written between the, [2:02:57] the transporting entity and first one [2:02:58] that goes with a license. [2:03:00] So we can write that out. [2:03:02] It goes to the state and then you guys come out the court [2:03:07] Clayton. [2:03:08] Yes, yes. Thank you for that clarification. [2:03:12] That takes care of one part of it [2:03:16] personally and as a i for the town people, any better, [2:03:20] any person that can be saved with, with, [2:03:23] I don't care if it's Marie or David's crew or whoever [2:03:26] or the volunteers on the fire department. [2:03:28] Fantastic. If you're willing to take it over, which you are [2:03:32] and, and your members are perfect, I my suggestion [2:03:37] and give it a year, jump on board, [2:03:41] get this thing done quarterly. [2:03:43] I like this. Thank you. Bring that up question. [2:03:48] Bring it to us quarterly so we can see what, [2:03:51] what's being done, who's responding. [2:03:53] And, and in a year we can come back, say, hey, it, [2:03:55] it is working or it's not, it's either gonna work or, [2:03:58] or it's not plain and simple, [2:03:59] but it's worth it to me to give it this one year try. [2:04:04] And if it doesn't squash it, then, then it's all up today [2:04:08] and that you ain't gonna be here. [2:04:10] Hey, I'm still, I'm still, I'm still here today. [2:04:12] Neither I can I add to that but that's, that's coming out. [2:04:16] I mean it's, I'm not gonna throw it to the wind. [2:04:19] You know what, it's worth it. [2:04:21] I'd just like to add to that. [2:04:23] I, I would like to see the Fast Squad keep [2:04:26] their own record as well. [2:04:27] 'cause I'm hearing that this isn't [2:04:29] exactly what you remember. [2:04:31] February marked dates in my record [2:04:34] and looking back at some of the recent ones [2:04:37] that aren't in my spreadsheet, I do know two [2:04:39] of those NBCs work to the interstate. [2:04:41] So our, we've asked our membership not [2:04:43] to drive their person availables [2:04:44] to the interstate, so that makes sense. [2:04:46] We we wouldn't go to those. Yep. [2:04:47] Two of those that say nobody's responded, I actually went. [2:04:51] So, so I just think that, I don't know. Yeah. [2:04:54] So, so that's why I'm saying it'd be nice to have, [2:04:56] they keep the records, right? [2:04:58] You, you're Fast Squad, you've done the call, [2:05:00] you fill out the, you whatever, you have a template, [2:05:03] you both fill it out [2:05:04] and then you can, when we get our, [2:05:07] whatever we decide if we do this quarterly, annually, [2:05:09] whatever it is, we can look at it both and say, hey, what's [2:05:13] I think that's from dispatch not, yeah. [2:05:15] Oh, okay. No, that's from dispatch. [2:05:17] And to answer your question, Cody, every, [2:05:19] the fire department uses, [2:05:21] the reason I'm looking at my phone is I have multiple phone [2:05:23] apps that involve the fire department, [2:05:26] but we use a new program called First Do So any [2:05:29] call the fire department does. [2:05:31] So these would be the same with the Fast Box, [2:05:33] it's gonna be part of the fire department. [2:05:34] Those would be part of first due also Siren is [2:05:38] where the medical reports are done. So you would have two [2:05:40] Shouldn't be doing that. [2:05:41] This is me calling Berry City dispatch. Okay. [2:05:43] Because they were the ones dispatching, again, [2:05:45] if you see on the sheet, there was at least three calls [2:05:47] that were accidental dispatches. [2:05:49] So someone at Berry City accidentally hit the button [2:05:52] and put the time in and time out and they were aware [2:05:56] Of that. [2:05:57] Well that, that's all, that's all fine. [2:05:58] But it, it, it gives clarification for [2:06:01] who actually been toned out just [2:06:03] to help William on his, on his people. [2:06:05] I won't say guys or girls [2:06:07] because there's both on the fire department going [2:06:11] and as a Fast Squad member, you know, [2:06:14] you know who's showing up and who's not. [2:06:16] And you know what, whether they get turned back [2:06:18] or not, it's still a go. [2:06:19] They, they're and, and, you know, going for it. [2:06:22] So that's, that's my thought. [2:06:24] Oh yeah. Still [2:06:27] Before you guys then I'll, I'll shut up after this, but [2:06:30] before you guys make your your decision, I'm, [2:06:33] I'm gonna be upfront and honest [2:06:34] and open with you all that I have full intentions of, [2:06:40] you know, if it goes through to join [2:06:42] and I know we could all go back and, [2:06:45] and look at the start of this and you know, [2:06:49] and I've argued that fire department shouldn't go [2:06:52] to lift assist the whole nine yards. [2:06:54] I've argued against it, [2:06:58] but when somebody you know, is waiting for an ambulance [2:07:02] or you're watching a 90-year-old couple [2:07:05] sit down on the porch for 17 minutes waiting for [2:07:09] an ambulance and the cold weather, it, it that, that's [2:07:13] where it started to bothering me [2:07:15] to turn my support the other way. [2:07:18] So I mean we, we can, we can all sit there [2:07:20] and say that, you know, [2:07:22] at one point I was against the fire department doing this, [2:07:27] but with that said, I, you know, if it comes [2:07:30] to the fire department, I have full intentions of, [2:07:33] of joining, overseeing it administratively, [2:07:37] making sure people are holding up their end of it going, [2:07:41] you know, saying they're doing [2:07:42] what they're saying going to the training. [2:07:45] But I would put somebody else in charge [2:07:48] of overseeing the operations. [2:07:50] So the fast log working with David and, [2:07:54] and doing that, I have, I do, I do gotta get to a point [2:07:59] where I say I take it on enough and personally [2:08:03] and professionally. [2:08:05] So I sit here [2:08:07] and give you my word that I would do everything I can [2:08:10] to see it through [2:08:11] and make sure it's held to, to the expectations [2:08:16] that I'm telling you all tonight. [2:08:19] But somebody else operations would be making sure that, [2:08:24] making sure a good training is put on making sure it's set [2:08:28] to go, making sure stuff is stocked up and plain [2:08:32] and simple that we are doing everything we can [2:08:37] to be on the same track with them. [2:08:40] Not looking to overstep Berry town [2:08:43] that I fully agree they are the medical professionals, [2:08:48] it's their job. [2:08:49] We're just there to help until they get there. [2:08:54] You know, I'm not, I'm not looking [2:08:56] to start an ambulance service, so I just, just [2:09:01] doing what I can to help. [2:09:03] But I wanted to be honest that I'm not, I'm not gonna be, [2:09:08] you know, as high up involved as I am like [2:09:13] with the fire department. [2:09:17] Well I wanna be honest with you as well, I mean, [2:09:21] I started on a slug board back in 2008. [2:09:23] The Eble was an issue back then as never changed. [2:09:27] And I got off it for a few years. [2:09:29] I got back on, the first thing we were hit [2:09:31] with is the ambulance thing again. [2:09:33] And then we did this fast, hard thing. [2:09:35] And the track record, to be honest with you, [2:09:38] with the ambulance is not good. [2:09:40] I mean, I mean, bar down was responded to over 30% [2:09:43] of the calls when we finally had enough [2:09:46] and we did what we did [2:09:48] and many people didn't think [2:09:49] we did the right thing at the time. [2:09:50] But is, I've seen nothing yet that, [2:09:53] that I would've would change my mind from the decision [2:09:55] we made at that time. [2:09:58] I know Cody's knew what this, he wasn't around at that time [2:10:01] and, but I do think it's worth a shot [2:10:06] and as long as you guys work together on it, I did like [2:10:10] Tyler's idea about gonna establish some kind of protocol. [2:10:13] So I just, I just, I just can't say this enough. [2:10:18] We, we need to keep this under control. [2:10:20] We don't need to be growing into competition between [2:10:23] Fast Squad and Barry Town [2:10:25] because we get a good thing going with Barry Town. [2:10:27] We cannot have our own service, [2:10:31] cost us like a million dollars to do what we got with them [2:10:34] for like 240 or 50, somewhere that range. [2:10:39] I mean it's just, that's the facts. [2:10:41] We went through all the numbers [2:10:43] and William and I talked about it. [2:10:44] You talked to somebody in Woodstock or something [2:10:46] and recently gone through it and Yeah. [2:10:49] You know what the numbers are. I'm not, I'm, I'm on. [2:10:52] We, we, we can't, we don't cost town a million dollars more [2:10:55] than we're spending right now [2:10:56] and it probably wouldn't be any different service [2:10:59] than what we've got right now. [2:11:00] So, but we don't wanna go down that road. [2:11:03] I mean, I'm, I'm not against it. [2:11:05] I just, I just don't wanna see the thing get outta control [2:11:09] and I wanna make sure it all works smooth between you guys. [2:11:11] Yeah. [2:11:13] Paper Chuck, myself, just commenting off of what, [2:11:18] you know, all the problems we've had with the ambulance [2:11:21] over the years, but think of where the fire department was. [2:11:25] 2000 court scene. [2:11:28] Only three members that were willing to come. [2:11:32] Now I got it up to, to almost 20 now, [2:11:37] so I guess I just asked, give a, gimme a chance to take my, [2:11:41] take my turn with it [2:11:42] and I guess you said a year, September 15, 27th. [2:11:47] If I let the pound down, I'll do the first one to admit [2:11:54] This deal waves in my mind a whole lot less than [2:11:56] that did when it, I, I, [2:12:00] I do, I do agree with Dave that it should be part [2:12:02] of the PMS. [2:12:04] The password should become under the [2:12:06] fire department umbrella. [2:12:08] The licensing and everything. [2:12:10] That was your assist. You mention the licenses [2:12:13] and it should be all part of it. [2:12:16] They're Gonna, it don't work. It don't work. [2:12:18] If we go forward with this thing, they're gonna have [2:12:20] to figure it out but make it work between themselves. [2:12:23] Oh yeah. Without that legal, they're not gonna, so he knows [2:12:27] The state's aware that we, [2:12:28] there's a meeting today and told [2:12:31] Off. [2:12:32] You'll just have to, I can work with Ryan [2:12:34] where the town will just have to merge whatever the [2:12:38] municipal excuse operation is [2:12:41] to merge the two departments together will be easier [2:12:45] if you say it is now the town of Williamstown [2:12:49] Fire Department and Squa [2:12:51] or something like that to make it one department [2:12:53] easier on the licensing end. [2:12:57] We can work with 'em figure. Ellen, [2:12:58] do you need any assistance walking out? [2:13:02] Scott, you have nothing? Nope. [2:13:06] So I guess we would have to have a motion that we [2:13:11] make motion in favor of moving the fast squad coopered in [2:13:16] with the fire department under the skylight, [2:13:19] under the management of the fire chief. [2:13:21] Right? Is that right William? [2:13:24] I'm sorry. There was [2:13:25] The motion. [2:13:26] We're trying to come up with a motion [2:13:27] that we would make a motion to move [2:13:30] to move the current fast squad under the authorization [2:13:34] of the fire department under your, you be the head [2:13:38] of it at this point. [2:13:40] That sound reasonable? Yep. Yes. I'll make that motion. [2:13:45] We'll hear a second. Second. A motion May 2nd. [2:13:48] Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. [2:13:53] Opposed? Good luck. I hope it all works out. [2:13:58] I really do. Well on here. Thank you. [2:14:02] Thank you all. Yeah. [2:14:05] Thanks everyone for coming in for this civil discussion. [2:14:08] Always works better in civil. Okay. [2:14:13] There's no old business round table. Tyler? [2:14:16] Nothing for me, Scott. Good, Clayton, I'm good. [2:14:21] This next second, motion to adjourn. [2:14:24] Make a motion to adjourn. Second. A motion. Motion May 2nd. [2:14:27] All in favor? Aye. Aye.