[Music] Good evening. Today is Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. This is a meeting of the Kushner Board of Select. Is there a motion to call the meeting to order?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> As a reminder, this meeting will be audio and video recorded. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge to the flag of the United States
of America to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right we do have uh few items under uh meeting minutes. I
know gentlemen if you had a chance to review the minutes of April 11th May 2nd October 7th 2025. >> I did Mr. Chairman. I'll make a motion to approve all three as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I motion carries. We do have a public
hearing. Uh under chapter 138 section 15 of the Massachusetts general law and open board of selectman's meeting shall be held at the accuset town hall to approve the change of business entity of a general on premise annual all
alcohol beverage license from Steven H. Gazera to Ponderosa Sportsman Club LLC. The establishment is located at 242 Robinson Road in Kushmet, Mass. I guess there's a motion to open the hearing. >> So moved. Second. All those in favor?
>> I motion. Is there a representative here from uh Ponderosa? Okay. I guess not. Um this is just a simple it's not a license transfer. It's just changing the name of the uh corporate structure. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to change the of the business entity
information from Steven H. Kazera to Ponderosa Sportsman Club LLC. >> A second. >> All those in favor? >> Motion carries. >> All right. I'm going to bump up gentlemen if it's okay with you. Uh we have two very very important guests here
this evening. Um Miss Apple Peach and Miss Apple Miss Junior Apple Peach. Um but I think we've got a representative from the pageant. Uh whoever wants to speak uh on behalf of the pageant talk about that. Um just to get a little Yeah. grab your phone and grab the uh
the podium ladies and say introduce yourself and uh say hello. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> Much different when I say >> Jim. I clean up a little bit. >> Hello. >> I'm Marlene Kis and I'm Stephanie >> Sage and we are the co-directors of the
Miss Apple Peach Pageant. Now, but first of all, thank you for inviting the ladies here today. We are so happy to have such ambitious, energetic, and very uh busy young ladies. They want to do as much as they can in the community and we're so excited that they want to do
that. For those that don't know, the pageant's been around since 1980. We just celebrated our 45th anniversary and every year I think we're getting bigger and bit bigger and bigger and the ladies are getting more and more busy which is fabulous. So, thank you for joining us tonight for us allowing us to join you
tonight. And if you have any events that anyone in the town would like them to be at, I know they would love to because I get the calls that say we don't have anything this weekend. Can you find something? >> Well, I know we've got Veterans Day coming up. That's a big one. I hope you hope to see you there. Um,
>> I mean, look, anytime you want to if you want to photo op and you want to come work with Sydney and answer some phones at town hall, we can always use volunteers there. That's always cool to do. Um, but uh, thank you for for doing it and, you know, keeping the pageant going for all these years. It's kind of
a fun thing to see. We have seen a lot of young ladies over the years uh you know now with families and >> you know great stuff. I think I don't know was was Angela Roberts your first one or one of >> no Cara Gin was >> okay I know Angela's my name but we see
each other you know walking and all >> Carol was at the pageant when we just held it there. She was there as our first title holder. >> So anyway this is great stuff and it's kind of you know Krishna this time of year is a Christian time to shine >> and it's tradition. It keeps the young ladies involved in the community and I think part of the things we love is
seeing the younger people in the town look up to them and think, "Hey, maybe I could do that. Maybe I could get involved. I can volunteer. I could be able to do that." So, we love that they serve as role models for >> Well, one of the things, you know, maybe today's meeting will inspire you ladies to become a select lady someday. I think
we've uh we've only had one in town ever, you know, a female select person. So, I think that would be great to see somewhere down the road. Um, with that said, turn it over to the ladies to introduce themselves and uh, >> tell us about yourself and who you are and what you do. You know, you
have to come up front. So, but uh, >> hi, my name is Eliza Wagner. Um, and I go to Regional High School. I'm a sophomore and I'm so glad that you guys invited me here. Thank you. >> Right. What's your name? My name is
Aubrey and I'm 10 years old and I am at for middle school and I'm really hoping that we can have a good year this year. >> Awesome. >> Congratulations, gentlemen. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> You guys represented the town very well. We we appreciate it and we're glad to
have you here. >> All right. >> And we're really excited to do more. >> Excellent. >> Keep up the good work. >> Thank you. >> All right. We've got uh citations. Uh be it known that the accrushian board of selectment hereby extends its congratulations to Aubrey Junior Miss
Apple Peach 2025. The board of selectman gives recognition to your outstanding achievement, grace, and dedication exemplified through your participation and success in the Miss Apple Peach pageant. Your poise, confidence, and commitment to community service reflect
the true spirit of leadership and serve as an inspiration to others. Your accomplishment is a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and the positive example you set for young people throughout our community. The community of a Krishna looks forward to seeing how you exert kindness,
compassion, and leadership in this role while serving others through philanthropy. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for continued success in all your future endeavors. Awarded this day, October 1st, 2025. And same for Eliza. So,
congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> There you go, Aubrey. Congratulations. Great job. >> Great job. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. If you ladies, if you met Sydney from our office, >> Sydney was a future was a former beauty
uh pageant winner as well, pageant winner back in the day. >> Yes. Back in 20 I was about your age, Aubrey. >> So, yeah. >> Great. a great job. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> All right, so we're gonna go into
executive session. Um, we got two executive sessions to uh go over and we'll come back into open session. Uh, executive session number one under Mass General Law, Chapter 3A, subsection 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to
collective bargaining asked me if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair. So it declares the board will not return to public session at the conclusion of the executive session. >> Well, will return. >> Sorry. Did I
>> It always says will not should be will >> will return. Sorry about that. I'm like a robot here. We'll return to public session at the conclusion of the executive session. Is there a motion to move to executive session number one? >> So move. >> Second.
>> Roll call vote. Mr. Gasper. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hinckley. >> Yes. >> Nami. Yes. Executive session number two under Mass General Law Chapter 30A subsection 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, United Steel Worker, Conservation Agent, Town Accountant, Building Commissioner,
Zoning Enforcement Officer, DPW, business manager. If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares the board will return to public session at the conclusion of the executive session. Is
there a motion to go executive session two? >> Second. >> All those in favor? Roll call vote. Mr. Gasper. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hinckley? Yes. And yes. Go to executive session. From executive session session. Is there a motion to uh open up regular session?
>> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Carries. Next item on the agenda is a letter of resignation from Jessica Brily who's on the master plan committee. Um, is there a motion to accept the regret? >> So moved. Second.
>> All those in favor? I. Motion carries. All right. We did the citations. Uh, school solar project. I see uh Dr. Bailey here and uh Aldo. >> Yep. Carlo Petrono. >> Please come on up. I I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, I don't think. Uh I've heard a lot of good things about you though. So uh why don't you
introduce yourself? >> Um I'm Aldo Petrono. I'm the school business officer. I took over for Patrick who moved on to another another town. And um tonight, um I've been reading up on Select Energy's proposal
to do a solar array over the parking lot between the elementary school and middle school. Um apparently this started back in 2023 and um had gone, you know, partway through um getting approvals and whatnot. So, um, they called me and now
we pick back up on it and the school committee is in favor of moving forward this project. From what I've read and go through their proposals, it looks like it's no cost to us. >> It's a 25-y year uh lease basically, but it's a it's it's a lease in the sense
that we're going to be buying our electricity from the solar array at a discounted rate compared to buying it directly from National Grid. They in turn own the structure, they own the maintenance, everything on it. Um, and we're simply a a purchaser. So, it's a
purchase agreement. So, um, Alan Giles is here tonight from Select. He can answer the technical questions on what this project has, but good. Well, fortunately, we have a technical expert on the board of selectman. So, uh, sir, why don't you come on up?
>> Mr. Chairman, if I may defer from the bar, >> I got I got to meet Allan. When I sat down with Allan yesterday and went over this, um, I asked him, he asked if if he should show up and I said there might be some some questions the board members have just in case. Uh, and he obliged.
Um, but my review of the project, um, the only question I had in general was this current proposal does list prevailing wage and Mr. Kelly, correct me if I'm wrong, when we were going through this with Patrick at this point two years ago uh, or a
year and a half ago. Um, we had spoke to Darren in regards to whether or not, seeing as that we're not actually the entity that owns it, whether or not we would need to use prevailing wage. And if I recall correctly, he said we
didn't. He said we do not own it. We are the less sore of the property but the building of the structure was theirs.
>> So the reason why I bring it up gentlemen because it can affect the price in the in the benefit of the school if it's not prevailing wage uh for the rate so to speak. Um but obviously I would want your input on it as well. Um, my opinion in general is I
support the project regardless. It's a savings for the utility bills for the school regardless. Um, and after I sat down with Mr. Giles, I did do a little deep dive on the company he works for and, uh, they've done some pretty good projects and, um, they have a pretty
pretty good reputation as well. So, >> well, um, I guess my only question, it's not about the the numbers and all that stuff. So, like in the winter time when you're inclement weather, snow melts or
rain and then ice, h how does like the how do you make sure that it's not a a hazard? Um >> it's a great question. >> underneath underneath the uh the array. >> So, what we did was um we adopted a
certain design um that has a lip to it. >> Got it. So when snow or rain comes down the m main part of it, it comes into a trough area and if the snow builds up, it builds up on that lip. >> Got it. >> Until it melts.
>> Okay. I just wanted to make sure again, you know, like I don't >> I'm not an expert on this stuff. >> I I keep telling people the worst thing you want to deal with is a mother who gets snow dropped on her head while she's loading up the >> back. Mr. Chairman, I also brought this up
yesterday. Um, and when speaking with Mr. Giles and Eldo said, just make sure that you have some rocks in your budget as well, you know, just in case. >> Right. Okay. Okay. >> Mr. Inkley thinks it's a good idea. He's
our solar expert as long as it's not costing us any money. >> You should look at the golf course while >> I'll leave it I'll leave it to Mr. Inkley um in his decision- making process. He's the He's the procure. So, if it's going to kick back some savings to the school department's
energy line, we all know energy is going up in cost, not down in cost. So, if we can help divert some some of those future costs for the school department, great, great news. >> Our program fixes the cost of the electricity for 20 years. So, as electric rates go up, the savings stay
with the school district rather than a shared situation between the companies. Um, gentlemen, just so you're aware of the process in this, we went back in 2024. Town meeting approved us to enter into a pilot program. They still have to sit
down with the assessors because it would be technically a pilot program. They are requesting a Z pilot. So, anytime we'd have to charge them a tax, it obviously would increase the rate that they'd have to charge a school. I'd also be in support of that, but obviously the assessors have to make that
determination. um what Mr. Giles needs from us. Essentially, there's a couple more steps including uh one or a couple of um public presentation meetings. >> Yeah, it we did do a um a public comment
session back two years ago. Want to update that? >> Have another one at school where I have a rendering shows what the um the canopy is going to look like in the parking lot. So, we'll be having a a photographer go out and take some pictures there um shortly and I'll have
that rendering ready. We can take comments from the public on it, make some adjustments based on that. Um during that time frame, um we would prepare the the contracts to get to the town for to send to KP Law
for review. They they have I think 140 towns they represent. So, they've seen a lot of our contracts over the years. Um, we go through that process and then once we're at contracts, then we go through all the permitting. We do all the engineering, go to the planning board,
have the planning board review, um, make some changes to design based on their input, then pull building permits. Our goal is to try and be um on site as soon as school is let out so that we're have a little as little impact on school
operations as possible and if we gear up so that we can have site access as soon as most of the schools >> have you had any conversations with the building inspector or the wiring inspector in the town of Kushet? >> No, that's a that's a great question.
Usually we wait until after the contract signed. We go we have the project manager is assigned to the asset and he starts doing all the due diligence making calling plan board calling building inspector and starting review because everybody has their own little way
>> and you do that process after contracts are signed. >> Yeah. >> What happens if there's a a major concern that's going to stop the project? Why would we sign a contract prior? >> Because there's no obligation to you to stop the project. >> Huh? there's no obligation to you
financially. And so we so I'll back up a little bit. The way we're here today is um the town belongs to an organization called Power Options. Power Options was formed as a
nonprofit to be um to work with municipalities and nonprofits to provide energy related services. they you can collaborate and go out and buy electricity from them natural gas. They provide about 10 years ago they
their members came to them and said want you to manage the RFP process for solar. So they every 3 years they got to RFP and we won the last RFP. So we're that's how we can get go here without going
through the public procurement. that process dictates they have all the contracts are already vetted. Uh we have to build things to the RFP awards all of those things in that award um with the
letter of intent and signed we have to start spending money on doing due diligence and in connection all those things but the real hard expenses we wait until after the contract signed before we start spending those. >> Okay. Very good. Um, Mr. Chairman, if I
may, um, like I had mentioned that when we went sat down and went over the timeline yesterday, there's still a lot of a lot to happen in between the process. Um, but one of the parts of the process is to move the process forward
and allow select to move forward. It's not really a it's more of a ser ceremonial vote, but I would make a motion to allow select energy to move forward with this project with the schools. Okay. Second. All those in favor. Motion carries. Great. Thank you.
>> Thanks very much. >> Good luck. You're >> welcome. Thank you. >> Pleasure to meet you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> I'll talk to you next week. >> Cool. All right. Next one, gentlemen, I put on the uh
agenda regarding golf course credit card machines. Um couple things. one um had been this notion that for some reason the town and the treasure collector was
not allowing uh credit card machines to be used above and beyond the um the clubhouse, you know, so like at the grill or the handheld for the the cart uh you know the the the beer cart or
over at the range. Talk to Jen about that. um that's not the case that then coincidentally uh the current vendor who we were working with notified us about uh the current vendor which is Heartland. Uh
they're going to be going up on fees and so on and so forth. And so there's a different uh option out there which is Luminina. and Jen's suggesting that we go with that vendor which would then uh one they'll give us two uh um terminals
at no cost. one, I believe the intention is to have here at town hall so they can do gift gift card gift certificates and all that stuff during the off season and then also if we decided we wanted to do you know portable um it's just you know
a onetime fee per unit to set up but you know I think I spent enough time at the course to see that I think we're potentially despite the best efforts of the staff over there and you know with Dane is good to work with. Um I think we're missing out on opportunity by not
doing that. I realize the season's about to come to an end, so it's not like something we have to implement now. Um but just wanted to put it on everybody's radar that you know if the town if we wanted to have portable units, we can do
that and it's not town hall or you know the collector's office saying that. But anyway, >> Mr. Jim, right? >> I think I've been saying it since I've been on the board. Any point of sale position, whether it's in the middle of the woods, if you're selling anything nowadays should have a terminal,
>> right? >> You know, and I I would I would be all for this. The range, the cart, put them anywhere where you're selling a product or a service, >> right? >> Should have. It's to have cash only at certain places, I think, is a liability. M um we should be trying to handle as
little amount of cash as possible over there. Um I never realized some people, you know, we still want that option, but it's probably not a great scenario. So anyway, just wanted this is FYI. Just wanted to make sure the board had some visibility on this.
All right, any questions? No questions. No sir. All right, next one is we got a uh a resident. I won't get into the specifics of it, but apparently there's some neighbor issues with light shining in through their uh house. And this
gentleman is suggesting that the board look into a light ordinance. Um kind of like a noise ordinance reference to town of Burlington. Obviously that would have to go before the bylaw review committee and you know the appropriate channels uh to look at
would have to you know if it was going to go anywhere it would be with uh it have to go to town meeting in the spring. So I just wanted to if the if the board thinks it's worth looking into we can and put it on the radar of I think this would be in the bylaw review committee if somebody wanted to propose
this uh bylaw change. >> Yes. Uh, this supposedly is based on a Burlington bylaw. >> I would suggest to the board before you
even start down the road just to make sure this is legal, etc. Refer to town council and wait for any some kind of opinion to come back from him. Uh, I think be especially with it's
got fines in it and enforcement and everything. I think it's something that town council probably should report back to. >> We just want to be responsive to the to the resident and the taxpayer, but you know, I agree send it over to town council, but we'll have to put it on the
calendar like it's something that we discussed in June, January, February, March of next year. This isn't something that can be done. Uh yeah, we have to wait for town meeting approved. Anyway, >> we got time. >> All right, there's a motion to uh send
this off to town council. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I motion carries. >> All right. Next item is, you know, we've been going back and forth with utility truck purchase. Uh I know Kevin, you've had some interest in this. >> It's a maintenance. It's just a call a
maintenance truck. It's um >> and I know he's Mr. the trip is jumping the gun and >> he's looking at a double cab truck where we've always had a single cab truck. I don't see the necessity for a double cab pickup truck, especially one that's going to have a plow on it. Um it's not
isolated to one individual using it. Um there's a couple of younger people going to be using it. We've had a single cab. I think for small pocket lots that we're doing, single cab is the the right way to go if especially if it's snow plowing. Um double cabs are more money. And I have done a lot of extensive
research and I'm trying to find the absolute best deal, best truck, lowest miles in the used car market as I possibly can. And it's not obviously an easy thing to do. I've traveled to several dealerships. I have contacts with several dealerships that
are scouting out trucks um for me to see what they can come up with. I'm trying to stay We got 45 grand at town meeting. I'm trying to stay around the 40,000 because I know we have a problem on the old truck, but the new wiring system. So, it depends on what we need to do. Some of these trucks already have plow
um attachments on them minus the blade. So, if that's something that we could do, we don't need a few thousand bucks to get this thing going. So, um trying to get some the lowest miles, best quality vehicle, something if we're going to spend $ 35 $40,000, I'd like to see that truck last a minimum 15 years.
As long as it's taken care of, should have no problem doing it. The truck that we have is I believe it's somewhere around 20 years old now. Um, it's been in the town's possession, um, I think since brand new. If not, it was only a couple years old. And that's what I'm looking for. Someone with long miles um, done. And I'm not going to run off and
buy a truck just to say we did something and it's only good for three or four or five years. That's not looking out in the interest of the taxpayers. So, >> um, if somebody wants to rush out and buy a truck and give one individual what he wants with four doors, knock yourself out. But I won't be responsible for that
boat. I'm trying to do in the best interest of the >> board. Just so I know what what's considered little mileage because I'm looking at something here for 39 grand. Has a plow set up with 47,000 miles. I've been kind of looking for trucks for my one of my sons and it seems obviously
I'm not going to pay that kind of money, but I just wanted just so I understand. >> Yeah. So, what I'm really I'm trying to go under 30,000 mi. Um I actually have a picture of a truck I'd be more than happy to share with you. It doesn't matter to me. >> Just to show you that I am doing what I what I said I would do. And I'm I'm
actually looking for a truck myself. So that's that's a real truck. That's garbage. That's a real truck. And this one's got 23,000 miles and it's under probably close to that. Look at >> Silverado. >> And I'm half the miles, dude. So, and the truck's a beautiful truck, right?
So, I mean, I'm not again not going to run off and just it's it's like taking your what I feel like I'm being put in a situation is it's like you're taking like you just said, I'm taking my 16-year-old to buy the first car and you know what happens when you take a 16-year-old to buy the first car.
The first car that kid gets in and test drives, that's a car I want. >> It's not It's not what you do, right? Well, again, we're not I think we just want to make sure that >> we're keeping sleeping at the wheel. >> Yes, that's all it is. That's the purpose for this exercise. And we just
gave somebody a license to open up a car dealership. Maybe we can go work. We can go. The problem gentleman if he >> The problem with the used car market is obviously I was in the car business, right? And there's a lot of garbage out there and certain dealerships that you're buying from, some of these vehicles are coming from auctions. The
cars go to auctions for a reason. So, you don't want to be stuck with that lemon, >> right? >> Okay, >> bottom line. And you don't want something especially that you're going to put a plow on because they they rust out pretty quick. So, you don't want to be buying something that's already got undercarriage rust, rot, or whatever it is cuz it ain't going to last.
Especially when it comes to brake lines, fuel lines, and things of the like. So, when I go look at it, I know what I'm looking at. I just want to make sure that it's not, you know, we'll keep it on the agenda. Hopefully, we can >> We're not cutting grass. We're not plowing snow for a while. >> Okay.
>> We're good. All right. Uh, Stanley, I'm fine with that. Somebody's making some progress on it. If I had more time to get a truck, I would, but I have no time for it. Sounds good. Uh, sewer and water. Kept this on the agenda again just to make
sure that we've got a gap in coverage. Want to make sure that we've got things moving. I know Kevin, you got a vet. you've been working on this, but I want to hear from Jamie V on where we're at, what we should anticipate, if there's anything holding you up, what do you need from the board? >> Good evening, guys. Um, so I want to let
you know that I finally got the final reads done, got that process all done in order. So, the checks that have been sitting there for the last month have been finally processed for the quarterly billing. Um, now that I finally have assistance from the DPW in the water,
um, I'm getting the final reads done. Um, trying to get all the everything that's wrong fixed and, um, we found some like MTUs, so it's not transmitting, like the reads aren't transmitting in. So, they're checking on
that. Found reads that were going in reverse instead of, you know, forward. So, try and figure out those problems. and then, you know, just gathering through. But I finally got a good grasp on it, I believe. And now with the assistance, I'm planning on getting the
bills out no later than next Wednesday, which would be two weeks after the date that they would normally go out. >> Okay. As you're going through this process, Jamie, are you sort of documenting? >> Yep. >> You know, keeping a journal, >> what's needs to get done, >> right? What's Yeah. And what we need to
fix moving forward and we'll have a policy and, you know, >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Blah blah blah blah blah. Proceed. What is it? Uh procedures manual, right? >> Any questions or thoughts on uh on water billing? >> Good. So, we should expect something to
come before us or to go out when? >> By the latest next Wednesday. I got to call Build Trust and find out what their lead time is. I'm not sure what their lead time is. >> Say next Wednesday. Right. >> Yeah. That's my goal. >> Right. So just tell me uh cuz I'm
unwell. So just explain to me again like so go out Wednesday. >> So the bills will go out, you know, they'll be issued Wednesday, they'll be mailed out assuming either Tuesday, Wednesday. Um they have 30 days from that day to pay them. Okay. >> I know I've been getting numerous phone
calls now, you know, from residents asking >> where their bill is. Um so you have 30 days from the time the bill's issued to pay it. >> Okay. So then you have a grace period. We'll send you a notice.
You get a little window. Then you get a shut off notice. Okay. >> And usually usually when when somebody from the water department shows up and shuts off your water, >> you're usually coming in pretty quick to pay your bill >> cuz you don't want your water shut off, >> right? So
>> all right. We just want to make sure obviously with tax bills are going to be going out soon and you know we just want to make sure that we're responsible when it comes to people you know if they get a chance to pay the bill and rectify it. We don't need to go for the jugular every time. And I can I
can talk to Jamie Lynn because that system is supposed to you should be able to set parameters and it should have already been done where if you're not getting reads are you going negative like she just said >> or somebody spikes it'll alarm and let
you know that is occurring. So for I know we haven't had an employee in in that seat for a few weeks, maybe a month, whatever it is, maybe a little longer, >> but um I don't know. >> As long as um I look log on the program, I have it up now all day long and I get
critical reads, continuous flows, uh reverse flows. So as they come in, I re them. Um there's two residents I've called because they've had continuous flows where um like one gentleman last night I called cuz it's typical for the
location was like 400 cubic feet and over the weekend starting Saturday night or actually not even it was like one day it was 600 cubic feet. So I've called residents let them know you know what's going on you know so they can go out there and check that make sure it's
fixed before there's a bigger problem down the road. Yeah, that's what I'm So there's a parameter you set, right? And and over over the time where the previous person in that position over the time you would know what somebody's households using and you set it up like
say it's um two people in a household using a,000 cubic feet every quarter. Well, then you put a parameter in there like 20% above that. So if at any point in that quarter once it bumps above the 1,200 you can give a phone call and say are you doing anything different with your water because you've already
exceeded we're only two months in and you got another month and you've already exceeded what you normally use in a quarter. Right. That's how the system's designed. >> It's good for tracking down leaks, running faucets, running toilets, faulty pipes. >> Correct. Leaky the little baffle in your
toilet bowl is usually the problem. But we also do now and I don't know what we're doing with that position. I know we're going to advertise Jam Lynn, but you we have people that are snowbirds and they usually call us up and let us know that they're going to leave, right?
We don't advertise that location that they're not going to be in the house, but they're snowbirds. They take off for three or four months. Y >> we can either watch it or sometimes we'll even tell them we'll go to the house and shut the water off. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. We'll put a note if you know if they want to leave the water on. Sometimes they do. Well, they'll we'll
put a note in the system otherwise, >> right? But if not, they'll call us and we'll just we'll we know that they're gone. So, we'll put we can flag them as well their address uses to let us know if something stupid's going on in the house. They'll give us like a backup number like a you know, >> yeah, >> a sibling or something to call case of
emergency, right? They can get in the house and shut things off. >> So, something we need to watch out for, too. >> All right. Well, I got you. Where are we with our audit? So FYI24 is um everything is done except
the single audits. So the school has a single audit they're waiting to get finalized some things and then we have our single audit that I'm still trying to find the procurement for. >> Okay. Does this include will that include the uh when you say procurement trying to find an auditing auditing
firm? >> They're looking for a specific u procurement documents for um a project that was done. >> Okay. So that's what I'm trying to >> And did the audit encompass DPW and all that? >> Once they're done with that, then they'll go out there physically and
internal audits on those location. >> And how about golf? >> It'll be golf and DPW. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good. All right. Thank you. When do you think that all that will be done? >> It's just a matter of trying to locate documentation. and having a school >> single audit done and that's usually the
most involved >> same firm doing >> all right I mean I I know it's important to do the school right that's going to take place but I don't I hate to see the departments that we're have direct oversight not get done
right I mean I think that's >> right yeah >> so if we can somehow figure out how to get that moving I think that'll help the board make decision. >> There's also a timetable with Jesse and the feds as far as
getting the school single audit up. >> I get it. Okay. Well, that's another one. I think that's another one. We got to keep >> Yeah. >> DPW and golf keep that >> Yeah. >> process moving. >> The procurement I have to go to DPW, see if I can actually find >> So, when you say procurement, what do
you what do you mean? So, like it's like a if you went out for an RFP, you know, the original posting and like they want the original advertisement >> and we don't have that. Is that what you're saying? >> I'm trying to locate it. >> It would be up in DPW. >> Yeah. So, >> so well we're she's going up to look
through the files to get it and then we provide it to the auditor and they just check off. >> How how many years is is that only that procurement in 2024? I know the audit is for 2024, but is it year 202
project? >> The problem is so it's who what's the procurement for the wooded and car? That's what I'm I need. I need the bid for the wooded and car. So, >> I'm not sure exactly which year that
fell under, but that's what I >> It would be before 24. >> Yeah. >> That we're going back into. The thing here's the thing with the audit and this it'll go over management and all that stuff, right? >> Because as we're trying to >> we're trying to put in a town
administrator. >> Ideally, we'll have all that. We'll have an audit. >> Yeah. >> Here you go. Right. At least have that. >> Yeah. They've already started the FY25 financial portion. >> Okay. >> So that way, you know, at least we're already in the movement for that one. >> All right. Sounds good.
>> You know the problem with an audit? You read the fine print at the bottom of the front page. It's only as good as the information you're given. >> And it's still it's still a uh a necessary tool. And you know, >> and anybody
>> if we're giving them garbage and then we got problems. >> Anybody who's coming in the audit's less important than schedule a >> still it does it is a tell. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jame. >> All right.
Next item. the conservation agent appointment. Gentlemen, as we discussed >> uh the tax rate and classification, >> sorry about that. Yep. Just wanted to put this again. This is just a uh for visibility uh tax rate and classification hearing
looking to meet on November 4th, which is the day after the new town meeting date. The gentleman agreed with that or your selections meeting as well. >> And we advertise for it >> back to back. Yeah, >> this is I think this was advertised
before town meeting. >> Y got no choice. >> But uh I've talked to the uh finance department, the treasurer collector, the
folks, the accessories, all the staff is ready to go on this. >> All right, sounds good. All right, next one is conservation agent appointment. We uh did a number of interviews.
um that a settlement on a candidate Julia Gonzalz um and uh you know seems at this point would be the best fit uh with the background and also uh the conservation agent from New Bedford has agreed to
help as a professional courtesy to help uh mentor and um you know uh Julia come along the board decided to uh appoint me >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to appoint Julia Gonzalez as a conservation
agent. >> Part time 19 and a half hours a week. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Motion carries. All right. So, you can pass over the next topic, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Sounds good. Uh, anything under selectman's announcements?
>> Uh, I have a few things. So, again, I jump right in. I just go for a text, but on behalf of the PTO, on be behalf of the PTO, a few weeks
ago, they went to Frontier Grill and ran a fundraiser out of there. Tomorrow night, go to Captain's Place on Wednesday, October 22nd. Dine in or take out, show the flyer found on social media, and mention that you are supporting the Accent Middle School's PTO. Captain's Place will donate a
percentage of the your total food purchase to the PTO. Thank you very much. And I would just like to mention the progress that we are making out on Mendle Road. For those folks that live on Mendle Road, it should be the base coat should be put
down, which is the first 3 in should be put down on Friday. And for the folks on Northfield in Middlefield Place, the reclaimers should be there either tomorrow or Thursday, Friday to start reclaiming our road, which is just going to heave it all up and turn into dirt
and it'll be paved the following week. >> So that's what I got. >> I'm good, Mr. Chairman. >> All right. I do not have anything myself. Um, we do have a meeting next Monday, October 27th, 5:00 p.m. at the Council on Aging with Old Colony. We invited the
finance committee there. Mr. Gas, you asked for this meeting. Mr. Blansky and that team is ready to come. If you have any questions that you want answered ahead of time, if you can get them to Aaron, I'll be more than h I'm sure he'll be more than happy uh to do that.
Um, so that's pretty much it. >> I kind of asked if we have people unanswered questions to ask me. I mean, I do have some follow-up things to ask them, but no big deal. But >> all right. Uh that's it. Is there a
motion to adjourn? So moved. Second. All those in favor. [Music]