All right. Uh, good evening. Today is Tuesday, March 17th. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Uh, this is a meeting of the accrushnet board of selectman. Is there a motion to call the meeting to order? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Motion carries. As a reminder, this meeting will be audio and video recorded. Please rise for the
pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um, gentlemen, as I mentioned, I do need
a uh moment of personal privilege to recess the meeting briefly. Of course, I have a personal work phone call that I have to do, mandatory call on my end, but we do have a couple minutes. Um if there's uh we want to look at the golf
new hires. I know Tibble's here in the audience. Um Steve's put forward a number of names. Youth employment, seasonal employment to help do some work at the >> Yeah, we have usually every two maybe three years depending on the age of the the students. These are high school
college students. We have a a turnover. Um and this year um all the the kids who came on board two years ago are seniors and graduating. Some are going off to college, others are going off to trades. So, we have those positions to fill. And
I think you have the the list of individuals. Normally I would supply a uh a resume for each individual but um times have changed I guess because for the majority of these individuals with the exception of one who had done some
small landscaping and another who had worked in a restaurant this is all their first you know significant job of any duration in time. So >> I know a lot of these kids are all athletes. I think a lot of their time has been spent uh playing sports.
>> A good opportunity for them to uh >> get some uh work under their bel. >> Gentlemen, is there a motion to approve? >> Mr. Chairman, can I just ask a question? >> Steve, I know you alluded to it, but it's a question I always ask. Are these all these positions current positions funded in last year's budget?
>> Uh yes, these are all um individuals who were replaced. There's actually there's one one position that would be it could be considered new. Um >> so the headcount is the same as we >> the headcount's the same. Yeah.
>> The head counts the same. So it's all previously funded in last year's budget. >> Yes. >> Okay. And these are on your side of we what we call your side of the house. The other side of the house. This is all in >> these are all these are all um maintenance employees. >> Okay. Uh basically, um you guys probably
are aware of it, but our crew is basically 55 and above and 18 below. There's nothing in the middle and 3/4 of the 55 and above are all retired. So, >> motion to appoint as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> Great. Thank you. >> Thanks, Steve. >> I think we can knock one other thing out. A couple other things. Um Jamie Velasquez has gone through the appropriate training to uh be our procurement officer or to serve in that capacity and um you know I don't know if
the when Mr. Lantain comes in eventually I think that's something you want him to do as well but we should have multiple layers on the procurement stuff. Um so there'd be a motion to appoint Jamie Velasquez as the procurement officer. >> Mr. Chairman if I may. >> Yeah. Um
>> I actually don't like that idea. Oh, okay. >> Um, it's >> Jamie or >> of the procurement officer not being in the town administrator seat. >> Okay. >> Um, nothing to do with the personnel. >> All right. >> Um, we currently have Jamie in capacity. >> No, that's the problem.
>> That's the problem. >> You Well, we don't have to worry about procurement officers until the come back. Correct. >> Cuz we have one starting in two weeks. That's my only concern. The other concern I had when I was diving into it was just to make sure the state actually doesn't like the accountants office
involved in the procurement process unless it's just as a backs stop. So I would just be a little concerned because of the current position that she's in. >> Could could I suggest that uh appointment until the uh new town
administrator comes in >> do we have anything coming in on bids in the next two weeks? you might have any uh something coming from the state or something that needs a procurement and my uh uh MCPPO has
elapsed. >> So I did do a little research on this as well. Um, basically the breakdown says conflict of interest, separation of duties, mass general law, chapter 41, section 55 states that the town accountant or that office shall hold no other town office which involves a
receipt and dispersement of monies with the sole exception of a town clerk. the roles. So procurement off officer authorizes purchases, dispersement of funds while the town accountant audits those expenses and they ensure that they are lawful before payment allowing one person to do both creates a conflict of
interest and financial oversight. So I think it's a great backs stop that somebody in accounting is certified as a procurement officer. Absolutely 100%. I would never I know she's going through certification. She is not technically certified. I don't believe
>> it's three levels. So it's three levels but I have no problem with the certification >> just having her in that role. >> Okay. >> So I think it's conflict of interest. >> Motion to table. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Great. Thank you. Um gentlemen, could
I have a motion to recess? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. All those in favor. >> All right. Is there a motion to reconvene the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I back in session. Thank you again for allowing me to do that. All right, so we
did that. Um, first item we've got I'm just going to jump out of order. Sorry about that, gentlemen, but we've got some folks here. We're in a little bit of a time crunch. Um, at a couple meetings ago back in February, we uh discussed the need of uh the storm water
agent. Since then, we've had some issues that have uh popped up and it's clearly a gap in a need. Um and you know we're working through some of the um you know some of those issues and unfortunately it's just put a strain on staff and
people in that office and so conservation chair Matt and Mr. Kelly and conservation commissioners asked voted to recommend to the board that we appoint a storm water agent and we discussed it so on the agenda. Um
some thoughts on that Mr. Chairman. Yeah. um going as you alluded to the back and forth kind of thing. Um and I know we talked about the six-month probation, but I had a conversation with Mr. Kelly after the last meeting and I said, "It's pretty easy for us to solve this dilemma that we have with storm
water." And he said, "How's that?" And I said, "You do the same thing that we just did for this conservation agent. We have a six-month probationary period and neighborhood of storm water, Julia Gonal, the storm water agent, and put this bed." So, >> right. Um, I'm more than happy if the
board's at the board's pleasure, I'm more than happy to appoint Julia Gonows as the stormwater agent. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Car. Great. Julia, while you're here, I haven't had a chance to talk to you since you've been conservation agent, but when we first met and we did those interviews, you're doing a great job. The fact that I
haven't had to talk to you means you're doing a great job, right? So, keep up the great work. >> Thanks, Jim, for your guidance and your advocacy. One one other thing while we got here, we'll jump on real quick. have on the agenda is Lake Street. Um there's a lot going on uh that Jim has has
jumped on board with with the conservation commission and we do have a Lake Street committee uh and talking with Scott Daget. It's um you know the participation I think we just got to take a a look at it and maybe refresh it and come up with a maybe um you know
just a new look at it. and you know I'm going to be departing in a month and so I'd appreciate if somebody from the board here would take that on as a pet project but Jim I know you've got some just a quick update on what you guys are up to there >> yeah so right now I mean Julia's working hard with this too we got um new befford
involved we got um Scott Daget still very much involved with it we're trying to go for this grant we got uh how many more days like four days or >> Friday it's >> Friday we're going to be putting in this grant um I know that it was uh Scott mentioned to me that we wanted they wanted to do away with the committee,
just not enough people involved. I think that's a very bad idea. I think we just have to kind of restructure. Um, keep it a committee. Um, anyone who's not willing participate, hey, fine. Don't be on a committee anymore. I think we just have to try to really make it a good strong structure. Um, the other thing
with Lake Street, just so you guys know, we are looking further down the road to do a community um, group. So, in other words, get Lakeville, Freetown, um, New Befford, Dartmouth, get us all with the same thing with us trying to clean up
lakes and ponds and everything else. Um, with that being said, I think we could do so much better with Grant if we go to the state and say, "Hey, listen. We're five communities that are looking to do all the same thing." And instead of all of us fighting for the same thing, if we get together and we become a team, I think we're going to be stronger. Uh,
we're not going to do that at this first grant, but it is something we're going to be looking down the road. And um with that being said, I'd like to talk to Scott and maybe start a get a committee meeting going and see what people feel, get everyone there, whoever don't show up and start restructuring this. I know
um Mr. If you don't mind, I would be kind of looking for some maybe some of your input on how we want to structure structure this because I don't want it to be a voting board because I don't want to deal with Mullen rules. I think that anyone that we're dealing with should be able to go to the lakes and
let's discuss what's going on without so much, you know, make it kind of easy. Um, and then the other thing I mentioned to Mr. WA was that also, um, we don't want conservation to ever take this off over because we if we ever go for another NOI, we can't have the
conservation commission bringing up the NOI. So with that being said, I think that we can really start structuring and make this a strong thing among communities and fight for the same thing. >> So I guess the question is if we're not we don't want it to be a voting commit,
right? So Pam, help us out with this. We want it to be an advisory or just I I don't know what how we would do that. >> So I know the committee that's there now does not vote. They do not have a chairman. They do not have a vice chairman. They don't have nothing. In
regards to that, when I went to one of the meetings, Pam, it's just everyone telling their ideas. There is really like no structure, right? >> Okay. So, the issue comes in where it's an
appointed board by the selectmen and there is deliberation. Um, so you're sharing all of your ideas. um you can do that but once you start deliberating you know agreeing with this one agreeing
with that one it's it's a very slippery slope so you could do an advisory but you still you still have to abide by the open meeting law >> okay so if we take and and I'm just asking if we take and do set this up a
new committee right then we bring forth letters to the selectmen um saying we're interested in getting on committee and then we appoint a chairman, vice chairman and go that route. Would that be the easiest way to hold it better so we don't get in trouble?
>> Well, how has the board the uh >> we haven't dissolved it. We technically we still have the Lake Street committee, right? So, it's just maybe it's just put out a call to action to see who wants to continue to serve and maybe keep it to a smaller number. You know, this way >> I'm just throwing that out there. This
way you don't have to worry about quorums and all that kind of stuff, you know. So, I don't know. You guys have you guys have been around. Any thoughts? >> You'll still have to worry about quorums, >> right? But if you get a three member board, >> yeah, >> then it's a lot easier to get two people to show up than it is to get eight
people to show up. You got a 12, you know. >> Well, I'm not the GM then. >> All right, Kevin. So you Jimmy, I don't know if it's two different conversations, keeping the Lake Street committee in place in town, but then you went off and you started talking about
grant sharing and and being involved with multiple communities. So, I don't know how that would work, but and it's probably a legal question, but if you formed a committee with multiple towns and you say you have four towns
and you only have three people from each community, right, you I don't think you would have to post and and have that as a legal committee because it's not a town's committee anymore. It's a regional committee. >> You still have to abide by the open
meeting law. Yeah, I think that's more like a working group what you're talking about, you know, less of a committee, but just more of a bunch of towns going applying for a grant at the same time. I think they're working through Surfhead, right? So, it's kind >> So, we have right now like Lakeville and Freetown have a committee already. So,
they actually went and bought a boat and they have no one to run it or anything else, but they um went and bought a boat. they have their own committee and I think that it's going to be everyone's going to have a committee that we all get together and say okay let's get together write these grants up as a group even though it's going to be 1 2 3
four committees whatever it's going to be right but if if if it's better structured that we turn this into a regular voting committee that um has a quorum and everything else then it's we could actually post if correct me if I'm wrong Pam if we were going to do a site
visit where we say Okay. The whole committee is going to the lakes. Could we advertise that and let the public come and would that be legal? >> Yes, you could. Absolutely. Absolutely. >> I know the chief of police is right here. He's part of the committee. Um
>> I mean, you got any thoughts? I mean, >> I believe the committee now was a subcommittee of the original committee because it was a um wasn't a spin-off. Correct me if I'm wrong. >> I think so. Yeah. because it was originally it was a lodged committee and we would run into problems that people
would say they want to be part of it but didn't want to show up to the meetings. So we formed a subcommittee to try to just dive into going to the next step. So that's where it was. >> Okay. Well, why don't we do this? We can put some thought into it and then you know figure out a game plan. >> Mr. Chairman, if it's easier for you
just because I know you're coming close to the end of your your tenure, I'll jump in on this. I have no problem. Um, I'll meet up with Jimmy at some point and we'll go through, um, I'll probably have him give me the tour of the other communities, too, and I can dive into what they're doing so I can at least
come together and we can put together a plan and I'll just bring it to the board when we figure it out. >> Just so you know, Mr. Aley, this is something we brought up at our meeting, right? And, um, Chance from New Befford is the one that says, "Hey, we got Lake Street um, Lakeville and Freetown racing to do the same things we're trying to
do." So instead of trying to compete with everybody, let's try to get together. We haven't discussed it with Lakeville yet or Freetown. It's something that we've come up with and I am going to try to get to the next meeting for Lakeville and um Freetown. Hopefully Julia comes with me. She's
right into it with us. Um so it's something that you know it could be down the line. Don't get me wrong, it could be down the line, but right now we're just trying to figure out how to get our committee stronger again and rebuild it, restructure. Okay? Right. And uh like I said, if we have to do a full committee where we have a chairman, vice chairman, well, that's what we'll do. And we'll
just have to post everything we do. >> Got it. Okay. >> All right. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. >> Mr. Susan, I'll give you a call at the end of this week, probably this weekend. >> All right. >> And we'll set set up a time where we can dive in, really think about the size of the committee, the structure, and go
from there and then figure it out. And >> um if you don't mind, the other thing I'm do is I am going to talk to Scott and have Scott pull up a committee meeting. Y >> so maybe you might even want to come with to it. And I think it's just something we should start talking to the members that are there now and
you know it's like I just don't want to say okay you're no longer in the committee. I think we should feel out see who wants to be involved not involved. So I will get a hold of Scott also. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Yes ma'am. I would also like to add that and I don't know what the number was set
for the um what the committee numbers were but a number will need to be set to ensure a quorum but I'll I can go through that. >> I'll set it at 14. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> 14. Okay. >> How many on
>> I was going to get that for town meeting >> four. Yeah. >> Yeah. We'll we'll talk about that and figure things out. Thank you very much, guys. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh >> thanks. >> We've got Alex Knox who's here. Um
>> he got a citizen petition that he'd like to uh advance to town meeting. Mr. Knox reached out, wanted to put him on the agenda, but you know, there's a process that'll require uh you know, some review from the town and all that stuff, but seeing that there's a citizens petition
and you went through that process. wanted to at least afford you the opportunity to um talk about what you what you're up to. >> Good afternoon, members of the board and the community. My name is Alexander Knox. I am the lead petitioner for two citizens petitions that we are
submitting as articles for the annual town meeting warrant tenatively this June. To be clear, these articles do not seek new permissions. Since October 2nd, 2024, a new state law has defaulted our municipal administrative buildings and
their grounds to prohibited locations. Article one, exemption of municipal administrative buildings, seeks to exercise our local authority to exempt these properties and restore the standards that existed in a Kushnet for over 150 years. We are asking to
maintain a tradition of safety that has never been a problem for our town. The current state law creates a serious public safety risk. It forces our most vetted licensed residents to disarm themselves before even pulling into a
town parking lot, let alone stepping foot on town grounds. This requirement mandates administrative handling, the repeated unholstering and clearing of firearms in the cramped quarters of a vehicle or in a public space. Statistically, this carries a
much higher risk of negligent discharge or theft from a vehicle than simply leaving a tool safely and secured safely secured in a holster. We are creating a public danger by forcing citizens to handle and clear
firearms in their cars. just to pull in and pay a tax bill or renew a dog license. Historically, prohibited locations are only constitutional when the government provides comprehensive security, such as armed guards and metal
detectors to compensate for the loss of the ability for self-defense. Without that security, these mandates simply create soft targets. We saw the tragic reality of this in 1993 when our community lost nurse Carol
Day at Ford Middle School despite existing prohibitions. These zones disarm only the law-abiding. They do nothing to stop a determined criminal. Furthermore, there are no analogous laws from from our nation's founding that support these invisible
zones. They are inconsistent with the Second Amendment's text, history, and tradition. I want to be clear that these articles do not affect schools or active polling places where state and federal prohibitions remain in place. Article
two, mandatory perimeter signage for non-exempt prohibited areas is a fail safe. If article one passes and we exempt our buildings and grounds, article 2 effectively costs the town nothing. However, if the town chooses
not to pass the exemption, clear signage is a legal necessity. Under the new law, a violation requires that a person reasonably should have known they were in a prohibited zone. By mandating conspicuous reflective signage, we
provide fair notice and protect the town and our police officers from legal ambiguity and qualified immunity risks. It gives our officers the clear discretion they need to avoid the accidental criminalization of our lawful
residents. Finally, we must consider our local authority. At a time when the state is actively suing towns to strip away local control, it is vital that a Kushna exercises the local authority we do have. The state explicitly gave us
this local option in chapter 135. If we don't use it, we are surrendering our local voice to a one-sizefits-all mandate from Boston that doesn't fit a Kushnet. These articles work in tandem. Article one restores our tradition by opting out
of the new state default and article two manages the remaining risk. I respectfully request that the board insert these articles into the warrant for the annual town meeting exactly as submitted. Let the voters of Aushnet decide whether to protect our
constitutional rights on town property from these state level mandates. Thank you. Right. >> Well, thank you first of all. Um very impressive the amount of work that you put into this. All the information that you provided um was really good, really
helpful. Um, you know, I think the board I don't know how the board feels, but when we get these, we usually ask stakeholders to comment and there's the bylaw review committee and there's a process um that, you know, the board will have questions about and public, you know, public safety, so on and so
forth. So, um, gentlemen, what's the pleasure of the board? Mr. Mr. Chairman, if I may, um, this >> question would be for the town clerk just to confirm the amount of signatures required was met. I have not seen the petition yet. I have
the petition to get that to the town clerk. >> Yep. I I was just curious just for the fact that I'm a big fan of the democratic process. You follow the procedures and process and ultimately this is the type of decision that like the chairman mentioned, we like to give to the stakeholders of the town. Um,
anybody that happens to be in an administrative building should at least see this beforehand anyway. And I'd always like to send stuff to town council regardless. um especially when we're putting an exe exe possibly putting an exemption at a current state law. Um but I once again you follow a
public process and uh I'm a huge fan of town meeting public process. So I mean >> yeah so I guess you know you can give all that all your signatures give that to the town clerk. Once that's certified, it'll make its way back to the board and when the board reviews
articles, then you know they'll uh I'm sure we'll we'll you know, Mr. Chair. >> Yeah. >> Can I call you Alex? >> Yep. >> So, Alex, um thank you for putting this getting this um signed through a
petition. Um do you have I PM? Is it 100 for >> for an annual town? It's only 10. What was the deal with 100 and 200 special? Special >> special. 100 is a special if the special
has already been called. >> If not, it's 200 to call a special. >> Okay. So, the 200 falls for a special, but a calling of a special just for a petition. >> So, it's 100 special 10. >> Got more than 10.
>> Got more than 10. So, I I just I I want to I want to thank you for standing up for the Second Amendment. Um I'm a huge Second Amendment advocate. Um I've been around firearms since about the age of five. My father was president of New Befford Rod
and Gun Club. We actually built that wild cabin that exists today without hands. So, um and my mother was an expert Moxw woman. She was better than all four of the men that were in that household. So kudos to the women out there that are
good with firearms. My mother was excellent with firearm as well and um excellent box woman >> and the same. >> So and I think you did I think it would be >> we would be doing oursel a disservice um to the second amendment if we didn't
post this. I mean I don't know if you can do it if you're on all things Kushnet so people can get an idea once they watch this. Some people might be losing their minds. Um, I think it's important that you you did a very good job of explaining, you know, the ups and downs and how we got here.
>> Um, I couldn't agree more with it to be honest with you. >> So, um, as long as you have certified signatures, it's via a petition. Um, it has to go on town meeting. >> All right. >> So, >> sounds good. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Great job.
>> All right. So, uh, give that off to the town clerk. All right. Next item on the agenda is to appoint a temporary registar of voters, Mr. Paul O. Gonzal is I don't know if today's St. Patrick's
Day. Is that why it's O Gonals or But anyway, with all due respect to Mr. Gonal, thank you for uh putting your name forward as a motion to appoint Mr. Gonals. >> I just have a question. I I did just write here. Is this at the request of the town clerk? >> Yes, it is.
>> Okay. So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I motion carries. >> All right, Pam, don't go too far. Um, we received the communication board did I think you were on it as well from the superintendent and the school on behalf of the school committee
regarding town elections and using the school um, you know, for that and the coordination of that. I don't, you know, I suggested to Superintendent Bailey and uh that, you know, she you ultimately
preside over the the elections and you have a better insight of that. You know, while I appreciated her reaching out to the board, um you know, it's it's ultimately your your show. Um but I do think at some point, you know, as a
courtesy, at least just have a conversation. You maybe there's a working group to examine it and look at it. I know you've looked at this a bunch of times, but um anyway, that's want to at least raise that and I wanted to do my job of advancing the issue. I don't have any skin in the game either way. Um
so, >> okay. I do know that um we have tried multiple locations and um one of the things we do need to keep in mind is we now have more than a thousand
registered voters more than we started you know 10 15 years ago. >> Um so it is growing. Each precinct uh has a maximum requirement of 4,000
residents for the census. Um now although that does not include children, it doesn't include non- voters, um that's still a large number of people that are eligible to walk through a
polling location to vote. Um we've tried the senior center and I think we you can concur chief that we've had numerous accidents um there so it had it is
definitely a traffic concern. Um we used to use the community center which that was a great setup. Um it was a very large open space. Um it was very easy. Uh but that went away. Uh we tried to do
the 2016 presidential election in the new community center at the library. Um and although we made it work, um it was not ADA compliant.
>> Um and that's an issue. Uh the only place um that is suitable is is the schools. So, we've been monkeying around with the the election dates, right? And so, I think by charter it was supposed
to be the first t first Monday in April, right? That was traditionally. So, maybe just as something to think about if you know the town is committed to April. >> Maybe it's during April vacation week, right, when the school is vacated. I think one of the what what Paul is
concerned is that with snow days and they people just don't feel comfortable having the school open while school is going on. >> So just maybe that's something to think about where it's you know school vacation week. I think this year the election is on April 28th.
>> Yeah. >> School vacation is the week before that. So you know you're in that kind of you're in that range. Um so >> we did discuss that the last time around. Um, and the reason that w that wasn't chosen is because there were too
many families on vacation >> and that was the issue. >> Um, that's why we opted for the fourth Tuesday. Got it. Um, fair enough. I don't have um I don't have a preference
for it to be in the month of April. Um, the reason that it was changed to begin with is it coincides with our dog licensing deadline of March 31st. >> Um, now that you've thrown in the vote
by mail for early voting, um, that's it's just a nightmare. And we all know that the integrity of our elections is is extremely important. >> So, um, we want that dedicated time to focus just on the elections. So, I'm
open to other days. Um, the Tuesday, we opted for the Tuesday so we would be consistent with all of the state and federal elections. >> Exactly. >> Exactly. >> All right. Well, I guess maybe a working
you're just a working group again to have all these committees, but you know, um, but I do think you still have to think about November elections for state and federal, right? >> September and November. >> Yeah. the primaries >> and that uh it was not clear in the
communication if the discussion was on all of them. >> I think it's pretty much Yeah. >> should be on all of them. I mean, you can't just isolate the town's elections go that one's the only one. >> That's the one I was thinking of because that one's always every year, but if you got stuff every two years,
>> but the crowds are presidential November elections, >> right? Or maybe Pam, I don't know if there's a way to come up with a calendar that looks multiple years out and then they could maybe schedule their professional days or do something like
along those line. I don't know, you know, but I think it's bringing the school department into this conversation I think is really important. I don't know that we can solve it. >> And it's four dates on presidential election years. >> Presidential primary, town election,
state primary, and then the November election. So the the issue really is not the um bianual November election and the town election because those are pretty much set in
stone. Um the issues come up with the September primary. Um, and the state is working, the town clerk's um, association has been fighting to get a specific date uh, in the month of
September, but you run into the issues with the the Labor Day holiday. So, it kind of bounces around. This year, it's going to be September 1st. Um but they are they are fighting um to be able to have a definitive date because this is
not our town is not the only one that's struggling with this. Um it is frustrating. >> Typically we don't have the number of snow days that the students had this year and the teachers had this year. >> Um we can't predict that. But, um, yes,
I'm willing to absolutely, you know, have conversations and, um, >> yeah, >> I would just, you know, I don't know, >> honestly, I I I don't know if this, in my opinion, I I view it more of a safety thing,
>> right? I think that's the troubling only factor that plays a role for myself. It's not about anything else other than the safety factor, right? too many people. When you have kids in school, you have, you don't know, you have a lot of vehicles from teachers and staff and
things of the like, and you have all these people pulling in, you have unknown faces that on the on a normal business day for the school faculty, they pretty much know who belongs and who doesn't belong, right? >> On election days, you have people
pulling in you, which it's just, >> I hate to call it, it could be a soft target, right? Mhm. >> So, um I think that's all I think that's what the school's looking at it. I mean, I don't really know if it's anything else. I don't think they have any other problems. And we we do the board of selectment do control town buildings.
>> Um so, ultimately, it's really our say even though it's the elections being held by the town clerk, right? But I think we do have to have, you know, a conversation with them. I just don't know if there's a simple solution to it. We can't move them as you alluded to. I agree 100% with that statement. Um and
trying to do, you know, Mr. alone. I brought up the point of faculty day and things of the like, but then we just talked about and I agree with that and we've done that in the past, but September primary elections, the kids only go back to school nowadays. They're going back late August. They're in school for a week and you're going to,
oh, we have a day off, >> right? >> So, it's kind of one of those things where you just, right, >> it's tricky. Would it make sense to have obviously the town clerk, somebody from the board of selectmen and the school department, you know, Pauler and chairman of the school committee just
get together and >> yeah, >> come up with a game plan and figure it out from there. So, I don't know, gentlemen. >> Make a motion to appoint Mr. England to that. >> That's fine. >> All right. Is there a motion? Second. Uh, I'll second that for Mr. Inkley to
represent the board and then you get with Pam. Sorry, Bob. >> That's all right. >> Uh, got a lot of things happening in the near future. >> There were worse things than hanging out with the >> It's a one day. >> I'm going to go poke a hole in his new hot water tank. >> Okay.
>> If you do that and you guys get together, um, you know, I don't think it has to be solved this week, but, you know, when you have time >> to get into it and have a conversation and come up with a game plan that works for everybody, that'd be great. >> See if See if there's a solution to the problem. I I'm not so sure that that's
going to come about, but maybe we can end up at some happy medium for everybody. >> Well, I can say since I've been doing this um and it's been at the schools, um we had one day and I accept full
responsibility. I gave the wrong date that how it happened, I don't know, but I accept full responsibility. Um and then the November 18th, >> um that was a special election. I had no control over that.
>> So, um you know, we're usually able to make it work with those two exceptions. And honestly, it would have worked the first time had I not made the mistake. >> It happens. >> So, all good. >> Um Mr. At that point, I think um
>> trying to do anything drastic before this upcoming election is impossible. >> So, I don't think we're at like I don't think we need to be full steam ahead on this conversation, but I'm more than happy to jump in with you, open the dialogue. I think it goes back to the
>> I remember voting depending on your precinct, you went to a different building, >> right? >> And it was a lot easier when you know the town could do that. And I just think uh to second what Mr. Gasper said about safety, but on the other side of things,
cars pulling out a COA all day, it can get pretty messy, especially community center, now library. >> Yeah. >> People stopping, people blocking traffic. It can get a little hectic. So, we really have to focus on that aspect of it as well, >> right? >> Um I don't know if there's a lot we can do, but we'll have the conversation
either way. >> Yeah. Cool. >> Yeah, I'm I am open to all alternatives. Um, we did try the fire department one year. One thing that we have to keep in mind is that every time we change a polling location, it's additional cost
for notifying all of those voters in that precinct. >> There would also be an additional cost, correct me if I'm wrong, if you had multiple like we used to do because you'd have increased police details plus you'd have to increase the bodies actually working at each
>> Exactly. Correct. precinct desk. >> Right. Right. And now I can I'm able to shift people around. It's it Yeah, it's a it is a huge cost savings, but I am all about the safety. I mean, I had kids
that went through that school. I went through that school. Um, you know, my nephews were both at the middle school when, you know, Alex had mentioned about Mrs. Day. So, you know, that is real for me. Um, but I also know that, you know,
we've got the taxpayers to answer to. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, okay. Thank you. >> I do. A point of order. You got a motion, a second. >> All those in favor? >> I I
feel like when we're talking to the town clerk, not officially voting. >> There you go. Can we take up uh number eight while she's here? >> Uh yeah. Oh, Pam. >> Oh, I'll make a motion to pass over number seven. New business.
>> Yep. All right. Second. >> All those in favor? Motion carries. >> Uh town meeting. We're looking at June 15th. >> Works for me. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I wrote down every Monday, the 15th, 22nd, and 29th. So if you go
by last year's which was the 16th, this year's would be the year. >> I I kind of traded with the schools. The 15th is an open date. >> Beautiful. All right. Motion >> the later we go then we don't have to push it any later cuz we're too close to the June 30th deadline. >> All right. So there's a motion to set
town meeting at June 15th. >> So move second. >> All those in favor. Harris. Very good. >> All right. Next item comes from our COA director. We've got some surplus stuff, a van,
a maintenance pickup, and some co. >> Yep. Okay. So, Mr. Jim >> and uh I this was just brought up. Uh there is a
procedure to go through it and we have to uh adhere to the procedure. Uh the flat files I believe are from uh parting way and uh >> okay
>> and the maintenance pickup uh I think you know about >> we don't even have that as a picture in our book >> right >> I have two buses from council and agent some flat files that you talked about so Mr. Mr. Chairman, I can make this real easy. What we have is a form that's been always used in the past. It's called a
declaration of surplus property. I have it right here in my hand. If the department head, whoever files for something, they can fill that form out, pick it up in our office with Margaret, our administrative assistant, and they can fill that document out and submit it to the board of selected to be put on
the agenda and we will see if it's accurate declaring things as junk like the two veins at the council and agent. We have plants grown through them. They're scrap. But the the forms need to be filled out. Then we can go through the proper protocol to have Mr. Manard,
if we're going to get rid of vehicles. Mr. Manard's done it with some of his surplus. We just went through this practice maybe six or nine months ago when Mr. Manard and some stuff down at the town barn and he hauls it, puts it on the flatbed and either hauls it to Mid City Scrap or to Middlebar Recycling
and something like that. Right, Dan? >> Correct. Yep. So, he's more than willing to collaborate with any department head once we declare whatever we declare. And if it's junk, it's junk. I mean, those flat files might be good for sale for something. I don't know. Um, but we'll
see what people think. And maybe we can put that up on mini bid the flat files and see if there's anybody out interested in, you know, giving us $100,000 for something that's worth five. But who knows? >> They can grab the library at the same time. >> There you go. All right, cool. Sounds
like a plan. >> All right, next item under old business, we have Pauline Texar here to talk about uh Perry Hill Church. Is that right? >> Come on down. >> National site destination.
>> Yes, I'm very very happy. I also got a a a letter in the mail today saying it's going to the national to get on the national register. >> Okay. >> So once that's approved, we'll be on the
um mass state and then we'll be on the national. >> So that's good news. >> Is that is that didn't we do this with a property in the past, Pauline, with you? It was it's called the National Historical Register or something like that. I we've done it twice, I believe,
because I got the River's End on the National Historic Register, the district, and then the museum. >> Museum. >> Museum. Yeah. >> So, that's what that is. It's the National Historic Register. Right. It should make it a little easier for us to
get um from the state, get some money from the state in order to do repairs, >> you know. Oh, we're missing out on one that they were talking about that's ending Friday, >> right? >> So, I don't know if there's any more. I've got to talk to Victoria on that. She's very helpful. You should check
also that if I remember correctly, the secretary of state runs a bunch of stuff cuz we got >> this was way back way back like I think it was like 120 grand for the parting ways building >> with Senator Montig it was like an emergency you know they have like
>> they have a pool of money for stuff you know and I know we're trying to finish some work over the parting ways but this could be helpful here but anyway >> resource is this is great is there anything this is more FYI for us. >> Yes, it is. I hope everything goes
forward and it'll be good. I've only worked on this building since 2010, >> so it's a long time. >> It's a gem. So, >> we uh uh Pauline and her committee attended the by Zoom the the meeting
where the state voted >> recently, Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. Yeah. It was last week. We all watched it on the on the I heard it on the TV. It was really great, >> Mr. Jim. >> Yes, >> they're all for it.
>> So, normally we don't always have the time and the opportunity to say thank you to certain people in this community, but I'd like to take the time right now to say thank you to you, Miss um Texer, for everything that you have done for decades in this town, especially with
historical society. So, um, from my mouth to your ears, thank you very much for everything you've done for our community. >> You're welcome. >> Outstanding. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Great job. Thank you. >> All right. Next item is under old
business, the RFPs for trash hauling and disposal. We've finally got those documents prepared. Gentlemen, you guys. Yeah. So I looked at the documents. I sat with
Mr. Manard over the documents and then I noticed the ones that we have in our book are we're missing pages. So I sat with Mr. Manard to confirm what we have is the documents that Mr. Manad's given us
in early January. Mr. that compared to what we have in our books is they're they're the same word for word pretty much, but they're missing pages in both documents. So, the ones that we have in our book are NG and the ones that Mr.
Manard gave us in January are what we used here, but it's missing a ton of information with the ones that we have in our book here. So, what I'm going to do is outside of changing some dates that we discussed back in November with Mr.
Manard, four months, 5 months later, we're using the same documents that Mr. Manad gave to the board in January. I will make a motion to use the documents that Mr. Manad has presented for trash hauling and trash disposal and recycling,
changing the dates that are in there. I've highlighted everything inside the documents that are missing, the pages that are missing, so I can sit down with Mr. Kelly and review all of this together >> and Jamie Lynn. >> Yeah. >> And sit down and and we'll go over everything before this goes out. The
problem is is we've waited too long and time is of the essence for budgets. So, there are some dates in here. I'd have to sit down tomorrow. I don't know if Jamie Lynn will be back in the afternoon or >> afternoon.
>> We have some constrictions for time frames for posting things. I don't know if it's I think it's the central register. That's the tickler. That's like a Thursday deadline. So, if we can get it done tomorrow afternoon, that would be great. I could do this
pretty quickly with Mr. Kelly and Jamie Lyn and review this, change the dates, but I would ask the board on the disposal one that needs to go out first to get a deadline of April 3rd so we can
get those bids open. It's only two weeks, but it's only two people that are qualified to bid on it. >> Sure. >> So, if we can just use that April 3rd deadline for bids to be received, we can open them on April 3rd. We can then shoot out the following week for combis
and the central register for hauling. We need to know where we're going with the disposal before we can bid out hauling. The haulers need to know where they're bringing the garbage, right? We've talked about this a number of times. So,
we need to get disposal out first. I'm going to do my best. Hopefully, I can get Jamie Lenn in here tomorrow before closing and we can review the document. We can get that on central register and combise by Thursday morning and get the bids back by April 3rd for
disposal. We got to change some dates as well. So, >> Mr. Chairman, if I may, just to bring this to the attention. Sure, you guys know about it anyway, but um I was diving through this and I'm okay with Mr. you guys for going through changing
dates and banging this out tomorrow. But I would request that the Akusha golf course with the 10 yard and the 8 yard list video be broken out with a separate line item. >> So the the golf's packaged in this bid.
>> Is there a reason we did that, Dan? The sun's glaring off that door, so I know. >> Can you go to the podium, >> please? Thank you. Is there a reason we we it was in it used to be in the budget trash disposal.
I know that for a fact. >> Correct. So when actually when this was back in Howland days, we've we've always had them pick that up over there at the golf course. So I know they were an enterprise fund or whatever, but I don't know if they got reimbured or did anything like that in in the background,
but no, this was always from even back in the day. I remember even when Holland was here, they used to pick them up. So, we just left it >> in there as one of the places they >> and I mean ultimately I have zero issue with them picking it up, >> right? >> I would just like to see it broken down
and then fall back into that bucket of indirect cost. So, it is a true enterprise fund because as of right now, this would set up any it could set up a questionable entity with an enterprise fund having it lumped in with everything else under municipal buildings. I think having the
convenience have them picking it up is great if they could just break it down with a separate line item just for those two dumpsters. >> I'm sure they could do that. >> Yeah, that's I wouldn't think that'd be an issue in We'd have to get a rough idea when we did that, right? >> I'd have to talk to Steve and see what
they usually do, how many dumpsters they go through, you know, roughly. >> I mean, according to what they currently have, they have once a week or something. >> Once per week, they have a 10 yard and an 8 yard. >> Yeah. and then it will not require pickup in January and February. So there's kind of weird stipulations
involved with it. It's just as long as we do a calculation of 10 months instead of 12 months, right? >> Price for a monthly price or >> can we can we keep the bid spec like the way it's been set up and and do what Mr. Hinckley's talking about. We just get a
number on what we calculate as tonnage because everything's based on tonnage with garbage. and say if they get rid of, you know, 50 tons a year or whatever the rate is, we back charge. The town could back charge Enterprise for that. >> Well, you wouldn't put the back charge language in there. But you could ask
them to break. >> We do that with a budget. J, we leave the bis spec. So, we ain't recreating a wheel because we're way behind the curve and come to find out we're we're back to dealing with the same documents that we were given back in January. So, we prolong this for no reason is what I'm getting to. This needs to get out so we
can give FINCOM and ourselves an accurate budget, but we have a massive deficit and we have no idea what trash is going to be. That's extremely dangerous in my opinion. This needs to get done and done ASAP. >> So, but what he was getting at that's more for the collection. That's for the
pickup versus the disposal. The disposal is the tonnage. >> You know what I mean? So, I don't think that's going to change in that big cap, but it's going to change. It's going to change in the direction of death. Good to know what what the school cost. >> I I just brought it up simply because I didn't know if it had to be in the bidsp
spec. If it can be done retroactively after the fact, like just through the accounting accounting office and budget, I'm good with it. As long as it's right now, I don't want to see a zero line item. And I agree. I think every the the schools the golf course I mean
the school's not really an enterprise fund. So it's not really >> but it's a separate budget from >> correct. Understood. >> But in the bid specs it does say all municipal buildings. I did see the same thing the schools are in in there as well. So again they're not it's kind of >> Yeah. If it doesn't mess up if it doesn't mess up the bidsp spec and you
can leave it the way it is. >> School in the school's budget either. That's kind of in the >> All we want to know. Yeah. >> I can I can get that for you guys. So we can work that out. I would leave it alone. keep this keep this the way it is and we'll just >> we're going to back charge >> back charge >> golf
>> y >> and we'll figure out what if we're going to do anything with school but we're going to figure out what the tonnage is for golf and there was there used to be a line item and I know I have a budget for golf that has a line item for trash disposal >> it's still in there it's just zero >> I know what the number used to be
>> I have that budget >> guaranteed >> so what was your motion Mr. Jasper and move forward with >> my motion. Well, it would be just to get this out and use the April 3rd for disposal for I'm just asking the board two weeks period. It's only two people.
So, there's no reason why Dan can just So, this is only good business practice, right? Cuz trash is not part of procurement. I talked about this the last time. We technically don't have to go off of procurement, but it's good business practice. It keeps everybody honest. So, we're going to do this practice. I had a conversation with Mr.
today and I said, "Can I do a shorter time frame for disposal so we can get the hauling out fast so we can get real numbers for budgetary reasons?" And he said, "Yeah." I said, "Can you do me a favor? Can you call Semass and let them know we're posting on Combis and Central Register? Call Waste Management. They
have the new facility in Maran Matapo wherever it is for disposal. Let them know the same thing. Get on it and enroll." >> Mhm. get those bids in and by April 3rd we can open them up and say have a nice day. We know what that is and we know where we're going now based on whoever
wins the award. And now in the hauling one we're going to tell them if it's changes from seam mass to the other facility by own by waste management. We're going to say now we're going to this address waste management facility located at blah blah blah blah blah. That's where you're hauling the crap to. >> Okay. Just just let me know tomorrow as
long as this it's going to go through and get it done by Thursday. >> Thank you. >> There's a motion second. All those in favor? I >> motion carries. Good. >> Good stuff. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thanks, Dan. >> Thank you, Dan. >> All right. Next item on under old business. We've got just some staffing
issues that I think just need some visibility. Um Lori Walsh was serving as our ZBA clerk. um she no longer um she submitted a a letter to the board
saying that um she no longer wants to do that position. Um so I don't know how the board wants to go forward with that. Do we want to post for that or I I just you know want to make sure that we're not Lori jumped in there. Y
>> wasn't part of her original job description. I guess she jumped in there to do that. Um, but there's some extenduating circumstances unfortunately that led to that decision. So, how do we want to handle this if at all? >> Uh, Mr. Chairman, I had a discussion
with the town clerk whose office is doing filling in on some of that work, too. >> And we just had a discussion on potential hours and whether it was uh
busy monthly, busy weekly, etc. And uh on the case load right now it looks like it would be a weekly position 2 to 3 hours a week. >> Okay.
>> And uh so that was refining it. >> Okay. So what >> and uh we uh we could save a little bit of time through the assessor's office as far as notifying a butters. Uh we've had
a discussion as far as labels versus lists and envelopes and stuff like that. So >> uh it's a question of whether we advertise for a 2 to three hour position. And that's the thing. That's the problem we've had, right? We've got
>> all these little positions. It would make sense if there's somebody in the partying ways building who could take this on. I know at one point I floated the idea to the town clerk. All the stuff ends up in the town clerk's office anyway for filings and all this jazz. And it's not like there's literally what
50 ft in between offices. Like so it's you know it's something that can be handled. Um, we just got to figure out what where best to to house it. I don't know. >> Okay. Right now, the town clerk's office has some unfilled positions, too. And I
wouldn't want to put it on anybody that's in that office right now, cuz it's really Eric that's in there, >> and he's got a lot of responsibilities, and Nancy comes in part-time. >> So, I mean, >> could this be folded into one of those positions that that's unfilled that they're trying to fill?
>> I I think it's a possibility. Um, I would have to sit down with Pam and go over that, >> right? >> I mean, I don't We We sat down the other day and we said, "Well, she had >> two part-time positions technically." >> So, we're going to potentially a full-time position.
>> Yeah. So, it would be a matter of figuring out if a anybody's applied for that job first and b if we got to revert back to two part-time positions or whatever it is. It's just an awkward time frame. you know, it was always filled by people like, you know, like
Garrett did it for years while she was in college. Like she'd just pick up hours. Paul was was retired. You know, it it it's one of those positions that you're not going to get a lot of bites on if you advertise it for three hours a week plus. >> I I got to be folded.
>> They once a month. >> So, whatever the three hours a week, wherever that number came from, I don't know. But >> whatever. It's the doing all of the advertising, the uh notice to the abutters >> and all of that stuff prior to
>> it's got to be folded into somebody's ex somebody who's here full-time. >> It's got to be folded into that job description, whoever that person is, it's out of the town clerk's office. Thought we had a good solution there. Unfortunately, >> pro problem is if it's folded into any
clerical positions right now, that would go back into negotiations with the union personnel. So >> that's fine. >> But the time frame isn't really good right now, you know. >> So meanwhile, >> Pam's interviewing for her position now.
>> Okay. >> Right. >> Yeah. I guess what I can do is I got to I'm talking to Pam about something else. Any something else? going to make that motion too. I was like, "Hey, Bob, you're already talking to B, so why don't you have another conversation with
>> and see if she's having any luck and see what her idea is." >> The reality of it is Mr. Inkley makes the perfect fit anyway. He's the he's the solid that negotiated the asby contract. So, that's under his umbrella. >> Sounds good. All right. >> Sorry, Bob. >> No worries.
>> Piece of cake for you. >> Well, it's a full umbrella. >> Piece of cake for you. >> All right. >> All right. Uh, >> sun's always shining somewhere, right? >> That's right. >> Um, >> sunny is 75. Isn't that the same in the Kushner? >> All right. So, again, we just put this
in here. I think this is more of a budget discussion. PPW assistant, you know, get the business manager over there that's unfilled at some point. I think the board needs to sit down and look at the budget, look what Dan needs over there, and what's getting done,
what's not getting done. This is more of a a bigger picture conversation. I had a conversation with Mr. Manad because I found it pretty funny when I walked in there to talk to him about this these documents, the trash documents, and he was sitting behind the desk playing clerical. And I said, "You definitely
don't look good behind that desk. You look way better when behind a machine." So, um I I'm still in the mindset that that position absolutely needs to be filled. >> Yeah. I don't disagree. The problem is I don't think we've got like we haven't had anybody. It's been posted. It's been
posted. Nobody's put their name in. Right. It's more of a clerical position. >> That's the That's a case of a number of positions right there. >> Yeah. I don't know where all the work has went since co but that's all that's a too long of a conversation for us to have tonight. We're just we're doing our best to fill the position. We'll
continue advertising position. Um, you know, I'm going to have more conversations with Dan about it because him and I have sat down for a number of hours and discussed a number of different issues with the department um, in the impractical way it's functioning right now quite honestly. So, we both
came to a conclusion, Dan, correct me if I'm wrong. I don't want to misspe, but I believe the conclusion that we came down to to is that position needs to be filled. Period. >> Correct. Even even even with the water um currently, you know, the water billing out of that position, it's still
and Bob, you've been in that office too and and what the problem is like Ann's on the phone and there's people at the desk and she ain't able to do her work because she's, you know, on the computer on the phone. She's on the, you know, going to the desk when people walk in and that. So, she's kind of falling
behind all that's why I'm kind of in there. we got posted as a business manager with, >> you know, expertise and billing and all that stuff, right? But if is it the board's intention to have billing, water billing continue to go where it's at now
and then we're just looking at a clerical person for this position. I think we move it all based on I don't want to get too involved because there's there's unions involved and I don't want to talk too much on TV but >> we all know the circumstances where we
don't have a primary, we don't have a secondary, right? >> So the only way I believe that we can solve that problem is to to go back to where we had things in one department where it's all under one umbrella and it's controllable by the department head. right now it's not being done that
way and it's too much of this and quite honestly the person that's stepped up and has done the job kudos I I I can't say enough good things about that um in the assistant town okay um but things
just aren't working out there's too many chiefs not enough Indians we need to figure things out we got over 3,000 water users over a thousand sewer users it's not a position to be playing and screw around with for 65 whatever it is. >> I I don't disagree. The problem is
there's nobody out there who's got the skill set or hasn't We haven't made it attractive enough. >> Right. >> There you go. So, maybe we do. I don't know. >> You got I think that's the crux of it, right? If we had 10 applicants, I think we could solve the problem, but nobody's applying for the job so we can get it
reposted again and somehow try to get I don't know somebody from another community that you know of. Um, >> that's really I mean I've looked at some resumes. I do have to talk to Dan about things, but it's unfortunate, but um
it's it's what they do to us and what we've done. I mean, we got the police chief here, you know. Um it's called poaching, right? That's that's what they do to us. We've been poached, you know, and and nobody can fault us for going and talking and trying to poach from
another community and saying, "Look, you know, the grass is greener on this side of the fence. Come join us." Right. >> Right. Um, and we can see how it works out. But again, it's ongoing conversations. I've had some great conversations with Mr. Manad in the last few weeks. Um, I get a better understanding of the office with him and
and how things aren't working out. And I think we we got to have that dialogue maybe in executive session coming down the road if we do get a good resume. But that's that's where I'm at with that. >> Sounds good. All right. Thank you. Right. Thank you. Hopefully we're done.
in the snow. Uh the wind last night was killing me. I like, "Oh, no. Now we're going to have trees." >> Oh, don't you start. April one snowstorm. Remember? >> Remember that? That was actually the last time I left. It was April 1st. I remember that. Um but while we got you
here again, Dan, thank you. You know, you did you and your team phenomenal, phenomenal work with the chiefs and the public safety folks, but you guys were the the backbone of that whole operation. So, thank you. Um, >> that was a that was a tough storm, man. I was I was out there talking to Dan and
and and you know, even on Wednesday when we were able to get on the roads and pass and I was out there with Dan and some of the snowplow contractors as they were getting chased down by residents and flagging me down. Can you go to this house and talk to that res? I'm like, not again. Um, but it is it was it was
>> that was that was definitely a difficult one. You know, we had a lot of snow in one night and >> the winds and >> Yeah, it was just it was actually really slippery, too. Like like plow it. It was just like you couldn't even walk. When you got out of a machine or a truck, you fall right over. >> You know it's bad when you get stuck in
a load. >> And I got stuck. So again, I've been doing this for 41 years. And uh that was one of almost wanted to retire on that. >> I'm like, "Oh no, not the loader." >> Almost wanted to retire, but we got
through it. But yeah, you guys did a heck of a job. >> I I think you guys did a heck of a job. Um driving around all the other communities once we could all finally leave our houses. Um you know, you could see the clear line on Peckham Road where New Bedford started. It >> was like a wall of snow
>> with a nice clean down to pavement. You guys did a fantastic job. And uh I'm going to say this for the third meeting in a row. Dan, outstanding job uh handling >> everything with patience and kindness. You know, the city the city we we pick
on them, but >> the city's a it's a it's a city, right? And they they have narrow roads. They have mad road miles in the city. Housing, people parking on, you know, apartment builders and parking on streetways and people with a snow being
not not moving their cars. I mean, that is not an easy job. And I'm sure the city has faced what we faced is the crisis of no snowplow contractors, right? They only have so many workers out there as well. I remember the days that they used to have plows on garbage
trucks in the city. >> So, I mean, they they're dealt the same crappy hand that we're dealt with. I mean, Dan knows we were what 18 this year contractors. >> You know, we normally run 30 plus our crew. >> Yeah. 30 something. >> So, that you know, you don't think 10
matter, but what do we have? 10 roots. >> 10 roots. Yeah. >> You split the town into 10 roots, right? >> Correct. Y. So, just that one minus driver in a roof can really turn things around. And with that storm going for the longevity, I s talked about the longevity of a storm. There's no way
you're keeping up. You're better off just staying home, wait for things to calm down, and then go out and do it. But when you're getting delivered 3 ft of snow, you're screwed. >> All right. All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Anything? you've got an executive
session to go into uh to speak with the chief about some staffing issues that potentially impact uh uh union collective bargaining stuff. And so, but before that, any announcements uh that we want to make.
>> Yeah, Mr. Chairman, if I may, uh I just want to say a very happy belated birthday by one day to my mother. >> A turned 67 yesterday. Happy birthday, Mom. >> Happy birthday, Mom. Nice. Very nice. You're like, uh, what was the guy? The weather guy. Willard Scott. Was that his name?
>> Yeah. Yeah. You like doing the birthdays and all that stuff. That's good to the Inkley's. Uh, happy birthday. Um, just >> How about me? How about me? >> Uh, what do you got, Kev? >> No, my birthday. >> Okay. What do you got? >> Harlem Grove Charters celebrating 100 years this year.
>> There's a wheel Scott right there. >> We all We all I'm sure we all know Harlem Globe Charters. I still love watching the Harlem Globe Charters. the probably one of the best entertainment shows you can go to and watch. I I I was able to attend one in my younger
lithood. So, um if they ever come to the nearest area, I mean, make sure you buy tickets cuz boy, what what a show they put on 100 years. >> Very nice. Absolutely. Um I don't have any announcements other than I mentioned this before. We've got our town administrator coming
in. I think his first day is uh is going to come in from March 31st for the next meeting. I've essentially got two meetings left. Um, and Mr. Gasper, if you are willing to do it, I think it would be good from a continuity standpoint, an onboarding standpoint,
um, that I transition the reorgan, the chairmanship to you so you can have an opportunity to work with the new town administrator, get in and jump in there, you know, >> sounds good. >> Um, so we can execute that at the next meeting. I just think it's it just makes
more sense to do that. Um, and you know, there are a few things that I've been working on that I'd like to hand those off. Uh, you know, Lake Street and you know, there's a few other odds and ends. Um, but again, you know, my goal is to ensure a smooth transition. As much as I
enjoy being the chairman, um, I don't need to hold on to it that long, uh, or that much. Uh, and I think it's just best to turn it over. So, thank you for your willingness, uh, to do that. >> No problem, Mr. Uh with that said, let's get an executive session. Motion for con convening executive session mass general
law chapter 30A section 21A. Uh number three, police staffing levels to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may be may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body. The chair so declares the board will not
return to public session at conclusion of executive session. Is there a motion? So move second. Roll call vote. Mr. Gasper, >> yes. >> Roll call vote, Mr. Hinckley, yes. And I'm Yes. We are now in executive session.