All right. Good evening. Today is Wednesday, November 19th. This is a meeting of the Acres Board of Selectment. Is a motion to call the meeting to order? >> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. Motion carries. 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. All right. First item business is November 4th, November 7th, November
10th, November 13th meeting minutes. Mr. Chairman on number on minutes November 4th, 2025 in your book. It would be the numerical order is backwards. So four is printed kind of
backwards from page three. Three is like the last page. It should be reverse order. I just want to add that to a correction so that when we file them, they're filed correctly. >> Okay. >> And that's all I have. And I make a motion to approve all the minutes as presented. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? Musl. >> All right. I don't see the EPW director, but we're going to bring up the uh take out of order the opiate settlement proposal. Chief, >> um Mr. Chairman, if I may, um just to give you a little insight on this conversation.
>> Um we have received an email from North Attboro, I believe, or Edelboro, and um they're working with a state grant that is willing to map some funds. So, I had reached out to Chief Arland. We sat down, we discussed it in regards to um
whether we wanted to help fund this project. Um I know you guys didn't get this information, so we don't have to vote tonight, but I will make sure everybody gets a copy of this. Um, essentially just to give you an idea, um, all the surrounding communities
across the south coast basically are putting money into a pool that is going to be matched by a company called RISE to institute a treatment and prevention uh, pol uh, program at the House of Corrections um, to prevent, you know,
hopefully rehabilitate people in in the corrections house. Um, we had always talked about pretty much chief was in charge of this. Um, so I asked him what he felt about it. We had a discussion and uh,
sorry. Um, he was okay with it. Um, once he explained to me that there are some restrictions on what we can spend that money on, um, it's very specific. This would fall under a category that we could. If I missed anything, Chief, I would, uh, defer to you.
>> You did absolutely perfectly. All right. >> Um, I I wouldn't feel comfortable asking for you guys vote without having the information. Okay. So, I would suggest that we can add this to a >> a different agenda and I'll make sure you get the information.
>> Um, and just to mention something else in regards to the opioid funds. Um, I was I would ask you guys permission if I could put together a group of people to review things like this um with
people that would have the most need for this in our town. So, when we were talking to Chief, you mentioned, you know, we could get involved with the student resource officer at the schools and see what we can spend this money on for early preventative situations,
especially in the schools. Um, and if it's all right with you, I can draw something up and and bring it in front of you guys to see if it makes sense if that's okay with you. >> Yeah, of course. I have an issue with that. >> All right. All right. Very good. Easy enough. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Thanks, Chief.
>> All right. Very good. Uh, Mr. Manard. Got a bunch of uh DPW related stuff. Um, two most interesting ones obviously are the uh trash hauling and seamass. Uh, so we'll start off with
trash hauling uh curbside solid waste. Uh, what is the status? Where are we? Um, what are we looking at here? >> Yeah. So, both contracts actually expire on June 30th. Okay. Coming up is the 26.
So, I'm kind of coming board. We're going to have to send both of them out to bid >> um for hauling and disposal. Okay. >> So, um I'm thinking the disposal is going to go first because that's going to change where the hauling is going to
go to. So, that's basically where where we're at. Uh in the past, CMAS has been Cavventor has been our, you know, disposal place. Um, again, it's closest. So, that's been helpful. Um, but I think
there's some new game out there now. I heard there's some people in Marion and stuff now who could take the the disposal. So, I think that should go out to bid in the past. It didn't. Um, we kind of just renewed their contract. So, I'm thinking we um send that out there
and uh and get some numbers and see where we're at. cuz that's going to have to be done for us before we get into the hauling part of it because if somebody comes in from Stoen or Boston or wherever to take the material, it's that's going to change affect the
hauling prices. So, >> all right. I I hear from the board, but obviously we should put it out to bid and try to see what's out there. Um, gentlemen, >> no, I agree with Mr. Manat. I mean, you
got to go out with the municipal solid waste disposal agreement first um and see what happens with that bid. So, I would make a motion to have Mr. Manard prepare the documents for bid for solid waste disposal
agreement and we'll see what we do there and the who the award goes to and then from there we can do the it's the hauling, right, Dance? Because they need to know where they're hauling all this stuff too, right? would dictate their price that they can give us for hauling. >> Correct. So, different locations. >> Again, that's should be our kind of
>> thought even awarding that bid because it it it could affect the hauling a lot. You know what I mean? So, you kind of if it is somebody from Stoen of Boston came in at a lower number to get rid of it, you got to kind of think, well, it's going to cost us a lot more to haul it
there. So, that's where it's you got to kind of see who wins that bid first and then see where it comes. I would hope we'd get somebody closer like again like Cass or heard somebody is marrying now. So So that brings a pretty tricky element to the equation because if
somebody was to do that what you just said from Boston and gave us some ridiculous number, it would escalate the price of our hauling. So how could we award somebody that was just the lowest bidder on disposal
when we're going to conflict against our hauling? So that's something that we need to have that discussion on. >> I mean again you kind of have to have where it's going first I guess. Um and then we can make that discussion at that point where who who comes in with that
number and then say well okay um maybe I can talk to haulers and see what you know their thoughts are how much more would be versus and then we'd have to make that decision at that time I guess. >> So there's there's some language gentlemen that we've put in
uh some other contracts when we went out for bid where we're not required to accept any of them >> and I think we need to talk to council about that language that we're not depending on certain things playing into it like this is we have to
>> I kind of gave you guys I don't know if you got them papers but it did go to council this is actually last time and it did go to that >> the contracts that we sent out went through council and they came back with a few different things I think you guys get that. >> I just want to make sure the council
understands what we're doing because now there is a different player nearby. Right. >> Correct. >> So, I think what we could do is um have Dan work with Jamie V on preparing the document. Right. >> Um and and Jamie Kelly who technically
is our procurement officer, but he's out of commission right now. But I think Dan, we don't want to I know you've got a lot on your plate, so >> we're gonna uh >> work with Jamie V and then ultimately town council before you guys get us something. Y >> but we should have a I don't know what's
a reasonable timeline. I don't want to see this drag on. >> Again, I think we should kind of definitely go for the you know disposal first and at least come up with something then we'll know at >> but I don't want to be like hey go do this and then we don't hear back until like February. So, I I want to have some type of timeline,
>> but we're also we're also giving you support >> to to come up with a, you know, come up with a document. So, I don't know what a reasonable timeline to get this back to the board. Would it be in two weeks or say like by January 1 at a minimum? >> Soon or I'd like to get it before the
beginning of the year, you know, get it out. >> In two weeks, then we'll put it on the agenda. >> Um, you can get it to us in two weeks. >> Yep. and we'll we'll get moving on this. >> We only have like one page. We don't have everything that you might have given Dan. We just kind of got like the
front page of each one of the >> the bid specs thing that we went out last time. So gives an idea of what we're talking about. But again, it's that language that you put in. >> Yep. >> Last time again, it was 5 years ago. Um that's the other thing um probably to
discuss tonight if you guys wanted to still do a 5year or a threeyear or um five years worked out for far as I mean it's it's up to you. It's it's something like a threeyear but again we'll have to come back and if five year I don't know gentlemen up to you but I think if five years is an incentive for the company to
give us a better price because they have something locked in. I can't imagine after three years things are going to get better, right? Like so I I think we'd have to, >> you know, maybe a fiveyear with the option of a three or something like that give us as much flexibility as possible. So I don't
>> um but that said, I think a motion. >> Yep. I'll second >> in a second to have Dan work with our assistant town accountant and uh Jamie Kelly and town council on a document to get back to the board within two weeks.
I got a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I I Jamie Lynn, remember that safety net I talked about? That's in the request. >> All right. >> So, the next one is Cass. So, we're going to Are we going to hang tight on this one or is this
>> That's the one we just did. >> Yeah, the hauling is the one we got it. All right. Sorry about that. So, we're going to hang tight on the hauling. Okay. All right. Next issue. Surplus request. What is that?
>> I don't know if that document. I don't have it. >> So, we don't have that. I had it upstairs and I asked for this DNA surplus. So, he submitted three pieces of equipment. We don't have it in the book. It's upstairs, I guess, in my bin that was supposed to be in my the books.
>> Yep. >> Um, so three pieces of equipment. I remember like old sanding bodies and >> two old sanders and the old sweeper. we got to get rid of. >> So they didn't want even want a trade in. Usually they can trade it in, get some money off the the new one, but they
didn't even want the thing. So it's kind of >> So there's three piece of equipment to put >> and that was one of the things we took I I to see if we could even fix it. It was like 60 grand or 70 grand just to fix the old one. So it's kind of >> so like you know what it ain't even worth it. Sometimes you could put it out
and then people did but they usually give you scrap prices anyway. So the way I'm looking at it, we throw it on the trail, bring it to the scrapard and bring it and >> what you get is what you get. What do you get the money, put it in the general fund, and that's and that's >> so those so make a motion to approve the
list that Mr. Man presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I motion carries. Good. >> All right. I'm just going to go with this uh snowplow letter to those cont dear snow contractor to those
contractors who will be offering their services to the town once again or those wanting to be placed on the snow contractor's list. Please provide all the information listed below for our review. A snow contractor's application must be filled out for all contractors regardless of whether they have plowed
for the town previously or are a new contractor. All information must be received by the DPW by December 15th for you to be approved to plow for the winter this to uh to plow this winter. Hopefully it doesn't snow between now and then. But uh I've read it,
gentlemen. I'm I'm good with it. Is there any any issues? >> No, the the only thing that we didn't discuss, Mr. Jim is we did put a deadline on it for December 15th for perfect attendance at the $1,000 sign on bonus um and putting for people's
vacation time on that application, but Dan and I have had a conversation. I actually had one Mr. Kellyy's the one that kind of whipped up this thing here. Um I wouldn't mind having a second options for Mr. Manard to play by. Um I had put on a different date cuz Mr.
Kelly had December 31st which ain't long enough. So I kind of extended that deadline a,000 bucks perfect attendance to December 15th and then a sign up by January 15th perfect attendance do three $500. So it gives an extended period of time
but from now to then if we get people that are snowplowing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You can do it you could do a supplemental one. sign up between December 16th, January 15th. If somebody wants to sign up, if they bought a truck, a new truck, and they have a plow and say, "Hey," and
Dan's going to go, "No, it's too late." But we can't do that cuz we need as many drivers as we can to help Mr. Manard out. I thought it would be beneficial to throw that in as a a backup plan. >> So, we still keep the letter at the thousand for the December 15th, but if somebody signs up after it, it would be
a 500 if they sign up by January 15. >> We put we put odd stop on sign up, right? Yep. >> December 15th. So December 16th through January 15th in if somebody wants to come in and do the same kind of sign up just have to tell them yeah you can sign up between that but it's 500 bucks perfect attendance same same criteria
vacation time all that stuff right if you plan on taking a vacation put it down now what week you're doing it and that needs to be attached to the applications >> good the vacation schedules if you have like do we have people ready to roll in case it's >> we get some yeah we get some yeah we get
some you know but it seems like everybody waits It's a little bit later anyways. It seems like December is probably the >> the ticket. So, she just sent out actually all the letters. So, we've been getting them back. So, >> okay, good. I don't got a number exactly for you here tonight, but maybe the next time. >> That's right. The guys are pretty quick
at getting that stuff back to us. You know, the gnomes. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> That's what's important. >> All right. Very good. Thank you. >> And Dan, that motion for that letter, that motion to make it clear. I think I did it last time, but that motion's per
vehicle. >> Okay. >> Right. $1,000 per vehicle because we had problems before with drivers. >> Yep. >> Right. Yeah. >> The company owns three trucks and we thought we were only giving them a one $1,000 bonus, but they have three trucks. >> Correct.
>> Right. So, it's per vehicle. >> Yep. >> You made that motion. >> You did the last time. I >> I just want to make sure it's I want to make sure it's clear for the record. Okay. All right. Uh, next item on the agenda,
23 Jean Street for sewer maintenance. Um, I don't have any documentation on that. >> The own the owner is right here. Okay. >> So, that's why he start my office and >> so I figured maybe you can step up and talk to him.
>> I said I didn't have no say. This is your guys. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Dan, if you don't mind, Dan, if you don't mind staying here. >> No, I'm going to stay. Yep. >> All right. Um Fran 23 G Street. Um I applied for a sewer baitment. Um I sent
in some documentation. I don't know if anybody got copies of that. Um >> never received anything. >> I didn't see the letter. We we've had a little bit of turnover. So might have >> Okay. Um with the application, there should have been some some documentation. >> Okay. >> Um I can submit this one with you if you
like. Um >> yeah, if you could I don't Can I? >> Sure. that was submitted with the application for statement along with copies of the bill. >> When did you submit it and where? >> Um I've got the receipt in my truck. I want to say two weeks ago.
>> To the Slackman's office or >> Yeah. to Sydney. >> Okay. >> Um and she got it on the agenda for today. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um um honor about July 1st as the latest the letter states. I put in a new lawn
on 23G. I tried to get a what's called a deduct meter for the um sprinklers, but they would only issue with that for an inground system apparently. Um and I was using I had a timer with three different hoses and everything. My sewer usage or my water usage pretty much quadrupled
over that quarter. Typically I use,00 uh square cub cubic feet of water. For that time period I use 4,500 uh cubic feet. So what I'm asking for is to get the sewer abatement down to the um 1100 square ft portion which would be about
$450 somewhere in the neighborhoods on the on the leather there. >> How'd your lawn turn out? >> Um not too bad. It was the hottest summer we had. The hardest three weeks of the summer and I was watering three days a three times a day for a good almost a good month. >> Yeah. So not the best time to do it, I guess, right?
>> No. Um, but I had the had all the the landscaping done and seated it and I was kind of stuck stuck with it. >> Right. Right. Right. Okay. >> Um, >> I don't know, Mr. Jim. >> Yeah. >> So, usually with sprinkler systems, you
would have to have a deduct meter and then you'd have to have a backflow pre in it for crosscontamination purposes. And I get it that you, you know, >> you ran sprinklers like crazy to get your grass to grow. I ran sprinklers myself this year, which I'm not really a
big grass guy, but >> um I did it. >> Um >> and my bill was I don't know even know what it was. Probably, you know, 70 bucks more than it normally is because I'm cheap and I didn't run it for that long. Right. So I didn't use I used
double the amount of water usage I normally do over that quarter. >> Yeah. Um, it is a hit, although I don't have sewer. >> Yeah. >> Um, in which case your neighborhood does have sewer. So, I get it. But I don't know if there's any way that we can reverse and know what was put through
the sprinkler versus what was actual usage in your house without the deduct meter. That's the purpose of deduct meters, you know. So, for us to abate a sewer bill, >> I don't know if there's a a standard in place that we could actually use for that.
>> Yeah. But I I didn't with the application, I didn't close the previous quarter's bill. Again, typically >> to >> my my water and sewer bill combined are $225 in that neighborhood. For that quarter, it was $960 something, >> right?
>> So, I'm not looking to get all the sewer needed, just a portion above what I would normally use, which is I So, now you're doing the last quarter. Summer quarters are different than the correct thing. So, with last year's summer quarter. You
know what I mean? I don't know if that would help if we got >> So that's what I was going to suggest that you know we could look at the records. I was kind of doing that with with with now was Jamie Lynn doing water and sewer bill and I was talking with Kelly the assessor but we were obviously >> thinking it was 26 not 23. Um, which is
a game changer obviously cuz I got bills from past 26 and I we would have to go back and look at your situation whether it's it's got to be the same quarter. We can't use a winter quarter because you don't use crap for water in winter quarters, right? So, we'd have to go back to last summer, look at the July to
October date, see what that quarter usage was, and if you have multiple years, we can go back and look at that and say, "This is what your water consumption was." then we can say, "Okay, >> this percentage and maybe do maybe do something with that, but I don't know." >> Fair enough. Yeah.
>> I mean, that's that's >> my best guess. >> We'll do some research. We can't make a decision tonight, but we'll uh we appreciate you at least bring it to our team. >> I've got all those bills. If you'd like, I can make copies and give those to Jamie. >> We got We got records of everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. We can see what's going on. >> Yeah.
>> So, we'll we'll take a look at that. Like I said, we we did it, but >> Yeah. Wrong wrong address, right? All right, cool. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Have a good Thanksgiving. >> Thank you, friend. >> You too. >> Thanks. Take care. >> You, too. >> All right. Uh, gentlemen, next stuff on
the agenda. I just want to keep this on for just to keep us honest with things with Mr. Kelly out. Medical. Um, don't want things to fall through the crack. We're also going through a little bit of transition with uh the central office. We have Margaret who was here who's been
on the case for a couple days but doesn't start till fulltime until the 26th. Is that correct? >> Well, week after Thanksgiving. >> Okay. Yeah. Week after Thanksgiving. All right. So, but I just want to keep this front and center on our license renewals which is again I want to put some
visibility on this. Probably the most important thing that we have going on arguably in this office because we want to make sure our lenses get themselves up and running for the new year. I did have uh Jackie, our senior worker, she called all of our
license holders to get them a reminder to have them come in. There's still probably about four or five that need that haven't done this yet. And we just want to make sure that, you know, this board will meet to do whatever we can to accommodate folks, but we also need our
license holders to to help out and and come on in. So, we'll initiate another round of calls uh tomorrow um to make sure that that gets done. I mean, we just want to make sure nothing falls through the cracks when it comes to licenses. So, Margaret, if you can keep
that front and center, Jamie V, obviously the board, and you know, if we have to go knock on doors, we'll go do that, too. So, um we just want to make sure our license holders are uh are squared away. Uh next one is the inspector general complaint. We got a
December 1st um extension. I'm just bringing this up to the board because again with Mr. Kelly being out um I'm named in it. So I don't feel it's appropriate for me to be sort of working on it. Um so I'm asking for somebody
some someone from the board >> to work with town council to make sure that this stuff gets submitted and gets taken care of. Again, I'm, you know, I said it before, I I'm concerned about other gaps. Um, but either way, we have to respond to this and and make sure it
gets submitted, uh, in appropriate time frame. So, u, Mr. Gasper will sounds like you will be working on that, but I think the board should see the final product before it goes out. >> 100%. I'm working with town council on several other things, Mr. Chambers, so I'll squeeze it all in on the same bill.
>> Good. All right. Uh, next item. Again, we've talked about this before, but want to make sure that there's full visibility again. The police assessment center applications, that process uh can that people can start applying November 24th.
Um all the applicants, the links have been will be sent out. Uh Jamie V working I'm working with Jamie V on that. Um in the assessment exam date is January 5th. So excited about that for our uh folks in our police department who want to take a crack at uh some
leadership opportunities. So again, just announcing that one more time so the general public knows that we're continuing to move forward on these things. Um and then the next thing, last thing is Sloum Street. Uh we got some,
you know, good news there uh from our state reps about uh the mass DOT um appropriation. Again, we just got to bird dog it and make sure that we we we get it. And I know Mr. Gasway, you've been working on this issue. Anything to
report on your end? >> Yeah, I got a meeting tomorrow at 11:00 with Mr. Manard, Miss um Jamie V and Woodwin and Curran over some issues that are going on with change orders and things of light and updates on the project. So, we'll see what transpires
from that meeting at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. >> And you'll uh next time we meet, somebody will report back and give us an update on all that stuff. >> So, there's been some emails going back from some of the folks from DOT on that reimbursement that you had just spoken about that Mr. Rep. Sylvia was kind enough to get us some money. So, we just
I just have to continue having conversations with Jamie Lynn on, you know, that communication, making sure that stays open. All of the communication, I like to get state rep Mark Sylvia involved on that email chain to make sure he stays in the loop as well. >> I mean, I think, you know, on a project
of this magnitude, it's worth doing a debrief. I guess that's what you guys are doing to figure out like what worked, what didn't work. I know there was some, you know, during the summer there was some issues whether it's with the engineer or the,
you know, the construction, whatever it is. And I think we need to iron that out, um, before we start looking at other projects like this. You know, we just, we just, we're too bootstrapped and too small of a town to be dealing with crisises, you know, situations like
that, especially with a project like that big. So, we got to figure that out and make sure we don't repeat it in the future if we have other projects like that. Dan, what do you got? >> Well, I just saying in in a project like that though, especially where a lot of infrastructure was, you know, we didn't have a lot of records on things and it's
just I've been trying since I got here to make sure everything's documented, but in the past it it kind of wasn't. So, it's tough if you don't have the records, right? When you're doing underground work, it's it's >> you mean you don't know where this the stuff is. is the ever source is, you know, horrible and stuff. We didn't know
the gas line. >> So, so how do we do that? Do we have a heat map for everything in like for that stuff in town? So, for instance, you know, we've been talking about >> everything new, every street that's new. Everything's, you know, as built and we know exactly what's in the ground at my office, but
>> ancient history, right? So, for example, we've been talking about South Main Street, right? One of the conditions that this board is concerned about of anything is us acquiring approval that if we wanted to do improve the water pipes over there or do something that we
have the ability to do that. Right. So, we've got a meeting coming up. I think it's on the 18th to see if we can get that approval. I'd be hesitant to even dive into that >> if we don't know what the heck's underground there. I don't know if pipes are crumbling. Is there a way to figure out like what's the status of the
infrastructure over there? >> Well, me and actually Victoria had a um a call meeting yesterday and uh with the state and they kind of we kind of went over a few things which again we're going to have a meeting with the board eventually. Anyways, um basically they
told me that they kind of want us to do the they want us to take the water main over um and do the sewer like take that road over. The benefits of it was if we did the if we did the main and everything like we wouldn't have to worry about the permitting. We wouldn't
have to worry about the uh like the patching the deep patching stuff like that to do it redo it. I told him that main actually is from 1923. I really don't think you should redo that street without redoing that main. And as far as the sewer goes, you should
at least run a dry main force main through there as well. So, they they they're on the same page. They're at like 10% design at this point. Um, and again, I think they're looking for the approval from the board and from the town as far as that goes
>> before they kind of really get too deep into it. So, again, this is another meeting, but I mean, yeah, again, I think, you know, I think Bob, when you were a candidate, you talked about infrastructure under the ground. I know Kevin's talked about it. I raised the issue as well. If we get the approvals
to do it, I mean, I I think, you know, that's probably I think a lot of it was with funding too, David. So, it's it's if we get the funding for that type of work would be would awesome. You know, >> it's like everything else. >> We got to figure we got to try to figure that out cuz that's that's a big nut.
>> Either way, whether we take the road over or not, I can't imagine having 1920 pipes under there >> is a good correct. So, no matter what, no matter what, that should be done regardless. You know what I mean? So, regardless, it should be replaced. So
maybe this is a time taking over the road is that much of a big deal. A little more blowing, a little more sanding. I don't think that's that big of a deal. >> But you know, here's the thing. >> His infrastructure is the >> Here's the thing. >> If you know, everything's like I always kind of look at it as like a Rubik's
cube when you're dealing with these state agencies, right? Like that's why I felt like South Sloum Street is interconnected to this whole thing that if we're working with the state and they ultimately wanted the town to take it
over if we can work in intra intra agency right this the mass DOT and we can they can help us chase down money to do water and our reps and our legend like I think that's how you can put a deal together right
>> um so anyway I think that it's important important to keep that conversation going and you know be looking at that as part of the deal cuz I I wouldn't feel comfortable not doing anything on that road at all because of the safety thing but also having people who live in that neighborhood
>> having water coming out of 100-y old pipes that are you know it's not about today but >> so the water pipe so just so we don't alarm all you folks down in the south end of town when they cracked into it from the slum street and tied into new main that is a lined pipe and it's in really good shape
>> so So for everybody thinking, you know, bad things about 100-y old water pipe, they the Bisco that did Sloum Street said when they cracked into it, it's a pretty clean pipe and it is a line pipe and it's still in really good shape. So I don't want to get people too
>> they did do the cement lining. I believe in the 80s I think they cement lined all in pipe. So they re redone all the lead services were gone, all that stuff at that time. they replace the services. But >> it's I I think it's 100% worth the conversation that we we look at
infrastructure and look at costs associated with agree with the chairman. Let's get let's get together um with whoever can provide resources and see what we can come up with, you know, before we just say now we're all set. I think we owe it to our residents and and
ourselves quite honestly to look at that >> um and see what it is. And you know there will be we'll see what the agreement comes out with the state cuz I know the chairman's I don't want to talk on TV too much about some of the things that the chairman's done behind the scenes with the state but there is a maintenance plan in place so you know for x amount of time so we can see what
that looks like too but you know you said I don't think it's that big of a cost south keeping south main street maintained during this the winter months if you have a bad year to like the state does put it that way we can't guys they got a lot more manpower a lot more material they can
put out there So definitely ain't going to be as good as it's been if we did take that over. Um the other thing is the sewer eventually is going to hit us because that's one of our that was the first phase we were supposed to be doing is down the south end where we're close to the river. You know that was one of
the sewer phases that should be done in the future too. That was like the middle we went for that CWP. So that's one of the ones that first sewer phases that should be taken care of. So, >> so I got a qu just so I'm clear as I'm going by what I've heard you say and what I've heard Bob say. Are you saying
that the >> the pipes, the water pipes along that South Main Street corridor are fine? We don't need >> I can't speak of the whole 1.3 mile stretch of South Main Street from this four corners all the way to the fave and border. What I can tell you is what I was told what that pipe looked like in
front of like the captain's place area, the Chuck Slickers area where they tapped into the main from from Sloum Street. And I talked to the superintendent. I can ask him if he's got any pictures of that cuz I said it was it's a shame that when you did it, we didn't get to see it. >> No, it's it's a cast iron pipe. It's a
cast iron pipe. Um it is cement lined which was done. So it's definitely a clean pipe as far as water. The problem, the only downfall with that is you still get brakes because the outside it's it's a 100 year old bike. You know what I mean? It does crack. It It's not It's not like it's it's not clean, Kevin.
It's just It's just It will crack it. >> No, I I I get it. All I'm trying to say, that's why you want to upgrade the ductal line. That's cast iron. It's really old. Um it's the integrity of the pipe that will crack. It's not the clean water because it was all cleaned out and
he put cement lined which it is clean but >> I got it for for the chairman's conversation about the state looking at design and doing south main street but we can talk about that 100 year old pipe but we have the list >> nav Thomas Street over there it's all
120 something year old water pipes >> from here all the way down is we got stuff 196 >> there's a lot of old water >> from here down is all the old >> I know me I'm not like suggesting a flint Michigan water situation. >> Yeah. No, no. What I'm saying is I heard from two of my colleagues saying that a
condition of support of potentially supporting that South Main Street project is making sure that we had the ability to improve the infrastructure. So, I want to make sure that I'm >> putting that out there that I >> But if I'm hearing that, well, it's not
that bad, then then that's a goal post like I don't want the goalpost to be moving, you know? >> So, the sewer pipe, we I talked about this. I still have that paperwork from that meeting a couple years ago that we discussed is in my condition of taking over South Main Street. Um the sewer pipe like Mr. Man said, the dummy pipe
that you run all the way down the road, you stem each house down south main street and you stem each side street, you know, 6 8 ft into each t off to the side streets to get that plum. So the neighborhoods are are um off base that even come close to touching South Main Street. The problem and again it always
comes down to the almighty dollar. There's a lot of ledge down that area of town down South Main Street which would escalate the the cost of the project. We we need to look at that. Perhaps we could do some borings. I know we did on the they did on the last sewer phase
when when they originally had a board of public works and they got themselves in a little bit of trouble because the company that came in and did the borings only hit where the valleys were. I was on fin at the time and they came in and the project got upscaled at you know the project cost went up. It wasn't that
dramatic, but it went up per household. And they had to go back in because now they hit what what do you call the peaks of that ledge and they were like, I didn't know the ledge was awe. And I'm like, how'd you do that? Every boy you did happen to be in a valley. Come on. So that's the problem. I mean, there's a lot of ledge down that side of town. If
you drive by the PJ Keing facility, you look to the left and right at their property, you'll see all that ledge that's 30 ft above ground, let alone below ground. Okay, that would be more for the sewer than correct. >> I would think the water if you did the bypass piping, you can put it lay it in
the same trench, pull that stuff out, put the same main in, you know. I mean, the other thing was upsizing the pipe that was it's an 8 in now to a 12 in. So, that would be definitely upgrading as well. >> What are the utilities looking to do in that? Have we heard like, you know, does
Eversource have any plans to improve utilities in that neck of the woods in that neighborhood at all? You talk to him about that. >> I know. You see, oh, you don't you don't do you get electric bill cuz you got solar. You still get electric bill. >> So, they got some they got some new tab on their new utility bills where now
they bang you for infrastructure on top of your delivery charge on top of your generation charge. Now, they have a nice big package that all your infrastructure portion of your bill. I thought that was built into my delivery charge already, but apparently not. So, it's a much broader disc. Well, Dan, I
think, you know, my my goal is to secure the approvals and then ultimately whoever's sitting in this seat in the the town will decide if it makes sense or not, you know, but if there's an opportunity to improve infrastructure in that neighborhood and make things better, not just now, but for the next
100 years, then that's the opportunity to do it. And I would hate to see that go by the wayside. I know things are expensive, but people, I would imagine, want their infrastructure taken care of. So, but we'll see. All right, cool. Very good. Anything else, gentlemen, and
we'll get Dan here. All right. Uh, that's it. We've got uh couple executive sessions to go over staffing issues. Like to keep that consistent. We, you know, we don't want to uh
we still got open open slots that we need to take care of. >> Mr. Jam, can he uh do some select wing announcements beforehand? >> Yes. Yes, >> if I jump in. Um just while Dan's here actually. >> So I had posted something on social
media to give people the heads up. Eversource had opened up the road on Hathway Road. Well, not Eversource, but their contractor. And uh they put a plate down and uh a rough asphalt burn. Um so anybody that's driving onway should be very
careful. Um, I did contact Anthony from Eversource and I did stop in the DPW office to let Ann know that if she gets com, you know, any complaints, she had already gotten a handful of calls about it. Um, but just to keep everybody in the loop, Anthony is trying to rectify
the problem as soon as possible. Um, essentially the BM on the actual asphalt that's holding the plate in place is a little aggressive. And uh I just want to let everybody know that is driving down there that if they're going 40 and they hit it, they're going to break
something. Um I actually went out there and moved one of their cones partially in front of it, not blocking the road, but enough to make people realize that there's an impediment there. Um but I just wanted to keep Dan in the loop as well because I had told Ann about it, contacted Anthony, she
contacted Anthony. >> Well, he kind of the the resident actually thought it was the DPW did it. So he was kind of I did I did specify that online too when I put it out there that it wasn't a town thing. Um just to you know so you are not getting inundated.
>> Um but just just for safety if you're on halfway until it gets rectified just be careful driving. Um Anthony couldn't give me an exact time frame but I'm expecting it at least be addressed by tomorrow. Um, and then moving forward once they're done with the project to be
the tempor any temporary plate needs to be done the right way and not the way it is. >> Right. I got I got one more question for you guys if you want. Um, I know you guys talking about vacancies, but I just want to kind of remind you that we had to let go of the other guys. So, I'm kind of really down two more guys in the
DPW. So, I don't know if that's something we can discuss. I asked I I don't know if we >> Jamie Lynn, do you know if the ad if Sydney got the ad run because I asked you to post Dian's positions on MMA and Indeed. Do you know if they're up
>> I gave >> I'm just rolling out just thing I looked I look at that stuff. There you go. >> So if they're not Dan I'll try to find where you gave me the >> the previous ads that you had given me before to revertise. I did I don't know
if this is another thing I should discuss with you guys but I did have a couple firefighters I was actually working with this morning and they were willing to if we got like overwhelmed and stuff and some even have CDLs would that be an option of them letting them drive our plow trucks like say if my
guys get too tired or something we can throw one of the fire guys in there >> the full-time guys or call guys >> uh call guys and they got licenses they're already on the books >> I have to look at the legality of it but if we can use people that are already. You know, >> that was just brought up to me this morning. So, I'm just throwing it out
there. >> I think it could be a creative solution to be honest with it. >> Something to think about is I'm just saying I threw it just that was just came to me this morning. I wasn't aware these guys would do that. So, and again, I don't think they want to work for us all the time, but like I said, if we get
>> like overwhelmed and they help, >> it works, you know. So >> driving someone else and stuff. >> We did that from private people. We gave them as long as they have the insurance, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Didn't we do that last se last
>> Yeah. with a couple guys who didn't want to use their own trucks cuz they couldn't or whatever, but we're willing to drive and we we did the insurance and all that stuff, you know, kind of the same situation. >> You think about it. I'm not just I don't want to put anybody >> I I I thought about it in my in my cons
I agree. I don't think it's a bad idea. The only problem is just because somebody has a CDL license and they can drive a dump truck doesn't mean they can drive a big dump truck with a plow on it. >> Right. But I got small ones too. So it doesn't matter. >> I'm just saying that's my concern. Liability people with plows. Those are
big blades. >> They're not used to doing with with a plow blade. It's different than just driving a truck. >> Having a plow is a little bit different. That's all I'm saying. How to operate it. So, I mean, if you want to go through a little learning curve with them and you feel comfortable with certain people that once we get some
approval that we can do it, no liability issues with that, I'm I'm all for it. I'm just more concerned about the safety of the individual that's going to be driving that truck with a plow on it and the public safety with somebody inexperienced being behind the wheel with a plow on a truck, especially that
size truck. A lot of bad can happen. >> Yep. But again, like you said, it could be like a training thing. I can go out with them, see how they do. They're looking good. >> I think it's a great idea. I mean, we have other guys that are driving it that are familiar with the truck and how to operate the plow. So maybe if they want to ride shotgun
>> Y >> and learn it, that's great. >> Y, >> but I don't think it's something that we just stick somebody with no experience how to operate that truck with a plow on it. That's >> like I said, I can go with him, you know, the first round I can tell you in two seconds if he's going to be all
right or not. Sure. Will things stop getting wiped out? You're like, "Now you can stop, drop the blade. Let's go." >> But I'm just That's my concern, Dan. It's just to protect. >> But again, I'm just throwing out that was just news to me. I didn't think they would even do that. So,
>> I'm kind of glad they they stepped up and said that. So, >> depends how we get from plow guys that that's a huge help if if we can get them. You know, >> they might already know how to operate with a plow and it's all just a concern of mine. That's all. Cool. >> All right, guys. Have a good night.
Thank you. >> Thanks, Dan. Mr. Gasper, any of the announcements? >> Yeah. Um, just so everybody Dann >> I don't want anybody to lose it on the long holiday weekend. Recycling in the swap shop will not be open over the
Thanksgiving weekend. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay, there you go everybody. The swap shop in the recycle center will not be open on the weekend next weekend of Thanksgiving weekend. Y >> and with that said, now that I mentioned Thanksgiving, I'd like to just wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving out there. Enjoy your time with your family.
>> Great. Yeah, I echo that. And uh you I just wanted to uh say to the voters of a Kushnet, you came out yesterday >> um on an important issue that was going to cost the town money. And but that said, >> you know, I had an opportunity to work with the old colony team and the
building committee for the better part of two years. And I can say is that every one of those members put their heart and soul into a project and it's not a popular thing to go ask people for more money. Um, you know, and especially in a in a in a cushion who is going to
be paying, you know, the lion share of the project and, you know, I'll never call into question the wisdom of the voters. I mean, I've I've won eight elections, so I I think they're pretty smart. Um, so with that said, I think there's still a need there. Um, and I'd
like to see hopefully this board and the finance committee uh, you know, shift their focus to our legislative delegation and the governor. I think the real issue is I think it's it's absolutely outrageous that communities
some who have comprehensive high schools that they're have to fund uh the 27 vocational districts are on the hook for their uh upkeep of their buildings and building new buildings and and you know I'm just you know the lip service of yes
we're for the trades and yes we're for the blue collar but for towns to take on you know a majority of the spending to me is is is outrageous. Um, and so I I hope that we can rally around trying to
get additional money uh to the to the vocational districts. I mean, I think that's the crux of the issue is the fact that a Kushnet would have to cons even consider $55 million and 80 million over 30 year 30 years. um they need to step
up and I think the governor and the the our legislators who are responsive and I'm sure they will but there's legislation before uh the legislature that I was up at Beacon Hill advocating for that would increase the reimbursement uh to 80%. I think that's
part of the problem. So, um, the need is still there and I hope that a cushion because we do not have our own high school and kind of a different situation than the other towns in the district. Um, to my knowledge, we don't have an
agreement yet with Fair Haven. We don't know what's going on with Old Rochester. Um, you know, as I said before, the only constant is Old Colony, and I hope in five or 10 years that option is still there as well. So um uh so that's pretty much it. So any anything else,
gentlemen? If nothing nothing else, we will uh go into executive session. >> Oh yeah. >> Yep. Got uh to talk about staffing issues. Cool. All right. Uh, is there a motion to go into executive session one under Mass
General Law, Chapter 3A, section 21A, subsection 2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-UN personnel staffing in vacancies. And the
chair so declares that the board will not return to public session at the conclusion of the executive session. Is there a motion? So move second. All those in favor? We'll call vote. Mr. Gasper, >> yes. >> Mr. Hinckley, >> yes. >> Item number two, executive session in
the Mass General Law, Chapter 3A, section 21, subsection A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, staffing, and vacancies if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body. And the chair so declares and the board will not return to public
session at the conclusion of the executive session. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. Second. Uh there's a second a roll call vote. Mr. Gasper, >> yes. >> Mr. Hinckley, >> yes. >> Yes. We are not going in executive session.