[Music] Good evening. Today is Tuesday, November 4th. I declare at 4:00. It's a meeting of the Krishna Board of Selectment. Is there a motion to call the meeting to order?
>> So move second. >> All those in favor. >> Please rise to the pledge of allegiance. Pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> All right. Um, first up on the agendas, we got meeting minutes. Uh, we do have a real estate tax classification later on at 5:00. Um, so is there a motion? I don't know, gentlemen, if you've looked at the
meeting minutes of March 28th. >> Mr. Chairman, I I have in all honesty, I have not had time to go through them, but if either one of my colleagues are fine with them, >> I'd be more than happy to second it. >> Yeah, I had a chance to peruse them. They look good to me. Uh, >> Mr. Chairman, I just had one note. Let
me bring it up here. And this is a very minor change, but just for trying to get to the right page here, bear with me. on the October 21st, 2025 minutes. Okay. >> Um under selectment announcements
says Mr. Gasper received a text on behalf of PTO went to Frontier a few weeks ago. Um just to note that that was from Terra Grill. All right. >> In case anybody would >> question it, the rest of the meeting minutes okay. I would make a motion to approve
>> the meeting minutes as presented with the slight revision to the October 21st, 2025 minutes. >> Second. All those in favor? All right, motion carries. All right, we've got a couple things going on here. Sorry, we just shut my phone off. Uh, so we have
Kora from the F Haven Krishnet Land Trust. Correct. Um, just by way of introduction, David Wer, Kevin Gasper, Bob Hinkley. Um, we were notified by Pauline Tacera that you have concerns
about the white the the mill at uh um the whites mill. So, I wanted to hear what you have to say and uh you we want to talk about it. >> Sure. >> Um I I appeared before the historic commission uh last week uh because it's
it's really a liability for us. We have offered it to the town. We've offered it to um the coalition. Nobody wants to take it on. Um >> you've offered what? The mill or the land. >> The both. You know, I mean it's it's you
know, we we've gotten different bids from u different types of masons on how to to secure the building, >> which is really difficult. Um >> and it's just, you know, it's so it's at this time that it's more of a risk for us to keep holding on to. you know, we
used to have volunteers that were there daily pretty much. Um, and that's no longer the case. And >> we've put up signs for danger, please don't climb, poison ivy. We've tried it all. The signs get thr, you know, thrown
into the the briars on a regular basis. >> Pauline. Hi, Pauline. Um, and you know, we had mentioned with, you know, we had spoken with the historic commission and they had also had inspected the space and and we know that the the building inspector has been wanting it to come
down for a number of years. So, we're just asking for blessings on that. >> Yeah. So, I know Kevin, I think you might have been on the board with us when we did the SESA centennial >> and >> I was elected that year. >> Yeah. And even prior to that, there had been conversations about putting
community preservation money >> into restoring it, right? That's something that we wanted to do. And we brought in >> multiple experts and they said essentially >> it was um wasn't savable, but we had to
essentially just kind of watch it >> deteriorate it thing. Now, >> you know, kind of it's kind of weird. it's still kicking around, you know, I mean, >> um, and I get it that it's, you know, might be an inconvenience or a concern
of yours, >> but it's also it's part of the historical fabric of the town and I I will not personally support taking it down. Um, I think that's just, you know, that's my personal feeling. Happy to work with you. Um, you know, I won't speak to my colleagues, be happy to work
with you to secure it, whether it be with some fencing or something along those lines, but um I I think that, you know, for us to put fencing around it, um, is going to just challenge the the
the kids that are that are going out there already. Um, one of the things that we had, >> when did you take pro when did you take the property? >> I think it was 2008. >> Okay. was when it when it was first given. >> You guys knew that the the the the mill was there, right?
>> Yeah. Yeah. And uh and and there were like like you said, there were many different meetings that had occurred um with potential community preservation funding uh to to try and secure it. And everyone that we've brought in um I
brought in some of the best masons around and you know, there's really no way to secure it. Um, and it's just become so dangerous and and at risk at at this time that, you know, I'm worried about, you know, every time, you know, we put up a no trespass sign or no
climbing sign, I see pictures of, you know, somebody's prom, somebody's, you know, new band, you know, if there, you know, somebody with a guitar up on this window and somebody with a set of drums somehow in another set. Um, it's just,
you know, it's I I understand that it's part of our our fabric. I know that there's family members in my my background from a cushion that that worked there in the, you know, early 1800s. Um, but it's it's really not salvageable and and I just, you know, I
don't want to be the parent of a child that that falls there. I don't want to be a neighbor of a child that falls there. And it it is a real risk when you look into the interior of the building um where you know a wall and a half have
already fallen. Um it's extremely dangerous and so I can understand you not wanting to sign your name onto it but I do ask the the rest of the board to understand that you know this is not a a whim on us for for wanting to have
provide a safe area. you know, we'd be able to use some of the stones to divide the property properly because right now what happens in the winter is that people go four-wheeling in somebody else's field. um cuz they feel that they they can um so whether it's you know on
their snowmobiles or or on their in their jeeps, >> you know, and if we put up some of the stones to um really delineate the the property line that might help our our neighbors. >> Yeah,
I have the same sentiment as you, Mr. Chairman, on that property. It is. It is a landmark and you know I think Matt Lopes won um man of the year back in time a couple of years >> on that on that property as well. I I think I think we would owe it to ourselves to do a little
>> investigation work on it and see what's up and maybe have a conversation with you um of the town taking possession of the property. >> Mhm. Yeah. I' >> We need to send the right people out to assess the mill. >> Mhm. >> Right. And take a look at it. I think that the board could just do a tour out
there together. Um, take a look at what's going on. >> Yeah, cuz there's two acres there. >> Can you give us the plot plan of what you actually own there with is it an acre? Is it two acres? >> It's about 2 acres. Um, with the the new bridge and drainage, there's now a drain
that's coming right into it where the sign is. And so that's even, you know, impacting it more now. So that we have a new flow of water coming at it. >> The old flow used to go through there. So, I grew up there. I delivered newspapers down here. I'm extremely
familiar with the property, right? >> Um I only live right up the road, quarter of a mile. >> Okay. >> So, I'm pretty familiar with that area and I know most of those residents over there. >> Um there's only one house left after the bridge that's still being occupied. >> There's basically one house before the bridge, right?
>> Um and then the Fernandes built their house way out back um because their parents lived out front. >> So, there's not a lot of residents there. But again, I think we owe it to ourselves and to the town people to take a good good look at the property and do an assessment, maybe have a conversation
with you about what we can do. >> Okay. >> Um come up with some kind of a deal. >> Okay. >> Um yeah, >> I I agree. I think um it's funny. I I'm pretty sure in my past life, my band took pictures there as
well. So, um it it is >> that's when it was still operational, right? >> Absolutely. Um but you know, going through remembering when you know the volunteers came by and cleaned it all up and revitalized it and with the signage
and everything, I think I think I agree with both of you when it's it's historically significant for the town, even with the name attached to it and and seeing it. And I would definitely be willing to work with >> you guys to figure something out. Here's the thing, you know, like we've put some
time and energy into Lake Street with a committee. Um, I know Kevin, you're the the chair of the master plan committee. I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud like, okay, maybe that group of people
who've obviously looked at historical stuff as part of the master plan, you got some really talented people in that committee and maybe you could, I don't know, when you meet with them again and say, "Hey, look, would you like to have a side hustle?" And while you're doing the master plan, also look at that that
property. And you know, I just kind of feel like if we can get some some eyes on it and maybe there's some suggestions cuz we have community preservation funds, right? >> To maybe make some type of proper area, right? So people don't feel
like they have to go into it, right? >> And so maybe there's just a way to do this thing creatively. Um, you know, versus just saying, "All right, let's take it down because that's the easiest thing to do, right?" I guess I get it, you know. >> I mean, I mean, we've looked into to,
you know, trying to secure >> I just, you know, I don't know. Maybe it's just me getting older, but >> I feel like sometimes, you know, towns when things become inconvenient, the easiest thing to do is just say, "All right, we're out." you know, and so with
preservation and whether it's land or historical buildings, >> I think you gota you got to take it to the absolute final final final final before we just say we're going to take this thing down. So, um that's my feeling. So, >> I would be more than happy, Mr. Chairman, to take it back to the master
plan. and Cory, just so you know, I don't know if you've been contacted by Serb, but we had a lot of discussion around the town about development ideas and stuff and in the property you just took. Well, I think you're about to take ownership of Keith's Tree Farm. We have
some some really good ideas for the community and perhaps yourself as a favor. >> We don't own it yet. >> I know you don't own it. I know you don't own it yet, Cora, but there's been a lot of work being done out there. So, we can have that conversation some other time, but I'd be I'd be more than happy to sit down with you um and have some
dialogue of different opportunities that we could have collectively between the town and Christian land trust if you wouldn't mind. >> Yeah. Great. Thanks. So, we'll get back to you on that. >> Okay. Thanks.
>> All right. Thank you. Next item is Okay, we got a communication from Nancy Riveros, chairperson of the Ausha beautifification. Nancy, >> when'd you sneak in?
>> She decided to steal my outfit. >> Yeah. >> Are you the mama? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> What do you got, Nancy? So, um, should I read the letter and then go from there? Okay.
>> So, dear Border Selectman, I'm writing on behalf of the beautifification committee to express some of our interest to better the facade of our community. First, I'd like to thank you for annually allocating funds from the budget to help support our projects and
initiatives. In recent years, we made efforts to help supply shade trees on town property, which is which is an initiative that is backed by the Commonwealth. We purchased several American flags to display on our main ways, as well as purchase seasonal plants and flowers to beautify our town
hall and popular intersections. We spend countless hours trimming shrubs, planting whiskey barrels, and maintaining what we produce. All if these costs add up very quickly and some serve as minimal beautifification that lasts temporarily. We would like to take
greater steps to make the town beautiful year round. The New England Farms and Taton Federal Credit Union have taken exceptional initiatives to make the center town beautiful with their well-maintained buildings and landscaping. They have set the standard for what we should strive for in a
Kushnet. The beautifification committee asks that you grant us permission to work with town officials and staff to create a five-year plan to expand our budget to work on larger projects, establish a bylaw to regulate the facade of business in town, and apply for
grants pertaining to this uh and encourage optimal aesthetics. We take pride in our wonderful town and only want to keep our community great for us and future generations. Thank you for your time and I look forward to discussing this further with you all.
So, we've had a lot of feedback with um we decorated uh Perry Hill Road, >> we've done the whiskey baskets, um we did the flags, and we want to keep that going, but $1,000 per year
>> just isn't cutting it. Great. >> So, we're looking to see if we can get more money from the town. Like, we we applied for a grant for the trees. We bought trees. We planted them. Um, but we just we we need more money. As you
know, the cost of everything's gone up and we just are trying to make the town beautiful. And like I said, we've had a lot of feedback like from a lot of towns people that, you know, we haven't seen the town, you know, look this good in a
while. So, we want to keep that going and we want to start, you know, some maybe uh donations too, like maybe um donate, you know, some people in town donate a whiskey barrel and you know, we can start doing a little more as we go.
We know that Rome wasn't built in a day, right? >> However, we do need additional funding. >> Do we Jamie, do you know offhand if we have like a gift fund set up for the beautifification committee? I thought we created that like years ago. Kevin, maybe a gift fund or evolving fund >> like something like where people can
make contributions cuz I think we got something like avol. >> So how would we allocate that through like a gofundme or >> Well, I think if if we set up the account here then I think like with with
through animal control Becky has something set up. Oh, if we if an account's set up, people can donate to it and funds can be expended. >> Okay. So, that's we just got to set up the the mechanism for that. Then you can build some visibility around it. But as
far as budgetary funds, that has to go through, >> right? A budget pro the budget. >> And there's usually a limit to how much you can expend out of a gift
fund. Uh, and it's by vote of the board. Right. >> All right. Well, if you can look into that those mechanics, right? And then I don't know what what um flexibility we have with community preservation money.
If it falls under one of these categories, maybe you can kind of thread the needle there. So I think the bottom line is the fact that we've got a a beautifification committee that wants to do stuff. >> I think as a board we got to figure out how to get you the resources to be able
to do the stuff you want to do. >> Okay. >> Maybe not everything that you want to do, but you just said an alarming number, right? a thousand bucks. It doesn't go very far. >> It It really doesn't. >> Right. So, I I I get what you're trying to do. And I mean, even if you know, we take baby steps, right? 1,000 goes to
2,000, 2500, whatever it may be, we could do a little bit more progressively every year. And I think, you know, we could look at again, the chairman hit the nail on the head, CBC funds, good for parks and recreation. What categories can we spend for from within? Um I I can I I mean I've known Nancy for
a long time and I think that guy Bob that volunteers his time um doing things. He's did the police department for us and things of like I mean we have some great people that are just willing to give their time and volunteer their time. >> Um I think we owe it to them to at least
do our best to find funds, right? And see what what what we can do to help out >> um on our behalf. And I will say I'm a little disappointed on missing out on the whiskey bows because I didn't get no whiskey. >> Sorry. >> Uh Mr. chairman. Uh, on the other
matters that were brought up like the facade bylaw and stuff, I think that should probably be referred to the master plan committee and because that's really under their purview to
take input from the public and come out with a recommendation. Yeah, we're we're a little further in that process already, but we did have when you talk about that. Is it kind of like saying in a bylaw because we talked about that going through planning, which most
things would go through planning and things of the like, but are you talking about like one of the planning board members that's on the master plan talked about different kind of colors to be used when you're developing properties so you know you don't have purples with blacks and, you know, oranges and and
lime greens everywhere. And it's so when you're kind of doing especially down these main carters, the business cartas and thing I I call them cartas um you know middle road main street >> neon signs versus >> things things are so that everything's
kind of you know matches up right aesthetically it looks >> so you go to North Conway right and everything is >> um you have wooden signs and they they give you certain colors so you can only you know use so many colors colors on a
sign, you have to use a wooden sign. Um, you know, that sort of thing. Colors of buildings. Um, >> yeah, we talked about that. >> Looks like the charcoal gray is kind of making its way, you know, like with Duncan and Burrito place and Taton Federal and now the high seat. Like, it
seems like it's kind of becoming the adopted color these days. But, you know, I think there's definitely >> we did touch base on that a little bit, Nance, on on with a master plan on things like that, right? Um, if you want to if you want to write me some notes and like with signage and you know
different things, I can I'd be more than happy to take you back to the master plan committee and say let's relook at this. >> That'd be great, you know. >> Okay. Um, and then when do you think we'll have an answer on actually getting additional funding from the town? Would it be the following fiscal year? Like
>> So budget season would we usually start budget season January, Februaryish? >> Y, >> right? so we can figure something out. You know, obviously revenues are tight. Um, we have priorities. Um, that's why I think the chairman hit the nail on the head looking at CBC funds. What what
what's our flexibility there? Because that's a greater pool, >> right? >> And and more of a common use if we can if we can utilize that money for some of this stuff, right? If we can if we can get some clarification on a creating a fund, a gift fund that people from the
private sector residents could contribute, >> I think we can we can take action on that like okay >> ASAP and at least you'll have a vehicle for people to drop money into. You know, uh I'm sure Bob could put it get his
social media expertise going. I'm sure people will step forward and and do something like that, especially with the holidays approaching right now. Yeah, last year um was the first time in many years that we actually decorated the town hall. We put lights up. >> That's awesome. >> But however,
because this is an old building, the fuses kept going off or what breaking or whatever and the lights kept shutting down. So this year, you know, we purchased LED lights, but we can only purchase a little bit at a time because
now we're going into the, you know, we tried to allocate 250 each season and like we're beyond that. And you know, you may not think that it looks like we've spent $1,000, but it goes very very quickly. >> Yeah.
>> So if Yeah. if we could, you know, get additional funding, like you said. Um, I mean, I'm I can't bank on people donating money from the town where they already think that their tax their taxes are high. Um, you know, we need to figure out a way to,
>> you know, make the town look better because it really needs to get done. >> I agree. >> Well, it's nice that you came now and not in >> argument season, right? We call it budget season. I call it argument season. Right. >> Yeah. cuz that's where we're at. So, I mean, we'll figure it out. We'll do
something, right? >> All right. Thank you so much. I appreciate >> Oh, by the way, while you're here, >> Yeah. >> your daughter is awesome. >> You should very, very proud. You and your husband and your family. She's very, very proud of your daughter. >> Thank you. >> Chip off the block.
>> The father, right? >> Just all right. Uh the snowplow drivers that [Music] I just got earlier against what contract we got
just for you guys to look at later and what we're getting salt and all that good. Thank you. >> All right. Uh Dan, we got snow plow drivers. I know every year we want to make sure that we make it attractive for
people to invest in the plows. uh to serve the town. So, what you're recommending is $5 above the state rate. I think it's something we've always done. >> Yep. And that's why I give you guys the the new rates of there. Again, you don't have to >> and then a sign up by December 15th. Perfect attendance, $1,000 sign up
bonus, right? Um gentlemen, what are your thoughts on this? >> That's basically just following what we've done in previous years. Those first two steps, five bucks above state rate. >> Yep. um $1,000 perfect attendance. Um we
did talk quickly, Mr. Kelly and I talked about something about doing some tiered things for people that sign up late. Dan, I don't know if you if that I mean I like to put a cut off date on mandatory 100% um perfect attendance um and a cut off
date. So we I kind of drew up this number of December 15th. Give it like 45 days from now. I know it's not exactly 45 days. >> Get you to be able to get out there. Anybody who signs up by December 15th, perfect attendance gets a,000 bucks. >> Okay? >> Obviously, if if you're signing people
up, you're going to need to know if they have scheduled vacations, right? So, they ain't dinged by us. So, if they give you that by December 15th, um we know that and that's scheduled forward to the board of selectman's office and we have that notification so it doesn't come up as an argument in the future
where well, they told me, but we didn't have that information, right? So, I'm trying to prevent the debate later on at the end of the season. >> Y >> by doing that, >> we kind of talked about um Mr. Kelly and I not the board kind of talked about um
you know, people signing up later than December 15th. If you had somebody come in, maybe make that different a different rate, 750 again to a certain date, maybe January 1st and then it's pretty much over. Okay. >> Or we could do something else with 500
bucks. We could discuss that at an upcoming meeting though. >> Okay. >> Um just to get that right now this letter out to the to the drivers and stuff that we have now. >> So right right now Dian, you got everything you need to go all the way up to the December 15th day, right? >> Yep. So we'll go with that. >> So we got some time for the board to
digest what Mr. Kelly and I have put together this kind of scribbled up piece of paper, but it's it's something to try to make it a little more fair for people coming on a little later. >> We had two storms, one didn't show up for one or something like that. We're trying to figure that all out without wasting up too much time tonight and trying to figure it all out on camera.
Mr. Kelly and I did some quick sketching and he just passed that on to the board at the last minute. >> Okay. >> The five bucks above state rate, $1,000 sign on bonus um effect of the December 15th if the board's okay with the December 15th cut off of the,000 bucks.
>> Okay. >> Perfect attendance knowing when you sign people up and they give you all that paperwork. um you fill out like a form with them and and put if they have any scheduled vacation time all the way to I would say April 1st. >> Okay?
>> Because we have snow and don't forget the year 2015 where we got massive snow in the month of March pretty much right through March backto back storms. So, we'll have that going. And I think that
that um goes what do we do in the past? Another another thing that became a certain issue maybe two years ago was what do we vote? We voted per vehicle. >> Correct. $1,000 sign on bonus per vehicle. >> Yeah. We probably have uh maybe two or
three contractors that got more than one vehicle. Maybe three at tops, you know. somebody there was a problem >> and I'm trying to get rid of problems >> and and and that so everybody's clear, right? And we're not getting So you don't want to end up peeing off somebody >> that's one of those individuals that
have three or four trucks, one contractor, three or four different drivers in it and you're saying I'm only giving you a thousand cuz you're one person. You're not one person. You have four trucks, right? I know I know we have this problem. >> I'm trying to diffuse that problem. >> So it's $1,000 perfect attendance per
vehicle. Okay, >> Mr. Kelly, is that cover what we did in the past year? >> And I think that's what we did last year. >> Yes. >> And uh the typical issues on insurance and liability and everything that could work out the past.
>> Yep. Correct. >> Yep. >> Okay, Mr. Chairman, if Dan, this letter looks like it covers all the bases. >> Yeah, that was that was last year's. So, um, but the she did put in the new rate for, um, the work was comp thing. Um,
>> but again, I can we can tune that up a little bit on the letter tomorrow. >> Yep. >> Other than the date Mr. Gasper brought up, which I agree with with the December 15th just just >> if the guys online. Yeah. >> I mean, it's a lot of guys wait till it's ready to slow that week and sign up.
>> I make a motion to approve the $5 above state rate additional stipen with 100% 100 % perfect attendance at $1,000. >> Second. All those in >> favor to be submitted by December 15th. >> Very good.
>> Thank you. >> We got our state rep. He's going to apply for us this year. >> They got trucks. >> They make the riv. I like the review. >> All right. Municipal special employee exemption
form for Rebecca Tomlinson. This is uh what's this for? >> Uh Mr. Chairman, if I may. Um I believe this is our Rebecca has a family member that owns a business that involves animals.
>> That's right. So, this is a disclosure form saying if anything goes wrong at that business, Rochester or another municipality would have to respond to it um for inspections. >> Got it. All right. So, a motion to approve. >> So, move second. All >> in favor? I carries.
>> Next item is uh Lesie Perkins submitted her resignation as a library tech. Is there a motion to accept with regret? >> So, moved. Second. All in favor? I carries. Next item here is our community transit grant program and this is uh got
our COA director here. It's good that we got a mass DOT grant opportunity and we've got our two state reps here. So good good timing. >> Great. Um so we are working on applying for the mass DOT community transit grant program which would allow us to or if we
are um selected we would have funds to purchase a new uh 12 passenger van. Um part of that um application process is basically just a letter of commitment stating that the town of Kushnet would take on um the responsibility of $19,118.
So this is again just a letter of commitment. Um obviously I'm hoping that we um are selected but uh we wouldn't have to have those funds readily available. >> I think we did this last year, right? >> Yes. >> Y right. Uh this has been done in the
past, Mr. chairman and uh it's been a successful program. All right, motion to approve as presented. >> Second. >> Second in favor. >> And while we have while we have our two state reps, I'll take advantage of their
time right now and and I will say we desperately need the ban. >> We already wrote a letter of support and we'll continue to advocate as much as we appreciate that. >> You bet. I have a letter of support that the uh each of you can sign next to your
name. >> And I've got one that I have to sign. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um all right, we do gentlemen, we have an executive session, a couple executive sessions, >> then a hearing, but under selectman's
announcements, um took the privilege of inviting our state reps in who we do have some announcements actually. >> Sure. >> Um to share with us. So uh one is regarding >> Sloum Street. Yes. >> And uh also some other work that they've
been doing has been doing. Uh thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and uh members of the board. Uh for the record, my name is Mark Sylvia, state representative for the 10th Crystal District. Uh I'm here tonight. I wanted to give you an update and share some good news relative to the Silkom Street
project. Um as we all know, this is a project that has been um there's been bond authorization for this project since 2014. uh with a bond reauthorization in 2022, but no dollars that have come directly to the town. I can tell you right after
my election and before I got sworn in, I spoke to each one of the select board members who said this is a very important priority for the town to get some relief from Masdot for the Soukum Street project. It's a very important project. It's a main road and the town,
as you discussed earlier and we've had discussions certainly with the finance committee last year. The town needs relief. You levied the full 2.5%. You need funding to support what you do. And so any support that Masdot could
provide um would be welcome. So that meant we were that meant we need to be dogs with a bone. In other words, as your state representatives, it's important for us to do everything we can. So in March, we sent a joint letter, Rep. Wlette and I um to Masda and the govern and Governor Healey
requesting that that funding be made available. Um and then subsequent to that, um I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with officials from MASDOT, not only articulating the importance of the project, which they knew, but the impact, the positive impact to the town
if they could provide anywhere, you know, within that $ 1.5 million bond authorization um to Aushnet. And so I'm here tonight to announce to you that um Masdot has committed a million dollars for this project to the town of Aushnet.
Kudos to uh Mr. Kelly who I've been in regular contact with providing as much information as MASDOT is required in order to justify um the release of those dollars. I know there's a there's a contract that'll be executed between the town and MASDOT for that funding. Um but
the email that I passed out this evening is their confirmation. I ask that they put in writing their commitment to providing that million dollars. So very proud to be up here with my colleague Mr. let and I and I want to thank you. I mean we even we had a call Mr. Gaspar selectman
Gaspar was on that call along with Mr. Kelly myself and Mr. Wlette um to really advocate for these dollars um spoke to Gus Bford who is the head of uh intergovernmental relations about the importance of these dollars being made available. So I'm very proud that we
were all able to work together and get this job done. So wanted to notify you of that. Um, and also, uh, Representative Wlette is here to talk about a couple of air marks in the 26 budget that he filed and I was proud to co-sponsor that are additional dollars
that will come to the town of Christian. So, I'll turn it over to him unless you have any. >> Yeah. The only thing I want to say, Mark, is that, you know, when you announced that you were running for office, I know we we sat at Dunkin Donuts, right, and we said >> Sloum Street, Slo Street, Sloum Street. >> I I'm I'm blown away, right? because a
lot of candidates will give lip service and say they're with you, they're with you. But you delivered on this one and you know, you sticking to it and not giving up um really is a testament to you and I think that was the appeal. You knew you could >> being a former town manager, you could hit the ground running and you told
people that's what you wanted to do and you did. So, thank you for that and thank you for staying on top of it. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Not giving up and I know Steve provided a lot of support as well. But, >> you know, you were very nice in passing out the bouquets to to us, but really hats off to you uh for doing this for
us. So, thank you. >> I told you we'd be back. You didn't believe us. >> I um Mr. Chairman, yeah, I do want to say to you, Mr. Sylvia, um I'm usually skeptical with new state reps, right, and elected officials of the like, but
um I gave you the benefit of doubt. You and I had two or three different conversations. One of them was on Zoom with Mr. Kelly and Mr. Bigfoot and Mr. Olette was on that Zoom meeting and I and I said to them the urgency of this funding. Um I seen your face in that
response and you knew right away it was absolutely critical. And then through further dialogue with the town administrator, Mr. Kelly, um we continue to have it. We he kept sharing information. I said, "You need to give him this, you need to give him this, add this to it, add this to us to push and get as much as we could." Right. And I
think I might have even said to you once, I think it was at the Veterans Memorial, um, that we had last year celebration, and I said, you know, um, Rep. Sylvia, I'd be I'd be happy with half the amount of money, right? Because it's been hanging out there for so damn long. Nobody else has done anything for
us. The project's under way. Shovels are in the ground. We absolutely, it's critical we get this funding. You got that message. And not only did you get the message, and I'm going to say this, you follow through as Mr. Mona said and you delivered. So for that I am
extremely grateful to you Mr. Ollet and everybody else that was part of this you know getting this thing done once and for all on behalf of my constit our constituents right I mean it's incredible that you got it done in a short period of time. So for that I commend you both. >> Actually after that meeting when we got
together I said why don't we shock Gasper and get at least a million. You were asking like 700,000 at the time and I said why don't we shock him and come up with a million. And I'm glad he he did it. Well, I I I'll tell you, I'm glad you didn't come with cardboard check. >> I would have walked you right back out
the door with that cardboard check. >> I wanted a check, but we couldn't do it. You just guarantee the money. >> Kudos to the chairman to make sure that we got this in writing, right? And kudos to you that you brought this in writing. And now we actually have it in writing. So, we will be receiving a million dollars thereabouts. I won't hold you to
a million number of a million dollars, but I was working with Mr. Kelly most recently on some of the project and figuring out and adding in some additional costs that I thought was reimburseable. So, >> and thank you to Betty. >> Yes, I should introduce if you don't
know Betty. Betty de Benedictus is my legislative director. She's been up at the state house for 18 years. She's worked for a Democrat and a Republican. Has enormous respect up there and she's been a really she's been my partner. >> I think I didn't recognize her because I only met her once, but she was on the Zoom that we were on, wasn't she? I
think so. as soon as the chairman said, you know, Betty, >> pleasure to meet you in person, Betty. >> And thank you very much for your hard work as well. >> Mr. Chairman, if I may, I just want to thank you both for being responsive. That's all we've ever asked in this community is having state reps that
listen, don't just show up for photo ops and actually get down to brass tax and get things done. And I will second Betty being relentless and always staying in communication with us. And it's very much appreciated. >> Yeah. And it doesn't end here, right? So
to your point, we have this commitment. We have this commitment in writing, but it means that we collectively uh including your state reps have to continue to be on Masdot to make sure that they're making the reimbursements when they need to make those reimbursements. We have that commitment, but it means we also have to stay on it
as your as your elected representatives, and we will >> just don't change your cell phone numbers. >> It it was it was kind of nice, Rep. Sylvia to know in that Zoom meeting. What I did recognize right away is the cooperation we did have from them, right? We weren't getting the snub nose and everything else. They were all
heavily engaged in the conversation. When each one of us spoke, they were listening. So that was I thought was pretty cool versus other meetings that I've been in and it's like, yeah, I'm just here wasting my time, >> right? I felt pretty good about it. So thank you. Thank you again. >> Sure. Latin or you got some other
>> Yeah, we we squeaked out a little more money >> here. I'll let you I'll let you. >> So, while while Mark was squeezing the DOT, I was squeezing the uh the chair of uh Ways and Means to try to get you 50K toward engineering for the school problem. Ended up getting you 25K. Uh
it's geared toward the leak that's at the gym in the closet area if you can do that, but if not, you can use it toward the HVAC. Also got 20 grand for the uh senior center for the HVAC to replace another unit. You did one unit last time, we're doing another one now. So, we were successful in those funds, too.
So, uh that's another 45K again. Uh the ear marks were cleared. We told we told Jamie that the governor did release them. We were very nervous with the federal situation, but the governor released the funds, so we should be good to go with that. >> Awesome. Great. Thank you very much. Sounds good. >> Jamie will be following up on getting
the cash. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. >> I love you guys. You guys are like She walks in here. I'd love to help Frank so much and thank you. >> Thank you for all you do. >> Good job. Take care. >> All right. See you guys. Have a good one.
>> All right. Uh so we got a quick executive sessions and then we'll have a 5:00 for the professors. Mr. Chairman, I just announcements here. >> Um I had a really good conversation with the chair of the FINCOM today. Um there's still some unresolved questions
that different members of the pincom and multiple members of the public have in regards to the old colony debt exclusion. Um there was an email sent out by the chairman today to try to coordinate one more meeting before we get to the actual election. Um and I
know there's some back and forth, but I want to reiterate that um I I really think that if the FIN comes requesting more information, we definitely need to schedule at least one more meeting. And I really don't want to see a restricted one. I know I I haven't checked it
since, but before this meeting started, um the proposed date that chairman Buché uh brought up is not available to Old Colony because they will be in Lakeville that day going over it. Um they did offer a Monday, next Monday as a meeting
time, but the um there was a cut off time. So basically, it would be a a controlled meeting to the point where if it went over, they'd have to leave. Um, so I would like to make sure that happens. Um, right now I don't have a
good date, but the tentative date that Old Colony did have available was on Monday, but it would have to be an earlier meeting with a hard cut of 5:15. I propose to um Aaron Palansky with nothing else on
their schedule the possibility of the 13th. Um that would be a Thursday though. I don't know what you gentlemen would have going on there and I haven't seen a response from Aaron yet to see if it's a possibility. But um out of respect for Chairman Boucher, I would
like to follow that up and as long as you guys are okay. I mean ultimately we have 48 hours to pull a meeting out of our hat and if we can get some dates I just want to see if you guys are okay with even if it's last minute trying to make this happen. >> As you know I'm on that committee for
whole colony and I did send an email to the group to Aaron saying you know I'm personally in support of having another you know another meeting and if you're going to do a Saturday do a sat like whatever right whatever it takes to do uh we should do uh to get as much information out there as possible. So, I
know Mike initiated that. We'll stand We'll stand by and do what we have to do. >> Excellent. >> All right. Uh Mr. Gasper, anything under uh announcements? >> No, not that not that I'm aware of. A
lot of other things going on, but no, not that I can. >> All right. Uh just a couple things just to get um last night we had town meeting. Um thankful that the folks at town meeting approved the golf course project to move forward. Um, you know, I
think probably the next time we meet as a board would be good to get the golf management committee and that committee together, all of us to kind of figure out what the next steps are. Personally, I know, you know, we've talked about in the past. It's a good group to keep that group together, you know, and maybe
charge them in they were exploratory before, but, you know, maybe it's the building committee to, you know, go forward with that. But that's just my thoughts and you guys can kick that around. Mr. Chairman. >> Um, yes, sir. >> Based on what you just said, I think that's if you plan on keeping those
individuals from the exploratory committee active >> until we figure out exactly what we're doing. >> Um, we have to reestablish um committee, right? Because we sunset to a certain date >> when we did the reappoint back in June or something like that, right? I think
we went to a September date. So, if we're going to do that, >> we can call it instead of exploratory committee, we can call it a sub building committee or whatever the heck we want to call it. Right. >> Just uh I would ask communicate that since it's not on the agenda, communicate your support for that to Mr. Kelly and then we'll put it on the
agenda and then we'll reestablished and move it in the right direction. So, exciting stuff. >> He's right there. I think >> Well, I just I guess again I'm all I I'm I'm with you 100%. I think it's a good idea to keep everybody involved because there are certain elements of that
design that's up in the air, right? So, keep keep everybody active. >> All right, Mr. Chairman, on that note too, my biggest concern is I don't want to see anything stall, >> right? >> So, I I think got to move >> getting on it is definitely something we have to do. >> 100%. Good. All right. We do have uh two executive sessions. one executive
session under Mass General Law Chapter 38A subsection 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining water sewer United Steel Workers if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair declares in
the board will return well no will return will return >> yeah will return all right because we have that hearing will return to public session at the conclusion of the executive session >> is there a motion >> so moved >> second roll I'll vote. Mr. Gasper, >> yes. Mr. Hinckley, >> yes.
>> All right. You're going to executive session there. Executive session number two. >> Oh, we don't need this one, right? >> No, Mr. Chairman, that was put on in case there was a report. >> All right. We don't need anything there. So, we're good to go. >> All right. We'll uh And is there a
motion to reconvene the meeting? >> So, moved. >> I'll second that. All those in favor? Motion carries. >> We have to do a real estate tax classification hearing with our principal assessor, Kelly Costa. I know that we're moving a little quicker than uh the assessors have, but we're going to do our part of it. I know you guys
are meeting on the 12th and then we'll meet like right after that on our end to get this uh taken gear. So, I think today is just to open up the hearing. Uh you provide your testimony, I guess, or or information. We won't take any action, but we want to at least have the
hearing. And if there's anybody from the general public who wants to speak, they can do that. So, uh >> Kelly, can we close the hearing? today and they can vote at the next one. >> I know because new growth is not
formally certified, they cannot make a formal vote. They have to continue to a date and time >> service. So, we'll do that. Okay. All right. >> That's my understanding. >> All right. So, is there a motion to uh open the tax classification hearing? >> So, move. >> I'll second that. All those in favor? >> I.
>> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. I'm just going to go through the uh PowerPoint. Um I did the handout of the uh scenarios of what we're looking at for possibilities which is the um green highlighted sheet Excel sheet
which shows the difference of in FY2025 the board of selectment voted for a 35% shift in the tax rate certified were 1079 and 1522 um 1079 for residential 1522 for commercial industrial personal property
in this year's scenario with the levy that was going going to be proposed. Uh we're looking at the same grid down towards the middle of the page. If the board of selectman choose to go with a 35% split, you're looking at tax rates at 1050 and 1480 respectively. If you
look at the bottom, it shows the percent change of difference per class. Uh residential is shows about a 6% increase of value. uh commercial about a four, industrial 10, personal property three uh for the total of 100% and we're
looking to get a tax levy of maximum tax levy would be the $23,65,76. Um the second page of that attachment basically does the breakdown of new growth by class and value as well as percent change by class, 25 versus 26.
uh it basically breaks it all down and um repeats basic uh the numbers that I I mentioned before as well. I'm going to go to the presentation and the first slide is just the basics where the levy base from fiscal 2025 the 2% the prop 2
and a half is added the new growth estimated this year of $192,400 the FY2026 debt exclusion estimated of $421,830 arriving at the maximum allowable levy of the number of the 23,60576
due to percentage of value by class For maximum levy it the distribution of value uh is broken down in the middle of the screen you see by percent. So the residential class is about if you it was a single tax rate carries 89% of the
burden commercial 2 industrial 2 personal property six. So that's when you see the breakdown and then on the far right of the screen would be 1096 for a single uh tax rate. Um just going over how a tax rate is set basically is just that they take the
total tax levy of the 23 million605706 of the total value of the town of the 2 plus uh billion. Divide the two and again we get that $1096 for $1,000 value if it was a single rate uh that would be
certified or voted upon for classification. Just go over the stats. This is why uh shifts are done. It's basically to allocate burden between classes and historically the town of Kushnet does allocate um more of the burden on the
commercial industrial personal prop personal property classes rather than residential uh because of the high percentage of residential real estate we do have in town. Uh the shift can go up to 150%. We have never done that historically. The last three years have
been 35%. Bob has stats on what's been done historically well I think over the past 20 fiscal years. Obviously you don't want to reach that 150 because it is um pretty common once a town splits a tax rate it's very hard for them to go
back and go to a single or a lesser rate because the shift the the residential class which is the shift to try and take the burden upon in the following year. If the ship goes down, then there's increases. Of course, on this one, the tax shift possibilities
is exactly what I was speaking of. On the left hand of the screen is the share of percentages by tax shift. So, if you look across the top was the two slides before on the allocation of percentage of value. If you look down uh fourth from the bottom, again, I'm just uh
comparing it to the 35% shift because that's what we've done for the past three fiscal years. You see for residential being at the 89% if 35% is voted upon it goes down to 85. It impacts of course the other side which is the commercial industrial personal
properties their burdens increase to take the burden off the residential class. And then at the bottom there's just a little bit about um what we were looking at if it would be uh the same scenario of the 135 shift between the two fiscal years. uh it would be a
decrease of 29 cents for the residential rate and a decrease of 42 cents for the commercial industrial personal property rates. again uh average class comparison on the second um sheet that I had given from the Excel spreadsheet with the different
uh tax information I have 7% for the single family um basic if you if you average all of the residential not just single family it's roughly about six um 4% for commercial 12% for industrial and
actually the personal property class went down in value about 7% % that is um again the um influential factors on that would be we didn't have a lot of um currently historically the town of Kusha
the solar farms are really bringing in uh the personal property value and growth new ones have not come on board to completion where they can be accounted for in the tax levy so we're kind of in the interim years there are two open permits right now there is one
that will be assessed for the first time in fiscal 2026 six, but I don't think it's actually at 100% because it hasn't connected to eosource to actually be functional. >> Can I just ask a question? >> You may. >> And I don't I don't know if this is
really your >> the assessor's deal or if it's the planning board, but actually I think we went to town meeting a while ago. I thought to give the the town the ability to negotiate pilots with solar farms
because we had talked about, you know, at least if we know what the the consistent payment is if you wanted to if you wanted to grab a little bit for operating cost, not all of it. >> We want to at least have that on the in the toolbox. So you know in any of these
projects do we do you know if that has been >> pilots are have not been entertained by the board of selectmen and there are and Kushna is unique where there is that solar revenue legislation I don't even know if a pilot could be entertained I'm not really sure >> yeah we went through that we got
authority to do it uh primarily Mr. the chairman. Uh we've had discussion with some representatives of various >> uh solar companies. >> Uh the fact that they are not
uh hooked up to the to the grid. Uh we have started uh we have told them we are open to discussion >> but they are uh asking us if we even
have influence with ever source to get them closer to the >> sorry I know this is a part I just want to make sure maybe we can put this as a topic of discussion at a future meeting. I'd hate to at least have that option go by the wayside. Oh, it's not by the
wayside, but uh they are uh >> they'd rather have a pilot, right? >> They they would rather have a pilot. And uh their problem is uh to negotiate a pilot, they have to actually uh know >> when they when they're going to connect.
>> Okay. >> And Mr. Chairman, just just to shed some light on that, that is a substation issue at the moment. So there's no definitive date from Eversource whether it's going to happen anytime soon, but they are working on it. >> Okay. >> So, you know, like Mr. Kelly said, they
need to know when they can be operational to do it, but I'm pretty sure we got authorization 2024 >> toain pilot. >> Okay, >> good. >> This the next screen I'm on is again, it's just kind of repetitive information just so uh the board of selectman can
see where the growth and the value of the town uh in the direction it's going. Obviously um sales are what drive the residential values. So and we analyze we don't analyze the future we analyze the history. So for this particular tax year
11 125 was the assessment date. So anything behind it was what was assessed to drive value for um for this particular fiscal year. Um this year also just so the select men are aware
too chapter 653 this is the first year that we can capture that we were able to capture or the assessors to June 30th only on improvements not land or um subdivisions or things of that nature. We don't have a lot of uh new homes being built or new lots being created in
uh high numbers if you will there it is happening but it's at a slow progression. um just to keep that in mind. So in essence, I'm looking at the $192,400 of growth this year going to June 30, 2025 with new construction residential.
So this first year technically it's 18 months rather than the year for that particular category. So for 27, keep that in mind. I can't double dip the other half of 25 for anything new. >> No. >> Just throwing it out there.
>> And better to know now than later. And this last uh this these last few slides are basically looking at value versus tax dollars again look comparing uh uniform numbers of the 35% ship. I stayed with that again because that is
what's been ratified for the past three fiscal years. The board of select obviously can take a look at the uh scenarios of the different shifts and percentages on the first sheet um with the the green highlights to see what they'd be looking at in regards to
lessening the burden or increasing it or whatever direction they're going to go. And this is again for the commercial uh aspect of it. 25 versus 26. And that's pretty much it in a condensed
format. Right. >> I know that unfortunately I was unable to get a new growth certified by the department of revenue. Um some technical issues in regards to what they were requiring of me and they just wanted a little bit more information. But uh Jamie and I have spoken and the
board of assessors are scheduled to see uh meet November 12th. I am looking to have new growth certified by end of this week. Um I'm going to make every stellar effort to make that happen >> uh in order to proceed next week. so everything can come together to fruition
once new growth is certified. Then the accounting aspect of the recap gets put together. I've spoken to uh Todd and u Jamie has mentioned to Pam regarding yesterday's town meeting. They're looking to button up and get all that info in by next Monday. So if in a
perfect world if this all happens and it lines up uh we should have a tax rate by the end of next week or early the following. >> Awesome. Great. >> Hopefully. Um, Mr. Mr. Chairman, um, just to follow what Miss Costa just
said, um, I'd much rather have new growth be certified and the board of assessors have a chance to actually take a vote on this. So, I would make a motion to continue this to the selectman's meeting room on November 13th at noon.
>> Okay, sounds good. I'll second that. >> Those in favor? >> I All right, cool. Thank you. I know you guys are >> working hard over there. >> Mr. the chairman, uh, the finance
gurus, the threesome, Kelly, Jen, and Jamie V have uh met quite a bit on this uh to make sure that not only did we uh present and
are getting new growth certified early, but we're getting all this done very quickly compared to years past. And uh I just want to call the board's
attention to the fact that all of those individuals have uh been working and pushing various boards and uh
uh the staff to make sure that not only do we get the tax bills out on time, but that this financial information is out there for when the vote comes up on the debt
exclusion and everyone understands what's going on. So I think it's uh commendable that they have been doing so much work and occupying my conference room so much. That's great.
>> Appreciate that, Jamie. We are part of the job, right? That's what we have to do. But so u like I had mentioned the board of assessors will be meeting on November 12th on their agenda will be their recommendation uh to the board of selectment on the tax class
shift and uh November 13th like you said at 12:00 noon I am available to again present. I know selectman Gaspar isn't here. Obviously, this is available to him if he wants to review it beforehand, and I'm available for any questions between now and then as well. >> Brown on behalf of the assessors, I know
you still got some stuff to do, but >> um yeah, I mean, you continued it. I I can give you my spiel. I can come back at that point. Just uh I mean, my my take on it is I've always been
against the big split and um our job as assessors is to be fair and equitable. And I think when we shift the burden from one sector to another, it's not fair and equitable to one sector or the other. Um, back when I had to make the
decision and sat in your seat, we were at 15%, which again means 115%, right? And, uh, it was that for 3 years and then it went up to 20% in ' 08 for another five years. Then it went to 25%
for 10 years and then for the past three years it's been at 35. So 135% of the burden shifted to the businesses. I'm uh I've always been against it. I'm not speaking on behalf of the assessors. I'm just speaking as a individual. I I think
it it the risk of going up on this. It as you can see now right from the getgo it doesn't reverse. It climbs and climbs and climbs and we shift the burden. The problem with shifting the burden in a small town is when you shift 35% of the
burden to 10% of the equity >> I'll call it because the the the value um it's a big shift. Um, so I'll just say if you if you look at the numbers that Kelly's presented, um,
the rates going to go down based on what we think is going to be certified new growth. Values haven't escalated a lot. It it might be the one opportunity you have to lessen the the shift without
upping the the burden. So, um, again, I I I know we're not going to go back to zero. Um, but if we can get back to 25%, 20% without putting a big increase on the, uh, taxpayers, and again, I know that, you know, we're talking about whole colony and stuff, things like that
might have a huge impact on all taxpayers, not just residents. Um, but I think we take that up as it comes. That's that's not going to be for this tax bill, this tax bill, uh, with certified new growth within a week or so. Um, I'm very confident in the
number. The state just has to get back to us on that. Um, so I I think we can we can bring this tax shift down a little bit, which is not historic. Um, but it does give you room to play down the road. And that's what I mentioned last year. You get to 35, you get to 40,
you get to 50, you run out of room if you actually do need it for for something. But, um, that's just my input on it. I I do think the the less of a shift is is a better is a more fair and equitable way to tax.
>> Okay, good stuff. Um, so I guess there's a motion to adjourn the selections meeting. So moved. >> Second that. All those in favor? >> I carries. Thank you guys. [Music]