Okay, good evening. Uh, this is a meeting of the finance committee. It's Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. Uh, this meeting is being audio and video recorded. Uh, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America Jamie, did did either one of you want to give us some any kind of updates or anything before we get into any of the individual budgets? Yep. Okay. The uh as you know, the excise taxes
bills went out. The motor excess tax bill. >> Yeah. Uh we've got $370,000 in very quickly, right?
So, and they're flying in. I think the stack was that high. So that uh
when you look at that and our conservative estimate is about a million6 and uh so I think we're going to be right on
target and that's good. And uh so uh I'm also uh waiting on the charges for services water. We'll
have a better figure on that. The solid waste fees, we'll have a better figure on that. This is all on local receipts. We're ahead on fees.
We're right on schedule on the meals tax. We're slightly ahead on other departmental revenues. And we're slightly
ahead of last year on licenses and permits. And we're fairly uh fairly close to the estimates
on uh investments and we're uh we always have to wait on the Medicaid reimbursements. So local receipts seem to be performing well. As you know, we the governor's
recommendation the increase in state aid is under a 100,000 net after the uh uh uh assessments come in. So, it's not going to be
a uh good year as far as uh a lot of revenue increase. It's we're still in that stage. However, there have been some developments
as far as building etc. But the problem is new growth hits as of January 1. So the stuff we're looking at right now uh is not going to really hit the new
growth figures for another year and 3/4. At that point, you're going to have substantially larger new growth than you've had in the last couple years.
>> So, good news, but it's out in the future. >> Mhm. >> So, >> I think you know the interest rates coming down obviously probably had a big effect on that. So >> well that and some of it is uh
uh just the fact that the there's work being done permits being pulled but they you know we do get the fees for the permits but it's as far
as the uh having the assessors go out and figure out what the new growth is on all of those. By the time it hits, it's a couple uh anywhere from a year to a
year and a half down the road, but it's the first time I've been able to deliver that type of good news to you guys. We'll >> take whatever we can get at this point. Senators.
Okay. Thank you. All right. So, we have the planning department uh scheduled to go first. We have our town planner, Victoria Al Faroh, and chair, Mark Francois. floor is yours.
>> Good evening, Mr. Chairman, committee members. >> Good evening. >> Um, in front of you all is a proposed 20 27 fiscal planning board budget, including some minor changes as discussed with the town administrator
and the assistant town accountant. The planning board is proposing in their department budget request to restore the 19.5 hour clerical position. Since February of 2025, the planning board has been without a clerk since the
previous one resigned. The planning board went through the interview process to choose a candidate, but was then halted by administration and told to wait until the annual town meeting to see if the position remained funded. The position was not funded at the
annual town meeting for fiscal 2026. After a promise was made that the planning board would receive clerical help through a shared role with the building department clerk. After numerous discussions and meetings throughout the year with the board of
selection, building department and other parties, the planning board has yet to receive any clerical help aside from the meeting minutes being done by the recur recording clerk which started in October. with we respectfully request the finance
committee support for recommending the fiscal 27 planning board budget as proposed which would restore the clerical position to fiscal 25 staffing levels. Thank you. Now I'm going to have uh the town planner Victoria Alaro come
up. >> Thank you. Just have a short presentation. See what this does. >> Sorry, Jamie. I'm like right ID staff on that and get you a longer cable.
>> Upstairs. >> Isn't that convenient? You just walk in the door. >> Good timing. >> Is that okay? >> No. >> Is the TV on? >> It wasn't. >> It was on.
>> It blew a fuse when Nick walked in. How can you >> Oh, you have to >> change the input. >> Thinking about it. >> There it is. >> It's up. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Disappeared again. >> Do we not have a good table?
>> Maybe try again. >> No, it's not. >> It's in. >> Did that do wireless projection? >> There is. >> It's back. It's gone. There's the cable. >> Hold on. >> Does that do wireless projection?
>> Wi-Fi. Yeah. >> It's Yeah, it's fighting with the cable. I think it's >> And of course, I don't have my cable handy. >> Uh I can grab one upstairs. Okay,
>> Mr. Chairman, can we have a five minute recess? >> Motion for a recess. >> Yes. Is this >> Make a motion for a recess. >> Motion for a recess, please. >> Second. All in favor? >> We are back in session. >> Okay.
>> Uh so for the record, Victoria Alaro, Tom Planner. Um thank you for having us tonight. So, um to sort of go off of what, um my chair was saying, um we are making that budget request to restore the clerical position, um we not only
wanted to uh submit that request, but we wanted you guys to understand why we are making that request and why we feel it's needed. Um, so we wanted to go over a little bit about what the planning board does, our day-to-day responsibilities, our role, um, what the department's
mission is, just to give you kind of an overview, and I'm sure it's probably a refresher, but, you know, for anyone watching, hopefully they can get a better understanding of our department. So, the plan board is a five member elected board serving five-year terms that meets on the first and third
Thursday of the month. And we the planning board is the liaison between all use land use departments and boards and committees. So our mission is to guide the town in improving the quality of life of our residents, bettering the financial
stability of the town, providing direction through an inclusive decision-making process, and facilitating responsible growth while preserving the unique rural and historic character of the town. And the planning board is always focused on serving the public with their best interest at the forefront of every
decision. So the the planning board's main role and responsibilities is granted through Mass General Law and our town zoning bylaws for the following duties such as preparing a master plan, proposing new and amended zoning bylaws, reviewing and
acting on various applications being the special permit granting authority and initiating various planning projects and plans. So some of our so we have a lot of permitting related to subdivisions, site plan reviews, and special permits, which
is a lot of commercial developments. And then we also do some roadway improvements. We're we're in the middle of plans such as the master plan, open space and recreation plan. We do other plans such as housing production, which hasn't been updated since 2015. Um, and
we also do projects such as zoning bylaw changes and adopting rules and regulations. So, some of our active projects, um, in addition to our regular permitting duties, um, like I mentioned, we're doing a multi-plan kind of process right now. We're should be finishing up soon.
We have the master plan, the open space and recreation plan, and a water resource management plan that we were doing uh, complimentary to each other. It helps with public outreach and and funding. Um, we also did a safety analysis of the Main Street, South Main Street, and Compton Street intersection.
And the planning board has also been working toward zoning amendments to promote economic development. We're in the middle of a complete streets prioritization plan, which is focused on improving um the safety of our roadways for all users. And we h started working
on a permitting and business development guide with um the other land use departments. does include effects on the sidewalks on on Main Street. >> We can add that in there. Um so some of our upcoming projects. So I wanted to not only highlight what we
have going on but sort of what's what's in the pipeline. Um so the planning board is looking to submit um three grant applications in the in this coming year. um an ADA self- evaluation and transition plan which is focused on
evaluating all of our town old buildings and recreational facilities for ADA accessibility. So that will sort of outline what isn't accessible and ways to mitigate that. And then we'll be eligible for future funding to implement those and make our facilities more
accessible to the public. Um we also have in there a zoning recotification study. has been a while since our bylaws have seen a comprehensive update and have gotten a good look. And then also um the South Main Street sewer extension design. We are planning uh to apply for
a grant for that. Um also the fire department received a grant to complete the town's first hazard mitigation plan. So while we will not we will not be project lead on that, we will be assisting with that project. Um, we will be finalizing some of our other plans that I mentioned earlier and hope to
begin implementation. And lastly, we we plan on um updating the large scale solar installation bylaw to reflect the recent changes in the Department of Energy Resources new regulations. So, all of that sort of leads me to our
current staffing levels. Um, so right now the planning board has a part-time town planner, myself, who is in the office 2 days a week. Um, so the other two days I am in another community. And as Mark um stated, we had a part-time
clerk who resigned. Um, and since then the fiscal 26 budget, that position was cut and we were unable to hire for that position. So, we are proposing to reinstate that 19 and 1/2 hour clerical position. Um, and it would keep us at
the same level as we were at for fiscal 25. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Victoria. So, without that without that position in place right now, who's doing all that work? >> Yourself.
>> Doing the best I can, but yes, it's me. Like uh Mark has said, we do have a recording clerk has that has been doing the minutes, which is helpful, but it's not nearly enough. Um there's definitely projects um even inquiries from other departments that have asked for my help
with things and I have to say no um because I'm at capacity. So we definitely are missing funding opportunities uh you know, opportunities for partnerships, things like that to implement the goals for the town because I have to keep up with the day-to-day operations. How soon do you see those
grants? The the the first those three grants you were talking about. How soon are you applying for those? And when do you see the results on them? >> Yeah. So, I'm just going to go back so I can see which um >> the ADA one. >> Yep. That one usually comes out
for application in the summer. Um the South Main Street sewer extension that opens in June and we probably won't hear till the fall. Is that going to coincide with what's going on with the tip project for the South Main Street or? >> Um, kind of. So, for the tip project for
South Main Street, um, you know, ideally before that gets constructed, which it's not even scheduled on the tip yet, so we don't have a construction date. Um, we want to make sure we want to try and update our infrastructure that's aging underneath and hopefully potentially expand that. Um, so the timing of that
is really important. So this is the time to to make those long-term >> kind of get this in line so that when they dig it up they can drop the >> exact ex that's exactly the idea. >> Okay. What's the how much money are you looking to to score with that with those
grants? >> Um the ADA self-evaluation probably about 30 to 35,000. Zoning recotification probably a similar range maybe a little higher than that. in the South Main Street um around 500,000 give or take.
Um but I want to refine the estimate um you know as I get closer to the application deadline. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Victoria, is there any way that I could have this presentation sent to me? >> Oh, absolutely. >> So then I can distribute it to the other members who aren't here tonight so they
can take a look at it. Absolutely. >> And if you could add >> some of those um grant numbers in with that too, that that'd probably be great. >> Okay. Absolutely. I appreciate that. And um the other thing I do remember what transpired at the town meeting last year
cuz I was I was there. Um so I think I think you definitely have a need for this. Um >> I mean you guys have a small budget in comparison to most of our budgets in town. Um so I personally I do not feel
like this is a big ask. um your budget if I we go back historically and look at let's see fiscal year 20 25 I'm looking at that yeah your budget was at 79,000 I mean so this
>> on that though I the 16,000 expenses in FY25 I don't think is adding up >> it doesn't >> but regard I mean regardless of that regardless of that this there's still a need and you know we made made a
commitment last town meeting to um to do right by you guys and uh and bring this back in. So, um I you're going to have my support. Um I can tell you that right now. >> I appreciate that. Um I mean, Victoria
is um she's very good at what she does. Uh and and we do have a lot of uh ideas and plans. Uh it's just like she said, she's here two days a week and for a majority of that she's just going through the, you know, the emails to to
contractors and and and engineers and whatnot, things that the clerical should be doing where she could be concentrating more of her time on everything that she just went over. Uh if she spends a lot more of her time on this, she will pay for that position 100
times over in the first year. >> I agree. I agree. Look at her. She's like, "Well, it's not going on." >> But you know, you know what I mean? >> I I personally watch the meetings religiously and I'm I'm actually pretty amazed and in you uh taking over the
position. So grateful for that. So >> I appreciate that. What happened with the cuz I I remember the meeting um that you the select board meeting where you requested that that clerk and uh you know they said they were going to give you a shared clerk and see how it works
and I know what you're talking about but so you're basically saying that shared clerk is not doing anything but minutes. >> It fell through. No, it the shared clerk concept, the board of appeals needs,
especially since a whole bunch of hearings were happening that we'd lose if we didn't have someone jump into. So we had to midstream, so to speak, shift
part of that what we thought was going to be with the planning board and cover the board of appeals. >> Yeah, basically that one happened at the same time where they lost their clerk and then it kind of she couldn't do
three by any means and that one had timesensitive uh things that she took over right away. And how many how many years did you have that part-time clerk? >> I've had a part-time clerk since I've been here. Um I've been here since 2021.
And there's and there was a part-time clerk before I got here. Um and we we've had two uh since I've been here. And the last one left uh February of 25. Uh she resigned. And that's what I was saying.
we started interviewing and then then we were kind of put the brakes on that until until now. Um but it's we've always had one. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I also I also think uh you know future economic development for our town is extremely important and if you
can spend more time dedicated to that and the master plan, it's uh it should be a win-win in my opinion. Jamie, >> beyond that, could you discuss your roles
in regional efforts and regional organizations? Oh, >> just so the taxpayers know how much you're doing. >> Yeah. Um, so I'm involved in several regional organizations
um and committees. I'm chair of the joint transportation planning group which is for our southeast region. We meet um for the southeast region. We meet monthly and and go over transportation projects in the region um and potential funding sources. I'm also
a SERBED commissioner which is our regional planning agency. We also meet monthly um and talk about things going on in the region, things changing at the state level. Um, and then I also meet um quarterly with all the planners in the
southeast region as well and to bounce ideas off each other and you know all of that. >> I think that's great to know. >> She she's being uh a little modest. I was going to say modest >> in in in that the joint transportation
committee that she chairs, >> you have to get through that to get funding for TIP projects. Yes, we make recommendations to our >> So all of those projects like South Main
Street and any other projects like that, the town planner for Kushnet is the chair of that committee. So it's something that Kushnet should and Kushnet should keep that advantage
going. >> Yeah, no pressure. Well, thank you. The more knowledge about what's happening at the state level, I think is also extremely important for us as a town, >> you know, because it potentially could affect us positively or negatively, right? So, those kind of things are
important. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your presentation. Um, if we have any other questions, we'll reach out directly. Um, but you can have my support. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. Appreciate it. Thank you.
Well, we asked that the accessory be postponed. >> I saw that in the email. Yep. Um, so we're going to have our Council on Aging come up next. Director Lauren Gold. >> Hi, Lauren. Hi.
set. >> Go right ahead. Close yours. >> All right. So, tonight I am presenting a I'll say semi um level funded. Um I just wanted to share a few stats that I have now that we had just submitted for our annual reports. Um, I wanted to just
share that in the calendar year of 2025, we serviced 97 unduplicated patrons. Um, at the Kushnet Council on Aging, we had a total of 16,280 check-ins. We welcomed 206 new members and we provided over 600 rides um,
including trips to medical appointments, grocery shopping, Walmart trips, and um, some lunch trips. So, with that being said, um my semi-level funded budget is uh requesting some increases for our um staff.
So, um we have a part-time line that's for one of our secretaries. One is paid out of a grant that we received from the state. So, um that's not affected in any way. Um so, it's just the one secretary. I was looking to um raise that by 50. Um she's making $15 an hour currently. The
last increase was from 2023 and that was when minimum wage went up to $15 an hour. So um we haven't seen any increases um for the secretaries. Um I also wanted to um request a 2% increase for our outreach coordinators. Um I just
figured if we start off with the 2% we'll kind of just keep everything in line and we won't go too far without um any of our staff seeing any increases. And then the van drivers um a 50 cent um increase as well following the the same thing for the secretaries. Last increase
was 2023. Um and they're also making $15 an hour. Um we have I'll just kind of jump back. Sorry, I jumped ahead. Um the outreach coordinators, we have two. They each work eight hours a week. Um and then the van drivers, we have two. Um and we're budgeted for 20 hours a week,
so they won't ever do over the 20 hours. And the same thing with the secretary. She works 20 hours a week as well. >> Mhm. >> Sorry, I know that was all jumbled up, but >> fine. >> So, you don't run into like any overtime issues or anything like that?
>> What's going on with the uh those vans are in the back of the building? >> Um, we're working on it. I've already um submitted some paperwork to um town hall. So, everyone's aware of that situation and I think we're just trying to figure out the best plan of action for that.
Yeah. So, overall your budget's only up, >> if I'm correct, $2,743. >> Yeah. Just under price. >> Yeah. >> Not a big ask, but >> No, this is not a >> And I think it's important to, you know, show the staff that how much they are appreciated. We're a small but mighty
group. We do do a lot. Um, that's why I wanted to kind of share some of those stats, too. I think that we're forgotten a lot. Um, just being down the road, nobody pays attention to us much, so I just wanted to be able to advocate for staff. >> I think that's important to >> absolutely >> keep morale up. Yep. You know, a little
something is is certainly better than nothing. >> Absolutely. >> Um, so, you know, good job and >> think you're doing great up there. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Anybody have any uh other questions for Lauren? >> All set.
>> Okay, Lauren, I think we're all set. If we have any questions, we'll reach out. Thank you. Thank you. >> Jamie, do you want to go through the the next several budgets? >> Moderator, it's level funded. No change.
>> Yeah. Finance committee. Yeah, we need we need a big raise here. I think >> Yeah. Well, it's level funded. No change >> with finance committee went from 2900 to 4250.
>> Did he say it was level funded? >> It looks like office supplies went from $150 to 1500. >> Is that a >> That's a That's a typo. All right. So, it's model fun. >> You wanted to raise
>> Yeah. What the hell did you pick up? >> Uh, I'd like could I jump ahead? >> Yeah. >> So, what I'm sorry, what is the total FY27 budget for finance committee? 2,900. >> Yep. Sorry, I just added an extra zero. Okay.
Legal level funded 100 And as you know some years uh we come at the end of the year and try to balance it if it's above other years. It's been a little below
but never far. So it looks like you're just under 70,000 a year to date for legal. So do you anticipate this being one of those years that you're going to go over or
>> It depends on usage. >> Right. Right. But it seems like what are we uh through January 7 months into >> we we had >> well some of that was PJ early on. Right. >> Yeah. We had
>> some expenses that involved major litigation that are going to disappear. >> Mhm. >> So will probably be less. >> You're going into multiple contract
years. Oh >> yeah, that's true. >> Or m a year of multiple contract negotiations. Yeah, but battle with PJ probably cost more than that. I would think it's uh
very large scale federal litigation. Yeah. miscellaneous uh is level funded. I'd asked to report later on the
regional because that is primarily Sered and Buzz Bay and we've yet to receive the next year's bill from them. But that's a very short amount. It's a couple thousand dollar
like four. So, we might as well wait for the bill and get it right. Mhm. And then if you want to take the people in the audience and they then they can go home earlier
than the people at the tables. >> All right. Treasurer colle. >> Hi. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Floor is yours. >> All right. So I just want to piggy back off of Jamie earlier. He mentioned
exercise time. The foot traffic has been lines which I love to see. >> That's good. >> Um so yes, we brought in um just an FY26 370,000 on um from a vehicle called XIS commitment one which is our biggest
commitment of the year that we build out was 1.6 million roughly and on that total we brought inund about 150,000 so far. So we're on a good track. um for that one. Um so as far as my budget,
the salaries um have gone um down a little bit. We just had a principal clerk retire. So um longevity went down. So you'll see there's just um
some the cola increases um for a few and then the expenses um there's a large increase in the loan expense and that's because we were never um budgeting for any townwide borrowings. So it truly
should be in the treasur's budget. It was mostly schools before. So, we were they were paying for it, but it the whole the whole amount was about 6,000 per borrowing. So, we just wanted to add that into my
budget. >> That's bands. >> Yes, that's the short-term borrowings. >> Oh, that's the long-term uh bonds would be considerably more. What's a Hilltop fee increase?
>> So, that's our financial advisors. >> Oh, okay. >> So, that's who we um that handles ours. >> Okay. >> Our borrowings and uh our ratings, etc. >> So, that was never budgeted before in
the treasures. We wanted to just It truly should be in the treasures budget. So, we just want to put it there. But everything else pretty much minor increases on the expenses. >> This budget is not exact right now.
We're going to uh on one of the offsets. If the stipend or the treasure collector was not included in the offset, it'll be short money, but we want to put it in
for the charge graph. It'll be tens of dollars. But if we're going to charge one in a prize account, we should charge all
So overall it's about $14,000 difference between level funded and the department request. Correct. >> And that's mostly due to the borrowings adding that into the budget. There was a discussion on whether it should be in the shortterm debt line or
whether it should be here, but accounting and treasur collector uh uh outvoted me and
it held to over my head. Okay. >> Okay. >> Anybody else have any questions for Jen? >> All right, Jen, I think we're good. Any questions, we'll reach out. Thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Jen. >> Thanks. Nick, you doing the tech technology? I'm
here. I'm tech. No counseling. Just technology. >> Just tech. >> Okay. >> Um All right. So, salaries, we have the townwide 2% on those. And expenses, I
more or less level funded everything. It's just I had reached out to a few vendors where we have a lot of our subscriptions and I'm still waiting to hear back. So, I kind of put a 3% placeholder in on most of those for right now. Munis being a big one. I know that'll probably come in higher. >> Mhm.
>> Um with the contract rules, license renewals, we'll have our firewall team viewer. There's a bunch of Adobe. There'll be a bunch of ones built in there that will probably have a slight increase. So >> Microsoft 365 is going up. Is that a
big? >> Yeah. So that'll have to be worked into that as well because I think we have most of our we've switched over the majority of everyone over to 365 at this point. So it'll just be whatever yearly increase they throw there. >> I got an email uh two weeks ago that's
going up like 20%. Depending on your level and we're we're in E-Class, right? Or >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, >> so I'll be back with a higher number next week. >> Yep. >> But >> I would re Yeah, reach out to the vendor
and see what if they got the baked into that. >> Yeah, we do we get ours through Gov Connection. So, she's putting a list together of all the subscriptions for what they can project out. >> Okay. >> Other than that, I tried to keep it
pretty lean. So, any questions? happy though. >> Nope. >> Anybody have any questions? >> Eric and tech guy. I'm looking. >> I just got this. >> I mean, there's nothing really here
though. The cell phones is going up a little bit. Is that because there's an increase in the rates from >> Yeah, with T-Mobile. Yeah, we're actually starting >> Is everybody actually using cell phones or are they like sitting in people's
drawers and not being used? >> They're being repurposed. >> Yeah, we're trying to do our best at making sure they're getting full utilization. >> Okay. >> Can't force everyone to use them, but >> I get it. >> So, ones that we know we have extra for, we're trying to repurpose for some
positions that we use them. >> Mhm. >> And the telephone, that's the PBX for the building. Or is that town wide? >> Uh, town. >> Okay. Service backup software. What are we using? What are we doing for backup software right now?
>> Uh, we use Barracuda and we also have a program through Cherry Road which is also for email back. >> The exchange stuff. That's still the >> No, completely off Exchange. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. exchange. >> We move over to the 365 backup. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Anything that hits like the email
server is through Barracuda and Cherry Road now. >> Yep. Is that taking care of like the Facebook archiving and stuff too? >> That's archive social which is through Civic Plus now which is also our website. >> Okay. And that's in in this. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. That's under the archiving is under the license renewals and then website is the actual web hosted website as well as the ADA compliant module. >> Yep. I got that. I'm set.
>> All right. No other questions. >> All right. Nick, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Nick. So we still have a tone counter. Jamie, you taking that one? >> I'm assuming I wasn't sure.
>> I was like based on the talk. Uh so not much has changed in the assessor's lines. Um accounting lines >> in the accounting lines.
>> Um my salary is split off a little bit more. It's over on the right. That's where you can see the offset. >> Okay. >> I mean it's a little bit, you know, spread everywhere now. Yeah,
>> but other than that there's not much has really changed. The travel the do subscription membership I increase and you know for going to classes it's like $400 $500 the class every year. Same with the travel you know kind of kept that a little bit on the higher side but
other than that it's pretty straightforward. A busy office that's for sure. You're wearing a lot of hats. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I mean, so overall, I mean, overall the department request is not
not really that big at all. Anybody have any questions for Jamie? I'm >> It's only only a $1,200 increase of the department request, >> you know, compared to what we funded. So, >> I think we're good.
>> I just have just one quick, not specifically about the budget, but I know last year we talked about the chart of accounts upgrade. Is that still ongoing or is that all? So, we're working on that now. It's we're hoping to be done by July. >> So, it's
>> so there's no further expense for it for >> because we've had the articles for so that'll be covered with the articles. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, it's all in that it's a tedious >> and the same thing maybe it was it should have I should have asked Nick for technology but it's sort of related for Munice. I think there was some
additional component a module. >> So was the conversion um for their portion to convert like >> so we they already set up for us to do our side. So they kind of break it all down put into an export file
>> then we have to go through the excel of the converting you know crosswalking everything and then >> they'll bring it back in check it make sure it's all right before they put it live. >> Okay. So that's all >> right >> in articles >> data massaging >> right and but I think I'm not sure if
this is the same I think it's different what I was meaning to ask was there was a component of munus I think that was going to allow documents to be like seen in other words you can pull up your purchase order or pull up your invoice right there >> we had implemented that last year um so
>> all our invoices I believe we started in July are all scanned in the system now >> yeah I bet that's really helpful Right. So they're not stacked up and holding up room in our drawers. >> Easy to access, easy to, you know, look at. So everything is scanned in. You can pull it up anytime.
>> So that project is done then too. Excellent. >> Yep. So um lean the accounts payable, you know, as she does it like as she's processing everything gets scanned in and automatically, you know, imported there >> right at that time. So, it seems a lot
of headache and time and paper and >> project's done, but the work's ongoing. >> Oh, sure. Sure. >> Sounds good, Jamie. Okay. Great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Board is selected.
>> Yes. Uh this is without conversing with the board but in light of the fact we're asking people to do level funded the board's budget is level funded
this year. Uh the uh you'll see there's a slight increase in the administrative assistant salary. Uh the
uh I pretty much put my salary in as far as the town administrator salary because I wasn't going to put anything different with the board going into negotiations with
uh at some point with the town administrator. >> Right. So, >> you don't you don't uh put your ace face up on the table.
Uh and uh the I left the part-time clerical in uh because that's something that the
office does need just for coverage because for lunch hours and everything else as well as some work. >> Mhm. >> Uh but uh it isn't filled now. uh but it it will be advertised.
I think it's more a question of we're in a transitional stage with me leaving and uh I don't believe it's right for me to try to hire somebody's
clerical assistant as I'm going out the door and someone else is coming in. >> No, that makes sense. Uh as far as expenses go, uh the only thing uh
I uh decreased that I was worried about was the uh dues and subscriptions
membership. And part of that includes uh people going to uh various seminars, but uh that's going to have to be for the new
guy to determine. I didn't go to the MMA gayla this year or haven't gone to the MMA uh seminars because
I'm retiring and >> there's no need. you know, why why would I go to uh learn new skills when uh and build a town when uh I'm
hoping to develop recreational skills and not work skills. >> Mhm. >> You won't learn that in MMA, >> huh? >> You won't learn that in MMA. >> No. As my daughter says, you won't learn
how to uh fix up your vegetable garden at any of these places. >> So, your your last official day is going to be what? The 28th coming up. >> My I retired the 28th. I will be
the board uh I will be here for the transition but Bristol County insisted because I postponed a number of times that I would have to do my
paperwork all over again getting certification of the work I've done with the state reertified and uh my birth certificate and my marriage
certificate and everything else all again. So >> that was that's the date but I will still be around. >> Good to hear. You got to do something to avoid the
honeydew list. >> Oh, yeah. Struggle's real on that one. >> It's inevitable. town buildings. It's level funded. >> Mhm. Part of uh the reason it's level funded
is we had a vacancy and we're looking to hire and uh so of course the steps and everything will be lower for the new hire.
>> What position is that? >> Custodian. >> Okay. And uh as far as expenses, uh we cut slightly just to keep it level
funded supplies, but it's a minimal cut. And uh we increased the energy costs a little bit. >> Mhm. >> And to predict the energy costing
metal and you need a crystal ball and a lot of luck. And even though it's fairly level funded, I asked the veterans uh be a placeholder and we'll have the
veterans agent when we refine it more come in. But as you know that is driven by veterans benefits. >> Mhm. >> And the town clerk I understand asked to
be put on in another day. >> Mhm. >> Assessors building. >> Yeah. the building inspector I think was postponed
and that will be have to be put on a future date. So we're pretty much getting through a lot of the level funded budgets are the budgets that are minimally
changed, >> right? I mean these it will not have an overall big impact. I mean, I know we have to count every dollar, but in the big scheme of things, you know, we're going to be looking at other budgets in the next several weeks
that are going to have the bigger impact. Uh, is the committee going to uh does the committee, let me rephrase that. Does the committee know when they're inviting
the uh school district and old colony in >> going to be towards the end? >> Yeah. >> Um, >> it's going to be finished up by discussion. >> Yes. And are they going to be joint with the board selectively?
>> I I think we should like we've done in the past because I think we all need to be discussing their budget together. >> So >> So I'd suggest >> and that might that might have to be more than one meeting, you know, to be
honest with you. It might take more than one. Well, I know there's a according to the Jessie uh website, there's a substantial increase in the number of
uh pupils going to Old Colony. So, uh that even before any discussion of any uh budgetary issues. You just have the
>> their assessment >> issue of the increase in the number of pupils going there. It's that I think off the top of my head it's
over 300,000 increase. Not lower tuition elsewhere though. >> One would think. Um >> but so I it might be that you'd want to
do separate meetings and I think the >> chair is usually OC yeah OC is usually separate from our school department >> and I think the this chair should reach out to the board's chair
as I don't know how much of my time will be around in a couple weeks. That's still in a discussion with the board. >> Mhm.
>> So, I'd say the sooner you get those scheduled, the better, >> right? Well, you you had created a mock, >> right? I was going to say, yeah, I don't I'm sorry I don't have it with me tonight. Yeah, but I mean, we did have some it mapped out. I I think because I
know that the uh board of selectman has uh some changes in their schedule or from the normal schedule and they're meeting
sometimes in a morning on a day they don't usually meet and stuff like that. So because of work and travel issues with the members of the board. So I think the sooner you get that ironed out
as far as the schedule probably the better. >> Mhm. >> And invite the uh school folks >> attendive March 25th. >> March 25th.
>> Okay. As I said, >> the board of selectman's schedules change has changed a number of times in the last couple weeks. So
I think once you guys nail down some dates then at least you know uh your discussion with the entities
that are over 60% of the budget will be uh taking place. >> I'm just I'm looking for the schedule on my uh my phone. I know I have an email in here, >> Jamie. I think you just said 3:25
for those. That was the right one. Right. >> So, I know we're not we're not scheduled to meet next week, correct? >> Right. >> So, our next scheduled meeting would be on the 4th. >> And then it's every week in March. Does anybody have that in front of like what do we have down here?
>> I know um this is this might be a problem with >> with that one and also for me as well on the 4th. >> The the agenda says we have a week next uh meeting next week. >> We do. Yeah. I thought we had a meeting
next week. We skipped last week. Yeah, we skipped last week. All right. So, we have to figure out >> who you putting on next week. >> Who's coming in next week? Then >> what do we have?
>> So, under So, under the fourth, we had um review fixed cost, pension and benefits, insurance, we had library debt. So, I mean, we could we could do all
that next week. >> We just bump we just bumping it up basically. >> I know golf is their meeting is I don't know the last week in February. >> So, that's when their board is meeting, >> right?
>> So, the March 4th worked for them, just so you know. >> Right. No, I know that March 4th doesn't work for golf. >> Um because >> um you're Well, no. Um, we have a family commitment on March 4th. So, I I'm won't be in attendance on March 4th and and
David won't be in attendance on March 4th. >> Say according to Timbles, the fourth was a good day. But, >> right. I don't know. Um, I was going to ask if that information had gone to the golf um course yet because I don't know if
>> it went to the chair other than through me. >> The um >> so I wasn't sure if that was solidified. This this memo went to all the select all the department heads so they all know. >> So when I talked to Tibbles, he said the committee was meeting next week. >> Okay. >> So we were going to sit with him on next
Thursday. >> Yeah. >> And prep for the 4th. So maybe we bump them to the 11th. >> So ne next week we could probably try to schedule all of the >> assessors building PM. >> Well, yeah. So yeah. So assessors
building >> we can add. So, why don't we add So, we'll scratch out golf, >> and their meeting is Wednesday, I think. >> We're going to add assessors. >> Oh, Jamie, I'm writing on your >> Oh, that's fine. >> Yes, >> I got another. All right. So, can I keep
this one? Okay. Um, >> so the date is the 25th. We're talking about >> next week. >> Yes. >> So, the 25th, uh, building >> assessors. assessors, >> town clerk,
>> town the three town clerk ones, ACO. >> Uh hopefully I'll have some of the regional one. >> Pension benefits. You think we'll have those? >> Uh I can give uh
benefits at least if not pension a pretty good idea. I can >> check I can check with Elizabeth about library see if when they're AC acco will be an easy one. >> Yeah, I can ask her. >> So,
>> what are we having? >> ACICO. >> Animal control. >> Okay. >> Assessor's building, town clerk. I'll check with library. Benefits may >> animal control. >> And then what about what about golf? I I
think you're right. I think they are meeting next. Yes, Steve said the meeting next Wednesday. >> Wednesday, right? So the same day as this. >> So kick it to the kick off to after the 4th >> to the 11th >> and do weights and measures next week.
>> Yeah, we could do weights and measures next week. >> Just so I can let Kathy know because she's going to post the agenda. Uh, we probably could do forest street cemetery and street lights also.
>> Street lights. >> See see how many rotten trees Lucas is going to take care. >> And then I'll also have those um reserve fund transfers. >> Okay. All right. So, we'll do all that next week.
because D um Dave wants to be here for the golf. >> Yes, I'm sure. Right. Right. So, my thought is March 4th >> cuz he's not here all the time. Correct. Cuz I I I remember from years past it was typically Steve and Dana, right? >> And I don't think Dave would always be be there.
>> He's just recently become the chair in the past several years. So, maybe since he's become the chair. No, I think it's a good idea, especially having him here >> uh with the project that's going to be going on. Probably a good idea in case anybody has any questions about that.
>> So, yeah. So, let's we'll put that off until the next the following week. >> 311. Okay. >> It's my dad's birthday on the 4th. So, for sure. >> You don't want to miss the cat's back. Exactly. >> In case you were trying to surprise him,
>> right? No. Yeah. And then towards towards the end of the schedule, we're going to have to >> we have to break up because under March 25th, we had a colony and our school together. >> That's a lot. >> There's no way we can do that. >> They're going to have to split that.
>> Yeah. >> And I mean, I know it's a while away. When are you aiming for a town meeting? Is there >> The board hasn't made a decision? Mhm. >> Uh >> first Monday in June, right? I mean, probably
>> I don't see state aid changing that much. So, I would say probably'll give the new guy plenty of time. So, if we could we could potentially get
all this done before uh spring vacation, maybe >> all of our meetings >> probably split up Old Colony and the schools so that there's a gap if we have to do multiple meetings with the school. >> Typically, I think we would do Old
Colony first. >> Yeah. >> And then our school second. So, I would, you know, potentially keep Old Colony on March 25th. >> Mhm. >> And then the the following week would pro would probably be our schools. I
think that would make more sense. >> April 1st. >> Mhm. >> Go beyond what week after that. >> That's appropriate. >> April 1st. >> All right. Okay. And then I'll I'll I'll coordinate with the board of selectmen um to do a joint meeting um
>> for both >> with our schools and O colony. >> Mhm. >> Um we'll start doing that now. So because I know their schedules, everybody's schedules are different. So >> great, >> we'll try and make it work. It's hard to get everybody there in one room on the
same date, but if we can get the majority of us there, I think that'll be important. >> Where would you want to hold it? our police, I guess, >> police. We did we did school last time, right? >> I think we're at the police. >> No, last time school. >> Last year we did the middle school library,
>> didn't we? >> We had a meeting at the police department. No, last year we did cuz I I was I could only stay for a few minutes cuz I had to go to the town meeting in in the town that I work in. So, unless we met with the schools on two occasions, I know there was one
>> Hong Kong with you. >> There was one. Well, this is too small in here anyway for that size for that size meeting. >> There was one at APS with APS at the police station last year, but I don't remember if we had two meetings with
them or one. I don't recall this. I guess it's neither here nor there. We just have to decide >> where we'd like to have it. will be available. >> We at the triple header or whatever you call it, the three
committees, school committee, board of selection and finance at the school library. >> That was last year. >> Huh? >> Last year. We can do that again. >> So, we must have met for a followup at the police station. >> Yeah. >> To just the finance committee and school
committee, I think. >> I'm pretty sure that was last year. a tip. I soon I will probably have to meet with the school even prior to when we have the joint meeting anyway. We're going to
have to sit down with them >> probably once or twice. Um >> they presented their budget, the first draft at their last school committee meeting. So that is available online.
I'll Yeah, I'll have to take a watch that meeting. I haven't t take a look at that. Yeah. >> Level of service. >> Um they I believe they called it the superintendent budget. So it's all of the requests. So it's probably you know
I don't want to miss speak but I'm assuming that it's level service plus um given the increase but that you know with just seeing the brief presentation I don't want to make any assumptions on
that. Mhm. >> Well, I think uh we'll be having multiple discussions with them. That's fair. And >> I Yeah, I think
if I remember this committee had uh someformational requests on layoffs and filled and unfilled
positions or at least your vice chair did. >> Some of that was part of their presentation. So it might be some of those questions might be answered um
but without really watching paying strict attention to it. >> So the I mean the new TA is going to have to get up to speed pretty quick with regards to what we're working with what we have available for funds to work with. Um so then that can be reiterated
to the school department that this is what we're this is what we have. So he's >> rolling quarters. >> Not pennies anymore cuz they don't make them anymore. >> Going to run out of papers.
The rolling papers. All right. Um, does anybody have any old business to discuss? New business. No new business. Okay. Um, meeting minutes. So, we have two
sets of minutes to approve from from January 28, 2026. I'm just going to pull those up real quick here. >> Can I just say something about the minutes? >> Yeah. >> The um I don't see them making their way to the website. I don't know if the town
clerk >> She's still work she's still working on that. Okay. >> Kathy. Yeah. I saw communication between um the town clerk um and Kathy and it's it's getting worked on. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So the the meeting of January 28, 2026
in attendance was myself, Sue Delgado, uh Pete Penoy, Eric Chu, Kristen Flynn, Eric Mlenn, and Lisa. Absent was Mr. Steen. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Mean that those minutes are
approved. >> And the next set is from September 9th, 2025. Uh in attendance was myself, Sud Delgado, Eric Chu, Mr. St. Gene, and Lisa.
This was actually a joint meeting with our board of selectmen. Uh so all three selectmen were present. >> Yeah, I'll make motion. Let's open them. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay, these minutes are approved.
>> And the next meeting date is next week, 2:25 26. And we've already gone over the depart the budgets that we're going to review. I'll get that out to Kathy. >> Quick, Margaret, that we get >> and then the reserve fund transfers for
next week. We'll take those up. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. All in favor? >> We are journ. >> Good night.