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Good evening. >> Thank you all for joining us. I will open the school committee meeting joint meeting with the boards of selectmen, finance committees, and school building committee August 5th, 2026. Uh we will stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance

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>> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um >> I guess each board should open their

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meetings. So I will start with school committee. >> Is there a motion to open? >> Motion by Tara S. Second by Matt. >> All in favor say I. >> I.

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>> All right. Um, school building committee. There's a motion to open. Motion to open. >> Second by Mike, second by Jen. >> Sure. >> It works. >> However, um, all in favor?

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>> All right. So, let's go with Blackstone Visman. >> We already did. >> Already opened. Milville. >> Uh, it's just two of us for the finance committee. >> If you're on the building, why don't you do one door? Okay. >> Board of selectman from Milville. >> Yeah. I think we have a quorum. I'll

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make a motion to open it. >> Okay. >> Second. >> I second by Jen. >> All right. And that was Milton and Blackcom.

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>> Do you need to open two of us present? >> Okay. All right. Does anyone else need to open? Did he miss anyone or anything? >> Okay, we will open for a public forum. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Wait, hold up. We are

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actually going to introduce everyone around the table. Sorry, missed that part. >> All [clears throat] right, take it. Scobby, school committee, Blackstone, >> Frank Buckley, Blackstone, Malano, school committee, mobile sher committee, Blackstone, >> Hunter Schultz, school building

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committee member Sweeney, Borders, Blackman, Blackstone, Ed Casting, Gay, Boleman, Blackstone, >> Barry Bolo, Boris, Selectman, Blackstone, and school building committee. Lauren Taylor, Blackstone, town administrator. >> Kelsey Cello, town of Catland, Blackstone. Tara Sullivan, town clerk of Blackstone.

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>> Matt Ryan, Blackstone, collective treasurer. Sarah Peters, school building committee. >> Chuck Dunton, school building committee and school committee. >> Jennifer Dean Wing, um B Slackman, Milville Black and um school building committee.

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>> Vivian Verbedian Collier's project leaders as the project director for this um exciting project. >> Jim Barrett, Dr. Architects. >> Greg Smallley with DRA Architects. Richard Bremel, sport of selectman,

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Milville. >> Dorene Stockman, Blackstone Finance Committee. >> Andy Bowling, Milville Finance Committee. >> Judy Enro, Milville Finance Committee. >> Jackie Dio, Building Committee Secretary. >> Rachel Anderson, Board of Select, Milville and School Building Committee.

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>> Scott Hebert, director of facilities for Blackstone Milville Regional School District. >> Carrie Goddet, School Committee, Blackstone and School Building Committee. >> Erin Binoco, school committee, Milville and School Building Committee. Jane Regio, school committee, Millville and school building committee. Kelly

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Gonzalez, council for the Bucks and Mil Regional School District. >> Moren Dendanda, interrum superintendent. Jill Pilgalerani, assistant superintendent. And Tara Larkin, school committee member, Milville and school building committee member. Great.

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Now, does anyone have anything for public forum? Come on up. You want me? >> Yeah. Let's squeeze you in so we can get a mic to hear you. >> We can barely hear you back. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you. We'll note that to talk

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loudly. >> We still can't hear. >> No, I know. >> That's unfortunate. >> Indeed, sir. Very good. >> All right. >> I said Oh, there he is. >> Hey, I can hear you. You can Oh, okay.

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All right. >> Um, my name is Jerry Finn. Uh, I am a member of uh, uh, BBT uh, school committee. Uh, and I also am a um, in the town of Millville. I've been there 35 years and have uh, watched town

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progress over time and regress over time. Um, my main function and my main question tonight was to try to get as many people here that would be freaking interested into what's going on. I've been, and I think you people know this who have been on the committee. I've

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been to all but two meetings that you folks have had. And for the most part, I've been by myself. There has been nobody else here from Blackstone or from Milville. I find that irresponsible on both counts.

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Because of that, I felt compelled about 12 14 months ago now to ask the question, what happens if Milville says yes and Blackstone says no way? I don't want to have school or vice versa. At

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that time, I was told, I think Jill, you know this as well, [clears throat] I've been asking that question every meeting since then pretty much. uh since probably 12 14 months ago. Because of that um a question arose that you have

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two different options as from what I understand and I'm sure we've got gentlemen here that will be able to tell us all the particulars and ins and outs on it. Okay. My real question comes down to uh if you take the position that you've taken which my understanding is

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you've already voted on. Is that correct? >> Yeah. So that vote has already been taken to go forward with a singular town meeting that could be between four and eight hours long. A singular town meeting. >> No point of voting. It's a single

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>> election >> ballot. It's not a town meeting. >> No, I'm sorry. You're right. I'm wrong. It's a single single election. Okay. Now, that election in fairness is going to be between everybody in the in the two towns. Correct.

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>> Okay. um if the reverse was the same Mike and you had a advantage numerically as you do um with Blackstone being on the short end of that um I would think you'd be standing here asking the same

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question matter of fact I know you well enough to know you probably would okay so my question really comes down to >> the committee the district committee made that decision >> pardon me >> the district school committee made that [laughter] decision >> but we're just listening >> we're not going to iron hand all out.

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>> Excuse me, Mike. >> Joel, you need to go to talk to those big eight the big eight. >> We're we're listening to public forum. We're not responding. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> So, the question I have is since there is a decision that has been made. My understanding it was the who made the decision? >> The school committee voted.

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>> The school committee voted on that which is represented by both Milville and Blackstone in equal increments of 48. Correct. >> Okay. So the vote was taken on that irrespective did anybody have an opportunity to go and to talk to the

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finance people from Milville to see what how the town was what the what the temperature of the town is? How could they afford a debt if there was to be a debt approved? Could anybody go and find out if there indeed has been uh any uh maybe negative connotation to what a a

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big debt potentially over 30 years or whatever the case may be uh would be. If the answer you can give me on that is yes, you have been all to these finance meetings and talked to all the people about that. Hypothetically I agree and I agree hypothetically because we don't

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know yet. We don't know what the actual amount's going to be. These gentlemen will eventually nail that down and we also I don't think knew directly brought up to date what the actual repair cost would be. So for people to say, gee was words, I really want to know that the

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repair cost is greater than the other. You how do you know that if indeed you don't know either? Seems [clears throat] rather rather difficult for me to understand that concept. There are people here tonight who would absolutely vote for a new school. I might be one of

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them. I'm an education. I do BVT. I know what it's like to have a good school and educational uh priorities for kids. I'm not against that. I'm against the idea that we cannot as a town vote the way that we as a town felt

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we should. That's all I'm against. I'm not against the school. I'm not against education. Obviously, I would have been 35 years of BBT in the school committee vice chair. That's not the that's not even questionable. What's really questionable

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is what drove the people here of the four and four committee members to go and vote unanimously, I guess, or close to it. I guess there was one that did not vote that way to go ahead and and to put this forth without without even a

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vote for the folks for the folks in Milville to look at. And I understand you have every right to do it. So, please don't give me the 16 and 16. I got it. Okay. I know it fairly well. I understand that. I just don't I can't

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It's a bridge too far for me to go if you're telling me that you don't have the right other than the fact you we've already got a potentially 50% of Blackstone could vote against it and you still swamp the the town of Milville if everybody in Milville voted for it just

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by sheer numbers. And I understand clearly last comment that you also have the right to do that because the of the golden rule. [clears throat] He who has the gold rules. You have the votes. You have the committee. And you also have

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the people in town that are looking to do it. I got all that. I just asked for a fair and operational vote from the town of Millville to let them know and vote that way. And I was disappointed to see that that was not allowed. Thank you. >> Thanks, Jerry.

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Does anyone else have anything for public forum? >> Normash hot road miracle mass. Uh as a followup to that question, I understand how a vote that's the vote the way it's set

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up now if it passes the towns are obligated for the school project. What happens if one of the towns does not vote the override or the exemption or the for the project? What happens

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then? Is that town not forced to pay for the school even though they don't want it? We will note that comment and question and um >> okay discuss eventually.

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Anyone else? >> Okay. [clears throat] My name is Larry Pearson, 17 Gran Purple Milville. Uh, I feel it was totally irresponsible of the representatives of the Millville school committee to decide on this without

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input, apparently without input from the finance committee, select board, or the town's people in general. I I cannot condemn that in more stronger words and for to vote for one general election. Let me ask you, are you going to

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separate Millville residents and Blackstone residents from different sides of the voting room or is it all going to be one huge vote? Can you give me an answer to that? >> It's a ballot election. So [clears throat] you >> secret ballot, >> not secret. It's at the town ballot.

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>> All all citizens in both towns are going to be in one room. It's not a meeting. You go to the voting polls. You're going to vote on a ballot. >> But I don't understand. I'm sorry. What? >> It goes to an election. You go to the vote. You put a It's a ballot vote. No

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meeting. >> No. No. No. Hand raid vote in a separate town. >> You go in your town. Yes. >> In a separate town. >> Okay. >> All right.

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At one of the presentations in uh in Millville a few months ago, I asked one of the school committee members there, was there a plan B if that got approved? And I believe the answer was no. There's no plan B. Is there any plan B? Plan B might be seeking private investment to

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build it portable schools or just transferring the students out to to to uh transfer to other schools. Has there any been any other consideration besides building a new school? >> Yes. >> We will address that at a later time.

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We'll just note your comments. >> Don't you think it should be addressed now? >> Sorry. No. >> No. Why? >> That's just not how public forum works. I'm sorry. >> You know what? >> It's not our agenda item. That's not how public forum works. >> But if it gets voted down, then what are you going to do? >> The school building committee meetings

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um answer that question. too. >> I think in anybody's personal business, they have a plan B. If this doesn't work, this doesn't work. But you have no plan B, do you? >> Can you say you do not have a plan B? >> There there are alternatives >> there. Yes,

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>> you know, >> there are there are there are 14 others, >> but it's just not >> we can't address that at this time, but we will get that information. >> All right, I'm done. >> I don't want to make a

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All right. Anything else for public forum? Okay. We'll close public forum. >> Could I make a suggestion? Yes. >> That towards the end of the meeting we go back to public forum so that any new information that people may understand differently.

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>> I'm so sorry. Um I'm just suggesting maybe towards the end of the meeting we can open up another public forum so you guys can speak again if you have any questions formulated. once you get the information that we're going to present tonight. >> Would that be okay?

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>> I don't think I can add that, but I have a feeling these conversations are going to come up in the next session of this meeting. >> Okay. All right. So, we are actually going to ask our attorney to um explain the decisions like the vote options that we

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had and um run us through that process, please. >> Sure. So as I believe the first can you hear me? >> I can hear. >> Okay. Um I believe the first gentleman um raised this point there under the statute and in the regional agreement

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for the district there are two different ways to vote to incur debt for the regional school district. Um one of them is I'm going to call it 16D. It's mass general laws chapter 71 section 16D.

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The other one is section 16N as in Nancy. It's part of the same statutory provision. It's two different lettered paragraphs. So under 16D, which is the default option, there were basically the school committee votes to take on the debt and

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then it gives notice to both towns that have the option to schedule a town meeting to vote to oppose basically the debt. If they do not schedule the town meeting or if the town meeting is convened and does not oppose it, then

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that the debt goes forward and and is incurred. That is not the option the school committee voted for. Instead, in accordance with again both the statute and the regional agreement which specifically allows for this, the school committee voted to go by um option 16N.

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And the way that works is that the school committee will vote on this the specific amount um for the debt and then they arrange for ballots in both member towns. So there's at least 10 days notice. I presume it probably will be more than that. Um it goes to notice to

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both towns with warrants with the amount of money and the the residents of um both towns will go and they'll fill out a ballot. You know that kind with the little dot that you fill in with a a marker. So it's that exactly how we all know how to fill in the dot. Um so that's how it it will go. So each town I

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believe will have their own um polling stations and it will take place there. These ballots that will be the only thing on the ballot will be about the debt question. It's possible though I don't know that it's decided yet. I don't believe it is

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actually. If there is a debt exclusion that the towns will be voting on, which is whether to um exclude the debt from um the the normal limits on on taxable on taxes. Um that can be done at the same

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time at the same polling places. However, it would be on a separate ballot. In other words, you'd get two different pieces of paper with the fill in the blank bubbles. Um same black marker though. Um so again there'd be a warrant, there would be notice polling

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places. The slight um slight complicating factor is that in the statute it says that the polling places need to be open um uniform across both districts. So one can't have it for four hours and one for eight, but it needs to

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be between four and eight hours long. My understanding is that at least one if not both member towns tend to keep their polling places open longer than that. The only reason why I raise that is because oftentimes we try to combine votes on multiple issues on the same day

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so that we kind of get, you know, voters to the polling place once and and minimize um inconvenience. That's just a complicating factor because we could have it scheduled for eight hours, but if your standard is 12 hours, that might be a little bit of something we have to work through. That hasn't been decided yet. There, to my

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knowledge, there have been no specifics on the polling places or the exact date. My belief, and someone could correct me, is that that would be worked on between the obviously the member towns um and the and the schools. Um this is not something the schools are responsible for creating at least the warrant and

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the ballots and and the cost of that, but certainly wouldn't go it alone. That would be something that they'd coordinate with, I'm sure, the two town clerks and the um select boards. Um, so again that so the votes are taken all as one. It's not the same thing, but for those of you have who have been to a

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two- town meeting on the budget, it's the same general idea. So however many people show up from both towns, that's the total number. And we're looking for a majority for all of them. So if you know 50 people from each town show up,

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then you need the 51 um people to vote for it. Um, so again, it's not going to be by each town. by the total of voting residents. Um, again, there's an there's an option for a separate debt exclusion. That's sort of a separate question. Um, even if the debt exclusions aren't voted

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for, don't go through it. It doesn't change the ultimate vote on taking on the debt. Um, and there are other people who are probably in a better position to talk about the actual debt than I am. Um, but just in terms of the process, that's how it goes. Um, in terms of reasoning, and I believe the school

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committee did talk about this at length. I I joined virtually at the meeting um about a month ago, a few weeks ago when it happened. Um there's sort of a a few main reasons. Um one is that it's a much quicker and more streamlined process. Um

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if you look at other districts, including districts that have many um member member towns or more spread out, most of them are going with the 16N approach because again, it's just sort of a a more streamlined process. Um the other is um just kind [clears throat] of

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timing [snorts] of all of this as well. Um that and I don't know all of the deadlines and dates um that MSBA has, but there are certain dates that are coming up and we want to make sure that um the towns and the school district meet all those dates. So again, it's sort of a timing issue. And then sort of

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the most important one is that the two member towns are separate towns and municipalities, but it's one school district. So the idea is that everyone um who is a member of the district and wants to vote can come. So it's not one town dictating over another or vice versa. It's everyone can come and cast

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their their vote which is weighed equally frankly. >> Is there anything I missed? >> Okay. >> So this is more of a popular vote versus having a town versus a town vote. >> Yes. So it kind of almost bypasses that

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electoral college feeling that we were anticipating for a popular vote. So it's almost kind of gives the residents the impression go well if we can't win the vote we change the game. And that's kind of the impression that Milville is getting. >> I have a question about how the votes

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will be presented in the end. So, will there be a separation between like this many people voted yes versus [snorts] no and Mills versus [clears throat] Blackstone or will it all the final result to the public be this many people in total voted and this many said yes

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and this many said no. >> I mean each town is going to count their own votes. I guess the town clerks might have an answer on that. >> Yeah, the town clerks certify those of you who are here. >> So, >> yeah. So we would individually tabulate.

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Yeah. I we have three precincts in Blackstone. So each precinct would report their their counts and then we'd have a total for Blackstone. Legally, I wouldn't be able to certify mills votes and vice versa. So >> for informationational purposes, do we

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have an account as to the number of registered voters between the the two municipalities? And second to that, um, is mail-in ballot going to be allowed for this particular special election?

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>> That's a good question on a mailin. I don't know because it's >> I don't time I think not. >> Yeah, because the the statute talks about the Oh, sorry. >> So, since it's a state election year, I'm sure everybody has gotten vote by mail application postcards and if you

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selected all elections, we'd be legally obligated to send you a vote by mail ballot. >> And >> there isn't anything specific, Kelly, in the statute that limits that or >> it talks about the polls being open and uniform throughout the district. Um, so I my understanding was that they're

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supposed it says the number and location of the polling places or places in each town shall be determined by the district committee after consultation with the select and thereof. So that might be something we need to I I certainly hear you and appreciate the position you're in. That might be something we need to figure out soon obviously sooner than later. Um because we wouldn't want to be

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in a situation where you feel like you're we're [clears throat] asking you to go against what you believe is the right thing. So >> yeah, I mean we'll lean on our town council for those specific questions and elections division at the state. >> Yes. >> And as far as your question about registered voters, we have about 7,800

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in Blackstone. >> How many you have here? >> 78 7,800. >> You know how many are Kelly? >> Milville is about 2600 register. >> So we're trumped almost like three to one. This is a riging >> par [clears throat] very accuracy. We

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would have to up uh upgrade to I also work for been in a situation where as long as you select all ballots you are required to send them a ballot whether it's a town vote a state vote it does not matter. So the fight get very costly

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and they very confusing sometimes. Thank you for confirming clarifying that both of you um will definitely get that um reviewed and confirmed and planned for send. [laughter]

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>> Okay. Um, I was wondering if you could dine a little more into the thought process behind why they choose why the school committee chose the 16N versus the other one. >> Yep. Um, so as um, Kelly pointed out, it

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does keep us on the MSBA timeline. Um, we are a district of one. So that conversation at the table um, during our school committee meeting was that we're a district. So, we were in agreement to vote um as a as a district and um I

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think that was just the streamline process of it. Does anyone have anything else to add on that? >> I'll just add that in my opinion, it means every person is is taking the time to say yes or no. So, you all go to town

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meeting. You're never going to have 7,800, unfortunately, registered voters show up to your town meeting or your ballot. Um, the people that take the time to go know that their vote is being counted. Whether it's yes or no, they're all getting counted. When you walk into

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a town meeting, you're raising your your tag or in black zone pressing your butt. So, it it feels like a very accurate count for me. >> Um, could I have a clarification on the 16D? Does that mean that for if you guys

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were to have done that, would you guys would the towns be obligated to have it in a town meeting or could it have been a ballot vote which >> it would have been a town meeting? >> Okay. There was no ballot vote >> individual town meetings. >> Okay.

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>> Yeah. And the timeline for 16D was much more complicated and lengthy which would have >> how lengthy would the process have been? >> There's multiple steps to it, right? >> Yes. And there's a waiting period. So you need to give um at least 60 days.

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You need to give at least 60 days notice under 16D. [clears throat] So that's the notice from the school committee to the two towns so that the towns know whe can decide whether to have those town meetings or not. So that's that's sort of the it's at least two months and because this is obviously summertime and we're looking at the

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start of the school year um we were concerned about that time frame >> and we only find out from MSBA on a excuse me August 26th the information. So from there 60 days so it just really pushes us beyond what the MSBA um

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timeline is >> and our election could not be held on >> election election >> the regular election day because of the times. Yep. >> Yes. >> So, it seems everything I'm hearing [clears throat] Delta seems like it's a difficult

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process, lengthy process. Some comments I've heard is that that you know through a ballot it seems like you're defin like your vote is being definitely counted. It might not be counted in a meeting. So, I don't understand that. Um that the ballot's a streamlined process

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and less cumbersome than Delta. Um, I have a question. Um, historically, how many times has a school district gone with um, November when incurring debt?

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>> I don't know. Have we ever had a >> question? >> How many times has the school district gone through to incur debt through November? Section 16 November. How many times has the school district

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done that? >> Our district or are you talking >> this school district to incur that? How many times have you used November? >> When you say November 16th 16 milary >> 26 years in the military. I'm sorry it's called November.

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>> And November versus Delta. How many times have you incurred death through November? >> Doesn't be the first for this any type of project like this. Yeah. My knowledge. So how many times have you incurred debt >> over the past decade?

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>> Many times. >> Yes. >> Many times. >> So it might have >> well so for clarification we've we've requested >> uh to incur debt through the towns through town meetings. >> When's the law said?

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>> I mean you go back >> made it to 13 school to school roof projects. the boiler project. So 13 15 >> in the last 10 years there hasn't been anything. >> Oh, in the last 10 years is that the November. >> Let's go 20 years. Let's go historically. Historically throughout

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the history of the school district, how many times have they gone one way versus the other? >> We've seen November >> is is not an option that has been around 20 years to my knowledge. >> Okay. It is something that I think has come out of the legislature as larger

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districts have looked to incur debt and it's difficult to do in multiple district. >> Council, can you please verify when that became available? >> I don't have the exact date in front of me, but I certainly can. >> Can you verify that? I'd like to know that information. And so I I I hear the

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concerns by the individuals and I have those same concerns that there are two ways. I I so I I always do my homework. I always read. That's what I love doing. Um and yeah, I'm new at this. I've only been a selectman for a year and a half. Um but that doesn't mean I don't know

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how to read or comprehend. And I just I I'm hearing that the process through a town meeting is so much more difficult and streamlined. Where the co what's the cost going to be to put this on the ballot? Has anybody even thought about

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finding out what the cost would be? And that comes from that comes from the operating expense. >> And so have have you all thought of a how much it would cost to run those uh Melville how many precincts? >> One.

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>> One. So four precincts open. Has anybody thought about the cost? >> So we I preliminary conversation at that. I talked to the town clerk black zone. The town So the district has to and Kelly feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. district has to provide the

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ballot um to the town. Now, talking to the town clerk in Blackstone, the district has to provide the language because the town clerk in Blackstone and Tara, you can correct me if I'm wrong, [clears throat] um

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has to um get the ballot information and send it to their vendor who who provides the ballots for the voting machines. And I believe I'm not going to speak for Milville, but I believe Milville still has paper um ballots that that the district would have to provide for the

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town of Milville. >> That that cost is minimal, but then the cost for um [sighs] polling hours, >> uh please details. >> Yes, things of that nature. >> Hope that we would be thinking about all. And when I read this, it's very

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black and white. >> This is this is not on the town at all. what the town clerk will certify but the election shall be paid by the regional school district. It doesn't doesn't give you any specifics on the election. So what's the cost? >> I mean the conversation we we and I may

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have had it with maybe Kelly and Jim maybe just through one of the many meetings is we have expectation around $10,000 >> for both for the t for the combined towns.

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And so to that point, there is also a cost in relation to the 16D which would setting up town meetings and everything else which would be in the similar fear. >> Correct. But that wouldn't be outside the realm of any other town meeting.

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>> Well, no, the district has called for specific um uh town meetings regarding school roofs. Um I think we had that was in November at that time. um the school roofs both in Milville and

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in Blackstone um and Blackstone. >> We have a we have as a town we have a budget line item for elections >> which would fall in that. >> Yeah, >> this would fall under our elections,

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right? So, but where's the school budget line that talks about this? Do you think because there is there isn't any, right? the school the school, >> but there's no line item for that. >> So, you got to find the money somewhere. >> Yeah, of course. At the end of the

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school committee line. >> Okay. Hopefully that was thought up as well. Um, >> of course it was. >> And now I have one more followup. Um, well, two more. One emerged to council

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comment. Um, c how to pay. So if it did pass, how to pay? You gave an example of the fact that there may just be two ballots. Vote to approve or disapprove and then vote same the same time you're there and

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then vote to say whether it's a exclusion or an override. Is that is that how >> committee is expecting to run that? that that second piece would be up to the individual town and the finance

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committees and the board has selected those towns. >> Okay. >> So the select boards put that decide whether to put that on the ballot or not. >> Not the school. >> Not the school committee. >> Got it. >> Can I jump in for a minute? >> So um last Wednesday the town clerk

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received an email um kind of just asking questions regarding timeline and things like that from Tara. And so that email was forwarded over to our town council to look at the one complicated thing and you touched on this Kelly is the debt

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exclusion vote. So if the town were to go for a debt exclusion that requires a town meeting vote in addition to the ballot. So there's some question on our end regarding a timeline how the best way to do that is. So Ethan is looking

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at all of this and I'm hoping to have an answer for the next selectman's meeting and to work with Tara and everyone in Blackstone to figure out the best way to move forward because it is very complicated. So I I defer to your town council certainly it's it's on the towns to do

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it but so that yeah the select board do you have to vote to put it on the ballot and then there is a town meeting as well. So there are two separate uses to that >> and they don't have to be at the same time as this. There it's a separate it's a separate process though. Understandably, it's kind of related, right?

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>> I have one last question, but I reserve the right to ask more after. Um, when do the individuals who live in these towns, >> find out what it's going to cost each

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and every one of them through their taxes? When do we find out based off of a timeline? It seems as though we're going to the ballot, right? You've already voted. So, when do we, all of us, everyone in this room, right? Everyone in this room, when

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do we find out what it's going to cost us in taxes for our own homes? >> Sure. >> In this timeline to know how I make my decision. >> And so, this is I think that's probably one of the most important things. You've already voted on the fact of going to the ballot

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>> and >> well, we're preparing. there is a need to do something about the school and so we're going to go vote. >> We're preparing in hopes that on August 26th that the MSBA votes to um allow us to proceed with the project. >> Okay. August 26th. >> August 26th. And at that meeting they

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tell us the costs, they tell us the grant reimbursement. So um our plan is for the meeting school committee meeting on the 27th that we will have those numbers to share. We are working on a cost calculator that each resident can go online on the district

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website and put in there how property value if I'm saying this correctly and it will tell you what your um taxes what your impact will be >> and um before you swing back at that >> swing well you know before you [laughter] comment back [clears throat]

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I'll just got to back up a second but I'll get to that. You said that I hope that the school district has budgeted for that. So this has been going on for like five years. So So the it has budgeted for either either way. It has always

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in in the school district they're the unknowns as well. >> Okay. >> So and so we've there's always budgeted for whether it's a 16D or 16N there's always budgeted for a provision to get to the towns um you know get information. Then the towns actually

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will cover typically the towns will cover because the warrant articles that would typically require the the funding approval would be thrown into a a typically an annual town meeting. Although there has been What are you

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laughing at? Because I keep saying typically. >> No, but there have been times where the school roofs and things like that have come up in a November town meeting. So that has been budgeted. Um so we will hopefully have those numbers the 26th or

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27th as Jane Reio had reached out for the Blackstone board of select minute have already uh informed town administrator Taylor to for our September meeting for a presentation from the school building committee and the school committee for those um those

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impacts to the Blackstone residents. I can't speak for Milville but I'm sure you reached out to the town of Milville as well >> September 21st. Okay. >> Okay. >> And there will be meetings at the senior centers again. There will be meetings at the library. Both libraries have agreed to have uh open forums for us to have

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meetings. There will be a meeting in the high school auditorium and there will be a meeting in the Millville uh auditorium as well uh in the month of September before this vote takes place. >> This vote. And I'm sorry if it was said.

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When is this vote >> potential? >> Tonight's meeting. >> Well, we need to confirm that the clerks were looking at I think it was October 6th looked like the potential date. >> That's what was mentioned to us and we're just kind of working through it

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with legal counsel. There's a lot of kind of planning that has to go into it and ultimately it's not up to the clerks to to say yes or no to that date. We [clears throat] can make it happen. yourself in management. Kelly's >> back there too. [laughter]

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>> I was going to also say that as I'm looking at these timelines, I don't know that that six date is even possible. Okay? >> Because it requires a vote of the board of selection to put this on a ballot. Tara and I are required to get that no

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longer than 35 days prior to allow us the time to prepare and to get those ballots in. So we're not getting numbers and if they're not going to vote then that timeline doesn't match at all. >> Yeah. And that was going to be my point

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is that you said Millville's meeting with the board of selectman's tendedly [clears throat] scheduled for when? >> November 20 se September and >> September 21st. >> That's anformational meeting. It's not >> No, I I understand that. I understand that. I understand that. But then but

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then two weeks later you're at the ballot. We at least have a month, it seems. No timeline for the legal. >> I just >> so there's two different pieces that end up getting confused again that maybe I can explain again. So I believe um what the the clerks were talking about is the

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for the vote of the board of the select boards is for the debt exclusion piece in my opinion that select boards don't need to vote to put a ballot on for the 16N. So in other words that ballot is goes through the school committee. >> Yeah.

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>> So in other words if you sorry >> that's not any of my questions. I understood that. I was just talking >> I don't think that I don't think that everyone did because there was a comment about the board of selectman having to vote and then 35 days from that. That's for the debt exclusion I believe is I'm assuming that's what you're referring

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to. That doesn't apply to the the 16N16 November. >> Yeah. I I'm just looking at the timeline in regards to the information getting out and so 8:27 which is close to so it gives you a month maybe five weeks

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>> but it does because the selectman still have to vote whether or not we're going to have a ballot for the debt exclusion. So we still have to wait for the selectman before they can do the ballot if we're going to do it on the same day. >> But you don't have to do it on the same day. So, you you [snorts] want for the residents of Blackstone and

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Milville to go to the to vote on October 6th >> whether or not they want to move forward with the new school. And then you want them to vote in the state primaries and everything else. And then you want them

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to come back again to vote whether or not it there's going to be a debt exclusion. >> So, it's going to be a two-step process. And then in Blackstone, we'll have to have a town meeting. And this is less complicated. >> Yeah. So the debt exclusion can be

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at a later meeting. It could be at a town meeting. It could be >> it could be >> on a regular ballot. Right. >> You need to have a ballot and a town meeting. So but it doesn't need to be it could be for example on the some of the federal and state elections that are going on. Doesn't need to be at the same time. does

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>> is there a deadline like when uh when the magic happens uh and the clock starts to when does the clock start to tick? The day where they invoke when they uh invoke the debt or throw out authorize the debt the school command is

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that when the clock starts >> clock >> well I'm just wondering if there's I'm wondering based on like what's SBA going to tell us like okay you know you have to have your funds not allocated but you know the were to go ahead at a certain point in time.

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>> So, I appreciate you looking at me. I am not the timeline. I know there's a timeline, but I don't know it. But the good people at the corner can probably answer those questions if the school committee members can't. >> Are you It's a uh MSBA requires a 120 days from the time that they approve the

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project for the district to vote and uh move forward. >> Okay. Next question. Uh if this went the other way where we would have two special town

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meetings, so to speak, uh would the debt exclusion vote and the yay or nay on the school project be held at one singular town meeting? No. >> With each town versus having to go to the ballot and having to go to town

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meeting again for the debt exclusion. So the dead exclusion basically basically could you kill every bird with one stone by each town having >> the special town meeting? Could you do the debt exclusion and the school vote? >> Still has to go. >> It still has to go to a ballot. So the two-step process is really only the dead

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exclusion. It's the ballot. Sorry. Go >> I'm sorry. No, please go. >> No, the debt exclusion would have to go to a ballot after the town meeting. >> So the debt exclusion has two pieces. It needs to be voted twice basically. Actually almost three times. So first it needs one piece is that has to go to town meeting. So both towns who want to

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if they're looking for a debt exclusion, it needs to be voted and approved at town meeting. The select boards of both towns also need to vote to put it on a ballot. >> So if the select boards decide not to do that, for example, then there's no ballot and there's no that exclusion. I'm not saying whether they would do

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that or not. I'm just saying that can happen. And then the third vote for the debt exclusion is is the ballot. So in other words, there's no kind of one shot all in in and out, you know. So to the extent you can combine things, great. to the extent you can't. There's no there's

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no way of having it all done in one day. >> So, I just I want to say that I understand that's totally separate because that's just how you're going to pay for it. But I just want you to know from my perspective, I absolutely fail

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to see how this is a streamlined process in November versus Delta. I just want you to know that's that can be my opinion, but my opinion is based off of facts. I don't see how anybody comes up and says that that is a streamlined process versus the other.

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>> Yeah, I agree with you. I I don't I don't And and >> I would also have a question related to that because you guys said that the 16N is you really went for it because it's a timeline crunch. Yeah. Is that correct?

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Is that really what it boils down to in the end? >> It was one of several reasons. I think you >> Okay. But it's a a big reason. >> Well, the other big reason is the >> Not for me. >> Okay. Well, so if it's a timeline crunch, why would the MSBA set it up like that? You say that the 16N is for

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bigger districts. We have a district of two towns. Is I'm assume that they refer to bigger districts as in more than two towns for something like that. So why is it a time crunch? I I can't I can't understand why we're having this timing

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issue if this is the two options are put forth by the MSBA like it's worked into the you know the infrastructure of all of this. So why would there be a timeline crunch for either one? Is there is that question for me or uh anybody?

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>> So you you [clears throat] and I I asked the same question when came up. So, so there's 120 days from essentially August potentially August 26th. Is that correct? So, so we notify the towns for

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a a town a special town meeting. So, they have 60 days to to respond to set up. So, typically Milville will have one, Blackstone generally two or three weeks later, however that works out. So, so um so if one one town passes, one

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town fails, and then we go to revisit with the other town, then there's a whole there's a whole timeline on that. You have an election, pass or fail, that's the that's the end of the that's it. So, it is more streamlined.

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>> It passes or fails at an election. So, that that was a thought that was a thought on that. And if I could just jump off that because I don't know, I'm sorry I was late, but did we anyone answer the question where um having both questions I know on the same

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day if say if the town were to put the debt exclusion or whatever in the I think there's an issue with the town's election has to be like 12 or 13 hours and this election can only be up to >> Yeah. The odds of it happening on the same day are probably slimmed enough.

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>> All right. So good. We clarified that. >> Uh, Mr. Howell. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Keef, and for everybody else, uh, why are we not talking about this and getting this out earlier for debt exclusion

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before now? >> We don't have the cost >> all summer where we saw these municipalities around us voting for debt exclusion. Why did we not join the ban? >> We don't have we don't have the numbers. So, we will have those numbers on August

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26th. >> Uh we hope if that's >> we'll have the numbers to approve. >> If we're approved, they'll give us the numbers. >> If we don't get approved, then there's no conversation, right? [snorts]

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>> Well, I could defer it to be say take it up at the next meeting, we'll say. So, that >> if there's missing information. Yeah. Could we just remind people what the estimate right now for what the theoretical new building would be?

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>> The total went in schematic design at just 197 million >> with a possible reimbursement of >> 59 to 64% I believe was the range that they had given us

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>> potentially potentially 40%. So that's less than the 19. >> The project went to schematic design which was submitted to MSBA at $197 million. >> They're estimating the reimbursement of eligible items is between 58 and 64%.

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The other thing to keep in mind what we're also working on is the list of repairs and needs of the current building. So that number will also be shared with the residents to make an informed decision when you do vote. So the question

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MSBA will provide a certain percentage >> of eligible >> items. >> Do we know what the ineligible costs right off the bat are out of the 197 million? >> We will. Do we have that yet or will they give that on August and at the

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meeting >> roundabout number? We've met, >> you'll know the 26th. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> So, okay. So, we're talking two different numbers here. >> So, they're deciding what's eligible. >> It's a

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there's there's a there's a there's a there's an already set formula what's eligible and what's not eligible. Correct. >> There there is it's got to be time. We kept in mind those items. Like, it's been very strategic with our design team and our project manager. They're they're leading this project and making sure

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that we make >> and so we'll end up and so we'll end up getting two numbers. Basically, what we're going to get is we're going to get a number which is which we'll have to pay a percentage of and we're going to get a number that we have to pay in full. >> It's one number, Vivian,

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>> but it'll be broken down. So the MSDA will provide you a total project budget that the um PFA which stands for project funding agreement that the district enters into with MSBA.

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At that point you will already agree to the and they will agree to the value for the project and their commitment and share for their portion of reimbursement towards the project. At this point, every district has a list of eligible

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and non-eligible items and for that reason is to keep equity among all the districts and all the schools. So the MSBA cannot contribute 100% towards the project. They have a set

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calculator that calculates the percentage based on the population, the financials of the town and district. There's a multiple layers and levels on how they come up with the percentage that they guarantee they will

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participate in oneligible items. >> Right. Thank you. That's the last piece and I understood that. Thank you, Chairman Keefe. Is that it's the eligible [clears throat] p it's what is eligible is what we're going to get a percent on, but there is a non-eligible dollar amount that will

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come out out of this total number which we will pay fully for. And so I'm glad that we'll know both of those numbers so we know the percentage of what we're paying and then what we're stuck with. >> Can you give us an example of what a non-eligible item would be? >> Auditorium.

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>> Well, Vivian, can you also mention isn't there something in the um for MSBA that there's only a certain amount a percentage for Browns. Correct. Correct. Because for example, we may have more than a site. So could you >> site is one of the largest ones. it is a

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um 10% eligibility and that is in order to keep it equitable among all the districts. There are some districts that are in much more residential areas that do not have the same site available to them as you do

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here in Blackstone Millville. So MSBA contributes only up to 10% for all site related costs. Oh, that's interesting, too. >> But the eligible costs were something that we kept in mind when we even chose

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to go with a full new build as opposed to a Renault edition because if we had needed to pull the kids out of the school and put them in portable classrooms, that was an ineligible core cost. >> Correct. Correct. >> If we needed to build walkways to take the kids out and around the building to

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put them in a section that hadn't been knocked down yet, that was an eligible cost. >> Yeah. No, I understand that >> we [clears throat] didn't want to add anything that wasn't going to be reimbured later >> to >> No, I I totally understand that. I just Once again, we're talking about a new school. We're talking about anything else. And and the and the prospects of a

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new school, it's broken down in two ways, eligible and ineligible costs. >> I have a question. >> Yes. But but >> Oh, if I Sorry. >> Yeah. No, you go first. >> Um yes and no. So in other words, when there is a bottom line number and

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there's an impact to a community member, me and my home, it's one. So let's say that they're going to reimburse 60% of eligible costs and not and they're not going to reimburse anything for the non-eligible, right? But you still have the total number of the project and so

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that reimbursement essentially becomes less, if you will, um, of the total project. So in other words, if they're going to do [clears throat] 50% of $2 million, but you've got an extra million dollars, so it's a $3 million project,

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then they're only doing a million dollars of a $3 million project. So the town's responsible for the There's just one number you're going to put in the calculator. You're not going to put, oh, eligible, not eligible. You're going to put one number in the calculator and say

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the towns of Milville have to pay this dollar amount. the towns of Blackstone have to pay this dollar amount based on attendance records and percentage there and that's split up and then that's what the town will be responsible for and the

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town's people will be responsible for. So I don't want to say it doesn't matter eligible ineligible. It matters a lot. Like we really need to look at what's not eligible and determine is it essential, right? Because something might not be eligible, but it's still essential, right? We want the same size

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auditorium that we've had so we can still have our town meetings. If we have to bring both towns together, we want to fit people in there. So we want that larger size. Our school district numbers may not account for that larger size. And I'm not saying that's one of the

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eligible or but that's an example of that. Right. So is that essential to the to the school building committee when they were designing? Yes, that was essential. Will it be completely reimburseable by MSBA? No. A portion of

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it will be based on the square footage that is, but not on the square footage that isn't. You're not going to separate out that $100,000 or 100. It's going to be here's the project. Here's what's reimbursed and the percentage. Here's what's left over that the towns have to

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divide based on their percentage of division. >> Yeah. Yes. And I completely understand 100%. My point is to make sure everybody understands that there are two buckets. There's eligible for a percent

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reimbursement and there is a bucket of things that will not be reimbursed. And so let's say it's $100 million for easy sakes and 50 million's reimburseable and 50 million's not crazy numbers. The 50 million we'll get a

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percent back, but the other 50 we're stuck with. So that's all I'm just making sure people understand that that there there are different buckets. And so I I I can't wait to see the numbers to look and see what fell into eligible, what fell into ineligible, right? I mean, imagine if imagine if the numbers

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came out and it was and I'm going wild here. Imagine if the numbers came out and of the 200 million, 100 million was was not eligible for reimbursement. It'd be crazy. But I'm just making that point so people understand that. And I'd love to see those numbers. I'm also a numbers guy. I'm an analyst for a living. >> So we're going to have those numbers by

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the 26 27th. And you'll see so the way I I keep it simple. Just say for the round numbers. That's a $200 million project. There'll be an assessment to Blackstone, an assessment to Millville, whatever that number is. um adds up to you know deduct that's the

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then you deduct a total overall percentage um is what's being you know essentially covered by MSBA you'll see that it's a substantial number >> um question just Rachel did you want to add to that >> you could go first uh out of the $197

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million proposal how much uh is set aside for cost overruns paid >> good What's the contingency on construction? >> There is a built-in contingency of 8% for construction related cont uh

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overruns as well as a percentage set aside for soft cost, meaning any changes that the owner might [clears throat] propose to bring forward. All right. I've got a question now. Um I was just wondering, so those who've been

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at the school billing committee meetings, you may be well aware about what is it roughly 9 million or so of ineligible items potentially. So examples are 600 person stadium with

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lighting and then concession stands, stuff like that. And we the last meeting we had that set aside. Yes, it was set aside from the total of what the building the 197 or whatever we were looking at. Okay. For the cost and we

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were like that's set aside for like the extra sprinkles on top. I'm wondering about if do the citizens get to vote whether to add that extra sprinkle on top or is it for the school building committee to vote on to add? >> So there are items that are not part of

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our building. I just wanted to clarify though. I don't recall us having a stadium with lighting. I just wanted to clarify that. There is not a stadium with lighting. >> 600 person seating with lights that you know for the football field. We've discussed this.

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>> Well, Rachel, if you remember, we do not have lighting. We do not have lights or lighting on our football field, nor is it in our current project. Nor do we have stadium seating in our current project. It's it's just bleachers. It's

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bleachers. >> Okay. You could call it bleachers, whatever you want to call it. >> Well, there is a difference between bleachers and stadium seating. However, by your question, there are items that are not in the overall budget, some of the things that you mentioned. So, they are not in that as it is right now. No,

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they are not. >> So, my question is those extra things that aren't in the overall budget, does the people get to vote to add those extra things on or is it the school building committee that votes or someone else? it becomes part of the school building

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committee vote and those are part of items that if we have bid savings. So if the contractors come in through competitive bidding as was selected and the cost of the construction they feel should be lower than what we estimated

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to be, that is constituted as bid savings. And with that, we could choose to use the bid savings and h and incorporate some of the extras into the project to make an overall better project. Or you could

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reimburse some of the residents that are paying for this. >> You won't reimburse anybody. You just won't spend money. >> Okay. Well, >> that that needs to be very savings then for the Yes. >> individuals. I mean, cuz correct me if I'm wrong. >> Not for the individuals.

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>> Correct me if I'm wrong. >> Blackstone pays approximately 3/4 of the the the regional school budget. So in the big picture, the residents of

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Blackstone are looking at paying for three quarters of this total cost and they they get one vote and they have to pay three quarters of the total. >> But I think the impact >> that's not different than anything else

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is is the same thing here. Same thing in the elementaryaries. It's a 7525 split just based on population and the number of children in seats on October 1st. That's the law. >> Exactly. I I understand that. But what I'm saying is that if there are

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construction savings, then I would think that instead of perhaps asking for some of the sprinkles, some of the people of Blackstone and Milville might be more

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interested in their aotment towards the cost. >> Well, that that really isn't how that kind of works. Just to give you a little thumbnail, uh any of this money that is um appropriated, borrowed or whatever has to stay in the in the school

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district or the operation. Okay? So if if we have a surplus say of of $5 million at the end of this thing, then it'll be up to the school committee to decide the things that we went without that we had to cut out or do we reimburse this

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based on the 7525 uh cut. But that's uh that's probably many years from now when you'll see that because that'll be after the the uh the project is completed and all the uh bills and legal things or anything like

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that have been taken care of. >> I I just want to add like what you described was the history of the school districts like that's been but let's talk about the history of school buildings in this district and Mr. Buckley you can probably um correct me

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if I'm wrong on anything. the the the Blackstone Mill Regional High School itself when it was first built. >> I think the oversight on that building put the first company out of business with a lot of change orders and everything because the towns of the towns and the representatives actually this the auditorium those named after

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those two representatives who made sure uh that Blackstone and Milville taxpayers got the bang for their every bang for their buck. This building that we're sitting in 23 24 years ago uh was dragged through like ch change orders were scratched

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out, contractors were brought back in to fix the flooring and and many many other things. The structural steel on this building, the Millville Elementary School, I think ended up with a surplus of 600 or 700,000 after that was built. So the diligence like the school building committees whether you agree

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with the new school or not you can't take away the fact that they've worked for many many years and had many public meetings on this and and and a lot of debate and discussion. Um and and and at the you know at the end of the day

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there's a legal choice whether D or N. Um, this committee just chose to go with N and and and my my vote on that was for the timing purposes because of the history of town meeting votes and and the delays that take place. I mean, we

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had a a a a [clears throat] district-wide town meeting back in I think it was 18 or 19 that it took the two towns several months to even get together to vote on a date and a moderator. So these things get can if

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this doesn't meet the 12 120day timeline pass off f like it it's done they move on to the next one and good luck getting them back here for another you know 10 years or 15 years so it's an option it's it's the options that we have Mr. How?

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>> Yes, sir. Just a shifting gears a little bit. I think we beat this force to death already. What does our debt service look like? Our bond rating. What do we look to uh going forward over next 30-year bond? What are we looking for repayment?

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>> So, we will have that. So, and to when I talked to Erin just during this, sorry, Erin, Jane, um is hearing that Milville's meeting and I see the chairman of them there in Milville is the 21st. I would suggest that we have another one of these meetings with the minimum with the boards of selectmen and

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the finance committees and whoever else wants to attend uh on the first week of September after we get those numbers at the end of um at the end of August which is the 26th or 27th. Um I would suggest that we have another round table like

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this because we'll have those numbers and we can have a a a much more understanding on on the actual numbers and a better dialogue moving forward instead of the whatifs and you know that's I think that's what I would recommend um just to keep this group and

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whoever else wants to come in. Um and um >> correct me if I'm wrong. Um, does the district borrow the money and it's there? >> It's our borrow. >> Yes. >> It's just sir, I'll get to you in one moment, but just so you like the

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district over the years and the two towns have always essentially at the end of the day, it's been we've been around for 55, 56, 57 years. Technically the and and 16D

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um the school committee votes to approve a capital cost and then notifies the town. We have to notify the board of self- selectment in each town I think within seven days or whatever and then the towns have the town meetings based on that debt. If the

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towns take no action in that 60-day period, the debt's automatically approved. And if you read the law, it says the town meeting essentially takes place to disprove uh to to disagree with the the school, but it's not. The district and the towns have always went to town meetings. I mean, when Milville

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did the school roof, the town of Blackstone still gets notified whether or not to take any action, you know, and then and and they you have a 60-day. So I remember when Milville's roof was up, the board of selection of black zone took a vote the next week to take no

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action so it would expedite that process um for Milville to continue moving on and and and and when Mil when Blackstone did there Kennedy school roof and boilers and uh Milville took no action because Blackstone owns the debt but it's a whole process. So um but yeah

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that's that is the process and yes this is the first time using 16N and you know and we all know at town meetings I mean if Blackstone gets 250 that's a lot. If Milville gets like a hundred, that's a

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lot. We have what, 7,800 voters in Blackstone and I'm gonna guess couple of thousand in Millville, right? >> So, so you have 9 10,000 people voting on voting on this. Although I do not like the eight hour window, but that's

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the law, you know. I I I do not like that. But Sarah in the back >> a lot talked about the the reimbursements in the state 52 53%. >> But how is that arranged? Is it all

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reimbursed after the completion of the of the of the uh school or uh is it paid progressively as the work is being done? because if it's paid after then there's a great debt burden for the towns to come up with that money over the period of the construction. I'm just curious

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how this member >> uh the debt uh MSBA reimbures portion of the work that's already been completed on a monthly basis. On a monthly basis we submit a application for

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reimburseable amount and they pay on a monthly consistent basis. So therefore, if you're getting the reimbursements, you don't always have to immediately take on the debt. So that interest, you're not

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paying for acred interest as well. >> I'll just add to this building here. Uh cost of taxpayers of Blackstone and Milville 18.5 cents on the dollar when it was built. Now, now those days are long gone, but but that's that's what it cost. um to construct this building I

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think which we just paid off a year or two ago. >> Is that right? Last year a year before. >> So >> Mr. Finn >> okay question um we heard the question brought forward about the 8% over

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>> and I think that's rational makes some sense. My question really begs itself uh with inflation running at four four and a half%. Um does that 8% also cover that inflationary measure or is inflation also going to be because we're talking about 2030 and the school eventually

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gets paid and opened. Um the cost running up to that situation would indeed impact what I see is the $2 million on the 8%. So really up tound 200 million to make you make your point. You're also going to have to build an inflationary factor of some percentage I

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would think. Correct. So I guess the number could expand which I don't think it will go down. More than likely is going to go up. Is that a fair assumption? >> No, it is not a fair assumption. We have already anticipated inflation and we

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usually take it and it it is the case of this project. We anticipate inflation rate up to the midpoint of construction because by the time midpoint of construction, we'll already have the bulk of the materials acquired and purchased by the contractor. So that is

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already built into the construction cost and the pro total project cost of the 197 that terror referenced. [snorts] >> So if I may ask, Mr. Sure. Um, if indeed you have already put that into the cost, >> Mhm. >> could you give us an idea of what that inflationary rate in your crystal ball

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that you looked at that you would know was going to be taking place halfway through construction? Because I'd like to know. >> That one is a harder answer. I could get it to you at a later time because we had two cost estimators independently looking at it and evaluating what they

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anticipate the inflation rate to be and took the midpoint of both. So that way we have a solid carry. We also we also did carry the more conservative estimate u to safeguard the district against any

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other potential tariffs that might arise or situations that might in my crystal ball I could see for now. >> So you would indeed be able to give us a number as to what that inflation or rate is if you'd be so kind if you could give that to us. >> It actually should be on our project

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website already as part of the cost estimates. So it is public information. >> Yeah, if you could if you could give that uh >> Yeah, I could point you I could point you to that. Absolutely. >> Vivian, a followup to your reimbursement. The way we're reimbursed, does that mean

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the taxpayers taxes would go up gradually or get hit all at once? >> Yes. >> For the project >> for you would get you would have to put it up front. Yes. No, you would your tax

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rate would only change as you incur debt. >> So your vote is to finance the entirety of the project. >> That's then reduced by what MSBA will give you. You agree to finance the rest

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and you work with your financial advisors to sell bonds as you need them. >> As you sell the bond, you incur the debt. As you incur the debt, you impact your taxes. And for most of these, that's not going to happen till a couple years after the

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vote as of construction starts. Costs are much less through the first 12 to 18 months after the vote. So you're voting in you'll be voting in 2026, but incurring that debt in 2027, 28

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maybe >> as it moves along. So, you're locking in your pricing now and borrowing money against that in the future. This this would typically be a debt exclusion. You wouldn't you wouldn't

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take an override for a certain number for 30, you know, because that that's your new pace, the debt exclusion because that'll advertise over the 30 years and those payments would reduce. So, so you it wouldn't be an over it wouldn't this >> wouldn't go through an override. Go ahead.

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Uh just side topic, um do we know when we're going to get numbers on the yearly operational budget and what's that going to look like if we go through with a new school? >> Uh that would be a question for the year. Superintendent [laughter]

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>> I would assume that the operations would stay the same. You would certainly mean uh you know how how what's a school population, what's the staffing looks like and how are things expense. So you you have 55 years of ruins on the

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existing building and how much it cost. So what is modernized? What's changed? What's more expensive? What's less expensive? I was just wondering like for the voters before they vote, is it possible for them to get an idea of like how much this new building would cost

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every like on a yearly basis? I >> think it's reasonable. But >> what we're also hoping is, and I know we've talked about this, the school building committees is energy usage, right? And the savings with energy uses. The other thing the town should consider is we've been we've been working on this project for a very long time. And you

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know that we've looked at how many 14 different >> 14 plan B. But one of the things that the option that was chosen the 7 through 12 is actually going to bring our district back to those three buildings rather than right now we have three plus. So we would have a 7 through 12.

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We would have a 3, four, five and six. And then we'd have an early learning center. So that should also be considered because right now we've overrun. But I think Mike's right. It really is hard because of all the things. But one of the things I know we have discussed at the school building committee was potential savings for um

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the energy usage, any credits we get back and also the fact that now and I'm sure if you've come to school committee meetings when Scott gets up there we are always his list is always long and unfortunately in includes one of our buildings more than the others that there's constant maintenance that's

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needed to be done in that building. Not to say we're not going to have maintenance, but what we're hopeful is that, you know, with a new building, it's not looking at, you know, all the things that we need to do at the high school. Now, that was brought up that Tara said, one of the things we are

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working on to be able to give to the towns and I know we've gone to the boards of selectmen and the um senior centers is that yes, this is the cost of the new building and here's the cost of not having a new building and what we need to do at the high school. And I agree, someone brought that up. that is

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in very important information and we have been working on that to ensure that we're considering everything that would need to be done at the high school because I know DRRA has been involved with us for a very long time and did our initial you know proposal so when we had to go forward with looking at all these different options one of the options was

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if you upgrade you know the high school so we're making sure that all the numbers align so when the the voters do go to vote they're really going to have those numbers to say this is your new school and this is what would need to happen you know except accessibility, the updates that need to happen at that

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school. Not just it would be nice at that school, but have to happen at that school. So, we agree totally. It's just that we're trying to get all those numbers together to be able to compare when we go on the 26th. And I know we keep mentioning the 26th, but that really is that pivotal date that we're able to be able to share all that

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information. So, we agree with all of that as well. But I do I agree with Mike. It is really hard to say the operational cost because >> especially if you close down the JFK AF only building because now you're not putting money in maintenance into that building. Yeah, it's got a new roof, new

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windows, new boilers, but it doesn't have new heating units in the classrooms. Doesn't have new electricity ran through the building. Doesn't have a new fire panel. Those are all extra costs that are going to come up. You're talking millions right there. >> Yeah. And probably half the stuff that's

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in there is obsolete. Absolutely. >> You can't even plug in air conditioners without blowing circuit breakers. It's just not built to handle today's technology. And neither is the high school. >> High school can't even access the first floor because of asbestous. God forbid a

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pipe breaks. You're flooding that whole building. I can't stick my head up the shutter val >> come down on me. >> Yeah, I can understand that. Um, I just think it's difficult to obviously look in the future and kind of calculate this stuff,

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but worst case scenario, what if we get the nice building, but we can't keep up with the upkeep, you know, then then we're in trouble. So, I think it's important to we got to look to the future with this, too, to make sure we have this building last for our kids,

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you know, and so we got to factor that in. >> What was that? We talked about this at school building when say the high school now was built. What was the projected longevity of that building? I think it's how many? >> 50. >> Okay. So, we've >> you've exceeded >> exceeded that. So, um with a new

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building, I mean that's always the intent. We build a building, we take care of it because we want it to match that. And in this district, we've actually exceeded >> um you know, our current >> you take a take a ride out to the library to the historical commission. go back and look at when the district was

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formed. There's some great information out there like why the two towns got together. Uh it was a necessity. Blackstone knew what needed had to build a high school and Bill was available as far as become a partner. So in that in

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that case instead of just getting a real vanilla size school you got an auditorium you got science uh labs etc etc. That's all because the region made that happen. >> You don't even want to know how much

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that building cost at the time. [cough] >> There's a little bit more than the feasibility study, >> but that was there was a lot of >> a lot of uh just one question. Uh, I know that there's um reimbursements and

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grants and so forth that are going to be available through the MSBA, which hopefully you'll get 66%. I hope you do. But at the same time frame um on the um reconstruction of what was the original costs for fixing the building. Um

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indeed, you've also taken in consideration grants that would be available for some of those when you give us those numbers. Okay. Because I've heard from people saying there is no grants. I don't think that's accurate. I think there is grants on certain things, not on a whole bunch of things, but on certain things there are. So hopefully when you bring those

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members forward, we'll have an applesto apples comparison to see what it's like. Otherwise, it's difficult to make a decision. [clears throat] Anyone else? So, how does September 2nd sound? It's a Wednesday and I we can send a notification out towns

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again. school. >> Oh, is it the first day of school? >> Are you just making that up? >> No, I think it is. [laughter] >> You've been known to challenge. >> You've been known to make stuff up. >> Go to the store.

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>> Um Well, I I was just trying to figure out the first available time. I was just figuring um let's see what year I'm in now. >> Um and so that would be pretty much a month now. here in just a minute. Will >> we do the

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>> one week after we get the numbers for that's what you're looking at? >> Yes. Yeah. As soon as Yeah. I mean if we get those on the on on 27th is what a Thursday. So you don't have >> We have on a Friday. >> Yeah. We have a meeting. Um so I was just thinking typically the board of

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selecting Millville is Monday nights. Tuesday nights in Blackstone. This seems like worked out well for us Wednesday and and you've been >> September >> September 2nd. That was >> it is right. >> You were right. >> Dan hasn't even listening myself.

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>> I know. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> After Kelly. >> Exactly. >> Anyone else have anything to add? >> Are we doing October 6? Isn't that the purpose of tonight's meeting? Please >> is that the

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>> Yeah. Well, so did the ter I don't know. Tara, did you mention anything about what you need in the time >> for us? That was a big conversation. >> We're following up with town council. >> Okay. >> Um I wrote some notes down here from tonight. So, we'll work with town

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council to figure out >> if that potential timeline will actually work or not. >> Okay. I will add we have a deadline or 45 days before any election to mail ballots to any overseas voters. So

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that's August 22nd. >> So you need to have ballots printed by August 22nd. >> Yeah, that's a federal um because Dan, you may have missed the male ballots allowed. >> So both blacks and so we'll prepare those.

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>> We can't prepare it for the 22nd. We don't know until 26th. We don't have the numbers to put on the ballot. We can't. >> So, what's the week after October 6th? >> The numbers. >> Um, >> what is the when we were first looking

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at um dates? There was a question of not being too close to the >> question. Yeah. What was the time frame there? >> Like the 14 day. Don't go 30 days before, 40 days before. Like what? Well, we have two weeks of early voting before

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the November 3rd election. So that kind of we it would be impossible to have an election within those two weeks. >> It's about two >> two and a half weeks after we have to certify the state election by >> that brings us to mid November.

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>> October Tuesday. >> Yeah. >> So it's Columbus Day. >> It's Columbus Day. >> 12th. So we would have to do October 13th. >> Yeah. >> Is um is town council working with the state election board to clarify those questions? >> Yes, they will. Yeah.

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>> Okay. Um maybe it might make sense you can coordinate through um Mr. Keith maybe to exchange information too so that we don't duplicate work because I'm happy to >> to do whatever. I just you know was it a week? >> So could we request October 13th?

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>> That's one week later. So it gives them time after the 26th. We'll have that put there August 2nd. >> Kelly, I don't know if you can hear back there. We're talking now. Maybe October 13th gives that extra few days. I mean my one my personal it's just it's

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so close to a state election and obviously at the end of the day the voters and their ac access to a safe secure and well-run election is the number one concern whether it's this election whether it's the state whether it's the primary election and just the

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closeness is very concerning to me not saying we can't make it happen but it's just it's very very tight we're I mean Today's the 5th. We're what how many days away from the 22nd that deadline and my understanding now is that there's

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not even a vote of the MSBA before you know before the deadline. So that's just my my one opinion but you know we can make it happen either way. Just >> we need to confirm that legally we can meet those deadlines. So would it be make make sense for you to get the

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information that you need and maybe we can connect again with Tara and the you know what I mean and um also the the school committee so we have all that information instead of just randomly you know throwing out some dates just to see and we will make sure too we want to make sure it's of course within our timelines as well.

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>> Yeah. Um, and we understand we, you know, we're just trying to find >> We still preparing for elections like four to five months in advance just to make sure the ballots are ready and it's everything's tested and we have to follow the law at the end of the day.

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>> How long does it take to and I'm putting you on the spot so estimates are finally how long does it take to print the ballot from when you >> I did check with your vendor. They are able to meet that deadline. So, >> but do you as like a just because we're looking at like adding up days like that

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looks like we're kind of like just doing math. >> U So, >> but I don't know if I could even [snorts] legally order ballots without >> No, no, I get that. I guess I'm just saying >> to be called for [clears throat] >> No, no, I get it. I just I'm just saying like if we have >> Oh, >> if we let you know on a Tuesday, will it take them a week to print them or two?

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Like we always need to build that into the the calculation time. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean for early early and absentee a week or so for for them to be printed and to get to us. >> Okay. And then for mail in ballot, you have to mail them to everybody and have a chance

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to mail them back. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You need to have cuz um four business days in advance like >> Yeah. There's there's a lot more than just printing ballots and notifying voters that goes into the election.

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>> So if if it's after the November, you have you have to report within two and a half weeks after the election. >> 21st this year, I think something >> I believe. >> Yeah, because we have we have to wait for overseas ballots and just other certain deadlines. So it's in the state

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law that we have. I I just don't I can't get on the Wi-Fi. I don't have the date off off the top, but it's generally 2 and a half to 3 weeks after. Then Thanksgiving [clears throat] is November 26th for anyone who's counting that as well, which is another >> How long do you have for me? [cough]

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>> Yeah, faster. >> So, as soon as we get the ballots, we have to mail them. Um, >> and it's written right on the instructions for returning them that because of the mail, it's suggested for voters to give it 3 to 5 days for the mail for it to get back to us. And for I

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believe for this type of election it would have to be received on the night of the election >> back to us whether it's the it gets to post office in boxville and delivered to us on election day or the dropbox >> but do you have to give people like oh

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you they have to get the ballot at least seven days before or something like is there anything like that in the house >> there's request Tuesday election a deadline [snorts] to request would be the Wednesday phase before 5:00 p.m. >> Yeah. [clears throat]

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>> So, really keeping it October earliest October as we can, which sounds like it's the 13th, clears up the two week three weeks before the primaries. If you're saying the ballots would have to be in that night,

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>> what o if it was early October, you're saying mailed ballot ballots and absentee would have to be in by that day. So that's still giving you three weeks to your >> next election. >> Well, we have two weeks of inerson and early voting where we're mandated

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they're already voting at that location. >> Yeah. >> Or two weeks in person and during >> before November. It starts October 20. >> So we'd be finished on October 13th. >> We sag in regard to early vote in the

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November election. >> It makes sense. And honestly, after hearing that there's 120 days that we have to approve it or disprove it, that would make me even more like if we

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could do it after just out of the the sake of just and you know that's just my fistal I thought but when they were saying October 6th I thought like we had to have by October 7th type of thing but >> I believe it

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That's what we'd have to do the math for the 120 then and see if November but you need two weeks after November 3rd. So yeah, we have to look at the what the dates fall. So we can do that offline. We'll work with the clerks. Um

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the biggest question that I have in this bound question on the board is let them vote because they are the ones that come up with the verbage for the ballots not myself. So we we do the ballot. We're doing the we do the wording for this ballot, but

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debt exclusion >> is a town >> because we have to have MSBA approves our ballot wording as well. >> Okay. >> So when would they be doing that then? >> What's that? >> When would they be approving the verb for that?

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>> When we send it to them. [laughter] So they're reviewing it now. We had some draft language that they we wanted to get some free um set of eyes on. Um, >> we already provided the MSBA with the draft language. They have already started the preliminary review based on

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the draft language and provided comments back to the district for supplemental information and obviously it holds the place for this cost. Obviously, it's not just a a blank spot spot right now.

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>> That's up to Mr. Chief, >> there's a hand. >> I was [laughter] trying to I was finish on my list, but >> yes, at a clarification, I've heard of the date of August 26th. I don't know if that is the date that

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the notice will be out. Is that correct? But the date and you will be voting on the numbers will be the 27th because your well your uh agenda tonight says your next meeting is August 27th >> not the 26th.

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>> The MSBA uh has a meeting on the 26th to review and vote on our project. So they make their decision on the 26th and let us know >> make the decision on the 26th. Your meeting on the 27th. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Thank you.

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So is >> district council super assistant superintendent work with town cls to come up with the and and then is that all true we'll formalize [clears throat] a date is that I want to leave it

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>> sure our council and their clerks No, it's their council and our cartons. Is that what you sir? >> But so I think the super superintendent assistant superintendent can work with the clerks. However you normally work, if it makes sense to have council talk,

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I'm more than happy to talk to town council, >> but I wouldn't call a clerk on my own. >> Right. >> Council will communicate through the clerks and the >> um superintendent's office to >> district council. We make sure >> yes >> everything is sound on the te's across

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and the eyes of doubt. >> Okay, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. >> I just want I just wanted to throw this out there. Um, chapter 71 section 16 clause N or November was approved August

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4th, 1949. >> Really? been around a while and updated in 5155 in 1996. So, it's been around for a long time. Just throwing that out. >> Changed in 96. >> Throwing that out there.

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>> Well, Billy, I appreciate that history lesson. >> That's good. >> My pleasure. >> So, it has stood the test of time, you're saying? >> Yes. Very good. >> Um, okay. Okay, September 2nd, I'll send a

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notification. We'll send a notification out to the towns and um to try to have this round table again and um I guess anyone else have anything to add?

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>> All right, we'll see you on September 2nd. Please feel free to watch our school committee meeting on August 27th or any other school committee meeting with Todd uh sorry Scott's usually the only one in attendance at the end of the meeting. He gives us great building updates

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>> committee meetings. Watch those as well. Those are those are available as well. Our school building committee meetings. >> Very specific. >> We do need to close all of our boards. >> Yeah. So I'll make a motion to close the school committee. So >> during school motion made and seconded. All those in favor signify by saying I.

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>> Any oppos? Motion to close the both sle collapsed. Motion was made. Seconded. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Hey both. You eyes have it. >> Richard. >> I got [laughter] you. Doing it silently.

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>> Oh fancy second. We vote to die. >> We were living in our little silent. >> Any finance committees or school building? >> Motion to close school building committee. >> Some move. >> Second. All in favor? >> I

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thank you. >> You still need a ride, Kelly.