six o'clock. >> All right. Meeting uh is open and I think we are being recorded a couple times. >> Are we? Yes. Answer is yes.
All right. Um we all read the meeting minutes in advance. I'm just going to uh >> Yep. >> minutes. All five of them. >> All five of them. Um,
is there a second? >> A second. >> My only question, Joan, is the top one of these makes it look like it's a agenda for some reason. >> Yeah, we need to change the word. >> It's um >> this one. >> No,
I'm shuffling around. >> You just circle it when you >> Oh, it's right here. >> It's not the signature page. >> It's right here. Okay, I'll change you already. Yeah, sorry but I didn't pass along. >> I'll change this the top page. >> I got very confused when I open that and try to read it. It's okay. It doesn't
take much. >> I did sign that one. TJ used to >> There you go. >> That's just need that one. Did I keep showing you that? >> Yes, you did. I think she mutes this
one. There you go. >> Okay. Um I'm going to make a motion to skip to um the hazard mitigation plan. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? No. All in favor?
>> All right. Chilling down. over here. >> Yes. >> Um, where should I be comfortable? You have a seat right over here. The mic. There you go. >> All right. Thank you for having me here.
My name is Derek Strahan, senior planner at the Piner Valley Planning Commission, and um we were hired by the town of Blandford to update the hazard mitigation plan um which is normally um a five-year plan. uh the most recent one
uh it was uh adopted in 2016. Um so we're working on updating that so that the the town is again eligible for applying for grant programs and things like that. Um so I had a a slideshow prepared but I printed it out just um so that we could all have hard copy of it
but I can also email a copy of this to anyone who is interested. Uh my email address is on the back here dstraanpvc.org. Um so I want to just kind of quickly go over this um what the process is um what sort of public input um we are looking
for in the process and then where we're going from here. Um so the the second slide what is hazard mitigation? FEMA defines it as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards. Um, some examples of this can
include limiting development in high-risisk areas such as flood zones. Uh, retrofitting structures to protect from floods, high winds, earthquakes, things like that. Drainage and flood control projects. Um, fire safety
education. Um, those types of things. Um, the third slide, some of the benefits of hazard mitigation. Uh, as I mentioned, it makes communities eligible to apply for hazard mitigation funding. um helps prevent future losses and save
money on disasters. The little infographic there from FEMA says that for every dollar spent on mitigation, uh it saves $6 on future losses. Um increases awareness of hazards and risks and ways that uh residents can better
prepare um for different natural hazards. It makes communities more resilient to natural hazards and impacts from climate change. And of course, it can save lives. Um and I should note here that um for the purposes of this plan um it's for natural hazards. So
this is primarily looking at um any type of natural hazard. So it would not include hazardous materials and things like that that are man-made rather than natural hazards. Um and then the the next slide shows the difference between mitigation versus preparedness and
they're related and there's some overlap. Um but hazard mitigation has more to do with um helping to prevent natural hazards from having an impact in the first place while emergency preparedness is more of
after the disaster has happened um then responding to that. So hazard mitigation would include things like planning and zoning, open space preservation, education and outreach, drainage improvements, uh those types of actions that are done ahead of time um to reduce
the the possible risk of a natural disaster because they are going to happen. Flooding is going to happen. Um thunderstorms are going to happen, snowstorms. Um, so how do we make sure that the town is prepared um and is able
to um lessen the impact of those in advance? Uh, so the components of a hazard mitigation plan, it's very formulaic. There's a specific set of guidelines from FEMA and MIMA, the Massachusetts Emergency Management. Um,
so things like hazard identification and risk. Um, so the committee that I've been meeting with um on a regular basis has identified which hazards are relevant to Blandford and the relative risks of those. And we'll get to the um the chart of that in in a minute. Um and
then looking at the town's vulnerabilities. So where are the critical facilities located? Are they located in flood zones? Are they isolated? And in the event of a road washing out, are they going to be cut off? Those types of things. looking at how um vulnerable populations might be
at risk, which isn't as big of an issue for Blandford, but if there was, for example, an assisted living center, things like that, um those would be the types of things that we would consider as well. Um and then an assessment of the town's mitigation capability. So, what is the town currently doing? What
capacity does the town currently have? and then looking at what were the previous strategies from the 2016 plan. Um what is the status of those and then what um what are some new mitigation strategies? Um the timeline we've had um
I believe five committee meetings. Um we'll probably have one more um this is our first public meeting. uh by I'm hoping January, February, we'll have the completed draft um for the committee to review and then we will present that
draft plan to the public in a second public meeting sometime in the spring. Um it will then get submitted to MIMA and then to FEMA. Um I'll make any revisions if necessary and then um get final approval from FEMA which could
take 3 to six months and then the select board would adopt it um and then the town would be eligible to apply for funding. The next page shows the um the committee's determinations for the different hazards. Um location of
occurrence refers to what parts of town would be impacted by it. Um some like dam failure and flooding are more localized. Um but most of these are hazards that would affect the entire town. Um the committee assessed the
probability of a future event. Um the impact that an event would have on the town and then the overall risk. Um and these were all based on the judgment of the committee members and their knowledge of the town. Um and so it five
would be the lowest risk. Um so earthquakes the the committee judged to be um a low risk while um things like flooding um snow and ice storms were were ranked as high risk along with
wildfire um things like that. Um the next slide um shows the process of what types of critical facilities do I identify in the plan. um fire, police stations, emergency operations centers, any anything that's directly related to
emergency response along with um utility infrastructure, communication facilities. Um there aren't any health care or custodial care facilities in town, but those would be included. Um vulnerable population housing, historic structures, and then large places of
employment. um which again is not as relevant for Blandford, but we do note which um what are some of the major employers in town. Um for this process, PBPC produced a map. It's a very small map on this slide, so it's hard to see um but I can send the full-sized one to
anyone who's interested. Um but for part of the planning process, we map um all of the critical facilities. So that would include fire, police station, DPW, um we map all of the culverts in the town, um all the bridges, um anything
that could be impacted by a natural disaster. Um to show where everything is and um and what critical facilities could be in uh potential hazard areas. Um and I I included a detail of the town
center just to give a sense of um what sort of data is shown on the map. Uh the next slide shows the 2016 mitigation strategies. I know they're they're fairly hard to read in this size. Um but one of the things that we
did um as a committee as we reviewed all of these, determine what is the status. Some of these were already completed. Some of them the committee judged to no longer be feasible and they've been removed or consolidated. Um, so what we're now in the process of doing is
refining the what are going to be the actions that are going to be carried over and what are new actions. So we're in in that stage now of determining what actions we want to put forth um in the draft plan for uh for this upcoming plan.
So, that is where um I'm hoping to get a bit of input uh for a few minutes um if the the select board um is is okay with it. Uh to get a sense of what are some areas of concern that the public has? Um are there um specific natural hazards
that you are concerned about as a town? Um are there specific mitigation actions that you would like to see in the plan? um or just any other comments or questions um on the planning process. >> Sure. Um so we can do um I was just
trying to debate if we do the public comment now, but um okay. So if anyone has any specific I guess first off would be any concerns um about natural hazards or climate change impacts on Blford. You wanted to go ahead George.
Go >> ahead. Um, part of the work in Blandford over the past few years has been improving the dirt roads and a lot of the dirt roads are affected or potentially affected by flooding because of beaver dams and I
see that it's on your list here. Um, have you thought about how that can be handled with the P with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission owning most of the property that the Beaver Dams are on? Yeah, we we did discuss that in the
committee meetings and uh the consensus of the committee was to keep that on there. Um and I can perhaps put in some language um if if the committee um would like um saying in collaboration with u sprinkled water and sewer because in the
action chart there is a um a column that says which parties are responsible for it. Um so we could put in there um sprinkled water and sewer as being um a collaborator on that. >> Any other questions on that? Um yes, go
ahead. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um we got some new projects that may be coming in and there's going to be more culverts being put in. Have you taken that into consideration? >> Um so there another one of the action items has been the the ongoing
replacement of culverts. um the culvert assessment um which going forward is going to be an important tool in um for the highway department to determine which ones are the priority culverts. Um so that is it's an older action item but it's one that is going to be carried over and refined a little bit because
the the old action item was to do an assessment of the culverts and now that that's done um the the revised action item will be to implement that plan. Um, sorry, in the back. I saw your hand first. >> Oh, it's just a quick Can you add
Blandford's culvert map that you pulled up and did with all the high priorities to the hazard mitigation plan? >> Um, I can. The the culverts are are on the um the critical facilities map. Um, so it's the same data set. I I think I got pulled from the same data source, so
I think they're all on there. >> Okay. double check because if it was we finished up in June so you might have missed some. >> Okay. >> I just think that would be cool to have in the hazard mitigation. >> Okay. Yeah. >> George,
>> my other concern is that the vast majority of the seniors in Bford do not live in one place. They lived independently and they're often unseen or uncounted or
unidentified. U if there was a major disaster in town, what would be the plan and has there been thought about how to reach out to these people, identify them beforehand and then have a plan to reach out to them depending on their level of
health care um to be rescued so to speak from their situation? Yeah. Um I mean there there is um the existing reverse 911 um as a way of contacting people. Um but I can bring
that up to the committee um and get a sense of is that something the town is currently doing and um and if not is that something that um because I'm also doing a similar project u with Cumington and that almost that exact concern came up and that is going to be one of their action items. So I can bring that to the
committee at our next meeting and and get a sense of that's something that they are already doing or would like to see happen. >> Yeah. Uh question. Uh we have a lot of uh roads that you know they're seasonal
roads you know and uh like we we we have them open in case we get forest fire or something like that. And uh how is is it possible to get funds to bring
these roads so that we can get fire equipment down them if we have them or is is that part of the mitigation? >> Um I believe that could be covered under the mitigation funding if it's something that is related to um wildfire if the
roads are not accessible. Um >> yeah, they're they're there, but we can't maintain. We have enough to maintain without going into the woods. I was just curious if that would be part of it. >> Yeah. And I can bring that up to the committee as well um and see if that if
they if there's a specific action item that we could put in there >> um related to um specifically for wildfire mitigation. >> Yeah. Because they're they're narrow. We have small fire equipment. So we can't get large equipment down the road to
fire. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. Oh, Nicole, >> the critical facilities and populations assets to protect. I noticed that the library is not listed on there. The current library as it stands would not be sufficient to stand as a shelter.
However, the expansion I've been looking at having completed ideally the town's voting for sport um in 2027 move into that library would have the ability to act as a shelter. And we are also evaluating the opportunity to have a um
essentially a switch that would allow us to rent a generator and put a generator on there to allow it to be open to serve people in these circumstances. Um but regardless of that, I noticed that schools is listed on here under healthcare facilities, custodial care facilities and schools. We do not have a small town, but we do have a library. Is
there any way that this could be changed to reflect that? >> Yeah, and this is if that just gives examples, but I do believe the library is on the chart. I will double check that in the actual plan. Um, and it it is on the map, but it might just be covered. Oh, yeah.
>> Yes, it is on the map. Yeah. Yeah. So, it's on the map and it's on the table, too. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Awesome. >> Thank you very much. And so, we'll see you next at the next meeting, your next hazard mitigation. >> Yeah. Perfect. >> Um, yeah. Thank you. And again, my
contact information is on the back the handout. Um, so >> if you want to send that to um you can get that on the website. Is it on there already? >> No, not yet. >> Okay. Yeah, we'll get it on the website as well. So if you you may get more feedback. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you so much.
>> All right. So we are going to go back up to action items and we were looking at reviewing and approving warrant number eight for um payable and wired payments and then the payroll which I have here. Did you do all the motions for the the
meetings? >> Yes, those are all signed up. We bundled them right up for you. >> What is the one that has the false information on the front page, please? I must have changed it already and didn't print it for you guys. >> That
>> uh 22nd. >> Thank you. So, this here, I'll give you this one to look at this. Oh, there's Look at that one. What is supplemental? >> Supplemental.
>> So they must have had to do a second one at this one. >> It's for payroll. Someone's put in late or something. >> Who's it for? Sorry. Right now. >> Well, there's the other table.
>> Yeah. Maybe the account number was >> What was the supplemental payroll warrant for? >> That is something for Ray. >> Oh, yes, that's what it is. We know what it is. >> Oh, that's okay.
That one's to you. We're going to do that. That one to you. Oh, sorry. Did you sign that one? Y >> I did the song. You need this one. off. Sorry. >> You thought that there were three things
to sign in one I ran out of room. >> Um, yeah. You do you mean like where there wasn't a little sign it thing? >> Uh, no. I meant when there wasn't a space. >> Oh, back here. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All in favor?
>> I >> I All right. So, now we have the nomination um for our EPSC group. >> Um Jackie, do you want to go ahead? >> You'll find three. >> Do you guys want to come up real quick? >> Richard Trey
just wants to sit in the back. That's okay. So, Richard, can you say your last name for me, please? >> Um and Trey Gelic. Yeah. And Karen. um all our three interested uh residents
and I am bringing them forth as wanting to appoint them to the committee. Committee has had meetings with them already. >> Great. >> And we're all in agreement that they should join. >> Awesome. >> So, okay. >> Not sure what the board the board just
needs to officially. >> Yeah. No, that's fantastic. I'm glad that you're I'm just curious, how many applicants did you have? Did you have more than four? >> Okay. Okay. Well, that's exciting. Right. >> Um Okay. So, I would um motion to
>> Is it an appointment? >> Yeah. >> Yes. Appoint um Trey Galenic. >> Did I say that? Did I butcher that? >> Um Kartran and Richard Mez and to the um
ES hold Hold on. It's on the other one. >> Energy project committee. Um, and is there's not a term. It's just for as long as it is. Okay. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh, any discussion? >> Nope. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I.
>> Welcome aboard. Thanks. Thanks for volunteering. >> I appreciate it. >> I have your >> great. All right. Awesome. Um, so we're moving on to Oh, sorry. >> Missed the meeting. Um, the next meeting
will be in two weeks. Richard, I'll send you out. >> He'll reach out and let you know. >> Yep. >> All right. Um, so new business we have, um, George and I'm sorry, >> Angela. >> Angela, thank you. Come on down for um
the dirt road project. Um yeah, what was your last name? >> P the show. P A N A C I O N D. >> Thank you. You're welcome. I requested this time of the board
because a lot has happened in the past year regarding the grant and the planning for the resilient dirt roads in Lford and a lot of things have come together simultaneously
in my opinion that are really huge step forwards uh for the town. Um, and I'll outline them a little bit for you in terms of background and where we are today. Um, I think it was
in February I was asked to be the lands on with the Pioneer Valley Planning Group and to work with them in terms of moving the local part of this program ahead. One of the things that we collectively
decide to do is to get some input from the people who live on the dirt roads in Bford because they're the people who have to put up with the conditions whether they're good, bad, or indifferent. We sent out a question. We asked the town clerk for names and addresses for those who live on the dirt
roads and we got 80 names and addresses. We sent out individual questionnaires with staff addressed envelopes to send back the results of a questionnaire which was designed or gain as much input as possible from
the residents. Um the interesting thing I found was that of the 80 we sent out, we received 30 initial responses by the deadline we set and a couple more came floating in after the deadline. We
clearly said on the questionnaire that the information would be shared and this and we asked the people to sign the questionnaire so that they were standing up for what they said in the questions and answers to the questions um which I
think put a lot of people in difficult positions but required a great deal of honesty in their reporting. So we received 37.5% of the re uh of the questionnaires we sent out which is uh in my opinion and
in others opinion a high uh percentage of returns. Um, we learned a couple of important factors and there's whole pack which I assume you've read. >> Y >> um by now and the individual's uh response but a couple things were
interesting that the average uh length of time that a person lived or family lived on a dirt road was 24.5 years almost 25 years they lived in that location. Um we also learned that um
that the conditions that there are conditions that almost all the respondents wanted to see changed and it was to see improvements made on the dirt roads. Um we everything from potholes to delayed plowing to dust
conditions to mud to washboard and wash out conditions. uh deliveries delayed to the homes, uh roads that were too flat in their opinion, blocked culverts and ditches, branches and leaves and ditches, lack of preventative services.
They were all concerns that were listed in by various people who lived in the dirt roads. Um most of the respondents responded accordingly that nine
people or 30% said that the roads had improved in recent years. 30% said they had deteriorated in the last few years and 40% said that they were about the same. So that's what we knew from the respondents. I think the
comments, if you took the comments to heart, people really are concerned about the condition of the roads and where they lived and the fact that they have lived there a long time and are committed to their residents and being part of the community.
Um, we also on a followup to that, this had a June 9th deadline which I think is significant. Um after that we did a follow-up uh questionnaire that we sent out to various um shall we say drivers
who use the dirt roads and these included the state police where we had three officers responding. Uh we sent it to several oil companies who deliver oil to homes in the dirt roads. We had two respondents from them and we had uh uh
the FedEx driver respond and we also had the mail carrier respond. And again the similarity of responses was almost uh universal in terms of the condition of the roads and the identification of the problems on the various roads that they
uh encountered each day of the week. Um from this we took the information or you need that. Okay. Um, from that we took the information and and put it together in terms of what was taking
place. And at the same time, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission along with a couple of other agencies was putting together uh an unpaved roads storm water management tool which turned out to be a beautiful binder
um which has been disseminated as far as I know throughout Western Massachusetts. Um, it I've over the years looked at a lot of instruction binders for various towns in both Vermont, uh, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and by far this is
the most complete one in terms of downto-earth planning and instruction and help for town highway departments. While all this was taking place, all this uh background work, we were very fortunate to hire a very competent
highway superintendent in Ray, um he did not know what was going to come out of our surveys until after he had begun work on the roads in June and July. And as I happened to see him off the road quite a bit, I was well aware that he
had considerable more knowledge than we've seen in the past in terms of the maintenance of the roads, the design of the roads, and the care of the roads. And we saw considerable improvement of the roads during June, July, and August this summer. um most of the things that
our citizens identified were addressed and I was very very pleased to say that and to see that having lived on a dirt road for over 50 years and seeing a lot of mismanagement of the care of the road. Um, so now we're in a position
where we have a a highway superintendent who is competent to deal with the future care of the roads, who has an appreciation of what good road care is, and I think has built a team and is continuing to build a team that also
appreciates the care and the work they're doing. Um, some of the things that I've observed is that they need equipment. Um clearly the greater is far far beyond um its lifespan. U there are other things that would make the care of
the roads uh much better. Um from my perusal of this manual, it's clear that if we're going to save money in the care of our roads, we have to have the proper equipment to do it. And there's certainly financial restraints in terms of what we spend on it. But if we don't
spend a reasonable amount of money on our dirt roads, we're going to be spending more money in in their care. And as we heard earlier, if we have any disasters in town, flooding, uh unusual rainstorms, etc., the roads will require
much more uh repair than they would if they were in good shape when those emergencies happen. So, in a nutshell, this is where we are at this point. Um, Angelina is is here to talk about the Pioneer Valley, what they've been able
to accomplish. Um, she's going to talk about the Wford unre unpaved road field assessment report that we were involved in during the summer and hopefully Ray will talk a little bit about where he is in terms of the roads.
So 2023 2024 you had phase one where we um our transportation department did the assessments and you're provided with that report. Um the recommendations were
basically add gravel to everything. um based on feedback we got from that from our pilot of that we realized we needed to address this very differently. So we partnered with
Franklin region and Berkshire region and that's when we developed this unpaved road storm water management toolkit. Um, and we went from that adding gravel to developing 27 sightsp specific best
management practices. And we field tested the assessments um, in Blandford and in Goian. So, it went from like a eightpage assessment down to a two-page and how to get from um, the tool that is the field
assessment where you walk and you're like, do you have run holes, potting? and you draw a little picture um to picking out BMPPS in a very straight out um non-complicated non-technical way so anybody could do it not even you know
DPWs we were looking more to towards um lake associations uh in towns often are private roads DPWs don't touch and they're dirt and cause a lot of pollution into lakes and ponds so we wanted to have a manual that could
be, you know, that simple that a citizen could with some knowledge, you know, of construction with a bucket loader in appropriate gravel construct some of these on
pound roads as well. Um the so it was not townwide. We only did Blair Road here in Blair Road, Hayden Road.
Um, and Virgil Road was one of the top ones, but we didn't end up doing it because it only had one resident that parks at the end of the road and walks. And it was kind of going to the same road segment about eight different times
and doing the assessments and reformulating them. So, um, then we developed this and for instance, it didn't print well, but so for Blair
Road for this particular segment, those are turnouts. Um, and then we would had a thing. Um, oh, why why am I spacing on what the little piles of rocks are called? Check
dance. There we go. So, for like this super steep segment of Blair Road that's like close to like 15% where the check dams are, adding cross coververts to get the water across cuz that was causing lots
of damage. And then formalizing the two existing turnouts and then we reference what BMP so you can go um all right. So, we're going to put in a culvert, but we want to make sure we're protecting the inlet. And it tells
you how to protect the inlet. Uh what materials you need, dump truck, uh ex one with a articulating bucket. It tells you how to grade it. Two to 6 in diameter stones.
Um if you're at higher than 10%, use 6 to 10 inch diameter stones. So it's like a training video that you guys put together at PDPC level, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And so this just goes over the segments we did and then some of them have
naturebased solutions um that we developed. So geo grids where a section of unfavorable goes through wetlands and it's always wet and always muddy. >> Um and if you were to walk on it, you might know it floats. It feels kind of
like bouncy and it's also an area where you'll dump gravel every year and it just disappears. >> So, putting in those um we did apply for round three but we didn't get funded and we're putting in a new expression of
interest for round three again. Okay. >> Where Blandford would then become a demo site. >> And I believe >> round three is what? >> A demo site. a demo site like a >> site to try. >> Yes.
>> And and what is that exactly and why would we want to do it? >> Um it's money to fix it would fix a section of unpaid roads. >> Okay. >> So it would upgrade it. Yeah. >> Would be donated. >> Um it's a NVP grant again.
>> Okay. >> And I believe it was Blair Road, right? because you're gonna say >> No, it was Julius Hall that I was speaking. >> No, that was the culbert. >> Oh, you're talking about Blair. I went and looked at that hill and it's at least 12 feet to the embankment of the
power line where we're talking and there's no way that we're going to end up digging all the way through when I walked over that hill and throw pipes going out and towards that pond. There's no way it can happen. >> We're going to end up having we'd have to have that shured up. we'd be running
so much pipe >> so >> it wouldn't be that one wouldn't be feasible to do. >> So our next step is you're looking at the applying again and narrowing down the specific section with range that we want to
>> address based on this and feasibility and making sure it's not one that's on list of potential paving >> um for the next couple years. >> Excellent. because it'd be if you put in a geogrid it's decent amount of money
and a lot of work and really really hard to get out once it's in. >> So, >> and you don't grade a geog grid road. You just end up keep adding material. Yeah, you can smoothing the surface with a rake, but the geog grid basically is a checkerboard on the road that's about probably 2 in in height that you you can
get them various heights, but you lay them down. It's a matting that basically holds the stones and the pines from washing away. >> Okay. So with this space, you guys have done a lot of work and you know, yes, we did read all the feedback. So we know
our residents really need the support. However, you also we also agree that Ray's already done a number of these rows that you have noted, right? Have you guys been able to do a reassessment to say, okay, we did this? Because
that's going to happen when your when your project's going along, things are going to get done at the same time. I think it's interesting because of these three factors coming together at the same time. About three weeks ago, I drove all of these roads that were in question. And it's a remarkable
improvement from the where they were in the spring last year and previous years that I've driven these roads. And I think the the the the big difference is the consistency going from what the residents have said to what Rey has been
able to see, what we've seen in our assessment of the road during the time he's doing all this working because we walked some of the roads together and looked at them >> and the three factors coming together I think has made a huge improvement in the
situation for the community. I think if we did another survey next year, I think by and large we would get a pretty close to a unanimous response in terms of improvement of the roads. The thing that that
has come across to me is the team that we now have in the highway department and their growing capacity to grow in skills and use equipment and our responsibility as citizens to support that growth in skills and provide them
with the equipment they need because no matter how well trained they are, if they don't have a grader that works, you're not going to improve the road. and vice versa. And the better equipment if they aren't trained to use it, >> same problem. So it has to be a unified
approach from the town >> to bring along the highway department skills and provide them with the appropriate equipment that they can do the job that will save the town money. >> Yes. I think we all get that. >> Where where I'm sorry, go ahead.
>> Go ahead. You go. >> No. where I was where I'm a little confused or what I would like more understanding of not necessarily in this meeting maybe in another meeting is to say okay here's what our assessment found you have the feedback from our
people but you know PBPC you hired to do something to say these are all the roads we looked at this was the assessment of those roads these roads are now done what's left right because that's where the board comes in to say, do we need to
sequester more money for this? Do I get the whole equipment thing, but there's also, you know, we looked at 50 roads, 40 roads are done, 10 still need to get done. What, you know, how many people or residents on those roads? This is our recommendation for go forward. That way,
we can go to our expert here and say, Rey, where are these on your list? That's what I would want to see. Okay, I'm not hearing that. I'm here. I get the whole training thing, but you know, action is where we want to come.
>> One of the one of the things that uh Ray and I talked about couple of months back was uh the problem is is like you get heavy rain and it washes. Now, >> we talked about uh p putting down calcium chloride,
>> you know, it keeps the dust down. It burns off the road and that, but we need a tanker for that, don't we? >> Yeah. Storage, a storage tank. And then we have a trailer that we'd end up utilizing. >> Yeah. You know, another thing we keep talking about buying equipment in this
town, and I know you're saying proactive about, you know, taking action on stuff, but I love the I love the idea of getting a new grader, and yes, we do need a new grater, but if I we get a new grader, every piece of our equipment is
new. Now, when you buy a new car, you don't want to leave it outside in the elements and let it get faded by the sun. We're just It's costing more to fix this equipment. The hoses are drying out. Yes, the grater is old, but we are we're adding oil to it. We're making
sure everything's greased and we're maintaining it to the best of our ability. Even though the parts aren't available for it anymore, we're maintaining a lot of this stuff. But we need some type of facility so we can actually basically save our investments that we
have for the community of Lampford. So that I really would like to see something going forward with somewhere that we can actually protect our equipment before we start spending more money on equipment because those tanks like how we're talking about the tanks,
>> the storage tank to preserve the road with the uh with the uh magnesium, you got to have it in an enclosed area. At least have a roof on it because the sun it will just dry out tanks and break apart. Uh same thing with the trailer. we let it sit outside,
it's just going to get baited out, dried out, and cracked up. >> That's like things that would be great for the capital improvement plan or anything like that. >> Yeah. Well, uh I think two or three superintendent before you, we we talked about putting
uh >> you know what what do you call >> a lean to? Yeah, like link tube sheds, you know, a whole series of them up by the uh salt shed, you know, where we
could park the stuff underneath the roof. >> We already have the telephone poles. If we got some trusses, we could do that off the side. Uh but thinking ahead a couple years from now, like when Nicole >> buying those conx boxes, get a a you know, a canopy and strap it to the top.
I got storage on the inside and we got something at least that. You know, it's not heated or anything, but if something happens, the guys can pull a truck in and fix a chain or something. Like, you know, >> I've done it before, but if you got to fix something on the side of the road or out in the highway garage parking lot, we do it, you know, but
>> So, there's strong point. >> Yeah. I think Ray's point is that we really got to bite the bullet and build a highway department building to house the equipment and because if we don't, we're just wasting money and let them go down drain. and the time they spend
outside working in the winter time and they don't even have a bathroom to work. >> No, I know. I mean, how how study can we be? >> That's Let's stay on topic. >> Let's not go off topic. >> We're running low on time. >> Oh my god.
>> One thing that uh phase three also is looking into is options for joint and shared uh purchasing. >> Excellent. >> So, you mean for equipment? >> Yeah. Not so equ
was there more that you wanted to bring into that or just keep that in mind. >> No, I I have a a list of the culbrates that need attention. uh nothing's like collapsing in the road, but you know, we can plan
accordingly uh with what I have for funding and what we can end up doing as a department. You know, it's a great tool to go off of. Uh that's one thing I can say. I'm thankful for that. Um definitely having the residents sending
in the questionnaire and hearing their concerns and uh it really it was nice to see the ones that really do appreciate us and see they notice the highway department out there, you know,
doing the work. Some I think they're misled by their eyes to be writing what they're writing in this questionnaire. >> Yep. But uh you know it's public information. If people want to read what people wrote, they more than you know
they can. I'm not going to read it out. >> No. >> But uh I did kind of want to >> to make sure that Angela gets her time here. Also is that you had this you were in this project and George. Um, is there
anything that you feel that we need to know that you haven't already said? >> Oh, about May I pipe in on this? >> You may. Yes. >> Phase three on how the federal funding isn't there. So, we could apply for a
project. We could end up getting the basically the uh groundwork, the studies done, right? That's what we're talking about. >> Are you talking about the culvert? >> Yeah. like up on it's like a we're saying or a >> separate. So also part of this was a
>> explain >> um townwide covert assessment and prioritization plan. >> So with this new expression of interest for the climate onetop they put the covert replace municipal replacement assistance grant
in. Um I was going to work with Ray to submit on that. It is no match and it'll be for field design and prelim uh yeah field survey and preliminary design for to replace the culvert on Julius Hall
Road cuz it meets a lot of the top priorities that the state is looking for. It's on a cold water fisheries resource. Okay. >> There's several residents on the road. >> Okay. >> So that would move that forward because Yeah. Um, as Derek was saying, you know,
the hazard mitigation thing is wonderful, but with the government currently not funding FEMA or bit grants or anything like that, we had to find other ways to mitigate against disasters and do it
before the disaster happens because those are sort of the disaster happened and then we fix. So, we're trying to be proactive. And this one is in really bad shape. It's all separated inside. There's water coming out of the sides. It's just >> Okay.
>> Yep. So, we will work together and apply for that one. >> Excellent. Thank you. Um, are we good for is there anything else that you guys >> No, that's that's all I have to bring to the table. And this concludes my role which should have ended June 30th.
>> Okay. Thank you for your work, George. >> Um, I'm not going to take comments from the audience until the public comment section. Okay. Sorry. to the third. >> Okay. Um All right. So, thank you guys very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Um you have next on the agenda the 351 MMA conference. Is it time to find out? >> It is time to sign up. I don't know if you guys got this, but >> October 31st is the last day. And I don't know, have you done this in the
past? This is a um this is to recognize outstanding work. No, we don't have to do it. >> This is not the >> No, this is January. >> Oh, okay. >> This is for if you want to submit
to them. >> Um which is, you know, I'm saying it's kind of too late now because it's April 30, October 31st for a submission to get awarded >> innovation things, but we shouldn't be thinking about this stuff, right? to get
Lancers on the map. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I don't know why I got it. >> Yeah, >> you guys didn't get an email on this. >> I don't think so. >> Well, I'm gonna keep it. If you want to keep it just to read it, you can read it. >> Um, but bottom line, it's if you're
doing something innovative in your town, >> it gives the town some >> advertisement, right, at a Boston level, which is what we want. You want the town to be >> I don't know what time they've got on the map. We've got a lot to go over. >> Yeah. Well, that's that's a whole
different thing. >> Okay. Okay. But that's just that. Um really quick upset upset. >> Yeah. >> EPS. >> Um just really quick, we have met a couple of times,
>> right? The committee has met a couple of times. We're now really focusing um on bylaws bylaws and any conditions that we want to put under any in a pilot in future whatever. >> Um so that's kind of where we're at and this is you guys know
>> involved with the possible moratorum type of bylaws or separate >> totally separate. So the moratorum allows time right and in that time when the lawyer was here when Mark was here last time he said focus on your bylaws
to make sure you have strong bylaws. For example in our bylaws today it says 90% of our correct >> right we want to look at that. So, we're I'm kind of like breaking that down with the team and we're going to come back >> to you guys with Bust to us.
>> Okay. Possible bias just to move it forward. >> Um, any questions on that? >> No, just so you know where it's at. Next is the letter to Springfield Water. >> I put together a letter. Um, I changed it a little bit since the team has seen
it, but it's basically the same. Um, it should have a copy of it. Should have a copy of it. Go ahead. >> The letter um the team had talked about this uh you know yes we have um uh
you know certainly through our connection with spring water they've been notified but there's not been any kind of formal notification from us as the board >> for them to take responsibility accountability coming in here and doing an analysis themselves.
>> Yeah. So thought is, you know, send them this, send it to the surrounding towns that actually use >> Hubba Mountain um to ensure that we've officially communicated and no question, they should come in here and have a
dialogue about it. >> Yeah, >> that's pretty much it. Now, I signed it for me on behalf of the board. >> That's great. Um if that's okay. And we'll Yeah. We'll have them send me whatever they want and then I'll get with you know, we'll we'll get with them. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> So, you're going to execute. Yeah. >> Dad that did the same thing only this will be official from the town. >> That's correct. >> Yeah. >> Um it was interesting because I did join what you joined one of the meetings,
right? >> Yes. Um, and when they wanted you to speak, they wanted to talk to the people that were elected first before they would talk to citizen residents, which I found kind of interesting since they're not in this world normally. >> Yeah.
>> And it just conveyed to me the necessity for if towns are going to get involved, their select boards need to get involved to get involved. Yeah. >> Um so that's that the we talked briefly, you know, on the $200,000
there. Um there's going to be times when we do need to talk to legal through um Christina >> tough to do to come in and say, "Well, I want to talk to them." And then wait five days to come in here and ask for approval to take the money. So, we just
talked and we're going to go ahead and if we have questions, she'll get them answered. But I really would like to see legal billis kind of under a different code so we could keep all the solar related stuff and everything in one. >> Okay, that makes sense. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Okay. Um, understand who's responsible for negotiating with vendors are in a pilot. Uh we don't need to answer that one right now, but >> we've hired um someone in the past. He was fantastic. Um yeah, that worked with us for the
>> sun the solar and um I'm sure that we can find that information. >> Oh, great. >> Yeah, he did a great job for us. >> Perfect. Let's do that. >> I don't like that in little tax and stuff. >> That's what it is. >> Find up on the bottom on that. >> No, no, no, we don't.
>> No, we don't. In actuality, Frank did a good job on it. >> Well, when you said always with this last solar negotiations, we have we taken like $200,000 a year most recent. >> 245. >> Yeah. >> So, >> it's 200 from all the solars right now,
but free water pays about 250. >> Yeah. >> That's why it's starting to hire someone to help us put these together instead of however we did it back in the the day with Cabo Mountain, obviously. Well, no. I I I understand that, but when you hire
somebody, you pay them. So, >> it was a minimal fee. It was a minimal fee. >> Yeah. It was not a lot at all. Yeah. >> No. And it was it was definitely worth it for us because we ended up doing much better than I think we >> once the negotiation is done, does it
come before the block board and the town for approval? >> I think there's still Yeah, it should. >> Okay. >> Oh, well, come before us. Yes, absolutely. It comes before us. >> Yeah. The other thing that we're going to do with the committee is we're investigating what are all the pilots out there today even in other towns.
What are the deals that are being struck so we get a better feeling for you know what are we doing >> if that if it gets to that if it gets to that point we need to be prepared. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um but we won't nothing can be signed
without you. Yeah. Um the understand the outcome of the questions around 61A tax status as it relates to commercial solar. I did talk to Christina a little bit about that. I'm still on the fence but legal saying they could do it which
is this is the uh situation where I'm in >> smart program. It's different. It's 61A. It's not 61B. Okay. Sorry. >> Right. Right. Okay. >> Um >> right right. I think there needs to be some more discussion and dialogue though with this group so you understand it.
>> Um, and I understand it fully and I understand legal reasons for going one way or the other. Um because the data I'm I'm still getting from my from my perspective I'm getting a little bit still of conflicted
>> thoughts on it >> which 61A is if I'm in agricultural >> correct >> right and under normal conditions if you sell it or lease it and do something different on it you have to pay the back taxes on it for five years back five
years back taxes and the town has the ability to Now also >> but smart program adds a whole another element of >> in order for it to remain agricultural though a certain amount of that solar
has to go to the farm. >> Correct. >> Uhuh. >> Well, not under the smart program. >> Not under the smart program. That's why this has come up and it's >> who came up with the smart program. The state. >> Yes, sir. Got it. So yes, under uh it's called dual use for solar and you are
right in some conditions it does it has to um power the farm right. Yeah. >> And you can't make more than 125% of your total usage. All this stuff 100% correct >> except for >> except for uh if you are enrolled in
this smart program uh which is again a state thing, right? So if they qualify to be in the smart program, they so do not have to come out of 61A. They can stay. It's dual use. It's not a change of use and the power does not need to
power the farm and it has nothing to or the land whatever's there. Uh and you do not have to there's no cap on how much energy you can generate. So that's why there was a lot of back and forth with this. You're absolutely correct too, Jackie, because the way that it reads uh
is is >> still confusing. >> It's confusing. If you were to just read it, you would say, "Oh, they can't do this because it's not, you know, it's not powering the farm and it's certainly going to create more than 125% of the energy used, which was what I had
thought too." However, I spoke to people um from the state, DOR and DLS, lots of acronyms. Um, I spoke with our attorneys and they have both said the same thing that as long as we have paperwork >> with their application from the state
that says they qualify like a predetermination qualifier for this smart program, then they can proceed and stay in chapter 61A and it's not a change of use. >> Okay. Now, leads to another question. Does this uh 61A
with the uh smart deal, whatever you want to call it, >> uh that has to be put in when they reply when they apply for the permit or can they apply for the permit and then go apply for the smart. >> So that's again a little two-part and
it's confusing, but I will explain it. So >> thank God. support. >> So when they currently there there is one that is in front of um the planning board right now. Okay. So they are considering it and and so with their
package we are asking them to give us this predetermination letter from the smart program saying that they qualify. Right. So you that's like a pre-qualification thing. Yes. It's before the permit is issued. We are asking for them to give that to us to
show that they have done their work with the smart program and that they will likely qualify. >> My understanding is the smart program operates a lot sort of like 61A in the fact that every year you have to come and you know fill out your paperwork for 61A to make sure that you still qualify
and and all of that. They will have to do that now with the state for the smart program. So although they are not in they they have not gotten the final determination from the smart program to to know that they're in it right it's just the pre-qualifier right now they
will have to produce a document uh showing that they 100% are in the smart program in order for this all to be >> and that's yearly just like 61A
>> that's weird one year you you're in one area out. >> Well, so there's there's caveats to being in the smart program. Like you have to you still have to produce like x amount of money from the farm. So like if he's selling the hay or if you're selling whatever you're making, you have
to show >> that you you taking in x amount of dollars. I don't know the dollar amount off the top. It's small. It's a nominal amount. >> All right. >> Um just to show that that you're still >> that you're producing something and they could culture. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. that makes it a little more understandable,
>> right? But you know, I mean, it really it gets complicated with all these nuances that we're finding out as we go along, but it's important to have these discussions amongst us so there is no question. We understand what's going on. Yeah. Right. >> Um so anyway, that's kind of where
that's at. It does put them into a position of having to take another step, >> basically. Okay. Um, so just a couple things for the next special town meeting. Um, the water department had a meeting with the water department the other day.
It is very possible they're going to come to the board uh with needing funds out of their own funds, by the way. Okay. I've gone through that with with >> they may have to borrow. I'm not sure yet, but just be aware that's going to
happen. So on a special town meeting I sent him a note today and said you got to get this done because we have special town meeting before they know it. >> Yeah. >> Oh, they want something on the warrant because I we're going to have to do that pretty soon. Like it's got to be posted by November 3rd.
So okay. Uh what is this? This is not me. possible approval for money for the water department under review by the water. >> That was me. >> Okay. >> The last uh two I believe are Nicole.
>> Oh, Nicole. >> Can I sit next to you, Mary? >> Imagine if she said no. >> Lots of overdue finds. That would be what happened. power. Um, so I'm here today because the
library is reaching the end of the beginning of our planning and design phase. Um, or the beginning of the end, I suppose. Um, and we do not necessarily we don't need a vote from the select
board because you voted to be able to let us do this when the town voted um, in March of 24. But I just wanted to keep everybody in the loop of what was happening. Um, so all of the community design uh programs have been done. All of the information has been um compiled
and tomorrow I will be submitting to the MBLC our packet of plans and designs for the upcoming library expansion. Um, these have all been present at our um library. They've been in the town hall. Um, I've been practically wearing them
outside as a sandwich board. uh we've been trying to make sure that everybody in the community has had the opportunity to interact with us and the architects and the OPMS to make sure that these plans reflect every um person's needs for the community. Um so we'll be
submitting that information and there is one thing that is kind of like our little snag that came up um and that is parking. And as you know, the current library has
a um a relatively appropriate lot for the size of the building, but with the new building, they're anticipating obviously an increase in traffic. And they have a minimum stipulation of um one site, one parking lot spot that is
not a a set aside accessible spot. So limiting that accessible spot from the count per certain number of square feet. And the way that our um building is coming out, it looks like we will need 14 parking lot spots. Okay,
>> we currently have 10 with an additional one for um ADA accessibility. So, we have 10 spots that can count forward at least 14 planned on our site. Mhm. >> In order to make the MBLC's um requirement fit, we need to identify
four additional parking lot spots that could be used for library patrons. This does not have to necessarily be on the physical property of our library. Um it can be street parking. It could be parking in an off-site area that is
walkable. Um, and the most logical and accessibly sensible route in my mind would be that people oftentimes park in Glasgow when we have events. Um, because, you know, that's Glasgow right
next to it. >> It's the one that the library parking lot is off of currently. >> Oh, >> yeah. So, that that is a dead end street. Um, and that seemed to me to be the most logical place to have this overflow parking, if you will. So, it would be four additional spaces that would be allowed for parking on Glasgow.
We don't need to put signs on them. We don't need to do anything. All we need to do is say four cars can park on Glasgow and that is considered part of the library parking. Um, and in the future, we will not take the reason that they make you do this is because in
previous library projects, there will be things like a rail trail that will then happen after the library is built. they'll put a rail trail by and then all of a sudden it's like oh no we're going to label this as rail trail parking only and it's like no this is the library's parking so they just want to make sure that this is um acceptable by the town
powers that be >> so they request that I submit a letter from either the select board or the planning board the previous letter that I looked at that they showed me um was a mayor had signed it um so it doesn't have to be from anybody like super
specific it just has to be from somebody that represents the town okay Um, so I have drafted the letter and in this letter I also put that there are parking spots also available at town hall located 500 feet from the library. >> It is 586 ft.
>> And um the post office lot which is 256 ft away as well. And that those parking lot spots are not claimed by the library but that just completes the picture of what parking is available in the community. Yeah >> because they just need to see that there's parking available. >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> Glad.
>> Yes. Let's go back to that for a second. >> Yes. >> Is this in front of anybody's house or anything like that? >> Well, there are houses on Glasgow, but it would not be like in front of Tracy's driveway or something. I did print out on Glasgow a section of street that is
112 ft. It's 112.7. >> Here's where I'm going with this. Yes. You know, I mean, it would be, here's my two cents on it, is that it would be better to be able to specifically tell them they could park in the town hall. Reason why I say that somebody sells
their property, we've got traffic sitting on the front of their house and they don't like it. Then all of a sudden, we don't own that property, do we? >> Well, we own the road. We road. But you can't That's But still, it would be on
the road. >> Yeah. As long as you're not encroaching on anybody's end um curb cut, right, and they can get in and out of their driveway, there's not much they can do. >> I know it's not much they could do. I just don't I don't want to later on hear
about it from an from a resident that we got people, you know, because you're saying the traffic's going to increase, so you have to assume they're going to use that. >> Yeah. Correct. Yeah. So, is there is it does it mean that we can't just say your
secondary place to the MBLC is the town hall or do you have to put Glasco? >> I'm not certain what the parameters are for them allowing it to count as library parking if it's a >> counting.
>> Yeah. Like I don't know if they would require there being four signs on spots saying like this is library parking. >> Um so I'm not certain of the parameters. >> I mean people have parked on the road forever. >> Yeah. access.
>> I I think though in in your application, >> I think one of the questions that would be raised if it was raised would be if uh police and fire apparatus could >> Yeah, that was going to be my >> Yeah.
>> able to pass while cars parked there. So, um I guess that's what I'm wondering is how do how how would you like me to specify that? And like this section that I've like put out here, it's actually Mary's garden is what borders that. Love
you, Mary. Um so I and that would actually be the average parking spot measures at most 25 ft long. So this would be leaving um 12 feet on either you know on one end or the other six feet on both ends.
>> I guess it would be like um just asking Ry the width that is needed for emergency vehicles to get by and making sure that >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So I whatever the the numbers are. The only other comment I was going to make was that post office parking I think is
technically the bsentennial park parking just FYI. It doesn't belong to the post office. >> Okay. So it belongs to Bazentennial Park. So therefore, >> it's town >> it's town parking. >> Correct. >> That is a very important distinction. Thank you so much because I definitely want to make sure that that reflects
that. >> Okay. Um in which case >> Okay. I have a question. >> Yes. >> Sorry. No. >> So you're saying that if we ever wanted to sell the building there? >> That's the problem. That's a whole Yeah, that's a whole discussion for another day. But yes, that's Well, I'm just
asking. Yes, that's the problem we keep running into. >> Yes. >> So, what building? >> Okay. >> The post office. >> Okay. I would like >> No, it's the post office has no parking attached, but yes. And I thought of something I didn't want to talk to you about, but Yeah. No. >> So, um I obviously need to make an edit
on this so that I do not put post office lot. I can put the um park lot. Yeah. Um, with that and with that alteration, I also wanted to put how many parking spots were available at the town hall just for a complete thing and I wasn't sure if anybody knew how many number
together >> at the town hall parking lot. Do we know how many parking lots? >> Yeah, we did the lines over there. So, >> okay. I mean, >> okay. >> Um, and then Rey, as the highway department, it would be important to have I think that you're you would be a
very valid person to have signness as well. has to do Glasgow and then >> and then add to Glasgow. Yeah. And then do in the addition of the other ones. >> So I could have Ray sign this and then could I tomorrow find somebody at the select board who would be willing to sign this or Christina? Christina,
you'll be our >> as long as Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you so much. I really appreciate um your your work and I just wanted to give a really quick very brief sorry about everybody who's waiting a very brief timeline of what's the upcoming um situation for the library in lie of the um vote that you have on the
agenda. So we um we sub we're going to be submitting our packet of information tomorrow and from that point the MBLC who's the branching authority has two weeks to review that information and give us feedback on any of the building program plans that we have that they
find need alterations. Um at that point those plans will be accepted and like that's what it is. Um and then we are responsible for having an estimate done through the estimating service with the
um with the architect through DR. That estimate will come back to us, but it will not have necessarily all of the um soft costs itemized in a way that is um super accurate, right? Because they're not responsible for that. That's our
owner's project manager. They have experience with that. So that person then comes and we figure out like furniture and everything like that. We've already started that process, so we're ready to hit the ground running when that estimate comes back, right? >> The estimate will come back to us and then we send that estimate to Andrea at
the um MVLC, she is our grant coordinator there. I should mention that when when our OPM is talking to us about this cost estimate and making sure that everything contingencies and all these other things are all perfectly lined up, Dave Hopson will also be part of that conversation to make sure that he is um
you know aware of what's happening as the chair of the building committee. So he'll be able to navigate that conversation with us and he knows obviously the situation of the town and he was been part of this process since the beginning. >> Um at that point that number will go to Andrea at the MBLC. she puts through
this big cost estimator machine thingy that they have. It's really just a spreadsheet. Um, and that will give her the amount of that cost that is eligible construction costs, right? So, 100% of the construction costs that are eligible
for the MDLC to pay, >> she'll get that number. >> We do not yet know what this number is. We do not know what any of the numbers are. >> Um, at that point, she will say Blamford has a 75% grant for the eligible construction
costs. This is what that 75% of those 100 eligible construction costs comes out to being. >> The town will be responsible for the 25% of eligible construction costs not covered by the grant. >> And then the FMF, which is the furnitureures, fixtures, things like that. Um the finishes.
>> So those costs and the um 25% of the eligible building costs, right? >> Interest, >> pardon me. >> And the interest Um, that's not at this point. I do not believe she is calculating in the interest. Which interest you mean? I'm sorry.
>> On the money that they're putting in from a grant standpoint. There's interest that you we have to pay because they're not paying the whole grant right away, right? >> Um, hold on, Jackie. Yes, you are not wrong, but that's not what this number comes out to be. So, like that's just
what is it going to >> Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. Like that's a very different thing. And we also earn interest on the grant funds that they give us. So the $80,000 that they give us is an interest bearing account. So we've already earned I want to say like >> $2 to $3,000 on interest on that money
in addition to what they've given us. So like there's interest in both ways. um interest earned and then interest acred that we did, right? Okay. So, anyways, now we have this number that is the number that the grant covers and the number that the town covers.
>> And the MBLC then passes that number on to their executive board. That happens on November 25th. November 25th, they get that number. It's now like in their request pile. December 4th, the MBLC Executive Board of Commissioners meets
to vote to give the town that amount of money. They love doing it. It's not a question of whether or not it'll happen. Um, and that money is already set aside for us, like the biggest possible number they could fathom because they have this huge pot of money. Okay? >> And our portion is in that pot. >> Okay. >> Um, they vote to make that number
official on December 4th. We are then able to vote immediately after. If we wanted to have a vote December 5th at 7 a.m., we could, but we vote. So, we can have that vote on December 9th because we know the number that will be voted
on. on Mar on November 25th, we can have a town information session on December 2nd as we've always done before to make sure that people understand exactly what the costs are, why these are the costs, what will be covered, what the burden on the town will be in terms of the
financial impact, the interest, all of those squiggly little numbers can be promoted to the town in a way that makes them easily understandable. and we'll have all of our building representatives available at that meeting to make sure that we can answer everybody's questions a full week before. Let people go home,
think about it, marinate on it, and then come back the next week to vote. >> So, you're saying there's we need to schedule a special town meeting. >> Yes, that is what all this is leading up to. I'm very sorry about my long-winded route. >> That's okay. >> I just wanted you to understand the full picture and all of the different domino pieces that are getting us to that date.
>> Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, we would like to have a town meeting >> y >> on December 9th, which is a Tuesday at the regular town meeting time, >> and have an information session the week before, which would be December 2nd. >> Okay. >> Um,
>> so I will just say that, and I know that Dave knows this and it'll be handled, but so I just we need to have all of the and Mary knows this too, so I don't know why I'm even saying it, but so the warrant needs to be posted two weeks in advance of December 9th. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. And that warrant will have on it
those numbers because the numbers are due to the MBLC on the 25th. So that is two weeks ahead of time and we will know what those numbers are even before that. Okay. >> Um like by a day or so because Andrea will have to have those numbers ready
for the executives. So excel has lined up. Everything is there. Um are there questions that you have about the process about the thing that um the MBLCP level of design confirmation which pretty much just says the building says
what it's going to say. It's you know what it does. Um I do have this available and then it uh Christina was said to be a responsible municipal official. >> Is that acceptable for Christina to sign the form? >> No.
>> Okay. Um, does anybody have questions about what this is and how we got here? >> No. >> I brought some beautiful boards for you to look at. >> I know. You've been you've been so informative the whole way. I don't think >> the finance first though. >> Pardon me. >> I mean, ever the finance first. I have
to you I'm just gonna >> throw a couple things in there, which is, >> you know, as soon as we should as a board look at the finances at least before it goes to town, number one. And um has there been any discussion?
Because you don't have a number. It's kind of hard to discuss anything, right? Yes. At what point are we going to talk to Treasury and you know to look at this and say because you know obviously there's lending involved. >> So >> we don't know what the rates are going to be. I mean those things that go
through my mind. It was such a short tight timeline. A few things already happened and and this happened when we applied for this grant in March of 24. Okay. Before we were allowed to apply for this grant, we had to sit down with the finance committee, which there was
one at the time. Um and we had to have our treasurer discuss with our finance committee and our um like the MBLC state authorities >> um what this project could possibly cost given the maximum amount of square feet.
>> Yep. >> Right. So that number which was the worst case scenario have has had project escalation cost for five years and hours will be done in two years. So that was like an extreme worst case scenario because they used the worst number they could imagine and over the most amount
of time and the biggest amount of square footage they could think of with the most problems, right? The number they came up with that they floated to the finance committee, which I'm not actually even allowed to say because it's not like even like a real number. It's just like this worst case scenario number. They had to have the finance committee before they would give us this
initial planning and design grant come up with a plan for how this could look for the town to make sure it was not going to place an undue burden on the town for the taxpayers. And that was a contingency for us applying for this grant in the first place is the finance committee had to sign off saying that this would not be an undue burden on the
taxpayers and that the um bonding and um financial scaffolding structures of the town could withstand any of this impact. So they already did that. case scenario >> and that was the worst case scenario. And I will tell you right now, we are four months ahead of schedule currently um from what was intended to be the
deadline for us. So our deadline is December 31st, but then there's an additional one month like to get it in >> and we are now in getting this into them October 21st. >> Um and with that comes um you know some obvious like decrease in the amount of
money that we spent in this award which means that any portion of the towns goes right back into the town. Right. Okay. >> So, we are looking at being under budget for the entire project as well and earlier than we anticipated based on how fast this process moved so far. Knock on
wood. Um, so it's been established to already be affordable. Then Dr. Hopson came along and did Hopson magic and he already in last uh town meeting the um the not the special town meetings but
the town meeting in uh June, he had put aside into a library building stabilization account the amount of money that it would take to fund this project and bridge the gap between the grant and the estimated costs for that year in a library building stabilization
account. So that money was voted on. I think it was $125,000. I the number might be a little bit different. >> That sounds perfect. >> Bringing our account up to $130 something,000. And that money was specifically voted in
into the library building stabilization account to act as a buffer to not have to increase anybody's taxes for this first leg of the project to get us to agree. >> Yes. not saying like you know forever but this first leg of the project so
that way we can use that as a buffer and not have to um impact towns people. Additionally he has worked out an amount of money that would need to be put into that stabilization account to prevent that from happening in the future as well. So he has done hops and magic um
that is with the grossly overestimated cost package that was delivered. So, we're trying to make sure we do everything to mitigate this to be an impact on taxpayers in advance and to make sure that the town does not, you know, the library does not, you know, want to hurt the town.
>> And we will talk about the numbers when we vote on the warrant before the warrant gets posted. We will see all the numbers. >> Absolutely. We'll come to you as soon as we have them. Um, we just don't want to come to you before we have them because then we're having a conversation about things that don't exist. >> Not even Right. Don't bother. >> Yeah. I don't I would hate to do that to
make anybody feel like nervous or excited and then have an alternate but I really appreciate all of your very >> you've done a great job on all of this you have. >> Thank you. >> I it doesn't happen from just me. It's everybody in the entire library sphere right now. So thank you all so much and
I appreciate you listening and taking your time. >> I'll do tomorrow for signing online. Thank you so much. >> And all right Christina you're up. Okay. So, >> uh tentatively I believe the date for
the fall the first fall special town meeting well hers will be in military uh will be November 17th. I checked this with the Dave Hopson town clerk >> calendar. >> Okay. >> And they're all okay with that.
>> And this is going to be a 7 o'clock. Yes. 7:00 because we'll meet with six with the attorney. Okay. >> Yeah, we had that. >> Yes. >> I'm just going to put in my calendar. Well, >> okay. >> Go ahead. >> Uh I have a draft of the warrant. I'm
still waiting for feedback from legal. So, it's not been distributed yet. It's not ready. Okay. But the main focus is of course the moratorum. >> Yep. >> And obviously that's most important. The other things are bills of prior year and
um some tweaks to our existing bylaws. Um but we'll see. I'm not sure. >> We're going to table the notice of intent to convert still to have more meetings with legal and uh conservation.
We have two interviews on Wednesday for the assistant treasurer collector position. Um, also on Wednesday I'll be going to the small town administrators uh meeting in Bernardston. So once I get
back Fernson Fernson. Yeah. >> No, it's not. >> Yeah. Right off in 91. >> Okay, that's fine. Um, so after that I will be here for for the interviews. Um Um, excuse me. The interviews when are
we? Wednesday. >> Sorry. No, that's okay. Uh, we received the thought past Wednesday. >> Oh, no, no, no. This coming. We received the final piece of documentation that we needed in order for the assessor's um
contract to be signed moving forward. >> Uh, it was their certificate of insurance that legal was asking that we needed. Um, Mark has signed off. It's He's approved for the form and so it just needs
>> I should probably not sign in pink. >> Red pens over there. >> No, I No, we're good. >> I brought my own, but it's pink. All right, continue. >> No, stop. >> Um, >> how much did it go up?
>> Um, oh, so it the it actually >> expired as the right word. The contract should have been renewed in July, right? So what we're paying for fiscal year 26 is the same. >> Oh, but then after that in fiscal year 27 it's 40.
>> It goes up $1,000. >> So yes, in fiscal year 26 it's 43,000. In fiscal year 27 it's 44,000 and in fiscal year 28 it'll be 45. Uh,
we got an email from Maya regarding the retirees health benefits >> and it went up quite significantly. >> Yeah. Um, I did submit it so that our retirees can continue to get benefits, but I just felt that the select forge
could be aware of the percentage cases just skyrock. >> Yes, it really has. >> And we have this within our budget. I mean, or do you think we're going to have >> We did. So, when we did the budget, I had spoken with Wendy Terrell from Maya.
Okay. as well as Sarah. And we um allotted for an increase because we knew there was going to be increases across the board. >> Okay. >> We Oh, and we did that for normal if I remember, right? Sure. >> So, uh there's been some discussions
about the need for a town planner. >> I have drafted an RFP if you guys want to take a look at it. I don't know if that's the direction you guys want to go in, but it's an option. I've already put it together, so >> Okay. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. >> Uh, we got a letter from Eversource.
In the next few months, we will be upgrading your meter to a smart meter. >> I'm sure all residents have gotten this, too. I've gotten it at my own home. >> Um, so smart meters. >> Almost there. Anything else? Oh, on October 7th, I had reached out to
Citypoint to sort of re ignite this conversation. So, as you know, I've already spoken with Won and Samson. >> They gave me back, you know, what their pricing would be for the feasibility study. We can't really do anything without our OPM. So, I wanted to reach out to our OPM to see where we're at,
like go go over some of the financials, what's left. That was on October 7th. I have not heard back from them. I reached out again today. Still nothing. So, >> oh, >> I I I think that tells us something. >> Oh, I think that is pretty much it for me.
>> Okay. Um, >> I mean, we might want to follow it up with an escalation to somebody higher in the organization to say, are you interested in continuing business with us or not? If not, we'd have to take that all the way.
>> Yeah, >> that would really stink at this point. But >> it would, but I'm not there. >> No, I mean >> they would have to refrain somebody anyway. >> I just would like to wait until we go into the next phase. >> Okay, I afraid.
>> Yeah, I guess we do need to get clarification. >> By the time we get clarification, we'll be a year about it. Did did um California uh send you a copy of their feibility study? >> No. >> No.
>> I know they said they would, but >> uh do we have any public comment? We're in the public comment section. Kate, >> I just had um two suggestions requests on the um dirt roads. Uh and I did speak
with Gilbert and the UBTC gal. First of all, um the assessors need to be they need to contact the assessor's office for property owners, not the town clerk for residents because there are plenty
of people. Some live out of town who pay taxes on pieces of land. Um they people come up to go crosscountry skiing to maybe do things in their brooks. Um people have wood lots. So there are
there are impacts on dirt roads for property owners as well as residents. So just a suggestion on that. There are summer residents and sometimes they're around when people who commute every day aren't around and they they observe. And
also um the other thought is we used to have road bonds when big equipment logging trucks and so on came in and um I I remember I think Rainey maybe um a year ago brought that up at a town at a
soboard meeting and I think that's a great idea to bring that back. Um, a lot of these folks who drive this big equipment, big tractor trailers and so on know this and they put a bond up if they're doing say a logging um job, they
put it in and then the highway superintendent checks the road at the end. If everything's good, they get it back. If there are issues, that money is there to do the repairs so that the highway guys don't have to do it or we don't have to find extra money. So I I
just would make that suggestion. Um the dirt roads can be really muddy and and so on. You've got watershed owners on some dirt roads as well. So those just those two thoughts. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um George,
>> small housekeeping item. Um, someone turned the security lights off in front of the fire training center and I don't know where or who has authority to go in there to turn them back on, but they should be on because they had a lot of safety light to that parking lot at
night, especially for people pick up their mail and so forth. >> Okay. Thank you, Mary. >> Uh, just a a point of order for the board. I'm sure you're aware, or if you're not, you should be aware that zoning bylaws by law must go through the
planning board. >> Y Karen, am I saying that right? Karen. >> Yeah, Karine. >> Karine. >> Karine. Yeah, it's okay. Either way, >> I I know what Karen said. I confuse it. I apologize. >> October 30th meeting. Could you explain
to me what that is? because I thought it was to vote on a memorandum, but now it's not to vote on a memorandum. It's to vote to vote if we want to have a meeting. >> So you're talking about the Sure. So you're talking about the planning board meeting >> for >> Right. Yes.
>> That's the town. It's for the town, right? >> On the moratorum. >> On the moratorum. Yes. >> So the date that you're talking about, that's the planning board. So when >> Oh, okay. >> Yep. So there's no vote that's going to take place at that meeting. >> Oh, all right. The vote that will take place is, I believe, going to be
November 17th. Um, actually feel pretty confident in saying November 17th because everybody has agreed to it. So, >> November 17th will be where residents can vote. The planning board meeting is not a vote. >> It's just a a public meeting. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Based on the moratorum. >> Okay. Because I write signs. I want to make sure I get people involved in the right thing and I didn't want to publicize something that was wrong. >> But confirming
>> and also um another question I was at the conservation meeting the other day and they seemed to be really scuffling for some help and I was wondering I had mentioned it to Christine and she thought maybe the board was full and we weren't sure how many are supposed to be on that
committee. >> Yeah. So Oh yeah. Yeah. So, you obviously got my response email. I'm still trying to sus this out because our bylaws say three, >> but >> we currently have four. >> Four. Okay. >> But we're only supposed to have five
>> according to our bylaws. >> So, >> I thought it was five. >> I always thought it was five. >> Yeah. Cuz they asked for help when I was there. They they said you're going to have me. Okay. >> Wow. >> Wow. There's something changing and I'm not sure if they even know. >> They don't. So, I Yeah.
So, uh, one of the potential things I may add to the draft of the special town meeting warrant is an article that adjusts the number of members. >> Okay. >> But this just came to my attention today. So, I'm trying trying to figure it out the best I can. I've spoken with town clerk. They don't have any notes
showing that this was ever changed. I think people were operating under the assumption that it's five and they just kept doing it. >> We just >> Okay. Okay. >> That's why they're asking for cleaning, right? >> Uh, yes. That's probably what >> so once that if we get that changed and put on a a warrant.
>> Yeah, I would put it on the November 17th, >> then we would have to probably reappoint the fourth person. >> I'm not sure. I can always ask legal the correct way to go about that >> to kind of be careful. Okay. Um are we doing this executive session? Do we >> right?
>> Yes. >> Um all right. So um we are going to adjourn to go into executive session not to reconvene um in accordance with general law C3A
section 21 A2 to discuss strategy sessions in preparations for negotiations with non-UN personnel or to conduct collective sessions for contract negotiations. >> She made a motion. You have to >> favor
says yes. They say yes. Yes.