away from here. Yeah, maybe it's a little loud. I guess maybe. Could that be it? Sort of heard that. Yeah. Do it again. Do what again?
Right there. Do it again. Do what? Keep talking. First time you've ever heard somebody say that to you. That's true. It's recording now. That's pretty good. Are we being recorded? Yeah. Twice.
All right. Right. Meeting minutes from the eight. So, a lot of motions got in there. She turned around. He's going to turn on the trans
thing. So stronger than mine. I don't know how that works. I guess so. They're dirty, too. If I just hold them over here, I should be. What do we do about this? What? I'll ask them.
You're You're allowing people from outside to Yes. Yes. Motion is meeting just a minute. So that's right. Second. Any discussion?
All in favor? All right. Um, so we are going to table both the action items um for the warrants. Motion to table warrant number six until next meeting.
Is there a second? back. Any discussion? No. All in favor? All right. So, we've got and chips were tableing, too, right? I see not. Have he asked to be on the agenda? Yeah. Did you say to table chips? Yeah. Chip is not coming tonight.
All right. Motion to table historical society update until next meeting. Second. Any discussion? No. All in favor? I. All right. We got the um 2026 liquor license fee structure. So
we currently have been charging what like $300. I need to speak. Okay. Last year it was 150 and I had a brain cramp and I charged 100. I don't know why. Um so what do you want me to charge this
year? Sorry. That's okay. Um do we want just want to go back to the 150? Okay. Is that that's what I put in the letter assuming I'm I'm ready to send the letter out to them in the application. So Okay. 150. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
All right. Um personnel policies are going to be discussed though um at the department head. Oh that's more right which is on the 29th in case anybody's wondering. 29th. Thank you. All right. So table the
review personnel policies till the 29th. Yep. Um any discussion? All in favor? I. All right. Uh firehouse. Welcome. Hi. All right. So, we were um we wanted to
just kind of bring this back on the agenda to start talking about it again so that we start working on it hopefully moving forward. Um Christina Christina put together some packets for
us just to kind of update us on where we were financially with everything. And it looked like kind of where we left off, the Weston and Samson were recommending um the salt shed and they were looking
for a special town meeting vote in 2024 which was that was the one voted down. Correct. No, I didn't vote. Okay. So they were looking at voting for project spoke location and budget completion of design and putting the project out to bid design and op
services through construction. So that was ready to be voted and didn't didn't happen. And then I think the next phase that I had read for what was that in for them was they were looking for 496,000
um if we went through A&E or 471 if we did the delegated design services for everything. But that was in 2024. Um and that's including the um design
fees, special services, um schematic design through bidding. Um the remaining schematic design, design development, and then the final design and the bidding cost. Um
and that's just for Weston and Samson. There's also the there would also be the OPM fee. Yeah. So that's kind of where we left off. So cheap enough. Question. Did we spend all the money? Have they
completed what they agreed to to states up until this point? Yes. Okay. So they're clear. Oh, there was still funding remaining. It was ne it was never funded to to to the to the dollar, right? So there's
extra money that's still sitting in that account. That's what I meant. Yes. But we know how much that is. No, if you recall uh last week when I had reached out to um Kelly and Sarah, they were still working on like the end of year stuff to get everything. So they don't know yet. Yeah.
So we have funds remaining that were already moved from building stabilization into an account where we actually spend it. Yes. Okay. So, and this would get us through what? Cuz I the number she just quoted the four6
unless we go with I'm not sure why we wouldn't go with a designated delegation or whatever that was. So, the delegated design takes um some some control out of control out of our hands. Yeah.
Well, that's why you have an OPM. Well, so the engineer is offering delegated design or the A&E design, right? Which is where you get to make your own decisions about what specific products you want use things like that, right? Delegated
design means they're just going to this is the design, this is what we're using, this is what we're going with. Like there's no kind of more basic. It's why it's cost less money. So, but again, as Cara said, those numbers are from the end of 2024. I don't know.
Sure. They've knocked down. Are you ready for that? You have lucky guess. So, I don't know if the next step for us is to um think about when we have our not this special town meeting the 22nd,
but when we want to do another one and revisit this um move money from some would be from stabilization. I'm not sure how much is in stabilization. I don't know if there's enough to cover that. No. Um so some would be from
stabilization, some might be from through cash um to fund the next phase. Um I think first most important you have to see if the community is going to vote on the only viable site that they have put together there. But we do have an option site.
I'm not saying that you don't TJ. I'm just saying what I mean as it stands right now, you know, looking at at the salt shed area, no one's going to look for it. All right. So, why going to carry that
through when you know it's not going to pass? We have a site right here in town. We can get it for a reasonable money and it it it will be more than adequate. In fact, it's expandable if we have to. I mean, we're not gonna
I think to say no one's gonna vote for it is a bit of a huh I think there are people that would vote for self shed, but um I wouldn't shoot far out of town. I think that we've been talking about the fact that it doesn't really matter at center of town because with
where our volunteers are coming from and our volunteers come from all over town and where an emergency and they come to the center of town to go in different areas once they get the fire or they come to the where the fire So they they come to the center of town, they go out onto Chester Road, they get
their fire equipment, come back to the center of town. Why would they come to the center? They would go to the fire department. They wouldn't come to the center first. Well, they have to most of them have to come to the center of town to get to the place. Not necessarily. We don't know where they live. Unless they got a helicopter.
Some of them might live out that way. You're not too many. So my point is I think we've we've gone this far with they've narrowed down six sites and they narrowed it down to this one area. If we decide that we want to
include another site is how much is this going to cost us to go and have another site? Do we know how much it cost us when they looked at this location? They didn't really look at this location. They did like a very brief to have a full
pretty quickly this location. You're talking about a location that we already own the salt sh versus property that we would have to purchase. So I mean you have to add that into the or but the the amount of money that you're
going to be invested into the property is not you're not talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. talking less than $100,000 for 10 plus acres and it's already been perfect. So, you think people Well, you went to see it, Adam. What did
you think? It's not the worst idea. Uh I like the fact that it's in town. Um it has accessibility from 23 on both sides.
Yeah. I mean, it's not a terrible It's not a terrible spot. the drawback. So from a fire department perspective, I don't have I don't think I have any issue with it. Uh I think from the town
perspective, it means your two facilities are going to you're going to have to build double build everything. So there is no shared there's no possibility of a share there. Yeah. So didn't you just say it was 10 acres? 10 acres. 10 acres. Yeah. Wouldn't you be able Why
can't you build a facility a joint facility on 10 acres? Oh, sure. I thought the intent was always to move highway to the soul shed. Sorry. Oh, if I don't know what the intent Nobody's voted, so I don't know. Sorry. Uh I was I think actually maybe
that's unfair. Yeah. Like maybe that's maybe then the salt shed isn't a salt shed. Maybe it's just a soul shed at that point, I guess. So, I just my my concern with looking into another piece of land at this point
is just the amount of money that we're going to spend with engineers to this field like going backwards. Probably does. The primary complaint from everyone though has been uh they they prefer the fire department in time.
I can't say as I disagree uh all things being equal, but obviously all things aren't. So, Where is the other piece of property? It's roughly across from the Do you know where the cemetery
entrance is on the North Planford Road? Yeah. Are right there. Right thereish. Yeah. It's right about there. Just a little up the just a little up from where the cemetery building is. Yeah. to maybe another
150 people and then it routes all the way around behind the other houses all the way to 20 house there. Now I would if I were to just to lay it out there I would say my two cents would be if
if it's a if you guys think it's a viable solution. Um, first of all, we got to get with the town's people first and just just lay out what this project team already did, which we never did. We never closed that out, right? And say they landed on all the places kind of
did not work. They landed on the salt shed as being the only thing that was left. The only option on the table was the salt shed. And if we were to take it to the next level, to the next stage, just by making that decision, wait a second, I'll get
to the other part. is anywhere from 471 to 496 or more because we haven't gotten a new quote. Mhm. Right at that point, we could always ask Weston and Samson, what would it cost to go out and assess that area for us? And come back with the number.
Is it 20,000? Is it 50,000? Is it 10,000? What is it? If it's $10,000 and your total's already in the 471 area, is it is it something that the town's going to want? Because the town's going to find out about it and they're going
to say, "Well, why didn't you bring that up as an offer? Take a look at it." So, what we really need to do is assess and find out, I think, what Weston has to say. How much is it? Yeah. and go from there and then present that at the same time to the town and say,
you know, you have option A or option B. All we're really looking for is for Weston to say, is it even an option? Because remember in that area, too, isn't it fully? Yeah. So, that's another cost that
wasn't in the original price because shed's already across his wetlands. Yeah. Yeah. Don't. Yeah. So, my suggestion would be let's present it,
right? Let's ask Weston what would it cost to do an assessment. If it comes back outrageous, we'll present that number and say, do you want to pay that? Have this other option for it to have that close to the top. Yeah.
Right. Is it really are you willing to spend your tax money on looking at another site and then clearing the land purchasing? Right. Well, no matter what the design structure is,
you know, that that's one cost there. No matter where you still have the design, right? We had approached the project from that perspective to say come up with a design, not one for this site, one for that. Right. Correctly.
I think it's I think it's the same building either way. But we have to agree we're done with looking for that site. Yes. This has got to be it. It's just it's embarrassing how many years and how many sites we looked at. Like it's got to stop at some point. We have to build a fire department. They
need a fire department. Um maybe that's money left. You said there's money left and so we may be able to afford if the town wants us to go move forward with that. Taking that without having to go to special town meeting and then I guess
the next step would be asking Weston and Samson to do a presentation for residents. Yeah, that was always the plan once you guys were ready to move forward is that both this OPM and Western Examin would come in and give a full presentation on everything that was
looked at, all the studies. Yeah. Um and you know why the costs are what they are and so timelines and things like that. Let's talk about timing. So, are we saying that we go to the town meeting,
have them come in and present, and say there's another site we can look at, and this is how we could do that? No, I wouldn't have them present. If you're going to have them look at another location, don't have them present before they have I just want to make sure we're clear on that.
I think we should roll it in or out. Okay. So, we got to see if there's enough money like you said. Okay. Yeah. If there's enough money then we can do a report of that and if not we have to go write at a special time. So when can we find out that do you think from Westman cities
uh like a preliminary cost for another feasibility study? Yeah. Um I will reach out to them and uh ask for some sort of quote for that work to be done. Okay. Okay. Uh and then I will get an exact number from Kelly and Sarah on what's
remaining. Okay. Any thoughts on a date that we would get in front of the town? I guess back first. Yeah, it would depend on that. I think it would be pretty arbitrary at this point.
Well, no. Do you want it in the fall? Do you want it next spring when you want it? Like, do we want to do it before the holidays? I I think the sooner the better because I Yeah. No, but we keep dangling and uh dillydally.
So, let's shoot for at least before the holidays. Yeah. What's happening? I'm sorry. Before the holidays, the town meeting if Weston and Sans can come in and do Yes. Can come in and do their assessment of not presentation. The presentation. I'm sorry. Like, isn't
it a town? That's a tight That's a tight window. It's almost October. Understood. I'm just, you know, they they've been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. You're not gonna get an argument for, you know, in my opinion. Look, these guys,
there's no reason why they can't get this done. They haven't been doing anything for us for months. Yeah. If they can't, they can't. But I would push them. Okay. That's Christina pushing, right? I interacted with them.
Yeah. Somewhat intentionally. Yeah. So we'll reach out and get us a idea of money and time. Mhm. So do we take the OPM discussion to executive session or can we talk about it? I don't think we can talk much about OPM
unless you're considering under litigation. Yeah. Unless you're considering litigation with OPM, you can't go into executive session for them. If you are considering it, you can. I think we are already in litigation with OPM. Isn't that correct? That just froze. Everything stopped.
Yep. Let me ask you a question. Maybe you would know. Adam, did the OPM ever show you a project plan? A proper project plan? Not that I'm aware of. It's been a while since I've looked at all,
but I don't recall ever getting I never saw one. Very much generalities. Okay. On a scale from one to 10, what would you rate them? one being the worst and 10 being the best.
Uh I haven't been involved in a ton of municipal building projects. I think that they were my uh my assumption going into the project was that they were going to help take ownership and lead the project. And I
felt like we had to direct everything that happened. And it became pretty obvious we could live in purgatory forever. Uh sorry, based on
how they responded. I never had a qual with the output of the work, but I felt it had to be very specifically directed to receive what you were looking for. How's that? So, one of 10, I'd probably
say threeish. Uh, nice enough people. I just I don't think they were moving to advance the product in any meaningful way. Yeah. Wasn't that kind of their job?
I interpreted it that kind of that's their job. That's why coming in three might be a little jealous. All right. So they Oh, sorry. One of the uh things that you have to consider when you have an OPM. They're they're on the job. They're the ones
that make sure that the project is on schedule. They're the ones that pay out if nothing's right. The contractor don't get paid and that. And it's a lot easier to apply for grants when you have an OPM. You have to have OPM. Yeah. Basically, yes.
Yes. But we don't have that, you know. And uh I was on the group that interviewed the project managers and uh we decided on City Point because they seemed to have the most experience in
what we were trying to accomplish. So they completed Did they complete the first bid phase? bid? No, we haven't bid anything. No. Did I'm sorry. Did they complete the first phase in our contract with them?
Wasn't it broken down into phases? Our contract with city for the four phases. Yes. So, the first part was I think what Adam was just talking about was their job was to sort of lead the to get us to bid phase, get ready to bid. So, we haven't gotten to the end. We
paid them for for what they have done, for what they've done, but we aren't there. we're not there and that's the in the packet that I had given you they are looking for additional funding right um I do think some of our wounds were
self-inflicted right where we jumped around at multiple sites and things like that like totally get it but I don't think all of it that's um and self-inflicted or not the project manager's job is to keep us on track yes right yes
yeah when you're in negotiation stage. We're not even close to there, right? Like my issue is like I don't feel like we're still at square zero like it's been I don't think it's zero 15 years 20 years.
Yeah. Well, first project that I worked on for a new fire department was 40 years ago. Yeah. So there you have it. We're almost done. So imagine if we had built it back then.
would we want to look at hiring we so at this point we can look at going with a different OPM right if we decide to do that is that we have to put it out to bit again correct does that restart these
what happens is at that they have to sort of learn the whole project I don't know that at this stage there's going to be an OPM that's going to want to pick up yeah so this is where we kind of left off to kind of work out the situation with City Point to at least get us to
I think if we sorry phase no go ahead I think if we approach it from the standpoint of there was a lot of stuff in the middle there right like we changed TAS eight times right um the project had a committee didn't
have a committee had a committee didn't have a committee like I think if we go into it from the understanding that we're only going to get out of it what we drive towards and if there is my impression when we had kind of the
group before that was working on it was it was almost still up in the air if we're going to do anything or not. So if we're sort of fully committed to yeah we've got to figure out what we're going to do. It's not a question of whether or not we do something. It's a question of how we afford what we need to do.
Correct. I think that's a different perspective and we can drive towards that kind of this chair weird um drive towards that and we have at least accumulated a little
bit of scar tissue over it that it's only going to happen the way we direct it. I think they can be managed that way towards that specific outcome the city point. But if we think we're going to be able to contract with them
and the result is going to somehow magically be different because we've picked a location, I would find that hard to believe. We have to continue to say like put a line in the sand. This is delivered by the state. This is delivered by this state. We need to go out to bid.
Well, and I and we want a station actually built by the time some of us are still here. My two cents on all the projects I mean we got big projects going on library or whatever any if it ever goes off plan it needs to come to the board. we're going off plan and we're gonna go off this
much because any off plan changes the financial side of the story, right? So that will be the and I would like to get your opinions on it, but I would like to see if these projects are are um
projecting that they're not going to be on plan for whatever reason. And I'm talking two weeks, okay? they're off two weeks that the leader of that traffic has to come and explain what's going on. Same thing with change control. I
already told Nicole with change control has got to come past us because we're the ones that are going to the town for the money and we don't want to go back to the town for more money, right? So in this case, had we had some
kind of a system that said, "Hey, we're going a year late or whatever, it should have been after two weeks off project plan, you come before the board and say, this is what's going on." That's that would be a way to at least manage the project manager more effectively.
Yeah. Um and if it's not the project manager's fault, fine. It doesn't matter who's at fault. Just what is it? just barren. Yeah, they'll drag it out forever. Yeah, I don't think they So, regardless of whether or not we're
going to stick with City Point, they would still be part of the presentation. Yes. To the town. Okay. And then might have to write a check though at some point. Yeah. Some point then after the presentation, we will have to decide are we going to move
forward to City Point? And if so that becomes the whole other situation we have to go into again until what phase. I think we talked about until the build phase and then we could the phase and then we could right because you know when you think
about City Point and the project manager that was on there she may have been the project manager for the what we call the soft skill set which is getting them through getting us through this phase and then they may bring on someone completely different.
Oh somebody what's that? We've already been assigned somebody new for the build phase. No, just in general. I think that she must have advanced or she retired. I don't really know. So in effect,
what I'm saying though is in effect you're starting over with the project man. Especially if she never demonstrated a project plan. No project plan. All you got is notes. Yeah. Well, that's all I think I've seen from them is that they were notetakers.
So, I'm just saying the door I think is still open for if they're the right people or not. Well, I think I think a lot of that lies a lot of that responsibility relies on us. Okay. Because there there's been a lot of
discussion and you think the things were said at the at the meeting. So you go to the next meeting and all of a sudden someone on our side well I don't think we discussed this enough and I mean at at some point it gets repetitive
you're not getting anywhere and I think a lot of that responsibility resides on us. Okay. So what's so next feel like I don't know where the next reach out to Weston and Samson. I'm
going to see if they can provide me with some sort of quote or a feasibility study for this that location for that location. I will need information on the location. I don't know. Um I will check with Kelly to see what's
left in that account and we will see what they come back with us and say it's x amount of dollars for a full. So this wouldn't be like what we did here. This was like a back of the napkin. just this would be a full feasibility study where they're I'm sure going to do test pits and all that other stuff.
Uh so we will find out what the price is on that and we will presumably move forward with the feasibility study. We will get the results of that feasibility study. Then the town they would have to come and give a presentation with the results of the most recent
feasibility study and all of the other studies that they've done up to date. They would go over what the plan is, the costs, what the next steps are, present it all to the town. Then we would have to have a special town meeting, ask the town, listen, do you want this loc? I
don't know that this new location is necessary. They could come back and say it's not feasible. They could come back and say it's more feasible than the salt shed. I have no idea. Yeah. If we are to end up in a position where this new location is not feasible, then we have to be prepared to say, "Okay,
we've exhausted all, you know, and unfortunately it is only this." But they could come back and say, "Hey, this one's even better than the salt shed." And now the town has a choice, right? Is it salt shed? Is it this new location? They vote and we would then proceed with whatever location they voted on. But we
also have to have a vote on how we're going to fund the next step. So great, we have a location, but how are we funding the design phase and the the bid and build phase? So those are the two questions we will have to ask the community. Now
we uh notify city point that we are doing. Okay. Well, yeah. So it's going to I'm going to see every time I talk to one of them that they're it's because I just want to be fair. Absolutely. Yeah. Okay.
Moving right along. Did you have something else? I really don't. I just love it. No, it's gone. All right. If it comes back up. All right. Certification reimbursement. Am I? You're good. Dismissed. You're dismissed. Free.
You're going to be here Thursday or No. Great. Sorry, I didn't say that. I can join. Oh, is that the I can join hazard mitigation. Yeah. Jackie took your place, so don't worry. Yeah, thank you. You can have that one.
Really? The future is cult. Um, uh, yeah. What's going on with Okay. Certification. Brian. Um, Ryan was certified with a hoisting
license, I think, or no, a I can't remember. 2A. Um, and under the old contract, the union contract, which we told these guys until we come out with the new policy, that's what you're to go by. Yeah. Right.
He was reimbursed onethird of that. Under the old contract, he would be reimbursed 100%. Which is $180 more or all together? 180 more. Okay. He got reimbursed 90. Okay.
So I'm just looking forward to say so if it's currently under union because we haven't come out come out with it then I think he needs to be reversed the full what is it all together 20 plus 90 whatever that is
you said thank you are you good with that I am we need a motion on it I don't know well maybe yeah then then I can tell payroll so motion reimburse Ryan Kee each for the
certification uh hoisting license um in the amount of $270. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Nope. All in favor? I All right. We've got an appointment for the assessors. This is Michaela Smith.
Yeah. Do you have her? Uh yes. What's the word I'm looking for? Yes. Thank you. You do currently at Has um Mr. Hopson Shasha Hopson met with her and interviewed.
Yeah, he's interviewed her twice now. Okay. So, he's recommending Yes. Okay. Listen to us. Um, I would make a motion to appoint. Is it an appointment or a hire?
She's a hire. I don't need to make a motion. It's not remember we talked about this. It's just a straight hire. Okay. Um, same thing with Paula. Doesn't really need to have a motion or it's just he's just bringing it to you for you to approve.
So, he will. So, motion to approve the higher That's a good question. Can we do it for discussion? Okay. So, hiring Michaela Smith for I was just going to write the board approves.
Yeah, the board approves recommendations. My question is sometimes we interview people, sometimes we don't interview people. In this case, we're saying we're not interviewing, but we interviewed Ray's guy. So, I think that's a good point. Is this
different because those are hires, right? Those are not appointments. I don't know. We always ask for recommendation from the people in charge of that department. Um, I mean, I'm okay with not interviewing.
Don't get me wrong, but we need to be consistent in our approach. What are your thoughts, TJ? My thoughts are is that hey my hirer doesn't work out with buyers. So you're say in other words in
other words I'm just asking for if we're going to have a department head uh hire right let's say water wants to hire somebody just take that one as an example right would we need to interview that person yes we did we did for their hire when they
hired what's her name yeah and we would if they were to hire a new superendant yeah so I think we should enter well no that's different the department head has is really the superintendent in that Right. So, whoever is the department head in the water, if they hire
somebody, would we interview them? Well, we did hire Jazz or we did interview Jasmine. Okay. Well, then we should interview this person. Yeah, that would be correct. All right. Do you want to put her on the next agenda? She's supposed to start Wednesday. So,
Oh, okay. We're pretty desperate in that department. I think I understand, but we have to stay with, you know, can't go for one and not do the other. Well, I think that the problem too was that we we had someone in the position and then they quit. April.
Yeah. I think it's supposed to start Wednesday. We can interview her on Monday anyways. Wednesday. I'm so sorry. I met this Wednesday. Yes. This Wednesday. Yeah. So, she was already hired. So, she was basically hired, but we can still interview her. It's
you know, meet and greet, whatever. Yeah. you know, apologize for what we're getting around. I didn't get that. She's technically already. Yeah. Right. I believe she was offered the position. I don't I don't
Has she accepted? Uh, I don't believe so. She um Okay. I'm just trying to make a point of consistency. No, that's fine. Christina, you're up. Okay. Um so obviously everybody knows
September 29th is our next departmental round table meeting. Yes. I did send out um an email to all department heads letting them know that Kelly will be in attendance at that meeting and ask them to come prepared with any questions or concerns that they
have specifically for accounting and their expenditures and their reports and all of that. Uh so that will be the focus of the departmental meeting on the 29th. With that in mind, I had also contacted Vadar to get a quote for training of the
different department so that they could retrieve their own information. Uh the reply I got was that they can offer a session to do training on departmental reporting for Vadar accounting that doesn't require a quote, meaning they'll just do a training. I think I believe it'll be about an hour long.
Oh wow. Uh yeah the session would be about an hour and can be split between offices or as a group. We can start this and if needed can then decide if additional training is needed then they would provide a quote. So anything above and beyond what they're going to basic
show them. Okay. They would give us a quote for basic part is free. Yeah supposedly. Um so we're just sitting here untrained. I guess so. Okay. So, I had spoken with
Jackie earlier. Um, the people that I have here on the list, I just want to run it by you guys to make sure I'm not missing anybody that you would want trained. So, Joanne, Jackie, Nicole from the library, um, Jennifer from board of health.
You're guilty. I was. No, it's okay. Training radar, you're on the list. Um, Ray from Highway and Janet. Um, Deb, would you also like training for radar? Just I'm I don't mean to,
but you're on Finn helpful. Okay. How about Jasmine? They had their own training. Oh, they did their training. That's right. Okay. And no one else on water. We don't want to. You We could invite Jasmine if she wants
to join. She So, the cut down to how many? No. So, they didn't because this is this is just the basics. There's not like a real headcount that they're saying, "Well, we'll do XML." Yeah, they'll they'll do whoever. Um, the only
thing is that with water, they use a different side of the so it may be a different training and I know that water had already paid for because they had a more indepth training and they had paid for it. So, can I ask a question? Yeah. I didn't even
think about this. Broadband think somebody from broadband. Do you think an opera Peter would I don't know. I think that Peter's is your impression that Peter's I don't know that he
Okay, that's fine. I didn't know if he ever asks for if he does, we can always pull him reports, right? I mean, so even if once I get back in contact with him, I just want to make sure that this was okay with you guys. But we could always say, well, hey, there's somebody else. You know, this is their basic training and they do
it for free anyway. So, I will move forward with that. So, is it going to be a Zoom meeting? Excuse me. Yes, it would be virtual. Yeah. Then everybody can have their own computer. Yeah. Great.
Um so at our last meeting it had come up there were some questions regarding a possible moratorum for solar and bus projects. I believe I sent the emails to all of you guys. Uh the response from
attorney Ikeman. Uh just some highlights from his response. He says, "In my opinion, it will be difficult for a new solar moratorum to survive attorney general review, but regardless, there are good reasons to
adopt a moratorum notwithstanding the chance of surviving legal review." So, go for it. So, he did uh supply a draft. What he's saying is that
it appears the town adopted a moratorum for the same reason in 2020 and that moratorum resulted in adoption of comprehensive zoning bylaws that allow for large-scale solar projects by special permit in much of the town. Mhm. The fact that the town continues to
receive applications for large-scale solar facilities in areas zoned for this purpose and that the effect on the town's environmental resources is the same as it was in 2020 undercuts the primary legal basis for a new moratorum. In my
opinion, you will need to provide a specific and concrete rationale for a new moratorium to provide the greatest chances of success. but he doesn't think that the large amount of these projects is a good reason. Um, if you begin working on
amending the existing zoning bylaws concerning solar, you may be able to put such regulation in place before the attorney general reviews the legality of a moratorum. Um, so that means that
what does that mean? if we begin to work on amending the existing zoning bylaws. So, what he's saying is if you have something in mind that you want to update your zoning bylaws to, like if you've already started the process on that, continue that process while you know and they could have that before the
AG even gets a chance to review the moratorum. Yeah, you could pass the the zoning bylaws, but I they haven't started reviewing or do we have anything? Has Z has um zoning hasn't come up with any?
He says that he recommends that the town study and address more specifically in the moratorum the potential planning and environmental issues arising from solar facilities in the town since 2020. So what he's saying is if you have concrete examples of things that have happened in
the town since 2020 in relation to solar facilities, those are what you're going to want to use in order to bolster your moratorum. Okay. But I think we can work with that. Yeah. How long did it take to get the
moratorum last week? Do you remember? It's a I want to say it was at least six months. I mean we had to it's a process right it's a process but is is uh storage batteries part of that
this is specifically in relation to solar yes yes but to that end I also sent you guys an email I'm not sure if you all got a chance to read it just a side note there of the two interested vendors in best um
the smaller of the two Bford storage LLC LC has rescended their notice of intent uh for their smaller facility on North Blamford Road. So right now they have pulled back is that that's not the one that we've been working with. No one want that the
one that's coming tomorrow night. That's Mission Clean Energy. That's the larger of the two proposed bests. So the smaller one has backed out. We believe it has to do with um the wetlands. Cool. Okay. Can we t let's talk about
the moratorum thing a second. So if they don't if we do a moratorum that will that opens the door for them if the if the AG approves the moratorum does that open the door still for them
to go directly to the state and bypass us because we're in moratorum. That's a good question. I don't think so. So I don't think anything can be done while we're in moratorium. I think it's just a pause on everything. Okay. So the state can override us.
Not if there's an existing a moratorum is temporary anyway. So there would just be a running clock on a delay. Yeah. Right. Okay. So what do we want to do? to be more. I definitely I think that
I think that you need to discuss it with the committees that would be responsible for the zoning reviewing the zoning bylaws and and making any potential. So maybe we need to have what's next week? Sorry, what's the date for next week? October.
Oh, the 22nd. Yeah, that Oh, it's a special time. Um I think that we need to do a joint meeting with um loan planning and conservation and just get their opinion on moving forward with the moratorum.
And I think that this section is specifically right here about um the rationale being environmental issues. I think that Dick would be pretty helpful in explaining to us if he thinks we have enough to go with that. What concerns me about that is just that
he they're specifically saying issues that arose with solar facilities in town since 2020. I mean, I know we've had some major issues with solar going in and we had and I'm sure that Colleen can speak more to it, but I know that we had the issue
with North Bford where um we ended up getting the they had to pay us back D the same thing on the one on 23. So, we have had some major environmental issues um where they've been involved and then they ended up having to like pay us back with Colbert. They paid us
with culberts. That was the one. Was it something they could correct or no? Um obviously it must have been because it was egregious. It was Yeah. the the what the runoff they had. It had to do with that's why there was a lot of
questions about this new solar related to the retention detention ponds and they just had runoff that just ran straight out the property down the side of the road, washed out the side of the road, ran under, went into protected wetlands, went across the street into a
huge beaver dam. Dick has a video of this three times the size of this building of just muddy water from there. So I think that we may that but I think that that happened before 2020 and I think the way that that
letter was written was very telling because that happened in 2019. Did it really? But I do I do think the point that they said is that we really, you know, when we when conservation came and requested
a meeting with you guys and presented some really well-written battery storage bylaws and Dick had passed those and emailed them to everyone and really suggested that we start beefing up what we have. This was back in April. Mhm.
Um, and Jackie, you weren't there then, but I'm happy to go through the emails and send them over to you. We really need to work on our our zoning bylaws because and I know TJ, you don't want to hear it, but but they they were written
the the our battery storage was basically written like an invitation. It truly was. and and um it then it gets because it's public notice it gets put out everywhere all the so so we really need to be doing that in conjunction and
there are copies we don't have to you know recreate the wheel and look at what to go back to the the challenge right is that based on what you just said maybe we have a like you said have a separate meeting discuss how can we go into the moratorum
obviously something happen. Mhm. But I I wasn't aware of that. Yeah. That there were challenges. Yeah. We still approved it to. In other words, those challenges happened after they got set up. Is that correct? And it was taken out of our plans as a
town. So when the state becomes involved, the same thing happened uh with Sunpen um on 23. Once the D and state is involved, then we're not allowed the site. We can't do site surveys. of anything.
So what what's the secondary solution though? I mean is there another solution to this besides moratorum? Is it really there's not enough manpower to keep up with what's happening? Is that why we're asking for this? I wouldn't use that because they're
going to say, well that's why the state's stepping in and taking over permitting could what I was saying was versus go into moratorum. Is there another solution? I unless you have a purpose for this moratorum, unless you have a specific
outcome that's going to be a regulation that's made or I think I'm confusing it. Okay, maybe I'm not being clear. To me, the other solution is don't go in the moratorum, get more manpower. Is that not correct? If the reason if Yeah. I mean, if you if
your reasoning is that you don't have enough people on your boards and committees and in working in office to handle it, then if that's the reason, then yes. Okay. I'm assuming that's the reason why Dick asked for moratorium. No. What was the reason? That was one of the contributing
factors. What's the other one? because it's an inundation like we haven't seen before and we don't have qualified personnel to handle
all of these and each one requires a peer review. It's for very difficult for us to even get peer reviewers now because we had someone lined up to do a peer review of 30 Huntington Road. They're already involved in another solar company that wants to do another project on Huntington Road and they're
coming. There's It's not just the people in Blankard. We can't get the resources that we need outside of this project and it's a complete inundation that is untenable. Okay.
For the environment and for the town. We can't solve it here. So, you know, that was good because that's what I was looking for. I didn't know whether or not it was Bford or whether or not it's You're saying really it's resources inside and outside of Bford. Okay. because of the magnitude.
So that's the argument. We have to sort of build strong enough. So I really think we need to be changing the bylaw so that even when the town is stripped, you know, with these new regulations that are going to be streamlined through that we can then say
because to your point, you know, we want to negotiate everybody. We think these big projects are going to be happening but we get to negotiate. Guess what? we don't get to negotiate. They don't have to come before us. So, we need to be building things in that says if a
project is approved, these are the things or um well, this may be the types of things that we this will be the types of things we've seen. I mean, we're not going to solve it here. No. So, we've got to the other boards need this is what needs
to be moving at the same time. I agree. Okay. So, does that seem reasonable then to do a joint meeting and talk about what our next steps are? In the meantime, I see that you already sent this to um this email to Dick. Maybe send it to planning and zoning so they
can take a look at it too um before the meeting. Can you send that to the board of health as well? Sure. All right. Uh we got an email back from Mary's office.
Have we heard anything from our representative, our state representative or Mark Paul or Paul Mark's name is? Yeah, we sent an invitation for September 22nd to Paul Mark and uh
Nicholas Mulga. No, we have I just sent out probably won't. Well, we might. Okay. So, sorry. Okay. Um, so they want to set a date of it. Um, oh, the joint meeting, we didn't
send a date. Um, so October 6, uh, the new gateway superintendent, Melissa Mata Razao, will be joining us so that she can introduce herself. You've already met her, but uh, and just sit go
over some things. So she's invited to the October 6th meeting, but that we could always, you know, do her intro in first and then we could plan for the joint on October 6 if that we conservation public meeting. So our meetings are the same
at the same time. We could if you want to do your meeting earlier or later, but our meetings are 6 p.m. Monday. They have been since Okay. I've been We'll wrap around and come up with date. Yeah. I just want to leave later because we can't cancel it.
Okay. We could always do it at 5:30 start early and then with the joint and then at 6:00 have the um superintendent coming. Um also we have again gotten the board
needs to make a decision on how they want to handle this invoice from Birkshshire Springs. It's my god. Yeah. I thought we said they were paying for this. I thought that was water has is supposed to pay for this. They were supposed to pay for this a year ago.
When a year ago um yeah this is coming out of water. Okay. This was just we had a meeting about um we had a meeting about uh emergency response and that
they're not paying it. Those people keep sending it to me. Aren't the things the pain? I don't know. And I send it to letter and then they don't pay. Do I need to feel
or Yeah, we can I can follow up and tell them again that they have to pay it. I don't remember the date of the meeting, but I know it was decided that they were paying for that. Is there anything else, Christina? Let me just look.
Oh, I just wanted to double check. What is the status of the water department superb interviews? Do we I have no idea. Have um they they've gone through their their folks and they came up with Kim for us to interview. So, we just got to get
them on the dock. Okay. So, who's are we scheduled with them? Is that on us? Have they given you the two names? Yeah. Okay. So, whenever we want to do it, we Yeah. Okay.
Would they does do you want water present? Yeah, I would say I would say yes. So, that would have to be scheduled as a joint meeting. We could do it. We don't, you know, there's so much going on that and we've got the department level meetings at the end of the month. Could we do another
meeting? I mean, would you guys be okay to come in and do just the interview for the water service some evening? Sure. Pick another date. You pick it because I don't know all the Well, the problem with that is we don't
know when the applicants have availability, right? She gives a couple of dates where she can then we can go to the applicant and say I can come in there starting like um Oh, I do not want to do that on Friday night. That sounds
um Thursday the 25th. I think I'm I'm good. Does that work for you? Works for me. Which time? Uh 5:00 I think is the earliest I can get here. Does that work for you? Yeah.
What's the matter to me? Want to shoot for that? 25th. 25th. Good. What is this movie? A joint meeting with the water department to interview the two potential candidates for highway. Oh, for sorry, excuse me. Water super.
And you have seen a name? Yeah, I saw one name. Did it? I saw two. Oh, you saw two. Okay. I just want to Did you get that? I thought only one person was named. I knew that they had two candidates, but I thought they only mentioned I didn't
know the other person's name. 5:00. That sounds That's if the candidates are That's another date. If you can't do the give them give you another date. Let's try to get both of them on the same l
um the following week. I don't know about cross country meets up the following week yet, but we could shoot for the following Thursday. I think it's the October 2nd. That would actually be better. Excuse me.
We see that. You can't do that. No, I'm going to be at my granddaughter's wedding that we Oh, that's nice. How about can you do October 2nd or just uh 1? No, we're leaving Wednesday to go up.
Okay, maybe that Tuesday. So, the 30th day 30th was worth. Is that Halloween? No. 30? Wait, you're talking September. September. Forget it. Okay. The Halloween. There's the picture of October here as I was looking. and I got
confused. So, give them the option of the 25th or the 30th. Preferably, I'm just going to do I'm gonna say the 25th. If anybody comes back and says they can't, I'll do the think it'll be just an hour. I can only do an hour.
Oh, yeah. Can't do more than an hour. 30 minutes. Not even. All right. Are you good? Nope. Um, there's a remaining bill from radiology
and imaging that Matt had incurred during his accident, which was what, over a year ago. It's $36. May I please pay it? Please go ahead. Uh, I had a meeting on the 10th with David Johnson. He's the chair of the Becket Conservation Commission. uh we
just kind of commiserated and discussed where we're both at as far as these influx of energy pro uh projects rolling into both of our towns. Um it was just an informal like sit down. We talked about the thing both the things that we're facing and we're both in similar
situations. Um moving forward we're going to continue to keep in touch and and I'm going to reach out to Kathy Warden as well. She's the TA in Beckett. So maybe we can come up with something where we're working together. Um Otis I think is in a similar
situation. Um I know that Chester has a new TA, so maybe I have a meeting with him as well. Do they? They do. Wow. Andrew, that's exciting. Male, female. Male. His name's Andrew. Um
if you don't have the resume, it's for water. I'll send it to you. I thought I sent it to you, but then she could clip them to you guys. Yeah. Where's the uh There's a meeting tomorrow that I'm attending. Is it? Yeah, I think it's
tomorrow. Anyone here? We open house. Oh, there's a there's a Yeah, there's a virtual Thank you. Yes. Sorry. There's a virtual meeting on Tuesdays. Yeah, that's tomorrow, September 16th from 1 to 2. Um, Senator Marky.
Yeah. So, I'll be attending that one, too. Who's that? Uh, it's the open house. The the Senator Ed Marky. His office hours. He's doing a meeting. Staff from Massachusetts and Washington DC offices will be available to discuss issues and
projects related to clean energy, climate, agricultural, and parks. We are still tracking which federal programs have funding and reimbursements frozen and our staff will be able to hear about any concerns about budget reconciliation cuts or if folks are having difficulty
access fed accessing federal funding. So I'll I'm going to attend that just to see. Okay. Are we having do we know we're having anybody getting push back in the department heads on federal funding? I haven't heard anything. I haven't heard anything. I think this
is specific to their energy projects though. Okay. So, and that is really it. That's it. Yeah. Okay. All right. So, um public comment. Well, I have something that uh council
lady can draw to my attention on the back door for the in the foyer. The water's coming down the sidewalk coming into that and uh the sidewalk where the uh drainage ditch is that's all
overgrown and t that has to be cleaned out so that the water doesn't go in and where is where your back door down at the end here and the wall is rotting through with the cinder blocks
and on the right side of the goble door on the There's a a cinder block wall and that's deteriorating rather quickly. The water just pours down. Yeah. It just comes right down.
And so we talked about this. Yeah. But nobody's ever put like French drains in or there are there's that drain up there. the drainage ditch, but on the sidewalk that drainage ditch
is covered over and the grass is filled in. Yeah. And so the water just goes right over the grass. Doesn't even hit the drainage. We could ask our the person who does the ground keeping out there to clean it out. It's going to be more than that. They're going to have to get it out.
We're going to have to get it. Okay. But we're looking at doesn't have that for Watson Park. Why couldn't you do it there? Yeah, that's what I was saying. He said it's gonna need to be dug out. I don't He has the ability. I mean, we could ask them. Didn't he do the one at Watson Park?
It was a mess. Ryan Bengal came in. I remember he like cut out trees and stuff, but he didn't dig. Yes, he did. He cleaned the town. The town took out the stone. No, he he cleaned leech. Is it called a leech field? I don't know. Leechfield's different. That's uh
What did he do? What did Ryan do? He cleaned out the culbert. Yeah. So, he did clean out the culbert. The leech field's like under That's He's just talking about a drainage swale thing, but the leech field is like underground. That's But we can ask Ryan if he's able to do that.
We can Ryan actually sent me pictures over the weekend. He had to do like additional cleanup back there. Does anybody know whose trailer is back there? Do you know what trailer? This trailer was it over by the pit over there? The pile of stuff? It's been sitting there for weeks and a
tree fell on it. That's probably Nobody knows. Played on the trailer. I would guess emo. No, that doggies. Can I see the trailer? Yeah. Is it yours? It's emo. Oh, that's emo. You should know.
He let us borrow it when we were Did he leave it out there? No. Oh my god. We had it over here when we were remember when that the sheriff came in and cleaned all the Oh, yes. He let us borrow it for that. You want me to text Douggee? Tell him to go get his trailer.
Just Yeah. Okay. Um yeah, let's see if Ryan can do it. If not, we can talk to Highway and um get their thoughts on it. And then it's not a big job. It's just, you know, so maybe it could be cleaned out and more rock put in there. So that
I I know the difference between a lefield and a cover. No, we want to go to the audience again. Yes. Uh public comment. Sorry. Did anyone I saw? Yes. I did not on the finance committee reviewing the warrant online. It says
finance committee, do you agree? We've not been informed. Are you working around us because there's only two of us? Are we still fully functional because there's only two of us? What's going on? So when you see that under there hear finance committee recommendations that takes
place at the meeting before special town meeting. So at 5:00 on September 22nd the remaining members of the finance committee would come and we would hear your recommendations with the attorney and the town moderator. And so all of that takes place at the brief meeting
before the special town meeting. So five o'clock. I was going to send you and Janet uh an email just letting you know that that's but I just kind of understood it. That's okay. But I heard that um the committee has been dissolved. No no no people to make a quorum.
No no so you don't that's why you're coming to the people who are supposed to know. I appreciate that. Um no you it is true that you don't have enough for a quorum right now but you can still give your recommendation on the items presented on the warrant. There is no problem with that and that's what we intend to do is have you guys there for that.
But what we really need is more finanity. So you're not interested. I say it. I know. We don't get the respect from you guys that we feel we should get. That's why we've lost everybody. You're not listening to us
as your finance mate. I don't I don't Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way. I think that there was only one there's only been one time I can remember that we disagree. Often we're not informed. Oh, you're very important.
Except I came here to ask. It is. It is very important. But it's I don't think I I that's the first time I've heard of that. I know there's there No, there was one time that we disagreed on uh something we're recommending for the police. That's the only time that we've ever disagreed with
a finance committee decision. So I well I'm not saying necessarily decision but just the attitude I I please speak up. You are recently off the finance committee.
I don't think I want to get through. All right discussion right now. Yeah. If I drop the ball in some way by not informing you guys and that's on me. I was under the impression that the finance committee knew that before special town meetings they come and they give their recommendation on the warrant
as presented. But I will take that responsibility. I did not specifically reach out to the remaining members. So that's on me. I I think too though and I will say something for a second. The challenge the challenge is
the role of the finance committee has changed so much in that day that we were in. remember the meeting that we had where Mark was here the last time we did a special town meeting. Okay, I don't know if you were here, Dave
Green or Kevin Weather. And it was stated in that meeting, the only real thing that the finance committee has empowered to do is the reserve transfers, right? That's what he said. Nothing else. Mark it. Mark that right
here in the center. So now at that point right and at that point I said okay you know because it really should be the finance committee should give recommendation on everything absolutely
but that's not the way it's written well well it the finance committee is does have much more responsibility than correct beyond the reserve fund I think I don't remember Mark saying that I believe you that you said that my interpretation of that would Maybe he
meant the only thing full stop that is just, you know, that nobody we don't need the select board would be the reserve fund. Those are the transfers that happen. Um, but I think we can all agree that the finance committee has much more responsibility than just the reserve fund. Oh yeah.
No, I was saying that was the way I interpreted it at that meeting. But the real issue, I mean, just to take this one step further too, is that we don't have enough people voluntary for we've got gaps all over the place. That's where it's not
and we really need to address that somehow. I don't know what the answer is. Um, hiring an account, you know, the only what's that? Hiring accountant for in the building. Um, and we've had we ever as long as I've been here
at some time, you know, a draft draft, you know. Well, there's so many folks that I've talked to in town that have been on something. Yes. You know, everybody we talk to because I was on finance, I was in this, you know, everybody. It's exhausting and it's
But I do think there are some new people in town that really, you know, I mean, I'm thinking, this is just me thinking out loud, is to have some kind of like almost like a what do they do when you're looking for a job? A job fair type setup where people come
in, we'll feed them and, you know, talk about Yeah. talk about what each sign up for, right? um only because there may be some people out there that are interested. They just don't know where to go.
They're new. I don't know but I don't think we can go on without having a third minimally. Yes. Right. Try four. Right. Right. So yeah, we had I don't know what the answer is either
guys, but you know, we can't what for briefly when new people moved to town, we would give them a basket. We had a welcome committee. I know that you're This is funny. We had a welcome committee that would give out baskets and in that was all information about joining boards and stuff.
So we don't even have anybody to join the boards. Never mind. Join a welcome. I know. It was wonderful. It was nice. Um, I know we can't solve it here, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Colleen,
I know your mom is very helpful when she sells someone a new house and that's how we got made. So, the realtors can The realtors are a great absolutely that's how we got a third fourth member. That's true. That's a connection and
I didn't have sure public comment real quick. First of all, thanks for getting this post. The energy, what do you call it? Energy reciting blah blah blah whatever. I just had two questions. Um because I think digging had to fight over who doing this
bi-weekly 10 twice a week or twice a month? Twice a month. Okay. Number two should have been my monthly. Sorry. That's okay. Um, super interested in hearing from I was sad who left because we weren't the fire department very
involved in this, but the way this is written, it says fire chief or their designer designate. Oh, did it? No, it says Yeah. So, I thought it was like a person that's designing because Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, it's like maybe
they do have some insight. They changed that on spellch check, but obviously that's okay. No, I'm not here trying to point out. I just didn't know if you were getting the people that designed the building at the meeting and twice a month. That's right. Twice a week. So, they got it.
Okay. Um All right. So we have a motion to go into executive session accordance with GLC 30A section 2182 to discuss strategy sessions and preparation for negotiations and non-UN personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions
or contract negotiations with non-UN personnel. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I roll call vote. Paris says yes. DJ. Yeah. Hello.
Yeah.