Tim. All right. Meeting is open. Are we being um recorded? Yes. Is Marco Tim in the waiting room? Join the attorneys. All right. I did sign up. There we go.
All right. So, um I would make a motion to go first to new business. Um, can we just wait to make sure Leo is joining? Yeah. All right, I'm going to pull on that. We have anyone in there, Joanne? No,
I let them both in. It's right here. I can't read it. I'm sorry. Okay. So then, no. Oh, no. Okay. So, then I'll hold on that and let's go. Um we don't have meeting minutes because your computer. So um motion to table
examination cycle meeting minutes of May 12th until next meeting. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I All right, let's start some of the appointments while we're waiting for attorneys to hog
them. Um so motion to appoint Paul Abiladu to zoning board of appeals uh for the term June 16, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I motion to appoint Amy Hagstrom to the
cultural council for the term June 16th, 2025, June 30th, 2026. Any discussion? Yes, your appointment. Uh, I just have the one year for here. Do we want it to be three years? I don't know what's on the certificate. Let me take a
look. Yeah, we just have Oh, no. I'm sorry. Uh, through the term June 30th, 2028. Any discussion? All in favor? I I um motion to appoint Jennifer Dubiel as animal control officer for the term July
1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I motion to appoint Nicholas Chisano as assistant plumbing and gas inspector
for the term July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I motion to appoint Joseph Penning for as veterans agent for the term July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026.
Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Mot skipped doggy. I didn't mean to duggey. Um motion to appoint Douglas Emo as Watson Park groundskeeper for July 1st, 2025 through June 30 to 2026. Second.
Any discussion? All in favor? I. All right. Still no one on there. Huh? EJ, I'm passing these to you to sign. Jackie. Oh, I should have started with welcoming you. I'm sorry. That's all right.
Welcome. Welcome. Congratulations on your big win. Looking forward. I'm glad. All right. Um, so then we have the Hilltown Community Ambulance Association contract.
We look at 26. There's two copies to sign. Oh, they're pulled together. There's a copy. All right. So, we are already aware of the price
because we budgeted it and passed it in town meeting. Were there any other changes that we know of? I don't believe so. We still need your representative. Okay. Um maybe we'll reach out to Adam and see if there's anyone on the fire
department that wants to represent any other volunteers. Um, a motion to approve the um, Hilltown Community Ambulance Association contract for FY26.
This is what's in the budget. Yes. Any discussion? All in favor? I I Is there enough? We're good. Oh, yeah. They're both waiting to be let in. So, I would motion to go to new
business. Uh, a water commissioners discuss the questions the water commissioners have presented to the board and clarify roles between subboard and water. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I So, who do we have? We have Tim and Tim
and Mark. They're not muted, right? They're not muted, right? I didn't Mark and Tim, can you hear us? [Music] The list of questions I can go through. They came through from J.
Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, hello. Hi. Yes. Hi, it's Mark Rich. Hi, Mark. How are you? Good. How are you? Sorry about that. A little bit of trouble with the electronics there. That's all right. Um, so we have um water joint select board.
Everyone's here. I was just going to start going through the questions, Mark, that the water commissioners outlined in their last meeting for us. I I know uh Carl uh uh I know when Christine sent me the agenda there there was uh there were
other matters on the agenda. Have you already covered those? Are you you jumping forward? We covered some and then we made a motion to move to new business A. Yeah, don't worry. We did it all legit. Okay. I just wanted to check and because I think Tim was Tim was waiting. He'll
probably be joining us uh shortly because he he knew that you had other matters. So he uh he's probably uh waiting a few minutes before he'll join but uh we we can certainly start. Okay. Um so the first question that we had
received from the water commissioners was what authorities does the water commission have and what do they not have? So they're looking for clarification on their authority and responsibilities in relation to the select board um to ensure operational
autonomy and transparency for water users. Um they needed some legal clarification on its hiring and oversight authority regarding employees since there seems to be some confusion. Um so correct me if I'm wrong Mark. What I have is that the water commission's um
scope is operational um with regard to matters such as water distribution, infrastructure and rate settings. Um whereas the select board is um personnel decisions including hiring,
firing, job classification changes, benefit eligibility um would fall under the select board purview. Is that correct? So yeah, I I mean I know that there were there were a number of of of questions provided and
with respect to kind of that that division of authority. The uh the water commissioners, you know, as an elected body, they they are a policy policy setting bo body for the water department. They would they would determine general policies uh for the
operations. They would also uh be the fee setting body for uh uh fees of the department. In terms of hiring and and personnel matters of of course the water commissioners have to work with whoever
is uh is is part of their department and so they would be they they would hopefully be integrally involved in the process of determining who would be hired for part of that department. But ultimately, as you know, the the
select board is as the town's chief executive body is charged with oversight of uh uh of personnel determinations, including hiring and firing of town personnel because the uh the the water commissioners uh are again a
policymaking body, but don't have specific uh personnel authority in that regard. Yeah. So what the way we've done that in the past is um just like any other some of the other boards they would um if there was a position open they would do
um interviews and bring candidates to the select board to do the official hiring. Right. Right. Exactly. Um sorry. Go ahead. Have we gotten away with something? Because I've been here six years and we've certainly hired people without any insight from the
select board. Um, even when we were joint with Chester for a little bit, we were doing the hiring there, too. And I don't remember having to go to the select board at all. Well, the water I know the shared water operator was appointed by the board.
I don't know if you guys came to present it to us, but it was presented to us and the motion was made by the board to hire that position, to fill that position. Okay. But but for the most part, you're just going to take our recommendation unless you have some sort of conflict with that person. Right. Correct.
Gotcha. And I don't think it would be a conflict with that person. It would be a concern because I think we're talking about our previous superintendent. It would be a concern with um um policy and procedures being followed or not followed. Um, some of the other things I
have. So, the water commissioner does not have legal authority to alter a town employees position from part-time to full-time or benefited to accept or reject a resignation to reassign job responsibilities without formal approval or to approve a leave of absence without
select board's knowledge or acceptance of that. I think one thing we need to this is a a question that came up further on in this uh uh in in the questions that were presented the this issue of quote unquote um accepting a
resignation. I heard I heard you mention that Cara and there is no statutory requirement for acceptance of a resignation of a town employee. um if if an employee resigns, um it's
not a situation where the uh uh the the the town uh through the select board could reject a a uh resignation and require that person to come back to work. Um and also um the the uh the resignation becomes effective once once
presented. So there I I know there's this this back and forth about what was what was said and what was done. And I I I know we're I think we're trying to avoid getting into specific individuals and specific circumstances, but uh uh there may be some confusion. Uh you
know, there's a statutory provision and and that got raised by someone about uh the the uh filing of a written resignation for a town official. and the water superintendent who does not serve for a term of years and is an atill
employee is not an official of the town. That individual is an employee of the town. Does that answer that question for you guys or do you feel like you want further clarification on anything regarding that? Um,
no. But but suppose that uh he he said it, it was a verbal thing and then he wanted to rescend it. Um what would he do? And would it only be the select board that makes that decision whether or not to
accept the drawing back of a verbal um resignation? Again, as I said, there's there's no requirement for Oh, Tim, do you want to jump in on this one? I I can jump. Yeah. I mean to just to reiterate what Mark said, there there is
no requirement that it it be accepted. Now, practically speaking, if a an employee comes in the next day and says, "Geez, I I messed up. I I shouldn't have done that." And 12 hours have passed since he resigned. I think that's
probably a different situation. Um, but if a week or two goes by and that the employee doesn't report to work, he acts as though he resigned, um, you know, that's that's a different situation. And the employee or the the board, the select board in this
situation would would be okay to to assume that he's resigned because he hasn't shown up to work. He hasn't come in and said, "Oh, gee, I made a mistake. I I I didn't mean to do that," or, "I was confused. Um you know again it's
situation dependent fact dependent and um we would look at all those factors. Um you know obviously people have a change of heart and this isn't a sort of a definitive rule but there like Mark said there is no requirement that you
know it be formally accepted. I think we see a lot of movies and TV shows where you know somebody tries to resign and the the president doesn't accept it. that's that really doesn't apply in these in these circumstances. Um, and so
we we have to be able the the town through the select board has to beble to rely on that representation that somebody who says they quit means that they intend to quit. Tim, you're an HR, right? You do the HR
stuff, right? Yeah, that's correct. Good. So I guess then we overstepped our boundaries as water commissioners when we put him on a leave of absence with no pay. I don't When did you do that? Was that after he Brad was that after he
resigned? Yes, that was whenever he asked the chair. They said, "Oh, I made a mistake. I really shouldn't have done that." What the chair said, "Well, you got to give me something in writing." Is that what you told him? Yeah. So that's And I guess we overstepped our boundaries at that point. Am I correct
in saying that? Well, well, just jump in. Oh, go. You can finish and then I'll jump in. Sorry. Yeah. So, uh, you know, all those HR functions would be and should be handled by HR or in Blandford's case, the town
administrator, whoever's handling the personnel matters. Um, and so if there's a claim for a medical leave or family medical leave or some sort of um, you know, sick leave, vacation, that should all be administered through the town
administrator's office so that there's consistency among all town employees. Now, obviously, if the superintendent comes to you and says, "Hey, I I have a medical issue." You should tell them to, you know, to to notify the town administrator so that the that she can
provide the the correct forms and put them on the the correct pay status. Um, and so that would really be an HR function. Right. And then to to jump in though again, you know, this this whole thing
of telling the employee to put the resignation in writing and putting putting him on leave that seems to be generated by uh a misunderstanding of chapter 41 section 107 that talks about
again the resignation of a town official and having to have that put in writing. that statute is not applicable in this case. Yes. Yeah. And then and then like actually like what Mike said earlier. Um, so obviously the water department
has been operating totally out of their scale for the last 10 or 15 years because they've been hiring and firing employees at will um just through the water department because they figured since they signed their checks, it came
out of our funding that they were under our previews from what I understood from the past. Now, like I said, we're proving now that this is all wrong. Well, I I think I I I want to be careful, you know, we're not we're not looking we're not looking backwards.
We're trying to look forwards. Correct. And and so matters that happened in the past are in the past and uh um there could be acquiescence from the uh select board to uh actions taken by the water
commissioners. We just, you know, obviously this is all brought up because of, you know, specific more recent incidents um that were undertaken through the select board. And so I just I I I want to be careful not to try to, you know, uh set the clock back, Brad.
No, I get it. I understand. I just like I said, I just said this was how we got to where we are today. Yeah. Yeah. And we're I think we all need we need to work again, and this isn't I I think we're on the same page. uh we need to work forward meaning that both boards need to work forward in a cooperative
manner because and you know Tim and I have spent a little while kind of rolling this over because obviously there there are significant issues here but it's important because the water commissioners are an elected body elected to run the water department from
a policy perspective in order to implement that policy. you have to be comfortable with the with the personnel decisions that are being made at the same time. Um, and not not that we're talking about, you know, the select boards sitting at the top of the food chain, but in in in uh in in some ways
they do. You know, we're answerable to them as you know. Um, but in in fairness to you, it's it's appropriate for them to work with you and I think that's what they they intend to do um with regard to hiring and firing and filling the positions. But there there are times
when a particular individual it things might reach a point where the where the select board uh sees that it's necessary based upon um HR concerns, contracting concerns, you know, procurement issues, other issues that come up that it's time
to try to address those. And in the particular case that we've been alluding to, that was the intent of an executive session to try to address some issues. And I I want to be careful because uh you know the the individual has rights and I don't want to get into a discussion about a specific individual
but that's why the select board goes through why any any elected board would go through an exe an executive session under that particular exemption to allow a discussion of those kinds of matters that affect an individual employee. So
that could be it could be addressed without having having that uh discussion in open session which might have a detrimental impact on the individual and their rights and that's not what happened here and and and so we know what happened from there but uh uh I
think that's that's uh an effort by the select board to try to be cooperative in its process. not necessarily going to the point of firing someone, but trying to address things through the executive process to try to try to get to try to
get personnel matters back on track. At least that's my understanding. Well, I know the conversations that I've had with members of the board, and this is just myself personally. Um, I think they are willing to go forward with this
and and work together as a group and as a team. to make this, if I remember correctly, our discussions that we've had off and on, but I think I think we're all looking at the same thing as far as that part of it goes. It's just how we put the pieces back together because now that we know these
particular items and the legislation part of that part of it for MGL and stuff now that we know that part of it. Yeah. Well, I mean, we're we're we're a small town. Um, we all need to work together to in the best interest of the town. You know, that's ultimately our
interest. Our interest is not solely like the interest of one board versus another and one department versus another. We we we want to act in the best interest of uh our shareholders who are are the town residents. Yes. So they get the best bang for their buck. That's right. Right. Right.
Exactly. So I have your next question. Um Okay. Was you asking what the difference is between an appointed water commissioner and an elected water commissioner. You guys are elected, correct? Um yeah, there is an appointed water committee there too. Not here, but
there is there. Yeah. So that that's you know it it that comes up a lot because there's always the suggestion well an elected uh board has greater authority than appointed board. It it depends on the the circumstances and and and uh a
board that carries out statutory duties that is appointed for a term found in law is not subject Oh, it looks like we lost Did we just lose Tim? Um Tim must have had enough listening to me. Um so, uh an appointed board appointed for a
term found in law pretty much has the same authority as an elected board. Um, Massachusetts law is very interesting with respect to uh appointments for terms found in law. Um, if you have a a statutory or uh a charter provision that
sets the term of an employee, that employee unless otherwise provided in the same law um can't be removed. And the case law that we we look at with respect to um the the definition of of
an official of the town actually specifies that if an individual is not merely an employee but serves for a term found in law, that's when the concept of an of of official versus employee is
triggered because that person holding a term found in law is cloaked in greater authority. So elected officials are elected for a term uh officials appointed for a term found in law hold that that position for
that the period of that term. And um in terms of the water commissioners obviously what we're dealing with here is an elected elected body. So it's really more of an academic question. But in my opinion for these purposes a uh an
elected board uh elected for a specific term obviously or an appointed board appointed for a term found in law they essentially have the same the same authority. Thank you Mark. Um so I have the third
question. Um feel like you already answered it. I feel like it was answered. I'll just just want to double check that. Um, so you were told that the select board voted during our last meeting to accept Gordon's resignation and you were looking for documents to
um, uh, a recordings of that decision. I think they these two guys were here. They said they remember you voting to um reprimand but not voting warning letters but I don't recall the so I think that Tim and Mark because you were asking
whether that was actually is there are they serious because remember you asked cuz you because you asked him did they did they just do that oh you're talking about the meeting where yeah we don't have to vote to accept his resignation. No we realize
what he just said. Yeah, we realize what he just said, but like you said, are they serious? Remember when you guys were asking that? And we didn't even know whether they were. We were asking um cuz the comment was made that there was no more water department. So then we asked, we didn't make that. No, no, I know. So then Christina clarified, Brad
and Pete, are you still interested in being on the water? And they both said yes. You both said yes. And so that was the the comment at the time. But there's there's where a little bit of a interesting a little bit of a difference would arise. Brad, let's say at at the
in the heat of the moment, you had said, "I I'm sick of this. I resign." And you walked out. That resignation can't simply be accepted by the select board, they don't have authority over you as an elected official. So, until you put your
resignation in writing and either send it to the select board for filing or file it yourself, until it gets filed with the uh with the town clerk, it's not effective. And I remember years ago, I I I think I mentioned this to
Christina. Um there was a member of the select board. I'd have to find her name. It was it was it was a number of years ago, Brad, and she resigned from the select board. And then at that time, the board of selectmen, this is this was prior to you, Car. It was a long time
ago. And uh um and uh she filed her resignation with the town clerk. And then she emailed me and said, you know, it was a few days later, may have been a week later, and said, "Oh my gosh, I I wish I hadn't done that. Can I resend
that?" And unfortunately, what I had to tell her is under the statute, um, once she has filed that with the town clerk, that becomes operative and official and she she can't resend that resignation.
And it was unfortunate because again, I think it was the heat of the moment. So, we all have to remember u you got to be careful what you say in the heat of the moment, but there is that additional protection for um an elected official. So, Brad, if you if you got got ticked
off at what I have to say and you say, you know, I I can't stand this stuff that town council is telling me, I I resign and you walk out until you until you file that resignation with the town clerk, you are are still the elected uh
water commissioner. But if uh if say Christina is is tired of hearing me talk and she says that's it, I resign and she walks out. She you know that's that's a resignation. So that's the that's where there's a critical difference between an
elected official and uh or an official generally and uh an appointed an appointed employee. Thanks Mark. That makes sorry Christina. Sorry, Brad. That's fine. We're good. Um, the next question was, um, when the
board signs off on bills from water, why can they get pulled by the select board? Issues are raised about regular bills being pulled from the select board after approval causing delays in payments to contractor. It is suggested the process of handling regular operating expenses should be streamlined to prevent confusion. Um, so when you sign off on
the bills, all the bills through the town come through us on a warrant and we go through the warrant at that point and then sign the warrant. Yeah. But there the reason that I asked that question actually came from me. Sorry Mark, this came from me. So what it was was
we're pulling out of our fund, our enterprise fund. We're not pulling from town money. We're in charge of the enterprise fund. We're in charge of making sure that that's taken care of. So when we've decided to pay that bill because that's what we've decided is
going to happen with our preview in our operation, then why is it that someone else has the right to pull that bill? If it was town money, I would agree 100%. Can I just ask Brad, are you referring specifically to the truck bed? Because I don't know that anyone. It doesn't
matter whether it's that or something. I don't know of any other one that was pulled. I have looked at a few um there's been a couple that's been put back before you. Yeah. So around the time that there was some uh money being spent out of a grant inappropriately. We were really watching that because we had
been told we won't be allowed to. Right. And that would have been out of a grant. That would have been your preview because that came out. You have the final say on the all town warrants whether it's out of that was my question. Yeah. Yeah. I mean that's a that gets into an accounting issue. Sorry to jump in Cara. Um that
definitely gets into the the the basic process for um bill paying. As as you know um an enterprise fund is is essentially an accounting mechanism and the uh water commissioner is going to have have uh policy oversight o over
that the expenditure of the enterprise fund monies. And so the the the water commission certainly would be approving the bills, but ultimately bills have to go to the town accountant to make sure that uh services were rendered and
materials ordered were were received. Uh because there there are significant limitations on on payments. Uh you know, a town cannot expend funds um in advance. We can't make down payments. We can't make uh um advanced payments, things like that. So they have to be
reviewed. The buck stops with the accountant who can stop things and then ultimately everything is signed off on. I think Cara, you receive a warrant with every everything that goes out from the town for ultimate approval and it's
important to make sure that all monies are accounted for, all procurement procedures are undertaken, all authoriz authorizations are given because again the the select board is is also the contracting authority uh for the town.
So they they sign off on contracts. Christina, just for information, Christina is not the the uh contracting authority for the town. She's uh she's the town administrator answerable to the select board and she reports to them. She she can't bind the town in in
contracts either. Ultimately, it's the uh the select board that that binds the town has that executive oversight of all expenditures of the town. And when we talk about enterprise fund money, um Brad, we got to be careful because when we say it's not the town's money, I know
you're talking about the town being, you know, or the select board and and that end of the business, but we talk about the town globally obviously uh enterprise funds are funds of uh of of our shareholders, the taxpayers.
Maybe I said that the wrong way, Mark. I mean, no, no, no. I got I got what you meant. I got what you meant. I just I was I I was the the broader perspective, right? It's the accounting thing, that's all. Exactly. No, I got what you meant, Brad. Now, Mark, isn't at at the end
anything that uh is overexpensed from their trust or their accounts, the town is responsible. That is correct. Is that not true? Well, we can't Yeah, we can't overexpend. And and the the critical point here is the town cannot sign
contracts in in excess of an appropriation. Chapter 44 section 31 specifically says that it's a violation of law to exceed available appropriations. So when we talk about exceedences, that's that's another job
of the town accountant. And that's why specifically we we have a statute that requires uh for construction contracts that you actually have to have uh the town accountant sign off to say that there's there's an available there are available funds that's to protect a
contractor in a large uh project circumstance. But when you have the situation where uh um funds are authorized through a contract be it for you know a a piece of equipment or a service or construction of a building or
construction of a a water line or or you know the bridge and dam issues those have to they they they can the contract cannot be executed unless there are funds available to pay for that contract. So, I do get a little nervous uh when when I hear comments about, you
know, what do we do if we overexpend? We've got to make sure that we have if if we're if we don't have the money in the enterprise fund uh to pay for that particular uh uh service or good that there's there's an available
appropriation from the town that you know that that that's specific for this purpose and that the town accountant can sign on basically saying money is available from this line to this line so that every so that the contractor knows they're going to get paid.
Thank you Mark. If I could just at the end here when you know the concern about pulling a bill immediately upon pulling that bill you guys should be notified so we could sit down and have a discussion about it. What what may be the
misunderstanding or is there no or maybe if we have something that's maybe questionable in our thought, we come to you guys to say, "Hey, um, we're not sure about this, but what do you guys think on this? We need to know immediately because there's a vendor involved." Right. Right. There has been times when we've been notified by the
vendor, not not by anyone else. Right. But that's that's where I get really really nervous because the bill should not get to the point of being pulled before the funding for the contract is assured because if you've signed a
contract and there's there's there are a lot of fine points of uh municipal finance law and uh you know I I've been doing this for for a while and I've seen just about every fight that comes up. But the idea is again under the statute that I cited earlier chapter 44 section
31 the the the there should not be any sign off on a contract that uh exceeds the available appropriation. So if you follow that logically, if you if you sign if if you've signed a contract for
which there is an appropriation, there should not be a bill being pulled for lack of funding because if there's lack of funding, you you've exceeded you've exceeded available appropriations. I think were pulled um Mark not for lack
of funding but for like for that example that grant the it was an inappropriate use of grant funds. So there was that concern and then there was the concern um section specifically with the truck bed because there was directions given
to follow through prior to that being but I think yeah so we have yeah I think what we want to be careful of though carara is again pulling if if and and and this gets into you know cooperation and and understanding if
excuse me if if we if we have already signed the contract, incurred the services even if the grant is being uh improperly expended but but services have been rendered. Um it it it start it raises the concern that now you have a
vendor who provided services for the town and expect in expectation of being paid and the bill is being pulled because the grant wasn't properly applied and again you know expenditure of the grant. Uh this this is another uh
uh requirement in chapter 44 section 53A. And I'm not don't worry, there's there's not going to be a test on this later. It's just kind of fun to throw these things out there for your edification. But uh chapter 44 section 53A specifically says that any
department which would include the water department can accept a gift or grant. But the expenditure of the gift or grant must be first approved by the in in a town the the the select board as the
chief executive. So that's why we shouldn't wind up in a situation where grant funds have been promised and the and the select board has to pull the quote unquote the bill because the select board should have in advance
authorized the expenditure of this grant. And I know this is something that in a lot of municipalities is honored in the breach. We had the to be to be honest this this really blew up for a lot of municipalities when ARPA funds were were made available because ARPA
funds were grants from the federal government and then through the state and down to the towns and in some cases we're talking about many millions of dollars. And so in a lot of think about a city situation in a city, a mayor and a city council have to approve the
expenditure of funds. And for for me for many of these cities, the uh grants were not approved by the city council and suddenly you had millions of dollars in federal funds coming in and the city council said, "Wait a minute, we want to have a say because this is a huge amount
of money." as opposed to just letting the mayor do what the mayor usually does. So you have that. Then you have towns where departments would regularly receive small grants and expend them for uh you know I see them for for purchase
of uh a piece of equipment or sometimes it's a a grant to buy flags or things like that and the select board you know would would would essentially allow it without without uh without specific authorization. But the reality is under
chapter 44 section 53A, you have to have that executive authorization before you could expend dollar one of a gift or grant. So, the way I'm understanding you say it is, for example, the the grant that was received by the water department for the WA shared water
operator services, the money that was spent on the truck, that purchase should have come before the select board prior to the purchase being made for us to approve it coming out of grant funding. Is that correct? Oh, we lost your mark. No, somebody mute
somebody muted me. I I don't know if that was a comment or not, but uh I don't know if I deserve that, but uh yeah, so when the grant comes in um and and let's say let's say the water department secured the grant, the water
department would be able to, like I said, accept the grant, then would come to the select board, present that grant, and receive authorization to expend the grant for specific purposes. So the grant would be held by uh the town
treasurer in a a separate account and it could it would be expended for the purposes of the grant with the approval of the select board. So for each purchase we have to approve it. Technically yes you could in advance if
you're presented with uh essentially how it's to be expended. You can approve it for expenditure in accordance with the following. Uh there are different ways to do it, but there has to be some authorization to make sure that it
aligns with the grant, right? And and also to be honest, there there are circumstances where the town might receive a it's gifts and grants. So, putting aside a grant from the federal government or a grant from the state, um you could receive a gift from a private
individual for a purpose that uh you know, a a a town, you know, a town employee may say, "I got I got this gift." And the select board looks at it and says, "That's not something the town wants to do. We're not going to authorize expenditure." And that that
gift is is rejected. You could have a grant that has terms in it that are so difficult. A grant could be from a private entity. It could be from the federal or state government. And it may have some terms that the select board determines is not consistent with a
select board policy or or town policy or is something that that the town simply can't accomplish. you know, matching funds or something like that where the town is not able to do it and the select board doesn't authorize expenditure because for whatever reason the the uh
the town is not amendable to what is is tied to that grant. Okay. The only the only thing I wanted to say is that a lot of this is process related breakdowns, right? Communication breakdowns, right? Right. Because you know even when we
approve a grant there's so much that's going on after that that we have to put it on our followup to have discussions about it because the skate brand grant is a I think we should start we were half a million dollars into the project before we even started getting the
money. So right you know and that should have come around sooner that should have been turned around sooner but there was breakdown in the process handling the grant there was breakdown in spending in the grant. Yeah. So, I'm just saying it doesn't end with a discussion. Yeah. I
think we just need to work together as a team to go forward with this. I agree, Brad. I think that that's that's the key. I think if if there's one takeaway from this, um that really is it. And I I think that the reason we're at this point is the the two boards have been
acting somewhat in in their own spheres in a vacuum. Yes. and and so the the the water commissioners should be coming to the select board probably more frequently to communicate on these issues so that the select board is brought up to speed and uh you know I
think I think Christina does a fabulous job but she should not be expected to be the sole conduit because there there are things that are are really not strictly within her purview and to have the two boards communicating meeting uh then
then tasks can be doled out to Christina to the water superintendent whoever that may be and uh uh things can be handled more appropriately so that when when bills come before the select board for sign off on the warrant based upon the
recommendation of the water commissioners there's already been the vetting of that grant or that expenditure and that process and everybody will be on the same page. Yes. And I agree with that. Hi u Mark just uh
a quick question uh like some grants come come through and they have a perview it's for this specific uh thing and that and if the town or the uh
commission whatever who who got the the grant bless you uh misappropriated that money can they pull they they can pull that grant and then the town's hung for that money. Is that not right? Well, usually the grants have
fine print, EJ, and and and yeah, some very often I was just meeting with a town this afternoon talking about um funding for a particular uh project involving property acquisition. and now we're we're kind of scrambling to make sure that we didn't we didn't uh violate
some term of a grant that that could trigger return of state or federal funds. So yeah, you always want to make sure gifts and grants um they can be expended for the specific purpose for which they're given. A gift that's given
without specificity, you know, I write a check for $100 and just make it out to the town of Blandford. that goes into the general fund. But when I write a check um to the town of Blandford for a a specific purpose, you know, be it to
to uh you know, to contribute towards the construction of the new fire station or or to buy an ambulance, you know, then then that even though it's a hundred bucks, it's not going to get you very far, but that would go into a gift fund. And what's interesting, DJ, as in
in addition to that, when you look at certain things that are purchased under chapter 30B, so let's use the ambulance as an example, purchases made uh for for goods under chapter 30B. If they're purchased through gift funds, they're
not subject to procurement anymore. So if I give you u a million dollars to buy a firet truck, u you can go out and spend that million dollars without going through a procurement process. However, however, mo most of the things that the
water department does, you know, putting in water lines, um repairing infrastructure, that's not subject to chapter 30B, the uniform procurement act. That's subject to chapter 30 section 39M, which has to do with uh uh
public works type construction. those those grants are not um exempt from that procurement process because that statute doesn't have that exemption. So that's why it carries some extra burdens. You have to make sure like you said TJ, you
have to make sure that you're spending those funds specifically for that purpose and you're complying with law because most of those grants say they have to be spent for the specific purpose and they have to be spent in compliance with law. Thanks, Mark. Um,
all right. Our last question we have is, um, what is the future for the water superintendent? Um, so it said the commissioners discussed the qualifications and salary expectations for the superintendent position, noting that new applicants aren't willing to accept the offered salary of 90,000 a year. It will be difficult to find
qualified candidates for the role. Um, and there was a consensus that you were preferring the previous um, that's not exactly written, right? I I said in the meeting that in Westfield we have a hard time finding somebody who has a D3 T3 for 90,000 for
$90,000. They turned their nose off at we lost Gordon. That's you know we lost Gordon. I know you guys didn't want them but it's going to be hard to find somebody else without those qualifications. I mean so right now the position is a part-time position at 19
hours a week. I know that there's some confusion with hours that um our previous superintendent was putting in at full-time with benefits, but right now it's part-time. Do you I mean the discussion was do we want to look at creating a full-time position? Do you think that we actually wanted to do that
is what we wanted to do. Yes, we actually that's why that got to where it got to there again not knowing where we were going to. So, um, where with where we stand now in the budget phase, how do we go? I can't you because your finance
um I don't know how we go about creating a full-time position if we haven't budget it for this next fiscal year. What are your thoughts? We're going to have to do we'll do we have a special we will be having special to move funding from. Okay. But you can't really do it without Yeah, we got to look at what we got left for this year anyway, right?
Find out where it's going to go. So, we can take a look at the um the job description and I would suggest that you're next meeting taking a look at the job description and seeing what adjustments you feel need to be made to that. Yeah. Can you share what what
you're thinking like if it's not 90? What is what you any thoughts? I have no idea. I just know that it's hard to get anybody for water for part-time in any small town. Right. Most of the water operators are in their 70s or 80s in most of these small towns because
they've worked there forever. Yeah, that's true. And they've worked in and once you go to replace them, these small towns are shocked of what it's going to cost them to bring people in, right? But I'm just saying anybody with qualifications, right, for a full-time person with these. And I think what what
we're gonna have to do here is um hire somebody that doesn't have the same credentials as Gordon and expect them to get them within a year or within two years. So if you if you guys want to take a look at the job description, adjust it to what you think full-time will look
like and send it back to you guys, then send it back to us. you know, keep in mind that that will include benefits. So, we'll have to include that in moving funds at the town meeting, which I think last I checked was like 16,000 a year, but I think it's probably gone up from that. Um, and then like you you said,
Mike, what expectations are I would also maybe look into what if what any surrounding towns are paying for a full-time um water superintendent so we have an idea what would be something that, you know, people would be interested in. Um and then we can take a
look at that and we can post it and then we have to readjust our budget at some point in time. But so the other part of that conversation a town meeting and get the other part of that conversation is making the interim. Yes. We we had as the three of us we
talked about that because we had to have someone who would y take care of the dayto-day at the moment because all three of us have full-time jobs and Steve is currently full-time assistant superintendent. I I do think though there's certain
things that he can't sign for Yeah. because he's not had the experience for that. My understanding is he's close to the license that he needs. Is that correct? Within a few weeks of time, I think uh we are what D2 or T2 D1 D1 in
full T2. Yeah. OIT six months out. Right. What our system? Bernie's primary operator, right? Yeah. Bernie's primary. Yeah. Right. So, and then secondary is Nory. And what do you
do? You're D2 and T2. D uh T2 in training and D1 in full. Okay. So, we're looking to um appoint interim water superintendent, but you wanted to maintain a full-time position. So, we
were just discussing um did we want to the for the salary rate um put him at the full-time superintendent salary or do the 19 hours assistant and then the other 21 hours? Flip it here. So, he
would be 19. Do you guys want to pay him 19 hours a week at superintendent and the remainder at his normal? Oh, yeah. Discuss it. We haven't discussed it yet. We have to sit down and discuss that. I have to come back with them with the decision. Right though,
next week and and let us know what you think that because he's been doing it. We would discuss doing it retro because he's been doing the job, right? So, and I just would need to get something to payroll to make sure that he's How was that last repair?
Did you Yeah. No, everything. He let me know in advance. We did the reverse 911 and everything was great. Yeah, the advanced warning that the water was going to be off was definitely very helpful. Awesome. Can we put you on the agenda next week and we'll just kind of like get through that? So, we'll do another joint meeting next week. Okay,
sure. Um, I think that was all of your questions. Do you guys have Hey, Mark, I got one for you. Yeah. Chapter 40, section 4. Did the town ever vote that? Chapter 40, section 4 is not a local
acceptance statute. Okay. What was what was your concern about that? I was just curious because it's do with water commissions. Water commissions and sewer commissions. Chapter 40, section 4. I'm pretty sure. No.
General laws. Chapter 40, section 4. I don't know. 40N. 40N. Sorry, I forgot the N. Ah, that's a big deal, Brad. Um, I'm actually Sorry, I forgot the N. Yeah,
devil's in the details. Um, you are correct. We would have to check. You'd have to check with the with the uh the the town clerk, but I believe if I recall correctly, Tim, I think you and I looked at this that the water commission was established by special acts. So, I I
don't know that the town has accepted that that statutory process. Question. That's one thing I've been trying to find out. That was one of the things I was trying to look for because I did find the axe where it was the fire district. Tim, I think you're mut. Yeah, it's it's
that there. So, the town had a a a fire district that provided water back in like the early 1900s. Correct. that the fire district was um was uh they got they got rid of it by by a special act
in the late 1920s. And then in 1929, the town voted to accept um I I forget the the the chapter, but it's GL chapter 40, section 39B,
I want to say, and that that statute is the general um water commission statute that that now governs. So now it's I believe the town is governed by chapter
41 section 69A and 69B. So there isn't there is not a special act that is in effect for the the water commission but um there's a there's a lot of history I think and believe me I
looked through a lot of it and it didn't it didn't clarify anything for me let's put it that way yeah it's as clear as mud even even when a lawyer looks at it it's but those those statutes and that you know Tim and I were discussing this earlier I remember I they with the
convoluted process but 4169A and 69B can outline powers and duties uh which is which is consistent with what we've been discussing and uh that might be helpful for you to look at Brad. So that's again 40 chapter 41 section 69A
and 69B. I got it. Just just the last thing that was on here. Is there going to be any complications with the one stops because Jordan Gordon's names on them? Oh, no. Okay. Um,
you do change where uh we have the town overall sign in. So, that's how I was alerted to the grants in the first place. We can assign somebody else. Whoever you pick you guys. Um, just so you guys know, we
did sign the um, ARCAP uh, paperwork that came through. I'm just looking for the name of it. Um, so that we're moving forward with there the um, project service plan. Okay. So, so what's their contact going to be? What's
their contact be for? Yeah, I will scan that, send that back to Jim Starboard. I will copy you guys on it. So, any further communications with him? Sure. Copy on it. All right. And then um there was a right and pierce bill.
You're good with us. We we've figured it out. It's seven and eight and uh it has not been turned in yet because we were waiting for authorization. Okay. Because basically what's going to happen is we have to authorize the work. The work's been done. You guys have to authorize
the signature and then we have to turn around right away and then put in for the reimbursement. And we need that ASAP to talk to. Yeah. So Brad and I are going to work on a lot of the accounting stuff together. Okay. Just to get through it, get it back to where it
needs to be and then going forward it'll be. It should be fine after that point. I think I think once we get through that part of it, I think it'll be fine. Okay. Perfect. Um the hard part will be the other part, the day-to-day operation. You have any more questions for legal? Yeah. Do you guys have any more
questions for legal before? I do not. Mark, thank you very much. I appreciate it. Same with you, Tim. It's been a while since I talked to you. Yeah, good to see you guys. You're welcome. You're very welcome. And Jackie, I didn't get to say congratulations. Welcome aboard.
Thank you. I'm sorry I muted you, Mark. I didn't mean to. That's okay. You're not the first one. That's right. That's right. All right. Um, thanks, guys. Thank you. Bye, guys. Good night. Good night. So,
then we'll talk to you guys next week. Yes. With us then? Yeah. And just make just send us the um description, the job description. Yeah, we can we can individually talk to Jasmine back and forth. We don't have to. Do you want it to be another joint meeting? Is are all of you going to be here? I don't know.
Are you going to be able to make it or Yeah, start a little bit. Right. Hey, I know him when he was a kid. He was never Okay. I think that there's a vendor here that wants to speak with you guys. Sure. When you get to when I get to audience
participation. All right. We can um we can go there now. Let me see. Hold on. Where is it? Public comment. All right. Um so motion to go to number five, public comment. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I Yes. One
more question. Uh, regarding the previous repair on Chester Road, uh, you said that there was a reverse 911 call notifying that people that closed water on Monday. Uh, I was one of the residents uh, that didn't receive the message. So, are you signed up on I've
done it numerous times. The online thing does not play nice. I personally gave my information to Joanne from me and my wife again. So, how do we is there any way you guys can tell like a test notification to see if we are actually
getting Can I just say go ahead. So, I'm not super familiar with the system. When I send it out, I can only send it out to the I believe there's 827 contacts. I can't find like who's on Chester, who's So, when I send something out, it goes out to everybody. And I it's my
understanding that in the past people have gotten upset when they're getting things that don't apply to them or if they get them too much. I would love to do a test. I'll see if I can do a test just specifically to yours. I can try. I don't know. Not yet. I
know. I talked with Joanne when I came down. Yes. I was steaming because it was like again, here we go. Yes. I'm glad they did a quick repair and it was fantastic. It was on Friday. I sent it out Friday. I don't know if that's right. And I guess I wasn't the only one that did not get notified Chester. Okay.
Okay. And we did send those numbers forward to Jennifer because she's the one that enters those numbers. Okay. Hopefully it's fixed. All right. So, we'll see if we can do a test. Okay. Before we wrap. Wait, there's a vendor though that needs to is there. Can I go?
Yes. I'm Bob Watson. Yes, sir. Trying to figure out how we can get paid. Well, that's going to happen. You're talking about seven and eight, correct? Mhm. Yes. Oh, sorry. Did I say right in Pierce? Yes. Yes. So, that's what I was talking about when I
said um we were looking to make sure that it had been signed off by the water department so that we knew that the work had been completed and we didn't have a final signature. We sign off saying the work long time ago. Yeah, I know. And we've had a little bit of a
over the last It's been two months here. So, they're sending it to us and we will get it in the warrant for So, this coming warrant, right? That's what we were shooting for, right? You're suggesting that this hasn't even been processed yet. Correct. Correct.
This is this is from November of 2025. No, I'm sorry. December. Yeah. November of 2024 and December of uh 2024 and this board was aware of it in January 6 and nothing has been done since then.
Is that is that what we're saying here? Um I don't have to follow myself. Well, for Mary, you're waiting for D approval, but you know, as your town council was saying that these funds are already in place, so I don't know why D you can get
your reimbursement from them, which is what you what we normally do, but those funds and I have signature from the town of Cotton that those funds are in place. We expect to get paid. No, I agree with you 100%. Definitely. Unfortunately, we just had people had these things for a long
period of time. So to say we're just getting them and we're just reviewing them and we're trying to catch up. That's just wrong. And we've got emails from We apologize for that. I mean, we apologize for it. All we can tell you is that Brad and I were in with Treasury just a little bit ago
and made very clear we need to expedite these and get them done. Correct. This is probably about the fifth or sixth time I've heard this. Oh, really? So, I really don't have much faith that it's it's going to get done. That's why I drove three hours today to come to BL
to you know who who is my contact now that Gordon is gone. Okay. Yeah, your email doesn't I suppose, but I can't. All we need All right. So, here's the step. Okay. You can already take my name
if you want because I'm going to walk it through to make sure that you get paid. Okay. Jackie Corey, okay? Or member right now. I'm no I was the finance chair for the town. Okay. Brad is going to give me those
documents. Okay. He'll sign say, "Yep, work's done." It's going to come through and I'm going to get these guys. We'll sign it. Okay. I think you have to sign it. Correct. Does the chair? Yes. From there, I take it over to the Treasury and get it paid. We'll worry about getting our
reimbursement. That's That's us, correct? But we'll get you paid. I can't I can't believe it's I can send the ones that have already been signed off. Okay. Go ahead. It's J Corey J C O U R Y at
townoflford.com. Okay. There's no issue with lending 2024 that we have to No, they're not. It's all been signed off on like that's all part of that all part of that money. It's within that deadline. That's why I can't understand why it's
taking so long for it to Yeah. to go around, right? We don't want that either. We need you to keep it. So, yes. Yeah. Okay. So, yes. Uh Jackie, thank you. Bob, I've
got your email. I'll send you an email, too. Okay. So, you have it. This is Bob Watson. Yes. First time I think I've met you. So, no. And like I said, your your emails uh from the uh uh pinged back to the undeliverable. So, we
were having some issues with that. I think we finally got that straightened out though last week. I was in with it and uh and uh Okay. Okay. Yeah. Well, like I said, I'll keep you posted. I do that information. You don't give me an idea when uh All right.
Thank you. Thank you. Um Okay. And there was one last thing that we needed to discuss because Mike had sent an email earlier about Oh, no. The fire fire. Ray, your turn. You come on down.
Now, was it the situation where we used to hold up work because we were concerned about But then they got payment again, but it went down. Price went way down since it was like originally real. We're not talking about that. You're talking about fire hydrants. Yeah.
We're going to talk about fire hydrant. Um there's a concern about Mike. Do you go ahead? Do you want us? Um, well, I'm getting rid of a little third party from Brad, but um I I I understand that you're not going to pay for the fire hydrants that we had replaced. That's
what I was told. I guess that the select board previous before I was here, you guys ended up in a meeting talking about that it was going to be an insurance issue. Well, that was kind of my question. That was his question. So, your question is, do we file claim insurance? Yes, that's
what we were asking. I thought that's what I thought the process already was happening on that. Must have been plows. They were hit by plows. This one here. No, not this one. Well, one of them was hit recently. Yeah, one of them was cuz we spun around. I know you had a dead
one by the cemetery now. That's been dead since I started. That's four years that that's been dead for. Can I just say I could swear that we took money out of the reserve to pay for two fire hydrants to be finished. That would have
been voted on at special town. Oh, out of out of reserve. No, not special town meeting then. Um I can go and look at the where we paid for those out of the town. Yeah. Okay. I thought we did too cuz I thought this was already a deal. You guys know the number like that. I'm
looking for00 all together installed good to go. So that's the number I'm looking for. We already paid them. Yeah, we already paid them out of order. Check on that and find out. Okay, so the
ven conversation going hard to follow. So, you already paid it? Yeah, we already paid it. Okay. So, then the question is water getting reimbured for the payment of the fire. That's the question. That's correct. Correct. And we didn't know by highway or by insurance. Correct. Or by
the town. I don't know yet. We'll see what apparently there's some confusion as to whether or not money was already put aside for this. We talked about it before. But the money should go a while ago. I don't think there's Let me ask is there any disagreement that they shouldn't get their money back? No.
Okay. Then it's a matter of getting you your money back. Yeah. Okay. That's all. Okay. I think you would always want to avoid the insurance thing. Well, that Yeah, we don't want But I know that we do that in Westfield. Yeah. Even if it's
our DPW that hits it, has to be claimed as um damaged property. All right. All right. Thanks for coming, guys. Thank you guys. You can move on down to the hot seat. I almost didn't even recognize you. He's
all cleaned up. I change it up a little. It's It's actually uh There's a drink that I ended up doing. Thank you. Bye, Pete. I hope you feel better. I guess they want me over here. So, Jackie, you got to call me here.
when you when we uh well I got to she's got to turn that in on Wednesday. She'll be working Wednesday to do that billing. So that'll come in on Wednesday. So we can flush pages on Wednesday. If anything, I can meet you here. Okay. All right. Bye. Thank you. So we are back up
to department reports and we're looking at the highway report. Hey, can you take the hat off? Only because you're being recorded. Oh, now you got to fix your hair. Yeah, there you go. It's a mess problem.
All right. So, all right. Um, so Ray, we have um should we start here? Touch base on um I talked to you last time about touching base in some of the June 1st spots and see where we're at
with themals with the goals. So, I think that you had talked about this before, but if you just want to remind me that all Blanford roads being free of debris from winter months, we're good with all those. Okay. I'm going to just check it off. Talk about
it. Um, this is pathetic. And then the next one that we're going to talk about um was looking at first quarter. So, starting July, July, August, September, first quarter, um for 2026,
um what your priorities are. So, we're looking at a for a list of priority area areas for maintenance. There's quite a few honestly. Um if you could I can start reading them out to you and we Do you have a list of those?
I really it's not a finished copy because I this is only just two pages that I got together. Okay. And I'd rather wait till next week so I can read you the whole So I'm just gonna put let's do that. So if you just want to send it to us for next week and then we can take a look at it. Um that'd be
perfect because honestly with Matt leaving I've been crunching this after hours getting as much done as I can and working with the guys out on the road. Yeah. And um there's a lot of stuff in town that I'm attacking at the same time
while working and doing the clarify work inside the office at the same time. So I just want to make sure that is achievable for a group like for the department that I would be holding after the 27th. I believe Matt is leaving. Okay. Yeah.
Okay. I am the only CDL holder right now. So between driving stuff back and forth, uh, jumping into the office, checking emails, it's very chaotic right now. But getting that done, if I could, I want to ask a question because it is
ahead. It is a concern, right, with Matt leaving. Yes. And prepped for the winter. Yes. Because you have no one that is able nor licensed to do what you do. Really? Right. So, when are we going to get that job
posted? Well, there's a posting on the there is a posting right now on the town website. Okay. It's an older one, but it's still valid. It's never been taken down. Uh I did have one inquiry, actually two inquiries on it. Um so, I'm following up
with them. Okay. But I just want to make sure that Matt is going to I know he ended up giving his reg, you know, his paperwork in and he's saying, "Look, thank you." But I want to make sure that he is going to leave and not I can't hire another
person. So I have a position for Matt. But I am interviewing the uh candidates and and I vet them out and figure out what would be a best fit for the department so that the crew that I have now isn't going to end up going backwards rather than forwards. I think
we need to recommend that they have to be licensed. Yeah. Period. I do because you can't do this whole town by yourself. Yeah. And we don't want to have to outsource the work when we No, no, no, no. We would never we would never have to come to that. I can
guarantee you that. If Matt and myself could run the town um two years ago between me and him, I I have full faith that the crew right now could handle the town with myself and having help, you
know, for the winter months. his last 23 the 27th. Am I correct for Oh, yeah. That's what he said in his paper, right? Yeah. 27th. Okay. And how's that normally work? Is that something that Christina, you would take the lead in posting those that job outside of just
online with Glamford? But so I did reach out to the country journal and ended up seeing I just have to write up a a description job description and then you know send it over to her. So the job description should be the job
description exists that we have already for Bford. We have one in reserve. Yeah, you should be able to go right on the website and see all the job descriptions for all the positions and highway department labor should be on there. So you can just pull that. Okay. Um, and
then I would suggest Does it cost to put it on Indeed? Is that where we typically? Yeah, it does cost. I don't think you I put that one on there for her. I don't think it cost anything. Um, the cost will go to
Penny Saver or something like that. Yeah, we can get it posted. I think digitally if we can get it that would be good. Um, do you typically do that for us, Christina, or would the department heads um post that? I just honestly don't know. I can do whatever you ask me to do. I don't want to be the one making
the decision on which description gets posted and how it gets posted, but I can post it once you guys approve it. Okay. And especially with the payroll uh the pay adjusted accordingly, too, is a is another thing that needs to end up. Will you put internally, just so you know,
it's not going to be the full description. It's it's going to be like a little like Yeah, because if you try to put the whole thing, it cost a ton of money. as long as you can walk. And the pay is going to be based on their licensing. It's going to be based on their how how much experience they have.
I mean, it's well, right? I would see I would definitely say it's the licensing. I don't think we can go off of seniority because you get someone that's 50 years old that's been doing municipality work for 25 years. He's going to come into
the door. He just like you have a talk with him. is based on how long you've been here. Here, not other not other town. She said experience. She's not using the word seniority. She just means experience. Well, that would be something that you
would end up u looking into for making the decision on that candidate at that point over another candidate, which yes. So, if you the pay wouldn't change. I definitely couldn't do that. Yeah. The pay is a whole another
situation. Um, if you want to just send like a two, threeline blurb to Christina basically that they can reference the full job position on, you know, you would put our website wherever they can reference it. Um, and then Christina, if you want to
post it on Indeed, I think that that's a good one. There's probably And our website and our website and we won't post it till Matt's gone. So, say okay. So, the next day it should be out there because we're going to be in winter months before. I'm sorry to say, but you know, coverage is flies. I would I would
like to say that I would like to do some fishing around other communities and towns and see if I can snag someone from another department. Just don't make any financial No, but it would be good to get someone that has those licenses. Yeah. And the experience.
CDL definitely a must at this point for this position that we need to fill. Absolutely. And honestly, you know, we with the next uh steps going through is I'd really like to see Mario getting in with a CDL
because he's really shown strong characteristics and strengths and leadership. Isn't there a year wait he's got to I mean the other towns I understand from doing a little research the other towns are waiting four years to be able to pay for that. That's a long time. And the reason is because
people will come here work. We pay for it and they go someplace else and make more money for the city. Does the town have anything set in place so that we do we have the five years it's they have to prorate and pay us back but only the cost of getting the license not you know
anything else. So the schooling though that's basically it right. Okay. So someone that if they do come here we pay them they leave then we we have to ask them hey you got to reimburse the prrated amount right. Also, if we're
paying them to an hourly rate, they're not working cuz they're in school. We don't get that money back. No, it's a lot. Right. Yeah. So, that's So, that actually leads into the next goal, which was um creating a list of the desired certifications for all highway
employees. I gave you that. That was in the list I gave you. Uh it's in here. Okay. It's in my whole packet. Yeah. Yep. Perfect. All right. Um and then also the seasonal goals. So, what um we need a list of your goals for
summer, which we I sort of talked about with the first quarter, but this was I think more specific to just what your seasonal goals are for summertime. Um, which will I think ties into when you're going to give us I was gonna say we gota
we got to merge this stuff into one thing because what me in this position here being able to do I seasonal goals should be broken down from what I'm writing down here. Like we're not snowplowing in the middle of July. We're working the roads. We're making sure
that any emergencies come up. Like if we're going to dice up seasonal goals to monthly quarterly goals, it's just getting a little too much right now. I think that the seasonal goals with just looking at what the first quarter goals are, in my opinion, seems like that's,
you know, putting the snow plows away, making sure they're all clean. I would consider that a seasonal goal. You know, making sure that all the ditches are cleaned out. You know, fall time's going to come around. It's a no-brainer. You got to start getting the plows out. You got to at least get one truck ready.
Small truck, one large truck. Get a sander in each of them so you have something ready to go. It's Well, that's why right that's why we did this because it becomes easier if you just check off each one. All right. Um and then so my
next question is about um payroll and how that process is going. I know that um Joanne Joanne reached out to you about an issue. payroll fixed the form for him. He made a mistake last time and he picked up an old form. That's what happened. When he brought it back to me,
it was exactly like it was supposed to be. It was fine. There was like 10 different payroll sheets that accounting has handed to the department over the years. Well, couple years now, and I clicked the wrong one trying to end up getting it together. So, you're good
going? I'm good with it. That's why I was like, you delete all the old ones. I even told Joanne I went through deleted everything in the computer. No, I deleted all of them and I have that one saved right on my desktop in case he loses that one. And so we're good there.
Perfect. It was just there's too much stuff on there and going over with u You're good there. Yeah. Um Steve, he really uh he helped me out with the computer going through the the whole process of everything. Vadar, we got to
meet up because something's going on with Vadar. I can get in, but I can't see any of my active accounts. You can you just I'll I'll walk you through it. That's what I can access. Um, you do, too. Sorry not to speak out of turn, but I'll get with you about that. Set up
both login so that I'm verified. I'm in. So, it's good. At least I have that now. Um, coming to crunch time at the end of the month, it's important. I want to make sure all the accounts are in good standings and Okay. The negatives. All right. Um, what else
you got? I have two more questions. One question is about um the chapter 90 money, the um the projects for that money. I know there was I don't have the numbers in front. I'm not going to get it right. The um the bid we put in for
the asphalt was 800,000 comes out to 12,300 tons of applied hot asphalt mix. And if you were to use anywhere close to that, it would cost over a million dollars. It would cost over a little over a million. Yep. The reason why I put that in is
because I have projected roads. Nybrook. Mhm. Uh Lloyds. I wish I brought all the papers. Ny Brook. Lloyds. Gibbs or um Gore. And from the amount that those roads add up
to, that's that number. I'm not just pulling a number like my previous predecessor did and threw it out there and we had such an astronomical number it was ridiculous. Like I ended up going off a projected estimate of what we can
accomplish in this town, we are going to end up getting um the money to end up covering that. So that's where I was hoping even if we end up at least getting one of those roads done, two of those roads before the end of the year,
I'd like to have all those roads done. Now so that would just so you know, completely wipe out all of chapter 90 funding. Well, if you want me to hold off on doing projects in town, hold off. I'm just I want everybody aware of how
that I calculated the numbers to make sure that it would actually cover the jobs that we're going to be doing projected planning. That's why I did that. I guess the only Hello. Oh, hello. This is Howard. Hi, Howard. Rainey. Hi,
Rainey. He is not mentioning one thing. Um, right now we don't know what our actual allotment is for the new fiscal year, but there's talk about it being like 470 over 257,000.
That's why if the bond goes through and we do get that aotment, there'll be a heck of a lot more funds to complete these. So, we did not want to short change it with the possibility of these funds. If the funds don't come in, we
can't do it. Of course, not not all of it, but that was also one of the concerns when they put it in was because if you put in a small amount, you're not going to get the pricing. Yeah. But what does that do to them? I
mean, these are our partners. So, what does it do to them when you if you ask for 12,000 ton and you only really need 8,000 ton? What What does that do to them? Does that make them have material there sitting there doing nothing? Because No,
they don't make the material until the projects are are contracted. They're just looking at it as overall whether it's worth their bidding on. And frankly, everybody does it much higher than us. And normally uh last last time
it was uh 10,000 tons and he didn't have enough. Well, we're doing the project now and that's uh that's uh a little over 350,000 when that was projected to be over a million then. Well, I guess my only just to throw it
out there this Jack my concern of using all of it and even signing up for all of Chapter 90 is if there is some catastrophic thing that happens a major road gets washed out. I don't know anything could happen. You have to have
a backup emergency plan and funding for that. Otherwise, it's going to come from the town because there won't be any chapter 90 left. So, to eat it all is a little concerning in my mind. I don't know what could happen. I'm not the expert. You are, but I would just think
that anything could happen. We're What happens if nothing happens? Do we do we lose part of that chapter money? We don't have year. It builds like a bank account. It has a 10-year contract. Yeah.
So, there's Isn't there work on up each hill road that needs to be done? Yeah, that's part that was on my list, too. Yeah, there's numerous stuff that needs to be done in town that's been neglected. Like, we have a sinkhole over here on Kalin Road. Luckily, the state
is going to assist us having meetings with them. They're going to help us out with that. That is awesome. So like another thing going down Russell Stage Road u right before N uh Nybrook we have a catch basin there that's completely washed out.
These are issues that need to get addressed. There's there's so many things just driving around town looking on the side of the road I can end up seeing never mind just what's in the road and that you're feeling driving down the road that needs to get addressed. You go down Gore that road Yeah. I I just it's an atrocity to even
be going down there. Um making little plans to improve this town where it would be in good standings to last for the future is what we end up wanting to do. You want to band-aid stuff and all right, we'll spend 250 here, 250
there. It's not going to get us. No, I know you're not saying it, but I'm just saying if we try penny pinching it, it's not going to last. and I just want to make sure we do the stuff right in town. You know, I don't disagree, but I do think that having some sort of a backup
just in case of emergency would be important, too. Okay. Because we wouldn't have the funds to do it. That's the problem. All right. Right. Just think about it. And how much that would be, I don't know. But what you're talking about is really planning. You're planning ahead. You've got it. You've
got it laid out what you'd like to do. That's a goal. achieving a goal right right there. So I would you know by coming to us and saying these are all the things that is on the list we may say well let's talk about this and what
what can wait what can't wait what shouldn't wait you know together um I don't know if this you know I'm new to the board so you guys tell me no if I'm doing the wrong thing but I'm just thinking that it might be beneficial for us to have a discussion about it. Yeah,
I'm not a highway expert in any way my my only problem is if you know I don't want to start micromanaging something well in a sense sense it is because there's a certain amount of money that has to be expended there are
certain things that are on his agenda that need to be addressed and we only have a limited amount of time to address these issues y and one one one one emergency or one mishap
can put us behind time and cost us a lot of money. So, you know, uh we're working for these goals. Well, this is all fine and dandy, but we have to remember mother nature does not like our hilltops
and you know, so things happen and they happen quick. I think everyone's aware of that though. Well, they are, but it seems like, you know, uh, we're we're plotting this thing along and he knows what he has to get done. So therefore,
you know, he knows that at any time something can can go wrong and and and eat up a lot of his time and funds, right? So, I'm what I'm saying is is, you know, we have to allow for some kind
of leeway. Oh, yeah. Yeah. No. And I'm not saying that I'm not I I agree with you 100%. I'm just saying it would be good for us to have knowledge. I'm not saying I want to micromanage him because I wouldn't even know what to do because I don't know anything about highway. But
at least what if he had gone forth and spent all the money and something happened somewhere that it would be tough. Right. Right. So I'm just saying that him sharing helps us understand okay how much
Sorry. Um, can I say one more thing? Sure. Go ahead. The other thing he's um really should say is like when he's talking about these problems in town, that's what you have your road account for, the 115,000. So, he's going to be
doing those repairs out of that, not using chapter 90 funds. And if it gets into a situation where your funds are gone, first thing you do, and Cara, I'm sure you've done it before, you put it into a state for request for a state of emergency
and then you can get additional funding. That I've been done many times. So Rainey, you're saying that it's common practice to sort of over um over uh or whatever to put in for more
than you actually need. No, no, what I was saying is this is a different year. This is a rather exceptional year. A few years back when um Oh my god, I forgot the Governor Baker. He he gave us $300 million. So there was a whole lot of
additional chapter 90 money. A lot of towns went over in that circumstances because there was extra funds. Here we have a possibility of getting an additional 250 roughly. So that was
looking for that. And when these people go for the the bids, they know that that's a bond in a bill in the legislature right now. So they're also anticipating much higher usage. If it doesn't come through, that's the one
reason why when you go to county bid, it's it's all based upon financial procurement. So DOT doesn't frown on that. DOT doesn't make the standards to county bid. Okay.
Okay. Um, are we good with that? Do we have And one last, did you have a question? How much money is in reserve funds that $45,000? That's not enough. No. And one thing too, I wouldn't end up taking on a project without the
knowledge of the board. Honestly, that is just want you to know I wouldn't be doing that on us. We were just surprised by the Yeah. By the bid. Yeah. I mean, what is the bid in the past? Dave ended up What was Dave's uh bid
that he ended up putting in for asphalt last year? Can you look that up? Yeah, I can look that up. We don't have to. It was over 10,000 tons. All right. Um Okay. So, the last question I had, I want to um wrap up the
conversation about sick time for you. Um so, I know that Sarah reached out and let you know she was in the office today. Did you get a chance when I talked with her? I was with the guys on Cabo Mountain South Street from 7 a.m. all the way until basically I poked my
head in over there and I said, "I just seen your email at 5:15." Okay. So Sarah has spent uh a good amount of time looking into tracking all the data. Um she has the she sent us the daily use
spreadsheet, the union contract from 2224, union contract 2427 because that would pertain to you at that point. And then the memorandum of agreement um between the town and the union
members at that time is that with Dave the conversation with the select board and how they basically told Dave to end up getting the information uh get signatures from everybody. Thank you Sarah. Do you want to come on? This is so this is all the information that
um Sarah's been able to find um all of our data tracking your sick time. Um, I'm trying to look at the sheet. For some reason, it's not opening. I believe we ended up there was a shared email between everybody with Dave saying he was it was a select word saying the Dave
to end up getting signatures from the guys uh to see what they are willing to donate. You see, I was in the ICU with Mike. He was in there for 30 days and I used up what I had. I know that. Mhm. Um, and then the guys, they said, "Yeah,
we we'll end up I talked to Roger at the time because I was in the union." Said, "Yeah, we'll end up that's the only thing that they can end up doing is donating time to you to help out cushion the, you know, the burden." And u, you know, when I got back from taking
care of Michael and getting back to work, I ended up thanking all the guys, thinking everything was all kosher. Dave, saying thank you to him. Yeah, no problem. Everything was good. And then come to find out that none of that ever even happened. He never even lift the pen or anything. I talked to Andrew. I
talked to Jim. I talked to Matt. He said he asked us and then he said he was going to get back to us and never did. He never did. He dropped. We don't have any information on any um donated sick time. Yeah, that's what I heard. So
where we stand now is the um the negative 90 96.6 696. The one that's on your sheet was a little bit more than we calculated. Um, so what the spreadsheet is is what is Yeah. what we would go
with. So it's a three hours lesson on your time sheet or more. You have three hours. Because you found other days that weren't calculated into the past or No, I didn't include those. We went based off what was in harbors and the because
the union contracts changed slightly, ever so slightly. um they went from being able to do just PTO at some point, but the calculations came out in your favor by a few extra hours. So yes, it's 96 instead of the 99 instead of what was
in. So we just figured the calculations on the spreadsheet would be the more accurate ones. Okay. So what we can do going forward is just we were saying not dock or docue the
accum what would be accumulated sick time I think is that the way that we do it the so his acred time he wouldn't acrue time until he evens out right so you you're not taking any money from him you're not docking his pay which I think that's a
decision that the board should make yeah Um, if you want to give him options, if you would rather have your pay docked and earn time, I don't know. I would rather not see your pay docked. Yeah. Um, so it would just be not occurring the sick time until we're balanced at
the zero. So what's the timeline like two year? Like what would the timeline be on that? Um, since we don't acrew sick time. So like that's my understanding for No sick time. No, it's vacation time. That's what I It went from 12 and I think we went to 16. 16.
So I got 16 hours of vacation time that the town gave me a year. So when that comes when your probationary period comes due, I believe you get it in one lump sum. Um it's from the way the the contract with the policy agreement is.
So when you hit your probation period that full lump sum to you and you can at that point take it and then you have what you would start at that point and then that's what you have for the rest of the year left from there. Do you know by any chance uh why I've been paying
union dues since I've been out of the union? So we actually are fixing that. We there's a few other things we have to talk about private thing that um and that was part of it. you're going to actually get credit for that on this one because we haven't ever got anything from the union to tell us to stop taking it. Um,
usually we get something from the union to say take do stop taking. Could I be in the union and be the superintendent? So when we ended up doing the vote when we were all here. No. Okay. Yeah. Because you you were now management.
Okay. Yeah. So So now they have sent you something. They didn't. But I mean you can't do both. So, I'm not going to wait for them anymore. I was hoping to get something so we could do it, but now being the end of the fiscal year, I really want to clean everything up to make sure um you get what you need to
make it whole. So, he'll get credit for any union dues that were paid. Yes. Well, he wasn't. Okay. Right. That'd be good. Uh what about the sick time buyout? The $300 that the town was going to reimburse me. You had already gotten that back when um you
first became superintendent. Yes. Should have been in that the the whole package. I didn't see any uh I didn't see any uh extra money in there. I
put a stack What date we want to go off? Was it you signed the contract? It was March. It was around March. It was around St. Patrick's Day. Yeah. I went through all my payubs in the office and I didn't see any uh $300 uh
add to I'll go through um to see which one it was on and pull it because I can only see these calculations. I can't see the net the total and see if it's under regular pay um or something else. So, let me go back. So, if it's under regular pay, it got tax
will get taxed because it's Sorry. It would it would be taxed. Um, but I'd have to see where it was put into, which pay it was put in, and which category it was put into. So, I'll go right from March forward to see each time sheet and
see if it was put in. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Sarah. Thank you. Are we good there? I just want to just make sure that like while we're all together that we just wrapped. I felt like we were kind of talking in circles a little bit about with that conversation. I want to make sure that we're all good and on the
same page. Um, I need to get back to you on uh next meeting if that's what we're going to end up doing because that's if that's the cards on the table. I need to make sure that that's going to work honestly. So Sarah won't be with us next meeting,
I don't think. Yeah, but I So the f I I have the data. I have the information and I'll give that to you guys and really it's up to you. I I just have the data and can give you I have all the pastubs that I'll make copies of and you know you can look at it but um ultimately I don't have a say in any of
it. I just will be dictated on what you guys make a decision to do. So I'll give you this information copies because my understanding was as a municipality I couldn't apply for FLMA. What? No. Absolutely not. Of course you can. So Dave told me that I couldn't apply for
FLMA. FMLA and well it's paid. I believe it was that was another thing. I couldn't get paid paid. It it doesn't matter. So FMLA whe would be based off of what time you have, right? So you don't just get paid because you're on FMLA. If you have no time available and
you apply for FMLA and you are granted FMLA, the town, the municipality, what have you, has to hold your position. They can't replace you. They can't say that's it. He's been gone too long. Right? So it protects your job. It doesn't it's not like um Geico or like
those things where you get hurt when you're AFLAC I'm sorry AFLAC you know you get paid when you're out of work and you don't have you know acred time to take so FMLA doesn't pay you. No it just secures your job. Okay. Well then I probably filled that out because I still
have my job when it came back. I don't think anybody was looking to fire you. You wouldn't I'm sorry. Um I'm truly sorry that that happened to you with the situation with um not getting to put put into perspective though how what difference is that like
so the sick time that he thought he was getting we don't even really know a number that was supposedly donated right there's no way to even know no way to know because no one ever Dave never collected a sheet from everyone saying hey I'm going to donate
24 hours of vacation time you know and Andrew even said he was like, "I was going to give you a week because he was, you know, he had so much time added up." Y, you know, Matt was going to end up contributing time. Like it just it's a bummer honestly, but I would not want to
stoop that low and not take care of my guys. So, yeah, won't be happening. Um, so that's where we're at on that. Our hands are tied with that. I'll get back to you if that's all right. Let me really think about what I need to do financially, honestly. Okay. Um,
yeah, that's a real toast of Thank you very much for finding all that out. I don't know anything else. Thank you. Um, yes. Uh, actually, wait. Sorry, Todd. That's okay. We can't do that.
Um, I Okay, my If you can just go through some bullet points for us um of I know you have some a couple things you wanted to tell us. How long has the town had Sunset Rock as a road? I've been here for 4 years. I'm just wondering does anybody know how long
it's been Sunset Rock? It got to be eternity cuz uh So you can go Mass D uh you can see when it became a town accepted road. Okay. On their maps. So just to inform everybody, Sunset Rock never was a road in town. Did my
research it was Sunset Road. Whoever changed a sign out previous for me being in the seat or even working here because I've known that road at Sunset Rock this whole time we've been saying it was mislabeled. It was mislabeled. A family ended up contacting me earlier last week
said they're going to be starting a business on the road. They're not getting u packages shipped. So they asked look if there's any way that we could end up relabeling the sign. So I went on the uh GIS map. I went on our
map set. we have in town and it was always Sunset Road. Oh, okay. So, I ended up getting the proper sign, had the guys go out, cut the other sign down. We took that down and put the right sign back up and the family came out as the guys were doing the job and said, "Thank you so much." Nice. Uh, so
that got taken care of within 24 hours. Luckily, we uh found an old sign in the storage, so we didn't even have to buy it. That's crazy. That worked out. uh two poles. I met with uh Eversource last week and they
are only going to be moving two poles. The one uh right that's on the road side of the guard rail, they're going to move it back four and 1 half, 5 ft. And then another one down the road, they're going to put a 50ft pole instead of 40 and it'll raise the wires up so that any high traffic going through there is not
going to catch any of the uh low hanging wires. And that's going to be set back to the road off the road itself. So, with a projected uh future project of Gore, then I'd be able to put in proper drainage where we don't have to worry about the road falling apart in 5 years
and it will hold together and it'll be a safe passing road. It'll be wider at that point. Hopefully, we can end up cheating it a little bit more uh with proper drainage. So, that's something that August I figured after um July 1st
I'll have enough money. you can end up getting some stuff down in there prepped for them. Uh just want to end up taking a few little trees down and stuff around that area. Um they're going to end up moving everything at no cost for the town. We just they have one tree that they ask that we just trim. So if the
bucket truck needs any work, which we kind of got my hands tied right now. We did get it working. We figured out what the issue was. But July 1st comes around, you never know, a couple months later, we might need put some more money into the truck. So at that point when we're caught up on these lists of these
roads to end up doing and then the new quarterly goals want to go up there we get some downtime and start trimming up the back so that they can get the poll set. We can work around them pull out they can drop the pole in the hole and then at least we can start getting the
the work going up there and um just projecting projects like going back to that chapter 90 you know it's one of them that we really do need to address. It is pretty serious on that road, especially by Bob's house there. It's horrible. No. Did they ever pick up the
wires that were laying? Three weeks later. Three weeks later. So, the state police called and put a ticket number in that day when that fell. I called a week later and then I called two weeks later. And then finally, two days after that, they finally came out, rerung all those wires. And I did get contact numbers
directly to Verizon because when I was talking with the rep on the phone, they said they do not have an emergency ticket number or, you know, uh, contact number to get a ticket uh, for work like we do with Eversource. I have a number for Eversource. You call right away, they get someone out there within 24
hours. Uh, but Verizon, I have a good source of uh, a contact now. So, at least any Verizon stuff in town hopefully will be taken care of within a month. Literally, it's better than two.
Oh, Verizon, don't give me At least I'll have a ticket from someone, you know. Um, what else? Wednesday through Friday this week, we will be paving Cobble Mountain Road going all the way down to the gate or pretty much Krooks Road. had the guys
today. We cut key cuts out so that we can end up uh having the overlay going nice and good trans uh transition. Uh was up on South Street Extension today. Cut the road down a good 3 in. Got the ditches all good. Went down there, turned around, leveled that out.
The gentleman at the end of the road on the left coming out. You know, it's going to come out nice. We're going to do a transition right to his driveway. It'll be uh going to have some nice nice roads up in that area. And that's just the only dirt road we're going to have in that area is Hayden Road. Mhm. So for
the future, even chips sealing that road would be nice, you know, and then we don't have to worry about sending a truck out with a curved edge so you can do dirts, you know, we can end up taking care of all the asphalts all in that circuit, you know, it's a it's a relief so you don't have to send one truck down
to do. So this is the Hayden Cabo Mountain Road project you're talking about, right? Yeah. Um, so we're not doing the full depth reclamation for that road. We're just doing the overlay. The overlay. Y that so that it's less expensive, but it doesn't last as long.
No, it's going to last long. The road has a good base. I met with Palmer Pave. I ended up, you know, even Huck from All States came out. You know, it's got to He's not All States has nothing to do with this job at all. But to end up having like Randy introducing me to these vendors, like it really like these
guys have knowledge. So, it's like just shut up and listen. Sorry. Just be quiet and quiet. Just be quiet and listen to them because they really have a ball of knowledge and you know they'll tell you no, you shouldn't do that. You know, you really should, you know, you got a good base
here. If the row is falling apart, yeah, you should end up knowing. So, they recommended not doing the full depth, just the chips. Did they give you like a like how many years they think that that'll last? should be getting at least five to 10 years out of that. Like good longevity. Like that that would be I
mean that's a span five to 10 years. Five to 10 years. No, no, no. I'm saying that's a big difference. If the roof fails after 5 years for 10 like that's a big difference. Well 5 to 10 years. It's a it's going to end up having a good base, which it already has.
I'm just saying. God, it just astounds me every time we talk about roads how much it costs and how little amount of time and there's a monopoly out there for it too you know just like uh power companies
owns this whole area you know next topic go ahead next topic we have August 6th we will be hosting a Bayate roads uh course for UMass Amherst I'm going to be doing a chipping course I
ended up uh hooking up with uh them and nice we're gonna have a class so I was hoping to end taking this room over for the day using the projector. This room and the projector is becoming a major concern because every time every time anyone
else uses this room, they mess with all the equipment really. And we come into the meeting today and I'm getting messages at 4:00. Nothing's hooked up. Everything's been unplugged. I believe it was library. It wasn't the library. It wasn't the library. Nope. Who was it?
Spoke to I don't know. Who was the culprit? I don't know who somebody but I'm going to set up a um a calendar so when I do when somebody does use this room yeah we need a calendar they need to sign up in advance and then they also like need to sign a waiver that they're
not touching anything because it's just been put a camera up in the corner we're going to put a ring camera so Joanne would you like me to coordinate that with you with the whole projector or like I just see they're talking about I don't want Joanne and Christina to feel
like they are in charge of this equipment and have to do anything with this equipment either. So that was all part of the decision to have this. I just I don't know. We have to talk about do we want I do have a projector at home that I could bring. Well, I don't want you to have to I think we have other
projectors in the building, don't we? It's it's in August, right? But we'll figure it out. That's what I'm saying. So, but it's something that you know you got the select board wanted me to look for training for the guys. We got two free spots. That's 400 bucks a town saving right there. just to host it, you
know, so it works out. That's awesome. Let us just talk maybe next week about what we want to do in terms of using the serum and we'll let you know what we decide. Is there anything in the gym? Like is there an old rolly projector out there like with a big screen or like if you want them out there like we could do
that, too. We'll talk we'll figure it out. We'll let you know. It's the right thing to do. Yeah, absolutely. We have to look in that back closet. I going back there. um waiting for Beaver Solutions to get me a quote for Okay. the uh pond
leveler. Yep. So, we walked out there and took a look at that. That was pretty uh surprised on how much water was out there, but he was going to get back to me. I was hoping sooner than later, but been really busy. I just focusing on
getting this project all taken care of and make sure everything's wrapped up with that. Uh, another thing I ended up getting a letter from Lensky Bros to whom I may concern. This is a Linsrinsky brothers is what it means. Bros. Bros.
Yeah, bro. Bro, I was just for clarification. Sorry. I was I was surprised to get this, but um as the manager of Lrenky Bus Company for the Gateway District, we are proud to provide reliable and safe transportation for the school students and to and from
home. Their dedication and professionalism have made a significant difference in ensuring the safety of our students and on a challenging days when the weather is less than ideal. Is great comfort to know that you prioritize clear
communication and prompt action making our job as transportation providers far smoother than it's been in the past. That's excellent. Even with a few men working there, I can always count on them to be there when I
need them. It isn't easy to deal with a bus load of students on these roads. Thank you for having such great employees. Good job. And working for the highway. That boy on your wall. Yeah, I actually got eight of these so far in the past two weeks from residents all
over town that people are writing us letters and excellent and they're really uh Thank you. He himself over folks online are saying positive things
with you. I'm glad to hear that honestly. Um, one last thing before I leave here tonight. Um, I Gibbs Road has water coming across the road very severely and I spoke with Dick about it and I did some hunting.
The Franklin Land Trust um ended up closing in Westfield and the uh Wing River Land Conservatory ended up taking over the property and they are out of um you no
hold on I got it written down here. It's up near Shelurn Falls. Okay, that's where they're at now. And I end up talking to a woman, Elaine, and she has spoken with their board that they have that take care of these properties. And
they actually got the go-ahad to pay for the permit, pay for the trapping, and take care of getting some beavers out of that section of road because that's awesome. every three days going up there to pull the grade out. We have a lot more important stuff that we should be
doing than yeah, you know, cleaning debris off of the off of the grades. Uh so I ended up uh linking her up with Jen and Great and the trapper and so far that was good. We don't have to end up worrying about payment and yeah,
everything is with that. So very nice woman. Thanks. All right. Thank you, Ray. Bye. Any questions? No. No. Okay. Sorry. Okay. You did great.
You did great. I did great. You such an echo from the end of the week. Thanks, Ray. All right. Have a good night and congratulations honestly and sitting in that seat. We're happy to have her. Glad to have you board. Thanks, Rick. No problem. Thank you. All right.
Christina, what do you got for us? Be real quick. All right. Miss Mission Clean Energy is being very pushy, right? Every day emails they want. I saw that. Okay. I replied to Emma Riley from Mission Clean Energy and I told her that she can't request a joint commission
meeting that can only be done internally amongst departments. I advised her that per Blandford's process, she must first meet with the planning board to discuss any project proposals. She came back to me and she said, "I understand. Thank you for your response. We have a had a pre-application meeting with the
planning board for our proposed project initially and we were aiming to schedule a specialformational session with the select board. Are we able to schedule a meeting with just the town select board? What do you want to do? Do you want to meet with these people or do you want to have them speak with the planning board first? This isformational
regarding uh best best. I think that they should go through the proper channels with the planning board and they haven't gone through that yet. They have a pre-application meeting. I don't know what I've made Paul aware that she's doing this. He texted emailed her and said, "No, I am not bringing you
forward right now." Yeah. No. Select board. We're all on the same page. Are you guys okay with that? Absolutely. Yeah. Okay. Uh last week I met with PBPC with TJ and Mr. Gates to discuss the proposed uh best facilities. We shared background information with PBPC and
discussed the option of Blamford uh filing an intervenor pot. petition. An intervenor petition allows the town to formally participate in legal and regulatory proceedings uh but only once facilities on the docket for the sighting board which there is no
facility on the sighting board's docket in landport. Okay. Right now so PBPC will be consulting with other regional planning commissions on how similar matters have been handled in their communities. Uh with the new fiscal year coming, PBPC expects local technical
assistance funding may be available to assist us further, which is what we've you've utilized with them in the past, right? So we have something that comes up, we fill out a form saying, "Yes, we want your assistance and they do it for free." Okay. I also updated Nicole Sanford from Springfield Water Sewer who
confirmed the commission's interest in staying involved due to the potential risks to their infrastructure. Um, speaking of Springfield Water Sewer, I got a letter from James Lauria. He's the director director of water operations for Springfield Water Sewer, and he notified the town that a land near Birch
Meadow Brook wetlands is being mowed by an unknown resident. This land is within one of the 100 foot wetlands buffer zone and is protected under the wetlands protection act. In response, Sprinkle Water Sewer will place boulders and signage to prevent further trespass and environmental
impact. Um they've included pictures with the letter. They don't know who's it's not near a cemetery. It's not about doing it. Uh yeah, they think they believe it to be a resident, but they don't. Okay. Sure. And since it's open
field, they they're not posting a sign. They're just going to Plus, they wouldn't stop anyway. Uh Highway Garage and Salt Shed. Jason Borg completed his inspection of the salt shed in Highway Garage. recommends engaging with a registered design professional to
address the ongoing issues. He he also noted the open floor drains should be sealed properly until plumbing corrections are made. Currently, only one steel plate is covering them. Um so he that was his recommendation. Uh generator maintenance. Kinsley Power uh
came out and conducted a level one inspection on May 29th. They recommend replacing the battery and block heater. These things come across my desk constantly. We did an inspection and you need to do this. It's way over my head. I reached out to John Hoppy. I asked who is this again? The vendor Kinsley.
Kinsley. They do the maintenance. So whether I mean it's Kinsley. We've seen Encore. We've seen all of these different companies. So I reached out to John. I said if this is not within your scope, please let me know. But could you give me some guidance? He does believe that the battery in the block heater should be replaced. And they gave us a
quote for 185912 for all of that work. Okay. Would you like me to proceed with that? Yes. Yeah, absolutely. Uh, the FY24 audits underway. I met with Tony and Sarah.
They're doing their thing. There's not much of an update there. Uh, the RCAP solutions agreement. I will email that to Mr. Starbard. Um, communications with Mr. Ka. I have not had time to speak with him about who? I'm sorry. Ka Ka.
He's 71 Chester Road. his property got all dug up. All right. We signed the board signed in order to um agree to this right of entry and I haven't had time to it's going to be a very long conversation. He felt very comfortable with you TJ. Would you be comfortable
talking to him? And yeah, but information he needed. You got it. Thank you so much, TJ. I appreciate that. Uh summer meeting schedule. When would the board like to begin the summer meeting schedule? Yesterday. Um, are we good with starting to go to
um every other week after next week or do you are you feeling the way this the way we've done in the past is we're formally going to every other week. If there's things that we feel like we really need to meet next
week if as long as we know by Thursday because that's when they post it then we can Do you want to start like the first week of July? Yeah. So we'll meet there's two more meetings in June. Yeah. So, two more meetings in June and then skip the first week of July. I don't
know when the fourth of July what it falls on. Um um and then departmental roundts that I had uh suggested in the past, we we would like to start those in July. The Yes, the department head. Yep. And I
know there's a big list of things that we like to talk about on those. Yeah. I submitted the ADA grant for the ADA compliant upgrades to town hall. Yeah. Uh so that's in and our hazard mitigation plan meeting, the second public meeting for the hazard mitigation plan is scheduled for this Wednesday at
6 PM, Miss Contender. Yeah, I'll be there. Um in terms of Jason's recommendation, yeah, what does that entail reaching out to like do we have funding for that? What's the Well, it depends. It depends if it's
they deem it an emergency. We could do an emergency procurement under chapter 30B. I has to be registered with the um inspector general's office and attorney general's office and the OSD. Um if it's an immediate
hazard to health and and Jason did not think that was the case. He you saw what he had written. I mean he's not calling it. He's just suggesting he's saying his suggestion, his exact words were uh to
have a registered design professional take a look at it. So basically what Jason's saying is he's he can't quote how much it's going to cost, you know, what needs to be done first. He's just saying, "Yeah, you guys got to get somebody in here." With that being said,
I think that the overall cost was would probably fall within uh RFQ type of territory there. Um, so but if it's deemed an emergency procurement,
you can follow best practices and go about it as as carefully as you can without having to do the whole RFQ if it is a immediate danger to health and safety. So my concern was that we were going to have
highway issues and we still don't want anywhere near where we need to be on fire. I I I was in that room and um it it's it makes sense. It's bad. Yeah, it is.
So, what do you guys want to do? Well, the challenge is this is right is that we're going to hit up against winter and those guys are going to have to go outside. Yeah. To use and the facilities. Oh, you guys are talking about the bathroom facility. I was talking about the salt. Are you talking
about the salt sheds? Yeah, both. So, the salt shed. I don't know necessarily poses an immediate. Okay. So, we're just talking about the bathroom is a separate issue from the the rest of the entire working on the bathroom right now, but the rest of the building, we're not
working on the bathroom right now, right? Yeah. We paid to have the plumbing done, right? Or we we hired the post office. That was our post office. Yeah. I thought he got brought bids to us and we No. Am I losing your mind? We
just had we just haven't inspected. He brought but it was two bits for two different parts of the job, right? And we approved those. Yeah. No, we didn't. No, we asked him for four bids, I think, because it fell within the procurement.
So, and you can't split the job up. So, he I believe had a price quote from Mark Boomsma for something and then another price quote from somebody else for another part of the job. Right. It's all So we should I should have asked him tonight what that has to be all replplumbed right to the tank. That's
right. So we need him next meeting to come to us with those other prices so we can get moving on that. Oh, right. Right. Need to obtain at least three quotes or let me he needs to try to obtain three quotes and he has to be
able to document. I remember he had tried he just had no he had nothing in writing. Right. So, we were asking him to get that in writing in an email to you so that we could move forward with approving those things. Okay. So, that's where we need to go to move forward with
that. I was asking, do we need to have someone come in to be looking at the rest of the highway garage even though we're not in a position to be putting any money into the highway garage right now? Well, it wouldn't hurt to look into it. Yeah, but if we're It costs a lot of
money to hire a design specialist. I mean, what's the point in spending money on a design specialist that we have no intention cat to the building inspector just do an assessment on the whole building? That's what he did. He did. He said he did on an assessment on the whole building. Well, he did the the
wall. I guess there's a there's that the whole entire building. I It's just the bathroom that we're talking about. Yeah, right. I think that was the only requ. No. Okay. No, just Okay. So then we just need Ray to get us those two other things in writing. I have I talked to
him about it last week. He's he knows, but he said he's got a lot of other stuff going on. Yeah, he's got a lot of He's got a lot of iron in the fire. Yeah, that that seemed like that was a high priority concern the last time when you first started talking about because it's unhealthy for the workers trying to
clean up and standing water and you know to their job before they can even eat their food and stuff like that. Yeah. Um All right. So motion to approve warrant number 26 payroll core payment and warrant 26 accounts payable wire payments. So moved. Any discussion? All
in favor? All right. We've been through everything on there. Um we already did public comment, Mary. So I can have you question to clarify please. Yes. Um you're going to do summer schedule for
July 7 and July 21st. uh to have meetings on those days. No, the first two. Wait, every other week. The seventh is the first Monday. It's the Monday after 4th of July. Yeah, I think that would She said skip the first Monday. Yes. So, we'll go to the 14th.
So, we're going to do the 14th and the 28th. 14th and the 28th. So, the 14th. Yes. 28. Yes. Yep. Okay. And we not
reorganize. Going to reorganize. Not yet. Um I don't know. We haven't talked about it yet. Okay. And the board. The bathroom in question is the one up at the highway garage. Correct. Correct. We're not doing
anything with the salt shed. Not at this time. Not. Okay. That gets the the priority is that bathroom. Okay. Thank you. Oh god, what? These microphones are driving me crazy. All right. Thank you. Meeting post.
Thank you. 810. Was that Was that my fault? No. No. Everything's your fault. You're the bomb one on the phone. Christina, this is beautiful. Do you want me to frame it? I Why would you? Yes. Your meeting's over. Yeah. Just
food for thought in on that less than pleasurable meeting about the solar farm and the best but honestly I think it was I don't your piss point.