Okay, just give me one second. All right. Sorry. The meeting is open at 6. Are we being recorded? >> Yes. All right. Um, so we've got uh we're a motion to table the select board meeting
until October 27th. Is there a second? >> Any discussion? >> No. All >> in favor? >> I I >> I um we've got Oh, we're going to motion to table the warrant number 10. Uh payable wire payments and payroll. Uh so
any discussion? All in favor? They'll be in tomorrow. I'll follow people in. >> Thank you. Um motion to appoint Sue Vine and Lloyd Martin to the Council on Aging for the terms 11
November 1125 through June 30th, 28th. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? I >> motion to appoint Michaela Smith as an assessor to the board of assessors for the term November 11th, 2025 through June 30th, 2027 to Paul Martin's um
elected term. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? I >> Yes, I did them both in one. >> I must have not paying attention story. My day
>> is on his way. >> I don't I think so. Um, do we want to go right to you, Christina? We'll wait on the town forum. >> It's good. >> Sure. I do not have much of an update uh for you guys today, kind of like the
thing on the special town meeting. Uh, I did have a meeting with Kelly Pontrian, the town accountant, to go over some of the stuff for budget season. I put together some of the documents and we've put together somewhat of a calendar not for the meetings for the departments but
for a calendar of like like when to accomplish certain things by right so uh December 1st is when I will send everything out to all the departments but prior to that I'm going to get the finance committee to go over the stuff that I did with Kelly and the stuff that
I did with Sarah so that we're all on the same page so that we can start budget season. Uh we received paperwork from Bacon and Wilson in relation to a uh trust that was left to the town for North for the perpetual
care of North Blford Cemetery. So I am working on getting all of that together and taken care of. Um actually Mark had mentioned that we don't need to go to special town meeting to accept that. The select board can just sign to accept it.
uh accounting has just a question about the the setup of the account you know so TJU had said perpetual care >> that's only the interest yeah you're saying >> well yeah what we do like with the
pipney account is the account stay solvent and we only expend interest that the account earns >> same from by Centennial. >> Yeah. >> But I always thought that that had to do with the wording in the actual trust
document. >> So the the statute we're we're working under chapter 44 section 53A. Uh well that that's the gift statute that allows the the the town to accept a gift. It can only be expended by approval of the select court. That's why we don't have
to go to town meeting. And that talks about if the language of the of the trust um requires the interest to uh to remain in or be expended, that could be in the uh in in the trust. But notwithstanding that, in my opinion, if
the town chooses how to expend it as long as it's only expended for that purpose, I'm fine with that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So that's not a problem. And that's consistent with a lot of other perpetual care funds as they're established under a separate statute. But this is under your control, set up through the treasur, however you want to
establish it. The the the benefit of this process is because you don't have to go to town meeting, you don't have to appropriate funds out. It's it's so that the funding could be expended for that purpose with however you want to set it up, >> right? >> Yeah, I'm fine with that. >> Yeah, I agree.
>> That's why we've been that's what we've been doing. >> Yeah, I I have a problem. >> Yeah. I just know that the question came up about sending it to uh town meeting that that statute avoids that requirement. >> I I we we've gotten other uh the only
time the only time you have to go to town meeting is if if you get a donation of a gift that's not for a specific purpose. Yeah. like I write $100 to the town of Blandford with no specified purpose that would go into the general fund and then be subject to expenditure
uh pursuant to town meeting. >> Um today was Jordana's first day and Sarah has been training her. Jordana is our new um assistant treasurer collector. So she today was her first day. She
seems to be doing okay, but I mean it's just her first day, so we have to wait and see a little bit. Uh, >> give her a day. Give her a week. >> Yeah, give her some time. No, but she seems to be doing really well. Um, there was some transfer of funding within the
assessor's department that Dave asked me to take care of. Um, and that is in order to allow for uh the assistant assessor to Michaela to work 19 hours as opposed to
her previously uh 10 hours a week. >> There is money available. So, I have sent it all over to Kelly with Dave's approval. Also, the Patriot software upgrade that needs to take place.
Um, we have already paid our yearly uh subscription fee I guess you want to call it to them. So that that's already paid for. That's all set. Hi Dave. >> There he is. >> Um there is an increase obviously with this upgrade for the software. So we I've
talked to Dave about it and >> this is new. So this is an upgrade to the software. >> It's an upgrade to the existing software because the existing software no longer is compatible with >> Yep. We had talked about that during capital. >> Good. >> And now Dave's here. So, spotlight's off
me. >> A, it's too bad. I'd rather have it on you. >> Sure. >> So, that's it for me. Yes. >> Um, do you want to at least talk about the fact that we got the letter back
water? >> Oh, sure. So, we did get a letter from Springfield Water and Sewer Commission that is acknowledging um Jackie's efforts, reaching out to them, seeing what they what their
plan was as far as all of these types of facilities coming in and watershed and protection. I have scanned all of that documentation into uh the computer, sent it to Wendy, and it's posted on our website already. So it's already available for viewing whoever would like
to see it along with the map >> right and along with their response to state. So they know responded to us they also send letters. >> Oh good. >> So that's good. >> All right.
Going to pull up the warrant. Go through it. Oh, how tiny it is. >> No, that's all right. I can zoom in >> that fast. You finished up. >> Yeah, it was much.
>> Sorry. Nope. Do you want a hard I have? >> I have an extra one. All right. So, we have the the first one, temporary moratorium. I'm okay. Um, which is very wordy. >> So, you're not going to read that, Dave,
are you? >> No. Oh, come on. >> What if she's like, TJ, we could always read. >> Yeah, that's a two3 vote as a zoning. >> I have not heard anything request for um
what's the word I'm looking for? paper ballot. >> Oh, a secret ballot. >> Yeah, I haven't heard anything about that. So, >> is that why we did it at the last town meeting request? >> Yeah, there were three different
>> things that were I decided before the meeting you started and had married five. I just thought it'd be easier in that case. Seeing all three of those pass rather overwhelmingly. >> Yeah. Uh, and I don't see a million
people lining up to get in tonight. I I think you're right. You I would go forward just a regular >> Yeah. >> But sometimes like people that own businesses don't feel comfortable voting in town that's like kind of a hot button. So >> they they can request it at the meeting
if they want, but they've been talking beforehand, but not this thing. Are you are you going to want an any kind of explanation or do you want to know of depending on whether people ask questions? How do you want to how do you want to do this? I think if people have
questions and we need feel the need to explain it further than what's already in the article, then yes, we >> y >> the only I can anticipate is people asking what is the what is the impact? What does it do? >> And if if they ask that question, obviously I can answer it. Okay, that's good.
>> We had we had the pre meeting couple months and months whenever that was >> and and so I think people might have got something out of that. >> Okay. >> And the planning board would have to make a report recommendation on that. >> Okay.
So the planning board should make a recommendation and planning board is here and you >> Oh yeah. >> You are you guys are recommending guest? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Public hearing, >> right? And we we had that long
discussion the last time we were here. >> Um All right. You can I go on to the next one? We're good. That's it. Article two, we got um transfer money for the finally paying the BSER spring invoice. So, we don't have to talk about that
anymore. >> Um before we go into all of these bills of prior year, Dave, do you remember the email I had sent of the >> article six? We're going to add Eversource for 3260. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Sorry, Cara. I didn't mean to interrupt. >> That's okay. Um, all right. So, the
article three is the same thing, paying a highway bill. And these are both simple major also. >> Actually, no. Why are they say simple majority? I'm sorry. >> Oh, okay. >> Bills of prior fiscal year town meeting are 9/10en vote. >> That's funny. >> Do you remember that? >> Oh, no.
>> Yeah. So, we always ask for a unanimous vote. We're hoping. >> Yeah. >> Because you can't declare a 910 vote. >> So why why would they make that rule? >> You got to talk to the folks at the other side of the state. So you can't
talk to it. >> It's four fifths at a at an annual and 9/10 at a special because it's supposed to be a big deal. And it's funny because obviously we're dealing with time and dollar amounts. >> Yeah. >> Why not? It's >> not an equivalent fraction.
>> Spoken like we get a math. working on right now. >> I guess one of the questions to you, Dave, um I know they're all coming from different sources, but they're essentially being approved um as written, and with with the exception of adding that motion, you could
conceivably, if you wanted to, take them all together. That's up to you. >> The water one's not from a different No, I guess >> But they all they all say where they're coming from. for article five. Where are we getting?
>> Yeah, that one just >> Oh, we don't. You're right. Article 5 doesn't What is What is the funding source for article 5? >> Verizon. Those Verizon are the Do you have the bills with you? No, you don't. Those are the ones just those are just town bills. Those are just our regular
>> they fall under my purview. So, >> so it would be the It's not utilities. Would it be >> Do we have Do >> do you have money? >> You guys can swing it. You're paying it. >> Um That's I think that should also be what our sources that's a typical >> typical type of
>> rather than put that in article five. >> Yeah, I'm I think that's actually better. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, >> where you going to take it? >> We are going to take it from um uh new town hall utilities. >> Yeah. >> So, new town hall utilities. >> Yes.
>> That' be both that and >> I need a copy of that when you're done. Yes, ma'am. >> to do. >> All right. >> A little a little more complicated than if you depending on how you want to do it. >> I think we'll just >> just do it separate. I think it's going
to go so quickly anyway, >> right? >> And then number six is to transfer the money um from reserves for the highway department bathroom repairs. >> Right. That's why we would have put that in number six. >> What do we have in reserve?
>> 45,000. >> Yeah. >> So, typically Sarah, um, if we had a quorum with finance committee, this wouldn't need to be on here because we don't have quorum. >> It has to be on here. >> So, when we do, uh, this would be
something that would come to directly to the finance committee where you guys would vote and sign off on it. >> Yeah. It's one of the big authorities of the finance committee and unfortunately we can't. No, you're taking me away from >> only this time. >> You need one more person. One more person. We're trying.
>> Anybody we got any ideas, >> you know, just for us, it's important to note that this 14,000 is barebones just fix the problem, right? >> It's not making it a really good bathroom. Let's just make sure we know that >> because if people think it's a, you
know, big redesign, it is not. >> Right. Well, I think they I think people realize for 14 grand. Yeah, I hope so. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And that is simple majority. >> That one's simple majority. >> Okay. >> Sorry about the others. >> That's right. >> That's it. I don't have any other
questions. Dave, do you have any questions before we all right? >> Pretty straightforward. >> I think that we will Oh, public's comment. Do we have any public comment? Yes. So the vote today is going to be
remember that's going to be a show of hands or is it a paper? >> It's a show of hands unless it's was requested to be um paper ballots. We haven't heard anything. So as of now it'll be shows. >> All right. I don't have anything else. All right. So we will um
>> Did you something else? >> Can I can I just ask one more thing? And this is kind of different than the warrant. TJ, you brought up the gentleman that had the I wanted to get this, you know, talk about this to the board. Um, the gentleman that had the cars that were
sitting outside of his area that didn't have the license plates, >> right? >> He's got 10 with no license plates and one with >> Yes. And Jason had already sent him a letter stating >> I have no idea. >> He did. >> They did. Okay. Okay.
>> The question and he did it some time ago. We never pulled that through for actual finding, >> right, to find him, >> right? >> And you know, my my thought is that we need to do that or no action will ever
be taken. He's he's given this gentleman uh notification. I think it was in March. >> Yeah. So the question becomes how you know when do we want to commence finding them? >> Is this the one on George Mard? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> I don't want to let it go because this is just a decision point that we have to make is when do we want to >> I don't know what you mean by pulling it through for for finding. I don't know. >> Meaning we never even though he sent the letter we never find the >> we never sent the fine. >> That's not something I think as select
board we've ever done before. The thing is is that in our bylaws, all right, >> he gets a written notice >> and then 30 days later he gets fined $25 per car >> per day. >> Per week. >> Per week. Per week. >> Per week.
>> It is per month. Is it >> per week? >> Per week. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, who's in charge of finding is that? >> So, those fines attached to the tax bill, >> which is where it actually Harold sent me a note and said no. >> No, no. He said that the assessors were
not in charge, right? That would be >> done by Sarah. >> But first he first he has to be sent a notice of the fine and if he fails to pay, >> right? So he was sent a notice back in 2023 that as of that date in 2023, he owed $650.
Here we are in 2025 and nothing has >> So we need to make sure that they get demanded on the tax bill. Well, and again to your point, I think you have to give him the option to pay the fine before you attach it to his tax notice. >> I think we have to see what the what the
I don't think we would just simply acrue them and then attach them. We we'd have to send him a a follow-up notice. >> He said, I've sent numerous notices in the past, >> right? >> But I don't see a copy of the notice. I believe the Lord has adopted section 57
and 58 of MJL chapter 40 which would allow us to add the acred fines to the upcoming tax bill in an effort to spur an actual response but say the fine but the fine send >> all day long but in my experience until the fine permits are actually demanded they will
>> send a copy of the notice so we did get that >> and does the notice specify the the the amount of the penalty and what's acrewed >> I don't have it with me >> yeah I think we have >> the notice that I saw was dated from 2023 and as of that date he owed $650.
>> I'm not seeing what's on here. >> That's too old. >> No. >> So, he's looking for direction. He's looking for direction. So, my thought I'm just going to give an opinion here. My thought would be to send him another notice, >> but this time actually fulfill after the
30 days to say. >> So, this would be a matter under the jurisdiction of of your zoning enforcement officer. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, I think I think the board should refer this back to them. It's not something that's on the agenda tonight. >> Jason, >> that's Jason. >> Yeah.
>> So, he should then if if uh then he should let Treasury know. Is that how that would work? >> Well, first he's going to he's send a new new notice. >> Correct. Start this back up and that it doesn't involve the treasury yet? >> No. >> Well, I need to know what the process is though because the process did not get
fulfilled. Right. >> And and doesn't he need to be uh either served or uh what do they call it when he hasn't signed for it? >> Yeah. He has whether Yeah. He has to get
proper notice because there's due process involved. He has to get proper notice of of the amount the when the fines started, how how how they've acred, how much has been accured, what the the consequences are of not paying them, what his appeal rights are because he has appeal rights. Yeah.
>> And uh you know they they may have they may have passed but the problem is if the only notice and I I need to see what other notices were sent but if the only notice we have is going back to what you said 2020 >> that's that's stale. Yeah. >> Jason saying the other option would be to include receiverhip.
>> No we're nowhere we're nowhere near that. you're but it has to he has to get a registered letter >> and we have to get a receipt for that >> that we know he has been s >> well you don't have to get a receipt but
you have to serve if you refuse because a lot of people refuse certified mail >> yeah there are different ways of doing it TJ ways do it because otherwise if he just refuses to to sign it um you know and you didn't get a receipt >> you know that then then under that thinking then we couldn't do anything so
we we usually we actually usually sent We we could do it three ways. I always recommend regular mail because that's considered uh proper notice and certified mail. So you you you then if you if you wind up in court, you can say we send it to him regular mail. He refused the certified mail because you
get it back. You'll get the certified mail back, but you want to make sure that he got something. >> Yeah. >> He can't refuse his regular mail. Obviously, he doesn't have to take it out of the box, but he's going to get it. So we always recommend that. Some in some cases we recommend having a constable actually deliver and if you
won't take it they tape it to the door kind of thing but I don't think we're there. >> He doesn't live there so there's no house. It's Right. >> Right. That's why that doesn't >> we have we have his address. >> Well yeah you you do it is last and usual but we can we can talk about I I think there is a process. Yeah. Let me
ask a question if I could which is >> you know >> because again >> I just want to be careful because it's not on the agenda. >> Understood. But I was told that if you're on the board that you can ask a question outside of what's on the agenda. No, >> the you can only discuss things that are
not reasonably anticipated by the chair. There's no general rule that says you're on if you're on the board, you get to ask questions outside of the agenda. And and the concern I have here is this is really not a select board matter yet. Um so and and the reason I I don't I I apologize I'm cutting it off only I'm
not cutting it off. I don't get I don't have that in but uh I think there are a lot of details that we have to discuss and some of them I probably don't want to discuss in an open meeting. >> That's >> but I think now >> I just was not clear why why did they come to the select board place.
>> I think it was a complaint that came to TJ. >> Yeah. And I think it's fair and I think that's good to have made note of it and now you're allowed. >> Y I'm okay with that. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I think but I just want to make sure we we direct it properly. Then it'll it'll ultimately come back to
you as a report from your town ministry. >> All right. Um so we're good then. We are going to adjourn and yeah that's it because the next meeting is not mine. It's all yours. >> 623 623 meeting.
>> Go home and get dinner. Come back. Really? >> Am I kidding? >> I had my normal dinner >> like four times. >> I ran up to the farm. We had a I had a bowl of stew. They made me a nice bowl. They would eat nice.
>> 10 minutes I was out of there. >> This is the Thai beer. >> Yeah, it was good. But it was good to have a nice warm bowl.