Good for you. Oh, this is >> this um Am I supposed to have this? >> I don't know. Oh, is that the sign in? >> Well, there you go. >> All right. >> Uh, 6%.
I turned it on at club. Thank you. Meeting is open. Uh we are being recorded a couple times. We've got some um All right. What are we doing first? You want us to do minutes first? Let's
think. Say meeting held. We're doing the round table. Let's do this. Examination of meeting minutes. Um so we just got one October 20th with all sorts of motions. That was >> I don't have
that one. >> Uh, it says return for shredding. I don't see that one here. >> No, it's not on the agenda. It's just the um >> What do you mean you don't see it? It should be in the >> Oh, I don't see it on the agenda, but I see it in the >> It's not on the agenda because I just
did it an hour ago. Oh, no conservation. >> No conservation meeting. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I'm not sure. I thought there was one scheduled. >> Somebody stopped me a bunch of stuff.
>> Great. Does she want to be on the finance committee? >> Oh, going on. This is so exciting. Is that your daughter? >> Yeah. >> That's fine. >> What's your name?
>> Nora. Nora. >> Debbiey's your mom. >> Debbiey's your mom. No, the >> I was greeting the window. >> I was going to say I'm sorry, but
>> thank you. >> This is also All right. Motion to approve um meeting minutes of October 20th and executive session meeting minutes from September 15th as >> any discussion here. >> All in favor? >> Both were from October 20th. I did not
change the date on the top. I'm sorry. Could you circle the date on the top and I'll >> Oh, up here. So, both meeting minutes from October 20th. >> Sorry. >> As amended. >> I use the previous one and I frequently forget to do that. >> I tell myself every time I'm not going
to do that next time. >> All right. >> So, no promises. >> Listen, I uh had a room full of fifth graders all agree on the wrong answer decimals. Thank god the head of the math department came to correct me.
How did that work out for him? >> Well, her >> her >> I probably confused him thoroughly. >> Glass. >> All right. We've got uh special town meeting warrant for November 17th at 7
p.m. All right. So, we are posting this tonight. Are we supposed to supposed to be here? Let me go double check. >> You want put this on on the sign out by the post office.
>> The meeting >> special town meeting >> no just a notification that >> the special town meeting November 17th. >> Do you want him to put the letters up that just announced that there's a meeting on the board
>> just with the date and the time? >> Yes. No, >> this will be posted by the concert once it's signed. >> Yeah, I know. >> All right. So, we just have article. Is that what you usually do? >> Yeah, we he did it for the last >> Oh, please. You did it for the last one,
>> right? >> I will put that on the procedure as well. >> You got it. Thank you. >> All right. So, we've got article one, which is the temporary moratorum. And then we've got article two, which is um paying a bill for the water, which is
hopefully the last time we ever have to see or talk about that. Then we have article three, a bill for highway. Four, five more bills. Six is funding the highway department expense for the bathroom.
All right. um the highway department expense transferring 14,750 from reserve to the >> Oh, the warrant. Yeah. >> Yep. Yep. >> So, yeah, it looks good and it's all approved by town council. >> Yes.
>> So, >> vote on it. >> Yes. So, >> that's Go ahead. >> Pay the bills. >> No motion to approve the warrant. >> Motion to approve the warrant. Okay. town meeting. >> I second that.
>> Um, any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor? >> I >> I Do you want me to put the date on that? Today's date on the bottom, >> please. >> And today's the 287th. >> Oh, yeah. >> On this. This is where I was 27th day of
October. There you go. >> Yes. Um, and then we have two letters to approve for requesting that we plow the road Eagle Club and
>> Maple. We do it every year. Um, Ray didn't Does Ray know that they came in? Does he have any comments on it? Do we know? >> Perhaps. >> Does Ray know the request came in? >> Oh, yeah. I get copies of I'll take care of that every year. >> Thank you so much. U motion to approve
um for highway to plow Maple Lane and Beagle Club Road this season. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> And then we've got the report from Hilltown Ambulance. Just really tiny
touch screen. You got it. Thank you. Uh total calls 31. They responded to 27 of those calls, transported 19. They did not have any intercept and average time to response is 22 22
seconds. Average response is 16 minutes 9 seconds. That's better than it normally is. I think about >> Yeah. >> Right. >> And then Oh, for the live the average response time was 13 minutes.
text. >> Yeah, I just texted Adam, too. Who else were we looking for? >> Oh, I was looking for police because I had asked them to be here to sign the warrant, but there's no one down there right now. But I did send them a text again. >> Oh, okay. >> What are you looking for?
>> The police. >> We send it out. >> I'm assuming Adam's not coming. >> We know that Ray is not coming. Margaret was supposed to be here. uh she wanted to but I guess she's not coming
in. >> All right. Um so if all of our boards want to join us at the table, >> do we have So we don't have council on aging. >> We don't have fire or highway.
>> They're two big uh two expense expenditures. And I think that when we sent out, we said that people needed to send representatives. They weren't coming. Right. >> Ray text me like an hour or two ago and said that he wasn't feeling well.
>> Okay. Well, we don't have any for sure. >> Who wants to get sick? >> Um, is that it? We have assessors, we have library, water, town clerk, and health. Okay. >> All right. So, um, does everyone have a copy of the capital expense that we just
passed out that I really need my reading glasses for? I can't see the same. Let's put you can't use my >> No, I've already tried. >> There's a little bit bigger. >> Hold it over here for you. Thank you. I appreciate it. It's gotten to that
point. >> I have my magnifier. Um, just to touch base from last time, has everyone seen improvements or more understanding with accounting since our last meeting? Any changes? >> Positive changes, >> positive. I mean, everything was okay
last time and then Kelly reached out to me and resolved the issues from the last fiscal year. >> Great. >> So, everything was filed away correctly to my knowledge. >> Okay. >> So, um, you know, that was more recently than is reflected. So, I think I'll see
it like probably in the next few days. >> Anyone else? Any changes or still concerns about that? >> Billy's still working on ours. She's still working. >> Anything? No. >> Yeah. >> I talked to Kelly today on water because you've got those amendments coming up
and things are looking really good. So, great. >> We're She's got it back in where it needs to be, which is good for the new year. >> So, Jasmine's been great helping. >> That's excellent. Okay. So, we're having some success here. >> Do you want to take over with capital? I
know that you sent out and that was your >> Well, when um when everybody met during budget season, we laid out what everybody needed from a capital expenditure standpoint at that point. Okay. And so at the end of the budget
season, this in this last budget season, I laid out on this spreadsheet that you have in front of you. Um, this is just to share. There's a document out there that was created, I don't know, back in 24, maybe 23, before my time.
>> Yeah. >> Looked like this. I don't know who did it. Somebody did. >> That would have been >> PVP >> Josh with PVPC or >> that was Christopher. >> Okay. So what I all I did was take this document that was already kind of the
vision plan whatever you want to call it >> and laid it out on here to say what was in the document >> right and then where did we come in this last year so for people wanting and needing things so I felt it was you know
or we all thought that the best thing might be to let's just walk through what we talked about so far in because the board hasn't approved any of these capital expenditures except for maybe a couple and um once free cash is
free, there may be something else that we may want to >> purchase because you don't want to hold out on making those investments and then all of a sudden boom, you get bottlenecked and everything's due. Um so just to go through I mean the plan for
24 is passed, right? But the plan um for 26 I think is where we probably need to talk. >> Okay. >> Um from an admit if we just go through the the list here and then if there's something else that you say you know
that really shouldn't be on there. I don't you know I don't need that anymore. We already purchased that or whatever. We should take it off and make this kind of a running list of work of capital expenditures. Um, so from an administration standpoint, upgrade the Blandford Town
Hall to MIMA and DPH standards. Was that ever done? >> No. >> No. Is that something that needs to be done? >> I don't know. >> I mean, it was identified in the plan. So, um, >> I'm trying to think of what that's
>> I don't know why $22,000 there because >> that doesn't sound like much. >> Yeah. I don't know. I don't know what drove that number. That wasn't this last budget. Um that was in this plan. >> Did this have to do with the generator
>> because me would >> you can't have this as an emergency facility without that generator taking. >> Yeah. I'm wondering if this these funds had to do with the 22,000 had to do with just like completing something with the generator >> because we did use AR for the generator and the identified sources.
>> I bet that's what it is. >> Okay. So I think we >> is our paid for it. >> So our generator >> we paid for the generator. >> Okay. >> But do we think we still need some funding to get it all hooked up? And >> so we may want to carry that over and just double check what we think the
costs are going to be for set up. >> So is it okay if we put two on that Christina followup? >> So I'm just going to write generator setup. >> Property condition assessment. You guys had at one point voted that 50,000 into that. So that is set aside.
>> It is set aside. Okay. So it's up from 30. >> That's what was vote. That's what was set aside for the property commission assessment. >> Is there a copy of this online for Adam? I just saw that he joined. >> Adam is joining. Uh Mark didn't answer and the chief is sending an officer over right now.
>> Thank you, Joan. >> I don't think there is a copy online, but I can send him a copy. >> Okay. Actually, I think do I have a You sent me this. SW forward. Adam, I'm going to send you something now. The sheet that we're looking at.
>> Do we see the 50,000? Um, do we see the property assessment, I should say, because it could be less than the um done in the spring? >> I don't know. We have to identify a vendor that can do because it was a
roof, I guess, originally that you guys wanted to look into. Mhm. >> So, but I know that there's more than just a roof assessment that needs to be done here. So, >> yeah. >> To avoid any sort of bid splitting, >> yeah, >> we would have to probably go out, we have to go out to the office. >> Okay. >> Find a vendor that can
>> kind of do it all. >> Do it all. >> Right. Okay. >> But that's already set aside. So, that's >> Okay. Was there anything else that you could think of that you would need to do? I mean, so many things.
>> That's a big one. I mean, if that gets done, then we have a plan at least, right? >> I mean, the electricity, we never finish that project. >> You mean the generator? >> Moving the electric underground, >> right?
>> Yeah. Remember, did we have to replace? >> Am I crazy? Um, electric never got back to us. We had to take the system that was running above ground and run it underground. It is underground. >> It is underground. And >> it is underground. Was it vice versa then? Sorry. We had to run it above
ground. No. >> Because we fixed the >> Yeah, they >> So that's all completely repaired. That's not a problem anymore. >> It's I'm not putting my stamp on the door. So now >> Okay.
>> I know, but it hasn't posed any problem. >> No, it hasn't. >> What about the water situation that Margaret was talking about with the mold and stuff? So that's a issue with drainage outside. >> There's like a pitch issue and like they probably need some French drains.
>> So maybe should we look at some sort of consulting to um get us some ideas of how to repair that? >> I think what we need is a property management >> for the hook. >> Yeah. Right.
>> Yeah. Because it comes down the sidewalk and then you have the drainage on each side of the sidewalk. of water just comes sidewalk and it's right at the door. >> Is there any aspect of the property management we can build into a capital plan or that's a yearly >> I would think that would be a higher
>> I mean that's let's talk about that for a sec because it it comes up over and over and over again it came up in our hazard mitigation discussion and it keeps getting pushed off. So, how do we really want to address property management? >> I mean, we need to think about You drove
a a job description for us already, correct? And sent us that. No, that was a different >> for property management. No, that was for town planner. >> Oh, sorry. So, we need to look at a description and then how much we would need to spend for that position. And is it just town hall or are we talking
>> No, I my suggestion would be all town owned properties or green spaces. So I guess that's our first step is looking at how much we need to fund. So >> well yeah go ahead. >> I would say you have to decide do you want to hire somebody that is an employee of the town of Blamford or do
you want to contract a company? >> Okay. So yeah, >> which >> no I mean >> my suggestions let's look at the job description first and kind of >> assess does that encapsulate everything you're thinking of or everything anybody
else is thinking of because there's more than just this building and then determine what the approach is. I'm not sure we're all in agreement what's in that. >> Exactly. and creating a new position is chaotic and I think hiring outsourcing
would be a little bit easier. It's not coming and knowing what a job is already. >> Well, and you know, I mean, there's all kinds of things we could do. Check with other tenants. Do they do something like that? Who do they use? All that stuff. But let's start with the job description. If we could do that and
maybe at some of the future meetings discuss that job description and agree what's in scope, what's out of scope? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Because that's going to determine how much you're willing to spend and does anything change or numbers come down
someplace else and up someplace else? I don't >> question. >> Is that it was just one one thing I was going to add to that. Can we have it include more than just the town hall buildings? Like >> Yeah, it does. >> Um Okay, cool. Thanks. >> Absolutely. Yeah. And that's what I mean
by scope. Like what's the scope? >> Yeah. Yeah. That I was speaking specifically of the like job description thingy that we were just talking about. >> Yep. What are we calling again? Building it.
>> Okay. Is there anything else that you can >> I mean I could go on but that that's the top of my list probably honestly we need to invest in our town properties because they're just falling apart. >> Yeah. Let me ask a question and and
again this is not my world. So does property maintenance would they be someone that would hire somebody to do a building assessment? They could or you could. It It depends on what the RF if if we're going out to bid for a company, we'd include in the RFP that they do
property assessments, right? >> Um Okay. Let's make that the priority then. >> Okay. >> Anything else that has been hanging out there that needs to >> in any of the buildings or
>> I mean, you're going to have brand new buildings. >> Yeah. Hopefully, >> let's hope anything for water um heatwise. >> Not off the top of my head. >> Nothing major. >> Adam, the fire station's pretty solid,
right? >> Yeah. I mean, I do think depending on what happens, like at some point we're going to have to decide on like roof stuff and things like that for that building. >> Hopefully, it's to tear it down. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> But there is I mean it's a valid point because if we don't move on some of this stuff, it's going to get to the point where you're going to have >> we're going to have to start putting money. >> It's still no different than the bathroom at the highway, >> right? We had to beef that up a little bit. Although it was less expensive by far, but still. >> Yeah.
>> Still not going to be a great bath. It's just fixing. >> I don't want to hear any complaints about people's bathrooms. Yeah. Um, did you have a question about that? >> No, I was just going to make mention too that this might end up being a sooner problem rather than later because when we're talking about like the ice and the
French streams that need to be outside like I went to the park with my kids like every winter for sledding and there are like times when we will just get swallowed up by the water like there's water underneath a lot of like the of the Yeah. and I know
enough to like stay away from it, but just in worry of maybe like a lawsuit or something that could happen for someone that doesn't know that this might end up being a problem that maybe can't wait. >> Yeah. >> Very long. So, I'm just I just wanted to put it out there that >> an issue. Yeah.
>> Because it's in the basement. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Okay. Let's move on to cemetery. I think we replaced the mower, didn't we? >> Yeah, we replaced one of the mowers. >> Almost done. Okay. >> Is there anything else for cemetery that
you can think of that we didn't talk about during the budget season? >> Well, uh I I met with uh Brian that does the mowing here now and uh he's going to uh write up a contract for uh Christina
to look at. He gave me an estimate of about $17,000 dollars to do all the mowing. It's more than what we're paying now, but he has all his own equipment. >> Okay. And we wouldn't be >> repl, you know, we'll save on our
equipment and hopefully we can sell a couple of the mowers that are in good condition. >> How much more is it just do you happen to know? Is it like >> he he quoted me around 17,000? We currently pay about 10, but we're using
our equipment. So you you add up all the maintenance that we put in and everything there, it's >> pretty much, you know, going to be an even break. A little more, but >> you know, a big headache out of the way. >> Yeah. Did you cemeteries?
>> Pardon? >> All the cemeteries. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Three. >> Three. >> Yeah. Northford Hill and the old barant grounds. >> Are there four? North Branchford. There's seven. There's
>> there's Yeah, but but there there's We can't maintain all seven because some two of them are on uh Springfield Water and the one that's over on Roundhill Road. Uh someone's been maintaining
that. I have no clue who's doing it, but God bless them. We're happy that they're there. I check out every now and then and whatever doing it doing a great job. So, I'm not going to disturb the buggy. >> The hill cemetery, the old burial ground
and >> and conservation commission's not here, so we can't talk to those. Uh, disability commission, who is that? That would be Margaret, myself, uh, Mary. You left, didn't you?
>> Yes, I did. >> Um, help me with the other two names. >> Linda Barard, >> and and another lovely resident. I can't >> Did we already spend that 10,000? I think >> we So, when I started, you guys had gotten 10 a $10,000 grant. It was a
reimbursement grant, but never used it. >> Okay. >> So, it went away. >> Okay. >> So, we reapplied this year. Haven't heard back yet. Okay. Okay. They haven't done awards yet. >> All right. So, we're waiting on the grant >> and the ADA compliant grab bars for the
town hall. What happened with that? Is that still >> That's all the same. So, the signage, the egress, the grab bars, door handles, and hooks. >> Those were the three things that were included on this year's grant
submission. Now, in the master plan, that was that document I just showed you guys, there was a dollar amount in there that back out to 2028 that ball field and playground accessibility improvements
of 100 grand. >> I think that includes the drainage. I think we were looking at because unfortunately it it impacts the playground and remember it washes out all the chips that we put in there. Yeah. >> Um, so I think that that's mostly what it is. I don't even think that has
anything to do with playground equipment. It's just uh drainage and then maybe um putting in some new some sort of soft padding or whatever for the kids. >> Are you talking about the playground? >> Yeah. >> I thought an engineer came in and said it would cost $150,000 to do
>> Yes. So I think that's where that hundred,000 is sort of started. >> Is that where they budgeted for it? >> No, they just said that that it will not establish. >> Yeah. And then nothing was done after that. >> You I maybe if we could just sort of revise that um report
from the engineer that came in and gave us that would be interesting to look at. I don't even know what I would search under. >> I do remember that happening. >> Stored that somewhere was going to find it. >> I'll try to look. >> I wasn't involved.
>> I believe it was grant funded to get the report done. It might have been. Do you remember people were all up here looking around town hall and we met with some I can't remember >> which administrator that was. >> It had to be Christopher. It wasn't that long ago. >> I put that in the
>> in the job description of the property management group to be looking at things like that. Maybe pull the old engineering report and say here's what it was back in 200 whatever. Right. But >> yeah, we would need to have that updated.
>> Okay. But maybe that 100,000 needs to be pulled up if it's getting dangerous out there. >> Yeah. And it's probably I'm sure it's going to be an increased price at this point. 450. >> But the time this was put together again
in this document, it had new fire highway facility design. It was suggesting that we make a capital investment of 650,000. I don't think that was ever done. No, we don't have any in the building. >> So, right now we have nothing in there,
but we should be um as we progress on the firehouse, we need to and the highway. We need to consider what that's going to be. >> You had to have money in there at some point because you paid for the architect and >> we paid for
>> some of that money was allocated and spent. You just need to allocate and spend more. >> Yeah. Right. No, >> I don't know how much. >> We paid for an architect but didn't get planned. >> No, >> you got through their first stage of
design >> of design. You didn't get plans. Plans are another 300 something. >> Yeah, I was just going to say so if we allocated if we for this we wrote in like 350,000 in there >> for more.
>> I think that might be just engineering. I know that OPM was what? Another 10und and something thousand on top of that. Yeah. >> Yeah. We're looking at another six >> just to get to the bidding. >> Yeah, we're looking at another
>> which we don't even have 600,000 in >> Oh, come on. It's pocket change >> cash. >> No, it would. >> Okay. So what we really should do though is step back and say what is that number and dug it in here as part of the plan. >> I'm still waiting on a reply from the
OPM. >> I know a wonderful OPM. >> But my thoughts are instead instead of spending all that money on engineering just make a swale up on the hill cutting across. You get rid of three quarters of the water.
>> Oh yeah. you know, just with a dozer and get it over by the baseball field. There's already there's already one there. They already have a ditch there, >> you know, >> the amount of money you're going to spend on engineering for a drain. That's ridiculous. >> Oh, right. That's for the playground area.
>> Yeah. >> But for this, let's try to at least put an estimate in there. Can Christina, can I give that to you? >> Sure. >> 50,000. >> What's that? If you want an estimate, I'd say 750
>> or 750. >> It's just an estimate. So, it's design or just design? >> No, not construction. >> So, you're telling me >> the engineering team came back and said it's going to cost you another $300 and something thousands to do this phase.
due to >> I thought it was just OPM that we were having a problem with. >> We Well, I don't think you have a problem with the architect per se. You had a contract that says the first amount of money, whatever that is, Christina probably knows it off the top of her head, get you to the base plan.
And then to go from that base plan that town had to approve to go to the architectural drawings bid was another $300,000 which is already in the contract. So, you know, you got $350,000 of current architects, but the issue is
that OPM didn't do their >> I know >> due diligence. Right. >> Right. >> Um and so, as Christina said, just said that she didn't hear back from the OPM. So, at some point, because the board the last time we brought this to the board, the board, which was a different
slightly different board, decided that we should stick with this current OPM. You may have to revise that. >> Yeah. Well, the idea was that going up for bid for a brand new OPM who who would have to then backtrack and
learn just part of it. We were at the time believing that it was going to be more more cost effective to stick with the current one. Not that we wanted to because of the issues that we've had. Um, our thought was then as soon as we got to construction that we would go and
and switch, but it seems like that's not going to be effective and we may have to revisit and switch that up. Well, could we put it on as an agenda item to kind of put closure to it because they're not responding at this point? >> Yeah. And you know, I mean, I've already
gave my opinion on it a number of times, even in the beginning, which was, you know, from the work that I saw from the OPMs and everybody else that was on that team, right, the project team, the outcome, they didn't deserve to continue. And not
only that, there was no project plan. You know, when when an OPF doesn't put a product plan together, you got to go. I thought, what's going on? So, you're asking for on the next agenda for select board that we look we discuss putting
the OPM for fire project back out to the >> Yeah. >> Adam, what are your thoughts on that? >> I just hope I live long enough to see something happen. Uh I I don't think what we've done so far has worked, so
I'm fine switching. It doesn't I was unimpressed to that group. They've already said if they did put we aren't going to get the same project manager. They're not going to have any of that depth information. >> I don't think starting over with a new company is that hard. There's not I mean
>> realistically it's like okay >> here's where we are. >> Can you attend either in graces with your presence in person or via Zoom next Monday? >> Yes. >> Okay. So yes, we can fit that in discuss
>> and maybe by then we can have all the numbers and kind of decide what >> would you prefer that I be in person? >> I mean always but whatever you can do. >> You're the first person ever to say that to me but yeah.
>> Okay, moving along. Um, the fire department. Did we or did we not replace the brush vehicle >> is coming in the first quarter? >> February, March. >> It's what?
>> It's been funded, right? >> It's funded. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Replace the turnout year. >> That is an ongoing cycle of replacement. So that's that's like a every year thingy. So when does it become less a capital expenditure and more of a budget thing
if it's every year? >> It's a good question. I think historically they had been listed as capex primarily because you have the gear itself lasts for like eight years
and that was the logic. Doesn't have to be that way but >> Okay. So you're not replacing all the gear, you're doing it in >> No, no, no, no. That's a Gotcha. >> Yeah, that's a very small portion of it. Unfortunately, it's expensive.
>> No extraction tools. 20,000 >> extrication. Uh yeah, I mean that's a wish list item for us. We ours are old and they have much newer technology that's much easier to work with.
Um I I would like to the one drawback to it again is it comes back to the purpose fit for of the station. So the the issue the other issue we have in
addition to vehicle size uh is that more and more of the tools that are used for the department are um lithium batteries, meaning they're rechargeable and none of our existing
trucks are capable of being plugged in to maintain a charge of batteries. Uh, so it's uh, you know, we're I I would like to replace our extrication tools. If that had to push, I would push it
until after we get a new engine because the engine I have can't support the new what the newer technology extrication tools are. >> Okay. Looks like we have the same situation with the new SCBA bottles.
>> Yeah, the SCBA bottles were all replaced by grant funding. So, I'm not exactly I don't remember that being on the list. I don't know if that was a relic from when the other group was there or the the past chief was there, but um we don't we
don't require any SCBA bottle replacement at this time. Cool. >> We That was what we got from all that grant funding. We replaced like $150,000 worth of box. >> Replace uh engine number one. >> That's a big one. That one's got to go.
>> But that's the chicken and egg one where we'd have to special order it to be small. >> And that one we're looking at 400. >> That's probably a pipe dream. My guess is it probably be six 650.
>> Okay. >> Um >> Okay. >> So, Adam, does it make sense to start putting money aside in a capital plan for fire ranger? >> Yes, I think we should probably establish practice of doing that just
every year. And it doesn't mean you have to buy a fire truck, but at least you'd start acuring money for it. So, do we want to create the stabilization account then for that? >> I wouldn't hate that idea.
>> Then you maybe put money raise an appropriate for a couple of years before we have >> and by the time we build the fire station, there'll be like $20 million in the stabilization funds, >> which would be the price of a new fire. >> Yeah, exactly. It'll have a 12-year lead
time, so that'll be great. Yeah. So for whatever reason in the old plan again there was something here called replace rescue with new or used medium duty >> that would I do want to do. So uh what yeah I don't know how much background
you want on all this stuff but so our existing rescue rescue truck is just used for medical calls. Uh the drawback to that is it is we have to you have to make a decision when you the issue we
always have is not so much uh we don't want to have to think too much about which vehicle to take. So if it's an car accident as an example uh we usually have if we're lucky we have two maybe three people show up at
the station at first. you have to pick which truck is going to go. Um, and the existing medical truck is not sufficient for um, doing extrication or anything else with a car accident, but our
existing squad truck that was purchased several years ago is not big enough to carry a lot of medical stuff. So uh yeah it it's add it to the long list of uh I think we have to take a much
smarter approach to um how we acquire what kind of vehicles we acquire and how we acquire them. So, at some point, uh not in the immediate future, uh we should replace the um the
rescue truck that we have, which is really just a pickup truck, um and replace it with a proper rescue truck that's like capable of going on the pike, isn't going to sustain catastrophic damage if it gets in an accident on the pike, that kind of stuff. So, we would want to upgrade that truck a bit.
>> Yeah. In the original plan, it was in 2028 for three. Yeah, that's about the right time. I think >> about 3:25 is what they >> Yeah. And I again that's on in today's prices. So, >> right. >> God only knows what that looks like then. But that's an estimate. It was
more just thinking farther ahead of the capital plan so that we're actually planning >> the gear extractor and dryer was in there for 16,000. >> We can't do anything with that until we get a new station. So you can that can wait.
>> There's also usually pretty good grants available for that. So we should be able to grant fund that >> they're almost always like a match, but it should be a minor match. Probably costs $1,000 >> and build a training area within 2027.
>> Yeah. Again, that's a I don't have a spot to put that at this point. So we again we're just trying to forecast needs with that not necessarily things that we have to get ready to do right now. >> Yeah. >> So
and and I think you said this also when we met during budget season that the number one thing is certainly we've already got the money for the brush vehicle but certainly would be the number one engine. >> Yeah we've got it that yeah it is
hanging on by a thread. Yep. I mean it if you have you know this is dated so if you have other things that you're thinking out outside of the building itself then you need to let us know. >> We don't have anything that's too major
uh from that nothing that I wouldn't be able to redirect from uh opex and that it's nothing that I would envision uh you know having a a what is our criteria like five plus year lifespan or something like that. So, >> okay. Well,
>> I can almost always re redirect some opex for it. We also have we we've been extremely frugal. This is just for your information. We've been extremely frugal with we get a uh revenue component when
we respond to the Pike and that uh we they pay us I think it's $450 or $490 per vehicle that responds to any incident on the Pike. The drawback is it doesn't matter if you're there for 10
minutes or 10 hours, it's still $400. >> Um, but we have never spent any of the money out of that. So, I want to say it's acred somewhere like $20,000 on there. So, if we had to dip in for equipment purchase out of that, we could
do that. We've been treating it very much like a rainy day fund until this point. >> Yeah. If I remember, you had a substantial increase in budget this year or so for stuff, right? >> Yeah. I can't get over the cost change
in stuff we've been >> having to acquire. It is ludicrous. >> Oh, the war. Yep. >> Um, all right. We're going to skip highway. Yeah. They're not here. >> Since they're not here though, I want to ask Adam a question. Um because I was
with Ray up at the salt shed and there's some old car up there that used to be for the COA and he said it's completely ate out. You know, mice have gotten in there and he made the comment of, >> "Well, you guys could use that as test
vehicle." >> Okay. >> Vehicle. >> If you want to leave it there, great. If not, let's decide. Are we going to get rid of it? We're going to keep it because it's just junk. I'll go up and take a look at it and see if we can use it for that. >> We always like cutting stuff up.
>> Okay, let's go to library. >> Um, so >> I will let you start. I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. >> Uh, the $17,000 of capital plan 2024. >> Um, >> I believe that that was for masonry
improvements. for part of that. >> Um, we only used a portion of the masonry improvements and we used that to um, repair and stabilize the foundation. We did not use um, we ended up not having to do any repointing because the building was so well constructed that it
was better off to just not repoint it. And then there was chimney repair that was also part of that masonry repair. However, we elected not to do that at the time because we knew that we were going to be that's right when the grant funding came available for us to apply for. We had hoped and luckily it panned
out that the grant would be something that would be able to cover that. So that masonry will be part of the construction grant if the town elects to vote for the library construction project. Um what I do want to just say is that if the town does not go through the library construction project, all of
the maintenance costs for the library building will be on the town and those will be substantial. Um, I did not prepare a separate capital plan for that eventuality, but it should be known that there is a significant amount of capital
planning that would need to be done. Um, that would probably be in excess of what the town would spend on the grant portion that we would have to cover if the town does not proceed with that expansion. >> Are you going to present that? Yeah, that's >> that will definitely be presented. Um,
so we will have that. Okay. >> Yeah. Um, and that would be obviously repairing the masonry on the chimney because it's currently portable in and not out. Um, and obviously the other things like hazmat um, issues that we've been, you know, recently informed of
with the hazmat testing. Um, obviously the AD accessibility, which is not fixed by putting a ramp on the building because it had to extend to the inside as well. It's not good enough to just get in the building. You got to be able to use it. Um and then the fire code violation of not having a secondary
egress. So there are numerous things that would um I can't even fathom how much that would all cost. Uh it is truly extreme. >> But you guys are going to make an estimate on that, right? >> Um yes, there will be. I'm not like I do
not know if this is going to be like a down to the penny professional estimate that is like but it will be a like very good estimate by the OPM that will have an accurate idea of what this would cost. >> Perfect. Um, >> okay. >> So, there is that. And then in addition to um this that we did do the patios
that's checkbook money used um and we are in the library design phase and building and um that's where we're at right now. So, I don't know why that's on capital plan 2027 and 2028. Um >> this was again years. >> Okay. All right. And I'm like, so that
may be accurate because the phase and build would that could be what that is kind of projecting out. >> Um, so obviously we don't have that >> exact estimate right now. >> Y >> um so I'm not sure if that helps to
answer things. We're at a crossroad and if this was in two months from now, I would have really solid answers for you. Um but I just don't have my hand. >> Then we'll just update this number. >> Yeah. And I mean like again like it It would look very similar for the
community um with either outcome. There's not much of a difference. It's just a very big difference with what the community gets. >> So, do you have to go? >> I'm so sorry. Do >> you want us to I'm not on There's nothing there. >> There's nothing that I am going to split out when she was done. >> So, sorry. Thanks so much. I'll see you
on Friday. >> Jennifer was so lovely to volunteer the cider and donut truck for the Halloween trick-or-treating that's happening. >> The little goblins. the little goblets. >> Jennifer, do you have any thoughts on transfer station for capital expenses?
>> No, because ours is coming through the grant. If we don't get the grant, we're not doing it. >> Okay. Although no concerns pretty >> Okay. >> Yeah. Like the last one. So, >> thank you. >> Thanks. Have a great night. You too. >> Okay. Library is done. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Ter, the fireproof uh filing cabinets. What do we spend this year? We are in the process of taking stuff out to get it shredded and clean up what we have.
>> But we bought the safe already. Correct. >> You voted on it. >> We voted on it. >> Voted. >> Voted. >> Right. >> What was it? 20. I'm trying to remember. Did we vote on 20 or 10? >> Um, we voted on 10,
give or take. Okay. But we got an official company, right? >> We were looking. We found we got it down to 10 on $10,000, >> but it hasn't been ordered yet, >> right? >> We haven't purchased it. >> Okay. Yeah. Because they're clean.
>> Okay. So, I can get rid of this 30,000 then. >> And then do we need 10,000 each year for this? >> No. I think at the time those were quoting three states. >> Okay. So, we're just looking at >> Fantastic.
>> At this point, you don't think you're going to be asking for more, do you? >> Don't. No. >> Um, what about the website? Any thoughts? Would that be a capital expenditure or
>> website? Yeah. >> Where's that situ? No, I know it sits under Wendy, but account. >> She's in the IT account, right? >> Okay. >> So, if we wanted to do anything, it would go into the IT account.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions on town clerk? >> We're skipping tree warden. >> Yep. >> Let's go water. >> Water department. You don't have anything on there. Just kidding. >> Oh dear. >> Yes.
>> Okay. The storage account you're still the storage tank you're still looking at. There was talk about some grant funding for that and that was on pause. Correct. >> Yeah, we got a we we have a plan for it. Yeah.
>> Engineers gave us a plan on it. >> Okay. So, the plan is created. That's not what the Was that what the 75,000 was for or was it for? It was just for the plan. >> Just design. Y design. And that's been paid for.
>> No. >> No. >> I just And this may be new to me today because I talked to Brad today and then I talked to the engineers that are working for the water. Yeah. >> Pierce.
>> And there's two things that are happening. The D what is it? DP >> is the most critical things for them for us to pass go like okay you guys are still working on it that's good is the
ozone >> equipment >> and the intake water intake into whatever that is >> yeah the water the water intake goes out and it's only down below the water six feet >> right
>> so if you get a drought and the water drops six feet you're out of Yeah. >> Or if it's in the winter time, you get two feet of frost, you down four feet. >> So these are So what happened was
um these guys got a grant from one stop for 125k. >> Mhm. >> That was going to go towards this water storage tank >> and a pump house. And
because they got declined on the ozone grant recently, we saw that come through. Um the engineering team is going to talk to the D about moving money from the one-stop grant to the ozone project.
>> If we start getting fines, it's like $350 a day. >> Oh my goodness. So, and we're not showing progress on this ozone area because we got declined for the grant. So, when they speak to D next week,
um they're going to say that, hey, this is what we talked about in that meeting the other day. Hey, these guys applied for a grant for the ozone and got declined. Now, they're having to kind of step back and re-evaluate. How are they going to go forward?
So why why are we going back to ozone? Weren't didn't we get away from ozone and now is it aated thing? >> The ozone was broke down for years and this is affecting your de your disinfection byproducts. >> Yeah, >> this is why this
>> but I thought that they wanted to get away from doing ozone ozone and start doing more of the filtration the sand filter. Did that change? Was that mandated or did you >> Well, I think I don't think they notified D that they were going to get
rid of it for good. >> Okay. >> Right. And it's a um it takes away a one log of your system of removal. >> Okay. >> So, you're out of compliance from that. >> Okay. So, that so they're mandating that we bring our ozone back up because I
know one one of the discussion points was that it's very expensive. We did go over the uh uh two two smaller units and a new new air compressor with a good dryer and all that. >> It they're pretty pretty small now and a
little more better energy efficient. >> Okay. Yeah, >> the other the other ones are way too big. Yeah. >> Okay. But Weston's third not less than I'm sorry. Pierce and Right are assuming around 300K. for a new treatment bank.
>> Yeah, >> that's the build phase. The before the build phase, there's the initial investment, which is I don't know at this point, but in other words, there's a lot going
on there. Um, and a lot of projects going on at the same time. >> Yeah, there are. >> Okay. And the water mane replacement, which is huge,
>> is not even really on the radar, >> right? >> And then the North Street, what is that? Infrastructure replacement. North Street. >> That's that's just piping connected to your pump station. >> Okay.
And just to revisit the one on Russell Sage Road, it's it is cracking the road in several locations. Um, so I'm just putting that out there. I've noticed in the five years we've been here, it's significantly backed and every time I brought it up, it it'll
break at some point on Russell Stage. It's happened three times. >> So, um, the water pipes >> Yeah, because they dug up the road here. They dug it out down by Maple Lane where the underpass is. >> Oh yeah. >> They dug it out there twice and up here.
And before that I called Bart and said, "Just so you know, >> there's a crack that goes completely parallel like in the road like it cracks." >> Yeah. >> And I'm like, "Just so you know, there's crack here and it wasn't there last year." And then sure enough, it'll break >> and that's when we won't have water. So
I'm just putting it out there that there that continues to be something that >> Oh, absolutely. Yeah. It's been talked about for years that that's And unfortunately when we redid the road, we didn't have the money to do the water before. Remember this? And so we redid the road knowing that we were going to have to unfortunately dig it up to do
repairs was couldn't afford. It's like >> over a million dollars, I think. >> And I'm not upset about it at all like as a res. I just mean that it's going to it it it's going to break again. Yeah. >> So it's it's almost like kind of plan >> for it. >> The water pipe's going to break again.
Is that We end up with breaks on that line often because of the age I think and everything >> much too. >> Yeah. >> But then that's what this is they've been talking about forever is putting money into doing a whole renovation. But
it's just we never have the money to do it. And I think I would have put that before the skater project. Sorry. I think the state mandated the skater project. The skater project will help out with the quality of water, >> right?
>> But that was mandated, wasn't it? >> I'm not positive. >> I think that was one of the things when DP came back with what we had to do. >> So, did the consent order talk about SCADA or No, >> the consent order. Thank you. >> Um, is that one of them?
>> I don't think it was, right? No. >> Well, no. The You mean the three amendments? >> No, no, no. consent order from D >> that is saying that we have to do the ozone >> that's on there but all I have yeah I never saw the consent order but I do
have a spreadsheet that is not with me >> I don't think I don't think they're going to bother us with that because it's already started >> it's already started it's almost done >> but I thought originally was on >> okay >> all right is there any department that we might be missing you guys
accessessories you don't have anything really that you need to go upgrading software or anything like that. >> You want to talk about that? >> Oh boy. Okay. Come on up. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Great.
>> You're fine. You're comfortable. Um, have we played this yet? >> We we me and Dave haven't had a chance to talk about it, but recently what I've been experiencing is that the system with which we use for keeping parcels, record cards. >> Patriot.
>> Yeah, Patriot is one of the oldest ones that they have. And today when I couldn't access some information, um, one of the upper management professionals said to me, "You guys need
to update this because they're going to probably start phasing it out as they're not even going to support this anymore." >> Okay. >> They actually they bounced me around to four different people because nobody knew how to help me. >> Okay. >> Um, so I don't know the plus on that. We'll have to figure out in
conversation, but just to put it out there that that will probably need to be updated at some point. >> Is that a yearly thing we pay or is that a one time? >> I don't think we've explored it enough to say whether it's going to be a yearly ongoing cost or a one time.
>> The way most software is going these days, it's probably going to be an ongoing. Yeah, >> I think you pay for the So for what I I asked them and they said so it's one month to acquire said software and then there is a yearly or maintenance fee to keep the support and the
>> the accessibility with their help desk and other >> did that program like speak to any other programs that we have like okay so >> so that talks to the VAR system which is is responsible for sending out excise tax at all bills for each parcel
>> so upgrading the patriot to whatever the appropriate level is would still work with all of our >> Yes. And they said that it actually works a lot more efficient. >> Um and they even said that they offer when I talked to them today, they offer a bunch of training. There's like a
there's a lot more into this new system. I mean, obviously there's >> Is that what it's called? Patriot. >> Yeah. >> Is there like different different levels of Patriot? >> I mean, there's different versions from what they told me and ours. will get to a point where you'll call and no one's going to be able to answer your phone. >> Well, and that kind of what happened
today because when I called they were like we have to track someone down. We had to call you back. It took them like 3 hours to get back to me. >> I you know and I was just changing an address. >> I wasn't even doing anything. No. And I'm just putting it out there like that that was all I was trying to do. Um
>> I mean I personally um I think we should put it in there. I used to work for a software company and they will they will just stop then all of a sudden you're going to be like, "Well, who's going to help us transfer all this data?" >> And they're going to say, "We don't have anybody that knows enough about the
system to do it anymore." >> Yeah. >> So, I would suggest that we get it on this year's, you know, maybe do a you know, you have to do an RP probably because the software is going to be a thousand would be my guess. >> They didn't give me an exact
or is it because >> I think we pay a yearly fee. Would you pay yearly license fee? >> But it's not a lot. >> Just a license fee. That's it. >> Yeah. >> I haven't paid it yet in my time here, so I'm not exactly sure. I'd have to >> Okay. Refer to >> probably the same system we were using
35 years ago. >> I feel like I remember when we got it and so it can't be 35 years. >> Maybe 10 years. >> Offers what we need though, right? We don't have to go with somebody else or >> Yeah. They actually refer to the one we write we we have as the classic. Oh, so
they offer more, but yeah. And yeah, >> like Mario, >> kind of. >> Does Does Harold have a preferred software? You know, >> that's a good question. >> Is that something we could ask him and find out if he has a preferred software
vendor? Um, >> I'm pretty sure they use Patriot 2 because or Catalyst is the name of the company that rolls it out. >> I mean, he has to deal with our software, right? Yes. Harold. So that would be a good question to ask him and
say, you know, in what version? I mean, obviously you'd want the latest version. >> Yeah. >> Right. You don't want to go on the old version because then you just have to upgrade all the time. So, but yeah, I'd put that as a hot ticket item because if they all of a sudden
just Yeah. They don't bother calling us anymore. >> You just need to collect them taxes. >> Yeah. >> Right. No, >> I think that's all departments. >> Yes, that I think that's it. >> Okay. Isn't it?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, does anyone have anything else that they wanted to bring up while we're all together? >> Um, I had put together just some stuff I'm going to send to everybody today after the meeting. We wanted to have the meeting first so that we could explain
everything um and not just me sending you emails and you guys going, "What is this?" So every department will get uh this it's just a letter explaining um your how to submit your capital project requests
we're ask so you'll have a form that's fillable online right so you this you'll click on this and you'll be able to put in all your information this will count as one project request with each project request we just want a simple narrative so the project description need intended
use and benefits estimated life expectancy of the project your proposed funding sources and the lead/responsible party and then there's submission instructions on there. So, this will go out to all departments so that we can gather your capital project requests.
Um, >> nice >> and then we will shortly hopefully in conjunction with the finance committee >> of one >> uh after November 3rd hopefully. Yes, we will. >> Okay. November 3rd.
>> Yes. Um, we will start putting together uh the documents for the uh budget work workbooks that will be sent out. >> Okay. Yeah, great. >> I love this. Thank you. >> Do you want me to hold off until I have
a clearer idea of what? Okay. Thank you. And who's finance committee? Who's the other? >> And then we will be on November 3rd doing a review of an applicant. >> Oh, which is wonderful. But just everybody keep in mind It's still only two and not a quorum. But two is better
than one. We're making progress. >> It's a three. So 100%. >> So if you have friends, neighbor, get them involved. >> Weren't currently involved in anything with Pound. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Well, I've learned since moving here, everybody I talk to, I'll say something and they're like, "Oh, I used to be on everybody's >> every um I did want to ask town clerk about updating um bylaws on the website." >> It is a work in progress.
>> Okay. Um because there's a lot on there that is outdated by several years. >> So, we do want to make that a priority, make sure we're going back and updating. Well, and especially with all that's going on with
>> we're going to be always maybe six months to a year behind because we have to wait for the attorney general to approve everything. >> Sure. >> Before we can actually include it, but once it's included, it is effective. The data town voted. >> Okay.
>> Which is >> tough to figure out, but >> but there's a lot of backlogging right now that need to be done. >> Okay. Um, what else did I have? Having a mind blank. Do you have anything else? >> I have one small announcement. >> Yes.
>> The poop museum is coming to Blandford. >> Love it. >> Um, this is grant sponsored from the Hilltown Community Health Center. Uh, and the um, early childhood education care department. So, on Saturday,
November 15th, we will have Susie from England, who will be here to talk about poop with you and whoever else you would like to bring. Michaela's really excited. >> We're going The kids are super excited about this. >> No, no, no. Bear with my husband.
>> Oh, no. Oh my god. >> Oh my god. No. Um, so this is actually a real thing. So there's somebody that is uh she is an expert in poop. Um, and she goes around and talks about she's like a
biologist from England who is on her like national poop museum tour in the US. Libraries have and other museums and educational facilities have been hosting the poop museum. Um and I have read nothing but rave reviews. Um she is not
number two, she is number one uh for it. >> So she is coming to Blford and she is bringing with her um actual poop that can be eaten. I do not want to know. I do not
want to know. But um you will also souls >> there will Yeah, you will be learning about all sorts of animal poop. Um, and about poop facts, um, animals doing poop dances, um, poop attack power, animals eating their mouth poop, I don't even know.
>> I need to bring this to my fifth graders. >> Yes. Yes. Like, seriously, >> ask you, how are you how are you making this known? Are you sending it to the schools? Are you sending it to Okay, >> school, Facebook, the Country Journal, I'm sure, would love to run this >> on their front page.
>> What's the time? Uh this is happening at 2 pm on Saturday. The girls are in states. There's >> soap to me. >> Miss the poop factory. >> Sam, that's fact. >> This is this is a a educational
opportunity. Um we're getting the potty started. So out. Um so yes. Yes. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. >> You are doing all things amazing. I love it. >> And it is completely grant funed. The library is not paying a penny for this. We are using this as an opportunity to
increase engagement with um all of the different communities. The Hilltown Family Center is promoting this uh very widely to make sure that they're bringing people into Blandford because they have other opportunities that they have offered to other communities and I wanted to get in line for that. So um I had a request at the waiting for the
poop museum because they were um a little bit pricey. So, they funded this and they also um are very embarrassing. Every single day I'm embarrassed by the story walk when I walk by um Watson Park area. And they have also written a grant
to get the replacement board from us. So, that is coming in November there. The grant will be submitted. So, I'm sorry. It is not due to lack of care or love. It is due to lack of financial funding and carpentry skills. >> Um we're learning as we go.
>> Yes, we sure do. Um, so yes. Anyway, so that is that is all the news that is fit to print. >> I love that. >> Yes. Hope to see you all there. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I I should also mentioned on a more serious note, um, but not nearly as enjoyable and to talk about, uh, World
War I. Um, >> there's a jump. >> There's a jump here. We are doing a program on World War I with John Green on uh, September, I'm sorry, November 8th. And he is going to be talking about his grandfather's war diaries. uh from
in the trenches of France. So the diaries themselves are also available digitally because he has transpired them and they're all in um PDF format. So if you're interested in this World War I presentation, it's going to be absolutely phenomenal. Um so that will be on September 8th. Do
>> you have a copy of the new calendar? >> I do. I have that for you. I brought that and a copy of the food and empire for you. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you so much. >> All right. Um the other thing, Jackie, you were at the annual town meeting minutes. Yeah. The annual town meeting
minutes. Are they done? >> Are they done? >> Yeah. >> Are they on the on the website? >> If they're not, there should be. >> Okay. Yeah. If we could just make sure they get to um >> Yeah. >> Um maybe I missed it. >> Okay.
>> Good. I think we're good. >> All right. >> Thank you guys. Um adjourn at 7. >> Well, there's something else. Well, we tend to do I think we did seven because we need
>> I just want to make >> Yes, we did seven for this one. I just have a wonderful way. >> I know. >> It was my grandma. >> So, this is their own. I'm going to give you a
point. >> Yeah.