Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to the February 19th, 2026 meeting of the Chattam Finance Committee. Please note this meeting is being recorded and will be available shortly hereafter for scheduled and on demand viewing on any smartphone or tablet
device. If anyone else is recording the meeting, including the use of AI note-taking apps, please notify the chair. Seeing none, pursuant to Governor Healey's March 28th, 2025 signing of chapter 2 of the acts of 2025
extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law general laws chapter 38 section 20 until June 30th, 2027. This meeting of the Chattam Finance
Committee is being conducted in person and via remote participation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in
progress might do so by calling the phone number 1508 945 4410 with a conference ID of 438 930-430 pound sign or join the meeting online
via via Microsoft Teams through the link in the posted agenda. We will post a record of this meeting on the town's website as soon as possible. I'll call the role to establish a quorum. Stephen Daniel, >> I'm here.
>> I'm here. Andy Young. Join Sprag >> here. >> Madison >> here. >> John Pablardo >> here. >> Kristen Andres >> here. >> Tracy Shields. No. Tommy Don, are you online? >> He asked for the link. >> Excuse me. >> He's asking for the link.
>> Okay. All right. So, he may join in a few minutes. Eric Widley >> here. >> Okay, great. And here comes Tracy Shields >> here. >> Good. >> And Tommy, no doubt, will join online
shortly. All right. Thank you very much. We have a quorum. >> Well, hi everybody. Uh, thank you for that, Andy, and thank you for filling in for the last couple of weeks. Um, you'll have to forgive my singing voice. Um, getting better slowly, but I am here.
Um, all right. We are going to continue to chip away at U articles for town meeting. Uh we've got a handful that we're going to get presented with today and uh for which I'd like to take a vote and then I think to the extent we have
time I'd like to chip away at some of the ones that we've already heard uh and start to try to clear out the backlog a little bit. So with that I'm going to turn it over to Leah and Terry for the Center for Active Living uh request for additional funds.
>> Mr. Chair, I just have a quick question for Carrie, please, before we get started. >> Carrie, if if we're going to revote the um elected officials stipens, I would like to make sure before we do that we have available any other benefits that
uh town elected officials have available to them. And uh I'd like that information before we vote on if we do have to vote to or do a revote on the uh stipens. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We will be revoting that today. Time
permitting. >> So, okay, Terry, over to you, please. >> Great. Thank you. Uh Terry Whan, projects and operations administrator. Also have Leah Lacrosse here as well um to give an overview of where we are on the Center for Active Living Project and
the um the the current request for um let's call it additional or supplemental funding. uh following up on the previous article for $5 million for the renovation expansion of the existing center for active living facility at 193
uh Stony Hill Road. So, I'll go through just kind of a quick overview of, you know, how we got to where we are. Uh what the request is, um some of the overview of uh components of the building that are being stressed in this
latest um um set of uh construction plans that are out for bid right now. And again, Leah can answer any questions about programming or meeting the needs along those types of lines. So, so again, most folks here are familiar with the uh
existing Center for Active Living uh facility at 193 Stony Hill Road. What you're looking at here is a um uh a copy of the the site plan of the proposed changes. Uh just to to start, actually, you know, let me let me back up and just go over just real quickly. So, since the
the the passage of the $5 million article uh at the previous town meeting, um we started the design development process. We had an estimate that came in um extremely um well over $7 million at
that point in time. We looked at some value engineering. Um then also as part of the process um the town manager set up a the building uh working group the C file building working group to provide additional input into uh developing a
concept or or plan actually because it's more than the concept it was actually uh to finalize um bidding plans uh to not only meet the needs but also to look uh more closely at other elements of the
design materials s for u longer range uh u cost efficiency. So um and the chair was a key member of that group um as well. So again just um now to the the project again the 193 site here
essentially uh the the key elements starting from from the site will be um reworking formalizing the parking. So, if you're familiar now, a lot of the area is grasped. There's not um a formality to the parking. So, uh
there'll be some um restructuring of the parking, uh a better drop off area, um access, handicap access from both the front um and the um let's call it the rear of the building. um drop off um to
the lower level as well uh for um the some of the functions I'll go through when we go through the site plan. So so again the the the the site will change um hopefully again I think functionally for the better uh and performance of um all
the functions for the center for active living. So on the on the lower level, so these plans, if you happen to see the select board um presentation, I think it was back in December actually, uh early December. Um and these notes on here
indicate areas where there was input from the building working group in particular to really refine and just improve uh the concept uh of making sure that we're making the building as functional as possible. And
also as I mentioned, well, we'll talk later when I get to the elevations on some of the materials and other aspects that are in the the design and bit specs that are advertised right now. So, so just again you
very similar to the original concept um of that was approved um at the previous town meeting. But we did go back in here and again with the the building working group uh really um one of the um
challenges were were the prices originally of the this the structural elements. So if you're familiar with the the photos we came in last year of all the uh lolly columns and um various air po post polls uh in key locations
throughout the building. So the you know with the um um building group recommendations uh those were actually added in back in um from a um you know need to have type of elements. So you
know basically removing any of the um obstructions in the rooms to improve the functionality of their use. So the lower level here will be providing primarily it'll provide a lot of the services but it will be the supportive daycare uh
facility. Um so again really structured to perform that function well. uh the the drop off as I noted in the site plan there'll be a uh covered portico uh for keeping that function really contained in here. There's additions of of uh
bathroom facilities that you need to have as part of that um those services as well. So and then on the the second floor or let's call it actually the main floor the first floor the street level. Um so
again a lot of reworking a lot of focus on access to the building with uh level sidewalks ramps uh handicap ramps improved uh distribution of office space within the building uh a rework of of
the kitchen area the modernization of the elevator and again here the a lot of the structural elements. So the building working group um in particular also spent a lot of time on um I I don't want to put words in the the
group out but really maximizing the return on on the kitchen with what we had to to work with. So reworking that to maximize uh the functionality of that space. So again I think uh compared to the earlier concepts uh there were some
changes here for the uh service counter uh moving some of the equipment into um additional expansion space here reworking that to really um you know do as much as possible in the in the kitchen area which was not really fully
um uh in included in the first uh concept. So again, the benefits and like I said, Lee can answer any you programming for um uh programs or kitchen uh not kitchen classes, cooking classes, uh things like
that that they have on the horizon for uh that. Um and then on the third level again um you know the addition of dormers to the facility uh removing some of the head space restrictions so that we're maximizing
um usable floor u floor area in um these areas of the building and then in particular also the activity room. Uh greatly increasing that and again uh some additional um office space in there
as well. um to again just really to maximize what we have in this footprint uh without um adding tons of um area to the the footprint.
So again, these are just the dormers. So if you're familiar with the building right now, it doesn't have these dormers. Uh it this would also add a vestibule to the front. So there's a better uh control of uh not only um
access from people with limited mobility but also u climate control and an airlock kind of scenario. Some additional storage space is in here. Um the addition of a dormer here. Again, you know, just really bumps out the
usable area in the um second the me the media room. >> Hey Terry, let's just jump in. And I think Barb's got a question for you, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I don't mean this the way it sounds, but we, so we paid money to a development
group, a design development group to design this building and then we had our own building working group fix it. >> I again, we, you know, we went through the process and we we had an estimate. So, we we did work, you know, we were working with users. The estimate came in
uh early on in the process. So we we didn't have um fully developed plans at that point in time, but we did get an estimate that was um you know over over $7 million. And then we looked at value engineering it and and to do that it
brought down um took away some of the key elements from the project. So we we then again u the building working group was established to find where that you know kind of new
equilibrium is and what really you know what the prices are in the market. So that's you know um you know and in in our world in in the municipal world here we really don't know what the price is until you actually get the bids back. So
that's that was that was happening. And it looks like Stephen wants to interject. He can probably articulate better than I can. >> Well, I'm not sure about that. Um, >> so Terry's correct. The numbers came in higher than anticipated, higher than was initially approved at the Maytown meeting. I wouldn't characterize
um the effort to fix what the professional development staff did um but more to consider the project from a different perspective. um that being kind of at the local user
base. Rob Stella was on the on the committee as well uh as representatives of the the COA board that the town manager appointed. We went through the building and sort of operated, not sort of, we operated on the premise of if we're going to do
this, let's do it right and let's do it so it's going to last. uh there's little point in spending if we value engineered it down to $6 million if it was going to be cramped, compromised, not fully utilitarian
space. So we did things as Terry pointed out, we as a committee agreed that having columns in the middle of floor space made no sense. Uh that uh meeting a Zoom with no windows made little to no
sense. um that only doing part of the building envelope made no sense. Uh if we wanted to build a structure that was going to be there for 30 or 35 years, let's do it properly. So, we did add deeper window wells to two of the floors
down in the basement, to the rooms in the basement. We did call out for recladding the entire structure. Um, we did call for buttoning up the vents uh that make the air uh the the elevator in
the winter time kind of like a ride on the Polar Express. Um, so it was our mandate was if we're going to do it, let's think about doing it properly and maximizing the useful life of the project of the structure.
>> Tracy, I think you had a question. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. more I guess just a comment um and we we run into this with town projects often that you know the bids the time delay between approval to the bids and it's always an increase.
Um, I just I feel like it's worth saying like when we talked about this project last year and brought it before the town, there was some degree of confidence reflected back, at least I recall, that 5 million
was going to be sufficient because I recall asking as a board like, is this really enough? Is this going to be another one of these things that comes back and needs more? And I remember hearing like, "No, there's there's co there's overages included in this." Um,
so I feel a little disingenuous to the town that having to come back and ask for more when it felt like what we were asking for was sufficient last year. And I don't know necessarily how how to
alter that process, but having a building working group sort of after the fact, I think it's sort of what Barbara was saying, seems like, you know, that that that those efforts conducted
alongside some of the initial planning might have enlightened the group, you know, requesting more money at town meeting. I think just as a as a practice as a t town town's folk don't like hearing
having to be asked for more for a project if they're hearing the pitch of the project you know having a better sense of the scope. So, I think in just as a as a comment in general when we're talking about a big capital project, I I don't know if it's appropriate or not,
but to build in more overages for what we ask for so that we're not having to come back and bring it back up to people and sort of disrupt their, you know, take up their time again, which is valuable. Um, and I think it would ease
the process, you know, because I don't know that that we'll get as broad a support for the extra money as we did the first time. >> But wait, there's more. So, uh, points very well taken and I
wouldn't dispute anything that you just said. The approach that the town is taking with respect to this cycle, which hopefully will be the the final cycle when we end up with a completed building, is what's known as a bid in hand. So, as Terry's made a reference
to, the plans are just about finalized. They're going to go out to bid, and the intent is to have hard numbers come to town meeting with whatever reserve we're holding, 7 and a half%, 10%, I don't
remember what it was. Um but to to eliminate that prospect >> Yeah. >> by having a firm bid that we can award based on numbers approved at town meeting. >> Yeah. That would again that's one of the that's one of the conundrums we have
here. So, you know, if we're going on a concept or or an estimate and there's not capacity or interest in putting contingency, which there hasn't been quite frankly in the past to put in these projects, then this is the situation wind up. So, this is why we're trying this bid in hand. This is the
most as as the chair just mentioned, that's how we know what the price will be. You know, some of these things you you're speculating. So there's a little bit we we can't run this like a you know like a private development project and we can't do design build you know in the
in the municipal world where we can you know have some greater co cost control and um things like that. So that's that's our challenge here on on all of all the projects. The only way you can get price discovery is to take it out to bid, >> right?
>> And that can't happen always. >> Mike, >> the I guess my question is what? So, if we're going to be able to do bid in hand this town meeting, what's to prohibit us from doing that in what was to prohibit
us from doing that last year? >> No, nothing. >> But that's not the way historically the town of Chadam has run this stuff. So whether we can learn from that and adopt some protocol going forward remains to be seen. But that's
what we're trying to do to address that problem. >> And to that point and in terms of adopting protocol, um I wonder why when we have our design design plan in hand, why the working group couldn't then review it prior to presenting anything.
I mean, if we have a working group, maybe we could keep that working group going and have it review the projects before we go to town meeting with with estimates of any kind. >> So, so if I can, one of the challenges that we have to actually have to do the design. So, you have to spend the design
money to get to that level. So, a concept plan and even a strong concept is much less money than going to full design plans, which again, this is a $400,000 expense just to get to, you know, a little less because some of it's
construction oversight. But that's where again there is some risk even with, you know, a not risk, but you need to have that funding in hand to get the precise answer. So that's the only way you can get the actual prices. You have to have
the full plans which are actually out for a bid right now. You know, again to meet meet the time schedule. So so you know when doing it with concept or lower level plans, there's, you know, conceivably less risk financially, but
you could spend or if we came in and said, you know what, we need $500,000 to develop the plans and you don't even know if the project's going to get approved. So, it it's it's a challenging conundrum. I I wish I had a great answer, but that's it. It's it's you
know that in the uh framework we work in in in Massachusetts and quite frankly probably most municipalities in the country. It's just a it's a challenging situation and it's worked out
sometimes in other ways, sometimes not. >> All right. So, let's uh let's finish marching through the plans and then I think I'd like to see if we can get Lee up to talk to us a little bit about programming and the perspective benefits of all this to services provided to our community. >> Yeah. And the chair chair mentioned the
um you can't really see but you can see the the window wells here on on different aspects of the uh projects again to make better use of the lower level so that uh to make um more more light and more um enjoyable activ um
experience in the lower level. Um again focus here on um windows and um uh uniform treatment throughout of um using cement board for again better uh longevity um and better maintenance um
cycles uh for the building. So I think that's it and I don't know if Leah wants to go through any more on the um level by level the program. >> Thank you Jerry. Welcome Leah. >> Slide is the >> So this is the >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you everyone.
Leah Lacrosse um director of community services. So this is huge benefit to us. Um it the if we start here at the the lower level um right now our supportive day program is in our dining room and
it's in our dining room two days a week which means that no other programs can go in there. Um and which makes me sad that the the day program we we balance we balance the day program with our other programs both are
equally important. Um so having a dedicated space for the adult supportive day program is is critical to us and this would give us um a whole room not only that but bathrooms dedicated just
to the day program. Um, and like right now we have a big, for those of you who have been in there, we have a very large um, open basement, but we can't use it because there for programs because there are no bathrooms down there. So, this would give us the bathrooms that we
need. Um, if you look all the way to the right, I think it's number three there, that that would give us a dedicated um fitness room where we could hold fitness classes on site, plus we could have um a couple of um some pieces of exercise
equipment too if somebody wanted to come in and use that. So, that's this alone is is all the reason in the world um that we we need this. So, um, right now, like it, um, if I go back to the day
program right now, um, they can't put any of their things on the wall or put things away. Um, they can't leave anything out. Every night at the end of the night, the the staff work really hard to make it look like nobody was in there for programs that are coming in. Um, like for instance, today we have a
day program. We have the day program running and tomorrow we have um, the Chattam Better Together group. they're going on a a field trip and then they're coming back for lunch and so they have to work really hard to get that set up for tomorrow after the day program
leaves. So it's it's a lot of um running around and then I'm just looking to see this is the first floor plan. We would have um an extension of our dining room to make it large enough to accommodate I think
almost not twice as amount of people. Actually, it is close to twice because right now our maximum capacity is about 30. Uh, our architect says with these with this little bumpout and everything else and pushing back on the dining room would be able to accommodate 60 people,
which is great. That would be enough to get people off the weight list because we always have a wait list for um for a lot of our programs, I should say. The kitchen becomes much more functional. The um waiting room becomes bigger, more
inviting. We can keep an eye on people. Right now, when you walk in, our front desk person can't see who's walking in. Um, this way they'll have full open access and she will be the first face everybody sees when they walk in. Streamline check-in process. All of the
offices will be together, which is huge. Then the second floor, we have the large activity room, which is now the media lounge. that will um be much more open because that slanted roof that I've showed you before will no longer be
there um to open that space to accommodate twice as many people up there as well. Then um we'll have a dedicated game room. The games have become huge. Um they're there every single day playing cribage and we're
we're maxed out on space for them. They're cribage, bridge, scrabble, um dominoes, you name it. So, they'll have their own dedicated space and um the library will now have built-ins um instead of just regular bookcases in
there. So, it's really bringing it into um into today. It's going to look much more modern and where our um at the end there you can see that will be we will have a conference room back again where
the COA board will be able to have meetings, human services committee will be able to have meetings again freeing up small room here. Um so overall the benefits for us are are just incredible. And I just want to add to to what Terry
said, the and and Barbara to your point, the um when the designers themselves, their first set of plans included everything we needed. When it came back more um more than we thought it would, our team value engineered and cut it
back and then it was the working group that said, "No, we need to put this back to get the most out of the building." So, they did do a really good job. um they were great about listening to what we needed and everything else. It was us who decided to cut back um so that the
project, you know, we could it was still affordable, but it was the working group that said, "No, you got to put this stuff back." To which we're very grateful. >> Thank you, Leah. Tracy, please. >> Thank you. I um really applaud the work
of the working group and and of everyone involved in the process and completely agree with the idea that if we're going to do it, let's do it in a way that you know works into the future. And I thank you Terry for the explanation too. Now I
see more clearly in terms of you know the risk of just approving enough money to get a real design. I wonder if there's a way to include that somehow so that at town meeting people hear that because I don't think that that people
really understand that that dynamic and just how you know tied the hands are in terms of initiating projects because I think then they could appreciate yes they don't want to spend $500,000 without knowing whether or not everyone can do it and
perhaps there's also some way to do a provisional vote if you know to know that the support or gauge the support of the town in order to more reasonably assess whether spending that money makes sense. I I don't know but I think just
what you shared with us would go a long way with the general public. >> Yeah, point point well taken. And again, we we've had presentations on in the past on construction delivery models and we can do that. And again I think a big takeaway here is you know or a lesson learned is you know the the concept in
at least in from my perspective here and this is my opinion only you know the designing to a number in this case and when we tried to go back to that number it didn't get you what you needed and with the input from the working group we wound up coming back with a project that meets the needs and is of long-term
value. So with other elements that are incorporated for a little bit more money um you know and and quite frankly coming out with a better longer run longer term project. So I think that's that's a big
takeaway here from my perspective uh on the the value that you know the concept again in the private sector you can pick 5 million and design to it and you can negotiate and do different things. We we can't do that. So that's you know just the reality that we work in this is the
best way to get the best value in from my perspective what you know going through this process and again the the committee was very the working group was adamant about all the adding in the elements for for longevity into the design and that they were needed because
they made sense to do them now. >> All right, other questions for Leah or Terry? Tommy has his hand up. Tommy, why don't you go, please? >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think it's time for us to spend the money and get this project behind us. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tommy. Other comments or questions? >> Okay. Um I wonder if um to Tracy's point
if maybe there some thought be given to adding some language to the explanation >> in the article itself to better edify the whole bidding hand and price discovery process. >> Yeah. And I think again the town manager also already kind of sent us an email to that effect that that we need to do
that. But yeah, we'll work on that. Maybe we can even have that so by the time we have the bid in hand and come back we're you know looking for the actual approval what we know at the number we should have a draft of that done because it will need to be done by then to meet the deadline. So yeah that's again like I said great great
points and we'll we'll look at that and maybe even expand upon what I was thinking we were originally going to put in that explanation. All right. We have a draft article um in our packet. I'm sorry. John got a question. >> Not about this. Oh, >> about article.
>> Okay. John, go. >> I was hoping we could have a quick explanation for the committee, but also anyone else listening in on the funding stack approach, which is sort of unique for this project.
So, the funding is going to be um 515,000 of free cash and then there's um roughly about 34 to 35,000 of old articles from this that were sitting under um community services that are no longer
needed. They're already completed that we're going to close out and use for this. and the remaining remaining amount will be a capital exclusion, which is a one-year temporary increase to the tax rate. It's similar to um Prop 2 and a half because
it's above the levy. Um it's not a debt exclusion, which would be for 20 years, and we wouldn't be paying interest on it. um it would just be a one-year temporary increase depending on how much we would need to um raise and appropriate.
>> So, it's a it's a unique to us, somewhat unique to us, somewhat elegant approach, but it also requires a >> twothirds vote. >> Two-thirds vote on town meeting floor and a vote at the ballot >> and on the ballot has to be the number the what we're going to raise and
appropriate. That's why I filled that in. But we're still waiting on final numbers. So I um so once we get that number >> Yeah. I just thought it was important we I highlight that this isn't like most Warren AR decisions. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you, Jen. Other comments or questions? >> Audience? >> Mr. Phillips, approach the lectern. Brian Phillips, 374 Leans Road. Um, so there was no initial plans to renovate the kitchen and I was just wondering, um, now with the new renovations, will
there be capacity for a daily lunch program? You know, possibly one or two days a week to start off. >> Thank you, Brian. Um, it's hard to tell. Um I it it's not about um the kitchen itself. It's about
budgetary considerations for hiring a chef. >> Providing lunch is not something, you know, a daily lunch, although we would love to. Um it would require um the expense of a full-time chef, which is what other sites do. That being said, um
we have discussed in great length um the staff and I the team and I about when we do um if this passes at town meeting and the renovations are done when we get back. We do have a chef that we um use she that we've used in the past. She is
also the person that does cooking classes that um we would consider um her or or really anybody else providing um meals a couple times a week that like it used to be done. She would um bring in people would call um sign up for it. She
would bring the meals in and it was like a bag lunch to go. They could eat it there in the dining room or or bring it. So something along those lines, a little more um personal. You know, our our groups love to sit in our dining room and have lunch together. So it would be
more focused on an on an in-house dining arrangement, but those are all things we're considering for the future. >> Terrific. Thank you, Leo. Other comments or questions? Okay. In the spirit of trying to
>> Okay. Sorry. I thought Terry was racing for the microphone. No, I was in the spirit of trying to uh move the ball forward a little bit on some of these articles, uh I will entertain uh a motion uh with respect to the article XX additional funding for
expansion and renovation of the existing center for active living at 193 Stony Hill Road that's included in the package. >> So moved. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Joanne. Second. >> Second. >> Tommy second. >> Tommy's got the second. All right. >> Yes. >> Very good. So roll call. Tommy Don. Yes.
>> Barbara, >> yes. >> John Papalardo, >> yes. >> And Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> And the cherry votes yes. So, nine to nothing.
All right. Thank you, Terry. Thank you, Leah. >> You're welcome. And we'll get you the copy of the draft uh explanation as soon as possible when that's ready. >> Yeah. Perfect. Thanks. Go go go go go forward and conquer. >> All right. Now, we're going to move on
to floor coverings. One of the more highly anticipated articles of the season. >> Terry, over to you, please. >> Yeah. So, just real quickly, so the the the concept is is pretty straightforward. Maybe the number is a
little shocking, but the basically this is building on some um uh a movement we've had in in many town buildings to move away from carpeting to hard hard flooring surface for different hygienic um reasons, longevity, easier
maintenance, uh those types of things. So we're what this article is proposing that the um basically all the carpet areas in the um community center be converted to um the hard laminate surface, the police dispatch area and
then also remaining areas in um uh town offices that have not been converted. But we we're proposing using a product that we've used at the DPW. Uh we've got installs at the uh center for active living and there's a couple of um spot installations at the town offices as
well. So it's a product that works really well. Again, we're getting away from the carpets, easy to clean, easy to uh maintain. Um and the um you know based on you know pretty real-time prices and there's also a statewide contract now too on this flooring which
we would hope to use. But basically, uh, we're looking at, you know, a total project cost of approximately $525,000. We do have some funding left over from an article, um, that was for, uh, going to be used for painting and flooring at
town offices. We're going to use 50,000 of that or or apply it to this project to reduce the request, uh, for this article for $475,000. And to Tracy's point, I think uh we're holding a 10% contingency on this.
>> Correct. Right. So there's a yeah for contingency and escalation in there. So there's a little bit in there. And then like I said, we do also have you know 15 50,000 already available uh to continue with the again this idea of looking at doing it more comprehensively at town offices as well while we're in there to
do it because it is a little disruptive to do floors uh in locations. Okay, questions for Terry. 22,000 square feet of flooring. Barbara, >> uh, what's the lifespan of this kind of flooring? >> We're hoping again it should be on, you
know, the 20 20 plus year life cycle. >> Okay. >> But again, hopefully savings in that time frame as we're not shampooing, you know, cleaning carpets and just easier maintenance. So again, the kind again the the cost value and the um inter air
quality benefits, those types of things. >> All right, further questions? Otherwise, I'll adopt I'll accept a motion uh to support the spending of $525,000 for new floor coverings in three facilities around town. >> Some moved.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Andy. Thank you, Kristen. Tommy, support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John Pepalo, >> yes. Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes.
>> Chair votes yes. Nine to nothing. >> Mr. Chairman, >> yes. Tommy, I'm sorry I didn't see you. >> I have a question. >> I have a question. If Terry's still there, who does the maintenance of the floors? >> So, the maintenance of the floors. So,
right now we're using contract services. So they they do um you know the the same for uh again that I don't know exactly on the next contract round but they contract right now for uh the same entities that are doing um maintaining
the buildings we have now. Uh and then they also do the restrooms and the um the public restrooms in the let's call it the high season. So that that would just just be again it's part of right now what they do. They would be maintaining the um the carpet but they
would continue to maintain the other floor again which is more of just a wet wet mopping neutral cleaner uh type of scenario. So it's pretty straightforward. >> Thank you. >> Uh all right we have two articles with
respect to uh chatt municipal airport. Why don't we start with the NAV AIDS article, $17,500 for funding a portion of the um funding the town's portion of a grant for improvements to the navigational
aids. So Terry, you're on. >> So I'm I'm jumping in and we obviously have um Chairman Harrison here as well and I believe we have uh Matt Karen, our consultant on board if there are any technical questions regarding FAA. But uh again, just to recap, I think we
maybe we didn't get to this one the last time, but basically this article is to request funding uh for a local match for the aviation project that's scheduled um in right now, federal fiscal year 2026. And it requests $17,500,
which is the local match for the project. Um and this project basically uh is focused on the um on the field uh elements of the um precision approach
path indicator lights, the runway and identifier lights um the um the rotating beacon and the wind sock. So these are all critical elements to maintaining um you know a safe airport. So, this
article will leverage um you know, the total project cost is $682,000. Um this one has a a little higher match than you know, I know we've been here before with generally the 90 the five and the five. This one has a uh 97.5
uh state and fed match. So, so this will cover the the town's match of you know, basically required for this. So this article is and and Carrie can jump in if I'm calling it the wrong thing, but basically, you know, we're kind of euphemistically calling a retro article.
So again, this was this was a project that was was part of an uh capital article that failed at the previous town meeting, but again, the importance of this project to go forward u to moving forward. And this uh minimizes the hit on the airport revolving fund, which is
really for operational of the airport. And this is a a capital improvement. So um with that I think that's really again um >> so Huntley just a quick question from my end and then I'll see if there's other questions. Uh but this article
effectively is centered on the replacement of existing systems. >> Yes. Yes. The systems we have now are are very long in the tooth so to speak. Um they use incandescent bulbs uh which
have a tendency to fail. Some of our technology gets filled up with water in bad storms and of course that shorts everything out. Uh I've flown in a couple of times and the runway end identifier lights are just blinking in,
you know, they're just sporadically blinking >> and so it it it's it's difficult especially if you're coming in at night. So we figured this would be a good project to uh embark on to change everything over to LEDs, more modern
technology. U the wind sock piece uh the current wind sock is located in such a position now that trees have grown up. It originally was in a position if you see some of the older pictures there are no trees out there at all. Uh and so the
wind sock was ideal at that time. Right now, it's very difficult to see the wind sock, if at all, from the ends of the runway, which pilots find pretty helpful to see when they're taking off which way the wind's blowing. Now, naturally, they're going to take off into the wind, and they know that, but it's the the
burbling effect of crosswinds and things like that that uh need to that need to take into consideration. So, the the the the additional wind sock is going to be placed in a more visible location. Uh the old one will stay uh where it is,
but this additional wind sock will add an extra uh factor of safety for them as they as they depart. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Tracy, please. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. chair, just as a as an
additional comment, um that often when there is push back against airport articles, the the concern of safety is brought up, um some degree of questioning whose evaluation of safety
that is and and its sincerity. But I think as much focus as we can put when presenting this that this is existing uh infrastructure being improved and that the the motivation is entirely based on
safety that I don't see how um town could contest a $17,000 investment. Um so I appreciate your efforts. Well, we we try safety and modernization, you know.
>> Barb, did you have a question? >> Okay. Anybody online in the crowd? >> Oh, John, please. >> I um certainly agree with the article, the request. Safety is something we hear
all the time. I'm just curious looking at this article and the list of different improvements and modernization efforts. What's the most expensive component that's going to be replaced? The uh precision approach uh lights the
what they call the papies which provide a three and a half degree a threederee slope so that pilots come in they have lights that they can see. If they see all red they're too low. If they see all white, they're too high. What they want to see is a red and white
combination so they know they're on glide path. >> So that's the probably the most expensive. Plus, we're improving the infrastructure because right now uh groundwater can get into I mentioned water getting into the technology, but now we also have issues with groundwater
getting into the hand holes, the manholes uh and that tends to short things out also. So it it's improving that whole situation so that we know going forward uh for the next 20 30
years. This is this is going to be good. I mean the the lines right now are just buried in the ground. No conduit. So this time we're putting conduit in and it'll be safer and and last a lot longer. >> I appreciate it. I didn't think it was
the wind sock, but I had to ask. Eric, I think you've got your hand up, please. >> Uh, yes. Thank you. Um, Huntley, I'm very supportive of this and um glad that I hope I hope it gets through. My one suggestion is when you're talking at town meeting about the wind sock that
you leave the tree discussion out of that point. >> A good point. >> Well, hopefully we could pick up some votes from the Red Sox fans by calling this Big Poppy. So, all right. Um, any further questions uh
for Huntley or Terry regarding Big Poppy? If not, I'll take a motion to support the uh $17,500 spend. >> Second. >> Second. Thank you. Uh Tommy D in support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes.
>> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair's in favor, nine to nothing. Terry, you're killing it today. >> Yes. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um,
>> again, it's all all the work of everybody, so I can't take credit for everything. >> It's all a team effort here to get all these things together. >> Um, now we have uh article XX Chattam Municipal Airport fiscal year capital improvement plan project spend of $7,500
from free cash. >> Right. So, just a a quick recap on this article. So again, this this article is to fund a a study to look at and I've got two pictures here. Um, basically the existing design aircraft for for the airport, which is a Beach Baron B-58.
Um, and in light of increased operations of uh ADG2 or aircraft design group 2, uh, which are are typically in in Chadam here have been the the Pilates PC12. uh for the past five years it's exceeded 500 operations annually. That's a
trigger within the guidance um the FAA uh advisory circular that it it you know it requires um u pursuing doing a safety study essentially um to review um
various aspects of not only the uh functional uh capacity of of the airport but other things related to maybe operational or other types of waiverss. in in the design or improvements to make it more safe. So again, this is the more
traditional share here. So you have the total project cost is $150,000. Again, the local share is uh 7,500. So um that's in a nutshell and again obviously um the chair is here and also we have our consultant on online too if
you have any more detailed questions. >> Terrific. Thank you, Terry. Tracy, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, it's my understanding that this this study in in a way is an answer to what we've heard
from some of the town's folk who have been concerned about the Pilates and um and its its safety. And so it would seem that this is a demonstration of the airport commission's responsiveness to
the questions from the town. Um, but it can be a um a double-edged sword. I think some of the same people are going to have issue with with funding this study because of what it might turn up
and what it what it is is expected in terms of the FAA. The FAA does not ne it's my understanding that the FAA coming back and saying, "Okay, here are the safety issues. It means restricting X, Y, or Z." that that's not their
process. That what it would mean is, you know, you need to um do X Y or Z to accommodate this aircraft. Um so it might have unintended consequences for those that had expressed interest in
conducting such a study. I however think as a practice putting our head in the sand isn't a great idea. like why wouldn't we want to arm ourselves with as much information from a safety study rather than say let's not do the study
and and pretend like it isn't happening because of what might be suggested. Um and one question is Terry used the word required. It was my understanding that it's not necessarily a requirement from
the FAA that this get done, but that it would be a voluntary study. Uh yeah, it is voluntary. Um but I think with regard to a liability issue, it's an important study to do. of why we
haven't done it before. I think we were waiting to see how over the last four years how those operations have leveled out and now we found that they're leveling out above the 500 level. So, it is time for us to pursue that. And I
think in a sense, I think we're doing a favor for the town to to do this study because if if like you say, we put our head in the sand and just let it go by and there's an incident, then there's going to be huge liability. You know, why didn't you do something about it?
Why didn't you know, why didn't you mitigate this somehow? So I think the study will tell us exactly where we what we need to do, how we need to do it uh and what the alternatives are. There are three alternatives. One is a geometric
alternative which would change the uh possibly change things at the airport uh physically. U not sure if that would be a viable approach and that the FAA probably knows that knowing the airport.
um we just don't have the room. Uh the other would be a modification of standards which would be like a waiver uh on certain things. Uh and the third thing would be an operational change. In other words,
restricting certain traffic while other traffic is in the traffic pattern, keeping people on the keep an aircraft on the ground until that aircraft is landed and then do you know just altering movement uh on the ground. So th those are some of the things and
there may be some things that I don't I'm not even aware of that could could happen. Um actually uh Mr. Karen, you there? >> Yep, I'm here. Conley, >> do you have any comments to add to anything I might have said?
>> No, I mean I think with respect to Matt, >> can you please identify yourself, please? >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Matt Karen with Gail Associates uh airport consultant uh to Chattam Municipal Airport. >> The only thing I was going to add is uh with respect to whether or not the
study's required or not required. I mean, nobody has specifically asked FAA, are you requiring us to do this study? However, the airport manager has been tracking operations for the last five, six years. There are some uh towns folks
who've shown up and have data of their own which supports the fact that the the PC12 is now in fact the design aircraft at the airport. So, when we approached FAA and Mass DOT aeronautics, I mean, we've alerted to them that the design
aircraft has changed. Um, so the conversation wasn't, you know, is this being required? it is there's been a change at the airport. What should we be doing? And that's where the impetus for this study comes along. So, just kind of wanted to clarify that piece there. Um,
I'm sure if we went back to them and said that this article didn't pass, the airport's not proceeding with this project, they would probably take umbrage with that and require some sort of study following that outcome. That's just my guess.
>> And Matt is Stephen Daniel here. Um, given that you're on the line, I think Huntley made this clear, but I just want to I want to make sure that I understand the results of this study doesn't necessarily mandate that the that
the physical parameters of CQX are going to change or be required to change, lengthening runways, widening runways, things like that. Is that a fair fair reading? >> That that is. It's not going to mandate any of those. What we're going to do is take a look at, you know, like Huntley
had mentioned. Yeah, we'll take a look at the geometry. I mean, right now the PC12 is landing at the airport which has a 3001 ft runway. I don't anticipate that to change. There's literally no uh room for the the runway to be expanded.
Um so in light of certain requirements, we'll be taking a look at that though. We'll take a look at the runway length. We'll take a look at the runway to taxiway separation standards. Um we'll take a look at the operational standards. How many how frequently are there multiple PC12s operating at the
airport at a time? Can we put some restrictions that there's uh there can only be one of those aircraft type on the runway in the taxi way at a given time? Other things like that will be explored, but no, we're not we can't sit here and say that yes, the the the
physical uh and the physical um you know runway taxiway needs to be expanded. You know, that's kind of a predetermined outcome at this point which we just don't know. Okay, that's helpful. Thank you, John. Please. >> Thank you. What assuming this is this
passes a town meeting, how long does this study take? >> It's a good question. Uh depending on when the FAA issues the grant funding, I am anticip anticipating probably like an 8 to 12 month study. Uh 12 months probably being on the longer the longer
end of things, obviously. All right. Further comments or questions for any of Terry Matter Huntley? If not, I'll take a motion to support the $7,500 from free cash um with respect to the cattle capital
improvement plan forecast. >> So, move second. >> Thank you, Barbara. Uh Tommy, support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes.
>> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. Terry, you're coming back next week, right? >> Thank you very much. >> All right, Huntley. Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Terry. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, Carrie, over to you. Let's start
with the heroes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um we have our new um assessing director Candace Cook here to go over um the Hero Act and the Brave Act um that have been um approved by the
board of assessors already. Um yeah, hello >> welcome Candace and congratulations. >> Yes, thank you. I'm Candace Cook. I'm the assessing director. So I'm going to discuss the hero and the brave act. So, the board of assessors did have their meeting on January 27th and they made a
recommendation via vote to the select board that they adopt both the Brave Act as well as the Hero Act. So, for the Brave Act, that's going to be under Mass General Laws chapter 59 section 5 clause 22G. If this was to be adopted, what that would allow is the veteran would
still be able to qualify for their exemption if their property was held in trust, but they're not listed as a trustee. And then they would just have to make sure that they occupy the property as their primary residence. And then um if we go on to the hero act which is going to be under Mass General
Lodge chapter 59 section 5 clause 22I and 22J. So what the 22i would do if it's adopted it uh has the cost of living increase adjustment and it' be handled similar to how we do our senior exemption the 41D. So it' be increased yearly and I'm going
to give examples in a moment. Now, if we were to adopt the 22J, um you could go up to a certain percentage and the percentage amount the board of assessors did agree to was that full 100%, but the uh select board can adopt a different percentage. So, to give an example of if
we were to currently if the veteran was receiving a $400 exemption and the 22J would be adopted using that 100% that would double. So, then it would be $800. And then if we factored in the 22i, which is the COLA increase, um that
would be an additional $40 for this year. It does change yearly, of course. And then that means the total amount that they'd be receiving is $840 versus that 400. So that would be a great benefit to those veterans. And then also too, another example is if they were receiving a,000 um because we
do have different depend upon the disability ratings, you would double that by um if you were to adopt the 22J again, that would be 2,000. and then factoring in the 22I which is the coal increase it' be 2,100. So instead of receiving the th00and it' be 2,100.
So for the 22G there is no monetary value that's associated with it because it's just taking care of ownership with 22 I and 22J. Um we would need an additional 32 but that would be covered by our overlay account um because we will not be reimbursed from the state.
So any questions? Pretty straightforward. >> Joanne please. >> Mr. here. These are veterans who put their lives on the line for us, and I think it's it's uh never too much to offer them something in return to tell
them how much the town of Chadam appreciates their military service and their sacrifices for all of us. >> Thank you, Joanne. John, please. >> Yeah, I I agree. Um I just had a had a question. I I fully support the article.
Um I'm glad that uh the assessors have already reviewed it and >> yes >> can see see a path to implementing it. I just had a question. How does Chadam handle 100% disabled veteran with respect to property taxes? >> So what happens is is there's different
types of disability ratings. So if you are 100% disabled and it's determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs and you're unable to work and of course you'd have to be honorally discharged which says it in that letter then they would get $1,000. There is other um exemptions amount. So if you were not
100% disabled then that's when you would qualify under the 22 which would get the 400. And there are other ones. It's a 22D clause. That is if they are um the veteran was either died as a result of the ward or die in comet. So the
surviving spouse actually receives full exemption off their taxes. >> Um if I could uh my father was 100% disabled. He owned property in Harwitch. Um he's since deceased, but Harwitch gave him a full abatement on his property taxes. Is that something that
Chadam could do? >> Absolutely. We're doing that now. We have about Let me just see how many we have. Hang on one second. There are six 22ds. So there were six surviving spouses and they also get a um certain amount of money off their um their motor vehicle is exempted as well off their
excise for the 22ds. >> He was he was the actual veteran. Mhm. >> He he received the the abatement. He didn't pay property tax. The town waved it. >> I couldn't speak for that. I have to see what the requirement was.
>> And he owned property in Connecticut in the same treatment from two different communities. >> Supposed to give both. >> You're not allowed to give both. It does say on >> He's residency changed. >> Oh. Oh, I see. and he went into town hall when he got his tax bill and the
assessor waved his property tax because he was 100% disabled. So, is that is that something Chadam could do? >> Uh, presumably not because that's not in the state statute. I'm not sure why they did that. That might have been an error.
>> Okay. All right. Uh, Carrie, I think you had something you wanted to >> Oh, yeah. I just wanted to state that also disabled veterans get the benefits uh chapter 115 that the town actually gets a uh 75%
back the following year of what we pay. So it's uh disabled veterans and spouses um they get benefits, health benefits and medical and stuff like that pay for. >> Thank you. Barbara, please. So, Candace, for a 100% disabled veteran, the town
town meeting couldn't decide we want to exempt them from 100% of their taxes. >> No, because it is in the state statute. You'd have to clarify under 22D, which is um under the Mass General laws. It's not something that's townmandated.
This is state law. >> Okay. Further questions or comments for Candace? If not, let's start with the Hero Act 22J. I'll take a motion to uh support the real estate tax exemption under 22J. So, >> so moved. >> All right.
>> Second. >> Uh Tommy support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> And similarly, I'll take a motion to support 22G. Disabled veteran exemption. >> Second. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Uh Tommy support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Gracie,
>> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair's supportive. >> Nine to nothing. Candace, thank you, >> Mr. Chair. Anything before Candace escapes. Um there well I shouldn't put it that way but you know the the um
there is at least one citizens petition article as I understand it having to do with chapter 41 C and a half um that is going to be coming up. But I also understand that the assessors uh
have even more flexibility under Massachusetts state laws in various sections to increase the exemptions to increase the income limits for exemptions to increase the limits for income uh for real estate tax deferrals. Are they entertaining
asking for any of those to be approved? Do you know >> that was not the board of assessors? Um they don't have the discretion. and they could just make recommendations. It would have to come from the board and then it have to be voted on. >> I understand. What I'm asking is whether the board of assessors is requesting any
of those. >> Not at the moment, but we can definitely entertain it. We wanted to take >> because I think that's a that's a crucial missing missing element in all of this. Um it it appears as though state law provides in various sections
significant ability for the town to increase the income restriction to increase the amount of exemption to increase the amount of deferral that could be allowed and we haven't acted on them. Instead we're dealing with maybe
10, 20, 15 year old uh limits as to what the town can do. And I think we really should be looking at that because it then it does give the board of assessors significant um authority all right to act on individual applications
that I don't think are are I mean many of these haven't been well known anyway but we even have other programs that we could be using and we probably should be using. I'm hoping we can surface some of this as we go forward. >> Yeah. I don't I don't want to get ahead
of the working group that we've appointed um nor do I want to foreshadow any of its prospective recommendations, but I'm pretty confident that we are both going to recommend that all such uh available exemptions under state law are
adopted uh by the town of Chadam and that the benefits embedded within each of those newer new or to be adopted be maximized to the extent available under state law. I just was I'm curious to know whether
the assessment is doing that. >> So apparently not. >> Mr. Chair, thank you. Thank you. We haven't had this full of explanation for our veterans benefits in a long time. So it makes us all think and think about the future and have we done enough and
what else could we do? So thanks a lot. >> Absolutely. Just to add one more, the board of assessors are going to because we know that there is a citizen petition regarding the 41C and a half um that will be um replacing the 41C. So, we're going to have that discussion at 4:00 this afternoon in executive session. So,
they are looking at least that if the citizens petition doesn't go through and then we can continue on with the other options that are available. >> Terrific. All right. Well, thanks for showing up. Appreciate it very much. Um, all right, Carrie, are you ready for article pooa?
>> Sure. Thank you, Candace. >> All right. I'm going to start in no particular order other than what's on the top of the my uh stack. Um $400,000 for the p purpose of paying costs related to dredging,
>> raising it through taxation. We have a motion and a second. Uh, support Tommy. We lost Tommy. Barb, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes.
>> Chair supports eight to nothing. >> Yes. >> Tommy's there. >> Just under the wire. All right. Appropriating the sum of 20 two 2,300. >> Two only. >> If only two 2.3 million. I'm sorry, a
little oversight uh for the painting and repairs to the 1 and a4 million gallon water uh tank uh to be funded. How Carrie >> this gets >> by borrowing or otherwise? >> So this will be a borrowing um through
the water department. So the rates and fees that um are charged would pay for this borrowing. >> Okay. Is there a motion to support? So >> move second. Second. Any questions or comments for Carrie? There being none, uh, support. Tommy,
>> yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. >> Kind of detecting a theme. um water
department operating budget uh as previously pre presented in the amount of 5,73,016. Um motion to support >> so moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Comments or questions?
>> Okay. Support. Tommy. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, yes. Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. >> I don't know if Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt.
>> No, go for it. >> Um, I don't know if we want to hold on the CPC articles. I know there have been questions on them or you can go one by one on these and >> Well, let's ask the committee, shall we? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we want to proceed to the CPC
articles or knock them off one by one? I know that there were some questions about a surfet of information on some of them. Um, I would certainly support going through the indivi them individually. >> Amen. >> And if we have reservations, we can reserve. And
>> does that sound good? >> Tracy, get your finger in the mic. >> All right. Uh, CPC administrative budget $15,000. Second. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. Didn't mean to get
in the way. Uh, support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> y >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports. Uh, right. the allocations to the three
divisions, open space, human resources, community housing, each in the amount of 150,000 >> total 4. Second. >> Uh Tommy, >> yes. >> Barb, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric,
>> yes. >> Chair supports. All right. We have a request to transfer $750,000 of CPC funding to the affordable housing trust fund. >> Motion to support. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> I have a question. >> Yes, sir. >> Is this purely to subsidize the affordable home ownership units or will it also include the attainable home ownership units? Uh, according to the language of the article, it's to subsidize the
affordable home ownership units created on Stepping Stones Road as recommended by the CPC. >> Yeah, I read that too. >> But >> yeah, we asked that and and they said definitely only the affordable funding can only be used for affordable. >> I missed it. >> It's my understanding the CPC money is
only legally used for capital A affordable. >> Right. >> So is mine. Yeah. >> Yeah. The attainable portion is going to be coming from the attainable housing fund. That was >> That's great. I just wanted to make make sure it was clear. >> Yeah. No, that's helpful. Thank you, Andy. Uh, okay. We have a motion and a
second. Support. Tommy, >> support. >> Barb, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, no. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to zero. >> All right. Assistance resource center.
see if the town will vote to appropriate and transfer uh $100,000 for the purpose of funding a new assistant resource center providing shelter shelter and services for homeless individuals and this is going to be where it's a
hyenas of >> yes >> yeah hyenus funded in part by the dasis of fall river >> correct >> um okay motion to support >> so moved >> second >> second >> comments or questions
Um just a discussion is there any what are the parameters about the people who can live there? Is it just anyone >> if you're homeless? >> So citizen non-citizen doesn't matter. >> No
>> not clear in the article. Carrie any color on that? >> That is a very good question. I I don't know if >> you want to Yeah. You want to hold on it? >> You can hold on this one. >> Yeah, I'd like to hold. So >> citizen or and and or
>> All right. So we'll hold on that one. >> How long can people stay? I mean this the Noah shelter that used to operate kind of like this, right? People you couldn't stay there forever, right? You had to move on. >> How long?
>> Let's get some answers and we'll maybe get Gary back >> um in front of us. Uh all right. Lower Cape Housing Institute. This is sort of the recurring annual appropriation of $20,000 in support of this undertaking. Uh
>> second. >> Second. Comments or questions? >> Support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barb, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to zero.
Zero Meeting House Road affordable housing $11,000 for the purpose of funding the Zero Meeting House Road affordable housing development. Um, is there a motion to support? >> I move to support.
>> I'll second this. Comments or questions? >> I hit it. >> Barb, sorry. Did we get an answer to the question as to whether or not um Penrose had stated that they would not use any more Chattam money or not ask for any
more Chattam money? >> We're still looking um I'm still waiting on uh town council to respond. >> I think we should hold >> say something. >> All right. We'll hold on that one. >> Yep. >> John wants to hold on to the next one.
>> Yep. >> Same question. >> Same thing. >> Um, we might get a faster response to asking Gloria. >> I can ask Gloria. >> Yeah, why don't we why don't we check that out? >> Okay.
>> Or I can give a call if you want. Either way. Uh Gloria is pretty pretty on top of this game. Um thankfully. Uh all right. Uh exterior restoration the historic harbor master building. $100,000 for
funding the exterior restoration. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Comments or questions? Support. Tommy. >> Yes. >> Barbara. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> Joanne. >> Yes. >> Andy. >> Yes. Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric,
>> yes. >> Chair supports 9 to zero. Thank you guys. Maronei Lattice Towers preservation, $200,000 for the purpose of funding the restoration and structural repairs,
including replacing the Osprey nest, I assume. Um, support. Motion to support. >> Motion. I I'll move it. >> Thank you. >> Second. So, I'll second it. >> Comments or questions? >> No bird. I just want to comment that I
was dismayed that we didn't have a little bit more detail um and you know consequently Carrie passed along these things to us the applications um to us via email but I really feel like these projects that go before the CPC should
be presented to us as well as in this public forum so that we actually see what's going on because I kind of feel like this is like oh we're just doing we're doing something over there for $200,000 >> and we've had no visual. We have some of us are not familiar with some people in
the community are not familiar with what we're preserving and I I just have I have a personally I don't know if I'm going to vote for this. So I totally support what you're saying and I think even that the document that
was circulated to Carrie who turn circulated to us was pretty thin gr. >> Um so I would propose that we hold on this and see if we can't get architectural drawings or some
schematics or something. Um I don't know how the committee feels about this but let me know. was the prop who was the proponent for this? >> Um, this one I believe it came from Terry. >> Terry. >> Okay. So, gee, it's too bad he left
>> perhaps. Ask >> similar to what we got for the harbor master like where they presented it and told us more about it. >> Yeah. Had some plans and >> Yep. >> Okay. Does that work for everybody? >> Sure. >> Okay. Cool. Hold. Uh, people cemetery
restoration 100,399. Not a penny more. Uh, motion to support. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Oh, yes. Second. >> Comments or questions? Andy, you look like you want to say something.
>> Oh, I seconded it. I thought >> I'll be or I'll move it. But I can do both, but allow that. >> You just did. Okay. support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric,
>> yes. >> Chair supports nine to zero. Thank you. Mac Monument Restoration. Uh $98,860 to begin the restoration around the uh the Mac monument. >> I'll move it. >> Thank you. Second.
>> Second. >> All right. Thank you. Comments or questions? >> Would Tracy >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Would it be appropriate to in the same vein as with the lattice towers to be presented with more or do we feel
like everyone's comfortable enough with this map with >> you? You're familiar with it? >> I'm familiar with it. >> You've walked I've gone up and walked around it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So the to to Tracy's question, uh the article does say the project will replace failing concrete
walkways with blue mist granite, install new granite posts and chain fencing, >> regrade and seed the surrounding grounds, and professionally clean the monument. >> I like that. >> Restoration will preserve the monument's integrity, enhance safety and accessibility. >> I like it. >> Um
>> yeah, there were chains there when we were kids. >> Sure. >> Used to jump over them. We had we had the the bushes that in the shape of an anchor, >> right? >> But those are gone now, too. >> Guess they're not restoring the bushes. >> Um, all right. Motion to support.
>> Thank you. Cognitively ag still. Um, support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. Thank you guys.
Um, Cadam Beach signs. See if the town will vote an appropriate $17,000 to fund new beach signs. >> I'll move it. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Comments or questions?
>> All right. Support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barb, >> yes. >> John, >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports. Thank you. Nine to nothing. Uh, Frostfish Creek Restoration and
Revitalization, $100,000. Um, I'll move it. >> Thank you, John. Second, >> second. >> Thank you, Tracy. Any comments or questions on this one? >> No support. Tommy, >> yes. >> Barbara, >> yep.
>> John, yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. Chair support, so nine to nothing. How we doing, Carrie? Like this? Okay. Mil Pond Overlook
Accessibility Trail. Um, this is to rationalize, clean up, make it a little more accessible. Uh, $125,000. Um, motion to support. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Comments or questions? Tracy, >> um Kristen had a question about this when we were discussing it and I wonder how you feel that was resolved. >> Yeah, I I'm not ready to vote today on this because I would like to see more details. I'd like to see a drawing. This is private land. It's not town land and
so I'd like to know that there's always going to be public access if we're putting public dollars there, which I'm sure there's some legal reason, legal means of that. >> Um and then also from a I like to see it. >> Okay, I'll hold >> you. Hold hold hold that. So >> we do generally support that approach.
>> Yeah. >> Yep. I agree with that. Thank you, Kristen. >> Uh restoring the legacy of Kate Gould Park, $25,000. Um this is one we had a number of questions on as well. Um I still don't
understand why we would be giving this money to the merchants association to turn around and give it back to the town. Um, but is there a motion to support this? >> I also feel there should be more explanation about who's in charge. >> Microphone.
>> Uh, I would like a better explanation. I've seen some writings about it, but I'd like for us as a committee to receive the uh who's in charge of this uh the selectman, the chamber of commerce. And I would like to to ask be
able to ask a few more questions. >> Yep. So, no motion. Correct, >> Christian. >> Um, yeah. Again, I think as I brought up when this was um when Mr. Ton Tennyson passed this um presented this that I'd
like to know who's how is the $25,000 going to be spent. It says for the purposes of funding the legacy of the project. You know, there aren't any details there. uh in addition to knowing who's in charge and it doesn't appear there's like really a board that um
there are people who vote on anything. I just I don't know what the public processes or how the dollars are going to be spent. >> Okay. Appreciate that. Carrie did circulate an email early this morning that may not have landed in everybody's uh box yet or can come to your attention
that has some of that information. Uh but it's still pretty amorphous uh having even read that. So, I support holding uh holding off on that one as well. Um, >> Mr. Chair, >> yes. >> So, I did send um uh Gary another email
about the concerns about who is responsible for overseeing the project and making sure the invoices that come in are vetted and approved. Um, and he did state that it is an appropriate concern. They did note in their presentation however that the chamber of commerce would serve as the organization
responsible for hiring the consultant who will do the phase one work. And then of course it says it might be useful to clarify how they will handle this while they are recruiting a new executive director. I don't know who that falls under
>> if that's me or >> Christian. Again, not not clear who they're hiring. What are they what is the scope of that $25,000 is going to cover? Are they asking somebody to do a design? Are they asking somebody to hold public sessions on how we want to use uh
Kate Gold Park? It wasn't clear to me and I'm wasn't convinced that uh CPAC was clear either. >> I'll see if I can get any more detail on that as well. >> See if they CBC. It's It's not my decision, but I have a
hard time envisioning how I would ever vote to support something like this. I just don't understand why we're essentially privatizing one of the town's gems, >> right?
>> Uh to the Chamber of Commerce. Um so I'm I'm going to need more information before agreeing to proceed on that one. Okay. So, that's holding. Uh, bulkhead replacement at Barnhill Landing, $2 million.
Um, paying costs related to replacing the bulkhead, which has failed as we know. Any um motion to support? >> No motion. I like the motion. >> Thank you, Andy. Thank you, Christian. Comments or questions? If not, support Tommy. >> Yes. >> Barb, >> yes.
>> Sean, yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, yes. >> Kristen, yes. >> Tracy, yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair supports nine to nothing. Thank you guys. So this um Carrie I think is a point of reference just the the the data that's
embedded in that particular article is would be nice to get for the Mil Pond Trail for the Maronei you know elevations and details and drawings and photographs and
things like that. >> You're talking about the CPC article, right? Okay. All right. thought I mean >> there's just this consistent earth of >> Yeah, I'll see what I can get. I'll see if there was anything extra given to CPC that I >> scrummed up in uh send over to you guys in an email.
>> All right. Terrific. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um bulkhead and ramp replacement at Writers Cove now $3.5 million. Um motion to support >> second. >> Comments or questions?
If not, then Tommy support. >> Yes. >> Barbara, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Tracy, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Chair support. Thank you guys. >> One of these times I'm going to do the list backward and see how people react.
>> So, um, Mr. Chair, >> yes, Carrie. >> The one on the back is the flooring article, but you've already voted on that. Ignore that one. Correct. >> There is one more >> that I did not make a copy of. >> Revolving funds. No, we did that one already. Did
>> you? >> Yeah, we did a bulk of them um when you were um out. It was revolving funds and uh uh resend article. I think there was like three or four articles that were like in a
>> um Mr. Chair, can I interrupt? >> Oh, let's jo let Carrie finish. So, what >> the only other article that I have right now is the fixed salaries that were voted on >> um last night by the select board on Tuesday night. Yes.
>> And they voted to increase >> and I know you already voted on this original one and >> Yeah. So, uh Joan, is it a pertinent to this? >> Uh yes. I just I wanted to say if we had our uh voting chart that would be
helpful for us to see where we've been and what we voted on so far. >> Yeah. And I just got a copy of it and we'll circulate it to everybody. >> I do have I do have one to pass around. >> Thank you. >> Um okay. So let's um let's recap what the
select board did the other night. They did support um the 50% bump 4,000 to 6,000 for regular members and >> 1,500 for the moderator and 1,500 uh
stipen for the uh chairman. >> Sure. Yeah. >> So it was previous uh moderator was 1,200. They want to go up to 15. Uh slick board member each was 4,000. They're going up to six. And the extra chair was receiving um extra sipon for
the chair was receiving 1,000 and now um it's going up to 1,500. >> 1500. Yep. Okay. So, is there a motion to support the select on Joanne, please? >> No, I would not. Uh >> let's see if there's a motion first and we'll have some questions. >> I'll move it. >> Okay. Second. >> I'll second.
>> Okay. Comments or questions? >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would I don't see how we could vote on this without knowing all the benefits that are available to all our elected officers throughout the town. Uh I've heard from
some sources that they have access to the town's medical benefits. So I think that would be things that the town's people would want to know before they vote on this. In other words, what are their benefits actually and how do they
acquire them? When when would a selectman or any other elected official be eligible to to use the town's medical benefit program? I think that's a wonderful benefit. >> Yeah. >> And I'd like to know like there are other elected officials like the housing
authority. Did they all have access? Well, that's just shaking a head doesn't work. towns people, this is their money and they need to know. >> Yeah. No, that's that it's a wholly appropriate question. So, Carrie, is there something something you can add to that? >> Yeah, I think I believe it's just the
select board members um and possibly the moderator. I don't know. I don't believe there's anybody else that >> my understanding it's the select board me the select board members and the moderator. >> Okay. Yeah, >> the select board members and the moderator >> get healthcare health insurance through the town.
>> How do they access that? What are the requirements? Time in service or >> um so they are able to get it when they're first elected. So when once they start just like an employee and then um what happens is typically because
there's not enough money here to pay for the health insurance typically they pay for it out of their pocket their their share that an employee would pay. So it would be the same as like um any employee would be the 7030 split.
>> A little bit louder, please. I I don't have my >> It would be the 7030 split. So they would pay the 30% out of their pocket. >> And what does the town Say that again? The town >> The town contributes 70%. >> And they're eligible the minute they're elected,
>> I believe. So once they get elected. Yep. I don't think it's a 30-day wait. I believe it's the day they get elected like when they start on the when they start. >> My my view is that those are are very nice benefits
and uh the other is just a representative uh the the whatever thousands they get per year. But as uh one of the audience mentioned the other day, people run for elective office because they love the town and they want
to be of service and it's usually a contribution of their time. And as long as they have uh the selectmen have access to a wonderful benefit like this where the town is investing a certain amount of money in it, a lot more than
uh couple thousand dollars in uh the other benefits that we're talking about. I think that's enough. And I don't know if you've asked my for my vote yet, but it would be no. >> Okay. Well, we'll get there in a second. So, um we're in the comments and questions. Andy,
>> the old saying is anything is too much, nothing is too little. I mean, clearly they spend plenty of time at doing their job, whether we agree with it or not. Um, so there should be some sort of stipen, but let's be reasonable about
it. I think the old schedule is just fine. With regard to uh the town's contribution on health insurance, I'm not sure of all the details. For instance, when they then leave office, does it then terminate? >> Oh, I don't know.
>> Another question. >> Good question. >> Another question is whether any of that qualifies for Barnesville County retirement system, >> which I have no idea. >> Yeah. So, so I think there's sentiments that we don't have enough information
uh to to knowingly vote on the elements of this. John, would you like to say something? I just I know this came back up at the the select board meeting on Tuesday. Um I was able to watch some of it. I didn't
finish watching it all. Um there was there seemed to be a little bit of a debate amongst the select board over the purpose or the strategy of bringing forward one versus two
u warrant articles or um well they landed on one. They landed on one, right? But there was there was some philosophy. I I think they were advocating for let's bring the bigger number out because the town meeting can reduce it if they want or reject the town meeting can increase the amount
embedded in article and reduce it. >> Right. So all right. So why don't we why don't we >> can I have one more say Mr. >> Sure. I'm sorry. Yep. Just like Kristen wanted the background for that one article uh on the uh
uh C CPC or whatever it is. I feel that the taxpayer and we deserve a full print out of of what the benefits are. >> Yep. Fully understood and the timing when they when they start. >> Absolutely. >> Is a Cobra.
>> So let's table this. Uh I see no I don't see a lot of nices. Barbara. >> Barbara, >> I was just going to say I'll withdraw my motion. >> Okay. >> It is >> We'll table this until we get more information. And >> it is the taxpayers's money, Mr. Chair. Let's not forget that. >> I don't think anybody's arguing with
you. So, we're I think we're all on board. >> Good. >> Um so, let's get uh Carrie, if we can put that on your list, please. >> Okay. All right. So Carrie um what did we So we did the
uh revolving funds we haven't did you guys do while I was away or out um any of the operating budgets and capital budgets and >> so um I we no because um the final um
operating budget will get voted on excuse next Tuesday. >> Okay. >> By the select board, right? >> And then um the capital will also get voted by them on Tuesday. >> Okay. So, we can pick that up after >> and then Yeah. And then the schools I
don't know if they'll vote on those because they're not um actually like approved by the school committee yet. >> So, they might hold on those. >> Okay. So, that's fine. Did we What happened on the childcare voucher? Did you guys hit that while I was dead? >> Mhm. >> You did? Yeah, that was one of the ones
that was um um >> Okay. >> Did we vote? Did we vote on that? >> Yeah, I managed to squeeze out an eight to nothing approval on that. >> Well, then we did. >> Who didn't vote for that?
>> Uh floor treatments. All right, we got Florida. Okay, so I think we're pretty caught up. >> Yes, Gary. I believe so. Thank you. >> Yes. >> I don't know what we're going to do on
Tuesday. >> Well, I was going to propose maybe a vacation day for the finance committee, but >> um >> because I was originally going to have these >> um >> chamber. >> No, I mean I think we've we've we've
caught up. I think we have a lot more information. At least I'm hoping I think we're hoping to get on the chamber budget, right? >> Um Andy, you're pointing at John. John, do you have >> No, no, but I mean I just I mean the chamber budget, the stuff that we put on hold,
>> all the CPC stuff, >> I mean if we can get the information in time for Tuesday, let's act on it. >> Yeah. So why don't we then post uh an agenda that just has what? article voting or vote voting on
held articles. >> Um, and then you and I can go over the list and just make sure we're on the same page. >> Um, >> I have to go through our scorecard to figure out what >> Yeah. >> No. Agreed. And everybody should have a copy of that.
>> Yeah. I'll send out a new one. Yeah. >> With all the new votes. So, I'll send that out um this afternoon. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. Um, so let's let's tentatively plan on having a meeting, but we may have a snow day. >> Uh, depending on what information we get
when. >> Um, so with that, I will take a motion to adjourn. >> What's our hold on >> what's our deadline for this >> to get our stuff into the >> I got to go back and look at the
calendar. March mid-March. >> March 17th is when it closes. >> Something like that. >> All right. But that's that's I think a Tuesday and I think the real date's a couple days later than that. >> Yeah. So I mean that's >> I usually have a secret password to get me a couple more days. >> It's not really that far out. So here it
up. >> Well, I appreciate you guys helping bail me out. The input uh received was very helpful. Thank you guys. Um okay, Eric, is there a motion you'd like to make? >> Um yes. Just before I do that, you just you
mentioned uh your your what you put together for the select board and thank you for your efforts on that. It was very well done and I will make a motion to adjourn. >> Thank you. Uh we have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> We have a second. Comments or questions? >> When will this adjournment take place? >> For how long? Uh Tommy support. >> Yes. Barbara, >> yes. >> John, yes. Joanne, >> yes. >> Andy, >> yes. >> Christian, >> yes. >> Eric, >> yes.
>> Tracy, >> yes. >> Chair of sports. All right. All right. Thank you guys. Well done. Nice to see you all again.