Welcome everyone to the uh October 20th meeting of the Conway Select Board. Calling the meeting to order. Second order. Chris is usually here to remind me when Okay,
>> you're good. Sorry, I might send you a text. Okay. So, I'm gonna pass through our first four agenda items because we have um our first item is our joint meeting with the assessors for our tax rate classification hearing and we have George Corsier here from the assessors.
So, George, do you want to take away? >> Sure. Um what we're asking the board of select to do tonight, of course, is to decide whether or not to have a split tax rate, which the state allows cities and towns to do. Historically, Conway
has not done that as is true of most small towns. And that's because to shift the burden, the tax burden from um residential property to industrial commercial property, which is what a
split tax rate does. It really only works in big cities. We have a large commercial industrial tax bases that help shift the burden too, >> right? Um, but before um I give you our formal recommendation, I just thought I'd run
through some of the key numbers as we uh as we approach the tax setting time and um you've got a copy of this. >> Yeah, right here. >> Um the bottom half of the first page is really where where the numbers for the
coming year start. Um, and what those numbers say is that the last or this current fiscal year, the tax base, the amount of taxable property in town was 6,837,000 some odd dollars.
And under the Proposition 2 and a half tax cap law, we are allowed to increase the amount of money we raise in taxation um by set amounts. And so these numbers
represent how much we can increase that um amount of taxes, right? So um I said tax base, I'm sorry, the first line is the tax levy, the amount of money that we raised in property taxes. Second line is
how much the law allows us to increase that two and a half%. So that's 170,929. Third number is new growth. So what new things were built in town? not a lot. And the net result is about $16,000 in
taxes. Um excluded debt to pay bonds under the Proposition 2 and a half certain debt that the town approves um can be exempt from the from the ceiling from the cap. So that gets to go into the calculation.
Um and when you add those numbers together, you get 7,107,76. So that's the calculation of how much um we're allowed to tax ourselves this year, this coming fiscal year. Um levy
ceiling is the amount that absolutely the town is able to raise on the two and a half. Um you only can go there in in small steps, but theoretically someday we might get to that point. Um and levy to be raised is an estimate. I think
it's based on you correct me if I'm I'm wrong, but this apparently is the number that we spent from property taxes this year. Right. >> Right. Because there's more than that we get we get state aid and other forms of income that Yeah. Exactly.
>> This was this is the amount in property tax >> from this property >> for this year. And so when you subtract that from the 7 million some odd, you have roughly a million dollars in theory to play with uh by way of budget increases or spending increases if if
the town improved that. So that that's what those numbers represent trying to snapshot financing to lead up to tax rate. Um, now to get back to the question of whether we should split the tax rate and shift the burden to commercial industrial, I think this next set of numbers kind of illustrates pretty
clearly why there's not enough commercial industrial property to shift the burden to. Our tax base is mostly residential. It's 85% residential, 359 million. Commercial uh property and
industrial property is only 14% of total. uh personal property is is also in that 14%. So, you know, there's just not enough of the high dedicated to commercial, industrial, and personal property to shift the
residential burden to and that's um why the the floor assessors voted not to recommend that again this year. Um, this table at the bottom of this page basically shows you what would happen if
you did shift the burden. Um, and it's just not a significant [Music] >> savings for residential property at the expense of the others. >> Um, so let's see what else. Um, middle tax
rates. So the looking at the numbers that we have at in hand at the moment and assuming the state department of revenue overseers don't see something that we did wrong or um it looks like property tax rate in the coming year
would be 1428 >> per thousand >> per thousand of the commission. Yes. Thank you. Um and so as a result, the the board is is recommending um that the select the
board of assessors are recommending the select board adopt a single tax rate uh to be applied to all kinds of all classes of property in town. And that number is probably going to be the number I just uh just cited. And to accomplish that, we have a
standing motion at the end uh that we will formally legally do the job. >> And in all the years that I've been on the select board, we have always had uh we've not have a split tax rate. We've always voted um to maintain a one to one. >> Yes, that's the case. And and in
Franklin County, which is mostly small towns like ours, I think the only towns I've ever considered it seriously were Mar Greenfield. >> Yeah. because they have different mix of industrial and residential fun doesn't dearly test what tax rate
>> might I don't know they might have considered it sizable amount of industrial stuff >> right >> um okay well I need to make a motion thank you George for that this is this we can we put this on the town website because this is comprehensive and >> I have an electronic version
>> I think that would be very people would appreciate seeing this is I mean this is Great for me. I wish I had this the first year I was on select board. Um, okay. So, I'm going to make a motion um that uh >> that we not have a split
>> right. Yeah. So, I'm I'm going to make a motion that we not have a split tax rate and that as suggested by recommended by um the board of assessors um that we maintain um the same tax rate for commercial, industrial and um residential property and funding for
FY27. >> Should we name the rate FY26? Sorry. >> Should we name that rate or no? >> Um that not firm yet. >> I think it's not >> it's not second. All in favor? >> I
>> I Okay, motion passes. Um, thank you very much, George. >> Okay. Um, I'll send you electronic copy. >> Okay, great. >> Does it matter whether it's a PDF or >> Well, I've got Adobe, so either way, but PDFs are better online anyway, so that would be perfect.
>> Thank you so much. >> Thanks, George. Congratulations. >> Okay. Um so we're gonna move on to um update on green on our green community street light grant application and we have Ted Harvey joining us um via Zoom.
Welcome Ted. >> Thank you. Uh appreciate it. Verique suggested that I check in with you all. Um give you a quick update. Um I I think you probably are at least somewhat familiar if not very familiar um with
this. So in a nutshell it's basically a resubmitt of what was submitted. um uh previously in the spring. Um there's a couple tweaks obviously to make it more competitive. Um just as a reminder, this is for the um LED street lights. Uh the
replacing the street lights. Um the biggest changes um and kind of when we spoke with uh our green communities rep and some other folks, these were kind of the ones that um would push us over to actually, you know, make this a little more competitive. Um the biggest one was
kind of was reducing the wattage on um on all of them actually. Um so right now we're looking at um 38 that will be that will be done. Um se 22 at 17 watts and 16 at 24 watts. Um and that's a
reduction across the board from what was originally submitted. Um, and my understanding is that's more in line with what well a what kind of green communities is you those the states kind of looking at positively but also just more in line with um what other towns
are doing. Some even um you know go more in like the 14 but and nonetheless that's that's kind of what we're looking at here. Um so that makes it more competitive. The other piece was, and I think we ended up doing this in the the previous one on a um kind of um edit
after the fact, but it's included in this one, um is that uh we're just doing the we're having Eversource is decommissioning them. So, we're not including those even um in in this application. So, those were kind of the two big things that came up. So, they're
pretty um small things. Um, and other than that, it it reduces um actually it reduces the grant uh by a little bit. So, we're looking at a $38,445 um application. Um then that's that
covers what we're looking for. Um and let's see. I think that is those are the biggest changes. Um it's due Wednesday, so it will be submitted and then we we should know. And um it's it's usually a fairly quick turnaround,
but um you know, again, worst case scenario, they they now do the two a year. So I don't I anticipate this one to be um all good to go, but you know, again, worst case scenario, we'll they'll be open again in the spring. So
>> Okay. So >> um wonderful. Ted, I don't remember. Do we have a better cost savings with this one than the last one? I know that was >> Yeah, the cost savings. So So it's it's it's actually interesting. So the cost savings the way it was the looking at
the um uh the cost per kilowatt hour. If if we looked at that um based on what was used in the last spreadsheet that I was looking at, um it's it's fairly similar. It's a little better. Um but then going back into kind of the the MEI
data kind of the the hard data um it looked like that number wasn't was a little low anyway. So I I I can talk to you more about this right before be you know before we submit it but it looks like the costs actually will increase by quite a bit. Um so uh
you know sometimes those numbers in the the me I mean they'll all be checked again you know what be by green communities. So, so whatever that number I put in, um, you know, they'll double check it and make sure it's correct. But in essence, yes, in one way or another,
whether it's a small savings or a smaller, um, increase in savings or a larger increase in savings, yes. Um, definitely on the kilowatt hours that that um will be, you know, obviously that will have larger savings.
Um the only thing I did want to mention and Verique knows this but there is a certificate of application that just needs a signature. Um >> yeah but that's other and I can just have a PDF of that. >> Great.
>> All right. Thank you very much. >> All right. >> Thank you so much. >> Really appreciate it. >> Yep. So we'll get that in Wednesday and then we'll hear and obviously you'll you'll know probably before I do. So, >> okay. Great. Thank you so much. Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Um I'm going to go back to um the minutes of October 5th and October 16th. Um I'm going to make a motion to approve, but that looks good. Sorry, Adam. >> All right. Pass. Uh meetings attended by select board members.
>> I had a school committee meeting uh on the seventh. Um lots of discussion about insurance. >> Uh we voted in the uh district-wide strategic plan which if you guys get a
chance to look at it was really good very comprehensive three five year how like what it was very well done. Um uh and the rest was just regular business. So, um that was my meeting.
>> Um let's see. We um had the the Hampshire Group Insurance Trust. That was um last week or the night before. >> That was at night. Yeah. Barick and I were both at that and we're both going to be at the BROG meeting on Thursday,
which is I think a large portion of that is also devoted to health insurance. No, we can't talk about anything else right now. Um, so that's Thursday. Uh, public comments. I don't see anyone here for public comments. No unfinished
business. Um, so moving on to vote to open the warrant for special town meeting. Um, which is going to be December 6th at 10 a.m. at the Grammar School. Um, >> main item on that agenda is going to be
the ambulance. >> Ambulance and health insurance. >> And health insurance. >> And Mike just told me today that he's closed out the free cash. He didn't have the exact amount, but he said we have quite a bit, which is a good thing because there's going to be quite a bit going out meeting.
>> Okay. All right. And when do we once that actually gets certified? >> Um, I don't know. I don't know. It's usually pretty quick once he he puts it in. So, >> I think that's one of the things that I can see in the >> Yes. In gateway. >> In the gateway. Yeah. Because I was looking at the Okay. >> Uh, so I'm going to make a motion to
open the warrant for special town meeting on December 6th. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I remind me what we have to I mean then we basically just we start building the warrant. >> Excuse me. Yes, I'm working on that now. >> And um
unfortunately it's a really quick turnaround. Um, I haven't actually double checked with Adam about how much time we get with the printer, but um, the plan is actually >> No, because Thanksgiving's there, we probably should.
>> Well, the last time I talked to him was just to let him know, yeah, >> it was delayed until December, >> but he said he probably needed five or six days. So, because of Thanksgiving, we should have it. >> So, so should we try to >> as soon as poss second week of November? I was going to say, yeah, definitely
before the Thanksgiving holiday, right? Third week of November. >> So, so our meetings, I want to say, are November 3rd and 17th. >> So, the 17th would be the very latest. So, for the next meeting, I will have the draft warrant for you. >> Okay.
>> You I mean, you can close the warrant. You can always reopen the warrant if you want to, but you can close the warrant that day. And if everything's done and we're good in two weeks, perfect and we can send it off. If not, you got one more date, one more meeting, >> right? Or if that date doesn't work, we could could we do like a we call an
emergency meeting. So be like what 48 hours or however much time we need. Okay. >> All right. So um All right. So we've opened the warrant and >> forward to seeing the articles. >> Um okay. Discussion and vote to sign the
MV MVP FY26 action grant contracts with the FRCOG and GZA. And this is for um the >> the lower ending of the flood plan on the Manuel property. Um I do not yet have the contract. So we'll just be doing the GZA one tonight and that's in
your um packet. >> Um do we have any discussion on that? I think we've kind of discussed this to >> honestly. Yeah. And GZA they So it's this one. They do such a good job. Um, >> yeah. >> You know, and I got to tell you, it's an absolute joy to have the Furcohog and
GZA basically do the grant. >> Yes. >> Yeah. That certainly couldn't be >> doing this. So, yeah. >> So, I'll make a motion to >> uh do the GCA because we don't have the Bog one yet. >> GZA contract.
>> Okay. Um, I will second that. So the motion was to sign the GZA contract um for the MVP grant funds to lower the flood plane on the man wild property. Um so I'll second that. >> All in favor? >> I say the card until next time. Okay. So
discussion and vote on the source pass invoice. So the the contract for IT services turns out it which we've known for a while it's going to cost more than we had originally budgeted or and more than was agreed upon at town meeting. So the total that we're looking at right
now. >> Yeah. Second to last page. And and without the financing is what I'm recommending. >> Yeah. So without the financing, the total amount is $40,897.66. Um, so if we vote
if if we approve this tonight, then that just means we're agreeing to put it on to put it on the warrant basically as an article for the town to vote to appro to spend this additional money um for free cash. So that's I don't know if you've seen that good expla explanation of how we got
>> Well, but I mean yeah, >> pretty I mean we we have a good I mean technically we have a good explanation. I don't like the explanation, but it is >> I mean it explains >> right >> explains the cost increase, but that doesn't mean that we agree that that
should have happened, >> right? >> Well, most of it I think is we weren't anticipating having to replace so much of our town equipment so quickly to be able to access the Microsoft cloud. >> So much of the hardware, >> that's really what it comes down to is having to update all our hardware. >> Yeah. And then have has that happened
yet? >> They can't until this. So basically what you'd be doing is authorizing me to sign this and send it back to them and say yes so we can get going. >> Yeah. So we can then put it on the warrant and I mean I I'll put a little caveat in the bottom that's subject to town meeting approval. >> Right.
>> But yeah. >> All right. We don't really have much choice. No, I don't think we because we need >> approve the source pass. >> Proposal proposal. >> Yes, phase one proposal. >> Um, all right. Second.
>> All in favor? I. >> Okay. Um, a discussion and vote on public parking signs. Remind me. >> Yes. So, this was something that I put off a couple of times, but these are Oops. Sorry. The signs
to potentially put um by the ball field down here by town hall in front just so people know where to go to park. So, you know, you go into a lot of towns and it says public parking with a blue sign and you know where to go park. >> Yeah.
>> Because people are still parking in the town hall parking lot for everything. And frankly, um, a lot of people who have trouble walking and need to come to town hall for business can't because it's being taken up by people who could >> easily park in the town parking lot.
>> So, um, I think Ron is going to be purchasing for us 12 posts. Six of them for the right to farm signs and six for the >> And hopefully we can get them in the ground like right now before the frost hits.
>> Yeah. And then we can get these signs made. And Sunray has given me the the price for them. >> Okay. >> So, it's total of how many signs? >> I want to say it's six. Six. >> Six. The wife agree.
>> Actually, no. Well, six for the right to Okay, that's right. >> But he reminded me that I can't do a double-sided sign because you got a post and you've got a sign on each side, but yet you can't see it if the post is coming up. So obvious. Yeah. I you know, thank goodness he knows what he's doing.
>> Yeah. So what's the um So it's I just want to do the math. >> Oh, did he not give a total? Sorry. >> There's not a total. >> Okay. So it's like right around $300. >> Yeah. It shouldn't be too bad.
>> I think that's a great idea. I So did who who put these? Me. Okay. >> I mean, you know, I just got one off the web. This one I made up because this is the language the town council approved years ago >> and Lori had tried putting them up there but
>> but yeah, >> people aren't paying attention. So, one sign rather than get signs for in front of every single lot, >> you know, we just had two with arrows. So it would start on the far side here and go to one just before the end. And then the last one at the end >> would be handicapped and there's enough
room there for somebody has a van. They could, you know, he'll have it blocked off and >> that proper marking probably wouldn't get them until next year. But at least we'd have the signs up which would beful. >> Okay. I think that's sounds reasonable. I make a motion that we approve um the
expenditure um of abruptly $300. parking signs. All in favor? Okay. >> Oh, >> don't know why. >> Um, okay. Items not anticipated 48 hours
in advance of the meeting. Uh, we uh discussion and vote to sign the regional agreement with Ashefield for a clinician co-responder, which was just brought to our attention that that the existing contract expires September 30th, I think. So we they're currently not under contract and this is um a pretty I think
a pretty important public safety position and that's been the partnership with Ashefield has worked out fine. Um so I'm going to make a motion that we once again sign the regional agreement with Ashefield for the clinician co-responder. Um I don't think we can backdate it but it's fine doing
>> doing what they've >> yeah you can see everybody on the back there and so I >> Okay. >> Yeah. Second that. All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. >> Um, okay. Town administrator update. Um,
>> administrator. There we go. >> Uh, honestly, most of this stuff I've gone over with you all already. Um, just to let everybody in the audience know, Shelurn Falls Road paving. Yeah. Coming
on. >> Yes. Um, the the portion where the the uh pipe is going, you know, the drainage is going off towards South River Meadow just had a skim coat. It's going to be
redone in the spring. That's correct. >> And what Ron's working on is getting all the catch basins put in in the area up in Pine Hill, but then the roads will not be paved this year. They'll just be made ready for plowing. >> Okay. >> And I believe he's told most of the residents up there that that's what's
happening. So, um, and then most of what I had here was honestly just giving you updates on all the different meetings I've been to recently. Um, yeah. So, and most of these I believe you already know about. We did
Oh, one thing just to make sure um everybody's aware of those that we we did have a great meeting with um Eversource and they brought in CCT, the Center for Eco Technology um and they will be doing
the comprehensive building assessment for the grammar school that is already scheduled. I spoke with Kristen and Emily. >> Y >> is actually happening on Veterans Day. >> Excellent. they were fine with it being, you know. >> Yeah. >> So, so that will happen which is very exciting. And then Chris Mason found
from Green Communities found all of our former paperwork for the work that was done when we first became a green community in 2018 and they did work on Tenant Hall and they did some insulation and some other work. So now we actually have I couldn't find it anywhere. It's probably in there but I couldn't find
it. So he sent it to us and we have all that documentation and then um the grammar school is the first priority but then we'll be working on town hall as well and my hope is that you know we'll get the grant for doing the ADA self-evaluation so we can
finally get this properly set up >> which means that then we can apply for the lift and then also if we have this building scoping study and we talk about the fact that we want to put offices upstairs we can include that in when
they give us recommendations, right? >> And a lot of this, of course, is coming from Eversource for free. And so a lot of this is really how do we electrify more >> which is getting in line with what the state is right is promoting. So >> yay. Excellent.
>> Yeah. Very exciting. So that's the main thing. Oh, and sorry, and I think you may have already seen it, but the the report that came out, A perfect storm, cities and towns face historic fiscal pressures. >> Yes,
>> that it's a really interesting really interesting read that took a couple years for them to get the data and put together. Um, so yeah. >> All right. So, that was that. >> Um, Slickboard member comments,
concerns. Nope. Have none. Uh mail. Nothing of note. Um announcements. Guess just a reminder that we will be having um a special town meeting on December 6, but that will we'll make
that known again in advance. Um all right. So, next meeting November 3rd, uh six o'clock here. And with that, I'm going to make a motion to adjurnn. I'll second. All right. Hi. Hi. We are a journ.