Welcome everyone to the November 3rd meeting of the Conway Select Board. Um, calling the meeting to order, the chair. >> Yes. Um
I we're going to go straight into unfinished business or I'm sorry, we're going to go um straight into not anticipated 48 hours in advance. Um because we have our police chief or it is our air fire chief Baker here uh with us unexpectedly because we just got this
information in the past 48 hours. So um Bob, do you want to >> Good evening. >> Take it away. I'm here tonight to advise the people that I am very very serious about retiring in the very near future for personal reasons. Uh, and I am
willing to stay on board till we find somebody to take my place, but I hope it's in a kind of seriously somewhat faster order rather than slower. And I'm willing to work with the board on anything they need as far as
uh how they can fill out applications for the position and stuff like that. >> So, we're going to take quickly like a matter of weeks. Well, I have not I have not given my letter yet with the date
deadline date on it because I kind of want to feel out your people. How long do you think it might take? You know, it's going to probably take at least a couple months. >> Yeah. >> And I'm hoping it doesn't take eight, but I mean it does. It does.
Is there anyone currently on the fire department that is interested you think in ass talked with one of them in particular >> and matter of fact I met with him today and he basically said he doesn't have time to
>> I guess we look to the outside. >> Yeah. >> I assume we have a job description on file. I have them upstairs in my office. >> Yeah. I'm sure if not because I mean it's been a long time. I know I was going to say like >> I think you're going to I think you're
going to find it very difficult to find somebody very difficult for main reasons is I guess is how you advertise it basically. Are you going to advertise it like my position is right now just it's part-time.
Are you going to advertise it halftime? You going to advertise it fulltime? I mean, you've seen the other towns on both sides of his gone to full-time positions >> except for what was way just the chief just retired his last less than a year
ago and they appointed a halftime chief 30 hours a week time chief but he also has a job somewhere else. >> The problem with this is you all know as well as I know basically daytime coach. Mhm.
>> There's nobody wrong at all during time. And that only goes for fire. It also goes for emergency management department. I mean that medical EMTs. There's very few of them. They have as much
problem as we do. >> So I would try to suggest if you could find somebody that maybe has an EMT license too, that would be great for the company. Okay. Is there anybody who might be
willing to do it as an interimm? I'm just thinking monetarily. We I don't think we have time to put anything together for this warrant. >> Right. >> So, we're looking at potentially putting it on for annual town meeting. In the meantime, do you think there's somebody
who would be willing to fill in until next town meeting if needed? I mean, if I have to fill in and take care of paperwork, I will. But the problem I have personally have is is that fire scene and stuff. I have to be very very careful on
>> Why would this have to be on the warrant if we're just >> more money? If you decide to go for if we decide Yeah. If we decide to go for a full credit card. >> Yeah. And I I know last time I was here, I missed a couple meetings because I've been traveling. I did say I'd get with you. Some things have happened. So, no,
I I I will get with me, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, I I will get with you and we'll talk it over. I was I was hoping the gentleman you're talking about would have >> been able to take it, but understand that he can't. So, >> you should talk to him. >> I will. And his wife.
>> Yeah. Um Yeah. So, I'll get with you first obviously >> your recommendations and then the processes we have to go through and see where we can help facilitate. >> Do you want to do that soon? >> Yes. >> Yes. if not this week and early next week. >> Okay. >> Well,
>> so right now I was just all aware and I want to make it official. My deputy chief, Mr. Chairman, is running the fire scenes and doing all the inspections and I'm just handling the paperwork because I can do most of that. Right now I not
supposed to be in my office for the next four weeks, six weeks total. But they told me that I could I could I'm running my office through my cell phone because all my emails stuff come into me on the cell phone. >> Like today I spent an hour and a half dealing with one of your upcoming MVP
grants. >> Oh >> VP, how you say it? >> Yeah. Yeah, I met with the lady from uh talked to the lady from the council of governments about >> oh >> coming down maybe next meeting meet when we talk about
be a new grant coming up with trying to figure out water holes and water supplies and stuff like that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. Great. Well, thanks for letting us know about >> and your urgency and we're not going to take it lightly. So, >> I will get with you.
>> Great. >> We won't sit around and twiddle our thumbs on this. I appreciate that very much. >> We appreciate your service to the town. >> No, I want to second that. We just appreciate all your service to our town. Not only as fire chief, but before we know you were Iowa boss. So, >> yeah.
>> And a select board member. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And your time >> to to b your time until we have someone in. >> No, probably won't sign up anymore. Tom can be >> You can be volunteers. >> You know where we were going. Yeah. Maybe enough is enough.
>> All right. >> Well, thank you very much. You too. >> Um, okay. So, I assume that that most everyone's here to discuss the warrant the warrant articles or
Okay. Public comments or Okay, I'm just going to go through the agenda. >> Um, yeah. Special municipal. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Um, so I'm going to go back. Um, I'm going to make a motion to approve the minutes of October 20th, 2023. >> I'll second.
>> Uh, all in favor? >> I >> um meetings attended by select board members. Very quickly, Baronic and I had um a meeting with the Furcog uh last week, which was pretty much all about um health insurance and it's the same every
town basically in New Hampshire group insurance trust is facing the same situation that we are in. Um, so that was we didn't really learn anything new. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> I apologize. I forgot. I know I had a meeting and I forget what it was. I'm sorry.
>> I did not have a meeting in Ireland. Um, okay. So, uh, where should we move to next? Then Bar who's here >> discuss and vote to appoint um, Cecilia. >> Okay. Um, all right. So, uh, Cecilia
Vanich um, who is a here. >> Okay. I'm sorry. What you >> I'm sorry. My brain is is fogging. >> Planning. Plan. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. That's what we'll do. We'll do the planning word, but sorry. Okay. Laura, >> which is
>> the second one. >> This Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. discuss a vote to appoint Laura Mobius. Does that mean I said that correctly? >> Um to the planning board for a term ending 63026. >> All right. I'll make a motion. Well, why don't you
come on over yourself? >> George, are you here for this? >> Hi. >> Hi there. Sorry about that. >> I just had a whole >> Your husband's been on >> George gave me a lot of homework to do. >> They gave me files and files. So, I'm
Lara Matius. I've been living in Conway for 15 years now. And my husband, Bill, has been on the planning board for a couple of terms. Um, and I would love to be able to take, you know, to continue what he has been doing and the transition.
>> That's awesome. Wonderful. Keep it in the family. >> That's right. Because I've been dropping for years. >> I know how that is. >> Laura will fill out the board for the fifth seat. So, we'll have for the first
time since I've been on the board a full compliment. >> Great job. >> Plus, plus uh our alternate member, Joe Mhm. >> So, that's good news, especially because, as you may have heard, >> this Thursday, um, we're going to be
hearing from the engineers who are planning to build a solar farm on Bden owned property. >> Um, yes. Um, and that's that will be a long and
complicated process for special permits and site plan review. So, it would be great. >> I hope they've forgotten about that. >> Everyone on board and then alternate too. >> And we did decide that the town had to approve the Mullen rule. The Mullen rule.
>> Yes, that was done in 2023. Yes. Great. >> So, great to have L on board. She's smart. Lived in town a long time and eager to help the town out in this this capacity. >> Great. Very cool. >> I'm going to make a total guess on the
accent. If I'm saying something wrong, I'm so sorry about necess but almost. >> I was wrong. >> No, I'm wrong. It's okay. >> You have my my resume with you. So, I came >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. I came I'm originally from
Vietnam. I came here to France and I'm >> been here for 18 years. >> She speaks several languages, so you might try different ones. Yeah, I was off on that one. >> It's okay. I was the assistant director of the translation center, so my exposure to languages, some names you
wouldn't even imagine, but don't quiz me on that. I just know them by name. >> Yeah. >> Oh jeez. Yeah. Wow. Nice resume. >> Awesome. >> I'm excited about this opportunity. >> So, I will make a motion that we appoint Laura Mobius to the planning board for
term ending 63026. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Welcome aboard. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Put your name up for the election for filling the seat after my summer. >> As soon as she survives,
>> it's going to be intense. But I'm ready for >> I'm sure it'll be a big fight to get on. >> Wish me luck. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thanks, George. >> Thank you, George. >> Um, okay. discussion and vote to sign
the MVP FY26 contract with the Furcog. Um I think we've discussed this. >> Right. So the main thing actually I should have I should have kept George here because um the planning board is working on having discussion about the
riverfront corridor. They've been working on this for about 10 years and this um contract with Furco is a lot to do with continuing that process, >> but the planning board's aware of that. >> Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Yeah. >> Um All right. So, I'm going to make a
motion that we sign the contract with Burco Cog work to support the MVP funded FY26 and FY27 Conway Club Resilience Design and Permitting Project. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Um,
all right. Uh, discussion and vote to appoint Cecilia Vandr as a special municipal employee to have a contract with Franklin Regional School as a nurse for a field trip to Washington DC. Um, from here, >> right? The issue that came up is she is
um a school committee member, but she also is a nurse and she wants to be on this field trip. And according to the documentation I've seen, the only way to do that is if the select boards of all four towns designate the school committee members as special municipal
employees and then because it's a financial interest in something. So, okay. Yeah. >> Sure. So, I'm going to make a motion that we uh identify all of our school committee members as special municipal employees. >> I mean, that's the easiest way to do it.
I'll second. >> No, >> you already are. >> Special municipal employee. >> That's true. >> Can I point out that was already done back in my tenure? >> It was for the Conway, but not for Frontier. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Gotcha. Yeah. Uh,
>> I'll second. Um, >> all right. All in favor? I I uh discussion in vote to appoint Timothy Constantine as equipment operator laborer with the highway department at a starting rate of 31 93 per hour.
>> So his resume looks great. I mean he was in in Deerfield for multiple years um and is from Shelurn so close by. >> I think this is a good hire. Uh so I will make a motion to appoint uh Timothy
Constantine as equipment operating laborer at a starting rate of $31.93 cents per hour. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I >> uh discussion and vote to appoint Randall Williams as transfer station attendant for starting rate of 1850.
>> Yes, I will make a motion. >> Oh second. Um, so is this great filling in for the employee who's on leave or this is just a Okay, wonderful. >> Got some authority up there. >> Yeah. >> Oh, come on.
>> You're going to be so nice up there. >> It's going to be the favorite. Um, all right. All in favor? >> I I >> um discussion and vote on providing take can leave a can food donation box at the Conway Mall.
So given our current debacle of SNAP, >> yeah, seems like a no-brainer. >> Yes. Um and you know, we can discuss on here. Hopefully everybody knows that there's also going to be donations at the library,
churches. >> Yeah. >> And both churches, >> right? The only the only issue with the Conway Mall would be we'd have to have somebody who'd be willing to take it some other place until we get a building up there that is set at 55 degrees. Um
because right now everything would just freeze. >> But a guy named Randall would help >> or a guy named Tim. >> Yeah. Or Tim. Yeah, exactly. >> But then we have to know where to take it. So I'm assuming maybe we could connect with the library and ask if we can. >> I think that's probably the easiest.
>> Okay. All right. Great. I mean, I'd even be willing to just >> Yeah, me too. >> and hold it and you know >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And if I read that correctly, the library has a way to make it available all the time. >> I think so. >> I've been quite >> understand how
>> understand how. But yeah, >> well, they have two. They have the entrance and then the back. >> Yeah. >> The little room. >> The little room. >> Exactly. So, you can open it up and not still get in the library. There's still room. >> It's right at the top. Okay. Just in the vest, right? It's really not.
>> That's not heated though. >> It's not heated, but I mean I can't. >> That shouldn't matter if it's canned food. I mean Well, >> maybe it does if it drops below. >> We'll figure it out. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Um I don't know that we really need to vote. I bet we can go ahead and vote. >> No, no, it was Oh, sorry. Yeah. Well, it
was if you were going to do it up I don't know. >> Yeah. Well, let's I mean I will do it. >> Yeah. Have a take a can, leave a can food donation box at the Conway Mall. So, all in favor? >> And actually, if you want, um, Adam and I can work on putting it on that sign
that's there. We haven't moved that out front yet. I assume it's going to go from the gate at some point. >> It says while we're back. >> I know. I saw it. >> Yeah. Um, so we could just put on there, you know, food donations. Yeah.
>> See attendance or whatever. >> Okay. All right. Um, okay. Moving on. review of the draft warrant for December 6 for our special town meeting. Um, how do we want to do this? Just go. Um, >> do you want to start with >> Yeah, let's start article jam.
>> Um, and this is article >> two. Yes. Okay. >> Yes. So, I'm here on behalf of the veterary committee and we have been looking at repairing the fence line down
at the ball field, specifically the one that runs uh on the upper side along Way Road from the driveway of the ball field parking lot to the church. It is um
396 feet long and currently it's made out of pressuret treated wood. And we were also at the same time looking at the fence line down on the lower part of the ball field that runs by the town hall. And uh that part is cedar and we
think that's a much nicer fence. So, we actually are proposing that we replace the upper one with cedar fencing. That would cost uh at most $15,000. Uh we've got two quotes, one at 146 and
the other at 123. So, I expect we can do it for somewhat less. We haven't got the third quote yet. >> We will have to list it in the registry, right? um for that amount >> over 10,000 I think you told me
>> it doesn't have to be >> well let let me double check because it's a construction you have to get three quotes but >> when it's when when it's installation is involved that it's >> right there will be prevailing >> exactly it does get listed there
>> uh so we had some money left over from the ballfield project of 2013 so we had uh7 789 left and so we would ask for 7,211 from free cash. Again, we kind of expect we can get it done for less than that.
So, we'll be returning some of it. I can suggest somebody get a quote that did my backyard because it matters if they have a a post pounder because it makes it cheaper on labor. So, Fitzgerald, >> that that's the third one. They I
reached out to them once and they didn't get back to me. So, I need to try again. Love it. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, >> I do have that now. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> And actually, I'll be interested to see those three because at some point we want to talk about the Veterans Park. >> And this is along the walking path. It's
not by the road, right? So, it wouldn't be affected >> falling down, >> right? But it wouldn't be affected by the plows, right? >> Because it's just too far away, >> right? Okay. >> Well, it might be by the sidewalk plows a little bit. So, that's another thing I wanted to bring up is uh Ron has pointed out that
If you're on the sidewalk and the fence is to your right, there's a like a stone wall that uh has like a retaining wall that goes down to the ball field. And there's a number of trees growing up and in between the stone wall. There's some small ones and there's a couple of
pretty big ones. And when the when the ball field was getting redone, I guess there was some um argument about whether they should take those trees down or not. and they are still there. So, um >> they're going to destroy the wall.
>> They're destroying the wall. They they drop limbs on the fence. Um so, we're we're talking in park and ramp whether we want to ask the select board if we can remove those trees. Might have to have a public forum. I don't know what would be involved with doing that, but
we're we're trying to >> chainsaw >> address. So, if we get if we get this free cash uh voted on, we're actually not planning on doing the project until the spring or when we can resolve that tree issue.
>> So, if the trees stay, we might consider going with a less expensive route because the the limbs do fall right in that area. >> What kind of trees are they? >> What kind? >> Yeah, they're not special or anything. They're just like >> Yeah. So, we're gonna we're going to
take a look. Some of them are quite big, you know, like 100 year old trees. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Really? >> Yeah. Maybe 50. I don't know. Some of them are pretty big. >> Yeah. It's kind of a no-brainer to clean
up all the scrub around. It's the bigger trees that are an issue. >> Yeah. Especially if they are growing in the wall and like, you know, affecting the >> the roots that take that wall right down. Mhm. >> And and if they do, then it's a much bigger repair project to re remake that
continuity wall. >> Yeah. >> So anyway, so yeah, so if we get the money for this, we will um come back to the select board in the spring when we have a proposal for the tree. >> Okay. I'm sorry. That would not be any
additional. I think Ron would do that as part of the highway department, but he wants a directive from the department. >> Okay. >> Are you wanting us to make our recommendations on these or we going to do that? The 17th? >> No, the 17th. This is just your first review to see what's on the
>> Okay. All right. All right. So, I just wanted to explain that. And while I'm here, I also wanted to update you on the pickle ball project. Okay. >> So, um, as you may know, you probably do, uh, it's been paid, >> which is very exciting. Um, it's beautiful. It's really perfect. It came
out >> perfect. >> So, we hope it holds up perfectly. Uh, but we'll be looking to put it on the paint and the fencing in the spring. >> It has to cure for six weeks. So, we're too late in the season to do that.
>> So, we'll pick up again >> on target in our budget. Um, I don't have the paving bill yet. That was kind of the big wild card. No concerns with the freeze or anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> No, it shouldn't be. I mean, you never know.
>> Supposed to be 60. >> Things can settle. It's It's perfectly fine to freeze now. >> Yeah. Is it I mean, what is it? Is it like the rubber or the Is it concrete? >> It's tar. Black top. >> Black top. Okay. >> It's two coats of black top with lots of
stuff underneath. I think did a really nice job of laying it out and bringing in the materials. There's drainage all the way around it. Um, >> so it shouldn't shouldn't have any problems. >> That's awesome. Very exciting.
>> Did you get a quote from Melanina? >> Uh, yes. They were the ones that were 12,000. So, they were slightly lower except they haven't confirmed with me yet if they uh included prevailing wage. So, I need to double check that with them. But I do know valley fence is the one that was 146.
That's kind of what I had to go with. >> Yeah. >> Um they definitely quoted prevailing range. >> Okay. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Had you requested it because you could get with me and I can do my request for
the prevailing wage. Yeah. No, they were just going from right from past. So when we get right down to the nitty-gritty, I'll definitely be working. >> Okay. Okay, that was easy. It's just an email, but >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> I'm enjoying your time now. >> Yeah, I'm glad. >> Last couple weeks, I've really been tired. >> Awesome. >> I haven't come in at all other than to pick up parking rack mail. >> Wow, that's good. >> That's amazing. Your cheeks hurting from
all the smiling. >> Oh, the freedom. >> Thank you. Okay. All right. So, let's just go through these >> one by one. Article one to see if the town will vote to approve a transfer to the general
fund. $537,857 for the purchase of a new ambulance. 40 $427,52 will come from the ambulance stabilization fund. 40,000 from the ambulance reserve for receipts fund
70,85 from precash is going to be the request. >> So what is the ambulance reserve or receipts fund? >> So that's where all of the funds come in when they do their calls, any monies that come in. >> So there's they have several accounts. One's a donation account. That's not
this one. This is when when they do their ambulance calls, >> they earned it. >> Yeah. And this is also the same fund that they use every year um when we do their budget. We only take 25,000 from in the warrant article
>> and the balance is made up out of their reserve seats. So we couldn't take too too much out of reserve seat because they need to have enough down there for Yeah. >> How much do we have in free cash? >> It was it was 894,000 or something crazy. But I I think I sent you guys all
the charts. I didn't bring them with me. Um, but when all is said and done, because last year the select board and finance committee agreed to keep a balance of 250 in free cash. >> Yes. >> So, when I added up all of these
articles and took out the 250, >> we only had like 340 something left for annual town meeting, >> right? >> It's Yeah, it's pretty. So, thank goodness we have that much this year. So, that's it's a lot.
>> That this all adds up to >> to a lot. Yes. Um, let me see if I can find it in my sent. >> So, the amount of free cash that we're asking for at this at this special town meeting is going to be
>> it's like4 million >> $500,000. >> Close. Yeah. I mean, you've got 70 you've got you've got 200,000 right in the first two articles. Then you got another 40,000, right? You know, it's just completely adding up. Yes,
>> there's a lot. >> There's a lot. >> There's Yeah, some of these there's just no way around like the health insurance. >> Right. Right. Um, >> I will say if we if this article passes, >> I again think we should start a new
ambulance stabilization fund, not new, but I think we should add to it, not wait until we know a new ambulance is needed, add 25,000 a year. And and the thing that we were hoping, but we can't do it, but Gemma and I were kind of
hoping that um legally we could just put all of this money in the AML stabilization fund and let it earn interest, but you're not allowed to do that. >> When you appropriate, it has to go right into the general fund. It has to be available immediately. So, we can't earn the interest on it, which is a shame.
>> But yes. Yeah, she talked about that, too. And um if for some reason it's not all spent, but I think it will be because we finally that was a firm quote that I got from the company. So um so yeah, you should be but yeah. >> So this so this is the that final number
without because I remember the original quote that we saw had was kind of the gray area around additional modifications. >> I contacted them and said, "Yeah, we needed the firm quote." So they've sent that to me. It hasn't been signed or anything yet, >> but that's okay. >> And actually, we can't really sign that until this is appropriated. sign, you
know. So, >> yeah. My only concern with this, too, is the same issue we're having with the fire department is volunteers for EMTs and daytime use and everything like that,
not to get the half a million dollar ambulance if we don't have anybody to use it in the next, you know, ongoing years. This should last 10 years. The ambulance should be at least a 10 year. >> And well, the thing is it's two two and a half years out before we even get the
new. >> Yeah. Which is the other problem. >> So, >> and then again, I don't know if she she answered or not. My question was, do is the sale price at the date of order or is it the date of receipt?
Because that makes a huge difference in the two years span. I think she said >> that's why that's why I got the firm quote. That's the price we're going to pay. >> Okay. Okay. So it's a date of order. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because you can't they know they deal with municipalities. They can't have an opened. Oh, but it might cost you an extra 100,000. No.
>> Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um Okay. So, article two is the transfer of 125,000 from pre-cash to the general fund to cover the increased cost of health insurance for FY26. >> And this includes >> without that one both retirees and
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Nothing we can do about that. >> Nothing. Yeah. Um, article three, transfer of $38,25 from free cash to pay for necessary IT upgrades. This is the
surprise we got from our source from our um our IT vendor. >> Yeah. >> That we can't really do the necessary upgrades >> to the network and the systems without I thought it would be though. >> Well, look, you know, looking at the rest. Yeah. Looks like nothing compared to the rest.
the items on this. But again, this is one where I feel like we don't really have, you know, we don't really oh, we have we have no choice. It's like it is what it is. Um, and and that honestly equipment's only going to go up in price. So, might as well get it now while we can.
>> Um, article four, $3,500 from free cash to the general fund to pay for the purchase of 38 38 street lights. So, this is we'll be purchasing them back from Eversource. Is that correct? >> No, this is for the bulbs. Oh, this is for the >> What? >> No. Yeah, this is for the
>> No, this is to pay. This is us buying the street lights themselves. >> Oh, no. You're right. I'm sorry. You're right. You're It is buying street lights. Yes. >> Yeah. And that's not a firm number because they haven't gotten back to me with the updated purchase and sale
agreement, but I rammed it up. So, >> Okay. >> And there is a return on investment on this. So, I'll make sure I get those numbers >> from saving for the upgrade. >> Yeah. How much? Like if we're paying 3500, how quickly we get that 3500 back with savings. >> Yeah.
>> Yep. >> Okay. Article five, transfer of $23,636 in free cash to the general fund to pay a back stipen to a town employee. Um, it was discovered that several years ago
the select board agreed to increase the stipent for one of our town the annual stipent for one of our town employees. Um, it was only recently discovered that that change hadn't actually been made um in our accounting. So 23,000
is legitimately owed to this employee who was supposed to have received that money over the past five or six years. Um, How did we catch that? >> Wow. >> I was looking over the budget and I saw numbers that said this is what was
allocated. This is what was paid. Wait, what? >> So, wow. >> You just made a happy employee. >> Yeah. Or a former employee. >> Okay. Um, article six,
uh, to see if the town will vote to approve the reappropriation of the balance of funds previously appropriated for transfer station repaving. This was special town meeting article 2022. We approved $37,000. Um, we'd like to use the balance to pay for the new Conway Mall expenses and six
right to farm signs. So, $3,000 to go towards the purchase of the signs and posts. Um, and the remaining 9,3 $138 for interior and exterior work at the cone mall. >> That's pretty straightforward. Just
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Repropriation of funds that are already existing. >> Yeah. Y um article seven, transfer of $7,000 to the general fund to cover the additional cost of hiring an accounting firm for February through June of FY26. So, our current accountant has submitted
his uh letter of resignation. Um, and we have found another uh local accounting company that Baron has met with um that comes highly recommended to us. I believe they they're the accountant for Weightley and some of the other surrounding accounts as well. Yeah. Um
but they're so we were paying the salary of one part-time accountant and now this is going to be a contract that we have with the full accounting firm. So it is going to be a little more expensive and this will um supplement what we budgeted just for the accountant salary for the
remainder of this fiscal year. But we do need to be aware that our accountant line is going to go up significantly for next year. But then you don't have employee expenses, health insurance, all that kind of stuff. >> True.
>> So there's a saying that you're talking about. >> That is true. >> And the great thing is that people who would be our contacts, one's a Conway resident, the other one used to be our treasurer. >> Yeah. So >> that's great >> with that his, you know, that's one of the things you lose is institutional
knowledge. So to have that come back to us is just awesome. >> I mean, it's definitely a firm that can step in immediately after what you're doing. So, >> that's a no-brainer. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, article eight, uh, we just did that with Jan. Article nine, uh, transfer of 50,565
from the highway facility fund, 46,236 from the highway storage building fund, and 8,000 remaining from the purchase of the boom lift, the general fund to pay for the replacement of the public safety building garage roof and other costs associated with the public safety
building. So, should I give you the update on the public safety building? >> Yeah, we met on Thursday. Um, Ron, they've been talking about this. What happened is that they discovered leaks in the roof which were not there when we were doing all this planning for the public safety office building and
talking about everything. So, they're getting substantial and they want to just save off any damage that's in the new roof. >> No, in the old bays. So, it's kind of putting a a spanninner in the works. Um, but to back up one of the other things
they were talking about is the way the building was constructed, there's the flat roof, the old roof, and they put on the new roof, half of which is asphalt and half of which is metal. Um, but the way it was constructed, the the old roof
could be taken out and then they could raise the doors to 12 feet instead of 10, which would mean that they wouldn't have to custom build machines going in the future, >> which would be a huge cost savings instead of 10. So that's on a schedule
of things that they would like to do with some of the money, but the public safety committee felt that replacing the roof and doing it immediately was of the highest importance. And so actually because of these amazing people, all this money got left over
from the highway facility. >> Um so it's really just reallocating funds that weren't used because we have frugal people in town. >> Um >> it's not coming out free cash. Yeah, it's not coming out free cash so that we can replace the roof right away and then we'll be talking about because nobody's
going to be able to do the rest of the work unless that roof is replaced. >> Okay. >> And they don't want to pour the concrete on the remaining three bays because if you're bringing down stuff, it's going to fall on a, you know, fall on a newly done concrete floor. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. So, they'll come back, I think, to
talk about um going out for bid for um the rest of that work, but this one should be a pretty quick and easy >> bid to get the Yeah. get the work done. >> All right. Um article 10, 200 and change for Comcast invoices from
FY25 because for some reason they can never fill it. I don't know. >> You know what happens that Yeah, that one that was was on me because I only pay the amount that's due. Oh, >> and I didn't realize that Roy had set up special plans and they changed. >> And I didn't know why they were I thought overbilling you. Well, it's
because our plan expired so the price went up. So, >> yeah. So, I've got to make good of it. >> Um, article 11, $69,000 from the community preservation fund for removal of overgrown trees that are threatening gravestones held in the
cemetery. This was requested by the community preservation committee. >> That needs to be done. >> Yep. um article 12. Honestly, I read this and I do not understand what the language I don't know what it means. >> And maybe I need to make it more um elegant, but
um what I should tell you is that we had a gentleman come in, Jeffrey Bolino, who grew up in Conway >> on Main Street. >> He's a neighbor. >> Yeah. and um he does a lot of work um with towns where basically he'll help
identify he's an engineer. He he'll help identify especially culverts covers and dams and things and um for sort of an initial skin in the game from the town, say maybe $3,000 per project, he will do a whole write up for
it and then apply for the grant and get the funding for the town. And of course it works for both parties because we're getting somebody to write the grant for us but he's also getting work out of it. >> So that when we had conversation last
week that led me to say okay I have this account that was for grant match and administration but it doesn't say anything about being able to spend the funds on engineering or anything else to do with applying for grants. So I just wanted to open up that wording to be allowed to do that because then we
already have a pot of money we can use for this. Awesome. >> So, I just I think we I guess no it is the grant match and administration. Maybe we should just change the name of the account or something like just to make I mean it's because it's not match and it's not administration. It's really more like
>> well it could be for match and it could be for administration. So I could talk with Mike about how he wants that word to be able to incorporate all of these things. I wanted to make it clear. >> Okay. Um, article 14 would
uh change one of the articles or would amend our general bylaws um to indicate that we would no longer mail the town warrant or town reports >> um every year. So, uh, instead of being
mailed or otherwise delivered a copy to each head of family, um, it would instead be posted on the website with print copies available at town hall, town offices, field memorial library, and conway post office. I would just like I think but they should also be available upon like we should mail them if people request.
>> Oh, okay. >> So, >> well, we can always do that, but >> yeah. Um, but maybe just clarify that like that we still will have print copies available. If people want them, we'll send them. I I agree. That's It's a pretty big expense to mail. >> It's a big expense and honestly the post
office you It's sad. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> Um and article 14, this was submitted by the town clerk. Um this would basically again amend our bylaws to indicate that
if someone is elected um to a board we talk are we talking about election or appointments as well? I wasn't clear about that. This just says if someone is elected >> Yeah. I >> to a board or committee that if they haven't, you know, basically like
verified that they understand open meeting law and they haven't done their conflict of interest training. Basically, all the things that we we all have to do as you know, public servants. If they haven't done that within um what is it 30 days or six within 30 days of starting their public service, then basically that appointment or election
will not be valid. They will not be a voting member of the board. um and any committee action. >> I don't you know I mean >> Lori chases so many people for so many things it's a responsibility to do these
things. >> Yeah. I think she just wanted to to have it somewhere codified that she could say okay if you don't do it by the state guess what you're not on because you're not even willing to come in and do what you're supposed to do. >> Yeah. And I I mean like according to like mass general law, I
mean we really can't have anyone serving on the board or committee who hasn't >> gone through these steps. So um I think that's a reasonable >> So it does say to to all board members of boards and committees who may be elected or appointed. So
>> I think it just is stating that after town election is when she's required to send out the notification because that's Yeah. Because you all do your appointments in June. codes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, what about what when we have these like interm appointments, like someone who's just filling out a
term? >> Um, yeah, >> maybe that's a question for Lori, whether >> Yeah, >> because we've certainly had that where someone just is only going to be in a role for, you know, six months. >> Well, just Exactly. Yeah. So, >> um, yeah, I would like some get some clarification from Lori about that, I
think. But otherwise, >> makes sense. Well, it does say within two weeks of a member's election or appointment or the taking of oath of office, they have to do the >> open meeting law materials. So, yeah, we could
>> It sounds like it covers it. >> Yeah. Although it says immediately after every town election to notify writing all members of boards and committees. So, maybe we can just I don't know after after a town election or >> Oh, an appointment. Every other elected
member and every appointed member of every border commission of a town and every other elected officer and every appointed officer of a town shall also before entering upon his official duties be sworn to the faithful performance thereof. So >> that three times fast. >> Every every every
>> but I will I will get and Donna probably has some. >> Yes, it's >> Let's go back to what we said about free cash before. You said 500. Um I just tallied up 275,000. >> That's what I got too. I got less than 300 though. >> And then take off 250. >> Why?
>> Why? >> Cuz you have to keep 250 in there. >> No, I know that. >> These add up to 300. >> It adds up to 275. >> Let me see where I sent those to you guys. >> Yeah. I did the same thing. And I was like, "Wow, that's not even close to
>> If we have 894 in the purse, that would remain give us 6 almost 619 remaining." So, you might be right that everything might add up to 500 something, but free cash is only 275,000.
>> Free cash 275 plus 250. >> But why are you adding 250? >> Because you have to keep it in the bank. >> I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about how much we're spending out of free cash. >> Yeah. Oh. Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. I was just talking about >> No, I know we have to keep it in town. >> We're going to have 619 remaining
>> for town. Yeah. I mean, I would be a little nervous if we went into town meeting with like 300. Yeah, I would be nerv especially if we went in with 500 asking for 500 of free cash >> for Yeah. special town meeting but I think annual town meeting to go in with you know >> Yeah. Yeah. >> with over half.
>> Okay. Yeah. Because I did I was adding it up on >> I know I sent you all the but I can't find my phone. >> I mean I just went through these warrant articles and anything that said from Right. Right. It's less than $300,000. >> Right. Right. Right. So, yes, you have to something, but if you add 250, then
we only That's what I'm saying. >> Yeah, that's confusing as hell, but thank you. >> Yes. If we want to leave 250 in three cash, then we only have we have like four. >> No, we have 600. >> Well, no, but but >> if you want to leave, and I get what
you're saying. So if it's this plus 250 plus 250,000 >> for next year >> that means that we only have >> for next next year you're correct >> for annual >> 370,000. >> See that's what I was saying.
>> I get what you're saying now. I just was making sure we're not going like Erica said I actually understood everything. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You sit with her too long. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, yeah. I mean that that is
going to show more. >> I I've been sitting here super depressed. I'm like, how are we going to go into special >> asking for 500,000? Yes. Yes. Well, that's why I started it by saying you all voted 250,00.
Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. But I So I will ree the chart and key account balances. >> It's fine. We can add it from here. That's totally fine. >> Okay. All right. Um All right. So, uh I'm going to make a
motion that we close the warrant. Um at this point, uh obviously there will still be review by our legal council and there may be some, you know, minor edits, but at this point, >> we're doing our recommendations on the next. >> Yeah. August 17th with the finance committee. So, we will we are not we
will not be adding any more um articles to this special town meeting warrant. I will second your motion of closing the warrant. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay, opposed the warrant. Um, all right. TA update Baron, you already
gave us bit of an update on that highway. >> I think I pretty much gave you everything. >> Okay. Yes. >> And then as always, Bar shows up on the website. >> Um, select board member comments, concerns. I just have I don't know if Ron is on this or not, but at the corner
of Elm and Reed's Bridge, right where they come together to the if you're going up Elm on the right hand side as Reed's Bridge comes in there is a beaver dam. >> Yes, he knows about that. >> Okay. So, I don't know if he has to work
with an EPO or >> Yeah, he he needs to Yeah, he mentioned it to me. Even in a drought, >> of course, this beaver's been very busy >> and it is at street level. >> So, I can Oh, yeah. So, I can see a little more rain. It'll be over the
street. It'll get snowy and icy and that will be >> one big slip. >> I mean, it is like grimming the road. >> Yeah. >> And it's just gotten thicker bigger, but I don't know what >> if it's the one. Okay. So like basically
if you're looking at Reed's Bridge coming into Elm. >> Yeah. >> It's right there. Correct. >> Yeah. He knows. He pointed that out to me. So he definitely knows about it. >> I don't know if he needs to work with an environmental >> I think he needs to be with the con about that first.
>> You better get on it cuz it's going to if it overflows the road, it will then ice up and be very bad. >> Yep. >> And did you meet with him about the signs yet? because I actually I told you I wanted to I wanted to redo them. The parking signs.
>> Uh we just talked about that today and um we kind of agreed hopefully you would agree that we don't need extra one at the corner. >> Okay. >> Just the one that says public parking up there, public parking there, and then the signs for that. >> Okay. >> Was there something you wanted?
>> No, I just wanted to um I was just I just was going to update them so that they use the same proced so that there's visual cohesion. >> Yes. Sure. >> So I can I'll send you the files. >> Yeah. Yeah, that that'd be great. Yeah, because I have no idea which one to use. So >> I see.
>> Um Okay. Mail a letter to the highway department. Is that >> Oh, that's in there. You can read that. It's great. >> I have concerns over snap, which we already talked about. >> Yeah. Oh, wait. Sorry. I mean, he does
know that. Um, oh, uh, from the winters on Roy Brook Road. Thank you. Thank you. For whatever reason, the road got done and it is so nice. >> A nice letter. >> Wow. >> A nice letter to the highway. >> Maybe it was on the list, but makes a
great bit of difference driving. I love it. And thank whoever responsible for getting it done. They also took out the dip at the bottom of the driveway. My car thanks you, etc., etc. >> Need to make a motion. You buy a frame for that. I have some in the office if you want. I'll
>> There you go. >> Can we keep some glitter? >> Yeah. >> I am concerned about SNAP and I just want to get the word out there that everybody joined in on any availability for people that have food insecurities. There are 110 members in
Conway that are on SNAP. Um nationally, 40% of pe of the part of people on SNAP are children. It's a very messed up situation. Darius sent out an amazing letter to his staff and team and
us um about what the schools are doing to help mitigate uh the issues. The churches have stepped up, the uh library stepped up. Um which is great. It's just, you know, I have my
concerns that um anything's going to go through that's going to stop the process. That's obviously in play. >> So, >> well, this afternoon they released >> half of >> Oh, did they half half of the >> half in like a month or something? Like,
>> not today. Like in a month you get >> not today, but >> after you haven't gotten it. So, basically, you're going to >> Yeah. You know, back in March, the USDA through Doge had cancelled two um programs worth $2 billion that would
have paid US farmers >> to supplement um food through SNAP and other programs and then this happens. So, it's just going to be a tsunami of um >> affecting most vulnerable. >> Yeah. Affecting the most vulnerable
people. Even if they released only half of that's not enough. Oh, so a half in a month probably. >> Right. Right. It's not enough. >> So after Thanksgiving, >> right? Right. >> Already when you haven't gotten it in six weeks, >> even uh uh who's bahan?
>> Yeah, >> no. Scrooge. >> Scrooge. Even Scrooge didn't say he'd startup children during Christmas. Right. >> So anyway, that's just my concern. I just want to make sure that all of us participate in getting the word out there that there are options outside of
um SNAP that the local community is um trying to help with >> work us to work on an article and we can just run it every month in the current >> where things are available. >> Yes, that'd be a great idea. >> The Asheville food food pantry is great. the when we had a
>> 4 club, we used to have the kids go up there and bag things and donate their time and they are very wellrun, >> right? >> Yes, it's embarrassing for a country with the wealth.
>> Thanks. Um, any announcements? Um, all right. Well, with that, our next meeting is joint meeting with the finance committee um November 17th. That's in two weeks. Um and we'll actually start at 5:30 with a it's a
poll hearing technically, right? But it's about the battery storage facility, too. >> Yes. So, there are two polls that they want to put up >> that have to do with the mobile battery storage. Um yeah, and I'm hoping they will explain a little bit more to us. And actually, Chief Baker wants to speak
with them as well, at least before it goes in. Um, so I don't know if he wants to come to as well to the poll. I didn't He doesn't know what it is. So >> that extra poll is still by Denise Dwelli, by the way. I don't I maybe it's not Ever Source. Maybe it was a third party like Comcast or somebody. >> There's still extra polls done like they
wrote. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I um I I have heard from a couple residents on Marin Road who are very pleased with the work that Eversource did in moving the wires after after um but uh because they were told
by Eversource that then it's up to Verizon and Comcast. >> It's not Eversource's polls, >> right? So um that was one of my questions for Eversource if there's any way that they can massage that relationship with Verizon and >> they started on Weightley Road taking out the extra poles and then suddenly
the work stopped. >> Yeah. who did uh Verizon and whatever they took out some polls and >> so yeah just I just want to check in with them about that because it and it's nice that the presidents are pleased with the work that's done but now they're ready for the second phase and and they they did I mean I did explain
that it's not up to Eversource it's now like Verizon and Comcast but the extent to which we can put some pressure on them >> yeah we we could and I know um reple had given me some information my problem is I don't have a location of all those polls so I don't you know I can't like run around town and like Mark, you know,
I I need to know where they are so that I can >> all of them. I mean, >> and then some on or I'm sorry, not Ring Brook. Um, Poland, that's why I kept saying I kept saying Ring Brook, not uh >> the um north, I guess. North is
>> north is where the Bridtons represents. >> No, in Maine >> Maine. >> Okay. So we got Brian >> like pass like past well like where bullet comes down and wait >> that's the one and then the one by
Denise is what is her road I walk it every day >> um Manning >> right you had sent me the picture of that that's what I sent to play >> okay
>> oh Um, okay. Our senator Ed Marky is running for office again next year, >> right? And I he's >> going to be turning 80 years old. >> He's still leading. I just today he's he's still leading against his challenges.
>> And I know he beat a Kennedy and I understand that he'll be 84 by the time it's done. >> If we've learned anything from the current situation, >> I would really hope that they would try to get some new >> faces in there.
That's all I'll say about that. >> All right. Um, motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor?