Okay, welcome to the town of Deerfield select board of health sewer commissioners meeting for November 19th, 2025. The time is 6 pm. Um, I'll read this again. Uh, this is a hybrid meeting uh both Zoom and in the main main meeting room at 8 Conway Street South Deerfield Mass. This meeting will be
held in a hybrid fashion with both with the opportunity for both in-person attendance and remote participation. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy of the public, the meeting or hearing will not be suspended or terminated, if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise
required by law. Members of the public with a partic plans for inperson versus virtual. The meeting will be held in person in the main meeting room of Deerfield Municipal Offices in accordance with
Mass General Law Chapter 3A. Anyone intending to record the meeting must identify themselves to the clerk and provide their name and address for the for the record. Uh so I'll call the meeting to order. Um we have public comment. So anybody that wants to make a
comment on anything that's on the agenda or otherwise um welcome to do so at this time. We could take public comment now. What? I think that's probably the best idea. If you have a public comment, we'll we'll take that right now.
>> Yeah, we're not deciding tonight, but but sure. I just if we were able to uh Yeah, love to hear it now. That' be great. Right. >> Matt Tuttle, One Weightley Road. >> Welcome. Hey,
>> I'm here to voice my opposition to renewing the Treehouse Entertainment License as it currently stands. >> Oh, are you not able to hear me? >> Yes, that's great. Thank you so much. >> All right. without any uh conditions or limitations uh on the number of concerts
or the decibel levels. Um I would like to thank Blake Gilmore for taking our concerns seriously uh previously. Excuse me. And visiting residents on concert nights to experience the issue firsthand.
I would also like to thanks Trevor for acknowledging during his visit to my property in the 2025 season that concerts were too loud. Um, while I've emailed, called in noise complaints, and spoken with most of you directly throughout the 2025 concert series, I
would like to again reiterate the Yep. Go ahead. Yep. No worries. >> I'm not anti- Treehouse, but I do not believe I should sacrifice the peace and quiet of my home so that they can increase their profits. During the spring 2025 meeting,
Treehouse representatives assured concern residents that there would be no increase in the number of concerts. Yet, in 2024, Treehouse hosted concerts in the mid20s, while the 2025 season increased to 33 or 34.
All other residents and businesses in Deerfield are required to adhere to the town's noise ordinances. Treehouse, however, has been granted an exemption at the direct expense of their neighbors quality of life. There's a no there's a noticeable difference in the noise
pollution between opening acts and headlining acts. This indicates to me that Treehouse can address noise pollution concerns when they choose to, but is electing not to do so consistently. Treehouse has repeatedly stated that they have learned a lot about managing
concert noise, but I've yet to see or hear any meaningful application of that knowledge. All that said, after reading the restrictions the select board plans to put in place to address these issues, I am concerned that because no baseline
testing was performed during the 2025 concert season, we will find ourselves in the same situation during the 2026 season. Rather than adopting the 100 decel limit suggested by the World Health Organization, why not require concerts to remain at the 80 decel
limits that all other residents and businesses are required to adhere to? Over the past three seasons, town officials have been unwilling to effectively regulate ongoing concert related noise pollution. My concern is that the vague language combined with
tree houses deep pockets will result in continued disruption to neighboring properties with fines that are easily absorbed and therefore have therefore have no meaningful impact on concert frequency or volume. I did not move next to a nuisent
nuisance expecting it to change. Rather a nuisance kn move moved into our neighborhood and the select board has given it free reign to impact its neighbors. >> Thank you. Can you give a copy of that to uh >> Yeah, >> so we can absolutely love to have a copy. >> Appreciate it.
>> Thank you, Matt. Appreciate it. >> Any other comments? Any any topic or this one or any other? So, please write climb climb up. Yep. Just have a seat and just state your name and address and Yeah,
>> sure. Uh Vinnie Russo, five hillside. Um the first comment was I wanted to know if Sue Patterson and Tammy Gaylord's letter would be read. Uh because that will impact what my comment is because the letter that she sent in I agree 100%
with and I would only have a couple additional comments. >> You you're free to make any comment. I'm not sure we're reading everyone's letter tonight. So we're just starting the process. So if you if you would like to read anything or make a comment >> I can if I may. May I please clarify
that uh it is in your packet and uh we had put it >> we we can read it during the public comment. It was put on the correspondence because it was a a correspondence. Uh so it was >> to be read tonight, but uh >> it could be read during this time as
well if if board you know. >> Yes. >> All right. Well, um regardless of when it's read, I agree with what she wrote 100%. I couldn't have said it better. Um I only had a couple small things to add to it. Okay. >> Um, so people might not be aware, but
there are 21 residences that have formed a group to discuss issues regarding Treehouse and the impact the noise levels have. Um, unlike what many people have propagated, the
group isn't about trying to shut Treehouse down. That's disingenuous. The group is about trying to find solutions and to hold Treehouse to be good neighbors and to come up with solutions if issues arise. Uh I just wanted to
make sure that I clarified that because they're very clear. They don't want to shut treehouse down. >> Understood. Um, on a personal level, in August and September, we frequently had not only our windows rattle, but pictures on the wall rattle.
And it wasn't constant. I mean, it's a concert. It was a lot of noise and then a little noise. A lot of noise, a little noise. You have to expect that. But it was so consistently loud that I frequently had to have the air conditioners on and the TV just to get
even a little bit of reprieve. Um, for the first time in my almost 60 years, I actually called in several noise complaints. And I've never done that. And it made me feel bad because I'm very pro business. I I own several
businesses, but it it just feels like there's no way to resolve that. Um, in terms of the decibel level, >> um, I am disappointed that that Treehouse wants to use the WHO recommendations because there are many
WH who recommendations based on circumstances and and which guidelines they're talking about. Um, for instance, who specifically states in their guidelines, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dB and at 100 or 100 plus
dB, it is considered the level above which double hearing protection is required. And OSHA says that exposure to 85 or above dB requires
hearing protection and 90 dB or above um employers are required to implement hearing conservation programs. And then they they go on to talk about anything more than that. Um,
the issue isn't that Treehouse is at these decibel levels for hours at a time constantly. It's how jarring it is. And there doesn't seem to be any way for residents who are negatively impacted to
feel like they're being heard or resolve the issue. >> That's my two cents. >> That's great. Thank you for sharing. Really appreciate it. >> Any other comments? um audience or online or >> No, I
>> would you want to read it or would you like it's at it's at the end or I can >> I can read it when we get to that spot. Okay, >> I'll read it then. >> I just want to Sure. Sure. Sure. Um okay, we we uh moving on then. Uh, seeing no other comment, the um we had a
hearing hopefully we're hopeull hope hopefully we were going to have a hearing from uh or appearance by uh Senator Kifer but she is um pulled away to Boston there have a a bunch of votes coming up uh tonight that weren't scheduled far enough advance so that we
we could um we didn't know about it enough so we had to cancel her appearance tonight. she um she's voting on some um important bills. It's the end of end of session and there's also um some funding bills that
it's important that she's in Boston to to vote for those on on behalf of us. So, um we'll look forward to seeing her another time when we reschedule. I know that she does have a um I saw an email from her today. She'll be having a a town meeting. I want to say it's
December 10th. Um I have that right. so we can get some information out if people would like to come and come to that town hall for her. Um, so next item is uh select board uh reports and announcements. Is there anything anybody
wants to hit on that? >> Yeah. Um, I went to the uh u meeting last night, the board hearing for uh Jonathan for what's it called? >> FCAT. >> FCAT. Okay. and it was very
enlightening. They have a lot of things on their agenda and I think one of the things that was one of the things he was uh asking was to make sure that the word got out that it was on January >> oh 17th is their 20th anniversary and
they're going to have a open house on at the Sunland Town Hall. Fantastic. That sounds great. So, thank you. Oh, yes, that's right. So, when you're done with this, jump onto the telephone and help Frontier if you can. Um,
anything you want to hit on? No. Um, I just want to take a a quick moment to um recognize the passing of a local businessman and local family member um uh Blake Gory who passed away this past week. And uh I know he very instrumental
in helping the town. Um he owned Gory Fabricators uh across the railroad tracks here and was uh instrumental in helping with his skills. I know a lot of times our DPW and our wastewater treatment plant and I'm sure many other people and um just close ties to the
community and just want to extend the condolences from the select board in the town uh on his passing. Um, I did also attend um maybe it was a week ago the um little more than a week ago the chapter 70
formula hearings that were uh taking place. Um the furthest one west in the state was at Greenfield uh high school auditorium and um many many people were there. our leaders were there, representatives and many
superintendents. Darius was was there um along with other educators and people involved and um just decrying the fact that uh chapter 70 formula is broken. Um just the way it it is formulated to fund education in the state. It's very
difficult. Um it relies on a huge part of it relies on income in a community and yet we have no way to tap that. I said just a meaningless number. Uh we only fund education through property taxes. So personal income really has
nothing to do with it. Um but it is a large part of it. And then with the declining enrollment um it's just very difficult. So I'm I'm grateful that they're that DESIE is working on that looking at it. Um we have a lot of
testimony that was given and um we're hoping that meaningful change will come and there'll be a rural factor along like uh like the state had done with chapter 90 and funding our roads. Uh there is a rural um factor that goes into the formula. So
we're hoping to see some of that change. Um so good first step and hope it hope it keeps moving. Greg is also in his capacity has been working on a lot of things with education funding and regionalization. Um
so I think that's it for me. Um board of health health agent uh items I've I've not uh heard from >> Yeah. No, I was just going to mention uh so today Ned and actually Alex as well
attended an opioid settlement fund uh webinar that MMA put on. Okay. Um, so you know, the town of Deerfield at this point has over $100,000 in these settlement funds. Um, I believe Valley Health Regional Collaborative had been working towards some kind of use of those funds collectively with other
towns. Um, not exactly sure the status of that, but um, you know, we're just kind of starting discussions around, you know, how to use this money. I think a lot of communities are kind of struggling with the how exactly can we spend this money and how what's the best way to use it, right? Um, and so Ned's
kind of helping spearhead that effort. Um, so that we can put that money to good use in abating the opioid epidemic here in Deerfield. >> Yeah. 100,000 sounds like a lot of money, but it it it goes pretty fast when you're trying to do something >> and and hence the the pooling with other communities to make sure it actually has an impact.
>> Yeah, absolutely. Great. Thank you. Um, so we have some minutes. Um, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes for November 12th, 2025 at 6 PM. Any other >> second? >> A second. Thank you. Any comments on
that? It look pretty straightforward to me. So nice that they're just not even a week old or maybe a week old. So, um, all all those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore. I >> Tim Hil. >> Chair McDaniel. I
thank you. Um, okay. So, discussion items. We have uh sewer rules and regulations. This is a first reading. Um you'll see in your packet um our regulations for the sewer uh regulations and
uh we've had a group of incredibly smart people working on this for for several uh several months. Um, we've been meeting regularly, Alex and Greg and um, Christopher and Matthew and Eric and and I had have been just kind of going over
the um, draft regulations and then coming up with changes that we think are most important for Deerfield. And um, do you want to hit on anything? And I >> Yeah, sure. I would just say real high level. So, you know, back in I think it
was 2022, we adopted chapter 150, which is our new sewer bylaw. Um, you know, that bylaw allows the the sewer commissioners, i.e. the select board, to promate some regulations so that we can actually, you know, u you know, be regulating our sewers and make sure, you
know, nothing nothing bad is going in there and that, uh, everyone's actually building pipes properly, etc. Um, so, uh, Lisa me, our town council provided some draft regulations. We've, you know, obviously had some staff turnover. So, we've just had the opportunity now that
we've got a great team in place to actually revisit those regulations. Um, and I just wanted to mention, you know, uh, you know, we also had Kyle Bet, our assistant, uh, you know, superintendent for the Department of Public Works help out. He did a lot of work on the collection system in Monagu. So, his
expertise is helpful here as well. Um, couple things I wanted to highlight. You know, a lot of this is about allowing Matthew as our superintendent of sewers um to be able to inspect and ensure that contractors and applicants are really um you know, building these things to the
proper specs. Correct. Um it, you know, a couple pieces that we haven't gotten to yet, but that we hope to in future years. Um a full industrial discharge permit. Um, so that's a that's an issue that Eric Meals, our chief wastewater operator, and Matthew are both
discussing. Um, but ultimately we want to make sure if you're doing business here in Deerfield, you know, if you have some real serious stuff discharging from your your business, um, that it's being pre-treated properly so that it doesn't have a negative impact on our treatment
plant. Um, and then a couple other things, um, I think we've we've been talking also about unmetered residences. So, we do have a handful of residences that are on sewer. They don't have a water meter for whatever reason. Um,
previously it was just up to the water district basically to actually get them metered up. Um, we are talking about implementing some kind of average bill for those houses. Um, just so just as a little nudge, hey, go out to the water district, get your meter, and make sure that you know you're actually paying for
the services that you're receiving, which is just fair to all of the residents that already pay. Um but happy to to entertain any questions from board members about any other issues. Um and just want to give certainly, you know, Alex Galloway, town planner, Matthew Morris, our superintendent, um you know,
a shout out because they were, you know, huge help in in getting this to this point. Um and I guess the last thing I would say is just that, you know, in future years hopefully we'll kind of do this in lock step with our rate hearing. So you'll get a notification in the
newspaper and you know on our website uh and then we'll hold a hearing both for the rates and then also for any updates to the regulation. So that'll be how it works going forward. >> Yeah. Thank you. Yes. So was uh we had a meeting this week and uh I was just super proud to be in the room with the
people and you can see the quality of questions and attention to detail they had on these um regulations. They're complex. There's a lot of things that go go into this um from dig digging in the ground and making sure the pipes are right to making sure the you know the
fines are correct and inspections are right and who's do who's doing the inspections and who's overseeing what. Um so very collaborative effort and um I feel pretty comfortable where we're at and I'm excited about the industrial uh discharge permit. So that's a lot of work that they're uh putting together
and um that'll help help a lot um just having a good baseline of what what businesses do what in town and um you know kind of we'll we'll have a good baseline test of what what BOD or load load is coming out of that facility. So,
um, again, just a first read, just look through it. If there's anything you want to talk about, happy to chat offline or, you know, we'll just kind of keep working. >> And I did just want to mention, so we'll, this is just a first reading tonight. Uh, next week we'll we'll take
another look at it and probably give it the thumbs up. And then it, uh, it actually has to run in the newspaper a few weeks before it goes into effect. So, uh, likely this will be effective January 1st of 2026. >> Perfect. So, just to clarify, we'll we'll take this up at our next select
board meeting. >> Yeah. For adoption. Yeah. >> And that'll be in December. >> December 3rd. Yep. >> And these allow um us from time to time to adjust these regulations. It's not something that has to go to the legislature. And
>> so, it frees up the town to uh respond if if some some unforeseen uh problem arises with something. So, >> Exactly. And it does. And at an even more kind of minute level, it does give the superintendent of sewers some
discretion on in certain areas as well, >> right? Yep. >> It's great work. So, thank you all very much. >> Really appreciate the attention to detail on that. >> Um, so next next item is a vote on the Cune Riddle contract amendment in the amount
of 55,000 for the 1888 building project. Um, do you want to hit on a quick update of what that's about and Sure. >> just some extra work that they're working on? Yeah. So, we we contracted with uh Kuneral for a first phase of the project back in I believe it was August
of 2024. Um and they developed some preliminary plans. Uh we got town meeting approval to uh you know spend CPA funds on the project and uh move forward with their final design. Um, you know, since then, obviously, we had bids
come in very low, luckily, and we've been working with WJ Malfford, the general contractor, uh, and Kieran Riddle, um, as that project obviously moves forward, uh, next door. Um, and so this contract amendment is about just a couple things. Um, one, uh, they had to
do a slight redesign of the elevator based on the elevator that the general contractor selected. Um, we didn't get any sub bids on the elevator. So, it was essentially that meant the general contractor got to basically pick, you know, what they were going to do. Um, and so there's a a slight redesign fee
in there. Um, we had not yet contracted for FF&E, so furnitureures, fixtures, and equipment. Um, so now this this contract amendment includes those services for Q Riddle. So, they'll help us pick the furniture, so to speak, and uh the color of the couches and all
that. Um and then also uh you know just overall I think Charles Roberts who's the the principal for Qan Riddle would just say you know the project is fairly complex given the historic uh component and the new addition uh next to it. Um so there's you know a little additional funding in there just to to compensate
them for their >> the serious construction administration they're doing right now and then all the hard work they did during the bidding phase of this project. Um and Tim, I don't know if you have anything you want to add to on the >> Well, one of the things that um before you open up walls, you don't know what's
behind them and uh there were some unexpected uh surprises uh loadbearing components of the original building were no longer in place. Um and the uh framing around the stairwells um was
also something that they were unaware that they would have to redesign. So >> Mhm. >> it just recognizes that uh Kuneral's been doing a good job for the town and um they've designed a great project and um going forward actually uh they were
willing to forego their their architectural design fee. Um it was really a $10,000 pro uh change, but um they for they decided not to take their $5,000 fee in recognition of
>> u wanting to keep a you know a collaborative atmosphere on the project. So >> I'm excited. It's going to look great. I'm really really happy uh to get in there and start picking furniture.
Great. I am I would yeah I mean I'd love to attend some of the meetings when it gets close to kind of figuring out that at you know the uh meeting room how we'll set that up um the equipment that'll be in there that kind of thing.
um something I've always wanted in in this space, but knowing that we weren't going to stay here didn't make sense to do. But I just think, you know, making sure that we invest in a good, you know, get rid of the cloth. I'm always, you know, just kicking this mic thing all
the time. A good plan of layout in there would be really good. >> Yeah. And I I got to say Greg's, you know, expertise with AV has been excellent in this area. So, he's been working closely with uh Valley Communications off the state contract uh to design, you know, a really top-notch
AV system for that meeting room. So, people won't be yelling at us to talk. >> So, it should be a better experience for everyone. >> That'll be great. Um so, let's see. I would um and the amount is 55,000, right? The change.
>> Correct. Yeah. And that's that's uh that's uh I'm going to say it wrong now, but it's 5,000 for the elevator um and 15,000 for the FFN and then the rest is for sort of the additional complexity in the design. Yep. >> Okay. So, um make a motion to um approve
the contract amendment in the amount of 55,000 for QR architect for the 1888 building project. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore. I >> Tim Hilchi. I >> Trevor McDaniel. I
um Okay. So, discussion of the Treehouse Brewing Company entertainment license letters from residents regarding the noise. Um I guess I will read the letter pointed out. Um >> yeah, it's way at the back of the packet there.
>> I think I got it here. This is from from Suzanne Patterson, correct? Yep. Okay. So, Treehouse uh Brewing, the Treehouse Brewing Entertainment License Meeting for 1119 2025. We have lived in South Deerfield on Jackson Road since
May 2002 and own two properties on Jackson. We are not anti-economic development of South Deerfield and the surrounding communities have um retired um and the surrounding communities have retired
from careers in real estate and financial services. We're uh excited about Treehouse coming to our community, enjoying their products, entertaining out of town family and guests at the Treehouse. However, the noise emitted from most of their outdoor concerts and events is negatively impacting the
quality of our life. Um, we can no longer enjoy sitting outside on our patio during most concerts due to the extreme loud volume of the music, especially the obnoxious bass tones and having uh to retreat inside of our home. Closing all windows and cranking the
volume of our TV to massive noise is not a solution. There's an old legal saying that one cannot complain if they move to a nuisance. But this situation is reversed and the nuisance has moved to us. Instead of just complaining, we want
to find a solution that works for all parties. As we know that Treehouse desires to be a good neighbor, here are our suggestions. One, hire an independent professional sound engineers to monitor the volume of the concerts during the duration of a concert. Making
the appropriate adjustments to lower the volume and emit the obnoxious bass tones. create a list of neighbors who will allow the sound engineers to come to their property to observe and record firsthand the levels of sound coming at them from the concerts. We will happily
entertain these engineers to visit our properties. Three, construct a full sound absorbing band stand which will also enhance the concert goers's experience. Four, add acoustic sound absorbing panels around the property. Uh, under no
circumstances should there be any increase in the number of concerts and events until the noise situation was is resolved to the neighbors satisfaction. As longtime residents, we are respectfully pleading with our elected res representatives and treehouse
management to solve the noise problem which is affecting our property as well as our mental and physical health. Sincerely, Sue Patterson, Tammy Gaylord, Jackson Road, South Deerfield, Mass. And um so I think
was that the only thing we had just a letter that >> we had the letter and uh you know, we just obviously want to start the conversation. So, this entertainment license that Triage Brewing Company has uh needs to be renewed uh or you know rejected or something before January 1st
of this year. Um you know, so in the past we had talked about making amendments to the entertainment license. I know we did a couple years ago uh when they proposed going to you know a higher occupancy threshold. Um that's when the you know emergency action planning really kicked in, right? Um, and I know,
uh, you know, there continues to be conversations between public safety and and Treehouse on that subject. Um, so this is really just a first kind of, uh, you know, opportunity to discuss it. Uh, you know, we'll have at least two more meetings in 2025. Um, and Greg and I did
uh meet with a representative from Treehouse today just to give them a heads up and then also talk about, you know, some potential um, you know, lowhanging fruit with that, you know, we have we've identified to maybe address some of the noise issues. Um, and Greg, I don't know if you want to speak to any
of that or or not tonight, but um, certainly just wanted to put it out there again because, you know, this the license has to be renewed before January 1. Uh, >> yeah, >> and we definitely want to leave plenty of time to do that. Um, go ahead, Craig. >> Yeah, I can add I mean I I put some
proposed conditions in there. They're just suggestions and and actually they they came from the three of you, I think, at different times and in conversations and uh so I it's just to, you know, bring them back uh to refresh your memory. Um the uh I mean I will say
uh the the WHO who WHO recommendation was actually was mine. Um and the reason I I put it out there was because they are the foremost experts in sound and health. Uh and that report um is gives you at least uh the expertise um in
terms of how sound is measured. So you know going to if it's okay I can respond to some of the comments made. Um, I think it's it's not a bad idea to have a a sound engineer uh take readings in a way that is actually professionally done
because I don't I kind of >> wonder if it if they have been done professionally um because there's it's you can't just take it with a decibel meter off your phone or something like that. Those aren't appropriate measurement devices. So, you need a specific type of device which is a more
professional device and it records in what they call a um sort of broadband. It's sort of an average decibel level. Um, and one of the things we brought up was, uh, because bass frequencies tend to propagate along the ground and and
they go in, uh, all directions, so they're omnidirectional. Um, they can build up in different locations. And so, one of the things we um, proposed, we're going to talk with Klondike. Um, you know, part of what went on was Allison
left and so they're getting a new government liaison in. >> Correct. And so that's kind of slowed down some of the the discussions. But um we are going to have a conversation with them about you know how difficult is it to fly uh the subwoofers because that
gets them off the ground and it allows the bass to be at least a little more directional towards the ground at an angle which can help in terms of uh sort of keeping those bass >> frequencies from propagating along the ground. So, right, that's and and it's actually um
>> recommended in the WHO that it's it's a better listening environment. So, we'll see. I don't know what, you know, I'm not a a PA expert. My expertise is in in uh sound recording, but I understand sound. So, I'm kind of curious just to see um you know, what if any concerns
they may have in terms of when they're doing uh amplification. So, um but that is going to be scheduled in the next uh week or two. Okay, good. >> Uh with Treehouse because they would like to, you know, also hear about that. They're they're open to that. Um so those are, you know, some of the things
that we talked about today and you you can look at these proposals and, you know, sort of mle them over. Um yeah, I think it's important that we have also Treehouse to be able to be a part of the discussion in an open meeting so that they can respond as well. So, I think
that um they're looking at either, you know, your next two meetings, the 3rd or the 17th. >> Yeah, I'm just I I agree with all of that. I think um it's a it's a hard subject because you it's not like
there's not an easy answer and it's not like, oh, you just do this short of not having concerts, which I don't think um is the answer either. And I don't think that's what advocates are asking for either. But there has to be a way to um
make it so not so unbearable that it's, you know, it's just uncomfortable to listen to, uncomfortable to live around. Um so I don't think there's ever going to be this perfect solution, but I think we need to continually get better and better at it. And um
and there, you know, there has to be issues around scheduling. I was very serious about not holding them the first night of a school or during during that time and that was ignored last year. So, um I'm going to be very serious about that this year and the way their
schedule is and how many concerts they have at specific times. So, I'm also curious, you know, talking with our attorneys what leeway we have and what leeway we don't have. Um because it's not just a, you know, we don't just make all the rules. You have to follow the law as well. They have a they have a
specific district entertainment district that has different rules than anybody else in town. And the reason we did that was to get economic development into the town. Um but it does you know that comes with difficult conversations and different issues that you you think you can manage but not always super easy.
So, um, so I I look forward to continuing these discussions to make sure that we can, uh, be very clear and serious about what we're asking them to do and make sure that it gets done. Um, while recognizing there's no perfect solution and there will still be I'm
sure there will still be concerts that are too loud for some people. Um, it's just there's not a there's not an easy answer, but there has to be a an improvement, a significant improvement to the people that have serious concerns need to get need to get done. So um
>> so I have some questions about um what our legal rights are. Is it possible to issue a temporary license or when the license has to be renewed if we haven't satisfactorily got an agreement with Treehouse that we
feel is forwardlooking and respectful of the residents? Do we just not I mean I I guess this is a question I need to understand. Can we say we're going to give you a temporary license so you can continue to operate through January, but we need to make progress on these things
and can we do a temporary for February until we actually get a satisfactory agreement? Because one of the problems with this is um the same band played two nights in a row. One night it was very disruptive and the next night it wasn't at the same places in town. And if
Treehouse is not paying for monitoring, um, they're not going to learn. >> And one of the things that we've been repeatedly told by Treehouse is, "Oh, we're willing to work on this." And they have made changes, but they haven't monitored to find out what the effect of
those changes were. So, um, without an effective monitoring component, we're just guessing. And so, um, you know, we need to know what our rights are as a town visav this entertainment district.
And if we need to revisit what the entertainment district allows because it has to encompass the whole district, it can't be aimed at any one party. >> Correct. >> Um, we need to do that. Uh, because we can continue to talk about this for five years, but unless some of these things
happen, nothing's going to change. >> Yeah. And I would just mention we'll certainly have council present for uh this the 3rd or the 17th whichever meeting we end up if or both if we end up uh discussing at both meetings. >> The other thing I will say too is that I
had no idea how many concerts were there were going to happen last year because effectively what Treehouse has told us is we don't know in advance. So, it comes as a surprise when they start out with 12 that they've booked and then it ends up being 30. And um you know, we've
told them that we don't want these things happening during school time, but there were several in school time. So, these things at a minimum need to be addressed. Concerts and school time, no. Maybe Friday night, maybe Saturday night in the school,
>> but not Tuesday, not Thursday. >> Right. So, >> and I know I agree with that and I I think you know some of the feedback that we heard is really um it as much as people think it it's a huge money maker, it is not a huge money maker. it does
drive business and obviously they wouldn't do it if it wasn't profitable and they've tried to refine it over the time. But there is um the reason they're able to get these bands kind of is because they get a midweek when they're traveling from their more expensive
venues. So they're kind of going to Albany and they'll swing by on a Thursday and do a show because it they can pick it up. uh it's cheaper for for Treehouse to get that get that in there and make make the whole economics of having a concert worthwhile once you pay
for all the police detailing, you know, everything that goes around paying the band and all the things that we can imagine cost to put a concert on. Um and and really they're getting ticket price for sure, but they're selling the beer. So there, you know, it's a balance. It isn't a massive money maker. So that
there's this it's it's kind of having that conversation on what makes economic sense and then you know it will cost more to do them on a weekend through that school time but we we feel like um
I feel like the the you know the parents have kids trying to get the kids to bed and it's it's super rocking loud at 10:00 or 9:30 even uh 9:00 when you're trying to get the kids to school. So um I am aware of the economics of it. So I
don't you know not naive that it's difficult uh to balance all of that. So I just want to definitely have that more in-depth conversation with them about like how do we make it work for everybody cuz you know 90% of the people
are thrilled every night there's a concert but there are people that live here right next door that are not thrilled in the least. And there's got to be a way to make that um you know make it more comfortable for them. For sure. >> Well, it also that the uh the time was
brought up on this and I think that some of those concerts ended at 9:30 at night and there was no ramification for that. I mean setting that time limit might might be a better thing because you got people that are trying to get to bed early and that sort of thing. And the other part of it is like I said the um
or that's already been said is that the uh somebody should be monitoring the volume of that of those concerts and was brought up tonight was the fact that the uh starting acts didn't cause a problem.
It was the main acts that started the problem and they they go on later and that's part of part of what we're trying to deal with. So I I don't understand why we can't have the main act at the same level as what the starting act is to make sure that that stays.
>> And again, we're not going to be 100% on this, but we can get as close to it as we possibly can >> as far as that goes. But I mean the restraints are going to have to be put in place because again it's we're here for the people in Deerfield and we need to make sure that they're you know you
like I said you got people working people that are being uh disrupted and uh when you hear somebody say I can't watch the football game because the noise is too loud and uh that those are things that you know it comes back to us
and it's got to be done. And the other part of it is which is has been said this I'm going to say it the third time should be no concerts on a school night period. And that's where I come from with that. And just one other thing I just want to say that um the town is
responsible for setting laws and and setting conditions for businesses to operate here. We're not responsible for those businesses profit margins. Correct. So, if it costs them money to have a concert and they have to pay for monitoring in order to make it a viable
business, then that's what they have to do. Um, I've it's been said that, you know, people don't we're we're only listening to Treehouse. Well, that's not true. I'm not listening to Treehouse. What I want Treehouse to do is to be a responsible neighbor. And I want to have
some say in what that means. And if it means you have to come up with a different way of doing your concerts, then that's what they have to do. If they're not making money, then why are they having the concerts? So, I mean, I want I I I buy Treehouse products. I
don't drink a lot of beer, but they make a good product. They make a good pizza. Um, they're when they're not having concerts, most people are happy for them to be here. So, we just need to figure out what are we legally able to do and
what are they willing to do to meet the needs of the residents whose lives are being impacted by this. But I'm not responsible for their profits. >> Okay. Um well, we'll continue the conversation, keep rolling on. We got
more items to deal with here. Um so uh we have a uh South County Senior Center intermunicipal agreement revision. Um the board of oversight uh which I also sit on is has been working
for the last um let's say year or more on kind of just updating the language of the agreement. Um it it's it's 15 years old or something like that. It's been been around a long time. And
so we just kind of updated a few different things. Um and I guess the main item is we we wanted to um let me back up. When we originally had this agreement,
we were in the 1888 building and there was just like, oh, here's a spot we can seniors can be for now. And the structure of how we paid for things where was kind of like a quick agreement like we'll, you know, all three towns
put in for the uh for the operations budget, but Deerfield's kind of stuck with dealing with the building, you know, and and now we we're in a lot of different spaces. lease spaces. It's just a different animal at this time. So, um and and the and the split was
just like 50% Deerfield, 25% Weightley, 25% Sunderland. And we just felt like we should do um the cost sharing similar to to how we would do the schools. It really based on population and a 5-year rolling average. So um so we didn't have
just giant swings each year of like oh there's you know 30 more people from lately this year and 10 from you know just wanted to get a rolling average. So a lot of that came down to you know population of people over 55 in a community um and then uh or excuse me
over 60 60 and older. So the annual budget aortionment costs each member town uh share of the net budget of the senior center shall be proportional to each member's each uh member town's senior population age 60 and older according to the most recent federal
census uh for each town and we looked at like all the different census times and it it really works out to about forget what the number was exactly 52% deerfield like weightly was a bit lower was a bit higher than in the 25. Um, so
that that's kind of one of the changes we had made. Uh, oh, I see Jen here and she >> um, so so just to clarify, um, we went through data back about 30 years for
federal census data um, back to the ear or almost back to 1990. Um, we were trying to go back further, but we couldn't. So, um, the percentage-wise, Deerfield would be at 54%, I believe Sunderland would be at 28.7%
and Weightley would be somewhere around 18% uh, moving into fiscal year 27. Um, and that's in uh, not just with the uh, federal census, but it basically coincides with our analytical data that we've been tracking for the My Senior
Center, as well as to how many people have been coming. So it really coincides um and is fluid with or with consistent with that. Um and then I believe in the original agreement it said that the IMA was supposed to be reviewed every 10
years or so and it's been 15 um since it was executed the last time. and we um are using federal census data and when we so that's consistent for 10 years and
the trend uh with the population in all three towns moving forward it's going to be consistent with that until we got the next federal census uh data in 2030. And just be mindful, you usually don't get the data until about 3 years into the
next um the next, you know, a 3 years after the uh receipt of the federal census data. Um so once it's completed in 2030, you won't get it till about 3 years later. >> Thank you. the other um the other area that we changed the board of oversight
um and we're trying to kind of group in some of the active members of the community. So it isn't just the board of oversight. So the board of oversight shall compose of one member of the select board of each member town or
their design. In addition, each select board shall appoint one active senior center member from their town to the board in an advisory capacity. So um we really are trying to foster more you know more of the seniors to take an
active role in the governance of the of the body and uh they would be an advisory role but that you know a lot of the all the boom members are working or away and not at the senior center all the time. We're very involved and we have meetings all the time but um and
Jen keeps us up to date on on on everything going on but you know we're not there every day. So, we're we're looking to bring in and appoint a um a member from an active member from each community to to sit at the table with us and make these decisions and kind of
take a vested interest in the direction of the senior center. Um so, it was really that and the annual budget aortionment. We went through all the other stuff, but not >> Yeah. and and we've been um lately sent
this to their legal council back in June and we've been waiting for a response and we finally got one. Um and and the big key phrase though and I just want to bring up the reason we're putting in there or it was agreed upon by the boo um with with my suggestion that there's
an active senior or person who comes to center because on some of the COAs there are members who are appointed who never step foot in the center. Um so I think it's really important that those who are engaged and attend activities on a
regular basis really have a voice as to what they would like to see. >> Yeah. And a lot of towns, you know, the the COA, we say COA, it's council on aging. Um that's generally where the funding comes from the states to council on aging comes through the towns and
then put through into a program. Um and and in many towns it it's different in all kinds of towns. Some some towns are very active COAs and they're involved and making decisions and all of that kind of thing. And and in our community, we've struggled a little bit
to get enough people kind of on a COA and making making recommendations because we're three towns. You've got all these members together and it's just been difficult. So, we thought this would be a great way to have the people who come to the meetings, are involved in the discussions, are at the senior
center, have a seat at the table to advise us on on some of the decisions being made. So, that's that pretty much it. So, I don't know if we want to think about this for a week or vote on
it next time or you want to take a vote tonight. I'm open to anything or if you want to review it. I can tell you that we I was just on Wheatley's and they voted to approve theirs. So, just so you're aware >> and you want to take a you want to take a >> I'd like to look at this better. >> I agree. >> Yep. Okay.
>> And I just have one question, Jen. Does this reflect the attendance as well? Is that Deerfield has the higher people attending and then Sunland and Wely or does that not come? >> That's accurate. Um and not just with attendance but with uh population as
well. Deerfield has 1639. Sunderland has 844 and Weightley has 544 based on the 2020 census. Again, the percentages uh with the number of members, it it's it runs the same. Deerfield has more than Sunderland and
then Wheatley's lower. And then um you know, we do have the surrounding communities, but as I mentioned previously, our seniors like to senior center hop to based on programs. So, it's hard to to collect money from other communities for that. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> Um, this is just a peripheral um related to senior center activity. Um, I know that EDM has done a study of the Sunderland property and they looked at
the this building. Um, but I didn't get very detailed information about this building. So, I'd like to ask um Christopher Dunn to go back to EDM and and ask them specifically what
is the minimum amount of work that needs to be done on this building to make it a viable alternative for future senior center programming. >> That information was was given out in the um in the handout. one page. There's a onepage document, Jennifer, on this
building and it has a large number, but there is a lot of variation on what's a what was done on Sunderland. And I'd like to see a similar approach to this building, which says for $2 million you can do this, for $4 million you can do that, and for 8 million, which is the
only number I saw about this building, you can do X, Y, and Z. So, I think there might be some money left with EDM that they could do a little more work. I'd certainly like to see that. >> Yeah. And Chris Mati from EDM Studio and I have been kind of playing phone tag
over the last few days. So certainly when we connect we can talk about, you know, what remaining fee they have um and you know if we want to look at a revised scope for this building. Certainly an option that we could discuss. >> Agreement with that. >> All right. Well, we'll put this off to
the next meeting on the 3. >> Yep. So we'll we'll reconvene on the IMA on the third. >> Sounds good. Thank you, Jennifer. Um, okay. So, there's a letter of support for the Old Deerfield Cemetery Association gravestone restoration at
Laurel Hill Cemetery Community Preservation Fund application. I thought we did this last week or is this another one that's different? Um, we just go back. >> Is this a different one? No, I can't remember the other. The other one I
think was >> Yeah, this is for a different one. >> Different cemetery. >> Yeah, they they apologized. They actually wanted them both to be on the same meeting. >> Said they said, you know, could you please put it on the next one so that we can get a letter of recommendation? >> So, they send their apologies, but hopeful that you'll support it like you
did the last one. >> Okay. Yeah. This letter uh so this is a letter Deerfield Community Preservation Committee. This letter affirms the select board support for the old Deerfield Cemetery Association's pending CPA funding application, Laurel Hill Cemetery Historical Gravestone
Preservation for 4 $4,984. The select board appreciates that this project follows up larger conservation work completed in 2014, privately funded and 2020, which was a 50/50 combination of private and CPA funds. The select
board understands that um Old Deerfield Cemetery Association's um uh request covers direct costs associated with the repair of damaged historical gravestones and cleaning of many other historical gravestones threatened by grime buildup and
extensive mildew, mold, lykan growth. Uh, the select board acknowledges and thanks the ODCA for its ongoing stewardship of Laurel Hill Cemetery, including its wall, fence, and tree projects that will cost over 50,000 during the 2024 2026 time period. The
select board joins Deerfield Historical Commission in supporting the current phase of historical gravestone conservation at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Sincerely, sincerely, Trevor McDaniel, select board chair, and maybe all the board members be great.
Board. Uh, so motion to approve the letter. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore. I >> Tim LG. >> Chair McDaniel. I There's a method to the madness. Thank you, Tim. Um, okay. Okay. The
energy conservation committee decarbonization roadmap assistance application letter of support and certification of applications. So this is um this is coming off the heels of town meeting um and this is a
request for uh funding for um a grant uh decarbonization planning assistance grant application. Um, let's think about this a second and read it over
so I know we applied before, correct? And this is another application and this would um this was kind of helped the town lay out a road map to try to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use
by 2050. based on our vote we just had. Um, and this is a request to do that. Um, so the letter states, um, this is a director of the green communities program. The town of Deerfield is
pleased to apply for technical assistance to create a decarbonization roadmap in preparation for of becoming a designated climate leader community. Deerfield became a green community in 2011 and we look forward to continuing our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in our municipal buildings, schools, vehicle fleet, and within the community. Deerfield recently made the commitment to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use by 2050. Uh both the finance committee and our capital improvement planning committee uh have made a commitment to extend their long range
plans in order to better anticipate future costs. uh this technical assistance will assist them in their efforts and bridge uh build bridges with the other with their communities. Um by submitting this application, a town of Newfield acknowledges that we are
seeking to meet the other climate leader requirements within uh a year of technical assistance award. Um the town of Deerfield looks forward to continuing to work with the Deerfield, excuse me, the Department of Energy Resources. Sincerely, Trevor McDaniel, chair of the
Deerfield Select Board. Um, any comments on that? Any Yeah, I'd like to see if we could ex wave this to the next meeting as well. I want to look into this a little bit more than what what's here. I just want to know where this is going to lead us to.
>> Okay. Uh, what do you know what the deadline is for the grant application? Do we know? Let me just see. [Music] Yeah, I'm happy to push this to the next
meeting. Yeah. >> Um I just >> I will say that I I had suggested some editing to this letter uh >> to the letter to the letter and >> for whatever reason it didn't get >> okay. I don't know if the the the edits would be acceptable to this commission. >> Okay.
>> If they were to, you know, soften the language about, you know, what we were committing to. >> Okay. >> So, >> yep. >> Um, >> so a little bit more work on the letter and then just love to know when the dates are for the thing. >> Um,
>> well, the we went through this once before. We agreed to do this. We sent a letter. >> Yeah. And um we had only achieved three of the six things that they wanted us to achieve. >> We've achieved a couple more. >> Yeah. Well, one I mean town meeting approved the decarbonization and this is
directed at decarbonization. So >> yeah, >> triumph. It certainly seems logical to ask the state to pay for a plan to decarbonize um if they their goal is to decarbonize municipal buildings that >> um they should offer the technical assistance that says this is what you
need to do and this is how much it's going to cost. Yeah. >> And um you know so that's why I'm in favor of getting the technical assistance. Agreed. >> What we do with it afterwards is of course subject to future boards etc. >> Absolutely. But it would help. >> Yeah.
>> What what the what the what the road map would be, what we would need to do. >> Um >> because otherwise we're flying blind. >> Correct. Yeah. You would have no idea. Um >> so if I may, I'll just mention that uh in MA Swedland's original email with these materials, she did mention that
the deadline to email the application is November 28th. So that's next Friday. Uh we do not have a meeting scheduled till December 3rd. Of course, we could meet before that. We could meet on Monday. >> Yeah. >> Would that give you some time to look into it, Blake?
>> Yep. >> Okay. It' be a short meeting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They'll always sneak something else in. >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's fine. If you want to, you know, work >> and then we can we can make sure we have the right copy of the letter in front of
everyone as well. >> Okay, that sounds great. We'll do that. Moving on. So, hold that. Sure. Um so we have some uh board committee applications and general appointments resignations. So these I think are
appointments. So um uh A is Zachary Pelleteer, operator in training for the DPW full-time at 2190 per hour. Um I think there was a something in here, right? Did you see anything? >> I thought there was something here from
Matt on this. Um, yeah. >> Well, let's see. Yeah, here it is. Okay. Um, Zachary Pellete has been hired as an as an operator in training for the deer uh Department of Public Works. His anticipated start date will be Monday uh November 24th, 2025. He will be a
full-time employee scheduled for 40hour a week. Pay rate will be 21.90 per hour. Grade B step four. Mr. how it tier will be on the select board agenda tonight. Yep. Is on boarding paperwork can be scheduled to fit your availability.
Great. So that's good. Um so motion to um to appoint generally. Do we need to hire? >> Yeah. Yep. You got to appoint them. >> We have to appoint them. >> Really? Okay. >> For all the police officers.
>> I guess we do. I didn't think we appointed. All right. So I I will say Matthew also sent me a couple more details about his bio if you want to hear anything more about >> Sure. Sure. Uh yeah, he he he lives in Springfield. He uh has relatives in
Greenfield, however. Um and he's he's considering moving back up this direction. Um you know, he's been working as a uh a contractor, a state contractor on transportation projects. Um, and uh, you know, I he also owns his
own uh, auto repair shop. So, definitely a lot of great experience there. So, seems really knowledgeable and eager and great with repairs. So, an exciting addition to the team. >> Sounds good. I'll make a motion to appoint Zachary Pelleteer, operator and training for the DPW.
>> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> Yep. Was there anybody local that we could have gotten in gotten in for this position or is he been looking around at this for a while? >> Uh, well, I I believe the position has been posted since August, I think. Okay. So,
>> all right. Well, that's Matthew's judgment. If he thinks he's good fit for Deerfield, I'm happy for that. >> All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore, I. Tim Hilchi. I >> Trevor McDaniel. I uh and then uh Jeffrey Spencer Brown is um
looking to be appointed to the um the Deerfield Historical Commission to the select board effective immediately. Oh, this is uh see first we'll take the resignation of um Ben Benson, I think, from the from the uh Deerfield Historical
Commission's representative to the uh community preservation committee. At a regular meeting on November 10th, I nominated Jeffrey Brown to serve as the um Deerfield Historical Commission's representative to the CPC. uh was
approved by all members. So I ask that you confirm him to this position in your earliest convenience from Ben Benson. So I'll make a motion to um approve uh Jeffrey Brown to serve as Deerfield Historical Committee's representative to the CPC.
>> Second. >> Thank you. Any further questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore I. Tim Hilchi I. >> McDaniel I. Thank you very much. So we've got the correspondence. we've read already. Any other items you want to hit
on? >> Uh I just wanted to check in and see if the the select board had any questions on any ongoing projects. Um I did want to mention we had the personnel board meeting on Monday evening. Um just to talk over um a couple issues that have
come up. Um Pete Law was there to advocate for the you know full-time or excuse me I shouldn't say full-time but building a conservation agent position into the operating budget. Obviously we've had uh Tim Eve Kohl's working as our conservation agent uh just on a
pilot basis for the last few months. Um so that that uh question is going to be discussed a little bit further next month on December 15th. Um and then obviously would go before uh select board and finance committee for budget discussion purposes. Um, and then, uh,
additionally, I did want to mention on December 15th, we're going to be doing our class comp plan, um, and recommendations with Cola. It's been a little interesting this year because, uh, >> good luck. >> Yeah. For a number of reasons. Um, one, I will say actually the government shutdown has been interesting in that we
haven't had, uh, consumer price index data for a few months. So, so we we believe it's uh, at least a, you know, 3% increase. Um whether or not the town will have the funds to to you know make that call a reality for everyone is another question but I did want to
highlight that that that uh meeting is coming up. Um and then also we'll be discussing some personnel manual updates. Uh I know scams is interested in making some adjustments. Obviously very different organization from what most you know most the
employees uh who are under the personnel manual >> um you know it's just a very different organization. So >> I was wondering that was my question. Had they made any progress on that? >> Yeah. Yep. So we I I did meet uh with Chief Sparks. Um he had a few written
suggestions. Um and uh unfortunately he just wasn't available to actually make the meeting this week. So he's he's out of town. So we're going to have him come before the the personnel board on the 15th. >> Okay. Good. I know that when I talked with them before and I I mentioned to
you just for the public that you know being an EMT or paramedic is just a wholly different um job and that you're exposed to sickness so much more and then if you take a sick day you're taking like 24 hours because your shifts
are 24 hours. So, it's different than, you know, if you're working at a desk um and you get a sick day, you're off for eight hours. But here, they're they're affected and if they're out for a couple of days with a with an illness and they're around illness all the time. So, I just think the the structure around their sick time and time off just needs
to be evaluated for sure. So, >> right. Great. >> Yeah. Um, and uh, yeah, and then I just again just reiterate if if the board members have any questions on ongoing projects. Um, I know we've also got Alex here tonight,
so uh, any of her stuff. I know reiterate how excited we are to have that million-dollar grant for complete for Mass Works for Elm Street. So, >> uh, also just we're having a town common committee meeting.
balloons go off. We're so excited. Yeah. Tomorrow. So, um we're ramping that back up to talk about kind of where we're at, what we still need to gather, but with the Elm Street project, the hopefully a new building on the corner of um where the old Cummies building was and there's
just a lot happening downtown. So, it's a good time to kind of talk about what we can do there and hopefully some updates on the asset management plan uh for for pipes and stuff in the ground. So, uh, really excited to do that tomorrow, see
everybody again and get moving on that. So, um, any other business? >> Couple of questions I wanted to ask Alex. Um, this Town Common meeting and the Elm Street project, um, we want to just check in on how much
mass dot involvement there will be in the Cumbies. The last thing I'd like to see is have us do all the Selm Street work and then the Cumbies project come along and then they cut up the tar because we didn't plan ahead. So, and also to get Masto interested in finishing paving the rest of Sugarloaf
Street where they stopped, you know, quite a bit of distance away from the Cumbies. So, um what are your thoughts on trying to engage with them? Well, we've been pushing our consultants DPC who are doing our sewer asset management
plan because I think that uh unknown number or quality of our infrastructure is going to be also huge probably, you know, potentially more costly than just resurfacing all the rest of Sugarloaf. It's much shorter distance. So, I'm
hoping they'll be able to get us some of that data in early January or February. Hopefully. >> Hopefully. Um, I know they've pretty much done all the surveying work and cameraing. I think it's a lot of the assessment and analytics and final reporting that we're kind of waiting on. So hopefully as soon as they give us
even a relative date that we have that data and we get a chance to talk, I think we get on Mass Dot's calendar as soon as possible and really get that going. But I think two Sugarloaf will probably be well advanced in their construction work before ours.
>> Yeah. And I think yeah, just grouping in Natalie and Joe to those meetings with DOT, they've been instrumental all the way through on that. So that's very good. >> Is there a lot of um the the the Cumbies project? It's going to be
tying into the sewer because they're going to be new buildings, right? So >> yeah. >> Um >> is there a lot of subsurface work involved with that project? >> Well, I think there will be to some degree. Um I I don't know that they've finished all of their engineering site plan review. They really it's it's
mostly above you know ground kind of engineering that they've done. We did ask them to really look into that and storm water also because that's going to be kind of an issue but they've put in swailes and they are being thoughtful. They understand they have to work with mass dot for any you know intrusions on
that sugarloaf side but you know predominantly they're not going to um put any entrances to the building at least on that side. So hopefully that reduces some of the congestion and reduces some of the like permitting stuff they'll need for driveway entries or traffic analyses in that sense. So
yeah, I'm not sure, but I can check. >> Great. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. Um, actually, uh, one thing, and we talked about this this afternoon, but I was just wondering if there's any chance that we could be looking at other
avenues for parking over there in between that and Elm Street and losing some spaces over there. I know that the Liry lot's going to be uh a big asset, but I'm just wondering about the other side of the street if there's anything that's available or we should be looking to see if something becomes available to
get some more parking over there >> on the other side of Elm. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, we've got a fair number of people here tonight, so I would just say use the Liry lot. It's a brand new, beautiful parking lot, and I I'd love to see people using it more. But Blake, to
your point, I know also um you know, just talking to Matthew, talking to Chief Purk, um you know, the town actually owns that parcel next to the railroad and it's kind of been informal parking for years. It's really scrubby and needs some work. Um, you know, we've
talked about building that into this project as an adult or or something as well because, you know, uh, you know, that the people are really going to see the value of the Larry lot during this Elm Street project because of course there is going to be disruption of parking. So, um, I would just say it
again, use the Larry lot. >> Yeah. And I agree that to develop a railroad street would be excellent for for parking there. At least a few more spots. Um, >> I had one question uh out of the box. I see Chris Harris, welcome. How are you? Good to see you. Um, did we ever get an
answer on the painting or is that still in the church or you know, I just saw you there and thought jog my memory and we were trying to move some sort of painting somewhere. I know where >> Yeah, we're still we're still working on that and um some recent developments and
we're working with PVMA on that also. Um, they were tied up with their craft fair most recently. >> For sure. Okay, just great. thought just saw you and wanted to say hi and then thought thought about that question. So, >> thank you. >> Good. Yep. Good to see you. Um, any
further items? Oh, good. Just mentioned something. I just wanted to say we we did increase the the prices pricing rule for the EV chargers and we've already seen a pretty significant uh increase in our revenue. So, um, >> can we do it again?
>> Yeah, it's up to you. Um, no. But, uh, the one thing though, and maybe Tim, you know a little bit more about this, which is, uh, I don't know if it when it gets colder, are are vehicles finding it slower to charge? Is it a lower uh,
kilowatt um, transfer? I I had someone call today. I'm just asking because I think you know more. >> There are two things going on. Most more more recent EVs have a battery management system that says if you're low um it preconditions the battery to
accept fast charging. If somebody drives in and they just got into their EV and 30 seconds later they plug in. The EV charger has to the battery has to go through this um preparation process while it's charging. So it can be
slower. Um, and I will say that in in Montilier, Vermont, when I was driving up to Montreal this weekend, it was 36 cents a kilowatt hour for a level three. So, we I think we picked a good spot to be at 50 cents. >> Yeah. >> It It's not a It's not ownorous, but as
long as we're covering and making a little profit on these EV chargers, I think it's a win for everyone. So, >> yeah. Wait. Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. Alex is just reminding me one last thing to mention is we do have an RFP out
there. Uh the long-awaited Jewav Barn RFP. Oh yeah. >> Um so this is essentially surplus property that the town has held uh since the days of Oxford Pickle, I think. >> That's right. >> So um you know I I believe we're accepting responses on that till mid
December um December 8th rather. Um, so just wanted to mention that that RFP is out there and and Furcog is helping us out with the procurement. So the the bids are all on their website as well. >> Excellent. >> Quite a few of them. >> Yeah, quite a few bids.
>> You saw the list today. I didn't go through. >> All right. I saw the list. >> Yeah. We don't we don't have any proposals at this point, but we do have a list of plan holders, i.e. people who are interested and want to be updated. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, that's great. That's great. Okay. Bidding war. I will uh entertain a
motion to adjurnn. >> Move to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Just want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving if we don't see you before that. Hope you enjoy your families. Enjoy some downtime and turkey. >> Oh, thank you. Um, okay.
>> All those in favor. In >> favor, thank you. Tim, I blank Gilmore. I McDaniel.