She's >> likes it. Yeah. I want her to retire so we could travel, >> but she doesn't like want to. She likes the people she works with. And um she's she says I'll go another five years before uh >> she everything's a negotiation. So you
say you have at least two years left, right? So two more years. >> Yeah. Sounds good, >> right? Hello. Hi Ray. How are you? Good. Go ahead. Go ahead. Karen, you're still recording, right?
>> Yes. >> All right. It's coming up. >> Okay. Turn the mic time. How you doing? >> Good. Hey, Woody.
>> Good. How are you? >> Good. >> Woody's here. >> Peter, anytime you want to. >> Okay. Um, we're gonna uh >> start our open meeting, guys. Um, we
just returned from executive session and can everyone please rise for a moment of silence. We lost four of our friends and neighbors this week. Patricia Kent, Marina Ortiz, William Pimento, Stanley Preslo, and Ron Smith.
>> Thank you. Miss Gails, how are you? Or Mrs. Gails, I should say. >> The one Monday night you can make it and you weren't there. >> Oh, technology is not my friend. >> No, sometimes. >> So, Ray and I are here tonight to talk
to you about the Revolutionary War Memorial Podium. >> Right. I think you. So, um, I sent you a letter and I have to apologize for the letter because my cut and paste skills weren't working too good. The main intent of the
letter is to ask your acceptance of the gift at the memorial podium and approval of its placement in the veteran circle. We already worked on the granite. Um, we've chosen a piece of granite with the
help of Tom Ferry and um, Steve I can't say his name. >> Okay, it is um from out of Taton. He's a memorial guy out of Taton. He makes memorials. Um, so you
know, he looked at the different granit and he chose, you know, one that would work for us and it's once the snow goes, we'll be able to deliver it to his company for um the finetuning for it. Um, and you approved the grant last
year, so that's why that says 25 and it's early 26. But anyway, um, we've purchased a bronze plaque from US Bronze. Um, they are out of Pennsylvania, which the picture of it was in your packets. It's really quite
beautiful. It's right now it's over at Ray's office. >> Oh, it's already done. >> Yeah. Yep. Looks good. Um, and it's ready to be installed on the piece of granite. When you look at the schematic, you see that it's uh that'll be on the front.
There's like a slant like this on the podium and there'll be a rail to hold papers such whenever anyone's speaking in the veteran circle. This will be a permanent fixture. Um so you have a a map that's a
generally determined where it would be. Um, it's not to scale or anything, but using our our computer skills and um, looking at the spacing, that's where we figure it would fit best.
Um, so this is a gift from the 250th anniversary committee and it's a tribute to all of those Donians who served in the Revolutionary War. Anything you want to add, Ray?
Um just that uh at the Department of Veteran Services, we um reviewed your letter or the committee's letter which I'm a member of >> and uh if we don't see any uh issues uh with the tweaking of the uh Veterans
Park and putting this where they'd like to locate it. >> Okay. But um being a veterans park, you know, >> and placing something public, we need the photo of this water selectment. >> Sure.
>> The only other thing that has arisen in speaking with the uh veterans community, there is another monument out there. It's um for ship's captain, I believe. >> Oh, Silus Talbet. >> Silus Talbat. Uh forgive me, I don't have the historical knowledge here. like
everyone else does. But uh it seems to be uh a little not a little bit but some will in the community to move that particular monument to a park on the river which >> park >> tsentennial park because it was a
captain. Uh that's part of the discussion that I just came and apologize for not getting you up to date on that. I just >> I'll forgive you. >> Yeah. So, um that might be or could be part of this uh as it gets moved around.
That's acceptable. So, >> the Silus Talibet um monument that's there was originally right in front of the um middle school that burned. >> It was closer much closer to the building and once it burned they moved it to the center to the circle there.
>> So, it you know it has lived in a couple of places. >> Silus Talbot was a commodor. He actually was um a commodore on the Iron Side. He >> also served in the Revolutionary War. Um he's got a significant military history.
>> Sure. It almost looks lost here among the other uh amongst the other um one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> There's also one there that's called it's a a smaller monument. Um
that's the veterans of all wars. >> So um which is the all veterans is kind of in front and then the silus talbert one is kind it's kind of off center too from everything else. >> Is this going to be a polished grant?
>> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They're reworking it up at the uh what's the name of the company? >> Deon. >> You already said one, so we're not going to make you say that again. >> I did better that time. >> Yeah, they'll they'll retool it and
polish it and they're going to embed the uh plaque that Okay. >> we have put in like you usually see with the rosette says it's put into it. And then on the back there'll be a small tag that depicts how how it got here which
is a gift from the 250th committee to be be part of it. >> Great. >> Well, thank you for the work that you guys do. I mean it's the 250th anniversary which I haven't been part of lately. Um for you guys to put this
together is awesome. I think uh Tom Ferry will appreciate it the most because he doesn't have to haul that uh podium uh in and out uh and the people who have to speak uh the their papers won't be blowing all over the place anymore. But um thank you
>> Mr. Chairman shed some light on the subject. >> Sure. Just a second. Uh Mark, do you have anything you want to >> I do. Um, so first thank you very much for working on this project and finding creative ways to get it done in a way that doesn't really cost so much money.
So that was awesome as well. Um, my thoughts are I would just want to make sure we engage our acting building commissioner in the discussions just to make sure that they are okay with it. Have you done that to this point yet? No. All right. I I would
definitely want to make sure you guys talk to to him. And um as far as Silus Talbot, that just wasn't on the agenda for tonight. So just so that the public's reasonably warned of agenda items and if they have something they want to >> um let make any decision on silence,
that's a conversation. >> It was just something that came that I thought I would put up not not for a motion for action. >> Awesome. Thank you. So, what we would ask you tonight is to um accept the gift and approve the project. >> Okay. >> Veteran Circle for the year.
>> Awesome. >> Mr. Woods, you have something you wanted to say? >> Yes, sir. >> I'd just like to say um the Silus Talbert stone that's over there now that was put over there. I forget what year it was put in. Right. And I heard the reference tonight, the
Veterans Park. Now, that's always been referred to as the war memorial. And everything over there and all the stones represent men and women that were in the war. Um, originally that plaque for the Silus
Talbot stone and the black was going to go to Tsentennial Park way back when Tsentennial Park didn't have such a fine name. Uh, and some of been around a while. They used to call it the rats nest and there was a lot of behavior that was going on down there
that wasn't really appealing. But it's cleaned up. It's a beautiful place. Silus Talbot was the second commander of the USS Constitution and he was not a combat or war veteran. So I like to see that park over there
stay as a war veteran. And what the society doing a historical commission is doing something for the revolutionary war. So all the other stones over there, there's a stone for each of the wars. >> So I wouldn't want, you know, I would
like to see that stone installed that Pat's talking about and the Silus Talbert stone moved down to Tsentennial, >> right? >> And it would be really nice there because Tsentennial Park re really is a nice park. >> Yeah. >> A lot of people use it. They they keep up with it. It's very nice.
>> I I think we'll get it on the agenda. >> And I talked to Ry about this, too, you know, and I have strong feelings about the, you know, because I'm a veteran. >> Sure. >> You know, and I represent our community. >> So, I I think that's the best way to go. Yeah. >> I'm not telling you you have to do it my way, but,
>> you know, I think that's what other veterans would want. >> Sure. >> Like I said, I think we're going to get it on in an agenda to move that. >> Yeah. >> And when we do, I'd love to have you speak again on >> No, great idea. Yeah. >> Um I actually married a Talbet, you know, and way back, if you want to read
the the history of Dyke, you can read about these Talbets. They were all slave owners, >> you know. So, one of the Talbets owned all of Foron Street and my wife's family actually owned most of all of Elm Street, >> and that goes way back. >> Wow.
>> Yeah. You're original to Dyon. >> They're originals. >> You have Talba. When you do genealogy, it's like everyone goes back to a Talbert of original Dy families. It's amazing. >> Yeah, it's crazy. And I still have nephews and they're having children. So,
there's going to be in this town for a long time. >> Okay. >> Mark, this is a review discussing act. Do you want to make a motion to accept this? >> Sure. Is the 250th committee going to write a thank you letter to the Deonico Monument Company? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah.
>> Okay. just wanted to I would include that >> doing it for free. He's he's given us >> he's getting granite out of it, >> you know. Yeah. >> Right. >> So, but he's working with us and um you know, yeah, we take care of all of our own correspondence and what we have to do. So,
>> very good. Okay. Um I'll make a motion to approve the Revolutionary War Memorial Podium and to accept the gift. >> I'll sit down as chair and second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I I >> Thank you so much. >> Great. Thanks, guys.
It is. Yes, definitely. Mr. Perry, we um were discussing earlier whether or not you have to do this whole reading again. Um which according to our town administrator, um he doesn't seem to think it has to be read. It has to be it doesn't have to be
read in its entirety again and again. Uh we have it. It's part of the agenda. It's in print. Um I don't know how you feel. Well, uh before I'd like to make sure change >> Yeah. >> based upon um our first reading uh on the first page, I would like to take the
word home out of proposed swap shed mission statement because we agreed on the mission statement. I don't think it it changes the spirit of our intent. >> No, >> you know, agree to strike that. But uh Mr. Chairman, how would you like to
proceed with this? >> I can make a motion. Sure. um to accept the second reading and to strike the word proposed from the uh mission statement. >> Yeah. Again, based upon you know our discussion the first time we accepted that as the mission statement.
>> Sure. Great. >> So next time we'll just say uh third reading and it will be policy >> and I I will be here with that too for any issues questions. We love >> you can stay. We'd love to have you. Up to you. >> Thanks Mr. Perry. Thank you very much.
Take care. >> You too. >> Um, announcements. You want to read them? >> You just got to second my motion. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did you make it? >> Oh. Oh, that's right. Um, I'll step down as chair and second. All Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I I
>> Sorry. I uh >> Nope. It's all good. >> Um, the highway department public notice. There's a townwide parking ban in effect through April 1st, 2026. No person shall allow any vehicle to remain in the street so as to obstruct snow
removal. The Dyan Lions Club food bank will be held on Saturday, March 21st, 2026 located at the town hall 979 Somerset Aav lower level. The Dyen Historical Society invites you to a special research day on Saturday, March
28, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1217 William Street. Explore stories behind Dyon's historic homes, perhaps even your own. The Friends of the Dayton Public Library will once again be sponsoring Meet the Candidates Night on Monday, March 30th
at 7 p.m. at the Dyton Middle School. This annual event is your opportunity to meet the candidates running for an office at the annual town election and ask your questions. For more information, please call the library at 5086696421. The annual town election will be held on
April 11th, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p. p.m. at the Dyen Elementary School. Board and committee vacancies cable television committee 1, Cemetery Commission 1, Commission on Disability 2, Conservation Commission 1, Dian
Economic Development Committee 1, Historical Commission 2, Trails Committee 1. Thank you. You're welcome. Uh, we have two public inputs scheduled for this evening. Tonight is the first one. Does anybody want to be heard at time? Mr. Moore, how are you?
>> Good. Good evening. Bill Moore, 1835 Smith Street, chairman board of assessors. Uh at our kind our last meeting before uh Stephanie the principal assessor presented us with the budget for the
assessor's office which I saw had uh two options that were presented to her by town administrator. One was with a debt exclusion, one was without a debt exclusion. the one that says that with a debt exclusion, meaning the debt
exclusion passes and we have more money, we have to cut our budget. If it's without a debt exclusion, we're told we have to cut more of our budget. So, I'm here to correct the misinformation that's coming to the
public as well as this board concerning the budget of the town of Dyke. Uh so a few weeks ago after I had this discussion with Stephanie at the board of assessors meetings which you can watch on YouTube has that meeting. I had
a meeting with town administrator where he and Serena presented me with basically raw data concerning the town budget. I spent the next few weeks analyzing that data and I've come up with
information about an analysis about that. I was hoping to get three selectmen here. I have three copies. I >> I don't know if you can get one of these to the third or not. I'm not going to go over this in its entirety right now.
I'll be glad to individually discuss this with any one of I have discussed this with the town administrator and found some some things that are problematic according to our what
was no the data was provided to me I understand the data changes from day to day all right so yes the data I have is like three weeks old but I don't think it has changed all that much since that point in time at that point in time we were estimating meaning that without a
debt exclusion, we were going to be short $500,000. That was that was the amount we had to make up. All right. So, in this analysis I've got here, you know, there are situations with expenses. There are some expenses that we could we could do something about.
Not a lot, but the number one that came to mind was that included in the budget was $250,000 for snow removal for fiscal year 26. And we have never as a town funded snow removal out of our own budget. It is always funded out of free
cash. So right there, there's $250,000 that could be repaired. But more importantly, and and there are other expense items, and I'm not going to go down into detail. I mean, there's a list in there. You're welcome to look at it. One thing I'd like to point out is that I think it's disingenuous that
people are talking about the BP debt exclusion when it is not the number one driver. It's not the number one issue that we have as a town. The number one issue we have as a town is health insurance. That's $180 something,000 versus 160,000
for BP. BP is number two on the list. But we're being asked to fund a debt exclusion because, you know, BP is crippling us. As you've seen in my rebuttal to the debt exclusion, I don't believe that's a problem. I believe the problem is that year after year after year, this town coming from the border
slapman, coming from the fincom, coming from town administrator is raising our expenses five, six, 7% year after year after year after year. When you are limited to 2 and a half% income, that is not you can't you can't keep doing that.
It's untenable. you're going to have to end up in a situation where you need a debt exclusion or a prop 2 and a half override. The we can argue a lot about the expenses. There's little things could be done. I think DR is the biggest thing and I could spend an hour talking about
DR and I'm not going to. The only thing I can say is that in the current projection where we have not received any information whatsoever from DR, we are anticipating over 2 and a.5%. That's not right. We need to go in
debating negotiating with DR. You start at zero and then maybe we'll go up from there. The enrollment at DR is declining. There's no reason for these massive increases going on year after year. Not going to solve that tonight. I'm just put a pin in that one. Okay.
The biggest thing I want to talk about is the thing that I've discovered is how why are we in the situation we're in? Why do we have a situation every single year we go to a special town meeting and suddenly a million dollars appears? Has anyone thought about that? Has
everyone surprised about that? Why do we suddenly have a bunch of money appear at the end of the year? I found out why we have two different sects, two different sources of income. one being local receipts and one being property
taxes and you know the stuff that we're talking about stuff that under under the two and a half percent limit of Prop 2 and a half local receipts are not the best example of local receipts is excise taxes brings in a huge amount of money every single year.
What our accountant and town administrator are showing right now is grossly under reportported local receipts. Last year, we had a difference of about $600,000 between what we received the prior year
and what they were anticipating for this year. I talked to a town employee and I was told the formula is you take three years average and then you hit it but with an 80%. You take 20% off the top. So, when you're underestimating your
income by five or six or $700,000, where's that money end up? When you collect that money, it ends up in free cash at the end of the year. So, right now, we're being told the sky is falling. We can't afford things. You
know, this BP debt is killing us. We need this debt exclusion or else we're going to have to start laying off people. I think it's No, I won't use the word. it involves a cow, an extra man. Okay.
So, what I'm saying is that if if you look at the bottom line on that, and I invite you to look at that spreadsheet I gave I handed out to you if you have any questions. I am always available to talk about it. But the bottom line is is that if we
correctly accounted for income and we correctly removed the snow budget and we correctly tweaked down some of these numbers, particularly DR, we would end up with a $700,000
surplus. Do so a surplus. not not not we're not short, but yet we're talking about cutting people's cutting town employees. So I'm here to ask No, I'm here to demand
on the for the sake of the good hardworking town employees that this board tell Ralph to come back with a budget that funds everything fully. No cuts, no no laying off anybody. There
is no reason for it. We're toying with people's lives here and it's wrong. There's no reason for it. That's all I have to say. I'm sorry if I raised my voice yet about this.
>> Uh you are. We can tell. Please do something. >> All right. Thank you. Anybody else at this time? What do you No. >> There. No. Okay. Selectman's reports.
You have anything Mark? Um, there's a public community engagement session on Monday, March 9th at 6 PM at Titan uh, Rehobath High School for the elementary school building, right committee. So, we'd love to see folks there uh, come out and learn about the
project. >> Yeah, I got an invitation to that. Well, we all did, >> right? >> I'm not the only one. Uh, but thank you. Town administrator's report. >> Okay. Uh then on to old business which is none. So we're going to move right on to new business. This is a review
discuss and act. They all are declaration of local emergency dated February 23rd 2026. I believe we have to sign that this evening. >> Yeah. Just um you know as you know we had significant snowstorm although we're past the date of emergency. um if we had
made any proper um uh for it uh this would cover covered even though we're signing the post a post post emergency fund. It's also to have it's also good to have it in place because in case um uh we meet the uh federal uh disaster
threshold to allow us for reimbursements for some of um some of the account activities that taking place. >> Sure. What is that threshold? Do you have any idea? Uh I I I think for the county this is what um what
I was talking today I think it's two he said $2.7 million. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So >> we won't Oh for the county. >> Okay. So >> for the county so we're >> so it maybe I don't know. So they have a short window to come up with it. So I
have the department heads coming um you know their uh with you know what they had spent and it also includes uh it could include property damage. So >> okay what has a ballpark the town highway department spent alone on snow plowing has he he must have an idea by
now. >> Yeah. Uh up um up to I think right before the storm sur $230,000 237. >> Okay. Some pills hadn't come in yet. Yeah. So, we're at 237.
>> Okay. >> I imagine we had some salting today. Probably added some salting last night, >> right? >> So, is it just that one storm or collectively? >> Collectively. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. I have no issues with the letter.
Mark, do you? >> Nope. I'll make a motion to approve the declaration of local emergency dated February 23rd, 2026. I'll step down as chair and second. Any more discussion? All those in favor I uh debt exclusion mail language.
>> Yeah. Lang to um send out mail out to the voters. Um it's been vetted by by town council and well town council put together council.
>> Would you be willing to read it into the record? I know it's kind of long, but that's okay. >> Appreciate it. >> This will be uh April 11, 2026 that entire election. The following information concerning the questions on
the ballot for the April 11, 2026 town election is provided to the town of Titans registered voters pursuant to the requirements of Mass General law chapter 53 section 18B which has been accepted by vote of town. Pursuant to said law,
printed information must be provided to the registered voters concerning each question appearing on the ballot for the annual town election. Set information shall be one or excellent question. Two, a fair and concise summary of the
question including a one sentence statement describing the effect of a yes or no vote prepared by town council and three arguments for and against each question prepared by the principal proponent and opponent of the ballot
question mark. Shall the town of Don be allowed to exempt from provisions of Proposition 2 and 1/2 so-called the amounts required to pay the town's allocable share of the bond issued by the Bristol Community
Agricultural High School District for the purpose of paying costs of designing, engineering, constructing, and equipping a new district high school to be located at 135 Center Street in Don, Massachusetts, including the payment of all cost incidental or
related did there too? Yes or no? Compare and concise summary of question one. In 1980, Massachusetts voters adopted a refere a referendum that was later codified as GL chapter 59 section 21C and is more
commonly known as Proposition 2 and A2. Proposition two and a half limits the total amount of money that a town can raise through taxes and allows to exempt from those limits the amount of money needed to pay for service expenses
meaning principal and interest on a loan for a specific project. This process hold excluded a temporary tax levy for a specific purpose. It is different from an override which is a permanent increase in the tax levy it limit
itself. The the present question seeks to exempt the provisions of proposition 2 and a half the amounts required to pay the town's alimable share of the bond issued by the Bristol County Agricultural High School District for the purpose of paying the costs of
designing engineering constructing and equipping equipping the new district high school. The amount of accountable share during the lifetime of the bond is approximately $6.25 million with an annual obligation of approximately
$210,000 until the debt is paid off. A yes vote would allow the town to annually raise through taxation approximately $210,000 in addition to the amount that the town is able to levy under Proposition 2 and a half to be added to the budget to fund
the town's allocable share of the bond issued for the Bristol County Agricultural High School project for the lifetime of the bond with the tax implication estimated to be approximately 11 cents per thousand dollars. a value on property tax bills
until the bond is paid. A no vote would require the town to pay its debt obligations with funds raised within the levy limit by proposed to enhance by proposition to enhance which would result in reduced budget allocations for
town and impact on town services as absorbing this cost within the levy limit will require the town to balance future budgets through personnel attrition and anticipated reductions in force and services which would be reflected in County budgets for fiscal
year 2027 and subsequential fiscal years during the lifetime of the body. Arguments for and against valid question number one argument for question one provided by town provided by town of
Titans finance committee. The yes vote on question one avoids major cuts to town services in fiscal year 2027 and beyond. The cuts for fiscal year 22 27 include three town hall employees and are directly who are directly serving the community in critical service areas.
One council on aging employee whose loss would result in the reduction of services for the town and the loss of our animal control officer without passing the debt exclusion forecast for the budget beyond fiscal year 2027 includes additional cuts to town services and personnel including our
public safety department. A debt exclusion is a limited increase in taxes that lasts only for the life of the loan and automatically lapses upon completion. It is not a permanent tax increase. If question one passes, the
average annual tax increase to the Don homeowner will be $59. Thank you. Argument against question one provided by Dyon Republican Town Committee. Vote no. We have been warning for years now about how uncontrolled spending is going
to put us in a prop two and a half crisis. In the last five years, Dayton's tax levy has gone up by over 20% or 4% a year. This far exceeds the two and a half% mandated by Prop 2 and a half and has little to do with the school debt.
In fiscal year 2021, our taxes were over $1 million per year. In fiscal year 2021, our taxes were over $1 million per year under the Prop 2 and a half limit. But in fiscal year 2026, the number has
shrunk to 58,000. For fiscal year 2027, we are now being asked for debt overrides to continue the rapid spending. These exclusions would raise our taxes an additional 4% for the
next 30 years. It is time to say no to more spending. Don't raise taxes. Stop the wasteful spending. Don't know about that exclusion. Next question two. Shall the town of Dyon be allowed to
exempt from provision of Proposition 2 and a half socalled the amounts required to pay the town's optimal share of the bond issued by the Bristol Bristol Plymouth Regional Vocational Technical School District for the purpose of paying costs of designing, engineering,
constructing, and equipping a new district high school to be located at 207 Hart Creek Street in Ton, Massachusetts, including the payment of all costs incidental or related there to yes or no. bear and concise summary of question
number two. As indicated above, in 1990, the voters adopt the referendum that was later codified as general law chapter 59, section 21C, and is more commonly known as Proposition 2 and a half. Proposition two and a half limits the
total amount of money that a town can raise through taxes, but allows voters to exempt from those limits the amount of money needed to pay debt services expenses, meaning principle and interest on a loan for a specific project. This
process called debt exclusion is a temporary tax levy for specific purpose. It is different from an override which is a permanent increase in the tax levy itself. The present question should present in the provisions of proposition 2 and a
half the amount required to pay the town's allocable share of the bond issued by the Bristol Pulit Regional Vacational Technical School District for the purpose of paying costs of designing, engineering, constructing, and equipping a new district high school
to be located at 207 Hart Street in Portland, Massachusetts. The amount of the town's total alcohol share during the lifetime of the bond is approximately $20 million with an annual obligation of approximately $740,000
until the bond is paid off. A yes vote would allow the town to annually raise fruit taxation approximately $740,000 in addition to the amount that the town is able to be under proposition two and one hand to be added to the budget to
fund the town's allable share of the bond issued for the Bristol Plymouth High School project for the lifetime of the bond with a tax implication estimated to be approximately 38 cents per thousand dollars. a value on property tax bills
until the bond is paid off. A no vote would require the town to pay its debt obligation with funds raised within the levy limit set by proposition to enhance which would result in reduced budget allocations for town departments and
impact on town services. Absorbing this cost within the levy limit will require the town to balance future budgets through personnel attrition and anticipated reductions in force and services which would be reflected in town budgets for fiscal year 2027 and
subsequent fiscal years during the lifetime of the bond. Arguments against for and against question number two. Argument for question number two provided by town of bank finance committee. Yes. told on question two avoids major cuts to town services in
fiscal year 2027 and beyond. The cuts for fiscal year 2027 include three town hall employee town hall employees who are directly serving the community in critical service areas. one council on aging employee whose loss would result in the reduction of services for the
town and the loss of our animal control officer. Without the passing of without the passing of the debt exclusion forecast for the budget beyond fiscal year 2027 includes additional cuts to town services and personnel, including
our public safety department. A debt exclusion is a limited increase in taxes that lasts only for the life of the loan and automatically lapses upon completion. It is not the permanent tax increase. If question one passes, the
average annual increase for home would be $24. Thank you. Argument against question number two provided by Republican Town Committee. Vote no. Although the school debt lower certainly is a contribute is
contributing to this current budget crisis is a far it is far from the only factor. We have new revenue coming from the solar farms that covers the majority of the debt load for the schools. A yes vote will mean an additional 4% tax for
the next 30 years. Not exactly 10. The taxes indictment are becoming unbearable, especially for our seniors. They are being forced to decide between taxes and medication. The superintendent of DC makes over $400,000 per year. This
is not for the children. It is time to say no to more spending. Don't raise taxes. Stop the wasteful spending. Vote no for both excuses. That's the mayor.
>> Thank you, Ralph. Good job. >> I have an issue with saying that council on aging employee and animal control officer is going to be cut. >> Um I had a a discussion with both town council and with with the labor union
labor council. He said that at the time. Um we're in a fluid situation right now. So um um the and it's that's was okay to put
in there. Um I had reached out to um to uh the finance committee to see um to see if they would license that statement and they they said they're sticking the same. It's incorrect.
>> Um, it it maybe Yeah. >> And I think the public should know that. >> So, I don't know how you feel more about it. >> I agree with you. It's too bad. Um, but I think when you allow other groups to
make statements and the town administrator did his due diligence by running it through labor council, did you say town council as well? Yeah, both >> both both of the experts on it >> and the finance committee had an
opportunity to fix it. >> Um that's kind of on the finance committee, you know. Um so I I think yeah, it's mis misinformation and that's that's frustrating. Um because we we don't want to have we don't want it to
look like the town and this board in any way is doing scare tactics, but we're not the ones who wrote it and they're they're writing within the uh the law. But I agree with you. Yeah, I agree. >> Um when this goes out,
could we put the town seal on there like in the corner maybe so it looks like an official like it's coming from the town. >> Yeah. And could you >> count like we put it out in appropriate manner? >> Okay. And then the it says April there's just like a little underscore 11.
>> So yeah and there's a few like in in maybe a few titles in those. >> And can you put like the actual an annual town election date um location date and time? So like elementary school 7 to 5 just because that will be a question people ask. And then I thought
too if people have questions they're gonna I think for the last time we did the dead exclusion it said questions call the town administrator with your phone number. Um, I'll see if you can include that. >> Or if not, um, if you don't want to do
that, maybe like a link, if you even can, right? >> Um, a link to the section on the website that you've been putting information for the debt exclusion perhaps. >> And then just my last thought is before this gets mailed out, just one more
check with the town clerk that the state has accepted the questions and it's good to go on the ballot. >> Okay. Um, just want to make sure that she's all set on her end. >> Do you have an estimate when you guys think this will go to print?
We'll we'll, you know, once you guys approve it, we'll send it out tomorrow and we'll have uh Matt just give it the once over asking the questions and we'll send it out. I would assume early next week. Okay. Get it out. I was asking
about that. Yeah. >> Thank you. Do you have anything else? Um, you commented about the town seal. So, it knows it comes from the town, but it's not the town's position. That concerns me.
>> Okay. It is officially coming from the town. >> It's officially coming from the town. Mhm. >> But uh the information on here I don't know if it should be the disclaimer that um these are opinions of
>> I think that's a great idea >> of the finance committee which I know represents the town >> and the other one being just the Republican party not the Democrat Democratic party or certainly not the
selectman and and absolutely so I I I think there's going to be a disclaimer put on there somewhere. >> Um, >> that makes a lot of sense. >> I'll I'll ask. >> You'll ask. Okay. >> But I I know. Um, >> I thought you in the beginning it says
for opponent, >> right? >> Yeah. But people aren't going to read it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The way it's meant to be read. I I shouldn't say that. Many people will, but I just don't want anybody skimming over it. Okay. >> And thinking we did this, right?
>> Or we had anything, you know, >> right? >> It is the the views in here are expressly that of the finance committee and the Republican sound committee, >> two boards that are not elected, >> right? >> Okay. >> I agree.
>> Uh so, do we want to hold off on voting for this language until we see it again or you think um >> we can't? >> We're up against the wall. >> Okay. Yep. Yes. Especially if we're not going to meet next Wednesday. Okay. Let's um let's vote on it then.
I'll make a motion to approve the debt exclusion mailer um with the uh changes as discussed which was um adding the date of the annual town election, the location, the time and
adding a statement about the opinions and views expressed in the mail are that of the town of Dyon Finance Committee and Town of Dayton Republican Town Committee. Uh, I'll step down as chair and second. All those in favor?
>> I >> I uh there was no more discussion. I take it. Uh, okay. Resignation letter from William McGrady. >> I'll make a motion to approve the res to accept the resignation letter with thanks and appreciation of William McGrady. Accept that as chair and
second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. building commissioner job description and posting. >> So with the resignation of Mr. McGrady, we're putting out um as we discussed a um we work the job description of the
building and we're going to have an internal posting. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the building commission the job description and posting as um presented. I'll step down as chair and second. Any
discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Good job to the team at uh our human resources and town administrator putting this together. >> Uh lateral transfer vacation recognition from uh for patrolman Tyler Lopes.
>> Um officer Lopes is requesting his vacation previous positions as a police officer. another um another other town or
in other entities he uh be accepted and he applied to his uh vacation benefit. Uh myself, the HR coordinator, the uh police chief and the county reviewed it.
Um we see um it it conforms uh to article 18 of the um of the uh CBA, the collective bargaining agreement. Um officer Lopes was a um full-time police officer uh prior to being sworn in on
February 25th 26th here. uh he was a full-time police officer with UMass Dartmouth which is police department for one year, six months, 26 days. He's also a full-time police officer for
Kyrie College. Um the the the uh contract allows by, you know, with the discretion of the board of selectmen to um to apply that time. He was also requesting that his time as a reserve
officer uh in the town of Kushnik which is two years for about 17 days be apply but um um we do not we only apply reserve officer time if they are the reserve officers indicted there's no
provision in the um in the contract language for reserve officers from other towns. So you know in reviewing it um the four months recommend uh that you know it's the app 3 years 5 months 7
days is vacation benefit and um we make no recommendation to how if you choose to or not um uh apply his reserve time. And just um this is it's it's this not
unprecedented not um not um the most recent example we have not a police officer but when um we we gave back the time for um remember the the um
highway I I'm just so >> I have a question if you don't mind. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> The letters dated July 27, 2025. Could you speak to that? And also um as part of my question, is there any other letters in the file that are outstanding
from Dayton Police? No. Local 307. No, it it's funny because we I got that and I looked at it and we we spoke to the chief and um I did not receive this email back and and he brought it up with that Sergeant Brown because that's he
says that's a typo because he only got it um like when we first when we first looked at it because it was close to um this was close to officer Lopes's oneyear anniversary. >> Okay. It might have been probably just had this date line and just went just
about >> perfect. >> Yeah. Then we were we like why are we just seeing this now? you know, it's like >> the chief said he just got it like you know before the last meeting
>> as as we got it and you know I I as the same thing Mark and I went back to my uh I went back to my um uh email just to make sure I didn't skip over it. >> Okay. So, >> well, I I know one thing I'll ask as
part of my motion uh when we get to that point is that um Sergeant Barrows fixes his letter to have the correct date um because it's important to go in the employees file and that in the future he signs all his letters. So, um I'll ask that he both fixes the date and with wet
ink signs his letter. >> Okie dokie. >> How much time are we talking about, bro? Um it would we would have meaning vacation time right you go from 5 days to 10 days >> that's it that's not including the
cushion right >> correct >> okay >> correct we if a cushion p was um was included um when his fifth year came up
few months he would have 15 15 vacation days. So >> I don't think we should include the accushion time, right? There's going to be a reward for working for the town of Dyon. You leave here, Ralph, and and go become a waiter at
your favorite restaurant. You're not going to say, "I want credit for when I was a dishwasher 30 years ago." I'm exaggerating to make my point, but >> there's no again, there's no provision. Yeah. in the in the contract for it. So that
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> But the other one is >> right. Fine. >> We have a vehicle. >> Okay. >> All right. Mark, if you want to make that um >> I'll make a motion to approve the request as presented
um for control Tyler Lopes. uh under the condition that the letter is changed with the correct date is signed and um submitted to the town administrator.
>> Do you want to keep the time? >> No, in the request. Oh, I apologize. Um I'm going to amend my motion to um for the request to be >> Sorry, I'm going to start from the beginning.
>> Sure. I'm going to make a motion to um approve the request of patrolman's tile lopes as presented by the town administrator which does not include the accession of time and for the letter to have the correct date and to be signed.
>> Okay, I'll step down and share and second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Good job, Mark. >> Thank you. um vote to apply excess funds to the uh fiscal year 2027 dyobit assessment. >> So um this is something I know uh it
came it's funny came up in December uh have collected funds in excess of 5% so uh they're returning it to the town and the amount and that amount is $750,000. Initially we thought um myself
account no check or or get check uh we I received a letter from well uh I reviewed DLS uh for um excess funds so we can apply to the next year. So, so whatever, you know, so you know,
whatever it is it uh our our eventual assessment for for DR, um you know, we have we'd have the $750,000 to pay for it. It brings up $750,000 in the in the budget. Um >> I thought we wanted it as a check.
Didn't we think that they were going to possibly abuse the fact that they had given us $750,000? I thought that had come up and we said I'd ra Well, my thought was >> I'd rather have a check as free cash than
to do battle. >> But go ahead, please. >> No, but I mean it's it's um if we buy it, that means that we don't have that we won't have that 750,000 applied to budget and so those numbers I showed be >> right be skewed.
>> I didn't have included that. um speaking, you know, with um with the um both uh uh both the superintendent and and the business manager. You know, I as
emphatic as I could be the 750,000 is not like um you count it after the percentage, not included in the percentage. Um he's um and I have to say they're looking at uh somewhere between
3 and 3 and 4%. >> That's high. >> I'm inclined to support this perhaps um once we know what the budget's going to be from the school committee. I do think it's premature. >> Okay. >> Is there a timeline that we have to have this vote by? >> I will find out. Um they're not they're
not fast at the um at no not that's my complaint because they're not fast at the but they're not fast at the at the division of local services. Um they made this announcement back in December and I was looking looking and I included it in
your packing. They finally verified it which I find weird on on February 23rd the Monday of the snowstorm it was it was it was finally finally verified it. Okay. >> So, we can um
um the superintendent is doing this presentation on next Tuesday. >> Okay. >> And maybe at that time we could include it um sort of amend the agenda at at
that time if you chose to apply it um to to the um to the budget. perception. That's all it is. >> I think um we should listen to the school's presentation and have it on the next
regularly scheduled selectments agenda personally. >> Okay. >> Um I don't know how you feel. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. >> All right. Bye. >> Part of part of the negotiation and uh just just that way we can just focus on what the school's presentation is.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I'll do a motion to the table. the um vote to apply excess funds to the FY27 assessment. >> I'll step down as chair and second. Any discussion or more discussion? All those in favor? I. Approval of the warrants.
I'll make a motion to approve the warrants paid by February 19th, 2026. 34 A26 for $127,6206. 34B26 for $485,376.87 87
warrants paid by February 26, 2026. 35 A26 for $125,55121 and 35B26 for $61,96126 and 35 C26 for 36,2.39 and warrants paid by March 5th, 2026
36826 for $137,439. 964 and 36B-26 are $73,375.78. >> Thank you. I'll step down as chair and second. Any discussion? All those in
favor? >> I letter from Patricia Olsen her resignation from the Dyon Historical Commission. Motion to accept the letter from Patricia Olsen with thanks and appreciation.
>> I don't um other than accept it, we don't even have to accept it, right? It's just correspondence. >> Sure. >> Withdraw my motion. Thank you. >> Uh minutes. >> I'll make regular meeting minutes for February 11th, 2026.
>> I'll make a motion to approve the February 11, 2026 regular meeting minutes. >> I'll sit down as chair and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I Anything else? >> No. >> Okay. >> Nothing.
>> Nothing. >> Uh public input. Last one. Anybody on online? >> No one else. Yes, sir. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yes, please. >> Good evening. 24 84 Pleasant Street.
>> Um, I did have a question about I I couldn't quite hear what was uh fully being said about an inaccuracy in the descriptions of the two uh pro and con statements. I was hoping to uh get more detail on that if I may.
>> Sure. Uh I'm not um sure of any inaccuracies in the con position. Uh the pro position states in it that we are eliminating the dy control dyen animal
control officer as well as a position on council on aging and that has not been decided. >> Okay. So that's why we've asked for a disclaimer because it's not coming from elected officials. This is just an opinion of an appointed finance committee.
>> So that that is able to go forward even in spite of >> Well, yes. Um but we're going to add the disclaimer saying these are just opinions, not not fact. >> My only other statement is I would urge the board as Bill Mor said to uh seek a
more refined uh budget submission. I think that's important. I think that's going to be uh certainly a major pivotal point for anybody who's trying to find uh the truth in all of these issues which way to vote. >> Sure. >> So that would be my my urgent.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh no one else Ralph Karen. >> No. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn somewhere. >> I will make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll sit balance chair in a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I thank
you. >> Thank you.