All right, guys. Okay, you guys ready? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, good evening. Welcome to the town of Ditton's Board of Elections regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting in progress. >> This meeting is being recorded. The
listing of matters of those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Now all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Can we please have a call to order? >> Nicole Melo present. >> Mark Pico present
>> and Peter Karen present. In uh we need everybody to stand for the pledge of allegiance and I republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh we just have a couple of issues
before uh or you guys will be yours now. It's whatever you choose. Why don't you wait until we do Mr. Rooney then? Sure. And um Okay, Mr. Rooney, you're up, sir. Uh Mr. Rooney, superintendent of the D High School uh school system. Um
well, you can tell everyone what you want to do. >> Thank you very much. Good evening, everyone. Um so um I I did send a memo to uh the selectman um on Monday and hopefully you had a chance to look at it. But uh in a nutshell uh Donna Berto
who um has been um a great member of our school committee for the last couple of years um and she also was um appointed by our school committee and approved by the selectman to be on the Dyton Elementary School school building committee. Uh Donna has come to me and
said that she's not going to pursue reelection in April and uh she felt that it would be in the best interest of uh the committee for of the building committee uh to be able to have someone on the school committee u replace her
sooner rather than late rather than waiting until April when there was a um a transition at the election time. And so um I proposed it to the school committee. Uh the school committee unanimously approved um Mrs. Nicole Pavo um to uh to take that slot and um you
know I I recommended Nicole because of the fact that uh she checks three boxes for us. Uh she is not only a school committee member um but she's a uh a very diligent volunteer. uh she spent a lot of time with the uh Diton PTO um and
they've raised thousands and thousands of dollars um to um to improve uh both Titan Elementary and Diton Middle um and she's also a parent in the system. So, uh she brings uh those three very valuable perspectives and um you know
because of the fact that uh you are the local governing body um I wanted to bring um her um you want to join wanted to uh to to bring her appointment from the school committee uh to you officially um and answer any questions
that you might have. >> Great. Thank you. Uh thank you Nicole for for doing this. Um it's your committee and and you feel comfortable at home and um I have no questions or concerns. >> No, I don't have any concerns. >> I just noticed that now I wish I was
fairly but should we have a resignation letter from Donna? >> Well, she's not resigning from >> Well, I just normally when someone leaves a board, we get a resation. >> She did put it in writing to me and I can forward that. >> Okay.
Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, this is a review, discuss, and act resignation of Donna Burroughs from the elementary school building committee. >> So, uh, does somebody want to make a motion to accept that resignation? >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second it. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I
>> then recommendation to appoint Nicole Pavo as elementary school building committee member. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Nicole Pavo as elementary school building committee member. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. >> Um, okay guys, you want to open for a meeting? >> Um, >> I I apologize. There's a few things some house uh cleaning house uh cleaning articles we got to uh we have to take care of before um we open it. Okay. That
>> and it all has to do with the special town uh special town meeting. >> Sure. >> So that um just um just so you know. So, a a few things, a very late entry to the special town warrant came in from from town council Matt Costa. Uh, this is in
association with the Pleasant Street Pleasant Street Bridge. Um, we're looking to get a a home rule petition. Um, and it's listed in the home rule petition to um to able to take uh to take some land out of conservation out of conservation property. It's called
article 97. There's a small amount of uh um the by the Pleasant Street park down by the water that um that we'll need for um to do uh for the reconstruction of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Um we um
we're looking to do it now because we never know how long it takes for a home rule petition to go uh to go through uh to go through the legislation. Um the uh we I asked if we could wait till annual town meeting, but um if everything right
everything moves forward, uh they're going to be advertising for uh for the bridge reconstruction September of 2026. So it's kind of cut and close. So So, so Matt, um so Matt brought it. So the next uh one, two, three, four. Next
review discuss act is one uh to to reopen the special town meeting warrant. Two to add the article for the home rule petition you know if you open it. Three, you have to close it. And then the fourth one is to place um to place all
the articles on the special on the special art. And from then, you know, we could um the finance committee will step in and and then you um through through the joint meeting, then you can make the recommendations on each of the articles. >> Sure. >> Okay.
>> So, this is going to be a review discussion act request to open the to reopen the special town meeting more. I'll make a motion to reopen the special town meeting warrant. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Request to add an article to file home
rule petition. >> I'll make a request to add the article to have a home rule petition for the Pleasant Street Bridge. >> I'll second that. >> Motion made second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Request to close the special town meeting.
>> I'll make a motion to close the special town meeting. I'll second that. >> Motion has been seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> I >> request to place articles on the special town meeting warrant. >> I will make a motion to place all articles on the special town meeting
warrant. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Now you can open up. >> Yep. I got >> Now, now we got one more piece of homework for you. >> Sure. >> You got to form us.
We haven't been formed yet. >> You have not. Okay. Um we make that motion to inform the is everybody here who's on it the uh the six of you to be >> missing one or Doug White. >> Oh, Doug White. Seven of you to be on
the uh finance committee. >> There a motion on top. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I I Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I think
>> uh no election of officers. We just need a chair. Who should we elect? >> Everybody was not here. >> You're done. >> Uh make a motion. Peter chair. >> Second.
>> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I posted that a winner clerk. Who was currently? >> Ron. Ron, you cool that? >> I feel Clarkish. Sure. Cool.
>> I'll make a motion as Ron's clerk. >> Second that one. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Uh, capital outlay. We need one member for the capital outlay committee. >> I'll do that. >> Okay.
>> Yeah, I'll be happy to do that. >> I make a motion that Tracy be their representative to the capital outlay committee. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> School finance
staff here. >> I'll make a motion pursue to uh represent finance committee at the school committee. >> Second. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Back to you, Peter.
>> Okay. Thank you. We have a review, discuss, and act the reserve fund. the reserve fund transfer request. >> Um I just have a question. I know Serena had sent so and we had been provided this print out. Serena had sent today an
email uh in an Excel with the print out. There was just a 50k discrepancy in free cash um in the Excel that Serena had sent today versus what we had printed here. And it looks like it's a reduction in
the deposits to stabilization and cap stabilization and then 25k each. So I just wasn't sure what the direction Serena I know is on Zoom. >> Yeah, that that's correct. We we we initially and then I will I discuss that
as we go through the special town meeting articles. Uh we did um um we did a I I elected to do to present a reduction in the uh stabilization fund and the capital stabilization from 200
to to the 175 uh only because we had um we found out you know relatively late. We were hoping to um do the uh do the patrol car through through marijuana funds. Uh but then uh Serena discovered
that um we can't purchase a patrol car with with marijuana funds. And then um I wanted to go into annual town meeting with at least a million dollars of free cash. So, you know, it's uh if we kept
it at the if we kept it at the 200 a piece, it would be like 963, >> you know. So, um you I want it uh it's it's a good number. It's a good, you know, psychological number. So, >> so this is So, you're saying the one
that's printed, not Serenas. Are you going to go up Serenas, which is which is two uh Well, they're slightly different, right? So, >> they're slightly different, right? Yeah. >> So, are we saying that we're Because the So on Serenas it's at 200 but it's at a million because there
we're assuming that the police car would have come from marijuana which is correct which we're saying is not. >> Yes. >> So we're still using that same slightly over a mill and change >> and but we're reducing 175 to each of
those which keeps us at that slightly over a mill number. >> That is correct. We'll be at uh 143,000. >> Okay. Okay. So, it's the card. Okay. >> The transfer is just the six the 6,000.
>> This the um yes, it would be the 6,000. We had the 1,500 um dollars in the account. It's roughly Yeah. going to be um the the bill is approximately $6,200. So, the request is
$6,000. Some squirrels tooth for the fiber optics office. >> So, I don't know if everybody saw said there's a transfer request to replace and repair damage by squ. >> I do have one question. It looks like
the splicer alignment with the bucket truck is priced at for 40 hours. >> Okay. >> Um but then traffic control detail, we've only got one hour >> if I'm reading this chart right.
>> Yeah. Um, so did you take a look? I I don't have a good answer for that. Um, so, >> oh wait, hold on. >> Four hours, but they put it as a line item one maybe.
>> Ah, okay. So, they put it at so line item one. So, I was actually uh they w up using four hours of um of a of a police detail. >> It was a total of four. >> It was a total of four hours. So, >> why why is it The slicer was, you know,
the quantity it. >> So, at four hours, is it $294.80 or >> Yeah. four times $294? >> No, it's it's 4 hours at 290. At 290480.
>> Yes. >> Okay. So, 4 hours. >> Yeah. >> No, no, no. That's for the total. >> Oh, okay. So, this is four hours. Yeah. I don't know if the quantity the 40 equals 40 hours of the of the splicer
lineman. >> I don't know at the top. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It does say per. >> Yeah, I know. It says out. Yeah. Or I don't know. It says 40 hours. >> Yeah. I just don't want us to be blindsided
with another bill later >> after the work is done and we do have to pay for it. >> Yeah. >> Well, no, the work has been completed. So, we haven't >> Oh, this is completed. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, there's no blind side coming too. >> This is the bill.
>> This is after the >> This is the bill. >> Okay. >> We try to go after the squirrel, but >> somebody Uh, okay. Um, any other questions on that?
>> Recap. >> Yes. No, no, actually it's >> Okay. Um, we'll make a motion to pay the house bill for the requested transfer fund. Uh, total amount of $6,000 um to repair fiber optic lines damaged
by squirrels from the reserve plant. >> Second. All in favor >> I oppose that I don't I printed double printed so I don't have it chair.
That's it. with the squirrel. Sorry. >> So, the repair Oh, I do have one more question. The repair done, um, it looked like there was conduit there, so it's going to be protected now, the fibers.
>> I would I would say they they did their best to squirrel proof it as as they could. So, it's it's it was a, you know, as I understand it, it was sort of a weird predicament. They didn't even know how the squirrel got in and and chewed it. They usually squirrels usually go in
and make try to make a nest. >> This one they >> plastic. >> Yeah. Which I don't know. Usually it has like some usually have like an echo coating on it. They made from corn or something. But it's just
>> spr that one. It's plastic, you know. Do you guys want to do just the ones that affect you or do you want to just do them all on the articles? >> Uh I think the first it's not until the end that affects us. So
>> okay. So why don't we just um it's it's easy for us just to uh to do them all. Um well >> y >> I do like the uniform to see the town will vote to raise an
appropriate indoor transfer from available funds in the amount of 11 uh 1,168 cents to pay priority bills or take any action thereof relative to two. >> You guys have any questions?
>> No. Is there any questions on any of the priority? >> No. >> Okay. Then uh we need a motion on the floor to accept it. >> Is to accept or recommend? >> Recommend.
>> I make a motion to recommend article two. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Motion to recommend. >> I make a motion. We vote to recommend article two as presented. >> Second. All
>> in favor? >> Article three. Uh there's no sense reading. We don't have them in front of us. >> I just had a question about what the personal expenses for the ACL were. Uh the personal expressed there were um there was some more over time than that
was anticipated. >> Excuse me. >> Hi. I was just um wanted to confirm that also the maintenance committee was going to make their funding recommendations. >> Would you do that? Yes, please.
>> We typically do prior year appropriate >> free cash. >> Serena does have it in free cash part of the reduction there. >> Yes. >> Issues with that
amend the article. >> Uh, so do we have to make a motion to reopen or do we just make an make a motion to amend a recommendation? You could make a motion to
like a second um second motion to uh recommend through free cash and then going forward you could say recommend and you could do both both the recommendation and the funding source. But now you could you've already recommended it so you can make a motion to say from from from what what's the
funding source? >> Uh okay I'll make a motion to recommend the funding source for article two be free cash. >> Second. All in favor? >> I post that. >> Uh Mark made a motion, but there was
discussion for article 3. >> Um so >> so we need a second. >> Uh no, you you already second. You need to recommend. >> Is there a motion on floor to recommend?
We'll make a motion to recommend that first. >> I'll second that. >> Motion made a second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I [Applause] did have one question on the veterans benefits.
Uh that that department we had 30,000 of free cash come from them. So do we have to do this now or can we hold this one off? Has he already spent all of his benefits for the year? >> Oh, is that a question for me? So,
>> he has not gone negative yet. Based on what he currently is paying out monthly um through the end of June, it will run negative by that $16,511. Um we
could hold off until the end of the year and either fun it whether it's our transfer or department transfer or if we don't have any money available at the end of this year then um at the annual town meeting we just
have an article for it to be raised and appropriated for this fiscal year >> if if I may the um the veteran they get um an un they have an unanticipated uh veteran move in and so that's how they
that's how they incur the expense that they uh planning >> that was going to be my question. Yeah. Just Yeah. Okay. >> What account is ACL number 292 control? [Applause]
That's the rate increase for one year with overtime. I don't understand this. of each number. >> I'm sorry, Serena. I didn't understand you. I said that I can do a little rundown of each amount requested.
>> That'd be good for me. Okay. So, the animal control officer had a change to her contract that she when works on a holiday, it's a 4hour minimum of overtime pay. And that contract is established after the budget was done.
So, this $3,400 is what the um came up with to cover any work that she may do on a holiday. The second one for the election for the 4500. When we were going through the budget
process and we had that big Excel sheet with everyone's budgets, the vote that's actually a vote by mail total amount. And if you look back at the Excel sheet, there was a formula error on the columns for the board of selectmen recommendation and the finance committee
recommendation. So when we actually went to vote, the vote was shorted by the 4500. And then even though the 4500 was intentional, you know, everyone's intention was to accept that dollar
amount when we did the math. It was justed at the meeting. Um, and that's the same. Oh, so the town of Clark is the Clark Union has a separate pay rate on June 30th. And
when I was looking the budget, I realized that there were two individuals that missed the addition for their June 30th pay. And then >> thank you.
>> I make a motion we vote to recommend um article number three as presented. as >> uh as the raised and appropriate. Doesn't it have to be race and appropriate because these all of these are part of the budget regular budget?
>> I don't think it necessarily has to, but that's what we tend to we try to do >> to keep it's going to be part of that continuous >> second. All in favor? >> I post
article four. >> All right. So, we're frontloading these lease payments, right? Is that basically what's going on here? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, we have it. So, we have it available. So, we don't have to We're
doing that with fire highway. >> Police doesn't have any. >> Police doesn't have any way. But ambulance, we don't have any because that was the last one we just did, right? The last one at the time. >> Mark, you want to make that motion for
article four to recommend? >> I'll make a motion to recommend article four. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I just I want to make sure
cash. I guess we're taking off the books for next year when it's worse, right? Basically taking my obligations. Anybody have any questions on that? >> I guess my my question is where did the
windfall come from? >> So >> I mean when we left town maybe in June. >> Yeah. >> I mean the town's going to wonder where are we getting this money all of a sudden? >> So I went through we had 234 from free cash from last year
carryover. 928 was turn back and then 614 was revenue. The biggest things out of the revenue were 220 in extra vehicle excise >> and 200 more of investment income
>> which you guys got to do that again this year. >> No pressure. >> Okay. >> From investment. >> Yeah, investment income. So they budgeted >> it's so it's it's quirky. Yeah. It's been quirky investment. Yeah. We Yeah.
Obviously. Bitcoin. >> Bitcoin. This is Bitcoin and that's all you guys invested in. That's cool. >> Out of the turn. 90,000 of it was that out of district student that was going >> transportation.
>> So they only charged us 10 grand instead of 100 >> because they left. >> Did she is that what happened? She left the town. Okay. >> And health insurance was down 238 people leave or insurance elsewhere that far
>> it um it Yeah. Some people left just moving moving things around. >> I know. rate was good and we had a refund too, right? >> Yeah, we had a good rate. We wanted >> Yeah, we over anticipated. So So our rate w up being better of other other communities,
>> but this is not >> fiscal year. It's fiscal year 25 not this is like nice stuff but not something that can counted be counted on. >> Last year health insurance was 75. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Thank you. That's that's about almost 40% of the turn. >> Yeah. I mean I think if if we can do that then I think yeah the smartest move is taking off
taking off recurring payments. Right. I make a motion we vote to recommend the payment of uh 106,146.76 as the fifth payment for for the fire engine. >> Second >> from free cash >> from
free cash. All in favor? >> I oppose. >> Article five is the same as four with the exception of the six payment. >> Do you mind if I do motion to recommend article five and six as present? >> Sure.
>> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I motion recommend article five and six as uh written. Recommendation from free cash. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I oppos. >> Article 7, $106,000 for a new uh Jeie vehicle. Chief, what happens to the other vehicle?
>> Um, the one that I'm looking to replace, >> if I can ask the chief to step up to I'm sorry, chief to step up to the podium. Thank you. So yeah, so um my current cruiser will become the ship supervisor's cruiser and then the current cruiser will be surplused by the time.
>> Any idea what the surplus value is? >> I don't know. Sometimes we get good money for them, sometimes we don't. It just depends on what the bite is on the auction when the town puts it out for auction. It's got 176,000 miles on it. So, I
don't know if somebody will be too interested in it. >> 2006. >> The surplus goes uh the vehicle goes back into free cash. Well, thanks for putting 176 questions about it.
>> No, I know. >> I I do have one more question. Have we been having issues with this vehicle? >> Um, so two years ago we replaced the transmission in it with a junkyard transmission that I'm crossing my fingers continues to operate. >> Yeah. >> Um, and we just started having issues
with it starting to the point this morning we had it running out on a medical to assist the ambulance and it didn't start. So, they had to take something else. >> Do you know leap time? >> Um, for a new one? >> Yeah, >> they have it on the lot. >> Oh, they do? >> Yeah.
>> How long does it take them to get it all? >> Uh, I don't I I don't know that. It'll it probably be a couple months to fit it. >> And this price includes fully equipped, >> correct? Yes, ma'am. >> The 53 is the vehicle and then the 53 is
everything else, right? The vehicle is actually 57. Um, but we're looking to split it and use ambulance fund money and uh, whatever you guys decide. >> Motion to recommend seven. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any more
discussion? All those in favor? I >> uh, do we have to recommend the split of free cash and ambulance? Is that what we're doing here with the notation that 53 and 53. >> I feel more comfortable with that.
>> Okay. Uh motion motion to recommend article 7 in the total sum of $16,000 um to be split between $53,000 of free cash and $53,000 ambulance fund. >> Second. >> Any other questions on that article?
>> All in favor? >> Thank you. Okay. Article eight and nine. If you want to do them together, Mark. >> Yes. I'll do a motion to recommend article 8. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
discussion? All those in favor? >> So, same as taken off the highway obligations. Any questions on >> I don't I make a motion that we vote to
recommend both article 8 and nine as as payments for the highway um excavator >> from free second. All in favor? >> I opposed as
article 10. >> Chief, when was the last time we purchased the car? The 2023. >> Almost 3 years. >> What are you taking off the road? >> Sorry. Sorry about that. It's okay. All right.
So, um, we're going to be taking 572 and 573, which they're both 2014. One's got 160,000 and the other's got 165,000 miles on it. One's got mold inside of it growing, and I don't want the guys using it anymore for details. And the other
one's uh the oldest of the fleet which has got exhaust leak. >> So we're taking two off replacement. >> Two off. Those will go to the for auction and then I'm going to replace the one um frontline car. Then the the the car that we're having issues with now. We'll just put that down for details which is getting fixed now. It's
on a second water pump. See the car that from 23 was that an actual purchase or was that a replacement of >> So that was an actual purchase to um
move the uh car to the SRO um um transportation. >> Okay. >> And when was the insurance purchase? >> That was the first that was the first um so that was the
23. The 20. No, I'm sorry. The That was the 23. That was the That was the um the 24, I'm sorry. So, it was two years ago, was the last Tahoe we bought, >> but they went up in price.
>> And the school resource officer is using which part? >> 576. That's on the list there, which is a 2018 withund almost 130,000. >> And does he go between the schools? >> He goes he well he goes between all
three if needed, but he was at the the middle and elementary. He was just recently reassigned to the high school. >> Nod doesn't put the hours on it like the other. No, >> you don't see Oki flying by.
Yeah, that doesn't that definitely doesn't have the idle time that obviously a frontline car does. And the oldest frontline car we're replacing is the 577, which is a 2019 with 140,000. >> Motion to recommend.
>> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? Hi. >> Any questions? >> 88's fully equipped. >> Yes, it is. >> Y >> radio equipment. That's everything.
>> Uh motion to recommend article 10 uh funded from free cash. >> I've got one more question. >> Um does that administrative recommend this? >> Yes. I'll second that. >> All in favor?
>> I hope before we move on leave time. >> What uh to get that? So if uh we order it um November, it'll probably be February maybe. We'll see. We should see that about 3 months.
>> Article 11. Chief, what's the uh drug kits? The drug kits are used for the lead program which is law enforcement law enforcement against drugs. It's a curriculum that we're teaching in the schools with the kids taught by the SRO's who became instructors about two
years ago. Um and the drug kits are like um variety of things like um stress balls and other on color I like activity books and it's got a variety of things like I've never had too much involvement in it. I've let them um the instructors
take part in all that stuff. >> And who do they teach? Everyone or just certain grades? >> Uh certain grades, but um I heard it's going so well that they want to now move it to like the fourth grade level. >> Okay. >> Mr. Rooney likes the program. It's got a lot of good feedback, a lot of positive feedback. So now they want to move it to
try to expand it to the fourth grade level. So because they're going to do another grade, they were looking to get some more. Um the deputy had asked for the transfer of funds. >> What are we spending now? >> I wouldn't have an exact number. >> Nope.
>> Nope. Glad we're using the funds. >> Yeah. >> Motion to recommend article 11. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I do have one questionabilization. It's very limited what you can funding for.
>> It is. It is. It is a very strict guideline on what you can make make purchases with. So, >> is it mostly just educational? >> It is. It is. >> Full disclosure. I I was at the capital stabilization the capital outlay committee meeting and the plan at that
point was to buy the cruise around the opioid. But >> Serena blew that uh no something we could really >> for education. driving me to go teach a class. >> Well, next next we can ask cable and see if
>> I wonder if you can pay the salary out of you to teach the class. >> Oh, >> because um I know >> I think it has to be a new position. >> A new position >> like because I do know that there's towns that use it to pay a salary, but they had it was like a mental health I forgot what they call him the director
of mental health and they pay him for it, but it was a new position. >> Okay. Because that's where I got the idea. I saw that another committee. >> Yeah. Yeah. Middle does it. Yeah. Okay. All right. >> I make a motion we vote to recommend article 11 as presented. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I post 12. >> Could it be an additional responsibility for an existing position? >> That I don't know. That would be a question for maybe Serena or like he's
like you said it is very limited and it's like pages and pages of long and it's so long you would think that you have all these options but they're pretty much just telling you everything you can't do. >> I don't think we have a significant amount. Serena, do you know off the top
of your head how much we have in the >> opioid fun? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's um >> I mean it's not I mean >> the hours >> something
>> Yeah. It's not enough to fun. >> Yeah. like stuff inside the school. >> You guys all set with >> more questions, right? >> No. >> Yep. Uh so article 12. Um, chief, when
did it stop being compatible with the state system? >> That's the call lock one. >> Oh, so it's it's it is compatible right now, but the state is no longer going to be managing and and um
um servicing the uh recorders anymore. So, they basically told all the communities, you have until I believe until the end of the year to purchase your own recorders, voice recorders. Um so, we're looking to I spoke to the chief from Westport. He did his last year. We're looking to obviously take
care of our quarter this year. >> Okay. >> And the reason why we have the the the price is on there is that um not to steal your thunder, but kicking the can down the road as you use that term. That will put us in uh you know for 5 years. That'll take care of that quarter. So we're not okay.
>> Having to worry about funds for it. So that'll take care of that for five years. >> What happens after five years? We need >> then we'll just have to go back and get another quote on the for them to service it. >> Okay. And what do you mean when you say they service it? >> So they come in, they they they
obviously check the recorder to make sure it's recording on all the lines and doing all that technical stuff that they they do with the recorders. I'm not in the I can't say what they do. I'm not in the room with them when they do, but that it's checking out pretty much all the hardware and all the make sure it's doing its job. >> So this is like not to date myself, but
this is like when people used to buy a printer and but they also have a service contract where somebody comes. >> Correct. >> Correct. So, so it's not just a one time purchase. And now we have a recorder where you're paying on the same. >> We're hoping the same recorder is going to last us 10 years, 15 years down the
road. I mean, I don't see them I don't see them dying off. I mean, too soon because the one we've had has been there for six years since we've gotten the building, but they've always serviced it and done, you know, what it takes to keep keep it going. Now, they're saying, you know what, the state's not going to
be servicing these voice recorders. You need to purchase your own. We were hoping that we'll leave them in the stations and maybe just, you know, worry about servicing them as they as we need it. But they're telling us that we need to get out of there. So, okay. >> We want to be in front of the eight-ball on this. >> Do you know, sorry, do you know what the
breakdown is between the initial upfront? Hey, we got to purchase the unit and then what the estimated annual is you every year. >> Um, he had said it and um he had said it and then when the deputy and I were sitting down looking at the figures, that was the the cheapest way to go with
that the fiveyear plan. I I don't have the the actual figure in my >> No, I'm just curious. >> Yeah. >> And is there are there warranties on the equipment? >> Uh with the with the service plan, there was the five that's why we went with the 5 years. >> Okay. So, we're good. Yep.
And that that's for all all the lines. So, when you call into the station, that covers all the lines that come into the station, including one. Motion to recommend article 12. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
more discussion? All those in favor? >> Um this really doesn't say anything about um maintaining the system. It's for the purchase and installation of the >> and it's to maintain it for for five years. It doesn't say
>> it's a point. It's a point that we should put in here. >> Correct. >> Because you're probably coming back if we have issues. >> Yeah. Where's the warranty? >> I think the language should should say for the purchase and installation and service for the duration of 5 years. >> Okay.
>> You know, just so that people understand what you know, this isn't, oh, hey, this is a one time thing, right? >> Or and we have something to fall back on if something goes wrong. >> Okay, >> I got you. >> So, do we make
>> I can make a motion. >> Yeah, >> I'll I'll make a motion to amend the language in article 12 to include um language about maintaining the system. Do you >> all right for uh five years? >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
more discussion? All those in favor? I >> I'll make a motion to recommend article 12 as amended by the motorcycle recommendation from free cash. >> Second. >> All in favor? Um, article 13.
>> This is all just HVAC. >> What's that? >> Uh, 13 is Hback $9,800 for engine replacement. >> Yeah. So, this is a good one, right? Um, we've been having a lot of issues with our HBAC system, um, all summer long. We
spent quite a few dollars on keeping it going. Um, just recently, we got a thing from one of the techs and Mr. Aya before he had uh left um that there was issues with it defaulting every time there's an
electrical storm or a power outage which they were back again today because we had two power outages yesterday and it went into default again and I'm not an HBAC guy. So the the town electrician who was working on the library came over
the northstar technician Jim Aguia we all had a meeting inside the station to try to figure out what the problem is. And one of the problems was it came that the software because you have to go log onto the computer to control all the temps in the station. Um hadn't had a
software upgrade in probably almost four years now they're thinking. Um so we contacted this company who Swansea uses and came highly recommended um because they do their station um and came over and looked at the wall and the minute you walked in the IT room he said well
there's your problem. That part's 10 years old. It's like trying to install an app inside a flip phone. I said, "Okay." So I said, "Uh, what do those go for?" And he said, "Well, we'll give you a quote on, you know, replacing it." But he said, "It's probably 10 years old." I said, "How is it 10 years old? The building's only six, >> right?"
>> He goes, "Well, that's what they do when they build these stations." You know, they come in lowest bid. They put the parts in them. They they get them up and running. And >> so here we are. We're dealing with a part that needs to get replaced that's not functionable to letting us upgrade our software to control the system the
way it should be. >> Motion to recommend article 13. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor. >> Any other questions for chase 13? So
the oneear software maintenance agreement is it with this Swansea company? >> Yeah. Well, they're out of Allen. Swans is using the same company, but they came highly recommended. Y >> and that's just for the programming. >> Yes. Yep.
>> So this is part install programming and then a year. >> Correct. They were trying to sell us >> crazy stuff. >> Yeah. And I said, "No, >> no, >> get us to where we need to be."
>> Hback. >> The bill is like actually $17,000 and I said, "No way. >> You got to talk about this." >> You say I can ask. >> I said, "No way." So, we can't we can't go down that road right now.
>> I make a motion. We vote to recommend article 13 as presented from free cash. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I have article 14
>> is uh is this now going to be 175 for each one? >> Um if I Yes. Yes. if I may through um through the chair our recommendation >> 175,000 for for article
>> for article 14 and and and article 15 it's a it's um just a again DLS generally recommends you know if you get 10% 10% of your free cash to put into stabilization. That's how we that's how we came up with the 200, you know, the
200,000. But, um, you know, as I said, you know, it's close enough to that 10%. We just want to go into into annual town meeting with a, you know, with a healthy number. So, it gives us, you know, gives you and and the finance committee um a chance to uh to take a look at it and
how we appropriate those funds. I'll make a motion to recommend article 14 for 175,000 to the stabilization account. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> I
question 14. >> I make a motion. We vote to recommend article 14 in the amount of $175,000 for the stabilization fund from free cash. >> Second. All >> in favor?
>> I post. >> I make a motion to recommend article 15 for $175,000 to the capital stabilization account. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I.
Any questions on N >> I make a motion we vote to recommend article 15 in the amount of $175,000 to capital stabilization from free cash. >> Second all >> in favor I
have >> uh Ralph I have some questions about 16. >> Absolutely. Go ahead. >> Is it going to cost us $35,000? >> Very close to $35,000. The um as as you recall uh back in back in the spring,
the um the council on aging had requested to the board of selection the extension of the of the parking lot to do um you know for for safety reasons to have it. So um they had they had grant money left over which they paid which
they will pay for engineering and and the substrate the materials which uh finance committee I'm sorry which highway department put so to put the rest of the black top and the guardrails is approximately 30 uh to
$35,000 uh based on based on the square footage. um COA and Bella, they've been, you know, we said look for grants. Um and they haven't been able uh they've been trying, they haven't been able to find any grants uh to complete the job. And
we're looking to complete the job before winter really hits and really does a number on on that temporary parking lot we have. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I may have to spend $35,000. >> Was that how it's presented to us? that
would have been me spending >> I might have been in a cloud but I just heard grant and I like I was like that sounds great and I missed I I'm guessing I missed the aspect that that was only covering a certain portion but I was under the impression that it was a grant
>> right >> um not that we were just starting it with grants and that we were going to come back looking for the full amount. >> How much is is it all back all the way down? Um, it's that I don't know the
square footage. It's that top that top portion if you Yeah. Yeah. If you look at it, >> we've got this small without it. >> Well, it's it's not we haven't gone through a winter >> and um if uh you know,
>> we're sealing it. >> Well, we're putting Yeah, we're putting a a a more permanent uh sealing on it and and and the um um and the guardrails. >> How many more spots is it giving us?
>> Do we know? >> 20 more spots if I remember correctly. >> I I don't know. Um I wish someone from the Council on Aging was here to speak on this. >> Uh I I know listen I I brought this up to them. Um it was, you know, my
recommendation to them for the Council on Aging. I know they were working diligently to find um you know, to find funding, you know, outside, you know, outside of um outside of the town to pay for it. Um and um I figured, you know,
since I don't want to be willy-nilly with our free cash, but I figured this, you know, this was an opportunity um to um to to finish the job before we go in before we go into the winter. We're just chipping away at free cash. It it seems like all of a sudden the the the bell
went off and everybody's just coming in because there's free cash. >> I I don't um see it that way. I think, you know, we've made some prudent choices with our uh with our free cash going into special town meeting. Um, you
know, I I do I do admit that, you know, I did see this as as an opportunity to seal it, make sure to make sure to make sure we have it. Um, and again, this was based on um, you know, the the Council on Aging's efforts and
and, you know, I signed off on on the grants that they submitted. you know, they really, you know, they really have been, you know, attempting um to find a different to find a different revenue source to complete the job. So, >> what's your opinion?
>> Um, these pictures don't look terrible. >> They don't I think this would be wonderful, but >> Did you guys get these? >> No. >> Oh, do you want to see this? >> Um, could I say a few things? We've invested a lot of time and
resources already to get it to this point. um the any alterations that have made been made in the parking lot >> and I kind of agree why are we spending money do the first part of the job and now after we've you know we could have
stopped on a cruiser or another police vehicle we have quite a surplus already of those vehicles but this is I mean to stop a project midway we've we've already invested money and then yes possibly have the weather and everything re
bring us back or ruin the progress we've made already does not make sense to me. And I will say $35,000. >> I know it's $35,000. I will say the Council on Aging has improved their programs and they're getting not more people in because they have done such a
great job with their grant funding. The >> But you say the other day was packed when I came by. >> Right. The thing is we've already said we would do this project now. is not I in my opinion is not the time to stumble or walk. We've got to finish
it. It's just like the stairs we tore up at town hall to put in that ramp and then we ended up putting the stands back in. But we started this project under the impression that it was going to be paid through for grants. Not saying that I'm totally on board with continuing it, but
I I wish the Council on Aging was here to talk about this to defend it because I think it's important. I'd like to know. Sounds like I'm hearing from Jake that they do have a lot of more people coming because that was one of my questions. What's it like? I'm not in town during the >> overflow's been down even they've been
parking around like that track corner. >> Mhm. >> So the events that they have been running recently even just from pottering around. I've been out of town hall a couple times recently which is why I've seen it. >> They literally had the overflow down all the way down to town all the way. Um if
>> not to be that guy, but those people aren't going to be getting up that hill very easily. >> No, it's not safe. And if I could just say one more thing about the council on aging, they do not come to us a lot with things. >> Um and they do always pull their own weight. So >> yeah,
>> this is a lot. Yeah, that's it. Um doable, >> if I may, I don't mean to cut you off. Um Bella was supposed to come. She had I U Karen just said she had got an emergency. That's why she's That's why she's not here.
>> Peter, can I ask you a question? >> Yeah. >> What is the um what is the negative side if because obviously this is a concern. Um what is the negative side of rather
than paying the third and the fourth lease payment on the excavator, we only pay the third and take that amount of money and apply it towards this 35,000 thought. What's the negative side of doing something like that? Obviously, we
push the payoff of the excavator out of a year, >> but how does that negatively affect anything we did that? [Music] You know, I think if we I say if we have an opportunity to pay the excavator now,
I think I think I think we should >> just just clarify 35 before winter is calculated in the middle of how much I think approximately $20,000 and that's from um from
>> 19 $20,000 and that's uh they had leftover money in the grant which they applied >> right >> applied it to >> that's the highway department. Yes. and highway would do this as well. >> So, yeah. So, you have So, now it's for
town citizens for town employees, which is good. That's nice. So, uh he was just saying there's about 19 $20,000 already invested in the project. >> Mhm. >> So, it's about halfway almost halfway.
This is this is the last bit. So, I agree with everyone's points. the council agents doing amazing things and they um doing great work over there and they've grown their programs and the board already recognized their need
increased need for parking when it was presented and I don't really view this as stopping the project midway. I just view it as um the board when they supported the project. I don't want to speak for us but from what
I heard we didn't realize there's going to be an actual to the taxpayers who thought it was going to be grant funded and I just don't see winter as the winter is coming as the reason that we have to push along so quickly. I think
um the parking lot will be there in the spring so we can continue to look for grants and other funding opportunities and if we can't um we can review it in the future and hopefully we have we continue to save
and have money available for it. So, I u I think I should stay on the the warrant, but I I'm I'm not going to make a motion to recommend it. >> You want to table it? We just have to >> We just don't have to recommend, right? We can leave it on the
>> It's going to stay on the warrant whether we just go slip and doesn't recommend, >> right? And the consolation can make that case directly to people. >> Okay. >> So, there is no motion on the floor, correct? No, but I had a question. Does the Council on Aging have a a Friends of
the Council on Aging? Like the library has like other towns have that. Does the Council on Aging have that? >> I didn't hear what you said. >> Do they have like a friends of the Council on Aging? >> I think I I think they do. You know, we we and I've helped Bella look at other
revenue sources outside um you know, outside of u obviously outside of uh from the taxpayer. And and I and again I just want to say this is I don't mean to make this harsh. This is not a bait and switch by the Council on Aging. You
know, again they they and I don't think you know you see that they did and they and they truly have been wanted to do it through grant funding and they've been making every effort to make it grant fun and reaching out and reaching out to
sources. This was something I brought up to Bella. So, this is, you know, I want to say it's on me. I brought it up. I figured this was an opportunity for us to do it. So, um I just I just want to, you know, I just want to put out when they when they made their presentation to you, it it was sincere and it was
genuine and it was and it was it was fully 100% their intention. They have grant money and to continue and to continue that forward. So, >> we reached out to like our senator or our state rep. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. They've Yeah,
they've been reaching out and and as Yeah, and as you know, they have um um I think um both uh both Senator Duna and and and Representative Thurbert the once a month they they have their uh they have their meetings at actually at the
Council on Aging. They have their office hours at the at the Council on Aging. So, so they um they do a very good job at snipping out grants. So, so >> thank you, Ro. >> Yeah. And just for clarification, I I never would think that Council Nation would ever do a bait and switch.
>> No. Yeah. I don't think so. Yeah. I I just want I you know, I just want to express uh to the board that it was, you know, more my you know, more my conversation with Bella than them saying, "Oh, we have this money. Can we do it?" So, >> one more question. >> Yeah.
>> Uh we're talking about paving and guardrails for this. >> Yes. >> There are no guardrails at this point. >> There are blocks. Okay. >> Yeah, they're like concrete >> about the guardrails for now. >> Um it's it's not recommended because there's a um for safety reasons because
it's on um if you see there's a dip and you have you um >> I am not 100% sure on the DOT uh regulations on that. But but you know my conversations with uh with Mr. areas that there has to be. Um he he does
recommend the guard rails and I think it's um uh because I know um it's like on the top of a hill and we don't want anybody overshooting the top. >> But if we could break up the payments and pave now, put the guard rails in later, leave the blocks in position.
>> Um >> yeah, I would break down. Yeah, >> you would think the paving probably >> paving is probably the >> breakdown. >> Yeah. >> Do you have the breakdown of the
>> guardrails were like $2,300 guards the sprinkles on the cupcakes? >> I I mean, if they went with the wood guard rails, it would have been more expensive, but they're looking for the they call them rust the rust colored metal guard rails. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Would table, but you still need a recommendation from us, >> right? >> Yes. >> Can we hold up and speak to prior to the meeting? >> Um a a recommendation at I guess you can
make it at at the meeting. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because we would typically meet before talk to him because I'd be interested to find out what the what is Okay, we leave it for the time. What does that mean? >> Right. What are the ramifications? make this going to well like would it
deteriorate the surface to the point where it would increase the cost of the project, right? So, would they have to rele >> they did the same thing to the tennis ball courts down here before they paved it? They they prepped it for 2 or 3 years >> um >> over at the old police station
>> at the old police station and it sat there. Uh when it came time to pave it, there was no potholes to fill or anything. Uh it was more of a safety issue because of wheelchairs. Um and they wanted the ramp
at that time, but that was $30,000 to pay that, >> right? >> Yeah. >> But that's all flat, too. I'm worried about the runoff off the sides cuz like you say, >> there's a dip. >> Well, it doesn't have to be used. >> Mhm. >> Right now, there's not a dip unless you
extend the parking lot. >> Correct. >> But it's prepped. >> Yeah. >> But it's prepped. I mean, you stop painting your house. If you run out of fun, what do you do? You stop painting the house. >> Correct. >> It It's regardless of whether it's going to be exposed to the elements or not. If you don't have the money, you don't have
the money. Uh, so I understand that we've put money into it, so let's protect our investment. >> Uh, like Mark and Nicole had said, we were on the assumption when they were going to do this. Nobody's fault. It wasn't going to cost us anything. That's what that's what we were told. Yeah.
>> And now we come back just a few months later and say we need $35,000. >> Uh we never would we might not have approved it back then. >> Right. >> That's my position. But I mean I agree with what everybody's saying. It's good arguments on both sides.
>> Uh and I'm all for protecting an investment, but at what cost? >> And it looks like it's um just a little over $10,000 invested. So this is a lot more. >> Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry.
>> No. >> 15 a little over 15,000. >> Okay. So, what if you guys want to do one? >> Does everyone good with that? >> Do we need a motion? >> No. >> Cool. >> That's it for us.
>> So, that's it for you guys. We can we can adjourn if you're okay with that. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> I make a motion we adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? [Music] >> Have it. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Amended 189. Motion to recommend article 17. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> Uh chief had already explained to us
about that 174. I don't know if you guys remember that conversation we had. >> Yeah. >> Um article 18. >> I don't remember article 18. Have you talked about that? I that was the new one that we just put in uh put in today
and that was as a result of uh Pleasant Street. Um it's article uh article 97. It's the home rule petition which would give of the county authority to take some property out of out of conser out of conservation restriction for the for
the uh if we need for the Pleasant Street Bridge reconstruction >> before we uh go ahead. I'm sorry. >> It looks like 18 is um disabled veterans clause. >> Oh, that Oh. Oh, yeah. That >> Oh, wait.
>> Well, well, that's the amended one. >> The one in the book is one we just gave you is that's 19. >> This is that um separate. >> Oh, okay. That's okay. Oh, all right. So, how much is Pleasant Street going to
I know it sounds like we're going to deviate from it, but Pleasant Street going to cost >> um Well, that's an that's a very good question. It uh we're trying to um
I believe the amount is $3.5 million >> total >> total. So, we're working with with the state because it's state, you know, a state project. um they have given us the funding. We have half the funding. We're working with the state to come up with
the with the balance of the funding. I've made it clear, myself and Tom were on these meetings constantly that you know we don't have we don't have that gap. We can't we the town of Nighton does not have the money to fill that gap
right for for Pleasant Street Bridge. So >> what if they closed it all together? um then >> might be deal with Brooks Brook Street. >> Yeah, they I mean if that you know if we if we don't um have if we don't have the
funding to do it that might that might present itself as as a as an option which we need to do. Um I guess we can still go ahead with 18 but um can always put the land back. >> Well, we don't Yeah, if we don't have it
don't need to take it. We, you know, we don't have funding. We don't we don't we don't need to proceed with it. So, >> okay. Then, uh you have any concerns, guys. 18 motion. >> Uh sure. Motion to recommend 18. >> I'll second that.
>> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? Um, article 19. >> That's the one. Have we talked about this before? >> This is new. Looks new to me. >> I don't remember. >> This is new.
>> It is new. >> When the veterans agent was here, he mentioned it. >> I think we have >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes. Thank you. I'm glad I came back. >> So, >> um
so um with our real estate um tax exemptions, a person that puts their property in a trust, they have to be the trustee or have a life estate in order to be able to receive that exemption. So, a lot of
the times people are getting older and they're putting their property into trusts to protect themselves, their children, their heirs, and um if it's not in giving them being a trustee or or giving them a life estate because if they have a life estate, they are the
they are the owner of the property. They have the life life rights to live there until they pass. Um then they're not qualified >> even though they're the ones living there and we know they set it up to protect themselves. they can't get that exemption anymore. So, um unfortunately
there's not I didn't couldn't find anything out there that um allows like a senior or or any of the the exemptions except for um veterans cuz we do have a few veterans that do have are in trusts >> but they're not it's not set up properly
for them so they can't get the exemption any. >> Okay. >> So, um this is just to allow them to still be able to >> So, a corrective measure. >> Yeah, cuz they do still live there. They are the ones paying the bills and everything else, but they're just because, you know, the daughter is now the trustee.
>> 7:15 p.m. >> So, that's really what this is. I wish I could find it for everyone. >> Maybe there's a way to >> or something, but small steps. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I have no issues with this. You have any
question. >> Board of assessors recommends. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We discuss it around. >> Beautiful. I make a motion to recommend article 19. >> I'll second that. >> Motion made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I
>> I article 20. >> I don't think that requires um any motion. I don't think anyone cares if you work on them though. >> No one like it or not. >> Yeah, >> Chief, you're up again. >> Yeah.
>> Dizzy night for you. >> Yeah, it's all right. >> Um, obviously the first one to review discuss an active investigation of can meet the full-time police officer. >> Yes. So he um emailed me on uh Saturday
asking for a meeting at 3 p.m. on tomorrow he said and I said well meeting on a sat Sunday. So I replied back up so you can see Sunday at 3. I'm always around for you guys. Said no I'm in on Monday. So Monday him myself and the deputy sat down and talked
that he's resigning um to be offered full-time uh position down with New Bedford Police Department. There's now um I could foresee this coming with smaller towns and I think I've mentioned it before trying to retain employees competing with bigger departments. We're
not going to win. Um they've offered him a uh after 6 months in the road of satisfying the union a full-time position in that in their training department. >> So what's he working down here? >> So he's working a split now. >> Yeah. >> Two uh two eaves and two mids.
>> Yeah. So he's the second person on the eve shift and then then he's the second person on the midship. >> Yeah. >> Um and then he does his training with the state and stuff whatever. Um which he's excellent at. And Bedford, everyone in the state knows Kenny. He does a great
job. And then he comes here to the town and does a great job. So >> that was a a punch to the gut, I guess you could say, right? And losing him. He was a a good officer. >> Okay. This is a review discussing I'll make a motion to accept Kenneth
Almeida's letter of rec resignation with thanks and appreciation. >> I will second that. >> Motion has made second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Now, the posting of a full-time patrol officer. Um, >> what do you have in house? Anybody that
can shift people around? Not that I want to tell you. >> Um, >> no. Um I so we we discussed before trying to get that person that I was already short when with the last budget. Um if losing that position, he's already
the second on the um on the road for each one. So it it'll create overtime cutting cutting that guy. Um SRO are in the school doing their jobs every day. >> What about the deputy chief? >> The deputy chief's on >> used for that position until somebody is
found. It's a um it's a non it's a non it's a it's a union position. It's a union a is a non-un employee. So we're stuck rocking a hard place. I mean I I can try to make you know cuts in other areas as far as training and overtime >> spending in overtime. It doesn't make any sense.
>> No. Exactly. And that's what it's going to create. It's going to create overtime because I can't cut I can't go to one guy on the road. >> No. >> You know that's right. >> That's going to cause a lot of problems. It's not safe. >> No. >> Two cars on the road. I mean, these days
is enough. I mean, right now those shifts that he's working, I'm calling guys on overtime to transport a prisoner at a street, New Bedford. >> Mhm. >> You know, because we don't we're not going to keep them I mean, the liabilities of keeping someone in a cell all night unless >> it's weather permitting, you know. Sure. >> But
>> it's it's not it's not conducive. I mean, losing that guy, it's >> it's going to set us back. I mean, >> it's going to set us back to where we were when I started 20 22 years ago. I mean, we're going right back to the same numbers. The town's growing and then public safety is going to take a hit on
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Nicole, do you have any concerns? >> Brian, only concern is that um we fill this position. >> Same. >> Same. Okay. Uh so, is there a motion to uh fill this position? I'll make a
motion for the posting for a full-time patrol officer. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you guys. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Announcements.
>> Um the Dyton's Lion Club Food Bank will be held next on Saturday, October 18th, located at Town Hall. This is in the lower level. On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration will
coordinate with the Dayton Police Department for a one-day um prescription drug takeback initiative event to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from homes. This is an opportunity for the public to surrender pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and other medications to law enforcement
officers for destruction. >> Thank you. This is the first of public of two public inputs. Is there anybody who wants to come up at this time? >> I just >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Um Ellie Vro 209 Beach Street. Um I know
that um you're really not going to help us with the E.coli down there. Um I'm asking if Tom had from the >> highway department >> had come up with a >> a solution >> a solution. Is that being considered
>> when I hand it over to but I think Go ahead. >> Uh uh no I had reached out to you early after I put it in the email um that we >> well two things. There's one where we could put a um I was talking with Tom at least to relieve some of the puddling
that happens over there. Um I mean that's that we could do strictly from the town on the town side. Uh but the better solution is and we're trying to work um with with um with the homeowner
to see if we could go on on their property uh to um sort of to um create that I I forget the term like a dry gutter so it could so it could be more uh more effective in in in reducing the
puddling. So, so, um, you know, you know, to speak with Tom to see, um, you know, we're reaching out. I talked to our town council to see what, um, to have that, you know, to have that better solution coming up. So, we are working on that. >> Would it happen this fall? Because in
the springtime that sometimes like last year that overflowed all over the park, over Park Avenue down into the river. >> Yeah. >> And we know there what's in there, >> right? >> Yeah. So, it's a concern because we have grandchildren that play in our yards.
>> Yeah, I know. And and not only that, I think there's a springtime concern and I think Tom brought up that the more the bigger to him, the bigger concern is is the pooling in the winter and it creates it creates an ice condition. So, we are um you know, we are looking into it to
see how quickly we can get it done. So, >> so it is going to be done. >> I'm I'm going to say we're doing our best to make it happen. So, I'm not I don't want to, you know, I don't want to be in a position to make any promises, but but we want but we want to get it done. Um we're just trying to, you know,
find the the most effective way. We just don't want to put um um a drain pit in there. We we could do something on the town side and just put a drain, but that doesn't isn't we may wind up just doing that. Uh but we just want to see if we could uh work, you know, work with the
homeowner to see if we could get on their property to um to to do that um that that dry gutter with the homeowner. >> Um I asked Tom to reach out to him. So um I'll be reaching out, you know,
follow up with Tom and next, you know, in the next week or so, I'll be reaching out to the homeowner. >> Okay. >> Yeah. To find out. >> If not, there's all there's you can imminent domain it. Yeah. No, we can, but that's um that's
>> a longer process. We're trying, you know, we're trying to do this the the quickest and easiest way we can, you know, before, you know, it's that's a more longer and more costly process. So, we'll try the quick quicker easy way first. Uh and then and then um then
we'll take it take it from there if we want to do um if we have a decision to do aminent domain. How many times has Tom been up there? Any idea? >> You know, a few times. I know he's looking >> going off to take a look at it with him or you haven't he?
>> Yeah, he's pretty famili taking a look at it. There's some over overgrown brush, right? >> Was that taken care of yet? >> No. >> Never. Okay. Yeah, Tom is looking at Yeah. taking taking a look at the overgrown brush. So, he's he's got it on his schedule. >> Um, so >> I know he's a busy man.
>> Yeah. But >> no, I know. I understand. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We'll do what we can. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [Music] >> Leonard Hall, 760 Main Street.
I just heard people say that Mr. ferry is busy and I think I'm going to add to his list. As many of you are aware, the situation on Main Street is reaching a point of being dangerous.
The west end towards William Street that was opened up to do some covert work was patched up with winter coming. The situation is very similar to when
the water man uh when the water district put the water man in and that's a wet area and they tried doing what the town did and it didn't work
and they ended up putting down a nice patch to resolve the issue and I I know funds are tight and I don't know how or how much money has been earmarked
for this phase of the project. But I'm now seeing people driving in the other lane because that side is really unpassable. I'm also concerned and I have a sign
that says there's a bump especially at night for motorcycles. So, I was wondering if Mr. Ferry could reach out to the water district, find out how much how it cost them, who did
it, and see if they could put down a a coating to get you through the winter. It was a temporary coating. Actually, when the water district did it, they did say it was going to be a temporary coating, and it's actually held up
pretty well over the last two years. Who is the project manager for the main street project? Is it an engineering company or are we doing it in house? >> Oh, Granite City. Granite City. >> Granite City. Good. When the water district was having
problems, uh they came out and visited a lot of several homes. one particular individual who came to the town quite a bit and was referred to them and they did a really good job
resolving the man's concerns. I was just wondering um if problems come up, who should residents contact it would be Tom. >> Tom
and if I if I may ask Mr. Where? Maine and Williams. Is that >> Well, no. No. It's all of Main Street, but the worst end is towards Williams Street. >> All right. Up. >> They did some covert work there. They
had to retear up >> the other side of the street. >> Okay. >> Um, third issue, sidewalks. Uh, the same people putting in the sidewalks. G and um
the contractor would be L would be putting in. So we're it I think the sidewalk if I remember correctly sidewalk uh construction should happen in about a month or so. >> A month with winter coming is that wise or you are they hoping for a mild
winter? >> I would have to rely on their professionalism. I have no idea how how well concrete sets and or how long it takes for it for it to set. >> And then my last question with that, they're just going to do site work at
this point and finish in the spring. >> Um the Main Street project, as you know, is an is an ongoing project and we're going to try to move it along as quickly as we can. >> Okay. And my last question is,
how much involvement has the ADA coordinator had in the sidewalks in light of the fact >> I just talked to him today? >> Okay, good. >> Thank you, >> sir. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I don't think it hurt to have another
update on Main Street. >> No, superintendent. >> It's probably that time. >> It's been a while. I mean, we've heard probably seen a lot of the stuff in social media. >> All right. >> Um, but they
Yeah. So, that's my advice. >> Thank you. >> Uh, any second reports? >> I don't. >> No, I just want to say glad that we um recommended to continue to fund public safety tonight.
We recommend put some money into some new public safety vehicles and um you know pay for lease payments on fire engines and um we're lucky to have great public safety departments and I'm glad that the town's continuing to invest in
them. >> Yeah. You had said that um early on when we were doing budgets budget cuts that we were not going to try to police the fire, >> right? So, um, tonight's making a good step towards that.
>> Yes, >> Mr. Town Administrator, you're up. >> Well, you know, we we included my uh my evaluation in a town administrator report. So, you know, um obviously this is a a two-way conversation. Um I hope
uh when you saw my self-evaluation, um I tried to be as honest with you and myself um as possible. I think um some of um my um where I need improvement um
I I think it was also um you know identified by you um as well. I you know I don't um I don't dispute that um and just a it's more of a of a communication
issue um where um you know I I think uh um I'm an individual. You know, you guys give me a task and I do it and I bang it out, get it done. Um, I will do my best um to improve and in in keeping you uh
in keeping you in the loop on that. Um, it's please don't, you know, don't see that as a sign of disrespect. I respect all of you up here. I see you, you know, you set the tone and the agenda and, you know, when you give me my marching orders, I go out and I do it. Uh, but
Um, but you know, I will um, you know, try to I will I'm going to try to either do or do not, right? So, I will make that improvement to make sure you guys are are in the loop. So, so um, you could be um, so you understand where I'm
going and I think more importantly, I understand where you want me to go. So, but um, I mean, other than that, I I'm I'm openuh what your um what your thoughts are
on my evaluation. >> Great. Any questions for >> No, this has been a I don't know how long it's been now. >> Almost a year. >> Is it really? >> Yeah. Yeah. October 21st is a year. >> Yeah. So, I mean it went by fast and it's been great. We've been really happy
to have you. >> Um >> I appreciate I'm happy to be here. I've heard all great things from all the employees. So, um, that's all I got. >> It's funny because when Mike was here, um, I talked to him a couple times a
day, >> but you seem to have it so that we don't have to talk. >> Yeah. >> Two, three times a day. U, which is great. Thank you. I I always say um you came into the town
during a difficult time and you knew all the difficulties the town was facing and you still stepped up to take on the task. So, thank you for that. And um I think that public um reviews is kind of awkward. And um so
I guess I would say thank you for being thank you for your report on it and um I echo what Select Melo said. We appreciate having you here. >> No, thank you again. I I I I truly appreciate being here and you guys have
given me the opportunity. Um, you know, it's it's it's a challenging job and and I hope every day, you know, I I do my best to rise up to meet to meet that challenge. And I have a again the the
people who work for the town of Dyon are are great. They're great people. You know, I' I've I've done my best to be honest with them. And um you know, I look back, you know, I look at the free cash and the turn of that and you know,
They really are good stewards of this town's money and you know and they do their best to to you know spend it appropriately and accordingly because I
know all of you are familiar if you have let's just say if you have a million dollar budget and it's May and you've only spent $800,000 I got to spend $200,000 in the next month that you You know something that doesn't happen here
and and I'm and I am really proud of the people um who who work for this town. Um and they are no reflection on me. It's just they are class they are class individuals >> because it all comes from the leadership. >> Yeah. >> And I think you won a great town hall.
>> Yeah. >> But and I thank you and again I I I I will work on my communication. It's it's it's kind of it's kind of funny. I hear it from my wife, you know, but uh but
you know, and I think it goes back to my very first professional job, you know, you're in a patrol car, you go out, you do the job, you get your assignment, you know, and then every now and then you tell the sergeant what you're doing, and you only, you know, you only see him when you got a problem, right?
>> So, but you know, uh it's just it's um I will I will work making sure you guys are have a more complete knowledge of what's uh what's going on. And please at any time call me anywhere.
Please call me. If you have a question, call me. I always pick up the phone for you. If not, I get back to you within within moments. So, >> okay. >> Um then there is no old business. So, we're on to new business. >> I think we need a vote to accept their
consensus doc. I'll make a motion to approve the town administrator evaluation for a signature as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> um I didn't have that on here.
>> Did you? >> Oh, well, it's under report, but I I saw the signature page. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Um new business to review, discuss, and act. Signing of the warrant for the special town meeting. >> I'll make a motion to uh sign the warrant for the special town meeting.
>> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Mot discussing act designation of Jeffrey Miller, building inspector as special municipal employee. I think for these two items, I think
what we need to do is designate building inspector as a special municipal employee for now. And I think that that list gets updated and it goes to um the ethics commission and and on file
with the town clerk, >> right? The town clerk is is has filled it out. Uh both um Mr. Melo is well, he's our he's our interim building commissioner, but he was um our our
inspector, but I don't think he ever received a special municipal employee uh designation. And and you know, the reason why he does uh he does work for Secon. And if I could toss Mr. Antunes in as well, um he's the building
inspector over in in in Sec. and he's sort of filling in the role which um um which Mr. Melo had before he became our our like interim our interim building commissioner. So So um you know
both individuals um it's it's been the transition has been pretty seamless. I talked to Nancy Pinto, she goes it's so so far so good. Um and um like I said both uh both men uh work for another And
this sort of gives everybody um a designation and and protection with that. So, >> have we ever made a motion to appoint Michael as a building inspector for >> um I I think that's within my authority as the as the uh town administrator
because of because it's an interim position. Um we we do have um we do have uh an appointment letter uh for him um you know spelling out um his tasks.
>> Okay. >> So we need a motion please. I don't mind the town administrator making appointments, but I think that's the first I've ever heard of that happening. I'm just thinking of every >> Well, I think Well, when have we ever had anyone in the like an intermediate
>> just any appointment ever that I can just think of would I mean we have elected positions obviously, but I'm just thinking an appointment generally through the board. selectment, >> right? >> I get it on an emergency basis. >> Mhm.
>> But I'm thinking um I'm just thinking um >> are we talking about Jeffrey >> or Michael? >> Uh Michael and >> because Jeffrey is consider >> Yeah.
>> since he's going to get paid. >> Yes. >> Right. So he's going to be an employee of the town >> on Right. on an interim basis. >> on an interim basis >> right where where Mr. Mel has already been he's right he's kind of filling in
as he's already an employee of the town and an inspector. He performs inspectors. He's just he's just sort of expanding his duties. >> Oh, Michael's completely new. >> Michael is completely new. >> Oh, okay. All right. I I just I knew that that department had a bunch of inspectors and I just thought he was one
of the already >> um existing ones. I just I know all of our other inspectors we would appoint. Um, so I was just
>> Are you just trying to say going forward if R could bring us the appointments before they occur? >> I Yeah, I just >> I'm just trying to simplify saying it. Is that what you're people are on the the town payroll. >> Um I thought it would just kind of go
through the board of selective like >> did he apply? >> No, no, Jeff Melo recommended him. Okay. >> Yeah, because you know we we need someone to fill the fill the position. We have a few um
there's some inspections like he would normally um when Jim was here he would do inspections on Mondays and Wednesdays. Jeff would do Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, so we have it, you know, if any inspections, you know, we don't want to
hold anybody up. >> What are your guys' thoughts on that? >> I think for me it just goes into the just let us know um the communication portion we just talked about. Just reach out to us. I would I would want to hold
it off to come to a board of selectman meeting and to >> Right. That was my concern. >> Yeah. But if just that I know that's all I really care >> simple conversation, >> right? I just think I just go back to
I like a paper trail and I having been to some meetings back when I was a town clerk and you'll kind of they go over like how important is to swear people in and all of that you know things are challenged. So I'm just thinking of building permits and swearing people in
and then I just think of well you have to swear someone in you need an appointment letter >> right? So, I'm just wondering like was Michael does he have an appointment letter? Was he sworn in and and all that kind of stuff? >> We have a we have um an appointment
letter for him spelling out what it what his role is. >> And you've sworn in by the town clerk. >> Uh not yet. He hasn't come in yet for it. So So we just want to get we just want to get all the paperwork squared away before we before we pay him. >> Okay. >> So
>> Okay. So, we need a motion on the floor or is that going to be one? I'll make a motion to uh have Jeffrey Melo be a special municipal employee. And um
that's it for now. >> Yeah, >> I'll second that. >> Motion has made second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? post. Um, you discuss an act designation of Michael Anton as building inspector
as special municipal employee. No motion on the floor. So, it does not pass. >> Is this Are we not motioning this because it didn't go through the proper channels? Personally, if there was if we in a future agenda if if it said motion
to appoint you who has the building inspector and then we had another motion or it could be one motion. But I I just I the more I think about even for the public or maybe someone else was interested in the job. I think the town administrator should be able to appoint someone on an emergency
basis. Um if someone resigns and we have work to do, but um thinking longer term, I think we should be formally appointed by the board. >> Well, is this who you're thinking is going to replace Jim?
>> No. No. We just just short yeah just short term to you to fill in um you know just just to bang out inspections that >> we don't want to hold anybody up. So >> and he works at he works for another town. So >> yeah he's he's the build to be a special
employee, right? But does he have to be through us? Can it be through a special it would Yeah. >> Both sides do it? >> Uh through us. I don't know if he's going to get on his side, but but because he works for another town and we looked at the legislation that that he's got to be a special >> Can he not start working for us until
this >> He's not working for us yet. He didn't start. So So I kind of put him on hold. I want to make sure all this all his paperwork was clear away first. So >> So he hasn't, you know, he hasn't done inspections. We haven't rolled them out
yet. So, >> okay everyone, we'll put them on the next agenda and and I'll just give them a call. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, please. Um, approval of the warrants. >> Um, I'll make a motion to approve the
warrants paid by October 9th, 2025. 15A26 for $128,5866 and 15B26 for $92,99355. >> I'll second that. >> Motion made second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> uh there's no correspondence in the
minutes of the meeting. I'll make a motion for the approval of the board of select and regular meeting minutes for the September 30, 2025, September 10th, 2025, and October 1st, 2025. Second >> motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I
>> uh last of public input. Nobody else. Um then adjournment, please. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second motion is seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? Thank you.