It's 6:00. I start the recording so we don't >> recording in progress. >> Thank you. Um we are returning from executive session. So we're going right into the um open session and it's 6 o'clock p.m. Just going to read back the
um the meeting is being the meeting is being recorded. The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not 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. Um can we please stand for a moment
of silence? We lost three neighbors this week that we just want to mention their names. Uh Katherine Knox, Patricia Mashado, and Dennis Maderas. Thank you. Uh, moving on to scheduled appointments. Mr. H, you're up at 6:00. Um, this is a
review, discuss, and act. >> Good evening. >> So, before you, you have a a request to uh modify the hours uh that I work, not the hours of the office. And um it what it does is it adds a uh an afternoon
which is on Tuesday but it's the same hours >> the same 12 hours are spread now over 3 days instead of two. Originally I didn't know it needed to come before the board because when they
modified it from 18 hours to 12 in 2021. Um, don't know if they ever did the paperwork on it, but um, we reduced it because I told them that the job could be done in 12 instead of 18, which actually saved the town 9,000 a year. >> Sure.
>> So, we're up to four time 9 right now. And your predecessors put a line item in that was uh sort of like a contingency, which was $2,000 in case we needed to uh to use that for for services.
We never used it. So over the last couple of years in these tight budget times, you know, that's been taken back and we've stayed with the the 12 hours. So >> okay, thank you. >> That's the request and the reason for it is the demographics of the veterans
population have changed immensely. >> World War II veterans, as we know, unfortunately there's only a few left in town. Vietnam veterans are the major group, but the ones that this will service is the Gulf War veterans over the last 20
years because I was I almost said they don't want to get up Billy, but I'm not going to say that. They they they have requested some afternoon um appointments. So, I I've been doing them anyway. I never turn a veteran away. So, I get calls all the
time. But, uh, this this should, in my opinion, I mean, we can try it. So, that's that's the request, basically the request. >> Well, thank you for being flexible with that. Um, I'm glad we're able to accommodate those who requested it. >> Uh, Nicole, do you have any questions?
>> No, I was just going to mirror what you said. Thank you for um realizing the needs of the residents and working towards that as well as I wasn't aware of um in 2021 the changes that were made. So, thank you to that as well. >> Yeah. And the reason I didn't think it needed to be brought forward and and I
went ahead with that at the time is because when that amendment was made in I believe April of 21, it was written as flexible. So I really don't know what it says or what they have in the off. I don't have a copy of
it. Just just the minutes from that meeting. >> Mark, do you have any concerns? No, I >> um reading this I thought it was the veterans hours because it starts off it says veterans new proposed office hours
but this is this is just your hours. So the veterans office is open. >> Yeah. >> Is it the same as town hall? Is it >> hours? Yes. That's one of the benefits of the way it's run here in Dayton. Um the administrative assistant to my office is halfime, half with me and half
with the building department. >> But because that person is there all the hours that were open downstairs, any veteran that walks in, they're able to get an answer or get some paperwork >> or quite oftenly I get called or texts
to to take care of that situation. So yeah, you got a good benefit there by having it run that way. I I think because you it's like a full-time >> sure >> office in a in a manner of a speaking but yeah I do uh agree with you um it is
written kind of that's not my forte >> all right well now that I know that that made complete sense thank you >> sorry about that >> um this is going to go on the website you have that advertised on on the >> Yeah it'll it will go on the uh the
website and I they do that over in the office and it'll be posted. And that's my personal phone number that's on the website. So any calls from veterans that come in when I'm not there, they come directly to me. >> Right. Great. Thank you.
>> So >> it's a lot of responsibility. >> Nah, it's not that much, >> but it's still there on on call. >> It's a great group of people that we're working with and we got a few things going on here to make it even better. So >> Sure. >> It's it's it's nice. Yeah. >> Good. Okay. >> Yep.
Uh so again this is a review discuss and act. So we have to have a motion on the floor. >> Um so I'll make a motion to approve uh Ray H's change in office hours for the town of Titan. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Well, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming tonight. >> Tom. Hey, we're actually on time. 605 or 606. We're a minute late. Byebye. >> Bye. >> Good evening.
>> Good evening. >> Yeah, we are here to discuss uh a need for the original request came in for a stop sign at Williams and Shopside. >> Uh there's a situation with the adjacent driveway across the street in Swansea. Uh where since we now have a development
off of Old Williams, there's an increase of traffic and uh when there's any visitors, they go right into his driveway. And it's a poor visibility. >> Sure. >> Yeah, too. So, there are a lot of close close calls there. >> Okay. >> Um,
>> with that said, there's no stop sign in either end. So, we kind of need a stop sign on both ends with the same type of population that's there. Um, stop signs are a little different now. We used to have to have them engineered and sent out and go through SDOT. Now, it's local control
long as they're installed through the federal standards. um the MUCT TCD standards >> and um we have the stop signs installed and and obviously we uh thankfully for the resident in Swans that made sure I
understood the safety concerns there um we should entertain putting the two stop signs up in that location. >> Sure, that makes sense. >> Okay. Um this is not a review discussing act. No, because of because of the safety issue
and and the ch as as Tom had explained the changes. We just wanted to come and inform the board to make sure that um Sure. >> So, um it was discussed with Tom and and the police chief. So, >> right. Yeah. You usually I'll go through the board to install any signs. >> Right.
>> Um but speaking with Ralph and since we have that change and a TA to help >> Okay. >> quantify that decision. >> So, >> that's great. I think uh to do it is is a great idea. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Tom.
>> I didn't realize this wasn't a a review discussing act, but if it was, I would have said this would have been a great candidate for a signoff sheet, you know, a signoff sheet from the police chief. >> Yeah. >> A highway superintendent just to show and I'm still not clear if did the chief go out and survey this area too when he
supports us. >> The police chief is on board with this. Good question. I me I I failed to mention that in my opening here. Yes. >> Okay. >> I would not do that without the police chief. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> I still feel um for the file it wouldn't hurt to put a
it in writing a recommendation from you, the chief of police, a highway superintendent. Just I just think it helps just when we go back and look at this. Um that's that's my opinion. Um but other than that, thanks for keeping us informed. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Tom.
>> Thanks for coming out. Okay, moving on to announcements. >> Um, important road work announcement. Um, the streets of Horton, Oak, Maple, and Maple Swamp Road August 18th through the August 22nd. Weather permitting.
There'll be a second treatment of crack filling, leveling, and hot patch. The Dayton's Lion Club Food Bank will be held on Saturday, August 16th, 2025 located at Town Hall in the lower level. The friends of the Dyon Public Library
will have their third annual golf tournament. It will take place on Sunday, October 5th at the Swansea Country Club, 299 Mark Street, Swansea. For registration, call Kevin Smith at 508-509-2713 or revived Dyon Parks@gmail.com.
Important notice regarding the difference between Council on Aging, Prime Time, and Lincoln Village. The Council on Aging moved into Prime Time building three years ago, 1059 Somerset Avenue, and Prime Time is one of the 40 programs um offered by the Council on
Aging. Lincoln Village is located at 300 Lincoln Avenue, and it is a state facility, not a town facility. >> Great. Thank you. Uh this is the first of two public inputs. Is there anybody else anybody out there that wants
anything? Okay. Uh, Sleman's reports. Do you have anything? >> I just wanted to um mention and highlight that a couple weeks ago the police academy once again had their um summer program. Um they've been doing it for several years. Every year they add more towns. They add more programming.
Um this year they were at Brislagi. So thank you for Brislagi for um hosting them. And thank you for the police for putting this on. My kids have gone to it two years. It was phenomenal. They still talk about it. Um they've aged out of it at this point. Um, I tell them you can
go back once you become a policeman, but at this point it's you're too old. Um, so it's really a great program that they put on and I I really appreciate it and think it's a great thing. >> That's all I got. >> Okay. Mark, do you have anything to say? Uh the only thing I want to mention is um we have that Thursday's recordings
that we do for um public service announcements and tomorrow we are interviewing the um director of the library and that should be broadcast on our channel 9 uh town administrator's report. >> Okay. Um there's a few things that which
I don't have uh listed but I'll I'll say anyway. Um, I want to say the chairman and I went on a tour of the new uh Bristol Plymouth facility. They're doing a a really a really nice job. It was a good tour. Um, if if you have an
opportunity to go, I would suggest to uh take advantage of that. Uh the other thing um the other thing in sort of along that line uh with with Bristol Prim Plymouth and Bristol Aggie and the uh the new the new lottery format. Um I
reached out to the the superintendent of each school and you know I had done some research prior and usually if we had a um in our agreement that we would have so many students to go uh to each each of the schools it would be a lottery for
that number. Um for both schools it's an open lottery. So technically if if a hundred uh 100 Dyon kids get selected the first hundred they could go. The both the sup both superintendent recognize that uh how unfair that is and
how un many levels. So they're working on a uh a weighted uh awaited program. So each for both Bristol and u Bristol Aggie and Bristol Plymouth. So, they're going to keep me in informed of that. >> Well, thank you for looking into that,
Ralph, because I've been wondering about that. >> Yeah. Uh last night, uh as as you know, we're um we're looking to redo the bridge over Muddy Cove, the Pleasant Street Bridge. So, last night the Mass
DO had a public hearing on that. it I think it was we had um 10 people uh in the audience but they all seem to have been pleasant butters the pleasant street of butters so it was um it was uh
I call that well attended uh so I just want to make an announcement that we have the right of way plans uh if anyone wants to see it um as a as a function of redoing the bridge they are in uh in town hall in in my office so in Anybody
anyone needs to uh needs to see that construction if it if it occurs is about a year away and it'll be it take about 9 months 9 to 12 months for for completion. So right now we are at the
25% design phase and it's going through uh going through mass dot dot uh policy review committee. Uh just want to tell you keep you updated as to what's going on. We're looking at the polic uh personnel policies. Uh we met
again today. Uh uh we're we're going through each policy uh one at a time. Uh first one we're looking at the um uh the pregnancy leave. Uh and uh we and at the end of the process, we're going to go
through the process. We're hoping uh to be complete sometime um in the winter. Um, as I explained, uh, once we get, uh, once we get through the policies, uh, we update the policies, we we bring them to the department heads and to the unions
to make sure there's no, uh, no conflict and then the next step and of course review by town council. And once we have all that, we present them uh, we present them to the board for acceptance. So that's what uh, I'm happy to announce
the highway contract integration. Uh I know it was signed, it was ratified, uh the theou so it's now um it's integrated. So we have a a full-fledged contract and um that's something um
we're going to have you sign if you hadn't done it already earlier. So u so that's integrated. Uh another update, the board of health agent interviews. Um we um we we put the announcement out
there. We are all resumeumés that are received prior to August 14th tomorrow will take uh uh will take precedence and then we're going to be starting the interview process next week. So um the interview process the
interviewers will be myself, Karen, and a member of the board of health. So um you know we hope to have um a viable candidate uh we will present that individual to the board of health will make the recommendation to the the board of
selectmen. Continuing on um and this um this is a review discuss act um as you see this is uh this pertains to uh the town administrator performance evaluation. Um just we need to lay out the process to
you. Uh so today is the formal vote to approve uh the performance evaluation process. At the next meeting um you will be uh you be given the performance evaluation sheets and in addition to
that I will have completed myself uh self-evaluation. So you'll have that to uh to go by at uh the uh the first September meeting on September 10th. Uh those performance evaluations are due back to the board of selections office.
Uh Karen will uh coate them and put them together. And on the October 1st uh meeting, we'll review and discuss uh an aggregate summary of the board of selectment evaluations. So, um if you're okay with that, we just
need a formal vote that you accept the uh that uh the evaluation process. >> Why don't we do that part now? >> Um my only question is does this fall I know there's terms for your evaluation in your contract. Does this fall within
whatever guidelines are in your contract? Uh, but we had to extend it out because it's usually in March, but because I was in here that long, so we we um we did it to uh September. So, we we'll be back on
track after. >> So, other than the timing issue, everything else is within the confines. Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. We just need a motion then, please. I'll make a motion to approve the town administrator evaluation procedure as outlined.
>> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Thanks, Ralph. And uh now for the the highlight of the meeting. Um okay. So um as I as I had said uh
um at the at the last meeting uh my intentions for this meeting sort of to to prepare uh to prepare the board and the general public for fiscal year 27. At our last meeting, we discussed uh
we discussed the uh debt exclusion, we discussed capital exclusion and and the enterprise fund. Um again uh to um to illustrate um the forecast for fiscal year 27
um if you know those numbers hold will be we'll have an a negative balance of $954,000. Uh um if you remember you know we we're getting new numbers all the time uh but I think it's best to start planning now.
So regardless of of that end number it's it's going to be a negative number. So I just want to prepare prepare everyone prepare everyone for that. Uh so again this is a recap um of what we had talked about. Um we talked about how
do we how do we meet that shortfall uh you know the options are enterprise fund debt exclusion capital exclusion and service and personnel reductions. So that's what we're going to be discussing tonight is service and service and personnel reductions and what that looks
like and and the effects of will be on on the budget and on the town. Uh I just want to say that the financial team reviewed three uh service and personnel reduction options to alleviate the projected uh deficit. Number one was
a wage freeze for all town employees. And just uh so you're aware that we'll require an approval of all all the contractual employees. So both um we have individual contracts and and C CBA CBAs.
The other option was a reduction in service hours for uh for those employees who work in town hall town hall the library council on aging and the uh animal control officer. And that's everybody who works in everyone who works at town hall. again that will
require an approval of um of the contractual employees. And last uh we looked at personnel reductions and um I I hope you respect the fact that I'm going to keep the numbers kind of specific but kind of vague because I
don't want to let it you know I don't want to uh create panic but but I just want to give you the general you know the general numbers. So um we're looking at a reduction of 17% in the workforce. So that that will affect every town
department. Every town department will will feel the reduction will be reduct uh will be affected by it. Um if instituted we will you know will likely result in additional service deductions.
Um, so just to put it what how will it affect the budget if we do a hiring um if we do a wage freeze that um that comes out to about $99,000.
Um if you know our original deficit was minus954 we're looking at a minus 854 with just with just the wage freezes. Does that include the um contractual employees as well in that number? >> That's everybody. >> Everybody.
>> Yeah. Yeah. That's just uh the normal. It doesn't include the step wages. It just it includes the a normal cola increase. If we do a a service hour reduction, we're looking at 24 hours reducing town
hall to three eight hour days. So um at that reduction would u which be about a 40% reduction in uh in the services we provide that is about a
$55,000 savings. So we're we're still looking at a minus uh $448. And um lastly personnel the personnel reductions uh that 17% and we calculated
with the reductions in salary uh the reductions in in insurance but we added back the uh unemployment insurance for the year. So that uh that reduction we're looking at a little over $600,000 660
606 and and with that again if all the you know if all the other numbers hold hold steady we're looking at a um a negative balance of of $347,000. Um just you know some notes you know as
you as I let it sink in. Um you know as we proceed with this budget process it's important to note that no one solution is sufficient to close to close the gap. Um a debt exclusion will provide budgetary relief for the next two to
three years. But as we know costs keep on going up, but the town still has to um address those costs, particularly the rising the increasing sanitation costs. Uh which you know, which will detract from the other services that we provide.
Um any option or combination of options selected to meet the town's financial challenges will require the support of the public. Um therefore it is necessary to identify those solutions as soon as possible in order to inform the people of how they will be affected by the
decisions. So um you know and that's that's why we're doing it so early you know so early in the process. Um, I hate I it's not my intention again, it's not my intention to be gloom and doom, but it is it is a
reality that we have to that we have to plan for and I'd rather plan for it now than than January. So, um, I'm open for questions. Uh, and I I know we had discussed it. uh you
know I remember you know selectman Pico goes well what does what you know what does a service reduction look like and that's that's that's what it's that's what it's going to look like >> you said uh reduction of in other services what would be those other
services besides >> well if if the >> reduction in employees >> if we have a reduction in employee right say if we do if we have a reduction in hours so the reduction in services people wouldn't you know we' be open only open three days if you need to go
to the assessors if you need to get a birth certificate you know um we would be reducing the acco's hours we would be reducing the libraries hours council on aging so all those services that people have become accustomed to to either the
full uh full five days or or four or four days in in in relation to town hall um it would that would be affected by it also would be affected old town hall uh you're looking at the um the building department and the board of health.
>> So they'll still have access just limited. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um >> so I I don't think we can rely on a debt exclusion uh as any option because it's already been voted down once and it's going to come too late uh in making a
budget decision. the uh cuts have to be in place either prior or at least during the operation that we can put the brakes on it if it passes and go back to. Um so I don't think the
debt exclusion is necessarily an option necessarily an option to to look at at this time. Uh as far as an enterprise fund goes uh it doesn't change the bottom line uh other than Unless we have a an increase in bags or
or user fees, it's still going to give us the same negative. >> So if we So the enterprise fund would act say like I said a sanitation our sanitation costs for fiscal year 27 will
be about $990,000. If we if that's an enterprise fund, we collect those fees outside uh outside of the general funds. So they would be and that that $990,000 would be applied to the budget.
>> Uh capital exclusions, you really didn't talk about that. >> It's capital exclusions are are are not a big not a big fix. Capital uh capital exclusion is if we could uh save some money. Well, let me back up a second.
Capital exclusion are are are for capital needs. If we could identify our capital needs within the budget, we could take that out and and do a capital exclusion, which would be a um a
one-year, say it's $500,000. So, we take u our capital needs, we identify them, it's $500,000. That $500,000 would be uh spread across um all all the taxpayers for just one year,
right? So we don't it's we don't bond it. We don't pay interest on it. It's just an increase for for one year to meet those capital to meet those capital needs. >> I wonder if this is the year to go to VAT for that considering the negatives uh in the possibility of asking for
funds from a debt exclusion. >> So it still requires a vote at the Yeah. So it still requires a vote. So, it's it's it's something if that's um I'm I'm going to say this. I'm I I
appreciate the conversation and but I'm not looking for any decisions tonight. Um you know, mostly uh August 27th, I want to present it to you. I'll answer any questions as I'm always happy to do and give you more information, but I know it's a lot. It is a lot to digest.
Um so um I I think this will will take a lot of thought on on all on all of us to to find the best solutions that fit for the you know fit for the town. >> Is there a possibility of combining all three? >> Uh there is if we go a reduction in
hours we don't necessarily have to cut it down to 24. Um if we have layoffs which to me is the least popular one. Uh, I don't want to do that, but if we have to, we have to. >> I I I think we have to. Uh,
we in all likelihood will need a combination of things, and that's what I'm hoping to bring forward at at the on on the 27th. I I agree with you. Um, you know, we had to come up, you know, we had to come up with the number. If we do any
significant cut in hours, um I I truly believe it'll be hard to retain retain the employees of the town, >> right? >> Um um you know, I I think we would have to do, you know, we would have to do a a
combination if that's if that's what if that's what we chose to do. >> Okay. >> So, do you have anything? >> No. >> So, what's the August 27th meeting? So the August 27th meeting, you know, I'm going to work with the financial team. We're going to do some combination of
options. Um, you know, again, you know, just sort of again, it's it's brainstorming. Where do we go? What do we do? Um, if you know, at that time, let's decide which, you know, what what direction are
are we going to go in? you know, um, as an example, if this board decides to go say with, you know, with a, uh, a debt exclusion, if the debt exclusion fails, what do we do? So, you know, I would if
if it is the desire of this board to go with the debt exclusion, of course, I have to run two concurrent budgets, which isn't, you know, it's difficult, but not, you know, not that difficult to do if, you know, we're going to start in the process. So, I know it if if we choose to do to go with the annual town
election in April, it's coming in close. If it if it passes, I have that one budget ready to go. If it doesn't, I'll have, you know, the other budget ready to go. And then people will know, we'll get a sense of, you know, how do we how do we make that, you know, how do we
make that shortfall up? as we get closer um you know we'll have a better idea of you know of what that number the number will be right so we won't have you know we'll know what the you know we'll know what our what uh our we should know what
our obl our DR obligation what our Bristol Plymouth obligation with our with our Bristol Aggie obligation will be we'll know what our insurance we we'll know what our insurance is going to be um you know at that point I
um if as you looked at the budget, you know, as as generous as I could be, I was I was generous in in in as we looked at our general budget, you know, I'm looked at a 2 and a.5% increase. So, um
you know, we cut it as as you know, we cut it very very tight. Uh we had almost it was almost a 0% increase in the in the general budget. Um, I put aside $50,000 for for capital expenses in this
budget. You know, at at some point our capital needs are going to come around and and and you know, rear their head and we're going to have to we're going to have to pay for them. So, um, you know, as as we get closer, you know, we'll you know, we'll work on
those numbers to get more uh, you know, more realistic or a more actual number. uh than what we have right now. I think we're we're far out enough. I would rather, as I've always said, and I think you you've supported me on this to to sort of air
on the side of caution. >> Okay. Thank you. We um we've talked about a mailing going out for the debt exclusion and um the one good thing is we will have the ability to have that mailing go
out and be able to say if it does not pass this is the budget >> which is possibly a combination of the three >> decisions that we have here. So I think it will certainly be which we are often criticized uh about but certainly be a
more informed uh decision that they would have so that when it comes to the April election day and and it's a dead exclusion date I can't see anybody saying I didn't know if we mail it out to every household.
>> Right. So, a second ago, it sound like you weren't in favor of the debt exclusion, but now it's >> I'm not in favor of it. >> Okay. >> My my opinion is I don't think we can rely on it. >> We can't rely on it. >> Right. Um, >> so, but that would you still support this time still putting it on the
ballot? >> Yes. >> Okay, great. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Great. All right. Perfect. I agree. I think we should put it on the ballot. >> Um, it's I agree with you on the timing issue. We won't >> uh we won't know until the final hour. We'll be so close to town meeting. Y know,
>> um, but I think that I mean, for me, it's clear. It's clear to me. I don't think it's that much to digest because we've been talking about this for so long >> and I think that we should
move forward with the enterprise fund. Um folks are the feedback we got at town meeting was they wanted to see what what it was going to look like >> and um special town meeting is going to be here in just a couple months. Sure. >> So I think we should we should show I
mean we only have um September and um some of October. So that could be three or four meetings. So, I think we should start um working on that as soon as our next meeting to just show um that I hope the board of selectment supports it and this is what it would look like so folks
can understand. Um just talking with folks and and we had a nice presentation recently. It's definitely a path forward to financial health for us. >> And I think that we should have a workshop on um what our I think we should have a
workshop and discuss staffing reductions, you know, because we should just have it let's just get it done and then just, >> you know, let's not put that off. Let's just show what that looks like. I personally don't support >> um decreasing town hall hours. We're
already four days, which is attractive for our employees. Um maybe not so much to our residents. So I feel like if it's three days, it's not attractive to residents or employees. And um I would rather just look at reductions in parking hours.
>> What if it was a reduction in opening hours? We still stayed open for four four days, but decreased hours. I mean, do we have to open up at 7:30 uh or 8:00, whatever time at We could definitely set our own hours. I mean, we can set the hours.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, so that is still again the four days and and somebody even wants to go back to four and a half days, which um I don't know if that's even still a poss still out there, but um
we stay open the four days just change the hours which will give us some savings, right? But not >> really limiting the impact that it would have if we just go three days. >> Yes. Um, I think if we went any most of our
employees are 35 hours. I think if we went lower than say 32 hours, I think we'd still have the same >> we just wouldn't have much to offer compared to other communities. I think we'd lose a lot of folks to attrition. >> Um, >> so my personal view would be keep the
hours and just make the hard decisions on personal. >> Okay. >> Um, that's just my opinion. Uh we talked about contracts earlier and in our the way we write our contracts in Dayton is we put in a minimum of 2%
every year. Right? So >> there's a um a negative side to this because it's showed in our town administrator's presentation that um it's subject to employee approval. >> I would be surprised if every employee
was on board with that. So there are other ways to write contracts so that we don't do this in the future. >> Okay. >> So I think we should consider that any future employment contract you can set the salary >> and then you would make the commitment
to annually review the salary >> and we may give them a raise, we may not. Sure. And that's >> um you just do addendums to the contract. So I I think we should move away from just saying you're absolutely going to get it at least a 2% every year. We may give you more. it should be subject to the board of selectment and
we can have a meeting every year and um discuss what our contract employees will get and the good part about that is it can be more performance based right >> and um >> I've always rather have going performance-based but we do it with stipens so why can't we do it with um
deciding every year what they're going to be >> yes >> okay >> um all right so I just want to make sure I got all my thoughts out. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. So,
do you support having a workshop for personnel reductions? >> Oh, absolutely. >> Okay. And what are your thoughts on a meeting in the near future about in enterprise what it's going to look like just so we can get that out there? Well,
I think it Ralph, you have to come up with um >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Cover that microphone. >> No, Dave, that was a for grab. That was >> Yeah. Um Yeah, we can have a working session. I'm
not opposed to that at all. I think we know what uh it was not too far from passing last time. I think people just wanted more information and they tabled it, >> right? Um, but yeah, a working session to me is is is
not a big deal as long as Ralph comes in with the necessary material necessary material. discussing the >> enterprise fund >> enterprise fund and the um >> you know I'm going to say this and from
the last presentation as as you know the the enterprise fund if we rely solely on bags it's it's going to be very >> no >> very difficult to move on >> so we have to so part of the presentation you know I'll do my best to
give an honest presentation as to what you know what will work and um and what we need to do. >> Yeah. >> But even if we get halfway there >> absolutely >> between that and and other >> Yeah. >> I hate to use the word cuts, but that's what's going to happen.
>> We could uh Yeah. So it doesn't have to be the whole thing, >> right? >> You know, um we could we could sort of parcel out um a portion of it as an >> for $900,000. again the options as I had brought up the last time doesn't well we'll we'll
call it $900,000 but if we just want to focus on do we just focus on Bristol Plymouth do we do both do we just do Bristol Pimllet or just present Bristol Aggie so >> right >> so >> how much longer do we have with Bristol
Aggie to pay >> um it's we're about four or five years into it so we got about I think it's a 30 year so it's 22 that far >> about 22. Yeah. >> In in a perfect world, the enterprise fund will pass. >> Y
>> and the debt exclusion will pass >> and and in that scenario, we don't have to um just because you can exclude the debt in your two and a half increase doesn't mean we have to exclude debt, but we have that flexibility. >> And although the trash just charging for
trash bags for an enterprise fund isn't preferred, doesn't mean we can't do it. >> No. And if there is a deficit, we learned it can be funded, the rest of it can be funded through taxation. Y. >> So both of those things working in conjunction with each other would give us as a board and our finance team and
even the folks at town just so much more flexibility on what we can do with our budget instead of being backed into a corner like we are now. So I just think >> I I I think >> I um although it can be funded by by taxes, we have to plan for that. So we
have to So we have to so we have to set aside uh set aside that tax money. So it's almost like double not not getting it. So just something to keep in mind. I I'll do when when we go through it and we'll explain it and um uh you know at at the
next meeting our our accountant will be here as well to sort of talk about uh to talk about the implications and and and options that we could uh we could have. >> Thank you. Uh the only thing I want to add about the working session for the debt, not the debt exclusion, the
enterprise fund is the work has been done. >> Um >> yes, >> the town ministry needs direction from the board. >> Oh yeah. >> Um but I mean he's made the presentation, >> right? >> And I think what he's made is solid
other than the $7 bag. uh right to rely on that I think is >> I I think what would would help as we as we go forward is again my presentation was based on the whole all the entire sanitation costs
>> you know um I'll I'll I'll run some different scenarios that that that we could do it so so um and then different uh different fee structures uh that you know that we have >> okay
>> I I heard loud and clear. A sticker in a bag is not going to work. So, so >> and then if we can just pick pick one and stick with it to folks so that way there there's no confusion on what it look like and that'll be helpful to
>> Okay. And and that that was the goal of doing this at this time is pick one, you know, we make sure we we articulate it the best we we stick with it, get as much information, articulate it the best we can and and then we what happens what
happens. We've done our job. And then I envision shortly after the town um the special town meeting um all of this work will be behind us and we can quickly change PS to do um get the mailer all set up as soon as >> Sure.
>> possible. >> Okay. Nicole, do you have anything else? Mark, do you have anything else? >> Any do you want me to just uh workshop dates? You want me to just put it out there? What was your your your preference at at at a meeting a
non-meating date >> if we have a light agenda or come up with a special either whatever you guys >> let me let me non difficult evening >> one of those >> well tonight would have been easy
>> um right >> yeah so but okay I will um I we'll we'll think I have a meeting with the financial team next week we'll pull it together and that'll be part of the 27th as well and we'll start we'll start cranking stuff out. >> Thank you. >> All righty. Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh moving on to old business. This is a review discuss and act the zoom policy third reading. Um I just noticed today it just one small typo on the background second line down it just
state just a doesn't change anything doesn't change policy just um just that one typo and state of emergency >> oh the spelling of state >> where was it I'm sorry >> second line down under uh back background >> oh okay
>> that's it Oh, >> other than that, it's beautiful. Still no changes. >> So, I make a motion for the third reading of the Zoom policy. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I
>> I >> uh new business. This is these are all review, discuss, and acts. Uh OPM for uh basic services. >> Oh, yeah. Um this is for the um the uh owner's project manager for the um for
the school uh uh for the school project. Um the the contract before you is um an MSBA uh contract to uh to uh because we own the property, the the town of Dyon would
be will be the signer. Um they are uh the owner's project manager. It it's gone through the process. the contract has been vetted uh by the state uh and and the and uh the fee was the fee that
was put out. There's no negotiation uh negotiation for the fee. So, what I'm just um you know, I put it before you. So, I'm just uh asking if one of you if you agree to sign it or authorize me to um to sign to sign the contract for the project.
>> I think we should authorize you. You sign everything else for us. >> Yeah. Well, now with that your authorization. >> Okay. >> Um and I and I think um along with this some other contracts will be coming through uh their vettit unless you want
to give me the authoriz authorization to sign those contracts and I report to the board. Um you could do that now or >> or or take them as we >> just basic ones that come every year. >> No no that that are associated that are associated with this.
um um you know they had um they had told me that a couple other ones because we set aside $1.2 million. This is the first um this is the first chunk of it. Uh so uh designer probably the next contract would be for the uh when they
award the uh uh the designer of the uh of the uh school. So I I could you know you could if you I could just do like this present it so you you know it or I could present it after the fact. Whichever one you want me to do I'll be happy to do it.
>> I think just because these are high value contracts it makes sense just for the public to be aware. Um just to present that just just because >> Yeah. No. Yeah. I I understand 100% on that. Yeah. Yeah. So I I guess it to me
as that you would authorize me to sign it, but but it's you approve it and authorize me to sign it. >> Okay. This is a uh motion on the floor then. >> Um I'd make a motion to authorize our town administrator to
um sign the uh OPM for Scansa as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Motion made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> um ratification of anou for the
scheduling officers. >> This was based on our discussion on executive session. So >> um Mark, you want to make a motion? >> I'll make a motion for the to ratify theou for the scheduling of police officers. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Resignation of transfer station attended. Uh pretty straightforward as of the 22nd and 23rd will be his last day. So it's a Friday and Saturday.
>> Motion to accept with thanks and appreciation for the marks as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> uh transfer station attendant job poster.
>> Uh you going to post it tomorrow? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. Um just uh just a you know a background on this. Um the highway department as you or as you recall is is down one person. So regardless of that
um it is a mostly Saturday position. So anyone anyone would uh doing that would would require overtime and it's definitely at a higher rate than what we've budgeted for a transfer station at 10. >> How much do we pay now for this gentleman? Uh we have approximately
$20,000 budgeted for the for the position. >> Okay. >> So >> the um job description that was in the packet I don't see here but online it showed us the range. I think it's at 1275. I just want to point out
>> yes above minimum wage >> a little bit above. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, we just need a motion. >> Um, I'd make a motion to Do we want to discuss the range or just
>> I think we just keep it the same. >> Well, that's what I was saying. It the range started at 1275, but I I don't was a new one or what did you say? Was it the old job posting? >> That was the old job posting. Yeah. >> Okay. So, um,
and I don't remember what the height end of that salary range was. I think it was under $20 an hour. It was like what? >> Yeah, I believe you're right. It was 12. >> So, what's going to determine how much they're going to make?
>> I didn't know if we wanted to close the salary range. I guess it's 12. >> Yeah, I have no issues with that. I 1275 just seems an awful low. >> Well, it's below minimum wage. So, >> right. So, we It's 15 is is minimum. We would have Yeah, we would we post a minimum Yeah, we would just a minimum
wage at you $15 an hour, too. >> You could just post it as that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Post it at 15 >> and no max. >> What about to um at least 20? What do you think? Like 15 to 20.
>> It's going to be hard to get somebody for for $15 an hour there. >> Absolutely. >> Um >> I don't know how you feel, Nicole, but >> Yeah. I mean, I don't know. I don't have anything to base this off of. I don't know what other transfer stations are paying and what that job really entails,
but I mean, >> working out in the elements certainly is not appealing. >> And giving up my Saturday um is another >> another thing. >> Okay. Um yeah, why don't we make the range then 15 to 20? >> Okay.
>> Is that right with you guys? Can we do 15 to 20 plus just just so there's a little more wiggle room for for >> um Yeah. I just don't want the nurse situation coming up again. >> I know it. Well, we could do maybe we can do a shorter advertisement period. 15 to 20
>> cast the net and we may get really lucky. If not back and we can discuss again. What What do you guys normally post a job like this for? Like how long would it would you >> till filled? Could we do it? Um,
could we post it till like right before our next meeting on the 27th and >> if we had no applicants, we could discuss the range again? >> Um, >> we could definitely do that. >> Yeah. You think two week I would I would
go to the go out to this first September meeting and it's more a month >> because I think I think the superintendent has some people in mind. Oh, right. Right. Okay, great. >> But, um I I think it's more like a month
is usually more traditional um range to keep it open. >> Mhm. >> So, >> can it go on the message board because that seemed to work well with >> We could we could we're going to put it there. >> We love our message board. >> Chamber of Commerce. And >> I did see that you had the health agent
on the Chamber of Commerce. >> Oh, nice. Great. >> That was Carol. Did we get the one back from Somerset that we lent them >> the sign? >> I didn't even know we lent it. I will check it out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Don't we have two? We have two.
>> We have two message. So, I've seen two. Maybe we did. I'll I'll double check with Tom. >> Oh, with Tom. Yeah. >> I don't think Tom would let that go. >> No, he wouldn't let it go. I didn't know if they still had it for whatever they were using it for. >> It might have been just a one day thing. Um, okay. So, this is again review,
discuss, and act. So we have to have a motion on the floor. >> I have one more discussion if you don't mind. >> Sure. >> Um solid waste you you sit on that >> Yeah. >> committee. >> When my very first meeting I know we discussed the transfer station and we
>> we don't take truckloads of waste anymore. >> Right. Correct. >> And then the other thing that when I think of the transferation I think during our last budget process for this fiscal year um it came up like the recycling we No, scrap metal. We paid for scrap
metal. >> Um dumpster there. >> Yes. >> Um but there was maybe more options. We can make money on it versus >> We do make some money on it. Not not a lot. >> Okay, great. >> But there is income from it. >> So I was thinking like
what's your thoughts on referring the idea to the sol committee on like the idea of the um more ways to make money transportation. Like my thought always was that those pickup trucks full of solid waste, if we charge the right
price, we could actually make money off of them. If you figure out how many truckloads can fit in the dumpster, you know, we can review it again >> through the chair. Um, if if I may, um, >> I know we, um, if you recall from Missy
Hullenbrook's conversation that, you know, we we pay for recycling because we're small. Um, I think we're going to start looking into sort of teaming up with some of the other towns. So, if maybe we may not get paid for the
recycles, but at least we won't have to we pay to have it recycled. So, we could save so we would have cost savings there. So, I think that's something uh that we're going to be uh that she brings up and then I will be speaking to her about in and then in addition with
the solid anything else with the solid waste >> reduction committee, they still have to have a permit to come into a sticker to come in, >> right? >> Um but if we can make money on it, >> there's no reason why we can't just try to push it, >> right?
>> The only thing I wouldn't want to do is have them add to our tonnage >> with with other debris. Right. It's all only if we're making money. Does it work in that favor? Absolutely not. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Be nice just to have them look at that fee structure again. >> Try to make some money more money.
>> Well, we looked at it. It was a year ago, right, that we put that fee structure together. Or was it this year that we voted on it? >> It was beginning. So, it was April of >> last year. April last year. >> Yeah. >> That's a good reminder. October 22nd, we're going to have our annual fee
>> annual fee uh fee adjustments. Um, >> right. Okay. >> Um, transferend attendant job posting. We need a motion on the floor. >> I'll make a motion to post the job attended posting with a salary range to
be 15 to 20 an hour. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> um surplus equipment disposal from the ZBA just um monitor that they want to get rid of.
>> Motion to accept as presented. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Approval of the warrants. >> I'll make a motion to approve the warrants paid by July 31st, 2025 58. 25
for $125,94516. 5B25 for $245,658.75. 525 for $212,71248 warrants paid by VA 725 6 A26 for $132,28457
6B 26 for $810,398.17 6 C26 for1,675,2387 Rewards paid by August 1425 7826 for $120,5843 and 7B26 for 290,499.15.
>> Second that >> motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> uh on to correspondence. Uh we have a a letter from Melissa Silverman uh regarding the public nurse. There's a blood drive August 2nd. >> Um they it was a very it was a big
success. You had uh uh 29 appointments. Um 28 people showed up and they got 27 units of blood collect. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I know. I was worried when I found out it was that day. I was like, "Oh god." Yeah. >> Like this is going to be hard to get
people here. But I She did and that's great. I don't know what our last numbers were, but I do think that that was more if I remember correctly. So, that's excellent. >> Yeah, >> I think the PMC challenge to was a rest stop and then
>> is that why everyone was passing out when I would get to me? They gave blood. >> Um, a letter from Paul Reed retirement. Uh, he's retiring after 36 years. Thanks, Paul, for your service to the
talent. >> Yes, thank you. >> Okay. Um I'm glad he uh he's retiring. Uh he's putting in a lot of time with us. Uh open meeting law complaints from Patrick Hagen dated October 30th. >> Yeah.
uh through uh through the chair. This is just an acknowledgement that we had received the um uh the findings from the attorney general's office. Uh it the uh the AG's office found that the board violated the open meeting uh law by
failing to vote by roll call prior to convening an executive session on September 28th and uh by failing to list on the notice of the board of selectments September 16th meeting the candidate being considered for poestan
administrative that was meant I'm sorry I brought this on you. Uh we ordered the board's immediate and future compliance with the open meeting law and caution the board that a determination by office of similar violation in the future may be considered evidence of
intent to violate the open meeting law. So that's why I was reminding you earlier about roll call. So >> okay, >> we um respect the open meeting law and always try to follow it right to the letter and this was a good reminder. So
thank you for that. Okay. Uh minutes. We're going to table the uh July 23rd minutes. >> I'll make a motion to table the approval of the board of selectman regular meeting minutes of July 23rd, 2025. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
discussion? All those in favor? >> I. And uh this is a review discussing act recommendation of uh release the board of selectment executive session minutes for January 8th of 2025, February 12th of 2025, March 26 of 2025,
and May 21st of 2025. >> I'll make a motion to re release the board of selectman executive session minutes as in the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? Hi. Uh, the last of the two public inputs. Are there is there any?
>> Sure. Hi. How are you? >> Yes. >> Sure. Please. Uh, you just asked to say who you are and where you're from. >> When Reynolds, 1771 Milk Street. Um, because of the way the meeting was run, there's like multiple things I'd like to
give a little feedback at. So, and I don't I know how when you um are doing your meeting and I don't know if that's a specific to a municipality, but and if it would ever even be feasible like when you're going to act on something once you discuss amongst yourself to open it
to the floor. >> That's what the discussion is for. >> Well, I never knew that the floor was open. So, so I don't want to be disrespectful. >> Oh, absolutely. Yeah, that's the Anybody in the audience can can discuss the vote at that time. >> Okay. I thought that was amongst you. the meetings I've been to, it's been
okay. It's open to the floor once the board has discussed. So, sorry. I'll make No, that's okay. I'll make note of that. So, I've got a few things that um >> I want to go. Um Okay. Of course, I have to say this. I'm disappointed that I couldn't do my thing of dozing for the town before people might have to lose
their jobs. But, um you know, it is what it is. And as far as cutting back um some of the the uh reducing the hours, I I agree like going to 24 hours, you're probably going to lose people. If you could cut them like what they're 36 now,
if you go to 32 and then I can't remember which one mentioned um not opening at 7:30, maybe opening a little later. But if you have more than one person in a department, you might still get the full coverage if you kind of have a split split shift. Uh if you
cut the hours maybe just by those four hours, but still keep open uh those days. Just just a thought and a suggestion while you were talking. Um again, if you have to cut back on personnel, maybe do some cross trainining if that's possible in any
departments. And then of course if someone retires and then not replace them and just kind of do that. I'm just I'm sure you've all thought about all of this and it's everything's out on the table.
>> Uh let me see the Oh, you know the other thing I wanted to ask um it was it was in uh the report. What is the highway contract integration? What? So, you made the announcement, but I didn't even know like what is that and
I know I haven't been to all the meetings, so I don't know if I missed that. >> Do we do would you like me to Sure. Yeah, sure. So, the highway contract integration is that the it's the it's the union contract the uh the collective bargaining agreement between the town
and the and the employees. >> So, it was uh >> the process is they do a memorandum of understanding. uh the board votes for it, ratifies it. Uh we take a look at the uh theou member and the contract and
we integrate it to make sure it's it goes it fits together smoothly and then once both sides uh both sides review it, agree on it and then we make the announcement that it's okay that it's integrated. So >> and it will be on the once we get integrated it'll be on the town uh
website. >> Right. So not wanting to assume I didn't know that. Was that like a personnel highway integration or was there something else going on that's has to do with the highway or you know 138 or you know some of the state roads here. Okay. Thank you for that.
>> No problem. >> Um when you guys were discussing raises too performance-based I think that's the way to go. So I was really happy to hear that you were mentioning hopefully doing that. Also, as far as
the um the dump, the landfill, and the two days, it used to be a Tuesday and a Saturday, and then I guess this gentleman, so the hours would change to suit his schedule. I would really hope that you could look at maybe not having it two days in a row for some of the
town's people. or another option again looking at cutting money and integrating things and you already brought up things with handling the landfill. Um if it's already fallen under the um highway department,
what is the potential opportunities to shift some of the personnel, have them do it? I mean those guys, they might be there even though you might have somebody just there checking tags and making sure put your metal over there. Sometimes the guys on the highway department, they have to be over there,
you know, cutting the grass or doing the brush or moving metal or whatever they do. Some of them have the license to haul the scrap metal away themselves. If somebody did the study on it takes them an hour to get there, what are we
paying to haul it away? Just can it be run better? Consolidate who we have. I know you mentioned a Saturday. Some towns only open two Saturdays a month. I don't know why we have to have it open more frequently if that works for the betterment of the
town. Um, again, just just different thoughts on, you know, trying to get uh creative in in how we can maybe do some of these things. Um, also the enterprise fund when you were discussing that,
>> uh, I know a lot of towns people really didn't want that and I really feel like that's probably the way it's going to go. Um, again because of rate of taxes, especially for people who have lived here for so long. I mean, if you're just moving in town, you're thinking, "Oh, maybe it's not so bad with the taxes."
If you've lived here for a really long time, you've just seen it go up and up. So, but I think um again, only a suggestion for the enterprise fund, like how you said, you could fund it from some of the taxes. So, even if you um whether you increased the bags or you
had people pay to have their trash picked up, if you at least offered some tax money into it, too, because then they wouldn't feel like, oh, we're still paying the same taxes and then you still have to pay all this other money. Again, just a suggestion or a thought while you're trying to juggle all those balls
around. And um let's see. All right, I think that's pretty much I don't want I don't want to hold up too much, but I just kind of I was trying to like, you know, um keep everything
pretty squared away. And I'll definitely make note next time that when you say discussion, I'll just raise I'll raise my hand. >> Sure. >> So, >> okay. Well, thank you very much. All right. Thank you. >> Um Okay. No other public input then. Motion to adjurnn.
>> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion has made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I I >> Everybody assigned so everybody can go I guess. Recording stopped.