Once again, good evening. This is the town of Ditton's board of selectman's regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 p.m. This is person uh this meeting is in person and via Zoom at Old Town Hall 1111 some abdon mass. This 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 other items not listed may also be brought up for the discussion to the extent permitted by law. And could we please have a call to order? >> Nicole Melo present.
>> Mark Pico present. >> And Peter Karen is here. U we're going to stand for the pledge of allegiance. I'm just going to ask you to stand for just a moment of silence for Charles Melo who we lost this week. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Like I said, we lost Charles Bellow this week. So, if you just stand for 10 or 15 seconds, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Uh, we'll get into uh scheduled
appointments. Mark, you're up first. >> You have a presentation for us? >> I do. >> Great. Okay. Keep going. Thank you. Hello. All right. Hi. >> Thanks for having me. Um, so I'm here to talk about the library. You know, where we're at, um, how things are, and I'm
here to say it's great. >> That's the presentation. >> I have a little bit more. I a little bit more. >> So, what I I want to do a few things. Um, I have a lot of I have some feedback to give patrons, um, the community. >> And then I want to do my best to quantify exactly what I mean when I say that things are great. I have a few
different metrics that I'm pulling from and I I I I I think they'll speak for themselves when when when I say they actually are great and they'll back up what I have to say. So, I want to start real quick with uh the first thing I have. We have the we have these signin books where anybody can write whatever
they want to about the library. Um it's not anonymous. They've signed their names. So, it's a little, you know, naturally it's going to be great things, but some of the things in here I think are pretty cool and and and worth writing about. My congratulations as you have a new and beautiful library.
Such a great building and such an important town asset. Well done. Great things to come this beautiful building. Beautiful and majestic. The new space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to many visits in the future. Such a beautiful space. Congratulations. What a great addition to Dyon. We love it. It's beautiful. We will be back. So excited
about the library's new space. Beautiful. Brings back so many memories growing up in Dyon. Beautiful library. Renovations are amazing. The environment is very welcoming and charming. I love libraries. I love when an old building is restored. It's a lovely building. I think it's lovely. It's it's really
pretty. So lovely, beautiful library. Um I love this library because it has fun events that was written by someone who signed their name as age eight. So it really captured all demographics there. We also have an online survey. And what I like about the online survey is it's
anonymous and and anonymity comes with a little more um um responses that may not be as safe. But this one I'm sorry if I have I just have to let two people in. Go a power. Give me that mouse.
Apologize. Mark, um, you have printers at the library for people to print. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry. >> So, just some of the respon I didn't pull every single response to your online survey. Um, a lot of them really
touched on very similar themes, very similar comments, but I pulled a few. Free books to read, wonderful library staff. Um, librarians are so nice. They have Wi-Fi and a space to set and work. Um, a lot of great comments with the kids' room. And that last one down there, wish there was a better, more
modern selection of curated or current trending young adult or fiction. Now, you're probably thinking, why did you put this in your presentation when we wanted to talk nothing but great things? And I said, well, that's really touching on a on a um a demographic we really weren't able to serve in the previous um
iteration of the library. We we had a children's section in the basement of Oldtown Hall. We got the adult section portion of it at the trailer. Young adult and teens teens really didn't have a space for them. They kind of got pigeon hole in the children's section and use kind of really dropped off
dramatically on that. So that collection really didn't see the attention that it really deserved. However, I'm happy to say I take all sort of constructive criticism as I should constructively and we actually worked that and I have a slide later on to show that we addressed that concern and we really made it um
into one of our strengths in the new building. So that's up there. Not to say that, you know, not to say that everything is all positive. It is. We took that and made it a positive. And I'm going to explain in a little bit exactly how we did that. But to go on, I want to give hard stats
because hard stats are really neat thing. Um, you can't the numbers themselves don't lie. And I wanted to really really show the improvement. Um, and I took September 24 through December 24 compared with Septe September 25 through December 25 with a caveat that
we're open for the full entire month of September 2024. We're only open for 11 days um in September 2025 with the opening coming about midepptember. So, there's a little caveat there, but the numbers I think are still pretty good. You can see how the numbers compare. Um,
our full months of October, November, December, and 2025 really blow last year's numbers right out of the water. Um, this is just for the adult circulation. The numbers are there, but if you want to more detail, that's a 27.82% increase in
just adult circulation, which I think I think is really very good. Also, children's books. Um, as you can see, same similar thing. Um, September is a little lower than compared with September 2024. Again, that's because we weren't open for the full month. Little bit of a caveat there. But you look at
October, November, and December, those numbers are all getting blown out of the water there. Do I if you can I can't see. >> I can't see. Okay, good. Thank you. It's
like it's a lot of power. >> Great responsibility. >> We're putting you to work. That's >> okay. I I appreciate that or earn my I keep to and so the statistic the increase here 27.3% you're one 27.3% increase so adults are checking out more
books juveniles checking out more books that's all very good now I want to get to this one here young adult circulation like I said this is really demographic we weren't able to serve all that well um in the previous iteration of the library but I'm pleased to say that we
actually are serving them now we took that comment about young adult books not really having a great selection more modern. We actually sp bought a lot of new books, um, manga, you know, anime, that sort of thing. Teens are into that. So, we we've made sure we updated that collection. And I'm pleased to say that
the increase really showed because with the new library being open, that circulation's increased by 65.92%. That's the most dramatic increase all across the board, whether it's adult, juvenile, or young adult. Um, and I think that's a direct result of really taking the feedback and incorporating it
into the collection so it can get used more. It's a collection that the MLS want to use and I think that's that's bearing out. So that's that's really good. I think another reason for that dramatic increase is because teens now have their own space. We have an actual teen room now where the resources are. It's not sort of scattered about or just
offsite in the old building. So that really that's going to contribute to that as well. And we're happy to see that the young adult collection is getting used like we hope that it would having the teen room and putting a lot of resources to updating that collection. So that that's really really very good. So our numbers are great
circulation. This is the total circulation when you add adult, juvenile, and young adult together. Overall with everything looking at 28.26% increase um compared with September through December 2024 to September through December 2025. And
that's again taken into account that September we only had 11 days as opposed to the whole month. So that that's still I think we're doing really good there. Um like I said very positive, all very good. Let's go to visitors. I didn't put September up there because that was a weird that was it was just a weird month
given that we weren't open for the whole month. Not much compared to. But I want to look at October visitors and December visitors. October is the first full month we're opening the new building. December traditionally looking back has been the slowest month as far as visitation goes. However, visitation has
gone steadily up where December was busier than October which I can't find statistically looking back an instance where that had occurred in the past four or five years but it has now which I think is a very encouraging trend and it's one that I'm excited about. So
overall we're looking at visitation increase of 37.24% 24% which is higher than the circulation increase which is great. That speaks to programs that we're doing all that. We have a space to do it. Now I broke that down a little further and I have some notes here. So
looking at the October stats from 202025 we're open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In October um 11.37% of all visitation came on Monday. 23% of all visitation came on Tuesday. 16.9%
came on Wednesday, 30% came on Thursday, 10.2% came on Friday, and 2.1% came on Saturday. I'm not really surprised by those numbers. That's probably a reflection of the old library hours where we weren't open on Friday um being in the temporary location. Um so that
doesn't really surprise me. We really weren't haven't really gotten our programming into full gear um yet. So those numbers are reflective of that. However, in the breakdown for December 2025, the last month that I had the actual data on, the percentages really
got turned on their head. So, Monday, the percent actually went down even though more people showed up. The percentage of visitors visitation on Monday was 10.5% in December compared with 11.37 in October. And on Tuesdays, we went down a little
bit to 13.12%. Wednesdays went up. We're at 21.26. 26% of all visitation occurred on Wednesday. Thursday was 12.6%. Friday went up from 10.2% went all the way up to 22%. Friday is in December was
the day where the highest percentage of visitation occurred which I think is is going from 102% two months prior to a 22% visitation. I think that's really very good. And then and then Saturday
we're at 20.5%. which if you look at the previous Saturday that I have for October, that was a 2.1% all visitation on Saturday. So you go from 2.1% of all visitors on Saturday in October to 20.5% of all visitations. Um I think that's
pretty good. So Friday and Saturday, our lowest visitation days in October 2025. Total those two days were 12.3% of all visitors came on those two days. Now, in December, we're looking at 42.5%
of all visitation occurs on the Friday and the Saturdays. And I think that's a reflection of people knowing we're we're open, having the actual library, knowing getting used to our hours, and I think we're really filling in our programming now. Um we we have a Dungeons and Dragons that we're doing. Teams are really into that, but we're doing that.
We actually that was so popular we had to open a second Dungeons and Dragons group. That's pretty cool. Um we're doing um tutoring tutoring company. We're posting that in the library. Um we're we're hosting foreign language classes for children in the library. Now a homeschool groups are really getting
together and uh for story time and even a place to do homeschool um lessons. So, we're really filling out a group um our programming on those days. And I think that's really reflected in how the library, how people are coming in, when they're coming in to use the library. And I think that's really encouraging
and it's it's a really good sign and it contributes to our overall um statistic numbers. Reference questions. These are people emailing us, coming and asking us questions or calling us on the phone to answer questions. I have September up there just just just to say that people
were asking about us. They're they're close. I didn't put October up there. I only put November up there. The reason I didn't have October up there, and this is no fault of any of the staff or the town, but the phones weren't hooked up in the library until midway through October. That skewed the stats a little
bit. I'm hooked up now. There's no fault of anybody. I apologize to any slept in an office many times who had to deal with all that, but it got done. So, the the November sets are up there. people have questions and librarians they they answer those questions just
looking at these a lot of these people may not even have come in the library to ask these questions but they know that we're there they ask us these questions little over 30% increase in just reference questions um so that's I think that's pretty cool so we look at circulation looked at visitation and
look at reference questions three big things that the library does all three are about a 30% over 25% increase around 30% increase but I have One more little trick up my sleeve on how to quantify the library's value to the community as best that I can. I'm using the MBLC
calculator, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners calculator. What this does is this takes an estimate of how much anything would cost if you were to actually do this on your own. And as libraries, in order to maintain certification, you offer these for free. So, what this calculator was designed to
do is you as a patron could go in and you could check out how many books you borrowed or how many children's books or how many programs you attended and you could calculate how many how much free service you get from the library. But what the MBLC realized is if you take if
you put everything in for an entire time period and divide that by the appropriated budget, you can actually calculate the return on investment to the community that the library is given. So I have this up here. Now is this the beall end all? No, probably not. But
it's a really nice approximate way to quantify as best I can how much the Dyton library gives to Dyton compared to 2024 to 2025. So I put the numbers in. I use all these stats. I want to say I
want to point if I could real quick. Do I have Here's the mouse. Interl loan requests. It's very small. 24 26 compared to 25. What is that? Interl loan requests are books from other libraries that get checked out through
our library for a patron. Would I love to have every single book in the world on the shelves in our library? Yeah, I I would um can't afford it. No way. Are we going to store it just feasibly? It's not going to happen. However, there are other libraries around and part of being
a certified Massachusetts library is we're actually qualified to inter library alone. a patron can put on hold on an app on their phone or call us or come in and say, "I I like this book. Do you have it?" "No, I'm sorry, we don't have it." Or, "Yes, we have it, but it's checked out." They can put a hold on it and a library will ship that book to us.
We get daily delivery. We ship books out, they ship books in. And so, the patrons can be served that way. And so, we actively use that. And that again, that's part of being a certified library. That a service that comes with being a certified library, which which
we are. So, we're happy to give that to patrons. Um, and interestingly enough, um, non-certified libraries, it's not like patrons can can go to another library. Oh, they have that for non-certified libraries. Um,
neighboring libraries don't accept library cards from patrons who live in a town with an uncertified library. So that whole interl loan thing is completely cut off for any non-certified library which is interesting. Um it's an unfortunate consequence but um that's
not something we had to worry about 2024 or 2025. So anyway when I put in all these numbers I just took from September through December 2024 and the annual appropriation for that
time was $317,2127. I also, and this is I also added in the cost for the lease of the trailer. I know it wasn't appropriate as part of the library budget, but it was appropriate as part of a town budget. So, they weren't paying for it, and that was $20,000. So, I added that in for a
total of 337, $2127. I divided that by three to get a third of the year. I'm looking at four months. It made sense. Take the whole budget, divide it by three, take a third of the year. and what I got. So that number would be $112,442.
Okay. I did the same exact thing for fiscal year 26. So September through December 2025, that budget was $315,62. I did not add in the cost of the trailer because that is not something was appropriated because we're a building.
And that came to $105,20067. All said and done, September through December came to $1.77. What that means is for every dollar appropriated to the library budget, the town of Dy, the taxpayers got $1.77
worth of free services in return. Essentially meaning the return on investment was 177%. Compare that with the being in the new library. We're skyrocketing $228 for a 228% return on investment, which means it's a 28.81%
increase. Now, is that MBLC calculator the most accurate be all end all? You know, maybe not. But what I can say is that I use the same calculator for the same calculations. I use the same stats. So, I use the same process both ways. So, that 28.81% increase is is real. Um
and so that means given circulation visitation being up from 20 between 25 and 30% that makes sense to me what that's saying numerically and as the best way that I can quantify as I can that going from the trailer to the
current library just in that four month span the library is able to give back to the community 28.81% 81% more than what they could what they did in the trade. Um, and I think that's reportable. I think that that's a very positive thing to
say. I said when I started present things are great. I think that's pretty much hammers home. Things are really trending in the right direction. I think that number is going to get higher to be honest with you. I'm filling out more programming. We're getting more people in. So that number I believe is only going to grow. Um, and so I'm I'm really
proud to say that I'm working at a the library that can give back that much um to Dyke residents and that's that's what I got. >> Wow. >> Any I'd be happy to answer them. Um, but that's I think it was a very I think there are a lot of positives to report
on. I feel like I tried to capture all the positivity that I could in as many different metrics that I could. >> Great job. Um I I can tell you're very proud of of what the results are. The um
number of activities that you do obviously have increased from prior years because you have the space and where do you see that going in the future? These are great numbers, don't get me wrong. Uh it's going to be hard to maintain those
numbers. Uh you're limited space-wise as well. >> We are. We are. But we're not limited with our creativity, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, so we're actually actually the February I'm just working on February newsletter now. It's the longest lengthiest newsletter I I've done in my time here. So, we're actually filling out more programs, more day
programs, more evening programs. We have the space to do it. In the past, let's say a year ago when I was climbing the stats, um I had old town hall for one night a month, which was I wasn't going to complain about. But old town hall is almost impossible to book um on a weekly
basis. Now I guess, oh, I got to think, okay, can I do it this night? I said, wait a minute. Of course I can, you know. It's it's it's I don't have to ask me >> for sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, we have the space to do it. I know. For example, um there's one
day in February when we have a cooking club, then a drawing class, then we have book group all right in row on one night. Whereas previously in the 2020 floor stats, >> you're looking at three months worth of programs. Yeah. >> Um whereas it's just one day for the programs and that's just one day out of
out of out of a week out of >> so we got the space to do it. Oh and so on that same day we also had a story we also have story time in that in the after story story time at one cooking group at three drawing class at four book group at six.
>> Where do your ideas come from for activities? >> Yeah. So they that's a great that's a great question. So, um, staff is very, very good >> come up with ideas, but we also put feelers up, um, with patrons. What do you want to see? Because I hate to do a program or book a speaker that I think
would be popular, >> but the community wouldn't come to see it or or or maintain it. >> Yeah. >> So, we get a lot of feedback on we do a lot with social media. I sell newsletter, a lot of word of mouth, people coming in. Um, community members actually will volunteer. I know this one
particular Dyke resident and artist and teacher said I love to give art classes and so sure. So we booked her to give watercolor paint classes for children during a one school vacation week and then another watercolor paint night later on. Um I know and know being local
I know she will jump up interest with her own circle. So just just different things like that. We're just >> we're here for the community and what the community wants to see as far as programming >> what the community wants to see >> happen and that that's what we're going to do, >> right?
>> Um I know last we had a lecture on how to research the history of your house in Beijing and a lot of people showed up for that. >> Oh, sure. It was a very very popular lecture. Yeah. I was I was glad to hear that because it came recommended to me. I um that the speaker having done a few
different talks on that similar topic, it was recommended to me that I think the Diamond residents would really like this talk and I said, "Okay, I'll believe you. I booked the speaker and it was was it was a it was a great talk." >> Sure. >> Yeah. So, we we we taken feedback from a
lot of different to the um visitors that you have. Yes. >> How many are from out of town, do you think? Well, I I don't >> you can't >> I I I definitely more from in town for sure. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Um I don't know if I could I can go back
and look at circulation see how many circulating Buttertown cards, >> right? >> But I I I don't I wasn't able to drill down. >> Sure. >> Um the biggest challenge which you even said at the beginning was the young adult. Um,
do you see obviously it's winter and although the numbers are great for winter, uh, it's a hard, uh, segment to keep interested in what goes on. Y, >> um,
what what what are you doing? I guess I understand what what you've said as far as how you've improved those numbers. not the numbers but the the quality of program that you offer. Uh how do you how are you going to keep them engaged to continue to come
it's people have always said Dyon has nothing to offer kids after school uh which we're limited we we don't have uh businesses for kids to go to. They hang out at Dy House and Pizza um plug
>> worst place to hang out. Yeah, >> this is one of the worst places to hang out. >> Um, but it's it's it's a great alternative and um I was just wondering when people say that to me what I can give them a
response as far as what the library has to offer. >> So I I know um multiple instances when we first opened um teams came in and said, "Is there a place I can sit and do my homework?" >> Right. >> And I said, "Absolutely. We have a team right over there and I noticed those
teams come back >> um and they bring friends >> which I thought was I mean that that that that's awesome. That's what we're there for. >> And now that we're increasing our selection of books for teens and not just not just hard cover actually I'm actually increasing um
>> ebooks as well. >> Okay. >> Because you know library users they're not just people that walk in the door >> that circulation wise they are people who go on their tablets or devices and read ebooks. So, we're increasing that. We're also looking to do some more
programming for teens, the fields are still out on time. Um, because even what I think is difficult as well is even though there's an interest, teams are very busy with school, some after school jobs, um, homework, school, all that sort of thing. So, even though there may
be an interest, very legit, real interest, um, time and other priorities may also be a factor, >> right? >> But that's not going to stop us from still putting the feelers out. um they're still doing the programming that we feel the teens do want to see and would be excited to see. Um and we're
going to keep doing that. At the very least, very minimum. We have a space for teens to sit and do the school work, work on group projects. Like I said, we have a Dungeons and Dragons group that was very, very popular. We had to open a second one. Yeah. May even open a third one. >> Wow.
>> I didn't realize that was still popular. It >> Yeah, still popular. Very popular. So >> great, >> it's at the library. So that that's great. So like I said, the field is out >> and we're just going to keep doing that. Um it's a little bit easier to do it del
programs and children programs, >> but that's I mean not everything's not everything's easy, >> right? >> Some things are hard. You do the things that are hard. If if you do the hard things, the payoffs I find even more, >> right? Yeah. >> The
um what was I going to say? the community room. Do you have outside interest in renting that or how is it that you handle those? >> Yep. Yep. So, the um the trustees recently approved sort of a building use more if someone has an interest in using
that. We have all the guidelines that they sign off on it and then put them on the we put them on the counter. >> Okay. Okay. Um, we toyed with making the calendar open for people to submit bookings, but that just playing it out in our minds. It just that that that would have become a little unwieldy, right?
>> Easier to make have a point person in the library. >> Sure. >> All that. >> Okay, cool. >> So, that's what we're doing. And that that's actually paid off quite a bit because a lot of the tutoring that that has happened. >> Um, or outside people looking for a space to sit and do tutoring work. Um the foreign language class I have booked
in February came about because someone is doing tutoring with foreign language said hey I'd love to really host a class for kids ages 5 to 10 to learn you know teach Spanish and Portuguese said great we have a space for us that that that's how that came about as well. So sometimes in that case our public
programs are informed by our private programs that that that are just looking to use the right >> space as a venue. >> Yeah. >> Cool. Okay, Nicole, do you have any questions at this point? >> Um, I just have a couple things. First, I just want to say that was extremely informative. Thank you. I know that probably took a lot of time putting all
that data together. So, thank you. >> Um, secondly, I don't know if I've ever gotten to tell you that we are we are very fortunate to have you. You came in and it was just a whirlwind and we never got a time that it was a nice calm time. So, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for everything you've done.
You've done a great job. you stepped right into the role and there was no gap in anything. So, thank you for that. >> I appreciate it. >> Um, I also love the postings by Laura, the librarian. I think I've said this to you before. She always has great things. It really it's what I know is going on
through the library is everything through she posts. >> And then just about the young adults, she really got me like all excited because I am very much about um my kids. I have a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old. They don't have cell phones. I don't think they'll have cell phones for as long as I can hold them off. Um, so the
library is a thing that I can see that people that are also trying to not have their kids on social media, not having their kids on the internet is a place that they can go. Um, and I think that's just great. I don't know if you still have I know when I was growing up, I can't remember if we went to the library
or if the library came to us at some point we all got a library card. Does that still happen? Like I don't know if it ever happened here, but it happened in my town. Is there any time when you engage the children? >> Yeah. No. Yeah. So, it's it's funny you mentioned that or not funny. Interesting because our children's librarian as mentioned now that we're out of the
temporary space because staffing that space was >> it could be smooth. It could not now that we're out of there. >> Mhm. >> She love to go back into the schools and do school visits. >> Okay. >> And that's a way we have exposure library cards for sure. I mean the the biggest week we had or the
biggest day we had in giving out library cards was the day of the grand open. >> And I have I have no doubt that when we do school visits that that that's going to happen as well. Um I know on Daisy's the Daisy Scouts are meeting in in the library, a place to meet and one of their projects was to show
responsibility. They each got a library card. So the more people in the library um the more library cards we are issuing out and likewise the more we can get out into the community, the more library cards we will then issue as as a result of that. So I think the school visit is really going to go a long way. We're
going to get more exposure and it's really going to draw people in. And even if we don't draw people in, we're still gonna >> give up the library. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. >> Because you never know once you have it, you children generally will go home and they'll be excited about it. Um bring them in. So that's great. I think that's
great. >> Well, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So you go to the schools and make a presentation. >> Yes. The children's librarian will go to the school, make a presentation. Usually culture summit to talk about summer reading. Y but it doesn't have to be. Um, but that's typically that's when it >> would they don't have access to the
library at that point. >> Yep. Yep. Sure. Sure. And then that that sign them up for summer reading, right? >> Um because we usually give a prize. You read x amount. The more you read, the more prize you're eligible to get. That sort of thing, you know, sort of draws them in, gets them excited. >> Um, and yeah, it gets us out in the
community. It gets people to the library, but it gets the word of the library out. >> Oh, sure. >> Is really that's the name of the game. >> Uh, do you get a lot of donations at this point? >> Yes. Okay. >> A lot more. a lot more which I I don't have numbers to quantify that which I probably should have but we get we're getting a lot more donations before I came actually
>> today someone came by and talked about two full bins of books I think in my time of the year we maybe got two full bins of books in a year >> you know now we're getting two full bins of books in you know in one day um which is I I think speaks to the visibility of the library people know that we're open
and that we are the library to accept books and and again I just think it really speaks to the the the desire to want to help want to right? >> You know, want to help want to give back to the library, >> right? >> Which I don't think people would be thinking if we weren't out there giving back to them in some way, shape, or
form. >> Yeah. It's now in the forefront of their mind. >> Yeah. >> Nice job on the presentation. >> Thank you very much. >> I saw on the M >> L MLC >> MBLC calculator, you have internet
services for residents. >> We do. We do. >> Free Wi-Fi. >> Okay. Free Wi-Fi. >> Yep. So that just got me thinking about cyber security. Do you have any like do you guys have firewalls in place? >> We do. We do. So we're part of the sales consortium. It's all the local libraries
around here. They give us PC support and they install certain software um on the on the computers and we have a firewall with um Yeah. So we sales takes care of all that of all that for us. >> Okay. >> Ralph, do you know we used to have um a ransomware insurance policy? Do you know
if we still have that in place? I believe we do, but I will double check. >> Okay. Because I know the city of >> Yeah, we do. >> All right. Because I know Alibabar recently had a ransomware and it shut down their phone lines and the city of Taton did before that. So, it goes around. So, I was thinking what folks
having access to the internet. >> Okay. Okay. So, if if I could, one of the biggest increases from 2024 to 2025 in the MBLC calculator, it's um computer use per hour went from two >> in from September through December in
2024 all the way up to uh about 800 hours. Um >> beautiful. >> So, like like that movie Field of Dreams, do you believe they will come? Right. >> You open a library, they will come. So, >> agree. And my last question is when the new
library opened there was a change in hours in in business hours and I know when the board discussed like the MOA for the the union employees we discussed a utilization study just to know how how many folks utilize the library during what times. Okay.
>> Could you share where where that stands? >> Yes. Yes, I have. So let's see. I have my notes. Okay. On Mondays, the bulk of the use came between the hours of 10 and 1, and we're
open 10 to 4. On Tuesday, the bulk I had two real big spikes. I had between 10 to 12 and 3 to 6. And we're open 10 to 6 on Tuesdays. Wednesdays,
we're open 12 to 8. And I have the biggest spike from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8. However, um I expect that those spikes to change now because I'm
booking more programs in the afternoon when I was back back then. It was basically just one afternoon story time and an evening program. So I expect I expect the spikes to to change a little bit. Um same with Thursday. Um, Thursday I was looking at a looking at a one one
to two spike and also a 6 to 8 spike. But again, I got more more programs lined up in the afternoon. So I that will that will change. Those spikes will change. Friday was completely different. We had a spike of between one to three. That that that
was our spike. And Saturday was pretty even. So, but I I would say that from one to two was the lowest or 10 to two, I'd say. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. Yeah. But again, I I I can come
back with more information on that now that now now that our programs are really >> kicking in a high higher gear. Um those spikes may change. The program is really what's going to draw people in. >> Awesome. I appreciate you giving us those numbers and I assume from time to time you and the board of library
trustees will review your numbers to make sure all the hours are working and and all that, but I know this like you said there's a lots of changing to programs and you probably won't it takes time to build data to see what what works and what doesn't work. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I I could start a program
like for example I I have two programs right now that I would love to make a series. Mhm. >> I don't want to do that unless I know that the first one will be attended very well. So if if if the first one of these programs is attended very well, then I'll open the series. I didn't want to book the series >> and then have like three or four weeks
in a row where like nobody was showing up. You know what I mean? I'd rather cut my losses after one >> than have to sit through four or five programs cutting losses that way. So >> that that's all going to that's all going to play into how the hours spike. what time, what obviously if I have a program that draws in 25 people, that's
going to spike the data for that one particular hour, >> right? >> If I don't, so I'm spreading out the programs, I'm spreading them out because I'm running out of time to fit them all in, which is a great thing to have. So, so we're going to have one program after another, and I think those specs are going to change. Um, in a few months,
I'll probably some more reportable information on that. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thanks very much for having me. >> Great job. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Have any questions? >> Um, Serena, you're up. >> Yeah.
>> Get your mouse back. >> Get the mouse back. >> Hi. >> I haven't been here in a while. Good to see you guys again. Um, the budgets I'm going over today are just very preliminary. Um it only shows what the departments have initially requested.
Ralph and I are planning to meet with each department in February to analyze um their requests. So we haven't done any of that for this presentation. And then during the month of March, the departments will present their requests in the joint finance committee and board
of selection meetings. Um so just a few things I want to point out on the revenue side. Uh for state aid, the governor's budget came out this week and it did increase by 36,000 over where we ended in FY26 for the conference committees. This budget will
still continue to be voted on by the House, the Senate, and then the final for the conference committee. So that does leave a lot of room for increases and also decreases, which we did see that last year. one of the um voting parties did have a slight a big decrease
and then the next voting did increase it back up. So that one kind of fluctuates on the local revenue receipt side. I did analyze the revenues through the end of December. Um and with that we are going to increase the payments in lie of taxes by $132,000.
There were two new pilots that started paying this fiscal year. So, I'm just going to make sure that they do actually pay this year and then we can increase that for 27. Um, we'll also be able to increase the trash bag revenue by about 100,000.
On the other available funds, we will transfer 250,000 from the ambulance fund like we typically do. We're going to transfer the standard $6,669 from the title 5 fund. transferring 58,520 from the PEG access fund and that
directly covers the cables operating budget. And then these budgets also include using 100,000 of free cash. And then on the expense side, I did just increase the snow and ice deficit to 250,000.
As of yesterday, that budget was in the negative by 68,000, which means we spent 117,000 already. and it seems like this is going to be a heavy year of snow. So, I think 250 is safe. Um, but that number might definitely go up depending on what
gets spent out of that fund. And then this also includes transferring 25,000 to the stabilization fund and the OPED funds. So, with all that being said, if a debt exclusion does not pass, so without a debt exclusion, this will still leave the town with a deficit levy
of half a million dollar. It's $51,000 611. If a debt exclusion vote does pass, um this will add approximately $823,000 on the revenue side
with an increase of expenses of $181,000 which will leave the town in the positive $140,000. So even with the increased revenue from the potential debt exclusion, um that brings us a positive of 140,000. So
that's still pretty close and there's, you know, still other variable factors within those that we just haven't ironed out yet because it's so early in the budget. >> But since we did get all of the department revenues, um I just wanted to update the selectman on where we stand
before we start meeting. Um and then before Ralph starts making his recommendations and then the department's coming to >> boards. How is state aid determined? >> Is there a formula they use? Is it >> they must? Yes. It probably depends on
their own budget and their own expenses and then how much >> you know where they want to put that. >> So would the debt exclusion vote affect that either way? Okay. the exclusion vote will only affect um how much we can raise. >> Okay. >> On our levy.
>> Um and another thing is when you said about transferring from the ambulance, you said 250, but it's really is it 450? >> Sorry. 450,000. >> Yes. And I spoke to the chief about that and he's comfortable with that amount. >> Yep. Okay. Uh Nicole, do you have anything?
>> See why the library went first. They were a lot more outbeat. Yeah. >> Um, no, but thank you for putting that together. It's about what we thought was coming. >> Mark, >> um, have we got preliminary budgets yet from the schools?
>> No. >> No. Okay. >> Um, there was I think BP gave us an estimate of the number of students. So, we used last year's numbers. So, we do have that is kind of estimated in this budget. And Bristol Aggie gave us the same thing,
the student count. and then a range of a potential increase. So those are estimates, but I haven't seen any numbers from either of the three schools. A lot of um if I may um Bristol AGI and AP are really um what we paid to
them is definitely driven by student population. So they gave us those student population numbers. Um I've been reaching out with them uh for our you know for the debt. I think Crystal Lagy gave us a pretty good range. Um I'm confident in the number I put down. It
was similar to um it was a similar uh calculation I did last year. I'm going spot on. Uh Bristol uh Bristol Plymouth Bond anticipation not be getting that um information. Um I I spoke with Naen
Rose, the finance uh uh person over there and she said I should be getting that tomorrow so we could so we could uh massage that um that number a little better. So um and again, you know, we've been in uh discussions with uh with Dr.
So um that's where we're at. And I just, you know, we're going to, you know, um I I have to plan for uh not that I want to, but we have the plans for no debt exclusion. And I want to bring forth to the for that. We're going
to, you know, we're going to work with our um with our um what we can for our budget, you know, with the department heads. you know, I think uh you know, we're we're going a little high with improve health insurance and some other things just because we have to because that's the
indicators we're getting. Um so we should bring that down. But um I you know to close the gap um I will be introducing for the board um possible use of free cash. Um, you know, as I said, you as I as I've been saying since
the summer without the exclusion, we're looking at limiting services limiting services and and limiting workforce. So though even and we're starting to introduce that in in this budget. So even with that, we're kind of let's see
shortfall. So I just want to prepare the you know prepare the uh board for for that. Um, so I think uh, you know, we know what we look at these numbers every day and as soon as soon as we get better
information, we go in and and tweak it and um, you know, we we do the best we can to keep morale up and we have a good, you know, we have a good group of people who work for the town of Titan and I'm proud to be their administrator every single day. So, so we do our best
for them and put people uh down. >> So, Bon Robothith has not given us any kind of indication. >> Not yet. >> Um, you mentioned the $100,000 in additional revenue for trash bags. Are you anticipating the board to look at
the trash bag prices again or is there another reason for that? >> If I may answer that, that's okay. Yeah, we are looking at it a slight increase. you know the 100,000 additional 100,000 if you remember last year it was the big jump >> and we initially anticipated that it
would be about six $76,000 increase but it wind up being about 100 so >> beautiful Serena is very conservative when it comes to uh putting numbers in she goes I got to see it for the year so so this is this is why we're able to put it in
>> Awesome >> yeah that came from analyzing where we were um at the end of December Um just just so for you for your planning um and I have only one opinion but I'm we we brought the debt exclusion
vote to the town uh for the presidential election in 2024. We're bringing it to the town again uh annual town election uh in just a couple of months. And you know, everything I've read on free cash and our previous town administrators
warnings were that free cash was used to um for our capital projects to pay down debt to boost up our reserves, but it's not to be used as a band-aid to get us through one fiscal year to the next. Um
some of my research shows that it's when you have poor financial practices, it can reduce your bond ratings. Um, so personally I think it's as one board member I think it's just shortsighted and I would I think we just need to if
the de solutions fails which I hope it doesn't um but if it does we need to present a balanced budget to the town that doesn't use any band-aids um so that we can move forward in a way that um we don't go through this every single year you know utilizing free cash and
Um, so you know, when you're crafting your recommendation to the board, um, those would be my concerns. What are we going to do to continue this put money towards our reserves and what are we going to do the next fiscal year? Um, I'd rather just figure that all out during this
budget process, like which is kind of what we told the towns people too, that that is what we were going to do if uh the debt exclusion does fail. was that there was going to be cuts in services and um that there will be impacts um you
know so that's just my opinion. Thank you. >> Okay, great. >> Yeah, without producing the free cash then it'd be a negative 600,000 that we come up with. >> Okay. >> Um again I I I agree with you Marina. We've had this discussion and again I agree
wholeheartedly. uh the use of the prudent use of free cash for this again it's going to things free cash right it's going to stabilization funds going to oped and it's going to um reserve fund >> right um so I agree so state like you
know like what we used free cash you know over the fall pay down debt you know do capital do capital things capital projects and that's what I would like to see >> awesome >> free cash Um but you know we and we are
going to you know we're going to make the cuts. We're going to make services. I I promised you I promised at FinCon. Uh but you know at at some point again um I may have to come before the board and we have to make those tough decisions like you know what is the next
step. um a lot of communities in the Commonwealth, you know, are going into their stabilization fund to to balance the budget and that's really bad, right? So, um so, but it's just, you know, something I want to make the board aware
of of the next steps what we're going to be presenting over the next few months, month and a half. Uh and just uh keep you up to date. >> Thank you. >> I have a question in regards to DR. um what's our communication that's been with them? Have we communicated what we
are looking for in regards to a number? Okay. Because I know on our end, if the debt exclusion does not pass, we have to potentially let people go. Like what are they going to do? What are they going to do if this doesn't pass to help us get to a place that we need to be?
>> So, we gave them a number that we're, you know, we're comfortable with and they continue to have that discussion. So like they said if they reach that number they're looking at you know reducing some positions. So
thank you. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you >> Tom. You're up bud. >> Great job on the road. Came out nice. I know you guys put a lot of hours in.
>> Yes. participants. Yes. Yeah. You haven't seen that yet? >> No. >> So, um agenda would be here to discuss actually class one. The job description was a good thing to have everyone first.
>> It was what was a good thing to have everyone first. >> Yeah, >> I think they should have went last. Cheer everybody. So, um Thomas before he has we just had a um a recent resignation from the highway department, right? >> The highway department was already down
one one individual. So we decided to sort of pull off on on hiring that position. Um they're they need to um they need two class one operators. Um
I think this past week and a half shows the amount of work that the highway department does. I don't want to shoot them down uh two bodies. I I would recommend to the board um that you know I I am fairly confident
that that Tom's budget could support one as we are now. Two, I I I I don't see it unless we do get the debt exclusion. I would say as as the board has their
discussion um in in if they um intend to um approve moving forward on the position um and and backfilling these positions um I it would be my recommendation just because
budget scenario we're in um for one and then to reexamine um see what happens with that exclusion. Okay, Nicole, do you have any questions? >> So, last time we met, one of these positions was an assistant foreman. Is
that correct or no? Am I >> That's was supposed to be on the agenda also, but that's that's usually appointed from within. >> Okay, >> so that that can be done at a later date. >> So, it could potentially be somebody that you already have on staff. >> That's who we Okay. All right. I just
wanted to make sure I understood. No, I don't have any questions or anything. Well, other than that, >> um, there's not a revision date on this, so I'm unclear. Is this a new job description or is this something that's been in existence? And well, that's my
first question. >> Yeah, it's the current that's current. >> So, was this job description just crafted or is it a new is it was this typed up since our last meeting or was this something that's been posted
before? And it's we dusted it off and we're posting it again. >> Karen's computer. >> This is new. >> Okay. >> So the date um you know the date can be tweaked you know that's in the language here.
>> Mhm. >> Okay. So generally in the job description there is a there is a revision date or a vote date. So I think we should have that you know once it is approved. Um, you know, I I said in the last meeting about having a consistent title
about class one operator, and it's listed as both as operator, class one, and class one operator. I think it needs to be one or the other. You know, I know it's just a reversing of the words, but I think it matters. >> You had last time that it's consistent. So, um, is a class one operator, is that
how you refer to it inside of the highway department? >> Uh, yeah, in reference to the union contract. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. And um >> so you've reviewed this job description. >> Yes.
>> All right. Uh under summary description, it says operates light motorized equipment, but then it goes on to say that they operate back hose and loaders and um I don't know if it was the word dump truck. Um, but
I think it's it's heavy equipment that they operate. Is that a fair statement? >> They all are capable of doing everything. >> Mhm. >> So someone with a hoisting license could be a laborer for the day holding a trailer. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. I would on the summary I would do
if you agree it's light and heavy equipment. Is that correct? They could operate heavy equipment and light equipment. >> Yes. Okay, because it's all right. I would just do that just to clarify it. >> So years ago before I was superintendent
>> Boris Leman found the value of having them all you know not just for the dollar value per hour but the essence of them all being an operator because during the storm you need to load your own trucks and during the summer time same thing you need to load your own trucks >> you know both out on the street and on
the property. So that gives us versatility. you don't have just an operator sitting at the garage waiting. >> Okay. >> So, it makes sense to be wellrounded the way we are. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um it does say operates all highway
equipment but not limited to pickup trucks, dump trucks, non and it says non CDL, but then it goes on to say there certain CDL requirements. Dump trucks or non CDL vehicle. >> We have both. >> You have both. Okay.
And you did email us about what class is it? Is it a class A CDL or a B? >> So the minimum requirement is a 2B with air brakes for the driver's license and the 2B with a hoisting license and that's for loaded back only.
>> It'd be ideal and there there's already a dollar value reference to the higher class the class A. So they're able to tow the trailer with the equipment on it and they will be paid accordingly to that. But the minimum requirements the 2B >> 2B >> 2A.
Okay. Um and what did the what did the highway um what did the union say when they reviewed the job description? Did they have any issues with it? >> I didn't send this by the union. This is something that we have on hand.
>> I did. >> You did? Yeah. Okay. And >> I just received it today. >> Okay. Um All right. So, the union just received it today.
And why are the resumes going to you and not to the town administrator? Is there a reason for that? >> I'm not sure why you want it the other way. >> Any any reason? Well, they would go
since it's the operator level, it's the it's the lower level. So, I would lowest level I would first resumes would go to to uh to top to superintendent reviewed with HR and then the next level I would take a look at. So, >> okay.
>> So, that's on line with our policy. We have a hiring policy in the town that's been in existence since 2020. So, this is nothing new. I think that we need to follow the policy as written and the policy says it goes to the resumes go to the town administrator's office. Inside
of the town administrator's office, we have an HR coordinator, which in the past I have seen them go to either Karen or Leanne. Um I think those I think it's important that it goes to human resources for a job prescription uh for
for resumes and um once the application period has ended, they're turned over to the department head. That's what I've seen in the past and policies exist for a reason and one of them is consistency having a consistent consistent standard when we hiring. Um
the union just received it today and they have questions. I have a problem you know there's one thing that always gets me going in these meetings and it's hiring. you know, when we when whether it was board of health, um the assistant foreman when we talked last time this, you know, it comes up
time and time again uh about our hiring practices. I'm disappointed to hear that the union just got it today when it's right in our policy that the union has to um have a chance to comment on things before they go to the board. The board should be the last person to get this.
It should be fully polished and ready to go. If there was um questions on whether it's a class A CDL or a class B, that tells me that there wasn't that review between department head and the administration and the union to make sure that this is a polished and ready
to go uh job description. It, you know, it also says we're a equal opportunity employer uh and an ADA employer. It doesn't say that in our job description. There is one line in the in the very first page that says we're an
equal opportunity employer, but there's supposed to be a statement with that. And there's nothing about being an ADA um employer. I just want to raise that standard with hiring and make sure that when we hire, we get it right uh every single time and that we're consistent. So, I don't want to hold you up and I don't want the
board to be the bad guy every single time. But when these things come in front of the board of selectment, I want it to be fully reviewed. I want to be confident that all of the right people have looked at these things. So, I think that the board should table it for two
more weeks and this should come back in front of the board. I think everyone should read the policy, make sure that it's consistent with the policy, come back in front of the board with a a polished job description that meets that standard so the board can vote on it
instead of trying to extract who's looked at what, who wrote it when. And um and if we do vote to approve it tonight, it's we're approving something that is
incomplete and doesn't follow the policy and the standards that town's created. And I think that's a bad look for the town. >> Okay. >> How does it affect you, Tom? Waiting two more weeks. >> We in trouble. where what I'm more interested in the board's position, but
the crew positions I need to fill. >> Y >> that's what I'm really after because I need to really have a good uplift through what we can and cannot accomplish this year. >> Right. Well, I don't think there's any doubt that the job the job has to be filled.
>> I I agree with what Mr. Pico's discussing. >> Yeah. >> And those are very important issues that I also have those two positions, >> right? I mean, right now they're both funded beautifully. They I'm sure they could be hired with a a stipulation or something writing that, you know, it's
the jobs only there as long as the funds are available. We've done that in the past. It really hurt last year having that one person down a lot reflected and the president's re saw that the reflection of that. >> I want to be clear. I support the
highway department and I support hiring their position. You know, going to follow the town administration's recommendation. He says we need to fill it. I agree we need to fill it. Of course we do. I just want what's brought in front of us to be ready to go, fully vetted by all the appropriate stakeholders. So I I will support this
in the future when it's when it comes back to us and it's presentable and ready to go. >> The two of them >> I heard from my town administrator one and I I I agree with the one for now
personally. um until we see where we we land with the the debt exclusion vote. I mean, that will be very I mean, we really can't I I don't think it's responsible to the taxpayers to do any more than the one until we see where that vote lands
because that that's the town's people giving a strong message to the board and we we are report to the taxpayers. Um, I had something else, but I lost my train of thought. So, I guess that's all I have. Okay.
>> Well, I have no issues with um appointing I mean uh giving Tom the authorization to uh fill the open position. I agree with everything that you said as far as it does need to be cleaned up. Um I I I
guess you really just want to know going forward does the the board support you in filling that position. Correct. >> Yeah. I'm sure you can consider a vote pending this get polish. >> Right. That's what I'm leading towards.
>> Why would it have to wait to two weeks to be done ratified in house? Personally, I heard I don't know if it was two or three meetings ago, you mentioned the CDL air brakes. You mentioned that in another job description. I think it was the
assistant foreman that it was that there was a problem with it and it was wrong. That's the first I heard of it. And then to see in another job description, there was still that discrepancy. I don't think it's fair to the board of selectmen
that we get things that aren't it says a department head is supposed to I I've done job descriptions the department head crafts the job description sends it to HR and the town administrator and they review it. It doesn't sound like that was done in this case. So you have this incomplete product and
then the board is going to stamp it pending a review. I think we need to I think the bar should be raised that when something goes in front of the board of selectmen, it's it should be what's intended to be the final draft. I know folks can't anticipate what we're going to say and we may want to go a different
way or change things, but I mean this doesn't even follow the policy. >> And again, that goes to consistency. I don't see what's wrong with just holding it off for two more weeks to go back in front of the board of selectmen to make sure that we're following all of the
proper policies and procedures um and to have confidence when people are being hired that we're following those and being consistent with everybody in the town >> um when they're being hired. So I I think it sends a message that we're okay
with um just an incomplete work. I think it should just have to wait just two two more weeks. If we post this today, it's not going to help us with the snowstorm on Sunday. Um I I understand it's a busy time. Um and and I get the point about,
you know, we saw the what happens, you know, we saw what happened over the summer, but we also gave the highway department a shorter um they got to follow the same schedule that our town hall employees have, the 4-day work week. And I think
that in the ground wasn't good with two major. >> Yeah, I think that impacted it, too. So, what standard are we trying to say that we want to have here in the town? That's that's my point. >> Want to hold people to it. >> Sure. >> Nicole, do you have a question?
>> Um, are we going to hear from the union or No, like he said he had questions. I just want to know before I give my input in case he comes and says something that changes. If I read the policy right, the union would be working with the department head and the human resources
department. They should all sit down and make sure it's everyone's in agreement and then it should come to us as a final product instead of wasting the public's time and the board's time and everyone's this should happen. You know, that's why they all are there. You know, that's we
have the professionals in place to do that during the week and then they bring that to us for that final approval. So, I think that should all be worked out outside of our meeting um and it should be brought back with a finished product. >> I have one um just comment in regards to
the policy that you had spoke about about how where the resume should go. I understand we have a policy in place and that should be followed, but I think it's worth looking at just thinking of myself in the place that I work at. I'm the only nurse. So, the resumes come to
me because I'm the subject matter expert. Tom's the subject matter expert so things can go to him and he would be easier to look through it and see no this is not appropriate this is appropriate I think that in the future that's something worth looking at um Karen and Liam may not be able to look
at these resumeums of these different disciplines and be able to shift through it that quickly. Um so as I I am agreement with the policy as it stands now but I definitely think that's something worth looking into. >> I agree. I think we should review all of our policies from time to time and I think they're all overdue.
>> Okay. >> And does somebody want to make a motion on the floor of the table? >> I'll make a motion to table uh the class one operator job description. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> I. >> So time will we'll table it for now.
come back two weeks cleaned up >> with uh >> so besides HR administrator's office and union there were some things that you pointed out concerns can we have that in writing so we can address that
>> I can give you my notes I'll give it to the town administrator >> has a bit really smooth coming because if we don't address your concerns we is something that would be good. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. Like I said, Karen will have them
in the notes that uh she just took. >> Uh so yeah, I don't think it's necessary that you write them up. >> Okay. I have them here. I can hand them. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Okay. Tom, this is a review discussing act safety signage near Dyon Elementary School.
>> So, u I think it was a couple months ago, we received a request for signage Representative Thurman's office. Um, >> did you guys get that email? >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. And Mr. Dako took the time to
write a letter that would come from the board, >> right? >> Requesting that. Uh, there are some questions I have and I have responded to that email also. >> It is really out of my jurisdiction. >> Okay. >> Slept, you know, the the town
way even though it's nasty, >> right? >> Um, I do question though. Are they looking is that particular resident looking for a school zone on 138 or center street? To me, center street makes more sense. >> I would think center street. Uh
>> that's where the main entrance is. >> This is where the entrance is. It's where the address is. >> We already have one. It's ending at 138. Y I'm sure the state would look at that with their investig. >> Okay. And do the whole corner. >> I would assume so. Yes. And hopefully they get the information from the police
sheet that I would think they need to look at. >> Okay. >> But yes, I I support this. >> Sure. Um yeah, I don't think there's anybody who doesn't. Um it makes the most sense to have it there.
>> I'm surprised it's gone as as long as it has. I I don't know if they were waiting for the uh the the new elementary school or refurbished elementary school, but um it's it's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. >> Nicole, do you have anything? >> No. >> Mark,
>> have we talked about this before? I feel like this has come up. >> Well, we've talked about the signage on S Street for Bristol Aggie, but I don't think we've talked about the signage for the elementary school. I'm surprised it's going as long as it has without it. >> It was one year school zone here.
Flashing lights just north of the town hall and flashing lights just on the other side of the elementary school. >> Y >> that was when the school was here, >> right? >> Junior high. >> Yep. >> So I don't know what >> that's going way back. >> So it might be it might be already in place because it was school zone. I
don't know how that gets removed. >> Right. >> It might be an easy thing. >> Yep. All right. Well, there's a letter from Justin Thurber. >> It's to Justin Thurber. Well, yes, I may uh from the the selectment, but >> you look into this.
>> Yeah. Okay. Um so I have no issues. Nobody else seems to have an issue. So again, this is a review, discuss, and act. So we need a motion on the floor to approve. >> I'll make a motion to approve the letter the route 138 Somerset Somerset A safety
concerns as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion or any more discussion? All those in favor >> I >> the aging highway before. >> Yes. Um this is no surprise any free I'm
sure and capital and our finance committ well in tune came up with different ways years back to try to formalize you know like a three year five year eight year projections. I'm not sure that's going to be fast
enough. um kind of looking for boards for some advice, not to really act on tonight, but u I I'm not a firm believer in being a squeaky wheel, but it's getting that point where we may need to do that. Um >> what aging equipment I I know all of it is aging. Um is there anything in
particular other than you put a truck on every uh every year to only get it removed? >> For example, what caught my eye right now, we got three trucks that are over 30 years old. Yep. >> Five trucks that are over 20 years old. I think that should get your attention right there. >> Yeah.
>> And then we have multiple equipments. We have a facility, the facility itself with one mechanic that services 76 registered vehicles in town. That is astronomical. Uh so with all the departments have a consideration of aging vehicles and one
mechanic and small facility is a lot to look at. Yeah. Along with that um like the board to be in tune with our department not just for possible equipment but also we definitely need to increase our repair line which is
already in red probably look for a year transfer to cover that if needed but I don't know what else to do other than you guys looking at numbers and the other boards and committees maybe have an internal touch a truck type >> right when you say equipment as you have
listed here. Is it just vehicles or you talking uh >> combination? >> Combination. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, like I as you know, two years ago I submitted for a truck, right? >> I didn't even make it on a warrant,
>> right? >> And another year went by and >> quite a bit went into free cash, which was fine because we depended on those people to make those decisions. >> But two years just went by when we should have been already considering how the truck rated. Have you looked into what Mark had brought up last time about
the the back any kind of leasing programs? >> We always do especially working with the capital outlay finance committee. Those are discussions we have. >> Okay. >> Those are strong discussions because you know how to actually make the purchase. Those good ideas >> uh that it was a good idea to pay off
the excavator early. We did a lease purchase and that I mean that wasn't a large item but that was that's a good buying tool. Yeah, >> it beats the tobacco itself in a lot of ways, but uh yeah, the lease option is very doable. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. So, I I don't I mean I can say I need this and that, but I know it's real financial problems, but I I need the board to be in tune, right? We're in trouble down there. >> Yeah, I know. >> As time goes on. >> Yep. Uh and the every year that goes by,
it takes more of a beating. Um, >> and and another thing is something to consider. >> It's nature. I mean, there's nothing you do about it. So, we're in a cold spell right now, right? >> We can't wash the equipment. >> No, >> it's all over the equipment right now.
>> Yeah. >> That we use full best we can, but we can't even wash it. >> Sure. >> So, it's it's a huge issue. >> Yep. >> Are your trucks stored inside at all? >> The ones that fit. >> The ones that fit. some that physically cannot go through the door because the
size because it's wasn't built for >> and the number of vehicles cuz it wasn't >> okay >> you know it wasn't chicken coop then >> yeah uh now how how'd you manage this storm uh how many private drivers did you have
or private vehicles on the road >> uh so this year was interesting we have five contractors now y >> joined in with us which is seem to be working well >> all using their own Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, we're very close to full compliment. We're not quite there yet,
you know, minus the the two that we would normally have. >> Um >> the amount of I've told this before a storm like that, it's not the amount, it's the duration. That's so you're going to have people nationally have to drop out because they physically just can't do it. >> Sure.
>> Um ideally, it' be nice if you rotate, but then they'd be wondering if they're missing out, you know, why is that one getting more, >> right? So, it it's problematic, but yeah, we we did manage. >> Okay. Uh like I said, the roads look great. Um well, I think that it goes
without saying that we're we are aware of the financial situation and and certainly your aging equipment as well as the building itself. Uh like I had said earlier, every year it seems to go on a question and it it whether it makes it to the warrant or not uh is squarely
with the selectman. Uh, obviously the money's is tight. Um, but at some point we have to pull the trigger, >> right? So, should I be a squeaky wheel or just keep you guys in tune? I mean, I I I encourage like an inside touch
truck. You guys can actually see it. You see the truck and we replace the floor because we didn't have a floor in it. Stuff like that. >> Yeah. Uh, I'm not opposed to that. Uh, I've toured the highway department before and uh, I'm impressed with what you little what how much you accomplish
with what little you have and um, being the squeaky wheel. It doesn't hurt, but it all depends on right now I'd say the debt exclusion. But even if the debt exclusion doesn't pass, it doesn't mean we're not going to
spend money, >> right? Uh it just has to be done wisely. >> We have a big need to pass it out. We still have the need, >> right? >> And a lot of things don't move without highway. >> Yeah. >> Uh the 70 some odd vehicles the town
has. Are you talking police vehicles and fire vehicles? >> Highway sewer. I believe we 76 registered vehicles with >> I didn't think we had that many. >> You know, tobacco loaded registered trailers registered. Yes.
>> And you have one mechanic. >> You have one mechanic. >> Yeah, we have one mechanic. >> Fortunately, we have a crew that's wellrounded. We have some that can help out. Yep. >> When >> the jobs available, you know, and willing to help out, too. >> Yep. Are we using the school at all to
help out? >> Uh, rarely. And some of it's some of the equipment they have in the shop, but really no. >> No. >> Uh, the turnaround would not be quick. >> Not convenient. uh depletion fire, you really need to be certified to do that kind of stuff. >> Okay. Some of the stuff. >> Yep.
>> And our stuff, same deal. It's um actually the struggles we had in the last month is >> um it's not the oldest trucks, but there's still parts obsolete. >> Sure. >> So, we're searching the country for parts. >> Yeah. You know, so to have the school involved really a long time to come.
>> Yeah. It would uh hamper the process. the um 30-year-old equipment that you have. I know it's band-aids that you've put on them and we've asked a lot from the highway department. Uh
what have with the committees that we have um capital outlay? Where are you with that as far as is there a list still of >> uh the list because we haven't bought nothing has changed. change
>> except for I think three vehicles went from fair to poor. >> Okay. >> So, we got five. They're in poor condition. >> Yeah. So, if you had I could you could only buy buy one vehicle this year. What would it be?
>> Probably be similar to that freelance on international that we bought during >> Okay. >> That body is perfect for holiday. Is it four season body? Yeah. >> Y able to service it well. Yep. Easier to work with. >> Okay. Uh Nicole, do you have anything?
>> No. >> Mark, do you have any >> um so I'm glad to hear everyone talking about the capital outlay committee and uh you asking for insight being process driven. That's the appropriate board to go to for um any concerns of of that
nature. So have you submitted a capital outlay request this fiscal year? >> I I'm not aware they asked on schedule yet. >> Okay. So, the schedule is uh right in the town bylaw, which is it's been in existence for a couple of years, and you have until January 31st to submit your
request to the capital outlay committee. So, you have a couple days. Um, so I suggest that you submit your request um with what you want, and the capital outlay meets and uh in March and they'll uh report back to the board in April. So, it's right now by law. Um, I
suggest, you know, you do your five-year outlook and you do your request for um what your request is for the uh next annual town meeting. And um hopefully we continue that process so that we can look at the whole town holistically on what all of our capital needs are. Um so
that's my that's my suggestion is follow the bylaw and and do you know that that committee is there for a very good reason. How often do they meet? >> As needed. >> Just as needed. >> But they have to they do have to meet um
>> prior to the time. >> They have to meet in March per the bylaw. And you know, department heads have to get those submissions in, you know, to be considered per the bylaw January 31st. So does any department heads who want to be considered this fiscal year? >> They should be getting their submissions in.
>> Okay. Right. Anything else you have for us, sir? Any good news? Like I said, the roads look great. Uh it's funny because part of our street is Rahobit and there's a distinct line where Dy ends and Rahobit begins. Uh
it's it's it's pretty sad. Um >> it was a snowbank to drive over to get into right there because um our supplier did not we didn't have enough material for that storm. So okay, >> we tried to time it the best we could.
scraped as long as we could. Yeah. >> Had enough to treat it once at the end. >> Yeah. >> And it wasn't the way we normally like to have it at the end, but we knew it was it would work. The sun did a lot of work the next day, >> right? Um I mean, at what point does it
the does in the temperature does the salt not work? >> Salt's only good for the mid 20s. >> Okay. >> With glasses on, we go down um into single numbers. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Tom. >> Thank you.
>> Uh Nicole, this is time for uh announcements. >> The Highway Department public notice there is a townwide parking plan in effect from November 1st, 2025 to April 1st, 2026. The person shall allow any vehicle to remain on the street as to obstruct no more removal. Bristol
Community, Bristol County Agricultural High School is hosting a Southeast New England Agricultural Conference and trade show on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 in order to bring farmers, food producers, fishermen, and service providers together to share knowledge
and to learn about innovations in agriculture. The Dayton's Lion Club Food Bank be held on Saturday, February 21st, at town hall in the lower level. A me message from the town's clerk's office. The annual town election will be held on
April 11th, 2026 at the Dyon Elementary School from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. Nomination papers are available at the town clerk's office for the following um positions. A board of selectman three-year term. Board of successors, a three-year term. DR school committee
member, this is two positions, also three years. Park and Rex, three years. public library trustee, three years. Sewer commissioner, three years. Um planning board, this is five years. Um another planning board that is two years. And then housing authorities,
five years. >> Thank you. This is the first of two public inputs. Is there anybody at this time that wants to be heard? >> Yes, John. >> I just wanted to um >> Oh, Jonathan, I'm sorry. Cable's telling me you got to go to the podium.
>> Yes. Sorry. I I'm blaming it on cable. >> I don't have my plane on me. I left it down. >> You're You're right there. Y >> um thank you for telling me that. Um, I just wanted to pick up on what you were talking about a few minutes ago with regard to job descriptions and note that
whether doesn't matter whether it's highway or it's it's a clerical position or anything, but under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is extremely important that EEO and ADA requirements be listed in the job description if
there's specific issues or not. But regardless of anything, you have to have the language for the Americans with Disability Act in there. And I I'm questioning whether or not, not simply for the highway department, but for other departments in the town for other
hiring potentially. I know this is something that was on the list of things that I'm supposed to be eventually looking at and looking after town policy and town procedure. And I'm saying that because I think it's something I I appreciate uh select bringing it to the
attention of the town, but I think it's something that potentially systemically needs to be looked at to make sure that the correct language is in there. So I know that you tabled that for review, but I'm suggesting that before that just job description and any other job descriptions in the town go out that
either they be the language be changed. I'm happy to work with the town administrator and the board of stuckman's office to make sure that the language is changed correctly so that any future job descriptions have the correct language in there. I just wanted to to bring that to your attention because it does have to be there and um
it's it's a requirement of law. So that's >> Thank you, John. we we do have in our in the town's policy that we have to have that ADA and uh EEO statement uh and it says right what the statement should be.
So um I would suggest when you work with a town administrator just review that policy. It's like I said it's been there for about 5 years and as long as there's been no updates to the law uh the town really just has to follow what's the language right in the policy. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. That's all I have.
>> Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, anybody else here that wants to be heard? No. How about uh does anybody have their hand up? >> No. >> Okay. Um, then we move on to selectman's reports. Is there any this evening? Do >> you have anything? Mark, you have
anything? Uh, I just want to reiterate that again, I think the town highway department did a fantastic job with the roads and pending another storm this weekend uh certainly is going to hurt our um budget plans. But Ser has
made us aware. Thanks. Uh town administrator's report. >> This is a a quick update. Uh I'm talking about the debt exclusion. Um and I just want to first
the board of selecting. So as you go through it, um if you have any suggestions, uh I will make them. And then I plan to um do a few a few outreaches with uh and I'll make those announcements announcements of our dead
exclusion the dead exclusion presentation today from council the mailer for the dead exclusion. Um uh he gave you the sort of the bones uh the bones of it explaining what a debt
exclusion is. uh what you know um by voting yes what it means by voting by voting no what it means there's still u we're still waiting on the arguments uh pro and con uh for the day schools you know once we have that he'll put it
together uh we'll bring it before the board and our intention is to get it out uh by the beginning of March with the uh with the mail in mail in ballots uh so uh people have that uh in their hands so they're making their decisions. Um they
they review the number. Additionally, uh the town clerk is looking to see if we could um have these um sort of printed up and and presence uh as people walk into the uh the voting booth so they
could take a look at it and you know so they could understand understanding. So >> with it's going to go with the mailer >> or is it going to be a separate just at the same time? >> Can't go with the ball. It's a separate
mailer. And then um um town clerk. So check that. She goes put them together. They said no. >> Uh so they're going to be mailed separately, but okay. >> We're going to do it as as close as we can in conjunction with mail. So people have have both.
>> Okay. >> Okay. when um the state election years and they do the red book and they mail that to every household, there's also something in the law that says you have to have so many available per every registered voter at the polling location. Um, so having, you know, us
approving this MGL that allows us to do the mail, I think it makes sense for the town clerk to have them available at the voting location, not in the booth, but generally there's a, >> you know, it's where the the warden is or or where their table is for people to to review.
>> Yeah. No, our our town clerk is reviewing that and uh she brought that to my attention. So that's one of the things we're going to um we're going to have we're going to do. So this is the um um I'll be doing the presentation on the debt exclusion. So as we go through
it so um right the question is you know what is what's the difference between a debt exclusion and an override? um you know it's it's put here pretty simply uh pretty simply an override is something that's that's permanent and that a debt
exclusion and I I'm going to keep this really simple um you know as we go through it. So, so a a an override has you have to list the purpose and it's permanent as opposed to a debt exclusion
where you have to list the project and you know the state the state says it's temporary. Uh but you know to some people 20 30 years isn't isn't temporary. That's like a whole generation. But it does fall off. It's not it's not forever as opposed to um as
opposed to an override. Say if you uh say if the purpose of an override is to um cover operational costs and the override is you know the override is for $500,000. Once you have the $500,000 that grows every year at the two at two
and a half%. Something also to be um oops something also to be aware is that um um both overrides and debt exclusions are considered prop two and a half. anything any time uh where you get
funding outside of the levy it's considered prop uh prop two and a half. So a lot of people confuse that they only think prop two and a half and override is synonymous which it is not. Prop two and a half is the overriding and underneath it is the is the override
you know override debt exclusion. So what is a debt exclusion? Debt exclusion is a common way for town cities to repay their debts. Uh, and it's again, as I said, it's for towns to pay their debt and excludes the debt service from the
tax levy. And I want to be very upfront. If if the debt exclusion is approved, it will raise it will raise taxes to pay the debt. And then we're going to, you know, further on we're going to see, you know, um, you know, different different
levels, but the average annual increase to the taxpayers, $26324. That's annual. So, what is the uh the debt exclusion for? So, it's for the construction of the new Bristol Plymouth Technical High
School and the uh the expansion of Bristol Aggie. What's not included in that exclusion are operating costs for the schools, salary, supplies, electricity. Uh that's not what is
share of the cost of construction. So, um again, it's just construction costs. It has nothing to do with, you know, with those school salaries or anything like that. You know, this is a little slide I put in. Um it's sort of
it it speaks to um you know why, you know, why uh um um student populations are starting to trend up for vacation for vocational schools. It's just, you know, kids are realizing that uh you know, they they have a you know, they
get a trade, they have a good life. And so, um, you know, as a result of that, um, both our local schools sort of had that expansion. So, in 2018, Bristol County Advisory Board approved the $106 million expansion plan. And in March of
2022, uh, the Bristol Employment School District voted on the construction of the of the new school. That new school was about $35 million. when we first um the uh members uh were responsible for
180 million of that. The million is to be picked up MSBA $125 million but um you know project construction costs came down. So the members are now responsible you know we had a little bit of a drop about $45
million drop 135 million $135 million. So the member towns are responsible for that for that amount. And I just wanted to put up when you go into the ballot loop, what are you going to be seeing? Um this one is for Crystal Aby. The next one is for Crystal Plymouth, but again
it's going to say for the pro uh exempt from provisions of proposition 2 and a half. Again, I can't stress that enough. I know that causes people confusion people confusion in the past. They said, "I'm not voting for prop. That's what I was voting for that exclusion.
They will be voting for that exclusion. It just everything will fall on the property. So what does the no vote mean? So in the event of a no vote, the town of D will continue. We have to we have to we have
an obligation to find funding for the Bristol Bristol Aggie and our debt in fiscal year 27 given the tax levy given state aid and I know Serena just brought it to your attention we only got about um you know the government governor put in we only got about $35,000 more in
state aid u so the estimated payment for Bristol employment and Bristol Aggies debt will meet or exceed our yearly growth um Again, combining the non-negotiable cost increases to items such as health insurance
contributions. Um, this is what we're facing right now. We had a discussion. We're looking at cuts in in departments for fiscal year 27 and and beyond. Um, this is a slide that I introduced to the board about two weeks ago. And if I
could highlight it, um, right, this is our le our levy limit. And you know what is our yearly growth? You know our yearly growth is 2 and a.5% increase and estimated growth and that combined you
know for this year is $336,000. Estimate that um that would be $323,000. So normally we put that yearly growth that's the things we put right health insurance cost that's it for for um
capital you know capital everything we need to run the town use that yearly growth but 800 823,000 of that 836 is being is being eaten up by by our obligations to pay those
construction costs. So we have we only have 13,000 almost $14,000 the purchase um those items on the next year we're in the negative and then finally you know fiscal year 30 we start rebounding but
very very slightly again what is competing for the for those dollars you know those new growth dollars that yearly growth dollars you know something we could all relate to sanitation costs. Back in fiscal year 2023, um the cost to the town for
curbside pickup was about $776,000. This year we're looking at close uh to a million and I think, you know, later on we'll see that we we got some increase uh um for our single stream recycling,
you know, 5,000 extra. So it will just kind of put us right over a million dollars and next year again over you know over a million dollars. It's just um our obligations uh to you know for for service is just it's just continuing to grow.
And additionally you know we have to take care of the people who work for the town and you know health insurance and even if you don't work for a town you understand that your health your health insurance continues to to increase again in fiscal year 23. uh you know, we paid
just over a million dollars for for group health insurance and now we're looking at $1.6 million in in in health insurance that we pay out. And again, our yearly our yearly growth, this is what we apply it to.
And here's something this is always and I'm going to read this one word for word for excess levy capacity. the excess levy capacity in Massachusetts refers to the difference between a municipality's levy limit and the actual amount levy allowing communities to potentially
raise additional tax revenue without exceeding the levy limits. So what we didn't under previously you know we had a big gap we could raise money we could raise money um within the limit to you know to do capital outlay to do you know
to do whatever we need to do but as I'll show you that we use that the the debt is consuming all that excess levy excess levy limit and once we exceed our our levy limit that's when we have to you
know that's one of the things we have to cut in And we have to introduce an override question and as I said the override question that's something you know we have to identify the purpose for it and the override you know we it raises the levy ceiling and it's
permanent and it grows every year at at 2 and a half%. But just as an illustration, um, how is our how is our levy limit in 2022? We taxed we could we have a million we
could have taxed a million dollars more than we did. 23 883,000 in fiscal year 24. That's when we start seeing um the debt starts hitting um the tap. It drops to 141. you know, I had a
little bit of a little jump in in 2025 and as you know, we were very very close. We have access, you know, virtually no levy limit. The the the debt, which was about $700,000 last year, is eaten it up. So, we only
have, you know, our our levy capacity is now down to $58,000. So, and when when you looked at u earlier when we were looking at the you know that one sheet that negative 500,000 if I could translate it on the
sheet that would be uh we would be down here. So, our excess le capacity would be minus $500,000. So, the vote so what is a yes vote? So you know it will budget budgeting will remain a challenge but we you know but
we could finally settle the question how how we're going to fund uh the Bristol permit and Bristol Aggie uh the towns you know be able to vote revenue growth the town services next year. So we could
again by having a debt exclusion um that that free cash we could apply it to things we should be applying it to. You know we should be applying it to to to reserve funds. We should be applying it to um uh to
capital the capital needs. But again as I stated earlier again a yes vote means that citizens tax rates will increase the handle of the debt. So just to um take a look at that you know you how do we determine the obligation and for the
most part it's determined about how many students we have in each school. So, and then you know the bond rating and and and the percentage of that repay. But the good thing is typically the debt exclusions you know they usually front end load it
and then you know this you know you have a whole mortgage it goes down it gets less and less uh as we get towards the end. Um this is a chart and I said the average is $ 260 324 but you know if you
have a if your if your home is assessed at uh $350,000 it's an annual impact of 171 it's in at the higher end 750 your annual impact would be 36750. Again, this is based on uh a combined
annual assessment of $950,000, which translates to 49 cents per thousand. So, just to sort of give you an illustration where, you know, everybody talks about the tax rate, you know, where have we been with the tax rate. Back in 2016, Bitton's tax rate was
$1523 per thousand. This year, we closed out at $1245 per thousand. If you know if we had the debt exclusion on this year's tax rate, the tax rate would be 1296 would still
still be less than the 2024 tax rate. That exclusions are not new to the town of D. We've had we have several that exclusions on the books right now. Our last one was for the police headquarters. Uh that was from 2017. you know, the request was uh $5.95 million.
Uh the other ones for the, you know, the roof at the at the DR high school, $6.7 million. And then uh additionally, the repairs for um the elementary school and the middle school. Um just to note
those will be dropping off uh this year because um you know not all debt exclusions are 20 years long depending on on the amount you borrow you may want to do shorter term. So that one um that one may be that one will be dropping off. >> Which one?
>> Uh this one the uh the school >> elementary school. >> Yeah. >> Which is a savings of how much? Uh I have to I'll figure that out. Okay to get that to me. So um yeah to see uh that will come off the tax rate.
>> You know other considerations you know we do you know as pointed out you know we're an aging town. We have bit of an aging infrastructure. you know, some of the things that we're going to have to look at in the, you know, in the future. You know, where, you know, fire station,
I know we have that. Um, we, you know, we'll be speaking to you about that and, um, coming weeks. Uh, just to give you an update of where we were. You know, Main Street reconstruction, you know, it's it's it's going slow. We have the ability to, um, do a capital exclusion.
We could be able to do that um, quicker. And then um, as you know, Don Elementary School. But the thing is unlike unlike BP and BA uh the Bristol and Bristol Plymouth, you know, we will vote on these things. We will vote, you know,
do we want, you know, do we want these projects and then uh usually the debt exclusion um process is you go to you go to town meeting and then you go to and then you go to uh the ballot and if it
doesn't pass, those projects don't move forward. uh you know um unlike again unlike the Bristol project was voted on it was like a majority of all of the member towns agree to it. So whether we like it or not, we have to, you know, we
have to pay that obligation. Again, you know, some some points to uh to consider absorbing costs with no debt exclusion that greatly impacts credit rating. Um it it puts a stress on our levy and
threatens the accountability to the budget conservatively and you know no not extreme but it put the town in an extremely slippery slope where the debt significant crowds out you know all four town
government functions and capital projects and and so this is you know this is not theory this is you see it this is actual Just again election is Saturday, April 11th. Uh the
last day to receive absentee votes and the vote by mail applications um it's Monday, April 6th and the last day to vote uh absentee in person is Thursday, April 9th. So again, we'll be we'll be sending out
the mailer at the beginning u at the beginning of March. I can have that in my hands and look at it. That's my presentation. >> Very sobering presentation.
>> Yeah, I should have asked Mark. >> Yes. >> Um, no. I think the timing on the mailers makes sense. I know we've talked about that before. Um, however, when do you think we're gonna approve the final mailer? Because I think it's important
that the public has a chance to review it. >> Yeah. >> Um, as soon as possible. >> Yeah. I'm I'm talking with Matt. He's got to get again he has argument. He's got to get arguments. I think should have it by the next meeting.
>> Okay. >> That'd be great. I did notice on the website under debt exclusion there's nothing really there yet. Can this PowerPoint go up? >> I I wanted to present to you guys questions. I give it to the department
heads and I their suggestions if you guys go back to you know just kind of run through it again if I should add anything slides around that and then and then we'll we'll put it up. Um, oh, sorry. No,
>> thank you. >> We had a presentation from our financial advisor about the debt exclusion a while back, and a lot of that's probably still relevant. Do you think that should go on the website as well? >> I um I used um what I could use.
>> Okay, perfect. So, this is the most up-to-date information. All right. >> Yeah. No, I use what I could use um you know, and that's it. you know, sort of get, you know, with the assessment,
you know, effect on the tax rate and everything. So, a lot of that, you know, I just, you know, I used that where I got from go straight to DLS punching the number, but I did use that um I did that as a
base. >> Perfect. Thank you. The debt exclusion for the police station dropped off when >> uh it was I think 27. >> So when would it drop off? >> I think that's a
>> 30. No far out I could get them. I could get the numbers. >> And was it an overwhelming vote? >> Uh >> I know you weren't here. Yeah, I didn't I didn't look up the uh the u
I I can get that but uh and I want to get the you know trying to get the drop offs. I know this one is is dropping off soon. >> I you know I have the numbers when it's going to drop off. >> Oh was probably a 10y year. Yeah, I know
it was um to the October we had special meeting to January vote similarly special meeting for the u exclusions and it went to the uh and it went to the
final election in 2014. But um you know I was you know trying to you know working with um members of our um uh of our financial team just to get that number. What's that drop off and I
could you know I could plug those and see what you know the vote was helpful. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, no other questions for at this
point. Um, and moving on to all business. Um, I believe we're going to review, discuss, and act the dining swap shed, which we're going to um table for this evening. >> Motion table. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
discussion? All those in favor? >> I review, discuss, and act donation of sick time. >> Um, Yeah. So, uh, we're introduced in the same time as one of our employees as
our day. >> Can you speak? Not everyone can hear you. Sorry. >> All right. So, the 100 hours for uh to fill out for the 12 weeks, but um but she received additional more hours. So,
you know, we thought, okay, let's uh let's um you know, near the end of that, we'll come back. So, we had a discussion with um union double check and we looked at past presidents and then she did uh if it is the favor of the board, you can
Um hours initial hours were >> 180 something. >> I'm sorry. So 238 in total. The board awarded 100 hours at the January 14th
meeting. So uh we're seeing that if the board will allow the balance of the hours which is approximately 138 pounds for the employees. >> Okay Nicole, do you have any questions?
>> No, do >> no. Once we take a vote, I do have some comments if you don't mind, but I'd like to vote on this first. >> Okay, sure. Um then is there a motion on the floor to approve it? I'll make a motion to approve the request in its entirety as presented. >> I'll second that.
>> Motion has made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> um All right. So, at our last board meeting on this topic, I wanted to vote on it first because it's want to take care of the employee. It's not about that, but I do have comments to make this better for the future. Um, so we
did follow the recommendation from the from the town administrator to do the 100 hours. Um, but I I talked about and I incorporated in my motion um on on how we could improve like the communication because it wasn't even a request. It was just a a block of ours, but there was no
request, no clear request from the employee what they were looking for and what the town administrator recommended. um since that meeting um you reached out and asked if you know I'd support it and I said if we got had a positive
recommendation from the town administrator and human resources. So, I I still never heard if human resources did um recommend this. And it kind of goes back to just processes when we have
um these human resource issues or issues that are non-rine that go in front of the board of selectmen that have a cost impact to the taxpayer and to the town budget. So, I did send an email about it and I never got a response back. So, I just want to read it into the record so
that there's no doubt um on what my expectations are as a selectman going forward when we have again these non-rine or human resource questions. So, I on January 19th I said hi Ralph and Karen. I wanted to follow up on some of my comments at the last board of
selectman meeting in regards to both the FMLA transfer for Ashley and the assistant foreman position for Tom. Some questions I will always have for these human resource questions that incur a cost are the full scope of the question. Is there a known precedent? Is there
contract language? Has the town administrator reviewed it? Comments recommendation. Human resources coordinator reviewed comments recommendation. Town accountant review. What is the financial impact in simple terms? Fully funded in the funding
source. reviewed by the department head. Comments and recommendations reviewed by the union union comments or concerns. Labor attorney if necessary and other for the FMLA transfer. I would have liked to have seen more information
included in the packet. I believe we would have had a different outcome. In the followup, I'd like to see if there is any info in the union contract, what the law says, what the industry best practice says on the subject, and answers to the questions above. I
believe if we had that check off list for the job description for the assistant foreman or assistant to the foreman, I believe the job description's final product would have looked different than what was presented. If you could implement something along these lines for human
resource and other non-rine requests, I would really appreciate it. I'm looking for the board to be as informed as possible on requests coming from the town. I think there's progress to be made in this area. Thank you again, Mark. And so, walking in today, I'm just disappointed that I don't have any
contract language. I hear that you talked to the union. Um, I did get your email that you recommended it, but I never had anything from the uh from human resources. There still was never anything kind of put in in writing. So, I just want to see us do
better in the future for uh these requests just so that we can make I'm just trying to make it better. I'm not trying to make it job harder or uh you know, I'm just trying to make sure the board can be informed and we're not guessing. Yes, >> that's all.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do you want to respond at all? No. >> Uh, no. I I don't Okay. You know, I I I sent the email and >> Sure. >> time again. If you have any questions,
if I don't have if I don't have a complete email, please please reach out. >> Okay. >> Justin has his hand up. I think it's Justin. >> Oh, >> he's high-fiving us. I don't know. >> Okay. >> No, I was just uh I wanted to
uh just advise on questions of uh HIPPA violations with um this being an FMLA matter and uh the employees name being mentioned just for future reference.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> I agree. >> Absolutely. I was surprised to see it in here. Yep. Um then on to new business please review discuss and act acceptance of the road layout for muddy cove lane.
>> So um in here I have the um muddy cove lane. This goes back to the closing tree bridge project. So street bridge project just a quick recap.
Um we have the the total project is about three uh $6.2 million. We have uh we we do have $3 million in federal funding for it. Uh we are working with the state uh I think positively progressing uh to get the balance of
that money to do uh to do the project. Uh the project will uh is moving forward and will go out to bid next um it's targeted for next September. Uh but some of the things that we have to do uh um you know we're doing assessments of um
of the property. One of the things is Muddy Cove Lane. So Muddy Cove Lane is is is a private lane. We're going to be doing um uh some work to it. So you can't do uh you know you can't do uh expend public monies on on a private
road. Uh so we need to accept the road. Part of the acceptance process is that the um the selectment have to uh ex uh vote on their intent uh to accept the road and then forward it to uh forward
it to the planning board. The planning board uh then has public hearings on it and then it's presented at town meeting. So this is the stage we're at. >> Hey Tom, what kind of shape is muddy cove landing? Okay.
You know, fuller if you wanted to take a look at it, but uh not I know this is off subject. Um the money that we're looking to get reimbured for this from the state uh will any of that go towards
muddy co lane and refurbishing in any way or >> uh it it whatever is in included in street upgrade would be would be part of >> that would be it. And would they reimburse us for what we've already paid out as part of their package?
No, but part of >> it's just the difference, >> right? So, um um part of it um to to advance to the next level, uh we had to do the engineering stud, which is grant was approximately the $600,000. And from
there, you know, that unlocked the initial $3 million, $3.2 million, and then uh uh and now for the uh we're looking for the state to get the additional $3 million. we don't have um
there's no matching associated with the with the second $3 million. So So we've been u we've been working with our legislative delegation and we've been working a plus's office and and the DOT and they
are fully aware of the uh financial status of of Titan >> and uh acceptance of the road is done at annual Tom meeting. >> Yes. So this is a review discuss and act just whether we want to refer to the planning
board. Um do you have any concerns? Do you have any? Okay. Then is there a motion on the floor? >> I'll make the motion to forward the acceptance of road layout for Muddy Cove Lane to the planning board. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
more discussion? All those in favor? I >> review uh request. This is a review discussion act request to appoint Kenneth Bett as a member of the of the open space committee. >> Jonathan, do you want to talk? >> Sure. >> Thank you.
>> So, um, as you all know, there's a position for open space. >> Um, Ken put his name in the hat. Only name in the hat of course to have an interview with. Um we met with him last
Thursday and um all voted affirmatively to uh welcome me. So we're here tonight to ask the boardman to approve that. I will leave it to Ken to introduce himself and tell you a little bit about who he is. >> Sure. >> Hi Ken.
>> Good evening everyone. It's a pleasure to be here. Um my wife and I uh moved to Don in 1992. So, I thought maybe after 33 years, uh, maybe I might might be a good time to give something back. Um, I'm a lawyer, actually. So is my wife.
Uh, started out in Bristol County as an assistant district attorney working for Ronald Peanut back in 1990. Uh, Paul Walsh then beat him a year later and I worked for Mr. Walsh for three years. I started the law office of Kennethy Fett in downtown Fall River in 1994
and uh kept that office open uh focused primarily in well almost entirely uh in criminal defense work in the superior district court federal courts of the state of Massachusetts. Um in 2024
an offer came from the city of Fall River uh to work as an assistant operation counsel for the city of Fall River. And I've done that for the past two years. I got to meet Mr. Pacico uh during our vote recount uh couple of
months ago. Well, within the last month actually and um actually mentioned to him like it uh might be time. Uh my wife and I raised three kids. They went through the Dyon all phases of Dyon uh education with the elementary, middle,
and high schools. Um they went to great colleges. They're well employed and uh they're no longer with us here in Massachusetts. So again, um focusing that time I had on being a a good husband and a good father. I didn't
offer uh anything to the town of Dyon, but uh feel that that it's time now. The open space committee is something I'm very interested in and I already having experiences in Fall River. We have a land trust established in Fall River and
one of the many hats I wear uh is to uh advise in regards to issues that come up not just with the the land trust but we have preservation committee historical uh commission planning board. So um I feel that I have some
skills to offer. Um, I've been a litigator for 36 years and I think that may lend itself well into a committee organization. I've met the uh fellow members of the open space. Uh they seem
like a real dedicated and highly qualified team. Um I'm well aware that uh uh and we certainly had a great education tonight about the financial realities ongoing. indicted people who
live here, including myself. We love our open spaces. We love the the land, the lack of development, but that comes at a price. And there's going to be some very significant issues uh already affecting the town and certainly in the years
ahead that I'd like to be a part of in that balancing of interest between bringing tax income into this town while at the same time maintaining the the largely rural nature of of where we live. Um
so uh again the folks on the current uh members of the current committee were very gracious and accepting me and voting uh me to appear before you tonight and u I'll take any questions uh and do my best to answer as honestly as
I can uh and ask you ultimately to uh accept my volunteer position on the open space. >> Sure. Thank you for for applying. It's a a delicate balance between open space and need for um business. Uh as you're
well aware, it sounds like you're well qualified. If Jonathan recommends you, then that's good enough for me. Uh Nicole, do you have any questions? >> No, it sounds like your experience will be very valuable. And thank you. It doesn't matter how long it takes for you to volunteer. You did it. And thank you.
>> Thank you. >> I agree. uh we're so happy that you're joining the open space and your background will be um so well needed and utilized by the open space committee. So uh thank you for stepping up and joining. Um Jonathan, will you have any
vacancies after this or >> um as of now as of today we have filled all our vacancies and we are full slate and rocking and rolling and we've got awesome >> some heavy things that we're attacking, you know, and working on. you know, as mentioned, we want to we really started
looking into different aspects of land trust. We've had some people come and talk to us. Um, we plan to really pursue that. We're, as you all know, we're involved in a few other things as well with regard to uh the zoning project that we're working on and a few other
things. So, no, we're at full capacity and we're really getting up to speed on everything that we're doing. >> Awesome. >> Great. Well, thank you to both of you. Uh, this is a review, discuss, and act. So, we need a recommendation on the floor. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Kenneth Fet as a member of the Open Space
Committee. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you, John. >> We just have to see the town clerk to get sworn in at some point. >> Yep. >> Not sworn at.
>> No. Um, >> that comes later. >> That comes later. uh letter requesting a legislator accept an accept uh an act relative to the appointment of retired police officers as special
police officers in the town of Dy. Um yeah, we had a special town meeting home petition to have a special police officer able to to uh work until the age of 70. uh we have to advance this
through the legislature and um you know getting connection with uh Kelly Duner's office. So she said okay other things we need to do. One is a letter signed by the chair of the board selection and then we have
a copy of the uh the vote and uh uh the wording of the legislation. >> Okay. Nicole, do you have any questions? No. Wow. No. >> Okay. Then is your motion on the floor? >> I'll make a motion to
uh for a signature for the letter to the legisl legislature as presented. >> I'll 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 January 22nd, 2026. 3826 for $114,88.30 and 30B-26 for 1,189,110.58 warrants paid by January 29th, 2026. 31A26 for $143,433.95
and 31B26 for 258,533.87. >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> correspondents. We get a letter from Bis Trucking. Uh increase in disposable rates.
Disposal rates. recycle disposal rates that on it something we have um you know we factored in it was a little less so this light just to make you aware off by a little bit uh when we did our calculations like as I pointed out
earlier uh this is going to affect it by increasing that cost by about $5,000 for this year given you know based on the amount of time that Okay.
Um, on to minutes. >> I have a I have a question. >> Oh, sure. >> Um, so it's about a 10% increase. Is this something that they review once a year, every three years? Do you know what what they review cycle? >> Right. Yeah, they um we we see they kind of do it every year. You know, I have
two years under my belt and I know each year that they've done it. >> Do you know is it generally a 10% increase or is that something unusual? Um it's 10%'s a little high. I had you know I had originally calculated 7%. >> Okay.
>> Uh because that's kind of standard >> you know and I think as letter you know disposal costs are getting more and more difficult. So >> thank you. >> I'll make a motion to approve the board selectman regular meeting minutes of
January 14th 2026. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? Hi. >> Uh, second public input. Is there any more? Yes, Jeff. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Sure.
>> For the record, Leonard Hall, 760 Main Street, D. Earlier this evening, we heard Mr. Ferry speak about some of the difficult conditions that his men, and I might add, they did a fine job on the roads,
the recent slaughter, are facing. Yet few minutes ago there was presentation that included capital outlay projects and it wasn't on there and it's something we talked about four years ago
as a highway safety or some upgrades can go away partly so we don't run into problems with EPA and also for a bit of pride that the town shows back to those
workers tremendous dedication to this town. Secondly, prior to the debt exclusion vote, will we get a breakdown of the impact on each department if the debt exclusion fails
or will it just be a total of the shortfall and then we will have long discussions about how that's going to be broken up, especially the way the budget process doesn't quite coincide with the vote.
And I might add from a political point of view, people will be looking specifically how these cuts will impact public safety. I think people are going to want to know that before they make a vote. That will
play a huge role in my case. Mhm. >> You know, if we're going to have major cuts slashing public safety, some of the other key critical departments to this community, then I might be more willing to reach down and pay a little bit extra
in my taxes. I'm sincere when I say that. I haven't made up my mind how I'm going to go, but I want to see specifically how that's going to impact. Okay. Departments. If you remember, Peter,
Mike Mullen had put together a proposal that was pretty specific. It may not be applicable to today, >> but it was a clear pathway. You know, what departments were going to get hit and how much, not specific it is going
to be people or, you know, supplies, but a number, >> right? >> So, >> I know there's an overall number. We probably have a breakdown. Well, you do already of departments and how they will be hit. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anybody else at this point? >> No. Okay. Um then a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I
>> Thank you guys.