WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=TcNkYM4BMaM Part: 1 1 00:00:01.200 --> 00:00:16.120 Uh, let's see. Fiscal year 2019, we're going to reorganize the board. Approve prior meeting minutes. Uh, fiscal year 2026 2 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:33.560 year-end and interdepartmental transfers. Salary reserve transfer. Discussion of fiscal year 2028 budget. Uh, if you have any any idea of filling a station position. 3 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:55.440 And if there's anybody got anything else. Well, I guess the first thing is uh reorganize the board. Who wants the big chair? >> I'll um I'll throw my hat in the ring. >> And I'll sit but I don't. 4 00:00:55.440 --> 00:01:16.360 >> Yeah, I don't. I got I got so much on my plate right now. I'll just go with you. >> I'll [laughter] go with you. >> So, I'll go with you. I'll go with >> Oh, you already You already discussed you being >> I'm going to be there. >> I told my wife I'd be here at 11:00. >> All right. So, man is uh I'm going to create the fill the big 5 00:01:16.360 --> 00:01:37.800 seat the big chair. Uh, all those in favor. >> That's me. >> Anybody opposed? >> I think I think I jumped the gun. >> So, you're all in favor of that. >> I'll chair you. >> Um, so what are the other positions was 6 00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:57.520 um described, right? Secretary. >> Vice chair and secretary. >> So, what do we want to do with vice chair next? >> I'll bend the vice chair but I don't care whether [clears throat] I do or I don't. Jay has never missed a the so 7 00:01:57.520 --> 00:02:22.400 >> Yeah, I can sign off on that. >> So, vice chair, um Clint is still in his hat in the ring. Do we have any seconds? >> Something. >> Second, Tim is seconding it. Um you got you're going to do the minutes for now for this meeting? >> Yeah. >> Okay. 8 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:38.560 >> It would be hard to do it tonight. >> Yeah. Um all right. So, all in favor of Clint for the vice chair? >> Sorry. >> Anyone opposed? No? Good. The eyes have it. Congratulations. 9 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:57.920 >> Thank you. >> And secretary? Chuck for meeting minutes. He's been doing it for a 3-year now. >> Yeah, I think so. >> Mr. We're very very lucky to have you, Chuck. >> Now, you now you've done a good job. You're really good at it. 10 00:02:57.920 --> 00:03:14.519 It's not easy. >> Um >> I almost said from a limited I am severely limited from a time standpoint. Just I stepped into the CFO role at my company, and we have some other stuff that I'm working on. I'm actually from a timing standpoint, 11 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:30.239 I'm going to try to make as many of these as I can. So, to be honest, I I don't think I can do it. >> But, one of the things we could do is record the meeting. Right? >> I was just going to say, with Teams now and with >> the AI thing 12 00:03:30.239 --> 00:03:47.640 >> being transcribed, it's pretty I mean, not that I want to take on and more work either, but it's pretty easy. It's and we record most meetings, if not all meetings, so I don't mind kind of using the 13 00:03:47.640 --> 00:04:03.960 transcript, pulling together minutes, and then sending them out. I I I don't you want >> I I mean I wouldn't mind. I could you know I could get any of us really would get the download of the transcript and throw it into the AI thing to spit out the minutes. I mean >> It's pretty >> do it I do it for work actually. 14 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:21.480 >> It's pretty close to perfect. It you got to reread it and tweak some stuff but it's pretty good. Um >> It might It might say it's not Clinton, it's Lincoln. >> Right. Yeah. I think it's I think we can figure 15 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:42.480 that out. >> So the official secretary is going to be Teams AI. >> I think that's fair. >> [clears throat] >> So I guess is that is there anything else that we have to reorganize the board? 16 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:58.360 Um we do have positions that are on other boards. One of them is affordable housing. I don't know what else there is. We used to do uh capital planning if they needed somebody. Is there still an opening? >> There is an opening but we do have 17 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:15.440 interested candidates to fill it. So >> So that's good. >> Yeah. >> Um I always thought it was good to have somebody on advisory on that but again if you've got enough people then let's let's leave it. >> Yeah. >> Um I think that was it. >> I think those two >> It used to be Florence Roach was the 18 00:05:15.440 --> 00:05:30.520 other thing and it used to be the try out committee but >> Yeah, we still have the triathlon but that's something that the TA town manager appoint and I've just been having the chair of the select board and 19 00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:48.520 the advisory board serve on that. So I mean So you're the you're the lucky one. >> Okay. Um So do we have any takers for affordable housing? They don't meet very often. >> No. >> Um you know the the area behind the post is 20 00:05:48.520 --> 00:06:04.240 done. So, you don't have to discuss that anymore as far as I know. Um this is the only talk that I know of is the one on No, I'm lower road. What town he's doing? It's the one across the street from the other one. That you did a walk-through a few weeks ago. 21 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:19.840 Um >> [clears throat and snorts] >> but it's basically just meeting maybe once every 3 months. >> I can do it. I can but I would love to say one You know what I mean? Like my time gets short. >> Quick, so it's gone. >> Yeah. >> They don't I mean I can't >> I can't I'll just say I can't get back 22 00:06:19.840 --> 00:06:36.280 to [clears throat] you but >> Yeah, it's fine. >> That is fine. >> Yeah, it is. >> They meet a handful of times a year. >> So, it's not going to be much. >> You can always >> And if you can't go for whatever reason that you can always throw it to the rest of us. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> One of us can cover it. No, I can just give you the meeting minutes and report back to the select board. 23 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:52.440 >> Um >> So, I think that's it. >> I like that. >> Um so, do we have any um prior meeting minutes? >> I think we approved them. >> No, sorry. >> No, it's all right. I It was It was on the agenda, that's why I mentioned it. >> Yeah. >> Um 24 00:06:52.440 --> 00:07:09.720 So, the next discussion is the FY26 year-end inter-interdepartmental transfers. >> You got an email about it. >> I think it's a walk-through. >> Yeah. >> I'm trying to see. >> So, for those of you who've been here, you know that at the end of 25 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:26.280 the fiscal year we generally have to move some money around in order to balance some accounts. So, um and we have to do it within the first 15 days of July. So, we have through to July 15th to actually do it. We've been since I've been here we tried 26 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:41.600 to do it early so that we can close out the year as soon as possible. Um so the select board has reviewed these, has approved these on their end. So, >> I'm not sure if the water pipes for finance and select board reviewed 27 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:56.720 >> We told them to approve them. >> So, I'll go through these really quickly. Town Hall Town Hall then budget has been um essentially unbalanced since I've been here. So, the budget I inherited was 28 00:07:56.720 --> 00:08:12.440 unbalanced and I've been we've been trying to build it up over the years, but every year we do need a transfer to balance it out. Um I'm really hoping this um $10,000 transfer will be sufficient. 29 00:08:12.440 --> 00:08:30.400 Um We'll see. Um at looking at the bills that are in, um it will be close, but I think we'll be able to make it work. Um Town Council is a huge variance up here. Um 30 00:08:30.520 --> 00:08:47.080 The major driver of the Town Council variance was, believe it or not, a dangerous dog um designation by the Select Board and an appeal of that designation. Um I have listed here the amount of money that 31 00:08:47.080 --> 00:09:03.680 we've expended um over um this fiscal year just on the dangerous dog hearing. Uh so, it's a decent sum of money that we've uh that we've spent. >> I'm really sucks. I've been following 32 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:18.520 that case and I I do agree with the Board of Selectmen moving forward with that. Just sucks that it cost so much money. >> Yeah. >> It's what you do, you know? >> Yeah. So, in January it was 8,400, September was 79, November 237, and then it ramped 33 00:09:18.520 --> 00:09:34.280 back up in October 4,100, 513, and then 70 almost 78 in August. So, we spent around 21,000 just on that. Um and that's I will say that's one of the issues in general with 34 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:50.480 any type of enforcement action, period, in municipal government. It's not just a problem here. If you want to really enforce your rules, regulations, what ultimately usually ends up happening a lot of the time is that you need to enforce it through the courts. 35 00:09:50.480 --> 00:10:05.200 And when you start enforcing things through the courts, it costs money, especially for small communities like Dunstable who don't have in-house counsel. So, um it's a problem that we're grappling with on a number of different issues. This is an example of what can happen with 36 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:22.120 enforcement if if um if we have something like this that needs to go through the court system. So, that's um that's for the town council line. >> So, is the is the is the law firm Merrick is that the new law firm? Is 37 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:36.520 that what you mean? >> That's our that's our town counsel, yes. Okay. Yep. Um I asked for a little more than I I'm hoping we need just in case. I know there are a few other things that we have in front of us. So, that's it's it's probably a little more than we 38 00:10:36.520 --> 00:10:52.839 need, but I I'd rather be safe than sorry. IT, the same thing. I actually think our budget is going to be okay. I'm asking for a $2,000 transfer because there are times with that budget that things come up and arise where I don't 39 00:10:52.839 --> 00:11:08.640 expect it and need additional funds. So, that's almost like a safety net just in case cuz the the budget right now is really close and tight. Uh town administrator budget. So, in the town administrator budget, I budgeted 40 00:11:08.640 --> 00:11:25.200 all contractual obligations with my contract in the salary line. One of those items in salary line that was budgeted was a travel uh I thought it was a travel stipend and I get the travel stipend by submitting 41 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:40.920 reimbursements every so often. Basically, monthly. The town of Talton wanted to did not want to pay the the reimbursement out of the salary salary line. They wanted to pay it out of the 42 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:57.760 the expense line. So, um we've been basically holding any travel reimbursements that I get until we can move that money. So, it's basically moving in within the same budget. It's not like an increase in that budget. It's just moving it from salary to expense line so that we so 43 00:11:57.760 --> 00:12:15.000 we can pay for the balance that I told you. Um assessor and accounting small transfers just just based on um steps that we that we missed um in the new budget for. Um and then temporary loan interest is 44 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:33.800 actually another thing that's happened a couple a couple years where um we've we've needed transfers to cover payments. So, um that's that's it in a nutshell. So, the money um that I'm requesting is 45 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:48.400 primarily coming out of the group health insurance line. Um as you know, we've had a um a flexible um kind of cushion within that line for the last few years um which is largely going 46 00:12:48.400 --> 00:13:05.920 to end next fiscal year in FY27. Um so, there's a there's uh from tip for town hall town council and temporary loan interest that's coming out from the health insurance. Assessor and accounting that's just basically within the same budget and 47 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:21.000 town administrator just moving from salary to expense or expense to salary. Um IT, we have a $2,029 balance in the reserve fund. So, um that's where I'm proposing the money for IT comes 48 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:49.720 from. >> Mostly you we're going to free cash. You know. >> Remaining balance of free cash. I don't want to say the amount certain. Hold that thought. I want to say it's probably 380,000 after the 50,000 personal lines, but 49 00:13:49.720 --> 00:14:45.400 we're going to confirm that. So it was 435 uh total balance and that was before the $50,000 appropriation for snow and ice, so 385. I would say. That's what he's saying. You can agree to disagree. 50 00:14:45.400 --> 00:15:02.440 >> Is it a good question from the temporary loan interest? Is that just an interest from a line of credit based on cash equivalents or is that just loan interest that was like just off >> extended debt. >> In this case, it could be both. It could I mean it could be either or. In this case, I believe it's from loan actual 51 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:18.480 borrowing interest. >> Okay. I just wanted to throw it out from a cash management perspective. If there is a line of credit that you borrow off of that. >> There are times when we have cash flow and we do, but not not not for this, I don't believe. >> It's a small amount. I'm not sweating that. Just understanding it. >> Yeah. Thank you. 52 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:40.240 >> So I guess we entertain a motion to approve by transfers to close out at 516 in the amount of 50,500 dollars and six cents. All right. Kim. I'll second it. Discussion. 53 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:57.480 All those in favor. Anyone opposed? Let's have >> Will there be an expense? >> There won't be. >> For the recount? >> I think we're exactly in It's in the next year. >> There will be a There will be an expense 54 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:12.920 for the recount. Um it's in July, so it will be next fiscal year. So it's in the new budget. We're voting for Um but it's a >> No, but >> But it's a fair point. We weren't When we [clears throat] put the budget together, we weren't anticipating 55 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:30.680 additional elections, so we may need to adjust lines later on in the year. Um But we should We will have sufficient budget to have a special >> So if the recount was this fiscal year, so does that expense it now? 56 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:46.720 >> The re- The recount >> The actual recount. >> Oh, is that what you asked? Were you asking a recount or a special election? I'm sorry. >> The recount. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Howard. >> But then it wasn't the Then I see that the town council was paying them. >> Yes. >> And is that how they didn't want to be a transfer? >> That's one of the things that um will be 57 00:16:46.720 --> 00:17:05.280 covered by the transfer. Yes. Yeah. And then um the election workers that were there is um is also an an additional [clears throat] cost, but we should be okay. I'm sorry. I thought you said special election. That's where my head went. 58 00:17:05.280 --> 00:17:27.079 I think. All right. >> The next on the item on the agenda is a salary reserve transfers. >> Okay, so I know the board members that we had a column class review 59 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:42.080 this fiscal year and mid-year we implemented the column class recommendations. So, you had I think it was around January, you had approved a series of transfers from the 60 00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:58.800 salary reserve which was created to implement the recommendations to a variety of salary lines to pay for the increases or the mid-year adjustments. Um turns out and I believe this is primarily caused by the two days 61 00:17:58.800 --> 00:18:16.520 extra two days in in June. Um it the the some of the uh the prior transfers will not cover the entire amount. So, um it's a total of 1,150 uh dollars. 62 00:18:16.520 --> 00:18:35.400 We have roughly 1445 in the um 1445 in the in the salary reserve. So, um this is just basically to true up the salary lines to make sure that we can end the year right. 63 00:18:38.760 --> 00:18:57.320 >> Basically it's an extra pay day basically in FY. >> We have we have Monday and Tuesday of one week, yeah. So, in fact I I think that was >> Same thing happened in my work last year. Okay. And I was fine and then the fiscal year for the town it's it's like six months after. So, whatever they deal 64 00:18:57.320 --> 00:19:14.120 with then, you guys are dealing with it. >> Good job. Yeah. Yeah, so when I when I calculated the transfers I think I just missed the two days. >> Okay. >> Um and there are other salaries that need adjustments. It's just we can cover it within the budget. These are the ones we know we were going 65 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:34.360 to need some settlement of a budget. >> Right, so um So we we the transfer requested in the amount of 1150. >> Yes, sir. >> So we're entertaining a motion for um salary budget reserve transfer 66 00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:57.040 transfer in the amount of $1,150. Um >> Yeah, second. Charlie seconds. Any any further discussion? All those in All those in favor? All right. Anyone opposed? Eyes have it. 67 00:19:58.080 --> 00:20:18.200 Um FY '28 budget discussion. >> All right, we haven't even finished '26 and we're talking about '28. Is that fun? >> So we know '28 just from our projections and our forecasts, we know FY '28 is going to be a tough year. FY '27 as you 68 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:35.440 all know was a tough budget year and we were able to um balance through some difficult choices. Um maybe in slightly more aggressive than we normally are on the revenue side and making some reductions on the 69 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:50.520 expense side. Um So FY '28 presents a problem because we've kind of increased revenue projections to a point where we're probably close to where we're going to be um 70 00:20:50.520 --> 00:21:07.520 with less of a cushion. And then from an an expense side, we've made reductions to a point where there's not a ton of reductions to make on the town side. >> [clears throat] >> Um and I'm not saying there are none, it's just much less than um what we've had in the past, which hasn't 71 00:21:07.520 --> 00:21:25.080 been which hasn't been a lot cuz we're pretty pretty tight. So, um so I think town Dunstable, town of Groton, and the school district are in similar situations for FY20. 72 00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:41.640 Um we I had a preliminary meeting with the town manager um and school district. I think it was last week. And we all thought it was a good idea to get started as soon as possible. So, we understand where everyone's at. We understand what 73 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:57.160 the what the we can quantify what the problem is if there is a problem. So, um we had there's actually a I think it's the 8th So, 7th or 8th, I think, of July, we have tentatively the first meeting of 74 00:21:57.160 --> 00:22:11.640 the whatever you want to call it, Tri-Town budget working group. Um actually, it's on the 9th. And so, we're starting earlier than we ever have ever have. Um and so, 75 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:27.160 um I think, as everyone knows, the advisory for the Dunstable side, advisory has um I've asked the advisory chair to serve on that and the select board chair. So, it's Matt and Ron from the select board. 76 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:42.800 I serve on it. Uh town of Groton does the same thing. And then, the school school district has the chair of the school committee, um the director of finance and administration and the superintendent on it. So, that's kind of the group um 77 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:58.800 initially. And then, you know, we'll kind of report back to the advisory and select board as we as we make progress. Um but I think, you know, I I don't think it's going to be a surprise to anyone, but I think we should be prepared for a 78 00:22:58.800 --> 00:23:14.240 for a tough year in FY for FY28. And and long budget process because we're going to be starting early and I think >> [clears throat] >> it'll be similar I think the process I 79 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:29.240 think the outcome for the recommendations may be different but I think it'll be similar to the not last What was it? The year we asked for a 3-year override. Um just from a procedural standpoint, not that we're going to ask for a 3-year not you know not that we're going to ask 80 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:46.440 for that type of override. But I think from a process standpoint we're going to start early and get information out probably similarly as that year. Um >> [clears throat] >> That's that's what I have on FY 20 and you know I'm 81 00:23:46.440 --> 00:24:03.400 happy to take any questions. [clears throat] >> So the general discussion in the past I think shifted a little bit last year or so or 2 years where we actually told the school along with Groton what we could afford and then went from there, right? Where before it was we were waiting to find what the school needed. 82 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:19.760 >> Yeah, so I I mean with this group it has become kind of more of a collaborative um process so they will definitely know what we can afford under the levy. Um and Town Groton will do the same and the 83 00:24:19.760 --> 00:24:35.520 schools will come in with what they what funding they need to basically have a I believe a level service budget. Um and then we'll kind of go from there. Um But yeah yeah I mean we'll we'll give 84 00:24:35.520 --> 00:24:52.200 them I mean we we as part of the budget for FY 27 I did a like a quick update to our forecast based on um you know more recent numbers and so we have honestly we have a decent 85 00:24:52.200 --> 00:25:08.680 idea I mean it's not perfect but a decent idea of where it will be. Um So, just to clarify that one point you were saying we're going to go under the levy of what we can afford but the piece you had mentioned I think you were saying well I mean it was being 86 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:24.160 you know, brought up to the level of what we're projecting it up at. Um I guess the one thing that kind of has me thinking around the new growth and sort of the assumptions that are in there and what kind of >> Mhm. >> is there what's our tolerance or headroom do we have with the kind of the new growth assumption? 87 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:41.480 >> I think new growth will be I think we'll I think we have some flexibility with our new growth for um for FY27. Okay. Um and if you know, looking out 88 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:58.360 I think we'll be okay for FY27 for new growth. Um and if we have the um the mud district project go in FY28 Mhm. [clears throat] that would be um we'll get some growth from that which is probably more than what we would 89 00:25:58.360 --> 00:26:16.440 typically see. >> Mhm. >> Uh [clears throat] so yeah, I mean I think we're we have some a decent level of tolerance for 27 um and it's primarily based on we got where um somewhere close to the end of the budget 90 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:32.240 process that um you know, all the national grid work that's been happening on Pleasant like that's growth that's actually growth we get. Um and the amount of value that that you you'd be you'd be amazed at the value on that investment. Um so with the utilities we get that 91 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:46.280 they pay property taxes we get growth from that. So um so that's growth >> I didn't realize that. >> Yeah, yeah. So that's growth that wasn't baked into the work plan number. [clears throat] That said we were a little more aggressive than we normally are I think 92 00:26:46.280 --> 00:27:03.600 we we we got it to 140 um we're usually at 120. But I think we'll see. At least so we have some flexibility there. >> And some of the measures we approved kind of at the last town meeting for changes, nothing is like assuming growth from that perspective until something 93 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:19.360 becomes kind of real on us. >> Yeah, right. >> Correct. >> And even even then the growth from that is very very intermittent and not really anything you should be taking advantage of. >> I guess the part that just makes me a little worried I shouldn't say worried or worried at all or worried, but maybe 94 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:35.760 that's the question is just how close we are from a revenue in the assumption to where we think we'll actually land >> Yeah. >> versus headroom if if it ends up being lower than the assumption we still can afford [clears throat] it without being low on rate. But growth I think we'll be 95 00:27:35.760 --> 00:27:51.560 in good shape. >> Mhm. >> Local receipts I think we'll be close. >> Okay. >> Um we we went from since I've been here we went from um estimate of 750 to next year we're estimating 850. 96 00:27:51.560 --> 00:28:07.760 Um based on what we've our last three years I think that's confident of a fine number, but I think it's it will be close. >> Mhm. >> State aid we'll be fine. Um I think it'll probably be a variance of like two or three 97 00:28:07.760 --> 00:28:22.680 thousand one way or the other so it'll be fine there. Um and [clears throat] truthfully that's >> So we're all right. >> I mean that's not unreasonable. I was just asking the question. I think it Yeah, just to make sure we're >> Yeah, I know no I get it. 98 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:38.360 It's on it's on my mind too because obviously the more conservative we can be with that stuff the better overall for the town and for our financial health. So we were definitely as we as we kind of batted around here for for 99 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:54.200 months like we were a little more aggressive than we would have like to be, but I still think we're in we're We're fine shape. >> Yeah. Yes, you brought a question. >> I'm just trying to kind of start to understand how to historically. >> Yeah. >> The economy kind of tanks a bit. >> How much is how much risk is there 100 00:28:54.200 --> 00:29:10.520 around the likelihood of you around paying property taxes, paying additional like >> So like you have your assumptions like hey our base is this, but you have to bake in some sort of like I'll call it a bad debt allowance of 2 or 3% or something based on just economic conditions at the time. 101 00:29:10.520 --> 00:29:26.520 >> Yeah. I haven't looked back at like the last downturn to to be able to answer that. >> Yeah. >> It's a good No, it's a great question though. Um but I I haven't like I will though. That's a good question. Um I will say 102 00:29:26.520 --> 00:29:41.560 generally speaking our collections rate here is really really strong. >> Yeah. >> So that hasn't been a concern up till now. Um but just cuz you bake it in at 100 and then there's going to be some sort of loss. Yeah, assuming >> Yeah. 103 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:56.840 >> And there's also late fees people paying late. >> There isn't a building >> if or if at all. >> Yeah. >> So >> But it's very young. I mean the since I've paid attention to it it's it's it's been quite I mean this is like it's a pretty good town for >> Yeah. No, 104 00:29:56.840 --> 00:30:13.920 but there are a few. >> It's always good to have that in mind. >> Uh the real estate the real estate tax, when does that money become >> It's it's next fiscal. That's that's the last year's revenue, but I I I don't expect that to bring in any 105 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:28.960 >> It's not going to be a >> No. I mean I Trust me, every bit every bit helps, but I >> Did that town meeting vote to extend it or did it just >> No, it just come it comes in quarterly from the state. Now that now that town meeting has approved it will just get we'll start getting it. >> And where does it sit? >> It 106 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:45.840 It sits in the general fund. >> Where does it sit? >> Yeah, when it comes in where does it go? >> Um I don't know I I don't know how to answer that. It goes It comes in quarterly just to the general fund but just that's definitely 107 00:30:45.840 --> 00:31:04.880 all right it comes in quarterly goes to the general fund and supports our operating budget. Yeah. Um Now that there's I forget who was who I heard talking about this but there was somebody was 108 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:20.720 talking about trying to isolate that revenue and put it towards something. Um can't be or specific purpose. >> That's what I was just going to say. I think I think the amount is going to be pretty >> The juice isn't worth the squeeze in here. 109 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:38.080 Yeah juice isn't worth the squeeze. >> Yeah yeah I I think it's right. >> [clears throat] >> We we do have a new >> It's going to cost the state more money to have someone collect it for us than it is for them to actually >> Well we do expect that new a new pizza shop to be opening on um 110 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:53.960 on Pleasant. Um Raymond bread building that has been if you've noticed there's been some construction going on um >> Oh is that what the addition is? >> Yes. >> What's that? They used to have used to have they wanted to do a car dealership there for a while. >> There there yeah there was some talk 111 00:31:53.960 --> 00:32:10.040 about that but no but we've had um um proposals >> Well that Raymond. >> Yeah it's like that what is it diagonal from the general store it's like walk across the street on Pleasant. >> Cross usually sitting in front of it the app. >> Yeah sometimes. >> Oh okay. 112 00:32:10.040 --> 00:32:25.320 >> Boom. Yeah there was over the last what couple of weeks there's been some building being knocked down there's been some construction there. Um [clears throat] >> What's what they're putting in? >> It's getting knocked Yeah the the the business prospect the business owner has been up here several times talking about what he 113 00:32:25.320 --> 00:32:41.000 needs to do and so I think that's really I don't know what I think that's real. >> [clears throat] >> I don't know if he owns one currently but he's has experience and has owned several so >> Who owns that business owner? >> I've I'm not sure. I'm not sure if it's all 114 00:32:41.000 --> 00:33:00.920 paid before or not. >> Ever since Brick House closed in Takes Tomorrow, I can't get a good pizza place delivery. And the place that had that where Brick House was, I think they've had four different people like run run that to try to make 115 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:19.400 a business like take out business. It hasn't worked out. >> Good to see a business coming to town. >> Yeah. It sounds like >> It's called it's the Greek Stop business. >> It's Greek It is Greek Stop. >> Oh, stop. >> It is. >> It is. >> It's going to be great. 116 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:41.360 >> About >> It's going to >> Maybe they don't have both both Maybe they don't have a piece of the action. >> If you can still find it. >> [laughter] >> There's no such thing as good Greek pizza. I'm sorry. >> [laughter] >> They could shut down. 117 00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:57.760 >> Um so, with the with the budget process and and all that, so it's basically telling us what we can we can afford. Us listening to what Groton can afford, cuz that's really what in the end we're we're going to be looking for. It's what Groton can afford and then what they share back. 118 00:33:57.760 --> 00:34:14.600 And they they And well, and what the school what the school needs. >> And then kind of drill down drill down from there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um But there's no con- We don't have All contracts are settled down, right? For a 119 00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:30.520 few years. >> Well, the non uh negotiations are going to start soon. >> For the school or >> For the town. >> Okay. >> But the town our town is we're good now. >> We're Oh, yeah, we're good. >> Um >> Yeah, we have one year before we'll will 120 00:34:30.520 --> 00:34:49.520 to start. >> I feel like I feel like we just did it. And the budget cycle. >> That's that's our budget. >> That's fine and yeah, and funding, yes. >> Yeah, no, I does feel like we just >> Every budget cycle we just Yeah. All right. Um 121 00:34:51.560 --> 00:35:06.840 And you get a good get a good job this past year with the the budget, I think. It's it's nice to be I would say and You heard what people wanted and then you told them that basically no. >> Actually we did I mean we told them >> Which I think it's which I think it's good. I think you know, it's it's 122 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:22.440 hearing what each department wants versus what they need. important and that will be important going forward. I think it's Like if we're if we're as a town if we're going to end up needing an override then I don't want to do it and nickel and dime. My own personal opinion 123 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:39.080 is not nickel and dime again. We're going to do an override, let's do an override and not >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean, we're lucky here cuz we have departments and boards and committees that kind of understand that we're all in this together and with very rarely 124 00:35:39.080 --> 00:35:54.600 are we kind of fighting against each other. Um, you know, people kind of understand when difficult decisions need to be made that kind of we're all kind of get together and make them together. So, it's it it really wasn't 125 00:35:54.600 --> 00:36:10.160 me, it was more of like a the team kind of working together to make it make it balance. Um But I mean, it's you know, we're kind of beyond cutting. I mean, we've kind of cut needs almost 126 00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:26.240 at this point. Um you know, we had we recently had a retirement that we haven't filled um which we really should fill, but I don't know if we're going to just based on um what we're expecting. 127 00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:41.680 Uh But we're pretty I mean we we are very slim here and there are times that um up there along um that's not It's not like on occasion. It's happens. [clears throat] >> What are the risks around like just 128 00:36:41.680 --> 00:37:05.400 process redundancies and like segregation of duties and things like that because I know it's going to be a >> If I'm going to I mean so from an accounting and treasury clerk to standpoint with the we're we're fine. >> Yeah. >> Um but everything else truthfully um 129 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:21.800 there's not a lot of segregation. Um it's a lot I mean there's a lot of There can be. Yes, I It's a There's like a lot of shared responsibility. Um and it's just by necessity. Yeah. Um it's not I mean 130 00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:38.920 would it be great to have more um more discipline with that and more process procedures with that? Yes, and we're working on some of that, but um but no, it's a it's it's really hard >> Yeah. >> to do that. Um 131 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:54.600 >> So it goes by Sue Dancer or whatever her name >> Yeah. Yeah, no, no, no. Um like I said, from a checks and balances on the the ledger and that we're we're in good shape there, but um but on kind of 132 00:37:54.600 --> 00:38:10.680 settling payments, >> [snorts] >> work at the counter, I mean those are all those are all kind of iffy there. You know, I help the person and whether or not it's a clerk function or a treasury clerk function or administrator or whatever, but it's kind 133 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:27.360 of we all do it. >> Yeah. Is there any concerns like from the auditor in the same of like Yeah, sorry but >> Yeah, yeah, no, the the last audit um and it's something that I've been talking about. We just haven't We haven't had a chance to We haven't had 134 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:43.760 the um I shouldn't say the chance, but time [clears throat] um to really focus in on it, but um but yeah, no, the the last um the last audit letter did mention and I and by the way, I was transparent beyond 135 00:38:43.760 --> 00:39:01.720 a doubt I talked I actually talked to one of them. I brought it up. Um was the the need for more controls um in place. So, that's it's definitely something we need to do. Um but yeah, no, it had it has I think it's been 136 00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:21.440 It's definitely in the last audit. It might may have been in the audit before, too. Yeah. All right. So, um it's very much on the Treasurer Collector's radar. Um part of the problem is like we have like Treasurer Collector share for 10 hours a week. We 137 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:36.440 share her with um um payroll. And and having her 10 hours a week is great cuz she is a really good you know, I'd love you to have her but it's only 10 hours. It's only 10 hours a week. So, it that creates challenges in in 138 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:54.000 itself as well. But, she's she's great. She's She knows it needs to get done. It's going to get done. It's just a matter of time. >> So, she's able to balance it, but that's not for everybody, right? >> Say it again. >> Like she's able to do that job and balance it really, but I wouldn't be 139 00:39:54.000 --> 00:40:11.040 like I would think that that's not everyone. >> Yeah, I mean I I I would love to I think she'd love to have another 5 hours, you know, but between her responsibilities [clears throat] with payroll and the Council on Aging. Um um 140 00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:27.560 >> All right. So, any other any further discussion on the budget and FY20 budget process. >> No. All right. Uh the next discussion is the vacant position on our board. Is there any Any Does anyone know 141 00:40:27.560 --> 00:40:44.560 anybody that is looking for someone to do? >> We can put out a call. Um we haven't really We haven't done that. We have a variety of vacant positions, so we could put out a call. I haven't received any I I received one person who was just asking about didn't necessarily say 142 00:40:44.560 --> 00:41:04.240 um I'm interested, but was asking about the appointment and how that works. Um >> [clears throat] >> but we can put out a call. >> You just think about it. >> Yeah, and if anyone has any ideas, you know. >> Um start talking up with your friends how fun it is to serve on the advisory board. 143 00:41:04.240 --> 00:41:20.240 >> Well, I will say I can't speak to it. I will say >> It's You have real impact. I'll say that. >> I will say that if you want to understand town government, this is the board. It's cuz you get It's exposed to everything. You understand the budget. I understand I got on this When I got on this board, I was going to make some 144 00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:36.680 huge changes to the school, but I realized how little power we had with the school, but it made me understand it a lot better. >> What What Is there any cost to making a call or a post or like all that some to draw attention to it for the town? Being like the vacancy position or 145 00:41:36.680 --> 00:41:53.160 whatever, cuz I think that may help with conversations whether we know someone or not. At least there's something that's out there like, "Hey, did you see that?" Like it might make someone think of you. Um I think we should probably try to Yeah, push. At least that's my view. >> Yeah, I agree with that. 146 00:41:53.160 --> 00:42:17.600 >> And you know, if there's anyone that you know that you don't want to be on it, then let Jason know. >> Um Are there any Yeah. >> You need a girl. >> Are you volunteering, Joe? You are a girl, right? 147 00:42:17.680 --> 00:42:37.040 If she was on the board, who'd be in the audience? >> That's true. That's true. >> Who'd come to our meetings? We only have one. >> Um So, any other topics that anyone wants to discuss? 148 00:42:37.640 --> 00:42:54.360 I have one is that I would like to have regularly regularly scheduled meetings to make our lives a little bit easier. If they um as we originally were looking at like the first Wednesday of of every month, right? >> That was, yeah. That, yeah. >> Is that's that falls in line with like 149 00:42:54.360 --> 00:43:10.440 the before like what cuz we should be meeting about this stuff before the selectmen's meeting so they can discuss it and finalize them. Right? I say that knowing that I'm going to be away on the first Wednesday of July. >> I was just going to say my schedule >> That would work, you know, but we could 150 00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:26.320 >> Can you all agree to a second one? >> Wednesdays in the order would be would be able to do it. >> Second Wednesday of July. >> What Wednesday? >> Any Wednesday. >> Yeah. >> From >> Thanksgiving to PC meeting. >> Mid-February. >> Just got to try. >> Just Brussels from >> Yeah, they meet every Wednesday and it's 151 00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:42.040 the same every year. So, >> Um >> If I can avoid missing that, I'd like to cuz I like to go watch it. >> So, let's um Other than that, before October July or November, I guess November first week of November. Are Are people thinking they're okay with the with the 152 00:43:42.040 --> 00:43:56.880 first Wednesday? >> I'm good on the Wednesdays until we hit Thanksgiving. >> Yeah. The The other thing is just to just to make sure that when one of you can't come, it's it is a problem because we're not a full board at the moment. Um that doesn't [clears throat] mean they won't get missed. >> Is it the 153 00:43:56.880 --> 00:44:12.680 >> You can miss four. >> Miss before. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, you can miss four. >> Yeah. >> Um And that's not That's not to say that you won't have to move the first Wednesday. It's just I'm just trying to look at it. throw a fit. Um and if we have to, 154 00:44:12.680 --> 00:44:29.040 you know, come November or whatever, if we have to like we'll come the new school year or whatever, if we have to move it around or whatever, that's fine, too. Um they're So I I don't I like Mondays, but I don't love Mondays only because holidays screw it 155 00:44:29.040 --> 00:44:48.205 up too much. Um Yeah, Fridays if Friday's added So when the pizza When the pizza place opens, I say Fridays at the pizza place. Um >> [laughter] 156 00:44:53.440 --> 00:45:17.800 >> Um >> [laughter] >> So the You're going to go put a You're [laughter] going to go You're going to go give a review now before you even leave. All right. I'm saying walking is plus Um so the first Wednesday of every month for now, um and then [clears throat] but the first 157 00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:39.640 but July 1st won't work. July 8th. July 8th. I'm coming back that day, so no. But I mean the vice chair can It was the week of July 4th, so Yeah. Yeah, well yeah, the week after. 158 00:45:39.640 --> 00:46:05.120 Um Wednesday the 15th, I have a meeting that night. I mean the truth is we won't have a ton to report. So I'm thinking I'm thinking we just don't need to drive. Yeah. Because there's too many vacations and >> So what August? What is 159 00:46:05.120 --> 00:46:20.720 >> Let's me all run down the Cape and join Church Charlie. >> Was August the 4th originally? >> I don't know if I will be able to make the 5th. I'll be traveling Monday and I'm traveling on the 18th, but I can do the 12th. >> 12th work for everyone? Want to plan for that? 160 00:46:20.720 --> 00:46:42.080 >> All right. >> So what's what time works best for everybody? >> Probably like 6:00 for me. >> That could work for me and I'm good for you so it's >> All right. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. So if everybody could look at their schedules the next and then the August meeting we could confirm if it's 161 00:46:42.080 --> 00:47:04.392 which day of the week is good for everybody. >> Callum, welcome aboard. >> Yep, welcome. >> You're on super mode. >> Yep. >> Thanks for running. >> Yeah. >> Um but what if I ask you if I'm going to be losing my other two empty seats and I'm running out of posts so 162 00:47:04.392 --> 00:47:21.120 >> [laughter] >> That would be embarrassing. >> I argued opposite. I said it would be funny. >> It'll be both. >> [laughter] >> Um So I guess I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. 163 00:47:21.120 --> 00:47:36.160 >> Second. >> All of All those in favor? All those opposed? The ayes have it. >> 7:51 >> Thank you. Thank you.