Good evening everybody. It is 6:02 p.m. I hereby call the board of select May 18th meeting to order. Um this will be broadcasted and published on the tunnel's YouTube channel. Um I see nobody here so no one's recording so we can continue moving forward. The first
order of the agenda is pledge of allegiance. >> All right. All right. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. >> All right. All right. All right. First one up on today's agenda. Number one, discussion and vote. We're to approve the meeting minutes from 4:14, 2026 and 427 2026. Again, thank you for those that put
these meetings minutes together. They look pretty good. Um, anybody have any concerns, comments, adjustments? >> To me, >> I agree. I entertain a motion to approve the meeting minutes from 414, 2026 and 427 2026. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I I item agenda two. We're going to pass, but this was discussion from request from the veterans agent to move the World War World War I memorial stone at four corners to the veterans park on Chase Road. >> Yeah. So, um, this came in from Bob Clea, the veterans agent, and they've
had their, um, committee has had discussions about moving it. I did get an email though stating that that memorial park in the four corners of Aona is part of may be part of the historical district and um, so I need to
do some more homework. I need to follow up with the historical commission and do some more homework. So, this will come back, but I I need to give you all of the information that I don't have today. >> All right. Thank you, Debbie. >> All right. As discussed, we'll pass on agenda two, add it to a future meeting.
Discussion three, discuss municipal fiber project and who will complete the work. So, as you know, we got a grant a few years ago for the municipal fiber to tie all of the town buildings together with fiber to continue that to both the Lakefield
campus schools, the Freetown schools and to the PD and back to the both of our towers. So we will have a lot of redundancy um in our communication system that's allowing the town to in essence have
only one or two internet connections and the whole town will be connected together. So instead of having 19 Comcast bills, we'll have maybe two for redundancy purposes. We'll have uh two the PD will probably have one and the town hall will have one. Um, but we have
all the fiber up on the poles. The project has begun finally, thank God, and they're splicing it together. But now there's work that needs to be done because the the police station is a hub and the town hall is a hub. Everything else feeds off of that. Will the police and the fire the town hall have
different IT uh specialists? So, at this point, I need to ha have some direction. I do believe I think I have some direction. I think we are going to use Netrospec who does the town hall's work in in conjunction with Charlie Stockwell
who does the PD work because the town hall needs equipment in the PD and the PD needs equipment in the town hall. So I think that they're going to work side by side or um in conjunction with each other and do their each respective piece of it but or or I think
Chris is going to do the work but Charlie's going to be there to tie it into the PD and vice versa. So I think that issue is settled. I just um we were struggling to get to that point I think >> where we have contracts with both of
them. >> We have two two contract we have contract with both its and so um I think we're I think we're I think we can move on with that though. I think that they are going to work uh simultaneously with each other. >> Okay. Perfect. Yeah, that's what we want
to hear. Teamwork. All right. Well, thank you Debbie for that. All right. Discussion four, discussion and vote on water in the fiscal year 2027 roadway materials. So looks like we have about let's see 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 people uh or
companies I should say. First one being highway salt untreated saltine wire. They came in at $83.89 per ton. Highway salt treated saltine wire again. Uh 103 89 cents per ton. Roach striping um
award to Pro Finish Lines Company out of Plymouth at 68 cents per linear foot. Uh stone seals single All States Construction uh at $410 $410 per square yard. Stone seals double
all States Construction again uh $7.30 per square yard. Stone seals 20% rubber once again to All States Construction at 625 per square yard. And lastly, but not least, is stone seals for shimming, all states construction uh at $230 per ton.
Uh this is our yearly appropriations for the highway department for all the materials they need to get our roads the way they are. Gentlemen, any uh you see anything that requires additional conversation or comments, concerns? >> No, I think everything you just read was by each one which came in the best,
right? >> Correct. >> So, yeah. So, >> so correct. We received multiple bids from different companies. I think let's see looking at here. For the highway salt, we had four companies bid. Three for the treated salt, three for the road
striping bids, two for sto stone seals, then one in one for the 20% rubberized and the asphalt shimming the chip seal. So per mass state law, we must go with the best >> best price, best one for the town. >> Absolutely. All makes sense to me. I
entertain the motion to award the companies listed that I discussed um for highway salt saltine wire highway salt treated saltine wire v striping pro finish lines stone seals stone seals double stone seals 20% rubber and stone
seal shimming all going to all states construction incorporated >> fisc 27 >> I'm sorry I'll make that motion >> okay >> second >> all in favor >> I I >> thank you all right moving along all right Next one on discussion is item agenda number
five discussion of vote on awarding of the IT support services for 2026 and 2027. So again uh quote opening and we got we two back one came back with a quote first being no quote from technology
advisory group and second LLC they came in at 140 an hour. Well, in front of us >> in retrospect who we use, right? So, it's >> same thing. What was
>> that? In retrospect, who we use, right? >> Yeah. So, it's >> all right. >> They know the systems and so we're good. >> Looking at the contract in front of us, which I think needs to be in order. >> So, there is some some some edits to the contract. Do they have the copy? >> I like the next one. >> Yes, >> I have it. Do they have it?
>> Mhm. Mr. >> So there are things that and he signed this contract last year, but now he has issues with some pieces of it. So um I went through it on page two. He he he
crosses that out because it's a subjective um thing. I'm okay with that being crossed out. The third page, the termination for convenience. All our contracts say that the town can
terminate the agreement at any time for any reason basically. Obviously, they're written by our town council and they're all one way. Right. Right. >> Well, he he wants to replace the town by either party. Well, I understand that on some level, but a 10 days 10day notice
to have him cancel our contract will put us in a really not a good place. So I the only I think the the way around it is to change the 10 days to like maybe a 45day and that would give us time to
rebid and get a new contract in or at least 30 days, right? It takes us a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks to get a new contract in. So that's the only thing that and I'm looking at the top of page three termination for convenience paragraph B. >> Mhm. It says um he crossed out the words
the town and he put either party may terminate this agreement at any time for convenience pro providing the contractor which that word will need to be changed written notice specifying therein the termination date which shall not be sooner than 10 days from the issuance of
10 uh said notice if you're inclined to approve the either party the 10 days needs to be changed to I would say 45 days >> my my concern is we have this contract again vetted by council with numerous
companies across the town right that we use for different things >> and if we change this we may have to change those I'm at this moment I'm not really inclined to change the verbiage that council which is there to keep us out of hot water at the end of the day >> um again I don't think we've changed
that that language much over the years right based on what >> this is our contracts I mean that being said we've worked with him at least since I've been here five years I really haven't we don't really have any issues with with him. Um Um
and I I understand him. I mean, I guess who knows? >> Yeah. >> I don't know that it changes the whole intent, right? If he wants out of the contract at some point, he can get out of the contract and just stop doing our work and stop billing us because we pay him as needed, right? When we're not
paying him a flat monthly fee. We're just paying him as needed. when we call him for service, he comes and we pay him by the hour. Um, so if if he just said, "Hey, Deb, we I got a full-time job in another place and I'm no longer going to be able to do your work." Then he can
get out of this contract anyways and I guess we could sue for damages, but it would be minimal, I think, in reality. So, like I said, for me, the only thing about the termination it is if we at least increase the time period so that we would have time to re quote rebid and
get a new contractor in, I feel better with it. And knowing that we've worked with him and had a working relationship for 5 years, if this was a new company that we hadn't had that relationship with, I might feel differently. But, um, >> the way I see it is he's coming back trying to protect himself with doing
this. Well, we need to come back at him what we do to protect our town, right? And to your point is if we're going to change that, I'm okay with it, but 10 days clearly won't be enough based on everything you just said. >> So I mean, look, we sent it out for bid and we got two companies and only one
one was a note quote. So So it's not like it's the easiest thing where we have people knocking at our door. Well, we could hire um a service like that's mostly I think I didn't do any vetting of other towns, but when I was in Hansen, we had a service company that
they charge you like a flat fee a month and then at per call they charge additional fees, but they do a lot with that first flat fee. The problem is you get a different person every time you call there. You don't always get a
turnaround call. It could be I think they have 48 hours to respond. Well, if you're shut down and you're in a crisis, um, that's not okay. Yeah. >> And I will say, I mean, Chris is busy. He doesn't always get back to us if it's not important, but when it's a crisis,
listen, I text him on 5:00 on a some and he gets back to me. So, that's worth something in my opinion. Um, and being we're small, but because we're small, it's vital that our computers continue to work when we need them to work. So,
um, I I don't think that we're ready to to go to a service at this point, and we certainly can't afford a full-time IT person. I think that our contract with him last year was $35,000, and that's we're just about there,
right? That's about what we paid for services. >> I think we budgeted 35, but his contract we is 25. >> It's 25. >> Okay. So, I mean, >> we And I think I feel like we spent >> We're close. >> We're close. I mean, I think we've spent more, but we've done a lot this year, too. We've had to replace a lot of
computers and stuff. Um, and of course, all the camera work, he's he's working with us on that. So, I I'm just telling you my opinion is I'm okay with the change of either party. I just want to increase the days, which I'm I don't think he would have an issue with. >> I don't have a problem with it.
>> And then number 11, inspections that state that we have to go into his home. I don't think we need to go into his home for any reason. Um, and then royalties and patents don't really apply in this case. So, I'm okay with the changes, but I wanted you you to see them.
>> So, so I'm okay with that then based on what you said as long as we change it to 45 just in to protect us together. >> I mean, the other thing is years in the past the insurance clauses have been taken out. So, um, >> just so you're aware, but we do have
insurance with our insurance carrier for anything to do with this. um with our computers, we have cyber security insurance, which I actually think I'm going to reduce because he said we're so well situated with the backup servers and servers that he could have us up and
running pretty quickly if something were to happen to us. Um and that's why he doesn't really carry insurance. He just deals with what he has to deal with. So, um but that he hasn't had insurance working with us for some time now.
Make sense? It was good argument and good discussion, right? If you're okay with it, we're all okay with it. All right, I'll make the changes. So, the 45 days, well, I think we're all in agreeance to that, right? For 10 for 10 A, conditional clause, 45 days. 10B, change the town to either party and then of course make the changes to 11 uh
excluding 11 and then removing number 12 altogether. So, I'll make that motion. >> I'll I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> That's okay. I I >> I >> I All right. All >> messed up there.
>> No, it's all right. Listen, teamwork. >> All right. >> So, you approved the changes. You just want to approve the agreement with those changes just so it's clear. >> Correct. So, for termination 10A, terminal of cause, we're changing the 10 days to 45 days. >> All right. >> Um 10B, termination of convenience, the
town will be replaced to either party. 11 uh inspection reports. We remove that um first sentence and begin whenever requested. And then number 12, remove altogether section 12. >> Okay. >> And that's and you're going to approve you're going to approve the agreement
with retrospect with those changes. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> To make it clear, I'll entertain the motion to approve the agreement with retrospect based on the changes just discussed. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. That way. Nice and clean.
All right, moving on. Discussion and vote on whe to approve the agreement between the town of Freetown and Pro Finish Lines Company for FY27 road striping. All right, so this is just discussion of where we just dis uh
approved and for the FY27 railway materials. This is just the contract for that. Let me try and get to it. Make sure that it's all in order. Looks good. All right. Any questions? >> No. >> Okay. I entertain a motion to approve the agreement between town of Fretown
and Pro Finish Lines Company for FY27 Road Striping. >> My motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Number eight. Um, same thing. This is based off the number four FY27 roadway materials. This is a discussion and vote to approve the agreement between the town, Freetown, and All States
Construction Incorporated for FY27 chip sealing of roadways. Again, we got the agreement all all there. All right. Um, any discussion? >> No. >> Okay. I entertain a motion to agree the to approve the agreement between the
town of Freetown and All States Construction Incorporated for FY27 chip sealing of roadways. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> And one more for the same FY27 roadway materials. This is a discussion vote where to approve the agreement between the town of Freetown and Saltine Wire
Incorporated for FY27 supplying highway salt both treated and untreated. Um, I think we're all in agreement on that one. Same thing. Um, I entertain the motion to approve the agreement between the town of Freetown and Salty Water Incorporated for FY27 high supplying highway salt.
>> Motion made >> second. >> All in favor? >> I. And before I move on, how great of a name is that saltwater. >> I was thinking the same. >> All right. Item discussion number 10. discussion to vote whe to approve the agreement between the town of Freetown
and NSI for roof replacement for project for project for fire station 3. All right, for all those keeping track at home, fire station 3 needs a new roof or updated roof. U this is just the agreement between us and NSI to replace
said roof for fire station 3. Um >> this was part of the the only you know the addition, but this is the original roof that needed to be done. um the last piece I think of that whole project and we'll get this done. >> Uh correct. This is
>> and just just for reference, NSI was not the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder did not um adhere to the bid rules and did not um approve the addendums that that were uh put out there. So, we have to disclude them or exclude their bid and
go to the next lowest bidder. It was really close, but uh just for reference. Oh, thank you for that. I was looking for that in the packet. >> All right. >> I think you already awarded it at meeting, right? This is just the contract. >> All right. Anything a motion to approve
the agreement between the town of Freetown NSI for roof replacement project for Fire Station 3. >> A motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. All right. That project is just about done. Fantastic. Item 11, discussion and vote on whe to approve the proposal for professional land survey related
services for meal engineers and land surveyors for South Main Street Bridge project. >> All right. >> So, you know, we get the grant for the bridge um uh redoing the bridge on South Main Street. As part of that project, they need to lay out the road again. We
did the four corners not that long ago because it had never been laid out and approved at our meeting. So now we need to move up to where the bridge is and we need to do some similar work. We put we got a couple of quotes for it. The first one came in at $23,000 and Melo came in because I think they have a lot of the
work done at I think what it was 7700 $7,800. So this is that piece um that we need to do to work in conjunction with Mccclure who's doing the bridge preservation project. the the surveying that was done for the
sewer line extension doesn't have we can't get that information from there. >> No. Well, I did tie them all together. That's how I originally tied in the four corners with the sewer line extension and because they had done the preliminary work and Merryill picked it up and went from there. So, it is we're not losing all of that. They are working
that and Merryill did that. So, I know they have all of that original, but it's two different surveys. They tell me it's too but you know um but they do have that original >> layout from that and then Merryill >> that's probably why it's only $7,700. >> Yeah, it it like I said it was $23,000
to have um another company come out and do it. Um but Merryill has all the information from the sewer line and the four corners that they've already done. >> Right. So this looks like it's going from the park or Grampy's parking lot area all the way up towards Nottingham
Way on both sides of the road. So, yeah, makes sense. And for $7,700, that's a pretty good deal, especially seeing they already have half the work done. >> Yeah. >> So, any questions? >> No. >> Concerns? All right. Um, let's see here. Where am I? All right. I maintain a
motion to approve the proposal for professional land survey related services from Merill Engineers and Land Surveyors for South Main Street Bridge projects. >> A motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. Item agenda 12. acknowledge the reserve front transfer for
facilities in the sum of $90,000 that that department has been busy. >> You know, we went through the budget a couple times and there's no real big big um flags. Uh one of the the biggest expense was this building when the water damaged the electrical panel and we had
the lights on for >> 247 every single light for a week. um the cost to repair that because it's like a brain cost like $30,000. But short of that, it was really a lot of electricity. It was crazy how much
more we're paying in electrical bills. Um like the PD we budgeted 52, we're probably at 72. So it's just a little bit on every single account cuz I I went through it. I've been through it with Matt. I've gone through it with Carl himself. So there's no mismanagement of
funds there. It's just the sheer cost of everything. >> Did we reflect that into next year's budget? >> Yes. So, if if if you notice the original budget I put in, I went back and supplemented that budget with additional funds and you guys approved
that the last omnibus budget. Uh because I was like, "Oh my god, we're so far off." So, >> that the next year's budget has an additional 90,000 in it from the current year. So, hopefully we'd be okay. >> Good. All right. That was just an acknowledgement. Thank you for the
explanation. And you're right, looking at all these looking at this cherry sheet here of everything, it nothing sticks out as being egregious or over overfunded. It just catches up to you after a while. >> Mhm. >> You know, makes that discussion about solar a little little louder, right? >> You know, someday throw it on the roof
here. >> Well, we got that um solar agreement that we're going to get, you know, 12% off our electric bills. I'm just waiting. I guess they're probably building the solar farm. You know, it's not there, but you you approved it and it went to town meeting and it was approved. So, that's 12% off of all of
our electric bills. So, originally when I submitted that, it was around 100 120,000 a year for electric, but now it's certainly going to be higher than that. Um, >> it's real money. I mean, it's >> so it'll save us some money. It won't, you know, it's not huge, but it's
something. 120,000 12% that's you know this 14 15 grand so it will help it will help and you know I'm always looking at solar and ways to reduce our usage so Carl and I are on on that um trying to figure out
how we can lessen the electric bills >> 14 would help offset you know when we with the fire station increases and different things right and new buildings hopefully so >> it's a step in the right direction. >> Absolutely. I'll take it.
>> All right. Item agenda 13. We have five items for this for this agenda item. Uh discussion vote went to approve the interdep department interdep departmental transfer request for the following A through E. A. Election worker wages salary to town clerk clerical salary wages in the sum of
$316.40. B. Town admin HR administrator to legal fees in the sum of $50,000. C. Health insurance to tax total professional and tech legal fees and some sum of $25,000. Highway repairs and maintenance roadways to town properties a sum of $25,000 and
e communication and service training to communication additional gross overtime in the sum of $10,000. All right, so a looks like it's pretty straightforward. This is just a election worker salaries to town clerk. Um we are doing an additional uh June 8th ballot
question, so it it adds up. uh B your time and HR administration for legal fees in the sum of $50,000. Over the past year, we had different things we've had to source out to for the council to make sure that we're staying within uh town, state, and federal regulations on
different things. So, that's just uh cost of doing business. Unfortunately, it does cost $50,000. Um hopefully that's lower this year. Um next one is health insurance, a tax professional. Uh well, this is pretty straightforward. uh health insurance that cost continues to
go up. But this year we had to do a tax title on different properties based on what we passed that town meeting as well as what the state tells us we must do. That wasn't allocated for. So we had a transfer to make sure there was money in that. >> That that's directly related to us
working really hard to collect back taxes. >> Correct. >> And we're we're pretty caught up now. So I think we shouldn't see that same expense every year, but we had quite a bit of work to do. It's one of those things we didn't know we needed, right, until it got done and we realized this is going to cost.
>> We're now we're we're trying to collect back personal property taxes that haven't been collected. So, we're in that phase of it, but all the real estate is in good shape. And I have to say Patty's team this year with the um the last fiscal year taxes that ended,
you know, last year, there's only two outstanding accounts. They worked diligently to collect the money and they were on the phone. they were um so great news. >> That's great. So we only have to you know do tax taking on two properties and I don't know if there still two
properties cuz they're still actively collecting like people when they realize it's happening they come right in. So they've done a good job and this this should be cleaned up and moving forward we should have very minimal tax taking stuff happening. >> Right. Yeah. Yeah, we definitely don't want to take anybody's property, but at
the same time, everyone has to pay their taxes on time. And if you can't pay it on time, we work with you. But >> yeah, we have payment plan options, which we've solidified, right? We we have a legal document that we worked hard to get done and done. >> See that? Right. You got the the legal documents in the backbone behind
everything now to keep everything consistent to move forward with all the stuff that you're talking >> and we've gone to town meeting to get those things approved. So yes, that that is all this money is a is what we were doing with the money, right? But I don't think you'll see this again. >> And to hear there's only two on that
list is pretty amazing. Um I'll give the the credit where credit is due. That is an undertaking. Patty Pattina, right? Cuz that list, if you remember, was well over two dozen properties if not more. Right? I remember it was like a page page and a half. >> And there and there's still a few on there like the older ones, but these are
new. But we have we have people in payment plans now actively paying. Um it's very organized. We know exactly where we are with everybody. Um we've done a lot of work and like I said, Patty's team has done an incredible job with collections and and I don't expect
that to change. >> It's a tough it's a tough area to go into as well because people, >> you know, people are not happy. >> People aren't happy, but at the same time, people struggle at times and sometimes you fall behind, right, unexpectedly. And again, great job for Patty and her team and and you and Lanne
as well because I know you guys were there to make sure it was get done the right way to put us in the position we are in today. So, great job team. >> That's that's great to hear. And then the last one, well, next one, not the last one, D. Highway repairs and maintenance. This is really the the fire on 42 Main Street. Uh we had to take
down the building, put up the fencing, so that we had to move the funds around u based on what our meeting couple meetings ago. So, that's $25,000. So that's the amount highway and and this was gracious of um Chuck to allow us to take money out of his budget to put it
somewhere else. Um and but he would like it to come out of the salary line cuz he had some vacancies. So he had excess in his highway salary line that will go to the roadway, you know, to the town properties. >> So not not repairs and maintenance roadways, but salaries. But thanks to
Chuck for >> absolutely being a team player. >> Thank you, Chuck. >> Way to be a team player. Yeah, that's, you know, 25,000 is a lot of money and to be able to do that, that's that's great. Thank you for doing that for the town and and uh putting the town first. And then uh E 13E is communications and service training to communications
additional gross overtime and someone with $10,000. Exactly. It sounds like um you know, we had a storm, we had a lot of big events that required individuals to stay later um for health and safety of the town and this is just a transfer from one to the other um in some of
$10,000. Right. That's that's why the money's there in reserves to be able to do these things. >> All right. Any questions, concerns? >> No. Straight forward. >> Yeah. I entertain a motion to approve the interpol transfer request for item agenda 13 A through E as as discussed.
>> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I right Mr. Cavalo. Second Kavalo. So item 14, discussion and vote how to pay and set the pay rate for seasonal staff
working the summer concert series. So you know we we we don't have a community program director starting July 1. Uh but the boat ramp personnel at least I know uh one of them has offered to help assist with the concert series.
I believe Lan and uh um Kylie worked it out and she's booked some ser she's booked the concerts. >> There are three concerts booked with three rain dates. Um we have an ice cream truck that is going to do it as well. Um and the seasonal boat man boat manager said she will do it and also the
two parking control um officers. So you'll have three staff members that will come. >> Excellent. >> And Kylie said she would come to the first one and shadow to uh make sure it's a smooth transition. And um Cheryl said there's no nothing we to if
we pay them stipen based there's nothing we need to do. We don't have to make them a special municipal employee or anything like that. So >> as long as we pay them the stipen what they provide. >> So I think a stipen is the the way to go. Um you know what their hourly rates are. >> Yep. >> Looks like here seasonal v manager is
getting paid at 26, park control officer at 22, program was at 29. So, what do we have? Do did Kylie tell us how much how like how long she thinks it would take like hours wise?
>> 4 hours, right? 4 hours. >> Yeah. The concert runs for 2 hours and it's approximately an hour before an hour after. So, about four hours. >> Okay, perfect. >> That sounds about right. Like it might even be a little bit longer. >> Yeah, >> it makes sense having someone there that's done it before. >> We want to work in their favor. If we're
giving them a stipen in a flat rate, we don't want to we don't want to undershoot them, right? So, >> yeah, it's pretty successful event. So, people like going there and >> I don't know if you want to do like >> for I mean, do we do a stipen for like
125? >> And then how much for the other guy the other two that will work under her? Um >> 90. >> I was going to say 100. >> 100. >> Yeah. Keep it simple. >> Thoughts on that?
>> I think 100 is good. 125 for the manager and then >> Yeah. >> Whatever you're going to do for Kylie is for that one night. >> Okay. >> Kylie, do we give her 150? >> I don't know. Or 125. I I
>> Right. If she's she's going to be there as a support role. >> Yeah. I think she doesn't need to be there as many hours as the per the original, you know, Tina. So, probably 125. >> 125. Just keep it simple. >> What do you think? >> I think that seems fair. >> And we'll have the money in the budget
based on what we had left. >> Yes. I left I think >> I felt like I left 15 grand, I think, in budget, community program budget. >> I I I >> I think you said what you pulled out you that you had 7,500 just for these
concerts. I had 7,500 for to pay for the concerts, but in the salary lines I had I think I left umif at least 15 grand in there or maybe even a little more. So there's money in the salary line to pay the stipens and there's money in the operations to pay for the concerts.
>> Great. Perfect. Yeah, that works. >> And there'll be extra money because that department's really not running, but it's there and set up and you would be able to use those funds. It's nice to have a little bit of fat and budget, too, because if we decide to do something else, something else comes forward and we think, yeah, that's
something we should be doing. Well, I do like they get they start to enjoy it and want to do more. >> I will say right now what's happening, I don't know if you're aware of all the stuff happening downway, the Zumba classes, the yoga, pickle ball training, and self-defense. Right. I'm not sure
what the cost of those programmings are, but they're free to the public. I I get I've gotten calls and like, "Hey, where is every like I think that's a big hit. I think it's a great use of the park." So, I would like to see that continue maybe next year. So, maybe we can get that information from Kylie. Um and you
know, last year was just I think just Zumba and yoga. So, this year it's it's expanded to pickle ball, which I want to get to, by the way, and um self-defense, which was another one that I really want to get to. So, I think these are great benefits to the to the people here. It
doesn't cost anything. We have um we have the Porter John there always. So, you know, um I think it's great and hopefully when we can get the park done in East Freetown, we can do similar. We can take turns, go back and forth every other week or something like that. And the great news is because of those
events you just you just said today I received an email from the national fitness campaign for a grant opportunity because uh national fitness campaign said that free town stood out because of the free fitness series at Haway Park and it launched to promote health wellness and community connection
through outdoor activities. So today we received a email which I'll be forwarding it to you uh this evening to maybe look at this saying hey there's probably grants out there for additional parks and grants that are out there. Um, so which is not bad when you get recognized like that. So good job to
Kylie and that program and we'll we'll see where that takes us if that's something we can use towards our outdoor activities. >> All right. So we're going to vote on it, right? So let's do it. >> Uh, I'll send a motion to do a stipen for the concert series for
125 for the managers, which would include Kylie, right on the first one. >> Yeah. and $100 stipens for the assistants or workers currently the boat ramp employees.
>> Yeah. >> Great. >> I made that motion. >> I will second it. >> All right. All in favor? >> I >> I All right. Number 15 is discussion and vote whether to approve the full-time outreach
coordinator job description. So this is what Kylie will be moving into. Um so you know we've over the last five years tried to make sure that all our jobs have descriptions and they're approved by the select board. And so she
actually wrote this in terms of um what they do at the COA. Um so I don't see any issues with it. >> Yeah, it's pretty straightforward. amazing how many things are on that outreach advocacy policy from SNAP to
different different programs and >> yeah one of the big things on here and I want you to make sure you're aware is that they're they're contemplating um beginning a memory cafe at the senior center which I think um is going to be
big for for maybe dementia patients that are just starting with dementia or Alzheimer's um I think it's It's going to be it'll be a lot of work and I think she's really committed to that.
>> It's where her heart is, right? So, it's I'm happy for her. >> Mhm. >> It's just Yeah. We just got to keep an eye, you know, especially as it's a fairly new position. Make sure we don't make sure we have the right resources in place, right? >> Uh cuz because as you read as you read
through it, there's a quite a bit of things here. Um especially starting up a new program like that. I think that's a great program to have. Um, but something to keep an eye on in the event and next year this discussion is a little louder potential. >> I can take that out as um I can take it
out of the job description. I'm not sure that I think that's um maybe not necessarily needs to be in the job description. I think it's something she wants to do. I think it's something that I don't think she should be required to do it. I think there's a lot of hoops to jump through
to get there. So maybe we take it out of the job description as not something that she has to do, but that I know we all want that we're headed in that direction, but I don't know if it should be a requirement of her job. >> Does I hope that makes sense.
>> No, it does. I along lines what we're just discussing is it's it's quite a bit to take on um first year, right? I I love the big heart and and but again I want to make sure that the programs we already have in place get the full support that they need and as we expand
or add new things on we make sure we're doing it in a the right fashion. Right. >> Right. And we are we are maxed out budgetarily wise. Um the budget has doubled in the last 3 or 4 years as the programming has
I don't even know tenfold the programming at the at there. They're doing an amazing job there. They've gotten a lot of grants. They they they're very proactive for their funding. >> I don't know what the Memory Cafe is going to entail in terms of money. My guess is they're going to be looking for
grants because they're very good at getting grants and um we have some great representatives that find this to be important as well and gives the COA money to fund these things. So, I think it will all be fine and it will work out
great. I just don't know if you want to require it as her job description. >> Yeah, I mean, yeah, it I don't have a problem with it. I don't think the three of us are going to be up here um you know holding her feet to the fire so to speak that she's continuing on or taking
care of that but to keep it clean. I say we can remove it unless there's something that there's a reason why she says I need to have this in there in order to do something else. >> No, cuz she can still do it. I think it falls in line with everything else on this job description. So we just remove that >> then. Yeah, then we just remove it. All
it does is protects her >> next time. Oh, they can just they can just initial it, cross it out, and initial it unless you want them whatever. It doesn't matter. Do you do you want us to reddraft it and
vote another time or do you want me to just cross out that language and initial just cross it out? I don't think that's just >> pretty straightforward. Just one line. >> Yeah. So we just cross out that one line and then in sign it.
>> Yeah. >> Everything else is in line with all >> that. Yeah. >> Yeah. Good. >> All right. All right. So, I'll entertain a motion to um approve the full-time outreach coordinator job description
minus uh what we just crossed out. >> Motion made second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> All right. 16. We got a few uh discussion vote on whether to approve some appointments. And the first one is Aiden Wood
uh as a seasonal park and control officer effective 51926 until 9826.
B we have John >> Varela >> Vela Varela >> Y >> to regional finance committee effective 51926 to 4527 C we have Christopher
>> um >> Dudley >> Dudley yeah well Dudley to building committee effective 51926 to 4527 uh D we have uh Tracy Lamb, excuse me,
as senior clerk at the fire department effective 526 26. Not going to be an expiration date on that because she we hired her as a senior clerk. She doesn't need to get sworn in every year. >> So, we're trying to get away from that.
>> Yeah. >> Because it's a lot of work for everybody involved. So when you're hired without a term expiration, we're trying to just be open-ended so that you don't have to keep being reappointed every year and going in and being sworn in every year. >> It saves them the trip to the town hall.
Cheryl the the job board >> and there's a lot of paperwork that goes through with appointments. So it's really um and we're working in conjunction with Cheryl and my you know with her office. Mhm. >> And a note on that one. We had a lot of great candidates for that job and
she's uh she's the one that scored highest. So, all right. So, we got E. I'm going to put uh Deborah Petty as the Serped Joint Transportation Alternate effective
51926 to 53127. Uh F is also Deborah Petty going to Serpent for the Regional Economic Strate uh strategic
well strategy committee effective 51926 to 53127. >> Any discussion on these? >> No, straightforward to me. Thank you. >> All right. So I will entertain a motion to approve uh the appointments from A through F. Motion made.
>> I second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I'll get better at everyone's names as I go. >> Sound it out. >> Don't worry. >> Listen, we've all done it. >> All right. What else do we got here?
Number 17, discussion and vote on call fire department fiscal 27 pay rates effective 7126 as laid out in attachment A which is all right.
So they're requesting adjustments from probationary officer uh I'm sorry probationary was again 16 83 to 1717
firefighter 1791 to 1827 firefighter EMT 1911 to 1949 firefighter paramedic $2044 to 2085. Uh this is for the call lieutenant uh
2266 to 2311 and call captain is 242 24 to 2472. So it reflects a 2% cost of living increase. >> It's it's minimal.
>> Yeah, it's one of those that's kind of tough to to read, right? It's it's >> it's what we can do, right? But it's you always wish they that was a little higher because they do a lot for 16 to $24 an hour. >> I thought it was wrong when I reviewed it today. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, so
>> I think that's a discussion we have every year when we get these new numbers. >> Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. So is what it is. >> You guys are good. >> I'm good. >> All right. So, we will um I'll
entertain a motion to uh approve the 2% increase across the board here for the call firefighters. >> I'll make that motion. >> I second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
All right. Don't worry. I have more. >> Discussion and vote whether Oh, I'm sorry. Discussion invokes which select men to appoint to the following roles and make said appointments effective 7126
until 6:3027. And we have the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority representative and we have B which is the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority uh design.
I think Congress are doing both but >> well currently he is the representative on the designated so >> what does that enta uh entail >> uh not much >> it's it's not light it's there's things that come up that you have to answer some emails here and there join some
meetings but it's a very low lift like I I I have no problem staying on as the representative >> yeah I can stay on too as a designated it's fine you can just keep it that way unless you want >> I got my hands full with the personel board right Yeah. Yeah. No, no, that's what I'm saying. It's fine with me. The
state it can stay the way it is. >> I mean, this pretty much I mean Nancy is our main representative with Serpent and she's on top of it all. Even me as an alternate. >> I just like to be because I do really enjoy Serpent meetings and I enjoy it if when I have time to jump on.
>> Um that was my wheelhouse like planning coming from planning. So I enjoy that piece of the work. But as far as selectment involvement, it's not often uh because Nancy will really carry the ball for you and she'll let the board know when there's something that you need to be worried about.
>> It's the perfect having good team in place. >> Many years working there, >> correct? >> Yeah. >> Oh, it's it's one of those things. You have the right team in place. >> Yep. We have good >> your job is pretty much not done for you, but you're up to date on everything. So, you know exactly when you spend your energy and time to make
sure you do do it right. So again, great roles. >> All right. So I guess uh how are we going to do this? Yellow representative Jared, you're going to be the >> I'll be the designate. >> All right. So
>> So we'll call out two motions. One to the first one I guess would have to be to make Carlos the representative. >> Then you and I can vote on that one. And then the second one we'll have to call out, right? In order. >> Yeah. All right. So, we're going to make
it We're going to make it a little bit. >> Make the motion. >> I'll make the motion to uh appoint Select Lopes as the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority representative. >> I will make that motion. >> All right. I'll second it.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Good job. >> All right. >> Nailed it. >> Nailed it. >> Yeah. Got it. >> Getting good at this now. All right. And B, I will uh entertain a motion to appoint um select men as the Southeastern
Regional Transit Authority designate. >> Motion made. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I congratulation guys. >> Thanks. >> Good job. >> I have a couple things I want to bring to your attention. Um, one is that uh we
put out the quote to get quotes for the fence for the um elementary school as the money that came through the town meeting. Unfortunately, I sent the the quote out wrong. I procured it under 30B. No harm, no foul because we haven't
awarded anything, but it has to be rebid under chapter 39M. So, I just want you to be aware of that that I did make an error on the procurement process. It just has to be redone. Um, so just so you're aware and then the school roof,
I've been talking to uh Guerilla, I call them, GRLA that we hired to help us with the roof. And originally, we were just going to repair the roof. We had we had gotten $500,000 at a town meeting to repair the wet spots cuz we know we have wet spots. So this is we're in the
process of putting that out to bid. Gorilla came back to me and I'm going to call them Gorilla. That's not their name. um and said that they think they can repair a section of the roof and do all of the other repairs for the same, you know, for the $500,000 that we have funding for. Because originally we were
going to bid the whole roof out and I said, "Listen, I don't have funding. I don't know when I'm going to get funding. We're really tight on the budget." Um so we removed any bigger project because I know we don't have the funding. But as you we might recall, they said we could phase that roof and
do different phases. So, this the oldest part of the roof is the part that they're looking at doing now and all the wet spots for the $500,000 funding. Um, so I was prepared to move forward. We're moving forward with that.
The bid is is being prepared. And then someone said, "Well, you should wait." So, you can go to MSBSA, which is, you know, they pay for 50 up to 50% of those types of repairs. They do roofs, windows, and doors. Um, but I talked to uh different people about that and they
said, "Yeah, but you don't get it the first go around. Sometimes it takes two or three times. We do need our windows and doors done and that that was going to be definitely a project that I want to submit to MSBSA. Hope I'm saying the right thing um to get funding for
that. That's that's going to be open up in January of 27. Um, and I would like to do that project at the elementary school." So I I got a little like, okay, which direction do I go in? So I'm I'm really looking for a direction from the board. We're not in a position where we
can't backtrack on anything that we've done to date. Um I've been back and forth with this decision and so I'm really just looking for the board. There's no guarantees we're going to get the grant from MSBSA and I've looked at different uh things. is affect Lakeville. I think that the
more you throw in there, the maybe the less likely you're going to get the grant, too, right? Because they're like they probably prefer to do 20 smaller grants than two larger grants, right? So, um but I don't really know that to be true. I just I'm guessing. So, I'm
asking for a direction. Do you want me to continue to go forward to put out to bid the oldest part of the roof and get that done and the repairs done, or do you want me to pull the whole project back and wait? um a year and a half, two years to see if we get the grant and then we can use the $500,000 we already
have allocated towards that project, which the whole roof is a $3 million project. >> So yes, I want you to continue. This is me speaking. I want to see you move forward with it. One, the town's already approved. B, that second part of whether or not it's happening is not a
guarantee, >> right? >> The roof isn't going to repair itself. So we currently have water infiltrating that part of the roof. It's not going to get better before, you know, so it's only going to continue to get worse, which could then cause other issues. So, I'd rather quote unquote stop the
bleeding now with what we have the money for, fix that issue, and then if we're going to go for a grant, which hopefully we will, right? Then we use it towards doors and windows or something else. If we say that doesn't make sense to go after the roof now because we've already
done that or maybe it does, maybe the other parts. Yeah, they they won't they won't approve it once we've done a piece of it. >> So, but we still have plenty of other things to go after, >> right? I mean, I think the doors and windows are probably going to be a $5 million project. >> So, there you go. I'd ra I'd rather spend half a million dollars on the roof
now and then have them hopefully pay for $5 million towards something else. So, >> right, I agree with you on that. It's We don't want the roof to get any worse than it is now. I remember from remembering those studies, it was already squishy and soft and >> already a couple years old now. So, it's
>> unfortunately time's on our side and healthy and safety of the kids are. So, let's get that roof repaired as is now and then push forward with whatever we can get through the MSBC for doors and windows. >> If you remember, they would they did the drone thing over or whatever the scanning and some of the roof where it
wasn't wet was still thin, >> right? Going to get Yeah. It was beyond the end of its life or at the end of its life. So, it's just going to continue to grow from out from there. So, I say we just >> stop the bleeding. >> I mean, this sort of, you know, like I said, a lot of people have been talking to me over the weekend, so I didn't have
time to put it on officially on the agenda. So, we'll probably have to revisit it officially uh to avoid an open meeting law violation, but I did want to get your input because we're in the throws of putting this out to bid so it can get done in the summer months >> and I don't want people to do work if we're not going to do the work.
>> I agree. I think we're What do you think, Chad? >> Yeah, I agree. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to move forward as as planned and um and that is part of the Warren article that asked for the $160,000. I'm doing that just to have a buffer
because also the hood vents need to be replaced on the roof. And if I can get that done as with along with this project, I'd like to get that done. Um and that money is coming out of the stabilization for the school. It isn't it isn't it's taxpayer money because taxpayer money went into the stabilization, but it isn't trying to
raise new taxation. That's money we already have set aside. >> I'm done. >> Um I I just have one thing I want to say. So Saturday I had the privilege of going down to Hathaway Park and we've talked with the Girl Scouts about doing some water safety stations if you
remember Carl time Chad. Unfortunately I don't think you were here but the Girl Scouts did a a project and they worked with Carl the and and I and got this station set up and I encourage anyone to go there and look at it. Um they did a great job. They they all signed their
names to the back of it. They were so proud of themselves. It was it was a great thing. So um I just want to thank I had to get it's uh troop 762000. They um girls from Freetown in Lakeville. They did a tremendous job. So um thank you to them. It was it was a
proud moment. So yeah, >> saw pictures. It looks great. >> I was going to say I saw the pictures and I went down there on the way here and uh looks it looks amazing. So great job for the Girl Scouts one presenting it to us and getting it all done in such a an amazing amount of time and for you and Carl to help them out and
>> the parents too because the parents were all there working hard and it was definitely a good team effort and it's it's that type of stuff that puts a smile on your face, you know. So I just wanted to make sure I thank them personally for that. >> That's all I effort for the for everybody. So great job to them. I saw the pictures. They're
all smiling. So >> go check it out people. Get out there. >> All right. Anything else, Debbie? I think that was it. Those are the things I wanted to bring to your attention. There'll be more coming on our next agenda. Oh, I think you we um talked about maybe adding some dates, right, to
our um to our agenda >> when July 6th. We weren't sure if people were going to be away here or whatever. Um we may want to push that meeting has the dates there. >> Yeah. And our next meeting is actually town officially right now it's town
meeting, right? It's going to be um June 1st. So, um I I don't know if we wanted to add then it's 6:15 and then it's not till 7:6. So, there's a 3we period there that I'm a little bit nervous about cuz 6:15 is
selectment uh for the night. So, that's a hard meeting to do a lot of work at >> um because that takes up a lot of time. >> So, I'm I'm contemplating adding uh a 622 or a 629 meeting date. So, I don't I I just need
to know what your availability is and you can let us know. It doesn't have to be tonight, but I do think we're going to need to add a meeting there. And we may be able to push the 76 meeting. I won't know until we get there. And Lanna is is going to be out. So, you guys, it's not going to be
seamless when she's out. You're going to have to have a lot of patience. >> You won't even know I'm not here. >> You're going to have to have patience because it is going to be fun. Yeah, as of right now, I'm okay with the 22nd on this calendar. Um, and I know
the only time I have scheduled right now is late July. Um, that I'm away for a week. >> So, I mean, so s the 22 and the 29th at this point, I'm good. >> Uh, does it make sense for us to go to the 29th and then
>> that way we can take away that sixth because >> I think I think so. That would be the hope, right? We never know what comes up, >> but I that would be the hope. >> Yeah. that we do the 29th and get rid of the 6th and then hopefully Lan will be back by the next one. >> We'll find her.
>> Go find her. >> We'll find We know where you live. Small town. >> It's all those location. >> It's all those little things that she does that I just >> put a tracker on. Most of my job as drudgery, right? >> Like minutia.
>> It's minutia. I just like it will take me five times longer to do what she does because she does it all the time. So, it's just it's it's going to >> pipe once we do it a couple times. >> We'll get it done. We'll get it done. I mean, we're going to get it done, but I just going to say we're going to need patience. >> Okay.
>> Keep it open for those those days and take it from there. >> Works for me. >> All right. Some signature for you, gentlemen. >> There you go. And I'm sure L's more for us. >> Okay. >> Oh, got it.
>> Yeah, there's the additional for the change. finish. >> This one's just finished. >> Okay. >> Salty Warrior. Great name. >> It's the
um >> Can you put it up? No, >> I can. I can do it. I can just put it in my laptop. Pull it up my laptop. I could email it to him. I think Jazz's the only one out the computer.
>> This is the only one I need, right? This is good. Jerry, you don't have to sign that one. >> Oh, come on. >> Yeah, you don't have to sign this one. if you changed it to salary. >> It's not getting that short signature.
>> Yeah, trust me, it'll shrink down over time. >> Yeah, it does. >> 125. >> I always said I want to see my first signature that I signed. >> Yep. >> Versus now. >> Oh, I'm sure. to work too.
>> We did end up buying the software that the minutes clerk software. >> I saw I saw it's it's >> it's amazing. >> It does a great job. I've used it and it does. Now, we just have to figure out how how other boards can use it so that we I mean, I just think it's going to keep our minutes. I don't know if all of
the videos uploaded are going to work the same way. So, we're working on that to see. >> Of course, we've got the videos from from John, right? But other departments either have Zoom or they have different they record them themselves. So, >> do we all send this one? >> So, we've got to see if it works the
same way. Uh, but for our office, it's amazing. um saving us so much time. I shouldn't say us, it's Lola, but saving Lola so much time. Um which we need, right? We're we're inundated with stuff all the time. And that's just one of the worst
jobs. And you It's hard to do when you're interrupted over and over and over. She does a lot of them at home. She doesn't, you know, she she spends a lot of time of her own personal time doing them. So, >> I'm thrilled. >> Yeah. I did different types when I used the the software. I used one from AI
from your phone itself. >> Yeah. >> Um from the from the town phone that whatever had on the Apple and then I used one from the Dropbox that I was provided to by a board member or a committee member. And as long as you download them to your computer, >> it does all the work. It it plugs in, plays the agenda.
>> Did you try this new one, the minutes? So, which one did you like better? >> Uh the one that Lola introduced me to a couple years ago. >> That's the one we bought >> and I knocked out meeting minutes in. I want to tell you like it was spot on. One of your sets that you approved today, I read it,
right? I read through it. It is long. It's a lot more verbose than what we would normally do, but it's spot on. So, >> I'm okay with it. I mean, if you're typing it from scratch, it's a lot of work, but if this thing's going to do it, and it's it's quick and and there
was no mistakes, none. >> So, I had to do one for the parade committee, and it was a a backup of a meeting that had already taken place. So instead of writing it all down, I dictated it on my phone, downloaded it, and they put it all together. The agenda, what was said. >> I've done I've tried to do different
things with I use Word, and my word on my personal computer has dictation. >> So I put a Zoom in that, and it will dictate that, and then I upload that to AI, ChatGBT, and ask it to do it, rules, minutes, and it will do them. But still not as good as this software.
>> Yeah, I agree. It was uh I was very happy with the outcome. time. Yeah, especially hours and hours going back months of trying to >> The accuracy was there. Of course, you with anything you have to check, right? You have to check. But it was pretty it was spot on for hours and they were 11
pages long. >> Yeah. Yeah. All right, everybody. It is uh 7:06. I motion to call the free town board second meeting to order to adjourn. I was going to say >> no.
chapters. >> Yeah. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I