All right. >> Well, welcome to a series of poll hearings. I don't think there's any citizen participation. I guess you still have the people fill things out if there's citizens. >> Yes. >> All right. All right. So, we can skip this still, too. >> Okay. Um,
>> all right. >> I think I wrote had a thing here for this. All right. So, we're going to have a hearing. Um, call this meeting or the hearing to order at whatever time it is, 5:33 or something. um on
February something 18th >> 17th. All right. >> Glad you're glad you're here. Um at uh the council on aging. So it's a public hearing regarding um polls. I'm not going to keep reading this for every poll hearing. Um but
regarding poll, there's a notice that was sent out, published, posted, and mailed to all interested parties. and how you can confirm that all the notices have been that and all that kind of stuff. All right. So, the purpose is to provide all affected persons an opportunity to present oral or written
testimony, believe it or not um for this u proposed poll placement. Um everything will become part of the official record. So, if you speak, we'll ask that you state your name. Um and if you're from National Grid, you'll tell us you're
from National Grid. and uh we may ask questions and then we'll open up the floor to any questions that uh people may have. Um I think I'm not very worried about people making personal attacks, but that's what it says down here. So, let's get started with the
first public hearing poll hearing concerning 107 New Low Road. Come on up. Say your name for the record. How many have you done now? >> Um two. >> So, I've done one since last time. >> Since we saw >> Yeah. All right. >> It's been slow.
>> It's okay. Not a lot of polls out there, huh? >> No, not this time of year. >> Okay. Okay. Go ahead. Tell us about 107 New Road. I'll state your name and >> My name is Torren Hamilton. I'm a distribution design engineer for National Grid. So 107 New Low Road. Um
we want to set a new midspan pole uh 10-75 between existing poles 10-50 and 80. Uh the purpose of the new pole is to set a new transformer for a solar installation at 107 New Road. >> Okay. Um
Okay. And that's up toward South Street. So this is farther up the road. >> Okay. Um Glenn, any questions? >> No, I have a question. All right. >> Is there anybody out there who has a question about this poll?
No. Okay. All right. Um, let's deliberate on the evidence. Gwen, how do you feel about that? >> I don't see any issues. There's no uh public >> I want to make concerns about it. So, I'll make a motion that we approve for
National Grid to um install the pole at 107 New Leather Road. >> All right. I'll second that motion. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. I'm not going to read the directions again, but the next poll hearing is on Chabby Street. Go ahead,
Tor. >> So, this poll, we're proposing to set a new poll 40- 14-50 um between existing poles 14 and 15. This poll is for a new service to 92 Chickpe Street.
Do you have any concerns about this poll? >> I do now. >> I'm glad to see there's no bias here full placement in this case. All right. >> All right. So, I forgot we got to close the hearing. So, can we close the hearing? Motion to close the hearing.
>> I make a motion to close the public part of the hearing. >> Okay, I'll second it. All in favor? I >> I'm trying to be like more formal. Um, okay. Well, we can do them all. That's just some objection at some point. >> Um, I think some people are here from is
it West Street? >> Yep. >> Are you from Wester Ammeris or >> Okay, you folks. Okay. Um, so let's >> We might as well just do them individually at this point, but Okay. So, the next poll is at 79 Ammerst
Street. Nobody vote on the other one. >> Ah, that's a good idea. >> Yeah. So, I'll make a motion for National Grid to install a pole at 95 >> 92. >> 92 uh Chickpe Street
for the house being built there. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um I'll second that motion. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Good. Next up is 79 Emer Street.
So, National Grid is proposing to install a new stub pole for pole 24. So, this would be 24-84. Um, there's an old pole there with an existing tree guy and we want to remove that. >> Okay.
I have no questions or comments. Anybody out there have a concern? Go ahead. Can you just state your name for the record? And >> yes, Mona. I live at 80 Street. >> Okay. And from what I read, we want 30 ft south with the new pool across the
street, which is like right next to my property. And I just want to make sure that it's not going to be in the middle of my lot. I have trucks going, >> you know, just a big thing and >> parking and
you speak to that. >> Yeah. So, um the 30 ft is including the road width as well. So, the pole will probably be like 8 ft off the road, which is within uh town take. And when I was staking it out, it should just be in front of some forest. There was no no
driveways or anything. So, I own right up to the wood line where the wood start. So, if it's beyond that, it doesn't bother you. >> Okay. Comes into my property, you might have an issue. >> Okay. Did you see any Did you guys put
out the ribbons or ties and stuff? Did you happen to notice those? >> I haven't seen anything. >> All right. >> Looking from my window and trying to judge where that hole is going to go. >> Okay. So, it's going to be in front of the woods or >> Yeah, it will. And it should be on it. It'll be on town take. So,
>> Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments? >> All right. >> I'll make a motion to close the public hearing portion. >> I'll second it. All those in favor? I All right, the next one up is got two on West Street. >> Hang on. We got a boat out. So,
>> God, moving quicker. >> It's been rough going here. I'm not used to these multiple votes. >> Make a motion to approve uh National Grid to install a post at or pole at 90 79 Amber Street. >> Second. All's in favor? I
>> I thank God you're here to keep me in keep me in line here. We'd have all these hearings and no votes. Okay, the next one up is West Street, but what do we have the address for this one? >> So, one of them is 14, the other one's 100. >> Okay, 100 is the next one.
>> Okay. So, uh, National Grid is proposing to install a new pole 26 on the north side of West Street and relocate existing pole 25 fix, uh, approximately 15 ft east, uh, to allow proper guying and to
give room to remove an old tree guy. The proposed work will relocate the service line to 100 West Street and remove existing aerial trespass to 36 Kellogg. >> Oh, so it's not even going to be on West Street now. >> Sorry. >> It's going to be on West Street or not be on West Street? It will. Yep.
>> All right. So, I have no questions. Is somebody here to ask Dave? >> According to this drawing, looks like you're going to put in my front yard and sard. >> I just pulled the stakes in your front yard, too. >> Yeah, there's stakes in the front yard.
>> How far from the road? >> Oh, probably 10 15 ft. So, >> right in the middle of my front yard. >> Okay. >> And over the years, I'm here for long before Western. >> Yeah. >> And over the years, I've been here 62 years. They had a pole near my mailbox.
They had went down farther about 20 ft. >> Yep. >> Off the road by a big tree. Well, they move that ball down the end of my property line because trucks would take the line down. and the pole at 100 West
Street. A wire comes through from Kellock Street through a woods and goes across the I don't know why you just can't um know come off that pole still. >> So Tori, can you explain what's up?
>> Yeah, so um the owner at 36 Kellogg won't sign an easement. There's not an existing one, so we can't keep our service line crossing this property. Um, as for the pole location in front of 104, it's kind of a strange area. The
town has a lot of take there. It's kind of offset from the road because of that like >> there's kind of like a a dip off the road. >> Um, but we don't set our poles more than 10 ft away from the road. So, the poles are staked at like six or seven feet
away right now. Yeah, but it's it's going to be right in the middle of my property. There was a tree there. They took it down. Okay, it was fine. We took it down. Now you're going to put a pole back where a tree was. It's going to look like, you know, garbage. >> I don't know why you can't put the pool on the other side of the guardrail on
West Street. >> That is uh still on 36 Kellogg. That's his property. >> Do you have all that property? >> Yep. >> I thought the town owns >> No, the town owns like the other side of that road. I if you um
from the drawing here just >> Yes. >> So basically if the road the road's more set towards like this side. >> Yes. >> And the town has take like all the way up to here. This is like 15 20 ft. >> Yeah. I don't you put the pool right
about here. Well, it's where it's if you go by property it's going to be right here somewhere in my property. There's no one right there. So, and and this >> I don't know why you can't put it on you can't put on the other side of the guardrail. >> No, it it's not possible because the
this isn't the road. This is town take. The road is like here on this side. The guardrail is basically right here. Anything on that side would be on his property. >> Nope. >> I tried. Is there anything we can do
about moving that pole like like one way or another across this property or not? >> Uh not really. It's a it's a tough situation. Uh I would have preferred to have kept the service line as it is. And uh on the other side there's transmission lines so we can't come off
that side either. Kind of the best with what we can do at the moment. >> No. Why can't you keep it where it is right now? Um, I mean it's mostly that we have a policy where if we don't have an easement, so we don't have rights to be on someone's
property. If they ask us to go off, we have to take our our line down basically. >> There is currently a poll there though. >> Yeah, >> there is a poll. We would remove that. Yep. >> You take ask. >> Yes. Yep. And he uh this I think this job was from back in uh November, I want
to say. And this this job is from back in in November and we've we've been trying to get him to sign something and he he won't budge. >> So the homeowners asked for the pole to be removed. >> Yes. Yep. >> How long's it been there for?
>> There's a big tree they cut they lend it. It's got a guide wire holding the pole up and it holds all >> and that's the that's the reason for the relocation of 25. We're trying to remove that tree guy from it.
>> Yeah. How long has that pole been there for? >> Uh, it's hard to say, but a previous electric company said it. So, >> a long time. >> A long time. 62 years been there since. >> Yeah. >> You can't find an easement anywhere.
>> Mr. Bombader. Well, in a case like this, there's at least if since you're a a stakeholder that really cares about it and these gentlemen all have a hard time getting permission to keep the there.
Are you in a spot that you could talk to your neighbor and say, "Gee, I'd like to do is just keep that there. Is there any reason why we can't do it?" And just say, "We don't want to get a whole big easement and take stuff from your property. All I want to do is leave what's there. Are are you on the spot
there? You could talk. We'll talk to them because if you could do that, you got neighbors dealing with neighbors instead of selectman dealing with people and companies dealing with people. >> I spoken to him once already and he had when I talked to him which was when this
all started. >> You don't have to explain to me >> briefly and he seemed not to have a problem. Yeah. Anything else? >> Where that pole is now is trim a couple branches so I can make it on a little more of an angle.
>> How do you close it to make sure you got a man that's trying to do something? A group that's got a hearing. Is there a way? How do you close it? Do you say you're going to get back to the next meeting? And >> um I think we don't approve it. Um but I also do we continue the >> We'd have to continue it. >> Continue the hearing.
um we can continue it and give an opportunity to the neighbors to to speak to one another, see if uh they can come to an agreement. If not, then the the board's going to have to make a decision on it. So >> So you want to make a motion to continue the hearing?
>> Sure. I'll make a motion to continue the hearing at this time. Um well we set a date uh our next meeting which is March 2nd. >> March 2nd and >> I won't be I have to go
to >> um do you think you can talk to your neighbor between between now and then? >> Yeah, sure. >> Yeah, that's all you need to do and then you'll let um National Grid know whether or not it's a yes or no. If it's still a no, then we'll we'll listen to the hearing again.
Can I give you my uh contact info? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> All right. So, I'll second the motion to continue until March 2nd. Is that what you said? >> Yes. Why don't we uh Actually, why don't we reverse that? >> I'll make a motion to close the public part of the hearing.
>> Okay, I'll second that. Um all those in favor of closing the public part of the hearing. >> I I make a motion to continue. Um actually no I I'll I will not close the meeting because we don't we want to continue it.
So we'll save the first one. So we'll continue the meeting until as we first discussed till March 2nd. >> So we want to avoid the first >> we'll actually avoid the second one. We'll keep the first one which is uh to continue the this until uh March 2nd meeting. At that time, we'll have a a
discussion with National Grid and find if they want to move forward with >> All right. So, just I just want to be clear as to what we're doing. So, Holly can write it down. >> Right. So, we we closed the public piece, but we're also continuing this to another date for us to make a decision.
>> So, okay. So, we're not going to entertain more public comment at that point. So the only thing we're going to listen to is at that point be from national credit whether or not the the people on the property says yes, I'm okay with you putting the poll here or no, I'm not. So at that point we're I think that's the only thing we're going to talk about that point as far as the
board. >> Okay. Do we need any more votes? >> We're good. We continue the hearing. >> I think you both voted to continue it. Continue it till March 2nd. >> All right. Good. >> We'll do it at 5:30, too. Just so
>> stay consistent. email and let me know. >> Um, >> did you have a business that you had? >> Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. Because we will have to make a decision at the next meeting, but you don't have to be here. >> All right. Uh, okay. And finally, West Street, 14 West Street.
>> Yeah. So, National Grid is proposing to move existing pole 7 approximately 16 ft west. Um, this is to get the pole in line for the three-phase tap. Um, I believe this is going to a a town building at 14 West Street.
>> It is part of the West Street building project. >> Oh, okay. There we go. >> All right. Um, I don't have any concerns in questions. >> Maybe not. The public does, but >> All right. Anybody out there have questions about moving this poll to West
Street uh 14? I'll make a motion that we close that part of the the hearing at this time with public input. >> All right, I'll second that. All those in favor? >> I. >> And I'll make a motion that we approve for National Grid to install a pole at
14 West Street. >> Okay, I'll second it. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Thank you for coming to our poll hearing. >> Thank you for your time. >> You're getting better all the time, too. You're >> I appreciate it. >> Getting sharp. Do you put that on your resume? It's like pull it. I should Yeah.
>> Get it up. Build it up there. All right. Um, so next up is the fire building department inspection fees, electrical and plumbing inspector pay. >> Mr. Quentin, come on up. >> All right.
>> Chief Bryant, come on up. Sorry, I didn't get this to I'm just talking about the highway stuff. >> All right. So, just um this is our inspection fees from uh 71 of 2022. Um the food trucks,
it says $25 for a permit and then $50. I just want to make it flat $50. No, not $75, just flat $50. Um, and then it's 150, but the 100 is for building and 50 was for fire. I just want to make it 100
for building, 100 for fire for our uh quarterly annual inspections. Um, and then down below our fire detail. Um, I just want to go by the union contract at $57.
>> Okay. Um, do you know where your permit fees are set? Like, are they set at town meeting or not set at town meeting? >> No, I think you I think they're set by you guys. >> I'm not sure. >> Um, okay.
>> Cuz I know in my past previous in Hadley, it was set by the select board. If we want >> Yeah, I don't think we because we did we we set the building fees >> last time. What? >> We set the building fees. permit fees. >> Yeah,
>> select board does get to that one. All right. >> I don't This is different, but we just said the the >> Okay. >> for building. >> Do you want to make a motion or have questions? >> Um, so is is there an increase or >> No, the only increase would be $50 for
the quarterly annual inspections for the fire side because building's already 100. >> Okay. And that's currently it's 150. So 50 for fire and 100 for building. So we just make it a flat 100. And the only increase would be the
detail at the bottom. And that's because of the union contract. Okay. And then we'd actually go down with the food truck inspection from 75 to 50. Just make it a 50 flat rate. >> So we're going down and we're going up
kind of. Yeah. >> So meeting in the middle. >> Yeah. All right. >> I'll make a motion to uh increase the um food truck inspection
from $25 to $50 and then the quarterly annual annual inspection from $150 to $100 for building and $100 for fire. That correct? >> Yeah. So build building's already 100.
So >> it would just be for fire. >> All right. So the fire is gonna be 100 which is currently 150. >> It's 50 for they have it. They have both of ours together. >> Okay. All right. So that's what kind of confused me at first, too, when I looked at this. That's why I want to clean it
up. >> So the actual piece right now is it's combined. >> Yeah. >> For $150. Y. >> So we're actually going to separate it. building is going to be 100 and fire is going to be 100 for inspection for a quarterly inspection. Mhm. Okay. >> We'll try to build together, make easier
for the bu, you know, businesses back, but >> Okay. >> That's standard or low from, you know, most communities. So, >> all right. >> So, my motion is correct in that point. >> And I also make a motion to increase the fire detail firewatch
oversight from $42 to $57. And that is per the union contract anyway. So, >> motion. >> Okay. Um, I'll second that. All in favor? >> I
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, Mr. Quinland. >> So, first thing, it's not on the little outline here, was um which I think was all set, but while Mr. Bombaders is here. Um the online payment um it looks like the chief has um spoke with the
treasurer and we're move going to move forward with that sooner than later cuz we right now the um applicants have to still mail in the checks and plumbing and electrical could be very tough cuz they don't have to do it online like building. >> Okay. >> So um I don't have that on there but it
looks like that's in the works. >> Yeah, Mr. Nie finally got some stuff caught up. So I was trying to work on that. uh he's got the contact information for the the um software company and they're trying to work out the logistics of the moving the money around. >> He's been swamped for months at this point. So, all right. Good.
>> Yeah. Next thing would be a question on um the insurance because the alternates plumbing and electric are all 1099. They're as subcontractors. >> So, I've already spoke to the chief about this as well. He hasn't had time to just today I think on it.
>> I didn't. >> So, yeah. and you was Oh, you did have time. Okay. >> Um I don't have a definitive answer which we'll have. Um but it looks like it's okay. Um there were two things that it fell under. One is Massachusetts tort law or something like
that. Um I I talked to town council today. So he did not see that it would be a liability issue. Um I will get a more definitive like opinion on that, but he didn't think so. I don't I hadn't talked to Chris to find out exactly why. What's what's the question here?
>> Um 1099 is independent contractor tax form. Okay. >> So we have all our inspectors on 1099s. Um which mean one of the things it means is they have to do their own taxes, right? >> We don't have to do their own taxes anyway. That just means we don't take out.
>> So the questions would be and both inspectors have checked to pay themselves to make sure they're covered first off for the liability on inspection or whatever. Never mind the workman's comp if they were to fall or get injured on the inspection. just something in that saying they are covered under the town. Um same with the
alternates when I was an alternate we you know were 1099 didn't think anything of it but it's just been brought up to check on you know the the insurance part of it. >> Yeah. Most people that are 1099 selfinsured for themselves don't themselves.
>> That's and it wouldn't be worth being an inspector with what they've looked into. They know better on the amounts. That's that's the only would be the only problem with that. So, we're just checking on it. >> Paying liability insurance when you get $35 for an inspection is I mean, I wouldn't drive across town for 35 bucks.
Um, >> well, a lot of people do it as a second job. It's not really their livelihood. Meaning, it's not what they do full-time. >> I mean, they would do it full-time in Graanby. I mean, >> so the I mean, I've worked on even as a
local inspector in a lot of communities. This is the only one I was ever just 1099. It was always even as an alternate, you know, they take out and I don't know what it comes to. Every town's probably different, but you know, 33% is put away, you know, for the comp to cover you or, you know, based on what
they're paying you in that in case something like said happened and to be able to protect them legally. >> Um, you know, and that that would be up to the board, of course, >> you know, to do that. Um, >> yeah, I'll check with Chris on that. >> Okay. I don't know the rationale behind
um the 1099s. I mean, I suppose it makes it easier for the town. >> I I mean, I got I'm a 1099 right now myself, so like >> every time I spend money and Yeah, it's a pain in the neck. >> Um >> so >> for the town,
>> no, for me I actually I have another >> oh >> job that is a 1099 >> and uh >> yeah, you got to do taxes. You got to if you get a check, you have to keep all the stuff back and it's >> cuz they've actually looked in. So yeah, explain what it would be.
>> So with the electricals, uh Art is retired, so he has some other job to cover liability. He inspects roughly about 7 months out of the year. So he may make enough to purchase his. I fill in for him when he
leaves for winter. um the amount of inspections that I make would not even cover the liability insurance that I bought. So for me it would be basically not worthwhile for me to stay as stay on as the inspector.
>> But I guess you had a conversation with Brian. But even though that they're 1099, they're still an employee of the town. They just have to be a 1099 employee. >> Yeah. Well, that's what we're hoping. I mean that's just some type of proof, I guess. >> That's how it is. I mean, you're still an employ99.
>> Town council did not think that you would be liable or that you would >> or be independent, you know. So, if you got hurt on the job, you're still doing a job for the town. >> You're still hired by the town. The only difference is you can work we can work on getting something. >> We'll get you a more definitive answer just to like ease your minds. Um,
>> yeah, just because you're a 1099 employee does not mean you're not you're not covered by >> right. you're still acting as an agent, still employed by the town. >> One of the things you get into when you're uh telling the difference between an employee and a contractor, you know, I mean, are you doing you're doing what
the town tells you to do? You're following town rules. It it's um it's a legal issue, but it's not. So, um when I talked to Brian today, he did not think it was a problem, but I think you guys should have a definitive answer just to ease your mind. >> Okay.
Thank you. And then next was um and I'll let them discuss it is uh the increase for their inspections and how they propose or are asking for. >> Okay. >> First person. Uh I'm Mike McCain, plumbing and gas inspector in town.
>> Um so in June our rates were voted on to be increased and you guys voted on it and increased them >> and uh so with that being done, our rates are right where every other towns are. They're pretty much in line. I think they're at a good price. Um, but
I'd like to see a pay increase for the amount of work we're doing with our new computer system. It's adding it's adding workload. Um, I've been here since 2018 and I'm getting the same rate I was at 18. I understand about 12 years before
that from Fred, the last inspector. Um, he hadn't seen a raise. So, we're going on 20 years on $35 of inspection. You just said yourself you wouldn't drive across town for $35. Well, I got to drive across town three times tomorrow
for $35. >> Um, it's the lowest I could find in any surrounding town. Um, I back up a neighboring town as just an alternate and I make more there for inspection than here. Um, with the rates being
increased last June, I don't know why it's not coming out of the town's budget. It' be coming out of our fees. Um, so basically for the last six, seven months, the town's been making excess money off the plumbing and gas department. >> Okay. So, um, just um,
so you're but you're you're plumbing only getting 35, right? Or you're getting more now? >> We're getting we're only getting more. We're only getting $35 an inspection paid. And part my fault when we came forward with the prices last time um you know Mr. Mary and I didn't speak about
you know changing their fees or whatever. >> So it's both our you know what I mean just didn't think about it. >> It makes sense. It's Yeah. It's definitely not a >> And then in December Fred um abruptly quit. Um so I went from being an alternate which I did 50% of them. He
did 50% of them to being thrown into the full-time. It's going to be more work for me. >> Yep. And just at that point, um, I'd like to see get up to where the neighboring towns are. >> Okay. Mr. Bombader, >> with Mike, we're in a little bit of a a
dilemma, two boards, the board of this plot right now. It's actually kind of the wrong board to talk for Mike because the plumbing inspector and gas inspector actually end up reporting to the board
of health. And so that that's a there's there's a problem with the administration of it that the board of health has the budget to to pay the the plumbing inspector. And and Tom is is really done a really great job of trying
to take all of these inspectors and permits and all get them in one place to make it so that the the tradesmen and the town people can deal with this in a a rational way. One of the big problems that Fred had, the former plumbing
inspector, was as this transition was coming, the payment part, and in fact, Mike has has had a big problem with it. And as as Kevin's talked about, that that's going to get get taken care of. I talked to Mike about that payment. The
actual managing the payment part of it was taking more than than the amount of the inspections were doing. So that that's a big problem that was going to end up costing us money Mike. We're going to end up with no plan inspired. So at this point, we still have the
problem with with who pays the fees and how the how the we still the board of health still appoints Mike. It's not through Tom and and through through your board. But we can we will together manage that. But for the short term,
there's another issue is that the the board of health members work for the board of health doing inspections. And so town meeting every year has a warrant article that allows
that to occur. So we can pay the board of health can pay itself $35 an inspection. But as part of that warrant, it says we can take our inspectors and also pay them $35 an hour an inspection.
So bad. >> So we we end up with a problem as as you can you actually ended up setting the plumbing inspector fees. facilities. So
that that as Mike is saying, those fees were taken care of so that the income coming to the town is straightened out. However, we've got if if we make raise these fees, we will end up with a board of health with a budget problem, which
shouldn't be a problem. In the past, when this kind of thing has happened, you would end up dealing with the finance committee. The finance committee has their little slush fund, and I call it a slush fund. It's not that's just what I call it. It's not the real name for it.
>> But and and they certainly don't like it when you come along and spend their money and not tell them it's happening before it happens. But but typically the finance committee will say we understand that it's not something that's making
our budget go out of whack. The town budget is a it's a board budget because the money's coming in. So that doesn't become a problem. the problem would would come out uh and and if after the 1 of July if we I talked to Chris Martin
and Chris would write another warrant article that makes it so that the plumbing inspector's fees would be correct and we do it so it's not tangled up with with the board of health fees all being the same. But my suggestion to
deal with that between now and and July 1st would be to to look at the function that of the plumbing inspector. And it's actually two very different functions
that that Mike has got. He's got the the in the field plumbing inspector function. And that's an in that's an inspection that we're part right now because of that that town meeting
article that fee is is set at $35. However, the other the administrative function is very different if we had the right people in the in board office. if
we had Colleen with the right skills and the right time that that function would be a function that that Mike wouldn't be doing at all. And so now we're we've we've looked at it. Our our
restaurant inspection, housing inspection person has got exactly the the same problem and that it just we're losing them and it can't get someone else. So what we did is and t I talked to Chris about it and we said that that
function is this different function. It's a big paperwork function and saying within reason you could look at it and say it's it's essentially another inspection kind of activity. And so you
would, it turns out the number that Mike is looking and Tom is looking at happens to be $70 per inspection for the he's got the big inspection part. So, as I looked at it, I said, "Gee, at least
until July comes, if we split those two functions up and said, you know, Mike, when you go out on a job, you've got this prep work you've got to do. You've got the paperwork that follows up with it and saying, "Okay, you've got that.
We're going to pay you the $35 for going out to do the inspection, but we're going to pay you for one other inspection kind of activity as part of that bigger project. We're not paying Colleen to do that. We'd be paying you to do that. So, it' end up that that
Mike would essentially be doing the same job. We'll get rid of by by dealing with Steve and getting the payment part fixed. that makes it so that that Mike gets rid of this terrible terrible part that's worse than the plumbing part. And
then we end up with a a pay that comes out being about where he belongs. And it looks like it fits with what the town meeting has said we could do. And then so the only thing we would have to do is you would have to be the bridge with the
with the finance committee and say, "Hey, this this is coming. We know what's coming. it's managed then it's not a surprise but but that's that's the way I would be trying to to to manage. >> So I spoke to
>> town council was a two attorney day. >> I like zero attorney day. Sorry, but the um I talked to town council. He was not on board with that >> at this time. That's not a no. Um
because the inspection fees are set by the like law stuff where like you have to you can't just randomly define an inspection the way you know you want it to do what you want. So um
yeah so we're going to take it under adisement again. We'll address it with town council and see because because lawyers um Mike we appreciate the work you're doing. So, one thing I was thinking of was the electrical inspectors are
already paid by a percentage of the permits they bring in. >> And they're getting 70% of the permit fees. And if I do the math on all my permit fees throughout the year, that's right where I would want to be. So,
isn't the precedent already set that you guys are paying the electricians that way? >> Um, frankly, I think you should get what you deserve and I think you deserve what you're saying. Um, the way money gets spent in town, you have to go to town meeting. Town meeting appropriates the money through an article. Um, we often
don't pay that much attention to these articles because we do it through the consent motion, I think. Um, so I was reading the article today. It's article 2B, section C. Um, and it gives you the language. So, what happens is I I
completely agree with what you're saying. Um, and I want you to make more money because because I don't want Grammy to be like this. Um, but we gota kind of do the legal part first. So, I don't want to say yes. I don't want to say no. Um, but
I kind of started to make that pitch with Brian today because Dick had brought that up with me. Um, so we're not done with that issue, but I I can't give you a decision tonight. >> I've got I've got the other way around. >> You're going to pay out of your pocket? No, they you respect two jobs. You can
get >> you can have this job. >> No, no, the the plumbing inspector has got a funky way of looking at
plumbing inspections. And if you if you look at the way he's doing it now is that they're looking at a multi-
faceted job as one inspection and in reality he's going in and doing inspections of multiple things that clearly when you look at the way this this article is written at Palini
It talks about an inspection and it doesn't if you're doing inspections of toilets or inspections of drains and there are all different that clearly are there are different inspections there.
So you instead of saying we're going to we're going to look at the the inspections of all of these things as one thing and try to do it with the the the paperwork is separate. Don't do it that way.
Instead, let's look at it and tell Mike, go in and break your inspections down in a way that that you say, I'm going out there. I could do it at two different times or I'm so I'm going to do it at one time, but it's different inspections.
>> That's >> and and then that one he could say, I inspected this and I inspected that. >> Um yeah, and that was something we'll run by um Brian because basically town council is your first it's kind of like court
>> like so he decides on things. I don't I mean I've been telling Tom since September I thought you guys should get money more money. The other problem I see that's going to happen, and I'm only mentioning it I know you said this is going to take time, but this is going to rear its head sooner than later. The
town has no backup plumbing and gas inspector right now. And you cannot attract one. >> No, >> you're not going to find one. So, I don't know what the town's plan is if I go on vacation. I don't know what the
town's plan is if I get sick. Um, I guess it's my problem to find someone. >> No, the town's problem. >> I can't get someone for $35 inspection. >> No, it's so >> I I'd like to know what the town's side
of it is. If I resign tomorrow, what's your backup plan? >> Well, that's why was that's why I'm here saying we just went through the the first guy is gone because of this. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And the second I I completely agree with you. I think we're all on the same page
about where we want to get to. >> So, it's not something that we we can say >> it's not >> I'd rather I would rather walk out of here >> saying >> we're not going to walk out of here saying anything. >> Well, we can't. What happens? That's the bad part with the relationship we've got
right now >> is that the board of health can in fact you guys set the fees but the board of health >> town meeting sets the fees. >> No, no, no, no. Yeah, I'm okay. One is the plumbing speed fee, one is the
inspection fee. They're two different fees. Okay. So, the fees I was talking about are the permit fees. You guys said that. >> You and Tom said that. Board of Health didn't said that. >> So, I >> So you guys, somebody in Tom's world, >> I think prior you probably the board of
health did, but you do the gas. You know, that's always and and in in the lately we've been trying to >> communities have trying to get everybody together and work with the board help which we do work very well together and get them the same so they're on the same sheet the same amount and all >> um and that's why you know with their
permission I brought the increase last time in front of the board >> um you know to keep inadvertently set those and that's somebody did >> it's town meeting that's article 2 B
those are inspection payment fees as compared with the homeowner taking a permit fee. The town meeting does not set permit fees. The town meeting set payment >> inspection fees >> inspection
>> and inspection agents of the board of health which the plumbing inspector would be. >> But those are not the plumbing permit fees. So somehow the plumbing permit fees have been increased and and Tom did
that and he did it through you guys. But that it doesn't matter. That's where it happened. >> So So regardless I I think and what Mark's saying too is that um he spoke with town council and what we're waiting
to do is hear from town council so we move in the correct the right way. the last thing we want to do is make the wrong decision that wasn't legal and then we're in a totally different spot at that point in time. So, but at this instant, I'm going to take it back into the board of health because it's the
board of health budget and we're the ones that okay his payment and what you should do right now, I'm advising is to say this is not our budget right now.
what you do for your payment board of health with with the plumbing inspector, you better deal with however you're going to deal with it. But caution me as being here saying, Dick, don't just go
and change those fees because the town council has already said this is not a clear slam dunk. Go ahead and take care of it. Dick, you and your at least today you group, your board of health group
and your plumbing inspector get your act together. You guys have sent some permit fees. So that's income to the town. This is fees that this is money going out of the town's salary that the board of
health has the responsibility to get in touch with Brian and say, "Hey, how are we going to be doing that?" >> What the board of health does is up to the board of health. I spoke with the town council today and I'd be going town against town council's advice if I did
anything other than take this issue under advisory. You should be, you can take it under advisement, but the board of health has to >> get its act together and say you're appropriately saying board of health just don't tell this guy he's got to
double his he's got $70 on inspection. >> You guys are elected board, so you can do whatever you think. >> And I I appreciate that you've done that work. When we talked, I didn't look at I'm just verbalizing it right now,
>> saying this is where we're we had cautioned Tom when we started this saying, you know, oh, it's not going to be very long before we end up with the inspectors being in one place and budgets being someplace else and that
it's not going to be very clear. So just to to move this meeting along, uh Mark has been in communication with town council that will continue. Uh Mark has said that he supports an increase uh in the inspection fee. I not the what you
would receive. I support that too. I think if the town has taken in more money for the inspection uh permit fee, we should be sp we should be paying the inspector more. And it sounds like there's more work involved now than before anyways with the the processing
of all the information to put that into a system. So again, and I just say that let us do our part Mark to continue his conversation with uh town council so we can move uh forward. >> We still have the electrical >> well with both separately.
>> We but we want to make sure on both issues that we're we're moving forward appropriately. Uh, again, just like yourself, we're we're part-time boards. We're not going to stay up here and start making decisions without uh information from our town council. >> I wish I was a part time board. >> So, one thing though when you talk to
the council is is gas always is under building. You know, that's kind of why we work together to do it. So, just >> he he probably knows that, but just, you know, >> tell him that part. How all >> can be confusing. >> So, one way or another, Dick, you can call Brian and >> I will call get that end straightened
out. Um, >> I'll do it >> and I'll talk to him and because he said take it under advisement and which means we're can't make a decision tonight but that we're going to work on it and I want you to get the money that you deserve. >> I'll give Brian a call tomorrow. >> So, we'll we'll figure out a solution.
>> The idea that uh the idea that we're paying somebody $35 to do something I mean to look at somebody's car is like 50 bucks. That's not even with the oil change. I mean, you know, it's ridiculous. >> Just chief real quick. There's a lot of people in the world that only
>> real quick. So, I've worked I haven't met the gas inspector, but I've called him and talked to him on the phone and we've sent pictures and he's been a really good resource for me being the new chief here and helping me. And with the electrical inspector, we've had emergencies and I've actually had to call him out in the middle of the night.
So, working with these guys is great. And I fully know you guys will do the right thing for them. >> Yeah. I I don't think it's a question that we want to support you. It's just how are we going to support you? is the question. That's what we need to that's what we need to answer. Um and I I
appreciate you staying on uh when the other person left and you know you obviously stayed on and you're you're dedicated to that because let's be honest, you could just picked up and said I don't want to do this. I don't have time to do this. So we appreciate them moving forward. We just got to find the right avenue to move forward with it.
>> Yeah. I gota Yeah. My um if I had a campaign slogan right now, it would be like no Mayberry RFD, which probably doesn't mean anything to the younger people, but those of us grew up with Andy and Opie Taylor realize that Mayberry RFD is a different way of doing things, and I don't want to be doing
that. I want to bring us into like the 21st century. also to keep in mind this is a it's not short short term but we're in February and that for sure what's going to happen is when I talked to
Chris this week he said make sure we do this so that we get the the right warrant article so so in terms of Mike this is a an issue that we'll try to work on and get fixed right away but knowing the the 1 of July it will be
fixed that that's not going to be an issue. So, >> okay, we'll figure it out. >> All right. >> All right. Thanks. >> Now, we're on to the electrical. >> Okay.
>> Uh we are looking to increase our fees. >> Thank you. >> And make them the standard fee across the board. Um, I believe Archer Chznney uh came in front of the board, I want to say probably about a year ago and got
certain fees increased from the $50 fee to the $60 permit fee. And with this new system, again, we're spending much more time on the system. Um, plus our fees are all over the board. For instance, a single family
dwelling um is $150 for three inspections, which equates out to that $35 an inspection. Um whereas uh if we went out for a inspection for a
sign, it's $60. So, if you break them down per inspection, um we're 50 60 75. What we'd like to do is just get them as $70 per inspection across the board,
which would raise our per inspection fee from $35 to $49. Um, and then it would be standardized. So, if somebody called me on the phone when I'm out in the field, I can just say, "Okay, what are you doing?" And
then I can think about how many inspections I'd make and then just shoot them a number. >> Okay. um so that when they go online they know what to input in the online system as well. And then as part of putting these fees into the computer
system, we would like to incorporate the $12 fee into the total cost. Electricians are questioning this $12 fee. Where is it going? And um so forth.
Okay. So, my question is like do we are we able to just raise this? That's where I'm >> I believe it was a town council. I have been sort of feed increase once before with a different town council and the town council is the ones that have
approved the fees. Um there was no other boards that are involved with us because we fall under building and I built and I believe the building falls under the select board >> right so it was Damon had done it from the 50 to 60 say two years ago and then
before I had all set these that was the big thing to make sure everybody was happy and set before we set them into the program and and um you know so I came in front and Art had gone through these and now the way they're proposing and they've worked on it together Art and Bruce and It's going to be a lot
simpler. We'll we'll but the $12 part of it so it'll be cut and dry. There's no questions on why is there a plus most towns have that. You'll see in my you know I don't want to jump to mine but I did do probably five different communities. Um and they all do the same
you know 10,000 plus say 42 or $52. Um things like that. That's how most of them do it. But I think as far as clearing it up if it's $60 plus 12 we'll do it $72. you know, make, you know, make it cut and dry for right on the I think the program will be easier to for them to put that
>> in as well. Um, the only reason the 12 kept separate is that is what we pay them for the for the program and that's just taken separately. >> What is that plus 12 for anyway? >> That's what we that's what they charge >> is what link permit link charges. >> Oh god.
>> So we it's a it's a free it'll be free moving forward at this time instead of paying them a 10,000 a year or 4,000. Y >> we worked the deal that you know >> grant paid for it originally. We even got all the historical set into it the last 10 years which first community I
was able to do that it's not 100% but it is pretty good if you look up you know permit 6 years ago you actually can find it the public can find it on there and then moving forward it would just be it was 10 and then two years ago they went up to 20% in the communities that do it
that way to 12. So we did it. So, you know, looking at mine after and I know was hasn't even been a year. Um, prior administrator wanted myself as well to come in um and just have you review them again. You know, we'll do the same thing with those. And I did do a chart just
showing um, you know, mine and gave some examples the, you know, the houses across the board, a new construction, new addition and all. So, I, you know, we don't even have that as an example. what's the same is um that was corrected last time to
match every other community and it ended up coming out to the same anyway if the if the realistic figure was put in by the applicant we had done examples of that so that you know I don't like don't want to jump off the um but you see a roof you know most
towns are the 10,000 um plus like a $42 fee instead of the 12 so we're 72 and then you'll see the one windows that was um I'm sorry the uh roof window siding it would be three times the 72 so our fee would be 216 and
to give give the two examples if you were just a straight $10 um a th000 like most are with the $12 that's what it would be and then you know a lot of them are 42 or $52 not 12 so just gave you those examples to think about for you
know when we come back didn't expect anything thing now just to look at Okay. Um, so we're not voting on anything right now. >> Well, that's up to you, but but any other community in last time and I believe when Damian came in, it was determined by the board the fees. When
it gets into the plumbing part, that can be different. Um, the only other town I worked at, the board of health was actually doing the plumbing was Hadley and they didn't want anything to do about it. So, I don't even know legal if it was done right. They just said, "Switch it over to the building." He answered to that department all the time
anyway. >> Okay. But it's nice to work together. It's nice to have, you know, them them there. >> I'm glad that that's that's working out, >> right? Wouldn't want to take it away since they want to keep it, you know, or work together. >> Yeah. Yeah. They would probably give it up for that matter. >> Um, do you have any thoughts, Glenn?
>> I just want to review this. I'm not going to vote on anything. >> So, we're going to take this under. Go ahead. Um, >> also, we're looking to do a fee increase for the per mileage. Um, we've been at 40 cents a mile. forever and
>> plumbing plumbing is the same input. >> The mass the mass IRS allotment aotment is uh 72 cents per mile. >> So we're looking to basically just go from the 40 cents a mile to 70 cents a mile.
>> I think the 40 cents for some reason is federal. >> It's it's way low for whatever reason. I don't know why they decided to use that, but that's what I think the federal number is. >> Yeah. I was wondering if if you are speaking with council just to ask them because it any other community that you get the mileage every year it was sent
out what the state I I thought it was mandatory what had to be paid now I would be different because it's in a contract so whether or not that's you you can set it in a contract separate but you know being you know a subcontract like they are I'll just give one as an example every year it came out
65 68 or this year it would have come out to 72 and a town can pay more but I was always under under the understanding that they had to pay that amount, but I could be wrong. >> I mean, I can't imagine you have to pay it. >> They're asking for theoretically. I don't think you would have to pay it at
all. I mean, I'm not saying that we should do that, right? >> Um, but yeah, I kind with the the Commonwealth >> and they're not saying they're just hoping to go to seven. >> I guess you're saying the Commonwealth dictates what you paid per mile. So, when I read it, I I did Googled it a
little bit and it it was listed as the IRS is saying you can pay more, but it was a $72 fee. I mean, a 72 cent set fee this year, >> which I think it was 68 last year. I'm not 100%. Um, but regardless, I just might be for the town's liability just
to see what they >> to maybe able to pay up to because that's maybe what you can claim >> maybe. I mean, >> yeah, I'm not sure. But that's different than like you know the public sector that I I can pay you up to 72 cents per
mile because as a business when I do my taxes I can claim that page up to 72 cents a mile. I don't know if that >> well I know like as a business you can either you could how that works you do a mileage or you can actually keep track of your gas you know your your vehicle
payments and all that right. Yes, the increase basically is to help cover some of this additional gas uh cost that we're incurring. >> I mean, I can find out the wear and tear for that. >> Again, I support it.
>> And then towards the bottom of our fee sheet, um basically looking for a one hour one hour payment per week for some of the time spent on permit link. Um, in the past when we've come when
Damian was here, we used to go to the building department and sign all of the permits, review and sign everything in house. And we actually ended up getting one permit fee when we came to the office to take care of that, which
usually lasted anywhere from a half hour to 45 minutes. Um, so again, we're just kind of looking for a little bit to offset some of the extra time that we're spending. >> I'm trying to figure out how to >> I don't think we can vote on it for uh
today just because I don't even know what I'm talking about. >> It's better to think about it anyway. I was >> I mean I support you guys >> under advisement. I mean, why don't we come and have these discussions? I mean, I think you guys need to get paid at least market rate, you know, whatever's happening in the other towns. Um, and I
don't I don't know. People deserve to get paid what they're worth and the job that they do. >> Yeah, there's um let me go to my table. There's three or four towns that are more costly than Graham with RP increases
and then there's uh three towns that are less costly. then our fee increases. Um for instance uh Gramby for a new home uh is $150.
Sunderland is $300. Pelum is 250. Ledllo is 250. Belchuretown is 200. South Hadley is 165. Southampton is 160 and Palmer is 100.
So we're on the bottom end of the scale, if not under the scale of neighboring towns, >> communities that we're most comparable with are >> definitely getting we try to when Art and I do come for feet increases, we try to pull in a half a dozen towns that are
almost equal to the town of Graham and see where they're falling and where we're falling. um so that we can kind of adjust accordingly. >> Okay. >> Um and not be too far above the average. >> Okay.
>> All right. Um yeah. So next steps I got to talk to town council. We'll figure out what's going on there. Um >> you can actually just have town council come to a meeting so all the board members can hear it from >> Yeah. Yeah, I just I mean I think there's a decent amount of um
I can't even explain it so but >> No, but to that point I think that's why it's important to tell council comes to because if we're going to start talking about voting on certain things. >> Yeah. >> I think David and myself should be hearing from >> No, definitely. No, I don't I don't mean
to um Yeah. take that over. Um >> I'm just trying to figure out how to do it as expeditiously as possible. Um I don't know. Well, we can talk about >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you and we appreciate your work. I
know it's >> You want to set a date? >> For not much money. >> Um check with Brian first. See what Brian's availability is and then we'll go from there. So, >> we'll figure it out, right? >> Yep. Hopefully. I've been here since 95 as the alternate and per inspection back
then it was $17.50 95. So, we haven't gone up much. So either we charge either either we charge too much in 95 or we're not charging enough now. >> It's funny. I I did some checking too and across the board I looked at
plumbing and electrical and there's one community that the town takes 15 and they take everything that's left to plumb and electrical and you get a commercial building, you know, six grand. They're getting all all but $15.
>> It's it's crazy, you know. Then the others are, you know, 60. There's West Hampton who's 50, you know, basically like that. >> Yeah. >> You know, for inspection. So, it's all over with that, too. >> I mean, I mean, we kind of compare ourselves to South Alley or Low and
South. We're right in town right up the ballpark. We're not far off. >> So, we could, you know, a little bit >> increases. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, well, I appreciate you listening. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right.
>> Okay. Next up, >> appoint and authorize a chief procurement officer. You want to talk about that or >> Yes. Um, since Chris retired, uh, we don't have technically a procurement officer and there is some training that has goes along with it. Holly does have
that training. I would suggest that you appoint her chief procurement officer so that uh, we can get the RFPs out and RFQS out that we need to get bids. All right. I'm okay with that. Yeah. >> A motion. Yeah.
>> I'll make a motion that we appoint Holly to the chief procurement officer. >> Yeah. I'll second the motion. I'll second that emotion. Yeah. >> Bring a little bit of the temptations into the picture here. Um any more discussion? >> No. >> All those in favor? I
>> I >> All right. Um I checked with town council today who's got an earful um and will continue to get an earful later on. the uh we can do common VIX as um an omnibus thing so you can read all of them and we can vote on all of them at
once. >> I know we can. >> We never seem to >> cuz he because we >> we got we got to a point where'd you show up here? >> I know. I came in stealth mode. The shadows. >> Wow. Jeez. >> I was like he's late. I'm looking at my
watch. I didn't see you back there. >> I'm glad I didn't say anything bad about you. >> Come closer. Um, no. I'm I'm like I said, I think we got to a point before that um who the uh clerk was at that time like reading
everything completely out. So that's that's you know it's not right or wrong. We just started doing it that way. >> So do you want you want to continue that way? You want to do the >> I'm okay just reading them all out and then voting on them as a concern not to vote on one of them. >> Certainly if there was any discussion about one of them.
>> Yeah. >> Kind of like what we do at town meeting. >> Yeah. We can do that with warrants, too, like the because not much to discuss there. All right. >> Well, I think the warrants we should read out completely and vote on them at that point in time. Let's just
>> Well, we could read them out completely. Just do them as a group if there's a lot of them. If there's only two, it doesn't really matter. But >> I'm not trying to >> I'm trying to speed plow here. >> I I get that. But extra 10 minutes, I think it's more appropriate to read the entire thing out. your sleep. >> You young people don't need your beauty
sleep like uh slow as older people. >> I'm not retired, so I do need my sleep. So, >> yeah, I wish I was retired at this point. >> All right. So, let's see what we got here. Right. You got some stuff for warrants
minutes. Where are the common licenses? And am I missing that? That first one. >> This one. >> Yeah, right behind there. You are absolutely correct.
All right, we have a uh Kovic license for Deer Creek Farm LLC at 193 Amber Street, Grammy Master 1033. Motion is to approve that. And we also have
a license for entertainment for Jonathan and Naomi Sonic. >> Simmonic does business at Deer Creek Farm, 193 Ammer Street, Gra. And lastly,
um, Common Vic license for MAD Eats food truck 107R Carver Street Grammy Mass 01033. The motion to approve uh the two common Vic license and the entertainment license.
>> Can I just speak of the select forward? I'm sorry. The fire chief had to leave. He has not had a chance to inspect >> the food truck. the food truck. Um, and he was requesting that you hold off on issuing that. He he he originally told
Holly go forward with it, set it up, but then he is still waiting on inspections. He thought maybe this would move move thing move along and he has not been able to inspect that truck. >> Okay. >> All right. Then I will um resend my motion to approve the county license for Matt Eats
food truck. So ready. >> Okay. >> I'll second that motion. Any more discussion? >> No. >> All those in favor? >> I All righty. >> So that was the frequency. >> Correct.
>> Okay. >> Okay. And Maddie is not tabled or whatever. >> All right. A street building projects >> on the agenda. >> My turn. It says yes, update concerning
West Street building project. We already approved your poll. I hope you're happy. >> Yes, very happy. I heard that. Um, just to let you guys know, we had a kickoff meeting on Friday with the OPM architect and GC and the various players. So, the
project has started. Uh, I know the GC is meeting on Friday with the various subcontractors, I believe, in the building to start that moving. Um, we've done all the work or he's doing the work currently to get the permits and then we
have 10 days for baitment just before baitment can start pursuant to the mass laws. >> So, we are cooking with the West Street School. >> We're going with gas, huh? >> We are. And then also, I wanted to talk to you about having a
groundbreaking ceremony. Um, we're having a whole committee meeting, just a West Street committee on next week. So, I'll talk with them about it, but I'm thinking March 3rd because that's the first time the construction crews going to have their meeting
and the OPM will be coming as well as the architect. So, I don't want to make them come in sooner and be charged for that. So, if we can do it all in one day. So, I'm thinking March 3rd. >> Um, at a particular time. >> No, I haven't talked to the committee
about it yet, but that is um I know on March 3rd we there's a 10:00 meeting which I think will be switched to 11:00. >> Um, so we already have a meeting at 11 o'clock with all the players. So, we can do it before, we can do it after. I don't I don't
>> probably warmer after. >> Well, March 3rd. Yeah. Right around the corner. You're right. It'll be warmer and hopefully sunny. Um, so is there anybody in particular you want me to invite other than >> if it's in a day I may not be able to
make it but >> you will or will not >> may not. >> That's what I was hoping for. >> Got your wish. >> Not able to make it or make it. >> No. What were you hoping for? >> Him not to be there. No, I'm kidding.
Um, >> well, I mean, what time could you be there? You know what I mean? Like there should probably be a representative from the blackboard. >> I mean, should we be doing it in the middle of the day or toward the afternoon? You know what I mean? Or >> I think done in the middle of the day. The library was done.
>> Yeah. School was done in the middle of the day. >> Right. I mean it it you know because these people coming in are are workers. So we don't want them to come at 5:00. >> Yeah. I'll see what I can do if I have to help. >> I don't know. I mean I Dave's not here so we can't ask him. I don't know if he's working yet.
>> Yeah. He probably back to work. Um, yeah. I mean, if I have to take a day off, I will. >> I can figure I mean, depending what I have going on for the day, I might be able to figure slide up here for a little bit. It's not going to take long anyways. >> No. >> Is there anyone else in particular you
want me to invite? Well, we >> uh we should certainly invite our electeds, uh, Omar, Mendy, and Jake. Um, they should be invited. Um, I don't know anybody else. I
Chris >> Martin. >> Sure. >> Um, I mean, because he was a part of the projects at the beginning. Um, >> I don't I don't know. You're I can't think of anybody else personally.
>> Well, we can work on that. And if you guys think of something, send us a text. or a list and at some point I'll reach out and individually let you guys know who else we >> add to the list. >> I mean it be nice to have you know the people from the town there as well. >> Oh yeah, absolutely.
>> But it would be nice to what >> have people from the town there. I mean not just the representatives from the town but obviously town people there. >> Oh yeah, we'll publicize it. >> We'll publicize it. But um >> so with that said, I think if to Mark's point too, if a little later in the afternoon, you might get more people to
to be there versus maybe a 3:00 thing or something like that. I don't know. I'm trying to think back to the school groundbreaking and because it was MSBA, we had the we're not going to invite the treasure of the state. >> Library had the library representative.
>> Yeah. Right. Um >> this would be town because this >> Yeah, it would just be town. We should we did have uh >> the elected representatives at the time because Eric Lester was there. Uh >> Solomon Goldstein Rose I think was the rep at the time formal letter or an
email. I mean it's right around the corner so I'm not sure a letter will be opened in time. >> Yeah, I would um definitely email um and if you have a problem just let me know. >> Yeah. All right. >> All right. Thanks. It's always a pleasure to see you. And the only other
thing is I wanted to clarify when last last meeting you asked what the total on the contract was and I was thinking what the total allotted was with all the the other fees and things that we're working on. So the contract that was signed the other day was $4.985 million >> is what the contract is for
>> and the other stuff >> for the construction contract where the the rest of that money that would is set aside has to do with the architect and uh OPM and contingencies and things like that. So, >> right. >> I just want to clarify that that's what the contract was.
>> Thank you. >> Yep. >> As for 9 months, 9 months, 275 days. >> All right. Let's get it done. >> For some reason, 9 months sounds longer than 275 days. >> It does, but it's not. We >> say we're giving it's giving birth to a
town hall. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Thanks, Lyn. All right. So, discussion, possible action concerning the update hazard mitigation plan. Anybody know anything about that? >> No. Okay. I put it on the agenda, but I
guess >> you asked to put it on. >> Put it on the agenda. >> Um Kathy Leonard did sent me something. I don't uh we'll put it on the next meeting. Yes. >> Next meeting. >> I'll check in with her. >> Okay. Correspondence.
>> I don't think we have any >> departmental reports. I had to say that the department of the reports and and the minutes I say we uh just postpone that to our next meeting. So Dave's here so if he has any >> okay >> questions regards to it
>> warrants. >> Yeah, we got some of those. All right. I'll make a motion to approve warrant PR50s in the amount of $284,99759. >> I'll second that. Any discussion?
>> Nope. All those in favor? I >> I >> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number PR23 in the amount of $114,190.98. >> And I'll second that. Any discussion? >> No. >> All those in favor? I
>> I >> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 004 9S in the amount of $125,1228. >> I'll second that. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I
>> I >> We're going to have to send those back, Mark. They signed the first page. Okay. Just realized. >> Yeah. All right. I'm known for uh not making motions and not taking votes and stuff like that afterwards. So, just
Yeah. Um cover Yeah, I haven't seen one of these in a long time. >> Is that Chris's incumbrance report? Yeah, >> that's exactly what Yes. >> Yeah, >> that uh Chris has gotten that all caught up. >> Okay.
All right. >> That probably came a lot of that probably came out of the old systems. That's why it looks >> All right. I'll make a motion the select board hereby authorize the accountant to encumber into general fund $796,283
cents or 6 cents for wage and salary accounts which includes funds for all personnel submitting payroll documentation directly to the select board of $37,644.35 for the expenses and seven
7 million358,380.94 for capital. All is described more specifically below. So the list of everything below uh total capital was 7,358,380.94. The total incumbent incumbent is 8,192,58.35.
I'll second that. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I I did a lot of work. Okay. Lastly, I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 0049
in the amount of $851,25148. >> I'll second that. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? I I >> town administr report. >> Yeah. Well, a lot of it's uh focused exactly on uh what you see there. You got the incumbrance report that Chris
finished up. >> Um he filed our schedule A. He also filed a spreadsheet that needs to be done for certifying our free cash. So, that has all been submitted and we should get our certified free cash number shortly. He'll be prepared for
the auditors that come in March, April. Um, and his next big step is working on the FY27 budget. Um, so next meeting when Dave is here, we'll have to schedule some off dates for you folks to
get together with department heads to >> go over the the budget. So, the budget's due. Everybody's budget is due to uh town hall here for um Friday, March 6th, and then we'll uh get working on that from there.
I know the um the TA search committee had their first meeting last week. They have another meeting tomorrow. Um and I believe they hope to be interviewing by early March. Okay, good.
>> I know I asked you about this. Um, Forge Pond, >> Forge Pond. Um, we're waiting to hear back to try trying to schedule a meeting with Dave Desilelettes, myself, and Chris um with uh
Dave Leonard, I think his name was. >> Yep. Um to see what what we have for options. Um the Army Corps of Engineers is working on the permitting. Um the biggest thing now is what's available for grants. It does not sound
like the grants are as uh reimburseable as they used to be. >> Yep. >> Um at a quick email we got last week, but we have not met yet. Um it sounds like the max the town could get is maybe a million dollars and we're probably
looking at a $3 million dam project. So um that's just rough numbers. Uh once we have another meeting, we'll get together and I'll have Dave come in or at least him or whoever from conservation and we >> get some more numbers. But yeah, the grants are not as good as they used to
be where >> I guess at one point they it was a 2575 match or something like that back in the day. >> Everybody's running out of money, >> right? >> Yeah. It's all going on insurance. Okay. Uh anything else?
No, that's uh again, we're waiting to hear back from the insurance trust is gathering their numbers. We're trying to get some more information from others. I'm going to reach out to Beluretown and see what if they've made any decisions. >> All right. Thanks, Chief.
Okay, we're going to sign papers here for a little bit and then we're going to have an executive session. When it comes to signatures, people would probably vote yours the best. >> Oh, well, you're still talking to I just I did meet with uh Homer today. He came
Yeah, he came in to say hi. And uh I did talk to him about the the delineators. um to remind him that the DOT had talked about those in the fall and we we have to do something down at the corners or the state has to do something
>> just for information for anybody might be watching the uh the movement. Yeah, the meeting. >> Sorry. Yeah, for sure. >> Um Five Corners is >> Don't you mean for everybody watching the meeting? >> Yeah, that might be watching the meeting. >> Um Five Corners as everybody knows is a disaster in terms of traffic. I think
over the years the amount of traffic's increased, the amount of accidents seems like we almost average one a week at least. Um, and people have been critically injured. Uh, so one of the things I guess was just a request on our part that they put in
delineators which have also been called sticks, but you see them are kind of reflective. They stick up. They won't really damage your car if you run over them, but it would prevent people from taking is it the left hand? It would be if you're coming going toward Belertown, taking a left-hand turn into Dunkin
Donuts, which has proven to be disastrous for people I know like critically injured people because of that dangerous turn. So, that's something uh somebody contacted me and asked me if there's anything we could
do. I looked into it. It seems like things are already in motion. We just have to make sure that state keeps keeps up its end of the bargain. >> Correct. >> Yeah. I I mean I was on the select board obviously when this was all being planned for the DOT and the select board
was against that at that time. >> I remember that too. I think I was on >> and chief at the time was against it as well. They didn't take any of your advice. I said I told them so when we had the the closeout meeting down there they >> praised what they did. I said it was a
disaster. You paved the disaster make it did not make it better at all. Made it worse. >> D Roer was like >> and that was our concern when they're doing it too. We raised all the concerns and flags about it. >> Yep. >> Select board spoke against it. The chief of police at the time spoke against it.
>> Uh and Dave Ro spoke against it. >> And then the engineers did what they wanted and this is what we got. >> Yep. Boston bureaucrats. That's what we got. All right. So we are you ready for the next part? >> Sure. >> It'll be letter Q.
All right. I'll make a motion. Actually, that's your thing to do the chair. >> Okay. Um, so we are going to go into we're gonna I never get this right. Hang on. Let me get my little script here. We're going to enter into executive
session for, and I'll read the specifics here. Um, we're going to vote to enter executive session per Massachusetts general law chapter 30A section 21A7 to act under the authority of any general law, specifically Massachusetts
general law chapter 30A section 22F um to discuss the minutes of executive session on 12 or December 1st um 2025. Um
so we are going to leave exe vote and leave executive session of open session u to go into executive session then we will close executive session when we're done and we will open the meeting just
to adjourn. Is that okay? >> Okay. You weren't even listening. All right. So um can we have a motion to >> just need a roll call vote now? Right. You just did the motion after >> what's that?
>> After you discuss it and come out of the executive session, I need to go back into open to vote on those executive session on whether or not to release them. >> Yeah. >> So, our vote to whether to um approve the minutes is going to be done
in open session. Is that correct? >> Yeah. We don't have to do it today. I do it our next meeting. I like for and I and I say that cuz I like for David to be here too. >> I suppose it all depends on >> what the vote is. >> Yeah. >> Um how the board decides
yay or nay. um under section 22, if it's determined that they're still protected under executive session, you would then at the next meeting say that. Um
so that that's how the end of 22F reads. >> Okay. So motion to go into or no, sorry, >> just go to roll call vote. >> Okay. Bale I >> sex tonight I >> All right. So we're now in executive
session.