Pledge of >> Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. First up, we have two
appointments. One to the cultural council and one to the cemetery commission. Um, I don't think the cultural council is here. Okay, save this one thing. Um, the cemetery commissioner, we have Glenn
Durham. So, do you want to have Glenn come up and talk and embarrass him or can we just appoint embarrass him? Let him go up and talk. Come on up, Glenn. >> You're not going to embarrass him. No, you only got like a two couple weeks
left. This is going to be your last chance to embarrass people. >> I did well for nine years. >> All right. Glenn Durham is uh you want to be appointed to the cemetery commission. You want to tell us a little bit about your expertise in this matter? >> Uh yes, sir. Glen Durham, 42 North Street. We're going to be here. Um so
I've currently worked for the DPW Bel Shop for the last eight years. Uh I we do cemetery cleanups, mowing, weed whacking, uh lawn care. Um, we pretty much do everything that the barrel commission needs done. We do. Um, I've
played tractors. Um, truck and trailer expertise. No problem there. I can pretty much do everything the job requires. >> Right. Any questions? >> No. No. >> Okay. I can testify that his good character and he's a really good neighbor. >> I can tell the his neighbors at 40 North
Street >> and this position is being filled due to an un unforeseen passing of one of the current commissioners. Yes. >> Yep. All right. So, um, entertain motions at this time. >> I'll make a motion to appoint, uh, Glenn
Burum to the Oakland position on the Cemetery Commission, uh, expiring. What's the term go to? >> May 17th of 2027. >> May 17th of 2027. >> I will second the motion. >> Any more discussion? All right. All in
favor? I. Thanks, Gwen. Thank you, Do you plan on running for uh cemetery commissioner? Uh >> yes. Good. >> Okay. Uh can we have a motion to appoint Emily Moulder to the cultural council?
>> I'll make a motion to appoint Emily Moulder to the cultural council to a term expiring June 30th, 2028. >> I will second that motion. >> Any discussion? >> Discussion. >> All in favor? I. All righty.
See, so we are going to table the dispatch candidate uh to the next meeting. Uh so which brings us to the building department inspection fees. Come on up, Tom. Did you want to lower them? You wanted to you want to lower the
inspection fees. Is that >> Yeah. >> Thought Yeah, I thought that's what we talked about. So, we had I presented it back in February, I think it was. Yeah. We all think about and uh you know, there was a
few things. The um plumbing, you know, they're getting paid. >> You know, to raise that um plumbing fees were fine, but it would be the uh electrical fees going up and then just to look over if you thought the building fees had to go up. Um, so when we talked last time, at
least I felt like all the fees needed to go up. We're not um parallel with the town. We have good people. We're not able to actually keep good people because the amount of compensation is ridiculously low. So, I'm personally in favor of increasing those speeds kind of
above everybody else. >> Yeah. Uh, it's this it's pretty much the same as the last time when we discussed things. That's why you raised the >> Yes, a couple went up since then that I changed. I think Hatfield, you know, they used it in the proposal chart. Um I
don't even know if they put Hatfield in there, but uh a couple have gone up since I had done the chart. I had to change, but otherwise um you know, the other comparable ones were the same as what we had proposed last time for out there. >> Yeah, they all look similar.
>> Yeah. To to your point, I mean, it's comparable to the other towns and I mean Just like most things, things get more expensive. So, uh, you know, it does cost more to do with inspections that they be fueling just for, you know, the person going there, their time, their
fuel, and so on and so forth. So, makes sense. >> I mean, I'm I'll get the slack, you know, very few, but usually they'll say what happened, you know, with the fees going up, but it uh in the same, you know, we had revisited the um electrical 2 for that, but you know, to be
comparable. >> Yeah. I mean people deserve to make a fair wage for their work. >> Yep. >> Well, I think it the point is too that is comparable to surrounding towns and and you know we're you know above maybe a little bit below a little bit. So we're you know
kind of in the middle a lot of places too. So >> all right it's only fair. >> All right. So have a motion to approve the building department inspection fees. I'll make a motion to approve the
building department fees as presented. >> I'll second that motion. >> All in favor? I. >> All right. Thank you for coming in. Then will it just be the pay for the plum inspector? >> Oh, we need this separately. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Plumbing and gas.
>> Yes. Gotcha. >> I was trying to make this meeting go real fast. >> No, I have one more thing since I'm up here. It'll be a pain, but >> No, we want to make sure that's Otherwise, I'm going to be ducking behind a junk food rack at the pride station next time I see Mike McCain. I'm
about to have >> What was the amount again for that? >> The the plumbing gas. >> So, right now it's 35 for inspection. We're proposing to be comparable with the other 70 >> other communities. >> What other communities are on there? Because I know this is probably a
question people are going So >> they they vary. I mean some some would be but I don't I think the low on that lowest now would be 50. >> Yeah. >> So again we're we're not the highest but not the lowest. We're right in the middle. >> Right. >> I'll make a motion to approve as
presented the plumbing and gas inspection fee. >> I will second the motion. Any more discussion? >> All in favor? >> I I don't have anybody else. I don't I forgot about them. >> No. >> Okay. >> So, and the last thing would be we're
still not online payment and I know Steve's very very busy, but it's it's been a challenge. So, what other communities mainly for the plumbing because electrical plumbing do not have to put it on, but since it's not the online payment yet, we are getting feedback saying they're not any other community I've worked in eventually I'll
get everybody to do it. So until we can get this online, which would really be nice to use that all with the program, but until we can what other communities will do, and it doesn't make sense to me be doing it either or or Mike or or somebody else because then we have to
set them up, you know, set up a a password and everything for them, >> but what other communities will do for the, you know, usually there's a clerk in a bigger department, but uh charge anywhere up to $60 additional to put the permit in and then that's the only way to get around
And then the, you know, the plumber's going to say, "Oh gez, cuz it's a piece of cake. Once he signs in, you know, he or she signs in once, every time it's the same password and all their information shows up, no paper, but it's getting them initially and we're having was it three, I think, now
>> three were just having a challenge and I can see their point. They still have to mail a check in to drop it off." >> So, who's doing the what the password stuff? Who does that? >> Well, the the applicant would >> Okay. you know, basic, you know, and um I mean, years ago, it was a big challenge because plumber write in
their, you know, law, their code says they do not have to put online. You know, it has to they we have to accept paper. But once I've gotten everyone to do, never see it again. And then same with checks. Most of them are just going to pay online and Steve won't have to deal with the checks and all that once
we get to that. They'll just be me doing the turnover and checking everything as we go. and we get full, you know, full-fledged with that. >> All right. So, just to be clear, what are we >> So, it would be a fee if they do not apply online that we we could apply.
>> So, something to think about. I mean, I just wanted to throw that out for you to think about now that hopefully we're going to be online payment and I I believe I'll get every one of them to to do it online. Just, you know, kind of beg them because it's easier. Why would
we want to charge a fee if someone apply online? >> Well, the timelines. So, if really the the plumbing electrical inspector need to approve theirs. So, it's going to go through them whether they do it or I do it. It's the time to set up a a separate account for each one and keep track of
their, you know, their information. >> At what point do people's tax dollars pay for that? I so I guess I I'm bringing also in the fact that if we can kind of push Steve for the online I think I can get every one of them to do it. We wouldn't have to worry about that.
>> Okay. Um >> so I'm willing to do whatever it you know whatever it takes and the accountant said she would as well to get it because it'll be easier for her with the turnovers and not having to deal with all the checks. And the and the money and the big advantage is every two days the money's
in the town's house. It's not waiting a month or a week. Every two days I think I think they hold it by the online payment for two days. Then boom, it comes to the town to have >> and this fee would go to a homeowner, a
customer >> plumbing in have to be by the plumbing intellectuals, >> right? >> You know, not a not a homeowner. >> So, right. But the fee would be paid by who? by the plumber or the uh electrician >> and we haven't had any electrical in
months now. So it's it's just the bing >> basically it's the consumer not us two. Okay we do have >> one one up this morning. >> So if I'm an electrician I do work on someone's house or business.
So it's I'm better off to do it online because there wouldn't be a fee involved. So if I don't >> correct if I don't get the permit online and I choose to come down here then there's a fee involved. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, >> I'm I'm throwing this I don't want, you know, don't respect the suits or
anything now, but just something to think about. >> Okay, >> maybe we can push by doing this, maybe we'll push Steve a little more in that. >> All right, Kevin, did you have something? >> Yeah, last I knew Steve was working with that with the um the software company and he was trying to figure out how he
doesn't want individual deposits just $100 here, $30 here because he wants to be figure out how to track it. So, they were trying to figure out how they could group it. And I don't know where if there's a disconnect or where they're at with that, but that's what Steve was working on saying, I look, if I could
pull a deposit once a week, >> it's it's easier for him to reconcile. >> Okay. >> So, I'll double check with Steve tomorrow. >> All right. So, and we'll take that under adisement. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Jenny, are you waiting for other committee members? Not really.
>> Okay. >> Um, >> all right. Yeah, come on up. >> Hi. >> How are you, >> Jenny? Good. How are you? >> Good, thank you. >> So, I want to welcome Jenny from the communications committee. >> Yes. >> Yeah.
Um, so we put together and I think it was printed out. It should have been printed out for everybody. Um, some wording that we want to be able to submit uses postings as far as being able to put the warrants, at least the first, I think it's 20 into a little bit
more layman's terms so that more people could understand what the warrants are. Um, I did see um, uh, Mark even made some comments on it, which I 100% agree with and everything, but we're just trying to get this out as
soon as quick as possible because it's going to come up real quick. >> Okay. Um, did you guys get a chance to look at those or >> I I did. Yeah. Um the only
uh there are two things that might be issues in terms of clarity. One is article 2F. It's to enter into intermunicipal uh agreements. >> So like we're going to do cooperate with
South or Belchure Town. Um that's what that is for article 2F. That's 2F. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Article 2K. Are these are non pension
benefits? So, um there are other postemployment benefits. So, um that's different than a pension I guess is what people need to know. And article 2A, it's the Department of Transportation,
not the Mass Highway and then I anything else I the comments >> is just is uh just yeah everything I went over it again. So that's those are only two things I would put in there just for clarity sake >> the other comments that you had on it
>> and everything else can be you know if needs to be can be explained. >> So if we revise the document and everything and resend it to you would we get for instance the ability to be able to >> Did you just revise it? >> I I I will revise it and then resend it to you if you'd like.
Um I don't know if we could just do it as amended unless there's other suggestions you guys want to make. >> Well, it's going to be handed out. >> What's going be handed out of the town meeting? >> Town meeting. Yeah. >> We had talked about that last time.
>> Yes. >> Before town meeting. >> Yeah. You're hoping to be before town meeting. >> Not during town meeting the Grand Connects and everything that kind of page. >> So it's not going to be at the meeting. >> No. >> Okay. because you guys will have your hand out. >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> I mean, it's simple, straightforward. >> It's general information. >> Just didn't know if there was anything glaring that >> the only thing I recommend there should be some type of uh the word I'm looking for
disclaimer at the end. just in case information or something is not correct in there. People aren't holding us to it. >> That's a good point that it's being sent out by a committee of the town >> or something that says it's coming from
your committee. None of us just so people are aware but their committee is part of the town. So it should have some type of disper there, >> right? >> Just in case information or something's not correct. And also I think somewhere in that draft
we don't have any time that final it does say that the numbers can change. >> Yep. >> Right up to >> I did say that. >> Yep. >> So >> and I do think just make a disclaimer all the information provided is to best of our knowledge be correct at this time
or something. So >> so and it's definitely we want at this meeting because trying to establish a practice and this will do it. Anything else? Oh, >> vote to approve as amended, I guess.
>> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve as amended with no here. >> I will second the motion. >> Any more discussion? >> No discussion. >> All right. Thanks, Jenny. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? I >> Yeah, sometimes I forget things like
that. >> That's fine. >> You know what the heck? It's only a vote. >> At least it wasn't a hearing that I didn't open, >> right? >> All right. Car wash. Are you doing that? >> Uh yes. Uh Miss Pinkney from the Spanish uh she's a Spanish teacher at the high
school uh is asking to use the >> senior center parking lot this coming Saturday from 10 to 12 for car wash. Uh that's to as part of a fundraiser for her Spanish sport uh class to take a trip to a Dominican restaurant in Hoyoko.
>> Sounds good. >> A far off not too long ago or >> we approved one for Crystal Dra which was one of the classes of 27 or 28. I don't remember which. Yeah, >> I think it was a >> I think but that's a week or two.
>> I think it's the 9th or the >> 17th. >> 17th if I remember. Yes. Correct. >> As long >> as they're not on the same day, I guess. >> No, exactly. >> It's actually It's kind of cool to actually use this place on the weekend for something. >> Yeah. So, I'll ask uh if you guys approve it, I'll ask Mrs. Pinkney to reach out to Jeremy to coordinate
whatever she needs. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> No problem. Yeah. >> Uh motion to >> Good reason. >> Motion to approve that request. >> I'll make a motion to approve the request for the car wash here at the senior center. Um
what was the date for? May 2nd. >> May 2nd >> from 10 to 12. >> 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. >> And I will second the motion. >> Any more discussion? >> No discussion. >> All right. I'm all for all for clean
cars. All those in favor? >> All right. Next. Kite, come on up. I'm always wonder who's been behind the camera. >> Hi, I'm Clay Cullen. Uh, I work for Gcam. I'm the woman behind the camera
and uh, yeah, we're at 121 West State Street. Um, now I I wrote a letter to y'all. Wondering if you got it. Do you need the copies? >> Got it. Okay, great. >> Yeah, we have it. So, uh, essentially we are
asking for permission to install remote control cameras in the, uh, West Street building and the Carnegie building. Um, and the reason for this is to bring us up to speed with the surrounding towns.
And what this does is it makes production cheaper for us. So that means that Graanby gets more time spent on quality, uh, more longevity with Gcam. Um, and it also means we'll miss a whole lot less meetings. So, if someone's sick or something, we can just hit a button from home and boom, it's recorded.
>> Um, I've got some Oh, yeah. I've got some uh uh equipment that we would include uh listed here. Um, all of this is stuff that we would take
care of. Um, so we would take on responsibility for all of it. We would buy all of it. Um, we would make sure that it's safe uh and and uh work on making sure that people are comfortable with it. And we have a plan for that. Um, we worked on it with the chief and
we worked on it with we worked on it with the the prior uh TA before she left, but um we've since reconvened and come up with something more modern. Um yeah, I'm curious if you'all have any questions or are >> they let me like install those permanent fixtures?
>> That's what we're hoping. We had those meadow um elcat was ran as the town department and school committee that everything was in the ceiling. I think they might have had we might have had the um microphones there but it allowed for actually they
were able to add it better and switch between cameras that for a better product. >> Yeah, I don't have any concerns but since the chief was mentioned I'm going to switch hats for a minute. Okay. >> And I did mention that I had concerns
where shared space and people have, you know, whether if there's a light on and, you know, whether people know they're being recorded because at one point the question was doing it here was as the senior center. I had a problem with that. I don't I think if we put it in
the West Street building meeting rooms, people can should assume that there's going to be some kind of recording devices stuff. Right now, Carnegie is used as an office and other things. I personally I have a little bit of a problem with that because that's somebody's office space right now. If
when West Street moves or when when the West Street building is complete and all the offices are over in one location, people in their offices should not be being recorded. Like right now Kathy Leonard is working out of the corner over there. She shouldn't have to worry
about whether a camera is on or recording or anything else. um when you're working in your office and you know people walk in and somebody could hit a button. I know this we talked about lights and stuff like that but if somebody's not paying attention somebody's personal conversations could be being recorded and
>> that'd be a public record. >> Yeah. >> So um >> so that's why originally I suggested we hold off until the West Street building project was complete >> and then I mean I get now West Street is under under construction. this would be
the time to figure out cables and layouts and things like that. But as far as Carnegie, my personal opinion would be let's hold off until we figure out exactly what we're what if we're not even doing anything at Carnegie in the end here. I think ultimately that's the hope is having the planning board using
the meeting rooms at the West Creek building as well. So well while there's p people's personal offices or like I said when this is still the senior center I had a problem with cameras and audio and visual recording going on when
people may not know what's happening. >> Okay. >> Yes. So >> so we just did a multi-million dollar camera uh installation in Chabe for the school systems and the chief is correct.
You cannot put them in workspaces. Okay. >> So there's not a single camera in any workspace. >> My whole entire workspace has a >> a little bit different. >> Wonder why that is. >> A little different situation. Maybe Glenn.
>> Hopefully you don't work from home. >> Um yeah, personal workspaces. They didn't allow them to put them in. So, um, but at Carnegie, um, would they be remote just to ask the questions or would you have to run Cat 5 or Cat 6 to them? And >> yeah, so we'd like to we could do it
either Cat 5 or over Wi-Fi. Um, we're wondering if you would be willing to let us use your Wi-Fi that you have in the buildings, but we also can use something else if that's not uh going to work for you. >> Uh, the only reason I ask is because obviously you're not going to get into the walls to pull cabling.
>> No. So it would have to be surface mounted if you needed to do that. So I would think if you are going to do it, if it happens, remote would be the way to go. So we don't have to look at stuff hanging all off the walls and all that stuff. >> But to the chief's point again, if if we
get to the West Street building and we can accommodate everybody there, then why do it at all? >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean be at before G started speaking as I was going to kind of really talk about I think that's exactly what you said you both you said I don't think Carne Hall should be investing
things in there right now to the point that's the whole purpose of the West Street building being renovating the work being done there um and also you know when that comes time too we got to look at you that's not town property that they want to put
stuff in there too so that's something that's got to be looked at as well >> could say more about it not being town property. >> Well, she can do the camp on town cuz not town property. So, >> yep, they can be, you know, that's going to be a fix to wall and stuff like that. So, things that Yeah. look at school
department >> or other places, all those camera systems, everything in wall belongs to the city or the town. >> Correct. >> So, I mean that may be down the road something that we look at as a town to invest in that. >> Okay. questions or comments?
>> Um, yeah. I mean, what you're saying about Carnegie sounds great, especially if you know, no one's going to be in there, then yeah, let's not install them there. Um, but, uh, I'm wondering if you would be willing to go to give us permission to go ahead with um, at least
planning a project for the West Street rooms. Uh, and um, yeah, >> I'm in favor of it. I think it's I mean, we're just doing it for the meeting spaces. We're not doing it for the, you know,
>> I I mean, I'd have our our town councils look at it. Again, this isn't it's not something that's owned by the the town be put in there and their cameras and it can be a we talk about before about privacy and things like that. >> You know, it could just be someone in that room at some point in time just having a conversation with someone by
accident. The camera almost situation. So, things to look at. We'll try to send this letter to Brian and see see what he thinks about it. Check with >> We'll send it to town council and um >> Yeah. So, we're not you're not pulling
wire. This is all all uh wireless. Okay. So, it's not Well, that might be wired >> at West Street. It wouldn't matter because it'll be new drop ceilings most likely. So, they pull cabling above the ceilings. >> Okay. too. >> Probably best if Brian says okay, we can
come back, talk to the board, and then probably refer Kite to the West Street building committee to kind of coordinate with the >> um contractor. >> Yeah, that would be great. >> And we're flexible, too. Like doing it wired would be a little cheaper for us, but also if you're like, we don't want
to see any wires, you know, we can figure something out with that. Um, and uh, if you're like, you know, having a physical installation won't work, having perhaps a a permanent camera set up there, >> something like that, we're happy to work with. >> I think that's great because you can
have cameras from different angles and things like that. I think a lot of meeting rooms and newer >> facilities and towns or cities have that, like I said, but then again, a lot of that they're owned by a particular city or town. So, >> Mhm.
>> All right. Cool. Thank you. >> Thanks y'all. >> You got ice cream. Okay, we have a common dip license for uh Brent and Russo. Russo >> is it Russo?
>> Russo doing business at Mr. Bees Kell 75 Harrington Street Chick Mass 1020. Um this is going to be for charter days. So let's make popcorn. Sell popcorn.
>> Cut off corn. Yes. >> I'm in favor of popcorn. >> I ran on that. Actually, it was part of my platform. Popcorn. Secland. I'll second the motion. >> Uh, any discussion? >> No discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I I
was having a hard time. Thanks, sir. I'm looking at it. I'm trying to figure it out. I know. All right. Uh, next item is mine. Um given the difficult uh budget
that everybody in surrounding towns is going through and that we are likely to go through some sort of budget turmoil by the next fiscal year, I thought it would be good for us to do a ask the department of uh local services from the
do to do a municipal financial review of the town. So basically is like they would examine the systems in the town. That's not an audit um which we already have done by an auditor but it would look at are we do we have in place the
right system um and are the is it the best system the best practices. So we did this once before but that report is lost to uh history was actually done before I was on the board last time. So doesn't cost us
anything. And who comes in Mark >> department? It's they're from the DS. >> Somebody from the Department of Revenue. >> The DLS is a division of local services and they're they're division of the Department of Revenue. >> So non-binding. It's
>> free, which is also my favorite price. >> Yeah, I think it's helpful a new town administrator and you want to look at best practices. Why not? >> Sure. Good. I can agree with that. Um,
ch you want to make a motion to West or you want me to make a motion with this? >> I make a motion to allow uh chair Mark Bale to reach out to uh do the original local services and request a financial
review with town of Grand. >> I will second that motion. Okay. Any more discussion? >> No discussion. All >> in favor? Hi. >> Okay. Very good. >> Um, next up, contract for timber
removal. Um, people were not happy when um, due frame was forested. Was it last year or two years ago? >> Two years. >> Two years. Um, there is going to be more coming down on the rest of the park. I don't know that it's going to be as
extreme as it was on the other side, but everything's been looked at. Um, we've got a decent amount of invasive species and disease in the trees, and they'll be taken down before they fall down.
Anybody's been on that side of the park? I mean, I haven't I haven't hiked that in a while, but there was a good three foot diameter hemlock that came down across trail four or five years ago and it was there for quite a while. And that's the kind of thing that the
forestry will uh prevent from happening. >> Well, it does. The gentleman that was here before, you know, talked a lot about it and the benefits to it. It just allows the the force that they continue and grow and bust. That's the whole
purpose behind it. >> Agreed. And I did read through the contract. It looks identical to the one we signed a year and a half ago or two years, whatever it was, uh, with the same payment schedules and same people involved. So,
>> all right. >> Take a motion. Everybody's ready. I'll make a motion to approve the Kimber removal contract. I will second that motion. >> Any more discussion? >> No discussion. >> All those in favor? I >> Okay. Next up,
>> acting town administrator O Grady. >> Yes, sir. Uh the you decided in December not to renew the contract of the current senior services director. Uh I just wanted to know if you wanted me to start moving forward with having you guys take
a look at the job description maybe for the next meeting and posting the job. Uh, yes, please. If we could do that, that'd be great. Okay, we in agreement. >> Yeah, we're fine with that. >> All right. Um, I thought we should we
should switch J and K on the agenda. Um, so I don't know. Should we >> I'm fine with that. >> So we we'll do K first and then we'll move to J. >> Okay. >> Um, so um, just so everybody knows,
we're going to move the discussion item, annual town meeting funding and article explanations. We're going to move that up to the next position and then we're going to follow up with town administrator position decision. >> Hello, Madam Chair. >> How are you? >> Oh, good.
>> Do you have the warrant in front of you? >> So, my idea for today was to go through the articles on the warrant. um point out the ones that you guys will be responsible for, figure out which one of you wants to um present the motion, as
well as be ready for any questions and discussions. I know the motions haven't been drafted yet. I'm not sure who you think is going to get the motions, but I can tell you as we go through these the funding sources, or at least I
know what the vote is going to be for the most part, >> okay? meaning majority or two/3. >> So is that all we're going over today or what do we or we're not going over >> because I'm not sure if you're meeting again before town meeting. Are you meeting again? >> Um >> Monday. >> Next Monday the fourth, correct? >> Yes.
>> Yeah. I don't know if I'll take your word for it. >> Remind you. >> Next Monday the Monday. >> Well, we can do that. Do this then or do it now? >> No, we should do it now. >> I mean, I I don't know when the motions are going to be drafted. So, >> no, we should do it. We should do it
now. Everybody's here. I've read it like over at least twice and made comments. So, >> all right. So, article one is a select board. Who wants to uh to move article one meeting? So, >> Oh, you're not going to be there? >> No.
>> Wait, you're not there. Glad. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, >> it would be Dave or Mark. I mean, I will move article one. >> So, I'm on vacation. >> Oh, yeah. >> Now, we talked about this, didn't we? >> We did. >> All right. >> You weren't happy then either.
>> All right. >> All right. So, Dave will do article one. Article two is the consent agenda, which basically means you're going to be reading 2A through 2K. Um then we'll move it as a group of course
unless somebody calls out any of the articles. Um which >> well there's going to be discussion on 2 I and 2J. No question. Well 2 I >> is that a pathfinder? >> Yeah, >> it's going to be some explanation.
>> Someone's going to ask why it increase so much. >> Um yeah, that and they just there's almost always a question about that. Well, so regardless, whatever ones get pulled out, they get pulled out. Um, but one of you has to be responsible for reading the motion under the consent
agenda, which would be article two. >> All right. >> Until uh art three. >> What article we going through? >> We're going What article are we going until 22? >> I'm sorry. On May 11th, it's 2 through article 20. >> 20.
>> Okay. >> And then 21 through 32 was the next town meeting. Okay. So, we doing all all of them >> tonight if you want to. I I just assume we're just doing the first half, but we >> Okay, that's fine with me. >> Doesn't matter to me. >> Um, you want dibs on any of them, Dave?
>> Well, do you know which ones you are you're responsible for? That was my point. So, so you're you are responsible for the consent agenda. So, who wants to do that? >> Who wants to read? >> I don't really care. Well, whoever reads it hasn't been ready
to >> I'll be I will do that one >> just because it's long and annoying and >> I'm short and annoying, I guess. So, we have something in common. >> All right. >> All right. So, I got two. I'll do one and two. >> Okay. And that's a majority.
>> I have one. >> No, Dave has one. >> Oh, >> I'm opening with one. You got two. >> Article three is a 2/3 vote. that's going to be borrowing. And as for an emergency generator, I'm assuming the school department's going to be presenting that.
>> Uh, no. I think we would because that's us using our e that's our emergency shelter right at the high school. >> It is. Holly, have we heard any more? I know they put this out to bid and we may be able to knock that down. We may not have to do this because one of the bids
came in. >> It came in. Yeah. Really? right where >> they were they were they had concerns they got they they they got some proposals last year they went for about 106,000 I believe the number was off the top of my head and I uh and then I
suggested to Todd to put it out he was working with whoever gave him the original quote and that's where he thought they were going to be 25,000 short or whatever that uh yeah 25652 but they bid it out the bids came in right before I went on vacation and I believe they came in right around 100 so we may
not be have to do that But I know Todd was still comparing making sure the bid was everything was accurate. So I will double check with him and hopefully have an answer for you. >> So there's money already. >> So we might not need this. >> We may not we may not need that. >> So we might be withdrawing article. >> Correct.
>> There's money already allocated for it >> for the project. We thought he thought it wasn't going to be enough and I think now it is. >> Okay. >> So it may be omitted. >> Yeah. Let me check with Todd. >> All right. So get back to me on that. But I if it is not going to be
withdrawn, you're saying Mark, this would be a select board motion. >> I think so because it's um it's the emergency power is not for generators, not for the really for the schools for a town function of a emergency shelter. >> Babe, you want it?
>> Yes. Yes, that's fine. >> Of course, it may be withdrawn and if that's the case, then I'll go through that separately with you how to do that motion. >> Yep. Uh, article four is a chief, so you don't have to worry about that. It's a majority.
And by chief, I mean police chief. >> You don't mean assistant town, acting town administrator or Brady. You mean Chief O'Grady. >> I mean Chief Ogdy. >> I'm only going to be able to say that for another couple weeks, I think. >> Not the acting team. >> It works out. >> We are the one that's saying, right? >> Yeah.
>> Article five will be uh Dave de Roer. I believe it's a dump truck. So it's a and it's twothirds. It's a borrowing. Article six is a transfer from free cash I believe and it's a majority and that'll be cemetery department. >> Would that be Glen Durham? Is that what
you just did tonight? >> No. Um >> well could be it's Glenn just got on and then it's um >> Gord Gordon nightly and >> Matt tip uh skip >> I mean I mean the board can present it if there's any questions
>> they can we can present it. >> Yeah. >> I just need to know what the carts for. I mean I can guess but >> it's to move dirt away from the grave site until >> the services are done. Then they can move it back. I guess my understanding when I watched when I was at the um
capital improvements they right now they use an old old tractor. >> Okay. >> In a cart and it uh and this one just the tractor can't pull the trailer anymore and >> Yep. >> So then you want the board to present it, not the cemetery commission. >> We'll do. Yeah.
>> Okay. So Mark >> Y. >> Okay. That's a majority. Article 7 would be for the Veterans Memorial Pavilion. It's going to be 2/3 because it's for borrowing. >> I'll take that. Just >> that would be someone from the veterans.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Um, >> who would do that? >> Uh, I think Jason Richard is planning on doing it. >> Okay, Jason's going to go. >> Article eight is uh fire department. It's 2/3. So, Chief Bryant. >> Yep. And just because somebody might be
listening, the it's not for uh four-wheeling. It's for ATV is for rescues. And in this day and age, we're now experiencing forest fires and we need to get off-road for things. So, >> they have an alter vehicle now. I think
it is I think it's about 15 years old he said and it does it served its purpose over time but it was um they can't get enough people up that to help work on rescue people sometimes because of the size of it >> I'm sure that'll be part of this
discussion >> right >> yeah we're looking to gift this to actually to the police department in li of a police cruiser >> well the the scary part about it I remember this came up a town meeting originally I can't believe it's been 15 years. >> Well, actually, I believe in the association, I believe, bought the first
one, they gave it out of town. Yeah, >> I remember when the whole when they when they got it and everything. >> Wow. >> Article 9 is also Chief Bryant. It's a 2/3 being borrowed and it's for the uh another UTV all-terrain vehicle. >> No, it's for a trailer for
>> the trailer. >> Oh, the trailer. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> That's a that's an enclosed trailer. And um honestly I told him at some point, you know, when we have some larger evidence uh items, it may be nice to
have something like that because when we raided one of those houses, we're using we're driving down the street with weed in the back of a dump truck. Okay. >> So Dave Dave and uh building maintenance was great to help us out, but you know, maybe a little more practical if we had
a >> Yeah. Yeah. It's like a little less chichin ch. >> Exactly. Exactly. Uh, article 10 is also Chief Bryant. It is 2/3. It'll be borrowing, I believe. >> Yeah. >> And that's for the radios. >> Sure. We can figure out what that means. Yep.
>> Article 11 is 2/3. It's for lights at the Grammy Library. And that's going to be Jeremy. He's the one requesting that. >> Okay. >> 12 is also Jeremy uh for zero turn MER
and that's a majority. Okay. >> Article 13 is also a majority and that is for flooring. >> So that'll be chief of >> not acting TA just chief of >> Okay. This is parquet flooring. >> Yes.
>> I know it's a majority one. >> That's a majority. >> Yeah. Yeah. What is >> actually Jeremy put the request in but I can do it too. Either one. >> Oh. Um either one. >> Can you just say >> Yeah. Yeah, the dispatch flooring is >> 15 years old and the wear and tear is finally catching up to it cuz it's a
it's a floor. It's a floating floor and it has tiles over it because all the internet cables and stuff and start starting to peel up and stuff where the water got between the cracks and >> Okay, >> I can have Jeremy do it cuz I'll be up there for the two. So >> either way,
>> okay, article 14. >> Yes, ma'am. is also Jeremy requesting money for moving office furniture from any uh from the annex and here into West Street building. That is a majority.
>> I don't want anything to do with these two personally. I don't uh not sure how I feel about them. Uh but >> well, it's a um yeah, the request is coming from Jeremy. It is a a municipal
cost because even if it wasn't going into West Street, it'd be going into another building in town. So, it's a moving cost regardless of where it's going because we're shutting down the index. Article
15 is for the network infrastructure and that would be the select board presenting that. >> I'll take the majority. I'll take that one. >> Article 16 is a majority. It's the Smith folk. >> Yeah, I'll do that
>> amount majority. Um, does the SL board normally do it or does someone from Smith folk show up or is it Pathfinder? >> No, Pathfinder, the guy's usually there. I usually do the I usually do it and he's just there in case >> is a relatively new. >> No, it's been going. I was on the board last time. It just has grown. Yeah,
>> I think it was started with one student. >> So, you want to do that one? >> Yep. >> Article 17 is a select board. It's a majority and it's funding the general purpose stabilization fund. So, 17 and 18
>> and 19 are all majorities and they're all select board articles moving money from free cash into one of the three stabilization funds. Uh, >> I can do those. I'll just take it all. if you want. >> Well, I mean, we can break them up so you don't have to read it all.
>> So, let um Dave, I'll put you 119. >> Okay. >> And I'll put Mark on 1718. >> Okay. And then the last one for the first half of the annual town meeting is
a majority, but it is the sponsor of the petition to change >> the Massachusetts flag and seal. Uh from what I understand, the petitioner will not be in town and they have asked someone else who's on the list of
signers to present it. So, I will have to get that woman's email and let her know that she will be presenting. >> Do you know who that is? >> Gwen. >> Okay, just email me. I'll get it to you. >> Okay. Yeah. So, she would be responsible
for um presenting and discussing it, explaining it. Um and I will need permission from the town to allow her allow her to speak. >> No, she lives here. Um, >> she's a resident.
>> Uh, yeah, let me look that up. I mean, there's something that has to be done from a um procedural standpoint, which I'm drawing a blank on. >> Yeah, but >> Well, this is to put it on the ballot, isn't it? >> This is No, this Well, this is to tell our
legislators that >> to put on the ballot, I thought. That's all I >> No, it's already been put on the ballot approved and um they're already working on it. >> It's just adding to the amount of states that have approved it in the last >> 20 years.
>> Oh, so they're just looking for more approval. >> Yeah, >> because it hasn't passed hasn't gone forward. >> Yeah, they're looking at it. I mean, if it's already on the ballot, why? >> No, it's not even It's already been It's >> It's in motion. I guess they're looking
for >> support. Look for support. Hasn't hasn't gone through the housing setting yet. >> No. Yeah. No, it's like they're already in the design stage. They have like >> Well, they have a design >> 10 or 15 designs. >> The special commission that it's been around for years. They they they they
put together a special commission who recommended a complete revision of the sale flag and model in May of 22. >> Yeah. and they are asking the towns to agree with them so then they can take the next step and actually make the change.
>> Thank you. >> Uh so it's adopting a resolution. >> Yeah, it's basically getting the town to support it. >> I think there's like 40 towns that have already supported it, maybe eight that have not. Don't quote me on those numbers.
>> Okay. >> Okay. So that's the first half of the annual town meeting. >> All right. So after that I'll come back. >> It'll be good to see you again >> to do the second half. >> Excellent. >> So we'll see you tomorrow. What time? >> Oh, okay. So switching hats now to the
uh >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So tomorrow is the groundbreaking. People are confused. Some people think it's a ribbon cutting ceremony, but there is no ribbon cutting yet. We're just breaking ground to start the renovations. Starts at 10:00 a.m. >> Uh
>> and that's a metaphorical breaking ground, right? Yes, because we already started breaking ground, but it was too cold to actually have a groundbreaking ceremony. So, we waited till it was spring weather to actually bring people to celebrate the groundbreaking. So, yes, the pros of the
renovation, we're in we're in the middle of it. Absolutely. >> Okay, >> great. >> So, see you tomorrow. >> Who's coming? Are you both coming to all three of you? >> I'll be there. >> I'm going to be there. I don't know if I'm >> You'll be there. I Yeah, you will be there. >> Yeah. I just didn't RSVP. You can count
on me. I don't think so. >> Okay. All right. Do any Do either of you plan on speaking? >> You want me to speak? I'll speak. Let's go. It's up to >> you. I'll volunteer Mark to speak. >> And I have a >> He's singing a national anthem. >> I do have a spiel a speech that I'm going to put forward and I was going to
ask uh Senator Leair if he wants to speak. I don't know if he does. He will. Um >> I'll talk to you in the morning. >> Okay. So, >> thank you. >> I'll I'll keep it short to >> Yeah. Thank you. Is not you might kick me anyway. >> Thank you, Lyn.
>> I know she's done it before. Um, all right. Thanks. So, here we go with that. So, with no without any further delay, we are going to discuss and come to a decision
on uh who offer a contract to town administrator? >> No, that's for the negotiations part. >> All right. I might not know what day it is, but sometime I do know a couple of things. >> Um, so >> we'll mix it up. That's
>> So we interviewed three people. Um, >> do you have your three names off hand? >> Uh, it off my card. >> It was Steven. >> That's okay. Doug, >> Stephen, >> Steve, >> I just didn't want to strip the last
Ronald Depant. >> Yeah. and uh Doug Newton. Okay. >> When you guys are ready, we can start. We're good. >> Yeah. We knew a lot. Didn't have a lot of experience, but actually knew uh quite a
bit and had the right seem to have the right skills. And then I still don't know the guy's name from Greenfield, but he also seemed like he had a very good amount of experience. In my opinion, I would like to see um us offer start
negotiations with Ron Aanti who was um had some town administrator experience. He was a select board member in Belchuretown and he was on the finance committee. Uh he impressed me with the detail of his knowledge uh when it
came to the financial aspect of things. He also had a career in private sector and business with it I believe. So he would be my nominee for the job. >> So uh >> Ron Aante would also be my number one
pick for the position uh based on his lifetime of experience throughout municipalities with budgets with handling departments and working with department heads. Um, I was very impressed with all of the
experience of all of them, but I think he has the most municipality experience behind him. Um, I did also like uh Doug, the young man that was here. Um, but I don't believe I think he's more on a
state level and not um as adept in the municipality end of things, which is obviously a smaller level, but he would have to, I think, you know, work with the town to get back to that state level. Now, having all those state um
reps, kind of rubbing shoulders with them for all these years, as many as he has, it's to his advantage, but I don't think he has the experience that we need um to run the town. He would be my second pick.
>> All right. um to you stated. Um I like um Ronald Leonte. I think he I think he he checks all the boxes for what we need. >> Yeah. And I have to say I wouldn't hire
anybody based on where they live, but he lives in Beluretown, so he has the familiar familiarity with Graanby. And also Belure Town is similar to Wouldn't say we're identical. and they're certainly larger, but I um I feel like he probably has a good idea of what
Graanby's is like and what a small town running a small town is like. So, if there is not further discussion, we I call for a motion. >> Yeah, I make a motion that we offer
Ronaldo Leante the position of town administrator. >> I will second the motion. >> Any more discussion? I will say that we do uh make a phone call this evening. It's going to have we uh the acting town administrator of Brady reach out to him
and let them know so it comes from us first. >> Yep. >> Could you also reach out to the other guys? >> We can do that tomorrow. Yep. >> Yep. Thank you. Um and just um paying attention to the agenda for a minute. We will um go into executive session at the
end of the regular meeting to prepare for negotiations >> with our prospective administrator >> and I would ask prior to doing that if um Kevin can reach out to him beforehand to see if he's willing to accept the
position before we go into negotiating the contract. >> So um >> I think that makes sense because he's not interested. Correct. >> Yes. >> So, so move forward if he's okay with that, we can >> move into effective session to go over
what a contract would look like for him >> to want to take a great >> brief recess. So, can we make the phone call? >> You want me to do that? I can do that. >> Why don't we vote? We haven't finished the vote yet. >> You guys are so picky of the votes. >> So, I motion a second. We discussed now
it's >> All those in favor? >> I I >> Okay. And we will now take a >> I'll make I'll make a motion we take a brief recess for five minutes. >> Five to 10 minutes. >> Second the motion. >> All those in favor. >> All right. How much fun was that?
>> Call the meeting back to Oh, back in session. Is that what you call it? >> Yes, we're back. >> Not back to order. Whatever. >> Okay. >> I placed a phone call to Mr. Ponte. He is very excited and said he'd love to enter negotiations for the position as
town administrator. >> Awesome. Wonderful. Good. >> Told him I'd reach out back tomorrow or next day once I have some more information and move forward. >> All right, great. >> It's kind of antilimatic, but I was expecting like a big I don't know. It's
just There it is. That's our big news. >> We could go back to one of our agenda items. >> Sure. >> Which was the uh the timber removal. >> Yep.
And I'm looking at the contract. Looks like I have a signature for one person. So, I don't know if we want to have the chair sign it or have the acting town administrator sign it.
>> I don't think you can fit his time more there. >> Do you remember? I >> like it. >> Say Crystal signed it. Yeah, I still >> I think I think I think it was >> I think I was sign. >> All right. So, I'm going to make a motion that we authorize that the uh the
chair Mark Bale to sign the timber removal contract. >> I will second the motion discussion. All those in favor? >> I >> There you go. Second. >> And date the top two. >> Um please >> up at the top.
>> Yeah. Well, that's the date. Um, so the was the >> 27 the seller, >> correct? >> We have Yes. People are purchasing. I had figured that out if Well, I already put it in the wrong spot, but
you >> want another coffee? >> Certainly do. This is why I never like applied for a lot of jobs cuz I could never put my name in the right spot. You know, you'd think after like 50 years of >> You just need the back page. Correct. >> I just need the back page. Yeah. >> Yeah. But when he puts something in the
wrong spot and then he put the next thing in the wrong spot. >> Yeah. He got in trouble at that. >> So the seller is the town of Graanby, >> I assume, right? >> Yes. Yes. Selling the the lumber. Okay. Yeah. Can I get a witness?
>> You want me to witness it or? >> Yes. >> Thanks for catching all the details, Glenn. >> No problem. That's what I'm here for. >> After another week. Dave's pretty good with the details, stuff.
>> Dave is very good with the details. >> I think we can all agree I'm not good with the details. All right, so we're up to correspondence. Is that correct? There it is. Anything
interesting that correspondence? >> Oh, I'm sorry. No, I did not have anything. >> All right, good. That's what I like to hear. Less is more. >> Departmental reports. >> I'll make a motion to approve the
departmental reports. >> I will second the motion. >> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> All in favor? I >> I now I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from October 15, 2025. >> I will second the motion.
>> All in favor? I >> built a little warrants. These aren't search warrants, right? >> No. >> Okay. >> Well, you're thinking it should be absolutely nothing. I was going to say unless you're a judge or a clerk of courts that I didn't know about then uh
no looking at me and I was like okay maybe like >> I thought you looked at me I'm like you're working on those. What am I uh >> I ain't got know where I'm looking. >> Did I miss something? >> All right. That was an unwarranted discussion.
Do you want back one? Sure. I'll just keep my bowl. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> I think I've seen this many warrants in a long time. >> I was saying the same thing when I got them all. All right.
>> Do you want to do them as a consent warrant instead of individually and voting on all of them >> because there's not going to be any discussion on it? >> Okay. Well, I'll tell you what. I'll read through them and if anybody has ever discussion, I hope they can stop at that point. >> Okay. Okay. >> Sounds good.
>> All right. >> I'll verify them as you read through them. All right. >> All right. I'll make a motion to approve the following warrants. PR number 50 in the amount of $138,932.39 warrant D66
in the amount of $420,739.91. Warrant number PR053 in amount of $112,448.71 cents. Warrant number PR65 in the amount of $110,65029. Warrant number PR65S
in amount of 297,46549. Warrant number PR32 in the amount of 130,17043. Just this notice that post date was uh November 21st, 2025. So see
warrant number PR59 in the amount of $111,365. Warrant number 064S in the amount of $396,798. Warrant number 064 in the amount of $233,91.79. Warrant number PR062
in the amount of $122 937.38 warrant D63 in the amount of 90,226 warrant number PR 26S in amount of 109,00
$79.50 warrant number PR29 in amount of $129,361. warrant number PR 56 in the amount of $118,76761. And last, warrant number PR062S
in the amount of $285,78.38. >> How much? I will second the motions. >> All right. Any discussion? I thought PR65 was a little bit, but I'm gonna I'm gonna go with it. All right. All's in favor. >> I
>> Did you add a couple, Holly? Because there was a couple. >> There were a couple that I didn't find. So, >> I thought this meeting was going to take forever. I mean, we're not quite over. We still got the executive session, but it was pretty good.
Thank you. Your name must be just a little bit shorter than mine cuz you're just a little bit quicker. >> Well, yours is much better. Your your penmanship is so much better. I think it's because you spend more time on it. >> Catholic schools
having two aunts that were always correct. They were also teachers. >> Did you go to Catholic school? >> I did for a few years. Yeah. >> Where did you go? Caro in it. Oh, yeah. My cousin went there.
Well, just take a break from silent. Thank you. Mhm. Okay, your your comment is definitely better than mine at this point. I can't read my own writing, but if anybody needs a prescription,
just give me a pat. You're good to go. Jesus too. Yeah. Last one. You both have better handwriting than they uh actually took my time. That would be very legible. And apparently I have the longest name.
I don't know. You guys are probably pretty close. I definitely Yeah, I don't have none of my names are short. What's your middle name? Like Arthur? Probably the bad thing for me was I got in the habit of putting my middle
initial on all my signatures and now I can't stop myself. I do it everywhere. >> Oh, >> yeah. I because my name's Schwarz. I was just throwing my L. Lots easier to type and it is right.
I'm getting tired. So, you can do it. I know you can. >> Yeah, it just gets messier as it goes on. >> I I wasn't even getting my L's to look like an L. Just like >> did not even look like my regular L. >> You got
all right. Acting town administrator. Oh, Grady. Do you have a report? >> No, I think I gave you basically everything as we were going through the uh the meeting that I had. I was on vacation last week. So, >> how was it? >> It was awesome. >> Sure. Was more interesting than mine. I
got I got three yards of uh long dumped in my front yard. >> Oh, yeah. No, I didn't do that. I still have a good time. >> All right. So, very good. So, we are going to now go into executive session. will return only to um adjourn the
regular meeting. So, >> all right. I'll make a motion we go into executive session per Massachusetts general law chapter 30A subsection 21A number two to conduct strategy session and preparation for negotiations with
non union personnel. minutes will be for contract negotiations with our new appointed uh town administrator Rob. >> I will second the motion. >> All right. All those in favor? I
>> I a call vote. >> Oh yeah. Thank you. So what am I going to do without you? Dave, you can have you got one. >> Be a lot on your shoulders. >> I was waiting for you. >> I bi >> sexi. >> All right. Here we go.