Rise for the pledge of allegiance. 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. It's always a good day when we have a
poll hearing. Come on up. >> State your name for the teenth time for the record. >> My name is Torren Hamilton, distribution design engineer for National Grid. >> Okay. Um, go ahead, Torren. So, um, 163
Kendall Street are installing solar and they're upgrading their wire size from pole to pole on 2828-1. So, we just need to get a stump pole on the other side of the street to balance the load. >> All right. Um, I probably should have opened the hearing, too.
>> Yeah. >> So much for technicalities. Um, okay. Well, I called this meeting to order. Um this is hearing has been published, posted and mailed to all parties as required by law. Um Paul, you
can confirm that, right? >> Yes. >> All right. Um so purpose is to provide all affected persons an opportunity to present oral written testimony for or against the application proposal. All testimony and evidence submitted will become part of the official record um
upon which a decision will be based. Um I'm not going to make you repeat yourself here. >> Appreciate it. Um, so is there anybody who would like to ask questions or speak on this? Um, could just say your name for the record, please. >> Hi, my name is Tom Midler at 162 Kendall. Um, where the where the poll
would go in. Um, I just wanted to ask uh so right now my existing lines go to the existing pole off of my house across the street, pole 20 there. And uh they're currently very low because it's such a long run. So, my question is, would my
lines be connected to this new pole, uh, which would raise them up because, uh, they've been taken out by hate trucks going down the street a couple times over the last few years. So, I love to get my lines a little higher, and if this would help with that, I uh, >> yeah, I would be okay with it, but if if
not, then not be okay. >> Okay, Torm. >> Um, yeah. So, your lines will still be connected to pole 28, but we are increasing the height of it along with this project. So, your lines would go up about 5 ft.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> All right. All right. If there's no more commentary, questions, or anything, we will close close the hearing. Thank you. And
uh >> close the public part of the hearing. >> Close the public part of the hearing. All right. I should let you guys do this here. Um, all right. So, we're ready to vote. >> Yeah, I don't have any issues with it. >> No, I'm okay with that.
>> Still want to make motion approve. >> Well, I have a motion to allow um National Grid that's placing a pole at Fandle Street. The address is going to
be 163. Do >> I hear a second? >> I'm sorry. Second motion. >> It's all right. I'm more off the ball anymore. So, >> no more discussion. Uh, all those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Torren, I guess we'll see you for the next eight or 10 weeks or something.
>> I look forward to it. >> All right. Okay. >> Are we going to just proceed in the order of them? >> I would say so. Yes. >> Okay. Um, >> yeah. >> Citizen participation. >> Oh, Crystal's,
>> but she also has the She's on there. >> Well, yep. I'm sorry. Can you wait a few, Crystal? You're down the list. >> All right. Um, so we have the fiscal year 27 budget. We're going to set the fiscal year 27 budget sewer rates and
talk about the fiscal outlook. All right. Good afternoon, gentlemen. >> Welcome, Chris Martin. Good to see you. >> Okay. First thing I want to say is that you
have a balanced budget, not requiring an over. Yes. >> Okay. Good to hear. Again, I was asked to put together a budget for FY27 as the current interim town
administrator. While he's exceptional at his own budget for his own department was felt a little intimidated by doing it for the whole time. Um, basically like I said, it is a balanced
budget. It is uh not requiring an override and there is some borrowing for large a lot of the large uh capital projects but we
made it through one more year. >> Uh I know the schools are probably going to be looking for additional money based upon some documents that I've been hearing about. um they feel I gave I was able to
appropriate or assign $500,000 of free cash for an above minimum contribution that we've been doing for the last few years. Uh I believe a number I've heard out there is they are going to be about $700,000 short of what they are looking
for. We do not have that type of money available. Period. Unless you want to put an override together for that figure, but that would be a call of this board.
>> This is town business. >> No, that's >> I'm not making a bet. >> Oh, that's town business. That's fine. Uh, so any questions on the budget or any of the numbers I put together? >> Nope.
>> I haven't honestly haven't gone through it by item by item. Know if we're going to do that tonight or not, but >> I feel Mark we just discussing that. >> Thank you. I feel right on the ball tonight. Oh,
>> that's okay. >> All right. >> If there is no questions. And usually what we do prior to the uh holding of the annual town meeting is you set the sewer rates for the upcoming fiscal year
based upon the budgeted numbers that we put together. Um, right now we are looking at for the community septic system users to go from 335 per
edu per year for the five corners portion of the sewer to go from $84 per year per ED edu to $857
per year or per edu per year. And for the houses that are on the South Hadley line to go from $450 per .edu to 500. Um the biggest change in this budget was
South Hadley raising the sewer use fee from $450 to $500 per heal. Uh for the increase for the community septics, it's a 0.59%
increase. For the five corners users, it's a 6.59% increase. And for the South Hadley users, it's an 11.11% increase. And the total budget increased 8.76%
over FY26. >> Chris, what were the first uh dollar amounts you gave? >> If the that is for the community septic users >> um in the be the first one um was that did that was were the three and I missed one or I just got confused. >> There's three rates.
>> What the first rate? >> One is going from 335 to 337. That is for the community septic system users. >> Okay. And then the next one is going from 804 to 857.
And the third one is going from 450 to 500. >> Okay. >> And and what was the uh what did South Hadley raise? >> They raised the sewer user fee. >> Yep. >> Okay. And that's going from 450 to 500.
>> 500. Thank you. >> I got you here. There was a question that came up early in the year and I don't know if it makes any sense but if anybody knew the answer you would. Why doesn't Sal just bill our people directly for the sewer? >> They don't have the authority to build those. >> Okay.
>> And actually the only bills they receive from South Adley is for the fire district tax but that is actually issued by our tax collector. Okay. on behalf of fire district 2, fire district 2, I'm sorry.
>> Okay. So, this will require a vote to approve the proposed FY27 rates by the board. >> Okay. acting as sewer commissioners. >> I'll make a motion to approve the fiscal
year 27 sore rates acting as the sore concerns. >> I will second the motion. All in favor? >> I >> All right. Have we discussed the fiscal outlook as far as we're discussing it? >> Not yet. >> Okay.
uh quickly go through the annual town meeting warrant. Most of the warrant is the same as it is every year. Um, two increases that are in there that aren't readily apparent
is under article 2B, the assessors are requesting to be compensated $35 per parcel for necessary fieldwork and data collection. That is up from $15
per parcel. And the second one is under article 2B, item C. The in fees for the inspectors are increasing from $35 per inspection to
$70 per inspection. Which article is that? >> If you do 2B, >> yeah, >> item C, receive compensation page. >> And that all regard revolves around the
inspectors and wanting to receive $70 per inspection. And I believe this board has had discussions with the building commissioner >> and I know the board of health has been pushing for that increase also. Uh the only thing is the board is going
to have to make sure that you raise your fees accordingly to cover these costs for these inspections. Well, we just raised we just raised the um >> Oh, that was the building inspector,
right? >> Yep. Right. >> Sorry. You're going to have to look at the electrical fees, the gas fees, and the plumbing fees. >> They presented I don't think you were here that day and then I think Mark and Glenn tabled it until you could get a
chance and re reis it. >> All right. Okay. >> And also uh in FY27, the plumbing inspector who used to fall under the board of health is now being uh absorbed into the building
inspections department >> or the inspections department and I did receive a letter from the board of health agree to that change. So now you will be responsible for plumbing fees in addition to gas. I
always wanted to be um in charge of you know we are sewer commissioners after all. >> That was confirmed through Brian. >> Yep. >> Town council that it should be under inspection services. >> Uh one of the other large increases has
to do with our assessment from Pathfinder. We our student population increased seven students from FY26 to FY27
uh which relates to about $150,000 decrease in that assessment from CH funded >> and sorry go ahead. >> No, go ahead. >> Um if I remember correctly we pay a percentage of the student body like whatever percentage of
>> Well, it's there's two calculations. Okay. One is to total student population for each of the public schools in the district and then one is our student population our percentage of the actual student population at Pton.
>> So what do you mean by total student population? >> What it is is we have say 700 kids going here in Rami. >> Yeah. >> Or as our October one count. Yeah. >> Belchure town has a thousand. It's also that percent of that total of all the member communities actual student
population >> is one percentage for calculating some of the changes. >> Okay. >> And then we have other parts of it just based upon the actual percentage of actual student. >> Okay. >> Population. >> Thank you.
>> Do we know how many kids we have going there? >> We will have 20. We have 21 now. We'll be going up to 28. If you want, I can forward to the board members the uh presentation materials from Pathfinder.
>> Yeah, >> sure. That would be great. >> And we thank you for attending that. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, >> the other one that we also have is we currently pay for three students to go to Smith vote.
that is projected to go up to five students because when we met with the school personnel we were told that they had signed applications for two additional students to be attending Smith. >> W that's 12 new Graanby students going
to trade schools. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, >> we're finding that some kids are going into the trades instead of >> We need them. >> Yep. >> I'm not too far away from thinking about retirement. So, somebody's got to
replace me. >> I was talking too far from retirement or thinking about retirement. >> Well, >> either way, >> I want I want it. Whether it'll happen or not, we'll see. >> I was talking to somebody from your neck of the woods and they said Franklin Tech
is huge. Yes, they are. >> They are. They've actually outgrown their current campus. So, now they're looking at building a new campus building. So, they are growing, too. >> I think you're going to see that in all technical schools. >> Yeah. They they started talking about
this four or five years ago that the shift was starting to happen. >> Yeah. >> You figured they they go into these schools, they're basically ready to do the trades once they come out. All they have to do is pass the test and get this required number of hours to get their license.
>> That's correct. >> And they're not incurring 150, $200,000 debt to be able to go out there and be productive members in their fields. >> That's right. They're making money to learn. So, >> y people
especially at jobs that can't be taken away from uh by artificial intelligence. >> Yep. I'm sure at some point they'll figure a way and we'll do some of those jobs. >> I I would love to see a robot walk on top of a wall building a house. I'd love
to see that. >> I might pay money once they get the balance itself. You watch they will. >> All right. Anything else in there? That was a increase. >> Those are the two major items you really have to be concerned about. Um the the
other one is is really a long-term one. Can you hand them that? Waste management. >> Yep. >> Uh Kevin and I have met with and Holly had met with officials from waste management.
Uh they came in and proposed a two types of contracts for continued third cycle. One was a five-year proposed contract
and the second one was a 7-year proposed contract. They are moving towards automated collection. Uh basically it has to do with uh they
don't want uh their drivers getting off the truck and going into traffic. They're starting to find that that is very costly because there's it's open to a lot of issues when you see cars driving around these trucks when they
are parked on the side of the road picking up waste and it just is an issue a big issue. Um part of this is from waste management is they would provide
both recycling carts and trash carts and we would be going to single stream recycling versus dual stream. So waste management are they the ones that receive the trash? Are they the ones that pick up? Are they pick up? They pick up
>> Republic has the other contract. >> We bring our municipal solid waste to the McNamera transfer station. That is a separate contract for a tipping fee for them to process our waste. We're in the third year of that contract with them. So at the end of 27, you're
going to have to go negotiate another rate with them. The recyclables go to the Springfield Material Recycling facility, the Smurf. Um, right now I think that has another
about another six years on that contract. Okay. However, I had a concern because last year it was costing us around $45 to $50 per ton for processing of the
recyclables. This year it's jumped to about 75 to $80 a ton. >> So we're now paying for recycling. >> Paying for recycling. Yes. >> Was that always the case?
>> It was it was if some months we the the uh market would pay for the cost of uh processing it. Other times we would pay to do it, but it was it was something we could easily afford. Now
it's a five four $5,000 bill per month. Okay. And it's again that's one of the stressors we have to deal with at some point. >> Uh we I believe Kevin received an email from USA Recycling.
>> Yes. they want to come in and meet with us to uh look at giving a cost proposal for the town to do the same services that waste is currently doing. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um
right now this 7-year deal from Waste seems to be our best bet because we do not have to go out and buy carts and containers. They will be supplying them completely. Um again like I said we are going from
dual stream which means recyclables are collected every week to single stream will be collected every other week. So we got every other week. >> We're talking about >> Oh, recycling.
>> Recycling. >> I just >> regular trash will continue week. >> Okay. >> Now the problem is going to become is with automated rec or automated collection. We won't be able to have the extra bags
that people are going to get to put out by the side of the truck. >> Yeah. If we continue to allow that to happen, they will charge us a $1.50 per bag if the guy has to get out and take
put trash bags into the vehicle. The other way around this is to go to a permitting type of system for if they want an additional container, say, they pay an annual fee for that additional container instead of the
stickers or the trash bags themselves. >> So for for a flat fee, you can have two containers, >> right? You get the first you get the first container is included in what you're charged into your taxes. >> Yep.
>> The second one would be at a fee >> flat fee >> flat flat fee for one year for a one-year period of time. Uh the other item was under the seven-year plan, the prices quoted here in their proposal
will increase annually annually by the CPI for water, trash and sewer index that can average and it has been averaging maybe 3 to 4% per year.
So, I'm sure as we get fewer and fewer places to bring this waste to, that index will probably start going up higher and higher. Another item the board is going to have to
consider. Are we going to continue this for a 7-year period of time or are we going to have to look at getting out of the trash business? >> What do we do? We can't get out. If you want it just be every resident
would have to contract with waste or another private hauler to rent a container and have them come and pick them up, pick it up from there >> privately, >> but that is also an issue because we
have a lot of wooded land and >> don't say that. We know where you're going with that. >> We all know, we all know, we already have issues with people who are >> I know >> illegally >> disposing of their trash. >> Mhm.
>> What it may have to entail is that if we go that route to get out of it completely, you may have to hire somebody who when trash is found to try and go through it to see if they can locate. >> There's your job in retirement.
>> Who potentially Thanks Foxpose of their trash illegally >> to implement fees and fines. >> What have the override like 10 years ago for >> override? Well, >> long enough
>> when we first went Yeah. 2016 about 2015 2016 that was a $300,000 override. Um, you may have to start looking at maybe doing another $300,000 override to try and get you through these additional
costs that have been going on. Another thing for the board to be concerned about trash was the most fun I had last time I was select. >> Yep. I'm sure it was. >> It was It was great. >> I'm sure it was. I remember a Saturday,
not a formal hearing, but a Saturday hearing where like 60 70 people in here yelling at me. >> Yep. >> I didn't have a gamble either. I was like banging on the table. >> So the cost here is that that for a 70-year contract that'll be the cost. >> This is the first year cost
>> of just the first year >> because each year after that it'll go up by that CPI index. >> Okay. And like I said, in the past, it's been running between three and 4%. >> So even the first year looking at it, you know, >> first year looking at it, it's not a bad
price, >> right? But we're still we have been for some time over what the over was for some additional funds. >> Yes. But like I said, if people want a second container, you're going to have to determine
how many bags that container would hold and then determine a a fee, a flat fee for it for the course of a year. >> Well, I remember when the rep from Waste Management was here the last time, they told us they only had two size containers, I believe. So, one large one
that they recommend for recycling and then a smaller one for >> It's interesting because when you look at what they're proposing, >> a 64gallon trash container and a 96gallon recycling container. >> Oh, yeah. That's different than what they told us. I think that seems larger,
>> right? It is. >> I just threw away 96 gallons today. >> Okay. So that's that's the issue is but the nice thing is is they are supplying the containers not us. >> Yep.
>> It is a large expenditure to go out and buy containers for all residents. >> I was just looking at shopping around for my dad and I was I mean you can spend $200 on a container >> easily easily. Something to look forward to. I know
some of the concerns from some of our seniors too. These are not these are heavy containers and they take some effort to move them around too, especially when they're full. >> And they have to be placed close enough to the growth that the arm on the truck can pick it up,
>> which is it's in some parts of Grampby, it's hard to do so because the the side of the roads may have, you know, gully next to it and you have no choice but where you're going to put in the in the road. >> That's where mine end up when they pick
up my trash. Um took me a while to realize what was happening, but um they take it off of the side of the road, which is fine, but then it ends up left on the road. >> Well, if you write if it was interesting, I I happened to go through Long Meadow a week ago. And on the side
of the road, there's signs on how to properly put your trash container >> on the side of the road. >> South I know they have um issues. I've seen that occasionally on their Facebook. U people complain. an actual sign put on the side of the road as you
first go on the tent. >> So, there'll be some education for people on how to properly put their trash containers on the side of the road. So, >> and we we'd still be in a situation where we couldn't uh charge a trash fee. We'd have to have
the whole town. This is what we debated. The problem becomes is >> we we did it as a an additional tax. >> Yeah. >> Because for us it was easier to do it
that way. Um to be able to allow people to opt in or opt out, that's going to be a nightmare for this town community of this size to be honest with you. Um, if that's the way you want to go, then
chances are you're probably going to have to do an underwrite for the 300,000 and then figure up what an appropriate fees. How many people do you think would be participating in the program and coming up with a proper fee for them to
participate in getting their trash picked on? And to be honest with you, I think it would be an exorbitant fee that nobody >> Yeah. >> Yeah. because they would go to the private baller who can spread that cost over multiple towns, a larger user base
and have a cheaper price. >> Okay, good to know. >> My own personal opinion. >> No. Well, that's kind of what we decided last, you know, 10 or 11 years ago, >> right? The same the same scenario that was there 10, 11 years ago is the same
thing like there today. I don't think it's not going to change. >> Yes. Can't blame me for trying though. No. >> Okay. So, like I said, that's that's an issue that this board is going to have to address. Another issue that the board is going to
have to be considering is the Forge Pond Dam and Dyke. Um Kevin, myself, Dave Desilelet met with uh Dave Leonard from Leonard Consulting
regarding phase two of that DM Dyke pro project. We had applied for a $100,000 grant from the state to do the planning portion, have engineering study done, develop
plans, what needs to be done. That was completed. Now the next phase is to either repair, replace or take down the structure.
The state has another round of the grant open. Maximum grant is $1 million. The price to replace the dam is $3.3
million. The price to take it down is $4.8 million. And the reason it costs more is because of all the ecological studies and environmental impact studies that would
have to be done. >> Weren't they doing some of that as they went along though? >> No, they were looking at the cost to replace what the current conditions are and what it would cost to replace the dam because that's what the
board wanted to be done. >> Yeah. So there's a lot of other >> and we cannot ignore it >> because the office of dam safety >> has indicated that the condition of the dam and dyke are poor
and they are expecting the town to address the situation. In addition to that, once if the town decides to go forward to replace the data, you then have to put together a maintenance plan so that it doesn't get
to this condition again in the future, which would be vegetation control, regular maintenance, monitoring, so on and so forth down the line. So, in addition to the cost to replace, there will be additional cost for
maintenance. >> And who would maintain that? Do we put that on the highway department? >> Highway. >> That's who else would you? >> Well, you could have a trash detective do it. >> I knew that was the wrong answer, though.
>> You know, it it was mentioned at one point to control vegetation. You get a bunch of goats and let them go out there and eat the vegetation. Let's talk about it one more time. >> And the biggest I mean won't go for it around the wetlands. >> Yeah. >> The if the thing collapses, it's disa like literally disastrous. Um
contaminating wells, taking out buildings. Um I hate to see what it would do to Trump Avenue. Um probably would be gone. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So again, something this board has or the town, not just the board. That's
dangerous. >> Well, that might that might be a good discussion. and then we reach out to our uh legislative delegation see if there's anything the state can help us with. >> We did apply for the grant just just to add we we had the grant applied for >> but even even above and beyond that oh
yeah absolutely you know you know it seems like the the small rural towns always come up short when it comes to the commonwealth and the >> the money that's out there. So you know doesn't hurt from the see if they can put a line item in there for us.
>> Yeah. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but >> you are though. >> Yes, I am. And you always said I was. >> But I'm just forewarning this board. There are some large issues that Freud has to face and we can't keep delaying
the decision. >> And we know the forge the forge part that Dan, we know that's been an issue we've been talking about for years and kind of going along with things. So, it's just time has come, you know. So, >> yeah, I would almost like to appoint a
committee or something to actually look at this more. I mean, we can wait till um the next fiscal year, but basically have a committee that stays on this then kind of gets the details down. >> But you should have a member of the conservation commission as part of that
committee if you're creating a separate committee. >> Absolutely. That way they can make sure that we're addressing any environmental concerns with this >> for that dam committee. All right. >> The dam committee. Yep.
>> So >> the other item I'm here for is I've been gone for 6 months. Came back beginning of January. And I just want to let the board know
that you are facing big issues with your staff. I have I was brought in to assist with the close out of FY25
in January 26 because the state wasn't getting the reports that required. Nobody knew how to give the school >> the town ed reform numbers so they could
complete their end of year revisit. We had our chapter 70 held for one. Everybody thought that we could just go through and not worry about it, get it in when we can, but you couldn't.
Luckily, I was able to devote close the books, devote my time to giving the school the numbers required. They hurried up and did it. Kevin signed the document and it was all accepted within 24 hours. So, we averted that disaster.
Second one was then the town needed to submit its end of year reports. The Department of Revenue was starting to complain that the town was ignoring its fiscal responsibility.
Talking to Deb Wagner from DO, she gave us enough time to be able to submit our reports. They're late, but they're submitted. >> When will they ordinarily be turned in? >> They're due by October 1. That's what I thought.
>> I submitted them in February. In looking at the current set of books, you're going to run into the same situation for FY26. There have not been any revenue receipts
posted in this fiscal year at all. You are three months from the close of this fiscal year. You're nine months behind on posting revenue. I have had department heads complaining to me that they couldn't get
monthly reports out of the accounting department. You finally got a set of reports I believe in March. Febru Yeah. February, March. >> February, March. However, they're incomplete
because payroll isn't being posted into their budgets. You have a problem. You have departments operating without knowledge of what they have available in their budgets. A very, very dangerous
situation. Okay. >> I don't want to be the bearer of bad dibs, but >> Well, you're doing you're on a roll. Why stop now? >> I'm You know, you know, you know why? I did this job for 24 years.
>> I realize that, Chris. >> You know, I No, I I I appreciate what you're saying, but I did this for 24 years. No, I can't see this town suffer in that manner. Agreed. I agree with that. Have to get
out of that. >> There are there been I've like I said, I came back the end of December. I've had department heads coming into me and complaining. >> They're complaining there's a disconnect between I'm going to call, you know, in
schools it's called central office and the departments. There's a disconnect. Sometimes there are things that people need and it goes into a deep dark hole and doesn't come out. They need
they get used to a team approach. I when I was there I had the open door policy. Anybody had a complaint, they had an issue, come on and see me. The chief could attest to that. Anytime he had an issue, just I would drop it. Drop whatever I was doing. Sometimes I was in
a bad mood, but >> I I would call that but I would stop everything and I'd listen to their concerns and we would talk it through. We would put plans together. That's gone. These department
heads don't have somebody they can go to to try and help them. That needs to be changed. Okay. It's again like I said I came back and I was
I appalled is maybe too hard of a word. I was shocked at how bad communication has fallen between the upper echelons of management and the department heads. How can they do their job if they're not
getting the information that they need or the assistance that they need to do their jobs? has to change has to change. Plus, the fact is you've got an aging
departmental age, they're these people. Dave D. Roger, he's talking maybe one more contract. Now, he still feels good. He's talking maybe another three years. Steve Nally, he's talking about maybe not
running in May of 27. Okay. The chief, I don't know how much how many more years. He's talking maybe one, maybe two more contracts. That's what, six, >> three to six years.
>> Not a long time. >> A lot of institutional knowledge. You'll be walking out of this place. You know, you've been lucky. Kathy has been around still doing her part-time thing for planning and conservation. She
has that institutional knowledge that people can go and get it from them. >> People have been lucky. I came back. Kevin comes in. He uses my institutional knowledge to help them get through things. I've had other department has
come and asked about things that I knew about and I had dealt with for 24 years. Again, it's a team approach. We got to get that team approach back again. It's not me, me, I, I, or I'm in charge of
this and I'm in charge of that. No, we are a team. And that is the attitude you have to have. This is just like, you know, a basketball team, a football team, and every player is doing what they want to do. They're not >> working as a cohesive unit, and it needs
to occur. You know, I know Glenn as a supervisory, you know, the the need for teamwork. >> Mark, you've known it. Dave, I'm sure you've you've seen it in your own space. >> Absolutely. >> If you're not a team, you're nothing.
>> In my trade, if you don't work together, you don't accomplish what you need to. >> So, this is an issue that this board has to consider also. >> But outside of that, it's been a joy coming back.
No, it has. It has. I still love it. Still love it. You know, it's it's interesting, you know, coming back and going back into the emails and all of a sudden I'm bombarded with emails again. >> Mhm.
>> You know, uh, my tour is almost done. I got a budget together for you. I closed out FY25. you have a lieutenants contract and you're currently almost done with police and fire contracts,
then I will be done again and I will be gone and I will be gone permanently this time. I'm just letting this board know they need to address some situations. I don't know if it's getting back to you at all, but you do need to address it one way or
the other because you can't keep going like you're going. Absolutely. No. >> That being said, I would say good night. >> Chris, we thank you for your help. Um, I don't think people really understand the degree to which
how bad things were in terms of getting papers in and getting our books balanced and stuff because we just didn't happen. And I think they were supposed to be closed in July. We're not. >> Yep. >> And
If you hadn't come in, I don't really know what I mean, I don't know what would have happened. I don't know if the state would have come in or what the deal was, but I mean, we were in tough shape. >> I I think the do probably would have ended up having to come out here and address the board as to what you were
doing regarding your situation. And when they they come out, it's not a happy thing. On a on a good note, the audit is almost done for FY25. They've come in. They're just doing some little wrap-up little things
here and there, but the majority of the work is done. >> Is that a year behind or is that normal? >> Well, we're behind on that a little bit, too. But they couldn't close until we had the books closed done. >> So, again, it's there's a lot of things
that have to be done so things can get done in a timely manner. So, >> well, I think it's also important to note that Chris, some of the things you you have brought up that the board has been aware of and the board has taken action on several things. Um, and again,
we're right now in the process of looking for a new uh town administrator. Um, that obviously, as you know, takes time. But I do want to thank you uh for what you've done and and really and I've said
this many times uh sitting in this on this board about the uh dedication, the care you have for Graanby. I didn't say care, I said the love you have for Graanby. Um and I've always said that I've always seen it. Um some people may
have disagreed with me at points, but I I always knew you had it there and I always knew you put the town first. Uh there came a time when you had to put Chris Martin first and you did that and uh as much as I didn't agree with it, I
understood it. Um you know, when it was time for you to, you know, to retire, but uh I do uh I I truly appreciate you coming back here and taking this on because I know you didn't have to. >> Mhm.
>> But again, like I said, 24 years. >> I know. You taught me a lot over my past nine years sitting on the seat. So >> same. Well, thank you, gentlemen. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks, Chris.
>> Have a good night. >> So, a motion to approve the annual town warrant meeting to approve the annual town hall meeting warrant. I will second the motion. >> Any discussion?
>> No discussion. >> No more discussion. >> No. Okay. All's in favor? I >> I >> Nice. All right. Hi, Chris. Come on up. >> Crystal Green. I live in Taylor Street, but I am here on behalf of an advisor
for the class of 2027. We are looking to do a car wash. We tried doing it last spring, but we got rained out the day that we had scheduled it for the senior center. But we are asking the board if we can have our car wash right outside
on either May 9th or May 23rd. Um, and it would be from 10 to 2 >> right here. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> In the parking lot. >> So, you're scheduling the 9th with a rain date of the 23rd. Is that what you >> No. So May 9th is what the class would like, but we didn't know how it was
going to work. So they we had a backup date just in case. >> Okay. >> Do you want a rain date or No, >> I guess we could do possibly the 23rd as the rain day. >> I know they count on the money, >> but if they both rain, well then forget it >> because they've got prom on the 16th.
They've got Yeah, they've got every every other weekend is booked. So they only got the 9th and the 23rd open. Okay. I don't know of anything going on in the parking lot on a Saturday. So, >> we don't usually have much in there. >> No, we just make sure Jeremy has I'm sure I think there's a special key for
the the water spet. So, there is. >> So, I think in the past the other adviserss just meet with him on Friday afternoon before he goes home and he just shows me everything and where to put the hoses and stuff because they have the hoses and everything. We just do the sponges, the car wash and stuff like that. >> The soap.
>> So, is this your only advisorship or do you have many more? No, I'm also the NHS advisor. So, Lardi hit me up for people for the mic running. So, I'll have them in May and June for you guys. >> Good. >> Yes. >> I'll make a motion to allow
um the class of 2027 to have that car wash year of the council on aging um May 9th with a possible rain date of May 23rd >> from 10 to 2. >> From 10 to 2. I'll second the motion. >> Okay. No more discussion. All in favor?
I >> I >> Perfect. And did you want me to mention the other thing that we had discussed? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Just so that's on the on the plate. >> Um so I was as Let me back up. So I was on the open um space committee and we
got that plan approved. There is a current grant program out there for parkland acquisitions and renovations. Uh the grant is open till July 9th. The maximum grant award amount is 4 uh 425,000
with a re reimbursement rate of 52 to 70%. Um after hearing the budget, I don't know if this is something that I should even look into, but I've never been I I've never applied for a grant, so I don't even know where to start with it. But I know one of the things that um
they've been wanting to do a lot at the school for a long time is getting rid of the old tennis courts that are all disheveled. And so I was thinking pickle ball courts if we could get the grant but with the funding I don't know how that's going to work to be honest with you because if we're hurting just to
operate there's no and then we have forge pond then we did the I don't even know how much the study was for due frame park pond and we haven't been able to do those two big projects that the town needed. So I just wanted to throw it out there but it is only for parks.
Is there a match involved with the grant or anything or just >> just that they'll reimburse at a 52 to 70% rate? >> I mean, I'd still apply for it because you never know what you know, you might have someone that may donate. You may have our
>> uh highway department may be able to do something to cut the cost down. >> Yeah. So, Melissa Crane has a meeting on Thursday, May 7th, which is a school day for me. So, I wouldn't be able to go to that. that's in person at Westboro at 11:00 a.m. or there's a virtual one on
May 6th at 2:00 p.m. So, that I could do virtually and just kind of look into it and see what it entails for the town. Um, if the board agrees to give me permission to look into it, but I mean there's plenty of things we can do. Some people had said a water park, but I
think with the water at Due Frame Park, I don't think that's a good idea to put a sprinkle pad there or anything. Someone another person had mentioned a basketball court that came up in the open space. Um but we also have that brand new basketball court at East Meadow that they can do um go to and
also at the high school. So at least we have those two in town. >> So >> pickle ball is a new trending >> yes sport there. >> And you could also I mean worst case scenario isn't it this kind the court's a little smaller compared to a tennis court but I mean they could still go there and
>> you know practice and stuff I don't know. Yeah. So, >> and like said, maybe some of the some of the work with Dave would actually be like an inind match. So, you know, that would count towards some of the costs, you know.
>> So, the board's okay if I um RSVP to Melissa Cryan Cran. I think you're saying this. >> Just make a motion. >> I agree. It's worth to it's worth looking into. >> You want to make a motion >> to authorize Crystal to get into this grant?
>> Yep. I will make a motion to authorize Crystal to look into a grant with a 50 to 52 to 70% reimbursement rate to uh modernize or remodel. >> Yeah.
>> The old school tennis courts or possibly a basketball court at Drain Park. >> So, we'll see what the grant is entails, I guess, from there. But I think the pickle ball course is probably the best way to go because we don't have that in town. >> Right. Sure. I'll second a motion.
>> All right. Um if would PV Pinion Valley Planning help you at all if you needed it with >> They might be able to help us with the grant writing once we find out if it's something that we um are interested in. >> Yep. So, after I meet with Melissa, I I'll RSVP for the online meeting that
she has and then I'll keep the board appraised whether you guys want me to appear or if I can just send it to the chief and then he sends it out to you guys. However you guys or if I send it to Paulie and she sends it out, however you guys are doing it, I can send it to the select board email. >> Yeah. Whoever the >> send it out
>> whoever the town whoever the town administrator is >> at that time. >> Uh yeah. And then uh >> Yeah. Thank you. Okay, perfect. That was it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Crystal. >> Hi, Crystal.
>> Okay, today we have guest Judy Dong. Marylu, you're coming up to her. You just tell here for moral support. >> She has no voice. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, she gets out of here. So just so people who don't know at home we have um Judy Dong who runs um ready to go and
Mary Lou Guanara who Guanera who runs neighbors helping neighbors >> neighbors helping neighbors they're both um one of the things that I learned from going to Graby to go was a lot of people donate food um but there is a whole
group of people a community people who are working part of their job but also working volunteer to make sure the food gets distributed and it's really I was really impressed. I like it just something I've you know I've participated in food drives before but I'd never seen anything past dropping
things off and there's a whole there's a major um amount of coordination to get things distributed into the into the hands of people who need it. So it was really I was glad I came over that day. I learned a lot. So um so you had some senior food access concerns.
>> Yes. Um, thank you for inviting me, uh, Mary Lou and then also we have, uh, Cresandanda Jordine who is a co-president for Neighbors Help Your Neighbors Grand. And, uh, what we have noticed, as you know, we do weekend food bags for the kids. When the government shutdown
happened, we had a lot of people approaching us at Grando and it wasn't just families with children. It was senior citizens, everyone else. because we do a lot also with state state and local legislation. We were able to get two grants. So we came up with the idea
of having food mobiles. Uh in December it was uh as you can see what I have shown to you the numbers have grown dramatically and with our seniors we have coming in uh what we're trying to do is see what we can do with the
council of aging. uh you know we are doing it with the mobile as you can see we are servicing many uh as of last week we had 108 people come through in an hour and a half that's a lot a lot uh we're seeing a lot of seniors come in
but uh I'm not the one that normally does the uh the stats when they first come in I'm the one that does the final part and double checks everything we notice seniors are also coming in now that are taking care of their grandchildren in their home whether there's no baron. So our main thing is
to see what we can do to come into the senior center to help get more food out to the the elderly. Mary Lou at Neighbors Helping Neighbors, they want to run a wonderful program where it's cho client choice. So say if they call them, they can pick out what they would
like for meats and dairy and produce and canned goods. So it's not something that it is every month it's the same thing and their closet has 25 cans of beans or 25 things of uh cereal. It is uh a very good program and we have many of our
volunteers and all of us work together as a group whether it's the council of aging. We have our NHA students we have the church we have uh neighbors helping neighbors were willing to take and we have a lot of us that would take and deliver to their homes just to get this
out there to them. uh especially for seniors and especially for kids, it's very important to get the major nutrients into them. And as you know with inflation, it's not happening right now. Uh it's a very big thing whether you either pay your mortgage and your
taxes or you skip on your food. Uh we noticed that especially this Friday, we had people, we don't open till 4:30, we had people there at 3:30 getting food because they needed it. And we're not even through the month. and to have 800 or excuse me 108 individuals come
through. You don't even have the church numbers yet and even the second part of the month. We're going to blow all these stats that we did from the following month. So, if this is something the board thinks they would like us to do, we would love to come in and help on that out on that part. We work a lot
with uh the Western Mass Food Bank, a lot of different organizations that help donate. Uh we can help even if we had to with your pantry, do a food drive. And what we like to do, and it's worked out tremendously for us, especially with the kids. Uh we know we don't put beans in
their bag. It's gonna come back in. You don't put that in there. There's certain things we don't put in there. So, if we can find out and get a a survey from the seniors what they would like to see come in, we can more or less help work with them. We've done that with the food
mobile and we're walking away with nothing left. And I have a senior citizen that is actually helping me because she has an empty van. And we had over 900 pounds of fruits and vegetables. That's not including what neighbors helping neighbors is bringing with the meats and the dairy and
everything else. And when they come in, they're telling us what they want. So we're making sure that we're bringing these items in. And we can also do the same thing with the seniors. So uh if this is something you'd like, we'd be very happy to work with you on this in the senior center. So,
>> so, um, could you just give be spec specific about what that would look like? Would you come in and talk to people or would you have them fill out paper? >> Was Mary Lou would be the one that would come in to talk with them and show them the menu that they have. It's really neat because it's not the same thing every week. It changes all the time. And
we work within both of the the uh organizations. Uh, like I had Dakota Riches bring in it had to be 5,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste and everything. So, I brought half of that to the or part of it to the church. I brought part of that to Neighbors Helping Neighbors so they could give it
out. So, each time that these people are getting a menu uh on the schedule for Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the menu changes. It does not stay the same. And I think that tends to be the problem with talking with a lot of seniors. They're seeing a lot of repetitiveness.
So, they want more or less to have a change. So, that's where it's really good to listen to them because for one, you're not wasting the food banks money. you're not wasting your donor's money and also we're getting what we need to to the seniors. >> Okay. Um
>> so you need to schedule something to try to come in and like an open house where people sign up or something to come and speak with you or >> Mary. What would you think? Come on up. >> So I will let her use the speaker. >> Oh there you go. >> Wait a minute.
>> Okay. We're we're at uh shared here all the time. So I have lngitis. So I have to apologize. We're not being crystal clear here. But one of the things we have noticed is
that uh the use of the senior center has decreased dramatically and it's increasing over here uh when we have a mobile. So the the senior numbers
and so that tells us that the seniors need something that they're not getting and we do bring a lot of variety when we come up here for the mobile and that's not an accident. We do it on purpose.
Last week I had a banana box full of hot sausage. every piece went, which kind of surprised me, Jud, because it's positive. There's no hamper. And so
they're very very grateful for what they can get. And I'd like to see I'd like to be able to for them to get that here, too. Not instead, but in addition, because right now, a dollar is not doing what it used
to do. And seniors don't have an increase in their income, only in the outcome. And so the grocery store prices are going up, the taxes are going up, everything is going up, but their
income. And so this is how we can help them um at least to eat because that's something they do skimp on and this is not a good thing. So, should we schedule anformational meeting? Have you tried to schedule
something to come in in a time? We actually have uh we're talking with the seniors in uh it's another month from now unfortunately or a month and a half from now, but we have a a scam program that we're doing with trying to
educate them on that. we could kind of include you as well if we could, you know, that way there's a bunch of it's it's being advertised, but we can advertise that you'll be here with a a food program as well and I can uh I can
give you my card, you can email me and then I can get proper people involved and we can get some information out to folks and try to figure it out if that >> great >> if that >> I think they saw the menus they would be surprised what is offered. It is totally amazing. like people did not know. We
did not advertise it. We were able to get hand pamps for every single family and uh even the church has people showing up on Sundays to receive some of these bags if they can't come on Friday. They were astounded because they knew we made sure without them knowing they got
a uh I was going to say Thanksgiving uh Easter meal with potatoes and carrots and there was dessert there. There was plenty of fruit there and other types of meats to make other meals. So if we can show them what we have available and it changes all the time, it's not the same
exact thing all the time. There's variety. That's going to be really important. I know specifically working with the kids. We have seen a dramatic increase on grades for the kids. They're they get better. If they're on a full if they're they have a full stomach when they're in school, they do a lot better.
If they don't, the teachers are complaining. They're having a hard time with them and everything. And they love coming into Grand to go because it's like field day shopping. They can even if they like I I give them eggs to take home because sometimes a parent can afford eggs, milk, you know, some of the basics. We've got she's uh Mark has been
in there and seen we've got two refrigerators and a freezer. The door is always open. Uh you know, even for the seniors to come in on Tuesday nights, I've had some come in for coats, winter coats that we've done. So >> the kids grades are improving, their attendance improves and their behavior
is more. So you know that's the benefit of having a full belly wheel. And one thing we do with the kids, we have them work in Grammy to go this is their program, not ours. And it's amazing how it works because we have a former student in her senior year or junior and senior year worked with our special
needs kids, men uh mentored them where now they're delivering all the bags to the other school. She's actually at all our mobiles now helping out and she's done an amazing job to have other kids come and help and uh it's been a great group of people coming in and when they walk in there's no shame when they walk
into this mobile hey how you doing today no names are asked we just ask how many are in the family which is required by the food bank and it also gives us an idea with our statistics how much food we need to get now we know we're going to need a boatload more for this next
mobile arm 17 uh because as people See, food insecurity is a very hidden thing and when times get tough, we try to make it where you come and you feel better. You're not shamed. You know, that's a big thing. Uh we do that with kids, any adult. So, we see a lot of returning
people coming back and also a lot of new people coming in. We're actually seeing senior couples come in now where before it was just either the husband or the wife coming in. Uh and when they come in too, they're also getting toiletries and they also might be getting toilet paper, paper towels. Uh we did uh Bomba socks.
Boy, do we have Bomba socks and also toothpaste and toothbrushes. And when a lot of these companies find out we're doing that, they're also hooking on to our program like Costos. We've had Macy's giving us dresses for the kids. Uh we've had pallets of diapers
delivered. We've had what Dakota did with the toothbrushes and toothpaste. Uh we've had a church out in Southampton was able to get us 15,000 pairs of socks through the year for the kids and for the adults. And they're not the cheap socks. They're the best you can get. And the kids love them. So that's what we've
started doing with the mobile so that when people come, they know that they're not going to be turned away and we're not going to judge them. >> They come in and they go, "Wow." Cuz we have tables, >> you know, like a U-shaped table filled
with food, meat, vegetables, produce. >> It's really rewarding. So, um I'm just I'm really fascinated with the process. Um I'm really always interested in how things work. So, people donate food. You get them from different places.
Sometimes you get them from stores. Lots of times get them from food drives. They go to >> And also the food bank. >> Food bank. And they go to Graanby to go. >> They go to go and helping neighbors. Yes. >> And what tell us more about the the mobile. >> Okay. What the food mobile are is
everybody in town can come. We do, you cannot take with the Western Mass Food Bank and deny anyone. We will not deny anyone food. So when they come in, like I said, no name is asked. All we ask are the statistics of child in the home, uh, adult or seniors when they come in. And
then what they do is when they come around, we ask them what they'd like. You know, different things like that. But what we'd like to give them are things that they would not be able to afford to get like the milk, the eggs, bread, uh, the meats. Meats have gone very expensive. toilet paper, paper
towels, you know, different things like that. So when they walk out, they're getting a whole gamut of things. And the food bank is amazing because a lot of times when they know what we're doing and our numbers go up, we get so much more to bring into this mobile. And with
the help of Mindy Dom and Omar Gomez and Senator Alvaria, they are very well known with our program since the beginning of time and helped us expand it and get all these grants to help out. Um, we're also trying to work also on a summer program where this is all going
to go all through the year with, you know, family, kids, seniors, and everything. So, this is going to be a year round thing. >> So, to help clarify a little bit, gravy to go is what you saw.
>> Neighbors helping neighbors is a pantry where they they go and they fill out a menu, they get their food. When we do a mobile, we we get Judy gets food. I get food and we bring it together and we
we're at the congregational church for that one. And thank you to Zombre. >> Yes. >> And and so you know it's we put it out day and what we don't get we take back. It's you know it's come and goes.
No. So, um, anybody can come to that mobile. People are driving by and they want to check it out, they will come. And so, um, that's how the word gets around you. >> The reason why we had the, uh, church is
Tisser was very grateful to ask the missions group if we could use the church. And the reason why we did that is because it's very visual in community and also it's easy to drive in. It's not going to cause any traffic problems or anything like that. And in the winter time, we're able to use the hall so
people can come in and stay warm because a couple mobile we had my brand new canopy was blown to smitherreens up on the hill. >> So, you know, being able to be inside in the winter time is amazing. And also, they have snacks for us. >> So,
>> so that's your general location for the area for mobile. >> Yes. Yes. >> I didn't know if it moved from here to there. >> No. What we want to do is keep it in the same spot every time. We're putting it on social media. We've had the newspapers pick it up so that uh they're
able to also get this out for also for us too. But like I said, we're see starting to see a lot of new Graanby residents uh coming in and also they're getting to know Graanby go. We're on Tuesday nights. Yes, they can come in and get clothing. They can't get food because that's the kids there for them
and their parents and everything. But um it's an allaround win-win for everybody. So >> it's great. >> It also um sorry um one of the things that's amazing about it is that we have neighbors helping neighbors and granite
to go joined together. So that board combined in order to work with both towns. So what we wanted people to realize is that our Graanby residents were not accessing the neighbors helping neighbors pantry so much because there
was a stigma between going back and forth. So we said those people don't not need to eat, they still need to access that food. So these mobiles have put out there what some of neighbors helping neighbors has. And in each of the bags that we pass out, there's the flyer that
lets them know what days they can also access that pantry. So just because we're having the mobiles doesn't stop them from being able to go to neighbors helping neighbors, right? So what we're trying to do is create more places they can get that food and then where we can show them other resources and things
like that. And we have it's all operated on a volunteer basis. We've got people that help at Graanby to go. We've got people that help at Neighbors Helping Neighbors. And then our missions and our youth group um help run it. So, our kids, you will might catch them out there with a sign that they wave around
that says free food and we dance out on the side of the road to try and get people's attention, but you know, it's it's become kind of a a community gathering place and we try and do it twice a month and I don't think we've missed twice yet and it started in
December and it's um it's starting to catch on and that's what we want. We want our community to be well fed and cared for. Seems like one of those things where the more people who get involved, the more people will know, the more people you'll get. >> Right. Well, also too, Mary and I belong to a thing called Frack, which uh everything that's going on with
Congress, whether it's SNAP, uh with Social Security, anything like that, and we've been watching a lot of going on what's going on, and they're talking even more of cutting more programs, which is going to really significantly uh affect the kids uh working, you know,
families that are really trying to get by. and also our elderly. So that's where also this comes in play too where it does help the families where they don't feel like they really have to pull, you know, for food. They shouldn't have to do it. It's a bas basic need, >> you know,
>> and summer is coming, no school, >> so it's harder for the kids to People might not know, but um Grabby to go um Judy, you started it, right? >> Uh no, it was actually my daughter Nancy Jinx. Okay. and she was the school nurse leader in the school district and they had a lot of students coming into the
nursing clinics. They started in a wrestling closet that was small and now we're on the other side in the old m machine shop and we have 980 983 square ft that is with clothing. We have a washer and dryer and also we have the closed area where the garage part is
which we're required by the food bank to keep locked uh with their requirements. But with the washer and dryer, when we first got it, I'm like, "No, we will actually have kids leave their backpack at the door. We'll wash their clothing clothing, dry it, give it back to them, and then give it uh they'll take it
home." And we found the kids will come to school where uh sometimes if they don't have clean clothes, they won't come. Or we've had instances where we've had kids, two or three kids in the family are sharing the same clothes. So, but we have on Tuesday night, our volunteers are wonderful. They get to
know the families. They become friends and they will help certain families that they know really need it. We had one boy, we gave him three bags full of clothes. Polo Cassandra was able to get a very large new donation of clothing of boys clothes and he said it was the first time he had ever had brand new
clothes. And this was a high school student. So if we can bring these to the kids and make make them successful, we've done our part. What we our part of our mission is feeding families and filling the gap. >> So the stories we hear are really heartbreaking. We know that in Graanby
and South Hudley both, there are kids that go to school not having had dinner the night before or any breakfast. How are the kids supposed to learn? You know, a body without food can't work, learn, or play.
>> The first week we started, we had a young girl come in and I showed Marilyn with a t-shirt. I went into a closet and cried. The whole top of it was chewed off and I said, "What happened?" what she was doing was chewing it and swallowing it to stay full till the next day. And the reason why we found out the
best place for Grammy to go is to be in the high school because the o older students will literally come down and get food for the siblings and themselves. So they will take care of the younger ones at home. So we know it's vital to be in that, you know, in that school and everything. So
>> that's also helped with the stigma because now it's well known, you know, grand just you go down there and they all know that it's there and that their friends use it and they you come with me. You got to come see this. >> So I mean that's just the high school,
but >> this is one of those things where >> Yeah. hunger is invisible to most of us. We don't know what's happening in people's houses and we don't I mean we have homeless people people who >> Yeah. uh we we do have some homeless families, but we make sure they're taken care of and find resources. But what
I've also done the last couple years, and it's been very helpful. I'll sit with the kids at lunch and I can see who's picking off another student's plate. So then I say, "Hey, come on, come to Grammy to go get snacks, but in the meanwhile, I'm giving them a bag to shove in their backpack." And I've also
taken and brought in my three-month old granddaughter. Now she's two. The kids love her. And it's also brought a lot of the kids in because hey, where's Madison? Yeah. you know, uh, in that, but it's broken a lot of the stigma down. And, uh, you'll actually see some of these kids, they'll get lunch and breakfast. It's still not enough. Uh,
we're currently working right now, the chef and I in the kitchen and one of the classes with the USDA because the requirement for the food that the kids get in school, 90% of the calories are in school. Well, right now, if you have a student, especially my grandson, he's
13 years old, he's 5'9. Half a cup or a cup of vegetables is not going to blend. We all know that. So, right now, what we're trying to do is work with uh Chef Doug and the kids on writing to the USDA. And who more to give a more powerful impact to the kids?
>> And if the kids do that, we have a more of a chance of hiring that amount of volume for the kids for food in school. Uh you know, it's especially your proteins, your vegetables, not so much your carbs and that and eat also your dairy. So, you know, we're trying to
work all the all the way around full circle, you know, on helping the kids. >> So, one of the sad sad things that's going on is the food bank is on the verge of discontinuing the brown
bags here because there's been so much trouble about them. >> Okay. And so I've asked them to hold off on that, hoping that I could make an arrangement with with the Council on Aging
>> or with your blessing. Um so that you know even neighbors helping neighbors could monitor it or own it or or whatever. But that food needs to come here to these seniors. >> Yep. Agreed. So and we can check up on that.
>> Yeah. I'll give you my card. um that scam the scam program um educating people on it is May 27th. I don't know that they've established a time just yet. Usually it's in the morning, but if you guys want to come and talk about your program then too. And if you can
email me about the the brown bag stuff, we'll try to work on getting that taken care of as well. >> I think too if we can take away the repetitiveness in the bags, I think you're going to get more of them out there. >> Mix up what's in there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. We we end up getting it as actually
donations in the food drives, >> you know. Yes. >> I literally had cases of beans and we're going, "What are we going to do with these things?" >> Give me a reg. >> Unless we're going to start doing foodie things where we start turning them into brownies somehow, I don't think it's
going to go well. >> Thank you so much. >> Great. Yeah. So, I mean, with the two of you, the three of you, you said a lot and if you talk so much about giving one way, >> how can the people that want to give
give the other way? >> Help you out. Yeah. >> Help you out. How How do people do that? Donations or food or money donations or >> I would ask the people that are really involved in what they're giving out because you know what people are taking. One thing for us when we have food
drives is we've had some committees in town that have had some major food drives for us. And I'm going to tell you the food bank could not keep up when the government shut down and we gave a wish list and they brought in they collected in 2 days. It was I think 2500 lb. That
was amazing on how many families have fret uh fed and even with the council of aging here if you need insure that's a very big thing that is needed especially with the elderly. Uh we have one family right now we have a parent that works in the school her son's got an uh an eating
digestive problem where all he can have is pediore. Well when the government shut down she lost that benefit and for six jars or six bottles it's $14. We did a drive for that. we have enough for a year for this family. So, working with us on like that say what do you need?
Uh, you know, also monetary is fine because what we can do we get we can stretch the dollar more with the food bank because they get such a high volume. One day we should take you to the food bank when they have an open house. >> They have a threetory high of everything you can think of on shelves.
>> I think it's four >> or four now with these high lift operators. >> They have to use a scissor lift to get up there. to get up there, but we can do more with the dollar with the food bank or wherever else to get food to the families because they get so much in.
It's amazing. And Andrew Mohouse from the food bank, the CEO knows it's both when they know it's the kids or neighbors helping neighbors are always, you know, saying, "Can you use this, use that?" So, they're always looking out for the kids and also your seniors. >> So, they're a dollar equals out to about
two meals according to their metric. It used to equal out to three, right? >> The metric used to be one in every five people. So some of the people in this room would actually have food insecurity. That has even lowered. So it's now I think one in four, sometimes
one in three depending on where you are in the community. Um so donating to Graanby to go, they have their own bank account. You can donate to Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Um, and we also have posted an Amazon wish list on a lot of the Gramby forums, which I will update
and repost out. So, that's other ways that you can support and help. Cuz what we try and do is, especially when we're doing the bags of food for the kids, we try and make it individualized things that they'll be able to take and go. Cuz some of these kids, like she said, they're homeless. So, they're heating
things up in a microwave. So, anything that we can microwave in date, that's really important cuz we've sometimes had food drives and it's we have to throw away hundreds of pounds of food. That's just depressing. You know, the whole point is to feed the kids. So, um using
those kinds of things and individually packaged proteins and things like that or enough for a family, those help us out a lot when we're doing the food mobile, >> right? And usually when we fill the kids bags, we make sure it doesn't go over certain weight. But also too, a lot of times whatever they're getting might be
enough to feed that extra sibling that's at home and not in school or we give the parent the opportunity to come in on a Tuesday night and get that half gallon of milk or get that uh uh you know dozen of eggs or that bigger thing of cereal. Then what we'll also do is make sure that they're going down to neighbors
helping neighbors. We'll say and what we do is I'll call Mary Lou right there when the parents and so they get to know her on the phone and say if you go down it can help get you more food in your home. We've done a lot of emergency you know situations with a lot of emergency delivery. So
>> So if somebody uh w knew somebody who needed food, what should they do? Who should they contact? >> They could they could reach out to Mary Lou at Neighbors Helping Neighbors. if they have students in the school, they could reach out to also Brandy to go and then normally what we try to do is give
them that other resource of neighbors helping neighbors. We also try to see if they're on the SNAP program and other you know items also like that too and they can reach out to the church in town. The uh Grand Beach has a small food pantry inside it. So if it's an
emergency situation during our office hours you can walk in no questions asked. There's bags there and there's shelves there and you can load stuff in. And did you say Immaculate Heart of Mary also is distributing food or >> they have been um we're trying to work with Father Michael uh to get it also
out there on their bulletin and everything uh which is we're trying to get it out to as many people as possible uh which is very important. We also at Gravby go we will not do in do it during school hours because of security purposes but if they can make a special
appointment I'll let the staff know at the school because sometimes our foster parents come in when the kids leave they leave with nothing on their back as you know. So we try to give them clothing we give them toiletries and everything else and also if they're in need of getting the kids you know some food bags or
whatever else too. So, >> if you're interested, our next food mobile is uh April 17th from 4:30 to 6:00 and you are welcome to come down and and see what we do. Um, if you know somebody that needs it, we just ask you to try and bring some reusable bags. We
got 500 and we've got about 40 left. >> I've had Marshalls, they donated uh 500 uh these red big bags and we're almost gone on them. Uh, and uh we also have the plastic bags that uh we get from the food bank. They're the old bags that you
used to get in the grocery stores that they can't have anymore, but it really does not hold a lot. So, we ask people to bring in the recycled bags so we can fill up those bags that they have. >> Okay. Okay. So, we have some action steps all set and we thank you very much for
coming in. >> Thank you. >> Doing good work. >> That's what we're here for. >> So, >> come on down and see neighbors loving neighbors next. >> Yeah. >> That's a cool tour. >> Now, is that near the Methodist church? Yeah. >> Okay. Oh, during CO, you'd be surprised what we were doing. We were bringing
food to doorsteps and everything. And it was amazing. The whole school got involved in delivering to our families and everything. Families lost their jobs right away, you know, and it's amazing how much we went into action. >> I'm just glad I don't have to do any more Zoom meetings. >> Thanks. Thanks for coming in.
>> Thank you very much. Thanks for having us. >> Good night. potentially used for West Street School. >> This party never showed up. So, >> all right. Who was he? >> Um, he was somebody that was used to
work with Soldier On, which deals with um homeless vets and trying to do different programs. So, he came came once a year and a half, two years ago, talked to Dale for a little while and he was back and talked to Lynn and myself for a few minutes.
>> Um, possible use for um the other side of the West Street building. Um, he couldn't answer a lot of questions when we asked him and he's starting trying to start his own 503C. >> Okay. >> So, I I don't know if he got it off the ground yet. >> Okay, good. All right. uh award a
contract for timber removal. Um if people haven't heard, they will hear or they will notice that there will be um more wood cutting at two frames. Uh it's is a second stage of things. We don't believe it's not going to be as clearcut
as it was on the other side, but we are only speaking for myself and um having talked to the forester, trees need to come down. they are diseased in a lot of cases and so we are awarding a contract the money that comes from the contract will be put into an
account um and it will meet town Tom meeting will appropriate the funds if and when we decide to spend it so I want to make a motion to award the contract >> in there somewhere >> I don't see it here
Uh >> yeah, it's back there. Glenn, uh beyond the um beyond the town warrants and >> then a letter. There's a letter in there. Yeah. 5G. >> The upper corner says
>> 5G. >> Yep. >> It's labeled as 5G. H5G. >> 5G. >> Must be getting close. >> Yeah, >> I got 5G on my phone actually. >> That's good. mean they're having good service.
>> Oh yeah, you got it. >> Yeah. So, uh I'm assuming it's the highlighted one, right? That's >> Yeah, it's the highest bidder in this case. >> Okay. >> Guess the abs in both cases.
>> Yeah. >> All right. Uh make a motion that we approve the bid for uh for timber to JH conci >> conci concer
town mass. Um their total bid price is $75,000 $200. >> I will second the motion. >> Any more discussion? >> No discussion. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi.
>> Uh contracts for charter day. Yes, we have several. Um the first one is for pyro pyro technical fireworks inc. You may have guessed it's for the
fireworks display. I think that's a good guess. >> For charter days, uh, the amount of the firework display is $9,400. >> And we've already have we already made a
deposit or is that just part of the contract? The deposit contract. Okay. >> All right. Well, are you going to go through them all, Glenn, or do you want to >> No, I'll just I'll do this one. >> One at a time. >> Yeah. Okay, I will second that motion
for pyro technical. >> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> All those in favor? I >> I say deposit amount by 315 2026. I don't know if it's been deposited with an issue. Probably not
cuz the contract >> I don't think you guys haven't signed the contract. So I don't believe approved yet. So yeah, >> if I want to get that um quickly the deposit >> who is signing off on these
>> the board or the chair if there's just one spot. >> Uh it does look like just one person. So >> you do have the better handwriting, but I can sign it. >> Well, you're you're the chair, so I think it's more appropriate one >> in spite of my handwriting.
>> In spite of handwriting. Yes. So with that said too, I'll make a motion to allow uh the chair Mark Bale to sign off on the contract. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor? All right. Bye. Today's a six, right? >> Yes.
>> Always a good day when I know what the eight is. >> That is true. So, I'll make a motion Beth Town uh approve on behalf of Charlie uh contract with Fiesta Shows
and it's sum of $14,500 and again that is Fiesta paying the town, >> right? >> Yes. It's nice to sign a contract where we get paid. >> It is.
>> Uh with that said, also uh part of the motion will be to author by chair Mark Bill to sign the contract. >> I will second the motions. >> All right. No discussion. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> Hi.
>> I signed where it says committee. Okay. I'll make a motion uh to approve contracts with arrow flagging. Uh this is where flaggers for traffic for charters. Uh the amount is $1,800
and that is what we pay. We're not will not be receiving that. We pay for this service and also allow again chair mark bill sign on behalf of the select board and the charter committee for the contract. >> I'll second the motion.
>> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I I this is the first time they've hired flaggers. >> Just to clarify, that's in the park. That's not on the street. All right. I was going to say it was a little bit of a >> No, they had them last year. >> I think they've done it a couple years now.
>> Yeah. >> Just the volunteers aren't there to help in the parking lot anymore. >> Uh that's probably true. >> They get them in and then turns into chaos if they let them go on their own. >> Yep. >> I'll make a motion.
to approve a contract with MA map. They are in the truck for the truck phone contract contract for charities um in the amount of $6,750.
And again, I will have the motion include that have Mark Bale as a chair authorized to sign the contract. I'll second the motion. Uh, any discussion? No discussion. All those in favor? All right.
>> These two need signatures. This is from approved act. That is the full hearing and this is the annual town meeting articles. Okay. Signatures on it as well. You got to watch one of the truck pulls sometime to see what they actually do.
>> It's It's neat. It's loud. >> I've heard them, but I've never seen it. >> Man, how do you win? >> Be prepared to pull the weight the furthest. >> You tow weight. You got to pull it the furthest. Pull the furthest ones. >> Okay.
Let's see. We have a convict license for uh MVP eats by Portugu place food truck 37 South Street plan for the math 010008 and it's for to have it at the wine
house 16 east street now 01033 there's no date on here No date of the event. >> No, no date. So this expires December 31st, 2026 unless sooner suspended or revoked pro violations under the common commonwealth
laws licensing comics. >> Second the motion. Um so I'm just clarification. I don't have an objection, but um are is there anything else we're going through here? Are we writing? Is this for a whole year? Is that what we're doing or is this >> they come in Vixer for a year and
usually it's per location and then they usually contact board of health and the fire department >> I think and and town hall >> the fire chief inspects on each right to inspect >> just let them know when they're having it at those locations they have to have a permit a common vic for each location.
>> All right. Any more discussion? No. All in favor? All right. Um, this looks like it's for charter days, correct? >> Yeah, charter days. It's uh one day or three days. the notice of approval of
special license uh for the town of Graanby uh authorizing from 4626 Friday June 12, 2026. >> Is that right? The date >> because they're applying today and
they're actually having it on a certain date. >> Oh, the date. Okay, I see that. Yeah. uh is for Leadfoot Brewery at 95 North Chryney Street, Chy Mass 01020. The effective date of the license will be June 12th, 2026.
Authorized hours of sales 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 12th, 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 with two drinks per person, 9:30 to 10 p.m. And then one drink per person. Oh,
sorry. Authorized hours of sales 5:00 p.m. to 1000 p.m. for June 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Two drinks per person. From 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. One drink per person. Is that
So that's where they can >> Correct. So we can start winding it down before >> they close up. >> Yeah. So that's where they can purchase. It's not >> correct. >> Okay. >> It's the same restrictions we've had every year. I I know I get that. Just usually it says purchase. That's so just
it reads almost like a person have two drinks and that's it. >> Yeah. No, it's purchase per person. Yeah. >> All right. Description license and premises is for defrain park area Kendall Street side for day in confined
designated tent or larger area no larger than 40 by 80 area with only one entrance and one exit. It will be uh wine and malt beverages only and it's forprofit companies.
That's the motion. >> I'll second the motion. Any more discussion? >> I wish they were here right now. >> All in favor? >> I So again, a notice of approval for special license
for the town of Grahamby. Uh approval date is April 6th, 2026 for Saturday, June 13, 2026. again at Lead Foot Brewery, 95 North Chippy Street, Chippy Mass 01020.
The effective date of license is June 13th, 2026. Authorized hours of sales 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on June 13th, 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Two drinks per person from
10:30 to 11:00 p.m. and one drink. So from 11:00 am to 10:30 p.m. it's two drinks per person and then from 10:30 to 11 p.m. it's one drink per person. >> Correct. As they serve the correct purchase. >> It's better than am
>> description of license premises to frame Park Kendall Street side frater confined designated tent in the larger than 40 by 80 area with only one entrance and one exit. wines and malt beverages only and for profit business.
>> I'll second the motion. Any discussion? >> All in favor? I >> I remember the special license done last year. >> Yeah. I thought I thought it I thought it was just all one cup. >> And then the next one
>> is for notice of approval or special license for town of Grandy. Uh the location and authority is April 6th, 2026 for Sunday, June 14th, 2026. Lead foot Brewery, 95 North Chick
Street, Chicky, Mass 01020. Effective date for date the license is June 14th, 2026. Authorized hour of sales is 11:00 a.m. to 400 pm. On June 14th, two drinks per person and 400 p.m.
to per person and 400 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. is one drink per person. uh area licensed premises du frame park area Kendall Street side for charity day and confined as a tent large 40 by 80
with only one entrance and one exit again wine and malt beverages only and for profit business second the motion any discussion all in favor I All right. correspondence.
>> Yep. We got a notice of filing from the DPU regarding energy rates from National Grid. Looks like they're decreasing them for the summer a little bit. >> That's nice. I was actually reading about municipal aggregation this morning. That sounds really enthrowing.
>> That'll be really generous. 29 to 68 cents. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They increase. >> No, that's that'll be that'll be your savings. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Till you turn your AC on. >> And again, uh another notice this time
from DPU regarding telecommunications and cable. They're having a hearing uh discussing their proposals. Yeah, I think I must have been reading Boston Globe and they were talking about municipal aggregation and savings by like basically allowing
the entire town to pull um electrical providers or maybe distributors too. I don't it's I don't know who around here has them aggregation. There's some people out by the cape, but it's it can be a money saver. One of the problems is that you
uh you save money and you also save money on not putting money into things for like you know the green energy and whatnot, but um you save money on that, but als you also don't qualify for some of those things.
saw like the heat pump that I put in my house for I got a $10,000 rebate and then a no interest loan. That kind of stuff would probably not work with municipal aggregation. Be more like South with their they have their own electric company.
>> Um I think at one point Chris did sign some kind of a deal with um an electric company with a solar the solar wind and they offered us the town some kind of a discount. >> I don't remember. There's something >> one of the companies, >> the first company went in on >> was it the Big East Street?
>> Big East Street, I believe. >> But I think that was back when we thought, well, they were still letting us uh tax those things. >> Originally, they let us tax those and then they >> said you couldn't anymore. >> Then they said you couldn't. So, >> they're
a energy company. >> Yeah. >> I don't have that much energy anyway. Okay. So, that's our correspondence. Departmental reports. Um, would you like to read all those out loud or would you just >> No, I'm just going to make a motion to approve departmental reports.
>> Um, I'd like to actually table those because I didn't see any of them in my email. >> So, I didn't get to read through any of them. >> I don't know. >> I don't believe I did. >> Oh. Did you Did everyone else see >> I didn't I didn't see them. I saw the a
lot of minutes. I saw the minutes and >> I saw the minutes but not the reports. It just didn't come through. >> It's a possibility >> sometimes. I don't know. Like >> cuz you cuz you usually put it all in >> one email by category and it wasn't there. I didn't see it. >> It was so much maybe I missed it.
>> Yeah. With mine sometimes go mine goes sideways but then they also go down. Correct. And then the minutes. >> Okay. Um and the minutes. >> Yep. So, uh, I'll make a motion to approve the March
2nd, 2026 regular board meeting minutes. >> That's it. >> That's it. Yeah. Well, there's more. >> There's more. Yeah. Uh, I will second that motion. >> All right. We don't have any executive sessions around any any of this stuff.
>> I don't need these. I don't believe >> not these. I did read through. >> All right. Uh motion to uh any discussion >> not discussion. >> All in favor? I >> I like so much of a chair uh signature here. I have to tell you that was chair
for many years. Mark. >> Okay. Well, don't worry. You got the good hand. Uh, let's see. I make a motion to approve the select board minutes from March 16th, 2026.
>> Uh, okay. That's not on the agenda, but if that's there, it's good. >> Yeah. I just noticed I put 1110 25 twice and I didn't put the 316 table next time. That's fine. I Well, I I did read them. >> You did? >> Yep. So, if you just have the date here
wrong, then >> that's describes minutes. Yeah, there are minutes. We're approveing minutes. So, right. >> Yep. >> So, I will second. Second the motion. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> I'm going to abstain cuz this I wasn't here.
>> I was the one where we talked about him all, right? >> Yeah. >> Came late. >> No, that was the meeting that I think you you weren't here. I think it was just sick. I think he had uh >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You want to go into detail? >> No, just telling you were sick.
>> They they were going on there. He started something say didn't quit. Yeah, sir. Oh, yeah. I remember that now. So, I ended up um I ended up for no bad reason in the uh waiting room of the
Noble Hospital for two hours listening to two guys talk at the top of their lungs about sandwiches. >> They're probably hungry. >> And I'm talking about for like two hours they talked about, "Do you ever eat at this place? You're a truck driver. Did you ever go down there?" "Oh, yeah. I had that. How about Gil Monte?" I was
like, "What is going on here?" I had to move cuz I couldn't I couldn't I couldn't concentrate. I was not that interested. But I did learn that kleslaw you have to eat klelaw with barbecue because barbecue's a little rich. >> These are these are the things, you know,
>> things you need to know. I guess you say you weren't paying attention, but you could well part of it. I couldn't help myself, but you know, I wanted to share that bit of wisdom with you. >> Appreciate that. I make a motion to approve the minutes from November 3rd, 2025
board minutes. I'll second the motion. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I >> I >> Mark, apparently you weren't here for this meeting. Minutes and I I take it back. I don't I abstain.
Wonder where I was. I had this. >> There were two meetings. Quan missed one and you missed one. I do remember. So >> what? >> I can't imagine anything that >> I do remember each of you missing. >> Oh, this is November. I was doing real estate questions. >> That's it.
>> That was it. >> Yeah. >> A good time was that all >> your retirement job. >> I see those minutes back though. I I have one from March 16th. Just pass those down. You don't sign them. >> I sign them. I don't mistake. >> March 16th. my signature.
That's right. I changed my mind and initial. >> Yeah. Match the code. All right. >> All right. Uh board meeting minutes for April 1st, 2026. Hey, that was last week. What are you
kidding? Yep. >> Make a motion to approve the minutes. >> I'll second the motion. All in favor? All right. >> Hi. And lastly, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from November 10th, 2025. These
are regular select board meeting minutes. I will second the motion. >> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> Was I there that day? >> Yes, you were. >> All right. All in favor? I >> I >> technically can't remember, but according to the minutes, you were
there. >> I was just really glad to know that I knew what the date was today cuz uh that is not a strong suit of mine. That's what we have phones for. Just look at the phone. >> So, the classroom that I've been in
didn't have a clock. >> I mean, it was making me crazy. >> I can imagine >> cuz I didn't know what time it was. I look at, you know, I always looked at my classroom clock. Then I didn't have a calendar. I'm just starting now. Feels like I've been there like 6 months. I've been there 3 weeks.
That's not really a bad thing, actually. But um >> all right, >> it's a warrant to approve. >> Cool. >> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 61 in the amount of $482,16.58.
>> Can you repeat the number, Glance? >> Uh number 61. Don't think you want the dollar amount. >> The dollar amount, >> please. I'm sorry. >> That's a much bigger number. >> I know. >> The amount of $482,16.58. >> Oh, okay. Yep. I'll second that motion.
Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> really good. >> I didn't hear him right though. That's better than not listening. >> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 061s
in the amount of $69,2687. >> Second the motion. Discussion. >> I will say that's one of my favorite warrants. All those in favor? I All right. Sorry. >> I'll leave that back, too. I'm >> behind you. >> I didn't sign the second one. There's two of them. I don't right there.
>> That's all right. Mark didn't sign it either. >> How long did you go first? >> You didn't sign it either. That's why I just said something. >> All right. >> But at least it was still in my possession. >> True. >> You can always blame >> they confirm or deny, right?
>> That's I'm a bad influence. You can blame me. All right. There you go. >> We're too used to seeing those tags. >> I know. You get used to them. That's There you go. It's funny you say that cuz I usually get like a bunch of things that weren't the sign. That's why
the other day I said, "Look, I've been here almost 3 years. You stop putting the stickies on. I know where to sign now." >> Use a rubber stamp for extended. >> All right. Uh approve the motion to approve warrant D60 in the amount of
182,745.77. >> Second the motion. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I gosh. I behind you guys. >> All right. As long as you're with us,
playing ketchup. >> I was reading in the Boston Globe that people in eastern part of the state had a real hard time with u maple syrup. They weren't getting the flow. >> Yeah. Well, their their weather wasn't as consistent as far as >> Yeah. >> with the cold and the snow. And
>> now that feeds all these >> That's true. Yeah. Once >> they have lights on them. I'm going to wait till he signs too. He feels stuff behind us here. >> Yeah, he he's feeling left out. >> I'm looking for everybody's signatures as we go, too. >> He was like that little brother that's
always trying to keep up with these. >> I always was that little brother. Keep up. >> Really? >> I was the youngest of five. >> I was I was the oldest, but I have many brothers. >> My sister would just went following me. I'm all set, Mark. Uh, blind. Sorry.
>> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number PR59s in the amount of $286,424.94. >> I'll second the motion. >> Any discussion? No discussion? All those in favor? I >> I see it. Second sheet.
Sorry. That's a good idea. >> Put up my correspondence. Sure. Thank you. Make >> Go ahead, Glenn. I'm watching you. I'll make a motion to approve warrant number
058 in the amount of 268,000 $2741. >> I'll second the motion. >> Uh any discussion here? No discussion. All those in favor? I >> I Morning.
>> All right. I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 058s in the amount of $357,716.33. >> I'll second the motion. >> Discussion hearing. No discussion. All those in favor? I. I.
These chairs have questionable lower lumbar support. I'm finding >> I'm always afraid to lean back. You'll feel like I'm going to tip over. >> Go flying. >> Yeah, you're taller than me. I'm like my feet only don't even reach the floor. There we go.
All right. All right. That was fun. Anything else uh before we get to our town administrator's report? Acting town administrator Grady, did you have anything to report? >> A couple things. Um >> would you mind if I pause for a second? My battery is about to die. >> Sure. >> Okay. Just took a short recess while the
battery is being changed in the camera. We're going to resume here. We're going to hear report from acting town administrator Brady and then we're going to call it a night. So, uh, quickly like Chris said, um,
we reached USA Waste reached out through, um, Glenn to try to get a meeting with us. So, that is scheduled. I think we're going to do April 15th. I'll confirm um, just to see what they have for a plan. Um Mark, I don't know
if you saw your email yet, but Mindy D's office is trying to set up a meeting uh regarding 202 project. Yep. >> Um that me being said, just to quarters and the controversy with the traffic still not being any better than it was,
if not worse than it was prior. So >> that back to Mindy's a >> right. So there's going to be some kind of a Zoom meeting just so us get a feeling. It sounds like Mindy and uh Omar are going to be there. >> Um and finally, you guys got the
regionalization report. I know it's a lot to read. Um I did hear from the Wilberham rec director. Um if there's any interest whatsoever for the town to join like Wilberham's wreck in the next year or so, they're just asking for a
letter of interest so that they can apply for loans. It does not mean that we have to go with them. They're just asking if the board is interested in researching further and possibly looking at something in the next fiscal year or so, uh, that I sign a letter of
interest. So, I'm asking the board if they want me to sign a letter of interest or >> I I personally do. I think as much as I don't want to regionalize dispatch, we have we may not have a may not have a choice. I'm certainly interested in
going that far and pursuing. I would agree with that. Um, if we're running into a budget situation where we may not have that option, I think we need a second option to look at, >> right? So, at least it's not a commitment. It's just a just an option.
>> Interest. Yep. >> Okay. I will uh reach out to Mr. Gentile and ask him to get me a copy of that letter that he needs signed. >> Okay. Very good. Anything else? >> That's all I got. Oh, I did um I had
brought up before I remember sending a letter to um people on committees asking to just restate their interest and any feedback they had. Did you guys have any thoughts about that? I I would draft something for the next meeting. >> No, that's fine. who I think it's good to show their
interest >> because I feel like having gone through I went through the all of the committees and I looked at I mean whether there was anything to be productively done with the committees. I mean there's some committees they just
you know trust funds that don't exist anymore that kind of thing. Um whether we should be appointing those committees at this time or not. And then I would like to I got about 10 new people that I recruited last year to get um involved
in committees. I'd like to like get 10 or 15 more this year from Ken. >> When I get some will be advertised on the website or something that is there for all committees and people if they want to get involved they >> yeah I would promote it on Facebook as
well. And if there are committees that aren't really doing anything, I guess I mean should we discontinue those committees >> or leave them in place in the event that >> something of the same nature comes up? >> That's a good I like
>> I think you would want to appoint new people at this point if there's committees out there that haven't done anything. >> If there's committees that are out there that don't have a charge, >> right, >> and and they're not meeting, then they should be a committee. This is another thing is like a lot of these committees have no charge like actual they're
here's a committee >> but try recruiting somebody for a committee that nobody knows but they do >> they have no charge they have no I mean >> right >> other than a name they have nothing so um yeah so I'll work on that I'll get that to you um some kind of letter which
you guys can review and then we can approve it um send it forward to everybody >> sounds good >> just a reminder you guys are interviewing town administrative candidates starting at 5:00 p.m. on the 15th.
Um, I think we may have one quick item. Uh, election war. We may need to have you sign. Other than that, it'll be strictly your interviews. Requested a uh half hour interviews with 15 minutes in between for you folks.
>> And where are we going to when are we going to talk about the questions? Are you you're sending them out? We're not deliberating on them. We're just >> correct. >> And then we'll choose those questions that night. >> Choose what questions you want that night. >> Okay. >> I will gather them as you send them to
me. >> All right. I got that. I got 5:13. >> And we do not have a meeting. I don't know if you want to schedule on the 15th. figure out when on the the 15th when you want to meet again, but we do not have a
second meeting scheduled for >> I put it on my calendar as the 20th cuz it's >> I think we did the following Monday, didn't we? >> That's a holiday the 20th. >> Yeah, the holiday discussed potentially the 27th, but I don't know. Want to just confirm it?
>> I'm open. >> Yeah, you found me. Okay. We did we did talk about the 27th. >> We did. Okay. >> 27th just kind of a week between that and the next meeting. >> And then town meeting is what?
>> The 11th. Yes. You'll have the 27th, the 4th, and the 11th. >> And I would very much like to avoid having a meeting like a slot board meeting before town meeting. We can possibly help it >> that day. You mean? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, you guys should be probably
pretty good because you got the 27th, the 4th. >> Yep. >> And then you're at the 11th. So, >> what's your last meeting? >> 4th. >> Okay. >> What could be tonight? I'm not sure. >> Wasn't that bad.
>> All right. >> May 4th would be my last. >> All right. >> So, not the 20th, the 27th, >> correct? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Sorry, I didn't have it right in my calendar either. I don't talk We talked about it because when they let Patre
>> All I know is I was >> either missed or was late to or forgot three appointments in a row, Thursday and Friday. Was not a happy camper. >> We know we were sitting here waiting for you for at least one of them. >> Kevin text like text me. No, two of them. >> Was it two of them?
>> Yeah, I think it was. >> Well, there's nothing else. So, I'm going to make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second that motion. Um, discussion. I mean, I got a few things to say, but you guys All right. Very good.