[Music] I understand that but all right it is 5:31 we will start the select board
meeting of um April 29th I will call the meeting to order at 5:32 you can join me in the pledge of allegian I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Thank you. Right. First up is the fire chief for the FY26 budget, please. Hi, how are you? Good. Yourselves? Good, thank you. So, you received this package, right,
with the the budget and Yep. Y um so we've been through a couple rounds with it, round with Chris, round with the finance committee. I met with them last week as well. Um, one of the the biggest concept in here if you actually
if you want to turn to this the the second pages uh third page sorry the the diagram page. Yes. So some of the the challenges the department has had is if you if you look at how the shifts are arranged there's there's four shifts of two people. Uh two of those shifts group
C and group D contain one career member and one what we call pdium or part- timerrer. So that's where some of the challenge has been over over time is trying to fill those two part-time positions because they're typically filled with people from that work careers in other departments uh or call
for us or or have other jobs. So their other paying I shouldn't say their paying job but their career job comes into play and then they have to call out cancel plus the then the career folks have to cover the shift and create some overtime. So, what I what I proposed and
went through with with with Chris and whatnot is is replacing one of those PDM positions or part-time positions with a career position this year. So, we would have three shifts covered with two people and then just just one shift that
has the PDM per se. Um, the second part of this is if you look at the the bottom scale, 70% of our calls hand uh come in pretty much 6:00 a.m. to 8 7 8:00 at night. So, we would carry a third person
that um would be in in that ship be updating what we call an impact shift or handle the peak shifts. This would be a little different than what's happening now because if there's a third person they might this today they might do a 24 tomorrow they might do it 12. It's been
hit or miss on our coverage which be can come become kind of dangerous because ambulance goes out of town gone for 2 hours went to base state. Now what do you do? You have you don't have anybody here at all or you might just have the chief. So what this would do is put another person in the station utilizing
a part-time position. uh try to fill it and then that person would be available to go on calls, back fill if they needed to uh cover a vacation if they would needed to maybe if it couldn't get coverage. Uh some of the union contract comes into some of this and some of it kind of works in parallel and I know
it's kind of confusing for a 5m minute discussion but what the goal with this and um you know talking with Chris and John Leber was try to bring some stability to the the funding of of the department. And I know it's been all over the place. Um and we've been trying
to um you know fill the fill the things and there's been a lot of lot of things going on after co of staffing trying to get staffing trying to get paramedics all the departments are having that and at the same time everyone's calling
volumes are going up typically 10 10 to 15% a year. So um I think this brings a little bit of stability to it. As far as the other the other line items, we we have an increase in overtime. We have
two members um that'll be taking advantage of FMLA um information or FMLA rights, so to speak, for for going out. So, we have to cover those positions. Uh that has a substantial financial impact for the possible up to 12 weeks. um and
long everything else is pretty much along the lines of true costs that increased from a contract for like software or something like that. Uh the good news is the the department's in good shape as far as they've done a great job as far as upgrading air packs,
upgrading, you know, turnout gear, things things of that nature. The Jaws of Life, um they're they're in good shape. We have an ambulance coming in September that Chris, did that extra get in this on the um remember the 50,000
increase in the that's not in this one yet? Okay. So, there is an increase in the ambulance from ordered 3 years ago that we have to address on the contract. Okay. But, uh other than that um so that's not currently in the budget. So, is that something that will be a capital
expense at town meeting or I'll probably end up doing at the special town meeting for June is to maybe transfer excess funds from another department to cover the cost of the increased cost of the ins. Is it exactly 50,000 or I I'll get
you the exact I thought I sent it but I'll give you the number. Okay. Thanks. It might have been IRA. I'm not sure. Okay. And so with the change in staff uh you have estimated that the wages will go down. Is that the negative 15% that you're projecting?
So when you look at wages you have to look also at fire and ambulance because they're split. Okay. So um which is the 225 220 right? Uh we're Yes. Yeah. Yes.
Yeah, I mean there was even though we're we're adding a person, I think, you know, we bring a little stability to it and it actually brings the price the the cost in line a little bit. Now, someone could get hurt. There's always a lot of Yeah. variable, but um
did we lose longevity? Looks like that line item is 100% gone. Yeah, take a look at that. Okay. Because that would be a stipen that's paid out to the people who are here for
a long period of time, right? There's only one person who gets it at this point in time. Okay. Is that a fiveyear start? No, that's 10 years. 10 years. So, basically, it's Tyler who gets it right now. Okay.
And again, the other thing we also tried to the the union contract for the career are um up for negotiations this year too. So we try to anticipate some of that too, but you know, who knows where that ends up. which would be reflective in the wages
for the full-time, right? Yes. Okay. and the overtime you're just projecting out because it's going up 10 to 15%. Up more service calls. Yeah. And and trying to use um some history over time. It's it's
been up and down, you know, from when I left to now. It's been it's been higher. It's been lower. It it really you're throwing a dart. You try to project. Never sure. I think last year they had one person out for a year. So when you
when you look at that, that's just double the salary right there, right? Yeah. And the radios and pagers, did the cost of them go down or um No, we're in good shape with them. So we don't need We did. So there was an earmark um for
portable radios. that we're still trying to finalize. In one of the other uh equipment grants, they've got a couple more videos. So, we're in decent shape with with those, I feel place we could absorb this year at least. And the hazmat costs went up. So, I did
notice that's that percentage is high, but I know the cost to get rid of is that the um the sharps program that used to be funded by a grant. Which one are you under? That is the second
page. Go to 5583 is that middle number and it says Hazmat County. Okay. So, what that actually is um are dues for the Hampshire County. Oh, okay. So, all the all the Hampshire County
towns pay into that. uh choose for training, choose for um purchase of some materials, group purchasing, uh what we call the Hampshire 6, which we can send someone for a basic basic training type of thing. Uh they they called it that
because way back it was all hazmat money but you pay based on a a prorated per population and I think it was underfunded in the past and the first time I'm seeing frame judging on here. I have obviously seen it last year but they still keep that
line item there. It's been there a long time. I know. Did the fire department used to do it? When I was first here, we were I was charged with looking into pricing it and Okay. you know, getting the engineers and other people, but it just never we
could never connect with it. It was You're still working on it. Work in progress. Still shallow, right? Still shallow. And it's 1.5 million. It's probably gone up since then. That was two years ago to judge it. That was the estimate.
Yeah. a long time. Did you have any more questions, Dave? I think I've asked all the ones that I was looking at. It looks pretty cut and dry. Not much has changed. And yeah, I mean it the marching orders were to keep it keep it level if we could. Did
the software maintenance go up a lot? Yes, it did. So that's all part of that I can that that's a particular software that they they started last year. Um it's for our medical records or fire reporting and permitting. It's a very
robust um product but we are kind of toying around with looking at other products just to see if we can make up some cost savings there. which makes the department cringe because they've gone through about three different ones over the and every new
software is a training bought out merged bought out merged and you lose functions you gain some fun it's frustrating being in I'm trying not to pull that too much but if we can get a direction going for the next guy then
it' be great Chris what's the uh in the long-term debt for what Was that purchase? That is the ambulance. The payment. The payment down on the ambulance. That's on the new one. Yes. So, we might we'll have to look at that because Did
you pay that last year, too? Since you've ordered it. Yeah. Yeah. We borrowed the money because we thought it was supposed to be Yeah, we were we were supposed to have gotten it two years ago. Okay. So, what we did is we borrowed it the year we
thought we were going to get it and it's been delayed and backorded right for a couple years. Yeah, you ordered right in the middle of that chassis crisis when Ford stopped and Dodge stopped and so yeah. So, um I'll get you the the
accurate number. Okay. And I know when um we were looking at the current staffing, I know uh Chris, you had mentioned one way that could be we could save money is having one paramedic and one basic EMT on at the same time. And we had talked about that,
but I talked with Chief Anderson about it, too. And the answer is yes. I mean, we're we're licensed what they call PB, a paramedic and a basic EMT. Um, but sometimes we might have a paramedic in
training and you have a paramedic in training, they have to be in the back of the ambulance with the second with the other paramedic field operations kind of thing. So, then you have a basic has to drive. So, and that's kind of some of the past history is what they were chasing. They had a lot of people in
training, so there was a lot of moving parts. Okay. Um, and the way you have to cover those moving parts are with people to keep your license. Yeah. Okay. I don't have any more questions. So, are you thinking so your proposed
staffing would be to go to seven and one for DM rather than two? Correct. And then and then have an impact shift during the day of a of a predium as well. That's it. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Next is the interview with the fire chief candidate, Mr. Crux. Come on up. Welcome. How are you? Very good. How are you all? Good, thank you. So, you also came in front of us for the interim chief. I remember that
interview. Um so thank you for applying because we did urge um all the interims to apply uh for the chief's position and lucky for us you made it to the last round. So thank you. Yes. Thank you. Um
did you get a chance to look at the assessment scores? I did. I did. I was very impressed with all the assessment scores yourself included and the other candidate unfortunately that took another position. So, they were uh very impressive with all the scoring and
aptitude tests and everything. So, um I was happy with what I saw here. Thank you. So, our other select board member is um stuck in traffic right now, so he's unable to be here. Um do you want to I know we know you
from the last interview, but do you want to just give kind of a little background about yourself? uh for the people at home in case they didn't see the interim fire chief interview. Sure. Um I joined the fire service in 2007. Holy Oak Fire.
Um I've been I was a uh private for about 10 years. Got promoted to lieutenant. I've worked on the uh truck companies in Bolio truck 1 and truck 2 since then. Um, in 2015 when the
Springfield when Springfield opened their branch of the Mass Fire Academy, um, I joined there and I've worked there ever since. I'm an instructor there. Um, so my off days I've been working there. Um, I'm a father of three little girls.
Um, my wife uh has chose to stay at home and and raised them and and uh we've all benefited from that. Um, so I I I work as much as possible and and and they understand. They uh they share me with that so I can provide. Um, I live on
Kendall Street. I've been there since 2015. Um, all my children are in our schools here and and they're doing well. Um, they're all playing soccer all the time and we're uh running all over with them. So, um, we enjoy it. We enjoy the
town and uh, super happy here. Very nice. And um I do just have some questions because we weren't part of the interview process for the chief. Um so what now that you've been through the assessment center and um you've shadowed
um Chief Anderson a little bit here and there, what do you think your biggest challenge is as a new chief in our town? So um I just want to pause for a second. Um, and as you mentioned, I did have an opportunity to shadow Chief Anderson.
Um, yesterday he he invited me in and I was grateful and it was at that point that um, I learned that the other candidate wasn't um, pursuing it anymore and and that that he found another position. Um, and it was at that point that I kind of learned more about the
top end of the scale as well. Um, and so I I did a lot of thinking last night and um I emailed the Did you receive an email for me today? Um, I printed out just in case it was late in the day. So, okay. Um,
Yeah. But you made it in time for the interview. How are you? Good. How are you? Made it through the traffic. I did. Roundabout way. I I brought a letter that uh the other members are reviewing. I left one
there for you. I was trying to get it to you all before the meeting. Chris, what is the current highest that we have set for this position? Depend how much got the ad. I don't remember
what the highest 103 I appreciate your transparency. on it. I think um it would be a serious conversation that the board would have to have because we are running such a tight budget right now. I think when we originally posted the ad, we did the
research to see what the average fire troop was getting in a small town like ours. So, I don't know that we can compete with the city's salary rate. Sure. Especially since we would also ask for Chief Anderson to stay on to train the new fire chief for at least a little
while. Sure. so that they feel comfortable in the position and the role that they're taking over, which is unfortunate, but I don't know how you feel. Or Glenn just got here, so I'll give him a few minutes to take it all in. You have a certain amount you're
looking for. Um, it it wasn't near a price range. I mean, a range. I don't exact amount. I think that if if it was higher and and I don't I don't know where the numbers came from and and I'm I don't disagree
like the smaller towns do different things but I honestly think that that's why you're having the problem with the fire chiefs turning over so much that if it it's it's hard to to do and to be available 247 like you need to be like I
I work three different jobs and and I'm willing to step back from all of them to to focus on to to be, you know, present to to make sure that all the residents have that 24/7 and and you know, a chief that's available for all your emergencies.
Um, how how it's now is just not not like I'm accustomed to, not kind of not how we teach to operate in the fire service. like just like um Russ was saying like there needs to be a little bit more staffing like whether one
member more during the day but when the ambulant go ambulance goes out and if I if I was there or if I wasn't there then then there's no coverage at all and that that would bother I would be thinking about that I would make sure that if I
knew that the ambulance was out I better be available for that time like it there really isn't any room to to step way and if I wanted to go and and work a part-time job to try to make up that difference that um I agree it's it's a smaller town but um you know you you do
need that that high focus chief to to make sure everything is staying running safely and smoothly. um when you know when a fire call comes in right after an ambulance call there's the the only option is mutual aid and if
you're using mutual aid for everything all the time then it's no longer mutual aid it's you know we're just asking for help all the time so you we got to kind of be in a position to pay it back after we ask for it so that would be when if if Lello's asking for help or
Belchuretown or South Hadley we got to have a a a crew of three people ready to move to to pay that mutual aid back. and if we weren't in a position to to do something like that and um and it's a big conversation. It's a conversation that um in in the
U assessment center I said one of the first things that I would do and it would probably be something I would have to do before I even accepted the the position if it was offered to me is to meet meet with you and have a serious conversation meet with the finance committee and have a serious conversation and make sure everyone's
visions aligned because you know if you're bringing in a chief in that is just looking for a job and was like all right I'll just keep you know I I won't be available I can do something else to to make up the difference to, you know, pay the bills, whatever. And they're not ready to to pick up that slack in a
tight department. Like tight department is exciting. It's fun. You you'd be going on all the calls, but it's also it it gets to be risky and and we try to eliminate as much risk as possible in the fire service. And um you know, that
would be the the fire department that I would try to create and I would try to get everybody on board with my vision. But um that's why you know the number I I haven't thought of the exact number but it it would be drastically higher than the 103. U that's what I'm
currently making as a lieutenant in Holio. So it it it would be you know enough that that I could stop my other part-time job and focus 100% on on because it's 247. It's not it's not everything you're know when I'm going on vacation. I'd make sure a a deputy was
available to pick up the slack while I was gone. But besides that, you're on duty. But I also there there might be candidates that that don't have the financial obligations that I have that could do the job and and maybe they are. You might and that's why in my letter I
I should have read the whole thing and everybody it's I'm not trying to keep it confidential. I was trying to get you guys to I I sent it late in the day today. I I kind of learned some stuff and got had some questions answered that I didn't know about yesterday. I didn't know the other person had stepped down
yesterday. And I also um I don't know where I got the top end. The top end I I I heard was 112 and that 112 and I don't know if it was posted or not. If it was 103 I think in the interim I saw the posting of 103, but don't quote me on
that. in in either either number it really still wouldn't um make a big change. Um, but when I learned that the high-end was 112 and that um, and that I was the last person going for it, I didn't want to sit down here in front of
you today and say, "I'm here and I'm and I could possibly do this for for 103 and I couldn't possibly do it for 112." So maybe if if it you came up a little bit, post it again, get more people in. maybe you'll find somebody
that doesn't have my financial responsibilities and could do it for a lower number. And if you can't, I I would be here and I'd be willing to at that time talk about the right number. Um or if if you wanted to talk about it and call me back in, I'd be willing to
come in and talk again. But um I really wasn't ready to to break it down any further than that tonight. No, I think I think that's fine. I mean, you gave me plenty of information. I was looking for a range and you really gave that as to what you're kind of looking for and I
appreciate that as well. And it definitely wasn't my intention to to waste time with uh the assessment center. If uh John was here tonight, I was going to sit here and tell you if John is willing to do this and can finance it's possible for him financially to do it, you should pick
him because I I met with John and John seemed like a dedicated qualified candidate. I um we sat together while we were taking turns going in the assessment center and um I had nice chats with them. So you they they did a good you know not myself they they did a
good job selecting the other candidate anyways you could decide for yourselves about me but I I thought they did a good job finding him and uh and I you know as a resident of of this town I would like you to find somebody that that could do it cheaper than me and if if you could
find somebody cheaper and do it better then that's the right choice. I do appreciate your honesty. Sorry for the curveball. I understand. We all have financial commitments to our families and we've got to put our family first. So, I understand that.
So, I guess where does that leave the board? Do we put it out too close again and see if we can get another fire chief or do we go
back to the assessment center with the other candidates that you had started with? Russ, do you have any input on that? I I think I would recommend um if if you know Brian I haven't seen a letter so I if you know Brian I I kind of sense from
our discussion there were some concerns on things um but I would repost I would change some of the parameters in it mileage being one of the big issues uh typical for civil service it's typically a 15 miles to the border of the town
um I I would utilize that as as kind that and if the salary probably need to look at salaries a little closer um and see where that is with some of the studies that have been out there with like towns as
well and it might need be might need to look further than going through Massachusetts it's you know I don't know all right well thank you very much um for your time and for coming in. Yeah, absolutely. Appreciate it. Thank you.
Sorry I didn't walk out. Yeah, I know we have the building commissioner for six, but you guys just want to take a moment and do you want to just research what the salaries are again? Might have changed from when we first posted it because that was a while ago that we posted it. I have some access.
I'll I'll give you a like a range. Okay. Yeah, we can find out. It's all public record. Yeah, there's been a couple done recently. Okay. Thank you. All right. Next is the building
commissioner. Hi Tom. How are you? Good. How are you guys? Did you get the um copy of the Are we starting with solar field? Um what do you want to start? Yeah, I I think I had them in order. So, we start with electrical. Yep. Yep. Um only thing uh
Art had thought maybe is Solar Field should be added. So, I actually included his email to the copy because of the time it takes them to do the inspections. Okay. So, minimum is $100 and then $7 for
every $1,000 to off the job. Is that what that translates to? Yes. Yep. 7,000 minimum. Yes. Correct. Yeah, I'm okay with that. So, you're going to separate the um solar
commercial from solar field installations. Yes. On the top chart, Tom, you have solar as 250. That would be the commercial, right? Oh, I'm sorry. We're on residential on this one. Well, no.
He's got a sentence down here that says solar commercial and then solar fields. Yeah. Okay. Got it. Thank you. Could we Yeah, just under commercial. Yep. Chris, do you need us to make a motion to approve the changes in it? Do you
have any questions left? I would question. What are other cities or towns charging for like solar fields stuff like that? I don't want to price their self out of people looking to put solar fields here. I mean, exactly. your your fees are very low compared to I did the
comparison in my chart and your fees but I'm not specific with that but your fees across the board are very reasonable compared to um I even reached out to bigger communities because I believe it was art that thought I should do South Hadley and
um Belchuretown but of course the population was so much bigger but they still were across the board you'll see with the building um all about the same compared a Graham B. And when we get to the building, if you're happy with what we have, I'm
fine. I don't have to be the bad guy again. But but since we're doing it, let everybody know since we're going to be um attaching these to the program um that we have the grant for, now's the time instead of paying later to have them increase say 6 months. So I just reached out to everybody and did a
review so that if you wanted to do it, now is the time. So before Damian left, he went for the gr the programming. Yes. Yep. Does it have the calculation paid and they enter all that and do the you know figure for us so that so South is around seven is
around seven. Yes. Yep. Higher or lower? A little higher but so they're 10. Okay. Yeah, that make s I don't know where
adding it more still. Yeah, but I understand what you're saying. You don't want to discourage them either. Yeah. Yeah. Oops. I will make a motion to update the permit fees for solar farms to a $100 minimum and $7 per
thousand thereafter. Solar fields. Solar fields. Yes, madame chair. Yeah. With an effective date of June 1st for the new for the new f not for the new fiscal year. That way, you're going
to give a 30-day notice. You're going to post the new revised rates and give everybody who comes in a 30-day notice that that change will be taken effect with a effective date of June 1st
to allow a 30-day notice for resident for residents to understand going into the new fiscal year what the fees will be. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. I think it
was I'll second the motion. Further discussion clarified is, you know, it's $7 per,000 of the the entire project that y clarify a little bit. Okay. All in favor? Uh,
all right. Gas permit. Gas permits. So, these are again very, very reasonable. He just wanted to go up. Um, and he said, "Do you think it's close enough to everybody else?" And they're happy. Like you said, they don't we're not supposed to make money. So, it's
um basically $20. Um, and he's adding um new and res renovation for the 220 each fixture. And the trick with this is right now the um plumbing is through and and there's very few towns left, but it's through
the um board of health. So I've reached out to the chair and we're going to sit down and um so I don't know if you have a um say or it's combined as far as the um fee for the plumbing, but I just thought I'd throw that in. Um his
recommendation, Mr. Marian's recommendation would be to do the same with that, but it may have to go through board of health. So that would be the next one down where you put an asterct that says plumbing permit on one time inspection is 60, but the new renovation is 100 plus the 10th. Is that where
you're Oh, the third page. The third page, I'm sorry. The third which we didn't get into is because it really right now he works under board of health. So the suggestion by Mr. Marian would be to combine especially when the program would be there and we'll be you know training for the program and we put
the plumbing and gas rate under the to make it convenient for the public and the contractors. So commercials going up $120 an hour. Well, new construction would be going up 30 $30 with the added per fixture,
right? Yes. And then commercial, non-residential, new or renovation. We don't even have that on our No, currently $100 following is residential and commercial. Okay. There's
just uh difference, right? Because he took it out of the residential. Correct. Okay. I see what you're saying. So it would be instead of 80 it would be 120. Yeah. More doubling plus commercial. There was nothing for fixtures or no it
would be 10. 20. Okay. Which went up from to 10. What I mean what's I mean again kind of start off with saying it's reasonable but we're looking to increase it. So, we're increasing it from something
that's reasonable. That's my suggestion we got to mind would be to think about it. I think we're going to have time, but instead of deciding tonight, I'd rather have you check and and maybe I should do a kind of a sheet for theirs as well. Um, for some whatever towns you think we get to
mine that, um, I just threw out it's it's a big race for the building. Yeah. To be equal. That's why I really wanted you to look at it and think and listen to, you know, see what the public thinks. So, the document that you gave us that has like a comparison between the communities, it doesn't have gas on
here. Nope. This is just all building permits and the first one was the comparable you know population but I did want I think art had a good idea would just throw me so I put the two Gambby at the start then added South and Belchure Town
but they're more than you know double or triple the population so I just Okay. Like I said, I I just threw what the majority of them were in here as a proposal, but it is a big jump for Graham. So, I really want you to make
sure you spend enough time thinking. I I didn't know what to put there. I was just going to leave it blank and let you for which one? I'm sorry. For the proposal for the building. Um Okay. You know, I you have the first word it is now compared to what the proposal was, which is you look right across the board. It's about the same. It's just
that it's a huge jump. and I'm the one that's going to hear about it. So, if you uh you know, if you think that's I just threw that in because of the other ones, but if you think you want to look that over and you know, cut it down, whatever it be.
So currently we're seven per thousand for a new single family dwelling and you're proposing just going up 65 cents. Yes. Oh, I would jump in to this one now. The reason being is the square footage price that would be per square foot cuz it's it's um a lot easier to
fudge numbers with the with the new construction. So it's by square footage. It's it seems to work out with the new construction a lot better. That's why you'll see I believe everybody on here was by Yeah. I wasn't No, Mr. Deerfield was the only one that
um didn't do per square foot. What is the um plus 52 afterwards? So you do 65 cents per square foot and then add an additional $52 on it. Yes. And the reason was a lot of them were 40 plus you know the 10,000 or 9,000
whatever it be. Um when we got to the program I was going to explain that the $12 we had talked about 10 but it it went up you know July 1st last year for the permitting program that we'd add it right to the you know from moving forward it wouldn't cost us anything the $12 um permit. That's why it's an odd
number like that. That's what other communities seem to have done with that program. Okay. Yeah. It just seemed weird that it was Yes. I'm sorry. The twos afterwards. Yep. Okay. And again, something to look at would
be, you know, just doing the 10,000 or whatever it be and and just do the $12. You know, that was just throwing some numbers compared to the others. And like I think Damon went up cuz it's it is a short time to be reviewing again, but I think he went up $10 on a
um just say a roofing permit. And what all the other towns do is it's by the thousand. So you're you know $60 is what you're paying here. And if it's an $18,000 roof, it's you know 200 whatever dollars. A big big difference. Sure.
Yeah, everyone's showing for a thousand. Can I just ask you, sorry, one more question about the gas permit one? Sure. So, it says any work that requires only one inspection, $80, and then underneath it, it says additional overlisted one. So, any additional times
that you have to go back, wouldn't that just be a reinspection or no? I'm assuming. Okay. Yeah, Mr. Marian had done that, you know, dropped it off. That was for the plumbing is what you were saying. Yes. Okay. So it would just Yeah, it would fall under the reinst. Yes.
Which currently is $60. So it just be going up 20 and I'm not sure how they get compensated. You know, I'm salary. So it doesn't matter what with mine. The inspector has to be paid. But I'm not even I didn't get into them. what any crystals um what they if they get a
percentage out of that or you know a specific amount um I know years ago like when I worked in Southampton was 60 an inspection for plumbing electrical and they got 40 the town got 20 um West 75 it was 5025 years
ago um a town like Sunderland the the uh $15 goes to the town and everything else goes to the inspector um not even a percentage. It's a they do very well as a you know spect like a small town like that where the big
commercial job comes in. All right. So, does the board want to are we holding off on the gas permit for now or do you guys want to look at that one first? That was the first one in the packet. Yeah, I'd rather look at it a little bit. Okay. So, we'll table the table the
gas permit. Gas permit. Did you want me to do a chart kind of like this with some comfortable? I'm curious. Like I said, we're you know more than doubling a commercial. Gotcha. I find out what what he was thinking. Yeah. the silver um building.
Now that based on what the builder expects the cost to be or is that how's that based on? Well, you can fudge it. So, what was that based on? Well, it's you know because by right you know you can say that you know 500,000 to build a house you know if if you you questioned
why they put down two cuz you know they can't build it. Well I you know the landscaping wouldn't be part of what their contract was. the you know carpet doesn't flooring you know cabinets things like that they can you know up the numbers and do it so it's a lot it's it's cut and dry when you do square
footage you know it's it's fair across the board I guess is what um by a lot of them have you know all but the one has has gone to that so the builder can make it cheaper by not going by square footage including put number commissioner can make it higher by
including things so this way you just say you're building that x amount of square feet this is the cost miss the cost um because you can question you know and maybe they'll go up a little bit but how far are you going to question it and it just it keeps it equal you know everybody fair
so I guess if you took into consideration a 2,000 foot house that what's 65 cents a square foot about $1300 well it's 7 plus to 65 he's he wants to add 65 cents to the seven that we charge
Yep. So he's not he's not suggesting we decrease it. He's suggesting we go up 65 cents per thousand. Yeah. And then base it off of square footage. So why don't I take a one of the newest one that came in even
recently or one of the last one that came in and take the square footage and do it out for you. Yeah. And see what what the difference would be. That would give you that idea. Yep. So actually look at them. So you'll do what the old price is, you'll do what the new price would be if we set the new rates. Yes. Give some
examples. I would agree. I mean, building my square square footage is straightforward, right? But I mean, I'll go buy what they put for a price. You know, it's crap shoot, but I mean, we'll just see what they had put down and and do it that way, too.
I pull a few of them up. Okay. That's good. And like you said, we have some time before we have to input this into the program to make the decision. Yeah. Well, it's going to be, you know, with the grant, how long, how we work it. So, we're just, we wanted to get this
approved first. He's ready to get us right online. Oh, with it. Um, but it's do we wait for the money? I don't know how it goes. Never never received a grant. This is great. That was actually my next um you know, thing to discuss that. Um Damian had got that nice grant.
So, we're going to be able to get the tablets for all the inspectors. So, you go out, take a picture right on site, enter right to that permit. Um it's going to it's going to work out nice and it won't be a fee in the future because you know if we add it to the
fees Glenn before he moves on to that uh service contract do you are you okay with him giving us examples and yeah let's Yep. And then would you be able to have that for our next meeting? Sure. Yep. All right. So next was the Grammy
service agreement. Is that the one you were just talking? Yes, the for the program. Yeah, I again just wanted you to have it to to look at. I'm not sure if we need to wait till we get the actual grant money or if you
get it ahead how it works. Chris, would you be able to tell us or do you know anything about the grant that the union went for? We we should be getting the grant because I think we just filled out all the paperwork. Okay. With the state to
be able to get it. The money will just come in, but you can start spending before it's received if you So then you're just waiting on us stuff. So sooner the better. And and uh it looks like there's plenty in that grant to do. I think it's 6,000 to have
everything. I've never done it with the program, but they'll enter all the past data in so it'll all be updated instead of having to go back in the files. We'll still have that as an additional backup, but you know, I I think it was 6,000 to enter everything that everybody thought it was a good
idea. I never never knew they offered that service. I know cuz that would be a headache for you to have to go in and manually enter just to get everything. Oh, right. Yeah, it do have. We just always kept the any any other committee I worked in, we just looked up the old files. So, our next
meeting is Monday. That's the time for you. That'll work. Okay. So, Kathy, can we put um the building commissioner on the agenda for Monday? Yep. Right. Perfect. And I was just going to the other thing I was just going to talk about the um
program is a good thing. It's going to be able to task. So, I will task and actually when I get it set set up, it'll actually automatically I check it every time, but it'll actually task right away for to collector. You know, there's no okay checking back and forth with emails. That's good. And I'll work it
out with, you know, fire department how they want to work it, whether, you know, they most chiefs are going to want the um plan still delivered to them. It requires their sign off or if they're going to be okay with what's already entered. Um I know with solar when I do my review I'll look for the um setbacks
and all so that I know they have it but how for example he still require them to deliver a full set to the station which they think is pretty common but okay that's a great feature with it. Don't they have to sign off on placement of
smoke and CO2s anyway? Yep. So it's a second more eyes on it and Okay. Very good. That's good news. All right. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Tom. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next is the Lions Club. We're not too
far behind. Actually, the Cody President Lions Club represent the American Legion Community Service Project we're doing for that. Okay. Um so, we're rebuilding the hall. It hasn't been renovated since the early 90s. You
may tell by the barn board inside. And and the kitchen was closed uh due to non-compliance with the hood. So, we put a fundraiser together and the Lions Club is sponsoring it as our community service project for this year, building revital rebuilding the hall and also
building a new kitchen for them. And we've been able to raise funds to American Legion and I've also worked with a lot of local companies. So far, we've gotten over $50,000 donations and we've raised about $40,000 and so we're able to kick this
project off in May finally. been working on it for a year and we filed for our permit and Tom let me know that the fee was I think $588 and we're wondering since we're getting a lot of donations where money is still a challenge for we haven't
bought the kitchen equipment yet things we're trying to ask if being a nonprofit organization veterans organization would be willing to help us on that fee so the fee includes the building commissioner and the all the inspections correct no that includes Yeah. Yeah. For
the building alone is 840. 840. 840 for the building. 840. Okay. Yeah. And I think you mentioned I think the plumbing inspector, electrical, they have to get paid anyway. So that would uh wouldn't be something you could help us with what we No. Okay. Well, we would really
appreciate it cuz we're, you know, it's a nonprofit and we're still raising funds for the rest of the equipment. So that's what we're asking. And I don't if you I gave you uh you got some cover sheets for the project. Yep.
Okay. Any questions about project? So, it should have been uh right underneath the might be in the back. Yeah, it's on the back of that cheek. So, it's right on top. Flip it over. I also have a picture of it if you like to see like
Oh, very nice. Okay. Well, we'll be installing a um hood, meet coats. Okay. All right. Cleber's doing that work, a stove, uh ovens, fires, a full functioning kitchen so they can start to serve meals to the
veterans. They can in a local community who also have, as you can read in the cover letter, all the organizations in Grandia that utilize the hall. It's really the only hall in town that that's being utilized that way. So, um, as you know, got the American Legion, Legion
Writers, so Highly FFW, Veterans Outreach Programs, um, the Graby Lions, we meet there, the athletic associations, sportsman's club, and a lot of other local community uh, members meet there. I think it's a great thing that you guys
are doing and um we pay our building commissioner a salary. So you are a nonprofit. I mean, I'm willing to wave the fee for the building commissioner, but we do have to pay the inspectors and I don't want that to come out on the taxpayers. I would I would I would say
I'd agree with that. That's fine. All of us, by the way, just so you know, all the labors being all of us are donating all of our labor, too. There's no cost. Everybody's been uh wonderful so far to donate all their time material materials to. So, I appreciate that. If you could do that, that'd be awesome.
I don't know how that was just my opinion. So again, any questions? Talk about it. Yeah, agreed. But it's something we need to be careful because this isn't something that we've we approved before a waiver for kind of
entertainment and flea market uh for non. We we approved that as a board. Yes. So now we're looking at doing it individually and setting and setting precedent. Right. So either either this board says okay for
uh all nonprofit we're willing to do this for cuz it's not you're starting to kind of look pick and choosing who you do it for. I like that. I agree with that. We can't pick and choose. It's got to be all or none. That's and that's how we
came up with permanent waiver fee requests in the first place was to kind of have them fill the the west and then we'll get everything and say yes to it. We're outside the the scope of what our
west mainly for licenses and because it has common Vic entertainment and flea market. That's what you're saying. That's what the board approved this for in the past. That's we designed it for them and approved it for that. Now we're outside that. I wouldn't think you're going to have a
lot of nonprofits building uh too much. In fact, this this project is, as you say, the Lions Club is sponsoring it. We're doing all the I've been able to get local companies to volunteer. For instance, example, $28,000 worth of plumbing costs are being donated from
their cost. I got the donation of the labor Home Depot $20,000. We've gotten all a lot of organizations locally to donate materials. B Crawley, all the materials. We wouldn't be able to do this project uh without those kind of things. And and $800 is, you know, just
a lot of money to give to the town so that the veterans organization can upgrade the facility to meet the code that was required for them because the town shut the kitchen down to begin with. It didn't meet code. So I just happened to be meeting over his alliance club and recognized they didn't have a kitchen a couple years ago and asked
them what they need what we could do to help them and I got involved in this after I retired cuz what I did in my previous life was a construction manager for Eastman Chemical. So uh and uh I've been able to get Kitridge um like I say Cleberg you name them we've had
everybody western builders donating. So no, I didn't worry about set present, but I think the charge of nonprofit that kind of money is just something they don't have the funds for. But I'm just asking for your help, that's all. No, and I understand that completely and how I know it's a board against staff. We
just have to do it in a proper way. So like I said, I think it's to the board to say that we look at it for all nonprofits. If the board's okay with that, then I say we can move forward with this. But that's a discussion for the board to because right now we don't
have that and I can't start pick and choosing what we're gonna we're gonna um wave fees on. Well, what about being a veterans organization? All the veterans that they've done for our country that that way you're not hung out where you do all we're not opposed to it. No, no, you know you're not. I'm just saying you
can look at it that way. I'm saying is you're doing for the veterans organization, not necessarily just an all nonprofits qualify for it. That's I'm just trying to give you, you know, some lingo, right? You know what I mean? You're not setting president. You're saying that for the Veterans Organization, we're going to do this
because what they gave to our country, but not all nonprofits are eligible for this just because you're nonprofit. That was your concern. Yeah, that's part of it. Yeah. Thanks. Um, I I like the idea, but I also have
to agree with Glenn that we can't set a precedent up front and then everybody that comes to us for something like this will want the same expectations if the form could I mean we
can we table it possibly and then do we have a conversation about changing that or or could we do a reduced fee possibly. Well, again, this isn't something that
if we do a percentage, then we could give a percentage to everybody. That was a nonprofit. I do agree that this forum does not state that it is it is specifically designed for licenses license
fees. I would think if you go with the veterans organization which it is there's a couple of them in there and that's what you set your president for instead of just a nonprofit. I think that's would not leave you open to everybody coming wanting to get fe per
fees per permitted weight. It's $800 we can put into some of the piece of equipment which we don't have the money for yet in the kitchen. We're just able to get the hood installed in the other pieces. We're still raising funds for the rest of the kitchen equipment. Could it be a donation from the town
towards the project? Would that be a better way of approaching it than just we're just again we're setting a precedence that we don't usually do. So that's we need to make sure that we're doing it doing the right way. I don't
think the board has an issue with uh with waving a fee. I think it's more is it more to get through in the proper way. Um, so it's across the across the board. That's what
this town of the board's got to think of. That's Can I make a suggestion that you table it until we have a chance to review the request with town council? That's that's where I was going to go with it. and see if what his
recommendations are. If you try and go down, it's a veterans organization because I think if you just try and single out in one group, I think you may open yourself up to discrimination against other groups, okay? that they
could take you to the court and next thing you know you got the ACLU in front of you, you've got uh discrimination in front of you and a lot of people are out there just waiting for you to make a mistake. So, I would rather feel more comfortable if town council has a chance
to voice his opinion regarding this request. That I I agree 100% as far as kind of go eventually kind of tableabling it and look at the options because we do open ourself up to other actions if we kind of just try to take
them able to move forward without amp. We said the board was okay if they sent me an email and everything's all set to usually the print. We're we're starting we've got the hall that printed for the month of May. Go ahead. Email and the board was okay that you know if this doesn't work out we're going to send
we're going to get the payment if you were okay with that. Yes. I mean, we can reach out your group's going to reach out to town council or Kathy tomorrow and kind of looking at what we're looking at. He can take a couple days, two, three days to look at it and get back to
us and we have a meeting next Monday and we can look at at that point. That's the day we start actually. But we're going to we'll have to long as you're I mean if you don't approve it, we're going to have to pay you. We're not going we can't we're not going to stop the problem. We'll have to get some raise
some more money to pay the fee. But well, appreciate your time and uh maybe uh Monday I'll come back and we'll see if you talk to the council. Yeah. Yeah. We'll table in these conversations.
Okay. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Oh, my little brain. Stider. Uh there is a letter from the town clerk. Um the board of registars met on April 18th,
2025. Then they voted unanimously in favor of holding in-person early voting for the Monday, May 19th, 2025 annual town election. Uh the board felt that they should give the voters the option if they wish to
vote early in person. However, they don't feel this would attract enough voters to make it worthwhile to vote in person at the old library. Uh the registers feel the election may attract enough to make it
worthwhile to hold inperson early voting in the clerk's office during regular office hours. would be 9 to3 Monday through Friday. 9 to3 Monday through Thursday, 9
to 12 on Friday. The registers is recommending that the select board opt in to hold in-person early voting from Monday, May 5th through Wednesday, May 14th during
regular business hours. and they are looking for a vote from the board in favor of this recommendation from the board of registrants. Did they when they had early voting
before Chris, how late did they go to? I think they went to 5:00. I think that's what they usually did, didn't they, Kathy? It was like 8 to 5 or 9 to 5. Saturday. And how many did they collect data on how many people actually gained? I don't
know what they collected. I'm going to say no because the clerk's office is not handicapped accessible. Oh, that so that that person who was handicapped wants to go and roll early. Can't do it.
Doesn't have that option. Okay. I would have to agree with that. They don't have accessibility for everybody. I don't think it should be partial to some of them. Okay, that's
fine. I mean, that's just I mean I like the thought process, but if anybody can't have the opportunity, we'll do. Would you prefer if they're holding it to be held at the old library during regular office hours,
which is accessible? Yeah. Yeah. And it would still be 9 to3 Monday through Thursday, 9 to 12 on Friday. Why did they not suggest that originally? Do you know? Because that's where it's all all they're saying is is when when they in the letter that I have
from them, it says the board of registers feels that we should give the voters the option if they wish to vote early in person. However, the registers feel this won't attract enough voters to
make it worthwhile to hold the inperson at the old library. That's all they're saying. They don't think there's going to be enough people who are going to want to go and do early voting in person. But it's past practice that we've been doing. It's past practice. We've done it
there. Yes. the board feels we should continue with that past practice. I don't have a problem writing back to the town clerk and letting her know via email that the board doesn't feel that her office is a
an ideal location for all potential voters and that the library the library is a more suitable for all voters who wish to do inerson voting. Yeah, I think that's the best
way to go, Chris. Okay, I agree. Uh, now I have a bunch of two-frame rentals and should we can run through in a fairly quickly manner. Uh, the first one is on Sunday,
May 4th, 2025. It's a birthday party on the Taylor Street side. Pavilion number one arriving at 2:30 p.m. Departing 5:45. No liquor. Maximum number of people is
25. We have the one for May 10th, 2025. It is a youth fishing event. Uh the large pavilion and access to the pond and bathrooms. uh arriving 8:00 a.m. departing 100 p.m.
No liquor maximum number of people 100. We have one for May 17th, 2025. It is a graduation party for the parking lot area, open field, wooded areas on either side of the open field
and the pavilion. Arriving 11:00 a.m. Departing 300 p.m. No liquor. Maximum number of people 35. We have one for May 30th,
2025. It is a graduation party. Area requested is the parking lot area. Open field. Wooded areas on either side of the open field and pavilion. Arriving 8:00 a.m. Departing 5:00 p.m. No liquor.
Maximum number of people 60 to 75. We have one for June 6, 2025. It's a grade six field for endofyear bonding activities. They're requesting the
parking lot area open field wooded areas on either side of the open field in the pavilion arriving at 9:45 a.m. Departing 2:00 p.m. No liquor. Number of people is 60.
We have one for June 17th, 2025. It is a summer concert. The gazebo and the lawn area arriving 400 p.m. departing 8:00 p.m. No liquor authorized. Number of people
300. We have June 22nd, 2025. It is a company picnic arriving at 8:30 a.m. Departing at 5:00 p.m. No liquor authorized. We have one for June 28th,
2025. It's a birthday barbecue arriving at 10:00 a.m. Departing at 1000 p.m. No liquor authorized. We have one for July 13, 2025. It is a group picnic. The area
requested is the large pavilion and gazebo and the large open field. Arriving 11:00 a.m. Departing 6:00 p.m. No liquor authorized. Maximum number of people 70. We have one for July 19th, 2025.
It is a family reunion, arriving 9:00 a.m., departing 6 p.m. No liquor authorized. We have one for July 27th,
2025. It's a anniversary party, 75 people or 75th anniversary party, I'm sorry. arrival to be determined. Depart departing to be determined and no liquor authorized. We have one for August 16th,
2025. It is a family picnic requesting the parking lot area, open field areas on either side of the open field and the pavilion arriving 9:00 a.m. Departing 5:30 p.m. No liquor authorized. maximum
number of people. It says one, but I think it should be more than that. Um, on September 6th, 2025, we have a family reunion, looking at about 199 people, arriving 10:30
a.m., departing 6:00 p.m., no liquor authorized, and that's it. Well, it's nice to see that it's getting rented out so much. Yes, it's a lot of Very nice. And that takes you up to 647. Yes, it
does. All right. Charter day committee. Randy, you can just state the name for people. Oh, wait a minute. Brandy Gab charter a chair. Yeah. Chart, sorry, Charter Ditch. So, sorry, I just been sick. So, I have
contracts or uh the vendors and the food applicants. Uh most of them have been here before um in the past. Dean Elliot his food
um which he's bringing in Dino's concessions. So he's got two different um trailers. So Randy, did you give all of these to Kathy? They have to go through Kathy and then through the board of health for
their own common victillers's license and then the fire department. So Kathy gets all the charter day contracts. Okay. And then the select board um looks at them. Yeah. I didn't get a chance to copy but
been really sick. So Okay. We can get we can give it to um to Kathy. All right. Yeah. Cuz I I have pneumonia. So I wasn't able to get here. And then I have well I actually have a couple more I'm going to have to get
then because I have So I think if you're if it's for the contracts we can give those to Kathy and we can look them over and then be ready for the May 5th meeting which is just Monday. All right. Um we can take a look at them. Was there any questions that you specifically had for the board um
forward? Actually, it was mainly you. Okay. And it was just about the uh board of health paperwork filling it out because it asked for the EIN number. You don't fill out any board of health paperwork. It's the vendors that do that. No, I have to fill out this one.
Right. That's what they said. It's the mobile food permit application, but you but you're not selling. Okay. Yeah. So, that's for the food vendor to fill out. So, they have to they have to fill out the common vict license, the board of
health paperwork, and then if they have a fry later, they're going to also have to fill out for the fire department as well. Okay. Because the other uh the other one we were talking about for the uh food vendor over by the Chuck Bside.
Yeah. He he and I talked today and he's going to go and I'm sending I'm sending him the thing for that so that way um that'll all be set. Okay. Yeah. So he would fill out all the paperwork and pass it to Kathy. Okay. So your end is
just to pick the food vendor. Randy, they're to do their job and do the rest. All right. I have a couple more contracts. I'll have to get them picked up from uh Steve has them right now. Okay. Because he picked up the mail the other day and there was a new uh food vendor in there. Okay. And then we have a couple other ones that are coming in.
So, but all the food vendor spots will be pretty much full. Okay. So, that's good. Thanks. And then a few more vendors. Uh hopefully. Okay. But yeah, that was about it. All right. All right. Yeah. So Kathy can
take those contracts from you. Um if you have any questions, just give me a call. Thank you, Randy. Thank you, Randy. It's no easy task we take on. Appreciate it. All right. Next is citizen participation. We have Ray Mors for 16
East Street Wine House. anything. My name is Raymond Morsette. I live at 17 East Street, Grammy. I'm sorry. All right. The White House has been continuing to
operate illegally in Massachusetts state and local laws, especially now since the select board has not issued any of the 2025 operating licenses to the White House. This has
greatly increased the town's liability. Majority of White House neighbors filed a complaint with the town select board on May 2024. Town of Grammy's building commission issued a ceased and desist
order on June 2025. This order is still in effect that has not been enforced by the town of Graanby appointees and elected officials. The Wine House neighbors are upset with the town for not enforcing
the 2024 cease and desist order and have hired their own attorney to enforce the Massachusetts state and local laws. If the town of Graanby appointees and list of elected officials do not close down the White
House, the neighborhood attorney initiating action against the town of Grammy and the White House, which will include but not limited to neighborhood damage and court cost. And that's that's where we're kind of at with this is
we've we finally got some legal people involved because it doesn't seem like it's going anywhere. Like he's operating like doesn't need a license. He just we do what we want when we want to do it. It's not right. That's all I have to
say. Just figured you needed to know what's going to happen if the things are not put in their proper order. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for what you do too. Try to help us out. I know you're here and every week you're
dealing with different problems. You know, this one's been ongoing. Hopefully, it'll resolve itself. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. You enjoyed Randall. George Randle, 52 Taylor Street. Um I originally came here tonight expecting
that we're going to have a new fire chief and um so at this point um uh we look forward to what's going to happen and move forward. I was pleased to hear Crystal mention that uh uh the
possibility of keeping Chief Anderson on for a extended period of time as a mentor and I think that would be a a very good uh thing to do. So uh uh as a member of the search committee I would ask for your support in that regard and
to uh consider that in the uh your budget request because this will obviously go past annual town meeting. Um George just see that's interrupted. That's something the board has already discussed at a previous meeting. That's why actually came out. So that was our
plan. Terrific. Um I'd also like to compliment um Lieutenant Krauss on his professionalism and honesty. Um it caught me uh by by surprise. And lastly, I'd like to compliment uh
Chief Anderson on his uh well managing of the search committee. Uh the process was well thought out. We had some good candidates that came in and uh the process uh u the
candidates uh they did well as as you see in in your report. So, we'll look forward to moving forward. That's all I have. Thank you, guys. Thank you, George, for being on the assessment committee, too. I know you and Richie um put in a lot of time on that as well.
Yeah. And, you know, it was it was worth it. The um uh Chief Anderson had it well organized and and well thought out and uh the meetings functioned and uh everything went went.
Thank you. All right, Chris, we're back to you. Anything else? No. Next is to accept departmental reports. I will make a motion to accept departmental reports.
I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? No discussion. All in favor? I I Right. Next is to approve and sign maintenance forms.
Thank you. I know I had to get through my stack of paperwork, too. Do you want me to read the warrants or this is the um just the maintenance warrants, right? So, this is just the Oh,
that's the bill paying warrants. Oh, you have them in front of you? Yeah. Oh, okay. Did you want me to read them or not? If you'd like any questions. Uh first one is warrant number 61 dated April 4th, 2025 in the amount of
$59,315.7. That's a town bill paying rent. Do you want me to keep reading them or go you can approve one at a time? I'll approve one at a time like we normally do. What was the warrant number? Warrant number 61. I will dated
44205 in the amount of 59,315.7. I will make a motion to accept warrant number 61 dated 44 2025 in the amount of $59,315.7. I'll second the motion. Any further
discussion? All in favor? I. Next one is warrant number 61s dated 44 2025 in the amount of $71,676.91. So because you already read it, you can just make a motion. Make a motion to
approve warrant number 61s dated 44205. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I. Next one is warrant number 62 dated
4112025. It is a payroll warrant in the amount of $450,73130. That one that wasn't in our packet. Okay. It was just one that was online. Oh, cuz I do have I was motion to accept
payroll warrant I'm sorry the number again 62 62 I'll second a motion and any further discussion I will be abstaining from teacher and select board salary all in favor I
I salute next is warrant number 63 3 dated 411 2025 in the amount of $72,73948. That is the maintenance warrant that goes along with the payroll
warrant number 62. I will make a motion to accept warrant number 63 dated 411 2025. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? The next one is warrant number 64 dated
418 2025 in the amount of $164,1508 and that is a town billp paying warrant. I will make a motion to accept the warrant number 64 dated 418 2025.
I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? No discussion. All in favor? I. The next one is warrant number 64s dated 418 2025 in the amount of
311,4355 and that is a school bill paying warrant. I will make a motion to accept warrant number 648S dated 418 2025.
I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I just said we're not accepting. We're approving the war. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. That's all I want to clarify. The minutes will so reflect the
minutes will so reflect your wants to make sure we get the wording right at you. Thank you. The next one is warrant number 65 dated 42525 in the amount of
$472,4968. That is a payroll warrant. I will make a motion to accept warrant number 65 dated to approve warrant 65 dated 42525. I'll second the motion. Any further
discussion? I will abstain from teacher and select board salons. All in favor? I. David, I vote out of necessity for the select boards. Thank you. And the last one is warrant number 66
dated 42525 in the amount of $382,44658 and that is the maintenance warrant that goes with the payroll. I will make a motion to accept to approve warrant number 66 dated
425 2025. We'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I I All right. So, now we got to sign them. Yep. I don't know if you want to sign them now or while we're getting ready to
go to a second, but can we do that? Okay. Say that went by really fast, but that's because we're not passing the packets. Yeah. Okay. I saw anem. All right. Next is to approve and sign
the annual town election warrant. Do you want me to read? I thought you were reading the words today. Correct. So when we said warrants, we thought it was the annual town, not the right maintenance, not the bills payable. Well, that's what maintenance warrants are. That's what I
was offering. Well, but that's what we thought you were doing. The annual town warrant. Oh, okay. Whatever. But that's okay. That went by fast. That's why you're starting something new again. Okay. Or you're giving me my last harrah. In the past, you read it. Yes, I did.
Yes, I did. All right. Um, annual town election warn. All right. Greetings in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town qualified to vote in elections to meet at the Graanby
Junior Senior High School at 385B State Street in said town for precincts 1, 2, and 2A on Monday, the 19th day of May, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Then and there to cast their votes for the
following offices for three years. a select board member, an assessor, a board of health member, town clerk, a school committee member, a commissioner of burial grounds, and three public library trustees. For two years unexpired term,
a school committee member for one year unexpired term, a school committee member and a library trustee for five years, a planning board member. A proposition 2 and a half dead
exclusion question. Shall the town of Ramy be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 21 had so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay for hazardous materials abatement and the
plus orus 44,000 square ft West Street building and the renovation of plus orus 22,000 square ft for municipal space including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto. Yes or
no? You are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at five or more public places as as of the bylaws before the time of said meeting. here or fail not and make due
return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at the time and place of meeting as a force said given under our hands this 29th day of April in the year of our Lord 2020. So I did not have that paperwork in
front of me so I just listened to you and Glenn doesn't have it either. I had it in my Oh okay. So there's only one copy up here. No, this was what Kathy gave me yesterday. Oh yes. Okay. Yeah. Damn. Was it everything Chris said
though? It was. Yes, it was. I followed along. It was I was thinking the same thing. I was like, what is he reading? I had this in front of me. That's the annual meeting. That's the one number nine. Got it. We did not have this in front of us, but I
can highlight. Yes. All right. You want to look at it first before you make the motion or anything? Yeah. Okay. I will make a motion to accept the Commonwealth of Massachusetts town of Grandy annual town election want
to approve. To approve. Sorry. Do we have a second? I'll second the Any further discussion? No discussion. Did you the the only item I would like to mention is that the
proposition 2 and a half dead exclusion question is to authorize see if the voters are willing to pay an additional amount of money for any borrowing that will be done for the renovation of the
West Street school. We did have that meeting back on April 8th that a option was rejected. The board met with the West Street building committee and we are bringing forth two
additional options. Option B is to renovate or to mitigate all hazards in the 44,000 square foot building and then to renovate the 22,000
square ft for municipal offices and senior center and I believe the additional cost was around 6.4 million. Okay. Option
C is to renovate or to mitigate the hazards in the total building and to renovate 22,000 square ft for municipal offices
and other municipal space to be determined how it will be filled. Okay. And that one I think came in at about 4.6 million if I remember. No COA. They're just prepping that area. You will be prepping that area. Whether
or not it will be used for COA or other purposes has not been determined at this point. And I think Chris to also clarify if people have any questions they should attend one of theformational meetings
that the West Street building committee is having having which one is tonight and then there was two other dates that were sent to us in the email. I don't know if you know them off the top. No, I don't know my head. So, but I just wanted to put it out there to let people know what they're trying to vote on.
Number one, this is just to font. We will have to hold another special town meeting for the other two options to see if town meeting approves the borrowing and the appropriation
spending of the funds. that will come at a later date probably at a special town meeting to be held during the second half of the annual on June 9th. We have a meeting um aformational meeting on uh 5:5 uh from
6:00 p.m. to 700 p.m. at uh arguing library and then again on 5 5:13 5 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. right here at CA and we had the the board meeting on the 10th.
Okay. just just want to try and clarify a little bit more or and that's important information Chris um and you know for people to remember too that this is given the option to go back to a special town meeting to
actually appropriate the funds to allow the town if they wish to borrow it. So this again is voting yes doesn't mean it's passing. Voting no doesn't it just talking about giving the town an opportunity to
revisit this at the special town meeting and consider borrowing and appropriating the funds for it. Correct. And I know some people have a concern that there isn't a dollar amount in there. This is written in accordance with the master
journal law that the section I'm looking at master journal law chapter 59 section 21C paragraph K that states how the question has to be written and I wrote
it in accordance with mass journal law. I know a lot of people feel a dollar amount should be there, but the problem that we're trying to do is because we don't know what the exact dollar amount's going to be that we're going to borrow because we don't know what option the people are going to. Number one, we
don't know the option. And number two, we don't know if the bidding market is going to be right for this project and may come in a million dollars less than what's being estimated by the cost estimators. Again, it's there's so many
variables that you leave it blank and and let the people know you're going to borrow the least amount that you have to borrow. Okay? Don't give me authority to borrow $8 million because then I can borrow $8
million. Okay? We don't want that. We want you to just be willing to fund based upon the best information available that's being given out at the public information sessions of what they think that'll cost an average or the
median household price for the two options. That's our best guesstimate at this point. Chances are the interest the interest rate may be a little lower. Don't know. Again, that all will be
determined when we issue the bond. Okay? So, there are a lot of variables that could lower the amount that will be necessary to borrow. Very good. Okay. Sounds good. Well, thank you for
your explanations again. Yeah. So, with that, all in favor? hard time. Hi. And Dave, I know you weren't able to be um with us during the West Street Finance Committee, West Street Building Committee, Finance Committee, and Select
Board, but we did um here um we did support um I could get behind option C was my support. And Glenn, you said B or C, correct? Yes. More favor of C, but
I also support B. Right. I I also lean towards C in the meeting previous when we had conversations with the committee. So and and that's a good point you just you brought up too. I want
the previous um select board meeting, we had a I think a long discussion with the the board members, you know, talking about whether or not to uh resend this this particular uh piece um from the
ballot. and we wanted to go forward with it because uh the um West Street Building Committee proposed uh two other options and uh and I will say it it wasn't a quick conversation with a
conversation that that took some time and I think uh the three board members uh kind of debated back and forth on it since you know unfortunately it's one of the meetings that were not recorded. for people to see. So, I really
want the residents to understand that that the board took a lot of time and uh effort I think thinking about this and to move it forward. And at the meeting uh last week, they also talked about the modular buildings
that um was proposed at the meeting and that was going to be more than what we currently have uh for Wester proposal. I forget how much it I wrote it down in my notes actually. It was over, you know, a,000 square per square foot cuz right
now the renovation is coming out 550 um dollars, right? and the OPM who we have just got done with a modular project and by the time they did all the hookups and everything else along with
it, it came out to about $1,000 a square foot and so is new construction. Yes, new construction is also a,000 or modular was 200 or sorry 650 per square foot. They had said at the meeting, but that's not with any soft costs or
anything else. And the building only lasts 20 years on average from Angel. Yep. I think I think we uh you know I think we had a great conversation with the Wall Street building committee and with the two members of the finance committee and Crystal and myself. I
think you know we we had a a good conversation some good debates back and forth just talking about it looking on everything. So, um, for people, if you get the opportunity to watch it on TCAM, I I definitely would say it's some good
information that was put out there. Um, as well as the, uh, information sess sessions that the, uh, the building committee is going to be looking forward to. So with that, we are now going to move
to the approve and sign annual town election. No, we just did that one. Sorry. We are going to approve and sign 2025 common victual's license. It's early and sold and well, we didn't table it. We just didn't approve at their office. So, it's still
going to be the way it always does, but during their office hours, it's no extended hours. Just g we need to make a motion. No, because it's staying as so we don't have to make
a motif. Right. You're not voting in favor of opting in that it be held at her office. That was the request in that letter. Right. So Chris is going to draft a meeting that says that they can operate at all during business hours.
Yes. So that it's accessible to all people. All eligible voters. Yes. Okay. With that said, I will make a motion for permit fee waiver request dated 317
2025 for Grammy Charter Days Committee at 10S West State Street Grammy Mass 0103 for Common Vic licenses, entertainment licenses for Grant Charter Days
2025. They are nonprofit. Yes. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I make a motion. Commonwealth of Massachusetts town of Graanby certify that charter day committee 32 Kendall
Street Graanby Mass 01033 is hereby granted a common Vic license and said town of Graby in that place only and expired December 31st 2025 unless sooner suspended or revoked license number
25-33 dated April 29th 2025. I'll second a motion. Any further discussion? Discussion. All in favor? I know. We'll make a motion for Commonwealth of Massachusetts town
of Grammy application for license. That one just went. That one just went. So we don't have this side. That's just their background. That's our background. Yeah. Yep. I thought it was the same. Same thing. Same. Yep. There you go. Thought it looked familiar.
I went away for vacation days for a week. Vacation mode still. You guys screwed me all up. I, you know, taking the warrants off my hands. I hate I did. I had a system. I lost all that. I make a motion to Commonwealth,
Massachusetts, town of Graanby, certify to certify case fits DBA stack cart at 77 West State Street, Graanby, Mass 01033 is hereby granted a common vic license in said town of Graanby at that place only and expires December 31st,
2025 unless sooner suspended or revoked. License number 25-34 dated April 29th, 2025. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? No discussion. All in favor?
I I will make a motion the Commonwealth Massachusetts town of Graanby certify that Rock and Roll Food Truck 41A New Brainree Road, North Brookfield, Mass,
01535, is hereby granted a common Vic license at set address 16 East Street, Grammy, Mass, and that place only and expired December 31st. 2025 unless sooner suspended or revoke license
number 25-35 dated April 29th 2025. I'll second a motion. Any further discussion? I would like to table this. We have a lot going on at that address. I don't think we should be adding to it
by accepting licenses until we talk to special town counsel on our next steps moving forward. That's just how I feel. I don't feel like we should I think we're just adding to it right now by approving these licenses.
I tend to agree with that at this point. It's for a food truck, which means another event coming forward. Yeah. But we and until we have a resolution moving forward, I don't feel comfortable
approving these licenses. the way charter I would I would agree that we follow regards to speak with council first. Okay. What is that in regarding It's for a food truck for 16 East Street. So, we'll table that till
um next Monday or next meeting. Yeah. Okay. Entertainment license, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Town of Graby. I will make a motion to certify that charter days of town of Graanby, 32 Kendall Street, Graanby, Mass.
01033 is hereby granted a license for entertainment to provide entertainment to customers as follows. Live entertainment consisting of karaoke, DJ or bands to be held in the gazebo during
charter days on June 13th to 15, 2025 located at 32 Kendall Street, Drain Park, Graanby, Mass. also oxen truck and tractor poles license number
25-10 dated April 29th 2025. This license is granted in conformity with the status and ordinances related there too and expires June 15 to 15 2025 unless sooner
suspended or revoked. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? discussion. And just to remind um everyone, we did wave the fee already, right? We did vote for all in favor I don't
All right. So, the next thing is to approve and sign minutes. So, we've had I think two your Oh, okay. All right. All right. And number eight is to affirm appointment. I will make a motion to affirm the
following appointments to certify Thomas Quinnland Jr. 141 Bay Road. Headley Mass 01035 has been appointed as the Graanby building commissioner for a term ending June
30th, 2028 by the interim town administrator. Make a motion to certify that Thomas Quinnland Jr. 141 Bay Road Hadley Mass. We can mount them together
or do you want separately title? for appointing Thomas Quinn Quinnland Jr. to the following offices. Yeah. Or Oh, cuz they're all the same. Okay. I'm sorry. For the following offices. Uh Grahamby sign
officer Thomas Quinnland Jr. for Graanby Storm Water Phase 2 Committee by the Graanby interim comming June 30th, 2026. Certify. This one is different. Uh, here's another Thomas Quinnland to
certify Thomas Quinnland for Graanby parking flirt by the Graanby interim town administrator term ending June 30th, 2026. Thomas Quinnland Jr. appointed for Graanby zoning enforcement officer term
ending June 30th, 2026. For him, that's it. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? No discussion. All in favor? I I will make a motion town of Graanby certify that
Pamkee, 62 Westbrook Road, South Hadley, Mass 01075, has been appointed to the Graanby Cultural Council by the Graanby Town Administrator for a term ending June 30th, 2028.
I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I You would probably want to amend that to interim town administrator. No, it says inter. I thought I said interim. Oh, no. You said I'm sorry.
That's okay. Administrator. Okay. He was hoping. Yeah. I'm all over the board, didn't I? Well, good catch, Chris, because I thought he said interum. I thought I thought too, but maybe I didn't. I will make a motion of the Massachusetts town
of Graanby certify that Michelle Bushy, 7 School Street, Graanby, Mass 01033, has been appointed to the Graanby Cultural Council by the Graanby interim town administrator for a term
ending June 30th, 2028. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? Discussion. All in favor? I I make a motion the Commonwealth of Massachusetts town of Graanby certify that Jean Crosby Pleasant
Street Graanby mass 01033 has been appointed to the board of registars by the Graanby interim town administrator for a term ending March 31st 2028. She is seven school street in Graanby.
So not Wilson Street. Oh, I'm sorry. That's the wrong one. No, she is Pleasant Street. I have no address for her. Yeah, there's no number. Okay. Okay. Why is the date different?
That's a good reason. Can't be. Does it have to be staggered? Okay. March 1st would be the days for every April 1st day when a term is up they're appointed April 1st to March 31st. Okay.
Thank you. I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? I All right. Next is to approve and sign annual town meeting warrants. All right. You ready? I'm ready. I have it in front of me now.
Good. This is for the Commonwealth of Mass Town of Granville annual town meeting. In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town qualified to vote in elections affairs to meet at the
East Meadow Elementary School on East State Street and said town on Monday the 12th day of May next at 700 p.m. then and there to act on the following articles to what? Article one to see if the town will vote to conduct business
of the meeting as follows. On May 12th, 2025, consider articles 2 through 19. And on June 9th, 2025, consider articles 20 through 25. Article two, to see if the town will vote to approve the consent agenda.
Article 2 A, to authorize the board of selectman to conduct the following activities for fiscal year 2026. day to sell after first giving notice of time and place of sale by posting such notices of sale in some convenient and public place in the town 14 days at
least before the sale. Property taken by the town under tax title land of low value procedure provided the select board or whomever they authorized to hold the public auction may reject any bid they see deem inadequate. B to apply
for and accept federal or state grants or monies that may be made available and to allow the select board to expend any funds received as set forth in the appropriate application. C to enter into a contract with the mass highway department for the construction and maintenance of public
highways for the ensuing year. to be to to see if the town will authorize the various departments to receive compensation for services rendered for fiscal year 2026 as follows. Cemetery commissioners to be compensated for the
bylaws of town of Graanby. Volume two, chapter 19, personnel bylaw, appendix D, compensation plan, pay schedules to dig graves at a pay rate of grade three, step one and maintain the equipment and grounds at a pay rate of grade one, step
one in the cemeteries. B, the members of the board of s assessors to be compensated $15 per parcel for necessary fieldwork and data collection for services rendered in connection with a revaluation and reertification process involving 16th of the improved parcels
in town. C. The members of the board of health or their consultants to receive compensation at a wage rate of $35 per inspection or specify required activity. D. the members of the planning board or their appointees to receive
compensation at a wage rate of $65 per inspection. To C to see if the town will vote to authorize the Cemetery Conservation Commission to charge a fee of $75 for each site inspection deemed necessary by a quorum of the commission.
Fees shall be payable to the town of Graanby conservation commission and deposited in the conservation hatch fund. 2d to see if the town will vote to accept the following gifts in calendar year 2024 for perpetual care of cemetery
lots. Charlene M. and Michael Roman $775. Leela Bass Royal estate $775. Carol Frenette $775. James and Jill Skeble
$1,575. Louise Mazeros $775. Guy and Gail Demurs $775. Carl Johnson $775. Bruce L. and Barbara A. Tetro $775.
2E to see if the town vote vote to authorize expenditures from these revolving funds for fiscal year 2026 without further appropriations. A a parks oversight revolving fund from which the parks oversight ad hoc committee may spend
$30,000 in fiscal year 2026. A charter day revolving fund from which the charter day ad hoc committee may spend $30,000 in revolving fund monies in fiscal year 2026. C. A planning board fees revolving fund
from which the planning board may spend 25,000 in revolving fund money in fiscal year 2026. D. An afterchool activities program revolving fund from which the superintendent of schools may spend 20,000 in revolving fund money in fiscal
year 2026. a dog revolving fund from which the police chief may spend $115,26 in revolving fund money in fiscal year 2026. F a library revolving fund from which the library commissioners may
spend $2,000 in revolving fund money in fiscal year 2026. 2F to see if the town will vote to authorize town departments to enter into agreements in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 40 section A for the fiscal year
2026. 2G to see if the town will vote to allow the sect board to appoint a member of the select board to a position that is under the supervision of the select board as allowed under Mass General Law chapter 268A section 21.
Article 2 H to see if the town will vote to amend the bylaws of the town of Grahamby volume 2, Chapter 19, personnel by them. Appendix D, compensation plan pay schedules and substituting a new appendix D showing the nine pay grades
and 10 steps to be effective July 1, 2025. Copies of chapter 19, appendix D are available in the select board's office. Article 2 I to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $362,445 or a greater or lesser amount
as its aortion share of the fiscal year 2026 budget for the Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School District. Article 2J to see if the town will vote to transfer from available funds the sum of $272,7843 for a greater or lesser amount
authorized under chapter 291 of the acts of 2004 for highway construction improvements defined under chapter 90 of the general loss. Article 2K to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds, transfer from stabilization fund,
transfer from key, free cash, borrow, or bond 175,000 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the town's other postemployment benefits, OPED liability. Article three to see if the town will
vote to accept Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 section 5 veteran exemption durational doicilar requirement from being doiciled in Massachusetts for the six consecutive months before entering
the service or doiciled in Massachusetts for five consecutive years. two years, two consecutive years beginning in FY20 20 or if alternative local option accepted one consecutive year before the
exemption year to now reach notwithstanding this section in any city or town which accepts this clause, the exemptions available pursuant to clauses 22nd, 22nd A, 22nd B, 22nd C, 22nd D,
22nd E, and 22nd F may be granted to otherwise eligible persons who have resided in the Commonwealth for one year prior to the date filing for exemption pursuant to the applicable costs petitioned article by the board of
assessors. Okay. Article four to see if the town will vote to accept Mass General Law Chapter 41 section 108P allowing additional compensation for a certified Massachusetts municipal collector or treasurer. This is
petitioned by the town collected. That is either 10% of their pay up to a maximum of $1,000 per year upon receiving certification by the Mass Collectors and Treasurers Association.
Article five to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds transferred from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrower bond $16,848 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the replacement of the standby emergency
generator and surge protection at the high school. Article six to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate transfer from available funds transfer from stabilization fund transfer free cash bar or bond
$34,332 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of purchasing a field maintainer for the school department. Chris, the field maintainer, is that something that Jeremy currently uses from the town? They borrow we share a maintainer between the school and the
town. And what we are finding is that both departments basically want it at the same period of time and it's getting very difficult to be able to try and properly maintain the ball fields at Brown Ellison Drew Franks and the school
with the with the one maintainer. Makes sense. Okay. Uh, article 7 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds, transfer from stabilization fund, transfer from free cash, bar or bond,
$47,851, or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the replacement of host and data units for the school department. And that data should be DAT. Those are basically backup units. So, I just have to correct that. I think
they work the autocorrection mode changes that. So data that's d a t o. It's a specific name of a backup unit that we use. So do we have a do they have a backup unit now? Yes. But what they're doing is they need to upgrade it
because it's an old system. Okay. Article 8 to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate transfer from available funds transfer from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow bond
$114,891 for a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding technology upgrades for the school department. Article 9 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds, transfer from the stabilization fund, transfer from free
cash, borrow a bond $40,995, or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of purchasing a new vehicle for the Council on Aging Department. This vehicle will replace the small blue van that they currently use. And that's because the blue van is
not it's the mileage is up there. is starting to get show where and it's time to replace it before start having to put a lot of money into it. Article 10 to see if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate transfer from available funds transfer from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow $123,200 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the replacement of the energy management system for the public safety complex
that again was installed when the building was built back in 2010. It's outdated. They're having a hard time connecting to it. uh it doesn't work well with Windows 10 and Windows 11 that's going to be coming down in
October of uh this year. So they want to upgrade it to a current system that so that they can be able to log in and be able to help control it on a better method. So I know Chris with all of these that we're saying pull from the stabilization fund, free cash borrow or
bond. Next week when we go through the motions we will identify the actual funding. So this is just where we could pull that. We are this thing is just warning the inhabitants that this is what we will be addressing at the town
meeting. Okay. Like I said, next week the motions will be ready for you to review and that will identify the actual funding source. Thank you. Okay. Uh article Oh, look. See if the town will vote to raise an appropriate
transfer from available funds transfer from stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow or bond $77,66 or a greater or lesser amount for the purposes of funding the purchase of a marked cruiser. Article 12 to see if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate transfer from available bonds transfer from the stabilization fund transferred from free cash borrow or bond 124,000 or a greater or lesser amount for the purposes of funding the purchase of a Bobcat for the highway
department. Article 13 to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate transfer from available funds transferred from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow or bond $95,000 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of purchasing the
purchase for of funding the purchase of a one-tonon dump truck for the highway department. Article 14 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds transferred from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash for or bond
37,000 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the purchase of a tractor for the cemetery department. Article 15. The sea of the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds transferred from the stabilization fund transfer from
free cash borrow or bond $86,772 for a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of funding the tuition for Smith vocational agricultural high school students. And normally we've had three
for the last couple years, but when we had a conversation with the school department, when we met with them, Dave, remember member of the finance committee and school department, they mentioned the possibility of four students, correct? For next year. So this is at the per student tuition rate for four
students. Okay. Okay. Uh, article 16 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds $613,048 or a greater or lesser amount to operate the municipal solid waste department. Article 17 to see if the
town will vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds $310,580 or a greater or lesser amount to operate the sewer department. Uh and just so the board knows at the meeting uh their next meeting we will be
I will be putting forth the proposed sewer rates to fund that department and you have to actually vote on what the sewer rates are going to be effective July 1 of 2025 and Chris just to also be clear the sewer department to operate the sewer department that's solely by
the people who use the sewer correct right so user fees right so we're just getting we're getting the fees from the people who use the sewer. It's not everyone in the town pay. Correct. Correct. Article 18 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate or
transfer from available funds $65,828 or greater or lesser amount to operate the ambulance department. And that may change because we were talking about longevity. I have to check and see if that was included in my numbers. Okay. So that may go up by probably
another 2,000 just so you and that's without the full adding a full-timer. No, that's what that's what Russ had presented tonight. And to add on the additional and then have that I guess shift in the middle for when they
considered have a perdm come in for their needy shift for lack of a better word. Okay. Okay. Article 19 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds transfer from the stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow or
bond $27,000 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of purchasing an auto pulse CPR unit for the ambulance department. An all post CPR unit is basically a unit they strap on the chest and instead of someone have to keep doing the compressions, it does
compressions automatically which frees up a person to be able to do other things while a person is laying. So question Chris, this came up in our opioid committee today in which the fire department and the police department were thinking about possible funds that
we could use the opioid task force money for from the settlement. And this was one of the questions and Chief O'Grady was going to reach out to the state because the company that is quoted us on this price said that we can use those funds for it. So I would rather get the
Yeah. I would rather get the answer from the attorney general's office. Okay. Who oversees this program? So is that who Chief O'Grady should contact then? because he's if need be, I can go back and look
at my emails and give him a name and maybe an email of a person. Yeah. Just to help him out because I don't know who he was going to call. He just said he was going to call to state. And actually, before you spend any money, you really should be contacting that oversight agency to make sure it falls
within the guidelines. So maybe that's what who he was going to call that we that we received the money under the settlement because a settlement was very restricted as to what the funds could be used for. Good. Okay. So oversight guidelines. Yes. Um and who would that
again? It's with the attorney general. I I have to look it up. Okay. Uh that is where we will end the May 12th meeting. Yep. Okay. Now, the next article, we have to hold a hearing on a bylaw change
at your next meeting also. Okay. Oh, yes. I remember Dave and uh town council were working on this. Yes. Okay. So, article 20, the sea of the town will vote to enact chapter 25 of the town of Graanby general bibles
entitled storm water management for the purpose of regulating illicit connections and discharges into Graanby storm drain system and to regulate storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects. This is necessary to protect, maintain and
enhance the public's health, safety and general welfare of the citizens as well as the quality of groundwater and surface water bodies of Graanby along with associated regulations. The purpose of this bylaw is to bring RAMI into
compliance with state and federal requirements relating to storm water discharges, particularly its US EPA national pollution discharge elimination system, NPDES, municipal separate storm
sewer system, MS4 permit. A copy of said proposed chapter 25 bylaw is on file with the town book. Article 21 to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds such sums of money
as may be necessary to defay the expense of the town including debt and interest for the ensuing year. Article 22 to see if the town will vote to transfer from the capital Equipment need stabilization fund 200,000
200,400 for a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of reducing the funding from tax levy. That is the annual appropriation we make of the capital stabilization fund to cover the debt service for all borrowing that was approved by the capital improvement committee in years past.
Article 23 to see if the town will vote to transfer from free cash1,883,46.18 for the purpose of reducing the funding from tax lever for fiscal year 2026 appropriation. Article 24 to see if the town will vote
to transfer from account number 24-122-5801-013 bond premiums to be applied $10,932.77 or a greater or lesser amount for the purpose of reducing the funding from tax levy for the fiscal year 2026 appropriations. This dollar amount is
when we borrowed for the East Meadow school, we had a bond premium that we received. We got more money than what we needed. What we have to do per do regulations is over the course of the 25
year note is take a portion of that premium and apply it against the amount raising from the debt exclusion. So this is 20 FY26's appropriation to ask be transferred and then article 25 to see
if the town of vote to assess the amounts raised and appropriated on these articles of warrants on the estates and personal property of the town of Grand and I've said multiple. Yeah. Um Chris, so the article 23. So
basically what we're asking the people to spend we don't have in the amount of taxes that we raise. So we have to clean out our savings account for a lack of we're cleaning out free cash. Yeah. We're clean. Okay. We're not cleaning out our savings because our savings accounts are really the stabilization.
Okay. Okay. Those are our safe savings accounts. Okay. This is just money because we performed so well. We underspent what we budgeted for expenditures and we got more money than what we budgeted for
revenues. When those two numbers are added together, it gets what's called free cash because we were expecting to spend a certain amount in expenditures and get a certain amount in revenue. because we exceeded the amounts that we
did or underspent what we expected, we now have funds available to be used for other purposes. And that's calculated on an annual basis based upon the priority year June 30th June 30th balance
sheet cash isn't free. So, I was going to say, so last year we underspent, we underspent some appropriations. Okay. And we received more money, more revenue than what was anticipated. But now we're going to use it to help
with this year's this year's budget. Yes. Okay. Now we may luck out again and not spend what we are thinking we're going to do on the expenditure level. We may bring in more revenue than we
anticipated. Again, that'll generate free cash for the next fiscal hope. And then the last page of the warrants says, "And you are hereby directed to
serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at five or more public places as of the bylaws before the time of said meeting. Beer fail not to make due return of this warrant with your doings there on to the town clerk at the time and place of meeting for foret
given under our hands this 29th day of April in the year of our Lord 2025 and then next meeting we'll go over who's going to read May 12th and then at your further select board meetings after May 19th you go over who reads
which article at agenda. All right. So I will make a motion to Conwalth Massachusetts town of Graanby annual town meeting articles to to approve the town articles as written.
The town meeting warrant. Meeting a warrant. Uh second the motion. Any further discussion? All in favor? So, uh, while why we are signing this, I just wanted to let the board know that I
did talk to, uh, Jacob Macko from DCR for the tree planting that is occurring this Sunday at Drains Park with the 30 seedlings. I have a group of about 10 people that are going to go and plant. I
did meet with maintenance um with Jeremy Carrier, our maintenance department head, and I also met with Dave uh D Rocher, our highway department head. And there is no machine that they can give
us that will help us bring water to the seedlings. So, with the board's approval, I'm going to ask permission for my husband and I to utilize our K Cabota and Quad to
bring water up to the seedlings for that day. I don't know what the long fix is going to be for getting water to them every other day, but that's where we're at right now because the seedlings have to go in the ground on Sunday. And I don't I'm trying
to figure out how to get it there. Otherwise, um I did talk to Jacob Mako Chris with your um uh trying to solve the solution of getting water to the seedlings by putting them in the five gallon buckets. And he said they actually won't survive
any longer and it will make it harder because then they're in five gallon buckets and then we have to truck them up there in the five gallon buckets. So he's like, "You really just need to get it in the ground." And if if for some reason the town can't get water to the
seedlings, cross our fingers, hope they live. That's really all we can do at this point. Um so I don't know how the board feels about that, but um I talked to Dave Rocher. They're um the only machine that they can get up in the terrain cuz it's
so steep is their skid steer. and one of the springs is bad on it and he thinks carrying a load or water cube is going to damage the spring and break it because of all the jostling it has to do going up the hill and maintenance doesn't have
anything to go up the hill that they that they can use. So, what do you guys think? I don't know. I don't know what else to do. I'm like my husband is adamant that or positive that he can get the Kabota up
there. And we also have a quad that can also get water up there as well. And then I do have people bringing if they have it empty gallon milk jugs full of water that we can use cuz it's 30 seedlings. They're small. We can see if that can help.
Questions thoughts? I think it's fine. I mean, it's in your backyard more or less. Anyway, right. I will fill out the sheet for the volunteer waiver that the board has approved. Um, I just have concerns if
something happens, which isn't that what the waiver is for, signing off liability, right? But I'm not I'm saying something happens out there, an accident happens or
something like that. It's so that's actually a question. Do you want everyone who's helping me plant fill out that waiver before we go up the hill and start to plant? I would say so I can bring that waiver I can bring copies of the waiver with me for however
many people are there to sign their own um for volunteering to help. Do I have to have the DCR state forester do it? Jacob Malco, do you want me to have him sign it as well? You know, cuz he, you know, he's he's in
charge of the program. He's in charge of the program. So, I think we if he gets injured, it's going to be him doing his job as a he might be being paid to be there anyway. That's part of his job. So, I would say no on him. So, I'll have
all volunteers fill it out. My husband and I will fill it out. I wonder if uh I just have concerns with the not so much the quad had quads up there before. Think about it. People being up there and it's something
happens something goes wrong. Is there a nearby trail that you can the So the hiking trail, which there's actually a steep entrance on both sides, whether you go straight up the hill where they logged or if you go in the trail that's already made where the big sign is, they're both steep. I've gone
up both during charter days when we did the color run with the golf cart. It can make it. Well, the fire department about their brush truck. No, they said no. we wouldn't be able to do it.
But they have the allterrain one, right? Yeah, but I think they said no that it wasn't available. How far up is it? I think it's also the top of the hill. It is all the way to the top in the back. I don't know if I had to say it's at
least a quarter of a mile, if not more. So, it's a long hike if you're carrying a 5 gallon bucket of water. So, we were trying to figure out how to do it without putting all the strain on the people who are trying to help in carrying up these five gallon buckets of water.
No, I'm not going to put the strain on on people. Maybe a five gallon bucket of water for Well, that's one of the things like if you get a pale with a cover on it so the water's not sloshing everywhere. They were trying to do that or we could do a water cube. No, no. How
much water does seeds does needed? You need to soak it. And he didn't specify how many gallons or anything. He just said, "You need to give it a good soaking, especially to get the roots um to spread out and really get the the tree to
um attach to the soil and not fall over and stuff." I think a a gallon of water is gallon or two, I would think, depending on the soil conditions, but who has 30 gallons of milk containers at home? So, I asked him to keep them for now and like we'll just fill them up,
but I don't know anyone who has those at home. I don't have that. I would say maybe the fire department has water backpacks that they use out fighting brush fires. They're called wildland a really good idea. I think they're called wildland packs. Okay. That they wear on
them to go and hit the hot spots. Yeah. During a forest fire or see if maybe they can borrow them from maybe a surrounding department that may have them. Maybe the base.
The base. WTover. Okay. Chief Anderson and see that's a lot easier than carrying pales in your hand. Yeah. So the Kabota has a back has a bed. A quad does not. So we would have to
finagle something to carry the water onto with a quad. It's not I'm not saying it's not doable. I'm just saying my husband something for the probably you say for the water weighs a lot. Yeah. But those would have
been probably made to handle I would say probably 500,000 back the kabotas. Yeah. The water coolers put the coolers on the water. Yeah. But I think Glend didn't want the
photo up there. I think it was what he was saying. I guess we got to figure away. Well, I'll talk to my husband about it more because we have a meeting one on Monday, but no, we're supposed to be doing it Sunday. It doesn't know. I get back to you Monday. Let me let me know how that
went. I can reach out to the fire department and if you guys want, I can have Chris keep you guys informed. See if they have the water packs. um talk to my husband more about it and see to get the water up there and then I'll just have him contact you guys and
then see here are options. What do you guys want us to do? Well, I think we got what 5 million 5 miles of hose that we can fire department can run up the hill. Five or six miles. Yeah. Or when we go into a water hole. No, but you think
that that's that far up the hill? No, he's saying we have hoes. Well, that's what I was thinking. when someone take it out of due frame. Yeah. Bond if I'm just saying that's a potential option. Would the Would the fire department be available to do that? Cuz I obviously can't do that. No, I I
I'm not saying I'm just saying. But if they're saying their their their machine can't go up there. So, how far is it again? Well, she says it's about a quarter mile if not half a mile up the trail. That's a quarter mile. That's 100
ft or so. 100 ft yourself roughly. So you're talking about 13, 1400 foot hoses. I'm not good with distance, guys. No, but you can hook it up to the water tanker. Yeah. Well, I agree.
That's what I'm saying. We just use a regular hose fire to do that. I mean, I got three or four holes at the house. So, their old terrain isn't available. Is it because they don't have staff? Because I think that's the problem. They don't have enough volunteers to be able to
assign to that day. Okay. So, we wouldn't have anyone to drive the truck over there to water. Well, I'm sure we could get whoever's on duty to drop the truck off and then back. Yeah. What side are you coming in from?
Parkland side. You're coming. You're coming in off of Kendall Street. So, right by the park line going up. Yeah. Right by the pavilion. So just up the roof has an outside of Boston. I don't think we have garden hose that can go that far. I don't know that.
You'd have to have I think we'd have to get every garden hose in the town of Grand. Well, not for I mean you get garden hoses that are that are 50 ft 100 ft long. That's 14 15 hoses, right? But I Yeah. I would be concerned that you're
overworking the pump at the well to get it uphill. Oh gosh. No. You don't think so? No. 1,500 ft. That's a lot. But as soon as it's pressurized, it's already there. I mean, I know. But to to get that pressure, you have to go against gravity. We're not we're not filling a
pool. Go ahead. Well, it's only small distance up and everything else is. But I'm just saying I mean, you're talking at the most 25 gallons of water, 50 gallons of water, but very much. I mean, I just don't I don't know if it would pump up
there. But that's the question. How much pressure? How much pressure are you creating at the pump? Well head and what's going to be up top, right? That's what I'm thinking. It may not I mean if it's only a 3/4 horse motor in there, it may not even get to the top of the
th00and ft of hose. I can talk to Chief Anderson cuz he I I didn't talk to him. I just talked to maintenance and highway. We can talk to Chief Anderson and see what's available. Don't they have the uh who has the one they just drop on the
side and it pull you said it pulls out of the pond? That's that's out of the truck itself. The tanker truck. No, some of them don't. That one has the unit where you put the screen put a screen on it and just throw
it into any pond and then you use the power of the truck to shoot it. I thought I'd seen that before. Maybe it's not me. I was thinking wasn't the So like a compressor type thing that that
would pump the water out. It's almost like a pump. They drop it in there. They pulls the water out, which lets you out their tanker truck. That's what they use. Because what they've done sometimes is they they'll put that into like a
pond and then they have like a little tank, portable tank that they set up plastic or rubberized material and they pump into that and they can pump out of that. So, it's just like I wonder if uh if anybody has
um a small portable I mean like so I have um when we do our maple syrup I have holding tanks I could give you a I could you know I'd let you use a
125galon or I have a 75galon that's small that would fit in the back of your Kabota but we don't want the Kabota up the hill. So, I've actually I've actually put it on the back of my quad on a small trailer, but that might be difficult, too. The only thing I was thinking too, though, is uh we don't
want to leave a cube up there because we don't know who's going to vandalize it. That's one of the other things that we were So, a small like the 70 gallon tank that I have, you could fill it halfway. Yeah. And then bring it back down the
hill. Are you available on Sunday to help us? I think I can be. cuz I can always find they're like five gallon jugs. Yeah, we used to use those just to transport five jugs. The the only other
suggestion I would have is contact Chief of Brady as the emergency manager and see if maybe Mima may have a unit that could assist us. Right. Cuz the tanks that I have are just holding tanks. You would have to still get the water out of
the tank which if we have empty buckets easily carrying with the tank with the cube or the holding tank already up there. You're just carrying it to the ceiling. There is a you know there's a plug so you pull the plug fill a bucket and then stop it and fill one bucket
after the other if that works. Who would have thought planting 30 seedlings or this? No, I just I just think and then and I'm sure nothing would even happen. I just you know, kind of the what if thing and then something that's up there or something happens. Is it what type of
kabota like is like the it's a utility one that we got we bought off of college? I think it was we bought it off of Smith when they were selling them. They use those ski. Yeah. So, it's not much different than a golf cart, right? Yeah, it is. It's It's got more power.
It's beefy. It's It's a beefier one. Yeah, but for lack of a better word. Yeah, it goes down. Normally they have four-wheel drive and then they have the dump bodies in the back. So public jail, but it sets out it's just a I was thinking like a something
different or the high schools in Chabby Island for maintenance. Police department has police department has a golf cart, right? If um if the Kabota I don't know. I just think about the whatifs, right? So, if
the K Cabota can't make it up because of the weight or something like that or because of the steepness of it, you said you have a quad and a trailer. Cuz I have a quad. I just don't have a trailer. So, if you have your trailer, small trailer, then he can put it on there and get it up there. It's just I
got and it's one day. Yeah. We got demand to boil the cake cuz that's been I think I think he might make several trips with the water. That's all I just want a little more than that either, right? And how do we get the tank off your
truck onto the commod? We could talk. I can bring it to you empty. You can fill that, right? Yes. If we only Well, you could No, you could fill it at the pavilion. Okay. Well, that's true. As long as it's unlocked because Jeremy locks it, I think. I mean, if we're only going to take 35 40
gallons up, then we can just fill it right there and then just bring a wrench to pull the plug off. Then we can fill a bucket. We'll have a we'll lose a little bit process, but if we have a bucket catching it, like I said, but I can do go back down. Fill back. Sure. Right.
And I'll have to reach out to Jeremy, too, cuz I need the key to open up the gate to drive it over the dam at Dream. What time is this? 9 on Sunday is when Jacob is meeting us
there. I'm trying to make my way over there, too. Thank you. But I'll reach out to Jeremy for that key because I don't want to drive the boat on 202 and that's what I would have to do to get to the other side because he the gate is locked right
over the You go down. Oh, we still have to go through. You have to go through that gate over the pond. There's no way to get to the other side unless you take it into the woods. The very long way from the dog park side might have a
Okay. All right. So, um I know we've got executive session. Was there anything else you guys wanted to Just one about the extending of the lease? Yes. I did speak with the property owner. Yep. And she does
not agree with going with the option that Glenn has suggested that she go out and get the price and that we reimburse her the price. She feels the town can get it at a cheaper price and number one and number two she
doesn't have the first idea of how someone how she can turn around and put together a better set of specs to get someone to come in and give work. She feels that David is probably more qualified to do the
work than what she would be qualified to do be able to go out with most of. So her answer was no on that option. Okay. So you can think about it. We can talk about it at the next meeting. Okay. But like you said, we were supposed to be in
executive session at 7:00. It's now quarter up to 8. Yep. And I know Chris, one thing that I want to put on the agenda for May 5th is I know the planning board got the grant uh to look at the zoning bylaws. So um when
I met with the building commissioner, he had mentioned that they just did the same process in Hadley and that we should have a zoning bylaw review committee and he gave me a list of people that he had suggested should be on it. a member from the select board,
the ZBA chair, town clerk, fire chief, a member of the planning board, himself, the building commissioner, and a representative from the police. So, it doesn't have to be the police chief, but a representative from the police department, and two or three residents
because one of the big things that is coming down the pike is the ADUs, the accessory dwelling units. It needs to be updated. um and the Airbnbs. Um if we are going to do Airbnbs, we need to adopt the 10th edition. So he mentioned again that they
just went through it. And of course, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Ken Como, would be on it because he's part of the grant process. So I think for our May 5th meeting, if we can appoint that committee and get them started because they did get the 50 I think it was a $50,000 grant. Yeah. But the only
concern I have with that is you have a new town clerk being elected on May 19th. Okay. So if a town clerk is supposed to be on there, you wouldn't want to delay the appointing of a town clerk. Okay? So, but that would be the
only one that we would delay for now and then we can get the other ones. So if anyone wants to be on the zoning bylaw review committee who is a resident in the town, we need two or three members board member as well. going to change the appointment. Okay.
I mean, you guys can delay it until the after the May 19th because I can't imagine them starting to review until Well, that's the thing. Yeah. And I don't know if Ken Comey will be available, but I'm sure somebody from Per Valley Planning Commission will be
able to assist us. Okay. All right. So, I just wanted to mention that. And with that, anything else for next Monday? We will enter executive session
30A-21- A5 to investigate charges of criminal misconduct or to consider the filing of criminal complaints. And then we will go into executive session number two which is 30A-21A3 to discuss strategy with
respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares we will only come out of executive session to adjourn the um original meeting. Roll call vote
due frame I. Leonte sex tonight. Thank you.