between the police chief and the uh patrolman themselves and like the opportunity to move forward in my career. >> Excellent. And if I could just add, Steve has really stepped up and uh assisted me the last few months trying to get department in order trying to find
ourselves a candidate. I think we did a real good job. Um so I'd like to see him get that opportunity. >> But you're not that busy now. >> No, I'm not that busy. I have nothing to do. >> Yeah. time. >> It'd be it'd be nice to know that I've got uh him there if uh if I need it, you
know, >> not if when >> I know we did discuss in the past. >> You did. >> You got it all built up. >> Yeah, I was just waiting to double check the budget. We talked about it in uh I think it was September. We talked about it, promoted to sergeant. We knew we
were looking for full-time. They just want to watch the budget and budget for school. So, >> well, I'll make a motion to actually affirm a motion of Steve Mary to retending
contract negotiations. >> I will second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I I favor. Yeah. Thanks. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Little boy almost at least 20.
>> Yeah. Appreciate >> it. Yep. Please. All right. Next up on our agenda is a meeting of the finance committee of the West Street building project committee.
Um talking about town. So one story there. Okay. Is Brian coming? >> I believe he was so close. >> Oh, I told him. >> You told him you didn't have to.
>> I didn't know he was coming. I didn't know he was coming for this. >> Well, we didn't need him for this as much as we needed him for something further down agenda. >> I talked to him. I think we almost >> Okay. >> It's just a just an authorization.
>> Okay. >> Item stage three. >> Okay. All right. Uh, so then we'll just have to have uh >> Brian double check the um >> warrant >> the board. >> I think it might be better. I know it may not work for Gcam. Maybe they could slide over a little bit, but if we
pulled a few chairs up so the select board and the committee committees could work together rather than yelling at each other, you think? Or >> Sure. >> Okay. Yes. >> I was finally telling them actually pull some chairs and uh
You want to come up? You guys have the lower chairs. >> How many chairs do we need? No problem. That I was going to bring pizza, too. >> You got one there. There you go.
>> You're welcome. >> Yep. I can move over some more, too. Do not be friendly. That's fine. >> I like it. >> One more. >> Okay. >> Drop the names. >> Um, do you have the names? >> Just kidding.
>> We just Okay. >> He has the fourth one. >> All right. So, um, we're here to discuss a special town meeting. We're shooting for what's the date? 126 26 >> which is January 26. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Um so this concerns the West Street building project Mercier will um explain what's going on and we'll have a discussion and we'll take it from there. >> So I hand it out to all of you and I think Holly gave you um Holly. Did you give the select board?
>> No. >> A new budget. Did >> you hand this board a budget? that we just copied. >> You guys have Oh, >> for the board. Thanks. >> So, in front of you is hiring us.
>> All right. Or no, >> the budget that we need in order to complete >> the street building >> ta where is he? Oh, yeah. The total project budget comes to 6
almost $6.7 million. So we are a million dollar short and so we need to go ask the town in order to get the project completed for a million dollars. That million dollars would include all municipal offices in that building which
includes the TA offices. If we don't include the TA offices, the ask is 788,000. That 788,000 is a contingency as well as um >> supplemental I think is the word, >> right? Supplemental budget. And in that
supplemental budget is a contingency and um a couple hundred thousand for some other work an estimate that came in high and the contingency is really there just in case. Well, not >> that's not a guarantee. >> It's not a guarantee that we're going to
use it all. It will go back to the town. >> Do you want me to just walk through my category? So >> for those of you who may not remember this deal Joyce our OPM for the budget. >> So um just to go through the summary of the budget I'll try to give you my
insight as to where things stand. Um owner's project management services $385,000. That's a fixed fee based on about 12 months of service. um architect and engineering uh 481,000
also a fixed fee based on um the same duration of time. Commissioning services are uh highly recommended for the project. Um that's uh basically a service that would be an outside consultant would come in review the HVAC
equipment. Um essentially we would probably limit their scope to just the heating and cooling systems in the building. Make sure everything is running properly. put the system through its paces prior to you folks taking occupancy. Uh the construction budget um is a
combination of the um the uh base bid and town manager alternate acceptance by the town at 4.985 million as well as the $31,000 for the um uh tank removal that
has previously been completed by the town. Uh the next category of work is project expenses. That is a list of expenses that we anticipate incurring through the uh uh completion of the project. So, it's things like
construction testing, reertification of the existing well, utility back charges for the new electrical service, uh moving and relocation expenses, a very small contingency for miscellaneous project expenses and printing. And you'll note we have no
legal fees um associated with the project. Uh final category of work is furnishings and equipment. We've carried a very modest $100,000 for furniture. Most of that money is spent for technology in
terms of setting up and outfitting uh a new server room and uh front-end equipment that will facilitate the computers and whatnot for the um town uh within the new building. And then the last uh group of costs are related to
soft costs and contingency. We're carrying um just over $500,000 in contingency on the project right now, which is um less than 10% of the anticipated total project cost. Uh I'd
be happy to take any questions where the numbers came from. Most of them at this point are relatively fixed. Um they're based on existing contracts or bids in hand from the contractor. So again, I'll be happy to take any
questions. is septic in here at all. >> We have not included a leech field and all that. >> So we we've done a a subsequent investigation uh with the board of health present. They have sort of given us a clean bill
of slate if you will with the leech field and it was found to be operating correctly. There are some minor um repairs, maintenance I'll say that we need to do uh to some of the pump supports which I think we can fit within
the contingency. >> It's a very minor number. >> Good. Thanks. So, >> that's good to hear. >> Thank you for the question. >> Uh um Neil, where it says construction budget base bid only, that should >> not it would include the town meeting.
>> So, it's base bid plus alternate one. Yes. >> So, in order to get the project under budget, we had to pull out some things. One of the things was a TA TA's office. Um, and we made it alternate.
Um, but we really would like that TA's office to be in there with the rest of the offices. And that's why it's 4.9 million. And um, which the base bid came in at 4.7 million from our lowest bidder.
What was the original budget? >> 5.6 million. >> 5.6 million >> approximately. >> And how does that relate to the figures that are on this page? You don't have the original budget written down this part here. >> Um, no.
>> No, because we added actually what the construction budget we know is, which increased 5.6 million. So, so why are we higher than 5.6 6 million. Is that what you're asking? >> No, just all the numbers are the same here. So, there's nothing on this page
that allows us to say what changed and a million dollars changed. But where is it? >> What changes? We actually got real bids. We got the okay to go out and bid this job out. Okay, we got these are the hard bids. This is the the bid that we would
award is these this numbers. Do we have anything that has a budget at $5.7 million? >> I can get a copy of it. >> But that was just all speculative when we were just walking people through. That's okay. >> through the building just >> Well, we have we It looks just like
this, but it's um with a lower construction budget of the 4.7 million because that was the base and we it says 5.6 million, but we needed an additional 7.88. So, we're in the red. 788 is what you're going to see. I can I can get copies made
>> the the 4 uh 4.6 million construction budget was previously you said 4 >> 4.7 million >> 4.7 >> and that is without a TA's >> okay that's uh so is there's an extra what 20 >> 220
>> 6020 in here and that's for the cost >> of getting the T offices in there. >> Okay. Um the things that are there the things that are at the bottom the 170,000 and the uh 101,000 and then the contingency stuff that then is what we
might think of as the real additions to the to the budget from the first go around. >> Nope, those were all in the first budget. >> Those were all budget for the um >> well we we have a well reertification. We actually have a
contract for that. So that um number we know these are all certain well I guess what we can pull out is some moving expenses 20,000 we can we we know we're going to save on that because we're not going to use Jeremy um for more of that
everything else has this has all been in the budget nothing is extra >> so I guess >> but this is the this is the current budget I'm sure you're going to get asked what was the original budget >> and I don't think it's going to I have never been provided with a full
breakdown of where that 5.6 million came from, but I I would be willing to bet it was not aggregated to this level of detail. So, I think what you're asking for doesn't necessarily exist. The 5.6 was an accumulation of estimates that
the building committee had obtained from talking to various vendors and those numbers were aggregated to get to a $5.6 million budget. I'm sure there's a list of that somewhere. >> I think it would be good to have that >> in our original >> that was in the original town meeting
package that spiked everything out. What costa? So we so let's so Hback we came under for HVAC >> um than what we were estimated but we got we came over and there were other ones that were >> I think higher. >> I think he's really asking where did we
come up was three years ago $5.6 6 million number, right? >> That was those estimates that we went out and got. >> That was us walking around saying literally Laz Glass came and walked around the building with me and Jim Cranky and he goes, "Oh, probably about 1.7 million." Okay, write that down. >> And we had a fire sprinkler service
company. >> I think it'll be useful to have that. >> Okay, we can do that. But again, that was us doing it, not putting it out to bid. This >> I know I understand that 2023. >> That was 2023 22 22 into 23. that was correctly >> and then when we both you know got the approval and got the OPM and the
architect actually went out and did the estimations it started increasing. >> Yeah. And I don't think anybody's saying obviously cost everything sounds these are these are hard numbers compared to before what estimate numbers were right >> but reality is people are going to say
well we approved you know the >> 5.6 million >> 5.6 6 million. Now you're asking for another million dollars. And I think that's reasonable because I know that came up because that was what people were saying. You're just going to come back and ask for more money. >> Um I mean we know it just didn't come
out of the air. >> Yeah. >> There was some some basis for coming. >> Right. >> That's fine. We can you have that you pile somewhere >> where we came up with a original number >> very original. To to Glenn's point, we can't forget that it's been nearly three
years since we started we this off, >> right? We >> construction costs have not gone down. >> They never do. >> And I was going to say respectfully, they're going to continue to go up. >> Yep. >> Sure. >> Well, we may we had talked about how much per square foot was estimated for
the Shootsbury Library. >> We were I think we're around 1,400 a square foot. That was new construction. And I think back then we talked about 1,200 y. So that's an example of what could change. And >> I know the committee has been at this for a long time and you're very close to it.
>> But I think you're too close to it that these numbers seem like they're all reasonable and they probably are. But I don't think that somebody in the audience is going to have a conclusion that it's reasonable just because you say it's reasonable. >> Right. No, that's fine.
>> And just to go on to the next level, um have to speak with Mr. Alley and this will come in later with my um some some of my TA duties as uh my report. Um Mr. Martin is back helping us trying to
straighten the books out. Um he's uh been phenomenal over a week. He's we had double postings. we had all kinds of issues and um after consulting with him financially and everything else, he said he would he and Steve said that it would
suggest taking the money out of the building stabilization fund and the goal is in May to be putting some of the money back from free cash. You know, how every year we usually put a little bit into each stabilization fund. That that is what Chris would be suggesting as
well. and he had been around for this financially right from the get- go and he's been gracious enough to try to help us get ourselves squared back away after >> mess >> a mess to put it like
>> another thing I mean when I met with uh some people before we talked about three years ago things were not what they cost now uh and that's easy to say but that's also something that you can get numbers on and I think if you had
some numbers available for that you know like if nothing more just the CPI over 3 years or three and a half years has gone up by a certain percentage you may know more probably about actual construction costs and how much percentage those have gone up and I think it would be very
very helpful to uh calm people's suspicions about >> I'm just going to say when we had that original town meeting we were given three options and in that options there was a breakdown of not
this detailed but there was a breakdown of what the costs were going to be. So and I remember initially the first time around there was a projected cost. So these are all based on projections not
actually out to bid. So I can understand the fluctuation in being three years and uh inflation costs. So we do have that information. >> Yeah. I but I think the people will need that. >> Yeah.
>> We'll make sure. >> Yeah. >> We'll do it. >> They're not talking the 5.6 that we walked around and did. They're talking about the original when we had the three options. >> Yeah. >> Up to $14 million. I think that's what you're talking >> is over there. I I'll I'll um
>> You're talking the last special town meeting? >> Yes. >> Well, the last special town meeting had this particular one on it to pass. That was at the other two were from previous town meetings. So, the last town meeting that got approved, it was this to approve the money for that. And to the
to to your point and and I think it's just helpful if you can even say well our estimated cost at this particular time which was 2 and 1/2 years or 3 years ago was this the cost of construction has gone up you know 8 or 9%. that shows the difference where we
are now or whatever it may be. It's just explanation, >> right? >> Right. It's going to the question is going to come. >> You can get that form. >> I'll ask the question. >> See, >> at that meeting it was very clearly spelled out. I think clearly spelled out
that 5.6 is what you've got to work with. Get everybody in here. There wasn't any talk about if if this works or that works or add a little bit more. It was a flat number. >> Yeah. >> So, I I believe the public is going to want to know how come what was said back
at the special town meeting is no longer what we want to proceed. >> I'm I did say that again, Bob. >> All of that. >> No, just to summarize, >> we gave the town a hard figure of 5.6 million for the idea that we were going with everybody there >> value engineering,
>> right? But but but no, when we went to this back to town meeting to get the money to put to to give it back to the committee because it went into demolition. Um it was not 5.6 million anymore. It was 5.3 million, let's say, because we
already there was money already taken out of that, >> right? >> Number one. And then um we were told to go back and do value engineering. So we went back and we did everything that we could to get that to under 5.4 million.
Weave out the bids. We're going to we tried to bid it. We thought the bids were going to come in at about 4.3 million and we would have made our budget. The bids bids came in at 4.7. So we did everything. We took everything out that we could. So we did value engineer. Part of the value engineering
was having to remove the TA's office because that was a whole separate So um when you look at the building, there's the hallway where everybody's going to be in and then there's >> it goes around the corner where the old principal's office was. And that would be the TA's office. Oh, so the TA the
TA's office for privacy. >> I was in it once and it was four years. >> Change a little bit. >> It changed a little bit. Right. >> Did you and some elections? >> Did you live here or just visiting? >> Visit South Hadley had some sort of a
>> Yeah. program fellowship meeting grand people or some >> my point wasn't really the amount of money that being involved but it was that the implication was you get this sum of money be it 5653 whatever
>> get do whatever you the best you can with it >> and and and the best right the best we could do >> was build it out without the TA's office >> which you still would be short >> we're still short So in other words, you're given an impossible task maybe
>> or as the time pass as the time wore on. Yes. I mean, Neil gave an example that the longer this goes is what roughly 30 30,000 a month. >> A month. >> Yeah. I don't I don't think it was an impossible task. I think when you had time not working in your favor, one year
makes a big difference. in one year can be. >> Well, I'll tell you what, if I can gave you 10 grand, said go buy a car. Don't come back and tell me it's you bought one, but it's 12 grand. That That's the point I'm trying to make. >> No, >> in other words, you got a flat budget. That's it. Live within. >> It's a legitimate point.
>> I I I agree. I agree 100% with that. But I'm just saying that's why and people are going to need an explanation as to okay, you asked for this amount, we approved this amount, you're asking for additional amount of money. Now, what is the reason for it? I understand the question and I think
>> just to put a little perspective on it, we were also tasked with fitting all of the municipal offices within the footprint of the building that we have. We've done that. When the bids came back, they came back higher than we expected, plus or minus 10% say for for
round number sake, which I don't think is unreasonable considering we were dealing with a budget that was three years old. And on top of that, we're asking the contractor to take the risk on the future pricing. So you can argue that it's really an additional year on
top of that or at least half an additional year that they're figuring into their price. Some of the stuff they're not going to buy until next summer. So I all things considered, I would I would offer that we take a perspective of we've done the best that
we could from the design perspective. We've bid a very modest project in my opinion. Um we've done the best that we can to facilitate the people that need to be in the space and for that we're a million dollars short on the budget.
Whether it's escalation, whether it's market conditions, all of those things play into factor and it's impossible for us to decipher how much is this, how much is that. I mean, we can look at it. We could give you tabled information. to your point,
it is out there. We can figure it out. But the bottom line is these are the real numbers that we're dealing with. And if the project is supported and we can move forward, we need we need roughly another million dollars. If it's not, we can push it off the table. We
can go back through another redesign effort. I'm not sure how fruitful it will be and we can look at rebidding it. And we'll take these numbers and throw them out. We'll rebid it and we'll bring you back a new set of numbers in three or four months and probably be in the
same spot. Maybe better, maybe worse. I don't know. >> There's your explanation. >> But that's the risk. >> I mean, that that's really that's it. >> Yeah. But it's like I Bob's Bob's analogy, I think, was a very good one. It's your your teenager says, "I want a
car." You said, "Here's $10,000." Teenager comes back says, "Can't get a car for under 12. Can I have 12? And Bob says, "No." >> But >> so what so what do you do next? >> Well, my question is, did the teenager do the research they needed for the price of the car that they're looking
for? Did they have funds to do the research they're looking for for that car? We didn't have funds to do the research we needed for the actual money amount >> for the project we were doing. So we put together what we could for the research we had. We didn't have funding to do it. >> It's a very logical guy. But to to point
>> $10,000 to that point and use here's $100,000. >> It wasn't the kid telling me what the money was. It was my bank account telling. >> But to that point, here's $100,000. Go buy yourself a house. Okay, I'm going to start looking. >> Well, it took me It took me four months to find a house. Well, the market's
changed in those four months. That house that was $100,000 5 months ago is now $125,000. That's what that's what they're dealing with. That's >> that that's exactly it. I mean, it's just Bob's point, I'll address that cuz I got up there and I said it. 5.6
million. I I I thought there was going to be 5.6 million, which was probably naive on my part, but and I know you did, too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Know it be better to address that. >> I mean, you had it is what it is, but you know, I also said what I said.
>> Um, if the TA offices are not there, where are is it going to be located? Well, currently um we're thinking of the TA will stay here, but we could also move the TA offices into um the municipal offices and move one of
another employee out and put them up here. >> So, we could be juggling some people >> juggling >> juggling >> somebody will stay here >> people. >> We're not saying we're just saying necessarily would not have to be the TA if if that's what the people wanted. should not >> when you say the TA office.
>> Yeah, >> that would be >> is that just the TA or is that all the people that are currently upstairs? >> All currently upstairs. >> The TA ATA secretary. >> Everybody's upstairs will definitely >> that's all considered the TA's office, >> right? Except for the treasurer and collector treasurer and I'm sorry.
>> They could end up in a different location, but we'll see. We're hoping >> they're because they're Yeah. I mean, >> they have limited public. >> Yeah. >> Our original thought was differently for 288 grand.
Who doesn't get moved into the West Street building? >> That's a moving target. But right now, who's not getting >> First of all, it's not 288. It's 220. >> All right. 220. I'm sorry. No, just >> the 88 with the seven. >> The seven. Exactly. >> Okay. >> As of tonight. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. I guess basically we're just
saying look, we're calling it the TA's office. That's what we'd like to see in that area. So there's the the former TA, the person that was the TA for a little while, and I would think somebody going forward would like the privacy and a decentiz office so they can have
conversations with with different individuals when they need to. And not everybody will hearing what's going on. Um, but there's been some question, well, did a half dozen? We we we heard the last few days, does it have to actually be the TA? >> It's just a moving target right now,
>> right? I mean, originally it was originally the part of the building that we cannot do is the T what we thought was going to be the TA's rooms. That's what we need the additional $220,000 to complete. However, if we don't get that,
>> sorry, that gives us our task of moving all the offices into that. >> If we can't get that amount of money, then maybe we move a TA where the treasurer and the accountant is going to be and move them out and keep them here.
Someone will have to stay here if we don't get uh the money for the TA's office. >> All right. If you do get the money for the TA office, this place upstairs is cleared up. >> Yep. Then what's it going to be used for? >> Them to decide. >> That would be the select board's decision.
>> Yeah. But um I mean it could be CIA stuff. Uh >> I mean there's no there's no actual plan at this point in time. >> Well, ultimately our goal is if we can get that done to start looking for grants and see if the any of our our dignitaries will help us and see if we can get some money to help move a COA.
And then phase two, we we bid it out and move the COA over there. And then hopefully at some point we could sell this place. >> Yeah. But I think in some cases the CIA could use more space. Um so it wouldn't go to waste because lots of times we're doing trying to do two or three things
down here and that's really good. >> And don't forget there's a million dollars. There's no grants yet that we we have gotten because we haven't started putting shovels in the ground. We also haven't been back to our legislators to ask them if they could
spare any money for this project. So there's >> and change orders >> and change orders which we already know we're putting some in. >> Who's going to answer the question what happens if this fails? >> I think that's going to all fall on me. >> That's going to be the slug board at that point.
>> So sorry I've been taking enough shots in the last week or so that I'm used to it. >> Yeah. Have you have you worked out an answer? >> Uh not yet, but I won't. Um cuz um yeah, we still have a couple weeks before we have to dig all that stuff up.
But to just to do the last town meeting, I between talking to Lyn and writing stuff, I probably put in 40 hours of work get to that town meeting. Um, we should talk about the warrant articles cuz do we have to consider really?
>> So, the warrant articles are currently drafted to be signed, but we're you have to decide as a select board if you want to change the way it's currently drafted. Right now, we had broken out the articles into
788 to supplement the budget and then article 2 would be 220,000 to get the TA over. >> Why not why not do one article for everything and then split everything up after? >> So, we just discussed that and um would
like to switch article one to say a million >> 8,000 which would be the supplemental budget. And that would get everybody over there. And then if that fails, article two would say the same thing but with just
the 788 to get to finish the project, the contingency and the uh miscellaneous expenses that we know we need money for. So, if you guys want this to be changed from the way you're seeing it in front of you, I just need a couple minutes to
run upstairs with um Holly to redo this. And then I I I would now talking as a moderator, I would prefer this to be looked at since we changed it by our town attorney because he signed off on this one and he's not here right now.
So, I'd have you I would have you sign it or I'd have you >> review it continue. >> Well, approve it pending >> Brian's approval tomorrow. >> Approval and then we just ask you each to stop in at some point to sign >> sign as soon as possible so we can
>> get it posted and uh >> get the meeting lined up. >> I can agree to that. >> So, can you explain again um just how the how we're going to set up the warrants and what that means? Just for clarity sake. >> So article one will say what you have in
front of you which says to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate transfer from available funds transfer from stabilization transfer from free cash borrow and or bond uh $1,8,000 or a greater or lesser amount to supplement the West Street building
renovation project budget or to take any action to. Article two would say exactly the same thing except the 1,ion8,000 would be switched to 788,000. Okay, which would be the municipal
offices without the TA's section built out. >> So if um the town did not want to vote for the first article or they didn't want to vote for the the 220 for the TA's office, then they could vote that article down and we'd still be able to
vote on the supplemental. Is that correct? >> I'm sorry. If if the town what if the town >> Okay. >> So the if the town votes the first article down >> then they vote the second article. >> All right. So we'll just need to explain that in the beginning at the meeting so
people understand what's going on. >> Okay. >> Um so >> they wouldn't you know some of them might want to amend article one. They wouldn't have to. They would vote article one down and then we go to article two. >> If article one passes then article two would not be moved.
>> Okay. be helpful too if I think some type of >> explanation goes out with this because people are going to see two articles. >> They're going to think it's 1.3 million. >> They think it's 108 $1.8 million. >> So that's the that's that's your question on how you want to draft the
articles. Do you want to just go one article feel the um >> you put or in there? Well, I was just thinking that it's vertical one or >> or do you leave it the way it is because then it really shows it really shows what's going on.
>> But I think if an explanation in the beginning of if article one fails then we move on to article two. >> Yeah. I I I think either way >> have a much better chance of passing if it's there and article one fails. >> Right. >> If if you just start with article two
that's like starting with just article one, you know, then you got the whole >> this is more money. So are you saying >> I'd leave it like you were planning on it to the 1.08 and then after that 220 less than that >> and just explaining the
>> and the secondation >> yeah you withdraw the second one and the first one passes. So just from me looking um the grants have there been
>> um reaching out for grants or >> we can't reach out for grants without >> activity. We did a little bit and we were kind of told well when your project is is is moving forward then come and see us. >> Okay. So we can't say yeah we're going
to get something but told without a project really you know in place >> yeah they're not we know that mass save we're doing what mass save is asking us to do so we'll get probably 25 I think about $25,000 back >> but that's at the end of the project so we have that already
>> you won't see that until construction is completed that's a proof of expenditure >> right >> so >> what safeguards are there that any such grants or other additional money will be returned to the general rather than put
into some sort of alternative. >> You can't you can't put it in an alternative. >> No, >> it either has to >> look you got a grant that says if you if you get a grant and you do this or that um >> I'm sorry. I thought >> you're that might
>> extend the project by making you do new things rather than >> Well, I'm just saying if they're getting a grant for something just based on what I have to do for federal grants, you have to prove how you >> It's very specific.
>> Exactly. So, if they say that for this type of product you can have $20,000, you have to prove first. You have to spend it and then prove that you spent it on that material. >> So there's no getting around. >> It's very specific.
>> That's the use of the money. But then when you get the money, you got cash in hand. >> We've already spent it. So it's just reimbursing yourself for money spent the money back into the into the project kitty. >> Yep. >> So >> what gets it from the project kitty to the
>> Let me ask you this question. funds. >> You guys have done countless other projects in town. What safeguards have you put in place to make sure that that doesn't happen on any of your projects? And we'll we'll happily follow the same guidelines, right? When we've got a fixed scope, a fixed budget, a set of
documents that's already been bid. I mean, there's a there's a lot of there's a lot of it tells me the guardrails are already in place. >> We can't Yeah, cuz we came in under budget on West Street on East Meadow >> that came back to the town. So, I would expect it to go back to the town cuz
where else would it go? >> Yeah, we're not >> especially if it's after >> I think it did. Didn't we use some of that money for this project? >> Some of it was able to be moved. >> Well, I think it it stays appropriated for the West Street building. Then it's got to be removed from the would have to back in.
>> And that's that's not approving a new project, right? >> The committee can't just start spending that money on other stuff because it wasn't appropriate for that. But no, he's just saying the point is that you're making the statement that if you get any of this money, it'll be turned back to the town. Yes. >> There is no guarantee that it will be
turned back to the town. >> Well, there's no guarantee we're going to get money, first of all. And second of all, yes, if if if we finish the project and there's contingency left over, it goes back to the town. >> He's asking about the grant. The grant comes to town, federal >> grants. It's got to specifically be
voted back to the town though because it's like leaving it in the project for years and years and years until you decide. Yeah. >> That would be the TA's. >> Yeah. So, it's just tracking. So, the money we have to take it out of that checking account to pay for it. The
state says yes, we approve it. They give it back, put it back into the checking account. that revenue comes back in with the same codes like the sub funds that are used for the expense. Those two will offset and zero each other. It comes
right back to the town and for that project >> for the project. It doesn't come back for general use by the town until it gets transferred out of that fund. >> Correct. >> But it sits there. >> So you say it's going to be returned to the town.
>> Well, it's returned to that fund and then returned to the fund. It's not back to the general fund of the town. >> Yeah. But then the town then the town has to appropriate it back. That's all. >> Yeah. >> When we're done, I mean just like >> just want to clarify the point. Yeah. The funds don't go back to the town uh
directly. They go back into the >> project fund, but you cannot expend those funds because you have no authority to expend those funds. And in a subsequent town meeting vote, you can move it from that building fund back to the general fund. >> They're invested though, right? >> Oh, yes. >> Yeah. So it's
>> it's benefit of the town just no nobody can spend it until a specific vote is taken to >> expend it. >> All right. So can we just amend this article so on it? >> Yeah. >> I'll be back. >> We take a
>> um I don't know. You guys are welcome to hang out. I forgot the carts, but we have too many people for pitch. But canasta >> like teachers have played. >> I do golf. >> I missed my calling as a stand up.
>> Too many for canaster too. >> Two card monty. Maybe >> why why don't play black track? >> Yeah, that's that's about right. I think Mary would be disappointed now being remote. Can't play back yet.
So Mark, can I ask you a question while we wait? >> Sure. What will you say when people say hallelujah? >> You're frozen. >> Marian, we missed the last part of the question. >> Just repeat your question.
>> Sorry. >> It's not going to go well with feed. >> No. >> No. We keep on losing you. >> Can you not hear me? You can hear me right now, but >> ask quickly. >> No,
>> now you're frozen now. >> Something spent on texts. >> The connection is bad. >> Um, let's try it again. >> People will ask, "How will this affect our taxes?" >> And it won't. >> What will you say?
>> I will say it doesn't affect your taxes. It's coming out of stabilization funds which is essentially our for lack of a better term savings account. So, and particularly from this um stabilization fund or saving account where we set
money aside for uh public buildings >> and um so this would be our top priority for capital investment. >> She's saying under capital. It's not under capital. Um, she's just talking about capital
expenses right now. I mean, we don't really have too many capital expenses in general to the time we had the ambulance. Um, >> yeah, there's a bunch of them are paying off, but it's not there's nothing, you know, the school was the last big capital. >> Nothing really in the pipeline for uh
capital expenses. Big capital expenses. Certainly nothing like this. >> It's too remember we uh we didn't go through with the fire engine that was appropriated. Yeah. >> Uh couple a year or two ago. >> Yeah. >> So that's I mean that's just you talk
about money there's savings that the town is not going to >> incur over the next several years that we thought we would. >> Yeah. >> I'm not sure that my recollection was it it wasn't that we didn't need a new new truck. It was we
need didn't need one anywhere near as fancy as the one that was ordered. >> We ended up >> being able to refurbish what we had. So, um, >> at that time, yes. >> At that time, we did refurbish engine two. >> Yeah. >> So, so we aren't going to need a new
engine, too, for replacement. >> Not foreseeable. >> We still need to replace it, but we were able to postpone it and repair what we needed to. >> They did some minor repairs to totally refurbish. I think they got a price of They talked to you guys already, right? Like a half a million or something like
that. A little more than a half a million. >> Yeah. But I thought we were still saving from the from the price that we had expected to pay for a new fire engine. We were saving about $300,000, >> right? I I believe an engine committee or something, right? And I think they wanted to
>> talk about I think it was like a million just under >> 1.3 is the number. >> Well, 1.3 million is that we were given and we're our goals aiming below that. >> Right. >> That was what was approved the town meeting a couple years ago. >> Correct. But in the meantime, you guys
have gone and and done some research >> trying to get some numbers >> and I believe >> they're between 900,000 and a million new trucks. >> That sound more familiar, John? >> Yeah, >> that's what I remember. >> Exactly. You guys had a meeting with Chief Brian and Chief Anderson not that long ago and
>> they were trying to catch me up on it a little while ago. So, um >> yeah, >> I know they're trying to get some firm numbers and bids. >> That was back in September. We had a meeting. >> Yep. Yep. So they're looking Evan's trying to get some very last minute. This is hard number. >> Yeah,
>> that's what we did as the committee. >> How far down the road will that be if we have to order >> a new engine? >> A little over a year. >> Well, yeah, a little uh 27. >> I think Evan said if they order it, >> it'd be like March. >> March 27th, right? >> March or 27.
>> Will they be get it? We be able to get a a guaranteed price. >> Well, we have to Yeah, once we sign it, it's >> Yeah, I believe that is a gu that will be guaranteed price. >> Something that uh normal not normal uh >> we we didn't >> not specialized. It's a
>> right. We uh basically took what they had and adopted it what we needed for town. We didn't do this fancy bells and whistles like as large as engine one is. We needed one. >> Got no bells and whistles. >> Oh, you got to have siren. >> We have sirens. We have sirens. There's no bells and whistles. We have sirens
and >> lights. Bells and >> whistles. Uh we needed one uh that fit uh accommodate a lot of things we needed in town that engine one could not do. And we were trying to be very logical thinking of what it's actually needed
for the town. >> So we didn't like said you had to do it this way like what do you have? How can we alter it to make it work for our town? And that's why we're able to come a little bit lower. >> Right. It's like a standard production truck compared to a specialized a special order. >> Yeah. It wasn't a special order truck.
Just some alterations that would fit for the town. >> Basically buying one off the lot and the retrofit to what we need >> basically instead of special order. >> Yes. Exactly. >> Version is for you and the board. >> Okay. >> The second page for everyone else if you guys want to take one. So
just >> just know that um I mean Holly suggested that you sign this tonight pending approval by Brian tomorrow. So it's all set. >> Brian says post it. I just think that the minute you post this coming from a
moderator's perspective pages >> people are going to see two articles without explanation. >> Yep. >> And so they're going to be like people are going to think Yeah. You're asking for 1.7 million rather than 1 million. >> Yeah, we can't put more in there, huh?
>> I mean, artic one. Well, it's it's >> just pencil it in. >> You can just do article one for a greater or lesser amount and then fill the but it's everything's risky. >> Got to do what we got to do. Let's just do it. >> Well, hopefully people watch the meeting and
>> right understand that is >> understand that >> one or the other. It's not both. It's >> one or the other. Well, during our social media thing, we'll see who corrects what and who goes forward because, you know, it's going to blow up. >> Uh, Mark, Lynn, if y'all want to record just a really quick rundown of what it
actually means after the meeting, we could do that and then we could post it to brands. >> Okay. >> Post it where? >> Actually, >> it's under construction right now. >> Yeah, >> we could post it on our our page. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And maybe good news, Graham, just
just >> just so it's out there. >> Um >> cuz like you say, it's one or the other. It's not both, >> right? >> Just like you said, >> it's million8,000. Yes. 788 plus 220.
>> The articles are written as a million8,000. Article 2 is 788 million. Yes, they are correct according to our conversation. >> Um, >> and just to be clear, article one is all Minnesota offices in the West Street
building. I took that out because it doesn't make sense. And article two would be all the offices but big town administrator offices. >> Well, if you want to make a motion approval one
still >> I will. But so the article two >> is the same as article one just a different amount. >> Right. >> Are you going to supplement it for a million or are you going to supplement it for threequarters of a million?
>> Yeah. >> We can't put the ore in there. >> No. As much as I'd like to. I mean, the only the only other way to do it is to ask for 788 and then to ask for 220 the way it was originally written.
Once you get the 788, >> that's added. >> Yep. Once you get the 788, which would be all the offices but one, >> you go to the second article to get the TA's offices in there. >> Right. So I think that it's just so
people do and understand that the difference between article one and article two is the in the town minister office area >> that's so that we removed from article two which would be the the less of the two. >> Okay.
>> All right. Well I'll make a motion that we uh approve the warrant. Um to be fair I'll read it. Um, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, town of Graanby, special town meeting to the councils of the town of Graanby
and the county of Hampshire. Greetings. in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You are hereby directed to notify warn the inhabitants inhabitants of said town qualified to vote in elections and town affairs to meet at East Meadow Street East Meadow
School on East State Street in the said town on Monday the 26th day of January next at 700 p.m. Then and there to act on the following articles to wit. Article one to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from
available funds, transfer from stabilization fund, transfer from free cash, borrow and or bond $1,800,000 >> 1,8,000. >> Oh, 1 million. Sorry. Thank you. $1,8,000 or a greater lesser amount to supplement
the West Street building renovation project budget to make any other action in regards there too. Article two to see if the town will vote to raise inappropriate transfer from available funds transfer
transfer from stabilization fund transfer from free cash borrow and or bond 788,000 or greater lesser amount to supplement the West Street building renovation project budget or take any other actions in regards there too. And you are hereby
directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies there thereof at five or more public places as the bylaws before the time of said meeting. Here, O fail not to make do return this
warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at the time and place of the meeting before set giving under the hands of this day fifth day of January in the year of our Lord 2026. >> Very nicely read.
Got to love the old English sometimes. I usually stick to kids books. So, all right. So we have a motion. >> That's the motion. >> All right. I will second the motion. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> just to clarify this discussion, right? Discussion.
>> Pending approval by town council. And to be clear, just for what I'm sure will be the first of times, this is an or situation here. It's one article of the other. It's not both. So if article one fails, we would move on to article two.
>> Article one passes stops. then we would not >> withdraw withdraw. So, so um so there we go. We just started getting our message out. >> Feels good. >> All right. Thank you for coming in everybody. >> No, we didn't vote on it yet.
>> We didn't vote on it. >> We finished up discussion. We didn't vote yet. >> We didn't vote. >> I thought all Did I say all in favor? >> Well, no. You have a discussion. We discussed. Now we got a vote. I'll do it again just in case.
>> All right. Go ahead. Mo motion. >> The motion was made. Second the motion. We go into discussion. All those call for. >> I didn't do it. All those in favor? I >> I >> I was very concerned about communicating with the public. >> Well, that's the discussion piece.
>> Just like a one-way discussion. >> I got to say Crystal ran a much smoother meeting than I do. >> Bumpy road. but ask the discussion that it need to be that it need to be approved by the town council. >> Um Glenn needs to sign it. We're going
to get there eventually >> and then we'll get the Brian in the morning. >> Second. Thanks. Thinking this is the worst relay race you've ever seen. >> Yes. >> We're good to go. Thanks for coming, Jim. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Neil. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> That was fun. All right, stop in next week. We'll do something else that I don't know what's going on with >> and I got briefed ahead of time and I came up with their meeting. >> All right, for the next item, I'll wait until everybody's done moving.
>> Yeah. Are we all done with this? >> I see you again. >> Yeah, I guess we're done with the thing. Although, you look good up there, Glenn. Yeah, >> some star power. >> We all do. We all do. >> I don't look good. I look good in long. >> Every once in a while I'm like walking
around and I see somebody. I'm like, "Boy, that person's old." And I'm like, and I get a glimpse of myself, you know, and I'm like, "Whoa, >> I'll make a motion to take a fiveminute recess to allow people to leave." >> I'll second that motion. >> All in favor? I take a fiveminute
recess. no playground but a resource. What's that? >> All right. Um, so we have a statement on um some allegations that have been uh stated in the newspaper. I'll read that statement and then we're going to discuss um authorizing our attorneys to
uh take action. So, attorney John Clifford, who is representing former town administrator Tammy Martin, filed a complaint that the select board violated open meeting law. Tonight, we are voting to authorize attorney Jack Collins, our labor attorney, and town council Brian
Otul to respond to those allegations. Last week, Attorney Clifford sent a press release to the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Belchuretown Sentinel. Because there are laws that rightly protect the privacy of employees and on the advice of council, the board will not be making further comment in this
forum at this time. So, um, I had spoken to Brian today and basically what he would be doing, he would be coordinating with Jack Collins. So, um, >> to respond to the attorney general's open meeting law complaint.
>> Exactly. Um, and it's a matter of coordination. Um, and he can kind of cuz Kevin's got enough on his hands basically. Brian would be there to uh I don't know just coordinate and make sure
everything is going well. >> See, I like the motion. >> Yep. >> I like the motion. I move to authorize the staff attorney Jack Collins and town council Brian Lul to respond to the open meeting law complaint.
>> I'll second the motion. All those in favor? >> I I >> I uh next item is uh to award the charter days rides contract which we had last time we'd wanted it um reviewed by town council.
So, uh, an email that Holly and I received from Brian, uh, he said he's satisfied with the Fiesta bid is the highest bid of at least 16,500, which is the 14,500 plus 2,000 towards fireworks, and not sure what the value of the other
items are. Although their bifurcated process of getting there can give Finelli something to complain about if they choose. What Fiesta has to understand is that each year is another bid and prior year's bids will have no bearing on subsequent years. So he said
that um we can tell uh Randy from the term pay committee that you guys will sign the u the fiesta contract because that seems to be the most beneficial to the town. >> So just to be clear when um this is not like most bids which are you want to
keep the cost down and pay less. This in this case we're they're bidding to pay more for charter day. So the rides um and other concession things. What's happening is they pay us to come to Graanby. Um, charter a committee wisely
decided to seek other um contracts and they came up with um they came up with another vendor who would give us more um pay us more basically to come and do charter day. and clarify too when Glenn was asking there was some some question on the cancellation of the bid the first
bid because some people did not get their packets that was that was legal the way uh Holly handled it and um Brian reiterated that confirmed it >> it's a one year not three
>> correct >> so motion to uh award the charter days rides contract to to Fiesta Is that >> fiest? >> Well, if if nothing you have the answers and I think Ry's coming to the next meeting. >> Okay. So, we don't need to do it. >> So, yeah, I would just wait for him to actually bring the contract, but just so
you have your legal answer. >> Okay. >> So, >> I would actually ask you to vote tonight. I did get a call from just looking for an answer because they want to plan. >> It would probably be good to get get it done tonight. >> Yeah. Because we don't want to keep
people hanging out. notify them of the award and follow up with the contract. >> Thank you. >> Okay, go ahead. >> I just we don't have the contract here, unfortunately. >> No, actually, >> do we have a copy? >> Copy. Yeah.
>> All right, perfect. I didn't think we had one here. So, >> it's Fiesta. >> Yes. >> Fiesta. >> Are they at the end? >> Yes. >> Yes. I'm sorry. It is at the end. >> Yeah. >> Oh, cool. Oh, we're getting a Dalmatian.
What's this? >> Yes, sir. >> I've been waiting. >> So, it's Fiesta shows. Find it in the back here. Additional consideration. >> Fiesta shows. Okay. All right. I'll make a motion that we
award the contract for charter days for rides. Um so various other items to fiesta shows which is in the amount of 14,500
with an additional was it $2,000 >> towards the fireworks >> towards the fireworks >> and other items >> and other items that may come up. which is four fiesta shows, own light towers, 10 picnic tables, 500 ft of chain link
fence, 50 50 making memories tradable certificates, and a manager to attend the committee meetings upon request. >> I'll try to number remember those uh certificates. All right, second. >> I will second that motion. All in favor?
>> I >> All right, good. >> Do we have correspondence? We actually do have some correspondence. Um, we got a letter from Mr. Schlloi uh regarding
they recently got it a request about the town regarding Red Fire Farm and their new plans for the stand. They're in support of it and also complaining about some conditions of other houses and buildings in the area, but they're in support of okay
>> um Red Fire Farm. Uh got a request from uh Carl Lindberg who's the assistant scout master. Uh uh President Daniel Hackett is going to make his Eagle Scout on
March 14th and they're asking for letters of support. So if the board so wishes we can uh draft up a letter and congratulate him. >> Okay. >> Does he know he's receiving it? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yeah.
>> Um, >> you know, it might be helpful too if we put together a letter from this board to uh our representatives and senator to ask them to acknowledge this too and even going forward after this too. >> Yeah, I I get these all the Well, it's
been about a year since I wrote one, but I don't know if the board's received these in the past or this is something new for Eagle Scout. Yeah, I've sent these letters from from as a police chief for years. >> I've presented them. Yeah, we've done that before. Yeah. >> And then they contact uh like the
president and the governor. >> Okay. They they handle that stuff. >> Yeah, I think so. >> That correct? >> I don't know if they do. >> I just make sure it's it's it's a >> I'm sorry. >> I think Carl Lindberg may contact them. >> I can reach out and check with Carl and
just see if uh >> Yeah. >> Uh we received a letter from >> a great accomplishment. So yeah, >> town of Ammerst and as well as a citation from the town of Ammerst uh with thanking the fire department for
their assistance on that big Olympia Drive fire they had uh back in November. >> I'm sorry, just adding this into my Eagle Scout thing into my calendar. Okay. Um, so everybody's familiar at this point with a big fire that they had
in Ammerst and it was really important that not just Graanby, but all area fire department showed up. >> Yeah. Big mutual >> that Ammerst really appreciated it. And I believe our fire department again went out to have a good size fire on Route 9
on Saturday night into Sunday. >> And Chief Bryant was informing me that they got called in there for mutual aid as well. >> Our next correspondence is from Eversource. It's a copy of letters uh regarding um notification to property
owners that they will be doing some uh cleanup vegetation work. Um, so the letters we we received the letter also the Fairview Sportsman's Club, uh, the Chick Sportsman's Club and the Bachelor Brook
uh, WMA, which was went to the Mass Wildlife of uh, Connecticut Valley. What are they doing? Cutting down trees or >> they must be just cleaning up the vegetation so they can for the for the overhead lines. >> Yes. >> Stand.
And finally, we got uh notification from the planning board that they approved the sale of the the usage of the chateau parking lot area for the sheds. Next use that
pile back up. Thank you. Take a cup and drive. Okay. She's good. There you go, young man. >> All right. Motion to approve departmental reports. >> I'll make a motion to approve
departmental reports. >> We went through those. So, I will second the motion. All >> in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Um, here we got a bunch of minutes. Some of them are going back to before I was actually
on the board. >> All right. Yeah. Motion to approve minutes, but we have to go specifically some Dana because >> Yeah. >> I wasn't here in March. >> Yep. Let's go. I'll make a motion to
approve minutes from January 6, 2025. >> Did you want to read those out loud for the record? >> No. >> Pushing your large. >> I will second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
Mark is abstaining. >> Going there. too busy laughing at my jokes. >> I'll make a motion to approve minutes from February 10th, 2025. >> I will second the motion. >> All in favor?
>> I abstain. >> I sorry, excuse me. I'll make a motion to approve uh select board meeting minutes from February 13, 2025, March 31st, 2025. 5
um April 29th, 2025. >> I'll second the motion. All those in favor? >> I >> I abstain. There you go. face. That's it. >> Yes. Right.
I'll make a motion to approve minutes from July 21st, 2025, August 4th, 2025, August 18th, 2025. >> I'll second the motion. All in favor? Hi.
>> I've been signing the back. >> No, I'm just signing. >> Maybe I'll just uh sign on. >> Say the fifth. Yeah. >> Yeah. Sign >> 26. 26 and 25. >> So you sign >> they say that you never know what date
you retired but I got to tell you like next up is the warrants. Good. Yes, sir. Thank you. might go out. >> Not that bad. >> Nothing. >> Nope. >> Which person is Okay.
>> All right. I'll make a motion to approve warrant number D42 uh for the amount of $78,7124. >> I second the motion. All in favor? >> I I brought my red pen today. It's kind of
weird. I don't correct the papers anyway. >> Of course it's a habit. >> Yeah. >> Well, you know what? I got to sign it the second page. I forgot. I need to see more veteran services officer's name. It's a collaborative one. I'll have to
get it. I'm not sure off the top of my head. >> Collaborative self. >> I think his name's Steve. >> I'll have to I can check. >> I'll make a motion to approve warrant number PR41S in the amount of $296,4349.
Second the motion. All those in favor? I I I don't even have a cold. It's always dry. It's always dry. >> Yeah, it's really >> exactly drunk so much water. >> My house humidity is like 30 at the
most. I'll make a motion to approve warrant number 40 in the amount of $143,67940. I'll >> second the motion. All in favor? >> I It's okay. I'll make a motion to approve warrant
number 40s in the amount of $253,515. >> I'll second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I They just had ugly first half and there. >> They got it together though. >> It's all that matters. Exactly. >> Not a bad thing actually to
>> No. >> have to get your act together. >> Yep. >> All right. I'll make a motion to approve warrant number D39 in the amount of $761,3768. Second the motion. All in favor? >> I
Did you report. >> Uh just a basic just um basically what I started to say earlier during our joint meeting was uh Meline's time. She used up her time. She went as far as she could go. She was having issues with trying to provide um
the schools with the information they need. Yep. >> And I don't know if you read your email recently. I did, >> but uh >> the Desi withheld the December payment because >> chapter 70 payments because the numbers were not provided. >> Chris is back as of Monday.
>> Um trying to get the books in order. >> Um there was a lot of double postings. There's a lot of lot of mistakes. He basically has been going through he just told me today he's through January I believe he said um and his Steve's
numbers are lining up now. >> What time did you see him? >> I saw him uh 1:00ish today. >> Okay. >> Um and he said his goal was to get those those his his stuff together that those numbers get books hopefully
>> within order. and uh he he reached out to Todd Dorman earlier in the day from what I understand, asked him exactly what he needs and hopes to get it to him within a week. >> Um it just those numbers could not be provided prior. >> And Mal did a great job, but there were certain things that we just needed Chris
for. >> Right. And she just never did that stuff. I guess from what I understand, she was part of a regional school district, so she did not ever get those requests. >> Yeah. >> So didn't know where to look for them or or where to get them. Um Chris has said he would help us with the budget for
FY27. >> Um he will help us with getting free cash certified. >> Uh there's been an expired fire contract with the the fire union. >> He said he'd be willing to sit down and negotiate since he has one of the best
ideas of where the numbers are and you know um he'll bounce the stuff off me. And when you I believe Glenn, you're with the fire department, right? >> Yes. And then um Dave's a police union sending a letter short very shortly as well. And um obviously I can't do both
roles being there as a police chief and as the town administrator. So Chris again will have a good idea on guiding us on what the town can afford. >> Then I'll start with them if I need to. >> Yep. So that usually how usually the the liaison and the town administrator Jack and
>> the union reps and myself, right? >> So the fire would be the same kind of thing with Glenn and Jack. Um, so Chris has really stepped up to say that he would help us get us into the the next phase. >> Um, the job was posted officially today. We were trying to make sure we had um
job description if anybody's asking, not just the not just the one pager, but what what other responsibilities. Um, >> we had Chris go through it and he said, "Yeah, that looked like what he he had had." So, um, that was posted on MMA today. >> Mhm.
Uh I understand we already got an application >> on top of another application we received >> good >> earlier before we even posted the job. So >> it's posted through June 30th I'm sorry January 30th 31st whatever the Friday is. I think it was the 30th and then uh
>> if you guys I don't know how you want to go about it this time. Do you want is the screening committee even worth it or do you folks want to >> I think part of it is depends upon how many resumes we got. I mean last time we had 16. If we have two, then I don't think we need a screening committee, >> right? I guess we can get a better idea
in the next week or two and >> we bring it up the the next meeting for the I just don't want to push it too far because the next meeting is not till the 26th. >> Well, um Holly, maybe you can just email us in the meantime and say, "Hey, I've
received three or five more applicants so we have an idea of >> keep you updated maybe." >> Yeah. what's coming in and how many and then we can >> we don't need to know who >> figure out what we need to do whether we form any want to try to get a committee together. >> I think it's helpful to have a committee
and I think it's helpful to have one of the board members sit on that committee >> um just so when that information comes forward you know we have that liaison that represents the board that we're getting all the information so we can make a an educated decision.
>> Here's a question for you. Is it legally required to have a screening committee? >> No, >> I don't think so. >> You can like Here's my question. Could the board screen the resumes? I don't know. This isn't a proposal, just a question. Could the board do that?
>> The board could do it, but it has to be an open meeting, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So, that's what And so the interview has to be an open meeting, too. >> So, like that's one of the reasons then for having a screening committee. >> Yes. >> Yeah. This would be real time consuming if we get 10 or 12 of them, right?
>> God willing, we'd be here till midnight probably talking >> and then you run into the fact that, you know, some people are probably may be applying but don't want their current employers to know yet. And um >> right now I think that >> it it becomes official when they get
that's how at least when we were when I was on that other committee, it was um >> we were in executive session to to screen. Yep. >> And then we discussed them and then we even had executive session when we interviewed to see if if we because we
we're going to only bring so many to the board and then >> then it was official when it comes to this meeting. >> All right. Good. Um so we'll keep an eye on it and we'll figure it out, >> right? >> Get the band back together. I don't know that we should be on it,
but >> we can figure that out. >> We'll figure that out later. All right. um agenda. >> Um yes, at least check in on it. >> Yeah, we probably should. >> Okay. >> Do you want to advertise or like on the website if you'd like to be on the
committee, send something in or do you have an idea? >> We had a committee last time that was pretty good. I think maybe you and I probably should be excluded, but other than that, I think it was a pretty good committee. >> They probably >> probably Brian Hos go through the names again. Brian Jen
Bartos Dig the Roger. Um >> me >> Kath Kathy Bronner. >> Kathy Bronner. Yeah. Yeah. They would probably she said she would be willing to serious. >> Even it's just that that's a decent committee right there with a member like
if Glenn wants to have like you say have a liazison on the >> the board if that's what you on the committee if that's what you >> non- voting member right but just a liazison. Um, so we're going to in a minute we're going to talk about executive session, but um, how I brought
to my attention that we we appointed Evan Bryant, but we did not appoint the other people. >> Yeah. >> To the property tax work. >> Oh, they weren't already appro They weren't appointed prior. Okay. >> No. So, um, I'll think that was Dave's question. >> I'm sorry.
>> I think that was your question when we appointed um, Chief Bryant to the tax collection. Um, >> oh, >> tax work off program. >> Tax work off program. You asked what about the other ones, >> right? >> Okay, I'll make the motion because I got it written down. So, I move that we
appoint um town administrator, acting town administrator Kevin O'Grady, um, a representative from the Veteran Service Office, um, Assessor Dakota Richards and Council on Aging Director Natalie Ershambo to, uh, the property tax
workoff committee. >> I'll second the motion. >> All in favor? Right. All right. Good. >> Um, >> and just to clarify, most of those positions I think were already clarified in the uh the actual program prior. >> Okay.
>> All right. Next thing. Um, I'll just do this motion to save the trouble. Um, so we're going to go into executives. I'll just make the motion. >> Would you be open to doing a like 15
minute break and then Mark And maybe Lynn, we >> you could talk to Lynn, but yeah, >> you're not >> I don't think we got >> Kai wanted to talk about um explaining the uh >> um articles.
>> Are we still meeting? >> Yes. >> Yeah. All right. Make the motion. >> You would have. >> All right. So, I'm going to make the motion here. I move to go into executive session per MGL chapter 30A section 21A 2 to conduct strategy sessions in
preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel specifically acting town administrator Kevin O'Grady and to reconvene in open session only to adjourn and I labi Stay away. All right.