[Music] So, I was going to wait for the rest of the committee to be here, but it's 6:01
number one. And number two, our OPM, there was a rollover on 2012, and he is stuck be in that traffic. So he will be coming in at some point hopefully soon. Right. What the project owner project manager?
Yeah. So he just called and said he'd get here as soon as he can. Interrupt. If people have a question, please go up to the mic audible. Oh, that's I literally just All right. So, good evening. The West Street Building
Committee is here tonight to present to you more information regarding what's going on with the West Street building renovation and hopefully answer any of the questions that you may have. First, I'm going to give you some background on the need for municipal spaces and then
talk about what the select board is proposing on the ballot and potentially a future special town meeting. Currently, Graanby Town offices are spread across various locations that are inadequate for their needs. These spaces
do not allow for growth or expansion and were originally intended as temporary solutions. Key components of town government currently have no designated spaces in our facilities. for example, veterans service officer, a town
accountant, human resources, the planning board, and the conservation commission. Additionally, there are not dedicated meeting spaces within uh for the departments in their current spaces. While storage spaces are provided in
both the annex and the COA, these spaces do not provide the necessary protection for important town documents such as fire ratings, temperature and humidity controls, or even sprinkler systems. More importantly, the current
situation at the annex is untenable due to the upcoming end of the current lease agreement. So, the town is looking at the West Street building to reme to to remedy these problems. More specifically, the lower level of the West Street building, which is
22,000 square ft total, provides an opportunity to not only conso consolidate town offices, but also provide space for the missing departments, future growth, and public interaction. The complete West Street building was built in three phases
throughout the 40s and the 50s and is total 44,000 square ft. It's a structurally sound building. There are improvements necessary to the current building. However, the costs to renovate are less than to build new. In addition
to placing the municipal offices in the West Street building, the COA would also have plenty of room to relocate. Moving the senior center into this building would make things more efficient by allowing shared spaces like
meeting rooms, multi-purpose areas, and restrooms. This change gives the COA more flexibility in their programs, increasing their current singular program space to three. Plus, moving them out of the existing temporary building they are now in allows the town
to sell that building, eventually adding it to the town's tax base. Finally, if the town decides to abate all of the building now, it prepares the entire 44,000 square ft for future use. So the needs So as the needs
of the COA and other agencies within the town grow that space within the building will be ready to be renovated. This allows the town to use the other unoccupied portions of the abated building for whatever it deems appropriate when it is ready to
expand. Can you be my Yep. So on April background on the on the West Street building. So on April 8th, the select board decided to put a question on the general election ballot, which is May 19th, regarding whether to
fund the renovation of the West Street building through a debt exclusion. A debt exclusion increases your municipal taxes for a set period of time to cover the costs of the project. When that financing bond is paid off,
the tax increase for the project ends. Then at the April 9th select board meeting the next day, the board decided to bring forward to town meeting two less expensive renovation options for the West Street building. If the vote
passes on May 19th at the general election. So if the vote passes at the general election by a majority, we then will have funding for the project through a debt exclusion, but we have to go back to town meeting to get the
appropriation for one of the different scopes. So the two renovation scopes that are now being offered, I call them option B and option C, are different than what was presented at the previous special town meeting on April 8th.
First, both of the options will abate the complete building, the complete 44,000 square ft. So, what whatever part of the building is not currently renovated will be hazard-free and prepared for future renovation. So, option
B is the renovation of approximately 22,000 square ft of the building. And for those of you who are familiar with West Street, that is the first floor or the main floor of the building. The municipal offices will be in one wing
and the council of aging will be on the west street side of the building. The cafeteria, the gym, and the kitchen will be used by the COA throughout the day. However, it is considered shared spaces with the community.
We call this option option B the value engineering option because it is less renovation than was that was previously presented at the town meeting and uses less expensive alternatives but without sacrificing functionality. So for example to reduce
the price we reduced the windows by 50%. We reduced the number of interior partitions making it more of an open floor plan. We changed some of the finishes and reduced paving and site work. So for option B, the overall cost
was lessened and the bond ask the debt exclusion amount would be approximately $6.3 million. So the handout that you have shows you the tax implication for the annual cost for
various house assessments. if option B is selected. So the bond issue is 6.25 and then it then you find your home value and then you'll know annually how much your tax will
increase. Now the section the second option is option C and that renovates approximately 12,000 square ft of the building. It is similar to option B regarding the municipal office spaces, but it differs in that there will be no
COA, no gym, no kitchen or cafeteria renovation. Instead, those areas will be abated and prepped for fire suppression and ready for future renovation. those areas for the time being will be walled off and are unavailable for use
until the town decides to pick up that part of the renovation. So for option C, the bond ask or the debt exclusion amount would be 4.2 million. And again, the other side of the tax implication sheet shows you
option C at 4.2 2 million bond issue and what that would cost you if that is the option that the town pushes through. Thank you. So depending on whichever option
town meeting passes if they pass any will determine the amount your tax will increase for approx for 20 years. 20-year period is what our treasurer um suggested he's going to look for. So neither of these options, however,
option B or option C will come to the town meeting floor if the ballot question on May 19th does not pass by a majority. So that is all the information that I wanted to bring to the floor today. Since we've had several meetings, I didn't want to repeat myself and we
really wanted to make this more of a question session for the public. So we are opening the floor up to any of your questions if you have them. Yeah, please. [Music] Oh, and by the way, this is our owner's
project manager, Neil. Okay. So, um, as far as, uh, this new proposal, the last one had 20 or 25 years. This one just has 20, right? What was the reasoning for getting rid of the 25? Um,
I think it's the amount of the bond. So, if the bond was going to be over 10 million, he was going to look at the rate for 25 years, but under 10 million, um, he suggested it to be 20 years. All right. But the last one was eight. I he is the one that provides us with
those charts. So he was probably looking at both 25 years and 20. Who's he? Steve Nally, our treasurer. Okay. All right. Um he also said that this he he's at the the coupon rate of 5.5. He's thinking that is high. He's hoping to be four and
a half to five, but just is trying to give worst case scenario. Okay. Um, so as far as these property values are concerned, you know, if we approve one of these things and let's say our house is worth 250,000, let's say in 5
years it goes up to 400,000, does our taxes get adjusted or are we grandfathered with the original value of our house? Anybody answer? Good question. But I would assume because the debt exclusion is for this specific amount, it wouldn't it wouldn't
go up. I wouldn't think. But I mean, you don't know. You don't know that for sure. I don't know that for sure. I believe that it's determined when the bond is issued for the project. Think of it like your um like your
mortgage. Right. Right. When when you finance the project, it's financed at certain amount for a set term at a certain percentage return. That does not change as your house value changes. So that sets I believe that sets your
rate. And when would the bond be set? So normally the way that municipal projects are done is they take out uh short-term financing arrangements over the course of construction and then when the final value of the project is
determined, a bond issuance is granted and then it's funded for 20 years thereafter. The reason being is that you can't overfund a public construction project. So they have to know exactly what the
final cost will be and then they can arrange for financing. So are these numbers accurate then? Those are those are estimates based on the estimated project value as we know it today, right? And the estimated bond rate um
which is a market condition and subject to fluctuation. So based on what's going on right now with tariffs and everything going up or whatever. So there's a good likelihood it's going to be higher than this. On the contrary, actually there the market may indicate that the bond
rates are actually going to fall. Yeah. And tariffs when I if I knew that for sure, we wouldn't be here tonight. So that's why Steve put a higher coupon. He thinks it's going to be lower, but he put what he thought would be the worst case scenario. And then go ahead and say
about say I believe uh Tim could answer this too, but during the last meeting we asked we asked the same question about uh items with tariffs. Most of this stuff is going to be stuff from here in the United States and the tariffs should not be affected. Correct. Correct.
And and so you said he shot high on this. Mhm. So what's more realistic to be that number? Four and a half four and a half to five is what he told us at a meeting. Um and he is he's meeting with the bank. Yes. Yeah. That's something he negotiates down the down the road. So
the ask for this is obviously now but the bond so we we would we would go through what's already been appropriated the five five 5.6. So we we'd be halfway through the project before this actually
even kicked in. Even though even though it's it's appropriated, but we wouldn't be taking out a short-term loan on this amount until we went through the the initial amount that was that that's cash available.
Mhm. And then when the project comes to a completion, then they then they bond it. So we're so we're so by the time we get into this what whatever option we go, whether it's the six 6.25 25 250 or
the 4.2. We probably wouldn't even touch that until 8 months into the project. And on the bottom of both of these, it's got, you know, total cost ATM. What's ATM allocation? Sp um well, it should say STM, special town
meeting. So the 5.6 million is what was allocated to the project in December of 23 was so special town meeting voted to put forth 5.6 68 million. Yeah. Total cost for option role B is 13.9
minus the special town meeting allocation minus the stabilization funds that are available. So the bond ask comes down to 6.249 blah blah blah and there's no more in the stabilization fund that can be put towards this or how
does that work? You're saying 2 million. Is there more there that can be there? There may be more by the time we by the time we come around to using it, but at this at this time there isn't. So what we're talking if if everything goes through between the the ballot and town meeting and this project kicks off,
we're talking what do we say December 26 by completion somewhere around plus or minus? Yeah. Yeah. Plus or minus. So by the time we go through all this, there may be there may be another million available that of course would have to
go back to a town meeting for a vote to appropriate it. So this will be up and running about January of 27. Well, we said 2 December 26, give or take a month or two.
and any kind of if if option B is what is passed then we can hopefully sell what is town meet town hall now COA and they would apply that that at least that was our understanding they would apply that towards the 6.2 two. So, that would
even be less. Okay. Um, yeah, I'm trying to look at this and I'm saying to myself, well, do you want to take the cheap route or do you want to take the more thorough route and get it all done? Because if you go the cheap route and then you want to go in later, you know, it's going to be
it's going to be higher. But but you know obviously I don't want to bring up ancient history and there was a building that was available way back when and I don't know why we didn't jump on that. That was like you said ancient history lot lot better shape. So um and I let's
not do it twice. Well, um, and then I guess my only other thing is maybe you can explain to me exactly how this how this ballot question because sometimes those things are, you know, you think you're voting yes and you're voting no, you're voting no and you're voting yes. So maybe I can
get some clarity on that. Should I? I do have it. So the ballot question says this. Shall the town of Graanby be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 and a half, so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay for hazardous
materials abatement in the 44,000 square ft West Street building and the renovation of plus or minus 22,000 square ft for municipal space, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto. So, what does that
actually mean? And if you say no, a no vote means you do not support funding any renovations to the West Street School building and the project is dead. A yes vote supports temporarily increasing your property taxes through a debt exclusion to fund the
renovations. This tax increase would only last till the project's bond is paid off. If this question passes by a majority, the town will then secure the funding for the renovation, but the select board then has to call um a special town meeting to present the two
updated renovation options for town meetingings final decision for the appropriation of the money. So, and these two options, as I said earlier, differ from the renovation that was rejected on April 8th. So, a yes vote means you're willing to go to town meeting and discuss two
options and you're willing to fund it through a debt exclusion. And no, it's dead. And if you vote no, yeah, it does not go forward. And we'll be talking about this again in a year or two or whatever. If if no, if no, is the
selection. Yes. Because what are the options that we have for the future? I'm kind of monopolizing this, but just the last thing. I mean, in back of my mind, it's like, okay, we do this and then what's next coming down the pike for this town? I think basically that would be the high school at that point. I think Miss
Micheline talked that's if that's if they do it, sir. I'm just saying, you know, they started with uh President Street building a new highway garage. Then we moved over to public safety and we built the new public safety complex and then um the library then the East
Meadow School which leaves town offices. Two things left. Town offices and the high school and town offices are much more cheaper right now. The high school is going to happen at some point. I don't know. Got
to right million million dollars to replace a roof. I mean, come on. You know, glad you're glad I'm not attending classes in here. They're also there, you know, there there's different talks about regionalization and all this other stuff. We don't we have no idea about that, you know. We That being said, no,
I appreciate all the information. So, like I said, it's a tough decision. So, Well, absolutely. Glad people coming out to try to get the information. Yeah. Okay. All right. Great. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Come on up. I think we can hear but that was the
camera here. So people need the question. Rich Darrai Bachelor Street. I had a few questions. Did you ever find out if this was a prevailing wage job? It's definitely prevailing. Okay. I found it interesting that the
cost of option B and C is a lot more than what option A was originally. You're shaking your head. No. Option A originally was valued at 5 thou 5 million. These
two are valued at a lot higher. No no no. Option A was valued at uh almost $15 million. Well, originally talking about the original amount. No, no. When we went to special town meeting, option A was $15 before the special town meeting.
The original 5, right? That was again explained several times that we went and estimated it ourselves. We didn't have any money to put into funding and we did the best we could with what we had between people volunteering and walking through with Yeah, I just made a comment. No, no, I'm just I just want
But that was not option A. Don't confuse option A with what the original aspect. That's all I'm trying to say. Option option A was option A was we had A, B, and C. Option A was over right around 15 million. The option when we first came
was was the uh 5.6. That was not option A. Option A was the 15 million. So don't don't confuse those. The original ask was for 5.6. That's right. There was no other options. That was it. That was the
original ask. And then then we then we when we brought we walked through with the old fire chief and the old building inspector and they said as long as things were okay with a architect we they'd be okay with us just doing certain things. Well once we found out the value of this once you spend $5
million you have to hire a project manager. You have to hire an architect. Well the architecting know all the ins and outs. We didn't know that doorways need to be changed because of handicap access and all of that stuff. And once you hit that threshold, the floodgates opened, right? Thus, the 15 million, the
13 million, and the uh 11 11 million in rough numbers. Okay. What happens if this gets approved uh by ballot, which is 50% plus one and the $2
million is a 75% vote at town meeting. What happens if that for the 2 million you want from free cash from free cash that's not 50% from from from uh the two states
stabilization stabilization it's all part of the same question. So either it's not part of the same question. No it is it is at the ballot box it's a majority and then it goes to town meeting and it's 2/3 but two/3s would be all of it. It would be if you want option B, it would be all spelled out
that we would take the um the five whatever's left of the 5.686 639 and then don't forget 3 million of that's been moved to another account to knock the building down at this point. So we'd say 2.686639
686639 coming from here. The $3 million coming from that other account, the $2 million coming from the stabilization funds leaving a total ask for uh a bond of 6.2 or 4.2 4.2 and it would all be
part of the same question unless people change. Okay, there may be a legal issue involved here because normally when you take money out of stabilization fund, it's not 50%. It's 2/3. It's 2/3. So the whole thing passes by 2/3 take it out in
a special town meeting. And a special town meeting vote to have a tax override is the same 2/3. Okay. But what I'm telling you is you can't let's say at the ballot box you get 51% to pass it, right? That does not mean you get that
does not authorize you to take 2 million out of stabilization. It just doesn't author it just authorizes us to bond a certain amount of money to be determined at town meeting. Right. Right. Town meeting. So what what's the question, Rich? The question
is the the when you read the ballot question, it mentions stabilization fund, does it not? No, it doesn't. Not at all. No, it says and this ballot's been passed this question's already been passed by legal and this is what's on the ballot already. Yeah. Shall the town
of Graham be and um also it's been um drafted pursuant to mass general law. I can give you the actual law. This is how it's supposed to be drafted. You don't put money amounts into this this ballot question. But shall the town of Grammy be allowed to exempt from the provisions
of Proposition 2 and a half so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay for hazardous materials abatement of 44,000 plus or minus square ft of West Street building and the renovation of 22,000 plus or minus square ft for municipal
space including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto. Okay. So just asking will the town allow will the town allow the West Street building to be renovated through a debt exclusion? Now, I think what one
hangup might be is that that uh question right there mentions the uh mentions the uh 44,000 abatement and most people voted no at the special town election about abating the entire
building, didn't they? No. What the special timing in the question was for option A which is abatement of the whole building and renovation of 22,000 square ft that was declined. Now what's coming back is either option B or option C but
both those options are with abatement of the whole building. So it's a different ask. That's that's that's exactly my point. the article the the uh statement that you just read for the ballot doesn't
correspond to C to B or C. It does it talks about A. No, no, no. B or C both mean abate the whole building. But B is with the COA and municipal offices.
Yeah. Which is 22,000 square ft. C is prepping the COA area for future renovation, but just putting the municipal offices in. But in both cases, it's to abate the entire 40. Yes, the
select board decided that they wanted the whole building abated on the Okay. I thought there were some people at the uh special town meeting who did not feel that the entire building should be abaded. That would save some money.
Um I I don't know that I that was not a question. A lot of opinions on top. Yeah. But the select board is where we get our our orders from and this is what they asked us to do. So when we came back to the select board meeting, we asked them what they wanted us to pursue
because as you found out, we found out at town meeting that it was going on the ballot. That's when we found out. So we had to go back to town the select board and say okay well option A has been declined by the town so what's our charge what are we doing if anything and
that's when they said well we want you to go forth B and C and abating the whole building right okay the last point I'll bring up I talked to Chris Martin about this and he agreed with me that nowhere's in
here is the interest factor is the amount that the towns people have to pay in interest uh stated at all. So for example on the 6.25 600
6,250,000 there's roughly uh $4 million of interest that people have to pay that they weren't told about. And if you look at the other option the 4.2 2 million roughly $3
million of interest. That amount both those interest charges are, you know, they don't appear anywhere. It it appears in the 5.5 or the on the They know 5.5 is the interest. They
know the interest percentage. They know the rate. They know the rate. Correct. I'm just saying that's all I'm saying is nowhere's are the taxpayers told there's a several million dollars interest charge that is being that that they
everybody assumes they know and no one has to tell them. But but nobody's ask nobody's saying we're not telling them. We're telling you can see it's going to cost the town 522 mil$522,996 a year. A year for 20 years. for 20
years, right? Do the math. That's what they have to do. They have to do the math. I'm just saying it would be clearer. It would be better if people were just told that. Well, we can try to ask this. The uh this is what the town uh I think the other treasur gave us. I think the other factor too is the
assumption that the loan goes full term. Yeah. Right. If the loan if the loan is retired early, then obviously there's a big savings in interest rates and that's something that may not happen for 10 years or 15 years or may not happen at all. Yeah. Right. Right. I just thought
it would be helpful if people knew that. No, there's there's interest associated with any loan. Yeah. Right. Right. I thought that was interesting that it's it's real money that has to be paid out by taxpayers, but it's kind of like pushed aside. So that's the only uh
statement I have. Okay, that was it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Come on up. I don't have a question. I would just kind of like to make a statement. Would that be okay? Sure.
I apologize. My pass is going to be everyone. So, I'm Amy Gay. I live on Bachelor Street, but I am also the activity nutrition coordinator at the senior center. Um, so, dear Town of
Graanby residents, for the last few weeks, I've been sitting back keeping my opinions and ideas about the entire West Street building uproar to myself. After attending the meeting on March 25th and witnessing and hearing some comments made by people in town, I really wanted
to stand up and be the voice of the COA. But I knew it wasn't the time or place. People were just talking over each other and some people were laughing at others comments and ideas. It was truly embarrassing to witness. Knowing these people are in our community and think so little of the town seniors is very
disgusting. Some people were arguing over what age group deserves more money being allocated for their needs. an example, New School versus West Street and everything in between. People could have argued for hours over it. While everyone is entitled to their opinion,
they're not entitled to say what age group deserves more. Everyone deserves something, but the fact is it's just not possible or affordable. Due to a prior commitment I had made, I was unable to attend the meeting on April 8th, but I was able to see it on the YouTube
channel 15, and it was concerning to me. Someone suggesting Graanby seniors leave their hometown to attend other surrounding COAs didn't sit well with me. It made me think our town may not understand what exactly our senior center does or is about. So, I'd finally
like to use my voice and stand up for our seniors. Yes, the very same seniors who were there to support and vote for East Middle School years ago. Have you ever been to the Graanby Senior Center? And no, I don't mean when you walk through to go upstairs. I mean, have you
ever come in to take a tour, see what we're about, and what we do? Well, if not, please listen closely because I'd like to tell you what we do. Just because when you walk through it looks empty doesn't mean people don't utilize the center. We have many daily activities.
Some activities are more popular than others. Healthy bones and balance is probably the most popular attended activity. It's held three times a week. While our winter classes don't have a huge crowd, the warmer months prove it to be more popular. In August, we had
257 seniors attend the class. Activities aren't the only thing there. We have the food pantry, which is accessible to not only seniors, but anyone in town that qualifies for it. They get to come and pick out food from the pantry. They get two bags of groceries a month, two
fridge and freezer items a month. We try to keep the fridge and freezer stocked with other items to help out. Continuing on the subject of food, we h also have the brown bag once a month, which is another bag of food. It is supplied by the food bank of Western Mass. We also
have once a month produce from neighbors helping neighbors. Again, it's not limited to just seniors, but anyone that qualifies. And we have many families and seniors in Grammy that rely on this to eat. One of our drivers also does a pickup of bread and baked goods from
Chickab and Shop every Monday. They've been beyond generous with their donations. They set aside all the weekend products that didn't sell. When the donations are brought back to the center, they're put on the table for our seniors to choose an item or two for [Applause]
free. We also have the lunch program there. It is through Access Care Partners, formerly Western Mass Elder Care. The caterer is Delaney Market. Every Monday through Friday, we serve lunch at 11:30. For some of our seniors, it's the only meal a day they eat.
There's a very low cost for the meal, and it is anonymous. So, those who cannot afford to pay don't have to worry about being able to pay. Thanksgiving, we worked with many groups in town to make sure seniors got a full meal or basket depending on their situation. The
COA also has a thrift shop, library, and puzzle library. While it may seem like no big deal, it helps many seniors in town. The library and puzzle section is very popular for our homebound seniors. Which brings me to the next very important service and it is vital
to the Graanby Senior Center. Our transportation services. We transport Graanby seniors to medical appointments, shopping, errands, treatments, banking, veterinarian appointments, beauty salons, you name it. as long as it's within our operating hours and we have
the availability on the transport schedule. We currently have two drivers and still have an opening for a third. Another service the Graanby COA provides is the Shine program. This program helps with getting our seniors appro appropriate services such as fuel
assistance, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and many other services they may qualify qualify for and not know about. Our Shine coordinator has also helped seniors with little things that aren't part of the Shine program such as billing issues, spam, scam, emails,
mail, applications for different services, or just reassure them that we are at the COA and care and help. Do you know about the medical equipment loans? We have multiple pieces of medical equipment there that we loan out free of charge. Walkers, rollolators,
commodeses, wheelchairs, canes, grabbers, and more. Some seniors don't qualify for free medical equipment and can afford and can't afford to purchase any. With this program, we're able to help many seniors borrow items needed. Some need them for recovery after surgery.
Some some items are needed because they're on hospice. The reasons are endless and really the reason shouldn't matter. All that matters is the equipment is there for them to access. Another thing our center keeps in stock is the incontinents products. We have
many donors to help keep these items stocked. These products are very expensive and some seniors have to choose between paying for medication or these types of products. Every month we try to provide a free and fun meal activity. Some examples are a 100th
surprise birthday party, ice cream socials, pizza parties, the fall fest, scam presentations, and musical entertainment as well. Foot care is another important service we offer. We have someone come in twice a month for seniors to have
work done on their feet. This is a huge cost some seniors just can't afford to pay at a podiatrist's office. On top of all these things, we also we are also actively helping and assisting homeb homebound seniors. It might be
something as simple as homemade cookies being delivered around the holidays for a wellness check to call in. The Graanby COA also works with the Graanby PD on sand for seniors in the winter months. And we also work with them on lock boxes for homes in case the
police department needs to gain entrance in an emergency. and also the street number signs. We also have file a life on hand to give seniors. When people suggest our seniors just go to another senior center, it's not that easy. We encourage all seniors
from every town to go center hopping. This means find what you enjoy and go to that center. We have lots of people that attend the Grand BCOA from other towns because they like the small community and we bond with them. With that being said, all other centers limit their
activity numbers to their town residents first. Meaning when a specific activity happens, town residents of the center have first dibs on the signup list. Therefore, out of town residents, Bramby will not be able to take part in such
activities if they're full. I have been only working there for 10 months, and in those short 10 months, I've met some amazing people. Some of these seniors are now family. A few months ago, we had a senior come in who had just had multiple tragic events in
their life happen. They were very they were in a very lonely place, quiet and shy. Now they're thriving and have friends, otherwise kn other otherwise known as their now family that they made at the senior center. There are lonely seniors who have no family at all. They
come there, they go there for meals, ended up making friends and family. They know they can count on us and other seniors. We're a close-knit community that constantly supports each supports each other. Everyone had the option to join this committee years ago. The
offers were there and no one chose to join or help. Everyone is quick to complain and come out with better ideas. The slamming the committee for all their hard work. This is exactly why people in town don't want to join any group or committee. all the hard work
and lengthy hours people put in for research and meetings and try to do what's best for our town only to be yelled at, disrespected, and told their work means nothing. Again, yes, we have the right to our own opinions and not agree, but this is so much more than
that. I'll a I apologize for the length of this, but I felt the need to stand up for our seniors and to thank the committee for all the long hours and hard work they have put in. It is truly a thankless job. Whether or not you agree with the committee and their ideas, they did the
work and they have the town's best interest in mind. Again, I'm not here to try and tell you how to vote. That is your choice. I'm here to explain why making our seniors leave their hometown is just not an option and it's some absurd absurd
suggestions. Our seniors deserve more. Thank you. Thank you. That was very p very persuasive for option B and the need for the COA. Come on up. Robin says Harris Street. Um I just
have a couple things I need to clarify because every time I get here I get more confused than I was when I started. And I think part of that is that my math brain doesn't work the same as all of yours. But um first of all uh just want
to clarify if this is voted down the senior center stays where it is. Is that correct? Correct. Thank you. Um well it's not really our charge. I said that they're they're talking I'm just saying that it's not like the senior center is going
to go away. It's going Well, we can't tell. Actually, to be honest with you, I shouldn't have said corrected that they had a couple different ideas. They were bouncing around at our last joint meeting. They don't know what they're going to do. There's been discussion of building that's the lower space out for offices. Okay. But it's not going to be
eliminated. The building won't be eliminated. The se the council on aging will not be eliminated. Well, I don't know what they would do if they filled it if they took the space that the council on aging is using currently and they and if they use that for
offices, then I don't know what the answer is to your to your question because they have talked about so there is a unknown there. Okay. Um that's actually a question for the select board. Okay. Thank you. So the next question that I have is um way back in
another meeting which I don't think went back to 23 but maybe it did. Is there still COVID money in the town that's that's being used for this project. Okay. There may be a problem with that because I know
South Hadley had a problem with that that it couldn't be used and they had to pay a penalty. So you might want to look into that. That's all I know. No, it's been it's already been pushed forward into this project. It's been allocated, so it's there. I understand that, but I understand that it's also
I I know that other towns have gotten in trouble for not using it as the designated purpose. So, I'm just telling you that. Um, the second qu uh the third question is what date was the actual current ballot
question created? uh let's see September on April 9th at the select board meeting they were discussing it and then it would have been that next week where it was drafted with
legal and it was put it was it was um sent to Kathy Kelly Reagan um for the ballot on she had she had to have it by a certain date which I think was April 17th but had to be approved by then yes had to be approved by um what was the
question again now what was the What was the date for when the ballot question was actually created? Oh, the ballot question. It was the ballot question was created between the 9th and the 17th. Well, no, we were told they were going to go with a ballot question on the 8th. They that they decided Oh, I thought you meant the actual drafting of it. The
drafting. Okay. So, on on the April 8th select board meeting before the annual before our town meeting before the town. Okay. They had a the select board had a meeting and signed um the paperwork to to have a ballot
question and then the next day on for the next week that ballot question was drafted by the TA and town council. So was that ballot question drafted with the with the votes in mind the April 8th votes in mind? Was
that question? No. So, so, so they made it they they night of the meeting, the town meeting, earlier that that evening, they they voted to have a ballot question. After the town
meeting, sometime afterwards is when they formulated the the language for it. Does that answer your question? So, I I I think so. The next day after the town meeting, they said they decided to put it forward to the whole town because they didn't think that only 250 people
should have decided whether or not to renovate West Street building. What those 250 people decided however was not option A. Okay. What I understand that at least I understand from the meeting that the
question was will we allocate the funding for versus the ballot question of can it be done and will there be the the propetition over override. Um, with that in mind though, the ballot question as it's
written and as you read Mhm. Um, basically you have a significant amount of people who voted down the 15 million. Um, and a majority I believe that voted up the other
question about the abatement. So you basically, as I said, my math brain is different than your math brain. So, but it appears to me that it's very confusing because what it seems to do is it seems to combine the two
questions and into one into one ballot question. And I think you mean the two options the two Well, yeah. Well, it combines what you clarify one item for you. Yeah. So the the first question which was voted down as you say is
option one which was the renovate the full renovation for the 15 million. Yep. The question that was upvoted so to speak isn't while it includes abatement. It was to allocate the money
specifically for raising the building to to knock it down. Right. Just to clarify that piece. No, I do understand that. And that and that. So they they voted to allocate that 2 million or three million or whatever it was. Um,
so I mean I think it's very confusing and I think it's very unfair to the voters because number one, speaking of the Council on Aging, the Council on Aging newsletter came in and um, you know, I mean, my interp my
understanding of what happened at the April 8th meeting and again, as I said, I mean, I I understand that they can come back and they can do this in perpetuity until some until it passes and everybody, you know, just basically it doesn't make any difference how we voted. But
um I think that it's very confusing when people didn't want to allocate the money for one purpose and did for the purpose of the renovation did want to allocate the money for the raising and the abatement. And then on the Council
on Aging newsletter, which is has nothing to do with you guys, I'm sure, but um and probably not you either, uh but it basically says that, and I wish I would have brought it, basically says, you know, we're voting
to renovate for the most part and renovate and abate and which which again, you know, I I mean, I don't know. I I just there's something that just doesn't sit right when you go to a town meeting because I I I understand
what you're saying. I think to the select board's defense, what they would say to you is, "We heard you. We heard you that you don't want to renovate West Street for 15 million." But guess what? There were other options. We could have chosen a few months ago the West Street that our
committee brought forth. We thought 15 million was the best thing at the time. Now we see the town doesn't want that. So we would like to bring two more options to the town to decide because we feel that something has to be done.
Well, something has to be done because we are losing the annex. I understand that. So what you're saying now is you're saying that instead of 15 million, it's basically 11 million and 9 million. Yep. Okay. And that wasn't clear and that's not clear on the
ballot. And so I I don't know. I don't the ballot question um No, no, no. I I understand. I'm just I'm just saying that I don't know how else to make I I can't make the ballot question clearer because that's pursuant to law the way it was drafted. As I said, I mean, I'm somebody who's college educated and I'm
not what I don't think I'm stupid, but I'll tell you one thing. It's it's been like running around chasing a tail today. That's partly why we're having theseformational meetings so people can ask these questions and we can try to answer the best the questions the best we can with what we have. Yeah. Okay. I
I completely completely understand what you're saying. Um I mean we're we're a committee. We can't tell you to vote yes. We can't tell you to vote no. We can just I I completely understand that. So my last question I guess is that
um out of all of this and all of this new proposal Um there's still no talk about raising the building and potentially bu putting up some prefab or some general steel
building that would be you know much more bare bones but you could furnish it inside. So we have brought that up or not we people have brought that up at otherformational sessions about how much would it cost to build prefab bring prefabs in. So, even though that really
wasn't our committee's charge, we did come up with some quick analysis of how much that would cost. And I I think that um Neil could actually vouch for this. But I But I think before you say that, I think that at the town meeting, they said that they hadn't really s seriously
considered it. So whether you came up with a right and since then because that was a question that came up at town meeting the select board had asked us to look into that also. So that was part and sometimes that question comes up at during these meetings and so um our OPM
and our architect looked into that for us to get us ball park figures as to how much that would cost and I'll let him speak to that. So we're doing a um an addition freestanding modular
uh school project for uh community in the northeast part of the state. That project is roughly 10,000 square feet and came in at $6.5 million round numbers. So, it's about $650 a square
foot. Um, it was a two-story building. It included a connection to the existing school. So, it's a little it's not quite apples to apples to what we're looking for, but from a square foot cost basis, you're we we estimate that you would be
in the range of $550 to $650 a square foot for a new modular prefab building project at that current site, plus the cost of raising what's there, plus the 3 million of
raising, baiting and raising. Sure. And does that 650 um in is that just construction costs or does that include the soft costs of the OPM money? That was just construction costs. So, and again this is the last part, but
this is the issue that I guess I have is that you know all of this is and and I don't I don't disregard the fact that I'm sure you're an expert in whatever you whatever you're doing and that that information is is valid, but there's nowhere that you get anything except
word of mouth on on that kind of thing. It's it's like it's the same thing as you know the the I think 20 2018 was the um was that that report and and you know people walked through and people told you this and people told you this and
you know and there's no place where and forgive me if it is someplace in town hall because I didn't go look and I apologize if it is but there needs to be something in writing when it when you're talking about this kind of money and when you're talking about this level of
detail to have somebody just say, "Well, we did this and we think this is not good or we did this and this is too expensive." Um, I just it it it just really you have to have people be able to go and look at this in order to get transparency and that's you know that
and I know if there's the only only answer we can give you for that is we meet with the select board and they're public and they're taped and so the documents that we bring forth to them are are are open meeting and are okay. Okay. Well, I
mean and and I'm that's what I'm saying. I mean, if there are documents and if those documents show, you know, why we should be voting a certain way or or you know, what the issues are, then then, you know, Well, so we bring it to the select board and they make the decision
for us to to present certain things to you. No, I and I understand it. I understand it, but and and I'll be more, you know, involved in the future, but I can tell you it's just it's it as I said, it just feels like there's no transparency with all there's there I I
disagree with you. There's been plenty there's been plenty of transparency, including the fact that the select board had assembled a previous building committee to to tear that building down and build new, right? Which nobody regarded, which they they decided not to
do. They decided they wanted they wanted to see what this and then that was based on here on people coming up and saying informally walking through the building and informally. No, there's formal studies for that because we use those studies for this project. Correct. Okay. Well, if that's the case, are they in the town hall? The studies are in Yes.
Okay. Then I apologize, but but again, you know, there are other people probably who who haven't seen it either. So, I mean, you can hopefully we can all learn from this process, but um it's knowing where to find the information. Absolutely. But it's also trusting the
people who are been charged to do the job that they're doing the job correctly. Well, I can tell you one thing. If what happened at that town meeting which said that the selectman you can have something earmarked for for a specific project and the selectman can turn around and this is nothing against
so that was the finance committee. That wasn't your select board that said that. But yes, no, I know what you're going to the finance committee did say. But they did. Yeah. Okay. So, and I'm I'm just saying that and that that causes concern, too. So, I mean, people vote for all of you for not Well, I mean, I know you were appointed, but but um
people vote for representatives and they expect to have their voices heard. So, any that was that was my teeth, my sofa. Thank you. One more point to make I think is important is that
In defense of the select board, them bringing this back for two other options, less expensive options is is basically better than saying, well, you either take this or nothing and and we end and tear it down and that's it. I
appreciate. So, so, so they are giving you some other options and then then at the end of the day, you still decide that then then that's democracy. But right now they're thinking and and I back them on this is that all right they didn't like option A and it wasn't it
may have been should it probably should have been presented a little differently but we all learn as we go on but um you didn't want option A. I would be upset if we only got B and C and A never came. Let the people decide
what they you know A got tossed by we say by uh the majority of the people. It was only the majority the 250 that showed that evening to bring it down to options B and C. We're give we're giving the town other options to choose before
a decision is made to to raise the building and then there's no going back. And I'd hate to have to I'd hate to say, well, why didn't you tell us we could have had this or this instead in lie of the the option A. So I think I think
what they're doing is exactly what they should be doing as far as the process goes. Getting the information out whether it's this or any other project in town is not easy. We look how many people showed up tonight and we didn't have many more
than that. We had about this amount last week. I mean at the original one we had 70. That's right. And we did we did not have Gcam here. So tonight we have Gcam. So hopefully this will reach more more people. Yep. So there were there were a lot of different questions last week. So it's interesting to see the difference
in questions. Next week there is one next week at 4:00. Yeah. Next week four o'clock at the COA. Uh what day? On Tuesday. On Tuesday. Pardon me. What can I sneak in a few more questions? Sure. Yeah.
I think you might you can be next. Rich, where did you at? 17 Phillips Circle. You talked about this annex going away. What's the what's the time frame on that? That's what the So there's there's been some discussion about the the
select board negotiating with them. Technically, right now the lease the lease is up June. Yeah. June of this year. June of this year. I believe what they're negotiating is extending the lease. It's not the I don't believe it's to purchase the building. And I think
there's some there may be some misinformation out there that well, they're negotiating and we're using this as a uh right a scare tactic that if that we're going to take the or the town the select board's going to decide to put the offices in the council on
aging, they may not have any other choice but to do that. I don't I don't know. That's a different because we only own so many uh buildings. The town only owns so many properties in order for us to adapt for the town offices. So the
suggestion has been to move them out of the annex, put some here and you see the space you have and put some in the COA until we can figure out the next step. What is that next step? renovating West Street building or
rent um abating raising and building new. What are the options that we have? The owner wants to sell, but it sounds like there's been some decent negotiations that she's willing to extend as long as there's a plan. As long as there's a plan and there's an end date. Well, and and the
extension, the main reason they started to start the negotiations is that we needed more time. So if this if this project passes, we're not gonna have it done by the end of June or July. So they're that's part of the where the negotiation
started is that if this goes through, we need we need more time to to get the the West Street School prepped for and they'd probably be some of the first people we put in Yeah. put into the building as as we make it ready. Right. I know we're I know we're going back
into ancient history about 2018 and everything like that, but as far as other you said there's really no other available buildings in town, but I know I I mentioned to you and you said it's way more costly to
build a new building than to, you know, uh fix up West Street School. What do I mean, what are we talking about for a new building? Is there any way that there can be some kind of a design that would, you know, be kind of a state-of-the-art type thing that maybe
we would get, you know, more money from the state or something like that? Has that been looked at? Well, first of all, this, and we brought this up before, we don't know that we're not going to get any money for from the state for the project as we're as B and C is present presented.
We can't we we can't apply for anything until the town allocates the money. the the state won't even talk. So, so to answer that question, whe if if you decide to build new, the money has to be allocated before you can ask for anything. And the chances of
getting something whether it's new or renovated, our chances might be better off renovating an existing building than than building new mill, right? An existing brick building, correct? Versus a stick building, number one. Number two, don't forget
um I mean back in 2018 the suggestion was to build two smaller buildings 5700 square ft each. Um and that back then total cost was 4.33 million. Where were those going to
be? Do you have any idea? At the West Street paid off the didn't include rate. Did that include raising the school? So it would have been $890,000. This is in 2018. These are the quotes. 890,000 to remove West Street building to abate and remove. Then to build two
new smaller buildings which totaled about which totaled 11,400 ft. That would be 3.44 million. So the total cost between abating raising and building new was
4.33 million in 2018. And what would that tear tear down amount be today? The tear down amount today is 3 million. Well, also the square footage calculated now of what is required or needed for
each department is higher than what was done in 2018. We already outgrew the space for a new building that was designed in 2018. Okay. So, and it wasn't just people with wish lists. No, people had wish lists,
but Tim and his firm came in, sat down with each department. They went and looked at what each department was working with now. What would you like? But also was sat there and said, "Okay, well, here's where you're at. Here's what other people other things we've seen." So, he didn't just say, "Oh, you
know, I want 10,000 square feet." You got it. And, you know, I want this. So, they there was a they call it programming, and that's what they did. Yeah. It's a question of looking at number of employees they have now, how often they're in, what their hours are,
even their part-time, what their hours are, how often are they in the space, how much interaction do they have with the public dayto day, do they have people who wait in line to meet with them, do they have a need for privacy when they meet with people? Um, as well
as as Lynn had pointed out before, there are currently multiple departments within the uh town hall municipal offices that one right now you have some where there are
combined um roles i.e. Chris Harton and the accounting piece which isn't going to be the case moving into the future. Those will turn into multiple roles as well as roles that right now have no home. They borrow space essentially from
others or spaces like this when they have need but otherwise are working off site. And and don't forget if you try to move into here and the COA, neither of those buildings are equipped to be municipal
offices. So there's a cost associated. You can't just move into this building. It needs to be updated and the load on the COA to add more people will also require it to be updated. So it's not as simple as using
the spaces that we currently own. And currently um the planning board, conservation, ZBA and other use this for their their evening meetings. So by putting the spreading the offices
out now we got to find a place for all these other meetings to to take place. Um but I mean if we if we went with say because you said it was going to be a lot more expensive if we go this route. How much more expensive are we talking
if you go new? Yeah. New construction. Part of that's going to depend on which are multiple factors in it. if we raise the building or not cuz that site as we've uh talked in previous meetings is one of the best here that we have
available that the town already owns and will allow for a public water source because we need to make sure that there's separation between the well and any development that goes there. So there is an option potentially which granted hides the building behind to put
it in the lot behind the existing building and not raise it. That would obviously be your cheapest option and kind of the two paths that you could go. One would be the modular route which as Neil had noted is somewhere between $550
and $650 per square foot. that would give you an option that would give you space. However, if you've ever been in a modular building, they aren't meant to be a 20, 30, 40, 50year
building. Yes, you could go forward with a stick built, woodframed building. We very likely based on conversations with the fire department are going to need to sprinkler no matter what we do just because of it being municipal space. So
at minimum we're still probably going to be at the higher end at that point of the 650 probably 650 to 750 at minimum for new construction. saying time for completion. Either
either route. No, we probably have we'd have to go right now. We're we're ready to hit the ground running. We're we're we've advertised. We may have to revertise a little bit, but we got plans. We're ready to go. If we go a different route, whether it's modular or
or stick built, we got to go through a design phase and go through go through a process that's probably going to take another eight months at least six in a row. Yeah. Wasn't it isn't it about three years or two years that the module that
you're working on terrorist? Well, I'm I'm more concerned about escalation inflation escalation. You don't up up up name your price because because this is right we're ready to hit the ground now and and the other thing
that's that wasn't mentioned by building new we'll just put the five 10,000 square feet up. Well, okay. That'll put a bandaid on it for now, but there's another 30,000 square feet in the an existing building that can be utilized down the
road for who knows what the schools are going to be. They need a few more uh classrooms. Space over here can be built out to put their offices. I mean, I brought that up before, too. There's it. It gives the town flexibility without without having to dig as deep into the
pockets down the road. You got a building there, use it. You just You just mentioned I think you were alluding to the monsters. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We didn't do anything. Yeah. I mean, right, wrong, or indifferent. I don't know what the the conversation was back then, but let's
not let's not if that was a mistake, let's not do it twice. Well, no. Well, no, but I mean, you know, I just as far as So, if we go ahead with this, what kind of leverage do we have about keeping that town annex building going where we don't have to come in here and tear this apart? You know, is there
going to be any leverage on that? Again, that's the select board's negotiating that. I'm pretty I I personally I would feel pretty confident that there she'll work with us. She wants to work with us, but at the same time she wants to sell it. But I she's there's going to be an endgame. There's going to be an end end
result is what I've understood. But from what I understand, she's willing to work with the town and give us what we need if there's a future. Right. But not much further. Right. the on your comment before about getting getting stuff out or whatever as far as to the community and things. I think, you know, we're in
the 21st century now. We have Zoom. We have Zoom. We have different outlets rather than people coming out on a rainy crappy night and sitting in front of you. They can be zooming in there and then maybe there can be some interaction, you know? I mean, I have that at work, you know. I mean, when
COVID happened, right? You know, don't shut down. You have Zoom meetings. I mean, we've been doing these now for three plus years. So I think we have to take it to the 21st century. That's an above and beyond that as far as these important means because okay, we're voting for this. I mentioned the schools
that's coming down the pike whether it's regionalization or whether it's a new school and you know what what what's that going to what's that going to what's that nut going to be you know I mean I it this is a very tough decision on my part. You know I've heard both things. So, and you're right, you don't
want to screw it up, but have to do something whether it's this or but if we kick it down, you know, when the when the other board I was there when they presented to the select board, the other committee know I was for
it cuz I trusted them at that time and we were moving forward. We wouldn't be talking we might be talking about moving a couple offices in in you know someplace it because it was under design but it would have been off our plate. It would have been done. It's about
progress moving forward. There's no such thing as a build a perfect building project by the time you're done. If you built a house by the time you're done I wish I had done something a little bit different. It's just the way it's the way life works out. Your needs change over time. But we would have been done
with it by now. But they chose not to do that. And um as it turns out um I'm kind of glad they did because I think this is a better option than what than what was presented then. Appreciate the extra. Yeah. We have room for expansion. That's the biggest thing
with this. Yeah. Yeah. You're right. You know, and we we're still paying on a roof that we put on the building. We still what? 160,000 on that on what? 160,000 on the roof that was put on in
07, I think. West Street. West Street. Which one was a million dollar roof? Was it that one or was it the high school? I don't know. That 160 is what's left. That's what's left on that. I think the high school one was a million. I don't know where I think you're referring to another meeting we had, but I we were
told recently it's a we owe 160,000 on that roof. Okay. So, we have to pay that off if we're going to raise it. We have to pay that bond off, then a bait, then raise. The bond's not to end until 2029. So, you're on the hook for the 160
regardless, right? You're right. Right. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Well, it is 7:15. I thank you all for coming. Hopefully, we answered your questions. Anybody else? No. Do you have Do you have a question, Mr. Petus?
Well, a couple. First of all, I said it to some of you before. I thank you for taking this project on. You think back to 2018. I know I had issues with the fact that a committee reported something. The town's
people knew nothing about that. They kept the lid on and didn't communicate with the community. So, I think and six years goes by until you step forward to do something with this. To me, this is a no-brainer. This is a need we have in this town. And because the town has
never had a strategic plan, as much as we want to say the high school's there, high schools another issue, that's not that's a separate issue. It's nothing to do with you, nothing to do with me. We have an issue right now at our at our feet and we this is a need in our community. Why should we be the only
community around? We've got to go to different places to do this. Why why do we have to settle for that? Grant, I know there's a lot of excitement December 2023 when we initially got this. There was a lot of excitement and then you
guys ran into what you ran into. Unfortunately, it costs money to do these things. That building is a perfect building. I mean, it served this town well. I think we have to look at the history of it. How many kids have gone to school there since 1941? You know, I
was fortunate to go to school there. I was a teacher there and I was a principal there. It's a great building. Just like the people who put East Meadow up way back in the day, we were able to add on to that building without knocking that down. Let's save the town some money. It's in the center of town. It's
a perfect location. Plenty of parking. Put everybody together. To me, it's just an absolute no-brainer that we need to do this. I mentioned I think that these meetings are good. I think you need to open up the building. A lot of people
have not been in that building. I think you need to have a a session where people can go in, show them the building where this thing is going to be. I think it' be a big help for people changing their mind. Taxes or no taxes, it needs to be done. Is there a chance that there'll be additional money that could go into this? I know you don't know
state grants, but doesn't the town have additional money that could come out after July 1st to help this project out? Has anybody talked about that yet? I'm sorry. additional money from the town. from the town.
I don't believe there's going to be I heard there's going to be like over $2 million in free cash. I think that's what they used to balance the budget this year is the rumor I heard. Well, that's that's what I heard too that that that's going to be used up in the June meeting with the schools and everything else. Yeah. It doesn't necessarily mean
by the time we actually pull the Sorry. It doesn't mean by the time we actually pull the bond in December of or January of 27, we're that there's not some additional and and we won't have to take the full
uh 6 million or what whatever. I guess maybe it's only four and three at that another fiscal year. And I've heard a few things about this that there's no issue with the water there. Correct. And no issue with the septic system. Right.
Correct. Correct. Because I've heard some things about that. I would I just want to make sure that we know that or I'll be read this if we share information people would know that that there's not an issue there. And there's no issue with air quality. There's no mold. Yep. I agree. The the question I
would have I'm sorry that a isn't being done. And what is the when you talk about the future there's like 12 additional classrooms here including the learning center area auditorium. But what what do you mean by the future when people use it? What do you mean by the future? Depends on what the board of
selectman and the town comes together and realize what other offices or whatever addition they need. Well, like like Jim said, maybe I know uh it was um Jim Jim Roberts was at the one of the firstformational sessions and asked
about possibly the superintendent's office taking three free classrooms at the high John Roberts, I'm sorry. And yeah, if the town says it, yeah, okay, take three of those classrooms and move the supers office there and now you got three additional classrooms for the schools or GCAM or the rec department or
what's the future? The future is when the town has money to open up and start renovating the rest of those, but who knows what their state's going to require for us to have. I mean, someone someone last meeting suggested um or actually it was at a select board meeting using that part of the building
for businesses to raise money. That's always an option. It's whatever the town wants to use it for in the future, it'll be renovated. I mean, it'll be abated and ready. Oh, and again, some of that stuff, like you said, some of those small businesses startup things, there are some grants out there for
communities to do. So, maybe we we we do something like that and they help pay to set it up and the town's committed to letting small businesses be in there for whatever amount of time. And then we've gotten it renovated on the state and then when the time is up, we can say,
"Okay, we're going to use it for our our our needs." Okay. And what are the chances of opening that building up before the May 19th of I have been trying for that for months now, but we're running into a liability problem. It's a liability problem. Liability. Why
is that a liability? Why is that? You're asking the wrong people. Huh? You're asking the wrong people. Well, what what what could it be that we're not seeing? Well, it's a it's a construction site. It's an active construction site. There's nothing there's no construction
going on there, right? Not that I'm aware of. I mean, can't someone say, "Well, you're walking in here, you know, under your own whatever." What? Sign a waiver. But
who made that decision? Who said you can't go in? The lawyers did say that, did they? It's coming from legal. It's coming from our But don't you think it's a good idea? I think it's a wonderful idea. That's why we couldn't do that. That's why we did
that little video. I know. Video is good, but if somebody's never been there, I understand, Mr. Peters. But again, we were told no. So that's why we said, "Okay, let's try this." We're trying. You know, I will keep pushing for that. Absolutely. I would I need to
talk to him because I think that's a a real important item. Let's start with the select board and the town administrator. Can the select board make that decision? They're the powers to be right because our town manager is not in place yet.
Right. She's not in place Fridays. Yeah. Well, this is before June. So, and our other town manager is an interim. Right. Right. So, there seems to me the selectman have the most power here. Well, it wouldn't happen though before the May 19th meeting, that's for
sure. Ballot vote. It could it could happen between May 19th and the special town meeting in June. I know, but the May 19th vote is the most important. I completely agree. We've tried to push this. We we we don't get anywhere. So, you can try.
Well, love it. I think it's it it's a town building. These are the citizens and I think there's a lot of history. People love that building. Some of you have always been love that building and it's well built and I think the people who have comes regardless of money need to see what you're doing here and it's
going to put our we owe this to our town employees to put them together in one place. You know, they're all disjointed and never have any camaraderie kind of thing working for the same team. It's just a no-brainer regardless this cleaned up building, huh? You know, cleaned up new newer facility for them.
It's absolutely and it's going to serve the future of our town for a long time. Perfect building. Anyway, I'm I'm sticking with this this program because I believe in it. I believe this is our best option right now. A was better.
B's and C is it's got its its downfalls. We're we'll be we'll be kicking part of the can down. Yeah. I don't think we want to cheapen ourselves to do that. But if you believe in it, you got you got to talk it up and And at the goes to town
meeting, it's it's it's the silent majority that typically doesn't, you know, doesn't we need people to get up and speak. If you believe in the project, you got to be con we're trying to be convincing that and you have been for sure. I mean, you you all live in town. You're I'm sure
you are going on too. Right. Exactly. And I'm sure you were as disappointed as the rest of us when you found out the cost, you know. Oh, yeah. But we're lucky we have this 5.6 million that has been squirreled away and hidden away until it's needed. And now it's time for
the town to step forward and put something for the future of our town. Perfect reuse of the building. I mean, that's what other communities do. We're not they're not knocking these buildings down. They're doing something with them. And we I think we deserve to do that as well. All right. Thanks so much. Thank
you. Thank you. Well, thank you for coming out everybody. Spread the word. Thank you. Have a good night.