call the meeting to order. Um, this is a meeting of the Alcaniano Celderly and Disabled Tax Fund Relief Committee. Um, and uh, I'm Dave Rollston. This is an open meeting and we
are recording it. Uh, and if anybody else is recording it, which they're privileged to do, they need to at least notify me of the fact that they're recording. Okay, we have all our membership here. Um, and uh, we have a
guest. >> Al's here. >> Oh, Al's here. Okay. >> Okay, good. And going to use the agenda for the meeting of October 30th. >> Do you have a copy of the agenda? I mean, it's pretty simple.
>> I have it. >> Okay. And uh you know the uh first uh order of business is to review the minutes from our September meeting and I have extra copies of those minutes in case anybody needs to uh look at them.
>> There you go. That's not their signal or maybe two pages but not the whole not the whole thing. 7 minutes. Okay. Yeah. is I'll give you a chance to >> this. Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> I sent it to you direct. >> Okay. didn't remember. She brought my computer. >> Okay. Have you had the opportunity to review that? >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Uh, is there a motion to accept the minutes as produced from the September meeting? >> I move. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay. I guess it passes. All right. Uh
the next uh order of business was to look at the uh prospectus and uh I'm not sure I've seen it. Email it to us. >> We reviewed it. >> Oh, review it. And that's
I thought Mandy was going to put it on some kind of fancy uh you know letter head and uh with the stars and stripes things like that. >> When the time comes. Sure. >> Okay. Okay.
>> I thought I might be mistaken, Jim, but I thought you had sent me an email saying I should have done this before and that maybe you had done some editing to this. No, my imagination, wishful thinking. >> Could be.
>> Could some combination there. >> I have those things. Yeah, that happens. >> You forgot to mention hallucination. >> Could be. Yeah. Kickbacks. Yeah. >> Don't use that term here in public. >> Flashback. Kickback. No, >> flashback.
>> Flashback. >> Flashback is perfectly fine as a term. This this would be used how >> well a prospectus is used as an introductory document to um potential
fundraisers and funding sources. So people go in uh and sit down and give the perspectus that gives the essence of the program. >> Yeah. >> And then the question is do we need more uh other written materials etc and so
on. It all it has to be once it's finalized, it obviously all has to be officially on city stationary, etc. and so on. >> And I think this is a pretty good description of um what the fund is about. Um
but I I think we need a separate document or an addition to this that is really a sales document. >> Okay. Um and uh before we start talking about
>> ambulance 2 respond to primary ambulance at 70 Allen Street. Um, I think we need to know how much we're trying to raise and if we want to know how much we're trying that raises the whole issue of
>> how >> how do we get to that number? And the way you get to that number is by what do we think the amount is going to be and how many people do we think we're going to help.
Now I I'm uh I I don't think we discussed any of that. >> No. >> Yeah. We haven't established at this point uh a ceiling on an amount. >> Well, whether it's a ceiling
>> are interrupt. Is it possible? Um Patty, I can hear you fine. I can hear David fine. Um Jim, I can't really hear you. Oh, >> if it's possible you guys can move the mic or
>> Yeah. I'm not even sure where the mic's where the I think I know where the mic is. Hear somebody. Is that Yeah. No, that was I thought it looked like a mic, but it isn't. Okay.
>> Voice is very clear when you're near that. So, I think the camera and the mic are kind of the one and the same. >> Okay. Well, I can move down. I'm not >> if possible. Thank you. >> Move my whole operation down perhaps.
Does that make it better? >> Better. >> Yes. >> Is that better? >> Yes. >> Yep. I'm just also like if someone watches the recorded meeting or something like that and they want to it'll be easier for them to
>> I don't have my back to the camera that's showing my balls being anywhere >> saying do we need to fundraising goal essentially is what Jim is saying, right? >> Yeah. And the gold ought to be based on something other than
>> whimsy. Yeah. Whimsy. >> I'm not sure I can figure I I'm not sure in my mind a process to determine the ball that jumps out at me. I mean, you know, my thinking is the more the better, but
>> Well, yeah, but I I can't speak for uh people that we might approach with this, but if I were being approached, I'd say, I understand this. It's it's a great idea. How much are you trying to raise?
>> Yeah. Got to answer the question, >> right? >> Yeah. That is a typical response. >> Yeah. And and and how is the money going to be spent? >> Right. Well, we can't talk about how the money is going to be spent, >> right? >> We can talk about how the money is going to be spent.
>> Well, but but in terms of numbers of people and amounts. So, >> so like if we said for an example, we want to raise $20,000. >> Okay.
>> Then our goal would be to help 20 families, 20 households. Okay. >> You know, that would be our initial goal. If we make more than that, that's fine. If in fact, >> you know, depending on what people depending on need,
>> yeah, >> uh we would want to uh >> there might be people who need less than $1,000, etc. So, >> but that you know what you're saying is >> we would like to be able to
>> fund an average of a thousand bucks to >> 20 families, but you have $20,000 and how you spread it around for different matters. Um that that assumes that this kind of fundraising is going
to be an annual mapping. >> Yep. >> That's what it's assuming. >> Yes, it is. Right. >> Okay. And I think it will be >> I mean I'm not opposed to that. I'm just uh thinking the kind of people that I think we're
approaching it are they going to be willing to contribute substantial three figure contributions you know on an annual basis. I don't know. I haven't had a lot of experience in that. >> I don't know either. I mean my wife was
the fundraiser and um at her school she had capital campaigns which are oneshot deals and then there was the annual giving >> right >> and then there was plan giving which has to dare wells and stuff like that. >> Absolutely. >> So we need an annual fund is basically
what you're talking about. So even though you know I think that once this gets rolling although it's going to take a couple a few once it becomes known by the public it's going to take a few years >> to get rolling. >> So people donating via their uh property
taxes etc and so on. >> You know that will happen probably in not huge numbers but small numbers that will add up over time. So because I'm I'm kind of visualizing that I mean it could get better. I don't know. But therefore, I think we're going to have
to do an annual fundraising campaign to some degree, you know. Yeah. >> For at least the first five at least the first five years, if not longer. >> That's that's probably right. And and if you if you're going to do continuous fundraising, then you're going to need a
fundraising committee and uh you're going to need a person to drive the fundraising for every year. It could be a different person of course >> right well we have a committee we can make a we can do a plan >> I think it gets revised as we go etc
maybe the committee will grow I don't know but >> but you know to start we have to we have to kind of I mean we can speculate all over the place >> but to get us started I I don't think it's
pie in the sky to say we want to raise $20,000 because our goal goal would be to to assist 20 households and with an average of $1,000 >> um grant, you know, payment towards their taxes. >> I don't think that's I don't think
that's pie in the sky. I think that's pretty >> I agree. >> I agree. I think that sounds that's like not like, oh, we need one to raise $100,000, but it's also not like a measly, oh, we're raising 500 bucks. And
I think I do agree with that. Um, having a yearly fundraiser, whatever that might look like, you know, having a uh event, having a series of events or whatever. I think because I've come across a bunch of folks in the business
community because that's kind of just my social circle who would love to chip in, you know, a few hundred bucks there, few few hundred bucks here, just write a check. Um, and I I I think that we can definitely get to 20 grand. Like that's that's
that's doable. It it's not saying that that's easy, but it's definitely doable. >> Has his hand up. >> Yeah. Al. >> Yeah. If I can just uh make a comment. >> I'm sorry. Hold on a minute. Do we need
to open public comment? I'm happy to, you know, in the in this atmosphere, let them chip in and then, you know. >> Okay. All right. Go ahead, Al. Sorry. >> Thanks. Um, I just want to say that uh I think you can I think you can set a goal
of a little bit more ambitious of I would I would say 50 grand. And I would say that um I don't I don't think you want to I mean an average of a thousand I I don't think there are many programs that that say what their
average donation is is projected to be because you'll find out within the first few years what you want that to be. But um that average could end up um being a complication for you because there will be some people that you would have to
give less than a thousand to come up with a thousand unless you just do a thousand. And I don't I don't think if somebody says how many people you're going to serve, I think you can say that the the program uh is hoping to serve at least 20 people
initially and and see that grow because I don't I don't I wouldn't want you to feel too set and concrete about those numbers. I think that uh most the most the fund fund drives that I've been involved in don't have don't don't have
a necessarily a hard and fast projection of how many people they're going to serve or how much per person. It's fine to put that in as long as you say estimated. So I I don't I don't want people to have the the impression that that's all. But I think I think 20,000 is is low when I think about corporate
giving. I mean, the the the individual check off, sure, if if all you were doing was individual check offs, $20,000 might be uh uh certainly um reasonable, but I think you can get more than that from the corporate corporate end of
thing, particularly if you set some thresholds about what it means to give 5,000, what it means to give 10,000, what you know, what you're called, what kind of visibility you'll get. Some of these corporations or groups will like the idea that that the fund material
will maybe say at some point the donors this year are or or you know contributing initial sponsors because I think it's goodwill that they would like to to get and if that was published on the on the website
uh um on the on the the funds website that uh donations received thus far are from that's great. That's great visibility for them as donors. So anyway, I'm I'm hoping that you can raise more than that.
>> Well, f first of all, Al, if you're you're talking about corporate, right? >> Yep. >> And what do you mean by >> just an example? I'm talking about large donors or corporations. Could be profit, nonprofit, could be private groups, it doesn't matter.
>> Could you be more specific? give give a couple of examples of those organizations you're talking about because I was under the impression and probably mistaken that we were going to pass the hat here locally to our local
businesses who while they may be in they may be incorporated I wouldn't consider them corporations in in the way you're to you know you're talking about them what what did you have in mind there >> uh the corporations would be any uh any
any corporation that's uh that's uh on the on the Secretary of State's corporations list. It could be it could be Stop and Shop. It could be BJ's. It could be Tractor Supply. It could be Rise Above Gross, you know, Bakery. I'm I'm not um I mean, this is an example of
something where I'm not thinking of just local businesses having to pony up. I'm thinking about those those corporations that think of themselves as local businesses but don't do a whole heck of a lot for us. But we have some large corporations in our area
>> that um I think definitely want the want the visibility. So any anyone who's registered as a corporation. I I I think I I I think Al when when you approach these corporations, number one, they they have a department
that is responsible for giving. >> Yep. >> And every pitch they hear says you're going to get great visibility. And I was reminded once by somebody who was offered the chance to speak and have great visibility. He said, "Yeah, and
people die of exposure." you know, so you know, I I don't I don't think exposure is is compelling and what we want is something compelling and and often the most f first of all
people donate to organizations that they have a feeling for that, you know, they they're personally engaged in and that's the way you get repeat. And I think the further away from Greenfield we go. I'm not saying we don't try, but the further
away we go, the harder it is because there's much more competition. And because this is a a city specific activity, we're not a nonprofit,
you know, and and you know, that that puts a spin on it. And I don't know which way the ball goes, but it's a different spin than, you know, for example, if if we're raising money at at Life Path, you know,
when when we raise money with Life Path, we're talking about a specific area and the corporations that are in that area. And for the Walkathon, you know, it it is primarily, and I don't know what the
percentage is, maybe 75% local support. But Al, you you generated a a an a memo uh about um you know, taking excess e equity and and you couple that with the
the the issues we're having in town with abandoned properties that uh you know, if we sell any of these properties or however we do it and there's money left over after dealing with everything,
um put the money in the fund. I think that's a great idea. >> Yeah. We have to find out if it's legal or not. >> Yeah. Well, that that's right. Like a struggle. That looked like a struggle. Just looking at what you produce, you know, to to what I'll help produce what
uh the ability to use excess funds or anything, but it goes into sort of an escrow looking for the people who lost their property. >> Yeah. So when is and but it's not that
if in fact there it's excess equity in terms of there is nobody claiming it all that process has already happened. >> Exactly. Right. >> There's no heirs dead and buried whatever and there's this money. What happens with that money
>> is the quest is the question. And and and Al raised this with me. We were talking on the corner where we had different signs one day but we had a very good discussion about you know this possibility and I thought it was a brilliant idea and I think but the
question is is it legal and I I have not >> I I kind of talked to Mandy who sent me to you and then it was how do we where are the contacts in other cities to find out is there precedent on this has
anyone done this yet? >> I to me it it struck me as being it goes to the same place that you know find your lost money through the uh >> office. No, no, no, no. Did you all did
you all see my memo? I sent out a memo explaining the legal background on this about I don't know few days ago. >> Um >> I didn't see it though. >> You didn't see it? All right. I could probably >> I could probably resend it. It was sent on Friday, November 14th at 11:0 11:07
a.m. If any of you have your um your emails with you, but I sent I sent a memo out last Friday um because I I took the time to do the research on what is the statute uh regarding this. And there's good news and bad news. The the
good news is is that um uh there's clear language in in chapter 60 section 64A that this money can be kept locally. In other words, it does not it does not need to go to the AG's unclaimed funds. Uh this is local I mean this is local
tax money. So the state really has no claim on it. So that's that's >> the model. That's the model. >> Pardon? >> That is the model. >> The the the state if there are funds in banks and all that that are unclaimed
that goes to the state. And what we're looking for is if there are funds that are unclaimed in the city, can that go to the city and into this fund specifically? >> That's the question. >> That's the question that >> So, yes. Well, that's what I'm telling you. um uh from the research I did, it's
very clear that uh that you can uh take money uh from uh the excess equity and and deposited in a um identified fund and uh use it for uh local purposes. Um
and >> again, >> pardon me. >> What is the statute? >> It's you have to look at two you have to look at two sections. one is chapter 60 section 64A and and it's it's it's subp part D1
that's where that's where you get into uh it said it says it begins with the sentence uh upon the sale of a property or an appraisal of property where the judgment holder that would be the town has elected to retain pot retain
possession uh the judgment holder shall prepare a written itemized accounting of the property And you have to talk about excess equity. And it says that um a little bit later down uh uh excess equity excess equity shall
be held in escrow by the judgment holder, the city in a segregated interestbearing account in which all excess equity funds from a foreclosure are deposited and separately accounted for on the books and the records of the municipality. Excess equity that has not
been claimed within 19 months of a sale or appraised uh or appraisal of a property shall be disposed of pursuant to chapter 200A. So then you have to go to the chapter 200A and
that's where it says that you can uh use the money for um uh any any party may seek a determinant on something else. That's about an appeal. Uh it says that you can uh 200A it says that um the
funds can be used uh uh it's for it's for whatever purposes um the uh the city determines but it has to you know but it can be kept locally. Um the funds the funds shall be recorded as
revenue in the general fund of the city. And then it talks about um the the upon upon cheat which means the claiming of the funds by the city. The funds shall be available to the city town or district's appropriate
appropriating authority for appropriation for any other public purpose. >> So so you would have to two things would have to happen. uh the the city the city council would have to adopt this section
uh uh which is the uh uh section uh 200A that's the part that has to be adopted by a vote of the city council and that's 200A section 9A by the way it's called disposition of abandoned funds by a city or town so it's in there that you find
the language that that any district any city that accepts the se this section and then it says uh You have to look at a third ordinance section four of chapter 4. If you take a look at what I sent you, I think your impression like mine will be, well, this sounds sort of
uh detailed and cumbersome, but uh I think I think the city's lawyer would probably tell you yes, it's very clear that this money can be retained uh and should be retained locally. And then the question is the city council would want to you know say that for the purposes of
of uh excess equity that equity should be deposited in the elderly elderly t elderly and disabled tax fund uh discre you know um what would you call it the the discretionary account or segregated account. So it's not it's not to be put
into uh roads and bridges or whatever it's to go into this fund. So, uh, if you take a look at that, um, you know, you do you you'll let me know if you don't have it, but I I sent it all to you on Friday. If if you didn't receive it, just let me know and I'll send it
again. Or if you want, I can send it again right now. >> Yeah, please send it because I know I didn't get it. >> Yeah. All right. I I I couldn't find I couldn't find it. It was under Sproul info at Sproulbusters, right, Ed? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I couldn't find it.
>> I'm gonna I'm gonna send it right now. I remember seeing it. I I did see it. So, what you're positing is that there's a 19month period in which a claimant can come forward to claim the >> ex and there actually it appears that
that's possible that it could be um a little bit longer than that, but it depends on I'd like the uh I'd like uh either the committee or city council uh city staff city attorney to to uh look at it. I don't know if other I don't
think any other program that I'm aware of uh actually looked at this issue of disposition of excess equity because it's a new issue because up until last year there was no such thing as excess equity. That's because of the Supreme Supreme Court case. So, um,
unfortunately, I doubt that there's anybody who's even looked at this, but but it's not it's not um it's it's Byzantine, but it's not impossible to do. And I think it could last longer than 19 months. So, I want I want to be clear that um it's not something that
happens immediately. It's it you first have to determine that you have not been able to find you give people their 19 eight actually it's 18 months for people to respond and then 19 months for this for the uh the actual actual money to uh
to uh be uh allocated to this fund. So they, in other words, the legislature gave it an extra month after you've determined that that nobody has come forward to redeem this this property uh to take the excess equity in 18 months. In 19 months, you can start to consider
it. But I think there's another appeal process if somebody comes forward and says, "Hey, that's my money." the the the uh the the city I think it's the treasurer has to decide whether it's um you know there's a prepoundonderance of evidence that suggests that uh that in
fact is uh is something that is is likely to have merit or not and then the person has a right to appeal to superior court if you if a if a city says wait a minute we don't think that's yours um they they there's an appeal process that
goes beyond that so the legislature I think was a little bit overboard in trying to look at um how to how to protect people, but uh some people would probably say that's a good thing. >> Yeah. >> So, so anyway, there is a process. The money can be kept locally. There's no
question about that. And and it all it all is based on the city council uh accepting this section 200A. Uh and I've just sent it to you again. So, I would just say probably you don't want to try to absorb it tonight, but you can take a
look at it and maybe at your next meeting um decide whether it makes sense, but but the big question was does it have to go to the state? And the answer is no. >> Okay. Thank you, L. >> You had a question.
>> I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. Um, so what I was >> just going to say is >> it does seem a um like it would be some work to do what Al
is saying where uh you get that excess equity and then you put it into fund like this. also with that is that if there is and it could potentially I mean my goal would
be like I said many times on the council floor too is for whoever actually owns it for them to get that excess equity right but the city is saying a few times they've mentioned that there's a few
cases in which there simply hasn't been anyone that they can Fine. So, in that case, we know that that the city has been reaching out to them and working on them. And so, it's not like we just get like $200,000 cuz like it looks like a
lot of these properties are very dilapitated. It could just be that we get like I don't know like 5,000. I'm just making a number up. But I would like that number, however small, to go to this committee instead of okay, it's going into the general fund and then
it's gone into nothing. I think if nothing else, it's a good um look for the city uh to show, hey, okay, we're not in the business of snatching people's homes and you know, you know, filling our filling
our city budget, but rather we give this back in the form of uh relief to our elderly and disabled folks. So, I support it and um I think the uh I don't know what the process would be to reach out to the city uh attorney,
but I think we should that should probably be the next step. >> Okay. >> The next step actually I think the next step would be I'm on appointments and ordinances. So, I will take Al's information. I will do my due diligence
and try to craft, you know, an ordinance. Uh, obviously that's going to get reviewed by the by the uh attorney as well, but to get this ball rolling so we can get before the council, you know, before we get any more great air because
things take time to get before the council. So I I'm actually volunteering to try to stop this ball rolling because I think that's if this can happen, this would be a great thing. Well, really >> it makes logical sense to me to use that
type of funding for this type of effort. >> Absolutely. >> You know, there is a logical connection there. >> The the concern I have is I don't know that you can earmark the funds before they go into the general fund.
Now then let let's there are two scenarios. Number one, you can earmark it and then we're done. Number two is it has to go into the general fund and then I don't know what the process is for releasing those funds to this specific
project. >> Mandy, do you know Mandy? You're muted. >> Yeah. Sorry. It takes me a second when my screen acts up. Um I do not
>> Okay. Um in order to get back >> we can find out. >> We will put that on the agenda for next month or next meeting whenever that that is because yeah I mean this is a lot I mean we're all in favor of it. It's a logical use of that type of monies and
it will be a source of great support for the fund itself. So, let's let's leave it the way it is for right now and go back to the other fundraising plan. >> Okay. >> Because I think >> Can I David, can I make one comment? I
think Patty's Patty's offer to go to uh admit to the appointments and ordinances is is a great one and I think that while >> the you know it allows ANO to start working on it >> and and instead of extending another
month and then giving it to them. I think Patty's suggestion makes a lot of sense. go to them now >> and they can put it on their agenda because they're they will they're you know the city council will be the appropriating authority. >> Um I believe that's how it works. Uh you
know they would they would under this 200 section 200A 9a they would appropriate it and and what what people hopefully would be asking for is that it would be appropriated to the elderly and disabled tax fund. um which I don't know whether that fund has even been set up
on the books yet, but that that would be something that a that ANO could talk about with Mandy, but but I think I think it uh you can actually get going on it uh with Patty's suggestion rather than kicking it down the road for another month. >> I wasn't intending to kick it down the
road. I guess the best way we can as our as a committee is to make a formal motion that Patty initiate the process to bring this to the AON AO committee uh for um adoption of the
process by which these funds can come to us. >> Yes, exactly. >> Make sense? >> All right. I second. >> All right. >> I have any further discussion? We're voting on this. Mandy. >> Mandy. So is all those in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> Okay. So you'll initiate a process with AO. >> Yes. >> Information on this. >> Yeah. >> So right now also ANO is going through all these ordinances. Is that every 10
year cycle educators I guess where you have to review all the different ordinances. But it's so much fun. Anyway, we're all doing that right now. Just to let you know, it's not like we're just sitting around waiting for something to do, but I will move this
forward as tough as I can. And I think people will be very enthusiastic about it, frankly. So, >> is there an automatic sunset on anything you don't review? Like, does it just go off the books, you know, no goats on Main Street or what? >> I think we should allow goats on Main Street. That's a big debate.
>> A bunch of goats. >> I think they're adorable. >> They're old goats. Oh god. >> But is there a sunset? If you don't, I know it. >> No, not that I know of. >> Okay. >> Not that I know of. >> I wanted to clarify something. Um
I understand the term excess equity. >> Y >> if there is a potential owner and and you know, but >> if it's not excess, >> then it's not excess. If there's a potent, if there's an owner,
>> well, the excess equity goes to the owner. >> The the equity goes to the owner. Yes. Excess equity after taxes go to the owner >> after after all the expenses, >> right? >> I'm I'm thinking about the uh the pro
the abandoned or dilapidated properties. And let let's assume for the moment that um we can't find the owner. Well, there are going to be expenses associated with dealing with the property, >> right?
>> And and therefore, what we're talking about is the sale minus the expenses, including all the tax stuff. Those would be the net proceeds. >> Yeah. >> So, those are two different situations, I think.
>> No, I think it's the same situation. So, >> well, if it it Okay, we we we foreclose on your ass >> and uh we get $150,000 and our costs are 50. >> Mhm.
>> $100,000 >> goes to me, >> goes to you. >> Mhm. >> We get the house. You're nowhere around. uh and we pay off the taxes and then we
have to pay to demolish the house possibly. >> And so then what we're talking about are net proceeds because there's no there's no excess equity. There's no equity. There's no owner. See what I mean? >> Although you're talking about property
that's retained when when there's a tax lapse, right? >> Yeah. And maybe maybe it's it's too. >> Yeah. >> But you're talking about you're talking about equity that that has no owner because you can't find them. In the
first case when when I in the example you're talking about if there's a $100,000 in equity, I get it then and and I get that. And then the town the town has the choice of selling my house or or getting a developer to to buy it, for example. And the all those expenses,
they don't come out of my equity, my excess equity. I keep that, >> right? >> Yeah. No, but the town expending money to maintain the property or >> Yeah. Well, if if if the situation is as
you described it, Al the city has foreclosed, it has incurred a whole bunch of expenses in that process and whatever is left over is the excess equity and and as you say, rightly goes to you,
>> right? But you have to you'd have to get a cl you'd have to get clarity maybe from from city council is that if the town decides to to instead of sell your home to to uh to to tear it down. Um the the the owners if the if the owner owner
if the owner has been identified they might have strong objection to that. But but if there no if there's nobody identified, I don't think you can just, >> you know, tear down a house and say that that that replaces the equity that you would have had. I mean, you still have
you still have an excess equity that belonged to an owner that just couldn't be found. >> But ask the lawyer that. Ask the lawyer that. >> Okay. >> I don't know the answer. Your your your question really is aside from taxes and the expenses associated with acquiring
the property through foreclosure is the remaining money available to deal with the property because the property may need to be maintained or it may need some repairs or it may need to be turn
you know torn down. So, I think that's the question. The money over from the foreclosure process, >> right? But if you if you tear down a house and the the owner turns up six or eight months after the deadline, they're they're not going to be happy.
>> But that but I I've already stipulated that we have a situation where we have not been able to find the owner. The owner does not exist as far as we can tell. Yeah. >> Yeah. But the owner can come forward.
>> The owner can come forward after the 18 months and say, "I never knew that you were after this." Take a look at the language that that I sent before you uh go too far into that because they they the owner has more rights after the 18 months of, you know, the the first year
is redemption. It's just straight redemption. You give them a 12 month. They have to have 12 months to to possibly redeem what they owe. But if that doesn't happen then they have another uh six months to decide whether they they want to come forward and identify themselves. But even after that
they have rights to appeal to court if they think you took >> I stipulated that we couldn't find anybody and nobody appears. >> But I think gentlemen but a lawyer thing >> we're getting down a rabbit hole that is not relevant to our current consent.
>> Okay. Yeah. Just one thing. Let's just let's just move on to Yeah, that's an an arcane area that may or may not be valuable to know, but not right now. >> Yeah, I mean, we do need the opinion of council about all. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
>> All right. >> Um, so >> can we go back to >> the solicitation of of businesses, corporations, individuals? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. That's what I'd like to talk about. So I think you know in terms of
when we talk about you know uh businesses here you know there's places like Bayate >> and um other places that have you know some kind of a funding mechan community
funding mechanism set up whether it's a foundation or whatever >> and that's what I that's what I think we're >> talking that's who I think we're talking too. >> I think that's I think that's true. And also I think because this is this isn't,
you know, helping um uh a regional it's not a regional issue. I think it's so local that I think that we need to prioritize those corporations that have a a location or significant bit >> business in Greenfield itself.
>> Yeah. >> I don't think Yankee Candle is likely to give us >> no >> money, you know. I just don't see that, you know. So that, you know, I'm thinking of things and I have no idea, but I I you know, I I would assume that somebody like Cumberland Farms would be
a very potentially good target because I bet they don't give a lot. >> They have a big presence here, >> right? Greenfield savings >> state, you know, we basically run down the list
of the GBA and and and the chamber, the Greenfield members of the chamber, >> right? >> So, I mean, we we have a >> do we have a listing >> uh >> of the JVA members? >> Oh, yeah. We can get that from Hannah and
>> Okay, let's get it. >> Right. I'll I'll talk to Hannah about getting that list. >> Right. also um with the potential committee that would go out and try to meet with some of these business owners
and try to recruit some of that funding. I volunteer myself because I am kind of familiar with some of those folks already and kind of have done some of this work in the past. Um so I volunteer myself. >> Maybe maybe you're the right one to talk
to Hannah about getting the list. >> Sure. Yeah, I can do that. Okay. >> There's a bunch of also businesses that aren't listed in the GBA. Like I know my we aren't, you know. >> Yeah. >> But yes, that is a good list. >> Does that list include like, you know,
places like um Cumberland Farms, which you know is is a >> I don't. >> Yeah. I mean, I you know, there are GBA members have a stake in the community and what I'd like to do is also focus on those corporations that make money off
the town and but don't >> the vendors. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That don't really contribute much to the life of the town. Like >> does the community college have some kind of foundation attached to it? >> Oh, yeah. They have a foundation. >> Well, that's
>> but uh you aren't getting close to that. >> We're going to do a community college. Why not? Because the foundation is for them and they're not going to give up any of >> Oh, I Okay. So, it's not a giving foundation. It's their foundation. >> Yeah. Their foundation. >> That's different. >> A receiving foundation.
>> They get things. They don't give in. >> So, well, how how do we identify those people that aren't even civic enough to belong to the GPA or the businesses? >> Well, okay. This is what I I mean, like my family's business, we aren't part of the GPA either,
>> right? because I mean this is no no shade to the GBA or anything but like for a lot of folks it's just it doesn't do anything. Um so there's I think we shouldn't limit ourselves to any specific list but I do definitely agree
that you know um larger corporations that do have a entity in Greenfield or and are making money in Greenfield we should definitely reach out to them. Stop and Shop, Big Y, Aldi's, uh, you know, Tractor to Supply, Home Depot, all of these people, and you say, "Hey, uh,
you know, thank you for being here in Greenfield. Uh, we appreciate the business and the services that you offer. Um, here's a program in which you can, uh, give back to the community and, uh, you know, we can have all sorts of different ways in which we can, you
know, highlight how uh, your donation has impacted us. You know, we could do a press conference. We could do a quoting the article. We could just get Anthony over here. You know, like there there's a million different ways in which you can be like, "Okay, Home Depot, if you do give like, I don't know, a thousand bucks." Um, we'll make sure that the
community knows about it and it won't just be something that's not highlighted. Um, but I think let's let's get this going and I can take up some of that uh work where I can go around and try to find um businesses that would be
willing to. Some I already know and others I think we it shouldn't be like oh we forgot let's first compile the list and then you know we'd spent six months compiling a list and oh my god we forgot a business. No, let's let's just get it started. Um, there's a bunch of
businesses out there and I can, you know, start, you know, looking through the GBA, looking through the Chamber of Commerce, uh, Greenfield members, looking through just also being in the community. We know which businesses are here and, uh, I would be willing to, and
if someone else could help me with that, that would be great. But, uh, meeting with some of these people and also trying to be like, okay, this is what we have going. What would you guys like to contribute? Would you guys like to contribute? what are the benefits of doing so? Um yada yada yada. But
>> what about what about um the uh Stonley Burnham Greenfield Center School? Are they any potential resource? >> Uh >> um like I mean I have like I graduated from NMH. NMH does a lot of stuff,
right? Um just on their own. Um, >> and I mean potentially like those schools could, you know, give out, but I know that they do a lot of charity work and a lot of um, aid work
on their own in their own capacity. They have like whole armies of volunteer groups doing this thing or that thing. Um, >> the center school, by the way, is is embarking on a million-dollar fundraising campaign because they're at risk of going out of business if they
don't raise the money. So, they're not I would not go to the center school. >> No, >> I don't think we're going to find a darth of community of of businesses. I think we're going to find end up finding that there's a lot of businesses that would qualify and how much can we get
from them? What do we how do we process that? how do we, you know, make it appealing to them? And then I think that's going to be our concern, not necessarily, oh, we can't find any businesses because I mean, thankfully we live in Greenfield rather than, you know, up the trail where there's like
three businesses per town. We do, you know, as much as people like to say we don't have businesses in Greenfield. There are, you know, a few. And I think there's a significant amount where if we have somewhat of a goal like 20 grand, 50 grand, 30 grand. I think we can achieve that. We we can. So let me just
say this though. I think it's important. So yeah, we need the list of the hit list, let's say, uh of where we're going to go. But I also think it's very important. So the perspectus needs to beed up. So it looks it's professional. The
sales sheet that Jim is going to do needs to get done. >> What? >> You said you were going to do that, didn't you? >> I did. >> Yeah. I heard you. You wrote it down. She wrote it. >> It's in my notes. >> Whether you agree or not, she wrote it down. >> Yeah. Before we like reach out to X, Y,
and Z to be like, "Hey, can we get some of your money?" We do need to have like some sort of a >> website, some sort of Yes. Yes. I agree. >> And I think, you know, in terms of, you know, smaller places I if uh if you wish
to, you know, take the packet and go, I think that's fine. For larger places, I think two people should go. you know, like for Bay State, etc. and so on, because the whole thing is we're not a 501c3. >> We're a a committee with a a city. We're
dealing with the city fund. So, it's kind of like they're not going to get a tax break from giving us money. It's going to give them feel good and some some visibility when we say thank you publicly. So, it's kind of like it's
it's it's a it's a more delicate dance, I think, than If you free advertising free yeah no it is it is good advertising but I'm just saying for the approach of this that's how I I'm >> trying to visualize how to do this in the best way so we can you know glean as
much as possible because actually you know we're gleaning money >> you know >> I I think Rob you you you raised raised a point that I I hadn't thought about when I said that these major
corporations have um you know departments uh corporate giving. I was I was thinking in terms of big money donations. The small money donation you may be able to get with the lo from the local franchisee.
>> Sure. And and so I I I agree that some of the the corporations that have local presence, >> you know, are operated by franchises and, you know, they they may kick a couple hundred bucks into into the pot.
I I think the critical thing is to understand what the threshold is before they say corporate will take care of this, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So maybe we can fly under that. And and Mandy, can we get a list of the vendors
to the city that um have u made have made more than we paid out more than $100,000 to in any given year? >> Repeat that. >> Sure. Can we get a list of the vendors
to whom we have paid more than, for example, $100,000 a year? Um, I can check with Katherine in accounting. >> Okay, that would that would be good because if if we can then then we have
we have a a a pretty good list of people who have skin in the game here. Whether they're members of the chamber or GBA, doesn't matter. So process-wise, we're going to use the list that that
WAB is can get from the GBA. We need to sort of also have lists of other potential businesses as well as nonprofits that we we can solicit. So we should at our next meeting have
complete a list of potential donors. Is that fair? >> And then Waja is also gonna look forward to Greenfield businesses in the chamber who are not members of GB. >> Right. >> Yes, I can do that. Okay.
>> And so for the next meeting, we will have we will develop our final list and we can add to it. I mean it's not like it's definitive or >> it's our initial list. >> Yeah, it's our initial list and then and then uh we are looking at sending
members of our committee individually and in pairs out to these vendors. >> Okay. I mean, I'm have I'm willing to volunteer for that, but I'm going to tell you about my personal situation
before we close the meeting. So, our uh so for our next meeting, Patty will have a sense of where the ANO committee is going. We will have a list because it's we're getting near 6:30. um
we'll get a list of people we want to businesses and and individ perhaps even individuals that we want to contact >> um for soliciting uh contributions to this. We also I still don't I don't
think we should give up on the um requests sent out with the tax bills because that seemed to be a mainstay. >> We should still do that. >> Okay. So, we're we're going to still do that. Yeah. >> What else about fundraising would you
suggest? >> Well, you if you have a list, which is great, then I think you want to segment the lists because you know the larger employers in town need to be approached a little differently than the mom and pop shop.
>> Exactly. >> But that you know, but the list is the core, right? And then we can figure out we can divide it up amongst us to say you know >> right >> I know this person or I you know I'm a regular shopper at BJS and you know whatever. >> Mhm.
>> Yep. >> Okay. David, the other the other thing I wanted to mention is that um um there are people in the community who may have a particularly close relationship with somebody else in the business community
who if you give them the materials, you know, the perspectives and the sales pitch and so forth, they can they can just make that visit. But I don't think you want to just say >> um you know the the the four or four people, five people on a committee will
do it all. I mean to me that's uh noble of you. But you know some of us may have a particular business where we're very um you know close with the owner, closer than anybody on the committee would be. I mean,
>> and I don't see any harm in having uh someone approach that owner and say, "By the way, did you did you see this that these people are raising money?" Because it's it's um I think it's an effort that um probably is going to go you're going
to want to have it go beyond the committee because it's a fair amount of work. I we had already taken a vote uh earlier at another meeting that a committee member needs to be part of this. So I think I hear exactly what you're saying
Al, but I also think in that situation if someone does have a particular relationship with somebody, then a committee member should go with them to the meeting. >> And and >> well, I'll put I'll put it this way. If somebody calls you up from such and such a business and says, "I want to give you
$1,000 because so and so approached me." I hope you won't turn it down. >> Well, I don't think you're talking about Al as a referral, and that's just fine. I think what Patty is talking about is how you close the deal.
>> Well, I'm talking about the how you close the deal, too, because some people will close a deal like a lawy firm or some other group that one of us may know that I I would say to them just call them up and and make the contribution based on the material. I don't they
don't they don't need a meeting necessarily because fundamentally people give people people give money to people fundamentally they don't give money to corporations or other >> well I don't think those are mutually exclusive I think we can go with both approaches one we could you know reach
out to people ourselves two if we have people in the community who are particularly close with certain businesses we can have them as a liaison and if they think a meeting rather than a meeting just a phone call will work better. Sure, whatever whatever gets us the money, you know. I it's
>> we shouldn't I I don't want to let the process get in the way of, you know, and each business might, you know, work differently, have a different approach, >> referrals, >> and whatever >> whatever works. >> A referral is a referral, >> right? I'm I'm uh you you tell me
because I'm I'm not going to spend time uh you know trying to line people up if I have to you know have a make it make a referral and then you do the you close the deal. That's just >> I don't think it's contingent. >> That is not what I said. That is not what I said. What I said was that we
took a vote on this committee that a committee person would be involved in the solicitation piece. So when what we're saying is that when when a meeting gets set, we're not saying it can only be a committee person. If a meeting gets set, that that a person from the
committee goes with you or whoever from the community. If somebody from the community says, uh, >> Joe Blow in this company is interested in donating. I've got a meeting set up for five o'clock on such and such a date. Who can go with me? somebody from
the committee will go with them. >> Okay, that's >> that is not there's nothing unreasonable about that in terms of uh we have we're representing the city of Greenfield. We're appointed to the committee. A committee person needs to be part of the
solicit that part of the deal. That's what I'm saying. >> Okay, that's fine if you have the time. >> I I agree with it. And I mean, if there's some noble business, right, or individual who doesn't want any exposure at all, doesn't want to meet with anyone, just
wants to give a donate, fine, go right ahead. But I doubt that that will be the case. I mean, you know, >> you're saying when can I expect the check? >> Well, no, we don't take blind money and Lord knows where it's coming from. >> Come on, folks. >> No, I think
>> this is clean. Yeah, but I think I think the idea is it's an anonymous it will be listed as >> an absolutely if that's their desire. Absolutely. Of course. >> Okay. Okay. To sum up, you know, we we
are going to have >> further explor exploration of the excess funds possibility through the um >> ANO. Yes, >> we're going to come back next time with specific lists of people and businesses
that we think should be approached as part of this effort. >> Yeah. >> Um and we will continue to do the solicitation through the mail the mailings of bills to individual taxpayers, which seems to
be the most common way that this is funded. though the results in towns like Newton and Melrose that are far richer than us seem to be very meager is what I've been told >> right >> you know so that that's not going to be we're going to have to do the
solicitation of funds from businesses >> with respect to the check off boxes when should which bills should should we start with should we start with um the >> third quarter is coming up right Well,
should Yeah. Or should we wait until the first quarter of next year >> for the check off boxes? >> What do you think, Mandy? >> I can um I can contact AP Jones and see what it entails. He he already said that
he has another place doing it. So, I don't think it um will be difficult for him to add it to the third and fourth quarter bills. And do we have do we have a fund yet established within the city to receive the funds?
>> Um, not yet. I'm going to be opening the account um at Greenfield Cooperative. >> Okay. All right. When you start with a dollar? >> Well, I have a check that I'm hoping to be able to deposit into it. I just have
to check on it. >> Okay. >> How much is a check? >> 4. Oh, that's right. >> $626. The housing for Oak Street. >> That's right. Okay. >> Donation charge. >> Yeah. >> Housing for Hope Street. Oh,
>> yeah. The housing. >> Okay. >> Election that just happened. >> Okay. $186. >> That's what's left. >> Oh, I see. Well, that's cool. >> Excess money. Okay. >> Um, good. Um, okay. Anything else on
that needs to be anticipated for our next meeting uh on fundraising? >> I mean obviously we can this is continuing discussion. >> Yes. >> Um >> we're done. >> Personally I am going to um the Carol
Center for the Blind starting at the end of December and it's a residential program. It's going to be picking up vocational skills. So, I will be entering the 21st century in the cyber world hopefully. Um, >> I thought you had a vocation,
>> but it's very getting very difficult since I can't even read a computer anymore. It's, you know, so they're they're hopefully going to give me skills. So, it's a real gift that's paid for by the Mass Commission for the Blind. >> Yeah. >> So, you're on leave. >> I'm going to be on leave. I'll
anticipate >> by Zoom. >> Oh, okay. But uh Batty's the vice chair. She you'll you'll have to take over the leadership position. >> I'll attempt it. >> Um you you do so well. >> And um but the uh next meeting, you
know, I'm leaving essentially I'm meeting leaving for two weeks in Florida. I know. Don't don't cry for me. Right. >> Um around the 10th or about the 13th of December. Do we want to be before then or do we want to um be a after the start
of the new year? >> Well, what do you think? >> Holidays. >> Well, yeah, that's my one thing is that, you know, like if we could meet earlier in December, that'd be fine. But as you get closer and closer to the holidays,
we all get pretty busy. >> No. All hell breaks loose. Well, I'm not, you know, I'd like to keep our momentum going and I'm happy to be, you know, in the I'm going to look at December.
>> I think there's a group with me. Oh, >> it de's the 4th and the 11th, which >> and there's the 18th. >> I'm gone on the 18th. >> I can I believe I can do December 4th.
December 4th >> or 11th? I can I can do either one. Probably the 11th. Give us a little >> Yeah, I would like to do the 11th. >> Okay, let's do the 11th. >> All right. Is the 11th okay with everybody else? >> 5:30 or
>> 5:30? >> Okay. So, we're doing this on the 11th. >> We'll do this on here for that. And you will get an agenda up. I will get an agenda up and I will you know make sure that the who's am I going to do the minutes for this meeting or what have
you originally agreed to do the minutes. >> I had did it but then it's so complicated so much I had uh used AI for the first one and then my AI subscription ran out and I was like I'm not spending 25 damn
dollars on >> on another software. as my last leadership gift to the committee. I will uh do the minutes. Okay. >> Oh, I thought you were going to have a subscription to CHBT. >> Hopefully, you'll know all about that
stuff once I go to go to blind school. >> Okay. Okay. >> Very good. >> All right. So, we'll adjourn till uh 5:30 on December 11th. I will make sure that the agenda is basically going to be continuation of fundraising discussion, >> right? and you know report on the ANO
efforts, right? Two items and uh we'll meet here at 5:30 next uh December 11th. >> Okay. >> Happy Thanksgiving. >> Motion to all in favor. >> Thank you all. Okay. >> Thank you.