WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=dqNn2TpGJ2Q

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: dqNn2TpGJ2Q):
- 00:00:15: Meeting Called to Order, Warrant Approval, Agenda Items
- 00:02:11: Public Comment: Elementary School Budget Question and Discrepancy
- 00:07:38: Addressing Budget Concerns; Reconsideration and Options
- 00:11:45: Town Meeting Discussion, Budget Questions, and Considerations
- 00:12:42: Clarification: Elementary School Budget Numbers Recapped
- 00:17:00: Consequences of leaving the override alone.
- 00:18:14: Discussion Regarding Reserve Funds or Departmental Re-Allocation
- 00:20:59: Reserve Fund Rules, Re-Opening 3B Discussion
- 00:23:49: Motion to Reopen 3B to Reduce Override Amount
- 00:27:12: Discussion about Reconsideration Rules, Town Meeting Times
- 00:29:58: Weighing Options: Net School Spending and Reconsideration
- 00:34:06: Council on Aging Budget Cut, Finance Concerns
- 00:35:32: Weighing the Finances vs. the Process
- 00:37:31: Advising and Presenting the Numbers; Override Options
- 00:40:14: Potential Council On Aging Budget Cuts and Over Audit
- 00:43:28: Meeting Adjournment, Move to Town Meeting


Part: 1

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Okay, sorry for the delay. It is 5:44. Uh, this is the Halifax board of selectman. Uh, today is Tuesday, May 12th, 2026. We are in the large conference room at the Hifax Elementary School. And did I mention it is 5:44. This meeting has been posted in accordance with the provisions of MDL, Mass General Laws, Chapter 3A, Section

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20B. And pursuant to chapter 30A section 20F notice is being made that this meeting is being recorded and will be posted on area 58 community access channel. The board chair me assuming one tonight reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed and or voted on at this meeting. Agenda

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items may be taken out of order for time management considerations. Um do I need to take a roll call or anything? >> No. >> Two members present. We have quorum. >> Um are we approving the following warrant? Pam. >> Yes. Yes. Um, I will entertain a motion to approve a vendor warrant number 105

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for $145,4854. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I >> So okay. >> Uh, and the only other item on our agenda tonight is new business, town meeting preparation. Uh, we will attend the 634 select uh meeting which will

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continue tonight. Stephen, >> don't really have much to add. >> No. Bert. Uh, I'm good. I think we'll uh just continue along the way and hopefully get through uh the all the articles.

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>> Okay. Okay. Members of the finance committee, anything to add? >> Oh, we're here. I'm here as a citizen. >> Citizen. Okay. Um, Bill, anything? Lindsay, Pam? >> Um, Sue. >> Sue could I couldn't see your face. I was trying to Sue. Anything? >> She's hiding.

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>> It's been a long day. Some of us didn't fall asleep till really late. >> Anything? You're good. Uh any citizen uh participation that we'd like to acknowledge here this evening? >> I had one question. >> Go ahead. >> So on the numbers that were voted yesterday during the meeting elementary

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school, I had 7,500 32,438 which is what was voted during 3A. And just double check with Stephen, the number that was presented at the

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override vote was 375,385. So when you add that up, you get 7,97,432. So when you add in their offset of $424,012, it puts them at a total of 8,331 and $835,

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which is $175,000 more than their actual budget that they voted. So my I guess question is is the is the board of selectment meeting not the finance committee is is was that the

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intent to fund them at that level >> be because it's what they voted at their budget was >> 79 >> was so they voted their budget at 8 million1

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157,387 votes. That's their voted budget. >> When they took their vote, they said that they were they had $427, sorry, $424,12. That was their offset. So, they voted

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their budget at 8.5 million, but they only voted to spend 8.1 million. And now the town is set to give them 8.3. So is the intent to allow them to spend more money than what they

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had budgeted? >> I would say no. Uh I don't have my sheets from the other room, but if those numbers are accurate, I would say that was not the original intent. >> I don't want to speak for anybody else. >> Yeah, I don't think that's the intent either. >> No, wasn't the intent. >> No. >> So that's under 3A.

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>> No. So the 7.5 is 3A, >> right? >> 375 and change is under >> 3B. >> The allocation under 3B. >> So I I guess the the question for the board is >> you do have a motion for reconsideration

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that is possible whether or not it does come up or it doesn't come up. Is the board going to move to hit the number that they actually voted and reduce that? >> Is the 175 from the stabilization cuz was that the number that was voted last

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night to take from stabilization? >> So stabilization should have gone to so >> okay >> that was that was the vote that was the motion that I made was to take that money in and >> it was just the number that's why I was thinking that way. So that was going in

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the opposite direction >> going up to 85. Wouldn't it come down to 77 >> from A1 to 77? Wasn't that the discrepancy to start the 400,000? >> Yeah. 424. >> Right. So So the motion that I made was 77 plus the 400,000 would have got them

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to their budget number to the A1. Right. >> So that was voted down fine. And then the board of selectmen voted to do 75. >> Right. And then >> and that was the 211, right? Coming back to the town.

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>> Yeah. So then it it was $375,000 was the motion for the override, which then brings them above plus their offset. So the question is, is the board of selectmen okay if the override passes that now they go and

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they spend an additional $175,000 >> because it'll be within their purview to do so. the school's perview. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Without any input from anybody else. And I know that that was an issue with the with everyone

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talking about line item autonomy. So I I'm just pointing it out that their budget is now 83. So, >> so you do have the availability to say we actually are in favor of the motion to reconsider and changing the number on

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the override to hit their budget number of the 81 with their offset. >> And that would reduce the override amount by >> 39 200,937. >> Yeah. >> So now we're down from 99977 down to 790.

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>> Yes. So So again, I'm just bringing this up. I I don't know what the intent was >> or or um I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So, if everything's left alone and there's no motion for reconsideration, then they can spend the 83. And I just

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wanted to make sure everybody was aware that that's the number that they can spend to. And and if everyone's fine with that, then the motion to reconsider would allow the board selectman and the board of in the finance committee to amend that. So we

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can hit their budget number with the offset. >> Um I mean I would say that the goal was not to exceed their budget. That would be my opinion. >> That's what I I would say that too. In a perfect world with you know unlimited funds we would meet their budget

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continually. I don't know that we need to ex make a practice of exceeding it. So if that was an oversight or mistake um what would that look like? Should anything be reconsidered at any point either as a continuation of last night or a separate reconsideration on 3B? We would then simply move the

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override to a different amount or move the line items on the adjusted budget that we came up with last night and keep the override as is at 999777. I have I have a question for Burke. It's just one reconsideration and you can't do it again. Correct. >> That's correct. >> But we haven't actually entered the reconsideration.

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>> No, I'll just clarify. We are not really in there yet. >> So would the would the would um would the choices be to keep the override amount the same and reallocate the funds the extras from school to move it to reserve or the would the thought be to

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reduce the overall override amount? Best >> I I I think the only motion that you can technically do is to reduce the override. >> Yeah, that's probably the best avenue to take. >> Less people have to pay.

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>> What's the downside? >> So from a perspective of school that they would have more availability to fund other things that they were told that they couldn't. So, the only question I have is the remaining question about net school spending. I did uh I spoke to several people today.

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Um and there's just ongoing concern about the net school spending. Um and so where there's some uncertainty, uh I think Lauren spoke to it last night, Lauren Law, school committee chair, um a fellow of HS. If we're not sure,

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um, might it be a good idea to build the buffer in or is that just not bad, not good practice? >> I I I'm just saying number >> I'm not looking for answers. I'm just >> voted is >> different. So if if if the board of selection is okay accepting the argument from the school

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committee that you're actually not, you need your funds to net school spending at the number or their line if if you're going to accept that. This gets you closer to that, but it also allows them to spend more money. But in the school committee finance meeting when they

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discussed this and they voted the 81 number, that was to get them level service and that would cover their net school spending properly. So that wasn't an issue anymore and everything would be hunky dory. So if we bring them to the 81, everybody's happy. The schools

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should still be happy because they're they're meeting all their goals and getting the money they wanted >> at A1. >> At 81, >> leaving it alone. >> Correct. >> But that's them not using their offset. >> But you don't get the actual net spending till next year.

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>> Then you have to back >> paid back. If you're in the back fill it next year, I also think there would be to be left if we go from having conversations about trying to push to just that 81 number to the extent that

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we have over the last several months and now all of a sudden we're going to exceed that number and just be okay with it. So I think there's a think there's a message there that you should >> be aware of. No, the narrative obviously this is being recorded so it's not a secret but one of the one of the claims

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will be we're finding this out again now uh last minute game has changed again 12 hours later 24 hours later um obviously we have to be okay with that either way at this point so um what do we do we obviously we this now is the

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time is Jonathan coming or is this see that 6:30 thing do we talk >> 6:20 about 6:20 >> okay >> can I ask a question real But not regarding the money. Um, as far as town meeting goes, um, they are allowing people to come in with their children. Is that a problem?

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>> No, it's not a problem. >> Okay. >> Utilize the babysitters. That would be awesome. >> No, I know, but Okay. I just wanted to make sure you had planned that. Thank you. >> It's always been that way. You know, people have come in with children in the past.

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>> Usually I have them in the visit section, but we're going to have such a large amount that that's not possible this evening. >> Well, they do count as persons as the fire chief says, you know, reach capacity that children count. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay.

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>> I guess I guess I'll go ahead. This could have all been avoided if the school had just done their budget early instead of waiting till the last minute and then we would had the figures. Um, so not saying we're going either way,

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but Stephen, I I don't have even have a pen cuz it's in the room, but um, do we have the numbers the numbers that Gordon has relayed? Do we have those in conquer? Can we build those one more time just so I have them here right now? >> I'd have Stephen give you as he gave me to them. Okay. >> So, the number

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we want it back. >> So, the number that was changed for the elementary schools last night, >> these are the three digits. 7532 438, >> right? So, that was the number that was

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um amended on town man. Then you add in the >> 4 what was that? Uh, so that was >> 424 >> 424 >> 012 012 >> and that's the

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>> the offset >> offset >> in the grants >> and I guess then that's that's our 81. >> Yep. >> Right. >> No, no, no, no. Not quite. Oh, >> 79. Yeah. So, so those two numbers added together

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are 7 million 900. So, 795645. >> Okay. >> So, that doesn't get you to their 81 voted number. Those two numbers, right? >> Yeah. vote.

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What the 3B vote was was 375 385. >> Mhm. >> So when you add that in >> comes out to 8331 or whatever it is.

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>> Does anybody have that number >> gets you to 8331 835? >> Yep. Then if you subtract the 8157387 which is the number the school is looking for. >> Yeah.

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>> 174 448 >> which is the amount that we could reduce the override of 999777 by. >> Yes. >> So then we're talking >> that gets you to 200. Just double check the math here. 375 385US

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17 200 937 is the number needed for the override for the schools. >> Do we all agree on that amount? Was any >> What's that number? 200,937. >> That's being reduced from the 375 385.

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>> That would be the remaining number. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Gordon, is that what you have as well? >> Let me just double check that cuz that's they didn't break. So, we're going to reduce that by the 200,000. Is that what I'm understanding, Steve?

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>> No. that we're going to reduce the schools override allocation from 375385 or this under this plan by the 174448 to end up with a new ask or allocation of 200,937

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>> that's what I have based on the numbers you gave me 209 2037 >> that's that matches >> so that so then the override would be reduced by that amount so the 9 >> to the 99777US 20937 7. You get 798840

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>> 798840 >> 798840 Stephen >> 798,000 >> 840 >> 840 >> or you leave it alone >> and don't have motion reconsider

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>> and that would give them flexibility in case you have um special needs students move in during the year cuz I also what they have for balance in that account. >> That is a good consideration, Gordon. >> Special education budget does fluctuate and if you get a rogue case, it can be

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it can be a million dollars. >> Yeah, >> I've seen it. >> So, just I know that's a lot to throw out and these are all the considerations for you guys to make, but that's where you are. >> I think if we go out there and more number changes, it's just going to

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confuse more people. >> You determine what that number is can be. here. So, just to recap the whole last 24 hours, we started at 1.5. Now, we're down to just call it 800. So, we've reduced it by nearly 50%. And

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under this override, what's left? What's left behind? What's not funded properly? >> What's What's left? >> The 200,000 Yeah, we took out put back. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Yep.

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>> So, the 200's coming out of 798. >> It could or you could put it somewhere else. >> You'd have to open up 3A to put it back >> on a reserve fund. >> You put to the reserves and you could put it to the reserves. Ser

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>> for emergencies, unexpected circumstances cuz then that then on the town side that could apply to anything >> that there fire and police. >> Yeah, could do that >> down to there and then >> as long as they're unforeseen

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emergencies and finance committee says. So it would be it would be tough to say that you have unforeseen when you made a cut to the budget though that that's like if you're cutting the budget and then putting things into the

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reserve fund it's not really unforeseen if you're increasing the res. >> So the only way to put it right back to police and fire is to reopen 3A. >> Well you got to open 3A to reduce 385 anyhow? >> No that's in 3B. 3B. >> Oh, 3B. I'm sorry. 3B. >> 3A.

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>> The only way to put the 200 back on a specific department or line item would be an open 3A. >> Or just to lump it into reserve or no rules. >> 3B to a different line. >> You have 3B available. So, you could move this 200,000

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937 >> on those nine little buckets. So, we added those nine. >> You could amend it to anything else you want on there. >> Right. >> So, then you could But then if the override doesn't pass, >> right,

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>> you're not going to be able to use it. You're not going to have it. >> The 200 >> 200. >> Yeah, the 200. >> Well, you wouldn't you wouldn't have it either way unless you reopen 3A, >> right? >> Correct. >> Unless you place it somewhere else, >> so whether it's whether it's allocated to reserve funds, you know, an

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unforeseen thing which may or may not work out or specific allocation over hasn't passed, it's >> gone either way. It's >> got to go somewhere, but it's got to be placed somewhere. >> Somewhere. Yeah. So it can be used if it in the in the event it needs to be used in the emergency or I mean we do have

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rooftops and things like that that could be an emergency in the upcoming year. >> If you put it in the reserve fund then you had a special time meeting you could fund it back and set the special time meeting to them. Correct. >> Reserve line uh reserve fund line item transfer. I'm pretty sure once they're in there, I would imagine it's probably

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I'd have to get the quantum on the vote, but I would imagine it there's certain stipulations that would take it out of the fincoms. I don't know about moving money out of the reserve fund. Uh the exact process I'd have to ask you usually >> that's only

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isn't that only in May. >> Yeah. So, so reserve fund you can move at any time. >> It's the line item transfers. line item transfers that you've gotten from May until July >> 15. Yeah. >> So

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really the decision is do you open 3B up again or do you just leave it be? And if you open it up again, are you going to keep the 99777 or you going to reduce it or are you

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going to add the different lines? And this is this is to lead off the meeting. Obvious this is this is this is number one cuz that'll happen. We're going to adjust that first. Correct. Okay. I mean, do we have to decide now? Is

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that what we're does it go a vote here? Do we vote here or does it on time floor someone would make that motion? I wish town council was here. I don't know what the >> Is he coming? >> He is supposed to be coming. Yes. U

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practice. >> Yeah. >> Past practice is the person that's making the motion. The moderator will acknowledge them and ask them if they're making a motion. So if there's a motion to reconsider, he would make the motion to reconsider. If there's a second, then there would be

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discussion on why there's a motion to reconsider. I would say that this is a valid reason to reconsider if if you're going to make the move >> make the move in terms of reducing the override by the 20

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>> whatever want to do that. That's a I mean it's a valid reason because it wasn't if that wasn't the intent then that wasn't the intent. That's why I asked the question to begin with. >> I I don't think it was my I don't think it was I don't want to speak for anybody else. I don't think it was our intent. I

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don't think it was my intent to overfund. Um I would have adequately funded. That was the goal there. Um I am concerned about reopening. >> Yep. >> Uh in re reintroducing more numbers um having to answer more questions about

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being unprepared. Um but doing that leaving it alone I leaving it alone. I think the the the best thing about that is that it gets us closer to net school spending and builds in a buffer there. Um, but I'm not sure

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that's the most transparent thing in terms of the goal that we had last night was to put everybody in the best position rather than overfund one and under underfund others. So I I don't know.

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I think I'd probably without know with 18 minutes no to 22 minutes to think about it. I think I'd probably lean towards making that motion um to reopen 3B to reduce the I I would probably need help with the wording um

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to reduce the that money but by 17 what was it by um >> by 1744 we're reducing the >> override by 1744. Bringing it down to a total

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>> 798840. >> Reducing the override amount by 174,000. >> 448 >> 448. Bringing our new total to 798 >> 84 >> 840 and I have to identify I'm assuming I

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have to identify where the money is being moved from. >> No, you're reducing. >> This is this is the reduced reducing an allocation. So the order here would be and Mr. Moderator I I'd like to >> I think you keep the wrong number there.

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So you'd be reducing what we had on the books after everything was said and done last night. We had 375 385 left on for the schools. >> Y >> and then we reduced that by 174 >> 448 bringing the new override total to 798 840. >> Oh the o overall overright. Yes. I

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thought you were talking about the school account. Sorry number would be 200. Yeah, the school. >> But do I have to identify the school? >> I would I would say that you are changing the 375385 to $200,937

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which is a reduction of $17448 bringing the new override total of appropriation to 798840. And then I would ask Stephen to give you the number on what the tax cost would be. That way you you

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answer all the questions at once. >> Yeah. My computer. >> All right. So I'd like to make a motion this hypothetical changing uh what's the word? The allocation to the schools. >> The allocation >> to the Halifax elementary

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69. Correct. >> Yes. I'd like to elementary school. >> I'd like to um reconsider article 3B. Uh changing line number 69 from >> 69's not 3B.

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>> All right. So, what do we That's what I mentioned. >> No, it is. It is. >> It is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's in the table. >> Oh, that was one of the nine. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. reducing uh line item number 69 by from from 375,385

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down to uh down 200,937 which is a reduction of $174 and17448 making the new override amount 798980 >> 798848$ 840 is let's get that right

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>> this >> okay >> this coming with an explanation that this wasn't the method for reconsidering during last night. >> No, I think you got to you got to you've got to use what was done last night.

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>> Well, let's talk about that a little bit. >> He was um I thought only if you were voted in the Yay, you could could ask for that. >> It's not what it says. >> That's not true. According to our uh according to uh town town meeting times,

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you can either vote yes or no and still recons. We're referring to town meeting times as a means and methods. >> Actually, I think it's in our bylaw, too. >> Well, the bylaw still says different. >> The bylaw still says Robert's rules. >> If you look online, it still says

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Robert's rules. I can tell you that. >> That is out of date. >> Okay. >> Um, yes. So, the reconsideration can come from either side. doesn't have to be the prevailing side or it's correct. >> I I personally think it would make >> a different

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>> a better effect if the board selectman makes the motion not ask a person from the floor to make it. >> That was that was talking last night. That's so that like you guys like swoop this whole thing through. You're making this update. You found this change.

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>> But if the if the if the meeting starts and the gentleman from last night appears at the microphone I think is it better optics to let him speak and reconsider himself >> or should we jump in because we were criticized for that last night. I

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>> I think you are better off to say that you spoke you you would like to reconsider the motion >> but you're going to have with all those people coming that >> reconsider the motion from the gentleman on the floor.

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>> Is that because that's not going to happen? Yeah, >> cuz his motion wasn't it wasn't >> his motion according to town council >> as I said last night. >> Uh >> okay. >> It's uh it was out of order. >> Okay. >> I think we need to explain that first. >> Yep. Yes, I will.

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>> Right. And then Tom, if you're going to make the motion, that's when you're going to have to step in. >> Yep. Um on a on a reconsider, is it two-/3 vote? >> No. >> No. >> Majority majority. Well, we we better sure we have the we better be sure we

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have the numbers. >> Yeah. >> And then it can't be brought up again, >> right? >> That's right. >> That's correct. >> Okay. Anything else? >> So, what's the procedure again? B's going to make >> Well, yeah. I'm going to think about it

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here for a hot minute >> and then Tom will step in. >> Yeah. If we decide to go that route. Yeah. I'm going to I'm going to talk to >> talk to Jonathan. >> I'm hoping he's going to be about >> five more minutes. >> Six more minutes.

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>> And couldn't you vote that on the floor to select him if you want him to weigh in? So, >> I'm sorry, I was distracted. >> Go on the floor. You could, but the vote doesn't preclude

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any one of us from making the motion. Right? Because anybody, any individual could make the motion to reconsider. Doesn't have to come correct >> from the board. >> And it could either come from the audience or the board. >> Right. >> If the board doesn't want to make the motion, I'll make the motion.

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>> I I'll make the motion to ask to reconsider. I know I'm going to get trampled for doing it, but >> I just I just I just want to make sure we have the room. >> I want to make sure that we're not setting it up >> to not have the room cuz if it comes

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from this side of the table and we don't have the numbers, >> we're going to get criticized. >> Criticized. >> So I I'm going to have to move. >> Exactly.

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Do you think that what you said earlier as far as overfunding them to keep into account the fact that net school spending still really hasn't been established yet is a factor that maybe you don't throw out the window just yet and you weigh your options a little bit

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before you go out there? Um because the the reconsideration that is on the table right now in everyone's eyes that are here >> Yeah. has nothing to do with what we're talking about right now. >> Correct. >> And I don't think that the attention

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should shift to this table >> when it's not why we're all here in reality >> when in fact we know that this this variance could be needed and may be worth keeping on the table as

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we have it right now. If that all makes sense. >> It does. and and then it will be known that we overfunded the schools in error. That's a trade-off with potentially getting closer to net school spending which would be a good benefit.

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>> Correct. >> Or potentially or potentially far exceeding it and having overfunded the schools and giving them >> if that's truly what net school spending is. >> So you have a you have a set of people that were here last night >> y >> that made their voices heard. >> Yeah. >> Some of those people will not be able to

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be here tonight to voice their voice again. Okay. I I think the only way to do this morally is is to swallow that pride that we overfund by 145,000. It was an error.

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>> It respects the it respects the votes that were cast last night. >> I think also like you said reading the room, you say reconsider, they're all going to say no. >> Well, we'd have to explain it pretty thoroughly what you're trying to do. I

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mean, I think I think the the majority of the people in the audience, if you're if you're if you're giving them less dollars on the table, would generally enjoy that, but are we also supporting the people? Are we still standing behind the purpose of the override, which was to adequately fund the schools and the

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fire and so forth? So, it's a delicate balance. I mean, I'm not looking to give anyway more money than they have to cuz I don't like spending my own money, never mind yours. But I, you know, at this point, I'm just trying to weigh out coming to the table with another change of numbers. >> Does give the schools the adequate amount of money that they were looking

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for, >> but it was exactly what they were looking for. >> But in reality, the way to look at it is if what happened last night in terms of the rec reconsideration never happened, >> this would have gone through as is anyways. >> Yep. >> Right.

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to Saturday. Oh, clearly. Yeah. Right. >> Saturday. Yep. >> Yeah. >> It's the same with tonight. It's just going to get Saturday, >> right? None of none of this is finality. This is this is to get things >> Sure. No, understand. >> But it gets to about cleaned up when it gets there, right? >> Sorry, my passion. >> No,

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>> can I bring up one one other? >> No, that's it. Yeah, just cut. >> So, so with the the budget the way it's voted, you have a cut of $69,000 to the Council on Aging for wages that isn't restored. 50,000 was

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restored. The request was $119. The regulatory clerk, you guys have a $26,000 and that's a position change. Then you have uh the town building

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maintenance wages was a $25,000 cut. Uh animal control was brought back in and then you have highway wages cut $8,55 and then you have council on aging expenses cut by 2426.

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So those you you do have cuts in the budget. So that goes to your point about funding the schools over not replacing the seniors.

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Sorry to throw another item of way into the equation. >> Maybe there won't be a quorum tonight. But they're coming in. >> You got any thoughts? >> I'm just concerned that the people that are showing up tonight

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are just going to the minute after he's brought up, they're going to say no cuz they know that's the end of it and they'll live again. Well, if they leave again, this is the reconsideration. They can leave, right? >> Yeah. Yeah.

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>> And it would go up to Saturday. >> So, we could do what we just did said or we could cut save the uh save the what is it? Um 174 448, right?

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>> Yes. 174 448. So we would be reducing 375 385 reducing it by 174 448 and therefore having a surplus quote unquote of 2009 937 which would be the reduction of the override from the original amount and so you is is the other proposal on

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the table most recently to to refund and reallocate to those other line items. I I don't that's what you're I don't like >> I think that you guys have a myriad of choices to make and I'm not I I can't

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advise you what choice you you want to make but you have this opportunity and I don't know if you take the opportunity if you don't take the opportunity. I'm just I'm just bringing you the numbers as as I see them.

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>> We have an improved number last night at $975,000. We're talking about right now taking it down to $798,000. >> Apologies, guys. >> Okay. You ready for this? >> Yeah. >> So, there was inadvertently last night,

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>> yes, >> we overfunded the schools by 375. Okay. >> 385. >> Okay. >> The thought was from Gordon, an option out there would be to reconsider reducing that amount by 174,448. >> Yep.

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>> Saving 200,937. The new override amount would be 798840. >> Okay. >> That would involve an a reconsideration reconsideration of article 3B. >> Okay. If that happens, the new override is 798840 if it's voted in. >> Okay. >> Yep. If we leave it alone, we've over

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inadvertently overfunded the schools but to their original ask amount, >> right? >> Which gets us the positives in my opinion would be we get closer to net school the the theoretical unknown number of net school spending. >> Yep. >> With a buffer. >> The downsides would be we've a overfunded the schools >> and made cuts elsewhere.

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>> Sure. >> COA >> uh building maintenance others. >> Sure. >> The concern from others have been bill has been that we are possibly reintroducing new numbers again. Correct. At the 11th hour. Correct. >> Reopening a door for >> it's it's eroding any sort of um

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confidence folks have in this process. >> Correct. >> I don't know how many times we can we can go over this process and and seem like we're competent at what we're trying to do. Um I mean we're originally we're we're reaching the school's ask.

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So in my opinion I I think we can stick to that number you know and not reopen Pandora's box for the fourth fifth time. This would just be clear just be 3B though. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yep. So that's my take and I again I

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apologize guys for getting here late >> but I I agree with EJ's that we didn't the thing didn't happen last night. We wouldn't even know. We just keep on going. >> It'd still be there. >> Yeah. So >> my point was the the folks that were here last night some may not be here

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tonight. >> Correct. >> May not be able to be here tonight. >> Correct. If this if this reconsideration wasn't brought up last night to begin with, >> this would have been discovered anyways. >> So, it would have gone through the entire process approved as you're saying, we should approve it right now. >> Yep.

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>> So, the you're you're you're at a loss one way or the other. It's either for the finances or it's the the process. >> Yep. I say we we hold as that's my take. I say we hold as is. But >> well, it could come from anybody, too. >> What's that? >> This motion

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>> to reconsider. >> Could come from the floor. >> Oh, sure. Yeah. Sure. >> Yeah. >> And if anybody makes a motion for any reason to reconsider, this could be introduced. >> Sure. >> And then we need to be prepared to speak to it. >> Yeah. Okay. Absolutely. >> Yep. >> So, yeah, that would be my take on it, but

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uh you know, I'll defer to what the board says. You guys were here before I was. >> We didn't We didn't vote. >> We didn't vote yet. >> I'm I'm not sure we need a vote. It comes from an individual. >> Yeah. >> Correct. Yep. Did Gordon, would you like to speak? Is you guys okay if Gordon speaks to it? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Mr. F. >> Um, yeah. I think I was just weighing

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out the options. You have the option to restore the council on aging cuts >> if you make this change. >> Mhm. >> Um, if you leave the money with the school, they have the right to spend the money. >> Sure. >> And I would imagine that they could spend the money

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quickly. Do we think it bridges the gap at all with the seniors for the over audit in general >> if we restore the console agent >> is that >> well it would help >> it would help you know >> I mean that is that is a sensitive area with a lot of people left does it move

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the needle enough to make it I'm just wondering >> the seniors do feel left out they really do and they >> so and they're loyal to Darlene and I'm just if it bridges the gap at all I'm wondering if it's >> so we reduced the override by the 76 and

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then re reallocate. We can't get into 3A again. >> No, but it's on our it's those are line items on the from last night. The nine buckets >> that we refilled. They're on there. >> So essentially adjust the the override amount to the to the council on a number. >> Take the and flip it over.

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>> Flip it. Y >> and then put the 200 into Well, it would really only be 69,000 I believe was the line. >> 69721. >> 69721. We would need firm numbers. >> Yeah. Before we get out there

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before Harvard's introducing it, let's not >> again. I mean, >> it's up to you guys. >> We're once again Yeah. We're once again going back to it and and you know, if I'm a resident, how do I know that this is >> because here's the thing. I mean, looking at the Council on Aging with the

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override as it is right now, Darlene gets fully restored and you have essentially either one or two one full-time or two part-time positions that she previously had before >> and the school hits their original ask number, right? >> Goes. Yeah.

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>> So, what's So, what's short >> on council on aging? >> No, in general, what what's the the the new number 800? What What's short? What are we looking for 800 for? What is it? What What gap does it bridge? What holes are it filling? >> It would have the ones that Gordon brought up, the only two that were not

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reallocated, which would have been um the building and maintenance, which was the half of the janitor, which was removed anyways. So, that was 25 grand. Um and then also the building uh clerical assistant, which is not going to be backfilled.

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So those are and then in combination with the staffing cut at the council on aging because we have a partial restaffing and then restoring the the director to full >> with the current with the override as currently

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>> I don't want to I don't think we should be late for this meeting at 6:27. I think we should be on time. >> I would I think >> if a resident wants to amend >> Yeah. I think I think we should >> it gets reopened. >> I think I think I'll sit tight. I think I'll sit tight. >> Yeah, >> I'll sit tight if it comes. We'll speak

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to it if we have to. >> If somebody brings it up, then that's their perview and we'll deal with it. >> Yep. >> Okay. It is 6:28. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> Oh. Oh. I move to move to the town meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor?

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>> I unanimous.