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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=liZbR_uaE4g

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It is 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29th, 2026. We are at the Halifax Elementary School. In a change of venue, we are in the art room. Uh this is the town of Halifax Board of Selected Meeting. Uh it is 5:30 and is this is an open session. Um this meeting has been posted in

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accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts general laws chapter 38 section 20B and pursuant to chapter 38 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 regionally anticipates that the following matters will be discussed and or voted on at

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this meeting. Agenda items may be taken out of order for time management considerations. We would typically start with the pledge of allegiance. So all those willing and able if you could turn. >> I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Um so there is just one item on our uh on our new business to-do list in the next hour or less and that is town

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meeting preparation at the conclusion of this meeting. Uh we will move down the hall and attend the board of selection will attend the special town meeting to start at 6:30. So that being said, uh we are open for discussion on town meeting preparation. I don't know what the pleasure is here. Do you want to go down

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in order uh and run through the agenda as as previously planned? Bert, you're the moderator. Does that make sense to you? >> Yeah, that' be great. Yeah. >> Okay. So, uh item number one is that the moderator will uh will call the warrant. Uh the warrant for the special time meeting has been properly posted. He'll

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make the crowd aware of that. Uh and then he'll ask if there's a motion concerning the reading of the warrant. Uh unless somebody has a different idea, uh I will speak and move that the reading of the warrant be dispensed with. Uh, assuming that goes well and is seconded, that will be a vote. The

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motion could potentially carry and we'll dispense with the reading of the warrant. [snorts] >> Sounds good. >> Any questions on that? >> Nope. >> One of the things you can do here at this meeting is just get the board support for each item. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I assume the board's going to

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support that motion. You might ask. >> Okay. >> And have Sure. And get them to vote. >> Yep. >> I want you want to vote on each of the items. >> Okay. So I will entertain a motion uh to allow me to speak to that um effect to dispense with the reading of the warrant. >> So move

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>> second. So just to clear Tom that the board of selectmen um recommends the dispensing of the reading. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. So so that motion will be I'll make a motion to I'll entertain a motion >> to the board of selectmen will um recommend the dispensing of the reading of the warrant.

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>> So >> second ask who's voting on this. >> The selectman right now. We're just doing our recommendations >> right now. Us that'll be the crow that'll be the crowd once it's made motion and seconded. >> But if they want to to Paul's point, if they want to select an recommendation, we'll have it for them.

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>> Yes. >> So that's Yes. All >> right. Yep. Okay. So all those in favor I oppose. Uns. Okay. >> And then this the dispensing uh with the article lottery uh article lottery. The town's customary practice may include the selection of articles by lottery. Those are the ping-pong balls. Um and

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then there will Bert will ask if there's a motion concerning the order in which the articles will be considered. Um does anybody else want the next one or just keep >> I can take it if you want to share it. Yeah. And I again I think if just to Paul's point if we want to uh entertain a motion to for the board to approve um

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the waving of the lottery. >> Okay. Let's make that recommendation. I I will make a motion to have the board of stockman approve the um foregoing of the lottery uh balls. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? I >> I unanimous. Okay. So, I am doing the dispensing of the warrant. Jonathan has

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the lottery >> lottery explanation. >> And then at that point, Bert will jump back in. Uh assuming that passes. Um >> question is the second part with articles five and six being presented together or is that >> Wait, we got there. We're going we're going there right now. >> Oh, okay. I thought it was part of two.

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>> Y >> um so we'll we'll we'll take that vote. Oh, so I see what you're saying, Bert. So do you want to at the same time? So foregoing the lottery is one through four. >> Sure.

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>> Five and six is separate >> and five and six are married together. So it should actually be two separate things. Correct. >> Yeah, I would think. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So at that point, Jonathan will move to the to forego the lottery system. Sure. >> We'll vote. >> The crowd will vote. You know the voters

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will vote and then we'll jump back in. Bill, do you want to do that? >> Which one? Um, you'll make a motion to take up articles five and six together for the purposes of presentation and discussion. >> I don't think that's not our vote. That's isn't that that's his call.

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So B just says that >> yeah, it's it's the moderator's discretion if an article if two articles are linked. That's >> all right. So you'll do the then he announces the marriage. >> Bert will say that those are linked because it's his it's his meeting. >> Okay. Um, and then Bert will go into

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before page two, before we begin discussion of the warn articles, the town would like to provide additional information regarding the Commonwealth circuit breaker, etc. And then Bert will choose, if he so chooses, uh, to recognize a representative of the Halifax Elementary School District, which is, as far as I know, Lauren Law is the chair. Bert, is that your

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understanding as well? >> Yes, it is. >> Okay. >> Um, and then there's an explanation there about once the process of being certified and so forth. And then Bert could then choose the plan is to then recognize out oftowner uh Dr. P um superintendent at that time.

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>> Well, she the way it was explained to me was that Lauren was going to explain it if there were questions from the from the town's people that that Lauren can't handle. She asked if it would be okay to refer it to the superintendent and I told her yes I have no problem. >> And so she asked you permission for the

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to do call Dr. Jill Dr. >> where she's not a resident also. Don't we have to vote to have auto copies? >> No. No. >> She's a department head. >> She's a department heads can speak. >> It's so it was written in our bylaws a number of times ago that Charlie had to

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be asked >> to vote every time, but but only department heads have that special authority. >> Good question though. Good clarification question. Let's get it right. Okay. So then uh Dr. Pru could theoretically speak. Yeah. >> And then uh we move to the consideration

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of the articles. um as printed we go to article one which will then >> so I I'll go to the mic and say Mr. moderator. Article one is no longer necessary. I move the town pass over article one. >> Okay, that's my question. Where where

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he's presented the whole thing, does does he have to be the one to uh to pass over it or make the motion to pass over it or >> as long as he does it? >> It's his article. >> Yeah, it's his it's his party. >> That's what I meant. It's his article.

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Does he have to be the one? >> He doesn't have to be, but it's advantageous for him to be the one. Yeah. Yeah. >> I'll just call on >> Okay. >> So, if the Do you want an explanation of why we're passing it over? >> No. >> Okay.

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>> I don't think it's necessary. >> Just a question on formality. If it's passed over, can it be revisited? >> Could be. Could be. >> Okay. So, if necessary, they could we could always circle back >> if there's a motion to reconsider. >> Reconsider. >> Okay.

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>> We want to get into like reconsidering. Okay. Okay. >> All right. So then on page three, we would move to article two. >> Same motion. >> I can see it on your It's not around your wrist. Um so then Gordon would then indicate that article two is no longer

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necessary. Bert would then put it to a vote. Bert would then announce the presentation or the introduction of article 3. >> So then I'd get back up to the mic and >> I'm reading this. Correct. It's not just I move the town vote as set forth. I'm

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reading the motion. >> Correct, Gordon. You're reading the article three motion that's on the handout. >> Okay. >> But you're not reading this out. >> I'm going to read where it's >> I move that. >> I move that the town appropriately >> and to amend portion as well. >> Yep.

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>> Um I do have a tendency to swap numbers sometimes when I read. So watch please watch that. >> Okay. >> Okay. Does Does any part of that move onto the back of the yellow sheet with a graph? >> Yes. >> Okay. So he's going to continue all the way down >> until when the entirety of page two or

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does he stop when it says normal town of Halifax meeting? >> I'm going to stop at that normal town. Stop. >> Okay. Just go. That's fine. >> Okay. So I guess my my thought was to you B if anybody

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wants a hold on these items >> you would you would ask that question. Is there a hold on any of the items? >> Well after you read it. >> Yeah. Uh then yes, I'm going to go through and and and go by the lines that are here and make an announcement. If

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there's a hold on on any lines to go uh we'll put a hold on it. And if there's no hold on it, then it's going to be assumed that it's going to be included in the actual ending vote once the discussion is ended. >> Okay. >> If no I mean if nobody puts a hold on

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it. >> Okay. Wishful thinking. But uh >> so there is a technical procedural step because he's made a motion that includes everything. So there has to be essentially a motion to divide the question or you as moderator

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can decide for the orderly process of the meeting you're going to divide the question into these separate motions. So either you decide it or you have you leave it to town meeting to ask

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them. Can we divide the question into separate? >> Oh, and both the ones that that there is no hold on first and then go back. Is that what you're saying? Would you say divide them? >> Yeah, >> it could come up with stabilization. Yeah, right now they're all

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>> So the the first half of the sheet, these items are all just a um >> majority, >> right? Exactly. >> And then >> stabilization for for elementary and police and then the gota funds are just

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the simple majority. >> Yeah. So if if you have everything voted at the same time and it's less than 2/3, they all are defeated. >> Yeah. Unless you divide the question so each one stands alone.

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>> Back to right back to the one big bucket of different >> Oh, do do we got to keep kicking that voice? Come on. >> I think it might be advantageous for for you to say why don't we do the items from the front page >> separately >> the the five lines here and say because

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it's a simple majority vote, why don't we have a vote on that item? Yep. >> And then probably a separate vote on the school >> on the top two >> and separate vote on the police and then Got those together. >> Yeah. And then you have three groups. You have the front page. >> Yeah.

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>> Second elementary school next vote. Police next vote and the last two together. >> Does that make sense, Bert? You got those? >> Yeah. >> So now that we have this part Okay. >> Yeah. >> What is the feeling of the board? >> Well, we got to circle back and make recommendations on all these things. All

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these individual articles. So that my question too is do we need I was asking Stephen do we need recommendations on the articles that are being passed over >> only if they're revisited and they ask us for them >> right >> are we recommended to pass them over do that >> it's generally a good idea for you to

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decide you want to pass them over >> right okay >> so can we make official recommendations that we s the board of selectman recommends passing over those articles >> when when Gordon speaks to article one and chooses to pass it over >> Mhm. Before it goes to a vote, Bert, you

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would then is is the order there that he would then ask the finance committee and or this board of selectmen for their recommendation and we would make that recommendation or pass over. >> A typical town you're speaking >> a typical town meeting would have the moderator ask the finance committee for it recommendation and the select. So we

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should have our opinion on >> we want to pass over their recommendation >> on the motion to pass over. >> So our recommendation is to pass over on article one. >> Okay. >> We'll take them each individually. You should be there should be a vote to that effect. >> Okay. So just so I have the order right. Gordon would present it to the moderator

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the moderator then turn to the fincom and board of sak in some order. >> At that point we would offer the board recommend board of sman recommendations to passing over. >> Correct. Okay. >> Am I taking that? Do you want me to take all these or do you want want to split them up per usual? What do you want to do? >> Well suggesting you actually have a motion.

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>> Yeah we'd officially make a motion motion. Yes. I'll make a motion that the board of selectmen when asked if to present an a recommendation on article one that we recommend that the article passed over. >> So move second. >> All those in favor? I. Okay. Who is handling that? Should we be asked? I'll take it. Just going over. >> Sure. Sure.

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>> All right. And then number two. >> I'm sorry, but what happens to motion to pass over? >> Well, then it's just just a recommendation. >> So that's just the recommend. And then you'll put it to the >> Yeah. Get the FINCOM's recommendation to pass over. get the selectman's recommendation on passing over

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>> that you got to have them vote. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> And then the vote to the public. Okay. So then article two, Gordon will then recommend again for the article to be passed over. When asked to speak, I will make a motion. I make a motion here that the board of selectment make a recommendation at the time for article two to be passed over.

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>> So second. >> All those in favor? I. And >> Jonathan Abil, would you want to speak to that one? Recommend. I'll take it if you want. >> Okay. Jonathan. Sure. What are you speak What are you speaking to? >> If people have any questions as to why we want to pass over it.

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>> Okay. >> They might not. >> They might not. >> And the explanation is as simple as the article is no longer necessary. >> No longer necessary. Um and has been essentially incorporated into article everything's been incorporated in article 3

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>> again. So if so if you if you ask me to explain I'll explain that it didn't >> the free cash is no longer available as of June 30th. So because of that it's kind of a move point >> correct motion. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Question. Yeah.

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>> I'm fine. >> Um okay. So the meat and bones of this one is article three. >> Yep. >> Um Gordon will Gordon will introduce the article. At that time, um, Bert would then turn to the finance committee and the board of select and ask for a

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recommendation. >> Um, >> so as we discussed, there was going to be like three motions. One a motion to do the first >> five first five. >> Yep. >> So take a position on that. >> Yep. Okay. Uh, what is the board's

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pleasure on lines 125, 54, 22, 13, and 124 as it relates to article 3 and the board of selectman position? I am torn, you know, as it's onetime funding. Um, >> this is actually not onetime funding. >> No, this is raise and allocate. >> Oh, this is the raise and allocate part.

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>> Yep. >> So, this is the extra money that >> Where does it say that? Right here. >> This is the extra money that went into the reserve fund >> to appropriate >> to make it $300,000. >> Where is it on my sheet? >> I I move that the town appropriate. >> I'll appropriate right here.

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>> Yep. Yeah, >> appropriate is fine. Yeah, I'm good. I'm good on that one then. >> Okay. >> All right. So, I will um entertain a motion um in regards to line article 3 that the board of selectmen approve and support the motion as it relates to

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lines 125, 54, 22, 13, and 124. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I unanimous. Okay. >> Well, just a footnote to this. I very much want to have the language that I put in here to >> Yes, I will read that. That's that paragraph >> to take care of any possible claim that

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there was any wrongdoing by the finance >> the ratifi the ratify. So we'll make sure that's read. So >> he's going to read that forbidden. That's the plan. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So I hope you all support that part of this. [clears throat] These five items is also

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>> part Yep. That part of our >> uh moving to the back. So we'll take these individually. Um these next two Jonathan are the the one time >> the ones stabilization funds. >> All right. So um as it relates to line 69 which is elementary school costs

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proposing the uh the transfer of 200,000 um the board of select will then be asked for a possible recommendation on that. Um when we are asked that uh actually we just back up. Bill, did you want to speak to that when asked that we support uh

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>> the 300? Somebody has somebody has to say I recommends. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um so back to line 69 elementary school costs. >> Um this is when we'd be asked for the recommendation. No, >> this I don't know. Do you want to go first, Jonathan, or not? >> No, you go you go first here.

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>> So this is the onetime funds. And just to be very clear on this, as I've as I mentioned before, and I think out loud the public, um I was supportive of this for a number of reasons from the outset with conflicted opinions. My opinion drastically changed when the information came out recently that that the school

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committee and Dr. Pru will elaborate on. So I mean I I would vote I would I would make a motion after we talk about it. My opinion would be to support this in light of recent information. However, I think it's important that at some point in time, somebody in the room tonight,

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and I'll do it if nobody else does it, or it needs to be said, acknowledges that these are band-aids. >> Not even. >> And there's going to be a need sooner rather than later for a a constructive override, a comprehensive override to include possible debt exclusions at

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Silver Lake and, you know, other things as well. There's a growth problem in health. There's a I'm not sure it's a spending problem, it's a revenue problem. And anything we do here tonight is a short-term fix much like we did last year. >> Correct. >> And I don't know if the the fault was ours or a combination of things. But the

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override, I'm not sure didn't get prioritized, but I'm not sure as much steam as it should have or could have. I think it's incumbent upon all of us at this table this time next year to support that override. And tonight needs to be known that this is a short-term solution. So I don't know when it's

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appropriate to say that and that's might be too wordy when we recommend or not but I think that should be acknowledged at some point because >> I think I think when they sorry to cut you off I think when they ask for the recommendation I mean if that's the will of the board then I think that needs to be explained >> at that time is that is that an

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appropriate time to say that? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Just any money taken out of stabilization >> right >> being coming from cash be put right back in. >> Is the plan is to put it back in in in the special. That's the point I was going to make that there's a a commitment that somebody needs to make,

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>> but it's not a binding. You can't make it's not a b it's not an illegal commitment. It's not a legal commitment. It's a strong suggestion in a hope and an expectation on good faith. >> But somebody like the board of selectmen and it's not going to come from the finance committee I gather.

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>> So the somebody has got to >> make that commitment. So when you when you when you ask me to explain the article, I I plan on saying that $727,000 is coming back from the school as this

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the school discussed previously. And the intent would have been to use those funds if they were available. It's not available right now. It has to go through the free cash certification process. So my intent with this motion tonight is to take from the

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stabilization fund and when those funds become reertified to take this amount of money and put it back into stabilization. So it just acts as a bridge loan for the few months until the next stop meeting >> by any specified time or date. >> I I can't we can't control the free

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cashification. >> We don't have a known >> we don't have a date yet. >> But okay. So, if you're prepared to say that, then I would be prepared, if we so recommend in a minute, to vote that way. I'll speak to this line 69. >> Okay. >> Since we're taking them separately. >> Sure. >> And I would vote that the board of

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selectman approves line 69. >> And then when I after I finish that statement, if that's the way we go, at that point, I would discuss >> my thoughts on it. >> Your thoughts on it? >> Yeah. My thoughts. >> That makes the most sense. So, >> what is the total amount in this position?

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>> $2,29,000. at last check um late last week. >> Okay. >> So that might be something worth coming from you when you speak to it >> as chairman of the board. Yes. Yeah. >> That the stabilization fund has >> currently the stabilization fund has over $2 million. >> $2 million. Yeah. 2 million29,000 at the

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last check. So I would say if approved in a minute uh the board select recommends line 69 um as printed and to speak to it we talk about the concerns I have but at the same time stabilization has over $2 million in it at this current time the plan and the hope and the commitment that we're making here

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tonight would be to replenish those funds once those funds are certified by the state. >> Yeah. Okay. Any questions or comments on that? >> Yeah. >> The total amount we're taking out is >> 436. >> No 350 21. Yeah. 35021.

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>> Yeah. >> So, could we have a motion? >> I was gonna ask any more questions. Oh, good. >> No, I think I'm in lock step with you. Um, I still don't believe in using one time funds. I know I know it's and even Gordon, I'm sure, will tell. >> I I

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>> I know policy-wise it's a bad move. I think >> where it was used last year and it was basically a bridge loan. >> We're using less than half of what was used for a bridge loan the previous year. Sure. >> So the situation isn't getting worse. It

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is it is getting better. >> But it needs to be acknowledged that that 727 that's being returned now is not an annual thing. It is much much more than we can anticipate. So I think that's why it's important to recognize >> it's a temporary solution and abandoned. So this should be the first step. The next step would be to replenish the stabilization fund upon reertification

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of free cash but then to work towards a constructive solution which is a responsibly put together comprehensive override >> absent new growth or something happening. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I will make a motion that the board of selectmen uh at time meeting

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recommend line 69. >> Some move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? [snorts] I. Okay. Much the same. Um the next one is the line 46. Um, and I Okay, so I all things being equal, I think it's the same exact situation. >> Same situation.

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>> Okay. So I will And uh Jonathan, do you want to speak to police wages? >> If they ask. Sure. >> If they ask >> um for the recommendation >> for the recommendation. Yeah. >> Um do you want to speak to each individual line? Is that how we're going to do it? If we're voting on each individual line separately, >> I think if there's questions, you should

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be prepared to speak. >> Yeah. So my my intent would be that if there's questions as to how the funds would be spent that that would be to the department head, >> right? >> Like the $200,000 will there will there

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be restorations of how many >> I think they're going to address that prior to us getting to the article. My understanding is that's going to be addressed at the outset >> by either Lauren and I can see the police >> either Lauren and or Jill is prepared to speak to how the funds are being allocated at the beginning. Okay,

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>> that's the my understanding. If not, if not, it should then be asked before we approve. I'll make a point that it be addressed and asked. >> Sure. >> Because that's got to that's the deal. You know, that's important. >> Okay. I So, I will entertain a motion then when asked, Jonathan will speak to line 46 and I make a recommendation that

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the board of selectment um recommend line 46 as printed. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Okay. >> The next two are going to be lumped in together. Before you leave that still, you should make the same statement about >> a commitment or an intention. >> Sure.

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>> Yeah. Jonathan's going to >> I will I will make that. Sure. >> Yeah. Jonathan's going to make >> a from >> Yeah. Jonathan will put his own spin on the version of whatever I put forward, whatever his own. >> It sounds like you're I'm making stuff up here. Spin. [laughter] >> Jonathan can put his own words together

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or speak to the same effect. The goal is to be unified in this regard because they apply to the same theory. And again, both of these are two/3 votes. >> That's correct. Because of the stabilization. >> Okay. [snorts] Uh lines 114 and 125 are the final two here. Um and we're going

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to lump them in together on a vote here tonight. >> I I would assume that you would because they're both simple majority. And I'll be saying the same thing. The funds are due to a contract the town has signed. It's 98 approximately $98,000 a year. It can be used to fund uh salaries,

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expenses for the vans, the van drivers. >> So th this use of money isn't one time. It it's associated with a contract that the town has and it's a reimbursement >> different salaries besides the 114 line.

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>> So 125 >> is going to include salaries that are >> it would be admin to be announced >> admin or uh van drivers. That's what it is. So, a part-time admin and then drivers, two drivers. >> Didn't know there were any other employees there. >> Well, we were mistaken.

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>> Well, that Well, that's the other thing that happened is when the line was zeroed out, we were unaware that the drivers were lumped into the clerical line. So, the drivers were zeroed out as well. >> Okay. >> So, >> and who's handling the air conditions if this question?

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>> Bill on that one. So, Bill's going to take the council on aging >> and Darlene should be there to be able to talk to the specifics of um gadget mechanics. 98,000 is the contract. >> Um >> just in case, but just so you know, B, >> can I can I just ask a clarifier? Like

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>> I I know we don't want to speak of our last town meeting, but do we know why we didn't throw Gatra in like the last meeting? Why why >> we were unaware we were unaware of the amount of money that had piled up over the years? So these are funds that are generally if they were in any other type

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of fund like a department fund, they'd be kicked back to the general fund, but because they're reimburseables from a grant or associated with the regional transit authority, they just sit in that account and accumulate year after year. So there's probably a number of years where the account was had money in it and it just kind of stacked >> and over time it became about I think

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114 $17,000, right? >> Nothing was being paid. >> It was just Yeah. It was sitting there >> one time. >> Okay. So I will make a motion >> that we have bill speak to and recommend the board of sen recommends lines 114

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>> questions >> partial bandaid. >> Yeah. No >> I mean it probably right sizes it now >> 114 and 12. >> Well the the so right now you have over a year's worth of money in the fundre.

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So as long as >> the reimbursement >> matches >> Yeah. is sent in, >> it's it won't be just a one-time fund. >> It'll continue to >> it continues as long as we have the contract in place. It will continue. So, you'll be able to use this as a funding

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source next year as a note. >> And as the traffic picks up, there'll be more funding available for reimbursement. >> And again, just to be clear, guys, we're we're looking to use that extra money coming in to reestablish this money. >> Yes. >> So, technically, we are using that

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onetime fund to restack what we're doing. You know what I'm saying? I know it's I know it's splitting hairs. >> Yeah, but you can use that for that. >> You can use it's like an energy fund essentially, John. No, I know. >> So, it's like the water enter. >> It's water and trash. I know. >> Yeah. >> Just just for my own understanding, if

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the if the money from the uh circuit break the school and whatnot, >> has that if that comes out of a certain account, does this reimbursement have to go back into that account account before it gets transferred or is that >> So, the way this school funding works,

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>> stabilization fund. Yeah, >> I'm sorry. I just don't know how that >> So, the way the the way the circuit breaker works is the town >> the town had to spend the money >> the following year the state gives the town the money into a circuit breaker account. The town has to spend that

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money within two years. >> Okay. So because the money wasn't going to be spent because we lost the students that we would have spent the money on what was what DESIE allowed the school to do was spend it on other special needs programs that normally wouldn't be

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part of the normal expenditures. >> It's only school related >> program. So that's what the circuit breaker money was. >> So the $727,000 that's coming back to the town was actually the town's money that was spent. It's not circuit breaker money. >> Okay. So then that if that money came

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out of a specific account for the town and us to for us to get reimbured does it have to go back into that same account before we can disperse it? >> No, I just >> so the >> in case I'm asked and that's why Jill and Lauren will be there. So what could have happened with

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that money is had had it been announced that that money was a surplus in the line, then it could have been useful line item transfers or we could have I I would recommend setting up a uh special needs stabilization fund and we could

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have moved at the at the special town meeting in May. We could have moved money into that and then we could have also taken another sum of money and put it into the general stabilization fund or or used it for capital items or used

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it for anywhere. But the it's not circuit breaker funds that are returned to the town. It was they were allowed to use circuit breaker funds on the elementary school and return the town's money. >> Sorry to make a good question. Came up last night, too. >> Clarifying question. >> Oh, I didn't. Sorry, I missed that.

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>> That's all right. Yeah, probably. >> Okay. So, I will make a motion because we're going to handle these together, correct? 114 to 125 together. So, I will make a motion when asked just similar as we lumped them the the front ones that the boardman to recommend the uh pass we

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recommend uh lines 114 to 125. >> So, move second. >> All those in favor? I and Bill, you will speak to that. Okay. >> Okay. So that's that and then there's a a note there um and then a summary of the financial impact down below. >> You doing that? So

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>> um I wasn't planning on reading that. I think that's just forational post. That's just for just information. >> Y for the public. >> Um okay. And then back to the handout >> once uh we will then uh proceed to

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article four uh which Gordon will speak to at that time. >> Correct Gordon? >> Yes. You don't have any other contracts settled. So there's nothing >> correct. So there's nothing there's nothing to say. And at that point we don't even have to go to the fin of the board select me because there's nothing to even consider. >> There's a couple that are closed, >> right?

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>> So article four will be passed over and that's it. >> Take that. >> Yeah. So uh I will make a motion that um we support and the boardman recommends the passing over of article 4. >> So second. >> All those in favor? I. Okay. Unanimous. >> So that's article four. Those that

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concludes the citiz [clears throat] petition portion. Bert on articles five and six will have already made mention that they are together. They are linked together and must be taken in order. Um article five proposes uh to resend the vote establishing the P5 settlement stabilization fund >> uh in its entirety. I have an

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explanation which I would be fine reading unless anybody else wants to. >> Yeah. No, you got it. >> Um and the simple reason for that is that the [snorts] fund was intended to protect the settlement proceeds for water quality projects but it putting it into a stabilization funds requires a twothirds vote for appropriations. So we'll vote will that will be um

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presented to that to rescend article 5. >> One question somebody else asked me was were there any funds put into that account yet? >> Yet no. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. So I will make a motion to approve or I'm sorry I will make a motion to

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recommend the passing of article 5 as printed. >> So second. >> All those in favor? I unanimous. Okay. >> Again majority vote on that one. >> Simple majority. >> Super simple majority. >> Yep. >> Thank you. And then with the recend with the rec assuming article five passes with the recision if it doesn't pass then article six doesn't have to be

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taken up >> correct I guess. Yeah if article five is not if article five is not doesn't resend the one from town meeting >> just for your private information once you adopt a u special purpose

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stabilization fund it has to last for three years can't be repealed during that period of time. So that although we are taking action to rescend the vote that

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will not be effective for three years, >> but there's nothing in the in the fund, >> right? >> So we would just choose fund a different account if article passes. >> So you don't put money into it. It's there, but we don't use that fund. >> Right. >> Okay. So whether article 5 passes or not, we take up article six and if

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article six article six passes, we then can use article the funds described in article six when funded and skip over article five and close that account after 3 years. >> Okay. So um >> you can vote now to close it. It just won't take effect. >> Won't take effect. >> Well, I don't think we should close it until after

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>> Well, close it now. If it's going to take three years, >> what happens if article six doesn't pass? We have no place to put the money. We've established a fund. But >> no, you have three years to put the money. Then you have to act >> even if we even if we vote to close it. If we vote to close the account now [snorts] >> and then article six fails

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>> and we have pas settlement funds and you could ask the moderator to hold question six first. >> Yeah. >> Is that does that drive Paul? >> Yeah. I'm just thinking that you I think you need a twothirds vote to uh

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>> repeal the PAS special revenue special purpose stabilization fund. >> I'm just reading this thing from Department of Revenue. So you need a twothirds vote and it takes >> three years. >> Three years.

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Um and the easy way is just not to use it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, so >> simple question. Do we even need article five on the warrant, >> right? >> Probably not. We just establish the new fund and just put it into that.

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>> So, why would we even Why are we even messing with it? Let's just establish a new >> Why is it on there? Why is it on it? >> If you know it's something that needs to be taken care, do it. >> We have everybody here tonight. So, yeah. Fine. >> All right. So >> I would do I I would ask the moderator

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to do six first >> then five >> because that way if the new fund is established >> yes >> makes sense. Yeah it does make sense. >> Okay and nothing we talked about earlier about did we vote on approving having B

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marry five and six earlier? >> They're married. >> Yeah [clears throat] they're married. They're still married but doing it first >> but have have six go and then five. >> Okay. You okay with that, Bert? >> Sure. I don't specifically understand why they're asking, but okay.

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>> Well, I think the thought would be to establish the fund the the order of operations in article six before we resend and repeal what we did with article 5. >> So, Senator, can I ask Tom where is that money right now? Where is that sitting right now? >> It's sitting in the general fund. >> It's in general fund still. We haven't moved it. We haven't touched it at all.

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>> We haven't touched it yet. >> I have checks. >> So, yeah. So we could we could do article six first and then five after. >> That way we can put the money somewhere. >> So that should be a motion to do article six ahead of article five. >> Mhm. >> Somebody needs to make

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>> now or on the floor. >> On the floor. >> So when it gets to five >> when when I finish four, do you want me to say >> you get it? >> Yeah, we should we should speak to that. >> Yeah. But >> you want to say that Phil? Mr. Moderator, I I move to Right. >> take up article six

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>> before five. Four, five. Okay, so article five, board of funding, we're going to skip that. Article six, bill is going to speak in aspert to move to article six, uh, which establishes a receipts reserve for appropriation account for the peace fast settlement funds. >> Am I reading this whole thing when I make that motion or not?

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>> Yeah. Well, you I would make the motion I would I would make the motion to take article six, >> Mr. Moderator. And the explanation would be and that's what you would that's when you would read that. >> Yep. All right. Um and then we would need to make a recommend when Bert puts that on the floor of the fincom the board of stock we would want to have a recommendation readily available for

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article six I will make a motion to uh recommend article six as printed >> second >> all those in favor I >> and circling back if we get to article five do we need a contingent here I mean I'm just trying to think as a

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what's the so educate me what's the downside let's let's just devil's advocate I don't anticipate it but article six does not pass and now we have only the stabilization fund to place PAS PAS settlement funds in. Do we even want to take up article 5 or leave that account as is? So we have an option

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on the table. >> You could just hold the money in that account and then establish it at the Maytown meeting because I think the >> I guess I mean I I guess it's on us to explain why I don't foresee anybody having a reason to not do away with that with that. I would agree, but when you

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put a town full of people with a lot of opinions. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. Sure. >> I'm just trying not to get surprised. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, no. I know. As long as we stress to the folks that this is a housekeeping measure that, you know, we've established this with article 6. Um, and and that's where the money will be going, there's there's no need anymore.

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>> I mean, if article six passes, then yes, let's let's make a motion to repeal article 5 or send article 5. So, what you have here for article six is to see if the town will vote to raise an appropriate transfer from available funds and or borrow $300,000. So, your

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motion needs to say where you getting this money from. >> And that's article six. >> That's article six. >> So, bill when when bill says Mr. moderator under article 6. I move that the town vote is set forth in the motion establish a PAS >> res because this says to fund the

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expenditures necessary to mitigate the effects of PAS >> y on the town's water supply expenditures to be made at the discretion of the town's water commissioners. So where's the money coming from? >> The general fund. >> So it's in the general fund. >> Mhm.

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>> And it's it's but not from taxation. It's from proceeds. Yeah, >> that we have in the general front. But it but every mo every every article needs to say where the money the funding source is coming from. >> So we got to make sure. >> So it should say from proceeds of PAS

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settlements in the general >> in the general fund. You got that bill. >> So I'm reading this too. >> This >> I would [clears throat] this this >> this >> that. No this >> this that and then that. >> Okay. So, and >> did you hear the

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>> It's coming from the general funds. >> PAS funds. >> PAS from that are in the general >> previously placed in the general fund. >> So, again, if if article six does not pass, we not just going to resend the five or we changed that.

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>> If article six doesn't pass, >> right? That's what you said. >> Well, that was that that was my question. >> Yeah. it according to department of revenue has you have to have either one or the other. >> So if article six passes we move to article five and vote to rescend it. That would be the plan. If article six

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fails for whatever reason >> then we just pass over article 5 since we have to have a established fund >> for peace of fast settlement. >> We don't have to we don't have to fund it but that one has to be available and open which we do have and are in compliance now. Correct. >> We could just put it on full time. >> Fine. We put it the next time you can try again.

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>> That would be okay. So I'll make a motion. We've uh established five and six. [clears throat] Circling back to five, can we make a contingent motion on that? >> Contingent in what way? >> If article six passes and article 5 is revisited, I propose that the board of selectman recommend and then lay out the two options or is it two separate

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options, two separate motions right here? >> Well, the moderator said he was going to link the two articles. >> Mhm. >> So, five and six. By linking them, Robert's rules of order would say you

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can discuss both articles at the same time. So you can explain whatever it is you want about five and six. >> So when Bill speaks to six, we can then said the board of selectment correct additionally recommends recommending article five should article six pass and should article six fail, we recommend

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passing over article 5. >> Yep. >> Mhm. >> Good. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. I I so I will make a motion that when asked for a board of select recommendation article six that the board of recommend uh board of select recommend article six and since the two

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items are linked when asked on article five if article six fails that we skip over and pass by article 5. If article 6 passes that the board of sle vote to recommend article 5. >> So >> second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Unanimous. Yes.

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>> One question. >> Uh how much money have has the town received so far? Because that's going to be a question to test, >> right? >> Uh I think Lindsay I think Lindsay has the number. We can ask. >> We'll need it. >> I know we're moving 300 because it's about um it was enough to make sure we could pay off the ban. So I want to say

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the total in there is probably around 730K. >> There's a magic number tonight. No, I was going to say, wait a minute. You sure? Number sounds familiar. >> All right. >> I'm just going to go check and see. >> So, we're doing article six, but you

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article five. I'm going to say >> you're going to say both. >> Yep. So, let's just >> Article six doesn't pass. >> Then we we skip over article five, right? If article six passes, then the board of selectman recommends artic move to article five and the board of sman recommends. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, just to recap quickly, um

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I on page one am going to recommend that the warrant be dispensed with. The reading of the warrant be dispensed with. Jonathan when u prompted will recommend the dispensing of the lottery system. >> Um Bill will then when Oh no, how do we leave article five and six? Are you going to say that Jonathan is part of

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the same thing or >> Bill? Bill was bill was moved. When asked, Bill will link art ask the moderator to link article five and six together for purposes of discussion. >> Um, and when we get to the actual articles themselves, >> that wasn't actually just to clarify, that's Bert's call. That wasn't

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>> that's why that wasn't a recommendation that saying that those are linked >> article. When we get to the actual articles printed, I will vote or I recommend we pass over article one and explain why if asked. Jonathan will take article two which uh it passed article

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three um and that's when we went to the sheet uh bill you were the front page on article three correct board of selectman this is due >> yes okay

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>> I recommend the 25 >> uh I will recommend and then speak to the opinion of the board uh on elementary school Jonathan then the same on police wages M and then bill the final two lumping them together on 114 to 125 on the council on agent contra funds. >> Yes.

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>> Okay. And then we get back to article five and six. Bill will take that up. Six passes. We resend article five and recommend it. We recommend article six and recommend article 5 be rescended. If article six fails we recommend passing over article 5 as printed. >> Yi sounds good questions.

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>> The only thing that we didn't discuss was uh treasure collector accountant and library. So I I I'm going to say in working with the town administrator looking at uh what happened that I

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included these lines as part of my motion. >> And then the uh the library is just the library budgeting >> an arithmetic >> arithmetic issue that make sure we ensure that the clarification stays in place >> by October 1st the money had to be appropriated. Yep. >> Yep. >> Okay.

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>> But the other two I will certainly explain from you know the view viewpoint of department heads there's been a decrease in efficiency and things are you know not not mistakes are being made but we've seen a drop in efficiency and that's why the town would like to see these positions. >> Are you going to speak that or only when

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asked? >> Only when asked if asked. >> Okay. Fine. >> Yeah that's fine. >> And so you're going to say you l you work together with the town administrator. That's the way >> I say I'm fine with that fine. Yeah that's fine. that a lot. >> Bird, do you have any questions? >> Uh,

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>> or concerns? >> I think so. >> Okay. >> No. >> Bill, anything. Jonathan, anything? >> Let me make my hands go up. Please jump in if I have questions. >> We make a motion to uh dissolve the not >> or to dissolve the not to continue it

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over to there. No, he means Oh, at the end. Oh. Oh, to dissolve it. We can >> whoever >> fam can do that. >> Once article five is done, uh I'll make the motion to to wrap it up. >> Unless you wanted to >> unless you wanted to. I

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>> I'm not inclined to call it. >> Well, he called the meeting. I mean, technically I >> I mean I will make the motion to dissolve that meeting. That's fine. Yep. >> Thank you. And >> if you if you forget, we'll jump in and get out of here. [laughter] >> Pam, any questions, problems? >> Oh, no. >> Thank you as always for your help. Do you have anything to add?

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>> No. >> Thank you for your work. Paul did a great job. Okay. >> Just that the moderator needs to be prepared if there's a challenge. >> If a voter gets up and says, >> you need to be prepared to stand behind the decision on scope of

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articles. If some voter gets up and says, "Well, wait a second. What are we voting on?" Yeah. Hundreds of thousands of dollars here. 423,000 with all that. That wasn't in the warrant, >> right? It's your call

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by law to decide whether or not something's within the scope of the article and each of these articles has the magic words after it or take any other action related there too

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which means you can go beyond the wording of the particular article. So >> this wording right here would have taken any action there. That that was the encapsulation of what allowed this to

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take place. >> Right. >> So if some if some voter challenges it >> explanation that's why we're allowed to do it. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Anything else from the room? Questions, comments, concerns? >> No. I've seen a lot of people walk by,

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so I think we could be close to 6:30. >> It is 620 6:17. So there's no motion to adjurnn. Correct. >> I will entertain a motion to continue our discussion and meeting >> down the hall, down the steps, down the ramp, and the gymnasium of the Halifax lunch school. >> Second.

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>> All those in favor? I see you in 13 minutes.