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Okay, it is 6:00. On the 6th of April, 2026, we will call to order the meeting of the Halifax Finance Committee. Uh, this meeting has been posted in accordance with the provisions of MGL 30A section 20B. is being recorded and will be posted in the area 58 community

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access channel. The finance committee and its chair reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed andor voted on at this meeting. Agenda items may be taken out of order for time management considerations. Members present all physically Mike Bennett,

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Frank Johnston, EJ Bryan, uh Rod Hemingway, and myself Jim Walters. So we will go ahead and get started. Um the first item that we have on the agenda was a was meeting minutes. Um so since they just came out yesterday, we're going to push that till our next meeting

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because I think there's still some corrections that need to be made. Um so there will be no review of vote on that for that specific agenda item which takes us to our next agenda item which will be the review of the proposed town hall uh for our town meeting. For that,

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I will turn it over to our administrator, Steve Solo. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, thanks for having me. And as Jim said, I'm here. Um, the town warrant is tightening up. Um, we're going to be going off to print

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probably this week. So, I'm here with you tonight to go through the articles and figure out which ones Fin would make, you know, recommendations on. Obviously, we're not trying to all of them, but obviously it's most of them. So, we'll we'll quickly do that tonight

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and then I'll take any other questions that people may have and we'll go from there. Um, so me and J before the meeting, what I'm going to do is I'm just going to sort of go down the list and you guys will make your um conversations and your suggestions and then I'll jot them down so I can get

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into the warrant tomorrow before we present this to the bonus cycle on Wednesday. We'll do it. All right. So article one the see now will vote to amend the wage from personnel va as presented below and as recommended by flip finance committee

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or take any other action relative there too. So for this 0% cost of living adjustment for all non-un possession positions effective July 1, 2026 is the existing compensation and classification plan.

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So I'm pretty sure you guys are all aware of what that means. Um that means all what is the total head down it's 18 foot I think it's 14 >> 14 14 requirement heads that are in this union 14 various

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um so that's up for you guys now >> and that's a $18,000 dish and the $30,000 is for the one on the 2% right >> right as we presented during the the budget meetings yeah about $18,000 approximately for 1% goal increase and

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approximately $31,000 for 2%. >> So, Jim, I do I do want to just say on this one um that I'm having a little bit of a hard time making a recommendation on this one in this regard because, you know, they they

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for their their increase in 26. Um, and we're asking them now to do that again going into FY27. And on top of that, with the amount of cuts that are happening at the administration level,

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it's going to be hard for us to look people in the eyes and ask them to continue to put in even more effort to get the job done. Oh, and by the way, you're not going to get a goal this year for the second time. I just I don't think that's a reasonable

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recommendation from from my perspective and always comments from other board members. >> Was it 20 fiscal year 26 or was it 25 years before it was 25? >> It was 25. >> So I read I read something today. I went

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back and looked today and it said 26 where I don't recall where I saw it but I hope I'll find it again. >> Mhm. But it did say 26 >> I thought two years ago that voted down >> right

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down the >> increase. >> Yeah. >> So and I'll I'll say so if that is the case 25 not 26 then I can plain and be correct there. Um,

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it doesn't change my sentence. It's about the amount of work that's going to fall on these people's shoulders for, you know, 16 or $30,000. I think that's um the least that can be done for them.

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I tend to agree. I think that especially so I guess the question would be if there were to be a cola increase of maybe the one or 2% where would those monies come from? Would they come from the uh proposed

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um override? Would they come from another part? Would they come from precash? Where would that money come? >> They could come from a couple different spots. Um, and you pretty much mentioned them. I mean, if the override were to

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pass, they would be left in that reserve fund that I proposed as long as that makes it to million point. Well, which is also being set aside to bargain cuz keep in mind I'm also bargaining with five out of six units right now. Um, so it could come out of of that reserve.

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Um, and then free cash will be the next option after that. Right now, the way the budget lays out, looking at next year, there's about a $15,000 buffer uh into the black. Um, after all the cuts have been installed, there's still some minor minor tweaks like uh there's a

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discussion tomorrow that might be a swing of 10 or 15 grand, but there's still some minor swings there. Nothing major obviously. Um, but again, I think ultimately it would be free cash cuz that's how tight we are in that.

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So, and we're negotiating with all unions this year, right? side. The only one that is not is the one that was created last year. Correct. >> Yeah. >> And the one that was created last year is getting a cost of living in negotiated. Correct. Correct.

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>> So you've had, I'm sure, opening salvos with the current unions. Are any of those not asking for cola this year? >> No, they aren't. >> They all want colas. So then I, you know, then I can absolutely see

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um uh EJ's point of, you know, if everyone else is going to get one, we're going to now um hold 10 10 people now as to not get one. >> 14 people. But still, but still,

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>> it's kind of unfair, right? It's very unfair to ask them to do that when everybody else came. >> And you notice a little bit more on their shows. So here's what I think. Here's here's my post. We change it from zero to 2%. So they get a goal at a new town. If the

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town residents want to change it, then we'll deal with it up to the town. >> Yeah. The res, >> right? Put it through the table like we should be doing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense, guys? >> Yep.

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>> All right. So we will let's talk about the first one then. So, um, do we does it is the is there a motion for the committee to recommend article one of the town warrant as amended here

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tonight? >> So, I just want to make another point on that. Put it to the uh floor at town meeting. Should we put it as one and 2% both line items or how does that work? >> Can that be done? They can choose A or B? >> I think we recommend 2%. Yeah, I think

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we recommend 2%. >> Recommended 2% to show both sets of numbers or how does that how does that lay out at town meeting? >> We would just have the 1% on hand, right? Because we're we're showing the 2% as as our recommendation. The 1% we would have available just like we were

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going in with, >> right? But they can vote one or two. >> I would say we go in with 2%. If they in the fight, we say, "Well, we get one, we give you zero." I think that we need to see both sets of numbers at now meeting. >> We can have a slide starting to put up

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that shows the dollar amount associated with each each increase. >> But we're not going to put the dollar amount in the warrant. Is that correct? >> No, we don't need to put the dollar amount for warrant. We could add what those dollar amounts equate to though because this this warrant will go out to

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print by the end of this week. >> So that means we can bring supplemental materials to town anyway. Yeah, I was just going to say >> we can bring Yeah, I have other supplemental material already planned >> and then that shows the numbers one and two and then then the the residents know

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what know what we're talking about and then if we can show it on the screen as well. >> So my question would be as a followup to that we're we're going to recommend 2%. They would vote that up or down. Then what mechanism is there to go for for to

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is there a citizen initiative to amend to 1%? >> Yes. Well, when when it comes up for discussion, they can make a motion to amend it. >> Okay. And they can say, well, we don't want to do two, but you know, maybe we want to do one or maybe want to do zero.

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And that's when I'd be in favor of something like that. >> Okay. So we're going to present two different numbers, two different percentages or three zero, one two there is zero.

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>> Well, it's always zero. >> Well, we recommend to we would have some materials that would show one two zero option zero zero. I think if we go in and say we have these options, they're going to jump on the >> I think we recommend too and if they ask

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us uh for details and what would be 1% we have the numbers available to us but >> true. Yeah, I don't think it'll go exactly that way, but it'll go somewhere. >> Yeah, guys, the minute sits up on a screen now it's out there. >> Well, yeah, it's not you're not you're not going to be relying on two years

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ago. >> Two years ago, they're all, you know, unhappy about and they wanted to change it. That's when the discussion started like that. >> I mean, that's how we supplemental. We'll have on screen one and two. I see.

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>> Yeah, this is in this in the right. Okay, >> we need to change this a little bit. >> Well, that's what I as Steve how does the war article read now? How will the war article read with the amendment? With the amendment, it would

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say to see if the town will vote to amend the wage and personnel dialogue as presented below and as recommended by the board of selectment and finance committee to take any other action relative there too. 2% cost of living adjustment for all non union positions

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effective July 1st, 2026 within the existing compensation classification plan. >> Okay. And then we're going to add a slide with the 2% and the 1%. Sure. Right. plus a supplemental. >> You have a supplemental that shows the

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different. >> Yeah. So I have a note here, supplemental sheet and not ones. Okay. >> Sir, make sense to everybody? >> Makes sense to me. >> Okay. So, is there a motion to approve? >> Is Cheryl got a question?

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>> Cheryl, you have a question? >> No. Okay. >> Is there a motion to approve article one of the town Warner uh as amended by the committee? So move >> second. >> Okay. Roll vote. Cheryl.

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>> Yes. >> Mike Bennett. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnston. >> Yes. >> EJ. >> Yes. >> Mike Retta. >> Yes. >> Rod. >> Yes. And I'm a yes as well. So that is

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that is recommended. 70 article one. Okay. Article two. Article two. See if the panel will vote. Pursuant to chapter 41, section 108, the journal law must determine the salaries of several elected town officers elected.

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Next um elected town officers July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 or take any other action relative there too. Um for this you are seeing um $1,000 increases.

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So the zero so the cola was taken out and then contractual stipulations were left in. Correct, Lindsay? Um yeah, they get Sue and Linda both get um siphons for having their longevity

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license related to >> um so that's why you see the $1,000 increase from 25 26 >> to 26 27. >> Okay. Um so that would be then again now if I want to do 2%

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for the article one question we need to build in the 2% cuz these are your department which I believe >> the grand total for the 2% or the 1%

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those three were included so it's not an additional anything like that 16 or 31cl So they're banked in here right now. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It would just have to be separated out for the article. >> Okay.

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>> But the grand total of what that increase was includes. >> I included. >> Okay. Okay. >> Just for reference. >> Okay. Now that makes sense. And now it comes down to how you presented it. A little bit more confusing on this one

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because we could show the goal. show the cola included and then have it yeah understood that those are tied into article one as well. All the people on this list that would get a COA, they're not they're not anymore. >> We pulled the No, they're not.

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>> So, we pulled them. We pulled COA. They had been proposed um during budget meetings with a 2% increase. >> Yeah. >> And then we pulled those back and just left in the contractual obligations the department has the statements associated with certifications. So I I think it

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shows more true by having the three columns the the base the cola and the or base including $1,000 right and then the gold separated though just for this is what that 2% for this but it

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actually shows the the insignificance of the amount I think a little bit more as well that way you want us to then we take off a 23 24 column. And >> so that that sounded confusing. So you

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want three columns. >> No, no, no. So So there's there's going to be for 26 27 there'll be two columns, right? Your >> your base salary wants $1,000. Then they get that in >> and then a second column that just shows

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the poll enough for that position. >> Okay. And then a total. >> Yeah. Total if you want. >> Yeah. If you need a total. Yeah. Total. >> I mean, or we could just put the total amount of say for instance on the town

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clerk line instead of 77857 next to it. Add the 2% in. And then it would show that the increase is not that much. I I have a question. The relevance of the prior year salaries. What was that?

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>> Practice as far as Well, it just shows what they're not getting. >> They don't get much out. Well, I just don't understand why, right? It's really, you know, it has nothing to do with becoming this computer here, right? This, you know, we can't we can't change what has been. We can only work with

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what will be. So in my opinion, I think those those first three columns need to go and then it's here's here's what's proposed for this coming year. Here is the here is the certific you know just

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do I would say do a base say for those who have attained their certifications for their roles they get an extra $1,000 and here's the 2% increase that's also being included for a total salary of X. I do I agree with that with the exception I do think that there's value

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showing the the priority >> at least the prior just >> yes just the priority they're going that's that's the that's the evidence of the increments of purs that that the citizens are going to want to see

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>> yeah I agree with you on that but get rid of the other two previous fiscals out show the current fiscal year in the new fiscal year. Okay. >> So, we're striking two columns, Jim.

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Right. >> Right. >> And then we're adding in what we just said to replace those two. That make sense to everybody? >> Makes sense to me. Yep. Ron, you got that? Yeah. Steve, you go with it?

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Yeah, >> I just have one question regarding the highway survey. Why is that uh number the same for fiscal 206 and fiscal 27? >> Okay. See that? Okay. So there's no colon and no diabetic.

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>> Okay. That's that's okay. Any further discussion on article two? Okay. Is there a motion to recommend article two to town meeting as amended? So move. >> Second.

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>> Right. Roll call vote. Sher, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnston, >> yes. >> EJ, >> yes. >> Mike McNa, >> yes. >> Rod, >> yes.

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>> And I'm Yes. as well. So 70 recommended. All right. Article three. I believe this is the budget below. So, article 3A, the city of the town of vote to raise an appropriate transfer of funds or borrow pursuant to any

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applicable statute, such sums of money as may be necessary for departmental operating purposes, debt service, and all other time expenses, and a fixed salaries and compensation for all elected and appointed officials of the town in accordance with the following

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schedule. Which schedule is incorporated by reference here in fiscal year 2027? Uh see article 3A 2027 operating budget on the following pages or take any other action there too. And then goes through

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the proposed budget with cuts. like to do something about how this is presented some point in the butt. So, am I missing the

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the footnotes or the notations you have? >> The notations are relevant in 3B. >> 3B. Okay. >> That's that's it. >> Mhm. All the funding notes out.

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>> Okay. to preview. Okay. >> The Yeah, the table the the letters next to things are associated with >> So I would I would I would ask that we write that in there somewhere for people to >> So you want a >> No, no, no. Not not the not the not the

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I don't want a chart. I would put A B C D. >> No. Just say like you know these these are referring to the line items in article 3. That's the reference just where where those letters what the reference is

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because you know when I look at it if I look at I see the A right I'm looking for where you know where's the tells me what A is. >> Yeah. Where would you like me to for clarity to say in the article itself towards the bottom in practice?

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>> Yeah. Probably like just right below the bottom of the budget cuz that's where everybody's going to go political. >> Yeah. Isn't that where it is right now with the bright yellow? >> Yeah. >> No, that's all. Okay. Oh, it says right there. Find

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those. Thank you for the asterisks. What are those in reference to? >> I pulled those all out. Okay. Also, those won't be there. So, you must have 26 email.

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today. They sent out another one today. Oh jeez. Sorry. See, I tried to pull all the confusing stuff out of time. >> That was really for my selfarcation like what is going on.

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>> All right, here we go. >> Uh, so at the bottom of the table notebook at the bottom of the page. Yeah. So, >> so please refer to table in article >> in 3D

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>> or something. >> So, are we voting right now the automaticity of these numbers or are we voting just a placeholder for the the fact the budget is

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you know what I mean? We're voting for the numbers that are in on the page, >> right? >> So, we can't though because of the our want, correct? Because that's going to change the budget that's in front of us here.

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>> Well, it will change the final numbers, but that is expected on time in many places because they could come in and say, "We're going to pass the override, but we're only going to pass 1.1 million on it." That means the allocations are all in place then too >> and pulling it from if you if it's a

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free cash thing that ends up being it's there's funds there I guess at that point. >> Yeah. Moving forward next year so that we can yeah people have to realize if they do ask the question where will this money come from since we're spending ourselves beyond what we know as our current budget

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>> the same question will be answered how we most likely should pay. >> So it will not affect this at all. No, I mean this is just to give up people an idea so that they can go on time and employ and say well you know what I want to they get the supports all the freak guys they want I want to fund the fire

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department you know 140 they can do that >> mobilize still >> yeah I mean yeah still it's a little squishy it's about as solid as it's been at this point >> and then it will just get mashed over last couple of weeks,

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>> right? Um so please refer to articles uh to table uh in article 3 for explanation of limitations in anybody any other questions on the

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budget numbers we're Thanks. Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve article article 3A as writtenly in the townline? So >> second. >> Roll call.

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>> Yes. >> Mike Bennett. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnston. >> Yes. EJ, >> yes. >> Mike Vetta, >> yes. >> Ron, >> yes. >> Yes. As well as recommended 70.

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>> Okay. Article 3B. Article 3B to see if the town will vote to appropriate the additional sum of $1.5 million to supplement the annual town budget adopted under article 3A of M. Warren for departmental operating purposes, debt service, and other town expenses

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and to further amend the motion voted pursuant to article 3A to further fix salaries and compensation for all elected and appointed officials of the town to include in total compensation the following supplemental amounts contained in the schedule below. which supplemental schedule is incorporated by

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reference herein and RA and to raise and appropriate such supplemental amounts for this purpose. C article 3B FY um 27 contingency budget table provided here within provided however that the vote on this article on this article 3B

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appropriating additional sum shall expressly contingent be expressly contingent upon approval of the voters of prop of prop 2 and a half override valid question under general laws chapter 5921C allowing such sums to be raised outside

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the limits of prop 2 and a half or take any other action relative there too. And then we get into the actual table which breaks down the line items that are in the budget above by those same

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letters. So folks can go and see where that money is going to be reappropriated. Uh and then also talks about the reserve fund of 1991 159. um talk about collective bargaining, police and fire chief, contract

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negotiations, and operational efficiency analysis, which will just basically be to take a look around departments and figure out any other additional staffing issues as they arise potentially in the next fiscal year. >> Anyone have any questions,

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comments? And Jim, there is one of your underneath that is in bold. >> Ah, let's move that up. >> Move that up. Yeah, I did think of it. Yeah, I'll just have to um

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I'll just have to reward the little first part there for where it's going in the control. Yeah. All right. So, do I hear a motion to approve article 3B as read for the town meeting? So, move. Second.

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>> Roll call vote. Cheryl, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ, >> yes. >> Mike McN, >> yes. >> Rob, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. as well. We're recommending

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the overrides of the town. Well, that gives them the opportunity to get it to the floor and then they can make the students on the floor and if it goes positive, it goes to sad. >> Yes. >> Our friend Sue Lis who's on the call right now was so excited for Tom taking

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on those amendments. Good work, Sue. >> Uh, okay. Article four. >> Article four. See if the town will vote to amend the town of Halifax town bylaws section 233 subsection 5 authorized revolving funds to include one additional revolving fund as identified

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below or take any other action relative there too. So, this is for the ED charger revolving account. There's a fund of money. It's already building. We need to be able to put it into an account. So we can address maintenance and other issues with the EV charger

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specifically. Cap on this is $50,000. I don't ever see it eclipsing our, you know, clips in that number. >> I've managed um the level three spaceship in the town. So, um, they never really got up to 50,000.

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I didn't get about $1,000 a month, but you end up spending on >> I thought and you know, so I'm just confused over the Chargers. You know, when they were built, I was under name. They were built and then go to Boston

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for the town. That's early. Well, I understand not necessarily because I'm looking at something that contradicts them being free. >> Well, they can make money. >> Okay. >> They can make money from the town. It's not going to >> not be built, right? Put them in.

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>> No, link. Was it Lynwell? >> Yes. >> Lwell company. >> Okay. >> So, Linkwell likely went through some sort of grant process for level three. >> The level 3es are expensive. They're about $100,000 a unit. Um they also the

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level threes use a lot of juice. Um you need a transformer on site to dispense the amount of energy they're dispensing >> which basically turns them into a mini residence as far as electric rates and prices go. >> So you will see higher bills depending on how much they're being utilized. And

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I've seen some significant bills already with these stations because obviously with everything that's going on cost electricity starting to ramp up. So, uh, I've actually been reaching out to Linkwell to get them to raise the rates even more than they are now. Right now,

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we're at the point we're barely breaking even, maybe even slightly below water. So, I get those rates back up there where we're making money again. >> The link was controlling the rate pumping on that contractually with the town of Halifax.

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>> Yeah, that there the way this one's set up, it's um not it's something I had not seen before. Um, I had always had full access to and rights to set fees at whatever rate I wanted in my previous jobs regarding level 3es. Um, this one

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you have to go through the vendor to get the rates increased. >> Wow. >> I don't know why that is. I don't know what particular levers are in there to make it that way. But, uh, I'm going to have that conversation with them about the rates and then I'll probably ask them that same question. Why can't gas

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and why? So just to react to be able to be able to react quicker to market fluctuations. >> Two town hall units that are out here, are they included in this as well? >> No, those are level twos. Much slower

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and much cheaper. Way cheaper. >> Do we know what the rates are of the link level one the level threes compared to other towns in the area? >> Um that's a good question, Rod. I'd have to look it up. I'd have to do a little

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research on that. I can get back >> because I know that the general the average federal rate on level three right now hovers between 49 cents to 52 cents per kilowatt hour. That's roughly what you're getting. But I've seen other communities upwards of

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like 60 to 65. Uh it really just depends on where you're at. So based on your previous experience with these chargers, what do you envision the cost being for the town purpose maintenance stuff? >> Once the um software and maintenance

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warranties wear uh wear out, which is basically 5 years after installation, typically you get a 5year warranty associated with these types of things. Um there is a 5year warranty along with these. Um you can see anything from I've seen a whole bunch of things. So,

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I've seen the warranties come in very valuable. Um, on a level three Sharon, we had a uh very expensive CPU module go down that was somewhere in the neighborhood of like $56,000. That was a quick fix cuz we recovered.

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Um, just a faulty unit right off the bat. Um, but other than that, they've been pretty good across the board. Um, but I don't know many places that have had the level 3es in the ground for 5 years. municipality wise and then seeing

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what happens when you come off these warranties. Yeah. >> So imagine Yeah. So yeah. Yeah. Um it just costs money, >> right? Gorgeously. Um and that's where hopefully you set up your account,

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>> right? >> You get at least that amount of money to be able to build it back in and be self self. >> Okay. Um, is there a motion on the floor for the committee to approve article 4 as

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written in the in the warrant? >> Roll call vote. Cheryl, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnston, >> yes. >> DJ, >> yes. >> Mike Reetta, >> yes.

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>> Yes. Yes. As well. And Article five. >> Article five. The CF will vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds to sum $100,000 to the reserve fund to cover extraordinary unforeseen expenditures during FY2027

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in accordance with chapter 40 section six of the and Mass General laws and transfer from available loans the sum of $50,000 to the water department reserve fund or take any other action relative there too. So we're talking about $150,000 here. Yep.

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>> For late invoices. So, we're going to So, I guess my question is um you know, even the state of Massachusetts only allows 6 weeks for you to build in after the fiscal year. After that, you don't get paid.

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Is there a way to cash? How long are we going to leave it at 30? That's my question. So, you have 12 months to get me an invoice for the previous year. That's what we wanted. Is that best practice?

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>> Good question. >> I'm asking the experts. >> I mean, you pass. >> I mean, I'd be okay with six months like to the end of the year. I think that's reasonable. you know, in my opinion,

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um, but leaving it open for an entire year, you know, it's like, hey, I was, you know, cleaning out my desk and I found this invoice for $150,000 last July, so I send it in. I don't know. Yeah, I think we should we should shrink that down. If it's one year, I

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think it should be six years or six months. >> I corrected myself. Thank you. Thank you. >> Or even less than six, let's be honest. United, >> right? Because if you count it all out, it's 24 months, >> right? >> Right. From July to July to June of the

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27, >> it could potentially be 24 months. If it's January or July 1st invoice or whatever it might be, >> what types of invoices are we talking about? I think I understand that close,

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>> but but it's on the table right now because there's obviously something happening. What type of invoices are retirement are coming in 8 months a year? Are they service related? Are they material related? Are they

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>> I will say at this current point there I have been told of no invoice besides what we'll have to do for snow. >> Yeah. Well, it's all more reasonably >> at this point in time there isn't any. I know last year there had to be one

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approved for the school. Um but that was I think last year >> Jackson Elementary. Yeah. Not a very common event. that in the last one. >> I just want to make sure we we don't have a crazy agreement in place that

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says bills at the end of the year or >> you know because that would result in this exact situation. No, it's not like a standard of practice. It doesn't happen all the time. >> No, but it does happen. >> It does happen. Oh, absolutely. It does happen.

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>> Yeah. Just not all the time. >> Is would this be a retal change? Yeah. >> So we have to change some policy. >> Yeah. >> What we can't do here. >> We can't do here the current administrator. >> Well, I think that's something we need

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to have a conversation with >> certainly >> how to make that policy change come in place and whether it's 6 months, 3 months, whatever. >> Yeah. Whatever. >> But I can't I'm not in favor of being nine months or a year. none of

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>> I mean personally ideally if you get a bill I would like to have it like they offer get it so >> absolutely better >> right but you don't get that and you do get some vendors or suppliers that you know they got a lazy way of doing

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business >> right at the expense of us Yeah. >> All right. Move on to Jim if we can just because Okay. So, can we back to the article? The article is just for the

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dollars, right? Has nothing to do with the policy. So, it's just for the dollar. We can definitely work on the policy. I talk about moving 100,000 50,000 correctly. Okay. Anybody have any other questions?

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>> Okay. Is there a motion to from the committee to approve article 5 as written in the town warrant? >> So moved. >> Second. Second. Okay. >> Cheryl. >> Yes. >> Mike Bennett. >> Yes.

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>> Frank Johnston. >> Yes. >> Yes. Mike McNe. >> Yes. Rob anyway. >> Yes. >> And I have a yes as well. Five. Article six. Article six. So now we enter into the five questions that were

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done by the government and study committee. So article six is to see the town will vote pursuant to the provisions of mass general laws chapter 41 section 1b to change the office town clerk from an elected office to an appointed office. Um we're safely time. I'm pretty sure

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you guys are all familiar with the government study committee, what the work they've been doing. So, effectively, this is changing the town clerk from a current elected office to an appointed office. Um, and that unless accepted by the voters

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of the town have an election held in accordance with um MGL 411B or to take any other action to that, too. So before we motion that one, is there a way we can motion all of these at the

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same time? Because they're all the same. >> Yeah, they're all the same. There's no financial, >> right? Rather than just >> So there's no financial why we voting. >> We need to recommend we can make no recommendations as we have done before,

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>> right? There's no dollar add value adding to us, then I don't see a need to promote it. All of us will stay with finances. That's it. >> Okay. >> I think if the public opinion to give it that citizen but we had to do that

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before. So in in the past when we have decided not to give an opinion on something the general somebody will jump up and say why they want to know why we don't have an opinion. But we can we our guidance is

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very important to the citizen. Well we can explain it at that time. No matter what the article is, it's important. They want to know how we feel less than true and you know as individuals

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how they feel. >> Can I ask a question if about article six then just by way of understanding it? So this is about the Tom Clark position. So this is so uh is that

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position up for vote in May >> or is that going to be vacated next year? End of the term May 27th. >> Great. So whenever the term their term whenever the term end so there there are some I think there are a few individuals

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who are up for election in this coming election. Yeah. >> So these are not meant to supplant anybody who is currently running for us. Right. >> So once they are done, that's when this would become effective. So if you know the highway, if the highway supervisor

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is up for election and he gets reelected, then he fulls fills his full three-year term. And at the end of the 3 years, it's when we will source, you know, he would have at that point in time description, qualifications, and go

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find the person that is best, >> right? Each of these are correct each position. So once again, I'm not in favor of um voting on this because it's no financial impact in the finance community of the finance committ.

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Okay, >> other thoughts? So I I'm aligned with DJ or with DJ that we should vocal wins in my opinion and articles 5 through 10 I think it is. Um

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no 10 10 is a home rule day. >> 10 is a home rule. >> Yeah 6 5 6. >> So I think we should at least you know do we like the idea or we do not like the idea? So, I think another line could

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have done, you know, with with with Mike Bennett because when we did the um when we did the the jet ski thing last year and we said we didn't recommend it was like why not? >> Right. They wanted to know why.

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>> Well, you explain it at the point in time. It's like any conversation you have. I I guess I would have the question is is there a financial implication to the town by by the employment versus elections

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negotiations but that's point >> yeah that's that right um so I would say again we have three choices we recommend it we don't recommend it we may no reision well if we're going to go with three choices I'll have a middle

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recommendation okay and and I'm thoughts, comments, questions from the committee? >> Well, I think someone's made a motion on one of the uh options and then we can second it or not and then discuss it if we need to and work with them. >> Yes. So, >> okay.

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>> I'll make a motion on no recommendation. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Sure. Roll call vote is no recommendation of articles five six >> start with six >> six.

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Okay. 66. So >> 67 89. >> A motion to make no recommendation on articles 6 7 8 and 9 as in the warrant. Roll call vote. Cheryl.

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>> Yes. Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ, >> yes. >> Mike Mcnetto, >> yes. Ron, >> yes. >> I'm yes as well. So, we are making no recommendation on articles 6, 7, 8, and

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nine. >> Article 10. 10 city will vote to request the representatives in the general court to introduce special legislation which is set forth below amending chapter 82 the acts of 1950 to change

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the elected water commissioners to appointed water commissioners. Would you like me to go through the entirety of it or stop there? >> I think we could stop. Yeah, >> we can stop there.

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>> Yeah. So this is a back study committee and this is the only difference here home rule petition. So this is if approved at time will go directly to the AG's office for approval and it will take um it'll take effect

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upon pass and it's a simple majority right >> yes >> so there is this is not a ballot question >> so just question if it's approved by the town it goes straight up to the ag for approval if it's approved then it comes back

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>> no recommendation >> no Recommendation recommendation. I'll make a motion. No recommendation. Second. All right. Roll on article 10. Article 10. >> Roll call. Cheryl.

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>> Yes. This for no recommendation. >> Thank you. Mike Bennett. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnson. >> Yes. No recommend. >> EJ. >> Yes. >> Mike. Yes. >> Roding. >> Yes. And I Yes. As well. Recommendation.

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Article 11. That's all. The C of Katana Halifax to accept Massachusetts General 59 section 5 clause 22 I which authorizes an annual increase in the amount of the exception granted under M under general laws

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chapter 59 section 5 clauses 22 22 A 22B 22 C 22E 22F by the percentage increase of the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the commissioner on revenue to be effective for applicable exemptions granted for any fiscal year. Secondly, to see if the town of Halifax will accept Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59,

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section 5, clause 22J, which authorizes an increase in the amount of the exception granted under Mass General Laws chapter 59, section 5, clauses 22, 22 A, 22 B, 22 C, 22E, 22F by 100% or any other increase

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the personal exception amount subject to the conditions in 22J to be effective for applicable exemption. granted for any fiscal year beginning on after July 1, 2020 faith in any other action relative there

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too. This is proposed by the board of selection on behalf of the veterans office and I gave you guys all a handout. >> Yes. >> Um which shows the financial impact uh just for you guys to review. Um so

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this breaks down below is a breakdown of the um various tables up up top and as you can see up top you have the exemption uh based on the actual exemption from fiscal year 2025

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on the gray tables up top and then if you adopt clause 22J which is what this article is all about at the rate of 25% you then go around and you start seeing the impacts on the town obligation wise,

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moneywise for each exemption at each at each um variable level, right? So, >> so these are town subsidies >> the town has to pay. Well, yeah, because the town is offering additional tax

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exemptions to veterans. So, they're furthering their tax liability, >> right? So the t the town gets a subsidy from the state to help with this but then the town puts up some of the money itself. >> You have to pay for a portion.

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>> You have to pay for a portion and those portions were broken down. I have to thank um Caroline in the assessor's office for putting this on the other and breaking this down. Uh but it clearly shows you guys exactly

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um what the monetary obligations for the town are under each various level of the percentages of increases under 22J proposal is looking for 100%. Yes, which

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is the bottom which is the bottom. Yes. >> We do not Correct. Correct. And this is new this year, the exemption fund. Right. Then once this is voted in, this will be annually.

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Correct. Not on a yearby-year basis. Correct. And I will tell Lindsay and I have been working on veterans benefits because we take a look at that account. We're start we're looking for money to pay for things that are sort of left at the end of the year. So in Iceland, they

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being our big one this year. intends to be money left in that account there. Not to say that that's a reason why we shouldn't look at this this item, but just to say that's a source of where we're looking for monies this year. I think worst case scenario is that maybe

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that money just isn't available in in years moving forward. Um but again, it's for the residents and yourselves to decide. So >> it has to be voted on every year. You just said something. I thought that's what you just said

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verbally. It's not it's not on the read of the article. This is passed. It's Yeah, >> yeah, Cheryl. >> Is this just for veterans? >> Yes, I believe so. Yes. >> Yes. Veterans. >> Okay.

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So, if we did 100% it would be $34,500 to the town on an annualized basis. Is that correct? >> No, I believe 375 the very bottom right number. >> Oh, each one of the has a different

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amount. Yeah, >> because there's looks like 60 122 60 applicants. one and 22 C 5 and 22D and 24 and 22E classification is that what those break that breakout

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is those are the number of applicants per classification >> and they're also the categorical amount so you know based on the type of exemption they are

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>> and those numbers can increase correct >> yeah they can increase bas based on I imagine over it was mentioned here in the RX price index >> consumer price index right so the number the current

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>> total number of 90 is what it would be the coming fiscal year is that correct 90 90 households uh that's fal year 2025 so I have to date I have to get the update >> so in my conversation with the veterans

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agent. My understanding is that the actual number of applicants or number of veterans seeking support has actually gone down. Sadly, he said sadly passing away and moving out of town. So that number might actually be less. Okay. >> Um so we need to know based on 2026

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numbers what that total number is of potential applicants. >> Yeah. But that's for one year. >> Yeah. Cuz that year could go up with more veterans associated with adult situation. >> Yeah. as they age, they start coming into it probably right now with Vietnam.

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But he said that the number has been trending down, but he said I asked him at one point what the number could look like. He said you get maybe two or three that move in and then you also have a net decrease depending. So he's knowing the numbers.

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>> Yeah, I can talk. Put this together. That was Caroline. >> Okay. >> So, I'm looking at uh chapter 59 section 22 of the mass general law and it says it was repealed in 19. So, I think we need to get something

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correct. You saying that law has been repealed? >> 1925 >> 59 section 5. >> Chapter 59 section 22. This is section 521. Yeah, this is

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section 5 clause 222. Okay. Clause 22. Okay. >> I know it's financial for the veterans. Just being a veteran. I think it's the type of um we should pay 22 B 22

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I think it's based on it's based on some factor I just don't know what Steve when we met Steve the veterans agent he says something about he he estimated the time 6070 increase so it

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actually it looks like it may be less well no that's all right said total 16. So he was sniff targeting right on it. >> Yeah. Right on. Y >> we don't recommend this. We're at 1475. Do recommend passes

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for $50,000 difference if this passes at time. >> Yeah. As opposed. And then you have the again you have sort of the options options that exactly >> I don't have to make motion to approve

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um all right as >> no article 11 as written there. Yes. Okay, roll call vote. Cheryl, article 12 is written. >> Yes,

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>> Mike Bennett. >> It's 11. Sorry. Article 11 is written. >> John, I need you to move again. Sorry. >> Yes. >> Mike B. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnston. >> Yes. >> AJ. >> Yes.

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>> Mike Reetta. Yes, Rob. >> Yes. >> Yes. As well. >> Um, >> yeah. Article 12, soliciting or canvasing bylaw. >> Okay. Some of you guys want to go no recommend.

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>> I I there is a financial impact here, but I Yes, there is. There is a registration fee. My question is the legality of it >> much like the voting issue last year. So now we're going to, you know, we're

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forcing people to give identifying information to the authorities uh to sell vacuum cleaners doortodoor, >> right? Pay $100, right? >> So my first question is and Chief Shas

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is on the phone, so Chief maybe you can help me understand this. Uh, how many times have we had to deal with this in the last 12 months? >> We had about four complaints uh the last 12 months um approximate, you know, if

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I'm taking a ballpark figure. It's not common, but um you know, like anywhere between, you know, four to six complaints um throughout the year. Uh and that's the reason why we put this forward. So every every two to three months one

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person when he's conf >> yeah you know it's usually I don't want to you know obviously characterize anybody but it's usually you know the elderly people that feel you know um afraid intimidated by some of these tactics and they'll call up and

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complain. >> So this article gives you some form of enforcement. Is that correct? Yeah, that Yeah, right. That's correct. So, we already have a uh procedure in place for them to to register and uh and

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you know and they have to pay the fee. But the problem is that there's no there's no enforcement uh um leg to it. So, so basically if um if uh you know we get a complaint and we check on we check to see if the person's registered,

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they're not registered, we're like, "All right, listen. Um basically, it's you know, go go back go back down to the station, register or don't do it again." And then, you know, next day we, you know, if we get another complaint, same thing. So it just kind of gives us a um

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you know just uh a little more uh you know uh power to to to kind of uh you know and also obviously uh monetary uh fines that uh can bring in some funds for this for the town. >> So we're we're asking these individuals

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to undergo a Corey check every 90 days. >> Is that correct? They they have to they have to submit to a Corey check to uh to to to uh once one time to to uh to get registered with us.

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Uh I I only do them I only I only do them, you know, once just once. I don't I don't do them every 90 days. >> But it's a 90-day certification of registration. Right. That's um section three

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paragraph D period of time for which certificate of registration is needed. No certificate may be granted for longer than 90 days. All right. So we register but the court will stay in effect for a year. So as

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long as you register after 90 days for 90 days. So the Cory stays back after 12 months. >> Yeah. >> So there's no time in there associated with >> where we get that from then. I gave

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Corach many different organizations every I can coach Halifax soccer and be cored. want to be a solicitor in Halifax and not to get Cory by the police on top of someone that works universally. >> So not so much the organization with to

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get Cory every 12. >> It could be long could be could be two years cheap. You know the expiration of Cory is it one or two years? I don't want it every year. >> I don't know the uh I don't know the uh what what it is. I think I I think you it might be a 12-month period. Um

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because I know uh like uh like like like you know sports organizations and stuff like that, boy scouts um they'll do them um like in bulk like I I'll get like a um you know like um a number of people like u basically like also like pedals

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licenses. I'll get those um probably like you know every every year uh they'll have to come in and I'll run their quy again um before we issue them their pedal license and stuff like that. Okay. So, basically then it's probably every 12 months. So, pick So, if you're

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on a 90-day schedule, that individual could technically go the whole year on that then four times, >> $100 every time. >> The re the registration fee, >> right? Every time they every time they

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register, yeah, they get charged $100. And and what usually happens is is the company pays it. It's not the individual. Uh so so the company will issue a check like uh for example one of the solar panels solar um panel companies that's probably the more most prominent one we have in town and uh

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they'll they'll actually you know have a check written with their um with their information with the applicant um so so so there's no financial burden on the uh the person doing this soliciting.

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>> Okay. I had a question uh on this about if someone were to be coming uh to sell for example it said in here some of books, magazines etc. What would happen if this was a a youth group that was doing that if there was school kids or

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something with that? Is there an exception for students who were doing it to raise funds or a boy scouts, girl scouts kind of group? >> Yeah, I think there's an exemption. I don't have the uh the the article in front of me, but I believe uh there's an

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exemption for uh u youth groups, uh religious groups. Um there was an exemption right in the uh in the article. >> So we are we moving forward with no recommendation over Okay.

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No recommendation. >> Make a motion on it. >> There we go. Motion and second roll call. >> Roll call on article 12. No recommendation. Cheryl, >> yes.

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>> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ, >> yes. Mike McNetta, >> yes. Rod, >> yes. Yes. as well. >> Don't worry. >> I'll give it to her tomorrow. >> Article 13. Save the town. Vote to fix

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the maximum amount that may be spent during fiscal year 2027 beginning on July 3rd, 2026 for the evolving funds established on town bylaw section 23-3 for certain departments, boards, committees, agencies, or officers in accordance with Massachusetts general

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laws chapter 44 section 53E and 1/2 or take any other action relative there too. The only thing I wanted to point out um on this and just for you guys to take a look at um those folks that were at the school committee meeting when

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they were talking about busing and um kindergarten uh I left I left those at 100,000 for the time being because I had not heard from the schools. >> What was it last year? 50 was 50 last year and I put it up to 100, but then we had that most recent meeting

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with schools and I'm wondering if you guys maybe think it should go a little bit higher. >> I didn't hear much about you know >> yeah I mean all setting the the not setting >> No, I understand that. That's why I

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don't even know if we have to change the order. It's just based on >> What do you think? I'm I say 100,000. They're going into a bus contract anyhow next year.

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You're in the last year of that, I believe. >> Yeah, this is the last year. >> Yeah. >> But the willingness of the school committee to vote for these, >> right? >> Right. >> These is not very strong. I mean, they were not, you know, as DJ

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said, they did not have the appetite for it. >> Yeah. >> And these war purchases at 50,000. Yeah. >> So I think 100,000 I think inflation and >> the fact that when they did begin to throw around the numbers over there, they quickly got to 100,000. I mean, so

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if they're going to plan anything to roll out slow and they want to test something, this gives them the ability to do that. >> Yeah, I think it's a good idea. >> That's fine. I want to go more. >> Why does their building inspector need a $100,000? >> That's a good question, huh? Didn't even

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notice that inspector wages. Well, >> that's probably for like labor or something when he has to get something done or whatever. I I understand that, but $100,000. >> It could be a subst >> because we have to pay a percentage of

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permit fees. a bag of wiring inspector inspector >> and the open permiting all goes into that account. So I it's really not so much for

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>> the person it's for that overall account >> because we haven't gotten >> a lot. So that's just the limit for it. >> Is that is 100,000 adequate then for that?

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>> It does is is the revolving climate need to change from inspector wage to some something else. I don't know that it is actually made that that I just have to change. >> You have to change the title of it. >> Yeah. >> Okay.

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>> Because I'll have to double check that I'm >> still in red. 90,000 >> which is or baseball is that expensive I'm not sure I'm worthy to be hyperbolic but I'm just >> Yeah. I mean these are all numbers I

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just left. >> Okay. >> Besides the ones that have come up in the course of time sports but also those dances and things like that to generate some money. So there's no expenses business includes if you recent field operation or

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something to like 90 >> something massive >> I mean I build some there's potential this and I won't by I'll make a motion to approve article 13 as written. So

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second roll call. >> Yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. Ron,

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>> yes. >> Yes. As well. >> All right. Article 14, funding of the FY2027 capital plan. Um, so to see if the town will vote to fund any recommendation of the capital planning committee. There wasn't a plan

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government planning committee. Up to this point, um, the fiscal year 2027 capital plan and one following $19,300 for free cash to pay for the reertification to the assessing department. That's something to follow up on the cyclical inspections, I

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believe. Um, it's needed. It's a compliance issue. Um, and then the other item I have here is for $300,000 for filter replacements for the water department in that will pay for water

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department retain earning water retaining earnings. >> It's going to come out of there, but >> it's going to come out of there. Yeah. And then uh >> yeah, >> late today we also got a um we had a conversation with the holders of the uh bond anticip uh anticip anticipation

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note stand ban. I'm learning more about bands than I ever care to know. Um so we're going to be speaking with them tomorrow. So there may be a situation where dudes you're having to roll over that money. There's a $52,000 charge to roll that over to get the

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maturity on it for next year and that will be also paid out of potentially as we need to out of water retain earnings follow. So it wouldn't be out of the general fund or free cash it would just be out of their retain retain earnings and this is following at least at this

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point I believe this is following the plan that was set in place by the previous uh previous permanent Um, and then obviously the plan here, just so you guys are aware, um, I'm planning for a special time meeting to

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address capital. Um, which I'm going to have to do it because I want the capital funding committee to be able to sit down after the decision of the overrides made by the residents so that we have a better idea of how we're going to spend the capital funds and staff left to use those

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resources. I think it's a better way to figure that out. >> I think that's a good way to go with that >> and do it towards the end of the summer, early fall. Um, give us a couple months of operation, whatever configuration is

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a result of town meeting. Okay, I will make a motion to approve our 14. Second. Roll call out. Cheryl, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnson,

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>> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Roding, >> yes. And yes, as well. >> All right. Article 15, the CF tow vote to rate is appropriated for transfer from VA funds to sell $3,500 to spent by

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the board of selectment. Um to support the south coastal county's legal services incorporated continued free legal services and civil matters to elder long-term families and their children including those from town or take any other action relative there too.

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>> Do I I completely support this article. I'm just curious if anyone is like actually taking the service. Just that curiosity. >> Yeah, heard very grown and gone. Um and a couple calls have come in, but I can double check on that.

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>> When these calls go down the CLA >> um some of them might >> some of them might, but I believe it's a separate service. >> I separately was speaking with lawyer a few weeks ago. Adam mentioned that

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you've done some work through CI also would it be to the housing department as well since there are low families that aren't safe anyone >> yeah I can check on the usage um count at least to figure out how much is in

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there I should basically give people an idea how Right. Right. >> So that 3500 is not spent next year. It comes back in general. Correct. >> That's correct. >> Yeah. And that's how it's been for several years. Spending $3,500 >> and it's coming back.

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>> Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's minimal use. It's been minimal usage on that. We've asked that question a couple times over the years. >> Yeah. And that's why it was to me the time doesn't appear. >> I will make a motion to approve ours. That's right. Second.

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>> Roll call vote. Cheryl, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnston, >> yes. >> EJ Brian, >> yes. >> Mikeetta, >> yes. >> Rod Ningway, >> yes. >> Yes. As well. 15 is recommended.

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All right. 16. See if the town will vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds of sum money to pay any unpaid bills rendered to the town or schools for prior year or take any other action action relative there too. >> Okay there.

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>> Yeah. Oh my god. I I don't like how this >> uh in my opinion. >> It's your earlier point. >> Yeah. >> Right. But we're discussing well I mean we've already got an article in here about paying hills that come in the end the school year closes the the

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elementary school is a department of the town right so is the school being referenced here still relating the regional school because it just says schools it's plural >> schools are plural

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>> that's my question are we putting in is this now another avenue for someone submit a bill. You know, they'll say, "Well, it's, you know, you're approved article 16 because article 12 had a time limit on it." >> This was either going to be in the annual time or special time. So, it's a

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uniform year. >> I don't I don't I don't think we should recommend I don't I don't for that reason from last year. >> I understand. I'm not saying it. I'm not questioning where it came from. Not

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necessary. >> Well, it was pulled from last year's warrant and approved by town counc. And I think if we do not recommend it as it's written and it goes to the floor like this, the question will definitely

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come up, why did we not recommend it? And I and I don't think that's a bad thing. I think that it it just it's a very bad thing because it lifts a huge liability for the town. >> Well, it's >> right. >> Again, it might be a bad thing for the

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town, but in terms of transparency for the citizens, it's not necessarily a bad thing for them to understand that there's bills that are coming in a year after they're supposed to be coming in. That's that's the issue that we're

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trying to get get focus on. That's cool. Those are coming in a year after. >> I don't know. Not this year. There's none. Not from our side. I think that's right. It's going to be snow school surprises or something. We take schools out.

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Didn't we just have a conversation about this earlier? >> Yeah, I did. I did. >> And we already discussed that we're going to be meeting Eastston. >> Okay. the public say

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we have another discussion on this bill as we go through these Chris has a question I was just going to say I might be wrong but I believe last year meeting that did become an issue that needed explanation

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um like a late bill come in >> right I don't think some people have still it did become a little big thing for a shortly attack some explanation. >> So, so here's >> they they thought like you had some money set aside but right you don't know

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what else and that makes absolute sense. So I think we need to dig into this one a little more. Um so >> it's my opinion that we don't vote on we

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will vote on this at sound just get more data. So, we just need more data >> before the meeting. >> Before the meeting, we'll vote on it. So, it's it's my opinion that I think we need to figure out is what schools are

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we referencing here, right? Is it just silver lake? Because we've already talked about the elementary school. The elementary school is a department of the town which would fall under the policy that he talked about earlier, right? Um you have 3 months or whatever time you find reasonable to build the town. Um

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and if anything comes in after that you know bad so sad I guess. Um yeah, >> you know some bad stuff and I point the vendor is that irresponsible that

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they are not building in a timely fashion >> then that's not the town's >> I don't think issue would always 100% be the bill got lost on someone's desk issues that's Yeah, >> but that's not that's not a town issue.

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That's not a V issue. That's a U issue. >> No, this is why state has a limitation and we need to do something similar. >> Is there is there any legal exposure to the town if a scenario such as that came up where someone had a bill that was

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submitted timely, they did not discover on their desk employee was found and then that's different. That's a different scenario. That's that's someone someone in the town has >> and that's different. >> So the submission was done correctly by the vendor, right?

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>> Um is there any legal liability or exposed to us if if a if a vendor submits a a bill 6 months late? Can we have a limit? Can we have a is there any legal thing that says we are allowing a limit? >> Isn't there a limit?

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>> I don't know. I didn't know if there was a limit. And can we set the limit? If there's no limit, we can set it to >> the town can set its own financial policy. Actually, it's this committee that sets the town's financial policies. >> Is is there a way realistically to get

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information for the past few years about what's fallen into this category? >> I can look at I know last year it was a school bill. I don't remember what it was. Um, but they watch Tommy Day and

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they asked about it. Um, I can find what that bill was. I held it up. Um, but I get emails all day from vendors saying this wasn't paid and I look it up. I say yes, it was. This is the check number.

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So, the vendors do reach out. Yeah. >> So, I really don't think that the bill should be getting paid. You should be able to ask us, >> right? Unless it's something extenduating like >> so.

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No, I agree with everything you guys are discussing. I just don't know off the top of my head I'd have to ask about the financial uh liability and legal questions as far as I don't see why you wouldn't be able to say within 6 months

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of if a vulnerability it's it needs to be in the accountant's office or even if three months why six >> yeah so what I would ask is if we kind of dig into that a little bit just understand the leg of the town council's

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position on it if there's been a history of it. Um, and then can we as a committee set a financial policy with the time limit on when we can when we should when we receive a bill in x amount of time after the service has been rendered or whatever. Um, you know,

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anything after 90 days, 180 days, whatever, as I said, is reasonable. Um, is that something we have we have the ability to do? Uh, aspiration on you even a bank even your check your

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check that you write on your checkbook's only good for 180 days >> right I don't see a politics but I'm sure we don't go down as a town >> no no that's not what I'm saying you're saying I'm too busy what I'm saying

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>> is that you know if if the if the state in which we live in and are governed by their laws has tell vendors you have 6 weeks into the close of the year to submit all your invoices for the previous year >> to get paid after that it's not getting

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paid and that is a hard school and believe me I've covered that once and twice with the state >> uh y so as far as just payroll >> it's so there's nothing with accounting that's coming with that at all >> it's payroll and time tracking but it's

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I like billion. >> So like no invoice capture or anything like that. Okay. I'll make a motion that we vote on >> 16 that sounds for clarification on that. Um, do you

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mean I say second or not second to recommend or not recommend? >> That's what that's what I'm asking to recommend. >> Okay. My I'll recommend that motion. My motion is that finance committee decides whether or not to recommend or not

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recommend article 16. Second. Okay. Roll. Sher. >> Yes. Mike Bennett. Yes. Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ Bryan,

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>> yes. Mike McNetta, >> yes. Rod Hemingway, >> yes. I'm yes as well. So, we are going to hold article 16 for a vote at town meeting. >> All right. Article 17. The city of the town will vote to raise an appropriate

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or transfer from funds to some $3,500 to be spent by the board to support Southshore resource. >> You're going back no support southshore resource and advocacy center for domestic violence prevention and prevention services for its residents including those from the town

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of Hines or take any other action action rounds of there too. I move to approve article 17 as a version. >> Okay. Article 17 is written. Roll call vote. Cheryl. >> Yes. >> Mike Bennett. >> Yes.

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>> Frank Johnston. >> Yes. >> EJ Brian. >> Yes. >> Mike McNa. >> Yes. >> Rod Hingland. >> Yes. >> Yes. As well. >> Article 18. Save the town vote to raise an appropriate or transfer from funds the sum on $150 for the use of the

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trustees for the county cooperative extension service and authorize the selectman to appoint a town director within 15 days as provided by revised chapter 128 section 41 Massachusetts general laws or take any other action

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elements of there too. >> What is that? >> Yeah, that's a great question. >> 4. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. kind of extension service umbrella for it. I'll start. >> All right. Roll call vote. Article 18 as

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written. Cheryl, >> yes. >> Mike Bennett, >> yes. >> Frank Johnston, >> yes. >> EJ Brian, >> yes. >> Mike McNetta, yes. >> Rob Hemingway, >> yes. Yes. Well, article 19 save the town of vote

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pursuant to MGL chapter 40 section 5 new to establish a stabilization fund to be called the PAS settlement stabilization fund for multi-dist litigation manufacturers of per and poly floral alcohol substances PAS including but not

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limited to 3M Jupon BASM and Tao be expended under the direction of the board of water commissioners for the purpose of offsetting costs assoc associated include defos contamination in Halifax water supply, including but not limited to water quality testing, treatment design, installation, ongoing

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remediation efforts, and other capital expenses related to insurance ensuring compliance with current and future drinking water standards. >> Um, questions. I haven't read article 20 yet, but

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this article 19 is strictly for drinking water, correct? Um, that's what it does. >> Excuse me. >> Says water supply, >> right? >> It says in the Halifax water supply. So, I would say including but not limited

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to. So, it does I don't think it limits you to drinking water. >> Ensuring compliance with current and future drinking water standards. >> Sure. Article 20. Is this going to be up to 20 for the landfills or landfill or what is 20 going to be real quick here?

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>> 20 is to is to take the money that we've already received as a town and put them in this account that's created. >> Okay. So why is article 19 strictly for the water and not associated with the p5 associated with unsight within the town

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and the monitoring wells at the landfill the town landfill why is that being excluded so you say 19 should not just drink water it's not it says

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including but not limited to >> so Anything that Passes, this can cover. >> Well, then why does it say ongoing remediation efforts and other capital expenses related to the ensuring compliance with current and future drink

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and water standards? Cuz that's just the last item. It also it also applies to water quality testing design installation but is here it's hereby water it's pass contamination in relation to the Halifax water supply

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including but not limited to those listed below but not necessarily listing all of them it's only listing water well it's listing the water supply and drinking water so water supply to me is all

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Is that the only thing we're worried about with PAS or are we worried about the soil as well? >> You said, >> right? So they're separate. They're not they're not the same. So is there another is there another article address soil? I know article 22

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talks about soil. >> Reading down for that. >> Right. What would you like to see us say? I just don't want to see us not be able to use that money over here at the landfill, the town landfill by the town hall here where we know we've got issues

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associated in PE foster that showing up in the monitoring wells associated with the landfill which are not associated with the drinking water supply. >> So they're related to the water supply related that's part of the aquifer over

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there that we drop any any water This says Halifax water supply. >> Water supply. >> To me, that is our wells that supply the water, the drinking water to the town.

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>> Then I also go including but not limited to >> I don't want to see the landfill where we know we're going to have we already know we got problems over there and all the water all the money is tied up with the water commissioners. I would say this at the very end of the day if that

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if the that groundwater impacts water supply that's being taken from well fields that provide water supply that's probably more detrimental than pulling from water supplies that don't. So I do wonder if the monies that were

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from settlement funds were specifically geared towards drinking water supply and maybe not those associated with landfills. because this is directly pulled from uh what was handed down from town council

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in the PAS litigation. So for me, I look at that and I think it's good enough to address it to anything that has PAS because if you're saying the landfill out here is going to have PAS issues behind town hall, then there's an opportunity for that to leech somewhere

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into groundwater that is also going to be drinking water, which would also essentially mean that that landfill has the potential to impact the Halifax groundwater drink supply. But the water commissioners are going to be

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controlling the funding. >> That's a point of concern for me. >> That the board of water commissioners controls that money? >> I mean, so you think that that that they would not take into account the need of the land >> potentially? Yeah.

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>> Right. >> Cuz they have their projects over associated with 9 foot three could be a 9 foot >> and it does look like PAS the funds can be used for water soil and waste water it's not restricted to this water which

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was a reasonable >> based on the reading of this have we been using that money already Yeah, this preserves. How do we get that money into an account that everybody make sure it's distributed

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equally? So, who chose the language of board of water commissions for the purpose of offsetting cost? Where that language come from them to be the monitor of the money? Water department. Water department came up

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with that. The other water authority in the town, right? I mean, I would think in any other town the water commissioners will probably be the ones making them sleep. I don't know. So,

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>> so tell me if um drinking water at the very end is what's throwing me off. Is it because it's it's specifically saying a drinking water standards? That's where it becomes very specific for me. But that doesn't

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seem like what Frank is concerned about because that to me just because it says at the bottom and other capital expenses related to ensuring compliance with current and future drinking water standards that that to me is the limitation that keeps the balance with a

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certain area that may not address what Frank was trying. But I go before that and I say uh >> but not limited to that >> voting but not limited to >> I I understand Frank's concern which is real that they might not

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>> well is it a concern over the over the monies or the authority over the monies >> combination both if the money was going to get spent on the on who would authorize that to mention what water emissions

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>> at the direction of the Florida water. >> So, right. So, I'm saying if there's if there was a bus project that be rectified at the landfill, who would that be?

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>> The D or Border El probably link up with them to get their didn't work together. >> Yes. >> Right. Frank decided that they won't discount something. I'm trying to try to uh >> you know concisely express your concern

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which are real. >> Yes. How much? >> I would have to like actually pull how much it is. >> But it is a lot. >> It's a lot of money. Several hundred,000. >> Yes. probably more than that than we've

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received so far and that's only from one settlement. >> There are three or four other settlements out there over the years that are going to come forward. >> So to 19 then we we have to do 19. 19 has to happen right. Yes.

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>> Who moners distribution of the fund is what's in there. That's this sticking point or it's limited to a lot of functions I think again I don't know any people

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but they could use all the money right for whatever they want for a while I instead like this going up there the landfill

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20 drinking water you would hope just has that flavor to >> and I guess the question also frankly have is whether or not the landfill is that the water that could leech from and just aqua. Correct. I don't know if

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it does. It does have I don't know if it's leaking, right? But we know that there is p5 in monitor. Well, so we had to increase the contract >> for the landfill engineering firm to test for that on a quarterly basis,

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but we increased that by I think $44,000 to cover their cost, right? And then we have a cap issue going on over there too that needs to be repaired. And there's two or three options out there associated with that as well.

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So there's a lot going on abandoned or closed landfield at all. All right. So, down Frank, are we sure that when the monies were sent to Halifax or to whatever time that they were specifically

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either designated or not designated to water treatment or were the money sent >> Well, I'm not sure how the settlement is written is how the money can be utilized. >> That's what I'm saying. So, I'd have to read and understand that Ron had it up here a minute ago. was reading and it

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said it once was limited to just ground water. >> This also includes the soil. >> Yeah. So if if the word ground wasn't here, does that resolve the issue, Frank? >> No, I don't know if it would resolve the issue or not. I just want to make sure

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that cuz we're going to have to spend money at the landfill. or expenditure there just in the monitoring contract of an additional $44,000 this year that Peep's money could pay for that additional sampling cuz what the water department is going

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to need the money for is to put a filtration system in over at the treatment plant which is what we need to have but that's going to swallow up all the money cuz Hanover is going through right now $30 million they're trying to get for

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their BS 30 million for their four treatment. >> They got they got money from the state on that 28 million. Yeah, they did. >> They got 28 million. >> Well, no, they've got they have they've got a grant to help them with the 28 million to build this plant. >> Yeah, they got back to build four of

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each, one treatment system for each of the four plants. >> So, what what can be done if anything can to get it where it needs to be or are we not going? >> So, that's a question one. Who who wrote this? So, is this the attorney that wrote it or was this just someone

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plucked out of somewhere? And it's no indictment on hand. >> No, I pulled this from um files that were available, the files and from the warrants that existed and the attorney has taken a look at it and

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edited and made changes. Okay. Well, we're not going to be able I don't think so. >> Well, I mean, I'm I'm concerned that, you know, the the the monies that are allocated here will be used in

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accordance with the seven. um understanding that you know the mass general laws as far as supply and public and private includes everything from what comes out of your bosses all the way to the source and the land around it. Right.

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So >> if that's the um if that's can we take 19 and 20 and vote on vote on >> we can if we want. Yeah, we could certainly push push them to town 80. We get a hold of it because we have the other one too that we're already doing

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that. Right. If we don't do 19, we can't do one. >> Right. Right. If we get some more clarification on 19, I appreciate that. >> Okay. So, we'll hold these county. 19 and 20 will be held in county.

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Um, so you might as roll call vote Cheryl to hold 19 and 20 to town meeting. >> Yes. >> Mike B. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnson.

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>> Yes. >> And >> yes. >> Mike Mcneta. >> Yes. >> Rod Hemingway. >> Yes. >> Yes. What else? So we'll hold those down. Thank you. Article 21. >> All right. The time will vote to accept

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the provision of mass journal law 138 section 12 accept accepted allow selected as the local licensing authority. Easy one on this. the uh if we had a establishment in town that

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actually served on premises just um beer and wine that the board of sub have the authority to change them to be liquor as opposed to going to be say we succeed >> because we don't have an establishment

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like that but in the event we get a brewery that's pretty much the one instance where these come into play we had a brewery that ser sort of like beer Never mind. >> I don't know. >> They would have the the psycho board would have the authority to make them all literate if they want to do what they will do.

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>> How does that apply to like out of the farm we have around here and they have the fall festivals and things like that? >> I think those are just one day like permanent licenses and I >> so they can give them a liquor license for that not just a beer wine. They

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currently do probably give them a full license full liquor license if they're allowed to sell liquor at it otherwise we're wearing wild. So that would fall under this as well. I don't think so. I think the existing permits they give out now the cycle board for events signify

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which type of permit alcohol wise it would be whether wine or would be pure wine. Okay. So really uh we

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don't I don't really think you guys recommendation. So >> all right call vote. Uh no recommendation on article 21. Cheryl >> yes. >> Mike B. >> Yes. >> Frank Jones.

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>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. As well. That is my recommend this year will be article 22 soils contaminate and reclamation. This is a citizens petition.

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>> Okay. I'm going to open that up for comments from Frank. Uh, first of all, is this your petition, Chris? >> Yes. Some Yes. >> Well, going to ask him to have you speak. I'll be happy to petition. We'll

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wait till back to make sure he's meaningable to that. >> I say go for it. Go with him. Go with him. >> Go with Chris. >> Yeah. >> Chris, would you like to speak?

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I guess just kind of talk us through. I think you made potentially made some changes to this. Did you? >> Yeah. I mean, this came about like to us like 6 years of pretty much no action. So, we felt like we had to do something.

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We've always been told that you can't do anything. Uh in research, you know, the last few months, we found out that parents have done stuff about this. uh about 2018 is when the DP came up with these new rules. There's a handful of

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towns that immediately of course saw our problems and they started coming up with laws and stuff to control the contaminated dirt. Uh Oxbridge had a huge problem with all sorts of problems, safety concerns, dust, uh contamination.

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They came up with bylaw. So looking at that um Dartmouth, this is pretty much word for word like Dartmouth. Uh they made they really struggled the truck through the town. They made dirt. Uh Middlear

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almost did the same thing, but they changed the beginning of it onto the purpose to allow it. They have an active landfill in that town. So taking in solid waste. So I think under COM 97 they can bring that in for cabin

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as the trash goes in there. So I did change it a little bit. >> They can use the um contaminated soil as a source of capping. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. Only on the active solid waste. >> Correct. On the active solid weights,

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not on anything that's already closed and capped. >> Yes. Correct. Uh since we don't have an active solid waste, I did change that and took that part out. Uh but didn't let leave that that trucks could travel through town

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unlike D. So it wasn't as good as the D one protected from the soil from being brought into town without any form of town oversight. Is that what you're referring to here? >> I mean just the dust future

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contamination water supply. It does go order an aquifer on that aquifer that actually the mass GIS maps and right property line with the ground fill they show on that side of dump close towards Oxburg. the other

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side that we do have to pay a pos which I've been told for future wells so protect more >> but we currently don't have any wells on that property >> no >> correct

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>> no and end of stony area this huge homes perfect square property >> so I don't know as a committee we should um voice an opinion on this but I I do know for sure that this is a a topic that has

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been out for a long time. So I hope it gets the the dialogue that it needs to get at um to try to move this in the right direction for everyone but um as a group I just don't think it falls under our purview to say anything about it.

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That's my opinion. All right. They need to be addressed town for sure down what's left in town, but doesn't really have a financial

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component similar to the other ones that we've >> speaking as residents. I feel that this is a a good article to have. Um something needs there needs to be some form of management oversight

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in place associated with what's going on on the west end of Alifax. And as Chris stated, we have the um down gradient um of the landfill potential

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area for additional water wells for the town. So that could or could not be problematic until a soil sample, the groundwater sample to determine if there are any effects associated with it. But I think it's a good article. I'm speaking as a resident, not as a member

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of the um finance committee on this, but I agree with what you gentleman said on the end there was I don't feel the finance committee should vote on this because there's not a currently not a financial impact or

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number of this for us to vote. I think the case and say 6 years too it's the same thing that double be between the particular and the DP the project there misinformation's been told I personally

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would say lies being told Scott they said one day is true which gets bigger what was originally proposed never happened and same thing the town deal with EFI and it's happening And yeah, Chris, I also speaking as a

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resident that I think this this takes a proactive uh approach to managing environmental risk for the residents. I think that's an a positive I think and I'm hopeful that the dialogue means affirmative

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and beneficial to propagate this because I think the town does deserve to have a healthy environment which to all of us to exist to live and our children to live until something happens to react that's

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good people's lives. So, um, you tell me. Thanks. >> Yeah, I think that's probably the the right direction to go. Chris, just one quick question. Did you check any of these attachments in here, like the

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referenced articles, or did you just did you just submit it as as you found it? And the reason I asked is that, you know, when I looked up soil recycling facility and it references WSC94-400, right? and I look for section 9.1. What

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it gives me is a um gives me a tape doesn't give me an article or a definition. 9.1 is Massachusetts permitted soil recycling facility summary levels. >> Yeah. Okay. Under the description. No, I did not look that up. Well, the reason I

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asked is if if this gets voted possibly, which I'm which I'm pretty sure it most likely will, it's going to go up to be reviewed by the attorney general, correct? >> And they're probably going to go through and start checking that stuff to to ensure the appropriate legality item. So

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that section I did not touch. So 2001 it was right exactly as that and and middle and also I wanted to say too that our current board of health member was also reviewed and consulted and running on

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this you know I I don't question the expertise of who wrote this. All I'm doing is something that I think any first year law student would do which is check the reference archives. That's that's all I'm doing. I understand that everybody's looked at it. I think

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everybody here agrees that residence is a concern um and should be, you know, somehow giving some type of oversight other than what's happening now. U but that's just I just want to make sure that we're when this goes in, which I

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think it already has obviously as that's been closed, right? um you know there are some there are some challenges with the references in in the language that you had. So be honest that the point I did not share just knowing that

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>> I guess taking that that beauty gone through the entire meeting attorney general did >> yep >> and I did make it in like 5 minutes shut off but so I did take it as that's I thought I was going to get a couple times I I

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totally get yeah the right the and and I think you had question on one other meeting. >> Um yeah, at the meeting I have to go back to my notes. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'd like to make the recommendation for no recommendation.

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Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. Um Cheryl, no recommendation from the finance committee on article 22. >> Yes. >> Roll call vote. Mike Bennett. >> Yes. Frank Johnson, >> yes. >> EJ Brian,

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>> yes. >> Mike McNetta, >> yes. >> Rod Hemingway, >> yes. >> And I'm a Yes. as well. >> Okay, so I think the last article was just the election, then the ballot questions. Yep.

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Um, so we'll close out the warrant recommendation uh and review section of our agenda. um correspondence and as may arise I don't have anything that is coming to mind from the town anybody else have anything

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they want to discuss or anything that's come into their email box or anything that residents of the town hearing none we will close that agenda item public participation anyone on the phone or Chris you have anything else

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you'd like to comment on or add Right. Okay. So, we'll close out public participation. Um, next planning. Um, I'm thinking we've been meeting very frequently here. So, I'm thinking our next meeting should

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be the what is it? Frank, the 13th. >> Well, um, no, Jim, it's today's the 6th. So the 20th, but that's Patriots day. >> So we have 21st.

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So the 21st. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion to the meeting on the 21st? Yes. Will be the 21st. Is it virtual or in person? >> Virtual, sir. Thank you. >> Is it virtual or in person? It'll be on It'll be on Zoom. Cheryl.

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>> Okay. >> Okay. So move second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Mike B. >> Yes. >> Frank Johnson. >> Yes. To adjourn, please. >> EJ Brian, >> yes. >> Mike Mcn,

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>> yes. >> Rob Hemingway, >> yes. And I'm Yes. As well. We are journed. >> Thank you. Bye.