Good evening and welcome to the January 5th, 2026 meeting of the Hamlin Select Board and Board of Health. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We are meeting in the large meeting room at the Hampton Town Hall, 85 Warberham Road. We are broadcasting the meeting on Zoom plus recording it. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? Kristen. And
welcome back Kristen from the Hamlin Times. Okay, first on the agenda we have some minutes. Thank you Ruth. >> Thank you. November 10th, last year for those who can remember
that far. [snorts] [snorts] We did a public hearing that took some we swore in the new police chief public hearing on a poll on Country Club Drive. We talked about a couple of unique
concerns with our contract and an update on the town hall move in person to the uh cultural council as well. Move approval. >> Second. All those in favor.
>> Um we did have an executive session on night but we don't have minutes for that yet. I know Lauren does those. So, okay. A while. >> All right. So, the meeting on the 24th, which [clears throat] is actually our
first meeting here, tax classification hearing. Pretty uh well explained, I thought, from Jane Fantino. We did our votes. We had a couple of
questions about the conservation commission appointment. So, we hired Joe Zeno as the conservation agent. We went over custodial issues here at the town hall and also approved the
building use and rental policy. >> I'm exhausted just reading this. >> Move approval. One second. >> All in favor? December 22nd. Think it was right before Christmas. We had our small party here right before the meeting, right, Don?
>> Yeah. Thank you for that present, by the way. Good thing Good thing you kept on our $50. >> Hold up. We do this. Don't forget we do have to do our uh >> Oh, yeah. new things this year, right? >> Ethics thing, >> right? Right.
>> And election things, too. >> Right. Yeah. About the 20th, right? >> Why you think about this? because I thought you were Eva probably mentioned because I was saw Wendle today and he mentioned he was just doing the review. >> Yeah, she usually sends out that >> she usually sends out an email. I haven't seen it yet.
>> Okay. All right. So, the December 22nd we had discussion with the library trustees and thank you uh Kathy Hutcherson for being here as well. Kathy Rober suggested we start setting up a schedule for having different committees in the
license renewals. No issues with them. [clears throat and cough] Discussion with the chief and it looks like it. And we have an extra sheet of paper. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you.
>> It's for you to take notes in case I miss >> motion to approve. >> I wrote the budget. Thank you. >> He's He's on the blank sheet now. Trying to see what we missed. All right. We'll appro
all in favor. I got Hey, Ruth. Nice job. Thank you. Okay, first on the agenda we have we are graced by Richard Patello. Hi >> the town treasurer. >> Hi. >> How are you?
>> I'm just sparkling. >> Happy new year. >> I'm here to seek uh approval from the select board to do an internal borrowing in order to manage cash flow for the town. Internal borrowing is a procedure where
the general fund can borrow from other funds free cash or stabilization on a short-term basis and in this case it would be stabilization. Historically December 1st through the u third week of January is always our
worst time for cash flow. Um, we traditionally did internal borrowing every year that I had this job up till about 2017. About after that, we got a little bit of extra cash ahead and uh, uh, we didn't
have to do that. Um, the difference this year is the water district project. So after the ARPA monies and the grant money was spent in this sheet FY26, we've set uh 1.5,222,222.75 to uh pay the bills for the water
project. Of that only $650,000 has been taxed for it. the rest of it once the project is finished and we have a final number for the project or right before the end of the year whichever comes first uh we'll be borrowing a
state house note to which basically we take the cash and we'll do the borrowing and that is the only tool we can use to move that to the next tax year. Mhm. >> So, um because of that fairly large
project, uh we're in a bit of a cash flow crunch. We've got um $1.312 million in the stabilization fund and that's a limit on our borrowing. Um I'm suggest in the past we always did
500,000. >> Um I'm going to ask for an authorization for 750,000 >> just so I I'll only take what I need. But >> um I was going to try I was hoping to squeak through it and then Mark dropped $200,000 worth of asphalt bills on me last week and
>> and that kind of you know >> so I don't need it this week but I am going to certainly need it before the end of the uh before the tax money starts flowing in. Now, we think that'll come in before obviously you have another school bill coming up in the school six days before the tax due date
>> and so yeah I'm right on that edge there but which is 1.1 million >> but yeah it's usually not a problem. Okay, >> I usually get core logic which is one of the bank servicing companies usually drops a million in about 5 days before the due date.
>> Um so we should be okay. >> So all the escro money comes in a little early sometime. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's not cuz they want to, but they kind of have to. So, >> this this is the form that would need to be signed. >> Mhm. What is the use interest rate that would
>> Well, the only thing we're the only interest rate we're charging you one for the file. Um, what we're if we were borrowing, we probably would be paying 5%. Uh, right now, all we'll be doing is losing interest in the stabilization
fund at 385. So, you know, it's going to cost us 1%. [snorts] >> What's that? >> So, >> you want to say this to >> I mean, John's been around long enough that this has been this is routine, but
I know that I don't think you were here, Don, before I [clears throat] >> stop. This is the first time for you guys and it has to be. >> I never know. I never know how to take that. >> Really? That was pretty innocuous.
>> Back when they were doing wampom and small uh small coins and sticks. [clears throat] >> The um it it legally it has to be paid back by the end of the fiscal year. >> We should be able to pay back first of February pretty easily. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to improve
approve the internal borrowing. [snorts] >> Second. All in favor? The only other comment I make is cash flow is totally divorced from budget issues. >> It is it is strictly it is strictly cash flow. It doesn't really have much to do with the budget.
>> Okay. So, we look forward to seeing you again >> in two weeks. >> In two weeks. >> Do I have sign warrants? One week. >> One week. >> One week. >> Next Monday. >> One week. 12. >> Yeah, it is next week, isn't it?
[clears throat] [laughter] >> And then possibly >> You guys are going to meet two weeks in a row. You get over >> possibly the week after. [snorts] >> Well, they're going to have the financial team meeting. >> Oh, wait a minute. The week two weeks from now is the financial, >> right? Next week is State of the Union.
>> Oh, nobody told me that. >> That email went out a month or so ago. >> State of the Union. >> The annual get together, >> the budget kickoff meeting. >> Yeah. >> Then what's in two weeks? uh financial group [clears throat]
>> you guys are complicated. >> I know. >> Next it'll be submitting for PDM and gas. >> Well, you know, my commute is double. >> True. It's farther than before. >> It's four miles now instead of two. [clears throat] [laughter]
>> It's still halfway is downhill. That's You're just coasting, aren't you? >> Were there any other questions before I go? >> No. >> Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. No. [clears throat] Okay. Open space and recreation plan. Um, did
I see that? Uh, Dan was not able to attend it. >> Um, yes. >> Okay. So, who's who's bringing that forward? >> I can speak on it. >> Okay. So, the town has an expired open space and recreation plan. It expired in
February 2025. a valid open space recreation plan is a prerequisite for a number of different grant programs um from DCR um land grant, park grant, those types of things. Um [clears throat]
so um Dan and I had conversations with this probably about uh probably about a year ago because he was hoping to apply for a park grant parks and rec was looking to put a park grant together and he realized that a year ago that the uh open space recreation plan was going to
expire. So we started exploring opportunities um grant opportunities [snorts] to hire a consultant to um help the town update the open space recreation plan. I believe the last open space recreation plan it was done in conjunction with Py Valley Planning
Commission. Um so um the town ended up applying for um a grant. I forget the name of the grant exactly. I want grant but um
probably says it in his email. >> Land conservation assistance grant. >> Yeah. for $25,000. Um that was awarded to the town. Um so there's a request for the board um to uh move forward with
updating the open space and recreation plan. This will likely entail um if it's okay with the board is hiring pine planning commission to assist a yettobe formed open space and recreation plan committee to update the plan.
[snorts] All right. So, are you going to be the uh gobetween between between uh getting uh Joe on board? >> Yeah, I reached out to Joe today and he he's he has the capacity to do it.
>> All right. Inside the hours he already has. >> Okay. >> I think that I think this a natural connection [clears throat] there. Mhm. >> A lot of the the members of the open space and recreation plan from the prior from the prior plans were were heavily
conservation commission members. So, >> um it's a natural fit there. So, >> okay. And as you said, the composition of the committee similar to CPA, if you will, with designated representatives.
When are you going to look for planning conservation to u suggest the member? >> Um, so I'm going to um if the board's okay with this, I'm going to I'm going to kind of hand it over to Joe >> with you go. It's just, you know, this
is this is the process. These are the next steps. Go at it. Okay. Um, yes. A motion to [clears throat] form a open space recreation plan committee. >> Do we have to accept the grant?
>> Um, [clears throat] so we're waiting on the It'll be good to accept the grant. We're still waiting on the contract from the state >> and that'll come in. It'll be $25,000. Is there a commitment for money from the town or in kind or >> I don't believe there um for this one I
don't believe there is one. >> Okay. >> Got a question match. >> Who does dad or say >> you have the old plan and in the master plan that we just finished we did a lot of work
>> on that specific subject. So yeah, >> I would think between the old plan and the master plan, maybe some AI that that might be helpful in, >> you know, hashing out at least the basics, you would have to pay a whole lot for consultant to start over is all
I'm saying. >> I agree with you. I think there has to be a lot of commonality. You don't want three different plans that have so much different between them. You're like, what are we going what's ruling the roost here? So >> I would say too, is Dan Lamford involved? Brian, >> he's one that brought it forward. Yes,
Dan brought it forward because he he's familiar with the master plan. So, I'm just saying that that's out there, >> right? >> Yeah. >> But I think it's Brian said it started over a year ago applying for this grant. So, sometimes things come at different times.
>> All right. So, just to vote to create the committee at this point. >> So, move second. >> All in favor? I on T. >> Before we go to the next thing, um I know I saw an email from
Dick, but I don't see the amounts. Do you have them? >> Yeah, >> Ryan. I don't have a copy here. >> Yes. >> Thank you. So, just to report to the board that last week when we didn't have a meeting,
I did sign the warrants um on December 30th, $69,649.85 was the payroll warrant and the vendor warrant was $239,7627. Um, as as you heard Dick say, the vast majority of that was the upping 200,000,
right? So that's the report to the board. Uh just to say that when we don't meet, we've authorized one member of the board to sign the warrants and report the amounts back to the board at the next meeting. All right, move. Let's see. We're going to just push down to the future of the
old town hall. I expected somebody else to come, but they probably got lost in the building. [clears throat] You know, Brian from Brian Court at my office today and say he was interested in being on. So, I hear this all over
town. I'm sure everybody has. Hey, what are you doing with the old town hall? And we don't want [clears throat] to take it upon ourselves to make that call. It's a community asset. We need the community involved in what's going forward. We've had this on our agenda since we've been
talking about moving here back in June, July, even earlier. Brian has met with a couple of different appraisers. We have of course the the uh report from Thai and Bond as to the
condition of the building and any improvement and the cost of that improvement. We are really interested in having community members step up and serve on committee to really work and provide the right the right direction for the board
and the town. There are a lot of challenges with the building to be used in in a municipal use, a private use, a home use, a business use, every one of those would involve a different challenge. And
there's no easy solution. So, short of the four of you raising your hands, I [snorts] don't really see the committee right now. But do you see that? They're off camera. We can say they did. Don, do you see all four of them?
[clears throat] >> Do I see a second? >> I got a chosen. I'm in because I he he can't function without him sending me off on >> Yeah, you probably give him a ride here, right? >> I love [cough and laughter] it. >> All right, Dad.
>> Can I ask um [cough and clears throat] what's what's the I'm going to say the end goal time frame? Are you looking to bring this up to town meeting in the spring or >> I would I would think
well obviously it goes to tell me if there's a monetary involvement >> well maybe there's CPA money something like that but I would think at the very least a report to town meeting would be warranted >> and a so you're not looking for a decision in other words what I'm saying
is the town's people at a town meeting would have to whether to accept the use or whatever you're planning, >> not necessarily >> or to tear it down. >> Well, I'm not saying that's a thing, but
I would say actually not necessarily, but it would be prudent to put that in as a report to the town meeting. Yes. >> I I'm not sure. Okay. So you may want to investigate that >> because again whatever is going to be
dumped like you said CPA money >> um don't know from this you know how are you going to continue [clears throat] to fund it. >> Well that's a concern we have. Obviously, there's a heating insurance. You know, obviously we're not
duplicating the expense we have here because obviously the utilities went down quite a bit when we moved out, but they're still present >> some scale. >> I'm sure there's an oil I'm sure it's >> it's somewhat heated. I went in last night. I do the wellness check on Sundays there because I live next door.
>> So, you know, obviously there's heat to some extent. Uh security is still there. You know, we have a camera system. Now you know um so you know that's present we ensure the building of course under
our umbrella policy you're you're right when you talk about for instance say the select board decide to sell the building that would come to the town meeting that would be disposal of town asset maybe the committee recommends look the land's worth more
than the building you should tear it down but then you'd have to go to town meeting and get the funds to do that action if you would. It's not so much the action that needs approval, it's the funding of the action. So, >> and I will say for the record, these are all hypothetical.
>> Hypothetical things, right? >> These are hypothetical. I just want to say for the record, >> you've got a guy like Joseph Billy who just volunteered for the committee who is an expert in small business innovation. He might look at and say, you know, I can get a couple companies might be able to turn that building into
some an innovation center of some sort. Maybe that happens. So if we get a broader spectrum of people looking at it, we're going to get more ideas, we think. >> Yeah. Um but the question becomes, do you want to
keep it as a town or depending on what the results are from this or committee? um how you want to maintain it. If it's going to be a town building where we're going to sell it as Joe may come up
with, you know, that Brenda's hair cutting company and somebody [snorts] else wants to move in. >> I don't think it doesn't look like something Joe's terribly interested in, but hair cutting. [laughter] [snorts] But I would just say the [clears throat]
one thing when we talked about this before from a municipal standpoint as we're aware the building is sadly lacking in any ADA capacity. So to keep it on the rolls as a municipal building is going to require huge investment to
bring it up to snuff as Ty and Bond said because we've had that question well can this town committee use it? Can the fire department use it during construction etc. that gets into it's not proper and
the town was extremely fortunate that until we made the move here that something didn't happen at that building because of our lack of ADA coverage >> that would have exposed the town to some severe penalties very lucky and I think
it'd be wouldn't be prudent on my thought to allow that to continue so I think a municipal application is going to be difficult to justify knowing that we have all those improvements to make. Now Joe, you probably could speak to
that from a public business thing. There might be different requirements there from a business standpoint. You might say, "Okay, I can do this. The lower floor, we're going to take that out of the mix and make that not accessible by the public. So now we don't need to do
something down there." So, but this is as we get more exposure, more ideas coming forward, figure out what to do. >> I just two things. Number one, every people should understand that this isn't going to happen overnight. This is a
long drawn out process. Secondly, all almost every municipality in Western Massachusetts is going through the same thing. Long Meadow has got three municipal buildings I using. Wilberham has got a utilization committee over there being formed. Belure town, East Hampton, they're all in the same boat,
>> right? >> And the third thing I like to say in my view, all options are on the table. >> Uh, you know, making an innovate, you know, making an entrepreneurial center, making an arts center, making a cultural thing, making a museum, tearing it down,
building it up, you know, >> but you look at the money just spent on those three buildings. >> Yeah. >> You know, millions, you know. >> Yeah. So, >> but [clears throat] every every municipality is in the same place right now. >> Yeah. Well, I kind of was waiting for
your municipal meeting number seven. I thought that was going to be the topic there. So, >> meeting number it will be. Yes, it will be. >> It [clears throat] will be. So, that's where the committee is going to be cuz I mean I I see what the conversation was going to
be because obviously you guys know I have several thoughts for that place. >> I'm shocked. everywhere from the nuclear power plant, you know, to a homeless center, a homeless shelter to um >> I believe it's called unhoused now. >> Yeah. But but one thing the town should
do if you know rather than spending any money on that place at all is winterize it. You [clears throat] know, drain the pipes, get the water out of the pipes. There's no sprinklers, so you don't have to worry about the sprinklers going off. you can get a company that services. >> I I will say we talked Herb and Brian
have talked about that at this point. Right now, we actually still have stuff being cleared out. >> Okay. >> Like I said, I was there last night and Eva was there with some stuff. >> Ruth moving stuff out. So that's that's on the way >> because that way you're not heating,
>> right? It's minimal. All right. So again, thank you. We have Joe and Tad to volunteer. I'll be you with that. All right. >> Yeah. All right. >> Great. >> So, that's only three out of four. >> Huh? >> I've done enough.
[laughter] >> Really? I thought Thursday nights was open. >> Sleep on it. >> All right. It's a pro provisional appointment for John just in case. Exeicio. [laughter] >> Oh, well. >> All right.
>> So, again, we'll look for more people. Um, >> so how do we want to formalize formalize this? You want to like it? We didn't really say we're forming committee, so let's make that formal next week. >> Okay. >> All right. >> We got a formal name for it. >> Oldtown Old Town Committee.
>> Put out a note for the volunteers. >> Yeah, but we have been that this is not maybe it's not on your Facebook, but it's been >> okay. Well, put the word out. Just >> let me just say one more thing. I I did some look at it just briefly about this
and when Don says all a lot of towns are doing the same thing >> that's created a backlog in Boston whatever we decided to do if we decided to do it >> tomorrow [snorts] there's a couple of new wait for funds from the state >> so nothing's going to happen fast unless
it's >> private so you know what that's going to be I'm just throwing out there that it's not going to be quick [clears throat] >> okay uh we have New town hall. New town hall update. Brian.
Yes. New town hall update. Here we are. Send the board an update of the different things that have happened, different things that have uh planned, um different budget accounts. Um we did
get the contract for the $90,000 for the state year mark. Um, so that's been signed and secured. Um, so projects that are still planned that we haven't started yet. Um, the security cameras.
Um, the asbestos abatement that's going to start um the additional asbesto statement that's going to start from this Thursday. Should take two days this Thursday and Friday for the meeting room. Um, one thing that we do need to [snorts] consider at one
at some point is the additional audio visual um items that we'll need for the additional meeting room. >> No. Is that anything to do with our our spectrum contract that we're so viciously negotiating? >> Which [clears throat] contracts are?
>> Spectrum charter whatever who the hell the hell they are. Eventually, I hope that will be a source of ongoing revenue uh to support the peg access broadcast. Um
yeah, it's taking forever and moving this move delayed it even further. So, I just saw we saw a $96 bill from the lawyer [clears throat] >> probably [snorts] once. So the uh remaining funds at the
bottom >> y >> the 55 is the summation but every everything but the HVAC bill right [clears throat] nothing's so I mean I I assume we have it's 55 56,000 plus the 300 that's appropriated but not spent yet.
>> Yeah the 55 is just is just the balance on those accounts >> on those four plus the uh state or the four plus the state grant. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Minus what's listed in these columns. Right. >> Um for the move, so for the move itself, uh we were $12,000 under budget.
[snorts] Um we have our two renovation accounts that we're spending down now. >> Mhm. >> Um and then we have the earmark. Uh we have bids out for uh the camera system camera system now. >> Mhm. >> Not bids, but you know, we have a station out for the camera systems right now. >> And John, we're going to we're going to
touch base with uh >> Tony. Yeah. >> Did not did not hear back. I was surprised. uh Mercy Communication Center to see what they can contribute to that as well. Um so we do have some additional monies here. Addition other projects that are currently planned are
the >> [snorts] >> um right now there's a wall in the center hallway. We were holding off on that to see how really what happened with the state earmark money, but now we have the state earmark money secured. Now we can move forward with you know putting that door in there. >> Um and then we also have the interior
and exterior signage that we want to do the building. We're still t we're still interior a little bit >> interior sign bill 13,000 up if I can quickly jump back. >> You're late. >> Well, the girls can keep me talking down here 20 minutes later.
>> Okay. So, this chap stopped at my office today. He was also here and he's interested also in the town old town hall future. So, we have a couple other people that volunteer for the committee. Do you want to be on the committee? >> Okay. >> Do you solemnly swear to be on the committee? >> Yes.
>> All right. So on the agenda [laughter] on the agenda next week, we're going to formally because of course not on [clears throat] the agenda tonight to form the committee, but basically the you for you and anybody else that you can think of that has an idea for what
to do. Set up your own meeting schedule. You can meet in the old town hall. Um >> that's [clears throat] not [laughter] outside. You mean in the parking lot? That's okay. >> Short meetings, Joe.
>> Well, that begs the question about uh the town's ability to execute identification agreements with people that do some work and moving around in that building in the >> interim. M you know I' I've been looking up in the Massachusetts general laws
what to do and it's uh seems like we can do it but I would like to see if we can recommend get the town council to give us an opinion onification agreements that people who are participating on the committee and going in and out of there
sign with the town because I'd be willing to sign them. Mhm. I say the town employees are covered by insurance policy, but you're talking about those who aren't technically town employees. Yeah. >> Like [snorts] anybody else going in. Good thought. >> Well, when we formalize doing this next week,
>> let's when we formalize the committee next week, let's have that in place. Good call. >> And what? >> The research on this and making sure it's done. >> So, you're on. That was it. >> I'm just listening. >> Oh, you're on the committee. >> No, I don't.
>> Okay. Great. All right, back to >> Yes. One second. Back to uh the new town hall update. One thing I thought I brought to the border for was we need a a spot to put up, you know, notices, etc. And I talked about taking down the
the two doors to the left in the entrance, the three sets and the one set to the left as you walk in. And I was thinking if we just put a wall up and put like we had the old town hall, but Eva brought up a great point
that because of the difficulty and you've all seen like our people going out there trying to lift the thing. Could we make the outside of it plexiglass and have the papers loaded from inside? Maybe a swinging corkboard that comes up to it so they're doing the work from inside, not trying to lift
some plastic thing outside in the wind, etc. So, something I brought up to Brian and Herb today, uh, I thought was a good suggestion for the people who are doing all the loading all the time. So, but again, that's not on here. Uh,
but at some point, we have to comply with posting requirements, you know, right now. Technically, I don't think we're doing it because we haven't got a place to post them. >> Where we go right now? >> Where are we putting them? >> Same place as the website. I thought
well I mean not until we get to the town meeting part then we'll be in because that's >> town meeting is we got five different places >> which is listed at the town hall at that point. Yeah. >> All right. >> Five or seven places looking for man for the committ. [snorts]
>> Okay. Anything else in new town hall? I know we talked about you've got some bathroom decisions to make. Do you want to touch on those? >> Yeah. Just to follow up on on the visit from the library. um and I did walk through the the two smaller bathrooms. They're not they're not sufficiently ADA
compliant. So, we're going to we're going to close those bathrooms and then we're going to open the larger bathrooms. Um there's no uh grab bars on the smaller bathrooms are currently open right now, which make them not compliant with ADA. So, it while I think
you could fit changing stations in there, I think would be tight. Um, so I think it's just easier at this point to to open up the larger >> multi-use bathrooms and close those for now. >> Okay. >> Um, it'll be more ADA compliant. I think it'll it'll just be more convenient for
people who we're coming [clears throat] in to change change a child. Yeah. >> Um we also looked at uh her met with um electrician to talk about the the exterior lighting problem where it's where it's pretty dark out in the
>> parking lot area closest to the building. Um there's probably there's likely a a more temporary quicker fix um to change out one of the exterior lights on the on the porch to a spotlight so that we can uh address that the darker
area around that entrance on the left that the library uses um with longer term solutions for the entire front of the front of the building/ parking lot area. >> Um >> forget what else we talked about there.
Well, those they talk about the national grid owning the light system and stuff, but [clears throat] it's something I think um I suggested her and Brian reach out to Nani and see if uh we can come to understanding who has what in this project here. >> Yeah. And I didn't like to hear that
because the whole whole issue we had with trying to put holiday lights on poles and if they own them then it's going to be a whole another issue again. But >> um >> yeah. >> Okay. And that brings up one other
thing. We talked about the expenses and you probably saw in the folder there. We did get the first electric bill for this building. Please note that it was two months on that bill, not one month. But again, we can start doing some projections about what it's going to be going forward finishing out 6 months and
how we're looking for that account and back to the fact we still have to keep something on at the old town hall for bit out of the same aligned item. So, um, we're all aware of the fact that electric is that price is going up, but
I did mention to Herb that perhaps we could go back, ask the school for an old electric bill, look at the basic kilowatt hours and see if our usage is the same as it was back when the school was here. Obviously, the amount won't be reflected, but the kilowatt hour usage
would reflect where we stood. >> Okay. Anything else on the town hall? No, it's just numerous many other smaller things that are happening um that we don't list here that are happening during the day as we try to figure out how to best operate [snorts]
within the building. >> Well, I speak to different department here and I have to say what they say is you're responsive. You know, they come to you, you and Herb come up with an answer and they don't let it doesn't linger, which is good. So we appreciate that
>> that the [clears throat] the 12,000 remaining in the moving. >> Okay. Now that was a specific appropriation from the town meeting. >> Yep. >> So we can't use that for anything else.
>> Anything that would not fall under that >> category. [clears throat] But there's still some stuff to be moved over, right? Um there are there's still some there's still some additional IT stuff to take care of you know as part of as [snorts] we take out of that right
>> so we're taking it out of that account as much as we can >> there is some disposal stuff that uh Eva mentioned shredding etc to me I could I think you could make a case for that too being part of that disposing of old town hall stuff
>> either you're moving it here or shredding or disposing of it. Yeah. All right, we have a couple of uh liquor permit requests. And Don, you know who they're from. That's right. The seniors
and >> Hispanic Valley Artisans Art Show. Huh. I thought they were moving on here. I know we wouldn't give. So, >> uh, that is a question. >> Yeah. >> Remember she came and talk to us about
that? Yeah. They would display in here all the time, right? >> Scantis. >> Yeah, but they wanted to have the show here. But again, we probably would not. Well, hasn't come up yet. So, >> um, so it's Valentine's Day. That'll be successful, right?
>> Here, let me take you out. There's some art. >> It's a cheap day. [laughter] >> It's your middle name. >> It's my middle name. >> All right. So, we have a request for two one-day liquor permits for the Escanic
Valley Artisans Art Show. The first is on Saturday, February 14th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. The second is on Sunday, February 15th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you forgot to buy it the first day and you want to go back and see if it's
still there, you have a chance. >> So, move them. Got it. So, moved. Second. All >> in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> What else you got? >> That is going to be an interesting question because they did talk about we have not [snorts]
>> really made that discussion. Um, just to finish quickly, [snorts] the 2026 the ABCC seasonal population increase estimation form requires a signature from the
board, a vote and signature. that you agree with it. Do I have it? >> Frank, do you have it over there? >> Yeah, I think on the the clip to those. >> Okay, great. >> Now, the reason for this is if the population increases to a certain
amount, we get more liquor license. >> So, it affects the quota >> or drops, we lose some, which we have an excess anyhow. >> We got an excess. >> Yeah. >> Something else in here. >> Yes. The liquor thing. So, motion to approve liquor license. >> Yep. It's shocking. Remember we had the number. We were shocked at how many we
could have like 17 or something. Um anyhow motion to approve the submittal of the renewal application. >> Move. >> Second. >> Favor. >> All right. >> And there's one other form in there that does require vote.
>> Okay. All right. And so, [clears throat] and the last thing I I asked to have on the agenda, watching the school committee meeting last week or that was held on the 18th, there was a comment made during the meeting. We had, if you recall, a meeting with the Wolver Select
Board here, a couple of school committee members as well that were representing the help me out finance committee or planning committee. >> Yeah, but Mike was it was like Mike and Joe were on the committee, I thought.
Well, maybe the finance magic. Yeah, >> that's kind of like talking about going forward where we stood and we had made a comment about uh well after the tour, you know, we had some extra doors here, stuff like that that we'd be happy to
provide to Wolver upgrades they need. And there was a comment on the video that was, I think, disrespectful of how we presented it. And I don't think the facts as stated reflected what we said
at all. And Don, you probably watched it. And what's your thought was? >> I agree. We didn't say to them we got these damaged doors and >> Yeah. >> Right. So, and Eric, I don't know if you >> I think for clarification is that the doors are damaged at the Wilberham Middle School.
>> Correct. And we have usable >> usable doors that we >> that we would potentially if they fit they would be going to >> Right. We removed them here because they didn't fit into our town hall plan, but they were fine. >> Correct. >> Right. So, um I'd like an opportunity to straighten that out. I was thinking of a
letter to the board, but I think actually since it was done on video, I'd like to attend their meeting on this Thursday and make that point to them. How's the board feel about that? >> Go ahead. >> You want to go? That man zoomed in.
>> Good luck with the audio. >> Yeah, I know. >> Yeah. So, it's not great. [clears throat] All right. So, that's uh heads up. I'm going. But let me know if you are going. >> So, I don't think we need to post cuz we're not >> if I say we're doing this here. We're just restating what we did at a meeting
basically, Don. So, I don't think it needs to be posted even if all of us show up. >> Yes. >> Because we're not doing anything different. >> Yeah. >> Right. So the board's fine with me presenting that to them? >> Yes. >> All right. You over Great. All right. They probably want cookies.
>> All right. So, uh, anything else to come? So, schedule going forward. Next Monday, we have the annual always called the State of the Union. basically the opportunity for all boards to recap where we are in the current
fiscal year and their outlook for the upcoming fiscal year, which honestly is a little more important and the light we're seeing right now. We're seeing a lot of people wondering surprised at their tax bills at this point and wondering what their expenses
are going to look like in FY27. So, it's good to hear from after the first six years, six months, what boards are going to be seeing, bringing forth to the town meeting in May 2026. And we also expect the advisory to be
there presenting the typical paperwork they do for different boards to uh submit their budgets to them and obviously the boards that we have, boards and committees that submit their budgets and departments to the uh select board. The following
Monday, the 20th, we are anticipating having the public hearing for the electrical upgrade at Bay and Colony. We are getting the notices out to the Butters and I think what I heard the
butters list was in the 80 to 90 or higher number because it's inclusive of Genevieve, Erica Circle down and so incredible number. So >> part of mill probably >> probably so I anticipate that uh we should have that meeting in the
cafeterium. >> Um I would think we would block out easily 45 to an hour with that many potential people coming. We have made it clear to national grid that we would like their representatives to be physically present at our meeting and they've agreed to that.
>> So that's the sorry is that that's not the that's the 20th right? >> 19th is a holiday. So [clears throat] that's the 20th, >> correct? >> So for our regular meeting on the 20th, the first hour is going to be consumed by that. I >> we're doing Frank cuz a holiday, right?
>> Right. The second part uh we did talk Don and Eric about getting a financial uh quarterly meeting and I think because you're away the following week that would be the way to have it.
>> The days away. >> No, no, no. I have it on the 20th. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, 20th I'm here. >> Yeah, that's my point. So, yeah. So, following the uh public hearing. >> Sure. >> You know, have our finance thing.
>> When do you want to schedule then the um your uh municipal building group? >> Do they typically been what has it typically been that was that? >> They were meeting like 10:00 in the morning. >> It was 10:00. It was Tuesdays. Typically >> Tuesday or Thursday? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Okay. It's a little I want to give people notice, but it's only the 5th. You want to do it the 13th? >> 13th. >> Sure. You feel I mean the biggest thing we got talking about is Hey, what are we doing? So, and our committee, how do you guys feel
about the 13th at 10:00? >> I got all the time in the world. >> I love put >> February. >> Yeah. >> No, March. January. >> January. What's that for? >> The municipal building meeting. The committee know the committee you're on. >> Yeah. I understand.
>> Yeah. I mean, okay. So, >> setting up the next meeting for that. This will be number seven, does it? Roughly. Yeah. >> But I think there's two different committees. >> No, but I'm suggesting that their committee comes to that meeting. So, >> their committee comes to that meeting, >> right? >> Yeah. That's why [clears throat] we put
retirees on on committees. Joe can't >> Joe time anyways >> the 20th is kind of a busy >> well we do we have to meet with you is that what you want to do >> no I was thinking so we have this municipal building
>> meeting group and we typically meeting typically monthly every other month on a Tuesday morning and I think the focus for the next one is going to be obviously where we stand with this building where we stand with the old building and get a quick report probably
from Herb because now he's done an assessment of all the buildings. Now these are facilities >> department and the senior center. >> Are you able to zoom Joe? >> We can do that without him. >> Yeah, you can do [clears throat] say or you >> are you away or you just got something else that time.
>> I'll be my birthday. My kids taking me >> kids at that's a Tuesday. priorities to Tuesday. >> How about [clears throat] that Thursday? >> The 13th is that week is when I'm gone. >> Oh, you got >> right. But mean, if it was not on your
like on Thursday, that would you zoom in instead or No. >> Yeah. >> All right. Want to make it Thursday? >> Before 14. >> That'd be 15. 15. >> Make it Tuesday if you want, but if I zoom in, I'm just not going to physically be here. >> I understand that, but I don't want you
have to do it. If the kids got something planned on Tuesday for you, that that would make it Thursday instead. >> I know, but he he wouldn't be as busy on a non- birthday. That's all. Hopefully. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. All right. So, I'll suggest to the
board we schedule the next municipal uh building improvement utilization meeting for January 15th at 10:00. >> Okay. >> Thursday. >> Thursday. 10 o'clock. >> Where is that? Here. >> Here. >> Right here. Well, [clears throat] >> here the room won't be ready yet, right?
That's [snorts] really February is the usable time for our new room. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I mean, it'll be clean with cement floors. So, I mean, if you want to >> just like home. Nice. [clears throat] [snorts] >> All right. Uh,
okay. Select board member reports. >> I have nothing to report for holidays. No, same. Is there anything else the town administrator wants to talk about? >> Um, couple things. Um, casino mitigation
grant applications. Um, those are due January 19th. We have a very we are eligible for a very reduced amount of money, like around $19,000. Um, so if we have ideas and what we want to do. >> Now, is that because they're gambling
less or because the state government is going to use the money for something else? >> Because the state government is taking all of the money. >> They want record, that's all. >> But they're not giving back to us. >> Not giving it back to anybody. >> Okay. >> Trying to balance trying to balance
their own budget. >> Um, John mentioned a good hearing on the 20th. Um, I did receive a request from the Wilberham. Wilberham has a reuse committee, a building reorganization committee.
I think there will be ideas on how to reuse the motor school, right? >> Mhm. >> It's empty. Um, they've asked if they could come for a tour, if I could give them a tour of this building, and that's tenatively scheduled for uh January 14th
at 6 p.m. If anybody else wants to attend, they're more than welcome. Do you have your staff meeting this Wednesday? >> Who's going to be on this tour? >> Me. >> I don't know. >> From Wilberham. >> Um I can give you a list.
>> Why would they be on tour? >> They're looking for ideas and want to understand what we did here to >> What time is that? >> 6 p.m. >> What time? >> 6 p.m. >> 6 p.m. on the 14th. That's I think
that's what he said. So they they yeah they want to they want to talk about about our move and how it went and and ideas [clears throat] as to what they might do with it. So >> why don't they fix the middle school? >> Oh, sorry. >> Did that slip out? >> Just you know when you get old you just
say things [laughter] [snorts] [clears throat] >> really. All right. >> They're coming at six o'clock, huh? Ryan 6 in the evening. >> Uh that's what we tend to have set. Yeah. [snorts] >> Okay.
>> It would be a nice neighborly thing for us to do, I imagine. >> Well, that's that's us. >> That's his other middle name. >> All right. Anything else to come before the board? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second.
Is there anything else coming before the board? >> Anybody else? >> Still anything? >> No kidding. All in favor? >> I thank you.