Really? Good evening and welcome to the May 26, 2026 meeting of the Hammond 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. from. >> We are holding the meeting on Tuesday because yesterday was a federal holiday. We are meeting in the select board meeting room at the Hamlin Town Hall.
Our meeting is being recorded and broadcast on Zoom. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? >> Nope. >> Well, they watch it at home later many times. What's our click up to right now, Brian? would say for a thousand per week. >> Definitely.
>> Yeah. Paid panel pay-per-view. >> There's a pay wall. >> Yeah, sure. Okay. First agenda, we have a couple sets of minutes to review May 4th. Big thing. We uh approved the purchase of the loader with chapter 90 money. We
reviewed the upcoming town annual town meeting, discussions on cannabis reform, couple of liquor permits for the senior center plus the VFW and town hall
building use request for both a celebration by St. Mary's and the theater guild. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? Hi. >> All right. We have a meeting on May 11th,
which was actually just a short meeting before the town meeting. And the only order of business was a request for a pool permit which was still voted by the board. >> That's cool as in swimming. Willards, right?
>> Is that music mansions with all good? Yeah. Ready. Motion to approve. Second. >> Harold Hall. Was a nut that show motion. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> All right. So, first on the agenda, uh, typically after the annual town meeting or any subsequent town election, we reorganize the select board. Um, and typically the member who is up for reelection the following year serves as
chair for the year prior to the election. Uh, that would be Eric's turn. Eric has been a fantastic addition to our board. You know, brings that youth to the board that we are so so lacking. Right, Don? Hey.
X, but uh Eric's made known, you know, that uh he, you know, he has a work life. He's extremely valuable in his job and uh he wants to continue being a valued member of the board and we appreciate that. So that being said, one
thing we have done in the past when this has happened, this happened with Norm Shereest and it happened with Craig as well. Uh where the outgoing chair stayed on for six months and the incoming chair which would be Don because he'd be up for re-election if he so chooses would
uh come in early. And is that something the board is interested in doing? >> Yes. >> All right. I I move we appoint Mr. Flynn, chairman, chairp person until January 1st, 2027. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? >> Oh, sorry. Any discussion? No. >> Check my wife. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. I'll make a motion that uh we have point. >> Uh I think we voted to keep gentlemen
Don for now for you. Don is going to be it for now. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that we appoint Don Davenport as chair of the board of health until January 1st, 2027. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Do you accept? >> Fine.
>> Get those food permits. Done. Test all the food permits. Right. Talk about perks. >> All right. So, no need to change the stationary just yet, >> right? No. Yeah. Good. See, we save the time. the auto pen running.
>> We see the tile money there. We'll have to change the stationary. Yes. >> We have to make a motion for for the motion out the end of the six months. We're done for the >> We both have that one. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, first on the agenda after that is uh apparent we have a couple of
new probationary call firefighters. Chief Puland and I want to thank the fire department and the BFW for the ceremony yesterday. Uh it was unfortunate that the forecast had rain. When you have a big group like
that, you have to be able to notify them hours ahead, the band, everybody like that. So I think, you know, the BFW made the right call. It's something Don and I recall is happening in the past few years. Anyhow, and we want to thank the fire department for again staging the
event in the fire station and the hot dogs and the police department with the ice cream. and we thank them all for what they've done and the BFW. >> So, Chief, um, >> and you didn't bring in leftover hot
dogs, right? >> Thanks. >> Um, thank you for having us this evening. I only have one probationary firefighter applicant tonight. I think the other one was probably had her Corey checked today and result back.
I'm guessing that's probably why she's not here. Um, but quickly, uh, Brian, you think that'll be okay for next week for second person? >> Oh, my I did not get an application from Tori yet. >> Okay, >> so um, tonight Edmond Berth is here. He
lives at Southbridge Road in Hampton. Um, he grew up in town. He has served in the military have construction work interested in
>> I have someone from town fairly close to their decision as it calls um is interested in pursuing >> I think you're the same grade as my son Kevin >> Kevin yes sir remind me
>> how you doing Good. You remind me of your dad. >> Oh, yeah. >> Great guy. >> He was. >> So, uh, again, Edmond, Ed, what do you prefer? >> Uh, whichever you prefer, sir. >> No, what do you prefer? Because I mean, >> Ed's fine. >> Okay, that's good. >> Well, we'll try not to get confused.
>> Yeah. And Eddie Eddie works. >> I'm I'm a little bit younger, so >> All right. Well, we'll move that right along. almost um again know you from being in town. What did you do in the military?
>> I was a combat engineer. Um I was active duty for four years. Now I'm in the National Guard. I signed a 5-year contract and I'm going to be doing uh EOD. >> Didn't do vehicle repair. >> No. No. >> You know, it could I could have helped
myself with that a couple of times. >> I'm sure. I'm sure. Um, Brian, you did the Cy check. Anything jump out of you? Okay, good. Any questions from the board? >> Kansas. >> Yes, sir. >> What were you doing in Kansas? Is the
military there? >> Yes, sir. >> Where? >> Uh, Fort Riley. >> It's right outside of uh Manhattan. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> You're not in Kansas anymore. >> No. Really? Really, Don? I was hoping I
was you were fighting. You were fighting and I know you was. I was fighting. >> Must look my heels three times. >> I was going to make a joke, but I >> I feel for I feel for Ruth when she has to do the minutes these meetings. I really do. >> All right. AI is having trouble with
that. Eric, >> I don't I guess >> she We're good. We're good. be subject to, you know, all the provisional missionary firefighter guidelines and training before >> qualified to come. So, okay.
>> Are you losing anybody or >> um we've lost a few people that moved out of town. >> Um one came back to business yesterday. It was nice to see him. Another one um is doing a residency as assistant,
>> physician assistant. He's starting out Florida today, I think. So, we're, you know, people are growing and are developing, >> which is which is wonderful to see through our department. It's good. It's not bad. It's all good. >> I did note online the response that you
had to the Mun Fire and a great showing by Hampton helping out there. You know, certainly a good multi-m community burn there. Um, not a great outcome, but you know, but >> no, we uh we sent 11 firefighters over,
repeat. >> Mhm. >> Who covers Hammond at that when that happened? >> Um, we still had, believe it or not, we still have people available. >> Okay. >> Called in one lieutenant. >> I mean, typically somebody like an eastern metal would come over, but did
they also respond as well? >> Um, I I told Well, I actually told them to reach out to Summers. commerce. >> I think we're we're location. >> You have a network, right? >> We've been getting called a lot.
Sure. >> What's our drought level right now? Down. I know >> to down one grade or two. >> We're down one grade. Yeah. >> Yeah. moderate.
>> I think we're two moderate is too moderate. Is >> we're moderate. We're moderate. >> Yeah. >> What was the >> the north northshore is a severe drought. Is it >> and the cape or just the north shore? >> Just the north shore. >> But we you know it's not too much worry about forest fires right now. It can't be but you know the tree the leaves grow
give us good canopy where we're not too too worried. Not to say it can't happen. >> Chancer. >> Okay. >> All right. So we have a candidate Ed and how's the board feeling?
>> Motion motion to approve >> subject called background checks and probationary issues that the chief designates. All those in favor I I congratulations. >> Thank you sir.
>> Appreciate you. Thank you sir. >> Thank you. All right. Well, no further business. No, just kidding. Um, so we have the fire department building committee. Hi all.
You want to go up front? >> So, uh, Chief, you've sent something along today. >> Yeah. I don't know. Brian >> can Brian broadcast that. >> Yeah. >> The chairman Mark Barber can't can't be
here this evening. So many questions I can basically the building committee is is um come up with a plan um original plan um but we felt like part of the
committee's responsibility was to make sure that we covered fire safety, make sure that we're doing right by the town's funds that were allocated by town meeting. Um and the building made we come up with a a second
scenario or drawing design with five bays south of the current station. Um this gives us a few options. One, we have the hill that's currently in back of station on the on the west, you know,
east side of the station, north side is the the driveway, the residential driveway there that we'd have to move, relocate big way into that embankment. Some of the community members um brought that up as a concerned cost, right? It's not a really known cost. Um and then um
another individual came up with the idea of going to the south. This is a five bay pre what would you say pre not prefab but metal building >> building basically of some type. >> Yeah you can do whatever you want for
signing but that has that structure inside. >> Um and this would this would go towards um directly towards the town hall. Uh tonight we're we're here because um if we were to do this design, we would have
to ask for some property that is now current to that lot that the town hall has. Um so to move >> so with with the five days, it's showing like it's going through, if that's the line, proper line, is it going through the fifth day at that point or roughly?
>> Um I think if you were to rough roughly Yeah. So, you know, if you come to the back of parking of the town hall and there's cars that park up to the grass, that's basically the pit bag roughly. Okay. Um, >> are these double bays or
>> No, these are single fire when you say double. >> Well, I look at we took a tour of some of the other departments, Mson Eastland, where they have drive-thru bays and they stack the apparatus back to back. >> These are not they're not drive-thru.
face. >> If we had that type of thing, we would be >> We talked about this before. Could we go through the drive-thru type? I know you're concerned about then how do you get around to it because you have
the embankment to the right, but there are possibly other considerations. And then you've got your parking in the back as well, which obviously then you don't have parking generator and your sister back there too and all those. But would you be able if you had two if you
had a three drive-thru type would you >> I think I know what you're asking. >> Yeah. I'm saying would you be able to stack and have the same capacity with the three double bays like in Islam meadow? >> Yeah. So the these are
>> for stacking two pieces of apparatus, two large pieces of apparatus uh in one bay. Um there's just not a drive-thru. So they would both have to be backed. So, the drive-thru option doesn't really work because we have no place for first responders to park their vehicles when
they respond to a fire or training night. A lot of parking, fortunately, it's going to be behind that building. >> We will have some parking up front, which would be handicap parking and maybe people pulling permits and stuff to come in >> in front of the old building. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> In front of the old park. Um but but the the drive-thru um scenario it >> so this would not impact then the area to the north because you're doing all your work to the front. >> Correct. Correct. The station the current station would stay um exactly
like it is but we would you know renovate. >> Couple couple questions I have right off the rip. The old building what's like what's obviously it's still there but what's the is it you changing the whole entire footprint? Are you gutting it or is it just >> So, >> it's staying the way it is.
>> It's staying the way it is. We obviously block up the garage door bays and we leave the walls where they are. We're trying not >> So, the footprint stays the same. >> The footprint stays the same. We may add a few dividers or something, but we're trying to stay the same so we don't have
to um you know do much work to that. >> So, is the ultimate goal to take all the vehicles out of the old building and just store them in the new building? Is that the need to have the exact I'm just curious. >> So, it puts all that pomatic stuff in one in one bag. And if we were to build
the metal building first, it also allows us to house our equipment in there, work out of there while construction goes onto the rest of it. We're not looking to put that apparatus somewhere. >> So, you can almost get into a phase A, phase B thing at that point.
>> Exactly. That's exactly how we would we would bend it out was a fa b >> to keep the cost controlled. >> Devil's advocate. It seems to me like that that you got five bays there, but it seems to me if you cut one bay off it
would be it wouldn't need be no there'd be no need to land it if that's to scale I guess if you will. Is there any possibility just keeping one of those open and the old or do you want to just completely segregate just because of the >> is the way you do the way you do business? I'm just
>> Well, you said before and I think it's where it's going. Is there a vehicle in every bay or is that fifth bay more the apparatus decon the fifth bay to the north not so much a vehicle one? >> There is apparass in every bay. I mean you you've been to the fire department
now. I hope you you remembered how tight it is in there. >> We have four bays now and it's full. >> So, this would be a fifth bay. Some of those bays are very deep. >> Um, this this road feels strongly that we fifth bay to make things, you know,
we start pulling trucks out, got start pulling ones out, circle around them becomes a safety thing, right? It's not that's that's what we're trying to get away from. This is if we're doing it and we're trying to prevent accidents from happening. Um, it's great to have those
main piece apparatus go right out the door. Not pull out 20 feet. Get behind the other one. Try to swerve out. Careful the other piece of equipment not coming out. >> Okay. And I see in the back there you got a connection between the two buildings so you can move and looks like
in the backside not from this picture but the picture right there. >> So they'll be connected. We needed something connected but also we needed a way for the water to shut off not interfere with the other building. >> Okay. >> Did the architect give you any kind of
sense and obviously not looking for a pinate number but with this configuration come in less than the appropriated amount. >> It comes in just about where we are. It comes in just about
>> really. >> Yes. or not >> a polar building is still inflation that's killing us >> the inflation and our OPM is here states that every month we delay or we should say delay
but that we don't have any action it's costing us $30,000 project interestingly we did ask for updated numbers on the original design those came back about two million Okay.
>> It's a cheaper design, >> but it doesn't mean it doesn't mean it means we >> but the savings are eaten up by inflation, >> right? Okay. >> So, I just heard the the rumblings from the when I was at the old town hall committee. There was talks of possibly like saving the facade of the old town
hall and somehow integrating that. Obviously, the two buildings are very very far apart. Um, but is that >> I I >> is that even not a consideration because of the distance? I'm just asking. >> I I love that idea. I grew up in town. I
just the realization is it's going to probably three times cost of what we're looking at now. >> And I don't think the town has the appetite to spend that kind of money and raise those taxes. >> Um, if it was a a world where we didn't have a budget to to go by, sure, we
could do anything. Um, >> I think we're trying to deliver function rather than form. Form is very expensive. >> Well, you're keeping you're keeping the facade, the old building and making it a little better, you know, bricking it up and all that. And then the other the bay
thing is just like you said. >> Yes. >> It's like the highway garage. It's just vehicles going in and out. It doesn't need to look like, >> you know, granite and whatever. Right. >> Exactly. And and function is really what we're trying to drive out of this project. folks would have
an efficient cost. >> All right. So to proceed with this type of layout though, you would need the town to basically do an ANR on the current two properties >> because you would want they are two separate parcels.
>> Yes. >> Now, and I'll go back to to Lance. He had experience in this. They are owned in common, >> right? >> And I'm not really sure technically if you need to do that. That property line, my understanding is that property line
that we're talking about here basically believe it disappears. It's just it's there historically, but it's only in common. It's one partial at this point, >> right? >> But it would be good to delineate it and that way the old town hall committee has
a finite partial they're working with. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's probably one of the first steps that we would do once we get permission >> is to do that and >> you know have them be clearly delineated, >> right? Yeah. If you're going to if we go with a proposal where so to speak maybe
even they're marketing that partial, they need to know exactly what the parcel is. So, um we would need then the board to take that type of action on to with planning. >> The fifth bay is how far over onto the you know the old townhouse? It's on the
second. It's on the back picture on the existing parking slots by about four feet. I think those are the bottom. We would use the same driveway
to go around and park behind the building. >> You would reuse the old town hall driveway. So, the reason I'm asking the question, if the >> if there's no parking and no driveway,
that kind of >> diminishes the value significantly to anyone who wants to do anything with the building. There's no place to park or to. >> So, you're not >> just throwing it out. So, you're not only talking about going over, but you're also talking about being able to drive by it. So, you also need that. >> Yeah. And you would need you need that.
You need that in case of somebody bringing the trucks back or an emergency, right? You got another >> access back. >> Right. >> Which wouldn't be by truck because you have it's just the vehicles. Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> So the fire truck aren't using that
because they're all going to the front. >> That would significantly my point that's going to significantly impact anything >> value >> any value for the old townhouse. >> Yeah. But if it is just car traffic, not firet truck traffic, you know, it's not like constant either.
>> Yeah. Well, let's say I'm a guy. >> Does anybody know how much property there is for the old town hall? >> What now? How much property is the old town hall? >> One acre. >> One. >> One acre. >> One acre. >> So, you'd be approaching byt. >> Well, you also
>> you got to go up the building. Plus, you got to go beyond it for cars to get vehicles to get. So you know what's an average w you know right >> 20T 30t >> somewhere like that one bay width. >> Yeah. >> So now you now you have you have a
building with let's say I'm a let's say I'm a guy with all kinds of money and I >> you are beside the point and and I buy the building and I want to do something with it. I want to make it retail stores. I want to make it an
apartment. I want to make it something. Where do I put the cars? >> Yeah, sure. Lake room on the north road, >> right? You're gonna have to take land, right? You have to take a parking spot. Yeah, >> to put parking along,
>> right? You got to just take land the grass area. >> Where would you put it? >> I just have to take the land. >> Say on the, you know, if you come in north, parking could be in front of the building there, right? >> You would take it would take away the grass area in front of the building.
Sorry. You'd have to you'd have to take that whole area away and parking lot >> like what about school drop off pickup >> without >> that street flocked as it is. >> I know but they're not talking they're not expanding the fire department. >> I'm just saying you can't be pulling
cars on and off of that grassy area when you're doing school pick up and drop off. So now you're now you're whoever buys that property has even more restrictive use. I think they main street. I mean the going around it
doesn't go away. >> No, I think I think we're saying is that just in the future theoretically somebody to remove the grass area to pave it the parking and not just have one one way out kind of like where the old exit is now and it would just additional parking
brainstorming parking lot. >> Yeah. And the other thing is what they're talking there for that road going in to the parking back. >> If a fire goes off, all the guys are responding and parking him back, >> which happens hopefully not every day.
So that's not a constant flow. And then the uh the trucks aren't doing that. They're coming out on the street like they do now. >> You know, they would now. So possibly it could be a shared use at that point because the flow of traffic from the fire department is not going to be a
constant thing. The three people that work there probably go in at what time they go in. They park and then they leave at the time they leave. >> There'll be ample in front of is the >> or they could be parking in front of the building itself. Right. Also, >> right?
>> These are five double bays. >> Yes. Yes. Not not double Y double in depth, right? >> But you can't fit two fire. I that's that's a bad terminology. I mean, you can fit a second vehicle back there, but it's not going to be back to
back large apparatus. >> It's not tankers back to back, right? Yeah. >> Do we know what the depth of the actual building is? >> Length length, you know, what's the >> dimensions of the building, the post? Uh
80 biome. Thank you. >> So >> 80 depth. Okay. Thank you. >> Let me go back to you're from the architect. >> Right. So >> the deal >> what's the what's the driving I mean if we said and I'm just throwing the
hypotheticals out. We drop down to four bays. Does that drop half a million dollars off the cost? Does it drop? I mean, if you're cutting the bays down by 20%. Are you cutting the project down by 20%. >> The answer is to some degree yes. To
some degree, no. If >> you must be an economist. Seriously. >> Well, understand if you're going to if you're going to take a building that's 80 by 100 and make it 80 by 80, >> your systems aren't going to change all that much. No. lose a couple of lights, you're going to lose a couple of, you
know, maybe a little bit of duck work, but the unit size necessarily wouldn't change. >> Well, you still have a wall, you're losing some roof and that's about it. >> A little bit, right? So, I'm saying it's not a linear square foot cost reduction. You would see a reduction, but it probably would not be what
>> the 20% of square footage. Okay. Right. It had to be >> asked batted around as an alternate >> is to put a mezzanine in part of that >> so that we can put on and and safely uh isolate the equipment
underneath it >> so that perhaps we'll encroach on the first bay and not be full depth >> and then we can use the mezzanine above it for training, storage, whatever else.
Seems like we saw that one of the other stations, didn't we? Whamally used. >> Well, the reason we asked you all to come in here is that the board feels we got to get off the dime on this. You know, this has been approved for a
while. You've been meeting. We need to get clarity in your project so we can give clarity to that project as well. And maybe we can't satisfy both, but the town voted to do something with the fire station. And you're treading water right
now because you need a decision on the land >> and the longer we wait the more the cost goes up. >> Exactly. Right. >> OBM, is it true? It goes up 30,000 a month. So we we usually estimate uh we usually
estimate about 5% per year historically year-over-year. So if it's an $8 million job, it's 400,000 a year divided by 12 months. >> Again, very simplistic analysis. >> Yeah. >> But we would expect that we will see
price increases in January of next year. >> Where's the decon going to be? Uh right. Um inside the um right >> in the rear. Well, it's still up to the building
committee, but it might be in the old the old station right where before the connector is or it's going to be right, you know, it should be in the old old it comes into >> the extra bay or in the back bay maybe or in the back >> deep. But then you you know, you were,
oh, it's double deep. Well, it's not double deep, is it? Right. So, >> um there's going to be a bathroom in there. There's going to be decon and then the connector will be the gear room. So, >> that way all the contaminant stuff stays in the bay, gets washed, goes back into the gear room. People enter the gear
room for a call, gets dressed, go into go into the bay. That's the That's the idea we have. >> Where does the water go when you wash it? >> It goes It goes into the septic. It's it's it's normal. It's not like we have this conversation
before. >> We have the hospital biohazes down. It goes right down the regular drain too. You know blood. Oh yeah. Everybody thinks it goes to >> what? >> So we deal a hazmat. We call hazmat team
in um to deal with the hazmat stuff. We're not involved with that. We're not watching that. So, so random random kind of different direction question. So, if this is basically costing what what the original project was, what about the original
project that doesn't that just that alters the existing building and just throwing it out there, is that even on the is that even a a viable option? I think I think at this point in time we would sort of structure the bid
so that the addition the additional vehicle apparatus space would be sort of the base bid scope and we'll partition off the space um through uh creative bid alternates that would give you folks the flexibility to buy as much as you
possibly can on bid day. While we can't make any guarantee, >> we think that that's the most prudent way to move forward. That way, if we were to segregate that existing station into two or three different spaces, you
essentially get two or three bites of the apple depending on what you can afford when the general goods are. >> So, we're we're right now we're watching the line the amount of money that's appropriated. been approved at time not approved for
bonding at >> we're actually I'll be honest with you we're all keeping our fingers crossed for favorable bit environment >> if we had to go back to the original design um we have to start taking the scalp to it before we put out
>> can the old bays be used for anything to eliminate one bay on the new design >> so the the old bays are all going to be renovated for training rooms. Um you know uh conference rooms
yeah kitchen for uh them um the other remaining parts are going to be badly needed offic it's important to keep that fire those vehicles and stuff in confined area through walking through it striking
around other areas. So this provides the isolation you need. >> Yeah. >> From vehicle work, decon back to the office. >> That's primary >> like we see in Wilberham and several >> the architect is on
>> and in the the top that photo there that drawing there there's in the second drawing there's a little building in between. connector. >> That's a connector. >> That may be that may be a victim of cost.
>> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. So, that's where that's where a scenario where the parking lot would look like. And they'd enter that middle door, that middle red door. That would go into the >> That's the back. >> Yeah, that's the back. And that would be your your turnout gear room, so to speak. So, be
your rack of your turnout gear. You get dressed and go into the garage base, get on the road. So they would they take that bay down that's back there now. Isn't there a bay there? There's a truck. >> Not they would be taking it down. That is part that is um the actual building
the way it sits now. >> Okay. >> So there'll be enough parking between that and the uh where the the highway department is. >> That's the way we have it. >> I mean how many spaces in is that behind the building?
>> 21. >> Thank you. Is that enough? I mean, if you a typical response for a big fire, don't you have more than 21? >> There's more. There's more. There's space about 65 ft. >> Well, just depending on how the people
in the front more importantly where the hot dogs can be on next memorial. >> Sorry, John. Memorial. So again, we got to get off the dime here. If we're agreeing that a we appreciate you coming back with a
plan that stays inside the budget, I think we all understand that having sat on this for a few months, costs have gone up. You know, we have an estimate from a year ago and anybody at home life understands that price doesn't live
anymore. So what is the board's decision? Do we go ahead and work with the planning board to basically draw a new line so that the architect and the OPM this is the lot, this is where we're going
and then that gives them this is the lot. This is where we go with that project. We got one question and might be a dumb one that we're going to do this fire station. Okay. Not to say five to seven years down the
road that someone's going to turn around and say, "Oh, we need to go the other way and add something else on." Is that a possibility or this fire station? >> I think that's I think that's a fair question. I think it's been all the committee's okay um intent to try to
build a facility that's not just going to meet current needs but it's going to be able to future >> you know okay seven years down the road gez we need to go this way to put another truck in
there we have no >> yeah no I think that's the reason for the five bay because every truck is getting bigger >> okay perfect >> but they're never going to exceed the 12 feet >> width >> in width because we'd have to build every road in America bridge. >> So that's not going to change. The
length changes, the weight changes. You can see by the new plenty of room for everything for the next 15 years or whatever. >> I think we're trying to live up to all the things that we rolled out in the beginning relative to safety, separation,
and budget. all all the commitments that we made be upfront honest and say this what we're doing and why >> no that was only a good question but >> with proper maintenance what's a life
expectancy on this building >> I know it's hard to say >> I would ask the architect that Jeff did you hear that question >> yeah it's it's a good it's a good question. Um, it's the prefab
steel and I'm presuming it's aluminum cladding as I haven't dug into it. Um, especially because it is from another vendor, but I wouldn't see why it wouldn't be 30, 40, 50 years I would think with um,
you know, maintenance. >> Am I off base, Neil? What do you think? Oh, municipal construction. We usually try to target 50 years. So, >> how about the annual cost with a structure like this? What is this doing to your annual budget, utilities,
things like that? >> I mean, do you have a sense of that? >> I think once we have a better idea of facade and roof units and efficiencies and whatnot, we can do an energy model that will give you a fair prediction. But at this point, you can you can
assume you're going to heat an additional 8,000 square feet on the space in the winter and cool it or ventilate it anyway. >> Ventilate. Yeah. >> So, you know, your your energy costs will increase. >> Right now,
>> right now we're heating with oil burner converted to natural gas. So, it's not >> there'll be an upgrade there anyhow. Maybe an efficiency at that point. Maybe a trade further conversion. You might be explored whether or not we would have an
advantage with solar >> knock down me. >> I have one more question. >> I'm in the moving business construction. That building now I notice in the back the parking lot's going to be in the back. Can I say that building >> conceptually? Yes.
>> Okay. This doesn't. This doesn't. It probably does. Does this include the snow guards for that snow coming out that building? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I want to know. >> Probably more than one. >> Yeah. Probably more.
>> All right. >> Anything else? Same. >> Do you do you think you think the town will grow enough to accommodate? I mean, expect more fires, expect more false alarm. I I think we're well so when the
station was built all right it was volunteer um everybody worked in town or everybody came to help out the paper I don't think we were as busy um but as our you know from 64 to 206 um we now we have a full-time you know
Monday what they do Friday because no one's around to answer calls there's a lot more calls than there were now than there was back then and there We don't have a volunteer department anymore. We have call our fire firefighters that brass are larger. So we've outgrown the
space. Um there's no offices in there at all. Though so though I don't think it's so much do I think the town will grow. I think we're just trying to catch up to the times and it may um mean that we can accommodate anything newer that's coming
down the road for us. back to that if I could. One thing I can guarantee I don't know how to sound but growing. One thing I can guarantee you because I've seen it over the last well my entire career is the role of the fire department responsibilities of the fire department grown continuously since I've been fire
service. I started in 1979 continuously through that there was always a new challenge that faces the fire department. I remember clearly in the the 80s it was hazmat. Um nowadays the challenge uh we're all being faced with out there is how to manage and deal with the uh storage cells for uh
>> um for energy. Uh it's continuous. I mean the industry constantly is changing. Um so I don't know if the town's going to grow but I can guarantee you the role of the fire department will I definitely know square footage is growing building
>> and new challenges all the time. Like you said, like you said, energy, storage, solar, and >> Yeah. >> Right. >> But, but do those challenges necessitate a larger building and structure and all that kind of thing or
they they or they challenges in training and >> other resources. >> Yeah. It addresses all those that we have. I think the decon is the most important thing as you get with these new whether it's solar, whether it's energy storage, the decon becomes even
more important than it used to be 20, 30 years ago when you're just fighting a a structure fire basically. Now you don't know what you're up against. But again, I'm getting back to we have to move forward on this project. So does
the board support going to planning to the submitting a application to basically delineate the lines between the two parcels. I don't think we can get we can't do
anything with this if we can't guarantee this is the area it's going to be and then get back a price. this is where you're building. >> Then maybe we tune at that point, but we can't even get a good thing until they get the structure to go with it. >> Are we technically
tonight agenda? >> Well, we make a decision to submit an application for what spatial needs there would be. We're kind of route step or march, >> right? I'm looking at more like although you said that Lance is correct that you
know is it really needed at ANR per se I mean it's owned in common but if we have a need for potentially marketing a parcel they need to know what the parcel is >> so we need to draw that line so this is town hall parcel this is fire department
parcel >> and go forward with that and what's the setback on a municipal structure come How long has it been laying gone? >> It's been a lot. >> Okay. So, I think uh you know going forward we
all saw this happening a potential for this but we need need to go forward. You need direction you know. So >> we'd be happy to pick up the pace. Mhm.
>> John, >> if I could just ask, what's the uh what's the the width of the of the structure metal building? >> 80 by 100 >> 100. So this says 74 by 84. So that's
that's one rendering of it. So that's even farther down on it. It's >> farther down. Yes. >> Would be the depth of it. >> Yeah.
>> So, it's another 16 ft to this >> connector pushes it out as well. >> More than that. >> Oh yeah. the tour the 25 foot connector plus a 75 pushes it out or you have to redesign the connector and bring and
close that 84. >> Right. >> Well, the cost of the connector may be something that we were not willing to do. >> Right. But I mean it looks like you have and I'm just guessing you know a 10 gap between the butler building 10 12 feet. So >> you know if we're saying
>> so theoretically >> I mean you're looking for just throwing it out there because we know what it is. You have the grassy part in between. >> You have the parking places that are above the drive. >> Where are you looking for this line? Are you looking to incorporate
>> all the parking places or drop it in between the park in the parking places to keep that driveway coming where it is right now? >> Probably 3 ft of the parking spaces or four feet. >> Mhm. So, we could do that and then keep
the driveway part with the other parcel, but anything >> that's done with that parcel has to include an easement for traffic to go behind the fire department. >> You're going to sell better off include that. >> That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm
saying. So, but as part of it, an easement for you're allowed to go through it, >> but then you keep the driver with the town hall part. >> Yeah. >> So, now I'm saying you saw want you want to delineate the property line. So the property line is a driveway and the building and then the whoever
potentially >> gonna be hard versus actually putting your driveway in front of >> Right. So you want to include the driveway with their parcel I think from perspective. >> Okay. >> With the fire department
>> fire department they go their driveway and then that's where the line starts. So there's no easement to share property and then just >> the next couple of things shared. >> So the edge of building is that 3 ft in
and then it's another 10t 12t drive. >> Yeah. >> That makes sense. >> Does that make sense? That's what they're asking for. So, could you retool the driveway and shift
it closer to their part as well conceptually to give you as much land left for the old parcel? Yeah, >> potentially. It would require >> I mean there's some scope work there obviously. >> I would jump to Oh, absolutely. At this point, I would say
>> yeah, but I mean that does get into setback. Well, no. I mean, the driveway is included. SEPX includes the driveway. So you probably have enough with the width of the driveway. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. So if we had a final plot
plan basically, does the board want to submit that for planning for an ANR? Is somebody survey it and actually draw that plan? Is that something that one of your team does, the architect, or do we hire Gary or somebody like that? We
would >> we would pay for that. Yes. >> Yeah. But would this team do it or we go out to >> We would do it. >> Okay. All right. >> Just so we can keep this going here. >> That's our point here. >> We like seeing you guys, but not every week.
>> Right. >> And the townhouse committee just see the final plan just to get eyes on it to make sure that we're all in agreement. >> I think it's important. You know, all this is gonna be done here after. >> All right. So, is the direction to go
back to them, come back with a plot plan that the town can submit for basically ANR? >> I think we have to. Yes. >> Right. >> If it does include, and I just go back to giving them as much as they can do
for whatever they do. If you can reduce that connector space and slide the butler building up that 5T, six feet, everything helps when you're marketing something, >> right? You can't reduce the connector space because of a roof line issue.
>> Water coming off of the existing building is now running into the the roof lines won't work. >> I was going to ask the same thing. Can we switch the connector or just connect that? Yeah, but makes sense. Let's hope I'm not mistaken existing well.
>> Well, the well on the grassy part there. Yeah, we would that the director come back with something that the board can submit. Okay. How long do you think that'll take?
>> Uh defer to the architect. We'd have to we have to engage the surveyor and then depending on what his workload is could be a couple of weeks, could be >> maybe you might want to see a sketch plan before too much is best at surveying drawings. >> Okay.
Okay. And again, we have plenty of surveyors that we know that have, you know, good knowledge of this area. So if you don't want to bring somebody in from Boston, we have local people that can do it much faster. >> Yes. So, so I thought Brian had a great
idea. Do you want a sketch plan first? Like a plot plan is Yes. >> Then you'll vote on that and then we'll have >> Yeah. >> Makes sense, right? >> Yep. We'll put you on for next Tuesday. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Different. >> No, you get done by Tuesday, we'll put
on the agenda. Okay. Tuesday. No, >> we're giving you to next month. Yeah. Yeah. How would that vary from what we've already shown? Just for my own clarity, >> I'd like to see the building the distance from the building on this plan
as well because this is a bit of a snapshot that really doesn't represent what we're talking about. A potential marketing be it would be kind of nice to get a picture of both properties >> both properties existing town hall and see kind of how it all fits. That would be nice if it's possible to get a little sketch.
>> Okay. That would be very helpful. I think visually from everybody as well as the residents. >> Thank you. >> But the concept you think you're all right with the concept that we're talking >> I think we have to get moving right. This is a concept that it's unfortunate
that even the change in this doesn't save us any money possibly but it doesn't let us have to go back to the town for more money because the original concept now is overpriced. You know, heck, we saw that when we did
the addition to the highway department, the town approved the money for it. By the time we actually went out the bid, the cost of the project had doubled and we had to go back from our money. We don't want to repeat that. >> It happened with our new forestry truck as well. >> All right.
>> All right. Thank you again. >> Yes. Appreciate it. >> Where's Mark? >> A second ago. in the back. >> Nice. >> Yeah, you're >> Oh, yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Right on time. We're right on schedule. >> We're right on schedule. >> Want to pave something next year? >> I too. Sure. >> All right. It's approved. Thank you. >> Okay. We have a We'll keep this destroyed. So,
we don't have quite as much money as last year. That was a banner year. We had 900 and something, but it's still a pretty good number. >> And you're addressing a lot of needs you have that you want to get touched on as well. >> Right. >> And at this point, this plan does
include doing something with the town hall parking lot. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> You already did down street before, right? >> We did. >> Okay. Just checking. We've talked about that. >> So, it will be cobblestone from the
original >> uh the cracks. Yeah. >> Yeah. Unfortunately, this the state keeps allowing uh recycled the the percentage of recycled material to go up >> and that's that's definitely a
noticeable >> um >> difference >> problem. Yeah. with >> quality >> with Yes. >> Yeah. >> So, >> so um while they've kind of forced us to go with this super pave mix,
>> um it's supposed to be a mix that has gone through more rigorous quality control measures. >> Um >> I I'm not so sure. They'll list you out of here. >> What's the stuff? What's the recycled stuff they put in it?
>> Is it old old asphalt or is it >> Long story short, you know, >> can or what? >> They up they have Yeah, it's the mill. If they have a recycle company that has a recycle, that stuff's like gold to them. They take it back. They've got piles, huge piles of it in
their yard. They they they put it in Yep. They put it back into uh percentage of new stuff to old stuff basically you're saying. So they're increasing >> correct. Okay. They're increasing the
recycled and decreasing the >> problem of course they haven't got that much history on the wear and tear on it yet. It's not like this was done 50 years ago and you know how that road held up, >> right? So, >> I mean, you know, there there's roads
there's roads that were done 25, 30 years ago with pure 100% virgin asphalt that are holding up to this day. >> While we have roads that >> after five, 10 years, five, seven years are, you know, showing
>> even after a couple years, you see us start seeing some some cracks. I think Raymond was a 19 in this show live. >> You had two people that live there, Brian, for quite a lot. How much? Where
does it get you in the Amazon? was done to you guys made. >> So, we're going to bring that we're going to bring this up now. >> That seems like state. >> Well, at least we didn't make you put
the sidewalk in. >> All right, back to you. >> It's on order. Okay. >> Good news is uh we happened to place the order um right when they were actually placing orders to have machines
>> come up to this area. So >> Oh, good. >> That's going to help tremendously. >> I was chatting with U Representative Pupelo today and I asked what was happening with that potential snow and ice bill to help towns, you know, with the bad winter. He said, you know, it's
something it wants to be done in June, but they have no idea yet how they're aortioning it. And I think we all did see that perhaps the eastern part of the state did get a lot more snow than we got, you know. So,
will they get more money? He had no idea. And but I did make the point that we would like obviously to get our money before the close of the fiscal year so we could apply it towards maybe snow and ice and reduce that deficit if we >> does the eastern part of the state have
snow now. >> I believe they do. Yes. >> Appropriate snow. >> As soon as it's all melted, we should all have equal shot at the money. >> Yeah. Both reps. They have two reps. Exactly. Um all right. So the support of
any question with this list from market again. Yeah. What is what's of a fluid document? What's the what's the abbreviations? >> Yeah. So those are just account account abbreviations. So chapter 90 obviously. Yeah. >> And you know I color coded them too. Uh
>> so HM is just the highway maintenance. >> Oh, I see. Okay. >> And you know steal a little bit here here and there. >> Yeah. And the HMPs are 250 that we appropriate. >> HMP is highway maintenance paid. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry about that. >> No, that's fine.
>> I do I do just want to say we have you know as of right now it looks like uh you know 53,000 >> that we can carry over chapter 90. Um I'm still expecting um invoices for FY26 paving that completed last week couple
weeks ago. Um so so that that could change a little bit. Um not only that, but also um we'll be looking at some uh asphalt uh hot liquid asphalt escalation on some of these projects. Um the ones
we did in the fall actually >> the price of liquid asphalt went down $10 a ton. >> So um and that's what you had asked last meeting, John, about what Chris was talking. So that means that they would have at they would have owed us $2,900
>> um because the price dropped. Now the price has gone the other way and it's gone up uh 30 $35 a ton >> since our bid. So >> back to snow and ice. So our deficit in snow and ice was in the two something
>> 212. >> Okay. And we decided not to put more salt in so not to raise the deficit at that point. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. And hopefully now that's on a contract but >> third poll. >> A third pole.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> So we're good for the summer. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Any questions for Mark on the schedule? >> No. >> So this looks good. You'll keep us surprised if anything all of a sudden something happens. Um just quickly on
the construction infrastructure part uh you have the bridge projects going on. Do you already were moving ahead with South Road Bridge? The state signed off. We signed off and that's scheduled for >> Oh, um I'm not sure that we have a start
date yet. We're going to have a pre-construction meeting. Um Brian and I talked about that. >> Yeah. First week of second week of June. >> Oh, is it? Yeah. Okay. Um, I know the, uh, Northern Super had reached out to me, um, this afternoon to have a
conversation. Um, one of their questions is going to be about, uh, closing down South Road. Um, >> which, uh, I I don't I don't think >> originally they said they could do the one lane thing. They said >> they could break it up into two phases,
right? Um, but they are I think they're actively pushing to see if they can, you know, of course it would it would shorten the job up, but that's just too too big of a >> detour. I don't even know what shape that road is going into Connecticut.
>> It's not horrible, but it's just now you're now you're working. >> You're adding miles and just like, >> right, >> you know, and that's everybody pretty much on South Road because you're right at the bottom with that work. >> So, I'll get together with Brian. We can probably talk about that before, but I'm in my opinion is is to do it in phases,
but um that's just >> Okay. And then uh obviously nothing new on the rockundy bridge. Okay. Anything new on the Mill Road Bridge? >> Nothing new on the Mill Road Bridge uh to my knowledge either. >> And then we talked about some type of
application or for the Laughing Book Bridge. We know it the bridge part, sorry, the abutments on the side need some repair. Can we use chapter 90 money for that with your leftover 50,000 or something? Can we fix the railings on the side? Can
we >> I Yeah, I think so. Um, but any of that kind of work would have to still be approved by the state under a chapter 85 review. >> 85 review. >> Yeah. Um and uh Brian and I had talked last week about um
about starting a conversation with DHB about the small bridge grant. Um chapter 90 would cover the initial believe the initial cost for design and engineering. They may even do the um they may even do the uh
application for free. Well, this gets back to we talked before about we had two concepts for that bridge. We had the Steve Tyler has this mitigation thing, 3 to4 million dollar bridge replacement to allow for more volume for flood
mitigation and then we had just simply repair the bridge with the uh first and 10th I think >> you know that the state called out do the things and we'd be doing that for a lot less money. >> Yes. Maybe even less than a million,
maybe inside the small bridge limit and get the state to pay for it. >> Yes. >> And really the board needs to decide, look, which way are we going to go with it? Are we looking to hit the town with a three or$4 million
base cost, which we're going to own pretty much the whole thing. Maybe we get a tip grant, but we're also hoping for a tip grant for for Rockadonies. or do we say look we need the bridge working the way it is and go for small
bridge and I think that really I think the board needs to make that call >> so there was no limit small bridge right there was no limit >> you can have as many as you want I mean that's not >> I don't know if you can have as many as you want in other words I I >> having gotten one you're not limited
>> right this would >> but having gotten some row we're not limited from getting another one >> correct right us over >> I don't know if you could have 10 or being at the same time. >> They can only say no. >> I would say it would be
a good direction to go because that's >> not using see what we can get. >> Right. I think we should start the ball rolling on the small bridge application for and if there's some way you can do some rail repair without spending a
fortune because they look pretty sad. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You know, I wouldn't want to put $100,000 into rail repair that isn't going to, you know, it's going to be taken down when we repair the whole thing. >> But if you have a guy to over there weld them and shape, great.
>> Yeah, for sure. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, quickly just to touch on so personnel, you're you've got a vacancy coming up. You're going to be advertising. Yes, I will be. >> Okay, good luck.
>> Had a two week notice submitted the end of last week. So, >> okay. As I suggested, you want to reach out to some retirees and see if they'll help out. >> Sure. >> Great. >> All right. Anybody look with that?
>> I don't want to fill that position. >> Good. >> How about you, Brian? You're retired. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Mark. Oh, thank you. They had questions. >> Thank you. >> Open space committee appointments.
>> Who's going to join us? show you. >> I'm Michael. >> Hi. >> Okay. >> Great. Welcome. >> All right, Joe. >> Hi. >> So, we need 100 people paired down to how many? >> Um, so yeah, I've got I've got a list
right now. There should be some people on Zoom. >> I see 10 people on your list. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um so I have some people here should be some on Zoom. Um and they've all expressed interest in joining. Most
of them are representing a certain um service like planning or health or something like that for the town and there's some residents who've expressed interest as well. >> So yeah. >> Okay. So I see that you know you have of the 10 names
eight are from currently serving boards right and then we have Gretchen who's not here and you Mark >> Mark right >> okay >> so do you anticipate any others I mean this is I mean 10 is I think the largest
kind of number you want to go with here um and I conservation. Um, is three too many? I only asked that because I worry about the quorum thing every time they have a meeting. >> Quorum for
>> you have a quorum of the conservation commission at your open space committee meetings. Do they have the cross post? >> We wouldn't or there wouldn't be a >> one's an associate. Okay, good. All right.
Good >> all right Mark, what's your >> You're going to be on it, too, right? >> Yeah, but you're paid. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, he's a paid guy. >> Mark, what's your interest in this? >> Well, I've lived in town now for 10 years on Mountain Road. Um, my wife's a
volunteer soccer coach in town. >> Um, I've been to a few of the open space committee meetings in Wilberham. I've worked with the town of Wilham and the engineering department >> and learned a bit about what committee does over there and the purpose produced
this document to help the town get grants. >> Okay. Where on Mount Road >> uh 155 like kind of halfway up on one of the red houses on the left >> near to Roger Rich to Roger. Yeah. Okay. Great. Well, thank you for stepping up.
So, last chance. >> What's your timeline? >> What What's your timeline? When do they have to be done? >> So, um we're planning on kicking off um the the middle of next month and we have
about um that year cycle to go with that. by planning commission helping out, right? >> Yes. Okay. >> And you're going to look at the and you're going to include the the master plan stuff
>> and the hike am stuff, right? >> Yeah. I'm not sure. Um I'm not also simultaneously be working on hiked, but I'm sure that it's an initiative we're doing. >> Yeah.
All right. So we have a list of 10 names the board interested in appointing the ascent people and appoint uh Eric as our liaison exeicio liaison to that group. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor.
>> I the names are Dan Blanchard, Lori Dutton, Patrick Coin, Dave Demar, Judy McKinley Brewer. Thank you Judy for stepping back up. Tom Paige, Eric Ainsworth, Heather Burch, Gretchen Warner, and Marco Ali. You could be chair.
>> Oh, no. Thank you. >> They have to be sworn by >> I don't think so. It's an ad hoc committee. You know, they have no budget, no voting power on their own. >> Appoint them, right? >> You'll get a nice paper from us. It's
really nice. >> Whatever color we got left over. >> Too late, Dan. You're already appointed. >> Well, I'm good. >> Yeah. Thanks, Joe. Most incredible timing. >> Yeah, really. Exactly. Take him one more swing at the call later. That's what it
was. Yeah. >> But Dave, you're staying. Come on up. >> So, I want to thank you again. I think it was a great event you guys did over the weekend. You know, great communication, I have to say, as well. >> It's not easy when or the weather
affects everything. Uh Chief P was here earlier with the extra hot dogs. We thanked him for that. But uh definitely I think it went well and nice clean up on Main Street as well. >> Yes, it was very clean. >> Thank you. So that being said, you want to shoot turkeys?
>> No, we're shooting targets. Giving turkeys surprises. >> Oh, and other things. >> The turkeys are already big on some big ones on I huge. Okay, great. So, this list here, >> yes, sir.
>> Does it differ from last year? >> It is exactly the same. The exact amount of shoots, >> same start time, same end time, >> start, same endings, tarp goes up on the bridge going across. >> Good. Right. And the three additional ones that aren't Sunday are
>> the Christmas one, the um >> the March 14th, and then April 11th, and Easter shoot. Those are We have them every year. We had them this year already. >> Yes, there does >> but I mean this is the same list as last year. >> Y the dates we changed the dates for
March and April um because it actually ended up like on St. Patrick's Day and it was with the parade and everything in Holio kind of messed everything up. So >> and just to confirm Lauren and Brian did we receive any complaints in the past
year about turkey shoot >> that you're aware of? Now, how about you, Chief? Did you find anything in the file about it? >> No, the only complaints we have were from your >> Okay, great. Nothing new. >> Nothing new. Okay. Anybody complain
about the turkey they received? >> Just one person. >> He doesn't like turkeys and he always >> Oh, okay. >> So, he gives them away. >> All right. So, the list is >> sushi shoot. So, the VFW is requesting to start the
turkey shoot on August 30th ending Sunday, November 22nd from 1 to 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. That allows enough time for people to get there from St. Mary's after Yes. the mass. >> Um, and then three additional dates of December 13, 2026, March 14, 2027, and
April 11, 2027. Correct. >> Again, the same number of dates as they had from their application last year. I was so the board. >> Yeah. Motion to approve. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. Thank you, Dave. >> Appreciate it. We do do steak and lobsters.
>> I think the board of health has toify that. >> We do our temperature >> many times. Many steamers too, I think. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Boy here. What's he on? >> Uh, he's here for the exact session. CPA exact session. >> Oh.
Um, I figure since, you know, he's lived through it. >> Yeah, we've lived through it. >> Chief, it's all you. Yeah, know. >> All right. Thanks for coming. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, a couple things to discuss. You got a full-time thing and
then we're going to have a brief notspecific overview of the second topic. >> Okay. >> All right. So, you've had a vacancy. >> Yes. >> And you're thinking you're going to be able to fill the vacancy. Correct. So,
as you know, from the last several months, we've had this vacancy longer than a few months, but we've been talking about it at the monthly meetings. Uh, so I advertised for that. I did that a new way. Was all electronic, so we had a little bit better uh feedback. Um, had a pool of
applicants. About a week and a half ago, we had narrowed that list down. And a week and a half ago, we held interviews for our top three candidates. So, that's taken place. That was myself, my sergeants, and an outside uh lieutenant from another agency.
>> So, we did that. Um, we've sort of come up with our ranking and our our top candidates. So, a couple potential issues. Um, one of the candidates is a full-time certified police officer who's already
been through the academy. Um, and one of the other top candidates is a non-certified uh person who would need to go to the police academy. So, as you know, hiring right now is pretty difficult. Uh, even
finding good applicants is is difficult. Um, so where we're at is um the potential with a person who would go to the police academy. The next opening at the Holio Academy, which is our local academy, is in September. It's about the
second or third week of September. That puts us um with a tenative graduation date of February. After that, potential 12week uh field
training portion before they are actually set to go on their own on the street >> a year from now. basically >> about a year from now and that's unfortunately that's the reality we face um
>> the part of that is they would not so if I were to bring that candidate forward to the board and you tenatively approve that within conditional offer based upon >> um you know acceptance into the academy and the other things we do the
psychological the medical things like that if that were to happen right now there are plenty of seats available in the cabin. I've already confirmed with the director in Holio. So that's not an issue. We could get a seat. Um the good thing about that if we go that route is
that person's start date is not until day one of the academy. So there's no salary. There's no no cost going out. Um also as you know contractually with the union education incentive that's a once a year thing where we >> we're beyond that period
>> if if we go with that person. So potentially that saves the town quite a bit of money. It just involves waiting a longer period of time to get them on the street. >> My question to you then is obviously you've been I want to say months with the vacancy.
>> Correct. >> How has the department been affected by not filling that spot? >> So we're starting to feel it now and that's because it's end of fiscal year um end of vacation periods, personal time, holiday time. So May and June are
always the tough times. People are trying to burn down their time off. It's hard to fill those spots. Those cost overtime. So we're at minimum with with the nine officers. And we've been without this person for a long time. I've not been able to fill my detective
position, which is also the court position. Um already this week I've had to send officers to court. Had to do it last week several times for all the court activity, the hearings. I have to cover it myself. Sometimes if we have an arrest, somebody has to bring that body
to court and I simply don't have it >> because I don't have my detective >> position filled. That's sort of the catchall for that Monday through Friday. So, it comes at that expense. >> Um, it's a difficult place to be. I I can't keep running into court. I can't
keep sending a sergeant officer to court two to three days a week or covering hearings online or in person at court. that starts to get old, especially when we come to again this time of year when everybody's trying to take time off. And I certainly don't want to deny their time off if I
can help it. They've earned it. They deserve their time off. And then it comes to ordering people to work. So, we're at that sort of difficult position right now. >> They're at a tipping point right now. Basically, >> it's it's close. >> Okay. >> How many people do you have in the
reserve force? >> So, the reserve core right now is six. >> Six. I picked up, as you know, officer Martowski this year. He's been a great addition. He's picked up a bunch of shifts. Um, so we're at six. I'm trying to increase that as well. >> Difficulty there is most full-time
officers because of now postcertification. >> You have to be certified to do that. So, I can't just fill that like the old days with anybody who wants to be a part-time officer, >> right? So to get somebody for it with officer Martowski,
that was sort of an outlier to have somebody younger who can do this because he left to join the fire service, but he was already certified. >> So that's hard to find. >> Back to your point at the beginning, you said you had a couple of candidates, two or three. one who was already certified,
raised, could start tomorrow basically or whatever. And then one that could be a year away, you know, eight months to a year away from actually putting the uniform on. Why not then just bring in the the one who's already ready to go? >> Well, that's a that's a discussion to
have. Um, we sort of >> I mean, you have a scoring thing. I understand that, but >> correct. I certainly don't want to assume I assume you're stealing it from some other department >> be coming from another department. Um so I obviously we haven't made I have not
made my final decision yet. >> Um >> and the cost I assume is the same. I mean we have a contract. It's not like these guys cost different >> and in the end the cost is going to be about the same. So this person starts now >> and they start drawing salary. Um
>> and everyone who came into the interviews had at least a bachelor's degree. >> So a cost there in terms of education incentive you understand you've seen the contract. >> So that cost and bringing that officer in versus bringing somebody new and the
cost of the academy but not paying them for a period of time and then they're starting at you know obviously a step one there's a different rate of pay. It's it's negligible >> either way. >> It's simply when can they start. >> So, and I I have not made my final
decision yet and that's why I wanted to talk to the board, but it's >> I could go either way with it. >> And we're on the hook for the police academy. We pay for the and is there something contractually that if we we pay for that that they have to stay with us for so long? If >> we do not have that in any the union
does not have that in a contract. Um there's nothing in writing with that. The academy cost is still set. It's I've heard rumors it's it's going to double. It's going to go up. So, I know that right now it's still set. And >> you have money in your budget for the >> 3200.
>> You have money in your budget to send somebody to the academy? >> Yes. >> If you had to. >> Yeah, we do. Well, >> so I' I'd like to obviously I'd like to fill this position because we are it has been since that last sergeant promotion
that seat has been empty. >> It's challenging. >> It's come at the expense of that detective court liaison officer, it's it's been a challenge. >> So, >> okay. Um, but if you brought this person, what does that do for the detective spot?
>> So, that's that's another conversation. I've had a tentative conversation with the union about that because if if we were to go and somebody who needs the academy, I cannot simply backfill that detective position immediately because that could come with an overtime cost if
a first shift officer calls out. >> So, I've already addressed this with the union. Um, as I said, tentatively, that would be something we would discuss and potentially get creative with how we would fill that rather than waiting until February, March, April when that
person's out of the academy >> and find a way to back fill that a bit sooner where won't come with the cost. And as you know, we did something with that with an officer who was injured on a light duty scenario and I think that was a pretty good creative way to to fix
that. So, it didn't come with an overtime cost. That seemed to work in that scenario. And I I like to think that we could come up with something where we don't have to wait until the sprint. The other position the board has discussed is that we don't have the second IT position filled within the
ranks, if you will. Now, that also could be that there's nobody qualified probably. So, because otherwise you would have that person. And there was discussion before that we would reach out to Wolverham and see if the regional
dispatch could do some of the work needed probably remotely for tech work at the station. >> Sure. >> Are we anywhere close with finding somebody in the in your personnel that could take the second spot? I assume
Tin's the first one. >> He is. >> Yeah. Okay. Officer Se is the first IT person. He's doing a great job with it. I have um I have held off on that. I've talked to the unit about it. They've agreed that we don't need to immediately fill it. That's great. >> Um
>> is there is there an impact is there an impact to the Is there an impact though to you all by not having that position? >> There is we we feel it. We've had some issues that um you know a second person would certainly help. >> A second set of eyes on the problems.
Obviously, we do all our IT in house except for that connection to the wreck with remote dispatch. >> That's on it in Warham and and the Rex it >> and they've been good. >> Everything in the house is on us. >> So, and the wreck I it has been helpful with their >> they've been fine, but that's only on
that side of the house. So, when we remote in and use those uh dispatch and records keeping software, they don't do anything for us internally. >> So, I I'm cognizant of it. We do need to backfill that second position. As you know, that's also in the contract. The
union has um agreed that, you know, they've been okay with holding off on it because we're just trying to backfill these positions, >> right? >> I can put the feeler out there in a a department email and I think I have at least two people who would be interested in it and have some potential
qualifications. Would they need a little training as it came up too? Yeah, potentially. And I've reached out to um Nate and James at IT and Wolverham about if they have something that they could help train these folks on. >> Well, I would say I'm a bit concerned, Don. You recall the CBA. I don't think
there's anything actually in the CBA that talks about how you bet this person is being trained for the ID thing. It's just you're putting somebody in that role, but it could be Joe who can't turn the computer on >> and that needs to, like you said, you
would ascertain if that person is truly qualified to you call, hey, the desktop computer's not booting up. Great. And they're not reaching for Google every time. So, >> they go to AI. They all go to AI. >> Okay. Yeah. >> They all go to chat ppt and
>> Oh, no. We don't talk. Oh, that's that's a different committee. So, um, so where do you want to go with the officer thing? Again, it's your department. You report to us. It does sound like you have at least two viable candidates,
>> but one that would solve the vacancy thing in a much quicker manner. >> I I will say actually three viable candidates. I mean, we brought them forward and interviewed them all and all three of them are qualified. It's just to what level and and what skill sets do they bring. And really the big one is who is the best fit for the department,
>> right? Hampton Police Department is a unique place. Like each individual police department, I want the person who's going to be best for the town >> and be best for the police department. So >> that's what I'm mulling over now. I'd like to come back before you even as early as next week with my candidate, my
decision. >> M quickly, right? >> I I can do that next. >> All right. We'll put you on for next month. Tuesday. >> Tuesday. Yeah, it's Tuesday. >> Okay. >> You're around. >> I will talk to Lauren. Just I have one conflict with a a certain young man
who's going to there's an event Tuesday night. >> You're aware of that? >> Yeah. Correct. >> Oh, sure. >> There's seniors in high school and there's a prom event and you know got to have some photo ops. I may have to look at the time. >> Again, beautiful gazebo out front. Take some pictures in there.
>> This room is well done. So I mean again as Don said as Don said more quickly but it's on you if you're saying look I need a little time I got a thing you want to come on the Monday following because it gives you more time work it out with yourself. >> All right I'll talk and I will
>> communicate we'll email and we'll figure it out. But I would like to bring it in. >> Send her fax, whatever you need to do. >> The 80s are >> Yeah. All right. Um there's a bit of a discussion about uh
personnel that may be outside the uh age limit to serve. Um there's been some conversation about it. I question how much we really want to talk in open session about it. I would think that perhaps the best thing is for the
chief to sit down with the town administrator and really try and really list up what our concerns are and bring them back for consideration. I think there are a number of potential
concerns both in service in prior service that really need to be addressed. >> Okay. >> And I think that's an opportunity for doesn't have to be on prom night. It can be a different night. Yeah. >> But maybe not even at night.
>> Yeah. Or there you go. >> During the day when we're both around. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'll make an appointment through law. >> Right. How's the board feel about that? I'd like to get a little more detail, a little more research by the town ministry on on positions that have been
taken etc and directions that we should be looking at >> and some and maybe some legal uh opinions. >> Could be a great good course. All right. All right. Anything else, Pete? How the cruisers? Great. Good.
>> Out of here next. >> Good to see you. >> I'm out of here. I have to go. >> Right. >> He just kicked me out. Good job. >> I'll break the trespassing statute. Okay. >> Thanks. >> Great job yesterday. Also, >> we'll be talking your force also, uh, Chief, thank you yesterday for
everything your your people did. >> And don't worry, senior senator got their delivery today. >> I saw it. >> Very happy. >> I saw it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Walling recycling contract. Brian, you
did a recap of that and your suggestion is to continue the service with McNamera. Um, >> yes, myself, Don, and and Lori reviewed all the four bids that we received, four pricing
that we received, and Macro was cheap. We have a combination of of uh the rentals that we need to do and the Holocaust. >> All right. Then the escalator on annual basis time would be what? >> Only like 10 bucks, right?
>> Oh, down from 20. That's good because it was 20 in on the last one. >> 10 $10 for holler, right? The escalator. The escalator. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, >> that's good. It was 20. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that's good. >> 20 the last time. And the other the
other ones, none of them none of them had fuel escalation. If I recall, >> fuel search charges. fuel no fuel to it. Right. >> Right. And there were different ideas about what happened with the >> the metal >> metal. I'm surprised. I really thought one of
those people would work harder to get the uh you know, one of those numbers. >> I thought this one that's in town, too. >> Yeah. But oh well. All right. So, we'll entertain a motion to uh basically this is from board of health.
Don, do you want a motion to award the contract? Award the contract to McNamera. >> Second >> for a three-year contract. Okay. >> For threeear contract. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All in favor? >> I thank you for the research.
>> Papum. >> They're not here. >> Um I don't have if if we could move this to another meeting that would be good. >> Good. >> Did some legal research and I'm >> No, no, you you have me at hello. >> Thank you. So to have a further
discussion, I need to have council. >> All right. Okay. >> Holland. So >> all right. Um I did watch some of the concom meeting when they spoke about that and I have to say I have a lot of good faith in what Opacum said. They seem like,
>> you know, I did some research online. They really seem to have their stuff. >> Yeah, absolutely. Great. >> All right. So, uh, we put in our PL or Q RFQ out for town council. We got one response >> and,
um, and they are a good firm. There's no question. They have a lot of business in the Commonwealth. It's just not a local. I mean, we've had such an advantage with Dohy, you know, being a bull work of Springfield for
decades and knowing what we do here. Maybe we got a little complacent with it and it would have been nice if another Springfield firm had had stepped out. I did talk to a couple other firms in Springfield and they just like misful law is not that attractive to them
anymore. If they're not on staff like an Eddie Pakula or something like that where they're drawing every week and the business is steady with a small town, they don't know if they're making 5,000 a year or 50,000 a year. It's just, you
know, they can't figure the business. That being said, I really would like to take another play at it. I really would. I mean, nothing against KP Law, but I I just think they're kind of cookie cutter. You know, they're out of
Boston. They're not Western Mass. They do have a couple place around here. And Brian, I know you did work with them up in Wheatley. Yeah. What's the board think? >> Yeah. Another bite at it. And maybe reach out to a couple things. I mean, Don, you want to call Eddie and see if
he's got suggestions or, you know, you worked with him on the school back in the school thing. He must know some people. >> Yeah. How come he he just Is he retired though or is he semi-retired? >> No, he actually opened something back
up. Sure. I wouldn't mind even picking up Eddie for a year where we still look. He knows this will lock. >> I'll give him a call. All right. So, do I mean I just am not happy getting one response.
>> Agreed. See what else is up. >> Yeah. >> And we are we don't have an annual contract with authority. Maybe we can reach out to Craig or or Jesse there and just look and you just until we find somebody we and I bet it's
not going to be hard and fast that somebody there wouldn't roll with us till July or something like that. But that's that's the informal arrangement currently, >> right? They'll cover it until we get somebody new. Yeah. All right. I mean, they do eon metal right now. So, all
right. So, we're going to >> the expectation that we're >> we're moving >> we're moving along. >> Okay. >> All right. Let's beat the bushes a little more. Sir, we have a note from uh Paul Gwaki that he is stepping down from the water commission and that's a tremendous loss.
I think Paul being on the commission being a resident there, he was there at the beginning of the whole back in the '9s and just his his knowledge of how the process has been going for 25 30 years
has been invaluable and we'll miss him. But he's not stepping away. He wants to make sure things are being done right. So, he knows the building was done and I believe they said they're going to be starting out and doing the connections very shortly, right?
>> Yeah, >> that was the plan. So, add on to the uh advertising list online. Brian, so again, you'll take care of Lauren's. I'll take care of letter.
>> Thank you. It's not here, is it? >> He hasn't actually resigned yet. >> I'm saying you'll take care of getting it ready. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Hi, Paul. >> Sir, how are you? >> Good, thanks. You're bringing more
gifts. You have more beautiful displays. We're going to do the whole front this year. >> I think you got everything. We don't know. have to have some we get some more lights coming from J. >> Nice. Nice. Okay. Run that line from the solar field over here.
>> You need to provide power, >> right? >> That's why we got part of this. >> Get that extension cord extension cord from the second fairway over here. We're going to get some cond >> future.
Realistically though, when those those two school zone signs that up there are metered separately. So when we take the school zone sign school zones out, if they could keep that >> if they could stop it there from there into different locations, that might be
helpful. >> Well, it did sound like a conversation with Naani, she was going to get on top of that, right? >> Maybe. Hopefully. >> She she wrote it down. >> There you go.
Hi guys. Are you you're here for Great. Ryan, you're here for the cookies and milk. I know that. I have the water. >> Good to hear. All right. So, uh before we go into a our posted executive session, uh any member reports?
>> Um I have nothing. Uh no, I have nothing to report. Nope. Um same. Well, all right. Um where did we leave off on? Okay. on the school thing. I believe they have a meeting posted is it this week?
>> 28th >> 28th and my understanding as they when I was at the meeting they are going to move a new assessment at that meeting which should bring both town meeting votes into compliance with the budget
and we certainly encourage that action. All right. Okay. Brian, >> uh, one response to the board of assessors vacancy. So, we will schedule a joint meeting for these appointments
to fill position. That's >> okay. >> Either day, second or eighth. >> So, to go down that good keep it short today. That it.
>> Okay, Lauren. >> By the way, great job on the town report. Looked fabulous. >> Wasn't bad, >> huh? >> That wasn't bad. >> Have as much time to share, but came together. >> Okay.
>> Mr. Chairman, I move that under Mass General Law Chapter 3A section 21A6 that the board go into executive session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real estate North Road Conservation Property Article 16
May 11th, 2026 annual town meeting. uh declare as a chair that an open meeting may have detrimental effect in negotiating position of the public body and so public body and we will not return to open session right now would suggest if with the board's permission
I've asked uh Doug Boyd chair of the CPA committee because this is relevant to their purchase to be in this meeting without object objection >> good you guys are both good >> second I
I hear your name. >> What name? >> Donald. Just checking. I remembered it. All right. My name