Good evening and welcome to the uh January 12th, 2026 meeting of the Hammond Select Board and Board of Health. I'd like you all to stand for the pledge of allegiance, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the [clears throat] republic for which it
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We we need the glacial lines for the drinks. >> We do >> stop it. [laughter] >> Um this meeting is being held in the
large meeting room hopefully for the last time as um I'm told that we no problem. We should be in the new place in two weeks, right? >> We should be in the new room in two weeks, right? >> Yes. >> Excellent. Uh >> you'll make it happen. Thank you. Sure.
Um, we are broadcasting over Zoom. We're also recording the meeting. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? Seeing none, let's move on. All right. So, many of you have been here before. We are skipping the minutes and pushing them to next week. This is the annual
[clears throat] State of the Union, we call it, budget kickoff meeting. Kind of a co-presentation of the advisory committee and the select board. It's been we used to have in December. We had a suggestion that it'd be better to have it in uh January so people have a good
six-month recap. And here we are. >> [clears throat] >> So the format, many of you know this, we typically go around the room, a short, brief comment, if you will, on the current year, a longer comment, if you will, on what you see coming up for
fiscal year 27, which is July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. We want you to be optimistic, happy, but we invited Dick as well, you know, so
So we [clears throat] can have that balancing act. So there's really no format, but first I'm going to have uh Doug give a little recap from the advisory standpoint. All right. Well, happy new year everybody.
>> We we made it through we made it through the uh most recent budget. Um I'm sure everybody has heard of people aren't happy about the increase on their taxes. um not a surprise to any of us who have
been paying attention. Um and unfortunately um it's we anticipate that the coming year is going to be equally difficult and as such we are asking departments that
level service budgets which I believe every everybody here knows a level service is exactly that whatever whatever the level of services that's being provided now budget for that and whatever the the dollar is that flows from that put that in the budget um request
Um we'll we'll get the the schedule distributed of the meetings with advisory along with the [cough and clears throat] sheets to be the same budget sheet which we've used previously. Um if anybody has any questions about that um well you can can speak to my
either myself or Lauren knows about it, Dick knows about it. Um, so there there's plenty of people available if if there's questions, but we're asking that it be level service and obviously we anticipate that there'll be some variance. Uh, there always is. If there
is, please just make a note down at the bottom section in the comments as to why it's either up or down in terms of the the level of the services being requested. Um [snorts] we just ask that uh people restrain um try to restrain your budget requests because we
anticipate that it is going to be difficult. Uh the the preliminary numbers that we've seen from the school are already quite large um [clears throat] and that is going to make putting together the budget um quite challenging.
Well, unless anybody has any specific questions, I don't have anything further. Anything? >> No. Okay. Thank you. >> Doug, when do you anticipate and many people have been through this before your meeting schedule will start? Typically midFebruary, I think, after
the school vacation or >> probably before. [snorts] >> Probably before. >> Yeah. We have to put it on the calendar, >> but we we don't schedule during school vacation week. >> So, you might want to catch it beforehand. probably have a couple of meetings in advance of that, but we'll
get that out and then back up from the town meeting in terms of when we have to have everything ready. >> Okay. And for us as well, we were just talking about when we're going to start our schedule, as Doug said, the departments that report directly to the select board, we'll schedule those
meetings so we have a sense of >> [snorts] >> uh police, fire, building, etc., and then bring those forth at a later point in your schedule. So, we review them together. All right. So, I've got a
non-alphabetical list to go around department wise, and we'll end up with us. U as you know, Brian is not here right now. He's taking a well-deserved uh short break. So, feel free to talk about him in his absence if you wish, but he will see it on the YouTube
recording later. So, we're going to start with the new guy, the police department. So I want an indepth review of all the time you've been here you know but quickly same thing uh the year
and I'm sure you reviewed that with your current people but what you project for next fiscal year your needs as you see them and here is that we always anticipate you're advocating for your department that may not be what
comes out from advisory and select board as recommendation but you should be advocating heading to your department with a little eye towards the fact that you know the town's going to be challenged going forward. There you go. Made it easy for you. >> Okay. Well, and now Dan,
>> in these first couple of months, I've been so busy. So many things I don't want to list them all here because it would take too long, too much valuable time. So, we'll we'll cut right to it. But, you know, lots of things. So, um currently where we sit um at the police
department right now, budget is looking good. we are on track for this fiscal year. Um I think you know part of [clears throat] that is due to the fact that we are currently still down an officer and a position. So in terms of salary line um we are on track at the
moment. Um we're looking pretty good for this fiscal year. Um absent any major problems or you know [clears throat] hopefully no no injuries or anything like that. We never know what could happen. Um I mean recently we've had some slips and falls on ice in town just
with police officers. Um so you never know when someone's going to get get injured or anything like that. We can't really anticipate that. Otherwise we're in pretty good shape right now. Um so on track um for the future um obviously
with a level funded budget. We are trying to fully staff the police department. I need to hire one additional officer. I need to reappoint uh that detective position to get us to full staffing. Uh that being being said, with um contractual obligations and
everything going into fiscal 27, um I'm hopeful that we can stay level funded. Obviously, we have those contractual needs that we need to meet. Um and at full staffing, I think it will be a little bit tight. Absolutely. Um the building's in pretty good standing. I've
been working with Herb on a couple of things there. Hopefully no huge costs coming in there in terms of building and maintenance. Um a few heating issues there that we're working on. Uh we are working on filling that staffing position. Obviously I'm also trying to recruit a couple of more
reserve officers. Um I've got one waiting in the wings currently and as you know those reserve officers really help to sort of defay the bottom line on our budget uh for filling gaps when full-time officers are out. They work at a much reduced rate. So that's very
helpful to us. Um, talking to the current staff at the union and looking at the bigger picture, we are certainly down numbers in that reserve core. So that's something I'm looking to try to bolster up a bit adding one or two because it's very little cost to us to
add them, but it saves us on the bottom line on that salary line. So that's what we're working on right now. Um, again, we'll shoot for that level funded. There are a couple of needs that we know we need. We we know that we um we're getting pretty pretty long in the tooth
on a couple of our police cruisers. >> Well, that was the thing. The second part, you know, level funded on the standard budget, but your capital needs going forward. >> So, you know, capital need, which we don't, you know, it's not baked into our standard budget is that police cruiser every year. We haven't had one in a
couple of years. That's something we certainly need. We're we're getting, as I say, long in the tooth on mileage and wear and tear on those cars. it will end up costing us more in the long run. Um, but I think I'm also interested to discuss with other department heads um
maybe trying to play well with other departments and if there's a need for um a used vehicle or two, maybe that's something where if we can save money overall as a town where if the police department gets a new vehicle, but we can pass along a decent vehicle
>> to to a we'll start the business, but we'll see. It's not It's not a free card. >> No, it's not free. >> It's not a free card, >> but I'm just trying to come up with some additional ways that we can >> get a bit creative that save everybody a bit of money. Um certainly I'm also
going to look at um unfortunately we're we're a little bit long overdue on replacement on firearms. That's another capital request for our duty handguns. Obviously, there's a cost there. I'm working on some estimates now and some some ideas on how to reduce those costs.
Um, but that is another capital type request that I'm going to be coming to the fort with. So, that's where we stand. Um, again, trying to get us up to full staffing at the police department, and that's a challenge. >> Are those still Smith and Wesson revolvers that the >> Thankfully, not revolvers. It's not
1990. >> Pistols, yes, but not revolvers. Okay. >> But they're they're still a Smith and Wesson. >> Correct. >> I thought there was discussion about replacing those. There was, but I don't think we took action with either the rifles a couple years ago. >> Correct. >> But um
>> so we've asked a handgun replacement once >> and no action at that point. >> So I think we had some every year it's something whether it's we had to do the vest replacement, the AED replacement, the rifle replacement. >> I thought we we had talked about using one of the accounts.
>> We had talked about using the u I think the detail account to offset some of that and Brian was looking into whether or not that was possible. Yeah, >> obviously a few years back we remember we used the detail account the surplus in it to underwrite half the cost of a cruiser I think at that point.
>> Yeah. >> And that's that administrative fee part of >> basically rights. It's no different than basically you're just sweeping it and it goes to the same difference like it'd be free cash the following year. >> All right. You sure that's it? >> That's it. >> No, just quick point though. You talk
about the fact you have a vacancy but aren't you backfilling that? Does is [clears throat] there a cost for backfilling uh on overtime or so are you really saving anything? >> So there was a cost to it except right now we haven't filled the that protected position.
>> So you don't fill the opening per se. >> So the opening is not filled right now. So we're not back filling shift work. The shifts are filled because we are not filling the utility detective position that's on Monday through Friday. So obviously that is the that's sort of the
lowhanging fruit unfortunately. So we fill the shifts instead. >> So not to get into weeds who's doing the detective work. >> So right now it falls to each patrol officer and the sergeants to just do that work and the then the court work that goes along with that which can be sometimes it's a few days a week,
sometimes it's one day a week. It just depends on the court schedule and the level of activity. So, tomorrow we'll be going to the Palmer Court with a complaint and um I'm trying to fill in that gap a bit too when I have time. Um I wasn't able to this past week. So,
somebody on the shift has to do that. Um and again, for right now, I sort of >> step in to fill in when I can. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> We'll go into more detail obviously when you meet with us. Thank you. All right. Um, fire department chief
right over to you there. There you go. Um, fire department is doing well. We had a um earlier a good email um today. I think the a new forestry truck um should be delivered in February. Um it's on the production line now. If anybody
wants to go to firematic.com I believe and check on the rap thing and you can actually see the progress of the >> really >> um we have our software going live on February 1st for the new uh reporting software is states no longer supporting
mur so we have to do [clears throat and cough] national software reporting and um as far as budgets we've had a few hiccups in maintenance we had to buy some tires for the tanker and we just had the manifold
go on our engine, too. So, that's out of service for um a couple weeks. It's over and getting repaired. It's going to be custom parked. The truck's 26 years old. So, no one has that part in stock. It was custom called me. Anyways, >> I know we've always been fortunate that
the fire department, you guys have a reput, you guys and girls have a reputation of doing a lot of the work as you can. Is the manifold thing something or we're going down the bulldog for that? You have to as these get more and more complex, the opportunity for self-service goes away. Right.
>> Right. Um we we switched a few vendors over time to save some money. Um we have more of a local guy, but what we're doing now is we reached out to WB Hill and you saw Met up who's um works with tanks and pumps and stuff like that. They're willing to take the job on.
We've used them for a few other problems we've had in the past. [snorts] Um they've been reasonable. have been very quick to take it in and get it back to us. So, it's a win-win. We don't have to travel very far with the truck. Um, and keep our down obviously equipment back in in service quicker. We do have Peter
Hatchets on the department. He saved. We do do a lot of maintenance, a lot of small repairs ourselves. >> Obviously, something this large, um, you know, that manifold is fairly fairly big. We have separate chain fall out of there. It's a pretty big major repair.
little thing. Um, we can get some kits, repair the valves, we have it apart, we got to replace, refill the valves in the truck. We just had the lights redone on it, all the emergency lights. So, we're trying to keep the equipment going as best, you know, to keep it up to date.
As far as requirements, >> the um capital needs for next fiscal year. What do you think they're looking at? I think we're good as far as capital needs because we um you know we're really focused on that new fire
um building committee meets on Tuesday and you know we're we're waiting to get that OPM contract signed. We still don't have that. The town has you know the been waiting eight weeks on that one. It's I think it's on the inbox of Brian's computer. You said the same.
Well, [snorts] let's let's be clear, and I know that talking with Brian and Mark about that, they were correct to look it over because the original contract we got was not in favor of the town. And I give >> props to both Brian and our attorney that they caught that they were trying
to give us a contract that really benefited a lot of them and we revised it. So, it does protect the town. >> Yes, the town provide your own contract and that's what happened. But >> but I'm just saying eight weeks. There's another contract needs to be done for the designer architect
>> that's ready to go as well. Um needs to go to the um to Rose or wherever Brian less to look at it. He hasn't seen it yet. So um he's he's got a lot to do when he gets back. I'm sure you guys have a lot for him to do as well,
>> but until those um topics are taken care of, we can't move forward with that. Other than though the building obviously equipment wise is there anything in the projection for 27 FY27 or vehicle-wise? No,
>> we we're good. We're taking I mean I think the budget this year might be a little tight with those major repairs I brought up. That's why I brought them up. >> Um but I think um we have the software program for our needs for continuing on. >> Okay. >> Um that was built into the budget last year. So, we're I think we should be
pretty solid going forward >> and you'll hopefully have the new truck rolling in >> hopefully >> hopefully. >> Um, we do have one open position that I'll be filling soon, probably internal posting. We did move our one of our firefighters up to lieutenant this year
um which created that that spot to be. >> Okay, great. Thank you, Chief. The man of the hour, the man with a plow. Mark, [clears throat] I don't know if we Can you count him? I
don't know if we can catch you on the microphone from back there. So, >> that's good. >> There you go. That >> good evening everybody. Mark Langoni from the highway department. Um, I'd say
fiscal year 26 is looking on track. Uh there is one account I am I am a little concerned about and that's our uh road machinery maintenance account. Um uh
as you know we're lucky to have a few employees who are are pretty mechanically inclined. That's really helping to save with with some repairs and stuff but like as you know Ed was saying and John uh you said it too. I mean sending things out is not getting
any cheaper. Um, and with the the the technology that these trucks have, even even our our dump trucks, um, you know, you're looking at specialized technicians that need to work on it. Of course, the the the labor rate or the
shop rate goes up, the parts are up. >> Um, I'm not throwing in the towel yet, but I'm I'm watching that account. um for fiscal year 27 and I'll see how I end this year, but for 27 and I still have inspections to do uh
for the whole fleet. [clears throat] Um I may look to bump that up a couple thousand. Um on the flip side, there's some accounts that I think I can scale back a little on. So um I think that'll help. One of them would be our uh my
catch baits and cleaning account. Um, so I've been watching that account the last few years and of course with not using now we're at the point where we're not using any sand period. Um, that is helping a lot with our catch basing
cleaning and also our uh street sweeping with the catchbas and cleaning. I I haven't scaled back on that account yet only because that's by the hour and any anything could happen. I think I'm at a point now where I can I can maybe trim a
decent amount off of that account. >> Um was also fortunate enough to have a low, you know, a low bid contractor last year and they're they're actually interested in renewing the bid for um or renewing their contract for this year.
like [clears throat] this company the the the person that they sent out was like nobody I've ever seen as far as it was just I mean he he went through the little town in a matter of weeks and I mean it really saved us a lot of money. Well, I know when you talk
about not using the sand, obviously the thing with the sand was the disposal as a hazardous material and I've heard it was like $100 a ton >> back, you know. So, by removing that, you're taking a big component out. um your current snow and ice and I'm just guessing by the fact that we're seeing
all these all this activity on weekends etc. Would you anticipate >> I've got I I just ordered another 10 loads of salt. It it might be it might be a week or two early this year. Um, >> how about so next year capital? How is the fleet? I know you you got a new
mower last year, so you're in great shape. >> Yeah. Um, so I have a few capital concerns. Uh, one being, um, >> a loader. >> And then that's a I believe that's a 97
um, with around 14,000 hours. Um, and that would come in that would that would be a huge help especially with with the [clears throat] uh ontaking of of plowing this parking lot. Um, the other capital and this is again I'm going to have to really sit down and weigh these
and prioritize. Uh, we've got a 2004 dump truck that I'm looking to replace at some point. Uh, I'm with that my one of my thoughts is to downsize a little bit. um not get such a a big expensive
dump truck. I mean, there's options. I can get like a midsize dump like a an F600. >> I was just Yeah. Yeah. >> or an F 550 or00. Those come equipped with like an allseason body so we can have a standard. And you know, >> wasn't there a possibility that you
could use some of the chapter 90 money towards that loader? >> Yes. Yep. So, chapter 90 does qualify or purchase of equipment does qualify for chapter 90 funds. Um, >> okay. >> It's something we can explore in the
future. Explore. Yes, absolutely. Great. >> I think everybody says that you're doing a great job on the roads. I mean, I hear this from everyone that when they come to Hampton, they know where the town [clears throat] line is because our roads look so good. And I don't and I think everybody here for the parking lot
as well. You know, there's a bit of a question I was going to be. It's great. Uh Dan, I'm sure you're keeping Mark in the loop for especially with activities on weekends. >> He knows when the basketball schedule is, things like that. >> Yeah. I I don't know if you I gave Brian
full access to all the event calendars for everything going on in the building. So, I don't know if he's passed that along, but that's >> probably not. So, yeah. Yeah. So, that's something to be sure we're on the loop on that. >> Sure. Sure. and everybody's a phone call away, too. So, I mean, yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. >> Um, so barring no uh, you know,
surprises or anything, we're in good shape this year. Next year, like I said, I might ask for a little bit more on one, but I'll be taking them away from from this. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Y, thank you. >> Great. And we have with us the executive
director of the senior center. >> Hi. Fresh off the enrollment nightmare. >> Thanks be to God. Senior center is good. Um I don't see any issues in the current budget year.
Um [clears throat] yeah, I I think we're we're in good shape, tracking appropriately and things are moving along swimmingly. Um for next year, you know, the only thing I can see
increase wise is, you know, utilities are going up. The electric gas expenses for our supplies increase every year. So, I always put in a little bit of extra money in those utility and building maintenance line items for
those expenses. >> Um I just had a question, Doug. Uh when we submit our initial level service budget, are we holding our salary where it is in >> Thank you. Yes. Yes. Um yes, please just hold the salaries even.
>> It's too early to We haven't had any discussions yet about what those coloss will be. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um and then uh capital as you know the bathroom project is uh currently preparing to start and uh the building
committee is looking at the HVC project which was approved. So uh they're working on that and then um next year is probably a look again at the roof potentially and the window project that we that we pushed out a little bit.
>> Okay. as well. >> But no funding issues. I mean, we talked about the grant thing this year, but no hopefully no changes for next year. >> Uh, not that we've heard as of yet. So, we currently only receive the state grant funding. Now, the federal funds are gone. Um, if the federal funds come
back around, then I'll reapply for those. >> Um, but currently the state grant funding is picking up where the federal grant fell short. >> Okay. While you're here, quickly, how' the tax work off uh program finish up full of applicants and filled out? >> It was good. Yeah, we had um a
significant number more that applied this year. >> Um we have 14 positions that were filled. Um I believe there were 24 applicants for the program this year, which is a lot a lot more. Um but I
think every department that requested position a position or multiple positions was able to be filled. >> Okay. Are sometimes are there two people for one position on occasion? >> There can be one people for one position. Yeah. [snorts] >> Okay.
All right. That rolls us right over to the library. >> Who's up? >> Um library we're in good shape budget wise for this year. Um [clears throat] everything is you know we'll be fine by
the end of the year and um you know move over to this building was challenging but our staff did a great job and um we're settling in and people are coming
>> and finding the library and as far as anticipating for next year really nothing other than things that are already scheduled for this building like the Hackers
>> and maybe somewhere down the road the new light you know new light fixtures but I know that's >> and a little bit >> so um our immediate needs have been taken care of by um her and um
continuing he's great you know bathrooms are up and running and changing tables there and he's addressing the outside lighting. So, um right now, um library is in good shape. >> Don't praise him too much. He's right
there. >> I know. >> You're holding the line on fines, too. They're not going up at all. >> The fines are non-existent. >> So, they're holding the line. Good. Thank you. Great. And we will touch on Kathy, we will
touch on that when Herb speaks in a bit, the projects he's got going on, which I think is everything you asked about at this point. >> So Herb will touch on everything I think you talked about when we get to him. So >> and the HBAC, we just want to make sure we're in the loop that
it's going to be done by this before May. >> Well, when you get really cold, you'll know it's working. Right. There we go. >> Okay. >> We don't want to get really hot. All right. Um, health department
Lori. >> Hi. >> I I don't see any increases. I think we're rolling pretty good. Some might be not to my attention at this time. I'm still good with this.
Bear with me. But I think we're okay. >> All right. No changes in regulations that are going to affect. And then of course the other thing under your purview would be the transfer station. Obviously that budget and I know Don's been working with you on that. >> Do you anticipate and this would of
course come back to advisory uh that we're going to continue to need something from the from the uh tax rate to fund that program going forward. >> I'm bear with me. I'm still educating on
that. I will have numbers. I have some for done. I'll get to a little later. >> Okay. >> And I am looking into a few opportunities to bring in a little bit more revenue. Not much, but in this department.
>> All right. Just a quick update of that area. I spoke to the rep for Amoresco today and they told me that the the battery issue has been solved and is completely up and running at this point. Wendell, I don't know if there was a final inspection for that or it's scheduled or but they did get the
storage unit all the construction control documents now. >> Okay. >> There's a UL testing that the battery undergoes >> but the good news is the battery was >> kind of gone through instead of being peacemeal. It was a whole system UL tested. >> Okay. >> So, we just received all that
documentation last week. Uh, inspector Courtney's looking through everything just to make sure we're hitting all the UL NFPs and [clears throat] guidelines that we need, but I've got all the construction control documents. So, it's pretty much just a matter of dotting the eyes. >> Um, and we'll be able to finalize that.
>> Right. [clears throat] The one advantage of that, it does, and I think as Jana said, it does check the box for a complete construction up there. So, we do get the full appropriated tax value on it going forward. So >> the big thing was the UL testing, >> right?
>> Just to make sure, you know, those batteries. [clears throat] >> We've had an issue with them coming in damaged and being removed and coming in. But >> so it came in as a package pre-approved. So that's good. Right. Good. >> System, which is great. >> Well, as long as you're talking, what's happening in planning or in building
department? >> Well, we continue to service all the permits that we've written last year. We did all the uh all our yearly inspections and everything >> actually with churches, daycarees, restaurants, and bars. >> Um working with fire. Um recently
they've had a chimney fire that I was responded to with them. Um thank God we don't get a lot of those. Um but we get them car strikes or whatever, but we continue to respond. Our capital needs are, you know, easy math. We do, you
know, education, postage, you know, clerical stuff. >> So, it really doesn't change from year to year too terrible much unless the phone bill goes up a little or whatever. >> But I don't anticipate anything crazy going in the future year.
>> Okay. >> But it's hard to know, >> right? Take it as it comes. >> Yeah. Right. >> But realistically, if it's based on the last 10 years, alls it is is just a continuation now. We're in a really good rhythm and with our new workplace, it's
the days go by like crazy when you're not in the basement. >> Okay. >> Well, you weren't all the way in the basement. >> Speaking of that though, let's go to conservation. And Bonnie, you're out of the basement now. So,
>> yes, you better. No. Um the uh commission has recently hired um Joe Zeno who was sitting here next to me as the conservation agent. We've been trying for several years um to find a a
person qualified to do the job and um Joe just happened to come along and [snorts and laughter] um I just want to say that he's doing an excellent job. He's really putting over 100% into into
his work. Um, fortunately, um, Dick Patul and I have been working for several years on the conservation budget and we have continually budgeted for a position of conservation aging even
though one hasn't been hired. So that now um I believe that we're going to be okay for at least for 26 um as far as uh um the salary I make and
the salary [snorts] that Joe makes also. >> And again that comes back to as Doug said before any projected cola would be what would affect those numbers for you, right? Uh Joe, stand up, please. All right, everyone. Welcome. This is our
newest newest employee. Welcome to you. >> So, Joe, we just tasked you with what? The new plan. Tell us about it. >> The open space? >> Yes. >> So, I'm beginning to work on the open space and recreation plan. Um and
basically I'm coordinating with the Pioneer values commission right now to start meetings and um start forming the committee and get the process going. >> This is and this is something we have Dan to thank for getting the grant for us you know and I think he made a good
point that this really falls into concom and the expertise that Joe has to honcho it going forward. So kudos to both of you. I think that does bring up the point that we have a lot of departments here that go out and do a great job getting grants. Dan, Becky, um, library
gets grants, stuff like that. And all that speaks to the fact it's great to get our money back from either the state or the feds. We send it there. It's nice when it comes back. Could they could do a better job, but they're doing something anyhow.
All right. Thank you, Joe. Um, planning Pat. Yes. >> How are you? >> Just looking at Maggie Pixley's notes here. She wasn't able to make it this evening, but she did mention that she said, "I don't anticipate any additional budget
needs beyond the standard salary and what we've carried for expenses in recent years." >> Right now, do you anticipate anything for the town meeting? Are you guys working on any bylaw updates or changes?
>> No, nothing anticipated. We talked about possibly as you remember maybe reformatting bylaws. >> That's not that's right now, >> right? And that wouldn't require town meeting work. Anyhow, >> um the my pet peeve would be are we any
closer to accepting the oldest private subdivision road in town as we come up to 22 years since I signed the plan? >> No, I haven't heard that we're any closer. >> Okay. Great. Well, there's always next year.
>> That's South Witch. >> No, it's um Scanic Meadows. Kibby Lane. >> Kibby Lane. >> Kibby Lane. [clears throat] >> 22 years. All right. Um cemetery there. Thanks. Cemetery Dwayne. [clears throat]
>> Thank you. Um, our I would say body count has pretty much stayed the same for slightly less this year. And [clears throat] uh, as we're moving forward this year, we hope to go out a bit for a more contract.
It's due to be preed. And we're also working on getting the loop in so that when you go up old cemetery and you might be able to turn around without having to back into the ride and
vegetation. We've done a lot of removal of the trees and bushes and things of that nature that have been used the stones. So we're going to continue to work on that. We don't anticipate any
significant uh uh financial requirements. >> Just continue to work that making everybody happy. >> Um so the the turnaround that's scheduled to be done in the spring or
>> Yes. Right now we need to go out to bid because the size of the project. So we're putting together a bid document and advertise. >> Okay. And at the same time we'll be looking to put out a bit document >> not a huge project but just yeah >> and it needs to get done. We also have
that paving which you've been working on trying to figure out how that's going to happen. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay [clears throat] Dan give us a quick recap on parks. >> Um I'll just go quickly through the accounts. Spray park expense account. We
have spent approximately $4,000 less at this time than we had last year. We did a repair to the filtration system last year that that increased our spending. So, we feel good about that. Um, when we open the spray park in Mayish or end of April, um, I'm sure there'll be some
maintenance needs that the opener um, suggests. So, we'll take a look at those, but feel very good for the spray park right now. Expenses, we are on par with uh, within $200 of what we spent last year. Um, so that's a good thing. We do have concerns going forward with
the move to TWWB and um custodianing our own hallway and the paper products and all those things that we didn't necessarily fully plan for last year. Um so we're keeping an eye on that and trying to be frugal where we can so we can stay within the budget, but that's something we're going to have to adapt
to um going forward. and the our my hourly employee salaries. Um this is where we've spent $11,000 more than we had uh at this time last year. Uh we were appropriated 13,000
more from last year to this year. So we've already spent 11,000 of that 13K extra that we were appropriated. Um and that's due to um the move over here to TWWB. We loaned a couple workers for three two or three four weeks. Um, and
so that came out of our budget. So we had more hours than we typically have at that time of year. Um, so right now we got to monitor our hours and see we're also custodianing our wing of the building. So we need to figure out. Um, that's not necessarily something we had
planned to do when we moved over here to be the custodian of the hallway. Um, so that's an added expense that we hadn't necessarily planned on. >> What hallway? >> Uh, the parks and wreck hallway. Our wing, >> the river hallway. I know what you're saying. I'm not sure we labeled it as
his wing, but okay. We don't service that when we typically do the No. Okay. >> We We have a custodian. We bring on a custodian. You asked me to stay in the budget. >> Mhm. >> So, I did give you guys some of the bids that we put out there.
>> I understand. We >> And we're with Sarah. I know. >> We bring Sarah on and kept it the same budget that we were running the cleaning company up at the old building. Um, and obvious triple the size of square footage that we're cleaning and
bathrooms and now, you know, we're adding stuff to that. >> So, you know, with Dan the only one using them bathrooms and this hallway, >> there's very little maintenance in this this this part of the building. >> Mhm.
>> And he's got to sweep the hallways, sweep out his classrooms, and then the bathrooms. We used to have our when we moved in here, we had our staff over there. Um, now they're not there. That them bathrooms not they're only being used by Dan.
>> Um, so there's other people, >> right? [laughter] But it's his staff using a bathroom. Two guys that have bathroom unless he opens it up to the public and then it's up to him. [laughter] >> I mean, he has the bathrooms in the gym. >> He's got the key. All right, great.
>> He's got the key to that. All >> right. Any u capital things for next year, Dan? And obviously the truck is still an issue. >> That's the only one that >> but I mean obviously it sounds like some possible solutions or >> Yeah, that's the only one that I have on the list. Um you know there's other projects I'd like to do but given the you know the financial environment that
we're in right now, we'll probably just hold on those for >> I appreciate we all appreciate that. >> John, can I make a comment on this conversation? You know, it might be a good idea to have Dan and Herb and the select sit down and kind of iron out this policy a little more formally. Obviously, you're not um you weren't
fully brought into this, but the idea of of not having one source of paper products and things just seems a little odd to me as far as efficient purchasing. So, maybe, you know, the five of you could get together and and figure out exactly where this
responsibility should all lie. >> Again, you know, as the growth process has come, you know, we have the phase A, phase B, phase C things. These are uh we're actually just in our second month >> of occupation here. >> And you you looked a little puzzled
there. Um a lot of the painting that happened in this building was done by his two maintenance workers >> for like three weeks. They were they were painting up Sarah and Steve >> and that was all on his nickel. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that.
>> Dan, now to the important thing, the golf simulator. Yep. So, we should have that I'm hoping to have that functional on Monday. Um, I have a couple remaining things. That's what I'll be working on for the rest of the week is getting that finalized and up and working and playing
with it enough to know how to use it so that we can have it staffed and have it rented out as people want to use it. >> The spring is coming. >> I know. >> I think Don volunteering for beta testing. >> Yeah. >> So, is that one of the back classrooms or >> that'll be one of the background?
>> There heard the big TV came in. It's in the E1. Yeah, that's just for our meetings, but um we have a big projector and screen that you hit into that will be for the golf simulator. So, um >> yeah, it'll just be for the spring probably. That'll be like a seasonal classroom >> and then um you know, I can take it down
and put it back up. That's the beauty of it. It's a temporary setup, so I can take that down as we get to the golf months when people won't be using it as much. But I've heard a lot of demand for it, so I'm working on getting that thing cranked up. >> Great. Okay, Purple, let's go right back to
you. So, obviously not a full year per se, but challenges going forward as the library has indicated one of our focuses is going to be public safety, i.e. taking care of the ramps, the lights outside, etc. and upcoming bid for the
HVAC improvements here in the building, [clears throat] you know, and then we have now as we complete the phase A list, what's the phase B list? And then again, as you get this place rolling along, you're looking at the other buildings in
town as well because you are technically the facilities manager, you know, for all the buildings. you've been very good at working with the senior center building committee on their needs and I think you've been at every facility we've had been over at the police station academy hall you're still
checking on the old town hall as well and we'll touch on that later so what do you see for needs coming up in 27 so we have some needs coming up [snorts] um you know I so my biggest thing is what
me and Brian working on putting everything together. As you know, we just moved into the building. There's some Dance talked about custodial. I have some concerns with that myself. Um Dick's talked about the paper products. Me and Brian already have sat
down and talked about how we want to put this together. I've talked to the chief, police chief. I've talked to Mark. I've talked to, you know, the fire chief too often, but we need to sit down and talk. And um so our ideas is starting to we're
going to start lumping a lot a lot of this stuff together. So you know we have the space here now. Do we go out and buy products and have it on on hand and stuff like that? And and you know, some of these conversations people don't know. Me and me and me and Brian have
literally sat down and we want to put all this together this year >> and how we want to take our maintenance and >> maybe combine them together and make sure that buildings are being taken care of out of one account. >> Um custodial stuff being taken out of
one account. Um you know, paper products [snorts] and stuff like that. Um, so it's it's just it's a working work in progress. >> Of course, it's a growth thing. I mean, last year, obviously, Dan was still using this building for basketball,
etc., but the custodial in those bathrooms was funded a different way, if you will, because obviously it didn't come out of the town hall use then. Maybe in the school doing it, etc., right? I mean a lot of some of the stuff you gave to a from the school um you
know technically even though we were not housing anybody here from the school department working for the school. >> I know but I thought they leave something. They were like the Grinch just taking every light bulb when they left and just you know God every roll. >> I I [clears throat] found some tractor
free uh computer paper they left. >> Oh really? [laughter] Probably printed on one side already. We could flip it over. Right. >> Yeah. So, it's it's work in progress. I I have a lot of ideas that, you know, I bounced off Ryan and um we just got to sit down and really
>> hit home and and put it all together. >> Okay. >> Um but me being out in the buildings, me trying to not spend money. >> Um and doing some of the work myself instead of hiring out. >> Um you know, we had a sewer problem in the building over the weekend. I was out
there ripping a panel off of off a thing in the sewer house this morning. um putting that back together, [clears throat] >> stuff like that. So, we wouldn't have to come out and spend it. And that's some of the stuff that, you know, some of this stuff needs to be replaced down the road. >> We do have a list as I'm going along. Um
so, capital wise, yeah, we have some capital wise stuff we want to do. Not nothing huge. Um you know, we're not replacing roofs or anything like that yet. Sorry. >> It's a good It's a good roof. It's a
good roof, right, Brian? >> It's got a couple years left. >> Okay, thank you. [laughter] >> But yeah, so you know, we're moving along the projects the HVAC project here for library moving along the senior center. We met today. >> I can't say enough about the the admins
in these buildings. They've been very very good to work with, >> very supportive. So, um, me coming in being new and understanding the layout of the the land and the buildings. I can't say enough about back to you, Chief, you know, Mark Mark's been super
good making sure, you know, you guys, we can move stuff from one building to another. >> Um, you know, everybody it's been I've been involved with, I can't say enough. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Now, we get to where all the
money is. All right, I think I'll save you for last. Okay, let's start with uh Eva. >> Yes, sir. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> So, what's happening in the town clerk department? >> As far as the clerk and collector, I don't see anything on the horizon. Um things are just I hope to be about
normal. Uh other other than what you get your petition last people complaining about their taxes, but I think we're good there. I was by the way. Um, but the elections we're going to be talking about the election budget, but we do have two additional elections coming up
this year. We have state elections for for fiscal 27 that we didn't have this year. So, that's going to hit the elections budget, but other than that, I really don't see anything. >> Okay. All right. Um, accountant [snorts] at least, this is probably your first
one of these. Um, I'm pretty much on budget for everything in my department and [snorts] I expect that there will be no increases for next year. >> Okay. Do we have an audit coming up or anything that might be addit >> just added? So, we're good with that.
Okay. Right. Easy. Dick. Any words of any words of wisdom? >> Negative. So, I don't know what to do now. Um, as far as the budgets, I'm responsible for now. Everything's, you know, there's a few extra expenses we had to pay. We had to buy a few things
when we moved in the new building, but u I again I want to thank everybody who made that that uh that u move so smooth. I want to thank her and certainly Brian uh hopefully watching the recording here and knows how much we appreciate that he
made that thing work. >> It was absolutely amazing. >> Um Andre's been pretty good. Um, you know, the computers were up and running first day for me. Of course, I had to come I think it's Saturday so I'd be first in line, but got to do payroll.
Uh, but yeah, I know you are right, John. This is going to be a very difficult budget year. Probably as bad as anything we've seen in 10 or 15 years. >> So, I am very concerned about that. But, um, you know, we will do what we can do.
>> Thank you. Water department. John, >> give us an update on your current project and what you see coming forward. >> John Clash, the water department. Uh, as far as the current budget, I think we're okay, but that's I [clears throat]
there's more to come than that. >> We had to make two connections at 25. One was covered and second one was covered by the new construction that was included. one of the homes that we're going to hook up. So, it's already in that uh quoted budget [clears throat]
coming on this 26, we're going to have a number of customers that going to come online sometime in the first quarter. And so, that's going to have an impact as far as the meter readers. And so, I don't know what the cost what the
budget's going to be. It's definitely going to be more what we have now. Well, one thing that we had when we looked at the budget last year, and Don Corman if I'm wrong, we had cut down the testing parkers, we anticipated that many of these homes would be on the new service
by at least the fourth quarter, if not the third quarter of the fiscal year. You're waiting for the skid to come in and get the pump house built. That may require testing for the third quarter because it's not done, but at least the fourth quarter would only be
testing the main line at that point. >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> So that they only do the testing at the pump station and various other locations in the town. As far as the testing all the properties, >> we won't have to do that anymore. Right. We've got
>> these extra hookups you're talking about, are they as a result of the expansion of >> expansion? Yes. So we had one >> project. >> Well, we had one. No, I mean it was in the budget that we would hook up say 15 Smith Road, but all of a sudden their
testing showed that they hit the PAS limit. So to remediate that, we're able to hook them up right away. The pipe was already run in front of them. So and adding one house on the road to the 20some we were adding was not going to
strain the system that we had at this point. >> Still good. >> Right. I'm anticipating the first quarter we'll have the P house. >> Right. So, and there was no real extra expense because it was in the budget to hook that house up. So, it just decreases the number at the end. >> That's correct.
>> Right. Oh, good. Thank you, John. And is there anybody else who uses some money out of the budget that we should talk to? Oh, hi John. >> Johnion Grinch. [laughter] So let me start with um just I
[clears throat] heard your your directive that we pres present a level services budget. >> I think that was dark blame that was dark >> which you will intend to do again. I will say we are implementing what I called a level services light budget this year because as you may recall we
reduced our transportation services. We went to a three- tier model >> not primarily for budgetary reasons. Um the issue was that we had very unreliable transportation service last year because it was designed for a number of buses that exceeded the number
of drivers that we could hire. So uh we went to a three- tier system this year. Um it has not been perfect but has to a large extent resolved the problems uh with transportation and saved sever,000 and in the in the process. Uh in terms
of achievement had a lot of nice gains this year. Um this was the first year that students who were not impacted by a COVID shutdown entered what we know is the testing window. Um students are tested every year in grades 3 through
10. Uh so this year's or last year's third graders were the first group of third graders who were like after COVID was done. We were hoping to see some nice improvements in their achievement and we did see that. um groups that came before them definitely were impacted by
missing some school during really important years of their education. We also saw some great improvements in achievement in middle school. um particularly in math. >> Um again that was not due to any kind of change in um resource provided but just
some changes we did in administration mainly um changing the schedule which uh provided about 30 more lessons per year >> and and allowed teachers to get like two more chapters done which um ended up having a big impact on student
achievement scores. Um, we've had a great deal of success increasing access of students to higher level classes in our high school. Higher level classes are uh defined as AP classes or um vocational classes or certain other
types of classes. In fact, we learned last Friday that we are um [snorts] going to be named in the national AP honor role, which is a honor that you received by um hitting certain metrics for the number of students who take AP classes, the number of students who
score threes or better on their AP test, which means that they're essentially college equivalent. Um and the number of students who took five or more AP classes. Um so that's all good news. In terms of uh climate, we've seen some really nice improvements in climate,
decreases in student suspensions and expulsions, decreases in uh bullying, increases in student reported levels of culture in their school. So, that's good. Um, our athletic program was very successful last year, as it is most
years. Most teams qualified for postseason play, had an all-American diver. Um, our lacrosse team went back-to back central west state champions. Um, so that was good. Our, uh, music program is expanding mainly
because, uh, again, not new teachers, but increasing the size of the class. Music is one of the few classes where larger class sizes is actually better. Um, so we've doubled the size of our pestal classes and tripled the size of
our string classes. Um so all that is um on a definite positive upswing and uh as we got towards the end of the year we started to really um have some concerns about our physical plant needs at the middle school in particular and with
that I'll yield the remainder of my time to duck. [laughter] So, I'll uh I'll just say that that uh you know, in the current fiscal year to date, you know, we're about midway through the fiscal year. You know, uh as as you can tell, I'll in a second, our budgets are on track. Um we do have two
contracts with our largest uh unions. Uh that has some, you know, questions as to where that will land. We're we're in a process of of trying to get those finished up hopefully the next few [clears throat] weeks. Um that'll also uh impact our our budgeting for the coming year. And so those will have uh
impact on on our budgets u you know fully 75% of our operating budget is driven by you know uh personnel and the cost associated with those with you know uh health insurance and and other benefits that we have. So uh how those contracts settle will really make a big difference as to what kind of pressure
we have um moving forward. Um you know at present we're we're trying to build a budget best based on what we know at the moment. We don't have information yet on health insurance. It's a pretty significant cost for us. We're anticipating a pretty high increase. Um hopefully I've estimated sufficiently
conservatively and we'll uh land a little lighter than that and so that'll you know provide some relief to uh the assessments that you guys are will be asked to to uh to fund. Um I think you know outside of that the other you know challenges where where state aid for for
schools are going to come in what chapter 7 is going to look like taking a modest approach to that. Um hopefully the you know some of the conversations that are starting but won't be resolved I'm sure by the time the budgets get settled about how chapter 70 formulas might get changed. Uh but hopefully
they'll those will work in a direction that are going to continue to support our schools. Um the challenge generally speaking around that is that the increase in our overall costs uh go up faster than you know the amount of state aid goes up which puts a lot more burden on you guys. Um
>> well that's the and that's the regular budget but again I thought the biggest mover based on I think the projection we saw before was your need for capital costs. >> Yeah we have some significant capital costs. Uh you know the the the numbers I gave you probably a month ago now were
you know I would suggest hopeful uh obviously knowing that it's it's a level of ass that is not affordable to the to the community at this point in time. So we'll we'll continue to refine those over the coming weeks and and and work with you to find
a you know a set of projects and and resources that you know you can meet. >> Um and uh there was one other thing I want to mention. No, what was it? Uh >> yes, thank you. That's what it was. So the one other thing not in your favor is
the change in in uh number of students as a percentage. So the assessment is based on your percentage of students relative to the number of students that your friends in Wilbr have. And so it has shifted over the last couple years and continues to shift to where you guys have a larger percentage of your budget
of the assessment. >> Um than has been the case. So you've got additional pressure on your budgets from from increased number of students enrolled as a percentage of the time. So just a heads up >> how much shift is it or isn't the census
yet? Uh the census is set but it's about it says about 1%. >> Yeah it's about a 1%. Yeah. >> Okay. Right. >> Wow. >> So it's shifting in that direction and and uh so that's another pressure on the on the overall ask of of of your
community for funding. So those are things to keep in mind. Like I said we're still in process uh with putting together a first full draft of the budget and a little deeper dive. Um obviously waiting on on things like >> well you have the same pressures we have. We have two accounts that really
provide the biggest pressure on our budget. One is county retirement where they're trying to do quite a bit of makeup for inefficiencies in the past where that number is [clears throat] typically going up close to six figures now on an annual basis. >> Inefficiency or criminality. [laughter]
>> This is a recorded session, but that's fine. Um and then uh employee employee benefits which the town has been pretty good to its employees. you know, we brought it up to 75% on the participation level. But that being said, where we're seeing anywhere from
projection 4 to 7%, you know, even though there's question about the ACA, the town does not pay into the ACA. Municipalities are exempt from that. So, even 4 to 7% is a pretty pretty significant jump on a pretty large budget. So, and those are ones you
really can't do anything about. That's just Grin and Barrett and that's a number you get. Um, is there anybody that didn't get a chance to speak? Any department or >> Jane? >> Assessors. >> I missed the assessors. >> Jane,
>> so you should have gone alphabetically. >> You had your chance, Jane. So, the assessors, please. >> Assessor's office is right on track for fiscal 26. Um, no major changes or anything like that. at physical 27. There is um a vendor we use to do our
permit inspections and home inspections we have to do every 10 years. >> He is not doing it anymore. Um so he's an assessor at Adulture Town. He just doesn't have you know healthwise and timewise. So I have looked at another vendor to do it. It'll be a little bit
of an increase. Not too bad. Um but he is local which will help. Um, other than that, there seem like any major changes for 27. >> Okay. How is it, we talked earlier, how's your department? Obviously, as Doug talked about, there's a lot of
chatter about the tax bills going out, a lot of social media chatter, but has it [clears throat] manifested in actual people calling your office? Yeah, we've been getting a lot of calls, a lot of people coming in, which I'd rather people come in and, you know, talk to us
about it and understand it more and get educated on what's going on with everything. And so, [clears throat] but it's it's normal this time of year. So, >> it is, I'm sure. Did they leave happy? >> Some some Yes. >> like [laughter]
some some will just do the the calculations a little wrong. So that kind of helps. They're like, "Oh, it didn't go up that much." But assessments did go up and you know, they're going to go up every year. And I don't see them going down anytime soon. >> Well, are there many people actually getting to where they're filing for
payments? >> Um, some yes. Not not what does that mean as much as I thought. Okay. Not >> you know I mean you saw a lot on social media where people oh I'm going to rush right in and then maybe after your
conversation with them oh that's why it happened and okay nothing nothing's going to come from filing for an abatement based on that >> people don't understand how the whole system works the fact that you make do the entire increase in the second two payments >> right >> so it's it looks twice as bad is the
reality >> well it could be worse talking to Brian he's up in Southampton their tax rate was turned down by the state. So the third quarter bill will not include the increasing all the increase will be on the fourth quarter bill
which would be if you imagine how it is on two out of four. Imagine what it's like on one out of four standby. >> So we're not there. Thank goodness. We have a great department. We've never been turned down by the state. All this stuff has been lined up. >> This was Jane's first time through that.
She was a rock star. He did a great job. and Alisa's first time through it, too. And this this went really smooth. The setting the tax rate, I was impressed with >> Well, working with you, Dick. I mean, I mean, seriously, >> trust me, I don't take the credit for this. >> I wasn't [clears throat] offering you
credit. I was saying even working with you, they deserve more. >> That's true. They have they have to be pretty tough to do that. >> Thank you. >> I have to echo Dick. It wasn't just setting the tax rate when we're doing the systems and everything with regard to the assessors and we're dealing with everything just thank God went through
It was amazing how quick everybody was set up and running after the move. Really was. I mean, you everyone coming in working weekends and stuff like that. It really was, you know, to make sure the public was serviced as quickly as possible and thank you.
All right. So, if there's any comments from Eric or Don. >> Yep. You wake up. >> Well, no. No. I'll uh I'll reserve my comments for next week. >> Thank you,
>> Eric. Same. Good night. >> All right. Great. Well, if there's nobody else >> or emails at 4:00 in the morning. >> Oh, really? Thank you. Do apologize. There are no cookies here tonight. So, if that's nothing else, we'll conclude the State of the Union meeting. Well,
here next year, >> if you will. Thank you. >> A couple of weeks. >> A couple weeks. Next week. Thank you. >> Disappointed. >> All right, sir. >> Wow. >> Thank you, gentlemen.
>> Thank you. Well done. >> Get these next >> chief. You got I don't care. >> All right. Okay. >> So, so we can get out of here by uh solve some crime. Will you get out of here? >> I know everybody wants to get out and
buy a new Powerball ticket, but so we can move it along. Hey, Chief. >> Everybody, we still got a meeting here. Please, we're still meeting. So, we have Okay. Hi. We have before us the fire chief
bringing forth a uh a candidate. >> Really? Really? You really want to do this, right? >> Yes. >> Great. >> Anyway, any objection? [laughter] >> Bring forth. Um Evan Bern um he's from
he meets the mileage requirement. He's interested in helping out the community. >> Dad. Dad. Bonnie, >> Bonnie, we got a meeting up. We can't hear these guys.
>> Okay, thank you. >> He's from Wilberham. He makes meets the requirement, the mileage within two miles of the timeline. >> Um, >> the name's familiar. I swear Dr. Bernese or something. >> Got a question.
>> Dan Bern, >> but I think he's older than that. >> I gotta believe it. Okay. So, you said you're not older than 18. >> I >> Oh, that I filled out two of them. The first one, the first one when I scrolled through to check everything, I must have clicked it. >> Yeah. He just wanted to make sure
>> I'm double 18. >> Make sure people are looking at the paperwork. That's why I submitted to >> All right. Good. >> Yeah. Um, so he's interested in being involved in community helping out and he saw the opportunity that you fire department offers that he call force and and that
so he applied. >> Great. >> I interviewed met with them. >> Um, seems like a a great standup character and want to recommend him forward accepts him as probationary. >> Old was that the corner of Stony Hill and East M road that area there? Okay.
Thought so. Um, so you're sped teacher at what school? >> Chalk itself. Okay. Great. >> All right. Board, have any more in-depth questions to really dig into this? >> Speechless. >> Are you really? I'm speechless. Great.
>> So, with the full recommendation of the fire chief, I'll entertain a motion to appoint Evan to the role of probationary firefighter. >> Subject to all uh requirements and permits. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Sorry to put you through it like that,
you know. >> Pretty intense sometimes. >> Yeah, >> just in case you don't think we read the application [laughter] dots right there. >> I read everything. >> That's it. >> Now what? >> There's a little little sentence after that. I believe in the agenda that talks
about >> firefighter staffing and hiring discussion. >> Oh, staff. >> Yeah. So, um, we've been bringing these probationary firefighters on and and we're training them. They're going to the academy. They're getting an EMT. They removed on them, get their paramedic license, but they go to work for other departments, whether it's
Wolver um any they're they're all over the place and it's great, but so we have availability of our um staff or someone's on vacation or causing them sick, I want to be able to backfill that. So, these people that move on,
they obviously move out of our our mileage from the town line to be on the call department, but I would still like to be able to call them up and put them on a on a a list that I could call in to fill a shift. >> Okay. >> Um, and I just want permission to >> Well, the shift Yeah, the shift doesn't
have a mileage requirement because that's a paid employee, per se. >> So, >> why can't you just do that? >> I can. I just want to make sure that >> so if someone's on vacation you would call someone in on a per damn basis or >> right so we always have cards >> but you have three
>> back to it through call department sometimes we can't do it and we have someone comes in for half a day it's fine >> so it's a secondary list because obviously this person now they they work for such and such they're now 10 miles away >> but they're well trained they're qualified they know the system you'd
like them on a a secondary list that you could use >> right plus they've already been through our organization which is huge. They already know our ins and outs. They know our equipment. Something to bring somebody have to teach them how to run this truck or truck or where the equipment is on it. They know everything.
>> I I I don't know if that really comes to us. I mean, he's the chief. He runs his department. He's a qualified person. >> I think we're good with that. >> I mean, we're not going to question, oh, this guy has this training, whatever. Who knows it but you or your people, right? >> So, if you're looking for our blessing,
keep going that way. >> Well, I just didn't want to do it. It won't be a surprise to us that you're doing right. >> Okay. Thanks, J. >> Thank you. >> All right. The townhouse repurposing committee. I see what we have so far. Um, gentlemen,
hello. So, we [snorts] did get a list uh from our town administrator or some other people who expressed interest on being on this committee. And since the criteria for being on the
committee, I think as Mr. Davenport said, was warm and breathing both, I believe. Right? >> Yes. Thank you. Uh we have no reason not to assume these people would be qualified. We did talk about the meeting is this
Thursday, right? 10:00 municipal meeting. >> Municipal meeting. Right. >> Right. And do we want to you all got that list um I don't know what well that list of the other names
>> from Brian. Do we want to go ahead >> and [clears throat] invite them to our meeting and see you know assess their interest rather than just willy-nilly putting them on the committee. I don't think we spoke to these gentlemen why they wanted to be on. I don't think it'd
be appropriate just to say oh okay just because you call Brian you get to be on the committee. Well, there's 17 of them. That's the point, >> right? So, I think we need to [clears throat] >> that actually could be something. We have next week's meeting.
>> We have a I I would think we're going to probably figure 45 minutes to an hour for the public hearing. And after that, we really don't have a lot. And I think that would be the time to say, let's flush out this committee and get this thing moving. So, I'd suggest we invite
the You're here next Tuesday? >> You are. Okay. Uh, I would suggest that we invite the other interested parties to our meeting next week. And so, we could put this committee. >> There were a total >> 17 more. >> 17 total. Totally. [clears throat and cough] >> And we have a couple other people we
think exeicio. We should uh put the building inspector on. Exeicio. Maybe the chief would want to be on exeicio as well. things like herb but not a member of the committee but they're like the town representatives to it and one member of the board
>> probably the I think you're away in two weeks from now right >> correct >> okay we're going to he's on the board right >> we'll vote that that time [laughter] >> that's usually what happened >> that's usually what happened >> and we also we also have a uh mission statement
>> yeah I saw you put that I think we flushed that out approved that so we would suggest guess that the four members of the current committee that were appointed last week, which is you three gentlemen plus uh Joe >> and Joe. >> Joe was away, I believe. Right.
Birthday. >> Yep. >> What a guy. Um >> you see, we all came in on our birthday, didn't we? I think so. Yeah. Right. >> We're off camera. I don't know if you care. I don't know if we're off camera. I don't know if you care. >> Oh, that's the best. I think >> it's the best. >> They want to see them, not us.
>> Yeah. Eric was concerned he wasn't on camera and like >> my good side. >> Yeah, it's a good [laughter] side. Thanks. So, we hope to see uh you all here Thursday. It'll be in this room, I would imagine. >> Well, that's the municipal building meeting.
>> Yes. Right. >> So, >> and then next Monday we'll >> Tuesday >> Tuesday. >> Tuesday we'll uh at 7 o'clock we'll invite the other people to come. So, [clears throat] next Tuesday at 7, >> which is going to be, I will say, a little loose because again, we have the
public hearing for Bayberry Colony >> National >> could be anywhere could be anywhere from 30 to 70 people there. So, in order to complete, you know, we're not going to close it with some questions still being out there. I would anticipate it's not
going to take more than an hour, but it could. >> No, that's the cafeterium. >> Okay. That's what Tuesday. >> That's Tuesday. That'll be at 6. And I hope by 7 o'clock we'd be able to meet with everybody interested. You all would be able to ask them questions as well.
You are the committee. What's your interest? Are you of an open mind? >> Which is the key part there. >> You guys are selecting. So, >> what's your what's your take on the whole thing? [snorts] >> You have take on it right now. I would
say my take is that we haven't heard all the different options at this point. That's the thing, you know, and by putting more people there, not everybody, but somebody's going to come up with something we haven't thought of. >> You're going to get some ideas that I'm telling you cuz I the town of Brimfield
>> Mhm. >> when they moved out of their town hall out there and they moved into that white house, that thing was structurally not sound when they fixed it. and there's there's no one in it and they're still after 20 years they're they're still
holding on to that bill because nobody can make a decision because there's so many opinions, >> right? But again, so we've heard things, we're going to hear more things and then by the time somebody thinking outside the box, great. Somebody heard about ransomware, great. But we've kicked the
can down the road too long. We've known about this. We had to move here. We had to take care of this building. But now >> we'd like an answer. Honestly, I'd like an answer before we pass the next budget. >> I don't want the expense on next year. >> I already have opinion on what
>> I'm sure. But I mean, we could be spending if we don't do something. We're going to be spending for utilities and insurance. >> Exactly. >> Right. >> We got to start the process somewhere. Like you said, this year is going to be a tough year. >> This year's going to be a tough year. >> In terms of
>> holding on to that thing that there goes >> warm, >> right? And you you are you talking about in terms of the size of the committee because >> No, I just I thought >> 15 or 17 people is too much. >> That's too much. But I think once we
hear from these people, we'll know where their focus is. I mean, honestly, and be you don't want and maybe the other people will say, "Oh, well that that person is saying exactly what I was thinking, so I don't need to be on there. I've already got somebody with my point. >> They're coming up with their light."
>> Right? So Tad Tad, >> I feel like your uh your committee is probably a numbers around seven is is I'm just throwing that out there. >> The other thing is if you got 17 people, I feel like we need to you need to have a little bit more
structured way to vet those 17 because I'll say just for me sitting here, just because I was at the meeting last week and I raised my hand doesn't necessarily mean I should be on that committee. If if you have 17 people and you vet those 17 and you have five that have some
experience and >> something that you would be looking for and the rest the people that got named last week don't make it. That kind of is what it is. They still get a chance to be at a meeting and say these are my ideas and put them on a whiteboard or whatever. I'm just saying I think you
there's people that would probably complain that there's already four people on the committee that really didn't get very vetted. I you know what I'm saying? Some a little more robust in you might have to make a limit. >> Right. I I think I think you're right in
the seven to nine people. I mean for instance right now CPA is nine people and that I think is the most you would have on a committee. Maybe seven is the right number. But I think a variety of ideas is key. Like I say, if we're vetting the people and four people in a
row say, "I want to be on the committee because I don't think it should be torn down." Okay, but that's not a going forward type thing. That's not a a member of the committee that has an idea or what to be done with it. That's just an opinion, if
you will. >> I agree. I just talking out loud that those 17 and probably friends and neighbors would be like, "Wow, these guys already named the committee and there's only a few spots left." >> That's all I'm saying. >> I agree. Okay. >> Think about it. >> Yeah.
>> See, there may be 17 people that have an idea, but they have one idea. >> That's okay. And I think >> this is somebody that has >> Right. But as Tad said, they're willing they're welcome to come to any of the meetings anyhow and express them. >> Right. I can say, [clears throat] you
know, throw it up on the whiteboard. Here's our 10 ideas. I say go back to the middle school task force or what was the last one that went all the way to uh I mean that was it the high school thing where they have choices up in a double letters after a while, you know, and
then you start weeding them out, right? >> So, is that what is that next game? Thursday at 10 here. Well, there's a meeting, municipal building meeting, and you've been to those before, I think, where it's an overview of all the buildings. That's at 10:00. Don usually
uh handles that. >> And then next week at our regular select board meeting on Tuesday night, regular because of the holiday, I believe. >> Yeah. >> So, uh we have a public hearing from 6:00 to we anticipate 7 o'clock. And
then on the agenda, we'll have seven o'clock old town hall building committee membership, if you will. >> And at that point, we'll have it done. Here are the seven to eight, nine people tops and move forward and come, you know, start meeting, come up with an
idea. >> We should and we should have a a mission statement for direct statement >> and then close the door. >> Here's the draft one. And we'll put that put that to bed. >> Tuesday. >> No, that's uh next month. Next Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday and 7's really the
important >> so we don't have to be on not that they're not all important. >> No, Thursday is an overall all the buildings together, right? You know, so I mean we got the issue obviously growth at the fire station. Uh Academy Hall has always been a thing on
my thing. You know, it's not expensive, but the electric bills have been climbing and climbing and climbing. um the municipal buildings. Heck, we got a new pump house going in for the water district which may need to be insured. It may need to be, you know, something like that.
You know, it's going to have a much higher value than what we have now. Um we have things going on here. We've talked about moving the generator from the old town hall to here. And honestly, that needs to be done because we don't have the system we have here is not
enough to run the building. So, that's got to be done. And now we have >> any other questions. >> All right. >> No, >> Eric, you want to beat these guys up? >> I do have a question, but that doesn't >> Okay,
>> just quick question. What's going on with the Wilmer Middle School? >> That's a great question. Anybody else have a question? >> No. What's going on with the Milham Middle School is that they have extensive that they're they've withdrawn
the application for the repair and they're going forward the core program to see if it needs to be repaired, gutted totally or a new school. But in the meantime, we're insisting that they make some repairs to the uh particularly
the ventilation system and those type of things. The issue being that Wilberham owns the building and according to the agreement, they're responsible for the full funding of it. >> So, we'll see how that goes. Yeah. >> If you if you had a car that needed repair, but you plan on buying a new one
in three years, you do a little to get it running like, you know, a new school, they they roof that thing two years ago, brand new roof. Well, that's one of the issues under that's one of the issues under the under
the mass >> that's one of the issues under the mass building assistance program that [clears throat] if you don't go the full 20 years they can take the money back for what they gave for the roof. So >> there you go.
>> There you go. [snorts] All right. Is there um obviously we don't have a town minister report. I'll give a Oh, no. We signed them last week. I don't have numbers. I'll give a quick report. I went to the U school committee meeting last Thursday. I don't know if any of you watched it.
>> Did you? Okay. Well, that must have been the highlight of your night. >> It was interesting. >> Okay. Thank you. And I reported what the board said that we felt there was some misinformation provided at an earlier school committee meeting. I hoped uh what I said set the record straight. I did make the point to him as well like
why aren't you looking at uh memorial for any things that could be used. You know, I'm sure they have some great doors there that are in good shape and I've been to many schools in my life and by golly those doors all look the same. So since
they're two town of overhead buildings, you have a stockpile go over and grab them and move them over. But apparently nobody ever thought of that. So, all right. And that's other than that, I thought was well received. They they had a right after me was I think a row of
teachers talking about why the contract hadn't been finalized. So, >> that to be honest, middle school is important, but they've got to get that brained up, >> you know, because right now we're halfway through >> the fiscal year. There could be quite a bit of >> contracts,
>> not knowing what's going on, but >> you know, there could be quite a bit of makeup, if you will, if there's a retro thing to it, >> you know, potentially. Potentially. Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Anything else to come before the board? >> Donna, are you going Wednesday or sorry, Thursday?
>> I'm going to come Thursday. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I do have a meeting this Wednesday for that Ryan Paxton, the new advisory committee for the health. We no long have a meeting. Where's that going to be? >> 14 Zoom. It's virtual. Great. So, I'll
report back next week. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anything. Ed, why are you still here? >> I like you guys. >> No, seriously. >> No, seriously, though. >> I was going to talk to you after the meeting. >> Okay. >> I can be able to make the 10:00 uh meeting Thursday and I didn't know if
anybody need any information. >> Okay, great. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. Thank you. >> There was never no chat things or anything dur was there.