Good evening and welcome to the February 9th, 2026 meeting of the Hampton Select Board and Board of Health being held at the townhouse 85 Wham Road in the large meeting room. 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. Again, we are meeting at the large meeting room for one of the last few times. We are recording the meeting plus
broadcasting on Zoom. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? Kristen Rivers from the hand war time is a welcome. Uh moment of silence for the Patriots. Okay, we're done. Better team one side.
>> All right, so do we have any minutes to review, Mr. Town Administrator? Not that are ready for you yet. >> We eagerly look forward to them next week. >> Expect them then >> and maybe some of the executive ones as well. Hopefully. >> Okay.
First order of business is a public hearing. And this public hearing is required by section 25B sub paragraph A sub subp paragraph one of the votes act to rule
on okay thought you thought you walked out okay >> which is required and also section 25 subsection C subsection one which we all have memorized I'm sure many times >> hard yes
>> so and we This has been requested by the town clerk. >> So we're registers are the registars. >> Are any of them here? >> The opinion. >> Okay. One second. Uh so I would open this public hearing under those two MGL
requirements. So we have before us Eva Wisman representing the board of registars in a capacity as town clerk. >> And what would you like us to know? It is the opinion of the board of registars that early voting for in person voting for the local elections. This is not
cost effective. >> So we are advising against it. >> Okay. >> Um we've calculated these things in the past based on well attendance and the actual attendance and return that we get with regard to mailing out absentee votes and
everything else and it just it just is cost prohibitive I think. >> Okay. Yeah. Have we done that before? Do you recall? >> We have to do this every year with >> No. No. Do you recall if we've actually had the uh >> Have we had for local elections? >> Yeah. >> No, but I base it on on the request for
absentee ballots and we get for a primary because our turnout for primary elections >> is comparable to what we get for our local elections. >> Okay. >> For the most part. And it's the same thing people everybody wants them because they can get them. >> Right. But my question is so we've opted out every year. You can recall that
we've had the opt ability to >> local elections local >> election state has to have that early voting options you'll be coming back with another request for dates for dates. >> No, it is only for the local election. The fall the primary the state primary
and the f fall election are both state elections and we are required a lot to provide that for those. No, I thought we were, but I mean I thought last time we had the amount we could control a little bit like you could say, okay, we offer four days instead of six or there's a minimum. >> I'm sorry. With regard to the hours that
we offer, we do have to offer a minimum hours and yes, that will be with regard to those particular. >> Right. That's what I thought. See those particular. >> All right. So I'll entertain a motion to agree with the board of registars and the town clerk that we will not be offering uh early voting for the local
election on May early in in in person voting. >> Early in person obviously >> mail the in the early voting is two part is by mail or in person. >> Okay. >> And the rate of return that we get for those mail ballots
>> because people >> But you're not talking about you're not talking about people requesting absentee ballots. No absentee ballots by law reduce the >> That's my point. That's separate. That's not what right Don's referring to. This is the Yeah. Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I >> Eva, thank you for coming. >> Thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> We'll close that uh public hearing. >> Move to close the public hearing. Second. All in favor? I. Thank you. Wow.
You take a breath. >> The FBI in here ballots next. >> Now that's on record. That's over the world. Everybody's heard that. Kristen, please. Please. >> I hope so. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, next on the agenda, we're
going to talk about the U EV charging stations. Yeah. >> Ryan is going to review the fact that even though we have made incredible money, incredible money on this. >> You want to raise the price? >> Yeah. >> Background. Um, so I'm still figuring
out I'm still trying to figure out National Grid or getting National Grid to figure out and adjust the the bills like they should with the removal of the demand charges. Um, and going through the most recent couple bills. Um what's happened is as everybody knows the
electric rates have increased. They've increased on the chargers as well. So in these past 2 months the the return that we get um from having the chargers is not covering the electric bill. Um,
so right now it's it we're not talking big money, but we're at that point where we're starting to subsidize the use of the chargers with general fund money, which is not something that we had. >> But you think that's a more of a billing problem with the grid rather than the usage part? You think
>> because it's because of the the the kilowatt hour rate is essentially doubled, >> right? But we were charging, doc, right? 45 cents was it? And what >> that covers that covers fees to
Oh, that covers fees to the to the who is it? Red red red e network. >> Mhm. >> And I've also noticed comparing um the bills to the payout from from Ready, it's not
a it's not a kilowatt hour to kilowatt hour. It's not a onetoone match. So what we're paying out um what we're getting paid out doesn't match our electric bill. So our electric bill is let's just say it's 50.
>> Mhm. >> We're only getting paid out ready network for 40. That's just as an example. >> Okay. >> So we need to increase the we need to increase the the per charge cost to cover that difference. That's that's the
bottom line is is they're not covering it. >> So are there two debits then against the thing? Obviously, one is the electricity that we is provided to the car plus there's a charge from the company that's if you will promoting the location. That's the ready E thing. >> Yep. And that's >> and potentially that could exceed the
money we're getting from the charging. >> Yeah. When we when we set the price at 45 >> I don't think we knew the ready price at that time. >> We set it at 45 cents. The national grid uh kilowatt hour charge was 10 was 10 cents. Now it's 19 cents a kilowatt
hour. So it's essentially doubled. >> I understand that. But I mean on the face it would look like we're still making 36 cents uh 26 cents per kilowatt hour. >> Yeah. >> But there's an offset from ready as well.
>> Yep. That's what the that's what rise >> thinks takes more than that. I mean that would be an incredible searchcharge. >> Mhm. >> I understand. I mean, on the face of it, if they're charging us 19 cents for the 45 cents we're getting in, plus whatever
Ready is charging. >> Yep. And now we have this kilowatt hour discrepancy that the >> I don't know if it's electricity to run the >> the screens or I don't know. Are the screens on 24/7? Probably. >> Um, >> yeah. >> Is that a level two or level three?
>> Level three. >> So, just quick search here online. Average just an average charging station per kilowatt hour for a level three is roughly 35 to 65 cents per kilowatt hour. >> Yeah. >> So if we're in the >> a range of, you know, we're it's costing
us money, it wouldn't be >> would be unsemly to go up to go up at this point. I I I agree. >> But it does seem odd that we're even at 45 cents, we're not going to make a ton, but we shouldn't be losing money. >> We should be losing money. >> No. So I mean I think it gets back into
the billing the confusion at the beginning you know with the rise engineering etc. And Don we saw that you know between the grant they didn't think it was going to be level three there was extra charge the whole thing and I think we got left a little bit there.
>> So your recommendation go up 50 55 cents. What are you thinking right now? >> At least 55 cents. All right. >> I don't want to go more than that because that gets into the you know the top end around here. So, >> I entertain a motion to How was that
done? Does somebody come and program it into the >> No, I can do it on the >> on the app. >> Yep. >> Okay. Right. Entertain a motion to effective uh tomorrow raise the kilowatt hour price for the charging station look at the senior center to 55 cents. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Can I just ask about the demand charges again? >> Yep. >> They're not supposed to be charging us demand charges. >> Correct. Those need to come off. Okay. >> So the green are the the green are when they started taking off. >> Yep. >> Demand chargers.
Um so that's that's what the cost will be. Those are those are true operational cost. >> So just want to be with this because we already voted. So on the 922 to 1020 >> Yep. >> Mhm. >> It was 222.99. Yep.
>> And the payout to the town was 253. >> Yep. Is that immediate or is that like is there maybe a month like that was the payout for the month before maybe and >> Okay. So if the payout was 220 So is that mean we made $31 that month?
>> Yep. >> Okay. >> And then next month we made $30 and then >> No, next month it looks like you lose money. Does that mean we pay then we start losing then we start losing money >> or No. Okay. I I'm I'm not paying any
any uh invoices until they uh >> understood. I just wanted to make sure that we didn't have like 15 grand sitting somewhere that was paid that didn't need to. >> Thank you. Sorry. >> Yep. Definitely confusion there. All right. Got it.
>> Better man than I don't get in. All right. Uh budget review. All right. >> All right. All right. So, that'll bring it that'll solve our revenue problem with the Chargers. >> Okay. >> We don't even need to budget anything. It's We're all set.
>> Thanks, man. You going to throw that up on the screen or >> Yeah. Let me minimize that one. The crowd is moving closer. >> Yeah, thanks. >> They can smell the cookies from back there. >> I'm having trouble.
They only hide uh see if we can get these on. So last time we talked um I didn't have the 2025 actual filled in and then I didn't have the 2027 request. So these are very preliminary numbers. Um and these will change.
>> These are very these are very small numbers. Oh, you feel >> um want to tilt. Should we tilt that this way or >> like slide it closer to us? I mean, >> we're possibly going to tilt it this way. If you guys want to come up over
this side and see it better cuz >> Yeah, feel feel free. We can fit the whole crowd over here. I'll come over here. All right. Much much better. Thank you. So salaries right now I I kept those
level >> um so those would be adjusted um if there is a co uh if there is a cola that the select board talks about with advisory >> so the all right the public health nurse
is paid by us >> has no impact from the shared public >> yeah salary we Hey, and this is this is kind of a leftover from from the pandemic as I understand it. This public health nurse does the the maven
reporting, >> right? Um, so >> are you saying you're wondering if we really need that person anymore with the shared health service or >> um that that issue has been that
question has been raised by the the >> staff >> health uh health staff. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. Don, what is your thought about that? I mean, >> the only the only role is the maven thing. >> That's my understanding. I would want to I'd want to double check to make sure
but it's it's a 5h hour a week position. My understanding is it's it's only maybe reporting. So >> well you want to look into that. Yeah we should look services people should be able to do that. I mean for
for the people who don't know the maven reporting is contagious diseases >> was big during co obviously >> right was big during co you know you know >> so maybe you want to chat with Ryan passion about that >> all right maybe he can folder under his
>> okay then expenses >> all right >> all right so slapboard expenses so these are all assumptions So >> 20,000 >> we dropped from 36 to 20 this year because of >> we spent 36 in 2025,
>> right? But I mean that was was that I think we took on the AV under our expenses >> at that time. Right. >> Correct. Yeah. >> We went back to the usual appropriation which was >> and we're tracking >> and we're tracking right now at 16,000.
>> Right. >> Um legal advertising that's still at four. uh we haven't had any this year we spent 2200 in 2025 >> and that's that's hit or miss depending on >> right
>> what what comes up >> now GIS mapping is under us but technically it's really the assessors >> right so I need to double check on that price but >> right >> last year >> that got folded under us a number of years ago and just it didn't really
matter >> y >> temp help. That's a hit or miss. And I'm surprised that number is only 67 right now. I thought we had that Zoom operator, the
extra Zoom operator on temp help. >> Yeah, >> I thought we had >> They've not worked very much. >> Okay. Didn't we have >> But there'll be a little bit. >> Okay. But I mean, I thought then we had Rose helping Joanne that as well. Nothing this year. >> Nothing this year. >> Okay. I do go back into those people
that helped and there were people that helped out with the move. I think Rose as well. They should have been compensated one way or another. It was great that they came in and helped but >> I believe I believe they were paying out of the the town clerk budget. >> The moving. Okay. Well, good. >> Yeah. >> I think we should keep that at that because you don't know what's going to
happen. >> Oh, you don't? No. >> Yeah. >> Like I said, look with the you know, we could have had to pay for somebody to help out Lauren, you know, during this time, >> right? Uh a good opportunity would be if we need secretarial help for the town hall committee, right? >> You know, clerical help there. If you
can find somebody that's you've got the money, question of finding a person >> coming support, that's going to be a question. So looking at that and then your com, you know, your concern about the cost for the AV upgrade for rooms,
etc., which would reduce the need for that. Have you made a commitment to the company for the spring? >> Yes. >> So, they're already committed. So, even if we did the upgrade, we'd still have to pay them. >> Yeah. I I'll double check, but I think that upgrade is only for the is only for
the selectboard meeting room. >> No, >> I believe it is >> the 45. >> Yes. >> No, he was doing the cafeterium, too. Four spaces, he said. >> All right. I'll I'll >> The meeting room, this room, >> those I brought him to those. >> All right.
>> Okay. Let me reread his email then cuz that that made me really nervous when it was $40,000 for one. >> Oh, no. But I'm saying if it's cafetum and you're taking away that AB money for that thing, you're >> it pays for itself in two years. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And much better quality
>> because we were renting before, right? >> Right. I mean, they were con quality. They got no problem. If they were $3,000, it would have been great operator. Yeah. >> That number was really >> right. >> Okay. >> Yep. because at some point you've got to sign
that thing. So if you want to look at that and bring that back because we need a better setup in our meeting room. >> Yep. >> You know, we need to be able to present. We need to see the audience and stuff. Uh I would like as I mentioned before to get a couple references from that
company or companies, you know, other towns they've done. We can look on YouTube, see how they present, things like that. The clarity. Oh yeah. Yeah. Those systems, right? >> Right. So, okay. Storm water. >> Storm water we appropriate 50. The
contract with time bond has been around between 30 and 35,000 each year. >> So, there's an opportunity to reduce that. >> And this year is the is it low because they haven't done the big report yet? >> They they built throughout the year.
>> Yeah. Okay. And you also mentioned about is this they mentioned we need a presentation or sorry implementation this year >> we need yeah we're past we're about two years past due for >> best management practice >> who reviews that I mean okay we're two
years behind and if it wasn't for Taiian bond >> we file said something >> file with EPA they're I think it's file with the EPA >> is there anybody still working there >> maybe that's why we didn't have to do it so
Um but um we did have I did have a conversation with them and we're going to meet um >> in the near future >> in the next week or two with Mark there's a possibility to do something um on the grounds here with the drainage soil between uh uh the town hall
property and the golf course. Um and then it could there's also good uh could also be a educational learning area for the library if library does some activities or something. >> Yeah. Government birthday and stuff like that. Sure.
>> Yeah. And if it's going to be one of the one of the potential sources of funding makes me shudder, but it would be the MVP program and um there's an educational comp requirement with that program as we all know. Um, so it actually might be a good fit to do it there, right?
>> And then it can set up this learning area and, you know, we can get a requirement met and kids can go play in the mud. >> Yeah. >> Whatever. >> It would be nice if part of that done if we could either MVP, storm water management. We do have that open thing for Mil Pond that we have, you know,
that's been out there. Yeah. >> But is that in the area? It has to be. >> That's I wonder, you know. >> No, I don't think it is. >> I don't think it >> hard to believe cuz that mean that's a flooding area. Hard to believe it's not. So, this is in the regulated area. >> Yeah. >> Um,
and I I was hoping maybe there's some if there's going to be some drainage work here with the parking lot to maybe get that paid for as well. >> Um, that process. >> Okay. Property and liability. That's an impressive low increase. Um,
>> so this is so what I heard back from Barry Insurance is is about a 6 to 8% increase. This is showing a 4% increase. So, we're pretty much paid up this year at at 216,000. Um, we budgeted 238,
>> but that that may be reflective of current inventory. What if, like I said, we get the new brush truck. That's a higher value vehicle. Um, >> yeah, that won't that won't add it too much. That won't add too much to it. >> Okay. >> I mean, see you what he's saying is we
spent 23,000 less. >> Yeah. He had the brush brush and he's he's increasing it by he's increasing the 238 by 4%. So if you you know >> Yeah. But we're also insuring this building where we didn't have to before. And I can't believe that's not
>> 15 include >> that that this building. >> Yeah. >> We started insuring this July 1st, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So it's it's a place where I where I think we could we could we could
>> potentially the increase. save on the increase if that makes sense. A little bit less increase. >> Mhm. >> Employee benefits. Um so this is based on um 11 11% increase in health insurance
with our current enrollment numbers. Um this is actually a little bit less because I don't know of any pending retirements that we would have for employee payouts. All right, three of us. I might I'll beat on my drum again about
this. I I wish Scanic Valley would do the same thing I have to do in business and go back to the carrier and say, "How do I bring the bill down? Does the copay go up? Does the out of network uh deductible go up?" They just seem to
take and Blue Cross is the typical one. take what Blue Cross says, "Okay, the increase is this." And they're like, "Yep, okay. What can I do to bring it down?" And I don't see them doing that. You know, I have to do it when my insurance carrier comes over and said,
"Okay, well, we're looking at 9%. Okay, what can I do?" >> Or, you know, the copay goes up or something like that. It is what because it comes out of their pocket, too. I don't see Scanic Valley doing that. I did mention it to Dick. I think it's something that when they have their
council meeting, they should talk about that and not just take the >> You got to negotiate. >> Exactly. >> I mean, that's a pretty big group. What do you think of all the towns, >> especially the school? I mean, that's retirees and stuff. >> All the schools are in there.
>> Yeah. So, they have some leverage. >> Exactly. They tell Blue Cross, "Hey, we're going to move the pilgrim." Oh, whoa, whoa. Maybe I can uh Yeah, I'm gonna buy my car somewhere else. No, let me come down that price. You're talking to the manager. >> Exactly. Right.
>> Your pinky that kind of Thank you. >> Okay. Longevity. You know what? You could even finally take that out of the >> save some paper. >> Uh unemployment compensation. So, currently we h we have two small
claims that we have to pay because we have uh part-time on call workers who file for unemployment in the winter from their normal from their regular jobs. >> Seasonal workers >> seasonal workers but >> they don't allow towns to have seasonal workers.
>> Right. We we tried to certify the positions as seasonal and then they denied our application >> because the job is not the regulations require the job to be unique and independent of any other position that the town has. So, because
we have full-time snowplow drivers, we can't hire a seasonal snow plow driver >> or a lawn mower >> or a lawn mower. >> We reclassify them as prediums and use them sporadically throughout the earth. Is that >> the only other way? They could be subs.
>> The only the only the only way out of that is through the certification >> or or they're subcontractors and then they're on their own for filing >> their 1090 and all. Yeah. >> And they're on their own for insurance and all that kind of stuff. and it creates a lot >> then you won't get them. >> Right.
>> Right. >> Yeah. >> Claims. >> So lawn claims uh this is our this is where this is our halfway point about $12,000. We budget $75,000.
Two years before this uh so 83,000 was 2025. Uh 2024 I think was around $90,000. At that time we had um three two storage, >> two pending lawsuits. >> We had a storage, the school was well
done by that point, but the storage was big. >> Yeah. So, we have two or three lawsuits and then we also had we also needed to hire counsel um to take care of some personnel issues. >> Oh, yeah. >> That arose throughout the year >> on two different occasions. So, that's really what drove that.
>> I mean, we typically see, Don, correct me, four to 5,000 for town meeting, >> review of warrant, stuff like that. We're we are very fortunate that Brian now can handle a lot of that with his background. So >> I think we could stick with 50 there.
>> I think we can maybe take it down a touch. >> So we went down. So So we're at 75. >> Bring it down 50. >> We brought it and the suggestions are bring down 50. >> That's a that's a third that's a 30% cut. So
>> um tower reports 4,000 seems about right. our ports uh veterans >> and that consists of basically printing costs, right? >> That's the printing cost for you know tower report. I did get a question I think uh gosh a couple times county
county jail wants to quote on that you know part of their employee or sorry employee >> part of their uh personnel >> growth thing and they they come close that quite a bit so shopping around
>> nobody's reading it anyhow right >> not what I hear >> less and less people are we have more and more copies every year. >> I know yours is pretty dogeared, Don. You know, like Yeah. >> A string bound one from the $8. That's I've got one of those at home. >> Oh, really?
>> Yeah. >> Uh veteran services, the budget 20. Um >> Well, that's what I said. If we can get those guys in next week, Ken and uh Jason can review that and find out where we stand. >> We spent seven so so far this year,
right? So, we're >> Yeah. It also gets back into what's reimbured from the state and it's said >> all right. >> So that's we're trending about >> wizard formula right there with that thing. >> Yeah. >> And this is the one we're going to be we
were impacted by the assessors a little bit because we raised that u section G section J or whatever on it as well. Yeah. >> Well that'll hit yes. That'll hit the uh >> next year. >> That'll hit the overlay. >> Yeah. >> Because we had to increase the overlay on the tax recap sheet. to cover that to
cover that cost to cover those costs. So >> that was about a 40 something,000 bump that >> we had to add. >> Academy home maintenance. That was what I was talking about last week that if we can work the water district into covering
that area. I see that that the basis of that is the huge utility bill in the winter keeping the room warm. So there might be something. I don't know if I want to like take a shot at it now or just see it drop after we do that >> because what if we don't do it and it
has to stay up, right? >> Down events. >> Well, this is the one. Next one is the big one you wanted the uh transfer station monitoring. >> So that's a big jump problem. >> Yeah. So that's that's an estimate there. I'm going to have I'm going to ask Lori to
um calculate the the testing cost for the places of of residents that are remaining and we'll we'll reduce that accordingly. >> Office equipment towns.
>> Is that corrected now? Did you say that? that office equipment and office maintenance or something was transposed or something. >> There was 6,000. There was quite a bit. You're going to move from one the IT part to >> Yeah. Some of this Yeah. I haven't had a
chance to work with lease on it yet. So, but you're saying you think the it rolls up the acquisition and so that Yeah, it's still I mean if you look those two together acquisition at it is 70,000 and
we're still at boy 64. I'm not sure where else it's going to roll into that didn't it doesn't leave us much for >> uh right equipment acquisition is going to be pretty much >> exhausted >> now because the windows because of the
windows upgrade was getting >> but it should mean next year we really don't have a lot of upgrades to do >> could be >> right because we had to do so many this year yeah >> which is good because I heard that RAM tripled in price that My Dell guy told
me that laptops went through the roof. >> Tell this is the big one. >> So for the town for the next three year that I need to double I need to check I need to have a conversation with her about these. >> Yeah. >> Um but I'm pretty sure about the we'll
calculate the full year of the utilities as well, but I think it's probably going to be in that ballpark of somewhere around 8,000. >> Especially if we do the the the AC for the library, right? You got they're running that during this, >> right? >> And I'm sure the the governor is talking
about uh dropping utility rates in mass, right? >> Yeah. >> Did you read that? >> Dropping them where? >> Yeah. Maybe it was a different state I was thinking of. >> All right. >> Gasoline is gasoline.
>> Gasoline. Gasoline. >> Gasoline pump. That's That's standard thing. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Street lighting. That's your thing. You always like that. >> I do only because you know it's the that's the one on the power purchase agreement thing. You've talked about
going over that with is it Excelsier or who is it now? >> Lucy Renewables. >> Lucy Renewables and making sure because it was a bit of an esoteric thing with Cliff end of the year application. But I still think you know we see it at
home the demand charge going up the transmission charge. Yeah, you might. >> And we don't have a lot of control because it's not like we go up and change every light. Okay, turn on half an hour later. We don't do that. You can't. >> Well, you might you might get your have
to get your BB gun on again like you did as a kid. Take some of them out. >> Take some out. >> Yeah, true. Boy, that's a great thought, Don. Thanks. >> Write that down. Write that down, Kristen. Thank you. >> All right. >> So, I think that might need to come up a
little bit. >> I think so, too. on how we're trending. >> I'd rather fund it than do what we did before and cut them back a bit. We already had a request and this actually would be an opportunity to talk to the police about it. Don, remember a couple years ago we add some
>> So would which explain maybe a slight increase which we added >> 10 or 15 mostly sessions area. >> Yeah, they wanted sections down there. >> So the question are the street lights currently like incandescent? No, they're all LED. We need to upgrade.
>> LED on. >> I just figured >> which helped >> maybe an opportunity to save a little. >> Hey, there are a couple incandescents. Uh I think at the park there was one the one behind the town hall, you know,
maybe the one up at the uh highway. Yeah. All right. Wildlife control is what it is. Steve has the usual townhouse parties. So >> what? >> Oh, I get that's good. Thank you. Yeah,
you didn't invite me. That's why I didn't know what you were talking about. >> Emergency management. That would be like we should get Craig in. >> Yes. >> I think he was scheduling a meeting for this month for their group. Anyhow,
>> so that cost the 6,100 that just covers Blackboard Connect. So if he wants to do anything else then or it's called final sight mount. >> Yeah. We talked about the trailer here. So and Don your suggestion about let's take the stuff out. But to me the problem with that is that if there's an
emergency now we got to load it all back in the trailer and go wherever. >> I'd like to see it. I don't like it behind the school because we have a lot of visitors behind the school. >> It's dark. >> It's dark back there. I'd like to see it store at the police station.
They have camera control in the parking lot. They must have room. >> Easy access. >> Easy access. We had to if we had to go over and grab it, it's right there. Easy to get to. >> And it's out of our way. It's out of her way. Mark's way for plowing stuff like that.
>> So, you know, get run it by see what the chief thinks. So, >> yeah. >> Traffic control again. That's >> standard. Yeah. >> Whatever projects he has going on. Yeah. >> Where to help? What do you think?
>> It's fine, right? I mean, Sony spent 500 bucks or 600 bucks, right? >> So, the shared service is that do we need that again? Is that what he was hearing or No. >> Um, we haven't spent any >> um >> and he's saying we're not going to have
to spend any this year, right? >> That's their projection. Yep. >> I mean, you hope I mean, remember it came one year with Oh, I was wrong. >> $40,000 worth. >> Yeah. But
>> well, we only spent 20 5 2250. >> Yeah, I'm sure we take it down a little bit anyhow. >> Yeah, >> take it down to like 10 or five, >> right? >> Start at 10. >> Yeah, 10 10 at 10.
>> They seem to have a better handle on it now. >> Yeah, I mean after a couple years. The biggest change now is just >> the uh you know the wage change >> ways change. >> They were saying at the last meeting though to make sure people were making their legislation to know that
>> how important the services are. So they have as you know the government the cutting cut that piece of it too. >> So water district operations. >> Hey John, how are you? earlier. >> Um, John did send me a quote
for what's the opposite of a capital project? >> Demolition project. >> Um, was it 13 >> propos? Was it 13? >> No, >> 16.
>> 16 though. >> Demolish it. >> Why? >> You really want to leave it there? is that sir ser s serves no value and I'm sure would like to see it gone
>> a good neighbor policy I think >> but wouldn't that be part of the overall project cost >> was never was never figured out >> change order that a contingency
It possibly could we should talk maybe maybe a change order or something. >> Why wouldn't they have thought of that? >> It's possible if I mean I didn't competitor quote that I only have one quote. >> Why wouldn't they have thought they got >> right
should be less than we can talk we can talk maybe we'll >> thought about maybe they can keep some animals there or something like that. >> Oh those deer pellets. So I I don't know what the and I know neither do the commissioners. We don't
know what the cost to operate the fully >> new pump house. >> Yeah. The full the pump house as >> so is the electric for the utilities come out of operations. >> Yeah. Okay. Then at this point
>> that was an increase. I mean, we increased it from I think we increased it from 10 to to the to the 175 this year thinking that >> you'll be online for half the year >> with the new system. But >> well, I got to assume that the pumps are
better anyhow. VFD control the whole bit. They're definitely more efficient than the old stuff, right, John? >> Now, do you have a better generator there or same old generator? We have a new brand new generator. >> Yeah. So >> definitely some efficiencies. >> What we had to do though is we had to
put heat inside the building. >> Mhm. >> Because of the water is being stored inside rather in the ground. So >> and the heat is what? Electric, gas, >> propane. >> Propane. So somebody comes and fills it up every now and then. >> We have no idea what the consumption
will be >> once it's going. Yeah. You could probably get it on autofill. >> I want to freeze that up. Oh, that one that one went in faster than the fire bomber generator, huh? I threw that I threw you an easy one, Don. Come on.
>> Yeah, don't get me get me started. A softball pitch. You don't even swing. >> Oh, jeez. I'll be late. >> All right. Ambulance. Uh, is it >> 3%. >> Yeah, that's >> that's 3%. It's not contract, so that's fine.
>> Yeah. The other thing is we haven't >> Don, aren't we supposed to We took an extension on trash, right? >> We did. >> I think so. So, aren't we up to renegotiate and maybe not that McMar's not doing a good job, but should we
throw it out there? >> We have to look at look at >> I don't know if you have another extension in the contract. >> There was a maximum time he could extend it. I thought >> in I think we're there. I think >> it went up quite a bit. It went up 20
bucks a ton last time. >> All right. So, are you saying that all adds up to a uh basically >> that's that's the overall total with the salaries >> not in there. >> So, the salaries without the cola,
right? If you assumed and just for reference 1% cola is how much? >> Do you know? I I had in mind it was >> I don't know what it is for the for the overall town. It for just the salaries here. >> Yeah.
>> Um I plugged in a 2 and a half% it brought it up. It brought it up about $9,000. >> I was going to say D. Remember when we did that jump a few back? I thought every 1% was like eight grand or something like that. Yeah. >> All right. >> Town. >> Yeah.
That was a few years back, but yeah, >> it's probably close. So, >> you had to do a couple of fours to bring us up in other towns or something. Yeah. >> All right. So, that's not bad. >> So, with some savings and stuff, you're only up 30,000 under our part of the
budget, >> right? Some of the operation some of the operation some of the savings comes from the increases with the the transfer station uh the testing >> transport station monitoring and testing. >> Yeah. And but we're move we're moving to uh we're shifting those costs to
operational costs, but we don't we don't know what those operational costs are yet. >> Presumably, it's going to be more efficient because >> Right. >> We're getting there. >> Yeah. >> Um >> that'll be actually it be it'll be 5,000 less, right? Because we took 5,000 out of the >> I changed that.
>> Oh, you did? >> Yeah. There should be a running >> running total. Okay. Okay. So now there are some other budgets that do come to us that we haven't seen here obviously you know fire department police department uh kind of whatever um
have we given a date to to Dan to Ed saying okay we'd like to receive your budget by such and such a date I don't think we really have >> I I I don't know what Lauren has >> okay >> but I can talk with Lauren about it >> okay let's see if We can. We're right
now we're getting through February. We're meeting on the 17th. I would like to ask if they could have those budgets ready for the 23rd. What do you think, guys? >> Right. >> Good. >> Yeah, >> they should be able to. I mean, >> you're here.
>> This month, you're not taking. >> All right. Eric says it'll be here for the month. So, let's try and get it done. We're okay. or next time, you know, we're having a remote meeting. You know, we're all going to be with you. Yeah. >> All right. So, let's try and target the
23rd for because I mean, we need to review it before they go to advisory. So, I don't think we have a lot really coming up per se. So, if we could have honestly fire, police, and highway for the 23rd, that would accomplish quite a
bit for that meeting. to you and then we'd have something we could you pencil those three into our budget. We'll know we'll have a good sense of where the town stands for the non-school expenses going forward.
And you already and I didn't see it there, but you had the county retirement number, right? That wasn't in that sheet, was it? >> Uh skip by it. >> It's not on that sheet. No, it was 4%. which is incredibly low.
>> 4%. >> I think you said that was because of when they took the snapshot. It was advantageous for us, >> right? >> I think that's I think that's what I Great. >> I think it's like 996 now or something like that. >> Yeah. But I'm saying that snapshot time when somebody had already left but not
knowing. Yeah. >> We'll catch up next year. >> Um that's amazing how that's grown over since your time here, Don. Correct. >> These are 500,000 But I hope they're solvent
before we die. >> 36, right? Is it 36? >> 36. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> It was 947. 947,000 and some change going up to 985. >> 985. Yeah. >> Um
>> All right. So, if we can get the police in, fire in, and building uh highway in, well, that'll really flesh out the numbers we need. Every other department, honestly, I don't think it's going to really change it around much.
>> Besides, exclusive of the payroll part, you know, now we're into warrant articles. Um, >> capital cost, >> right? I haven't I don't think we've heard from any departments about warrant requests at this point. Right. We did put a
>> just put off from last special town meeting, >> right? But we put out that message to departments. We we need warrant articles in for I thought >> end of the month, right? >> But I mean, we can assume probably the leftover ones goes front loader. >> Front loader is one thing.
>> There's cruisers. >> Cruisers. Uh handguns. um the possible the spreadsheet >> the possible uh truck >> I don't think besides the loader I don't think Mark when he shared with us didn't
talk about was there a plow issue or was it just a dump body >> dump body maybe yeah dump body it >> actually since you replaced them with the stainless steel ones were doing much better with the uh pump
bodies. All right. >> There were a number of different ones from the school listed on the >> Mhm. >> school listed on the spreadsheet. >> Yeah. >> Or >> Yeah. >> What in grade Meadows school? We don't want to talk about the school.
>> Badges. No badges. Okay. Thank you. Again, obviously recurring topic on our our meetings as well, >> right? um town hall building use discussion. We're speaking about the current town hall. So, Brian, you had some thoughts about making sure we're
all on the same page and playing nicely, right? >> Yeah. I think it'll be good for the uh really for the long-term use of this building to have different responsibilities set out between the select board and departments
that um select board's not responsible for. Um so the two ones the two bigger ones that come to mind are parks and wreck and the library. Um
so at the town meeting when when the when the town repurposed uh this building it was under it was under the supervision and control of the select board. M >> state laws is any building that's not specifically
given to uh uh other board of committees responsibility of the um so people will change over over the years um elected officials and staff come and go. So, I think it's good to have something in writing as to how how
we're going to use the building and the different responsibilities that people have >> and really want to get this in place if we can before budgets are are are finalized. Um because depending on this how responsibilities are shared is going
to be how budgets are going to are going to be modified. Um so there's two draft memorandum of agreement here. um that that I would propose uh be sent to the library trustees and the parks and rec
commissioners um for them to have discussions with their staff about. Um the two documents mirror each other in a lot of ways. Um so the first paragraph describes the property. The second one uh second paragraph describes
the the spaces that are going to be um that those two other departments are going to use. the library space and parks and wreck. Um the library space uh being the the the old library in the building with a couple classrooms, three classrooms and parks and recck space
being the gymnasium uh three classrooms there, the small office that they're using now and then what is the the athletic fields essentially. >> Um and then so these agreements look to cover uh building maintenance and
repairs. Um they look to cover uh the payment of utilities. Uh who's taking care of the different spaces. So the custodial services um it's just who's responsible for the exterior maintenance and um how
building maintenance and building improvement requests are to be made. Um it talks about closing the building during uh severe winter weather. and it talks about uh having large public events here to make sure that that folks are coordinating with one another. While
it's a big space um we don't want to have you know conflicting events that happen. So a lot of this is about is about laying a framework for for communication and for how um staff I I really it's it's meant to lay out how things are currently happening because
it's working out pretty well, >> right? Nothing worse nothing different than what we said. the RO was going to be growing not pains per se but we would as you shift into new things you would change the dynamic of how things operated so I won't expect that
>> um in terms of like when it would happen I do see the library commissioner trustees are meeting this Saturday >> okay >> if there's a chance you could share that with um Ellen tomorrow >> perhaps they can modify their agenda and discuss it then parker wreck unfortunately is meeting
tomorrow. So, they wouldn't have an opportunity to put it on their agenda per se properly. They could bring it up on the correspondence or whatever, but they typically meet twice a month. So, I would assume they'd meet uh two weeks from tomorrow.
So in terms of engaging with them, if there's a possibility that the trustees will discuss it this Saturday and we can tenatively put them on the agenda for next Tuesday and wrap that up and then we'd have to wait unfortunately to the
first meeting in March would be after the next park and rec meeting if they don't have one early. Yeah, >> looks good. I think it'll be I think it'll be good. >> Yeah. Again, everybody's working to the same plan and etc. >> Right.
>> And and my point of view on these on how this is on what's in here is if there's a better way to do it, let's let's do it. >> Right. >> They may have ideas too. Great. um I mean them coming forward with the uh safety concerns and we're addressing them and I'm sure you know you'll give us an update on that in your your
report. >> All right. So you're going to take care of uh is everybody good with these drafts as they extend? Right. >> So we're fine with the drafts and you'll forward them to the appropriate departments tomorrow. >> Okay.
Are you raising your hand or just just touching that? Okay. All right. Um, next, select board goals. I asked to have this put on because typically annually we do talk about this. It's nothing specific and I would be shocked if we all didn't have the
same goals in terms of this meeting. >> Different cookies next time. Where's Brian with the request for milk? Um, my goals obviously are attending to the budget, overseeing this move here,
making it I think the the facility change for the town, having been here a while, can't be overstated how good it is for the town. Just seeing the people come in, being able to meet with e ease of access to it, being able to really
come in easily, put a face to the name, it just speaks to what everybody does. My other big goal, and this hasn't changed, Don, you've been here a long time, too, is school and making sure the offerings for Hampton children is the
same as Wolver. And that the place that they're educated in, the only thing they have to worry about is is my chair ready and that's it. Not health, not space, maybe what's for lunch, but you know
their concern is going there. my locker's ready, my book is ready, my homework is ready, and that's all they should worry about. And we want to make sure that's true at Warham Middle, was true at Green Meadows, it's true for the Wolver Schools, too. That's their
concern. But equality everywhere, and I know there's been talk about that in the past, but I don't think our resolution about that has changed. >> No, we've always been about equality for that's it. Um, Eric
Oh, I mean I echo those um as well. Um you know, I'd like to um talk, you know, financially we are headed for some rough years. >> Um it would be nice to have a little more
community engagement in some capacity. I don't know how that can manifest. It's tough. We put the information out there. Um it would be nice to get a little more public feedback. Um but as far as overall goals um you know it would be
nice to you know in an ideal world you know all the departments get what they need highway police fire you know um with you know keeping a level budget which is as you know not an easy task every year very very challenging and the schools
are were you know especially with the middle school we're we're headed in that direction too in the next you know three to five years as well. So, um I really just echo what what you say. It's I I completely agree. Um some tough roads ahead, but I think these are all good,
you know, good things to um hopefully to come for him and I'm very pleased at the community engagement with the townhouse repurposing committee. >> Okay, >> that was a great stand up. And we still have out there, >> just to put out there, the 150 committee, which isn't as high a
priority, >> but I say it's two years away now. Now we're in 2026 and if you're booking these things, by gosh, if you need the governor, you're gonna have to ask Don to call out the He's got all the contacts. >> And I will just echo one thing also is
the um you know, it was a few months ago, but our our tree lighting was I I think some biggest events I've seen in Hampton so far, and it was really wonderful to see everybody come out. Seemed like everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves
and I look for look forward to many more of those in the future. Even getting this little larger too >> hockey ring set up. >> Yeah. >> What? >> Wait, Craig can get a hockey ring set up. >> Emergency. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Hockey ring down before the
>> Yeah, we got golf. We got golf. We got hockey. We got it all here. Next you'll have curling in the uh captorium. Oh, >> I thought snow. >> You can't afford the liability for sledding. Sorry, >> Don. >> Obviously financial the financial
situation in coming years. U the I'd like to see uh the schools because I've been going to those meetings, those planning committee meetings, and we need to really do something there. Stay on that at least. Uh I like I'd like to implement some of the master plan, make
the master plan thing again. We'll take a look at it. We we're actually picking off a few things as we go along. So, that's good. >> And I like maybe if we could form another committee to take a look at the general bylaws. I think there's some
things in there that we may need as thing the state laws have changed and you know uh >> fees for violations of things and stuff like that that so we may get a committee to look at that. >> Might be an easier way worded so it's easier to change too. >> Yeah. Yeah, you know, set this shall be
in accordance with the schedule as approved by the select board rather than having to go back to a town meeting and do >> um >> there we go. >> You know, >> that's our goals. >> Great. Brian, any goals you have >> just to keep the meeting short?
>> Yeah, meeting short >> town hall. Whole town hall. whatever the future of that is to >> figure that out over the next fiscal year because buildings that sit >> rapidly and they cost money so um I
think that'll be important. >> Okay. Any correspondence? >> Um no. >> Okay. U member reports we had a senior senate building committee meeting here uh this morning. Obviously, a lot of the conversation was centered around the
HVAC upgrade. Uh, you know, Brian's been working with Herb, Gary about getting that out for bid status. Um, we're hopeful that we had a budget based on a couple of walkthroughs. We're hoping that the
actual bids coming in will be much lower than the estimates which will provide money towards the up next upgrade. For instance, and this these are just off the cuff. We appropriated 240 by 245 by
moving money from one to another total of 240 250 I think. And then we have the the roof project next. Say, my gosh, you get a bid in, it's 150 reputable place. They're going to do the whole thing kitten kaboodleoodle. And now you got a 100red
towards the roof thing. So instead of like looking, oh, we're going to need 120 for the roof, you need 20 more for the roof because you already had this figured in. So we're going to keep the pencil sharp and go towards that. Uh the bathroom project is going through.
Couple hiccups along the way. Um, you know, like anything else, you open something up, oh, the floor needs to be worked on. No different than home. You know, you were changing the kitchen and the joist wasn't that good and now you have to do a little extra work. But
that's moving along. Hopefully finishing next week. That's all for my committees. I have I have a permit for a septage hauler permit for the Harmony Environmental Incorporated needs
approval. Not as much fun as when you're bringing these cookie ones instead of those samples from the uh last motion for No, you didn't bring them, huh, did you? No, >> I ate them.
So good. and entertain a motion for >> approval of the Harmony Environmental Inc. Septage Hauler permit. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> And the other report I have is that the Old Town House Committee will be meeting
tomorrow at the Oldtown House for a site visit for and we're going to have a also a a real estate person over there who does commercial real estate to take a look at it too. So, >> right. And there's a COA board meeting
tomorrow which they will be reviewing their budget and so I don't see why but it couldn't be possibly added in for the 23rd tenatively. I mean it won't be a long one. I mean it could be you know we figure 20 minutes for each department.
Yeah. >> If we get all three. >> Do all of us have to sign this? >> No. I don't think so. Uh, >> which one was that? >> Got three lines acceptage permit. >> Yeah, I think we all do. >> Yeah, I think so. >> All right, Brian.
Um, the attorney general has replied and they have approved the battery energy storage system bylaw, but there caveats about how we have to implement it in accordance with 48 section 3.
difficult language which said good luck we're not expressing opinion either way but we can't deny it um partial approval of the ADU bylaw um they requested they
approved it with some deletions so there's a posting process that needs to happen with that last Thursday Thursday on Thursday. >> Mhm. >> The Thursday you me her met with the Wilberham building legislation committee
Wednesday. >> Wednesday um we we met with them for a little while listen to what um they were doing uh what their uh purpose was their mission was and then we brought them around for a tour of the building. >> Were they duly impressed?
>> I think they were impressed. >> They made a nice offer on it but it wasn't you know the number wasn't right. They were impressed with the with the um the I want to say quickness because that sounds negative, but um
the uh how well everything was done and how quick decisions were made and implemented um to move here. Um did I say that? That's probably about right. That was just their sentiment. >> It was good to meet with them. It's nice to see our neighbors have the same
concerns we have and how they address it. >> Yeah. All these municipalities really have these buildings that >> I mean Long Meadow. Look at the money Meadow spends on what was it? Three buildings over there down. >> Yeah. So So they're I guess their initial purpose was to look at um
the elementary what what elementary school is it? >> Memorial. >> Memorial Elementary School. Uh, but I think they've expanded their their scope a little bit, but they're dealing with the same issues with a with a, you know, a school building of that of that period
and um not necessarily a whole lot of uh obvious uses for the building. So, we're all kind of struggling through this together. >> Don, they talked about the old police station. Remember, at the end of Main Street,
>> you know, what did you do with that? Um >> nice little building. >> Fire department brush truck is ready. Um it will be delivered sometime soon.
>> So that was a very long process cuz it's been going on for >> several years. >> Two and a half years at least. >> Yeah. Cuz it was the Tom means in 23. >> Mhm. Um, so that's ready to be delivered. Hopefully >> the FEMA check is still good.
>> Maybe >> that's auto pen, so I don't know. >> Um, anyways, uh, so over the weekend, um, we couple leaks. Um, a lot of snow on roof still. Um, I know the senior center had a leak, um, in the building.
>> I want to commend just quickly. I want to commend that Becky went over there and ragged the roof. Yeah. >> You know, over at the senior center and, you know, people don't realize how lucky we are for the people that, you know, work for the town, they embrace, it's
like Jane going down, you know, on Sunday and turning the boilers back on and Becky treats the senior center like, you know, like a child basically and going over and taking care of it. We are extremely fortunate to have that herb coming over here seven days a week. the
ownership, the ownership these staff show is fantastic. >> Ryan here on Monday, you know, just like >> um I I get texts on the weekend and I my first my first text back is Did you call Herb or did you text Herb >> and it's fabulous. Um and he most of the
time he's already there, but when I text him or get a hold of him, he's already there dealing with it. >> Um you know, there was there's some leaks in the uh the townhouse. So, wear your boots tomorrow. >> Um, >> empty some buckets if you get a chance, but um, you know, there was some leaks
there as well. I >> I have to say there had to be somebody unplugging that wire. He said there was a wire down that drain pipe, you know, obviously a heating wire for it to keep it from and I think during the move, somebody must have unplugged something that controlled that. >> Yeah. I mean, we haven't had we haven't
had snow conditions like this in >> many years. >> No, but we've had freezes seven or eight years where where where it's such a it's such a deep freeze where where the building heats up the heats up the roof and water, but then it freezes almost, >> you know, instantaneously when it when
it comes. So, um >> was there any leaks here? >> Not that I'm aware of. Um >> I do commend the school department that uh they did keep this facility in really good shape. >> Yeah. >> And Don recalls when Don I think was on
the school committee when they did the last roof project here. >> It was and that the roofing company went out of business and the bonding company went out of business. So we had no recourse but because of good work by Ed Sandella his crew the roof was in really
good shape. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> there was one there was one leak that was left over from when from when we took >> we took ownership of those school, but it was around u in antenna that >> moved up through the roof. Um and that was in the library section and um that
has since been that has since been taken care of. >> Any report on the golf simulator? >> No, no idea. >> Oh, >> I didn't hear any complaints, so I assume it's going it's going it's going good. I did like somebody on Facebook mentioned like so what happen if you
miss it goes out through the window like we'll get first dibs on it. Um but other than that it's going pretty good. We we have bids in for the security cameras. Um Herb's been working with uh Matt Loveling to to figure out
the the lighting problem for the for the library. >> Can that work for the ramps actually be done until they have to wait until it warms up a bit? I would assume. What's that? >> The works for the handicap ramp has to wait for obviously some time. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> All right. Um the camera work I thought we I I heard that Tony is back on limited work. >> Yeah. >> Um but I thought we were still going to communicate with him about if he actually has that in the budget.
>> Remind us about that the budget was our fee. Our fee. Yep. That's a quarterly meeting. When's the next one, Brian? I know you went to the last one. I don't feel December or November.
Got to be coming up. >> Yeah, I feel like it's been the past two months. >> Um and um I Camden meeting Joe's uh Joe Zeno's uh going to be the point staff person on that. I believe the meet their
next meeting is scheduled for February 18th at 3. Are you going to be away? The way the 18th. >> I'll be in Boston on the 18th. >> I'll phone you. >> Hiking the Freedom Trail. >> Hiking Camden.
>> All right. That's about it. >> All right. >> How's Lauren doing? Lauren, you want >> I don't think so. >> Okay. Do a journ. >> Just like that. >> Just like that. Just really anything else? >> Um, we're still working on the highway
highway union contract edits. So, we'll hopefully be able we'll have that stuff set for next meeting. >> A signing for next week. >> And we were comfortable. Everything is retroactive anyhow on that. So, >> anything new? >> Um, anybody online for a question? Tad,
John, anything? Again, Tad, thanks for you guys joining, you know, tomorrow. Don't forget your boots. Chip, I guess. >> Chip the ice out. Yeah. Yeah. All right. >> There's a motion on the floor. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I I >> All right. Doesn't make you feel good. It's two of us represent