Here's the mute off this time. >> Good evening and welcome to the March 30th, 2026 meeting of the Hamlin Select Board and Board of Health being held at the Hamlin Town Hall. 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, liberty and justice for all. Oh, good job with the camera. They can't even hide in the back row this time.
>> All right. So, we have minutes, one set of minutes to Oh, by the way, we are recording this meeting as well as broadcasting on Zoom. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? Hello, Kristen. Good evening. All right.
Minutes of March 23rd, 2026. That was just last week. >> Seems like so fresh in our memory, wasn't it? >> Which is good because otherwise >> you're done. >> Okay. Good report by
>> sell that truck yet. >> Good report by the transfer station enterprise. Review of the warrant again and a financial discussion with the advisory committee. which will be ongoing ISM.
Any questions? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Sorry. We learn one thing at the bottom of page five. Careful spoke options I discussed with Gary.
>> Would be Gary. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. With that, I have a motion to approve. All in favor? >> I thank you. >> Okay. So, first on the agenda, we have the fire department.
>> Hi, Chief. >> Hi. How are you? >> Good. >> I have two um people that wish to participate in the fire department. One's a new cadet application and the other one's firefighter. First cadet is Hannah L. She's from
town, lived in town. Um she's senior miniog older student. She's kind of thinking she might want to check out fire department service when we're willing to uh let her explore it.
looking forward to meet with the >> Hannah. >> Glendale Road. It's a great road, right? >> Good road. Very good. Really almost up there with North Road, but it's pretty close. Just going to say
your family's been in town a while. >> Yes. >> I think I remember Mr. lost being my school bus driver back. Is that true? Whatever. Your grand great great grandfather maybe. >> I'm good with it. Great great grandfather.
>> Just great. Not great. Thank you. >> So, but again, thank you for volunteering for this. Um, so why? Um, I think it's a great opportunity to get more involved with the town and also I think it's like I kind of wanted to um
I'm looking for a career and I think it was a cool opportunity finding out about the cadet program and I'm excited to get involved with that. >> Okay. And Chief Ping can pick you up on the way in for the meetings and stuff. That's fine. Unless you have your
license already. Okay. Great car. Good. Any other questions from board members? >> What's the criteria for the cadets? Chief um >> they just there's not much. It's just, you know, you're eligible if you're in
high school. You have to maintain a grade point average um and just um participate. >> Do they get training in CPR and stuff like that? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Is there a minimum number of meetings they have to attend? I mean, is there
like if they miss three in a row or >> Yeah, >> without a good, >> right? If you don't have a good attendance, you're you're not going to, you know, stick around for sure. >> I mean, unless it's finals week or something like that, obviously want >> Yeah, they have strict guidelines. We can't use them after a certain time at
night on Zoom. So, um there's guidelines to that as well. >> Okay. How are the other cadetses? What are what's our total right now? >> Uh John, we had four, >> right? How's your school attendance? >> Pretty good.
>> 99% I think. >> What >> is it? Mom at the back. >> I think it's like 99% overnight. May have had a day off this year, but maybe not. >> Okay. >> So, does she like get up in the morning or do you have to go in there and drag her off?
Speaking of having two daughters, I have to She gets herself up and out and she's usually leaving by the time I get back. That's okay. Good. Good enough then. Justin worried about the questions we're gonna ask him. Wait, your turn. All
right. So, I'll entertain a motion for Hannah. >> Unless you have a question, Derek. >> No, no questions. It's I think it's wonderful. Um move to approve. >> So move. Can you move it?
>> Second. All in favor. So there we go. Great. Well, congratulations. Congratulations, Bob. Thank you. >> Very good. >> All right. So, >> second candidate is Justin Smith. He's live in town currently of Big. He is
wants to join a probationary um as a probationary firefighter. He's interested in becoming a full-time firefighter somewhere. >> Um so, he's looking to get some training and some exposure to it. >> Okay. stream meadow.
>> I do. Yep. Very close. >> Okay, great. So, what was your impetus? What brought you to this? Why do you why do you want to get involved? >> Well, I've worked in a retail for years and I just like like helping customers
and all that. >> So, I just wanted to do something more seriously. >> So, I looked into firefight. >> Okay. What big Y do you work at? Uh Boston Road in Boston Road. Yeah.
>> They're a pretty good outfit, huh? >> Was it? >> They're pretty good outfit, huh? >> Oh, yeah. >> Wasn't that your store? >> No, I was at uh South Hadley for 20 years. >> I thought I have spray >> just to straighten them out. >> Somebody had to find the pharmacy in the
pharmacy. >> That Eric? >> Yeah, it's I think it's wonderful. I think it's great. I don't really have any questions to be honest. It's good for you. >> I assume he has the full endorsement of you all. >> Great.
>> Yes, sir. >> Great. >> Move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I welcome. >> So, you're appointed subject to the chief's recommendation and any thing you need to complete probationary periods.
>> Great. >> Thank you. So, any other good news for us? I mean, Don had a question for you before. Did you sell the truck yet? >> No, we're not done taking all the equipment on the market. Probably end of week. >> I mean, take the tires. >> Are you interested in it?
>> Scrap metal. Maybe >> hand me down to a grandchild, you know. Coming. >> Thank you. Don't forget the cookies. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> No, no. Aren't you training tonight? Yeah. >> All right. The ones who train well get a
cookie. >> Dinner. >> All right. There we go. >> Everybody's a critic. No. >> All right. It's hurtful. >> Okay. We invited the conservation commission to discuss the revolving fund.
Are they in the wrong meeting room? Did we hear back from anybody? >> I heard from one member that he couldn't make it. I under the impression Bonnie was maybe gonna >> Yeah. >> Sorry. Do you want to give it a little
time just in case? >> Walk down the hallway. >> I heard her voice before to be honest. But maybe. >> All right. Well, we'll just She's right here. There we go. There she ask. Right on schedule. Well, sort of.
You're up. >> I know. >> You are sort of. Yes. >> So, what did you >> Well, Brian had a recommendation for some changes to how the re revolving fund for conservation is authorized and
etc. And I thought it'd be best if of course we had you, the conservation commission involved in that discussion. So, we put out the call for commission to come. I'm glad you're here. I am sad obviously none of the commission came,
you know, to to hear this conversation. So, anyhow, so Brian, kick it off. >> Um, yeah. So, Bonnie and I actually chatted this morning. Um, and this gets back into um a proposal that had the board had talked about in
terms of the $1,000 annual appropriation that happens for uh for conservation purposes and the $5,000 payment that's part of the the conservation payment as part of the the solar project on the landfill.
And the I think the what the board had discussed in the past was doing away with the $1,000 annual appropriation because the budget's tight this year and um really because we're getting the $5,000 conservation payment from um the
solar project on the landfill. And then we had a discussion with the accountant about how to properly account for that money that's coming in through the lease payment. Um, and what we what our recommendation is is that is that we establish a really a second departmental
revolving fund that deals strictly with that would be established to collect that $5,000 into that uh newly created revolving fund would be under the the control of the conservation commission. And the advantage of having a revolving fund is that those funds don't require an
additional vote for appropriation. So, it fulfills the purpose of that annual $1,000 appropriation. Really, the point of that was to have money readily available >> to act quickly if if opportunity arose. So, that revolving fund would would
still keep that option available and it would account for that uh account for that 5,000 $5,000 payment really how how it should be. >> Okay. So the thousand dollars we were appropriating every year which goes back to I think the biggest chunk came out
from Minichok Mountain from Labot Don probably 20 years ago and then kept accumulating after that. >> So how much is in there? >> I 20 something 40,000 I think. >> So that would provide money for a purchase a matching towards something.
Maybe you found a a property that the state would give you 80% towards and this would make up the other 20 or something like that, which I think would still require town vote because you're buying real property the town has to agree with, but at least you
have money in the bank to cover your part. >> Yeah. >> So, what kind of account is it in right now? The thousand we put it in >> pays every year. I I believe it was I believe it was the believe it was
split. I believe that was the account that >> I mean prior prior to the 5,000. >> Oh, prior to the 5,000. >> So, we're putting a,000 in every year into some account >> that's obviously not a revolving account. >> Yes, she had mentioned that was it some type of conservation trust?
>> That was the label of it. >> Okay. And the 5,000 has been going into sometimes the revolving sometimes the trust fund. >> It was treated inconsistently in the past. So we're trying to >> consist we're trying to treat it
consistently. >> So is your proposal that we establish a second revolving fund? >> Yes. >> That the 5,000 would go in actually you'd sweep the other numbers into it. >> We could. You could and then the 5,000
would go there and then any year that Tom votes the thousand it would go in there as well. >> Um we could Yes, we could we could write it that way. Yeah. >> I mean right now we're saying the 5,000 is going to be in lie of the thousand going forward. Right.
>> Right. >> Okay. >> Yep. And really the the conservation revolving fund that that exists currently is really limited in in its description in terms of its purposes. It's only meant to pay, it's only intended to pay for uh fees from a
specific project, right? >> Similar to the planning revolving fund where >> an applicant pays $2,000,000 to pay for peer review of a wetland study or something. So, it's not really the appropriate place to put the $5,000. >> Okay. >> And really the law really the law is
that >> any revenue that comes into account that that's not >> directed otherwise through local bylaw regulation of statute needs to go to the general fund. It really needs to have it really needs to have a place to go or it's going to get or it should get swept into the general fund.
>> That $5,000 from the solar project, do you know how long that's is that going to come indefinitely or is there a clock? >> How long the lease is active? >> As long as the lease active. Okay. >> And that has to be that this this so this is going to become a warrant at home.
So right to establish the fund requires how many to vote and then each year we'd have to like we do somewhere once we'd have to vote the the maximum spending limit that we >> that we vote for >> right >> plus you're saying we need to one time amend the general bylaw to make it part
of the list. So we'll need a warrant article for that. >> Right? >> If that if that's >> now you have that money now. Technically we could authorize the revolving fund now because we have that opportunity. We have the right to do
that inside the fiscal year and then have it reauthorized at the town meeting. If you're looking to clean up the money and put it in some account right now you're saying look it's not going anywhere. We can wait the two months until our meeting takes action.
>> Yeah, I don't know that there's any urgency to it. >> All right. >> All right. So, put that on the list for the changes to the warrant basically. >> How do you feel about it? Um, as long as um I didn't have time I
only got my read my email today um and I didn't have time to go through the Amoresco file to see exactly um what that $5,000 um was for or they wanted us to do with it.
>> Doesn't say. It just says $5,000 of the conservation committee. >> Right. Um I know that um again I don't know but I do know that when they when they built their project that there was a certain portion of land that was fell
under the conservation commission um for NHSP and for wetlands. So the Amoresco um we allowed that to happen for a lands swap. So they found another parcel of land
um the same size or it may have been a bit larger. I don't quite remember that which they now um uh >> so it's like a replication thing. Yeah, they gave it to the commission and I don't know um because um Ottabon
um has a CR conservation restriction on the new houses at the at the backyards of the new houses on Chapman. That land has to be um uh watched every
3 to five years with a um not just with the conservation members but with a wetland scientist to make sure that that land remains in its natural state. Autobon gave us $6,000
>> um to cover two of those site inspections. They said it would cost about $3,000 a piece to have the wetland scientist spend the day there walking all that property and you know recording
everything that they find. So um I don't think that the land swap in that was involved with Amaresco I don't think that new land was under a conservation >> restriction.
I don't have any documentation. No >> on that >> actually the when you mentioned the CRS on chapen did that come before us I don't think so right >> you you talk about these conservation restrictions >> they did yeah they did they they did we
did they gave us money >> I'm thinking of ones on south though aren't you >> no I'm thinking of the these here they gave us $6,000 or something like that >> the chap and road one >> they were on zoom they didn't come to army they zoomed it in Okay.
>> So, >> great. >> And I just brought you some information on the um on the revolving account, the conservation revolving account that we have for um um our when when people file
a notice of intent. they that costs money and they have to give the state a certain portion of the money and they give the the conservation commission the town a certain portion that is what's been feeding the revolving account. Um
so I just brought some a couple of papers on the um guidelines for that as well in case you guys don't understand what that revolving count is. Eric, how do you feel about it? >> How do I feel about it? >> You want her papers? >> What's that?
>> Do you want her papers? >> Sure. >> We would love them. Thank you. >> Take a look at >> that Morton propert. We're going to survey that Morton property on South Road. >> Yes. Um we've um hired a um a wetland
scientist, Steven Riberty. Um we haven't given him money yet. He doesn't want the money till he's done with the project. >> That's good. >> And he's going out there. He was waiting for all the snow melt. >> Yeah. >> And um actually he's going to be contacting me this week and
>> at least one or two of my members. He said it's going to take six to eight hours to re remark all that wetland. And um Joe is going to meet him for some. And I think Tom is going to also just so he's not out there by himself.
>> Okay. That that's out Selfridge Road, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. How are we going to pay for that? Are we paying for it or is is Morton paying for it >> to pay Riberty? >> Yeah, >> we are paying them out of our revolving account because we can pay we can do
that out of our revolving account. >> That enough? We got about 9,000 in there, right? >> I thought I had 22,000 in there. I thought that's what Dicks told me. >> Oh, maybe you may be right. >> Well, anyway, it was $1,000. Okay.
>> Either way, we got it. Okay. Great. >> So, that's it. >> Okay. >> Good. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thanks for coming. >> All right. So, next on the agenda is the warm stuff, but since we have the town clerk here, I'd ask the board to
consider moving to a vote to change polling location. I'll agree with that. I think as an accommodation to the town clerk, I think I think we should do all mail and voting because the town clerk supports that.
>> That's a great idea to location. >> No, no. I'm talking about all mail and voting. You support that, right? >> We could do that. >> All right. We got What do we have to do to change anything special? >> Come on up closer.
They can't hear you on the >> hear me. >> Make sure you put that down the minutes >> about any particular language to approve the polling. Well, I'm assuming that we're going to vote to approve the polling location here.
>> Do we have to do any kind of advertising after that? >> We have to notify the voters and I'm going to send them postcards. I'm going to try to get something that time with the reminder as well. that a couple other things we've talked about and Brian was mentioning today about changing the start time of the town
meeting and there was a bit of a discussion about whether it's already been done or needs to be done. So >> that was at the fall town meeting >> right and the question came up that oh that can only be changed at the annual town meeting but >> why
>> that was why it was back on in the war but then your further research said it doesn't need to be on the war. Yeah, I misremembered. It happens. My old age. >> I misremembered too because I I had not submitted that to the AGO. I have
everything in place and it just occurred to me. I do have a copy of the warrant so I can submit that now. Just completely overlooked that. I don't know why November wasn't such a busy time for me. So should have been something I thought. >> So I guess it's my question. Are we having the annual town meeting at 6:30
or 7? I think to be on the safe side, seven would be the safest time, but that's um I can call the AGO and find out if this could make a difference. >> All right. We don't have to post it just yet. So, if you could find out >> I think everybody did like the 6:30 start time. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So,
>> there you go. All right. >> All right. That'll be good. Is there anything? And I heard you're going to have the caucuses probably in the uh Hong Kong room. >> Probably. Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. All by people. Maybe four.
Look at the cookies are there. >> Great. Great. Do you have anything else for us? >> Okay. Make >> you guys say got a vote on it. >> Make a make a motion to change the voting location town election the voting location to 85 Wham Road to town hall.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Okay. >> And you are done with nomination papers or no? Yes, they had to be by this evening. >> Yeah,
>> great. Thank you. >> How about that? >> Hi. >> What you doing? >> Wanted to show you that I was alive. That's all. >> I'm not We're not excited to see that, you know. How are you? Good. Good.
I don't really have you on here. >> Real quick, so I want to see if digs want to quiz them on anything or >> you guys really don't have the things. So we've seen some of the conversation
Wolverham, etc. >> We're talking about negotiating. >> Yeah. You want a cookie? >> Is it Is it on your plan at this point? I'm glad to see you looking well. We were worried and good luck. >> No, you weren't. No, you weren't. You didn't come visit. I didn't get any presents and it was my birthday
yesterday. >> I got nothing. >> Well, all right. Well, you're not on the agenda, so take care. >> Um, if you could pat, you're going to the ambulance committee meeting. >> Yeah. Um, I did send uh Chief Bruno the
um preliminary MCP study. I don't know if he sent it out to you guys yet or not. >> I think but that's the one we saw, but yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, one thing if you would carry this from me to the ambulance committee. >> Sure. >> And this is something that I've been
hearing. So, people have been complaining about a huge bill that comes from action at >> and my insurance covers this part and I'm left with this big part here. And they go back to I understand that,
but we have no balance billing. And they don't think that's widely known enough. And that's kind of an issue. Now, they will send you a bill, and I've done it for my mother-in-law. I'll call them and say, "We don't. We're not going
to pay anymore." "Well, can we call your insurance company and ask them to pay more?" And I'm like, "Knock yourself out." >> Do it. Yeah. >> No, go ahead. Fine. And sometimes they will. >> Yeah. >> And get a little more. Great. And after that, they write off the rest of it. >> Yeah. But I don't think that's widely known
enough. And I made the point and you know like my mother, she would get a bill in the mail and her generation be I got a bill. I must write a check. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> And that's where I >> Yeah. >> People need to understand that from a
bill from action. Yes. Let your insurance company handle it. Let them give more if they have to if they can. That's why you pay for insurance. And a lot of time those bills will come in without the insurance being paid yet >> because it takes the insurance a little bit to catch up and get the actual
>> finalized bill and then send it off. So a lot of those times that could happen as well. >> So what I'm saying is if you can committee Yeah. >> is there a way they can get the note perhaps of something in the scribe. >> Sure. >> Which is going out to the target audience. I think we're talking about here. >> Absolutely. >> You know that
>> I mean everything that's on Facebook sometimes with a grain of salt. These people seem very sincere. Yeah. >> And I know exactly what they're talking about because I went through it with my mother-in-law. And yes, they will do that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But they're they reach out. They're okay to work with. >> Yeah. >> They're a business, too. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. >> All right. >> All right. Anything else I can answer for you? >> Yeah. Where are we? >> What are the cameras? >> Where are we in negotiation? >> Where are the cameras? >> Um, the cameras are they're actually being installed today right outside. >> That's what you were doing. >> Talk about that. uh next fiscal cycle
which starts in June in July. So >> you were hoping to get find something for it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I mean it's free so we got to wait. We got to wait. But >> Oh, I know. Did they were talking about the at the Wilberham select board? They're about server. They mentioned the
dispatch. Is there a change there? Is there you got new are you getting new servers or is it >> So is it last year, the year before? >> Got a new bench. We needed a new a new server and that server was paid for I got it in last minute. That was paid for
by the state. They gave me the okay 100 gs $100,000. >> Didn't you get another console also? >> We have four radio consoles. Those were provided by the state as well. So we didn't pay for anything for those. Um, so I think what they're talking about is
all the police computers, IMC it's called or category dispatch was moved from the old server onto the new server. So and that took a little bit for them to do but because it was a lot of data that needed to go from one to the other. But this new server is very large. It's >> something we'll never run out of. And we
have a service agreement with them. So every two or three years they update it and we don't pay for it. I mean we pay for it in a service contract but we don't do anything with it. the the company takes care of everything. If it if it dies, they cancel out within 24 hours. >> Needed something to fall back on as well.
>> That's the IMC CAD stuff, right? >> Yeah. All all the CAD stuff. Yes. >> Is the majority of your storage on the server or on the cloud? Server. >> You have some cloud? >> No. >> Okay. >> We don't do um I shouldn't say that. I don't want to speak for it, but our
department has nothing on a cloud. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Nothing. >> I'm feeling great. >> They drilled on my heart. I'm good. >> I'm happy to hear it. Professional.
>> Me professional. >> Sometimes sometimes. >> I didn't know if he was at at place when you were like, >> "Oh, no, no, no, no. He doesn't want to be at my place. some of the cancer center here. >> It's great to see you, too. You're looking good.
>> Thank you. >> Before we get into the the really heavy stuff, you guys have anything or you just here for the cookies? No milk for you? Sorry, Brian. Well, I had conversation with Don regarding,
you know, shooting on my street. I knew you had seen that email from Russ. >> Well, the thing from last year, >> no, >> something new. >> There's something new, right? >> That was went to the select.
>> Well, I remember the thing when there was a fall over the cliff, that type of thing. Is there something since then or? >> Yes, they they started shooting again. Okay, then I don't know. >> Yeah, Russ Russ. So I know that copy of that
and Don's familiar with that. So that was saying that you know please stop shooting and you know we're following the applicable laws and regulations. for that I said I got it
and uh so things were good for a period of time but uh uni has commenced again somewhat and I let Don know that this was November 10th 2025
>> from Russ and Sarah Morton please ensure that no firearm my property under any circumstances We were good for a while. But recently there's been some shooting. Mentioned that to Don and he said I Don had said
let me give that some thought and what I put together was just sort of a a few facts and things that I thought there was an email whatever to the dean from the select board. You know that's something just to start you. I talked to
uh I even spoke with Jim Jim down there >> Martin >> yes >> Martin >> I talked to Jim Martin because he's owns 45 acres over there he basically said nobody shoot someone I you know I was
trying and that's in there so that's just a start that was kind of me thinking okay if I were to provide something of the shooting situation that might what I would write or stop. >> This is why I was asking Bonnie about
when they're going to delineate the wetland so we know exactly where where it is. >> Yeah. I mean they're going to delineate what's you can get right off the wet. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So that's that's kind of recently the and I as I said I mentioned at the D
I just drafted I have you know I have my supporter for that department of environmental regulation says you can't shoot wetlands you know there's the the I'll say the original conservation committ
I max those you know so that's that kind the support. >> No. >> And so that's I had I had that for today. >> Okay. Well, that's what I'm I was asking because I didn't see you on the agenda. Is this something you want to bring up on the agenda or under a report or
something or >> We'll bring it up next time on the agenda. >> Okay. So if I Don's gonna give him copies of >> summarize it and we'll >> so my what I was going to ask Don to do that because the select board was copied
on that if if he could call Russ Morton and say you know the people in the neighborhood are reporting shooting and you know is there any change to the facts they
>> that's really that would make I think a big difference for them to hear but like on his doc please have his number here you're done you know >> I think I got his number
>> so >> okay just some you to prepare >> yeah this stuff okay >> so that would be very helpful Um, and just one more comment. So, what what I heard today talking with Bonnie was
that Ross and the parents were talking about the parents potentially buying piece of land right behind the property and building a house maybe in there or something, but it's all wetlands. It's 100% wetlands. So we don't Bonnie
has requested an April 15th meeting with Ross and apparel to discuss that. >> So that's kind of new facts today for me. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you background. I don't want to go too deep into it because it's not on the
agenda. I know >> and somebody might say, "Well, this is unfair. You talked about it. I wasn't notified. I had no opportunity." And that's why I think Don is appropriate when he says we're going to put it on the agenda for next week and we'll do a full recap at that point. >> I got a question.
>> Is the environmental police anywhere aware going on? >> I don't even know who was Tony Trangi, but I'm not sure. >> Yeah, I I understand.
>> Okay. Well, none again. Bit of a danger. We don't want to go too deep. Unposted, unnotified. >> All right. >> All right. Good. >> We are hoping that the advisor is going to come in. >> All right. Let's go. >> So, they are meeting in the conservation
office right now. >> I'll make a motion to open the warrant for discussion and changes. >> Okay. So, move. >> Second. >> Favor. I. So, we're reopening the ATM 2026 warrant. We have a couple
proposed changes to it. Brian, you want to summarize those? >> Um, yeah. Well, so, so the first one is I I think we should move the start time to 6:30 because I believe that's what was voted on the special committee. >> And you think, we got good. You want to
wait for Eva just to get a or just go ahead and change it on here and let Eva back it up with the AG saying, "Yep, that's good." >> Yeah, I think that's >> I I think it should be 630, but we we will confirm that. >> Okay. But I would recommend we change it
because that's what was voted on. >> I don't think the attorney general has to approve general bylaws. >> I don't think they have. So I think that is what >> um >> so changes you added number six.
>> Um yep. So at the last minute we talked about um a report from the old townhouse committee. Um so that was added as article six. >> Don you don't think there's going to be any >> I'm not going to make you a recommendation but they don't want we're
just going to make a state of >> you know under half an hour or >> Yeah. I could have fuel poweroint maybe. >> Give me Okay. >> Can we go back to the spending limits following funds? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So,
the land and protection I think it's got to be a different number than that. >> I do too. Now that if we're going to transfer other funds into it, I think >> just the new Yeah. Yeah, we got to put they got to put like I don't know 50,000
or something, you know, so there for a couple, you know, it'll build up over the years, but it's like 24,000 now, right? And then if five goes in each year, it's 29. So it's got to be changed. >> Yeah. The problem is sounds like it's just going to go if they're not spending out of it, it's going to go up every
year. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Right. I that that was my thought here is it's going to have to >> every year it's a plug because if you >> have to keep going >> well but but if you if you put it like now to 50 >> it'll be a few years before we have to do anything on it.
>> Y maybe 50,000. >> Yeah. >> Okay. State that in the sky number they said okay go back. Uh so article four >> you're going to take it off.
>> Take it off. And that's that's what you that's what suggested. >> I think they're in agreement that look what we're getting five instead of one. >> Yeah. >> And you you actually overlap a few years. So you made up, >> right? There'll be a discussion. Obviously
people look you may not be aware of this but the lease has been giving $5,000 on an annual basis. So I say it's not double dipping, but the conservation fund is doing very well and it's being paid for by
a >> at least. Right. >> Okay. We know enterprise fund and you're hoping to get that to a zero base. >> Yep. Can we should we keep article 10 on or take it off? >> I think we just I think we got talk
about it. >> I've had people coming up saying well Some people >> no action. I'm going to give a quick report. We got 20,000 and we really need some people start stepping up now. We got two years
somebody wants to start stepping up and getting involved resource. I still think there's got to be some research on that. Don, you're correct. It's always been the bill after the work being done >> and that fell away. But your research showing back to the conversation I had
with Bob the administrator >> for Wolverham was quite clear. >> We'll summarize what we cost and we'll give you the bill >> not proposed for next year, right? >> Yeah, we're hoping there's no prior year
bills which almost like surprised me like then why isn't the SRO your bill? Okay. Uh compact wheel loader. We're still I don't think we've heard if Mark has reached out to find out if
it's still available at the reduced price. Right. >> Have not heard a price on that. >> Okay. I still would think that's important information for us to have if the deal is still there. It makes it all more attractive to the ch old chapter 90
>> the dump truck. Actually, I don't even know if we should leave this on the thing. We can't afford it. At best, it'd be on the phone. And I don't even know if it's worth talking about. >> Just take >> It's not like he's desperate. He didn't say he was desperate for it. This is my
letting you know this dump truck in the rotation. >> Take it off. >> Agreed. >> Agreed. >> Take it off. Okay. Or not. >> Take it off. >> All right. It's getting shorter. >> Right. We'll be out by 9:00. All right. Pickup truck. Different
question. Worst case, I if you leave it on, it's still no action and it's fall fall time in my opinion. >> I think what we talked just overall I think what we talked about before is that
there's really no money articles and warrant that we're prepared to deal with in this time of year with the state of what we have in front of us. board have any? Maybe there's some explanatory ones, but I don't think we're in the position to really spend a
heck of a lot of money at this town meeting outside the budget. >> Really? >> It's got to be It's deferred to free cash. >> Yeah, >> do we have to leave them on there or not? >> They just take no action, right? Is this
a placeholder? Well, his concern, I believe, and it might be the same concern with police chief that pushing him to the fall pushes the delivery time for a a cruiser and or a pickup truck. That's a danger.
>> Yeah. But it seems to me that the advisory committee the last time were pretty much in favor of see squeezing some more mileage out of it and see what happens. >> Yeah. You know. >> Yep. So, leave the truck on or take it off
and just say there are going to be some money articles for the fall. >> Well, backing up to the dump truck, I know we talked about possibly using if depending on the cost of the loader, there might be leftover chapter 90 money to address the dump truck because the pickup truck >> the dump truck >> the dump truck, right? Because the
pickup truck would not qualify for chapter 90 because it's too small. >> Um, so but yeah, no, but it's all it's kind of one and the same. We're talking Yeah. Yeah, >> I mean there's going to be >> take it off. >> Say he gets the same deal for the loader
190,000 whatever then there's going to be 60 70,000 left at 20 26 25 26 chapter 90 money which still can be rolled to 27 because the end of 27 is the end of your bond. So,
at that point, the board might if that number comes in like they talked about the 400 for chapter 90, which I think is where they're rolling the uh fair share into it or whatever, >> the board could then say in the fall,
well, we got 600,000 in chapter 9027. Maybe we get the dump truck with that because honestly, the roads are in pretty good shape. And if capital qualifies for that, that'll be a decision of the board.
Um, so are we taking pickup truck off and just saying put it in the put a pin in it for the fall? >> Take it off. >> Yeah. Okay. Pagers, I thought there was something. >> Doesn't he have pain or something else or >> doesn't he have $14,000 in his in his
equipment account now? >> U last last we knew a couple weeks ago. >> Yeah. So why can't he just buy it now? >> His equipment, you know, does he have any other equipment he wants to buy? I mean, wants
to buy a hose or something or >> ask him, >> right? >> I'll double check. I I did ask him and I believe you said that that it could be pushed off >> pushed off or funed elsewhere. Okay, fine. >> I'll double check. >> If they need them, they should get them. I'm just saying why don't you pay for it
out of the 14,000 you have. >> Yeah. >> I'm not interested in pushing it off at the default town meeting using a free cash for it. >> Right. >> Well, if they had a different way to fund it, that's good. >> Yeah. >> But let's put a pin in that and wait for a report from Brian. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Handguns. Uh, I thought we were all on the same page that we were going to find a way to especially with a salary item being so underspent that we were comfortable with doing a lineto line this year
to equipment purchase basically. >> Didn't he say he had lots of money left in payroll? >> Yeah. >> That we could easily take care of a lineto line into equipment acquisition, right? Yeah. Yep. >> So, I think we should take it off. We're going to we're going to handle inside
the budget year basically. Okay. >> Out of there. >> All right. But roof and window replacement. That was not good news. That was not good. >> Do I need a cookie for this? >> What kind you like? Take one of these. I don't like these. >> So, basically, uh, four Frank, but
basically I think four bid packages were picked up. one came back in the day of the bid opening and the number unfortunately was higher than uh the budgeted amount at this point. Um I did actually yesterday happened to run
into the former uh president of B&J lives in town and I said what the heck happened. He said, "You wouldn't believe what our costs have just shot up in the past couple of months because of what's happening around the world >> because they closed >> everything." No, the other the other
straight >> the the one that at the bottom of the Red Sea or all the container ships come through. >> Yeah. Either way, so that number that came in, Fran, I mean, it wasn't like double it, but it was
certainly more than the appropriate amount we had at this time. >> How much is it? >> Was it 257 623? >> This was the HVAC center. >> Hback replacement. >> Senior summer HVAC. >> 257 was it?
>> 257. I think we had 250 or >> 250. >> 250. Then we're trying to do 250 for every >> right >> Hback. >> We're hoping there'll be enough left over for for the windows. Yeah. >> Um so that's something to think about.
>> There have been a couple of things explored about making up a short ball or some donation or something like that. But what it means is that the money that was hoped to be reappropriated from a lower bid amount is not going to be
there unless we go out for a rebid and John was there at that thing. So right now right now the money for HVAC there is no leftover for the bid amount that could be applied towards a windowed unit. So there's a meeting of the
building committee next week. >> Yes. >> When options will be explored. Do we reprove a bid package? Do we go back out for bid? Do we just accept it the way it is and look for a donation to make up the difference or something like that? So that that's kind of the options right
now. >> I mean, do you want me to add to that or >> is there more? Okay. No, no. I don't I'm not sure the to be honest with you, the bid package is as I saw it, it's not really, >> right? So maybe we maybe we tighten it up and regrow out again. It was
surprising. I did mention before you got in here, I talked to the former president of B&G, >> right? >> And he said their costs have shot through the roof since the time they first came in. Whatever. It does make me worried because Brian has the HVAC package coming out for the town hall.
and I worry about what that's going to do to that projected amount. >> And I met with those guys. >> Yeah. So, circling back to article 18, do we keep it on the on the warrant at least for an explanatory thing? You
know, there may not be an action, but the need doesn't go away. What do you think, Eric? >> Yeah, I you know, I agree. It's we're not >> right. We may not have a motion with it, but >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Electric lighting upgrades. So far, we spent no money on the arc. We're We've added one thing. We took out a couple things. >> Well, please upgrade the lights in the parking lot. >> That what you're talking about?
>> Yeah, we used to The Lions Club used to sell light bulbs back in the day. I have some of those left over. So, uh Brian, what kind of electric and lighting upgrades. Was that you were hoping for a pretty good package from Eversource and this
would be the matching part of it? >> Yeah, we're still waiting on the I mean the short answer we're still waiting on the on the but this was really the interior lighting upgrades. >> Um you know, we're going to need to do at some point we're going to need to do
the the well controls. Um, but I'm not sure that five months is going to make much of a difference in terms of if we're looking at annual fall. >> Okay. >> That's what we're trying that's the philosophy we're taking. I don't think it's going to make much difference. >> All right. Then is it an article that we should leave on here for explanation or
do we want to get out before 10:00? >> I don't know that it necessarily warrants everybody's time. >> Okay. So, remove it. >> Remove. >> Okay. as best of removal and flooring improvements at the town hall.
This would be right now we have plans to do the corridor leading down towards the cafeteria in this side this year's budget. Brian, this would be the corridor in front of your office and hopefully the center corridor as well. >> Yeah, it could be the corridors or it
could be how many of our rooms could we could get done. >> The need that I mean the need exists and it's not going away. suffer. But but again, you can get by. >> Well, the one thing about the the rooms,
if you will, you can sort of encapsulate them and the traffic is not like the hallway, and you really can't do much encapsulation on the hallway. >> Yeah. >> I mean, we all see how bad that one leading down to the capatorium. You hear crackling as you're walking down that
thing. And you we're going to try and address that in this year's budget. Correct. And the two um I'll call them the two side hallways. This hallway this way and that way. Those are those are less frequently
traveled. So, and they tend to be in pretty good shape. So, >> oh the north and the south one, but the middle one, >> I mean the one here and then the one going in that direction and the one I mean that goes down to the library. Those are the ones that we need to
focus. >> Okay. Those are the ones that are most traveled because that wing is kind of heavily used at this point >> and even that is goes back to maintenance and boiler stuff like that. So we don't have to be able to go back there. >> Which ones are the road less travel >> the um
>> and that's made all the difference. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. So how about the park and rep? >> Uh that one's already done >> I believe. Pretty sure >> it's new. >> Yeah, it's new, right? It's white. Okay.
>> Okay. So, are we leaving this in here or >> um So, >> I guess my question is so there's 13,000 left over from the move that could be repurposed for something, >> but it takes a vote to do it because
there was a technical warrant article for the move, >> right? >> So, we could repurpose that money for this, but Okay. >> You could repurpose it for for anything really, but take a time meeting what you're saying. >> Yeah. >> Or I can just roll in a free cash and we can use it in the fall for
>> sweep on youth war. Exactly. >> For the capital project. I mean I like the philosophy of trying to push everything capital weekend to the fall because we are in uncharted waters on a budget this year. >> No, that's kind of where we are at this
point. So, but in purpose of publishing, are we taking this off and just there's really no need to give an update explanation at the town meeting? >> It's going to be an ongoing it's going
to be an ongoing >> that we're going to have to deal with that necessarily >> warrants. It's just going to be something that's >> okay. So, on or off? Off. time.
>> But if we if it's a special if it's a town if it was a town meeting warrant >> and we don't spend it, does it automatically go into free cash or do we have >> the project's deemed to be complete? >> Do we have we have wipes it into free cash?
>> No, you're right. The 999 accounts are special the warrants go for the life of the project, >> right? But if Brian tells Elise that the project's done, then she'll >> she can she can do it without without a vote at town meeting or like that, >> right? But I also think it's it's how
the wording is. If it's not to if it's a finite amount, you sweep it. If it's a not to exceed, you cannot tax for because you just tax for what you appropriated, >> right? >> We taxed it. >> That's my point. That's why you stay away from the not to exceed because it's
nebulous. No, it still goes on the phone. >> All right, so we're taking it off. All right, 20 is gone. Parking lot improvements. >> No, the grass. >> Are we taking off?
>> Yes. >> All right. Green Middle School to be determined. Oh, that's the transfer switch. That would be the transfer. >> That's the one you're gonna get. >> Talk about that before we came in. And actually, John's got a little update on
that. >> You do it personally. >> 100 bucks. >> Once a year. >> Sorry. >> No, no, go ahead, please. >> Okay. >> Um, they did go over and they reviewed it. Mhm.
>> Um it is it is something that needs be addressed but it doesn't have to be addressed at this town meeting. >> So I believe should >> no if at all.
It does need to be addressed. When you say if at all >> I understand, but it's the risk. I mean, like you said, it happened twice last year. It cost $600 to bring a guy out to fix it. Or you can make it done automatically for 150. I see three guys
in the back row that'll do it for 500. Don't don't get the guy for six and we're saving money. The >> the only the only thing, John, John, the only thing is that it's uh registered with the state as an emergency shelter.
>> Correct. Right. So that be that's why we have to address it at some point. Yes. >> John said also there's an outside chance Gary might be able to find replacement coils for it's a long shot but yeah
>> eBay's got everything. All right. Either way it's coming off of this this town meeting. All right. Minaw Regional High School. Uh a sum of money. >> That's true. Don't trust Big dump truck. Another K Cabota. Right.
>> So the question here is >> no Kabota. >> We had discussions in the past about whether whether capital's included in the assessment or it can be voted separately. >> Um so that's why it was listed separately here because I don't know that we had answered that question. >> We did. They didn't like our answer.
>> But I think I I think how do we answer it? >> We want to do it like we've always done in the past. anything better reason than capital gets a separate vote at the town meeting. Heck, we did the boiler last year, year before. >> Yeah, it's been that way for decades. I
know that John and Doug disagree with that. >> They do disagree with that. >> And I Good good for them, but >> they never explained why they disagree. >> Well, they say it's alone, but but I made the point that if you add it into their assessment, you do a boiler one year, your assessment's here, then it
goes down, then it goes. It's just so bad. I haven't seen the legal opinion that the assessment letter has to include all the requests that are being asked including capital. >> Doesn't mean it has to be one vote. >> Right. >> Right. It does not. But I think the effect of legally the effect of of
projecting the capital item could be grounds to project the entire >> what happened last year >> because because our portion of the Kabota school committee had to go back and revote their entire budget because of that. Oh. Oh.
>> So, so by the schools including capital requests, whatever they might be as part of the operating budget, they're tying the two together, >> you know, they're making the the operating budget dependent upon what the outcome of the
capital vote is, which I don't think is is good approach, >> right? Because I mean, now we've got two towns potentially throw, you know, either one could throw the whole thing. So what is the capital they're asking for this year? >> This year it's just portion of the dump truck.
>> Are we having discussion? We're having some further discussion about that issue as well. >> What what is our what would our be >> 34,000? >> Yeah. 34,000. >> But anyway, we're we're having we're doing a little looking at those things
as well. because they also have the uh this is not included in the request but they have the uh the transfer is it called the transfer when the boiler had placed
>> the heat exchange heat exchange >> which I mean that makes >> sense but I think they might be paying that out of the capital fun >> right okay so why do they need a dump truck Oh,
>> they don't we still >> have the need as well. >> They made the request. We're not convinced yet that it's actually required for the school to operate. >> We have a slightly usual we're talking about getting rid of this year.
>> We want to verify the information that we've received to make sure it's accurate before we actually come up with an >> but this is in the certified letter we got today. What included that number? >> Right. >> Right. >> But to your point of you know whether they should be separate articles, we
firmly believe they should be separate articles. The operating should be a separate and their capital should be separate. >> Well, the next thing would be with that logic it would be two separate articles. One for our portion of the dump truck, one for our portion of the boiler repair.
>> Yeah. But I don't think the boiler repair is coming to us that capital. No, I mean if they if they don't decide to use it on the improvement >> didn't we have four different >> and by the way we break out the debt and operating budget separately too in two
separate lines of the average budget >> right so at this point I think the board is saying we're leaving that article out >> right totally then we got this is all you Doug.
North Road. North Road. Minog Mountain and Machog Mountain. I will tell you uh conversation with Phil today. Probably you heard the same thing that they're talking about going back with a lower offer to the property owner
or but again this is all CPA money at this point. >> No buddy's property. >> Okay. is just the wording road just paper >> that's just a technical fix >> right because no CBA can be done in less
than three years >> this might be the third time that this project is on >> Mount Vision was three years right >> anyhow >> the 26 and 27 are the same
>> they deal with the same thing. >> Yeah, the the green property that goes on the river request there's a request for CPA mining 50,000 for that property >> about 40 of it is for the purchase 18
plus acres. The balance of it is for expenses >> survey >> survey legal fees whatever else they got to do. >> Yeah. Um CPA voted that last week uh to approve that going to town meeting.
Um I was speaking with Phil since we met last week and that land is in chapter. So it's actually only being taxed right now at about 18 or 19,000 as opposed to 40,000.
>> So maybe discussion about that 40 purchase figure, >> right? is going into that thing there would be no need for back taxes to be paid for a changed status. So it's not like he's going to get a bill for oh it's going out for developments and now Right.
>> Okay. He doesn't have to pay the five years >> because it's not changing status. Right. Yeah. >> Because they'll keep it in chapter land. Yeah. >> Uh the other CPA request is for 25,000
to well it came in described as laser leveling upper field at the rec. Turns out what it is is essentially kind of rebuilding or restoring that field, putting the baselines back in, edging it, leveling it, putting in
basically rebuilding. >> Um, we told we told uh Dan from Proxy that so actually John raised the issue of capital versus operating. We can't use
CPA funds for operating expenses. main office, right? >> Um, so we were going to go back to the community preservation coalition, the group that essentially wrote this this law, and get their take on whether or not this falls within this be considered
a capital improvement or would this be considered a maintenance of the fields, >> right? >> So, we didn't vote on that one. They they don't pay for what mainten they don't pay for operating expenses maintain
the ball field. Don't you do that every year? You roll the dirt. You do you trim the grass and >> even if you're using a laser this time, how is that different than what you do on an annual basis? I mean, we've had kids, we went out there as parents and we, you know, rad out the dirt and level
of clay and um it's up to them to prove that it's qualifies for CPA funding basically. >> Um then the last item, this just came up in the meeting. I haven't I haven't even told advisory this yet, but um
the team reservation group is going to discuss whether or not to take a vote on whether or not to bring back CPA to town to revoke it, send our participation in community preservation because right now we have
uh the unencumbered fund. We have over $500,000 in the account. Um the state match for the current year is estimated to be about 15 a.5%. Um the average the average
tax in in Hampton right now for CPA is about $48. Um we thought it made sense to bring it back to town meeting to to reconsider whether or not to continue participating in the program. We did this once before.
We we we entered into this primarily for you the purchase of Machuk Mountain and actually it was shortly after that we did bring it back to town meeting program in place. >> Think you couldn't bring we couldn't bring that up for was it five or seven
years before you could go. >> Yeah. Right. >> So anyway, that's that's something that we're gonna >> another >> if there's going to be a motion. It's unfortunate that we're we're taxing at the lowest rate, 1% because I think the options were one, two, and three.
>> Y >> and the first $100,000 of residential value is exempt from CPA. >> That hasn't been indexed and it can't be indexed and we can't change it. >> It has to be, you know, it'd be nice we could just raise it to, okay, any any house under 300,000.
>> Yeah. >> On the first 300. >> Is there any house under 100,000 on top? Well, but the point is, you know, in the tax rates forum, you know, if we had been able to raise raise the exemption, it would give some relief money.
>> Exactly. Should escalator along with it during the life. >> Yeah. >> And we're taxing at the lowest level right now for CPA. >> I mean, the one thing when you had the 3%, you're allowed to go to the secondary distribution. >> If the if the town voted no, if the town
would yes, you get rid of it. What happens to the minus in there? stays in there indefinitely until there's a vote to essentially end the fund. >> So people would still come to you for the next half million dollars. >> Yeah. >> So the fund will continue and the
process would remain in place. >> Could you go back and reup it again if they got revoked? >> Don't don't know. Don't know. >> That would be nice to know. Yeah, >> that would be Yeah. Some there are some programs which that would be out for good. Yeah.
What's happened over over the 25 years around is more and more and more municipalities have entered into it. So the amount of money available split into 201 cities and towns are now participating.
>> The state has not contributed what they said they >> well the funding mechanism is actually a tax on transfers real estate transfers. You don't think they're driving that off? Well, I don't think they are because the point was that there are so many legislators that now have a CPA
community in their district, they need to protect it to look good for their people. I think I've seen that in Sue's reports that we are so broadly across the Commonwealth now that we have a bit of insurance by I can't vote it down
because my gosh, the people in Brockton will be upset with me because I'm against it and they get money for it. It isn't funded with legislative. >> No, but I mean they can't rob the fund or something because people get >> years ago the math was so low that state
had more money they didn't know what to do with it actually added $10 to CPA fund to increase the distribution. My I mean my objection to it frankly is it's kind of become an ed around two and a half projects can get pushed off into capital
to avoid it being dealt with in the regular budget. But >> yeah, >> I mean there's cities and towns that have full departments to deal with these significant amounts of money. >> I watched a couple of the warhead meetings only. have like four million in their fund.
>> So anyway, it's just it's something you know it's worthy of discussion in town meeting or at least we think we'll be vote next next week. >> Okay, let me just finish the uh >> No, you're saying this town meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, article 30 amend the posting
location of town meeting wrote a amendments to regional school district agreement done in our lifetime. >> Well, this is what I want to talk to you about. I'm glad you're here. Tomorrow night we have a meeting of the planning
the planning committee and uh the stalemate of course is they want us to pay for uh repairs at the Florida Burge Middle School.
>> I'm with Wilberham Middle School and we say no we're not going to pay for things that are you should have fixed 10 years ago. So there's some wording now which would just say if it becomes a uh regional school,
right? So that's based on the fact that they've gone to the core program to see what to do with the thing, whether they should renovate it or whether they should uh build a new school. If obviously if they build a new regional school, we're going to have to be, you know, regional middle school. We're
going to have to be part of that for the state to give the money. I I want to push it to this town meeting. I keep telling them, look, we got to go and see what people are thinking about this, you know, and if they say no, we don't want the amendments, then okay, we go back to the
drawing board, see what to do. If they say yes, then at least we have some way to go with this. So the the bottom line is that we're we're going to stand firm not to pay for the maintenance for and and they've also
said that they're not going to do improvements that the the superintendent sent us a letter basically and said that their decision is that they're going to do minimum minimum repairs, right? >> They're not going to engage you in capital long-term capital, >> right? They're not going to do long-term
capital. Okay. But they're trying to they're trying to have a a a piece in there that says if it becomes a reg if you're going to build a new school then we're going to be party to that. Uh
>> aren't 90% of the changes boilerplate? >> 90% of those changes are simple boilerplate things that should have been like a perfect example is that the original that they're supposed to be weighted voting. It says it in their disagreement now they've never done weighted voting. It won't make a lot of
difference because look at the split. If I >> I wonder I was thinking about that during the budget vote >> because it was so close that if you you got the Excel sheet out that this is 1.1 this is it might >> our percentage is increasing. >> Yeah.
>> You know we're going to we're up what 1% this year. So I I want to push to have it come before the town meeting so we can at least explain to people that look at you're looking down the road to a new middle school. Not going to happen for 10 years.
>> And worst scenario is that you can get go up to the microphone and tell them the school committee dropped the ball on getting this done. >> Yes, I'd be happy to say that. >> Shy retiring guy. >> Yeah. So it so it would the article actually have language proposed language
for amending the >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And one of the amendments is going to be that the kids in the sixth to 8th grade will be assigned to schools at the discretion of the committee. And the reason they have to do that is right now every parent has
to fill out a transfer that >> thing and it's just there's no point to the kid going there. You got no other place to go. Would that allow him the opportunity then to put them in miniature if he's so excited? >> Yeah, the reliever would relate,
>> right? >> But they said that that was but then they said that that wasn't really wouldn't that they kind of say that wouldn't even fix that? >> Long term until Yeah. Yeah. But then then >> there they were adamant there there was a group that was adamantly opposed to
that >> eighth grade and high school. put eighth grade in high school, which >> if you look at the regional high schools all across the state, they have kids seven, seven and 12th grade, 8 and 12, all across the regional high schools because that's the only way you can make it work in a lot of regions. And I
pointed out that when they were talking about all the terrible things that seniors would do to the eighth graders, I pointed out that you're talking about your children here. If this is what you think of your kids, is is a problem that goes far deeper. >> See, I don't care what you change. It
could be free puppies and sunshine. There would be people who would be upset about >> Yeah. >> But they >> I don't mean to disparrage my colleagues, but they they panicked and didn't didn't want to. >> All right. So, you're saying >> we don't want to take the hit. >> We need to do this. Get off the dime.
>> Yeah. That's fine. All right. So, that one's staying on there. That's why we're cutting all the other ones. So, you got time to exped look at that agreement. >> Should we if we're going to move forward potentially with that? Should we have our council look at that or?
>> No, I don't. >> That's a rush. >> My rush has been going on for two years. >> Was another six months or a year. It was, you know, they get all worked up. >> There's nothing for her to look at. The the the it's been looked at by the the
state's uh DESC lawyers follow the thing all along and they say this is what you need to do to comply with these. Well, yes. Yes. But >> starting off with the state review then? >> Well, this is going to go on the warrant, you said, right? >> Yeah. >> Well, at that point, the town attorney will be looking at the warrant. >> Yeah.
>> So, it will be looked at some point, >> right? Because the whole warrant will be submitted. >> Yeah. They put it on. >> All right. So, >> but I don't have a lot of confidence. That's >> okay. So, if it's ready, it's going on the warrant. >> All right. Great. where we want to point
out again though that the that the dees council has looked at it and and in the end whatever we vote whatever whatever the town's vote in terms of an agreement >> the commissioner has to approve it. If
he doesn't approve it, it goes nowhere. >> Right. >> All right. Home rule protection. >> We just got to get it off the schneide, as my father used to say. >> Brian, give me the short thing about Peter Hatch and the fire department.
>> Oh. >> Um, I need to follow up to see if that's something that they want to pursue or not. So, >> so tech right now he's off because he he turned 65. authorized work from 65 to 70 years.
>> Did we already do that once >> for him? Yeah. >> Yes, he did. >> Now he just turned 70. >> Okay. >> Now, >> I think the thing is that is he going to respond to fires or just keep volunteering as a mechanic, which I think the volunteering as a mechanic is
terrific. Saves him a ton of money. But the point is that without authorization, he cannot be on the truck going to a fire. you can stay at the station, maybe help out with things, prep, but Brian, is that really it at this point? You know, don't get on the truck and
don't go to the fire. >> I think it's a little bit more complicated than that. But um >> I'll say the problem is at 70 years old is the liability for the town. Well, that's why you don't get on and go.
>> But even if he's but even if he's on the fire department as a mechanic or a water boy or whatever you want to call it and he gets injured in the department while he's hanging around the department or a truck, the town's liable if he >> Yeah, but that's not part of our
workman's comp. The firefighters and police are not on our workman's comp. The state pays that. Well, the question will be we have to go to the legislature. Will the state pay the state willing to pay for it? >> Well, we don't proactive duty fire.
Matter of fact, if he was just a mechanic, we probably would have to pay for it if he got hurt. It's the way I But there's no work comp bill for cops and fire. >> Okay. >> Right. We have incred. >> All right. Are we interested in keeping this on the war? We've had a request
from the fire department. We can keep an on but I just I prove the case. >> I'm not saying I'm opposed. I'm just saying this is a complication that we're looking at. >> People are vibrant over 70. >> I'm all in favor of people I'm all in
favor of people over 70 years old. >> Is that what you're doing? >> Agism. >> I didn't hear you. You good? >> I tell you what, >> there's a pole. >> I'm I'm significantly older than Mitch Hatch.
>> All right, believe it or not. And then we have the last three. >> Wake up in the morning and realize you're the same age a lot of those old people. >> Really? >> What happened? Um, the only one I would question on the last three, are you
going to maybe do the the standard you've done in the past where you just do 5,000 into reserve and then maybe fully fund it in the fall? >> Yeah, we haven't had that discussion. >> Okay. >> I wouldn't be surprised if that happens this year. >> Okay. I would say, are you saying you're
not leaning towards the 15 at least? >> Haven't even talked about >> Not even that far yet. Okay, great. All right. So this is um with those changes. Do we have a motion to close the warrant again? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Thank you. >> We've asked you to come in for 6:45. You're on time. Uh quickly though, Brian, we have uh You'll love this. So we went out to get the South Bridge fixed. we were going to hear was
500,000. We said we'd pay the extra out of our chapter 90 money from 2026. The bill came in at roughly 8 something with engineering fees and the state has agreed to pay the difference. So, it's costing us nothing from chapter 90.
>> Great. Yay, state. Yay, state. Yeah. So, we just need to award the bid. >> Finding you the bridge hasn't been fixed yet. So, we'll see. Yeah. >> What do we have to do? >> Vote to award the bid. >> Who are we awarding it to? Some guy is
gonna do it for eight something else. >> Bridges. >> Northern Construction LLC in the amount of $897,145. >> Why did Now that includes the VHB money, right? That they're responsible for
them. Nope. That does not include the VH. >> Well, we the grant the grant will be increased to a million dollars. >> That's what we asked for. >> So, it's the 50,000 plus whatever amount of additional contingency funds we have.
>> All right. not for not for nothing and because you know I have total belief in the state but if we award this bid and the state backs away from it are we on the hook for the extra $400,000. >> So right now it's seven
right now it's uh they increase so this is the second time we've amended it based on cost increases. So right now the grant is 7 747,000. >> Yep. Um, if you will, if you want to authorize me to sign the contract, I
won't sign it until the grant agreement is >> in writing. Until the grant agreement, >> I feel comfortable with that. I'm just >> Yeah. Okay. How do you feel about that? >> So, we'll entertain a motion to authorize town administrator to sign the
contract for the bridge upon receipt of acknowledgement from the state that the grant amount will cover this amount. So move again. >> All in favor if Ryan if comes in short not you on you.
>> Big money couch >> and the car. All right. So we have the advisory committee here. >> Yeah. >> And >> any good news? >> Well, we're we're getting there. Um, we
we met just before coming in here and I think we have all of the the budget requests finalized. We were talking about about specific request tonight and show what our
recommendations might be, but obviously we we've got to wait for our public hearing before we make a vote on it and make recommendations. And that date is >> that's a Tuesday because it's school vacation week's
day is Monday. >> Oh, we don't have the regional dispatch number. Yes, we're where are we with that? The discussion I believe has been that
the the fee that we originally agreed to in the beginning was 125,000 and we weren't that state paid for the first three years. Then we paid 50 we paid 50 and then 75%. So they're talking about 125,000
this year. No, no increase. 125,000 and then three and three three and three or the next five years 3% increase in the next four year but it be 125,000 this year. Um >> but we want to see I'm asking to see the
number of calls you know I want to see what Belure t you know percentage wise and see if there's any any the total budget the funding and ton of call. So it might be next week before we get all that. >> Yeah. Last week was last year was 95,000. >> 95 90.
I told Brian we don't really need phone number till the hearing, >> right? >> They have it by the 21st. >> Yeah. Yeah. We'll have that by then. >> Well, that that regionalizing dispatches worked out tremendously.
>> Well, we were paying $400,000 a year for dispatches. So you figure that times three, you know, whatever the raises over the five years. So it's worked out good for us. >> Yeah. >> Um
in terms of terms of numbers, uh the the request request is about a 6.4% increase. The town's portion of the budget, our operating budget, it's about a 2 and a half% increase based on requests alone. Yeah.
>> And actually the other items were think items we've already discussed. We wanted to talk about having the separate articles for the capital and the operating um the issue of the transfer switch for Green Meadows. The dump truck threat for the high school. We're going to look into a little bit more. Um
and I think that's all we have. Am I missing anything? I >> think so. And there's still no word on the contract negotiation with the teachers and the pair of professionals, right? >> We have not heard anything further. >> No, you're saying you have three
components to the increase. You have the obviously the town budget part which totaling about with all the departments at >> dollar-wise. >> Yeah. >> Says about two and a quarter. >> That's it. Pretty good. Then you got the
school number at around 600 inclusive of the capital number. >> Yeah. >> 34,000. >> That's in in the 600. >> That includes the dump truck output the operating like 567.
>> So those two numbers together >> no >> exceed the two and a half and no broad number the two and a half and new growth at this time in your in your >> two and a half new growth. Nice. >> So to make just those numbers work, and
of course we took just about nothing in warrant articles here. Make those numbers work, you'd have to go up into the current levy limit. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Well, we're anticipating we're going to be we're going to be using our excess capacity to to fund this budget.
It's just a question of how much is going to be left when we're done. >> Yeah. Two and a half and new growth together. Probably 550. So I mean next, you know, in round figures, our our excess levy capacity for next year is, you know, is going to be,
I would estimate maybe 150, 200,000 if we're lucky. And not to go too far out to it, you know, we always look at the number for free cash in the fall and it's been all over the place in the past couple years, some accounting things or whatever, but even if it came in more the
previous averages in the anywhere to 5 to 700,000 number, you'd want to use that for some of these. Typically, we use some to offset the tax increase. Dick would like some to pay down the water district debt.
And you're hoping not to touch stabilization at that point, >> right? >> Be doing well if if we're able to get through with the fall town meeting without touching stabilization. >> That's what I was thinking. >> Stabil,
>> right? And we we're so we have so much more data in the fall and that's the logic of putting anything that is postponable the fall to the fall. And that gets back into people made the argument, "Oh my gosh, you're not supposed to do that
stuff in the fall." And I go back to even Craig saying, "No, we are a two town meeting. You have the spring stuff which is I don't want to say legal or whatever that type of stuff and the financial is in the fall because the budget at in the spring is I don't want
to say it's wrote, but it is kind of wrote. You know, there's really nothing huge that happens in that budget. The big stuff happens in the fall, but they weren't purchasing stuff. Kathy, you've seen that for decades. You know, big things, big things, big things.
>> Increase in the regular budget was never >> I don't I don't know how we would operate without the fall town. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Well, yeah. I mean, back in, you know, the olden days, the state had their budget done early enough. Had some idea what was going on. Right.
Yeah, >> but it was acting on red paper. >> Yeah. >> So, what other good news did you have? >> Let's follow up with tonight. >> It's all we can >> I want to give it all to you at once.
>> Well, you got one. >> That wasn't amazing. >> What's the status of of the the cruiser and the handguns in the operating budget? >> Um, >> currently >> the number they're currently in the operating budget. >> Both of them are. >> Yes. And yeah, we understand there also
has an article and that's a discussion obviously that has to be had the decision made about whether to keep them in operating or >> uh I don't think we don't have a cruiser. >> Oh no, you said you did. >> Yeah, I looked at this one. It's not in there. No, >> you have the guns. We have the guns, but
there was conversation about >> because there was we took them out because there was so much money in the payroll account that we can easily do a lineto line May 1st and let them get them out of order while they're cheaper, you know, because they're going to be
>> So there the only thing that should be then is the cruiser. >> No, we're not having any there will be no police activities in aid. So the cruiser is left inside the budget under cruiser line at this time. >> The cruiser request is in the operating
budget. We we haven't had the discussion yet about whether or not to include that as part of our recommendation. >> I think the chief was good with either way as long as he could bring it back in the fall. His concern to me and I spoke to him yesterday was that delivery time
on that cruiser would probably roll. If it passed in October, they wouldn't get it until February or March. >> They're all >> then you're rolling the dice on, oh my gosh, which shape are they in or whichever. >> Then you go back to the argument on what
the buyers are one car over 100,000. >> Right. >> They're all >> I haven't seen current numbers and I actually sent a note only saying >> fleets in good shape. >> What was the hilltown talking about last week? They're trying. They want to replace two,000.
>> That was the one I was watching. They turned it down. >> They're still good. >> Yeah. >> I think they're not good, right? >> Well, that's it. >> Thank you all. cookies. >> Uh,
so Don, that was your board. That was your board direction, doesn't it? Thank you. You know your direction you're going to do. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. >> Where's the committee going to be? >> It's going to be in the district offices. >> Will it be online?
>> It's it's it's in Zoom. They do it. They They use YouTube or whatever they do. >> If they need money, maybe better microphones to go, >> you know, >> or the school committee. Yeah. >> Okay. Ryan, do you want to talk to Congress? You need money?
>> Yeah. I want I want submit a request for >> take Amtrak down to Washington. >> Yeah. Yeah. Couple nights. Nice thing. >> What? Um, so long story short, congressionally
directed spending is code name for earmarks. >> That's back in the game federal government. Um, so there's a solicitation out by both senators and Warren for um requests from municipalities. So,
I was thinking about submitting the fire station project and what what harm is it if they give us six million dollars. >> Okay. >> Worst I can say is no. >> Is it only them or or Neil too?
>> Um it's through it's through Mary's website, but I think they all do it together. >> Okay. Fine. Good idea. >> I'll keep your help. >> Use the good paper.
>> Mon got a million, so >> maybe we could get $10. >> All right, Eric. >> Um, the only thing I have to report is, um, thanks to Brian. Brian sent kind of a nudge email to Chartered Spectrum about the symmetrical internet speeds
>> and they finally got back to us and they said, "Oh yeah, everything's done. You guys just have to reach out and get new equipment." So apparently I actually looked at my Spectrum app and it said, "Do you want to upload?" You know, it was it said it was no cost. They would
send free equipment. I don't know the reality of that. And I tried to do it through the app and it said, "Sorry, something went wrong. Log in and log back in again." which they did three more times over a couple days did not work. So I'll have to call them. But just for the folks that are watching that symmetrical internet is available
in Hamen. So um please call Spectrum or use your app and try to get the updated equipment because apparently the equipment depending on what you have may not be compatible with to to all the symmetrical speeds, but they will upgrade that for free. So uh well at
least in my app said for free but I don't know if there's any self-in charge you know sometimes they charge for things little things you know if you have a tech self install kit that I don't know at least the functionality is there now >> progress
>> it's progress so now we'll see actually report back once I get the equipment and I actually install it what I'll report back on what what my findings are but >> that was really that's all I have on our end >> that's All right. Planning board meeting last week. Unfortunate was canceled. Uh noticing problem I guess. And that would
be the the discussion for the change at the corner to Summers Road. Not even two summer the round building at the corner former greenhouse. Uh so that is now pushed off for another two weeks maybe even more
because of noticing. So I'm sure that'll be of interest to people. There will be a senior center building committee meeting in a couple weeks u to obviously go over what's going to happen with the HVAC
bid and where we go for the roof after that. And I think that's it. Parks and wreck. Obviously, they've been dealing with the advisory. Uh they're asking for some
personnel changes in terms of hours etc which advisory is talking about and considering whether to recommend yay or >> regional planning tomorrow we talked about that uh old town house committee
April Fool's Day I mean April 1. >> You picked that tad or was that you Brian? Joe picked it. Right. Also, I I have two I have two uh board of health issues. >> I have a request for a license from the
Mountain View Drive-In for ice cream. License for the manufacturer of frozen desserts and ice cream mix. >> When are they opening? >> I think they're opening. I think they'll be the first of April. I think they're open this week. Today would wait.
Look for a motion. >> Motion to approve. >> You have any with you? >> No. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. And then we have a permit for a residential kitchen establishment for Farmer Brown Spudley
Sweens. No relations. Okay. >> Going to Allen Court or Allen Place. That's at 24 Allen Court. >> That's a renewal basic. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Okay. That's what I have here. And I signal inspection. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I I signed this. Well, this is I signed a permit for a septic tank replacement on Baldwin Drive.
>> Oh, Wow. Look at this color. Everything. >> Oh, yeah. Nice. >> How come one gets a logo and the other one doesn't? >> Why is that? >> We have to speak our administrative assistant. >> I do not. >> I think these come from Lori.
>> Do they or from you? >> They come from Lori or from you permits Lori? >> Okay. Brian. All right, we've talked about most of these. Small bridge grant is being increased to $1 million.
>> We had a uh review of the Poland location uh this past week that had did very well. We don't have any stairs. Um uh two things that we need to do during uh for election day only. We need
to have um six handicap parking spaces. We need to have temporary signage like uh at eye level. Um so I've talked with Mark and we're going to get some buckets and signs and sand and put up some temporary signage for that day only. And
the other thing we need to do is we need to keep the the doors propped open the front doors and the doors to the uh caftorium because the doors are 28 in wide. They're double 28 in I think it's at least 30 or 32. So we solve those
problems easily by taking care of that. So we are ready to end your vote tonight. So now we are ready to hold that election legally. Um, Don's hard work, we received our first rooms tax payment for the town. >> Oh,
>> anybody like seller number? >> No. >> Really? >> Yes. How much would you like to guess? >> $48,48.50. >> I said higher. >> I said Oh, is it higher? >> Yeah. >> $98. >> It was It was 700.
$75. >> Really? >> Is that an annual payment? >> No. >> Oh, wow. That's almost as much as electric vehicle. Wow. >> Mind you, >> mind you, this is this is January to March, which is probably a slow season.
This is the golf course. >> What? >> A local rooms tax that was in >> 35 to 34. the controversial one. Yeah, >> that's just for January, February,
March, right? >> First quarter, >> I think. So, first quarter. >> Yeah, mom. >> $700. >> $775. >> And that goes into where? Fund. I have to tell this to Mrs. De. Were your
relatives that visiting or something renting or she was opposed to it? >> Venus center HVAC bit you received none. Um we touched on this a little earlier. It was $257,623. And one of the one of the limiting
factors with AC bids um over I think it's over $150,000 is that you have the the vendor has to be certified has to be certified by the state. So that that limits our
applicant pool severely limits our applicant pool. >> Um so it's something that there's still like John mentioned there's going to be a building committee meeting. there's discussions that are going to happen, but I I think that's part of what's happening here is we're restricted.
We're restricting the state law restricting who can >> bid. >> Um and obviously price increases, but um the air quality sensor purple air is active on the building. >> I saw the data. >> You can see that currently the air
quality index is 37. I'll I'll give you an update each meeting. Okay. It is 37. >> I checked it earlier. It was 26. >> I know that dark out thing. >> Particular matter just drops. >> So we could go a second place. Is this
inside or outside? >> Right outside. >> We go to Green Metal. Let's go on Green Metal. >> It's right out front. >> When you walk in the door, you'll see it. It's mounted right out here. >> Only get one or two. So if there's a second location, Green Meadows wouldn't work because there
wasn't a easily accessible outlet outside senior center >> or the police station. >> Oh yeah. >> And then Camden, the RP marketing design is available
website. And that's about it. We don't You got anything? >> Second. >> I know. Ryan Tad, anything?
It seems like you only have one bit on everything.