Good evening. It's 6 o'clock on November 24th, 2025. This is a meeting of the Hampton Select Board and Board of Health at the town hall located at 85 Warberham Road. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We are broadcasting this meeting over Zoom as well as recording it. Is there anybody else recording the meeting?
>> Seeing none, we will kick right off. Any minutes? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, first I want to congratulate everybody in the town hall for the move that happened last week. Um, we didn't meet last week just because, you know,
we had really give everyone a chance to get everything together. But the spirit of cooperation by every department, you know, the leadership, Brian, Lauren, Herb, just incredible. I know we have
the assessors here and Jane stopping by your office and seeing how quickly you had it set up, you know, it's just >> terrific. And that's I think embodies what every department did at the town hall. And you want to send to you three guys. Thank goodness you have somebody
like that working for you. We don't >> Yeah. Yeah. So and every other every other department member. So thank you all. All right. The first thing on the agenda, we have a tax classification hearing.
>> Yes. And first we have in front of us the Hampton Board of Assessors, Phil, Bob, Norm, and thank goodness we have Jane here. Thank goodness. Thank goodness. All right. So, this is uh the annual
basically vote on the four art, four questions that uh determine how we break up if we do break up uh different classification for our taxes. Um, Don, you'll probably recall, honestly,
it's important that we do it. I don't recall a different outcome in my time, but that's because the town pretty much exists the same year after year. So, Jane, I'm going to throw it over to you for your first time honing this.
>> All right. >> Uh, so my name is Jane Fantino. I'm the principal assessor here at the town of Hampton. Um, and as John said, I'm here with my board members, chairman Norman Cherest and the assessors Robert Maku and Philip Schneider. Uh, the purpose of
this hearing is to provide information to the select board regarding the tax rate options available to the town under property tax classification. Tax speification. Um, just to give you guys a quick overview, all of our fiscal year 26 values for
real and personal property have been approved by the DO. The town's valuation has increased from a little over 977 million in fiscal 25 to uh 1 billion a mill billion in fiscal year
26. And that's an increase of a little over 53 million for the town. billion >> of that increase. A little over 15 million was due to new growth. That uh can be residential new growth from new construction addition or other
improvements as well as several new parcels that were created for fiscal year 26. The new growth from personal property was a little over 9.9 million. Of that 4 million new growth was from the personal property for the new solar
array on cross road. And then we have the four public utility accounts and those contributed an extra little over 5.2 million in the growth as well. Um the average single family home has
increased from approximately 419,000 in fiscal year 25 to approximately 441,271 in fiscal year 26. That's about a 5.31 increase from last year. >> Um the current tax rate that was set for
fiscal year 25 was 1509. Right now an estimate for fiscal year 26 is 15.76. That's about a 4.4 increase or 67 cents increase from last year.
Um, and then just to give you an idea of how this is going to affect the taxpayers for Hampton, the average single family tax bill will increase from approximately $6,322.71 to $6,9543. This is about an annual increase of
$631. And that's about a 10% increase for the annual tax bill for single family home. >> Now, during the special town meeting, I thought that we were projecting by doing some of the transfers and the no
actions, we were hoping to get to an 8% increase. >> Yes. >> What what do you think might have affected that? >> Um, some has to do with uh the overlay did increase. Um there was an increase had to be put on there and that was done
with the veterans exemptions that got added on to that. Um and then there is an ATV ATV case outgoing right now. >> There is. Okay. >> Um so we had to add some to the overlay. >> I remember that you were projecting it was a $40,000 increase due to the
veterans exemption. >> Yes. Maybe like 45. Um, we were also concerned looking at the free cash that came back that there seemed to be a little more hold back on the free cash recap for
unpaid taxes. Typically, I noticed going back a few years, it was 400,000 and we saw that the number had bumped up to 600,000 this year against our free cash. I wonder if that's concern that also affects the overlay as well uh
uncollected or potentially more requests for abatements because of people's concerns. Well, I think we try and include that when we're projecting what we're we think we're going to need the overlay for the year is that is that we
anticipate abatements and then we're we're really >> giving our best estimate about what we think >> we may have some for liability for that later on and then like you said of course the unpaid or uncollectible taxes that come through.
>> Um we have a little bit in there already that we could use for that. Mhm. But it does bring up a concern. A, we're talking about another substantial potential increase. And if we're seeing that type of trend in the prior year, is this going
to exacerbate it a bit coming forward? We certainly hope not, but it does show that is there a limit we're potentially approaching with. We have to really tighten the belts more, you know.
So just an area of concern. So >> does this doesn't include the uh fire station exclusion, right? That that's going to come down the road some point into the tax. It doesn't go to the tax rate, but it'll be like for
>> the >> Yeah, the expansion. So So this you're saying it's going to increase the average house is going to increase like $600. So it would be $600 plus whatever that is. But that's not till what comes down the road, right? >> Correct. >> That wouldn't be in the tax race exclusive. So it could
>> that's not physically. >> So it could be $600 plus a,0005 $400 could be $1,000 and whenever the bond is, >> right? >> Mhm. >> Or maybe we have to look at taking less of a bond on that one.
>> What about Barago? They going for tax. They s they sue. >> I haven't heard anything from them. Um, but I I can look I can look at I can contact them for that. >> I thought there was a >> I thought we had one concern about what
were they looking to re >> file with the appella tax board. >> Yeah, you mentioned that, right? >> Oh, project. >> Yep. That one I I haven't heard anything yet from it. >> Um I did give everything to to Rose Pley um all of my documentation, but I
haven't heard anything about a hearing date or anything like that. >> They're and they're not on a pilot. there just >> no >> protects personal property. >> Yeah. So, I haven't heard anything back. I probably will want an update soon. Um but sometimes nothing hearing from them
is good. So, >> how much do they want back? >> Well, yeah. What happened there was there was numbers that were submitted and the state allows us to accept what
they submit as an act as the value. >> Yeah, >> that's what >> and so there was they are saying that that number was incorrect. >> Their number that their number that they submitted to you was incorrect. >> Okay. And so they're trying to
>> recoup from >> Isn't that sounds like a hard case to win, you know? >> Well, but yeah, we use their number, which is what the state told us. So, >> right. That's what >> Oh, that car is only worth 5,000. We
were wrong when we said 50. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, thank we have four votes, so we have to do it. Right. >> Right. So Jane, do you want to explain? >> Yep. >> Start with number one. >> So number one is a single versus split
tax rate and adopting a minimum res residential factor of one which is a single tax rate would result in a single tax rate. Adopting a minimum residential factor of less than one would result in a split tax rate. Uh there would be one
rate for residential properties and another higher rate for commercial, industrial and personal properties. Um the residential class accounts for about 85% and then commercial, industrial and personal property is about 15%.
Um and historically Hampton has always done a single tax rate, >> right? >> Um the second is the open space discount. The town does not have any properties in open space. Um and historically, uh the Hampton always says no to this one. The residential
exemption. This would shift the burden within the residential class onto the higher priced and non-owner occupied properties. Um this has been usually adopted in communities that have a large number of vacation homes. So think the cave. Um and then number four is the
small commercial exemption. This shifts the burden from qualifying small businesses to other commercial and industrial properties. We have about 40 commercial properties um and fewer than 10 would probably qualify for this exemption. And then for those few
properties um the one who would be directly benefit from this exemption would be the owner of the qualifying properties not the business itself. >> Mhm. >> So historically we've said keep the single and
>> no no no. >> Yes. Yes, that's historically that's the way that Tom has voted >> and that's been the recommendation from the board of assessors. >> Well, we would say like you said that historically that's what we do. >> How the board chooses to vote is up to
you. But um if you look at the uh one here that this one here that explains like what a shift would do >> to the rate. >> Yeah. So, at a 150% shift,
um it would increase the um a tax bill about $8,239.88 for the commercial and industrial and personal property values. >> And then it would decrease the um residential $68.95.
And that was that would be 150% shift. And then obviously 125 would be a little bit less than that. And I know in previous years the board has usually said it that most of the business owners that own the businesses here live here. And so like you said, it's almost like
you were shifting within yourself, right? >> Because we don't have that many businesses uh to absorb a shift like that. >> And most of the businesses that are here are owned by people who live here, right? >> So and that's the way the board traditionally your board traditionally
looked at it. is the one question the residential exemption and just residential properties that are owned not by the owners or >> those are like as she mentioned earlier
I think she just was we were just talking about this of the all the communities in the commonwealth it was like 16. >> Yeah. So out of the 351 communities in Massachusetts, only 18 have the res >> have that and those are towns that like
you say are shoreline >> like a chatam like a >> owns a house there lives somewhere else >> and it's essentially a rental. >> So the vineyard there they don't live there things like that have them. >> That's that's really kind of what that's for.
>> Okay. >> All right. So help me with the motions here. Okay. So I move that we adopt a single >> factor >> tax rate.
>> Not paying attention. Second. All in favor? >> We voted on the first three. >> I agree with you, Don. >> Okay. So I made a motion to u I move to to adopt a single single tax rate.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I thank you. >> I move not to open space come not to adopt open space discount. >> Second. All in favor? >> I I move not to adopt a residential
exemption. >> Second. All in favor? I >> I >> I move not to adopt a small commercial exemption. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> All these motions were the guidance of the board of assessors and we thank you for coming in >> and again we congratulate Jane.
>> If we do have a form >> I have the sign so we can submit. >> We'll take we'll take that under adisement. >> Sure. Okay. But we would advise that good thing to do. Thank you.
>> How'd you know what they were going to do? >> Wow. >> She's got one for each way. All the different she had to pick out the right one. >> What color are we using for this >> disappearing one?
>> How do you like your office? >> Still are you just on the next line here? Right. >> Yep. That's fine. >> The printer get fixed. >> No. >> Or somebody else's. >> You're going to have to probably get going. >> Can't afford it. You just told us.
>> We're all set. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> New sweater, Bob. New sweater. >> Yeah. >> Close the hearing. The tax pardon me. Close the tax classification hearing.
Next we have before us the Conservation Commission. All of them. Well, more than last time. Come on up, please. So, we have before us the chair of the commission, Tom. Hey, how are you?
>> Bonnie, administrative assistant extraordinaire and Joe Zeno. How are you? >> Good. So, give us a quick recap. Why are you here? >> Why are we here? >> Yes. Well, we're here because >> hundreds of people online want to know.
I mean, they're watching. >> Well, we're here because um uh we have been trying for I don't know three or four years back with Bob Marle to get a conservation agent. And one of the first
qualifications has in Massachusetts is that they need to have a degree in environmental science. And um this past summer, Joe and a couple other people expressed an interest in joining the commission cuz
we put out more >> feelers for that. And um uh well, Joe can talk about his background, but it seemed to be a really good fit >> to have Joe um come on as as a
conservation agent. I spent some time um speaking to Brian about it and Brian I'm pretty sure has talked to um Joe as well. Um we did post the job um for 7 days and although a few other people
were interested it was beyond the 7-day posting. >> Mhm. So, um, when we moved over here to Gordon Burgess, I reserved two rooms, one for the administrative assistant, that would be me, and then the other one
for the conservation agent because that's how it's set up in Mson, East Monto, some of the other towns. And um so now we're here um to um I guess officially
um have you um appoint Joe if that's if the point is the correct word as a conservation agent for part-time conservation agent for the top. >> I'm not sure if a point's right or we're hiring. That's kind of my my question. >> Hiring because it's a paid
>> right. I'm thinking we're hiring Joe. So at that point it's kind of like at will. There's no period. He's just you're Joe. You're hired and this is a job and you can tell your parents, hey I got a job. So uh just to go back over the background though because I know we talked about this. Joe, you were in
front of us at the was it September October you came in with Eric I think >> at the same meeting. So you had a chance then to meet with the commission and they there they voted to push this forward. >> Yes. >> At a posted meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay.
All right. So, it's your recommendation then, Tom, of the committee to uh recommend him for to be hired by the town. >> Yes. >> All right. Who gets the bigger office? Monty. >> I think they're about the same size. >> No, mine is Mine is a little bigger. >> His two windows, though.
>> Yeah, but he has two windows. >> Well, seniority. So, >> I mean, one window's great compared to working in >> That's true. Exactly. >> So, what what what does the state require for a degree? The first thing is a degree. Well,
>> what's what's the what type of degree? >> What type of degree is a state required? Joe can tell you what he has. >> It's a degree in environmental science or related field >> in in your BS in botney and concentration ecology qualifies for that. >> How's or know?
>> It's way up there. He's on the commission now. >> Yes. So he'll have to resign from the commission because he can't committ that becomes an employee employee relationship you know >> right he can't yes he can't vote but he still has to um um
>> well he'll be making recommendations to the committee conservation committee >> yeah he'll be going on all the site inspection >> right right but he can't vote he can't correct >> so he'll have to resign from that >> so that still gives you obviously you still have Eric as a new member
>> with five and One and one associate. Two associates. Okay. Good. All right. So, I'll take a uh a motion to hire Joe Zeno. >> How much we paying them anyhow? >> How much we paying them?
>> The grade four step one. >> Grade four. >> Grade four step one. >> Answer for that. >> Yeah. You approve grade four step one. >> So move. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Welcome to the team. He's going to get sworn to get
>> I don't think so. It's just basically a hired >> just not an appointed or hired. So >> yeah, >> that's it. Right. Turn your badge in and get a new badge basically. Yeah. >> And he will need um um a desk. I mean,
he has a he has a table in there >> and you know that would be up to Joe if he wants a desk or just a but he also needs a computer and a phone and it needs to be set up as an office. >> Speak to what's his name? >> Yeah, >> I'm sure there's I'm sure there's
there's >> plenty around. >> There's actually Take one of these with you. >> Okay, there you go. There's your chair. >> Figure it out. >> Great. >> All right. >> What's your start date? >> When? Yeah. >> When will this all like He still needs
to um I don't mean to talk to talk for you. >> I mean, he still needs to meet with with you guys or Brian or somebody to sign. >> Is he going to be out of contract or how's it going to work? Or is it going to be um hours because it's part-time? I
mean, I he need somebody to figure all this out. >> He could I mean, Brian is human resources. He'll figure that out. But basically, it's an hourly position as I believe. Yep. >> You know, it's funded right now. So, >> okay. >> I can't remember how many hours per week we have it in there. >> I think I think the budget could support
15, I think, is >> 15, I think. So, there's a certain >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Great. >> So, Brian's here every day, including Sunday. So, stop back. You'll get a FOB, >> basically a key to the washroom, and
everything else. And I just want to add that um that um Joe has also attended u online um workshop on firsttime conservation agents. >> Okay. >> Terrific. >> Is there a local group or anything
Bonnie like you know so is this something Joe be able to like I don't know once a month once a quarter they get together like Brian has a group of town administrators that get together things like that. That'd be something that Joe could look into because I was just thinking um the fellow that's a
conservation agent in East Lawn Meadow >> um Alex um he uh actually came to this town originally and um but at that time it was going to be shared with Graanby and it fell through but he's doing a
really good job because I've been working with him a little bit on some violations going on. Um, and I thought and I did think that probably Joel could benefit from >> Sure. >> working with Alex a little bit, >> especially like you say when there's
things that I don't say bleed over a town line, it's best to have that good cooperation. >> We had that thing in East La Meadow basically off of uh between Card and >> you know, so East Lope's
happening with that subdivision proposal or anything at this point, but Certainly something on the radar on the back burner for now. >> All right. Any more questions from the board? >> Good. >> Audience. >> So, we're done, right? >> You're done.
>> You're done. >> All right. Great. >> Okay. >> Good to see you. >> Joe, let's connect tomorrow or >> when's the next trip? >> The next time you have a chance to >> where >> I'll be here at 8 tomorrow. I don't know what your schedule is,
>> but non Disney resort that's in Disney. >> Oh, you could just stop at anything. >> Couldn't get a room anywhere around Disney like the Swan or something or >> No, no, no. >> Caribbean.
>> I know. I'm not. >> Great. >> Good luck. Thanks. >> All right. All right. Custodial staff. wander on up. Come on,
>> I'm not close enough. >> No, >> this gets back into what I was saying before, Herb. I think the job you've been doing in the past couple of weeks, fantastic. You know, >> we don't we tune into the
>> split screen. No, we still have a couple minutes, I think. >> Yeah. Okay, let's move along. Herb, great job. Do anything you want. Thank you. Next. >> All right. What are we doing? >> Don's got an appointment.
>> So, you want to uh basically bring somebody on officially, right? Well, so I just want to go over I, you know, we put out, you know, quotes to, you know, look into what it was going to cost to,
um, clean >> the custodial part, >> the custodial part here. >> And so what we did is we reached out to some, you know, you guys have a hired firm at the old building. >> Mhm. Um, so we wanted to see, you know,
what the change is going to be with pricing. I know Prime gave me a budget of, you know, amount of money, um, to keep it in the budget at the end of the year that amount. So, you want to try to keep it as low, you want to keep it around that amount of money. So, when I
reached out to two two to three companies and in your paperwork, you can see, you know, like Service Master, they came back with $5,000 per month. 4,900. Obviously, we know that's not something we were really looking forward to
paying. Um, then I went out to Kel that was cleaning the building and you'll see two bids in there for them. If you look at the one of them on uh October 30th, they came back with a
bid of 39. Was it um >> 2930 >> or was it 3930? >> 2930. >> Yeah, 2930. So, and then if you go back
um so at that point we decided, okay, I got to go to kind of a plan B. >> Mhm. Um, obviously in being in the custodian world forever, them for a square footage of this building, that's what you're going to that's what you're
going to pay out. They're an average company because they're going to have six guys come in here for an hour. >> They're going to go through this building. They're going to get >> um so I try to get kind of creative. So I started to look around. Um so I did talk to Sarah from the recck department.
She was looking for some extra money off season because again she gets let go from the wreck department. She put hours in the rec department in the winter >> very rarely. Um so I asked her I said would you be considered
maybe cleaning TWWB or the tender town building at quote amount money that we have budgeted for. Um which she's in that range. she's asking for an
extra $25 than what we're paying. Um, so I thought it was a win-win situation. Um, due to the fact that, um, not only did she help us out moving to the place, she did a lot of paint for us and stuff like that. They were very
good. Driver was very helpful to the movie and that's how I got the work ethic. Um, she's very hard worker. She's um invested in the town of Hampton. She's invested in the deck department. So, I thought that was a win
situation for us, >> right? >> People in the building like her. I mean, I heard a lot of comments about her within the staff of the building. >> Mhm. >> So, seems very trustworthy. She, you know, she someone I would, you know,
myself would be able to go to and say, "Hey, did this get done or this get done?" I think the communication would be great there. And we're right in our ballpark to finish off the year, >> right? I mean, obviously there's a little bit of overlap if you're having her start. I mean, we got to carry the
town hall for a little bit while the library is there, a couple weeks. >> So, we so we made arrangements for that, John. We So, we So, house will be done um at the at the old town hall, end of November.
So, I'd like to start se uh Sarah on December 1st. Um, and then she would probably go up there and and just take care of the library a little bit, you know, here and there. Um, we can, and again, we can adjust to that. Um, I don't want to pay
another month, a whole month >> of December. >> We're only going to be up there till 5th. >> Well, I mean, that's the thing. She may only need one night over there with the typical cleaning schedule. >> Like I said, we can adjust it, right? I I can work it out. >> Couple couple things that come to mind.
And I think I had a conversation with Brian about this. You can chirp in. Um, this is not a service to us. She will be an employee of the town of Hammond. >> Correct. >> Right. So, this has to be something that's on the current table, if you
will. And I know you have a number there, but if we're putting her into a job description and on the table, that's where it has to be. Not that you've given a basically a ballpark of where you'd like to put her in at. >> Right.
>> You and Brian, we have to work out where that's appropriate like this is going to be a uh a grade three step something that comes out to this number and that has otherwise because it's not a contract service to us, >> right? >> It's a hired employee. Secondly, the
other thing that comes up and I maybe this may be going back of my memory, but I thought we typically ask for bonding for cleaning services because of the going into certain offices and stuff like that. And we have certain employees
that have a bond already, treasurer, collector, things like that. Is this something we should be looking into for the custodial staff if they're hired employees? >> That's a new one. So you see where I'm going, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. We'll have to look into that. >> Okay. Just because they have to have
that access, >> right? >> Right. >> So I don't think that's a big deal. Typically we pay for that, you know, if that's a thing. It's just part of our budget. >> Yeah. That's no big deal. >> The plus is having someone in the building
that you can rely on and you can you have access at. And that's why I think you've done a superb job because now you have two people this and the other uh I can't remember his name. But now you have a couple local people you can depend on because Herb, you're doing a fantastic job, but I don't expect you to
drive back 15 miles every time, 20 miles every time there's a problem. Now you got somebody you can reach out to and say, "Hey, Sarah, I see something. Can you go over and just check on that for me?" >> That's what I signed on for when I when I took this job. And I got that like going to be
>> I am we're we're very fortunate. I mean I bumped into you here Saturday. You know you were here with the uh the county correction guys and help they were helping out. That was good. So we just need to look into how we can make this appropriate with our current wage
classification package and I anticipate Brian can work with you on that. I think the board is certainly in favor of bringing Sarah on. I know she does a great job for the parks department. I good thing is she's probably already Corey certified. So that's not a thing
either because it had to be done for parks. So and the bonding again it's a rope thing and the town takes care of the expense. That's part of the budget but there just needs to be done >> and there's going to be some quirks to
it because again we come back down to >> she will return back to the park in the spring. M that's going to be a thing. >> We don't we we don't you know I made it very clear there would be 10 hours a week. It would be 5 hours and two days. >> Mhm.
>> And it would be split like a Tuesday and maybe a Friday. Um we do have Jake here during on Thursday. So Jake would do trash and do bathrooms and whatever. He can take up some of the slack in that one extra day. Then we have the building
ready for everybody to come back in on Monday. >> Right. The one thing is in the spring, you know, whenever March, April Park starts needing her services again for the outdoor and you come back and say, "Look, I'd like to keep her on. Look, they need her days. I need her nights."
The potential there is that it might jump up the hours in total to where it's not a part-time employee, if you will. And that would be another consideration because now that affects employee benefits potentially >> and we're trying to keep away
>> we're trying to keep away from that. I understand that. >> Right. >> So that's something we can look in down the road. >> Exactly. >> Um does Dan need her for that? You know again Dan's been great to work with. >> Been super good. Um we've actually sat down talked about this entire thing.
>> Um so I think there's a good working relationship there. >> Right. Um, so I I think maybe we can work something out where she's going to get some hours from the park and she might get some hours from us but stay into that limit. >> But again, that's that's something we
have to deal with, >> right? >> That we'll have to go over that bridge in the spring and I can assure you that I will have that figured out before spring starts. >> Right. I think bottom line we're I think we're in favor of you bringing Sarah on, >> you know, and assisting. And I think the
other part can be worked out easily with Brian. >> What's the what's the difference in these two beds from Elso? >> So, so if you look at the two beds, >> keep it PG.
It it it it didn't set well with me because if you look at the dates, they came to the building, they gave a they gave gave a 29,000 $2,900 and then when they found out that we weren't going to use them, they wanted a
975. To me, that's that's telling me something without going into a whole bunch of that tells me that >> tells me you save 2,000 bucks, >> right? >> No, no, absolutely. But we're going to but we're going to get the same results
that we have >> that we personally sending people and >> my my question because I looked at the two things if this everything is the same. I it just struck me as are they really going to is the quality going to be there? Is it for 2,900 bucks?
>> Well, what they're saying is they could do it for 2,900 bucks if they jumped on it, but now they can do it for 975. So you >> The bottom line is yes, we're going to get the same quality. Leave it at that. >> Yeah. >> Regardless, so being
we have a person that's experienced and knows the building has been here. That's fine. Okay. We need a motion to approve the >> I thought we just did. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you guys. >> All right. Thank you. Go home. >> What? >> I'm on my way. >> Yeah. >> All right.
>> I made the motion. He second. >> All in favor? >> And again, another person off Brian. >> Hey, he's creating the kingdom. >> Boy, no kidding. >> They're all respond.
>> Who are we? Chop liver. So, uh, shared ser shared health services. All right, we're supposed to have somebody on the advisory board. I I think the choice is clear. It's got to be Eric.
It's not here. >> What do we need to do? >> Their shared health board, you know, >> there's an advisory board for them. >> I mean, it could be you, but I mean, I think it's more appropriate the guy who doesn't show up gets put on on committee. And what the heck? He works for Bay
State. >> Yeah, it's perfect. Drives right by. >> Drives right by. >> There you go. All right. >> Does this rope? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We need one member appointed by the board of health from each
municipality. We appoint uh Derek >> Derek Greg Greg >> Eric Vander Leon to the be our uh members of the advisory board of the shared health >> second. All in favor I >> whoever it is whatever his name is. >> Okay.
>> All right. Great. That was even more fun than I thought it would be. >> All right. >> He's probably not watching so he won't know till they dock. Okay. Oh, well. >> Yeah. Well, too bad. All right. So, another couple of boy, a culture of
council is just bursting at the seams. They're going to need their own office pretty soon, Brian. >> Yeah. >> I think we're out of space. >> Oh, okay. See what we can do. So, um Pam shared with the select board that uh two
more people are interested in being on the cultural council. Jen Baggie who was uh helping Sherry on the land trust and Melanie Joy. So uh again it's one of those things we don't have a lot of background on it but
we do know both of these people. We know they have been in great service to the town in various capacities whether it's scouts with the land trust etc. Um, so I would recommend to the board that uh we have a motion to appoint both
to a term of looks like ending in June 30th, 2028. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> Second. All in favor? I. >> All right. >> Thank you. That's Eric's. Derek's >> Derek's Eric's. All right. building
youth policy. Brian, recap. >> So, what we have before the board is a building use and rental policy for the new town hall. As you recall, we we had a lot of
interest even before we moved in um for uh usage of the building by various groups in the community. Um and instead of approaching in an ad hoc manner um this is a building rental use policy um
that I had drafted uh in a previous uh for a previous community. Um it had worked pretty well. Um the the building in that case was was an auditorium and a meeting room meeting
space. So it was similar to what we have here. >> Mhm. Um there was concerts and plays and meetings of local nonprofit organizations that happened. Um so um the policy worked pretty well.
Um it sets forth a reservation process. There's an application process. Um just the highlights of that is that there's um there's priority use of spaces for uh municipal uh boards and committees. Um there is a application that needs to be
submitted to the select board office. Um interested parties can can reserve space up to 6 months in advance and they can reserve multiple times but we try to keep it at a measurable
period of time in terms of how far out people can schedule. We don't want people scheduling rooms two years out. We don't really know what's going to happen in two years. >> Um >> right. Obviously, we have the block offs for the uh you know, town meetings, things like that. And of course, you have the groups who came to see us.
>> Was it the Scanic Valley artisans talk about they do three or four times a year and you know >> if they have those dates, they like them block them off. >> Yep. It talks about inclement weather or other emergencies where where if the buildings are closed, the events are canceled, >> right?
>> Um just so that people know when the town's not responsible for any costs that may have been incurred by people who are looking to use the space. Um so this this is might be one of the more interesting parts and 5.0 was user fees. Um we had a similar setup um in the
previous town that I that it work it worked pretty well. So the theory here is that if you're a Hampton resident handbased organization handbased nonprofit organization or Hampton based business that your taxes fund your use of your reasonable use of the facility
>> um with a catchall of all others who would be who would pay a user fee. Mhm. >> And the user fee um would be different for each of the different spaces that are listed here. Um captorium, large meeting room, uh small meeting room, we
have the fabulous gazebo out front or other outdoor areas. Um there are a couple additional fees that that I'm recommending here that for the board to consider. Um, one would be that where the where the where the building
is used to essentially if if we if uh a group charges admission. >> Mhm. >> Um, so where this would come into play if it was a handinbased group and they charge admission if they sell tickets essentially >> um that there would be a usage fee for the building.
>> Now would it matter if they're a 501c3 or not? >> No. >> Okay. The idea is is that um those costs could be passed on and then the cost could be the cost of using the facility could be passed on through the ticket sales and then the taxpayers everybody
in the town wouldn't have to uh pay for that so to speak. >> All right. So we'll use one for an example. So for instance the theater guild. >> Yep. >> All right. So they have typically been using the old the town hall for
rehearsals and then putting on a show. >> Yep. >> It would seem like the rehearsals would be like any other Hampton based group that is upon availability that they're not interfering with the municipal use. Basically parks doesn't
need it. They're fine. >> When the show actually happens, that's when the charge comes in. >> That's what's that's what's being proposed. Yeah. Okay. Same thing for here as well. So, >> yeah. And that Yep. That's how we had that set up. It didn't seem to be an issue. >> Okay. >> Um,
>> now Scanic Valley Artisans, I don't believe they charge a fee to go in. I've been there. They just go in. >> Right. So, the way this is written right now that that they wouldn't uh they wouldn't be charged a fee if there's not if there's not ticket sales or pay to get in,
>> right? But they but they were when they were at the senior center. they would pretty much cover the custodial cost basically. >> Yep. >> Something like that for uh based on their revenue basically they made some sales.
>> So there's also a couple there's also two other uh two other types of fees that I I just want to mention here. One would be um a frequent user fee and then one would be a custodial fee and that's 5.3 and 5.4.
So the idea in my mind be uh behind allowing free use of the building to to taxpayers of Hampton based businesses and entities is that tax dollars fund this building. They fund the electricity. They fund the heat. >> They pay for the wear and tear of the
replacement. And if if someone were to um use the facility quite often, some might argue that they're they're using more than their fair share of of of of what they pay for the building. Um >> well, they're taking advantage of it basically,
>> right? >> Yeah. >> It is sort of the tragedy of the common stuff where that's all >> it's unfortunate, but junior chief finds up, hey, I can meet in Hampton three or four times a week and not pay anything, >> right? It's a great cause, but there's a
cost to the people hand them as well. >> Right. Right. >> Yep. And then the custodial fee. And then there's a this idea of a custodial fee >> and that's um 5.4. And that's tripped. This can be whatever we want to set it at, but
that's tripped over a custodial fee. If there's over 100 attendees, um then we charge a custodial fee. Maybe it's less, maybe it's more. M >> um but at some point there's going to be a a critical mass of people where it's going to get pretty dirty.
>> Well, it's no different than when the school controlled this building. Um I know they charged on basically event nights or whatever custodial fee and that was fair enough because you have an expense >> basically and like you said if you're making
it's part of the cost of the event. Now, if you've got five people in here for a meeting or something like that, there's really no difference in terms of expense of the account. >> So, >> all right. >> Um, >> yeah. So, there's the just real quick, there's an idea of uh security deposits
required >> um for events over 50. >> Um, is that uh under your discretion or our discretion? >> So, all of these fees and uh the fees are at the discretion of the board. Um, and the security deposit could be waved.
And there's also an insurance requirement um at 7.0. >> They're all tripped. Um the idea behind the security deposit is that if someone comes in and breaks something, >> the taxpayer shouldn't have to pay for it, >> right? >> Um the same thing with insurance. At some point, if you have a lot of people
in here, there's a liability to the town >> while the town's insured and the town would be the primary insurer in the absence of anything else. >> Mhm. Um, so if there are a lot of people coming in not for town events, then is it a liability that the town should have to bear on its own?
>> Okay. >> Yeah, I think is the question there. >> All right. Do you want Now you have a building use application? >> Yep. >> Are these voted on by the board? Are you looking to have it come to you or do you think this should be I mean I don't anticipate a ton of them, so we might as well review them at a board meeting. you
know, it's not like it's >> um >> this isn't like a septic plan, you know, that just goes to board of health and signing off on three a week. >> So, in my experience in the other town, a lot of these are pretty So, what we did was any anything that
was larger, I don't remember what the threshold was. We I would have discussions with the board about if it was we still had a Grange and if it was the if it was the Graange and they wanted the meeting room, it wasn't really something we brought to the board. It was the Grange needs a meeting room with 20 chairs in it.
>> The garden club glove, something like that. Yeah. >> Uh the pretty the pretty mundane stuff. Um I would just sign off on but the largest stuff >> the theater deal wants to book for two months then we have to talk about it. >> Yeah. Or if it's a bigger if it's getting going to have you know >> three dates or something 200 people then
we need to really make sure we're we're covering the covering ourselves. I mean, I think the most important thing is that we get a process in place that's known and people know how to fill out the application and we and we set this process cuz we're already getting we're
already have have different uh requests to use the building. Okay. >> So, I'd love to have it in place and we can adjust as we go along. >> Well, I think that's the key point right there. You know, you didn't bring this down on a tablet here. This isn't the way it always will be. It's a great framework for a start and I think you
put it out there maybe on on the website somewhere. >> It'll go on the website and the application on the website. >> Great motion to endorse a building use application. >> So move second. All in >> favor. Rank and Don. I like the way you run. All right. We're moving
in case >> you're going anywhere. >> Tree. What' you say? Motion to a jur. What? >> Tree lighting. Yes, we should have one next. All right, so that's six o'clock on the 7th. I've spoken to uh Cara at
three medals during readaloud last week and the chorus is ready for that. I spoke to Chief Puland. The fire department is ready for their part. Uh I want to compliment Paul Marcelina and Paul McNell on everything done out there. I think anyone driving by is
going to see some additional decorations being erected on the yard uh around the gazebo and more to come. So, we thank them. They've also paid for um I think the electrician Sacko Kevin
Sacko to come in and do some wiring there as well. So, things are proceeding along. Brian, you mentioned that the PTO has been approved to do a bake sale and I think we're looking to do that inside. Um, we saw Mr. Mrs. Claus today. Uh,
they did not respond to any requests that Brian and I made, unfortunately. Something for you was what we asked for, Don. Yeah. >> Um, but we are having a meeting with them later this week or next. So, I think things are moving along pretty well. You know, obviously we got to put
out I don't know if we did we do a robocall last time. I think we did, especially because of the parade part. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think a robocall and of course the social media things as well. >> Yeah. I I think if if it's okay with the board, I'd work with Paul Marceline to
put out a a press release tomorrow morning, I think, or something like that. Maybe tomorrow. >> And it's real. >> Everything. >> Do we do it? >> Yeah. We'll have to show up then, right? >> Great. >> Thanks, Samantha. Okay. New town hall
update. We're here. Thank you. We're here. Ballpark. It's been going well. >> Bottom line, >> it has it has gone extremely well. >> Um I would say we're 99%
all set. Uh the one uh >> the 1% is uh we need Verizon to uh finish some work on the fiber optic cables >> building down here. >> Yeah. coming into the building for the state the state computer system for the town clerk.
>> I noticed the uh when I was checking the coffee maker, they have the phone system on the wall there. Is that actually still live? Cuz they show a ton of trunks coming in. >> It's live in the building. I don't know that there's >> Let's hope we're not getting, you know,
obviously a Verizon bill for those 17 trunk lines. >> No. >> Okay. >> We are not. >> Okay. Just want to be sure because I mean they show they're wired and distributed. So, we're going to all the VIP stuff for all our phones. >> Everything's VIP. That's all checked
out. Everybody's phone is working. Everybody's internet's working. Again, the state computer is the last connection. We might have to get and we're working on the fax line, I think. >> I don't know who use the fax anymore, but we'll still have at least one. >> I thought we had one and Eva had one.
>> Yeah, I think I think we'll we establish those. Um, >> unless you want to go EAX >> I mean that's what I have my >> I agree. I just >> you know it's another charge but it's not huge. >> Yeah.
>> Um electronic door locks should be all set. Um fobs are being assigned to employees and in town officials. Mhm. >> Um we have we're working off the existing camera system now, but we'll be making upgrades to that. Um hopefully uh
in the next month or so. >> Was that discussed today? I didn't make the uh >> I I wasn't able to make it either. Um >> um do you want to touch on my thought about the doors? >> I was suggesting to Brian Herb that we
take a pair of the the doors at the entrance. We don't need three pairs of doors. take one out, put a wall there, and that could be where we could do the postings, etc. Because I mean, we don't have enough outside space for a town meeting warn or anything like that. But
if we take a pair out and just make a surface out of it, we'll have more than enough. And it'll be under the overhang as well. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, yep. >> I can't imagine that' be a the way Herb is so, you know, smart on doing things.
I think he could figure that out. And hey, throw the doors in stock and keep them for a spare sometime. Don't throw them away. >> Yeah. Um and then I also I met with uh a sign company last uh last week. >> Mhm. >> Um and got a proposal for uh we went
through the building a proposal for interior and exterior signage that uh we need to flush out a little bit, but um the paper signs won't last forever. So, right. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, we're open here and uh everybody's welcome.
>> All right. Anything else urgent? Uh separate reports. I have nothing to report. >> Yes, you did. >> Yes, I do. So last week uh because we did not meet I did sign the uh the warrants for the board and the two warrants were
the AP warrant were $35,23.54 and the payroll warrant was $63,789. Is that what you meant, Mr. McCormack? Thank you. >> Yes, it was. Thank you. >> Okay, keep straight and narrow there. I have four food permits. >> Do you?
>> Yes. I have for the This is for the Babes for a Cause event on number on November 29th at the starting gate. Great horse. >> Are you bringing those permits with you to the event? >> Fed by Foley. Fed by Foley, which is
jacerie boxes, preackaged, no assembly required. >> That's the best kind. I have the Taylor the Baker. Uh homemade breads, macaroons, decorated cookies, and cake slices.
I have patty cakes, cupcakes, cupcakes, cake pops. All items will be prepackaged, individually wrapped with no assembly on site. And finally, I have Tribe Power Bites
LLC, which is Protein Bites. >> Great. >> Well, also I would like a motion. They're asking that I have a mo have a motion that I that the chair as chair of the board of health, I uh be able to
authorize any late. >> We may have one coming tomorrow. >> Okay. All right. I move that we authorize the four food permits. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> make a motion that we authorize the board health chair to endorse uh on his
own report back any food permits for the pay for cause that arrived prior to the 29th. >> Second. All in favor? >> I see. >> All right. Any other reports? That's all I got. All right. I have nothing else.
a TA report than what you've already covered. >> Um, just real quick, we have an email from uh the school committee asking if we're interested in the tour of the Wilberham Middle School. >> I saw they listed several dates. Is there I mean, are they planning on touring each of the dates or they want
us to pick one because any of the dates were fine with me. So, Don, do you have preference on which date? >> I'll be responding to that invitation in the negative. Okay. >> What if they have some of these places there?
>> I won't be there. >> Would you all like to respond individually to it? >> I I I'm I'll I'll respond individually without uh so I don't get my other board members involved. >> Okay. >> Are you not in a tour officially?
>> I'm not if I'm I'm not going to officially I'm not going to tour the building because I've already toured. >> I think you have already. >> I've already toured the building. Yeah, I've been there several years. So, you've much more recent than I have. >> Yeah, last year I toured it. So, I and I'll be writing a
>> respectful respectful RSVP. >> I'm sure you will as only you can. Will that be at 2 in the morning or or later? >> I've been getting up late. I've been getting up at like 4:30, quarter to 5. >> Must be taking the dog out or something. >> Yeah, I took the dog out at 8. He comes
I have to give him a greeny soft. >> Now you're in a great mood. All right, great. Uh, >> we do have a meeting with National Grid tomorrow. >> Yes, we do. Two meetings, one at 10 and one at 11. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> What are they up to? >> It's the Colony Road uh upgrady thing.
Yeah. >> And then their annual meeting with the >> emergency management thing. >> Emergency management. >> Reach out to Craig to see if he would uh >> if Craig member Greg. >> Greg. >> Yeah. Greg. >> Um,
okay. Uh, we do have a meeting. So, our meeting next week is Tuesday at 5:30. >> 5:30, right? >> We're welcoming our guests from across the border, >> right? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> We will. Yes. >> Welcoming. >> Well, yes, we will.
>> Yes, we will. Jovial manner as we always are. Um, really appreciative of the recap Brian did for our financial status and I think we need to be cognizant. Is that something we want to post or just as
part of our I'd like to include it in our minutes? >> You know, so when minutes are posted, that's in there, >> Ryan. Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. Thank you. >> And then we can I mean, we're happy to post the tax rate recap sheet when it's finalized. >> Yes. >> Um that's when it's said and done. So,
>> okay. >> All right. Not that anybody understands it, but move. >> If there's nothing further for the open meeting part, I will entertain a motion to go into executive session, not to return to open session. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we go to exe
executive session pursuant to Mass General Law C3A section 21A3 to discuss collective bargaining in which an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on their bargaining position. Uh we will not return to is it
the highway union and we will not return to public session. >> Second all those impaired by name John Flynn I >> Don Davi Eric >> I thank you all. Thank you.