Good evening and welcome to the April 13, 2026 meeting of the Hland Select Board and Board of Health. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good angle. >> All right. Um, this meeting is being conducted in the fle board meeting room at the Hampton Town Hall. We are recording the meeting as well as broadcasting on Zoom. Is there anyone
else recording the meeting? Brian? No. Okay. All right. First thing on the agenda is the minutes of March 30th, 2026. Lauren, I got to tell you, this is great having us so quick.
Thanks to Ruth, we're going to get a little behind for a few weeks. >> Where's she going now? >> It's on vacation. >> Where? >> Italy. >> Oh, Italy. Take a look at that. All right. The fire department brought a
new cadet and a firefighter. Uh Tomcom came in. We discussed the revolving fund. We talked about the polling change and the stop by. It was good. Let's see. And of course, we talked about the annual town meeting. Then we
met with advisory to really talk about where we stood with the warrant articles and expenditures. Obviously, we were very concerned about the uh the number the assessment number that was going to be coming from the regional school committee. We also voted toward the South Road Bridge project and Don
and I are fairly assured it'll be done in our lifetime. How are you feeling, Don? >> I think so. I'm confident. I'm confident. >> Okay, good to know. >> All right. Any additions or corrections? Move approval.
>> Second. All in favor? I thank you. transfer station finances bags are ripping. No. >> So, Don, you've been looking at this and uh you've got some thoughts about next year's budget and some changes.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So, uh hauling fees and all the fees are going up constantly and waste disposal all all across the state. So right now we're this particular year
we're running a little bit behind. Um so I'm making a I'm making a recommendation that we as of May 1 increase the large bags from $40 a roll to $45 per roll.
The small bags from $20 a roll to $25 per roll. Uh the permit from 60 from excuse me $80 to $75 as you know excuse me from 70 $70 to $80.
That's got to get the correct one. $70 to $80 and uh senior permit fee from 40 to $40 to $50. Replacement fee would be $20, $25 for
the seniors and $40 for the regular fee. And u that's the second the second fore you have two cars or vehicles and replacement if you lose would be $25. Um
I I shouldn't. So the the bag fee I'm recommending we put in place May 1st, 2026. And the permit fee would be for July 1 for the for the new year new year. We go for July. >> Yeah. Are most of the permits sold
inside this year though? >> Yeah. But they would be for the next year, >> right? But I mean don't want Yes. Okay. So that permit changes as of now. So the permit that's good July July. And I should point out that our
permit fee is still considerably lower than most towns around. Abraham's permit fee is $130 for a reg non senior person, $110 for seniors. >> So how's our compare with for instance my son has macamera
and how do we compare with private anybody here have a prep? You do? >> Yeah, I believe it's I just got my bill. It's uh Magnamera at least for my area is 144 a quarter. for weekly trash by and bi-weekly recycle and then the two rolling totes.
>> What happens if you go over you have an extra bag? >> Um, >> depends on the driver. >> So, I I fortunately have, but I think it really depends. In the past, I have and they just they're pretty courteous about, you know, if barrel's a little open, there's a little heaping. >> You don't make if you don't make a thing of it, they're not
>> Yeah, I don't think, you know, I think one week if you have a there's room in your barrel and the next week you have a little bit extra around Christmas or something. I don't think they like come after you for something like that. Um, >> but I actually 144 a quarter like 576 a
year >> four quarters. >> So if you're paying $80 for a sticker >> and you're bringing one big bag a week, even two big bags a week, one big bag a week, >> 99 bucks say four 580 bucks.
>> Yeah. So competitive. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> And >> much nicer to go up to the landfill and chat with people and stuff like that. I know it's like your home away from home, Don, on occasion. Spent a lot of time up there.
>> Um avoiding constituents. >> Is that why you're using track over there in your car? >> That's when you hear all the town. That's when you hear all the town news and the place. I >> open up a little coffee stand up there. make some money.
>> So that's where it's I know everything is going up the and I think they began >> last week maybe the last week before charging us 1580 uh extra gasoline sir charge.
>> All right. So you're also recommending and this is something I don't think we pulled the advisory about. They're also recommending for 15,000 >> 15,000 approved for so for advisory it'd be $40,000 salaries
90,000. We haven't got that number yet either, right? >> What's that? >> The trash all in the contract. >> No, we're hoping to get quotes back the end of this month. >> I'm I'm I'm estimating it's going to be about coming in around 90,000. >> Yeah. So, this won't be in the warrant. So we can adjust it as we need a little
bit for the >> right >> the warrant will just have the space lady right ambiguous >> and then 1500 miscellaneous and then 15,000 tax as we've done in previous years. >> Right. Right. All right. So, I'll make a
motion to uh follow the health board's recommendation for increases for bag prices, permit fees, and replacement permit fee. >> Second. All >> in favor?
>> Okay. So, and then Brian, you'll punch this into your the other stuff in your one. >> Yeah. Then you'll have we'll have to get a notice out that the bag fees are going up May 1. >> It gets back into
kind of a side thing, but our social media presence, if you will, and you know, Brian, I know you take care of the news on the town page and stuff like that, but should we be tasking someone with that type of thing? I see other towns
doing it more and I just think it's something we should explore. I mean, even seniors when I stop the senior center, they're talking about Facebook all the time as well, chatting with their kids and checking on what they're doing. I'm not looking at you, Lauren. You got
plenty to do, but I'm just saying it's something that >> I don't have access to Facebook. >> Yeah. And I know you're not really a Facebook person either, but it's like >> I think it's an opportunity for us to really get it out there for people. >> It takes it takes time. I think that's
what we lack, right? We lack the time to do it. >> We only put out the essential stuff at this point. >> We acknowledge that there's there's something there. We just haven't got it for at this point. >> Yeah. And I mean definitely could we could get stuff from other departments that are timely as well in terms of
>> maybe we get more you know more reminders out about what tax do the collector or stuff from the town clerk in terms of election. There's a lot more stuff that could go out. >> Yeah. We see park doing a great job with it. The library does a great job with it. We see Joe starting to do it with the con as well.
>> So I get some ideas out there for how we can do it. >> Yeah. Maybe it's as simple as saying, you know what, maybe we can get a volunteer from the school. You know, they've got a computer club. They've got something like that. And so that might be something they would get credit for, community credit for doing something
like that. >> Yeah. >> All right. But Don, before we get off transfer station, what's up with the electric? Are we anywhere with that pole or electric to no fuel? No fuel. All right. That a minute. Okay.
discussion on regional dispatch agreements. So, you've had some meetings. >> Want to do that? >> Sure. Don, myself, and Chief Bruno met last Thursday. We talked about the proposal
from Wilberham and um I think you guys I think I forwarded the email with the proposal might be might have copies of your packet. Um what they had recommended or what they suggested was for fiscal year 27 for
125,000 uh which is similar to kind of the base that in previous years minus the the grand amounts that credited to us.
So, three of us talked and and we thought of it 125 seemed fair and reasonable. 427 um and then Wilberham recommended um that we reach a 4-year
four-year agree uh four-year agreement that would bring us to 2030, right? 2030 uh which would line us up with Belure Town. Um, so that both of those agreements would would end at the same time and be presumably have the
opportunity to renegotiate those at the same time. >> Isn't the But don't you reading your email, you talk about the fact that Tony and his assistant will fall off and have to be absorbed into the budget. How would you do that agreement then when
you have out there the potential for a large amount that has to be divided among currently the communities or and you're hoping that another community comes on which would negate them being charged communities you know how do you
structure that agreement that handles both possibilities um so what I guess I guess what what our approach at the end of our meeting was so Wilberham proposed a 3% increase on the community assessments for those remaining years
for for 28 29 and 30. Um, and I I think what came out of our meeting was there was there was a request to go 2 and 1/2 3. No, >> two three three >> two three. Um, but yeah, there is there
is that possibility that um during these negotiations they may, you know, we're going to have to see what happens with with the additional town. I think it was probably the town of Graanby that they're having discussions with. >> Right. back into this thing where he said, "Look, the grant is not going to cover Anthony and at 175, which will now
be a bill to the or an expense inside the district to be aortioned among communities." And how do you keep your number there at that point? How do we keep the 125? Then all of a sudden they say, "Okay, now now you need
to owe us part of the 175 unless Graanby or some other town joins." I I think I think that'll have to be in the details of the agreement as to how that as to how that plays out. >> Um >> I think that's why we want to go two three three and three.
>> Lock it in now. >> Lock it in now. But I know but then we also want it the other way that if another community does join and potentially our share might be less we have an opportunity to open it up and say look
we do. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Great. We can we can amend we can amend we can open up for amendment. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. The way that the agreement is written is it I mean it's a series of
of one-year agreements. There's You know, honestly, if if something happened, it didn't work for Wilberham, they could terminate the agreement. If it didn't work for us, we could terminate. So, it's nobody really has leverage over the other and it's going to have to be a it's going to have to be an ongoing discussion really
>> as some of these variables or these unknowns become known where we may have to we may have to adjust. But >> yeah, we talked about why we wanted to join up with Wraim in the beginning instead of Westcom is that we wanted to be not the
small fish in a pond and we've enjoyed a some good years with I think on equal basis with Wolverham. They've always been very good partners even adding on Beltown. But are we trending towards where we
might be unfortunately the small fish as we now have Warham Belgtown potentially Rambi and a little old Hampton in the corner and that's why it's important to make sure whatever we draft gives us say
not a weighted say remember that was the problem you know our vote meant nothing in what's >> right yeah thanks for You know, I think I do like Graanby better than the Palmer situation because Palmer would have been a nightmare with the
three districts and the whole thing if that would have been logistically pretty bad. You know, they have three separate fire districts and do they get a vote, not get a vote, you know, crazy. >> So, it's just just something to be aware of that this was a trend we knew was
going to happen. There was never going to be a doubt that the state was going to be pushing for consolidation. Yeah. >> As long as they hold up their bargain and help us give us incentives to do it, it's good for us. >> Makes sense. >> Did you send it to you send it over to
Anthony suggestion? Were you waiting for the board to >> I was waiting for the board to what do you think? >> Yeah. I mean, if we kind of lock this in now and things kind of change and funding goes away for Tony's job and
whatnot. So, it just makes sense to kind of lock that in now for a >> easier chunk to take now than big bite say a year from now or whatever. >> I agree with you guys. >> Right. There's still language in for arbitration or something way as well. Yeah, >> completely agree.
>> Okay. So, what are you looking for? I mean, Grammy would if they go grant it probably it'll probably be two years before they come on board. >> Mhm. >> But I think this grant funding cycle is done. So they all come on this year and
then we'll have to do it for next year. So >> at least two years. >> Yeah. >> If they decide to do it if they decide to do it. Although the way the budget's going up in Hadley, they may want to join.
They don't have any money this looking for someone to do their work. >> Hadley or South? Which one hurt or both? >> Both have you think that Hatley has all those >> smaller girls on the main drag? It's all >> chapter farmland.
>> Chapter Farm. All right. All right. So, is the board in favor of continuing on with that discussion in that in that vein? >> Yes. >> Okay. Right. >> I don't see anything for 550. It's just blurring right in front of me. N
agenda. No. >> Anything on your agenda for 550? They're blurring right on the page. No, I can't. No, that's not what that word says. >> All right. So, >> let's talk about the regional school agreement. >> Let's talk about
>> Oh, I don't want So, the Wolver Select Board wants to meet with us again to reopen discussions regarding the regional agreement. >> Superintendent, I think, is anxious to get some direction as well. Aren't we all? >> Yes. So I'm suggesting that we send a letter
a letter to the regional to the Wilberham selector board saying that the agenda for this meeting would be several things. Right. I like your suggestion. Number one, you know, the we said we would send a joint letter to the to the Hampton Wilham Regional School District
which says that uh you know we're committed to the core program to the core program, >> right? uh that uh we're also committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students and staff during transition during transition.
Uh and then we request that the Wilberham Regional School District reconsider moving the eighth grade to the high school again, which I suspect they will say no, but at least we'll know what the firm position is and that will that will relieve a crime for that
period of time, you know. Uh then we uh asked them to provide a five-year maintenance plan. And the interesting thing is this that they currently have $105,000 in the M for maintenance for the W
middle school. >> We pay our share of that 21%. Mhm. >> So if they say we're going to do 150,000 each year and we're going to use it to fix six doors, >> you know, take the asbestos out or
whatever like that, we would pay that share. It wouldn't be a capital maintenance maintenance maintenance. So this would be the joint letter that the two committees sent and then uh replace the re and then we and asking to
replace the regional agreement amendments on the fall town meeting. It's too late now. I don't think either town they have it ready and then the rest of the agenda would be discuss the man's repair cost cap. You
know you don't want $500,000 repairs. You want, you know, sure reasonable polic over five. Every year we're going to spend every year our share is going to be 25, 30 or $40,000, whatever those are. >> We got a rental place. We got a rental
place. We're not rebuilding it. Right. Right. Right. I think they're on the same >> and then the special warnings for the future of the middle school and thing. And I I think you can word you can create a
a uh amendment that says that the if a new school is built or significant renovation over XL then there's a middle it's a regional middle school >> we would share the cost like we did with
the new school. Mhm. >> The other thing we need to do is I really believe we need to start telling the people of Wilbert Ham and Hammond that this big expense is coming down the line. >> You know, you're going to get either an expensive remodel
>> or a new school, >> right? >> Look at East Flow. Look at me. Look at >> it has and it has it has to be done at this point. >> It has to be done at some point. You got you got to take that everybody's got to take a bite every now and then. It's not the most
ideal of times, but it's turn. >> It's an investment. >> It's an investment in the goods future. >> Um, and I think the board has a consensus that this needs to be a separate meeting, not during a regular separate separate meeting just on that. >> Correct.
>> And I mean, obviously both boards are into a time of year where committed to town meeting and stuff like that. So, it may be more difficult, but we can't keep kicking this can down the road. Um, I would say obviously next week is difficult. Some people aren't
here. It's a vacation. They may be, you know, same thing in Warhammer. >> Same thing. >> So, the week of the 27th, uh, coming on Monday. >> Okay. I prefer not the 29th. >> Okay. some of the meetings that goodw
be a noisy meeting. >> I'll be all right the 30th, >> right? >> Thanks. >> Um, >> so 30th 30th. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I want to work with Brian to draft the letter. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I do have a question, Don. >> What a topic. I do have a question about
item C. >> C. >> So, which is reconsider moving eighth grade to the high school. >> Right. Now, do you want to framework it as discussion instead of like reconsidering? >> Yeah, let me sorry. Let me >> Okay, sorry. Let me rephrase it just to open a friendly uh, you know, banter, if
you will. So, if we were to technically move 8th grade to the high school, the high school technically isn't equipped to take those students either. So, I guess in the interim, regardless of, you know, you know, one's point of view,
you're kind of moving one band-aid to another kind of to sort of, right? is the high school isn't from what I hear too with the cafeterias are kind of loaded at lunchtime and you're going to introduce potentially I'm just spitballing here another 75 kids 100
students into the high school that need another lunchtime and most likely need to be separated because their age diverse you know things of that nature whereas if we were to take short-term mitigation strategies with the Wilberham select were to keep them at the middle
school for now I instead of kind of, you know, it's one thing as well. It's like, hey, let's Man was already prepped for an eighth grade and we have vacant classrooms and it would just make sense. I think we're kind of moving one problem to another
and the logistic logistic problem from one to the other. I think if Wilberhammer is in a in agreement, I think I think it would be okay to leave them in the current situation because there would be no major alteration at this point for anybody. But I would like to see I think we're all typically I'm
not going to speak for you guys but some improvements made to maybe air quality some ventilation some little bit better things you know again we don't need to rebuild the whole school now what we're going to add to the core program but just some some short-term companies um
whereas if there's a perspective I'm not viewing please let me know but I think moving them at this point because for the next five years we're kind of introducing one we're we're moving one problem to another And then Minto's gonna kind of have to deal with that. Whereas they're kind of there. They're being educated now and it's kind of
working right now. It's not ideal, but it's again it's the long term. >> You think it's better than not to suggest that to be included in the agenda? >> Personally, I would not put that on there. >> Well, I mean your opinion, you've got kids at the middle school, but I mean you got a little skin in the game.
>> A little skin in the game. So like >> I would be okay with leaving them there rather than introducing this. >> Yeah. So, so as far as like the asbestous >> transition might be tough, too. >> Transition could be tough, too. And the other thing is like, you know, the asbesus tiles, you know, are they ideal? No. But places everywhere are dealing
with that right now. And they're encapsulated and they're waxed over and and that's it's it's deemed safe by, you know, agencies. It's it's not a it's not a harm. Whereas, okay, yeah, there's some mold in the school, a little bit of this, a little hback work here and there. You know, I think if we can just kind of come to some pack kind of
consensus with Wilberham to say, "Hey, maybe we can look into things to just make things temporary nice for the next five years." I just don't think that that's again unless >> you bring up another thought. Look at um I mean, they have a band there that's three grand. >> Oh, yeah. Right. And now all of a sudden
you got to throw the band away. You know, the uh maybe you have a teacher that does >> and again it's it's just one of those things where I'm like and it and it's I kind of rewatch one of the meetings. >> That gets back into are we let's not bite off more than we have otherwise same thing. We're not getting anything done.
>> Okay, let's take that we'll take that out. >> Right. >> Thank you. Um, yeah, but I agree with the the caps and the dollars and that's it's an efficient way to move forward with lower. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> So, uh, you're going to propose the 30th. >> We'll propose the 30th. Their place is fine. >> Actually, I think I think we're supposed to meet the Village Store or the Facebook. That's where everything happens, right? >> I'll bring the cookies.
No, we should just invite him. >> All right. >> Just the two. >> Yes. >> Yeah. We don't >> This is the This is the two towns so that we can come up with a joint letter to the >> Okay. >> Wham regional school district saying
this is >> right. I would assume Michelle, John, Doug are going to be there, >> right? Of course. >> But, you know, then that's up to whoever's running the meeting to I wouldn't necessarily put public comment
in to the agenda. >> Uh, okay. Uh, ZBA, >> can I can I ask one more question? Um is it worth discussing um cost sharing funding around the core process at this point or is that over
complicating things a little bit >> over complicating? They've already they've already decided they're going to borrow the money >> right for that part and then be part of the reimbursement and both towns understand that. >> Yeah. >> As far as we know, >> right, which they can do and let it us if we want to do anything with that
point. That was the whole thing. All right. ZBA wants to promote a member off the uh farm club to the major leagues. >> First off, we'd like to uh see where is
documentation. >> All right. So, Fred Lesniaak has resigned from the ZBA. We thank Fred for his service. Lauren, you'll take care of that. Thank you. Uh they do have an associate member Tom Addex who has been on the DBA for a number of years and when I spoke
to uh Jet Berliner the other night Tom is very enthusiastic about coming on the board full-time. So they're looking for that appointment to appoint Tom Addex as a full-time member
of the zoning board of appeals motion. No, I'm asking for a motion. >> Okay, you're ask I'm looking to uh uh to allow Tom Addex to the zoning board. >> How many are in the
>> five Gary? I didn't say John Wayne. And it was it was okay. Check it. Okay. >> Obviously, it should be for the remainder, but I don't want this just to
come up again two months from now again. And we probably when we have these set of things, it' be handy if we had a list of what the current terms are. I know Bob was started that book. You remember that? >> Yeah.
Um, so yes, appoint Tom Addex to the voting board term to be determined by the town administrator upon review of the current terms. >> Correct. Sound good. Good. All in favor? >> I put the warrant again.
>> Hold on. You're moving too fast. >> Hey, there. That's two pages now. This is great. Pretty much. Are we even putting the chairs out? That would move it along. >> Chairs. No lights. >> Oh, we're having it outside. Even
better. We got an official start time of 6:30. I hear y >> So, it's been uh confirmed by the town clerk and Brian that our motion to start at 6:30 is good. So, we will be starting the Android time meeting at 6:30 and
ending it by 8. Who's got the Who's Who's got the uh What do you say? 8 o'clock. I'll say 10. Yeah. >> Over under five minutes. 8:30. >> All right. Brian, I don't know if you want to just
summarize uh what's changed pretty much or just walk through them again. >> Yeah. So, um things have changed. We'll get there in a sec. Um so article 8 handed district capital assessment.
>> Um I don't have a breakdown of I believe that consists of two capital items but they presented it to us as a capital assessment >> right >> for a total of 34 or something like that. >> For a total of 34 652 >> wasn't something to do with the boiler
repair and something else. Uh, it's some type of dump and I forget what the other one is. >> Something with the high school. >> Um, they were doing some repairs with uh
with their ad money, I believe. Um, so the way it's written right now is that it would just be a a single vote for that amount. um >> or in the past it's been itemized. There's that whole argu there's that
whole discussion around what's what's the consequences of of a town not accepting a portion of the capital assessment. um that discussion's been happening um also and I believe that the consequence
of that is that it's it's a rejection of of the assessment unless the school committee um you know agrees to to revoke their assessment essentially. >> Um so right now it's written is it it would
be presented as a whole amount. They're buying a dump truck. Is that what it I thought it was a rock and something else. I'm trying to look there at there. >> Thought it was something to do with the heater because I thought, >> oh my gosh, we just did a heater >> plus something.
>> No, something like that. >> I'm sure. >> So, their share would be what if we if we vote no that's 20% and then so that's what like 150,000 of them.
34. So 150 20% of we' be 120. >> But again, we're back to the other thing about oh, we've now said no to part of the assessment, >> right? But technically what happened last year was we said no to the
snowblower, the Kabota. >> Kabota. So what happened last year? >> They revoted their assessment. >> They reved their assessment. Taken it out. Okay. which would be but they >> one option they'd have this year because again we technically see no assessment. The thing is is this kind of a little
bit of a point of contention is that they want to present it all as one number which is rightfully so but should also be our right to tell the people hey >> this is the school this is this this is capital this is we should be able to separate that but again
>> advisory come up with >> what they decide to do >> they haven't vote yet no >> next Tuesday right they typically don't vote until after their public hearing I'm waiting for that new assessor to
come in like down 20%. >> Well, I mean, keep in mind half that's predicated on the state with the 150 number, right? >> Right. Not 75. So, who knows? They settle the contract and it goes badly for us too. That could be
something. So consist of an IDF switch and network upgrades >> for 75,000. Our share is 14771 dump body truck/ sander and our share is 19881. >> I don't want to be a pain in the neck,
but don't they have like a ton of trucks over there in the highway department? They can swing by and >> Well, I mean they do plow all the schools for you know, >> right? Is there a description what IDF
stands for? Is that just says IDF? >> IDF. >> IDF. Okay. >> IT stuff. And >> that's another point that John always makes switches and computers and laptops.
>> They're not capital things. They're like buying textbook. You say buying textbooks or buying more buying buying desks. Are desks considered a capital item? Do I have desks? >> I wonder how many folks they actually buy annual faces for text. >> Intermediate distribution frame is what
it stands for. >> Ah, intermediate distribution frame. >> Do we have one? >> Do we have one here? Do we get one? >> Can we have one here? >> Can we have the old one? It goes with the the switch at Green Meadows. >> Okay. Switch in that room. Have you
looked in that room? >> Yeah. >> Okay. They got one. We will. >> Yeah. >> Right. Darn it. >> That's right. >> All right. So, that is what it is. >> Enter the prize fund. We talked about funding for 150 is going to be a talking
point only. Google receors is what it is. >> Never straighten that out. You want to talk about that with the I swear it switched one year. I know it has. I think it just it was always amount for what they were going to be
built for this year, right? Yeah. prior your bills and got none. >> We ever get an answer on the fire department about those pagers? Was it the pagers that were supposed to cut that system? >> I know we took them off, but I never heard if we ever heard whether that was going to be funded separately or that >> uh he was going to explore grand opportunities.
>> Grand opportunity. Okay. Thank you. I don't want to reinvent the wheel of >> He would come back. >> Okay. Thank you. >> CPA Brian's had some conversation about that with one of the articles road beam. >> Yeah. So, um I got a review back from Rose today and um she has concerns about
the previous uh CPA appropriation as it related to the North Road purchase of what was described as a 2.1 acre lot on North Road which um really referred to u a little bit of background. Min trust bought a 4acre parcel split in two
roughly in two and it was lot A and B and the town was going to the appropriation was for the town to buy lot which was 2.1 acres. So there was a CPC appropriation for $15,000 2024 ATM. Um over the past
10 months or so mini was trying to um figure out how to sell one of those lots and sell the other one to the town. And there was issues with um I believe it was driveway grade or potential driveway grade into the buildable lot that Mitch owns. It's an issue with frontage I
believe. Um so their new proposal is um um for the town to buy lot A instead of lot B. And there was an ANR filed and approved by the planning board in
October of uh 2025. And the idea, I believe the intent was for those funds, previously appropriated funds to be used to purchase what is now lot A by the town. >> Uh, but Rose thinks that there's a pro or town council thinks that there's a
problem with that appropriation being too specific for lot B. So, we can't use the punch appropriate for lot B to buy lot A. >> Um, and that's something that's that she's currently looking at. And then there there's the remedy for that. can't
there could be a new article that we put in here or revised article but and the question is the CPC hasn't voted on it or approved it or discussed it at this point. So >> just for clarification, you said that money was appropriate in 2024 >> for lot B. We assume we never bought lot B,
>> right? >> No, because they were still doing A and R. Then the realtor says, hey, you can't A is not really marketable. You should sell B instead. Then they went through the whole thing about, okay, now the trail from the parking will go behind the new house being sold, which I'm sure
make it really attractive. And it anyhow so Brian told me I told Doug being the CPC chair uh said you should reach out to Rose and you know try and get it clear. We
have a meeting posted for tomorrow night for CPC. So after this conversation with Rose hopefully we'll have some clarity for that. Uh the other I'll report back. The other CPC request was the park department to work
on the upper ball field. Um the initial proposal really reflected a large maintenance amount for the ball field. You know, redoing the base pass, stuff like that. Kind of what you would do on any other year or whatever. And
there was reach out to the state this community preservation organization who came back and said CPA money is not appropriate for that not to be used for maintenance that type of thing. It only could be used for capital projects. uh brought that up to uh Dan who was at the
meeting and he was going to retool the application so it was a capital project instead and bring it back to the CPA board CPC board tomorrow night >> and that request was 25,000
>> and there was the green parcel right >> green parcel the CPC I believe approved that up to 60,000 There was conversation that uh they were trying to negotiate with the landowner to bring the purchase price down based
on what their perception was of value of the land. It's landlock etc. So we're hoping that it will pass at the up to 60 but actually spend a lot less. >> Okay. What's article 14 about? >> Okay. So 14 it was brought up to the
meeting that the town town's people are taxes are up there. The CPA portion of the average tax bill is not enormously high, but it is a part of the tax bill. And
they felt that every few years, and this will be 12 years or so since it was asked before, the town people should get an opportunity to decide if they want to keep funding CPA.
And that was it was a good argument. The board voted in favor of that. Bring it forward and say, is it time to walk away from future parts of the tax bill? The average tax bill, I think it would say was $68, $48,00 somewhere around there.
>> $48, right? >> Is that on an average tax bill or that's what everybody? >> That's the average tax bill, right? >> Yeah. >> And what's so >> what's the alternative is just playing the de this other side of the coin. So what happens is okay it's gone. We have no >> we have no
But you still have the $500,00 once that's exhausted, that's it. There's no more you can buy any more property >> or do historical things or affordable housing. Now, of course, you have to >> some of that money is encumbered for more projects. For instance, supposed to be 10% every year is for historical
housing, open space. Over the past, God decades, affordable housing has been underspent considerably. I can recall, I think we did things for pubs, we did things for door locks, things like that, but
certainly nothing that would take away from the accumulated 10%. Dick and Doug are working out the figures, but I would think of the 500 that's there uh the sizable encumbered amount, the biggest incumbent amount is for the
>> encumber. There is, it's not listed, but there is an encumbered amount because every year you have to say, okay, 10% and that adds up if you haven't spent it. >> It's encumbered in that I couldn't take the whole 500 and spend it on open space
because then I haven't >> done the 10% that's been held every year, >> right? to spend it on a lot of things. >> Well, so 70% can be used on anything, but we get and I think I' I didn't bring
the sheet, but say we got 100,000 between taxes and state every year. >> Where's the number? >> I'm saying just in a spreadsheet, you know, the you have X number of dollars in the bank, but of that X number, >> but have they reported it to the
state? I don't think you have to show the the you just have to show the total amount. You keep in your records what you're holding for different appropriations. >> They should report on what's called the CP2. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But I don't think you have to show the
the numbers inside it though. You just keep track of it. >> But so you've got 100,000. I couldn't >> if we had 100,000 this year. I could not take a request truck land trust for all 100,000. >> Correct. Because 10 would have to be
historical, 10 would have to be housing, 10 could be open space, 80 could be open space, but the other 10 would have to be held understood. Right. >> So that is section six, I think, of the
>> CPA. >> Well, according to our bylaws, we didn't adopt section six. the 10% 10% 10% thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we did. >> Not according to our general B.
Let me just look it up. >> Yeah. >> Is that a bylaw or is that a state? >> It's in the state rules by general bylaw. I did not just like a state thing. You can't in order to do CPC. >> I got me wrong. >> Okay. the Community Preservation Act May
7th, 2001. And we got section one, section two, three. Okay. Says here one. Okay. And course with acceptance of matching law section 3, four, five, and seven.
>> Mhm. >> All right. And then down here it says section six not adapt not accepted. >> Yeah, let's look at that thing. And also that part they offset and that was part of our complaints that $100,000
you know cap anything which has never had an escalator in it. >> Yeah. Maybe the thing to do is raise the exemption up to 200,000. >> Right. Because I mean 100,000 nowadays after a couple housing booms means nothing. the house probably. >> That's that's a onebedroom shack. >> Yeah.
>> In your backyard. I saw you listing it too. >> Put a door on that. >> That's for watching this. Thank you. >> So So I think it requires a little research. >> Yeah, they're a little research and and the and the other question I have is I
don't think they were posted last meeting. >> They were on the official website. >> No, but it was posted. they grab it outside. >> So, so that's my question about that and you know and and we could raise the Can we could we raise the exemption to
200,000 or >> Good question. Um >> the other big deal is we have one of the lowest I mean >> well we're the 1enters 1enter then you got a lot that are two and 3%. >> Yeah. If you're a three you're included in the second round, >> right? You get more money. >> You know often the second round shows
up. Not very often. >> No. Yeah. But even as it is, we're getting like what? 17%. >> Yeah. But if we if we raise it to three, the tax bill goes up. >> Well, I'm not saying raise that, but I was saying maybe you could raise the exemption rather than get rid of it
because it it really does do a lot of good work. Maybe we have to spend a little bit more time seeing what projects can be done with it. You know, >> I wonder if you raise the exemption, does it affect your reimbursement from a state? I mean the exemption part would take
care of the town tax part. >> I think the exemption I think the part from the state is just based on >> transfers the pot of money, >> right? No. >> So if you're So if we exempt let's say let's say we right now we collect 100,000.
>> If we raise exemption and we only collect 75,000 >> then we're only going to get 17% of 75,000. >> That's how they do it. >> That's what I'm saying. And it affects our state money, >> right? Yeah. How much you want to get him re?
>> All right. I think we voted your sister as chair last night. >> Well, I guess we'll have to revote it. Good luck. >> All right. CPA. That'll be >> all right. How many want to bet CPA takes over most of the meeting? >> Oh, yes. Absolutely.
>> Okay. H >> talking about my sibling, right? She knows what time I get up in the morning. No. >> 15 minutes after I get up, I start getting texts. >> Oh, yeah. >> Maybe there's a camera. It's a family.
>> What about that? Did you do this? Did you check on that? >> I think there's got an iPhone, right? Guess that do not disturb setting >> block. All right. Uh the last minute
amendment for the posting location. Um here right. >> Yeah. Do you want to share? So we had a couple comments from the constable who was posting today and in product concern that as we move the
posting location here, there's no official posting pretty much west of Summers east of Summers Road. They said, 'You know, maybe we should leave the one at the old town hall. I'm like, okay, but we don't know where that's going. If I was going to talk
about doing something, I would add a posting location at Green Meadows because I would have to say that would be very visible. >> Green Meadows would be good. >> I think the other the other suggestion I heard was possibly like maybe if there's any opportunity to do it by the wreck, the Hamburg Memorial Park if there's >> that's a good one, too.
>> There's any way to put an outdoor thing right by the H Memorial Parks visibility? It's a little closer to that part of town, but not that close. That's the other suggestion I'd heard. >> Joe, I think he was saying, is there a way to warrant the warrant so it doesn't
I guess so you can either add a place easily, not take out the old town hall one. I mean, if nobody was going in the building, you're not going up to that sign, right? Yeah. Or move it up to the street. What are they going to pull over
and park and read it? I like the school idea because I mean the traffic there is great. >> Fair point. Yeah. >> I mean, too bad you can't word it. And any other location the select board deems applicable.
>> I mean, we can post where you can post wherever you want. >> You can post more of these >> mandate. And I think Yeah. From what I've heard, you don't Yeah. We're technically one district, right? So, we don't have to have multiple. Mhm. So,
>> so let's have a conversation with it's our property. >> You like the school idea? >> Sure. >> I like the park idea, too. Now, that would have to be parking right commissioners because they have the total thing out. >> You We're going to post the one thing about the uh the ball field one article.
That's it. >> Right. >> Okay. >> And then advisory. We haven't heard from them. You heard me ask Doug. They're going to in prior years they've done 5,000 at the annual and done the appropriated 20 out of
precash in the fall and they haven't decided that yet. I think Don with this 15 that might be something they would consider because that way it still keeps their overall numbers in place. Yeah,
>> it seemed And Brian brought this up to me. Thank you, Brian. >> You're welcome. >> Not you. Um, >> all right. Thank you. >> That there seemed to be some disconnect between you thought between what was
reported in the reminder and the assessment level that it seemed like it there our number went up higher, >> went up a million dollars, I thought. >> Yeah. And I didn't know if that had to do with maybe the separate capital things. And you're right, the way it was written in the reminder, it looked like
a million dollar difference between last year and this year. >> It is, isn't it? >> No, I mean we're only getting I mean the the debt is staying the same. Might be down $1,000 and our number going up is I thought $6.99
inclusive of the the debt part. >> Yeah. So I think maybe the last year number >> I think the last year number no it's dropping it's it's now on the down slide but the last year number I think he was using wasn't the final number because
there might have been something with the capital being added into I think he was looking at the operating assessment number versus now we have the omnibus number. >> Yeah. It could also been the preliminary data that came out because initially it was close to one >> yeah $13.
That's >> they were using old figures from >> but I got it >> earlier on in the year then >> wasn't it last year our school budget was what 18 million something like that >> no no >> or no no I mean >> our town budget town budget
>> a total 18 million and the school was 8.8 according to the town. >> Well, it's dropped. I mean, Don goes back to when he was on the committee. I mean, we were always running about 67% was the school portion. >> People see that >> and it's dropped
>> maybe as we've done more in town, more in town, retirement cost more, insurance costs, more >> drugless up too. House home assessments are up, which is probably making us pay more. So, it maybe seems a little less. Yeah, they're never we're growing up a
higher rate than those schools, >> right? Yeah. You know, >> not in a good way. >> Well, we've talked about it. We are respectful. We're all paying taxes here, too. We don't want to pay more, but it costs money. The town's a business. Yeah, it is a business. People
work here, they expect to get paid to do their job, and it costs money to run a business. And we try really hard to make it run efficiently. We return good money every year into free cash from unspent money. But when you have one crack at
the apple to appropriate money, I hate to say have to go worst case after reviewing everything and making a lean, it's still got to be worst case, right? You know, for instance, the the uh police department funded for x number of
officers. Now, one position wasn't filled. We'll get some money back from that. But they would have had all those guys working in a normal year, >> right? That's how it is. I'd like to see my tax bill drop by 10%. How about you, Eric?
>> 20. >> Okay. Thank you. That one. >> Why stop at 10? Why stop at 10? >> All right. We're good. >> And we do that every year. We try to >> Yeah, we do. We We really do. That's the that's the agenda, the ATM
warrant. Uh, we talked about signing a warrant tonight. However, I think Brian's doing some um >> I think we need to wait for Rose, >> right? >> So, next Tuesday night, >> I think that Yeah, we should. >> What's that? >> Is that time for We What's the posting?
>> Seven days. >> We have time. It's just a matter of getting it out to people so they have a fair chance, >> right? Uh, where do you want to have the meeting next week? Going to have it in here. Cafetum. Two choices. I think >> next week
already. >> I mean, we got typical will be here. We will move out there, but the advisory have this table. I'm sure we'll have a huge crowd. You going to fit how many? Oh man, I may
need a fourth bag. Fine. >> 36. >> I think this room was good. >> Yeah, that's over here. >> I did notice you had the TV and camera set up in the planning board meeting
room. So, do we have anything in the other meeting room at this point? Just the owl or no? But no TV. >> Just I actually have a meeting with the gentleman we talked to at Wasman's uh has left.
So a meeting with somebody else tomorrow. >> Okay. But so the TV and Logitech camera I guess are set up in the planning board office >> for the caucus. I saw that set up. >> So any meetings down in the other room
unless we're moving this down won't be televised. Correct. Y right now. >> So what we would need to do that would be a TV. >> Yeah. >> I think in the interest of keeping things on Zoom, we share a TV.
Now we are hearing that was it the garden club? Somebody was donating TV, but that was for the community meeting room down there. >> Graduate Pass Solutions. Yeah. Right. So, and I remember meeting with Wasman and of
course he's like, "Oh, you need that 167 TV." You know, when that's good for running 16 hours, seven days a week. >> Yeah. >> If we're having a seven-hour meeting, uh, I think we're gonna see a lot of people drop off the boards pretty soon. >> Think about that. >> Yeah. >> About the commercial rating.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But for a TV we're talking about there, I don't mean to diminish, but you get a, you know, go down to Costco and get a Sony that's going to be 55 in Sony for 300 bucks now. >> Yep. >> Literally, that would be fine for
>> BJ's, right? They're cheap now. >> They're cheap. >> Yeah. >> So, and if that's the room that has the owl and stuff like that, just go out and get a TV. Yeah, we have money in our expense account. I'm sure we do. >> What do you think?
>> Yeah. Do we have enough Zoom availability though? >> Well, he's got the owl down there. >> Yeah, >> that the Zoom thing is the next part. So, the Zoom accounts and was that what happened last week between planning and old house? Was that a function of the
laptops or a function of login on accounts? >> Login on accounts. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And it costs how much to have a Zoom account? >> Well, we have enough accounts, that's for sure. It's just the link both of the both of the meeting links share the same
account. >> Oh, the planning account. Oh, sorry. The select you needed two different >> one was recurring and then one was scheduled on it. And when there's a recurring then when the schedule on it when the recurring one they don't doesn't give you a >> right because it came up and said the
host already has >> this is already in use >> right man >> schedule a different link >> so but I mean we have a planning account we have a concom account account >> have enough accounts to >> but so the second meeting we would just tell them hey go ahead and use the planning account they're not meeting tonight
>> or something like that town has one assessor have So has one council has one >> planning is on board one >> mark have one >> I don't remember right now
>> and they have different they have different passwords and stuff is that it >> different >> you know if we pay for x amount like 15 and we use 10 something like that or is it just we pay per license you know >> I think it's I was going to ask is there like a zoom account that would give us x
number of things someone would >> they that gets kind of back in the next thing Don you brought this up before that we should have one policy you said before hey we need to be better putting minutes up on all boards are
we're going to say all boards should be >> are we all zooming or not zooming you know some zoom some don't and should we be >> sometimes some do sometimes some don't >> we can't dictate some boards they're elected they sit on the lawful
But I think we're a town that's really prides itself in transparency and I think we should really emphasize to other boards. Look, why don't you? What's the reason? >> Right. >> Why not? Do I think the veterans group is going to zoom their meeting? Probably not. >> Right.
>> Right. And probably they wouldn't because maybe they're talking about things they don't want to zoom. >> Yeah. All this private stuff or something. Right. But honestly, there's no reason parks shouldn't zoom every meeting. um planning. I think we'll get into that. I think combo, but with Joe there
now, I think that those health committee meetings are we have one a week. I've never seen one. >> Well, we we separate we have to have separate Zoom. We have to go out the select board meeting and we'll have to have a separate Zoom. Open up the
meeting. >> Five minutes. Take five minutes. alternate five minutes at a piece. >> There we go. Exactly. >> All right. So, uh we have a couple of liquor permits for the senior center. I did attend
the uh thing last week over the weekend went the Scanic Valley artisans to go. It was nice. Um they are going to come back to us. They had come to us last year and talked about use of this place. At that point we said we didn't know where we were and I said okay
that's fine. Can we come back when you do? And said sure make an appointment. Now we know more about what's happened to Romans and stuff. We can talk about it, but I said personally I can't tell you what the board is going
to feel about liquor permits at the town hall. I would say right now in my opinion, we are not there yet. I don't know. Eric, what do you think? >> You know, I'm not a >> I think they want just to store stuff here though. Well, yeah, but they also
talk about using cafeterium for if they're storing their big display things, they'd roll them down the hall into the cafeterium. >> Fine. Great. If it's not interfering something else, that's fine. But I personally would not be in favor of wine and beer license at the town hall.
Especially they're running them on Saturday when the library is open. Well, we feel that's a bridge we haven't had to cross yet, but that's just my recall. I don't think we're there yet for that. >> Although we will have that question in the fall, right?
If there's another >> if there's another >> big thing out back. Anyhow, so the senior center is having oh scanic river artisans
interactive learning through art program on May 14th from 6:00 to 8. They'd like to sell wine. That tree will look so good. Bob Ross little tree catch the better they look.
>> Fresh and qu. >> How do you feel about that? It's a happy treat. >> It's a happy treat. >> May 14th. >> 14th. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Second. >> Oh, thank you. Also at the senior center
on April 23rd, only 10 days away. >> Right. >> Right. They're having the annual volunteer recognition dinner and they'd like to sell wine and beer and malt beverages as allowed under chapter 138 section 14
of the general laws from 5 to nine beer and malt beverages. >> Brian drinks probably beverage malt beverages are like smearing off ice. It's called a premium malt beverage. Smearnoff ice um >> kind of thing.
It's a malt beverage. Like a premium malt. Is >> that like the hard lemonade too is maybe I've seen it on the bottle beverage. >> I thought malt was certain certain scratches. >> Yep. >> Single.
>> Anyhow, volunteer recognition. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> All right. That is the end of our agenda items right now. I will happy turn it over to uh select board members for their reports.
>> I have nothing to report this week. >> House committee meeting is meeting tomorrow night. >> Fine. We were going to use the Zoom for the CPC. Thanks. Are you guys getting a ride? You going to pick your sister up from here? No.
No. Just like that. >> That's right. See, see regal is a single wall. >> Little Shivas here recognized. Okay. You have a couple of those. You won't recognize anybody, but that's
why. >> All right. Right. Uh, William, you going to that meeting? First meeting town hall committee. >> Brian, you going here? Bring the cookies with you. All
right. I'll leave them here. I'll leave them here. Don't take them home. Just leave them here. >> Short sweet like a committee. >> All right. Brian, would you like to illuminate some stuff? >> No, you. you.
>> I haven't got enough time for him. >> He said he do it for me tonight. >> Really? Just like just like Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson's got the day off. >> There you >> um we received a resation alert from Norm Shares from the board of assessors.
So if I recall that triggers the process of appointing an individual to fill the vacancy for the remainder um >> of this term >> for the remainder of the term I suppose
till the next election for everybody but select is it different for a second too >> next election election then you build Then you vote for the remainder of the term for the remainder of the term. >> But is it too late to get them on the
election? >> It says the person who appointed or elected shall be a registered voter of the town and shall perform the duties of the office till the next annual meeting or until another is qualified. Chapter 41 section 11. >> That would be
time to put that person on the >> this one. No. >> No. >> Okay. because you got to get nomination paper on. So >> we would appreciate I guess qualified candidates to come to us or to the assessors.
>> Yeah. So we have a whole we have a whole policy right policy and procedures. So I'll send that out to the assessors. The first step is they need to provideation to the board. one month of
said vacancy has occurred. >> Then the board of commission announces a vacancy and plan to fill providing a 30-day period of time for the search party to apply. >> Then administrator advertises it candidates alerts of interest. Once deadline has passed, we schedule a joint
meeting with the board of assessors and the select board. >> Um we invite the people in attending an interview process and there's a point Hey, I did run into a chap at Big Y
yesterday who said he was asked to be that candidate and he was on the fence about whether to just say no or move out of town. People are so willing to serve. Uh >> this this was this guy would be a great
guy for this this job. Is this the process that the board wants intend to follow? Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you, >> Lauren. Anything to bring up? >> I'd like to return to the article 14 of
the >> Is that the recision? >> Yeah. Doesn't it have to go to the ballot? >> But not less than 30 but not less than 35 days. So it can't be on the election. >> It can't be on the election any but shouldn't it say that in the in the war
article? >> Um subject to place it on the ball >> like a dead exclusion where it's subject to a positive vote. So there's there's a there's an IG there's a IGR stands for from the from DLS
um and they provide this exact language >> about >> that's the exact language that they suggest correspondence >> but yet they require the ballot vote >> well then what happens now you now they
vote yes to revoke >> vote yes to revoke killing >> and it goes to the ballot question. And >> so how do they know it goes to the ballot court? I I >> I thought that the repeal
places they have to it's the town meeting that places it on the ballot. >> Yes. >> But they don't say that here. >> Does not say that there. >> I I agree with you. I guess if I'm reading it right, that's
all. >> So if it's a pass, then the law instructs us to either put it on next next >> town election. >> Annual town elections or the next uh state election. >> You can put it on special election 35.
>> No, I think this is annual election. It's very specific about annual election or the next state election. So the next state election would be in November and it will require at least 60 days notice of the state of the ballot language.
>> So let's say it let's say if the people voted the town to revoke it and then it has to go on the ballot then the question do we want to put it on a state election ballot which is going to have like 10 questions on it plus the governor United States senator and all that stuff and where does that ends up
in >> Yeah. Right. I mean, people aren't stupid. They can figure it out. But, you know, just the thought. >> Yeah. I think at the very least there needs to be an explanation at top town top town top town top town top town top town top town top town top town top town top meeting about the steps.
>> Yeah. >> Maybe it's better push that question to the fall and have the vote at the annual town meeting. >> It make it a lot easier. >> It would. Yeah. I'll bring it up tomorrow night. >> Yeah. You know, because that would be a lot more visibility at the question part, >> right?
>> Yeah. I mean, >> there's going to be a few questions. There's going to be a tax question on there. >> There's going to be there's going to be a few questions. >> Who's up the following year or is that you won't be answer this year?
School committee and planning. What do we got in school committee? >> Two people for one job. >> Who we got? >> Uh Richer and Mor Ryan. >> Okay. And and in planning is >> John Quack and Bush and Bob Howard.
>> And I haven't heard I know Dan said he had somebody for the park position from coach right >> getting promoted off the B. Come up to the table. Okay.
So, who's getting off of that? >> Carrie, I believe. >> Okay. >> And then Maddie off the planning. >> Yeah. >> Although, we're going to have another one cuz Christine says she's moving moving, >> right?
>> So, at some point, we're up to a point for till next year. I think she just got reelected. She did. >> Yeah. Brought her brother. But I think all the other ones down got
straightened out on the list. Right. >> Anything else to come before the board? Motion to second. >> All those in favor? I I