Hold on a second. >> Everybody in? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good evening and welcome to the March 23rd, 2026 meeting on the Heaven 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. This evening, this meeting is being held in the select board meeting room at the
Hanland Town Hall. We are recording the meeting as well as broadcasting on Zoom. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? Kristen Rivers from the Times. Welcome, Kristen. All right. So, the first thing on the agenda is minutes. We have a copious
amount of minutes. Would you say that's correct, Mr. Temper? >> This is excellent. >> What do you think, Mr. Van Le? >> Copious. >> Yes, >> I would say there's a copious amount of minutes. >> Let that be moved. >> All right. So, the first copious minutes are February 17th.
We met we signed the Iowa union contract after three years. Yeah. Permit. We talked about the budget. We discussed the regional agreement
with no pending sites. We had some talk about the contract renewal to the town administrator and that was a good meeting held by all Move approval. Second. All in favor
consent agenda. All these February 25th rescheduled the 23rd. >> Why was it rescheduled? We didn't have it on the 23rd. Any particular reason? >> Snow happened.
Yeah, we had a storm. Okay. >> With a good reason. >> Where is the snow now? finally gone most of it. >> There's a bill for moving it in. >> Yes. >> It's a copious bill. >> You know about for a dome over the town.
That's fine. >> Rather than just the one over your house. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> All right. So, we talked about uh we had a meeting with park and wreck to discuss the MOA that the administrator developed. >> Oh, yeah. Where are we on this?
Um I owe both the library and parks correct edits to the MOA budget review with the highway superintendent talked about our budget. We managed to come to an agreement with the
administrator on a new contract after months of negotiation and that was a meeting. Approval. Second. All >> in favor? I >> Mark second halfway through.
All right. More billmore budget reviews. Reappointed Joe Cidilia. had a poll petition, met with the >> some of the school committee. Yeah. First first bite at the pole petition. Yes.
>> Talked about the uh budget which was very entertaining. And then we met with the police department. Tomorrow night six o'clock here. >> See you tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Along with every other board meeting.
>> What? >> Six o'clock. >> Six o'clock. Yeah. Yeah. In this room. Yeah. This room right approval. Oh, all in favor. Good move. All right. March 9th
on continued metal conservation. We met we took a loose to meet with the advisory committee who were meeting with the school committee and listened to Stutton. We met then with the advisory
committee talk about our requests just general discussion about obviously issues coming before the select board move approval. Uh second all in favor. >> And now Don's favorite state of part. On
March 16th, we continued the national grid pole petition and it was so fast. We met with veteran services, reviewed their budget. We met with Ryan Paxton and talked about shared health. remember the library trustees
and talked about their memorandum of un m o what is the a again >> agreement >> agreement understanding okay >> we could make it and we talked about the
warrant coming forward any changes or additions Second all in favor. Thank you. >> Well the meeting motion to
>> All right. All right. Mr. Town Administrator item one on the agenda. Fire department has received new truck and they'd like to get rid of the old one. And pursuant to master general law
chapter 30b, the town needs to have a surplus property disposition policy which you have and that says that department heads need to send a letter or note or an email to the select board requesting that
vehicle or equipment be declared surplus property. So, you have an email from Chief Puland from March 19th requesting that the 1953 DodgeX Army surplus truck that was given to the town at no
cost by the state of Massachusetts be classified as town surplus property. The value would be approximately $5,000. So, this would go >> Isn't there any other town department that needs a truck right now that could use it? So, so the policy says we would
offer it to town departments first and then if not we would put it to auction. >> It's a condition of size. >> It's a condition of the policy, right? >> Yeah. >> Yes. The policy says that that we will offer it to town apartments and then if there's no takers then we would
>> How much more can you put in that truck? >> Oh, you don't know what the what the volume of the bed is. But the first step would be to declare it surplus property. Okay. I'll entertain a motion to declare it surplus property.
>> So move. >> Not sure. >> So moved. >> Declaring a surplus property. >> We can find that out. >> I hate to give up. So okay, I'll second it. >> All in favor?
>> I. And then reach around to other departments that might be in need of a truck. Okay. Thank you. Beating tonight is a matter >> as a cruiser. >> Wasn't a cruiser. We were thinking >> Jeep's vehicle. >> No. No. >> Sure.
>> Pretty sure details. >> Oh, that' be nice. Leave the lights on. Sure. Great. >> I'll be able to wait money out of that ch. >> There you go. >> Really? >> There we go. >> Okay. Next. >> Next. >> You and Ham have worked this out.
>> Uh, hem. >> Hem. Excuse me. Hem. >> So, a little bit more serious. No. Um, >> hey, what do you mean more serious? >> More serious. So, this is an administrative consent order between the town and mass D
in relation to the town hall building. um has been discussed for a while now. It's like back and forth legal counsel. Um and essentially what it's doing is it's agreeing um to remove uh to take one of the wells
offline >> at the new town hall because it's within um certain radius of the septic disposal system. And once we do that and once we sign
this um and we do that then it will uh essentially will pass title five regulations. the building will pass title five regulations and we're also agreeing to keep the estimated septic discharge or flow from the building under 10,000
>> which would give the town juris which will give the board of health jurisdiction over the system which otherwise the system is too large so mass D would have jurisdiction over the system and there would be an annual permitting process that would happen so because uh we're agreeing to keep the
flow of the system low and we're agreeing to um take off one of the wells. Um then we can keep going as we are >> now. We're taking the well off for as a portable water. >> Water source. Correct. >> We're leaving the option open to use it
as a >> low water input into the heating system and or irrigation down the road. >> Correct. Y the requirement is that as is that we separate it from portable water. Right. >> So whether it's um >> but we don't have to cap it or anything like that. happen whether it's future
irrigation or whether it's uh >> makeup water for the heating system for some other future purpose >> right >> they're okay with that it just needs to be disconnected water >> no the other point is that >> has the location of the well changed in 20 years
>> it has not >> has the septic field changed in 20 years >> it has not >> so this has been going on and for decades they didn't care >> decades >> okay just want to make that Yes. >> Right.
>> Which brings me to the discharge. I mean, at one point there were 600 kids in the school. >> Yep. >> And now we got 30 people maybe on a given day. >> Mhm. >> On a good day. >> Yeah. >> Everybody shows up.
>> Now it's a problem. >> Yeah. Right. >> Okay. Either way, there nitrogen thing in here. >> This is a nitro nitrogen sensitive area. That is correct. And what do we have to do about that? >> Stop taking the water off.
>> Stop drinking the water. Uh >> the one sub. >> Well, we don't need we don't need to do anything else in addition to that. >> But it is a nitrogen nitrogen sensitive area. >> Anyhow, it's an easy solution.
The ACL remains in effect for ever. >> Okay. Is there any anything we have to do in terms of like reporting on it for future or they can just walk in anytime they want verify it's in effect it's being
adhered to. >> Um so one of the one of the things we're agreeing to doing here is have title five done >> once it's assigned. Um those are the two main things we need to have title five done and we need to in different order
we need to uh disconnect the welcome from portable water and then have a title five done and I mean they always reserve the right to come back if they want to jurisiction of the
system. >> Okay. It makes it a nitrogen sensitive area because of what? It given wastewater treatment within the nitrogen sensitive area. the wastewater shares with the nitrogen
sensitive area. So, we're going to abandon that well. That's the one we're abandoning, right? In the nitrogen sensitive area. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Guess we'll move through
consent. Well, in the interest of getting everything done, I would agree with that. I'm still not crazy that they still refer all the way through as Thorntonber Middle School and I think this ongoing consent order. >> Oh, yeah. Right.
>> I think the town hall, right? >> Yeah, we can get that language changed. >> Okay, >> that would be good. So if we can get that changed and then the board authorized to me to sign it on that. But I mean I think the title should be correct sent into the hall location.
>> Yeah. Even if they put in former >> Yeah. >> I think that was one of the requests. >> I mean right now it doesn't even mention the fact that usage really much.
>> Yeah. just mentions the information to decrease usage now >> and the the nitrogen sensitive area and now I remember we have to under 10,000 gallons
nitrogen sensitive area over 10 an automatic threat to >> nitrogen everywhere right >> and where would you suspect that the nitrogen would come from >> well nitrogen can come from a lot of the atmosphere. It could come from
fertilizer. Come from >> We don't We don't fertilize. There's only one place that fertilizes around here that the water runs downhill into our well. >> Yes. >> So, will the board authorize the chair to sign this after editing?
>> Yes. Second. All in favor? Okay. So, moving ahead in Davenport, do you want to bring some information before the board on the transfer station in the enterprise fund? Well, the transfer
station is uh barely staying above water financially. Okay. Right. So I think we're looking at several different options that we have to do. One be increasing the permit u
price of the permit. Um you know uh Lori's here the $20,000 that's for Lori >> just as a thing. Can you come up in the front row because we have the mic up here but we can barely even pick up at that point and for the minutes it's really important.
>> Thank you and welcome Lori. like principles. >> So, is that for new bags? >> Pardon? All honesty, I was just up there in the building and I watched what he moved over to his cell shed. I think
we're going to be able to make it another year before I have to buy bags. >> Which bags? >> Oh, we're going to cut it close. >> Which bags? >> The pay as you throw bags. >> Large or small? >> Um, probably large goes more than small. I would do it in bulk at the same time. It's going to be cheaper. Well, usually
we don't. I mean, I don't remember really getting a break when we bought large and small at the same time, but >> I have yet to talk with the bag company. I just found a previous bill. It's just >> You're saying you think we're in good shape on both sizes? >> I think so. >> For a year. >> Okay. >> Or if not the whole year, a good portion
of it. I think we will be okay. >> Okay. >> But this is a tough call. I'm just coming into this. So to watch, monitor, and >> I will monitor. >> Put it in there for safety reasons. wrote everything in there just
precaution and yes, Mr. Davenport, I apologize not getting back to your email, but it is on the higher end. I took everything at the highest bill that I've had in my hand so far. >> Yeah. >> To be safe, >> unless if fuel keeps going the way it's going. Definitely it because they are starting to hit us
with fuel fee. >> Do we get the hauling? We are with the hauling service contract. So I'm working on the scope of work right now some stuff. Um I did a little bit of research and it is exempt from master
law chapter 30B. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't put it out for it but there's not a formal process that we certainly need a pretty solid scope of work that we need. That's why we're working that working on that today.
>> Now does he pick does he pick up the senior center and all that? Does she do that though? >> Yes, I have one of the contracts I found or the way it must have went out from 2011 where she asked everything involving um buildings, the park so that
everything was priced the same. This is a 2011 McNamera is no, right? >> So you're saying Mcnamera picks up the highway department, any municipal building work, correct? >> What's the fire department doing now? Oh, we they used to bring it to they bring it directly to transfer station or
>> we try to get them to take the the um tanks that were at the old town hall because they're regularly picked up every other week. You've got paper and cardboard. You got to trash >> and it's $906 a month unless he has a fuel charge on that. >> All the other buildings are paying the
same. >> Okay. So, the ones that were at the town hall, did they get moved a fire or no? They took them back. Buyer now goes every Tuesday with their trash and just disposes of it in the transfer station. >> Probably hasn't got much. Probably they don't have much.
>> Just remember now every little bit is going to add up. It's going to take everybody diligently trying. >> I understand that. But so but it's gone down because we're not paying for the ones that were at the town hall before, but we are paying for the ones here. >> Correct. Which we going for. So it's a
war. Yeah. Right. Yeah. >> What's who does the mowing? I found out the town highway and town highway charges the transfer station count >> really >> didn't know that I was trying to
calculate and then I saw that on's ledger they charged them all up there >> I talked to Mark about that because I saw I think because I saw they were mowing every week up through November and like really really like what are you
mowing marks it and he would look at that and obviously there's not really a need. Heck, I stopped mowing in October >> and before that it was maybe every other week. >> So the guy shouldn't just be going up there and running it around, you know. >> Maybe it could be request.
>> Maybe it could be by request. >> Well, that's the thing. I mean, back when it was, you know, we had the hatch come up and failing, but now the solar's up there, it's pretty much the triangle and that's about it. Maybe probably some roadside ming
crossroad, >> but again that's not that critical because it's not like stopping the line of sight or anything like that. >> So I think it's something Mark plans on addressing going forward because right now that line item that's in his budget
is expended. There's nothing for the spring. If you look at Lisa's spreadsheet, it's showing pretty much done for the year. >> Yeah. So there's nothing left. >> Correct. >> The one good thing is all these years later 20 some odd from what I can find
actually 15. Let's go 15. This is a 2011 paperwork and per ton it's still 120. So I guess we have one plus. They are charging 120 per ton disposed charge still. >> Really? >> Yeah. And Bondies isn't burning anymore.
Everything is bailed and shipped out on a train to Boston. >> Difference is we're paying to get rid of recyclable. >> Yes. Used to get used to get credit for your paper and your recyclables. It was
a commodity is not a commodity anymore because China stop buying it. Hence we pay members of the mer. So we're paying the least possible. So like what would have been a credit you get so much back. So that just defers our rate to paying
as minimal as possible. Our still paying and last month's bill because there was so much cardboard is going out. We have a lot of people that by Mike from Southwood they have trash pickup. They're coming over and buying permits
just to recycle. So the cardboard is going out very fluently. And the biggest bill we've had yet was 1661 and change. So I went with that across Walt because I have no idea what's going to go. >> 1661 to the Murf and that's where all our recycles.
>> We don't get anything for the cardboard. How >> no more trying to stop buying it. >> What about the metal? >> The metal um he is now giving us credit. How much? I'm not sure if it's in full or if it's partial, but I am seeing the last couple loads that went out. We are
because I question that. >> Had that been happening >> that car taking the medal as well? >> Yes, >> that might be one. For instance, at my office, we get a check from Sullivan or Freriedman depending on where we go and it might be worth that might be one
actually job out. See what kind of money they give them for. I mean, it's depending on whether it's clean because that's kind of a mixed load metal thing you're getting there. >> Clean. These guys work hard up there. They're very >> I understand that. I mean it really anything goes in and then they take out what's not metal but still it's not like
it's my stuff is flat sheets of steered metal. Yeah. >> But um he gave the credit back so it's off of the monthly bill. Wasn't so much check. He just >> could and it's going to be due to go out again. Mark just brushed it. We're going
to get through a couple. >> Okay. So >> the rigid plastic now that's owner entity see taking all that in and we have to pay to hook it the rent on the tank and the disposal for that and that
adds up fast. >> There's a lot of rigid plastic that comes in. >> What would they do with it otherwise? >> I don't know but that costs. >> So is that an opportunity for >> possibly considering
maybe charging on some of the bigger stuff or the larger amounts of it. Five dollar, a dollar, $5, $2. Anything if we can get it near $100 pretty much offsets the uh tonnage because the last time we paid a 134 just in ton,
get rid of it. >> So, Don, you're proposing aping the bag fee and the >> I'm not proposing this. Yeah, >> that would just that would Laur did that give you had an idea to balance >> try and get some money.
>> Oh, >> the Wilberham's permit fee for their transfer station is $130 >> and we're charging 80 >> 70. >> The other thing we can do is >> they have a back fee on top of they have
a back fee. They have a $2 and a $3 back fee. They also have a landscaper permit fee, $600 for landscapers to dump their compostable grass clippings and that
stuff, leaves and grass clipping and that stuff. >> Yeah, we don't have the room we used to have. That's the thing since you know that >> Mark came talked about >> I don't know if we could take much more there. >> No. So,
>> and so the So, I I think I sent an email saying, you know, look, you got a $100 fee, permit fee, and keeping the bag price the same. >> And and also we could I mean, and I also
know that some towns uh we we could have reduced hours. We could go three hours on a Tuesday and seven hours on a Saturday. I might Mike Mike is doing real well by himself on Tuesdays and I can always scoot up if he's got a busier front or tail end of the day. I can
always run up there for an hour, an hour and a half. >> Tuesday he's been doing good by himself. With all due respect, it's been happening quite a bit. Saturday there's has to be >> right. But I mean one you're saying one guy or two guys on Tuesday. >> One guy on Tuesday.
>> And Denny Denny at the Denny at the thing. >> Okay. So one one okay that makes sense because hey to say it you got to have somebody watching the trash goes >> in that >> one of recyclables. >> Yeah. >> Do you know how many permits we have we sell a year? >> Pardon?
>> How many permits are sold a year? >> You're you're about 620 to 650. But take in mind they are not all full fee. You have about a 25% 30% of that is seconds. They're getting two stickers per for
home. She's got, if you look at the, it looks like 170 uh 170 full permits and 325 senior permits, >> whatever. I'm sorry. >> So, that gives you $4.95 plus the double
permits about five something. >> What's the You mentioned about the Warhammer permit. What's their price for their senior per >> $80? >> No, no, excuse me. $110 >> for the senior park. >> $110. >> And do they offer >> $130 for the regular permit?
>> There's not a facility that has anything less than 100 years and years ago. >> One question though, does Wilberham have more services than we offer? >> No, >> they don't. You the residents can't bring like yard waste and stuff like that to Wilberham. >> They have to pay. They can they can
still, >> but they have to pay. >> They they can they can bring your yard. You can bring your rideways under your permit, but landscapers have to pay a $600 permit, >> right? Residents do not, right? So, I'm saying if there's variance in fees, it's not quite apples to apples from overhead
to hand. You know what I mean? Because we can't I I personally have been there at home, so I don't I've never been on the transportation, but >> we can bring yard waste to our >> You can bring our grass clipping >> grass. >> Right now, somebody's
Christmas trees. You always see Christmas trees in there. The thing is we go to farm. >> So it's Yeah, it's apples to apples. Yeah. I mean, >> so they they're 130 and 110 for senior and
two and $3 a bag. We're at two and$4. >> Correct. >> I like that. I'd like your idea of increasing the fee, but trying to keep the bag price down a bit. >> Yeah. just stick. >> There's no one, excuse me, there's no one who has a has a fee that's less than
$100 for >> trash is >> getting ridiculous. >> We got and you never know what the next year is going to bring to. So >> yeah, >> here's another too. If we are actually going into a contract that's going to be
three years, if you're settling for this fee and you're going to keep it that way. Okay. So that starts this year with the contract. But next year when the contract goes up, third year when the contract goes up, that's what's happened over the last how many contracts. Your
fees been here. They start here, but in this three years it steps up, but your fees have stayed across. The deficit's only going to >> Yeah. It's hard to have an escor build. That's the thing. >> Do you know judges for a second like a family member? >> Um
>> I just didn't know off the top of your head. I do. I got any hold. You can bear with me. I got a thing right here. >> On the spot theme from Final Jeopardy here. >> Well, I just want if they charge X
amount. Is there a second? >> Yeah, I think I think I think it's like I want to say off the top of my head $40 second. Yeah, that's what we charge. Well, keep talking. I'll get this. >> So, is this FYI at this point? You
>> just work through that. >> And you're going to come up with your warrant. >> Okay. >> Great. >> And everything is on the higher estimation with the highest bills that were in my hands at the time. >> Tell me about the electricity. I'm hearing ugly rumors.
>> The electricity. Yeah, expansion last morning to put the poll up. >> I was going to ask you if we even have a poll. My last check in was you said we did. I asked Mark said he was uh going to talk to the Verizon lead to make sure we were actually getting full and I
haven't heard a thing since. Okay. >> But yes to Oh, to actually go step by step by step. Absolutely. Be over 10. >> Really? >> Absolutely. >> Really? >> Yeah. because that'll probably the rest what we have in here will probably take everything for them to put that
transformer bring it over to work once it's in. We might have to go one more year and then try and see if there's anything in the budget to actually have the electrician in town connect the building from the mast.
Electricity is cheap. >> I didn't know in the 21st century it was so hard so hard to connect electricity. No kidding. >> I mean, this may be an undertaking that we probably shouldn't address, but >> these are seniors up there, and that's a
long, cold Saturday. >> It is. >> It's windy. It's bitter. It's cold. And I can tell you, I don't know how they do it. >> Your suggestion extension cord from the other place was bad. Oh, they're much cheaper.
>> I mean, they don't complain. One of them, I truly believe now calls out when it is going to be worse on a day. But you've got one that's very die hard. That's That's >> Any luck on your advertising for another >> I might have two. I might have a husband
and a wife as long as they are definitely only on the call when you're busy. Okay. >> Gonna talk about it when they less. Was that you and noon your salary to the town you >> working
>> and then that's not even addressing the safety issues. >> Well, it's not that. Okay, bring that back. another discussion we have. >> We are waiting for >> just to bring you up on that was the whole thing. >> Let's see what this says here.
That's I can't find it. Not important. We're waiting for who now? >> The advisory to come here and >> talk about our good times. >> All right, we can move on to something else. We'll work on
>> We're waiting. Thank you for the update. >> Thank you for talking to >> warrant review. Yeah, we got enough time for that. Um, well, a quick update. Is there anything major changed to the warrant at this point?
>> No. How's that quick? That was a great answer. Thank you. >> All right. Um, well, having a sense of maybe the advisory coming back for some recommendations, is the board trending towards
no action on purchases, but leaving him on the warrant for explanation purposes, i.e. the dump truck, things like that. If we're thinking of like targeting them for free cash in the fall to leave them
on the warrant and make that extra Well, I thought we were kind of like saying we're good with the loader from chapter 90 >> for the 26 money because it's going to we're not doing anything with it this year anyhow. >> Correct.
>> The dumb truck. Maybe it's not the time to put it in the annual, but we should explain that we may come back out of free cash in the fall. What was the other thing? Mark's truck. >> A pickup truck. >> It was a pickup truck. >> And maybe the same thing.
>> But can we do Can we do the loader now? >> I'm saying we do loader on chapter 90 so it doesn't >> Right. That's what I'm saying. bet. We could also do the dump truck
targeting the leftover chapter 90 which chapter was about 250. It all depends on what he's getting. Is he getting that same deal on the loader he had before that was in the 190. >> So now we had 60,000 left over. You knock
>> that against the thing. >> Unfortunately the pickup truck was not eligible for that. >> Correct. So, but now you're getting a dump truck for 10 and something. It's a good deal on a dump truck. But I also get back to I believe we
heard chapter 90 money can be rolled over. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, we could say fine, we'll take the load or we'll keep the 60,000 for next year's project. >> Put it in the 27s. Just do it all at once. And keep in mind then in the fall if you decide now you got your 27
chapter 90 money plus your leftovers 26 and you might say gosh what was the number they threw out there for something you might say okay >> well we got 500,000 in chapter 90 money we're going to take 200 and get that trust >> and keep 300 for payment >> right >> who knows
but the options are open so my question to you is do we leave those on the warrant say we're going to take no action but at least get up and say look this is not the month for it right now. May come back in the fall. >> It's a two minute, right?
>> Also got advisories >> and it's transparency. You're telling people, look what this is coming up. Is there anything else on there, Brian? Do you think would be worth leaving on for ex explanation purpose only? Um
transfer switch >> the hand handguns. >> I'm telling you I'll do it for you know 500 >> handguns hands >> handguns and the cruisers that a solution I guess >> I thought I heard that Dan was willing to push both.
And didn't you say there was some way to use the offduty money if it was like transfer a certain way or something? >> You say it needs to the general. >> So you need to sweep it first basically and then that would increase your free cash number and we can use that in the
fall. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. Well then >> you already have a cruiser in as a budget. This is a picture cruiser, right? >> I don't know. Oh, I thought he was talking about taking that out.
We had it in his budget thing and then I wasn't sure. Heck, he could use that brush truck back and give it to >> We're going to have significant money in the his salary cup >> some. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that guy being
out not having 150,000 bucks >> that much. >> Yeah. So we could transfer that now in May 1 to pay for the guns >> or or do we say we really need a really good free cash number in the fall? >> Well, you know my problem with the free
cash number is >> it's not big enough. >> No, that >> I don't want to put any money towards the water project that >> that's another question because I'm not afraid of debt. I'd rather pay $30,000 a year for 10 years than use up all my
free cash. >> Thank you for that softball pitch. So, you know what I mentioned before is that I think the town should be exploring it for two days. >> Thank you. Town should be exploring more of an omnibus bond for some of these projects. We got the police station to
finish off. Can't use it for the fire station thing. We've got some other things like the water project and we're treating them like they got to be paid tomorrow, >> right? >> When if we had on this goes back to what we did for the 5-year road project,
you'd have a way to keep it in the budget, you'd have a line of credit. So, if something emergency happened, the town has authorized money. The bridge falls in. What are we going to do? Call the town meeting to appropriate money or you have a lot of I think that type of
thing. And just like you say, Don, now you're servicing that at a lower number over 20 years because it's capital stuff. Yeah. You don't need to pay for one year. >> I look at like you're doing, you know, when you buy a house, >> right, >> you don't pay cash. You get a 30-year mortgage. >> Right. Right. So, I think that's really
from my stance kind of. Yep. >> Is you're paying interest on that money. >> Yeah. You are. >> So, it's costing you more in the long run. It is. If you have the money to pay it, >> that's going to save you money in the long run. >> Except we don't have the money to pay it. >> Right. That's right. >> You do get two choices. You can do the
flat interest or you can do the frontended type depending which way you go. >> But when you don't have the money, hope you're doing it, right? You're eating up your tax dollar. You're taxing the people. I think they'd rather be taxed at 35 or 50,000 or even 100,000 a year than 600,000.
>> And keep in mind, even though they say say we we approve a throw a number $10 million bond, you're paying on what you actually borrow. It's a line of credit, but you're not taking all 10 million and put in the bank, >> right? >> You know, you're allowed like we did with the road thing. >> Yeah.
>> You know, so we approved a $2 million fiveyear road, but one year we could use 600. The next year we used 300, right? >> Because it allowed us to, you know, Warham Road cost twice as much as, you know, this road here. So, it had to be done in one year. But then next year,
you took it a little easy. >> I just think it's worth exploring. >> Yeah. No, you're right, Tom. you feel like a less of a tax burden if you kind of spread it over time and you do >> right and this like >> I understand what Dick is saying about look I want to get this off off the board because I know what's coming
>> but maybe there's a way to even out >> but I need smarter people than me that understand the financial part of it I see this as an option for the town to monitor our debt you know right now the worst when I go back to my 20-year spreadsheet The worst debt we have was
11% of town budget. Now we're down in the four to five rank, which is not bad. The state says you got to have some debt. And the majority of that is miniature. >> If if you consider just town debt, >> it'd be the police station and that's
about it. >> Do you know just for my sake of what the u how long are we paying for miniature? 20 years. >> Uh we refinanced a while back. That didn't change the term. I mean, started paying after the bands. What was it?
2012. So, probably another >> Did we get the 30-year exemption on? I think we did. >> A year. So, we had it for another 14 years or so. >> Is it mans for a while? So, probably started in 2014. >> 2014. Okay. So, we got a ways to go.
>> Yeah. So, >> now the police station was 22 202. So that's got to be pretty close to done. I thought it was done the same time as the senior center which has paid off a little later.
>> But I don't think it's got much more. >> I don't think it was much more. >> No, because that was only three three million. >> That'd be nice to get that to roll off. Hopefully maybe maybe we'll get close to the fire station at that time and yeah, >> it'll kind of won't hurt as much. The division of the division of local
services recommend says that good good borrowing you know recommends that you 5% of your valuation. >> Mhm. >> Which would allow us theoretically do
bond $45 million >> n we're about nine billion valuations. >> Oh of your valuation >> valuation. And so they, you know, 5% of your valuation, they can say they don't recommend it, but you could go up as high as 10%. But they say 5% is a good
number for any town to have. So, you know, we're way below that. I'm not saying we should borrow 45 million. Get better chairs, right? >> Breathable chairs. >> Really nice. Yeah. >> Uh, so it's I mean, you look at the darn
transfer switch. I mean, but we have, you know, and honestly, it should be a capital item because it's 20 years old now. >> Talking about replacing the whole generator, you're talking about replacing the switch. >> I know. And the generator only cost 250.
I look back at my records. The generator was 250 when they put the school in. And the switch is 150 on top of it. >> Can we could we could we could they theoretically looking at just doing a like a manual switch as opposed to, you know,
I can imagine I can't imagine that you know there's massive transfers which I've seen there's just a huge break or somebody just fix city power >> transfer it from one to the other it's not working >> there must be more technology to it than that I mean that's a lot of
>> that's a huge number >> it is it's a big number >> I mean if I do it once you do it once we're done for the year it >> all are coming to us I would hope What else we got? So, correspondence. Thanks. We talked about that.
>> So, Don, you are on that work with Ryan on that grievance. >> Yes, yes, that. Yes, we're supposed to meet Thursday at 1 or 2 o'clock, I think, >> up there on site >> here at the bord of health office.
>> Okay. is Ryan talked about possibly reaching out to them during his one of his normal inspections. Yeah. >> To get them in the loop. >> Yeah. They're going to meet with us Thursday. >> Oh, they're coming here. They're coming here. >> Oh, even better. Great. >> Okay. Uh >> I think
the other email complaints are Lauren. Let me just Is that people sharing their thoughts about the contract negotiations? >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. How many would you say have gotten so far? They're all >> five, six, seven,
>> five. >> Yeah, probably about five or so. >> But that that's been resolved because they didn't cut the green metals teacher. Let's go. which is another issue by the way the teacher contracts.
>> I don't I didn't see real the impact of that in our budget projection. >> I know and out there >> and I know they negotiations are quote secret. It'd be nice if they shared this like how far apart are you about, you know, do they want 20% 2% or
>> Well, I think that's neat. I mean, obviously we've all been around. So, you know, they carried some of them. >> Yeah. >> Just like we carried something in our budget for the Iowa. >> I mean, so how far between what you got in the pocket versus what they want are >> and is it that part? Is it the steps? Is
it the siphons? Is it whatever? You know, I mean, are we talking a $500,000 impact to the budget or $200,000? But you know what? They got a referral. Is it Mark?
Who's the ref? Why don't you reach out? >> We're getting along. So, I'm sure he'll bring >> you to come up front. They can't hear you back there. >> I'm sure he I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from me. You guys talk all the
time. Don't fool me. >> You mean secretly that >> at the store something like that. >> You don't need to read. >> Hello. I'd like to welcome the Cam
Advisory Committee and you treasurer. Hello, the new clerk. Hello. So, how much more money did you find? >> We're still looking.
>> So, I don't know that we actually have a copy here of where we are. You have you met with every board committee pretty much? I think Brian shared with you or we shared last week where the increase that
we had in our projected part and it wasn't huge Brian it was in the gosh I wanted to even say it was 40 or 50,000 total in the part under our purview didn't include obviously county
retirement I think it did include employee benefits at that part there you've now seen the highway department, police department. We saw those the ones we haven't seen. We haven't seen the library. We haven't
seen park and wreck. You know, I don't know what kind of increases they have there. So, but if you were summarizing everything right now, you have like a a broad number for the increase in requests. >> Thank you. Um
yes I'm hesitating because we have not seen actual number from the school yet. Um, I mean I I have a an informal number that was that was forwarded to me, but
>> I saw the vote right and it was in the 560 range. That was a >> but it's not clear if that includes capital items if it includes high school debt. Keep in mind that the schools take the
view that their assessment includes the the debt for the high school, the capital, and the operating. >> And you saw you saw me push back on that, but they weren't really budging on that. >> That's the way we've done it as long as I >> So the number I thought I heard them
vote was roughly 590 something, which included the district debt separate from the Green Meadows debt. Well, I I tried to listen to Greens.
>> No, I'm sorry. Sorry. Green Mills, not debt, pardon me. Green Mills capital that they're requesting, which is a pretty big number. >> U so to answer your question, we're we're carrying a number, but it's a relatively low confidence figure.
>> Well, separate than the school. So, the town number increases. Well, the the town number is is a very modest increase. >> The Do you have the I didn't make a note. You literally just went over these. When you make a note of what's the total pound
>> I have it you have it. I didn't >> the increase. >> Right now they increase it 789,000. >> That's a great >> I hope so. >> That's a we take that out.
790. >> Oh, if we take that out, it's 220,727 >> in just a non-school part of the town budget. Okay. >> Mhm. >> So, the bulk of that was now did that include we were having that conversation
before. Are we leaving the cruiser in the budget? >> That's for the cruiser in the budget. That's a discussion. >> And the guns. >> And the guns. >> That's a discussion that obviously has to be had is whether or not to include
uh the cruiser and the guns. Highway also like to see a a pickup truck. Um >> Okay. That number does that include warrant articles then or >> Well, the pickup truck would be a warrant. Okay. But the point being that
these might be better deferred to the fall >> and we had the conversation here. So the cruiser though, this goes to Kathy's point because she's been there knowing sometimes it was in the budget and then was the second one for article. No, I
totally get that but we haven't seen >> Are you Are you considering is are the police presenting that cruiser inside their budget under the cruiser line item? Okay. >> Yes, it should. >> Are they Are they including the uh guns
in their thing or is a separate warrant article? >> It's in their budget as like capital equipment or whatever this >> in this 220,000 >> figure is that is that
the cruiser and the gun is is 220,000. No, without those two capital items, the increase is fairly >> it's closer to like 300,000. Um >> Oh, with those >> the increase between county county retirement insurance, that's 100.
Um and then you had the police cruiser and training that's like another hundred. And the police was included that. And then the few other trying to find one townhouse maintenance
is 45. So those are the big chunks for the town. >> One thing we were talking about for especially the police department was that as Don said the offduty account has quite a bit of money. Years ago we use that towards a purchase of a cruiser but
appropriately that really needs to be swept at the end of the year into free cash to be used properly. And we were thinking, okay, we could do that sweep and do the purchase in the fall with an increased free cash number. >> But that's the account that's being eliminated, correct?
>> They will be generating a service, >> right? The num the money will be going in directly intoeneral >> general fund, but right now it's got money that could be used, just not direct. >> So, we've had discussions in the past about having cruisers go a little bit
higher mileage. Mhm. >> Everything is 100,000 and less. I think one's at 107 or something like that, >> right? >> Why don't we defer this and see what happens? See if another 25 or 30,000 miles for this cruiser or see what happens with
the whole maintenance. See if we can we can update. We never looked at that before. >> Well, that's one thing we were talking about is at least which goes to your point as well, put the cruiser off to the fall. We'll have free cash, a better free cash number. It allows you to do
something at this point with keeping the projected school number and keeping somewhat of a levy limit cushion, although not much without impacting the warned articles for the highway department. We have three. One would be the loader and the board is
considering using the the chapter 90 money to buy that. We have 2026 money that was targeted for the bridge and now not needed because the state has agreed to pay the entire thing of the bridge. So that freed up. >> So chapter 90 money would not require
vote. Correct. >> No. I don't believe so. No. >> So it would still leave we're hoping because he had a pretty good number from rookie Tyler on a on a loader. It would still leave between 50 and 60,000 in the
2026 chapter 90 money which can be rolled the next year. The dump truck is a want. It's not a absolute necessity that he gets this year. We have a good fleet. This isn't
the dump truck from the 70s. It's just one he'd like to replace. The pickup truck right to Heather's point, it's got miles on it. Well, is it that bad? And >> we did ask Mark when he was in if that
pickup truck was approved at the fall town meeting, could he get it in time for the following season? He said he felt he could. >> So that's the one piece of height. >> That's the one he put as a priority of all three of them. Right. First one.
>> Well, I think the loaded were good, but he like the fact that, you know, the fact it won't cost him anything. >> Right. >> Right. Which is good. Right. >> And the other one is kind of we kept that old one there because we it wouldn't be worth anything to sell. And it's great that it's in the yard loading
salt. So the other one's in the road. >> But after using the chapter 90 money for the loader, I know that in the past we've used that as as a cushion with the paving. >> Is that enough money? Because usually I thought it was, you know, you have the 250 for paving and then you have like
another 200 for paving from the chapter 90 money usually, but now you're saying it's only going to be like 50 60 left. >> Well, keep in mind this is last year's money that was already in the construction plan was going to be used for the South Road Bridge. >> Okay. >> It wasn't even in the construction plan
because we had 500 from the small bridge program and the bridge was going to be between 750 and 800. >> Okay. So we said, "Okay, we'll use the chapter 90 money." Okay. >> Now the state has agreed to, "Hey, we're going to pay the whole thing. Long as you keep it under a million, we'll pay
the whole bill." So that chapter 90 money, which we weren't counting on at all, >> okay, >> can pay for the loader and keep 60,000 extra that wasn't going to be there. >> Okay. Okay. I and not to speak out of turn, Mark made the case that with the
chapter 90 money, he can um he can either use it for a loader >> or a truck >> right >> now, but not a pickup. >> Not a pickup, but a medium duty. So what
he was opting for is probably a medium duty truck coming out the chapter 90. >> Okay. I don't know how much but >> well >> we got we got a number for chapter 90 this year of
>> 450 which >> but he al >> it's incredible. But he also has to sweep that account next year. And okay, because every 10 years you have to. >> Okay. So that's this will be up next
year at a 10-year period. >> End of next year. Yeah. >> End of next year. Not this. >> No. My god. Yeah. >> Okay. So, um, so his options possibly to go for a pickup truck in the
fall town meeting. Okay. And I'm going to speak and say that I believe right now on the policeman, okay, on as far as police chief's account, he's should put in for a cruiser now. Okay. Because by
the time he gets it, there'll be an excessive amount of miles on whatever cruisers has the most miles on it. And to your to your point about the cruiser, I just point out too is that even though it may have 107,000 miles on it, which sounds like not too bad, those things
are sitting parked running day after day after day after day, which does not include that in the mileage. So the wear and tear in the engine and the air conditioning and the systems that are running and running. >> As I as I said before though, it does it matters the hour. You don't know the hours, >> right? You don't know the Yeah. So
that's how >> when we were in school when I was in school engineering school long ago it was for every hour you got to figure it's 30 miles >> yes because it's 30 miles an hour that as an average
>> I mean last time we had a capital went over every mile in detail and the recommendation that was back when Jeff was cheap and he was buying 100,000 milei warranty cars and getting rid of them at 100,000 miles >> and the argument was always if we go the
mileage higher than that then we're going to increase our maintenance budget and I said well that's a nice story but what the committee recommended to the selection at the time I think there's only one of you that was there here there at that point was let's try
running 125 let's try 150 and find out what the maintenance budget does we have no idea everything is is is these anecdotal stories. >> You know, if we if we target 125,000 on a car and we buy our maintenance budget
goes crazy. Now, we've got a data point. But right now, we have no data point that we can't that >> that the I mean, you know, I mean, I got 110,000 on the truck I drove here tonight. You know, I mean, they're making vehicles a lot better. They than
when two of three of the four of us were young. >> When John was closing engineering school? >> Yeah. My job was school. >> I was walking >> in the dirt. >> I was watching the Deerfield Town meeting >> and they came up asking for two cruisers because they had 140 on them and the
town meeting turned them down. >> Well, that's our point. Let's let's experiment with it. >> Well, I think Dick's point. The data doesn't support this >> right now. to your Now to your point though and Don brought this up earlier. The police budget
had quite a bit of surplus in it this year because of not having an officer position filled. The option for maybe the guns is that the selectman might do a lineto line transfer in May to do the purchase of the guns because
it's money that would roll to free cash or you do it now >> and if you don't it will roll to free cash and we can be sitting here making intelligent decisions for all the town's priority for the town. I understand that. But I think it's a good question to the chief like do you see a 20%
increase in the cost of the guns or should we or if you say >> that's what they do. >> Come on. We have a good relationship, right? He's a new guy. >> So with that, if my feeling is you don't know, we don't know what a cruiser will
go. I think you need to put a plan together with the chief. In other words, pick one cruiser >> that you're going to say, "We're going to run this one, Chief, to 150,000. Keep track of the mileage." Okay. And let that go
>> whatever. And keep track of the mileage and maintenance. Yes. >> And on that one cruiser and see what it comes out to be. >> Okay. then you have your data that you're looking for that Dick's looking for, but you're not incurring a problem
with an officer trying to respond to it. >> So, if you're looking for from the board where we are in warrant articles, we anticipate the loader to be paid out of chapter 90. We anticipate a dump truck with no action, but we're going to leave
it in to explain that it's going to come up in the future. We anticipate a truck as part of the plowing fleet if you're a small truck plowing fee thing leaving it in their explanation. >> So, let's make them back in the fall.
>> How many warn articles do you have? >> Uh 31 32 something like that. >> Yeah, it's 12. I mean, I think the first six are now the consent agenda. >> Are there any money articles you plan to take action on other than the school resources office?
>> That's right. So right now I think >> we're not doing well >> nothing from them at this point I don't think so we're not we're talking about not doing the thousand for conservation we're talking about not doing the 10,000 for the 150.
Well, Don brought up a good point. As part of the when we signed the Amoresco lease for the landfill, they got $5,000 annually out of that payment for the conservation fund. So, they're getting the five every year
that doesn't go to free cash, if you will. So, why is there an extra one? That was always done to >> that was that that thousands was always put in so that on the criteria for whether or not we met the uh
>> maybe the >> requirements for grants, you know, we whatever it was considered, you know, we met the criteria with $10,000 contribution to the conservation. >> Well, they get 5,000. >> Well, that's not going into that same account right now.
>> Sometimes it doesn't. >> Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. >> That's an interesting politics. The other thing, I mean, there's that $150,000 transfer switch for Green Medals, which I think is on the looked at, >> but it's being it's being looked at
>> because Eric and I are willing to do the job for $500 each time it trips. >> You got a guy who >> Well, it tripped once last year. I mean, that's a lot of money for >> John. John has has initiated a informal inquiry into this. >> Yes.
>> Thank you, John. I >> I mean the generator cost a lot of money to you. >> It did sound like an awful lot of money, but again I have no data to um to back it up. So um I'm going to say I asked
Gary, our electric's gonna they're gonna go this I can't make it but I would have. So >> all rights for the fire department which are actually not radios we say pages. >> Pages. >> Yeah. What was the number on that? >> I think I think that she said it was
okay. >> Well, doesn't he have 14,000 left in his equipment account? >> How many pages? All that >> goodness. So, can you buy some of that? >> 10 pages and 600,000. >> Okay, >> that's what it was.
>> Um, John, we can tell you where we are on the the roof. We're right now we don't have a hard number because we're hoping the bid for the HVAC comes in so low that we're going to need barely anything to do the roof and windows. Right. >> Yeah. I tell you I was just going to say
Thursday is the bid opening and I don't know how many people have already have come back to bid it. >> So, >> but that's the hope right there. Um >> it is hope, >> right? Roof. Let's see. Electrical and lighting upgrades is town hall. Brian,
>> um, we talked about maybe possibly repurposing money from the the leftover money from the move for that >> because the warrant ar it would have to be rewritten basically. Um, as best removal and flooring improvements,
right, that's something I've been pushing as you've been walking here, walking down, you hear the floor crackling, those corridors are not good. Um and >> yeah, >> they're not just replaced because they need to be abated at the same time. >> Yeah. So that's probably that can only
be paid with with current fiscal year funds. This would be >> one could be this is for the other. >> So this is something that I in my opinion it could be pushed to at least the fall. >> Okay. >> Encapsulated >> tough to do for the floor. >> I mean we did that for the walls in the
cafeter was just walls and ceiling. Right. Yeah, back in the day. >> Christ, we did that when I was on the committee. >> Yeah, look at the job. Yeah, thanks a lot, Don. >> Didn't do the floor. >> Is it all the flooring?
>> It's pretty much as you see that you feel that >> smaller tiles now, the fall by >> every place some of it over the years, but it's the hallways. >> Like the back hallways often tile, the front hallways, >> right? >> Parking lot improvements is just that
may even come off because there's no money for it. What's >> parking lot improvements here? You know, >> he may he may he may allocate some of some of the money from it's 250,000 to pay for the for the parking lot here.
>> How much is but then you got to do roads. I mean the roads don't >> chapter 90 this year is like 46 >> chapter 90 can't well chapter 90 won't cover >> the only way it can be used for this road if you declare the driveway coming
in to be a road >> Davenport Lane that's the point we get 250 paving for things that don't qualify for chapter 90 >> right which is like Samble Lane which is like old orchard which those you know and they have to be done sometimes >> they have to be done sometimes in our
and You know, we are in the toughest budget year that we've seen in 15 or 20 years, whatever that year the streets was. >> 2025. Y >> 05. So 20 years. >> We're in the toughest year since then. And our roads are in better shape than any town around here.
>> You are not kidding. You are not kidding. You leave Hamlin. Yes. >> It's You go through Reese Meadow, >> you are shaking. Yeah. >> Ever think about um changing the footprint of the parking lot out there to make it smaller? >> Yes. Thank you.
>> We did talk about that. My point is that this is unless we get some way because it's full from town meeting and when it happens unless you're doing something where you have parking otherwise. The other thing we were talking about is people are complaining about as they come in they're going by the if you will
the fire lane at a high rate of speed. And I'm thinking we could almost do kind of like they have at the senior center where we come out and maybe do a curve thing so it forces them to the lane closest to the grass if you will. >> I can't believe I'm saying this but we could also put in speed bumps there I
suppose. >> I can't believe you're saying that. >> I know. I hate to say it. The pickle ball people go pretty bad rate. You said no. You see them. >> Yeah. >> They got to get to that court. >> Got to get to the game. >> Exactly. Um, I assume all the C none of
the CPA stuff costs money, right? >> No, no operating money. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Do we still have a meeting tomorrow? >> So, we have a couple of consent agenda things which are nothing more than the the revolving fund limits.
Uh, school resource officer, we have some questions about that. Um, but that'll still be in the well 12 12 to 13 to 14 range. But >> we're considering their budgeting thing being a little like, you know, it's always been 11 1111. This
year they came in with a 14 number, but they're also calling it FY27 and it's always been a year behind. So that throws me up. >> And last year they did the same thing. They paid that. So I think they owe us money. >> Well, we actually haven't written that
check, it turns out. Good work. >> Nice job. Little something extra for you this week. >> Oh, and they they were sending you a bill just like you requested. >> Yes, sir. >> That's right. >> Um enterprise fund for the transfer station. Don and Lori are working on that right now. Maybe a change in fees
that would reduce the impact on tax money. Hoping to get it to almost net zero and positive >> if possible. >> Yeah. I mean, bags will be $40, but you know, we won't be losing money. 50. >> It's a big bag though.
>> A dumpster bag. >> Yeah. Um, so that's where we are from. Warrant articles. So, >> they can take $800. I'm going to stick with this. You can take $800 out of the police department budget for the NAR camp. >> They can buy that out of the opioid
settlement. >> How much does getting from that? >> About $9,000 in that. How much you want? 8,000. 4,000. >> It was that much. >> It's more than 800. >> These little checks, these little three $400 checks.
>> Yeah. Not as big as that EV account we have from the senior center. That's huge money. Huge money right there. You're not on camera. Dick. Go ahead. Bob Markel Lane. >> Did I anybody bids in those charters? I haven't seen anybody over. We get some
money every month. The income's like 150 bucks a month. >> And >> that's gross. That's gross. >> When you look at the chart, it's, you know, like four or five people plug in a month.
>> But then we put in two of them. >> Make sure the plow would clear right around it. Yeah. And didn't hit it with a plow. >> Does anybody know why our our electric rates are size there? >> Yes. I want to know. >> No. Do you know? >> I think might have something to do with
funding chargers that nobody needs and nobody uses. >> Oh, I see there was a there was a rhetorical question to that. That's why I didn't. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All I was going to sign with. >> Right. So, all that being said, what's the tax rate going to be next
year? >> That's all you want. >> Do we have any idea? Well, do we have any idea where the school budget is in terms of the negotiations? I mean, I know that's all secret, but someone
>> Yeah. I mean someone must know are they do the teachers want 20% and the schools offering 1% or are they within >> I I personally have no information as to you know are they >> the scalab that I've heard is that
they're budgeting 2527 something in that range >> that's just scalliation right still >> yeah they're in mediation they don't have any plans to have a meeting till who knows when the budget's coming And then I'm just have fears of oh by the
way we settle at five you go $500,000 more you know because of steps and >> stipins and coaches fees and >> parap par professionals I mean >> I mean we're sure >> they got to give us they got to give >> something in their budget. Yeah.
>> But what's the differential between what they actually settle at and how much they have to pay back because it's it's you know >> we we don't have any information. No. And nothing we can share either. >> Okay. >> They actually had asked that question
had tried to pin them down a specific number they were carrying in their budget request. They >> they can't comment. >> They didn't want to number on it. So what I heard was between the capital and the operating they were sending a letter that was 590 something more
from this year >> which is great because you know we the value committee told them 450. >> Yeah I was surprised at that. So >> they just that one in one year and out the other. >> We were just talking we haven't seen a
specific number from anybody at the schools. So, I mean, we're just with a somewhat informal number. >> Well, that was a vote. >> Well, I haven't seen anything. >> No, I know. But that was the last vote of the 27 votes they took that night. >> And and it's not clear what what was
reduced or eliminated to reach that number. >> So, until we have a little bit more information, it's kind of hard to >> right take a position on the school number without knowing exactly what it includes and what it doesn't include. Mhm. The other the elephant in the room there
in terms of the budget is what do you think you're going to be doing with the water bill this year? >> Not as much. >> If you didn't have that, we wouldn't really be here. But you've got Dick, you want to knock it down somewhat every year.
>> Yeah. >> How much What kind of bite are you looking to take out of this year? >> I'd love to take half of it. We'll take 600 off. Mhm. >> You know, I'm guessing it's going to be like 1.2. It might be a little higher than that if we still >> Why why
not have a I don't understand. Why not pay $50,000 a year against I mean, what what's the >> Well, my my logic was that when the fire station comes online, we're going to see a very large increase in people's taxes.
And if we could get this out of the way before that comes on, it would give us a more stable tax rate. >> So clear the decks basically >> get rid of the short-term debt before we start paying that mortgage. That was my launch. >> Where are we with the police station?
How many more years? >> We're halfway. No, we're not even halfway. >> Not even halfway. >> Yeah. What we got? We're seven or eight years in, I think. >> Eight. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> So that was my logic. I feel free to disagree.
>> I don't. >> It's okay. It's just I I don't mind kicking the can down the road. >> I've lived on debt all my life. It's great. >> I try to avoid it, Tom. >> Okay. Well, seriously,
>> it's good. Don't You're in business, right? >> I already know. Yeah. >> Okay. Doesn't every business carry debt? >> Yeah. I mean, health debt is on the credit line. Sometimes >> in trouble, though, if you're carrying too much debt. >> I know, but we don't carry too. We're not even close to what we could possibly
carry. I'm not saying we go to a maximum, but my feeling is if we pay if we take $600,000, we put it against that debt. Okay? Then that that money can't lower the tax rate. That money can't go into the
stabilization fund. That money can't be there for something else. And I just look at it. When you buy a house, you don't pay cash. You know, you got a 30-year mortgage. Why? Because you got to do other things to the house. You got to pay your bills. You got to pay groceries. You got to do this other stuff.
>> My counterpoint, John, would be say that you're suggesting is kicking the can down the road. And that's what got him in county retirement the situation it is. >> Well, we're not kicking that down the road. We're paying it. We're paying something on it. >> Totally. >> I mean, it's a capital item.
But what's what happens when the next project comes up? >> You know, >> to the >> you borrow some more money. >> That's what banks are for. That's what bonds are for. >> That's right. Retirement. >> That's not what happened with economy. What
counter is they didn't pay no one paid no one paid the retirement bill for years. They no one paid in. No one paid their fair share just like they do in the social social security. They don't pay their fair share. You know, they cap the freaking social security at $150,000
bucks. So guys like me who make $200,000 a year don't pay social security anymore, right? Don't pay I don't pay. >> So we should pay bill. >> No. I I I get salary here.
>> I'm on a fixed income though retired >> with seven pensions. Well, or >> like down like Bob Mar I just I just >> the problem with carrying debt is it reduces flexibility and the carrying
costs. It's money. It's money that's not available for other things. >> Yeah. >> Lord knows we're going to have plenty. >> Yeah. But you take the $600,000. You don't have the money available for us. >> So here's what you do. You take >> one of Dick's dreams. >> I know. I know. No. So let's let's say we work with that. you pay off that part
of $600,000, right? And now you still don't have the money for other things because you've >> well paid it. >> So you got to borrow again anyhow. >> Another counterpoint would be if suddenly an extra half a million dollar shows up, I don't trust government to
spend it wisely. We'll increase some service that we probably could have gotten away with a little more frugally. >> I don't think I've never been in all my town meetings in the advisory committee made. I don't think this is the crew that ever misspent money.
>> Oh, really? >> We're really a little tight. >> All right. You've got 1.2 the finished water problem. >> Probably something that >> if you didn't make a payment on it. >> How much does it cost you to service that 1.2 for another year? >> I don't know. What's the interest on a
million dollars? >> No, I'm just asking. So% goes back to Don's point. It's likely going to five% not less than five 5%. Okay, it's $500 million 50,000. >> So call it 601.2. So but that goes to
Don's point there like okay we pay down 150 on it. Yes it'll cost us another 40 for debt service but we save 400 we could use for something else kind of is that where you were going with that? >> Yeah. Yeah. It's all relative though but we're also not to their point this is
where I'm at. We're not paying interest on that money, you know, we're not borrowing. So, we're we're knocking it down. We're getting rid of it eventually. I I get there's no money, but if we ever gotten to that big of a pine, we could borrow the money. >> This is a fault of countries anyway. >> Yeah.
Yeah. >> We'll have plenty of time to argue about that. >> Really? >> All summer? >> Yeah. All summer. >> All summer. We got those nice courtyards. We can sit outside. So, what good news does the advisory committee actually have for us?
>> The increase is more moderate than we anticipated. Okay, >> that's good news. That's good news. >> Great. Thanks to you all. >> Thanks to everybody in the town yesterday, but also because we're
deferring, we're deferring a bit too to see where we are. make everybody's aware of the situation. They're trying to do their best make difficult decisions. >> Have one last question. When might we get a copy of the warrant?
>> They don't have amounts on them. You want to email projected amounts to >> Okay, Jean, she can distribute. Okay. >> Yeah, that'd be great. It's not the warrant's not yet. >> No. >> Oh, okay. >> So, everything is >> When is it closed?
>> We closed. >> Okay. >> Last week right now and there was the discussion about the regional agreement and we closed it because a we could reopen and b I'm not
sure that's going to be done in our lifetime. So, it just seems to have a it just keeps going on. done. We're not paying We're not paying for capital improvements at the Wilberham Middle School that were identified 10
years ago. Period. That's there's no point. >> Paragraph 7 sub paragraph 3 paragraph A >> whatever that is. We're not >> Is there is there working on that at all? >> Yes. Yes, there is. >> Yep. Planning committee. planning
committee with me myself, Michelle, Mark Ducey, we get along well. And uh >> is it Mike? >> And uh Mike is >> No. Uh Sean Kennedy. >> We meet every couple of weeks.
>> Am I putting that in the minutes? >> Feel free. We meet every couple of weeks and the discussion always ends up in the same place in which I say we're not paying for capital improvements to the middle school that were identified 10 years ago. >> Thank you.
>> That's kind of like a few weeks ago we kind of wanted to engage town council and we didn't want to approve spend the money on our town council. It's kind of cut and dry. You guys go to your council. What you got to do if you want to send something, send something to the select board. We'll review it and then at that point if we think that needs to
get done council will make the decision waste of money. >> Exactly. That's why we >> school voted to withdraw the the windows and doors. >> Yeah. >> They have anything pending any type of
application for any type? Yes, they're going they've applied to the core program which would be more extensive >> full renovation >> full re either full renovation or a new building and they and but that is a couple of year process
>> long road >> so the plan is they think I think their plan is that they would if they get accepted in the core program which would be in December then they have 120 days to do a feasibility to get us feasibility money for feasib ility
study. They will borrow the money. They think the feasibility study is going to cost a million dollars >> which is shocking. Remember the feasibility study for Minichog was in the 500 range. >> Yeah. A million. So a million dollars and they would then if they then depending on what was decided was a full
renovation or a new building, they would roll that into the that'd be part of that bond issue >> which we voted to support that. >> Right. But the board was united to say during that fiveyear period, what's your plan for the students at Wolver Middle,
>> you know, that's it. >> What things can you fix? >> Right? >> That don't need to be a permit. Now, you're just it's upkeep. It's not 30-year repair because I think even if you they vote to do the total renovation
at that site, it's still pretty much a new building at that point, albeit with swamp land underneath. or they decide to put it as as a campus at Minog where the maybe the old Minog was, which would negate any long-term
fixing at Wolver Middle because at that point, Wolver will have their second empty school building on their hands, which is not great, but that's their problem. >> All right. Well, a long ways to go on that issue.
>> Yes. Yeah. But it's it >> there is, but it's also an issue doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. >> That's the frustration, right? >> We made our point and it is >> I'm sorry. Tiger is here to tell us our time is up. >> The superintendent has has proposed that
another amendment which would if it became a depending on what the core problem was if it became a regional building and then the cost would be shared. But Wilberham doesn't want to do that because they don't they're afraid it might not become a regional building
and then you'd be stuck with all the repairs, >> right? I mean that owns that building. >> All right. We're not going to solve that tonight. >> Well, thank you. When's your next meeting? >> We're gonna meet up next week and go
through these with a little bit. In the meantime, I'm going to try and get clarification from the school in terms of what number they're requesting, what that number includes, doesn't >> you want to be you want to be on our agenda? I mean, after your meeting, do you want to come in and just keep doing this kind of round table thing and keep
>> We have no problem. We got We'll have more new cookies. We'll bring out >> I got one question. Does does your uh money include the uh dispatch? >> What? >> We don't have a new we don't have a new
dispatch number. >> No. >> Okay. >> It doesn't include any increase. We we know that that number is going to change in the numbers. >> Yeah. >> Just get number. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> You have a sense of when that number is going to come through any idea? Well, it was supposed to come through supposed to come through today, but it didn't. So, >> so we'll have it well in advance of time. >> Well, it's on the Warhammer agenda tonight, but they're select. So, maybe
>> anticipating it's going to go up. Just quet how much? >> Wasn't Wasn't Beltown going into the >> Bel town's in it for 250,000 125, >> right? And they're talking about bringing Rambi in a couple years down the road,
>> right? >> Those grants coming. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. So, yes, we'll pet the win for next week. >> Great. Okay. >> Good night. >> I think it's a good idea every week. >> Absolutely. Especially >> communication open
time. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Yes. Absolutely. Things are changing daily. >> Yeah. >> Did Dan want something or >> I don't think Where are they? What's happening with the truck? Any idea?
>> Okay. >> All right. Where are we? >> Uh, we have completed everything that's on the agenda at this point. We have 17 cookies left. So, we got I think another half hour to go. This is all on video. All on video. So
for reports, I have nothing to report. So >> all the townhouse being tomorrow night. >> Yeah, last week was pretty, you know, >> just cancel them. >> Oh, you know, 70 people outside waiting to get in. >> No. >> All right. So yeah, you and every other
board are meeting tomorrow night. >> Yeah, hearing this. Yeah. >> And you get the big room. >> A big room. >> All right. Uh Brian, >> couple things. Um the MVP grant application,
um that deadline was extended one week because the state's new grant management system is having some difficulty, but that grant application sent to hopefully I can submit it tomorrow. Should be all set. And um we're trying to mention this
earlier. Um, Mass need to increase the small bridge grant amount with South Road Bridge. Uh, we're also going to apply for near close to a million dollars to include a contingency amount um that we can that we can have there in
case uh materials costs go off. I did some calling around to talk about the main street bridge laughing brook and the amount that you know Steve came back was the full replacement thing the3 to4 million
>> and I said if it was because he talked about the what their concern was during a flood there wasn't enough volume able to go through >> and I said you see these all the time in dams like they have floodways on the sides to allow more capacity you know
when it rise rises up, it can go through. And I said, "Is there that kind of option?" The guy I talked to said, "Well, you know, if you had it close enough to it, you probably could do something where you drill through and just put to
the left and right, you know, a two to three foot thing to allow more volume to go through over. So, I think maybe that's not Steve wants to hear, but I think maybe that's something it can be done and get the repair done
inside that million dollar number, especially when it gets into uh public safety, hazard mitigation, that type of thing. So, I just want to, you know, obviously we know that the bridge itself needs a little repair. a couple beams they talked about the
railing looks like it certainly could use some replacing but one of those people don't understand how many bridges there are in town you go down you know the co type they're all no the cobra
type you go down scan road there's at least three to four >> and then Mark and I went to a grant meeting the other grant the other bridge grant we have is the the fair program. I forget what F AIR
it's. It's an accelerated bridge repair program that we were awarded for the middle road over the Scantic. Um the way that's going to happen is uh Mass's going to bid out uh they broke it out by regions in Western Mass. So there's like
six, seven, eight bridges in our region and they're going to build them out as one package. So we don't have to do any procurement. They're going to get one contractor who's going to fit on six or seven bridges. They're going to make the repairs. Single designer for each bridge. Uh Mass's paying for everything
and they're going to make those repairs. So, >> and to be clear to people, this is not the small bridge at Mil Pond. This is the bridge leading up to the solar ps. >> Yes. Right. And we had the hole on a
year or so ago, right? Yeah. again hopefully another project that will have no impact on our it's fully paid for right it shouldn't and I mean it's great that they're doing it they're doing it across the state in segments they're starting out west for once so we're not
going to see the project come back around >> ever be clear Steve did do some work on your behalf or town's behalf to see if the laughing bridge will qualif qualify and unfortunately their proposed price
exceeded their limit. >> Yeah. >> You know, they had a million dollar limit and the full replacement was much higher than that. >> Yeah. And and I guess maybe if there had been more dialogue from from Mass to the towns about the fair program. >> I mean, so so the fair is an accelerated
bridge repair program. It's not going to pay to replace, but maybe we could have directed them to another bridge. And I guess that was one of the main that was one of the main points I guess that mass received the feedback was a lot of towns were like hey that's great but we have this
>> this one really needs to be fixed >> really needs >> I mean even if you look at the scores that bridges they chose within the region it's like you know they were six or sevens and a lot of the bridges are >> six seven really yeah six seven's
gonna age well thanks um ongoing things. Where are we with the traffic study? >> We signed to be done. >> Right. So, we signed a letter uh you signed a letter requesting uh traffic analysis of uh Allen Summers, Wilberham
Road >> down to or across or up, however you want to go to uh Main Street and uh Summers. >> Okay. >> In the area in between that. Um so PBPC had given us the uh uh a verbal
commitment to do that because uh they try to uh distribute UPWP unified planning work program funds. >> Those are federal transportation dollars that thankfully haven't been cut yet. Um and they try to distribute those
geographically within the region and Hampton hasn't requested those in a very long time. So they committed to doing that study for us. That should give us a conceptual um a con conceptual design recommendation as to how to improve those two intersections because they really are linked >> in terms of their proximity. So,
>> all right. One thing now that weather's better, would you mind reaching out to the chief and this gets back to what I talked about before and asking if they could do a traffic study with their strips, etc. of Raymond Drive. Now that
the weather's better, they can put it out there. I'd like to get a sense of a the speed and the amount of traffic there is there on a daily basis. I mean, hey, I use it for a cut through coming from East Law Meadow down Allen to go to the town hall. It's the way to go.
>> You probably use it, too. >> I mean, you live there. Yeah. >> So, and do you? >> Absolutely. >> I mean, of course. Why would you go all the way down and come back? So, >> why would you go down and take that corner anyhow? >> Wheels, right? And thank them fixing the
flag pole. Nice job. That thing's taking a beating on it lately. >> It does look good, >> huh? >> It does look good. But again, same thing. I think it's something that it's going to come up, especially as summer comes along and now we're fully open. The library is open. The park is
wreck is open. I feel for you. You know, if we don't take charge of it now, you could see a tremendous impact on Raymond Drive. Good. Correct. All right. Any more? >> It's about it. >> One more. The cameras.
>> Oh, yeah. So, we had a we had a good conversation with Valley. Eric understands what they're talking about. >> Thank you. >> So, we're able to to scope a project that that's in within our budget. So, we're going to move forward with that.
>> So, that's now is that camera with dispatch or cameras? So that would not be with dispatch currently. That would be this system here >> because back in the Tony had talked about trying to get cameras covered by
dispatch money for the town buildings. >> Yeah. And we can >> see was out for a while. So I'm not sure, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. But the idea is that it would be our original conversations with Valley were that the cameras were compatible and that they could feed into
dispatch dispatch >> like the ones do at the the townhouse. >> And this is all this is all grant money too, right? This >> Yeah, this is the state, >> right? The state mark. So just a quick thing. >> Is there something on the warm old town
hall? We talked about that having. >> So we should have something for either report or something like that. Think of a think of a warrant article. We should open add it in. >> They could do it. They could
>> Yeah, because so article one is to receive all the reports of the >> Yeah, I think it should be more clear that you know we have >> you need someone to stand up. You need to stand up to say as of where we are. >> Yeah. So we should next week. Yes. Next week we should open add that maybe even
replacing another one with that or whatever but I think it's going to be on there as a specific article >> be happy to give a presentation >> we we put charge on them they had to be ready for town meetings >> AI >> Lauren anything
>> I don't know if you're ready excuse me but I don't know if you're ready I sent along to some of the there is a quite a bit of a split about But in the finances though, it's going to be the the sliding factor. >> I don't know. It seemed to be pretty. I thought looking at whether it's column
three or four, I can't remember. I thought I saw a lot of answers that said, "I'd love to preserve it." And a lot of answers said, "Well, I really can't take much more in my taxes. What's this going to cost me?" >> Yeah, >> that seemed to be a large majority. I thought
>> that's based on I don't remember the exact number, but it's only in the hundreds. >> Yeah. amount of people >> which is a great response. >> It is a great is a great response. >> 132 that might be >> 132. But there also when is it closed? April 1st was >> April 10th. We're gonna do like a forum
on the 7th or the 14th. >> Now is that the one the senior attorney that's here >> senior finished 24th >> right? They a lot of people want to see another tax. >> I think that was the other consensus is people don't want to spend any dollars
to get there. So that's understandable. >> Yeah. So >> nice. Anything else come before the board? >> Address the other correspondence listed on the agenda certified letter.
>> We did. >> I asked him if he was having a meeting. >> We're having a meeting. >> Yeah. Ryan Paxton, >> our last meeting on Thursday meeting on Thursday with the principal. >> Yeah.
>> And we're very appreciative of what we've heard from residents even in including Eric. >> Yeah. >> And uh we hope to address this lum for the season. It's a big start. Motion >> to adjourn. Second. All >> in favor. I thank you all. Bye Kristen.