All right. Hello and welcome to the June 30th, 2026 select board meeting for the town of Hatfield. It is 50:06 and I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um, first I'm going to read our public
participation announcements. The Hatfield Select Board welcomes everyone to its meetings and all other public meetings of the town of Hatfield. All regular and special meetings of the boards and committees of the town of Hatfield shall be open to the public and shall conform to the open meeting law.
Executive sessions are closed to the public and will be held only as prescribed by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is important to recognize that the open meeting law affords the opportunity to listen to the proceedings but not necessarily participate. During meetings of the select board, an
attempt will be made to find a balance between hearing from the members of the community and conducting the required business of the Hatfield Select Board. For the public's information, this meeting is being recorded. Um, first off, announcements. Um, I'd just like to
say I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July. Um, please keep in mind that fireworks are illegal and it is incredibly dry out and it can be a large burden on our first responders having to respond to incidents of all kinds. So,
please be aware of your surroundings um while you're celebrating. That is all I have. If you have any >> I'd just like to say uh condolences to the family of uh Jane Yolen. She did a lot for the school. She did a lot of writing contests for the kids over the
years and I just like to uh express our condolences to her and her family. >> Yep. I just to echo that uh a huge loss for the town and I you know my daughter always loved trick-or-treating at our
house getting a poem so very sadly missed. >> She will be greatly missed. Um, is anybody That's all we've got for announcements. All right. Is anyone here? >> I will say uh quickly to anybody
watching the live stream right now and wants to come down from uh 6:00 to 8:00 tonight. There will be an open house uh run by uh PVPC, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, uh with our consultant who's been working on the agricultural ditches uh study. uh some really interesting
information that they found and they're looking at how to better maintain these agricultural waterways in the future. Uh and a lot of that has to do with uh overlap with the conservation commission, but if they're agricultural uh there's an interesting uh permitting method for that. So uh really uh
interesting stuff that they found. They've walked over 42 miles of ditches between here and Hadley. So uh and inspected every culvert in the two towns. So really cool project they've done. and and uh there will also be ice cream there from 6:00 to 8:00 if that's interest. So right outside here at Smith
Academy Park uh come for the ice cream, stay for the fascinating information on agricultural uh pathways. Is anybody here for public forum? Seeing none, let's we will move on to our consent agenda and our minutes from
last meeting. >> Make a motion to approve June 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Seconded. >> We have a motion made and seconded. All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Moving on to our posted business. Uh
topic one, the loan documents for the wastewater treatment plants. >> So last I as clerk, I make a motion to approve the sale of 3,66,224 of 4% general obligation bond application notes. The notes of the town
dated July 13, 2026 and payable July 13, 2027 to Fidelity Capital Markets, a division of National Financial Services LLC at par and accured interest if any
plus a premium of $37,5473. further voted that in connection with the marketing sale of the notes, the preparation and distribution of a notice of sale and preliminary official statement dated June 16th, 2026 and a
final official statement dated June 23rd, 2026 each in such form as may be approved by the town treasurer be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved, and adopted. Further vote that the town treasurer and the select board
be and hereby are authorized to execute and deliver a significant events disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC rules 15C2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond
council to the town which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the notes for the benefit of the holders of the notes from time to time for the vote that we authorize and direct the town treasurer to establish post
insurance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as a town treasurer and bond council deems sufficient. or if such procedures are currently in place to review and update
set procedures in order to monitor and maintain the tax exempt status of the notes and to comply with relevant security laws. for the voter that any certificates or documents related to the notes collectively the documents may be
executed in several counterparts each of which shall be regarded as an original all of which shall constitute one in the same document delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to the
document by the electronic mail in a PDF file or other electronic transmission mission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature paid to such documents and electronic signatures on
any of the documents shall be deemed original signatures for the purposes of the documents and all matters relating there to having the same legal effect as original signatures for the voter that
each member of the select board the town clerk and the town treasurer be and hereby are authorized to take any and all such actions and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them
or any of them to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes. >> Okay. So we have to make a motion on this. >> So that that was your your motion. That was the motion. Okay.
>> Uh and then this is for our bond anticipatory notes, our temporary financing for a number of capital projects that we have going on. So, >> okay. So, >> seconded. >> All right. We have a motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion? >> No. >> Uh all in favor?
>> I >> I >> fantastic. Moving on to topic two. Mr. William Woolridge. >> Tammy, did we need to just get all that signed now? Would that be helpful for anything? No, we get it done after. Okay. There's about a thousand signatures for each of you in the
packet. We'll get that done tonight. >> All right. Topic two. Mr. William Woolridge, Oldm Mill in a request to change hours on all alcoholic beverages to Monday through Saturday beginning 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays beginning 10:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. You want
to come forward if you would talk on? >> Yeah. I just It's just we occasionally have weddings there and people want to have mimosas at 8 in the morning. I didn't you you read it. It it's probably a minor thing. We don't do um you know
really we have alcohol mostly for the convenience of our you know it's not we don't we don't sell out of it but we the the way the license is now goes to midnight. So we weren't trying to change that. We were trying to keep it at midnight if you want to make it I don't think that's a big issue. It's it was
midnight. It was noon to midnight and we wanted to make it go 8 to 8 am to midnight and then on Sunday uh at 10 >> makes more sense than midnight to 10. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Um >> right. >> Yeah. The only question I have is like this license that we have says till 11 p.m. in the bottom left corner. >> I don't know if that new one. >> Yeah. because I noticed the minutes did change. >> Um Karen, is that a um would this be
putting us outside of the state's limits on >> No. >> No, it'll be fine. >> And I will print out one with the corrected time from midnight. >> Oh, okay. >> And you can sign that. >> So, I'll do 8:00 a.m. to 12 a.m. Yes. Monday through Saturday and Sundays
10:00 a.m. to >> 12 a.m. >> Is that right? >> That's good. Yeah. As long as that it's all good. >> I don't have any issue with it myself. I mean, I've never heard any complaints of of down there at the mill from the
police department or anything. So, and I understand what you're doing. You have weddings. You want your mimosas and stuff, whatever. I know. >> I mean, you know, it's interesting. I don't think we'll call us, >> but we need you know our guest.
>> That's just my two cents. >> I don't. >> All right. >> All right. >> Motion to approve William Woodridge Oldmill's request to change hours on all alcoholic beverages from Monday through Sunday beginning 8:00 a.m. and Sundays beginning at 10 a.m.
>> Monday through Saturday. >> Monday through Saturday. >> Sorry, that's right. >> I said Monday through Sunday. Sunday through Saturday beginning 8:00 a.m. and Sundays beginning 10:00 a.m. >> It was 8:00 a.m. to 12, right? Yeah. I mean, I'll second that. That's fine.
>> Motion made, motion seconded. Is there any discussion? No. >> Hearing none. Uh, all in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay, >> sounds good. Um, moving right on to topic three, the
Betty Allen chapter of the NSD, the Daughters of the American Revolution for Constitution Week 20126. >> Well, good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. >> Um, I would like to introduce Donna Helm
who is the regent of the Betty Allen chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. And the Betty Allen chapter is located the house is located at 148 South Street in Northampton. And I am Sharon
Nicholas. Most of you know me, member and parliamentarian of the Betty Allen D chapter. A little bit about uh the N D. The National Society was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation,
education, and patriotism across the United States. We are a volunteer organization whose members can trace their heritage back to a revolutionary war ancestor. The National Society has local chapters across the US and around
the world. In addition to our nation celebrating the 250th anniversary this year, this year also marks the 239th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on September the 17th, 1787. On this day in Philadelphia, bells were
used to call people together for the first public reading of our new constitution. This foundational document is celebrated each year from September the 17th through the 23rd by an act of the US Congress in 1956.
The Betty Allen D celebrates this event yearly with a bell ringing ceremony on September the 17th at 4 PM and a reading of the proclamations local towns sent last year. Belchuretown, East Hampton, Hadley, Graanby, Northampton, and South
Hadley sent our chapter house proclamations. We would respectfully request that the town of Hatfield participate in this celebration and ask if you could provide the Betty Allen D with a proclamation and permit us to
display a few Constitution Week posters in your town hall. I've given you some examples of posters that we would like to um just a few that we would like to uh put in the town hall and a sample
proclamation that uh you know um for the for the uh constitution week. So um we would also like to invite you to participate in our constitution day ceremony on September 17th at 400 pm. The Northampton Chapter
House will be open for tours if you've never been there and we do issue press releases for the bell ringing ceremony and information is posted on our Facebook page. I'd like to turn it over to our regent of the Betty Allen D
chapter house, Donna, for a few words. Sure. So, um embellishing a little on the bell ringing ceremony that it's it's um started because when the Constitution was signed, all the bells rang in
Philadelphia at 4 4:00 p.m. And so, we still celebrate that through the country. We try to get as many communities to ring their bells at 4:00. I know some people are still working, but um it is just a nice thing to do on
this September 17th. So, and and we read the proclamations. Um we usually read a poem. We uh have we do this on our front lawn and people walking by join us and it's really um a nice event and you're
all welcome to join us there. So, Thank you. I mean, I think that was a nice presentation. I think it's important what you do and I appreciate your work in this. Um, >> absolutely. >> I don't know. We need to read the
proclamation at this time or or we just uh how do you want to do that, Andrew? >> I think um you could either plan to approve this tonight or we have a little bit of time. can do this at your next meeting and we could, you know, personalize this for Hatfield and have this ready to go for your next
meeting if you want. That sounds good. >> And we'll make sure the proclamation gets made. >> That would be great. >> Or the proclamation can be made in August, you know, just right before and that'll be a good reminder for folks all the activities going on. So do that. >> Great. >> Anyone have any questions? >> No, that sounds the best. >> Okay. Well, thank you.
>> Thank you very much for coming in. >> Yeah, thanks for coming in. >> Okay. Uh what are we doing time? We're doing okay. Um topic four, uh approve the executive
assistant comp time for June 30th, 2026 >> just is that what >> as is that what we looked at last week last? >> So this is this is a very specific item for for the comp time. So, typically our our comp time agreements, we we tend to
um have them end at the at the end of the fiscal year. So, that would be after tonight's meeting, but uh Karen is allowed to take comp time uh because she comes to our meetings and then uses the time, you know, within two weeks. Um it was be set to expire after this meeting
and yet she can't actually use it because she's acrewing it right now. So, we just like to have that uh roll into the next fiscal year. uh it'll be however long this meeting is tonight and have the have those uh hours acrew uh for uh for the next fiscal year. Um and she'll use them within a couple weeks
because she's pretty good about doing that. >> Is that does that sound about right? >> That sounds >> great. Deny. >> No. Now, just a reminder, I mean, we've had a lot of discussions on this over the years with different boards and we
try to encourage everybody to use their time and and not to carry a lot of time over, but I do recognize there are cases where people are not able to use their time. So, I mean, it's just important to
make sure that everyone knows try to use your time if you can and take your vacations because everybody needs a vacation to get a little bit of rest. So, >> those are just my own comments on this >> and the board has a standing policy that folks can apply and and we can have
their vacation roll over for up to two weeks. Uh so we don't do that for anymore on vacation and typically you know comp time requests wouldn't really come to this board but this is just a very rare case where just want to make sure that comp time she occurs tonight right now is roll over. >> Okay sounds good
>> motion comp time for June 30th 2026 meeting to roll over into FY27. Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Uh, all in favor? >> I >> I
uh topic five, vote to approve the center for resilient metro regions as recommended by the zoning consultant committee. So, this is um a great process that we ran through an RFP. We had seven applicants for this uh this work that's funded by a state grant uh
because it's over $50,000 and we wanted to introduce criteria and not just who's the lowest bidder into this process. We ran an RFP process. We we got that to make sense. Uh and we had seven great teams. Uh really it was a tough uh tough decision to make. We interviewed the top
two uh and we're happy to recommend moving forward to a contract with the Center for Resilient Metro Regions. Wayne Feden is a professor runs a team of students out of UMass Ammerst. He is the former planner in Northampton. He knows the town very well. He knows
zoning rewrites extremely well and has uh the ability to take um uh to use other faculty members around him at UMass uh who are part of the center and also students. So they'll have students doing a lot of the work on uh zoning maps and other things. they're, you
know, going to be pretty fresh in their skills for for GIS, everything else, uh, and will be a great asset and, you know, Wayne has a really good understanding of what we're looking for and he's really hitting the ground running. So, excited to work with him. Um, and would highly recommend moving into a contract with
him and, uh, getting this project started. >> I I do want to thank the committee for their work on this. Uh, picking the right is important. So, I I don't have any questions on this or concerns with
this contract. >> Nor do I. >> All right. >> Great. >> With that said, then I'll make a motion to approve Center for Resilient Metro Regions as recommended by the zoning consultant working group. >> Seconded. >> Motion made and motion seconded. All in
favor? >> I. >> Fantastic. Topic six. Uh, David Capriotti, the beer guy, uh, LLC, request for one day alcohol license
for July 25th, 2026 at the Hatfield Lions Club Pavilion, Billings Way from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for an employee picnic. >> I don't have a problem with this. We we granted him his request over the years, and I haven't heard any problems or
concerns. Um, and it sounds like a private party and the insurance and all that's been taken care of, I guess, and everything's in order. >> Everything's here. Yeah. >> If that's the case, I'll entertain a motion.
>> Okay. Okay, I'll make a motion to approve David Capri the beer guy request for a 1-day alcohol license for July 25th, 2026 at the Hatfield Wines and Bellings Way from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
for an employee picnic. >> I think it's 11 11 >> 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. >> I think that also maybe >> accept the friendly amendment 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. >> Yes. Yep. Yep. What it says, >> right? So, accept it.
>> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Topic seven. Um, we have some donations that were recently made to the town of Hatfield. Um, so first on our lists, we have
uh a donation from the estate of Robert L. Heert. If you don't mind, I'll give just a little introduction to all three of these. So, um this was the last will and testament that was sent to us um by local attorney's office Melm law offices.
>> Uh and they let us know that uh there's a very kind donation from the estate of Robert Heert uh in three separate $2,000 donations. Uh the first was to the fire department uh to the town of Hatfield. Um, it was not made with any specific
obligations, just a donation to the fire department to use as as they see fit. The second was a very similar donation to the police department, $2,000 use as they see fit. Um, extremely generous and kind. The third is a donation to the town of Hatfield, and the request is to
erect a memorial bench uh, and that there would be a plaque on it. Um, there's language in here for for the plaque. It's just, uh, the memory of Robert L. Heert and Arlene Heert. Um, so again, that's for $2,000. So the process for accepting a donation uh would be
that we need a vote of the select board uh to to accept any gift and we would need to make sure that any acceptance is in line with the wishes of of the the will. It's essentially what we're doing is that we will carry this out as requested. So uh for the first two, fire
department, police department, I see absolutely no problem in accepting this. The only issue uh on the third is that the request is to um erect a bench and that that there be a plaque, you know, in in their memory. We just need to make sure that we can agree to this and that
we believe $2,000 is enough money uh to um erect this bench uh and that we're comfortable with with any, you know, uh I don't say strings attached, but any obligations on that funding. So, we have Marlo here. Um Trace put up lots of benches his career and we just want to make sure that we feel comfortable with
the the $2,000. Um it's it's very possible that we could also use say an an existing bench and use the $2,000 to pay for a plaque and maybe the maintenance on that bench or something if we needed to. It does say erect the bench. So um if we have any concerns, we could always contact the attorney or our
attorney as well. And I do have a attorney's opinion here about uh how to how to deal with this. Um, >> do we know if there's anything that was uh mentioned over the years for the existing benches we have to stay within
the same standard as the existing benches? Or is there anything in writing saying that if a bench is installed in town, then it has to conform to the following specifications as set forth by the benches that are already installed?
I'm just wondering if we have anything. >> Yeah, great question. I I don't know of anything like that. In another community I worked in, um we came up with a bench donation policy in which we asked for a certain amount of funds knowing that it was in excess but that it would be used
for maintenance in the future that also any donation was expected to be for 10 years of that bench that you might not have the bench you know in perpetuity just because of maintenance issues that came up. It might be worth ush worth it for us to to look at a similar policy in the future. when they did the Smith
Academy Pavilion, they did ask for um donations of I think $5,000 for those benches. Um that was part of a very um specific program to donate those benches and and have the the plaques be believed to be in perpetuity, but I'm not sure.
>> Was that the actual cost of putting the bench in or was a donation to cover anything else? >> I think the donation would also have been covering part of the cost of the park. Yeah, because I I don't know where we got these benches years ago that were installed.
>> I'm sure we can can find that >> cuz I know there are there are other benches online that are like 700 bucks or so, but they're recycled, but they're not the same as this. And I assume maybe maybe we should set a policy then if any
future donations for benches to follow some kind of policy or standards so that we don't have mismatch or >> yeah outline exactly the design of the bench and the size of the plaque and >> right yeah >> yeah and um I will say there are no
requirements here of where it would be placed it doesn't say where the bench has to be so it doesn't have to be say in the park where we have kind of standards there. It could be another location if if we're comfortable. >> I want to discourage any future donations to the town, but at the same time, we just want to make everything
somewhat compliant to what we have. I I suppose >> that said, I was wondering that I think you mentioned that there were benches at the new playground. I was wondering if one of those we could put a plaque on or >> I'm not sure. I got to take a look at
the the benches. I haven't seen them yet. They're over in um public safety. They were purchased by Wreck at some point. I want to take a look at them. But if we can install them then >> I was just thinking if there's a public land outside of the park that would be
less obvious. >> If you think um are there benches part of the new playground design? >> No, it wasn't. It was brought to my attention after I went through the process of rebuilding the playground. So I >> So there's no new benches as a part of that or
>> No. No. >> But there could be if we wanted a new bench there, we could use these funds potentially. >> Yeah. >> If it's in a separate area already, >> we'd have to get a quote for the bench first to first determine how much they cost. Some of those recycled plastic benches can be >> pretty expensive. >> Very expensive.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I thought you said that you found some that you were repurposing. >> Well, they haven't been used and nobody seems to know what they were for. They're over there. I just haven't peakedked at them yet. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, somebody brought it to my attention and said maybe you can put them in the
park when all the new structures and everything. >> I mean, we still if we have an existing bench, then that might fit in with >> right >> this donation already. So, that would work. >> I may have a a policy from another community too on that. I can look at it. >> So, it kind of sound it seems like we
probably can make motions on the police and fire, but should hold off on the bench portion until we make a cost determination, right? >> Do it at your next meeting. we can have a plan for what to do with a bench. Just it sounds like what I'm hearing from this board is that it's something we would like to do. We just want to make
sure we have a place for it, that we have a way to to erect a bench at the $2,000 mark and that we'd be comfortable with how it looks and and where it goes. >> I mean, and would it be agreeable to the estate that if the $2,000 doesn't cover
the cost of an entire new bench, could it just cover the cost of the plaque and the maintenance moving forward? >> I think we on an existing option. That's what we have to check on. >> We have to ask the attorneys, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think we can find a solution here. >> Yeah. >> I wouldn't say that we're going to erect a new bench, >> right?
>> And it doesn't does it say erect a new bench? It says erect a bench. >> Pay for the erection of a bench, >> right? >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. So, I think we have a path forward here in a number of ways. >> Yeah. But the question is, can we purchase >> not the erect part of it tells me build
>> right >> build our own. >> Mhm. I see the only option as a plaque on an existing >> repurposed. >> Yeah. Unless we find the right right thing. So, yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> We want to um accept the first two and
then the sec the third we'll wait on but we'll Marlo and I will work on figuring out a plan on that >> the path forward. >> All right. Motion to accept donation from the estate of Robert L. Heert for the fire department. >> Motion made. Do we have a second?
I'll second. >> Yes. >> Uh, all in favor? >> I >> I >> motion to accept donation from the estate of Robert L. Heert for the police department. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
>> and we'll get information on the bench. >> Right. And we'll wait on that. And I think we should have some policy in place for we don't want to discourage future donations, but if they want a bench, then we should have some kind of standard or something on what we're
allowing. You know, it just makes sense that way. >> We also might want to, this is going off topic, but we might want to think about other ways to accept donations for for memorials some that aren't a bench with some other method.
>> Yeah. LCN donations, I guess. I don't know. Bricks or whatever. >> Yeah, >> people can donate in multitudes of ways. It's just when it gets specific like this is where we run into >> it gets sticky. >> Right. Thank you. I I appreciate that we
could take care of that. >> Yeah. Um topic gate. >> So, uh on this one, the firefighter position increase in pay, the um fire chief did plan to have a proposal together. This is uh he is planning to post uh the position uh for our second
um full-time firefighter and um that is posted and we're working on seeing if there's a potential hire we can make. Um we'll wait until a person comes through to raise that pay, but there was enough pay budgeted I think to to have an increase there, but we'll we'll go over
the specifics of that when we we actually have a person. >> All right. So, we're skipping that for now. >> Skip that. >> All right. Um, the wage and salary request form for Robert Flity and request for comp time use. >> And I do have some questions on this
because these hours are high and we again we have did talk talked in the past about using time. I know that he took on another position, but I I don't know if he submitted anything on what he considered comp time and what we considered comp time and if they
actually conflict with one another. Meaning, did he did he think coming here was was comp time for a meeting or I mean a lot of department heads, we we expect them to attend certain meetings and stuff that are not considered comp time. their part of their job
responsibilities at the department head. So I see a high number, but I don't see anything to give us what those hours are for. So I just I have a question. Not that I'm against. I just like to know uh
more information on what actually these hours were for. That's all. >> Yeah. And and I think he's typically listed kept track of any comp time for
um any time when he would have you know worked extra hours that above the the 40 hours a week. Um I think that's what he's typically tracked it for. So there was not anything in his contract for for this last contract about comp time um
both for having it paid out or for just general use of it. Um but he did track those hours and as there there were significant number of hours that he was working outside the the job and to a certain degree that's expected but when it reaches a certain level and some employees might want to see compensation
for that. So I think it's it's a area where we don't really have an employee policy um across the board. A lot of these things are worked out in individual contracts um often without the strongest of language. >> So it's something we need to work on for
the future. Well, I think we heard earlier that it the expectation is that you use comp time within two weeks >> and it depends on what's in a contract. For some people, it says you can use it uh in a certain amount of time or or
within the the year. Um and others, it's kind of expected that you would do it within two weeks, >> but you said in >> for for Karen expectation for for two weeks. Yep. >> In Chief Flity's contract, it did not have any provision. >> That's correct.
Yeah, >> five weeks feels like a lot. >> I mean, I do know that a lot of it is acred for responding to calls that happen outside of his regular hours. So, whether it's EMS or fire related, it's
not just necessarily meetings. So, >> yeah. >> Well, I I mean that's that's fine. I just like to have some something that says what it was for. That's all. um >> like how >> if if he said these were all fire related and and I guess it comes down to
if you're a fire chief what if you're getting a large salary uh what is considered your responsibilities to respond to under your as a fire chief and and what responsibilities above and beyond I
guess you know what I'm saying I mean >> I'm not trying to be a Scrooge on anybody here just trying to be >> if you're a department head and we have a you know a meeting and you have to come all of a sudden I'm not considering
that comp time but if it's a fire chief if it's a fire do we allow that or have we in the past or was it under the fire chief's responsibilities that's all I'm saying >> I think that is in the contract though >> if I recall I'm double checking this now
>> I mean I'm not sure if it says that in the contract Correct. >> Yeah. It says um overseeing all fire, ambulance, emergency management operations and also perform all work related thereto and as requested from time to time. The select board full-time schedule if not less than 40 hours and
shall flexibly vary his schedule as may be needed without limiting the generality of the foregoing. agrees that his responsibilities shall include not limited to following. That's not it's not helpful here. So it does have language about shall vary flexibly vary
his schedule as maybe needed. So the idea is if there's something outside of work, you're probably, you know, coming in a little later and staying into the looks like how it's supposed to be structured. However, if you work 40 hours and then on Saturday there's a a
call that you have to respond to, then you've already worked the hours. >> I thought that was in there. I could be mistaken, but >> responding to incidents outside of the 40hour mark. Let me see what else I can. >> And also like for over what period of
time was this acred? is that it's >> not PTO, which would be more black and white in my mind. >> I mean, if there are fire and ambulance calls, that's and we know that that's
that's one thing, but if they're going to meeting at the fire chief's meeting or doing other stuff, I'm not sure if that would be considered u time to me. stuff like that. You know what I'm saying? I mean,
>> I'm just thinking like if it was even 20 hours extra per week, >> how do you get to two almost 200? Like that's times 10 week. >> That's That's concerning. I That's why I'd like to have something that explains what it was for. There must be
documentation uh to show. >> We can certainly ask for that if you'd like. And I He's on vacation this week, so he can probably come to a future meeting. That would be helpful to Dr. >> Which is fine. and then we can review. >> I'll also print this contract so you all have that to look through in case you find anything I have.
>> Um, >> so why don't we just bring it up at our next meeting and to look for more information. >> Sounds great. >> All right. And then um we just need a wage salary request form
that captures what was um offered to him in the uh offer letter that we had. Um so I will have that printed for you. Um but um basically it's just capturing the same thing was in the uh offer letter. >> So we just need a motion for that now. >> Yeah. And then you'll sign that tonight.
>> Motion to approve wage salary request form for Robert Flity. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? I I Okay.
All right. Topic 10, proposals for consult services, consultant services on efficiencies, deficit reduction strategies. >> Right. So, uh because we have this funding that was allocated in the town
um uh town meeting, $50,000 to help us with our deficit reduction committee and also with um our looking at regionalization and other ideas. Uh we've solicited some proposals from consultants. There's a couple that are in your folder tonight, a couple that
we've already been given before. And uh I'd like to ask Jake uh West, who's interning with us this summer, to just give you a some overview of of those proposals and give you an idea of kind of uh what each of them offer and and how we might think through them. We don't have to make any decisions tonight on any of them, but just want to try to
keep up with what there is. And if we have any thoughts about what we might want to see differently from them, we can reach out to these consultants. uh we should also talk about the hiring mechanism whether that should come from this board or if you want the deficit reduction committee itself to to make more of those decisions. So Jake, you want to take it away?
>> Yeah. >> Um yeah, so like Andrew said, we met with now five different groups. Um and have a few different types of proposals even within it. Um the main primary
focus that we got from these proposals was looking at fire events. uh primarily because of the change in leadership and ongoing questions about balancing services and demands with increasing costs. Um so starting with center for governmental research CGR
um they are based in New York and they've done this fire EMS regionalization work in the past or sorry more broadly cost savings work in the past um and they've worked in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts. Uh
they're looking kind of that high level uh primarily looking at project ideation baseline review taking kind of what they can identify as possible avenues for cost savings and running a full analysis and producing a report presentation for
them us present uh whether like it should between whether it be through uh this uh this group or the deficit reduction task force. Um similarly uh PVCP
also sent in a proposal for fire and EMS um and doing similar work of evaluating existing conditions uh analyzing our service areas and evaluating alternative delivery services and then again producing a final report
and presentation. When I look at these two proposals between them all, I think they're very similar and the key differences is more just in the organizations themselves. BCP obviously has the advantage of knowing the area more whereas uh CGR is a bit bigger and
has more of that outside experience that also has its own benefits. Um Colin Center actually sent us two proposals. Um and so one of which is again for fire and EMS. um differences of note here is that they
incorporate the I believe it's 2023 um MRI report. Um and so when they do their data collection and analysis, they're looking to utilize the research and data available from that study. Um,
additionally, they're uh they would help with not just understanding who potential partners could be, but also facilitating those conversations. And so, they've identified South County Ambulance and Northampton Fire EMS and would help with uh discussions to figure
out what some type of regionalization agreement would look like. Uh, as well as exploring their own uh options past that. Um and then their other proposal is more broadly just support for uh the
reduction deficit reduction committee. Um where they this would be an hourly uh billing proposal where essentially they would come in and help out as that professional uh leazison consultant and
be able to help the committee um with their own work and streamline their kind of goals and objectives. Um and then also within that they offered to have a public engagement uh event and various other things that can just help the work of that
committee. Um then we have community um paradigm. they uh are looking broadly with their research focus. Um and so they offer one on-site town leadership information
gathering session um and then using that to analyze and field kind of where we stand as well as facilitate stakeholder workshops. And so they're kind of looking at a more broad scope of this all um to evaluate feasibility and
benefits of different cost-saving services, generating a final report and then getting initial feedback. Um and then the last group that we spoke with with American Institute for Research where we uh they were focusing on schools. Uh we have not received a
proposal from them yet, but we expect it to come soon and we'll figure and we'll report that once we have it. Last thing I want to say is just key highlights. All the proposals we received um respond to the same need of closing the structural
deficit and some of them directly aim to answer that through staff, fire and EMS. two proposals that stand out uh as particularly relevant. Uh one of which is the Colin Center for Fire EMS stands out because the proposal explicitly
seeks to utilize the uh 2023 MRI report. In addition, they not only evaluate service options but also help facilitate solutions with likely partners and they're considerably less expensive than their competitors. Additionally, if we want, we can request
to move remove certain steps in the process such as step three where they uh offer to interview key town and fire employees and app field which could further increase savings. Um this roso recognizes that we are not starting at step one and that we also need support
in implementing these efficiencies not just identifying them. Uh and then finally the other one that stood out was uh community paradigms proposal for its broad review. um it could really mesh well with the DRC's work utilizing
community paradigms professional services can help direct and organize uh what they're ultimately empowered to do and efficiently review the options available to addressing the concepts that um also if we like this approach
because you know a lot of the proposals we got are focused on fire and EMS uh we can always ask for similar proposals from other consultant groups um that are looking at this more broad uh broad scope, this more broad attempt at
figuring out where our efficiencies inefficiencies lie. Um yeah, my overview. >> So thanks Jake. Um so so the overall idea is you know we have these proposals that have come in. It's allowing us to think more about what we want and what
we don't want. And uh we don't need to hire anybody right now. Um, we also need to think about is this a hire that we want select board to make or do you want some input from this deficit reduction committee that's going to be convened shortly. Um, it's $50,000 which can help us do a lot but it can't help us do
everything. Uh, so we do need to make some choices there. The other good news is that the state's um, fair share supplemental budget does include that funding for um, regionalizing I think for studies and for other things for small rural school districts. So, if
we're interested in applying some of that uh trying to get some of that funding um that could potentially help us with a more school focused uh report as well um and looking at options. So, there's and there's also funding that the state makes available uh separately for assisting with those sorts of
projects. So, there's lots of of avenues that we can approach this from. Um, you'll notice that just when I had these conversations with folks when I said uh, you know, we have an active uh, situation right now. We're trying to figure out what fire and EMS looks like.
A lot of them kind of jumped at that and and were interested in helping us with that since it's the most urgent situations, but it's certainly not the only place where we need to be looking at our our budget and potentially regionalizing or or introducing new efficiencies. So, lots of options here. Yeah,
>> my intuition here is that we should wait for the board to at least form and meet and give them a chance to review and think about everything here before we sort of decide on it. Um, I do like the idea of one of the lower cost I think it
was this UMass the Collins Center >> where it's a little bit lower cost to your point. you can adjust a little bit what it's looking for and leave maybe leave some wiggle room so that it's not all utilized on this, but at the same time that is the most critical. >> Yeah. And I also think there could be
some pretty substantial cost savings in the report. It's not hard to call the other local EMS providers that are surrounding us and ask if they're even interested in taking them on. Number one, >> I mean, I feel like there could be some background work that the town could do prior to entering into an agreement with
someone like this when you start looking at some of the details for, you know, the data analysis and service area evaluation for $4,500. I mean, that is making six phone calls, you know. So, >> it seems like we definitely could >> rather than burning up the whole $50,000
that's allocated to this to this uh new committee in one shot. And I agree, let them get formed and and meet and see what their priorities are as well. >> Yeah, I'm happy to start making those phone calls. You know, I I've reached out to South County. I've reached out to
uh Northampton and and Hadley and we're starting those conversations now, which is we need to. >> So, because a lot of this, you know, as much as we want to look at the data, everything else, a lot of it's based on who would take us right now and who would want to work with us if they did want to have some kind of regionalization agreement. And I think part of the the benefit from a
consultant like this is they can help both sides run the numbers and arrive at something that's fair, but at the same time the the other party who they might want to negotiate with us does have a lot of room to decide what they want to do. >> Yeah. And there's a lot that goes into it too whe whether it's contract negotiations, union negotiations,
working conditions, things like that change as well. So there's a lot going on in the background other than just saying we'll take you on. So >> yeah. >> Um, so it sounds like probably need to wait on this. >> Do you have any thoughts at >> No, I have no thought. I mean, we've
been discussing this for a while, so I'm in agreement with that. That's fine. >> All right. >> Good. >> So, we'll wait on this to a future meeting. >> Yes. >> Um, and then for the next meeting, I'll make sure that we have any other appointments that we want to try to make
to the uh deficit reduction committee. At some point the select board will need to pick one of its members. I don't have that. I guess it's almost on the agenda. So you could pick someone tonight if you wanted or you can wait till next time. Um and we did have somebody who's interested. So we'll we'll get to that under topic 13.
>> Fantastic. >> Are you any comments at all from the peanut gallery at this point >> as you deal with this issue? I I agree. If I can >> he's on the agenda.
Well, you can make a part of that, right? Your decision may vary have a bearing on what I say tonight, but um it would seem to make sense, as you said, for the deficit reduction committee to
form and to meet and to go through a process that identifies the the major priorities. >> Yeah. that the town can address that will help reduce expenses andor increase
revenue to basically eliminate this deficit that that we've looked at. Um, and once we do that, if I'm on the committee, then we can if we need help in approaching any one of those issues, that's when we can pursue some sort of
professional consultant assistance um to help us do that. um as opposed to right now just this is kind of a happen stance approach right now. Um then it may very well be that the whole thing about EMS and fire is a whole different
issue. >> Very well could be. >> Um that there could be another committee formed to address that issue. But in any case um just a thought. >> All right. Well, thank you. Yeah, I I would tend to agree with a lot of what
you said. Um, so we do have posted business at 6. We've got a couple minutes ahead of time. Um, we might be able to squeak in topic 12 quick. >> I think we can. >> Yeah. >> Uh, this is great news that we got from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts uh,
regarding this uh, Massachusetts Historical Preservation uh, projects grant. Um, this is a grant for $61,000 to help us with the uh, roof replacement and siding uh, renovation at the Cutter Farm Museum. A lot of folks here would know
that there was money that was put in for this uh from the community preservation act as well uh both last year and this year. So this gives us enough funding uh to get this project done this year. Uh there was a meeting on July 9th with the historic preservation folks. Um and they will also come to a site visit. They
will work with us to uh finalize our scope and approve the uh engineering documents and put together by our architect. And then we'll be able to get this out to bid and hopefully get it done this fall, which should be great. So um this just requires a um acceptance
by by this committee that you want to move forward uh with this by by the select board. Um and um the last thing I'll say is just that they are still you reviewing our proposal. They have some thoughts about materials and other things. So they will weigh in on that as
well. And if if you want anyone on this board to to be part of that process, let me know because they are still going back and forth on this a little bit. But um >> but within the allocated >> within the all yes we're still getting the 61,000 which is great. >> That's great. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's a matching grant.
>> Well, with that being said, I'll make a motion to accept the Massachusetts Historical Preservation Projects grant for the renovation of the Cutter Farm Museum. >> Seconded. >> Motion made and motion seconded. All in favor? All right. >> I would just ask that once that is done,
can we please invite students from Smith Academy and Hatfield Elementary School to go on a field trip to that barn? >> The museum's going to look great. >> There's a lot of really good work going on in that museum, too. It's It's amazing how many artifacts they have. Yeah, it's awesome. Yep. Sounds great.
>> All right, >> we've got a minute to kill. >> Six o'clock on >> You got six o'clock on your phone. Sounds great. Okay. >> All right. Um, we will open the public hearing at 6 PM for the water and sewer
rates discussion. >> How did we get ice cream? >> David's here. >> So, Dave Pricket from DPC Engineering. Um they did a review of the town and the current water rates and sewer rates um
and to try to get us to be able to build up a healthy reserve to be able to fund some unanticipated costs from repairs and whatnot. So Dave, if you want to speak a little bit more on on what you guys have presented for us. >> As I always say when I get to come to
these, I'm I'm the bad guy. Um you obviously went through your budgeting process as part of your spring annual town meeting. you set your expenses budget for both water and sewer. Um I think you did a very good job keeping things as level funded as we can uh in
this economy. There are some challenges overall with chemical and sludge and things like that that are out of the control of the town. So there were some modest increases. Um, labor was pretty steady, O& and M was pretty steady, but it really comes down to on the revenue
side, how are we going to project what the rate needs to be in order to collect the revenue to meet the expenses budget. So, you may recall over the last three years, we've been a little bit of a yo-yo in terms of how much water has
been used by the customers. And two years ago, that led us to underestimating the revenue that we were going to bring in the door cuz for whatever reason, it was a wet summer and then a dry fall. But all the water that
we thought was going to get used in the summer, you know, by backyard farms, irrigation, etc., didn't get used. We used that number last year and last number you had a higher water usage, so your revenues were up. So, you put a little bit more money into reserve. So, it's a good thing.
So this year we looked at three different scenarios for water and sewer and the the pie is baked, so to speak. You've set your expenses. Our job this evening is to contemplate how to slice the pie uh in an equitable way for the
customers on both the water and the sewer side. So you all have that three-page handout from Andrew. >> Okay, >> I'll start with wastewater, which is on the second page of the handout. Take this. >> There are three columns on the far right
hand side um of this table one. I have an extra 10 copies here if anybody needs one. >> Everybody good? >> Good. >> Okay. Um the expenses on the top half are identical on all three scenarios. On
the bottom, the revenue projections are identical. However, they're based on three different assumptions of actual consumption. One is based on the low consumption from two years ago, and in that case, you're looking at a 20% rate
increase in order to balance your budget. One is based on the revenue from last year, which was a high usage season, and that was 5.2%. And if you look at the average of the last three fiscal years, um, that puts
you at about 8.5%. And again, I I claim to be the bad guy every time we come into these rate meetings, but my job, and I'm not a Hatfield rateayer, is to to present to you the data, which we believe is going to help you balance your budget with
your goals of maintaining um and enhancing your retained earnings balance, which you've done a great job over the last five years getting that back up. um and you've had some new debt, you know, that's come on the books in the last few years as a result of upgrades.
Um that puts that into perspective. So, if you're an eternal optimist, your rate increase is 5.2%. If you're the engineer that you are and you worry about things and you stay up at night, you're at 20%. Obviously,
that's not where we want to be. 8 and a half% is what we would recommend. If you look at the average over the last three years, I think that's a pretty safe bet in terms of hedging things. So that would be our recommendation on the wastewater side. At the end of the day,
it's up to you. You can go with a lower number. You can adjust your retain earnings goals to lower those should you choose. Um just understand that it's a balancing act. The less money you have in retain earnings, the less money you
have for an unforeseen expectation. And I think when we did this last year, I had just come from a town in Connecticut that dropped a million and a half bucks on a um sewer line repair adjacent to the Connecticut River, an emergency basis. And it it sounds crazy, but it
was, you know, Baltazar contractor in there on an emergency basis, you know, kind of having the purse strings at the mercy of the the repairs. And that that was the final number. So, right now you got about a million bucks combined between water and wastewater, which which is good. I'd love it to be a
million bucks on each side. Um, but that's going to take us a few years to get to that point. >> Sorry, say that again. So, we So, I know it was raised 8% last year to get to a million. We now have a million, but on what side?
>> So, there's a million between both water and wastewater. Sorry. >> You saying you ultimately >> enterprise fund where it's combined. Um I think about 10 years ago for whatever reason when you went to an enterprise fund system they left water and sewer together. I think we kind of Marlo will
probably agree manage them separately but effectively they're they're one bank account by by the law if you will >> and we would like our plan is to move those into two accounts. That's more fair for for both sides. And we are tracking them as two which which is
good. Um you really don't want one to subsidize the other because they are two separate >> but it does give you a little backside cushion if something happened. >> I mean the last discussions we had over the years where they held off any rate increases and then there had to be a
large increase. So the whole purpose of our conversations over the years was to actually try to have incremental increases to stay on top of it. So if we hold off then in a couple years we're going to have a large increase that's
going to be demanded. So I mean that was part of the conversation too trying to have Yeah. >> bring it up. >> It's an emotional topic too. Um, it's at a time where everything's going up, especially for seniors that are on fixed income. Um, and we have some clients
that will make those arbitrary increases. We're going to do 2% this year, 3% this year against our advice. And over the course of three, four, five years, then all of a sudden, you're hit with a 20, 25, 30% increase all at once. And then it's
>> it's harder. >> It's very, very it's much harder. Not that it isn't hard at 8 and a half%. Not to not to downplay it, but I'd suggest that you settle in on something between the 5.2 and the 8.5 based on your your comfort level.
>> On the water side is if it's okay to kind of turn the page and talk about them in context together because ultimately a lot of your customers are getting both bills. >> Water's a little bit more favorable. Um same three scenarios. Looking at the
kind of the best case water consumption uh that we saw from last year, it's only a 2.4% increase. If you look at the worst case scenario from two years ago, you're at 16.8% increase. And if you look at the average of the three years, you're at 5.2 on water.
>> Hey, how are you? What's up? I looked through your expenses on both sides and I really didn't see anything glaring that said to me >> we can knock this out or we can take this out. You obviously did like a very thorough job with staff, you know, sharpening the pencil and keeping things
as tight as you can. It just there's some things you can't control. >> And you said before that the sludge increases for sewer are going to be pretty difficult. direct costs for labor I think was a you know insurance and stuff like that just >> we're all dealing with that on on some
front and then sludge on >> on the sewer side and then I think the biggest risk on water is you just have a lot of infrastructure so when you have breaks and things like that it eats into your expenses you're lean on labor on both sides you really are I mean >> it's always pay me now pay me later type
of a situation unfortunately >> so at the Uh on the water side at the 5.2% increase for the average customer it's about $3 more per month. On the sewer side at the 8.5%
it's it's more significant. It's about $6 more per month. So combined your six and three. So your nine call it 10 bucks more a month. About $120 more per household that has both town and sewer.
average household, if you will, >> $9 a month more. >> Is that overall? What percent increase is that for an average consumer? >> Um, the $120 a month. >> I don't really know overall. So, you're
48 and >> last year the average >> 480. So, 138. You're making me do math on the fly. you were 138 bucks. Um, it's going up by another 10 bucks a month. So, yeah, you're, you know,
between five and 10% in that ballpark. >> What about 7%. >> 7%. >> You do math in your head better than I can. >> Well, that's what Andrew budgeted for. I think your rates have kind of aligned with that. Um, the town budgeted for that kind of increase in the enterprise
fund. >> The town budget overall increased by 7%. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The reality is these rates were pretty much locked in when you went through the annual town meeting warrant when you set your expenses revenue effectively. >> Absolutely. >> You set your revenue by by default. It
was just a matter of are we going to have a wet summer or a dry summer, >> right? >> You know, if it's a dry summer, it's better for revenue. I don't I don't know what we're going to have right now. I don't know what it's been so far. I'm sure y'all in the room know how much water you've been using, but >> yeah. I think I think what I'm
struggling with is it sort of felt like we ripped the band-aid off last year and now we're back at it again. So, I'm sort of like, do we increase it even more to get our savings up and then not touch it? Does that bias time or are we going to be back here again? You know what I mean? That's I guess where my head is
going. Like I don't think we want to keep telling the town every year, yeah, it's going up again and again and again. Well, I think a lot of those driving factors are similar to what we've seen, you know, the indirect costs of labor with the health insurance. If that
area starts to stabilize some, then we might see some of those indirect costs start to plateau a little bit. But, um, I know like materials cost for both water and sewer pipe has gone up exponentially. Um, so on that end of stuff, whether it's a repair or maintaining what the existing systems
that we have, there is added cost in there as well. So, >> there are some new costs this year um that it won't be at a percent increase next year. So, the the USDA requires that we now add this extra $66,000
um for a um short-term asset reserve for the uh wastewater treatment plant. So, that will be budgeted and it will, you know, be capital money that we can actually spend. It'll be useful for when things break at the plant, but we're required to to budget for that. And that's for the loan, right? >> Yeah,
>> that's Yeah, that's part of the loan. So that's that is in our operating budget for the sewer side. That >> we have some other clients who have not done a good job keeping up with the mortgage payment over time. Obviously, that would not be the case in Hatfield, but they make everybody put that in
there as an underwriting requirement. >> It'll benefit you long term. So if you don't spend it, uh to to Julia's point, it'll go to that bottom line retain earnings. That's the beauty of the, you know, enterprise fund. >> I would continue if it was just my advice. Just take it year by year.
>> Okay. >> Hinsdale likes to do three-year runs and every time I do it for them, I'm wrong. >> Yeah. >> Uh because something will change that I can't project. So, I've either overestimated and they're not happy because, you know, it was 9% times three and it could have been six.
>> Um I like doing it once a year. I think you've got a great team in place. You've got this dialed in. We're doing this now. We used to do it in the fall if you recall and people are already mad because one of the bills had already come out. Um, so I think your cycle is lined up. The only thing I think next
year we do a little bit different is as part of the annual, you know, warrant we put in there what the anticipated revenue side's going to look like and then the conversation's transparent when they vote on it that that's what the rates are going to look like.
Well, yeah. I guess we're under a drought warning right now. So, everyone save your water at home. Maybe we can get a rain barrel program going. >> You want to open a public hearing? >> Yeah, I think so. I think it's appropriate. So, um if anyone from the
public would like to come up and and comment, we'll we'll take public hearing now. >> I will. Yeah, you go first. >> Hi there. I have my name is Gman, Larry Gman and 24 King Street. Um, I had a couple questions about the worksheet
here, the spreadsheet. Um, then I had a kind of a general question about the rates when you divided it between agricultural and residential. >> Yep. >> But, um, so for the budget spreadsheets, you know, you said we did a little
better in wastewater last year because the revenue was up and so the contribution to retained earnings was higher. But put a little bit more in the piggy bank on both sides. >> A little more. It It's 500% more than what you're looking at for next year. We
we contributed 171,000 almost to retained earnings, but it's only projected to be 30,000 for the next three years or the next three scenarios. >> I don't know if Andrew or Tammy wants to I don't >> I I'd agree with that. It's a
conservative projection here. Also, I I put the the 30 we put the 30,000 um because we looked at the other increases and we we thought if if we do 30,000 for sewer, 70,000 for for water, then we're at least committing to $100,000 more towards retained earnings
that next year. Last year was 300. It's not going to be like that every year. It was great. >> It seems like um the rates were way out of line last year though to to to be able to generate that much retained earning. says that you charge the rate payers too much. >> Consumption was up.
>> So, consumption was higher and then the costs, a lot of those costs that were budgeted that are going to come in lower could have easily been differently because a lot of them are for um maintenance costs and for responding to to water main breaks and sewer main breaks. So, we had a lucky year with
fewer breaks. >> That's different than we're paying that. Maybe the decision should have been to not assume that all of that will go to retained earnings and some will be for carried forward for reduction in rates in future
years or few the next year >> is an option available to us. >> It could go either way >> if if we had a good we had a good year last year for the amount of retained earnings. So we could certainly set the rates a little lower this year if we wanted to take that risk of of where the
consumption we think will come in. Well, you just seem to have a target of a million dollars for each water and sewer. And that where'd you get that number? Is that a That's a nice goal, but um >> not for each. It's a >> What's that? >> No, a million for each for water and
sewer. And that that comes from our consultant. >> Yeah, the goal is to have a minimum of 100% of your on andm budget in reserve at any time. It's like kind of the minimum standard as and I've said I've seen it wiped away in too many communities really fast and then we go
back to starting over >> and having to build that back up. So, um you're going to have about you're going to have just under a year's worth. You're going to be at 90% >> at that point. Yeah. >> So, you're getting close. So, they all have the same goal. >> Is it a million for each? >> Total total
>> total. Okay. So we're very >> and it's tricky to allocate whether it's 400, 600, 300, 700. The bottom line is, you know, >> based on this budget and the usage forecast at the end of next year,
you'll have just under 1.1 million combined >> in reserve. So call it 550 on each half which is a little less than 100% of your operating budget which is salaries and onm >> and um then I had a question about
there's money that goes to the general fund and then comes back from the general fund um how are those numbers determined are we reimbursing uh the general fund for something such as health insurance or retirement benefits or is that what is the transfer
that uh is an expense to uh the rateayer the water sewer structure. >> Uh so there's two different things going on. Um so you were referring to um these indirect costs. So indirect costs are the ones that are paid from the general fund and then they are reimbursed from
the um from the enterprise funds. So that's the health insurance, that's the uh benefits, that's you know uh technology, everything else that's paid for from general fund and really the water and sewer accounts are both using them. And then these reimbursements, um the transfer from the general fund down
here, that's something else. That's for capital. Um and that's debt. And >> that's your mortgage payment for the plan upgrade. >> And and that's a pretty even split. You'll see here the the capital debt service. Um $713,000. The transfer of the general fund is
$590. So that basically cancels out all the payments in the wastewater treatment plant because that's not coming from a water and sewer. that's coming from the general fund uh because of the debt exclusion vote. Um so what's being paid for there is um the the other water and
sewer projects. There's one one water one sewer project that are each being paid from the enterprise funds for debt >> that are primarily funded. There's there's significantly funded projects also, aren't they? The 510 project and all that. >> It's not five. It's it's um I can get
>> I think it was the last payment of the gravity thicker, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But I do have a comment on the the indirect cost transfer that the enterprise funds reimburse the general operating. That's a totally understandable situation that the staff
are incurring these costs that the town has paid the bill for basically out of general operating. Right. >> Right. >> Well, that's an identical situation for the school system. All the staff of the school, the indirect benefits such as
health insurance and retirement and health insurance for retired staff are being burdened by the general operating uh budget and the school pays nothing towards that. So what's the rationale
for doing it this way? Makes sense. I I don't and I think many of us have a question of why is the school overhead indirect cost? we could group them in indirect cause. Why is that a burden on the taxpayers of Hatfield?
>> So my my rationale for this, and I'm not trying to speak for the board, just the way that I've always treated this is that there's its own revenue source for water and sewer. You're looking to sustain your water and sewer um enterprise funds using only the rates,
the rateayers uh um contributions from from you're charging your water and sewer rates. your schools. There's not a a special um revenue source for that. It's still taxation dollars. It's it's mostly property taxes and the other local receipts that's funding it just like everything else in the town's
budget. So, while you could pull that out as an indirect to to show them and show the full cost of the the school system, which isn't a bad thing to do, if you're trying to show, you know, what percentage of your money is going towards schools, you could do that. um
it's less of something you have to do uh when you're trying to show, you know, how the uh rateayers are supporting the the water and sewer rather than uh tax dollars going towards it. >> I agree with you. I mean, I'm glad I think water sewer should show this as an
honest expense. Yeah. >> That and it's it's disappointing that the school hides this expense uh from their budgetary presentations. And that's maybe something that could be addressed with the school committee or the finance committee or the select
board that um we should be honest about the real the the real cost of educating the small number of students. >> I think that's a it's a point that's taken and it's definitely a discussion for another time. So >> no, I agree.
>> We'll stay on water and sewer for right now, please. Well, it's a it's a 100% comparison though that we have this. And then I did have a general question I wanted to ask the gentleman about the the what is the diff what qualifies as an agriculture rating and then do you
see that as water only s those are the accounts that have water only I assume >> I honestly can't speak to the details of there's only 20 of those customers as I understand it >> really >> this this one here right >> right
>> where it's less than 50% of the res at 50% of the residential water rate as just a a goal, if you will. Um, Hatfield's commitment to try to help, you know, the farmers keep the cost down. Uh, it's been a courtesy fee
reduction. Um, I honestly can't speak to the details of those those 20 customers, but >> well, I'm one of the 20 customers and I have a a meter that's only for livestock and it used to be very minimal fair. I
paid the money to have a separate meter put in. And then a couple years ago in the attempt to ek out more money from the rateayers, there was a minimum billing established for that meter and all 20 of us have a minimum. Now most of
the farmers are large farmers who pay who at the 50% savings and it's actually closer to probably 60%. Um they don't they pass the minimum. I don't pass the minimum usage. So now my minimum bill for the livestock is more than it's
almost as much as my house bill let's say because and I would ask that whoever determines the exact structure get rid of the minimum billing and you said it's billing overhead and it's some guy reading the meter remotely or whatever
they do and I argue that I think you gave a tremendous break to the agriculture users but there's some of the 20 of us are very small agriculture users and I'd ask you to re-examine the minimum billing the minimum threshold
>> I think >> what is the minimum threshold >> right >> I think that's what we'd have to know we I'd have to find >> we'd have to look at what the what the minimum number is and then also it sounds like >> it's not equitable to and you're not meeting the minimum threshold almost
have to run the numbers for each individual person to find out if it's easier I'd be curious how many >> just to keep it as part of your general water bill. >> You just get regular water then, >> right? >> Um, yes, Mr. Cahill. >> Mike Cahill, North Street. I have a
question on debt and looking at the operating statements here. Um, we've got debt capital debt service as an expense and obviously we're trying to cover that expense or all our expenses with
revenue. And I'm confused because all of our debt with the exception of $100,000 or so is debt exclusion debt. and it's paid from taxation,
not from water and sewer revenues. >> So that's >> so you're you're spot on. So uh you'll see here on um wastewater it says capital debt service $713,000 on capital and debt. >> However, it then says transfer from the
general fund 590. That >> that cancels out most of that funding because that's um paid for that. That's for the wastewater treatment plant and the other big projects that are the debt exclusions. So what's left is about $140,000$120,000. That is a um principal payment on the
wastewater gravity thicket conversion and um and the uh uh princip uh interest payment on wastewater gravity liquor conversion. >> And that's non non-debt exclusion. Those are enterprise debt >> and that's in the enterprise
>> fund budget at this point. >> Correct. >> Um >> and then the other capital in there because that doesn't add up to 120,000 is that 66,000 I mentioned earlier. >> Okay. The other question I have is is you've were running $713,000
worth of you want to call it debt um under the enterprise fund operating statement here. We currently have $1.6 million in principal and interest debt in our
operating statement, our budget, and 70% or more of that is associated with water and sewer operations, which comes up to probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.2 1.3 million. So why is this only
700,000? >> Uh because that would be the sewer portion of it, it looks like. So that would be the wastewater treatment plant project, a portion of Route 5 water sewer, the
portion Yeah, that that would be it. And the water would take a portion of the water sewer uh improvements on Route Five and a portion of Oh, and then all of the water transmission line projects, >> right? So if you add the two together, it's a little over the 1 point something
million that I was mentioning >> and take out anything for town hall. Yeah. All right. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Is there anybody else here who would like to make a public comment? Right. Seeing none.
Yes. And I would also just say um so a rate has come up. The DPC proposal for agate um was this um you'll see it on here
on the first page of course uh a rate was 365 so that would be the same 5.2% 2% increase. Um, and that would have an impact on our AD customers.
Let me find what I had here of uh about $101 a year, $8 a month. Now, we had talked last year about setting the A rate at exactly 50% of the residential rate. That would be more uh that would
be 3.94 for an A rate instead of 367 65. that would be a 13% increase instead of 5%. So, we might want to start, we want to keep gradually building up to that 50%. Um, or we can try to just do it all in one go here, but that is something else we'll have to figure out
about the A rate. Um, DPC's recommendation was the same 5% increase as for water. And we'd also talked about making it just 50% of a of residential. This looks like, am I confus? It looks like a proposed increase of 5, but oh,
maybe that's an average. >> Uh, agricultural increase should be I think 5%. Still, >> Dave, I think >> it it's set at 5.2. >> Yeah. >> For the recommendation, I >> just like the res >> when we issued this, I had forgotten about the goal of
>> That's all right. >> Trying to keep it at 50%. I mean, honestly, you could you could do either one. I mean, it's not going to make or break your revenue. Um, it's 20 customers. It's not 200. If it was 200, we'd probably be a little bit
pushier about it. But at 20 customers, >> it would increase monthly from $8 to $22 a month. So, it is something we'd have to consider. Um, $8 more a month to $22 more a month. You have to think about that. >> 5%.
>> As one of the 22 egg rate, five sounds good. Fair enough. >> You use a lot of water. >> So, a lot to think about. >> Yeah. Um, are we is our goal to approve this tonight? Are we take what? >> It is our goal to approve this tonight
because if we approve this tonight, then any usage for next month, which would start on tomorrow's cycle, can be at the new billing amount. >> Do we have to choose the same for both water and sewer? No, no, >> you're free to set the rate at whatever you want. Yeah. As long as you're making
an informed decision. You have our recommendation, but >> No. So, so the water and you don't have to choose the same bucket for anything. So, water rate, um, the recommendation for DPC is somewhere between 2.4 and 5.2. Ideally, closer to the 5.2. And
then for sewer, it's between the 5.2 and 8.5. >> I'm inclined to keep both at 5.2. personally. >> Trust me. >> Interesting. Like that's wild or like >> No, I don't get to work. I don't want anything to work.
>> We're still in public comments. So, I don't know if you want to move to close. Oh, yeah. >> From public comment or not. >> Right. That's a good point. Yeah. We'll uh we're going to close the public comment portion of this hearing and we can start our deliberations on
what we would like to do. >> So, >> I will say the one thing you could do is you don't have to make your decision right now. You could allow the the um finance committee to weigh in as well since they are they have it on their agenda. >> It is on their agenda. >> They can talk about this with you. >> That actually would probably be really valuable.
>> Yeah. >> We'll let the smarties in. >> What do you think? >> I mean, we can have the finance committee weigh in on it. They're they're here now and we're supposed to be meeting with them at 6:30. >> Sounds good. >> It's on both your agendas. So,
>> perfect. >> Yeah. >> Well, in that case, we'd like to welcome the >> Do you want Dave to stick around or do you want to anything else for Dave or >> um No, >> either way, >> it'd be helpful if he did, but >> Yeah, no problem. >> Yeah, great. >> That was great.
>> We'll welcome in the finance committee. >> Okay, we'll take two. >> Yeah. With that, we'll take a couple minute Make sure All right, welcome back. Uh we have finance committee in with us now um to discuss
year end budget transfers. Let's go through this quickly and then we can discuss water rates again. Um, >> you want a motion? >> Yeah, you guys need to start a meeting, correct? Yeah, I think. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Accept motion or call the meeting to order at 6:30 or 6:36 or whatever it is. 637. Um, just anyone Oh. All right.
>> Well, for discussion purposes, I'll make a motion to approve the transfers as presented. >> Second. >> Sound good. >> All right. Anything else? Oh, health insurance. >> Um, just a couple of questions. Andrew,
>> he's almost back. Oh, >> he's just >> Yeah. making fine. Yeah, >> apparently it's raining on our place. >> Maybe he ran to the ice cream truck outside. >> That's where we went. >> If she comes back with an ice cream, you
better bring enough for all of us. >> Nothing on humor. >> Care of snow and ice. >> Well, that's what I was just going to ask. Maybe we don't need Andrew. So the 30,000 for snow and ice, does that mean that came that's coming out of finance reserve and and collector salary,
does that mean we did not find enough money in the DPW budget to cover what we thought or does that mean that there was more bills than we thought? >> Yeah, it's going to be an Andrew question.
>> I guess I'm just asking I'm asking a good question. It's a good question. >> It came up. We didn't I mean we set the amount from free cash to town meeting based on the idea that we were gonna cover the rest of it right and >> I didn't think that this was the plan
for covering I mean obviously we have to but just >> right >> I'm just curious of whether it >> time we're seeing this right >> more than we thought or or >> I would assume something came in after
meeting we only had a one late salt load bill. So that's that's minimum. That was like $3,000. >> Yeah. So that's not a big, >> right? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> I mean, the other stuff we all know
about, right? Health insurance. Um, >> I don't know what happened legal, but I can guess. Yeah, we had we had more legal expenses than we thought. That would be my my first legal. >> No. Uh, well, we could >> snow and ice.
>> Snow and ice, though. Did >> what happened there? >> We thought we we got it. It was all taken care of at town meeting >> except for what was going to come out of DPW. Right. >> So, um, for Snow and Ice, what we
decided to do was to not take all of it from, uh, free cash. We're going to take some of it from, uh, uh, we're aiming for DPW, but all the other DPW expenses. And, it's and it's somewhat funible, you'll see, because we're needing to, um, we're using the,
um, some of the extra expenses on uh, the public works line for DPW, everything else. But we wanted to use general fund uh for this year extra expenses towards um the um towards snow and ice rather than free cash. So
So that's >> Yeah. No, no, no, no. I I get that part. I mean, I remember at I remember we talked about this before town meeting the basically what we said was >> that >> we needed to cover X amount of dollars
>> out of snow and ice. and it was less than the actual cost. We needed to take less than the actual cost out of free cash because there was money found in the DPW budget. >> Well, what we said was we were going to cover as much as we could from DPW.
>> And I think we probably could still cover more from DPW, but what our accounting team did was they found the sources that were the easiest to move right now because there's still bills rolling in. >> Okay. >> Use Fincom Reserve because we know we won't get any bills there. Yeah, that that's the argument. Yeah, sorry.
>> I think it Yeah, it'll be tight >> coming down to the Okay, >> I think you'll I think you'll still end up with a surplus from DPW overall. It's just there's still bills coming in. So, we couldn't >> Does that mean we we're going to use less free cash than was projected? >> No, we'll use the same amount of free cash. >> We're going to use
>> it presumably maybe means that at the end, you know, that in September or August or something, we're going to find out that there's money in DPW that's going to close different cash. Maybe, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Yes. That's that's the goal. >> Yeah. >> Is that so instead of FINCOM reserve
money going to free cash, which we like happening, it'll come from BPW or somewhere else, >> right? >> We just haven't figured it out yet. So, Y >> or there's just still bills >> still out there. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, were there any any others that were
big questions? >> I'm good with the rest of it. So obviously legal and uh public works professional services that's route five. >> Y good clear. >> And we still have so we're we're barely going to be touching for this year the
the money that was set aside at town meeting for the route five legal and engineering expenses so that if they keep coming coming in for next year we'll see how long they do. We should be in pretty good shape. I think we're only going to use around $10,000 for this year. So 80 for next year. >> That's good.
>> Yeah. So that was almost not $100,000. There was a lot of additional expenses that came in for both legal and uh professional services that we're able to cover through the the budget this year. >> And obviously the health insurance was a big increase. >> Mhm.
>> Uh right. >> $46,000 there. >> All right. >> We have a motion on the table, right? >> Yes. >> Y >> I'm ready to vote. >> Do we get a second? I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> I didn't hear it. Daryl,
>> right? Okay. Uh, all those in favor of uh transfers as presented on this sheet >> say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> They opposed. >> Okay. >> It's all good. >> Now it's your turn. >> We need a motion for this as well. >> Yep.
>> I thought they just had to be the select board, but you typically do both bodies. >> We're supposed to sign it. So, >> Well, you're both signing it. So, you should motion to. We just don't have it written on our sheet. So, >> yeah. I will A motion. >> I make a motion to accept and transfer
what's noted on this sheet. >> Shoot that one. >> Seconded. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. All in favor? >> I >> I >> We got a sheet going over here, so we'll send it over. >> Fantastic. >> Mine's messy now. >> Um, so moving back to our other topic of
water and sewer rates. We think it's pertinent to discuss with finance your guys' opinions on where the rates are headed and where it puts us in terms of projecting and having a healthy reserve
um for unanticipated costs. So with the um the sheet that DPC has provided, I don't know if you guys have copies or if you would like some. Um >> this the increases that they've recommended gets us very close just over
that million dollars in reserves. Um some coming from sewer, some coming from water. Um can I ask a question? >> Sure. And and was the goal a million in each or is it a million between
the two of them? I thought the way I read it was a million each. >> A million. million in sewer, million in water. >> Long-term goal. >> Yeah. >> Was a million for >> I mean, we're not gonna get there. >> A million. That's the >> And you you said 100% 100% of your
operations and maintenance budget. >> A minimum one year's >> Yeah. >> operating budget in reserve operating. >> So, right on the >> wastewater, you've got an operating budget of 655,
660, something like that. on the water side you've got 540 550 something like that. So combined right now that 1.1 million hits you just under one years combined. >> Okay,
>> which I would argue we're not quite there yet to be at 100% of combined. I'm not advocating adding more to reserve this year by any stretch. Not at proposed 5.2 and proposed 8.5. But my hope is that we have another strong
consumption year and we might get there by accident, right? We might end up collecting a little extra revenue this year. That's what happened last year. If that's the case, we might be at 1.2 at the end of next year instead of 1.1. That'd be great.
And and just to for my own clarification, the purpose of this fund is for emergencies, water main breaks, sewer breaks, things like that. Is am I reading that correctly? >> Yeah. You get one of these big brakes,
call it on a I don't even like to speculate because then somebody's going to get a call in the middle of the night. >> Right. Right. >> The pipe breaks. >> Yeah. Something under Route Five, which is terrible. >> Exactly. Yeah. Okay. >> A million dollars in a weekend. when it does fail, >> you know, the general fund doesn't want
to jump in and pay for it. So, that would be the catastrophic event that would wipe it out. >> Yeah. No, I and and I asked the question, I just want just foration. >> We have you have healthy retained earnings. You also might be able to fund a project out retained earnings rather
than borrow for it down the road. Like if you need 300,000 for a water man rather than borrow, >> right, >> on a 20-year note or whatever, you can pay cash, if you will, out of the retained earnings, >> right? >> Or extend a sewer line. >> Yes.
>> Something like that. Yeah. To >> borrow partial and take some other retained earnings if they're strong. >> Yeah. or if retained earnings accounts are high, then it might allow for smaller increases in the future >> once we get those accounts out as well.
>> Yep. I think there's a >> So, so this the plan presumes that um the general fund is going to cover all the expenses that aren't operating expenses.
as voted on at the previous town meeting warn articles. >> So that include that includes both debt exclusion and general borrowing or whatever. >> Yeah. The 590 is basically the debt service that was tied to the non
enterprise fund debt, if you will, the piece that the general fund said they were going to pay for at the Warren article. Mhm. >> And then it's like just under 300,000 on the water side. Sorry, 2 230. So, the difference between that 713 and
that 590, um, Andrew had outlined it was the initial payment and then the interest payments on the gravity sludge and then the $66,000 that we have to carry through USDA >> for the new loan for the um sewer
treatment plant projects. Is that that difference? It's $17,000 or whatever it is. I think that 66 Luke might be in that 354 and M line item. I'm pretty sure. >> Okay. >> Um, let me check because when I sent it
to Justin, I think I had it in the in the capital. >> You had in the other one? >> Okay. It's okay either way. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, so just for my own clarification, at one point we had talked about or discussed that the the new loan
12 million, 13 million, whatever it is that a we we had discussed a percentage being on the rateayers and a p percentage being on the town. Is this putting it all on the town and none on the rateayers? >> It would continue to have everything
come from the town. And the the reason for that is it's ex well at least from a budgeting accounting perspective it's already excluded debt. So you're basically already paying for it from from uh from all taxation from the town.
>> I believe that was how the Warren article was written though. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Oh no. I >> project was initially pitched though. It's like 6535. I mean wasn't it >> look at different options but the way the article was written it was it was from the general fund for sure. I remember that. Yeah,
>> USDA wasn't going to approve it unless it was on the general fund because it would have been too much debt burden on the users. >> So when you went through that underwriting >> your field as as an example, it was just straight up in the article 7525 split
like it was implicitly stated. >> Is Hatfield the only town that went 100% that you know of? >> No. Stockbridge does it. It varies so widely out there. I mean, it's like >> some towns have legacy. It's always been
this way. >> Most new debt for other communities on enterprise fund moving forward. Your field has since killed that 2575 split. Um, but it does vary out there. You and
Stockbridge both commonly put capital expenses on the general fund for water and sewer. I feel com I feel comfortable with the water. I'm struggling with the sewage because like >> even in Ammeris it's pretty much 5050 like
>> even you know >> they get a lot of customers. >> Is that a Yeah, that's >> when you're looking at the Amoris numbers and the other numbers the comp numbers that they sent us that's for last year assuming >> that they're not doing any sort of
increase for this year which we don't. We don't have those. The comps are brutal. Like we looked at them like Great Bington is like less than a thousand bucks on sewer, but it's been up at that level for almost 10 years and they've got like $11 million in reserve
and anticipation for a big debt service project. >> So there's just so many local nuances, number of customers, how the debts paid for to your point, >> um whether there's been a recent capital project that's already gone. You know,
you and Deerfield are pretty similar comps in terms of like size of community and customers and they're a little higher than you are. Their waterers lower. I don't know what they do in the South Deerfield Water Department. It's private utility. I I don't know that there's a ton of like proactive
municipal level effort to replace pipes. I can't speak to it. I'm not advocating it, but I have a friend who lives in Turners and they said he said that >> they only charge sewer for the winter water that you use, not for the summer. They >> So when the when I don't know if it's
June 1st or July 1st till whenever they stop charging whatever water you use during that time does not get charged to your sewer. >> It's only for the other six or seven months or whatever it is. >> Seems very odd. >> It that's what I said. It's interesting though because I do it's like
>> so Deerfield has a similar thing where if the summer is more than like 125% of the winter usage it gets capped. The trick the tr the slippery slope with all of those scenarios is if you change your formula you're going to hurt the seniors. Oh yeah >> because the folks at the low end of the
structure >> they're going to come up towards the median faster. So they're always I always say the best rate structure is a flat fee. But going from where we're at now to a flat fee like Great Bington's straight up dollars per household
doesn't matter how much water you use. >> 98% of your wastewater budget Marlo right is fixed whether you're flushing a gajillion gallons or 20 gallons. Um but change is change is hard. So, if we did make that change, we would, I think,
probably have a lot more vocal residents in the room talking about the the rate here. Just for what it's worth, anecdotally, >> you just need more people on sewer. >> Sewer and water statewide, it's about a 2 to1 ratio.
>> It's been about double. So, like sewer inflation's been between like seven and nine% a year statewide over the last like five years. >> Yeah. And if you're basing it in any way on the cost of running the systems.
I mean, whatever one of these things you do, whether it's 8 and a half% or 5 and a half% or whatever, you're still getting the sewer users are still getting a massive subsidy.
I mean, we're paying for every single part of the cost of the sewer system that isn't somebody down in the plant working or their health insurance. Like literally, >> um it seems >> a third of the budget to your point.
>> Yes. >> Yeah. I mean like it seems, you know, hard to imagine that you don't keep pace there, you know, like you've >> and you're if you have to build up
retained earnings for future projects potentially, like you're talking about having $1 million in retained earnings, I kind of feel like next time we have to build a sewer plant, it shouldn't be on the taxpayers to cover it again, you know, like they've
on the last two times just >> right >> at least not the entire thing you know I mean there's a reasonable split somewhere in here 100% is probably too much but 100% the other way is also too much
>> what was the total breakdown for is it like 65 35 for sewer versus septic in town do we know a breakdown >> oh yes >> of actual users is it higher >> I have no idea Yeah, I thought it's higher receptic than that, but I'm not
sure. >> I think so too. I can't remember, but it's >> you know what the breakdown is for like Stockbridge or anything? >> Oh, >> there's now more than a third of the >> users. >> I feel like if it was a a really high
percentage of people on septic here that they would have voted the article down because they wouldn't have wanted >> No, it's it's more than 50%. >> It's Oh, yeah. >> Is all of West Hatfield Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Not quite all.
>> Or what? Septic. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And North Hatfield, we're all septic. >> Yeah. >> I'm not. >> You're not. And I can see the sewer line, but that's as good as it gets as it gets. Um, I I just think I mean I go
back to this this debt thing and okay, even if you set aside the 12 million that we have to pay for because that's how we voted for it. That's not I agree with John. That's what we talked about from day one. So, I'm a little confused about that. But some of the other debt
service that we're carrying on that why that it some of that does not go to the rateayer and not all the town. I don't understand that. I think you have to put some of that somewhere. You know, water is easy.
What are we 98% of the town is on water. So it's so it's so whether it's in the raid or whether it's in a general fund, we're all using water. But sewer is just a different animal. M >> sewer is a different animal, but in some
cases without sewer you wouldn't get the businesses and without the businesses you wouldn't get some offset on the tax rate. I'm just saying there there's always two arguments to this, right? >> Oh, I I I agree and I'm not and and I'm with even if it was only 25%.
>> Right. something it, you know, I just that's that's that's how I feel. But >> but I I don't disagree with what you're saying because we've we've battled over this for years trying to back and forth.
I mean when you were on the boards you had the same discussions and the the boards today are having the same discussions but the bottom line is if if we don't do a small increase then next time it's a larger increase. That's
that's the problem with this because the costs don't go away you know agree with you. >> Yeah we learned that lesson. Yeah it happened. We we didn't increase rates for like eight years or something and then >> and then not long ago we missed a couple
of bill we had we were late in setting our rates so the first couple bills were not at the new increase right >> which meant we had a big increase for the last two bills. >> Yeah. >> Weren't the rates too low to qualify for the uh the loan initially
>> back? Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think I think as my opinion is as much as I hate to say it, I think we should move forward with setting the small increases that are presented to us. But
that's just my opinion. I would largely agree >> as suggested. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I just I would agree that not increasing the sewer as what is recommended I think is putting us in a position to have to do a very large
increase in a few years and that could be much larger of a problem. So >> yeah. >> All right. Well, if there's no further discussion, I will entertain a motion. Well, I would I would entertain I would
say the motion is uh to increase the water and sewer rates as presented by >> Dave as on our handouts. That would be $6 per month uh for the sewer and $3 a
month average for the residential, which comes out to a proposed increase of 8% on the sewer side and 6% on the water side if I'm reading this correctly. >> And can you just say what the rate would
be for each just to per 100 cubic feet? Yeah, the rate per HCF would be 14 96 side >> to the right. Ed >> 1625. My mistake on the
>> sewer side. We're going with the 8 5.5% then. >> Yeah. So, it's going to the rate would be 7.88 for water >> and 365 for agriculture. >> We need to make a decision on the egg. So that's a 5% increase. Um town would
like to move towards well we have talked about getting towards a being set at 50% of residential but we can also knock off that this time. I think it would be worth taking a look at the 20 or 22 users that there are and
and figuring out where usage lies compared to the minimum bill. Mhm. >> Um >> you're not going to make your minimum bill then >> it I mean that's the purpose of the minimum bill. >> I think most of them are probably well above that that minimum. >> Yeah.
>> So say at at one point we were the highest use water user in the town. So >> probably fairly close now. >> I don't think we have what the five% would be. We have 5.2. >> So the 5.2 increase that would be the
3.65 65 and then the other option would be to make it uh >> I will draw my motion and put it back into perspective to where it should be. We were saying now on the motion we want the water side to be at
the uh 8.5%. >> No >> seven $788 right the 5.2% increase. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I think you had the right motion. >> Yeah. Then it's just a question of what the the a rate should be. And if you
want you can do the one as for both. >> I would do three 365. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Uh is there any further discussion? >> No. >> No. All in favor? >> I. >> Great.
>> 3.65. >> All right. Moving to topic. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Yeah, let's do it. That'd be awesome. >> Um especially once they finish, >> make a motion to adjurnn. >> Yes.
>> Second. >> All those for joining us. >> Hi. >> Good to see you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Hopefully someone turned on the air conditioner. >> Oh, right.
We can continue to move through some of Yeah. So, uh, topic 13 is appointments and resignations. Um, we have quite the list of the annual reappoints. So, I will entertain a
motion for those first. >> Do we want to look >> anyone wants to discuss them? >> Okay. I move that we reappoint all appointees for terms expiring June 30th, 2026 as presented on the annual appointment list supplied by the town clerk.
>> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> I >> uh the appointment of Fred Boen to the opioid task force. >> Seconded. >> Make a motion. >> Motion to appoint Fred Boen to opioid
task force. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> make a motion to appoint Rebecca Bench to 2040 implementation committee. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Motion to appoint Stephanie Slush to affordable housing trust. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to appoint Michael Cahill to deficit reduction committee. >> Seconded. All in favor? >> I. >> Great.
>> Fantastic. Moving on to the DPW director's report. Okay. Um, thank you. Uh, so to start with, I have a couple of wage salary rate adjustment request forms uh for a
for two seasonal cemeterian groundskeepers positions. Um, the first one, Andrew Provost. Um, oh by the way, both of them uh were successful in getting their work permits. So we all the paperwork's in order on them. Um,
the only caveat with the Andrew Provost is he will be working 35 hours a week because of his age. He can't start at 6:00 in the morning. He'll be starting at seven. So work 7 to 2. Um, uh, Tess Gillette, she is actually
studying auto mechanics but very interested in the construction field. Heck yeah. >> Both both these uh young folks, if I will, uh we're we're very excited about having an opportunity um to learn a little bit about construction, um line
painting, crosswalk painting, uh mowing, all that good stuff. So, um um we were looking to have Andrew start tomorrow, which I've been in touch with Brenda ahead of time in anticipation of the vote or tonight. um in test would be
starting uh on July uh the 7th which is next Tuesday. Um pretty excited to see uh young folks um so interested in wanting to come aboard and do the work. So >> we're all set for giving them a little
training and all that good stuff. >> Wonderful. >> So I make a motion to approve wage salary rate adjustment request for Andrew Prover Jr. >> seconded. All in favor? >> I >> I. >> And I will motion to approve the wage
salary rate adjustment request for Tesclet. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Okay. So, on to my report. Um, we have a lot a lot of moving parts right now and a lot that's going to be happening in July. Um, I'll try and give
you the the high level as we go down through. Uh, one of the things I've been working on for a few months now is I've met a couple times with the school superintendent and we've been talking about which has been on the agenda since I started here. Um, as far as the school
grounds maintenance, him and I have had some really good talks on that. How can we help each other? M >> um he actually just notified me the other day that he hired a summer groundskeeper that he thinks will be capable to run our law large area mower
to help us out with the large areas of the fields. Um a good portion of our week depending on the summer is taken up uh mowing, not just the school grounds, but there's there's a great deal of area on the school grounds for the sports and so on and so forth. So, we're kind of
transitioning to see how he can help me and I can I can help how the schools can help me and I can help them. So, I hope to have another meeting or two with him and and have like a more formal report for you for next meeting on that on that old business. Um,
>> so, um, the Main Street Brad uh Main Street Maine and Brad Street cemeteries, I'm still waiting on the final uh surveys on that um so we can get going on that project. um winding down the budgets. It's going well. I don't think we have a lot left
out there, but we'll see what comes in the next week for invoices. Uh Andrew's got a little more information on this one, but the EV electrical uh EV the EV electrical uh entrench work is completed at Hatfield Elementary.
Um so the the installation was completed. um uh highway. We we've been basically a lot of mowing. Um we also assisted uh on both the water main installation on Straits Road uh with the water
department and uh the water leak at the intersection of Weston Depot. Um good job by all. Good job to the water department and and highway for jumping in and uh helping out. The only thing we have left uh on Strait Road is installation of hydrants and then
running service lines to the curb before we were to start the Strait Road project. So the main lines in so uh we'll chip away at the other the other pieces of it. Um 15 elm court the concrete floor is
completed. Um it's all set to go. Um electrical will be the electrical work in in the interior will be starting on Monday. Uh the openers will follow the uh will will be put up the following week. Uh we're still uh waiting to hear
from Eversource for a uh poll hearing for so they can set the poll on the property. The polls been there for a couple of weeks and then we'll trench from there. The DPW highway will trench from there to the building to save costs on that. uh School Street Park. Uh well,
we started that project today. We removed the old ugly stockade fence that was falling down. Um filled and compacted the post holes. Um so the new fence is due to be installed on Thursday 72 and the the privacy slats will be
installed on that new fence on Friday 73. uh the last 20 feet closest to the school street property. We're dropping it down to four feet, not keeping at six feet. So there's a better line of sight trying to get out of the post office and
fishtails. Um you see in the parking lot when it was there before it was kind of tough with the way the trees and everything are orientated. So just a little information on that. Um, we're due that the company's due to come in probably the third week or the last week
of uh July. Uh, we have to the highway department will dig 12 in out of the current park, remove the structure that's up front, and then the installation company will come in and put the two new structures in, and then the highway department will spread uh
the new certified wood chips. So, um I'm hoping by the end of the month of the first week of August, we can have our park uh new park up and running, newly rebuilt. >> Um school's paving. So, uh right now, um the the bids came back through Furcog.
Um so, the the milling company could have came in next week. Well, I couldn't do it next week because the roof, not the jump projects, but the roof is um due to be completed, could have been completed the end of this week, but we got a couple of rain days. So, I
anticipate probably the middle of next week, the roof on the the elementary school will be done. Um so, they'll be done and gone and then we can start in on the paving. So, the milling will be in the week of July 13th to 17th, weather permitting. um light rain,
regular rain, they they can mill. Um heavy heavy rains they can't, but it's going to take about 3 days to do both schools and billings way um to clean it all up. At that point, uh Warner Brothers got the paving. They're going to come in right behind them whenever
they complete, do the fine grading, raid the raise the basins, and start the paving. So, uh, Smith Academy has some coordination we're doing, but, um, as far as the elementary school, right now I have 13 contacts that I have in an
email chain, um, because we're dealing with the library, um, the the Lions Club and and activities there. Um, summer school wreck wreck going on out there. So, as we nail these dates down, there might be some movement from the
elementary school to Smith for a couple of days because once we start milling Billings Way and paving it, it's very narrow. So, there's going to be no traffic uh that's going to be able to get in or out. Um obviously, if there was an emergency of some sort, uh we'd
get them in, you know. Um so, a lot of coordination going on. I already started that coordination early this week only because we got plenty of time but with vacations and everything and hearing back from anybody and everybody's uh let's say the the way they want to help me out so we can get the project
done is is going really well so far. So um once I have the exact dates I'll nail them down and of course I'll I'll I'll put the board in the email too so you know exactly what's going on there. Uh paving is the big thing. Um especially in the middle of the summer if it's hot,
you got to stay off that brand new mat. You can't drive on it until it cools down. So Billings way could be down for the whole day. You know, we just don't know at this point. Um looks like we're going to be okay financially. Um I won't know where the we've talked about fuel
and whatnot. You know, if there's going to be a reciprocating uh fuel charge on the on the asphalt or not. We'll we'll know as we get into the project, but um un unpaved roads grant, we still haven't received uh anything from the state as far as signing a contract or
whatnot. They did say four to six weeks, so I think we're getting close to the six, but >> my guess is they may release them after July 1. We should be seeing it soon. >> Um and as I said, we put the we got the water mane in. That was the the big
thing. Um, the other thing I had pulled off here was the beta pavement management plan. It just so happens the day I pulled it off the report, I got a preliminary report for them for all our roads. So, uh, maybe it was a good thing. So, I haven't reviewed it yet. Um, uh, I'll be reviewing this with
Dwayne on on Monday and then getting back to the company. Uh, we're also working on um, by just taking a quick peek at this and what we know is our our worst roads. We're starting to put the paving program together. Um I just earlier this week we received another
$87,000 uh for fair share paving money on top of regular chapter 90 that I signed for and it's in the account. So >> um once we have that program together uh absolutely I'll share with you. Um, I
can't think of anything else right now that's that's Well, there's a lot of things, but um, we did plant 13 trees um, before it got too hot upon requests from the taxpayers. Um, other than that, if you have any questions, >> where are we at with the hook truck?
>> Uh, the end of is supposed to be here the end of the month. Uh, Dwayne will probably give him a call tomorrow when he when he gets back from vacation. Um, so, uh, >> thank you for all you're doing, Marlin. It's great.
>> Yeah. No, I I thank my staff. You know, we're a small crew, but it's like the little train that could. So, >> just I don't know if this makes sense, but um, or if this is something you I guess just look at it, but when
you're coming in Smith Academy in the back by like the gym, the back entrance, it was really bumpy. And I was watching people people are struggling to get into town meeting like elderly people but it extends under that like towards the door. >> I don't know if that's in the purview of this.
>> Anything black tops coming out and it's going to be brand new. >> I don't know if it is black top. Just calling out that I >> you know there's moving dumpsters. There's making sure vehicles are out of the way. We're working USA or the school department's going to work with them. So yeah, anything right up to the walkways. In fact, if if if I if there's enough
money in the project that there's that long sidewalk in from School Street to Smith that is getting pretty bad, >> is getting bad. >> Um I'm going to have them uh pave that while they're there because it's getting pretty rough. Um and it's a wide sidewalk.
>> So, um we'll see where we we land. >> Perfect. >> Great. >> Thank you. You guys are doing great. >> Welcome. Um, with that, topic 15, the town administrator report. >> I will try to go really quick since
we're already pretty over time. Uh, so housing production plan. We talked about how uh we'll be hiring uh the team for the uh comprehensive zoning rewrite. There a couple firms that bid on that that also have a lot of uh uh experience with housing production plans. We have $40,000 from town meeting for CPA to do
a housing production plan. So, we're looking at uh getting a scope together and potentially hiring one of those firms. Um I can bring you finalists if you're interested if anyone wants to be on the the group to to make a recommendation on their hire. Otherwise, I'll bring you, you know, a top choice and we can go over that at your next
meeting. Um but we have two two great options at least on that. um opioids uh committee, the opioid settlement funds task force is looking ahead at what they want their next activity to be. Uh what are other sorts of things they can do in the future uh with their funding and they're really interested in some kind
of uh aligned around the idea of prevention and and community engagement. Uh some kind of like know your community event um potentially something that rolls into like some kind of fall festival. So I'll keep bringing uh the ideas to that together. But if you have any interest, um I'll let you know where where things are at there. Um as I reach
out to celebration committee and other folks who would be a part of that as well. So that can be a really exciting thing for the town. Uh the 2040 report talked a lot about trying to come up with more of a calendar events and community things that would bring people out and bring more people to the town as well. So something to to look at that I
think would be really great. Um this next section is kind of fun because usually I'm coming to say, "Hey, we're applying for this grant or hey, we got this grant." Now I get to say we actually got the the products from the grants that that we've been doing for the last year. So Massav's disability grant, we have our transition plan uh that has been drafted. At our next
meeting, we'll bring them in and they can present what the report looks like and then um this body will have to vote on on its acceptance. But this is a transition plan that shows all the things that we should be doing to be up to compliance with ADA um and other good
policy for folks with uh differing ability levels. electric vehicle chargers. Marlo already talked about this, but uh when this meeting is over, I'll head over there to make sure that it's active. We need to take a picture of uh the um the chargers actively working. I have someone with a electric
vehicle who can meet me after this after this meeting and we'll get a picture of that, send it to the state so we get our tax credits. So tax credits are good. >> Agricultural ditches folks are meeting upstairs now and uh the deliverables look really good. I'll I'll get those to you and I think it would be great to have them come to a future meeting as
well. Just there's folks who are here meeting about it now, but we can get it on on video and everything else to learn more about what's been done on this project. And then um I think if we plan to post the fire uh sorry, police chief position in August, we should be in good shape uh to get someone uh in here for
December. We have some people interested in serving that committee. So, we can post that uh we can decide on that at the next meeting here. And then uh yeah, that's what I got for now. >> All right. Great. Fantastic. Thank you. >> Does the electric charger generate revenue for the town or like
how does that >> Yes. Um I am fig trying to figure out how I set the cost of it and how people pay for it. But uh essentially we we can set a cost that's basically like an average amount. Um you know they're they're pulling power from the school so from from us. So we're paying for that
power anyway. So we need to be charging them and and at least make back that expense. But yeah, we can set it a little higher than that, too. I think it'll still be very reasonable. >> So, yeah. Um, yeah, we'll we'll report on that and see how that's going.
>> Um, great. >> Um, next would be the topic 16, the potential pilot for the commercial solar project at 12 Elm Street, which is the storage facility. >> Exactly. So, there's a um Green Leaf Solar, I think it's the name of the company that's interested in setting up
solar on top of there. It would be a commercial project. be a good use of that space. It's just the storage underneath. Um what they are interested in doing is negotiating a pilot, a payment in lie of taxes. We charge tax on the personal property that's set up
for um commercial solar and essentially what they want is just to be able to predict those payments look like over time, potentially have some kind of phase in structure with them. Um I have asked town council just if there's anything specific we need for negotiating that. I thought in the past
you had to like put a committee together and the select board had to choose members of a committee. From what I can tell that's not necessary. So I just want to make sure that you're okay with the idea at least of starting negotiate that. We would basically work with the assessor's office, figure out what personal property expenses would look
like and then come up with a um schedule of payments so that we're completely made whole. We get the same amount of money that we would except we set it up as predictable payments over time. >> Is this done anywhere else? Yeah, it's a pretty common thing to do with with solar. The state allows for for doing
this. Um there's very few uses of pilots that the state allows, but this is one of them. Um and uh we do have one already negotiated. We we did this for uh Smith Academy on the solar one up there as well. >> Well, that makes sense because it's a town. >> Yeah,
>> it's town owned. I'm struggling to understand the benefit >> for the town >> for using our resources and our assessor and everything. >> Yep. What what value do we get out of it? >> We get a new solar project. That's something that interests us. We're still collecting the tax. It's just at a at a
schedule that's mutually beneficial is the argument. Um I mean, I'm willing to at least start the negotiation and just hear from them and and and what they are thinking and if it becomes anything too burdensome for us, I'd say we pull out. But um I just want to make sure that
you're on board with at least having the conversation. I think it's that's that's fine if we want to have a conversation, but in my opinion, unless we're going to get like a some sort of >> benefit, >> credit, electric credit or reduction in
our rates or something cool out of it. >> Yeah, to get >> Yeah. >> What are we getting? >> Yeah, >> I think that's fine to >> Yeah, I think I like to hear what they have to say. I I don't think the solar system at the school really benefited
the school. It did somewhat, but the solar company benefits more from that installation at the school. The school is seeing some savings, but not as much as people would thought. >> Yeah. >> But anyways, >> well, that's
>> doesn't hurt to talk to somebody, >> right? >> We'll at least start the conversation and we'll I'll work with the council and um assessors to figure out what's going on there. >> Good. Great. And lastly for our public agenda will be the
appointment of Sue Fapiano as assistant treasur collector and to approve the rate adjustments. Yep. So this um is an employee that we've had budgeted for a while. Um and uh the assistant treasurer
collector uh you have a uh wage salary form for you. Um and we just be looking to approve of that. We need a motion or no? Uh, >> I think it's probably proper to have a motion. >> Yep. >> I make a motion to appoint Sue Forpiano
as assistant treasurer collector. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I think you have that for me. Um, with that, that'll conclude our
public session of the June 30th meeting. Um, and I will make a motion to go into executive session with special counsel pursuant to general law chapter 30A section 21 A3 to discuss strategy with
respect to potential litigation arising from the Route 5 infrastructure project and pursuant to general law chapter 30A section 21A7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or federal grant and aid requirements.
specifically the public records law general law chapter 4 section 726 discuss privilege communication from special counsel and we will not be returning to regular session. I will also make an additional motion to go
into executive session pursuant to general law chapter 30A section 21A2 to discuss strategy to for negotiation with non-un personnel for the fire chief and director of public works. I'll second that motion and Joriski I
>> launch Iris I >> thank you John and everybody have a great night and happy fourth >> happy fourth