--------- Okay, I call the select board meeting order for December 16th, 2025. And I begin with our public participation at town Hatfield Swackboard meetings. The Hatfield sweatboard welcomes everyone to its meetings and all the 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 and attempt will be made to find a balance between hearing
from members of the community and conducting the required business of the Hatfield select board. for the public's information. This meeting is being recorded. Uh under announcements, I'd like to begin with Hatfield Luminarium.
Uh this Saturday at 4:30, uh the First Congregational Church has a concert at 5:00 p.m. The Craft for Kids are at the Hatfield Public Library. At 5:30, the townwide lighting of Luminarium candles.
And at 6:00 p.m. the holiday program that'll be here in front of town hall will be featuring Greetings Caroling and Smith Academy. And after that program usually around 6:40 45 refreshments with
Santa at the Hatfield Fire Station. I believe I've covered everything on the Womanarium except I know there's no fireworks this year according to Facebook page I saw due to some issue that occurred. So, uh, I hope to see
everybody there at a luminarium. Also, under announcements, uh, I'd like to announce that Hatfield has received a FY2026 municipal ADA improvement grant for a maximum grant of $40,000
and the town of Ammer citation in recognition of exemplary service following the fire at 4757 Olympia Drive. I know the town of Hatfield firefighters assisted in that major fire and I'd like to thank them for their assistance in that particular
fire. Uh those are my announcements. Do you have anything else? >> I do not. >> Okay. With that, >> if I could just say real quick. >> All right. >> Um just because there are a lot of questions about the the fireworks is have a little more information if that's helpful
>> for folks. So, um, this was put together by, uh, the celebration committee, uh, just to to let people know that the location where they used to be, um, shot off from, um, is no longer available to us. Um, we we can't do it there, and we
are yet to find another location. Last year, we also had the drought issue. We all do still have a drought issue this year, too. Um, so we're looking into the future as where it can possibly be located. Folks have ideas, let us know. But um the the focus has shifted to
doing this float contest again which was a big success last year. We're excited to do that again and uh the celebration committee is continuing to look for uh opportunities for fireworks for the future. >> What time is the float judging? >> Um I believe it's by by 6:30 they'll
they'll announce the the uh the winners. I think that from 5:30 to to 6:15 they'll they'll uh folks can bring them around, but I I know it's on the website. Okay. So, hopefully you have a float in a float contest and and
hopefully you win. So, uh under public forum, I know we have a couple folks here for public forum. Cheryl, uh we're opening up a public forum. >> Is this working? >> Yeah. >> Okay, great. Well, um good evening. Uh
my name is Cheryl Nicholas and from Hatfield and I'm attending your meeting tonight to share the news on my upcoming book which is going to be published soon. Uh you have with you a book announcement and so I'll just talk very briefly about my book. Uh the book is
called Divided by the Great V River. It's a story of 17th century politics, faith and a New England's town incorporation at Hatfield, Massachusetts. The story is about the families who lived along the Connecticut River at Hatfield and Hadley mostly
between the years of 1658 and 1670. It's a story about their faith, their politics, their personalities amid the first government of Massachusetts to create a town, a new town in the Commonwealth. I tell this
story through a series of 17th century legal petitions, court cases, meeting minutes, and letters written by the families that provide an account of the effort and emotions that were part of building a new church, a new town, a community, and the process by which they
separated in 1670. Importantly, the Massachusetts legal system between 1630 and 1686 gave new rights, due process to individuals that did not exist before. These laws and statues were are incorporated in my
story to tell how the Halley and Hatfield Puritans were part of a political process that developed a organic innovative system of laws, a body politic, a civil constitution for all to engage in. The Hatfield and
Halley story is a story of community, brotherhood, covenants, and family family ties that still exist between the towns today. Uh there are multiple 17th century petitions, images, uh court cases. Many
of these petitions I've transcribed myself. I've spent four years writing this book. During that time, I've learned who these people were, learned about their faith, their passions, and the myths about the Puritans are a legend. And I hope my book dispels many
of those myths. And I hope in summary I that others will enjoy reading about the early Puritans of Hatfield and Hadley as much as I have gotten to know them in the past four years. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Terrific. Thank you.
>> Congratulations. >> Is anybody else here for public forum? If not, we'll move to topic one which is to approve annual license re. Oh, actually I'm going to do the consent agenda approval of the minutes. Do I
have a motion on the minutes? >> I'll make a motion to approve the November 25th, 2025 meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh now I'll move to topic one.
Approve annual license renewals for 2026. Do I have a motion on that? I'll make a motion to approve the 2026 annual license renewals as presented in this report. >> Second. >> Motion made, motion seconded. And as far
as discussion, everybody's uh up to date on their taxes and all that stuff. Okay. >> Okay. Motion made, motion seconded. All in favor? >> I. >> Um motion carries. All right.
Topic two, change of officers at Tazwa Casmir is unknown as the Hatfield Polish Club. I thank you. Just state your name, where you're from, and why you're here. >> I am Greg Sanchase. I live on Bridge
Street in Hatfield, and I am a board member for the Hatfield Polish Club, and I'm here to answer any questions that you may have for me. Okay. So, you're here to just for us to accept the motion to of change of officers.
>> That is correct. >> That's correct. Uh, is there a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the change of officers for the St. Casmir.
Oh, officers for to SW Casmir is GP1965 ZNP. >> Second. Okay. Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Think I had to say it the way it's printed. >> Okay. Topic three. We have uh an interesting uh next topic three for Smith Academy student proposal for welcome of Halffield signs of Smith
Academy students and folks want to come up and get a seat and whoever's going to do the speaking or I believe you have a small presentation. Is that correct Elsa? >> Yes it is. >> Nice. Uh, please state your name and also why
you guys are here. Actually, you can introduce all all of you. That'd be great. >> Uh, my name is Tyler Lavali, and I'm joined by Ashton Theer, Levi Sha, and Ryan Le. I just want to thank Mr. Lavine
for helping us come down here. We are juniors in Smith Academy working together on the civic action project for news literacy. And this project is designed to have students make a change
in their community, positive change. And our group decided that Hatfield needed a big bright welcome sign to welcome people into the town. So, if my friend Ryan has some handouts
of some location of the location that we're proposing this sign for and some design ideas. >> Thank you. >> So, there is a patch of land that the town owns that goes into Elm Court off
of Elm Street. And we believe that this spot would be perfect for a welcome sign because it's just over the bridge coming into Hatfield. And on the next page of that sheet, we have some design ideas.
Um, we believe that a great idea would be to have the town emblem as sort of in inspiring it. But Mr. Lavine also mentioned to us about getting a a
townwide survey for the town to decide what the sign should look like. >> So, would you like to like have a bunch of different designs and then the town sort of go online and vote for these designs? Yeah, we would work together to
come up with a bunch of different designs and >> we would have that put into a survey for the town to vote on which they like best. So, it's more of a community decision and not just us. >> Nice. >> I like that idea. It's
>> I have any questions on it? The only concern that I have with the placement of the sign is that you have a road exit on either side of it and depending on where it's placed could be a obstructive hazard to cars exiting.
>> Right? >> So the placement would have to be far enough back in that island that it's not going to obstruct view from a from a stop from the stop line where it would be. >> Right. We also plan to contact DigSafe to make sure that there's no cables or
things that could be damaging to the town or our installers, which will be us. I think the other thing you have to contact is probably the building inspector because he's a zoning officer and he can we do have bylaws on size of
signs and what's acceptable and he can give you at least an out out an idea of what type of signs allowed in town and that would be uh helpful as you put your design together. >> Right. >> I think this is a great idea. I think it's a great spot. I would just make
sure that between talking with the building inspector about the exact placement of the sign, but also the size and everything. That way you guys can really dial in your design and make sure that you're planning for the right, you know, the right size. You don't want to have too busy of a sign if it's going to have to be smaller, you know, something
like that. So, >> yeah, thanks for the suggestions. But the best part about our proposal is that it will cost nothing. It's completely fully funded for through generous donations from LNL Fence Company. >> Oh,
>> and we will pro be providing the rest of the labor. >> Awesome. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah, >> that is good news. >> And basically what we need from you is we need to build on that plot of land. >> I I have no objection to what you're
doing. I think it's a great idea and I appreciate you doing this. U I don't know if you have any comments. >> I I I agree. I think this is a great idea. I'm >> I'm glad you thought of it and that you're willing to go through with it.
>> I agree. I think it's a good spot. I think some coordination with DPW, police, fire, and and the building department just to make sure the placement is proper. Um, >> yeah, >> is as long as all of our tees are crossed and our eyes are dotted, then
it's a great spot. So, >> so I'll make a motion that we uh support what you're doing and hope you continue and just leave us informed on the process and where the survey is. So,
there's um I guess that's a proper motion, right? So, >> motion made. >> I'll second it. >> Motion seconded. Uh any discussion? All in favor? I >> Okay. So, you have our support and just
let us know uh as you continue through on what you're going to do. That's all. >> Good to see you getting involved. Thank you. >> Thank you so much and thanks for the feedback and suggestions. >> We'll follow up. >> Okay. Topic for fire chief Bob Clarity.
Let's see. You have a request to attend the Congressional Fire Service Institutees annual fire and emergency services symposium and dinner in Washington CDE on March 18th to the 19th in 2026. Correct.
>> So, you want to tell us a little bit about that? Uh so I was fortunate enough to get picked through Western Mass fire chiefs this past year in 2025 to go down and it's an opportunity to meet with individually with our legislators and talk about some of the fire service
priorities specific to Massachusetts. Um I was chosen again this year from a group of chiefs from Western Mass as well to go and represent uh Hampshire County specifically this year and talk about our priorities for this coming year in 2026.
Um, so it was the request is essentially because it's part of our uh HR policy from traveling out of state and to have it be considered part of my work week as I'm with other chiefs networking. It's part of my regular duties and all the
costs will be funded through Hampshire County Chiefs or Western Mass Chiefs. They're just finalizing who's kind of covering the cost. But >> okay, so basically they're covering the cost, but you're hoping that we cover those two days or was it is it
>> it's just that that would be considered my work week instead of burning vacation time or whatever as it's part of being the chief is to go down and >> talk to the legislators. And >> my only two questions on that would be the first one would be just for the town's purpose how it benefits the town
uh by you going so they have an understanding of that. >> Yep. So there's actually a fairly large contingent from Western Mass. Each each individual chief will meet with their specific senator or representative while they're down there just finalizing the meetings and talking about the issues
within the fire service and some of the priorities that are cover talking about for the entire region and also the entire state. So that's kind of what we're going down for so that way our representatives can understand some of the struggles that we have. Uh we had a
good meeting about 50 55 minutes in this past year with Senator McGovern. Um and it was a really good conversation. >> And my second question would be who would be covering in your absence and do they how do how does that work? >> Uh I hadn't looked at the actual
specific days of who's on as far as the other two full-timers to see who is working. Uh but then the shifts would become open to allow somebody else to pick up those shifts. Okay. So would would you like your deputy chief or one of your captains be >> No, all all the officers are they're
they wouldn't be working the shifts as none of them are EMTs, but they would be the deputies would ultimately be left in charge for those couple of days while I'm out of town. >> So we'd be paying uh for the deputy to be working the shift while you're out or >> Nope. They won't work the shifts because they all work regular full-time jobs.
All of our officers are call members, >> so they all work somewhere else during the day. They would just be responsible for any administrative questions that might pop up. >> Yeah, those are my questions. I don't know you guys have any questions. >> No, that was those are my questions that how it would benefit the town. That's
for the the first section of it. And uh I know you've gone there before and I know it's important to meet the legislators. It's too bad the legislators can't meet up here. >> Yeah. >> Where they're from, who they represent, but >> would be nice. >> Yeah. But I understand that's how it
works. >> They're all from all over the country. There's there I think the last year was about 400 total chiefs, deputy chiefs from all across the country. I think Massachusetts we had 34 from the state representing the different districts.
>> Okay. So, >> I'm okay with that first part. >> All right. So, you're all set. >> Let's say you're on the fire department, so I don't know if you can vote on this much. >> I can vote because it doesn't involve >> That's right. doesn't >> uh any sort of chain of command.
>> That's right. So, you're allowed to vote on this motion, too. So, either my colleagues like to make a motion. >> Uh this is for the Which one is this for? Let me hold on. >> Topic for
the whole page. >> Well, there's two separate things here that was in there. Well, the the motion includes >> the bottom the bottom one's a different thing. Yeah. >> So, if you want to make it easier, I can discuss the bottom one and then you can
make a motion for both if it makes it easier for you. >> Sure. >> So, the the second part was also this is something new that the Western Mass fire chiefs chose to do this year. Um they would like to get some more professional development offered to the chiefs this year. And this was a lottery that if you
were interested in going to the fire department instructor's conference out in Indianapolis, um, you know, put your name in. They put every name in the hat. And I was one of the ones that was fortunate enough to get chosen for this. Um, there's about 34 35,000 firefighters from across the
country that attend this. There's different seminars and classes over the course of the three days that we're there. Um, and it's another place of, you know, networking and taking some of these courses. the final class schedule hasn't been finalized yet. So, we don't necessarily know which classes we'll be
attending, but it's just another place to gain some more knowledge. I know that there was going to be talk about lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, which is a big thing that's come up and we do know that's one cost. Um, so I was just picked and this is the same thing is all costs are going to be covered by the Western Mass Fire Chiefs
Association. Um, so it would be just the the days not at work to attend it, >> but the motion on the agenda only was for one. >> Oh, I think we're missing the the second one. So, we have to add that as well. Yeah,
>> we have to add um >> after March 18th 19, 2026. >> We can do have to add and the >> we can do two fire department instructors conference Indianapolis April 21st to 25th. >> Yeah,
>> can do two separate motions, I guess. >> Yeah. Well, I I guess the same the same question that Ed asked is how does this benefit the town and is it worth is it worth it to the town to have you not around here for a whole week?
>> Uh I mean as far as how it benefits the town, the different course topics that are there, it's you know, you're just learning new and expanded material on a lot of things that are going on in the fire service across the country. So I would say that's probably the biggest thing. Again, without the final class schedule, I don't know the exact courses
that are going to be offered. They're still kind of tweaking those. Um, so I can't swear by every single class that I would be attending over the three days, but it's about a six or seven hour day each day specifically in the courses. Um, so that would that would probably be
the biggest thing is just that continuing, you know, the knowledge of the fire service and getting different perspectives from some very astounding teachers across the country and lecturers. And this is just kind of a a luck of the draw thing, too, right? Like both of these opportunities, you might
get to go every once every couple years, but it just so happened that your name came out of the hat twice this time for both of these. So, while there's a maybe a drawback to having you, you know, out of town for for both of these, it probably is is is a good thing to have you have these opportunities for the the learning and the networking and
everything else you get from this kind of professional development. It's just kind of how the the chips fell, but it's a good thing. And there's continuing education available as well, correct? >> Yes, there is. The plan is for next year they're going to offer up this same uh >> raffle, I guess, is the lack of a better
term. Put names in the hat. Uh and they're actually going to be offering it up to uh deputy chiefs and training officers for next year. They wanted to see send out chiefs of department, make sure that it was worth continuing this process, then it was going to be expanded to other um level other ranks
in the coming years. and they would do it >> by you get it in the future since there'll be more people. >> Yeah. We wouldn't even be eligible after this year really. They're they're going to move on to deputies and training officers for the next two to three at least as long as it works. >> And it's the same deal. They're paying for everything except you're you want it
to be part of your work. >> Correct. >> Yep. They're covering all the costs associated with it. >> Any other questions? >> Nope. >> No. If you're you're the head of the department, if you think this is worth it, I'll I'll back you. >> I've seen a lot of good things about it.
I've been interested for a few years about going and it just happened to work out that my name was picked out of about I think it was 17 other chiefs. So, and there's a group of us going. It's not just me. There's actually four of us specifically from Western Mass Chiefs Association that are going.
>> Well, if you feel it's going to benefit our town and benefit our department, I I don't have an issue with it. >> That is the hope. I'm hoping to get some more knowledge, cover some different topics that I haven't, you know, attended yet. >> And I hope we can backfill your shift, too. I think it's I think it's important
to have paramedic in town. So, >> yeah, the shifts will be open once probably by later tonight I'll go home and open them up so then they would be available for others. >> Okay. I'll make a motion if that's okay. >> That's right. Ahead. Make a motion to approve Chief Flity's request to attend
the Congressional Fire Services Institute annual Fire and Emergency Services Symposium in dinner in Washington CDE on March 18th through 19th, 2026. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in
favor? >> I Hey, motion carries. And then there's one more motion needed. I will make a motion to approve Chief Flity's request to attend the fire department instructor's conference FDIC in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 21st
through the 25th of 2026. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Hope you can come back and give us a report on what what you did and what happened and new stuff. I
gained a lot of knowledge when you guys let me go to the uh the station design conference earlier this year, too. I I have pages and pages of notes and lots of pictures and stuff if that were to ever become a thing for. So, it was definitely a valuable >> great thing to talk about down there.
>> It's definitely uh very valuable and I definitely have a lot of notes from that conference. So, it's very good. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. Uh topic five, Mike's gonna is here to give us an update on
our five and 10 project. Mike is from CI which was the engineer on that particular project. >> Yes. Good evening. And as you may recall, as the contractor
finished up their work uh this past uh end of the summer into the fall, uh there were videos uh taken of the interior of the pipe and some uh pretty extensive amount of
construction debris, dirt, some rocks, things like that were encountered along with areas of significant water ponding and
raised a lot of questions in terms of just one the cleaning because it was certainly in no condition to be accepted by the town and then separately what was the cause of the ponding of the water. Was it the debris or was there something going on with the way the pipe
was set uh to create a low spot? So, the contractor did the cleaning and flushing of all the debris, finished that up mid, you know, before Thanksgiving. As part
of that, they redid uh videos of the entire um 3600 feet plus or minus. And we've looked at those uh separate from, you know, as they their subcontractor
was videoing, they're noting certain issues of concern. They only highlighted a couple and we went through them and there's still it's clean. Uh so that's a good thing, but there's
still a number of issues or areas where there is some water ponding um which it shouldn't be. This entire length was set up with uh its design slope meets the minimum
recommended and we were trying to kind of balance not going as deep any deeper than we needed to but trying to make sure that at the upper end the northern end that everybody would be able to connect into
it and flow reasonably well by gravity from their house into this new sewer. >> What is that design slope? >> It's 04T per 100 ft. >> 4. >> And
there were some minor changes during construction as there often are as you run into uh certain issues. But when we looked back, you know, we started to see some of these areas of water collecting and some areas, you know, it's
it's an inch. So, it's like there shouldn't be you maybe there might be some visible but not an inch. And then there's other areas where one in particular it's it's backed up in at a manhole and then upstream for like 3 in.
It's substantial. So, we started looking at, you know, is this a localized uh spot where the pipes weren't were laid incorrectly so that you end up with what they refer to as a sag and it will
forever be a problem because that's where everything's going to collect and will create a maintenance issue for the town. So, we were looking for that. uh or was it something else? And we
in looking further, we had also spot checked uh just quickly while they were doing the cleaning the depths from the invert or from the rim down to the invert at every manhole. And when we went back and looked at those versus the
plans that um they were following, something's doesn't make sense. So, what I'm proposing is first we need to go back and reservey all the rims and
invert elevations and at least rule out that the sewer manholes were set the way they're supposed to and then work back from there in terms of where the piping might have been.
you know, something is wrong with the way the invert was set or cast in the manhole backing it up. I didn't see anything like that, but >> So, I mean, the bottom line is how we going to fix it. I I'd like to bring
Marlo into conversation. Yeah. >> Come up here. I know Marlo has actually looked at some of the uh camera and I know he has some questions. I'm not an engineer. I am I am not familiar with the work you do. So I'm my only question
is how is it going to get fixed? When is it going to get fixed? What's the timeline? And when can we get people tied into this? So I'm going to let Marlo take it over from here. >> Yeah, when I reviewed all the the footage, um obviously the line is clean.
It looks better. It's nice green pipe. Um but I found my opinion. A few other things uh to talk about is the rolled gaskets that got cut out. Um the pipe sits in a wet area. Uh as we all know, D
EPA don't like a whole lot of ini going into our sewer system. Uh it's also treating water down the plant that is groundwater. Um the other thing that jumped out to me was I think it was two maybe three manholes. It may have been the first one or the second one. when the camera
looked up. >> Um, you got a say an 18 foot deep manhole and none of the ladder rungs hung up on lined up on the sections. One of them looks like a half a spiral staircase. That that is a complete violation in a in a uh certainly a a
safety issue to get down on a manhole if we had to in the future. >> Um, I understand a quarter inch of water, so on and so forth. You probably get that in a deflection of a new pipe, but um you know the the one to three inches um
that that has to be resolved. >> Yeah, it's unacceptable. >> Um we obviously don't want sewer backing up into homes uh and realizing when it's too late when we get the phone call. >> Um the other thing that was mentioned in
your your email and the report was as you repair a segment at a time and then allow it to be used. >> Yeah. Um, I'm not comfortable with that. Not with the history here. Um, I just came here in July. Um, I think we have
to have a complete acceptable system and the contractor has to release the the project. >> Um, that's the way I feel about it. >> What's the contractor saying on this? >> Contractors being cooperative at this
point. Um, in terms of the contract, there is roughly 500,000 yet to be paid to the contractor and at this point will not be paid until these issues are addressed. Some of it may,
if it's truly a sag in spots, uh it's going to require relaying of certain lengths of pipe, the extent of which we'll be figuring out once we look at the inverts and kind of chase that back.
>> So, they have to dig it up again, start >> Yeah, it's possible at their expense. >> Excavation is going to be the only way to relay a sagging pipe. There's no way to address that. Like rolled gaskets that have been trimmed out, if we want them to line the pipe, it would be an acceptable way, but it's not going to
change the grade of the pipe, >> right? >> So, the only way to change the grade is is full excavation again. So, I have a lot of notes on this that I kind of want to run through in a systematic order. >> Um, starting, we've already touched on the ponding and the sagging and talking
about full depth excavation is something that we're going to need to get into. Um, but I have a lot of problems with all the manholes and the and the slope problems. One of which being that before the manhole was completed,
the inspection should have caught any sort of misaligned ring sections of manholes as well as top rim levels and bottom inverts. like all of that should have been covered before they started to move
on to the next section of pipe. So I guess I'm a little curious where the oversight was on that and now why are we five years later almost having to go back to potentially the first manholes that were put in. So, we're we need to address where I mean
it's the work is not great, but also the oversight and some of this definitely should have been addressed during the project. Um, some of the pipes that are entering the structures are broken going through the sides of the structure. And I haven't
had a chance to look at the plan detail of what the bottom of the invert is. But traditionally now, the way that most companies and engineering firms build the bottom of manholes. It's a piece of pipe that's cut in half so that you have continuous plastic that flows through so there's less places for paper and grease
and other debris to get hung up. All of the manholes that we have received are all old style full bricklaid and mortared bottom of manholes which again I'm not exactly sure what the plan detail calls for but I have a hard time
to believe that's what was called for. >> You're correct. >> Okay. So at minimum they need to replace all of the bottoms and the inverts on all of the manholes through the entire project. Um there's, as Marlo mentioned, there's more than one manhole that there's
misaligned steps in. So those all need to be straightened and it's a huge safety concern. Um and then back to slope, uh you know, it's been mentioned that there's a pretty good section that doesn't even meet the minimum requirement of 4/10 per 100. So
>> that needs to be relayed. Um, the gaskets that have been trimmed, I can understand how it probably happened. They're down pretty far and they were pushing pipes together with the bucket of the excavator. Uh, and the gaskets were rolled. They've since been
trimmed. It's my personal opinion that any section that has had to have a gasket trim should have to be lined the entire length from manhole to manhole. So, we have a clean, smooth pipe for things to move through. Yep. >> Um and then the last two things that I
personally have is we need to set a clear expectation of what the timeline is. And um to be quite frank, the people on Route 5 have had to now incur multiple septic tank pumpings as well as potential failed leech fields. Um,
there's a new construction house that's going up who had every intent in tying into a sewer system and now has to have a septic design done. Um, so I feel that the contractors should be held responsible to help cover some of these costs for these people who were
told that they could tie in 3 years ago now. Um, and then finally, the paving. It's absolutely deplorable. Um, I will personally be working very closely with Mass DOT on it. both northbound and now
southbound is starting to sink on all the cross trenches as well as the main trench and we're not even through a full three stall cycle. So all of these issues I think between CI and the contractor
and the select board we need to go through and and create a realistic timeline and if it can't be agreed upon or met then gloves are coming off. This is just it it's it's not okay the
way that the town of Hatfield is being treated and the qual the poor poor quality of work. So that's where I'm at with it. I don't know if you guys have anything else you'd like to add, but >> I think you said it a lot nicer than I
would have, but anyway, if you have any >> I totally agree, but I I think we also are owed an explanation as to why all this was done wrong so far and it just kept going. like something was done wrong and then something else was done wrong and it just kept happening and happening. It's
like nothing got accounted for. So, didn't we pay for that? I mean, so that we wouldn't be here. >> Yeah, I you know, I do think there's some there's some onus here on the contract, but there is some for CI as well. >> There's a lot of accountability. Yeah, the accountability is is non-existent it
seems on this throughout the project and now it's now it's all caught up on us and >> yeah, I I When I look at those videos and I see the misaligned something like the misaligned drawings,
>> that should never happen. That's that's so obvious. And for them to make their way at least 90 degrees around the structure is just >> it's bizarre.
>> And it's unacceptable. >> Yeah, I agree. >> You know, >> they're unusable. >> Correct. That's the way they are. >> And you can't safely send someone down that manhole to >> even to re-brick the bottom to be honest with you. It
>> it's not a it's it's a safety concern. And so that entire manhole is going to have to come out >> because the only pipe section that the only riser section that could be considered acceptable is the very bottom one. And some of these are, you know,
four or five rings deep. So, you're going back down 20 feet on some of these original manholes. >> Yeah. Coming up with a suggested alternative on how to get >> an alternative aligned ladder in there
>> at their cost. >> Well, and and I don't know what we can do for the residents on the on the street there that have been putting up with this for years and years and now they're going to have to put up with it again. Not to mention the bumps in the road. I don't know the technical terms for that, but every time a truck goes
by, I'm sure they hear it or the tailgate or the dump truck going by every single time. And I'm sure the plow guys hate it. But and and yeah, these people are getting their tanks pumped. They expected to be connected to the system. And it's costing that, you know,
you're paying for this system plus they have to pay for the system because the system that we're paying for isn't working. So, it's I don't know what we can do for them, but they deserve more than what they're getting. >> Well, and as uh Luke had brought up,
something like the additional pumping of septic systems could be considered a potential a claim against the contractor as part of any final payments due to the contractor once everything's done.
pumping in failed fields. >> Pumping or whatever needed to be done because of a failed field >> if a resident needed to do extra. >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> And how is it what whatever is going to be repaired and stuff? Will there be more oversight than there was?
>> Oh yeah. >> I mean >> there will be >> we expect we assumed I guess that there would have been all along. So, I want to more than assume this time around.
>> We will be working closely with the DPW and with the town administrator to make sure that that happens. >> I can assure you I'll be on site plenty. >> Can I ask a follow-up question? Because you said in the beginning kind of looking at the order of operations,
you're looking at what's in the camera work. You can't necessarily conclude immediately that it's sagged pipes because that would be our number one concern. It looks like is an actual sag. >> It's suspicious. >> Okay. So, you're you were saying that the first thing to do is to
confirm that it is a sag. >> Yeah. Well, and the first step that I'm going to be prompting is surveying the rim and inverts for everything start to finish. Right.
>> Because that's that's going to establish whether or not these there's an issue that's really related to how the manholes were set. >> If you have Yeah. If you have two manholes one to the other and the inverts are dead on, you can still have plenty of sag pipe in between.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, you can do you can shoot the pipe with a laser. There's a lot of other stuff you can do for a shot laser and measure. You know, if you want to start the laser two inches down from the top of the pipe and shoot it, it better come out as two
inches down on the other end. And if it doesn't make it out the pipe, then there's a sag in the middle of the pipe. >> Yep. And even if it does, it's depending on where it comes out. >> Right. >> Yeah. So, I mean, there's there's going to
have to be some pretty substantial work done between CI and and the contractor to figure out exactly what the problems are. And quite honestly, we're going to want a full report of it
before we even think about next steps of what excavation is going to be called for and and >> when and >> and setting up the timeline. So, it's going to be some cold days out there, but I'd say get started on it soon. >> Yep. That's what I was anticipating. >> I guess you'd have to also consider the
state probably won't let you work out there for a few months. >> Not to open the road, but you can do a lot of your survey work right now. >> This is figuring out the problem. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And I I have a question about you guys were talking about gaskets that that were rolled. Not sure what that means, but so I
assume that there's a part of a gasket that somehow got misplaced and so you shaved off the part that was sticking up. So is it still working as a gasket? >> It's compromised. >> Yeah. >> That's why I was suggesting that any of
the sections that have a rolled gasket >> Yeah. >> the pipe gets lined. So, it's kind of like an inverted tube sock that they blow down the pipe and it creates a new full waterproof interior liner that then gets trimmed back on the ends so that you essentially have a brand new smooth
pipe on the inside and water can't infiltrate into the system. >> And is that as good as a gasket that would have been in the right place? >> Yeah. >> Provided it's pitched. Right. >> So the whether it doesn't matter if you even if you line the pipe the the rest of the structure of the pipe has to be
properly installed for pitch and elevation. It's just you're creating a new leak free leakree solid system on the inside. And it's a very very very thin liner. So it's not going to sizably detract from the volume
that the system's able to handle. >> So it's a pretty common practice with old systems. Very rarely are you doing this to a brand new system. >> Yeah, >> good point. I I did about 30 miles in my previous community clay tile pipe, but >> yeah, >> that that was the other comment I wanted
to make. I certainly don't want the joint sealed. We got to definitely >> and and the newest liners are are are saying 100 years now, not 50. >> Right. >> So, the technologies come a long ways. >> I mean, in my own personal opinion, I think full liner manhole to manhole is
the only acceptable answer. I I don't feel that grouting and especially on the gaskets that weren't able to be trimmed that it's going to be effective. And at least in my experience, grouting from internally through on SDR pipe is really
only a band-aid. It's not going to fully satisfy the problem. >> I would not be able I couldn't convince myself that it was as if it was a new gasketed joint, right? >> It's not the same. So, and in terms of
INI and groundwater that's infiltrating the system until these gaskets are addressed, slope is addressed and these sections of pipe are lined. We still have stubs that we don't know if are carrying groundwater in any of
these cross trenches and the sewer stubs that have yet to be tied into. Because when I was personally on site, I was watching groundwater flow into a manhole from a crosstie. So
once we know that your 8 in sewer pipe is properly installed and watertight, we should be able to observe zero water entering at the pump station. And if there is still groundwater coming in, they're going to have to figure out a way to either line the 4 in and 6 in
cross ties that are there or fix them properly. >> So, we sort of need something like a matrix of what are the issues, how they're going to be fixed, who's going to fix them, who's responsible, what's the timeline of being fixed, something
similar to that. We need need something. I think that's someone who had mentioned a report and I would expect to be back in front of you within the month with that. >> Okay. So, >> saying here's what we're finding. Here's the definitive
u opinion as to what the issues are >> and how to address them. >> And that'll be in consultation with the DPW. >> So, we'll have something >> you would do before that point or >> the survey. >> Okay. The survey. Oh, that should be within a month. We should have that,
right? >> It has to be. >> Okay. >> I I know the pipe work and everything is our focus and it should be, but we had a pretty good punch list that wasn't completed either, >> which which might not matter too much now because a lot of it was like dirt work and finish grading and lawn
maintenance and stuff like that that wasn't done. So, if we're opening the road back up, all of that's out the window anyway. And and if we were only talking about cross trench bumps, you know, there's actually some you can go back and redo
the cross trenches, do infrared ceiling, and get a and restore the the pavement, but I don't know yet. I can't tell you that it's we might be digging up more than the cross trenches just because of the sewer at this point. My question for
you with infrared is how are you going to increase the volume of black top or the compaction issue that's underneath it? >> Oh, I'd have them be they'd be pulling out the pavement beyond the edges of those cross trenches and redoing that whole patch,
>> right? I mean, that's going to be a mass DOT sign off on top of >> but it wouldn't just be like a surface, >> right, >> band-aid, >> right? But it would be a way to after you do that like a new cross trench, you don't want seams.
>> Correct. >> So you got to seal it up well and the infrared does a good job of that. Kind of mix, you know, resealing it together as if it were one. >> Any more questions? Just wow.
All right. Yeah, >> within a month we're going to get something from you as far as your survey and what some of the issues are. So, we begin that matrix of what needs to be done and how it's going to be done and who's going to be responsible for it.
>> Yes. >> Blah blah blah. Okay. I mean, >> just I think the part that bothers me the most is that the contractor fully pulled off of the job site without even being close to being done and then moved on to a job site that is at the end of
Hatfield Street in a neighboring town with all the equipment. I watched them truck it from Hatfield to there. So, I just don't understand where, you know, the argument that the season was coming to a close, but yet you still had time to do and complete a whole project. It's just it unfathomable. It
just >> it's un I don't know. It really puts me at a loss for words because the project isn't even close to being complete. >> But if the contractor decides not to do the job, we have other options. >> Correct.
>> So, >> yeah. Yeah. The other concern to me is that we had this conversation on September 26th. So almost four months uh three months ago now which we identified these issues and said we got to get the
contractor out the camera to clean the system >> and then we can have this conversation and the anticipation was we'd like to do that in two to four weeks and it took us three months to get here >> from that observation. So I think
we just need things to be faster. Um, I think you you know that, but I don't know if it's an issue with the contractor, we need to know that. If it's an issue with whatever else, just let us know so we can use, you know, the the mechanisms we have at our disposal to try to move these things along faster. The timeline that makes sense.
>> And the other part of timeline as well is your the D permits since run up on this. >> Sure. >> So, all the NOIs are now expired. So, those are all going to have to be refiled. >> Yep. So I mean yes survey work can take place but in terms of any sort of excavation or anything like that that can't happen
until the NOIs are done we know that that process takes some time as well. So that needs to be taken care of pretty >> soon. So um you know I would say within this month
>> conservation's already met for the month of this No. Yes, we >> got it. >> Must have. >> What? >> You must have typically the second. >> Yes. >> Uh second, third Thursday, whatever. >> It still has to go back to the state. Natural Heritage is going to have to
sign off on everything again. >> Um so that could take three weeks, four weeks to get that back anyway. though. >> Yeah, cuz we want to get that report because I know that the state has asked us to keep in touch with them because
they invested a lot of money into this project. So, they're very concerned too of why it's not completed and why it's not done correctly. and then establishing but my last thing is establishing a timeline and
whole they're going to be held accountable to it. Um at this point any missed deadlines in my opinion is grounds to pull the bond. I'm I'm over it. And it should have already been done to be
honest with you. >> Especially since September and then three months and then again >> even on the general construction. All of the deadlines that they asked for continuences for have been missed and not missed by two weeks but grossly missed. I mean we're two years two and a
half years beyond the scope of work. It's just Yeah. So we can sit down and make a timeline and hold them accountable to it, but other than that it >> Yeah. >> And as you mentioned, the the bonding is
the ultimate >> carrot. It's not a carrot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, >> that's why it's there to protect the town. >> We're We're there. >> So
I think we're all in agreement on that. >> Yeah. Absolutely. I think so. >> And and the work that needs to be done to get to this within the next month is all in our court. So part of the a lot of the
issue was the whole flushing and getting that pushed through the contractor. >> As far as the flushing, I thought that was supposed to have been completed already. With your report, can you include a um a
projected uh budget amount of what these repairs would would cost? >> Yep. um >> need to >> whether we elect if the so that way if the contractor cannot
do them then we have at least some sort of number that we can attach to it because to me it sounds like it's going to be upwards of that $500,000 mark >> so very well could be a potential issue that we run into.
>> Yep. >> So that's all I got. Uh our next select board meeting most likely will be uh January 13th. So plan to do this then? >> Yes. Look forward to hearing from you on
January 13th. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for coming. >> Appreciate you being here in person. Everything else and >> wish I had better news. Yeah, me too. >> Okay. Topic six, uh, presentation by
local power. >> George, that one's a fun one to follow up, huh? Good. Good lesson. >> So, so how should this work? And do I just tell you? >> So, I um I have your presentation loaded
up here for folks and I'll turn this around so you can kind of see where we're at. You can tell me next slide or whatever else if that sounds good to you. They also have it printed out. >> Great. >> I just need to make this So yeah, the first one is great. So my name is George and I'm here on behalf of
local power. Um and we're based in Williamsburg. So next slide, please. Um although we come to you tonight on the subject of waste reform um our experience is primarily in energy um and decarbonization working at
the state level and with municipalities um our founder wrote the legislation behind municipal aggregation which you might have heard about um huge and and um went on to do a lot of the same work in California developing it. So next
slide please. And we're working in Etha currently but uh so how we got into waste is as a source of greenhouse gas um and then as a public health concern um and because waste systems uh are
unstable. Um next slide please. So the current options for for waste disposal municipal waste disposal or landfills and municipal waste combusters. Um these are a couple examples. One on the left is a Pittsfield 500 acre
landfill. Um they send their trash to to the north of Fingerlakes and it's called Senica Meadows. And then the left is an eastern Massachusetts um waste combuster. Most of the western Massachusetts waste is landfilled.
Please the next one. Um so the trouble with landfills is first the limited lifespan as I'm sure Hatfield's experienced. This is an example from 2011 Grandanby. Um they fill up and and then the other problem is lee and methane. Methane being a
greenhouse gas and leeate um containing a a variety of very toxic substances. Um please the next one. Um so you probably heard about um PAS in firefighting foam and the issue of poisoned wells, but PAS
is also used in a variety of consumer goods. You can see the image on the right. Um and these then go into waste streams. So please the next one. Um the way it's this substance leate which is essentially rain water going through waste is disposed of is is it's it's put
through um conventional treatment plants wastewater treatment plants um which are designed for biological waste uh hazards and so then they're discharged into rivers and and also into bioolids are converted into bioolids. So some of the
headlines was low um New York New Hampshire landfill leech and then on farmland. Um so then the current another current option please the next one thank you is municipal waste combusters problem with these are greenhouse gases and then toxic air emissions. The image on the right is of
the now closed Pittsfield waste energy facility that had leak problems and was shut down for that reason. Please next one. Um greenhouse gases. problem with incineration is the entirety of the carbon dioxide is is emitted. Um and
Mass E is actually sort of committed to solving that problem has even put a a moratorium on municipal waste combusters in part um because of CO2 uh emissions, greenhouse gas emissions. Um and then the other sort of common problem with the waste uh system is that there's
limited instate and out of state capacity and this can be seen in a variety of uh sources Commonwealth and Municipal Mass Assoc or municipal Massachusetts municipal association sources. Um the distances are often significant and then often they're in destinations which are essentially
opposed and continue to to attempt to shut things down such as the North Country Residence Rally in Dalton, New Hampshire. Um and then you can see these these are common destinations. Ohio, North South Carolina, um Canadian border. Um next please. So our projects and what
we're coming here to to speak about is um to present a solution that we have identified um specifically and we'll get to that, but also just to to want to sort of begin a dialogue with you about um trying to find a solution to this an alternative uh waste disposal system.
Um, and this would involve things like meeting with relevant boards. Um, identifying problems with our solution, which I will present, and then ultimately identifying a solution which would be less harmful to the environment to public health, competitive with your current rates, and then dislocal
option, not having to send it so far away. So, please the next one. Um we identified a company called ways to age which uh is Delaware Corporation and has a technology to convert waste into hydrogen. Um please the next one.
Um it is a gasification uh facility. It uses uh heats the waste very high temperatures and does this and and then controls the oxygen in a closed it's called a closed loop system. And the idea is that you have much more control over emissions.
Um and then when you heat this the waste up you produce a gas which is called a processed gas and then carbon charm just carbon um and then this and our process that's sort of gasification in general but our process is then we convert that process gas into hydrogen and then
contain the the carbon CO2 carbon monoxide into um calcium carbonate. We combine it with calcium to create lime and stone which would be um which would be sold we would sell or this technology would produce and the owners would sell.
Um what the process addresses is it breaks down PAS because it raises the temperatures above 900° to 14 to 100° um which has been found to break it down and then because it's closed loop reduces emissions and then would couldn't sequester greenhouse gases and
then would be a nearby disposal option a competing market for waste. So please the next one. Thank you. Um in terms of the scale, it could be as small as to to fulfill the needs of one municipality or two or it could be regional. Um these
are a number of sizes. They can also be paired so you could do you know 90 90 times a day. So please next one. Um the cons are that gasification is a relatively new technology. I understand from what Andrew said you found some uh there was a project proposed about
sewage and you had concerns about it. Um waste of hydrogen is an even newer sort of addition to this idea. Um and then waste wage technology has not gone has not facilities have not been built that were commercial. It is on the market. There has been a lot of development um
studies of the facility. Um but our commitment in sort of approaching you with this solution is that it would convert non-recyclable waste into hydrogen. It would repurpose carbon emissions. It would be privately financed. The technology would not be owned by the town. would not involve any
uh expenses from you and then it would provide local municipalities with a waste disposal uh service and then it would this would be sort of our fundamental commitment would be to meter beat current tipping fees rates please the next one. So my question to you
tonight is if you'd like to sort of engage in a dialogue with us about first the project in general of a local disposal solution um and then about this particular solution we've uh identified. Thank you.
>> Okay. I I do have some questions for you. I mean I >> I did go online and try to do as much 101 as I could on these this process. I mean I still have some concerns if if
what is the proposal is there already a place where you have a plant >> it's not no this is and if you're interested I will go into it but the idea essentially is we're seeking interest from municipalities um because for us to go through the
regulatory process and the feasibility studies we want just some assurance of supply not a legal commitment but just some interest. Um, so no, we don't have a site yet. >> I think the interesting part for the town of Hatfield is that we don't provide curbside pickup or we don't have
municipal waste to be able to supply you with. >> So you how Please tell me I'm ignorant. >> We have our transfer station transfer station. Correct. But that is the extent of it. So there's a private company that handles all of like the curbside pickup and uh people can get their own local
dumpsters and >> other than that there is the town transfer station that does collect some waste but >> some waste >> I would. >> Okay. So that then would mean that we would would have to dialogue with the your waste haulers probably with you with us
>> and George we can find out like how much per year we're typically disposing from the transfer station. So there is still municipal waste that's coming from us and and I know you're talking to smaller towns. So the a small amount say it's a quarter of our trash that's going to transfer station might be less that still might be equal to what's coming
from say a go or somewhere else you're talking to. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The other question that I had is so all this technology is hinging on converting it to hydrogen. >> What is the infrastructure build out to be able to use that hydrogen for
anything? it would be another market uh development essentially. Um there are some initiatives at the state level to introduce hydrogen fleets or technology that would use hydrogen and then there's also the possibility of building um you
know climate resilient municipal centers of energy generation for instance and then it would be able we would sell it to municipalities who might want it. Um but that would be something we have to deal with. >> Dr. me said this is more of a town question. You know, I think I think our
town needs to weigh in on this >> and and would you I mean you haven't built anything anywhere yet, right? So, >> right. >> I'm assuming you're looking for some kind of location. >> Yeah. And then the big concern on this
particular plan is if there's any uh hazardous emissions into anybody that's close living by would be another another concern >> because I know this is a there's a lot of permitting process throughout the whole thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. It would involve
engaging the public certainly. Um, and then it's also it wouldn't necessarily be cited in Hatfield depending on the scale that you want. >> So you're just you're more looking for us to see if we are interested in potentially engaging in a contract to
supply you with trash. >> Exactly. >> Not necessarily to build a facility and have to. >> No. >> Okay. Now, if we had a site and we were really excited about it, I'm sure George would take that, too. But uh but but the first question is on trash itself which find out how much we've been dealing
with and >> we can talk about what the pros and cons are for the town of providing that. I think it it would be feasible but um as far as sighting goes I think that's more challenging. >> I mean ultimately I think
Marlo can attest to this. At the end of the day it's going to come down to the bottom dollar for us. What does it cost for the town to get rid of their trash? Because some of it, and I might be misspeaking, but it goes through the furcog, right? And so like
all of our trash hauling is done through competitive bid. Uh it's exempt from competitive bid. Um >> all is exempt. >> Okay. So we we can send it to whoever is taking it away for the least or if they're paying for us for it, whoever
wants to pay us the most. >> Right. Right. >> So, I mean, ultimately, I think that's especially for a small town, that's the nuts and bolts of it is we're probably not going to pay anymore to have our trash hauled. >> Certainly. So, the idea would we're
currently thinking is meat or beat. So, if it's the same as any competi compet competition or if it's less, that would be the agreement to ultimately reach. Um, but no, we definitely would not expect paying more. So in a sense it doesn't cost us anything to say we're interested in it
going somewhere else better for environment and it's not going to cost us anything potentially >> and then I could come back and describe the sort of relationship how it develop over time because as I said there would be no initial legal legally binding
commitment. Well, I mean, at one time they said recycling was going to save us all this money and then now it's it cost us money to recycle. >> I mean, that's so >> it's true. It's true. The China stopped taking it and major expense.
>> How many towns have signed on to this? >> Um, Goan, Williamsburg, and Worthington. >> I think it's a noble cause. I think that there's a lot of potential for a lot of good to be done here. Um,
I I just feel like there's a lot of infrastructure that obviously still needs to be built out and I understand why you want some sort of answers or loose commitment of how much tonnage each town could provide. Um,
but I mean for me to make any sort of decision, I think you would need to present this with a essentially a bid for what our trash is worth to you. >> Yeah. Well, >> because it's not really any different
than the trucking companies that submit a bid to haul our trash or what we pay to have it disposed of at a a landfall far off some place. So, >> I'll just I'll try to explain just a little bit of the process. Um essentially what would happen is first
there would be we would identify a site and then we would do what we call a feasibility study of the site and essentially to decide whether we can you can do it economically if it's viable. >> Um and then only at that point would we
be able to start to give you a specific price. Um for us part of that feasibility study would be thinking hypothetically if we have certain amount of trash or waste from Hatfield how would that >> right so what results would that give us
>> well I guess my if there's certainly nothing that's legally binding if Andrew or Marlo can provide you with the amount of waste that we produce a year I personally don't have a problem with if you want to use that number to try to
get a sense of if this would work for you somewhere, not in Hatfield, >> but somewhere. Um, I don't see any harm in that. So, if you can at least do a feasibility study and get something moving in the right way, I
mean, we're probably 6 to 10 years from this actually coming to fruition. So, >> three year regulatory process. >> Yeah. And that and then alone. Regulatory alone. and then build out an infrastructure and you know where you're what you're going to do with your
hydrogen and all that other stuff. So I mean this isn't something that's going to be turnkey in the next couple months. So you know if it if Hatfield produces 120 tons a year per trash and that helps you to for your feasibility study to figure out how much trash is coming out of little old Hatfield then I'm okay
with if you want to collect some of our data. >> Yeah, I'm definitely curious about it. I mean, like you said, there's there's nothing not really committing to anything here. >> Yeah, I guess. >> No, certainly. We're certainly not committing to. >> There's nothing to there's nothing really to commit to. And
>> Right. >> And and and I'm glad that somebody like you is going after another option because we're going to run out of places to put our trash. So So I I think that's positive. >> Do you want a limited motion? Do you >> I don't think there's a motion that's
needed. Yeah. What what exactly? >> I I would say >> what do we have to do here? >> If um if at any point, George, you need something formal from us, let us know. But I think for now, you can take this as an indication of what the select board member is saying. >> Maybe I'll dialogue with you a bit about
what this means and then come back at a future meeting to sort of realistically to me it sounds like that you're asking for a request for data from us. Really? >> Yeah. I mean what we how we traditionally did it was we would go to town with with a letter of interest a
draft letter of interest and you could read it and andrew could read it and then you just sign it and that's it and then we would dialogue with you about your waist. >> So it sounds like what we can commit to at this time is is to be included in
your preliminary figures uh for for waste um tonnage essentially for what you could count on. So you have three communities, you we would have a fourth in us. We'd say how much typically comes from the transfer station. >> Um you you could conditionally, you
know, include us in that seeing further plans. >> Does that sound about right or >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we're certainly not committing to anything because >> the end of the day, >> we're this board's probably going to change over three times before >> this is ready to move. So >> that's true. >> All right.
>> But yeah, >> sounds great. We don't always get the chance to be involved in the future. So, so thank you for uh >> important places to start. >> But it is important to have some future things for the town. So, I'm >> glad you're looking at it. Thank you. >> Thanks, George. >> Would folks be comfortable with skipping
to agenda item 11. Uh we have some folks here in the audience. We want to make sure >> um get this addressed while they're while they're here. Okay, we'll move to topic seven. Uh commercial pace discussion. >> I'm asking could we could we move to 11
because we have uh some people here for uh the Galanka farm. >> Oh, you want me to go out of order real quick? >> If the chair allows >> topic 11, please. >> Okay. Under topic 11, I believe I have some notes on that of what we have to do.
So, I'll move to topic 11. Um, >> we have some people here for that if they'd like to come up and talk. >> This is the uh Mjar one. >> Yes. >> Come on up.
>> I got to grab my thing. >> I had it all set. >> Okay. Under this would be topic 10 then, right? >> 11. >> No, 11. Yeah, >> I have it marked as 10 on this. >> Oh, >> that's where I'm shoot. Yeah. Um, sorry,
it was updated to uh to 11. Sorry about that. >> Okay. According to what I read is the uh Commonwealth of Massachusetts acting by and through the Department of Agriculture Resources hereby give notice that it proposes to acquire an agricultural preservation
restriction on the real property identified within the purpose of protecting its perpetuality its superior and productive agricultural resources by preventing their conversion to other uses. The applicable
regulations require the disclosure of the Commonwealth's reasons for the proposed land acquisition at a public hearing held in the city or town in which such real property is located to comply with this requirement. We asked the board of selectman to announce that
the commonwealth is considering this accusation for the above proposed uh stated purposes at its next regularly scheduled and publicly notice meeting by reading the enclosed notice of proposed
acquisition. So I'm under the impression I have to read the proposed notice of acquisition. Correct. Okay. So, I'll go to that spot. >> The second page. >> Yeah, second page and notice. Wait. In compliance with
general laws C7C section 37, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acting by and through its Department of Agriculture Resources. The department hereby gives notice that it proposes to acquire an agricultural preservation
restriction APR on the rail property identified herein for the purpose of protecting and perpetuality its superior and productive agricultural sources by preventing their conversion to other uses. The application received by MD
indicates that the property is owned by James A. Golanka and Janice A Golanka and consist of a parcels located on Straits Road and Hatfield as a approximately represented on the attached maps. The APR may encompass all
or parts of the area shown. The current use of the property is primarily for vegetables. Following the recording of the APR, the use of the subjected property is limited to agricultural use as more particularly set forth in the APR document. at the general laws
chapter 184 section 31 and the regulations of department 330 CMR22 at sequence and it's uh from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources by Michelle Padulla APR
acquisition planning. So what we have before us is the Guankas wanting to put their land into uh agricultural restriction and I guess by Massachusetts law we've made a presentation of that and I believe we if you we would now I
guess entertain your comments and what you have to say please introduce yourselves and and tell us what's happening >> and uh I've been on that farm since 56. six when my parents bought it and we
bought some land next to it, the Straits Road property. And uh we're we're approaching 70 years of age, both of us, and we'd like to u pass it on and let it stay where it is. I've I'd hate to see it developed, you
know, developing near there and it's just it scares me, you know, and it's a viable farm. It's uh you know a a good location that we have and uh and then I'd like to keep
it going. >> Great. I've known you guys for years so I think it's great and I'm I'm happy that you're going to pass it on to maybe some other younger farmer. Uh that'd be great. And I I don't know there are the
maps are included. I don't know if there's anything else part of this process that we have to do. >> There's one other request from the state which is that um there's a standard 120day notice period uh for these sorts of of uh projects.
>> We have the ability as a board you you can make it a uh a 60-day notification process. You can bring down that that notification period by by waving the 120day notice period go down to 60 days. So, you have that ability if someone would like to make a motion to wave the
120day notice period and um instead require a 60-day notice period. That's up to you. And if you have any comments on that, let me know because this is my first time walking through this. >> Okay. So, uh any discussion before the motion
comes before the board? >> I don't. No. No. >> Okay. Does >> either one of you want to make that motion? Do you want us do you want it to be cut down to 60 days? >> You're asking for it instead of 100. >> The state has asked for that. The state
feels like time is of the essence here. Um if you support the project then I think or support the the uh the APR then it's probably a good thing to do. If however you think it would be controversial and there's folks in town who who would have problems with it then you know you as a board have the ability
to instead keep that 120 days. To me, I I it seems that it's something most people here in town would would get behind um for uh keeping this land. It's agricultural. >> Yes. >> All right. >> I think so. >> I'll make a motion to reduce the 120day
notification period to 60 days to expedite the process. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? I. >> Motion carries. So, we've we've cut it from 120 to 60. Uh I don't know if you
want to make any more comments on >> I do. Uh my name is Doug Caldwell and I'm uh with the weight acom and this APR is in both towns and it's a little bit in weight when we
fund the local uh match if you will you know the state gives the the vast majority of the funds and there's the expectation of a local match in Weightley we do it through
using CPC funds or CPA funds. Um, and the AGCOM normally applies on behalf of the land owner. So I did that for Wheatly and for Jim. 40% of the land is
in Weightley and 60 is in Hatfield. So what I did was applied in Weightley. It's a 5% match. So, I applied for 5% of 40%
of the APR value, which leaves um you know, I don't know how Hatfield funds APRs. I I just wanted to be available to talk about what I did in >> Weightley. So, CPA Andrew can fill you
in on CPA. >> How much did you apply for there? So, what what was the dollar value? >> It was 8,100. >> Okay. Um, and I don't know how Hatfield fund I mean if if I don't know what the local match is typically in Hatfield. Um,
>> C CPC would be the the best option for us as well. >> Yeah. And do you qualify for a 5% local match with a state or or >> I don't know. That have to find out. >> I did ask uh John Peas. Okay. Um, and I
think he and I are going to continue to talk about it, but if if I Yeah, I would just like to uh make sure we do the right thing and and provide the uh between the two towns, try to coordinate, you know, providing the the local match in its entirety. Our C our
CPC application for the funding was due 24 hours after we found out about the APR. So, uh, we got it done with, you know, 15 minutes to spare. And, um,
they are open to some tweaking of what I presented to them, but we only have about a month or two to get it done. I think your CPC applications are due FE November 1st, maybe. It had already closed, but I I think since this came up afterward, and I think there'd be an
interest potentially in getting this done in time for town meeting, I I could see the committee potentially opening it. >> Okay. >> Talk about that. >> Okay. All right. Yeah. I just like I say, I wanted to I'm happy to talk about how we do it in Weightley. We share this
one and I think if we just work together, we can make sure we're we're getting the gong. >> I just say stay in touch with Andrew. He's the guy that makes it all happen. Did you just have Whe fun the whole thing. >> That sounds good. There you go.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Might might be a tough cell back home. >> As I can go back there and tell them Hatfield's fun in the whole thing. >> No, no, no. You can take that out of there. >> Oh, okay. So, that that covers us as far as what we have to do for this, correct?
>> Yes. you waved the the period as we were asked to and uh you read the um the the notice and then we have some signing to do afterward, but we'll we'll go through that. >> Sounds good. >> All right, good. >> Thank you. >> We'll talk and uh we can figure out what
this match looks like. >> Yeah, maybe. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right. Very good. >> Perfect. Thanks for coming in. >> Nice seeing you again. >> Thank you. >> All right. Seven. >> Okay. So,
you had 10. That was 11 on my sheet. I guess I go back to seven. Then, uh the commercial pace discussion and vote. So this is a followup from the last time we met. We had this
presentation on um commercial PACE property assessed clean energy and um you know we had a lot of information dumped on us at that point. Um talked about some of the pros and cons of the program. Uh but we you know declined to to take a vote or anything that night.
Uh I wanted to re evaluate that tonight and talk about it again. Um see if you had any more thoughts on it. if you feel like you're ready to to move forward with it, we could take a vote to do so, if you want some more time, if there's any research you want me to do on it, you can let me know. Um because I'm
happy to, you know, provide more information. A lot of towns and cities across the the state have adopted this. I think it's seen some some benefits and there is an interested property owner here. there's a limited, I'd say, uh, obligation on the town besides there
needing to to be this middleman uh because the the betterment is assessed on taxes. So, we end up receiving the money and paying it to to mass development. So, we're kind of a middleman there, but uh they have resources to give us so it doesn't become something that's difficult for
our treasurer's office to to take care of. >> Any questions? Well, I think that was the problem we had before was that we we were going to be the people >> we were going to be the agency going after
the monies. >> So, it's it's a it's a good question. Where's the line between going after the money and and just setting up a mechanism to have it paid for? Anyone who enters this should be, you know, interested in being involved. I don't think they've had major issues with say
defaults or anything else, >> right? um they set up the mechanism, people pay for it. Um and I I don't know if the town was really needing to do much of the the followup if those those monies aren't paid. possible they would
but um it was a limited obligation on the towns from what massel was saying >> I don't have any questions on it you have any questions >> I think my only question is how many other towns are actually doing this
>> so it's uh 80 others that have accepted the legislation and I think most of the ones or not sure how many of the ones that have have had projects, but I think most of them have had some kind of project after they've gotten involved. >> I'm very indifferent on this.
>> I I am too because I I know it's inviting to some businesses to come down, but it seems like it would be I don't know. I don't I I'm not really 100% sure on this either. I mean, I think the the only downside that I see is that it's
work that our treasur has to do vice essentially on the receiving end that then paying end and >> right >> where where does the benefit for the town for supplying this service? We don't what do we get out of this?
>> Yeah, I it's fair to ask how big is the the lift on our end and then how big is the reward? So, the potential reward is that maybe some additional new growth, maybe some additional investments. Um, is this going to to make the difference in a a large commercial development
coming to town? Probably not. But, um, would it help with someone making investments they might not normally do? Maybe. Um, so there's there's also not a huge lift. I think there's a little bit of work from the treasur's office. They get assistance and in figuring out how
to do it. Um I I think it's kind of a modest risk and a modest reward. It it seems like it's in in line to me, but um you know, our treasurer was on the call with them and didn't have any concerns about
how it would be rolled out. Um but it's it's ultimately, you know, your decision if you think this is something that that's worth doing. Uh >> what did the treasurer say when they she was on the call? Uh just saying this isn't something we've done before, but um but it sounds like our the software
provider we use has done things like this that they wouldn't be strangers to putting on their their program and uh if there's resources helping us figure out how to do it, then it's probably going to be fine. >> And town council's reviewed this. >> Um no, I can bring it to town council.
That's that's absolutely an option. I see like the whole clause on the bottom like a demning us from liability and things like that. But >> yeah, I can share with you >> and I'm sure too is there's another 88 towns have already signed up for it. >> This is draft language that made it through Mass Development's pretty thorough legal team.
>> Um >> yeah, >> and then it's probably been changed by a number of other municipalities that have done this. But um no, it's it's it's really your your call either way. >> Yeah, I don't have a I don't I I don't really have a problem with it personally. I just
>> it's yeah, it's min minimal for us to do and minimal rewards. It's but you know if if it'll invite a business to come into town then then I I'd say I'm for it. >> I'll make a motion to participate in Massachusetts commercial property assessed clean energy program in
accordance with a resolution with resolution as presented. >> The resolution is in your packet. >> Second made motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Right. Excellent. >> Uh, appointment resignation section.
Have a resignation from Matt Shippy. Um, made a motion on that. >> I will make a motion to accept the resignation of Matt Matt Shippy as wastewater operator in TR. >> Motion made. >> I'll second it.
>> Motion seconded. I I'd just say let's send Matt a letter of thank you for his service to the town of Hadfield and all in favor. >> Motion carries. Uh resignation from John Costic from recreation committee. Need a
motion on that. >> Make a motion to accept the resignation of John Costic from the recreation committee. >> Motion second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? Send them a letter of thank you. Uh, all in favor? >> I.
>> Motion carries. Uh, appointment of Bob Flity to recreation committee. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Bob Flity to the recreation committee. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Motion carries. Topic. My next topic day
pond project contract. So I there is a contract for us to sign for Japan >> and I would say it's it's not quite ready to sign unfortunately but um we're we're getting close. I I've highlighted a couple areas. One that I wanted town council to take one more look at the
time for performance area but I think we're we're pretty good there. Actually they did review that and we're we're happy with it. I think I need to the contractor to make sure they're comfortable that language. Um so just as background uh day pond project um this
uh has been going through engineering for the last you know year and a half uh went out to bid and we came back to low bid from Western Earthworks our new neighbors who are coming to town had great conversations with them so far they'd like to get started in in early
January we'll have a uh a um uh pre-construction conference with them and our engineers to make sure we're we're in good shape. uh but but they're gearing up for this and they're excited to do the work. We had one last point that we're going back and forth on uh which is we had an ad
alternate in the bid about uh the amount of uh fencing chain link fencing that would be there to know separate the project from school uh for anyone else who might be trying to access a site. Um important for safety, important for the safety of their equipment, everything
else. uh that came back a little high for for that uh chain link fencing and we've asked if they'd be be willing to limit the area, maybe have a smaller footprint for that would help us stay, you know, within budget. Uh so they were just going to check their numbers. We
also had an option for just to be orange safety fencing. Uh we think we probably need something a little more robust than that since, you know, they're in a pretty public place. So it makes sense for them to have the chain link. We just want maybe less area for that. So once we agree on that ad alternate and end
end that amount, we'll add that to section five in here on compensation uh and then we'll be good to go. So I guess um the question for all of you would be if you'd like to um provisionally accept this tonight, granted that we get to a agreement on this this last ad alternate
uh or if we just wait to approve this and get your signatures for a for a future future. I I'll go with the uh provisional agreement on it as far as so we can move this project along. >> Right. >> So I'll make a motion that we accept the provision. >> Just have a couple questions. So is this contractor bonded
>> similar to other contractors? Yeah. >> They there's a requirement to have a performance bond, >> right? And we have a copy of all of that. >> We do not yet. Um but the the full contract can't be signed unless we have those materials. So it says in here, you know, it includes these uh performance and payment bonds. So, we will need that
in order to sign the contract or to to fully execute it. >> Okay. My other question would be that originally, I don't I don't know if plans have changed, but the site access was from Smith Academy. Is that changed to coming? >> It's still from Smith Academy. >> Okay. So, it's going >> We had talked about potentially coming
in through Day Avenue and that that that never came. >> So, have we talked to the schools about potential impact of learning of the students while they're in school during this project? Yeah, schools have been been aware of this uh happening um for for a while. So they they they know that that that there'll be, you know, folks
out there. >> Okay. We wanted access on the other side. We did have a meeting with the property owners, but there were just >> it didn't work. So, >> uh, all we need from two property owners on that side is an easement so the
>> they can move on that side to do some work, >> which is part of this next thing on as far as the easement. So, >> and I guess my final question would just be I know that >> originally TRC was talking that there's a certain amount of time that this
sedimentation sludge has to be on site for to dewater. >> How is that going to happen? and sub freezing temperatures. My >> It's an interesting question because the plan was always to do this project in in
this weather. It's It's not like we Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm Let me just say that I'm fully supportive of the project. I do think that there are some logistical problems. >> And I see like in here it's included that no extra payments will be made to the general contractor or subcontracts
for overtime or extra expenses incurred to meet the stated completion deadline. However, I guess my biggest question is is how are we going to meet a timeline when things need to dewater in sub-zero temperatures? >> Yeah, and we have two weeks set out for
dewatering. I don't know if that's that's sufficient. Um, and I'd say the timeline for the project extends through April, May. So you know if there are delays here things like that and they
should still be able to to finish by then that their responsibility is by the end to restore the site to >> the pre the preconditions. So >> um we think we know makes sense makes sense >> weather is is an issue.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um yeah, it's a it's a good point, but it um you know, between the engineers and the contractor, they haven't raised that as a concern for the the two to two to four weeks for for dewatering. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> So, and this is all obviously enough to protect us from change orders due to incurred costs by the contractor if it takes longer than that. >> Yeah. It it should protect us from from length issues. Yeah. If if there's substantial
changes to the site, whatever else, things that weren't got in the plan, then obviously change orders can still get us. But any more questions? >> No. No, I'm good.
>> Okay. Well, I I did I made a motion to accept this. I'll second it if it hasn't been >> upon approval from our legal department and provisional acceptance. >> So that's the motion. >> I'll second that.
>> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. Okay. So when the contract is all set, then we just have to sign it. All right. Now the next part of this
project is approving uh two agreements for easements from two property owners. One being Brian Stella and the other being Michael McGrath. >> And um we have instead of phrasing these as easements, we put them together as
licenses which uh legal department said was totally fine. Um they don't have to be recorded like an ement would. It doesn't require town meeting approval because it's for a limited amount of time. uh and it's really just for access onto the land. Um temporary um a license
agreement could be considered just as under uh just as effective in this case. Um we've been working with the property owners for a few months. They've they've seen, you know, the the iterations of these. They have been supportive. Um, one final issue that we're trying to
just decide on with um, Brian Stoya is he has a tree on his property that could be taken down as a part of this project. It was in as an ad alternate in the project. Right now, we're considering we're planning on moving forward with that. If he wants the tree to stay up, it'll stay up. Likewise, on Michael McGrath's property, there's a tree that
he absolutely wants down. That's in there as the in the documents. So, we think that will help with the overall condition of the pond moving forward. So, that will come down. Um the project is a little it's intensive in both ways on each of their properties. Mr. Stoya
actually owns part of the pond. His his property includes part of the pond. So um sort of the work itself is happening on his property and and he's on board with that. Uh Mr. McGrath owns some property that that connects with the the culvert piece. So he's he had an interest in making sure that was done
properly. Um but um both of them have have been uh supportive. they they got uh copies of this a week ago and I'm still waiting to see if they have any more edits. I don't believe they do, but if this board is comfortable with, you know, accepting this pending, you know,
any substantial edits from them, any anything substantial from from them, we need to come back to the board. But if there's no nothing uh substantial from them, then hopefully we can move forward with your additional approval tonight. >> Okay. Any questions? >> No. >> Do I have a motion?
I like a motion to approve the license agreement with Brian Stoy. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. >> A motion to approve license agreement with Michael McGrath. >> Second.
>> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Okay. So, that should take care of Don project. And then I'll recommend that you don't sign those tonight. We'll wait till we have the
final versions and then once we have signatures from them, I'll come back to you for for your signatures. Should be fine. >> And John, we're going to take a quick five minute break. Okay. Part: 2
Okay, we're back. Uh, DW report Marvel's here with us. Okay. Um, well, since Thursday morning, quite a bit has changed on my update. Um, I'll do my best to bring you up to speed. Um, but first before I forget, I
received a document from the Furcog late yesterday afternoon. Um, it's to to uh to be signed for doing the bidding of the highway cooperative bids, all our materials and in highway. There's a sheet attached to the packet
that I gave you of everything they bid for us. So once the bids come out, um we'll put our quantities in, once the board signs off that we can rejoin the the furcog for their services, um Dwayne and I will go through the uh
quantities that we expect to use, so on and so forth. And then the furcog will bid everything out. Uh we'll receive the bid list when the bids are opened and and awarded. And then for the full year starting July 1st, we can go to those uh
contractors or companies for materials and supplies for best pricing. U so at the end of the day, it's about $3,100 to join the Furco. We're a member. Um it's it's uh a lot of time and money saved by them doing all that work. Um I'm sure
Andrew wouldn't like to do 15 or 20 uh bids for materials. So >> you get good rates, too. Yeah. And on page four is looking for the signature uh to to rejoin the cog, if you will. Um and then page three, it'll probably be
Dwayne and I um for for direct contact for the materials and whatnot. >> So, it's safe to say that the 30 round numbers, $3,200 that we would spend to be a member, we easily make that back up in terms of
savings both in time of having to procure bids and in >> by far. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, >> sounds good to me. >> Yeah. Um Okay. Um so I just uh just a quick brief over my report to you. Um I'm working on uh the
the the actual operating FY27 operating budgets, the capital. Um I hit the deadline, got everything in to Andrew u for capital requests for FY27. Um, on on this sheet I said I'm working on an assistant superintendent job
description, but we were able to get that accomplished. I had a draft that I sent you all, but the final I was able to get to you yesterday morning, I believe. Um, where we feel it'd be a final. Um, and I just want to touch on that a little bit. Um, the position that
opened up is essentially a laborer. Um, in our plant, the way our plant is set up, um, we really need to look at successive planning. It's something I'm looking at. Um, I would like to align it with highway and, uh, the water. So, we
have a a superintendent and an assistant, especially these licens licenses take so long to get. Uh if we hire a laborer down at the wastewater treatment plant, it'll be a minimum of five years for them to be licensed to run that plant through DP and EPA. Um so
I decided to take this next step and try and hire an assistant superintendent. But um I'll need your blessing on the job description that I provided with you for you I should say. Um, were you all did you all have a chance
to review that? >> Yes. My only question that I had is that there's no like range of compensation included in this. Is that left admitted for a reason or >> I don't believe any of ours here have
that. I mean, when we put it out to to out to um for applications, we usually have a range in there. >> Yeah, the descriptions don't have a compensation range, but the postings do, but it's probably worth talking about that in this group. >> Yeah, I guess that's what I mean. I I
would intend to mirror the compensation for the assistant water superintendent. Um probably keep it in in that range, but >> those are two similar positions. >> And how does that compare to what we're currently It's a large increase. It's it's it's
higher for sure. It would change what our budget looks like. >> Yeah. But if we can bring a 3M license in um you know, they're a year or two away from uh getting the full license to run that grade plant. >> Okay.
>> Or less depending on where they're at. >> Right. Where they fall. Yeah. Okay. Shall I make a motion for that? >> To approve it? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Should I >> go ahead? >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the revised job description for assistant
wastewater superintendent. >> Motion made. >> Yeah, I'll second it. >> Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I >> thank you. Uh so highway. Um as you know, we
received our first um substantial snowstorm back on 122. Um it was a pesky storm. Um I had conversed with Luke a little bit during the storm and so did Dwayne. Um it was a very wet, heavy snow and it never got above 28 degrees. So,
it was one of those storms that you had to stay right on top of it um and keep the roads treated. Otherwise, we would have bonded ice probably still today on the roads. Um once you get hard back, um it's it's twice as much money to get it
off later on, even more um to make the road safe. So, uh equipment went pretty well. Uh we had some minor breakdowns, some lights. Um we got basically everything fixed up within a couple days after the storm. um had a little uh couple small um
treatments. We had to come in maybe one or two trucks to to treat the mains, some dustings. It was slippery in the morning since that first storm. Um so we've been in basically we've had four events. Uh number one being the snowstorm. Um and next month I hope to
have an update on where our costs are for snow and ice. Um I think we're doing okay for now. Obviously it's early. Um but um and again the other three events was very minor. Uh couple staff members and a couple small trucks. So uh we were
able to um cover the town. Um projects unless you have any questions on snow and ice. So the Hatfield Elementary School roof. Moving on to projects. Um we're just finishing up the design. Um we did make
a decision on the on the material of the roof. Um, I believe last week, uh, we decided to go with the with the PVC. Um, for for many different reasons. Um, to to drill down, I could talk for a half an hour on on, uh, roofing materials
now, but um, anyways, the way for us to go would be the, uh, PVC material. Um, the Hat Hatfield Ele School Boilers, we had a walkth through on December 10th uh, on potential bidders. We had a great
turnout. Somewhere around 12 to 15 contractors showed up to take a look at the boiler room. Uh I think that bodess really well. Hopefully they all take doc bid docks out. Um and it it's looking like um if that happens it it's it's
always a good thing. Um generally you get really good pricing on a project and you get that many biders it's pretty competitive. >> Um >> filed sub bids on that are due tomorrow. get the electrical votes in and then
those go to the >> general biders and then the deadline for that is the 30th. >> So, >> is there a timeline when you want to put these in also or >> when the work will happen? >> Yeah. >> Uh as soon as we have a a a bidder um
we'll run references real quick, get a contract signed by you and then get them in by mid January. Okay. Get it done. >> Yeah. The goal was at least if it's winter time, put in one and then keep the other one operational, then put in the other one. I believe so. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I believe the intent to build the new
system with the other one in place and then dismantle. >> Oh, >> I think one change we had to add to add a um a valve >> in order for them to tie the new system in. >> Um so, but I I'll definitely keep you up to date, Andrew, and I will on how that goes. But we're right on target for
getting this done this winter, which is good. Um, Route Five water and sewer. I think we covered that earlier. Um, pavement management program. They're populating a lot of material on our roadways through GIS, so on and so forth. Um, and we
should be working with them in the next, I'm guessing, right after the holidays. Um, to to get the rest of that project moving. Um, Andrew and I are kind of uh sitting on the asset management work order thing right now. Um, we're still
reviewing. Um it may be a budgetary thing as we review and and potentially even look for another firm. So that's kind of on hold right now. Um grants, unpaid roads grant. Um Dwayne
has done a lot of leg work uh behind the scenes on this getting cost and prices and work with Mass DOT. I I certainly appreciate his help on this. Um and hopefully we we will hit the deadline. and I believe it's mid January to have that application in. Um we received our
new sewer truck last week. Um it's all registered and and set up. Uh and the the water truck now is probably due to us in the next week or two should be um with us. Uh facilities, we had a kind of
a semi-emergency downstairs here. Uh the large sump pump downstairs had quit working and the alarms were going off. um which we all know the groundwater table and the council on aging's down there. So, uh had a company come in, they had to pull it, they pulled it all
apart. Um we suspect a piece of debris went through and then it cavitated. So, at the end of the day, it cost us a call out, but it didn't cost us a very expensive pump. Um I actually found a piece of cardboard wedged behind the the battery backup on
the alarm system. So, I got a cost to replace that. I just something about holding the battery into a piece of cardboard with electrical doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Um so we're talking probably a couple hundred bucks to have that replaced. Um minor but could have been disastrous if we weren't
around, you know. Um we could have had a lot of water down there. So that's basically my update. Um if if you have any questions whatsoever, um feel free to ask. I just have the uh DPC engineering
contract waste water treatment plant. >> Yep. So if you do you have any other questions on rest of the update? >> So let's talk about that. So we we just put this on the section of the of the uh agenda. So we received this from um DPC
engineers who have been overseeing the what they designed and are now overseeing the wastewater treatment plant project. uh their contract stated that they had uh essentially a a 12-month construction period and that would have begun in
August of 2024. Uh they're responsible for all of the uh resident project representative services. Um they've done quite a good job of that. They have a person who's there most of the time. Um and they uh that contract would have
ended in in August of this year. So the project is now going uh through uh June 2026. That's when substantial completion will be over. Um contractor is doing a good job on this, but it was extended out because of the Eversource work and
some other things. So there's still a considerable amount of construction left. Um that really wasn't the fault of of the the overseer or the or the uh the contractor. So, uh, rather than 12 months of the, uh, RPR services, it
really needs to be, um, 22.5. So, they're looking for 10 and a half months added of those services, uh, including anything from this August on. And then, um, there's this other work besides the the, uh, RPR that that they want, uh,
compensated for as well. Um, they feel like they're they're giving us a pretty good break on that. If you were to add up all their services, it would probably be around $200,000 to add in, they, you know, they're they're a longtime collaborator of ours, so they want to only charge us $102,000 and then charge
$229 for the RPR services, which would increase the overall contract uh by $331,767, which is a lot. Um, we need to decide if we think that's appropriate. Um, you know, there's not really a way around
it. If if the contracts are for 12 months and instead it's it's 22 and a half, those are additional services. Um, and and it is sub substantial construction that they're overseeing. Um, all of this is paid for by the uh
current contract uh or by by the current uh amount um especially by the grant that we're getting from USDA. So, I broke down some numbers. We've currently based on the contracts that we have and
other expenses the the landing place right now for the project um even with this change would put us at 12,598,000
and we had 13,429 uh to use for this project and the last 2.4 million of that is grant money. So, if we come in under budget, we're just not using the grant money. >> We don't get that 2.5. >> We don't get that money back, which is
what it is. Um, so right now, even if we accepted this change, we'd still have $830,000 uh in contingency, but other funds uh that we'd be looking to to spend. be looking to either use it on any other change orders that come in, but also
look to increase the scope of this project, paying for most likely uh generators at very King pumping stations, which would take that off of our capital plan, which would be very nice, and potentially some other work as well, and upgrading that Berry Street uh pumping station, which is uh another
project that we have that's that's out there in our capital plan. So, all of which is to say we have the money. The question is, does this look like a fair increase? Um, and it's just the way we want to go. >> Well, you're saying it is a fair increase. You're saying it's it looks
good. >> And you're saying it's a fair increase. >> I think it's fair considering extending what the 10 months overall >> because of the extension. I mean, Ever Source was caused a little bit of problem there if I recall.
>> Yeah. >> And that's the reason this had to be extended. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And a little bit. I mean that's >> that's >> it's also just that the project has taken other >> but we're under still under budget. We got the grant. We're so we're still
within the uh grant. So on one hand we're sort of safe. >> I feel like under budget's a term that I mean we're not really under budget. The town is still expending all of the money that we voted to expend. It's just there's extra money
available to us through the grant to help fund some of it. I don't know. Is there really $300,000 more work that they're doing? I mean, all I know about is the Eversource thing. I don't know what else. >> Well, I mean, then there's been all these little change orders and adults and stuff like that that we've been ticking off. And so,
>> but we've been paying for those also as we go along, >> right? But the amount of time that the engineer has to spend on site is not being accounted for in those. I don't believe >> really. True. >> The change orders >> just on the construction side >> is just on the construction side. both materials and like for WM Schultz or
whatever for their time, but DPC has a representative there overseeing the project for us. So that I from the way I understand it, that is what they're trying to recoup is some of that extra time that they've had to be on site. >> I mean, I think some of the percentage
uh courtesy fees that they reduced is a nice show of good face. >> Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's it's it's pretty straightforward when they're just saying if this is what our services cost per month and the project is almost doubled
in length, then we do need to be charging more for the services that come monthly. >> What was the contract for the completion of them doing the job? I mean, is this within the contract for us doing this? >> Yeah, I mean, it's a good point. is that if they're overseeing the work and it's
part of partially their responsibility to keep it moving forward. >> I think one of the qu biggest glaring questions that I have is like they outline and they say that the you know precoid implementation timelines were expected to almost double post car
postcoid era. >> I mean I might be wrong in thinking this but what didn't this bid go out postco era? um the bid would have gone out postco right so >> design would have happened during co so
maybe I I just don't know why did things take longer >> right I don't but it's to point the finger at that that's what's making this take longer the project went to bid and started postcoid era so you would think that the engineering service would have
said this isn't an 18-month project this is a 36-month project or how whatever numbers are. >> Yeah. So, I just don't really know if like to me that's not a good reason to say that that's why this is
taking 10 and a half months longer. Um, I also don't like the fact that this construction phase is only extended through the end of June. Um, I think we
need some clarity on is that actually the expected end of this or are we going to be doing this again in another 3 months or in >> substantial completion right now is on track to take place at the end of May and then final completion is the end of
June. So >> a punch list punch list items. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, I would feel better if that was
through July 22nd or August 22nd. >> More time. >> Yeah. >> Because I don't want to have to come back and do this in June when I mean, they're seeing the same numbers that we're seeing of what's left in the grant. And I don't want to be approving another $200,000 to the engineering
service in the beginning of June because we're not going to hit our June 22nd deadline. and they need and for other unforeseen circumstances. So >> I would imagine that the that the engineer would would accept that this is a fixed cost proposal if we extended it
through the end of August. I would imagine that they wouldn't increase their their prices if we said we we're not increasing it if this goes through August. I mean, I feel like this is the first part of a conversation in a in a negotiation. And I think in terms of >> I think they're doing good by us by
giving us reduced rates on things. And I think it's our due fits within our ask of them to increase the amount of time that they're willing to stay on site for. I mean, we're still a long way from even June,
>> you know, so we're, you know, six six and a half months out from that. So, I just feel that there's a pretty good chance that there could be an additional project, especially if we have money left that we want to start. Um, you know, whether it's adults or
anything like that, that's going to continue to push timeline back. >> So, I'd feel better with the end of August, personally. >> I agree with that. Yeah, >> I think it's a reasonable ask. >> Can we Yeah. So,
Yeah. So, how do we do that? >> Well, we could provisionally accept this as long as um they are willing to to change that timeline without an increase in service costs. This board could approve that arrangement.
That acceptable to you that acceptable to you? >> Yeah. For the end of August? >> Yeah. All right, I will bring them back that request and as long as uh they say yes, then we'll just get everyone to sign it.
>> So, I'll need a motion to say that. >> Let's let's motion. >> Um I'll make a motion to provisionally approve the amendment to DPC engineering contract for wastewater treatment plant
with the extension of construction phase through the end of August. Second 2026 2026 I will second that >> motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Motion carries.
>> And I don't see how they won't approve it because they they'll probably say, "Well, we're going to be done anyway." So, >> right. >> Yeah. >> In theory, >> I think it would be a courtesy to us. I mean, this is >> understandable that we are extending this for them, but it is a lot to ask
the town and >> a lot of some of the change orders that were >> brought ahead to the to us were based off of recommendations from them. So, yeah, >> it's not surprising that we're past the deadline. So, >> I think I think it's fair to both parties. >> Yeah, I like that.
>> I think it's a good point. Look, it's incentive. >> So, we are done in June, right? >> Great. Okay, since you mentioned capital planning, uh we did meet uh already and we are in the process of looking at
projects and and cost and getting together. So, uh there's David Kier is the chair on that. Uh Christy Bordeaux was there. Uh Michael Cahill, myself and Andrew attended. So
that's the process has begun on the capital planning. >> Fantastic. Yeah, we've got a good group for that. So, and we have one vacancy on that committee if anyone's interested, believe. >> Yes. >> Okay. With that being said,
>> town administrator report. >> Yeah. I'll be really quick because it's already 7:47, but who's counting? >> Um, I want to begin just by thanking the residents of Hatfield. Um, thanking folks who showed up to special town meeting. We had 133 people come. we were there, you know, biting our nails wondering are we going to get to one to
to 75 and uh the folks in this town really uh really answered the call. So I appreciate that. Um we have submitted our tax rate. It's done. Um we have done we're doing now the the data bridge where we take the information um uh from
the assessor's office and put it into the treasurer's uh uh system for for getting bills printed. bills be printed tomorrow and then stuffed next week and then sent out. So, um those will be on time and that's I really appreciate everyone here tonight and and in uh the
public for making that happen. So, thank you. Um I am proposing uh the next set of meetings. We only were scheduled through tonight. Uh so I recommend that we meet twice a month uh in January, February,
March and then meet three times in April just in case we need that extra meeting to approve of the budget. We'll do that as a joint meeting with the uh finance committee. Town meeting will be May 12th and then we'll have a meeting on May 26th. that meeting. Um we usually only
schedule through then because by that point um we'll need to see who's on the select board since you will have elections uh in May as well. Um wanted to see if you have any conflicts with those dates. I can also um send in by
email if it's helpful. But I think uh this should be a good start for us. >> Those all work for me. >> Great. March. Um, just to as a reminder, I I don't know what my March looks like.
I My wife is due on March 6th. Um, I'll plan to still try to make um most meetings. I assume I'll miss at least one in there. Just uh whether that's February 24th, March 10th, we'll see. Um I'll probably need I'll need two weeks at the very beginning. I'll need more,
but but I won't be gone that long. We'll figure it out. Um so, great. Thank you. We'll we'll keep that that schedule. We'll send that around. Uh health insurance. Uh the public employee committee did vote officially on December 1st not to move forward the GIC proposal. Uh so we're back to the
drawing board looking at options. Uh we're still waiting on a proposal from Maya. Um and we're looking at other options as well. Um I am very involved with Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust now on the executive committee. Um they're going out to bid for insurers.
Uh they're looking at changes to plan design. They have a lot of levers. We're working with a consultant called the Hil Group. Um we no longer have an executive director. Uh he gave his uh notice back in November. They they will at some point hire for that position, but right
now we just need some stability and some some expertise in and the best way to get that was by hiring consultant to essentially serve as executive director right now. So, uh, Hill Group has been doing a actually quite a good job in giving us some options for, um, for July one of next year. I think we'll have a
lot of a lot of, uh, things at our disposal, uh, to try to, uh, change the the structure of that group and and put things in the right direction. For right now, we just kind of have to get through to till July 1. And that's going to be a challenge, but um, I'll keep you all
updated on that. Uh, Ed already updated you on capital improvement planning. So we have uh two requests from fire department. One from basically it or general government and then 12 from DPW um between water, sewer and uh highway.
Um I have told everybody uh that as they're putting together their budgets for December 29th um to put together a level services budget that keeps in mind that this is going to be a difficult year for increases. We're we're going to need to be looking at cuts in most
departments in some way. I think most people are aware of that and have been very responsible so far. So, we'll keep that going. Um, requests so far have been very modest and I appreciate that. Um, over the December break, uh, Capital Carpet and Flooring Company out of
Wilmington, Mass will be finishing up their project over at Smith Academy. They've replaced all the classroom carpets. They just had to finish with a couple offices there. Um, that should be in good shape. And then we already talked about Deon tonight. So, looking for starting that in January. I'll keep you updated on where things land with
that contract, but we should be in good shape. U we're right around budget and uh as long as we end up in the right place on the fence, we'll be just fine. Any questions for me about anything? >> No, that's super. Where are we at with
the electronic timekeeping? >> Yeah, good question. So um we have given everything to uh our our our contractor I don't know our our company on that uh Harper's our payroll company and uh Harpers is putting together the the
first wave of folks entering them into their system. Um hoping to get that out probably not by this payroll but the the one after. The first wave is going to be people working in town hall. So just to make sure that our treasur's office feels comfortable with it. It's
treasurers, it's um uh town administrators, departments, and then um one or two other people. And as long as that works and we feel good, uh then we start rolling it out to DPW and fire. And we should be rolling pretty soon.
So, we the the wait is not on our end at the moment. >> Great. >> Excellent news. >> Yeah, coming along. I appreciate all the uh reminders and the pushes on that, but I think it's good that we're we're doing it. >> So, entertain a motion.
>> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. I'll second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. All in favor? >> I uh you guys got a lot of signing to do. Okay.