Okay, I call to meeting order our November 12th, 2025 meeting and we start with the public participation at town uh Hatfield select board meetings. The Hatfield Select Board welcomes everyone to its meeting and all the other public
meetings of the town of Hatfield. All regular and special meetings of the boards and the committees of the town of Headfield shall be open to the public and shall conform to the open meeting law. Executive sessions are closed to 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, uh, an attempt will be made to find a balance between
hearing from members of the community and conducting the required business of the Hatford Select Board for the public's information. This meeting is being recorded and I'd like to start with uh announcements. And before we get
into announcements tonight, we have two posted hearings. one will be at 5:45 with the uh tax classification hearing and the other will be at 6 pm. So if at any time during our agenda we hit those
times and we'll have to stop and and move with those meetings. I'd like to give a special thanks to the COA for having the veterans breakfast downstairs. Jerry and Cookie and her staff along with Sean Robinson
had a great job. I know my colleague Greg was able to make it. It was a nice meal and it was a good time. I also like to thank uh uh Pulse 344 and Commander Tom Tataro for Veterans Day uh
activities at town hall on Tuesday. And we had a new addition for a trumpeteer. Andrew was able to uh play the taps. I thank you, Andrew, for that. >> Thank you. >> And I thank all the town's folks that were able to come. Uh those were my
Okay, I have a letter from Michael Marins regarding the highway department that I'd like to read. I want to take a moment to thank Dwayne and the entire road crew for their quick and thoughtful response in addressing severe damage to
the road near 188 Oldst Stage Road. Their team's work in providing a temporary fix was both timely and effective and very much appreciated by everyone who lies on that stretch of road. It's clear that they will that they take real pride in keeping our
community safe and connected uh even under challenging conditions. Please extend my gratitude to Dwayne and his crew for the dedication and hard work with appreciation Michael Morance uh 188 stage road hat. So thank you Michael and
thank you to our DPW for the great work that they do and those are my announce. All right. So, with that being said, um public forum, is anybody here for
public forum? If not, then we will move to our consent agenda. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the October 28th, 2025 meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any
discussion? No. >> All in favor? I. >> I. Motion carries. Okay, our next topic one is not to 5:45 for the tax classification hearing. So I will move and topic two is at 6 p.m. So
I will move to topic three under appointments and resignations. We have a resignation from Barry B from the board of registers. I'll need a motion on that.
>> I'll make a motion to accept the resignation of Barry Le from the board of registers. >> Second. Motion made. Motion seconded. Uh >> all in favor? >> I. >> I. Okay. And thank you Barry for your help. We send him a letter of thank you.
>> Uh we have an appointment of Karen Karowski to board of registers. I will need a motion on that. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Karen Kowski to the board of registers. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Motion carries. Okay. So that will take care of topic three. Uh top topic four donation of digital sign in front of Smith Academy. I was in uh text conversation with our
superintendent Connor and the sign for Smith Academy. Uh he sent me some pictures. I don't know we were able to share those pictures, but it's it's about the same footprint as the existing sign. uh in between instead of being uh
the the number the letters you put up it'll be digital so it's going to be fully paid for by the trustees. It won't take away from existing bylaws. It fits within the bylaws. It doesn't cost us
anything. It looks nice and and the school committee is an approval of it. So I think u do we need to accept that? Well, I I just wanted to allow for some kind of public forum to discuss this sign because it does look like it complies with with zoning for what we
can tell. The zoning is is basically restricted to um uh restrictions on uh business and industrial signs and industrial zones. This is a school in a town center district. So, it looks like it doesn't quite fit those uh qualifications. But at the same time, in
case neighbors had concerns about an electronic sign that that lit up, were there things that this group wanted to make sure were were flagged as concerns before moving ahead? And you know, is there anything you wanted to hear from from neighbors on or or you know, make public about this before moving forward? It was just an opportunity to have some
kind of a >> Okay. So that's what this was for, not to accept it now, but to have like a >> if there's any concerns that you have, any questions you want answered if and plus people watch these meetings so they'll hear from us that it's being considered and just an opportunity to discuss it.
>> Well, my questions to Connor, I think he answered that was who's paying for it? Uh does it fit our existing bylaws? Is it approval from the school committee? Uh what does it look like? and and it did fit for my questions all those but I
still open it up to my colleagues if they have any questions on this particular sign. The only question I had was that I recalled a time a couple years ago when the fire department was looking into getting an electronic sign that there was something in the clause about like you can't have scrolling text
and stuff like that. Just something >> and and there is there are such guidelines for business or industrial signs. Mhm. >> This is kind of I don't want to say a loophole, but but if you read our language explicitly, it doesn't say anything about a sign for a school in in
this kind of district. So, that's the only reason it would technically be allowed um because it's a school sign rather than a business sign. Um but I do believe it's it's not necessarily intended to scroll the text and more to display it and then can be easily changed static fashion. I believe it's
supposed to be static, which and if that's a a preference for this group to have static rather than >> scrolling, I think that's worth surfacing. >> Yeah. I mean, I would be in favor of a static sign versus a scrolling sign. I think there's enough distractions on the road
as it is, but >> I agree. And and also too, if you know, if it is installed and we find out that some residents have a problem with the glow of it in the evening hours, I'm sure there's a timer that we can set or something that have it shut off at a
certain period of time and turn back on in the morning. So, >> okay, that's good. >> I think it's stuff that, you know, >> I think it looks neat. I saw the pictures of it. I thought it was a nice sign. and it fits into the existing footprint and it is instead of somebody
going out changing the letters all the time, it will be they can update messages a lot easier, a lot quicker. Plus, the big thing is the town's not paying for it. So, >> and you might get more frequent updates on the sign as well since it's easier to do. So, >> I think we have some folks from the
public here to speak to it in case that's that's uh that's desired. Some some folks from the trustees, but >> you guys care to speak to this at all? Um Dave Lampron. >> Well, come up to the microphone, introduce yourself and and uh let us know what's going on here.
>> Yeah, Dave Lampron, Elm Street Hatfield. I'm one of the trustees for for this. And um it you're correct. It's not a scrolling sign. Um it can just be changed from remote and it can have more
than just, you know, it can have any announcements on there. It could have town voting tonight or for for an example, it could, you know, Connor would be able to adjust it from his phone. Um, no longer needing to walk out to there and change anything. And
that'll be like probably one of the newest modernized items at that school since uh it was built. >> That's true. But that that's about all it is. And Smith Academy Trustees is who will be paying for this. So the next
step in this Andrew is this uh having it on the agenda or contacting the residents if they have any concerns to come to the uh or do we need a hearing on this? What do we need to do? >> You don't really need anything. Uh we're good to move forward if this is uh it
can really be built without approval. But um the only thing you'll need to do is accept any kind of donation that is made. um when the when the process is all done, you can you know accept the gift of the sign. >> Yeah. I mean >> otherwise you're good.
>> I know my answer my questions are answered. I don't know if my colleagues want to hold off to the next meeting or not. But >> mine are answered. I'm I'm fine. >> Yeah, I'm fine with what's going on. I mean, as long as the neighbors are okay with it, I guess.
>> So then what will we require? a motion to accept the the sign or >> you can make a a motion to accept the donation of the sign. Yeah, I think that sounds great. >> I'll make a motion to accept the donation of the sign. >> I'll second that.
>> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Motion carries. Okay. So, >> thank you. We still have >> Mr. Sure. Would you be open to somewhat going out of order because we have Elizabeth Bracha from our accountant
accounting firm here. Um I'm thinking she could start to give us a briefing on what we're talking about on the uh budget and tax rate issue which then um blends nicely into our 545 hearing. >> Well, we only have three minutes until our hearing. So >> I
>> is that >> I think it's okay to at least get started and then >> because it does overlap a little bit with the tax classification hearing. could be useful and then we should should be able to finish after that hearing and sisters but that's okay.
>> So what I'll say is um I'm taking this slightly out of order from my um report. I do have an item here on the the budget and tax rate. Um but we have come into an issue um when working through the year-end close and setting the tax rate uh with our accounting firm and with our
assessor's office and and others. Uh due to issues in the budget workbook and some changes in the final state aid numbers that came out uh we have an approved spending limit from town meeting that is roughly $465,000 above our actual levy limit. we have a limit
to how much we are allowed to collect in taxes and this what we approved in collecting is actually above that. So it puts us in a difficult position for this year as we need to bring our spending to the levy limit through a combination of cuts to this year's budget and using
free cash and other available sources. Um I think the best way to deal with this is through a supplemental budget and to accept the supplemental budget we do need to go to a town meeting. So, uh, that would be a special town meeting. We can discuss dates and and process and everything else. Um, but we're looking
at December 2nd, 6 p.m. at Hatfield Elementary School. We'd like to do it as soon as possible so that we can have this approved and then still be able to get our tax bills out for this year. That does not affect the setting of the tax uh uh of the tax classification uh
as the board of assessors will will talk about. >> Okay. So, do we know how much the the state decided to hold back of what we were expected? I mean, were we expecting a certain amount from the state and the state didn't give us that amount? >> We had slight changes in how much we
were expecting in um in assessments and uh it could be paid out and a slight change on how much we were expecting receipts. It totals out to around $80,000. >> How much? >> $80,000,000 around that. >> That's still far from the 400. far from that 400.
>> Yeah. >> Do we have >> the the rest of it? We believe there's a couple other areas that that ended up changing as we went um went forward, but a large chunk of it is in the chapter 90 provisions. It used to be that those funds had to be appropriated uh
annually. So, our budget workbook shows it as a revenue source that then needs to be offset. When we finalized the budget, it shows up as a revenue source, but doesn't show it as well as as an offset. So, it makes it look like there was more cash available than there was.
>> There were a couple other issues in the book, but sort these out for next time. >> 45 and we do have the posted hearing. So, uh go to the tax classification hearing then.
So the tax classification on November 12, 2025 at 5:45 is now open. At this time the assessors can speak on their recommendations for tax classification. >> Hello. So I will say each of the motions
and then you should take a vote on all four of them separately. So the assessor's recommendations are the board of assessors recommends that a factor of one be adopted for FY26. This will keep a single tax rate for all classes of property in half. The board of assessors
recommends that no open space discount be granted for FY26. The board of assessors recommends that no residential exemption be granted for FY26. The board of assessors recommends that no small commercial exemption be granted for FY26.
>> Okay. Hey. Uh, is there any discussion from my colleagues on uh any disagreement or recommendations to the assessors? >> This isn't really a change of anything, right? >> No, we've always done. >> Yeah. So, it's nothing new.
>> That was my question. >> Is there any public comment? Is anybody here for public comment? And I guess not. So, since there's no public comment, I'll I'll say the tax classification is now closed
and I'll entertain the motions. >> I'll make a motion to approve the allocation of the tax levy factoring against property classes for FY 2026 as recommended by the board of assessors. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion?
>> All in favor? >> Motion carries. Motion to approve the tax burden shift from the open space class to the residential class as recommended by the board of assessors. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries.
>> Motion to approve the granting of residential exemption of up to 10% of the average value of all owner occupied properties as recommended by the board of assessors. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion second. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Is that clear enough? It's as
recommended by the board of assessors even though there is is no residential exemption. >> So you should say that there is the board of assessors recommends no residential exemption on each of them. No open space, no residential, and no small keeps a single tax rate in that field. That's >> okay.
>> So I would say just make sure you're saying no on each of those. >> Oh wow. >> Is that clear enough? >> Motion to approve no granting of a residential exemption or >> Oh, we'll change the motion. Well, the motion number two motion has to change then as well
>> from the way it's written to what they just said. >> So we you're going to redo the motion on that. >> So I'll withdraw my last motion. >> Motion withdrawn >> and I'll redo the motion to approve.
Do not approve. Is that what we want to say? >> Uh motion to approve no granting >> to approve. Okay. Motion to approve no granting of the residential exemption of up to 10% of the average value of all properties as recommended by the board
of assessors. >> What What are you got? Are what are they looking at? >> Yeah. What are they looking at? >> This is what I gave you. >> They should literally be saying on one that no open space discount be granted for FY.
>> Let's do this. All right. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. It's just different on the motion sheet. >> Yep. >> All right. So, do we have Okay, I'll withdraw that motion, too. >> Do over. >> All right. So, we have to redo the third
one. >> You have to redo all of them. >> We have to do redo all of them. >> Let's redo all of them just to make sure we're safe. >> All right. >> All right. So, I'll make a motion to approve the allocation of the tax levy
factoring against the property classes for FY 2026 >> as recommended by the board of assessors. Is that good? >> Just read right there. Item one, allocation of the tax levy. The board of assessor recommends that. And then you
just read that whole thing. >> We don't I don't think we have >> item two. >> I don't have any of that. You don't have that. >> You don't have that? No. >> Okay. >> I don't have any of that. than >> All right. >> Well, that that's why >> we're all looking at something different
here. Okay. >> All right. I'll make a motion to approve the board of assessors that the board of assessors recommends that a factor of Is that the right one? Am I doing the right one before I keep going? >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> That uh the board of assessors recommends that a factor of 1.0 be adopted for FY 2026. This will keep a single tax rate for all classes of property in Hatfield.
>> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. >> Motion carries. I. >> Okay. And I'll make a motion the board of assessor that to approve the board of assessors recommendation that no open space discount be granted for FY
2026. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. >> And I'll make a motion. from the board of uh to agree with the board of assessors recommends recommending that
no residential exemption be granted for exemption residential exemption be granted for FY2026. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Motion carries. And a motion the board of assessor recommendation that no small commercial exemption be granted for FY2026. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor?
>> Motion carries. >> We get it. >> All right. >> Very good. >> So the only other thing the board voted before we came in to release uh 63,000 to overlay. So, I'll get you a memo for that tomorrow. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Well, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you for your patience. Yeah. >> The hearing. >> We're sorry about that. We just didn't have the right info at the time. So, we got it. We got it right.
>> Would you like to >> We might do things a couple of times, but we'll get it right eventually. So, that's okay. >> See, it's uh Okay. we can go back with discussion on the accountant and the
400,000 that somehow was >> So, Elizabeth, if it's all right with you, I'd love to turn over if there's anything you'd like to add on this to um add some further clarification. >> I didn't hear all that. Andrew, hi
everybody. Elizabeth Brachia, town accountant. Um thank you for letting me join you tonight. Andrew, did you want me to take over on this discussion or >> if you don't mind? Yeah. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions about what Andrew talked about on the um
the recap and the budget? >> I mean, my my question at the very beginning was where how did this happen that what were the amounts coming from that were over appropriated? What how did this I mean
>> I'm just confused by all this. That's all. understand. Um there's a budget workbook that I guess has been used um year after year and in reviewing it, notice some of the formulas that are supposed to be in there have been written over and that
always is a um disaster waiting to happen if you don't let the worksheet workbook work for you. Not that I believe that was in the past that that came forward to Andrew. Um there was some numbers the numbers that come out from the cherry sheet. you get your
original proposed numbers and then they vote, you know, as you know, at the state level until they come up with final numbers. And some of the earlier numbers were higher than the final numbers and those um were um came out later than when the budget book was put
together. Um there's some in that. And then Andrew mentioned there was a chapter 90 revenue in the um available revenues that didn't belong there. and it was historically put in there but I believe that um in
the past they put the expense in there and the expense had been removed but the revenue wasn't so made it look like there was more available revenue than should have been so it looked like a balanced budget based on some of those
things that happened >> so I mean I guess I'm confused as to how this hasn't happened in previous years. Why is it why are we just figuring this out this year? It just seems odd. >> Yeah. >> So, what what I'll say is that um I did
a lot of work in trying to go through the workbook this year. Um it looks like we didn't necessarily have an accurate count from uh last year when when reconciling the budget and that we presented a balanced budget and we ended up being under the levy limit, which is
is very nice. Uh it seems there were some some things that were inconsistent there as well. Um there were some changes in how snow and ice was calculated. There's some changes in how um our um our offsets for the enterprise
funds were calculated. I did a lot of cleaning up of the spreadsheet and I think that gave us less margin for error by the end and that might have been what part of the issue was and it should have been checked in an alternate form as well. uh and for whatever reason we didn't do
that. >> So do we know what areas that these deficits are specifically? >> It's a good question. So it's hard to identify just one area where say we over spent because you know we were building
a budget to the area where we thought we could get we thought we had a levy limit and we were you know making decisions based on that. So we can look at, you know, what were the last decisions that were made and but it overall it would it's kind of everything is is over spent. There's not really one particular
area that we spent too much on. I will say there's areas that I've looked to cut first as we work through this. Um and I think that we'll be able to make around $175,000 worth of cuts without any of them being particularly painful in this year alone, which is good. Um
and then we have some other sources to transfer from. uh but we will need to look next year at basically starting from scratch and trying to identify you know what else can we do to restructure uh across departments >> I mean right now the that four something
is about what 3% of our budget or so something like that >> could be closer to like seven >> okay more like seven so if you take away the 170 with without >> you're we're down to maybe what%
>> I mean do we have any projects that are not yet complete that we could move to the next fiscal year >> to get that number down. >> Right. Can we is there anything we can do other than town meeting? I know we have to redo the budget but >> so town meeting I don't see a way around town meeting unfortunately just to to
make any of the changes that we need to to our budget. >> Uh it would require a vote of our legislative body meeting. Um, as far as projects, most of the projects per se are funded from special accounts.
Uh, so it doesn't necessarily solve the operational budget issue, which is more of what we have right now. Um, we've looked at some projects where there's accounts that, you know, we're not working on them. We can transfer it into um our our current operating budget. I
think that that's an option. um mostly have looked at things that are already closed rather than things that we haven't started yet, but we we could potentially do that. Anything that was approved at town meeting last year, we could wait to do we could potentially look at uh moving that is an option.
>> I mean, if we go to a special town meeting, we have to have a game plan on what what we're doing to reduce it, right? Whether we're instituting a hiring freeze, whether we're we're having all the departments cut back uh 3 or 4%, whether we're uh disallowing
anything except essential items to be purchased, you know, blah blah blah. Like I'm saying, we we need to come up with something like that. >> Yeah. And I think we have a start to that. We have, you know, the identified $175,000 in cuts. We have um a number of
accounts that can be moved over and then the request would be to move about $100,000 from stabilization and around $100,000 from free cash as well to help us for this year. And then moving forward, I think we'd have to do the things that you're talking about for um
for the building of next year's budget. have to look make some some larger changes >> and we we also have to know how it would affect various departments with cutting certain amounts of money from them too. >> Yeah. Yeah. So it's localized so far
that 175,000 it doesn't touch a lot of public safety um public services but you know it's it's mostly on the edges I would say. >> So we have >> so I can I will have that for you as a full list so you can review it. >> Okay. of the proposals.
>> So we in order to have a special town meeting to make sure we hit the target date for the tax >> uh taxes rate to be set, we have to set that by pretty soon, right? >> I'm recommending that we meet on Monday
>> to sign a warrant that would then set up the town meeting for December 2nd. >> Okay, I'm going to I'm going to stop here. I know this is going to be further discussion, but we do have a posted 6:00 hearing. So, I'm going to move to that
6:00 hearing. >> Okay, this is uh November 12th at 6:00 p.m. Town of Hatfield. Uh we're having an open hearing with uh for multiple amendments to a liquor license
which is as as we know it as sisters and I will open up the hearing and for discussion. So right now it's uh discussion among my colleagues if you
have any questions or if you want to make any statement. >> Sure. So, I'm just um essentially um there's a minority partner that we're purchasing out. So, nothing is changing at the business. >> Um the liquor license commission just
requires us to do these amendments. Um because when the store was initially purchased, their name was on there. Um we there's no complaints from the ABCC or anything of that nature. So, it's just a cosmetic change. Okay. The way I
read it, it's you're just changing the manager and you're doing some corporate uh changes within your structure, whatever. Okay. So, I I I noticed that everything seemed to be in order. I I
have no other discussion on this. Uh do you guys have any discussion on >> No, this is just a change of the names. It has nothing no changing of the way the liquor license is being handled. >> Correct. That's all. >> That makes sense. >> Okay. I will now open it up for public
comments if anybody's here for public comments. Uh there's nobody here for public comments. I will now close the hearing. Uh I will ask for a motion to close hearing. I need a motion. So I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
>> I'll second the motion to close. >> Okay. Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? I >> motion carries. No, uh action. Um we'll need a motion on the action. >> I'll make a motion to grant the
application for multiple amendments to the existing all alcoholic license of Sisters Convenience and Delhi Shop at 22 West Street as specified in the application. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? I.
>> Motion carries. Thank you. Have a good evening. Okay, we'll go back to our discussion on this money that somehow within the workbook sort of got over spent
and okay. So I guess and the only way to make the remedy is to have a special town meeting and we'll have to uh just rural Bley's and try to see how and where to make the
cuts or or maybe even ask departments to submit some kind of idea on where they can save the remainder of the year, whether they can save on supplies or they can save on
other items or I'm sure that hiring freeze or whatever. I mean there is there's a lot of pieces to this. >> Yeah. >> So I mean just so I'm clear and this could be my own ignorance. Um so we came in last year under the levy
limit, right? And now we're finding out that we're 465,000 over it. >> Mhm. >> I guess I'm just confused as to how that happens. >> How do we spend so much? >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Exactly. I mean, because we're not really talking about if we originally came in under the levy limit, we're not
talking about 465,000. We're talking about 650 700,000. I mean, whatever the delta was of what you were under the limit before. >> Yep. Plus new growth plus plus the 2 and a half%. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. It And that's a small number. >> No, it's not a small number. What's
frustrating is looking at our numbers of where the levy limit uh was increasing, it looked like it was increasing by around a million dollars. So he looked at where is new spending coming from. So there's new debt that was coming on. Fine. Some of that was most of that was debt excluded. So in my mind it
shouldn't have hit this this levy limit issue. Then there was health insurance increases. There was about $150,000 more for schools. Um and there were a couple of other expenses uh being increased. Obviously personnel uh increases each
year at around 2 and a half%. Um, but >> like debt exclusions, they're not added they're not added on the levy limit. Uh, there's they're not supposed to be in my understanding. I mean, I since I've been on the board, we've always come under
the levy limit somehow. I mean, the first few years on the board was trying to get the all the books in order and stuff and that took a while. So, I'm still concerned how how this happened so it doesn't happen again. It just
it's just confusing to me and unless I see some hard numbers of I mean, you're saying it's it's hard to give the hard numbers because it's all part of the budget somehow, but there's got to be some way. >> You have to know where there's overspending happening. >> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Yeah. >> From the budget lines that were submitted versus to what the receipts are, we we have to know. Yeah, I can tell you that the the largest increases came from the healthcare costs from the amount that schools increases each year just because it's a large um large
budget center. Um that was around $150,000. Debts around 300. Health insurance is around let's say 250 I believe. And we can give you you know the exact numbers of everything. You you should have that. The town's people need to have that.
>> We're putting that all together. Mhm. >> But again, when I looked at the amount that the levy limit was increasing, it looked like a million-doll gap from one year to the next. So, it didn't seem like a ridiculous budget to be putting together. Uh it looked like we had that
much room. So, that that's, you know, errors on our on our side for sure. Um and it was hard to to look like it was an overspend, but I don't know if Elizabeth has anything else she wants to add on this for how to think through this.
And the finance commission uh finance committee has looked at all the numbers or they have have they have they had a discussion on this too? >> They are meeting tomorrow night. >> Okay. Tomorrow night. >> Yep. >> And they'll be meeting with the accountant on this too. >> Yes, we can do that.
>> Okay. And try to figure out what happened, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. This is very This is sort of like shocking. I thought we were so good. >> Yeah. It's a terrible position to be in. Um, you know, it's it's reflective of a lot of the financial issues that other
towns are having, except this one snuck up on us, and I I don't like that. So, >> I know the states been rece all of a sudden they found out they're receiving less money from the federal and there's a trickle effect happening, but I don't know if that's >> Well, that's a drop in the
>> in the bucket for the number that we're talking. >> Yeah. If the state aid is only 80,000 less than what we're talking about where we're talking about >> no >> a gross miscalculation of 800,000. >> It's not like the state aid is what's putting us over the edge. We could if
that was the case, we would just fund it out of free cash and be done with it. We wouldn't have a problem. >> I mean, >> I kind of I personally kind of have a problem with this. I mean, it's >> it's a lot of money. It's a good chunk of our budget that is grossly
miscalculated. Yeah, it is. >> I think somehow I hope that the finance committee and the accountant can relook at the numbers again. Maybe there's been another mistake. Maybe it isn't. Maybe there is. I don't I just
Elizabeth, can you hear any of this? >> Yes, I can. >> Okay. Are there are there any I mean, we feel confident in these numbers now, unfortunately, right? like we we don't think there's another mistake in here in in following through on on the the
state's platform. >> No, there there aren't. I went through what was voted against I use I have a different format that I've used in the past and I threw the numbers in a um workbook that I use and it matches the
recap. It's built to emulate exactly and calculate where the levy is and etc. So once I plugged all the numbers in there, it it uh agrees with what's happening in the recap of the voted amounts to raise.
>> I mean when do approves our our stuff don't is it like double check too? >> Well, this is that double check. This is do approving it. >> Okay. >> That's what's happening now. and and the and we're failing the double check.
>> Okay. All right. I mean, we'll get through this somehow, but it's it's sort of shocking. >> Yeah. >> And I never saw this one come and tell you the truth. This is not good. But
>> yeah, we'll get through it. We'll do it. We got to do something. >> Just there'll have to be the departments will have to spend less. But in order for some of this to happen, we need the special town meeting in
order for that to get approved. Right. >> Yeah. And and you know, my recommendation will be a mix of cuts and for this year and this year only, some from stabilization and from some from free cash. Um probably 100,000 of each
just to get through this year for what we've already committed to. For next year, we're going to have to look more carefully at more cuts and more places and restructuring. >> And we have a record from last year of all like each budget, who submitted level funded and was granted that and who had increases.
>> Show you everything. Yeah. As far as where the increases were. There's >> so a lot of you know out of control spending in different places. >> The some of it we just, you know, couldn't control. There's numbers that side of us with the health insurance and
other places. There's things we can try to do differently like change with different health insurance provider but um a lot of it is in the structure that we have. >> I mean a lot of the increases are in the schools >> each year the schools are always it
seems always to be the biggest increases for the most part and we have increased the fire department with more full-time staff. We have we have done some other uh items uh but slowly incremental not to not to
account for $400 and something thousand I guess but >> yeah but it just it would be nice to see like if fire department was level funded from last year which I believe it was I don't think there was an increase last year if DPW was level funded if you know
and what departments had an increase from last year specifically because it would make the most sense to then go back to those departments and see where we can work that money back >> rather than asking the departments who
were already level funded from the previous year to then make an additional cut on top of it. If we can go back to the departments that saw an increase or had requested an increase and try to work that back would make sense. >> I think that's fair. That's something
>> provided. Yeah, we have that information. >> Yeah, that would be good. And and then we can also see, you know, over these two, three, four departments, whatever it is, what is that number of increase that was asked, is it potentially close
to what this number is? And is that attainable by making a couple cuts here or there to be able to work that number back down? So, it essentially would have been a level funded budget from the previous year. And do we have the capability with this time in the fiscal year left to be able is that actually a
reality? >> Yeah, it would be very difficult to get back down to that zero just from cuts alone from this year is how I see it. >> Which of course raises the question of then what were we if we had been looking at this the right way all along, what would we have done last year?
>> Well, I guess that's my point. >> It's a really important question, >> right? If we had noticed this last year, >> then we would have >> would we have not approved these additional spending acts by these XYZ department, >> right? >> And just to be completely honest, one of them is probably the increase in the health insurance uh right premium
percentage. >> We went from 55 to 60%. But at the same time, I don't know what would have happened to our staffing levels had we not made that increase. and we would have seen, you know, our our uh our staff having a very difficult time right now, especially with the additional increase that we had from New Hampshire
County Group Insurance. So, >> that's a challenge. Um, we probably would have looked at doing something differently. I don't know what, >> but but that's a decision that we made from the position that we thought we were in and we were not there. But that challenge we also pro potentially could
have if we found ourselves in that because of just the insurance at this time of the year we could have then funded from free cash or stabilization like what we're looking into now >> right so let's try to work this back and find out what the approved increases
were from last year and in what departments they were and is it actually realistic to try to find a way to get that money back. Yeah, >> I understand that we can't just go slashing and making >> right, >> you know, >> huge cuts, but I'm sure there's money
that is taking up space in someone's budget line that's not going to get spent or spent at the end of the year so that you can request it again the following year. >> Sure. >> Because we all understand that's how >> budgets work. You spend it or you don't get it back the following year. So, >> let's find out where those areas are and
work those back and see where we end up. And and along with that we also have to find within that spreadsheet how did this even happen? How did these calculations come up? >> Right? >> Because this is more than just chapter revenue chapter >> all the calculations were showed us we
were under the levy limit. So somewhere in the calculations there's a mistake somewhere >> right? >> So where is >> we're not going to be using that workbook in the same way again. We we'll be using this different format that our accountants have provided. I'm not sure why we weren't using before. That's what we'll do. Um, so this won't happen
again. It's it's it's the kind of thing that, you know, I think once we've fixed the system, we'll know what our numbers look like. >> But so let's set a position now. >> Let's set a timetable for this. What's realistic for between you and the accountant to be able to get us these >> spreadsheets of spending
>> the spend spending and and where the increases were from last year to this year? >> We'll have that tomorrow. That's not a problem. So, what we'll plan to do is give you as much information as possible. I'm also working on a proposal for what I think, you know, the the ideal scenario be for
this year. Um, if you would like to target more than the 175,000 in cuts, we can do that. I think that's a reasonable place to start. Um, and then the rest we can make up for through a couple other means that we'll talk about. Um we have uh the assessors have said tonight that they
are willing to uh give us $63,000 in overlay surplus. This is what they budget for each year in case people ask for abatements. They have a surplus in that account because uh they've had either fewer abatements than expected or just builds up over time every few years they can reduce that money. That's a one-time source, but it's something we
can use this year. So $63,000. Um we have our free cash came in at over a million. We have 636,000 in stabilization. So those sources are available to us paired with the cuts, paired with the overlay, and then a
couple other accounts that we can use. We should be able to get there for this year and then look at what we should do for the year after. >> So you think the cuts are we can realistically get to what number? 150 or 175 I feel good about right now. >> Could you add a couple more and get us
like a worst case scenario up to 300? >> Yeah, sure. >> Let's do that as well. >> We can do that. It's nice to have options. Right. Right. Back to stretching a rubber band. Okay. Good. Wow. Uh the accountant have any
more comments on this? >> You don't have any more what on this? >> Do you have any more comments on this? >> I don't. And I just um I can we can get those numbers here pretty quick on the increases from one year to the next. >> That would be great. Thank you. >> I already have everything in a
spreadsheet very easily. Just add the calculation for the budgets. >> Fantastic. >> Okay. Well, any other comments on this topic? because I know we could discuss it all night with ideas, but that's not going
to that's not going to solve it until we finally come up with some solutions. >> Yeah. Get more people involved here. Yeah. >> Oh, come up to the mic, Bob. Come on up to the mic. >> So, my recommendation was December 2nd.
Uh we can sign a warrant on Monday. Um, obviously we'll provide as much information as we can so we, you know, know where the conversation is, but the warrant would basically just say that, uh, to have the town make transfers and then, uh, approve a supplemental budget.
So, I'll be working the finance committee to put that supplemental budget together. Um, but we would look at December 2nd, 6 p.m. Smith uh, at Smith Academy. Uh, happy 11th principal. >> Okay. >> If that works for your schedule, Mr. Moderator. >> Yeah. No, that's perfect. Yeah. And Adrian and I spoke yesterday afternoon
and kind of knew what was coming. So looking at the dates and that and uh you know I think as we talk we know special town meetings are tough to get 75 people there. So the sooner we can get that date out in front of people especially with the holidays here the better. Um and and start getting that in front of
people. And I think the 6 p.m. works better where hopefully it's a shorter meeting and a little bit earlier in the evening with with our >> Well, the last one it was everybody pulled out their cell phones and started calling people. Hopefully, yeah, we get people there. >> We don't really want to have to detain people in the room until uh we get our
75, but uh yeah. No, so certainly if we can more we can do to get that message out there, the sooner the better. Um because we we do obviously need to get have that 75 number to to get any passed. >> And hopefully we have all the answers to the questions that are going to be asked.
>> Certainly. >> That's on all you. >> But yeah, no, that that date and time works and and it's good for me. So, I guess this work in progress to resolve the issues. >> If you think of more questions, let me know. Obviously, we owe the taxpayers a
lot of information and we're working on that. I think we have a plan for this year, but we're going to need to answer a lot of questions and and >> so if we're able to come up with the 465,000 from cuts and funding from free cash stabilization and from assessor's
fund, it would mean that we don't have to change the tax rate and ask for additional taxes from the taxpayers. >> We are not asking for additional tax. Well, >> we we can't. We are we we would have to pass some kind of override or something immediately. We cannot ask for
additional taxes. >> So the meeting is just for us to reorganize where we're taking the money from >> essentially and how to balance the budget. >> That's right. For the previous >> So between cuts and then use of these other funds that'll get us into this year, there will be no additional taxes beyond the two and a half.
>> Okay. So I think that's just something to make clear for the public that we're not asking for more tax. >> That is not an option. Okay. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> I'm good with December 2nd. That works for me. Nothing's ever easy sometimes, but >> well, this this should have been easier
and I I'm not happy that we're in this position. You know, we had a large team working on this and >> yes, these things happen, but I I'm not happy that we're in this position. I apologize for that. >> Well, it's probably I mean worksheet
maybe there's a mistake within the worksheet that we can find and that caused this and it was it might not be nobody's fault. It might be multiple problems within the worksheet or something else. >> Well, hopefully if we're using a new one for next next year, we won't have that
problem. Triple triple check. >> Yep. >> All right. >> It's not good news, but >> we'll figure it out somehow. It'll all work out somehow. Not probably
the way we wanted, but it'll work out. So, I don't know how, but we'll get there. That's true. >> Any more discussion on this particular topic? Okay. Then I'll move on to the next topic if that's okay with everybody.
>> Thank you. >> Thanks, Bobby. >> Uh I go to topic >> everybody. Have a good night. >> Thank you, Elizabeth. >> Topic five. What do we know of topic five? Water abatement request. >> Topic five is a water abatement request.
Uh, this comes from a resident in the um one of the trailers. Uh, this is the resident's name is Cecilia Harvey. Uh, she's currently under uh conservatorship. I believe I'm allowed to say that. >> Um, so the conservator is the one who
signed off and her name is Kim Pro. >> Um, there's a lot going on in this situation. So, this is actually the trailer that uh was hit by a town vehicle about a month ago. Um, and they had filed an insurance claim and our
insurance is taking care of it. Uh, there was a small amount of damage that was done, but but enough that some work needed to be done. They were working on selling this trailer as well. So, this this woman, Cecilia, has not lived there for around the last six months. She's currently in a nursing home. Uh, she has
some health issues. uh she was not living in the trailer when this billing cycle occurred. Um she actually uh was already in either the hospital or um a facility um nursing
home. So this uh high bill was caught when our last reading was done in in uh September or I guess it would have been August. uh our water superintendent alerted the management of the the uh trailer area to
uh this issue and they went in and turned off the water uh sorry they turned off the water to the to the trailer. Um the it was a pretty high bill. We were concerned that maybe was a billing error on our end. Um we asked the water and superintendent to go check it out. uh
the conservator was able to let him in and what they found was an empty toilet bowl which would potentially signal that there was some kind of leak that had occurred there. Uh so that water was most likely running in that unit but it would have been going potentially the whole time that this woman was not
living in the place. So uh we were asked uh about uh an abatement. We were asked about um uh the issue that there was prior bills not paid. Uh, the conservator has paid for all prior bills besides this most
recent one in order to uh get a building permit to fix the damage that was done on the trailer by our town vehicle. Um, that damage is being fixed so that they can sell the trailer. However, she did ask for an abatement as well of this higher bill. This is a tough one because
from what we can tell, most likely water was used. There was a leak that was going on there, but no one was living in the the place at that time. However, it is still the responsibility of the owner or conservator or anyone else to to take care of that. Um, so she asked for an abatement. We'll bring that to you
tonight. Um, clearly there was a high use of water. There's no sewer. Uh, it was just the water. Um, we can't prove that there was a leak, but probably was. Um, also this is going to be the last time that we deal with this happening for a six-month period
instead of a a three because we're switching to quarterly billing. But she wasn't living there when this happened. >> Uh, we do not believe so. >> And so >> somehow >> she has a conservator taking care of everything. So they >> and the conservator I believe came on in
March, so maybe right after this began. But um, >> and if we need more information, we can definitely ask conservator. I definitely looking at all the past bills and I assume the water usage was a lot less.
>> Yes. I mean, she's typically at the minimum bill. This is an elderly woman living alone. >> So, the person's in a nursing home and all of a sudden there it's leaking. Um, >> yeah, I don't doubt that there was a leak there, but I just
>> I wonder who's responsible for that leak. Is it the homeowner? Do they have insurance? >> I mean, I mean, >> eventually any leaks, anything else are the responsibility of the homeowner. That's how it works. If the water goes through the meter and what we're technically supposed to be doing is
billing them for that at the same time. This is a elderly woman who wasn't even in the the place brought this conservator on later. It's a difficult situation. It's the kind that >> Yeah. >> This is this actually sort of comes becomes like a hardship type of thing, I
guess, in a way, right? Or does it not? >> That's kind of for this board to decide. We don't really have regulations that talk about a hardship, but at the same time, >> well, I mean I mean she's in a nursing home. All of a sudden, the toilet's got a leak and nobody's there to I don't
know if she had anybody any family that would check the trailer for her or any of that and compounded with that. You said we hit her trailer or something. >> It did happen. Yes. >> Okay. >> Unrelated to this, but that that did happen.
>> So, we did our vehicle caused damage to her trailer >> and that has been gone through our insurance. She's it's been taken care of. >> Okay. When did that happen? >> About a month ago, >> right? >> Two months. >> I wish wish we had some notification on
that. But your comments, the water went through the meter. The water was used. I I you it's tough because I sympathize with where she's at and that there was no one in the trailer. But >> the question I'm asking myself is if
there was a another property owner in town who was not owner occupied and they had a vacant parcel and this happens, >> are we also going to abate that? And then where do you where do you draw the line? >> I guess that's what I was getting at too. It's like who who do you do this
for and who do you not do this for? I mean it wasn't an error in our meter. Correct. >> There's not an error in the meter. We when first heard about this we thought there must have been some kind of error but it was most likely caused by a lot of water. We can't prove that but most likely caused by a lot of water
>> and we know for sure that the meter was okay. The meter works. The meter wasn't faulty. Do we know that? >> I can't prove that but we we have every reason to think >> wasn't a meter issue. The the simplest explanation is that there was most
likely some kind of leak because the the um empty toilet bowl everything else was um you know symptomatic of there being some kind of leak >> but we don't know for sure and we we can't prove that. >> It's just it seems like everything was okay on our end.
Is there any can we in lie of changing the meter can we suspend the payment for one more quarter and see what the next reading comes back as? >> I think at this point they they they've turned the water off. They're looking to sell the the trailer. >> So the water's completely shut off. So
there's not going to be right now. >> Yeah, the water shut off right now. Okay. >> Turn the water off. The meter actually stopped. >> I mean that's you could check it, right? They could check it. Make sure that >> I guess I guess that's where I was going was that if You know, if there's some
level of usage and it's erroneous in a similar fashion to this, then it would be a way for us to prove that it either is or is not our meter. >> I think it's very unlikely it's very unlikely it's our meter. >> Um it's
>> Yeah, I mean this is this is just a tough situation. U I feel for this woman. Um, and of course you have the opportunity if you wanted to to offer a smaller abatement. You could, you know, cut it in half as as some kind of gesture. You could abate, you know, some small portion if you wanted to just as a
gesture. Um, you could also, you know, choose not to abate anything, uh, which would be understood since the water was used, but it's, uh, it's really up to you. Well, I mean Luke's suggestion, why don't we do that for first and just wait
and then come back to this maybe >> unless they need it paid to be able to sell. >> That's we don't want to create a clerical error for them either to hang up the sale, >> right? >> Cuz if they have an >> unpaid balance, it's they're not going to be able to sell.
Hm. Yeah, we don't really have any rules on what we're supposed to do, but we don't have any rules what we're not supposed to do. So, this is really tough. You know, normally we make exceptions for I guess we have made exceptions for
other things, but well, I mean, one option is deny it and request any further information. The other option is to approve it. The third option is to compromise and lower the
payment a little bit and say okay well 5050 or something. So I think those are basically our three options unless there's any other options. I mean yeah again it wasn't our equipment and
our equipment was used to get this much water to that building. So our stuff was used and >> right I mean I do know of another situation where the toilet ran and ran
and ran and the the people that were owners of that had to pay the full bill of the water usage right >> I mean that's one hand >> right in the past we just like abaded if people use too much water we've abaded the sewer because putting into
the sewer. So, >> but this isn't this isn't like that at all. >> No, there's no sewer in this. >> This is just this is just water being poured into the ground. >> Well, then we can either take this up or deny
it or right now. What's your thoughts? Deny. >> Yeah. I mean, we also have no proof that there's actually any sort of hardship here either. >> Okay. We just know that she wasn't in the >> in the trailer. Right. Exactly. >> And we do know that she's not she she's
not well. She's she wasn't sound. >> Unfortunately, >> now she has this conservator um and whatever else. There's there are people who are supposed to be responsible for this. >> Well, I could say we we could deny it without prejudice, meaning she can come back if there's any further uh
information to provide for us. >> I would be open up for that. I'd be off for denying it for now with with their option to come back and >> Okay. So, >> see us again. >> We can discuss if there's any more information they want to share or if there's another arrangement they'd like to propose. >> That sounds fair. >> Right.
>> At the very least, what they might ask for is to be able to pay um the balance after um closing because the account right now for this woman doesn't really have any money to to pay it until they they sell the trailer. >> Okay. >> That might just be something to think about.
>> All right. Okay, good. Okay, takes care of that. >> I believe so. >> Okay, I do have a fire department. Um, I have appointed Timothy Goshinski of Sunderland, Mass as a PDM firefighter
effective November 6th, 2025. Firefighter EMT. Goshi has passed a new employee physical as requirement of the position. I have attached the new pay higher rate. Uh he will receive 2125 per
hour for emergency responses and 1625 for training. So I do want to thank Timothy for applying and being appointed by the fire chief. Uh maybe he can have him come to one of our meetings so
everybody can be introduced to them. >> That'd be great. And uh I know we don't take any action on this as far as motions because that's the fire chief's job to appoint. So uh this will just need our signature. Correct.
>> Any anything on this topic as far as new firefighter? >> There's nothing for us. >> Nbody's coming to help. >> All right. So that's all I have except for topic six which is town administrator report andrew came already
discussed the um Karen has made an excellent point. Um if the decision on the resolution of the um abatement was to deny without prejudice we might need a motion to do so. Otherwise there was no uh motion
made. >> Okay. May I make a motion to deny without prejudice the uh the abatement? >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Okay.
>> Very good. Okay. So, uh first of all, uh health insurance just want to continue to keep you updated on this. We met again with the PEC. Uh they are interested um in uh health insurance through Massachusetts interlocal insurance association, MAYA. Uh we had a good conversation with their rep and
they're putting together a proposal for us of what that might potentially look like. Um this was in the context of negotiating over the the potential move to the GIC, but they were interested in what other options might look like. So we had this this good conversation around what what that option might might
be. It will come down to funding. We'll have to find out from them uh what their rates look like for next year. Um so that's that's a major question. um passing along a notice from the DPW director about trees. Thank you to all of you for connecting with him about uh
this important question. Um on October 31st, there were a number of trees that came down across town. Uh that drew uh drew attention to a couple problem trees. Uh one uh bald cypress in front of the former center school had a portion come down. Um the rest of the
tree is going to need to come down as well. And unfortunately, I think this has been on folks radars for a little while, but the the large silver maple uh right in front of town hall, beautiful tree, uh is not in good health. It it does need to come down. Uh it I I see our the one arborist at this table
shaking his head. It probably should have been taken down some time ago. >> Yeah. >> The good news is uh that will not have to come from our budget. Uh Eversource uh needs wants to take this tree down. Uh they are doing a lot of work right now, as you can imagine, with all the high winds and rains that they're still digging out from. Uh but they will be
getting back to us with a date shortly for when they can come take this down. They'll bring their giant rain truck and take care of it. Uh it's it's good news for us. It'll be able to happen. But we did want to share this with with residents. Uh it's just a good thing for folks to know. I'm sure there's a lot of
people who feel very strongly about this beautiful tree that stood on our uh in this area for a long time. Um and it's unfortunate will be coming down and be nice to try to find some way to honor that. So um that's trees. Uh Route 5 water sewer
dealer says they will be on site tomorrow and Friday. Uh we haven't heard of them cancelling yet. So as long as that happens, we should have some news by the end of the week about uh what uh mitigation might look like if there's anything that needs to be done on that line. Um I'm also continuing
conversations with town council and state legislators just make sure they're aware of the situation and they are helping us with next steps which we appreciate. Uh day pon bids are open. We had a walkthrough today. Had a few contractors out there take a look at it. Um bids are due on the 19th. So as long
as we stay under budget, uh we should be in good shape to move that project along. >> Had a lot of people pick up uh the bid. >> We've got 27 who've picked up the bid package. Now we only had four who come came by today, but 27 uh companies have put have asked for the materials. >> Doesn't mean that they all put the bids
in, but that's that's a good start. >> No, the four today all seemed very interested. I'd imagine we end up somewhere in the middle. If we get eight bids, I mean, great. >> Yeah, >> we'll see. >> Wow. Good. >> Yeah, not bad. Uh, Farm Museum, uh, we've got a great architect working on
this. Mark Stern's making really good progress. Um, we are going to have a stakeholder meeting to discuss what options look like along for the for the siding of the building. You know, we we feel good about getting the the new roof in there. The question is, you know, we
have a tobacco barn. Typically, you don't expect it to be super uh weathertight or anything else or tight to for for rodents, anything else might be out there. We're using it as a museum. We have a different uh level of protection that we'd like to see uh for all the beautiful artifacts that are in
there. Um so, we have three different options for how to uh repair the siding to protect it a little better against um was described to me as varmints. Uh we could patch the existing siding as needed, try to use, you know, historically appropriate uh wood,
whatever else. We could remove the exterior siding and install plywood, uh drainage membrane, and new siding. Or I could keep the existing siding and install some drainage membrane and new siding over the existing. So all Yes. >> I have one question that I thought would be a a good option.
>> Yeah. Uh, so for item two, rather than removing, so remove the exterior siding, install the plywood and the drainage membrane, and then could we reinstall the old siding? >> Oh, interesting. >> So that way we still are using the same historic wood that's always been there
and the look of the barn will remain the same, but it'll function with its membrane and stuff. I I'm not sure if that's an option, but it seems like it could be. >> It does. The question is, is it reusable? Um, is it reusable now and would it be reusable after taking it off the first time? So, we'd have to at
least ask a question. >> Yeah, I like that. >> I mean, I've definitely taken sighting off some barns and yeah, most of the time you can reuse a good portion. >> Excellent. >> That would certainly help. >> Rather than having to buy in historically matching sighting after the fact, let's just save this stuff and
>> Yeah. >> put it back on out. >> Yeah. And it wouldn't be historically matching after the fact. It would be would take a few years to get it weathered down and look like what it is now. That has to be something we have to consider if we're comfortable with. If any of you are interested in joining that stakeholder meeting, let me know. I
think we're going to talk on Monday um at 3, I think. But I I'll actually only expected time right now in case any of you would like to join as a select representative on this. I'll have folks from uh DPW, from Historic Society, from uh Agriculture Advisory Commission.
Yeah. 3:00 we're going to talk on the 17th. >> On the 17th, >> I know I already have you at 12 o'clock on the 17th. Um, we're going to do our extra select board meeting, but any of you'd like to join at 3 on the 17th. Love to have you.
And then just real quick on Community Preservation Act, there were 13 applications uh received for projects this year. um worked with the DPW and others to try to get a number of applications in that I thought would be helpful for us and in part to defay you know spending that happens often from our either from free cash or from
general fund. So looking at some options for advancing a number of projects, number of things that were in the comprehensive plan. Um and you know, you'll continue to hear more about these as the BC works through these applications, but they have 13. I think the town is responsible for around 12 of
them. So um we'll see how they what they think of them, but I think there's some good projects in there. >> We had preapproved this, right? The uh >> we we approved. >> So it just needs a signature. >> Just your signature. >> Okay. >> Okay. And we skipped the boiler project. Boiler project. Uh bid documents should
be coming out soon. I actually just got an email while while we were here about um getting this this bid out. Um we want the work to happen as soon as possible so that we don't have a disruption to our boilers uh this winter. So um it's, you know, looking good that we've got a
good good design, good plan, and uh we should be right in the budget that we need to be. So we'll get that update as soon as possible. Okay, that's what I got. Sounds good. Sounds good. We have a plan.
>> Tammy, you want any Do you have any comments on old business or anything? >> My only comment is you have that um account for the tobacco shed still. >> Yes. Yes, we do. >> So, when you're doing that project?
>> Yeah, we can use that for >> still have that those ones you can use. >> Just need your guys signatures on these three things. Phil, >> um, do we have any update from open space on where we stand with, uh, their
conversations back and forth with Bay State Forestry on the plan for the >> They didn't send me a new uh, proposal yet. So, I will check in with them on that. >> The other area where I frustratingly do not have an update is from uh, Harper's uh, for electronic time sheets. I had
signed their proposal and have not heard yet about next steps. Fantastic. >> Yeah, that's just frustrating my end. >> Um, yeah. >> What are we signing for on this one?
>> But why? >> Right. You didn't approve that. >> Okay. >> I just my signature, I guess. Okay. >> All right. I sign that one. [Applause]
That's it. >> Any three signatures on this or just one? >> So, is that the um abatement? >> Yeah. >> Did you do you mark reject or >> I said disapprove? >> Disapprove. Um let's have three signatures then. If you're saying disapprove.
>> Okay. Okay. >> That sounds fine. There >> you go. It it marks an official vote. I think that's appropriate. Okay. Any other old business? And I'll entertain a motion.
>> Make a motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Motion carries. Thank you, John. Have a good night.