Welcome to our February 10th meeting. I call the meeting to order and I begin with our public participation at town of Hatfield sweatboard meetings. The Hatfield sweatboard welcomes everyone to its meetings and all other public meetings of the town of Hatfield. All
regular and special meetings of the boards and committees of the town of Hatfield shall be open to the public and shall conform to the open meeting law. Executive sessions are closed to the public and will be held only by a prescribed by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is
important to recognize that the open meeting law affords the opportunity to listen to the proceedings but not necessarily participate. During meetings of the select board, an attempt will be made to find a balance between hearing from members of the community and conducting the required business of the
Hatfield select board for the public's information. And this meeting is being recorded under announcements. I just want the general public town people to know that there's been a text message going around that says uh your account
with a half fire department is due and it's a scam. So if anybody, as you know, there's all kinds of scams on your phones in Texas. But if anything that is associated with the town of Hatfield, if you have questions, please contact the
town of Hatfield. Uh I did talk to the fire chief earlier via email and he mentioned that they don't solicit money through text messages. So just uh as you know, there's hundreds of these that going out there. Uh I hope everybody's
gotten warmed up from the getting warmed up from the cold. It's been been nasty the last few days, but uh those are my announcements. I don't know if you guys have any announcements. Nope. Okay. So, we'll move along with
public forum if anybody's here for public forum. Okay. There's no one present. Mr. Mr. Chair, would you be open to taking things slightly out of order tonight if we could start with number two since the chief is here and then go to number three since um the folks who need to talk to us about that
have a hard stop uh at six for another community? >> Sounds good. >> Okay. So, you want to go number two to number three? Yeah. Just to keep things >> 231. Okay. >> Uh topic two since our chief is here uh
chief flity. Uh the topic two is the authorization to abate uncollected ABS ambulance revenues totaling 124,784 uh50 which is a lot but it's over a period of
years. So I'll let the chief explain why it's this amount. >> So these are bills that went out and over time they've either the party is deceased. We have passed the statute of limitations on being able to collect. Um the billing company sends out multiple
bills which is Coastal Medical Billing and then if the folks still don't pay, we do have a collection agency that we've used for a number of years. They will work with that individual to try to even get on a payment plan and but at sometimes they just don't pay the bill. So at some point we have to make a
decision to abate it and it comes off the books because these are things that the accountant looks at every year because in theory it is sitting out there as potential revenue coming in. So they want to see us go through this once a year. This isn't the first time that I've been in front of you. This is a larger dollar amount uh just because a
lot of them a lot of the uh cases have passed the stat pass the statute of limitations for us to be able to collect. Medicare is probably one of the worst ones. We only have about 12 months total that we can collect and once it goes past there's really nothing we can do. So that's why these are here and as
you saw in your notes for those at home some of these cases date back to 2019. So we're we're hitting close to a seven-year mark on some of these that they've kind of been floating out there and the two companies have done their best but we can no longer collect.
>> I I don't have any questions. I know unfortunately this happens and we've gone through this before since I've been on the board that we've had to uh do this. So I don't know if you guys have any questions. >> I understand this fully.
>> It's not fun, but unfortunately it's it's something we need to do and it definitely works better when the accountant looks at our books. >> So with that being said, I accept the motion. I'll make a motion to abate uncollected ambulance revenues in the amount of $124,784.50.
>> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Motion carries. Okay. Thank you, Chief. >> Let you get on your way. Okay. Then we'll go to topic three. Three. Uh
Colonial Power Group. They were here at our last meeting to uh discuss I believe some changes that they're requesting and I'll let Andrew start with this. >> Yeah. So we once again have uh Mark Capidona and Denise Allard here from Colonial Power Group and this is to
potentially make some changes to the aggregate energy rates that we have. We had a good discussion last time where Mark talked about the challenges that come from this Daisy or DAS uh day ahead ancillary services market uh policy. It was the first time that we when structuring a contract had to factor
this in. So there were some judgment calls that had to be made to try to figure out how to structure it. Um, and we now have more information about how this is playing out. We were extremely conservative in putting it together, but it turns out that's not quite enough. So Mark can touch on that more. I do just want to touch very briefly on, you know,
what this is and what it means for for residents. You know, this uh uh aggregate uh contract that we have, we sign it to have an option essentially. Uh energy costs are really rough on on residents, especially when a couple years ago uh this happened and it could easily happen again. The Eversource
basic service rates just absolutely skyrocketed based on uh energy uh conditions across the world um with issues with liqufied natural gas, issues with uh war in Ukraine. These sorts of things, these destabilizing events take place and when that happens, our
residents as as energy consumers often end up getting really squeezed. So, by signing these contracts, you end up with a sta a generally stable price uh that functions as an option for residents. It's usually going to over the the course of the contract beat the the basic service rates even when it
doesn't. Uh everyone has the ability to opt in and opt out of that that uh contract. And what it just means is that we need to be able to message to residents times when they might want to look at the rates and see if they want to make a change and then come back in. Uh right now we're at one of those times
when basic service is is has come down a little bit. They've got a decent rate. The the town as a uh rateayer needs to look at this as well. We should probably be moving our our street lights to the basic service instead of the a rate. So we'll be doing that. Um but this is the kind of thing that it's really good to
have an option when times are tough. So I'll lead with that. I think signing the contract is a good thing overall and we're still in it at the moment. Uh and we really will need to stay in it because we've signed that contract. But that's why we we do this this program. And I'll let Mark talk a little bit about uh the Daisy. And then what's
changed since the last time we talked because the last time we talked we said we probably don't need to make a change right now. That's really no longer the case. It makes a lot of sense to be uh giving us a longer runway uh to take on these extra costs that have gone up. We uh want to consider changing these rates
uh really tonight by by signing those contracts. So I'll let Mark talk about that. Um and you know, we'll figure this out together. Good evening, Mark Capital Power. Just bring everyone up to speed on what went on January 26th and 27th. This new Daisy
cost is a program that just got uh put into place last March and ISO New England gave guidance of it would it would be about you know a hundred million $120 million uh over the whole year. Um unfortunately their guidance
was well off. So when when we met with Andrew, we said, "Hey, listen. Here's it's a pass through cost." And so no one no one wants to fix it, right? There's no way to hedge that cost so no one knows what that's going to be. So we we actually said,
"Okay, we'll put four bills on um the contract." And in doing so, we wanted to protect the town. Well, on January 26th and 27th, the costs were so large that those two days outstripped all the costs that ISO New England had in the um in
for the whole program for 20 the the calendar year 25 and 26. So what they thought would cost aboutund $100 million is over $1 million so far. We're not even a year in yet. that would be at the end of
February that we would uh actually have one year in. Um so this pass through cost is is it's a terrible situation. Splier has the ability after 3 mill to come to the town and to get it paid down. There's a lot of reasons why I think it's a good time to get this done.
Um ISO New England has finally acknowledged that they've made a mistake and they're going to be driving these costs down. Their goal is to get these things driven down before next winter happens. Um, I don't know if everyone remembers the graph from last week, but
that's when things really escalate. So, what we're hoping to do is be able to pay down some of these costs during the low daisy months and then come back to the town once this has uh settled in and hopefully fix this once and for all. But
what does it mean to customers? So, the increase is 01244. That's 1 cent. So the current rate is 13434. With the increase, the new program rate would be 14678
or $7.50 per customer per month. Basic service, just so you know, basic service is 13683. Compared to the 146, the average
customer would be paying about $6 more per month. But I want you to know the way basic service is cured, it's always trailing. So I expect basic service to go up expeditiously starting in August. And I expect you to
be back underneath their rate in August. So make no mistake, everyone can exercise their right to opt out of the program at any time and get back in without fear of penalty. Just be careful if you forget because I think it I actually know because what happened this winter, we had a double
polar vortex first time in I don't know how many years. We're going to have expensive um basic service rates next winter. That's guaranteed. It's locked in because what happened this winter? So, we're in front of you just asking for the authority to sign this contract
so we can get this this rate increase in time so that hopefully when this program gets um adjusted correctly, we're back in line and hopefully we can bring these costs down. But I can answer any questions anyone might have.
I'm still doing math here. >> And I'll just say, so what you were provided was a breakdown of what the costs have been per month, what savings have looked like uh over the course of the contract so far, you know, the overall savings have been 79,788. So it's not a huge number, but you know,
if you're looking in public policy terms, if you're saving money on this at all, if it's $1, you could argue it's it's a good thing. So 79,788 for for residents and and other users that we've saved. Um, and you know, that's the goal overall is to be able to beat the the basic service rate over a long period of
time, but it's also just a good thing for us to have the option in case uh there's a difficult winter. So, that's what I'll say. >> So, would be changing the contract, the present contract, >> we would be in increasing the rate by essentially a cent, which is a lot. Um,
but what it does is it gives us this buffer from these daisy costs. Um, and we would be sure to me message this to residents. will put out information about it. Colonial Power Group is good at that and will help us. They'll there'll be a mailer sent out. Is that what we typically do, Mark?
>> Andrew, only because of the nature of this one, it's so difficult to explain what we were going to do is update the website, get you something. So, I don't know if you push anything out, but that we could do that just because >> Daisy um ancillary services costs are
very difficult to explain. We just want to let everyone know the rates are going up. their option is they can opt out if they'd like. That's not never a problem. They can just make sure that they check back come, you know, July and August because I promise you this basic service rates are going to rock. >> Yep.
>> Promise you. >> Yeah. And that's on us. Just make sure the communication's good. >> I guess the question that I still have is that we went through twothirds or three quarters of the year and we were on the losing side
of where this fee was set. And until now that we're finally on the winning side of it, now we want to continue to now we want to up that rate even further. >> Well, what do you mean by that? That that we were on the if you look at the graph on the the dollar amount that they had set. >> Mhm.
>> And if you look in the projections or not the projections, but the totals, we the first five or six lines of it were not saving anything. the power company's making money off of the rate that we were paying because we were paying a higher rate than what the basic service
was. Now we're getting told that now all of a sudden because they're it's costing them more to provide the power now you want to up our rate that we've already contractually agreed to. So for us it seems like it'd be better business for us to keep our rate where it's at rather than to increase it.
>> Or am I missing something massive here? >> So sorry. Go ahead. >> So in the contract It allows for this daisy pass through and this pass through once it goes over three mills the supplier has the ability to I just want
you to know they're not they're not passing through anything other than cost that's all but the contract allowed them because this cost just started it started a year old no one wanted to fix the cost so we did it as a passive
unfortunately for everyone involved this cost exploded ISO New England understands they made a a mistake with their with their guidance. They're going to make that change, but contractually we're obligated to make this change to the contract with the price. At no time
are we going to pay more that than the actual cost of Daisy to happen at no time. >> Right. But if it's a pass through cost, why would why would it matter if we aggregate and change our rate to a higher level if it's going to pass
through that level anyway? Because what is being proposed to bring it to is still less than what the like the burden fee is going to be. And if you're saying that it's projected that things are going to come back down after the winter, why wouldn't we keep our rates
where they're at so that we don't continue to pay more for the following years? So the the supplier has already paid for uh Hatfield uh an extra $109,000 due to this event that that went on. So
all they're doing is recouping those costs. Once we get those costs and we hope I'm saying to you we hope that ISO makes these adjustments we'll be able to readjust our rate down. That's the hope. But right now, we we need to pay back
dollars that have been spent on behalf of the Hatfield uh aggregation. >> So, uh the chart that we have, you know, breaks down what savings looked like uh for for everybody and that you can see where it's positive numbers down at the bottom. So, December 23 says total
savings 14,000. So, that means we saved those months. recent months it's been much closer because we actually been above basic service for a couple months. So for some of those months we were paying slightly more than than uh basic service um which is you know what we
might have for for these next few months as well. But then you make up for it in the months when basic services goes incredibly high and then you know residents need that option. So the most of the savings have come from the earlier months of this contract. Definitely the the most the first year,
year and a half. Um yeah, I mean it's it's just it's it's why we have this is to have the option. >> Well, yeah, but I I agree with Lucas like when we when when it should have cost less, we were still paying the same rate. We didn't get any money back. So
now it's paying more. They want more money. Well, they meaning let's just make sure we're we're we're clear on who who they is. That's that's the supplier themselves, right? That's and who has this this Daisy provision that has kicked in in the last what six months, Mark?
>> That's correct. So, I just >> So, one more time, I'm going to try. So, on a uh and I don't know if that chart's in there. It shows all the Daisy cost. It has the the orange line at the bottom. It had a orange line at the bottom and it had a green. Yeah, that exact charge.
So the guidance on the orange line at the bottom that that was what ISO said what we thought would be a good we put an extra three bills on it. three times what that ISO told us. Unfortunately, for everyone involved, supplier, you me,
everyone, the cost exploded. And I'm using the word exploded because with in total in total on on the for this cost, it's 06780 678 almost 2 cents. They said it was
going to be one/10enth of a penny. That's how far off they are. So because this cost is passive, they're not going to make any money off. Once once we pay it off, the rate can come down. Now the
problem is is will will these costs come down or not? That's the ISO saying yes, we know we have a mistake and we're going to go to the FK and we're going to work to get this done before next winter. But again,
given the guidance they gave us here originally. We thought we were protecting the town because we put a little bit of extra on that didn't turn out to be the case. >> But that brings back my question from the last meeting of why wouldn't we just keep the rate that we are currently
paying. We have a contract that's signed. Do we not? >> Correct. We have a contract that says these daisy costs are passed through and they they have the right to recoup them. That's why we're in front of you now. They've called and said, "Hey, listen.
We'd like to get this change made. We we need to recoup these funds." Inside that contract, it says after 3 mills, they have the ability once they're burned through the the the cushion and it's three mills more, they can come to the town and ask for that pass through to be
uh collected. >> So, it's a contract structure question. We could have paid more in the beginning and had rates higher if we wanted to try to avoid this larger payback later, but we were following the guidance that was out there for these new costs, thinking that they weren't going to be anywhere near as high as they've turned out. So,
>> according to the chart, we were paying more. >> What do you mean >> to the graph? >> We were pay we were paying a higher rate throughout the first six months of the year. >> Which which chart? >> Yep. We were paying the green the upper green line
is the rate that we paid and according to this chart >> in the paren you have some in the first six months of the year all in parenthesis those are not savings those are >> we don't actually start seeing savings until the bottom part of the chart >> the bottom of the chart is going um
December 23 is the bottom so we're working backwards >> in that >> okay >> okay >> so still >> so and it's kind of showing two different things. >> Correct. That's your savings for basic service. >> So here we're comparing our rate
>> to the basic service rate. >> That's correct. >> This is comparing the what we're paying to the towards these daisy costs to the actual recoverable Daisy costs available to the supplier. >> That is correct. >> So sorry, there's two there there's an apples to to to Paris comparison
happening here. >> That is correct 100%. Yes. You're looking at savings compared to basic service on the quarterly report and we were showing you daisy cost on what's affecting the rate. >> So our savings compared to basic service that's just not it's nice to know but
it's not real money. It's not like we we now have this extra set of money we can use for something compared to these daisy costs where if we are saving enough and we come out ahead um and can pay off the the the supplier in the case that the the costs end up higher then
fine. That's nice. But if we're behind, like that's real money that they actually can come back and say you owe us. So we need to change the rate to go higher in order to to pay them back those rates when they come back to us. If that makes sense. >> You want to say if the let's just say the Daisy cost came in where they said
at some point if if Andrew wanted to we could have lowered the rate because in the contract it goes both ways. It's not like they could have held on to your money because they were collecting, >> right? >> I'm saying in this scenario it's both ways. The unfortunate thing is we're on the
wrong side of it this time. Now again, down the road, I fully expect ICE in New England to make this change and things to fall back in the line. I I know when you bought power, I know where power is today. This contract is going to deliver savings down the road. Make no mistake about that. The question is when because
basic service doesn't have all the daisy cost in it yet. coming to a basic service rate near you in August of 2026. >> Right? >> So, what it the upshot is for the average resident in town, if they're on the A program, they're going to be
paying $6 a month more in energy costs. U is that right, Mark? $6 a month. >> Andrew, $7.50 more upon the aggregation rate, but more than basic service is exactly correct. $6 more than basic service per month.
>> Yeah, >> real money. It's a lot. So, we can be telling people like if you want to switch to to the basic service, that's absolutely available to you and it's it's not difficult to do. We'll have a full explainer on how to do that. Um, but also, you know, it's it's it's
unfortunate this is happening. At the same time, $6 a month, it's not going to break any families for the most part. So, that's where we're at. And what happens if we say no? >> Uh the cost could be higher later. We'll have a shorter runway uh to make up for these costs that are going to come in.
Um if we say no, I'd assume that we'll be uh I don't think we'd be in any advantage at a legal proceeding with with a supplier who comes in saying that we owe these costs based on how the contract works. So uh we'd need to pay up at some point. The argument is if we
do it now, then we have a longer runway uh of of rates. Yes, higher, but they could be even higher later if we wait to to make the change. If we need to raise a certain amount of money, we'll have to do a higher increase later in the in the contract. >> So then if Daisy continues to increase in the future, we're going to have to
raise rates again. >> Yes. >> Correct. If if it was to happen, that is correct. That is correct. But I don't I don't expect that to happen only given the event that happened in January. ISO New England is on top of this because
they know they've made a huge mistake. They've made a huge mistake. >> This isn't this isn't only affecting, you know, Hatfield. I know you're concerned with Hatfield, but this isn't only affecting Hatfield's aggregation, right? This is affecting, you know, there's a lot of aggregations in Franklin County and in the Burkshares
under the same thing. This is this is going to get people are going to be talking about this to Mark's point. You know, they know they screwed up plus, you know, a lot of aggregations are being affected in the same manner. So, >> yeah. >> Well, it is sort of crazy because gas
prices keep going down, you know, at this time. And so, I mean, I'm not sure what what fuel they're using to power these plants, whether it be natural gas or oil. >> Uh, >> both. And
>> oh, natural gas and oil. Yes. Number seven, jet fuel, some LM LG. But yes, not gasoline though. Not not gasoline. Natural gas, not gasoline. So, it sounds like we're at an impass
here. I think we might need another time to think about it. I guess I don't know. >> Is there anything we can try to get to to to try to sign a contract? I mean, um I I understand if you need more information, but it it could help us to to move more quickly. I in my
>> I I guess the the problem what I'm hearing is that we had a contract we're paying set up for a lower rate. Now the rates are jumped. So they want to change the contract. It's not their fault that the rates are jumping. It's how they set it up, I guess, with whoever they bought
from. No, but we set we have this contract so that this wouldn't happen. All right. >> Yeah. We this the contract is set up to minimize risk. In this case, there was a risk built into it that anyone who was looking at the the industry thought it
wasn't going to be as high as it was. We structured in a certain way. Um we structured it with the information that we had at the time. And unfortunately, the the the reality of the program has been that the costs are going to be much higher for for us. And this is something that towns across the
state are dealing with and it's very likely going to change moving forward. They'll they'll be changing regulations on it. For right now, it means that we need to either act now and change what the contract looks like to have a a manageable increase right now or risk
having a larger uh increase in the future um that's paid over a shorter amount of time, which would probably hit our our residents harder. But we can do it either way. It's it's it's absolutely fine. It's just most likely we're going to need to pay these costs and we'll have to I don't I don't see a a system
of recovering it beyond paying for this. >> I mean, I guess that's my other question. >> If we do it if we do it now, we're sort of rolling the dice that it's going to happen. >> Well, we know that we owe money. We know that the the supplier is asking for
these these Day cost recoveries. Who's who's we other than the town buildings? Like are maybe I'm misunderstanding. >> This isn't town buildings. This is this is a program called the aggregation uh community power choice, right? Where all um residents and other payers, other
folks are opted into the program. They can opt out if they want to. They are they are in. So my question is is that other than townowned buildings, we keep saying that we are going to have to pay this back. Who is who is we? >> It's everybody who's part of the
program. >> So that just if they if we say no, >> yeah, >> they're going to just get a bill mailed to them for the difference broken out at whatever percentage of power they use compared to everyone else. >> How would they even go about collecting it >> at at some point? Yeah. I mean, how does
it get collected? I I I don't know. I assume they would just some point have to raise the rates on us or something to recover these costs. I'm not sure how it would work. I don't know, Mark, if you've ever seen that happen. >> But just so that everyone knows though in in um in in aggregation, it comes
right on your uh what would be your Western Mass electric bill ever source if you will on your and it just it just states that it's Hatfield aggregation if you're part of it. uh first point power and that rate is currently that that uh
13434 that's going to go up and that's the only change that would happen. It's just that single line item. It wouldn't be on a separate bill or anything like that. It's just >> Mark I think the question is what if we don't if if we don't increase this what is the cost recovery method that the
that the supplier has and how does it end up hitting residents in the town? Well, at that point, people would So, at that point, they'll end up just I guess it would become a court case, right? Because you have a contractual obligation to pass through these costs and then it would end up being some
litigation of some sort >> and the town would would be Yeah, it would be against the town, I assume. >> Yeah, that's correct. You have a contract with the town. It would end up fighting it out and so forth, you know. I I I don't I don't I could ask our
attorney what how that would play out. Um, I don't know. But, you know, they're willing to wait. One of the reasons we wanted to move swiftly on this one is because usage comes down at this time. There's going to be a discount on your electricity bill at this time. All of those things were playing in our favor,
right? So, usage is high in the winter time and again in summertime. So, what we were thinking was is implement this right now and and less impactful during March and April. Daisy costs are less. Hopefully we're we're chewing up much more of that uh that overage quicker
than than later. That that's the hope that we're using because it's the winter time that's the big problem because we have a natural gas capacity issue. So in the summertime great daisy costs as you can see they're not as expensive because we have plenty of natural gas. But the
sooner we get started the easier it is to pay this down. That that's the that's the goal. whether or not we don't have to do it this month. We can come back and talk to you again if we can. You know, you know, it's completely up to the board. Just, you know, right now
we're doing it for 18 or 20 towns in Franklin County and all the virtues. Just so that you're aware that they've all agreed to move forward with, you know, with this increase, if you will. >> Y >> but that doesn't mean you have to. >> No, we can have this. >> I'm just saying to you, we're going it's
going to increase, right? At some point there'll be another increase. We'll say right now I think it's like give me one second. I think it was like 19,000 110,000. Maybe it's 112 or 115,000. Then it goes to 120. What what happens? Again I expect it to be actually it will
probably come down starting in March and April because we're already collecting four mills and it's probably going to be below that given that historic that we saw last March was starting to eat away at it. Okay. I guess they'll >> Is there information that would be
helpful for you to have for >> future? >> Honestly, this contract runs out at the end of this year, right? >> We've extended till the end of 28. >> Right. >> 28. >> 2028, >> I think. >> So, what's Colonial's power stake in this? >> December 202.
>> So, Col the select board member asked what Colonial Power Group's stake is in this. Our fee is 0.01 1/10enth of a penny. So on that 13434
without our fee it would be 133 uh 34. So everyone understands that right it's a tenth of a penny per kilowatt hour >> which is to the average homeowner >> the average homeowner they say to use
for a month is six uh 600 kilow >> what's that convert to dollars >> for our fees or for for the for the increase >> it gets passed on to the consumer like me >> but but for the daisy cost or for colonial seed Per colonial speed. That's
the question. >> It's 60 cents. >> The average user is paying about 60 cents a month. >> About 60 cents a month. That's correct. >> Using 600 kilow. If you use a little bit more, you're paying a little bit more. If you use a little less, you're paying a little less.
>> But in that range. And so the benefit is if the rates go up a little bit, the colonial help help by keeping it down, but if it goes up a lot, nobody helps. Is that is that what I'm getting? >> I guess I'm still just lost on the
savings here. If we look at the chart from when we started the back in December of 23 and you add up like the numbers really aren't even like close. It's It's $79,000 so far of the
length of the contract. So, is it a huge savings? It's not massive, but I mean, it doesn't really cost us very much >> and it's something that that's available to us that really helps in the toughest months. Um, >> but it's it
I very well could be wrong here, but I don't think it's 79 of savings. I think it's 79,000 in expenditure. So the month where you see the negative that means a negative savings. So that means we're paying more. That's just the way the chart is structured. The the positive months we've saved money,
>> right? So the the ones that are in parenthesis in the far right column. >> Yeah. >> Those are costs. >> The if they're in parenthesis, then we we're paying more than the basic cost. >> Correct. And when you do that out, it comes out in the ones in parenthesis are
a total of $89,481. the ones not in parenthesis is a total of $169,271 giving you a delta $79,790 that we have paid additionally over the basic service rate. When I added this up
that the it was $79,000 was what I got from from my my chart was $79,000 in savings over the length. But you what did you get? >> I get $79,000 but in additional like it not in savings.
because it's mo and it's mostly those bottom ones from 23 through 24. >> Those are the ones where we were saving, right? Just so we're on the same page. If the if the number is positive, that means we are saving. >> Mine don't show as positive and negative. Mine are in parenthesis and nonp parenthesis. >> But look, the a rate is uh
>> non parenthesis is we are saving >> because we're under the a rate. Sorry, we're under the basic service rate. The a rate is 13. The basic service is 14 down at the bottom, December 23. So that's a month where we saved 14,000. >> Yeah,
>> that's okay. >> And Mark and Denise, you have to go to another community, right? >> No, >> I I I do. Unfortunately, I apologize if we just need to wait till the next I'll let the supplier know that we're not going to make the rate change for uh for
March and we can continue this conversation. I' I'd like to be there in person. It'll make it easier. I just I think we're we're mixing apples and oranges and there's just um there's a bunch of charts, right? One of them the daisy cost, the other ones are savings for the contract and I I think they're
confusing the two and I don't want anyone to be confused. I want them to have all the information and it's straight in their head. That's all. I think, you know, I'm happy to come back or come out to see you again, Andrew. You know, just to make sure everyone is comfortable with with all the information. Make no mistake.
Well, uh, I'm happy to catch up with folks here at some point and we can, uh, we'll we'll see where we're at after we've had a chance to digest just a little bit. Um, and then Mark, you and I will touch base. Um, but I, it sounds like there's consensus from this group not to sign anything tonight,
>> right? Okay, good. That's fine. >> I'll be in touch, Andrew. Thank you so much. >> Thanks, Mark. Thanks, Denise. >> Okay. Have a good night. Okay, we were out of order, so I forgot the consent, the minutes. Uh, do I have
a motion on the minutes? >> I'll make a motion to approve January 27 meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Motion made, motion seconded. Any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Uh, under posted business, we'll go back to topic one.
Topic one is actually we have minimum water rate, minimum sewer rate and minimum egg rate. Meaning if somebody's using less than 500 uh cubic feet for
water or less than 250 cubic feet for sewer or less than uh 800 cubic feet for agricultural, they have a fee of $75 for the minimum on the
water and the sewer and I think 5456 six. So, since we switched to billing, we just want to split that in half. We're not requesting an increase on these rates. We're just requesting to split that $75 in half. So, it would be
37.50 per billing cycle on the water, $37.50 50 for the billing cycle on a sewer and $28 on the billing cycle for the egg usage. But these are just for people that are
using the minimum amounts. And again, they're not increases whatsoever. They're just taking what we normally charge for the minimum rate and splitting in half. So,
uh, any any discussion on on this? And with that, I will accept the motion. I have to have three motions on each one. >> I'll make a motion to set the minimum bill for water usage at 3750 for those
using 500 cubic feet HCF per billing cycle or less. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? Um, all in favor? I motion carries. >> Make a motion to set minimum bill for sewer usage at $37.50 for those using
250 HCF per billing cycle or less. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. >> A motion to set the minimum bill for agricultural usage at $28 for those using 800 HCF per billing cycle or less.
Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Okay. Topic four. Do we have anybody going to be present here? >> We do. Uh they're they're joining us online. Um you'll see we have George
Frost and Jay Barry uh who are here to talk to us about uh the work that they're doing uh with the uh state association of regional schools. Um I'll let them introduce themselves to talk about uh proposed regional district. before they introduce themselves. Uh I
just want to be be clear that what we're discussing for the people of town of Hatfield, it's not set in stone. It's nothing definite. This is just a discussion and if we ever did go and be part of Smith folk under a regional
program, it would be up to the town to decide. So, I just want to be clear out there that this is just discussing purposes before we get into this and I and I hope that we >> conference will now be recorded. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Gentlemen, you're you're able to hear me, I guess. Is that correct? >> Yes, we can. >> Okay. I'm sorry for uh for the delay. Uh normally Jay would uh would give the presentation, but um I'll hopefully be a reasonable backup for him. I've I've
heard him do it several times. Um, my name is George Frost. I'm a a former superintendent of schools uh in several places. Jay, uh, like me is also a retired superintendent and we're part of a group that's known as the Mars, which
is the Mass Association of Regional Schools consulting group. We've been working on a number of projects uh, with regional uh, school implications over the last 15 or so years. Um we have been
engaged uh back in November uh by Smith Agricultural Vocational High School uh to help them uh look at some options and develop with them some options uh for
them to move forward. Uh Smith uh agricultural um vocational high school is a unique high school, a unique school in the state of Massachusetts. It is a school
that was uh initiated many >> He just froze. Yeah, it >> is. >> This a Comcast issue we're having. >> Yes, it is. >> They're coming out tomorrow. >> Says up here. Organizers is experienced
technical difficulties. Unless the organizer rejoins, the session will end soon. >> Oh, I don't know if I >> maybe have them back at the next meeting. I don't know if uh we could >> if we're having audio. >> The internet dropped out four times last
night to the school committee. >> Four times. >> Yeah. >> Why don't we do that? I mean, >> well, if we can get right back in, let's just try to get this done. Um, >> we keep going offline. We got
>> finance coming in at 6:30, too. So, >> yeah, it's only >> We won't have a quum from finance. >> I mean, he can't tell. He can't hear us. He's >> Is he? >> Yeah. >> Oh, I think I'm coming back.
>> I'm back. Jay, try try speaking. >> Um, >> his headphones >> as as soon as he comes back on, I'll let him pick up. But >> you're doing great, George. Essentially um the uh as I said Smith is concerned
about a sustainability of program and in particular they're concerned about the uh the conditions of building D which is uh houses their some of their core uh vocational programs it's uh home to
their carpentry shop their cabinetry shop electrical mechanical uh there are some programs to the art department uh some of which are vocational, some of which are uh on the academic side of things uh as well as
some academic classrooms. The building is uh Jay and I had the opportunity to tour the building uh back in December. Uh the building is is really in in difficult condition right now. Um and that's one of the issues that that Smith
is is looking at uh as they move forward. Part of the issue for Smith is because it is not a public school, it is not eligible to receive MSBA funding. uh they they are not able to put in a
statement of interest with mass building uh ma the state buildings uh uh group and um so they're looking at how are there ways that they can possibly uh look to sustain their program and also
begin to do some of the capital uh improvements that need to to happen. Uh we as I've said met we met with several communities. We had a conversation with uh uh town administrator Lavine and uh
Superintendent Driscoll a while back and we are we're pleased that you folks were willing to listen to a presentation uh from us this evening. Um what we are looking at initially is
asking the sending communities that a question of whether or not they would be willing to participate in a regionalization study along with other communities to potentially uh turn Smith from its current state uh as into a
regional uh school district. If that were to happen, um the uh the the process itself uh could take several years to get to a point where a decision would be made. Um it's during that uh
during that process of of 2 3 years perhaps perhaps even as far many as four uh to come to a conclusion that would would give the definitive information regarding the financial implications for each of the communities. Uh the process
after that period of time would have to go back to each of the the towns uh and the towns would have to vote uh to um to join the region uh and it would have to end up being a unanimous vote uh to have
the the region actually come into uh into existence. So it's it's a process that would be timeconuming um but it would if it reached the regional status the upfront point is one of the first things that would happen is
that Smith would have to then seriously consider submitting a statement of interest uh to Mass School Building uh to probably um build a new building D uh and replace it fully in a after replacement probably
to a tear down in the existing building. Um so we're coming and we're we're talking with selectmen where we have where we're able to um because ultimately the decision is is a is a townbased decision
because the the the joining a region is a is a town decision rather than simply a school decision. Um the u you know one of the you know we want to be make sure that we're upfront uh where
we Smith has probably um probably 10 to 15 communities that send some number of reasonable number of students. But there are probably uh 50
or plus communities that send one or you know one or more students. There are many many communities that send one or two or three students. Um if if obviously it uh the regional uh study
reached a conclusion where a regional school district was going to be established. Um there would be uh an assessment rather uh on the member communities, but there is also within the state the opportunity
um to uh do a a search charge on tuition uh for sending districts for their students. That would be a a capital uh increase on top of the existing tuition. Um,
so in a in a general sense, that's really why we're here in front of you tonight. Um, is to to lay the the plan out. You may want to discuss it. Uh, obviously beyond this evening. Uh,
there's no judgment. uh it will be uh it will be something that a number of communities may find to be something that they would like to participate in, but there may be some communities that will uh be less inclined to uh to want
to participate in a in a regional in a regional study. So, with that general overview, I know you've got a I'm sure you've got an agenda this evening that you need to get to. Um so what we're asking is whether you would be able
would be interested in uh in attend in participating in a regional study. We may reach a point where um because there will be a cost to the regional uh study but probably in the high five figures
um we're hoping that we will be able to approach Desi the Department of Education or perhaps the state to receive a grant. um that would fund the study. But there is a possibility if we don't get that kind of funding that
there could be uh some uh some uh charge uh to fund the study by uh the participating communities. Um we will be meeting Tessie and hopefully we'll have an answer to to that question
later on this month. We're now actually Jay and I as we've gone through this with several communities, we're now thinking that we may be at least asking um Sandy communities if they would be willing uh to attend a meeting with all of the other communities where we will
attempt to bring more definitive information regarding the cost of the study etc. uh uh to all of the sending communities who are willing to at least attend that meeting. So, that's kind of a quick overview of uh of where we are.
Uh I don't know if there are any questions that you might have that we could try to answer this evening to help you make the >> Well, I mean, >> does anyone have any questions that you want me to to forward to them and get for next time or? Well, I think for next
time I I think before we we before I could commit to anything, I I'd like to see what like the school committee thinks of something like that. >> Sure. >> What the superintendent thinks is something like that. Uh I mean there's a
lot of decisions have to be made because their cost is a big factor. What's it going to cost us and what's the pros and cons of regionalization? I mean, that's what the stud is supposed to bring out. So, I mean, I I do think
Smith School is a great school, but I I have to look at what's in the best interest of the town of Hatfield. So, I I have to see what people are thinking. And I think if you don't have support of the school committee and the schools to
just look at this, then I don't see any point of moving forward. But I'd like to have that's just my opinion. And I'll let you guys add in here. >> Yeah. I mean, it'd be nice if they had better clarification if this was going to be something that Desi was going to
cover the cost of before we make a decision to be to enter into this study or not. I think the other thing to look at too is not sure how the charter with Hatfield being so connected to Smith is different. If it's different from other towns, if we're the same as other towns,
does it make sense for us to regionalize? Um, >> right. >> All that. >> Well, I'm sorry. What do you mean by that? That was >> So if because we have the connection to Smith, >> right, already. >> Yeah. I I'm just I have no And I don't have
the answer to that. I I think but it's something that we probably should do some research on to find out are are do we operate differently being so closely connected with Smith as the other sending than the other sending towns do? >> Under the will of uh Oliver Smith. So
how that applies? >> That's a great question >> because we could I mean depending on the way it reads like >> it might not apply to us or it might hold true. So >> excellent question. >> Really good point. Yeah.
>> So we'll get a conversation going to schools um and we'll follow up for some more clarification on these costs and we'll also check the the will just to see if there's anything else that we should know about for for how we're affected. I mean, and the other part too, it seems like the reason that they're pushing for this regionalization
has helped to spread the cost out of that building the building. So, if there's have there been preliminary design drawings yet, do we know what the cost of that building is? If you broke that out amongst like what would Hatfield's percentage share be for that
building alone if we were to regionalize? >> Yep. any any of those big financial decisions is going to probably strongly change the opinions of the town's people whether it's something that we want to be involved in or not >> or probably just the tuition will go up too. So
>> I Yeah, I'm not sure. >> No doubt. >> No doubt about that, Mike. >> Yeah, I I think that's the key question really is is how does it change what um towns people would take on as capital costs? Because in these regional agreements typically you fix a capital cost based on usually population or
number of of sending students but typically population uh and it would be significantly higher than our current arrangement right uh for capital costs. So we'd have to decide if we want to be a part of that and have the the benefits that go along with it which includes representation on a a regional school
committee which is nice. you'd have some some say in the way they go, but we'd be taking on more costs >> for sure. >> Do we have any say in the arrangement now? >> I don't we have no role in the governance of Smith of Smith.
>> No, >> we just send our kids there. >> Right. >> It's all all run by all the trustees. >> Right. Right. >> Okay. All right. Well, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, if we can get some more insight, then we can certainly make better decisions. All right, we'll start with that.
>> Um, let's see. We don't Are we having uh more than one member of the finance committee here tonight? >> Uh, John Wils is a strong Navy. So, we might just have David tonight. >> So, want me to do we want to move along with our agenda or do we want to go with the finance committee? I
>> I say we get the rest of the agenda done and then do finance. Okay. >> As long as David doesn't mind. >> Give John a chance. Okay. Uh, so topic five is a change order number six for the Hatfield water treatment plant.
And the way I understand this, and Marlo can correct me if I'm wrong, it looks to me that one of the items, the baskets are something that uh we might have to purchase in the future anyways, and they would be more expensive. So, it's a good
time to buy it now. And the other change order would be for repairing an existing pipe that's in place. Do I would I have that correct? And >> spot on. >> Okay. So, one change orders of $5,462.50 for the uh four 1/16th inch perforated
baskets for the Dupless basket train uh strainer. But in the future, if we waited, then it's going to those those prices will probably cost more and something that we'll have to buy in the future anyways. And the other repair is something that's needed. It's a repair
of the existing scum tipping. Uh we are in quarifier number one. They and they want to repair it and the cost of that $2,4198. And that's the request for the change orders. So, uh, is there any questions on these change orders?
>> Nope. >> No, I can make >> that being said, do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve change order six for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades project. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I.
>> Motion carries. >> I'd like to make one quick note about uh future change orders for this project as well. This this is a good thing. This is fact that we are uh still in a very positive position on the project. We haven't had to use a significant amount of contingency. It's looking like uh
we'll end up with with a good surplus, but as a reminder, surplus in this project means money we really should try to spend is a rare case of that because uh this is the USDA's money at this point. Uh we are basically into the grant portion of the project. So, at
this point, we'd want to find uh some change orders to make uh to make good use of this USDA money. Uh it's looking like we will be able to add generators to this project um connected to the the wastewater uh treatment system. Uh so two generators. Uh we had looked at
doing it through our prime contractor on this WM Schultz. The prices they came back with were higher than we would really expect for this project and wouldn't quite fit under the uh the amount that we have left on the project with adding in a healthy contingency and some other funds. So what we're planning
to do is to do a separate bid. USDA has approved it. Um DPC Engineering is preparing that. So we'll get that out the door in the next few weeks. See where the numbers come in. But we're very hopeful that we think we'll get pretty good numbers on an additional bid for these generators. Probably better
numbers than Schultz gave us just for whatever reason. And uh we'll move forward with that as soon as uh the bid is out the door. But uh there isn't a risk right now of not being able to cover that through the USDA money that they're aware of it. They want to be able to make this happen. They'll extend it out as they need to. And we're in
this grant portion anyway, so we don't need to worry about our loans or anything else. >> Fantastic. >> Yeah, it should be all right. >> Is this a replacement or a second generator? >> Replacement uh two two new generators. >> Yeah. Uh at two lift stations that stations, excuse me, that don't have them.
>> And we should. >> Yeah. >> I believe King Street's one of them and I forgot the other. Ferry Street. >> Yeah. >> Y >> Ferry. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Topic six would be review potential warrant articles. That's just
a uh we don't really need to get into this. >> We don't really need to talk about this very much. I'll give you a very quick overview. Uh obviously we need to set the the warrant for town meeting by the end of April. We'll sign it at the end of April. We'll it'll begin to take more form over the next few weeks. Uh we do
have a um a deadline that we had given to department heads and boards and commissions to have uh warrant articles come in by February 6th. That was last Friday. We didn't have a lot come in yet. A lot of times these things do come in closer to to the date of the meeting,
but right now we just don't have a ton of warrant articles, which I'd be happy to keep it that way. Um I think we'll have enough to handle between the budget, capital improvement, and community preservation act. So, you know, we'll have our our normal number one uh setting town elections. We'll
have some general town articles like we normally do, including snow and ice, and don't get Marlo started on that, but he'll he'll have more to say later, uh probably next month. And then, uh operating budget, revolving fund as always, um some financial housekeeping. We'll have a bond authorization to
resend. We have some past project to council we'll be able to close. they'll most likely want to similar to what we did at the special town meeting, close those and and help supplement the this year's budget with that, but we might not have to. Um, a prior year's bill, um, capital improvement, community
preservation, and then one thing for your review. No need to get into this tonight, but it's an early draft um of new guidelines uh that will be uh in our zoning for battery energy storage systems. This is something that the state has been doing
a lot of work on. they they've they've done some uh changing of the general laws around making this making the the zoning for this more permissible across the state. So, there'll be more of these uh battery energy storage systems coming
into towns across the state unless you you add some more protections around it. Uh there's things you're allowed to do, not allowed to do, kind of like with their general rules around ADUs and other things. So, um planning board is working on this. they've learned more about this best than than you ever thought they might and uh they'll have
some good rules coming for this. So, uh we'll learn more about this soon, but just wanted to let you know that that it's here. If you're interested in the early draft, here it is. Um and that's uh that's bylaws at the moment. >> Okay. Topic seven is uh some
appointments. Do I have a motion on the appointments? >> Make a motion to appoint Matt Aopian to Recreation Commission. >> Second. Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Another motion.
>> I'm going to abstain from this. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. >> Marwa wants to discuss on this mo this appointment. Is this >> Yeah. Do you do you want to give a quick intro? Sure. Sure. >> Uh, as as we all know, >> if you wanted to, but you don't have to.
>> Uh, as we all know, we had a laborers position open. Um I've received um actually five applicants, but one of them came in after an offer was made. Um so we ended up interviewing two. Um I tried to schedule with the third um and
wasn't able to. I had to keep moving moving the interview. So um the uh the applicant um pulled his application. Um so out of the interview process um
John Mesi uh I guess uh came to the top. Um it was a very good interview. Um he's certainly um has a good start on knowledge and skill set to become a good DPW worker. Um he's well on his way. Um
he also worked for us for summer help in 2024. So he kind of knows some of the guys. He knows what we do in the summer. Um it's to my understanding that he's done a little bit of snow plowing. He's learning his way on that. Um so uh he'd
probably come at a good time right now. Um so I highly recommend we bring him aboard. Um I asked 15 questions, a set of questions in an interview and he handled them quite well and um he explained how he wanted to advance. He
wants to get right after his hoisting license uh if he was to come aboard. So, um I think he'd be a good fit um for our laborers position. >> Okay. Um entertain a motion. >> Um I will if you tell me how to
pronounce his last name. >> Meski. >> Is it Muski? Okay. >> I had to ask four times. It's okay. >> I knew it was a catch when I saw the J. Motion to appoint I'd like to make a motion to appoint John Meski to the as a highway labor. >> I'll second that. Uh and you abstaining? >> Mhm.
>> Okay. One abstaining. Uh all in favor? I >> I motion carries two four one abstain. So >> he'll be starting Tuesday, the day after the holiday. >> Fantastic. >> Okay. And topic eight, uh two more
topics to go and John's not here yet. Okay. So, okay. Uh topic eight, annual >> approval of rates rate adjustment request for Walter Merrick, Inspector of Buildings. And the only question I have
on that is um the money. It says under hours, then it says uh what $1,800. So, >> it's an $1,800 stipend given out twice per year. Um it's a uh broken out into
two $900 payments. >> Because we're already halfway through the year, it'll just be one $900 payment this year. >> Okay. So, that's a stip. Okay. and we we we're happy that he is uh willing to take on the responsibilities as an
assistant >> building inspector. So, >> he's been very on top of it. He's come in through all his paper. >> It's $1,800 >> twice a year. So, 3,600 or is it 900? >> It's $1,800 uh dollars paid in two installments of 900. >> Oh, okay.
>> So, 900 uh twice a year. >> Yep. >> Not that I have a problem with that. I was just curious. >> No, no, no. It's it's a good question. Weird how it reads on. >> Yeah, that's how it raises twice a year. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's right. >> Okay. Do I have a motion on that? >> I'll make a motion to approve the wage salary rate adjustment for request for
Walter Merrick, Inspector of Buildings, alternate. >> Second. >> Motion made. Motion seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. And the last topic before we go into the town administrator and committee finance budget overview is
uh Cecilia Harvey. At the last meeting, we asked if there could be payments of some sort made y >> and what what has occurred. >> Yeah. So, this board was looking to try to get some kind of payment uh representing about half what's owed. So, right now there's still a total of $3,132 it's owed. We're looking for some
kind of payment to at least cut that in half and then perhaps going on to a payment plan. I spoke to the conservator. Uh she really does not have anything in in in funds right now. She receives about $70 a month right now after the expenses that go towards the
the nursing home. So, she said she's willing to to put in $10 a month as long as we can just to to do something. Um but it it really is a situation where there's not a lot of of money here. So, she'd like to at least try to be doing something and wants to put in $10 a
month. That's what she can offer at the moment. >> I mean, in that case, I'm not interested in abating it and we will gladly accept her $10 a month. >> All right. We'll keep going. >> Okay. >> Um, >> that's just my opinion, unless you guys feel differently.
>> So, that's the proposed payment plan. I don't I think we would need a motion for that. And I I don't know. You probably don't need a motion for that um because it's not an abatement. So, we'll just put on that plan >> between the treasur and the W director
>> unless uh we have consensus on that. That sounds >> go. Yeah. I mean, I think we're we're not going to collect. It sounds like there's no opportunity for us to collect more than the $10 a month. And us by us not abating it, we're not saying setting
a further precedent that we're going to do this in the future either. >> Okay. So you saying we need a motion in that? >> I don't think we do. >> I don't think so either. >> There's no abatement. >> So >> you're gonna freeze what she owes though.
>> That's That's correct. >> Yeah, I think we should do that. >> Yeah, that sounds >> That sounds pretty good. >> Yeah, the interest might be more than the >> I think you're on to something. >> Yeah. >> Okay. topic. Well, we got topic 10 and
then we got the finance committee budget overview. So, uh I suppose you want to go quick on your topic? >> Yeah, I'll go really quick and then we'll do finance and then >> we'll have David come and sit down up here. >> Okay, >> great. Um so, I my first update on
health insurance is really something that I just want to to flag for everyone here that I want to try to do at our next meeting. So, uh Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust has issued their early projections. We'll talk about this when I when I go through uh budgets as well. Um they had uh recommended 20%
increases or 16% increases that are accompanied by plan design changes which would mean we take on plan design changes for employees that would roughly mirror what the the state's GIC does. Um we would add a deductible. Right now our plans do not have any deductibles. They would recommend $500 deductibles and
some other co-pays that are a little higher as well. So in order to uh to do that uh we would need to go through basically the same process that we did when we looked at the GIC to have a meeting with the PEC the the uh public employee commission. Uh and I have a
meeting set up with them on Wednesday tomorrow. And so we will talk about this and some other things. That won't be an official um kickoff of this process but at your next meeting we will intend to do that. And I uh when we did the negotiation before, we really were also
supposed to go to another body as well called the insurance advisory commission. We don't have one of those. We don't have an insurance advisory committee. Uh but we're supposed to um under state law. So I'm recommending that our next meeting uh that the select
board pass a policy uh to clarify who is a member of the insurance advisory committee. It's purely advisory as the name would suggest. They meet once, they consider what's been brought to them for potential changes and then they don't have any votes. It's it but uh that body
is supposed to consist of eight members and it's supposed to include one retiree representatives from each of the public uh sector unions and then uh other people representing the other departments. So we can even discuss tonight or at the next meeting who would
make sense to have in this committee what departments you want represented. So it would include a retiree and then someone from the teachers union, someone from the pair of professionals union from the schools and then someone from the DPW union. That gives you four more spots that you can put people on. You
could have someone from uh town hall employees. You could have someone from um from uh police, fire. You could kind of structure it how you want to. We can kind of spitball on that now. Um, I could work with the chair on what might make sense and then we pass some kind of
policy saying who it is who you'd appoint and I'll also ask uh employees for who would like to be on it as well. >> Right. I mean I I would ask the employees who's interested and so when we do appointment next meeting we'll we'll know who we're appointing. >> Yeah.
>> So that's >> excellent. So and again it's purely advisory but it's something that we are required to have. So, we'll figure that out. Uh, I'm still waiting as well for um proposal from Maya and I'm looking at other options for health insurance just
because we need to look at all our options. Um, group five, we'll talk about an executive session, but I do just want to offer an update to to residents since I know a lot of people are very interested in knowing what's going on. We're corresponding with Gilaer about the report that was
presented on January 12th uh from CI. Giler has requested that an independent engineer review the report and the work itself. The town is is most likely going to pursue this, but we'll we do need to discuss that with the board. We're looking to move this as fast as possible because we really want to finish this uh
as fast as we can. So, one way or another, we need to know what the scope is, what work has to be done, and how we're going to get it done. So, that's what we're trying to do is have a plan ready to go when it's time to start working. Uh Happy Elementary School roof. We had
a great sitewalk last week. Uh, I've been on the roof far too often at the elementary school lately, but you know what? The view's nice and it's less snowy than you'd think. So, it's it's been pretty good. Marlo's been up there a lot, too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. A lot of roof time. Uh, 11 contractors on site. Most of them indicating that they're planning to bid
on the project. Filed sub bids due February 17th. General bids due February 25th. By the 25th, we'll know what our our bids look like for the roof. So, uh, we're hearing good things out there. Um, and there's certainly a lot of interest. I mean, 11 people showing up to go run
around on the roof was pretty good. Um, Dayon project is underway. This is the problem with doing these updates, writing them on a Thursday. Uh, things do change. Dredging was scheduled for the week of February 16th. The contractor has moved along and is already dredging now. So, they're out
there doing the work. They the weather was was uh was good for doing it now. They were ready to go. Uh we had our engineer on site today uh and did some some uh work making sure that they were compliant with with uh the plan. Marlo's
been on out there every day. So it's looking good. Western Earthworks has been good to work with. Um nice to have them as our new neighbors. So all good there. We'll keep you updated, but we're ahead of schedule which is nice. >> Very nice. >> That's what I got. >> Okay. Thank you. I apologize for David. We went over a little bit and we had you
for 6:30. So I guess we can move into uh with the finance committee uh >> with the with the finance David >> overview. So great. Um so here we are. We're at the start of uh our budget review. Over
the next few weeks, we'll make sure that we meet with our department heads and uh boards and commissions. Finance committee has started as well. Um we we had a good meeting last Thursday. Um, I'm still going through all of the requests. There's a few things that are still somewhat up in the air. Health
insurance being one of them. That's a major cost driver. And um, uh, school budget is the other major cost driver. And their budget um, should be um, confirmed in two weeks. So once we have that and once we we feel good about the
number we're locking in for health insurance, I'll be able to start really evaluating the rest of the requests that have come in. As you would expect, we won't be able to fund all of the requests that have come in. Um we are starting from a little bit of a a place behind. Um based on what happened last
fall with uh the the uh levy limit uh being lower than than we realized it it really was uh and the amount that we were uh doing through taxation needed to be lower. uh those cuts and and some other things have resulted in in starting from about $250,000
um behind. At the same time, we have some costs that are coming off the books. So, uh between that and then uh schools looking like their their expenses should be um relatively small for increases um is helpful. What's less helpful is from
last year to this year, health insurance alone has increased by $400,000. So, when you look at what our our budget looks like overall, how much money we have to to spend on on things on new expenses, we we start with um a 2 and a half%
increase to the levy limit of around $265,000. And you add in what we anticipate for new growth. Typically, we anticipate around $65,000. Last year was $100,000. I think this year will look a lot more like the $100,000. So, say we have $365,000
uh of new spending that we can add while feeling pretty good about about things. We already have $400,000 that we need to account for in the health insurance costs if they're as high as we're talking about now uh through the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust. So, that's the reality that we're in. I I see a number of areas where we can
make some some uh reasonable cuts. Um but we also need to to look at if there's any uh other revenue sources we're predicting, any other changes that we can make. Um, one big thing I'm focusing on is making sure that any other revenue sources that we have are being tapped appropriately. So that
includes water and sewer enterprise accounts. It also includes our ambulance accounts. Anything else but that there's revenue for, are we making sure that any expenses are being paid for through those sources. Um, so that's something that that we're making sure is is is going the right way. The other uh large cost to be aware of is that debt will
increase this year as well. And Tammy and I will make sure we talk about that. But once we have an idea of what the overall debt picture looks like, there are some payments that are due in some some projects including the culvert um that we'll need to account for. So our free cash number is is very healthy. Um
that's helpful. We'd like to try to build the budget so we're not using any free cash. Um and we'll see where we're at. So >> what was the number on free cash? uh is uh 100 sorry $1,ion50,000 for free cash certified
and upwards of $700,000 for uh water and sewer enterprise accounts retains earning retained earnings. So that's the rough overview. Um when you're ready, if you have any overall questions, happy to take them. Otherwise, I'll start diving into some of these budgets in the book and just
giving you a sense of where we're at. >> Now, have you met with all the departments that are listed here tonight? >> Um, anything listed here tonight actually goes through either my office or through Tammy's um and and I would I have met with anyone um that I need to present for
tonight. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. Great. So I I will I'll just move through the book um from uh alphabetically instead of the order it's on here. So animal inspectors
is your second tab. Animal um animal control is your second tab. Animal inspectors after that. Uh that's mostly taken up by salary here and a couple small admin office supply lines. Um our
understanding is that that can stay uh level and the salaries there will receive the same increase that any other um employees receive. We haven't put increases in here for salaries. We'll do all of those together. Uh it'll be somewhere we typically try to aim for
around a two and a half or 2.6% increase. Um and that's that's what we'll try to do this year, but we'll have to see where everything is at to see if it's reasonable. um that that stipen would receive the same increase. And then next one I'll bring you to is
auditor that is entirely paid uh to uh one contractor. Uh their costs raise rise a little bit each year. So we've budgeted 38,000 for auditing services for next year. Um it shouldn't be much more than that, but we'll get a final
number from them uh shortly. And the audit is underway right now with our contractor there. >> Is that part of the contract of like the audit that missed all of our stuff in the books last year? >> Auditor uh is a different contractor
than our accountant. So auditor um has been pretty pretty good. Um uh they they are looking at our accounts and making sure that everything balances. Uh they're looking at our practices, our general management. um they have helped us find a lot of
things that need to be fixed in the past and that they're pretty happy with our progress now. So, so it's separate from the accounting services. >> Okay. Yeah. >> General liability and property and public safety insurance would be the next one. So, you'd be looking for the tab that says general liability.
This is one where I actually want to bring down this number some more. We were trying to figure out what the actual number is. In 2025, we spent 149,318. This one is always complicated by the fact that we get one bill from our uh property insurance agency, MAYA, in the
beginning of the year, and then kind of a bunch of rolling ones throughout the year as adjustments get made, if we take on new vehicles, if uh anything changes with our facilities, uh they do a workers comp audit, so if anything changes with with our our uh employ uh
our employees or workforce in some way, some extra bills can come in. In the past, bills have been as high as uh $15$20,000 that have come in, but that hasn't happened for some time. So, the workers competit I got a couple weeks ago is was $1,500. So, fine. Uh so, in
2025, we spent $149,000. Maya um to soften the blow of of their their health insurance rates rising, they announced that they have 2% decreases in premiums in their property insurance for the next year. uh and they typically tell you to reserve 15 uh% more on top of that for
any audits that come in. So that would bring us much closer to around $150,000 for this year rather than 195. So uh while I put 195 as a conservative number, I'm most likely going to bring that down significantly when the the final budget comes in. Probably much closer to 150k.
>> And is this also the one that we get the discount for when we pay in full? >> You're absolutely right. Uh no, this is not the one we get the discount for when we pay in full. This is when we get the discount for um for my rewards. Uh if we do, you know, things that that show, you know, safety in our workforce and other things, uh they'll bring down rates
there. Uh the paying in full one is one that Tammy has in her budget for Hampshire County uh retirement. >> Gotcha. Yeah. >> Um we'll have that one shortly. >> Uh HCTV Enterprise. Um for this one, uh feel free to jump in with anything you've got, John. I don't mind. uh man
behind the camera might want to add something, but we've got a very healthy enterprise account there. Um still capital funds coming in from Comcast. So again, kind some aggressive ideas of of some capital that we want to make sure we're we're spending on. Um and um we
have uh just some general, you know, maintenance lines and everything else for for the rest of it. But but it's an area where we could make some good good capital expenses, make sure we're finishing the setup for upstairs so we can get more of our meetings in there. Uh we'll get all of that done over the next year. John's
made some good progress on that lately. So >> Andrew, is that what the uh 30,000 is again this year? This year is to finish work upstairs. >> Some of it we'll we'll we'll spend this year, but some of it Yeah, we will we'll need the work upstairs and we'll need John, do you want to add in what what the other equipment is?
>> So we need a new our video server died. We have no server. We have no channel 15 basically right now. Replace that. I've been to other community access stations around. I've been to field. I've been to Sunderland. I've been to Northampton.
I've been to East Hampton. They're all much bigger communities than us. They spent upwards of $50,000 on >> Okay. >> We only have one channel. So hopefully something about $20,000. Also, I have two computers upstairs that
I edit on. They're both 10 years old. I can't buy new software. They're both uh Windows 8 computers. So, those can be replaced. I'm having a meeting on next Wednesday with consultant to out big screen or projectors and video
conferencing equipment. So, we don't have this little thing anymore. >> Perfect. >> And whatever he comes back with an estimate that might add it on for next year if we can. >> Okay. >> Nice. Excellent.
>> Any other questions on HCTV? Again, this is an enterprise account. It's healthy. Um we've got a good capital money in there. We should be spending more of it. So, um great. Uh next, I want to take you to legal um legal tab.
I will be upping this most likely um for reasons we'll talk about later tonight, but uh between um yeah, I think for some special counsel that that we're we're working with and um just our general expenses might want to see this come a little higher. We can
talk about what makes sense. Um but right now I have it at 30k. I think that's actually pretty good for this year. Um but we might want to go higher. Um we can talk about that more but I think 50 might be a better end end up being a better number. So we can talk about that million gear approval.
All right. So select board expenses. Um so stipens this is the number that we are at for for this year since one of our members does not take the the stipen. It's 5600. Um, and then otherwise I've cut a little bit just
based on what past spending has looked like from 700 to 500 for advertising, legal notices, professional development. I've kept at 600 because if there's any opportunities that come up, I want you to all to take advantage of those. Um, we do pay uh for membership to the MMA.
That's what DU's membership's licensing is. Um, business travel I've cut slightly just to reflect what past spendings look like. But if you have to attend meetings and anywhere, then I think we do have a good healthy budget for that. Um, for any duties that they might need to attend to. And then the
postage we could probably cut at some point. The actual spending in 2025 was 142. Um, but if you do have mailings and things that need to go out, we want to make sure that that's that's at a good number. So 500 should get us through just fine. Any questions on uh select board?
>> Great. Technology U technology support services. That's for our uh IT vendor. I put $40,000. We shouldn't be above that for our our vendor for this next year. Um at our next meeting, I'd like to have a conversation about um who that vendor
is. I I think we we've had a good experience with with the with Souzer, but it's always good to check in and just make sure we're happy with with what we have. Um, I have some quotes from other potential folks to work with just so that we compare uh apples to apples. So, uh, we can talk about that
at our next meeting. It's the kind of thing I'd love to do an executive session because SUA at this point feels like an employee and it feels weird to be talking about them, but uh, it has to be done at open session. So, that's what we plan to do. Um, other professional services, uh, this
was money that was going into managing our our website. uh it was hired this year to uh accommodate a uh redesign project that that's uh required as we move out of the Drupal platform to civic engage open or civic engage platform. Um
it might be able to come down a little bit for next year. Uh but we might need to move some of those funds to the next line software licensing uh which has been higher. Uh that's just our our licenses that we pay for using uh Microsoft Office uh and a few other
programs. Uh those costs have been higher. We might need to make that it works across the two budget lines. We might want to rebalance that a little bit. And then capital. We usually set aside around $8,000 for for capital repairs, replacements, new computers, uh new hardware of any other kind. Um the
8,000 should be fine for next year, but I will see if there's anything else we need to do. Any questions on tech? Cool. Town administrator. Okay. Uh professional salaries uh for the department head. That's me. That's a
contractual um uh administrative salaries. I've kept this flat at the moment. Um but as I said, we'll add the the the increase uh later. Um stipens. I do have a one-time uh uh
moving stipen in my contract that I uh cut for this year because of the budget issues. We'll see if we have room for it next year, too. And if we need to cut it, that's we'll figure it out. That's really not a problem. And then professional development, I have at 850. Um there's uh some some pretty helpful
professional development that I plan to take part in next year. Some uh executive coaching through the uh Massachusetts Managers Association. Pretty reasonable. Actually, they're only charging charging $40 for it, but if there's other things that come up, I'd like to to do that. So, um other
professional services. Um this is for any consulting projects or things that come up during the year just to have some short money. Uh it's been useful. If that line needs to come down, it it will. 7500 is probably probably pretty good. Um 900 is a stipend that I
received for use of my uh uh personal cell phone. Um and then uh office supplies we've kept basically flat, cut a little bit. Business travel slight increase and dues membership is a
slight increase just to reflect the the memberships that I that I do have. >> Any questions on TA? >> Oh, >> great. Town hall operations. Um we've seen some of our leases come up a little bit. So I
just want to cover that. Um, that would be for our uh postage machine and for our uh copier. Actually, I think I believe that's the one that's on here. Yeah. Um,
and then um, admin office supplies 2025 actual spend was 2,800. So, 3,000 seems good. Uh, postage 200 should be fine for that. So, pretty straightforward line there. Veteran Services. Uh we are still with Northampton for veteran services.
I'm waiting to find out what the actual number is for next year. My draft number right now is $19,000. Uh last year was uh 17450. I assume they're going to go up. Hopefully that covers it. Um we'll find out soon. I
uh we're continuing to look at if there's any way to bring this in house again. Um, it was worked out well in the past, but at the same time, the qualifications have changed significantly. In order to process claims through the VA, they require essentially a full-time person, which is
difficult um for us to have, but we will see if there's a way that we could potentially have one of our staff members take that on in the future. It does require that you're a veteran um lucky to have a few on staff um and may have more next year. So, there you go. All right. Um,
in veterans benefits I've kept flat. Uh, that number seems to be working for this year, but we'll increase it if we need to. That's a that's a lagging number because you're essentially paying for last year's benefits. Um, that's what we have right now. And Veterans Memorial is
kept flat. Um, $1,325 that goes towards honorary veterans. >> Good. So, that's what I have for my budget lines. Any conservation? Uh, I skipped it because I probably should I don't do their their budget. I probably shouldn't speak to it. We'll have uh
have them at a later meeting. >> Gotcha. >> When we do um we we'll figure that out. Yeah, we'll have a later meeting. Great. And then I'll give a minute for questions and when you're done, Tammy can touch on her budget lines.
Right. >> Okay. I'm all yours. >> So, I guess you want my my budget first, not just the other. >> However you want. That's just your party. >> Where's the snacks?
>> So, your party. >> Um, professional salaries. Uh >> this is under treasurer treasure collector. >> Yep. Treasure collector. Mine is um under contract. Um and we did um sign somebody to the assistant treasurer
collector position which we were able to keep at um the same salary that Patty was at when she left. So we have really no increase in that salary um for next year. Um,
we still have the two part-time um, people in my office. Uh, the assistant treasurer collector when she starts, not till July 1, um, will be taking on responsibilities with water
sewer being that we're going to be going quarterly. So, we're going to be picking up two extra billings a year. Um, and that's going to be most helpful. So, we have that and we'll be getting into a lot of other stuff that just sort of
sits on the wayside cuz Tammy can only keep up with so much as one person. Um, so we don't really have other than if we do cola for uh my two part-time people in the office, we don't have any increases there.
Uh, stipens. Um, I carried the $2,000 um for treasurer or assistant and collector. Um, the assistant treasurer collector that comes in does come in as a certified um collector. She did get
her certification and I may be eligible to take the test this year, but I have to see if I can finish my courses and take the test in the same year for collector. This is a state law that says that there's a
$1,000 statement, right, that comes in once you finish the the state. >> Yeah. So, if I take the test, the $1,000 of that budget goes back. >> Yeah. >> Um advertising for legal um advertising
has changed for tax title. We don't really have to put it in the paper anymore. We can actually post stuff on properties. So, we're not going to have the huge expense of putting it through the paper. Um, we can post it in a
couple different places. So, it's going to be a lot cheaper to go through the tax title process. So, I reduced that advertising legal budget. Um, billing and collections. Um,
I bumped it up just slightly only because we're going to go to quarterly billing. So, we'll be using more envelopes, more paper, more postage, all of that. Um, professional de development. We just
level funded this. Um, we added um professional services of $750. That covers the town hall. Um, we have a shred bin now that is in the um, copier room that they come and they dump
monthly. Um, my my office has probably utilized it most because there's been so much in the town hall that has not been cleaned out from my office for years past. So, but
it has been pretty useful in um for security purposes too. You know, we don't have the old shredder was not a crosscut shredder, so that wasn't very secure and that's just getting thrown in a dumpster. So, this eliminates that as
well. Um postage and mailing, I reduced mine because part of it will go to water sewer. Um, so I was able to reduce part of my budget as treasurer collectors.
Um, and so that I brought down. Um, software licensing. Um, software licensing went up due to the fact that we're going to go look to go to electronic payroll. Uh Andrew and I both do have
um the video to review which we can do and then start to be adding people um on slowly hopefully you know one like we're looking to add my office and then
all of Andrew's payroll see how it incorporates into our existing to see how it operates and then you know add you know add another add another payroll until we hit the full till we get up to
the school probably. That'll probably be the hardest one. Um so that's that's not probably it may not hit that entire cost because it depends on how we add them. We only get charged as we add them. So it's not a
oneandone ad per person. Um, office supplies I brought down slightly cuz we have been pretty good at I'm pretty frugal in the office with um bank fees. We were able to reduce
because um I did eliminate our lockbox service. So, we don't have a lockbox service anymore. All payments now come into the town. they don't go through the town of Medford and they don't process them. They all now come to the town. So,
we were to reduce those. I did keep part of it because in the event that we did a borrowing and we needed some kind of fees to cover like um S&P if we needed to get audited
by them in order to get the loan through if we borrowed. So, we kept the four. We may not use it, but it's good for it to be there for that instance. Um, and everything else I pretty much level funded my business dues and memberships.
Um, insurance premiums for treasurer and collector. You have to carry both treasurer and collector for your sity bonds. And that's about it. question.
>> Question. What's next, Amy? >> Uh, tax title. I talked with Andrew. We level funded it for this year. We haven't really used the budget this year. Um, there is properties that we do
have with the tax title um, attorney that we have, but they don't bill us until it's completed. And we've only given her this one item so far. Um cuz
we felt this one was the most recoverable and it's the biggest piece. So we're still working with her in hopes that something will be developed hopefully this fiscal year. I would hope. >> Um as a note, this this budget did come
down to $10,000 for the rest of this fiscal year when we did the cuts in the fall. Um, so when you say level funded, right now we're planning to bring it back up to 25, but maybe we cut this down a little bit. So, we'll see. That's a good good one to know that we have some some wiggle room there because we
also have the revolving account that's helping. So, that's an option. >> Uh, county retire. Um, that's the one that, uh, Luke was asking about. Um, I actually did have in your budget line of
a million49 a million49. It's actually going to be the 953,670. That's your one-time payment um to make your savings of 15,684. So, that budget line would go down.
>> Uh your group insurance, obviously Andrew spoke about our group insurance. That's sort of a still a work in progress for us. We're waiting for numbers to come in. So, we sort of threw a number out and based it on a 15%
increase. Uh but depending on who we have for um employees and if we car decide to carry the extra like we normally do, uh that number could go could go either way really. So to to clarify on that, so
what we typically do is we add essentially a contingency. We we don't know exactly what our employee roles will look like starting July 1. If somebody decided to to join uh the the health insurance that we offer, um since it's open enrollment, they they are able
to do that. So we um usually carry four individual and four family extra in case they join. Um I think we might leave that closer to say two and two this year because with rates increasing that much there'll be fewer folks who decide to
voluntarily jump on board. Um this might be more people going the other direction. So uh but we'll figure that out. Four and four is is is you know certainly certainly was helpful this year because it means that the amount we'll have to add extra is a lot smaller. Um but uh for next year it
might be more realistic to to bring that number down a little and and make it easier to to balance the budget. So um the amount that we the FY27 department request could be anywhere from 1.4 million to this 1.5 that that's listed here uh depending on what we want to
carry and where uh Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust lands. Um and unless we get a a better offer from someone else. So that's where we're at. Uh and just to clarify the FY26 uh budget amount here uh I don't believe is
accurate. I think our final number uh in the budget from this year is one uh 1,29,000. So uh >> I was really scared when I looked at the increase. Yeah. From 779 to 1.5 million. >> I was just trying to do it in my head cuz it was like 20% plus 20%.
That's not >> 93. It wasn't quite right. So, I'm not I'm not sure uh what happened here, but but 1 1 million29,000 was the number that I I saw in my final budget for this year. Um and uh that's going to end up
needing to be supplemented a little bit, but but uh but certainly it's not a $800,000 increase. It's it's going to be more like a $400,000 increase, which makes a big difference for us. And you guys are doing uh the budget
different on a spread different kind of spreadsheets this year, correct? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. Just the the department spreadsheet will look different. So >> yeah. >> Um is that it Tammy? >> I mean the only other stuff I really
have is uh unemployment and my oped. >> Well, let's let's talk about it over here. >> And your Medicare. which is all pretty um the OPED we look to just keep 10,000 a year to stay on target to keep
submitting to our oped trust and oped is another one where it's a question that we'll have to decide. Do we want it to come from the budget per se or as a free cash transfer? I think last we did it as a free cash transfer. Um but certainly if it's something you want to spend on every year, you could
structure it as being part of the budget. it it doesn't quite matter either way. Um but it's one where you might want to say it's not coming from the the general fund budget. Um if we if we're concerned about keeping that number in the right vicinity
>> and last year it was 20 only because we caught up a year that we had missed >> and I believe it came from precash but but I'm not positive. >> Yeah. David saying yes. >> And so that's OP. you want to do
Medicare or it's it's right now our Medicare um seems to be on target for the what we had budgeted. We're at um 72,269 um through February 5th. Um so I'm
pretty confident we should be on target. I look to move that up a little bit. uh that you know I'm figuring that even on the high side of all of the higher payments we had coming in later. So I think you might have like 4,000 left
maybe in that budget line by the end of the year. >> All right. Take us home with unemployment. uh unemployment. Um our unemployment so far we've only used 12,830
to date um out of our $25,000 budget, but I moved it in I moved it up slightly to match our FY25 only due to the fact that we're not
really sure what might happen >> some positions. Yep. with some positions and that may skyrocket it. So, we're not really sure. So, that's why we just slightly bumped it up. >> And the the reason for doing it slightly instead of if if we think there there
might be more need doing it much larger increase is that we do have this unemployment trust that's available to us. It's $111,000 in that right now. Any unspent funds uh from here go into that trust. So, that's at a good rate. Uh
that's at a good good amount. um in case something were to happen, you'd probably want to keep that funded at, you know, two to three times what your your annual budget is. So that might even be larger than it needs to be, but I think it's probably at a good place right now. We can adjust it in the future if we need
to. >> Yeah. >> Nope. >> Oh, good. >> I'm sorry we did the most exciting ones tonight. really really sorry we did that to you. Yeah. Actually, you know, you have one more that's that's big, but we'll talk about it later. I I think it will make
more sense um in the context of everything else, which is debt. So, >> u >> that's the most colorful one. I mean, if you want to talk about it tonight, you you can, but might make more sense in the context of the rest of the other the full budget. >> It's up to this group.
>> Probably also better if there more of us here also. >> I think so. I want finance committee to hear that. >> I agree with that. Great. >> Well, thank you for being here tonight. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Dave, you got anything to say? Representing yourself and not the finest committee? >> No.
>> No, we had we just we had a meeting last week and got going on our uh just kind of get some organization done, set some dates for the future so there's a plan in place for us to do our work and then to meet with you guys and that kind of
stuff. So, it's uh we're on our way. Perfect. Great. >> It's that time of year. >> It's that time of year. >> We'll get it done. >> I feel better now that I realized it wasn't an $800,000 increase in healthcare expenses from last year to this year. So
>> 400's still really big, but it's better than 800. >> Yeah, >> we're we're in better shape than some towns and cities. >> I think on that side of things. Yeah, >> I think that's true. True. >> Good. All right. Anything else on budget
for tonight? Good. No. With that being said, uh the next thing is we'll we'll be heading into executive session and we will not be returning. So, um unless there's any other old
business that needs discussion at this time. >> We're good. >> So, I'll entertain a motion. Um, >> I will make a motion to enter executive session pursuant to Mass Journal Law Chapter 30A section 21A subsection 3 to
discuss strategy with respect to litigation as discussion in open session is likely to have negative impact on the town's litigating position. We will be discussing the Route 5 water and sewer project and we will not be returning to open session. >> Second Jorski I
>> Long Street I. >> Okay. Thank you everybody and John thank you and we will not be returning so have a good evening.