Good evening everyone. With a quorum being present for the Lakeville Select Board, I'd like to call the Select Board and Wage and Personnel Board to order on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:45 p.m. here at the Lakeville Public Library.
Pincom, our finance committee is here with us this evening. I believe you will also need to call your meeting to order. >> Yes, I will call the Lakeville Finance Committee meeting to order on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:46 p.m. >> Manovsky present. >> Cost present.
>> Wright present. >> Be present. >> Okay. Lake Cam is recording the meeting. Is there anybody else in the audience recording this evening? Okay, seeing none, if we could rise for pledge of allegiance and it would be
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. No flag.
>> Okay. Before we get into our FY27 budget presentation, our finance committee has um a little uh business to just conduct and I'm going to turn it over to >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh we have a reorganization to vote on.
>> Do I hear a >> I would like to make a motion to keep Darren Bill as the chair and Michael White as the vice chair. I'll second that. >> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> You sure? >> Positive. >> All right. What's next? >> Roll call.
>> Manovski. I >> Cost I. Right. I >> You're very welcome. >> Okay. And with that, um, I'd like to turn this part of our meeting over to our town administrator and our finance
director. >> Thank you. Um, Andrew Sukworth, town administrator. I'm joined by Michael Ellis, our finance director. Um, so we're going to uh basically go over the proposed budget um presentation. Um
that's probably the number one question I've been asked. Is this a proposed or a final budget? It's definitely proposed. Um the way the special act um for the town administrator of Lakeville is that they present a budget proposed to the select board. select board makes recommendations and changes and then I
get get those made those changes and send it off to this finance committee. We kind of do that all in one move, but just want to make that clear to everybody. Um proposed um we put this just as the operating budget. We're going to later meet on the
capital plan more extensively. We're willing to answer questions on the capital plan. Um but we're just choosing to focus on operating at this time. So slides. So we created u two budgets. One is the
override budget which is the 1A budget and then we have a non-override which is what a a failing uh override would be and that is considered a 1B budget. Um so we basically formed the rationale for
our budget based off uh conversations we had with the select board um going back to November 19th. Um the select board at least was clear to me and Mike that they wanted to see um very limited reductions to operations
uh which is services and then obviously personnel. Um so every decision we made was with that in mind. Um, so then we also we tried to be as creative as we possibly could. Um, I think generally a good thing is every
everyone kind of leaves it away kind of angry. I think I think every department's probably angry with how the non-override budget looks. Um, but we tried our best to keep the services for the residents if ultimately it fails.
Um, the override budget presents a level services budget. We don't actually add any services at all. We're not adding positions on the town side at all. Um, and we actually made some cuts on the override budget. We reduced a few positions. We got creative with some
funding sources. So, it's not like we're just asking for a flat amount of money from the residents. We're trying to be creative and make that money go a longer way. Um the non-override budget as you probably noticed leads to significant
cuts across operations um mostly to the schools and the general government sections. Um and then colas are not cost 11 adjustments are not within the non-override budget but they are within the override budget. Um and then no department enhancements were
entertained. So, um, nothing new. Um, we've gone over these budget pressures multiple times, uh, exclusively on March 17th when we had that joint meeting together. Um, fixed costs have dramatically increased. Health insurance number one. Um, health
insurance has skyrocketed across the state. Um, really across the nation. Um, that's something that's going to go up year over year for many years. Um, and then obviously insurance, uh, not insurance, um, retirement continues
to go up. It won't be fully funded by the county until fiscal year 31, which is a ways away, but that is growing exponentially every year, which puts a pressure on everything else. Um, new growth, we're projecting it's going to be the worst in well, second worst in 25
years. Um, there's not a whole lot of construction going on or proposed. Um there are some proposals but are they're years away from being realized. Um state aid it's it's in the news constantly has remained stagnant. Um chapter 70
especially. Um and then our restricted general aid does not go up more than 1% I think less actually. Um which I think amounts to about 12,000. >> Yep. >> Uh obviously you can imagine 12,000 doesn't get very much. Um
and then our tax levy uh increases only 750,000 per year. Um when you take into account just colas, which is about 400,000, you can see how a tax levy doesn't really get you a whole lot. Um
and so then we'll go over the timeline. Um really the first thing um that happens is that budget message to the town administrator on November 19th from the select board. Um, and then we turned it around pretty quickly to departments and said you had to get it due by
Christmas. Um, to be honest with you, it was pretty easy. I mean, we didn't entertain any new enhancements. Um, and everyone got it in on time. Um, we reviewed budget requests through January. Um, challenging time. Um, one question I
kind of always ask people at the end of each of those meetings, and they probably didn't know why I was asking, is what would you cut if you could possibly cut something? Inevitably, every department says nothing. He says, "We we on a shoestring budget. We can't afford to cut anything." Um, but I asked
that question intentionally because I knew most likely we'd have to come back and cut stuff, which is a difficult conversation to have. Um, we are obviously submitting the uh operating and capital budget to the finance committee and select board on
today's April 14th, but we submitted it April 7th. Um, and then we're going to be doing this throughout the month of April. Um, and then we're going to have a special election on May 19th and then town meeting obviously reign supreme
over all appropriations and that is on June 8th. Um, so that's the final step in the process. Um, so we kind of laid out what the budget process is. Mike and I, I think, took vacations in June and then we immediately went straight into budget season. We immediately um started
doing maybe a few dozen projections. Um probably every week we send back we call them sources and uses which is revenue over expenses. And we're trying to find a balance of how we could afford what we think is going to happen in fiscal 27. It was pretty clear to us early on that
it was going to be a difficult um process. Um you can I mean you can really can pretty much form a budget on July 1st. State aid is like it's one it's I think it's gone up 1% every year for 20 years. Um new growth you can kind of always kind of see where that's going
or trending. Um and then our tax levies uh statutory so you can kind of see where that's going to be and then you can also kind of do that with expenses. So early on we kind of thought we're in significant trouble. Um so we pushed up the capital request early on into the year to kind of see where we are with
free cash. Um you'll later see that we've kind of kept some free cash in reserve just in case the select board and finance committee so chooses to use onetime funding sources. It's not recommended but the option is always there. Um then on November 19th is when
we got we we came I think it was a ponyquit uh library and we got the budget message to not really favor cuts favor uh services. So we we use that guidance seriously to uh form the
budget. Um like I said, budgets were submitted by Christmas. Um and then we gave another fiscal 27 budget update in January. I think it was January 20th. Um we kind of reaffirmed that there was a huge deficit. I think at that point it
was about $3.5 million. um school department came back with a reduction um by using some funding sources out of END. So that number eventually comes down. Um but that at that point we discussed having a joint meeting with Freetown as well as the
school board. Um so we had that I think it was March 4th or 5th. Um so we had that joint meeting. No, no decisions at that point were made other than we should meet as a finance and select board on our own, which we did on March
17th. Um, at that point, Mike and I presented what we thought was the best possible option of an override. Um, like we've gone over, there's a there's a dozen different ways to do an override, and I've heard over the last couple weeks, everyone's got a different take
on what it should look like. Um, I've talked to probably a dozen people, and they all say it should look a little bit different. Um but we kind of for saw that coming and so we tried to do one option for both boards to consider which we did. Um and that has since been
um a public well a special election has been set from May 19th. Um and so the first part part of that process is budget hearings which is today. Um we'll have those through I think April 28th or so. Um, so like I I'm kind of I'll say
this a million times probably. It's a proposed budget. The select board and finance committee can change. We just gave a budget that is frozen in time from April 7th. We'll go over this, but we've heard a few things have changed like our like our liability insurance
probably won't have an increase this year, which is a savings. Um, so there are we're constantly trying to work out numbers to be more flexible for both boards to consider. Um obviously town meeting's on the 8th as
everyone knows. Next slide. Um I've mentioned this but new growth um we're projecting at 140,000 this year. You can see it's trending downward over a number of years. Um I've said this, it's the second worst projected new growth in 25
years. Um 140,000 is really not a whole lot of money to to put on. Um, so it's unfortunate. There are some new growth opportunities and I've listed them out for everybody. Um, it's important to note these projects are per uh either permitted or
not approved quite yet. Um, ultimately new growth is not captured until construction is started. Um, most of these are residential developments. They're not quite commercial. So some there's going to be a kind of a give and take on what services is needed from the town's
perspective. Um something that's also should be noted is that economic growth and strategies, they're not a short-term fix. They take many years to formulate and then realize. Um so um just it'll be a few
years before these are quite realized. We one of my first priorities as town administrator is I I lived in the area for 30 34 years. I mean I know Lakeville's always kind of struggled with economic development. So my goal was to get a grant for um an economic
development strategy. We've done that. That work's going to begin with the economic development committee. Um but I know that's not a magic bullet. That's going to be 5 years away. There's there's different things that we can do. Um, but our goal with this budget and with the override is to
get to that point where new growth in economic development is realized. Uh, we've gone over state aid. Um, it's not great. What we have been given preliminarily is 2,84,172. Now, it's important to note this does
include smart growth. And I'll get into why I estimated it lower than what has been given by the governor. Um so that's 311,000 over last year. Um our unrestricted otherwise known as UGGA went up about 25 grand. Um and then
chapter 70 in smart growth has gone up 299,000. Um so if people don't know quite realize how the smart growth works, we have a 40R district which is um well two of them. It's right over near um the train old train station in Lakeville. we can
submit reimbursements to the state for school um school children that live in the district. It takes into account property taxes and personal property taxes. There's a formula that's funded that doesn't even happen until October
and November. I'll use it going forward. It won't that won't happen until November of 2026. The state does a calculation that gets finalized in March of 2027. They give us a check in April of 2027.
They do the calculations based off what towns are in it that November. And so they finalize the state budget with a number. So our well our number two years ago was 675,000. That's based on a projection of let's
say four towns being in it. that following November, there could be three or four more towns that join in and that piece of the pie gets a lot smaller, which is what happened last year. Um, we didn't know until I think it was April. >> Mhm.
>> That our state aid tied to new smart growth went down 400,000. Um, which was a it's a massive hit for a town of Lakeville's size. Um, and late in the year especially, it if we're tight on money, it's devastating. Um,
luckily we had some kind of we got 425 back from the schools tied to excess and D. Um, but it's uh something we don't want to mess around with going high. Now, what they've done um fiscal 25 and fiscal 26
there was a a no no harm no harmless hold messing the term up done in by the state senate and obviously the governor signed off on it of 675,000. So that was that's that's what you see within these numbers is that number tied in. But I've had probably half a dozen
calls. Um I've met at the state house a couple once. They said there's more towns coming in next year. That piece of the pie is going to be very small. So we tried to go with the number that was given to us at the start of fiscal year 26, which is
that that number that they shocked us with, which was I think it's 246,000 as opposed to 675. So, if things change, this this money could come back, but I'm not I don't want to bank on it. And then we're
sitting here and we'll go over this. Our our budget's going to be very tight in a non-override scenario. So, if we somehow get the rug pulled under us with 400,000, I don't know how we cover that without dipping into free cash,
>> um which we'll also go into, we might not have a whole lot of. So, um, yeah, some local receipt opportunities. We've gone over this a couple times. Uh, we're going to be proposing a meals tax. Only four four towns in Bristol and Plymouth
County don't have meals tax. US, Marian, Rochester, and Freetown. Um, so I think maybe back when it was proposed in 2017, there wasn't a whole lot of um, towns that adopted it, but within the last 10 years, most towns have adopted it. Um,
most towns I think probably east of Worcester have adopted it. A lot of those towns west probably haven't because they don't really have a whole lot of tax base to do that. Um, and then we have a cannabis tax. It's 3% of sales. Um, that won't hit us until fiscal year 28, but we're projecting
potentially 60,000 from now. Our free cash, it's uh 1.75 I think is the last certified amount. Um, so we're allocating 944,000 of that for the capital plan, 15,000 of that for
compensated absences. That is when a police officer, a firefighter, or even just me or me or Mike retires, there's payouts tied to those. Um, so normally that hits the operating budget. We're choosing a we've we've done this a couple times now. We've formulated a
pocket where we can pay those out without really affecting the operating budget. Um the not or the override budget will will make it so that we're off free cash within the operating budget. We chose to fund the reserve fund last year with
free cash. Um the non-override budget would actually make it towards 150,000. Um that was intentional. Um I've said it before, we're cutting the budget down significantly and there's really little room for a big thing to happen. So, we
actually raised up the reserve fund to potentially meet that challenge. Um, like I've said before, we've also kept a decent portion in reserve um un proposed, unappropriated just in case
there's any appetite to fund out of one-time money. Um, and then there's obviously a potential health um health insurance buyout that might be coming up. We're hoping to pay for that out of the operating budget and it looks like we
probably can just in case there's that option. And then we're not putting at this point any money into OP or staff capital or general stabilization accounts. Um stabilization funds um obviously the
rainy day um funds. I think historically we've used capital stabilization more than general stabilization. Um these are typically I guess derogatory referred to as slush funds by some people. Um but that's money that we we have on just in
case something happens. They can be used for different purposes. Capital stabilization for capital general stabilization different purpose. General stabilization can be used with two two/3 approval at town meeting. Capital stabilization can be used by majority
vote. Um the dangerousness of using general stabilization is that we're going to be borrowing for the fire station longterm shortly. Um we went through the preliminary borrowing a short-term borrow with S&P and that's like all they care about is how you use
the stabilization funds. A lot of towns are being downgraded um because they have too much debt or they're using stabilization funds or they're just in in general just not doing well. And so if we theoretically were to use general stabilization funds,
they're going to look at that and they're probably going to I I can't say for certain, but they very well could downgrade us, which means we have higher borrowing costs. Borrowing costs are borne by the taxpayer because it was a debt exclusion. So you can use this, but
you're almost getting hit on a tax bill eventually. Um, so yep. fixed cost we've gone over um a bunch, but that is generally what we're looking
at paying next year as an increase. Um yeah, we might get lucky with property and liability insurance being a a a flat a flat increase, but health insurance and Plymouth County retirement are going up significantly. Um and those are hard
to hard to account for. Um this is more justformational. This is um from the budget what the education is going up within each district. Um obviously we are part of uh Freetown Lakeville Regional School District and
we are part of Old Colony Regional Technical Vocational School District. Um and we have tuition um contracts that we would pay Bristol County and Norfor County to send kids there. We're seeing a big increase in Bristol County um to new school. Obviously, kids see it, they
want to go there. Um but that's a cost that we we pay and then we also pay transportation to those out of district vocational schools. Um which the transportation is very expensive as you can see. Um overall education is up
nearly 2 million over last year about about 10%. Um, this is kind of the meat and potatoes of the presentation. This is the 1A budget, the override budget, and I'll kind of go through what each one is. The level services, um, it's exactly
what you see now is what you're going to see next year. Apart from the town planner and the principal assessor positions are being reduced to part-time positions. Um, full assessments to all school districts, local receipts. Um Mike, if
you just want to quickly touch on the history of receipts and how we've kind of done it and then how we want to do it. >> Yeah. So typically you want to keep your uh estimated local receipts lower than your prior year actual. Um if you do increase them more than the prior year
actual, the state requires you to have a very solid justification for doing so. Um this comes at the tax rate setting process. Um, Lakeville's historically has always been at 60 to 70% of actual, which is a really good number. That's really what the state wants you at. But
as fiscal 24, 25, 26 budgets got tighter, we closed that gap. We're now at like more of like a 90 to 95% or even 97% of actual in some cases which is uh kind of a you're kind of on the edge of a cliff a little bit because when you go
to set a tax rate for the town you have to fund overlay which is for real estate abatements and there's kind of a fine-tuning process where you have to make sure that the state won't push back to finalize that tax rate setting process if you're not over on your
future estimated receipts. So, um, we've really been trying to make an effort where if we see any extra money, the first instinct is to bring something back that was cut. But we also have to be conscious of how high we went on our estimated revenues and be sure that we didn't, you know, put those higher than
we can actually achieve. So, >> obviously receipts are also um heavily dependent on the economy. Um, as everyone knows, the economy is getting tighter. Um, one of our biggest parts of our local receipts is motor vehicle excise tax. What do people do in a tight
economy? They don't buy a new car, which has a higher excise tax. Um, EMS fees. It's been a big kind of boom the last few years, but you can't bank on people calling for an ambulance that the same rate every single year. If it goes down
and we estimate it high, you you have a revenue shortage essentially. Um, and then our capital plan is mostly funded from free cash. Where our free cash comes from, one of the ways, obviously, it's turnbacks from prior year budgets that aren't used, but
a big portion of it is receipts. Um, if we say let's say a million dollars for EMS receipts and it comes in at 1.2, that 200,000 will hit free cash that next year, which we then use to then funnel into the capital plan. That's how
I think maybe 99% of towns pay for their capital plan. Um so we estimated new growth conservatively. Um free cash is not used in this this uh override budget. Um but something we h
we are recommending to do is to use the capital stabilization account for principal and interest payments on the asamset elementary school debt. Um, and then we also kind of show what the tax impact for just fiscal 27 would be for
an override. This is um it's on here, but it's it assumes $625,926 average house, which would be $513 of an increase. Obviously, this these numbers aren't final and you're using a tax rate that actually won't be set
until next November. So, it's not definitive numbers. Alternatively, the uh 1B budget, the no override budget, it's a little bit of a darker picture. Um this is if it doesn't pass, obviously. Um expenses are
typically cut across operation leading to departments being severely underfunded. Um the town planner position uh would be recommended to be eliminated. The principal assessor and assistant treasur collector would be reduced to part-time roles. The reason
we did this next one is because we we took the select board's guidance and said don't touch services. So we touched the portion of our town hall operations that is non-public facing which is the HR assistant, HR director and assistant
town accountant. Um we have 20 on call firefighters not funded. We have one full-time firefighter that is currently with the town that would be recommended to be eliminated. um one full-time police officer that is not currently funded or
not currently there's no body in it. Um no position it's not it's vacant that would be eliminated. There's no cost of living adjustments within this. Um education assessments are cut by 1.475 million. Um that's in the neighborhood
of 56 positions at Fleet Lake. Townside cuts approximately 1.2 million. local receipts aggressively estimated. Um we say there's a problem but the way the way we reduce the hurt on the town as well as the residents uh and their
services we estimate the receipts high. This will result in a lower free cash number. The capital plan will most likely be affected maybe not next year but the year after. Um new growth is still estimated conservatively. Free cash is used for operational
expenses which is the 150,000 in the reserve fund and we are still recommending to use the capital stabilization account for principal and interest payments for AES. Um some of the future budget drivers um
this is the pretty much the exact same slide as last year when I gave this presentation. Operation costs continue to rise. Um the economy is tough. Um cost of living is getting higher. Um health insurance is continuing to rise.
Um Old Colony Regional Vote Tech that might come around for another vote in potentially June. So that's another um long-term because that will eventually hit our assessment potentially if the the vote passes. And then we have possible school district capital
projects. Um there was obviously a massive facility master plan on the school side maybe two years ago. So if that comes in that's that's a future budget driver. Um fiscal year 27 and beyond. We made the recommendation to
both boards to set a fiscal 28 working group regardless of the override passes or not. Um there's no guarantee what happens fiscal 28 regardless if an override passes or not. um appropriations can't be made until
town meeting of that fiscal year. So, um we're putting a putting a focus on long-term sustainability of the budget either way. Um we've asked for funding in 28 and 29, but that's to me is going to be considered precious. You don't
really spend a whole lot. You don't do that you don't do massive increases in those years. You keep things going conservatively. you make those override make the override pass 5 10 15 hopefully never again um with our new growth potentially coming in five years maybe
you may never need it. So um that's kind of my spiel on it but um the override special election is May 19th and the annual town meeting is on June 8th. It's important to note just because
an override passes does not mean the budget has been appropriated in any specific manner. So if it comes to town meeting on June 8th, there could be changes even to this proposed budget. As I'm sure everyone knows, there can be
budget amendments, changes, everything else. So um that's everything I have. I left my contacts at the following page. Believe it or not, there's actually a lot of residents reaching out to me about the override. Um, everyone's engaged, so it's good.
So, there's a lot of engagement in the town that maybe no one sees, but I'm hearing from them. So, that's everything I have at this point. I don't know if they want to do questions now or wait till the specific departments.
All right. Um, just one thing, Andrew. I know you mentioned that you're going to be doing some outreach regarding um the override and you had put together kind of a calendar, but you included some of the sub uh select board meetings. could you
extract just the um override outreach that you're going to be doing and just do like a a quick snapshot so that people can just take that and um because I think more people coming to that to have a better understanding would be helpful.
So >> yeah, let me just uh pull it up for everybody. The first community outreach is Saturday, April 25th at the public library from 9:00 to 10:00. The second community outreach meeting is Wednesday,
April 29th, 6:00 to 7:00 at the Lakeful Public Library. The third one is 6:00 to 7:00 on Wednesday, May 6th. also at the Lakeville Public Library. And then the
last one will be Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00, also at the Lakeville Public Library. Um that doesn't include several other events that aren't on that um kind of one. We're doing one this Friday, also at the public library at noon time, but I don't
know if that's public or not, but there'll be a uh Q&A almost like a video that'll be basically posted at the end of that. >> Okay. And I think just having a one sheet that we can post through the communications channel will would be very helpful too because I'm sure that
there will be people that'll be interested in attending. So >> yeah, we've we we have a page on the we have a page on the website that's dedicated. It is posted on there, but it can be sometimes hard to find. >> Okay. Two clicks. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> All right. Did um anybody on the select board have any questions um regarding the presentation this evening? I just wanted to say thank you for I know you've been working at this um for quite some time. So, um it shows. >> Thank you.
>> Any questions? >> You know, I have questions. >> Yes, we have a question. >> Does anybody else have questions? >> Please go ahead. >> You'll you'll ask all of our questions for us. >> You know, you didn't. You were supposed to bring the sock for me and you forgot it. >> Um Andrew, thank you very much. Mike, you two. Great job. I know you guys work
very hard to carry on the sort of the theory philosophy that we've had here in town as long as I've lived here, which is to be very conservative with our tax resources. And I'm grateful that you guys have embraced that uh ideology as you've come into town. Um, one thing I would just like to remind everybody is
that consistently for as long as I've been involved with government, we have these surveys that are sent out to the community and one of the things that they ask is, "What is it that you're looking for?" And consistently the community is answering. We want to maintain the rural character of our community. Well, here it is. Here's the
rural character. We're maintaining it. We don't have that same level of growth that maybe some of the other communities have, which isn't to say they don't have problems on their budget side as well. But I just want to kind of bring that up because we do drive through a lot of nature and we do have quite a bit of
open space, which is a privilege in an area like ours. Andrew, looking back, and Mike, I guess this question is for you, too. When we went through the last budget session, we all knew that we were going to be heading towards rough times this year. Is there anything that you
took away from the time that we did last time that we could learn from going forward to the next year? >> Let me think about that. >> Yeah, it's a good question. >> That's a big question. I would say um
a lot of tough decisions have to be made. Um I think sometimes things are needed but you can't afford them. Um I guess you would I don't know. We recommended some I guess drastic
reductions last year. Um like I think I think the four firefighter positions are needed and I think they bring in revenue and all that. Um, maybe I don't know, maybe you bite the bolt and just don't fund them like last year, but I think once they're in now, it's
tough to get rid of positions. Um, but yeah, there's there's tough decisions have to be made. We tried our best with both budgets to kind of do some tough decisions. >> Um, there's probably some more to go with that and I'm open to select board
and finance committee to tell me what they think those tough decisions that need to be made are. Um, but I I would say don't be afraid to make a tough decision. >> All right. So, that takes me to my next question. >> Yep. >> I think we for the myself as well as for our constituents really need to
understand why have we seen a $700,000 increase in our health insurance in two two years. 300,000 in the prior year, 400,000 in this proposed budget. That doesn't include health insurance costs at the school side. That's just our m
municipal number. I believe we have 67 employees of the town plus that budget would also be carrying any retirees. Correct. >> Correct. >> But I've done the math on that and it just I can't there's no I just don't understand that at all. So I'd like to
try to get that understood that $700,000 is a lot of money. So what happened? >> Um there's a few different things. Lacy, if you want to help me out with one of them. um that 200,000 in fiscal 26 is probably pretty low if
you want to go over that issue, Lacy. >> It's actually It probably should be higher to be honest with you. >> It was three. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Can you >> throw a question at me? >> Sure. So, in B when we did our prior year's budget, we had a $300,000 thereabouts increase in the health
insurance line for the town. This year, it's 400,000. And my understanding is we have 67 employees. That isn't the cost of health insurance. That's the increase over the prior year. So we have about 67 employees here in town plus whatever
retirees remain on our healthcare system or program. It can't be that many. And I cannot for the life of me understand why it is that our health insurance cost would be so outrageously high. I believe it's like two and a half million or something like that right in the line
item. And the increase over this past year was $400,000, 700 in 24 months. What's going on? >> Okay, so we have 67 employees full-time that carry the insurance and then we have 112 retirees that carry uh Medex.
>> So, it's split. The town pays 75% for any employees that started on the plan prior to I want to say 2017 and then anybody after that it's a the town pays 65% of it. When I came in I
believe Gateway thought that they were very healthy and they allowed for a uh one month repriel where the employee didn't pay for it. What they didn't foresee is that one of the people in the group got significantly sick and within
two months it was like an $823,000 medical bill which devastated Gateway and put us into a $1.4 million deficit. Based off of that, Gateway took every action they could to make it so that we would get the lowest rate. So we were
charting at that point at about a 16 to 18% increase which would have been significantly more but we switched our ASOS and we went to a higher deductible. So we had a no deductible and went to a 500. So we actually had a cost savings
even though it was significantly higher. It was going to be twice as much as that if we didn't make those changes. When we moved to that, we had a deficit still with Blue Cross Blue Shield because we moved to HPI, which was $1.4 million. So, while we were paying for the current
insurance on the HPI, we were also paying off a $1.4 million deficit. Now, going into this one, we also have a deficit. And that's based off of a lot of it is the GLP-1 drug. So, a lot of people got on them. It wasn't just used
for um for diabetes. people were using it for weight loss. It's a significant increase. In a quarter it was costing us $700,000. So we were seeing that increase. So right now we're also charting at a deficit on that based off of these GOPs and then we were given a
rate of about 7% when we should have been given a rate about 12% because HPI hadn't accounted for the first four months of our claims. So, we're paying off a deficit right now and then we're moving into Mayflower because Gateway has essentially disbanded. So, on July
1st of 2026, they'll no longer exist. When we buy when we go into Mayflower, Mayflower has a buyin policy. So, Mayflower's rate went up 10%. On top of that 10%, Lakeville has to pay a 3% per person that's on the plan buyin fee. So,
that's where you're seeing that significant increase. >> Okay. Anybody on the boards own a small business? Anybody else pricing up uh health insurance? Yes. Does this sound familiar to you? >> Um I'm we had 6%, but I mean it's a very specific industry. So, I mean 10% sounds
reasonable to me, but I we weren't factoring in all these other deficits. I guess if you're factoring in all these deficits, it can add up pretty quickly, right? So I mean if from year to year if there were no deficits it wouldn't be 19%. >> Right?
>> So we pay the buyin is for the first four years. So Mayflower itself went up 10%. Lakeville with the buy in is an additional 3%. So whatever Mayflower goes up next year Lakeville will have an additional 3% buy in. And what that is
is if we in five years from now say, you know something, we really don't like Mayflower, we're going to move to Southeastern. When we leave, because we have that buy in, we won't owe them anything. We just walk away free. If there's anything left, we get that money back. But you can't just walk into a
place and say a JPA, the way it works is your money goes in, the employees money goes in, a claim comes in, the claim gets paid out of that money. So if we just walk in and we have this humongous claim, we're asking the rest of that JPA to pay for our person. So that's why
they also have that buyin for you. It is more expensive. After four years, our rate then drops to whatever the Mayflower rate is. So we'll see a decrease in four years. >> Hypothetically, >> hypothetically, I mean, it won't be a significant one. It'll be about 3% for
us, but we will see that. Um, a friend of mine is an HR director for a very large multinational company and they're experiencing similar problems, not to this scope because they don't have some of exactly the same types of problems. They decided to self-insure and then they bought a bond program that wrote on
top of it. So for the catastrophic losses that that would be a separate insurance policy, but that they would self-insure. Is that something we've ever considered or not even getting close to that? >> So I did look at that as well and I know what you're talking about. There's a stop-loss, which is essentially once a
claim goes to a certain level, it you don't pay anymore. So, it's like a person that has a deductible, right? Once you pay your $4,000, they can't continue to charge you. The problem that we're facing and the problem we're facing right now in Gateway is if say your your stop loss is 800,000 but yet
your bill is 775,000 your bill is 600,000 yours is 500,000 because you're never getting to that stop-loss rate you're never really seeing the benefit of getting any money back from it. Um the other thing with a self-funded is what you pay in is what
you pay out. So, if your rate, if you set your rate at 12% and you have a catastrophic illness within your employees, you have to raise your rates in order to cover those claims. So, it's it's kind of a tumultuous thing. If everybody's healthy, it's great because you can have
a low rate, but one person getting significantly sick is going to put your rates way up there, >> right? Which I think is why they were talking about having they have another policy that rides on top of it. But I'll tell you, insurance in general is something understand
this. Yeah, cuz I really don't understand all of it. >> Stop loss and there's laser. I know about both of them cuz I had looked into it. I looked into every option that I could find to see, you know, what would be the best for Lakeville. Um, there's self-insured, there's fully insured as
well. Fully insured means that you pay whatever your amount is and you're fully insured, so you don't have to worry about all those things. That's a usually uh cost for the town because you're fully funded. You you don't have to pay anything additional. Self-funded, like I
said, is a gamble because if you have that one sick person, you could be changing rates up 20% midyear just to cover those costs. >> Exactly. >> Yep. >> So, our company no longer covers GLP1 because it is too expensive and a couple of other things. Have you guys looked into that as well? >> So, Mayflower does not cover GLP1
beginning July 1st, 2026. It's common right now across all of the um the JPA's that are covering Massachusetts entities. Uh we So Mayflower got rid of it. I believe the GIC is getting rid of it. MAYA is getting rid of it across the
state unless it is for a medical reason. So if it's just for weight loss, they know they won't be covered any longer. >> Okay. I I appreciate that you're working hard on that because you can see what a big number it is for us and we really have to be mindful and the school's in the same situation. so we can all learn
together if if there's a way to cut back on that health insurance cost. That was my last question on the health insurance. >> Thank you, Lacy. >> Yep. >> Um Andrew, can you tell us again what was the date of our last override here in Lakeville?
>> 2013, I believe, was the last one. >> Um and that was approved and that was for the schools. I think that was around a million dollars if my memory serves me correct. 1.5. >> Yep. So, the last time that we've had to do an override was 13 years ago. Just
pointing it out. I'm not saying just saying it's only been The next question I have is regard before we get into the budgets. Um, you said you had cola figured into the uh the budgets, both cases, correct? >> Just the override one. >> Just the override one. So, those union
positions that we have, which will come up for negotiation again, could push us into having to need more money, right? both for because schools are coming up for renewal, right? They're going to be negotiating and so will our first responders, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. So, how do we account? How do we
not need an override if if if they were to give raises? I mean, if they were to give raises of three, four, 5%. What happens? >> The schools are for us. >> Well, I Yeah, I guess it it's going to impact us either way. So I guess my
question is I mean on the school budget they're going to do their side of it but we have to be mindful of that right? >> Mhm. Yeah. The so the override amount has the assumptions that the schools are going to finalize. I think they put the number in their budget to account for what they would get for their collective
bargaining agreement. I think that's going to be maybe public tomorrow. I don't know the hard details on that. within our override budget on the town side, we put in a level of funding that's been consistent over the last three to 10 years of what I think it'll
be. >> Okay. >> What the town was com what the town would be comfortable with. I don't want to give that amount because >> No, >> we're still in negotiations. >> Yeah, absolutely. But it is the the point is it's been factored in >> correct >> already. Okay. Um my last question is before everybody
goes completely to sleep. Um do we have a mechanism in town? So if you have a resident who's extremely wealthy and we do have several if they would like to help us offset some of these costs and support the community, is there a methodology or or a way for
them to make a direct donation? Because that's truly the Republican way, right? like we want to be supporting direct government without having to tax more money. So is there a mechanism? >> Not that I'm aware of. Uh I know there's
ways to do exemptions for let's say like veterans or senior uh senior exemptions. Um obviously there's a means test you have to pass and it has to go through town meeting and special legislation um to do that. But you could make it so
that if you qualify in a certain criteria, senior citizens could pay a less amount. Um, of course, we'd have to raise the revenue to offset that expense. >> So, my question is a little bit different. What I'm asking is if we had a resident here in town who was independently wealthy, and we have several of them, if they decided they
want to come down and write a check for $10,000 to the town of Lakeville, do we have a mechanism by which to receive those funds? >> I think Barbara wants to give $3 million. I but but realistically there are people that have money and they and I and I know it may seem like a
ridiculous question but this is what communities do. They do families do people do support each other and I'm curious to see whether or not we've ever considered that. >> We have several gift and donation accounts in town. Um some of the gift and donation accounts are used to be beautify the islands here. Um there's
others in memory of people who have worked for the town who have passed away. Um, and really it's accepted by the board and the stipulations on what you can use it for um are kind of mandated by the donor.
Um, but you can certainly accept uh gifts and donations from private people, but it would okay >> uh you'd want to follow an acceptance method by the board and uh probably an approval of what your expenditures are as well. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for your time.
>> Great questions. Thanks, Barbara. >> Um, Andrew, so with tonight with the budget presentation, um, you you talked about, you know, additional meetings. So, there's three in in total with regards to
>> That's correct. Three nights. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So, out of those three nights, um, we won't be doing the the budget presentation as you had seen this evening, but we will be going into uh conversations with our department heads. Um, so those would be clearly listed on
the the agendas, so we'll be able to move through. But for this evening, because we just went through the budget presentation, I will open up the floor for um any questions from those that are here in the audience with regards to the budget presentation. Um any other
specific questions regarding departments? I'm going to ask that we hold those until we get through those discussions um because we'd like to hear um that as a board. So, if there's anybody in the audience that would like to um ask any questions or speak, please
uh Rich 32 Road. Uh people can make donations to the town, but they have to make it for specific purpose. That donation or town has to be set up that way, just so you know. >> Um just a couple of things. um you know having to do with um some of the things
Barbara said um that you know we want to be a rural community and I think we've done a pretty good job doing that you know over the years I mean we we've protected a lot of land but the problem that we have right now is we have no place for any businesses or economic
development I know that the three candidates had mentioned you know Route 18 and 105 I'd like to know where because I don't know of any places in those areas where you could develop economic development or whatever and there's just not any land available to
do that. So the first priority in my opinion and the economic development instead of I'm not saying don't work on the plan but you know look at the areas in town say where can we where can we resolve to put businesses on. I can think a couple of them off the top of my head, but that's going to be key because
we cannot continue to rely on housing to to create new growth for us because not only does the housing, you know, number of houses, but it also brings in more expenses and more services that's required for the town. So, it's not like
we're going to build a uh a warehouse and the warehouse doesn't need anything except once in a while when the fire department or the police department gets called. That's the major problem. And based upon, you know, I know Andrew will put up some numbers there of some of those products. There's over a thousand
units of housing that they're talking about. None of it's been approved yet. But do you know what that's going to do to the town budget and the town services? It's going to kill us, you know, kill. And you know, I know some of it says, "Well, $55 and all of it still, you know, a lot of it hurts hurts the
town, you know, as well." So that should be the number one priority in my opinion is to is to get some new growth here. New growth needs new businesses, not new housing. We don't need new housing. We don't need any more housing. You know, the perfect example is pick on the TA
station. You know, they want to put 200 units down more at the TA station, the old TA station. Perfect place for business. Perfect. That is our industrial bar, you know. So those have to be, you know, they have to be looked at and challenged. right away. We can't wait a year and
say, "Oh, what are we going to do next?" And that that's a major major issue. Um, one thing to point out on the presentation, Andrew, I know you showed how much it's going to cost for the first year of the override, which was about $500 and something dollars, but you also need to tell the people that
there's in that option, there's one for $1.3 million and 2,000 next year, and the third year is a million dollars, I believe. But they're all going to be voting on all of these at the same time. You're going to cause confusion to
people voting that ballot unless they understand what they're voting on. Right now, there is confusion. I've heard a lot of people say, "Well, what does that all mean? How does that work? What happens if I don't vote for the the second override in the second year?" Well, if they don't vote for the second override in the second year, you think this year is bad, next year is going to
be worse, you know, and then the third year and so forth. So, um, that's the message that, you know, we have to get across. And so, I, uh, a couple things I want to say that people aren't going to be happy about,
which is, which is normal for me. How did we get here, >> Madam Chairman? How did we get here that we have to have a $2.5 million over? >> Yep. Um, I think we're all asking that question. I think we've we've been
living it and um as our expenses have increased, our revenues um have decreased and here we are. I mean, I think we got through last year's budget by the hair of our chinny chin chin. >> So,
>> there's two reasons why we have to have the override, $2.6 million. One, the school is asking for $1.8 $8 million which is a 10% increase. We have never given the schools a 10% increase.
Never. It's always in the four or 5%. Not even close to the 10% increase. So people will look at it and say, "What the heck's going on here? What are we doing? I'm getting all these questions. I'm trying to answer them directly as best as I can." But I'm not going to be
out there, you know, trying to get the override supported because of this, because of this, and because of that. I'm not going to do that. That's your job. not my child, you know. So, how did we get a 10% increase in the school budget for this year? Last year it was
729,000. The year before that was like 500,000. The year before that it was 600,000. And this year it's $1.8 million. How did we get here? Somebody want to answer that question? >> I ask that question.
>> Um, I know that our superintendent of schools is here. I don't know if you were prepared to come and speak to the question. Um I think hearing it from you would be very important. We have provided that answer in a previous meeting, but Mr. A and I are happy to
answer you right now. Um Mr. Aens can talk to you about chapter 7 funding and a district decision that was made last year to use END to fund salary, which is a carryover expense, uh health insurance, and some other needs in the district.
um according to the budget that the health insurance has only gone up 6% for the ret. Right. >> Correct. Uh and it went up uh 10 and a half% last year. >> Okay. But I'm talking about this this coming year. >> Right. So the the problem that you have,
one of the problems that you have and that's affecting this year's budget is that in order for you to give the raises last year, you used onetime revenue to do that, right? the committee made that decision. Yes, they did. >> I'm just saying that's what you did.
>> Yes. >> Okay. So, there's no makeup in the 27 budget. The loss of that revenue, but what you've done is put force the push the problem down to the top. >> Right.
>> That is certainly one way to look at, I guess. >> Well, how else would you look at it? Well, I don't know if I'd identify it as a problem. >> I don't know if I'd identify it specifically as a problem. >> Well, I think Andrew spent uh 10 15
minutes talking about using onetime revenue to do anything. And you know, that's the major problem having to do with this override is that $1.8 million. if we're in a normal time and giving six $700,000, we have a different
discussion, real different discussion. So, the second mistake that was made, and this has to do with the town, and it has to do with the four firefighters and I'll pick it on the fire department. You know, I love the fire department, okay? But the problem is is that we didn't get
the grant money. So, we lost $400,000 for grant money. So, I know in December of 2023, last year, you actually brought up going for an override to fund those firefights. And we didn't do anything about it. Nobody did anything about it.
Just let it ride. And we continue to use onetime revenue once again, same situation to to balance the budget with the firefighters. Well, the onetime revenue stuff ran out. >> It did. >> It's gone gone up, >> right? >> That's $2.2 million of the override
right there. And then whenever the town was looking for on that side, that's kind of tough to explain to the taxpayers to say, "Whoa, what the heck's going on here? What happened? Why did this happen?" So, not only do you have to explain what happened, you have to
talk about solutions. >> And you know, you say you just say, "Oh, well, cost up and this and that." Yeah, that's true, but you got to figure way how to how to fix it. And it's not building new houses. It's just not doing that.
>> Thank you, Mr. Camera. >> That's the truth. >> No, you uh >> You agree with me, Madam Chair? >> I'm sorry. >> Do you agree with me? >> Oh, absolutely. I think we we have a a problem. It's it's right at our door right now. And >> no, but those particular two senses.
>> Yes. I um I often talk to myself about using one-time money um in operational um situations, but I think that, you know, having made that decision for the way that we did it at the time, it was
definitely something that we needed to do, but now it is biting us in the butt. So, >> well, I know the waterman is not negotiating any contracts right now. I know they're not. Okay. None of them. They're waiting till after is the school
committee doing the same thing. >> I can't answer that question. >> You can ask the superintendent. >> All right. So, through me, >> the school committee entered into negotiations because we had to at the beginning of this school year and uh I believe they come to a resolution
tomorrow. >> Okay. So, you release the cost of what that's going to be. >> I believe tomorrow evening. It's up to the school to contract. Okay, >> that would be red flags. So, you know, >> Madam Chair, if I may, Mr. L Camera, I I agree with you on many of your points.
Um, we have also been a community that as we take in 2.5%, we spend 4%, we spend 5%, that can't continue. You and I have sat across from each other at negotiations at one point in time and another, it's been sometimes it's been pleasant, sometimes it's been egregious,
but the the spending habits that we have in this town uh can't continue. And I would agree with you as well that we need some more business uh infrastructure in this community. We have for years said no, no, no. Everybody wants Lakeville to remain
rural. Everybody wants to be the last one through the door and to close the gate and we've said no too many times and now we are paying for it. >> That's true. But, you know, if we were talking about a three or 4% budget overall, we would
not be asking for an override. >> But I would agree with you. Yeah. >> Mere a comment. >> Um, so Rich, I really appreciate what you have to say and you have contributed a lot to the town over many, many years. The fact of the matter is we have been
operating on a shoestring budget. Every year that I've lived here, we have tried. I mean, going back as far as, you know, when Rita was the the the the the town manager was always trying to find a way, trying to find a way, trying to find a way, right? And here we are. It's
been 13 years since we've asked for an override and we're still trying to find a way, trying to find a way. And I for whatever flaws or mistakes that people want to perceive, I really want to commend this community because I think we've done an outstanding job of trying
to prevent the taxes from going up. and it's one of the reasons why our taxes are lower here than they are in surrounding communities. I'm not saying I'm supporting having our taxes go up again. I do think we need to look at all these cuts, but I've sat here and I've not seen inflated costs. I've not seen
people abusing privileges or wanting to overhire. I think we have hired very judiciously for the positions that we've needed. And I think we are here with a structural problem because we have been so frugal for so long that now we can no longer continue to do it that way. And I
totally agree with you that we should never be funding jobs based on a grant or temporary money. And you we both agree on that whether it's at the schools or whether it's here because you don't spend money you don't have. Right? You get a Christmas present from
grandma, you don't use that to qualify for a mortgage. So anyway, I just want to comment that. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Hi. Um,
so it's not like the selectman select board hasn't tried to do anything over the last few years to increase revenue. Even, you know, Rich and I and you, Lorraine, we were all on a board where even prior to our arrival in 2019, you
know, the selectman before us tried to get, you know, some marijuana money generated, which was not what everyone wanted, but it was still part of the plan. Um, unfortunately that went down
the tubes when the legislators changed those those uh those benefit payments or whatever they call them. Um, you know, we all put a ton of work hours into presenting an option for
a warehouse that was a very viable option, which had been an option before. Residents didn't, you know, didn't want it. Um there was, you know, talk about doing a um retail marijuana and I mean
these aren't like big what your estimate $60,000 but you know a couple of those they're all around us. You know there was a difference of opinion on our board and you know not everyone wanted retail.
Some did, some didn't. But even that, it's not like the select board hasn't tried to put things forward. It just hasn't worked out. That's, you know, it's not like everyone, you, Lorraine,
Rich, myself, everybody else who's been on the select board in the last, you know, 10 years, we've tried, just didn't work. But I do agree with Mr. the camera that you know we need to start with identifying where some businesses
can go. Okay. Um All right. Moving into our department head budget um meetings. The first up um I'm going to ask our f uh finance director to let us know what page >> absolutely >> um to reference in our binders. Um I
believe the binders have been posted online. So, um, for those of you who, um, would like to go back and reference anything, you can find that information, um, on our website. So, the first, uh, is our town administrator and select
board budget, >> page 26. >> Andrew, you're not done talking tonight. >> Um, okay. So, if everyone's ready, I'm not going to go too, um, much into the accomplishments and goals. Um, unless
anyone has questions, um, we have quite a few departments in the audience. So, unless anyone has any questions, I tried to be as extensive as I could on, um, accomplishments. I mean, the select board and town administrator's office does quite a bit and sometimes I don't think it's necessarily seen by the
community. So, I tried to tell try to show everyone what we've done and what we've accomplished and what we're trying to do in fiscal 27. Um, so it's pretty extensive unless there's any questions. I'm just going to go forward and uh go into the numbers.
Um, so the select board budget includes the select board, finance committee, reserve fund, legal services, public buildings and properties, town reports, and cable TV advisory. um the first one which is on page 33.
Um so I'll go over what the override kind of shows and then I'll come back and do what a non-override would show. Um under both scenarios 1 A and 1B, the stipens for elected officials for the select word remain the same. Those
are set. Um obviously the chairman makes a little bit more. Um town of March salary under 1A. Um, contractually speaking, I'm um g given 3% per year. Under the non-override scenario, I chose
to wave that and take a 0% increase. Um, I just think with the override not passing, I can't expect to take a amount of money as and have the rest of town hall, the rest of town operations take money. Um, that's a decision that's up
to me. Um, contractually speaking, um, but I choose to wave it this year. um the management analyst and executive assistant Emily and Colleen um they get a certain amount of money um increase over the 1B which is non-override. Um
obviously on on all the salaries they get 0% if it doesn't pass. Um we'll see how that goes. Um longevity that's been in the budget for many years because obviously Tracy Craig McGee was in that position for quite a long time. Um that went away in fiscal 26. Um, and
then there's a contractual auto allowance, which is what is given to the town administrator um, as money to use a vehicle. Um, the expenses are mostly the same over last year. The only the big change
is the auditing services is going to go up 10,000. We were in a three-year contract with CBiz, which is our internal auditor. Um, like a lot of things, inflation's starting to hit financial services, so we're projecting
about a $10,000 increase for that. Um, contracted services is 10,000. Um, if everyone remembers last year, I took that down about 10 to 15,000. So, that's actually it's a pretty significant cut over, if you'll get two years out. Um,
we organized all the postage and printing into two different offices. This training and education goes into Lacy Marshall, the HR director's budget. And then the postage budget is paid out of uh Paulo Berdick's treasure collector's budget. The printing is uh
level funded over this past year. Advertising um this is for like bids and public hearings and town meeting. That's where that's paid out of. Um we kind of reduced it in a non-override scenario a little bit. Um, office supplies we took down in a non-override, but office
supplies was taken down quite significantly in the last year. Um, instate travel was about 6,000. Um, in fiscal 25, at least it was appropriated. I took that down by 5,000 last year. Um, I don't do a whole lot of
traveling. What I do, I just cover my own expenses. I don't put it on the town. Um, and then dues and subscriptions. Um that's I think we get just pretty much 2,000 every year. It's for like different different um
organizations we're a part of. I think Emily's a part of uh STAM which is the small town administrators um which is pretty useful. We get some decent um feedback from them. Then originally this line is in here. I I intended originally when the budget I thought it may have
kind of turned into a brighter spot an employee appreciation dedicated line. If everyone remembers, we took it out of um the select board's gift account last year and I I was hope maybe hopeful thinking maybe put it into the budget so that we're not continuing drawing down on a finite resource like the select
board's gift account. Um but in inevitably in the end that didn't come to fruition. The Lakeville Finance Committee, we uh limited the instate travel induced subscriptions. We took it down about $50
a piece. Um, my apologies to Larry and company. Um, so um I don't think that that's not like is that exclusively used by the finance committee? Do they use it? >> Yeah, there's a finance committee association for dues and subscriptions
and I believe we had one member travel to a conference. Y >> um >> and then the next one is the reserve fund. Um, we went over this before. Um, in an override scenario, we kept it at
100,000. That's based off an old um, finance policy that the town had. We don't typically have used reserve fund in the last handful of years, but it's just in case. And then in a non-override scenario, as you'll see over the over
the three nights, we're cutting pretty significantly in certain spots. um generally we'd be able to cover certain unexpected um hits. Now um with this budget I think it's going to be even thinner. So we're choosing to fund 50,000 more in the reserve fund and
that'd be out of free cash just in case. Um contracted services um it's been $75,000 appropriated um at least as far back as I could see. Um we more or less blow by that um pretty significantly over the last handful of
years. Um we just signed a contract with MTC me Talman and Costa. It's a flat rate contract of 72,000 which covers most items except some HR things. Um so we kept it at 75 grand in
the non-override. We brought it up to 85 grand because I think that's probably where it should be funded if if it's we have enough money to do it. Um yeah, public buildings. Um this is where like
you generally like to see it kind of raised over the over the prior years. Um utilities as everyone knows has gone up. Um we just can't really afford to do so. So we've kept it pretty much level funded from years past. town reports. Uh as as everyone know, we
print out a town report yearly. Um that cost is going up, but we think we can cover it with $800. Um and then the last one of my uh cluster is the cable advisory committee. Um that is $5,000 generally given to our
warrior to help us out with cable advisory contracts. So we have a renewal coming up with Verizon. So that money would be allocated for that purpose. >> Thank you, Andrew. Um before we go any further, um I wanted to ask the select
board as well as the finance committee. In years past, and I know we've been doing this in the last three years, well, this would be the third, that after we hear all of our budget presentations, um we usually scheduled a meeting afterwards to do kind of a um
like a just a roll out kind of last minute um you know, discussion together. Is that something you'd like to entertain again um this year? >> So after each week's meeting or at the end of all three? at the end of all three we would come together um as a
>> question we did the last couple I mean I'm fine with that >> fine questions and >> just like a recap a budget recap and then some of the decisions and votes can be taken at that point >> okay so Andrew if we can you know try to work on um getting that on the books
that would be helpful >> yeah and it would be helpful uh on Mike and I's end if there's any questions or uh potential like what you'd like to see at that meeting as we go along in each budget. I think last
year we kind of came to that end of the budget. We were kind of all looking at each other like what we what we wanted to do. So it would help if I think >> ahead of time >> we kind of knew what what you're looking to see out of that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh next we're moving on to
accounting and debt. >> Thank you. Um, so I am on page 40 is where my uh budget section begins and the individual line items uh start on page 43. Um
don't have a whole lot of line items in the accounting budget. Uh it's largely salaries. Um myself at the top, the assistant uh town accountant. Um as you can see uh we are operating under the assumption that
the hours do not get uh cut under 1A. However, under 1B, a failed override scenario, we have uh decreased the hours of the assistant town accountant. So that's why there's a discrepancy between 1 A and 1B. Um two people in the department, so two
salary lines, the longevity fell off. We had a retiree, the former accounting specialist who was there for over 20 years. Um, no one in the department currently gets longevity, so that's been removed. Um, the first expense line, uh,
financial services, um, if you recall, prior to my arrival in town in November of 2024, the town accountant position was contracted out. It was not a salaried employee. It was paid via $10 million. Um, so, uh, that person's salary or hours were charged to the
financial services line. They've since moved on, hired me, and uh we have zeroed that out. I've kept a little bit of money in the um assumption the override passes because we do have to reach out to our financial software for certain things throughout the year, and they do charge, but it's not dire. So,
if I needed to get rid of it, as you see it zeroed out in the 1B, um I feel comfortable doing so. Um printing's been zeroed out. Um I want to be careful here. This is not just printing things out of a printer. This is uh binding the town's uh ledger once the fiscal year is
closed. Um it's actual book binding of of all the activity for that fiscal year. Um however, I'm looking into some uh electronic versions that for cost savings or it may be free of charge. Um I'll keep it in if the override passes.
Um if it doesn't, I will keep exploring some more digital copies. Um and then the last few lines are pretty self-explanatory. Office supplies mostly toner. We do a lot of printing because we print the vendor warrant in the accounting office and um state travel and dues in subscriptions. It's really
just a couple um Massachusetts accountant and auditors associations who have a couple conferences throughout the year. So really straightforward um accounting budget. Um I also have the honor to talk about debt
which is way down on page 141. So, I'll give you a moment to scroll through. >> Yes. So, um, almost all of our debt in town is exempt debt, which means we raise it on the, uh, tax levy. Um, the only piece
of operational debt that we currently have is the Asawwamps at Windows and Doors project. Um the total cost on that project was 3,912,421. However, 27 uh2,75,166 was covered under MSBA, which is the Mass School Building Authority. So, the
town is on the hook for about $1.8 uh million. However, prior to my arrival here and since I've started, we've aggressively made um non-mandatory principal payowns, small increments to try to keep that debt down. So, when we do permanently borrow, uh, we're not
borrowing as much. Um, we're currently on a short-term borrow for that particular project because when we renewed bands last fall, MSBA was not done with its final audit. So, we renewed it for one more year on a short-term note. And, um, this fall, we'll decide whether or not it's worth
going out to permanently borrow or if we want to roll it all in with maybe some permanent borrowing for the fire station to save some borrowing costs. Um, that's kind of to be determined. Um but everything else is really the police station principal and interest payments and Route 79 um principal and interest
payments. And down at the bottom uh you'll see the very bottom line is short-term interest. That's new. That's the fire station. We uh did a ban for 10 million to cover the fiscal year's construction costs and that is our
mandatory interest payment of $349,000. Um so of that amount um all but 200,000 is actually raised on the tax rate. So about 1.2 million of
that total number is exempt debt and that's all I have. >> Madam chair quick question. >> Yes. >> When is the uh police station done? When does that come off? 2038 is. >> Yeah. Uh I can email you tomorrow. Don't quote me on that. It might be 29. Uh 39.
So it's far enough away. >> Yeah. >> I'll I'll live elsewhere. >> Perfect. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. May I ask a question? >> Please. >> Um with respect to Route 79, um the the budgeted numbers that we have here, how
recently were those been? Are those for we have contracts on that or are those estimates? Well, the >> he's a debt service, so I'm assuming we borrow the money for it, but we're going to be looking for more. >> So, how it works is you can do short-term bands. So, you don't go and permanently borrow on a project until
the project's completed. Um, because in case it comes in under, you essentially borrow more than you need. So, you're allowed to do short-term bands, which is bond anticipated notes until the permanent borrowing. However, when you borrow short-term, you are required to make mandatory principal payments, which
you'll see down towards the bottom for Route 796,316. After 5 years, you are obligated to start making principal payments if you haven't permanently borrowed, but it has been the town's practice to make small principal payments regardless to kind of
keep the permanently borrowing portion down when we do when we do roll out the permanent note. So, I've kind of followed suit with the previous town accountant of of doing some non-mandatory payowns. And it does help kind of keep the excluded debt consistent so you're not kind of
fluctuating up and down because as the library fell off, the police station came on as um the fire station comes on the it's going to run simultaneous with the police station for quite a while. But you typically want to find a spot where there's not a massive fluctuation
from year to year. And for Route 79, there's no construction being taken on by the town. Like we're not responsible for that money. The mass DOT is. We are on just on the hook for takings and then engineering for the project. >> Okay. I guess my my question was do we
expect that number to be changing very much in the next few years or is that pretty stable? >> So we were authorized Sorry. Um we're authorized to borrow 2.3 million in total. I think we're tracking under 200
under under 2 million. So, I think we we'll see a savings. We're not going to borrow the full amount on that project. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> All right. At this time, I'd like to invite our assessors up to talk about
their budget >> just personalities, >> right? >> Multiple Larry. You've experienced some of them. I'm sure >> I have. >> Okay. >> What page are we on? >> Sorry. >> 44.
>> It is page 44. >> 44. So, I won't bore you with the details of our accomplishments cuz it's pretty benign and routine. We assess >> talking to them. >> I won't bore you with the details of uh our accomplishments. They're pretty
benign and routine. we assess properties and make sure we don't have to pay out any abatements or if we do minimal amounts which we have always been historically good at. So um I guess we'll jump right into the numbers and the only significant change which uh would
obviously reduce the budget uh for our department would be as Andrew pointed out in his presentation going from a full-time uh position for the principal assessor to part-time which in option A cuts it in half. Option B, uh, a little more than cuts it in half.
The only other change, I was going to say significant, but it really isn't, is we've, uh, the office supplies line item has gone down, um, a few hundred. So, uh, everything else, uh, is necessary and is, uh, budgeted to stay flat from
one year to the next, pretty much. I guess I'll ask you if you have any questions. >> I do. Of course. >> My my question is if we cut the principal assessor's time in half and I
understand that louder. If we cut the principal assessor's time in half, we give to put them onto a part-time basis. Will we c will that cost us anything on the revenue side in terms of valuations because we're running valuations every three years?
>> Yeah, I mean the short answer to your question is no. It doesn't cut it doesn't affect our uh effectiveness. Um that's if I said that correctly. It's more of a customer service issue, I would say. Um because you're not going to have someone in there
40 hours or 37 and 1/2 hours a week. uh they're still going to be able to accomplish what we need from an assessing standpoint to meet the demands of the town. Um it's just a matter of whether somebody has to come back or make an appointment to see the principal assessor to ask for questions, things of that nature. >> That seems like a no-brainer. Sorry.
Thank you. >> Yeah. No, that's the board the board did take a a a vote uh a few meetings ago and they're all in favor. Uh the caveat is we just want to make sure at that point you really need to make sure you have a qualified part-time person because if they're not going to be there all the time, they really better know
what they're doing. So, if we find one, we're good with it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. >> That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. At this point, I'd like to invite our treasure collector up.
>> Hello. >> Hello. This is my first time. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, it's on page >> We're page 48. >> Sorry. Thank you. All right. So, um on page 48, um we have
the treasur and collect a salary. Um we would reduced um for the 1A um will be fully the 3% on that one, Mike. I think so. Um and then we would cut it down to what it is at 85 um,000. Um we obviously
reduced the salary due to the turnover from me from the previous treasurer. Um and then that's the lower salary. Um the clerk um which would now be in at 46 um if we went without an override. If we
went with an override there would be the increase which is a union position as well. Um the difference without the assistant um treasuring collective would be the consultant. We have a consultant that's helping me out um during the week. Um
if the override went through, we would have um um the assistant back um but on that piece there. Um on the line items um the certification is the certification for schooling um which I've passed my collector's exam so I
have a certification there. Um the other line items um are pretty much standard. Banking services would stay the same. Uh the computer computer services are online. Any of the fees that come with the online the tax title foreclosures is
our um tax title going for anything that's in tax title trying to pursue it to get it to the next point. Um which we've been working on. We had obviously a couple of auctions last year that worked out well for that. Um postage is under our department now. We did cut the
budget um 1,000 on the postage. Um in the postage is obviously the elections um census um day-to-day um um all the postage for all the departments. Um advertising is tax title advertising um which is um usually once a year on that
piece. Um office supplies. We did cut the office supplies um which we're trying to recycle binders trying to do what we can to recycle anything we have to try to utilize. Um instate travel is um school. It's any meetings, uh, required meetings within the county. Um,
and then obviously dues and subscriptions is MCTA, so it would be my, um, MCTA dues, um, on that piece there. Um, and if anyone has any questions, >> you know, I do. Um, on your tax title foreclosures for last year, um, did you
were you able to recognize you said you'd had some success? >> Yes. So, we auctioned off two properties last year. Um, I was the assistant at the time. Um, so we we auctioned off the sixth central and the South A, which we were successful with that part of it. Um, and then we're hopeful that there
might be something else um in the long run. Um, we have a lot of just parcels right now. We don't have a lot of, um, big, you know, pieces of property or anything. Um, but I know that there's ideas of a buddies program, things like that to try to clear some of those up.
Um so >> due to assessed fees when you know to these people that aren't um for the tax title. Yeah. So they're they're getting a tax title percentage increase over the regular interest on the properties.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Well, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Where does that money go in the budget? Yeah, >> it's general fund. >> It's just general fund.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Did you all hear that question down there? >> No. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Where did the money go? >> That's correct. >> General fund. >> All right. HR. >> Hello.
>> And uh fixed costs. >> Yes. So I am page 55. So, as Andrew mentioned before, 1A funds both myself and my assistant. However, we have taken out the part-time floater in both of the situations. In B, we cut
the hours for both the HR director and the HR assistant. Below payroll services, we did get a memorandum stating that there would be an increase. So we accounted for that in all other lines both in budget 1A and budget 1B.
We've taken it down significantly wherever we could. So there's cuts on all of those lines. I do have training in education. Um it went from the 15,000 to the 10 to the 8 advertising. That
would be any job posting. So if there is obviously no override, we wouldn't need that to be significantly funded. I don't know if you have any questions. It's a pretty clear budget on this one. >> No. Yes. Winning. Yes.
>> All right. Fixed cost 143. >> Yes. Okay. So, fixed cost regional planning assessment that's serpent. It went up minimally in both budget A and B. Plymouth County, that is our assessment.
We've spoke about this many times. It continues to increase. It is set to be fully funded in 2031 where we will see a decrease. However, we're not there yet. unemployment expenses. Last year it was about 55 5513. We just
continued to level fund that based off of the fact that we could potentially have decreases, but nothing that would be significant enough that we would need to increase that budget line. After that, we know that we're looking at a 16% increase in all of our uh health
care and dental in those. And then lastly, we have our uh workman's comp and property liability. Those numbers came in recently are going to change a little bit, but it will actually be in
our favor. >> Did we change carrier? >> We did not change carrier, >> but it went down. >> It did not go down. It went level. So, we won't see an increase in it, which based off of this budget, it looks like there was about a $10,000 increase. It's
not going to be an increase at all, >> which is pretty significantly good for us. >> What are health insurance rebates? >> Health insurance rebates are the opt out. So, people that don't take health insurance. >> I have a question about the uh
unemployment compensation. >> Yes. So you kept it 5513 based I'm assuming past experiences but if we start laying off is that going to make changes? >> So the layup >> officially covered >> well the layoffs that we have are mostly
part-time and then hour decreases. So we don't have a lot of actual full-time layoffs that we're looking at. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, thank you very much. Thank you very much. >> I'd like to invite the library up,
please. >> So, the library is page 134 in the culture and recreation tab. So, I'm Jennifer Jones, library director for those who are new. So, I know we we sent you some accomplishments and some goals, but I
just want to add a couple more things. So, we are working on expanding our digital offerings, and we revamped a library of things collection this year with funds from the DPW. So, I'd like to give a thank you to them. Um and we are matching the funds to um add items that
people might be interested in checking out such as karaoke machines, laser level, DVD player, metal detector. We have um already had home energy use a kit audits uh audit kits. I mean for the um check your energy levels. We've had
those for a while bird watching kit. We also have hot spots in a leaf blower that was donated by middle girl gas and electric. So, we've been adding a lot of things to the library and we also have been working on a teen space renovation which is nearly complete. As you can see, it's now blue instead of red. So,
that is exciting. Um, we'll be adding more furniture in the coming weeks. Um, some of the other goals we have uh this year, we're working on a literacy focus. Obviously, literacy rates are a concern all the time with us and the schools as well. So, we're working on a thousand
books before kindergarten program. We're also exploring adding literacy kits and doing some specific programming around things such as digital literacy, financial literacy. So really helping the public to get a hold of their own situations and you know combat the
misinformation that can be out there. And then we're exploring our future space needs, changing the collections around a little bit within the limits we have of the building. And we're also working on our strategic planning process which we're doing in-house. We'll be putting out a survey
eventually. So, you'll be on the lookout for that later to let us know how you feel about the library and what things you'd like to see. As far as the budget goes um for 1A and 1B, um salaries are um pretty much level
funded at the 1B. That is without the overhead. With 1A, there is the step increases and a cost of living adjustment included. I do have two staff members that are on longevity still. So, that is included in there as well. Um,
and the rates are based on the salaries um whether there is an adjustment or not. For the expenses, I pretty much kept them where they are. Um, in the 1A I did ask for a little extra to cover
fuel costs as we know fuel costs are rising and have risen. Um, and I also did to the basically to cover our contracts ask for another 400. So, it's 4,500. Um, but everything else is basically
kept the same. Um, I'd like to point out dues and subscriptions that is our library network um assessment. So I did include a document, I hope you got it, of the um sales library network return on investment of value of service. So
you'd see that for every dollar spent, I believe it was $26 in return. So that's a pretty good return on investment for what we spend on the library network. Um if there is uh no override, we have
looked at making some modest cuts to the uh electricity line, heating, fuel, and the buildings and grounds. A lot of our necessary um maintenance is taken care
of by the facilities department now. So we don't have as as much need for the R&M buildings and grounds as we did previously when there was not a facilities department. And um otherwise the
budget as presented both for 1 A and 1B will keep us at a level that the state will certify Lakeville. So, we will meet certification requirements, including the municipal appropriations requirement, which for fiscal year 27,
have it right here, would be 436,460. So, we would maintain certification and be able to borrow from the network and take part in all the offerings that the state has.
Okay. When you talk about the certification, that also is related to the books. I just know that people are going to look at this and say, "Well, we can just cut off that $41,000 and not buy any more books and save some money." But my understanding is that's part of the certification and if we don't maintain
that, we can't borrow from other communities. >> Correct. And actually, it is a percentage of our total municipal budget. So it would be uh 68,73792. So what we appropriate did not does not
actually meet the requirement. I have to use other sources such as gift funds and our um state aid from the um the state the municipal equalization grant and the library incentive grant that we get each year for being certified. So I think
this year it's about $34,000 that we're getting. So, I do use that money to purchase materials. >> Let me just look at that number again. You said it was 68,000 and we're looking at the shortage you had was it was 41, right? So, the difference you're raising
through community contributions, friends of Lakeville Public Library and grants that you guys are working on is saving us another $30,000 and making sure that we maintain our certification. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> Good point. Thank you, Barbara. We do
include audio, video, the period periodical subscriptions. That's all included in materials as well. So the total number is around 474K. Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. >> Well, thank you, Jim.
>> Thank you very much. >> Um, facilities, Mr. N. >> Good evening. How are you? So facilities is page 75 back under the general government tab.
Okay. So it's a fairly small uh budget here. Um you can see line item facilities managers uh salary at 87550 if the budget were to or the override were to
be approved. Um, budget B would be if it did not, um, I have my assistant, my full-time assistant, Teddy, uh, Delaracco. You'd see his salary at
67,000 or 65,79 would be reduced to, uh, 63,186. Um, I currently have three custodial positions. If the year overhead does not happen, we reduce that to one. Um, I
know that I was talking to Mike earlier today. There might be some money somewhere that he said he might be able to fund a second position, but at this point, that's what it would be. Uh, 15,000.
Uh, Ted's longevity is 45 $4,556. That wouldn't change. Um he has a f a facilities clothing account for 400 or a balance and the uh two car
allowances uh fuel allowances at $6,325. Um the uh my expenses um might might be able to expend or uh expand on that a little bit, but um for
the most part it comes from free cash. Um I'm pretty conservative with with everything I do. Um, I'm more about repair than replace at this point if
until we can. Um, I did do uh a townwide assessment of all the buildings. Um, Andrew and I have worked on that. Um, and we continue to work on that. Um,
again, I'm uh I'm pretty conservative in what I do and if I can do it myself, then I will. I don't have a problem with that. I actually enjoy it. Um I um as far as you know what I do in the
office, I do all my own filing. I do all my own invoicing. Um so I it's not like I need anything in that respect. Um our work request forms or request for work is up to
approximately 90 right now. I only I had all of 90 last year, so there's still a few more months um that I expect more is going to come in. Um there are ways that I can save
additional money. I just uh hired a not hired, but we took on a custodial service company, CentOS. um their pricing versus um WBM Masons is far better. Uh so we're
looking at close to a $15 to $1,800 savings on an annual basis just on that service alone. Um and that's about it. So, one thing we've done with Paul's facilities budget is we
basically like slashed his expense lines and then we've chosen to fund it through a free cash article. We appropriated about 50,000 last year. This year we're recommending about 75,000. And Paul undersells himself when he says he does a great job with repairs and saving the
town money. Just one example is the pavilion. Um, as people probably saw, it kind of was leaning for a little bit. Um, we got a quote for about $20,000 to fix it. Paul did it for under2,000. Um, so we saved a ton of money and there's there's a bunch of those different cases. One thing I've tked Paul with,
and he probably hates me for doing it, is creating a facilities master plan, similar to the schools when they did this big huge one, they generally cost between 50 and 100,000. Paul's doing it for free. Um, so in coordination with my office, we're putting together our own
facility master plan on the town level and it's very extensive and we're gonna I was hoping to run it out with the capital plan, but we just didn't have enough time. But that's going to be extensive and it will inform our capital plan going forward. And if anyone asks what our building's shape is in and then what it would cost and what we have to
do, we can say here you go. Here's a here's a plan where we actually list it out. So that's a that's a savings that would have been like probably 100 grand to do a plan like that, right? Through like a company like Kabiv and Associates doing that for >> nothing. Well, not nothing, but we give
him salary and benefits and such, but he's doing it without going for that extra mile for 100 grand. So that's something you don't really see. Paul does a great job with that. >> We see him doing it.
>> As much as I want to be invisible, I guess not. No, not at all. >> Not one of my superpowers. >> Did such a good job. I was not asking questions. >> Just glad that glad that you are so grateful that you set a good example for everybody else that works here too,
>> you know. Really appreciate that. >> Appreciate it. And I appreciate the fact that um you um with our office um have really taken it you know quite seriously about the I guess the the overall maintenance um projection for for all
the buildings you know that inventory because when you start to take away you know money from your your maintenance um and you don't maintain it becomes very costly um down the road for replacement. So, um I applaud all of you for um
sticking with that and keeping that momentum going cuz you know we have some pretty nice buildings and >> for the most for all the buildings we have in town, they're amazingly in good shape considering >> and even some of the oldest buildings
like townhouse. So, uh anything over at Ted Williams. >> Yep. >> You know, >> yeah, I would say so. >> Thank you, Mr. Nate. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Why don't you come on? >> How are you tonight?
>> So, we're moving on to uh information technology and for those of you um in short, it want to fill that out. >> Page number 56. >> Good evening. I'm Bob Nelly. I'm from Green River Associates, the outsourced
information technology provider. Uh fiscal 26 is basically the accomplishments of just keeping the network going and secure. Uh we're constantly re-evaluating the security stack we have and replacing products, upgrading things where we think there are better better solutions to improve
the security posture of the town's network. Uh increasing the reporting, the visibility that we have so we can uh see exactly what is going on on the network and in real time. And I did work with some staff to get the Massachusetts cyber security awareness grant again
this year which will give the some training and some fishing simulation to town employees. Basically anyone with a town email address uh to basically re get awareness on some of the attack vectors that are out there. terms of 27 just a matter of we did a cyber security
assessment continuing to work on those findings making sure that we're tightening everything up and we'd like to work there's a grant potentially available to continue that have them come back and reassess and basically validate that we closed everything down that we think we closed down have a third party look at that from a budget
standpoint there's really not a lot of flexibility unfortunately uh the tech services line uh is basically comprised two things. The Munis system, which is the financial system, the tax bill system, and the
Mark 43 police CAD RMS system, and those are both under contract. So, in both 1A and 1B, those are just level funded going across. Contracted services, there are basically three things in there. Uh there's green room associates, which is
me. Uh for your IT, we provide on-site support. We provide remote support. Uh we have the security stack. We have 247 monitoring with the security operations center. We're watching the network 24/7. We know exactly what's going on as part
of our service. Uh in the 1B budget, uh I've off I have a 3% increase contractually coming up and similar to Andrew, I will forego that. If the override doesn't pass, Green River will level service for 27. we will not pass that increase on.
Another component of contract services is uh the civic plus which is the the emails I'm sorry the the web website that the town has and we have a membership in the uh center for internet uh security where there's a MSAC which is the multi-state information sharing
and analysis center. They provide additional resources for us uh for internet security for network security. We meet constantly to go over what other municipalities are seeing, what the threat landscape is out there to help keep the network secure.
Uh for additional uh professional and tech services, that's going to just remain uh level. Software services is a number of different things. It's basically software licensing. Uh it's the nutanic software, the security software, the support that keeps the the
network running. Uh we have open gov in there that is the permitting system that the building department and the fire department uses. Licensing for a lot of other software such as Microsoft every town email has a Microsoft uh address. There's licensing that has to be paid to
keep those running. Number of people have Adobe. So we have Adobe licenses in there. And we have the security software that we run on the Wi-Fi network and on the firewalls. Basically that is all in linear under the software services
terms of TMLP it's listed as TMLP internet because that's actually that isn't just internet service that is actually the the the town network uh they manage the fiber ring for us and that part of that service is is the management of that network and a piece
of that is providing uh internet to the town we have a backup uh which I set up with Verizon FiOS so if TNL LP goes down, we will fail over to FiOS and and the network will keep running. Terms of backup storage, that's just
off-site collocation storage that we have. Uh we back everything up locally in the network and then as soon as the local backups are done that all the backups, all that data is sent offsite. So that's just a fixed cost that we have to to keep keep the data offsite. So in the event of something happening, we
have copies of everything offsite. Technology supplies is basically just things like keyboards, mice, things that break all the time that you have to replace that they're really kind of uh uh things that you just need to keep things going. Miscellaneous expenses and IT equipment replacement was something I
was trying to work on where I was going to keep on a rolling basis upgrading equipment. It was a very major upgrade of equipment that was done back in 2019. And I've been trying to roll a number of computers out every year. So, we're not faced with having to do everything at
once. If the override does not pass, we will eliminate that and we'll go to a uh a funding that Andrew was going to do for a uh an article at town meeting in November. The override does pass and I'll just continue doing that. We'll continue to do that that same roll out
process. That's pretty much it for it. I I have a question not budget related but as it comes to AI uh is there any thought about um implementing AI across the network whether enterprise versions of
Google or chat GBT or anything like is that something >> we have talked about it we have an information technology committee we've had some discussions on that and one of the members was working on drafting up the policy biggest thing is we need to understand what we're doing we need to be very careful in what
data is getting exposed >> particularly If if people are using some of the Microsoft services uh services like one drive, sharepoint, the uh Microsoft ecosystem will want to go off and it will just start grabbing that data and start clicking it. >> You definitely have to do your homework
on the security behind that. >> Even co-pilot. >> Yes. Yeah. Copilot is very intrusive. It'll start grabbing data that you don't want if you don't lock it down. >> But I do I do think that's like where we're headed, right? I think all the industries are heading and some everyone's trying to figure out how to use it and the security behind it, but
>> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, we we use it as an information technology company and obviously the unfortunately the the hackers out there are using it too. They're they're beefing up their attacks and we're trying to beef up our our defense. >> What is your goal for having that policy
in place? What's the timeline associated with that? >> Uh I would hope in the next couple of months. Uh we we're working on a whole number of policies. Uh we have the uh that was one of the things we talked about. There's an uh incident response plan that we are actively working on. I hope to have that done in the next couple of days. Uh there is a grant
potential for getting us into the cyber security uh center at Bridgewater State University. Uh Chris Blanca and I actually have attended a seminar there where they will bring towns in and run through scenarios. In order to get the
grant, we need to have a a viable internet uh incident response plan that basically says we we have a plan in case something happens. We have that plan documented, we can actually if we get the grant, we can bring town administration in finance, legal, HR,
IT, and they'll actually run us through some scenarios of things actually going sideways, and we get to actually exercise our our plan in real time and see how it all goes. Yeah, they're called tabletop exercises and they're very uh beneficial having to go having to deal with it. Yeah.
>> A little more intense than tabletop. It's they've got a a huge room set up with with large screens and computers. Uh, I did one with the FBI at a center that IBM runs up in Cambridge and that it was it was very very intense where
you're sitting at a desk and the phone rings in front of you and it's someone our website is getting attacked and then it falls through the whole thing with L's getting attacked in the network. You got people stuck in elevators because HVAR's been been attacked. uh you got the media rolling up out front demanding
to have uh someone come down and say what's going on and they basically run you through a very intense half a day and how do you handle it and then what do you learn from what you did right what you've been drawn >> I asked the question regarding policy
because in in the business world I'm in the lending world financial services and we're beginning to see cracks in litigation you know litigation there's risk there's a lot of exposure relative to what employees are putting into chat GBT um and other software like that and
we are clearly not sequestered at this time. Um my my son works a lot in AI so I know about this much only what I've learned from him but I think it's a very legitimate concern and it's really going to move fast that we're going to have to
limit what people use that for for the protection of the town. >> Yep. Yeah. I do have financial clients and we a lot of my financial clients have basically said in the firewall block any like we kind of figure out what we want to do with it. >> Yeah. >> And we can do the same. We haven't taken that full step with the town. But that's
certainly a posture we can take initially and say we just >> let none of this go anywhere until we exactly figure out what we want to do with it. If one of your employees puts a question into chat GBT, puts a case of something that you're currently working on, that is technically public source
because it's open, it's open. So, anything that goes in there is just open to whoever wants it. So, it could be, you know, sequestered. >> Yeah. Unless you have an enterprise version where you're paying, right? >> Yeah. But yes, the public version absolutely. It changed the model, >> right? And we don't have that right now, right? >> Apparently not.
>> Okay. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. Yes, I may. So, as Bob noted, we we are discussing this in the IT subcommittee and we're aware that uh it starts with a policy. Um we have that drafting now. Um
uh we hope to have that out shortly. Um but we're also relying on guidance from the state. Uh and I am aware I've learned that the state is rolling out a CAT GBT that's going to be allowed for municipal. it started with the state uh
so it allow them to use that and have guardrails in place and protect the data from being dumped out on the in the um and hopefully you know that's again being piloted right now I don't know when that's going to be made available to municipalities that's something where we are watching uh in the meantime we
will discuss in the IT subcommittee putting in guardrails to ensure that municipal employees are not dumping stuff in chat TV that could be sensitive information or proprietary or so forth so >> thank you we've had some very basic education I've just just talked to a number of people about being careful
what they put in there that you don't want to put any kind of personal information or if you're dealing with uh towns people you don't want anything in there but very generic things can be done at this point. We're not exposing anything. >> Madam Chair, >> wonderful question for Bob. Uh back to
the budget. Um I saw in 25 to 26 you had about a $58,000 drop and then it went up about 15,000 for the next what what's that fluctuation about that I was actually trying to go through that myself and figure out I know we had some issues with some licensing some things we didn't have to renew that now have
popped back in again uh that that probably should have been more level funded because it basically that just over 100,000 is is kind of been pretty consistent across there as opposed to dropping 66. So you just there was a particular year you didn't have to you might have got two years on Microsoft >> do some licensing right we did change
all the licensing too with Microsoft to save some money where we did have annual commitment on everything and there was a monthly charge and then Microsoft was going to upcharge that if you paid monthly so we did change that to an annual commitment annual payment so now we're we're kind of frontloading the uh
all the Microsoft >> do the department's heads have a good understanding of the software that's licensed to their employees Because if someone let me, I would have Adobe Acro Professional. I'd have five other things because I love all that stuff. >> Yeah, I I pretty tightly control and then working with with Andrew and and
who who can have what. Okay. >> Uh there are very few people that actually have Adobe. >> Uh we are going through an issue with Microsoft where most people are just running a Microsoft mailbox license and they have the VLA Microsoft Office software. What we're finding now is
there's more and more teams and we have more and more things coming from the state. We're having to put more and more people on 365 which is a subscription service which obviously costs more. But we're finding now with the the grant programs that the spreadsheets that are coming from the state, if you're going
to start to uh do work on grants, you have to have 365. The Excel sheets do not work unless >> so basically department heads and administration now all have have a higher license. I think ideally it would be nice to get everybody to a higher license. We could leverage things a lot
more, but funding wise that's that's not realistic right now. >> Well, that tells you how tight your budget is if everybody isn't on 365 because the rest of the world is right. >> Yeah. Yeah. From an email perspective, they are, but from a us on application perspective, most people are not. >> Interesting. Thank you,
>> Madam Chair. Robert, just to address the M M365. So, there was a project that we were working on. I was working to upgrade all the licenses that would allow more uh to leverage the other tools that Microsoft offers such as SharePoint collaboration get us off those arcade file shares and so forth
and one drive and move eventually everything to the cloud. I think there'll be some could be some cost savings there get us some off some of the um on onrem servers that Bob is still maintaining. There's other reasons why we may have to maintain on prem services but point of all that is that is something that we have discussed.
this project that I was working on aggressively. Now it's on hold because there's an additional cost before that. So um and there was one other thing I was going to the first thing you asked for um M365. What was the other thing? Adobe.
>> Oh software. Yes. So we actually at our last meeting um requested a software in a hardware inventory from Bob. So that's something we're also going to look at on our next meeting to ensure that you know the licenses being allocated as as needed and so forth. So
>> thank you >> Mr. McCall. Thank you very much. >> All right. Enjoy your evening. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Um next is planning. So I'm assuming that is planning coming up or we are you
handling it tonight? >> A little bit of both, I think. >> Okay, great. come on up >> and congratulations on uh being our our newest uh planning board member. You're here for 5 years, so welcome. Thanks. >> Thank you to the residents for entrusting me in that role.
>> Uh starts on page 70 and the line items are on page 73. So >> So it's a fairly simple um budget, not too many lines for the planning board. Uh it looks like uh budget 1A has the
town planner moving from a full-time position to a part-time position. >> Um I have a question about the $50,000 that's advocated in the 1A. Um how is that number determined? I know that um Michelle, our chair, the planning board
chair, Miss McCinen, has had conversations um but I wasn't sure how that $50,000 was determined. Is that a roundabout number or >> It's just a round number that we used that was about um it's on the same salary schedule as uh a couple other
positions. So basically we just kind of took that and slashed it in half. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And then um it looks like the hourly wages for clerical uh is that 54691 an increase in cost of living adjustment
should the override go through >> cost of living in steps. Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> And then uh budget 1B would um keep that without a cost of living increase. So it would be level funded from 2026 to 2027.
Correct. >> Correct. >> And uh we are eliminating the certification stipen budget 1A and 1B. >> That was the last second change. As the board knows, we had a resignation in the
office and she had received that certification statement. So, I removed it. >> Okay. >> That was probably the last thing removed out of the budget. >> And is that the same position that the 54691 salary was allocated to? >> Correct.
>> Thank you. And then for town planner expenses, you can see that in both cases, budget 1A and 1B have eliminated that training education program.
And then office supplies and postage in one 1A is level funded. And then 1B, should an override not take place, it's less $250 in the same instate travel
1A goes from $250 to $225. And then dues and subscriptions, 1A is $500 and 1B450. Um the only thing I would like to add to
that um speaking on behalf of the board and the select board knows that we've advocated for a town planner and you have tried on a few occasions to um find that position for us just hasn't worked out. So um we just like to advocate for
a town planner even though growth has not been projected to be very high. Um we do we are responsible for a lot of functions and reviewing site plans. So that expertise and that guidance when when growth does happen is really really
important to us and providing that oversight to the town um the planning committee the planning board. >> So the um with the resignation it obviously opens up a chance to like reinvision the position or maybe less positions that office completely.
I'm still uh debating in my head what I want that to to be. Um whether it's the clerical position. Either way, that's in either budget. Um but maybe we just do a town planner and no clerical staff. Like I I don't know what that's going to look like quite yet. Um and with some of the savings you've probably kind of seen in
some of these other budgets, we might be able to to fund a full-time planner position. I just don't know what that's going to look like. And ideally, that's going to be something on the next agenda to discuss. Um, obviously we can't hire anyone with a hiring free. So that would be a discussion and a vote by select
board. So >> Madam Chair, I want to make one comment because I have long supported uh us having a town planner for many, many years, 20 years at least. I can't believe we haven't had one. And I I don't believe that the role of the town
planner is once the construction starts. It's before it starts. it's 10 years before they start so that we have a game plan because a bunch of us as volunteers sat down to come up with the town's master plan. And then we had a group of volunteers that were doing the implementation plan. But what Middleboro
is able to do, and I'm not saying we want to be Middleboro, but other towns around that have a strong resource are able to look ahead and say this is what we want for our community and this is how we're going to go and get it. And I feel like we are in a constant reactive state because we are a board of
volunteers without the professional guidance that a an area like us really needs and it's going to stick us in the long run. And that's my two cents. So thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you for referencing the master plan too. It is in that document that
really um shows the planning board has the sole lead on 12 of the strategies in that in that master plan. So it is a big role and we appreciate you acknowledging that. Thank you, >> Don. Thank you very very much. Nice to
see you. >> Okay, that concludes um our department head uh budget meeting and I believe the uh finance committee um unless you have any other business um can adjurnn and join us at the next. >> Make a motion we journ.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> cost and I feel I thank you. Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Nice to see you all. >> Next Tuesday. >> Next Tuesday. >> All right.
>> Okay. Um >> we're going to push through. Ready? Ready. >> So, next item. Um is a discussion and possible vote on a change order for the fire station um project. When the project uh for the fire station
came to fruition, um there was a vote by the select board that if there were any uh change orders that were presented in excess of $20,000 would come in front of the select board for approval. Anything below that um would be the vote of the
fire station building committee. So in front of us this evening there is a uh change order. Um and I'm going to make my best stab at this because um it has to do with um stretch code and energy modeling. So, at our last meeting, which
was April 8th, the fire station building committee uh received information and discussion regarding this change order request. Uh it was uh a vote in in favor to make the recommendation to come in front of
the select board. So, the amount is $36,650.74 and this is for the addition of under slab insulation. This means that in the the bays of the fire station, there were some um design
where these insulated slabs would be around the perimeter of the building. And if we were to add it to the entire bay, that would help with the
energy model and reaching the stretch code that this project would have to meet set by the requirements within um our building department. So this is just one way to help us reach that um through that energy model through
um the stretch code. Um I don't know if there's any additional information that um this particular committee would like um regarding this. I know that it I think it's about 400
slabs if I'm not mistaken um for the entire um project. But this will it's not going to you know make it net zero in the building by any means. But this will certainly um
increase the energy um slippage um for the bay area by putting these um insulated paddings in there. So >> okay question. Oh you are you Oh sorry >> no no no you can ask your question. I
don't I'm sitting here wondering if I'm going to be able to answer it because >> I'm just curious um um curious why this wasn't part of the original design. >> That is a very good question. So, um and I can certainly invite our architect um
to one of our meetings, you know, down the road and we can have a conversation. Uh but this was definitely um should have been part of the the original design um of the project and this cost would have been in that if
it were part of the original design. So it's not an additional cost outside of the project. Um it should have been included at the beginning. So at this time um because we are with a what we would call a Gant chart
with the with the project we're moving forward. This is not in any way going to hold up the project. Um we will continue to move forward and and strive for our finish for the finish line. But um this is something that we would need to do
and out of you know any opportunity to save on you know energy costs um will be coming in front of the fire station building committee and we will certainly approve or not approve uh recommendate
recommending to the select board. But this is definitely one that we felt uh would provide more value with a lower price tag. >> And the follow-up question if I may, and I'm not an expert on green communities.
Is this in some way driven by green communities compliance? >> Um it is I don't know if it's specific to green communities, but I do know that the the town of Lakeville has adopted um the stretch code. Um I'm not anywhere an expert on that and I'm glad that we have
um those participating in this um committee um but we are green conscious >> and we are energy conscious to put forth the >> which aligns with our green communities >> absolutely some way. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Madam chair. >> Yes. >> Um I had two questions. One was around this change order form. Um, I did notice that the where it talks about the original contract amount was and so
forth, those values are not filled in in the change order. Where, which page are you looking at? >> Uh, it's the change order. >> Oh, from the contractor. >> Yes. >> Oh, for precision concrete closing. >> Yes. >> Okay.
And so where it talks about total amount 85 8850 underneath that I would expect that those values would be filled in on the change order since they're specifically calling it out.
That would be a question um I could certainly put forward to our OPM. Um I don't know if this is a standard form uh that the concrete flooring company uses. Um, and I'm not sure if we went to get
the install for the over the 440. Um, so it was over 400. Okay. 440. Um, is that for the the cuz they were part of the original cuz it the outline of the the bays already
has that. So, I'm assuming that that was already part of it where this is a brand new one >> where it wouldn't be part of that. But I I think I understand where you're coming from, too. >> Okay. >> And the last question was it specifically talked about a minimum R
value of 10 as a requirement, but I didn't see anywhere on the specifications on the next page where it says white cap. It doesn't talk about those specifications. So, I just would appreciate clarity that it meets the minimum specifications.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um, like I said, I'm I'm very happy if this board is interested um to inviting the architect here um to talk about um you know, anything that they would like to ask or if you'd like to put some questions together, I'd be happy to make
sure that those get answered. Um whatever is easier for this board. >> All right. Thank you. Madam Chair, um I share the same um I guess concern that uh Mr. Plonka does
that I believe it was one of our own town committees that brought this forward. Um isn't that what a project manager is supposed to do? Like look out for our best interest.
I'm sorry I'm not following. So this I believe was this isn't this what I believe the meeting that I'm referencing was it was stated that it was our own internal environmental group that brought these Mr. Gregory maybe that brought these this concern forward on
the stretch code. So again like what Mr. Planka said, "Do we need to like have all our internal committees, like our own internal IT committee look at things so that we're sure we're not
missing things going forward?" Um, I think that that's a valid um valid point. Um, we do have an energy advisory committee, uh, which just came back to the table, um, you know, after kind of a hiatus because there really wasn't a lot
of activity. Um, and we have new membership on there that has a lot of background, um, with, I guess, energy protocols and energy initiatives. Uh so with regards to this um fire station
building project, I know from from day one that we were very much interested in making sure that we had put forth a energyefficient building um to the taxpayers and that we would do what we could um to achieve that. And
um nowhere anywhere did the select board ever request um the initiative of a net zero building because it would have been I don't even know what the cost would be but it would have been a lot more than what we had originally planned. So as
far as the stretch code is concerned this is through our building commissioner. So, as permits um and the project is moving forward um there's certain stages of the project that are reviewed to make sure that they are
compliant and and meeting code. Um and I believe at that point um there was some identification that there's a delta from what the design was to what the stretch code requirements are. And I know it's a lot of
engineering numbers. I wouldn't be able to begin to describe or explain that in any way, but there are ways that we can get to that stretch code number that we would be required um for um whatever
regulations or adoption that we have for the stretch code. Um it's I know it's a number um but we are also with regards to the energy um that did come out of the energy
advisory committee was a request to um run an audit or study to make sure that um you know becomes a certified uh statement that we can say we do have a energy efficient building.
So, right. So, this is this is my concern. Do we have I mean, the one that keeps coming to mind is like the IT committee and I do believe Bob McN is on that committee and I think he's involved. Is there any other place where we should have our own internal committees?
>> I don't even know what they could be looking at the project to make sure nothing else gets missed. I guess >> Madam Chair, I just want to add to that before you respond. So, regarding the um uh it there was a a concern early on
that there was no coordination with Bob and I brought that to your attention. That issue has been resolved. Um he is participating in some of those discussions. But I think Miss Fabian brings up a a a good point that I had
wasn't thinking of energy advisory committee, IT committee. Is there a formal way as so I I know that Bob has been attending some meetings. I'm now starting to think as chair of the IT committee that uh maybe
I'd like to formalize something. Do we have can we add somebody a non- voting representative from energy advisory committee right or in it to ensure that they're getting regular communication? I have a concern that you know Bob's getting some communication now but two or three months because there's no
formal process in place that now I go to Bob and us as a committee Bob says well yeah they haven't included me so is it I'm just throwing up is there a way maybe you could formalize >> the ensure that those folks and advisory comm I think is a good one and it would
be another one formalize it they're not overlooked going forward >> well I think that um as far as you know and I can only speak to, you know, the energy and the IT um that you brought up. Uh I know that when you had approached me and I know that u Mr. McN
had um you know question about you know when at what point would his involvement be when I did report back to and check in with our oper um owner's project manager it's OPM by the way. So when I say OPM that's what I'm referencing um they hadn't started those discussions
yet. So, um I think it was kind of right on the the but there was always the intent that Mr. McN would have been um involved in those discussions. So, I just want to clarify that if there was any uh misunderstanding that they were
not going to be included. I wanted to squash that because it was always the intent um to include Mr. McNuts. As far as the energy advisory, I think that because of the timing that the energy advisory committee came back
online, our project was already in motion. Um, and I don't believe that, uh, you know, as far as, you know, checking in with the energy advisory, I also s, you know, sit on that committee as well, and we do have conversations,
um, you know, with the chair of the committee if there's anything, you know, initiatives coming up. So, um I believe that um and Nate Darling, our building commissioner, is also part of the energy advisory committee um did have a conversation with the um energy advisory
committee chair regarding this change order in the initiative for the energy advisory. Um with regards to any other um internal committees, that would be up for the discussion of this board. But for tonight on the agenda is this change
order. So, um I would like to refocus us um so that I don't get accused of running a long meeting. >> We digress. >> Um so, can we refocus um just for now and then if you guys want to put this on a future agenda, I'd be happy to um make that happen for everybody. Um, so I
guess at this point I'll entertain a motion from the select board um to approve the fire station change order number 004 um added rigid insulation in the amount of $36,650.74. >> So move. >> There's a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? um I will bring back to this board as soon as we we get our numbers um from our engineer and architect uh meeting that energy model. Um okay, I'd like to do roll please if we can strike on the
other end. I guess >> baby and I Howard I love I >> Hunt I >> and Carbon I. So thank you. I hope I was able to clear up any um confusions and I will get the rest of the information for you.
Kristen insulation as specified is an R10. That particular one in >> it says it in here though. >> It it says it in there and it says it on the the code is an R10 as well. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um
so we put this off to um this meeting because there was going to be additional um questions regarding appointments. Um I have two others that I'd like to add and thank you um have a good evening. Thank you for staying.
Uh because we have to have an appointment or representative liaison from this board. So I will run down these and we can just um appoint somebody. So the first one is our town union negotiations. Um anybody
interested in serving in that capacity? >> Might I ask a question? >> Sure. >> There was a time when that position actually was involved in negotiations but that was done away with. Can you give me an update on where that position stands right now? Um I don't think we've
we've had meetings as a board. So if there's um Andrew if if I mean I've invited the former representatives to that. She never attended any of them. Um we didn't really have extensive negotiations yet
as I'm sure everyone knows so far. But I'm I'm either way is fine with me. >> Okay. Either we do it or we we can just leave it with the board and the board can decide at that time. >> I mean, I've done it before. I put my name in, but it's up to the board if it wants to be appointed or not.
>> You put your name in. >> I would. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> M a question. So, I know what we've done over the last 3 four months in executive session. Is is that this role taking us out of those? I
would hope it did not because we still would need to as a board to get updates. >> Okay. So that person's the point person working with Andrew. They're going to do the heavy duty stuff then executive session. Correct. Okay. >> Yeah. >> But as Andrew indicated, we're on hold
right now. So >> yes, that's true. >> Okay. >> So we have interest. Um and member Fabian, do I hear a motion? >> A motion to appoint member Fabian. >> Nice. >> Seconded. >> I have a motion and a second. Discussion hearing none. Roll please.
>> Davian I. >> Howard I. >> BL I. >> Hunt I. >> Carbon. I. Capital expenditure committee. Anybody interested in doing that? >> I am. >> All right. Do I hear a nomination for member Howard? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion is second. Discussion. Hearing
none. Roll. >> Baby I. >> Howard I. >> Plug I. Hunt. I. >> Carbon. I. Town hall building reuse subcommittee. Um that membership of that charge. um represents two um select board members. Member Hunt is on that
committee and he will remain on that because it's through the end of July. Uh but we do we are down a member on that. Is there anybody that would be interested in doing that? >> I'd love to do that. >> All right. Do I hear a motion from member Fabian? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Motion a second. Discussion hearing none. Roll >> Fabian I. Howard I. >> Plug I punt I. >> And Carboni I. Um, at this point, the rent control board, I believe we have to add uh member Howard and member Fabian. You're
>> correct. The rest of us have already been appointed. So, I will entertain a motion um to appoint member Howard and member Fabian to the rent control board. >> So, move second. >> Motion is second discussion. Hearing none, roll please.
>> Fabian I. >> Howard, I >> Hunt I. >> Carbon I. the MBTA advisory committee. I believe that's a representative from the Lakeville um select board. Um I don't know who held that before.
>> It was Moren. We had just appointed her to it. >> That's right. I remember at one of the the last meetings. >> Did we determine how long in time commitment that um particular appointment would be? >> Leah would probably know the best because you were on for many I did it for yeah I did it for six years and
there was you know uh at least one meeting a month that was you know about an hour um I actually went up to committee status and was like the vice chair of the finance committee so I put a little more time in but no one has to do that they don't have to you know go
up to that you want to make it seven years >> sure >> so you're interested in doing it continued or >> yeah I mean I I think Paul's had experience with the MBTA stuff. You get definitely some interesting information that comes, you know, a lot of it doesn't apply to us here in the rural
community. A lot of it does apply to the cities. Um, but it's still, you know, I do recall sharing some interesting information. Um, so yeah, I'd do it again. >> Would this um absolutely have some influence over the discussion of the um
MBTA commuter rail station um project? probably this is mostly the advisory committee which we don't necessarily get a say we talk about things like that and I would always share whatever might have come up
but >> okay >> is there some level of oversight that the MDTA advisory does over the MBTA itself >> um it's budgetary it's yeah But a lot of it
has to go through the MBD but it's not like we have absolute there's absolute control over >> um we do we would get updates from like uh I I'm not sure his title chairman would give us updates we would often hear from the um transportation
secretary they would come to the MBTA advisory committee it's interesting because there is it it is interesting because there is a couple of mayors that participate um So, but a lot, like I said, a lot of stuff happens pertains more to um the
the cities. Um there is a look, when I left, there was a lot of talk about um charging stations and electric stuff like that, use of electric uh vehicles and you know, so it kind of
Yeah. Yep. >> All right. I make a motion reappoint to the committee. She she's very updated on that. >> Yeah, it's also a daytime committee, so for someone who works, it might be kind of tricky. I'm a freeloader, so
>> I'll second that. >> Motion to second discussion. Hearing none. Roll baby and I. >> Howard, I >> plug eye. Hunty. >> Carbon. I um for I know that we're we're inching out our way, but um there's other boards that we have to consider.
Um the economic development committee um the membership was a representative of the select board. Um and at as of this time, um I was the representative on the se from the select board. Um, member Howard is was a member on that committee
as a member at large, whereas now she is a select board member. Um, so we're going to have to make an adjustment on on that. I know Mrs. Miss Howard would like to continue on that. And I would be
aiss to say that, you know, that wouldn't be a great thing because she is a wealth of knowledge and um, commitment in that arena. and I would very much like to see her continue in that role. Um and then
um we would be able to put out a member at large. Yeah. >> Which I believe there was a a member here this evening that said that they had some suggestions. So maybe we reach out to that member too. But um so this is what I'm thinking. Um and keeping the
membership as is without changing the membership of that committee. >> Okay. Same discussion for it. You can do that now or later. >> Um I have that written down here um as well. >> Jump the gun. >> Nope. We're just all, you know, great minds are thinking alike tonight. So um
with that, um I don't know what we do. Do I do I do we appoint we would have to officially appoint um member Howard to that because
she's not a select board member as it stands on it. So >> she's the atlarge. >> Yes. >> There's nothing that says we can't change them here. >> It does not. It does. There's nothing that states that we cannot um change the
member the makeup of the membership. Um I'm if I step down um from that membership, I will still be involved. I plan on, you know, helping in any way that I can, you know, further. >> You do >> as well as everybody else here.
>> Yeah, you do have a full plate, Lorine. >> So, >> you know, I really appreciate you, you know, and keeping a watchful eye on all of my activity. It makes me feel special. So, thank you. >> Um Um So, are we looking for a motion?
Yes. I'm looking for a motion from member Howard. >> So I make a motion that we appoint member Howard to the economic development committee as the select board representative. >> Yep. >> Seconded. >> Motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll please. >> Baby and I.
>> Howard I. >> I. >> Hunt I. >> Carbon. I. Okay. Next meeting um for that I believe is May 11th. Um, so if we can, you know, work to get that out and because it wasn't on this agenda, I need to add it to the next agenda for
ratification. Um, it is the same situation. Um, so I know both of you are interested in, you know, it so I'm you're you're already the representative. >> Yeah. So I think it was the same thing for it that we just did for EDC. What
did we just do for EDC? what we >> Well, we only have one select board member on it. >> Correct. >> As part of the membership. >> Yes. As it stands today. Yes. So, we have to modify the charter. >> You can modify the ch the chart change if you'd like to or the charge.
>> Charter. Do we have to do that first? >> Nope. Let's add it to the next agenda so that we can get that done because that's going to be a little bit more involved. >> Okay. >> Cable advisory. Um I know that member Howard um you are a member at large on that. Yes. >> And
I believe um member Candido was the fill in for that. >> She was the select board rep if I remember right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we're still going to have to go out for
an atlarge member for that. >> Okay. So, member Howard, you're still interested from you indicated. Okay. Okay. So, I'll entertain a motion to appoint member Howard to the um cable advisory committee as a select board representative. >> So, move >> second.
>> Motion to second. Discussion hearing none. Roll a. >> Howard I >> Hunt I >> and Carboni I. Um so, can we get that out out as well for member at large? >> Yep. and let's please add um the EDC and
it to the next meeting which is uh Tuesday if we have time but we'll go over the agenda for that. Okay. Thank you. All right. Um next select board meeting as I mentioned is um
next Tuesday the 21st 5:45 um right here at the Lakeville um library. Um and then we'll have a list of the next department heads. We'll get that out to the board. All right. I'll entertain a motion at 8:23 to adjurnn. >> So move.
>> Second. I'm sure there's no discussion. Roll please. >> Baby. Howard. >> I car I thank you. Can you show me