Well, Greg, this is uh you can see Greg here from the Mass Cultural Council. Um and as you see, he's on we had you first on our agenda, Greg. That way you don't have to stay the whole time. Um and so just uh out of respect for everyone's time, we can get started. And if we have
uh anyone coming in late, we'll just admit them. So, I don't know, Greg, if you have a little spiel or >> Sure. Sure. I could I could get going. Uh, my name is Greg Tores. I work with uh Mass Cultural Council. I've been with the agency now for going on 5 years, but
I actually started on the organizations team. So, I was part of the team that was redesigning our organizations grant program. Uh, in 24, I moved over to communities cuz I love working with people and not data sheets and guidelines and all that fun stuff. Um, so this is now going into my third cycle
for the communities. In total, I work with Northshore, North of Boston, Marramac Valley, uh, North Central and now South Central, um, LCC's. So, my biggest thing, uh, I love the fact that it's a volunteerrun program essentially.
Um, so what I love to do is what you'll start to notice from me as we continue to work together is I like to be very proactive and I have figured out where the pitfalls are with the LCC members who engage in the program. So I try to send that information to you way before
you get to that proverbial pothole into the road so that it's a much easier experience and it's at the end of the day a fun and awesome and rewarding position um that I honestly feel we are all kind of privileged to to be in. So that in general that's kind of how I like to do things and I like to be as
open as possible. So weekends, evenings, obviously weekdays, doesn't matter. Any questions, any concerns, I am a resource to you. So that's that's the if nothing else, that is the biggest thing I want to communicate to you all and to anyone else who's on the webinar today.
I'll leave it there. I could keep going, but I get too excited. So I'm going to just pause there and if there's any questions or follow up, I'm happy to be in touch. >> Yeah, no worries. >> Yeah. Thank you. And we're we're grateful as uh I think somebody else said we're grateful to see a face. We have this is actually the first time we've met uh in person or even spoke to
really our MCC liaison. So this is exciting for us. Um so you're seeing six of our members. We have three people uh four people. Uh so we have we're usually a board of 10 and so we've got four people who just couldn't make it. One our chair is coming in late like I was saying before. She wasn't that awake for
friends of hers that father that passed away. So I think we're going to see her around 7:30. But um yeah, so uh yeah, usually we have 10 like you said, we usually meet via Zoom and right now obviously we're you know out of we're we're out of our grant cycle and so you'll you'll see you have
a copy of our agenda I think. Um and so I'm Kiki and we can all maybe just go and say who we are. So I'm Kiki. I'm the secretary. So that's why you'll see me also over here typing on my laptop. So you'll like to see the side of my face. Um but I'll try to I'll try to mute because I also tend to talk to myself
while I'm doing that. So good to me. So, I've been on the council um for this is my second term. So, I guess that would be I'll be cycling off in at the end of 2027. Um and so I've been the secretary I guess for three three years since my
cycle upped. So, yeah. Next. I'll go next. Hey. Hi, I'm Sarah. Um I'm technically co-chair I guess. Um, I have been on the board for I think this is my third year, although I would not swear to it. I would defer to whatever Kiki
has to say about that cuz she's much better about those details. Um, you will most likely hear from me with questions during the grant cycle because there always seems to be something that comes up. But I'm thrilled to hear that you're uh
I don't I don't I don't mean to be like critical by any means, but I'm I'm thrilled to hear that you're you'll be accessible cuz it's it's very challenging to try to navigate some of these things that like are are are no big deal to you cuz you do this every
day, but for us it's like, you know, we do it once a year, which is not really enough to truly delve into it, But but that being said, like we're we're we have a great group and we're thrilled to
be part of this and we've got some really cool stuff coming up both in terms of our grantees and our um public programs. And I would also like to e echo the thank you for being here. It's much appreciated. >> I'll go next.
>> Oh, sorry. I'm Kathy. Um, like Sarah, I'm it's between two and three years. I can't remember, but um I actually am really new to Littleton. Um, my husband and I moved here four years ago from
Melrose where pretty much most of our life had been together. So, uh, this was just a great way for me to get involved and to, uh, work with this committee. Uh, in my
re before I retired, I worked for, uh, a grant through the Department of Early Education and Care, and I we wrote grants ourselves to Melrose to get people to come. So, to be on the other
end of it is is good for me. And I just like helping out wherever I feel comfortable. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Love it. I can go next. I am Juliana. I'm originally from Mexico and I moved
to Littleton from Houston one and a half years ago. When I moved here, I immediately connected with Kiki actually and I I reached out and say, "Hey, I want to be part of this." I used to work for a music foundation, so a nonprofit organization in in in Houston
and music has always been a big part of my life. So I wanted to be connected somehow and and I also found it as a way to meet more people in town and and get a better vibe of the town and and do something for the town the moment I got
here. So I' I'm very happy to have known, you know, to start, you know, creating this community with other people that that have the same goals and interests and yeah, it has been a great experience. Second cycle, second grand cycle only. So not not super experienced
yet personally, but getting there and and enjoying it very much. And so thank you for being here and for everything you do so that we can also do great things. I'm Kim. I've been here since 93. Raised my kiddos. I married a local boy who
grew up in the town next door. And so, um, we just, you know, it started at PTA. PTA is the the gateway drug, right? >> We all go in, we all help the schools, and then that's it. We we hear of people
doing other interesting things, and that's it. We we want in. And so I'm up this this June. So that means I'll have to find another the quick fix to figure out what I'm going to do. I think the um I think the conservation commission is
the next version of something. So we'll see. But this has been a blast. I'm an interior designer by trade. So, um, that it was it was natural to understand, ooh, these people have fun things and money to give away to people and clearly
I need new glasses because I actually thought that whatever is following you, um, Sarah is a chicken and then I see clearly that it is a cat and so, >> oh my gosh, >> she has she has learned how to open the
door into my office. >> That's awesome. That's >> awesome. >> Word to use. Right. Right. >> Anyway, it is great and thank you, Greg, for showing up. We appreciate it. And it's fun. It's It's fun for us if you
can tell us how to hook in with other >> uh you know, because again, there's so many things that we don't need to reinvent. And it sounds like that's your exact mode of operandi, which I'm impressed with. And that that just makes everybody happier.
Yeah. And hopefully you'll come see our flowers when we plant them on the common. They're not real. >> Yes. >> Just to tell you. >> And if you enjoy swinging a sledgehammer, you're more than welcome to help hand them in, too. It's very cathartic. >> Ray would love that.
And I'm Judy and I'm I guess I moved to Littleton in 1960 when I was a little girl. and I left for 27 years and lived in the Midwest. I have been um in industry most of my my career and I
am now retired. Um I moved back to Littleton 23 years ago. My boys graduated from Littleton. I've done lots of volunteer work, but this is a new one for me. This is my I've just gone through my first grant cycle. Um so I'm
wrapping up the oneyear mark and thank you for offering to help us. We appreciate it. >> Awesome. Well, that's who we all are. Um, so let's uh let's get official and call the meeting to order at 7:14.
Um, so Greg, I don't know what you typically do. Is your do you want to share with us everything you want to share and then you can be released or you do you just stay on and >> Yeah, you want to do >> I could I could go ahead and address a few uh key things. I didn't want to uh
interrupt while you were uh providing your introductions. Again, thank you all so much for for having me. But a few quick things I wanted to mention, Kathy, the the fact that you've actually worked in the grant space on the other side comes in handy completely. So, your insight into that is going to really help the rest of the group. And I'm sure
that already has. Uh fun fact, actually, next week, Wednesday evening, the Melrose Cultural Council is hosting their grant reception. You are welcome to attend, as are all of you. Um I'll I'll be there. Um Juliana, I actually there's a lot of awesome programming happening in Houston, Texas. A lot of
professional development around arts administration. I don't know if you're familiar with any of that. So I'd love to connect with you offline uh to see what you may know of that. Kim, um it's funny you had mentioned that one of the things that I've noticed, you talked about the entryways into working with
the municipality and how that led to LCC. What I've noticed is a few people transition from LCC's to running for local office and to the point where I want to actually see what that looks like on a statewide level and maybe put a little blog post together how the L
Oh, okay. Oh, did I did I strike a nerve? Okay. No, how how the LCC has kind of been that transition point um uh to that. So, yeah, just a a few quick things that I wanted to mention. Um, one of the biggest things that we're doing now, March, April, May, we do a really
big debrief on the LCC program. Um, starting really at the end of of April, but really heavily in in May and then we kind of uh implement a lot of things in June and then that's when we send the updated guidelines typically by January uh or excuse me, July, August along with
the webinar trainings that we typically do August, September, October. So, as part of that process, I I definitely wanted to make sure that whatever feedback or questions you all or issues you're having gets woven into that process. So, really, I'm here to listen. If there's anything that uh has stood
out, especially uh as you're wrapping up the fiscal 26 cycle that you'd like to share with me now, um feel free. But I really wanted just kind of wanted to jot some notes and see what I could go ahead and learn from from what you all have experienced. And the other thing that we are planning on piloting going over the
next several months, especially going into the next fiscal year, is for those of you that have been around LCC's for quite a while, you might remember there was a time preandemic that the Mass Cultural Council used to hold more convenings statewide, especially to
allow LCC members to come together from different communities. They love that. They want a version of that back. We I that predates my time here, but I would love to facilitate that kind of space. So, while our senior leadership team is
advocating for a larger fiscal 27 budget, one of the things we want to do now for 26 is see what we could do to pilot a virtual model of that. So, think of it as like virtual check-ins uh or office hours that have a topic of focus for that
particular hour and LCC members from across the state can come in share what they've learned around that. Um when I've been a part of a few ad hoc um models of that and whenever LCC members from different communities can come together to share their struggles and
what works, what isn't working, it's awesome across the board. It's been a great success every time I've been a part of something like that. So within the context of hearing your feedback, just know that I'm actually thinking about like, oh, that would actually be a great kind of topic idea to facilitate. Uh, so that's also kind of the where we
plan on on using your feedback or how we plan on using it as well. But yeah, if there's anything you want to share in terms of things you've noticed as you've been wrapping up the fiscal 26 cycle, let me know. Well, I'll say just from fiscally this
uh fiscal year 26, I don't know if it had no offense as much to do with the MCC program as just how we sort of changed our program, but this was the first year that we really didn't have to chase people, you know, to get paperwork. So, our Yeah. So, we have had a pretty easy wrap up. We've been
wrapped up for a while. Um, which has been great because I think it's given us time to have focused more on um like our public art project, which you'll hear a little bit more about. Um, and so yeah, I think we kind of hit our stride. We I think I really appreciated the updated
forms that didn't have as didn't have to have like the two signatures. So, it made it easier to be able to and and be able to uh execute that stuff digitally, you know, because I remember when I was first on the council like meeting our old treasurer like in my driveway, you know, to sign the papers and trying to
figure out who's who's where at what time. And so that's really streamlined our our process. And actually we are um on a direct uh grant program. So we've actually already been uh collecting we only have six outstanding packets right now for our entire FY26.
>> I was going to ask when when did that start? When do you remember when you transitioned from reimbursement to direct granting? >> I think I believe they we've been Do you remember Kim? I think last year we got good >> um before that. >> No, he's talking about he's talking
about when we transitioned the program to direct, not not how we transitioned to our digital thing. >> Oh, >> so we Yeah, we think it's been a couple of years that we tried to do it, but it seemed like the first year there seemed to be a
couple of glitches that either we didn't communicate it or people were like, "Wait, this isn't how we did it." It was just the folks that had already done it before with us and now it's been so easy peasy. So, it's fantastic. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. The prior time that I've been on the board, which uh we've been a direct grant, so it would it predates me. Um but we we definitely did have I think a little bit where people even though we write that in the letter and give them all of the directions, they were still waiting thinking they had to wait until
after their program and all of that sort of stuff. So, we definitely um I think this year is the first year where everybody's understood like, hey, you can start filling this out now, >> you know, and starting to Yeah. which has really been helpful because Littleton is uh sort of a small town and so it takes a really really long long
time to get them to cut a check. >> Um and so, and where you know something like one of the schools can sort of cover the cost of something and wait for that reimbursement. Obviously, some of the sole proprietors um and and smaller grantees, you know, were were struggling
with that and there was a lot that I was managing like in the emails of back and forth of being like when's my check coming or this is due and that kind of thing. So, um I think whenever they did make that train, it must predate all of us. Um because I know when Julie was the chair, it was when I first started,
which would be I guess almost six years ago, we were on we were on a direct um and so I'm not sure maybe it was I don't even know. We could probably look it up. But anyway, um, so I think that that's been helpful, especially for smaller LCC's like us that I think tend to get grantees that are not like big
corporate, you know, we don't have, you know what I mean, that that need to have that the funding in advance. Um, I would say a lot of our challenges and I don't know how are are kind of just with the town, you know what I mean? like we've we've done our part, right? We've sent it to them
>> and then now it's just like what is taking so long to get it there and then we're of course the you know the conduit with the grantee. Um like I'm still working on someone where they never got the check from last fiscal year and and it's just like pulling teeth just to get
them to answer me back. Has the check been cash? You know, and of course we can't do anything else other than keep asking the town administrators the question. So, um I think that sometimes can be the challenges, but um >> do they does does the town of Littleton
have a municipal liaison assigned to the cultural council? >> Yes. Yeah, we do. Uh one of our select board members, he Yeah. I mean, he doesn't come to any of our meetings. Um I think that uh since this is being recorded, I'll be very light on what I
say, but I think that uh I think that he likes the idea of being the liaison and is happy when his name is on stuff. But um and I think when we go to the meetings, he's jovial, but there's not a lot of like good communication or sort of advocacy there. I mean, I would say
we probably I don't know that we've ever really been aggressive about it like about anything. You know what I mean? Like so I suppose if this check thing this has been the biggest issue that we've had all the time that that I've been here where it's taken so long, you know, that now they're coming back and saying, "Hey, our account is in the red
because we don't have this money. Where is it?" you know, and so >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Oh, I was just gonna say, so we've never really had this issue before. Um, and so I I could see myself, if I don't hear back from her in a couple days, maybe moving it up the chain, you know, but I'm hopeful that the the email I sent
today I feel like was very strongly worded. And so I'm like I CCD many other people on it that I had not CCD before. So I'd like to hope that we're going to get it resolved. But >> have you do you typically deal with the town folks from the town administrator's office or the town accountants office?
the more the fiscal folks. >> Uh the fiscal folks and then the town clerk, but it's kind of all the same place. >> Okay. In your in your experience doing it, do you is is it because that there might maybe they're relatively new, so there's a lack of understanding or they
just don't prioritize. Okay. All right. Um not okay. in general. Uh definitely let me know what we not that we're going to solve that problem or any other that that we may talk about later today. But in general,
I've noticed that whenever we could lean on the folks who are running the communities, it's a little bit different cuz a lot of these communities are applying to our other grant programs. And when Mass Cultural Council reaches out to them about an issue that's on their end that's delaying payment, it's
like look, you guys just got a $150,000 grant to rep like at the very least you can you you could shepherd these things a lot faster. So if push comes to shove, if we need to have a conversation like that with town administrators, I that's up to you. If you want to go that route, we're we're more than welcome to oblige
a conversation like that. >> Yeah. That cuz you shouldn't be >> That's the other thing with the LCC members. your work should not have to be the the fostering and the building of a better municipal relationship is everyone's kind of job in that sense. But if you're trying your best and
there's still something there that's not really clicking then then that's when we could definitely get involved to help bridge that gap. And we've had to and I'm not speaking out of turn. We've had to literally do this for a lot of communities across uh the state especially because you have a lot of turnover. Typically, it's it happens
because you have new select board members, new town admin, new town accounts that are getting hired. They don't know what the LCC program is, so it's tertiary in terms of all their other priorities. It's not necessarily out of malice. It's just out of a a lack of knowledge from what I've seen so far. And to give them the the benefit of the
doubt, but if things should escalate and get worse, definitely feel free to reach out and let me know that. That is fantastic and much appreciated and 100% on the you know total lack of malice. It's just you know we no one has enough
time, energy, resources to get everything done unfortunately. But so >> any any any kind of additional >> weight we can have to push things through is much appreciated. And Kiki, do you want to loop me in on that conversation too? I I'm not sure what I
can do to help, but I'm I'm more than happy to like check in on it and see if another voice would help. Um I don't know if anyone else wants I don't know that we have had a lot of other bumps in the road. I think we did have a little bit of an issue with
communication with your predecessor that sort of stopped us from getting so um we were unable to get our priorities loaded into the website for fiscal year 26 because we had a technical issue and we reached out reached out reached out and never heard back until after the
deadline had passed. >> And then we're told there was no way, you know, to put it in now that the deadline had passed. And so that was kind of a bit of a frustration on our end because then of course when it came to our grant cycle, you know, we didn't have our local priorities um up there.
And I don't know, and maybe this is something that's beyond the pale, but it would it would be interesting if like if that did happen with them, instead of reverting to nothing, it could have at least stayed as it was the previous year. Cuz I I would, you know, speaking, you know, from our council, like our our
priorities do not shift massively every year. And so it probably would have been, you know, it would have been better for us at least to have at least been able to work with our FY25 priorities when those had a technical glitch as opposed to then having nothing, you know. >> Yeah. >> So just something to maybe think about
if there's ever conversation and feedback that if people do miss those deadlines, maybe instead of giving them nothing, if they had something in previously, just letting that sort of stay, you know, making it a change it instead of a re-entering everything >> like raw kind of thing. >> Yeah, that's so that's a great point. I
could touch base a little bit about that now. Um, so we that did come up last year and due to the software that we use, that wasn't something that was that was uh that was feasible. So again, my my proactive the way I like to engage, my avoiding the pitfalls down the road,
I knew that cuz I had seen communities do that um on my first year when I was very kind of observant of things. Now, once that new cycle report goes live, at some point in July, I start reaching out to all my communities, letting them know, hey guys, this is what I send them a copy and paste. This is what you had
last year. If you want to do this next year, just copy and paste it into new report, submit it, you're good to go. Otherwise, it's due by August 31st. Failure to meet that deadline means it's going to zero out and you have nothing. So, I basically send those reminders as we get closer to that deadline so that
communities know um and they could and and that won't be an issue. I did notice that you didn't enter anything last year. Um, so yeah, just know that's going to be a smoothed out thing as we work together uh going into this summer. >> Great. Yeah, I would say that was and I
mean obviously anybody else can jump in here and say, but I feel like that was our biggest sort of hurdle last year where things went a little bit ary. >> Yeah, and I'm so glad you brought that up. Like that was one of the things I wanted to mention too was that was that was a pretty big bump. It was it was interesting and I don't know how closely
closely related these two things are but we got a really big pool of applications this year >> 40 I think I saw right >> yeah it's fantastic but I'm not sure if it's because have >> we didn't have our local guidelines that you know could have helped streamline
some of that >> I I will say I don't know what your I I actually hadn't seen your guidelines from the previous year but one of the common local guideline criteria that I I've seen is the is the requirement of a support letter of from a local
stakeholder or something along those lines. They frame it differently or a venue confirmation. Yeah. So LCC's that do have that is there's definitely a correlation between having that type of criteria and seeing a a lower amount of submitted applications. So interestingly
you got to test this theory out in real time by not having any of those restrictions. You saw more applications um come in. But yeah, so so all of the and you mentioned that you're not planning on shifting things dramatically from year to year, but this is something you could even start working on as early
as this spring. If um all of the fiscal 25 guidelines and priorities that you did publish, you could start from that as a as a as a draft and how you want to update that uh to get ready for the launch of the that fiscal 27 report. Yeah, you could start working on those
things um now, especially if you are planning on doing like your own debriefing with grantees to see what are the things they may want to see added or removed from that if that's you know part of your your internal debriefing uh process. But yeah, that won't all that to say that's not going to be an issue next year as we work together because I
I noticed that early on and I made that happen zero times with my communities. And Sarah, if at any point I'm saying I'm here to be accessible, if I'm lying to you, call me out on that because I I am holding myself accountable to those words. So, provided that we get everything by that August 31st deadline,
we'll be fine. >> Yeah. Once it goes live, then at that point, we can't change it. >> Awesome. Anybody else have uh questions, comments, concerns? I don't have anything to add, but I just want to say it's so refreshing to have someone pop in and say, "Hey, here I am. If you need
anything, I'm here to help." And you know, that proactive attitude is just very refreshing and honestly wonderful. So, thank you. Thank you for not just being here, but also opening up how you really want this to work and be better.
So, it's just it's great. >> No, no, and thank you for for saying that, Julian. I I really do mean that. Again, at this point, two cycles in, I feel very comfortable knowing where a lot of those tight corners, so to speak, exist. Um, my goal is for this to be a
fun experience. At the end of the day, thank you all. You are taking your time, regardless of whether or not you're retired, is irrelevant. You are taking time from your personal lives to do this very important work. So, for that in and of itself, thank you to all of you. You're the ones that deserve all the
gratitude. Trust me. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> All right. Um, well, we'll we're going to move on with like just our business. You're free to stay or not, whatever. I'm sure you >> I have to I have to hop on to acting at
8, but I'll I'll I'll stay on until 8. I have to hop off, but if if there's any questions as you talk through those other things, feel free to let me know while I'm here. Um, I did mark that May date on my own calendar. So, I do plan on attend that. If you end up switching the date, that's fine. Um, just let me know. And if there's any other
activities you are all planning, feel free to always send me an invite and I could see if I could attend. >> Great. >> What is the uh program you were mentioning in Melrose next week? >> They're hosting a grant reception for all of their fiscal 26 grantees. >> Oh, nice.
>> Yeah. One, so that's the other thing too. What one of the things that I would like to see if I could help encourage is LCC's already want to meet each other already. So maybe 15 to 20% 25% at most of LCC's host grant receptions. So if
they're hosting a grant reception, maybe the LCC members in the nearby communities might also want to attend as well. So see you kind of get a look at what they're doing. Um and that kind of thing. It is I mean Littleton and Melrose are quite far apart, but if you don't mind attending, I'm I'll I'll definitely forward you the um the invite that they sent me.
>> Right. You never know who's connected to what. Little >> 100% right. Right. You're absolutely right. Yep. >> If you don't mind forwarding it whether or not we can attend, it'd be nice to see what >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Matter of fact, I'll I'll I will what I
at this point now a lot of LCC's at the very least have a tenative date. I I'll think what I'd like to do is for all my communities be like, "Hey guys, look at what everyone's planning whether it's tenative or not on doing. Here's some dates. If you're welcome to attend, feel free." Um yeah, cuz I think that they're
already doing the event. So, if someone else that can come that would like to especially to connect with other LCC members from that community, um they definitely would. So, thank you for that. I'll I'll I'm going to write a note to self and I'll compile that. I'll send that out. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> I might see you there.
>> Good. Yeah. Yeah. Good. Nice. >> All right. So, next up on our agenda is the approval of minutes. So, I think everybody uh got the minutes. There was not a lot going on because it was just kind of like, you know, FYIs and stuff. But if we want to make a motion.
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> All right. Unanimous. Uh, okay. Sorry, I'm doing the typing and the talking. Um, so Rey, uh, our
treasurer was not here, but he I did open up the treasur's ongoing report. Uh and there's not much to report since it's just the beginning of the cycle except what I had already talked about which with the packets as you've been seeing the packets have been flying in which is phenomenal. Um so I think as of
right now we see I got one two three four five let me click this six. So we only have six outstanding and I actually saw two that just came in. So I think we only have four >> uh grantees that we haven't heard from at all. >> So that's awesome. Um, so I, yeah, I
think that now that we're a couple of cycles into, uh, people understanding like that they can start, you know, submitting the W9s and that initial paperwork uh, to start getting things going. So, that's good. Um, several of them have already gone to the town and
like like we sort of talked about, then it's then it's just in a magical mystery land. Then we'll see what happens. Um, and yeah, so I I haven't been getting a ton of questions in the email, like just some clarifications of people who uh, you know, where the grantee is is trying
to make a payment to a third party and they just had some like kind of questions about that, you know, just the process of of how that was going to go. So, but I think we're in good shape with everybody. Um, and I think that our our sort of digital way of doing it has worked out.
Um, but like you said, we'll have to talk about because when Kim cycles off and then I cycle off, uh, people will have to step into those those little places to with those PDFs to just kind of keep that that party going because I think it's really streamlined it uh to not have to do paper. Um, I did have one
weird thing that happened. I went over and checked the mail and there was a grant packet from somebody who had not applied for a grant nor gotten a grant from us and it was it was completely filled out. Of course, they didn't have the application number. they just wrote a line through it and they didn't have the amount uh awarded. They just drew a
line through that. So that was really strange. That's never happened. So I reached out to them and I said, "Hey, um so I don't know if it was some kind of weird thing where they thought, "Oh, I'll just like roll out a whole bunch of packets to a whole bunch of LCC's and see who doesn't pay attention or something, but um
>> create a grant cycle." >> So that was really odd. Um and I even went back just to see like am I crazy? like did we you know but it wasn't even it wasn't I looked at the panel book it wasn't even anybody who you know because then I started think well maybe they you know applied and they didn't like
understand and they went on to the website just got their own form or whatever but yeah no so um anyway so I did reach out to them and just said like hey I don't know if this was a mistake and so she said oh you can just shred that so it was kind of a weird interaction but so that was just kind of interesting um
>> nothing happening over here >> but yeah other than that I think they've coming in and and we've been, you know, kind of kind of moving along well. And so, yes, I think we only really have four packets out. So, the the next step will be, of course, you know, tracking to make sure we get those final grant
reports from the ones who haven't held their event yet and just making sure that everything matches up. But yeah, so that's that. Let's see. Anyone have any >> I went to a program at um the senior
center last week. Uh, it was in Irish music and it was the person who did it I used to hire to sing to kids. So, >> but there were a lot of people there. It was it was great. >> That's great to hear that.
>> Nice to see him. >> Yeah. Roger. >> Roger Tinkell. >> Tnell. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, great. >> Awesome. >> Used to be Tink Nell and Bates. There were two of them. Oh, >> now they've divorced from
>> acting together. >> Oh, there you go. >> Um, and so you'll see on the agenda there the the upcoming events. So there's the one uh the race, racism, and American music that's happening at the high school. And then the um the Open
Door Theater there um that's coming up March this March 20th, 2122, then 27, 2029. So, if anybody goes to that, you know, you can make yourself known or send a picture if you get it. Uh, and then I did attach to the original email
the um stronger together the art contest that is a grantee uh just so because the actual event isn't happening for a while, but they're they you know they're taking in the the contest. So, I did share it on our social media and all that, but if you have, you know, places to network in, I've seen the flyer like
everywhere. So, she's doing a great job. I was like at Muffins on Main and I was like, "Oh, look at this." Right. >> So, that's good. Um, and so that the actual event I think is in a is in May or something. Hold on. I have it on here. I don't remember now. >> The flyer.
>> Yeah. Oh, was it on the flight? Yeah, that probably would make sense, but I have too many windows open. But, um Oh, here it is. Oh, it just says spring 2022. So, I think they have a couple of dates. I know one of them is in Littleton and I think they have a date in Westward, too, like to actually do the art show, but they're just looking
for people. So, um I think we can if you want to pass that along. >> Thank you so much for adding those to the agenda. It's it's incredibly helpful. >> Yeah. >> So, I think those are the ones that we have a lot that have already happened like you said. So, we have a lot of on the front end this year like a lot of
February and January stuff. So, yeah. So, we'll keep doing that. And uh and then I did also if anybody is looking for anything, you can't find the agenda if you do go into the share drive. I used to keep a separate spreadsheet, but I just decided to add it into the into the treasurer spreadsheet, the FY26
grant. I just added a column for event date. Uh that way we would have an easy way where everyone could see >> whatever the date was, you know, as as they gave because some of them just said spring, whatever. But, you know, as I actually get the dates. >> So, yeah. All right.
So, I guess next up, I was hoping we could uh that we could just prolong this till Melissa got here, but um but Little Town in Bloom. >> That's soon, right? >> Yay. >> I may have oversold it. >> What do you mean?
>> So, the kindergarten teachers want to be involved. So, we've got them. the wellness committee is talking about it and I don't have her final numbers yet but I will have them this evening and I added
somebody else which now I forget but >> Girl Scouts you have on here now. >> Yep. They they couldn't get their >> So the kindergarten is how many it's like six classes right of 20 something. That's a ton of more flowers. >> So they gonna they're going to do each
of them are going to do five flowers. Then the teacher the teacher will divide them up and >> Oh, okay. Okay. Oh, then it's not that >> tape off sections and tape off that. But Jamie um not Jamie, Michelle Bar is just lovely. And so she was so excited. She's
like, "Dare I could I might I Yes. So that'll be great." >> Steve is our daughter's kindergarten teacher and is currently our son's kindergarten teacher. >> That's fantastic. >> She's a gift. >> Yeah. Do we want to try to expand through Shaker Lane for something along
those lines? >> I would say not today. >> Not this year. I'm going to at this at this point. Not this year. >> Let's let them see how fun it is. And also, if we end up putting some over by uh the gazebo, then we need to sort of
spread that out. So, we could do kindergarteners by the gazebo. We could pick two groups and do by the gazebo so that they're not parked on the common. Maybe we do all the kids by the gazebo. I don't know how you The truth is we
>> we don't have them sorted that way anymore, right? They're they're installed and so >> we haven't but we could I mean >> going forward, right? >> So, but I'm not redistributing everybody's. I don't know whose is whose. So, >> Right. Um,
>> I'm just gonna update the spreadsheet here. Is it 30 for there? Just so we can start talking numbers. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I'm happy to do pickup for them if that's helpful. I'll do pickup for >> Parks and Wreck and Tiger's Den and everything. Anyways, doesn't add that
much to >> They are Parks and Rec and Tiger's Den. Are they participating? >> As far as I know, I haven't reached out yet. I'm happy to do so. I just was kind of waiting for this conversation, I guess. Oh, >> okay. So, you didn't send the email to them yet? >> I have not. Did you send it?
>> Well, that was last month's assignment front. >> Yeah, we we needed the commitments by the 27th of February. >> Sorry. I have had a crazy couple of months and >> Okay. >> Things have been falling through the cracks. I will um I will contact them tomorrow.
>> Yeah. And then what I kind of want to just do right now, if people don't mind, is I just want to go through the spreadsheet for who we don't have any info on here. And um so okay, we just got Tiger's Den and you'll come so we'll leave that. And so our our own selves I know last year does anybody who's
currently on the board want to make another one? >> Sorry, Kiki. Before we before we go to the next one, both Tigers Den and Parks and Wreck um told me last year that they were interested in doing it again. So I would be surprised if we didn't have them on board.
>> We just need to try to get the numbers as soon as possible because so that I can buy them. India. >> I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I dropped the ball on that. >> No, no, no worries. No worries. Just just let them know that they need to tell us the numbers like >> it's very very similar numbers because
both of them max out enrollment on their programs every year. So >> yeah, I think it's also just can they execute it by the deadline, you know, like so if they we just need to make sure that not only are they interested but that they also can make the commitments to getting them done at the timeline that we laid out there.
>> Yeah. I mean, they turned it around in like two weeks last year. I think I think they can make it work. Kiki, would you mind um forwarding me the email again? I I'm sorry. I just completely missed it. >> It's I think everything is on the spreadsheet. >> Yeah. So, the spreadsheets linked and if you go on to the spreadsheet, the top of
it has all the timeline and then the email is a tab on the spreadsheet that you can just copy paste out. >> I I will say that if something's not in my email, it's much more likely to get overlooked. >> Yeah. So, it's on the agenda. >> That's in your email and it's on the
minutes. There's a link in the minutes that gets you to the spreadsheet. >> Oh, okay. >> Um, so just for LTC members, anybody here? >> I Yes. Personally, I want three flowers, please. And I'm sure Ray is not here,
but last year he asked I don't know if you have the numbers from last year, but I think he asked for two. And then then he told me, "Do you have extras?" Okay. >> So, let's let's give him let's give Ray one more from what he asked for. >> Yes. Because because last year he wanted an extra one and I wasn't able to give
him one. So, let's let's just make his family do one more. >> Okay. Sorry. >> Do you Is Camp T going to be doing it this summer again? >> They are. No.
So he last year did the painted rocks, but we don't have the labyrinth anymore. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So unfortunately, >> we're not going there. Okay. Then I'll take two grandkids next door. >> Okay. So 14 there
and then I'll >> I'll try to put out um a list. I'll try to put out an email. But yeah, but if you want to go on to this spreadsheet and just update these. So then we've got Judy the Garden Club. Did you are they did you reach out to them? Are they a yes? No. >> I don't know. I don't I don't think
they're going to do anything. >> Okay. And then Karen said eloquence was a yes. She reached out to the brewery but hadn't heard back from them. So they're probably a no since that was for the 27th. Uh let's see. And then Melissa
said no for drama boosters. And then we had this local for-profit businesses that we had left at it that if people had someone they were going to reach out to, they were going to fill that in. So, I don't know if if that happened at all. >> They can know. Okay. >> I was spending too much time doing my
little nonprofits that I didn't I thought, "No, too many things." >> Um, and then the art clubs couldn't get it together for the deadline, but they they love the idea, but I think that that's just like, you know, because it's kind of like they're I know the one at the middle school is doing this huge mural. So, but that's good. So it looks
like um with this with 30 for the kindergarten at this like why does it say needs page 50 know that. So it looks like 75. Oh wait hold on. There's an erroneous like 35 just for some reason sitting in here
on the spreadsheet. >> Did I put that in there? I don't know. That's okay. I'm just gonna um you know, Kiki Google's on air. >> Okay.
>> FCU is still in. You put that on there. >> Uh FCU, they do >> just 10. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, you had that in there. Yeah. Okay. >> You filled it out. Good job, Kim. You did a great job with that. >> All right. So, let's see. 60 70
80 90 So it's like 100. It's 99 but 100 to round it up. Right. >> That is that is that confirmed only or is that including Tiger's Den and um >> confirmed? Yeah, that's confirmed only. So if you can get us the numbers for for them. >> Yeah, because I mean last year Tiger's
Den had a whole bunch. >> Yeah, last year I think you you alone had like over 100. Not Sarah was >> I I was just looking up the numbers. Give me just a second and I'll get it for you. But you know, I contacted them about
one of the summer projects, probably the labyrinth. Um, and they were not in session, so I didn't hear back from them until later, but they're like, "Yes, we're on board with everything. Just let us know. As long as we're in session, we're in." So, I would be I would be really shocked if they weren't in.
>> How many did we order last year, Kiki? Like 200. No, something like that. I don't know. My memor is terrible. >> I know. And then we did a second order. Remember >> were flowers and there was something else. What was it that you >> No, I didn't do a second order last year. It was just one >> two different kinds of flowers.
>> But didn't we have butterflies or something? >> Yeah. But I I bought I bought the flowers and the butterflies at the same time. >> Yes. But I they were beautiful. So people were doing both, right? >> Yeah. I think only a tiger's den or one
of those like the kids only the kids had butterflies and I think I bought flowers for everyone else. So what do you want to do this year? Are we doing the same like keeping the kids doing butterflies and the rest all flowers? Are we going to do all flowers? What do you guys want to do?
>> The butterflies were nice. Yeah. >> Last year. >> Sorry. >> I was just gonna answer your question about what we did last year. So last year we ordered 100 sunflower, 60 of the flower with the stem, >> 75 of the tulip with the stem, and 15
butterflies because the butterflies were smaller, I think. >> So we did 250 total. That was what it says in here. >> Yeah, that's what I remembered. >> I want to say that it was parks and wreck that asked for all of something. >> No, I think honestly I think that was my
decision. I said only the I just made that executive decision to say like let's just give that because otherwise it's like you have this >> who do you give what right and you don't want the kids to be like why does he have a flower and I have a butterfly or whatever so just I think that kids need to have one thing to avoid any problems
with the adults that are coordinating that event personally I think that's what works >> I think you did that so last year Tiger's Den had 123 parks and wreck had 15 >> and I think that yeah that but that must have been Um, yeah, but because we only had 100 sunflowers, so we mustn't have
given them 123. We didn't have 123 of anything. So, I don't know how that worked out. But, >> and I do know I can't remember if I've ever mentioned this in a meeting or not, but I do know that parks and wreck >> they were they were located at city hall last year and now they've moved. I'm not
totally sure if this program has moved, but >> um but last year they like organized a walk down to see the flowers and everything and took all the kids through and got great feedback from the kids like being able to spot their flowers
and their friends flowers. >> It was a it was a big hit. >> So they're a lot further away now. >> Yes. And I think the program is not quite the same because the kids can't walk over there now. So it hasn't been as from what from what the middle school
communication with my daughter, it's not the same kind of uh enrollment. It's not every week like it was. So I'm not sure if they're going to be able to participate or if that's even the program doesn't seem to be the same as it was before. So I don't know what what it's happening there because it's not like it was where it was every single
day after school and the kids walked up that little pathway now because transportation's been an issue. They haven't quite sused that out yet. So I >> figure it out, but for the purposes of Little Ton and Bloom, it was a relatively small number. Anyways, not
>> guys, I'm a little worried with the time frame because we said we were going to, >> you know, like put the flowers install them in the 12th of April, weren't we? >> 11th or 12th of April. And >> that is one, two, three, one, two,
three. Well, it's a fourth weekend from this one. >> Yeah. Soated to order them tomorrow. >> Sorry. >> Oh, I was say on our timeline you were slated to order them tomorrow. So this meeting was where we were supposed to give the final numbers. >> Yeah. >> So let's So Sarah, when when you reach
out to them, considering your relationship with them and and how you have worked in the past, how how fast do you believe they will be able to give you a number? >> They've been pretty responsive in general and I'm more than willing to just like show up. like I'll just wander
over there and knock on the door and say, "Hi, this is where we're at." And see if we can speed things along that way. And you know, because people, case in point, get buried in emails and things just, you know, >> Yeah. Maybe a quick call is is you don't
I don't think you have to go, but a quick call could be great. >> You know, I haven't found that they answer their phone very often. >> Oh, that's tricky. >> Yeah. >> Okay. They do answer the door. >> Okay, wonderful. So, maybe I can I will
be out this weekend, so I won't be able to I'm traveling, so I won't be able to order anything on Friday or Saturday or Sunday. So, if I have it by Thursday, that would be great. If not, I'll order Monday for sure. >> I have a relatively day tomorrow. I will
do my best to like push on this and get some answers. And regard Sorry, I was just gonna say before we keep going down this rabbit hole a little bit, let's see if Kim Kim, have you heard from um uh the select board about when we actually can install? Like is that date approved or because if that's moved then maybe?
>> So far they they were like, "Yep, that worked." >> Okay. So we So that's okay. >> There'll be a snowstorm that weekend. >> I know. Yeah. >> Like last year that was terrible. >> Exactly. And and I I honestly haven't looked at
the spreadsheet, but have you guys received information also about the paint that is needed? Is that updated? Okay. >> Um it looks like paint, it just says uh FCU says yes to paint. Eloquence needed
paint and wellness day needs paint. >> No, >> right. And the kindergarten teachers it says yes to paint. that they said they have so much paint, but most of it is just washable. >> You can't do that.
>> It's just gonna be ruined. So, I said, "We'll give you paint, and we'll just have to warn them." >> So, this is paint I have at my house, plus three spray paint. There's four, I think. Wait a minute. No. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. There's eight over here that you might not see. And this is a box of different
colors. >> Does anybody else have paint? >> I think I gave mine to you. Am I right? >> I don't remember. >> All right, >> this is all I have. And I have I have two spray. >> I'll be right back. >> Yeah, I have one spray can of some kind
of one of the background colors. I think it's pink or purple. I can't remember. But I don't have any more of the little ones because all the ones that we got I had back had like this much left in it. And so I don't know that that's necessarily like we're going to give that to them. >> I think that's all it's such an important point like we can I don't
know. I loved painting both sides of the flower personally. So we can when we're delivering these flowers to everybody, we should say, "Hey, make sure both sides are painted, >> right? So either they can use the the spray or so that we don't have to do
that or they have more fun and do two different flowers in one." >> Yeah. I feel like we got a little bit there was a big conversation about like, oh well, one side won't get seen because it's through the pole. But I think you could still see it enough that it wasn't Yeah. >> around. >> Yeah. that I don't think it was it was
that it was worth for my opinion it wasn't worth the extra work of spraying the back for what was missing. So I agree with you. We can just say paint both sides go to town you know. >> Exactly. Yes. >> Yeah. So I I agree. I don't think we would need the spray paint outside of I don't know what I think Ray was using
green spray paint right for the >> and that's that's something that he will take care of for sure. Well I think he did all the poles himself >> right? So yeah, I don't know that we need the colored spray paint for the back. So I think we would just need Last time it looks like from the spreadsheet
that they came in sets of 20. And um yeah, but I'm wondering like for the kindergarten teachers like would they be able to Oh, she's got one. >> Oh, wait a minute. There might be. Here we go. >> See, I remember we had ton of paint. So we don't need to buy paint because we
can give each See, four boxes now with mine. >> This is 30. Yeah, that's exactly the one that I have. And this one is about half full. You don't need to buy paint. >> I don't I don't know if it'll be true this year again, but last year Tiger's Den said, "We have so much paint. Don't
worry about the paint." >> And is that paint um take the weather? >> Yeah, that's the same paint we used last year. >> Okay. >> There was only I think there were a couple of flowers that drain with the rain. >> Yeah, but it wasn't >> were definitely not Tiger's Den or
anything, you know. I don't remember who they were from, but there were not >> those. >> Last year they said no to paint. So, okay, maybe we don't need to buy paint. That's awesome. >> So, and Kim, do you have brushes? Because I don't have any brushes. >> Yep. >> I have the whole envelope. >> So, we don't need that either. >> Nope.
>> Okay, perfect. >> Perfect. I'll just make sure to order whatever. And what about like once? >> Also, there's a couple of ladybugs just in case. >> Couple dead ladybugs in the bag. That's great. So once once we have the final numbers,
are you comfortable with me assigning cute animals to the kids and flowers to the rest or how do you want to do it? Cuz I just don't want I I don't know from my experience I work with kids with from my experience when there's choice
and you cannot give a kid their their preferred choice there's trouble and I want to avoid that. I want them to be happy and and you know like everybody gets you can also say you get what you get and you might get upset and which is the life lesson
>> but I don't think we need to give them life lessons for this >> right >> that we need to be in the life lesson business right >> I don't I don't want to be in the life lesson business I want to be in the joy >> have you been back to their website >> yeah I was gonna say do they have
anything new >> right >> oh no yeah I looked through it doesn't look like there's anything I can let me I checked when we first spoke but I could I I did find the same things that we were you know that that we ordered before. Oops.
>> Sorry. >> Yeah, I put the links on the spreadsheet like the direct link is on there so you should be able to just click and get to it. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I I did before and I find anything, you know. >> I think the kindergarten teachers definitely need all the same so that
every kindergartener gets one thing and I would suggest the flower because it can be sectioned. So >> perfect. >> I think that the sunflower is the way to go for kindergarten. >> Okay, I'm gonna make a note of that. Sunflowers.
Can you >> I um can you send a list of the options and when I talk to people tomorrow I can just ask them what they >> it's a tab on the on the spreadsheet. So there's a picture of it and all the links are there.
>> Google Drive and I have not been friends lately. So I >> if you click on the link you can see you don't have to get into the drive. So there's a direct link on the minutes that we just approved. You can just click right on that hyperlink and you'll get to >> scared of asking you to approve me.
>> I would be cautious, Sarah, in in giving them options because what if there's not in stock, you know, like I I think that's a little tricky. >> I was going to say more along the lines of do you want all of the same thing or do you want a variety which might include this, this, this, and
>> Okay, perfect. Yes. Saying it like that that's fine, but but don't be specific. Do you want tulip or suns or do you want you know that because that I would try to to do my best but I don't think you know I I'm just scared about things being in stock and those sort of things
>> and like there's no reason we need to make work more work for ourselves either right >> this is like we're we're putting together a really cool art project but it's not about the specific shape of the specific cutout either.
So I will I will broach it to them as like you know what would work best with your kids in terms of >> okay variety or no no variety that's that's what I would say okay excellent and then for the personal things that we
are buying for ourselves does anybody have well if you have a preference make sure to put on the spreadsheet let me put it that way if not you'll just get what you get and you might be upset >> okay >> that I love the chaos. Oh, look what I get.
>> It's our price. Okay, leave it to me then. Excellent. >> Who cares? It's art. >> It's not going to be a masterpiece, so like >> Okay, wonderful.
>> Actually, last year we um sat outside, my kids and I, and sat outside on the, you know, iron table and just painted for a while. It was really cool cuz my kids are big. >> You know, it's so funny. >> 28, 26, and 24. So, it was kind of a fun
>> I love that. >> Yeah. And they were just as bad as you might imagine. >> I ordered only two for me and my and my daughter because I know my son is not into that at all. But my husband was like, "What about me?" So, I had to give
him the back of my flower. We we did paint the backs actually and they do look better when they're painted on the back even if it's just sprayed. >> Let's encourage everyone when we're dropping off. Let's encourage everybody. >> Two sides. Two sides.
>> Okay. >> If anyone needs help delivering, picking up call, I >> don't have a job. So what what we can do is if if that if this works Sarah as soon as you have the information on the form g give me a heads up email or text
is better but whatever you want like yeah the file is ready and so I will order you know whatever says I need to order and then we need to set a date whenever I know when those things are going to be delivered then you guys need
to come to my place like we did last year. Kim, if you can be the first one so you can bring the paint and then we can distribute that, that would be great. >> We'll we'll set a date and and you guys can >> come it'll be all in my garage. It'll be
fast and easy hopefully. >> Um the only other thing on the uh supplies spreadsheet, so I took out for the cost, I took out the paint. We already had the brushes out. Um, so last year we did do those lawn signs that had
like sort of said little town, the ones that are on the metal, you know, uh, that said like little town in Bloom and then it had the names of everybody who participated. And so that was about it was like 150 bucks. We did 10 of them at 15 each. Um, and I don't know if we are
thinking of doing that again. Um, or if we wanted to and we also had an A-frame that I think was I have to refresh my memory on that. I feel like it was just generic. I have to look back at the picture. I don't think it had a date on it and it didn't have the names. I think it was sort of just a big like,
hey, that's what this thing is as you're driving by here. We just had one. So, if we are going to I know we had gone back and forth about are we going to have a second location or we just staying on the common. Um, and but I even think if we did say on the common it could be worthwhile getting a second one so that
there's sort of one on each driving point cuz we had one the one that was there was on like if you're heading toward Donan's and that was the you know like where they do put them but it would be nice maybe to have a bigger one that's sort of over by the actual V part like you know what I mean when those two
roads converge. So, um, and those run Well, if we if we if we invested in a generic one, right, where we could reuse it every year, um, then they're about I just bought some for the church. What did he charge me? I got four. What was it?
I was going to donate my open house signs because my o my buyer agent just graduated and is starting her own team and so my panel the panels can be just replaced but they're really light so the wind just blows them over so we would
have to be clever or stake them which is another whole ball of axe. So >> are they like an A-frame? >> They're A-frames. Yeah. You know like a little open house down that way. >> Oh okay. Are they like Yeah. As long as we knew what size they were >> really light and I could I'm h if you
gave me the graphic I could have it put on but it's >> we'd have to figure out how to keep it in like maybe a U wireshaped tomato steak or something to keep it in. But >> yeah, I I would have three. So we'd have six panels. >> Yeah. At St. An's I have a super ghetto
situation where I just filled some things some socks with sand and I drape it over the bottom and then they don't tip over. >> Yeah. Mine doesn't even have it doesn't have arms. Oh, so it's not like a open >> I was like picking up what you're dropping down. >> Where are my arms? Because we used to do
socks and and >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah. So, I don't I mean, we probably have a little more time for that because he can turn around fast, but I just didn't know if we had thoughts about I I mean, I like the idea of the lawn signs that have the actual names of who participated that year. And
I think, you know, at 15 bucks a pop, it's not that bad, you know, to get them. Maybe we don't. We I did get 10 last year because we originally had said we were going to put some at Fay Park, which we did eventually, but if we're just staying in the common, we probably wouldn't even need 10 >> probably. I don't know if we need 10 of
them. >> It's nice to have cuz >> we do have that, right? >> Say it again, Juliana. >> Have budget for that. >> Well, because we had a budget for the paint. Um >> Oh, perfect. >> Then I would say yes, >> which I just deleted.
Well, so do we want to see whether we get confirmation from Tiger's Den or not? Because that's going to drive a lot of whether we go to FA Park, right? >> I think we can put it up. Personally, I regardless I I feel like we still fit in
the common. It will look gorgeous like a tulip field. You know what I mean? Like we need a lot for It didn't look crowded at all last. >> No, it didn't look crowded. >> I agree. I know we had that. Yeah, I felt like at the last meeting we decided we would just stay with the comments so we would have that full feeling. Hi
Melissa. >> Um, yeah, and I agree. And I also think that it's a lot easier to just sort of have it in the one spot and say this is at the common and then it looks really full and it's, you know, uh, and then we wouldn't need as many signs and all that sort of stuff and we would just have that one location. You know, I think
because we had that sort of where they dripped in a little bit last year, then we put the overflow one over at Bay Park, which was fine, but I I I agree that um it didn't seem like as many, you know, and if we're adding another hundred like to what we already had, it
would be really impactful to be in that space, especially where we have to keep it onto the um what do you call it? On the >> mulch. It'll make that it'll make those spaces feel really fat, you know, >> and because we're putting Sorry, it's my reminder to take the trash out and I
don't want to >> but the the fact that we are putting several flowers because in some we had even three things. We have like a a butterfly and two flowers. So, it's it's it's not big. It's not going to be big even. >> No. No. And and it looked nice with the
multiples. >> Yeah. You know, I had I had brought an impact driver, so Ray and I were the ones driving all the screws in. And it did it looked really nice having both. >> Yeah, I agree. >> From from several stakeholders was that
like what the kids said was that it was really fun looking for their flower. >> And if it's not if it's not as big of a grouping, that's not going to be the same experience. I don't think so. It'll be easier to spot if we move them apart, right? Because
>> Yes. Then you just kind of walk down the row versus >> Yeah. No, that's that's a great great point, too. >> Right. I was just trying to update the budget here. So, the we have like 1300 ear mark for it. So, I think we would be okay.
>> Then I would say go for it, Kiki, because it's it's nice to name the people who participate and explain what this is all about, >> right? Yeah. And I've been using this guy a lot this year. So, he was giving me he's giving
me a better price at the church than he gave us last year. So, he might I might even get that down to be like, "Hey, >> yeah. What's happening here?" But, but now that I'm giving him more business, you know, maybe he's he's thinking, "Oh, okay. >> She's coming back."
>> Yeah. Because let's see. We did Let's see. Was 100. So, last year we last year we spent $81950 in wooden cutouts. Um, and >> 819 and 50. And so I don't know. >> Do we need stems?
>> So, so that's Yeah, if we So, uh, Rey is the one who bought those. >> Yes. >> I'm sure we would need to send him an email obviously after this, I'm sure, saying, "Hey, the look at the spreadsheet by this date." Well, whenever Sarah lets us know, make sure
to look at the spreadsheet in case you need more. He would buy those is my understanding. Right. Yeah. Last year we spent $100 on them because they were about a buck each >> and we have to spray spray paint them. So it takes a couple of gothroughs to paint them. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> But I think we're well within you know the budget especially without the paint. >> Yeah. Yeah. The paint was very well not very but it was the most expensive thing. >> Yeah. You're right.
>> Is it is it possible? So, I can't 100% guarantee that Tiger is done and the club won't want paint. >> I think we have enough. We look had four four boxes and I have one five boxes and so far we have three organizations and
we're not we don't have to give them a whole box. There's a ton of colors in there. So, we can even split the box in two. So, we don't need paint for sure. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Okay. All right. Any other? >> So, I guess takeaway items are look at the spreadsheet, update whatever you
need to update and then get the numbers in to Juliana and then we'll uh >> hopefully by Thursday if possible and if not I'll make it work >> when you get back. >> Yeah, >> I will do my absolute best. And I'm so sorry. I I feel like like
>> it happens to the best of us. It's okay. >> And everything so I'm very sorry. >> I will send Ray. He had sent me an email saying he was just looking. So, I'll send him an email just so he can tell us like how many sticks do you have left, you know, uh so that we can get a handle on that a little bit, too.
>> All right. >> I mean, that's any other business is our next thing. >> I think that's it. A lot of little time in blue. >> I just had a question. >> Are we meeting 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11th?
That's what I had in my phone from last time. >> Um, I don't know. The spreadsheet says either April 11th or 12th at 10:00 a.m. Uh, we were we were still waiting to get an approval of the actual install date, which sounds like they were fine with either one of those. So, I suppose we'll
have to just make that decision. Um, I I I also think that just being honest, I feel like Ry is a big driver of this uh install day and so I kind of feel like want to hear back of what his available like if he's available for both of or what day works there.
>> Okay. >> And myility should not influence this at all, but I am not available on the 11th. I will I should be able to be there on the 12th, no problem. But again, like I'm not critical. I can help with the setup and pickup and drop off and all that kind of stuff.
>> Yeah, I think we had originally shot for the Saturday because I know like I mean Reverend Jen and myself are not available on Sundays either until it's unless it's later. >> My daughter have a writing competition that day. So that's all day long.
So, when we send um Hi guys, by the way, I'll just pop in at the end, you know, just not contribute except this one sentence. But I was going to say um maybe we just um when we send the minutes to everybody um take a quick
poll is to see 11th or 12th, what works better? And obviously like Ry would be a big driver. So, I don't know if we want to check in with him uh first before we do that or just let him respond to that. I don't know. I think he had already said 11th worked for him.
>> I thought we said the 11th. Yeah. >> Was defined already. >> We could always add like a rain date or overflow for the 12th if needed. >> Great. Yeah, that works. Okay. I'm cool with the 11th. I'm I'm
sorry, Sarah, that doesn't work for you. But like you said, I know I'd feel the same way. I'd be like whatever works for the majority. Yeah. is not even remotely about me. Yeah. >> Um Kim, did was there any indication of like the take down date like when they had to be down?
>> You're muted, Kim. >> You're muted, but you look really beautiful talking. >> Oh, hi. Uh yes, we have to take it down before Memorial Day. And if we find out that the seniors are going to be put uh
their signs out before then, then that's when they kind of want us to clean up. I don't have that date yet. >> Yeah, my son is a senior, so they I haven't heard that, but I'm sure that I will find out. >> And so that
>> alert alert. >> Congratulations. You have >> That's nice. >> I want to talk about it. It's a wild ride that >> he's turning 18 >> next month and I'm like what's happening >> I just went to the um orientation for
high school last night for Abby and I feel the exact same way. I'm like I'm not ready and I'm not like that. I'm usually like I never was like oh I miss the baby stage or anything. But now I'm like >> I'm not ready for like this at all. never been one to mourn the stages, but
there's something about the adulthood thing that is just like, >> you know, and of course they'll still be living here. >> For me, it got better once they made it through college and then they become their own human beings. Life is so great with them. >> Be cool and friends and you don't have
to be like, "Where are you? Where are you going? When are you eating? Why are you eating that?" >> That gives me hope. >> I will second that. I have three sons and I can't tell you how nice it is to not just love my sons but to really like my sons. >> Exactly.
I love that. >> That gives me hope. >> Listen, just before I forget, we were doing the numbers on the spreadsheet if any members uh wanted any flowers to do. I don't know if you want to paint any or your daughter would want one. >> I'm like more of a performing artist, so
you know. >> Thank you. I also did not take any. So, cuz I am not a visual artist. Yeah. Okay. So, 14. >> I meant to ask earlier, sorry, I got sidetracked. Um, if we if we given that I haven't finalized my numbers yet.
Apologies. If if my kids decide they want a couple more to do a painting party with their friends. Is that okay? >> As long as we know before you we place the order because we won't have extras. >> Yes. >> It it it would it will be before I submit the Tiger Stone numbers. just add
them to your personal >> put them in that Middleton cultural council number there. >> I just wasn't sure if that was like pushing the numbers of personal >> Oh, I think it's kids in the town. >> Yeah, exactly. However,
>> yeah, how however they're doing it is is whoever their organization is is fine. >> Awesome. >> All right. Yeah, we're at like an even hundred right now, so that's >> good. >> Okay. Yeah. So, I mean, I'm not the budget
expert that I'll leave that to Ray. But based on this, I think we really well within what we've earmarked. So, I think that that's fine. >> Okay. Cool. Okay. So, hold on. I just got to go back to the minutes so I don't forget what we just said. Okay. And
>> is it weird to order 10 extras in case somebody says, "Oh my gosh, I didn't get back to you." And or just No. >> Okay. >> Sorry. I think we have to be very very strict for our sake because then who's going to store them? Who's going to
remember? Who's like No, I think this year for everything. >> By the way, I want you to talk amongst yourself about who is holding these next year. >> Exactly. >> That's the other thing is we Yeah, we're gonna have to talk about next books. But I agree. I mean, I think, you know, we
updated the email to be much clearer than we were last year about those drop deadlines. And so, I think we really I agree with you. I think we we did that. We set we set them and we need to like hold hold to it >> because that's kind of what happened last year was there was all these dribbs and drags and then things that were
happening after and like all that stuff and I think that becomes too much to manage. you particularly you worked global you worked more having to pick up different places and doing a second install like I don't even though you're great and probably love it I don't think
it's okay better use your time for something else >> what that wellness day you were talking about is that that's happening before these deadlines >> so I think it is actually and so
let me just text Okay. Yeah, because I was just thinking I haven't heard about that yet. >> All right. Well, I'll put a little um Kim is checking on the notes. >> Is checking because I think that was the that was the issue last year is the actual wellness day didn't happen until
after like middle of April or something like that. >> Okay. Checking to confirm this. Checking to confirm false messages. Okay, cool. Okay, I think we're good.
>> Could you do me a big favor on the spreadsheet where you have now that you have it open on the kindergarten request from Shaker Lane, can you make a note that says sunflowers like >> like Yeah. so that I I don't think I
will forget but just so that I you know like sleep at night not >> all 30 sunflowers. >> Thank you. >> All right. Yeah, I put a note in there. >> Thank you so much. >> No problem. >> All right, cool. I think we're in good
shape here. Oh, wait a minute. Got to make that say no. Okay, I'm just cleaning this up. Okay, great. Uh any I so next meeting is April 14th 7 to9 on Zoom. Uh and then I was just
keeping the same sort of approval of minutes, treasures report, upcoming grantee events, any catch-ups on FY26 grant cycle and then Little Town in Bloom. Uh I guess we could say how'd it go because that'll be two days or whatever after.
>> Perfect. Um, yeah. So, I think just anything else that needs to happen with that, we could just try to keep on email. I remember last year we started a separate thread that was just about Little Town in Bloom. Um, so I think whoever the first per I guess it'll be me because I'm going to email Ray about this date. So, I'll just um note to me I
will start a new email note to self that is Little Town in Bloom. So, if we can just try to be good because I know all of our inboxes are like blowing with everything uh to just kind of keep everything about that in that email thread so it doesn't get like confusing with everything else.
>> That's a great idea. Thanks. Thanks for reminding us about that, Kiki. That's a good idea. >> That's a good place to put the flowers, the pictures once we get those too. That way they're all together and then when the town asks us, they're all it's all together now. >> Yeah. And then um
>> I did I say this at the last meeting, but we did submit everything to the town report for FY. Um so hopefully when the town meeting we'll get to see that book. But yeah, but it's great to think ahead to kind keep these things. There is a folder in
the uh drive that I'm going to try and be better about putting the things in so I don't do what I did like a month ago and just go through my entire phone and then upload them all. But um >> yes, and I sent you those from the high school or the middle school or the something and then I was like, I'm so
sorry, but if I don't do it right this minute, it's going to be gone. >> I'd rather see them now than I'll search for them because I'm one of those people that never deletes an email. Like if you sent me an email in 2005, I have it. So, and so if you're going to deny what you said in that email, I will find it. >> Yeah, I have a little problem with that.
Hundreds of thousands. Yep. >> That's the product of divorce though, right, Kim? Um and Natalie is calling me, so let me double check. Oh. Oh, wow. Got read back to her. Um, yeah. So, I think just I think that's everything. Yeah. So, check your
just keep up with the emails, I guess. And if there's anything massive that happens, you know. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> And then I guess she's saying Natalie's calling her back about the wellness day here. So, I don't know if we want to just >> wait and hear. >> Oh, so did anyone have anything else to
add to the tenant agenda outside of those items? >> No. Um, maybe I might add in because he was saying for the MCC rep. Um, so you have Melissa Greg, our new MCC rep. I think I speak for all of us when we say
rockstar. Amazing. The fact that he even showed up to this meeting is he's heads above anybody we've ever had. But um, he was amazing. >> Yeah. And so he has of like great ideas and and he seems like he's on top. >> They're off the list.
>> Oh, okay. It's too tight. Their timing is wrong this year. >> As long as we know, we can work with anything. >> Yeah. So, that takes us down to 70 um cutouts currently. And then we'll see what Tigerson says.
>> All right. Um Yeah. So, he was awesome, but one of the things he said was that the MCC was going to be starting um like to have some like webinars or whatever about fiscal year 27 and tips. So, I might put a little note into the agenda like just to check in on those if that's been formulated by April. That way, we
might have those those things to go to or watch or whatever. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'd love to attend one of those. That's cool. >> Um, I'm actually going to put in here uh on the agenda plan for post Kim, where are we going to keep all that
stuff? So, we'll probably we probably should talk about that during that April meeting because our next meeting would be pretty tight to a potential uh takeown day. So, I tell you, now that I figured out how to store them, it is so much less space. It's embarrassing how I
was doing it before. So, I have a couple of big barrels and I will donate those to the cause. And most of them, maybe maybe half actually, but everything nestles around them if you've
got a corner. So, you just put stem to stem and they nest and then they don't flop over each other. So, it it really is remarkably simple once you actually think. >> And I I wonder if all the flowers
looking great because we don't want to put flowers that are, you know, like old and >> so they're not all looking great. So maybe we can also clean or maybe you can I don't know if if everyone agrees but I would say Kim if you before you take them out this year. I trust you in your
judgment and just discard the ones that are not up to an exhibit. >> Maybe we could theoretically paint those. Maybe that's the Albert Kelly edition is to freshen. >> I love that. Recycle them. And I mean if that >> I mean I I I was
>> Yeah. >> So my what I was thinking was like broken or Not fixable, right? >> But yes, absolutely. We repaint. That's great. I could I could take flowers. >> I can't. I make no promises, but I will endeavor to do so. Yes.
>> Because it's got to be beautiful weather because if I take them out, they have to be laid out, right? So, and they're, you know, four feet tall at this point. So, >> yeah. Okay. >> Right. So I'm gonna add that to >> the agenda is just plan for Kim cycle off for storage and also for signatures
because she's the uh the other PDF signature there. Um so for >> you guys have docuign or do loop or any of those electronic signatures. Kiki sends those over and it's so easy. Download bloop bloop bloop and then upload. And
>> I actually just I just use regular Adobe and I just uploaded an image of my signature and I drop it because I I converted all those files to forms on there so that they >> Yeah. So yeah, we we don't even have to even if you don't have Docu Sign, anybody else can do it. But the way
we're going where we only have four that haven't been turned in, I think I I would assume we'll have we'll see those. >> We'll be done, right? So next year somebody new gets to figure it out, right? >> All right. Awesome. Uh, it seems like unless anyone has
anything else, we're good to hear a motion for adjournment. >> I motion to adjourn this fine meeting with all of you lovely ladies. >> I second. I second the motion. >> Yot. >> All in favor? I