Yeah, makeup please. Yes, we're going on uh live on YouTube right now and uh we are recording. Okay, we are recording. Okay, I will call this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. And then
please remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance 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. And so we
please remain standing uh for uh a moment of silence for the assassination of Charlie Kirk as well as commemorating the 24th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Thank you. First item on the agenda, minutes August 19th, 2025.
Make a motion to accept August 19, 2025. Commission. Right. Second by Commissioner Hanley. All in favor? I. Unanimous. Make a motion to vote and accept and approve CPS forms for Julie Den de anniversary step increase to 11002.
Rebecca Golden anniversary step increase to 13009. [Music] Robert Spear Jr. temporary emergency custodian new hire uh at JG3-1. and Antonio Daga Gracia temporary
emergency custodian new hire at JG-3-1 motion by Commissioner Wright second commissioner Hanley all in favor I it's unanimous motion to vote and accept and approve vendor vouches motion and second all in favor I motion to vote and accept and uh approve
payroll vouches second motion by commissioner I second by commissioner Hanley all in favor I unanimous Cison County Administrator hiring process and finalist candidate for hiring vote. Um administrator Basler, Treasurer O'Brien
and I uh have been conducting preliminary interviews. Uh we are still working through uh by we Frank the administrator is working through uh references of the finalists. With that being said, the three of us didn't feel
comfortable with presenting a final finalist this evening. Uh we will anticipate hopefully in two weeks u but we've had some excellent interviews, some excellent candidates. I think we've learned at least speaking for myself and I can ask the administrator and
treasurer to fill in anything I missed. Um some great talent and I think uh anyone would be a good fit with the county, but we are just continuing to work through that process. So I don't know if I missed anything. Frank. All right, chair. No, that was uh perfect. Uh I've just been really
impressed with the finalists that we have. Uh we have some great people. We want to make sure we vet them all thoroughly and properly. And uh we just ask for your patience for two more weeks when uh we will be able to get someone to you. Was there three of them questions?
Uh right now we have three uh candidates that are uh working through the final final process. Yep. Any other questions? Commissioner Hanley said, Mr. Great. Okay. Thank you. Yep. So, uh, treasure, I don't know if you want to add anything or at all. Perfect. All right.
Verizon Plymouth Tower Transfer and lease termination agreement, Plymouth Tower Bill of Sale, and Verizon Hansen Tower lease amendment discussion and votes. Uh, Administrator Basler. So, after a very long and complicated process with Verizon, uh, you might recall that I gave uh, the commissioners
an update at our June meeting. Uh, you gave me some direction on uh, what we were looking for. Uh good news is that we were able to secure all of what we asked for. Uh the highlights of these three agreements include a termination
fee of the Plymouth Verizon lease uh and with payment uh to us to the county of $76,450 uh payably payable immediately. Um, we also are getting uh our rent uh lease
monthly lease payments from Verizon, which is 125% because they're late um uh from getting off the tower from June 30th. So, we baked in a penalty into the base into the ranch. So, we're receiving 7 $7500
$7510 per month until all equipment is uh removed from the Verizon tower. Uh, and that is expected to be a couple months. The uh, cow equipment's no longer being utilized there. They've moved down the
street, but uh, because of some osprey nests and uh, some delays, they haven't been able to get the equipment off. They'll continue to pay their rent till all equipment is removed. and then an extension of term of the Hansen lease agreement for a period of 15 years from
2028 to 2043 uh with all provisions including 3% annual uh lease in uh increase. Uh currently we're receiving $4,862 per month on that lease. Uh what this
allows us to do is to continue the rental stream uh from AT&T, which is $7,700 a quarter. And should Boston South Development not come to fruition, at the end of their lease, we'll be able to go out and lease some new uh new tenants uh
some uh tower space. So, I'm asking the commissioners to uh authorize vote to authorize me to sign the three documents in behalf of the county uh and uh to move forward. I want to thank you, Frank, um for the work here. There's been uh considerable
amount of moving pieces, I think, to all of this. Um and uh to be able to continue to realize the revenue off of this tower um and to uh obviously just be able to protect the county's interests. Uh they've done excellent.
Again, a lot of moving pieces and obviously we dealt with Verizon before. They certainly have not been the um most uh particularly uh they haven't been the best to deal with. Let's put it that way. So, uh we thank you for uh we
thank you for that. Are there any other questions before two questions Mr. Yeah. Um Frank, with respect to the Austri thing, we had that in the meeting in June. I think were we looking for clarity on what is our obligation going to be as an assigned responsibility? Is it something that
they own or is it something we're going to own in terms of the osprey situation? So, the osprey nest is uh populated uh during the uh fledgling the the birth and fledgling season that usually ends the second or third week of a of August.
So then they fly down south to Florida or South America. Um but the the nest remains there. Um and it'll remain there. It's not uh in a f work work area of the tower. So it won't interfere with
us. It just means that no matter what we do in the future, we'll have to work around we'll have plan around uh not being there from usually they show up around March 15th through uh September 15th. So was that an order of conditions by a
conservation commission that says once that osprey nest is established it has to stay there or is that something that randomly they come up in one year they might I don't know enough about it. They almost follow the law. Yeah. It's a federal law that thinks uh
you can't interfere with any active nest, right? So, as soon as they see birds, they call a biologist. The biologist comes and says, "Yeah, there's birds in that nest. You can't touch it." But the nest is permanent. Is what you're saying. Unless a good storm comes and knocks it off. Um so,
no, I know a couple people that are good storm makers with two feet. So, but no, it it'll uh be something that we can easily work around. And then with respect to um Boston properties, what is the remaining time they have left to put their program together?
Uh so June 30th of 2026, okay, is the last date of their current lease. And have we had any update lately or do we know where we stand with that? We we have not had any updates. Uh we did receive a check payment which was very important
and that was $150,000. So, uh, but we have not had any, uh, correspondence, communications. Their next step is to bring plans to you, uh, at a at a public meeting. So, um, and the other thing I forgot to mention, uh,
all the documents that, uh, I I'll be signing have been vetted and approved by Shannon Rest, our attorney. And I think it's important to note with this tower. So, right now, the tower is owned by Verizon. We are now taking ownership of this tower. they are paying us to take ownership of this tower in
the event that we have to remove it. Um, but just so everyone's clear on what exactly we're doing here is they're transferring the ownership. Um, but as you know, Ryan pointed out, if uh if we're going to if if nothing's going to come to fruition with Boston South, we'll have this tower that we can
I think it's a great investment bring to market. Um, and if not, at least we've been paid by Verizon to remove it if we have to. So, this is really kind of a no lose situation for the county. At the end of the day, we're going to continue to make revenue with AT&T. We own the asset. We were paid to
take the asset in the event that we have to remove it. And um if at the end of Boston South's agreement, this is all that we have left, then we can go to market with uh or do an RFP for more tenants on the tower. So, um are there
any other any other questions? Yeah, I have a question. Right. So, are is Verizon going to take it down or are we looking at the No, they're selling it to us, right? They're paying us to take that liability, right? Okay. But the tower, we've had professionals
look at it. It still has plenty of decades of useful life left. Um it's just that because when we leased to Boston South, we set up the termination and nonrenewals, right? um that triggered Verizon to go
start looking elsewhere because they couldn't deal with the ambiguity, right? Um that they found another tower. So now they're no longer necessary there. It doesn't mean that the tower is not good. We're so we're after them paying us
after them paying to uh build it and then paying us to clarify ownership that they owned it, they're now paying us to take it so that uh that we have it ourselves. Okay. All right. They also had um access issues. So they
they um would have had to deal and negotiate with local ownership to get into that lot to remove it. Private owner private owners. I thought we had made access in there for them. Not to that spot. We have two spots. We
have two roads of uh two ways of access. The Long Pond Road and then the Raphael road. But there's no roads built there. So, they would need a crane to come in. Okay. Now, the good news is we've been working with AT&T and they built that road,
which we have access to, right? Um through the Kingtown lot. So, um we actually have that access and uh AT&T invested almost $125,000 into our property, building that road to the tower, which if I can bring you
anybody up if you ever want to see it, I we have lots of pictures. Yeah. Um uh but it it was all uh uh graded uh de uh dried stumped, graded, and laid out with gravel. Um and at the tune of
$125,000 because that's what they needed to be able to continue on no matter what happens. Right. Right. Okay. Great. Thank you. All right. Do we have a motion? Uh do you want these as three individual motion? One motion. Okay. Um so do I have a motion to
allow the or authorize the administrator to enter into a transfer and lease termination agreement with Verizon. Uh a bill of sale with Verizon and a lease amendment discussion with Verizon. I'm sorry, a lease amendment vote with
Verizon relative to the Hampton Tower. I'll make that motion. Second motion. Commissioner Wright, second, Commissioner Hanley. All those in favor? I. That is unanimous. Thank you. Thank you very much. ARPA Treasurer O'Brien. Thank you, Chair. And if I might just as
a pickup that cell tower and administrator Basler touched on it, has been a very profitable uh property for us because as you mentioned, Verizon paid us to prove that they owned it and now they're paying to sell it back to
us. So, uh it has has worked out uh pretty well for us. ARPA continues to move along. What we're finding is a number of our communities are finishing their projects that they started years ago and uh many of them are coming in under budget.
So that's good news in one respect. It's challenging news in another respect because then the community needs to determine what to do with the excess money. As you know from the agreements that we all signed, that money comes back to the county, right? but it can be redistributed to a
project that that town has that may be going over budget. So, we're in the process of doing that transfer with about seven communities. Uh you did one last meeting with the town of Norwell. You have one in front of you today in the town of Plymouth. Uh it's an ongoing process. Our team uh spends a good
amount of time on this working with the towns, walking them through the process. We have a pretty good process set up. They have to acknowledge that they've underspent. They have to send the money back to us. We document that being deposited. Then they have to fill out a transfer request form. That transfer request form along with all
documentation gets submitted through the three levels of review again and then is presented to you. So uh it's a it's a very robust part program that is serving us well. I think we're going to be going through this for the next six months. Uh
don't forget the ARPA program ends on December 31st, 2026. Yeah, I had a conversation with a town manager earlier today and they're hoping to wrap their project up in March. Uh, and they think they'll have a little bit of money. So, we're going to be doing this for a while, but we anticipated this uh
and we're well positioned to deal with it. Great. Any questions? I guess to what point do or how far can we go out for them to return money before then it's, you know, then becomes a problem with us distributing to other people. So, I mean, is there a deadline?
haven't set a deadline yet. We're monitoring it and we monitor them on a quarterly basis. My uh goal is to have everything done by June 30th, giving us six months to fit it. And I think that seems pretty reasonable. That's reasonable with the project that we're working. I will say many of our communities about
half have spent all their money. The projects are done. They've checked off the box. So, all we're doing is reporting for them. One of the frustrations of this piece of legislation is the reporting is required. Even if you're 100% funded and have done everything, you still have to
file a reporter. Uh and you have to produce a pretty detailed report. So again, the value add of the county is we do that report for them to the US Treasury. Uh but that just takes time from our team to make sure we're on top. And I have a followup.
Sure. So, uh, if we're they're not able to put in for any funding, can we use any of that money for any projects that we might have? So, if at the end of the day there's still money, don't forget you have additional projects that uh 10 communities had submitted for, you
funded 50% of those projects. Yeah. So, you still have space and scope to fund an additional amount to those communities should you choose. If not, certainly that money could enerure to the county. However, our challenge is it can only come to us for projects that we already submitted. So, I would humbly
suggest that you put it to those projects that the 10 towns had submitted for similar to ARPA. We've been able to use a lot of resources here in the county through your uh good uh administration of the program and the advice that uh you folks have given to
us along the way. We've been able to to do a number of projects here in county we wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. Lastly, I would just report I know that we were talking about administrative cost and I really appreciate all of you as you're going out talking about this program and mentioning the administrative cost because it is
something that seems to resonate with people. Um I read an article the other day of a program uh in the western part of the country program and they were proud of their administrative costs being at 11%. Um, and I was thinking
myself, let me double check. Uh, again, as of today, we are still under 1% administrative class. I even compare that with our good friends in other counties, uh, who are doing great at two or three or 4%. Uh, but we continue to be at the very pinnacle of that uh that
program in terms of keeping the administrative cost. That's great. Okay. Any other questions? I have two um articles to read, Mr. Chairman. Suant to the terms and conditions of the American Rescue Plan Act and the grant agreement between Plymouth County and the municipality
referenced below. The Plymouth County Commission's grant dispersement of funds held and administered through the Plymouth County OPA program as follows awarded to the town of Plymouth $36,21611. Motion by Commissioner Hanley, second Commissioner Wright. All in favor? I. Pursuant to the terms and conditions
of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Plymouth County Commissioners grant dispersement of funds held and administered through the Plymouth County OPA program as follows. Payment to Clifton Lawson Allen LLP in the amount of $15,468.25 for administrative support.
Motion by Commissioner Hanley, second Commissioner Right. All in favor? I. That's unanimous. Great. Molly, good evening everyone. just back from Marshfield Fair and all of our other fairs and festivals. Still a few going on, but overall we had a really great
10day fair. Thank you, Commissioner Z. I saw you visit us. Yes, didn't get to chat long, but uh hopefully it was a good visit. Frank made it out, too. Nancy, I saw a lot of folks um at the fair this year. We were up on exhibitors. We had 154 kids
exhibit animals. That is up from last year. um and over 250 animals that we were in charge of for that time. Awesome. That was really good. Then we rolled right into the East Middle for weekend. Um that also was a great success. They had really good weather. Um great
support. Again, more animals and um participation than they've had in a little while, too. And now we go into Big E. Um Meg Riley is there this coming weekend with our kids who went to the um National Forage ignite uh program which was in Washington DC part of a
pollinator grant. They're going to be featured in the New England Center. National Forage Council is actually coming out to do a piece on them. Uh we have 4ers who are participating in all the different animal shows but the highlight is the beef auction which will be after the beef show at the fair and
the last several years a Massachusetts 4er kind of a Plymouth County forer has uh been the highest selling steer which has actually gone to UMass dining. So we're wishing our 4ers luck in that endeavor
coming up next weekend. That's and then towards the end of Marshfield fair is she and dog weekend which again a happy and bright spons I think you've done a fantastic job in in all the fairs and everything that you go to and I get so much feedback and you
know how much people just love going into the uh 4 and seeing the animals and stuff. Great job. We have great staff. Thank you. Thank you Molly. Uh, register's report. Register Buckley is not here. Uh, treasur's report. Treasurer O'Brien.
I'm actually gonna defer the first part of my report to the deputy treasur. Oh boy. Brimming with good news. I cannot hold him back. Mine will be less exciting. Uh, but without further ado, with your permission, the deputy treasurer. Recognizes deputy treasurer Welch.
We want him. He's more exciting. special today. Uh yes, I I come bearing excellent belief for uh the county you both uh we have commitment from our 46th community uh for PL County parking. Uh
this is uh this is a big one. This is the city of Lel. Oh wow. City of LOL is actually uh you know effective October 1st. So they're another company that's coming to us community coming to us from Passport. Uh and this is orders of magnitude larger
than uh most of our communities. Three times the size of Welssley even. Yeah. Um so at this point once we have LOL on board, no one's ever going to be able to uh throw bricks at us and say that we don't turn a profit that we waste money and we don't provide a service. Um this vindicates the other faith that you
folks have had in the department over the years and the resources that you have uh so prudently given us to develop the program uh to its current state. Uh the contract is in review uh in the city solicitor's office right now. So I don't have anything to bring before you, but they've already started all the
paperwork as far as sending things to the registry of motor vehicles to make the transfer and ordering equipment. So I am comfortable saying to you today that this is almost a done, you know, a done deal. big hidden. So, a couple things too is just, you
know, um you know, I get lots of compliments about our employees, about Lisa in particular and her demeanor and her way of assisting the c the public, the customers and uh folks at town halls and uh you know, we've gotten compliments for the program from uh the
users. One of our, you know, big allies is u a person who we've onboarded in the last couple of years and has seen the difference between the service we provide and the service that provided by their old uh their own company uh and the person just who's was chomping at
the bit uh to say good things about us to other potential uh communities. Um, so again, I uh thank you for, you know, the resources that you've put towards us and uh, you know, this this is a great day for us and I do hope to be coming uh, you know, back in a couple of weeks
with even more videos because I do have a couple tricks up my sleeve and I hope to uh, turn those tricks. Very good. Uh, just a thank you and appreciation. You've done an awesome job. Unbelievable how you build the parking. I'm sorry.
It's fine. No, I just Yeah, I mean I I think I think as we um Well, now we know a secret test. So that's a I think we've missed something. I've missed something. Yeah, something's Yeah, something's gone completely over my head. I think their minds in their gutters who don't necessarily play cards
the um well any rate um no really the compliments you know I think as all of us collectively go out and extol the virtues of county government and are sometimes met with uh the misguided or misappropriated use of uh observers time
as it relates to what we do uh as a government entity. the fact that you your team treasure deputy treasurer Welch have been able to um first of all take an unfunded mandate from the state and in the last I mean you haven't been doing it for 40 years but over the
course of those 40 years evolve it into being something that was just sort of a regionalized effort that that did what it was supposed to do into not only being still that but also an outlet and a a a service that these communities are
able to engage in to a point where outside of the 27 communities in Plymouth County, uh it is spread throughout the Commonwealth and I know you won't rest till we have the entire state including Boston. So although the Park Boston app seems to want to keep
throwing me out every time I'm in there. So I really big kudos on that. I I think it can't be understated enough how the parking program began and how we've gotten to this point. It really tells the tale of unfunded mandates from the state to our municipalities, not just in Plymouth County, but across the
Commonwealth and how the county was able to without any cost of the taxpayer really. I mean, they're the ones writing the tickets and collecting the money. We just get a small amount of that fee. They don't write a ticket, then there's nothing. So, right, um, no cost to the taxpayer. Plymouth County is able to step in and provide
that service. And now with the city of Lowel, home city of a dear mutual friend of both of us who has flown the coupe. smiled at that. He'll be very pleased to learn that. I want to let you guys know. Yes, please. We'll let him know collectively that Lel uh the greatest
city in the world according to him is uh is now in the Plymouth County full. Brockton is of course the greatest city in the world. So, any other questions, comments for treasurer, deputy treasurer Welch? Just want to thank so much for all he's done for us. Oh boy. Now we uh now we go to the apparently
the less exciting part which is Treasure O'Brien. I I don't Are any of you folks fans of Seinfeld? Sure. So, and you happen to know that the deputy treasur's office is literally next door. So, there are many days I feel like Jerry sitting in my desk with Kramer across the hall who at at a
moment's not so burst through the door. Yeah. So, I was sitting there actually with Frank and uh others today and my door burst open with the announcement from the deputy treasurer that today was a red letter day because we had secured the city of LOL. So he's been waiting
for 5:30 patiently and arrived. Thank you for allowing him to share his and I I will say, you know, there's always good news when the deputy treasurer is at our meetings. Usually that means something good has happened in the parking department when he's here. So and I'll just add on to uh the the
compliments only because uh my role is to oversee everything, but turning it over to him and letting him run with it and turn it into what it's become has been a lot of fun to watch from my vantage. and I'm glad you folks get a chance to see it as well. It's a great team. Little bit of good news that I was able
to share uh with uh our extension service director. Uh I learned again to the deputy treasurer who is the bearer of good news uh this week that the bill that was filed on behalf of the 4 uh programs in the climouth of Massachusetts house bill 713 uh with
respect to student participation for programs filed by representative uh here in county uh was read second and ordered to a third reading. So moving through the process we'll keep our eye on it. Uh we're obviously working with many of our friends in the legislature behind the
scenes to see what we can do. Great to support that effort. So I thought I would share that. And then if it's okay, I thought I'd try something new. Bit risky on my part, but I can't keep up with the great news from the deputy treasur. I'd like to throw a commissioner's choice out there for the treasures report and ask you if you'd
like to hear about Mayflower, uh if you'd like to hear about OPED, if you'd like to hear about um the retirement board or ARPA. So, the topic choice is yours. We actually have good news on all four fronts. I could do all four, but uh
I'll leave this to the commissioners. Um I think I'd like to hear Mayflow. I'd like to hear all better. Thank you. Commissioner Hanley wants to hear the third option. We'll hear all four. Yeah, let's get a fraud of all four.
I think you can give us two minutes on each. Are you sure about that? Well, I know there's a lot of It's been a long time since he's been in front of the camera. Could you give the guy a little spotlight in it? Three minutes per hour. So, everybody's talking about the health, you know, and and the prices and everything, you know, the rates that have gone up. So, you know, that is I
think very important that honestly there's there's a lot of good news to share. So, I appreciate that. But for now, we'll try and condense the good news as best as possible. Okay. You have till 7. I didn't even look over my shoulder though. Does that give me two hours? Hour. Oh, okay. We should be able to manage it. I'm hoping. Um, if I don't see Deb
interrupted, it might be quicker. We'll see. Um, oh, wait a minute. Was that directing to me that I don't interrupt? Um, with respect to health insurance, and Commissioner Wright is entirely correct. We've all been reading the news about those costs and there's a real concern particularly as we enter into uh
the next calendar year and the next fiscal year uh about health care cost uh prescription costs and the like. I just read an article earlier this week that the private sector is anticipating in the next calendar year because most corporate uh entities run on a calendar
year fiscal basis is anticipating an 11.5% increase in health insurance costs for their employees. Now what's interesting about that bit of information is that the private sector is usually cheaper than the public sector um because the plans they tend to
offer are not perhaps as generous. uh they have ways to contain costs that the public sector doesn't have at their disposal. So you can usually add on two or 3% to that if you're anticipating what the cost will be in the public sector uh for the next year. That is
concerning because it comes on top of a 15 to 17% uh increase from the previous year that most communities were dealing with. The good news to share with you is that I just reported to the Mayflower Group earlier this week because we had our steering committee that we finished
the last calendar year um not using all of the uh funds that we anticipated using to cover the deficit in fiscal 25. So to sum that up in numbers, we expected that we might need to be able to use to subsidize the rates that we
did in FY25 approximately $4 million of reserve uh to have subsidized those rates. As we finished through the year, we ended up using about 1.6 million of the reserves, leaving a little bit of cushion into the next year. I was asked
how that happened and it was really the result and we should take a little bit of credit here of the financial management of the program uh that we do through my office uh and through the county. Uh I don't think people recognize the significant value ad of the county to the operation of the Mayflower Municipal Health Group. Not
only do we provide the entire staffing of the operation, but we do the financial management of that group as well. and we were able to return uh over a million dollars in investment assets to the Mayus group over the previous year which was unexpected above what we
were anticipated to do which has helped the freight costs. Uh so the steering committee was glowing in its compliments uh to the financial management of the program uh certainly from the beginning of our involvement but particularly over the last couple of years as others are
struggling with these increases we're stabilizing those rates by doing a lot of things that anticipate those costs and help drive those costs down. It was also interesting to note that we are getting a significant number of requests to join the Mayans club. Uh in the last
week alone, we've received six requests uh for information about how to do that. So much so that we're setting up a process. So if somebody is interested in joining the Mayflower group, there are forms they're going to need to be able to fill out. There's a letter of interest they're going to have to file with the Mayflower group uh to see about
the process and about joining. Um, we will not be able to accommodate the number of people that are going to be looking to us as a safe haven over the next couple of years, but we certainly want to try and accommodate as many in our region as we can. All of that is a precursor to saying
that we're anticipating a a difficult FY26, but we should be fine. And I do believe that once again, we will be able to keep our rates a lot more reasonably than they're expecting for the private sector and for the public sector into the next
fiscal year as well because we have reserves of over $29 million. Uh we're going to be able to stabilize rates that other groups are not going to be able to stabilize. I will tell you too that looking at some of the challenges that the GIC is facing. Um, again, I feel
very good not only about uh our efforts financially, but the product that we provide uh is better than most of the products out there. Uh, and so we're going to be able to try and keep as much of that as we can uh for our members. So, the long and the short of it is we're in very good shape. Uh, we've done
very well financially. our team uh continues to perform at a high level and we've become really a beacon of success and in some instance hope uh in a very difficult healthcare industry. I know there's more than two minutes but it was less than six. Yes. Um
that's great. Yeah. No, I I appreciate again the update on on Mayflower. It's as we talk to municipalities I think that it's becoming clear. I mean, we've had some that were in, left, are now back. Others
that are banging down the door get back in. I think at this point, if uh if there's anybody out there that thinks Mayflower Municipal Health Group isn't the best possible group purchasing uh insurance program in the Commonwealth, then they're just kidding themselves and they're delusional. Um the fact that the
financial planning and I think obviously I'm the commissioner's vote on that steering committee and I had asked I've asked the treasure this every year. we voted on it about these increases and are we creating a situation where we might have to do one large one and that answer has been no every year because of
the investments and because of the work that the the financial team has done over there. So, I think it's a it's another example of the value ad that the county brings to those member uh units
and another example of regionalization working and the county being that engine for and of course the efforts of the treasurer and the entire team at Mayflower, Sheila and others. So, thank you. Yeah. Well, don't forget that you talk about the B30 that is us. Yeah. Right. asking me and my office and the
the vendors that we provide which are by far some of the best and our staff as as Jeff was very good to compliment the staff and parking the staff over at Flower the compliments we get on a daily basis are just really rewarding especially when you're hearing people
struggling with their health insurance oftentimes older folks uh they have a real compassion that we're pleased to bring to the table. Okay, any questions on Mayflower? All right, next up was Oh, sure. Go ahead. Um, as far as us in the GIC, I know
we're way less than with the GIC's. Have we had a lot of people who are in the GIC wanting to come over to Mayflower? Uh, the short answer is yes. We can accommodate some of the folks that would be looking to move out of GIC, right?
We have a geographic area that we serve, right, based on hospitals in our region. Um, I think one of the challenges there are there were nine other joint purchase agreements, one on the Commonwealth. That number's down to seven. I believe in the next two years it'll be down to three.
Um, and we will certainly be at that point probably the largest of the three. Uh, and we'll have hopefully handled as much of Southeastern Mass as we can. Um, not everyone is a good fit for us. Oh, no. Um, and what we're making clear and what I'm I'm very pleased with the group
is that if you want to join us, you're joining us for the communal effort that we provide. This isn't a come for one year and get our great rates, right? Stay with us. Understand what we're doing is providing extremely good health drugs for everyone. There'll be down years in one community and better years in another community. We're sharing that
cost to make it better for the group as a whole. So, you know, there really is that that that uh test, if you will, to make sure people understand that this is a commitment to be part of the Mayflower group and that's why we've been successful. Right.
Okay. Anything else on Mayflower? All right. Next up, we'll spin the wheel to OPAD, Mr. Choice. Next is Oak. Um, yeah, just again I wanted to uh thank Commissioner Wright uh and all of the commissioners, but she and I were out in Rochester and
as you folks have been doing as we're talking about uh ARPA program, we're highlighting the PAP program because it really is such a successful program. Uh and while we were there, we were handing out our uh returns, our investment portfolio. Uh and as a result of that
and folks watching that show which currently was being recorded and broadcast live, we received three calls from three communities uh who are interested in now joining PEOT. Oh, great. Uh and so we had some Zoom meetings earlier this week. Um it's fascinating
to me because we feel like we're telling the world about PEOT. I know Mr. Henley has been a staunch advocate from the beginning and going in to Boston and talking about it and going around to the towns uh and we've been working on it, but people will call and say, "Geez, I didn't even know you were out there. I
wish I'd known." And I'm like, "Well, one of the ways we keep our cost down is we don't advertise." We don't have any bricks and mortar. We're a a pretty tight run operation and we do buy word of mouth. So, tell your friends. Um, I do expect over the next year, particularly given our performance, particularly given our low
fees, we will see some some pretty good increases in the uh in the number of folks joining from the county trust. Don't forget the way we structured this and it's a really brilliant move on our part collectively when we did this in January 2015 is fees get driven down the
bigger their assets under management go. So that's not true anywhere else. Other folks like more assets because then their fees grow. But when we struck this deal with our partners, we said as we grow assets, we want the fees to go down. Uh hence we have the lowest fees and then they continue to go down as we
hit certain benchmarks. So again, a real value add program to our communities at time when they're going to need it, particularly as their pension funding comes to a conclusion over the next couple of years. they need a program in place not only to begin to assimilate
the resources to invest them wisely but then to distribute them as they need them to their retirees. So uh I just couldn't be proud of the team we have. Uh please continue to spread the word about but trust is at the top of a few folks minds lately. You know, OPED is a
multibillion dollar piano hanging over the heads of every governmental entity in the Commonwealth and beyond. And the fact that I think the 10-year actualized return is over 10% if I'm correct on um on those that have been in for 10 years,
uh they've seen that return. Um it's it's outperforming others like it, not just in the Commonwealth, but nationally. And um again, I think communities I I guess what do you I don't want to say what do you have to lose, but in
reality you're you're either not doing anything about it or you're in a a group that isn't performing nearly as well as uh the Plymouth County OPED Trust Fund is. And that's again a a credit and a kudos um to the leadership in the treasurer's office and the collective
group here as a whole to have the foresight to create that program to begin addressing that issue. I mean, we've all sit at our town meetings or watch our council meetings and when we we hear the expense that uh paying for retired employee benefits costs and
they've earned it. I mean, the employees have absolutely earned those benefits. They they devoted their service to to the community or the municipality or the government entity they worked for and they certainly deserve that. And no, none of them in the folks currently working now certainly don't deserve to
work in in in conditions where perhaps you know the community might fall short of being able to meet that obligation. Investing in you know Peacot helps communities have the funds to meet that obligation. Absolutely correct.
Thank you. Anybody else on Pecot? I I'll just conclude by saying it's got to be rewarding uh particularly to Commissioner Wright and Commissioner Hanley who were there uh at the very beginning particularly seeing some of the groups that they encouraged to come in when people are like well what is
this Peacock program right but I think back to Queens College uh and I look their investment return does now exceed their original investment in the portfolio I think of the city or the town I'm sorry the town of uh they did a huge review of us before they
came. Six months of review to determine to invest their money with us. Uh and they couldn't be happier with that 10% return. And then some of the smaller companies that came on board very early, Carver and where I have seen just great returns in the report from Carver that they continue to get a higher bond
rating because they participated. So uh again successfully beyond our wildest imaginations. Absolutely. Okay. Got a question. Oh, I know uh we spoke, you know, that uh back in 2014, the frustration of, you know, when this
first began, how many people, you know, just put it off and put it off and and now we're at a point when is the the date is up to what 2032 before they have to be totally uh funded. So, two separate things. Uh open funds don't have a funding date yet.
Okay. I do believe sometime after 2040 that the federal government and state government will set a deadline. Uh but that hasn't happened yet. Uh you were thinking of the pension systems which do have a funding data. We could talk about that separate but the point is and I
think commissioner Golo mentioned this. If you start now, you're ahead of the curve. And a modest investment today pays off so much more handsomely 30 or 40 years from now. And what we're trying to get those members of B cut to do start with a small
investment. You know, if you're a small town of Plimpmpton, you might only be able to put in5 or $10,000, but you just do that every year and before you know it, now you have 100,000. Well, it compounds, right? I mean, it compounds. Yeah. But before you know it, then you have
half a million and you're on your way to being full. Well, it's and it's like anything. I mean, you know, the thing I say often, you know, government should run like a household year. you know, at a previous uh job, I remember there was a new hire that came
to me and noticed on his check, I mean, he just graduated college, 401k, and he didn't know what that was. Said, "Well, that's your retirement." He goes, "Well, I opted out of that. I don't want to do that yet." I said, "You better do it now because you're going to get used to that pay and then you're never going to do it and then you're going to be working, you know, forever." And and he's happy he
stuck with it. But it's it's the same holds true for these other post-employment benefits in these communities. To your point, Treasurer, start now. even if it's something modest and small, at least you're ahead of the curve and you're ahead of the game. And you know, I I yet to find a single
community that that you're not going to find anybody that's disappointed in 10% actualized returns. Uh especially I mean again, the national averages, right? I I will also add this. One of the unique functions or components of our
program is there's no penalty to leave. So, a lot of programs, if you sign up, charge a fee if you decide to leave, right? Um, we didn't want to do that because that makes us nimble and makes us committed to doing the best because the minute we're not the best, people might decide to go elsewhere.
And has anybody left? Nobody. Exactly. You stole my thunder. I was trying to get to that point to say, and over the course of our entire history, we've never had a community leave the Right. Great. And I think too, you know, we do go out to these towns. I think it's so
important that we tell them what what we have to offer the programs because they don't know and uh you know I think that that's what we're trying to do is you know tell them what we do offer and some of them are in some of the programs and some of them aren't. Well, I think I think we're in a good
situation where a lot of our communities like participating in some of the regional efforts that we do. Um there are certainly some that prefer their go it alone approach. I think we can observe uh just at a 30,000 foot view some of those communities that are
reluctant over calcatrin at the idea of working with us or joining our regional program certainly are not in the same uh financial health as some of the communities that have uh done that forward thinking and you know you can look at the map of the county and think of the communities that are in and the
communities that are sort of doing it on their own and I think we all know uh that the communities that are collaboratively working together uh in the are in these programs and are doing exponentially better than uh some of those that are that are not. So uh we did have two more topics from the
treasur. I'll let I'll I'll defer the choice back to the treasur. Do you want to talk about the retirement board or ARPA? I love both. Oh boy. All right. I'll choose retirement board. So we'll end with ARPA. Um I think you folks are aware that the regulatory agency overseeing the public
retirement association is PAR. uh PARK produces a data report on an annualized basis about the performance of the 105 systems in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. That report comes out awful late. So we just got the report for calendar year end 2024
literally came out earlier this maybe end of last year. And so I had a chance to just review that very quickly. We are we being the Plymouth County Retirement Association are one of the 14 largest in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Of those 14 largest uh for 2024
uh we had the second best returns uh in the entire component of the system. For 2024 net fees we reporting 9.82% uh for 2024 uh putting us toward the top. Also pleased to report that we're
67.5% funded and that we will be fully funded by 2031. uh by comparison and let me just fil to because I wasn't sure you choose uh to the state uh their return was 9.64 so not like where we were and they're
not going to be fully funded until 2036 and as you go through each of these systems you'll find that many of them aren't going to be funded until much later than we will be and that the returns at least over this 20 year period of time weren't quite where we
were. So, uh, I was pleased to report that the one right after us is Northol County. Uh, they were at 9.80. So, they were only two behind us. Um, and, uh, I think they're on the funding schedule where they will be fully funded, uh, by 2034. So, we're always watching what
everyone else is doing, but pleased to report that we were to the top of the list again in 2024. So, when you say uh, what was the percentage funded? 607.5. Is that the county of Plymouth or is that the whole That's the whole association whole system.
32 and a half% there to full funding. Yes. Uh which obviously will uh be a considerable financial burden off of every participant. Not that it's a burden. Uh communities obviously uh set their own chart their own course when it
comes to uh the number of employees and the salaries they pay them. Um and obviously the fact that the retirement association you said was the second best return again goes to prove that the management uh is not uh it's not facitious. It's not a a whimsical sort
of uh management financially. Uh it's a fully functioning system. Beyond fully functioning, it is the second best in the Commonwealth. And it is it is uh certainly uh worth lauding and noting the effort of of the PCA, the employees
and staff there especially uh in the investment strategy that the board has undertaken for these several years to get us uh to that point. And I think um with the exception of a couple that uh seem to express their views uh most of
our members seem to quietly be incredibly happy with this performance and with the schedule that has been laid out and small entities like Plymouth County where we can't tax, we can't have overrides when we start running into financial issues are able to meet our
obligation with no problem and in the case of the last fiscal year turn a profit. So I think we are in excellent shape there as well. Are any questions on retirement? No. Oh great. And we'll end with ARPA. How are we doing on time? I handle this over my
You have uh you have 36 minutes, but I'm going to cut you off. I'm going to cut you off in four. All right. Uh we'll make this short because we did cover a lot of it. Uh I just want people to know that there's still a lot of processing going on in ARPA. Uh we still have a report from the
US Treasury. Uh there's a frustration level because the Treasury keeps coming out with different requests from us for data that we weren't expecting. I know it's a new administration, so they're maybe feeling their oats um and sending out uh different requests. Some of it's
frustrating because it's repetitive. Our response to date has just been to continue to give them information that we've given them quarters previously. At some point, we may just throw up our hands and say, "We've already given this to you two or three times. please stop asking for it, but we haven't done that yet. I just wanted to make you aware
that that may be something that we'll be dealing with. It's just time consuming. Uh and it does it does become burdensome. Um you know, we've got a lot on our plate. We're dealing with a lot over the treasur's office and know when the US Treasury throws curveballs, it just makes it a little bit more
difficult. So, I wanted you folks to be aware of that component. Uh we have another report due uh in October for through September. We're working with CLA for some data so we'll know exactly how much money hasn't been spent by our subreients. We'll monitor that for the
next couple of months to Commissioner Wright uh question earlier. I expect to have everything blocked out by next June so that we can pivot if we need to if there are any funds that haven't spent. But we are on track to make sure every penny gets spent and not a penny gets returned to the US.
Great. Any questions on that? Well, thank you Treasury. much appreciated and um appreciate the update on all of those excellent programs, especially getting that information out there so that way the folks at home uh can certainly
understand what the uh numbers are and what the facts are of these programs that we are running. So, thank you, Treasure O'Brien. Next up, thank you. Uh maintenance and administrators report, Mr. Basler. Great. Thank you, uh Chair. Um, I just wanted to thank the commissioners for um uh
helping uh with the two uh requests for temporary uh custodians um uh tonight and then the one part-time last meeting. just to to share some of the challenges that our superintendent
just to uh share some of the uh challenges that our superintendent is uh dealing with out of a team of 18. Uh he currently has two members on FMLA uh who were very sick. Uh he also has um the the assistant superintendent
um after two during two weeks of vacation took a really bad fall and has been out two more weeks after vacation. So hasn't been in since early August. Um we have uh a number of vacation weeks that have been used. Of course, a lot of
people use their vacation weeks in the summer uh including one elong uh elongated uh vacation of a month. Uh and on top of that, um it just seems like there's a lot of our team being ill lately, um with a lot of sick days. So,
uh the superintendent's doing an amazing job managing all that through that. But these bodies, um these team, new team members are definitely needed and we appreciate the support uh for the administrator's report. Um I just want to bring uh to your attention. Uh we got
a call from the trial court on uh August uh excuse me, September 22nd uh at the Plymouth Courthouse. There's going to be the Karen Reed civil trial. It's going to be a motion to dismiss. Uh uh and uh the trial court was giving us a call as
friends to let us know um that they weren't sure whether it would be a big crowd or no crowd, but they wanted to make sure we were aware of what was happening. Um, consistent with what happened in the actual Karen Reed uh, murder trial, uh, protesters will not be
allowed to set up on state uh, managed property. So, they'll be pushed uh, by the state uh, trial court down to the Rotary um, which will probably mess up traffic pretty significantly if there is a crowd. uh that will be policed by the
state police uh in conjunction with the the state's security team from the uh court system. Um we actually have the a budding property uh and um the trial court was concerned
that they may flow into our property, the registry of deeds parking lot and use that as staging. And they just wanted to call out that uh concern. I wanted to just chat with the chat with you to find out if there's something
that you wanted us to do. Historically, if people aren't breaking the law, it's we have public land. We allow the public to be there. Um I was going to call Chief Flynn, get his opinion and uh and then follow follow that, but I wanted to
bring it before you. I did uh talk to this uh with register Buckley um and he supports the decision that the team makes um understanding that you know of course anybody coming and parking and not protesting have right to use both
the court facility and our facilities as public properties. But if if they are um setting up tents or um using propaganda or protesting uh do you have a feeling
as do you want us to work with security or some aspect to have them moved? Yeah. Yeah. Um that'll be a good day. Would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, if you've already approached the chief of Plymouth to potentially speak to the
sheriff about support on that day, would you know we we are transacting business at the registry of deeds and if that is inhibited because the hours are going to be consistent with the court's hours of operation in the registries. I think you know when it was up in Denim, they
weren't allowed to park in those spaces up there. So, um I'm not sure in the trial court who coordinates the state police eic, but I'm glad they reached out to you. I would just say if anyone has a concern that maybe we loop in the sheriff, uh see if he could uh assist if
necessary. Um but I I would just say that, you know, we don't need a circus in town. Yeah. So, this is at I thought I had read that this was happening in Brockton. This is in Plymouth. the dismissal. Uh so the the court case will follow the judge and the uh motion to dismiss the
judge is actually in Plymouth. We think that the judge is being transferred to Brockton which it then will go to Brockton um next. But this first September 22nd, Monday, September 22nd will be a a motion to dismiss. It
could be a very short motion if it's ruled out of order or it could be a longer duration. That's why they weren't sure as to the size of the commotion that'll be stirred up. I think my inclination would be
at least not having tents or I don't want to say structures, that sounds ridiculous, but something things like pop-up tents or tables or things that could obstruct folks coming in and out of the parking
lot. Um, otherwise I I think Commissioner Hanley's suggestion is a good one. Um, not to muddy or or have too many law enforcement agencies involved. Would it be possible, you've
already spoke with the chief, we can speak with the sheriff. Would it be possible to um ask the state police to envelope in county property with the understanding that we're looking mostly for crowd control? Um I I personally
don't believe in really inhibiting anybody's right to protest. So I I'm not going to have a problem with people standing on our property with any sort of signs or anything of that nature. That's my personal belief. I don't want there to be again tents or things that could potentially obstruct or create a
situation where you got to move, somebody needs to park or transact. Um, but is there a way to ask the trial court to ask uh the state police to encompass their I don't want to say supervision of what of the events that
will will likely happen that day to include I mean our property extends all the way through. out. No, no, if we're publicly insured for that type of situation liabilitywise. So, I mean, if you look at it, it's time, place, and manner. If we're open
for business and it's normal operations where we allow protesters with tents, we don't. So, the bottom line is, you know, they have the right to occupy public space. However, they don't have the right to, you know, erect those types of things. and you know whether
they have signs or not, I mean it it's a liability issue for the county. So to your point, Mr. Chairman, I think looping us in with the state police with that and if it's necessary to take a vote. One other thing I'd be concerned with if there is a change of venue that
we similarly have property in the superior court and the registry there. So you know albeit much smaller, uh I think if we had the chief of police looped in there. So, you may want to give her a heads up because it sounds like it'll be a game time decision. Do we have a date yet on
No, there's one definitely happening in 22. That is definitely we just don't know the venue. This No, the venue is next is going to be here. Okay. But you said there was a possibility she may have gone back to Brack. So, they rotate around. So, the motion
is here because she the judge is here. So, definitely the 22nd. Definitely the 22nd. The next time that the case is due up, the expectation is that that judge will be in Brockton, right? Based off rotations. And just to clarify, I have not talked to Chief
Flynn yet. I wanted to get your feedback. I just talked to the register to get his perspective and then I'm bringing it to you. I apologize for this hearing. That was going to be on my calendar tomorrow based on what you direction I got. I think
my personal belief would be to have instead of involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Um now of course if the trial court says nope sorry the safe police will only handle our you know boundaries um then I
think we can defer um to the sheriff and to uh the town. Obviously bearing in mind people's first amendment rights as well. So you know there the registry is as Commissioner Hanley pointed out a place where people need to contra
conduct business. Um the ability to conduct business needs not be inhibited uh for the inhabitants of Plymouth County. Uh that need to be there to do so. Um but conversely people do have their first amendment right to to be there to uh express their feelings to
protest. So, um I think I think working with the trial court and then figuring out uh what they will do. Today is the 11th, so we will not be meeting again until after this hearing is held. um setting up at least some sort of notice
to indicate things like tents, tables, things that are not nimble or easily moved should they be necessary. Um will not be tolerated. Uh you know, when it comes to liability, I mean, people
can protest at any time for whatever they want in any one of our properties. knock out what they don't, but uh they could at any point in time, and that's their first amendment right to. So, I I don't think we can really do much again aside from just what was what would be within the spirit of protesting, which
would be, you know, no tents, tables, nothing more than other signs. Yeah. I mean, you you're your two feet in signs. Yeah. I mean, you know, and um you know, if it becomes clear that the parking lot is getting choked, then you
know, you start coning off spaces for people to conduct business at the registry, encourage people to not park there. Um maybe a call to Norfuck as well to kind of see how did they handle it because similar circumstances.
Yeah, they allowed people on onto their property, right? Um they did not they ex uh excluded them from coming into the courthouse because that was a state but the but nor allowed them to whatever access they want. They they allowed the public
Yeah. I really I really don't know constitutionally what we're what we can restrict. I I'm not sure you could restrict structure. Yeah. I think and I think you're correct and that's why I'm but other than that I I I well even parking. I mean who's to say they're not conducting business? I mean,
we, you know, when they parked there and walked to the courthouse, we'll know. But, you know, I mean, I think I think the other thing, too, using an adage that Thomas Jefferson once said, "No use being upset about that, which is yet to happen. Let's see what happens." It's it's just a motion to dismiss. It's not
it's not the whole uh settle trial. It's not the It's not a, you know, it's not the a trial. It's not a whole case. It's a motion to dismiss. To your point, Administrator Basler, it could be gabbled in and out. It could take all day. Um
I think you know the read of the situation is I think a lot of people are satisfied with the outcome of the of the uh criminal trial. Um but that being said I I think notices of limiting structures um and just asking the trial
court to uh ask the state police to include us in their sort of monitoring of the situation there. If they refuse, then I I like Commissioner Hanley's idea of the sheriff and andor if the sheriff doesn't have the bandwidth, um reaching
out to the town of Plymouth and asking for their assistance as well. If I if I could, um I'll try to get proono. Um if not, we may have to pay for a detail. So, um is the thought that we would rather be safe than sorry and
have people someone there anyway? I know I will plan on being there. So source of funds on that if you have to pay for detail does that go on exhibit O at that's interesting. It's not it's not one of our courouses by lease.
Oh I see. It's because it's the Terry Mar court. It's the state court. Yeah we don't get anything to do with that. That's interesting. So what is the courthouse doing for even safety wise? Well they they'll have state police details but they work you know state police and the trial court work hand in
hand. Right. Um and um then they'll have their court security officer. So I think you know uh Chief Jerry Failen u I know you do, Commissioner Ray. Um he's been a longtime friend and ally since uh for
several 15 years that then that happened. Uh so he's the one that called uh you know as a as a personal um favor to us just to give us a heads up. Yeah, I think um I think no structures
Not to sound silly about it, but to say police there and they're outside, if something happens, they're going to do something. They're going to act. They're going to take action. If there's a law break, right? I don't think we need to. But the question is around moving people off property, they won't move people off property if they're not breaking the
law. Correct. So, and and it sounds like as long as they don't have a tent or a table or something, if they're just holding signs and walking, then we're okay with that. I think you think so. I don't think but I think we should be prepared. Also,
I know the 22nd might, you know, amount to nothing at all. But when it moves up to Brockton, I think that, you know, we need to know what we're our Well, thankfully with with Brockton, the properties aren't adjacent. I mean, it's not going to be in our Superior Court. It is. It will be.
Oh, it will be in Brockton. Oh, I'm sorry. I misurd you. You're right. It'll be Brockton. I goes there, which they won't allow anybody. I misheard. I thought it was going to the security, but it would more um be on our front yard, right? It's but it's just so the footprint's so
small. Um they'd probably set up more. I mean, I'm trying to find parking for jury duty there. It's not easy. So, um I mean, again, you know, as we will, I think, address each as it happens, but we may not be back again in our meeting.
Well, we will be when it gets moved to Brockton, but again, we will we will do what we need what needs to be done. But I don't think I mean, at the end of the day, people have a first amendment right to protest and express their point of view one way or the other. Um, as long as to Commissioner Haley's point, they don't interfere with the acting of
business at the registry, which in again my belief is erecting structures that are not easily moved should people need to be moved. Um, God bless America. You know, that's the
beauty of the First Amendment. Uh, and, um, God bless them for wanting to be out there and making their opinion heard on the situation. So, um, so I think, yeah, we'll just ask, I mean, if the state police are outside, they're going to act if something is out of hand, right, regardless. So, um,
I think we can go with go with that. Thank you. All right. Thank I'm more concerned up at the Superior Court than I am down here. So, yeah. I mean, again, it's a There's no room up no place up there
that they can really go or stand or they'll find a way. Oh, they will figure it out. It's the It's the American way. So, all right. Anything else, Mr. Basler? Uh, all set, Jack. Great. Thank you very much. With that, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Move. Motion. Commissioner Hanley
and thank Commissioner Wright. All in favor? Hi. Hi. Unanimous. That's just awesome. Thank you. Congratulations, grandma. Oh, thank you. I can get that in the last. Yeah. Wish you could never
stay up above grandchildren, right? Shredder.