Okay, >> that's awesome. >> Thank you so much for coming this evening. Uh you join with me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of 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. >> Thank you. Okay. Please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live on YouTube. The file is later shared through various public access channels throughout the county for further
potential broadcasting. Okay. So, we're going to go on to the uh minutes. Okay. >> I make a motion to accept the minutes of March 26th. Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> I >> motion to accept and approve CPS forms. >> We actually don't have any. Sorry, Commissioner. >> No worries. Uh vote to accept and approve vendor vouchers. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? I
>> Madam Chair, I vote to make a motion to vote to accept and approve payroll vouchers. >> Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Make a motion to approve the treasurer's bond. >> Okay. So, >> um I have a vote that
>> Thank you. Okay. >> At a regular meeting of the county commission is holding at Plymouth on the 9th day of April 2026 AD. We Sandra Mr. Gregory M. Hanley and Jared El Valenzola, County Commissioners of the County of Plymouth, pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 35, Section 3, hereby certify that the bond of Thomas
J. O'Brien as county treasure with Western Insurance Company as shy in the sum of $300,000, a copy of which is here to annex is on file in the office of the county commissioners in Plymouth and Ze County. Witness our hands and the seal of SE
county of Plymouth this 9th day of April 2026. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Okay. Next on the agenda, we have discussion of public vote to sign letters to the chairs of Senate House Committee and Means in opposition of the
following legislator. I believe that's deputy uh treasurer Jeff. They're going to be discussing bills. >> Good evening. So, uh, audio, uh, are letters to again to House and Senate Ways and Means relative to several bills
that the Massachusetts Municipal Association of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association are opposing. It's not too often that we ask you folks to uh lobby on behalf of community or submit testimony to the legislature, but the both the MCTA and
the MMA believe that these pieces of legislation uh will have a very profound negative impact on municipal finance. Uh and there's some things that are in there that are relevant to our department and our operations here in the county. Um so the bills in question
again um one is the governor's uh budget uh bill H2 with several outside sections that affect the way that u uh motor vehicle excise taxes are collected and unpaid parking tickets are collected. Uh bill H278 which is an act relative to
late fees and acred interest on parking tickets. Uh and which that's just a misnomer. There's no such thing as interest on parking tickets. the legislator was uh in question that wrote that bill was grievously misinformed. Uh then we have bill H33 uh 3662 and Senate
2874 which are identical but there one was filed in the House, one was filed in the Senate which is an act to increase opportunity by ending debt phase driving restrictions which uh you know sounds uh like a feel-good name but it's actually again would have a very profound and delletterious impact on municipal
finance. Uh, you know, these are all bills um with the exception of the uh the governor's most recent bill that uh every couple of years they get filed in the legislature. I've gone out to testified against. Um it's kind of funny. I find myself kind of in a lonely
position because, you know, I'm up there testifying against the ACLU, which anybody who knows me, I'm just I tend to agree with those guys on a lot of things. Um but what's happened is um you know we have a system that's in place currently that works very well for
both collecting excise taxes uh as well as uh as well as parking tickets. And what uh the advocates for these bills have done have taken some really far outlier cases worst case scenarios and made it look like the norm uh such that it would be uh you know they talk about people losing their driver's licenses
getting arrested on the way to work. Uh and there's a myriad of things that you have to consciously do before things get to that point. Um you know the current system uh you know if you don't pay your uh parking ticket you get three levels of appeal. You know you can appeal uh to the local parking clerk uh twice. Uh if
that doesn't work you can file with a superior court for a judicial review that and if you're indigent you don't even have to pay a filing fee and the court is pretty liberal in their interpretation of the indigency. Um, so it's not as if you don't get multiple bikes to the allocates. Uh, the mass
collectors and chargers association had put out a uh fact sheet about that motor vehicle excise tax. Uh, which again that was uh that's not our um my level of expertise specifically to park tickets, but they uh did the analysis here and that if this bill is to pass, which
again uh removes the threat of nonrenewal um again if you don't pay your tax, they don't renew your driver's license. Nobody comes to your house and tears it up and strips you up. Uh you just can't renew until you um you know motor vehicle excise tax they estimate
that um each municipality would lose on average $1.2 million per year uh if this passed because uh the the u enforcement mechanism for unpaid motor vehicle excise taxes and parking tickets um will go away. What the governor's bill uh
proposes to do is instead of the system that we have in place already with the motor registry of motor vehicles tracking all of this information where the revenue goes directly back to the uh cities and towns who uh collect it. You know, you have to pay the town of Plymouth before you can renew your
driver's license. uh if you have a unpaid motor vehicle excise tax. Um with the governor's proposing is to set up another bureaucracy within the uh state controllers's office and would have to set up another system to track everything. They have to create a whole
new computer system. They have to create a whole new system to track and then they would uh be attaching and intercepting FIFA's tax returns and not everybody gets a tax break. Um and then that money uh when it gets goes to the state it would have to be remitted back to the town. So you just reinventing the
wheel and to be frank they're reinventing a square wheel when the round wheel we have here works perfectly fine. Um you know one thing about this uh the current system is that it actually was a reform of an earlier system. The earlier system was much more
punitive uh where you had situations where they actually would revoke your license right on the spot where parking tickets ended up uh being a criminal case um years and years and years ago. Um you know so the status quo actually is uh the result of a reform. Uh so in
this instance you know um we our office has sent in testimony in earlier uh stages of this legislation and now because the MCTA and the MMA have sounded the alarm and they've asked select boards and city councils and mayors to weigh in uh the treasurer and I thought it would be appropriate for the county commissioners to also weigh
in. And uh you know with that I'll be happy to answer any questions that uh come from the board. Yeah, Jeff, what is the date that um is this going to go to trial or or on the floor on a what date do we have? >> All of these bills are at uh well um all
these bills are before ways and means right now and I don't believe a hearing date has been scheduled for uh these bills as of yet. Uh the legislature tends to schedule hearings uh you know within 48 hours notice sort of like we do here with our meetings. So, it's something we track and keep an eye on
and which is why everybody MMA and MCTA have asked for written testimony because it's not as time-sensitive as uh dragging folks up to the state house to offer uh in person testimony. But we can certainly keep an eye on it and let you know if you wanted to go up and offer in person testimony.
>> So, is anybody going to be going up to testify for us or >> on our behalf? I think at this point since I've testified in past um I'll confer with the treasurer on this. think I'm uh content to allow MCTA and MMA's lobbyists uh to do the testimony in
person, whereas uh you know, if they get 351 letters from cities or towns plus uh a handful of other interested parties, uh I think that offers just as much heft as the deputy treasurer going up and uh saying a few words. >> Any questions from the commissioners?
>> No, these are very well written, I assume. written by yourself. Uh >> yes, >> deputy treasurer as always. Um >> you'll see some uh floor floor returns of phrase in there, >> of course. Always, which I much enjoy and always appreciate when I read these in advance. Um
no, I think these these look great and always appreciate uh your authorship of these things, which is always very nice. So, um I will say when it comes relative to hearings, um I know that there is a concerted effort to ensure every bill well there always
is an effort to ensure every bill receives a hearing. So, uh if they haven't been heard yet, they will. Obviously, the ways and means are going through the budgetary process. Um certainly um reaching out to the chairs is always valuable, but I would just only add that we should perhaps um as an
addendum just uh copy our county uh legislative delegation on it just so that they're aware and I'll certainly make uh my friends uh in the legislature aware of our opposition to these uh personally. Um but it might just be beneficial to also attach uh
electronically um our uh county delegation. I would concur with that. We did that at the earlier stage of uh the legislation and I think uh everybody responded. Um some more favorably uh some were prepuncttory but
>> um yeah we continue to execute that that strategy. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Yep. just um for the benefit of the public, Jeff, could you just explain, you know, how your program has gone from
something that was less than break even trying to serve our member communities until you created a software system and partnered with people with technology and I've been a part of your outreach to some communities and how the for-profit
world uh you are putting them out of business more or less with your goods and services and the way you execute. Everything I've heard back from those member communities in other jurisdictions uh is nothing but praise for Plymouth County. So, is it fair to
say that if this were to be enacted that it would just completely reverse everything you've done? You know, you're providing a service to the member communities that is reduced. You're giving them customer service. Every time I turn around, I'm hearing accolades on
how we handle our calls. Uh so just want to give you an opportunity to kind of explain what the downside of this legislation passing would be. Yes. And the impact on the communities. >> Yes. Specifically relates to parking tickets. Um so the program that exists
right now ensures that 95% of parking tickets that are issued to Massachusetts registered vehicles will be paid eventually within 10 years. Uh because people renew their driver's licenses every five years. They renew their registration every two years. So that opportunity is there for them to uh renew their licenses. We already have uh
a good empirical example of what happens when um you don't have that uh weapon in your quiver or that tool in your toolkit which is out of state tickets. If you ticket an out ofstate vehicle uh it's not subject to reciprocity with other
states. So uh the payment rate on those out of state vehicles when they get tickets is uh somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 to 75%. Uh the only um you know real way that uh communities can go after the out of state vehicles
is uh if they get more than five tickets they could tow it or if it's somebody who is at a university and you know uh they'll withhold their graduation until they pay all their debts. Um so but if you're a regular person who came up here from New York uh just for a vacation
parked got a ticket uh there's no incentive to pay and that's what the glimpse into the future would be u with if this proposal goes through and I think it would actually fall a little less than 70% because it won't even be the perception that this uh you know
attachment of your motor vehicle um license and registration would occur. Uh so we estimated that if a town issued, you know, it would reduce your collections by about 20% uh right off the bat. So if you issue 5,000 tickets
and it's $25 a pop, you know, with late fees kicked in there, you know, you're talking a reduction of probably 40,000, you know, so for a town like the size of Plymouth, multiply that by three because they do about 15 to 20,000. So, you know, they could be down $125 to $150,000
uh per year if this bill p doesn't if this proposal goes through. Uh, one of the things that we've done a great job in our office is to make sure that this program um as far as the marking and the non-renewal of driver's licenses and registrations to make sure it occurs
equitably and to make sure that it goes through the uh you know, everybody's uh due process that they're entitled to because you still have your rights of appeal. Uh whereas, you know, we're still dealing with some of the uh parking tickets that came over from older vendors from other towns that
we've brought in where out of state vendors would just give you a drop dead date. Oh, you have to pay this ticket within 42 days or we're going to mark you in the RV and you can't renew your driver's license. Well, that's against the law. You're actually supposed to allow people right of appeal within the first 21 days. Then you send them a
letter in the mail, first class mail. Uh no text messages. Um, and that's another issue. Um, first class mail, then they have another opportunity to appeal. Um, and then only if they miss that other opportunity to appeal and then don't pay, then it goes to the registry. Uh, so there's a whole bunch of things that
have to happen and we make sure that everybody's due process is respected as opposed to some of those prior private companies that would just right off the bat on a schedule of their own making tie people up at the R&B. I think the residents of Plymouth will actually uh you know, I won't say they'll enjoy it.
Uh but I hope that they'll at least appreciate that this year now that we've taken Park Plymouth on as clients that we'll be treating the public much more equitably than their prior vendor did. Uh because I know that had been a bit of a sore spot for uh residents within the town that they would get a ticket and it
would end up in the RMV almost, you know, within day within weeks. Um going back too to the uh text messages too is uh one of the craziest poses that happened uh in other legislative sessions was that uh there was a state senator who actually wanted us uh to
send text messages to people to remind them to pay their tickets. And thank god that one didn't pass because with all of the uh you know the fraudsters out there sending uh fake notices to people, our stuff would get caught in the mix. Um, so at least, you know, when we can point to people and say, "Yes, you will never
receive a text message uh from a Massachusetts government agency, it has to be first class mail, um, you we can hang our head on that and reassure people." Um, you know, it's still happening every day. We get those phone calls from people who get these texts. Um, you know, that a text message from a good friend the other day about one of
those. And, uh, you know, had to reassure her that all was well, all was copathetic, and that, um, again, you know, you get a notice, it's going to come first class mail. Nobody's going to text you and ask you for anything. Um, so that our expertise in Massachusetts state law is uh in state procedures is
one of the uh good talking points that we have for Plymouth County Parking. >> Thank you. Um, just last in terms of um the county itself, how many member communities are signed up with us that have actual parking needs? Not every community has them.
>> Enforcement. >> Everybody has parking because it's not just parking meters. You know, you do have handicap spaces. You do have fire hydrants. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they even have fire hydrants in very small towns, too. Um, I don't think there's anybody who doesn't have a fire hydrant. So, uh,
right now we do have 21 out of 27 communities, uh, within Plymouth County. So, there's kind of a a blank space sort of in the middle of the map. Um, and then, uh, the extremities, but, you know, in the last couple of years, you know, we've, uh, picked up three additional Plymouth County communities,
including the town of Plymouth, uh, via Park Plymouth itself. So, it's uh, you know, we're pretty big. And again that's uh in addition to all the other communities. So we have you know 42 cities and towns throughout the state plus six governmental agencies. So you know um five schools in the NBTA. So uh
we continue to uh promote ourselves. Um uh not as hustling as far as promoting these days because we're you know kind of you know the the boa constrictor that just ate the pig. We need to uh make sure that we can take care of what we got before we really go on another push.
But if I do see people who are in need of help and want to come on board, uh, we take them in. We've never said no to anybody that's wanted to come on board. >> Credit goes to the men in the arena. I want to thank you for this whole program. And you know, I gladly support opposing the legislation in an era where
every collected tax dollar, whether it's excise tax for vehicles, boats, hotel, motel tax, meals tax, you know, these are all things that member, you know, all communities need to survive. And when it comes to the turnaround of
specifically parking tickets and how you have improved, you know, the rate of return on waiting for the money cuz there's a lot of times I can remember when I was a city council in the city of Quinsey, they hired a vendor that went 15 years back and they made that vendor
made a lot of money on the backs of the city of Quinsey. So, thank you for your efforts and gladly support this uh these letters to the legislature opposing. Thank you. I'm just curious about one thing. Uh I I borrow your car and I get down to Plymouth and I park in several
different spots and don't pay it. Uh how does that affect the person who had the license and who owns the vehicle? >> So by state law, the person that's liable for the uh parking infection is the registered owner. >> Uh unless it's a short-term lease. So if
you rent a car from Enterprise Rent a car and get a bunch of parking tickets, they can assign that liability to the person who rented it. But if you borrow Jeff Welch's car and park it down Park Plymouth, Jeff Welch will pay those tickets because I won't even ask for an appeal. I'll just know that I need to
pay it. Uh so that's uh that's how that does work. And we do and we get those questions um you know where somebody you know a kid gets a bunch of parking tickets uh and the parent doesn't know about it and all of a sudden the parent gets a letter in the mail from us. >> Many of those. >> Yep.
>> Okay. Very good. So uh we just uh do need a vote. uh on your chair. Uh do we just have to just need to sign them for >> uh if I can chair uh the letters if uh you agree and are going to vote for support are in front of you. I took the
liberty of typing them up on printing them up on our letterhead. So if you sign them now, we can get them right over to the uh deputy treasurer for uh submission. Okay. And uh that's a great suggestion by Commissioner Balenzola to copy our delegation. And just for the
record, if you could just vote to authorize to support these letters have the record. >> So move second. >> All in favor? I >> Okay, thank you so much, Jeff.
Great job. Okay, moving on. So, we have the Plymouth County solar project update and that's going to be Teresa. Good evening, chair commissioners. Um, I just wanted to walk you through um a proposal bill for um
or an opportunity for Plymouth County to add solar panels on three of our buildings, 32 Belmont Street, uh 44 Ovry and 50 Ory Street. Together, these sites would
create 270 kilowatts of solar portfolio generating approximately 337,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. And what makes this especially attractive is that it is structured as a power purchase agreement uh EPA which
means there's no upfront cost to the county. uh the solar provider would install, own and maintain the system and the county would simply purchase the electricity generated at a rate that is lower than the current utility costs. Um
as you can see on some of that information there, the immediate projected savings in the first year are approximately $11,000 and over a 20-year term, the savings are projected to grow to roughly $460,000. And that would be for just those three
buildings. Um because utility rates are expected to rise faster than the PPA rate. Utility rates technically rise at 3% annually. The PPA rates exceed 2% annually. Um the savings increase year after year, making a strong long-term
operational cost reduction strategy. And beyond the financial benefit, this also positions Plymouth County as a leader in responsible energy planning and sustainability. I see this as an opportunity to reduce expenses on county facilities while making a smart
investment in our long-term infrastructure strategy. At this point, I'm just looking for your thoughts and guidance on whether you'd like us to move forward um with further review on the solar project. >> Uh if I may. >> Go ahead.
>> Um just in my work, I've dealt with a lot of homes that have solar panels on them. So, one, I appreciate your um proactiveness in this. I think this is an excellent idea, especially um knowing that these buildings are generally
facing uh in the right direction. Um so, I know no upfront capital cost, but in my in and I know we probably don't intend on selling these buildings anytime soon. Um did you look into just the possibility of us purchasing our own solar panels for the roofs?
>> Um not. >> And that's fine. Um the only reason why I ask is obviously if we own the um if we own them and there is obviously you know upfront cost to installing them and then of course I assume a maintenance contract but the savings we generate
plus what we could sell back to the grid um could be more. So, um I would just be curious what that would look like and if it's too cost prohibitive, then this is obviously a good um >> the only thing I I found and what little I know actually is um right now they
only let you um produce enough energy that you would use. Um a lot of times we're at the point where the uh infrastructure doesn't allow us to sell it back. Whether that's going to be in this area, we haven't looked into it enough yet. Um because we had asked for
our initial um meetings with the company, we had asked for something a little bit bigger and they said, "Well, you can only you're only allowed to put on your roof what you're projected to actually lose." >> Right. Okay. >> Got it. All right. Well, that that kind of >> We would look into that as well.
>> Yeah. I'd be curious. >> Yeah. No, thank you. And the only reason why I asked is again in the context of being but if >> Right. And I think you know you're right as I'm saying as you said it um too um they have begun capping energy going
back into the grid. So that I appreciate that. Um I guess the only other um comment I have again like I said I really appreciate this. This is excellent. Um the I know we're looking into doing the roof at 50 oy. Obviously we'd want to
tandem um that. And when did we do the roof here last? >> About 2014. >> All right. So, it still has another 20 years, I would imagine. So, that that that's >> um
>> you know, obviously as as you know, we're not we don't want to put solar panels on it >> and then have to take them off and do the roof. So where this was 2014, you know, we got another 20 years on this roof, but obviously I would just suggest when we do 50 street, um we'd probably want to wait until that roof is done
because it would be, you know, silly to put the panels on and then take them off, do the roof, and put them back on. Yeah. So, um >> no, I mean, this is I mean, this is great. And obviously, um >> like I said, I don't think you intend on selling uh any of these buildings
anytime soon. So, um it doesn't hurt curb value and it helps our energy cost. So, like I said, the only question I would have and um I'm not sure if you're looking for a vote on this or not, but um the only thing I would just be interested in seeing is what the upfront cost of purchasing them um would be and
and what just what that would look like. I have a feeling um it probably wouldn't make sense to buy it. That this is probably the more logical route, but I would just be curious. >> Mr. Basler, >> if I could um and you know, uh really, uh Teresa has put in some great thought
on this. This is actually modeled after another program that Plymouth's been doing. The what makes this such a valuable program is that mass save finances and pays for a lot of the PPA costs because
the energy utilities have to uh be at a certain level of uh responsible energy regenerative energy. Um, so all the uh members that pay a utility bill, a piece of that goes into Massave >> and then Massave
uh creates the credits. These are this is known as a >> behind the meter project different than in front of the meter project where we can sell it back to the grid. >> Okay. And right now DC is limited be uh
ahead of the meter projects but they are still allowing these behind the meter projects. So that's why um you know the this kind of pro project still has a good economic return on it. >> We we have quite a bit of work to do.
>> We're really just looking for consensus uh and want to bring you in the loop early on on the discussions. uh you know we need to do vet the company vet the situation uh you know the whole process look at we have some roof work
being done in Hangingham assessment work to see about the roof replacement uh so all that's being done but uh we always value your opinions and want to bring it to you to get your feedback um and actually Teresa had a great another great idea
>> so if you wanted us to move forward we originally only included the three buildings that um that we actually pay the electricity for. The other trial court as you know we receive re full reimbursement for that electricity. So what we were thinking is um creating an
opportunity with the trial court u that supports both county revenue growth and long-term sustainability goals. And as you know the current court lease rate is a dollar per square foot um which has been the rate for the last more than 20
years. And with ongoing expert, if we continue to explore solar panel installation on the port buildings, we have an opportunity to align projected utility savings for the Commonwealth with a modest lease adjustment to maybe say $3 per square foot. Uh not knowing
yet what we would what they would receive back in uh electricity. Uh the concept being that um what they would save in their electricity cost, we would actually be able to create revenue from that. So the county would win and we would also align well with the state and
they would actually have a net >> I like that >> net cost also on their energy. >> Just on that >> through the chair to Frank um refresh my memory. So they the utilities at the courthouse is in our name or in the state's name?
>> They're in our name and we get 100% reimbursement of it. >> It's just a great way to give us standing and win-win. So big >> if we save $3 in power and we keep a dollar, >> give a dollar to the state and you know
a dollar less in the budget, >> right? So big time. >> I Teresa came up with that the other day and I just thought we were looking you know as >> Chris Teresa and I were brainstorming. We said well it doesn't make sense to include uh courouses because we're getting paid for that. And Theresa came
up with this idea the next day while thinking about it. >> That's great. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. Um, first of all, thank you, Teresa. Um, Frank, I had extensive um, experience with this up in the town of Drake when I was um, town manager up
there. And I know this is 30B exempt. It's not required. And this is a great way to introduce it to us. To Jared's point, you know, um, there's questions and I guess what I'm getting at is there's companies out there that act as
consultants. Okay? They don't take any money until a power purchase agreement is signed and they get a percentage of savings that they get per kilowatt. I would ask that maybe we look at this from a procurement point of view although it's not required. If you were
to go out and uh get a consultant they handle the procurement and more importantly to the idea of scope. Okay. Do we put them on the courouses? Do we put them on all properties? Do we put it on vacant land? And then you on the other side of the meter with the
utilities, they do put out programs that you need to apply to. As far as federal monies go, that source is dried up. But in the Commonwealth, there are billions of dollars in green energy accounts that are available to us. But I would think
that we would benefit more with further study. uh obviously um but it's definitely one of those revenue generating things that can happen without a doubt. So I would just ask that we look at it from a procurement point of view with the potential of
hiring those consultants. They're out there. This is a major business and I think we we could do well with it. >> Uh if I could chair um we actually are using our consultant exactly as you described. So, um, uh, energy
conservation of, uh, energy conservation group, uh, they're out of Hansen. This is the group that has saved us thousands of dollars already in light and HVAC improvements. Um, they do all the procurement exactly as you said. They're
approved by uh, utility companies and the state to get this special granted procurement ability to negotiate and they would be the consultants that would work with the PPA company. So we actually wouldn't be signing with energy conservation, we'd be signing with a a a
different PPA and they are the ones that have brought the idea to us, pull it together and like you said, they get funded through the state, through the Massave and through the PPA. >> So yeah, I'm looking at a bigger scale because I agree that you know the due
diligence done so far is a good start. It's just that I don't I'm not familiar with the company in Hansen, but there are large companies out there that will do projects and get greater returns only because their experience is greater. So
I just ask that we do some due diligence book. Thank you. >> Thank you Teresa. Um also what is the going rate right now? And this is >> the going rate for >> for the rate is it uh per kilowatt what's the going rate or they have they
giving you a rate >> we're we're at 12.8 cents contracted >> what would we be through through this or >> so um so we're at 12.8 uh for uh generation charges and then delivery
charges are a separate fee. >> Um actually we did get that grid. Do you have that grid? the generation charge will always be a generation charge. And then if we use any power, that's when we will have to pay um if we had to use
more electricity than what we generated, then we would have to pay um that additional fee. >> So the 12 12.8 is a three-year agreement I signed two and a half years ago. So we're coming up on the end of it. Right now the going rate uh is anywhere from
15 to >> extra national grid or ever source. Yeah. >> Well even through um we track through constellation and other large aggregators the rates >> and we just did all that work with the uh aggregation companies when we were looking at the county aggregation
program. >> So our rates going to go up >> um and it could go up a nickel a kilowatt. This is a way to actually not make it go up. It basically would hold about steady. >> Yeah. >> If we flick the switch and the and the
and the panels were on installed right away. It's going to take about a year >> to go through the process vetting and everything and get it up, which times out well with our with our pre-by of power. >> Um, but it it'll it'll end up being
about between 12 and 13 cents going forward. >> Now, how about uh any of the towns? I see we just had Brockton and Plymouth. I know a lot of towns are now serving or offering their uh constituents a service through their aggregate uh in the town.
Does Plymouth have their own and does Brockton have their own? >> So Brockton does not uh they're working on I'm sorry >> because I'm not sure. >> Yeah. So Brockton I didn't want to if you if you had those answers I didn't want to step on you. Brockton does not have an aggregate plan. They're working
on one. Um, and Plymouth does have an aggregate plan and there are 14.8 cents right now. >> Right. Okay. And, uh, what was the last question I had for you was, um,
I think that was it. Uh, if the towns had an average of their own. Um, yes. Okay. I think that was it. I can't remember. But anyways, thank you. Yeah. I mean, it sounds very interesting. It's um something to look into, of course,
and we would have to do certain uh things before we'd be able to put the solar panels up uh on, you know, we'd have to make sure the roofs are uh intact. And I don't I think No, I don't know, Jared, you uh Commissioner Ali, you had said uh goes more another 20
years. I thought the roofs were good for 20 years. >> Yeah. I mean, 10 20 to 30 years depending on I mean eyeball. I'm not obviously a home inspector or a roofer, but I >> I eyeball this roof walking in. It looks in great shape. Now, granted, given the
ocean, the wind, and the other issues that that we have in this just area as of town, um >> it might be a wise idea to get an assessment. But where it's a 12-year-old roof, I can't imagine it has >> Let's this way. It's not like it's imminent within the next couple of
years. So, I I think it would be wise to just do the panels on this one. in uh Brockton and then with the registry just wait until that roof project is done. Um yeah, if this was done in 2014, it has easily another 8 to 10 years on it.
Could be another 10 to 20, but given the sea air, the salt water and the wind, yeah, maybe that obviously knocks its life down a little bit, but I don't think this roof is in any uh imminent position. But yeah, I mean roofs generally are 20 to 30 years now. So
>> I may >> uh Frank through you madam chair Frank um if you were to do a procurement you could as part of the scope have the people that are bidding assess the property. So that could be part of you know the due diligence and then you got
a professional saying you've got 17 years left or whatever the case may be. I think it needs a lot more than just what you're >> Yeah, it's it's more than look. Um, and we've done we're we're in the middle of an assessment for the uh we put in the in the budget. Um, that's a project that
Chris is working on assessing all the roofs. So, we have currently uh both um uh visual uh forensic and uh high-tech. We have uh uh drone drone uh infrared
>> uh >> hopefully this weekend or next they'll be out doing the >> on both uh the registry of deeds hanging and wearham those are our older roofs even though Hingham's only uh 2018
>> uh itself um just for uh information the Hangingham roof prior to to getting changed in 2018 was almost 45 years old. Brockton roof is going on 50 years old say >> uh so you know
the the good things about the 70s were things that when they went up they actually lasted >> you know now we'll pro now we'll probably get 20 year roofs or less right >> so but um you know uh we have to check especially with Brock and the infrastructure weight um I think they
said this is 4 lb per 4.2 two pounds per linear foot. So, these are very thin. They're not the old style ones. They're very thin um high efficiency uh solar plates. Um but we we that's all part of
why this takes so long is um the proper vetting. And you'd want to make sure that the PPA company that you're signing a 20-year deal with has the financial fortitude to be around in 20 years because they're responsible for taking it off and making the property as as
original um at the end of the project. >> One of the caveats we negotiated was equipment as well because every generation of new technology comes out and yields a better output. And so if we sign into a long-term agreement and
don't require the contractor to upgrade to maximize value because I mean my god in 10 years look what they're producing you know the energy companies don't like it so much but it's you know it is what it is but great job thank you to just uh
one more thing I'm going to elaborate a little bit on what Jared had said Commissioner Valenzola had said earlier uh buying our own versus uh using the companies um I don't know what we would benefit out of buying our own because then we're responsible for uh most
anything that has to be done if you know like you said down in Plymouth the winds the storms and everything if they get broken or u >> well but there is upside down yeah then you have to uh take care of them and repair them yourself >> you get a higher return >> on that
>> so with if we owned our own array >> then we would then negotiate direct with the utility for a high you know the percentage they're giving back to us is covering their costs. >> So when they go and you know put an array up, it's at the cost of the contractor who's getting the money from
the utility. So if we were if it made sense were to do self-perform and then you know we're going to get a higher rate of return for our investment if there's funds available in this county. I mean, we're not prepared right now, unless we were to have bond a project, but there's a lot that has to
>> Well, like I said at the top, just to make just to maybe tie it up and make sure I'm I was clear on the point if it made cost sense. And one of the caveats of that was in the past, you used to be able to sell excess energy back to the grid. Teresa >> educated me that that's really not a
thing anymore. So, knowing that that really isn't a thing, I don't think it will end up making sense to purchase them. Obviously, there are companies that come in and help us maintain them uh as necessary. So, you would still have that contract, but as Commissioner Hanley pointed out, if there is a
greater rate of return, then it's it's worth exploring. I don't I don't know how much something like that would cost if it's, you know, a $3 million project. Obviously, not, but that it's just a curious thing. Just maybe a like I said, this is great. Maybe just an addendum um and a couple whenever whatever the
timeline suits um just my curiosity, you know, if it costs this, we generate that. Does it just make economic sense? Just spitballing back and forth as we have the last 20 minutes doesn't sound like it it may not make economic sense. This might make the most economic sense, but
just out of curiosity, what would the you know, economies of scale look like if we purchased? But like I said at the top and now that Teresa has, you know, gave me that information, um, if there's no opportunity to sell excess energy back into the grid, which I know a lot
of my friends have solar panels, they have those agreements and they not only don't pay an electric bill, but they get credits um towards if that's not a thing anymore, then it probably won't be worth buying them. But just just curious is really all
>> because I had suggested if 32 Belmont could generate more than sell it to 72 Belmont they said yeah we can't do that >> right >> if I may just in terms of what you presented you presented three locations rooftop units very limited scope this
county did actually go through a procurement successfully with a 20-year agreement with over 2 million a year coming back to the county on a larger array I guess what I'm saying is if we could talk about solar in a bigger way and vet it. I mean this is
opportunistic. It's great. It's Johnny on the spot. Let's do it if you can do it. But if we really want to do a program with solar and the money is available because that's when we were trying to do that procurement last summer that that Srex had dried up on that. But I know that if you go bigger
you get better and if we own it you know there's a lot it it has to be discussed more. >> Yeah. didn't make sense to own it. Maybe a study, but >> Mr. Basler. >> Yeah, I was just going to say the um the key difference between now and even a couple years ago is is the sentiment in
DC. >> So going big makes a lot of sense when you're getting support from DC. Right now that support's not there. So the consultants have actually said start with this because this is behind the meter. You can use this money saving right away.
>> Agreed. go big when you have the support of the federal government when you can do canopies and uh park because that's where we originally went to talk to them about you know we have some great parking access uh next door here not so much in Brockton but you know what can
we do here and and that's the difference between when the project that we were talking about which is before the meter turned to after the meter and that's the difference >> but you're also locking in a 20-year term so that's something that to your point on DC. You know, things could
change in four years. But the other point that you just really made a brilliant point is the parking needs. Okay. Over in Brockton, they have a solar array in front of the Brockton hospital. And if we're going to enter into an agreement over here potentially, wouldn't that be nice to add, you know,
a a carport that has solar on top, you know, on a bigger scale, right? So, it needs, in my opinion, a little more. It's a great first start. Absolutely. And thank you for the effort. How about uh bonding? Uh obviously the company that uh whoever we choose to go through
uh they would have to be bonded and uh are there any grants? Have we looked into any grants for any of this? >> Well, that's what I understand um that the company that will be doing it is the one who's still able to get those grants. Um so it would be no cost to us.
Um I believe, and I could be wrong, um there aren't any grants available right now in Massachusetts for any solar projects. Um so that is pretty much dried up. So even if we wanted to purchase our own, we would have to do it with our own funds.
>> We'll do a lot more research and bringing it back to you, but we just wanted to bring it in uh line share and bring bring you into the well one of the things that we're starting to look at. >> It's a great first, right? Open it up. Sure. Great. Thank you so much, Teresa.
Appreciate it. Okay, we have the uh registrance report. He's not here. Uh the treasures report. >> Good evening, commissioners. >> Good evening. >> As a matter of levity, I was sitting there thinking that up until this evening, I would never have had a
problem lending any of you my car to drive around. But now I might have to revisit that. But um I wanted to just use this time to talk about an issue that uh is bubbling to the surface in some of our communities. You guys have called me about it and people are
talking and it's the extension of the funding schedule for the retirement association. So if you bear with me, we have an opportunity to chat about that a little bit, answer questions and and correct some misinformation that is out there. As a matter of history, I think it's important for uh folks to remember
that far back as 2014, uh Plymouth County really uh took the lead in going out to the communities and talking to them and saying that uh what we were seeing on the horizon were some rapidly increasing costs in two areas. One,
health insurance and two, retirement. that uh here in Plymouth County, we were seeing it early because we're smaller size, smaller scope. Uh and we were anticipating that over the next 10 to 15 years, those costs would be significant.
And we encouraged our member communities and anybody who would listen to begin to take steps as far back as 2014 to anticipate those costs, to take steps early so those costs didn't become overly burdensome over the course of time. And to the credit of uh PL County
and the commissioners, uh we created and developed what we fondly refer to as scenario 4, which was a very aggressive, conservative fiscal planning tool to plan out the next 10 to 20 years of the county. So we were making decisions in 2014, 2015,
2016, etc. that put us in a good position for the time that we saw coming when those health insurance rates and retirement costs would be pretty significant. Now, it's interesting because we actually expected those increased costs to begin to hit our
communities in around uh 2022, 2023, 2024. But something happened in the interim that actually delayed that. What happened, of course, was the pandemic. None of us could have envisioned what happened in 2020 and the flood of
federal money that came in uh to really help deal with that pandemic and that crisis. And what that did was prolong some of the challenges that our communities are now facing in their budgetary needs and costs and and the decisions, the very hard decisions they
have to make about uh funding schools and public safety and the things that they're dealing with. Um, however, what's interesting, at least from my vantage point and perspective, is this this uh look at uh the assessment from the PC County Retirement Association,
which by the way is separate from the PC County Commissioners. That seems to be a fact lost on certain folks, >> that extending the funding schedule is somehow a relief point uh for the challenges that they face. And it's interesting because we've started to
receive some correspondence about that. First, really important to get out there is that any discussion about the funding schedule begins in FY28 because all of the communities had received their funding information in
FY26 and FY27 uh previously. So, they could plan and budget that. So what I find interesting is communities are facing these challenges and they're looking at and saying oh well we need some relief in FY27
let's extend the funding cycle. So let's be clear that the very first impact any change in the funding schedule would have been an FY28. Anyway, what we have said to the communities is the process for the retirement association to ex to discuss this is to
do a valuation report which is required every two years and that this is the year that we're required to do one and that we will be doing it in the May and June time frame and we encourage their engagement, involvement and participation and watching how we have that discussion about extending possibly
extending the funding scale. What is interesting to me is that that seems to have fallen on deaf ears. There seems to be a request for uh something to happen immediately which can't and a lack of engagement and participation uh
in a discussion about the issue and how we might address some of the concerns the communities have. What also is intriguing to me and fascinating is that this is presented as a panacea without recognizing that it doesn't necessarily
accomplish some of the goals I think that communities are expected might accomplish. Uh they are expecting some immediate relief. I think most of them understand it comes with long-term pain because essentially this is simply kicking the can down the road. That's
all this request is. So as a frame of reference right now uh the funding schedule is expected to be complete uh in FY32 which is actually December 31st 2031 mid year of FY32.
If we can stick to that funding schedule which is not that far away if we can stick to that funding schedule communities will see significant reductions in their retirement assessment in the neighborhood of 65 to 70%. And so to suggest that kicking that can
down the road and extending the schedule so that we're paying until 2036, 2037 oftenimes doesn't make much sense. It really it seems to be uh a a a short-term decision with a lot of
long-term pain and complications. And I'm concerned because I don't think our communities realize some of the downside of that decision-making process. One of the downsides of extending the funding skills is an impact on your bond rating. Uh and so communities come and say,
"Well, help us think about extending what the funding says." Well, not realizing that if they have a very good bond rating, that may have impact uh on that rating, which would cost more in borrowing and completely eradicate any potential savings they may get. Um
so it really strikes me as as a fascinating situation that we find ourselves in. And because you folks are out there, I wanted to just address this issue so you have the information at your disposal so that people that are watching and paying attention begin to
pick up on this fact that first of all, it's not an immediate answer. Second of all, we're in the process of doing that. And if people want to follow along, the Plymouth County Retirement Board will begin this discussion at our meeting on May 26th. So if you're interested,
please understand that the first intact will be in 2028. Uh so nothing for 2027 and even then it comes with a potential cost and I think as people get information and learn that this is not really an answer to some financial challenges that our towns may be facing
it will relieve that pressure and they can really begin to tackle uh the issue that they need to be tackling which is how to constrain their costs in their own communities. I will and I'm pleased to report to you that one of our communities, the town of Situit, had a vote of their board of sight and I think
I included in your packets at the last meeting and we didn't get a chance to chat about it. They voted five to nothing to ask the retirement board to not extend the funding. Unanimous vote. Uh and the presentation that had been made in the town of Cituate was that sticking to the funding schedule made
sense. uh if they could get it paid off, there'd be savings in FY32 that the town could use to cover OPEC costs and other obligations that they had uh and had made a particular request that we not extend the funding schedule. I think as people analyze this, we'll see more of
that communities asking us not to extend the funding schedule. As I sit in meetings with folks who are seeing some of this play out in the press, they'll say to me, "Yeah, I saw that, but please don't extend the funding schedule behind the scenes." because they realize uh that short term that may provide just a
little bit of help or long term it's it's not the best of decisions. However, the retirement board will be looking at all this information. We'll have a presentation by our actuary. We'll take a look and see what makes sense. Uh but it does strike me as uh people are overreacting without a lot of
information. I thought this would be a good chance to chat about that a little bit. Give a little bit of the history. None of it should be a surprise. it shouldn't >> started in 2014. >> We we anticipated this. We told them that it would be approximately 8%
increasing over the years. So when a community sees its assessment, it's a oh my goodness, you know, they can't say we didn't know this was coming. Uh and if they didn't, then it really was a lack of planning. Um, so I just thought this
would be a good chance uh to review that issue, answer any questions you folks may have from your conversations, and hopefully get some correct information out there. >> Madam Chair, if I may. >> Sure. Go ahead, >> Tom. Spot on on all of it. And then it should be no surprise to at least the
management of the communities. Okay. It may not trickle have trickled down when we first started it. It was a big to-do when it first started and oh my god, the sky is falling. But every single community that committed to the schedule, not only that schedule, but
OPED liability, specifically the town of Caba when they were going out to bonds, you brought up a very good point. The the mere fact that they joined Plymouth County OPEDB improved their bond rating that they saved millions of dollars on the construction of those schools. So, I
think if I could suggest that you do a public education campaign, and what I mean by that is go down to PAC TV and do a um an FYI kind of thing with the people from Plymouth County Retirement
and your consultants and the people that are preparing that study and release it because it's education at this point. This universe that we have here with YouTube is about 38 strong. Okay? But if we were able to put out a proactive thing because what I see is it's eroding
the faith of Plymouth County because people are crying that the sky is falling and then what they're doing it's a kneejack knee-jerk reaction to their improper planning of their own towns. Okay. And I know the epicenter of the two communities and they have got larger
problems and have demonstrated even in the way they've dealt with their opera and care distributions. you know, even on revenue replacement, there could have been proper planning. So, I think it would be helpful to us as commissioners not to bear the burden of not knowing
that this is a Plymouth County uh retirement board issue, okay, which we have assisted in promoting through these vehicles. But I would say that in order for us not to suffer the slings and arrows and the the potential for people
filing legislation to, you know, secede from the union, so to speak, you know, it just needs to be dealt with in a in a manner that is proactive in a way that is public education in whatever forms, whether it's your radio show or cable
or, you know, whatever it is, the vehicles should be out there letting people know what this is because I mean, we didn't go through the last seven years of, you know, putting um Plymouth County back on the map in terms of what we can do for our member communities and
what's going to come out of those surveys is even going to improve that. But when we have the basis of um public sentiment eroding our contributions to our member communities is just wrong, you know. So that's I might just respond quickly to that. Please rest assured
that we've made ourselves available at any time to go to any community and make presentations. been out to two communities and done that. Ironically, they tended not to hear the information of any eventing and seem to have fallen on death ears. Um, we also have to be
careful because that study is taking place now, so we don't have the data yet. We won't for a couple of months. So, it's been one of the challenges. People say, well, tell us what the numbers are. Well, we're doing that right now. That's the whole purpose of us having an actuary review our valuation report. So, we'll have those
numbers and when we do, we'll of course make them available. I do like the concept of maybe going on pack TV. I'm happy to do that. Um, they used to be sick of me down in the studio, but it's been a while. Uh, and we can maybe have that. >> The challenge is that sometimes the right people aren't watching the shows.
Uh I just saw this as a good opportunity because the people are tending to maybe not watch the YouTube but see some of the reports that come out after uh and and catching that and it might get to the right to the right folks and and the right message get heard. >> Well, I'm not suggesting I'm sorry. No.
>> Uh I'll just finish with this. I'm not suggesting that it be a one and done. I suggest through your office that you get on Apac TV and if it takes 12 episodes of educating people from now till November, then I would suggest that you do it because right now we're we're
fighting against is it the electronic media that covers five towns that I've dealt with them already on public information and it hasn't been disseminated properly and it that's a small universe but it then catches fire like a plague. So proactively, if we can
do our part, and I don't mean to put it on you, but you are the most logical person to be the host of that and as things come out, you can update people and make sure that it doesn't catch fire up in the legislature that they should be closed in Plymouth County. >> Well, we've we've already talked to the legislature. They're they're aware of
this and and certainly understand. >> You're talking about John Q public, John. I mean, >> we wouldn't uh people with 12 episodes of me, but we can certainly do one or two. Um, just if I may, Madam Chair, I I I have um broadly and briefly discussed this on my
radio program, but I just want to make sure people at home are aware I pay for that program. That's not a County of Plymouth production of any sort. So, that that is mine, but I have I have discussed this. Um, and I do want to make sure that there's a couple of framings. I mean, one of the things that
I I enjoyed about my year on the retirement board was really getting in-depth look and understanding and comprehension of this. Um, one of the issues that I and I want us to be
careful of this. Um, I mean, I I only speak for myself individually. Obviously, everybody else in this room is is free to to handle some of the slings and arrows that come our way as they they see fit. I think there's a couple of issues. One is there's the sometimes lack of institutional
knowledge. Some of the communities uh that are our loudest uh as it relates to this have um managers or administrators or select board members um who just candidly weren't there in 2014, right?
They just weren't there. Um and there was an aberition uh for a couple of years with CARES and ARP but not just from us but the direct allocation they got there was an incredible influx of cash that came into these communities that papered over some of the long-term
unsustainable decisions that they have made. Um I I'm not going to pick on any community in particular although I do see we have a letter uh from one community in our packets uh this evening. um that community again I'm I'm
intimately familiar with um has added several hundred,000 worth of payroll um in at least one area of that budget for the last 10 years. And I recall when I was first uh appointed to the retirement
board uh that same community had made a comment that I saw to Commissioner Hanley's point about the way this information gets taken by some digital sources and redisseminated. I saw that administrator in particular had made comments about the funding schedule and when I went in I happened
to be in the area. So I popped in a town hall and had a fiveminute conversation with the individual and I pointed those realities out to which his answer was so the so Plymouth County dictates what we do and my response was I don't think
Plymouth County cares what you do. You can hire and do whatever you please. But understand that when you're doing that, there's going to be costs that come with that and retirement is one of them. The one thing that I find ironic, the most ironic about the retirement cost is
that's a fixed cost. That's that you can figure that out. If you pay someone a dollar, you got to pay 9 cents for their retirement. It's not like health insurance where your your your pool might have uh a lot of claims at you that spikes your premium that it's just unexpected. people had surgeries,
accidents, whatever. Um, retirement is a pretty fixed cost. If you pay him a dollar, you got to pay 9 cents for the retirement. Um, so I think there's I think we I think we get up against in some instances the lack of institutional knowledge as it relates to um the Plymouth County retirement schedule,
folks that have just come in from other counties, other states, other communities um that just weren't simply weren't there uh in 2014. And then I think you have um folks that are in a situation where they're being forced to make decisions that they ordinarily
didn't think they would have to make. Um they're they run for an office in their community. They think it's one thing. It turns out it's another. Uh but speaking for myself, certainly when I ran for this position, I thought it was one thing. And you know what? There have been several other things that came
about that you just never anticipate. That's why you get three, four, sixyear terms. I mean, things things are going to happen within that time frame that you need to react to and and be educated on. Um, I like the idea of uh a Treasurer O'Brien infomercial as it
relates to this. Um, I do fear that it may not necessarily um a be seen and b if it is seen, not comprehended. I watched you and um the executive director of the retirement board, I think it was back in December, you presented uh before one of our one of
the member communities within the PC and um to put it kindly, I think most of the points you made were just not taken. Um I and you did a brilliant job as you always do with this stuff. Um,
I think we we need to figure out and and I and I appreciate Situit standing with the schedule and recognizing that because I think what we need to do is is harness the communities in our county or I'm sorry, not the county because not every community is in
the retirement association, but harness the communities that have budgeted responsibly that this would also have an adverse effect on. I think one of the things that our friends in these communities forget is they're siloed. they only care about and as they should. In the case of the administrator, they're paid that uh they're paid to
care about the town. In the case of a select board member, they're elected. Um when it comes to the retirement association, you got to take into consideration several towns, several communities. And I think um using Situit as an example, I I I've spoken with several other select board members and
administrators across the county, sorry, across the association that are within the retirement system, uh that have expressed that that extending that schedule would have an adverse effect just dollars and cents. You're spending a dollar to potent I'm sorry, you're
spending $5 to potentially save $1. And then the point about the bonding, I think Commissioner Hanley just mentioned it. I got my start on school building committees when I lived in Rockland. And when we did the elementary school project, we saved $10 million on that project based purely on Rockland's bond
rating because it was so well. And obviously extending the funding schedule would have affected that. So, um I know that the retirement association's going through that assessment. Um certainly I'll follow that um at my leisure now that I'm no longer a member of that board, but um I'm excited to see those
results. And then I think it's it's getting that information disseminated. And it's for some of the communities that are screaming the loudest for it. There really needs to be um just a assessment of you will not not only do you not save what you think you're going
to save, but the long-term costs um will just be catastrophic down the road. And um when you consider the upfront savings, I'll I guess I'll end with this for now. Um I always liken it to paying off your house, right? I mean, at the end of the day, the sooner you pay off your house,
the better. So, um, candidly, the retirement, uh, assessment, you get it paid off, great. But does it make sense if you got 5 years left on your mortgage to walk into the bank and say, "Do you mind tacking on another five years?" No. I mean, nobody wants to do that. I mean, the bank will do it, but they're going
to hit you with the interest and it's going to cost you considerably more in the long run. So, um, so I appreciate that, um, that update personally and I'll keep I'll keep having the conversation and and I I think I think
the biggest issue we do run into is just people are are lacking the institutional knowledge and the history. But, um, but I think this discussion is great because I think there are folks who are watching and I think there are folks who are watching now that that will report on these things and and there already have
been. Um, unfortunately, uh, people are just going to believe what they want to believe. They're going to react the way they want to react. And, uh, there's no amount of time, effort, or energy any one of us can put into it. But it's just harnessing the relationships we have with people that support this schedule. Understand the financial ramifications of supporting the schedule and keeping
the schedule and keeping them um, keeping them on on that schedule and then authoring support letters like Situ did. O'Brien, I here, you know, I was here back in 2014 when we were out uh telling
everybody about the schedule and so it was a short six years before then CO hit us. Uh we only have five years left which is a very short time. No, they didn't listen to us back then. Uh I think they went along with it but they
didn't truly understand the ramifications of you know what would the end result be be. I think the frustration for me is that uh they didn't listen so much, but now they're looking at they're always changing the
guide. So for these new people to constantly be changing their town counselors or select board or town managers, I think that's a big problem. And I think that uh you know all the money that they got through the car's act and through opera funds also you
know hurt them in in many ways. But uh to keep the schedule as it is I think it's important. I think uh five years isn't a long time. Uh and how do we get to the people and it's a constant educating of you know you know every
time it's election time uh you have somebody new coming in then they have their own agenda. So I know we've had lunches, we've had dinners, we've had all kinds of uh meetings to educate them, but how many of them are really
really involved in listening and even understand what it is? A lot of them don't. >> Well, I think that goes to Commissioner Valenzo's point about institutional knowledge. >> You know, he made a good point. How many of them were here in 2014? >> No, >> probably less than 10%. Um, and that's understandable. And so I always do try
to put myself in their shoes and understanding, hey, they have some real challenges. Uh, and so the other point I try to make is instead of having this debate about the funding schedule, which is not likely to produce a result you think it's going to produce, let's have a debate about how P County can help
you. Um, we be we have resources that are available to us uh that we want to to utilize in your community and to help you. So let's continue that partnership and have us look at things. I've had the chance and I know Commissioner Wright asked me to do this. A town asked me to take a look at their budget and offer
some ideas which I was more than happy to do. Uh and we were able to effectuate not only some savings uh but some relationships and regional partnerships that would save them money as well. So as towns are facing these financial challenges, they're very real. They're very difficult. But instead of
working on solutions that are likely to have the results that people want, let's work on solutions that'll long-term save some money. and we need to let our communities know we're here to help them. Uh, everybody knows if you call Treasure O'Brien's office, you get a return call. >> And so that's the that's the
relationship we have in Plymouth County. That's the reason I think people were thrilled with our administration of CARES and AARPA because we returned every call. We answered every question. Sometimes you might not have liked the answer, but you got an answer. Try and get those answers at the state or federal level. It's a lot harder. Uh, so we're here as partners. So that's the
other part of the message I think we need to deliver is that we understand the problem. We don't think this is a solution, but we have other solutions and we want to be there to help. >> How about at our advisory board meeting that's coming up soon. Um maybe doing a
presentation, maybe doing something to educate those we have what 2 uh seven people here most times. Uh how about doing something that night for them? would very much love to and that's actually what our plan was because that fits in the timing. >> I mean the frustration for us is people are asking for information that doesn't
exist yet. It's very hard for us to produce this information. So like well we want to know >> this information. Okay, we're in the process of getting that for you. We've paid an actuary that's reviewing all this. We're talking a$ 1.75 billion organization. So it will take some time to review the numbers.
>> Um interestingly enough some communities have begun to do it on their own which they can certainly do. I mean, as I think Commissioner Valenzel or maybe Commissioner Hanley said, these numbers are very easily quantifiable. We've told them what their liability is. They can figure out what that cost is going to be over the next five years and budget for
it. >> Um, so, uh, I think that would be an appropriate time. I would be happy to if that fits into the agenda and schedule, it'll probably still be a topic of conversation, although I think less of one by that point time because I mean, more people think about this, uh, they
realize it's not the solutions they thought it would be. I know I've said that a few times, but uh they're really pivoting to other things that are that are cost savings. >> Well, if you need a motion, I'll make a motion to have that on the agenda for that evening if it can be said. >> You need a motion. You've accept the agenda. So, you
>> Well, I just don't want it to be misunderstood. >> Although, you do not set the advisory board agenda. So, we'll have to ask the executive board put that on our suffer right out of the corner of my eye. >> I mean, I think that would be that would be incredible uh for them to hear it firsthand.
uh do and I'm still you know of the idea that a lot of them don't go back and tell the rest of them you know their board members uh the town managers don't talk to their select board about this
>> well I think one of the challenges in and it's always hard I think they certainly have the best of intent but you tend to deal crisis to crisis >> uh and so I'm sure they sit in our meetings and we've done a very good job of candling in our own situation.
>> Uh so we're not presenting crisises to people, but sometimes when we give them information, they get they get back to the town and all of a sudden another crisis has arisen and so that information gets set on the table somewhere. Um so I certainly understand that, but I saw this as an opportunity
to to have that conversation. It's been wellreceived from from the commissioners and I think it will be we'll continue to just talk about it whenever we're asked to. So, uh, that's probably the best course of action, but at that meeting, I think a presentation certainly be in order and we'll have information to
actually give them. So, the other message is hold on because the information is coming. >> You know, we're working. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay.
Yes, this is we're going to turn this over now to uh Mr. B can't even talk administrator's report. Y >> uh thank you very much uh Madame Chair. Uh maintenance uh report. Just wanted to say that Teresa's been doing a
phenomenal job working with Doug Fob and the maintenance team. Uh really um wrapping up and attacking projects that have been uh that uh because of um the resource limitations haven't been addressed in the past. And I just want
to um say what a great job she has been doing. Uh the buildings are looking uh better than ever. Uh Doug and his team uh are all uh working on spring maintenance uh uh upkeep. Uh we've done
uh assessments on uh uh fire alarm systems and safety systems. So it's just great to have uh the added uh the added uh horsepower on the team. >> What about the fire alarm systems that you're talking about as far as that
goes? Well, uh, we we've had a number of systems. Uh, we've actually had several companies within our within the county. Uh, we've been working over the last couple years to streamline that uh because um the companies the comp there
was a a company that bought a lot of other smaller companies and uh and unfortunately we ended up missing that some of the annual requirements weren't being met. So, uh, and because of years
of, uh, changes in our buildings, some of the, um, you know, uh, alarm pull boxes when they weren't working would just get stuffed up above the ceiling. So now that we're on top of our uh buildings a
lot more creating databases that uh will talk about uh vendors and creating uh maintenance preventative maintenance schedules uh we're catching all that now. So um the fire alarms we're we're now working predominantly with a company
called Sounder Systems. Uh they're out of Penroke, a local company, uh f local family company uh with uh very hands-on leadership uh and uh working with Teresa now and Doug. Uh we've been getting into and doing assessments and upgrades in
all our systems. So that's that's what I've been >> some of those things uh should be uh gone through the fire department. They should have inspections on routine. Do we have a schedule of you know when they come out and when they you know uh look at them or they should have a schedule
whether it's 6 months or especially building like the Brockton courthouse I would think would be at least 6 months uh or a year that they should have an inspection. >> So we do uh we do follow all the laws. Um historically it's been in my head. So
I know um with fire sprinkler systems here and next door it's quarterly. uh it's bianual on fire alarm stations depending on whether they're directly tied into the fire stations or whether they go to a service. So what we're
doing now is we're able to memorialize uh one of the great things about Teresa is her organizational skills. We're able to memorialize those on a spreadsheet so it's not in one person's head and that's when things get missed. It's now
documented. we've added it to a to um a Outlook calendar and that's all uh in ways that we're improving the systems of the county uh as opposed to just getting it done. >> I think the building of you know any of our courouses is um when the alarm goes
off it would automatically go into the uh fire station. Uh so we should be hooked into those. >> Um so actually it depends on the fire station. So, some of the fire stations require you to use a service in between and it goes to the service uh station.
Uh some of the pull boxes do report directly like in Brockton, they do report directly to the fire station, but that's uh mandated by local fire chiefs, not us. We just comply with what the local requirements are.
>> So, um the other thing is uh great uh great news for Judge Bradley. She's retiring uh from Hingham. Uh they are actually in the process of choosing a new Raj. Uh I have requested uh along with our team to have um uh an
appointment with that appointing team not as much to give our input but just to be recognized as uh the land uh the lease holder the county uh on the property. And we just think it's important to support the local Rajes that are appointed. We have great
relationships with all the three Rogers in our buildings and uh we're sad to see Judge Bradley go. I'd like to invite you all to May 1st uh which is her retirement party and portrait hanging. Uh she'll be hanging a portrait in the
uh third session which is the historic session at Hangum District. Uh and that's May 1st at 2 p.m. where all been invited. Um and then uh finally uh we had our our uh trial court audit uh the
last two weeks. Um and I want to uh call out Tia Quinn. She has done an amazing job stepping in after Tammy uh career has done that job for 20 years. Tia stepped in did phenomenal work uh and basically has uh the audits come back
with um the number at the 3.2 2 million which is what I presented uh recently uh to the commissioners uh and um that uh is a very positive audit for the county uh and will then uh work into our budget
assessment going forward. uh the administrator's report. Uh so we had a phenomenal um uh Zoom meeting uh today uh with the treasurer's team uh Chris and Teresa uh and myself along
with uh Representative Keading's office and Senator Marky's office. So the the purpose of the call was to align around the uh grant programs that are being managed by the senator and the and
representative Keading. Um so uh we predominantly talked about the BSU grant that uh the Bridgewwater State grant university grant that we talked about uh at our last meeting. Uh we did find out that the window has closed. Uh and and
very exciting uh to see that the county was able to request funding for the Bridgewater State Anttomage table and artificial intelligence platform in both the House and the Senate. So that's a very strong indicator that those grants
could move forward. Uh due to the pivots in the funding approval mechanisms, we're not able to submit projects for the first responder training center and target range uh this year, but we've raised awareness of our federal partners
to look for opportunities in that area uh for other grants. Uh we also discussed avenues for funding for the P County mobile integrated health program uh which the treasurer's office has been doing a phenomenal job with and we'll follow up with that at the state level.
uh because we found out on December uh 30 uh 29th, there was actually $162 million uh uh uh sent to the state for rural and um uh for rural and uh mobile integrated health and teleaalth uh uh
reasons. So again, I just want to identify and thank the treasurer for all the great work and collaborating, working with our de federal delegation uh as we move forward to try to get funding for uh the things that are important programs from the commissioners.
Finally, um Boston South uh development update. Uh the chair had asked for this. Uh we did set a meeting between the Boston South uh leadership and the wood lot negotiations committee and that'll be on April 22nd and we'll report back
to the commissioners at our next meeting on the findings there. Uh and as the chair alluded to, we do have um uh we are looking to schedule the advisory board annual meeting on June 4th. Uh so
please hold that date. We would look for a 4pm commissioner meeting, a 5:00 pm executive committee meeting, and a 6 pm uh advisory board meeting. And Nancy will be sending that uh hold the date out. Uh I'll be communicating with along
with Chris with uh advisory chair Townsen uh to make sure that's aligned and then as uh the treasurer mentioned he'll uh will strongly recommend to him and he's been very supportive in the past of putting the treasurer on that agenda along with uh your previous
request to put a um two of our stellar 4 students on the agenda for quick uh check-ins and recaps. Uh, and I just wanted to mention, um, uh, Molly, uh, Vulmer is actually at, uh, on the way to
DC with the 4 program. So, she's excited. She'll be down there for six days with three statewide, uh, delegates to the 4, uh, Congress. >> That's great. Can >> I just ask make a comment uh, Madame Chair to Frank?
>> Sure. Just with the 6 PM advisory board time, I mean in the past we've started those at 7. Do we think six o'clock given that people will be traveling from 40 minutes, 50 minutes to an hour away? Um, do we think six o'clock might be too
early? If folks work, they get out of work maybe at 5. They might not want to immediately turn around or be able to immediately turn around and get here for a meeting. Um, >> well, I think uh, Commissioner Valenzola, like we were just talking, it might change anyways if he's going to do a presentation uh, to the audience that
night. >> I was asking about the start time of the advisory board meeting. I was more suggesting that a a slightly later start time might an earlier start time might hinder attendance. um for select board members
in as I just look at the map over my shoulder um if people are getting out of work at 4 5:00 at night um are they going to be inclined to immediately turn around and get here for 6 whereas they might be more inclined to get here for 7 if they have an opportunity to go home
knowing that most selectmen or select board members across the county work day jobs. So, it's just a suggestion that it might be worthwhile to start it later than 6 um just based on people's work schedules. Historically, we have been at
5, 6, and 7. The thought was maybe people like to get their work done, get off the road, and then go home. Um I I I leave the suggestions to the commissioners and then it's actually um Chair Townsen that'll we'll settle on
the date. you know, if your recommendation is for the four, five, and six, I'll bring that to him and then see if uh he knows historically it's been five, six, and seven or for him the important dates are important times are six for the executive and seven for the
advisory committee. So, um if if you like uh if you don't think the 456 recommendation might work and again, >> it's no difference. I mean, it's just a thought. It's no difference to me. I'm just thinking about people, you know, Brockton's 4550 minutes away. I'm hanging them and holler far away. So,
it's just a >> treasure Brian. >> My only thought is you've got some things that you want to do at this advisory board that we haven't done before with my presentation and others. I would suggest leaving it at four, five, and six. As people window in, we can start with, you know, different presentations and do some things that
can get done and and dusted as people get in. However, if we start at seven, we do all that. We're not gonna get out till 9 or 10 or later. So, I think you could hold off any important votes until people were able to get there if they were struggling to be there at six. >> Well, we'd have our regular meeting at
4. >> We could do we could always do four and then maybe we split we could split the difference. Maybe it'd look at 6:30, 5:30 and 6:30 instead of >> I mean I'm indifferent. I'm just pointing out that people are coming from 30 40 50 minutes away. They might not
want to get out of work at 5 and hustle here. the point that was going to get to decide anyway. >> Right. Right. >> And we also have the option for remote participation. Correct. Or not. >> So we can um and that's up to Chair
Townsen. We have the facilities to do that. We have >> we've done it. >> We have preferred to have the fall meeting remote and the spring meeting in person as a chance to get everybody together. Um and we actually have not
offered a remote as a option because a lot of people will just take the remote. So um >> well I mean I agree with Commissioner Valenzola on giving those people an opportunity to traverse from work and this is an important meeting. I mean
let's face it. So you know um it's up to the powers that be. Yeah. I would if were asked my opinion I would say the latest start works better. race. Thank you. And that's my report, Madam Chair. >> Okay, that's it. Now, we're going on to
municipal programs and opportunities discussion for Plymouth County. I don't know if anybody has anything that they want to uh talk about. Commission Hley, Mr. Let's see. If not, then I'm going to read a recap
of uh Tuesday when we rolled out the MIH. Uh it was a great day. Uh and I'm just going to read this just to kind of update you a little bit of what we spoke of that day. Uh you okay with that, right? You don't have anything? >> You're the boss. >> Okay. Not really.
In a moment of challenge and especially moments of progress, it is the people uh like uh Beth Israel Deaconist Hospital, Dr. Tranton and his staff John Chen from Mascon Medical, Mark Brewster and Chris Deona, Brewster Ambulance Services, Rich
Mckennon, uh Tom Henderson from PFFM, and our treasurer Tom O'Brien who reminds me why this uh work matters. Your support in uh is not only appreciated stands among the most meaningful experience in my 15 years of service. A powerful force helps us build
something lasting and truly a lifecher. Because of our team, we can help keep moving forward with purpose and determination with a clear vision of what our community can achieve. Mobile integrated health is an important example of how we can think differently about delivering care and support to our
member communities, especially those who need help navigating complex health challenges before those situations become emergencies. As a Plymouth County Commissioner, we have a simple mission. We believe that our member communities deserve leadership defined by strength,
decisive action, and measurable results. We always look for ways to support efforts that improve quality of life across Plymouth County and mobile integrated health reflects that commitment. Its record of accomplishment speaks for itself. Again, thank you for standing with us and believing in this
effort and for being a part of something bigger than uh one person. Thank you for the Plymouth County Commissioners and uh Treasurer O'Brien. It was really an outstanding day that we had. I think that you know this is the beginning for so many people. It was a really good day
and uh we have so much more to offer uh in our communities and I think that this is just a beginning. Uh the people need to go back into their homes back in their with their families and not be institutionalized and I think with the partnership of so many people that it's you know really going to go straight
forward. Um I also wanted to give a little thing about Winston Churchill said to improve is to change to be perfect is to change often to lead change we must start with ourselves first.
That's my saying for today. So very good. I guess if we're done nobody has anything else to add. Uh thank you. Yep.