Okay. Who's going back? Hi, Rich. >> Hi, Susan. Jessica's had so much going on in her life that she asked me if I would share this one. >> Oh, okay. >> But I am going to be looking for
somebody willing to take a few notes. >> Well, you're recording it, so you're all set. >> Well, that's true. Thank you so much, Mitch, for pointing that out. >> Anytime. >> Yeah. Oh, is there any way that you can send
me the completed um winter 25 geyser? >> The gazette? >> Yeah, the g the because I have a couple of copies, but they're drafts. >> Oh, >> and I'm trying to put them on the web page.
>> Well, I believe I received it in the mail. Oh, I did too, but I didn't know if there if there was >> a paper. You want a paper copy? >> No, I have a paper on print. I'm sorry. I'm not being clear. You want something on that's in the computer that you can play with.
>> Correct. Correct. I tried doing different ways with it and it just I can't get around. I can't figure it out yet. So, >> you know, the person to ask would be um Janette, and she's not going to be here this evening because she's in
Philadelphia at a YoYo Ma concert. >> Okay. >> But, you know, you know, >> Dena would probably be the person to ask >> because I've been going back and forth with Gail, which has been really good. Um, >> yeah, but Dana is the one who did Oops.
Let's see. Um, Dana's the one who did the put the newsletter together. >> Okay. >> Uh, and I'm offand I'm Piti. I think it's Dina Pitzy. >> Okay. >> I see that Eric Stalker's joining us.
>> Hi, folks. >> Can you guys see and hear me? Yes, we can. >> Excellent. >> How are you? >> I'm good. How are you? >> Okay. >> Well, I'm I'm as good as I'm going to be. I've had >> a month of
>> Yes. >> a pile of poop. It's been awful. >> Yeah. >> How's your cat doing? >> He's doing really well. >> Oh, good. >> Really well. He came home um Monday night and hopefully this will never
happen again. Great. >> That's great. >> The major diet change, he's no longer able to have dry cat food. >> Oh, yeah. >> Is the biggest trigger of it. >> Wow. >> And um Yeah,
>> I've heard that before. >> Yeah. I've never had I've had cats all my life and I've never had this, but it's the He's the first indoor cat I've ever had. >> Oh. >> And she said that that plays a part in it, too, because they don't have the natural elements of outside. Correct.
Yeah. >> So, it's just been one fire after another and I'm sorry, but >> you can't help it. >> I know. And then And then today, my cell phone died. >> I had to go get a cell phone and in the
middle of it, all of Verizon went down. >> Oh. >> Oh my goodness. >> So, Verizon network is completely there. There's no cell signal for anybody. >> Is that happening right now? >> Yes. the whole country. If you have iPhones, I guess it's not affecting you
because you hook up to satellites, but any Android user, nobody has um unless you're hooked up to Wi-Fi, you can't use the internet and you cannot make any calls. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah.
>> Well, I have to say that I mean, Jessica, you wanted me to chair the meeting, right? I think >> I I can do it. I don't mind. Okay. If you want to do that, that'd be great. Then I can be secretary and not ask somebody to be secret. >> Yeah. >> No, I can do it.
>> H >> I can do it. >> Oh, great. Thank you. So, um Janetta is not coming, so we >> Okay. >> I think Mary Lou might pop in later, but she's not here. >> Did Eric leave? >> Yeah, he must not have wanted to be
here. >> Okay. >> Right there. We have five members, but one is one is me with two. >> Okay. >> So, yeah, he may have wanted to be some. >> All right.
So, we're going to call the meeting to order. >> Y >> on January 14th, 2006 uh at uh 5:33 p.m. >> Thank you. >> And do to do the roll call, we have Mary Joe, you're >> here.
Make peace I here. >> Millinger I here. >> Strang I here. >> Okay. >> So the first on the list is to approve the minutes from November 12th which was the when we had Haley. Um I had read
them prior to December's meeting and I didn't find any um errors in it that I could see. >> Oh, thank you. I know they were very long cuz I um got carried away. I wanted to make sure that
I communicated everything that Haley told us and I checked it with her and she was okay with it. >> Yeah. >> So, we need a motion to um approve them. >> Am I allowed to am I allowed to do that
sharing or No, >> I don't know. I don't think you are. Mary Joe did though. >> Okay. >> So, I'll second. >> I don't know whether I'm allowed to second as >> I'll second or third.
>> All right. All in favor? >> Yeah. >> Mis I. >> Millinger. I >> Strangman. I. >> Okay. So, the next is the financial report. Now, we haven't had one since November. So, um there was one question.
Um Susan, I could not find the finan for the fees paid for the November clinic. >> Whether you put it in an email to me that was mixed up with other stuff. >> Yeah, sure. >> I found December, but I could not find November.
>> And and I have I keep a copy of all of them. So, got it. you you usually tell me in in an email, but a lot of times it's mixed up with other business. >> Yeah. >> So maybe in the future put in just a separate separate one titled November
paid or whatever the date is so that I can easily find it. >> Okay. >> Um but for right now until I have that number from you um I left that that that one as a question mark. So I didn't send you the financial report. Our beginning
balances, we had the grant was $5,15.72. In the revolving, we had $1,040 and the town we had 22 200. Our expenses were the November foot clinic of 200, the December foot clinic of 220,
the um newsletter printing and mailing was $668.118, and um Dena's designing of the the gazette was $11875. I didn't include January's foot clinic in this. Um,
>> no, you really, >> right? >> Huh? >> You really shouldn't because this is the January meeting, so early. Yeah. >> Right. Um, so um, for December, we got $158 in foot clinic
fees that were paid. And, um, if you could give me the November one when you have time, Susan. >> Yep. Um, so our grant ended up being grant ending balance was $3,98.82. The revolving account is um 1,198
plus will be the the amount for the November clinic and the town budget 200. So our all accounts total is 5,36.82. >> Good. which is not bad. >> Not bad. >> Not bad. >> No, good.
>> So, and I'll and I'll send that as soon as I get that November um amount in, Susan. I'll send that over to you. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Update. Hold on a second.
I'm on a meeting. Did you come in and resist that meeting? Oh, I didn't. >> Yeah. Sorry. >> How you feeling, Mary Joe? pretty good all things considered.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Like you were one sick kitty. >> That was very unexpected and very dramatic. >> Yeah. >> And um Yeah. I've been eating, sleeping, walking, cooking.
>> And that's basically what I've been doing, >> you know, for a while. >> So, >> sorry about that. Somebody was at the door. >> That's okay, Jessica. I will tell you in November we were given $190
190. Okay, I'll add that in and then I'll ship that over to you. >> Okay, thanks. >> Um, okay. Update on programs and committees where COA was represented. I don't know if Mary Joe wants to go first or or if we want to talk about um the
tech talks or the foot clinic community lunch. >> Okay. So, let me just do that. I can do community um community lunch and um foot clinic pretty quickly. Community lunch we had I think the probably the biggest
crowd ever. There were 19 people there. >> Wow. >> And um it seemed to be What did you think, Rich? >> Oh, it was very good. There was quite a bit of new people and everybody seemed to get along famously. The food was
pretty good, too. >> Yeah. Yeah, I agree. Yep. >> Especially the walnuts. >> I made them and they were sort of spicy. Rich likes things that are spicy. I have >> Yes. >> Usually I get them too spicy for
everybody except Rich. >> Um, in terms of uh foot clinic, I think um I'm thinking back, gosh, I think foot clinic's been going just well. We have lots of clients and we have probably a few too many clients, but it's it's nice
to have them. And um we met this month on a Tuesday because I mean on a third Wednesday, the second Wednesday instead of the third Wednesday because um Nicole is gone to going to Aruba. >> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah. And I should probably say for NDS while I'm talking that I'll tell you what's happening. I like actually like to have Jessica hear this. >> I'm here. Sorry. >> Um new Yes. Neighborhood dementia uh
support is moving along. We are in the process of starting to apply for next year's grant and uh life path folks have been encouraging us to do it. So we think that's a good sign.
And we're also busy spending the money from the first year's grant that we haven't spent yet, which means there's going to be a lot going on in February. Um there going to be a number of talks. um some on mostly on Zoom because it's
winter and and we think we'd have a better audience that way. >> One of the issues that's going to come up next year, so I'm giving you a heads up about this is that NDS steering committee wants um to reach out to the
COA to COA boards and get us to to be more active involving people in the community with dementia. And um so I think at some point they're going to have a going to try to have a full a meeting of all the the four
boards with as many people members as possible to talk about the what kinds of things we could do to reach out. I mean, we're already doing well with community lunch because Janette brings several people who have dementia and um actually
and another couple were there the last at the last meeting at the last uh community lunch. So, we are doing that which is good. One of the things that's developing now is Memory Cafe and um right >> Nancy Spiller has been running them and
they've been in Wendell and she started in November. There's been one a month and she's going to do at least one in February. Um and I've been to two and they've been um they've been really interesting. Um, and I think that I know that Wendell
is talking about No, sorry. New Salem is talking about starting um me a memory cafe. Their library director is interested in um organizing it in the library, having it in the library, sponsoring it there.
So, I think we'll probably be wanting to talk about whether Shootsbury would be interested in um developing a memory cafe. I think Janette would be a natural because she's really very actively involved with the folks that have
dementia that she works with. So, that's sort of for you all to think about because I imagine we'll be talking about it, >> okay, >> in the spring later on. I think that's that's what I have to say for updates on programs and committees
activities. >> Okay. Well, um basically where I where I left off with the um police chief search committee, we had um sent candidates on to the select board and I haven't
checked in to see, you know, where they are in that process. Um, we finished our inter. Did they do anything? >> They made their pick. It was in the Gazette last week. >> Oh, wow. Okay. Who did they decide on?
>> Devon. >> Devon. >> Okay. I think there are a lot of people in the community are going to be really happy about that based on >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> the feedback that we all received. >> That's nice. >> Um, and then, um, I went to the most
recent library reuse committee. That's the first meeting that I went town meeting that I went back to after taking my little hiatus. And um they were talking about um getting um
septic and water for the old library building. and the idea came up that we could potentially tap in to the water and septic from the church since that's on the that's on the town common and
would be the easiest. So at this point we're reaching out just to see if they might be interested in sharing. >> Mhm. >> Um so that's that's the latest on that committee. Did anything get said about food pantry?
>> Um no. Uh the the whole meeting really was dedicated and I I think that they kind of came to the conclusion. They had asked me to look into um better composting toilet solutions and um you
know I didn't get to go to that meeting because it conflicted with the police um you know hiring meeting um but I sent them information and I think that they've decided that they would really
like a more normal feeling um bathroom and it's really hard without running water or a place, you know, or a bathroom, >> right, >> to do anything other than a place where people would just come quickly and then
leave. So, um, and the other thing is that the police department has expressed an interest in moving over there. And so, we're kind of at the point of investigating all possibilities. We may not recommend one specific thing over
another, but knowing whether or not we can have um water in the septic system really influences the types of uses that we can consider. And so that is kind of where we're at right now. Um at some
point I believe there's going to be conversation with the community as a whole. I I think that that's still in the in the planning stages. We've already done a survey of town employees
and um boards and committees to see what um what their space needs are. And um there's a lot of space needs particularly for um like record storage.
um and the police department where they are is really not adequate to their needs, >> right? >> And so the thought is that um you know maybe the town could look at reconfiguring town hall some and um but you know it's it's kind of like this
larger picture that needs to get put together and um so but like knowing whether or not you're going to have water seem to be >> correct. Yeah. you know, important in terms of figuring out and ruling out
potential uses >> certain things. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, the other issue is is money, of course. Um, and you know, so there's the possibility that we will actively use that building. There's also the possibility and and do something to
it other than just minimal stuff that has to be done um to keep it efficiently running. Um but you know um so there there's two possibilities. One
is that we'll actively use it and then we'll put some people there offices or or whatever. Um and the other possibility is that we just keep that building on the back burner and and need, you know, the need will be to focus across the street. But it's not
really clear yet in terms of the conversations, you know, which direction we're going to go. So >> that sounds like a big project. >> Mhm. >> And I think it kind of got bigger when
they started to ask what the needs are. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. And you know that there's going to be people that are happy and some people that are not happy because there always is. >> You have to do the steps. You have to make sure that you have what you can
there be water, can there be sewage? You know, >> that is a big a big thing. >> Yeah. So I I think we're really still looking at what's possible. >> Yeah. >> Does anybody want to share about the tech talk? >> Um I will.
>> Okay. Uh my Susan and I went to the last one. Um it was pretty good. There was like what we say six or seven people. Susan >> Yeah, six I think. >> Yep. I have put up a new I have a new
flyer made. Um I can bring it to the town hall and they can make some copies. And um I've I've also updated the website with the tech talk in it. Um, I've updated a couple of things. I've taken away the vacancies that were
up for the committee. Um, I'm trying to get the Gizer letter put in for a winter of 25. Um, but just getting on there and knowing what I can and can't do and what I can put in and what's helpful. And
I've taken some stuff out. Uh, there was something about CO 2020. So, if you all want to look at it, it's updated as of right now. >> Oh, great.
>> I try to play with it when I can. But I do have the tech talk done for the for January 28th um and what it's what it's going to be about and the upcoming ones which are two. And when this one's done, then I'll
update it for the new the couple of new workshops that they're going to put on. And I was wondering if we could end up using the big screen downstairs. >> You Yeah. Um, so I talked to Barbara. >> Yeah. >> Um, about it. And um, we're going to
have either Haley or Brennan or even my sister Melissa >> to meet her down there to help her set up. >> Okay. because that would be it's one thing to have you know some pe some people forgot their cell phone we won't mention any names Susan um for the for
the thing u but this would be really good that way they could she could show it exactly what you're looking at >> right and this one's going to be more handson with using using your cell phone I don't know what the I know she did like spams and and whatever but this
one's going to be um about pictures right >> right So, so you we want people to bring their cell phones, >> right, >> Susan? >> Yeah. >> Sorry, Susan. >> And we we want people to be able to see what she's what she's showing, too.
>> So, definitely we will get somebody down there that day. Like I said, it'll be somebody anyway that will help her her hookup. And like when we had our last meeting in November, um before the first tech talk, there was a woman that came
on and wanted questions and things that you want to answer specifically. And I think that fits into the time frame that we're doing because there is a little lull and you get to talk to her and right >> as a group you're listening and yes, that's happened to me
>> once or twice or whatever or somebody. Um, knowing that someone has the same type of computer that you have, I I was someone needed some help with their computer, so they texted me and we both had the same kind. So, I was able to
help them navigate what they were doing, which was good. So, just getting people out there and knowing what they have and what they're looking for. I did get an email from her the other day um when I confirmed the times, >> right?
>> Um and she had said that she had come up to the the grand opening of the library and she says, "I wonder if we could do any future workshops there." >> But I don't know how that how that would really work >> right right now. Probably not well,
right? But they're so set up that unfortunately when they did have the grand opening, they had that meeting room when you first walk in on the lefthand side, >> have a screen there, but they they didn't turn that on and they didn't turn on the speaker. But if you walk down the
hallway to the a teen center, there was a a video in there and they were showing that room. So it was it's there. They just didn't flip on all the bells and whistles for that, which would have been good >> because they want to conjugate everybody
in that one little area of the library. And there was a lot of people there. >> I mean, they came in, they filled that and then they filtered down all the way down to the children's section. So, um it was very nice. Um
it's quite >> I was there on Zoom and it was really frustrating the outside um events initially I found how >> and side events you could hear but you couldn't see until almost the end. So
>> little frustrating. >> Yeah, that part was I'm not sure how much experience they have with Zoom. I know the young lady >> that was doing it. >> It I don't know. >> Yeah.
>> But um >> so we're proving food for tech talk. >> I didn't hear what you said. >> We're providing food. Some kind of snack >> refreshments like last time. >> Yeah. So at the last minute I realized that we advertised that. So, I got
together some crackers and cheese. >> Right. We are we are advertising that a refresher. It says refreshments will be provided. >> Yeah. >> Now, if if it's the the broadband committee that can do that, that's but I don't think so. I'm just >> I don't think they will.
>> I know. But I mean, they're sponsoring it also. So, >> um just putting it out there. >> I wouldn't mind making something Oh, that's >> I would have to drop it off because I'm not going to be there. But be
>> fine. What date is it? I'm sorry. I don't remember. >> January 28th, >> which is a Wednesday the Wednesday. >> Wednesday. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, I can I I don't Whoops. Sorry. I don't mind
um conjuring something up. >> Oh, good. All right. It's on my It's on my calendar. >> Okay. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, that's it for for programs, right? That's all we've had. >> I think so.
>> Oh, I did want to I did want to update. We I was going to leave this for unanticipated business, but it kind of goes in with like programs. So, our newsletter when it went out, um, a lot of people came back and gave us
email addresses. Some people, there was a couple I saw at least one that said, "Please take me off all of your communication." So, they don't even want to hear from us. Um, so we have to figure out a way to
um get these all in one place where it's easy to use. And I'm not techy and I don't really I don't really know what the easiest way to have this email list where we could just take it and
then put it right into like an email header like a list serve kind of thing. and and and we have to figure out also how to um
like merge the mailing with the email ones because we're going to want to take off those people from the mailing list and have them just the primary the email lists, >> right? >> And is there an easy way to do that? I
have no idea. >> Yeah, I wanted to know whether you can copy you know, copy and paste I tr from uh the Council on Aging's website, which is where they are. Um, you know, not
website, email. Maybe I should ask Gail that. >> Yeah, you can copy and paste them. They they would have to go into like an Excel sheet or something. >> Now, last time I gave you the update, I gave you the listing. I moved it from a
PDF to an Excel. So you were able to do that for this, >> right? >> So it's columns that you can highlight and the heading be like um electronic
email only or paper um paperless or whatever they they say today for either send it email or send it by mail. I wonder if there's a column that we can
designate and check off who wants who doesn't. I don't know how many how how much the how big the list is that you received from me. >> So it must be 30 to 40 people I would
say at least. >> I started copying down. But Rich, do you have a list of everybody an Excel sheet list of everybody that was sent the newsletter? No, I have >> I have I have the Excel. Yes.
>> The the the Excel that was sent to the printer. I still have that. >> Well, could we not use that existing Excel list to use to use against the folks that have written in and said, "Email me only."
>> Right? That's why I'm talking about, >> right? The columns on the right hand side. You should be able to check a box and >> it'll work its magic and just send Yeah, I I think we can be able to do that. >> The only problem with that is if
if we have a list going to to Adam's mail, is that going to screw them up? You know, should the list be separate from the mailing list? Cuz how cuz how are they
going to you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah, we could do that. >> I know what I'm saying. >> Yeah, I I I get that because it's two different entities that you're sending out to, >> right? If we send him that that whole list and add email addresses, that's going to be more work for them to remove them,
>> right? >> But we could remove them. >> We could create two lists, one for Do we have anyone that wants both? >> Not that I know of. >> Okay. So, if we're only dealing with how want and don't want email or print, then
we should be able to make if there's only 30 people involved in this mailing, we should be able to do that, >> right? >> It's going to have to be like a running kind of not always touched document
because we're going to have people like that are going to um like next time say, "Oh, >> yeah. take me out and so on and so >> well and we're going to have to correct the list for people that die or move out of town.
>> Correct. >> And how and how do we do that? >> Yeah. How do you >> and and people that move into town? >> Correct. That want to be on >> I don't I don't want to have to get another 600, you know, um address form and have to go through it again. That it
it was very time consuming. >> Yes. If it's in an Excel, there's an awful lot of stuff we can do with it. >> Do it, right? Is there for thinking of people that are moving into town that or someone that wants to subscribe to this
on the web page itself, doesn't it have a sign up thing if you want emails from the town? I'm wondering if they could put something in there if you wanted a newsletter and how you wanted it.
I don't know. >> I don't know. Let me find out. Check out. All right. Let me let me find Let me find out some information and I'll get back to you of what we can what we can do potentially do.
because I should have the list because you gave me the PDF list and I changed. >> Right. But so so the ones that the one that I have though have people that have been removed for because they died >> and then the households that are shared. >> Okay.
>> Well, a a portion of the households that were shared. Some were missed. And I'm not sure why, but cuz Haley Haley gave me a um she she she took out the people that had shared mailing addresses. What I think happened is some used uh their
residential address like the husband used the the house address, the wife used the mailing address, so they didn't get cross referenced. >> Okay. >> It's a big job. And I don't know. I mean, there's got to be someone that's
techy that would be like, "This is the easiest way for you to do this, >> right?" >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. Especially when it's like a good portion of the town. There's a lot of people that are over 60.
Well, I would think that I mean I think Rich knows a lot. I think we should all could also ask Gail by Shaker, >> right, >> about what she sees as the easiest way to do it, >> right? I'm assuming if we had our own
spreadsheet of all the email addresses, if you went to go and put out a a um an email, you just copy all you can copy the whole like column and then put it into the email header.
I think >> yeah, you I don't know either. So, it's going to be something that we're going to have to keep our our radar on and see what to really do with all these. >> Now, have you you've updated the list
that I that I transferred over to Excel to you? You >> Yes, I have the list. Yes, that was the list that went to the printer. >> Okay. Why don't you send that? Can you send that to me? >> Yeah. >> Okay. That way I can look at it, play
with it, and see what >> um >> would you rich, would you like to have access to Council on Aging at Spray.org because then you can see what we're talking about and access it if you want to add it. >> Oh,
sure. I haven't broken anything yet. So >> yet >> well that that Gail told me not to do something and she said that'll mess everything up if you do. And so it's okay as long as you tell me, >> but no access to that would be good.
>> Okay. >> And I wonder if there's even something in the Google inside Gmail world >> where you can have like a group Um, you know, like if if you have like a
group that you you you put all the the the things in and they save it. I don't know. I don't know. I'm sure there is something where where it'll take that that group of names and put it onto an email. Say I want to email this whole group, you
know. >> Oh, I see. Okay. >> I know how to set up a list serve. Um, I've done it for a number of different groups. The problem is knowing how to transfer it so that somebody else can use it.
>> But working on Google Docs, you could do that because you can share, >> right? I mean, we have we have time because we're not going to put out a newsletter right away, right? >> The time can get away from us and then
at the end of the day be like, "Oh, no, we haven't done this yet." >> Now, didn't speaking of the newsletter, didn't we receive an email that said that someone was having a class on how to do it?
>> Yes. >> Okay. Well, yeah. Okay. Yes. Um, MCOA is giving, I think, a series of six classes on Canva, which is about creating a newsletter.
>> Okay. >> And they're free. >> All right. So, I'll go back and look and see if I can find the email. I I think of it when I see you, Susan, and then I don't think of it again. I understand.
>> Okay. >> I I'll try to remember to make to send it to you. >> Okay. I know I received one, but >> yeah, >> my email list from everybody is getting huge.
>> Yeah, >> you know it does. So, Mary Joe, do you have anything to add? Um, well, I was going to ask, um,
I'm I guess I'm assuming that the Council on Aging is the only board or committee that would have this need in town to send out a an email newsletter or just email in
general. Um, and I guess without asking, um, we wouldn't know how how, you know, there maybe isn't a system set up to integrate with, you know, the Shpberry.org address,
but to me, it seems like it ought to be something that is kind of meshing with everything that the town is doing. um as opposed to Yeah. So I I guess what
I'm kind of wondering is is the Council on Aging are we This is kind of a weird question, but I are we viewed as um like town officials like in terms of where these
emails reside. Other organizations that I've been a part of have had records and other kinds of things in people's houses on their own email servers or whatever. Um,
and it it tends to be a little bit of an bit of an issue. Um, and so usually an organization like like the town would kind of want to have I would think that they would want to have like
email lists and and this kind of thing that we're talking about. >> Yeah. >> Under their opaces in some way. So when it lives with us, is it is it under the town's opices in the in the way that I'm thinking or is it something that needs to be
talked about? >> I don't know. >> Well, we all we all got the recycle um email that they could make, you know. So those that committee has to do what we kind of want to do in a way because
they're giving us updates. You know, when the trucks are stuck on Moni Road and can't pick up on Tuesday, all that stuff's getting sent out. >> Yeah. >> There is what we want to do in the town. >> We just see if we can share
>> the knowledge that they have of how they do it. >> Yeah. So my and my question then is could could the town's email list, whatever that is, be kind of subdivided so that part of it is the council on
aging's list. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I do not that I do not think one of the the big problem we have in this town is communication >> and I think that the that means that
there is no one everybody on t in town email list. I mean the closest it comes to it is the voting roles but not everybody votes but but that is the closest but the town is um I think there
are limits to communication for example town announce goes only to people who have said they want it >> and that's maybe a third of the town. So, it's a very limited way of getting getting out to people. And when I've
talked to people, you know, for example, New Salem has a newsletter that comes out on Saturday mornings and is put out by volunteer. And it's wonderful because it's all kinds of news about what's going on in town. But this was create
and this was initially created by people who saying they wanted to get it and it grew from there. So, it didn't grow from an official town email list. >> I just Yeah. >> And um and I've talked to Haley about
the fact that we really need to work on town communication and I think we need something like >> New Salem News. It'd be wonderful if we had it. Um and it would be very useful for us because we could communicate with everybody in town that way.
I mean, it seems like that recycling newsletter or the recycling announcements, is that a subset of town announce then or is it is it is it is it the same list as town announce? >> I have I have no idea. I'm assuming it
goes Yeah. And you think it would go to every householder. So it >> yeah go to >> So then the question is if you were to use town announce you know would that be a way to I I don't know just kind of get
everything in one place >> and then take out what we wanted for people that are over 55. >> Yeah. >> Or 60 >> or 60 whatever whatever the limit is. >> And you know I I mean I've sent out news
or Yeah. I've sent out newsletters before and you know you might pick up a maybe you pick up a bunch of new names and you send out a newsletter saying you know we got we got your email from such and such a place if you want to not receive our emails please unsubscribe
you know click here and then they have an option to unsubscribe and that's the other that's my other question is you know there's would you be using something like like Mailchimp or you know something like that or are you just
thinking of of you know using just sending a regular email with a bunch of names on it which once you're once your list gets fairly large I think there are limits to the number of people that you can do per email >> town announce uses Mailchimp
>> yeah so if we've got Mailchimp it seems like we would probably want to integrate with that some way >> yeah I think I think we need to talk to somebody in administration ation because I think there may be um limits to what
to who the town can communicate with without the person's permission. >> Well, we could it'd be like knocking on the door. If they want us to come in, they'll open the door. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yeah. And the other way you could
potentially handle that is just, you know, say send out a couple of emails and say, you know, get their permission >> if you want to continue receiving these. Yeah. >> You know, let us know. Otherwise, this will be the end of it, you know. >> But you might be able to pick up a bunch
more emails that way. >> Yeah. And when they do register on the website to receive mailings from the town, there could be a box that besides your name and your email address, there could be boxes in there that said Council of
Aging, um, Recycle. >> Yeah. >> Things like that. >> Make that a bigger um, so it'll bring everything to every it'll shoot everything to everybody. >> Yeah. and the just separate all the committees and everything which should
be good. >> Susan, do you remember when we met with Haley and she talked about a computer program? I think she called it um my senior center or something. Do you
remember she mentioned that? >> No, she don't. um yeah, she had mentioned it and it's a program and it would hold all the um she explained it. I don't I don't really I don't really remember
exactly what it was, but I remember her saying that it would be a place where we could send stuff out of. Um and I thought she said it was my senior center. Okay, that would be perfect for things like the gazette for the
>> and and I I remember her saying that there there's sometimes you can get grants and we might not even have to end up paying for it. We could apply for grants for it. >> Well, you know, MCOA has grants to help
um small to help councils on aging get new programming, >> right? >> Something that's really important and that would be really important for us. So, so let me go back and ask Haley because I remember her mentioning it and I was thinking, well, what would we need
that for? Because at that point, I didn't see, you know, we weren't really doing emails. But I I definitely would like to talk to her about that more because that could be something that would be useful for us. And I'm not sure if that's something that people can like
log into and say, "Oh, today is the foot care clinic, you know, or >> we can maybe even even have people able to sign up for the foot clinic inside that app, >> right? I mean, it sounds like the app is
like for not for just would be for us, but for people that wanted to like log in and I don't know. Let me go back. Let me let me take the month and and and do some research on it.
>> Yeah, cuz the place she came she came from the Amoris >> system which I'm sure they do all kinds of things. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. and they have a much bigger >> like senior, you know, a much bigger and well more organized um
>> you know like activities and stuff that they do. >> So yeah, let me ask Haley and I'll get back to you back to everyone next week or I mean next month. >> Okay. and see if that can be of helpful to
making a a newsletter list. And you know, I have a feeling if we start email if we started emailing >> things like um I don't know, even if it's just like a little like
I don't know something like say about the flu or something, you know, if if we started sending these things out, I'm wondering if people would start saying, "Oh, I want to get that from the COA." You know? >> Right. Yeah. >> Yeah.
We're going to open up a new box. So, let's do it, >> right? And Rich is the perfect person to do that. >> No. No. >> All right. Well, we we Let's get back to this next month. >> Yeah. >> And and see if if you you you have your
notes, I have my notes. And >> Right. We'll go through >> and Yeah. And and definitely let's let's um knock on Gail's door because I think that she might be able to help us too. >> Why Shaku? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Um so it says um the next is the the um website update, but you kind of gave that to us. >> Yes. The things that I've done. Look at it. See what you think. I'm going to add
some more things probably to the a couple of things. I did see every anything from Shootsbury was near the top and the stuff from Lever was near the bottom which that I that was one of the things
that um we were looking at. Um >> I haven't been back there since you did that work. So, >> okay. Yeah, take a look at that and see how that looks. And I'll get up and have Haley make some copies of this flyer and
put one at the new library in the post office and um any place else you can think of. >> Can you send me a copy? Because Gail Flesh to put out on town announce. >> Okay. I kind of it it does I can scan it
but it has a like a little film on it compared to if I just print it. So, I can send I can I scanned it. I can send it to you, Susan, and you can look at it. >> Okay. >> The flyer and you can look at the website and see because it's exactly the
same thing. >> Okay. >> Except they have the two little animated things at the top. >> Yeah. >> Said she was learning how to um put flyers on. And in fact, she put your last flyer out
on town announce. When I asked her to teach me how to put a flower flyer out on town announce, she said, "Don't bother. I'll do it." >> Oh, okay. >> So, I just send it I would just send it to her and ask her to put it out on town announce.
>> Yeah. And she and she'll post it on Next Door, too. >> No, she doesn't post on Next Door. Town's got mixed feelings about Next Door. >> Oh, I thought I thought we were talking about Gail. I'm sorry, my mistake. >> We're talking about Haley. >> I'm sorry, >> Susan.
>> I thought we were talking about I thought we were talking about Gail. >> We were talking about Gail putting out town announce the text the tech talk. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, she'll she'll put it on next door, too, through the broadband page.
Are you talking about Gail Huntress? >> She put it on for us. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Next on Gail. >> Everybody's name is Gail. I'm sorry. >> Yes, you're right. >> So, I would like a copy though because
I'll send it to the um the Lever and um New Salem newsletters to Okay. the information, >> right? >> And they won't probably put the flyer. They'll just take take the information from the flyer,
>> right? And I'll just have Haley make some copies and put them up in a couple pl places in town. >> Yeah, that's a good idea. >> Okay, so the next um >> Oh, hang on. Before we go item, I want to point out that Mary Joe had very nicely said she would do the web page
when we were desperate for somebody to do the web page, but it wasn't her first interest. So, she was happy to let take it over. But I think we ought to thank Mayor Joe for being willing to take it over. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yes. >> You're you're very welcome. And had I not succumbed like, you know, to my whole thing, you know, probably would have gotten around to doing a little more with it. But very glad that you've done it. I I saw what you had done. Um,
and it looks great. Yeah. >> Oh, thank you. >> Well, we we kind of threw a lot of you at once, Mary Joe. >> All those committees and the web page and we were like just throwing stuff at you. So, >> I wasn't I wasn't picking anything up at the time, Mary Joe. So,
>> okay. >> Okay. Uh, the next on the the agenda is the possible senior T at the school and Rich is going to be very excited to hear this one. So, the sixth grade, fifth and sixth grade, um Jessica Carlson Banger
>> would like to invite the seniors to have tea at Valentine's Day um with the fifth and sixth grade with the seniors. >> And um she asked last year and nothing came of it, but this year she's asked
and um >> she sees me there all the time. That's why she's asking. Go ahead. No, I think it's a great I just know you like I know you like the kids. You you know all the kids. >> Um but I think it's a good idea if we can get some seniors >> together for it. They said they were
going to do tea and a possible snack and >> Mhm. >> integrate the two communities together. >> Yeah. Okay. >> On from 12:30 to 1:30ish. >> So I was thinking that we've got two groups. Oh blast. I could have the right
now that we could invite um to get some of them involved. One is the the foot clinic patrons and the other is people who come to to the um >> lunch >> community lunch. You know I have not been collecting emails and I need to. Hi Maryl.
>> Hi. >> Hi. May May I speak on that on the tea? >> Sure. >> Yeah. So Jessica, you were saying that that the the elementary school is interested in getting the two groups of
people integrated. Would it be like just this one day's event or would it like do you think it may grow into something more? >> I'm not sure. This was this all came
from the school to us. >> Uhhuh. So, this was this was um she like I said, she she mentioned it last year and it nothing really happened with it. Um but she she mentioned it kind of late. There wasn't a lot of time to prepare for it.
>> Um and and I think at that point with COA and I don't know if we were having issue, we were short. I'm not sure. Um but we we never did anything with it. But this year, she asked again in plenty of time where we can set something up. It could be something
that's going to be um more events that take place. I don't know. >> Okay. Yeah, it's it sounds like fun. Um I I worked in the elementary school and one day the the children did a
um an event they made up themselves, a piece of cake for a poem. and and I thought, you know, that that was really creative and I participated. I happened to be working in the building that day, but again, it was just like a one
time event. So, I'm curious if the if the tea event, you know, how it will roll out. >> When when my grandmother did the um the senior lunchons, um the preschoolers would come up almost every holiday. Wow.
>> Either either Valentine's Day or Christmas, they made cookies and >> um so that they have >> done things that were together like that. >> Um but nothing's been done since. And
>> I don't know if it if it's the new principal that's allowing this. Um because I know like to to bring people into the school a lot of times you have to have Corey checks and stuff. So, I'm not sure exactly what's being done on their end,
>> but this is all this is all them, not us. They we're we're being invited to them, so we're not coordinating any of it. >> Okay. Sounds like fun. >> It does. And is there um Susan
>> is the lunchon before before this before the 14th? >> Uh yes I would lunchon is the second um >> is the first Tuesday of the month. >> Yeah it's okay. All right.
>> Okay. >> Third. Okay. >> And we you know we could send out a town. Well, I don't know about a town announce this would be a good time to use a a senior's email list. >> Well, if we can get something from the school saying this, we can always bring
it up and put it on the table because a lot of the people or a few of the people that lunchon have grandchildren. >> Yeah. >> School and so on. So, >> yeah, I think that's a good idea, right? >> That's what open that's would open the door for that. Um,
>> so when we get our final our final details, um, will Rich make a flyer? >> Sure. >> I think we hand out something smaller. >> Yeah, something something like that. >> Individuals to take home.
>> Yeah, like we do with the um memory clinic and Yeah. >> Like that. the um I'll I'll see if I can have the kids do it because that'll be a project for them to do that they would like I'm sure.
>> Yeah. >> Let me see what I can do about that. My list is getting big. >> Your big >> uh the next is unfinished old business. I'm not sure what what that is. Um >> that was whether we wanted to say
something about the food pan pantry. >> Oh, okay. >> And I don't I think we're sort of in limbo at this point. >> Yeah, it doesn't sound like there's any update on it at all. >> Yeah, >> we had had a meeting. Um and then she uh Haley had talked about
maybe putting the food pantry in the old library. Um, originally she wanted to use a senior center, but I think it would it would be way too much for the senior center to hold. >> Um, and it I don't know. I don't know where
she's at with that. >> Yeah. And we don't know where the library reuse committee is on too, >> right? If >> she's brought it to them yet. >> Yeah. But I don't I don't think so. Yeah.
>> So, it's still unfinished old business. >> It's still unfinished old business. Um, okay. We're on unanticipated business. And I will turn that over to Mary Joe. >> Okay. So, um, in the last week, um, one
of our longtime Lake residents and one of my neighbors, Ron Mech, um, came to me and asked if it would be appropriate to ask, um, the Council on Aging to advocate for him.
um starting at the beginning of January this year, um his his road in front of his house stopped being plowed and sanded and um he I asked him the the situation is
somewhat complicated. Um and I asked him to summarize it for me in writing so that you all would know what it is. Um, and I do have um documents that I could send, but um just to kind of briefly
summarize so we can see if this is something that we would want to do. Um the sanding and the plowing stopped. Um he called the highway department, didn't receive a response, went to Haley, I
believe. Then it went to the emergency committee. Um and he was told that um they were concerned that the road was too narrow um and unsafe for the plow to
go down. Um and so um that that was kind of the end of it. Now, from Ron's perspective, um the road is now safer and, you know,
in well, in better shape from a physical standpoint than it's been over many years. He's had no issue being plowed for a great number of years. Um, and he's just feeling kind of perplexed
about the situation. Um, so I got to thinking about it and I I did a little looking around my neighborhood and um I realized that my road doesn't get sanded all the way to
the end. Um, and the road that's above me also I I ran into my neighbor. I said, you know, do you have this situation? Cuz she lives on the end of her road. Mhm. >> Um and she said, "Well, if I if I don't get out to talk to the the person that's
doing the plowing and sanding every every year," she said, um I don't get I don't get plowed and sanded. Um and she said that this year she's it just has been she's been too, as she said, busy,
but she's had some health issues. Um and she wasn't able to get out there. And so her her road hasn't been sanded. >> Is once Mary Lou is she I'm sorry, not Mary Lou, Mary Joe. Yes. Is she also a um senior? >> She she is a senior and she had a major
operation um okay >> this this year. In fact >> um when I went stopped to see her, she was just getting home from the hospital. So, um anyway, um I thought that this issue is
a little bit bigger than just Ron. um in the sense that it seems as though the town doesn't really have a way of dealing with something that tends to come up fairly, you know, with a little bit of regularity, which is what to do
if if the road is a dirt road and it's narrow and the sand truck, which is quite large, um can't easily get down it. >> When did this stop happening? as of January 1st this year. So, and he
did say that the same person who who fixed the road um in the fall like that same person was also responsible for the plowing plowed once and said, "I'm not going to do it. I'm
not going to do it anymore." Or actually didn't say he wasn't going to do it anymore. Just stopped doing it. And where what road is this? Uh >> what >> what road is this? >> It's Birch Drive. It's a road that goes
off of um Great Pines which goes off of Locks Pond. >> Okay. >> And it's it's a complic historically it's a complicated issue because a lot of these roads are small and they've been they've been variously changed and
worked on by volunteers and professionals over the years. Um and um Great Pines Drive actually has a a water issue that really hasn't been adequately resolved. And so right now
his as of yesterday his road was like a skating rink. >> Um you know you really you have to keep on top of that kind of stuff. Um and if you don't it it can really get out of hand.
>> Mhm. So if if he had some sort of emergency and a and an ambulance had to get down there or you know you know fire police had to get down there it it might not be the easiest thing to get
back out. Um, so and anyway, it's it's a safety issue and so having gone to having gone to the town and just not really gotten
a solution, he's coming to us. >> Mary, >> I think I've explained it fairly well. >> Do you have any questions? Yeah. Is Is it okay if I talk, Mary Joe?
>> Sure. >> Yeah. I just wanted to put in my two cents. It sounds like it is a bigger like a town issue, but because the two of your neighbors who you speak of are seniors, if if if I were a voting member
of the of of your committee here, I would bring it forth on behalf of the seniors because it's pretty serious. Um and then the town will be looking at it
as a whole, you know, and and fixing the situation. And I also want to say my father used to be a plow person and a sander, etc., and got called by the city, and there were certain trucks that
he refused to to operate. So there's that part, too. So maybe our town doesn't have the right uh um vehicle to get in there. And and and
even on that thought, maybe it has to be hand um you know, thrown sand or salt or ice or whatever we're doing to to take care of it. Yeah, those are my thoughts.
But if it's been done in the past, what's the difference now? >> Well, maybe the road structure and the rain and the in the you know, like if it's dirt, it's it's it's moving. It's I don't know.
>> I know. But they grade a lot of they grade a lot of t uh streets in town. >> The town itself. >> Yes. They grade they grade a lot. And I don't know which ones they do and which ones they don't. But >> but the but the lake is is isn't the
lake responsible for their own roads >> except for plowing and sanding to fix them. >> Yeah. The lake is responsible to um to make sure the lake association usually makes sure that the roads around the
lake are in plowable condition. Mhm. >> And um you know his understanding was that the work that was done this fall did make his road in plowable condition. So he's just really perplexed as to why suddenly
>> it's not. >> Has he gone to the lake commission? >> I tried that >> and um I really did not. One thing that um just to kind of give you an understanding,
the lake association right now is being run by people who are not here in the wintertime and so their knowledge and ability to come out and take a look at this situation and assist is quite limited.
Um, I mean, I I won't say too much more than than that other than to say that was my first avenue that I thought I'd go down. >> Yeah. >> And I I did not get uh
>> good response. They kind of just tossed it back to the town >> because the town did agree to be responsible for the plowing and the sanding. And, you know, the work was done to prepare this road this fall. Um when if you look at it and I I do have
pictures. Um if you look at it, it looks like it's in pretty decent shape. Like somebody's done something recently some ways looks a little better than um than Great Pines does. Um but it does have a slope and it
does have a curve to it. So, you know, um I think that this is a complicated issue and I I don't know if if the Council on Aging would
I mean, at first I was thinking, well, maybe we should just write a a letter of support or something along those lines. Um but it's a little bit tricky to take any kind of position on it when we don't really know, >> right,
>> anything about what's going on. Um, so I don't know how committees and and the COA would relate. I don't know if like maybe we could just talk to someone before or just to find out more information. Um,
you know, I've I I also have um from Ron a copy of the policy that the town has on plowing and sanding and that actually says that if the road isn't good in good enough shape and that gets decided on by the person that's in charge of the
highway department that they that they don't it's if it's not in good enough shape to plow by the town plow or or an outside contractor, then the highway department
person can make a decision not to do it. Um, but it's it's a little bit to me logically it's hard for me to understand how it couldn't be addressed by some way like
kind of like Maryl was saying even if somebody came out and did something by hand, >> right? um rather than just leaving it with no, you know, leave basically leaving a guy with a road that's turned into a skating
rink in front of his house. >> Sound of his house. >> So, I do know the road that we're talking about where the road comes down. There's a little little hill and then it goes into his driveway.
um that little hill. Okay, it's pretty steep, but if the town can plow Stole Road, which I don't know if anybody knows stole road, there should be no reason that they safely cannot plow that little
hill coming out of Ron's driveway cuz Stole Road goes it's it's straight down and it ends right at somebody in somebody's driveway. >> That's right. >> And it gets done. and it gets done by the town. Now, that that was
grandfathered into um the private drives like with with Carver Road and Briggs Road and and that road were all grandfathered into the town having to maintain the plowing, >> not the maintenance of like fixing it.
That's all the residents have to do that. But Birch drives the town road, so there shouldn't have been any grandfathering in, >> right? >> But I don't know,
>> you know, there's been a change. I want to point out that there's been a the obvious, there's been a change of leadership of the DPW at the same time that this happened. And it could be a different person looking at this situation and coming to
a different conclusion. Not that that really helps us, >> but it it might sort of explain some of what's going on. I don't know. It seems it's I I agree that this is it's a general issue, but it's certainly a
senior issue. Um, and that we certainly I think we would be right in correct in advocating for the town policy to um if if the town and the DPW consider that
it's not appropriate, it's it would be damaging for town equipment, then I think that there needs to be an alternative provided. That makes sense to me. >> And it could be, you know, it could be hiring some private person with a with a
smaller truck to plow it. >> Yeah. >> What Mary uh Mary Joe, what um it's confusing me having all these Marys. Um what truck do they use to drive to plow those roads down there? A small one or a
big one? Well, I'm >> I I think that the plow might be a medium one. I mean, it's I'm I'm not sure. >> Say I've noticed is that the sanding truck is quite large. The sanding truck
is actually larger than the plow. >> But we do have we do have pickup trucks, >> right, >> that that have sand Yeah. So, a pickup truck I mean that's pretty small. >> Yeah. >> That could easily >> And that's what they use to plow sto plow and sand stole road with.
>> Yeah. >> Is the the small pickup trucks. >> Huh. >> Oh. What do you think about Mary Joe's suggestion that the first line of approach might be to talk with someone or someone's
so that they know that the COA is concerned about this? I I do know that um that you said that Haley sent it to the select board, right? Have they met on that yet? Okay. So, the select board um
said that they would discuss it at their meeting on February 2nd. >> Okay. >> Um Rita is going to meet with Ron on Tuesday. >> Okay. >> Um
and Ron before the before the meeting got set up with Rita, that's when Ron approached me. this the meeting with Rita's happened like yesterday. It was that was arranged. >> Mhm. >> He was really worried about having go to
the select board, you know, in a public forum by himself and that's the main reason why he approached me. Um he was just worried about how it would all come out. And this type of issue
from my perspective seems like it would be better handled not in a public forum um because it seems to be a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication as far as I can tell. Um,
and and certainly if it's a if it's a question of asking the highway department to do something different, I don't know if a public forum would be the best place to be doing that, especially if Ron is the one that's complaining and then they're told to do something.
Anyway, maybe something will come out of this meeting with Rita. um if we want to do something maybe it would be good to do something before the the meeting with Rita happens. The real concern of course is that by the time February rolls
around there's going to be you know potentially a lot of snow and ice between now and then and you know it might or might not get addressed. Well, it sounds like Haley needs to talk to the new super at the
highway department to see what the deal is with all this and why it stopped. >> It sounds like Haley washed her hands of it though and just sent it to the select board. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> But the leadership there changed maybe two a year and a half ago, two
years >> at the highway. So, >> if it's been done all this other time, >> um, >> Ron did send me a a letter that Haley had written. I guess
the emergency committee met. They determined that the road wasn't plowable, but but then they just left it there. Like, they didn't go the next step to figure out >> how to help him. >> If I think that's really where the rubber hits the road. The emergency me committee could have dealt with it and
they chose not to. >> If the emergency committee is saying that it's too dangerous for a truck to go down and stand and plow, what do they expect an ambulance to do? >> Yeah, exactly. >> I mean, the ambulance crew isn't going to carry you up that hill on a stretcher.
>> No. So if it's the emergency committee, then they need to think about emergencies, not just, >> you know, preparing for an emergency. >> Yeah. And the letter from Haley said um
that that emergency services would be provided. How that was supposed to happen was not spelled out in any way. >> A helicopter. Oh god. >> Yeah. So, so there's a lot here that just doesn't add up. Doesn't make sense.
>> Correct. >> Um, may I say something? It sounds like Ron is a bit hesitant as as you seem to be conveying, Mary Joe, that he as an
individual may not want to come forward as an individual in a public forum. And so maybe that's why if the COA is just speaking in general for the safety of
our seniors without you know like you can you can use examples saying roadways and then give the specifics without um pinpointing an individual
without put you know what I'm saying without putting the burden on Ron's shoulders, you know, like that. And then to make him out to somehow be complaining,
>> you know, not happy with with the situation. I I don't know. It's my idea. >> It's not like it's something new. They've been dealing with it for years. And if if the road that part of the road needs to be
fixed and I they can't do it in the winter, but they should be able to get a small the pickup with the plow and the sander on the back >> and just back down that little hill. The little hill, I don't know what it is.
>> It's okay. Well, >> so if if we were going to speak with someone, how would how would that work? Who would we who would we speak with? What would make sense? I I think if if the select board are are meeting on it, I think they would be the
ones that we would we would um talk to, I believe, cuz if if they if they're already looking at it to meet on February 2nd, then >> So, are you suggesting I mean, we would have to talk with um as a select board,
right, at a meeting >> or either that or or write a letter or or >> Yeah, >> I would think I would think a letter would be sufficient from us that that we were supporting him or them because
there's more than one now. We could if we if say Mary Joe made up a letter to send to the select board asking why this is not happening anymore and why why it stopped. It's not saying
that we're we want this done. We're we just want to know why this has stopped happening so that in the future >> we have something. Does that make sense?
Well, I think we can throw our support at at our seniors and and and say that, you know, you know, especially for safety reasons, cite the safety reasons. Um, >> well, who makes the determination that
they can't do it? I guess that's >> it sounds like the emergency committee, whoever they are. >> Okay. Yeah, it it includes a representative from the select board um and the and the head of the highway department and I think the fire chief.
>> Okay. >> Um those are new guys new to the celebration. >> Does he live alone? >> Does Ron He does? >> He lives alone. Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Now I'm worried.
Um, so I think, yeah, I think I'm uh seconding what the person behind the cat said. >> Sorry. >> He's been a pain since he came home. >> Oh, he's happy to be home. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Um, and needing attention from you. Yeah. you know that that it's important to say that if the town and the emergency committee have decided that it's unsafe for town equipment then we think um given that it's a a road that
the town has taken responsibility for the town needs to come up with an alternative solution. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think I think we definitely have to tell them that they need to come up for with an alternative solution for for um at least the the
portion of the road that they're responsible for. >> Yes, >> they're not responsible for this his immediate parking area, but that hill is definitely responsibility of the town >> and it has been in the past. So, it's
>> exactly >> that's a biggie. Yep. >> Yeah. Right. Um, so I' I've put some stuff in writing at this point. Um, how would we how would we then um
do you want me to just read something to you and you can decide if it's good? >> Sure. >> Okay. Um, let's see. Um well, let's see.
Um, in the spirit of sand for seniors, safe passage for people in emergency vehicles and personnel in winter, and just plain neighborliness, we would like to encourage the town to find alternative solutions for clearing snow and sanding
portions of roads under conditions where a large truck may not work. >> How about highway? How how about highway um equipment >> where the current highway equip the town's highway equipment may not work. >> Correct. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> That way you're not doing well but we're not going to send the big sander down there. >> Right. >> So we >> and I think we there needs to be inclusion of the fact that they have been doing it. >> Okay. >> So it's not asking them to do something
they've never done before. >> Yeah. Um, and do you want to bring up Ron specifically as the person that came to us >> or the road? You're going to mention the road >> or the road Birch Drive
>> and the address. >> That would that would be fine. Not Not so much the name, >> just the address. >> Um, >> Susan, do we get cut off at seven? Um, we are supposed to go off at 7. I if I don't know if there's somebody else
coming along, we'll get bumped. >> All right, we got we got two minutes to seven. >> Okay. And and Mary Joe, don't forget like are you saying something about seniors, our seniors safety? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. any and even like um make the word plural because there's been more than one senior who has come to you, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
Um so if I draft some how does how does this work? Like if I were to draft something >> probably we really should come together for a brief meeting official meeting special called Don't you think, Jessica?
>> I think so. Yes. >> But it would I mean it could be a pretty short meeting, >> right? It's only to it's only to um approve the letter, >> right? >> And and you could um send it around to us so we could take a look at it and
make suggest suggestions just back to you, not to the whole group. That would be >> all right. I'll do that. >> Thank you, Mary Joe. I have off. Good night. >> Night, Mary Joe. Mary Lou. >> Mary Lou.
>> That's what I kept doing. >> Night. >> We're going to call one MJ. 1 ML. How's that? >> Right. >> MJ. Okay. How how long do you need for for um do you want to set that date now for that
meeting or do you want to wait until Mary Joe has it drafted? >> We could we can set the date now. We're all here. We can agree on something. >> Do do you want to do a week?
Today is the 14th. If we said the 21st, that gives a week and a half, almost two weeks before Um the that flect board meeting. Yeah, >> I think I think a week would be helpful because it will allow me to probably put
it legally on my town government >> because I don't I don't know the um ramifications of a special meeting, but I think it needs to be public. >> Okay. >> You want to do the the 21st? >> Sounds good.
>> I have a conflict unfortunately. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, let's find another time. >> Tuesday, Thursday that week. >> I have no conflicts except work. >> I could do Tuesday. >> I have cemetery commission at Tuesday at
6:00, but we could meet at 5:30. >> That works for me, >> Rich. >> Yep. That f That's fine. So, the 20th at 5:30. >> That's a day short of a week. Is that okay?
>> Yeah. As long as you have time, >> I think so. >> And our next um real meeting will be on February 11th at 5:30. Okay,
>> sounds good. >> Okay. >> And we need to a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> So move. >> I motion to adjourn. I don't know >> that works. I second it. >> Okay.
All in favor? >> I >> I >> make peace. I >> Johnson I >> Stagman I >> Millinger I >> uh 11. Okay. >> All right. We'll see you on next Tuesday. >> What time is it?
>> It's Oh, it's 7:03. I'm sorry. >> That's okay. Thank you. >> All right, everybody. Have a good night. >> Okay. >> You too. >> Thanks, everybody. >> Nice seeing everybody. Nice seeing you, Mary Joe. Nice to be back. >> Glad you're back.
>> Take care everyone.