Hey, stranger. none of which you could hear me because I was muted. We have a long agenda. Would be great if we shorten our agendas. How has your week been, Rich? >> Um, okay.
>> Oh, I put out that sign today. The um >> Oh, thank you. The sandwich board. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Thanks. >> That was a good place to put it, I think, up against the the front. Oh, absol absolutely. Till we figured out
when the weather decided to cooperate, >> Janette, can you write with that? >> I'm sorry. >> You're not That's on your left arm, isn't it? >> Uh, yeah. >> And does it does it does it affect your writing? Are you a right-handed writer?
>> I am right-handed. What? Why are you asking? Did I miss something? >> No, just a matter of concern. >> Oh, I thought you wanted me to take notes. >> No, no. When I saw you all wrapped up like that, I thought, "Oh my gosh." >> Oh, no. It's just It's a really big uh
thing. I don't think it's kind of ridiculous how big it is. Um Yeah. Crazy stuff. It's a bummer, too, when I can't play the accordion >> at the moment.
>> But I was playing the piano a teeny bit again today, which I haven't done in a long time. >> Okay. So, that's not for Bolton. >> No. Well, I'm not using my left hand. You know what? I'm uh I'm just using my right hand. I was trying to learn some like a bunch of chords. I'm really into
like jazz chords and trying to learn, you know, all this stuff. It's It's amazing. It, you know, it's what I did spent a lot of time in Mexico doing, but then all of a sudden I couldn't play any, you know, well, I can play, but it hurts a little bit. And I'm I'm injuring it further by uh by doing it. So, I'm
taking a little break and I have some exercises and I've got this brace and um and we're thankfully going away for 5 days. So, this why I won't I definitely won't play. I haven't played for like three days. Four days. >> Okay.
>> So, the last um CO A meeting was in person, huh? At the town hall. >> It was. >> Wow. >> Yep. >> Well, the most um the idea was we were everybody that was in town was going to go to um see Devon Paul Devon's
in as police chief, >> which was starting at 5:00. So, we figured >> we figured we were all down to school, which is where it was, it would make more sense to go to town hall than >> everybody go back to their own home to Zoom.
>> Gotcha. >> Yeah. >> Hi, everyone. Nice to see you, Janette. >> Same. Same. >> Hi, Melissa. Oops. >> Oh, I'm not Melissa. >> Oh, I'm sorry. You're Jessica. >> How many zillions of times has that
happened in your life, Jessica? >> Oh, more than I can remember. >> Yeah. It's like people call me Jennifer all the time. >> And I'm like, I don't even know where they get that from. >> Yeah. Well, my husband, a lot of people call him Greg.
>> And then people call people whose names are Greg Doug. >> Oh, boy. So anyway, yeah. Well, my new uh my new snowplow guy since the last one died is um Greg. Steve, and it's really challenging to
remember to call him Greg >> rather than Steve. >> I've done that all my life for him. >> Yeah. >> Have you? >> All my life. >> Is he the one that calls you Jennifer? Okay, I guess I should
come on to the video. So, we are waiting for Mary Joe. I do not know whether we have any guests tonight, but I didn't hear anything from anybody. We were worried about you in Mexico,
Janette, or I was. >> Um, yeah, there were there were moments of uh, you know, where you just kind of worried, but where I was was it so it's so really I mean there's was a little tiny bit of Waka is one of the states in Mexico. I think there's like
38 of them or something like that. >> Yeah. >> And there's just this little tiny tip that had any kind of action in it. But the the odd thing about it, I think the thing that was so upsetting was that it was happening in real tourist areas where usually they they leave those alone. You know, they don't want to mess
with with that. And >> um you know, that's that made it a little worrisome. I also experienced a little tiny earthquake >> and and I had terrible flu. I was really out of commission. And then hearing about Christine at the end of the trip
was really um >> kind of incredibly sad as well. >> Yes. >> Um but uh yeah, but other than that, it was a super nice trip and here I am. I I survived. >> Yeah. You had a lot to survive, too.
>> Well, I mean, that's I invited it. Um but I I got a little bit better at my Spanish. I mean, it's a it's really uh you know, for everyone who looks at those learn Spanish in 30 days kind of thing, it's been a long time and I work
hard and it's still, you know, I'm not there. Um there's a lovely new family um in Shootsbury. Um the the the dad the the male is um the woman I think is from New York, but he's from the area where I
was. Oh, >> uh, I've met him a couple times and we did get in touch, but then I think he might have gotten my email because he was going to send me some thoughts and things and he didn't and he seems like a really responsible person. So, I don't know. Hopefully in the future we'll be
able to do that. You know who I used to also spend time talking to is April Stein's husband Allen in Spanish. He's very good. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Do you speak Rich? No. >> Oh, >> my children went to school with a uh
April. >> Oh, right. >> Nicole did. >> Right. Oh, okay. >> I know. I know them. >> Okay. Okay. Now, I April can She says she doesn't speak, but Allan uh says that's really not true,
>> that she's um much better than she professes. Anyway, hopefully starting something up again. Um, >> you know, I'm thinking we should start instead of waiting for Mary Joe. What do you think? >> I think we should. >> Yeah.
>> We're going to call the meeting to order on March 11th, 2026 at 5:37 p.m. >> Uh, and now roll call. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Sorry. Yes. Roll call. Um I guess starting with me.
>> Make peace here. >> Millinger here. Uh me next. Janette Stockton here. Stockton here. >> Strangman here. >> And um we need to approve the February minutes.
Um which I went through them and added my corrections. I don't know if anybody else got to look through them. I did just look through them and the thing that kind of caught my eye was all the stuff about um the Lake Wyola Association roads and such,
but I figure that's probably a hot topic that I don't want to push the button on. So um just curious >> smart >> not to >> it would be definitely smart not to push the button on that. >> Okay. In in any way not to even discuss
it further. Well, >> I think we're getting we're getting an update on it anyway. >> Okay. So, >> yeah. >> Knows most. >> Yes, Mary Joe knows the most of it. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Um, so I'll put in a motion to approve
the minutes since I was at the meeting. Um, if somebody wants to second that. >> I second that. >> Well, I'm not going to second it because you weren't at the meeting. >> You're so right. You're so right. Gee, neither was I. >> That's right. So, that's up to you, uh,
Susan. >> Okay. So, I seconded it. And so, now we can call a question, right? And vote on it. >> Oh, shush. I didn't hear you. I'm sorry. >> Need to vote on it. I seconded it. Your
motion. >> So, all in favor make these I. >> Millinger I. >> Stockton. I. >> Strawman. Hi. >> All right. So, for the financials, go lay down.
Um, so last month we go lay down, please. Last month we um got the second portion of the grant. Now, the previous year we had gotten the grant split up in half,
and I assumed that's how they did it this time. So, I threw the other half into the financial report thinking that that's what it was. And then Susan sends me an email saying, "Oh, well, we got the third the third
portion." And I'm like, "Third?" And I didn't know what was going on. So they split this time they split the portions into two where they didn't last year. So the February um financial report that I
submitted in February is wrong and I just submitted a corrected one into uh Susan today. um now replacing the two amounts where I thought we had gotten the second portion
and now it's in three. Um as I was doing it, I realized today looking at their numbers on their their spreadsheet that they have, they didn't give us the full $9,136
that we normally get or are allotted to get. And then I read on they they had like this little bulleted thing and every town got only 83.33% of their uh fiscal year award.
>> Whoa. >> So whether there was a cut or I don't know. They didn't go into explanations. Um, I probably should have read it in February, but I pulled it up by just,
you know. Um, so in last in February, we got uh the additional $1,461.76 and then the third installment we got $1,58327. So that's altogether 7,000 and I have it written
down somewhere. Maybe I didn't write it down, but it's 7,000 and something instead of the 9,136 that we should have gotten. >> You mentioned 83%. >> Yes. >> So that's almost 20% less than we've
were expected to get. That that'll be something to really keep in mind. >> Correct. So, I don't know. They didn't, like I said, they didn't explain on that spreadsheet what where the the, you know, um, where the cut was. I'm assuming it was just a
cut somewhere. I don't know. >> Wonder if there's any chance if we'll get it later eventually. >> And maybe we will. I don't know. >> Last year we got them in just two. We got two two installments.
>> Yeah. And they were the same the same amount each time. So it was the 9,136 or whatever divided by two and that's how we got it. This year we didn't get it like that. >> Yeah.
>> And that was my mistake for assuming that was what was going to happen without actually. But when I pulled up the spreadsheet, I saw the the amount, but that was the the first installment, not the second. I'm surprised we didn't hear about no
one mentioned this at our COA uh VN meeting because those >> Well, it was interesting. I went to the MCOA meeting um I guess it was last week now and somebody one of the MCOA
officials I believe said that the state had kept our uh portion um this the amount we get per individual depending on the population of our town that they had kept it the same.
Yeah, it was $16, I believe, for every I think that's what I think that's what the spreadsheet said was >> for every person over the age of 55 or 60. >> 60. >> I believe it's 60.
>> It's 60. >> So maybe one of us ought to contact Adam Frank and try to get clarification. Who's the um head of age and aging and independence now
>> for the state? >> Yes. >> What used to be the executive office of elder affairs is now the executive office of aging and independence. >> Uh called age for short.
>> Sage. I don't >> I like that >> age. >> So, I'm I'm I don't know if this has happened before where they're only getting it given a certain percent. Um but I'm pretty sure
last year we got that full we got the full amount that we were allotted. >> Yeah. And according to what MCO has said, I would assume we would be getting the full allotment. So, let's hope that maybe there's another piece coming.
Maybe it has to do with um I don't know the pro state's problems that they're giving it to us in dribbles rather than bigger chunks. I don't know. That's do you do you want to contact Adam Frank about this?
who's the head of or he's the person that contacts us from MCO from age >> just to get more information on why they was only given the the 83%. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. What's his name? >> Adam Frank. >> Well, it's one of those names like Greg Steve. It's Adam Frank. >> Adam Frank. M >> who who is it that sends out the the the stuff in I'm trying to look it up for
for the grant stuff. Is is that the same person >> who gives us what sort of >> who sends us the um the the grant information? >> It's I think it comes from Adam Frank. I
know when I turn in when we all turn in our annual reports they go to him. Okay. >> So, um, and everything that I've seen paid attention to that had to do with money came from Adam Frank.
>> Okay. >> So, I will make I will get you his address in case you need it. >> Yeah. I'm going to I'm going to look at the I want to look at the email again to see make sure I didn't miss um the um
like a um a note or something other than Oh yeah, it did come from a Adam Frank. Okay. >> So, I'm going to I'm going to read the email and and see
see if there's anything else. >> Okay. >> Um but anyways, our financial report for March is um our beginning balance was $5,130.58. Um, the revolving account had $1,596
and the town budget had $200. The February foot clinic was $160 for eight clients and we received $113 in the fees paid by the clients. And then our third portion
of the grant which was $1,58327. So, our ending balances with the grant is $6,553.85. The revolving account is $1,79 and the town budget is 200, leaving us with $8,462.85
in all of the accounts. >> That seems pretty good to me. >> Yeah. Yeah. Can I send you the report so you don't have to memorize all this, >> right? >> Right. Which is very helpful. Thanks a
lot, Jessica. >> No, for the um the new programs and the updates on the other programs. Um last week, Lever fire department um emailed
us as well as the fire chief. They put in a grant um for the safe program. Um they they're applying for um co jointly with Shootsberry. Um that's to cover
lock boxes, um new street signs and educational um um workshops for both towns. Um I I don't think the lock boxes and the um the signs are for us, but more and more
of the educational >> we're allowed to go and and um and be there. Um they include fall prevention, um smoke alarms, and home hazards. Um I guess they're going to be hour-long
sessions. Um so, uh I went and signed the grant with Lenny so that they could get that out the door and hopefully get it so that they can they can move forward with that. >> So this go ahead
>> stopped in here. >> Yeah. Um, is that the same we were doing the grant application current under current programs? >> No, that's different. >> So, it's totally different. Okay. >> The the grant that we applied for is completely different.
>> Okay. That's what I was about. Thank you. >> Yeah. This this site is more of um it's through the fire department, but they needed um um the COAs to sign to because it's for senior seniors. Um they they
did do one before Lenny was telling me they did one with the kids and they had um they did some educational stuff at the schools. >> Um but this one specifically for seniors. >> Mhm. >> That's nice that they included us.
>> Yeah. I um Lenny said that they had mentioned it and then um they sent us the stuff um a day before it was actually due to go in. So, they didn't really have their act together on that one. Um, but we got it in on time anyway.
>> Good. Good. So, what we're going to get out of it is the educational programs which are for the general public, i.e. senior public. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yes. Anybody from Shootsbury can go and um they may even help they may even have
them up here. Oh, >> and the grant that you did last month is going to be for the lock boxes for us. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Stockton here. And that was supposed to be um uh we were supposed to like know how
those grants went, but I I think March 1st, but they're obviously behind on on giving >> Yeah. We haven't heard anything. >> Right. Right. Right. >> Yeah. So, uh, so the next thing, um, for the new
programs, um, we had a resident in Shootsbury, um, email us and actually emailed the the town administrator who forwarded to it to us. Um, they were looking for a place where, um, they can go and play
games. um you know a quiet place where where people can gather and play games. And I don't know whatever developed with that. He had um also gone to the library director. Um I don't know if if Susan if
you had ever heard back from him. >> No, but what he said was that he was exploring possibilities. >> Okay. So we So >> Oh, go ahead. No, I was just going to say and he wanted a place that was
available in the evening. >> Yes. >> So, we were talking, me and Susan, and we thought that that would be kind of a great thing to do, have a drop in um time. we would probably have to have it during the day um where people could
come and and have games in the senior lounge and play a game or it could be before lunch or after lunch. Um if we could get some games put together and have like a
little um shelf. Um Susan even suggested having like a curig maybe so you know there'd be coffee available if somebody wanted a coffee. Um which we have the money if we wanted to
supply the the senior center with a with a coffee pot and some some K cups. Um, and I also thought since the Valentine's party at the the school went so well and people were very excited to have the
kids come, I was wondering if we could get a senior versus kid game night. Maybe maybe when the maybe like more towards the summer when it's lighter later >> um and after dinner like have the kids come and play games with the seniors. I
thought that that might be fun. Well, that was part of the that was part of that that day. Anyway, there was a play. There was tables. Um, one one of the young men wanted to know if we knew how to play chess.
>> That they they are huge on chess there. Both my kids learned how to play chess at that school. >> Yes. They had all kinds of stuff, the crafts and everything that day. Um, I don't know who enjoyed it more, the kids. all the residents that went, but
it was very >> Do you think that the residents, if we had a game night that went to the school, would come up and play with the kids at the senior center? >> I don't know. >> Well, I mentioned it to Jessica Carlson Blanger. Yeah.
>> She's the one that set this up. Mhm. >> And I mentioned it to her to see if when we do it, she can help wrangle some kids. And I thought about maybe even getting pizza because that way we can entice the kids to come
>> or ice cream or, you know, something. >> Okay. The the my one concern is I don't think we want to compete with the library. And right now the library is a very popular place to play games because everybody's excited about being in the
new library and it has space for games. So I would suggest we think about having an evening but also that we we would do it in afternoons when the library is not open or is open very limited times
because I think if we're if we're open against the library we won't get many people. Mhm. >> Maybe with we gave, you know, pizza, we might, but >> And a lot of the kids go to after school and they're there till 5:00, >> right?
And more in the evening. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, >> it may be a long day for them depending on on how they want to set it up, but >> we can explore and see what how they can do is say no. And as for competing with the library, I
mean, we should be able to do things without having to I mean, I don't know. >> But it's a new shiny toy in town. The last >> I understand it's a new shiny toy, but >> yeah,
>> I don't know. I I don't feel like if if we if we put on an event, I don't feel like we should feel bad because someone's not going to the library that night. >> Oh, no, no, >> no. Well, I'm It's not us feeling bad. It's us not getting the population that
we would get if we're not competing with the library. >> And also, you know, it doesn't when in a town this small, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to have two separate places both
providing games times at the same time. >> Oh, if they're doing it at the same time. Yeah. I don't I don't feel like it should be the same time. if they're doing a game night. >> Yeah, I don't know if they're doing a game night, but every just about every
time that I've been in um there's been somebody setting up a game. There's there there's a majong there's a regular majong game there um that oh boy I can't remember her name is in charge of Merrill Mandel
>> and I think they were also Stockton here. I think they were also talking about setting up bridge at some point. um too possibly. Um I I have to be honest, I had kind of hoped that, you know, with a couple friends that I was bringing to the
lunch, you know, one day we went outside and played cornhole just for a little bit. But, >> you know, I was kind of hoping something would happen after that or it's probably easier after it, I would think, with setting up, but that seems like it
something's already happening. Yep. I think >> we have a space. We have people coming to it. People who like to talk to each other and do things with each other. So why not, you know, just continue that. Just mentioning that.
>> Think that's a really good idea, Janette. Um, but what are the libraries hours on Tuesday afternoon? I think it's one of their late days, but
it may not start until three, >> right? >> Offhand, I can't remember. I'll look. Oh, okay. I think I would be happy to look into um talk to Maryanne about it because I really don't think it's a good idea to alienate somebody
if they might feel that that we're stepping on their Yeah. >> Right. So that and that would preclude um if we did it right after the the lunch that would preclude involving school children
which is I think very very nice >> would I'm sorry I missed some of that Janette would >> also if we did it directly after lunch that would preclude involving school children because they would be in school Mhm. >> Well, so we would have more than one time then.
>> Yeah. So, you know, I I always always feel like let's just try it. Um I mean, not probably next Well, one of these months, I can't remember which one, we already got involved with something else, but you know, just pull out a couple games. I think we even had a
couple, Susan, when during the big cleanup. >> I actually have a chess game that I want to donate. It's a brand new chess chess board that I'd like to donate. And um Haley also said that um we can use the Amazon account which is taxfree.
Um I'd have to find out how to do that because I'm not sure how that works with like sending warrants in. I I'd have to ask Haley. I don't know how we we we do we pay for that like after it comes in. I'm not sure how that really works. Um,
but she said if we if we wanted to purchase games or whatever Amazon, we would have tax-free exempt. Um, but I think that I mean just like a few, you know, few decks of
cards, some chess boards, you know, >> puzzles maybe. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, puzzles would be a good idea. Um, someone >> someone just had donated to me just a zillion games. Um, and I was at selling
them at the lever at Co-op at their fair and then I think I brought them to the hospice shop. But I, you know, whenever you get rid of something, you wanted to need it the next day. But this is this is six months later. I just think, you know, we probably could probably rustle up a couple games around our houses.
>> Yeah, I think so. I think I have a set. I think to become an active part of the community, I think we have to start more active. We have to start throwing stuff out there >> for seniors because once they see that
we're doing >> these things like, you know, like lunch is growing and, >> you know, I I honestly think that we could make it grow and people look forward to um you know, coming to the
senior center. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's I think that's true. And I think starting smaller and and expanding is a good way to go. >> So the the possibility of um linking it up with lunch maybe once or twice and
see how it goes. >> Yes. >> Maybe would draw yet a few more people into the lunch as well. >> Yes. especially if let doesn't affect if that doesn't compete with open hours at the library. >> Right. >> Right. So, um Oh, well, I'll tell you
later when we get to it. >> So, >> we've got an event. Okay. We've got an event after lunch in April. So, we would need to start in May. >> What's going on in April? >> That would give us Hm. What's going on
in April? >> Okay. Um, April is the neighborhood aging and dementia uh support have a presentation here after lunch at 1:00. >> Oh, very good. >> Or maybe 1:30. I don't remember the
exact time, but yeah, it's they're doing a series of um tool kits, >> dementia tool kits, >> behavior and communication is one and the other is activities and they're alternating them in different towns. So,
I'm not exactly sure what it is that we would be getting in April, but I think it's one of those. Janette, do you remember? >> Um, I can't remember exactly which one offhand, but there's two and two, I believe. So, um, you know, like two different ones being repeated. >> Yeah.
>> It's not four disperate ones. >> Yeah. >> And that would be April, >> uh, >> I think 7th, but I'm not sure. That's right. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yes. Seventh. Yeah. >> So, I guess we'll just have to clean up
fast. >> Yeah. I cannot remember whether it's 1 or 1:30 because I worried about cleanup. >> Um I mean I I can I can I can probably find it and look while we're having the meeting. Um
>> yeah, but you know if the clean if the cleanup is not finished, we can just do it after the talk. >> Sure, you're absolutely right. >> But I need to I need to ask Brennan if it's to tell him that we want to use the big room then.
>> Uh yeah. Are you all set, Susan? >> I think um program updates starting with um the lunchon. >> Okay. Um I'll start and Rich can keep
on. Um this was the day the library the town hall closed at noon and the notice came out around Whoops, here's Mary Joe. The notice came out to me around 11. So there was no time to notify people and I
just decided since they were closing town hall at noon we would be um or maybe I think it was noon maybe 12:30 >> it was yeah >> that we would be able we would chance it and probably the snowstorm the snow
would start small which it did and get bigger as the afternoon went on. So, that being the background, I mean, I think there probably some people who didn't come because they thought town hall would be closed or because they were concerned about the snow. We had a smaller group than usual. We had 10
people plus we got Brennan. So, we had a new person, >> right? >> Um, come down and that was fun to have him and maybe he will come back again since he I don't think he I think he liked the food and was content with with the
entertainment which was we talked to Brennan. Um, so that was basically all I would have to say about community lunch, Rich. Yes, that's that's that's it in a nutshell because it closed at 12
with 10 people. That was good, I thought. >> Yeah, that's pretty good. >> Yeah, >> especially when it's snowing. >> Exactly. >> It did start turn out light, >> right? >> It didn't end up light. I can tell you that. But it started out light. >> Yeah, >> it did. >> And the initial forecast was for maybe
two inches. So, I thought, you know, so big deal. Two inches. >> Yeah. >> It did turn out to be more than that. Mhm. >> With with just a question about the community lunch just overall. Um I've been to many of them and and I just love
them. I love tasting all the different food and and it's really doesn't seem like it's hardship for people to bring a little something and if they can't, they don't. >> But seeing how the other COAs are kind of struggling a little a little bit um with how they're running their lunches,
they they kind of speck them out really for the most part. Um, are we are we pleased with how ours is going? Um, overall, just a general question. >> Well, Jessica and I have talked about the fact
that we're getting younger old people who are perfectly happy to bring a dish. I think if we wanted to reach out to older seniors, we would probably want to provide food, which is what the other COAs do.
I think you know I think there would be seniors who would come maybe if they could get a ride but certainly if they didn't have to per you know make anything just come and sit down and eat. >> So we've talked about the possibility of sometime trying
a more senior lunch um with somebody like Jen making the food. But I don't think we're ready for that yet. I don't know about how how Jessica feels about it because I think we've got an awful lot that we're working on now.
>> Yeah. I just I just wanted to put my two cents in that as I see these other COAs, you know, kind of navigating it all. It's really >> where do they get their food from? >> Jen has been is involved now over in Leverit. We had a we had a village
neighbors lunch and she suddenly got some business from that. She h she's so she's cooking over and or bringing over in lever and then I think they're sort of trying different things. They just lost the per well person retired who's been running the lunches in New Salem.
So, they're they're trying a couple different things, but um and then Wendell doesn't do Wendle doesn't do lunches, >> but but we've been using >> H >> Well, um the but the Memory Cafe has lunch and it's Jen who brings it
>> and it's that was what I was about to say. >> Yeah. Sorry. >> Yeah. >> So, are they struggling to get people to come? >> No. No, not at all. Not at all. That is not the problem. It's just, you know, trying out different people. It's just >> Oh, okay. I don't think
>> Yeah, I don't think it's a difficulty as much in Leverit. But um >> I didn't understand what you were saying the way you >> I didn't know that they were struggling to get people to come. >> No, in fact, they have like a waiting list. >> New Salem is
>> Yeah, they have people um sign up >> and lever as well too encourages that. >> Yeah, >> I think we have a unique thing with the lunchon. >> I think all the stuff that everybody brings. Mhm. >> Yeah. I would not want to end that at all. Correct. I just think we might want
to experiment at some point >> with a second lunch. >> Further down. Okay. >> And see if it makes any difference. It seems like we make it fairly clear that you can come without a lunch. >> You know, you can come out come without
bringing anything. But do you feel like maybe >> people are reticent to come if they're not bringing anything? Well, I've been to both the Leit and the New lunches. I've gone pretty regularly to New Salem because I their their Sunday who does
the cooking for them. >> She jazzes up the meals on wheels. So, with a wonderful salad and great desserts. >> So, even if you don't want to eat the um the wheels on wheels offering, which is there's been good food there. So, it's
it's a challenge for them to figure out >> how to as as um you know, as Janette has said, it's a challenge for them to figure out what to do next. They they were exploring the idea of two meals, one that was meals on wheels and one
that was uh from uh u restaurants around particularly like the new the general store. But then Sunday, the woman who runs the Meals on Wheels one suddenly retired.
>> So now they're having to do because they already have two lunches every month. >> Sometimes they do. They've been experimenting with two lunches, but when I started going over there, they only had the one, I think. Anyway,
hello, Mary Joe. Um, okay. So, where So, where are we on the agenda? >> Um, we're at um the um dementia update. >> Neighborhood dementia update. I have >> NAD footare. >> I have NAD sitting here and I'm like I
couldn't remember what it was. It's NADS. >> It's NAD. >> It's NADS now. >> Um the foot care clinic we was in the >> Oh, I skipped that one. foot care clinic. Yep. Sorry.
>> Okay. The foot care clinic. Um, we can maybe do this more quickly. I'm not sure. >> The last foot care clinic, we had three people who were no shows. And that's the most we've ever had. Ordinarily, when there are no shows, we know enough time
ahead of time to go to the wait list. >> But these are just people who did not show up. And three of them was a lot. And Simone didn't seem to care that she that those were three people she that was 60 bucks
she wasn't getting. But I cared. And I I asked Jessica what she thought about that and and she suggested that we have a no show fee that would be half of the $20. >> Was it bad weather that day or just un
not understandable? >> Not understandable. Well, two of them. Yeah. Two of them were new people who we seem to have trouble getting in touch with. >> And um the other person we was a regular
and we don't know what happened. >> Oh. >> So I suggested if if if this happens again, we we pay her half of the cost of what she would be getting if someone came. >> Mhm. cuz that's wasting her time really.
Especially like like Susan said, if it was at the end of the day, that's one thing. She can leave early, but if it's in the middle, she's waiting around for a half an hour, 45 minutes for the next person to come. Um, how would anyone feel about maybe
just mentioning it to these three people? Well, I mean, if it's if or maybe if it happens again. I don't want to be all school teachery, but you know, if you miss a a lot of times if you miss a doctor's appointment or an appointment, you pay pay for it anyway these days.
>> Um, so, you know, perhaps just mentioning it kindly that you know, we expect people to be here. We have a waiting list even if it's just a note or something. Yeah, I think it's legitimate to give to tell people ahead of time that this
might that this would be an issue >> because you can fill it with the waiting list easily. You can fill it >> if someone says they can't come the day before you you already know that you need to call someone to fill that spot, but if they don't give you the heads up.
>> Yeah. >> And and do people know who they would reach out to? I mean, if there two new people in town, they might just be a little bit >> clueless. >> Well, I think I think the two new people >> did not give us good information, good
contact information >> to tell you the truth. >> Uh, one of them is just really hard to get in touch with. And I've tried various ways, but she often doesn't answer.
And um if she's going to be like that, we need to schedule her at the end of the day. >> We do. >> Absolutely. >> And the other person is is brand new. And um she gave us a telephone number, but it was one of those numbers that when you call it, they try to check who
you are and if you're not on her list, they don't let you through. >> Oh. So when I tried, I couldn't get through by phone and I didn't have a text. So I sent her an email. It was took her a while to respond
and it was late in the day. >> Do we have these people's addresses? >> Um I'm not sure. You mean as in email addresses or as in >> No, as in just just jotting them a note because it's the one thing that really
does still kind of work for the most part in this world. Um, you know that we just send a little note. >> Yes. But you have to send a little note. Oh, okay. So, you're talking about just sending a little note suggesting if
they're not coming, they should let us know ahead of time. >> Correct. >> Okay. Yeah, that's certainly possible. Yes, >> there should definitely be um something written that there should be a 24-hour cancellation
um so we can fill that spot. >> Yeah. >> And looking on the bright side, think of how much that would have cost us last year, >> right? M >> but going back to it though, um
would if if if we had just like this. So we had three of them, do we pay her a portion of it with her invoice and then maybe hope to recoup it
back from the people or do we I'm not sure. I guess that's that's the question. We want to see her get paid, especially if she's waiting around during the day. Time is money. I mean, I'm a small business owner. Time is money. If I'm waiting, I'm not happy.
>> She was happy with I I don't think that she would even say anything cuz she didn't seem like that kind of person. But, you know, she could have enjoyed an afternoon off. Go ahead. >> We could just see this as a learning curve for us by not giving information,
you know, and in the future we will. Um, maybe we should just pay her the the amount and maybe we'll get $10 from each person and maybe not, but we're doing the right thing by her,
>> right? And if we have something if we have something on the table when they come out that they have to look at to when they book their next month, they can look at the sheet and say it'll say if you can't come, you need to notify us
or you'll have to pay some portion of of it if you don't show up in a timely manner like a 24-hour notice. That shouldn't be unless something drastically happens. That's one. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. Something something could
have to happen. Somebody could end up in the hospital, >> right? >> Or whatever. They're not going to call the foot clinic, >> right? Exactly. >> Exactly. >> And we could play that by ear, >> right? But >> I guess it could be and it could be up to our discretion, too. I mean, if
someone gets a flat tire, >> right, >> we can wave that and then we can still pay Simone the $10 that she would, you know, lose out because, you know, >> but if you show everybody that when they're coming out and making their appointment, they'll be aware of that.
Okay. >> Right. >> You know. Mhm. >> So, do we have to vote on paying her for miss time? >> I think so. Don't you? >> Sorry. I I I can say it, I guess.
>> Go ahead. >> Um, since I mentioned it that I thought it was the right thing. So, I make a motion to um to um reimburse or or pay uh Simone for her time. >> I second it. >> All in favor?
>> Mary Joe >> I. >> Mpiece I. >> Millinger. I >> Stockton I. >> Strawman I. Um, and um, so I waited until the meeting to put her
invoice in. Um, can we pay her for that time this month for the the two people that she waited for? I can add it right to her invoice. >> Well, those three people waited. Well, if you have a way of doing that,
that's >> I could add it to the invoice before I I sent it to the accountant. >> Sounds like a plan. >> So, going to give her an extra $30 for the three people that didn't show and didn't let us know.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Is that okay? Mhm. Thank you everybody. >> We definitely don't want her to get upset because people don't show up and she loses money >> cuz that's $60. That's a That's a big
loss. >> It is a big loss >> for somebody that's only charging 20 bucks a session. >> Mhm. >> Right. Okay. So, next is NADS. >> Yeah. And I think we pretty much um told
you about NADS because we told you about the program that's going to be um in in the April after the April community lunch. And I just want to make sure that everybody knows because not everybody was present at the last meeting that
NADS is is renaming itself, neighborhood aging and dementia support >> rather than just neighborhood dementia support. So that really opens up a lot of possibilities um for how we can um serve people in our four towns. Um, and
we just happen to have, I think, four different presentations um, happening and we're trying to just move them all over their town so that people can get to them. And we're waiting also for the uh, hearing about
our our grant, the continuation or the, you know, not really continuation, but we're we're continuing to ask Life Path to help fund our um, our work. And we're still waiting to find a date
for the lunch for all the COA boards and village neighbors. >> I was just going to ask that. >> Right. >> I'm going to ask Maryanne, but I >> hadn't yet. >> Okay. And that would Yeah.
>> And that would be later April or May is would be. and we um we're going to find out soon so that we can let those of you who work rearrange your schedules and uh it will not be on a Thursday because that's a burboten day.
>> Okay, that it do you think Janette? >> Yes, I I think so. >> Okay, check you're up. Rich, tell us about check. Um
Barbara got in touch with there was um the month before there was five of us >> and um she got emails and showed us how to do things. So she had the emails from everybody and apparently one of the gentlemen reached out to her and said
that she he would like to come in and go over some stuff. So, she was already there an hour before we started with this gentleman going over things. >> Oh, >> I thought was really good. Um, I can't remember what his first name is. >> Yeah, it was I think
>> Gary. Yes. Um, and then I received um her topics for the next the last two sessions and I put them on the website and I put a flyer up at the town hall and the post office. The library was an
open one. I went by at 3 today to put one in there. But, uh, she's going to go through a lot of good things and trying to find people that will see this to understand that they can go have this done or learn how to do this. That's the
hardest part really. >> Janette, would would Village Neighbors be able to send out a >> I have in the past. Um, okay. >> I just have really kind of been out of this um, >> yeah, >> this group. But when is the next one, uh, Rich?
>> Uh, March 25th at 12:30. >> Okay. Well, if you send me the flyer, I you know, sometimes I send out a little sporadic uh >> Okay. >> love note or two. So, I I can do that. >> Um, >> we we send out um town announces.
>> Uhhuh. >> Right. And I'm planning I don't know. Well, we've we really haven't had a sandwich sandwich board because it was under snow, but it's above book ground now. And so when I take out uh tomorrow's uh Nad's talk, I'm going to
put the tech talk in. >> Oh, okay. >> Couple of lines. >> Um speaking of this woman, Barbara, so she spent an extra hour. Um, do we want to reimburse her in some way or appreciate her in some way?
>> We don't we don't pay her. >> Yeah. >> Pay through broadband, >> right? >> Okay. Great. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Which is good. She's very good at what she's doing to because we all have our own individual things, our own
different equipment, devices, and she figures out, okay, this is what we do with this, and so on and so forth. And it's been very interesting. >> That's great. >> How many people went the last time? >> Four. Oh, weren't it? >> Yeah. >> Yes. Because um
>> Yeah. Gary and Jane and you and me. >> Yeah. Jane came up. Correct. Yeah. >> But you know, last whenever it was that she did the sessions for Martha, which I guess must have been in the 24 25,
she um she had five or six. And this is for learning how to use your smartphone which had better which had I mean I guess I don't know that it was well it was done in connection with a library
which means Maryanne publicized it also but Maryanne uses town announce and this workshop is on how to um your library on your phone and it gives
>> websites and things to listen to audio books and so on and so forth some free apps that you can use. >> So which I think it would be helpful if people want to do that but >> yes she talked about it as all the free
things you can do with in the library. >> Mhm. And unfortunately, I won't be there this month. >> I'll pop off some hot cocoa for you. >> Okay. So, that means it's my baby. >> Anybody else available to help with tech
talk? I don't know offh hand. What time of the day is it on? At >> It's a Wednesday, March 25th. >> Uhhuh. >> 12:30 to 2. >> Okay. I'm not committing, but if I uh if I can, I'll I'll I'll involve myself
since I've been missing an action for a while. >> Oh, thank you, Janette. That'd be great if you could. So, um, next we have these lock boxes. >> Um, well, we we talked about that. The grant hasn't been
>> the grant has not um, >> right? >> We haven't heard. >> Yeah, there's no no word on that, so we can just skip that. >> Um, old library. Mary Joe, do you have any updates with the reuse of the old
library? Yeah. So, um we're putting together a report that is going to be presented at the select board meeting next week. Um kind of condensed all of our work into a chart with three options
and the pros and cons of those options. Option one would be just do the minimum amount on the library building to make it usable meeting space. Um you know, kind of winterize it a little bit better and
make some repairs. Um, option two would be to turn the old library into a police office or a police station. And option three is to um
do a reorg of and renovation of the town hall. um moving the police department downstairs to the big open space where we do voting. Now the main the main people
that need different space are the it is the police department because um they're going to be going through certification at some point soon um and they don't have a separate booking space
which they feel that they need or um a secure place to put evidence like an evidence room. right now they have a closet that's getting more and more crowded and um has to be used for everything >> um and is not secure.
So, um we're hoping to be able to do something for them. Um that said, the second and third options are quite pricey. Um probably at or around $100,000 for either either one of those options.
And so the feeling is that um this really needs this this big spend potentially would need to come to town meeting for a decision. Um and if you want to learn more, you can attend the select board meeting which is
Tuesday at 5. Um yeah. >> Oh yeah, I saw that that that email go out about that. Yeah, I saw that too. And it seemed as though Select Board was encouraging the public to come and give opinions, which is nice. >> That's right. The the feeling is that
they do want to solicit public input. um perhaps more than they would just get from this one meeting, but at least this is um this is a start and a way for people to get acquainted with, >> you know, the complexities of the
decision. Mhm. >> The reason it's going to be potentially so expensive to work with town hall is that there's um there's lead and asbestous probably that would need to be abated and that can get really pricey
and you know every project is potentially pricey. Um right now we don't really know the difference between an office and a depart a station for the police. on this. If it was a station, it would be way more expensive. And there
are a lot of regulations that go along with building a police station versus just having an office for the police chief. Um, and we don't know the ins and outs of that yet. So, there's there's still more work to be done um in order
to make a decision, but given that town meeting is coming up and, you know, we we thought it would be appropriate to report out. So, that's where we're at. boy. Finances being what they are in small towns.
>> Yeah, I mean there might there might be grant money available. Um and you know there's always the possibility of fundraising if they want to do that. But yeah, it's pricey especially right
now. M >> so if the third option were followed it would not affect us in senior lounge would it? >> Um I think that the the primary way option three would affect senior lounge
is that the kitchen would get really quite a bit smaller. >> It would get smaller. >> Yeah. at least at least based on the plans that were drawn up um you know at this point. But
you know that's really those aren't firm plans right yet. >> That's challenging for us with a meal program. >> Yeah. >> And no other place to put it.
>> All children I guess we need to make sure that our views are made clear. >> The question with having a station over there or their offices, what about bathrooms? What kind of acceptable bathrooms do they have to have?
So, the conversation about bathrooms um took a fair amount of time. It seems like the most economical thing to do would be to connect up with the church's septic system, which is on the church actually doesn't
own any of that land. The church is on the town common. >> Town common is owned by the state. Mhm. >> Um, so anyway, we've we approached the church to ask if we could use their their septic system, their leech field,
and they're open to the possibility. Their usage is very minimal right now because >> um their well runs dry frequently. It's um not very deep. They don't have a good water source.
So, um the water would probably need to be brought across the road from town hall. Um at least right now, that looks like it would be the most economical situation. We don't know a whole lot about the well
for town hall. It was dug before they kept really good records of that. Um but, >> you know, we would assume that the usage probably wouldn't change all that much. Okay, Dad. I want to show you a little magic. >> Wow.
>> I think it's so so interesting that it's been enough to have the facilities that the people in the library have had to um contend with for decades. And suddenly there's money for a bathroom. I I find
it, you know, just a little bit questionable. People brought that up on um on Next Door before it even came up in our committee >> saying like the next thing they're going to want to do is put a bathroom there.
>> So yeah, I I don't know how this is going to play with um people in town. Mhm. >> And um I think that um yeah, on the other on the other hand,
if you if you look at the situation from a from a long-term planning perspective, um it might be worthwhile to figure out how to improve water and sanitation in
the neighborhood because right now we've you know, the library building and the old town hall that are really not usable for anything, just kind of sitting there. >> And it would be nice if
we could utilize space better. >> And the one thing that we did learn also is that the space in the town hall itself is not really efficiently utilized either.
So, um yeah, I I think one of the things that I suggested was that um they might want to eventually look at some sort of feasibility study and you can get money from the state for that. Um because I think whatever they do, it
would be great if they had really good public support. >> Mhm. >> And you know, given everything that the library has been through, um and the fact that not everybody's hurt feelings have mended even over
that. Um it would be nice to have a project that would kind of pull people together. Um, also it would be not I I don't know how our new police chief is going to feel about people voting down a proposal
that he's making, you know, just right outside the, you know, right out from the gate. Um, but it is an awful lot of money, too, >> you know, >> and so you kind of have to ask yourself, if we had a $100,000 that we could spend,
>> would we spend it on this, you know, >> especially when our taxes just went up so high? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. >> So, I I think that there's a lot to think about. I think a lot of
>> a lot of what went into the decision-making process was just determining how much money it was going to cost >> um potentially. And when we came up with those figures, we were all a little bit surprised, but we hadn't thought about as best as abatement.
>> And you know, there's a lot of regulations associated with building when you're a municipality. >> Exactly. Um, I mean Devin said, "Oh, you know, I I know people we the police could put in our own floor,
but then you know Susie Moser said quite knowledgeably as she is very knowledgeable. This is a municipal building. You can't >> Right. >> You can't just you can't just build it yourself, >> right? I mean, the library would have been quarter the price." >> Yes. Exactly.
>> How did how did Wendell do it then? Because Wendle pretty much built their own library. They had a bunch of volunteers go in and build stuff in their Wendle's library. >> Maybe they did it night time.
>> Yeah. I mean, >> maybe there were parts maybe there are parts of building that you can do on your own and parts that you can't. Well, their building was >> well, it wasn't new, but
um the tornado hit it and it got like knocked off the knocked off the um the foundation and then I don't know, a lot of citizens went in and built shelves
and did all this stuff on the inside to save Wendell money, but they do things Yeah, I think a lot of this hangs on on it being a police station, too. >> Oh, that might be a different one. >> You know what I mean? I mean, it has to be very secure. There there are all
sorts of regulations for police stations as opposed to police offices, >> right? >> And um that's that's actually where the where the big money potentially comes in. I think >> you know it might be I mean I'm guess
probably going to say this at select board if it somebody else doesn't say it maybe at this time we're thinking about a two-stage project something that would not be too expensive now but could improve the building and then later on when the financial situation improves
something looking for a grant to do something bigger. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean I that's I think why option one is there. Um I mean there should be some things done to the library. It um
we we did a walkthrough of the library at one point and it's it's literally open open to the air underneath. There's a window that's that is settled and um
you know creatures could come and go from there if they wanted to. Um it's not well insulated. Um it it it could it needs some things >> in order just to be efficiently heated
in the winter time. Um, >> so if they did if they they did those minimal things that they need and used it for meeting space, which they have to do in order for um us to retain the insurance on it, >> um that would be maybe a step one. And
then, you know, some of these other things could be looked into um you know, as future >> ideas with Yeah. figuring out what we could get money for. It sure would be nice to make the old
old town hall usable, too. >> Yeah. Um, one of the things, um, that I did see online is that if if you if you get a feasible, this is what a feasibility study would be for.
um to figure out, you know, how how all of the, you know, both of those buildings um could potentially be used and and what we could do to make the top of the hill there a little bit more of a vibrant place. I know Athal got some
money from the state to look at a project. A lot of these kinds of things have to be um what Rita called mixed use, which means either residential like both town use and residence use or town
use and commercial use. >> Um and you know that might be kind of interesting thing to explore at some point and figuring out what would what would work, what would be helpful. And you know
I Not for nothing, but I was thinking about village neighbors and I was thinking about medical stuff. Um, those seem to be well, village neighbors honestly seems to be one of the biggest things that we have going in terms of volunteer participation.
Um, and certainly, you know, you you kind of want to go with what people are excited about and volunteering for if you're if you're doing something like this. Um,
so I don't know. Um, it I like I said, I think it it remains to be seen what the select board will decide. >> I'll be curious to see. >> Yeah. >> And then there'll be town meeting.
>> Right. >> Is this the only thing on that agenda for that night? I think that there might be something else, but um Brennan did kind of clear the agenda to give this the most time.
>> Okay. >> So, my guess is it'll be the first thing because people will be showing up and they won't want to wait, you know, >> and we're talking Tuesday the 17th at 5. >> Yeah, let me double check that. >> Okay. >> But, um
so that is next Tuesday. Yep. That is next Tuesday 5 o'clock. >> Okay. >> Cemetery commission. But it doesn't start till 6:30 >> or 6. Oh, and and just in just to explain too,
I I would have spoken up for more kitchen space, but that that drawing happened while I was incapacitated, you know, hospitalized, etc., and we're not attending meetings. >> Were they kind of done by the time I
came back? Were they talking about like the whole kitchen being gone and making like >> They weren't talking about taking the whole kitchen, but they were talking about using some of the space >> and redoing the kitchen.
>> Oh, >> okay. >> Gee, it's really nice having Mary Joe on that committee for us. >> Yes. Before we move on from this, um, Susan, was there any update on the the food pantry?
Have you not heard any conversation on the food? >> Neither have I. I haven't either. >> Is that the one the church uh runs that's over in the library? Like where they collect? Well, they they they used to collect for orange
>> uh food pantry. Now the school has it >> the pantry in the school. >> They want to get rid they want it out of the school. >> And I don't know if you were you you might not have been around. Um they had asked us if we wanted if we could use our room for a food pantry
and Susan and I told her no. >> Yeah. She says, "Well, we can get we can get grocery shelves in there." >> Like like we just got the the senior lounge back. >> Yeah. >> You know, and now now you want a food pantry put in there. >> But it looks like there's still lots of
stuff in the post office every time I go in there. There's still a big box. >> Yeah. Yeah. They give to the school and the school gives it to people who sign up for it. >> Yeah. There's a lot of stuff at the school I've seen. Yeah.
But the school doesn't want it in the school anymore. >> Correct. Yeah. >> So, so I don't know what's going on with that, >> but she was talking about having uh the food pantry be be part of the conversation
with the old library, too. >> Did that did that get brought up at all in committee discussions? Mary Joe the the food pantry. >> No, it did not. >> Okay. >> Are we ready to move on?
>> Susan. >> Um, so the next is the meetings with the police and fire fire chiefs. I have not done anything with that. Um, I have been out straight with work and I keep I'm my worst enemy cuz I keep adding to my
schedule. Um, but I will definitely get before the next next month's meeting and we'll also know about the grant by then. Um, I will I will get together with um them to see when we can have a quick meeting and
have any ideas for safety for our residents, our elder residents. Um, but I will definitely put that on my schedule. Um, okay. The next is policy on
advocating. There was a policy um from last month that we we talked about on how to advocate for our our seniors um because all of a sudden we have all these people needing a little bit of
help. Um but we wanted to make sure that we had some kind of a policy um because >> we want to make sure that we're advocating for the right reasons. I
think so. That those were in the minutes from last month. >> Um I don't know if anybody that wasn't at the meeting had any questions about that. >> It seems like it's kind of a complicated issue. >> It is
>> um that many people feel have strong feelings about. I remember my hand. >> I'm not talking about the ones that we've advocated for. I'm talking about the policy that we had where I don't
know if you read the minutes. >> I did. Um I guess I was just looking at 7A >> the snow private Lake Viola roads. >> B driveway issues. >> No, this was just a policy. This was
we're not talking about that yet. Okay. We're just talking about the advocating for people um where they have to go to the um correct >> channels before we can get involved.
>> Before we can get involved in helping them. >> Yeah. >> Um there was um somebody that came to us about something that's coming up next. Um, and they hadn't even gone to talk to anybody to see if they could resolve it
before we got involved. And it kind of like threw it at us. And we're like, what do we do with this? >> You know, like, and it wasn't >> it wasn't even the person that was asking for it wasn't even the person that was being affected by it. So, we
wanted to make a policy stating that that people, it had to be you. You have to go through the proper channels before we decide as a board if we're going to get involved. >> Does that make more sense, Janette? >> Absolutely.
>> Not we're not talking detail. We're talking broad. >> Not talking detail, just broad. This is what this is follow >> if somebody comes to us and needs help. >> Perfect sense. >> Okay. So, we good on that?
>> Okay. Um, so the driveway issues I don't know if if we do do we need an update on that, Susan. >> Well, is that >> um I think one of the three requests on
they did not meet the criteria listed above and the driveway issue came under that heading. They hadn't there was no attempt to to contact people who might actually be responsible for making relevant
decisions >> and the person who came to us was not the person affected and the issue was just basically between neighbors. it it didn't have
wider ramifications. It affected more people >> and we thought we should not get involved in something between neighbors. >> Mhm. >> And I passed that information along and didn't get negative feedback.
Okay. So, does anybody have any questions about that? We we didn't do anything with it. We >> It wasn't our business to get involved with um they have a stop sign at the library. Um looking at at the driveway.
I don't think there's going to be a collision there in the next hundred years. >> No. And really and and then the other problem was the highway department across the street and I don't what are we going to do about it you know they have to figure out on their
own we can't really you know and it wasn't the resident wasn't even complaining about it so or to us anyway so we didn't do anything with it uh with the warming center um we had an issue come up when you were away Janette
Um >> I I followed some I did follow some of it. Um >> yeah. >> So we I I I we attended the um the EMT meeting and got clarification on the
warming centers >> and Susan relayed that back to the person that asked. I thought that fell under a very It was easy. It was easy enough. Mhm. >> Um we still we we still had questions
about cooling centers which I didn't we didn't get involved in to see what the cooling center policy is. Um we might want to look at that um further down the road because warming we all have heat but we all don't have air conditioning
and that's a whole different situation. So >> yeah and as as there's more more and more obvious obviously more issues of uh strong weather and and its effect on people it will have to be continuously spoken of I guess. Okay. Well, the
warming centers are fluid, like you know, I mean, we don't have an unhoused population. >> So, having a warming center for a few hours open, nobody goes, >> but if we lose our power, that's when they're needed. And that's what we
wanted to make sure that in the event that we lost our power, especially when it was what, 15 below zero with a windchill, >> right? Will those centers stay or remain open, you know, for for people and in fact that they would have stayed open
for that. >> But unfortunately, the initial description of the warming center did not say that. >> Right. >> Right. There the communication coming from the fire department wasn't as clear as it has been in the past.
Okay. So, >> um, and then the snow removal, >> right? I mean, a lot of this, some of this stuff has even come up to village neighbors, maybe. I feel like one of
these issues came up and then the snow plowing as a potential service or snow >> as a potential service. But, uh, aside from that, I'm just curious. So, are we writing the policy at this time and we'll just have to work on it? Uh,
updates on policy on requests for advocacy. Do we actually have the written policy yet or is this something we're suggesting we should be doing? >> You're asking about the policy, Janette, >> correct? >> We passed those items in the policy.
>> Okay. So unless those of you who weren't there object, I would say it's our accepted policy. >> Okay. So somehow I missed that one. I think I was invested in another one. Thank you. I'm done.
>> Or if you want to add to it, object or add. If there's something you want to add, feel free. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we could discuss it again at the next meeting if there were changes and desire. >> Yeah, I I think it's done. I just wasn't sure if the policy had been written or
not. I don't know how I missed it. It was in the minutes. I don't know how I missed it because I truly read the minutes. Um, okay. Let's move on to tea, please. >> Okay. Um, Valentine tea. How did that go, Rich? I don't know. I think we I
don't know how you got down here. You should have been up with the program, but that's okay. >> It went very well. Um, it was nice that Jessica got the ball rolling. Apparently, she's been trying for a couple of years and with the new
principal, it was Ann is a lot more aware of stuff and wants to do things with the community. Not that Jackie didn't, but I don't think that was in her DNA, but and did we we put it um it was well
attended by this the people the local people in town. Can't say only seniors but there was other people too. >> How many people about? >> Oh 20 maybe. >> Wow. >> Yeah. There was a lot of and they had
things for the students to do um like our ages if we were born in a certain time, what the things were that would interest you as a child growing up. and just having them go back and forth with all of us. There was craft things on
some tables. Like I said, there was games on other ones. Um, so and then there was they all brought something to the table, so there was plenty of things to drink, things to eat, and the kids had fun, and we did, too.
>> My son enjoyed himself. >> Yes. I'm sorry that that did I was supposed to add that to the agenda, Rich, and I apologize because >> either I sent you the wrong draft of the M minutes or I just forgot to add it.
>> The only thing you were going to do was send a thank you to the school, >> right? >> Right. Yeah. >> Oh. Are you doing are you doing that? >> I I I
can >> to the sixth graders or to the school itself. >> Does this I was thinking to the school itself. That way the principal will see it. She'll she'll be aware of it and tell Jessica and everything going down the line with the
kids how much fun it was and so on and so forth. >> I hope they do that again. That was really nice. We got a nice thank you from Jessica email. >> Oh, good. No. >> So, it would be great, Rich, if you would write that.
>> Okay. >> Any unanticipated business? Do we have any questions about the situation with regard to the roads? >> The roads meeting the Lake Biola roads. >> Yeah, >> the private roads.
>> I don't even know where they are with that. >> So, I I guess I can tell you. Well, um I I spoke with Rita um
I spoke with Rita earlier this week to just say um that the the final decision that got sent was essentially the same as the first decision. Um
and um I I wasn't really sure um how to proceed exactly, but Rita said that she would meet with me and talk about it. Um,
I don't think that any of the concerns that were addressed by the Council on Aging in our letter that we sent to the select board really got um got heard or addressed and I am a little
bit perplexed by it. Um, so the best that I could think of to do would be to talk to a select board member. Um, and and see what she has to say about it. I don't think that um, and this is a
little bit on the on the subject of advocacy, especially when it comes to this kind of thing. I think that the the process for communicating and decision making
um between between boards and committees is not very well defined. >> Um and I've been trying to puzzle it out and I haven't really very successfully done so.
Um, and it's in a way it's not a COA issue, but it seems to me as though there ought to be a way that people who have issues with the services that are being provided by the town that there ought to
be a way that they can come to someone and say, "This isn't working well." and then have their issue, you know, reviewed by some a a maybe a third party. Um
because right now, >> I don't know, it's like I said, I'm doing my best to try to communicate, but it doesn't seem like like
we're being heard very well. And I I don't know what to say other than I I'm confused by it. >> Can I just ask for clarity, Mary Joe? You're >> Sure. >> The COA is not being heard or the Lake
Wy association is not being heard or residents. Just to be clear, um, the COA wrote a letter to the select board requesting that the issue that was raised by Ronmech get put on their agenda. We
never got a response. >> Okay. >> Um, and the issues that we brought up that were of concern, as far as I know, never got discussed. I don't think that anybody on the select board really
understood what was going on. Um, and I I think that part of the issue has to do with the fact that when you send an email to three people who potentially would have to make a decision to put it on the agenda or not
>> and they can't discuss it outside of their meeting because of open meeting law, then no individual person is responsible to read and understand the email. And that's the only thing I can figure
happened. >> Well, that was pretty good puzzling. And And it is all very puzzling. Um, >> I've been very puzzled. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, it it was explained to me that and I don't even know who explained this, if
it was Susan or maybe my sister. I'm not sure. But if you email the board as a whole, they're unable to respond to you. But if you email one person,
then it's not it doesn't then they're able to respond to you. >> Oh, >> is what I got. >> Yeah. And >> so when when it when it's under their umbrella, that's where you get the open meeting violations within that open
umbrella. But if it's just one branch of the umbrella and you speak to them back and forth, that does not cover the whole umbrella. Does that make sense >> with the open meetings? >> Yes.
And I've actually I I don't want to I don't want to take up a whole lot of time in a way discussing the the the kind of weirdness that I've encountered. Um but but we had we had um a meeting with
Rita, a site visit, and a determination that was made without checking back with the group that met to to do the site visit. So everybody that left the site visit had an a different idea I think of the outcome of that site visit.
Um and Rita who asked for the site visit didn't attend the site visit. Um instead it was Melissa. And so when I when I went to try to discuss it with Rita again um Rita wasn't really familiar with the issue.
She hadn't been at the site visit. Um, and Melissa when she went, I don't think really I I'm not sure if if she should have been involved in a final decision, but the impression that I got
from her was that she saw the the road as a road, but the final decision described the road as a driveway. So, this is what I mean that like the the process of doing the site visit seemed to not result in any kind of um shared
conclusion. Let's just put it that way. >> Um and then a letter was written that didn't reflect what I saw, what Melissa saw. Um, and I don't know like who wrote the letter,
um, or how they decided to write it before there was any kind of decision-making process about what should be done. So, this is what I was going to bring up to Rita. >> It is bizarre.
>> The whole thing has been very confusing. All honestly, it does look like a driveway until you re you find that the road is supposed to extend beyond that because I always thought it was a driveway, you know. I I never knew it was a road.
Who knows those things, you know, unless you know >> more of the backstory, >> right? And then if you're if you're going to make the other issue then is that if you're going to say that that was a shared driveway, there are a lot
of roads around Lake Wyola that someone's house. >> So there would be by that criteria many many shared driveways that shouldn't be plowed or sanded. >> Right? >> So it it's a it's a complicated issue.
It takes time to it takes time to understand. It took me time to understand and um and it's complicated you know the whole process of getting people to talk and having people meet and then you know who actually when you
when you have this happen then who is supposed to be responsible for making a decision? Is it indeed the same person that made the first the decision in the first place which is the highway department? Um or is it um is it um Haley in
cooperation with the highway department? Do they con, you know, do they contact town council? Is the select board involved in making a decision once there it's this issue has been brought to their attention? You know, all of these are unanswered questions right now for
me. So, it's definitely been a learning experience and I hope I understand things better once we're done. >> I have a an added concern that this is not a new issue. There's a history and
the town has a policy and and it wasn't clear to me that that history and that policy existing policy were paid attention to. >> Right. And I think one of the major issues that Susan raised was, you know,
if if someone has agreed, if the town has agreed that they're going to plow, if a contractor has agreed that they're going to plow and then they just decide not to plow in the middle of the snowiest winter that we've had, >> um, you know, what what recourse is
there? And it's been really tough trying to figure out if if there is a recourse. So, nothing new on that other than you're waiting. >> Yeah, >> letter came and then now you're just
waiting to for clarification. >> I'm kind of inquiring. I I think I'm inquiring of Rita. Um, and you know, I I think what I may do is just present the letter that we wrote to her and ask
if there was a way that that our concerns could be addressed. It's really too bad that the LWA couldn't be on the side of the resident and and kind of help this along. I think if the LWA was
involved in a positive way for the resident, maybe it would have gone further. >> Mhm. >> But without them, you know, I I don't know. I think you're right.
>> Yeah. >> I I really honestly feel like like it it would have maybe gone a different way or at least found a way to meet in the middle somewhere. I don't know. >> Yeah. I I think it would be nice if
there were people on the LWA that were willing to engage more about road maintenance. And if if they were, we wouldn't be trying to trying to do it as the COA for
sure. >> Um but it's it's not a it's not really a unique situation. There are other roads that tend not to get plowed and sanded to the end um where older people live
and Ron just happens to be the one that started to complain about it. >> Um so so we'll definitely be hearing more about this uh after you talk. I'll I'll let you
know how the meeting with Rita goes. I'm She seems like a very clearheaded person. I'm hoping that um she has some suggestions. Do we have any unanticipated business or was that it?
>> I don't believe any other business. I don't think so either. Um, we need to set the date for the next meeting which will be um April 8th. Where the second 7th? April 7th.
>> That's the Wednesday. It's got to be It's Wednesday, right? >> April 7th is Tuesday, >> right? >> It's Wednesday. >> You know, I said the 8th and then I'm thinking Tuesday. So, I don't feel bad. I don't feel bad about the last meeting.
Figuring it was a week after that and >> never showed, but okay. >> It's been a long Yeah, we missed you. We missed you. >> The ETH. >> So, the ETH at 5:30. >> Yeah. >> And we can adjourn the meeting at 7:14
p.m. Um, I vote to end the meeting. >> I second. Mary Joe >> Johnson I >> make peace I >> Milinger I >> doctor I
>> triangle I >> thank you >> I'm sorry >> oh >> u Jessica what uh time did you say it was that we're adjourning >> 7:14 >> oh thank you >> I'll send you that flyer Jean uh Janette
Well, >> I'm gone. >> She's out. I'll send it anyway. >> Good idea. >> And you'll do you'll do the note or email or >> I'll do the thing with the school. Yep. Not a problem. >> That's Yeah.
And I'll see how I can manage with maybe Janette's help at tech talk. >> Yeah. and and please let um let um Simone know that we're adding the the the three notional fees
>> and I will submit this into the town town accountant tonight. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> That worked out very well, Jess. Very good. >> Yeah. I didn't want to put it in because I I wanted to add it if we could >> because being a small business owner, I know what it's like when someone calls
me >> Exactly. cancels me or I go there and their door's locked, >> which has happened to me once. >> So, >> yeah. Yeah, I think we have a I thought we had a responsibility this month.
>> Yes. >> Yeah, I think so, too. We don't want to lose her. >> No, we don't. >> So, saving us a lot of money. >> Yes, she is. >> All right, guys. >> All right, ladies. Have a nice night. >> You, too. Good seeing you guys. >> Yep.