Okay, sorry. Didn't get that started. Oh, there it is. Um, I'll share. This is a different sheet, Haley, than we usually I'm going to send this. >> Oh, yeah. Then we
>> So, this is It's not the spreadsheet you first sent me. This is just um the budget draft. >> Oh, I see a I see a I see a tab. Yes, but I that's a screenshot of the
alignment study. Um, share, share, share. Hopefully you can see this screen. If you could Can you see Can you see my mouse moving?
>> Yes. I I never know which screen pops up. It says one or two, but >> I'm not in there. >> No, no, you um >> we added you. >> Yeah, I know. I remember. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah, >> we can add you, Ellen, after. >> That's okay. Okay. All right. Yeah. Do we have Ellen's figure that we can add to this or because I want to make sure that doesn't get lost.
>> Well, I have a question though. It says treasurer some with collector. Oh, you mean some of the people? No, this is all shootspray. >> Right. >> He doesn't do any of my job and I don't do any of his. >> No, I think it's just noting that in in the for
that some >> a lot of them are >> Yeah. Treasures and collectors combined. >> Now my mouse has stopped. Give me one moment. Technology. Okay. All right. We'll go do this. Um >> Okay.
>> All right. Uh let's see. Yeah, these are the ones we did the last time. >> Yes. >> This was just a picture. Haley, this one. >> You can't actually interact with it. No, that's fine. Okay. So, our agreement, as I remember
last year, was >> rather than add the 20,000 plus to last year's budget, that we were going to spread it out over two years. >> Yes. >> Um, so we need to vote to uh
extend this for the FY27. And we also have to make a note that that Ellen's increase also has to be in included in this and I don't have that figure. >> I um let me hold on one moment. >> We might
>> hang on one second. Um Oops. I'm sorry guys. I forgot I'm sharing my screen here. >> Oh my god. >> Yeah, I know. Can you imagine trying to find the one you want? How do you find how do you find so many emails?
>> How do you find? >> It's a challenge. >> Um my work desktop is much neater. Hey, let me un stop sharing for a second so I get the right one up. I do have >> is that was frightening. >> I'm sorry.
>> Those are the ones I have to file. I put things on the desktop that I have to put in in file holders and I haven't had to do haven't been able to do that. Sit down and do that. >> That's going to take you forever. Oh my god. >> Um, >> that can be a problem though because I
did that and now I can't remember what file folder anything's in. >> Oh, mine always makes sense. It's like opening up. >> Well, mine did too, I thought. >> So, this one here is is the one we worked off of last year. Hold on one second.
Can share it. Uh, yeah, one screen one again. So, this is one we did last year, and I thought we had Ellen on here, >> but I guess we we just refined it. So, we can I'll make a note.
>> Yeah, that was we we upgraded that at the special town meeting in fall. >> Yes, this is still Haley's. Hold on one second. One thing I go back to me one more.
Okay, I I downloaded it. There we go. Open. Open. Here we go. So, this is the one. >> I really appreciate you having all this stuff, Melissa. >> Well, it's, you know, I went back to the
emails and found it. So, here's one. Here's the one we kind of started as a basis, which would have Ellen, where's my share button? Would had everybody doesn't have your current salary, Ellen? So, I do apologize. >> That's okay. No, I don't even know why.
you know, I I want to talk to you about just the hours. >> Right. >> Right. So, here's the one where we started the calculation and and um we had had everybody in there. >> This was everybody. This was the whole assessment, not just
>> I do not know how that happens. I'm so sorry about that, Ellen. >> It happens. >> Stuff happens. >> It happens all the time. But I mean, you are one of the longest employees this town has. I think I probably am the longest now.
>> Yes. So, you certainly deserved >> to be recognized. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, what are these numbers telling us? >> This is just this is last year's. I just want to make sure we noted Ellen on >> on it. Um,
>> what was her salary listed at for FY27? her. Ellen, what was it? >> I don't know. >> Scroll up. >> 27. I don't know what it was. >> 26. >> 26. >> No, I put 25. If we scroll up on the
positions, can we look at collector? >> So, the issue was that it had been input incorrectly. So, the number was not what you had. >> You're listed at 32 and I think No, it was 29 something. 2957
was your hourly >> for FY25. So that should get updated in this spreadsheet. >> Give me that number again, Haley. 29 >> um 2957. >> And then what we had raised it up to at
special town meeting was 3170. And that was where I stopped the math because I didn't I was kind of confused. about >> about what the next like the next phase would be.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, >> so we should go back to um to know how much each one of the people are going to get, we need to go back. >> Yes. But on
>> spreadsheet. Yeah. >> How Yeah. What was the salary? So, it was 20 3170 >> is the current Yeah. Yeah. Right now. >> Times how many hours are we? >> That's probably >> That's what I get paid for.
>> And you're doing We don't even know. >> I can tell you. >> I'm sure you we'll get to that in a minute. Yes. >> Yes. >> Let me get it. >> Would you like um So, I'm gonna >> So, that's
>> I'm going to grab this line for a second. See if I can >> add it to >> I've got 24726. >> What are you looking at? >> I just I What
uh the salary should have been at 15 hours. So I'm assuming Wait a minute. >> Hang on. >> That's I'm I'm oversimplifying that. >> No, you're not. I think you're on >> No, it isn't. is hourly time 15 time 52.
>> Okay, but that's but we didn't give the full increase. We gave everybody a half last year. >> Okay. >> So, what was that increase? >> I don't know. >> You mean are you just looking for the
difference from the FY25 to FY26? >> Thank you for that. find that sheet that we did so nicely or that George did for us so nicely. >> He's a godsend. >> Yeah,
>> I I do not speak spreadsheets. >> I can I can um if it gives me a moment to >> Yes. >> Hang on a second. Just give me a second. I'm trying to find that original one that we worked on.
I I'll attach >> You want to give me the two numbers? I'll just take half of the half of the difference and that should be what it came out to be. Assuming you did half and half >> you did was 29. What? Give me the numbers and I'll
just whip it through. >> Hang on. I was going to pop it in the sheet, but I >> I cannot find the one I sent originally to Haley that she snapshotted. for that thing. I >> think you sent that to me in September
if that helps you. >> Okay, perfect. Hold on. That helps. There we go. Thank you, Haley. >> All right, I'm going to download it before we start playing with it.
I can pop the collector in because I think I still have that copied. So, let's try that one more time. I'm gonna take the collector. We're going to make the space
editing. Oh my goodness. One second. I got sh all this down. X down one. Right. So, here we are. I'll share again. I popped you in there, Ellen, so we can go
and do the the math across after. Okay. You guys can see that now, right? Yeah. All right. Perfect. All right. So we want we wanted to determine um year two
>> right so the the raise that Ellen let me this is math isn't it so it's 29 I can I can do math >> 295 no math >> okay 3170 minus 29.57
equals was $2.13. So, so the the raise was $2.13. So, if we So, we gave half of that, which would be a dollar >> 107
>> times 15 * 15 * 52. So that would be 166140. So that needs to be added to that last column on the right. >> No, no, no. That's the full amount.
>> That's right. >> That's No, that's the full amount. >> This is the half amount right here. >> Yep. That's the half amount. So, I'm adding in the 3170 there. Yes. No. >> Yes. >> Pay rate plus cola. Oh, you got the cola
in there, too. So, >> that was last. Okay. >> Yeah, I know. No, it's just going to make >> You're not going to know all this money. >> So, if you added this 166140 That would bring the 10 30 the 10,000
up. >> Hang on a >> second. >> 10,000. >> Slap that in there. That's 11. So that's should be That's right. We did the cola on the current pay raise,
>> right? And then we added the 50% because remember all of our discussions are we give the alignments, we don't give the colas and so we end up back backwards. We we're never catching up. We're always right >> we're always behind. >> Yeah. And we're probably further behind now sadly.
>> Right. >> Okay. So it does do people agree does this look right? The 11,9880 is the amount that needs to be incre added to the FY27 budget.
>> So we wanted to do but we wanted um to Yes. But we also want to do out the the hourly rates. Um >> yes. >> So we also want to add >> um we also are going to want to add the cola again like we did last year. Yeah.
>> Okay. So, let's do it this way. Let's take this out. We're going to move it over. We need some space here. Oops. Okay. So, then this is their current rate here. So, let's do I'm going to get rid of
this for right now. >> Okay. >> Is this making sense to everybody as we're moving through this? This is for FY
27. And what was that? What was the rate there? >> 2.59. >> Thank you. All right. So, we're going to do this. We're going to take this this times That's 88 cents. So this is the cola,
just the cola for these positions. So that's we'll just add a sum to it so we know what it is. And then um we're going to take this plus this
and we're going to add that up all the way down. So, here's the new rates with the cola. I'll fix these after. And then we want to add that 50% again, right? >> Yeah. >> So, um let me find my column
32. >> This was the difference here. So equals first this / two
plus this only time algebra actually works in life. All right. >> It's handy though to have. use it all the time. >> Do you? >> No. >> One of my favorite subjects.
>> Yeah. >> I like chasing X's and Y's around the page. >> 27. >> Okay. Wait a minute. >> Oops. Sorry. Just give
50% cola. >> The only time you can't type is when people are watching. Okay. Exactly. Of course. I'm not Nobody's watching. Melissa, >> nobody's watching. >> Hourly. This is the hourly rate. So now we want to figure out how much it
actually is. So let me look at the formula. That's not we want to know that >> you have your hourly. Wouldn't it just be hourly times 52 times the number of hours? >> Yeah. I was just um seeing if I was smart enough to have put a um
>> a fancy a fancy spin on that and of course I did not. So >> yeah, I don't see a I don't even see a place where you can you know you don't have a column with hours because it would be easy just to do the multiplication by hour to you know column. >> Yeah, it is space by space by space
>> on the left it has the hours bar to the left. Yeah, I see. >> But that's with the >> uh >> and that's not that's not total. That's just that's just the number of per week and then >> Right. No, I know that. But I was
thinking that's but if that was in a separate column then you could just multiply multiply multiply. >> Yeah. >> But where it's there you really can't pick it up. >> I'll make this one hours. Hold on. >> Good. Good. Thank you. That'll lead into the discussion that we
can have with you, Ellen, when we're when we're done with this. >> No problem. >> I'm 15. >> Hang on one second. >> No. Yeah. Yeah. You have blank. >> You have collector star. Star. >> Yeah, there we go. I started a little
too high. >> I started in the blank line. So, 20 25. You said you're currently 15, Ellen. >> Yeah. >> Eight. Although the custodian is more now and that's right. >> Yeah.
>> Whoop. You lost a town clerk. >> We're gonna >> 20. >> Yeah. >> 15 >> treasure. Okay. >> Um the custodian's up to 12 hours a week now, right? Yes. I think I'm not going to guess. All right.
>> No, I I I know it's increased. I don't know how many hours. >> I don't I don't remember. Well, that's a question I have because on this salary study it says eight, >> but I found >> some other documentation that said 10.
So then I don't know if he's now working 12 14 hours. I mean, obviously I can ask, >> right? That's probably >> but it's in a couple different places. >> Um I think it was up to 10 there for a while. Um but now we should ask him.
Yeah. >> Is that is that when it got increased to cover the new library? >> Yeah, >> they added four hours. Yeah. >> So then it would >> it would be, right?
>> Added the four hours to eight or to 10. >> It's It's at le I think it's at least 12. >> Okay. >> With the library or without the library? >> They only wanted four hours, I think. Although Haley, you probably have more
information than I do on that. I try to stay. >> Yeah. >> I'm sure you guys are riveted with my skills here. >> Yes. >> Just do this. >> Yes. Just do a copy paste copy and the
one up above and it come out quicker. >> Wow. Very good. >> Okay. So, what are those those figures rec represent? >> So, this is week this is a week and I I wanted to get the year. So, we had the
annual >> and that's current and then there's the 50%. Let me see where did that number go. >> This is the 50% here. So we added this is year two. This is the cola. >> Yeah.
>> And then um I took this number. So that's the cola. And then I took the other half. See where it's blue on the 706? I asked it first to take that and divide it by two and then
to add the um rate with the cola. This is um with the cola. >> Get pretty fancy. Okay. >> Well, good for you. And so this is the rate plus the cola
the adjustment second adjustment for the second 50 second second 50% and the cola and then this is how much it is a week across um everybody and then this is how much annually. So
this is the the one we will want the um that will their their budget lines would be for their salary. >> So I'm not sure out of this where that the 50%
uh the like the 11,988 is that still an accurate figure? >> Yes, because these are divided by two. >> Okay. >> Right. So this these are the this is right divided by two here. Um so yes this this here is is an accurate number
>> because of the other 50%. >> When you get a chance you don't have to do it now. I would love a copy of this so I can bring this to the fin. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. I'll I'll I'll clean it up with the definitions. I'll make the title better a little more straightforward.
>> Does is this making sense to everybody? you're going to need to add um her the whole amount so that the column before the yellow column is updated too. >> So that would be taking
so that would be six 166140* 2. Yeah, >> thank you Veronica. And you said you're 15 total. Well, we did we did Ellen's a little differently. We didn't do it with we did
it with an amount at town meeting. So, the formula may not re be perfect for hers. >> We went to town meeting. >> It's the same amount as the full amount, >> right? Hers would be the full amount. >> Oh. because it was it was a vote at town
meeting. It didn't >> Yeah, it didn't go through this exact formula change. >> I see. Okay. >> Because this would have had her just a little bit higher for the full amount and then this would have been lower for
50% but she's at 3170 currently. >> Ellen, you did say 15 hours, right? I did hear. Yes, that's what I'm currently paid for. >> Perfect. I'm just going to add it here until until it's different. >> Yeah, >> I I've still I think the the per year if
increase was the full amount for Ellen should be 32 something, shouldn't it? Not the 16. Should be twice the 16, I think. I just like watching you do fancy stuff. >> Oh, that's mean.
>> No. >> Oops. >> Yeah, that. >> So, this here >> that should be 32 something or other. Uh this was just um this was just the raise amount for this wasn't this wasn't
the full year amount. This was just the raise amount. This was the 50% increase amount. We didn't we didn't uh >> Okay, now I'm confused. >> No, no, it's this number here. It's this
number here. Hold on. Oops. Yeah, the per year if the increase >> this number here that's off. So, um if I take this one away because it doesn't apply because it was a base amount. So, this one should equal this.
Let's give it another formula here. So, this equals this. time because we have the full amount times that times the 15 * 52
that still gives us that number. Ellen's may not fit in this because it was just it was just it wasn't done with this formula. It was um it was given as a as a a full amount. >> What's the 1661,
>> right? 40. Yeah. So, this this doesn't this wouldn't make sense. We could definitely have the amount that was given. Um I'm pointing at my screen like you guys can see this. All right. Um so, you can give the full amount given here and we can from the from what it was,
right? So, that that we can because it was also the cola was given and also the raise. I can go back and figure these out, make them make sense. It's going to take me a few minutes to back. >> That would be awesome. Thank you. don't want to watch that one, I'm sure.
>> But so we're trying to make a note to back I'll back some math up. >> So the 11,9880 is an accurate number. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So that's what we will be asking for in town and this year's budget.
>> Well, actually, no, it's not quite accurate. The only reason I'm asking or reason I'm saying is because that doesn't include the new cola that was based on last year's numbers. So the new cola, right? So we want to know what the new amount is. Hang on.
>> So would you just take 11988 and raise it 2.59%. I could I could do that >> with a note that that is with includes cola There you go. Right there.
>> What's the 31051? I don't get that one. >> That's the amount. That's two. That's 2.59% of >> Oh, I see. It's not much. >> No, it isn't. >> It's not. >> All right. Okay.
>> No, >> because it's only when I added it up over here. See the cola here? I should mark this how much it is. Um the cola here >> 2.59 >> right percent >> FY2.
>> That's how much on a on their salary that it is. It's it's only $5 extra an hour across the board. >> Oh god. >> Which, you know, I mean actually we can double check that number. So, equals
this time. No, that's not going to work. It works. Hold on. No, it doesn't work that way. I don't think it's meant to. Okay, forget it. Um, yeah. >> So, that's what we're looking at.
>> Okay, so the amount that we're looking at to recommend to the FINCOM would be 12 29931. Is that right? >> That's right. >> So, does everybody understand this process as much as possible?
>> Any questions are welcome. >> Oh, I think Tom Seaffort >> raised your hand. Go ahead. >> There you are. >> Thanks. Um, does that mean >> does that mean the 166140 for the
collector will be repeated in year two? >> Yes, it um Yes. To to follow in with the 50% >> Yeah. >> increase. >> Okay. So, I wondered why it couldn't have been called like a 3320
amount in the cell to the left of it. I wasn't sure if you were saying that was just a oneoff or if that was actually 50% of something. >> No, that was 50%. >> Okay, then it all makes sense. That was just the nagging. >> Okay. >> Detail that I have.
>> I have to I have to backtrack the the the math. I have to go back and reverse so we can fill. >> Thanks. I just wanted to make sure that was going to happen twice. I appreciate it. >> Bob, I nag a lot of people. part of the job.
>> Yes. Well, so do I hear a motion to approve the amount of 12,29931 um as an salary increase for one, two, three, what? Seven town employees.
uh including the accountant, assessor, clerk, assess, assistant town clerk, collector, custodian, town clerk, and treasurer. >> So moved. >> I hear a second. >> Second.
>> Okay. Any more discussion? I think we've got this. So let's have a vote. >> Brighgam I. >> Make peace. O'Neal. I >> RDOR I
>> Salvador I and Sty. >> Okay, I will clean this up and send it to Well, I'll send it to everybody, but I'll clean it up first. >> That would be great. >> Thank you so much, Melissa. >> You're welcome. >> Well, you're great with language. >> Well, math is a language, Melissa, as
you know. It is. It doesn't have the Oxford commas, though. We need that. >> Oh, there's still time. >> I know. >> So, as long as Ellen is here, why don't we go through we that there was a
request to review your hours. >> Yes. >> Okay. As you the comment was made earlier that I've been doing this a long time. In June, it'll be 51 years. >> My goodness. >> I started in 1975, which is long before some of you were born.
>> Well, yes. one was anyway. >> Yeah, I've been doing this for a long time. boy. >> Anyway, it was and when I retired from any other town was 09 and at that point, even though before that it was still considered 15 hours, but now it's 15
hours. And actually since uh January 4th of 25 well okay since in 2021 I have been maintaining a daily log of how many hours I'm working and basically what different things I'm doing not the usual
you know get a tax bill stamp it and all that stuff but other stuff but and I actually since January four the week of January 4th of 25 I have actually calculated how many hours I have really worked
And it came down to uh it came down to for a week 19.55 hours. It takes an awfully long time not only to do the regular work but to do things like stuff
the envelopes. You know my um commitment one of excise which is due this week had 1,700 bills in it. And I do this alone. So, you know, you have to be sure you match. You know, like April's husband
doesn't have the same last name. So, I try to put it together. It saves the town 70s something cents. And that is a very long process. >> Yeah. This this time it was even quirkier because uh for those people who
live on either West Pelum Helm Hill or Baker Road or Leonard Road and that used to have an Ammerst mailing address back last June the uh post office in Ammerst decided that they were now going we're all going to have Shootsbury mailing addresses. Well, there were a lot of
people like well over 20 that did not change their registration to reflect that new mailing address. So as a result, the bills were coming all coming out addressed to Ammerst. So I had to go through and put stickers on all of them to make sure they got to the right town
because otherwise they were going to come back and that would delay the people being able to get them and pay them. And so you know between things like that has made it a lot more complicated than it ever was before. And uh so as a result it is really it's
19.55 hours a week that I spend. Maybe not every week because some weeks I've got 20, I've got 25. I've even got one week then it was over 30. Once again, stuffing envelopes and doing all that. That really has to be done by somebody who you can't have a volunteer come in
and do it without knowing who's related to whom and who's married to whom and oh, this address doesn't look right. Let's check it and see what it is and all this kind of thing that you really have to do to get bills out and get them to the people as fast as possible. And that's my goal is just to make sure
everybody gets their bill when they should and not two weeks later because the post office has messed it up. So that's all I'm asking for is a raise in the number of hours. >> Ellen, >> yeah, >> we haven't met. I'm Annam. It's nice to meet you.
>> Um, I just have a couple questions for you. No problem. >> Am I understanding it correctly that you're saying that the 19 What was it? 19 >> 19.55 to be exact. That's the average. >> Yes. >> Did you average it? Okay. So,
>> uh I have two questions follow up on that one. Do you anticipate that pretty much being the average or 20 of 2026 or No, I was going to ask you. Or do you think it could be greater? >> I can't see how it's going to be any greater. >> Okay.
>> I really can't. And once you get into 20 hours, you get into a problem with benefits and all. >> That's right. Okay. I used to be a treasurer, so I know this kind of stuff. So, no. >> We don't want to get involved in that. >> And then the other question, and I think I know the answer, but I still want to
ask it. When you worked those hours over 15 hours, were you compensated for that? >> No. No. >> I only get paid for 15. >> Thank you. And uh a follow-up question. I don't know who it goes to. I ass Well, I'll ask it. I won't make any assumptions. Is there a way to
retroactively pay a town employee for No, Ellen even knows the answer. >> Well, as I say, I was a treasurer, >> okay, >> from for a good many years. So, no, there's no way. >> Okay. >> And they shouldn't be. I mean, it's not budgeted that way. And that's why I take it I took it all these years and now I'm
saying let's >> Yeah. >> review it. >> Okay. Thanks, Ellen. >> No problem. It's nice meeting you, Ann. >> Have you met everybody else yet? My I have I have a question >> like you have um the weeks that you have
to work 30, you know, like how how are you going to like try to figure that out? I >> once again it's an average, >> right? So I will just get paid for whatever number of hours and uh I just once I did again what I do is I just put
down the beginning num time I walk in then the time I end at the town hall then I put over on the side the times I work at home and then I just add them all up and that constitutes for that day and then I take the whole week that way
and this is a this as I said is over a year's worth of uh calculation to get this Right. >> So you would So you would So you're saying that you would get paid differently each week? I'm just trying to figure out how the Or would just be
the 20 hours a week, but you would keep track of >> Oh, yeah. No, I keep track of them. >> Yeah. Okay. >> But yeah. Well, it would be 19. It can't be 20 once again because you get benefit problems. >> So be 19 or less than that if you choose that. But you know, I have to get the work done, right?
>> That's what it comes down to. or I feel obligated to get the work done and get it done quickly. >> So Kathy, you've got your hand raised. >> Yeah. Um Ellen, hi. >> I lost Kathy. Hi. >> We have met, but it's been a while. >> Yes, I know we have several times.
>> Um I was just curious. So, are you paid for the 15 hours like as a salary? That's a steady. >> Okay. Not not an hourly rate. That >> No, no, it's not an hourly. It's 15 hours per you know what it said and it's
a it's a salary period. >> Okay. >> And I just work the extra because I have to work the extra to get the work done. >> Yeah. Okay. >> A question I also had. Is there any way to to take some of the workload that you currently have and and shift it maybe to
the administrative assistant? Is there any other >> Just a minute. I'm going to go until my husband picks up the phone. I'm going to >> Okay. Can't do a thing. I think he picked it up.
It's very annoying, but we've got phones all over the house. So, okay. So, the question was, I lost it again. Is there any way to give it to anyone else? >> That's right. not a volunteer but somebody who works in the town. >> Well, they would have to I would have to spend a lot of time training them about
all these nuances >> and you know the nuances of you know spouses the nuances of well this uh this person's now away so we have to change the address to Florida and all this kind of stuff. So no not really not without a
lot of and he's busy as it is. I mean the administrative assistant is very very busy. I mean, I know how busy he is. I just see him, you know, when all wearing all his hats. >> The only thing he does to bail me out is when he he goes to the post office to
get them get my collector's mail. So, I don't have to do it. But if he's not there, I do it. But, uh, that's the only that's a real help he is for me. Just just that little thing, which, you know, would take 10 minutes out of my day.
>> So, Kathy, do you have another question? Yeah, just I wanted to um suggest in my line of work, we had a similar I was in in an HR department and we had a similar situation with a lot of family members that worked there and we were always trying to do exactly what you do and
minimize postage and try to be more efficient in communicating and and uh we even got it down to a science where we knew nicknames and we would address letters to nicknames. Um, the reason I'm mentioning that is we um used our
employee roster to establish an Excel spreadsheet with all those little nuanced items in it because eventually you're going to be handing this over to somebody and that's a lot of that's a lot of institutional knowledge that will go with you if it's we don't capture it
somewhere. So, I was going to ask if that was something that maybe you've already been developing on your own. >> Yeah. Yeah, I have I have been developing it. I mean, among other things, uh I have I have what we call temporarily away. This is a list of
people where the bills have come back and it says temporarily away on it. That may mean they're in Florida. It may mean they're God knows where, but at least then and I the way I can get that taken care of, I have a a thing on my envelope. You may have noticed it. It
says return service requested. I do that because that's something that doesn't cost money. there's another one that cost you money and I said I'm not going to do that one. But so I delete that. I cross it out in black marker so that therefore the bill does get forwarded to
the person who I don't know where they are or I don't know if they're in Florida currently or on their way back home or what have you. I also have about 20 people who have run into problems either with postal delivery or what or this being away routine that after I get the bills out
especially the real estate I actually email them and tell them what the bill number is, what the amount is and what the due date is and uh you know they they very much appreciate it. I mean it takes me probably half a day to do I mean half an afternoon morning to do it.
But it's well worth it because that way I know that if they're, you know, on their way home or if they're god knows where or they're traveling, they will still get the information they need and then they can play it paid online. >> Yeah. So there So it sounds like there will be a cheat sheet of some sort.
>> Oh yeah, there's all kinds of cheat sheets. >> Oh yes, definitely all kinds of cheat sheets that I >> Is there a way to consolidate all of that into one? for well I mean I could always put the uh the
information of the of the email in the on the same sheet but I mean the people aren't the same and uh I much prefer to have two separate sheets actually >> okay >> because it's for given function it's easier to have one sheet rather than
having two sheets intermittent then having to worry about which one you're using for which >> right but but the the point of it is though the information is being captured and recorded somewhere which >> I'm Yes, definitely. >> Good. >> Oh, yeah. You have to. >> Yeah. Thank you.
>> Yeah. >> Well, then Ellen, this this what you're bringing up also makes me wonder, is this something that we need to look at for all town employees? You know, are >> I think it would be a good idea. >> Are we really out of line with the numbers that we have for everybody
for all of the >> My comment is it wouldn't surprise me. I know there I don't know what Leslie gets paid how many hours, but she's there a heck of a lot more than >> I mean I I see her on Thursdays. I see her on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, whenever.
>> And uh so I know she's one that probably is not I, as I said, I don't know how many hours she is somebody who records her hours, but I I'm sure she doesn't do all of them just from things she said. >> So with her, I definitely think so.
That could change though. Part of that is we haven't had the admin assessor. So I think that'll even out. But I I would agree with you. I I think there are other you want to confirm everybody's >> Oh yeah. No, definitely you should. >> So how would we go about
>> So are you >> Yeah. Are you asking for 19 because you don't want the 20? You can't you can't have 20 because once again it becomes a benefited position as I recall >> and that's not anything I want to get involved in. Plus the fact it would
probably muck things up with my pension. >> Yeah. >> Oh why not >> and I don't you know and I don't take you know I have my uh health insurance and all from my previous employer that who from whom I uh retired. >> Right. Right. >> So we don't have to worry about that. So
it makes a lot more sense to just get a 19 or if you feel 18 would be okay that's the 19 is more accurate. >> Okay. >> Is it 20 or 30 hours that uh is benefited? >> It's 20.
>> I think 20 >> 20. >> Okay. >> So can I make a motion that we increase Ellen's the collector's hours to 19 hours a week? and second. >> So, do I hear a roll call vote? And just
sort of as an aside, it's that will that's an addition 659360 according to my >> a year. >> A year. >> Okay. >> Okay. Brigham I make peace I
>> brere eye Salvador I >> and Stein eye >> and as a caveat to this I think that we need to >> you know look at >> you know the treasurer the collect you're the collector the >> I'm the collector
>> yeah the accountant yeah all of the above >> and just ask maybe for the next six months just to track their you know like like Ellen had and track their hours each time they're working. >> So, who just to push on that a little,
I'm always looking at Haley. It's like who would ask them to track their hours? Would that >> Well, I can definitely ask them. >> Yeah, >> I think it would be a lot simpler if during the summer after we're done with town meeting that we just met with all
the staff. Oh, >> invite them to a a meeting and just talk about or you could do like a couple like you could lump in accountant and treasurer because they're similar. >> Yeah, >> because then if you want to also touch base on people's job descriptions, why not just bundle it all together?
>> That's a very good idea. I love it. >> It really is. >> Yeah. >> And isn't Gail already at 20? >> Gail is Yeah, >> she is. Yes. >> Yeah, >> she is. Gail. >> Yeah. and >> the assessor clerk to answer your question um is 20 it's currently 25
hours >> I know >> based on our sheet that we were looking at just >> that's what I thought but even after we get a permanent uh >> official you know administrative assessor the 10 hours I'll tell you I
mean you just the the pe people don't come in necessarily Monday Tuesdays and Wednesdays like to get abatements and all that stuff They really don't. >> No. >> I mean, a lot of times I, you know, I hand out the forms and all because and I explain what they have to provide with it and how to get it back to the
assesses because I can't stand the idea of telling somebody, I'm sorry, you could have come back on Monday. >> Yeah. >> I mean, to me, that's, you know, a little bit of courtesy says you do that so they save them a trip. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's small town. I mean, you
know, we don't have a huge number of employees, but there's a lot of responsibility. >> And that's something a lot of people don't realize. They think we're all full-time. They really do. >> Yeah. >> And they get upset if we're not in.
>> That's right. >> Especially people who have moved from larger municipalities where there's always a v there's always a person behind the desk. So why don't we >> they should have been here in the old days when I had two two hours I had two
hours in the town clerk office on a on Tuesday night. That was it. Everything else happened out of my living room. >> When I started, it was one night a week, too. Yeah. Matter of fact, when I really started, there were no offices back in 75
>> and then they moved me into the old town hall. Oh, which >> which was scare. I'll tell you it was scary >> for the simple reason my office was they came in the door took a sharp right and there I was. So I didn't know who was
coming in. >> Yeah. >> And that was frightening. >> Yeah. There was >> even when I was younger it was frightening. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> But that's how it was then. Yeah. to to you know to sort of jumping off
from what you're bringing in Ellen and what Haley u recommended is why don't we plan like an a meeting with employees this the personnel board in July once town meeting with the beginning of the new fiscal year. >> Yeah.
>> Does that make sense? and and >> um >> great idea >> between now and then people can look at their current job descriptions and um and it's time to re-evaluate and again it's you know money is tight but that's
doesn't you know these are we've got a $7 million budget this is tiny amount and the town would not work you know without our town employees it's it's
And the amount of work that you do informally when people walk in. >> Yeah. I mean, if somebody wants I sell trash bags. >> Yeah. >> On Fridays if no because nobody else is there. I sell trash bags.
>> Thank Thank God for that. >> Well, yeah. A lot of pe Oh, you'd be surprised at people that need trash bags all the time. >> Okay. So, >> good enough. Thank you. >> We're done. Then I will sign off. >> We'll see you later, Ellie.
>> Yeah. Don't think about supper. >> You all have a good day. Be careful. Is it tomorrow night that or tomorrow afternoon? It could be bad weather. So, be careful. >> You too. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. Bye. Bye. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Bye.
>> Okay. Turn a light on. >> Okay. That happens. It gets dark. >> Okay. So, we've got that. We also have a request from the land use clerk, but do you have that letter handy
in I can find it? >> I do not. >> Was it an email to us? Hold on. >> I don't know. >> Okay, >> I need to find myself. Okay, he sent this December 26th
and if I could I don't know how to do the sharing but I can read the letter to people if you'd like. >> Go for it. >> Okay. So uh after several sales searches to find a re and retain a land use
clerk, I was appointed to the position September 24th, 24, 2024, which means that by the end of fiscal year 27, he would have been on the job for over two years. At the time I was hired, the pay range was quoted to me as
19 to 25 per hour. He was hired at 23.42 an hour and have remained at that pay rate ever since given the rate of inflation uh 3% or 6% um and factoring in his
growth in the job over that period he's asking for a pay raise uh for FY27 to 2577 a 10% raise. So he's currently getting
2342. So, >> um, and he, >> so he's currently getting what? >> He said 2342. >> But I would assume he would have gotten a raise the cola from last year.
>> Hope so. >> I know. >> I think all salary lines got it. what whoever did get an adjustment got the I remember seeing the the you know the math on the slide there. >> So if his well when his salary increases
by the 2.59 cola that gives us about $24.3 which is close to the cap of 25. >> Can you give me that number again? It goes up to um goes up to $24.3
an hour. Thank you. >> But if he was hired in FY24, he should have gotten the 3% from FY or FY26. >> Yeah. Um I wonder if maybe I can bring
up an old budget. Let me go to our website >> again. This brings up that that whole issue. We've got some, you know, we have highly skilled people working here and how to make sure everybody gets a a
living wage, but also to do it systematically. That's the other we can't just peacemail it. That's where I get um yeah, >> I agree, April.
>> It's I know it's really hard, but doing something systematically like the having that meeting in July would be really helpful. >> Okay. He did get a 3.32% >> land use clerk. One of the jobs >> that was the that was the cola last year's 3.32.
>> Yeah. What did you say? >> Get that. I was just going to ask, was was land use clerk one of the those jobs that we reviewed um against the the other um area
municipalities last year or the year before? >> No, it was not. >> I don't think so. I don't think I'm not sure if it's a position. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't think it's a one that's in the fog book >> across across many towns. I don't think there's a
>> Yeah. a version of that I think a special to Shootesbury or one of the towns is special to Shootsbury. >> So his letter said he was hired at what? >> 342. >> That's what he was hired at.
>> Yes. >> Uh on September 24th, 24. So that was fiscal year 25. >> How many hours does he work? Uh, that's a trick question. I don't
know >> now that that that we did we did do the land use clerk job description, >> right? >> Yeah. >> About that same time. Hang on one second. That we might be able to find one moment. >> But if he was fired at 2342
for FY25, >> he should have gotten the 3.3 for FY26. That sounds like that's the FY26 number maybe.
>> Except he was hired. He retired in FY25. >> So, >> so the land use clerk has 14 to 19 hours. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. It's a range.
So, he was hired in FY25, not 24. >> Yeah, it was Sep September uh 24th, 2024. So, that's FY25. >> Okay. >> So, for FY26, he should have gotten that 3.32%.
>> He did. Haley confirmed he got that. >> Well, let me look at I looked at FY I I was assuming he started in FY24, so I looked at FY25. Let me just quickly bring up FY26 budget. >> Okay. >> Oh yeah, that was FY26 was the 3.32.
>> It's hard to keep track of all this in our brains >> just late in the day. So yeah, his salary it did increase like on on the FY26 budget, the one that's posted on our website shows the salary
line increasing 3.32%. >> So what was that? So 2342. So >> is that is that the rate that he that >> the budget only shows you the full allotment like the full appointment
appropriation but we and that's listed as $17,034. >> So you could do backwards math. But then if he's working 14 to 19 hours a week, >> how do you how do you determine his salary?
>> Uh let's try this. Hold on one second. Do let me but divide it by 19. I'm sorry. Let's not divide it by 19. Let's divide it by 52. >> Yes. >> And then divide it by 19. That says 1724. That's not accurate.
So 17 is it was 17,034, right? >> Mhm. >> Divided by 52 divided by 14. So divided by 14 it comes out to be
23398 which So 2340. >> Okay. It's in the right ballpark. >> Yeah, that is. Yeah. >> And that was for FY26. >> Correct.
>> Go ahead. Really? >> And the year before. Is that >> uh Do you just want like the full salary from last year? >> Yeah, I'll divide it up. >> Okay. So, for FY25, he was budgeted at $16,487.
>> Okay. Give me a second. I'll do it on a 14 just so it's apples and apples 266 sorry 2264 ah that's for FY25 and what was he asking for in his letter how much did he want
>> 2577 7 and he's doing the 2340. >> Yeah, >> that's 23.2 $2.37 by 240 10. So if we take last year's number times
0 zero. >> So that's that's another 170340700 which is plus 17034 brings it to 1873740 for the line for the year on 14 hours. >> 14 hours at what rate? >> For what?
the 10% that he's ask he's asking for. So, uh the 10 say I was just doing the numbers out for the whole 10%. So, um it would 10% increase for the year is $1,73.40
which would bring the line item for the next budget to $1873740. >> And you're taking 10%. What about >> how about if he just got the cola? >> The current cola. Hold on one second. >> The new cola. Yeah,
>> that's the 243. >> Yeah, that's what she >> And I would just say process-wise, you know, I think Matteo does an excellent job. I think he's worth every penny. But um you know we did 50%
increases for other staff and I don't know I haven't been around long enough to know like what your process is when people ask for increases in pay you know just >> because this it is unusual to have this
>> yeah we're not usually asked or or at least we have rarely been asked other than through a contract which isn't really the personnel board it's the you know negot negotiation part. So, um it's a little unique
>> and sorry >> and once you do for one, everyone will know. >> That's right. >> Exactly. That's why I'm thinking if we get I mean if we explain that everybody's getting the cola, you know, and that will raise his and each year
that will raise it. He'll be at 25 in like two years, you know. Do you see see what I mean? and >> or that we need to study it like we did the other ones. Yeah. >> Yeah. And just a clarification question.
I'm still a little confused that that amount that he quoted as his starting salary didn't include the COLA that he got last year. Right. >> Right. He got the COLA last year. >> Right. So he got his whatever he said
his starting salary was plus 3.32%. So we don't >> he didn't actually give us the current rate that he's earning. Is that correct or am I missing something? >> Well, he's what in his letter he's
saying 2342 um >> what he was hired at, >> right? >> But he's making more than that now, right? Yes, he's making >> that's what it came out to though when
we took the 2016 budget and divided it. >> Yeah, it came out to 2340, >> right? Wait, the 2016 sorry. >> Yes, I think I need the present. The present >> you mean 2026.
>> 2026. Veronica, please tell me. >> Sorry. 2026. >> Okay, I'm really I gotta go because I'm just really like totally lost. Okay. >> Okay. No, 2026. I'm >> Got it. Thank you. >> I'm living in the past. Okay. So, so
just so let's get clear that for 20 FY25 when he was hired it was what what did we come up with a number for that? I've got numbers all over the place. >> 2264. >> Okay. 2264
FY 25. And then should have had for FY26 a 3.32%. >> Which would have been the 234, you know, two or >> 4342. Okay. >> And then hold on just one second, Tom.
We'll get it. >> One second. I know you're there. Hold on. Um, so FY and then for FY27 with it would be 243. Okay.
All right. Does that Okay. So, Tom, yes. What? You've got your hand up. >> Thanks. Yeah. And unfortunately, I have to run in five minutes, but um in FY25 before Matteo was hired in September,
there was a weird period of uh might even been no land clerk at a moment and whatnot. So, I don't know if the budget reflects um or how you factor in the July 1st to September period of that um budget. If
you're not parsing out when Matteo became, it could theoretically be possible he was hired at 2340 um in September of 24 >> and that budget line could have been something like that. Like it might not be divisible just by 12 months or 52
weeks and everything. >> Yeah. So >> um >> but I run I just wanted to point out that it was a funny for the filling of that position. Um so >> okay well thank you for adding that to
the that's the cherry on top. Thank you Tom. >> I'm gonna run. I have to go but have a great night everybody. >> All right stay warm. That was the um but that was the budget item. I you know the budget line and not necessarily what was
paid out. So >> that's right. >> True. So okay. >> Yeah. >> He said he was hired. So he said he was started in September, right? >> Of 24. >> So FY25. >> And that you said was a 17,000. No, wait
a minute. >> What did you say? starting rate was >> it said it was 2342 >> but it looks like the FY25 budget he earned 16,487 and I know Kathy you've got something to
add to this fund. Yeah, I was just wondering um I know how it goes when when you you know you increase wages for some folks and word gets around and everybody gets excited and oh maybe they'll look at my
my salary next. Um to Haley's point, this is a a position that is pretty significant based on the review of the job description we just did. He supports three different groups. Um, and does it pretty well, I think. So, would our
process normally just be Oh, and the the other thing I was going to say is he was hired with a with a range a potential range of 19 to $25 an hour. Has that range slid forward a little bit since he was hired? I know it's been only a couple of years or a year, a little over
a year, but you know, maybe that range given the economy has moved as well. Would we just take each individual request and and take a look like we did with the seven positions that we just increased last year and and are going to
increase this year and >> a reference point. You mean >> follow the same thing? >> Well, here's another thought. If we want um we will likely have a special town
meeting in the fall. So, cuz I'm just trying to think like we need to have budget articles in by the 25th. So, if we wanted to give ourselves some more time to look at this specific case, we could do that and then make changes at
the special town meeting just to buy ourselves a little bit more time unless people feel more strongly one way or the other about what to do next. >> Thank you, Haley. Um, I I'm I appreciate
the the letter and reaching out. Um, at the same time, I I I hesitate, you know, it's like the squeaky wheel thing. And I don't I don't mean that Matteo is not deserving, but other other town employees might not know that there's an option to reach out and request a pay
increase. So, from my perspective, and I'm really open to other ideas and changing changing my mind, but right now, I like the idea of holding a meeting after town meeting with employees, hearing about what they're saying about their the accuracy of their
job description and the amount of hours they work. And we can look at pay rates because Kathy, to your good point, if that pay rate is different from it was a couple years ago, who's to say everybody else's isn't as well? And then Haley, I really like your idea of possibly using
the special town meeting. So for me, I I stand on like the cola right now and then pursuing things in a couple months and again open to other ideas and changing my mind. I definitely think we should stick to the cola right now and
because as you say um we when you start nitpicking you know one person another per you know whatever it it that's that's why the other system works so well you know so I would say stick with
the cola and then you know listen to everybody after >> I I agree agree with what Ann said, you know, take our time. We took our time with the others. Take our time. Um, meet with people. I like the idea that Haley put out too. You know,
>> we haven't done that as a group. Met with um a lot of the employees and say, "Hey, let's look at job descriptions. Look at these, you know, these points of of information." So, I think that's a great idea. >> Yeah.
It's sort of taking it's taking a it's a step back because I I don't want us to be reactionary >> and we've got great employees. I mean that's that's so I think we need to look at it all
in a pile. Um also with with the understanding money is tight but but you know town employees are money well spent. >> Yeah. you know it's you're not this is not s you know it's not wasteful.
Okay. So shall we hear a motion? >> Um make a motion that uh uh what kind of motion do we want? I'd make a motion that we hold off on deciding on the land use clerk um wage
uh proposal until uh further down the line when we can look at a larger group of employees and go through the process of job description and meeting with them. Does that work? >> Yeah. >> So essentially what you're saying is is
you know is to give all employees the cola Y >> and that we'll take the responsibility this summer of really looking at all of the town employees pay rate not contracted that's separate they are
non-contracted. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. With the idea that this would be addressed at special town meetings. >> That sounded better. Thank you, April. >> That's okay. >> I'll second that.
Oh, all right. That was that was a hard one. Was a hard one. >> Yeah. Make peace. >> Oh, sorry. Make piece O'Neal eye. >> Rtor eye, Salvador. I >> and Stein eye.
>> Yeah, it's hard. I mean, this is not the kind of thing that we've had presented before, right? Um and and everybody, you know, not every speaking for myself, what you want to do is is be good and be nice and also acknowledge. I mean,
Matteo does a great job, but let's let's do it systemically systematically, not not reactionary because that would get crazy. >> Okay. All right, that was easy. Okay.
Then Haley brought up two things. The re request regarding changes to the administrative assistant and also I think there's a proposed bylaw change. >> Yes. >> So as long as we're on employees, what's
what are you what are you thinking for your admin assistant? >> I'm scheming up big things for him. you know, when you talk about, you know, again, good employees and how do you retain people, you have to sometimes invest in your workforce, right? So,
>> yeah, >> I um I did talk to the finance committee and had asked them to set aside >> $925 so that Brennan can attend um it's like a a crash course on municipal finance. It's actually one of the
segments that I took when I did the full SUFFK MMA program, but this is just focusing on finance. So, it's like I think five weeks um you meet with uh someone who's a professional, you know, treasurer um finance director from another community and they go through
all the basics of municipal finance and it was really helpful for me. So, and I was talking to him about, you know, what what would you like to see? You know, what are your goals? What are you trying to do? And I think that he and I came to the same understanding that a great place to start for him would be to
expand some of his financial duties, right? So maybe at some point down the line, I'm not saying this would happen this year, but maybe from admin to like office manager, >> you know, so that his position could do a little bit more of like the budget coordination, like you know, he could
send out the emails instead of me saying, you know, if you have budget requests, get them in, blah blah blah. Yes. Um, >> you know, helping to track the grants, helping to, you know, do a little procurement research, you know, if we're trying to get quotes for something, reaching out to contractors. So, all
those kind of things I think he would be very good at. Um, very much in his wheelhouse. It would help him grow, would help the town be better, would help me also. Um, so that's where I wanted to kind of go with that. And then, you know, I think if we were to do
that for him, then there would need to be an increase in his in his compensation to handle that extra um extra workload >> and a change in his job description. >> So, Haley, sorry. Is it sequential that first he would complete this course that
you were talking about? >> So, you would still have he'd still have to apply and get in. But I think even if he wasn't successful in that, >> even though someone would write him a great letter, um that those are still things that he could work on, there's a lot of other materials there are. You
know, I can put him in touch with people that I know that could really help guide him through that and of course I can train him on some things myself. So it would be kind of helping him, yeah, just kind of grow naturally and maybe with like a steady progression to at some point down the road more of like
a office manager. Okay, great. Thank you. I just didn't know if there was a dependency there, but it sounds like there is not. >> It sounds like so the initial request is is to get him trained and is would you
is part of your intent to have this position discussed, you know, when we look at everyone collectively. Is that that what you're thinking? Yeah, I think I think if we want to go that route, it's probably the easiest if we're just because again, we can have
this stuff happening over the summer like meeting with department and getting ready for special town meeting. But I kind of just wanted to like break the ice on it. Um because I'd really only talked to him about it. So get what your see what you guys thought about that.
But I think that with some training and some coaching, he could very easily move into this type of role. you. He's already got his hands in payroll processing. He's already, you know, he takes the first cut at all the bills, making sure they get into the right
account, working really closely with Gail when issues come up. So, >> so >> I'm good with that. So what is what so the request right now or is just you know that to approve the
9 the what 925 that's tentatively in the budget right now for his >> and I think based on what we've talked about today I'd like to come back to you with an expanded job description um and try to get
yeah and incorporate that into the meeting this summer where we talk about maybe increasing um compensation for employees. This will be fun. >> Yeah. So, it sounds like the the thing to for
us to vote on now is the recommendation that uh we spend the town spends 925 uh to send our administrative assistant to what what is the name of the course? Um, so it's offered through the Mass
Municipal Association and Suffach University. >> Okay. >> And it's all about municipal finance. Um, I worked with I forget, she worked on some Southshore town, the woman who taught my class when I took it, you
know, and she'll go over what are the ins and outs of finance, what is each person supposed to be doing. She had some really helpful templates for grant writing, um, for, you know, budget tracking. So, it was really, you know, and you're you get to do it with other
people, so you have your own little cohort, too, which I think would be great for him to network like that. >> You're using that network now, aren't you? >> Yeah. >> Yes. No, I I've I've noticed that that you've got a network and can't do this
alone. So, it sounds like for us, uh, we're we're sort of rubber stamping, um, or recommending or following up with a recommendation, but it's already in existence. >> Um, the the 925
for a municipal uh, >> finance course. >> Yeah. So, this is kind of like the phase one is the getting the course approved, getting a job description updated, and then go from there.
>> Yay. >> All right. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second that. >> All right. >> Brigham I, >> make peace O'Neal I, >> Rtory, Salvador I,
>> and Steini. >> Thanks, Haley. be interesting to see where this goes. >> Yeah, >> I know. I'm I I can't wait. >> I know. >> Um, sorry, before we continue, can I just get a quick time check?
>> Oh, I've been uh transitioned from my workday. So, I just wonder when we're going to wrap up. >> It's 6 It's 6:30. So, we have one more one more piece of the agenda is a a bylaw change to the personnel board bylaw. bylaw change to the personnel
bylaw by law bylaw bylaw. >> All right. So I have three suggestions. Um the first one would be for under section five where it says talks about employee employment practices. I would recommend that we put something in there
about remote work or working from home just so that I think a that's going to bring us in line with what the current trends are. >> Um you know that's a shift we've already seen and then it kind of helps us too so that like if somebody does come with that request or if we're looking at
candidates who want that you would have a policy to fall back on. Um you know something really simple. It could honestly be as simple as you have to have, you know, administrative authority. You know, you have to go to your direct supervisor or the TA or the
select board just to codify it. That's my first one. My second one would be for section 3.12 for um bereavement leave. This per this one I I lost a friend of mine a couple
years ago and like a couple days just did not do it. So I would say that instead of it being just limited to your immediate family, I would encourage us to be a little bit more inclusive, you know, a loved one, something like that, and just have it be that three days for
for anything, you know, because if you think about too, like going to the service, you know, going to the funeral, that's at least two days right there. Plus, you you probably want some time to to think. Um and then my last one would
just to be so for section 5 5.1.4 um to allow um the hiring authority to extend their review period for employees for an additional 30 to 90 days if needed. And that just kind of covers you like if we
hire someone and you know six months passed and we're still not really sure maybe they're not missing they're missing milestones um having the ability to keep them in that period will certainly help us if in worst case scenario there have to be a termination.
>> So this is something we don't have to decide today. Um, and again, this might be something to to add on to the special time meeting. I'm not or may maybe there's enough time to get this on a warrant for this town meeting
>> if we met >> we solidified. >> Um, we need all the articles in by March 25th. So, maybe we could do it, but maybe not. But those are the things that um I think would be helpful. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Well, maybe well we could we do have a Thursday meeting coming up in a couple of weeks. I think we should hold still have that meeting. Um >> okay. >> And if if we have a time, you know, just just sort of to review the changes. The bylaws are ancient. They were written in
the 90s, I think. >> Um >> I think overall look at the whole thing suggestions. Yes. Yes, maybe maybe we should just give it a a kind of a a glance and then if it's something we want to do a little more overall, maybe
we do think about the September, but we could ponder ponder it for the >> this year. I don't know. That's just a thought since it's been so long since it's been looked at. April. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, Haley. It already went out of my head. What's the second one?
>> Um, the second one was for bereavement leave. So basically instead of saying only immediate families expand that. >> I mean I'm also wondering I I mean I' I'm supportive of all of them. >> Um but for the first one if I'm understanding correctly that that's an
addition right Haley it's not a change to anything. I wonder how folks on this committee would feel about going ahead and moving forward with that one because to Haley's point that is really timely this idea of remote work >> and we wouldn't be revising something.
it would be >> and so so I would just see how you want to know how people feel about moving ahead with that one if Haley could draft up the specific language. Would that be the next step? >> Yeah. Why do we have the next meeting and at least maybe do that first and
then the overall for the next >> meeting uh town meeting special town meeting where we have more time? I could I could be get behind that. Ann, that sounds like a good idea. >> I think that's a good idea too. And Kathy, you you're raising your hand. Yeah, I feel like I'm having a seizure
here. I was just gonna say um because every time I went to say something, somebody else said it more eloquently. Um but yeah, if Haley had an idea of the language that would cover each of those items, um whether we're going to agree to add the first one
right away or wait, you know, for the others, at least at our next meeting, we could have a more thorough discussion about all three. >> Right. >> I agree. All right. Deal. Okay. >> And Haley, if you get that like drafted
up and you send it out beforehand, >> that would be great. Then we could look at it and have time to process. >> Okay, I can do that. >> Okay. So, do we have time to just look
at the the agenda the minutes from I think it was the 15th of January? I don't I don't have them e easily put up. >> I can't um I don't >> I believe you sent them to us, right,
Kathy? >> Or someone sent them to us. >> I did. Yes, >> I I corrected the the next meeting date and then promptly didn't put it in my calendar and missed the next meeting. >> Yeah, I missed. >> Awesome. I know. That was one of those.
>> Yes, >> we we had a lovely conversation, three of us. >> Sometimes I'm trying to find the minutes. >> Let's see. Uh where are they? I found them. >> Okay, good. >> I'll show them.
>> All right. Yeah, we got a lot done today. >> We did. Oops. Let's try that again. >> We're getting hungry. >> I have company waiting for me. I can hear them all having fun. >> Ah,
yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Did anyone have any edits or anything? >> I did not. >> I did not either. So, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes from se January 15, 2026?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> We'll third it. Okay. >> So, Ann, you go first. >> Uh, I abstain because I wasn't here. So, bring >> Okay. So then maybe O'Neal I >> I Salvador I
>> and Stein I. >> Good job everybody. >> Yeah, >> good job is right. So the next meeting is the third Thursday of >> March. I'm putting down my calendar now. >> Yeah, I've got it somewhere.
>> It is the 19th. I guessed right and I wrote it down. >> All right. All right. We'll see you all then. >> Sounds great. Yeah. >> Thanks everybody. >> Bye everyone. >> Thank you. You guys rock. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Good team.