Hey. >> Hi. How are you? >> I'm good. How are you doing? >> Good. You having a good summer? >> Yeah, it's been nice. I like I don't mind torrential rain. I was It was fun
to watch yesterday, but Yeah. >> So fun to drive in. >> Yeah, I know. I left my house last night and it was pouring here and I had to go to uh Hadley and I was like, am I going to make it down the hill as soon as I turned out on my road? Beautiful sky.
Like, so it's it's really strange cuz it's like very spotty when this happens, you know? >> For sure. >> My um my trainer I work out like right at the corner of it's like Southeast Street in
Route Nine. It's where um uh like the Florence Bank is and um what's the name of that liquor store? Um it's right uh God, I can't believe I I
can picture it. Um Spirit House. Do you know where Spirit House is? >> Like right on Route N. Yeah. So he was saying on Tuesday they heard this big bang and the transformer at that intersection exploded. >> Oh. Oh, that's crazy. >> I know. And he said they were like they
he he was like he had a couple clients and they all went to the front door and apparently there were like live wires and sparks everywhere. I was like, "Wow, glad I wasn't at that intersection." >> No. Imagine. >> Yeah. I like um there's a restaurant
right by there called Chef Laos. They're really good. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. It's like a real deal like Chinese place. And on Wednesdays they have like a special on barbecued pork. >> Oh, >> very good. >> That's good to know because there's I mean I it's funny. I was just talking to
someone about this like bad Chinese food is really bad. Like bad pizza you can sort of be like okay whatever. So I'm very like I don't like to try a new Chinese place unless somebody recommends it. >> Oh Ammer has the best. If you've also never been to Lauchon
>> I have been there. >> Okay good. Yeah that's I love them. Yeah. >> Phenomenal. >> I know. I think of them in the winter, too, because I love the soup and >> um if you eat there, it just feels so nice and cozy in the winter. Yeah.
>> I think Oh, and did you ever try Leel's? >> Which one? >> Lely. It's down like where are the toy boxes? >> Yeah. I haven't I've gone there twice and I haven't been able to get in. >> You know, you could definitely try them. >> This big. Um >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They do their own handpulled
noodles. >> Wicked good. >> Do they have takeout or is it only? >> Um I've only ever ate in, but I don't see why they wouldn't. >> Yeah. I mean, I just know cuz it's very small and very popular. I mean, one of the nights I went there, too, it was
like a Tuesday or something. It wasn't even, you know, >> that's a good sign for them. >> I know. It's great. Yeah. >> But not for you if you want to try, >> right? No, that's good, though. I'm glad you reminded me of that. I have to try them again. Where are people?
>> Don't know. I know Melissa said she was coming from work, so she would be a little late. And the other ones, I'm not sure. >> It's um It's not like Kathy and Veronica are usually on time.
I'm going to Oh, here's every everybody saw your agenda and they were like, I'm not coming because I don't want to be nominated. >> But then when you're not here, that's when you get nominated. >> So, >> good point. >> Got to show up.
Oh, so I'm here. I'm here. Was I gonna be one of those not showing up? >> No. >> Sorry. I don't know why I had it in my head it was going to be at 5:30 tonight. >> Uh, well, I think that's what we used
to. I think I was just like five o'clock or some I don't know. >> No, we've ch we changed it to five because I have a hard stop at six now on Thursdays. But we've gone back and forth because Melissa would prefer to start at 5:30 and >> so >> yeah,
>> I can understand why you're wondering what time it's at because we've talked about both. We used to start at 5:30, I think. >> Yeah, I think we've gone back and forth >> or 6. We we started at 6 at some point
>> years ago for me. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And sometimes those meetings went almost two hours and I was like, I gotta go. I gotta eat my dinner. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's too long. That's way too long. >> Yeah. I'm looking at my notes from our
last meeting and we had said 5:30 at first and I've got a line through it and it and five o'clock right above it. So, >> oh well, we're here. >> It happened. >> It does. Should we ping Veronica?
Did she >> I >> think so. >> Did she respond to your She responded to something? >> I think she did when Haley said she was going to throw something on the calendar for today. I think she did. Let me see.
Um I've been hacked. So, if you guys get a party invitation from me, >> as much as I would love to invite you all to a party, I've just invited my >> I've invited my entire contact list to a
party that I'm not having. >> Oh, no. >> That's the worst because that's like that's one that people might actually open. Well, I got it from somebody this morning and I really I thought it was legitimate, >> but I couldn't open it. But apparently
whatever I did opened me up, opened my contacts up to getting the same invitation. So, I've been slammed >> with questions. H, what a mess. What a mess. >> It is a mess.
Um, so should I should I email Veronica? >> I'm just >> Or one of you is doing it. >> I just sent one. >> Okay. I was gonna say get like three emails. >> How are you, Melissa? >> Good. How are you? Sorry I'm late
logging in. The traffic Well, I can't say the traffic was bad. It was just slow. low from from Hoyoke today, >> but not too bad otherwise. How's everybody else doing other than being hacked?
>> Other than that, good. >> Good. >> I'm good. >> I started um to work on minutes today. I got the AI summary from Calvin, but he told me to reach out to April to get the
meeting recording. >> Oh, that's possible because I I don't know like I'm using my town account right now. I don't not sure which account she was using. >> Oh, >> it would have had been assigned one by Gabe. Yeah, he would have assigned her a
or the personnel board a sign on and I believe the recordings are re saved under that sign on I believe. >> Oh, okay. Well, you'll get minutes as soon as I can attach that link.
>> That's fine. >> We were always pretty good in here having our minutes ready in on time for for most things, you know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There's some prior years that I think were not as um organized.
>> Yeah. >> Well, I'm I wanted to double check against So, it looks like we have a we're a committee of five and three of us are here. So theoretically, we can still go ahead with the meeting if folks want to.
>> Sure. >> Yeah, I'm for starting. That's okay. >> Well, especially since you have a hard stop and so >> Okay. Um, so I'll call us to order at 509. And I got practiced with this with the
select board earlier. here. So, um are there any um any motions for a a chair personnel board? >> How do how do we create a motion? We just say I
>> I >> propose Kathy for sure. >> I'll second that if she would like it. >> If she would like Yeah. I don't know you guys. >> A second.
>> I can do the minutes, but I don't know if I have the bandwidth or the time to be chair. Um, but >> we could do we could do something. >> She's not here. >> She's not.
>> Um, >> well, what about a co-chair? >> Well, that's what I was thinking. We could do co-chairs just because you could divide and conquer. >> Well, maybe could we maybe this will help with um
for any of us, but for Kathy in particular thinking about this, what what are the the responsibilities of the chair? >> So, typically the um agenda setting, agenda like meeting posting um is typically done by the
chair. Um, you know, those are probably the biggest like monthly polls you would get. Um, but for example, if like, you know, there was this we had to reschedule a meeting, the chair would email each of the different members of the committee, you know, what are your
availabilities? Um, for this particular one, I don't I don't think it's too labor intensive, you know, and certainly part of agenda setting can be like checking like I can check in with the chair or co-chairs and say, you know, this is what I've got on
my radar and what do you have on your radar, assembling um, and just kind of making trying to make like a long-term plan. So, if we cover this this month, what are we going to look ahead to next month? Does that does that sound about right for people who've been on the committee
longer than me? >> I think so. I think the only other um piece is if the select board was to do an all boards meeting, that person would would be the one that would definitely come out of the group. Um but
that's and we only do that once a year and it's really to report to well Haley we haven't done it um last couple years but we usually do it um every year and just have um you know the committees come to the to a select board meeting and just kind of you know share what
they're working on share what their priorities are for the year. So that would be u I think one of the other things. Um >> but I think you covered everything else. I would I would have volunteer, but I always already do this select board
chair. >> Um I'm hesitating because I I I'm I'm doing a lot of political activist work lately >> and a lot of my time is spent with those
groups. Um, so I just don't think I'm in a position to take on not this year for sure. >> So what do we do if
if nobody interested in being chair? Do we need to add another person to the group? We need a finance committee representative anyway, right? Could that >> that we have um she did she accepted the invite for today but I I haven't seen
her um pop up on my screen >> um Meredith >> but we just had the first new finance meeting of the fiscal year >> a couple weeks ago might be why um and then there is one vacancy but I don't think we can meet unless we
have the chair So, we could do this. Um, we could at the beginning of each meeting assign or have a person become chair until say we have all five of us
meeting and then we could discuss the more permanent chair. Um, we've done that in a couple of committees where there was no one that was able to. Um, we've done it that way. Um,
so for the meeting to open a meeting and to or we could someone could just do the role until we have the first meeting with five. Does that make sense? Does is that >> we've done that? >> So acting like all of >> Yeah. temporary chair. Right. Right.
Right. To a temporary chair, I guess you'd call it. >> Um, so there's there is that that option. Um, and if it was a temporary one until we all five could meet, I I guess I could volunteer to do that until we were
all five and you know, Veronica and you said her name was Meredith. >> Yep. Um, where we all five could discuss the the more um, you know, if the other two would like to do a role of that nature.
>> I like that idea. That works. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you, Melissa. You're welcome. >> Um, so I guess we would need a motion and a vote. >> Yep. >> But just put temporary chair in there.
>> Okay. I move that Melissa function as temporary chair until the full committee meets and we can vote on a new chair. >> Second. >> Okay. So then, um, of course Kaylee
would call for us to vote. Yeah. On that. >> Okay. Go vote on that. >> Okay. >> Order right now. >> Brigham I >> um I >> Salvador I
perfect. So then the next topic is um did we want a do we want a vice chair? a vice chair. >> Well, the only >> looking at how hard it is for us to find a chair, I don't know. >> Well, we could wait until we could again
we could we could we could punt that to the next, you know, when we're all five or six because Haley's part of us, too. All six of us are present. >> Um, >> yeah. >> So, shall we >> Haley, that'll be on the next agenda. >> Okay. I guess the good news is the
agenda doesn't have to change much for the next meeting, right? >> Sure. No. Um and then the um selection of a secretary. >> What' you say? >> Oh, my husband says he'll volunteer. Um
so the uh uh secretary, which I believe um is the minutes, right, Kath? >> Yep. And I'll continue to do that. I I'm okay with continuing to do that. Thanks, Kathy.
>> Sure. >> Do I hear a motion to >> um do I hear a motion? >> Yes. I move that Kathy be secretary. >> I'll second that. All in favor?
>> Brighgam. >> Make O'Neil I. >> Do I vote for myself? Salvador. >> In this case, you can >> um Okay. So, the next uh I think an easier topic to discuss is review summer employee
engagement plan. >> Yeah. And I it was Ann, you and Veronica were the ones who wanted to do the interviews, right? Okay. Y make sure because I'll send those out to staff next week and get some things scheduled.
Um, maybe I'll send you both a a poll so I can kind of find out what we're what your schedules are like. >> Okay. >> It is. I mean, I think Kathy, it was going to be you and me that did the meetings with >> Was it that >> right
>> staff? Do you remember that? >> Yeah. Um, >> okay. >> But I think on the 7th of July, wasn't Wasn't there a meeting on the 7th of July that >> Yeah. Veronica and I went to that meeting? >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah, but you and I were going to do the individual maybe.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, are there days or times that work better for the two of you? >> I'm fairly flexible. Um, but I would say because we have a new puppy. Um,
>> and my husband is a big golfer. If you could avoid Monday and Wednesday afternoons. >> Okay. Um, Haley, we're talking about business hours, right? Yeah. >> Okay. Uh, Fridays are the best for me.
>> Um, and I would say if it's Tuesday or Thursday in the afternoon, no, Monday morning for me. >> Okay. >> Wednesday morning could be okay. It's
I'm sorry. It's like kind of depends on the week, you know, but Fridays are generally speaking good. >> I don't know if they are for you. >> They're good for me. So, yeah, they're good for me, too. So, maybe just look at the Fridays for now. >> Fridays. Perfect. >> And how are Tuesday or Thursday afternoons for you, Kathy?
>> Fine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Either one. >> Yeah, that would that would that might be easiest for me, too. Easier than getting out in the morning. >> Yeah, that makes sense. And I think for some of them like we could pro we could
possibly do Zoom. Like I know Devin isn't isn't typically in the office on Fridays but I think he could flex his hours to >> Okay, >> I'll speak for him. He's not here. >> I'm sure he could do that. >> Um Okay, perfect. Um and then so I one
thing we can tie into um these meetings is I >> well you know Ann because you were at the um the staff meeting so I had talked about doing like a survey for our staff about like succession planning and like you know where does all the knowledge in your head live and who could we train
you know if you weren't here you won the lottery. Um, so I've already gotten a couple survey results back from people um, from the collector, from the assessor, the treasurer, and the the librarian. And the the good news is no
one plans on leaving. I'm really happy to hear that. That's great. Um, and I think everything else is fairly like um, well, it was interesting actually. Oh, and the highway super. I got his. Um, it was interesting to hear people kind of break down their jobs and like one of
the things I'd ask or like what are the top five things that like only you know or that are like really pivotal to your job and just kind of hearing how people picked out different answers of like oh it's this annual test or it's really just like inspecting the roads and like have you know and hearing people talk
about well you know the demands of the job are such and there's not really enough hours or you know like in the highway supers case if you have to be out doing roads you don't have the time to do paperwork. So, like how are you how are staff kind of navigating that? So, there's some good info. Um I think
for the most part everything is like on a local computer or paper and so definitely want to have them write out some operating procedures that we can kind of keep in one location. Wow.
>> What was the general consensus from the employees about this process this this uh work? >> They didn't really I don't know. There wasn't like a huge I think that everyone understands it. There wasn't like um there wasn't as much discussion on it as
I thought there might be. Um, other than that, I think there is a recognition that yeah, things aren't always written down and it's hard to do in the like while you're working to also be like, well, I got to document how I'm doing this process, >> right? >> But for, you know, for folks like Ellen,
you know, she's been doing this role a long time and like or actually Ryan is a really good example. there are certain things that like only he can do as treasure and like if we didn't know what they were like there are some of his list items and I don't have it in front of me but I was like oh I didn't know
that was a thing but like now I can say oh okay like Brian wasn't here well this really important so let's make sure we check on that so I think it also just helps kind of know the pieces better that are making these operations work
>> if um if if any any of the employees kind of get stuck on I don't know what I should be writing down the job description is a good place to prompt thought >> right >> of what you know yeah >> yeah for sure and the one of the comments that stuck out to me is someone
had written because I had asked like what's something you wish someone had told you day one about your job and there was one response that was like I didn't know how like politically it would be you know I figured it was just my my job and that that was that was it and that you know not totally
appreciating that there's, you know, there's politics involved in everything and like personality management and, you know, dealing with the public and that that's a whole different layer than maybe some of the technical aspects of the job. So, >> that was interesting. >> Interesting response.
>> That Haley, do you mind if I say something about the meeting on the seventh? >> Oh, yeah. >> It it was interesting. I mean, I feel like um job descriptions are the hot potato, you know, and um >> and Haley I first of all, I just want to say on record, Haley was so good, like
clear >> solicitus of people's um ideas and responses and feedback and always so professional and so gracious and always assuming the best of people. So it was lovely to see you Haley in um
operating even though you were down with the flu or some remember you were so sick. >> Yeah I yeah I had this horrible like sinus infection so like I couldn't really hear I told Devon I didn't know you could have so much like snot
inside of you that never ending. Um, so that was so that was really great and um I mean it's just I I think you know I don't know as well as u maybe everybody else on this call like how long people
have been here and you know what things were like when they were hired but when Haley said that she wanted to get copies of the job descriptions and that was one of the first things we wanted to do because we we would like to modernize them and and also use them to think like
to review them and make sure they're up to date and all that stuff. and then we can look at um how salaries are aligned and whatever. Someone was like I can't remember who it was but someone was like well they've been updated recently and like the recently was like I don't know
10 or 15 years ago >> and I was like okay that's really helpful for me to hear because my understanding of time is different than some other people's understanding of time but I mean, again, Haley was so
gracious, but it does seem to me that this is still it's like really hard for some reason, like getting them or and then like thinking about how to make them, you know, a more standardized template even across and so anyway, I I
think we have a I don't know who the Wii is, but um we have a little bit of work cut out for ourselves there. >> Well, knowing that that's the definition of recent, >> Yeah. I I think we're in really good shape already.
>> Well, it it it is kind of funny because Well, it's Well, it's not really funny, but anytime you had a in my on the on the personnel board, someone would leave, then you would update it and then you'd realize how outdated it was. Yeah. to bring it up, you know, and um the
intention was always to update them more regularly and and uh and that didn't quite always go hand in hand. So for me, recent means like when the last five years, right? Like that seems like a a a good um but they should be, you know,
looked at >> 10 to 15 years. Wow. as recent. >> I always wanted um my managers to look at job descriptions of their people >> each year during performance review. >> Nice. Yeah. >> You know, it was a good way you're it's
what you're talking about and we want to make sure performance matches what's in the job description. Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels doing something >> maybe not even related to your job. Mhm. >> So, I mean, that was our aspiration, but
I it didn't always happen. It just seemed like a logical time frame that you'd want to do job description reviews, you know. >> Well, and also too, it reminds both people what the person actually does, especially if you kind of, you know, got
blinders on most of your day and you're not really thinking outside of, you know, so it's a good reminder and a good place to start for a review. >> Um, I'm gonna jump in a little bit. give Haley kudos because we started it off and she had said, you know, the the one answer was there's a political nature to
the job. Um Haley Haley does handle the political nature to her job very well. >> And uh so thank you Haley for in that meeting on the 7th which um I wasn't there but does sound like you did a great job and even last night so yesterday. So good job.
>> Appreciate it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's all learning. Yeah. And I think the thing that is so hard is Haley, you're you're the newbie, right? And so >> not anymore. Now we have we have their assessor and clerk.
>> I'm a veteran. >> But it I mean it is hard, right? And I just I really really uh appreciated and admired how you handled that because I I I just think it's a it can be a a tricky
position to be in. So you're running the meeting and you're you haven't been there as long as most of the people who are in the room. So >> yeah, I I always say the best professional advice I ever got was you you don't have to have all the answers. >> Yeah.
>> It's perfectly fine to say, "I don't know, but I'll find out." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think people respect respect you when you say that, too, right? Like you're not trying to pull something off the >> off the top of your head. um or you know
so I think it's I think people respect you and say hey I don't know that >> you know >> or likewise if you apologize for something that you know you've done and it didn't quite work out oh I'm sorry my bad won't do it again you know >> I definitely had I'll never forget I had
this event once not to go totally off topic but I I thought I knew how long a chicken took to cook I did not know how long a chicken took to cook and that that day with hungry people. It humbled me something fierce and I've and since
then I've had every event catered that I've ever done. >> Never repeated that. >> The chicken to prevent the chicken. >> I think the other thing that's that's hard and it's hard everywhere. It's hard in my current job is just change and
change management. And even if people might sense that there's something that could be improved, it just we're all we all just it feels like our default is to be resistant to change. And so it's just Kathy that was something that struck me um at the
meeting, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Creatures of habit. Yeah. Yeah. >> As humans, right? >> A long time of that. >> Yeah. which are great.
>> Um but also great new ideas are also great too. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Yes. So um so you guys will do those interviews and then um was there anything else on that topic that we had
to cover for the employee engagement plan? I >> think so. So, we'll we'll do the interviews um with all the key staff and maybe I can definitely put together like a you know a slideshow or just a like
some kind of report and we can talk about it because we'll want to look at you know what changes might we need to make and when should we make those changes and yeah and actually Kathy I think that's a great point about the job description because we do have um some
like department head evaluation coming up and that that'll be helpful to keep in mind >> more to come on that. Um let's see. And then the next thing is any other items not reasonably anticipated.
Um was there anything that popped up Haley related to personnel things? Oh, here comes Veronica. No. Hi, Veronica. >> Hi. >> Hey. You're the new chair. >> No, it better not be.
I I have I have a hard stop at about 6 because we I have a concert in Belchure Town at 7. So, >> I went to her concert at the Shootsberry Library and it was fabulous. >> Yay. >> Was really good. Thank you.
>> Nice job. >> Awesome. >> Um, so we did we did, Veronica, prior to you coming on, we we picked a temporary chair, um, and a secretary. Um, so, uh, Kathy's going to be the secretary and I
volunteered to be the chair until the full committee with the FinCom rep could, um, you know, have us all all together and then we can discuss. >> Did you start at five? Mhm. >> Oh, it said 5:30 on what you sent me.
That's why I >> Did it. >> Yeah. >> I had that in my head. >> I was here, but I was I was I was like, "Oh, it says 5:30." So, I got him supper and whatever. >> Oh, >> it does say 5:30. Oh, that's so
>> I know. I knew I had seen that somewhere. >> Okay, whatever. That's that's definitely on me. >> That's a question too for I guess going forward. Do we want to stay with five on Thursdays 5:30 uh 5:15? Do we want to um
is there um do we want to adjust it? We had talked about that I think at last the last one or the one before that. >> Um but I don't know that we resolved it in any way. Or we can also wait until we
have a group of all of us because we won't know Meredith's schedule either. >> Yeah, I think that's a good idea. But I know five doesn't work for you, Melissa, and 5:30 start doesn't really work for me because I always >> Well, I could do five like I I tried today. I had um certified payroll due.
So, I left the office like five minutes later than I would normally. If I was if I left right at 4, I wouldn't have been a problem. So, I could be home or to a location I could do a meeting at um by 5 or 5:15.
So, um well, so Veronica Melissa was just asking if there were other items and Haley, I think it was you. Somebody mentioned before that >> um >> now we're now we're full Canada.
Hi, Meredith. >> Hi. Sorry I'm late, guys. I I was ready to go at 5:25 and then suddenly it was 5:34. So, >> that happens to time. It has to There's There's a vortex that steals it.
>> Seriously, I'm gnomes or something sucking it all away. But it's it's very nice to meet you all. I'm a new member of the finance committee and now the representative to the personnel committee. So, I hope to learn a lot from you guys.
>> We do certainly have a lot. We have fun during our meetings and I think we learn a lot and we get good done. So, >> it's a good group. It's a good group. >> Um, >> oh, sorry, Meredith. I just wanted to say hello. We know each other from the trail.
>> Oh my goodness. Yeah. And Ranger, it's like how everybody gets on committees and shoots for dog walking. It's nice to see you. >> And actually, um, I am picking up my own dog for a puppy that, uh, being shipped up from Houston, um, on Saturday. She's
only 11 weeks, so it'll be a little while before she meets you and Flora in the woods, but uh, >> so that that's coming soon. >> Oh, that's so great. Well, Kathy has a puppy, too. So, I do. >> Yeah. >> Maybe we can get together for some puppy
socialization dates. >> That would be great. um before you came on Meredith um we had we had um the selection of the secretary which um Kathy is going to be our secretary which um with minutes is I
think the primary task for that and then um because we all five of us weren't in the in the meeting at the time um we had chosen a temporary chair I volunteered until the five of us could uh discuss the chair um piece.
>> Mhm. >> And we have kicked it for the next agenda, but if everyone is here, did we want to have that discussion now or what does the committee feel? I'm just checking the time, make sure we have the hard stop for Ann and and
Veronica. Um or we could think about it for the next one. I'm I can go either way. >> Yeah. So, chair, just to kind of sum up because I I'm looking at the posting and I I had put five and 5:30. So, again,
sorry about that. Um, but >> Oh, have you guys been going since 5 o'clock? I didn't know it either. I just got >> some of us. >> Oh. Oh my good. >> That was me. >> It's a little bumpy when we first start and get new members and and all of that. So, no worries. >> Okay.
>> But all the bases are covered. >> So, now you know every one of us is human. Yes. Um, and the chair is, you know, primarily I already forget what you had just said, Melissa, but you basically it's helping with agenda setting. You
know, you're running the meeting. Um, if you were a if you were asked to, you know, we need we need the personnel board, um, like a representative to talk to the select board, it would be the chair who would be the person that uh, picks that mantle up. And you know,
usually any committee that I participate on usually involves me having a conversation with the chair before we get ready to do the meeting posting 48 hours in advance and say, "Oh, like, you know, this is what I have on my agenda. Um, you know, this is what I think we should look at this month and maybe plan
ahead for something in the coming months." But so it's that that kind of >> so with with that knowledge that um Haley just shared, is there anyone who would like to volunteer for the chair position? No. Okay, we can temporarily leave it
the way it is. >> Don't everybody raise your hand at once. I know I know it sounds much it it is with the select board aside because that that is um there's there's more related with the select board stuff um like
documents need to be signed and that sort of thing that's a little bit more involved um and checking in with the town administrator sometimes daily in some cases. Um but uh yeah, so it it is scarier than it actually sounds for a
committee like this. But if we want to keep the temporary one for now and if someone decides at some point they decide um hey, I want to try that. We can always do that if you'd like. Um okay. So was there anything else on
the agenda? I don't think so. I think that was it. >> Well, Melissa, right before it started, did we talk at all? Did you talk at all about the meetings with the employees like the one that Ann and I went to or that separate ones? Did you talk about those already?
>> We did just um but I would definitely to hear your thoughts. So, the thing that we basically said is uh I'll send out um we talked about Ann and Cathy's availability for the one-on- ones. So, I'm going to start scheduling those for next week. And then I had just touched
base on that I got some of the session planning surveys back for people and the responses have been really interesting and um so I'll I'll have to prep that as a separate presentation for this for the personnel board at some point. >> Okay.
>> Did you want to share your thoughts, Veronica, on the meeting that you went to? Ann had shared some and Haley had shared some. Did you want to share? I I just, you know, I think that it was good for us to be there and to tell them why
we were there, you know, like um and um and explain to them that we're looking for what their expectations are and their concerns and and that we appreciate them. So, I think, you know, I think they were okay with us being
there. So >> excited to see what comes out of the process. >> Yeah. >> And you may not know about that, right? >> Yeah. >> Do you want to do you want to give a short summary?
>> Yeah. So, one of our summer um homework assignments is to review job descriptions. So, we've been assembling all the job descriptions. Um, we introduce the topic at one of the staff meetings that we have, and then now we're going to do one-on-one u meetings
with each person, go over their job description, is it still accurate? Are there things that need to be added or removed? Um, we'll touch on compensation, and we'll touch a little bit on how do we get everything out of their brains and into some format that
we can have in perpetuity. >> Makes sense. Um let's see. So I think that was I think that actually concludes what we were talking about tonight. Um Meredith, did you want to share what what interests you?
>> One thing I did um I did find interesting was the fact that um a number of them talked about transitioning when they when people leave. Did you talk about that >> just now?
>> Okay. So, they talked about um like the overlap to have overlap so that the people weren't jumping into a job without um knowing what they were doing, you know, having more of that as an option
the the when we were at the meeting with the department heads. So, >> oh, so having so having someone have it overlap so there's more of a passing of a torch, >> right, >> to the next person and there's some conveying of information and there's
some um bringing you up to date sort of thing. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Certainly in my own working experience that has gone better for me than when I arrive after somebody has left. >> Yes.
>> I had not had that experience. I've always been the they like, "Well, this is what you do. Go for it." >> Yeah. Figure it out. We trust you. >> Watch out. There's sharks biting at your feet. Just swim.
>> Sometimes that's the only way to get changes that you would like to take effect. That's true. To take effect, you know. >> True. >> Because you get into a routine with all the bad habits and Yeah. No,
>> it does teach adaptability, >> you know. >> Well, I think it was I think it was more the specific jobs like um collector, >> you know, like that would be a hard job to just sit down at that desk and deal
with >> Oh, absolutely. >> everybody's tax bill, you know, without any training. That would be a tough one, you know. So, >> yeah. Um, well, most of them would be too. I think Haley probably you really could have
benefited from a little bit of overlap. Um, although there was a little bit with Gabe, I guess with you and her. >> There's some overlap there. >> Yeah. >> So, that's great. That's good. I feel like people feel supported in knowing
that if they're not and say they even have surgery or something of that nature, there's still something reference point for whoever is trying to fill in. You know, there is a reference point. >> Yeah. >> Which is is uh is good too.
We we aren't we aren't lucky enough to have enough too enough employees to have everyone crossrained in everyone's job. No, that that would be a luxury, wouldn't it? It would be nice. Um, okay. Was there anything else that we wanted to
chat about before we adjourn? It was a short agenda tonight. >> Well, the only thing I wondered is Haley, you said there's a vacancy on the committee. >> Yeah. So, April's, I believe, or >> Well, she was the she was the FCON rep.
So, it says online that we have a vacancy. Um, it's not updated with Meredith. We we do need to do that because it still has the FINR rep vacant, but there is another vacancy on the um when you go to the personnel board page on the website. I
saw that too and I was trying to figure out um because I was writing to Gail and trying to get the uh website updated after April's last day >> and she mentioned that too and I wondered if George if if April and
George were both on Fincom but one was the FinCom rep and the other was an atlarge >> rep. It might be the large. >> Yeah. Well, I think it's an atlarge one, right, Melissa? Because when George was on, he was Fincom and April was at
large, >> right? >> And then April became FinCom. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> At large. >> But I guess the reason I I brought it up is because it would be helpful to talk about do if if we do indeed have an art
large vacancy, is that something we should we can try to fill? >> Yeah. Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think it's, you know, I think it's a great idea to try to to make sure, you know, if we I mean, this group has always been really good about making a quorum most of the time. And um
so, but if we have all of our all of our people um filled, then be it would be good. So, >> is it supposed to be seven? I mean, counting >> the the web page just lists
it list Kathy as the main contact. I don't know if you signed up for that. >> I did not. >> That's because that's because you contacted Gail. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And and it lists um just four four members, main contact and four members,
so a total of five. >> Okay. But I can do a town announce. Um I don't know if you looking at the clock like if there if there are things you have specifically that you want me to include I can just
send it or I can give you a draft that we can review at a next meeting and I can definitely put it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Because when I was when I was uh brought on
um my pickle ball group is having this whole conversation over here. That's why I'm dinging. Um uh it was a there were a a number of people who had shown interest. So um we
had interviews with Netti, you know. So >> Oh, did Netty appoint you guys? So, I'll let her know that we She may already be in tune, but >> Except for the Except for like the select board rep and the >> Yeah. >> Con rep. They're They're um brought in
from their own committees, >> right? >> I do promise I was at least slightly vetted before showing up. >> Well, what interested you in in um working on the the personnel board, Meredith? Um well, I was a little
intimidated to be honest by the list of potential committees and and departments and things that I could be um associated with. Uh and I felt like I was more likely to have relevant experience to personnel stuff than some of the other
options. Um, I've actually worked in HR adjacent roles um and uh operations management in previous iterations of my life, although currently I work in the history department at UMass um advising majors and running the undergraduate
program. Um so, uh but you guys seemed the closest to a group that I might not feel totally out of my depth with. >> Meredith, when I was on FinCom, that's exactly how I landed on this committee. Exactly. Same thing.
>> Who knows? Maybe I'll follow in your footsteps in a couple of years. >> That's great. >> Well, we're glad to have you. >> Thank you guys for having me. It seems like a a good group to join. >> Yeah, >> we have so much fun. >> We do.
>> Um, so I think I think that covers our agenda. So, did we do I hear a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second, I >> hear a second. >> Yeah, I second it.
>> Okay. And then, um, Meredith, we usually try to go by alphabetical order. Sometimes reverse alphabetical order just to keep the voting fun. So, um, let's go in alphabetical order. Um, all those in favor of adjourning. >> Brigham I.
>> Make the O'Neal I. Meredith, you're the next one. I sorry I'm not good at the alphabet. >> Recctor I Salvador I >> Perfect. Great job everybody.
>> Um oh wait a second. Wait a minute. We didn't do another uh meeting. So we'll send around >> already posted right. >> Oh is it? Okay. It may >> I think August is already posted. >> Yeah I saw that too. Veronica. >> Perfect. All right. So now we'll
adjourn. We'll talk to you all later. Okay, guys. Have a good evening. >> You, too.