I'm just the people who are see Um, no. Maybe Bre did this. Okay. Well, thank you. Oh, there's Rita. It's from a distance. Yeah, you only have
Rita, how does it, Eric? How does it look from on that side of the That was in the window. You're muted and Eric, you are too. Looks good. Yeah, looks good. Okay. One more minute.
It's coming at 4 today. Tomorrow. Okay. everything. Okay, there. Yeah, it doesn't help you have to access. It's a learning curve. It's a learning experience.
We're a little bit closer. So, um I'm going to open the meeting for the select board uh meeting on October 14th. Um Eric and Rita are joining us on screen tonight. And so, Rita and Eric, can you
see everyone in the room just from Yeah. Um so to review the agenda we have first our call to order and then um 505 public comment and then our general business topics which is review and approve
meeting minutes for 108 October 8th uh meet with the buildings committee uh discuss uh discussion on resolution to support democracy and convene grant discussion Tams and Flanders ers from
Furco and Jennifer Wallace. Review and sign Upper Valley Veteran Services District agreement for continued membership with the district uh for the next two years. Sign review and sign special event permit application uh for
the turkey trot for the friends of library and then town administrator reports. So, uh, Eric or do you have any, um, items to reverse or, um, anything that's popped up in the
last 24 or 48 hours? Sorry. No, I'm all set. It's all good. Thank you. All good here. Anything pop up? All right. So, let's move on to public comment. Just a reminder, those in the room will raise their hand. Anyone
online that has a public comment, we ask you to use your raised hand feature um for your uh for the uh Zoom option down at the lower part of the screen under interactions. All right. And I do see Miriam's hand popped up here. Okay. Uh
Miriam first. Um, is this the uh place where it would be appropriate to make a comment a public comment about the declaration or are you going to be invited public comment? We do that a little bit later in the meeting. All right. Thank you.
Uh, less I think everybody called to hear the entrance way to the front of town hall. Make it more easily accessible for people with mobility issues. Uh, I came
in on Sunday or Saturday with my walker and I could just open the lift, right up the lift to get into the office. It was wonderful. I know it was a team effort, including my neighbors. Um, the second
part of my public comments, and these are all for myself, is uh that I was disappointed to see that the sturdy bench that was at a good height for
getting up and standing up and sitting down if you are mobility impaired at all, which I'm having temporarily, but many of our senior citizens trying difficult to find when low saw places like the support to get up and down as a
bench as a bench provides u coffee table I know which uh has no signs it is quite low and difficult to get up and down and my personal history
with all of this is that back when at Angeltown administrator, which tells you it's at least two day decades ago. The historical commission used to have all of their holdings in the closet that it's now used by the town hall,
generally speaking. and state historical commission graciously moved the things that they had over to the 1829 building because as the government was growing, it was more important for the people functioning daily to have access to that
closet. Uh in that transition, the commission had a custommade frame for the 1858 Wallings map which shows the roads as they were then. It shows the names of the people who lives on lived on the
roads. And then on the right side is a blue map that shows the original proprietors divisions. Uh what each proprietor got their name is on it. It's very clear. And then on the left is the 1871
beers atlas maps. Those are very important to researchers. They're important to assessors um more so in the past than present. But it was we kind of made this tradeoff where we would move our things
out, keep the mats there, and we put what may be deemed, we're not certain, but the bench, the wooden bench, which was nice and sturdy and of good height for getting up and down, and it has a handle in a gent if you are bearded in
any way. uh as the setting below the mats there was all one antique shoots history display um and I think just inadvertently new people have come along old people have
left and people didn't understand the significance of the display but uh speaking for myself only I am very disappointed and I hope that maybe the bench can be brought back because it is,
as I say, much easier for seniors to have a sturdy, upright, wooden bench with an arm that they can stand up and down on when they're waiting for any department to be seen with by any department. And the sofa maybe could
find a place back down here with the other new furnishings. Um, that's all I have to say and I thank you for listening. Uh Gaylast select board meeting it was suggested in a conversation about the replacement of
the school roof. The capital planning undertake an assessment of all municipal building roofs and project replacement date for each one. And that suggestion was made in the interest of future budget planning. But
as a member of ECAC, I'd like to second that suggestion for a related but slightly different reason. In considering steps the town might take towards energy conservation, EAC is looking at the feasibility of rooftop solar arrays on municipal buildings. A
feasibility installation on any facility could not be considered without knowing the lifespan of its roof. There's no point putting a 20-year warranty panel on a roof that has only 10 more years of of useful life. So, and in particular in
identifying a building that has only a few years of use uh would make that that building that building is a candidate for receiving an installation because if it has only one
or two years left, there would be an opportunity for the buildings committee to write specifications for a new roof that would embrace pre conditions needed for weight bearing
or for structural integrity of the roof and that could serve as the basis of a application from ECAC for the town for green community funding for installation of our array.
So, not only do I think it's a good idea to make that assessment, but I would encourage that be made a priority. Thank you. Is there any other online or in public? Okay. All right. So, our next topic is review
and approve minutes from the October 8th, 2025 minutes. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes from October 8? I'm sorry, not 28th, October 8th, 2025. I'll make a motion to approve the
October 8th minutes. Second. Do we have um any edits, clarifications, or such at all? No, we're good. No, they look good. We're good. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks, Brandon.
Thank you. Um all those in favor of approving Carol I. Stalker I piece of meal time. Um, the second one is a meeting with the buildings committee. Uh, Frank, I see a
name here. Just bring me something up. Yep. One moment. Just I didn't bring up my Can you give us a um background of our meeting? Yeah. So, um and Frank can definitely
at any time, but my understanding was that the building committee wants some reaffirming in their charge. Um, you know, there were some incidents with the school boiler over the summer where expense uh repairs were being made
without a notification to the building committee. So, I think we're just looking to strengthen that relationship. Is that more or less right, Frank? We have a quorum. So, uh, Stephen Dalmus, Bill Pocker, and I are on. So, we have to call the, uh, we have a
quorum. So, the buildings committee called you call yourself Jordan. Yep. Yeah. Basically, we we asked for this because uh some things happened this year and some problems have been going on at the
school for over five years and I've been on the committee buildings committee over five years and it was the first time I've ever heard of it and they spent a tremendous amount of money last year fixing this problem. So, the buildings committee wants to know what the
uh select board wants to know. What what does the select board think the buildings committee's duties are with the town in something like this this case, you know, when it comes to maintenance and other things.
So um um I certainly thinking well thinking of thinking about it um a boil there's a significant infrastructure items. So there should be
a check-in with the buildings committee and some coordination with them um with those repairs. Rita, Eric, can you feel? Yeah. My sense was always in the in the past
froze. Rita, you froze. If you can hear us back in the ice age. [Laughter] Well, I'll I'll speak while Reed is frozen there, but just I I would agree with the general concept that yeah, the
buildings committee should be in should should have should have been um involved in that process and should be involved in that process in the future. There's no question about it in my mind that should be the building committee's there's an issue with major so I'm not
sure if it was or kind of where the communication breakdown happened delayed oh is that what's happening I'm sorry froze and then and then you you uh you appeared again and the I think what you were saying prior to that uh came
through um Yeah, certainly for large infrastructure um items I think you know that's large building repairs you know those sort of things
certainly uh Frank I think that buildings committee is should be coordinated with and brought into the conversation. Can I ask a question? Yeah. Um, do are there regularly scheduled meetings with like the
principal, the fire chief for building updates? Because I have not been here long enough to have seen that. Um, like maybe it happens during the budget cycle. I'm not sure. I I just got the call this summer when
they had water in the tank and found out that they spent $6,000 on a pump in the uh the oil pump and they because it flooded in the tank it was in and this this has been an ongoing problem
for over five years. So we I've never had a meeting with you know the the building's heads. Okay. because I don't know I think the principal is fairly new too but maybe it would be a good idea if we we all people who manage buildings
highway TA principal fire library um had a meeting with the buildings committee and that way we can kind of facilitate yeah I saw uh Rob and Anna's hand on one moment um Eric do you mind if we um ask the public
usually we ask if there's a topic Go ahead. Yep. Um Rob and then Anna. Uh thank you. My question was answered. Okay. Thank you. Uh Anna.
Hi. So I actually came here to um just show my support for the resolution. But since um this is somewhat about the school and I'm on the school committee, I thought I could be mildly helpful. Um so my understanding of this situation
is that um something extraordinary happened this year that was unexpected and so I you know I don't think this has been going on for 5 years. I think that the boiler has been in poor shape for a
long time. Yes, that's true. I thought that that was sort of on the list of things to look into at some point. Um, but it wasn't ever an urgent, it has not yet become an urgent thing. What
happened was when they redid the roof, um, and it's not entirely clear what exactly happened, but at some point between when they redid the roof and now, there is a cap that covers some vent
that leads to the um, boiler, and it got removed. And so water has been leaking in through that vent for a while and it took them a quite a long time to
figure out what was going on and why the boiler wasn't functioning correctly. And so they have spent a lot of money on maintenance for the boiler just to sort of because it it was leaking. It was doing these weird
things. It wasn't functioning the way it was supposed to. And um then they finally figured out that what the problem was was this leaky vent. So I do think that the the problem has been solved now and so it shouldn't be
an issue in the future. I don't know. I think it's a very tough line where you say this is just a maintenance issue and where you say this is a buildings committee issue. And so I I would apologize on behalf of the
school committee and the school for um not keeping you in the loop a little bit better. Um, but I I think I agree with Frank that it it does sort of like beg the question at what level of repair
does this become a buildings committee issue and um how can we coordinate with the building committee just a little bit better? Thank you. So um my to answer your question Anna what point does it become buildings
committee and I I meant to reread the the um charge before the meeting today. didn't get to, but in in my thoughts is that any time any wall or anything's being opened or any repairs being considered that it should check in with
the buildings committee because the town owns the building. The school isn't owned specifically by the school, right? So, I mean, it's not my understanding that a wall was opened, but No, no, I'm just saying that's example. It was an example. I was like anytime something like a
window needs to be replaced like you know anything where you're you're you're touching the structure infrastructure electrical you know anything like that with a large repair I think um buildings committee should be consulted and probably too
and probably capital building. Yeah definitely. Um Melissa, you know, I I also think uh you know, it it illustrated sort of that, you know, what happened with the um with the with the
oil tank and and the the fuel being in there that there was a lot of money that the problem was not diagnosed early when it could have been. So I think there was some misdiagnosis which
I think calls into question um who we are you know using ju just you know looking at our um at our contractors
and making sure that we have um whether it's HVAC or you know whatever it is that we have um contractors um that we're not just you know that are
that are doing a good job for us and I believe this was an instance where there wasn't such a good job done because it was you know there's there was an assumption that this was a leak when we called when somebody was called
in the buildings committee went ahead and said no there's not a leak and and suddenly there's water in there when you know it the the water had been in there for a while and it was not nobody had had had looked to see where the
water was coming from. So, you know, that was kind of my my take on it is um a lot of money was spent and I and I think looping the building committee in sooner rather than later would have resulted in kind a much more efficient
process. Um so that a lesson learned here that I think you have a lot of expertise on that building committee and um when we're you know spending thousands of dollars um it makes a lot
of sense to have people who um have that have that technical background. That's why you know that's why we have the committee that um that they are consulted Thank you, Rita. I would agree. I would agree with that.
That's very well said. Yeah, I agree, too. One thing we talked about in our committee, uh, Phil Parker brought up with, uh, when he was working at Mount Snow is, you know, using work orders for some of these big things that would probably go through Haley because she's
the town administrator so that we don't get a work order to change a light bulb. Um, right. you know, but at least that way the town administrator sees it and you know, then the buildings, she forwards it to the buildings committee and it just it's
we're all in the loop and the town's in the loop. Um because you know, and you mentioned vendors, one of the other thing we talked about, you know, I thought we had a preferred vendor list um in the past, but I think what's happened is every
building or whoever that owns the fifom of the building uses who they like. Yeah. And when uh Jeff Quackenbush was at UMass, I had a preferred vendor list. I don't think we could do it as big as they did. But you hire a specific electrician and he gives us a little
discount and he just handles all the electrical. You an HVAC guy, he just handles all that. We get a little discount because we're only going to use him with all the problems and the upgrades and stuff like that. So, we talked about something like that. I don't know if you think that's a good idea or not.
You you also get too with that Frank you also get someone who gets to learn the electricals of a building say that's at additions or right so you also have that institutional knowledge of those infrastructures that and that brought in something Yeah. Go
ahead, Phil. Yeah, just um just a general comment. I'm pretty new to the building committee, but one of my observations is is that the the town has grown, you know, especially with the new library coming online here soon. Just the town has grown to the point where we've got
to start putting in place some some more systematic approaches and some more professional approaches. You know, it'll you know, long term, it'll keep things running smoother. the buildings will be better maintained. They'll last longer and we're going to save money. So, we've
got to start, you know, putting those systems in place at this point and start looking into that stuff. I did like the mention of a work order process. Also, something else that was mentioned at our last meeting and I thought uh
Maryanne would be here um because I am here. She is there. Oh, okay. Hi. She's in person. I just can't see you. so small on the screen. Um, you know, Jeff and uh, Steve, Stephen have been involved in the building of the new
library and, uh, they've also been instrumental in volunteers and fixing a lot of things in town. And they both think that the uh the library's new mechanics is over our head, over their head, over my head, you know, and you
know, hiring someone to do to look after that um for the first year to learn the system and Mary Maryanne can talk about that more, but you know, things going forward, you have a new contemporary building and the
building committee can't we can change a light bulb, but we can't fix the solar or the when things break down, but we that type of thing. That's the only thing I'm worried about, you know, um when something big goes down there. And Mary Maryannne can probably talk about that more. Stephen can talk about that
more. What's with the new library buildings maintenance? Well, good thing for the first year it's under warranty and the subcontractors that installed it. After that though, the first year
Yeah, I think we can make it more proactive and meet with people sooner because I mean ultimately to a certain extent all these issues are going to become capital issues and it makes our community can plot that out better. I know you know having a process will
hopefully Eric and Rita I don't know if you agree with this but it'll help us not have surprises potentially. I mean, there'll always be surprises with buildings, right? It's almost half buildings have done them, but um it's an attempt at being more corrective.
So, I have to I have two two comments. One is I um I think having and and maybe Jeff can um Jeff Quackenbush can help us with this is having a a list and it could can be
an abbreviated list of of preferred vendors would be really a good idea. You know, my understanding is, and this is before your time, Haley, but you know, very often what would happen is if something came up in at the town hall or
at the library or, you know, we just sort of randomly kind of went out and well, let's call that electrician or that electric, you know, and so you didn't necessarily have somebody who, you know, was was familiar with the
building. they just happened to be available and so you didn't you know get that consistency or or even get that you know customer service necessarily that I think we want and I and I think there have been issues with some of the vendors we have used on a regular basis
and I think that needs to be um explored um and uh you know think through do we continue using just because we've done it historically you know is this the best vendor? Should we be paying a little bit more money but
getting better service and um uh yeah, you know, having people who who are going to be there and and and know what they're um know what they're doing. And then as far as a work order process
goes, I think that that makes sense. I think the concern is making sure that we that we just have a system that just doesn't get bogged down in in delays and a lot of paper obviously you know the
some sometimes there's just an urgency so that you know I think everybody has to be able to or we need to the school if if something comes up and they need an electrician tomorrow because of some
problem you to get a work order to get the um find Frank or somebody else from the building committee if if they're not available you know we all have to understand those are extenduating circumstances and therefore you know we need to go ahead
and and get things done but for kind of longer term bigger expenses yeah we should have a system and enough people are around that I don't think there should be and and we seem to Um Haley has been great at streamlining
processes and and Brennan's on top of things too that you know things are things are moving through town hall um and and getting approvals done. So I think you know we could commit to doing that to having a process like that but
also understand that in a case of an emergency um where the school's going to be shut if we don't have somebody you know in there then um then you know we might have to forego that work order. Um, but
always, you know, closing that loop of communication so that the the building committee knows, the building operator, the building tenant, whoever that might be um and then the, you know, town administrator slash select board are um
are aware because as Melissa said, you know, the town owns the buildings, we're responsible, so we should be kept in the loop and and that you know that transfers to everybody else be it the
you know uh planning I mean I mean the finance committee and and everybody else um long range planning so forth. So um those are my two comments. Um I do see Rob has his hand up again
and it's been up for a bit. So Rob, do you want to Thank you. Uh no problem waiting. you're all committee members. Uh I work in a given week I work with at least a dozen general contractors and another two
dozen subcontractors. So I've I've got a lot of experience dealing with contracts and contractors and I completely agree with the preferred uh vendor list. What I would suggest you do with that is
contact surrounding towns, see who they use as well as who who we've used and liked in the past. The other step you can take is to have what in my industry is have a green contract with an electrician
where they agree they will do your work at a rate of $75 or $300 an hour. uh so that you don't get bogged down in having to write them a purchase order or issue
them a work order uh for them to register it and get the work done. Now, whether or not the town can legally do that, I can't say. But I can say it's a quick way to get in professional contractors and professional engineers
because you've already got agreed upon terms. So, you you might want to look at that. Uh, also if you have lists of preferred contractors, those should go to each of the boards and the names of the people who can
authorize work to be done by that contractor should be on that list. And maybe maybe you have it that you know uh the chair of any board can write a issue work order or authorized work up
to $500. uh from $500 to tax it that requires uh a board vote and what on you don't want you don't want everybody who is on the
town payroll or in a town committee able to just call up an electrician and say hey the lights are blinking please come figure it out right so just limit the access to that checkbook.
Yep. As a taxpayer, please. No, we did. But good, good, fun. Thank you, Rob. No problem. Was there anything else we wanted to cover in this uh um discussion before we
move on? You have anything, Stephen? Is there a legal process that we have to go through before this? There's no procurement process system for a certain amount of money. I
don't think I don't think so for most basic expenses, but I will certainly be emailing Donna for she has templates that we could check in. Um I don't have uh too much to add um other than I do like the idea of a work
order, although I might consider calling it a work request. Um that's fine, too. Then and um you know when the uh woman was speaking about the school and the issue um I don't think
from having looked at that boiler that the boiler was the issue. The issue was water getting into the oil tank and then that water being pumped uh to the oil burners and the oil I mean the water in
the oil fouled the burners. Um, so, uh, hopefully the, uh, having the oil cleaned of all the water, um, will take care of it. Now that there's a cover on that vent pipe, we'll find out if that
truly is the problem because there are some other areas that weren't explored that could possibly contribute to water in there. And when I did the inspections of the buildings, including the school, I
interfaced with uh Matt a number of times. And um you know, this condition uh of water getting into the tank um and water in the pit where the tank is, that was not something that was ever brought
up. And you know, as a inspector, I would never claim to be able to uh evaluate the condition of an underground tank. And in the report, you know, that was uh identified as something that would need further inspection, which we
hadn't gotten to. And you know, unfortunately, this event occurred. That's all. Thank you. Okay. Having said that, if uh someone wants to motion to end the buildings committee meetings, we can let the select board go on with their meeting.
Have a motion. I'll make a motion. I'll second. Okay. Roll call vote. Dis I. Parker I. Frank I. Thank you very much all.
Thank you Frank. Thank you. Okay. Um, all right. So, the next piece on our uh discussion is the resolutions to in support of democracy. This was emailed
to us. Um, I'm going to add up. Yes, Brendon put it in. He's wonderful. Thank you, Brennon. Um, this was emailed to us by a group of citizens as a um requesting that the
selective board have a discussion about um considering this signing this. And Haley had given us the idea to um and had put it in her first edition of the town hall um with the name of the tribute
um as a to solicit uh comments to us. Um and I know Haley had put together she has several um she's I'm going to ask her to read them. their emails about a handful of them from
residents of sheep brain. I know some of you are also here to comment on that as well. Um so first Haley why don't you read the emails and we will go from there. Okay. So the first email comes from Mara
Ko of Helen Hill Road. Um, dear Shootsboro slump board members, I write to you today requesting that you endorse the document declaration defending our democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law that is before you. We are living in very challenging times, our constitutional
rights under attack. It is my hope that by endorsing this declaration, the select board of the town of Shootsbury will make a statement that our town stands for freedom, democracy, and the rights laid out for us in the US Constitution. We may be a small town, but we must speak up. We cannot remain
silent in the face of the authoritarian actions being taken by the leaders of our national government. Silence is a essence. Please endorse this declaration. Thank you for all you do for our town. One
number two comes from um Leslie Cerser, Schoolhouse Road. I hope I said that right. Um, her email reads, "Dear Shakespeare select board, I have an urgent request for action to adopt the resolution in support of democracy. The purpose of this courageous resolution is
to signal the to the community to the state and national leaders and to the institutions that are enabling the autocratic takeover of our country that we do not support wannabe kings and our beloved constitutional democracies." The next one is from Joan Green of West
Palum Road. Joan Green and Bobby Brown. Um board. We are writing in total support of the declaration defending our democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law. I think it is vital that our take this action now. We need to go on the record as a community that we
will not tolerate the removal of our rights and freedoms. that we will not stand idly by while our cities are invaded, our citizens and immigrant neighbors attacked and our social services decimated. Last one I have is from Elizabeth
Fernandez of Brian Old Egypt Road. Um from Erica Chennowith, the professor who quantified democracy data shows nonviolent civil resistance works against works against authoritarianism. Please consider these words.
Those were all our written comments. Um, so as we go into the discussion, I know several of you in the room and uh online may want to make a comment. So I'm going to ask you in the room to raise your hand and also online use your
raised hand feature. Um, you see Miriam popped up. So uh, and then Robs. So go ahead. I really before you start though I really like this because I can see the room and the screen. Right.
Okay. Go ahead and read. Thank you. Um dear select board members in September 44 residents of Shootsbury submitted a letter urging the board to debate and endorse the declaration defending our democracy, the US Constitution and the rule of law. This
request was made in honor of Constitution Day, September 17th, which commemorates the adoption of the US Constitution. This declaration is part of a nationwide effort to encourage local governments to take a clear public stand in defense of democracy and constitutional rule. In
Massachusetts, Boston, Amoris, North Adams have already adopted similar resolutions as has Stowe. Other towns, Shootsbury, Leverett, Beluretown, Pelum, and New Salem have pending proposals. Every time one community adopts a
declaration, more follow suit. Since early September, however, the need for local leadership and moral clarity has only intensified. We are well beyond what scholars would call a constitutional crisis. Federal agents, including military, have entered US citiz cities against the wishes of
governors and mayors. Congress remains closed and unwilling to exercise its oversight functions under the constitution. Federal workers are being arbitrarily fired. Journalists, clergy, and ordinary citizens have been physically attacked on the streets in major cities across the country for
exercising their First Amendment rights. ICE raids continue to traumatize families and communities across Massachusetts and beyond. It's no exaggeration to say people are being hurt. They're disappearing and they're dying. These are not abstractions. Many
Shootsbury residents depend directly on programs that are under attack, including Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SNAP, and the ACA subsidies. Others in our community are immigrants or relatives of immigrants or friends of immigrants. They're members of the LGBTQIA+
community. They're academics, their health care professionals, their teachers or public sector employees. And they're all being directly affected by recent policies. When democracy is weakened, these very people, our neighbors, become targets first. People may fear that this kind of resolution
puts a target on our town's back, but we are already targeted. History shows that autocracy succeeds only when local and civic institutions remain silent. It depends on the cooperation of pillars of support to continually replenish the support for autocracy.
When these institutions speak up collectively, authoritarian movements alter. Taking a stand here in Shootsbury and some would signal to state and regional leaders that our town expects them to act and that we will not quietly accept attacks on constitutional governance. In the 1770s, Shootsbury
residents did exactly this. They passed resolutions to sway public opinion and defend democratic self-ruule against autocracy. And the same courage is needed now. Across the country, 85 municipalities are advancing similar resolutions, 12 in Massachusetts alone.
The principle is simple. There is safety and strength in numbers. And just as this weekend's no king's demonstrations and over 2500 communities show democracy cannot be silenced if it is defended everywhere all at once. Um we ask
the Shootsberry Town government to show courage and leadership in this moment. Please discuss this declaration and endorse it publicly. Thank you. rapidly. Thank you. Uh many of you know I I don't
normally read my comments, but I'm actually going to tonight. So, thank you for allowing me and other residents to speak on the Shootsbury Democracy Declaration. While a forum to discuss a single viewpoint could be considered one-sided,
I'm unaware of any anti-democracy declaration being received by the select board. So, in my opinion, it's discussing the prevailing view of the citizens. I'm not going to speak to the spec specific contents of the declaration.
Everyone has access to it and nobody needs me to read it to them. Instead, I'm going to speak to family and community history and to what I see as a general climate of our town.
Many of the people attending this meeting had parents or grandparents or more distant ancestors who fought in World War I and World War II against fascism and monarchies. My father carried shrapnel in his
shoulder from the Battle of the Bulge until the day he died. Some, myself included, can trace back to direct ancestors fighting in the War of Independence on the right side. I'm going to point out
the town of Shootsbury lost over 13 residents to World War II alone. And most of us take pride in our forebears risking and sometimes losing their lives for freedom and democracy. Witness the town's standing war memorial
and the number of American flags placed on graves every year. What would our forebears think of this town if they were unable to simply endorse democracy? My guess is shame. Deep shame.
They would be wondering why supporting or not supporting democracy is even up for discussion. This Saturday, many Shitsbury residents will be attending the No Kings rally in Ammerst to demonstrate their support for democracy along with hundreds of other
people. I urge you, the select board, to show your support for this declaration and say to everyone, this this is who we are. Thank you.
Uh, you're on mute. Thank you. I have voted for many decades in Shootsbury and how confident I am with our little system
that my vote is going to count. And now I am very fearful that our next election and federal election is going to be so distorted
by misinformation by uh gerrymandering by all sorts of of efforts to turn this country into a one party system.
One of the things that is troubling is the Federal Election Commission. It's down to just two commissioners. By law, there should be six and it takes four to make a quorum. Without this, they cannot
enforce the law. They cannot regulate money in politics. The the FEC is one of the checks on the president's conduct that has been disabled along with removing inspectors general, democratic appointees to boards
and commissions throughout the federal government and others who dare to voice a dissenting view. The commission needs a quorum and a quorum of commissioners willing to enforce the law. Billionaires seeking new ways to wield influence from the
shadows will face no deterrence while the American people's desire for a fair and transparent political system goes unfulfilled. There have been attempts to rewrite the election laws to burden voters make it
challenging for certain voters to cast one. Targeting threatening target uh election officials and others who job is to keep elections free and fair.
This is u a list of some of the things that are happening that are undemocratic and that are causing our country to have the potential to be less and less of a
democracy. So I do ask the select board to consider this declaration. Thank you. You won't do it. Yes. Um before I go into San Freddy, is there anyone in the room other?
I support the motion to to to approve the propos. It's it's well said. I think we'll probably but maybe we should ask just someone who
thinks it's about it. Um, anybody else there were before we did a few on the screen. Go ahead. Um, I'm fols. I live at 205. Um, and I really don't have a lot. I'm here in support of the generations of
democracy in our town. I don't have a lot to add, but I just would mention that um I'm concerned about the role of the legislative branch and the judicial branch in our government. Um it doesn't my understanding completely have three branches. That's the government but
currently the executive branch seems to be taking a huge job overreach. And while many of us writing call representatives at the national and state level we know that they often agree with us uh and have some of the same concerns we have and feel frustrated we can't that they can't seem
to do more to stop the deterioration of our constitutional laws. Um so want the local government to to join this um to to put this in forward um because we
believe that or I think that um the kind of government that we cherish that we want um and believe central to our way of life is to be democracy. Okay, I'll back to you want can I do
Sanford and then you and then yeah sorry if you go ahead I'm Tom Seafford from South Florida Drive and um everybody else is speaking better than I would or could today um I'm just thinking about you know thinking locally but acting locally and I really
encourage our local select board to endorse this if they should please Sanford and then Anna. Hi, I'm Sanford Lewis speaking in support of the resolution. In a small town like ours, we know
really well the values and the challenges of democracy at a very personal and local level. And I'm personally grateful to you, the members of the select board, who invest so much of your valuable time and effort in making our community and our local
democracy function and to strive for consensus even on issues that are sometimes quite polarizing. So our country is in deep crisis and the question is what can we do in our little town and I believe the select board can
play a modest role by taking a stand along with other communities that our traditions and structures of democracy matter and that what that we see that they are deeply threatened by what's going on in our country. The specific language of the resolution is great but
what matters most to me is for our town to go on the record in defense of the principles of democracy. due process, the Bill of Rights, integrity in government, and against tyranny against the unleashing of secret police and military against Americans. We the
people have to do what we can to push back. We who care about climate change and deforestation and about the truth. We can't stay silent in the face of Orwellian gaslighting and deep corruption that defy and invert our nation's founding principles. So, I urge
you to adopt the resolution to signal to our state and federal elected officials that we here in the boonies of Western Mass support them in doing everything in their power to resist the administration's illegal and unconstitutional actions as they affect our state and our community.
not to I I just want to say that I agree with everything that's already been said and I'm not going to repeat it, but I I want to speak to the reason that the select board should support this resolution and pass it. Um I think Shootsberry may be
small, but it is in speaking out that we have power. We can lead by example so that other towns feel empowered to speak up. And without even the smallest towns speaking out, the larger towns will not speak out. And so we can be on the
forefront and we can say this matters. Everyone should come with us because this matters. And it is that demonstration that can help move the country forward. And without it and
without small towns like us starting um we won't have the momentum to uh bring everybody else with us. Is there anyone else on screen or in the red? What about road? And I would just uh I'm here in
support of the uh declaration and also I wanted to say that the town Democratic Committee uh agreed to sponsor a standout of the comet just so we could get counted in the national to show that Shitzbury was holding a
standout on Saturday from 12 to 1. So, it'll be small and people will go to several, but we wanted to put our town's name on it. Anybody else have any comments to say? Um, I will open it up to the select
board for discussion if you guys like to discuss it. Um, don't know where you'd like to start. I have, of course, I have some comments. Um, I'll I'll start and just I'll start and just simply say that I couldn't be more
in favor of this if I had to be. It's just it's just really the situation now is dire and it has to be stopped. And you know our our future, our children, our grandchildren,
they are going to live in a country that is nothing like anything we've ever seen if we don't stop it. So it has to be stopped. So, I'm 100% behind it. Um, I I wholeheartedly
agree. Um, I'm kind of horrified and I think it was uh, you know, as as Rob said, I am a a child of a World War II veteran who um was at the liberation of
Bukinwald and I grew up um, totally immersed in um, what happened uh, preWorld War II and and during World
War II. to and um and stories that just, you know, have have have stuck with me and I and I look now and say, "Oh my gosh, is this is this where we are we
are headed. It's terrifying. It really is terrifying." And you know, I I do worry. I I worry for my children. I worry for my grandchildren. I worry for our country. I worry for everybody. Um
and so yeah, we're just a little voice. Um but but we're we're small but mighty. And I think it's it's totally appropriate. We have not, you know, we have not heard
I have not heard from anybody that, you know, we shouldn't endorse this declaration. Um unfortunately the timing was such that you know we couldn't do it at the special town meeting. It would have been great to you know have have it there but um it the as I said the timing
didn't didn't work and and we can do something at the at the annual town meeting but I think for purposes of of right now that um I you know I wholeheartedly support um the endorsement of the declaration.
It's my turn. Um, I will be the dissenting person on a select board and that is because I have made sure I support the constitutional republic that our country is. I support the constitution and I support the ability
for people to do the first amendment right. No matter what you say on a town hall, you have the right to say it. Um, and I've always done that whether I agreed with a person or not. Um, I feel like this particular declaration
kind of goes against what the select board has done in prior votes with a flag policy that does remove political flags and banners from public buildings in town. I think that um our two things
we voted at town meeting um with a welcoming statement that we made and the citizen petition both in those statements it says that um we will not discriminate because of political affiliation.
I think I could support certain parts of this to the beginning until it starts to attack a political affiliation. Um I think that it's divisive. Um I think
that there are people in town, 220 people voted differently in town. So there are a wide variety of political views and I don't feel comfortable as a representative of all those that chose to vote for me um on all sides of
political spectrum to take a political stance in this way. I'm I would support anyone who signed this declaration to the select to feel free to add your names and send it and post it wherever
you'd like to. It is your uh constitutional right to do so. I have steadfastly remained unpolitical in this position and I will not make my position a political position. We don't run on political affiliation.
Um so I will not be signing this petition or voting or the declaration or voting for it. I think we need to avoid polarizing um within our own community but adding to the polarization of the country. Um
there's a lot of violence going on right now in Washington that um and we have seen one person who was having uh moments of first amendment rights on college campuses be shot just
for voicing his alternate opinion. Um so I'm not willing to add to that by signing something so political from a select board point of view. I feel like we should be focused more on fiscal issues, public safety, education, and
infrastructure rather than making political statements. So, I will not be voting for and I will not put my signature on this declaration. I also would feel this way if it was someone else's name as president in there. I would not vote on either side
on either political side. I don't find it. Um I personally going to do it as a select member. Um does anyone have further comment Eric or Rita? Well I I mean I think your your point
Melissa is well taken. Um as I say I and I would normally completely agree with you. I just think that things are so bad and so dire that we have to break with tradition as the the people who are running the
government now have done themselves. They have they have broken with tradition in a bad way. And I mean I think back to Nazi Germany and and I say to myself, what what what what would I have done? What would the pe what should the people have done? And um at a bare
minimum it seems like they would have had to m maybe they would have had to stand up against that. And um I think I think there's just a time you have to do that whether it's hard or not. And I I give I I appreciate your right not to do
that. I get that too. I'm certainly behind that. But I think that the I think that it's I just think it's too it's too big a situation to ignore that's all or to or to not do something about e as small and pitiful as our
little thing will be here. Um it's just it just has to be done. That's all. No, I appreciate that. And one thing you and Rita and I have always done well is that we do disagree on some things, but we do it well together kindly and we still treat each other friendly and can
work together. So I appreciate that. Yeah, I I think we've unanimously in everything and I could be wrong about that, but I think since I've been on the select board, we've we've always voted on everything. Um yeah, we we common ground in most things. This is this is one of the ones
that I wasn't able to Yeah, I get that. So, do um do you want to take an official vote, Melissa? Sure. Sure. Do uh want do you want to make a motion? Yeah, I'll make the motion that um that the select board and Doris I just wanted
to pull up so I had the right um the declaration uh defending our democracy, the US Constitution and the rule of law. Second. Uh the only thing I would ask is
Kayleie, can we make um the vote on the bottom of the vote of how we vote? Yes, vote. And then um I can also for you officially though maybe I should have said sooner. I know in some communities and like you said I
think especially as a town minister you're a political um so I know that some communities folks have asked petition what's the term for that u but they've asked folks to make it more specific to like the local community I know that
happened am you want to consider or you can just take the for me to sign that it'd be very dramatically different. The first few paragraphs would be okay.
The last page and a half of them. So, um it it falls under that political I don't do that at this seat. Um and then if he could and I'm and this is just for I don't know how you and Rita
Eric and Rita feel about it, but add the the lines and mention that just one select represented. Does that work? Is that okay? Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. Yes. All right. Um, so then all those in
favor of uh the motion Rita made to uh support the declaration defending our democracy. Frell I. Stalker I knew. Um we will move on to
MPV grant with Tamson and Jennifer. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello Jamson. I see you're there. Can you hear us? Okay. Okay.
So, shall I do a little intro? Yes, please. Okay. So Tamson from Furkcog uh let us know let me know as um chairperson of the Lake Wyola storm
water erosion task force when we were talking about the having received the uh rural development fund grant for the engineering study that the MVP grant round was coming up and that there were potential
opportunities there for the town to express a I to write a letter of interest and that such a grant could help to extend some of the initiatives that are covered by both the engineering
study and other storm water erosion uh efforts that are going on in the town. So, so here we are to um give some thoughts about that and see whether you all think that this is a good uh project. I think
the town can have four projects and if this is the right time to apply for such a project, but Tamson's here from Furcog and she's the one who first uh you know put it on my notice that that there were
opportunities here for the town. So Tamson's going to speak a little bit on her perspective on that and and I can uh I can fill in the blanks afterwards. Yeah. Go ahead, Tamson. Thank you. Um, so I
actually didn't do my research to um know whether Sheetsbury has applied for or received an MVP grant in the last few years. We've applied. Have we received? Yeah. Okay.
Okay. Okay. So, um MVP is a is a um state grant from the MVP um office within EA. MVP stands for municipal vulnerability preparedness and it's sort of the like climate adaption
and resilience um arm of the EA um specifically supporting municipalities and um their grants are once a year and they now have um they are now following a process where if you sub you
can submit an EOI an expression of interest um you can submit up to for and then meet with them to get sort of knock around your idea that you submitted or put additional things on the table or take things, you know, help help shape
your idea to what they think um would they would support. And um I it's my understanding that if you don't do this, it's harder to get an opportunity to speak with MVP about your idea before um submission. So that's why just sort of
why we're recommending or that's why we reached out to Jennifer and sort of got on your agenda today to make sure that if that's something that Shootsbury wanted to do that we were on top of it. Um and it's also due a week from two weeks from today. So this um before I
forget to say this, it might be important if you if the select board needs to designate authority to Haley or somebody to submit the EOI um during a select board meeting that you might think about doing that today.
Um so yeah so uh MVP supports a range of climate um resilience actions and specifically Jennif Jennifer and I have tal been talking about um capacity
building. So, Shootsbury has we've been working with you um on water quality and storm water management around Lake Wyola and we've also been working a little bit with the DPW on unpaved road management
specifically um targeting storm water issues. And so MVP really likes to fund grants that um sort of have that kind of depth of story of like, okay, we've been working for years towards this thing.
And the RDF, congratulations on getting the rural development fund grant. That's so exciting. One thing Jennifer and I were conscious of as uh as we were working on that grant together was that it wasn't um capacity building and sort of outreach and education wasn't really
funded under that grant. So, the idea Jennifer and I have is to come up with some ideas for um I don't know if you want to call it capacity building or um
uh I had a good word I had written down um sort of consensus building like education building more buy in around the work that that RDF grant is going to do amongst the stakeholders at Lake Wyola
um and and or storm water across storm water across the um whole town because I know that you are now shifting towards maybe a model for the storm water erosion task force that's a little
more townwide. Um, so we sort of some of the ideas that Jennifer and I talked about were thinking about starting to develop operation maintenance plan for roads. Um
although Kimberly reminded me today that um MVP doesn't love the word maintenance and so that could be a harder cell. Also uh also it might benefit to wait until after this engineering studies and
recommendations have come out of your RDF um grant work before an operations and maintenance is sort of discussed in full. Um, so a couple of ideas, Jennifer, and you
can jump in anytime on this, but a couple of just sort of directions you could think about going in would be um doing more of that uh consensus building specifically at Lake
Quyola and starting to think about um what are the relationships and how are decisions How can decisions be made as projects come forward that could potentially be implemented to manage storm water?
Um is that looking at kind of a um looking at a governance structure just understanding jurisdictional issues? Um um just is it just simply getting
everyone to understanding what's um the outcome of the engineering studies? Um you know which audiences are most important um is it all residents around Lake Wyola? Is it association members?
Um and then if those ideas are sort of too you and you know action another idea is like coming up with working with what the um select sorry what the task force
proposed as far as action items and seeing if we can kind of even advance that plan even further. And then um if those ideas are too big, um we could work with GZA and um Field Geology Services, which is who you've
contracted with to do the RDF work to do some really fun like on the ground um site visits. the the fluial geomorphologist who is would probably work on your study. Um Nick um forgetting his last name, he lives in
Charlemont and he does um he's worked with us in other towns in Franklin County to give like really compelling kind of um explanations about how the wershed is working. Um, so bringing him in for educational programs, um,
potentially site visits to upland or lowland residents. Um, these are all ideas that are possible. Um, and the last one and then I'll stop talking. the um
what we did in August was an outreach an educational outreach event with um a watershed model and a stream table that the Furcog has and some of the conversations that came from that event was wouldn't it be cool to do that in the schools. So that's something else
that could be considered. So thanks Tamson. And before I jump in, do the select board members have any questions for Tamson at right now at this moment? You might have questions later, Rita or Eric.
Well, just just that I would agree that I would see the s maybe the sense of of timing is off if if we've just got a just in terms of the grants. It's hard to it's hard to develop a maintenance plan. We haven't done the engineering study. That's all. Right. Oh, Rita.
Yeah. Um uh I just I had a question. I haven't looked at any of the MVP material for this time around, but um in answer to your question, we have applied um Champson at the beginning. We have applied for MVP two or three times. We did we've gotten one grant and the one
grant we have which is actually active is um uh paying for the solar at the um and and some of the I think the backup at the new library. So, um,
uh, so that that is an an MVP award, but my understanding was in the past when we've been turned down by MVP because we had gone in on some storm water kind of planning stuff was, you know, they wanted kind of shovel ready projects,
you know, implementation. they were kind of shifting away from from planning and and process and wanted to move towards um you know more more actual construction stuff and I
didn't know if they were opening up this year um if if they were going to be more amendable to you know a public education process for for example um community engagement around storm water issues.
Yeah, Rita, thanks thanks for that background. Um I don't know the answer to that. Um I know that we've had a lot of success with the education component, but it's often been paired with um kind of
advancing some very technical work and like prior project identification, prioritization, and and project early project design. Um, but I think that that's what the RDF grant is doing. And so we could make the argument that this
is just sort of like a supplement that is sort of like what MVP likes to fund, but now they don't have to fund the technical piece of it, but we need that education outreach and education to make it really effective. So it's a comp complement to it's like
the next phase. And if the RDF stuff I mean I guess the argument could be made if the RDF stuff is going to get underway relatively soon we have that grant award with MVP we're probably not this is probably a 9month lead time
right before we'd even know we would be well into um the development of the um the work that through the rural development fund. Yeah, actually, so I think the timing looks actually pretty
um advantageous if we um you know that you already have the RDF grant and um right so MVP would be the application would be due maybe February or March. The award would be notified in September. Work would start
probably October, right? Oh, so and then it would be it would you I would recommend you go for a one month cuz they sort of like I mean the one year they like the oneear smaller budget projects often we go for two years and they cut us down to one year. Um and that would line up exactly with
the end of the RDF grant inf June of 2027. Yeah. Um I know and Haley can I maybe you can jump in here. There's been some other discussion. And I know you've talked to um some other folks about um
and I just don't recall what it is on on um MVP on an application. Is it was it around storm water stuff with Michael Dier? I think a little little bit. Um it's too
bad he's not here. I know he definitely has some ideas too. Um but I think pertaining mostly to like solar and some projects like that. Um but we can we can do up to four. Yeah. And I think it makes a lot of sense to
do one for education and outreach. Um and piggyback on the on the rural development fund work. Yeah. I think that Yeah, I think that makes that makes a lot of sense. And we just I mean as you
pointed out Tamson the expression of interest kind of gives you um you know opens the door to having the conversation with the staff about what you're planning on doing. Then they give you feedback and just say yeah that's a
great idea. That's not such a great idea. this, you know, is fundable so that before you put the application in, um, you have a pretty good sense of, um, is this going to be a viable application. Now, it hasn't always worked for us, but um, you know, we
could, as you said, we could put in multiple expressions of interest. So, I think we should um go ahead and and Melissa, if we can, you know, give authorization to um I guess Haley, you would be doing
it um on behalf of the town to authorize you to, you know, submit um an expression of interest um on this one. and and maybe between you, Tamson,
and and Jennifer, you can just help Haley write up whatever needs to be written up for the EOI. So, I think I hear a motion. I think you're making a motion to design Haley
to work with Tamson and Jennifer on the EOI. Um, so I've heard that motion. So, second. Okay. Thank you, Eric. I'm not going to try to say it again. So, best vote on that. All those in
favor of designating Haley, Farrell, I do I still get. Okay. Yeah, that's great. And and thanks um thanks to both to both of you. Um yeah, I think if if we can do that that
followup that the timing could work really well. I think I'll just chime in. you've already voted so that's cool. Thank you. And um you know the rationale here is definitely to you know the engineering study will
propose infrastructure in a variety of locations and if we can get some uh some capacity building and partnership development going before that the town is in a better position to implement andor seek funding for
implementation. number one. And number two, I did survey the MVP grants last year and the year before, and you're right, a lot of them have um you know, infrastructure components, but every single one had some kind of capacity
building, education, public engagement as a part of so it was like a two or three-part project. So I think that um that it's a good move for us. And and the other thing I think and Tamson you can help me if I'm wrong on this but uh
it's my understanding that MVP is one of the few that can allow funds to be spent on not just u public municipal owned um endeavors but private nonprofit people can benefit too. So, and this is one of
the things that's been a a block in the past of our various stakeholders working together. So, I think it's a really smart move and thank you for the positive vote. Good. You're welcome. Thanks for for all the work you've put in.
Okay. Yeah. And and the committee for sure. and the committee and we'll I think I think um Haley said something about the next maybe at our next meeting we'll be taking up the new committee.
Okay, good. And also Tam I'll have to say Tamson was you know like hand in hand in all the work that was involved. There's no question. So yeah, thanks for talking. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Bye. Bye.
Bye bye. Bye. All right. Uh, moving on to reviewing and signing the upper Pioneer Valley Veteran Services District Agreement uh to continue the membership for another
two years is our next item. Um, can I ask just a tech question? Did anyone who doesn't have the camera on doesn't share? Right. If not, no, no, it's fine. Well, I can try. which is scary. You have there's four modes. There's speaker, thumbnail, gallery, multi
speaker. Right now it's on gallery. So that gives the most view, but we had like 28 people on. Yeah. So I don't know who they would all may or may not have. I was just curious, but we do have a partic list that we can. Yeah. No. No. I was just curious. Uh all
right. So on to the Upper Valley Veterans Services Agreement. Um, so we're being asked to um for a two-year approval of from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Um, and it's for two years approval starting uh July 24th, sorry, excuse me, July 1st, 2024 and ending July 1st, 2026.
um the district uh processing request for veteran services. I'll make a motion that we execute. Upper Pioneer Valley Veteran Services District Agreement. Okay. Second.
Okay. All those in favor? Feral eye, darker eye, increase the real eye and give me a second and I'll There you go. Sweet. Next. Um, oh, this one too. The next
item. Oh, this is the next item. I'm sorry. Over. Next item, turkey trout. Oh, the turkey trout permit. Okay, so the next item we have is the turkey trap permit to have our turkey trot. Um, you
have something to say. Um, so just a little rundown for the public who u might be listening online and here in in the town hall. Um, it's on November 22nd and it's official name is the Roadtown Cherokee Trot. It's a 5K
race starts at the cemetery travels east up Lever Road down Pelum Hill then Leonard West Palum and ends back at the school. Um, Walker start at 9:00 runners at 9:15.
That kind of puts it all in in context. Um, we've done it for how many years now? I think this is the third. Third year. Yes. Um, you'll have experiences.
Last time I went to a lot of fun and I won a free turkey. Very exciting. Turkey at one. I would like my legend to be awardw winning turkeys at turkey drops.
I carry anything. You do look like a lucky person. I just real um so with all of that, do I hear a motion to sign the uh town special event permit application for the library tro
town turkey chat race? So moved. Second. Okay. All those are favorite. Feral ey. Darker eye. It sending it back across daily. And the next is
uh the town administrator reports. said I don't have because I have a bit you have to assign a letter to support. Okay. Um because we met Wednesday not a long time. So Haley has asked um
if we would support her in the application for the mosquito control commission. I think I'm getting that mosquito control district. um if we would support her joining that for two years
in the tube. It sounds so fascinating, Haley. I'm I'm in full support. I don't like mosquitoes, right? I don't like mosquitoes. So, if you can get rid of mosquitoes, that's great.
Um black flies, too. a strong connection between mosquito control and public health to the rural areas and particularly for people who are either very young or older because they think they're more susceptible. So, and no one has that
slant on the current committee mostly you're fulfilling that need. Okay. So, do I hear motion that mosquito end? Yeah. Yep. Okay. Yes.
Go for it. Do you need a vote? Yeah, we'll take a vote. Sure. Yeah. Um I make a motion that we support Kaylee in uh the mosquito um said it right the first time. Mosquito
control control. Thank you for a second. All those in favor? Frell I. Star. Thank you so um did you prep the letter?
Okay. Um and I think that's the end of our meeting. What time is it? It's 6:30. Feels like it's still dark. Yeah. Yeah. Great. That was a lot to cover. Um so to hear a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second.
All those in favor? Carol I. Do I. Big piece of your life. Good night everybody. Okay. Wherever. Yeah. Bye.