And just so you know, Hale, you're muted. >> Oh, how's this? >> That's much better. >> Okay, that's good. >> Um, but they everybody can see the room. Not just the >> Well, we did figure out the owl with the
bird's eye view, but it was very And if you had a small >> The sound was that was so tough. So that's great. >> We also have solid furniture now. So the plastic tables act like a speaker. >> Yeah, >> sounds good. >> Yeah. So solid furniture does not act
like speakers. >> We'll wait another minute. See, Rita, they're >> I'm going have to eat all these granola bars myself cuz >> I know, right? >> These are up for grabs. Anybody can have one. >> All right, for now.
>> Rita's always got this stuff, which I find myself eating my >> Yeah, >> I was in Trader Joe's the other day, which I never go to and I saw >> No, I go to Trader Joe's kitchen. >> It's just chaotic the parking lot. Yeah, I saw you and like couldn't even have a
conversation. >> I mean, I am totally impressed. >> Sto could be three times as big and still be as busy. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's like it's just I'm impressed with how they they've got it really organized. So, they just >> very efficient. >> Very efficient, you know, like it's unbelievable. I've read a book about
supermarkets recently and it was tra. >> Wasn't that amazing? >> Yeah. >> I mean, I think it's the same one I read. They they talk about traders and owls. >> Yeah. >> I think they talked about shrimp. Do you remember? I haven't I almost haven't
eaten shrimp since I've read that. >> So nasty. But the book was fascinating. >> All grocery stores are set up the same except sometimes produce is on the left. Sometimes it's on. >> But every grocery store is set up the same >> because they make the most money off of produce. >> No, that's the heat.
>> Usually it's this one here. That must be the one in the kitchen. Okay. Hey, it's 50's gone. Um, shall we call ourselves to order? >> Well, here are >> here comes Rita. We're going to give Rita a second to come in and and get
herself situated. >> I lost track of time. Sorry. Get so dark to be now. And you take a nap and bad. Okay. here. >> We're just calling ourselves to order.
>> Okay. Um so we'll review the agenda first. We have public comments and then our general business tonight is review and approve our meeting minutes from December 9th. um the two sets for December 9th and the
uh December 16th um discussion of long-term financial implications for the town. Uh one item being trash and recycling removal and the second uh health insurance and a J from finance and Mel are here with us tonight. Um
review and approve combined environmental preferred purchasing policy. Um, review and execute the docu sign for the FY26 local cultural council program contract. Review and sign National Grid Central to Western Mass
Energy Improvement Project letter. Uh, review and approve the police department's request for a police donations account. Um, police chief search committee finalist to be announced. uh review and sign multi- town intermunicipal agreement
Pelum's choice of payment for the middle school roof project and two unexpected items which is bill and sign for cog FY24 budget notice and signaturization form and sign the GZA proposal for
change order number two um their professional consulting service and then town administrator reports anything else popped up at all. Now, Reed and Eric, are you order? >> That sounds great. >> All right. So, if um you'd like to make
a public comment, if you're here in the room or online, please use your raised hand feature. All right, seeing that we will continue on with our meeting. Uh so let's review the minutes from December the 9th. Um
the one at 4:30 and the one at 5. >> I'll make a motion that we approve the minutes of December 9th, 2025 for the 4:30 meeting. >> Okay. >> Second. >> All right. Was there any um edits or
corrections? >> All those in favor? >> Sarah I. Starker I >> refus I the second section 5. Do I hear the answer to include that? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Great. Any edits or um need for
clarifications on those? >> I don't think so. >> No, I was good. >> All those in favor? >> Carol I. >> Stalker I >> and uh the third set for the evening which is 126 2025. I'll make a motion that we approve uh
minutes. That was the fastest I think we've ever got. Minutes. >> That's a lot. Those can't possibly be the last. >> Hey, are you listening? I just found a mistake. >> Oh, no. >> Go for it. >> You said you mean edit.
>> Edit. I mean I mean edit. >> Um on the third page it says adjourn the meeting at and there's no it says PM. There's no number there. >> It just says PM. >> That's a great catch.
>> Isn't that a great catch? >> I think it's about 620. >> They're taking bets. These guys apparently taking bets. >> They're very various. Thank you. >> I think it was 620. I remember >> 620. All right. There you go.
>> Okay. Do I all those in favor of the amended minutes? >> Frell I >> Dr. I >> make I >> thank you very much for all of those Brennan. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Um okay so the discussion of long-term financial implications for the town one being trash and recycling removal and the second health insurance. But Jay is here online and Mel is here in the room recycle coordinator.
There. >> Here we go. >> Good choice. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Welcome to the table. >> Thank you. >> Jay. >> Yeah, sure. So, um, >> move on. >> Thanks. >> This is so important.
>> Thanks. Thanks for the opportunity. So, um I'm really here on behalf of the fincom to to just kind of flag um these two issues that I think have important significant kind of long-term financial implications for the
town. And I'm really just here to sort of ask whether the select board thinks it makes sense to kind of work on them jointly and um kind of pro proactively. These are these are I this is not a conversation that I think is going to
have any input on the FY27 budget that we're putting together now. It's really more that I think the fincom is trying to get better about um sort of long range planning and I think um there were
a number of comments and suggestions at that joint meeting of of uh department heads that sort of spoke to the importance of kind of thinking about some of these sort of big picture issues as opposed to just like the dealing with
the very sort of concrete like how how what are we going to sort of how are we going to budget for this upcoming year? And so I think the two issues that um have come up in in recent fincom discussions
um I'm really glad Maril is here because um first of all I think she can um tell us precisely. I I understand. I think our trash and recycling hauling contract is sort of up for uh um or is expiring.
Is it next year or is it after this year? Um I know it's coming up soon, but uh um it >> do you want me to answer you? >> Yes, please, please, please. >> June 20 uh June 30th, 2027 is the fifth
year on the contract. However, we do have an option to renew it, extend it for one further year. And I've actually already been in touch with Cassella about doing that and they said it's too early to talk about, >> but they're open to it. >> Okay.
>> They're open to it, but it's too early to talk numbers. >> All right. So, so we so that so under that contract, we have this current fiscal year, another fiscal year, and then potentially an option to extend. And is does the contract have um uh a
cost for that option year that's sort of in the ballpark of the sort of step increases that are have been built in over the five years or is it fairly consistent with those? >> I can't answer that for sure, but that would be my hope that they would do that. And I will say that when we were
negotiating with Cassella when we did this contract, >> we actually negotiated the price down every single year. So they're open to working with us. I think they like working in Shootsberry and they've been terrific to work with. >> Yeah. Okay. Great. So
>> you can work something out on that. >> Yeah. So a couple things uh already encouraged me. One, I wasn't aware of that that there's another year um the potential to extend that for another year. That's that's good news. Um, and I
think uh, so I think that issue might not have might not be particularly urgent, but I think it would be a good idea for us to sort of think about um, sort of studying different options when
it comes time to u renegotiate that contract. be prepared in the event that um you know the I I my me my my recollection is that the there was a fairly significant increase from the previous
um contractor that we used to to consc so we still what's that >> why I'm sorry >> the the the previous contractor we got such good price on it that they they couldn't do They went out of business. >> They went bankrupt. And >> Cassella was the low bid and and they
were the only bidder who continued to allow for bag pickup curbside at the home as opposed to switching us to automated pickup, >> right? Um, automated meaning those those crane things,
>> not having people unload the trash into the back, but have a machine grab the big green to the big toers and and and everyone and having them pull in. And let me just for a second say that I have
been attending a DP sponsored curbside contracting group. Um it's talking about contracts and how we can get the best contracts with our curbside um oh with with just our solid waste management. And I will say at the first meeting I
quickly found out that our contract is one of the best ones um in terms of we have not had any of the problems that the other towns have had. We spent a lot of time coming up with a contract that didn't have a lot of loopholes and problems in it. So, as a result, we have
a great relationship with our contractor and things have gone very smoothly and even other towns that have Cassella have had more problems and it's because we wrote a tight contract and it's it's proven to be very good to the town.
>> That's great. Okay. So, I think when it comes time to um negotiate a new contract, which it sounds like might not actually happen for some time, especially if we end up extending the current contract for another year. Um I
think the the fincom was suggesting that it might be a useful uh process to have kind of a joint working group kind of structure to look at um a few different options. be
prepared in the event that that new the new proposals come in at a significantly higher cost than what we're experiencing right now or what we have budgeted right now and and look at a range of options
in including um uh you know in including the sort of transfer station uh option but I think that you know we're we're that I think We're probably a couple years away from needing to have that conversation. Um,
so >> I did prepare for that for tonight though and I would actually like to address that at that tonight so I can get it on the record early. >> Yeah, please. >> And well, I don't Are you done though? I don't want to. If you want to keep going.
>> No, I'm done on that on that issue. And then there's a sort of second issue that's unrelated to trash and recycling that lag. it. I will say that I've been on the recycling committee since about 1991,
something like that. So, this is like my fifth, sixth contract >> period that I've gone through. So, I have a good amount of experience with it. And over the years, as you can imagine, the recycling committee and Gary Burnernhard was very knowledgeable,
hardworking as well. Um, we looked at a lot of other options. One of them we looked at pretty in in detail was getting our own trash trucks and picking up the trash ourself >> and there were so many hurdles related
to that. I mean the biggest one being labor um and keeping people to do that but there were a lot of costs with it. So yeah we we never went forward with that. >> Um also just to I I just have some notes on the on the concept of a transfer
station. Yeah. >> And I I would say the biggest item with that is that you would be providing a much lower level of service to Shootsbury residents. You'd be going from trash pickup at people's driveways to having to have everybody in town
drive who knows where to dispose of their trash. >> Um and and recycling. What would probably happen too is some people would pay for cur to keep curbside pickup. So it cost them a lot more money individually. Um and then if you're if
you're talking about actually citing a transfer station, >> uh that is an extremely involved and difficult process. >> I mean you at a minimum you'll have people having to drive there all over town for wherever they're going to
dispose of their trash. um adds to traffic, adds to pollution, and I I I will think it will add big time to more trash in the woods because people are lazy. Um I hate to say that, but they are. And if it's too hard for them to
get somewhere, they're just going to start dumping it around town. I don't think anyone wants that. Um I was in touch with D about what the process is to actually put in a transfer station. And >> if you thought we had a difficult job
citing the library, um, try citing a transfer station with regular vehicles coming and going all the time, heavy trucks coming and going, potentially smells from the the stuff. Do you want it next to your house? >> Yeah,
I I I think that would be >> an offer, but >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it's more in line of putting a solar farm in rather than a necessarily a >> it would just be very hard and it's it's not just you know the the noise and and
smell nuisances that you'd have but the comp the the sighting complex uh the sighting process is really complex as well. There's there's a long process for handling the waste. can't have it within a zone one public water supply interwell. You there's just like lots of
rules. You can't have it within 250 ft of an occupied residential dwelling or I mean there's just so many details about sighting it that would be really difficult. >> Waiting. >> Oh, I'm sorry. And if you if you could meet those then it it will take a lot of
permitting a lot of expensive consultant expertise to repair the applications and get the certification >> and who's going to pay all those costs. >> Uh then >> who's going to staff it? >> Who's going to and who's going to pay for the the property? Who's going to
staff a facility? There'd be lots of additional costs. Um, you got to purchase the rolloffs and the containers to hold the solid waste. You may need dedicated heavy equipment to move around trash and solid waste. You have to get a hauler to empty your containers.
I mean, lots of other unknown costs that probably come up. Monitoring the site for environmental regulations. Just a lot to it. Um, who is going to oversee the operation and the sighting of the transportation of the town? I will tell you that the recycling and solid waste
committee does not have the time, the expertise as a volunteer committee to take on something at that level. I can't imagine that the town administrator would be thrilled to take that on as a new job because it would probably take all their time. So, I would say the
finance committee would be the ideal group to take on >> this effort. Here here here's my sort of perspective on I think you know best case scenario you know we're lucky to have an
experienced negotiator and you and we'll we'll get a we'll have a new contract that's reasonable and um you know in line with what we're currently uh paying and and there won't be any need to sort
of consider other options I think. Yeah, >> the thought >> I wasn't. >> No, I'm sure there's a lot. I I think the thought was to just, you know, have um kind of some of this some of the research that you've clearly already
done right now in place so that we could in the event that that contract that that new contract that our next contract is comes in at a significantly higher cost that we could present to the community a couple of potential options
and then it's ultimately their, you know, their decision about sort of which direction to to move. So I appreciate all of the concerns you know you mentioned. I guess you know >> we actually had more if I can just finish with what I >> go ahead.
>> So so another thing is we now have what's called a pay as you throw program which is the badge that we give out to everyone. And the whole concept of using those is to encourage people to generate less trash and to recycle more because
recycling is free and trash costs more. So how do you even do that with a transfer station? So we would probably our recycling rates would probably go down. So that just in terms of the environment would be very disappointing. And I also just looked at the
possibility of trying to double on with Leverit and see if they could take our trash. And I have a a copy of their contract and they're limited to 10 tons of trash per day, 2,000 tons per year. And they're supposed to only be doing
shoot um leverage of solid waste. Well, they've they've worked with us and we have a deal that we can take bulky waste there. And that's fabulous for the town because we went from having two two bulky waste days a year in town to three
days a week when town residents can go to the lever transfer station to get rid of bulky waste. So that's a huge increase in the level of service for really no cost minimal cost to the town. So I mean there's just lots of then you
have people driving out of town. Who knows if Lever would do this? I would actually be really cautious to even approach them with this concept because they might just say, "Forget it. You're out of here." I don't know if they would do that, but I don't even want I didn't call them because I
was afraid that I would >> open, >> you know, open a can of worms and and just say, let's say they don't do it. So then what are you going to do? Drive to New Salem and have people driving there? Because it's going to be next to impossible to sight a land transfer station in Shootsberry. So anyway, I I
just want to make sure you knew that that's a really tough direction to go. And >> yeah, >> in terms of, you know, we we did our our best job in terms of we're in touch with lots of other um solid waste or or
recycling coordinator people in the area. And we also have a really good representative at D who supports us all and they let us know what contractors are out there and what they're doing, who's who the haulers are, you know, are they good, they bad, whatever. And um
that's been very helpful to know, you know, how likely it is that there's going to be a big jump in the price. But, you know, part of the jump in the last time in the price was the cost of gas went up so much during that period. So, we didn't have any control over that. And um you know a lot of this is
out of our control. They want to stay in business and it is competitive even though solid waste contracts are one of the few that you don't have to bid. You can just hire someone. And we've always felt that we want to get as competitive as we can. Um and it has remarkably
turned out that the low bidder has also been the best um set of qualifications because we do an RFP process request for proposal um and qualifications based uh evaluation. >> Can I ask a question?
>> Sure. I think I think it's important to consider when should we involve the public in this because I think you know as a fincom recycling if the voters want trash pickup that's something that I think we're going to have to factor in. So maybe before we put the cart in front
of the horse too much maybe we want to do like a public comment period or is there a way to add that to like a ballot question you know for town meeting or whatever. That way we know that this is something people care about. So, we're going to have to find a way to make it a
reality. Um, >> I I think that I think that point's really well taken, Haley, because I it's ultimately I mean the the I think it ultimately ought to be the decision of residents about kind of which which um
direction to go. And again, I think the sort of hope is that it becomes a fairly straightforward uh decision because we're going to have a decent response to the next RFP and a
reasonable um bid that you know is from a quality contractor. Maybe it's Cassella. Um but in the but I think it makes sense to be prepared for the possibility that that is going to be a significant increase and once we have
some sense of where that might come in I think it would be a good idea to have um some some answer to the question is there an alternative and what are the potential costs of that of that alternative so that residents can can decide whether
it's worth the you the additional um cost to them to continue with the trash pickup, you know, at their homes. >> I would point out that an early town meeting I went to, and I'm saying I'm guessing it was like 40 years ago, 35 or
something, but it was a long time ago, but I do remember the the school was packed >> and people and and what why was it packed? because on the agenda we were going to the town was going to eliminate trash pickup and there was there was and
there was a riot in there. People said no no whatever. So I'm just saying there's a there's a lot of um >> and at the time I think recycling was dropped off at the highway department. >> Yeah they I'm not this may have even been before recycling even happened. I don't even remember. I mean you know
like they just invented dirt. >> I remember many faith as a trash pickup in my lifetime. >> Eric was there a lot of trash talking trash. Anyway, I'm just I'm only pointing out that that I think there's a big appetite in the town for trash if you just trash.
>> So So I will say if if you want to consider one thing that the select board town administrator could look at, but you're going to be very unpopular. >> That would be most towns or many towns
charge for all their bags. They don't give out residents 50 free bags a year. We do that when we started the program because trash was included as part of the tax base. >> So that that would be a way to raise
money. It would not be a happy way to do it, but it is a way to do it. Or maybe you say you get 20 free bags or you get 30. So anyway, that's that's um an option of, you know, keeping the level of service we have, but also making
people realize that it's an it's it's a very generous service. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You're right. >> Yeah. I don't advocate that though. I'm just throwing it out there. It's it's one of the things to just think about, you know, stop. >> Yeah. Exactly. I mean, the last thing
I'll say on this is just that Yeah. I think like a lot of things this is just this is a question of there's no obviously there it's pretty straightforward. Everybody would prefer to continue to have their trash picked up um than have to haul it themselves to
a transfer station. Everybody would prefer to not have to pay for bags. I mean all of right. So but but it's a question of like okay we all value this service but you know we pay a price every taxpayer is paying a price for
that service and so what is the right um sort of balance right now I think it's fairly straightforward and I think most people are comfortable with the ide the you know the expense that this is to the town but in the event that it does
become significantly more costly to continue in this direction uh in the future. I think it it does make sense to have some of the some alternative options presented to the town and for us to get some feedback
on um the >> just to respond to that too is um >> so that group that I'm a part of there are other small towns like Richmond, Mass who actually have bags at the curbside and they're coming up for a new
contract before we do. So, I will get the information about the pricing and whether they're able to stay with bags. >> That that would be awesome. I think and again I think I think it is early but I do think that at some point it may make
sense for us to do some additional investigation into this idea of kind of jointly operating what or kind of costing out and even determining whether it's feasible to jointly operate a
transfer station with with lever um which I think you you know you you you spoke to some of the concerns about their existing contract and that has caps in terms of how much um uh how much trash can be picked up from the trans.
So, I'd be curious. Again, I think it's too early at this point to actually ask those questions, but at some point, I think it would be good to have answers to to to those questions as well, >> whether they're even open to it. >> Yes, exactly.
>> Makes sense. I will say that I've uh just on a a different issue related more to the regional school stuff. There has been a lot of interest in among the finance committee in lever in having conversations about
um regionalization kinds of strategies. So that doesn't mean that they would be open and excited about um sharing a transfer station with us, but at least in in some general sense, they're they seem to be interested in having conversations about about um
regionalizing some services. >> Yeah. And the traffic's going to be a big issue and illegal dumping in town is going to be a big issue if you do that. >> I guarantee it. >> Yeah. Yeah. I it's not it's not the most convenient place to for for the the
lever transfer station for for many u many parts of Sheetsberry. It's pretty pretty decent drive >> and we have an aging population as well. This it's really going to affect >> you know the elderly having to load up their cars and drive there once a week. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I think it makes sense though to do our due diligence and give people all the options. But you know, and if we do that then >> they can let us know how they feel and hopefully it won't be a riot like >> Yeah. But even even the scenario Eric
was describing there, that's important feedback, right? like people, you know, if we tell people, look, look, you're you're you're bang, >> you know, your tax bill is going to >> um is going to need to increase and and by this increment because we have a new
contract and it's sign it's coming in at a significant the cost of doing this of having your trash picked up has is increasing quite a bit. Then we can communicate to town town residents that this is this is precisely what that increase means for you. And um and and
if if the resounding response is is yeah that sucks but we don't want to you know we're willing to accept that because we don't want to have to >> service >> bring yeah we want the service we've come to rely on it it's important and it's we want to continue to have that then that's you know valuable feedback
for us and and that makes that decision a fairly straightforward one >> and hopefully a new RFP and proposals that come in yeah >> won't be that much more >> right >> I'm pretty sure they'll be higher but hopefully it's not orders of magnitude
higher >> yeah I will say Merryill that you know I I'm just as a FinCom member I'm um I'm very happy that we have you in the role um not just of overseeing the committee
but overseeing that RFP process I do feel um you know that like that that That's a huge we have a huge asset and just your exper as you mentioned I think you said you're on your fifth contract whatever the number was um I it's it's
it's very reassuring to know that um the the per the person overseeing that contracting process is is got a lot of experience and knows the business and knows the the vendors and knows how to
negotiate a a fair um uh price for the town. So, I I do really do appreciate that. >> Thank you. I I do I do have to say though that um when Gary Burnernhard was uh as as the recycling coordinator, he
and I worked really well as a team. We had backup from Gail and others on the committee as well, but the the other committee members don't have as much background and knowledge about it. And it makes me nervous because if something happens to me, I'm not I'm not I'm
replaceable. I'm not saying that but but uh >> there is a lot of institutional knowledge there and background and I I am not >> sure what would happen but >> hopefully other people would step up. >> Yeah, >> we need some new members, young members
on our committee that we can really train to get involved with this stuff a little more deeply. But you've heard that one, I'm sure. >> Yeah. And and the only so the only thing other thing that occurs to me then is when you get time when it comes time to to run that new RFP process if it would
be helpful to you to have a volunteer from the fincom support because I imagine it's a lot of work writing the RFP reviewing the responses all that you know just please you know let us know I'm sure we can you know identify a member of the committee to help support
that process. Yeah, the other option there too is in the grant process that we work with um DP on there was an option to get technical assistance >> and we've done that before u to have them assist us with the
contracting process and and that worked out really really well which is why you know it's not just me that we have such a good contract we had really good uh people to bounce ideas off and work with so I'm hoping when the time comes to do the new contract contract that we'll be
able to put in for a grant for that technical assistance again. And these are people who work in the field full-time. So, that will be a huge benefit to the town. And then I'd feel much better, too, to have that backup because even though I'm familiar with this stuff and I've done it a number of times,
>> the things change over time, the regulations change, everything changes. So, I would want to make sure that we were as current as possible. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Great. Well, thank you, Mel. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Thanks, Mel. >> You're welcome. >> Thanks, Mel.
>> You're welcome. >> Yeah. So, can I can I flag another issue? >> I'll move back for Yes, please. >> Yeah. So, I mean, this is not news to the select board, but um we did meet with um Ryan, the treasurer, last night,
and his um guidance for in in reviewing his proposed FY27 budget is to anticipate a 20% increase in our health insurance premium
for FY27, which is obviously on top of a, you know, over 40% increase that we have um you know experienced in FY26. So this is of course a huge concern but I
think what you know this if if we do end up budgeting um another 20% increase for FY27 that will mean that uh the cost of health insurance for town employees will have increased 67%
since fiscal year 25. So, two-year period. I mean, it's stunning. And, you know, we all know this is um this is a trend in the industry and we're not we're we're not alone. I mean like
obviously the other municipalities are are dealing with this but um I think you know I was encouraged to hear from Ryan about um you know what's what sounded to me like a fair
amount of research he's been doing into looking at alternative options including um GIC and Maya. The conclusion of his research is that our best outcome would be to continue with
the trust and actually hope that it it it remains solvent and um that's not a given at this point. Um, and so we we may be forced to find another provider uh in the in the future. But it just occurs to me that that you know I I'm
not here to present like or ask for a partic or advocate for a particular solution. I I wouldn't know what that solution is. But I just think I think it's important for us to kind of work together and along with Ryan to study
some different options. There's a there's, you know, on the one hand there's the provider, right? Who's who is going to be our health insurance provider? Um or and then there's a sort of separate conversation about what are the policies that you know the town
adopts. Right now we have a very generous policy where we cover 75% of the costs for um for all employees. That's that's a decision that we make as a count. Obviously that's not imposed
upon us by um the provider. So, I just I think I I I don't have a specific ask here other than perhaps we there's an opportunity to create may I don't know if it's a working group or some some mix
of people to kind of um support Ryan and um think through some of the big picture issues because this has become I just think such an important financial issue for the town and It
really is um it's it's not just it it doesn't just impact the budget. It obviously impacts employees or who are having to pay um significantly, you know, significant increases in their premiums. So I'm just very worried about
this whole issue and wanted to gauge whether there's some interest in kind of having sort sort of conversations about what the sort of best path forward is and not just have like I feel like we're always sort of focused on the issue of
next year's budget next you know like what's what do we budget for next year and we we we don't have the opportunity to have the sort of more long-term conversation. Uh Jay, I don't know if this is helpful >> and it's different for municipalities, but my company just had their open
enrollment and there was no increase in health insurance >> at all uh to the company or to the employees. Um I don't know if that's helpful or not here. Um yeah, >> but that's you know kind of for looking into next year. >> Yeah, >> it might be. But anyway,
>> I I think the discussion should start now. um you know as as as soon as possible and I would assume and I don't know if Ryan spoke to this or Haley you're familiar I mean we're not alone
everybody within the um the Hampshire County Consortium so we you know is is facing the same thing so I think there's um you know there's something to be learned from other communities about what are
they looking at too and kind of what's what strategies are they thinking about so you know is the is the employee match higher than it that it is now or if we're you know deductibles or you know
whatever um >> and then what is the you know what is the cut off for who qualifies because I know I've raised this a number of times is you know we have people whose health coverage is probably
we we pay more than they actually make um you know so we had low low paid employees and and um you know and the health coverage is just is is so expensive especially when you
look at at family versus individuals. So I think it would behoove us to to look, you know, just as a community, but also I are the towns talking amongst themselves. Has there been any >> Yes.
>> organization? I don't know if there's been a formal organization. I know some folks are looking at the GIC, but like Ryan pointed out last night, they also are facing a significant deficit. So the the state's own option isn't even doing financially very well.
>> Yeah. And I I think I'm not thinking so much about like where we go is what we offer, you know, what what our what our policies are. >> I think it would be good. I think a working group would be good. You you certainly would want to make sure that there's employee representation. You
know, as we look at, you know, do we shift some of the cost burden to our employees? You have to factor in, well, you know, we're small community. our hourly wages are not very competitive, so that could be a way to attract talent. Um, so there's a lot of layers, but I know some places are also looking
at buyouts um and things like that to kind of incentivize people to go elsewhere. >> Right. Right. Yeah. If you have a if you have a partner or spouse and and you could provide a benefit um a cash benefit for somebody to come to somebody, let's push the burden
elsewhere. >> They're always shifting around. Um, yeah. But they can go work from Liss's company. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I I I think that would be good and and having Ryan involved and then
looking beyond our borders to say what, you know, can we start talking to some other communities about um >> about policies? When I say policies, I don't mean insurance policies, but rather policies about uh you know what
the benefit looks like. >> Yeah. So I think I think I think that is so what you're suggesting Rita which I think makes a lot of sense is that that it this group of people's kind of first task could be to to do some data
collection and some research to be able to answer some of these questions that we really don't know right now which is how how do how does our how how does our compensation policy compare to other towns? how how do our coverage levels are deductible? I
mean, there's a lot to it, but it I think regardless of what ends up becoming the sort of recommended strategy or, you know, options out of it, I think I think we would all agree that having that information be helpful.
Yeah. So, I I'm wondering if, you know, there's maybe an opportunity to put together a group that includes Ryan, includes, you know, some FinCom representation, includes some select board representation, includes Haley,
includes maybe some town employee. Um, >> you want personnel board. >> Personnel board. Yeah. Um, you know, the trick with these things is right always is like you you get if it's too many people, it becomes kind of hard to actually meet and get get work done. But
but I think all of those stakeholders sound like they'd be pretty important to have. >> Yeah. And then I um I I think that has to be looked at in the context of um contracts too. Yeah. because we have
probably the largest number of employees is the school and so >> I don't know where you know what kind of schedule they are with their contracts but anytime you start talking about benefits it becomes a >> you know point of negotiation so um
>> engaging with >> with them early when you talk about employees is really important and to understand what the you know what is the the timing like when do those contracts expire and uh how does that impact our decision
making? >> Yeah. >> So, do you want do you want us to >> Yeah. >> Um >> Yeah. Do you want us to think about um together a a group?
>> Yeah. if you could if you could have a conversation and think about the sort of composition of that group and what to call it and um you know uh and then um you know uh if if if you you know obviously we we would want to
participate in that in that and I I'm not sure who from the fincom it would be but it would be um but obviously we have a great deal of interest in this so um yeah I I think that would be terrific you Okay. Well, maybe we could work on a um
kind of a scope for the the group tasks and then >> um kind of get that get that underway. >> That'd be great. Appreciate it. That's really what I um all I had to um chat about, but um um
yeah, was happy we could flag these issues for for you. >> Thanks, AJ. >> Okay. All right. Take care, everybody. >> Thanks, AJ. Talk to you later. Okay. So long. >> All right. Thank you, Carl too, for your conversation.
>> Um, review and approve combined environmental purchasing. >> Well, that copy. I have one I can share. >> I have I have my >> See if I've printed it out. I'm just >> I printed it. >> So, essentially >> fighting with my printer. >> It's just combined. >> Yeah. Okay. and I leaned more heavily
into the EP policy that Merryill had shared and incorporated the language about local businesses. So, it's not Yeah. So, I mean that's it's pretty straightforward in terms of what I did. Um, so we could either we could either go with the combined or you could vote
to resend the current policy and replace it with Mel's initial draft if you follow me. >> We send one and just replace. Yeah. Okay. Instead of >> the right place. >> That works. Well, can I can I just speak to it for a second?
>> Oh, sure. So, again, having been on the committee for so long, >> the town has made a great commitment to buying recycled products and environmentally preferable products. So, that's great. And over the years we have revised the policy to sort of reflect uh
best practices and also to satisfy D requirements for grant applications that we do. So, the reason why I sent an updated environmental preferable policy um was because they've gotten more
strict about what they want to see the town commit to in order to get uh the grant that we just received for $3,780. Um, so for next year's um, so I sent a simplified version, but um, Haley did a
really nice job looking at some of the older ones and I mean I think as long as we have the wording and and it is in the new policy to bring in some of the old language I think is actually kind of
nice because it it gives you more the justification of why we're doing it. this is just straightforward. Here's the policy. But the combined one um you know just is moreformational to people. So I mean that would be my recommendation to
go with the combined one because I think um >> yeah that makes >> and if anyone asks about it or why are we doing this it it gives you a lot more. >> Yeah. No, I think that's great. I think that was a good >> um >> but you still should resend the old ones.
>> So I'll make a I'll make a motion. Well, and I don't know the exact name. So, I'll make a motion to rescend our existing >> environ environmental purchasing policy. Is that >> this is the most recent one from January 30th, 2025.
>> Okay. >> EP. >> So, so revise our environmentally preferred product purchasing policy that was effective January 2025. But we also had a by recycle policy. Well, that one
I don't think signed version, but we had a 2017 one. So, was by recycle. They're all I would resend them all and just stick with the new combined one because incorporates them all and you don't want to have anyone getting confused.
>> Yes, that is good. >> Um, all right. So I'll in my motion to say to resend all previous environmentally preferred purchasing policies >> and by recycling policies >> and by >> by recycled policies
>> by recycling that's what the >> okay >> second. >> Okay. All those in favor of resending those policies >> barrel I stalker I >> make pizza I >> it should make Gail happy. And do I hear a motion to approve the
combined environmental preferred purchase living policy? >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> Barl I. >> Stalker I. >> Thank you. So I thank you. >> And I would just make the request too that when it's all signed that someone
scan and send me that copy because I need to upload it for our next grant cycle. So >> there you go. >> Okay. Perfect. Let's move on to review and execute docu sign for FY16 local
cultural council program and I have them up on my computer. Sorry I'm not in um do you have a copy of them or the or no? >> Only in my email. Okay. No. So I I'll I'll do it as we talk because
I think it'll give me Here we go. Continue. Okay. So the first one is for the um signature for corporation or what is the
title of this one? Town of shoot. Okay. So, do I do I hear a motion to sign the docuign contract for the town of Shootsberry for the Shootesbury Cultural Council? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Um, all those in favor?
>> Barl. I >> stalker I >> piece of meal. I >> Haley, what's your phone number? >> 413. Sorry, I know three different numbers. Um, yes. 259 1214.
>> She's very bra. Guess it's up here. Hold on. 9 here that I prompted us. My apologies. Okay. And as we speak download and then I'll send it to everybody who needs it. Um, and then the
second one is This the same thing they just sent me. >> Was it only one or was there two? It's just the one that I think they gave also like a W9 form. >> Oh, yeah. >> But I don't think that like I can fill
that one out. >> So, it was just the one. Yeah. >> So, we're all set there. >> We've even signed National Grid Central Western Mass Energy Improvement Project. >> Yes. So, this letter comes to us from
Michael Dier and his tireless work. Um, I'm really appreciative for all that he does. Um he did ask though that if you sign it tonight that there be a clause that it's pending also approval from the conservation commission so that both
>> people would sign the same document. But it's basically just talks about our wetlands and waterways and the environmental impact of the central to western mass project. The one that we went on that site visit for. >> Yeah. Yeah. Brendan, I just sent you that docu sign
in and YouTube. Okay, >> thank you. >> Did you see it? >> Wait. So, you just sign it, right? We all sign it. >> We do.
>> Yeah. Well, I'll I'll make the motion. Okay. First, um so I make a motion that we execute a letter to um National Grid regarding the Central to Western Mass Energy Improvement Project. Um any
changes subject to um Conservation Commission comments? Okay. Second. >> All those in favor? Carol. I >> stalker. I
>> just kick them under the table. I don't want to do that. >> That's what I do. >> Um Okay, perfect. So, if Rita, do you want to sign it while you have it? >> Oh, sure. Um,
when is the conservation commission meetings? Look it up. You got it. It's probably easier on the computer than me and technology today. I, you know, I had
a tough day. Yeah, nothing seems to work well today, which is why I'm glad I'm not driving any knee days. Oh, I want that cemetery commission. Let's see. >> Matteo's got a question there, too.
>> Oh, and I was busy looking at my phone. >> I don't see them on here. Do you want to make a comment, Matteo? >> I was just going to say the next Concom meeting is January 8th. >> Oh, thanks. Okay, thank you. >> All right,
>> that's very helpful. And the next item is the police department donation donations um account purse mesh general lock chapter 44 53A and F.
>> Yes. So I kind of nudged Devon into pursuing this sooner than he might have otherwise thought to. Um, so the impetus for this is, you know, they were doing the community giving tree and there are some folks who felt like maybe they didn't have enough money to buy the best
gift or there were no more ornaments on the tree. So having the donation account will allow people to send checks which could be used to buy, you know, wrapping paper. If you wanted to open it up and have like a community wrapping party, you could buy hot chocolate for people.
Um, you know, I think he has a couple other ideas in mind, too. like if you ever did like a movie night, people can donate to that account. So, it's just a way for them to have I think it helps augment the community policing budget. Um, and obviously donations are always
voluntary and never um expected. So, I urge them to go for that. So, and then once you approve, Gail can set up the account and go from there. >> Okay. And I had just when I had seen this I had asked Haley remember when we had that whole discussion around the
legal you know setting up a legal account and Donna got involved but she said this is really different that that was yeah I just wanted to make sure we weren't making any >> mistakes here. So um so I will move that
we approve the police department's request for a police donations account. Okay. >> Second. >> Any further questions? All those in favor? >> Mel I. >> Stucker. >> I make.
>> Perfect. Um and the next one is police chief search committee finalist to be announced. >> Yes. >> So finally read this announcement letter. Um I'm just going to name the committee members to start. So the committee
consisted of our select board represent representative Melissa Mcpiece O'Neal. We had police chief Gabe Ting. >> Yep. From Ammerst. We had um community members John Percy who was a former police chief um Andy Reagan who is on
the volunteer fire department and Kelly Cersei who is a law student at UMass. Um we also had personnel board um rep. Kathy Salvador and Mary Joe Johnson from the COA. So, it was a really robust group that I think covers a lot of >> We also had Haley. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Haley, right? >> You had me. Um, so thank you for that extra time to do the reference check. So, I was able to complete that and we as a committee, we met on my god, was it last? Yeah, the 11th. Um, and so we went over all the references and we're ready
now to make our recommendations. So, I am very pleased to announce um that Mr. Ben Peters and Mr. Devon Pelletier are our finalists. And this I actually do need to read from the paper. Um, Mr. Peters is an experienced law enforcement professional with nine years of
experience as a full-time officer and specialized training as an FBI certified crisis and hostage negotiator, um, sexual assault investigator. He is committed to community policing and is noted for founding an internship program and as a police cadet program and
co-founding one of the largest public safety events uh in the state. He's currently a full-time officer and holds a seat on the Franklin County Police Cadet Program and Sunderland Health Advisory Committee. Uh and Mr. Palitier has been our acting police chief and
sergeant, a dual role. Um he's been he has six years of law enforcement experience and he demonstrates a serviceoriented and a uh transparent leadership style. And he has successfully managed the department's budget, implemented community policing strategies, repaired inter town
relationships, and holds specialized certifications including school resource officer and sexual assault investigator. So we feel very confident um that you have a very tough decision before you. I have um a question. Um
>> was there any >> um academy certification that either one of them I remember when our previous police chief was hired? I don't know. Didn't she have to go for some additional
>> certification? So yeah, she had to finish the um the uh give me a second. Um that last the bridge program. She hadn't finished the bridge program. >> Oh, okay. >> Um so that
>> both of these candidates have >> Yeah, they would have had to because they would have had regulation now. >> Yeah. Okay. And I did learn um that there is like a police chief course or some kind of extra training opportunities that are available to new chiefs. Um so certainly we would
encourage them to make full use of that. And so my question now is do you want to try to do interviews on December 30th or do you want to do them on January 6th at a normal meeting? So I don't think we were set up to meet next two Tuesdays from now.
Um, so this the interviews would be open to the public. So we would be doing the interviews. Um, >> yeah. And then we would meet in executive session to >> and we meet in executive session >> and we can't vote in executive. We'd have to come out and vote,
>> right? >> Um, and would we set it up so that would the public have an opportunity to ask questions or we would just see it just be us? they would be doing the interview and it's not >> they can observe
>> they can observe. So, if that's the, you know, if that's the case, either one of those dates work. Um, you know what? For me, I would think it was December 30th. Um, you know, and the public was engaged
in some way. A lot of people aren't around. It's the middle of the holiday weeks, but um you can we record everything, right? Right. They do that. And so people um anybody interested citizens could
come to that meeting or if they weren't able to attend then they would could get it on YouTube. >> They could watch it. Um they could also email questions to the select board email address. Um you know certainly >> people want to make a comment they they're always welcome to do it that
way. So that's an option. Um, you know, I like the 30th in the sense that it keeps us kind of on that track of Yeah. Um, but and of course it's all contingent on I need to verify that the final free that night. But that I think
would be a good opportunity. >> So, do we want to set a date the 30th being preferred and if not then after the 6th? >> Yeah. Yeah. Why don't we see it's that good with you? Yeah. So, if if they can make it, let's try because it would be nice to just keep this process going.
Yes. >> And to do something in this fiscal year, I mean, in this calendar year. Um, okay. So, and >> yeah, that >> that sounds okay. >> Great. >> Sounds good. >> Um, do we have um if we're going to be
doing the interviews that night, I know at some point you had broached with us um providing questions. >> Yes, I have some questions. Um, so maybe the three of us can meet at some point or if one of you just however you want
to do it, I can just send them to you and you can each review them and send comments back to me individually if you want to save time. We could meet as a group. It's up to you. Um, before the 30th. So, we don't have anything scheduled
between now and the 30th. And >> um and that would be in this case that would be an executive session, right? Because we wouldn't want >> we wouldn't want people to know the questions, >> right? At any point, I guess >> and they're all pretty much ready to go like as a search committee. One of the
things we did talk about on the 11th was what we might ask, you know, for a good second round because, you know, we had that familiarity with the candidates already. So, >> right, >> I don't I don't anticipate there being many major changes to them. meeting. >> I think so.
>> Yeah. >> Okay, that's a good idea. >> I didn't feel like >> Yeah. >> Yeah, that would be good. So, just find a time between now and the 30th. So, you would you would send us out the
questions and then um we get comments back to you um and then we could meet and just like an hour or something. Maybe not even. >> Yeah. Yeah. And it could be any part of the day. >> Are you around the next couple of weeks?
>> Yeah. The only thing about the 30th itself is I have a doctor's appointment at 2:00 in Boston. >> So, but as long as we start at 7:00, if we do a 5:00 thing like we're doing, I think I'd be >> pretty tight. Yeah.
>> If it's like 7 o'clock. >> Yeah. That'd be like just one. It' be just a one30. >> What's that? >> But he's his appointments take some like heat easily. >> Okay. >> So when the theoretically >> 6:30 >> 6:30
>> 6:30 or 7 should be should be all right. >> And we can just have this as the one topic for that meeting since it's out of our normal schedule. Right. >> Yeah. Why don't we do it at 7? You want to do at seven? Then we're asking people to interview at 8. >> Yeah. Okay. Why don't we do All right. Do it at 6:30.
>> 6:30. >> That's that's safe. >> I think so. I mean, it's a doctor's appointment. I mean, I don't know if they say, you know, somebody had had their leg amputated or something. I don't know. You know, doctors are >> they decide to amputate your not.
>> But, uh, >> do we want to do the sixth then? Is that easier? You know, if you have your doctor, >> what about that Monday? What does that how is that Monday? >> The 29th. I think I'm good on that. >> Would that work for either of you? >> Um,
>> Monday the 29th. That would work for me. I just have to Yeah, >> that could be anytime. >> It's okay to say no. >> Yeah. Why don't No, no, no, no. I know I have something on the 29th, but it could be like a doctor's appointment in the morning. So, I think the the >> So, you want to do six then?
>> Yeah. 6 on the 29th. >> Six on the 29th. Okay. >> That should work. >> Okay. Yeah, that's safer. Then you're not nervous driving fast back here, >> right? You're right. Get a ticket. Get a ticket for
>> I'm going to I'm going to a meeting to hire the police. That's why I'm going so fast. >> Maybe get police escort. >> So police chief interviews. So one would be it will it take an hour Melissa in
your um estimation just from the interviews that you did before. >> Maybe an hour for each >> each. Yeah. >> Um why don't you schedule for 45? >> Okay. >> 40 45 minutes. >> Okay. All right. >> Then maybe leave an hour like you give a little
>> Oh, because we have to Right. We have to come back. >> We have to talk. We have to Right. So then we So then after we >> go into exact session have our >> okay >> you know comments and then vote when we come out. >> All right. So 6:30.
>> So what what time we going to start? >> 6:00 start. >> 6:00 start. Okay. >> Oh, I put 8 a.m. Well, that would have been >> So two interviews plus our deliberation. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. just the one topic unless anything emergency pops up.
>> Yeah. >> To handle on. >> That sounds good. >> Yeah. Okay. Good. >> And you'll get us the the questions resumes. Yep. Excellent.
>> Um, and next is the review sign multi municipal agreement. Pelum's choice for payment. >> Yes. So, this basically is Pelum wants to pay for it out of I believe free cash. They don't typically like to
borrow anything. Yes. Um, so but because we're part of a district, every town needs to agree to that. So I think there's only a place for one signature, but as long as you agree that that's okay for Pelum to do, yeah, you are welcome and pay whatever they
come up with. Show me the money. >> I don't have a problem with that. >> So you want me to make the Eric? >> Yeah. Um, so I'll make a motion that we um execute the multi-town intermunicipal
agreement that provides for Pelum paying their share of the middle school roof in cash. >> Sorry, free cash. Free cash. Free cash. Okay, >> that would be a crazy amount of cash. That would be second.
>> All those in favor? Carol, I stalker. I make peace. Hi. Okay. And unexpected business to fill out the Furcog FY27 budget notice and signatory authorization form.
>> Yes. So, the Furcog needs you to assign someone to sign contracts um for bidding and such. So, whoever you want to nominate and I wanted to get this done at this meeting because it's due January 9th and I didn't want to push it out too far to get it back to them. So, um
>> and this is for purchasing for the the sh materials that that they >> all the shade bids like for heat and gas. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um I hear a motion. >> And so, do we have to designate? >> You have to designate someone. So, it could either be one of you. I'm happy to
do it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Just have you do it. >> Yeah. Okay. So, um >> I move that we um >> assign whatever endorse endorse uh Haley to
>> designate. Thank you, Eric. >> designate Haley to sign the Furcog 20 FY27 budget notice and signatory authorization form. Okay. just
>> they're having a broadband meeting. So I wonder if it's because of that if maybe they're testing something. >> I believe they're testing routers. >> Oh, okay. And she's >> Oh, feral
is generator and DBA. Yes. So, >> I did print out more copies if you want me to bring them down. >> Yes, please. Um, so I just got an email while we were having this meeting from
GZA with an update that's very timely. >> Um, so I I might have to amend some comments I made last night. Um but essentially what I have before you is a contract for the scope of work and the permitting um the repair project that GZA is going to undertake for us. Um and
as soon as we get this started they can have their contractor come and work on it. >> Thank you Shannon. >> Thank you. Um so happy news is for the costs of the development of the scope of work and for
the permitting we are able to use the dam and seaw wall grant that we were previously awarded. So that part will not cost the town additional funds. Now the not so happy news that is now in front of you is that we still have the repair work cost. Um, so the GZA has
estimated that to cost um $72,700. We do have a small question. So there were some remaining funds from the grant and the CPA match. So just by my rough math, um, what the town is looking at
for costs is about $57,000, which is still significant, but we can get a little chunk off of that. Um, so certainly that's something that I will be forwarding to AJ and the finance committee for their next meeting. Um,
but we do need to get this contract signed so that we can meet state requirements for repair work um, getting underway. >> Plus, this contract has a contingency. So it might actually >> could be
>> could be right less 14,000. Yeah. So, can you break that down again? The the um the one that we had was like 37,000 30. Yeah. 375. >> Yes. >> That was just the
going to call it pre-development work. >> Yes. >> And then on top of that, we have another 72 Hold on. I'm just confused about So 375
was GCA services exclusively. >> How much was our original grant? Was like 48,000. It was um well here this is what they sent me. I'm sorry I didn't have more time to prepare. They emailed me as we were
talking. One question I have. This doesn't have to go with the bid. >> No, actually it doesn't match the threshold and we had already engaged. >> Okay. >> This is a change order to the contract. >> Okay. >> So, it was 55100 was the original
maintenance repair cost estimate and then you subtract 375 and then the 14,000. Is that an already approved CPA? I
believe so because they say that it's in there as a match. Okay. >> Yeah, I'm sure that's true. >> So, we only have >> we only have 3000 left to put towards this 72.
Um, so that's a lot of money. I mean, the uh finance committee doesn't even they what was their reserve amount this year? Wasn't it around $75,000? >> Yeah. And they they've made two transfers out of that. So, let's see.
Yeah. They're going to we're going to have to look at Well, like I said, there are the grants that are also coming on board that GZA has indicated that they will help us with, but we are looking at having to absorb that full cost somewhere.
But if but that would we would need to have a special town meeting. I mean we don't have >> to appropriate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Could put together that >> it's tough cuz it's emergency. So >> I don't know. Do is there anything I
maybe you remember like in an emergency basis can you >> can you take it at a taxation? I don't Well, maybe that's a conversation too for Donna. Yeah. And AJ I I can't imagine that you would.
I mean like you can overspend on your highway. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. snow removal. You can't overspend, right? But >> but that we couldn't overspend on um >> right >> this sort of thing. I maybe there is a provision in the general. >> I would think so because the state is
mandating that the repair will happen. So there there's got to be some kind of contingency, but >> yeah. So I guess we can >> take it maybe from pre-cash and vote on it after the if you had to. >> Right. like if you pay it initially and then vote the funding after,
>> you know, if it was an emergency. I mean, >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, that would be >> and this is this is the type of expense that free cash would be that crazy to use. That is to say, it's >> No, it isn't. Except it would wipe us out for the rest of the, you know, and then some. We don't have enough free
cash. >> No, we have free cash. We just don't have it in in the budget. We have free cash, right? Don't we? >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. Not free cash. I meant in right we have the free cash. I'm just saying it's it's not a bad way
to spend free cash. In theory one time yeah as opposed to balancing the budget with it or something >> but it's u >> it's theoretically sort of a one-time event or whatever. Certainly >> right.
So, do we know I mean when this is done, is this all the work that we were anticipating doing? >> I don't believe so. >> No, this was Yeah, this is just to get us >> testing and bringing us up to poor,
right? >> Yeah. This to get us out of the unsafe designation that we're in. And obviously, I mean, I'll follow up with them more tomorrow because they, you know, like I said, they just sent me this at like five o'clock. Um, right. So, I'll have some homework to do in the
morning, but I don't believe that that's going to do the work that we initially thought that it was just based on my prior conversations with them. I gotta say when I looked at the um at the their submitt
the again I call it pre-development but it's the you know task one through six $37,500 seemed like a lot of money. I mean, we're doing $75,000 worth $72,000 worth of construction or
really 58 if you if you be bored of and we're spending $37,000 for um designer services, coordination, inspection,
emergency repair, permitting, designer services during construction. It's third. It's almost $14,000. >> Well, I mean, but if you look at it, there's so many permits that they had to apply for, right? >> And all of this is being done. I'm sure
emergency work costs much more than >> But it's the it's I mean, the line item there is designer services during construction and the construction itself is $23,000, >> right? and the designer services
overseeing construction is $14,000. I'm rounding up a little bit. >> I mean, I'm not an engineer. It just seemed like an exorbitant amount of money. Um, but we're kind of over a barrel here, right?
>> Yeah. But I mean, it does make some sense to me because I don't it doesn't seem like it's going to take a large feat to fix what the dam is, but you know, when you're an engineer and you're getting, you know, I mean, like emergency
response alone was almost $6,000, >> right? I don't. It's just Yeah, it's just a >> I know it. Yeah. >> I would I would just ask them why is that why is the oversight line that high
in the 37 in the redevelopment sort of phase designer services during construction? Why is it that high? is are they are they onsite
every day and so are we paying people? It would just be nice to have some explanation for that particular line item. Maybe it has something to do with the contractor bracing. Well, I I wouldn't think so because
that's that's them. That's GZA that's getting paid. That's not in the actual >> They have to select a qualified contractor. >> Uhhuh. >> But maybe that's part of what's driving the cost up. >> Yeah, but I'll definitely ask. >> I would just ask. I'd like an explanation.
Um, >> but can we sign this even if we >> if we don't have the money? >> So, we're committing to something we don't have the money for. Uh, it's a good question. >> Um, >> maybe we should say subject to that that
we need to >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Is were they going to go ahead and get started right away as soon as they had it? It's a legal obligation. They have to do they have to start the process within 14 days of the damn
>> Yeah. of the emergency certification or emergency notice. So yeah, it's a legal requirement that they have to >> Yeah. >> And we did they submitted that on we submitted that on the 3rd and it's already the 14th, >> right? >> No, 17th. >> Yeah. Sorry. Um, so could So would a
motion that we uh execute the change order for uh Lake Wyola emergency dam repair funding to be worked out.
income. >> Yeah, I mean I think we have to I mean like >> funding source to be >> there's not enough in their reserve fund. We do have free cash that could be applied towards that. >> But that would have to be unless if if there's some provision in state statute
for an emergency that we can dip in. Okay. >> We would have to have a special town meeting, >> right? >> Okay. Well, what I can do tomorrow is I can get this back to them, assuming that you do want to sign it and make a call to Donna, get loop in AJ.
>> Um, and then see, you know, we have to answer the question first. >> And I think and when you if we wanted to wait to sign until we knew from Donna, this I believe falls under the emergency um meeting type thing where we wouldn't
have to have 48 hours, >> right? Yeah, cuz this is an emergency situation. I think that's um having tried having walked through that a couple of times with her where it wasn't, you know, going through the checklist of what actually is an emergency. >> This might fall under that.
>> What's the What's the deadline? You said the emergency was declared December 3rd with 14 days. >> We're at 14 days. They spoke with the um office of dam safety who said that they >> they say um that they're going to get back to us. So, I mean, the Office of
Dam Safety still has to review and get back to us, but that I would anticipate that they are doing that quickly because of the 14-day notice, right? And it's there. It's the Office of Damn Safety that says the 14 days, right? So, I I
would feel better knowing how we're going to pay for this. Um, >> there's no if, right? There's no if we're going to pay for it. We have to >> how we're going to pay for it and and not
>> I don't know. I don't know if I'm just being a stickler here, but um >> No, no. >> Not committing our Yeah. I mean, >> it's a little bit um it's a little tricky and we could do we could do a an emergency meeting tomorrow.
>> Yeah. Yeah, just 10 minutes or whatever. Just to >> maybe I can see too if someone from GCA could join us at that emergency meeting and kind of explain so you can ask these questions of them. >> Um >> Okay.
>> Yeah. >> What's tomorrow? Tomorrow's Thursday. >> Yeah. >> I have a CPA meeting at uh not till 7. So give >> Do you have time during the day? We have a personnel. >> I do. I have a meeting at 8:30 and I have one at 1:00, but other than that, I'm okay.
>> And what time is your personnel? That's not >> 5:30. >> Yeah. >> So, we could do it at 5:00. >> What? >> You think that's going to be enough time? >> That might not be enough time. >> 4:30 is 4:30. Okay. >> Yeah. As long as I, like I said, at 1:00 I have
>> have a a meeting for So, whatever. We'll still wait until otherwise. >> Yeah. >> And if I have Yeah. I have a 315 doctor's appointment that I um might be a little close.
>> That's a little close. >> I could always call in. >> Yeah, >> right. Like on my way here. >> Um yeah, it's just something I can't change. Um okay, 4:30. >> Um I could do that. I have the spear
building meeting at 10:30 tomorrow morning here. I could do noon. >> Okay. >> And my 1:00 song or team's >> Yeah, I could do No, I could probably do noon. Well, no, I could do noon. >> You can't do noon. >> I got I have physical therapy tomorrow.
Um >> All right. >> So, what times are okay? >> Done probably 1:45. >> Okay. So would like two 4:30 work? >> I could do two I have to be in Northampton at 3:15. So if it was at two
I I have to leave at >> 2:30. >> Um do you want to do you just want to do I mean I can we have a personnel board meeting but uh 30 >> 1 does 1:30 work? No, that's too early.
No, I probably won't be done with my thing where we're getting our new one. >> It's also going to be dependent on Tuesday. I can ask them for 4:30 and see what they say. >> All right. But if I mean I'm I'm I know I'm not available. You know, I'll be
driving like 45 minutes. So 2:30 to >> You can. >> I could be looking. I could be zooming. And you said driving. >> Should we just shoot for 4:30? >> They can shoot for 4:30. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> that's fine.
>> Good. Okay. >> Someone can always join late >> and if I'm if Yeah, if I'm a little bit late. >> Oh, good. I am sending them an email right now. >> I'm going to check with Donna about that free cash. >> Yeah, I'll do that tomorrow morning. But I can at least ask GZA if you can join
us. what they say. >> So, it's a four meeting. >> Oh, god. I know. I have >> I know. >> That doesn't look too bad for this week. >> I have two other town meetings tomorrow. So, that'd be three.
>> I had six. God, >> you're getting off easy, Eric. >> I know. >> I was I was hoping you wouldn't notice this. >> You do one of my meetings. Uh, okay.
4:30. I'm just going to put that in at 4:30. >> So, the town hall for 4:30. >> All right. And so, we will hold off on this. That's tomorrow, right? That's That is tomorrow, right? I should write the date that tomorrow's the 18th. Well,
>> sorry. I hate having complete information, but >> Well, it seems like it's been a little bit of a moving >> target here and they're getting you stuck late, so >> Okay. >> Okay. So,
>> all right. Anything else? TA report. >> Yes. Um, yes. A couple quick things. So, I would like to invite you all to our staff meeting as listeners only um on
January 6 at 10 a.m. The personnel board has approved a new draft of the handbook. And so, I would like to um I've sent it out to staff so they can review it prior to the meeting um because I really want to make sure that we get their feedback on that. >> Is that Zoom or is that live?
>> It's live. >> Okay. Um, and then so once they review it, I will take that to Donna for final review and then bring it to you for adoption. But there's
>> Does that include our health insurance contributions in that policy? >> Yeah, >> it does talk about that. Yeah, health insurance benefits are a section in that. >> Yep. >> Okay. I mean, it might be good to just alert people that day when you're reviewing it that that we might that we're going to be looking at health
insurance because of the >> um >> yeah, I know as a from a business at least as a from a business point of view as opposed to municipal point of view, >> it made more sense for us, I think, as a small business to pay a 100% of people's self insurance. >> Yeah.
>> And have a high deductible and tell people you'd refund them for the high deduct for the they my does it. So they they they pay the the the a certain percentage. We pay a certain percentage. Uh it's it's the 40 $504 a week for myself. And what they do
is it's a high deductible plan, but they give us the $5,000 for deductible on the insurance. They also give us the $1,000. When we have a deductible, we swipe our It's a difference card, but it's like a health savings account card. And it automatically there's no exchange between me and anything that it gets
paid. um for everybody it's cheaper because >> you often do not everybody does not reach that five or that thousand but you're saving a lot on the other >> Oh yeah. >> You know even even to the point of co-pays our co-pays are listed as 60. I
only end up paying 25. >> Right. Right. >> They they pay that they paid the the co-pays. There's a certain amount in that. I think it's 2,000. The deductible is 5,000. the um the prescription has some money in it
too as a deductible. So you know and and they pay less and we pay less on the other side on the other side. >> Well at least in terms of I mean I my attitude was always this that in other if you let's say you have a 7525 split you have to pay the employees enough
money so that in in post tax money after the money they can pay that 25%. So if you're going to have you're going to have to pay them more money so they can spend the money insurance. So I remember talking to accountable I said so why don't we just pay for all the insurance
and they we the company can deduct the the money which doesn't really matter in the town but with they can deduct the money write it all off. the employee gets a tax-free benefit which is all all health insurance doesn't they don't they don't pay taxes on that >> right >> I mean everybody's going to win here
except >> that's an option to look at you look at >> I think it's a little different with a municipality because you're not trying you're not trying to duck out of the money >> I see a good candidate for the insurance committee >> well because you've been there I know
I've been >> offered um which which I didn't think until after we talked about it But there are changes in those prescription costs that caused it to go up slightly, >> right? >> Those particular. >> But he said even though they change it,
it's still going to go up 20% next year. >> Yeah, they the prescription is just it I mean it's just hitting now those price changes and and decreases. So, you know, it's going to be a year lag obviously, but the fact that they're handling the issue caused it to go so high,
>> right? Yeah. >> Well, I will say it was also high cost of like cancer drugs. >> And even as far back as the summer they were saying to expect a double digit increase. So I think Ryan was trying to be realistic in terms of what we might
see, but he's confident it'll at least be two digits. >> Well, plus they've held it down for a long time. >> So I think they may have done that too long, >> frankly. >> Yeah. Anyway, >> so tying into the handbook and the
insurance and everything, I've drafted a Corey policy that is based off of Mass General Law. And one thing I would really like to do too with all employees and volunteers is to recory them. Um, you know, we're a small town. I wouldn't
say that this should be a yearly occurrence, but periodically it is a good idea to extra >> to go back in and recory people so that we We do our new people. Yes. Right. Yes. >> And particularly anyone who's going to work with children or seniors, they
automatically have to be cied. >> Um but we core um volunteers like people who are on committees. >> Well, you only if they have interactions with seniors or children, a protected
class. >> And what if they're a senior? Well, then that doesn't count. Yeah. >> When the council and evening started their mediite program, anyone can Yes. >> Oh, had to be Corey interacting directly with on individual.
>> Yeah. No, I Yeah, >> but it's good to protected, >> right? >> Um but yeah, so I mean you do it at when you hire people for sure, but this is just, you know, for existing employees should update all of our records.
>> Okay. We will approve that. That'll be part of my January 6 discussion. >> So we we would vote on this on January 6. >> No, if you could vote now that it >> Oh, open your meeting. Oh, okay. All
right. I I make a motion that we adopt the quy policy as presented. back action. >> Um, and just to >> make sure that we don't use acronyms, the criminal.
>> Yes. Thank you, Melissa. Yes. >> Um, all those in favor? >> Darl, I >> stopper. >> Make peel. I >> What does it cost us? >> Um, >> you can do it through police and I don't think >> you can do it through the police. You can also do it through the state site. I
think it's just a question. Haley, should that be included as a a town policy? Should that be included on the the website list of policies? >> Oh, I think so because I looked under governance and there's similaresque
policies. So, yeah, I think it makes sense. >> Okay. >> Um, is it going to say I think it's a it's a nominal cost though. I mean, they want to make it easy for people to go up to >> I think it's $20 if you pull your own like if I was to for your website. Yeah.
Um, so that was one thing. Um, I was going to ask, um, so we're waiting on the library to be incorporated into our insurance policy. We hopefully are going to get that tomorrow, but well, coincidentally, we are emergency meeting tomorrow, but I was I was when I didn't
know that, um, I was going to ask that you authorize me to sign uh the paperwork for them so that they can feel good and ready to go for the grand opening. Why don't we authorize you just in case it doesn't come through tomorrow? >> Okay, perfect. >> So, I authorize I make a motion. We
authorize failure to sign the what was it was the insurance for the the new library building. >> Yep. >> U second favor. I >> um and and Marian told me that
sorry fading on there. Um, and Mirian said the January 10th is probably going to be the library event. So, I believe so. Yeah, it's tentatively. And I think when I I asked her today, she said there'll be like
three different events on that day, so people can't make >> Oh, fun. >> Like, yeah, they were dividing it up so that it was big. Yeah. >> So, January 10th is library day. >> Yeah. >> I already have a countless
something too. But it's not >> towns that day. See the four towns meeting that day. >> I noticed that. >> I knew it was a rang of bell. >> Yeah. And I have another conflict. >> Oh, that's your birthday. >> Whoa.
>> You're worried about that. >> Oh god. Well, that's fun. >> I'd love to have a >> So, we have to think about it. >> It's not great timing for us. This is a huge event that obviously we all want to be there. >> Yeah. >> To celebrate and we're >> the four time meetings are not that
long. They're only from 9:30 till 9:30. >> They're going to do it at 10:00 in the morning. >> Oh, going to be 10 o'clock in the morning probably. I think she was going to do what she told me today cuz I was just asking her kind of what the schedule was that they were going to do like adult sort of thing and then something for kids with activities and
something for the teens later in the day. These guys are real serious party people. >> Good. >> That's a long day. >> So it would be Yeah, we would be in the morning. So it would be in conflict with uh four towns
meeting. It's bad. It's bad for everybody. >> It is in town. >> Weather doesn't go far enough. I was going to check to see if there's a >> Yeah. Maybe um >> could we could we talk to the four towns people and see if they would be willing
to move to the f to the next Saturday? >> That never hurts to ask. >> Yeah, I think just say Shootsbury be very hard for Shootsbury to be there that Saturday morning. >> You know, everybody from the you know finance finance committee select board
you know. Yeah. better to start it not start our thing should not start till noon or something and then we'll be safe because the four town meetings are generally >> efficient and fast. >> Well, this may not be because I know that they're trying to also open it up
for like more back and forth discussion. >> We may not be in for a short meeting. >> Okay. >> Why don't we just film it when we're thinking? >> We could definitely do that. All right. I will check and see because >> that 10th is a tough day and Midlo's
birthday. Now I have to put that down. That's >> right. Right. >> This is a big one. Melissa, >> bicentennial lady. >> Just a couple more things and then I'm all done. Um Nat can join us. Nat from GZA can join
us tomorrow. >> So that's good. Um, and are you willing to join the finance committee at their meeting on January 7th at 6:30? So that would be a Wednesday. They want to do a joint meeting to kind of talk about the
budget and trends. What time? 6:30. >> 6:30. And they only meet on Zoom. So that's fine. For May the 7th, you say? >> Mhm. >> January 7th. >> That's a win. So it's a Wednesday night.
That's unusual for them, isn't it? >> Well, I told them I couldn't do Tuesday because that's your meeting now. >> Jeff, I need >> make sure it's all in my calendar. >> Yeah. >> Um, and that >> I need a personal secretary. >> 6:30.
>> Well, this an amendment to a the Google calendar now says January 7th. Nothing planned. There's nothing on his schedule for that. >> Not yet. >> Okay. And then we meet on the 6th >> at 5:30 or 5. >> 5. >> Okay.
>> That's a normal meeting. >> Yes. Okay. I just have to I didn't have it on my calendar. >> You're strong. >> Yes. >> Sorry. So, what time is that meeting? This 12 7 >> on the 7th at 6:30. >> Listen, for my last few months, could you have meet like at least three or four meetings every week? So, I
>> I think so. Yeah. Feel like I could feel that. feel a relief when it's over. >> Um, my last item of business was I went to Kohl's and got a ton of paint >> samples.
If people Brennan and I were interior decorators today. >> Oh, good. >> Played around with the colors, so I can bring them here. >> So, um, our painter is going to be able to start next week.
this weekend. >> Yeah. So, we have >> Carl. Yes. Our >> paint. >> So, these are some This is kind of more of my adventurous picks. They're kind of green. Those match are made four.
>> No, it's kind of funny because um it looks a lot like the paint chips only picked out once I >> And um >> these are there's two of each cuz I didn't feel comfortable taking more than that, >> right? >> And the trim is going to be white and the pole's probably white,
>> right? Or no, maybe we poles >> polka doted. Yes. And this is the book of off-white colors. Oh, which you have to have that
for your contrast. I mean, look at this. So, these are like browns, kind of like beigy browns. >> These are your more like silvery kind of palette. >> Taupe. >> Yes, taupe. That was what I was looking
for. And then these are kind of like a cool green. So, it's, as you can see, I kind of went crazy, but >> No, it's good to have choices. >> I like choices. Yeah. >> So, what had I been thinking of? So,
there was one color that I really liked. It's this Nantucket gray >> and I thought, but I love that. >> Um, I think it pairs really nice with the Swiss coffee. That's the off-white. Um,
>> and that that would be >> So, here's a thought I had. >> Wild thought. You could >> paint the doors brighter color than the rest of the walls. It's kind of like a Nordic thing >> where they, you know, you you see those
pictures on the end and it's like they have like the bright colored doors and then everything else is pretty muted. So, that's an option. could go traditional um you know the more classic route with the white trim or an off-white trim if you like you know a
different kind of color palette cuz I but I think what you want to stick with is like the taes and like something kind of green. Yeah, you want warm colors. There's definitely I don't think you want to do cool. At some point I would recommend getting a carpet for
this floor so it won't be blue anymore. Um, yeah, they could be that. >> Could be what tile? >> Yeah, like a pale, like a neutral kind of tile. But I think that's nice. I think this palette here also has some greens um which are pretty.
And there's one color. Is it >> browns? >> Might be. Actually, I think it's that paler one. >> This one? >> Yeah. Let me see that. >> These look like >> Oh, yeah. There's there's this one too, but I think you definitely want
something with like a warm undertone. Don't want to do cool. >> So like something like the wind's breath. I just love the names thing. Um or Cedar Key. That was one that I also really liked cuz it's
>> like it doesn't look like a dingy color. It's still bright enough and warm enough and it plays really nicely with like the wood tones here and the fabric of the chairs. >> Which one is that one? >> Cedar Key. >> And And tell me again what we would be
doing. >> No, >> no, we're just in normal. >> Um, we would be keeping the trim white or no and >> you have options. So, like you could choose to do
you could do the cedar as the trim and you could go for like white. >> Yeah, the names are kind of outrageous. You know, you could do something like that and do that for the trim and maybe augment that with like a
a Tate olive or something like that if you want the walls darker. Otherwise, yeah, you could look for, you know, do this color here, this, and then match it with another off-white. But I don't think I think if you go with this, you
don't want plain white for the trim cuz it's going to look right against the pan. It'll look like this. Say you want super white. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, you'd want something that's like a little bit more cream colored, right, Eric?
>> Yeah. So, it's funny how the color changes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I have to tell you, I'm married to an artist. >> I make no color decision. >> That's Michael. >> I don't do color.
I mean, it's a marriage, baby. He just He's doing his own house. >> Yeah. >> Um, but that's think if you do like a like a tan because I want I don't like gray, I'll be honest. I think it kind of looks like prison walls. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I think you want like some kind of
taupe with a warm underton. I don't like >> I don't like >> I don't like these ones that say white. They're brown. >> Michael's only rule was no beige. And I do everything beige. You know,
>> I come home, I say, "Oh, I picked out some carpet. It's beige." Right. Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Now I'm Now I'm supposed to go. >> Yeah. I I get a I'll get a leg. You You guys, Melissa and I don't do colors now. >> Oh, wow.
>> You don't do color. >> You know who my consultant did? >> Yeah. >> Chris. >> Yep. >> Oh, nice. Get him in here. >> Chris, come here. I need your color. >> You're colorized. >> He's not color blind, is he?
>> No. >> Um Well, that was bad. My only um question would don't make it too dark. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because they the paint always comes out darker than in >> No, because there's not a lot of light, >> right? We not don't have a lot of natural light at night because that's
when a lot of the >> things we're picking up paint colors. >> Pink colors for the >> Where's the hot pink? That's what >> Yeah. The Barbie. >> It's still >> I think we kind of taken this color out.
>> Yes. And so we're over here. >> Um here was one these two wall trim, right? I got that right. Wall trim. >> Um you were pointing out another one over there. And I >> um Well, it just depends on if you want
to infuse like a like a more I don't know, like a color that's not beige, you know? That that's a separate question. >> I was going to say we could let Brendan go if he's still here probably. Yes, Brennan is >> No, Brennan is staying until I don't
care till 11:00. >> His minutes are getting long. >> Um like this is another one. I don't know if I'm keen on this one, but this one is good. >> Why isn't Brennan down here if he was >> Yeah, right. Hello. >> There's another one. Eric Elmyra White
>> scheduling all these meetings. >> He's doing minutes. Um, but I like the Swiss coffee. I think this one is >> it's this this pairing right here. That's probably >> not pure white like this super white. It's got almost the undertone of this in
it. >> Yeah, I think they're very complimentary and I think they go, like I said, really well with the green and the wood tones that we already have. That looks kind of yellow to me. I don't Maybe it's just my eyes. >> It does kind of dance against the white. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Which >> do you have a pair of scissors? >> Uh upstairs I do. Do you want me to go grab them? >> Yeah. I don't have my pocket knife. >> It's going to make a little hole so the other white disappears. Oh,
>> if you make a little hole and then you can see how they actually work together. >> Yeah, >> you're a pro. >> Usually usually you have a piece of fabric like to pull color, but >> but we're kind of reinvent
colors can be paint go along but paint colors seem to go long discussion. This actually looks pink. It does that color of the well. I really liked it. Maybe a tiny bit dark. Very dense. >> Yeah.
>> Does this look familiar? >> The living room. >> We did a little too dark. We went from gray walls to that. Yeah. >> Like forest green. that we Okay, >> I'm going to Which one was it that we liked, J? >> So, I'm just going to cut a slight hole
>> or do do a do a do a rectangle. >> Yeah, I'm going to >> You don't have to do a hole. Let's do >> Yeah, I'm going to do those back for a second because it takes out the white color cuz that's the one thing that um my biggest complaint is that they don't have holes in the middle of
them. >> That's actually a good idea. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Square. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Doesn't look yellow. >> No, it doesn't. Not Not when it's against that.
And yeah, so I think if you look at it too, you hold you hold it up. >> Yeah. And then the camera >> or for you? >> For me. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And it goes with like the fabric again, right? >> Cuz you got that. So many had the green.
>> Yeah. >> And the blinds are that off-white color. >> What color clothes should we wear in the room? >> Huh? What color clothes you have to coordinate? >> Yeah. It's going to be all off if we were have the wrong colors. That's the problem. >> We're not doing the ceiling because ceiling's in pretty good condition. Um
>> it's just that much more work. Yeah. >> Um and were you thinking the poles we would do something else? >> Well, we have that foam. Do we want to do that on the poles? I mean, what's the color? What's the base color?
>> Um there's a few colors here. Dark. Oh, no. Oh yeah. It matches that yellow. >> It's like a must. >> We do have to do those. >> I mean, personally, cuz I like that kind of style. I like just the look of this
the metal. Yeah. Cuz I think it adds a component that you don't typically get. But you could, you know, but I think if you paint the poles, they're going to ship. >> Yeah. What about Let me investigate. What about something that's like this?
They have wrecks. Oh yeah. Yeah, >> that would look >> Yeah, that would look really nice. Yeah. >> Yeah, it'll give it some structure with texture. >> The only concern The only concern if we get this down to bare metal is it damp down here. >> Oh, yeah. >> It will rust.
>> Yeah. Yeah, that's true. >> And if anybody's touching it, so you'd have to just treat it with like a clear coat of some sort to protect it from people's hands, >> from the moisture. That's one possibility if you want to keep it bare metal. >> That's true. >> Let Let me ask. I know we used something at one of our projects and they wrapped
the pole in it. >> Okay, >> let me ask what that was. >> Okay, >> get a couple of big pool noodles. You >> know, nobody gets hurt. They walk into it. Nobody gets hurt. >> And then we can get colorful with it. Eat like yellow, orange.
>> Well, we've already had mustard. >> Yes, there you go. >> Stripes. >> You can have people paint it. >> Yeah. What we don't want. See, make it a tree. We were noticing when Carl was here that that gold that was >> that's the original. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Oh, really? >> Yes.
>> Yeah. >> That's what the whole room gonna be. >> The cafeteria in the classroom. >> It's going to be a brighter because this >> doesn't get you know in the winter time or at night especially in the winter you don't want a dark >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Don't want a dark color. So, and there's
some warmth in that >> color you're Looks like you guys are leaning towards. I think you guys had it, right? Did the >> Yes, I have it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. How do you feel about that color, Eric? >> Fine. Beautiful. >> Okay. >> Seems like there is
>> other food here. I swear I brought >> that seems colder. >> Oh, you brought light to the under. >> Wait, wait. How long is this paint discussion going?
I was going to say I got work to do on >> just building here all night. Um uh hold on to some of those green chips for free have to do an accent color. >> Oh yeah. >> All right. >> We could we could do an accent color.
Definitely. >> Okay. Um All right. So, I I can go I um texted Carl and he said it would be great if I could get all the materials or we could get all the materials. I
don't know if you or Brennan want to go get them or I can get them on Friday. >> No, I'll do it. All right, I'll do it. Or I'll send Michael down to Kohl's. Do you have an account there? >> We do. >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. All right. So, you can just charge
it. might be good. >> Um, and uh, did he say how much paint we need? >> I don't think so. Actually, and I guess
>> it's not going to be it's right. So, so it should probably be a paint that has a primer in it. Um, >> and probably >> and there's a lot of drawers. So I would say like it's just a
maybe two gallons of each. >> No. Well, the trim paint the trim would have to be scrubable, >> you know. For high >> and the trim has to be a a gloss or >> I wouldn't go that right. That that
could >> bold stuff in them too. >> They most of them do whenever they have primer in it. Most most of them do. You give me the two um this and this. Okay. >> So, I would say the trim probably Yeah, probably two gallons of each >> gallon. There's a lot trim here.
>> Um >> um >> that seems like a lot for the trim. >> Well, yeah, but look at all the doors you have on that one side. >> Yeah, that's good. At least a couple. >> And this is the trim. >> And then you'd have some to Ria left over if you had needed ups later on. And
and then it um >> so the trim gets a semig gloss. >> Yeah. A semi or even a satin just as long as it's an enamel that um >> satin. And then the walls are um walls
are just >> not flat. No, that pull stuff out that pulls dirt. So eggshell or or satin? >> Eggshell or satin? >> Satin's a little more scrubable. It's good. >> Satin. >> Yep. Just tell them what you're using it
for and they'll Okay. >> Um, >> right. This is the wall and um Okay. >> You said sandpaper and all those. >> Yeah. Yeah. He he gave us a a list.
Yeah. >> He's going to fix >> that area there. And then um is can somebody I mean we're gonna have him measure but then um we want to cover all
of these pipes and Melissa I think did you find >> yes I sent it to Yep I sent it >> um yeah measure those these can easily come off those that I sent to you either have a seam or there's a special spot to make the seam and then just we could put
them up I have I went to look at one of our projects and we are able um where the here where the where they've tucked it underneath the >> Mhm. >> um hangers pipe hangers we can actually
um cover cut it so it covers you won't see the pipe hangers from the walls. >> Those aren't split I don't think. >> No, but they easily can be those those easily come off. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. I actually went to Home Depot and played around with them too. >> Cover. >> Yeah. So, we get the new colors on. They
will blend. >> So, we'll do that after the painting. >> Yeah, I might as well. That way, you know, just as a like one of those finishing things. And if if Carl's going to do that, then like I'm certainly willing to volunteer. >> Oh, and one other thing I wanted to say is these go well too with the sound
panels. So, if we decide we want a wall mount. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, that was going to ask. And we're going to do that. I'm just going to get like a quart of black paint. Okay. >> Yeah, >> that would be fun. Part of blackboard
scrapes that tape off. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um >> Yeah, you're right about the floor. >> Yeah. >> Problem with rugs is that there's a like
like I tracked in so much crap. This floor gets so dirty. You >> It would help if we had more that ran on the length of the So, you know how you have that one that's got the fingers on it? >> Yeah. >> That easily is just you take it out and
hose it off. It's very easy to >> Yeah. I mean, I always scuff my feet, you know, as >> I do. But if you had one of those the full length of the hallwayish >> Yeah. Then we have >> if you had wool rubs though they wouldn't have to wool would have to be
because of mold. >> Well they have the commercial ones and then they have them in like the tiles that you buy. So you just cut down tiles that >> okay >> and then if you have to replace a piece it's easy to replace. >> Okay. So we think a decision made two
two gallons of each. >> Yeah. Then we have enough for a cord. I'll blend the paint. >> I'll look into the wraps. Do a floor to ceiling which might look Oh, yeah. That'd be really good. >> Um just dress it up a little bit.
>> Okay. So, if the We don't have anything in here next week, right? >> No. >> Because everything's going to be covered when he's painting. >> Um and then we talked about trying to get done by the 30th. >> Good. That's all. You can do the windows
too or the windows going to stay like that? >> No, we'll say the windows. So, they'll stay like that. That is the biggest pain in the neck trying to keep those. >> Yeah, those come out. Those come out. >> I think you want to keep it wood tone. Yeah, those also come out. >> That's fine with me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'm just ask. >> They're only temporary. That's when you
wash the windows, you take them. >> My god. I have those indoors at my house and I'm like, why did we ever do that? >> To do what? >> You know, have that like we have uh French doors with the cross thing. You can't take them out. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. These ones pop out. >> And I had a painter come in and he said,
"Oh, I'll paint all that." And I said, "Yeah, you're not." No. >> No, you're not painting that. It was I had already spent so much money. Paint really expensive. >> There's a there's a a stuff you can put on the windows. So, you put it on the windows >> and then you spray >> and then No, you can you can paint.
>> Yeah. >> It's like decoupage stuff. Yeah. And then when you're done, you just pull it all off. >> Pull it off. Yeah. Right. >> Fun. >> All right. Well, whenever you want to come paint Mario, >> there's a nice French tour. >> I never take anything really. >> Well, you're good.
>> Do I hear that we're doing Jane? >> Yes. Some of you tell them anything about the rava. >> Oh, yes. Sorry. Um, they are >> we did meet with them rather briefly, but they are interested in um working with the town. They obviously understand
the emergency nature of this work and um you know they we the things that we discussed were probably like a privacy fence and some kind of gated access for the town that they could maintain the integrity of their property but if we need to >> Yes. that so
>> and and maybe well this is a question to me is that was that question like a walkway down to the >> Yes. shown to the >> like a path for people >> because the the town's land is the land that goes like that, you know, it's like >> I mean like their land is this land and
our land is that land is that >> but this land >> you're talking about as we're looking at the dam on the right hand where their house is. Yeah. >> Yeah. And where if you're looking up that hill like that, you could cut into that hill like a path. >> Oh, like a like a goat path
>> like Yeah. like you're at the some state park or something >> and you probably have to put a fence up there or some kind of thing people could hold on to so they wouldn't follow it. The only thing is about that path, it does negate the possibility or it doesn't negate the possibility, but it
makes it more open to people just say, "Oh, I'll walk in there." >> There's a path. It's inviting. >> It's inviting. That's what I'm looking for. I don't know. It is not. So, um, just another caution, and maybe it's something you want to double check if you're talking to Donna, is if we're
doing something on private property, >> there's something called the anti- aid amendment, which um is state law that we can't um >> so we're just going to have to come to some agreement that, >> right,
>> um, >> that it might be better for us to have uh payment to them, let them get the funds, >> then us arranging for the fence. >> We had left it as basically, you know,
um we'll check with our council. >> Yeah. >> Um and you know, we said it's around the holiday, so you probably won't hear back from us until January, >> but they're going to have to go in now. I mean, they're going to be >> No, they did ask that we update them, so that I will be >> Yeah, they said fine. They seem to
>> they said fine to go ahead on the emergency but long >> and somebody's plowed down there. I I went down there. >> They have a tenant. So maybe they paid for that. >> They plowed it right down to the damp like it goes through down the >> And it's like a big tracks. It looks like it might be maybe the town. I don't
maybe I don't know whether we did it. >> Not someone. >> Someone with a tractor with big tires. >> Oh, okay. Well, it might be a water flow with those. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you for um getting that kind
of >> that just started, but I thought I we would I think both felt that they were pretty >> making it happen. >> Yeah. Yeah. They definitely seem very positive and just good. that though. >> It did seem to me like that we with the
idea of a fence like we want something high enough so people can't just jump over it because that's what people do. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Get curious and poke around. >> Just put a little sign that >> No, you're being you're being filmed,
you know. >> Yeah. >> You know, so you have a no trespassing and then >> Yeah. I think there's a big enough fence like it'll as a friend of mine used to say it'll keep the honest people out. The honest thieves the honest thieves out yours.
>> This is this is mine. This is towns. Okay. All right. Did we adjourn? >> Yeah. Now >> all in favor? Hi. >> Hi. Hi >> out.