Hey, look at you guys. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Hey. >> How do we look from that side of the screen? >> Really clear, actually. Looks really good. Yeah. too clear. >> Are you still stuck in Boston? Is that
why you have to be remote? >> No, I haven't been feeling good. >> She's protected. Feel better soon. >> In my house germ factory. >> How was Boston? Was it good? >> It was really nice. It was so cold
though, too. >> Oh, it was insane. But I got to catch up with some um some folks in Ammeris. I hadn't seen in a long time. So nice. >> That's good. Okay. Well, it is five o'clock. Um and so we shall start our
meeting. Um so we'll call ourselves to order. Um so to review the agenda, we are going to have public comment first. Um and then approve meeting minutes from um July
sorry July >> January 20th sorry um hypering hoping that it was warmer July um and 4:00 and then um the same day uh 120 at 5:00 p.m.
to um approve the appointment of Davier as chief of police. Do a fire department check-in with Chief Zwanka. Um review and approve volunteer liability waiver policy and handbook. Review and grant
permission for valley players to use the forest trails and clearings at lot 032 u behind the library. Um, review the 103 October 3rd open meeting law complaint determination and take the necessary
actions and review the January 6th, 2026 open law meeting complaint filed on 12726. Then our town administrator report. Um, I think Eric, if it's okay with you, I'd
like to um review that the October 3rd opening law complaint. right before approve of appointment of down and pellet here because they're somewhat related. I'm sorry the one six one six >> sure no whatever you want to do. >> Um and then Okay. >> The only thing I was gonna say is you might want to do Matteo earlier too
because she's here. >> Okay. >> Unless he really wants >> Matteo. Does that work for you? >> Okay. You okay? All right. Um All right. So that's if that's we'll open it. >> Can I say one more thing?
>> Yes, you can, sir. >> Yeah. Um Steve DS from the building committee asked me to um put the the build one of the options is to try to rebuild a porch for the MN spear library. It has some CPA funding
available for it potentially. >> He would like us to endorse that notion. >> Okay. >> So >> all right. So, do we um when do we have to do that by >> I mean I said we'd do it today, but you know what? I mean, we try to do it today, but I said I don't know. I didn't
really know what's on the agenda. So, what if not this one? I guess the next meeting we'd be fine. >> Um so, why don't we we can at least chat about it and then if letter we can sign for our next one, >> talk about it. >> Okay. >> Um that's unexpected.
>> All right. Um, and any public comment in the room or online, please use your raised hand feature in both areas. >> Just we have one. Um, go ahead. >> To the to the point of the CPA having
February 9th deadline for the grant application. >> That's why he was so hot. I don't think he mentioned that to me, but he was really hot to get it on the agenda. >> Easter unexpected. Thank you for the date. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. Um, any other hands
raised? I can't see the full screen there, Haley. And I don't >> You've got um You've got Tom has his hand raised. >> Okay. Um Tom, >> hi. Thanks. Um I had sent you an email earlier today and I'm sorry I came in like two minutes late to the meeting. I
don't know if you discussed it already. Um you'll be going over my open meeting law complaint in the meeting. I'm in Northampton. I'm trying to get there in person. And I don't know whether to just stay on Zoom or come in person. Do you know whether you'll get to it after 5:45
or I don't know if I heard it if you're postponing it or what? >> No, we're not postponing it. In fact, we moved it up in the meeting. Sorry. No, we you know, it's at the end of the meeting. I'm sorry. We've got two we're doing. Um so if you want to hang on on Zoom, um we're just going to go with the
flow of the meeting, so we can't really give you a time that >> Yeah, I understand that. Okay. Okay. Well, please just know I want to send my regrets for not being there in person because I really wished to have the chance to be there while you discuss it. So, >> um my regrets that I can't be there, but
that's >> Thank you. Thank you, Tom. We appreciate that. >> Sure. >> Um Okay. Any other public comments? No. >> Not that I can see. >> Okay. All right. So, moving on to
approving the minutes from January 20th, 2026 at 4 PM. >> So, moved. >> Okay. And I'll second that. Um, all sorry. So, um, do we have corrections or discussion for them?
>> No, I didn't find any mistakes. I did find one we was out of place somewhere, but doesn't work. Then I then I couldn't find it. So >> go I say >> good to go. >> All in favor of approving the minutes from January 20th 2026.
>> Stalker I make I and do I take a motion to approve the minutes from January 20th 20 5 p.m. >> So moved. >> Okay. Uh I'll second that. Any um edits or actions? I didn't see any in
there. >> No. Okay. All those in favor >> start I make >> P O'Neal I. Okay. Um so right before so we moved this agenda item up was to review the open meeting log complaint
that was for June uh sorry June I really need to get my points straight. Um January 6, 2026. Boom with me a moment. So, this was an open
law meeting complaint um filed by Amanda Alex for our meeting um >> on January 6th. >> 6. Thank you. I'm seeing something that said >> that's okay. Um so that was that was
partially on me. I didn't fully understand um what is in the open meeting lot. So I had done reason eight and miss Alex was correct. We ought not to have done any executive session um on
that day. So what I um in conjunction with our select board chair have drafted is just a letter that says you know there was a misunderstanding in its application and that we will release the minutes as soon as feasible as soon as we can get a meeting together
and um and that we would redisuss the candidates in an open session and then make a you know another formal vote to appoint Mr. Pellet. Um, and that's what we're also doing as our next um, agenda item. So, um, the
only one thing, Haley, I'm looking at the letter. My last name is spelled incorrectly. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> It should have been an easy one. >> Yeah. No, that's fine. Um, so I won't sign it tonight. We can we can sign it tomorrow. Um so this is so this is um as
Haley said that we would be doing um discussing again the appointment of Devon to the police chief um and voting uh again on that and then um just acknowledging that we had put the wrong executive session recent there. So, um,
do I hear a motion to once, uh, corrected, sign the letter for the open law meeting complaint dated January 27th, 2027? >> So moved. >> Okay. Uh, I'll second that. All those in favor?
>> Starker I. >> M O'Neal. I. So then we move on to the next agenda item um which is the to approve the appointment of Devon Pelier for police chief. Um so
what what we want to do is in this case is we will share why we had chosen um Devin as our appointee out of our determination from our interviews and then revote his appointment. Um I'll
ask for that at the end. So um the select board on the 6 emailed or sorry interviewed both people uh Devon Pelleter and Ben Peters and we um think lengthy interview great both were great
candidates. Um I think and correct me if I'm wrong in this summary, Eric. Um we had uh found Devon to be the candidate that best fit what we were looking for in a police chief. Um his experience
outside of the uh police realm as project manager. um and his other experience added to his police uh experience and um as well as the outpouring of letters of recommendation
from the public as well. um his strong suit in budgeting and his complete understanding of community policing. The way he thinks of Shootbury as as a work home that um he feels connected to the
residents. Had great plans for the police department. um future employment with the police department himself, but also looking forward to building a strong police department were some of the things that we pulled out of the interview. Was there anything you wanted to add to that?
>> That's certainly a good summary. That's that's fine. >> He's a nice guy >> and he's um and to be honest, he also had been doing the job for several months, >> right? >> Um out in terms so that was also a benefit. Um,
Ben Peters was a great candidate. Had had great experience, wonderful experience with the Lever Police Department, was um very well-rounded police officer, too. So, we also thank him for his participation in our interview process. >> Yes.
>> So, with that, uh, do I hear a motion to appoint Devin Pelleter as our police chief effective January 6, 2026? >> So moved. >> Uh, second that. All those in favor I >> make Pete so.
>> Thank you Devin helping us correct that. We appreciate that. >> Um so our next item it is the fire department checkin. Come on up Lenny or >> Chief Wanka the floor.
>> Yeah Tom Lenny is Rwanka Shitsbury fire chief. Uh >> yep emergency management director. Um, so give us an overview of what you're what's going on. How are you doing down there? >> Oh, we're doing okay. We had 10 calls
this year. Uh, seven medical, one seal alarm sounding, one smell of smoke in a in a building for mutual aid. Uh, we also had an animal rescue. Um, so that's what we had for calls for >> animal
>> a horse. So, uh, so that was for this year. city. We have eight members on the department, including myself, uh, including a new firefighter that, uh, was just sworn in by the town clerk last week. So, um, I'm really happy about
about the about her, the candidate. >> Um, possibly we might have one more person interested in joining. So, uh, they've been hanging out at the station and asking good questions. So, that's >> What would your ideal staffing level be?
I it would be really nice to have like 12 or 13 people on but uh we know we've had that in the past but uh when we've had that many people um a lot of the people weren't very um active members.
So it's uh I feel really happy with with everybody on the department now. Everybody's a pretty active member. Uh pretty much every member goes on calls regularly. So, uh, it's not like, uh, you know, some places it's kind of like
you have two different departments. You know, the the department that makes all the calls and the department that just has it for the, uh, you know, just to get the shirt pretty much. So, >> I'm really happy that we don't have that here. Everybody's pretty active on the calls. So, uh, I'm really happy about
that. >> So, I would pick these members more than having more and half of them not show up. So it's that um getting prices for replacing engine two.
>> Uh engine two is uh 90 1996. So uh the engine it's been a great truck. Uh it just has a lot of you know time on it. You know it's a long time for the pump to be underwater for you know getting close to 30 years. So
I've been getting prices on that. should probably submit something soon to the uh capital planning committee. Uh the prices were between low700s for something that's that the dealer has in stock to like a custom build would be
about 930 950,000. Um so yeah, firet trucks are a lot of money. The one bed apartment kind of likes would be something around 775ish with uh 2,000 gallons instead of 1,000
gallons. So, more water to me is better. Uh we do have some sacrifices on that with it being a little bit bigger truck and a little less cabinet space, but I think uh I think having more water is more important. So,
yeah. What kind of training um training are you guys continuing with your Thursday trainings? >> So Thursday trainings uh we spent a week in New Salem a couple weeks ago for forcible entry. New Salem has on loan to
them a door bra. So spent all night, you know, forcing open and force it open, break the 2x4 and put another 2x4 in and let the next person practice opening. So uh I am personally doing, you know, additional training just for
the one-on-one training with the new firefighter, just going over basics. So, the next couple weeks they I'm going to let the officers run the run training. Most likely they're going to be doing driver training for next week. Um, so yeah,
>> on the emergency management side there, emergency uh director. >> Let's see. We're going to have emergency management meeting hopefully next Monday. >> Uh, I got to get agenda together on that. We had the uh town hall open for two
days for last uh snowstorm. So, we had a firefighter here. Uh nobody showed up, but it is what it is. I didn't want to open it when the roads are really bad because I think it's better for people to stay at home. Um I think everybody's opinion is different on what you should
do for a warm warming center. But to me, I think it's best for the day after the storm when the roads are better, it's safer to travel and if there is major power outages, it will be open. Uh h asking people to, you know, drive down the roads when the
roads are the worst, I think is not, you know, not the best uh you know, advice. So, yeah, we had that. Um, as for the dam, I'm not too sure on the the dam repair, but I've been going there once
to twice a day, checking on the level and uh how he's having me going up and down on the the gate a little bit so he doesn't have to walk out on the dam. >> Right. >> So, I call him up, he tells me what he wants me to do, and I turn the handle left or right, and he puts it in his
book. So, um, so he can operate the dam from inside his house. And there's a healthy uh healthy layer of ice on that lake. >> Yes. Yep. >> I haven't seen any for years. >> Yeah, totally. So, >> yeah. Um >> Eric, did you have any questions?
>> No, I think I think that Oh, >> thank you for coming. >> Yeah. Um what else? Uh pancake breakfast March 14th. We're going to be start marking out the signs and putting them out and it's going to be at the elementary school.
>> What time is that? >> 8:30 in the morning to probably like 10:30. >> Okay. >> 14. Okay. >> That's for engine 2. We've also uh I've looked into getting uh rebuild prices because I know some people still
want to rebuild the truck. Um, it's still like $400 to $500,000 and there's really one year warranty and warranties coming. >> Yeah, there's not much warranties that come from it. Um, a rebuilt engine, a
rebuilt transmission or a rebuilt pump and still still the same wiring harness and no pain. It's like I think it's kind of good money after bad. So, yeah. What's your what's your timing on that proposed proposed engine this year? Next
year? >> I'd have to talk to the capital planning. If I order one right now, it's going to be the truck that the truck that we could get a truck probably within a couple months, but it wouldn't be the one we'd want. So, the one we would more
want would be about the same price, but it'll be a for 14month wait period. So again, it's these things take time obviously. I mean, you can get a truck off the, you know, right off the lot that are kind of spec built and most of
those trucks to have a lot of cabinet space. They're kind of a lot bigger. They're more set up for city cities. And uh it'll be kind of a disappointment to get something like that that's not really suitable for shoots. So, >> I remember with the last fire truck we
bought, the size and fitting inside the building we had was difficulty there. >> Yeah. I was talking to one salesman and he I was just like, you know, I got to have it as short as possible and he's like he's showing me it keeps showing me the truck that's like bigger than engine
one and it only has 1,000 gallons and I can't even put a dump tank on it and I'm just and he's telling me he's like why I don't need a dump tank. like, "No, like we need a dump tank like a regular fire department from the city needs a fire hydrant, you know? No, we're not not
going to get a that's a deal breaker." >> And he just keeps on going back, well, you don't need it. I'm like, "No, that's crazy dog." So, um, but yeah. Um, >> keep pushing. >> Yeah, totally. So, yeah.
>> Okay. Well, thank you very much. >> Yep. I don't see anybody's hand on the screen. So >> yeah, >> out of the woods. >> One down. Several to go. >> Yeah, totally. So, >> thank you very much. >> All right. Yeah, you're all set. All right. Hey, we'll take care.
>> Thank you. You, too. Enjoy your evening. >> Um, the next is to review and approve the volunteer liability waiver and policy. >> Well, policy and handbook. And I don't think these need signatures, right, Bailey?
>> No, just an approval. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Brennan was nice enough to clean that up for me today. >> Oh, good. Thank you, Bren. All right. So, um we looked at these the last time in our last meeting and had suggestions
for Haley um to incorporate and to clarify, which I believe she did um when I read through them. Um, do you have any uh corrections or edits before we decide to vote on? >> No, I think I'll almost start.
>> So, let's do the first one first. Um, do I hear a motion to approve the town of Shbury volunteer liability waiver policy? >> So, move. >> Okay. Um, I'll second that. All those in favor?
>> Stalker. I meet Pil I and second. Do I hear a motion to approve the town of Shbury volunteer handbook? >> So moved. >> Um I'll second that. All those in favor
I >> chief O'Neal I. Okay, that's great. Okay, Matteo. Um we are going to review and approve the vol uh sorry grant permission for the valley players to use
the forest trails um at lot 030 parcel 032 behind the library as a venue for valiant youth sar Shakespeare camp. Um so we received a quest from the valley players through Matteo Pangalo who is
their president. Um to use the property, the woods and the clearings for their profit their for their program. Um it is a a Shakespeare camp for two weeks that will introduce students to theatrical
approach to Shakespeare's plays. Um, Matteo, would you like to come forward and give us a summary for the public who wasn't included in our invitations? Excuse my computer. >> Uh, so Valley Players is a it's a 501c3
nonprofit incorporated here in Shootsbury actually. Um, we are this year in year three of our operations. Um, we are a community theater group. The aim of using community theater to help build community. So we do um we
have been doing about two plays a year or three plays a year and then two or three smaller things a year. Um and uh the core part of the mission is donating half of our ticket sales to another nonprofit in the valley that has a mission that aligns with um the themes
of the play or the story of the play. Uh this is a little bit different. This is not a production. This is sort of a um uh you know, as you mentioned, a a two-week uh outdoor exploration of performance approaches to Shakespeare uh
geared for uh students ages 12 to 16. Um which would run June 22nd to July 2nd. Um yes. So that's the that's the gist. >> All right. And I believe of the police fire have um and board of health I think
have already said that was okay. I know Maryanne had said >> yes. So I did I did meet with them and they signed off on the form and the the idea with the library is it would be the a fallback space in the event of inclement weather. Um but ideally it's better to to have the kids outside if we can be outside.
>> Right. Yeah. No problem. Um okay. Do you have any questions? Is there any liability for the town like you know someone I I think I remember liability policy. >> So there's um on the registration form um that
caregivers need to fill out. Um there is an accident waiver and release of liability. Um, and I have sent this to Donna to look at as well, just to make sure it was okay because it does include Valley Players, the Shootsbury Public Library, and the town of Shootsbury. Also, in the um, liability insurance
policy that we have, the town of Shootsbury is a named insured um, as you could get that as well if you want. Um, as is the library. >> Okay. >> All right. Great. >> Oh, you have a safety plan. Perfect. >> Yeah. And so that's something that um uh when I met with
Devon and Lenny, they said they'd like to have some kind of just brief formal write up about what the plan is and different, you know, in in different incidents things come up. Um and so I sort of mapped out potential issues that might arise. We will have a medical kit on hand, an epipen and some other
allergy supplies. Um typically kids who have known allergies often travel with their own stuff, but it's best to have it just in case. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. That so this is actually setting the stage. We've never had anything quite like this in town. So all the
force is setting the stage for future ones, too. >> Yeah. No, it's great. >> Appreciate that, Matt. Um I I think this is great. I have no issues with supporting. >> No, I think it's fantastic. >> So, we need to vote. Do you want to make
a motion? I move that we approve um and grant permission to the valley players to use the forest trails and clearing at lot 032. >> I'll second that. Um all those in favor >> start >> make peace on the line. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Oh yes. I probably should just make sure Caitlyn gets a copy. Yeah. Okay, there you go. >> Great. Thanks a lot. So now um to review the open meeting law
complaint into co response um on October 10th, 2003. Um this was an open meeting law complaint that we had had. Um it was a result of a open records
request in which um there was an email that was discovered to have violated the open meeting law complaints um and then was immediately um recognized that I had done that. So we had but the the AG's office had uh
determined that we have to go forward and acknowledge that it has happened and to read the email chain in person. Hello uh to email the the chain in person um
at our meeting and to place it um in our minutes. And let me just read the exact thing. It's uh reading the content during meeting and listing the emails in the meeting minutes. So Brennan is on that. So he'll
make sure we do that. But I said that I would read the email to comply with the attorney general's determination and then we'll vote to sign this letter that was drafted. Do we have to sign a
letter? um mailing. >> No, the AG's office only said that the emails need to be released um in their entirety. >> Okay. >> And just recorded in the minutes. >> So there there's no mention of having to
do that >> a letter. Okay. So that's what we'll do. We'll read and then we'll >> and um Tom has his hand up. If you if you can't read the screen, Tom, I I can see him now. Before it was not clear. Here's a copy for you, Eric. I'll just
I'll read it. >> Oh, thank you. >> Go ahead, Tom. >> Thanks. Um, are you going to offer me an opportunity to speak after you read the email aloud? >> Um, uh, we can determine that. Eric,
would we um let us read it first and then we'll we'll go with that formal process after we have to get our process. >> I would appreciate being able to talk after you read it aloud. Um, so bear with me because it's an email change, so I have to go up
backwards. Um, so on June 4th, um, the select board received an email, uh, that that stated, um, let me just make Yes, that's her. um that said, "Dear Slickboard, yesterday's
events are causing me unfair and pain a painful emotional distress. I did not sleep well, if at all, and woke up very early." Frank told me last night before bed that he was emotionally distressed as a result of yesterday's events, too.
We both feel under unfair heightened scrutiny and ostracize as a result of the retaliatory efforts against me as we discovered yesterday. Um please help us if you can sign Tom
>> that was from Tom Seafford. Melissa, you're not including the names of the people who wrote. >> I'm reading the email verbatim as it's supposed to be. >> You're not reading who sent it. Okay. Um, this is gives it it says Tom S
with a Jackson Fivear 2000 email address. >> It's Tom Secret. Melissa, please name me. >> Okay. Tom Secret. >> Please don't ignore my name. >> It said to read the email verbatim. And this is what I'm doing from the page that's in front of me. So um so then uh
at uh June 5th there was a reply uh that says good morning Eric Rita and Melissa. Please know that I am still feeling emotionally distressed as a
result of the retaliation efforts that Mark Rivers sponsors against me. Frank also re remains very upset. We both feel ostracized. Yours, Tom. That's also listed from an address Tom S, which is
Tom Sever Jackson five-star. Um, and then again at 8:04 on June 5th, 2025, uh, the select board town administrator and Frank McInn received an email. We
are still, we both still feel ostracized. There was a typo in the email um sent at 8:03. Then you follow the chain. Um Thursday, June 5th at 10 11:10 where town
administrator um sent an email to the select board asking us to reply individually. We want to send a response. Do we want to send a response? I could keep it brief and say
that we've received the his email and I've asked Mark Rivers if he's open to mediation session to facilitate a conversation between committee members may offer some selfhelp resources. Beth Haley, town administrator.
Um later that evening at 6:14, uh June 5th, um Eric Stocker replied, "Hi, hey Haley. Hope you you're all have sorry, hope you're well and have
recovered from the lengthy ATM." Yeah, anal meeting. Um, I have to admit that I am confused by this one. I guess that my biggest concern is that we are sure there's no reason not to
appoint Tom that are based on racism, homophobia, etc. Having said that, I think there are some legitimate reasons for a committee to not want Tom on it. He has proven several times that he is
not a good team player. For example, it seems a little odd that he can run against Melissa for select board, disparage Mark Rivers and his wife, among other things, and expect to have no consequences from these actions when it comes to getting appointed to
committees. Not sure where we go on this one. By the way, I'm planning Zoom for 617. Planning to Zoom for 617 SB meeting E. So that was a reply that in which is
where the the reply to all happened exactly two minutes later uh Eric replied looks like I replied to all in error. So this is the one email based on a records request that was uh determined
an open meeting law violation because of the reply to all and the AG's office has just asked us to do this process which we've just done. Um and
so but the select board does admit that um or I do anyway in the world of email it's very easy to make the mistake of hitting reply all and you think you would hit reply all. So I do want to acknowledge that there is a human nature
to our work that sometimes um you know this happens in all work with email. Um, Eric, did you want to make any comment before we >> No, just that that um I would apologize
for that that error. Um, but um I would just say that we get lots and lots of emails. So, see it is very easy to make some slip up like that, which I would be the first to admit was it was made. >> Um, >> and Haley's gone through through some
process to make sure that we're not able to do that when we all get an email from her, >> right? >> To help us not to do that in the future. So, we're we're good. Um, shall we um have Tom weigh in on this? >> Sure. Yeah. >> Okay. Go ahead, Tom.
>> Thanks so much. I really appreciate that you read it out loud. Um, I appreciate that you acknowledged it was a violation to send the email out to everybody. Um, I would appreciate knowing if Eric has a take on the contents of the email and
whether there's any necessity to give some sort of explanation for the allegations in his email. All of which, by the way, I vehemently deny as being untrue and unfounded. Um, Eric, do you
have any explanation? >> No. >> For for what you >> I'm not going to get into a back and forth, you know, complaint. >> Not going to happen. >> So, we're not going to No. And I do apologize for not reading your name, Tom. The headers were missing when Google does a chain. It takes out the
headers of exactly who they're from and everything. So, I do apologize for that. Um, >> may I um speak a little more? um as you noted, you read it aloud yourself and it is actually still true today over six months later that it hurt a lot to read
the unfounded and untrue claims that Eric wrote. And I think that uh the people in town deserve a process and the uh municipal employees in town deserve a process for what to do if they feel as
though a select board member has acted inappropriately. And I'm not aware of any complaint process for that. Um the only complaint I was able to make was the open meeting law complaint. But >> besides the complaint about deliberating outside of open session, I would say
that I have um a complaint as well for having been potentially defamed by Eric Stalker. >> If you would like to if you would like to put that in a different type of complaint to the select book, but we're not going to discuss it here. We will move on to our next item. Tom. Well, I
would like to continue to ask what his message means about people participating in the democratic process. And I would like to ask whether >> you can you can ask and we will we will address it in a different way. We're not
doing that in our meeting tonight. This was about an open meeting law complaint that we have handled. So we we will be moving on. Well, the open meeting law is there to um fortify open and transparent government, and this type of messaging
suppresses democratic activity. So, I do feel as though discussing the content of the email is not inappropriate during this session. >> No, we're not going to do this, Tom. I will have you muted. We will if you would like us to handle that in a way
that's appropriate in that way then you said I wasowed a formal complaint about that but we're not going to discuss that here tonight. >> Melissa you said so I just want to speak for another 10 or 15 seconds. >> Guys, can I can I interject just really
quickly? So the select board does have a right to set the agenda. Tom, I think you know that. Maybe I'm happy to look at other towns and see what they do for when citizens have a complaint against a board or a body and then I can take that back to the next public meeting. You
know, I don't I feel like if we have this conversation right now, we're going to get into the weeds. I don't know how productive it is. >> I don't mean to get into the details of the conversation. And I mean to point out the questions that this scenario has raised and to let you know that I want to ask these questions out loud and I
don't intend to have the discussion tonight, but I think it's really important that these points are made that this was a potentially defamatory email. It could cause liability for the town. It creates the question about whether select board members are
suppressing Democratic activity in the public. And it probably deserves an apology. And I wanted to make those given to you, Tom. I said I was sorry. I am sorry. >> By what I wrote here.
>> Pardon me. >> There's nothing malicious by what I wrote here. >> Means it's their facts. >> I just look like I said, the select board does have the right to do this and they don't have to take public comment during their
meeting. Tom, I think we can find a way to do this. You know, you can make your points. You know, I'm happy if you want. You can read them at the next meeting. You can send them to me. You know, I take those things seriously. But, you know, they do have a right to continue with the course of their meeting. So, I
think if you if you have questions you want to ask, you should say that and then just allow the board to continue their meeting. >> Thank you. I guess I can only stress how hurt I am and disappointed in uh the operation of the select board in this
matter. >> Okay. Okay. Um moving on was the next thing was your town administrator report. Thank you. >> Oh, we're already there. >> We are. Um, so I just scribbled some notes because I typically write this
yesterday, but I was not in any position to write anything yesterday. Um, so I can touch a little bit upon the the dam like um, like Lenny had alluded to earlier. >> Yeah. >> So we are we're looking for contractors.
That's the next u thing that has to happen with the repairs and then once we find the contractor, the work can begin. I did check in with Matteo. we cannot use CPA funds because we're incurring the expenses in this fiscal year. So, we're not able to apply for a round of
funding from that. So, our next best bet is to go after whatever grant opportunities we can. And you know assuming we not able to accomplish that goal we would then be going to annual town meeting and asking for um you know
an appropriation you know out of reserves or um free cash to backfill what we've spent. So not not a great deal of updates but it is important to note that we cannot pursue the CPA funding like we had hoped we could do.
I um let me see the budget process is well underway. I think the fincom has met with just about every department right now. So they they've gotten all that feedback. Capital requests were due yesterday. Um
capital planning is meeting Thursday to go over uh the initial request. So we'll be able to add that to the conversation a little bit later. Um, you know, I think it's going to be interesting to see what plays out with
their regional school. So, they, you know, they had anticipated a reg, you know, initially like a a 9 and a half% increase. We've heard from Pelum that that's not going to be sustainable and at some point maybe they have to close their elementary school, but maybe not.
Um, so I think it in terms of the regional budget is really going to come down to what the other towns can bear. um in terms of what gets allowed and uh I am working with the Furcog um and a number of other communities. I think
there's like I want to say like 12 or 14 of us at least uh who are interested in looking at you know um eventually 2027 in April all communities have to have like certain certain changes to their website to be
ADA compliant and so there's an information session and they're they're looking at exploring some grants to help communities make those changes so I'm going to be a part of that um
yeah I don't know I was I was at the MMA conference which was really great um they did actually have to go back to an earlier select meeting u they did have a workshop on AI and how their communities are using it which really similar to what I'm doing so I think that's kind of
like they didn't come out and endorse it but that I think that's kind of like an implicit understanding >> um that a lot of people are are moving that way And yeah, sorry. After being sick, my brain's a little fried. Um, but if you
have questions on anything, I can definitely take them or at least get you an answer later. >> I think the DM was my only question. The ongoing piece. I don't think there was any I I didn't have any other questions about it. >> No, the DM was my question to what?
>> And the poll hearing that we did the last time we left it open. We were gonna have the concom look at look at the area which I realized now is under two feet of snow. >> Um right. >> Yeah. Or more if it's next to the road. It's probably under no 8 ft of snow. Um
so um just to keep that on our radar for whenever. Um probably hard for them to see anything right now anyway. So >> yeah, but um >> I think it's going to stay cold. >> Yeah. and the unexpected business, Eric,
of um I just put my thing away. Uh >> the MN spear porch, >> right? >> Um I guess >> what's what's up with the >> Well, my sense is what happened is there was um I talked to Steve Das the other day. He talked to me from the building committee.
>> Maybe Frank knows about it. I'm not sure really, but the the um I believe what happened was the um building committee has looked at the porch on the MN Spear building. The determination has been made that whatever happens to that building, the
porch is falling apart, so it has to get fixed. >> It wasn't the main entrance anymore. >> And I believe that they somehow there was a miscommunication or something. it the request from the building committee to the CPA got lost or misplaced or didn't happen
or something. So now I think as Matteo is suggesting >> Yeah. >> Um we have something has to be done about that soon because there are deadlines to apply for the CPA money. >> Yeah. And what they were looking for, what at least Steve said that they were
looking for was um sort of an endorsement of the select board of that policy of of to in other words backing them up to say, "Yeah, good idea to rebuild the porch." Frank, do you have any thoughts on that? Would you know anything about that?
>> You're muted. >> No, you're still muted. Oh, not yet. Oh, I heard something. Try again. Not
>> working. No, I can't hear you. >> There we go. Here we go. >> Okay. The porch. >> Yeah, the porch. Sorry about that. The button hidden. >> Um, yeah, the porch has been rotted and we looked at it three years ago plus
when we did our uh evaluation and it needs to be replaced. I don't know the exact dollar amounts um but I think it'd be good to do for the reuse committee to have a second egress uh done. So that's why Stephen's asking this the uh to have a a viable
second egress. The library never used the door other than for spare. Um but it's being repurposed. Um we'd like to have that porch rebuilt. Um so it'll be a a legal se uh legal
second egress uh if they have so many people in the building. Okay. I don't see an issue in >> No, I I think we should >> Yeah, >> I would make a motion that we endorse their uh proposal to do that and we pass that word on to the CPA that we have
done that. >> Okay. So, um is that a motion? >> That's a motion. >> Okay. So, I will I'll second that. Um and then we probably should do it by letter. Haley, do you and Brennan have a moment to draft something or um should
it be one of us that I I mean I don't mind putting together unless >> we can definitely do it and have it ready tomorrow if you're coming anyway to so I can fix my spelling. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm I'm um tomorrow is the Wednesday. Oh yeah. Yeah. I have to pick up uh nephew at 1 school. So I'll
swing by then. Um okay. >> If that's okay. So if so all in favor >> stalk her eye >> make me some yellow eye. I think it'll be great to get that. That's how we used to enter the library. >> I will the library. Yeah, the front
door. Um okay, perfect. >> Good. Thanks for working on that night. >> Yeah, perfect. Um was there anything else that we needed to cover? Okay, I think we're good. So, do I hear
somewhere in the distance a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Second. All those in favor. >> I make peace on your eyes. Haley. Thank you everybody. Bye. See you. Bye.