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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=eC5OZRQokok

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This government meeting is brought to you by Eastworks and our local cable subscribers dinner open apparently. >> Okay, the time is 6:00. Uh all four of the active members of the select board present along with town administrator will call the meeting to order. This is

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the July 14th, 2026 regularly scheduled select board meeting. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. my chair. >> First item is citizen speak. Any member of the public wishing to speak?

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Right. >> Uh Jeff Boater, 46 Pleasant Street. I'm here for well, a couple of things. I assume you've heard that the Conservation Commission approved 2:1 vote. um the solar on Pleasant Street on

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last Monday and I'm just here to tell whoever wants to hear it the Zoom thing, it was supposed to be a hybrid meeting. It was advertised with Zoom. The Zoom link was not working. The most important person to be there tried

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and tried and tried. Couldn't get on. And so with that in mind, it's my estimation or our estimation that the vote is null and void and the whole thing should be redone

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there. If anybody watched the two hours of video, you look at that Zoom, there's never anybody on it. And the reason is the link was broken. That's one thing. Uh the other thing I'm here for is to

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just mention that there seems to be push back from I'm not going to name any names, you know, first of all about the groundwater regulation, the groundwater protection regulation.

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Uh getting that revised at all. Uh there seems to be an issue with that. Uh there's also push back for letting the planning board or telling the board of health that the

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planning board should deal with things and to basically back off. I I don't agree with that. Obviously, uh there's there was push back about trying to get a moratorum on BES so that there was a regulation in place

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before a BES unit gets s set over a groundwater recharge area or a water supply protection district. I mean, water is like the biggest thing that people need. You can't go too many days without water. So if you can't protect

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the water supply in this town, that isn't even just for this town. It's for Ho, Westfield, and East Hampton, the the the the Barnes aquifer. I think that's an issue. And and and going back on saying we don't have enough money for lawyers,

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that doesn't cut it either. That's all I have to say. >> Anybody else? Richard Adams, 40 Pleasant Street. I'm going to reiterate what Jeff just said. Uh we're concerned with the way things

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were run for the conservation meeting and uh actually there were two two events that happened. meet the meeting previous to that. Uh, Blue Wave was in and their u representatives or uh engineer

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spoke and gave what corrections were done uh to uh accommodate the peer review and uh they she talked for probably 20 minutes. When she was done, they turned around, packed the suitcase, and walked out the

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door without uh us having the opportunity to ask questions. And we had questions pertaining to uh why wasn't uh LC there to uh have uh let them answer some of the questions

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that they they that came up as far as what the corrections were done, if they were done to their standards, and uh so forth. So, that's that one. And then we had the last meeting where basically we had the the scenario that uh played out

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where it was uh posted as going to be a uh zoom meeting so others could watch it and and uh that wasn't uh that didn't happen. U the fellow the engineer from LEC was uh supposed to be coming. We

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asked George prior to the meeting about him being there because we were concerned. we wanted to talk to them about questions we had uh and again uh he wanted to come uh and was unable to

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uh make the connection. So I don't know why that wasn't uh kind of tried out prior to to uh saying you're going to have that type of a a connection and you you can't figure it out or you don't

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have the capability. So that's kind of what I was going to make my point. Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? >> Okay. >> Uh next time, uh town administrator. >> Uh so the report's a little bit

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different this week. We're going to try doing it every couple weeks and having the department heads um contribute to it. Um it's going to be posted online as well so there's some transparency and people can have an idea of what's going on. Uh well, I thank all the department heads for doing this. Um I know some got

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a little bit lengthy. Really only looking for three or four, but I think they kind of got a little excited and uh went overboard for the first one. So um just a few highlights on the report. Um so we we did receive our our latest Mass Trails Grant. Um, Fincom did approve the

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capital uh requests for the um ambulance and the loader as well. Um, conservation did find uh two new members. So, obviously um they have a lot going on uh so they can get back up to having a quorum. One member uh we're just waiting for the resume to come in. Then they'll

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be on the agenda for next week. Uh, I do want to just recognize our um, Council on Aging Director, Kate Danto, who received the Commonwealth heroine heroine award. Uh, received it in Boston last week. And, uh, the fire truck,

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which is actually not on it, is um, currently at $3,200. Um, so we're actually having pretty good luck selling our old vehicles that we thought were worthless. So, okay, any questions? So, I think that the key takeaway is the

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town administrator's report is much more length there. It's like eight or nine pages. You are not the author of the entire document. There's snippets from department heads that are sharing public updates >> with their progress. Yeah, John, I would just like to share I would agree that it's a good idea just for transparency

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to have, you know, have people know what the various departments are working on. We we're not always that visible in terms of all the various departments in town. And so to have that and maybe on a monthly basis or whatever, um, however frequently you want to do it, but since we've been having regular department

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head meetings every Thursday, basically after a select board meeting, um, this is their chance to let us know what they're working on. So, good good first effort on it. And um hopefully we can keep it so that people understand it and and if they've got questions they could

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reach out to that. I think this one got a little bit carried away on social media unfortunately um and caused more more angst than it needed but um it's a good initiative I think. >> Okay. Uh select board any updates going right

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down the line? I sat in on the conservation meeting and listened to the discussion relative to the solar farm and that's obviously going to be ongoing. Our water department has met with some residents relative to possibly

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extending a water line on Valley Road because of concerns with the drinking water their wells. They're moving forward on that. Uh, I didn't have the opportunity to get to the planning board meeting, but my understanding is the cell tower got moved about 700 ft further away from East Hampton as

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residents of East Hampton had a concern. Um, board of health is business as usual. >> Okay, Doug. So I uh attended both the last board of assessors meeting and the last FINCOM meeting. Um board of

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assessors is going through looking at new growth. Um there was some discussion um about the floric property. Um but I would say um you know for my first meeting there nothing really to report

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at this point. um for the fincom meeting really um productive I think. Um so to give Margaret who's in the audience some credit um there's a lot of discussion about how the capital plan could be reviewed by FINCOM um there's a number

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of um smaller um approvals um and then the larger approvals for both the highway vehicle and for the ambulance. Um so and I Scott was tasked with going back to some of the other departments to

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get uh more firm quotes and estimates for you know the next meeting for further capital approvals. So really good Chris >> uh just one thing the um for the grant committee the ad uh grant search committee uh we completed the

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application for the land grant uh this is for the purchase of the conservation restriction for the triple brook property on middle road. Uh the grant application went in prior to the deadline. Um our ask was $547,800 of which the town if we get it would be

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reimbured 66% of that um which is 361,548 um we probably won't know until September October October I'd say realistically on that. So, that's the main main meeting I've attended. And then, uh, senior center building

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committee's got a meeting coming up on Thursday, I believe, at 12:30. Other than that, that's it. >> And then, uh, the only update I have for the schools is we received notice from the state through our state senator that uh, Norris was successful in um,

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maintaining its earmark from the senator of $200,000 for general operations of Norris in next year's budget for this year's budget that we're in. uh funds to be available probably in the winter. So, we've shared that with the chair of the committee and the superintendent.

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>> And this was an earmark that Senator V has put forward >> for for Norris. Yeah, that's great. >> I believe there was another earmark. Um are there 20 or $25,000 also for Norris in the supplemental budget? >> I didn't see a communication that that

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survived. I just specifically saw this one and then there were some others in there that they were going to get back to us on. Mhm. >> Um, okay. The, um, just looking at the

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guess we'll come back to that issue. Um, we have appointments and resignations. >> Mr. Chair, I'll take a stab at motions. Okay. Um, would you like them one by one? There seem to be different ones here, I guess. So, um, >> sure. I move that uh we approve the uh

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appointment of Tula Tibo for the conservation commission. This is a new appointment, a three-year term to expire June 30th, 2029. >> There's a motion made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? >> I

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>> opposed. Abstain. So passes. >> Okay. Uh next one. Uh I move that we approve the nomination of Doug Hamill for the affordable housing trust. This is a new appointment to complete the term held by Steven Johnson. Term to expire June 30th, 2027. And also uh for

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Doug to be um the appointed to the community preservation committee again uh to expire June 30th, 2027. And this is to fill out the term held by Ellen De Brun. >> There's a motion made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We abstain from this vote.

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>> Yep. >> Second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstension one passes. >> Okay. Uh next up, um I move that uh we

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appoint Steven Johnson as the select boards. Uh and this would be actually alternate representative. So the um not the representative but the alternate to Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, PVPC and MO municipal planning organization for a one-year term to expire June 30th,

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2027. Um and this is um he's Steven would be the alternate as planning board um has nominated um Paul Demon the chair as the um as the commissioner. So Steven would serve as the alternate and Steven had been on the on this role um last

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year while while he was on select board. So this is to at least uh get him back on there as our representative too. >> Motion made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I opposed. So moved. >> All right. And last one. Uh we

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regretfully have the resignation of Robert Kosub from the historical commission effective June 30th, 2026. Uh Bob Kosub has been with us for years and years and years of service here in town. Uh much appreciate all the work he's done, especially related to the historical commission. So um we'll

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accept his resignation with regret. >> Is there a second? A >> second. Discussion hear none. All in favor? I >> opposed. So passes uh new business year in transfers.

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>> So two quick things on this. Uh the first one was the uh FinCom did approve these uh last week and the other thing is that there was a question on the police technology that you may have heard about. Um so I talked to Ian about it. Um so the $10,000 was uh not spent

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prematurely on any computers. It was going to be it was going to be spent assuming it was transferred back in June. U pretty sure at this point we can't transfer and then spend it because it's past the fiscal year. Um so it remains on there right now. But um uh so those were just two questions that we

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had. Uh one question for the uh police technology. Um all the others um obviously the biggest one is going to be winter road expenses. That's our our deficit spending for our snow removal. Um and legal expenses is the second

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largest one with the amount of uh everything from public records requests to uh pistol or license to carry permit um appeals to town meeting. So it's it's pretty significant this year. And then also land closings which would run

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567,000 a piece. So >> discussion. If no one does, I have a question. How will the um I was just going to look for the email, but nobody had any discussion. Um how will the receipts for the one-time

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extraordinary winter expenses from the state when we get it? How how will that post to the book or how will that follow >> the 112 $121,000? Um, I'm not I believe it'll just be

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deposited into general fund. Um, I'm not quite sure >> as a So, I guess my question is this is going to come in because it it we're getting it because of expenses incurred last year. We're closing the book. So, I to me I would think the receipt would be in last year. So, it would fall out and

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we'd see it in free cash this certification versus posting this year in 2728 and we not see it in free cash until 28 29. Mhm. Mhm. >> Follow me. >> Right. >> It's more of a question that can be open-ended. But if if we're filling the

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deficit here by 100% and not using that receipt to plug it, which is okay. >> Mhm. >> I just want to I don't want to short change free cash. >> I I do know that. Was that approved in the budget? I didn't see the line item for that yet. >> Yeah. The email that I got said that DOT

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has authorized to make the dispersements and here's our dollar amount. I got I got I confused it with another email where it said FEMA wasn't going to be reimbursing Massachusetts. That's a different one. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, I guess my concern is just as long as however Bradley does the books,

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>> it should follow in this year's free cash certification, >> right? >> For FY26, John. Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Otherwise, it'll be tied up into the next free cash certification. I agree. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think I I had had just a follow on. I'd had a question about how

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we were able to get so much of the money taken from the um Garsa Bridge fund and Megan actually answered me on that just that the original amount had been budgeted at like a 5% interest apparently and we actually ended up with like 4.1 interest. So we had extra money

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budgeted for interest which is why we're able to take from that line item to cover these transfers. Any other discussions? Um, if somebody wants to make a motion

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with the cumulative number, >> we have to pull out the police technology. >> Yeah. So, >> so there's two separate ones, right? >> Mhm. Um it's the

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well it's it's one vote but yeah there there's two separate articles that Bradley put forward >> one some came a little bit later >> so 29 put this trailer 7635.

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>> John, you're comfortable um receiving a motion in entirety versus transfer by transfer? Yeah, because the document's going to be part of the packet. >> Okay. >> All right. >> That'll be the total. >> Mhm. All right. All right. So, I'll make a

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motion that we approve the two packages of urine transfers presented here um prepared by Bradley in the amount of $291,76.35. A motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further

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discussion? All in favor? >> I I opposed >> abstensions. Thought it was awful and quiet over here. >> That's why I'm sitting there like yay. >> Next item, personal policy booklet

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update. >> So, one of the uh one of the goals for this year is now that the uh PQB has been um dissolved and it's now under the SEC board. Uh we do need to start working on a couple different personnel

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things. The first one is um the actual personal policy booklet for the town. needs a lot of updating and the second one will be job descriptions where I'll get into next meeting. Um, but essentially what I'd like to do is go through the entire uh personnel policy manual. Um, I'm thinking maybe take one

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or two policy every select board meeting. Uh, a lot of them are going to be really easy cookie cutter, not a lot of controversy things like, you know, the NADA accessibility plan or, you know, the anti-discrimination unlawful harassment. A lot of those are are relatively the same no matter what.

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We'll get into a little bit more detail thing when you start talking about like sick leave and benefits and other things like that. Um but I I' kind of looking at um maybe taking one or two policy per meeting, discussing it, posting it, uh getting input from it, and every couple months doing maybe a whole batch of

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them. Um the way I'm I'm kind of viewing is, you know, we would split it up in a couple different areas. The first part would be employment practices, which are really the administrative procedures of a personnel booklet. Um just things like you know recruitment, onboarding, your background checks, things like that. Um

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the next one would be your your workplace conduct and workplace environment. A lot of this will fall under you know state regulations and federal law already. Things like the ADA and FMLA. Uh ethics concerns. A lot of that's already written. Um the other big one

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would be benefits or sick leave policy, vacation time, family medical leave, uh life insurance, health insurance, all those types of things. Um the other one would be our classification and compensation um section that would really go into

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like the pay structure, how people go into different steps, um performance recognition, things, you know, that area. And then we'll have a miscellaneous section, you know, definitions, administration, the scope of the personal policy book, uh things like that. Um I want to say just a lot

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of this is not really we're not going to be reinventing the wheel. Um, I've already got a couple dozen uh different policy booklets from other towns that I've requested last week. Um, a lot of them have already been reviewed by council. So, once we get a little bit further down and get a good chunk of

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them done, um, I would send it off to uh, KP Law to have them just review it and just do a quick double check so that it'll reduce costs. But again, a lot of the a lot of the um, things in municipal government is really stolen. It's not innovated. So, that's I'm not afraid to steal a good policy.

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Sorry to interrupt. This is not being broadcasted. I don't know if you know that. I just got a text from somebody that it's not live. >> I don't know what you need to do, but it I apologize for interrupting. >> Oh, thank you, Bruce. >> Thanks. >> It it is being recorded though.

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>> Okay. >> Um, >> are we You sure? >> Yeah, because the lights are coming up. >> The red light means that's the camera that's recording at the moment. >> Yeah, on the camera is on you now. >> It just they're just stop apparently broadcasting. Yes.

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>> Um, check their YouTube. Yeah, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> Just jump to the PCFs and let these people go home. >> Okay. Soon as we >> Yeah. >> Any questions on the U PPP booklet update or the direction that the

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administrator is moving in? Well, just we see this more as an update, not not a rewrite really. I mean, I think we've got a fair number of policies that had been updated over the last two three years. Maybe some are out of date, but there should be a lot that is not needing a lot of work. Maybe I don't

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know what what do we think? I mean, >> well, that's what I took from his comment about cookie cutter that something just make a fresh set of eyes across it. >> East media says we're live. >> He just came on. >> Oh, okay. Okay.

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>> All right. >> Um, >> they flipped a switch. There you go. Yeah. >> Yeah. And then I imagine some of the stuff needs to be changed because we change benefits and voluntary products. >> Some of that. Yeah, exactly. The benefit section, I would think. But yeah, I would I would think that some of the uh workplace, like you said, workplace conduct and things and employment

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practices are I thought we'd kind of updated those at one point in time under your leadership there. >> And while we move this back to the select board, it'll still follow the same process that's outlined. Any changes will get posted, advertised, journal, the employees will be able to

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hear the Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Uh there's been a suggestion to go out of order. Happy to do so. Is there a motion to go out of order or to pick up an item? I move that we go to the PCFs

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directly. >> Go for it. Go for it. Oh. Oh boy. You're going to make me annunciate this name. Emer Pyoko, water department employee step change to $2756.

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Moved. Is there a second? >> I have some questions. I'll second. >> We need to second the motion. Second discussion purposes. >> Seconded by Chris for discussion. under discussion. Doug, >> when reviewing the meeting packet, the one question that I had was that the

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licenses that were provided for the justification of the further step increase were emergency licenses versus for for six-month terms. Um, and I just wanted to make sure that we were

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consistent with the application of that um, kind of license licensing for for for steps um, with the fact that it was a temporary emergency license it looked like versus a uh, an actual permanent

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licensing. >> Right. >> Does there is a commissioner present tonight. And if I can just add to that while Tim's coming up in Brett's uh offer letter to Emmerick, he mentions here that annual step increases will happen based on the full licensing I

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think distribution licenses in full from the state. So that I also had the same question. >> Right. Right. So Tim Gett of water commissioners um so the um his offer letter states that upon receiving his full license right and there's two

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licenses, right? his treatment and distribution, he'd get, you know, twostep raises. Um, however, since this was just a temporary emergency certification, like you pointed out, you know, the board discussed it and we thought, well, you know, he's he's kind

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of it's kind of a technicality the to be a a a primary treatment operator that the state so back up that this DP appointed him or approved him as being the primary treatment operator and then

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the secondary distribution operator. So those are those are licensed positions. >> So it's he's doing kind of the equivalent work, but um we felt that because it's not the full license, we said, well maybe we'll get one step

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increase now and then one step increase and we the anticipation is that he would get, you know, his full license in in November and then we we'd come back with another PCF in November. And so it was kind of it was really the and the board was unanimous on that. And so it's kind

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of a compromise. I guess >> if I could rephrase this, what I'm hearing is that it's not necessarily based on the emergency license, but the role that he's acting as, which is he has the responsibilities and is fulfilling um you know the role of the

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primary um you know u primary license holder. Right. Right. >> I mean he's filling that role. Um but but it is you know I mean the D did you know approve you know the application as as the primary treatment operator. So >> and we're asking him to act as the

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primary >> right that's right and and also the secondary distribution you know operator as well. So >> all right thank you >> Chris. Did that answer your question? >> I guess so. So back to Tim. This is just for one one step increase at this point in time.

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>> Yeah at this point in time once. So he um I I guess the I'm not sure what version you have. The the original PCF was submitted in April back, you know, before the um fiscal year ended. So at at that time he was a step seven. So the the original PCF went from step seven to

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nine. So it was like one step because I think everyone gets a step raise at at for the um at at the end of the fiscal year. >> But has he been has he been here for a full year? He we he got hired in um the I think his

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start date with the end of November last year, beginning of December, but it's my understanding he's a step eight. I don't I >> I see he's he's been a step seven. No, I I just I'm not familiar enough with the um with the handbook in terms of how frequently you get your step increase. I mean, I would would have thought you had

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to be here a year first before you got one, but I don't know that. I >> the agreement that was agreed upon when they hired him was to get the step increases based on when the license >> can't hear you, Charlie. Sorry. >> My understanding is is when the

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agreement was for hiring, they told him he'd get step increases based on his licenses. So, he just got a license, so therefore he's entitled to a step increase. The step increases were for the obtaining of the licenses, not uh necessarily the annual.

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>> That's right. It was the licenses that everything was >> based on, not based on how many months, years he was working. >> Okay. So, this is a step increase retroactive to basically the beginning of May at this. >> That's right. That so that's when the certification was granted.

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>> Okay. I guess that answers my question. >> Well, okay. But on the offer of employment that's signed dated November 13, 2025, the second paragraph, annual step raises will be awarded at the beginning of each fiscal year July 1st. Once you obtain your treatment one and

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treatment one licenses in full from the state of Massachusetts drinking water board, you will advance one pay raise step for each of these license. It is expected that you shall obtain these license by February of 2027. So two, we got to the new fiscal year July 1st. He gets an annual step

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increase, >> right? So he went regardless of the licensing. >> Correct. So he should be a step eight. Right. Now we he got hired in at step seven. >> Y >> at at the end of the fiscal year, then he got an increase that it's my understanding he got the increase of step eight. And so what we're asking for

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right now is increase to step 9 just based on you know the the temporary you emergency certification which is kind of equivalent of have you know he's performing the role of a licensed operator. >> How how long period of time is the emergency license valid for?

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>> So that's for 6 months. So that would carry him uh you know six month you know to to like November but but and then but there might be there could be a small gap I think be between that time and the time he gets his full license but then

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we can apply for another um temp you know certification as well to the state to fill in that gap. So, so we have a path forward for him, >> right? >> No, go ahead, Doug. >> What are the remaining steps to earn the

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full licensing? Is it just time? Time and experience. >> It's just time. Yeah. Yeah. So, so to to uh he passed an exam back last November, right to for treatment and distribution uh operator, but to get your full

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license. So, so now his status is OIT operator in training, right? So then to get your full license, you have to have a year's experience. And so he's he's working that now. So he's an OIT now. So the expectation is that in November and

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then he gets granted his full license because he'll he'll have worked you know for a year. You know he does I mean he when we hired him I mean he has a college degree. Um in fact he has a uh you know he graduate certificate as well. So you know he's um

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he's well educated. uh he's been doing a good job. So, >> so I guess my my only comment is I like the approach. Um I would just I guess I would look to amend our motion for approval that it be contingent upon

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a addendum because we're referencing an offer letter that was signed and it's contractual and >> for all the right reasons it's been modified. >> Mhm. >> So if he signs it and the commissioner sign it saying that cuz you're only supposed to get it in full. It's an

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emergency. So therefore, we're allowing a one step >> for the emergency. >> Y >> and if the anticipation is that by November or December at the latest, he'll be fully licensed. >> Mhm. >> The inability to obtain if he doesn't

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obtain the licensing by December, it's revoked. Like it doesn't permanently stay there. If he doesn't follow through, >> right? Something along those lines. Document it. And because short of that document, someone's got to go back to the minutes to >> find all that'll be >> who knows who will be the select board

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in November when you come back. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Okay. So So you'd be asking Brett then to to I guess re >> Yeah. I mean I I mean it's it's my offer of an amendment to the makeover of the motion. I'm I'm happy to draft it and >> Oh, that would be great.

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>> It just send it back. But just a one pager >> basically artic or writing down what you just articulated >> and putting in that carve out >> 60 days after expiration if you don't have it you >> you drop back a step >> right >> and that way it's clear expectations for everybody and um the treasurer has it on

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file for the pay >> okay >> I withdraw my motion >> just amend the motion >> okay I amend the motion >> to add the addendum that I will craft >> right I >> who second is >> I did I think I I second it. Yeah. All

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right. >> I guess I guess well so one of So um we're we're looking for you know step nine at the fiscal year 27 rate. So I don't know what version of the PCF you have but the original version had the fiscal year 26 number which is 2756

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but it I think we're saying it should be 2797 right cuz that's that's okay. All right. 2797. >> Yep. >> So we have to correct the PCF then too. >> Yeah. >> Y

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>> the PCF says 2756 as a step nine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So with with that amendment as well. >> Now the retroactive part would be from the old you know um from from the overate of course but >> yeah. Well, and this PCF is is

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requesting a retro date as of April 30th, 2026. >> That's correct. Yeah. >> As long as you're not looking to go farther back than that. >> No. No, we're not. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Are we ready to vote? >> Hear no opposition. All in favor? >> I >> I >> I

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>> opposed. Abstain. Passes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, >> so we'll sign up PCF next time or >> Yes. >> You want to take up the uh while we're on PCFs the other two? >> Might as well.

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>> U, so this one was just a little bit of an error. The board of library trustees uh let me know rather quickly after the meeting, but Andrea had submitted it as a I5 uh from her transition to acting director to director. um she was actually supposed to start at an I6 and

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not get a step increase for July 1st. So she was she put her PCF in as an I5 and then it would progress into an I6. So this is just supposed to be an I6 at the date of hire and then transition into uh the next fiscal year at the same step.

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>> So do you want the motion to reflect the $36.34? >> Uh yeah, just the two PCFs. Um, so I6 for the start date back in uh uh where was it? >> Well, so the start date the

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>> is only 3580. You want that to be cuz she she did six weeks at 35 or >> Mhm. >> they're asking for 6 weeks of coverage at 3580 and then it go into the new year and bump up to 3634. >> Right. So that's still at the step I6. So it's just the one and a half% step

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increase. >> Right. So, you need a a motion to change Adrilair's um rate of pay to $35.80 for 6 weeks and then after the 6 week period to change it to $36.34

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continuous. >> Mhm. >> Yes, Chris. >> I'll take that as a motion. I'll second the motion. Seconded discussion. >> Chris, >> do we have any questions from library trustes? >> Say that again. What what will the fee

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for rate >> when this is all done? >> Yeah. >> $36.34. >> Okay. >> Does 6 weeks in last fiscal year is that $35.80. >> Okay. >> So, she's in I6 going forward, right? >> Yep.

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>> Yeah. >> Okay. Do we >> on the on the vote? All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstain. Passes. Okay. back to our regular program.

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>> Um, MDR APR on merit property for signing. >> Well, this is justformational. Anyways, I'm surprised it's only like 2 and a half acres. >> Look like there was >> This is Is this the one that requires us to sign?

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>> This is the one we have to sign. >> Uh, yep. Let me just bring it up here. And what they're I believe what they're asking for though is an expedited >> time 120day. >> So normally this is uh 120day wait to close the APR on this property and

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they're asking to accelerate that to 60 days instead. And this is actually something we did for uh Glendale Ridge Vineyard as well. Uh so MDAR is putting this forward to ask us to help move this along faster. And it does require all of our signatures I believe. So, is that a a

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motion to approve the signing of this to reduce the 120day period? >> I'll put a motion out. Uh, so I'll put a motion out to sign the uh the request for the uh let's see, the APR uh for Robert Merritt and Janna Merritt uh on

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Wilcott Road and to accelerate the APR closing to 60 days from 120 days. I'll >> second. >> Motion made and seconded. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> I

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>> opposed. Abstain. So moved. Job description, part-time, admin, assistant, building department, and board of health. >> Um, so our health uh health agent, Claudia, had worked pretty hard on this. Now, I just want to say that we're going to be looking at a new format going forward in our job description. So, this

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is really just a temporary um approval. um is really for your review of this for the next couple weeks and hopefully approval next week. Um but it's really just administrative duties. This is going to be a shared position between the health department and the building department. At times it might be a little bit more in the health department. Other times it might be a

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little bit more in the building department. Uh but it's really going to be an administrative support staff that's going to be in the office for at least 16 hours a week. Uh handle both customer service but permitting uh inputting of data. Um things that would allow our inspectors to get back out

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onto the field. Um this was approved in the um the $ 1.9 million override budget. Um this obviously again is unbenefited um but it's going to be a shared position between those those two um uh those two departments.

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>> Uh so what I'm hearing is is they're not looking for any approval tonight but to take it under advisement and post it for approval at our next regular meeting. Right. the um I can save it but I I can't really Is it going to have set hours? I mean I I understand 16 hours but is it going to

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be like dedicated hours or is it going to be you know come and go? >> The good thing about the where the two departments are located is there there's probably going to have to be some physical reshuffleling a little bit. Um so there's going to be a person in the office for that 16 hours and there will be set times. It'll probably be more in the morning like we have with the

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building department. Um, of course things would be subject to change, but usually our inspectors like to go out in the afternoon and get things uh out for that way. So I I'd imagine that they'd be um you know >> some regular hours so the public will know, hey, it's Tuesday. I should be able to find somebody, >> right? Exactly.

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>> Okay. Okay. Um so we'll take that under advisement. Next we have uh building department fees. Mhm. So, the two things with this with the $ 1.9 million override being approved, um, with that budget was

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actually reduced our permit link cost from 17,000 to 13,000. Uh, we reduced that in the $1.9 million because the building department has enough volume of building permits to be self-sufficient in their software costs. Uh, what this would do is two things. It would the $20

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additional for our residential permits. is at $40 right now. It would go up to $60. That would make the uh the permit link software, which is a little bit over $4,000 a year, self-sufficient from the building department. Uh the other part of the request from Ron uh is to have a entry fee. So, now that we're

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100% virtual on our permit software, and we also have a public access for everyone to input the permits. Um a lot of towns do this with with the permit link uh and other you know online no matter the vendor other online um permit software that there would be a fee

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charged if if we get a paper application we need to spend staff time to actually input it into the permit link program. Obviously there's situations where we could wave the fee if someone may have difficulty or or something like that. But if uh most of our contractors that use these are very familiar um with the

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software and they use it throughout all the different towns in Massachusetts. >> Okay. >> So question. So we we had actually updated these fees back in September, not that long ago. >> Mhm. >> So within a year we're already updating fees. >> Well, it's really just to to cover the

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software costs that were reduced in the budget. Okay. And Ron thinks the $20 should be able to to cover it. >> I love gut numbers. I feel $20 is enough. >> This is good. >> Not not 21.95, not 1975, just 20. a nice

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Chris Andrew Jackson >> varies but I mean with you know the amount of permits that we have we have se you know a little over a hundred so we should be able to cover it no problem with that >> and is partly the increase in fee

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because we've got fewer permits or >> no it was the reduction in budget so we we had budgeted for 17,000 and then we reduced that to 13 for the $ 1.9 million override and with the assumption that we could make it up through the the fees Okay. All right.

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>> Are those fees collected through a revolving fund, Scott? >> Mhm. Uh, no. Um, >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, those are. Yes. I believe building does have a revolving fund for that. The rest of the permit, the rest of the

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fees from building go into general fund. >> Okay. So, I'm just thinking through the fact that it sounds like we budgeted less obviously for the licensing, but the licensing costs are going to be in excess of the budget. Um, and we'll be

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able to tr make the transfer so that we can apply those revolving funds in the fiscal year to the excess. >> Yep. And the only the only department that can be self-sufficient for the software that has the volume is the building department. So even though we do burn permits and you know we do dog

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licenses, if if we're going to make the use of the software self sustainable for those department, we be paying $200 for a burn permit, something like that. So >> Okay. Is it fair to say though that it's not fully self sustaining? It's just

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covering the difference. Um because I don't believe we pulled that completely out of the >> the building department's budget. It was just the the delta. >> Right. So we we have our software support is under our general technology. >> That's right. Yeah. >> So we uh two years ago we took out of

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the building department. >> All right. >> I'll make a motion. Um I'll make a motion to approve the request from the building commissioner for the new building fees uh to be effective as of August 1, 2026.

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>> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Motion made and seconded. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> opposed abstain. Passes. >> Uh we have uh two vacation carryovers. Do we want to take them up as a packet?

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>> Might as well. >> So I I'll just share with the group. I don't believe my my stance as chair is I never make a motion unless the room is silent for 30 seconds. trying to find the documents. >> You want to make me You want You want to sweat? Is that what I just

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>> normally I'm sitting down there. I just motions. >> Uh I move that the car vacation carryover for Alisa Shei and Claudia Sardy move forward for one week each. Is there a second? Second

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>> discussion hearing none. >> Are you looking for something? >> Trying to find the P. >> Ready to vote? >> Yeah. I just wanted to double check that they were both for one week. >> Uh, one's for one week, one's for 17 hours. >> Yeah. >> Up to a maximum of one week as acred. >> Yeah.

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>> As available. >> So, we'll amend the motion up to a maximum of one week, but only if the time is available. >> Perfect. All in favor? I I >> I >> opposed abstain. Pass.

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Uh, next floor purchase and sale agreement signing. >> So, the the floor property did go through. So, I'm I disagree with our council about this. So, we're select board would retroactively be signing the purchase and sale, but she's requesting it to just finish up her files.

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This was an expedited closing on the floor of property. Did we already formally approve to vote to approve this? And we're just signing the document, >> I believe. So, yeah. Okay. >> And we have the document to sign. So, all right. So, no official action on that other than signing.

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>> Next, we have um any other necessary business that cannot wait till the next regularly scheduled board meeting, select board meeting, which is scheduled for July 20th, 2026. >> I just have two announcements if I may. Um kind of announcements. Um, one is that the um

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um the commission on the on pilot p I lo t so payment in le of taxes for stateowned land is doing a bunch of listing sessions around the state and they're having one at Hoyok community uh college on July 20th at about 10:00 I

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believe sorry July 10th um wrong one of those days July 20th I was right the first time at 10 o'clock um and this is basically to talk to various communities and get their input about the compensation for stateowned land

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that you know municipalities get and from my understanding we get about 17,500 every year for the Tai Carm area the part of our stateowned properties um with our appointment of Steven as an alternate I'd like to suggest that he

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maybe attend on our behalf to h go to the listing session he'd been involved with the assessors as well as our liaison previously so he's well familiar with the issues around the the pilot work that they were doing with Tai Cardy. Um and then the second thing um

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so I'd just like to suggest that we allow him to go ahead and attend that um as our representative um from PVPCish. Um and then second one is that the public um hearing will be for July 20th.

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That's when I was thinking July 20th for the planning board on the best solar facility. It's going to be at 7 o'clock. I believe it's here um televised on July 20th. So, that is a public hearing that people obviously have got interested and should plan on attending.

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>> On the first issue, any any objection to us formally requesting Steven >> No. >> and report back. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Do you want to ping him, Chris, or you want >> I'll I'll communicate with him if that's okay. Sure. on the 2nd uh July 20th. I

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plan on attending that meeting. If there's going to be a quorum of this board, should we post a meeting? Even though we're not going to really do any deliberations. >> If we're just sitting in the audience, then I don't believe we need to post because we're not actually going to discuss. If if we're going to actively

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debate amongst ourselves in the audience, then yeah, we would need to post. >> Well, I have no interest deliberation. I don't plan a delivery, but I wanted to bring it up so that everybody heard that we can sit in a room >> and be friends. Yes, we can do that. >> I'll be at the beach, so I won't be able

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to uh push us over to >> be thinking about you. >> I'll probably be here as well. >> Any other items? >> Oh, we got no licenses to do, >> right? But I I have one just giving what um came up during the public session. um

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instead of delaying things. I I think the two citizens that raised concerns about the conservation commission, you know, are obviously warranted. Um I have a draft of a communication. I'll just read it real quick and if everybody agrees, then I'll send it. But the the

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highlights are it's outside the preview of the select board, but I feel it's important to acknowledge what's going on. So if the board when I get done with this approves this language, I'll send this email on our behalf. uh the subject and this is to conservation commission public concerns regarding public access to conservation commission meeting. Dear

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members of the conservation commission on behalf of the Southam select board, I'm writing regarding concerns that have been raised by members of the public pertaining to recent conservation commission meeting at which a significant matter was considered and voted upon. The select board has received multiple inquiries alleging that the meeting notice advised the

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public that participation would be available through Zoom. However, members of the public were reportedly unable to access the meeting through the post posted remote link while the commission proceeded to conduct business and ultimately take action on an agenda item. The select board recognizes that the conservation commission is an

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independent public body operating under mass law. Accordingly, it is neither our role nor our authority to determine whether the circumstances constitute a violation of the Massachusetts open meeting law. Such determinations are made through the statutory complaint process and where appropriate by the office of the attorney general, division

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of open government. Our purpose in writing is to ensure that concerns raised by residents are formally communicated to the commission and to encourage a prompt review of the circumstances surround the meeting. Public confidence in municipal government depends not only on compliance and applicable laws, but also on ensuring that meetings are conducted

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in a manner that provide meaningful public access and promotes transparency. To assist in addressing these concerns, the select board respectfully requests that the conservation commission review the following. Whether the Zoom platform or access information functioned as intended throughout the meeting, whether the commission was aware of any

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technical difficulties affecting public access during the meeting. What steps, if any, were taken to restore the remote access or otherwise accommodate members of the public who were unable to participate as notice. Whether the commission believes any further action is appropriate to preserve public confidence in the decision-making process. The select board would

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appreciate receiving a written response summarizing the commission's findings and any actions it intends to take. Our intent is not to interfere with the commission's statutory authority, but rather to ensure that the concerns expressed by members of the public are acknowledged and that the town maintains the highest standards of openness and transparency. Thank you for your

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attention, >> etc., etc. >> I think it's well wellounded given that this was a public hearing. Um, this was not just a regular meeting. It was a public hearing >> with a vote that was not unanimous. >> Right. Also sounds like one of the

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expert um witnesses was able to participate and you know subject themselves to questions. >> I agree. >> Okay. >> So I'll make that as a motion to do it if anybody wants to second it and I'll send it on behalf. >> I'll second.

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>> Second it discussion. All in favor? I I post not. Okay. permits and licenses. Go >> ahead, Doug. I'll >> make a motion uh for a one-day beer and

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wine permit for the Southampton Democratic Committee Sunday, August 9th, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Conent Park for a picnic. >> I'll second under discussion. Um are we sure we want to allow alcohol?

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>> Well, as he says, tongue. >> We're not. No, no, it's just beer and wine, not alcohol. which some of those beers they're pretty pretty strong the malts anything else all in favor >> I opposed abstain

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uh any update on the fiscal year 24 audit I did see in the uh town administrator's report that that has the priority is focused back on that now that year end's done >> um so the treasurer has submitted everything except for one final item everything's been uh through Sherlink

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And so that's pretty much all done. I have one or two things I have to get myself. But um the other one is Bradley is the last thing for Bradley is has one school grant question that he has to answer. So he's just got to coordinate with the schools.

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>> Always the schools. >> Okay. Um, >> there might be more things once they review everything, but we should be we should be good. >> And just as it relates to the fiscal year 24 audit that um are we going to be looking

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at doing some sort of action for the fiscal year 25 prep audit bid? >> Yes. >> Something. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else on that on the 24 audit? Okay. Uh, select board minutes. We have July 28th, August 1st, and August 25th

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for consideration. >> No. >> No, we don't. >> Those aren't minutes. That's next meetings. >> Oh, those are our next meetings. July 28th, August 11th, and August 25th. We can see the future. >> We can we can have the minutes ahead of

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the meetings if you want, but >> that would be I know you're quick, John. >> Hey, the future. >> John's prewriting the minutes. >> All right. Uh, with there nothing being nothing further to come before this body, we'll adjourn the meeting at 6:50

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p.m. Please hang around for a few minutes to sign all the documents. >> Oh, yes. Thank you. >> Thanks.