Hello folks. Welcome to the finance committee meeting. Let's see. Today is October 21st, 5:30, town hall, conference room 3. There we are. In attendance tonight is Karen De Mayo. David Meth is online.
Dr. Richard Zowski is in person. Sher Nolan is in person. And Sherry, you'll be voting tonight if we need you to because >> and Jod DD is here. >> All right. A first versus minutes from 6:24 2025.
>> All right. Need a motion. >> Motion. >> Dr. made a motion. A second. >> I'll second. >> Karen seconded that. All those in favor? Joe DD I. Sharon. Karen. Do I?
David Mi. >> Thank you. All right. Up. Next is a reserve fund transfer. This is a reserve from transfer for $32,518.61 to purchase new weapons. We have our chief and our lieutenant here today. So
guys, how are you? >> Wonderful. You want to give us the rundown of this great opportunity that's in front of us? Unfortunately, both of us, I'm sure, would rather not be here tonight with this uh ask, but it was brought to our attention there was
currently a problem with our current firearms platform when we purchased this a couple of years ago. So, um there are some liability concerns and some officer safety concerns on our part. So, I will let the lieutenant go into a little bit more detail. He's a little bit more familiar with the situation than I am.
But, you know, we are asking for this for those very reasons I just explained. Good evening everyone. Um we purchased the P326 hour in 2002 two and a half years. Um
the new platform went to a pistol mounted optic which is a layman's red dot on top. Um way in the future for liability wise so that way people that aren't good with iron sights can point shoot pretty much. We went through them.
They were successful. Fortunately, over the past couple of years, um, some issues have happened and reports have recently come out, um, as well. Some of these incidents were back in 2024. Some were heaters over there, but the reports
that have been available for us recently came out. So, it came to light and the most concerning was one from the FBI, which involved the um, Michigan State Police. And in the report it states, I
highlighted what you saw. It highlights that uh during the normal rigors of patrol duties, the gun could potentially go off instead. >> Um they were not able to replicate it. They were not able to do anything to get it to do it. But that in of itself is a
concern because how can you put that in there and have us still be able to have these weapons? >> Oh yeah. Once it's out there, >> right? Um there was a bunch of stuff on the internet that we discarded because it was not factual. There was only a few
report that could actually go on. Um another issue is at at this point we we can't go to certain trainings because certain companies and places we go to train will not allow the P320 on the ridge. A couple of towns insurance companies
have said you will no longer be insurable until you get rid of these businesses. So we're in that thing where we're fortunate it's happen but this is an issue where something
does happen but we're open to it. So I don't know if there's any more light for me on that one. No, I you guys have reached out to me earlier and same thing >> questions. >> David, >> so um are are we going to pursue the
manufacturer for to recoup some of the cost of the new weapons and what's going to become of the old weapons? >> Right. So some places have put a a hold on any offers of trade in value. um any traded
value that they've been offered is also with a caveat that says this is subject to change which means we can say we don't want it at all. They're not going to give us anything for it. Uh unfortunately the options of them giving us money for trade in is less than what the site on top of the gun is worth.
>> Um it's it's peanuts. So, there's an option where we could potentially trade in um the pistols for our aging shotgun, some of them that we need, and we can get about a half more, another hundred and something dollars more per weapon if
we try to go through um Atlantic Tactical, which is a six hour representative because they can trade those guns back into SID, right, >> for $325, but that's still less than what the site on top of the gun
the SE acknowledge the fact that they have a problem with the weapon. >> We uh had a representative come down and speak with us and his response was fairly almost no response. It was uh his
response was wait. Um, so and and the only thing that they have on their website is they maintain it's the safest pistol on the market, but they have done nothing to prove any of these things aren't happening.
>> Um, it's almost radio silence. And then that's that and that's almost a bigger concern because we've had six hours since we went to a semi-automatic pistol back in 1990s >> uh when we got rid of the 357. So
to have them not stand by it as much as they have all the other ones, it's it's very concerning. >> So it comes out to $32,000 for a major lawsuit >> or 33 million for a lawsuit. Yes. >> Is what? Yeah. >> Say that again about the lawsuit.
>> You're you're opening yourself up for liability. If anything happens, >> we have knowledge of this. We're opening ourselves up for a giant loss. >> Yeah, I I know. So is uh but just you know before we spend the 32,000 uh could we pursue like a a suit against
the manufacturer for a a defective gun? And you know here's >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Yeah. There there's been I'm not interrupt but there's there's been many that people have tried and I think there's only one that has succeeded and it's not a police department. It's
because it actually went off and hurt somebody. It's not like a class action where it's a defective because there's no proof that we have right now that it is. >> Is the totality of the of the evidence
just that one incident from the Michigan State Police or is there more? Were there more? >> There's multiple Yeah, there's multiple incidents. Um, but I don't have a lot of valid information or reports on all of them. Some were operator error. Some are
pointing to the gun has an error, but there's there's so little qualified information out there that we can go off and make an educated decision and say no, we're okay to keep it. I can't I can't say we can keep this gun and we're 100% covered. That's that's where we're
at. to your knowledge are um you know what percentage of other police departments and municipalities are you know getting rid of these versus hanging on to them because it it it's kind of anecdotal what we're hearing right now it's like
one guy in Michigan said my gun went off >> and they can't repeat it but >> it's not just one person there there's been multiple but these those are the ones that have had actual reports done by a qualified and >> reputable agency gency is what I want to say.
>> The FBI said it and it's it's there, >> right? Um and the whole thing is there's a lot of um police departments that are removing them off the scene off their off their rocket. That's just it's just happening. >> My understanding the other option was you just put them in the closet for 10 years and if if it resolves itself down
the road now they're worth something as a trade in. >> Correct. Right. >> I mean bare minimum right now um Sig Sour is still standing behind a tradein of $325. >> Right. if we can. But that was if we went to another single. >> Oh yeah, absolutely. Right. Yeah.
Another toy out of their out of their package. >> So if we can go they are a in they have an agreement with Mossberg which is who we use for shotguns. So there's potential that we could trade those in for but I can't guarantee that. >> Right. And then and this quote is to
just replace them as of now. >> Just replace them. Okay. >> What are you looking at for weapons in the future? right now for what do you mean for >> manufacturers >> pistols the pistols right now that that quote is for is for Glock >> good good weapons >> yes so Glock has had striker fired
pistols since their inception so I think that's going to alleviate any issues that we're going to have everything's man-made I can't guarantee the sky is not going to fall but with Glock is a reputable company their service is almost hard on so I mean word
>> so why did we which back in the day, why didn't we go? >> We stayed with We stayed with Six Hour because we've been with them >> with the other >> for the company. They offer trainings and they're local. >> All our trainings were right New Hampshire right from the company. >> And that was and that was a huge thing
for us and and they they run a great training academy >> and it was and like for armory school, it's right there. >> It's it's in your backyard which was great. I mean, and then they and their reputation up until right now >> until 2020 has been fantastic.
>> Yeah. >> How many pistols are we talking about? >> 39 all together. Well, 40. 39 all together. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any questions? >> Are we comfortable making a decision
tonight without having the whole board here? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. I need a motion. You don't have any change hanging around. I got to give you all the money. >> You know, Ren and I were both looking at our budget and I mean, we're pretty bare
bones at this point. There's not there's definitely no one line item I could definitely pull on. >> I had to ask you that. >> Sorry. >> All right. So, I'd entertain a motion to approve $32,518.61 to purchase new weapons for the police
department on their pistol program. Motion >> seconded. >> Yeah. Okay. All those in favor Joe D I >> Sherry als. >> Thank you David
and Lauri you got a line item it'll go to and all that. That's your world. >> Yeah I guess my question why weapons maintenance and not your capital line items. That's my only question. So that was that was what the
CEO. >> Okay. >> So there >> I was leave that. >> That's what I was getting at. >> I know my lane. So I was staying in >> my only. >> Okay. >> So if you want to put it in somewhere
else, >> so be it. >> You let me know the you want me to put it in. >> Perfect. All right, guys. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you everybody. Appreciate it. All right. Recon reconstitute the finance committee vote for chair and
vice chair. Do we want to put this off? Do we have a full board or we >> we're missing what? Three, two, >> Paul. RJ, >> Robert, I'd say put it off. >> We We can I mean I don't see why we
can't. We're not meeting. If we didn't vote that through tonight, then I would say we're on the back next week. But we voted that. So whatever else is here, I don't know. Vote authorized commission. This would all have to wait
realistically. Um you guys want to wait till we have a full board? Well, I mean, to our knowledge, were were we was anybody going to step down or make any changes? Um,
>> vice chair is going away. >> Oh, that role is going away. >> No, no, she is. Um, Alita. >> Maria. Oh, Alita. >> Her work has changed. She wants to stay on, but she just doesn't know if she can commit to being vice chair. Oh, >> I see. So, you'd have to nominate
somebody. Yeah, >> I guess we could hold off. >> That's fine. >> And other than that, we'd have to hold off on the chair and vice chair what we just talked about. Um,
pretty much it other than we have dates coming up everyone. >> Okay. So last year we started like 2012. So January 7th that was pros and cons
that wasn't for so March 1st was our first budget guy and March 8th was our second >> and we still got jammed up at the end of the program again. Not as bad but we still get jinned up.
So, >> when do you guys ask for the books to be back? >> So, they go out and >> when do they go out? There you go. >> We're going to We're striving for sometime in November and then have them back to us at the end of December.
>> Okay. >> Which is earlier than last year. Yeah. >> Okay. So, that gives us more time. So if you have them for January 1st, can we go three weeks or two weeks and then have our first meeting? So last
year was March 1st. January 1st this year is a Tuesday. Thursday in February. >> We could if you Yeah, because you'll have Yeah. >> Or one at the end of February.
>> Yeah. You could do the the 6th and the 20th >> of >> February. Wait for vacations. I have vacations. So getting organized. This is >> You want a Saturday though, right? Yeah. >> So it would be seven and 21. >> Yeah. December 3rd is the round table
with the school. February 16th is winter vacation. So we stay away from that week. So there you go. So you could do the 14th Valentine. So we could do the 7th and the 28th. >> In theory. >> In theory. Or, you know.
>> Yeah. >> Or the, you know, one in end of February, one early March, you know. >> I don't want to go that way, though. >> If we can. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I love the 7th and the 28th. That gives us
Yeah. That gives you a couple weeks in March. And then we have our joint meeting with the select board. I don't know what the notifications are like. When is the you guys have your classes too that you do, but that's later.
>> Yeah. Okay. So that that'll help that >> and that's it. And >> I guess those are the dates, the framework of the budgets. Yeah. Are we are you doing department level 5% all three?
>> What did we do last year? We did minus five and even >> Yes. >> Did that work out okay last year, guys? >> I think it kept them a little more honest. >> Well, I think they're honest as a whole.
>> No, no, in general, I think so, too. But I think it it was conveying to them that we >> Well, this year you have health insurance issues, right? We we owe 20% more than we budgeted >> because if they where they bumped it. >> Can we honestly ask them to cut another
5%? >> Well, we nickeled and dimeed them last year. >> Yeah, we don't think we can. >> Well, it's interesting. We nickeled and dimeed budgets. We did. Um I'm not even gonna say it. I don't think that'll beat up tomorrow. Anyways, yeah,
I guess you can have them. It's It's an exercise, isn't it, though? At the end of the day. >> Okay. >> How's everybody looking >> so far >> from where we are for the >> Yeah, we had a lot of people >> too early. >> I'm even concerned having at February 7th and February 28th.
>> Yeah. >> But they're just >> still a lot of the years left. >> Maybe you're not cutting your budget versus those numbers on February 7th and 28th. You're getting them in to see where they're at, right? >> Yeah. But we've got a lot of time left
where funds are spent. >> Yeah. But you're not I I agree with you, but I'm not I I don't think we've towards the end we look and see how much they have left, right? >> But that's not during those meetings. That's later when we have our sit down with the selectman or actually us first
and then the selectment by themselves and then us together. So I'm not worried about it that way. I'm just trying to we just seem to be jammed in a corner every time by the end. You know, last year we're making decisions. I don't regret
any of them, but like last minute, you know, there was no time to breathe when it comes to decisions a little bit. >> That's still coming up. >> You're just trying to be more prepared and have a little bit more wiggle room.
>> Exhale after you made your decision. Well, it's not just us. Whatever we do, they got to go back and and and you know, redo and redo and it just becomes um definitely as as we pick apart these budgets, it's
tighter and tighter and it seems to be more conversation because of that. Um you know, we laugh because if the poor person leaves $1,000 in their account, do you think it's a good thing? They they they actually watch their money.
They shepherd that money like it was theirs and they're nicely saying to us, "Here's your bonus back, Joe. There's $1,000 left in that account." But what do we do? We take 700 of that. Right now, mind you, the person next to him in a whole different department comes in
and 18 of their accounts are drained and they're minus $1,000. The attitude sometimes is, "Oh, we should give them more money." Look at they spent it all. They spent it all. I get it. But that doesn't mean that they needed to spend it all. >> And but I I'll give you I'll give you
I'll give credit where >> you have to spend it. >> Yeah. Right. You have to spend it. And I when I first got on 100 years ago, I was told that right away. Well, we don't spend it all. They take it. I'm like, who would do that? Who who would who would go against the grain because you did something good? Fun to find out.
That's what they do. So, yeah. And as budgets get tighter, the conversations get longer. So, this says where we're at. So, those are the dates and we'll we can play with them at our next meeting.
>> Um, so we should meet early November to reconstitute the board and get that rolling. All right, Elizabeth, you can send dates out. >> Yes. >> Once we figure that out
and see what they have to say. All right. And think about who wants to be vice chair. She says she will definitely help us with all of our other stuff that she needs to do. So that's good. But apparently the banking industry is very
volatile right now. >> Yeah. So she can't come in. All right. Anything else? >> Good. >> Did we Did you want to review the liaison list tonight? paint. Absolutely.
Isa Fer is Joe. Animal controls the doctor and David Court of Appeals is David. Board of Assessors Paul Conley Sherry Nolton for Board of Health.
Building Department Robert orchard Cemetery Clerk Aaron Deo Community Preservation Joseph Joseph again for conservation. Oh, she's council on aging and culture
council. Wow. DPW highway and solid waste and DPW water is Karen and Paul. Economic Developments, David and Robert. Fire department, Paul, Connelly, and Joe.
Historical Commission is Joseph again. Lake management is Joseph. Lake management. Sherry, I got that wrong. Library Sherry. >> Yep. >> Moderator is David. Park and Wreck is Joe and Robert.
Planning board is Joe. Police Department, Joe and the Doctor. School is Robert, Joseph, and Alita. Select board is Alita. Robert Porsche is Sema. Karen and Paul are sewer
implementation. And treasure collector is Karen. Does anyone want to get out of one and into another? >> No, but I'm happy to assist you with some of your lot if you'd like. Well, I don't do a very good job at reaching out to these people. I got to
work on that. >> My two say I'm all set. >> Very, you know, they're very on top of it, but if you need me to >> assist, I'm happy to. >> What we all should really do is go to one of their meetings, quite honestly,
if you're the liaison, at least one, and introduce yourself and say hi. >> Yeah. >> I know they say they're all set, but >> Right. But that might be a great idea. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> A lot of meetings. David, any ideas? Anything you want to
switch up? >> I'm good with things as they are if everybody else is. I mean, always happy to do less. [Laughter] >> Uh when do we But when do we start
reaching out? I I don't recall. Um, >> well, it's for the it's really for the budget season or if they have a question ahead of the budget season, >> right? >> You know, um, like the doctor and the police have talked in regards to the the guns and they got that rolling earlier.
So, usually if they have a problem, they might reach out. Um, I don't know. I guess that's their easier way than trying to wait for our meeting to have a discussion about anything, right? They would just have it ahead of time and then the liaison would back. Yeah.
>> So we we we can start reaching out sooner than later like any almost any time now. Yeah. >> Absolutely. Please do show your face around town hall. You know, not a bad thing. Doctor, are you all set with a list? You're good. Jerry's good. Aaron, you're
good. >> All right. We'll get the feedback from Paul, Alita, and Robert. Okay. Anything else tonight, guys? We'll get some dates out. I need a motion to adjourn.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? Job. I sharing I. >> Thank you, David. All right, guys. Have a great night.