All right. Good evening and welcome to the select board meeting for welcome to August, Monday, August 3rd, 2026. Time is six o'clock. We're here in the land use hearing room at town hall. This meeting is being recorded um and is being held in hybrid fashion
both in person and remote. If anyone else is recording the meeting, please make it known to the to the board at this time. Anyone? road. >> We got you, Cliff. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? >> Okay, let's do a roll call first. Doug Mowglin, >> Russ Anderson, >> Joseph TD, >> Nine Signing, >> and Mrs. Parker is absent this evening. Uh, we'll start with the pledge of allegiance, please.
Buddy, you want to lead us tonight? >> Yeah. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you, buddy. Okay. At this time, we'll take public comment and we'll start in the room tonight. If anybody has anything on the agenda that's not on the agenda that they would like to address to the select board, now is your opportunity. Yes, ma'am. And if you would just do us
a favor, if you could come up to the center and state your name and address. Um, Beth Lally, 352 North Lumis. And I have just a like a few questions. Um, first, I listened to the rest of the meeting. Um, the last meeting, I didn't
stay because it was listed as Westfield Gas and Electric and I wasn't aware that it was going to be on fiber. And so during the meeting um I know it was mentioned that like this was kind of like a trial phase and then that like this was like things that would be like
under this contract and things would be like under the future contract. So since the 16 million was voted down like what is the exact scope of the project being funded on the under the previous amount and if the pilot is successful what
would future expansions require? Would they require another town meeting to vote? Um, you know, I heard that the price, you know, that for like $90, like my current bill with Xfinity is 102 a month and it includes that includes like
the taxes and everything and it comes with um Peacock. So, I'm not seeing it to be like a an enticing a reason to change because my internet seems to work so fine. So, I'm just kind of wondering,
you know, if like this contract, does it commit the town to beyond the pilot? >> I'll come back to it. I took some notes and I'll come back and answer your question later. >> Can I ask one more question? >> Of course. >> Thank you. Um and then last week there
was a article that came out um in regards to the personal property tax and in it it actually stated like the um you know that WGI was one of the businesses that was not paying it in the past in error and it did say that once the error
was identified everything was kind of squared up for the current year and like so my question is I'm trying to learn more about the tiffs because I've become very interested in the property taxes and everything and how things work. So when like that million dollar tip was
offered to them, were we aware at that time that they had been getting a tax break of, you know, I think they said this year the I think it was like 23,000 or 33,000. So they would have been getting that as a tax break in in prior
years. Was that taken into consideration or was it not a known fact at the time? I'll have to go back and look and that probably would take some input from the assessor as well and that office. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone else in the room? Anyone online? You're going to have to help me because I can't see it on my see it from here. >> Mrs. the mic. >> Good morning or good evening rather. Sorry.
>> Questions. So, I'll just ask them all at once and then you can address them. Um, my first question is, do you have to be a Southwick resident to be on a town board or committee? The second question I have is in regards to the fiber as well, because if this
whole thing doesn't work out, um, I don't think you're going to want to take it away from the schools and the library and that area there. So would that have to go to a town vote and then we all of the residents, the taxpaying residents would have to pay that bill if it passes? And my third question is is
about the code red that was discussed at the last meeting. And I'd like to know um why it auto renewed without any review and now we have to pay for legal services to investigate whether we can break the
contract or not. I mean, I always when I have auto renewal on any of the things I have, I mean, I get emails way before. Um, so why is it that the we didn't know or what happened that it just autopaid without any investigation prior to because we knew there were big problems
with it, but yet it's still autorenewed. That's it. >> Thank you. Anyone else online? Okay. If we can, we'll come back to some of those questions that I think we can answer tonight under old business. Um,
some of those are going to need a little bit more research. And, um, Mrs. Leblanc, you'll notice on our agenda tonight, I believe it's on there, is we are going to discuss, um, go,
>> well, gov is on there, but we're also going to talk about I'm pretty sure it was on there. Um, oh, there it is. It's under new business item E in the public com public comment format which was something you brought up at the last meeting which we kind of talked about at the end of the meeting as well as
whether the board would consider or should consider just changing how we handle public comment and let it be kind of open season at the beginning of a meeting and not having to wait until an agenda item necessarily comes up for it to be discussed.
So I just wanted to thank you for that. Okay. So, next we have two presentations we'd like to make. I see one one of the groups represented. I'm hoping that the other is here. Um, yes. Oh, good. Okay. Thank you. I just can't see that far in
the back. So, we are fortunate that we have two businesses in town that are celebrating their 50 years in business in the town of Southwick uh this year. And I ran into one of the owners in the hallway in town hall a couple weeks ago
and um I think he told me it was 12 days or 12 >> and I I beat Mrs. Murphy by 12 days. >> So that there's 12 days now in 50 years 12 days isn't hills a difference but >> [clears throat] >> uh we're going to recognize interstate building supply first in in honor of
their 12 days long longer term in business in the town of Southwick. Um so Mr. Bastoni, can you come up? We have a a a couple of certificates for you >> right up there because I get this right.
>> Yeah. Don't give me the donut one. >> That's what you asked me. >> Go back. >> That's what you >> That's why I Yeah, we didn't talk about that. >> So, we have a couple of proclamations for you. Um, and I'll I'll read the first one. Uh, whereas for 50 years, Interstate
Building Supply has proudly served the residents of Southwick and the surrounding communities, providing quality products, services, and unwavering dedication to its customers. And whereas since its establishment in 1976, Interstate Building Supply has demonstrated a commitment to hard work,
integrity, and excellence, contributing to the economic vitality, and character of the town of Southwick. Whereas the success and longevity of Interstate Building Supply is a testament to the vision, perseverance, and dedication of its owners, employees, and supporters throughout the years. Whereas locally
owned businesses such as Interstate Building Supply are the backbone of our community, creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and helping to make Southwick a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family. And whereas reaching a milestone of 50 years in business is a
remarkable achievement that reflects the trust and loyalty of generations of customers and the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship within our community. Now, therefore, it is resolved that the South Select Board hereby congratulates Interstate Building Supply on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and
extends its sincere appreciation for five decades of service and commitment. And in witness thereof, this proclamation is presented to you, Mr. Badoni on this third day of August of 2026 and it is signed by the select board myself Russell Anderson and Joseph
D. >> But wait there's more. >> I know >> it's spelled right too. >> I [clears throat] learn about that. >> Well, it's in the fancy font. So if it's not spelled right, no one's going to know. Anyway, Commonwealth of Mass, be it hereby known to all that the
Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to Interstate Building Supply in recognition of the glorious occasion of your 50th anniversary. Congratulations, Richard Bastoni and the Interstate family. The entire membership extends
its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all your endeavors given this first day of July. Um, so he was anniversary. Yeah, that was the actual anniversary >> and it's offered by Representative Nicholas. Yes.
>> So here you are, sir. >> This is for you. >> Sure. >> Just want to thank everybody. What's interesting is I built it from scratch and I'm the same person. And there's been multigenerational companies that have
lasted longer, of course, but not too many people will stick it out from from ground zero uh all the way through. And what's really interesting is next year it will be a hundred years that uh my family's been in the lumber business. I
have actually have pictures of my u father standing in front of our old lumber yard on Granville Road in 1927. And um and then my grandfather and my greatgrandfather before that all the way
back to about 1904 um came over and uh did uh native logging and uh native lumber and uh and then they opened in retail in around 1927. So it's really almost a hundred years that my family's been in business
in town. Um that's a long time and uh you don't see that very often anymore especially when it's the same family. I mean there's a lot of older companies you know like Saunders I mean you know going way back but I don't know how many generations that is and uh so it's rare
to see the same person 50 years and you know to to stick it out and it hasn't been easy I'll be honest with you and uh it's getting tougher and tougher with the competition today but uh you know I'm proud of what I did. I started at 24
years old and I had no money and uh begged and borrowed from the you know from the banks and they thought I was out of my mind and uh you know had to go through the SBA and had to you know go through different bankers and it took me a year and a half just to get the
approval for the funds and then the struggle with no with I had no money myself and to stick it out and stick it out and stick it out and um it was tough. It was tough. And now, you know, business isn't what it used to be. And,
you know, those days are gone. My my best days are behind me personally as well as physically, but I'm still there and uh we'll see what happens. I'm 76 years old and uh I'm still doing the best I can with a few health issues, but
I'm still hanging in there. I still go in every day. Not as much as I used to, but I'm doing it. And uh it's a it's a it's a dedication to sticking it out and not giving up easily like so many people do today. And that's kind of a shame to
see that happen uh with younger people. Uh they don't want to make the sacrifices. And as a promoter, if any of you get a chance to go on YouTube, um the historical society um interviewed me along with quite a few other people in
town over the last three or four years. And uh South Hook Starries, S2E1, that's mine. And u I think the biggest uh besides me was uh was John Wall-E. I think he's got 342 views. I'm up to 780
and uh u it's pretty good actually. So if you get a chance to take a look at it, I think you'll find it interesting. Not just because it's me, but I talk about a lot of the businesses in town that my family's been involved with and and others have been involved with. And
uh I have a I'm known for having a pretty good memory. I don't forget anything or anybody and some people have found out. And uh [laughter] maybe the hard way in some cases, but uh but no, it's it's you know, it's interesting because some of the people
that I mentioned in there, Gibb Arnold and Bill Malone, they're gone. And unfortunately, they were historians and you know, we have nothing from their knowledge. And uh you know, I'm kind of proud of having done that. And I, you know, it's there forever. And uh and some of the other ones are really good,
too. And uh you know the fuzzy beard be bearded one was there most of the time until he cleaned up his act. But uh it it turned out pretty well. And if you get a chance, take a look at it. It's it's it's worth watching. It really is. And uh you know, I'm proud that I made
it this far. I don't know how much longer. We'll see. And I make it another 50 years, that's for sure. But [clears throat] uh we'll see. We'll see what happens. And if my health holds out, you know, we'll go. You know, needless to say, I've had a few issues, but uh we'll hang in there. And I'm
proud of what I've accomplished. And thank you all for this, uh proclamation from the town and the state. And uh um we'll see what happens in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And is there a representative from Mrs.
Murphy's Donuts here tonight. >> Yes. No. >> All right. Well, let me read the proclamation for Mrs. Murphy's and we'll make sure that we get it over to them. Uh whereas Mrs. Murphy's Donuts is celebrating its 50th anniversary,
marking five de decades of dedicated service to the residents of Southwick and surrounding communities. Whereas since opening its doors 12 days after Interstate Building Supply in 1976, Mrs. Murphy's Donuts has become a cherished local institution known for its quality
products um and commitment to creating a welcoming gathering place for friends, families, and neighbors. And for 50 years, Mrs. Murphy's Donuts has been more than a business. It's been part of the daily lives and traditions of countless residents, serving generations of customers and helping to foster a
sense of community. Whereas locallyowned business such as Mrs. Murphy's donuts are vital to the economic health and character of the town of Southwick, providing employment opportunities, supporting local organizations, and contributing to the unique identity of our community. Whereas the longevity and success of Mrs. Murphy's donuts reflect
the hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of its owners, employees, and supporters, as well as the loyalty of the customers have made it a community favorite for 50 years. Whereas reaching the milestone of 50 years in business is a significant achievement worthy of recognition and
celebration. be it proclaimed that the Southwick Select Board hereby congratulates Mrs. Murphy's Donuts on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and expresses its sincere appreciation for its long-standing commitment to serving the community enriching the quality of
life in Southwick. And again, this proclamation is dated today and signed for by myself, Russell Anderson, and Joseph Dee. So, if we could have a round of applause for Mrs. And uh I mean I think prior to COVID uh select board meetings were ancillary to the business that was done at the
counter at Murphy's Donuts, right? Most of the business of the day was discussed over there by no one from the select board, but everyone made all the decisions that needed to be made at the time. So it's just an honor to be able to recognize these two businesses for 50 years um in our town and the and the
contribution that they make. So thank you for coming out tonight. Appreciate it. Mr. Badoni, thank you so much and um we wish you continued prosperity and success. Thank you. >> All right, new business transfer station.
discussion. I have no idea why this one's on here. I know we we've been talking about different measures to to uh be looking at to to uh get a better handle on what on who's coming and going from there and
and so on. Um I know we did have a police detail out there last week. Um I did talk to the guys up there this past weekend. they've been um very aggressive on uh checking people's stickers now that
we're into the 1 of August and July has passed. So, kind of the grace period that we normally offer. Um I spent several hours up there just kind of watching what was going on and saw exactly two cars with no sticker. One of them was in the envelope still on their
seat and the other one um will be was at probably at town hall this morning. Um, [clears throat] anecdotally also, while I was in town hall twice last week at the uh, treasure collector's office, there was a steady stream of folks coming in that had been turned away from
the transfer station and told to go get a sticker before they were allowed to dispose of their refues up there. So that's going to be a continuing thing um as we continue to track on how we can do better there and and you know weigh the value of making a significant very
significant investment and apparatus up there versus what's the return on on that investment. >> The repairs got done. >> The repairs are done. Uh if anyone noticed that the railing is about a foot higher than it used to be. You're not just getting older and it's not harder to lift your trash. They did have to
raise that a foot because for code compliance. I did ask and they said only once does have they recalled someone going over the top by accident. >> That didn't mean it didn't happen more than once, but once by accident. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, now we're going to go into
appointments and we've got quite a lot of names and folks to go through tonight. I did I do want to note there is a bit of a scribbers error on the posted agenda. Um when we posted the agenda next to some of the names and by the way this is
also a topic um for discussion as well tonight as well um that I'm going to bring up and Mrs. Blank alluded to it too, but on the agenda next to some names, it says non-resident, and it looks to me like there was an adjustment in the in the sheet as they were doing
it. And so those those cells moved down one for some of the appointments. So the person may be listed on there as non-resident, but they actually are a resident. So I'll call those out as we go through them. So, first and and and the first one is that
Ashley Peron, who's listed under the Agricultural Commission appointment list, um is indeed a resident of the town of Southwick. Is she here this evening? >> She's not here. I assure you she's a resident of the town of Southwick. Um however, there's a Mr. Brian Roy listed
on the same uh list and he is a non-resident. I believe him to be a resident of Granville. So, and I see the chairman of ACCOM is here. So, according to my list, which I believe Jes with Christiey's list, the
following uh are up for reappoint. And I'll just run through the list real quick. Christy, do you want to come up here or you good from back there? Okay. And you're going to fact check me as we go. Fantastic. So, Jessica Whitmore Parker,
that is a an associate position. Lenita Bober is an associate position. Dan, and these are uh returning um members and associates. Dan Cook is a
full member. And then we have Brian Roy has applied to be a member. Janice Priy has applied to be an associate and Christian
Shurmer. Do I have that right? Yeah. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Is that person here? Christian. >> Oh, good. So, if I messed up his last name, I'm off the hook. And Ashley Peron as a member. >> Yeah. Her spelling of Ashley is a slee.
>> Okay. So, and we have one person who is not who asked not to be reappointed. So, that is Mr. Fury. Bear with me one more moment. So before we begin, I want to kind of
ask my fellow board members here, what's your stance on having on certain boards and commissions in the last year or so, we have appointed non-residents to some ad hoc advisory boards um not to
statutory boards that I'm aware. Um, but do you have an opinion or a thought on whether that's a positive trend, a negative trend, or or what? >> Doesn't the statute say you have to be resident with your municipality?
>> For on I believe on statutory boards, yes. And I believe I think we have to look into that for adcom specifically because that does a you know we did adopt um bass general law to to create our adcom. How many years ago Zach?
>> Didn't we just have a big birthday for it? I was giving you a chance 20 years ago, right? Yeah. >> 20 years ago. So I I don't know that we can do that for this board. Other ad hoc boards I we've done it, you know, and and um I saw Mrs. Fuller was here, but
she left. >> There she is. Um, you know, she's been serving on EDC for a while. >> Same. >> A while. >> Greg, too, Greg lives in Austin. >> Craig. Craig. >> Craig. Craig. Craig. Craig Samson as well.
>> Right. And then we have um a non-resident also on um the open space committee. Those aren't statutory. So, I I kind of wanted to present that as food for thought. Does it matter that we own a business in
town? I thought that was one of >> it. It absolutely does for economic development, right? And that's what and it's been, you know, that's >> because we a long time. >> We had Steve Ro that moved to Westfield. He had to resign. >> He has last name Ro in the last six months.
>> But did you did he have a business here? >> No, he did not. >> Yeah. >> And so we had asked and I think someone gone back to Greg dilated that >> because he that's just the way they're keeping it. Yeah, I mean I think if it's a statute, you kind of got to go by it.
Can I make a comment >> on the board? you may have to be a resident of the town, but I would think that as in an advisory capacity, um especially if it's someone who is a taxpayer in the town as as Serena Fuller
is with business, um that that should be sufficient from an advisory standpoint, even if the Mass General laws don't allow uh you to be a an actual member of of some of the statutory committees that are, you know, like selectmen or
something along that line. Um I mean I would think that would be an asset to the town to have uh somebody who's willing to work for the town's best interest even if they don't live in the town although she grew up in town. I know that and a lot of these other
people who still have ties to the town of Southwick. I would think that would be a a big plus for the town to have people I know you have a hard time getting people to serve on some of these uh on some of these boards and and then if you can get people who are willing to
uh devote the time and energy in an advisory capacity would make sense to keep them if you can legally do it >> and I think that's the question and we do and uh another ad hoc advisory committee that comes to mind is lake management right so we have folks on lake management that are from sfield and
by god West Sufffield as Jerry Crane calls it, right? Um but that's a stat, you know, that's not a statutory board. It's an ad hoc advisory committee to the select board. So they don't have any statutory or rulemaking ability. And I think that's a big difference. So Okay.
Well, thank you. So back to ACOM, Mr. Barnett, do you have any thoughts that you'd like to share? >> Um I mean, I haven't met Brian Roy. He's never come to any of our DJs. I don't know if he's here tonight. I don't believe so. >> It's the same one. He works for me.
>> Oh, it may be. >> Lives in Granville. >> I mean, I don't want this call to >> So, what what's your um your recommendation is?
>> I would say not at this time. Maybe we can look for clarification later on. I think at this time Brian Roy probably should not be from what you guys have said >> still gives under his seven right
>> so the the the slate in front of us then would look as for associates you'd have Jessica Whitmore Parker Lenita Bober Janice Priy Christian Shurmer as your associates and then for
poll number you want to be associate. Okay. >> And then for your members that that are up, it would be Dan. >> Yeah, Dan. Dan definitely wants to reapply and for full member. Jessica might want to become a full member. I
think he there was only an associate member position open when she joined, but I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon. So, but >> she's not here. Now's your chance. Um, >> I would say bump her up to a full member. Okay.
And >> the Ashley is not included. Did you read? Ashley is not included. >> And Ashley Peron would be a member. Ashley with two E. Thank you. [clears throat] >> So I'd entertain a motion to have, make sure I get this right, Jessica
Whitmore Parker as a member. Dan Cook, and these are three-year terms. Dan Cook as a member and Ashley Peron as a member of AGCOM.
>> Moved. >> Second that. >> Roll call vote. Doug Mowglin, yes. >> Sanderson, yes. >> Joseph DD, yes. >> And then for the associate members on AGCOM, it would be Lenita Bober.
Janice Priy Christian Shurmer and that's it. Sold. Second >> roll call vote. Doug Mglin, yes. >> Russ Anderson, yes. >> Joseph DD, yes. >> Perfect.
Acom's done. One out of the way. Got a million to go. And congratulations to you. Now, for those following at home and in the audience, our illustrious town clerk has a new process they want to follow. Correct. Care to tell us what that process is,
Christie? Um, so you'll be getting an email once you're appointed and it'll it's just a letter notifying you of what seat you've been appointed to on what board um and how long the term is for. And it'll also include links to the open meeting law, the ethics, the town social media policy
for boards um committing commissions as well as the um board's committee commissions handbook. Um and you're to review those before you come to be sworn in. And um once you do that, we'll have you sign that you received the documents
at time of that you're sworn in. And if you can just give us a call the day that you plan to come just to make sure we have someone in the office available to swear you in because we don't want anybody to make any unnecessary trips here and not get, you know, what they need done. So that's you'll be getting
that email as soon as I can create it. >> It'll be out either tonight or tomorrow. >> And a quick check, Mrs. Llank, could you hear that in on Zoom? >> Yes, I could. >> Fantastic.
All right, on to the board of appeals. We have three members that are um that have applied for continuing service on the board of appeals. [clears throat] So, I'd entertain a motion for Michael Parent.
I believe it's for a one year. Paul Gre I'm sorry, Michael Parent as an associate for one year. Paul Gregoire as an associate for one year and William Liz for a member term of three years. >> So move.
>> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Doug Mglin, yes. >> Russ Anderson, yes. >> Joseph DD, yes. Capital Expenditure Committee. I just want to call your attention to the fact that we have one applicant
whose term is up. Um, but we have at least one other vacancy on um, sorry, there's two other vacancies that will be filled by FINCOM because those terms are expiring. So that FINCOM makes
those appointments to the capital expenditures committee. So we have an application from Mr. Jason Peron. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. Doug Mglin. Yes. Russ Anderson. Yes.
>> Joseph TD. Yes. >> Cemetery com um graves officer. Uh Mr. Jean Thorough has served in this role for several years now. So I'd make a motion to reappoint him as well. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Doug Mowglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Joseph Dy. Yes. All right, let's move over to what's the next one on this list? Conservation. >> Conservation Commission. Okay. In this particular one, we do have
three people applying for two positions, I believe. So, the current member of MeT man, I always mess this one up. [clears throat] Misang, how do you say it? >> Sorry. Thank you. And the current chair,
Norm Chver. And we also have an application from Jennifer Dietro. >> And we have no other openings, associates, or anything else with that. They do not have associates by statute on that. >> You're in Jennifer associate.
>> She is on the con. >> Did we figure that all out? Norm >> associate number. >> So she she's not looking to be an appointment as a member. >> I didn't believe she was being told. Did you? >> She's right there.
>> Position which is a volunteer. >> Oh, that's right. My question was do are they able to vote as well being I wasn't sure but yeah um but yeah I was just
>> because we made an we made an interim appointment right not that long ago when >> open space >> for open space but not concom >> right >> but if there those are the two that applied for the position they should absolutely Absolutely get that for
positions, but I go to the meetings all the time. >> Glad to have you. >> Okay, so it entertain a motion to reappoint Norm Chver and Me for three-year terms.
>> So move. >> Second. >> Just so long as you don't make me say the name. >> I am. >> How come we didn't reappoint him? We couldn't say his name. [laughter] No, he does a great job and he's been on that board for a long time and uh I just
stumble over that name. So Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yeah. >> Joseph DD. Yes. >> Okay. Next. Council on Aging. We do have quite a bit of changes on this this committee.
So there is uh Paula Leblanc has asked not to be reappointed to that board. Um and Carol Smith has asked to change her status within the board from member to associate. So,
how I have it is Carol Laughlin will be a member for a three-year term. Rose Saltzer for a member for a three-year term. And then for associate members and these
are one-year terms I believe will be Carol Smith and Miadowski and Carol I have car so and >> Donna Foy >> Donna Foys correct thank you
correct uh Mrs. Is my is the associate member a three or a one? >> Associates are one. >> Okay. So that there would be three for sorry two for a threeyear and three for a one
year. >> I'll be abstaining. >> Would you like to make that motion, Mr. Dee? >> I'll make the motion. Sure. >> And I'll second the motion. Doug Mglin. Yes. Chose. >> Yeah. Chose a TD. Yes. Great. Thank you.
cultural council. I believe they have a statutory rule where someone has to step off the board for a period of time after a certain length of service. Um, so we have in front of us is to appoint Steve Brazinski to a three-year and Sabrina
Peryear. >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. Doug Mglin, yes. Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Shows a DD. Yes. >> EDC. There's one vacancy. This is a five-year term. Is that correct?
>> There's three on this one. >> Yeah. Didn't think we had any fives. >> Take us. I was surprised too when I read it. That's why I want to double check it. >> They changes that five nine back. The member answer
>> the young lady in the red. >> We had changed the select board had changed the members um the total number of member was a fiveyear but we had to stagger them. So these are the those initial terms they were short to
stagger. So these are those expiring. So they should be going on to a five. >> They go up to a five. Yeah, we staggered them in and so the reappoint period will be a five because then it'll be offkilter with few
expiring each year. >> So it is a fiveyear sentence. Serena >> motion please. >> So so move >> second. >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. >> Joseph DD. Yes.
Historical commission. Uh these are both three-year terms. Current vice chair Kirk Sanders and member Alan Villanuva. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Sanderson. Yes.
>> Joseph Dini. Yes. >> Okay. Lake management. This is an ad hoc advisory uh committee that reports to the select board. There are two of them and they have a slightly different membership. I believe. Um, so we'll do them
separately. Actually, they are the same, but we'll uh just for the sake of keeping it straight. So, the members will be Scott Graves, Norm Chver, Michael Debet, Eichel Kums, Dr. Eric Mueller, Paul Murphy, and
associate Rick Wilot, and associate WK Phillips. And to be clear, the uh the terms are a little bit staggered. Um, and they're on the sheet, but uh, Mr. Graves, Mr. Kums, and Mr. Murphy
would be for three years. Norm is a one year. Um, and the associates are one year, and uh, Mr. Debay and Dr. Mueller would be for two years. And just for the record, those non-residents ones are all
off by at least one row cuz I'm pretty darn positive that Norm Chver lives in the town of South. >> Doug Mglin, yes. >> Russ Anderson, yes. >> TD, yes. >> And Lake Management Canal.
Uh, these are all one-year terms, hence a key difference. Member Malcolm Debet, member Michael Debay, member Richard Grenell's, member Paul Yokum, member Scott Graves, member E. Michael Kums, member Dr. Eric Mueller,
and associate WK Phillips. >> So move. >> Second. >> Doug Mglin, yes. >> Russ Anderson, yes. >> Jose, yes. >> Okay. Well, we're into the L's. We're doing great. Local Emergency Planning
Committee. This is a statutory board um with membership of varying um boards, committees, and departments throughout uh the town of Southwick and um other institutions. So, it's kind of a little bit cut off, but
um Russell Anderson, that's you. uh Nicole Parker, Charles Darling as the I believe it's the acting SEMA director, Chief Richard Stfanoitz, Chief Rhett Banish, Lisa Anderson, Jennifer Willard from the school,
Sabrina Puller from Puler from Concom, John Kaine, Kaen Simmons from board of health, Richard Bozac from DPW, Jim Middleton, Joe Lynch, Rich Riiski, Nicholas Bernier from the schools, Naen
Signoni. Um, and the, uh, sorry, these are alternates. Nicholas Bernier, Bernier, Naen Signoni, uh, Lieutenant Michael Tagert, Deputy Chief Jessica Bishop, and Liz Martine are would be associates. So,
and they're all a one-year appointment. >> We'll make the motion. >> I'll second the motion. Roll call vote. Doug Mglin, yes. >> Anderson, abstain. chose a TDS. >> Okay. Master Plan Advisory Committee.
Sorry. Master Plan implementation committee. The advisory committee predates the implementation committee. So, we currently and these are all for these are a one-year term. They currently consist of Norm Chver, Brian Menard,
um and then uh there's a vacancy because it's a select board member and then a planning board appointment um which they need to come back and make and a student um position which is vacant and a member um and
there's a vacant um member. I believe I saw Mr. Raymond in the audience then I I actually ran into Mr. Raymond at Big Y. He's graduated from the Southwick schools and he is interested. He has uh submitted an application to
um become a member on the master plan implementation committee which would create a vacancy for the student position. So to be clear um Norm Chver is appointed by the select board um and Brian Menard has said he
does not want to be reappointed. Correct. And there's one vacancy. So that would create two vacancies for members on that board norm. Okay. Plus a student
plus a select board member. >> Okay. How many applicants we got? Two. That was a hand wave, right? I can't see that far. Just making sure we had the right finger up. Um,
do either of you want to come up and chat with us for a minute? >> And you are >> Joshua Raymond. >> And your address, sir? >> 19 Warren Lane sounds like yesterday. Yeah. So, you were on the you were on the MPIC
last year as the student rep. >> Yep. I've been on master plan implementation committee for one year as student representative. I joined uh believe it was a summer going into my senior year. I was a good fit for that at the time
because I was the student representative to the school committee which I no longer serve as obviously as I've graduated. Um, I would like to continue as a member now. Um, as I'm no longer a student, I think
that we can find another student pretty easily. Um, I have a lot of interest in the master plan working together with um, Norm, Mr. Spina, Diane. Um, I feel it'll be a good fit for it. So,
>> you're staying local? >> Yes. light school hopefully in Westfield. Yo, >> any questions? >> We chatted at Big Wama. I'm good. [laughter] >> Well, thank you.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Gail. Good evening, Dan Gale, Five Point Grove Road, Southwick. I plan to remain here. Um, as you know, I was on the uh implementation committee as a select board member and I was also sort of an
honorary advisory committee member. um attending every meeting, taking AVID notes um which I found very helpful in the role I was on last year in helping the boards
and uh other uh leave parties understand better how some of those recommendations came about and putting context to them so they could bridge those to their daily work
lives. And I would uh I enjoyed working immensely with Norm's great leader on that and uh want to continue helping the parties pull it together. >> Obviously I've experienced your
enthusiasm with it. [laughter] Um, and it would be foolish not to take advantage of all it's what you've put into it to continue there. >> Mr. Dee, [sighs and gasps] what do we want to
say? So, are we out of the timeline where she can actually get on a border commission? >> Yes, sir. >> From the election. >> Yeah. And do you think you're going to be able to keep this dog park scenario out of this process? >> It has been out of everything. No >> to date. Of course, it would be. He's
just asking. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Anything else? What's it like working with Norm? >> Fantastic. >> Cool. He's right there. >> That I know. [laughter] >> Thank you very much. >> Kudos. I don't want that job. [laughter]
>> All right. So, who's in favor of making sure that Josh recruits the student rep? I know I am. >> Yeah, >> sure. >> We will. >> Fair enough. >> Okay. Uh, anyone will make a motion for appointments to this board for a one-year term as a a citizen member on
the Empic uh select board appointment? >> Which applicant are we? >> Yeah, >> there's two seats. So, you can make one or both because Mr. Menard has chosen not to continue and there already was a
vacancy. Correct. >> Correct. >> So you have two spots and you have two people. >> Wait a minute. No, that's correct. There's two. Mr. Manard's seat. There's also a vacant vacancy that we have to appoint. Maybe
not tonight. We have to appoint one of us to this committee as well. But Mr. Menard's seat and there's a vacant seat. So there's two vacancies on that board >> and two people in front of >> And two people in front of you. >> So I need a motion.
>> Make a motion to appoint Diane to one of the seats. >> Do them separate. >> I I don't I'll take them both because they're they're equal seats of one year. So makes zero difference. >> Okay. So, and the other name was >> uh Mr. Raymond.
>> Joshua, right? Yeah. So, Joshua Raymond and Diane Gail to the two open seats >> and that he has to find the student member. >> Elbow shake. >> Okay. Sarah's second. >> Second. Yes. >> Roll call vote. Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Joseph TD. Yes.
>> Congratulations. >> Do you have anybody yet? >> Yeah. >> You got to have a Come on. Social media. You got to text it out, you know. Uh >> oh. You need to reappoint me to
>> Oh, I was thinking you weren't going to notice. Norm, good point. We need a motion to reappoint Norm Chver. >> What about >> those are that's a select board appointment. >> Okay, >> so that I had it in my notes. Sorry. Uh
bear with me one second, guys. Empic Dave Spina is a select board appointment. So they have to move to make that appointment themselves. >> That's what I meant. Y >> thank you. >> So uh we do need to reappoint Norm.
>> Make a motion to appoint Norm. >> I'll second that. >> Doug Mglin. >> Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Joseph DD. Yes. Thanks for covering third base back there. We appreciate it. Okay. And on the OSRP, this one actually
is correct. If you're following at home, Mr. >> Voice, the acronym, >> I will >> people at home, >> the open space and recreation planning committee. Um these are I believe
one-year appointments and to be the uh Mr. Flurry is listed on there as a non-resident. He is a non-resident. He is from Westfield. Um this is an advisory board um with no statutory authority as far as I
understand it. They will be working with Pioneer Valley Planning um along with other statutory boards to publish the actual open space and recreation plan OSRP. So we have in
front of us Jennifer Dietro there she is Martha Kaine and Connor Flurry. The only spot on that board that needs to be appointed by the sound board is um the member the residency which is
Jennifer the rest are um they're appointed by this one that they're on. So they they kind of come a little bit backwards in the order here. >> Okay. >> Make a motion to appoint Jennifer Deetro.
>> Second that >> roll call vote. Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes, those are TD. Yes. >> And no, thank you. And how about open space land management? >> The the member that are on the list. There's
three wall members and one is not here. >> Okay. And that that list is incorrect because Connor Flurry is the non-resident and Martha Kaine is a resident. So, let's uh entertain a motion for Open Space Land Management,
Connor Flurry. These are members, Connor Flurry, Martha Kaine, and Philip Price, and associate Jennifer Depitra. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> I had a question. >> Hold on. We got to You might not want to until we vote.
>> Doug Mglin, yes. >> Sanderson, yes. >> Joseph TD, yes. >> Okay. >> Question. >> Sure. Um there was I thought there was seven positions open. Uh two open. I thought there was seven available. I
mean sorry seven total uh for member. Um I appreciate the the vote for the associate. I'm not sure. My question is are associates able to vote? If not then
um if they are then that's fine. I'll stay as the associate. Um, I think one reason is that they needed more than three people on the board to be able to vote. >> That's an excellent question and in
according to the what I have, we do have a vacancy as a member. Um, would you like to be the shortest lived associate member in the history of the town of Southwick if we vote to make you a member now? >> Yes. >> Would anyone like to make that motion?
>> So move whatever you just said. >> We we appointed her as an associate and now we're going to we're going to withdraw that forgot a member. Joseph >> second >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Sanderson. Yes. I think >> Joseph. Yes.
Thank you. >> You might want to be careful. Who knows what they're going to put you on. Planning board associate is a joint appointment of both of our uh this board and the planning board. We'll schedule that at a later date once we have some candidates. Um and
Russ, I appreciate your feedback on this. There's a suggestion on here to combine SEMA races and into one singular appointment. I was going to suggest and I don't know what's I know
as far as emergency management I'm sure it's statutory. However, the amateur radio some of the other stuff could be under a job description or completely separate. What I was going to suggest was reappoint the names we
have as um PEMA and when we have a new director, let them reorganize or or leave it the same. Um, I don't know if we have to put it in as as this or or not because what happens
is somebody might have an interest in the radio but not an interest in the emergency management, but they end up wearing the emergency management hat and not doing what needs to be done in the emer management because they're interested in this. >> Fair enough. >> So, and that's not to take from them. They do a great job at what they do, but
I think it needs to be separated for to make sure the town's protected. >> Yep. um to move forward >> and to my understanding is they're um acting the acting director is up for reappointment and then three members are
up for appointment on the current on the current list. Is that correct Christie or is it the that is correct? So, all right. So, make sure I have it then. I have uh Charles Darling, Keith Strongrren,
Jerry Sambrook, and Eric Carroll. Correct. Would someone like to put forth that motion? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. Doug Mglin, yes. Russy Anderson, yes. >> Joseph Dei, yes. And then we'll come back and do the
other two once SEMA is organized and we have a director. >> Yeah, I think that's >> and we have one more big one. I didn't even know we had this. Uh we need to appoint our DPW director, Richard Bozac, as the official moth inspector. >> And [laughter]
we already did that one on July 6th. So he already is the tree warden. That's right. This makes him the moth inspector, too. It does not come with a commensurate stipend. I assure you. Anyone want to make that motion? >> Move before I say something.
>> I'll second that. >> Doug Mowglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Yes. >> That could have gone a lot of different. >> You know what? It sure could have. All right. Give me one second to get my page back here.
I have to leave, but I just want to thank everyone for for this tonight. And uh I got to go back to work on Route 51. So, >> stop and get a donut. >> Can you get in there? [clears throat]
>> Thank you. >> He's got a thing that makes keys. He probably can. >> That can just break the door down. That's >> Well, that's the other report. Thank you everybody. Thank you very much. Congratulations. See you. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, item two. Just kidding. Uh,
review elderly rate sewer applications. I knew they were out there, so I carried on the agenda. And you received those in your email or in your packet this afternoon? Yes, you got them. >> Uh, email again. >> Okay. Yes,
>> it says addition to meeting packet. So there are >> three of them. >> One is for a Miss Fletcher at 29 depot. John >> John Kawuchcci
on BAP and Pamela Foster on Miller. They have met the requirements set forth and sworn there too. >> Make a motion to approve.
>> Second that roll call vote. Doug Boglin, yes. >> Russ Anderson, yes. Joseph TDS. >> Okay. Next item. Accountant contract renewal discussion andor ratification. floor is open.
So did we not kind of set the tone um based on the town administrators under the evaluation issue and and that we hadn't done herbs and then this has similar not the same
but similar language. >> Correct. The only the key difference here is this contract was her existing contract. This is the existing one. >> This is like I I didn't see an existing.
That's always kind of curious too as to what >> changed. Yeah, it >> it mirrored the existing contract. It was updated basically. >> So the the old contract had the
valuations in it as well. Everyone got evaluations all over the years, right? >> Over the years, everyone. You got them back when >> No, >> nothing from Carl. >> And I when I was I was trying to look. You guys didn't do them on Carl either, did you?
We had um I don't feel like Bob's goals and objectives maybe >> goals and objectives we had and where you where you had that I mean I had those as chief um but I don't you know >> there was never an evaluation and then I'm back and asked because it would be
easier if we just copied Carl's for >> Yeah. >> Nicole and they said that didn't exist that we they never did any so you guys were here. I wasn't. >> Yeah. Um, and I get that why we want them,
but if we didn't do them, I think we should use our language to just be the same. That's my feeling. I don't know how you would let one go through with one and one. You know, we said we'd only give her a year until we figured it out. Then if we change our message on this
one, then that's not being consistent. a message of doing a few evaluations, right? Prior to The other the other thing that's absent from this is um the goals and objectives
and input from under E1 I think >> E1 E. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Number develop >> not being facicious. Number two is what you were talking about and number one is
the goals and objectives. >> No, I mean what they are. >> We'll develop mutually agreed upon performance goals. >> You're right. So my point is if this was the previous contract, >> yeah, >> there should have been goals and objectives. Did this person meet the goals and objectives
>> which would be the basis of number two? >> Which would be the basis of number two. but we don't have that input from her direct report or an evaluation. So, we're we're going forward with a they could be going forward with a contract, not knowing if that person met
their goals, how they did, or anything else. And we don't know what those goals were. Is that clear? Very. Okay. I understand the language. We just haven't we don't have the support of it
or the basis for how we got here. And we could able to get Nicole's input too. She's the direct report right to to go. And I think Nicole had mentioned previously that she wanted to be
evaluated first so that >> Nicole herself. >> Yes, Nicole before she evaluated another Mr. Um, I don't know. Do you want to get some more information
on this when Mrs. Parker's back in town? I guess, but I don't know what that's going to, you know, either way, I don't understand which way that would go, but obviously nobody wants to make a decision tonight. >> No, I think we're kind of looking for
consistency, >> right? >> Yeah. >> One person. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we'll carry this under old business for our next meeting. Uh item E, public comment format. Uh this was raised at our last meeting. Um
certainly food for thought. Um we've always started our meeting with taking public comment for anything that's not on the agenda. Um and then when we came to a subject matter that was on the agenda, we would always take public comment at that time on that particular topic. Um I gave some
thought to this because it was it was a well put together argument last week. I I think we should consider it and I think with an asterisk and the asterric is that if you ask your question
on something that's that is on the agenda and we say thank you and then you leave or don't attend the rest of the meeting that's at your peril that you may or may not get your question answered at that time or make your
public statement you know to a crowd that may come for that agenda appointment. But as far as just taking input um and public comment at any, you know, at the beginning of a meeting on any topic, even if it's on the agenda that evening, I don't see a big issue
with it. And it it's no law. It's not a it was just general a policy of the board up until well last week >> and depending on who the chairman was, right? We've had that discussion. Yeah, >> we're all different. We all drink it differently and it is what it is.
>> I don't have a problem answering questions, but I will tell you if I can't answer it, we're going to email it to you >> 100%. But this is more like if >> let's say we had an an item on the agenda and someone wanted to speak to that item that was going to be at 9:00 at night. >> Okay, we you would normally say, you
know, hold off. We're going to when we get to that agenda item, we'll take public comment on that agenda item at that time. Is there any harm in having that public comment earlier in a meeting other than it may you might have a lot of people that come for a comment, get their comment in and leave and
significantly extend the public comment portion of the that of the meeting. >> It doesn't get carried away, >> I don't think it's a problem. But if you got you're right, 20 people in front of you that are just going to sit here and scream, >> you know, and uh >> we and we don't get that, don't get me
wrong, but you know, so I guess it's a give and take. Yeah. If it's if it's a comfortable situation and everyone's behaving, yeah, there's no problem. No. >> Well, you know, and you know, >> and a lot of stuff you just can't answer, >> right? But it's just if someone wants to make a public comment. >> Yeah.
>> Even if it's on an agenda item, does it matter if it's beginning, middle, or end of the meeting, depending on when the agenda item comes up? I really No, I don't think have a preference. And you know, Mrs. Leblanc brought it up last week and said, you know, why is this, >> right? >> You know, I don't know. We always done it that way, which is never the right
answer. Um, almost never the right answer unless someone knew what knows why that is. It's usually not the right answer. So, I just wanted to bring it to the board and say we should just ask kind of if it's okay with you. If someone has something to say at the beginning of a meeting, I'm saying it.
Even if it's something on the agenda tonight, >> they could bring it up in public com. >> I have no problem with that. I I just think we need to put a couple guard rails in it. Uh, number one, we talked about the layout of the room a little bit. So,
>> I would get rid of the to the two rows, put them to the side, put a podium of some kind there. That's where they come to so the Zoom picks them up and can hear them, which was her complaint that you can't hear some of the stuff. I'd also I think that person should sign in with their name, contact number, and
email address. So, if there is a question, we can follow up with it. Um and then maybe you give it a time limit of three minutes or you know that's what some you'll see some of the towns do. Yeah. >> You get a threem minute window or whatever. >> Correct. >> Um which you have the ability to extend
if it's three questions instead of two or something. >> Correct. >> And it and it's not Q&A. It's public comment. So right, >> you know, Ms. Lai asked some questions tonight. I think I know the answer to a couple of them. A couple of them I have to get back to on. And you know, we like you said, if we don't know, we're not going to answer you because we'll we'll
come back to you an email or we'll cover it in our next meeting under old business. Hey, someone asked me about this. Here's I had the time to gather the information. Here's your information. But it's more a public comment. If someone had something about um you know, weights and measures intermunicipal agreement with Westfield
renewal and they were here at 602 and wanted to make a comment on that, we would say ah no, can you wait until we get to item F? I don't I don't see the harm. Okay. And um on the signin piece, I believe
it's you don't have to leave your name and number or even state your name and address. We ask people to as a courtesy, but it's not a requirement under MGL and under the open meeting law. I don't think my thought is if 100% talk to someone. Oh, I get it, but I just want to be clear about that. So,
>> yeah. Whatever the law Yeah. Exactly. Okay. >> I know um my old older community, you actually had a a public comment sheet you filled out with your name, what you were talking about and turned it in ahead of time, >> but I don't know if that's too much.
>> And and you know, just to cover what last week um or two weeks ago, we wildly diverged from our normal format of a select board meeting, even for me. Um I thought it was productive. I thought it was
everyone was courteous and respectful of each other and we had a very good discussion that was very educational for all involved. Um the purpose wasn't to change minds. It was to get information out there and share information as we had it and the
questions from the audience to the the people that were presenting were on point. And so there we kind of allowed a lot more back and forth than we normally do. Um, and I thought it was okay. I mean, as far as that's not, and I talked about
this at the end of the meeting as well, you know, under the open meeting law, a there's no requirement for public comment under the open meeting law itself. I It's bad government if you don't, but um, the whole purpose of the open meeting law is so people can sit and watch their government
work there. It's not, you know, it doesn't necessarily need to be interactive or back and forth or Q&A. We tend to do that. I think it's just generally good government. And where we can answer questions, we we will um and when we can't because we may not have all the data right in front of us to
give a a fully qualified answer, we'll get back to you. And if you'd like, we can present the data at our next meeting in public for everyone to hear it because sometimes someone asked a question, we email the person back and then frankly we get to wrap that. Hey, we didn't answer the question. Well, we did. We answered the person who asked it
directly. Um so okay enough of that. Um weights and measures intermunicipal. Yes >> this is the thing cutting it up but instead >> I was just going to you just actually commented um to what I was going to suggest because instead of getting back
to the person that asked the question by email or phone. I would prefer to have it discussed in old business at the next meeting because everybody might be interested in the answer, not just that one person that asked the question
noted. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh Weights and Measures Intermunicipal Agreement Westfield renewal. Um we did go back and forth a little bit on this in the last week or so.
Uh Westfield sent a new IMA intermunicipal agreement, sorry. Um on this it has a slight price increase. Nicole had the dollar amount that that raises in fees. It it adequately covers
the expense and there are two other neighboring towns that are also looking for the same thing if I recall from our discussion. So, um, we're not in a great rush for that, but if you wanted to, uh,
move on that or carry that as old business, it is your pleasure. >> You don't know what the rates were last year or the last >> It's up by 2K, I believe, >> by 2,000. So, we up on our rates to cover that. >> We're We're already good on it. We're
already Okay, we're fine. How long is this for? >> Barely. >> Five years. >> Five years. Sorry. Five. >> Uh, this agreement extended upon written agreement with both parties for two additional years, five-year terms. two
additional five-year terms. So is that 10 or 15 year? Upon execution of this agreement for a term of five years, Westfield shall provide weights and service to services out there. Should either party desire to
terminate, they should give 90 days. This agreement can be extended upon written agreement for both parties. >> Could be up to 15 years. The way I read that, >> that's what I would say. Yeah. >> But it would need the, you know, consent of the board to for an extension, >> right? two additional 5year terms
>> and it's an annual fee of 10,000 and that's up >> I believe that was in there I think it was eight previous correct [clears throat] >> do you know how many spots we have that have been inspected >> we have a list >> I don't have it right in front of me but
went over >> additional required >> no we we get it covered with Okay, correct. There you go. All right, >> I make a motion to approve. >> I'll second that. >> Roll call vote. Doug Moin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Chosen D. Yes.
>> Okay. Is there any other new business that we want to bring up at our next meeting? I don't. >> Mr. Dee, I'll throw some emails out and see what happens. Okay.
Okay. So, the next uh I brought forth on the agenda um and it should have been circulated to you as well. You may have to turn it. It was sideways in the other email, but um is goals and objectives. So, I took
my draft of what I had put together last year um for goals and objectives for review and would certainly like to add move and change and add any other goals and
objectives that we as a board you believe we should be tackling. Um and like I you know some of these are carryover, some of them are um
I updated some of the ones that are are just multi-year ongoing things. And then at the end I tacked on a few few things that I'd like to see us uh continue including the you know the LPR discussion from last week I added on there. Um
and then I added a couple other minor minor items on there as well. But um would certainly love everyone's input to to make sure that we're and this is something we can check in, you know, week over week to kind of see how we're
doing on that rather than just touching on it once a year. You know, for example, there was a couple items that were on there that we really didn't get to, but um they would have been very helpful if we had um and some of them are not really relevant
to I think they're they were my goals and objectives, but they're really design things that we would designate either to the CEO or another border commission to say, "Hey, can you guys champion this and do something about, you know, is there something that the
town should or could be doing to to to um move this goalpost. You know, one of the you know, one of the things I had on there came up last year. I'd like to get back to it is to work with lake management. Um this is just an example
on we should look at how we're metering that ramp, those ramps, and how we're charging for uh launch fees and how we're handling that parking lot. Is there a better way? Are we going to learn something from what we're doing at the transfer station that we would transfer to the boat ramp? But
certainly, we'd want to lean on lake management guys to help us with that because I certainly wouldn't want to by fiat to say, "Oh, we're doing this." Those guys know what they're doing over there. And I would charge them with saying, "Look, we want you to take a look at this or work with us to to get
this done." Do you want to give us this that's editable? >> I sure can >> because it's right now kind of. No. Okay. It's just a scanned >> Yep. [clears throat] >> a PDF, right? >> Okay. I'll send it right after this meeting.
>> Then we could next time put our own priorities in. Try to >> Yeah, by all means. I Yeah, because I really I really want to try and I I use this format outside of here. I've used it for years. You know, the item number is an item number, but then you've got priorities from one through nine. So,
you can really bubble up stuff that's truly a top priority, but it might have been a new thing, but it is a high priority. You sort the list by the priority first, and then you can work your way down the list. There are things that are nice to have, but they're not a super duper priority to get done. This is super more important.
>> Um, >> so on this one, the item is the priority. >> No. So, the second column, if you look at the top, it says item, priority, topic, and then the start date. Then some of them have no priority >> because I just made, you know, there was just a list last year and to be honest,
the the the then chair took my list and melded it into another list that was much much longer. >> Correct. >> Um, so I just >> that was my that was my frustration a little bit is we had so much on it that
there's no way of reaching half of them. So, I distilled it back to I took off some of the stuff that I had last year, but add, you know, added a few things this year, but would love to see, you know, some things we're going to align on and go, "Yeah, that's a really good idea. We should be doing this." And others may be like, "Doug, that's a
horrible idea. Let's not let's not make that a goal of the select board." Um, or you may have 10 other things. So, I will send that electronically out so you have it. Um, and then we'll I I just got to be careful. But yes, I'll
send it out so that you have an editable version of it and then we can compare notes at our next meeting and and put together a singular list. >> Okay. >> Yeah. You don't want the list back for deliberation. You just >> Correct. If I send you an editable one,
>> then we might run into trouble with that if I see what you're editing and what he's editing. But I'll send you one that the word document bring back an open meeting. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Exactly. >> Okay. Uh we don't have an update yet on anything from vehicle surveillance
cameras. So we're going to continue to carry this on under old business gov town notification system. We have a contract in front of us. Uh we will um I talked to them about the recommendation of starting new. Um it
didn't really change anything that they're willing that they already provide. um which is a little bit more um of an undertaking in the beginning. That's all. Um our point in our discussion last meeting was on securities and what's available. So the
company did provide us with a nine-page um detailed explanation of their securities. I just want to highlight a couple of them that would probably address the points very quickly. Um first of all, customers do own their data. GO gov does not claim ownership of
any customer provided content. Gov does not sell, rent or share customer data with third parties except as needed to deliver support the contracting services or is required by law. Um they also when talking about um product improvement uh
they do not sell the data they do not share the data um unless it's with a third party use for marketing purposes and does not provide customer data to external AI vendors for the training of their generational purpose models. Um customers continue to own their data as
described in section three. Um which is basically what I just explained to you about who actually owns the data. Two other points I do want to make on it. Um first of all here um we'll talk about incident response or breach of notification. Um
if voc gov determines that a customer's data has been accessed or compromised gov will notify each affected customer directly and confidentially within 48 hours. again also their cooperation. They work with affected customers to support and any necessary investigations
reporting or mediation um involved or excuse me mediation activities on their side. So I think it answered a lot of the initial questions about securities. So I think we are ready to move on this. I do want to address uh the concern that was brought up earlier um regarding
where the status of um go uh code red um code red was a contract that renewed. We have not paid for the services for them and we only consulted with our attorney that's on retainer for the town. So there's no cost to the town to make this move in this decision. The contracted
prices are very very similar. Um go will take some time to launch because it is going to be the app version specific for Southwick but we also talked about cleaning up the whole entire enrollment process by getting the people that want to enroll just submitting their data directly to gov and making it work that
way. So, what would happen is they just download the the app for Southwick and they put their information in there. If you wanted to download the information from another community, you can do that. I have a couple of other area communities from Gov on my phone. I get notifications periodically, but again,
very quick and easy um in a simple way to get everybody, you know, up and running for the new process for Gov. So, I think it's the right move for the town and I would suggest we if with your support, we could start to make it happen. But we do need to make sure >> where's the other one?
>> That we don't have that we are not obligated to code red for another year based on the contract auto renewing. That's what the lawyer is working on now. >> Well, I my understanding it was a go. There were no concerns there, but we could definitely double check to make sure. >> Yeah.
>> I didn't close the loop with um Miss Parker on that. So, but that's fine. But I [clears throat] do appreciate the and it's include um it's in our packet. If anybody would like a copy, I'll be glad to provide it. Um, the data security policy and procedure from GOGV that
delineates who their vendors are, where their architecture is, who has access to the data, and what they do with the data. They have an all-encompassing document. Um, from June of this year is their latest update of it. So, if anybody would like
to have it, they can make it available. Chief, just to recap that when notices go out, it's coming up as a local number or >> when telephone goes out comes up as a local number. It's not >> Seattle or whatever, >> wherever the local number if they're taking it that way. You can also get
just a direct text message. >> And I I think you and I just I'm in favor of kind of a reset in for everybody to resign up for it. And in the app, you'll have the ability to pick what notifications you get. Do
you want the ones that there's a blizzard warning, there's some, you know, imminent hazard, we're going to call you, even if it's dinner time, or do you want to know when tax bills are coming? That's a second level of of notification. Or, you know, others. And
there's other categories that you can sign up for to be notified for. [clears throat] There's been a little bit of back and forth of late of people um getting a little maybe a little bit frustrated. I don't know. I I appreciate
it, but others have different opinions that you know we you know that the the collector's office sends out a blast your tax bills are due or this or that the other and and that's coming through with the same notification as if it were you know an emergency notification from
the town. So, by having the app, you have you'll have the ability to pick pick your spot. If you don't want to get those, great. You're not going to get them. Um, but you you know, if you sign up for the emergency true emergency ones, you'll get those. Okay.
>> One question. >> Is there any alternative like if there's like we have some like elderly residents and stuff that might not know how to use the apps and stuff, but they have a phone. Is there some way for >> you know to help facilitate that?
>> Yeah, there's typically a campaign and gov assists with that to get some information out there and then we would still be able to handle like we do for people right now that need some assistance. We offer to provide that assistance and get them loaded into the system. Okay. >> So they would have that access. >> Okay.
>> Absolutely. Good question. Okay. Okay, we have the um minutes of June 8th and I believe June 15th. >> I see the 8th and I see the 15th. Someone want to make a motion to approve the minutes of the 8th and 15th of June.
>> So moved. >> I was not here for the 15th. So I'll make a motion for the uh >> the ethane from the 15th. I'll second and make a motion for the 15. [clears throat] Okay.
>> Roll call vote. Someone is Jennifer can figure that one out. Doug Moin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Jody D. Yes. For the eighth abstaining on the 50. >> Got it. And just so you guys know and stuff and and I'm sure most of you have met her, Jennifer started last week.
>> Last Monday. >> Last Monday. So, starting to had a week of training and starting to catch up on some minutes and a couple other things that uh we were a little bit behind on. So, >> yep. >> So far so good.
>> Where's Mrs. bigger. >> I logged in here, but it was echoing. Usually, I do it on here. M Mrs. Lite, >> sorry to be a pain, but there was an item on the um agenda that hasn't been talked about yet, which was the surveillance cameras.
>> I mentioned it. We don't we have no further information on that at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. Any other old business before we move on? >> Um, I'll wait till next next meeting. N the polls here.
>> Okay. Um, I want to go back to my notes that I was furiously writing or typing while we were talking. So, first is for uh for Westfield Gas and Electric on the the second contract that was executed,
[clears throat] we have we set up a test area consisting of I believe it's three fiber service areas. The town has been aortioned into 22 or 24 fiber service areas. I see the map in the back of the room there behind the file cabinet if
we'd like to see it. Um, of that we would have completed that or started to operating on all 24 of those fiber service areas had that bond issue passed at town meeting that failed uh 25 town
meeting. the town had already had um about a million and a half dollars allocated to the project both from remaining ARPA money plus some grant money um and we have a $3 million bond authorization that was approved at a
previous town meeting. So the select board had voted in open session prior to proceed with drafting that second contract to build out those first three FSAs
fiber service areas um which would cover basically from here come along depot up uh Powdermill Road and then go over and pick up Birchwood, Fernwood and a couple of the streets over in that area. That's a very dense residential area. It's
covered. Um, it's all overhead, so it's no underground service. So, it'd be the quickest, least expensive way to get a significant number of of customers onto [clears throat] a service as a tribe. That entire pro and it would also
bring the service to the schools, to the library, and to the entrance of the industrial park. Um, industrial customers are a whole another beast. They negotiate a separate schedule depending on what their needs are as far as bandwidth and everything else. It's
not a typical prepackaged residential service. Um, right now and our goal from that is by having that trial area, we we want to understand the take rate. And the take rate is the number of
people that sign up as a percentage of the total. So, if you pass by a 100 homes, and I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be condescending, but if you pass by 100 homes and 25 people take the service, your take rate is 25%. If it's half, it's 50. um in neighboring towns
um or or close by cities and towns that are similarly situated, meaning that they have multiple incumbent carriers, Whip City has shown a consistent take rate north of 50%. even in their own community. So in a community where you
may have Comcast or you may have Charter or someone else that's offering internet services, but then Whip City comes in and goes past those same homes, their take rate is showing north of 50%. So, our financial modeling shows that
we're pretty close at that $90 price point at the cost model that we were at. You needed to be really close to that percentage for that service to pay for itself to pay for the debt and and um the interest in principle on the debt incurred to construct the service.
Hence, that's where we got the $90. Um, so we are in in the throws of the make ready work, the make ready work, the pole applications, except for one pole application that just went in that
[clears throat] was in the second contract gives us the they're and you may have seen the trucks around town in the last several weeks. There's been a lot of them. Verizon, uh, Comcast, Eversource are doing the work on the poles for the make ready. they call make
ready, which is making those poles ready to take fiber um by moving others around or replacing poles entirely if they weren't tall enough. Um in those fiber service areas that we have submitted pole applications for already. Um so you
may have seen them. I know I saw them up and down College Highway um and off of um I believe they might have been off of Powder Mill as well. So, they're getting ready to to do that. This this second contract was for the construction of the
network in those three fiber service areas. Um, it did not include the construction of what we call the hut, which would be a permanent um structure somewhere on this campus that would house all of our um infrastructure to
host the entire network um for the town. At first, we will leverage existing infrastructure. Um, I don't want to go into a lot of detail where it would be, but it will be in Westfield. Um, and then because as a cost-saving measure because it's several
hundred,000 to construct that hut with the equipment. So, um, if we're successful with the the pilot, we would and if it if we're going to borrow any additional funds, we would have to go back to a future town meeting to get that borrowing authorization to the same
standard that we got for the first borrowing authorization that overwhelmingly approved the 3 million um, and unfortunately did not approve the the larger borrowing. That would have set us to be able to be on a construction schedule to do the whole
the whole system. Did I address your question adequately? >> Yeah. So, just so there's no like with the contract that you signed like there's no like it doesn't put like the town like liable to do like the future spots because like this is just a trap.
So, if it came in under, you know, the 50% or it went to a town and you know, like because for me it's it's a lot of money and when I have a service that's right about that price and has no no, you know, difference, that's that's a lot of that's a lot of money and it
makes an increase. So, I was just looking to see if the town is on the hook or if it's a no-go. That area just kind of gets left with it and it doesn't go any further. Unfortunately, that um fortunately or unfortunately depending
on how you look at it, I guess I see it as unfortunately I would have liked to have seen the town embark on this project. I think net it's beneficial for the entire town. The rate was set to be able to service the debt that would have uh we would have had to undertake to do
the project. Um we're going to keep that rate the same. Once we get into construction, we're going to have a more formal structure around the management of that network. Right now, we are the deacto municipal light board. Um but um the town is only on the hook for
the money spent and borrowed to construct that um existing those three FSAs. >> And then apples to apples, you have to be careful too on the Comcast. This the new system is one gig, right? >> Correct. >> Or not all of the Comcasts are one gig.
No, I have I have two because I work from home. So, like I have the highest that they'll give me for like res $62 and it gives me like the peacock and I mean if the power goes out I've lost it but I've never had you know any issues
>> and the you know the technically >> could be for the higher gig just >> right now right now we're promoting a one gig but it's it's symmetrical right it's one gig down one gig up what you get today from the incumbent provider is
not that It's sometimes it's 2 gigs down, but it's much slower up. It's the nature of that infrastructure that's out there on the poles today. This is symmetrical. So, you've get the same bandwidth coming and going. Um, we do have and we have designed into the infrastructure the the fiber itself plus
the gear that we're ordering to support the service supports much higher speeds. Um, almost 10x what we're coming out of the gate with. Um, in other cities and towns, Whip City has offered a 2 gig symmetrical 2 gig. So, two gig down, two
gig up. Um, at a higher rate in Westfield, we've chosen not to do that yet. We're going to, we don't have any customers yet. We want to get a few customers on and see how we do and see how it goes. And then we also have the ability with the fiber that's going in because it's multistrand that you can
you can offer different services um to some businesses that may need way higher bandwidth than 2 gig or 4 gig or even 10 gig um up and down. So hence one of the reasons to get over to the industrial part because those are higher paying
customers as well potential. And on the property tax, I have no idea. I'm going to have to get back to you and look go back at the notes and look at when that all transpired. I know the what um the WGI
not to be confused with WG&E WGI TIFF was a discussion for a couple of years. Um then it kind of died off um and then came back at the beginning. I I don't know the exact date so I don't want to it was at the end of 25ish where they
came back and brought the project back that they wanted it that they were going to rekindle looking at that project. Um and as far as the rest of it I don't know but there was a schedule in both in the TIFF and the TIFF is available as a public record for anybody who wants to have it or see it as for the schedules
on both of those. Okay. And uh Mrs. Leblanc, I believe we we kind of covered that town resident to be on a border committee discussion and I just talked about what happened if the trial
fails and we also talked about code red and why did it autorenew. So I think we covered most of the public comment Q&A direct though we do owe you an answer on the assessor issue.
Should I bug you guys and ask one more question? [clears throat] >> Wait till next time. >> Yeah, save some for next time. No, go right ahead. >> Have we thought about um like when we have the town meetings like to vote and stuff, have we ever like considered
either like moving it to like on a Saturday or has it ever been tried on a Saturday? Because like when I look at okay there's you know the town came out to vote for that 16 million only 7% came out like have we thought about ways to get more residents because some of these
are like a lot of people have a lot of stuff to say but when I'm looking to see how many people are showing up it it's such a a small number and >> disagree >> I wish more people would come out is has there ever been any
>> thoughts on how how to how to make that Christy wants them on Sundays to be honest with you. Just >> Yeah, >> it's unfortunate that not many people participate, but it's like that. I hear that from town clerks, you know, statewide. >> Even when you look at the total number of votes just in regular elections
versus what's on the rolls is >> but even like during like when it's like the town meeting can go away. If you have two parents and young kids, you're not going to be able to get all parents to come. >> 100%. And I had a lot of um two things. One is we definitely had a town meeting
on a Saturday. We had a special on a Saturday. I remember being there with Jim Putnham and we were counting heads to make sure we had a quorum. The turnout was worse on a Saturday than a Tuesday night. So that was the lesson learned from that one. Um
and then secondly, I had probably unscientifically 30 people call me about the fiber issue and that failed by roughly 20 people. 20 votes at that town meeting to meet the twothirds
um here nor there, but they were like I couldn't go because I was watching the children or I had something going on my or my wife went and I stayed home with the either way. So one suggestion to me was can we offer it one if you have a
significant issue like that that you expect significant turnout make it a single issue special and just carry that one agenda item that night. I mean that item took up more than an hour of town meeting during the annual town meeting. Um [clears throat]
and secondly, can you offer it at the school and offer something in the gymnasium for the kids and have some level of supervision over that so that you can have full participation attendance by those that might not be able to come for
that reason? And I don't know the answer to the question because it gets complicated quickly. But um I I personally love to see more people come out for town meeting. That that town meeting um I believe the fire chief
was counting heads to make sure we weren't button up against the room and was and then was helping us put chairs up on the stage and in every nick and corner nick and cranny of that room to make sure that we could have everybody sitting down. I think it's great that we got that level of participation. the
turnout was high, but then there were still a lot of people that either left because they couldn't stay longer or didn't, you know, didn't have the entire household or both voters or however many voters in that household attend. >> So, you would consider like 7% high.
Maybe that is for like town votes. Like I I I you know what I mean? I'm very new to looking into maybe that is just and it's >> I mean I remember and this is just anecdotal. Please chime in cuz I've only been doing this for for a little while
now. But the uh this you know like the school the school vote you know they brought I mean that but that was 700 right >> or 800 it you know and of a population of 9800 now 6,000 and so registered voters
>> 8,000 registered voters. So yeah. Yes. >> Would you consider putting a survey out? What nights would work best for? >> I think one of the things does go have that built in, Chief? >> I'm not sure. I haven't worked.
>> I thought it did as an MMA. >> That was one of those thing. Yeah, there was a a product we saw and I've seen other towns are starting to use it. It's not If it's included with Gov, that's great. If not, we should look at it. was not completely expensive, but it was kind of a flash survey thing. So, you
just push out to people's phones. Now, you got to be careful of the demographics of who's going to do that, okay? And and make sure that the ser your survey quality coming back is good, but it just push you can push out a question and get you may get 10 answers back, but you can
draw your own inference from it. um for those types of surveys. Is there some reason like those questions aren't put like on like when like the town ballot is that there's not like ballot questions like when you have people that come out all day to vote why they that they
>> statuto >> it's statutory I mean there are things that require both right if if you want to do some things in a town you need to get an affirmative vote at the ballot box then you need to bring it to town meeting to vote it bond issue was not one of them bond issue was a direct to
town meeting thing and you couldn't you couldn't have an election or for a bond issue and have it binding on the town to go borrow, you know, $12 million. You have to do that. >> Well, well, that'll work. [laughter]
>> Okay. Um, warrants. We need to acknowledge a payables payroll warrant 2703 dated July 27th in the amount of $335,268.89. And there was a special payables warrant last week, but it's not on here. Any
other business before the board before we adjourn? We are going to go into executive session tonight, but is there any other business before the board tonight, gentlemen? >> Okay. Um, I need a motion to go into executive session to conduct strategy and preparation for negotiations with
non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel. And we will not be reconvening in open session. >> So moved. Second >> Doug Mogan. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Chosen TV. Yes. Okay.