Good afternoon or good evening folks. Um it's a joint meeting tonight with the finance committee and the select board to go over budgets for next year. Um we need a roll call vote in for the finance committee. >> Joe DD I Robert. >> David Matthew I. Sharing Alton I
>> sure >> I you're on to my eye >> and for the select board Diane Gails >> Doug Mogland Anderson >> Nicole Parker.
>> Wonderful. >> So we've gone through the process line item by line item. What's that? >> Um L would like to >> Oh yeah, of course. Of course. >> Thank you. And anyone in the audience want to tape? >> I was just gonna say I'm recording this. >> Thank you. >> Fred Gore 40 virtually road audio and
video. >> There you go, Fred. Thank you. >> So our last meeting we went through line item by line item the good old fashioned way. Um and how did your meeting go? >> We went we did not go through line item by line. We did that independently. Made
our comments during our last joint meeting. Um Nicole has prepared what you have in front of you a basically a summary of where we are um all of our capitals
and a couple of priorities. You want to talk through your summary sheet? Yep. Briefly. So, we have a summary sheet in front of you that shows a level funded budget, a five and 10% decreases, and you'll also see
I don't know which ones you're looking at, but you'll also see a few years worth of of budgets, right? So, general fund total, schools, townside. Um, and >> which one are you on? Are you on the green FY27 offer? Nope, you're on the
other one. >> The sideway one? >> Yes, the other one. You have a sideways landscape. There you go. You had it yesterday. >> We need another one down here of this. >> Okay. Let me
mind. If you just need one, there's coming one's coming your way. >> Y >> with the green ones and only one of that. >> We need more of these. >> Oh, >> well that one cop is all she needed, right? Or do you need two?
>> No, Doug doesn't Does Doug have everybody? >> Okay. So, let's go over something else. Um, >> how about those socks? Hey, so this one that's the green FY27 is
basically the same as what she took over this one from last night. >> Yeah, the updated has a few more details on it. So that's what you see is our general fund revenue, what we have left after charges and after school, etc.
Just like every year when Laura does her spreadsheet that says left for town government. Um and then we've reduced our expenses by five and 10 percent to show um almost as if we have a little bit more revenue on either side, but obviously it's us cutting expenses, not
necessarily uh raising the revenue more. Um and then you see what how much the shortfall is to what how much bright free cash we need for each scenario. Sorry. So take >> is I have it right here. I don't know
why I'm looking at yours. Um, >> we're still at 4%. >> If we have the FY27 level, we need 2.532 in free cash, 2.425 in 5%, 2.279 with a 10% reduction as you can
see. And then you'll see what's left for free cash. So what's left for free cash is typically what we leave in free cash and use for capital. So you know we needed to close that gap with free cash for the
operations budget. And so this is typically what's left over for the capital and for leaving in free cash each year which is historically you know what we do. We leave some in free cash
for just in case or to be able to invest etc. >> And then that other I need one of those. >> Oh yeah. Oh sorry. >> Anybody down this one? >> I think I need
>> Is there a standard percentage of free cash and federal expenditures that we try to achieve like 10% 15% Uh there is typically you know there's a recommendation coming from the do from department of revenue >> and it's usually 3 to 5%.
>> Really >> 3 to 5% of your rating and 3 to 5% also for stabilization >> but towns can adopt whatever they want. They are free to you know towns can if you want 10 if you want 15 and you can do that you absolutely are welcome to
you just have to be able to afford that. >> So your response is also indicating that South Hook follows rate of 4%. >> That's a question. >> I don't know what the percentage is, honestly. I think it's pretty higher than that. >> Excuse me. >> We never did public comment.
>> Oh, sorry. >> So, if anyone on Zoom has a public comment, >> please state your name and address. We just saw someone >> Deborah Harris. >> Deborah Harris, Three Shore Road. >> Hi. I just wanted to mention that there's a lot of erroneous information
out there that says the dog park is part of our taxes in town and I want to be clear that it is not. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else on Zoom? No. Anyone in the audience?
>> Oh, sorry about that. You can continue. Go on. >> Okay. Uh, so I think SAP typically has more and if you especially I mean if you were to take out the school assessment, it's much more, right? But it's it's also um
just sort of the traditional way of being able to uh fund the operational budget too is to make sure that there's cash to be able to close that and and put the capital in there too. >> Yeah. Maybe in an emergency if it were to happen. >> Nicole, is there a is there a threshold
for a minimum of three? I should guess it' be a minimum of free cash and it affects our bondages. >> So I I don't know if Lori you know that I'd have to call uh the our bond council wasn't sure who said we should call our finance people and the couple of people
that I asked today other accountants um said that they're pretty vague with that. So you know it's discretionary on when it really starts to hit your bond rating. >> Discretionary by the bond holders or by us? >> No by us. I think by the towns would always be favorful
>> years. I don't know that answer. So >> in years past we would probably leave 500 in >> free cash >> free cash and then sometimes 900. >> It really depended on what you had >> sitting in front of us and where we could you know >> um I'll just say his name. Carl would be
very cautious and didn't want to drain it too much. Five would be >> tight. You he that was then. >> Yeah. Uh so um you know so I guess ultimately I think high level for the select board
and the finance committee is to really um you know determine what the decrease or whether it's level funded how much free cash you're comfortable with using to to close that gap for the operating budget and then put the rest toward
capital and then what you're willing to borrow for the capital. So I think those are the two big fundamental questions with this budget. Our our departments have gone through their budgets four or five times. So they've gone through those line items and done the reductions
in their departments that they feel that they can do whether it's in one line item or the other when we ask them to level fund or 5% or 10%. They've done all of that. So, in the event we were being extremely conservative and said we're going to do 10% this year, all the
departments already know that where their cuts are. They're really uncomfortable about it and it's it it'll be really difficult to have a budget year and a cycle with the 10% reduction when we were already level the last
couple of years. And we do have fixed costs. and uh Laura and Melissa and I spent two and a half hours last week going through the entire budget line by line also to see if there was anything. We w we didn't arbitrarily cut anyone's budget, but whether it was insurance
lines or fuel lines or one of our budgets, one of the select board budgets where it's legal or um you know different departments where we could potentially cut a little bit more and we we we did everything we possibly could and it's it will definitely hurt next
year if this is where we're at. If we do 10, >> we get a copy of what you decided or what you guys thought would work. It's just in her master I think. I didn't we were just sitting there looking at the computer. So, >> but the net result is the 11 million3
>> of that. It It's not 10% across the board. It was 10% where it was possible. >> That's right. Exactly. >> But extremely uncomfortable to do. And the same with the five.
And the level funding we did last year, we did the same thing. We cut a number of 5%s in last year's as well. That was their baseline. >> And that doesn't include the 6 million that's in capital. And then there's
six and a half million schedule >> four which is high >> four is paving >> four is paving correct >> and is a fire truck in there for a million that's not really technically the deposit may have to be >> this was just the list of all the capital >> right right gotcha
so there is capital >> correct >> yeah understood And then we had borrowing >> is borrow borrowing from recash or borrowing >> no market.
>> You're you said we had about three 3.4 that was coming off of debt. >> Oh no. I think I was just just the payment that was coming on >> like 30 something,000. >> 30 something thousand. Yeah. They're good. Yeah. >> Yes. Minimum.
>> Yeah. Like 40. >> So to replace that payment, what we could borrow to replace that payment in however many years because you know, >> which you can only finance certain things so long. >> Yeah. Exactly. Right.
>> Depending on what it is, I think sevenish maybe pavings 10 maybe. I don't have it in front of me. >> So 30 grand don't buy you much. What's a million dollars over 10 years? One, what's it? 70 last like 75,000
principal and 40 and change was the interest something like that. >> Million got more than $100,000. So it must be over 20 then. All right. So you're at you're at 260 if you borrow a million.
Here we go. Thank you. >> We're not going to Disneyland. >> So then you have to do the 10% cut. You're going to have to do it now. You're going to have to do it next year. You have a choice. >> About where >> I think all of our thoughts are. >> Yeah. It's
>> We didn't come to a conclusion yesterday either. We sat on it overnight as well. >> But I'll tell you what you need to do. um if we make it the town meeting and I am not against the schools. I have children, grandchildren that are going to be going through that process. But
the state's number was 472 was the the breaker was a circuit breaker we call it >> and they're at what a million. They got down to a million for me from their million two or something. Right. So, so I think this year we have to nicely tell them wherever that circuit breaker is is
what we're paying because there's 600 grand difference right there or at least 500 as we sit here and argue over pennies. I don't want to do that. But someone's got to put a set of cuffs on somebody and I don't know any other way to do it other than going We went to a
Wednesday night meeting. Not everyone spoke up, but that was our chance to let them know vocally where we felt. They took a couple hundred off. I appreciate that. But the circuit breakers foreign change and we're at a million. There's a difference there. And I know
this year I I get it. Their budgets are done and we we always hear the stories. But I think next year you got to come out right in the spring, not wait until their Wednesday night meeting and tell them we just don't have it. And we don't. Here we go. We're going to cut from our own thing. Go ahead. Well,
>> I had that same conversation with Superintendent Willard this past week, right? um on I was called her on another topic but uh I told her we're done. I mean >> we got boilers coming up. They know they want more improvements
the budget and you know I think it was kind of driven home. You know there's not a lot of context on the there was a sheet that was handed out last night. I don't know if it was handed out to everybody else here today but it shows the growth of the school budget visa vis the town budget. I said not a lot of context here but
>> you don't need it. >> Yeah. Right. Mhm. >> on the left, us on the right, right? And uh you know >> what accounts for that is it I mean primarily is >> well they had they had uh they had some contractual things they have health I
mean they have all the same things we have and and the the school aid has been stepping down as and even as a whole harmless community >> grossly oversimplifying because I don't immerse myself in the school budget but >> their the amount of aid coming from the
state the way they aortion state aid according to the Student Opportunity Act and some other formulas are, you know, delletterious to rural districts like ours. Um, and so they have no other place to go but to the re, you know, and in a region, you know, the towns that
they're in. And even as a whole, harmless community, which you know, we're getting some additional money or flat level funding with a declining enrollment. the declining enrollment does not get to the point where they get to reduce their fixed costs. You know,
some of the variable costs come out, right? But the fixed cost is still there. You still have, you know, every grade from K to 12. You can't just say we're not going to have fifth grade this year, >> you know, because it's just how it is. Maybe the you eliminate a section or something like that, but the fixed and
variable cost issue is a real one for the schools. you know, I don't have the answer other than the state should live up to their economic promise of what they had commit originally committed to funding rural school aid at, not a, you know, literal pennies on the dollars to
that. Um, and I had one other question just to make sure that I'm reading this right. The general government request and the total town revenue slide, uh, general government request at the level funding to the 10% reduction number, is
that a a difference of about $234,000. >> 34 cuts we could take, >> which is works out to be 1.7 1.75%. >> Yep. >> You need to reduce 20% from the level to
absorb the >> if if you were going to absorb the >> that 2 million, you're you got to reduce 20 million or 20% off the level, right? Instead of 10 >> a true 20, not 10%. Correct. Right.
That's people. So >> yeah, I get it. I just was staring at this last night and going look like 10%. Right. So >> because I originally did it myself and I did 10% and 5% and Laura's like, "Give me that thing there. You can't just take
10% from everything." And so here we >> well we could but we would be in dire straits you know >> not paying >> our electricity you know. >> So yes we all I think from what I'm hearing from the select
board we are all thinking it's the 10%. >> So the the school though is off the table at this point because it's going to come to town meeting. We can only vote the budget up or down. >> They voted to send it to us. It's on the warrant. >> So, okay, if you want to plant the flag
and we can vote the, you know, you can have a movement to vote the school budget down, but you have to campaign in Granville and Talin, too, because it only takes two out of three. Even though we're 80s something% of the district, >> if Talin and Granville vote the budget, that's the budget.
>> Mhm. as I understand it and we'll leave it long but I could >> so it's not a portion by the budget voting tallies not by percentage of sorry it's the weight of the budget or whatever each each town meeting has equal weight and he needs two out of
three >> and I think that's another discussion for another day is perhaps opening up that conversation on how that's voted >> two very small towns get to determine our fate Well, yes, but
>> go the other way too. >> Yeah, true. But also, >> which is >> the school committee is comprised according to representation in the school. Like we the Southwick pollen or Southwick is is heavily represented on the school board itself, the school committee, sorry. And Colin and
Granville each have is it one each? Right. So, they should be doing that work, >> you know, to make sure that the budget is, you know, overall the budget is is fair and reasonable to the towns. And it's a, you know, the aortionment is the aortionment. It's just that the growth
of the budget is just unsustainable. And we've been talking about it for years. We've been saying that it's coming. >> And last year it was here. This year it's through the door. Right. As far as you
was just over 12 million and in 27 it's looks like close to 16.5 million. $4 million in one, two, three, four, five years. >> Less children. >> I mean, that's a western mass thing,
right? We can't really >> It is. I don't know how the aortionment goes though when we keep losing students that we're still at that 85%. >> And so do they. >> So, we lose three. It's still got like 10 students this year. >> And I'm sure that Yeah, but it's when
you're 80 something% they >> the numbers move slow. Granville are tall and loses two kids and theirs goes down by, you know, a percentage point because they have so fewer kids, right? >> You know, I know the school is independent board, but are we able to
talk to the school committee members and tell them exactly what our predicament is in town like at the beginning of the year? you know, please take this into consideration because I know I had a conversation about a few things that the
schools pay for and I was kind of like chuckled at and says, "Oh, that's those are pennies." And I said, "Well, we just sat there the night before >> taking $50 out of line items and you're laughing at what I'm suggesting when I
know there's at least $5,000 in in that particular thing that you pay." I I'm like, this isn't a game. It we're nickel and dimeming literally. And how many other line items do they have? Because I know I looked at the budget and I could
probably tell you 20 right off the top of my head that I would be questioning the way we have gone through line items. >> This is a tale of oldest time in a regional district. >> Yeah. So, >> and to answer your question is
absolutely. I've talked to the members of the school committee all the time with my own opinion not you know saying you know guys this is a real problem or hey what are we doing about this you know I had a particular topic that I was very interested in I made my my uh my
opinion known to multiple members of the school committee didn't slow them down any but that was I I at least got that off my chest. So if you if you ever have a you know a concern either through the finance committee or directly to a school committee member just like any
other member of the committee and tax. Wow. >> Okay. >> So are they elected or appointed? >> They are elected. >> And I'm sure in their eyes they're doing the best they can too. >> Right. Right. It's just the numbers are the numbers. And as Mr. Mowglin says,
math does not lie. >> Math is math. and and we talked about this a little last night on the select board. It's worth noting too from the for what it's worth when they set their budget if somehow they get a windfall and
there's additional state aid that aid that comes through that rolls to their END and if they exceed their maximum amount of END they get to cut us a check for for that overage. It has happened by the way. But on the converse is also true. If there's 9 C cuts or other cuts
or federal funding losses, they cannot come back to the town and say call another meeting. We need to reappropriate or appropriate more money. They're done. They have to live on their own with what they get for the year. So that's why they're their END tends to come out a little heavier than even our
free cash as a proportion. um because they have to be able to be a little more self-sufficient than we do. >> Our general government numbers include the out of district tuition. Correct.
>> And the charges under the charges as it's up. Sorry. to do it. So >> yeah, it's something or the school is the millions with the school. So it was 15. >> Yes. >> So the assessment and the
>> All right. So it's it's in here. It's net. >> It's up here. >> See this thing? >> Okay. >> No, it's um >> So I mean if that's where we're at, then that's where we're at. I think we have a million five left in free cash and if
you want to move on to the capitals to prioritize that and we have a little bit of change >> is 10% where the finance committee is saying it has to be as well. Yeah, I I
just said what I what I thought >> on it, you know, >> thoughts from the light around the world. >> Well, we've already talked about it, >> you know. Yeah, maths matter. >> Um, so on its face, you know, it's the more attractive one, but I don't know what the pain, you know, the devil's in
the details. So, I don't know if we should look at your assumptions here and are there any that are very painful that we at least should know about before we raise our hand and say, "Yeah, I'm willing to cut 10%." >> I think they're all painful.
>> Well, I'm sure there are, but I mean, we're I'm ignorant to any departments did that. The departments did that. >> Okay. >> They didn't they didn't cut their throats. >> All right. >> They might have nicked their fingers. I didn't appreciate that. All right. Yeah.
So, I' I'd be inclined to say that 10% is the right thing to do. >> And mind you, as we've just been told, not all departments cut 10%. They cut where they could cut. >> Correct. >> So, >> not that that helps, but
>> Okay. >> Right. when it came to electricity or fuel or >> sewers, the water charges, they are what they are. >> Sometimes >> numbers don't lie 10%.
>> Good advice. >> We can do it, >> sir. >> Everybody should sum equally. >> They got something, but we talked about the capitals about the 10%. Yeah. Are you in are you on board with
that or do you have other thoughts? >> I really can't comment. I'm this I'm new at this. >> That's fine. How this all works? >> Okay, that's fine. >> Yeah, 100% seems a little bit steep. >> Yeah. >> Yep.
>> Everybody should suffer equally, whether it be the schools, police, fire. You know, if you're going to do a 10% cut, it should, you know, that it it seems like the schools seem to get a free ride. we sit here and go, there's nothing we can do. Well, they're the big
they're the big one in the room. That's that's where most of our money's going. So, I mean, if we're asking police and buyer to cut 10%, I think they should step up and uh as painful it might be. And uh but it is what it is. >> Well, I'll tell you, they have time. And
I know they've had their meetings like we've had our meetings and >> you know, they they finalized their budget. I get it. But >> we still have a few weeks left. whether the select board and the finance committee have to write a joint letter or an email to them saying >> we're so sorry
>> but you need to trim 10%. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, it is what it is. I mean, you're asking everybody to cut. So, you know, >> yes, >> you're the big dog in a room. Step up and it is what you know, look at I'm sorry, you got to have 18 kids in your classroom rather than 10.
>> Do it this year, not 25. It is what it is, you know. So, >> you know, you get sick of, oh, well, we you know, we can't cut. No, we have to cut it. We're asking everybody to cut. Either everybody's on boarded or not. >> It's not going to work. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I'm gonna piggyback on a few things he's saying about the schools also. Um, you know, I've been going back and forth with the chairman and I've asked a few questions and I'm not getting satisfactory
answers. Um, when they say they have a level service budget, that was at the 2.1 extra that they asked for and that was with eight people that they were planning on cutting. So then they came back 3 days
later at a 1.8 with only six people being cut. And I'm like scratching my head. What did they cut to the tune of $500,000? Because if you the those two people would be now a 2.3 possibly and come
down from 1.8 and are they still saying they have a level service budget? How do they have a half a million dollars that they can play with and still try to tell us it's a level service budget? >> I haven't gotten an answer out of that. So I'm all for putting together some
type of joint memo and asking them to take a look at their budget. Again, if we are going to go for 10% here, they've got to tighten it up. Plain and simple. >> Okay. >> So, you have our opinion on 10%.
>> All right. I think one thing we should consider at 10% and I'm I'm all for the 10% agree with what you're saying about the schools, but I think we got to help the department heads by loosening some of the the regiment we've had. And when I
when I see a capital plan and and someone's asking for a $3,000 chainsaw on their capital and I go back through the big book and I see how much they've spent to date, there's no way that they could probably carve $3,000 out of their operational money if we let them if they
took some out of maintenance, took some out of whatever. But we we've held a line of trying to keep them to line item. It should be operations. I mean, go through the process so that they're vetted, but when it gets to town meeting or it gets to the final stage, it should
be an operational budget and a salary budget. That's what we vote on. And then the department heads can can move money around within their operations. That's how a lot of towns work it. So, it gives them some flexibility. They can tighten their corners in one section. >> They can sacrifice something mid year.
>> They prioritize their own thing within that and gives them much more flexibility within that 10% reduction. that they usually come to us and ask that, >> right? But they shouldn't have to. They shouldn't have to >> present it. >> They shouldn't have to because you're going right through the weeds again. Why?
>> But certain values, they go right to our head. So there's a lot of >> if it's over cut down >> if it's over >> if it's over >> but if I have you and I remember the case I think it was DPW wanted to buy a copier machine and they had a couple sal a couple line items that they wanted to
take the money out of and make it and buy a copy machine and we could we wouldn't let them so that the we had to go to something else. So So those are the types of things if you have a line item under operations you should be able to move your money around. >> That's the way it was in my past. town.
I know other towns work the same way. >> I think it was a police department and and they and they did move line items around. >> A bunch of stuff, >> but it was it was a it was a lot of work and a lot of it shouldn't be that way. That's your money. >> Well, wasn't it's not really their money.
>> Check some balance. It's >> it my dad in sent them to pad their operational budget along the way. >> You you're vetting that through this process, >> right? And we're cutting it. Yeah. >> Yeah. You're cutting. So, okay. They you don't know. Department head only has so much money and they don't know what's
going to happen. They don't know if you know five cruisers are going to break or one cruiser is going to break. So if they get a little lean in the money. So what happens is they come back for the next budget and it's back here now but it costs more. It's another year later. >> So and then all the people that had to touch it and talk about it, it's it's
cost you a fortune >> and there's no reason for it. I don't think >> it it's not taking the controls off the funds in total. It's whether it's
yellow highlighters or we pay for very simplified. >> Yeah. >> But the their funding had been approved. Something happens. Something happens and they're stuck. They can't go to the blue paper and not buy that instead.
>> Yeah. >> That's the kind of flexibility. >> Yeah. I get you. Yeah. >> I'm not against it. I just want >> Yeah. And I think it's worked in the past. I don't recall torturing anybody or spending x amount of more dollars and aggravation. >> You know, checks and balances are there for a reason. And I and I get it. I get
that there's frustrations. >> It should have some level of review, a request to do so. I would imagine >> why and we can't leave it all on, you know, Laura. She gets >> depending on maybe depending on value. >> You know, >> it never used to be that way. you used
to be able to take if if if my medical um requirements were running over for whatever reason and I had money in supplies, I would offset my offset offset one line item with the other line item and that was it. Wasn't here's what you're taking it out of. It's still
under operations. It's still voted on, still approved. >> Correct. I hear you. >> So why does everyone need to touch it? Department heads are responsible for that budget. >> Yeah. think maybe if there is a value component how much you're looking to shift around
we can talk about >> you're making it tighter now that and it's there even more reason to do it now that's my point >> well I think we we changed the rules for capital we increased that limit >> 7,000 >> to a certain dollar amount so as part of
their uh you know to approve a capital thing um then they're moving from operational capital I think moving within operational lines. I'm I'm in favor of we've done it for years as you pointed out. I think it's when you if you're move I there should be a process to move from one from either capital
operations or operations to capital especially >> I think at least if we're going to change the the ruling at least initially in the ch in the period of change. Yeah. Let's review it and not just close our eyes and say okay
go. At what level does the town >> budget get passed to town meeting? If it's the fire department operational budget as a single number, I have no problem. If it's a fire department budget and 10 line items, that's the problem. >> Taxpayers have approved 100%. Right.
>> That's what you're held accountable. Correct. And that's how that's >> right. And that and that's my point is other towns it does like you said salary operations vote on that period. But it's it's really >> that's where we should be >> the finance committee of the board the
town meeting and said this is the budget that's what you're held accountable to. We can change it going forward but I don't think you can change that. >> No I say it needs to be changed. That's my point is to mirror other towns and simplify it gives more flexibility. I
think part of the other thing too and what I have a problem is like with the uh not going to pick on school but let's say they got a half million dollar maintenance budget. Okay. Well, fiscal year comes in and uh no maintenance gets done
and all of a sudden after the first of the year all of a sudden the maintenance budget starts to disappear because they oh well we didn't want to lay that person off. So now they start stealing money out of maintenance >> and then in the end so then two years down the line they come in oh my god we
got to have we we need this fixed and that fixed. It's like didn't we give you money in the well I know but we had to move that money to keep these people you know that's >> so that's what we get caught. That's what we're trying to avoid is they're not you walk in with the best of
intentions. Yeah, we need maintenance money to do this this and this and then you don't do the maintenance. You sit on the money and then when things start coming up short, you commit, well, you know, we came up a little short, so we want to steal money from here. No, do the maintenance because otherwise it's going to come up the road four or three
years down the line. Now, it's going to be a capital item and where something you should have repaired at a at a much lower cost. So, that that's that's where I have a problem with moving that money in between. All of a sudden, a whole lot of money disappears for something else
which wasn't the original temperament. We voted on it at the >> Exactly. >> at the thing. So that's I mean if you know it just but it's like well we didn't want to lay off personnel. Well we're in a budget crunch. >> So it sounds like there was an appetite
to write a joint letter. Is will that be taken up? Okay. >> Absolutely. because um I'd like to think that uh I don't know what if you did the math on the number of students, you know, the total budget divided by the number of students. They're we're paying
a lot of money per student. Um >> I think that's what I've been um someone I know has done that and it's cheaper to send them to St. Mary's. I was told >> St. Mary's Pope Francis, you got it. >> Uh almost a private Yeah. in a private school.
>> Did the research. >> If we get to that point, we're in deep. >> Yeah. But that's what people are choosing. >> Okay. Okay. So, where were we? >> Talked about the 10%. >> Okay. And then >> I thought capital wanted to spend our
>> I think next ought to go to free cash and see what our thoughts about how much you're going to leave in there. Do >> we go to the 500? Right. So, that leaves a million. I mean, it's just on paper. It's not nothing. So, if that left you a million for
capital, that's where you're at. And then go through your Now, I know there's 200 grand left over from the boiler project in this building. >> Exactly. >> So, that can be reallocated at town meeting. >> Beth,
>> got another question. Since we only have a million for capital and the schools are looking for $600,000 for their boiler, does that only leave us with 400,000? >> No. No. No. >> We didn't account for that. We didn't account for the capital. We did not account for the school capital in this
budget. >> So, >> and it's not what I'm saying. We only have 400. That's >> No, it's payment on that debt. They're going to borrow that. So, it's it's payment on the 600,000. They're not going to come looking to for 592,000 or whatever our portion.
>> So their payment is in their number. >> No. >> No. >> It's not in the budget. You need to advertise 600,000 over 10 and figure out the bond payment on that and net that off. >> I love the [ __ ] >> Just do the I mean just for rough math,
take the 600 divided by 10 at 4%. Well, that's the bonding rate. They're going to get the same rate as us. So you can >> So is that paid out of their budget or is that paid by us? it's out of their budget, but they come to us for the money. So, you have to that 86% or
whatever the percentage is oft >> the 10-year note payment on a on a $600,000 note >> at four, let's say 4% or 5% into our budget to net out what we have now available.
>> All right. So, 150,000 roughly out of that. Mhm. Not that >> project, >> but at least the 30 rolling off. >> Generally, in the past, it was we kind of stuck around a million dollars left in free cash and that helps to start the
next year. So, keep in mind if we're using 2.2 million in free cash and you're dropping it down to five, we just cut the budget. So, the turn turnbacks will be lower. >> Oh, yeah. That's a cliff. >> We don't We hit a cliff. So just keep
that in mind when you're thinking. >> Yeah. Free cash isn't going to be that good next year. >> The budget's that much tighter. >> Yeah. Right. >> So what what's coming off the off the rolls? That's the 33,000. >> Thought it was a dump truck. >> Dump truck dump truck.
>> So how much was that what the purchase price on said dump truck was? >> I think it was somewhere between four and 500. So there's your number for your bonding for your 30 grand goes away to that >> right to the board. >> So just use 50,000 or so. >> Yep.
>> Roughly. >> Yep. >> That's what I was thinking. So you had 150 left over from this project instead of two which you can put towards your capital. So you got a million15. And um question for Laura. I think if we if
we're going to put forth the engine for the fire department, we're probably not going to incur the expense in this fiscal year budget because we're not going to see it for a period of time. But we need to go to town meeting to get
the authorization to ex enter into a contract to purchase said vehicle though. How do you is that okay? I don't know. or or do you don't you wouldn't load a million dollars of debt into the into and start >> we generally in past practice we would
do an amorization schedule and we would put that in the budget just because you don't know but being two years out and but are there any deposits or anything that might >> well that is contingent on what the town
decides to do for financing have to speak with defendants and manufacturers to find out exactly what the payment project would It's got to be a deposit regardless. >> Yeah, but you would do a short-term or something. >> You can do just a signature for two
years. That's it. You don't pay for two years, >> right? But >> but you get a discount if you pay up front business, right? They're producing and fronting the cost of your trucks for two years. They know that there's going to be interest that they have to pay on the
loans to keep their businesses going as well, too. So, built into the cost. You know, there's a substantial savings if you paid cash for the truck. If there was free cash and you could pay the truck a lot, you know, you would get that discount. That doesn't, you know, that doesn't sound like it can happen here. So, finance, we'd have to look at
specifically. So, I can tell you this >> on April 9th, we have our truck final truck committee meeting. We're going to make a decision on our vendor. Once we make a decision on our vendor, we'll get the final price tag. We'll know exactly what the financing requirements will be. Okay. the um
you know and one option here too is and unless we've spent that money three times already which we may have is the the excess on the town hall HVAC project we're going to allocate 100,000ish to fix the boiler here that leaves 200ish right
>> that we could take the town meeting as the next article if they authorized the firetruck you could authorize to the allocation of that money to the deposit on that because we have that money and then it's available if we need to do it if we can get a better deal on said
firet truck by giving them a deposit or some you know earnest money against the note when it comes in. >> That's true. >> Okay. So in general >> yeah 1.2 right you add that other 200 to reallocate them here.
>> I just spent time >> you didn't so yeah 1.2 into >> and the police have prioritized theirs on the left hand side and has CPW on
their sheet and the only other one I got was buildings and grounds. He emailed me and said um the air the air conditioning at PD
and the boiler and the library group those are the three priorities and not already said >> and we talked about in our meeting about >> leaving the leftover money for the group and the >> that's what I I think we spent it twice so that's what I was thought we knew we
had spent it somewhere. So, well, maybe how much was the roof? >> 100 or something. >> So, there you go. You got 100,000 bucks to play with now with to the roof this coming year, but they want he wanted to push forward. He wanted to pull it forward.
>> What I think what happened with the roof was something was quoted without prevailing wage. >> The first quote was for 50,000. He went back I I reached out to him and said, "We need quotes for our meetings." and he said 'Absolutely. He went back to that vendor and the vendor would not
give him a quote because I think the vendor actually looked at the job and said, "Oh god, no." So then he went to um uh Patrick Kelly roofing and he got the quote of 100,000 with prevailing wage. The quote was in our packet. We looked it over. So I think
it's 10 90 to 105 or something like that >> to 115. Okay, there you go. >> So that is a real quote with a >> but he still has it in 28. Correct. >> Correct. Correct. All right. So, I don't >> 27. >> Correct. >> So, we're not doing it this Well, that's just
>> Well, he I think he changed the priority thinking there the roof is getting bad and the leaks are getting bad and it's going to get it's going to make the >> He said there was no worse. >> There was no leaks. That was the first question to me >> that we went round. It is peeling though. It's definitely lifting up that
sunite for sure. It needs a roof. Don't But is it 27? Is it 28? My paperwork says 28 and that's what I was going by. >> Me too. I have no notes otherwise. >> And the fire truck was 28, right? So now it's 27. So >> here we are. >> That one he said though. And I did have a
>> No, it's all good. I'm just saying, you know, things move. I get it. >> He won't get it till 28. >> 49. Right. Absolutely. >> Which is why he wanted to move it up. >> Sure. And he's right. The process along his is X.
What does he say? >> He's looking it up. Hang on. >> Yeah. >> Um completing the roof replacement at the library. He might have said it to me in our department head meeting today. So, he did move that priority up. Okay.
>> And literally took away everything else, >> right? Other than um AC at >> AC at the police department. Okay. >> And obviously the weed whacker is out. All the water is out.
>> The weed whacker is for >> Yeah, we revolving on that. >> Yeah, they're all set. >> But it's all set. >> They're $352. >> Are they going to do it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's what we're saying. >> Their actual land maintenance budget.
They still have >> but that was on the list of capital. >> Yeah, I have zero idea why. >> So when we go from what we're going to do and not do >> well let's just start at the beginning. >> Yes.
>> Accounting copier $7,000. >> Laura, how old is your copier? >> Bought it in 2018. Okay. >> So six, seven, eight years old. This is why it's wore out right here on
these books. >> Yeah, >> we we can fix that. >> Hold up another year. >> We can all buy everybody a laptop. >> We could find money to lease it if we had to. If it goes down, there's other copers in the building if it goes down.
We have to wait. in my opinions >> as we look at this list. So the list is in alphabetical order but the items within each budget are prioritized one through X. Oh, not at all. >> Except when you get to >> you got a separate sheet for police and
DPW at least on their C. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Well, animal control for 10,000 is actually in the PD budget, >> correct? >> So, the 100. Yeah. >> What I was going to ask is it 100 or 110? >> No, it's 100. >> It's 100.
>> He broke it out just so you'd see where that was going. >> So, his police budget should be $9,500. She included the total. She also included it. So cross off the 10th. >> Cross out the 10th. >> Circle. >> He has it elsewhere.
>> Assessor real estate data collection. >> We will be the only way that that will be funded is if we can use the overlay, which we're still working with council and with the bureau of accounts at do to see if that's an acceptable use.
What I'm hearing is that it would it's acceptable if the town releases it, right? You have to release your o overlay and then you can utilize it. Um if it stays in the overlay account that
is strictly for refunds, abatements in the overlay account >> over a million dollars. And typically every year I think we use about 135 >> we end up using now.
>> Yeah. >> For the rewe for the refunds >> but we also fund it and we use it as revenue. >> And then also charge ourselves back. >> We fund revenue by 200 and then we then
we charge back 75. So net 75 going into overlay. >> So but did you just by I got a different array of sheep >> is that is any portion of the overlay in
the total revenue number today. >> Yes. Yes, the overlay surplus um in our revenue right now revenue model is $200,000. >> Okay,
thank you. >> So, are we waiting on that to get an answer before we vote yes or no to keep? >> Yes, because >> I don't know how we board it otherwise. >> I agree. >> We don't They can do another drive by >> They would have to do it in house. Yep. >> Yep. So that's a no unless it comes
through the other funds. >> Personal property data collection assessors. >> Same thing. >> Same thing. >> So we'll put a no unless they can find our funding elsewhere. Building and grounds boiler replacement is all set. >> It's still in here, but it is good to go off the 200,000 we have sitting over
there. Awning replacement town hall 25,000. Are there actual holes in it or are they just >> No, it the problem is it's very dirty and if they power wash it, they're probably going to blow holes in it. >> You're shot. >> No, it's one of those. >> Don't touch it.
>> 25 years old. >> Yeah, but don't touch it this year. >> Let them know. Are you guys okay with that? >> Yeah, I was saying >> oil replacement 5,000. I think you have to because it's an elevator. >> Yes. >> AC for buildings and grounds compressor.
That's for the um PD that we talked about, right? 20,000. >> Yes. >> I think we all agreed that was a yes. The weed whacker, they're going to get it through their own account. Paving projects. So, I heard last night you guys talking about what this was, right? The 50, the 475, and the 30. The reason
they're separated was I think that once again, checks and balances from the old um >> I do >> finance committee, which people don't seem to like. We did separate that because what would happen is if it bundled together, at least in our eyes, Someone would say, "Oh, there's a there's there's there's I don't know,
there's 150,000. We'll put it towards paving." And then you turn around and need work done construction-wise, and the money's spent. So, they always kept it separate. So, they would use X for whether it's drainage, X for small paving projects,
>> you know what I mean? That's kind of why it's always been separated. They've done a great job. >> I can see that here >> with doing it. >> Just is again monotonous and timeconuming. And >> how's it timeconuming? >> Because when because instead of just having a a paving, you know, chapter 90
and paving >> where you take all of these improvements, all of the structure, all of the paving, all of all of it, and that's where it comes from. >> But what do you do when a project that was listed that the town approves doesn't get done? How do you answer for
that >> if you haven't appropriated it and people aren't putting their bills in to match what the town has said? Yes, we agree to those two. But >> you're absolutely right. So $150,000 for Ed Hulk or a million5 thou 500,000
for Ed Hulcom. So we take a,500,000 and we spend it on Ed Hulcom Road on construction, on improvements, on the paving, on reclamation, on all of it under under the paving projects. >> But you said that you're putting all the rest of the stuff in there, too. So at the end of the year, you got to make
sure the list of the projects that were listed are done. And if they're not, you got to explain it. >> That is absolutely right. And it's and it's I don't know how this helps prevent that >> if it's not done anyway. But I think
that's the biggest thing is that you know we have to make sure that these projects are being appropriately um you know constructed and done in a timely manner and not taking years and years to get done unless it's a specific
timeline for years to get done. So you know uh $30,000 for improvements that's one project >> right and that was very specific for small projects. It wasn't, like you said, a Hulcom road or anything like this was literally a covert had an issue. >> Yeah.
>> You know, a water man broke accident, we got to do pavement, whatever. But that's really what that was designed for by Mr. Brown. There was small projects. >> That's why it was always separated out and he would grab from it where he needed to. But needless to say, we've done it every
year. >> I'm not hung up on consolidating it. I I'm >> I think it's fine like it is. I >> I do, too. But we've approved this every year. Are we approving it this year? Yes. We want to look at it for next year to roll it together, we can. But I understand the basis for why it was.
>> Oh, absolutely. And I think that's how it was sold to us, too. He didn't come in and say, "Hey, I need 150,000 added to it." He broke it down to educate all of us of what he's really trying to accomplish with it. Right. >> And that's why he agreed to it. >> 4 million paving infrastructure.
>> I think you got to hold that out for now and just come back to it at the end and see what's left, if anything. Right. And the soft shed roof really is the half shed price is for a whole roof.
We got the quotes in. We had them in our in our last meeting >> 64 >> and it's 65 or in change for the whole roof, not a half. He was very surprised by that. >> And he put it as priority then. >> Yes. Oh, what does he have it over there?
Yep. 65. Okay. Yep. >> You don't need that. You don't want wet soil. >> No. in the 65 now. >> Yeah. >> Yep. And then the supervisor truck out is out because we're going to play the shuffle.
Highway message board. Please have one out. >> Rock bucket. >> Rocket paper scissors. Frank put a piece on it. Yeah. What's his priority for that?
>> Didn't have it. >> Didn't have it. So, okay. We agree with himself. >> Election poll paths. >> Did you get an answer? >> No, I didn't. >> We can wait. >> Mr. Chairman, >> I suggest that we just >> I know it's going to be a little
bouncing back and forth, but while we have the whole DPW list, why don't we go to solid waste >> or s or next is sewer on this list, I believe in his >> and check off where we are so we can complete DPW.
You probably should have done it with police department. Um because he's got sewer, water. >> Yep. Um, and just >> we said yes to the solora. >> Yes. >> 400,000. >> That's a bonding authorization.
And again, it we're probably obligating a future future town meeting to this money because you're not going to get that truck this year either. But you need to >> summary. That's it. Oh, then we are obligating town this year. >> Yep.
>> The projects we just talked about. Yes. Yes. Yes. Grinder pump maintenance 60,000 >> on the grinder pumps >> um >> way we did 30 or 40 I believe. >> Yeah. And some years didn't spend at
all. Could we even just drop it back to the 48 that it was and approve it >> is the number. >> That's what it was last year. >> Wasn't he talking about some of the bigger pumps too? Yes. Somebody's going to have to use it on that. >> Didn't he didn't they say that the pumps
that we were buying are gone and he needs to stock some of the newer ones making the order. >> That's why that number went up a little this year. >> We're talking about sewer. >> That's all I'm saying. >> Okay. Just question.
>> Yep. Then we can always pull back. >> Yeah. If we have to question mark next to it. Permit compliance. I have a guess is a yes. >> Permit compliance. Again, >> it's seems to be a duplicate. >> Is it a duplicate? >> Same thing. He only had it once. Y
>> pretend >> 25,000 island pond backed up. They want to throw a camera down there. >> Could we wait? >> We don't. The backup went away last time, right? >> It did.
I said no. >> I I said wait. I didn't say no. I kindly said please wait. >> And then 10 we're going to hold off and 11 we're going to come back to. >> Right. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No changes in our books.
>> Now you get to election. Yeah. Did we reduce the roll up roll up to 325? I thought we did not. And that's what he voted us. Correct. Everybody. >> Oh, yay. >> Yep. Thank you.
No, my life doesn't stop. >> Life or what? >> Doctors. I saw him laughing at that. All right. So, poll pads, we're waiting for an answer on that. >> But even that is not really a necessity.
That's just would be nice to have. >> But when they are voted in to be required, >> wait until they're required, I guess. And we're going to pay a lot more probably. >> But if she could use that, >> it does gain efficiency
elsewhere. >> Yeah. Yeah, it does. >> Was that a no or a yes? >> We're waiting for Christy to see if she can verify if we can use that. So, we'll come back to that. >> Using funds from where again? >> She has an election refund account.
>> Okay. >> They can tag it. >> Well, and what kind of money is in there? >> 21873. >> Oh, >> so it is going to be coming down within the next year or two. We are going to have to get those things. So if we know we can use it whether it's this year or
we can use when we have to then obviously now >> clean up the elections it makes life a lot easier. >> Yep. >> But you're keeping track of all this. >> I'm trying. >> Thank you. >> I don't have the list. So >> Oh, no. Understood. I just want to make sure I can help you. >> Someone's listening.
>> Recorded. >> Where did we come down on a roll out truck? >> 325. >> At 325. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I was paying attention. >> That was for a No. >> Okay. So, new radio equipment
emergency management 5,500. He needs that to get to the new version that we've installed everywhere else or we're installing now, I believe. >> Yes. >> Right. Cuz this stuff won't talk to that stuff. >> Correct. >> Antenna, I believe, is I'm not sure if it's the same reason why, but he's got it in there.
>> Yep, >> it is. So, that's a yes. EMS >> 4500 for a scoop stretcher >> three of them >> at least three adjustable devices >> which is >> total cost is400
>> y 4500 for the three and it's a required element by the proto yes >> but could we wait and replace um >> buy one a year. >> What's our liabil if we don't replace
them? >> We're already using a very outdated mechanical goop stretcher. >> Yeah. >> Um that has been serviced to the best of its ability. It's not working and performing to the best of its ability and because we use it to pick people up.
I think the liability is far greater than the $4,500. Um the waiting is really is probably not something I would recommend at this time. I prefer all ambulance all with ones. >> So we only have one now and one ambulance. >> We have one each on each ambulance, one
for each amber, >> but they're all that same error. >> Yeah, the same vintage. I didn't mean vintage. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> I'm okay with it. their back trying to drag somebody out of their house at $4,500 is cheap. >> No, understood. We get that in back complaints, right? Search doctors when
the guy understand what this is. This is a two-part stretcher that comes apart. You put it under a person, snap it together, and pick somebody up. If that fails, >> yeah, >> there's a good chance they're going to hit the ground. So, >> understood. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> That's a yes. >> A lot of this stuff, right? AEDs. >> Yes. Yeah. >> 6000. >> Yeah. >> The video scopes. >> Yes. >> The boat
>> Rich, that was 50% of the boat or >> um depends on the type of boat we bought. So, if we replace one for one right now, that $8,000 would replace the Zodiac that we have. We were looking at a better version of that that would probably give us a little bit more life.
That was about 15,000. Association is committed to paying a different portion of that. Yes. And if honestly if we're really looking to cut from the budget and I had to give something up, the association would probably be able to use purchase to vote
for us if not necessities. >> Sounds like a good idea. Let them know. >> No, right. Thank you. >> They do a great job. Little fire engine is next. 900
closer to a million. >> Yeah. Closer to a million. I don't understood. >> But that's a yes. >> But that may or may not fall on our numbers once we know on the 9th where you stand. So by the 10th >> options are Yeah. >> Well, by the 9th my committee decides on
which vendor. >> Yeah. >> Then I have to go back to the vendors with the design final pricing. But even before final price, you can then probably find out their options on the financing and how much down and all that. >> Yes. >> As they work out as they work out the
final price. Y >> we just need to know how much we got to reserve. >> Okay. >> For that piece of it. >> Let you know how that works. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Lake management and boings. >> They have revolving funds just so you know.
>> Yes. Yeah, >> a lot of that's very specific as to what they can and can't pull from in general all these revolving accounts. >> Yeah. >> But I believe they're okay pulling it out of that. >> So they had the same thing last year. Is this every year? Do they do a couple?
>> Yeah. Every year. >> Yeah. >> So that they don't all >> they're magnets the boats apparently. >> Security cameras every year. >> So that means it comes off the budget. >> Yeah. what comes off of the capital list because they can >> they have it as it's
>> well you put it in but how they fund it hopefully will be out of the revolving not the general >> right >> okay >> so you want to put revolving next to that revolving next to the first one second one >> I I I don't know if it's standard David just my own opinion on this is that if
if we're going to spend the money on it we should put it in the budget >> and put the offset revenue and it's in the article as to where it comes from >> you just put that at the top and then this comes out the bottom rather than taking it off this list and then you forget about it. >> Yeah. That way there it's it's
>> it's apples to apples when you're using one and it >> wasn't approved because it's not the list >> you're talking you know. >> So clarification then if I have a revolving account with 100 grand in it like um parking wreck does or close to that they from from parking cars and
whatnot. Do they need to come in front of us if they want to purchase a mower for 10,000? I think so. >> Yeah. >> Even though it's coming out of revolving, if it's under the 7,000 capital 7 grant, then they don't need to. Correct. >> I guess it's under the
>> I'm just asking. Yeah. Because they they would have the funds in their revolving account. >> Yes. >> And your statue is 7,000. So they could actually go in and grab that. Yeah. >> Which is fine. >> Yeah. I'm just wondering. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So park and wreck their mower 154.
>> What? out >> that seems like a um >> well we had said that's coming out of revolving also >> but same same discussion though right I think even if it was eight or six or two it should be in there and then that when we go through the budget process to
figure out the rest of the process figure out where you're going to get the money to pay for it that's where it would come from revive and that would be the article at on the town meeting floor >> right but for our totaling purposes of our capital it'll just show up on the right hand side of the number not so touching our total.
>> And I think it's smart. I mean, if >> No, absolutely. >> Wally Park is just ginormous. This could save a bunch of time because I don't think they got anything that large up there now to to mow with, >> right? My lifelong dream is that the school and the park the park and wreck put their heads together and
>> use some of that equipment on a shared basis to mow Wall-E Park >> for 10 years. >> Well, you know, you don't keep asking, right? >> What we pay $12,000 for the facilities. >> Does that include equipment? No, that's just the uh that's the auditorium and the >> be pickle ball.
>> Yeah, the Santa part is we just want them to mow it once with their big mower. So, we could do the math and say took an hour and a half, >> but if we spend X, we're going to shorten up our labor rate by six hours a week, 10 hours a week and justify it. But we've never got them to go over
there and drop that big mower and make passes to say, "Yeah, we can cut your time in half." >> Yeah. >> So, that's really what we've been trying forever, Doug. planning board, jet printer. >> You said no, didn't I? >> No. >> There's one downstairs in there still. >> Isn't um
>> it's in the court office. >> Yeah. >> Tasers. >> List of one, two, three, two. >> Okay. So, police has his ranks. >> Well, I think you have >> he's got his ranks.
>> Oh, good. Yep. Right. >> Yeah. Why don't we >> I already noted it. If you want me to read it off on the police the on your list. The first item is their number seven. >> Yes. >> The second is their number six. Third is
their third. The fourth is their number one. >> You okay? Good. >> Yeah. >> Um the next one, $8,000 is their number nine. 1095 is their number two.
12,000 is their number four, 16,000 is their number five, and 115 is their number seven. Do you want to go in that order? And the chief said after one, two, three, it's hard to gauge which one would be next.
They're all kind of the same. They're all needed. >> One, two, three is the most important, right, Chief? >> Correct. >> That's why they're one, two, three. >> Yeah. But after that, they're kind of equally different cameras and giving the cruisers and
>> I don't really want to choose between cases and the tripolators. >> Yeah. >> Right. I mean >> so number number his their number one is yes the cameras servers door locks. >> Yeah. >> Well yeah the servers jump >> my understanding.
>> Okay. So that's a yes. >> Yes. >> Number two is one cruiser one truck. Correct. Correct. >> Although the list says different. >> It does. >> That's a yes. >> Number three is the garage and Sallyport
floors. I actually said no on that. >> Can't couldn't that be a paint or something? Does >> I mean you could roll the dice on it to make it not but it's paint where >> I know we keep doing it.
thoughts. >> I looked at it. It's It's worse than it was last year. >> Yep. >> And it's right where they walk. It's not like it's under the vehicle that we can just blow off. >> And some of the drip and paw.
>> Well, it just gets to the point where if the concrete degrades now, you start to having to chip off the >> Yeah. >> Well, the problem with epoxy though is that Concrete's always moving under the under the epoxy, so it's still going to crack on you. So, if you don't fix it
the right way, you >> right problem, >> right? >> But this I from what I read from the proposal and I looked up what was the um the name escapes me right now. I apologize. It's not epoxy anymore. It's another thing that they use. Polymer.
It's flexible >> I forgot. poly something. >> All right. So, what's the what's the A or N? >> Well, I I I'll leave it to you to to the rest. I think I I'd skip down ahead and chief's
here and he's he's I m you've got new officers. >> You need to have each officer needs to have that less than lethal item. >> To me, that's a non-negotiable. And the and the defibrillators are also a non-negotiable. They're at their They're at their at functional in the light.
They have to be replaced. >> Yes. >> The floor. Yes or no? >> Uh question. So, Chief, the the existing floors that were done, uh you had you have floors in there that were done, right? This is >> the hallway.
>> Are those like two years old now? Three years old. >> They pristine. Are they are there brats or anything? >> I haven't seen any brass. Okay. And do they warranty it? >> Believe there is some form of warranty. I have to look back. >> You know, when they prep it, they carve
out the cracks, fill them. They do. Yeah. >> So, >> you have an eventual job to take. >> And what is it like a 25 year floor or something like that? Do they put a an actual time on it? >> Yeah.
Whoever had poly and ura was is it's polyaspartic polyurea. That was that was it. >> You had half and I had kudos. I couldn't remember it. I looked it up. That's correct. But and you know that >> they came out nice inside the police
department. I'm you know it it's a little tougher service because it's kind of indooroutdoor with vehicles driving on it. But um needs to get done especially in the Sally port where they are transporting folks in and out of there unfortunately on a fairly regular basis.
>> Yeah. >> So is it a yes show of hands >> for the floors? >> So yes, >> I guess it's a yes. >> Yeah. >> And then >> anybody keeping a tally? It'll come out
at the end. >> Betsy's trying or Betsy's taking notes anyway. >> Yeah, >> you should track a yes and no number. >> It was tasers and defibs which we said yes to. >> Yeah. >> And then shotgun.
>> I have a question on the Well, tasers, shotguns. Is that one for every officer or one for every vehicle?
And if you have officers out long term, is there one for them that is available? >> Um, I'm going to be sort of here my answer. I guess I'm going to say
um yes, every officer has an assigned right now. at zero uh zero tasers left for backups. I don't carry one has one still, but with the additional officers, we do need a couple extra
two for them as well. As far as the rifle and the shotguns go, I won't give you where they are, but rifles, uh the shotguns, we could probably get away with not doing anything this year. >> Say no more. >> That's a no.
Okay. >> So, it's yes on taser, yes on defiill, defiills. standard points. >> How many radios should that run? >> These are actually black radio to go in cars. Um, as far as I know from what
I've been told, these radios that are currently in the cars are no longer going to be working here very shortly. >> Yeah, we're with the new system. >> They're going to be interested, I believe. >> Yeah. >> So, we don't have a choice with anybody. Yeah. What kind of stuff they had?
>> There weren't radios included in that quote or the 200 weren't the only >> No, no. I'm just saying when we did the antenna that 200 and something thousand >> I know emergency management was not in there. >> Some there's some but the most of the
radios that they've been buying all these years have been >> portables. Portables not so much the cars. >> Correct. >> Yeah. This is car radio. fire lady house permanently, right? >> It says portable. Are we certain?
>> That's their standard replacement cycle. >> Should be just called radius. >> So those are Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. Yes. But they should just actual cars, not so much. They're portable in the car.
>> Good. And on the if you're following on the pager, you can skip ahead because we covered the the next category, right? >> Computer equipment. >> No, sorry. >> You say yes or no to computers. >> Yes.
>> Well, yeah, that's a standard computer. >> Yeah, >> that was number six. And number seven was the right one. We said no. So now we're down to >> And then on your list is also the security fencing and gates, but he
actually had that in 28, but would have liked it in 27. >> So I said, "Wait until 28." Or I said, "Put up a sign that says emergency access only, no pedestrian traffic, and then you're done." >> He said,
>> which is what his reasoning was to have. >> Yeah. I'm just saying, >> right? >> No. >> DPW that they never close and you can put one over. >> Um, what was the next thing on the list?
>> So, security fencing and gates is a no >> across the room. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> There's no number on there. >> There wasn't because it wasn't on his priorities. Wished it to be 27, but it was really on 28. We already discussed
>> finally talked about >> go down to wiring solid waste wiring 5,000. That's the plug in the units that are in the back uh our porter shed, whatever that is back there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I would do that. >> I would say yes. It's kind of a safety thing to have extension cords out there. I would agree. >> I think that they have four four years. They had all the time I've been here. >> No, they've asked for the concrete pads every year. That was actually new.
>> That's something we can't do. >> Concrete PL like DPW or something? >> I don't know. >> The pads are go under the rolloffs at the transfer station. >> Yes. Which they I I think Russ they have them now, don't they? Or it's just
>> No, no, some of the boxes have the pads. The other ones don't. But the problem being is that when the box sits in the dirt, >> yeah, >> they rust out the bottom >> and then we end up having to pay a welder to come in and cut the box up and repair the box if we can save it. And if not, then we have to end up having to buy new boxes, which
>> we seem to buy and we're buying new boxes constantly. Anyways, >> I was just going to say every year we seem to be buying a new box. >> Well, that actually is not what his explanation was. >> It it was that when it gets muddy, the equipment messes it up and they have to come back and and grade it again. make
your ass. >> I said no again this time around on the concrete pads. I also said no to the 40 yard container for this year. Just >> I have a question. Wouldn't DPWs a straight form pad for the concrete
themselves? A lot less than 15,000 engineering involved. >> That could be a small project. >> Yeah. >> That is in the DPW budget. I guess make sure they can do it. >> Possibility. >> Just grown it up.
>> Yeah, good thought. >> Like you say, if you want to go know, you're going to go no anyways. And if they can make their funds with their existing budget, then >> yeah, if they're just buying concrete, then cool. >> I don't know how much that is in concrete. Anyone have a guess? Uh, see,
40 yards of concrete. Uh, >> $15,000 worth 13. I have no idea, right? Close. No, I don't I really don't know. >> Fairly close, but I mean barred and Yeah. So, you're kind of looking at that. So, well, you got to pick your place. You want them all patch and pull.
You want them pouring concrete up at the site? >> No, I just I get I think I want to speak for Mr. Anderson just if if that price is having somebody come in and put up forms in for concrete versus the DPW
guys put the forms and brought in concrete. What are we paying the outside vendor? >> Well, you know, you're paying them 30% on top of it just for labor. >> So, >> you know, if it was half the price, it's half the price. >> And well, not only that, but those DPW
have the capability to do. >> I don't the other thing, you know. So, I mean, it's it's easy to say, "Yeah, we'll just let them do it." But >> can they do it? >> I don't know. >> So, yeah. >> So, I I would say no and then have that
conversation and see if it could be done under DKW, a small job. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> The container. I don't know. I think we'd have to talk to him and just I'm not sure how what what shape all the
boxes are in. I don't want to shift them. You know what I'm saying? I mean, we customarily kind of buy one. I mean, if they're I know they probably got like what about a dozen of them down there or so in between the the open tops, the big compactor container, uh the can and
bottle container. And I'm not sure that he's just got me a 40 yard container is the uh the one for the main compactor, which I'm sure takes a little bit of abuse with all the crap getting pushed in. So, I'm not sure how critical of an item that might be with handwriting.
>> Well, he did give us his priorities. >> Yeah, solid wasted. >> Yeah, he only has the rollup truck on there for solid waste. >> So, I'm still a No. Anybody else? >> Yeah, I'm a no. >> Yeah, I get it. If the list was for all
>> sacri prices are real. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yeah. >> And he really wants that roll off. So, >> yeah. There you go. Yeah. >> Does the rolloff come with a back? >> Uh, you give them $40,000. >> Very true.
>> $4,000. >> Very true. Yeah. >> Hydrant replacement. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Hydrant replacement is not every year. There are a number of years that it was zero. We could reduce it.
>> That comes down to their water. Would they inspect to find out if we have one that's uh looking iffy? >> I'm sure they did. >> I'm certain you could find 50 or 100 of them that you could absolutely call. >> Oh, sure. >> Oh,
>> fire department. Fire department ran out right after the fire truck. So, I I would ask him how many there are, but I'm going to wager it's >> street. probably hopeful >> in town. >> So, >> you don't have any idea
>> how many fire hydrants are there in the town of South? >> I thought there was over 300 there. >> Couple 300. >> That see >> I hit the low number. >> Yeah. >> So, 15,000 would cover about how many replacements right there? 5,000. >> Three of them. That's it. >> Oh, 5,000.
>> Unless somebody hits them with their card in their insurance basement. >> We have them throw in some paint to paint them. But they don't do them every year was the point. So, do we want them to do it this year? >> Sit there and get just put back in their water department. >> I mean, three isn't asking a lot if we
got 300 of them. >> Yeah. >> Uh, water has been pulled out. >> What do you mean? >> All the water has been pulled out of this. >> Rich took all the water out. >> Oh. >> Oh, on his paper. But I'm still seeing our budget.
>> Yeah. I'm still No, no. I'm here. I took the water out. I moved out the water as well. >> Yeah, >> because again they have retained earnings that they were going to Oh, okay. >> All right.
>> They have retained earnings. We don't have to talk about it. Are you saying >> he took it off for now? I don't I I think we This was a very close turnound because we asked them to do it today. >> But because the So with water, their capital would come under the water
budget. The same with sewers come out of sewer's budget. Um, >> which we still look at. >> You still look at it, but it's just to not confuse >> with the general budget >> with the right >> why you're deciding to use a free cash and the general fun. >> Oh, absolutely. Understood. Understood.
Yep. >> So, >> it's not so much a pre-cash. Before we move off water, I just have a question on the if anybody here knows and has been part of those discussions the beginning phases for South Long Air to Ban Road. I have not heard or recollect
any discussions in my time paying attention >> you know five six years about this. What is the >> long-term plan there? it and so apparently it's dead ends in two spots and water is not good to dead end, right? Water has to flow. So their
thought process way back when we looked at that parcel and that whole process was they would connect that so the water would then continue to flow is my understanding of it years ago. Is that correct Mr. Mlin or pretty close to that? >> Yeah, I thought that's what they talked about. >> Yeah. It wasn't so much like they needed >> when they came in front of us this past
year. They want that just to have that loop and it's not looped. all new all new construction projects that involve water loop. So, this is kind of going back and not correcting a sin of the past, but newer design practice and fixing up some older ones to conform to
more modern design. >> Closing the loop. >> Closing the loop. >> Correct. >> No, creating the loop. >> Right. >> Joe, I have one more question on water. I know that they're involved with the American end with a a dispute down there. >> So, if that falls where the town has to
refund that money, what we stand with that. >> Well, I guess it' be credit, wouldn't it? >> I don't have 300 grand. >> Yeah. Well, that that that's >> And I don't think that falls under insurance by any means. >> No, I just I is but come out of retained
earnings on an order. >> Yeah. But say all of a sudden the court decides that yeah, you you have to pay him back to 300 grand. You >> got to come up with 300 grand >> on a payment plan. I think we shouldn't discuss pending litigation at open meeting in the first
place. It's been subject to executive session material in the past, but it's we're aware of a number that's not correct. >> Absolutely. >> Yep. Badass. >> And I and I also too worry about, you know, oh, it's water, but >> at some point when does water not become profitable?
You know, are we >> it's not profiting? We've had endless talks, right, with with with the water, with the sewer where we always are. Are we okay in water, Laura? Or can you get me those numbers? >> Just, you know what I mean? We always,
well, it's water. Don't worry about it. But it's still a dollar value. >> Still look at >> for the customer and it's a baseline of of a volume of money there. >> So, diligence. >> Well, that you have your you als you also do have your elected water commissioners. I know we and I bring it
up only bring it up because we just talked last week. >> Yeah. >> The select board acts as the sewer commission. So we are sewer commissioner. So we >> we did increase the sewer rates a little bit in order to >> not reduce the subsidy but to give them some additional retained earnings.
>> Yes. >> So that they can fund some of these other projects that they're talking about that the grinder pipes and some other stuff that they're going to be need to do in >> you know as the system starts to age. >> Yes. Understood. Plus, our DPW guy went to Westfield to
become their DPW director and it's killing us on the rates if he's watching us at home. >> Okay, that's it. Water, we're done. >> Okay. >> So, >> the shows
>> not numbers. Yes or no? >> So, you guys will rehash these? Yep. >> Send us back out that information. >> We'd love a copy of it too if possible. >> I um I just did a rudimentary
um calculation here, but we're about 2 million >> 1.94 capital for sure. >> But we'll take if we bond Kenworth, that's four and a quarter, right? The what >> that the roll off the three financing roll off
>> that's three and a quart a million >> we didn't we didn't say the roads though before a million is it going to be a mill >> sitting there at 2.1 >> until we right around just under two so 1.94 actually so >> so two so you're at 1 >> and I only added one so
>> 1.7 so you're going to bond another million for the road so you got to put the debt service into that capital Yeah, debt service on a million. We got to do something for roads this year. Next year hopefully we'll have a bigger
>> a bigger Well, we're going to have to do a bigger borrowing or something with, you know, with all the stuff we put forth on the beta. We'll have a better handle on where we are and where we're going. >> Oh, a larger project and maybe do that in a couple of tranches. >> It says it here. >> Yep.
>> All right. Can you also just tell us tomorrow please email me what a million dollars looks like for 10 years just a simple math on your computer Doug >> even just to present something like that people an idea in their head >> pull it up
>> no need conservative >> I don't know if we're at four I think we have I think the rates are a little better right now of course >> we just say four >> that was a few weeks now. >> I think I just looked and it's still in the forest.
>> Okay. >> I mean, that was a few days ago. It could change, you know, >> change better probably. >> No, it said it was going up a tad. >> We We had a little window where it had
dropped any >> 106 a month. So times that by 12 >> one point. >> Yeah. >> I had said earlier $120,000 for a million dollars for 10 years. >> Yep. >> 10 years. Okay. >> Loan on that fire truck.
>> Yeah. Seven. >> Oh yeah. There you go. >> You always pay them off. >> No, I don't. So you got 240,000 for $2 million. note says 12950447
1/3 did get back to me use that >> that she could use that fund but she's saving it for new um voting machines that she will need within the next five years
>> talking about the tablets I had to step out was that the tablet piece >> pads we pad did those go or not though I sorry I had to step out and take the >> I just got back that she could use that fund for it, but she's trying to save that for voting machines that she'll need within the next five.
>> I think I heard a good point during the finance committee meeting. I was driving. So, I think it was Mr. Connley that made the point. The state's about a year from approving mandating those. When they do, they're going to double in price or you can't you're not going to get them. So, I don't know what the total amount was, but this might be an
opportune time to do it. >> So happy. >> When we bought vorting machines in the past, they went right through the budget process. Yeah. >> So, >> but again, if he has revenue, it just >> use the money to buy them. That's wonderful. And we we understand when the boarding machines are off
>> that we're not going to have all the money saved. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> So, we're saying the pole pads are Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> I don't want to pay double. >> Nope. >> And then she'll get them and tell us
what to say later, all of that. Well, we uh we actually uh Secretary of State came out last week, one of their persons that she would be the girl to do a sneak inspection on us. If we were done with the election, she would walk in there
and uh she was uh she was very good >> and uh a lot of a lot of town she was cleans it up a lot for the people that work in the elections. She work the elections. So this way here you walk in hand you
hand them your license they scan pop right up still have to go they'll ask your name and address you have to state your name and address them even if it's your wife standing in front of you have to repeat it back to them >> we were doing a few things not quite of
a part it was actually we had a good threehour class here >> but yeah those that go a long way and in the end when they're done they wipe the pad They give them we can do whatever you want. So you're going to be at 69
>> one benefits other than it's a good deal and like I say within a year going to be mandated but the price is going to go up again. >> Yep. Demand. >> Yep. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> What else do we need? >> We're just going to have to see what
this all total actually nets out to be to see if what we approved is actually affordable. >> Yes. She's going to rehash all of those and redistribute >> ASAP. >> So the water Sorry, just go back to water. Is all the water out?
>> Well, he took the water out. Whether he talks to the water commission and it comes back or I I think maybe >> Well, that washing of the tank I thought was mandated. >> It wasn't something that we could just
pull out. Right. >> Um but he didn't have a deadline on it, right? Just that it's mandated. >> Um >> yeah, I think he did during the budget hearings that he did have said that they had something that they had.
>> Oh, which is due in fiscal 20. So he should have done it already. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't know why I took water out of their process. >> I think it's an oversight. >> Yeah. >> Of this plan, this brush job here. I
think he had it. >> I put them back in. I I put them back those those two items back in just to >> Which ones? >> The 10 and the the the saw and the because we we went and did the looping and then we did do that, but we skipped over
>> that water tank. I don't Did you not talk about >> because he took them out, >> right? Yeah. >> Did he take them out or did he just not put them on the paper? >> His letter says he took them out to >> them. Prior. >> So it's the water. >> I don't know if they took them off this
page or and separated it. >> I don't know. >> I'll water the crystal. Let me know if you hear anything. >> We left out the water department request. assuming we would just do those because the water the elected water
department say yeah >> and it's coming from and they're assuming it's coming from the paint earnings so they would have to say >> why don't we have Nicole clarify that absolutely >> if it I can put it back on the agenda >> be reviewed approve the water >> y
>> either way we're a million over >> without including payment >> so if you finance that million and two more million you're at 390 90,000 towards next year's debt. >> Yeah. >> And our our our so our new growth
is low, >> right? Because was that 760 you came up with between the um 2 and a half% and new growth, right? >> Yeah. That was our new money this year, >> right? >> Yeah. >> And are we forecasting what next year looks like?
>> No, we have not done that, have we? >> Not that we can. I mean, that's more >> Well, we we certainly can and should. We should have fiveyear projections all the time. >> Yeah, because this property was coming up in two years. They never even started building anything else. I mean, Phil was >> Well, you got the condos right down here
on Ino Street. If they build them, >> I'll bet you a dollar that don't get touched for a long time. >> Yeah, but I mean that would >> I don't think when we forecast like financial forecasting, we don't do anticipated projects. We kind of just historically go back and see the average percentage. So you don't use the people
that have gone through the board and gotten approval to build >> and do an estimate or a portion of it. >> We certainly see through the assessor in the building department what the new growth has been through the town. Um but I don't think we anticipate the job
>> based on its progress. >> Yes. >> Right. Like you have the storage facility going and that should be next. I see what Sherry's saying like she they're the assessors is not booking >> oh guy gets a planning board decision to build >> a 100 condos. She's not booking that as
new growth that >> No, but I didn't know if you like did like a percentage >> when they pull a building permit and then as at different phases they do step that in. Correct. >> Or if it's a 20 unit subdivision they they sure as heck divide those up the next day and give them a new bill for their building lots versus
>> when the plan's reported the lots now that >> value. Yeah. No, we actually do it that way. >> There you go. >> So, last last question. Cannabis. Where are we with cannabis and where's that money going? >> Cannabis. We got our second payment.
Happen to have that number. We got our second payment March 31st. Where did I put that? >> What were the first? >> The first one was 17 something and we got another 35. So, that's 74ish. So guess we'll get about
150 a year. >> Yeah, >> that is not in these numbers. That will just fall into free cash. It's not in our revenues because it's unpredictable. >> One building that's open. We have another one that's getting ready, >> right? But it wouldn't be double that
would be the revenue. So I'm guessing we're going to be in 150ish. >> So that has to does go to free cash and then the following year it's it's usable income. It just can't become part of a budget. Correct. >> It's unpredictable. We don't know.
>> Right. No, I'm with you. Yeah. Yeah. That was the whole They didn't want you. >> That's why it's not in there. >> They didn't want you subsidizing someone with it because you just don't know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then stabilizations. What separate were we just leaving an X amount in that or where what is that?
>> Yeah, that is that's for you know >> crisis. How much is in that? >> Three something. Oh, is it more than three now? I thought it was 3.9 I thought. So then is that at state recommendedation level of versus our budget or
>> I think it's a little higher but it's not a bad thing to have in there. >> No, I understand that. >> I can get the exact percent to and you know we could I know that puts all of the amounts. >> We have one of our meetings of that down below, >> but we don't have recommended
percentages yet because we don't necessarily have that policy, >> right? We went into it for the the disaster we had and then once we got reimbured it all went back in. We went in it for powder mill road design of sewer that never went anywhere. Correct. We
took 300 out to do the design work. We did one shot of gas. No problem. >> And then when we went back with the design to then actually >> do it, it got voted down. >> I turned it down. Yeah. >> I didn't realize that's where it came from
>> years ago. Are those are those funds uh like an investments? >> Yeah. >> Investment commitment is >> bitcoins. >> Yeah. >> It's under MG. It's under Mass General law. There's a very limited number of investments. They actually just changed the law. >> Change it. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Last year to give us a little bit more flexibility. Um, >> but if you look at them all, >> yeah, they're still very conservative investments, >> but yeah, they are invested in earning interest earnings. >> In years past, the select board would start to freeze account. >> Yep.
>> This year, >> so in years past, in years past when we had financial issues, the select board would freeze accounts or or I should say write purchase orders, right? Which blah blah blah. Is there any appetite with the select board looking at doing that for the remainder of the year?
from >> I just got the um the year-to- date report from March 31st. Nothing really stood out at me. >> No, but in general, like if when we're >> finishing out the dark side, you usually
acrew a little bit here and there. >> I don't I don't >> So, back in the other day, back in the day, we were we would write purchase orders, right? So, the town would write a purchase order for X X and X out of certain accounts to kind of freeze that money. >> Oh. And then towards the end if we
needed it, it was there so no one ran out and just >> purchased. Well, I think that it's been a solid year and a half and we have a we have um department head meetings every month and I think they are all very well aware not to just blow money because you
have it that we are a municipality using public funds and you need to be conservative about it and I don't see that anybody has been >> that's done what they're doing the finances that that are in front of us. >> You know what I mean? Just as you forecast out things are tight but
there's no appetite. There's no update. I don't know. I mean, I don't I don't know that >> in years past there has been a sp they call it a spending freeze, right? They would just >> don't buy anything. We're not buying anything right now. And I don't know if there was an additional layer of scrutiny on any PO. >> It was
>> before it was bought. Um maybe we should discuss that further. >> Yeah. Yeah. Just if there's an appetite, >> I've seen it done, you know, when things are tight, >> right? >> We can certainly look at that. Three to five.
>> Okay. >> You don't mind you level funded or minus three last year. >> Exactly. >> They're they're running tight and now you're going to tie their hands and you're going into minus 10. That's dangerous. >> Well, they're having no money as >> Yeah.
>> You already have that money and they have that money. >> Just because the money is in there doesn't mean you have to spend it. >> No, but I think that that's, you know, really the point that we got across is just because it's in there, we don't spend it down. We let that go to free cash. You know, you can be decon. >> I guess your each of your department
meetings, you could lead with just a reminder. >> I can and I get the year-to- date reports every month so I can see every department and what they're doing. >> All right. >> Motion to adjurnn to select board meeting.
>> So move vote D. >> Doug Mlin. Yes. And Sanderson. >> We all seconded. Any discussion? All right. Motion >> second. >> Who made the motion? >> Oh, I'll make a motion.
>> RJ second. >> RJ second. >> All those in favor? >> There'll be Sharon Alton. >> All right. >> Was that chief? Uh, post