good evening folks welcome to the select board meeting for Monday April 22nd 2024 time is 6 o'clock thereabouts we're in the select Board conference room at Town Hall this meeting is being conducted in hybrid fashion and is being recorded if anyone else is recording the meeting that's great let Jason know uh in attendance tonight is myself Doug moglin Vice chairman Jason Peron Diane Gale clerk acting CEO Robert Lance and assistant CAO naen signon and secretary Lisa Anderson is in the other room uh can we start with the Pledge of Allegiance Mr McMahon would you like to lead us in the pledge tonight any takers I pledge aliance to the flag of United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty justice for all thank you sir okay we'll start off with public comments anybody has anything that they'd like to address to the select board that's not on the uh now is your opportunity as we get to any other items that are on the agenda that people may have comments about we'll take them at that time is there anyone in the audience that has any public comments that they'd like to address to the select board no all at once seeing none anyone on Zoom I don't see everybody let's see I don't see any hands I think we're in good shape okay okay so why don't we move right into the interview portion of our program tonight so the first candidate we're tonight is Holly hebda and this is for the position of town clerk magic how are you this evening good how are you do you know everyone yes I do looking around the room okay so we have a few questions for you and at the end we'll give you ample time and opportunity to ask any questions of us okay that you may have or any statements that you wish to make fair enough sounds good ready okay you want to go left to right this time uh it's fine sure welcome thank you easy questions I hope describe how you organize and manage several tasks simultaneously okay so right now we've got three offices in one so I use my calendar on a daily basis to put down tasks and how and when the due dates are for all of those um we also use a system of a whiteboard for like last day of register to vote when the elections are um like that type of thing i' say the calendars definitely the best please tell us about any technology you have implemented in your current or past roles that has improved services or processes well we can just use um right now we just upgraded to the new munus system in the fall um it was a little bit of a learning curve to get used to but now that we're in there we're actually finding that there's benefits to like the transfer station stickers and easier process to use and then also so like when we have like Southwick LLC the American Inn like when we're taking in their payments where they have like 40 to 50 payments at a time we can now take one check and apply it all in one transaction versus the old system where we had to do it one at a time so we're still learning um but it went smoothly I thought because that was a little thing that we were nervous about this fall please describe your approach to goal setting for staff and for yourself okay so I think it's important to always set objectives and opportunities for yourself to work towards throughout whether it be a year or 60 days um I usually try to set my object objectives and try to check in with um you know my manager my boss frequently to make sure that I'm meeting those objectives and if I'm not meeting those objectives I try to make sure that we come up with an action plan as to how we can achieve or I can make sure that I achieve those goals um as far as Personnel goes I've had an opportunity at Honda I was a subject M matter expert so I actually redesigned their whole training system because we had a lot of turnover in the department so what I was able to do is I started interviewing after we did like our twoe training process and really getting feedback from the employees as to what they needed and what would help them best in their role and that was a really Game Changer because not everybody is fit to one model some people want like Hands-On learning other people learn by doing it themselves and reading Direct C so just really understanding what their learning style is to make sure you're helping them meet their goals and objectives and of course uh positive reinforcement is always good as well please tell us about any Municipal projects that you have managed does anything stand out to you from the learning experiences you gained through managing those projects yeah since I've been in town government because of course I came from a corporate background um one project that we started on this past fall was our precincts for our voting downstairs we've had a lot of new streets that have come in so we had to integrate all the new streets we had to check with like the DPW other departments making sure we're not missing any streets because of course when new residents show up to the town hall and they're going to vote if their street name isn't there they get very confused as to what Precinct they can't do so I kind of spearheaded that project I had a couple other hats on my belt as Michelle used to call it with the treasure collector side so I was able to delegate that to one of our Associates to complete the project um but I definitely had you know I had her see it through to the end and we used it this past election and it was very successful so that was nice can you describe your approach to recording and maintaining a large amount of data yes so the first thing that we have is we have several things um especially on the clerk side we track um marriage certificates birth certificates and then of course death certificates so we keep track of an Excel spreadsheet we have to have them all filed in the back and then of course our favorite which has come in the last few years is mailin voting um I've been able to track all the cards that have come in we've been able to enter them into the state computer system and then it's also um organization when you start to get data that large because there's roughly a little under a, people that we dealt with for the mail and voting so keeping track of who wants you know like our local election who wants the state primary November there's a lot of organization and thought process that's gone into that for this year to make sure that we're successful and not missing any ballots for anybody that wanted one describe an instance when your sense of ethics and integrity were tested I'd like to think I'm a pretty ethical person um realistically I'm kind of neutral when it comes to most things um if it's something I'm very positive about and I feel passionate about I'll definitely voice my opinion but I feel as though on a day-to-day basis I look at everything on both sides of the coin um luckily I haven't really had to deal with anything that was unethical here that we've had to deal with um if I was faced with an unethical situation I think it would be something that I would have to report to like my manager or to the head supervisor especially if it was something that was unethical and shouldn't be going on can you describe uh what elections you were involved with what tasks you were assigned before during and following the elections and how you managed those sure so last year um after Jess had left I had helped Michelle set up um with the early voting information um this past election was the Mo most I'd say experience that I got um all elections since I've been here um the assistant has been responsible for setting up the elections putting up signs around the building uh making sure you know people know where to go where to vote putting up the proper signage that's required by state laws and then also making sure the precincts are um all set for so way the people know like where to go when they're labeled down there in the Council of Aging um I have done our voting books um we typically highlight our inactives and then after the the election is done at the end of the night then of course you have to put everything away and then the following day we have to then key into the state computer system um who voted whether it be yeah town meeting will work the same like the following day would do that so I've gotten a big Spectrum this last one was really great too because I also got to work the early voting um we were here on Saturdays as well so I got a lot of experience with that are you comfortable with the responsibilities that are outlined in the job description and the expectations in this role and what do you think will be the most challenging part of this job for you so I feel as though the job is a big role um I feel as though for me working um alongside Michelle for the past three years I've gotten a lot of Knowledge from her that she's passed on there is I'd say still several areas of opportunity um the first area of opportunity would be is that obviously our offices are now splitting and we're going to need to be hiring staff so setting the staff goals and objectives of what their responsibilities are going to be as well as my own um I do know that I do not have the mass clerks um title in Massachusetts for passing the exam so I know that I do have to go to school for three years and then I know that I do have to take the test so I'm hoping with the schooling and the training the portion of the job role that I don't know right now I would be able to learn that and then of course go to resources if I had questions such as the state are reaching out directly to our Representatives at our um at their ethics div not ethics at the election Division if I have any election questions to make sure everything is given accurately so have you had a chance to familiarize yourself with the certification that would be required um I looked through it briefly um unfortunately their website doesn't let you get very far until you're actually a member um so once you become the member then it kind of unlocks the whole website and then it'll go through what the classes and everything else are that you would have to take because I did try to look at their website to see I to see if I could get as much information as possible but it was limited to actually get like a login from them gotcha thank you you're welcome I did the same thing I I tried I tried I really tried please discuss how please discuss how you have increased Communications both internally and externally in past positions okay so communication is definitely key um luckily at Honda we had a great communication system here even at um Town Hall Michelle's office we had a great communication system like every time you know somebody left for lunch if you're waiting for something to follow up we always want to make sure that whoever we're serving whether it be some from the town or somebody else knows what to do if they come in so let's just say for example today we had one where somebody forgot to sign their check so before somebody went to lunch we would do that um as far as other communication you can also send out emails let's let's say you've brought up something and you want it known to everybody we've also used email as a good form of communication um I'm sorry do you want to repeat that question one the time too to make sure I'm giving all the information please please discuss how you have increased Communications both internally and externally in past positions I think externally um one thing that we could do on the clerk side and this is maybe veering a little bit off but I have looked at our website um and there's a few areas that I'd like to communicate maybe better or enhance on um in the portion when I'm looking on the clerk's side there wasn't really much listed about like marriage intentions and people picking up their marriage licenses um we do happen to get a lot of phone calls that you know people are wondering what they need to bring with them if they need to set up appointment with the clerk's office so for external customers I would like to maybe enhance the website a little bit more and give them some more information um that way and you touched on this a little bit with your Honda training system um please describe any process improvements that you have developed including how you identified the need the steps taken and including the use of technology in these undertakings and by the way we haven't seen these questions beforeand EI stumble on them that's why duplicate that's okay um do you want me to repeat that because I interrupted sure that's okay describe any process improvements that you have developed including identifying the need the steps taken and including the use of technology in those undertakings yeah so I guess that does bring us back to where um I had a more active role at h as um hiring people most of them at that point in time were temporary positions trying to see if they could get into long-term technology or I'm sorry if they could be employed with us long term um technology-wise most of it was followed up our tracking through emails with the supervisors because of course the supervisors were looking for me to be the direct role as to if somebody's getting enough help or not enough help because of course at the end of the day if somebody wasn't following our plan and needed more assistance I would kind of take a step back and I would look at the associate and say okay so this is our training manual that we outlined this is what was expected we usually we would do like a 30-day review to start with and then usually we try to find an area of opportunity within that 30 days um one of the things that we did do um wise with um oh God I can't think of the word right now but um I did create a template in word which was kind of like not necessarily like a cheat sheet but like a helpful thing so if people were on the phone with somebody and they didn't know a policy a procedure instead of taking the time being a new associate not being familiar with how to use their technology it would kind of have their outlined information right there so they could kind of go to a quick reference guide I guess you'd want to call it just to try to make their job easier because everybody knows when you're coming in to a brand new job there's definitely a lot of responsibility and everything to learn right off the bat so the easier we can make it for somebody to be successful is what we were looking for in the end and as a followup how do you rate your technology skills as far as spreadsheets Word documents I would say I'm very proficient with that um right now we have tons of Excel spreadsheets that we use on the clerk side on a daily basis um some of the PowerPoint presentations used to be used at my old job because I'd have to run department meetings um so I'm fluent with that and of course all of the systems that we use um right now the state is actually coming out with a new vital program so Bonnie and I have recently been in the process of taking some training um it hasn't rolled out yet but for the deaths um there's going to be a new software system that's going to be coming out very shortly for us thank that's 10 yes do you have any questions for us I do um what do you guys see as qualities for your next town clerk that's a good question people who ask good questions um for me um it's a good sense of confidence in your own leadership skills um as you know you're going to be perhaps hiring some fresh people uh training fresh people there's going to be a little bit of Chaos in getting people physically situated where they're going to end up being so maintaining your own job plus all of that is going to require a lot of strong leadership and organization certainly people skills with the public in this role is is key yeah um for me I had patience high up on my list that too I do have a lot of patience you can ask Bonnie sir well you hit on the key one for me which is communication is key yeah so that and I'd like how you your experience from American Honda you know you check in with people after they've come on and see where they are and and if they' got any deficiencies you know how you can help them yeah because sometimes as a boss you need to look at them and see like is there something else I can do to help you because sometimes you won't know right off the bat as to what they're going to need and person well I'd like to think I'm a people person I can say that I've been in town my whole life and I lived in town and I'm raising my family in town um I like to be involved in our community I think I saw a few faces when we did re Across America um you know back in the fall a couple times I've marched with my kids in the Veterans Day Parade with the Lions Club so we're not going anywhere we're here to stay anything else um no I guess that's it for right now okay yeah good unless you guys had anything else for me also I don't think so okay thank you very much all right well thank you great job and the next candidate is Christina May not get up and have Lisa scare me again just meeting you right in the door yes hi how are you good how are you good you know everyone yes okay check in how are you tonight not too bad how are you great all right we have a list of about 10 questions or so for you okay and we're kind of G to go around and ask the questions and then we'll give you ample time to ask any questions you have of us and we'll do our best to answer them as best as we're able okay fair enough sounds good ready M you want to you want to pick up where we left boy just to keep it interesting question number one describe how you organize and manage several tasks simultaneously um so the way that I um start with organizing tasks is I make a list I start um you know listing everything that I have to do and then I'll prioritize them by most important to other things that can wait a little while and then also add um deadlines in there too to make sure that the items that are most important and have the earliest deadlines get taken care of um passes first please tell us about any technology you have implemented in your current or past rules that has improved services or processes so um a couple years ago we went through a townwide um meter system upgrade and that has been a huge asset to the town um It upgraded all the meters that we have in the town and it also is um very beneficial to the consumer in the end because they can see how much um water they use on down to an hourly basis and it is really beneficial when we have you know six month uh billing Cycles it's easier to break that down and show them hey this is what you use from point A to point B and um you know that was a a large project and it in uh Incorporated many vendors and trying to get all those moving parts to work together um to have a successful product in the end that was a major part of that please describe your approach to goal setting for staff and for your cell so um when I said a goal um there's obviously an end goal but I think there's smaller goals to lead up to that end goal um and the best way is to break it down and to start you know baby such steps essentially leading up to um the end result and you know regular meetings um you know with staff to um make sure that we're on track to meet our goals and to you know accomplish those short-term goals to accomplish a larger um long-term goal you can you tell us about any Municipal projects that you have managed does anything stand out to you from the learning experiences you gain through managing these projects um probably the largest project and I'll bring it up again is the the media project that was a very large undertaking and I um Incorporated all the data into the billing software and today I'm still the administrator of um all those the both those programs um um as well as the billing software uh for the utility billing um I'm sorry can you repeat the question sure more time absolutely can you tell us about any Municipal projects that you have managed does anything stand out to you from the learning experiences you gain through managing these projects okay so um probably the biggest thing that I learned with that is communication to make sure you're communicating effectively with all of your vendors um to make sure that they are whereare of your common you know the common goal but what pieces are most important um that you need from them to to make it all work in the end can you describe your approach to recording and maintaining a large amount of data um so um when it comes to large amounts of data you have to be accurate um you know precise when it comes to um you know reviewing that data and you need to do regular checks to make sure that you know that information I mean the information is only as good as it it it you know is organized and put together and inputed input into wherever whatever you're doing with it um data is no good unless there's a rhyme a reason to the way it is organized I just want to say to you also we didn't have these questions beforehand we each submitted them but we don't know what they are so they stumble on them that's why uh describe an instance when your sense of ethics and integrity were tested um when I was working um in the private sector um I was once offered um an amount of money to bend the rules and look the other way and to basically um not follow the rules that were set the company policies and it in the end was not worth my you know my morals it wasn't worth the livelihood of my employer my livelihood or the public safety at the time and I continue to hold myself to a very high moral standard please describe what elections you were involved with and what tasks you signed before during and following the elections and how you manage those tasks um so in my previous experience in the town clerk treasur collector's office um I was involved in um the um nomination papers when we received those back certifying the nomination the signatures for the nomination papers I've been involed involved in testing of the voting machines um I have assisted in covering for some pole workers during um like lunches and breaks and stuff like that um and also you know clean up an organization afterwards can I follow sure that was part-time when you were in the I was fulltime was fulltime okay and I also um did help um when they had Staffing shortages um in the years after my time there after I had already transitioned to the Deep W office thank you are you comfortable with the responsibilities that are outlined in the job description and the expectations in this role and what do you think will be the most challenging part of this job for you so I am um very comfortable with all the things laid out in the job description um probably I would say my most challenging and my most exciting would be um that I find the most exciting is the elections because it's ever changing right now um there's a lot of election reform out there there is um the laws are constantly changing and really an election is a town clerk Super Bowl at that in town meeting it's really nothing nothing that gets more exciting um but I'm I'm a very quick learner and I will give it my all to make sure that you know our town succeeds and everything all the laws are followed so as a followup have you familiarize yourself with the certification that will be required the certification will take some time and personal effort to obtain how will you be able to work this into your schedule um so I have looked into the requirements um to obtain a certification from the massachusett town clerks Association it's based on a point system um so 50% of the points comes from um the time served in the position and your experience um you know being involved in the office um then the other 50% is based upon um other um classes that you take and then there's it's a test after that um so once you have enough points then you can take the test and then uh from there you you get your certification and I think I won't have any issues um I know we're given five years based upon what was outlined in the job description and I think I could do it well within those five years please discuss how you have increased Communications both internally and externally in past positions um so in my current position I um increasing um you know public awareness of what's going on we've utilized the website for the DPW a lot more than we have in years past um we post our parking bands on there um anytime there is a um a water break or Road uh work we try and communicate that with the public um I also try to communicate that with other departments in the town as well um because we all get we all get questions all the time um you know and I think it's important for us to all communicate and to know what's going on um so that you know we're all working as a team please describe any process improvements that you have developed including how you identified the need the steps taken and including the use of Technology of thecable could you repeat the question any process improvements that you have developed including identifying the need the steps that were taken and including the use of Technology if applicable okay um so in my again in my concurrent position I know I've said that probably a million times already um it uh the person who had the job before me uh was in it for a very long time and you know when you're in a job for a particular amount of time you get set in your ways um so it really took a lot of time to bring that you know to do things a little bit more modern I have um created a work order system with um you know prior to the upgrades in the mun software to you know streamline the water department our um appointment our appointments and to keep track of those in a better fashion and you feel that or or how would you rate yourself as far as technology using spreadsheets PowerPoints Word documents Etc um I'm I'm very good with technology I um on my resume there was quite a few uh computer programs that I'm pretty proficient in and um I think we really need to work on modernizing our um processes here in town hall um it's been a long time that we're kind of lacking in the technology that other cities and towns use thank we follow up to that because I think it's a good point so how can you as the clerk help with that um so I think the uh modernizing of our records um you know keeping that digitizing them I think would be a huge thing I know there's some of them are um But continuing that process um also when it comes to elections there's um there's a lot of software out there that can be used and we have to determine by looking into it to see if it's worth the investment to the town if it's worth the money I mean technolog is great only if you use it if you don't if you have it and you don't use it there's not much of a point thank you I think that concludes the questions right that does you have any questions for us I do not not a one because what do we know about elections good call all right um we are going to come back to this I believe under old business tonight I'm not quite 100% sure if we're going to make a decision on this tonight but it's possible and we're going to get to it when we get to Old business on our agenda tonight okay with that all right we thank you very much thank you thank you for the opportunity hey chief cand huh I got three candidates you got them here going you got them here already because this is like two weeks in a row with a me you know one week off we're running 20 minutes ahead of schedule now you can't put them in the back so good afternoon we have three candidates for application for call for firefighters and we'll start with our first candidate which is mcon he's here first so he know the go first having a seat right there thank you how are you not bad how are you guys very well thank you 20 minutes out of schedule don't get used to it around here that's very out of character for mate now these are out of order to what we had so we'll give us a second no worries you're from BYOD West sill as they call it yeah when two states have actually yeah so oh it's practically southw yeah my neighbor is South my backyard South so what brings you to the Southwick fire department um honestly you guys are just as close to me as uh as West southfield's fire department and um I've been working with West subfield for to become a volunteer there as well um my father was a firefighter for 36 years in Westfield um retired about a year ago I found myself in between jobs and started uh looking into the process of it and decided I think it's something I want to do so I started working with um Westfield I took the written exam and physical exam in Massachusetts I know it's not required here in South but definitely volunteering is a a place to start excellent and where do you work now uh right now I work for a construction company in Westfield a Clark yep home renovations deck builds editions things like that put in a wood floor today excellent Jason Diane so you said a place to start m what's your ultimate plan do you want to start here and move on or like to stay here I would like to stay here um from the conversations I've had with the firefighters at the the first interview it seemed like I mean a great group of guys and and everybody there had was I mean extremely helpful welcoming and um they were telling me about uh fire one and two and all the training and things that they do and one of the things that excited me was um I'm forgetting her name Bishop yes yeah she had she had asked me at the end she said would driving or would learning to drive a firet truck interest to at all it very much did so um and I had told her that too that I was looking to become full-time and I mean really full-time in volunteer would be just fine by me says you are not an office job kind of person absolutely okay so being on a truck would be good [Music] fulltime that is theate goal okay okay I'm good so what's what I get to ask my question that I get to ask every so what's standing between you and becoming a call firefighter for the town of South uh that'd be us I was going to say from you guys I'd entertain that motion want to do them individually yeah we might as well it's kind of more fun right uh so this is we have we're looking for three positions correct and we have four candidates tonight we three candidates we only have three three okay there was four on the list but there's three on your agenda got it makes all right makes it pretty easy that sure does so like to make a motion to point Michael neelson as a call firefighter with the CTIC fire department second roll call vote Doug mowan I Jason Peron I Dan I it's while before you get to drive though I think I would want to be sit there service thank you thank you thank you guys that's cool we won't have to disappoint anybody tonight well it's early well maybe so our third our second candidate for tonight is Dan Mahoney Dan if you could have a seat right there also candidate for fors firefighter have a seat Dan how are you I'm doing well how are you Dan Daniel Dan's fine what brings you to the South Lake Fire Department um first initially saw the sign out in front um that they were hiring and I've always kind of had an interest in firefighting and uh recently visited a friend down south and got to visit his station and kind of gave me the talk like I think could be a good fit for you I own my own um private Chef business so uh haha I would call I would call it part-time you know and um I definitely love what I do and passionate about it but I would love to find something that's more both you know um more consistent full-time while still being able to do what uh what I love awesome and your private your your prior position or is it concurrent is also a personal chef I see there's a need in the fire station you have a pancake breakfast chili cook off all these things you got to kind of a someone who knows what to do with goose eggs uh that is my current position yes okay all right so same question I asked before the Mr neelon what are your long-term plans do you want to be a full-time firefighter yeah um I'm not I like the the beginning process of you know um learning to be or firefighter one and kind of seeing where it goes as far as growth and um time of commit but I do like the the fact that um there's room to grow in it and it's a new challenge that I would like to kind of take on at you know I'm 36 it's something that I would like to grow with so yeah over time I believe it would be a full-time thing for me any questions for us no not so I ask the same question again you might as well yeah so what's standing between you and being on the Southwick fire department hopefully nothing want to push overs we are instain a motion please make a motion to appoint Daniel money as a call firefighter second roll call vote please Doug Mogan I Jason Throne I than you I congratulations you made it thank you thank you thank you for your interest were another Dan mom was pretty common name this one SP was a teacher perhaps right teacher up in Winstead okay so this one must be Jack our final candidate is Jack Bradway also for firefighter how are you jack I'm good how are you great what brings you to the Southwick fire department so back in January I was playing Juniors for hockey um I got hit in the head one too many times so I didn't want to you know risk a little CTE so I was talking to a few my buddies and they're actually a few firefighters they were in the Air Force and went out in Springfield and they were telling me selfield and Southwick are like looking for firefighters so I looked in I go to the gym like 5 minutes down the road so I started looking into it I looked into all the things and kind of just like caught my attention and you know the whole thing with like being like part of a team at down at the station kind of missed that from hockey so that'd be good to have back and you have no work experience on your resume today yeah I did hockey all the way until senior my basically last year and that was what I did all summer it was wake up at like 5 skate all the way until like basically 4 o'clock at night and just went back to bed so it was Juniors yeah I was playing Juniors this patch here I'm a go you are so I've been hitting the head a lot yeah and it shows yeah y see I didn't want to turn out like that you're hired son all right great sense of hum right so you're used to training hard yes yeah long hours yeah night I kind of missed out a little bit about it because I've only been working out at the gym so I kind of we have like a rowing machine at home and it doesn't you do it for a while but yeah no I love working out I kind of miss it a little bit so need something back okay so you'd be looking to make this a career oh 100% yeah that's my goal I'm I'm signed up to take a EMT course starting actually next week we have orientation to become an EMT also be an EMT and firefighter but it's definitely something I want to do full-time that's my life probably do you see yourself going on to become a a medic um I'm not sure I'm keeping an open mind to it kind of going to explore down the fire path Lan and the ENT thing and see which one kind of suits me more I'm leaning towards more the firefighter thing I feel like that would suit me more but I'm keep open on to both other questions none no so what's standing between the fire department and you I got to be consistent Joe um I'm not sure it'll be us right about now yeah probably just be you guys and then that's probably about it I would like to make a motion to appoint Jack Bradway as a celic call firefighter perfect I'll second that now we just got to vote you're almost there Doug I all right Jason BR i d i now we're there congratulations thank you welcome you definitely have the most enthusiasm guy here I hope so perfect thank you guys have a good night thank you all right we're going to acknowledge payable payroll warrant number 2421 dated April 9th in the amount of $287,700 then we're going to acknowledge payables warrant 242b dated April 16th in the amount of $22,266 and we're going to acknowledge special payables warrant number 2425 B from April 18th in amount of $640 58 and one more special payroll warrant dated 422 2024 in the amount of $1,479 on to the minutes uh are we okay with approving the Open Session minutes of 46 and 48 as an Omnibus motion yes make a motion to approve those minutes second roll call vote Doug Mogan I Jason Peron I than great now we have exec session from 46 and 48 that's four six C there's three one oh all away m [Music] good you want to make a motion for the sixth and and or the eth at the same time make a motion to approve the executive session minutes from April 8th and April 6th second Doug Mogan I Jason I Dan I thank you okay discussion items and action items continued first is discuss whether we continue early voting or opt out for only for local elections and I think when I prefaced this last meeting um this year is all set um we are going to have early voting for this year's local elections but I wanted to bring it back to this board as an agenda item um since we didn't have enough time to discuss it at all at the last meeting it would have been a late addition to the agenda which I thought wasn't appropriate um but coming into the now that we have a year to decide for uh next May's election and future local elections if we should should or should not have early voting and so we I believe we have a sheet here with some tabulations of the voting from the presidential primary um and the absentee tabulations and you can get an idea of the number of folks that voted over the number of hours that we were here so I just wanted to have that discussion and and I also make the point but we're only talking about local only local right the rest is pretty much been codified if you will but it did give the law the laws as I understand it give um cities and towns the option to opt out of early voting for local only elections so only our May election or any other special elections that were to be held in town you know and I want to make the point that um this doesn't change mailin voting or absentee voting you still have all of that hi Michelle Jessica he didn't see my glasses off while I was reading bounding in so I have a question on the sort of the front end if I may sure um in one of Jessica's emails um the question was put out because the stat is requesting us to submit our financial info for potential Grant funds what are those Grant funds and and does do they continue so it would be for the state points um so I would have to have you guys vote to op um not opt out of the mail and to opt into in-person voting I'd have to have you vote for the for that to qualify for slate funds back from the state and then um this is a vote that you guys are going to have to do yearly for local elections and what is what do we get out of the grants what is it cover I'm GNA refer to Michelle on that that's why I'm here help with that so this is the first time that they're actually going to give money back for the local if you choose to have the um either by mail or in person so generally these uh grants are for the state state elections so but for this year it's the first time so it'll probably once they open up the door to it it's going to be an every year thing as long as you opt into one or both to cover how much of our costs a portion of it I can't say that it'd be all because even we only get a portion for the state elections my question to you is it worth it I'll let her answer that but can I at least tell you last year I came with the registers and um the discussion really went into let's look at three years worth of data to say whether it's worth it or not it's really kind of hard to go into something not having some historical data and this would only be your second year it's actually already a day late as it is right now to even offer getting out of anything um so this is just a formality at this point um had had we been able to Iz about a month ago um we could have chose to get on of it but again I with the board registers last year kind of pitched try to do at least or three consecutive years so you have some good historical data from local to local to local not local to a state or a primary anything like that yeah and right now we only have the one local do we have dat you have data going back though right in your spreadsheet last year was the first local with oh that we did that we did right right you did say that and last year's local to this year's local is GNA be completely different because it's got the state elections where everyone got their um cards so everyone who oped in any of that automatically if you know we had oped out it wouldn't matter but because we're still in that um they're all going to get a ballot for the local election so you're going to have three years of data where really only one year one and year three are going to be more compatible to doing an analysis um but the this this particular is going to kind of throw it off a little bit so the numbers that you gave us 26% of the votes were early vote you're looking at me n versus in person yeah yeah and for the presidential it was 56.8% early vote of the total so half for a local and if I got this right the cost for the extra time for the pole workers with about $700 for those early vote days is that correct that's for the May yeah just for the staff time on that right yep would you anticipate those same kind of hours can you anticipate that for the future yep I did the I'm doing the same exact hours for this upcoming election yeah okay the s or $800 cost for those extra days the 26% of the vote but did we have you didn't always everyone step back so we've had a lot more folks sign up now for mailin voting than we had previous correct right now yes yeah so this is what you were alluding to with the data is going to be tough to measure last year to this year this year is going to be very telling to see what you get with all the mailin as well and and as I said when we started this discussion a little bit last week but in formally this week we have to do it this year because we kind of missed the deadline to opt out of it anyway but it was to me it was it was the right right decision to make to do that because it just wouldn't it wouldn't appear right to carry that on an amended agenda from the select board you know on a Monday morning to post that for Monday evening and then opt out of local you know early voting I just think it the Optics of that would just not be great so hence why we decided to just carry forth this year and then we can you know on a go forward basis and apparently we're going to have that decision to make again at some point next year again if we want to and I guess there was a recommendation here to have three years of History so maybe even we continue it for one more year after this I I don't know that'll be the this board's decision to make uh 50 weeks from now not you know um to decide if they want to continue to do it in outlying years but I I just want to make sure you know I would I was clear about this last week and I want to be continue to be very very clear about it is is there's so many opportunities to vote now and so many different ways to vote I I want I think the Board needs to just weigh out whether the time of Staff plus the cost um plus the other resources that are allocated to the early voting if if we were denying one person the ability to vote I say we do it but if there are so many opportunities to vote that that's not really the case then I don't know that there's much harm if you didn't have early voting for The Local that's my opinion well you know I'm glad Jess and Michelle showed up because that was was important to me is to hear from the people that are actually doing the work if you know and if there's the state saying the best way to go is get three years of data to base it off then obviously then we're going to go one more year see what it make the most sense get a second year of mailin voting that 50% of the people want to do mailin look at it based off last year I it I don't want to say it's not it's it's not worth it but you know the numbers are very very low so we'll see you know based on that those stats and what we look at so it seems we would write it out one more year well this year is a foregone conclusion you guys can one more decide next year what this looks like whether you want to or not and we'll see what the mail response looks like this year vers early voting I think it's going be very telling all if you already have the spreadsheet so we'll have another good solid year of data your new town clerk will have all that dat AB for absolutely okay so do we need to take any action tonight or we're already opted in yes yep we got to do the vote for the opting in for the or not out of the mail and to opt in for the person so that mgl 2025 54 for this election for this election coming up for 2024 the one that's going to be in a month that's short notice on that well that's why we're technically a week late that's why I said this was a foregone conclusion so it's not to opt out this is like the debt explosion not to opt out of mail to opt into in person and this is so I can apply for the state funds for the local election that'll be held in May of 2024 next point would someone like to make that motion Mr P I'll make that motion I'll second that roll call vote please Doug mowan I Jason Peron I thank I done thank you lence the changing election regulations thank you for all that yeah appreciate it and I I got it I understood it well all right next acknowledge flyer for the Southwick Fire and Police Association golf tournament which will be Saturday May 25th at Edgewood um glad to see that the two associations got together to put this on um anyone has any questions where's the fire chief we left oh call the police chief he's right there uh entry fee is $25 18 holes with a cart three food serving stations on court Raffles and priz holes and if anyone wants to be a sponsor or more event details there's a QR code here scan it right on J there you go or you can contact the select board the fire department or the police report okay accept and approve a donation of six oh I had a question about that yeah there's a typo on the agenda I knew it would be right in the in the letter so uh I need a motion to accept a very generous donation from an Andrew and Diane Gale in honor of K9 Jack and his partner sergeant krooka and K9 General and his partner Sergeant wescot the police department is requesting the board vote to accept and approve the donation of $650 can be placed in the K9 gift account to be used in the future and this this is a memo from Chief Robert Landis any a motion to accept that I will make that motion and I will second the motion and it would be a roll call vote Doug moglin I Jason Peron I thank and thank you very much okay and we need a motion to accept and approve the donation of 7 5 into the library gift account from Andrea bugby and James Wong to benefit the library summer reading program make that motion second Doug mogin I Jason clone i d i acknowledge flyer for the pancake breakfast to support the Civic fund and the Southwick food pantry so this is going to be Sunday April 28th 8: a.m. to 11: a.m. at the Southwick fire department but it's open house for police and fire the police department will be open too if you can find the fire department you can find the police department they're right across the driveway from each other adults 15 bucks children's 10 to five or five to 10 $5 under five is free and it's sponsored by the Southwick Police Association the Southwick fire Association and malicious Farms okay sign memorandum of un of agreement between the town of Southwick and the Southwick police officers Coalition for officer Kelly Miller need a motion for the chair to sign make that motion second Doug mowan I Jason Peron I Dan I approve the hiring of a summer page help for the library starting end of June for eight weeks at $15 an hour make that motion second Doug Mogan I Jason peran I than acknowledge invitation boy the social calendar is burgeoning here the meet the artist reception at the southw cultural council's 23rd annual art exhibition April 26th that's this Friday Southwick Town Hall 454 College Highway um and then the art show is open for everybody should know about this because it's a great great event Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th from 10: a.m. to 400 PM with the uh and the artist reception is on Friday approve the change order number 014 for $977 for contractor Adams Plumbing and Heating and architect blw Engineers Inc and this is part of the Town Hall hbac project so this is 900 wait the next one's better I promise this is $977 going up motion please make that motion second Doug moglin I Jason hi okay here's the better news here's a one decreasing it's another change order number7 to for a decrease of $92,400 to contractor Adams Plumbing and Heating and architect blw Engineers for the same project I'm glad they make that motion second Doug Mogan I Jason D out I acknowledge the invitation from the American Legion Post 338 to participate in the Memorial Day Parade Monday May 26 7th gather at 9:15 uh and then the pray probably at 9:30 um parade will gather through 9:15 and 9:30 in the parking lot across from the summerhouse parade will proceed at 10: to the town green at the war memorial following the service prade will proceed in vehicles to the old Cemetery to lay a wreath then continue to the new Cemetery for a short Service uh we'd be honored if you and or your group would join us for remembering our country's military servicemen and women who have lost their lives serving our country at the conclusion of service there'll be a gathering at the American Legion for participants and their families uh this is always a well attended uh remembrance event um and the turnout from the residents of the town of South is always great and pay tribute to our veterans um sorry for those who have lost their lives in service to our country so hope to see everyone there okay moving on to new business first item of new business review the DPW request to relocate all staff to 661 College Highway Mr Brown come up please good evening how you doing how are you good yourself excellent so this isn't uh Like A New Concept I've presented this before the board in the past couple years um my reasons for the request has not changed but I think there's some other changes that happening in the building that may facilitate to make this make more sense at this point um in particular there's the the the clerk treasure um clerk treasure Hot Topic thank you that office that office is being split up um so I think it makes sense that uh there there may be a need for some space in town hall for a relocation of another apartment so I think taking that staff out of DPW moving it at out of town hall moving to DPW would free up that office for whatever office that goes in there um in this letter I gave you a bunch of reasons why I think it makes sense not only for DPW but also for the public to have all of our staff in one building I can go through those if you'd like um I know I think I've talked to by most of you individually um but I guess I I'd like to move this forward uh I've had the pleasure of seeing this movie a couple of times um and then you and I spoke about this fairly recently again um so for discussion I always thought it was a great idea I think it makes things more efficient for that department to run it's going to save time money consolidation of efforts I don't think it's a public service issue um I think Christy or whoever the administrator may be is on the phone a lot with customers not necessarily face to face um face won't be a problem over there either no we get I mean not exaggerating we get 10 times the foot traffic at De then we get in this office here and it really right now is just me up at DPW fulltime I am in this building you know few hours each day have to track him down sometimes building are you at and we get screwed up y after once yeah uh you know rich is uh he's also has office in that building but he's on the road half the day and the crews are on the road most of the day so really right now was just me and if we're getting people from the public you know deliveries uh vendors that stop by a lot of times leaving notes on the door you know putting the cards in the in the mailbox not we're not there to see that stuff see that see that individual so I think in that sense it makes a lot of sense the really only time we get a lot of foot traffic here is when we do a bills and we do bills twice a year and uh if we need to we can set up office time in this building you know for three four weeks after bills are sent out where people have questions on their bills they can come and and and sit down with us Christy whoever is in that position can have their computer everything that that she needs to answer the questions it would be right in front of her you know she can set up office in one of the conference rooms here that's not an issue I have talked with I know Jessica stepped out but I have talked to her about this she seems on board of the plan there be some coordination we have to do in terms of um like selling one day transfer station passes that we do now I think they could take on that role without without much interference we do we sell 20 to 30 those a year that's about it so I really think there is minimal disruptions to other departments if we take our staff out of this building and staff is generally in favor of this move I would say part of the staff is gener in favor I think we all know that but I think that's the that's the deal I mean I think it makes sense if you look at it from you take your own personal opinion out of it look at it from the town samp Point as a whole and the DPW as a whole it makes all it makes sense to have all of us in our building you look at all the Departments police fire all their staff all their office work and managers they're all in that building the police department's moving in here next week oh well he's he's he has been here he has been here and it's inefficient isn't it when you're having to go back and forth to prove the point yeah I think it just makes communication sense uh a lot so what work would need to be done at DPW if any so we have the space available we have to create some office areas you know we have the space to build out we could probably put some partitions with some desks and chairs uh there may need to be some it upgrades just so we have um uh connections each at each at each portal at each laptop at each um desktop I should say uh but as far as that part I don't think there's a lot we already have printers and and copiers down there uh it really is just getting the physical what's in this building here moving it down and then you know creating that that office space for those individuals which is net of how many people two two and two people and a lot of file cabinets and a lot of file but you could reduce the file cabinet you consolidate is we have two sets of Records exactly for a lot of stuff right now and we are trying to you know go electronic a lot of stuff um right now I have my own server which I use and then tpw has their own server which they use you know we don't commingle any of those even electronic files right now I your partitions now are bile cinet right pretty much yeah yeah well there you go in my mind I've laid it out I mean we it take a little bit of you know configuration but the room is there for two more offices I don't have I don't have doubt about that you don't have to convince me makes absolute sense it's a no-brainer did agreed we want to put a schedule together and plan absolutely but where do we put the partitions funding as far as got enough money in your supplies the partitions come out of here that you have here cabinets aren't they up here they are file cab I think there is one part there may be one partition here we do have several at at the DPW as well that we can I reconfigure so we have an indiv individ office spaces may even if we have to crawl walk run right yeah to get where we need to get to exactly exactly did everyone are you going to be doing any of your bill work down there you just going to schedule days up here to do it bill of work you mean uh for what does Christie need to be here for yeah for those when your billing cycle is she needs to be here to answer questions if the public comes in so either that can be done over the phone we can set up an we can set up a phone in the lobby public constantly going in on it so I'm just trying to determine she need to be does she need to be here or could they go see her there AB come see ww without without a doubt that that can happen yeah that was that's my intent anyways that's my vision is that if if you have a question for DPW or anything DP frankly from previous discussion that was always the big the bigger stumbling block I think I mean I don't know why she would need to pack up and come here no I well there's probably a few times a year when they do billing or whatever that people may come in here I don't know and then go pay the bill right there yeah yeah so that's why I say when they have people have questions about their bill they like to talk to somebody about why is this higher so she can pull up that billing software that she talked about earlier today go over the hourly or daily usages and explain why the bill is higher than usual normal and then um they can go over and walk over to the clerk's office and and pay the bill collector's office and pay the bill I mean you could try that the first time around or second time around and if nobody comes in you do away with it I have no problem with that yeah it's going to be a learning cve for a lot of people all of us you know my our staff included but I think in the long run it it'll be definitely a benefit for everybody this had come in front of us like I said probably three times in the past and I was probably to be honest I was ambivalent about it and there was opinions on both sides of the on both sides of me on the board at the time so we didn't really make a decision um I think it makes I think it makes now is it's an opportunity I think you know with with the the clerk's office splitting up it makes it it does present an interesting wrinkle to it as to how you could now move that office to there or figure out when all the musical chairs stop where everybody winds up yeah so make a plan I will do that okay I'm not while you're here this was something that had come up uh meeting or so ago I think I kind of socialized it and we had talked about it kind of just informally there was a lot of stuff in flux but I see that it's was suggested to put on the agenda tonight so we might as well start a discussion about it if it's something that makes sense and that is discussion regarding Park and wreck and buildings and grounds departments under Public Works um so I know it's been discussion what I um what what I did is I give you a little flowchart and this is just for discussion only this was my kind of General take on how I think Department could run with folding in these two departments underneath DPW I did talk to a few staff in both Park and wreck and buildings and grounds to kind of get their feedback and thoughts on how this could work um so I guess I'll kind of go through this flowchart here I think it you know kind of help helps me understand and and see it see the vision in my mind as well I would see just like we have water sewer Highway engering Solid Waste divisions in the DPW I would see another you know division for Builders and grounds and one for for parks and then we would obviously have staff that are dedicated to each of those each of those departments under that Division I think what helps with this pattern uh or with this format is that everybody's under DPW and that you know within our departments now our five departments are always helping out sharing services with others and I think that can extend to these other departments as well I'll give you a really good example just this afternoon um I got a call we got a call like probably four or five phone calls within like 10 minutes about a tree that fell across the rail trail okay so who's responsible for the tree and run the real Trail and I'm like I don't know do you know it's Dave I'm asking on I don't know I called so I called I called Russ Anderson up I said hey there's an issue I know he's kind of helping out I said I think this might fall under you but I'm not sure he I said okay well I said go take go take a look at it and then in the meantime I got some pictures of what it looked like and I I called Russ back and said I'll just go take care of it I sent a couple guys out and it's something that we got the capabilities in house to do the guys are available over time we took care of it you know those types of questions like who's responsible for it you know those calls came to DPW they didn't go to park in wreck they didn't go at anybody's department they came to DPW should the tree I'm also well yes but nothing to do with it but but that's a great example of you know I think in people's mind you know we do a lot of and I get a lot of phone malls and you know queries about parks and you know other other other departments that aren't right now under DPW I think other people think that we do already have those services so anyways going back to I digress but if we're going back to buildings and grounds I I would see a very similar setup to how it's certainly configured you have a supervisor I think that's occupied by by Russ Anderson as a kind of interm uh supervisor for that department and then you have your full-time staff I think it's a couple part-time individual also but that supervisor really responsible to oversee the day-to-day functions that of those individuals I would see my role in that as kind of someone who helps out with the budgeting uh helps out with the long-term planning maybe coordinate other departments that would be my role with buildings and grounds but keeping all the staff kind of how is it currently laid out I me questions about that not for me I think this is something we need to get to too I think there's some work to be done I think we actually have to get a special Act of the legislature in order to authorize this because of how operating without a charter the DPW was exists via special legislation and we it was given to you guys maybe a month ago or so so we would have to go in front of a a future town meeting to ask for that act in the first place and then um wait forever in a day for the legislature to act and then another day or year for the governor to to sign it um but I think it's something that the way you framed it is kind of how you know I Envision it I I think it needs a lot more discussion and probably needs um just a little bit more talking and and the other stakeholders involved obviously Park and wck is involved here other departments are involved here um but given how everything is kind of shaking out right now we kind make sense to have the discussion um as we embark on you know other processes and other hirings to to make sure that you know we don't we don't that we we're taking everyone's feedback into account and planning properly as we move forward right yeah this is just just this is just kind of like just abely discussions yeah again so we talked about it uh I think it was I don't remember it was two meetings ago or or or three meetings ago I said you know this is something that we should think about and so I wanted to carry it on an agenda item thank you for bringing it up and putting it you know kind of putting it to form and saying this is how it might look like um but I think in a in a upcoming meeting shortly we should have you know bark and wreck come in um and the interim buildings and grounds and see what what they kind of think I also think with a new CAO coming in I think that's going to be kind of important for for them to weigh in as well and we give them a little bit of time to get acclimated in that role but um that's just my take on it thoughts oh definitely needs to be you know you mentioned parking wreck commission and stuff like that so obviously you said we gotta talk to all the stakeholders involved and then just figure out what works yeah my thought with Park and wreck is you have right now A a director I think and I don't know that's full-time or I don't think it's quite full-time position I would see that position being eliminated but the responsibilities of that individual will be spread amongst three individuals right now my me as a director the supervisor then the office manager so those responsibilties to be kind of shi between those three there is an assistant I maybe assistant director in park and wreck I would see that individual staying on in the role um and then and then there would also be the the for the most part they're part-time employees in park and wreck um that maintain the the fields they would be responsible to report through the supervisor DPW that would be rich right now he'd be responsible to kind of make sure they're doing their job got the equipment that they need you know they're on the right track follow up making sure they're doing the right job making sure doing the right thing um so that's how I would kind of see how that would fold but certainly there's a lot of moving Parts I think there's also maybe some confusion as far as you know like who's responsible for what within the parking Department especially with the rail trail you know got the friends of the rail trail involved you got your time employees who was responsible at the end of the day and I I'll be honest I've been here 10 years and I don't even know it really has never been set to form and I think that needs to happen and I think this is a good way we can we can make that and identify the roles for everybody involved so we all know who to report to and this past week somehow just trying to get things fix over there that's all I think I think they're on their way I think they're on their way no it's it's good it's fine it's it's just this point it it just goes to whoever can help yeah should so so that's what I got I got that my thought was just to kind of throw this in front of you at least at least we can all look at something and kind of maybe maybe I'm sure there may be some changes but at least move this under goals and objectives as something to drive that because I think it's something that we need to do and there's like you know right now there's a lot of positions in flux around the park and director buildings and grounds yada yada y so the timing Confluence of events has led us to here now is an opport you know better to make an opportunity of it and and I you know we can talk to whoever we need to talk to to see if you can do it on an interim basis until you go through the whole governmental process of can we set down Council on some research on this now to see if we can do it we absolutely can part-time yeah on the way correct further discussion on this for tonight long time because we were doing so great by way we talked to Kim as she texted you she's here can can we schedule the next group to come in and tell us their thoughts on it then yeah I think we can reach out to uh Park and wre and buildings and grounds to have them come in and give us their thoughts maybe in next meeting did somebody take a notes on that whoever Lisa's got it Lisa okay for what it's worth I will not be here next Monday that would be the time to discuss it then won be I will not he won be here okay and then somebody will get this Town Council to research whether we need an act or not or whether we can do it on an interim basis pending an because I don't think we have even time to get it up um uh not before not for the Ann so this one all right moving right along okay is that it for me yeah thank you very much no appreciate it okay review and discuss the ATM STM warrants for May 21st 2024 and set the order of Articles so this was this was in chairil right yes some very angry with me because I promised them a copy of this we're all on version get a copy okay we shall have it for you so first first of all and I think we can take this opportunity to tie this in um we did have a very well-attended very productive discussion um last what day was that Thursday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday you know a lot of folks came up and and wanted to talk to us and wanted to talk to uh and join via zoom and whatnot to to have their opinions heard and to kind of educate this board on uh what was going to be a proposed bylaw um the way that meeting was posted was that um we didn't think we could adequately vote that night based on how the meeting was was advertised so uh I had committed at that meeting to bring that back for a vote of this board tonight um so as we go through that um I call your attention to and I I think we should vote on it anyway but in version three of the agenda uh versus article two because they haven't put the numbers yet but what was Article uh 14 I believe right it's now not even on here it wasn't on V2 either so which was the one make sure I want to make sure I get the right one well 14 is blank but I was blank on2 whatever it was quote unquote called right but I want to have take an affirmative vote of the board to take it off the town meeting warrant that's what we had committed to the folks that were in person to do so like I said article numbers are IR irrelevant at this point because we're going to set the agenda of the of the um the town meeting shortly but um I would entertain a motion to just strike that proposed bylaw uh from the annual town meeting agenda I'll make that motion I'll second the motion to not include the hunting bylaw proposal in the town perfect roll call vote Doug Mogan I Jason PA D done and unanimously done so now we have V3 of the agenda uh we still don't have all of the Articles yet in front of us to put forth but um so just for those playing along article one is obviously is the election so that's done article two um is to Town report three is appointment of minor officers article four is to sell or give the select board the authority to sell or trade obsolete equipment and Article Five gives us the ability to apply and accept for Grants so articles two through five are generally handled on a consent basis as an Omnibus motion article six uh establishes or amends any revolving accounts that we have um and right now the only thing that's pending for that additional one is the for EDC would be to establish a uh revolving account for uh economic development committee and it says it needs some de detail from the attorney article 7 is holding is a placeholder for a bond issue I'm assuming that would be for roads article8 is blank now article 9 is the budget um that would take up the majority of the time at town meeting article 10 is the revolving funds the existing uh revolving funds and reauthorize those and set the limits on those funds article 11 school budget article 12 is a a debt authorization for the Regional School District this their Capital uh budget Article 13 uh I had asked to move this to the special but it's still being carried on the uh annual it's it's a material for it was just to save a little time but it's an opioid settlement Reserve fund and revocation of a stabilization fund um this is for a relatively new uh Mass General Law chapter 44 section 53 uh article 14 is is blank Article 15 is a long-term license agreement it's asking the town um the to give the select board the authority to enter into a long-term license agreement and this is for the American Legion for the lease of the land in cooperation with the Regional School District um for the land that's part of the Motocross area uh article 16 and 17 are blank article 18 is the CPC budget itself article 19 is the allocation of their expenses to come from the CPA article 20 is and I don't understand why but it's a a quirk of the law that we have to revote every year to pay the debt on the Alum treatment that we already voted to incur but this will be the fifth interest in payment principle on the $600,000 bond that was issued article 21 is a a CPC article for the uh Southwick Library yard revitalization article 22 is South Cove Middle pond dredging it's also a CPC article article 23 and as is customary the planning board always goes last article 23 zoning map amendment is a citizen petition for uh to rezone some land at the S mountain Campground uh on South Lumis article 24 will be a uh zoning bylaw Amendment for chapter 185 section 28 regarding non-conforming uses structures and lots that's we don't have any language back from them their hearing is still open on that article 25 is a zoning bylaw Amendment short-term rentals this was sent back from the attorney general so this is a touchup uh piece of legislation to touch up our local bylaw article 26 is the acceptance of r road so this was something that we had allocated money to in a previous town meeting to lay out a subdivision road that was never properly accepted by the town so that's to go and catch that and then article 27 is uh a donation of land on Berkshire Avenue from the Bruno family um to the town um an article wow a lot of articles article 28 this is to resend some borrowing authorizations that we had put forth that were not needed so since we have the ability to bond for something it it is effectual to your bond rating um and the ability to go out and bond for other projects so this will resend um that Bond authorization um article 29 is and lastly the last article would be for the water department I would suggest that we may want to move this up somewhere um because it's relatively important um to authorize a select board enter into a 5year contract with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to purchase wholesale water um this is something that our I believe our contracts up and needs to be renewed um and without town meeting authorization we can't enter enter into a contract longer than I believe it's three years but so up to you uh lady and gentlemen if we want to move that article maybe to 14 14 so is there any any other articles that you see that needed to relocate it is completely 100% no discussion no argument the select board's purview of to how you order the warrant for the annual and special how many I I don't see with the exception of the water which I well I'm sure we'll have some questions it seems to make sense to go with the other the rest of it kind of is it's this was laid out intelligently this one was added addly yeah toward the end so that's why it's there I would suggest to move that to 14 yeah everything else seems to lay out just fine logically it just move the water up to the 14 and everything else plays out pretty easy so we have set the we have now set the should we do that by vote with the exception of the blanks well the blanks will come out the Articles will get renumbered and it'll beat you so there's no more once we do this this is closed I don't see unless we have to come back and vote on anything else but there when does the warrant have to be posted anyone know uh two weeks prior to the date I thought May today's a 22nd April so we're just about four weeks out posted the Friday before the two weeks yeah so we got another week or so but I think we could vote to set the order in case this is final then we can go ahead if we have to come back we can come back so I take a motion to set the Articles as presented except moving what is currently article 29 to be somewhere between the opioid settlement and the long-term license agreement for the legion I will make that motion second Doug Mogan I Jason Corona thank you ell got to hand him under the warrant they moderator do you a copy discussion no I don't think I do in my folder no we do not we do not yet maybe that'll be a new thing we keep it a surprise for the meeting they're waiting for you to pick a time okay next item review and start time for the special town meeting 6:15 and the annual town meeting start time 6:40 5 p.m. so I suggested that we post it to start at 6:30 because I don't think we'll technically start it till 6:40 just from experience but we can't start it early but we can start it late we don't want to be sitting around five minutes waiting like we did last year even after we did the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized all the people that passed and all the other so if you want to 645 that's fine it's not that big of a deal but sometimes we don't know how many things are on the special the special minutes special's not long right now I I'm okay with 6:30 it takes 10 minutes to uh do the special 10 minutes to do that that gives us we'll be done by 6:35 we can start it probably 64 if you say 6:30 people hopefully will be moreor the last we had the last special we were supposed to start at six we end up starting there so many people coming in I always had to put something out there saying come your seats start look fine with me I'll be there works for me okay motion to do we have to make a motion because we actually by the I will not so um I will not be there so you guys can start whenever you want um so I think the law says that we was just changed at the last annual that we have to vote to set that time so I'll entertain a motion to start the special town meeting on at 6:15 p.m. and the annual will start at 6:30 p.m. at the regional school I will make that motion second Doug Mogan I Jason Peron I Dan I okay uh I was hoping to have a Chief's contract in front of you for this evening which I do not we will have some stuff to discuss later on so we're going to cover the next one next week um just slow goinging nothing terrible approve this Mr chairman yes just with that thought would it be possible because you could always change this because the applicants need time and because of everything that's being put forward could maybe a tentative date be saw we could discuss it uh my Tre ation Chief is that until the lieutenant signs a contract to be the chief of the depart There's No Vacancy to right post that's why I'm saying a tenative date that can change because there's so many moving parts and you're looking at four applicants um to come before you and uh but time is getting shorter and shorter and that's going to put off your sergeants yep which uh there's a some mechanisms that are kind of out of our control for the Sergeant's part um because of the potential of another SRO and how those people fall in the play and schooling that's going to required so um if we could I'm just recommended as the chief um if we could set a tenative dat that could be pushed off if we had to um if the contract's not done subject two like you always say well 28th of May the day after Memorial Day so that's the Tuesday yeah yeah Monday is a h if that works works for all right I've got some stuff I want to talk about on this one I asked for it for the police chief I'm going to ask for it now I want to Assessment Center done for the lieutenants and the surgeons it would take them two to three weeks to set this up and I am not going to be involved in the Lieutenant's position you will not have my expertise in this one um yeah I know you've talked about that you've never picked anybody egregiously it has nothing to do with that it has everything to do with again I'm going to say it again this is the way that Public Safety is going with assessment centers or tests so I'm I would like an assessment center for these positions duly noted I guess we can discuss it I guess I'll be honest it's kind of I don't know how you can opt out of a process and then dictate the process you can we don't have to there's no mandatory no that's what I want to chew on and think about so you have any thoughts we get set the date and we still we're we got a month plus a month to get where we want to get tenative date let's set the tentative date I have no problem with the tentative date but I said this would take two I've already reached out to them it would take two to three weeks to set up and within two days of the assessments you'd have what the information we need my opinion on that hasn't changed my opinion on that isn't changing either not this time I say we prate the vacancy and have this debate because we don't have the vacancy so tenative date 28th 28th I guess that by the way I don't know if that's on our schedule right now for our meeting schedule of meeting the day after Memorial day but it is now uh no June 3D is our next date but we're not going to interview them on the date it's oh oh that's interviews not for the deadline for submission right so what's the deadline for submission then there would have to be the week of town meeting no it would have to be the week before that it would have to be the 17th of May which is two weeks I know they they've been working on it I know that too I me unless we need on the 28th and we skip the third or oh we can do both do both but if we get if you do you need more than we're going to meet next week anyway right the 29th we can have the further debate on on if there's any additional process and hopefully we will have created the vacancy because that's the trick we can't post you can't post for applications till you have a vacancy and you can't you can't start taking applications for a job that doesn't exist yet it's technically not open until you're done oh that's why I'm just saying right no I get it but I think that that I I'm confident that I you know well is Kim here yet because it's on her now I threw the ball over the net I gave her a draft contract end of last week to to put the form and there was a couple things to to touch up in there that I can bring back to you to review um I'm fine to meet the 28th and the 29th if we wanted to do two and two if we have four were you going to hold your regular selectman's business on the 28th as well I don't I I mean I would recommend we didn't have it scheduled I would recommend you do the four on a separate night just because it's kind of take some time yep and we may end up we we'll have to see how that's going to all sh you know because here's what's here's what's going on folks May we're we usually don't meet the week before elections or did or do anything substantive before the election then you've got a consent agenda on the 21st which I will if that a consent agenda I will not be there I will not be at the consent agenda either and so then the it's where you are because today's the 22nd we meeting next week the 29th we are meeting the 6th the 13th and the 20th it says yes but it just my protocol or by tradition the 13th is kind of a light very light meeting and then you've got you know because it's a you have elections on the 14th and then the 20th the week of the 20th is town meeting so you'll have a consent agenda on the 21st uh and then Memorial days the 27th and I am also out of town the 30 yes is that Thursday the 30th yes those are the dates we have to work with so we'll just try to see what we can get done and try to get the chief's contract done get that executed that creates the V VY which then we go from there but I have no problem with having the if we can post the vacancy next week the 29th and then have the that gives everybody what did I say for that 17th to have the applications in and then and then interviews the week of either the 28th or 29th but not the 30th and 31st so would have to be after following week okay okay tentatively tentatively dead horse Okay approve the permit for the Iron Man race 2024 this was a wildly successful event last year I was mildly happily surprised with how many folks turned out to root on these riders that are doing this this is a globally known event um that actually makes people swim in the Connecticut River in Springfield and then they get out and fight to Southwick and up into Westfield Granville I'm the root map's similar to last year U but with a couple changes that were made to accommodate some bottlenecks and some trouble spots that we had last year um and this is going to be June 9th so I need a mo I think we have to approve a permit there's a permit request in here um so I entertain a motion to approve the permit I will that motion second Doug moglin I Jason coron I Dan I so folks turn up for this route these guys are like guys and gals as they ride EDC is also doing a number of signs to put out along the Route with the QR code to all the cic establishments gas stations yada y etc etc I want use y yada it's a good idea it's a very transient event because I know these guys are on bikes and oh The Spectators yeah it wasn't I know they're transient too yeah but anyway it's a good idea can't hurt um review architect information for CPA application of CPC for Town Hall exterior Mason re Rehabilitation on historic building this was added to the agenda on the cons on the uh Amendment today I had an email from Carl steinhardt this is a project of his that he had worked on uh diligently for couple of years and he has wants to bring this in front of the community preservation commission um a lot of this was shown up during some of the preliminary work preparing for the roof um The Roof is now done um but we had a lot of water uh activity with the water entering the building during the roof project when the gutters were off and it did show some serious weakness in the um the masonary and the style of construction that was used back when this building was built so it was a staggering amount H that was a staggering amount for me that wasn't what I was expecting wouldn't surprise me like J is that inside and out or is that all outside don't be surprised if it goes over that amount it's all inside I mean outside it is all exterior y according to this so I guess what we're looking for tonight is to get in cooperation with the current buildings and grounds to um make a proposal to on behalf of this the select board would be the applicant in this case to make that application and put that application together to present at a future CPC meeting [Music] mmhm yeah I was surprised by the amount of money too thought it was going to be a quarter million Oh No Yeah Carl explained it to me and I knew it wasn't going to be cheap and I saw is Art Lawler still on the there he is how are you sir you're on mute yeah how's that good evening Mr chairman and uh to you and through you to the rest of your board um yeah Carl had been working on this for quite a while and he had actually approached some of the members of the CPC um and they thought it was a very good thing uh we did notice a lot of the deficiencies in the exterior vertical walls of the building when the gutters were removed as you mentioned uh and the uh Engineers did a test an absorbency test on the masonry um units themselves the bricks and the mortar uh and they absorbed quite a bit of water uh then they did a a coating test where they put a a sealant on the masonry the bricks and the uh mortar joints and of course it there wasn't very much absorption at all uh we noticed that the uh water penetration U mostly at the lentils above the windows and wherever there's really any fenestration any windows or doors in the exterior walls uh they were pretty much all leaking there um as many of you may remember um so these Engineers uh we just got this Friday I guess it was so we haven't had a chance to uh look at it in any depth um but it's it's pretty clear and it is work that needs to be done to protect the building and I uh Carl has asked me to help um fill out the CPC application so I will be working on that well that should be an opportune time for us to vote to make that application then if somebody wants to make that motion I will make that motion second Doug Mogan I Jason Peron I thank ell all right now you can make that application now that we voted to do it great thank you thank you sir thank you very much you're welcome how's the new place it's great yeah we love it here it's a nice sunny weather every day uh except when it rains and when it rains it really really rains excellent will we miss you yeah I miss you it's always been good working with the town of southord absolutely all right any other new business Mr PR none right now yes sir I do to add to goals and objectives with your approval um the not hunting bylaw I did make com comment about the education seem to be about trespass laws and I would like to do some education on trespass laws in conjunction with the Police Department Public Safety and post something on our website which led me to another thought perhaps we need an actual bulletin board page on our website not just that little scrolling thing that nobody knows what they are if I can proceed with that I'll work with them and put something together certainly can go on goals and objectives okay and actually Jason's project with the Dei policy could go on a bulletin board as well it's two-part goals and objectives okay well we can add that to the website piece that we we did put some money in the budget for that it wasn't nearly a million and a half dollars to renovate the website I think we've heard about that from some of our candidates to too the websites and upgrades put more information we need oh yeah yeah AB so yeah okay that was my new business Chief n set okay old business uh first review liquor license fees I added this back because this was a question from I think it was Tucker's Restaurant that asked about that and we were going supposed to survey what those fees were from other area communities I was going to ask to did we finish reviewing all the R loes I asked that last week that's why it's there yeah I think Lisa was gonna follow through with that and get us some information okay I will follow up with Lisa on that second appointment process and Status um I started to work on this last week um with appointment season rapidly approaching for appointments that end July 1st um we should once again put back the portal folks that want to submit a letter of interest that are interested to be to continue for continued appointment yeah I saw that there was a I have my drawer the letters from people for reappointment already already not all of them some we just have I haven't checked to see who's outstanding on this but I think Lisa has already contacted everybody once I had a nice long conversation with Lisa on Thursday morning about this because I want to make sure that we do we have some improvements to make from last year but last year the process was pretty good I want to re reput the portal back for folks that are interested that want to serve on a border Commission in the town of Southwick if you are already on a board or Commission on the town of Southwick it's in our handbook that we have we can we can vote as a board to make an A A reappointment without an interview and not have to drag everybody back in front of the select board you know if there's four people on a board and there's four people interested that are all members that want to be reappointed great we can we can continue on but but if we have a significant number of folks that want to be on I think we owe it to the people of the town of Southwick to go through that process so new people new people we don't know have them commit an interview correct that was the IDE you know and I I said it for a few years now there's no right or Assumption of reappointment we have to go through that process and I know some folks already sent in there was a bunch on a proposed agenda and I'm like wait a minute it's not even June yet we got to get to you know last year we were a little late like we're into September but I think we we have to post on our website and Via this board and maybe even carry it as an action item on our next agenda here not just appointment process and status that you know carry it under an action item for next week that we are going to open the portal on this date and you know folks interested to serving on a boorder commission in the town of Southwick should you know submit a on the portal it's got a place to attach a resume and any other pertinent information you want to do it and then we're going to close it on whatever date that is and then we can schedule it you know schedule interviews schedule discussion however the board wants to proceed from there it isn't technically closed anybody can go in throughout the year and post I going to go look and see if anybody put any I also wanted to ask while we're talking about the website I know like the schools uh several towns I believe we do as well with the update uh you can sign in to be notified yep so that would be something I would look to see we should probably look I think we should look to do you know a notice goes out around this time of the year so people that are interested as well as well as it goes on top of the well I think people sign up for our page will get that automatically but well they get a response that they applied I think you're saying they can sign let like sign up for the agendas to get a notification if we put a posting out that says new appointments maybe we can put that as an agenda appointment on the website with a c I don't know how it would work I don't either you know I maybe we have to put is because not everybody reads the whole you know what the you know the planning board does this they have a meeting at 7 o'clock every couple of Tuesdays right they have a public hearing they have a separate line item on their agenda that gets booked on the calendar at 7:30 well maybe we have a 605 agenda appointment that says committee appointments that way everyone who signed up for anything from the board of selectman is going to get that notice separate from our regular meeting agenda follow gotta I do at least that's one way to do it I don't know if there's other ways to do it I mean that tells them that we will be doing appointments correct so if you're interested to apply to let them know that we're taking applications for new ones yeah that you know the board in appointment season is coming if you're interested you have until this date so it'd be a 605 appointment to announce it to exactly just to say look we're going to do this and then that please apply by June something or whatever to get it in and you're right if anyone applied because we we have to put a Line in the Sand not that it closes the portal but if someone applies the night of our meeting we organized right we should have that date and I I did look in there um things got moved around a little bit so I've got to go back and find where they went I have the database of when we got it when we closed it up the date last year I have to look at what came in after I was going to do that too okay but uh couple things got moved around and then I was going to move forward with that from there all right but we're going to take these as an application we're not going to force people to into of course not no absolutely we it's either or and last year we put them into the portal for them so that we had the record in the portal I can just tag that correct just like we did last year okay okay okay got it so I do that with COA director internal posting the job has been reposted for and it's been posted outside the town as well and we had a deadline on that one too like last we when was that we don't have a deadline oh okay hsic oh inget so I can use abbreviations hsic IMA for Westfield Gas and Electric varp we're meeting tomorrow marijuana dispensary web page posting HC process and template RFI evaluation and scoring I think you're all set to go right I I would like to you all need just say go I would like to make a motion to move this forward and go start accepting applications and do the review this you want a second the motion then second Doug m i Jason Peron i g okay I did send some dates to Lisa this afternoon on the next item for the chapter 61 for the week of June the I want to say June's not on there I think it's June 3 and the 10th week of either Tuesday or Thursday that week uh Lisa is going to reach out to board and committee chairs to see what works for them T-Mobile Hometown grants I believe I emailed you the one from Long Meadow yes exctly Northampton I believe it was which was surprising I thought wasn't it Northampton I don't believe everything I read it could I thought it said long I did I was I spoke with carot this week uh and Yes actually I believe you might know this gentleman Mr Shield um we haven't heard back from him regarding what it's going to take as far as equipment and whatnot so that's if I run into him I'll mention I believe he was on vacation I was told at one point so it was Northampton I stand corrected okay clerk internal posting done two applicants to interview applicants interview discussion let's rewind to the beginning oh so I kept a separate pile over here that was smart yeah you can't make one of the firefighters the clerk that would be bad for me as far as discussion this is probably going to be what the hardest decision to make honestly since I've been on this board as far as these two candidates are so equally qualified and qualified I don't I I I don't know which way to go right now personally I believe that although the town experience is is great on both parts I believe H has more of the relevant experience in the thick of the job in the town treasur clerk collector she has experienced a lot of the juggling that is still going to be required as far as the certification um she's already partway there she gets points for her education and her life experience which gets her there faster on the certification um and that is where I'm leaning she was a little more nervous I think well we're such a scary come know explain to me how the education factors into into the clerk certification one second uh on the point system 50 points needed uh in order to take the exam 10 points for an associates degree 15 points for a bachelor's degree so she already has 15 points I doubt you can stack them but you may maybe she has 25 because she got an associates and a Bachelors uh town clerk experience as well she would have two and a half points per year as an assistant per year so the outside education and inside track she's got a head start I'm still torn and also knows the staff she might be working with you know some of those are going to go to that position as well so already has a relationship with those people so back to my original question a little bit so it's a fivepoint Delta between an associates and a bachelor's degree in in the overall scheme things here yes yes and what are the unless you can stack them I don't know what are the points for time served points per year as two and a half points per year I'm GNA assume based on my knowledge of degrees and what the state percepts you don't usually are you're usually not able to stack them so it would probably be the 15th I don't know again I don't know if an associate degree in veterinary science counts I don't know it doesn't it doesn't say it doesn't say that here it just says degree unless it's you know you get points for business school I would assume it would be business oriented accounting oriented tax oriented or Municipal oriented and I don't know what Chris's was what was it Associates in what professional pastry and baking she's also now called firl I was just G make a comment about that and H's done more of the actual tasks throughout the voting process seen more of it worked through more of it I believe well I think I don't I think that well we're certainly lucky that we have two really good candidates by the way live right up the block from each other um yeah um you know one one applicant's been with us since March of 2021 in the in the town treasur collector clerk's office so you know I keep forgetting already in 2024 so three years here it's by fast do it and then the other person um did just over a year in the CLK treasur collector's office before moving into the DPW office for a decade um it'll be a decade in September this is one of the ones where you want to get both of them to job wellow the good news is in the town of Southwick that the way the congol line moves is that it it ends up working out in the end um honestly I know them both they're both very very nice people they're both very very capable of doing this job I think they both will have a bright future with the town of Southwick no matter what happens uh at the moment my opinion slightly different than yours but um I don't want to put you on the spot because I've put on no I'm trying not to so um like I said it's always been my as the chair it's kind of mine my job I think to facilitate the discussion not to take the pressure off I would gladly put forth a motion if if you feel it's warrant to make and then and then see which one gets a second and then we go from there to a vote um but that's my opinion on this so far does both of these have you know there has a long road to go to get to be the Town Clerk and you know whatever happens where for the rest of the office or other offices in the town there's going to be just the way that things are working out I'm confident enough to make a motion you're right I'm going to make a motion to appoint hly all right so I'll put you on the spot then I'll also set forth a motion to for Christine mayette so there needs to be a second to one or both one of those motions and then the other motion would die for lack of a second and then we would move the good news is you don't have to do this on the Lieutenant's job no I don't it's all on you guys I hear you that would prob cause some problems either way um I am gonna second Mr mogan's motion okay there's a motion in a second is there a second to motion can you I don't think so okay so then there would be a roll call vote so there's a motion made and seconded then it would be a rollf vote Doug moglin yes Jason Peron yes than no very well that is our vote so we're going to we have subject to the yatas and the and the whatever okay thank you very much thank you yes thank you and I hate making these decision okay concern I have to get with Dary on the master plan chair sent back discussion I have to have a discussion with Mike I have not had a chance uh any other old business Mr br have anything I do not have anything that comes to mind right at the moment yes I do it's old old business Revisited the um Mrs jury who came to us with a appeal for her doc we worked out an arrangement with conservation finally gave her a an exception for a disability uh her doc was put in this week he checked it out it's where it's supposed to be in accordance to the agreements however it brought forth the void in the agreement for this kind of accommodation so I would like to send I talk to the chief on this I would like to send a request for Amendment to the lpp document to allow for such and this is in red what I am proposing see already saw that but there's copy for him with the cover letter uh to send conservation for them to consider these changes and incorporate them after Legal C if they entertain it for legal counsel to check it and then have them incorporate it and there's references to the rest of CMR 3009 dot dot blah that calls for this to happen so I'm looking for your approval to forward that m one thing that after thinking about it some more you just brought up another point I know when talking to conservation for the lpp people when approving these permits sometimes you'll have a non-compliant or non-conforming location but that the butters don't argue to generally conservation or the ltp program will permit that said doc probably maybe there should be something in here for those instances where the butters sign or they part of the application process sign the I guess permit the permit so maybe you know that could be something in addition to what what you're beond the scope of this this is more of an HC accommodation right but I well not necessarily if you look it explains hardship and it does get into some things outside of handicap such as the accessible water doesn't necessar you know and and we have some of those some of these areas that are very very narrow um and uh but the abuts had no problem as long as they're not navigational issue ues um with a doc being in a particular location I I don't think that is necessarily a requirement for a disability accommodation because if the neighbors say no that's no reason not to no that that is totally separate but but what I'm getting at is that this does cover a little more than just hardship right Ian it does cover the hardship but then it gets into you know what is a hardship and um ESS part yeah um and even maybe not into this area that you you draft access by accessible I meant usable some of it also can't be torn apart to put a dock because conservation wouldn't let you take down all the trees on that Waterfront either that's so maybe accessible here is a is a different word okay attainable or approachable or useful yeah I would say like usable or along that lines not necessar or functional you gota be careful of the accessible right but I mean they already have that soft thing about um you know if the neighbors don't complain it but it's there's nothing if I guess those scenar I think the neighbor I think because that way we're not arbitrarily going or they're not through their coting program that you know this person here is not allowed to do it get across you know five rows down they are because the neighbors are saying yes well are they say you know I mean how it's kind of a weird standard I think that you can go back to the I my opinion is I'd like to see the support of the entire select board to this and I from what I read I think it's fine and to let them have a debate on the merits of and including what the Harbor Master is proposing um because it's their like the lp is theirs and I I will commend you I I watched that select board meeting and kudos to you a for keeping your F way better than I would have and B for being an advocate for um the young lady who came in front of us a couple times and and clearly had a hardship and the the the lp address so to follow through is even better um so I'd asked for a motion to amend this to be from the select board and you as the lead on this um as it states but you have I think you would have the full support of Select board board and Harbor Master our recommend we could all sign is that okay I think we'd all sign it okay did you weting what the chief said about the the wait she's got to make an amendment to a paragraph you want to throw in think it's something I mean I think it would be my recommendation is let lpp come up with the language correct but they know what they know what so just another paragraph that perhaps you should also investigate the soft Rule and it's an Unwritten yeah like a clear definition this found a problem we were able to get to a solution for this one but here's how you eliminate the issue going forward so we don't I'll work with the chief we'll get that paragraph in so you have that motion and I'll second it okay roll call vote Doug moglin I Jason cor I thank great and once again thank you Mr CH this br my attention when we started talking about the lpp I do have an appointment with Mr mole on uh and I've got to get with Mr Reynolds and Mr Cher uh next Monday at 10: am at the at his office cool any other old business not from me none from me not sure okay uh we covered that one covered that uh FYI did send a letter to Senator Warren office they did call me back um very nice gentleman I spoke to and that was in regards to the safer grant for the South Fire Department there was an article that was in the paper I had received your permission at a previous meeting to send a strongly worded letter to the the senator in support of our grant um we also received I requested and received a letter of support from Senator marks and representative Bigga uh for a municipal fiber Network community compact Grant application that was submitted the grant we submitted was in the amount of half a million dollars um which is double the $250,000 a single committee a single Community can receive because we were able to submit that Grant along with the Southwick tall and Granville Regional School District because the district the school buildings would be part of the mini fiber Network so that Ena us to double up on our Grant application cross your fingers and was I was glad to reive the a letter of support from Senator Marx and representative baliga to include as an attachment to our Grant application that was due on the 12th um I want to send a note to or an email to the building inspector I'm noticing that once again non- campaign related but the signs are mushrooming again yes they are the people Runing you know the gutter cleaning the whatever whatever well you know I saw a couple of those but that guy actually had a dumpster in front of his house so that sign was okay one of them but there's plenty of other ones around Kyle Scott did a great job last year kind of and DPW when when went asked to go around and just start if you see them pick them up um because they're illegal they're on Town property they don't belong there um and I had a couple people call me as well so I figured I'd bring it up here again so uh if you're putting out signs or just don't waste your money they're just going to get picked up and toss um I did see an email speaking of conservation I think we need to bring this back up to this board and either we send a a note or something like that but last part of the north pwn deal last year was that they were having a lot of problems with the rope swings and so on and so forth and there was a study done or I I it's arborist or a tree company had come in and identified several diseased dying ill trees that were being used as rope swings which created a bit of Hazard there was some funding a a funding source was made available and then by a vote of the uh that organization they rescinded that funding and I think the conservation hasn't acted on it since I saw your email um I think we should continue to press them it's they're they're the the U caretakers of that land that being said um I think we should ask them to take action on what they they had said they were going to do and identify the funding source in order to make that happen so that just my opinion but I wanted to bring it back to you because it was something that was last year was a concern you they couldn't Cut the Ropes swings down fast enough so they decided to take the trees down then they decided you know the uh the or withdrew their funding after a bit of public upheaval but I think it needs to be discussed because it's it's a problem and it's going to be a problem in a matter of weeks again so is it okay to send them a note yes dop G it's all I had for old business wait uh any other business before the board tonight before we move into exec session yep okay we are going to go into executive session pursuant to Mass General Law chapter 30A section 212 and 3 and chapter 214 1B labor Council litigation matters and strategy for collective bargaining with police Union buyer I BPW non-union staff and Clerk upsu and we're going to move to go executive session to conduct collective bargaining sessions with non-un personnel and to not reconvene an open session move to go into executive session to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel and to not reconvene an open session and I'm going to declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and not reconvene an open session moveed to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the chair moved to go into executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and not reconvene an open session and move to go into executive session to discuss strategy respect to litigation a chair declared an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on litigating position of the body and not re convenient Open Session and a person shall have a right against unreasonable subst stal or serious interference with their privacy the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction and Equity to enforce such right and in connection therewith to award damages Doug Mogan i dangale i two out of three okay