WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=GCn18TBmRvo

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:17.840
Good evening everybody. Welcome to to another meeting of the Board of Health. Today is Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 at 6:05 p.m. Uh Let's start with a roll call.

2
00:00:17.840 --> 00:00:34.360
Uh Dr. Christian Roman Ramirez present. >> Charles Paul Serene, vice chair. >> I was not voted here. >> Hey. Uh let's go to our agenda. 1.2 appointing of officers. Uh this is a time where

3
00:00:34.360 --> 00:00:49.440
uh if the board wants any changes on the chairs, this is the moment and the time for for that. Um can I have um How how >> Well, someone needs to make a motion for

4
00:00:49.440 --> 00:01:06.240
chair. Somebody needs to make a motion for vice chair, and somebody needs to make a motion for the clerk. >> Can I have a motion for the chairman of the Board of Health? >> Um I call a motion for the chairman of the Board of Health, the Christian.

5
00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:22.240
>> I'll I'll second that motion. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Christian, you don't want the position? >> Uh let's go uh uh >> I want vice chair. >> Let's go voting then. If there are no no other comments,

6
00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:39.800
um uh all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. Uh now, can I get a motion for the vice chair of the Board of Health? >> You can. I make a motion for the vice chair of

7
00:01:39.800 --> 00:01:55.760
the Board of Health. I vote to be Charles Serene. >> I second that. Uh Any further discussion? None. Let's vote. All in favor for Charles Paul Serene to be vice chair of the Board of Health say I.

8
00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:11.320
>> I. >> I will. And um >> can I get a motion for um to appoint um Mr. Todd Arsenault as clerk of the Board of Health? >> I call a motion to appoint Todd Arsenault clerk of the Board of Health.

9
00:02:11.320 --> 00:02:27.240
>> I'll second that. Uh is there any further discussion? Uh none. Um let's let's vote. All in favor to have Mr. Todd Arsenault as clerk of the of the Board of Health say I. >> I. >> Very well. And we are appointed.

10
00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:42.920
Thank you. Um 1.3 the new hauler regulations approval. >> I see you have in your package the new hauler regulations. I would like each of you to sign

11
00:02:42.920 --> 00:03:01.000
a copy so we have three copies. All of the requested changes to the regulations from the last meeting with an effective date of 9 1 26. >> On September 1st. >> Yes. Yeah. Uh Rick would suggest that the Board review the draft one last

12
00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:17.920
time. If acceptable, must vote to adopt the regulation which will take place of the current with an effective date of 9 1. If adopted, a summary will need to be published in the paper and a copy provided to the Mass DEP register. Now, the only thing that you did not decide

13
00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:35.080
was the annual fee. And you had asked me to talk to other towns and I didn't get a lot of other towns, but I got three that 250 was their submission which is our

14
00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:50.840
submission right now, but it was very interesting and that um Harvard had a um an additional 200 on the 1st of each month beginning January 1st because that

15
00:03:50.840 --> 00:04:07.680
is when their um permits are due will be added to the fees for any late applications. So that means if someone didn't apply for the hall of regulation and it's 3 months later than that would be a essentially a $600 fine at $200 a month.

16
00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:23.919
I think it's aggressive but I think it's there for a reason. The architects also understand and we talked about the annual fee which I am suggesting at 350 because we're a little different right now. We we have to monitor Shaw's is a pay as you throw

17
00:04:23.919 --> 00:04:38.960
program. We have a lot of people with private dumpsters. So it's it's something that that takes up a little more time than I had hoped. >> Okay. >> Um and that's given the new regulations which is completely understandable.

18
00:04:38.960 --> 00:04:56.240
>> Okay. Can I propose Uh can I propose uh I'll get a motion to approve if there's any no if there's no further discussion the approval of the hall regulations as is and I would add

19
00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:11.800
instead of 350 $400 or um or um >> For the application >> application fee? I don't know what are your thoughts about having this $400 for the

20
00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:28.160
application fee. >> It's too fast. >> Back to something again, sorry. What was the application fee now? >> 350. >> 350. >> With the late fee of $25 but it doesn't say how long. It doesn't say if you're

21
00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:44.720
late 15 days, if you're late 30 days. It It just says $25. >> So you want to bump up the 400? >> I think we could leave the $25 fee as a one-time fee if we go ahead with a $400

22
00:05:44.720 --> 00:06:01.000
fee and having a late of 25 and that's it. I don't know what are your thoughts about >> Well, we probably should add something about late fee. What's like 30 days? Is it a daily everyday Saturday?

23
00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:17.240
>> Is there a problem being late? Is there any idea? >> Um we we have a couple but we don't have many and the problem is is that the people are coming in now because of people hiring private companies. >> Right. >> That's the problem. I have to chase them. I don't know they're here until I

24
00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:32.280
get a complaint. So then I have to chase them. Um once I find them they're very cooperative but it's more or less I think a knowledge of hollow regulations are new in a lot of towns. It's it's something that's new and

25
00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:48.800
>> Every town has a fee though, right? For new all regulations? No. You figure as a company the first thing you do is go see the permit. If you have new customers in the town. >> Well, it depends on what haller means and and you have of course the

26
00:06:48.800 --> 00:07:04.840
demolition that we talked about with the construction and you have the bundled service with the recycling. So and this this has come about due to the new pay as you throw program. >> Okay. >> So it was it was something that we knew about and we adopted the regulations I

27
00:07:04.840 --> 00:07:20.840
believe in two that was in 18 and it was basically um because it was environmentally friendly and it also gave us grant money. >> Okay. >> So um >> Well, you said what? How many hallers do you think are in town? >> Yeah. >> How many like eight like eight hallers

28
00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:39.200
we have in town now? Wasn't there like eight? >> At least. I already have two that have signed up again because they're due um at the end of June. >> How many of them have already come in? You know what? Two. I'm curious to >> Um then they're dump that and Metrano.

29
00:07:39.200 --> 00:07:55.080
>> Wow. >> SRI came in there. Their information. >> Does Shaw have to give? >> They do. >> All right. All right. Get on their butts. After they'll pass it. We want to panic somehow.

30
00:07:55.080 --> 00:08:11.840
>> We know it's 250. You think we should say 350? >> Yeah. >> I would recommend to to raise it up to to 400. >> It was still lower than a lot of towns. >> 250 seems to be the majority. It Ashby

31
00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:29.240
or Ashburnham is like 7 to 700. >> That's a lot of money. >> And I know that Jen is on Marie, I believe, if you wanted to get her comments as well. >> Hi Jen. Do you have any comments before we proceed for for the board a board about the

32
00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:48.960
hauler regulations? >> I can tell you that Ashby's fee is 750, but they also have a smaller amount of permitted haulers. So, I think there is only three in the town of Ashby that

33
00:08:48.960 --> 00:09:08.720
currently hold permits. And our permit money goes into their fund for their transfer station. >> That's interesting. >> station. >> [clears throat] >> All that money goes there. That's going to be my next question. Where is this money going to go? >> Well, it's right now going into general

34
00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:23.120
taxation, but we are talking about where where this actually go. Does it go to the enterprise funds or does it go to the general revolving funds because it is basically recycling. >> Because our plan is to have it to after

35
00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:40.120
we of course we seek legal counsel for advise if we are able to place this money to enterprise account. Good. Good. >> And if not the enterprise account, the general revolving account after those awareness and the general tax.

36
00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:55.600
>> Is this a one year and then we'll decide again? >> No, this is going to be for three years. So, we're making this >> Um, this is until you change it. >> Okay. So, in other words, next year we felt 350 didn't work, we could go up

37
00:09:55.600 --> 00:10:10.840
another 50 if we wanted. So, why don't we, instead of shocking people, go up to 400? It doesn't Right now, it doesn't come back to us anyways. It goes to the general fund and so we can >> Where Where now is 350? >> 250. >> No, it's 250.

38
00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:29.120
>> Right. So, we go up 100. >> I say we go up 100. We go up anymore, it's like extortion, you know what I mean? You say what I mean? >> And when I have Thinking of what she said about Ashby, I think they did that partially to minimize the amount of haulers in the town, which makes sense.

39
00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:45.320
750, you you've got to have a lot of customers to cover that. >> Okay. Let's see what happened. >> So, they only have three haulers. We have eight or nine. >> Right. >> So, I I say we go up to 100. >> Yeah, yeah, I agree with I agree with the 350. >> Yeah, let's do that and then we'll

40
00:10:45.320 --> 00:11:02.240
revisit this next year if it did what it we needed it to or or what not. >> Can I have a motion then to approve the current the the new hauler regulations with the addition of raising $100,000

41
00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:18.520
from the 250 to it to be 350 instead? Um uh for the inscription, right? The the >> The annual >> The annual permanent The annual permit fee of the hauler regulations.

42
00:11:18.520 --> 00:11:35.040
>> I call motion to approve our rule of regulations and add the $350 a renewal fee for the licensing uh to all in our town. >> I'll second that.

43
00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:50.760
>> Uh let's vote. All those in favor uh of approving the the rules and regulations for removal transport and disposal of of solid waste or recyclables in the town of towns and

44
00:11:50.760 --> 00:12:08.640
adding uh the annual fee of $350, say I. >> I. >> Very well. It is approved. We need We need a We need a sign. >> You need to sign the back page. Now, what about the uh late fee? Do you want to keep it at 25 or do you want to go to

45
00:12:08.640 --> 00:12:25.640
the 100? >> I should leave it at the 25. >> we should leave it yes. >> You want to leave it at the 25? >> Okay. So, I will have to revise that on this. That's why I'm asking for you to just sign the back page. >> Okay. >> So. >> So, let's let's have them Can I get a

46
00:12:25.640 --> 00:12:44.120
motion to then to approve amend the current hall regulations that we approved adding it adding um the the the late fee to it to be $25 late fee. >> And an effective date of 91. >> And an effective date of 91 2026.

47
00:12:44.120 --> 00:13:02.400
>> I call a motion to approve or amend the $25 late free fee for 91. And repeat 2020 2020 >> 2026. >> Okay. >> I'll second that. All in favor say I.

48
00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:17.800
>> I. >> Very well. >> And >> one and we pass them around. >> Yes, I'd like to have three full copies. One of them has to go to the Department of Environmental Protection. We have to print a summary of this in the paper. One of them has to go to the clerk and I always like to leave one.

49
00:13:17.800 --> 00:13:34.600
>> One has to have >> [clears throat] >> Yes, did you Did you not get all three? >> Uh no, this one is has my signature. >> You need to sign >> Pass them all >> Sign that Pass two of them around. Yours and then I think you need to dig yours out. So she >> And once we have all of that set up,

50
00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:52.240
Arla, can we have it placed >> There should be no trouble with that. >> Oh. >> It's okay, you're only signing the back page. You'll get You'll get the the new complete copy. That's why the back page is specifically that page. >> And once can we have it published?

51
00:13:52.240 --> 00:14:09.360
>> Oh, absolutely. And on the website and at past time Okay, it has a summary of this house to go in the paper. So if it will be definitely will be widely publicized. >> And okay.

52
00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:27.960
So 1.461 Edward Road enforcement discussion will be continued on 6/8. >> You have in your packages a copy of the letter just to keep you informed of what went out. So it went out on the 18th.

53
00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:46.160
And it is fasting for 14 days from the date of this letter. So that is why it is continued until the 8th. >> Okay. Uh >> We got page >> Any questions about 61 Edward Road

54
00:14:46.160 --> 00:15:07.800
>> Hang on. We We don't have the letter. We don't have a copy of the letter. You don't have a copy of this letter? >> I don't have one. >> You don't have >> I don't have >> No, we don't have I don't have any We don't have a list of it. Sorry. >> I don't know. >> Well, it's right there. >> All right.

55
00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:26.560
So I've seen a complaint regarding for you. >> So we're going to continue at the proposal on one of the on our previous meeting. So if they don't respond, then it's going to be uh via certified mail and

56
00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:43.160
and then we'll go from there. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And these are the >> That is just the general letter that goes out when you file a complaint and you had given him 14 days. >> Yes. >> Certified. So, that's just sent for your

57
00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:58.960
information. >> All right. Okay, so if I want to fire cannons in my backyard, do I have to get a special permit? >> What kind of cannons are they? Like sound cannons to scare away deer? >> Scare away birds and the bees, yeah. >> If you are a farm and you are over 5

58
00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:14.800
acres and then you do not. >> Okay, I'm not over 5 acres. So, I'm fine. So, a cannon at a yard sale that I wanted to buy. Okay. It's permissible. >> Okay. >> That is a that is up to the discretion of noise ordinance. Not now.

59
00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:31.400
Um yes. >> We have to add that on our >> We can add that to the next agenda. >> on our next agenda. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Okay, moving on. Is it one number? >> I don't We don't have any >> No, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's it's the Miranda land here on West Townshend

60
00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:45.360
Road. >> Oh, they rent the land. >> Okay. >> The many acres that's out there, but we'll save that for the next agenda. >> Save that. Okay. Okay. >> So, you're going to add that to our next agenda on our next meeting. Um now we go to 1.5

61
00:16:45.360 --> 00:17:00.440
0 Hay Hay Hay Hayness Road map 34 lot 31. >> Just a suggestion. >> Last one, new construction. >> Okay. >> Do you know about this, Carla? >> I do.

62
00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:18.319
So, the lot was subdivided. Part of 22 Haynes Road property for her, the title five subdivision re- break requirements, an inspection of the 22 Haynes Road system was con- conducted and passed, and a reserve area was

63
00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:35.040
proven. The system for this new construction lot is in full compliance with Title 5 in the town's and Board of Health regulations. A proposed well is in the rear of the property, and the system is out in the front. The system consists of a 1,500 gallon septic tank,

64
00:17:35.040 --> 00:17:52.680
a 1,000 gallon septic tank, and 350 ft long trenching leaching trenches. Rick suggests that the Board approve and sign the permit. >> Okay. >> I have received the interdepartmental referral form, so it is all set to go.

65
00:17:52.680 --> 00:18:09.400
>> Proposed well is over there. Well, that's 20 ft away from there. I'm not going to have a little chocolate water. Um Any questions? >> Can I have a motion to any further this any any any questions any concerns about

66
00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:25.880
Can I get a motion to approve uh 0 Haynes Road map 34 lot 81-1 new construction? >> I call a motion to approve 0 Haynes Road map 34 lot 81

67
00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:44.200
uh septic system. >> I'll second them. >> Okay. Any further discussion? None? >> None. >> Okay. Uh let's vote then. All those in favor uh for the 0 Haynes Road map 34

68
00:18:44.200 --> 00:19:18.360
lot 81-1 new construction uh septic system and well say I. >> I. >> I vote. >> All the hearings should be heard talking. Sorry. >> We have any 1.6 minutes will be

69
00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:35.160
continued on 6/8/2026. Invoices. >> Invoices. Palmetto is looking for $14.99 for the new walk at the recycling center. The Paso Police Department is looking

70
00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:53.400
for $260 for police detail at Earth Day. Staples. >> Little Rock Police Station detail. >> Um, the Earth's Earth Day, that's at the high school. We have have police detail there. >> Oh, okay. I got you.

71
00:19:53.400 --> 00:20:10.640
>> And and it's all covered because they make enough revenue. So, it it's just it the money flows in through the general revolving account. So, they typically carry about $3,000 in there. So, they they have plenty of money for that. And um, I approved the porta potty a few

72
00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:26.920
weeks ago for it as well. So, there are some expenses that come through. >> Okay. >> Um, Staples, $2,022.38 for the new flyers that will be going out uh, the first week of June. If you have not seen it, I apologize for not having

73
00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:42.840
a copy. Um, I'd be more than happy to limp over to the office and show it to you or on the way out, you can certainly look at it. It's pretty up front. I did add the low-income assistance to the website because that's the one thing the flyer

74
00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:57.880
doesn't have. Um, I think that people will call and say, "I can't afford this." And that's what we can tell them, but it is on the website right under click to renew. It says, "Click for low-income application." So, it's very clear. Uh, Western and Sampson Landfill

75
00:20:57.880 --> 00:21:16.840
Engineering, $1,212.66. Uh, they were out on May 21st for a inspection. So, they were sending a report. I asked if there was anything I should be on a lookout for. I have not heard back, so I'm going with no news is good news. >> Okay.

76
00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:38.520
>> Okay. Uh AT&C normal monthly bill, $43.21 for a grand total one of $3,553.24. >> Hey. Is the recycling center open this weekend? >> It is not. It is next open on the 6th of

77
00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:57.280
June. They have almost 3 weeks off. >> Yeah, I went there this past Saturday. >> Which is much needed after being open every Saturday since April. >> And I have a motion to approve um

78
00:21:57.280 --> 00:22:13.960
the what have invoices that are totaling um 5,000 >> 3,000. >> 3,553.24 cents. >> I call a motion to approve the um total of $3,500

79
00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:31.120
$53.24 for the um receipts. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Uh any further discussion? None. Okay. Um let's vote then. All

80
00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:52.760
those in favor on on on on approving the invoices. Say >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Approved. >> Hey. Uh 1.8 uh board of health

81
00:22:52.760 --> 00:23:07.520
year end budget discussion. >> Okay, in your packages you have three budgets. One um then should be for the waste enterprise, which is 1.9.

82
00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:24.480
But you have page 17 and the page 19 of the town report. Now, this is as of May 1st, so it it's it's 3 weeks, um, a little bit off. Let's talk about page 17 of 26 first, which is Landfill

83
00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:40.520
Energy. Can you see it? On this page? >> Yes, I see it right there. Right there. >> Okay, Landfill Energy. As you can see, we are quite over our landfill energy.

84
00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:56.600
And that is because we had to cut 20% off of it last, well, 2 years ago, and then we put in to have the 20% back, and we were denied. So, you are working with the 20 $500. The good news is is that we

85
00:23:56.600 --> 00:24:13.440
haven't spent any money out of the 1200 for repair and maintenance. So, and you still have $450 left out of your professional services. So, you still do have June's bills.

86
00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:29.760
So, you're still going to have an electric bill. You're not going to have an energy You're not going to have a propane bill, but you're going to have an energy bill. So, when you look at 90, you're not going to be over. You you will you will be okay there. Okay? Your other budget, looking at page

87
00:24:29.760 --> 00:24:47.440
19 of 26, has the Board of Health Operating Account. Now, if you look at it, it says >> You want to just change pages? >> Okay. See where you see under Board of Health, sections 520?

88
00:24:48.640 --> 00:25:05.280
>> Okay, I see it. >> Okay. So, you're looking at 84% of the wages, which is right on cue. You get down to your professional services, well, we're a little over. Um office supplies, again, we are over.

89
00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:24.240
Your pay as you throw expenses, that's $6,778.75 needs to go to the enterprise account. For for the pay as you throw. It It should not be in the Board of Health operating. It should be taken out and it will be taken out. It's just that we don't have the reports for June yet. So,

90
00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:40.920
it will be out next week. So, on the 8th and and until the rest of the year when we have meetings, we will be discussing these in detail. So, that will be taken out. Of course, your mileage is over because um it's ridiculous. So, um you're at 98% but

91
00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:57.160
when you take out that 6778, you're going to be in budget there, too. So, I'm not concerned about going over budget or looking for any municipal transfers in Board of Health land for budgets.

92
00:25:57.160 --> 00:26:17.280
Is there any questions? >> So, this 6 6,778.75, what specifics is the pay >> That is for the 85 cases of bags that we bought last February because we were out short. Remember that?

93
00:26:17.280 --> 00:26:32.880
>> Out of the grant. >> And we wanted to buy 100 cases because they were getting low and then they only had 85 cases. So, we made sure that we had those in production just to make sure that we didn't have problem before. That money will be reimbursed through the grant.

94
00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:49.160
It is in our net receipts to apply for it, but it by no means should be in the Board of Health operating account. >> doing the applications so we don't um forget to do it. Who's doing those applications for the grant money?

95
00:26:49.160 --> 00:27:04.800
>> Um well, the the application is due um in June. So, at the next meeting, we'll be signing it. I was hoping to get June receipts in, but they want it It's due June 30th, but they want it by June

96
00:27:04.800 --> 00:27:20.880
1st. Um we have $42,000 in the account, and right now I'm up to like 40,000 and change. >> Okay. >> If they would hold a slot for our June receipts, we'd actually expend all 42. But that's where this money will be will will be coming out. >> Okay. Okay. >> It's very very important that it gets

97
00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:38.520
out of the Board of Health operating budget and general taxation. It shouldn't be there at all. >> Okay. >> And that was my error. >> All right. That's fine. We're getting there. >> So. >> And we have here the Which one is the enterprise account? >> The enterprise is page one of one.

98
00:27:38.520 --> 00:27:53.720
Simple page right here. And the only thing that I I have submitted at this time is just a summary because there are some things that Elizabeth and I have to go through. Such as the supplies.

99
00:27:53.720 --> 00:28:11.120
Um there's some supplies in there that need to go to net receipts because they were for bags and other things moved around. The low-income assistance that shows that we still have an expended balance of 5,000 that has been expended.

100
00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:26.520
I need to get her information. So, those two things have to be switched around. She's on vacation this week. We're working on it. Uh I understand it's the year end. We're doing our best.

101
00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:44.000
Um but we are at 80%, and we only have 2 months. So, I'm feeling pretty good about this. >> Okay. >> You still have your net receipts to come in for the trash bags. You still have May You still have June. And actually, you have 2 months because when you bring in July, it's actually

102
00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:59.080
going to be June receipts. So, you actually have 2 more months of bag receipts and if they're 29 at the minimum, which they are, that's another $60,000 that you will be bringing in. >> All right. So, this is the balance that according to that report is one

103
00:28:59.080 --> 00:29:16.360
$148,000 $177.69. >> Is in there right now. But, it's also not including these sticker fees, which is I don't think anyone's going to be signing up right now. I actually took

104
00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:32.760
off the FY26 on the online sign-up because I've had a well, not a lot, but I've had um people signing wrongly the wrong thing. They don't click on FY26. They They don't see FY26 is 125 and FY27

105
00:29:32.760 --> 00:29:49.040
is 150. They just They They don't see the drop-down, so they just hit it. So, so now I Now I have about six people that will be sending me checks for $25 or or coming in the office. >> All right. >> Um >> And we can't take down the old one? >> We did.

106
00:29:49.040 --> 00:30:04.120
>> She counts it out. >> I I took it down today. I I had to leave it up. It was I mean, it's been up for 2 weeks now and and I've already had three people come in and uh we prorated their stickers. So, it was $10. It was $10 if

107
00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:21.080
they come in if that we I charged them $10 to to get the yellow sticker. >> Huh. >> Uh it was prorated. It was 125. That was $10 a month. >> the clearance sale. >> Uh that's it. >> Uh any comments about the enterprise

108
00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:36.480
account where we at right now? Uh I don't know if Don Don, hi. Uh I want to recognize Don Hayes. >> Hi. Hi Hi, Christian and the rest of the board. Um yeah, I was just interested. I I wasn't able to make it up there in

109
00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:51.440
person today. So, um I was interested to to see what it is. I know um I've been keeping tabs. Um Carla has been keeping me updated with the detail invoices from

110
00:30:51.440 --> 00:31:08.560
from Shaw and the deposits that we've been getting from Waste Zero. So everything was looking good. So I was just looking to see if anything was was updated today because I know it was a couple of weeks ago I saw I saw the most recent. So

111
00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:24.160
I know we're getting near the end of the first year but it everything is looking good so far. >> The accountant is out Don until Monday. So I suspect on the 8th we'll have a much more detailed report.

112
00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:38.280
And if the board has to meet at the following Monday I'm sure that they would just to discuss the budget but I'm really not feeling that way given given the information that I have here and knowing knowing the expenses that are coming up. >> Right. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And it's

113
00:31:38.280 --> 00:31:53.840
kind of like and I know we I mean I looked at the detail on it was the April detail report that we had from from Shaw and when I compared it to say the detail in January it looked like we

114
00:31:53.840 --> 00:32:10.440
paid about 500 more in in April but that's what it tells me people are waking up for spring and there might be a little extra trash because that was only an an additional five tons in the invoice. So it it didn't it didn't look that bad to me.

115
00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:26.040
I know it was higher than January but only only by the like I say the five tons of either trash or recycling. So a little little of each. >> And I think that Don and I don't know if my members agreed that I think that this

116
00:32:26.040 --> 00:32:41.880
gives us some relief that we we are going to finish the our fiscal year with the pay as you throw throw program strong. And I don't think that people are getting more conscious about what they throw away versus the

117
00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:56.960
recycling and all these things. So, and I have and and I I want to thank the people of town as in public of their response with the pay as you throw program. And we are we are we are hopeful that that more people can come

118
00:32:56.960 --> 00:33:12.680
in for the program for this next fiscal year, too. So, um and as we have in our plan, we are going to be on the year two of our proposed plan that we signed to monitor and to discuss and to we're going to

119
00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:28.280
we're going to continue monitoring, but at the same time we're going to have to have discussions about about the back situation, which on year three we are going to be making emphasis on what we're going to do with the balance,

120
00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:43.920
but we're still going to be talking about having those conversations here at the board and with the people who wants to have those conversations, too. >> Yeah. I I agreed. I mean, when I when I look at it, we're we're still in the first year of data collection where

121
00:33:43.920 --> 00:34:00.920
where we're only eight months in. It's another four months before we start seeing year-over-year data to really do an analysis of where we are year-over-year. >> Okay. And the tonnage has just gone down so dramatically. It's it's really

122
00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:17.480
recycling [clears throat] so much, but obviously that's because people are >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. John, do you have any questions? >> I just have one question for Jennifer. Don't you think it would have been better to wait two weeks?

123
00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:32.600
Somebody told me that the other day. >> I have not heard that. >> Somebody told me that the camera has been out of action for two weeks. >> And I I've been out on that. >> Wow. >> Even though you do see the note that I'll be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

124
00:34:32.600 --> 00:34:49.000
I'm trying to use up my vacation time. This happens all the time. So, I will be sorry out of agenda. Um um out Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week and then two to three days a week until 6:19 cuz I can roll over two weeks and I don't want to be out the last two

125
00:34:49.000 --> 00:35:05.520
weeks of June. I I need to be in the office for the stickers. And then the other thing as we're on the enterprise, um Chris and I were speaking about where it's 4th of July week and it does take to mail these stickers. You have to

126
00:35:05.520 --> 00:35:20.520
understand [clears throat] that the post office goes to Worcester and then comes back to Townsend. So, stickers that go out on a Thursday might not get there till the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Someone signs up for the sticker on Thursday thinking, "My my

127
00:35:20.520 --> 00:35:36.480
sticker should be there by Tuesday." >> come in the office and and just pick it up. >> They can, but we're trying to alleviate that by mailing them. So, I do believe there's an avenue where I could go to like maybe the city of Leominster and

128
00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:53.720
and it's already set on the meter um for me to go through and have everything metered and then just bring them to Leominster already self-addressed stamped envelopes and then if they sent from Leominster to Townsend, they'll be there a lot faster. So, it's

129
00:35:53.720 --> 00:36:10.440
it's We're just trying to get them there as fast as possible. But, there's going to be There's there's going to be a leeway and um what does the board think about asking Shaw's to give till the 10th in

130
00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:27.720
case people um have a yellow sticker, but they don't have a purple sticker because you can't shut them off July 4th week. >> So, so here's what I proposed to the board. >> That makes sense. We can >> I proposed that on that time frame from the 1st to the 10th,

131
00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:44.920
those that have the yellow sticker, we can still pick up their trash. >> Yeah. >> And then after the 10th, and we can approve this um um uh uh >> You can do it now since you're in the enterprise account. You're in the enterprise budget. >> I think that we can approve that grace

132
00:36:44.920 --> 00:37:00.560
time from one from the 1st to the 10th of July to the people that have the sticker to pick up the the the trash, and after the 11th, well >> And that's two full weeks of trash for

133
00:37:00.560 --> 00:37:16.600
towns on Tuesday through Friday. So, if people are out on vacation, they haven't heard about it. Really hoping the solar signs we're going to be able to use as well. I noticed they're up and running again. So, maybe the second and third week of June, hoping to have the solar signs up. It's

134
00:37:16.600 --> 00:37:34.960
already on the website. It's on the voicemail. >> All right. >> Can I get a motion to approve um at at the beginning of fiscal year 2027, July 2027, from July 1st to July 10th,

135
00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:52.920
a grace period for people with the yellow stickers to to get their trash collected by the pay as you throw? >> I call a motion to create a grace period from July 1st to July 10th of fiscal year 2027 in 2026.

136
00:37:52.920 --> 00:38:08.320
I'll second that. >> Okay, all in favor, say aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. Very well. So, uh we don't have to rush pressure with the having approved this grace period. I mean, >> No, I'm going to talk to Sharps about it um

137
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:24.760
tomorrow. Um and let them know. They they're very curious about the size of the bags, the bat um the size of the stickers. As you know, they will be purple. They will be 7 by 9. I'm waiting to order the envelopes um because I want to see you know,

138
00:38:24.760 --> 00:38:41.360
they're 9 by 11 or or 8 by 10 and they're 7 by 9. And I [clears throat] I don't want to pay the extra and I don't want to get heavy weight because then you're going to I want to see exactly what's going to fit into the envelope and and we can get them overnight. So it's it's not a problem.

139
00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:56.640
I've already checked it out. Um, and the labels are already made for us to stick the labels on so I don't have to hand write every single one. I just have to go through the 10,000 labels and find the person and stick the label on. I've got

140
00:38:56.640 --> 00:39:13.400
a stamp for return address. So it shouldn't be that bad. It's it's going to be much better than people standing in line waiting. >> But I think that get approving the grace period, I think that's going to give time for >> But the problem is going to be that

141
00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:29.360
you make a big deal out of the grace period, people don't get in on the the 10th or you know, going to line line on the 10th and then it's going to be the >> Well, they're just going to miss a week. >> It's going to be a grace period and they're going to still expect people to pay everything paid by the 1st. So the

142
00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:44.080
people will line up on the 1st and it's just going to be a longer >> I think I think we should put an announcement on the internet and on the cable if possible. You can write up like something about from I don't know if from some like

143
00:39:44.080 --> 00:40:00.880
>> Well, it says on the flyer. It says on the flyer you have until July 10th to sign up. So they they'll see that. You have until July 10th. And that's going out the 1st through the 8th. Um, one because I didn't know when I was going to get the stickers. They were

144
00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:16.360
shipped on the 21st. They should be coming in this week. So when I come back into the office on Monday, I should have them. But my voicemail says that they're not going to be in until the 8th of June because I just don't I I don't want to disappoint people that show up and and say I don't have them.

145
00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:32.720
>> All right. Okay. >> So you are allowing some people to come in here to pick up >> Oh, absolutely. It's Yes. There's There's a fee of $3.50 to $5, depending upon your bank. And there's a lot of people that will come in to sign up for their dogs, their excise tax, their water bill, whatever.

146
00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:49.640
And And they're coming in already. I I want to sign up. I want to sign up. >> Okay. All right. >> And we probably got at least 15 people have already signed up online. >> Okay. >> Reimbursed paid for last year's >> Yeah. All right. Okay.

147
00:40:49.640 --> 00:41:06.000
I got my fire permit today. I didn't realize that we're on fire season. So, >> I'm trying to get one before the July to have a bonfire, so we'll see. >> So, our next meeting is going to be on 6/8 and 6/22.

148
00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:22.240
And on the meeting of the 6/22, we're going to get a clearer picture of how we're How How are we going to get a clearer picture of how we're going to close with the enterprise >> We're going to have a much better picture on the 8th. >> On the 8th? >> On the 8th. >> We're talking about this session. >> So, we want to talk about it on the 8th

149
00:41:22.240 --> 00:41:37.400
or on the 22nd? >> You want to talk about it both times. Both times. Okay. You need You need to talk about this year at the end of the year. Now, the end of the year really officially closes, and and don't get excited about it, but it's um July 13th. So, we we

150
00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:53.440
have time to encumber because we're not going to get the Shaw's bill until the second week. We're We're We're not going to get the AT&T bill. We're not going to get the Unitil bill. So, those things will be encumbered, but um it's important to see what happens. >> ends on the 13th of July?

151
00:41:53.440 --> 00:42:09.960
>> No, it ends on the 30th of June, but we have till the 13th of July to submit the invoices because we're not going to have [clears throat] them. >> Okay. >> So, you you have to give two weeks, but the accountant has been very very aggressive with emails stating end of

152
00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:33.400
year memos, this is the cutoff time, this is what you have to do and and she's very straightforward about what needs to be done. So, Any other comments before we adjourn? >> Um >> Any comments, questions? >> No.

153
00:42:33.680 --> 00:42:49.960
>> Do I have a motion to adjourn tonight's water health meeting? >> I'll motion to adjourn tonight's water health meeting. >> So moved. >> Okay, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.