Get ready to call the finance committee meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Roll call attendance, please. >> Present Mary Jane Church present.
Um Dave Walker is excused in the air. Um we have our forum. We're good to continue. Um this meeting is being recorded. Uh this will be available for playback either on the YouTube channel uh the town YouTube
channel or um on the local cable channels 8 and 9 at this point. Is there anyone else recording the meeting? None being heard. Can you um
addition? I have no additions or deletions at this point. Um, let me just make the note that I failed to put the minutes review on this. So, we'll pick them up. >> You spell my name.
>> Um, okay. Uh, year end transfer review. We want to go right into the forms. Start with what was labeled as NDR1
or FY26. >> Where are you seeing that? >> Um, that was in the file names. Um, >> number one in the right hand corner of the sheet. Okay. >> How are we going to do this? Do we have to read them?
out of >> we if if everybody has had the chance to read it um we can go over the highlights of um the first one is transferring from um
the Medicare town share account who the board is selecting salary the account numbers have been verified and updated um as necessary by Kieran and so this is $13,610
being transferred from the Medicaid to I'm administering this out. >> You'll actually see in my narrative sort of my chicken scratch versus health insurance question mark. >> I believe that 00 um 09914
5740 I think Don intended that to be the health insurance >> um unexpended balance there. And so I made maybe >> Yeah, there's about $25,000 left in there. >> Nelson's money that thing.
>> So Nelson had like vacation time, things like that to him >> and then the salary or the interm >> and then they Yeah, we had interm salary wages. So you had two people sort of working at the same time with Nelson finishing up and then they were paying
my wage as well. Um, >> this is due to the Medicare account. >> It it takes the money from the Medicare account because the starting the amount available. So, the other sheet that was just passed out um maybe while you were out of the room. Um,
>> I didn't get this. >> I passed it around. >> You didn't get that one? >> I didn't make it. >> No. Yes. Is that it? >> Yeah. So, so if we if we look at where we're
coming from, it's the third countdown Medicare town share. Um, they have the account number 099165780. Right now, the available funds in there is 15,76768. >> So,
don't does anybody ever need a Medicare account or >> we have used it. It was much harder than that at the beginning of the year. This is what remains in that account as of January. >> So I only have $200 left around 20 Yeah, around 2150. Yeah. >> Based on um
>> on the other transfer that will come from that account. >> Correct. >> This is because we're self-funded on our insurance. >> No, no, no. This is No. We allocated X number of dollars, say $100,000 for Medicare at the beginning of the year.
We didn't we we have used all except 15,767 at this point. >> How does it get used? >> We paid into the Medicare account when the bills come due. >> Oh, you mean for taxes? >> Well, this is for the for the budget for the beginning of the year. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Portion of the taxes for Medicare >> come out of your employee. Your employee pay something. >> Yeah. So, >> we'll have enough money. >> There's enough money for this. We paid it up for the year. This is the the
less. >> Yeah, budgeting is >> left over. >> It's it's the unexpended balance. Like we'll touch on one later on. I shared with these folks while we were getting the copies that like >> we thought the highway mechanic was going to start July 1 last year. Didn't start in fact July 1. So highway
operations the staff actually had unexpended money. They had about 45k left. Yeah. >> So, it's you budget, but sometimes it's always good to come in under budget cuz that's where you get your free cash from or you get the moments you guys are going to be boring you with where it's you can shift some of the money around
to cover the things that over >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, this gives it this is leftover money. >> This is there still be money left over, >> right? Yes. There will be 33 >> and that goes to free cash, >> correct? >> Right. How come there's two things
listed for highway operations? Yeah, >> cuz one was for the facilities overage and the second one was the town clerk um was looking for about $200. >> No, I'm up here for the fun. >> So, you have to highlight both lines. So, it's both lines.
>> There'll be there'll be two different >> transfers from those accounts. >> Yeah, the the others are combined up there. So, this is the only one. >> Oh, I see. So the the general liability has three transfers against it. The
>> we make motions on each one of the individual. >> We do we do because they're transferring account to account and that's that's why we we ask it the form. You can have multiple two accounts but only one or multiple from accounts but only one two
account. you you don't want to have >> right >> a lot of money moving different places. So on the transfer two, there's only going to be one per. >> Okay. >> So your motion would be, you know, request for transfer of appropriations
one to cover the deficit of the town administrator's office, >> you know, $13,610 >> to cover a portion and >> you just say so move it simpler that way. Good.
>> Okay. We're looking for a motion to approve the transfer 16 $13,610 from Medicare time chair to the town administrators. >> I'll say now Mary got it. We're on it.
>> Oh, [clears throat] okay. From Medicare. >> Yeah. Where it's going. >> Where is it? US salary tournament. >> Oh, yeah. Miscellaneous. >> So, two different seg segments too, which is really important. So, you're
going from general government segment, you know, from an insurance bucket to, you know, that way, which is how you move the budget >> at town meeting. So, >> it honors that. >> So, the segments you can move within the segments. >> You you you have to you have to do your your appropriation like you guys are
doing here to approve the segment from one segment to another. >> Okay. Okay. Cuz we're walking from 7 to 7. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> You second it, right? >> I did. Yeah. >> No, I thought you made the motion. >> Oh, >> no. I made the motion. >> Wasn't
it in? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Any discussion? No. Right. >> Any discussion? Any further discussion? >> Okay. Um, all in favor? I >> opposed.
I didn't hear you. >> Okay. I just I I didn't hear. >> Are you otherwise engaged? >> Unanimous. She's just I'm looking at all the all the lines. Okay. >> She understands [clears throat] all the money. I have a clue. >> I'll have you sign these if they go forward at the end. >> Yeah. Before I shoot out of here. So,
>> and the packet. >> Yeah. >> She's got Yeah. Darren has the originals to go with the second. >> This one is from Vicki. Yeah. >> Yeah. She wasn't um here today. She was out wasn't feeling well. We've had a couple people come down with some stuff here. So, I I filled it out for her. Um
this was in regards to her wage appropriation because she's at the end of the the line for steps. So, I know you and I touched on this um at the last meeting. So, this is to cover the um the lack of funding for her wages. >> Why is there a lack of funding for her
wages? I don't understand. >> Problem. >> So, there's no step there, >> right? She's so she's at the end of her step >> and the union contract also gave her this cola plus um step. >> You do that, >> right? >> Because I >> that's what I thought
>> because >> I didn't build that budget. So that's I think they gave her another 2 and a half% I think was what was >> how can you go above the step? Now you can get cost of living increases above the step but you cannot >> that's what the caller is. >> Okay. So they give the 4% instead of
>> this was for last because this is the last year of the contract. >> This was last last year. >> But usually based the way I've seen it work, you know, yes, you hit your ceiling, but they if they give everybody the same
cola, then the all the steps increase accordingly. >> Yeah. The way this contract finished up is they never added a step. They should have added a step so you could see it in the chart. Okay. >> And with the new contract, the one-year agreement, there is no step. It's just
2%. >> Okay. That's the end of at the end of >> those that are at the end of the line. That's the end of it. >> Okay. All right. >> So, it's going into the Medicare account. >> Is it coming from Medicare? >> Oh, it's coming from Medicare again.
>> Again. So, so that takes care of the total $2,000. >> Well, but now it's down at 332. So the two transfers together total um 15,435. So there's after this there's 33268
>> remaining credit. >> Yep. Right. >> It's segment to segment. >> Yeah. Because that's general government from the insurance segment. >> Well, I'll make that motion. that motion to the transfer transfer of
the money from the Medicare >> segment to >> assessor's office >> to the assessor's office in the amount of $1,825. >> Any further discussion? >> Oh, I have nothing to say. >> Okay. Oh, sorry. Um, so we have a second
further discussion or question. So if you take this 1,800 out of the Medicare, >> the balance remaining in appropriation from which transfer is that the Medicare account? >> That's the Medicare account. Yeah, >> it says $3,000. I don't >> No, it's $332.
>> Oh, that's a period, not a >> I Okay. All right. So that makes total. >> Yep. And and again the note that I put in here was if the first transfer was approved because
this would be higher >> I did. >> Okay. So we had a motion and a second. Any further questions? None being heard. All in favor? I. >> All opposed
being heard. Unanimous. Third, [clears throat] >> the third one is our one of our most favorite topics which is legal council bills >> in regards to accounts [clears throat] there. I corrected the I corrected the line account number that
is your insurance line. So similar to the Medicare topic, it's the money left over in that bucket. So maybe an employee fell off health insurance throughout the year and you we had budgeted, you know, a million dollars and you only ended up needing 975K. So you were left with about 25K. Um in this
case, you originally had budgeted 1.23 um 1.21 million and we're going to be just a smidge under 1.2 to close out the year for health insurance. Um that may be because you know someone fell off and they have to handle they their partner
got a great job and they decided to go on their partners health insurance. >> So this is going to be for union negotiations. >> It's going to include union negotiations, land use contracts, um investigations. >> What are those? >> Um when sometimes we have legal matters
that we need town councils to assist us with legally for investigations that are going on within the town. um litigation for the >> select board's office or any office that's in a litigating matter within town. >> So that's part of our
>> this was well this was for the ones that we did in 20 in fiscal year 2026 correct not calendar year. >> So the these are the expenses that have come in and again there was that change from a monthly fee to an hourly rate
charge. So >> um yeah, so that that's where >> the basically the the bills are in and we're looking at ways of preparing >> but maybe they shouldn't have kept going to town council. Um, finances are this
is an issue. Keep going on. >> Partway through the year was a change in the process because it used to be anybody could could be directed [clears throat] to to go to town council and partway through the year. >> You kind of nipped that in the uh
>> Oh, no. That got nipped by the town council. I went to see him. He said he couldn't talk to me about historic because he represents the border slackman, not the other people >> or organizations. But I I >> we've never had a car blanch to call
since I was on the board. >> Never. >> So I I I think that this is this is going to get worse next year. >> It will. But the >> and if we give them money, then they're going to think that they can just get it again. Well, again, we you know, a lot of the
money was for the layment negotiations and things. It was kind of like it don't have a breakdown. >> It's build hours. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Do they uh as as it is build hours, do
we have do we know u if one department used it more than another? >> Um I I don't know that answer. I know last week >> [clears throat] >> Karen told us that even on some of the invoices they can't put all of the
information because it's confidential. So, but you know what? This is vague and Valerie did ask the town council billing office to say, you know, break it out by union negotiations. You know, like we like I
know town council is participating in the land use discussion right now for zorning board of appeals from 159 Klein Street. So he spent some time on that and that's going to be in that fiscal 26 bucket there. >> Oh, that's just, you know, he's doing it now. >> He's Well, it's
>> Oh, today's Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Those land use matters there. That's a complicated >> That's a complicated >> situation out there. >> The little cottages. >> Yeah. What are they supposed to be? >> Okay.
>> Okay. I remember. Yes, I remember that. James he's next on the docket for your members issue going for the next meeting. >> So then you can be >> we need to >> okay
>> pull it back to this >> one day. This is the bill that has to be paid. This is part of the bill that this is >> well it >> we don't have to vote
>> the the amount that >> what you're not going to >> it's a total of 57,84 problem >> that the bills go up and up and up. It's just like the hiring increase. It's the same feeling I have on that. There's a hiring increase but okay let's hire
them. Let's hire, >> right? >> I So the questions and recommendations we might want to make from here to the spike board is >> not the these amounts are way out way out of
hand or >> because I'm on the planning board and we there are very there are certain issues that we have no choice but to go to an attorney >> and I get that. >> I get that. >> I get that. And you're going to need an attorney to do negotiate the contracts
if you want. I went to contracting my whole life and we always had an attorney review all our >> review negotiate. >> But you still got to pay them for review. >> Yeah. But not not
>> $2,100 to sit there and >> But I would negotiate a labor contract. I would have But it's already there. ask me is a crafty little group. >> You You betcha. Any union >> I would have an attorney do
I get exactly what you're saying. I I just I I think that we as the finance committee and is allegedly supposed to watch the finances for the taxpayer. I think that we should be made aware of this ongoing rather than dropped at the
end of the year and say, "Oh, you got to do it or you're not going to pay the lawyer." I mean that that doesn't work for me as a as a process. I I think we should know that in um January Well, we know about union negotiations. I didn't know we were spending $2,100.
>> We didn't know the rates at the time. >> No, we don't know. So, well, part of it that's killing us is going to the hourly >> rate versus what we had the killing us car because we don't have a breakdown of this
>> union. Okay, good. >> Land use contract. Okay. How many hours they spend on that or what? >> Quite a lot. >> Yeah. No, I get it. But quite a lot. [laughter] Quite a lot. What's this next one? Or >> contracts, litigation, investigation.
>> Yeah, that's wicked. May >> investigations has to be paid. But watch your meetings upcoming. >> No, I do watch my meetings. Yeah. No. No. Got it. But um I [clears throat] don't know. I think we should be
>> in litigation. When we're in litigation, you have to have an attorney. There's no >> Well, we had we had an attorney here for another voter registration matter. That cost us $1,800 to have the attorney come. >> Cuz there was someone questioning Mr. Joe Shanks voter registration. >> Oh, that cost
>> us $1,800. >> That was me. Oh, good. I'm glad. >> But the town clerk had the answer to that question in his resources. So, we didn't need to have town council come for that. Well, see, so you're using the resources you have. >> We were asked to use town council because he was unsure of the answer, but
the answer was readily available and we found it together and it was readily available rather than having gone to rape to town council. >> So given that information, that's good for us to know. So, how many of these other things did you and someone that
you're working with in the miss because they didn't talk to you about it or they just went on their merry way and call? >> I don't miss a lot of things. So, >> right. So, when So, are people calling when they could have come to you or gone to the books or the town? >> People usually come to me to ask, can I
call a town council? I'm like, did you use Google >> AI? Did you try? >> Okay. And that way >> there be a file up in the selectman's office and we have a lot in the town clerk's office of opinions from the lawyers so that we don't have
to go to the lawyers >> but I don't know if it's being utilized and I don't know if it's been kept up in the past 5 years >> other like I have other TA friends I'll just run a question by and get an answer to. >> Yeah. Well, we have our clerk group that we would run a >> Right. That's the best resource is your
colleagues who've been down [clears throat] these paths before. So, >> so this is not a runaway train. Is that what you're trying to say? >> We can't afford it for it to be a runaway train. >> Well, I just >> it should be brought to the attention of
the warrior's office that we're not >> they negotiated, but Kieran said that the hourly rate is cheaper than the >> I think they've gone to town council a few times when they didn't need. That's my That's my That's what I think.
>> Some of some of what I recall was um that people were asked not to go to town council and and ask it around if anybody else has had this question. Look it up. >> Wait a minute. So we told you before is the same thing.
>> Different different amounts, different accounts, but going to go to the employer, right? So 50,000, right? So they total 50,000. Yeah. 57,000 57,500. >> Yeah, but every might be a little bit higher.
>> Yes, it's $58,000. >> More budgeted $82,500, >> right? The contract for fiscal year 26,000. >> So, you're saying we spent $135,000 on legal fees >> given what we've had because I
challenged Joe Shank. >> Many. >> Um, so we got Gary and Dave, right? the dynamic duo with the bid rigging and we have other litigations >> pretty constantly I'd say. Yeah. Yeah. Legal
>> legal litigation. Okay. >> And coupled with the union stuff. I mean they have to >> Yeah. I would like to separate the union stuff from this at least in my mind. >> Right. We >> That's why we wanted to have two separate line items, right? Give them the 50,000 with two separate line items,
right? and they didn't want to do that, >> right? >> So they they now it's all coingled. >> Everything is is comingled and um >> that just >> the select board chair has asked for the
breakdown by >> category [clears throat] >> by category. So like it'll be, >> you know, it'll say land use and it'll say like land use and then like planning board, land use, >> zoning board of appeals, land use, >> grants cuz I do use them to check a
grant, state contract. >> Then it'll say select board. It should say like union negotiations, personnel contract matters. I can think of law. >> There's no way in the world that that the lawyers office can tell you they can't do that because you Oh, yeah. Absolutely.
>> We just we just asked them and we're just we're going to get the first sort of cleanup of it and then ask for it to be amended. That's how it's probably going to go. It's going to take two tries with this >> cuz we want to see it and then see what it looks like and then go from there >> and get feedback from your group and other group >> and that makes good sense. Are they
charging us? >> No, they're actually not charging us for that which is remarkable. That was actually my question. So I was like, are we going to get like 10 minutes charges on this? Is that 20 bucks for this work? >> No charge in 10 minutes. You [clears throat] talk to them for a minute, but they still charge 15 plus minutes on
>> 10 minute 10-minute increments to a lawyer. Last time I talked to a lawyer was 15 minute increments. >> Okay. >> So, okay. >> And divorce attorney was the same thing. 10 minutes. I'm like, "Holy moly, what do you mean? What are you doing?" But I kept talking to you the other day
and they talked to an attorney for like an hour and only paid 100 bucks a deal. >> And it was by telephone. >> Okay. So back back to >> Okay. So where are we going to go with this? >> Um >> the 25,100 >> the 25,100 to be transferred from health
insurance to the town council legal professional services. Do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the transfer of 25,100 from Health Insurance the Town Council professional legal services.
>> I second. >> Okay, we had a motion and a second. Any further discussion or questions? None being heard. All in favor of approving the transfer.
>> I vote. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> I don't usually. Um my record of order said chair votes when there's a time. >> Oh, it's three to two. >> Oh, so you don't have to do
>> I would say the chair's voice should be heard. Good. >> No. I haven't been the FinCom chair before. I always voted last one to vote. Yeah. >> Last one. >> Yeah. >> Cuz you're you're the one that they go to first. So, your voice should be heard.
>> Oh, >> you know, but I like his way. But you know when we have 50 minutes >> it's another one another one >> if it's all
>> okay next one is the remainder of the money for the professional services and >> yes we know >> 32,745 from the reserve fund and the reason we're not doing it as a reerved fund. It
really doesn't fit the category of a reserve fund transfer. So, we're doing a municipal transfer from the balance in our account over rather than saying >> the reserve the reserve fund is supposed to be for unplanned
>> emergencies >> emergencies. So, that would be a reserve fund request. We're at the last day of the year and we haven't used the money. So my suggestion was it's the it's a municipal transfer of the money from the
reserve fund over. It's not a reserve fund request that we would we a reserve funding request would ask us to reject it because it doesn't fit the criteria. >> So you're finding a way around the rejection. Sorry, but
>> it it is a little bit, but it fits a municipal transfer >> workound that you can do legally. >> Um, well, I thought I thought it would be better. I thought if we presented it as a reserve transfer, it would fail out of
the out of the box because it's not the way. There's very limited places where we can get this money. the the free the amount of money that is going to be available for free cash this year is
limited. So this we needed a big amount. The one real big amount is the $40,000 in the reserve fund. >> How much we're going to have left? >> We will have $7,525. >> Are you taking it from us somewhere else? Yeah, >> this is this was the only municipal
transfer request for >> we still get the reserve fund. >> Um, it is this is the account for the reserve fund. >> Okay, >> that's that's listed. >> You better make the motion because you understand. >> So, it's still the same, right?
approved the transfer of $32,745 from the reserve fund and moved to the town council professional league of services. >> Oh, I thought you said you >> No, no, no. I as a as a reserve fund. Sorry, it's kind of like let's finish
the motion and see if we get a second. Um, and then we'll have a little more discussion. Okay, who wants a second? >> Any second? Do we need >> we got to do something about this thing?
>> Right. So So the the piece that I was talking about is there's a different form for exer fund requests to transfer money that the the procedures around that say that is
for an emergency unplanned. Now, >> this this had a budget. It went over. So, I don't think that's unplanned. That's a that's an underbudgeted amount. If we were going to change that amount during the year, there could have been another meeting to go in and adjust
that. Well, I >> as far as being unplanned, uh I believe the budget was set on historical information and not only that, but it had been increased to that amount because of
known things coming. So, how far in the future can you plan with the limited monies we had to deal with, >> right? And so what seemed appropriate when we did that budget a year ago was appropriate.
Even I thought it was high at that time. Obviously I didn't get the right number. I think it should have been acknowledged that there were union negotiations coming. Um land use stuff is land use stuff. Can't predict unplanned
investigations and you know things like that. But we should have done the acknowledgement. >> Nelson. >> Nelson. >> Yeah. He wasn't done one year. January, February, March, May. >> He set the budget. >> He set the budget. >> He set the budget >> and the town approved it. >> This was this was this was the FY26
budget. So, this is the budget we approved >> June 25 >> in May of 25. >> And we going through the numbers. I remember the legal fee problem. just putting it all on Nelson's back select
>> that's all you guys do everyone [clears throat] >> we don't see >> the residents >> no more lawyer >> board and that's been my issue since day one on this board >> so this budget was also
approved with negative balances >> and DLS was supposed to come out and investigate it and it never happened. >> Mhm. You're right, Kathy. That time she >> never had passed. >> No, you're right.
>> And that wasn't Finn Con's fault either. >> I know that. >> And we knew at the meeting when it passed that it was unbalanced. >> Yes, we did. >> And we tried to speak to it and they wouldn't let us talk. >> No, we were shut down. shut down like
>> and it was we knew it was a bogus budget. It was like so important is this is the crime. >> This is why we're in this pickle that we're in years ago. >> Free cash balance the budget >> when we've been using [laughter] the
free cash year to year. We don't have a free cash policy if we did have it. We would >> actually do [clears throat] you have one from 2017. >> Okay. All right. So, what do we want? We got a vote or we got to still discuss.
>> Well, is there any other place to take it from other than the reserve? >> Um, there is probably other places, but you're talking probably eight or nine accounts taking a thousand here and a couple thousand there. That's why this is a chunk
>> that allow allows allows it not to be a lot of work and a lot of different accounts. >> Good question. So, in other words, they can do >> what they did with no consequence. That's that's what we're talking about here. We're talking about passing a
budget that was not legitimate. Okay? And now there's no consequence because we're going to take it out of our reserve fund. So, anytime this happens, we got you covered. >> For fiscal year 27, the budget number for legal council is much higher.
>> Right. And then at the March town special town meeting, I tried to encourage I tried to present the fact that you should put a certain amount of money into a trust so that it remains there and they can keep going back to it each year. But the residents did not feel inclined to support that at the
time. So then this fiscal year 27 budget, much like the town clerk's budget went up, the town council number went up as well to help hopefully offset and not have to come back to a reserve process. But back to Carol's point, the budget was not legitimate.
>> Well, it was it was voted. They they >> I get it. Did you think the town's people had a clue? >> Towns people don't have a clue. >> Exactly. >> They didn't have a clue what they were voting on. >> No, because everything was We weren't allowed to talk about it. We weren't allowed to get the information
>> and somebody got up and threatened the world was going to come to an end. Sorry. [laughter and gasps] >> Right. Is that what we were told? >> People will die. And >> someone got up and vote and made a motion to accept the bottom >> the bottom line. >> The bottom line and to do whatever you
want with the money, >> right? >> And that happened >> and that truly happened. >> Yeah. >> But those are the pieces and I think >> but we did try to get the state to come in and do a job. I bet I don't know why
they didn't come. Why did they not come? >> I I don't know. I I every time they requested dates, I provided and I never they never closed on a date to come out. Kind of like I know they were meeting with multiple people, planning on meeting with multiple people. Um but it
it never >> Well, I think it came from the talk >> that was with Theodore. Theodore from the DS group. I think >> called by the board of meet because they were busy busy busy putting it on. I thought Bobby Joe was coming out. >> So
>> that was the original thing. >> Well, that that was the original Bobby, but they they wanted to meet oneonone and we didn't really appreciate that. So, >> no, >> we turned that down. So, >> um but that was that was the case. The the other is
>> I will recommend we are where we are with this with this budget. Um we maybe didn't do it last year. Um, I like to do it as a project from my past a post more come back in. We look at good, bad, and
potentials for [clears throat] the future for changes. >> I think what we need to do is do a five-year lookout. >> Oh, always. Yeah. I've been asking that every time you talk about it, it's like you're crazy. >> I have presented it to multiple town
administrators on the file and and here it is. Um and so we we have done that in the past. We're going to have a new town administrator. We go after that again. And do has their own tools too. So in addition, so >> but I don't think we should keep putting
the TAs under the bus. I think that that's been something that the board of selectmen the board collectively has been running this town for a good 20 years and they keep saying it's because we had a change with the TA. We had a change of TA but you guys have not changed, right? It's the same four
coming around every time or or back by the same four. So >> let's vote and get it over with. >> Okay. So we had the motion >> voted on the last one.
>> All in favor of transferring the 32,745 from the reserve fund to the town council professional legal services. All in favor? All >> oppose I [clears throat] two with abstensions.
>> No, I am >> or no. >> I don't agree with it. >> Okay. So, you want to be enough? >> No. >> Okay. >> No, you're abstaining. Sam said yes. You know what? Also a no.
Okay. Jerry's on a no. >> Okay. Sam. Carol. Yes. So, you have to vote on >> you're a no. >> I'm a no. >> You're a no. >> Okay. >> Right. But if that makes three nos, then we're we're talking about how do we how do we cover this bill if we don't do
this? >> Have them go down and come back and see us. >> Okay. We have two. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, they didn't want to I know they were, but I didn't know where
they were. >> Oh, I'm sorry. You wrote this for I'm just saying temporary things. Some of the problems we face are from selectmen that are long passed on. >> No, I get it. I get it.
>> Be nice if they were passed away in some of the cases. Um, but that's nonetheless. thought in other words these people are only there what's the term six years >> I don't know three years >> three years so that's three year and they rotate >> every year for a new one and by the time
you find a problem like this >> oh yeah but we were told somewhere we weren't going to get the information >> I know that part yeah those >> one of those is >> yes
by >> I don't know the other replacement But but the point is we were told dead and to our faces we were not going to get the information and >> move on. We have a couple >> so number four is a no
>> right now >> election expenses [clears throat] >> as of midnight tonight that's 40,000 or whatever is left of it >> goes to free cash >> because it's free cash. >> So that's why I voted for it because it it's a nice clean. It was certainly I do
know we planned on excessive legal bills. We just didn't plan on enough excessive legal bills. >> If it goes to precash, then what happens? >> They can just take it out of free cash. >> Well, you have until July 15 to figure out your end transfer.
>> Come with another one by your next meeting. >> Right. That's that's the piece. is going to be this or multiple other small amounts into into that budget to cover it cuz it's a negative line and it has to be it has to be brought to zero. >> But whether it's a good policy or not,
it's the intention of the reserve fund. There were no emergencies throughout the year literally what it's there for. >> And then you don't have a voting member that's like it defeats the purpose of being on the board if you're not going to vote. >> Like why are you here then? >> No. Why can't we desent? Why do we all
have to vote? >> You did. He didn't say anything though. >> Oh, >> like why else be >> right? I I mean it and >> it's a tie. >> It would be a tie at that point and then we have to >> then you can you redebate it >> tonight? Tonight? >> Yeah,
>> we we can do it tonight or >> Well, oh, you mean until we all agree? Is that where we're going here with this? >> Not not necessarily. It's kind of like to understand the other options. What What do you What we're doing >> Okay. What's the other options? >> Yeah, let's hear the other options. the other options. I just find other buckets
of money and present it to you. It's >> it's all the same button. >> Well, I want to know where I'm just >> It's going to come from highway operations. >> That's what I said. >> It's going to come from >> uh let's see. >> It's going to transfer from a tax collector's office. >> It has a positive right now.
>> Who else has money? >> Tax collector. Your >> explain why >> your veteran benefit is on defense. You have 15,000 extra there. >> Okay. Okay. So, train wide and highway extra money. >> They hired a mechanic midway through the
year, so they have extra wage wage money. >> So, they have money left over. >> Correct. >> Right. >> That's going to go to free cash. >> So, that's where it's going to come out. >> You don't support it here. It's It's the same thing. >> Yeah. >> It's the same It's the same act. Like, it doesn't change anything.
>> It It doesn't It It doesn't change the ask. And as far as free cash, whether it comes from this account or the highway account, the free cash, >> we can still we can say no coming out of the highway account, too. We can, but you've got you've got a
negative account that has to be brought. >> Now, as soon as money in there, >> 26 hours left in there. Yeah. >> They can't touch that. So the money was out fiscal year.
I am aware of that on a budget. >> If we were to pass this, can we pass on a very strongly worded notice to the board of selecting to watch their spending on this? >> Do you think that's going to matter? Well, >> there's lots of different things when we
ask. Well, let's ask him because you're going to be in charge more or less. >> Right. It's why I advocated for the trust cuz it was that was the whole point of it [clears throat] >> to manage legal spending better. >> Well, like you wouldn't go back to Reserve. It would it would almost
remember like uh Singular with a rollover minutes how great that was. You'd be like, "Oh, I got all these minutes. I can talk to my friends." That was sort of the thought of a trust is when you didn't spend in one year, it would stack and stack and stack. >> Yeah. >> You'd have all your rollover minutes at the end of the year to allocate the
conversation. >> The trust that you're talking about, >> it was denied that time. Well, you know what? A lot a lot of that business that was denied or accepted in town meeting is because of the segments that were there and the people how it was s sold sold
there and I mean sold. >> So had we known and been really um internalized with this and understood and could make a real decision and not I'm not blaming you at all but I'm blaming the voice of weapon. We were pushed down our throat. you are going to
do this or too bad. What did they tell us? >> No. What did they tell us about the constable? We're not going to tell you. You don't have the right to know. >> Exactly. >> And that's how I feel they treated us throughout the entire operation whenever
we had questions. We didn't have the right to know. >> That they have to spend. No, $1,300 that they have to spend for >> Yeah. Yeah. That's quite tapped there. And I still don't know where the other fire trucks are. Do we, Jerry? >> No.
>> I'm sorry that we're asking questions, but that's our job. >> I was trying to figure out why I don't remember the truck. Now I remember why I don't remember. I wasn't here. >> Oh, you were awake. >> I was Yeah, >> but I I remember that. But we did not get a good explanation of it. And that's why we did not support. That's why we
voted not to support it. >> It was not a good explanation. It was a new a new >> it was it was just this is what we want to do. >> Can that what is it that next year town meeting can that be brought in again and explained better? [clears throat] >> Not town meeting. I thought I did an
okay job. But uh [laughter] >> but you did it at the town meeting. >> I did at the special town meeting in March. >> Exactly. But we didn't we didn't support it because we didn't understand it. >> Yeah. So anyway, I think we should have made a
message that in light of what's going on tonight. I think we should revisit not not tonight but throughout the year. But I think we have to send a message. I am sorry. I'm into this now. This message tonight that we should send the board of selectment, I don't care if they're new,
old, wherever, that we want to be respected when we ask questions. We don't want to be told you don't need to know it's not your business. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think we have to send a message and I think if they have to go look for
more money from I'm sorry it's you right >> and [clears throat] it's all the same bucket at the end of the day >> at the end of the day because we have 600 >> I hear your message but >> yeah we have six hours >> right >> so we're we're talking that
>> so hopefully we we will have a stronger administrative than we did last year >> it's going to keep coming to to moderate guys. So hope you get >> no nothing was not as we did not get answers. I think we can
ask you a question whether we get the answer we like or not. I think >> you may not like it. >> No get an answer >> and for the last what five years I've been here >> it's been very difficult to get any
answers at all. They're going to you your tax dollars will pay me to come in here and sit here and take the jabs from you. >> But I'm going to give them back every now and then if I get the jabs. [laughter] >> And every time you come back, we're going to chunk it off the salary.
>> I do well, I get it back, right? >> Where's the compassion here? If I do well, I got to get it back. >> We don't set the next year till tomorrow. Do we want to change our mind on number four or are we still going to
>> I hate to do this, >> but I mean it's all I understand. You say in the end the money is going to go into free cash and we're just and it's all going to be paid. So, >> and when we get our money back, >> we get a new budget every year.
>> You get $38,500,000 every year. That was >> dropped to 40 years. It was down to 35 when we >> That was you. >> It was down. Yeah. >> The answer. >> Okay. [laughter]
>> Yeah. But that was in the previous Yeah, we already discussed the third. >> Bring it up again. >> All right. Bring it up again. >> Motion to reconsider. >> Motion to reconsider the table. Okay. Motion to reconsider the approval of the
transfer of $32,745,000 from the reserve fund to the town council professional legal services. >> Okay. All in favor of reconsiderations. >> Who's going to second it? [clears throat] >> Okay.
>> Okay. So, we had a motion to reconsider the MPR4. Um, all in favor of reconsideration. >> I >> All opposed. I heard unanimous. >> Not really.
>> Under duress. [laughter] >> Yes. But with >> Yes. Underass. Add that into the mix though. Voted yes. Underress. >> Under duress or under stress. >> Americans do it.
>> Yeah. Dress. That's a good one. >> What was that word? >> You are >> dearest. I'm itching all over. I >> remember my feet though. I think it's a little >> Oh, this paper gives me
[clears throat] >> now we're on now. Where are we going? Well, that that was just reconsideration. Do we want to re revoke? >> Oh, to revoke that we do. >> Revoke. >> Oh, now we want it under duress.
>> This one's under duress. I don't know how. >> Yeah. Say duress under. >> Okay. >> So, I want to roll. I request a roll call vote. >> Okay. >> All right. So, so we're going to go now. We're going to >> now now that
>> make a motion to approve the transfer >> of $32,745 from the reserve fund >> to the town council professional legal services. >> You have a second. [clears throat]
>> Okay. So, roll call vote. Carol says yes. Darl is under under doing church. Yes, under duress. Yes, under duress. Sam, yes. Under
>> I'm very satisfied that this is sufficient due diligence when we started the budget, especially that was built under duress. >> No kidding. >> Um and >> all right, number five. Number five. You
know, what's this? What else? You know, spending too much time with a lawyer. >> In the future, that's all. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Your new job. We're going to >> town court is transfer is looking to transfer
>> $1,600 um from the general liability insurance to the town court salary >> line. So again, >> so why do we need this? >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh, this was summarized as election expenses related to an
unbudgeted special election that took place on 729 2025 >> last July, >> right? >> That was that was that was >> that was the overright. >> Oh, yeah. >> I get it coming from general liability
insurance. >> Yeah, correct. Yeah. >> That the one supposed to pay our legal fees if we get rebel. No, that's that's just to pay the general liability insurance. >> Yeah, slip [clears throat] balls, everything. Building insurance by
>> just walk into a door and something like that. >> I make the motion that we transfer $1,600 from the general liability insurance into the >> complex. Sorry. Yeah. >> Second.
>> Okay. Okay, we had a motion and a second to transfer >> the 1600 number five. And any further questions? >> All in favor of transfer. >> Opposed?
Unanimous. Item six. >> Oh, this is election expenses again. >> This is election expenses, but a different line. And so this this is $1,823 coming from the general liability insurance. Again, this is going to town
court election >> operations operations. ENR election and registar is my guess, right? Yeah. >> Registrers is a whole other >> That's a whole another election. >> What do you mean registers? This isn't for registrs.
>> Election wages, but I don't know what the R is in here for. Recount. Election recount. >> Okay. Yeah. So that >> I know that. >> Yeah. This is not this is election and recount. This is this is the wages for the people that are actually in the
building >> handing out balance putting feeding them in counting all everything to do the wardens. >> We don't have any wardens. Yes, we do. We everybody on this everybody on this
committee that works an election has submitted um a conflict of interest form and it has been accepted and approved for the duration of our >> Did I? >> Yes, you did. >> Okay. >> Did you? >> So, even though we're involved in this
to be paid because we filed a disclosure, we can >> we filed a disclosure. We are not paying ourselves. This the pay that we get when we're working elections is managed by the town clerk. And so with that,
we're not paying ourselves. We're not paying family. We are just approving a budget for elections from which we get a small stipen when we work. >> So that's not double state, right? >> No, it's not double state. It's not trying to get around it. It just we we are not in control how much paid that's
fixed by the town. >> Oh, I see. We don't get any >> we we don't get any more than anybody else's work in the architect. >> And this is because of the special election that we had the extra election, >> right? >> Yeah.
>> See, now this should Why isn't this coming out of the reserve fund transfer? >> Reserve fun. >> Yeah. Why isn't that? Because that >> that is an unforeseen. It it is it was
an unforeseen expense and we're still working through because there was that special election budget that was on the side which it could have come from too. Um but we're doing this. I think the idea is to take that other account that
had some money left in it and transfer it back into the general fund later on because we're because obviously we're not using it using that that fund because that didn't require a transfer that was just
within the department it was approved you um in the past when you were town clerk you used money from that account right >> and and brought it in and and covered um so this um the accountant didn't want to use use that account and was
recommending that we use the money from the general liability to cover it. >> Okay. >> So it again >> but doesn't that but that means less free cash next year. >> It it will be less free cash. However,
the other account that has a balance in it is going to need an article article account meaning to transfer that money back out to um the general fund. >> Well, this is going to be the same
pressure do you sign? >> Yeah, I'm leave the building. So, >> yeah. No, no, no. You go in the library. >> Yes. >> So I I can walk up there and sign them. >> Oh, you want us to sign these now? >> Well, no, no, I have to sign them because with the vote. Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> So, it's 6:00, right? >> Uh yeah, they they're waiting for So >> Oh. >> Um >> Okay. So, [clears throat] >> but we had the motion and you guys >> I don't think there was a motion. I'll
make a motion approve >> to make >> I'll make a motion to approve the transfer of $1823 from the general liability insurance to the town clerk ANR wages operating staff.
>> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. >> Any further discussion? No. >> All in favor of approving the transfer. All opposed. Not under the rest.
>> No during direct. Okay. >> Another town clerk. >> Another town clerk. >> $296. >> This is $296 also. >> Street include. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> There were some leftover unspent funds
there was. >> Yep. So they few extra bucks. Yeah. >> Well, I make that more. So, it's >> okay. You going to make the motion? >> Yeah. I make the motion to transfer $296 from the street listing professional services
account to town clerk special election account. >> Professional services. >> Okay, we got a motion um and a second. >> All in favor of the transfer of $296.
I all oppose. >> Okay. Intake for start from >> uh this is interest from short-term vans. >> So it's an expense on our the issuance of debt for the town. Um this is uh with the accounting select
board treasurer's office and we're using um leftover money in the veteran benefits account which there's about uh $15,000 that were unallocated this past year for veteran benefits. So we have any veterans listening, please seek out benefits. We have some we have a good
chunk of change in that bucket. So >> yeah, how come we have money left? >> It's been like this the last few years. Yeah, did a look back on a week. >> We just don't have We don't have as many veterans seeking >> is not good.
>> What do you need to be? >> I don't know all the criteria, but King is on this, right? >> Yeah, Cindy King is on this. We can talk about [clears throat] Natalie. I'm sure it's some sort of disability or whatever and >> make this transfer from
>> Okay, now I forgot >> the veterans benefit account to the band >> the interest on short >> interest on short loan >> right amount $8,834. >> So you're saying that this 15,7 is left
over after we make >> correct. So, who's not getting their benefit? >> It's [clears throat] um I don't want to >> dismerge anybody, but there's just there's a lot of unspent funds there. >> No kidding. >> Okay, we have taken part of this instead of taking it from there.
>> Yeah, that's where that was one of my other buckets. Mary Kitty, >> I'm learning. Okay. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. So, we got a motion to the left. We have to vote.
All >> this is town clerk. Oh, this is the highway. >> This is $200 for one last additional um election wage cost coverage support fiscal 26 operations for the town clerk.
>> I move that motion. >> Okay. I'll second it. >> Okay. You second. Okay. >> Okay. Um, any further discussions? >> None being encouraged. All in favor of approving. >> I opposed.
>> And then the last one is our um >> Sure. Here's another place you could have taken from not our >> You got You know what? All right. Okay. But the intent of FINCOM reserve is for offsetting costs at the end of the year because you can't bank on highway having the money,
>> right? [clears throat] >> You can't bank on having the money either because we could have broken a boiler or something along the line. But we did, you know, that with last year >> facilities. >> Oh, this is facilities. This is because
we've I've drained every line within his budget and we're left with about 60 >> almost $6,700 because of the Nelson >> confirmed promised the paint. So this is the we've d emptied every
other account within that bucket and we're left with the >> I make a motion that we accept the transfer from 6,65978 from the highway >> operations. Sorry James >> and um >> facilities profession
facilities memorial second by Jerry. >> Yep. >> Any other questions? >> Nope. Then all in favor of approving I
>> all oppose being unanimous. >> 45,000 >> the window. >> Yeah, it's about Yeah. >> So he can get it back. >> Well, it'll go towards Snow Nice more or less. >> Snow ice. Okay. >> Yeah. That's
>> Well, that was an interesting uh meeting. >> It's my >> You'll kick me out. >> Thank you for attending. >> Thank you for um answering. >> Thank you for for putting with all these arts being thrown your way.
>> I don't mind. >> You know, we weren't throwing You don't feel that way, do you? >> No, I it's it's >> this is >> I hope it's helpful for the group. >> Yeah, that's the point. It is helpful. It's always good to keep learning and you know keep learning more and like so one of the responsibilities of your new
TA which I think will be me >> when I get to the meeting >> voted you are they picked you >> yeah but tonight they were going to approve the contract that's where I'm headed now but yeah one of the mandates is a five-year plan financially for the town >> so good
>> we've it's been over a dozen years since we last talked about it and we had this big presentation in the selectman's room about the five-year plan and I've heard fiveyear plan ever since and I've never seen anything happen. >> I think a threeyear plan's more realistic
because of the way the world's going right now. >> Yeah, you're right. >> I would take a three year plan. >> I think ELS always says five, but like >> they don't do anything, so it doesn't matter what they say. Three is more realistic. >> Yeah, I think it's >> at least planning ahead. I'd be satisfied with like way the way wages
change and then like year and then next year you move it up a year. >> Yeah. >> You always build out from it. So >> yeah, I'm just cut in the next one. >> As they are more important because you
guys are the money. >> Okay. [clears throat] Thank you. >> Make sure you check on John Barrett for your appointments. >> You guys are me. >> Those are you. >> Okay. And >> what else do we have?
>> Um the only other thing on the agenda I I have the hiring freeze and I don't minutes. So minutes will go on the next. >> Oh yeah. There were no hiring freeze requests. And so that's why it's on there. >> Oh, you're just doing it to catch it in case. >> To catch it in case. [clears throat] If
something comes in at the last minute, it's like >> it's already reserved transfers till July 15th. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> If Yeah. So if July 15th is the absolute last day, um I had scheduled a meeting for the 14th
just in case. I walked out, >> right, >> for TCAM and US. >> Okay. So we're going to plan that the 14th could could be our >> could be our next meeting. If you wanted it to be the meeting, we could we could still do it on the 14th, but if we don't have any
transfers to >> Right. Um, >> yeah, there's no sense meaning we have a rereading and cancel it. >> No, but if you want to think about it for a while and the things we've discussed, >> I do would like >> bring them in and start, you know.
>> Yeah, but maybe not July and August. Okay. You know, because >> Yeah, we have because you're going to be at the beach and Jerry's probably going to go to some sailboat. No camp. >> No, we're going to the concerts in purple. >> Oh, that's right. You're welcome to come. >> Oh, because they're because they're
better than the ones in >> They're different. >> They're different. >> Oh, yeah. They different. They are quite a bit different. >> Yeah. Thank you, Lord. Playing Tuesday, right?
>> And he's very good. And they do >> then they have free ice cream. July 14th. July 14th if tenatively that's tenatively if there's anything I'll send email out um to everybody including TAM
if we cancel so that they're not here for a meeting that we're not >> okay all right >> and then the real one would be the pep >> if but it's only for having it >> so the only thing is an email from you saying we need to have it >> correct or we don't need to have it
>> if if another if some of these transfers come in something comes up that wasn't planned for, >> right? >> We have until the 15, you know, the 15th of the month, but we and the reason I do the 14th is so the accountant can do the transactions on the 15th, >> right?
>> So, it's kind of like you you don't want to do it on the 15th because that's when you got to do it. >> Yeah, that's >> Is the 14th a Tuesday? >> The 14th is a Tuesday. Yeah. Worked out. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. So with that
>> I'll put you down for 5 p.m. >> I'll put you on the calendar for 5 p.m. on Tuesday the 14th and I can always delete it or forget that it was on the calendar in the first place >> back to we go back to 6 trying to get
>> up the street. >> So he's so he's officially but they're talking about approving the contract. Okay. So, I'll entertain the motion to adjurnn at >> move >> 624.
>> Second. >> Okay. We had a motion and second. All in favor of adjournment. Okay. >> Is unanimous. We [clears throat] stand adjourned.