So, I will call the meeting to order for the Towns and Finance Committee. >> Mhm. >> At 6:04 p.m. Uh, roll call attendance, please. >> Carol Hoff is present. Jerome Ziggs is present. >> David Walker, present.
>> Sponsor present. >> Mary Jane Churchill, present. >> Sam Grant, present. Don Hayes, present. All seven members are present. We need call to order. We have a quorum. We are good to continue. Um this meeting is
being recorded. Um it will be available for playback on local channels on cable and available on the YouTube channel at this point. Uh is there anybody else recording the meeting? >> Yes.
>> Okay. And that would be King. I don't see anybody else online. Thank you. Just so we're aware and follow the rules. um additions or deletions. Um none known at this I I have nothing to add or
delete at this point. Um moving into the work session. Um reviewing the minutes we had I I did not put the details in here. We have four minutes to review um from the meetings
of November 12th, November 19th, December 3rd, and December 8th. >> We're going to do them all at once or we can do them. If if this is no changes, then you want to make a
motion to accept um the minutes for all four meetings as they are. >> I will make a motion to accept the minutes all four meetings as they are. >> We got a motion and a second.
Any further discussion? Good to me. Okay. Um since we are all here, we can do a voice voice vote. All in favor of um submitting the
minute meeting minutes as is. >> I >> I >> um all opposed. >> None. uh unanim passes unanimously and Carol if you would forward them to
>> and they'll get updated and if you haven't been to the website for the finance committee when the agendas are posted they go to the minutes section of on the website and when they get the minutes they will be posted beside them so you can see the agendas and the minutes all on the same page.
>> Okay. So just um we haven't discussed sometimes a lot of the a lot of the details of of what the website looks like and and things like that. It's not in the finance committee. Maybe maybe we'll add a link to our minutes directly. That could be something good. But there is a minutes
directory and every every committee is under there and then you expand them out and you see all of the meeting agendas and the minutes sort of for each committee in there. So, um, they are they are available and they they will be public record at that point
and recorded by the court. Okay, kind of long, but again, just something that I wanted to touch on because not everybody maybe knows where where it is. Okay, moving on to item two, the review
the budget software for CLGV and come up with our recommendations to the select board at this time. We we had discussion about it, but we didn't vote on it. So, I thought this would be a time to review what we had discussed, document it, and
forward to select board and town administrator. >> What do we forward to? Um, we haven't forwarded anything yet, but we talked about the clear gov software. Um, some of the highlights that I recall were um
the initial $10,000 to get it set up for a trial plus about $20,000 a year. Um, was expensive and we didn't really have from there a problem solution. what is
what is the software really trying to what's the problem the software is trying to resolve. So we're spending 20,000 a year and we haven't necessarily defined what it was and it's only one product. There are multiple product. So so that was one was the cost seemed high
for um to add $20,000 a year to to the budget and where do we where do we come up with that money? Well, >> and I think the other concern was who's inputting the data >> and is that an additional cost >> and and which data
>> and then but how about Okay, so who who scheduled that sales pitch with clear go? >> I'd say it was town administrator. So, can the town administrator schedule two more so we can get at least two more >> compare to see compare comparison to see
who's that's what our recommendation is going to that's one of the recommendations we would like to put in there is this is one product we saw a demonstration of not tons data just some some of the user interface stuff so
>> what are we using now >> we we actually don't use anybody's budgeting software we're using Excel to put together the worksheets nominate >> um I mean in the past we had the the Collins files there that you could take
the data added into the Collins file and you could see the fiveyear in the past and use that >> going forward too. >> Um but the Collins file hasn't been used. >> Does DS DLS have form? >> Um
DLS has data but we'd have to take a look at what it is. They have historical data that we supplied to them and they put it in and you do have the ability to look but it's not budgeting software. The budgeting Excel file they have is is only pretty much what we saw in the sort
of the select board meeting that was demonstrated where you put in a percentage and you can see what the budget is. Nelson had put that together um and showed the next five years and what the gap would be using using using
he had I think 3% >> increases in there. >> I think it's a good idea to have budgeting software >> especially if you can advance it forward for five years so you do a fiveyear plan and I do agree with that. I think right now for this year it's too late.
>> We're not going to get anything from it this year, >> right? Um, but I think now is the time to explore it for next year. So maybe it wouldn't be in >> 26 budget, but going forward in 27, but we should explore more than one,
>> right? >> Yeah. >> Um, >> because you said there was another company that we use in other departments, >> VA, >> right? >> Yeah. The the software that we use to do the business of the town, >> right? We want to I think we want to see what they have and what their option is since we're already using them,
>> right? And and again, if there's any plans maybe that we're moving away from that, I don't >> we're not in the >> we we're not within the, you know, the business of the town, but we can ask those questions. Are you planning to stick with radar? Are you do you want to
move to something else, another another product? um you know so it's kind of so so if you're staying with beta why not you know as you talked about when you start using multiple licenses for a product usually you start getting the discount funding
>> right >> we talk to them at all >> um I don't know it's kind of like we've only had the clear go um so I need to get get that and see if there's others already in discussion that they're going to bring in and uh demonstrate
>> so who exactly is using that here Now >> the beta >> um treasurer collector use it. Um accounting uses it. >> So we can make contact with them and see if they >> get their opinion of it. >> Exactly. They're the ones who are
>> Well, I can ask them if they're using it >> next because I'll be next week and stuff. >> Yeah. >> So I can ask um Oh, I have another question. >> So whose whose perview is this under the board of selections? We just make a
recommendation. It's not like we can go out and purchase it. Right. >> Right. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's not. It It's kind of like But we are the first interface and the idea with this software is that the data is universal and any
um anybody can log from town can log in and see see the data. >> Now see the reports. >> Would this also produce budget sheets for each department? um >> for them to use so that they would
actually be putting in their numbers. >> They they would go into the interface and put their data in so that it instead of being a worksheet that they fill out and move, you enter the data directly into into the databases through their
user interface. So a department would see the historical information and say this is what I want to put going forward >> and then we'd be able to see >> and then we would be able to see it. >> Okay. >> All right. Yeah. So this year I mean the budgets are due in next week sometimes,
>> right? So there's no Yeah. There's there's no time to to do it. So it's kind of like so it gets down to >> and I think that's what happened before when we had it. >> It was too late. We never use the departments never >> the departments never used it. The data
was never validated. There was no time to say yes this looks like towns data that we would produce and want to see and and because also with it you can use that to produce the files that you um submit into town meeting.
>> Oh, you know so the the idea is >> it is very useful. Yeah, it yeah the um >> so when would we talk to when when would we make this decision? I mean when will be able to get more information with the budget happening
>> with with the budgets happening? We I as Kathy said, I think we'd have to go through with the Excel spreadsheets this this year. >> No, I get that. Yeah. Um, so we'll we'll continue that, but moving moving forward, we'll ask we'll ask for additional vendors to come in and show
us the demos. Um, for pricing and see if see if there's a clear winner. >> When you when you only look at one and you have a choice of one, it it's hard to say the best. It's not a choice this or nothing. Right. >> It's been too many years since I played with a Gov thingy, but
>> I was not pleased with it when I was playing with it the last time around. It just >> I think it's kind of simple. There's I mean, basically speaking, we're looking for a whole bunch of different types of
reports, but they're all kind of simple. >> This report we've gotten from uh that you've handed out, I don't know what you call it. um that has is very condensed >> and you know keeps us in track of what's happening. Um you know that's easy to
pull out. Um I don't see why XL can't be massaged in such a way to do all of that. >> Um especially if each department has access to this particular
spreadsheet that >> Mhm. as the past several years, the present, and put in what you want for the future. Is that add up down here at the bottom to equal if we're having level funding? >> Well, I think our first step should be
see if the girls like what they're using now or not. That's then we have to say at some come right out and ask them what do you think of it and then >> explore what else is out there. >> But I don't think we should just go with the one just because it was presented to us,
>> right? We definitely want to see more. >> Absolutely. >> You're right. We should ask >> you. So, it seems like Yeah. >> So, I'll make a motion that our recommendation to the select board is to review is to get >> several
>> presentations on at least two more >> packages, presentations and quotes on at least two more packages. Right. >> Second. Do you think that I wonder if the the girls that um are using whatever they're using now if they would have any recommendations? Have they seen other
packages? >> Yeah. And I'm not sure what Vicki uses in um dunar or >> Oh, that Yeah, >> see what they >> got. Several. Yeah. recommend altering
the word two to several. >> Oh, >> to several. >> I mean, just to give us a chance. Oh, what about you know like says this one's working for us. You >> internal one and then maybe there's another one.
>> The word several covers more than two. >> Y >> without going to have a dozen. >> That's fine. I have no problem. >> Okay. So the motion is being amended. >> Do we need a second to his motion? >> I I'll second the amendment.
>> Okay. >> Motion to amend. >> The answer is yes. >> Okay. And I didn't stick with it. So could you read the amended motion? >> Okay. if I got it right. Okay.
>> But that's that's what we >> Okay. Uh Sam made a motion to amend the um to to amend uh and change at least two
more packages to or several to several packet packages from two to several >> at least two to several packages. Yeah. >> Okay. So, um we had a motion for
changing the two to several and a second on it. Any further questions on that? >> Vote on amending the the original motion. Um all in favor? I >> We're voting on amending the original motion. >> Yeah. Because there was a motion made
>> and then was amend. That's how committing works. I'm trying to stick. >> Okay. I don't usually, but I think that's >> I think that's right. >> Following the rules. Okay. So, all in favor of the change from two to several
in the original motion. >> I opposed. Not heard. It passes unanimously. We're back to the original motion with the amendment which is to recommend to the select
board to review several options um with us so that we can see other options and make it do comparison. >> Shouldn't we do shouldn't we sort of be the ones that are looking I mean I mean seeing as we're the ones are really going to probably use it more than the
selected for. >> No, they're going to use it too. They'll they'll use it as much as we do. They kind of like so board will use it. >> They're the ones who make the determination. We're just we just recommend, right? All we should do is recommend. >> We Right. We we can only recommend. But
the other part is maybe we should when we have the the meeting and the review with the select board is bring in um and and I think they they did that. They had financial team and Vicki was in the room. But as they do the review have some of the people that are using the
software see. >> Yeah. And it wasn't presented very well. I don't >> And it was horrible. >> I didn't even know it was that's what we were there for. >> Yeah. No, it was really bad. >> It was really bad. >> And we didn't hear from Vicki
>> or anybody else for that matter. We just >> Nelson with his >> creative financing and um the sales pitch. That was pretty much the night in my >> Yeah. And and there was no real time for a lot of heavy question.
>> No. No. And they couldn't even tell you how much it cost of all things. >> No. And I think different I think there was additional costs if you asked >> the menu and how many didn't answer who was going to put the information in. They couldn't even answer that.
>> That's right. They inputting the data. They they wouldn't answer that question. >> Yeah. It was very poor. Very poor. >> So >> it was a sales pitch. It wasn't an informative thing. >> Right. There wasn't see if they get some other folks in. We'll see what kind of sales pitch they do. Maybe
>> Yeah, maybe you should give them a hack. >> I know it'll be the same type of thing. >> Yeah, don't send a saleserson. Send a >> research person list of things we want first. >> Right. >> Oh, that's a good idea.
>> That's Yeah, >> right. And >> that would probably be a good idea. So then whatever vendor, they'll all have the same information, >> right? Well, we need we need to know how much it's going to cost, I would think. >> Well, if we gave them the information that we wanted to see,
>> then they can price it up, then we would get a realistic >> price and um rather than well, if you, you know, this is the basic and then if you want this, if you want that, it doesn't tell you anything. So, >> yeah, >> maybe we just
>> the bundles. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. Okay. I think that's a good idea. I mean, not only is it a good idea, it's it's a fiscally sound way to make decisions, >> right? >> Agreed.
>> Okay. Well, so the motion though is to recommend getting several more, >> right? >> Presentation. So, we're ready to vote on that. >> Did we did? >> No, we voted on a >> We voted on amendments. >> Oh, so we need >> So, this was discussion.
>> Yeah. for the second. So, >> okay. So, we going back to the first motion. >> We're going to the first motion with the amendment. We voted that it's going to be >> um several. The word is several instead of two instead of having it
>> right. We're going from two to several. >> Yeah. So, is the motion on the floor to recommend that we review the several additional software packages? those vote. All in favor? >> I I
>> All opposed. Nobody opposed unanimously passes. So we will if that is already recommended get it to town administrator and select board copy most most times we're copying the um
liaison to the select board for us which is >> okay which is a good idea where we're going to have that transition to right. >> So yeah. Okay. Okay. Number three on the list, the constable position.
As we've been going through last last budget session and um we the costable position was eliminated by the town and we had the report from
the town clerk. It was about $1,000 more per um election for the cost of having the police do the detail versus the cost of >> So it's about $200 compared to $1,000. >> I have it right here. Oh, thank you.
>> We have it here. >> Thank you for that. >> Well, there you go. >> In doing some research. >> Okay. Right. Back in 1993, the town accepted uh master general
chapter 41 section 91A which states the select men in any town may from time to time appointable as they deem necessary. And at one of the town meetings, I forget if it was in March or May, we
tried to um have them bring the constables back and we were shot down on that or I was shot down on that. So I So the other way we could possibly do this and I'm not exactly sure how it
works is to resend that vote to 1993 and then I believe the constiples would then be elected again. >> Oh, I see where you're going. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But we have to have that put on to the special town meeting.
So you're saying at this time tell me that we're going to have the special. >> Yeah. >> We resend and then at the annual we were put on as a warrant article. >> Yeah. To elect. >> So they would be on the ballot at that point.
>> Oh be on the ballot >> like any other elected position. >> Yeah. >> So how would how would that read? you know, I can't get it on my phone and I left the paper at home, but it would just basically say um to ask the town to resend that vote from
1993 for that. >> So, if that vote were rescended, then automatically the constables would be elected or >> that's what I'm thinking. >> What about the fact that the constable positions have been quote unquote eliminated? >> Yeah. Right. >> Can we have to re you would you have to
reinstate them first? >> That's right. Yeah. >> If it's Are they eliminated? Is that official, >> Cindy? Are they eliminated? >> 22 years ago. Wow.
>> Well, they 22 years ago they they voted to have them appointed >> appointed rather than >> But then they just eliminate what did they do? >> Well, they changed the policy so that they we don't have any basically. >> Well, do we not have any or did they change the policy they weren't going to
use? We don't have any after after the they were appointed until the end of 2025 FY25. So in June they they weren't reappointed at that point. Um >> but were they eliminated? Were they terminated? >> They position was terminated and the
function was was moved to the police at at that point. >> So that's official. We know that to be true. >> Yeah. Based on policy. >> So they'd have to create a new position in order to fill it >> and make an elected. >> Yeah. I think
>> position was eliminated from the budget. >> I think we need more information. >> Well, we never paid >> the town never paid except when they were working for us. >> It's not a paid position. Okay. >> Unless they did services for the town. >> Okay.
>> That's why I I just can't wrap my mind around why they would do that. Didn't they say there was some there was some >> there was at >> easy reason about the about their legal abilities or what legal responsibility? >> Well, when we asked Lori Shiffren originally when she told us and dropped
the bomb. We asked her, she said she wasn't going to tell us and she didn't have to. I remember that like it was yesterday. >> Yeah. But at town meeting the police chief got up and said there was some kind of liability to the town. >> And then the lawyer said it. But I put in a public request to find out how many times did the constipables use a gun and
and put somebody at risk. And I asked how many times did the constables arrest people? And as usual, I'm still waiting for my answer to come back because the answer is probably none. >> Well, are the surrounding towns still
using constables? Do we know? >> Does not. They've always used police officers and they can't get a constable to come work the elections or anything because it will be stepping on the police toes. So they >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Get get that
whole >> But I think the numbers speak for themselves. It's not like we're rolling in big bucks here and we're talking $1,000 >> versus 200 per per right per election. We don't know we're going to
have one, if not two. >> So, I don't know. Maybe now is not the time to do it. I don't know because I don't I don't know what if they've been eliminated, can they now be elected? >> Right. It would have to Yeah, they
changed the bylaws and the the town bylaws to make >> So, how would we find that out? >> Um, [Music] >> we we can investigate it. can put in a request to speak with the lawyer >> and the sort people let you know,
>> right? The lawyer already told us all the the reasons why we shouldn't have it. I thought that was pretty much not um neutral because he didn't have any evidence. You you know what I mean? It's one thing to say stuff
>> and it's another thing to be able to back it up and and there was no backup. >> Yeah. >> And I'm and I didn't get any from my public records request. >> So to me All right. So in two years it's going to be the primary. What do you
call it? >> There's there's a we have the presidential primary which adds in an extra one in in a spring. So we have we have to map out when elections are. congressional primary this this year, right? >> We have congressional in November. So there's but that's FY27. So it's kind of
like FY 26. >> There's one unless we have some sort of special election. So we might have two elections this year. >> So that's 20. >> Um so that's >> 2400 >> depending on how the annual town meeting
goes. If the vote for five select board members is there that there would if I recall the motion is kind of like within 60 days. So that gets you if you're into July now you've got July, you've got September, you got November, then you
have April if you don't have a special. So you might plan on five elections that next fiscal year which is FY 27. If we do this now, >> it's gonna vary because >> I mean financially this is a no-brainer. >> But there's never really been any really
horrible trouble that they've had to have a weapon or or anything like that. >> Well, apparently not. I mean, >> but those those are the pieces >> unless it's so atrocious that they can't tell us, but they're not giving us the information. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
And it's probably going to be even a little bit more because if you go FY27, you get that little bit of bump up. A little bump bump up. You know, you're talking a little >> maybe closer to six maybe. I don't know. >> I I just financially I
>> don't I I don't get it at all. >> If the detail goes wrong, if there's if there's counts the count takes long at night, the hours are longer. >> Well, yeah. Because they're guaranteed four four hours in increments of four. Correct. Well, so maybe maybe six
because we cover >> I mean it's been a long time since it's been a long time since I done detailed pay. It used to be a minimum of four no matter what. If they worked one hour and then it was and then we just paid them >> when I did it, we just pay them whatever
they work. So if they work five hours, they got five hours pay. I don't know that the the elections go from 7 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. So it's 13 hours crossover for >> Yeah. Well, you pay overtime.
>> And I don't know if if you change like when they change the shift. So you got it like a new you got a new guy. That new guy is now guaranteed four hours. Even if he only works three hours, he's still guaranteed four hours. So um so if
you change because a shift changes you get a new guy then that detail money is 4 hours. So >> so every time you change an officer during the course of the day he's getting four hours.
>> So we need more information about the position. So I was just looking at the policy and the the amendment that was done in July of 23 says the following amendment to the conible policy was approved by the select board in the meeting of 31825 and voted unanimously.
The policy shall be amended to remove the third sentence of the second paragraph which reads vacancy shall be announced and publicized in accordance with the town charter article 7 section 710 nor vacancy. So I don't know why we
don't have a con. I don't understand the law. >> Well, we were told that we were not going to know why. >> We were told by select >> essentially it's not our business and they >> actually I don't see in this policy that says it does.
>> So we have to talk to town council to get confirmation. >> Talk to Yeah. put in the request to talk to town council and and see where it is and see what the new policy is and maybe we can figure out what the town administrator what the policy is so we can see it. Um and once we have that
we'll have an answer. Um so we'll we'll continue. We'll put this on the next agenda also if we're good with that. >> I think so. >> So he doesn't have office hours anymore. So we have to actually request, right? >> We actually have to request. Yeah. um
they canceled the open office hours that we're had and in order to go in um the idea is that we ask around and see if somebody's already requested this information and it's already available. What's up? Because >> no >> what what what's happening with people.
>> Oh my goodness. So it's going to be difficult to get to him. >> We're going to ask around first. We have to have evidence some kind of affidavit that says we >> asked. >> No, Don is saying we have to ask around to see if anyone else is
administrator. >> Oh, so you don't the new town. So you so >> just so you're not going to be paying twice to get the same information, right? >> Yeah, that's that's the idea is to watch the budget. >> Wouldn't it be somewhere? >> Yeah.
>> Well, that's the idea. It might somebody might have it. Somebody could do a search on the on the drives for keywords and see if see if they come up if it's not available. So we'll we'll follow the rules and submit submit the request for
the information. This is what we you know we don't have the information. We're looking to speak with the lawyer. >> So what what what are we asking? Request for information on >> um >> conible policy or >> um on the constable policy. Yeah.
Clarification of the policy. We haven't seen the >> what the policy is and and where it was. you should certainly know ahead of time what we're looking forward before we even talk. >> Right. Well, that that's again pieces of
it is um if a lot of this has already been discussed and is part of information that was already provided to board selectman then >> right that's fine. >> Yeah. It's kind of like >> have some kind of clarification. Well, I would think they would have some information for making the decision to
impulinate the position. >> Yeah, >> we must have >> We voted on it. >> Yeah, we must have something. Well, we vote >> Well, we didn't vote on We voted We tried to vote to over to to unelimate. >> Yeah. >> To keep the constit. >> We didn't vote on eliminating. They
decided to eliminate it. We tried town meeting. We tried to have a we tried to overturn that rightful and that failed. >> And then it failed because so the police chief of the town council kind of said there was >> liability there.
>> No, he wouldn't be neutral. >> So I lied. >> Absolutely not. >> And once you say there's liability to the town, people are not going to vote, you know, vote for it. But Carol, that's why I asked for >> you know it's like um
>> Yeah. The wolf the wolf credit. >> That's right. Yeah. But but just you know just as a normal citizen you're sitting at town meeting you don't know all the you know you don't know all the whatever and you and you know because if I was sitting there and didn't know
anything and you know somebody said well this is potential especially when the police chief or the attorney says there's some liability you know even you don't know what it is >> you're probably going well I you know >> national security >> but that's the delivery of the message
said, "Yeah, >> but I'm just saying >> it happened 100 times, so we really don't want to do it again." >> Well, >> you know, when he gave me information, >> no, I I I know that, but you just when you're talking in town meeting though, you have a lot of people who just >> aren't that informed,
>> right? Um, yeah, they they haven't >> I mean, just like me when I, you know, voted for trash, not realizing that that wasn't going to happen, you know, when when I voted and said, "Oh, 800,000." Sure, I I'll have my taxes go pay for
trash. Next thing I know, I got purple bags and like, what happened to what happened to the trash money? >> I know. I know. So >> So um >> we'll continue to investigate. We'll >> to look at it
>> to look at it. We'll put it move it to um the next agenda. >> Okay. >> Which I think is January 13th. >> January. Yeah. It's kind of like we'll I don't know if I I usually put it on the agenda to say what the future meetings.
>> I Yeah. I don't I think I did. I think it's on the minutes too. What the next meetings are. >> Yes. So any anything else on the constable continue and being heard I left the special town
meeting and warrant articles on there. Um have not seen anything yet from select board when they're going to open the warrant and close the warrant. So >> now do we have a date yet? Um, >> is it January? February February, but I
I haven't >> gotten a confirmation on that. I I think it was >> um >> I think they said the last Wednesday is what they were looking at, but I don't think anything definite. >> Yeah. No, it wasn't definite yet. They
have [Music] >> Yeah. Yeah. I think they're trying to get past the bad weather and hopefully be on an upswing at the end of February in regards to weather to get turnout because usually those mid winter ones um
and I um haven't. >> Okay. >> So, um we'll we'll continue because if something monetary comes up and something on the budget comes up on warrant articles, we need to vote on it and have our so we'll continue to watch.
>> Okay. All right. Okay. And it sounds like nobody else has heard anything coming from the war articles or >> No, >> not yet. Okay. Um, and I didn't put it here, but we we need
to schedule the next meetings. I had sent out the notice from select board for joint meetings in February. >> For what? For February. >> I think it was every Tuesday. >> In February for joint meeting. >> Yeah. Three. >> Yeah, right. I I saw that.
>> 17. >> But do we have to pick one or is that >> No, it's a it would be joint meetings. One one a week. Okay. >> Through February. >> Don, I have a question about >> Okay. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. I sat through it last year. It was horrible. It was counterproductive. We
didn't get anywhere. It was almost like we were being dictated to this is what they wanted. End of story. I think that the finance committee should be working on its own without the input of the board of selectman until a later date because I felt personally that it was
more of a dictating process. This is what you're going to do rather than us being able to free talk and come up with our recommendations. That's just my opinion and I think it was a tremendous waste of time because at the end of the
day our recommendations were ignored, >> right? And I mean the whole budget was was pretty much >> it was a disaster. It never got we didn't have budget, >> right? We didn't >> and and and I do think we might not. Who knows? But I just feel
that that I would rather not >> walk in those steps again. Okay. >> I say no. If they there's no reason why they have to come >> and interrupt our free dialogue >> with their opinions. And that's what they did. Well, it's our meeting.
>> It's our meeting. Yeah. >> So, can we can we the budget sheets will start to come in? We have one, but the budget sheets will start to come in. Should we review them as they come in,
have our questions, and then we meet with the department heads before we go with the board of selection and the department heads. >> I think we should meet with the department heads. >> Yeah, like with the way it used to be. >> Yeah, it's always been that way. The
last year or two, it's been >> we don't count anymore. >> Exactly, Sam. that and and if that's the case then disband the comm the committee. >> No. >> Well, no. If if that's the case, otherwise we're all doing our volunteer
time. We're not getting anywhere. >> I don't I feel that way, too. But that's a different story. Um the point is that we have a responsibility to the town people >> to try to keep tabs of what's happening last year, whether it was good or bad. I
am not in the audience to remember. Um there was definitely a lot of input or push back from us whichever way you want to look at it on the floor because of the mixed budget that we had no input on.
>> Understand? But we they had our opinions in the end. They had their opinions in the end and it ended up the way it did. But the but the people we represent not the select board. we represent the rest
of the community >> and that's basically why I've been here and would like to stay here. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> Um is because I remember it's a long time ago. I was very adamantly against the subject. >> The town's people like the subject. I
voted for it. Why? Because they wanted it. >> So we should go ahead and start making appointments to have them come in. >> The department people. >> Yes. Yeah, >> we should. >> That's how I thought that's how I thought it was supposed to. What was it
like before? >> Um, >> well, it it buried. It's kind of like Go ahead. You You've been on the long >> when I first started, >> every department had came in and talked to us. We didn't have the selecting
there. >> They came in, talked to us, we talked to them, back and forth, that type of thing. So then we, you know, we'd discuss it afterwards and then, you know, we'd go on to the next one and we would have a a a conversation in the end with the select of where we were coming
from and they had their comments of where they were coming from, but it was never like it was last year. It was last year was a tough year. >> It was a terrible year. >> It was horrible. >> This year is going to be awful, too, as far as money go. >> But you know, let's try to head off.
>> Let's let's not do that again. I don't want a thousand% I >> so let's start inviting them in >> they being the department head >> department head and they and their budget should be ready >> and we should get the budget before they come in so
>> yeah so we can have a so we can look at it but here's the other thing that happened while Nelson left Nelson was supposed to be doing forms and we don't know what he's done now who knows >> well the I mean we saw the forms that came in from the treasurer and >> we like her form We lost.
>> And so the rest of them are supposed to be matching that. >> Yeah. Did he tell everybody that? Did he give everybody her form so they know how to fill it out? I mean, we don't even know >> what happened. >> Well, I did forward what he had sent out for the budget message and and the forms
>> to all the department heads. >> Yeah, I forward I thought I forwarded that. >> Oh, I saw I saw that. Yes, you saw. So, that went to all the department heads. Yes, >> that went to all department with the January. Yes. So why don't we make a list and decide
who we want to see first or who you know >> right or well let's >> or what >> get get the forms get the forms and put together like Kathy said look at them right >> so that we have our question
>> and yeah so we don't want to we don't want to bury them with with questions that they're hearing for the first time >> in the meeting correct additional things might but if we see it and one of the things might be um the transfer requests that we got at
the end of last year it's kind of like yeah >> well everybody should understand we can only go to a certain percentage we cannot go over that >> well they but at the end of last year we moved I think it was 4500 or 40 something less than 5,000 more than 4500
into an account for the treasurer um there was there is one transfer at the end. So the budget that has been prepared, is it with that $5,000 or was that a one time? So the there's questions that we can put together in advance
that can be answered before they come in. >> So those those budgets from the department heads are supposed to be in by January 5th. >> January 5th. >> So our meeting is January 13th. >> Yeah. >> So can we can you give them to us so that we can look at them? So on the 13th
we can have our questions or are we going to all get them on the 13th? >> No, we shouldn't. Yeah, we should have them in advance. >> So will Okay. >> Will people department heads be coming in on the 13th? Well, we do one. >> No, but no, we got to get our questions. >> Well, so we got we're going to meet on
the 13th to do the questions >> for the department heads >> and then start and then schedule, >> right? I and I be surprised if you're going to end up meeting more than once a week >> and will but will we get their sheets? >> That's all right. Was that an issue?
>> Well, yeah. >> Um that has been an issue in the past. Um >> what's been an issue? I'm sorry. >> Not getting the budget sheets >> right because I think they go back I think there's a back and forth with the town administrator first between the administrator and the and the
department. >> Well, maybe we won't have that. >> Okay. Well, DLS says if we don't have the budgets >> by the deadline, then the budget gets reversed to what was last year. End of story, DLS response. >> And I don't think that we should be giving them any leeway on that. This is
financially a crisis that we're in. According to everybody, >> I think according to what I've read, elected boards and committees, they don't come under the board of selectment.
So they should be sending them to us and to the board of selectment at the same time. >> So maybe the plan would be to do the elected >> boards in positions first. >> Mhm. Because we should get copies of them first, >> right? Who
>> planning board just board of health? >> Oh, recreation. So not park. >> So it's not a department. >> Park is appointed. No, they're they're elected. >> Yeah, the planning board's elected. >> But yeah, the
>> it's not a department, right? >> I was going to say departmenting board. >> No, it's a board, but I'm an elected official on the board. >> Right. >> Right. >> So, >> Right. >> Okay. >> So, anything that's on the ballot. >> Right. Anything that's on the ballot, the elected
>> Who does your budget? >> Could be. >> Um Beth probably, right? >> Yeah. Beth probably >> go over it, >> but there's not much to the budget dues. There's some dues. >> There's a lot of work for the plane and put not a lot of money. >> No, it would Nobody gets paid except for
Beth, but she's a town employee. >> Yeah. And your expenses are next to nothing. >> Well, it's true for most of the boards. I would >> um >> I mean kind of like >> No, because of health, they have a bigger budget because they have the landfill. They have the
>> Oh, yeah. The energy the thing that they Yeah. Yeah, >> all that stuff for those land trash, you know, all that. >> Yeah, the trash is interesting because we're going to talk to them about it, but >> it's not part of the budget because
Yeah. So, yeah. So, in addition to the budget they're preparing, it's going to they they're going to >> do we meet with the water department? Um, in the past we had, but um, we Yeah, I I think we should try to get them in
again. It's >> okay. >> We did last year. I think he came in. We tried, but I thought it was cancelled. >> That one did. Maybe it might have. I don't remember. >> They were different animal too because they have their enterprise, >> right? While we're on the subject of that, are they raising the rates? They
are% >> very minimal because no Okay. Sorry. Sorry. Probably going to come out to be like a 125 a month. [Music]
>> We need to pull it pull it back in. We were trying to prepare and we >> we were talking about some of the subjects we were there. So I don't want >> water. >> So meet on the 13th to go over what we
>> what we have to Yeah. >> And then start setting up appointments with people. >> Does this mean we'll probably be meeting once a week for a while? >> Um, probably because I know for a while sometimes we were doing twice a week, but it kind of tickets.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, I think in February we start meeting with the board of select and then it's going to be >> the Oreo thing that did, >> right? >> Well, but because we had our meetings and we had the meeting with the board of select. >> We we did. Yeah. And then and then sometimes we were doing we were doing
joint meetings twice a week. >> Do you know what I mean? need to be ahead of it so that in January we have our meeting >> but we also want from the board selection maybe there needs to be the joint meeting on the third >> um somewhere in January that we talk and
discuss because they're they you know we need to know what their plan is for the budget too >> what's that mean >> what's that mean um how they're going to prepare it and put it together you know what they what their real budget message
is to us. So instead of waiting until the whole budget is done and giving us the budget message, give us what their budget guidance is and what their plans are for um the organization of the town. >> And a lot of this also has to do with
the expected receipts. Correct. >> Yeah, I was going to say that when do we get the re what the expected receipts are for next year so that we we know how much money we can spend. >> Right. the recap sheet basically. >> Yeah. When when do we get that? >> Um
>> usually that comes later on because the some of the input has to come from the assessor. Some of the input um is is generated and um then we have to see what the warrant articles are going to be because warrant articles go on the recap sheet. So there
there's it's it's it's a living document about, you know, where the budget stands and how much money there may be in free cash or whatever to to pay for some of these things. >> Yeah. >> And balance it out. >> Well, judging by the weather and fact that the snow plows are out there when
there's a millimeter of snow on the road. >> No, they pretreated the road today. I know >> because of the ice and the expecting but >> yeah they were out there with the salto saying that whatever they put down. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Okay. So >> so that answers a lot of my questions. >> Okay. It's Yeah. A lot of schedule. So we'll um we have the 13 schedule. So we'll try to see how quickly we can get the the files from the departments that are
elected to us. Did they were they told a deadline? >> They were given a deadline to have them in by January 12th. So we're in the window. >> So that's every is that all department? >> Yes. Every department. >> Every department. So okay. >> So does anybody slap their hands if if
they don't produce? >> DLS says if they don't have it by the deadline, then they revert to the prior year's budget. >> Yeah. Never done that. >> I'm sure we haven't. >> I'm sure we haven't because we've >> because we let people do whatever they do it, right? Yeah. Yeah,
>> the mantra here. >> No rules. Yes. So, >> so we'll distribute the files so that people have time to look at them and we can start constructing our messages. Um, is there
any other information? Do we want another PVA um before we start looking at the budget? Yeah, we need to also review that too, I think, at our next meeting just to see how the spending is going because we have >> in addition to the BBA. Should we get an
update on the recap sheet? >> I agree. Dated >> for the year. >> You mean the FY20 >> FY26 receipts? >> I I I had asked for FY25. So, we'll we'll request more documents. We want to see the final final budget for FY25, the
final receipts and how it matched to the to the to the recap sheet for FY25. >> Yeah. >> All that information should be available because it was submitted for certification for free cash. >> Um, which we're waiting for. I haven't heard yet.
>> Well, I'd also like to know how we're doing this year on receipts. >> Right. So, so yeah, >> exactly. >> Right. But yeah, because that helps us plan. Are we are we on target for what we said we were going to get? Right. >> Um are we 50% there? And >> um
>> we didn't do that last year though, did we? >> No. >> Um >> we didn't really get the receipt. >> No, we had no idea how much money we had spent. >> Well, it's not it's not that as as much, but you want to see are you on target with the the recap sheet. If you said
you were going to get um 2 million from general receipts, the the additional things that aren't listed individually, um there was going to be 2 million on revenue for building permits and other things that are charged for. Did we hit
those targets? Um can we break it down by by department? It's kind of, you know, we where they were in FY25 versus where they are in FY26, >> but we we should be able to get five to six months of revenue.
>> Yes, >> it might not be 100% accurate, but at least we get a clue, >> right? So, we we see where it is. We've had two two sets of tax bills go out, so tax bill revenue should um we should be able to see that. Um like I say, the
other the other revenues for were there. >> Yeah, kind of like how we looking at the trash. Mhm. >> Well, we also we also want an update on the trash. >> We continue. Yeah, that that's a continued >> we're still waiting for Elizabeth to
come up with um the tonnage reports added to the revenue reports. Um >> do they don't have that yet? >> Haven't seen it. She said should mail it. So, I'm going to in in addition to
those things, we'll we'll add we'll add the reports. We'll ask for um Elizabeth's uh report for >> how long we're going >> for trash. >> Was it August? >> September. Was it was it a month
September? >> There's there's there's actually sort of two dates. We we sort of entered this year and the first two year two months were paid for by the stabilization fund transfer. Mhm. Okay. >> So, so that's that's the piece. It's kind of like So, it really started in FY
26th in earnest, but we didn't start collecting using the stickers until September 1st. So, we gave July and August to buy the stickers and get them in and get the book to get the buy for the program. >> So, the the sticker will run out at the
end of this year, June 30th. the 2025 sticker will go away and Tom's people will have to have a sticker for 2020 for the FY. >> We have it sticking now, don't we? >> We have a sticker. >> What he's saying is the sticker sticker that we bought >> at the end of June,
>> right? Right. >> And we'll have to buy a new sticker >> for July 1 and the next >> Oh, you don't get your number renewed because of the college. If somebody new joins sticker on top of the sticker on top because license plates. You do take it
off. >> You can >> I don't take it off my license. >> I just I just take it off. >> But yeah, they might maybe >> But we don't know what the charge is going to be to the stickers next year. >> It's going to be in 12 months and it
might be lower or it might be more depending on >> Right. It depends on it depend on how this year goes. >> Right. Right. So ho how does because we gave them 160,000 correct. >> So how does that overall affect their
budget because next year they're not going to have that 160,000 that we gave them this year? thought a lot of that rather >> July and I thought a lot of that if you wait July August >> yeah I'm going to cut on the discussion
on track it's kind of like because it wasn't on the agenda we are preparing so will be discussed in the next >> but but question because the more we discuss it if people were watching >> they they will they will hear things
that um >> they're not supposed to >> that that are So we'll we'll we'll continue the trash discussion on the >> So on the next agenda we have constables trash the BVA. >> Yes. >> Um >> the revenue
and who is coming in >> and then the review the budgets that we have. >> Right. Okay. >> Yeah. >> It is >> it is it's kind of like we get into the heavy >> order pizza. I know. >> I know.
>> It's not not in our budget. >> It's kind of like we can add a line for that. >> So, we need to to get right to it and keep the >> conversation go. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, thank you for that. I was kind of
like, okay, so we have the January 13th meeting scheduled. We'll schedule others after that. We want to try to >> You think we should just schedule weekly meetings at that point? >> Yeah, I think we had held off. >> We can always cancel it, >> right? I really do.
>> Um, how is everybody with Thursdays? It's kind of like I know we've been meeting Tuesdays, but >> board of selectment meet on Tuesdays and a lot of other boards that meet on Tuesdays. >> Oh, on Thursdays. >> I do better on Tuesdays. >> I do better on Tuesday. >> I do too.
>> Okay, then Tuesday it is. We don't have to even they meet here. We can meet in another room. >> We can we can go to the um >> great hall that we have downstairs. >> Who else meets on Tuesdays? I know water health is on Mondays. Conservation's
Wednesday. >> Plan board's Monday. >> Monday. Yeah. Planning board's Monday. >> Yeah. So maybe Tuesday isn't that bad. No, >> we could probably do room two also. >> Yeah. So we'll Yeah. So we'll alternate weeks up here with with forman because
they they do first and third >> and those weeks will meet downstairs if if we like this room better or we can stay constantly in meeting room too. >> Okay. So, >> so we're going to start out with the 13th
13 20 27 >> and then the third the 10th and the 24th is with the selection, right? >> If we're meeting weekly, it it probably >> isn't a bad idea. They meet with them
and see if have have conversations if there's question >> where we are. Yeah. >> Where we are where they are. Um, so we're going to still meet on the 3rd, the se 10th, and the 17th with them. >> Well, we'll still meet. We just meet with them.
>> Okay. All right. >> It'll be with them. >> It's February anyway. So, we're just having two meetings in January. >> No, three. >> 13, 20, 27. >> Oh, 20 and 27. >> Okay.
And then Okay. Okay. Okay. And additionally, it's kind of like we'll we'll get information if it's available. We'll we'll bring it on. >> Can you post ahead of time if Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um what I was thinking is in in addition to just the budget, there's other accounts that have been created around like the auction account,
>> like the what? >> Town court. Um there was >> special articles. >> There's a lot of special article out there. Yeah. >> Um that we want to make sure we review this year. We don't want to get >> right because some are completed. I think they went through
that last year. Some some special articles were finished but there was money left over. So they were able to take that. Right. >> But yes, doesn't it have to be a spe a town meeting vote? >> It has to be a town meeting vote if we're going to if if there are. So that's something that we have started um
on a on a somewhat regular basis look at all those. Um but what I was thinking is is there certain ones that they want to carry over year to year and we want to make sure if they've used any money out of them do they need them or whatever. >> Yeah. So, it's kind of like so little it
it's it's in there, but you know the until the money runs out, nobody notices that. Um, and I I don't think we can't deal with surprises on the budget. >> We got to know. And um the other the
other is um the revolving accounts. >> Yeah. um take a look at them kind of like um because every every year it's kind of like just that one article says yeah this is the amount we want to re renew in this in this revolving account. >> Yeah. And is it enough
>> these things are going up? So >> right >> yeah okay >> well it's probably going >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Exactly. So it's kind of like on on those that are revolving do we do we have enough in there or you know um
Okay. >> All right. >> Sorry. It's kind of like just making that final note. >> Um, with that, um, I didn't have anything else. Any any subjects anybody else wants on agenda? >> Put on the agenda. No, I think I'm good.
>> Well, the only thing I came in with my brain already talked about that's the budgeting and the sheets they're we're going to be handed, but they're not done in six points. Yeah, that that's something. Yeah, we we had talked one other thing, not just the content, the
format of the content, but the format of the output. You know, how do we make sure that you're not trying to look at six fonts or smaller? >> Yeah. >> In the books that we did last year. Um, speaking of, do we want budget books again because those need
>> I have one I can turn back in because it's empty except for the the dividers. >> Okay. >> I can bring it in on the 13th. I have mine right here. I mean, I can certainly empty it out. >> Yeah. No, no. I But we we want them printed again. It's kind of what we want the
>> Yeah, these the binders I can read >> because that's that's a request for >> as long as it's readable. Yeah. >> See what we can do with that. >> There were some decent ones last year. >> Yep. So, we'll we'll look for them all to be consistent.
Okay. Um, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> I make a motion to adjurnn. I'll >> second it. >> 7:07 p.m. All in favor? I I