I'd like to call the meeting for the finance committee to order at 6:01 on Tuesday, September 23rd. Can I have a roll call, please? Carol Hoff is present. Gerald Maz is present.
Kathleen Spock present. Dave Walker present. Mary Jane Churchill present. Sam is not here, but he might come later. So, the first thing we want to do is announce that this meeting is being recorded. And is anyone else recording this
meeting? Hearing nothing. I'm assuming no. And I have no additions or deletions tonight. And we have no additions or deletions, too. So, we're going to go right into our work session. We can take votes in
this or not. But this was sort of the list we made up last week, the last meeting that we wanted to go over. Okay. So, the first thing we have is to review an assignment to capital planning. I don't think that's really a review. I think it's a out appointment.
What do you want? Because didn't he I saw his email because I thought we I thought I was still appointed. You are from from planning board. Are you on? Oh, is that what I'm planning?
Okay. I'm coming up with you. Do you want to go on capital plan? Hi, Sam. This is packet for you right now. No, that's Yeah, I can do that. Thank you. Do you want to volunteer for that position? I can do that. All right. Do we have to vote on that?
Yes. Do you have a motion? I'll make a motion to appoint Kathy Sparett to the capital planning committee. Second. Second. D Walker. Any discussion on Kathy? Okay. Can I please have a vote? Carol
Hoffus, yes. Bazikas, yes. A grant, yes. Tape Walker, yes. Mayor D Churchill, yes. Unanimous. Gabby, welcome to capital planning representing the finance committee. Correct. Correct. Yeah.
Okay, we'll move right along. Curbside recycling program update. Where did we get that? We We got an email on that. tell us something about that. Oh, and did I print it out? Yeah, I didn't print it out, but it was it showed
um it was a good start in terms of showing us the information. Um I did have a few questions that I emailed back to Don. Oh, you did about it. Uh just the meaning of some just to understand the meaning of some of the entries.
Okay. Um but I didn't print it out and I don't remember what my questions are. Okay. Brilliant. But thank you. That's a start. Yeah. No, I mean I I looked at the I looked at the sheet and and I thought it was I thought it was good information. The
the one thing it does not have is it does not have it does not have any of the tonnage reports that that was right. Well, what they said is I guess the tonnage reports for July and August are not
are are include picking up from town sites and I think now that's covered by a different contract. So those numbers, so those numbers for July and August aren't necessarily accurate to the program because the program really started in September
and so when we start getting tonnage reports for September, those will be the ones that that will start as as being relevant. So that's why there are no tonnage reports in the email. And which Yeah, I mean I can I mean I think it would still would have been nice to get them, but I'm not going to
I'm not going to quibble on that. No. And so actually September 1st. So we won't really get anything until what? October or November? Probably not till the middle of October at the earliest. Would they be able to say here's a tonnage report for September? I would think. Okay. Yeah, that would be the Yeah, I
would say the earliest. Yeah, but I think but I think it did have the financial report I think did have the bag receipts. I think it had both online and inperson sticker purchases in there. Oh, separated.
Well, I think it I think it was that's was that was one of the questions that I was asking. What does this what does this mean? What does that mean? And does does this mean, you know, purchasing of stickers or and is this one purchasing of stickers online or something like that? Didn't it say something about the
stickers? They think there's like 150 still outstanding. That's not included in that, I think. Yeah. So, and they gave they did give a number for the stickers. I think it was over 2100. 2100. Well, it was reasonably over. Not well.
Um, so I mean it's not much different than last time. You know, we have 20. We had 21 We had 21 188 something the last the last meeting. The last meeting. Yeah. I don't think it was I don't think it was no tonic.
And no tonics. Right. But they were only looking for 18 at the time. Right. 18 was the target. 18 was the target that they were. So we've so so we have exceeded the target for enrollment. Mhm. And but that doesn't tell us where we stand on the tunnage.
Right. Be back charged to us, etc. Right. So So and and it also had bag re I think it had bag receipts in there for July and August. Um it might have even had a little a little bit for June when
they turned them back on. I'm not sure. Oh, right. Right. Right. Um, so, so, so I think we're, you know, I think I think we are, we're getting the information that I, I think we're close to getting the information that we're looking for. It's going to take time.
Yeah, it's going to take a little time. We don't have all the information that we want, but I don't think it's all available yet. So, I, you know, but that's reasonable because we're really right in the beginning of the new We're in the beginning of the new program and that and that's what we're really monitoring because the past is
the best, right? And we forget that the new program starts one September 20 days ago and not and not July 1st. Um right which I think confuse you know gets us a little bit confusing. Yeah. So
um but it would nice be nice to have those tonnage numbers from the summer just to just to compare. It would it would and um and and maybe we'll be you know I think probably they probably didn't send those along because we didn't nec you know we kind of said oh we want the
tonnage members on the program not necessarily hey let's just get the tonnage numbers as well. So hopefully we hopefully if we ask for those we can get those because I do think those would be interesting to see just for comparison sake just to see where we were and where we came from.
Yeah. Okay. Any other discussion on that? That pretty much sums it up for right now, I think. So, so we'll put it on the agenda for next month and each month carryover. I would think so. Just have it every month. Yeah. Yeah.
I would say because even if there's no update, we can just say, "Okay, there's no update this this meeting." I would suggest that it's every month that the second meeting like this meeting, this meeting is put here for what reason? I don't remember. But it had to do with other things coming in early middle months that don't catch our
first meeting. Oh, right. You mean the money whatever budgets? Yeah, the cash flow thing. No, the um the BBA review. No, just a good thing to do to go over curbside at the last meeting of the month, the second meeting of whichever
you want to call it. Oh, I see what you mean. Like not every week, not every I get it. Okay. Like every other every other meeting. Okay. Yeah. Because the first month somewhere in early October, we're gonna have a meeting and the data is not going to be available.
Correct. Exactly. So, we should look for like mid to the end October and then keep on that schedule. The first of the month for new stuff that we haven't yet dug our feet into or stepped into the last meeting of the month. Okay, that makes a lot of sense. Thank
you, Sam. That's good to to that gives them time to get numbers. Yeah. So we won't put it on every agenda right towards the end of toward the end of the month. Okay. The next item
this is the discuss standardization of forms to be used for budget review process. Now before we dig into this I want to tell you I received an email from Valerie Goodwick who is go to select and I believe she got layers on. I think she Yes she is. She is for sure.
Okay. So she sent an email to myself and to Dawn stating that the board of selectments have made a commitment for their schedule this year that they want to work on standardization of forms. So she made a suggestion. It's going to
be Nelson I guess in the board selecting but Nelson is driving the ship. She suggested that we appoint one or two members of this committee to meet with Nelson or the board. how are they going to do it to discuss the forms
and so that we have a collaboration so that we're all on the same page when it finally gets out. Okay. Um I I I think that that in theory is a great idea to be able to collaborate
with. I think it should be true though. Should I think that Nelson should come and speak to the whole board. Yes. I mean, it she didn't make it sound like a work session. She made it sound as if it was more informative or
I just want to let you know we're doing this, too. It would be silly for us both to do it. And I agree with that 100%. Why do we invite him? So, do we want to invite Nelson to our meeting? Why not? Okay. I mean, yeah. I mean, who else is be on this committee?
Well, she didn't really Well, she would sit in on it. She said she didn't really I don't think it's been formalized yet, Kathy. I think there's still Or is it going to be like a working group where just somebody from each thing can sit down at a table and come up with the standardized forms?
I mean actually work work on the for standardizing the forms rather than having like a a meeting but actually working for the making the form or developing the form. They're not. They're talking about
standardizing the forms for all departments across the board. And we only care about ours. Correct. I mean, it's not being selfish, but I mean, it's it's not being selfish, but you know what? You could do it if you had if you had
the right people and you spent a couple of hours. It could be done in half the right now. It could be done. I mean, you could just sit and you do it. You focus it. That's it. No, but that could be it. Oh,
the only thing you need to change is last year or this year's budget is such and such. The requested is such and such. The deviation is such and such. And the other three lines
are how many years back we can go on fing on half by 11. You understand what I'm saying? I do know what you're saying. But you're just using this as a what a form. This is not this just a form. No, cuz the the ones that the
departments fill out is in Yeah, it's in the it's in the blue book in Greek. Yeah. Which is And then all of this gets put onto the BBA. Yeah. Well, that's the BBA, but of course identical to this can be what everybody uses
their own department. It says town of towns in the department such and such and department numbers if you want them there. Um you can probably even short change them because of the half the first half of the numbers are the same for that department. Then you get the breakdown. So you put at the top of it
department, you know, the 101101 and then as a and then as a prefix for everything, slide everything over, but you've got plenty of room here for what it was two years ago, what it was last year, what this year's budget
is, a blank space for what they want that they type in here, and that gives you a plus or minus and a percentage change. And that makes sense. And then you can put an asterisk anytime you want on the percentage change
to say see the last page of your budget because that's explaining why I'm asking for this. Well, there should there needs to be a column for an explanation column. Create the form. I was suggesting that that be on the on a separate sheet explaining
that this is vari because when you get the variation, you want to know why. If there's no variation, then we'll assume they know what they're doing. So, Jerry, what was your thought? My thought is uh when they fill out these forms, everybody's idea of
miscellaneous is totally different. Then let's not have a miscellaneous boss. Well, that but that's what they do. and to and last week I was down to the water department and um I noticed that and
it's not just the water department all departments are doing this now they're putting everything in the communications that's postage that's um iPads it's telephones to me I think postage should be separated I agree I don't think that should be they're
calling it all communications no so I think it should be separated I I agree with you that miscellaneous communications. We need to know exactly exactly what it is. And I and I and even if it's this long, I want to know.
I agree. I want I want to know what it is. What it is? What's what is this hill use? What is what is professional services? What is exactly travel? What is travel? I mean
what whatever they want to call it, we need detailed information. Detailed information. What Dawn has a note here on the agenda that says review the blue book for best input sample to use a sample for department.
And I could have sworn I found a good sample. Well, so for instance, on the expense worksheet, and I'm looking at the town clerk because it's the top one, okay? But it has office supplies, which is fine. Advertising, printing, and postage. Okay. Equipment, maintenance,
repair. All right. But then non-heating fuel. What is that? Why what is that? Why is that on any department in this building? Why is that even on there? And there's there's no account numbers attached to these
things. Yeah, that's the one thing. That's one of the things I want to see is I know Melissa had recommended using those 00 Yes. Uh account numbers so that you know what code what it is. Uh yeah electricity like
I mean if you look at the the top page of what you have here you've got 5100 5112 51 each department. Do you know if does each department pay their own like electric bill? No. So, no, it's by building as far as I know. And I don't know about library senior
center. Maybe they're broken out because they're two separate they're building separate buildings. I'm not sure because it all comes under facilities. So, it should be like one should be carried in one place, right? It should be in the facilities, but I don't think it is.
Do you? Well, let's look. See, look at um facilities. Can you look like I've already discharged to see recycling bag? I just heard was this
worksheet developed so that facilities on here are I think she will well you know now that you're saying this about electricity and on heating fuel was this work do you know this worksheet was developed so that
it was just standard so you wouldn't fill in I think so I I think that's why they did it maybe that's why it's that way so it's a standard worksheet so you wouldn't necessarily fill in those things, but some other department would and and I think that's okay.
And that's okay because otherwise you're going to have like five different people might throw stuff into miscellaneous that we want to avoid. Yeah. So, it's better to have a worksheet broken out that everybody
uses but not necessarily is going to fill in every category. So, do we want to meet with Nelson or do we want to invite him to meet with us? I mean, well, and it's vague. It sounds like we need to understand better what are they talking about? Are
they just talking about the the budgetary forms or are they talking about other forms as well? And I think she all the they were going to be working on standardizing all the forms for the municipality. Okay. And we're just one.
I mean, so so u which is not I mean I don't know how many different forms there are but the way they could be you could potentially fill out a have a few forms that would cover a multitude
of stuff. Yes. I have no she would didn't even say what direction. So maybe we need to do to find out what Yeah, I think we need to to where they need to communicate with the voice.
Yes. To understand where they're coming fully what they're looking for what what they're planning. I mean because if if if they're planning a bunch of different forms and they're doing several meetings, okay, maybe all right, this is the meeting where we're going to be doing the budgetary forms. All right.
Well, we'll send two or two or three people to that meeting. This is the meeting where we're doing forms for, you know, submitting requisitions to hire someone. Okay. I don't think I need we don't need to be at that meeting. So, we don't need to go there. We used to submit the money to the
treasurer's office because I think there's a few in those forms. They tried to standardize them, but I'm not sure that they So, we need more information. So, it'll be nice to I I mean, I would say we definitely like the idea. Yep. Agree. And we just need some more information
on I mean so like if I'm if we you know when I flip over here to the treasurer collector sheet when you go into their expense worksheet that they did they have the general ledger account numbers in there,
you know, which I think we've all kind of said, wouldn't that be nice to have that? Oh yeah. Well, there's here's one that that has it. Now, they don't necessarily have all the items that some of the other departments have in there, but they have the account numbers at least. And and
you know, I mean, when we look through the BBA, you can see that different departments have different have different items that aren't in, you know, reporting criteria. Well, but like if you look at I mean like if you look at the at the at the police
section, they have items in their expenses area that are not going to be in Oh, are they the accountant aren't going to be in the accountants expense area or the fire department or you know the you know the fire department has expenses that aren't going to be in the treasures
expense list, right? So there may have to be a few versions or something, but if we can come up and say, you know, put the GL account number with a description and and I mean the other good thing about the treasures worksheet is there's there's comments there on
every item, but we decided we want comments on every, right? No, that's what I'm saying. That's so that's a that's another good thing. These are the comments. Yeah, that column. We want that column for them to fill in some detail on what is not just you know because there's a line
equipment rental well in here it says postage meter lease next for fax services you know so they they listed the equipment that they're renting so that's a good sample uh worksheet this is a good sample worksheet it's not treasure this is the
which one is that one that is the treasure collector yes treasure how many years back did that Uh just FY25 budget and request FY25 and proposed FY26.
Well, yeah. I mean, I think you changed some of the words on it. It's the format I'm talking about. Right. Right. It gives us this is kind of I think it is almost the same format. It would be it's pretty close. Each department they have a certain
section, right? Cut out that section. If you look, it's almost it's it's almost the same format. Want me to copy anything, you know, it's just a matter of that can still have all the information we have here,
right? You know, one, two, no, one the account number is backwards from the description. I have three. The account number 01 01.
What are all these extra zeros in the bank? Those are seven zeros. Those are on the Those are on the BBA. Yeah. Everywhere I look, they're there. Yeah. What do they mean? I guess so. They're going to expand the
I guess they're they're there in case in case they expand or maybe I don't know. Well, you've got here for communications um 5340 and then below that you've got 5380
for office supplies. So apparently there's sand 40 pieces. That's it. you know, 40 places to add additional accounts just between those two.
Yeah, I think this is so I don't understand why all those extra zeros other than I think they just I think they just you just have to ask the listener. Well, everybody has it. Yeah. I mean it just maybe that's the way you know
it for I mean I do too but it could be the software that they use that they require that many numbers many digits and so it's just yeah but these can all be separated out so that you know the exact account you're
working on 136 five whatever have a work session between us before we meet with Nelson. I think we need to understand what Nelson Yeah. what they want and then and then I
think we can determine that. I wonder if Valerie is and if on there if um No, I guess not. Are these meetings that he wants to a representative from FCON? Are those meetings going to be daytime or
nighttime? That's another question. Good question. Because if it's if it's evenings if it's daytime, Dave's not going to be able to because he's still working. Correct. You're the baby.
So, we just need more information from her and maybe maybe she was just throwing it out to see if we were interested. So, we're interested. We are interested. Interested. What how do they want how do they want to meet? How do they want to proceed? Right. And if as soon as I can get that then we can put what we're going to put
on the next agenda. We'll know where to go agenda. Yeah. So maybe make a note too that because we talked because on the item you review book blue book for best input sample. I don't know. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's the best sample, but the
treasure collector section Oh, I see. is a good sample. And that might be starting place where we Yeah, that might be a I mean because like even the labor worksheet, she's got the account numbers on the
labor worksheet, which is good. Yeah. Now, she does. They're not they're not um in the current BVA, I think, because of all the shenanigans on on on the uh negotiations
that are still going on, but Oh, no. Well, I guess the two of them are page three. Treasure collector. So, yeah. Okay. Two of them are right there. Oh, okay. Okay. The only thing that they
don't have on the on the BBA is the longevity line which is a separate and the stipens. Do they have the stipens on the They don't she doesn't list a on the stipen there's nothing. There's no entries in
there. So she does not list an account number for those. Um Oh, but she has $1,500 in it for stipens. Where? Oh, special stipens. I see that there's a special stipen there. So
special. That's interesting. She's got special longevity, not though. I wonder if See, so like here's one that would need to be clarified, right? Because she's got Yeah.
Longevity for the for the two, right? Um operating staff totals 1,500. And then down on the on the bottom it says stipens 1,500. Maybe that should be longevity 1500. I would say you're you're right.
Yeah. So I mean there are still some things this decent this is a good example for starting point for a starting point. Right. That's what I put down. Yeah. For starting. So on this topic, I'm going to get more clarification from
Nelson and Valerie and we are going to put it on the agenda for next time to do a work session based on what they say. Yeah. But we still have to do our work session, I would think, to figure out what we want to talk to them about for the collaboration.
Sure. What we're look what we need to um I mean, I don't know what comes first, the chicken or the egg. Do they tell us what they I don't know how far along they are? Well, I think it's Isn't it their budget sheets? Well,
yeah, basically it is. But they need our income as to what we would like to see on them. I I would think that that would be Yeah. Well, I think it's a good idea that we get the information we need from them first and then go from there. Okay.
All right. So, that's what I'll do. I will do that. Excellent. I think that makes sense. And I think it's good that we're going to work together. [Music] So there are they also sending two
people. No, we were going to meet with I think it was Nelson. Oh, Nelson's because I think Nelson is the top person. He we tells the board to select one and then Valerie was just trying to get us in there because Right. Okay. I think she wanted to stop us from, you know, going
off on our own when we're there doing something too rather than waste everybody. Makes sense. Yes. No, that makes that makes sense. Yeah, absolutely makes sense. I think so. Yeah. Okay. So, we're good on that topic. Now,
the next one, everybody get ready. Oh, my favorite. So, John speaks differently. capture input for Department of Revenue, Department of Local Services, fall visit. So, I think what we're really talking about is what do we want to ask
them? What do we want them to look at? Why do we have them here? Um, oh, I believe you had like a little cheat sheet here. Is that what that is? Yes. I think the first thing says budget
process. Oh, we just talked about that. Okay. meet with no okay second page is this here it's this two
oh I think I the first page is this yes process that right there the second budget process okay the second page department of revenue department services visit items review expectations previsit visit
and service. There you go. Previs visit. So, Don says that we should complete and submit to DLS list of items finance committee has concerns.
A current accounting system DBA report is showing negative lines for salary. Some accounts are negative for the entire budget, personnel, and expenses. For example, the town clerk. I'm not sure where he's going with that. Well, I don't know, but I mentioned that
the town clerk salary line item should be filled out in here because that's voted on a separate article. It should be his his salary should be in there. Not the assistant, but his salary town clerk salary. Yeah. Okay. So, that's a legitimate concern that we have.
Yeah. And my concern was that whole nothing was budgeted, but yet they're paying right salaries. How are they doing that? How can they do that? And is it And actually, I talked to Katie. Yeah. Oh, my daughter talked to Katie because they're friends. Yeah. Because I said I said, "Sarah, go ask
Katie, how is that possible?" Because I want And she said, "It's not." And she said, "It's not." And she says she told them that five times a town meeting. And And it's And she said, "They can't do that." She said, "But they Well, people are getting paid, aren't they? Well, but they are getting paid, but how are they
getting paid? Because there's no money in there for the personal line. How do you How do you cut a check? How do you cut a check to pay somebody? Where's the money coming from? Because it says zero. And I mean, I used to do
this for a living when I used to pay people. Yeah. And I used to have to track their hours because if they were close to running out of hours, I'd have to go to the program manager and say, you know, Sam's got 10 hours. If you don't give me more
money, Sam's done in 10 hours. Yeah. Either that or you give me more money and we'll buy Sam so many hours. So So that that that's a perfect question the Department of Revenue DLS to ask the
board selecting. Yes. That that's like key question which is pretty much what which is pretty much saying he that's what's that's what a that's what a is. And on some of these, is it within regulations for the budget?
Is this allowed? What are the rule guidelines for negative lines in the budget? Are there any or is it just a no, you can't have? Well, I'd like to say um just put like uh I guess some I want to make sure they realize
that there's zero dollars budgeted. Zero budgeted. Yeah. Zero dollars budgeted for salaries. And if you look at the select board's budget, the bottom line is negative $6500 in
change. So how does that work? Did they pay $6,500 worth of salaries? No, they paid almost $29,000 worth in salaries, but it's taken them, if they
took the money out of their expense lines, they're showing a negative balance of $6,500 overall. We're at 16, right? Yeah. Do you see what I'm saying? Okay. Where are you? Page one.
Yeah, page one. I see the negative 28 up at the top. Right. And then you go down to the next the next group has 22433 in the unexpended balance. And then right right below that isn't okay. Now I see.
So how can you do that? And I bet you it's like that for a lot of them. I just that's the top page. So most you got one on page two at the uh well almost all of it's like that because none of the none of the salaries are in there really
have have a budget value in there. And then if you look at the total at the end at the very end of the report it's showing this huge number that that's in there. But if if you total the lines for original budget it's not the same
number. So how can you have a total there? See, because it's been accurate. I I mean, it's it's so screwed up. It is. Um Yeah. Because we're It's It's like playing Monopoly, Bunny, cuz none of it's real.
Exactly. Believe me, I know how not real it is. Pass go collect $200. It's like, so that's a big question. That's a really big question. Yeah. That's why And that's the auditing. Yeah.
So then he says the visit the meeting includes finance commit the meeting includes finance committee select board account administrator and finance team which is a treasur collector
the accountant and who I think he's saying are there others that should be included in that oh who do we think the others should be their decision assess I think Vicky Um the head assessor was part of that um
finance that they had the finance team. Whether she's still on it, I don't know. Okay. But don't you think that they But that would who they want to meet with who the department of revenue what they say and maybe they did maybe that's where he
got this. Maybe I can I can see the assessor being in there. item. Yeah, because they said yeah. Yeah. Are they going to um audit even the small accounts or do they just look at
I don't know the answer to that and I think that's a really good question right here. Yeah. Go ahead. Issues number four issues of concern full audit of all accounts and cash flow for the town accounts. Timeliness of cash to deposit process.
Correct. Yeah, that's a big one. I mean that's that is we um that's a biggie. So that's that's a biggie because I do part of my concern you know because we
found that um remember we found I found the cemetery that money was going into the wrong account for eight years for eight for eight years. I mean h how many are there other accounts that being it that aren't
being deposited into the right place is anybody I don't I don't know if this is an audit question but you know we have a lot of grants and those grants all have contracts and I know it's it's still tax money even though it
yeah people look it as free cash but it's still tax dollars and for my own personal experience of the open space. Um, they just and I and I've been told that there's only one
it doesn't really go out to bid. There's only like one people, one place that you can go to get these some of these grants, but you know, they go they have a contract and they get paid and you don't have a product and you may I mean you eventually get the product, but in
my case it was like two years after the fact. Oh, that's right. You told me about that. And um but you know, some of the other ones might be maybe not that long. Maybe a couple months. But my point is, is anybody
actually managing these grants? And looking at I would say absolutely no. And we have proof of that. We have proof of the $93,000 that went missing. We have the gym equipment sitting in the garage out
there. So I I don't think anybody is if they are they're not the right people and and I guess I don't know if that's a thing that they that they like overseeing how contracts get managed. I'm not sure
this stuff. What are we doing? They said they didn't account for installing it. What? They didn't account for installing it. That I understand. I don't understand if you understand what I'm saying. I I know exactly what you're saying. It's a Yeah, I I know exactly what you're saying.
I'm accounting for a new front door. So, I I think that's a very legitimate and I don't know if that's accounting or if that is management. Yeah. See, I'm not sure that falls into this, but I believe they're doing management also. Oh, okay. I think it's management review as well
as audit because the two things go together really. And particularly in our concerns, I think we are concerned about the management, the grant money being one of the big ones. Well, even the even some of the the
contracts, it's like I'm not even sure these people ever read their contracts after they signed them. You mean their work contracts? Like the labor contracts with some of the not the labor ones, the other ones where they had the automatic uh renewal party.
Oh. Oh, right, right, right. Unless both Guardian, wasn't that guardian? But there was two of them that automatically increased if you don't Yeah, but notice there was another one too. It was not just Guardian. There was a There was the other one I somewhere something or was it Northern something?
Yeah, it was something. There was another one that automatically renewed up with an increase of up to a certain percentage if nobody said anything. And it's like who who writes those kinds of contracts? I mean, who doesn't read them? Well, there there's a very good question. Who is
writing? Who signs those who signs them? Yeah. Who signs those kind of and then who follows up? Auto pen. And yeah. Uh, so I mean these, you know, these are concerns. How much auto? What's this?
So you're talking about contract management, Carol? Yeah, I guess contract management, which includes grants. I I consider a grant a type of contract. I don't know. Well, now that we have a grant writer writer, is that part of his job? Because
we didn't have a I don't know. For years, we didn't have a grant writer, but and then it was like we had one, we didn't we had we didn't do that alone. I mean, he would have to work with whatever department you'd work or committee like a grant, right? I mean,
I would say so. Yeah. Yeah. Well, because if we get a grid for the planning board, it should be on the planning board to kind of to make sure everything is done the right way. Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, I don't know who
you complain to. Well, that's I think that's a good question for the for the for this state visit. How how what is the responsibility of the grant writer versus the committee?
What happens to the grant writer when he goes away? Well, I mean, yeah. Well, he keeps following. Well, that's why we need another person besides him. It's got to be working with him. I'm assuming that a grant writer is
something like somebody turning Roman into Greek or vice versa. In other words, the committee needs a grant. They don't know how to write a grant, you know, because it's written in a different language. until they get somebody fluent in that language to
write it that way. But it's their responsibility to see that the right things are in there. It's his responsibility to see that it's written properly. Team effort. Yeah. Yeah. But but as far as the ongoing services are concerned, it's the
committee's responsibility when they get that grant. I agree. I do agree. I agree 100%. And I don't know how that affordable housing money how you're right. who was watching that door to know that at a certain point
they had to turn in certain documents in order to keep it and and that but then was it last Yeah, it was last night the planning board was with K. Yeah,
he kept saying well there's no money, you know. He kept saying well there's no money to do the studies or to do the whatever. Oh, you need a planning commission for that one. Whatever that development or something, they need $8,000 or something to do the
study or whatever they need to do for that proposed development and there's no money. Well, yeah, there's no money period. But, um, so why isn't it why is it on the book on the table? Why? Yeah, that's the other thing. Why
are we even doing this? So, here's the question, G. So when they do, so and you know what? We should have that cannon come in because how does it work? Does he look for grants and tell the department, oh, hey, I can get you 100,000 to do a road or I can get you
50,000 to do a park or does he or does somebody come to him and say, I'm not sure. I need money. No, usually usually at least I've seen I don't again like don't quote by me because I'm not an expert, but I have seen where the state or
whoever or whoever or MRPC will send out emails because I I'm on all these emails and say there's a grant out there for this and if you if you want to apply for this, there's a new grant for 2026 for roads
for planning. They'll say there's a grant coming out to put in a god what whatever it is. It's not just a blanket 2025. They just come like peace meal what whenever they come and and if you want to um apply for
it then you got to go through the process. But now that we're talking about grants and maybe I'm getting off topic but I was actually talk talking to a neighbor and he made a very good point. He says just because it's free money doesn't mean doesn't mean we should do it
because he said that he he's been living here many years or something and he said something about some grant that the town got all excited about got the money and he said it cost them more cost the town more money whatever it was
than what they got for it. Well, yeah, these matching grants, same thing. If we don't have the money, if they're going to give us 50,000, but we have to come up with 50,000 and we don't have it, but how do we but as how how do we
monitor that? I mean, do we say no, we don't want matching? Yeah. Well, no, usually I think that you got to look at a kind of a case by case basis. Well, usually they usually they just off the grants are just offered up to the towns. You don't have to take them,
right? they they're just offered up and some of them you may not even qualify for because you don't have the right whatever but it's up to the town to decide whether they want to pursue that grant whether it's in their best
interest and sometimes it may not be in their best interest to pursue a a grant. I think the grant topic is huge because I think that the ARPA funds were grossly recklessly managed or not managed and I
consider those grants. We didn't have to I don't know how No, you didn't have to apply. We No, that was just like you just got them. So, it's a little different. But but then you had to do then there were requirements. Well, yeah. They do. Yeah, they come with a lot of strings requirements strings attached and I'm
not sure that they were 100% follow, right? Which would be with grants would have strings attached, right? You have to do this, you have to have this certain certain things. Yeah. Yeah. So, so it's about management rather than Well, yeah. And you have to file that grant within a certain period of time
and and then you have to use that grant money. Usually, you have a period of time where you have to use that grant money or you lose it. Oh yeah. So, so if if you if you apply for a grant and they give you the grant, but yet you can't
build whatever it is or do whatever it is in that time period, they take that money back. Um so you you you know this is part of the of what we want to ask the do about.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And what do we want to ask them? How how should we man how should we make sure that these are managed and tracked? Well, I don't know if we should ask them. I think we should look have them look at the way they have been managed and tracked in this town
in the past and then recommend Yeah. Yeah. Make Yeah. Go back and look at I mean that's a concern. So these are concerns I think where Don's going with these is that what are the Did you write that one down?
Yeah. Write the review management. But I think we want to just hit highlight. We don't have to have 50 of these things. No, but just highlights I I that we want them to cover because they have their own agenda. They're going to Well, I think number four where it says
full audit of all accounting cash. I mean, that's a to me that's I don't even know why we're not doing that. I mean, when that accountant told us that, oh, we don't audit the little fell off my chair. Me, too. I'm almost I wanted to say, what are we paying? What are you auditing if you don't audit
the little account? That's what it is. Issues. Yeah. In the little accounts. Yeah. Because the just slipped under the tables. That's why I almost show off my chair
too. And I'm like I mean like I was like ears popped up. But but does that but if you do all the accounts full audit of all the accounts isn't that a forensic audit which is very possible. No. I think the forensic audit is one that looking for bad things.
I think a forensic audit has a different purpose than a regular audit. Well, I mean for my job, so I have a job that I can just No, I I know what you're saying. Yeah. Yeah. So, you have a clue that something's up and you focus on where they could be, the spots that could be as opposed to
just over the whole thing. And forensic is about the law. have a should have a okay but I mean I guess I don't know how does this does this cost us I don't even know if this cost us
I don't think this will okay so then I would like to get as much out of them as I can and if they can go down to the penny I mean well but they probably won't be doing an audit themselves they won't be doing audit themselves they'll be audit they'll be looking at well they'll have whoever or they'll
look at the I'm just It would be nice to see what they're what they expect us to have on the table for them to look at. Well, do we actually know what they're going to be looking for looking at? No. No. Specifically, no.
And that's really too bad. Well, this is I mean, we asked we asked them to come in, right? That's why they're that's why they're coming. That's why they're coming. Yeah. That's why we need to make out more. Um Why do we bother to call you
ahead of time? Yeah. I mean, and this he did capture most of our concerns here. He did. Um, now number five says list of best practices for town to follow. I mean, I think he's asking them to give us a
list of best practices. They have that on the DLS website. I know. Please. It's going to look like we're not paying attention. No, I know. But I found I did find something I think there was some report
like 10 years ago or something that somebody did and gave a bunch of best practices for the towns that Nelson brought up at the board of selection meeting when he said the state is coming and it's not a bad thing. They
did this in 2011. Yeah. And then they give you a a list of recommendations after they do the full scope of look and then they say this is what you have to do. And he was proud because they had like a third twothirds
completed in 11 years. Well, they said it's not mandatory to do them. Well, I didn't like that because I think that if if the state is first of all, why bother to ask the state if we're not going to do what they say? Right. Right. And if
welcome to the real business world, but they're going to come out and spend time and then give us some positive things. I think that we should I don't think we should say, "Oh, I don't like this. I don't like that." Right. And going forward, we should be
doing what their recommendations. Correct. Right. Because I'm sure we're not doing everything wrong. We're doing a lot of Right. But if there's 10 things that you know could be cleaned up or whatever. Yeah. It's like a refreshing.
Yeah. It's like you should be doing this, you should be doing Especially with the turnover that we've had of personnel between the accounting department and the treasurer tax collectors and the town administrator. Yeah. I mean, we've had so many
different people and things get lost. And Yeah. Yeah. and things get overlooked and then and then people move on and doesn't know that somebody that this that this was not finished completed. Yeah. Or or this even existed, right?
Something or um on topic but off topic. I just found out that when you submit minutes to the clerk of to the town clerk that you have to submit all the attachments that were part of your meeting. You don't have to
submit all the attachments. Really? But they have to be available. Well, you might as well submit them to So years ago, we used to get minutes and they would be this thick with a clip on them because you couldn't staple them because everything was
Where does it say that? Harrison told me that. Oh, I just want to let you know. I think it's could be part of the open meeting law. I think that's what he was telling me. Open meeting law. I don't remember him saying that at the class though
when um Adam gave the class and he coins that Adam did say did he I don't I don't I don't remember him saying that. I I I wasn't because I was paying attention about the minutes. Oh, because you're the taker. But I didn't hear him say that.
But yeah, the attachments are if not with the minutes, they should be available like and they should be noted where the attachments are available. I mean, where you going to put them? You going to keep them in your house? Well, no. So, the selectman just whatever. Um,
they would keep them up here, the file. Yeah. But it makes no sense because if the town clerk is the keeper of the records, then they should have them. I guess that's what I think. You mean like attached all this stuff to the minutes? Is that what he's saying? That's what she saying.
Yeah. I don't remember Adam ever saying that at that meeting. Yeah. And this is available anytime somebody wants to go. So all you should need to do according to Kathy here is reference it, right? And oh yeah, I guess it has most of the
information paperwork. Well, that's a good point. Who typed this thing up? I mean the BVA. So therefore, this two page should be attached because it's it's not necessarily available because it's Don and us. But makes sense. Yes,
the minutes are they definitely have the minutes which has been referenced. Um they definitely have this sheet that we have gone from last year that we're just discussing but so I would say attach only those things that are not part of the record.
Okay, that makes sense. Thank you. Okay, now we have number six, budgeting recommendations. I don't know where he's going yet. I think that's from them to us. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. And I think that's
because then the next one is is towns and in compliance. Yeah. That's the that's the ultimate goal of this is to get the feedback. Get the feedback. Yeah. About the 300th anniversary because I remember discussion on the
money charter. Yeah. Because something about five years versus whatever seven. Oh yeah. Because what? Yeah. I looked it up. Yeah. There was something about I remember John saying that there was some state law
that said you couldn't I think do collect money for like these anniversary things five years preceding it's preceding yes oh it's possible so and we've been doing it for I think we've been doing it for about five years and it's not till
or longer 32 yeah we're trying it's not till 32 well then ignore the Oh, they all do it. They all do it. Everybody does that. Yeah, I mean that's that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It takes
time, especially on a town that's been this tight on money for this many decades. Oh, that's a good, you know, only literally putting away a $2 bill every year comparatively speaking. That's a good question. I think I think it's five grand, right? Yeah,
but that's basically a really, you know, it's hurting other departments to do so, but we've got to because otherwise we won't have save it for the birthday party. Yeah, I I would just leave that and let them tell us where I agree. Is that in this report? But I didn't
what what started planning early and it's against the law to start planning early. That sounds like a Yeah, I know. Massachusetts are you? Yeah. I don't know what it is. Oh, it would be I would think it, wouldn't it? No.
Well, maybe. Well, would it? I don't even know if it's on the papers. No, I would think it would be under humanities and culture or something or other. We have a culture. So, it would be by the library.
Oh, by the way, council on aging, that type of thing. What page? Uh, page 19. Well, I that's council on aging, but I haven't found it yet. But here it got me closer. I'm still on
that name read. It's flag committee. What is that? Oh, it should be near the flag committee. Flag committee. It should be near it. Um, and then it's short-term interest assessment. I can't
find it. Well, it's got to be it's got to be um that's got to be somehow accounted for recreation commission. No, no, no. What's that? Oh,
well, maybe it is under general government. Memorial Day. Recreation department had go above 10,000. I guess I was asleep that night. I don't think it's in Well, they're negative 14,000,
right? Shouldn't it be in there or it's a special article? Means it's over 10,000 if they already got it. How would you Isn't it voted as a special article? It was voted as a special. So, it might not be in here. I didn't think it would be in here. But then how is it where what account is
it deposited into? That's my account didn't get audited. That's a very good question. Oh, here it is. 300th anniversary celebration. 24 24 I'm not
300th anniversary celebration. TAM annual funding. Oh, because they have the special articles. Okay. So, we have $25,000 in that. Wow. So, they've been doing it for five years, right? And when is the anniversary?
32. 32. So they'll have another seven years, right? Yeah. In five years five years that you can have it in advance. That's a good question. Yeah. And what do we do with it if we
So So what do we do with it if they say, "Well, we got to do something with that." I mean, yeah, it should be making it should be a lot more than 27,000 because it should be I I I would try to argue that point that five five years is is
well let you handle that is silly. It's very I'm sorry. I couldn't plan that especially for a small a small town. So what special article prior year down segment?
It's got 10,000. Oh, but this Okay, never mind. That's a different money in it. Oh, very little. Yeah, it says may appropriate money
annually during the five years preceding such anniversary or special event. Oh, they may. Oh, see may appropriate money. So, they did but they did. But they didn't but more than five years. More than five years. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's right. Yeah,
take it to the Supreme Court. Yeah, I I wouldn't worry. We'll cross that one. Well, there's something a little more important as far as I'm personally concerned cuz that money is going to be put away for 10 years and it's still 20
and it gets $5,000 a year and it's only worth $25,000 which means it's worth a hell of a lot less than it was when we started. So interest. Yeah. Why isn't it in interest? Is it just insane? Nobody's paying much attention to interestbearing accounts.
That's my that is my other especially something like that where you know concern is not going to be spent until 2030 and then money may start being spent at that point. I don't know your personal account but I tell you that when I get to the last
week of the month there's that much left in the checking account but an emergency amount. Not only that, but that has a decent size with you at least savings account attached to it to draw. So if I'm saying
I don't know how many of those $100 donation to the school for whatever purpose for my daughter. Okay, I've got $90 left. That's fine. if they comfort that happens to come in, they'll draw $10 from the other account and as
soon as I see that and and the the next paycheck comes in, I can reimburse. I'm not going to lose but a penny or two, right? Um, but there's no reason why a town that's this small can't be keeping track of their money so that by the time they get to the end of
the month before the next bills whenever the the the pay cycles come in they pull the money from savings to always be in savings especially in this day and age. It should be you know it should be in something that we get some interest in.
I don't know how the bills come in but you know a lot of companies 25% if you pay them which was the last few years you know regular banks like DCU and you know very minimal
um we should still have more money in here that's right it should be an odd amount should be 25,000 you mean because 26,000 something like that I say right now at Standard Bank I'm not talking about anything like or any of the other big
banks that pay decently. Oh. Um, they don't do commercial anyway. At least for they made sure that I can't do my business through it. I have to do personal [Music]
I think those are Carol wants to add um what is the practice of management of interest bearing accounts right now? What what accounts are they? What accounts are interest bearing if any? which could be. So, is this a question for do? Yeah. Yes.
Okay. How the hell do we find out? We're going to make a list and send it to them before they come. Like I said, even a 0.25 per year or something ridiculously low like that, it's still money. Right. Right. Right.
21. Yeah. Yeah. And we have to make sure that we can have certain things under interesting account. Yeah. I mean, there's rules on that, too. Yeah, there is. What are the rules? Well, precisely. What are the rules? I mean, we could go I mean, we have to
be careful because I should go down to a knitting. I mean, there's so many there's just so many concerns about how our tax dollars or our any dollars are being, you know, Yeah. looked at use
not only used but used wisely to earn earn money for the town. um take advantage of, you know, if a vendor will give you a discount for paying within 10 days, you know. But yeah, that's a couple
dollars earned. I mean, same point, you know. I mean, it's not earned. Well, it's not earned, but it's it's it's a saving. It's a s, you know, and when you don't have a lot of money, every penny every penny counts. And
Oh, yeah. And you know I I can't and because we don't really have a good hold on our finances, we're losing out on some savings. Um,
not only that, but if it's not going to be used, it should be a cycle of getting it from a savings account to moving into the checking account to be paid. Yeah. And not sitting in not sitting in a checking account earning $0. Yeah.
Yeah. Because even even 1% is better than 0%. So, um, and when you're talking a million, you know, million dollar doesn't keep up with inflation, but it helps. Um, yeah. So, we're in agreement that these seven items that Don listed
out are concerns that we should put on. Yeah. Yeah. And we're going to add to and add to current contract management including grants. Yeah. And the management of interest bearing accounts. What are the rules and
are we following them? Well, I know one thing we're not following. What? According to this report that I was handed this Oh, that's that's uh Yeah, that's right. treasure, right? Yeah.
Well, the treasurer gets has asked for uh for 20 f year 26 $1,700 for travel and mileage. Miley's reimbursement for weekly trips to banks to deposit cash receipts over
the counter. Which counter? What bank means? Where are we? I mean, apparently they're talking about if I go in and pay my excise taxes, that goes in by the end of the week or sometime during that week because they say they're making weekly trips to the
bank for that stuff. And yet when I give a check for $25 to some other entity in this town, it takes a month to get through. Okay. How does it take a month? How is that
check from a different department? And I can I'm not naming any departments because there's at least two in my mind that uh it takes a long time to get from handing it out back to my bank if they're going weekly to the bank. See, now that's a question we have to
ask. Yeah. When they come to meet with us with their budget, right? Yeah. I don't like losing money that way. My town has lost that money. It's bad enough I got to pay for that piece of thing that I'm talking about,
right? Um, but the fact that it become Never Neverland Money 1700. This is a good question. What bank do we That's a perfect way to come. We're just going to If it's a bank down the street, do we know what bank is?
I don't think they're these banks. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. Go somewhere wherever. I don't know. Would they get a Do they have a special bank that they put cow money in? I don't know. No idea. answer to that. I was going to say if it's one of these banks, you could walk there.
Yeah, I would. Yeah, exactly. I mean, um, and then they wouldn't have to have exercise classes in the middle. You're in the middle of just saying really? Yeah. Who pays for that? Is that in the contract?
That's paid for out of Maya. The health insurance comes in. We have so much out of their jobs. getting started. Don't get started. Okay. 2.5. I just want to get rid of the
capture best practices. I think we will get that information from them. Yes, that's a that's a feedback. So, we probably don't six and seven will be coming from them. Correct. the discussion to re to capture
the recommendation to the select board and TA for budgeting classes and to capture best seven is correspondence that's just John just always puts that on but correspondence she's looking at the agenda
you went back to the agenda no I was sorry oh um the five six and seven yeah that's going to be coming back for audits They'll give us the best practices. They'll give us budgeting
recommendations and they'll answer the question about the $5,000 that we're putting away every year. Yeah. Yeah. I think Don just puts correspondence on there as a placeholder. So, agenda items five and six it seem like they're part of this.
They seem to be part of the deal. That's fine. Yeah. Okay. Now the the next part I think maybe not by the he says select board best practice schedule quarterly or monthly. Oh this is to meet with the
board of selectman and that review committee. What was it? Not review committee. Yeah. The school the finance committee the board of selectman and that other committee that when is that going to start? Well, that's should be starting like next month. I
would think starting exactly October. I don't know who sets the schedule on that. Do we set it and then they come or do they I'm sure it's on their school. Yeah. As a school committee, but my best practices.
So, this page does not seem to be on our agenda. I think it's Isn't Doesn't it say best practices number five? Capture best practices or number six. What's six?
Six. Capture recommendations to select board TA for budgeting process. Oh, number one says best practice schedule the quarterly monthly meetings with the school committee select board and this finance committee to review. The best
practices from DLS says that you should be meeting every other month. I believe it was every other month. Well, that's in between the two. year round. Yes. Yes. So that when it comes time for the budget, there'll be no surprises and and everything and all the fighting and all the
Yeah. is is been resolved. All the issues have been resolved. I think that that is a very good practice. Now whether those other officers want to come and meet with us, I don't know. Okay. So do we invite them?
I guess if we Well, you know what? I'm gonna ask Valerie what that schedule's going to be because she did bring up that. It may be on their schedule for their school committee. I don't know. Yeah, that would be good to ask about. I suspect it would probably be down at
the school. Yeah, that's a good question for number one. Yeah. And then the second one he has down is schedule regular joint meetings with finance committee to review BBA or develop process for questions related to
the BBA. Is he talking about that that finance team rather than the committee you know the talking about the department? No I think he's it says finance committee. I think that's us to review the VA or develop question.
Yeah questions to the department. But who's the joint meeting with? The select board and us I think is what he's saying. Because it comes I'm looking at it as being the No, because look at the title of select
board. So it must be Yeah. So Dave's right. Dave's right. Dave the head of class. See, I don't think we should be meeting. I don't think we should be meeting with them. I think at the end after we've meet met with all the once we have our well given what we
experienced last year from my point of view I don't know if you have the same point of view but there were a lot of meetings we had with the board of selectmen where they did the input and we didn't get a chance and I think that our role is to make
recommendations to them not to have them tell us what they want us to tell them right you don't think that that's why We're meeting with Nelson and oh for the standardized phones I I don't think that's too big a deal. I mean the
phones are the phones but on this number two from work from today. All right. We do not have a budget because there are no dollars. So, so what's the point of even of meeting with them of meeting with them because this is
their budget and they put no dollars in there. So, right. So, we should move forward with our job which is to look at the BBA and to monitor the department and see how much we're going into the hole.
and see how much we're going into the hole because Carol's right. The budget is not a budget. What are we going to talk to them about? They're not going to tell us anyway. And they're not going to explain why they put zeros against salary. And they're not going to tell us how
they're paying these salaries. No. So, so no. So, the answer to this one is no. No. And the third Oh, third one.
Massachusetts animal inspector list by town. The link above shows towns and is listed with an animal inspector. Is this current information? Do we have an animal inspector? Oh, that's the one that gets a rabies
shot. We have an we have a dog. We have an animal control oper. [Music] But this is the one with the babies, right? No, this is the one that with the cows and counting the cows.
Counting the cows. Don't you want to do that? Well, they count dogs and cats, too. My house. How many animals do you have? Four. It doesn't count my daughter and it doesn't count my dog. When when they came to our house, they asked about they asked all of them.
Oh, somebody came to your house and did this. Some Well, this is years ago when we had we don't have we don't now. If they came and asked me my animal count, I I can say this and I will not be lying. It's zero. Yeah. But before I mean, we had horses, donkeys,
and then dogs. How did you get rid of them? Tell me quickly. What? The animals or the people? The animals. Either one will be fine. We sold them. I don't think I think
so. The link above whatever shows count is listed with animal. So we agree that we have an animal inspection. No, we don't have resigned. Oh, he resigned. The job is empty.
It's also a uh what do you call it? Legacy position. What? You pass it on to your father like that? You pass it on to your child. Child. No. The legacy in town. It exists because it was needed
when you know 100 years ago and and before we've been around for nearly 300 years. I see. We need to know how many animals are in this town for whatever purposes. Now you've got you every count the number of farmers and people like me and him that
had have horses. Not all that many. Most are the Timber League farms, whatever we call it. My girlfriend would like an animal in count. My girlfriend would like an animal inspector come to her nextdoor neighbor's house and count how many
animals he's got behind the fence. Then she has the responsibility. Yes, she will do it. That would would put if she thinks it's wrong, MSNBC or whatever they call it. But holy cow.
So this list has SPCA, MSIPCA, whatever they call it thing should be called should be advised. That's a good point. I don't know why he even has this on here. So the link above was that a link on the top. Well, because it was on them. It was
a link in this in this sheet. Oh, a link in this sheet. Oh, okay. So I went I typed that in to to search it. And this is animal control officers that it comes up. Yeah, we have one of those.
This is a Massachusetts animal. So, here's the sick or something, I guess. And I think it was on here as zero dollars for the last year when we were looking at it for the inspector. I don't think there was any money put.
Yeah, it still has the previous um animal inspector. Does it make any difference how many I mean how many I'm not sure back in the day was how you got So no so how it makes a difference when when we moved here and we built the
barn and my wife got the horses and everything we had to put together a manure plan for the property. Oh okay. And depending on how many animals you have, that that kind of dictates what your
manure plan has to look like, right? So if you have x number of horses, you have to have a plan to handle all the horse manure. Um basically, so be because you know they
they don't want you throwing it in the stream. No. Right. So you've got to so you've got to develop. Now, no one ever came out to see, are you following this plan that you filed? Nobody ever came to look at that. No, but you had to file a plan. But you had to file a plan to get the
permit to have the animals. Yeah. Just like I mean, I'm assuming that's probably still You probably had to do that when you moved. Yeah, I remember that. Yeah. And somebody opened a dog where it was like a year or two ago and they had to
go before the planning board and the the board of health or whatever would help us and they had a limit number of dogs but they had to have a a plant waste plan and then they were near wetlands and they had to have the waste so far away from the wetlands and how you going to
dispose of it. So that is still a viable thing. Yeah. So so an animal inspector would be taken that role. He never did all the years he came by. No, because if there's a complaint, all he did was count animals, right? And drive away.
We chatted about health. How have you been with the health? I don't know why this anybody know what I don't know why he has this. Well, I think he has it on there because he's saying if the list of animal inspectors from the surrounding towns is accurate,
potentially con contact them and determine interest in filling towns. He's basically saying we could look at this list and maybe find someone to come. Oh, share somebody like we share the building inspector with six other. Exactly. That's fine. I don't care who
ever shows up again because we really are except for a handful of farms. We're pretty down on animals. Yeah. So, the next line a problem with an animal that I would like was said a minute ago, then it should be escalated to the MSSPDA or whatever they call
themselves. Yeah. It was the understanding during the FY26 budget review, the towns and position was open. Was open. If the list of animal inspectors from the surrounding towns is accurate, essentially contact them and
determine interest in filling out. So this you just read that. So, all right. So, this is for the select board, but I'm not understanding why we would need to be involved in that. Wouldn't that be the board of select? Right. Well, I think that's Yeah, I'm not sure. I Yeah, it seems like
board of health. Isn't that a board? Is is that a recommendation from us to say I'm thinking that this is just part of the is this part of the dual or DLS visit and these are items? I don't think
separate the select board that's a sep number 2.5 is discuss oh I'm sorry 2.6 is capture recommendation to select board ta for budgeting project it's vague okay so maybe this is maybe this piece
of paper was for 2.6 Six. Yeah. Maybe that he wants to know what we're doing with it budget wise because it's a line item. Is that possible? It is. Yeah, it is a line item in the budget. Actually has to clear out clear either either share it, get rid of it. Okay. So, I think this I think this page
select board is probably for item 2.6 on our agenda. Yeah, I agree. Is what that is. And then moving on to correspondence. Don did not leave any with me. I don't have any. The only thing that I have was
um I did finally hear from Sabrina and she did give me a list of the fixed asset reports. So um I have in the agenda for the next meeting. We I if I have time to go through them all. I was reviewing them.
Oh, you're I thought it'd be better. I mean we can all review them if you wish, but um what do you I I did just receive it though. I mean And it's And it's very long. Okay. Because in every department and what is this called?
It's called fixed asset report. All department for five years. For five years. Oh, that's very important. It's really Yeah. I mean that that's something that we as the finance committee should really be looking at. So how do you want to handle Jerry? Do you want to bring it to the next meeting?
I can. And distribute it and then we can work on Right. Do you want it? Yeah. Actually, uh we depending when your next meeting is, I may not even be here. Oh, yeah. You won't be here. Oh, okay.
I don't think so because so maybe towards the end of the month, I think. When is when is our next meeting? Um, so the next meeting is that the next item on the be October 14th, I believe. October 14th.
Okay. Is it well is it the second and the fourth? Right. Yeah. Tuesday. So it would be the seventh. I mean the the 14th. So October 14th is our next meeting. You will not be here. You will not be here.
No, I'll be in the air. You'll be in the air. I hope. So then we don't want to put the fix. Then we won't put the fix. Then we'll do that. Move it to the next one. Move it to the uh 28 20. Is that the next meeting after it?
Now hopefully by then we'll know when the meeting is for the DO by the 14th so we can wrap up. Okay. So the next meeting we're setting for the 14th at 6 p.m. 6 o' Is that okay with you? 6 p.m.
No, that's not too early. Okay, that's good for you. Kathy Sam, Jerry, you're not going to be here, so we don't care. We do. We do. We still there. We care about you, but we don't care if you're
jealous. The one after that would be what? What' you tell us? The 28th. The 28th. Yeah. The 14th and the 28th. Now, I do think we should be going over the BBA the next one. Well, the next one we won't have an update for this uh for September yet,
probably. Oh, that's right. It's possible that we Well, maybe on the 28th you might have. on the 28th, we should actually put it in there for the next one, too. Say if available, okay? Because maybe it'll be available, maybe it won't. We But yeah, that way it we can discuss.
That way, if it is available, we can look, we have it on the agenda. If we don't have it available, we can say, "Okay, not available, move on." Just like we did with the So, we're not putting curbside on for the 14th because it's too early. Right. Right. We are putting BBA.
Sure. I wonder any other business that I should let Don know the next agenda. Um so I mean do you want to start something a project or what wasn't that um don't want to start this bit about where the hell is our money going that takes
so long to get. Do you want to do an update of the standardization of forms? Yes. Yep. Right. because we can at least find out if we if we got any information from the select board on what on how they want to proceed on that.
Then we should also put on the dols because Don will be here the next meeting I believe. Okay. So maybe that would be just to discuss that just to update update on it. Yeah, that's a good idea. And I think we should do an update on
best practices from DLS. Okay. Um especially we want to find out about meeting with the school committee and yeah how that how that works. So yeah so from DOS I can pull that myself and give it to Don so he doesn't have to worry.
I just like to know what they working on their budget for the following year. Excuse me. I'd like to know what the school committee does with their budget because every year they come in at this level and then they work it down to this level and come down to this level
on a regular basis. We're going to have more information and they're going to know that we're watchdoging them. So, it might change the the way they do business, so to speak. It may I know you I understand it may not. But you know, sometimes when somebody's
looking over your shoulder, you do things a little different. You might negotiate more. Maybe. Who knows? I'm with you, though. I don't have a lot of hope. But I think that if we go Yeah. and we hold them accountable to these
meetings every so often, Kathy, based on Yeah, that's it's North. It's the whole It's both schools. Yeah, but it wouldn't be at the same meeting. Yeah, we have the same meetings. Oh, they don't. No, they don't. Oh, they have separate school committees. Oh. Oh, I thought they had one school
meeting has about 12 members from like everybody. Oh, okay. Yeah, they serve us a lot. Well, let's just see what the Let's see what the select are talking about. We'll follow the Lee to a point.
Actually, the show's budget isn't that hard to follow. Oh my god, she's wonderful about it. Down to the penny, she gives you I think they do an excellent job. She does a great job. And then we go back and I've never seen any
stuff coming from them. Yeah. Funny budget. Yeah. So, if I would be so kind to ask if there's any other discussion that would be within the agenda. If not, can I have a motion to adjurnn or
I'll move that we adjourn the meeting? So moved. Yep. Seconded. Whatever. Yes. Roll call vote. Carol. Carol House says yes. Jerome Ziggs. Yes. Dam Grant. Yeah. Catherine Spartford. Yes. Steven Walker, yes. Mary, yes. Thank you everybody.
Thank you. That was great. to back.